bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Prevalence of Radiographic Signs of Pincer Type Morphology in a Population Based Cohort Study of Asymptomatic Japanese
Authors: Mochizuki Yoshihito , Kokubo Yoshiyasu , Yamazaki Takashi
Published: April 2016

Background

This study was designed to document the prevalence of radiographic findings of pincer-type morphology in an asymptomatic population and determine any relationship to age.

Methods

A total of 2,104 hips in 1,052 patients (mean age 38.9 years [10-59]), who underwent abdominal/pelvic computed tomography for other conditions, were identified retrospectively. Anteroposterior scout radiographs were used to detect the acetabular crossover sign (COS), prominent ischial spine (PRIS), coxa profunda (CP), and posterior wall sign (PWS). Subgroup analyses of signs were performed by age (group 1: 532 hips in <30-year-old patients; group 2: 1,572 hips in ≥30-year-old patients).

Results

COS and PRIS was observed significantly more often in group 1 vs. group 2: COS was 73.1% vs. 29.3% in group 2, p<0.001; PRIS was 23.9% vs.7.4% in group 2, p<0.001. CP and PWS was observed significantly less frequently in group 1 vs. group 2: CP 3.4% vs. 21.2% in group 2, p<0.001; PWS was 4.7% vs. 11.0% in group 2, p<0.001.

Discussions

Radiographic pincer-type findings were common in an asymptomatic population and their prevalence was dependent upon a patient's age, indicating a diagnosis using radiographic parameters should also take into account a patient's age.
Stem Anteversion Affects Periprosthetic Bone Mineral Density after Total HIP Arthroplasty
Authors: Hayashi Shinya , Hashimoto Shingo , Kanzaki Noriyuki , Kuroda Ryosuke , Kurosaka Masahiro
Published: April 2016

Aims

The present study aimed to evaluate periprosthetic bone mineral density (BMD) changes around a cementless short tapered-wedge stem used for total hip arthroplasty (THA) and to determine the correlation between BMD changes and stem alignment after THA.

Methods

The study included 21 patients (21 joints) who underwent THA with a TriLock stem. At baseline and 6, 12, 18, and 24 months postoperatively, the BMDs in the 7 Gruen zones were evaluated using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. BMD changes and stem alignment, that is, anteversion, varus, and anterior tilt, were correlated.

Results

Minimal BMD changes were found in the distal femur (Gruen zones 3, 4, and 5), but significant BMD loss was noted in zone 7. BMD loss was also noted in zone 1 at 6 and 12 months postoperatively, but it recovered after 18 months. No correlation was found between BMD changes and anterior tilt. However, significant negative correlations were found between BMD changes and anteversion. Furthermore, significant negative correlations were found between BMD changes and varus in Gruen zone 1, while positive correlations were found between BMD changes and varus in Gruen zone 7.

Conclusions

We demonstrated that periprosthetic BMD was well maintained in the proximal femur after THA with a short tapered-wedge stem and that stem anteversion affects periprosthetic BMD after THA.
Mid-Term Comparative Outcomes of Autologous Bone-Marrow Concentration to Treat Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head in Standard Practice
Authors: Cruz-Pardos Ana , Garcia-Rey Eduardo , Ortega-Chamarro Jose A. , Duran-Manrique David , Gomez-Barrena Enrique
Published: April 2016

Purpose

To evaluate mid-term effectiveness of core decompression (CD) followed by injection of bone-marrow concentration (BMC) in osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) compared with CD alone.

Methods

We retrospectively studied 60 hips in 45 patients with ONFH Ficat I-II after a mean follow-up of 45 (range 24-171) months. Group A (19 hips) were treated with CD, and Group B (41 hips) with CD plus autologous BMC. Necrotic lesions were classified according to MRI findings in: (i) the lesion angle; and (ii) the relation of the necrotic area to the weight-bearing portion. Outcomes included clinical changes and radiographic femoral head collapse. Risk factors associated with radiological collapse were evaluated by Cox regression analysis.

Results

Postoperative Merlé D'Aubigne and Postel hip score was similar in both groups. Femoral head collapse was observed in 10/19 hips in Group A and 22/41 in Group B. At 24 months, the probability of not having a collapse was 56.4% (95% CI, 33.6%-79.1%) for Group A and 57.6% (95% CI, 41.7%-73.4%) for Group B (p = 0.47). The risk of collapse increased in hips with a lesion angle higher than 150° (p<0.02, hazard risk [HR] 4.073) in both groups.

Conclusions

With the standard BMC technique performed without monitoring the number of progenitors in the concentrate, we are uncertain to observe a significant decrease in femoral head collapse compared to CD alone. Improved outcomes may require the monitoring of progenitor cells injected into the femoral head, particularly in large lesions.
The Effect of Continuous Elimination Methods on the Hemostatic Profile of a Cardiac Surgery Patient Monitored using Thromboelastography
Authors: Zuščich Ondřej , Hájek Roman , Ševčík Pavel , Lonský Vladimír , Zapletalová Jana
Published: April 2016

Introduction

This work is focused on mapping issues of hemostasis in patients during continuous renal replacement therapy, or the possible impact of the use of anticoagulants.

Methods

The study included 30 consecutive patients requiring continuous renal replacement therapy following cardiac surgery in the period of 2009 to 2012. Patients were placed into 2 branches according to the selected method of anticoagulation (regional citrate anticoagulation-RCA, unfractionated heparin UFH). According to the given scheme (t1–t7) thromboelastography and laboratory testing related to the testing of blood clotting during continuous renal replacement therapy were performed.

Results

The average lifespan of a hemofilter during continuous renal replacement is 58.13 ± 9.968 hours. During continuous renal replacement therapy there are significant changes in the initiation of coagulation according to thromboelastographic parameters (R, K, alpha angle) in both branches of anticoagulation. The maximum image changes in hemostasis occur around 24 hours (t4) from the start of the procedure. The nature of the changes is the procoagulant activity in these parameters. In the branch of regional citrate anticoagulation a higher value of functional fibrinogen is apparent. There was no significant difference in the activation of native blood between UFH and RCA.

Conclusions

During continuous renal replacement therapy significant changes occur in the thromboelastographic image and the laboratory parameters in blood clotting. The nature of the change is the procoagulant activity. The question remains about the complexity of the changes that TEG is not able to detect, especially in the cellular area.
Clinicopathological Significance and Diagnostic Accuracy of HER2 Immunohistochemistry in Colorectal Cancer: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Pyo Jung-Soo , Kang Guhyun , Park Kyeongmee
Published: April 2016

Introduction

The aim of this study was to elucidate the clinicopathological significance of HER2 expression and the diagnostic accuracy of HER2 immunohistochemistry (IHC) in colorectal cancer (CRC). A total of 2,573 CRC cases from 13 eligible studies were included.

Methods

We performed a meta-analysis to examine the correlations between HER2 expression and clinicopathological characteristics in CRC. Concordance analysis between HER2 IHC and in situ hybridization (ISH) and diagnostic test accuracy review was conducted.

Results

The estimated rate of HER2 IHC overexpression was 0.162 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.106-0.240). HER2 IHC overexpression was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis but not tumor depth. HER2 IHC overexpression was not correlated with overall survival. The concordance rates between IHC and ISH were 0.968 (95% CI 0.881-0.992), 0.377 (95% CI 0.225-0.557) and 0.780 (95% CI 0.390-0.952) for HER2 IHC scores of 0/1+, 2+ and 3+, respectively. The diagnostic test accuracy review of HER2 IHC revealed that the pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.71 (95% CI 0.58-0.82) and 0.96 (95% CI 0.94-0.97), respectively. The diagnostic odds ratio and area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve were 51.34 (95% CI 3.82-690.54) and 0.9704, respectively.

Conclusions

HER2 IHC overexpression was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis. CRC cases with HER2 IHC scores of 0/1+ exhibited good agreement with the ISH data. However, additional ISH analysis is needed to confirm HER2 status in cases with IHC scores of 2+ or 3+.
Role of Bacterial Contamination in Endometriosis
Authors: Khan Khaleque N. , Kitajima Michio , Fujishita Akira , Nakashima Masahiro , Masuzaki Hideaki , Kitawaki Jo
Published: April 2016

The human lower genital tract is constantly exposed to various microorganisms, which can infect the upper genital tract through ascending migration. We report on tests of the hypothesis that as normal microbial flora in the vagina, some gram-negative bacteria infect the uterine wall after ascending migration from the vagina, to contaminate menstrual blood, consequently resulting in accumulation of endotoxin in the menstrual/peritoneal fluid and initiation of pelvic inflammation. The aim of the present review is to assess possible intrauterine microbial colonization and to examine the stimulatory effect of E. coli-derived lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the secretion of various macromolecules by macrophages (Mϕ) known to be involved in endometriosis. We also assess the growth-promoting effect of LPS on endometrial cells and the role of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), a receptor recognizing LPS, in the secretion of macromolecules by Mϕ and growth of endometrial cells. We found higher intrauterine microbial colonization in women with endometriosis than in controls. The ligand from gram-negative bacteria is involved in TLR4-mediated proinflammation in the pelvis as well as growth of endometriosis. Treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) further promotes intrauterine microbial colonization compared with GnRHa-untreated women.

Conclusions

We propose the bacterial contamination hypothesis as a new concept in endometriosis. Based on our current findings, an estrogen-suppressing agent and an antimicrobial agent may have new therapeutic potential in women with endometriosis.
Endometriosis and Crohn's Disease Side by Side: A Case Report
Authors: Paixão-Barradas Filipa P.M. , Sousa Vera , Pereira Daniela , Lopes Ana P. , Marques Isabel
Published: April 2016

Endometriosis is the presence of ectopic endometrial tissue at extrauterine sites. Symptoms vary greatly and depend on the extent of the disease, ranging from an asymptomatic state to a miscellaneous group of symptoms. The correct diagnosis of intestinal endometriosis is often delayed because it may clinically masquerade as a wide spectrum of diseases, mainly Crohn's disease.

We describe the case of a 42-year-old woman who presented to our hospital with subacute bowel obstruction. She had been suffering from strong abdominal disorders for over ten years with recurrent abdominal pain and chronic diarrhea, sometimes with gross bleeding, resulting in impaired nutrition, weight loss, and several hospital admissions. She had been diagnosed with Crohn's Disease ten years earlier, which was established by imaging, endoscopic and histologic criteria. The gastrointestinal symptoms were recurrent despite the medication for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The patient underwent a laparotomy, which identified a large bowel wall thickening with severe mucosal edema and luminal stricture in the proximal ileum. An ileocecal resection and appendectomy with latero-lateral ileocolic anastomosis was performed. Histopathological examination reported a diagnosis of ileocecal endometriosis. After a three-year follow-up period, she has no gynecologic symptoms but still maintains chronic diarrhea and imaging and endoscopic criteria are suggestive of IBD.

Intestinal endometriosis should be borne in mind when a woman of reproductive age presents with episodic gastrointestinal symptoms. Multidisciplinary care should be encouraged.
Anti-hMAM Monoclonal Antibodies Evaluated in Breast and Non-Breast Tissues for Differential Diagnosis Implication
Authors: Lv Xiaojuan , Feng Xiaoyan , Hao Xiaopeng , Meng Di , Yang Xiqin , Xiu Bingshui , Chen Kun , Lu Yinglin , Zhang Heqiu , Zeng Yanjun , Huang Yan
Published: April 2016

Purpose

Human mammaglobin (hMAM) is a breast tissue-specific marker that may have potency for the diagnosis of breast cancer. However, there is a lack of commercialization of anti-hMAM antibody made in China.

Methods

Immunoreactivities of 2 self-made monoclonal anti-hMAM antibodies, MEF521 and MDA822, were evaluated by immunohistochemistry staining and compared with imported monoclonal antibody ab81611. A total of 48 cases of primary breast cancers, 36 cases of benign or normal breast tissues, 52 cases of lymph nodes or organ metastases from breast cancer, and 90 cases of non-breast primary carcinoma tissues were analyzed.

Results

All 3 anti-hMAM antibodies showed high positive expression of hMAM in primary breast cancers, benign, and normal breast tissues. The positive ratio for MEF521 (33.3%) or MDA822 (44.4%) was much higher than that of ab81611 (16.7%) in lymph node metastasis from breast cancer (p = 0.038). There was no correlation between hMAM expression and clinicopathologic features of breast cancer in the 3 groups of antibodies. In 90 cases of non-breast primary carcinoma tissues, no hMAM-positive ones were observed in the MEF521 or MDA822 group, but 48 (53.3%) in the ab81611 group were positive, indicating that breast tissue specificity of the 2 self-made anti-hMAM monoclonal antibodies much higher than that of ab81611 (p<0.001).

Conclusions

Our results showed that MDA822 and MEF521 are more specific to breast cancer as measured by means of immunohistochemistry. Therefore, the 2 self-made anti-hMAM antibodies may have good prospects for clinical application in the differential diagnosis of breast tumor and breast cancer metastases.
A Case Report of Subclinical Hypercortisolism Due to Adrenal Incidentaloma Complicated by Myasthenia Gravis after Adrenalectomy
Authors: Petramala Luigi , Marinelli Cristiano , Giallonardo Anna Teresa , Concistrè Antonio , Lucia Piernatale , Venuta Federico , Cerbelli Bruna , Ciardi Antonio , De Toma Giorgio , Letizia Claudio
Published: April 2016

A 62-year-old woman was admitted for evaluation of an incidentally discovered adrenal mass and hypertension. CT scan revealed a 7 cm mass in the right adrenal gland. After careful examination, the patient was diagnosed with subclinical hypercortisolism (SH). Adrenalectomy was performed. Histopathological examination showed an adrenocortical adenoma. Symptoms and signs of myasthenia gravis appeared 5 months later. CT of the chest showed a solid tissue mass in the mediastinum. The patient underwent a sternotomy with excision of the tumor, which histologically proved to be a type 2B thymoma. We describe a rare case of SH due to an incidentally discovered adrenocortical adenoma in a patient who manifested myasthenia gravis after surgical remission of the cortisol excess.
TAp73 and ΔNp73 Relative Expression in Egyptian Patients with Lymphoid Neoplasms
Authors: Hamdy Mona Salah Al-Din , El-Saadany Zainab Ali , Makhlouf Manal Mohamed , Salama Asmaa Ibrahim , Ibrahim Nihal Salah , Gad Alaa Amr
Published: April 2016

Background and aims

The p73 gene has different isoforms with opposing anti- and pro-apoptotic functions. The pro-apoptotic activities are inhibited by overexpression of the dominant ΔNp73 isoform. The aim of this study was to detect the expression of the TAp73 and ΔNp73 isoforms in Egyptian patients with malignant lymphoid neoplasms. Their expression was analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR.

Patients and Methods

The study included 30 B-NHL patients, 24 T-NHL patients, 16 ALL patients, 18 CLL patients, 22 patients with reactive lymphoid hyperplasia, and 6 healthy control subjects.

Results

ALL and CLL patients expressed both isoforms at higher levels compared to lymphoma patients. Higher expression of TAp73 was found in both B-NHL and T-NHL (around 4-fold and 16-fold, respectively) in comparison to ΔNp73 (2-fold and 14-fold, respectively). In CLL patients both isoforms showed higher expression levels in comparison to normal peripheral blood lymphocytes controls: nearly 27-fold for TAp73 and 233-fold for ΔNp73. All ALL patients showed higher expression of both studied isoforms than controls (9-fold for TAp73 and 386-fold for ΔNp73). The highest ΔNp73 expression along with a higher ΔNp73/TAp73 ratio (67-fold) was found in ALL patients compared with CLL patients (21-fold).

Conclusions

A considerable number of lymphoma patients lacked the expression of either or both isoforms, while all lymphoid leukemia patients expressed both isoforms. The expression pattern differences of p73 isoforms may reflect differences in the biology of these malignancies.
Penile Curvature: An Update for Management from 20 Years Experience in a High Volume Centre
Authors: Sasso Francesco , Vittori Matteo , D'Addessi Alessandro , Bassi Pier Francesco
Published: April 2016

Our aim was to review the literature and discuss about penile curvature in order to have an update for management after 20 years experience in the field.

Penile curvature may be congenital or acquired. Congenital penile curvature is a relatively uncommon condition that may present in late adolescent or early adult life. The incidence is estimated to be 0.6 %. On the other side, acquired penile curvature has an overall prevalence of 0.5-13%. Three main factors seem to increase the risk of developing an acquired penile curvature, often related to Peyronie's disease: penile traumatism, genetic and familiar conditions and a history of diseases of the genital tract. In treating Peyronie's disease, no medical therapy is fully effective, and surgery remains the gold standard in cases of severe deformity and/or erectile disfunction. Peyronie's disease is associated with significant psychological stress for patients and their partners. Appropriate treatment should be individualized and tailored to the patient's goals and expectations. There is not the ‘best’ surgical technique and outcomes are satisfactory when proper treatment decisions are made.
A Strong Law of Large Numbers for Set-Valued Negatively Dependent Random Variables
Authors: Guan Li , Wan Ying
Published: April 2016

In this paper, we shall represent a strong law of large  numbers (SLLN) for weighted sums of negative dependent set-valued random variables  in the sense of the Hausdorff metric $d_{H}$, based  on the result of single-valued  random variable obtained by Taylor (Taylor, 1978).
Time Scales in Epidemiological Analysis: An Empirical Comparison
Authors: Chalise Prabhakar , Chicken Eric , McGee Daniel
Published: April 2016

The Cox proportional hazards model is routinely used to analyze time-to-event data. This model requires the definition of a unique well-defined time scale. Most often, observation time is used as the time scale for both clinical and observational studies. Recently after a suggestion that it may be a more appropriate scale, chronological age has begun to appear as the time scale used in some reports. There appears to be no general consensus about which time scale is appropriate for any given analysis. It has been suggested that if the baseline hazard is exponential or if the age-at-entry is independent of covariates used in the model, then the two time scales provide similar results. In this report we provide an empirical examination of the results using the two different time scales using a large collection of data sets to examine the relationship between systolic blood pressure and coronary heart disease death. We demonstrate, in this empirical example that the two time-scales can sometimes lead to differing regression coefficient estimates but time-on-study model has better predictive ability in general.
Critical Multicultural Education Competencies Scale: A Scale Development Study
Authors: Acar-Ciftci Yasemin
Published: April 2016

The purpose of this study is to develop a scale in order to identify the critical mutlicultural education competencies of teachers. For this reason, first of all, drawing on the knowledge in the literature, a new conceptual framework was created with deductive method based on critical theory, critical race theory and critical multicultural education theory, which includes dimensions of awareness, knowledge, attitude and skill. In accordance with this framework, experimental form consisting of 56 items was submitted to experts for consideration. In accordance with the responses of the experts, content validity rate of the items was identified and the items which were below. 80 level were excluded from the study. The pilot study form consisting of 45 items, was applied to teachers who work preschools, primary and secondary school and the data which was obtained from 421 teachers in total were analyzed. Through the Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), a structure consisting of “Awareness”, “Attitude’’, “Knowledge” and “Skill” and 42 items was reached. The relationship between sub-dimensions of the scale was examined and it was observed that the factors were positively and significantly correlated with each other. In this case, it was concluded that scale supports the theory. After the analysis, it was confirmed that the sub-dimensions were the components of a structure called critical multicultural education competency and that together they form a higher structure. It was determined that the goodness of fit index of the model is quite high. Confirmatory Factor Analysis also confirmed the results of EFA. The internal coefficient of concordance was determined as .845 for the whole scale.
Ruthenium redox equilibria: 1. Thermodynamic stability of Ru(III) and Ru(IV) hydroxides
Authors: Povar Igor , Spinu Oxana
Published: April 2016

On the basis of the selected thermodynamic data for Ru(III) and Ru(IV) compounds in addition to original thermodynamic and graphical approach used in this paper, the thermodynamic stability areas of sparingly soluble hydroxides as well as the repartition of their soluble and insoluble chemical species towards the solution pH and initial concentrations of ruthenium in heterogeneous mixture solid phase–saturated solution have been investigated. By means of the ΔG–pH diagrams, the areas of thermodynamic stability of Ru(III) and Ru(IV) hydroxides have been established for a number of analytical concentrations in heterogeneous mixtures. The diagrams of heterogeneous and homogeneous chemical equilibria have been used for graphical representation of complex equilibria in aqueous solutions containing Ru(III) and Ru(IV). The obtained results, based on the thermodynamic analysis and graphic design of the calculated data in the form of the diagrams of heterogeneous chemical equilibria, are in good agre­ement with the available experimental data. 
Ruthenium redox equilibria: 2. Thermodynamic analysis of disproportionation and comproportionation conditions
Authors: Povar Igor , Spinu Oxana
Published: April 2016

The key property of Frost diagram has been confirmed using thermodynamic and linear algebra methods. On the basis of the thermodynamic data, the areas of thermodynamic stability of ruthenium chemical species in different valence states as a function of pH for each degree of oxidation have been determined. Subsequently, based on the  diagrams, calculated for several values of pH, a narrow ΔpH value is determined, in which the dismutation of appropriate form takes place. Based on thermodynamic analysis, the exact  value of the beginning of disproportionation (or comproportionation) is found. Finally, the developed revised Frost diagrams of ruthenium heterogeneous chemical and redox equilibria, as a function of pH and the total concentration of metal ion in solution, have been built.
Pattern formation during electrodeposition of copper-antimony alloys
Authors: Kostov Vasil S. , Krastev Ivan N. , Dobrovolska Tsvetina Venkova
Published: April 2016

Aim of the present study is to establish the conditions of the electrolysis for the preparation of structured and unstressed purple-pink coatings of copper-antimony alloys, including their phase characterization. Also the task of the present investigation is, by changing drastically the metal content in the methanesulfonic electrolyte to find out the conditions of electrolysis where the self-organization of the different phases is expressed by higher-order structures - not only waves but also spirals and targets. The possibility to obtain copper-antimony alloy with up to 80 wt. % Sb from methanesulfonic acid is shown. The deposition rate, morphology and the phase composition of the obtained coatings are established. The phenomena of formation of spatio-temporal structures in this alloy are described.It is determined that the observed structures consist of Cu2Sb and Cu11Sb3 intermetallic phases.
Strategies for Achieving Measurement Assurance for Cell Therapy Products
Authors: Simon Carl G. , Lin-Gibson Sheng , Elliott John T. , Sarkar Sumona , Plant Anne L.
Published: April 2016

The cell therapy industry has identified the inability to reliably characterize cells as possibly its greatest challenge and has called for standards and reference materials to provide assurance for measurements of cell properties. The challenges in characterization of cell therapy products can be largely addressed with systematic approaches for assessing sources of uncertainty and improving confidence in key measurements. This article presents the many strategies that can be used to ensure measurement confidence and discusses them in terms of how they can be applied to characterization of cell therapy products. Application of these strategies to cell measurements will help to establish qualified assays for cell characterization, which may help streamline regulatory approval and enable more efficient development of cell therapy products.

Significance

The regenerative medicine industry has identified the lack of reliable methods for measuring critical cell attributes as possibly the single greatest challenge facing the field. There are many strategies for achieving measurement assurance, or confidence in cell assays, which can streamline regulatory approval and enable more efficient development of cell-based therapies.
Tunable terahertz half-wave plate based on hybridization effect in coupled graphene nanodisks
Authors: Peng Jialong , Zhu Zhihong , Zhang Jianfa , Yuan Xiaodong , Qin Shiqiao
Published: April 2016

We demonstrate a tunable terahertz half-wave plate composed of a periodic array of graphene nanodisk dimers supported on a dielectric spacer backed by a planar gold layer. The polarization conversion phenomena are attributed to the hybridization effect caused by coupling interactions between plasmonic resonances in the graphene nanodisk dimers. By varying the distance between graphene nanodisks, the polarization conversion performance can be controlled. Further, the polarization conversion can be dynamically tuned at different frequencies via electrostatic doping of graphene. Other novel phenomena and applications could be developed from coupled graphene structures in the future.
Severe Irreversible Diastasis Recti Abdominis and Abdominal Hernia in Postpartum Women: Rare Case Report
Authors: Ha Won , Song Sin Young , Yoon Chi Sun , Kim Kyu Nam
Published: April 2016

Diastasis recti abdominis is a condition defined as the separation between the rectus abdominis and the linea alba, which leads to weakness in the abdominal muscles. Diastasis may be slight or severe, sometimes resulting in herniation of the abdominal viscera. Following childbirth, most women develop some extent of muscle separation in the postpartum period. However, if the diastasis recti abdominis in the postpartum period remain severe, it should be corrected to prevent concurrent abdominal hernia, strangulation, or incarceration. We herein present 2 Korean cases of postpartum women with severe diastasis recti abdominis with abdominal hernia; it is the first report of its kind from Korea. Two women were referred to our clinic with severe abdominal bulge. Computed tomography scan showed widening of the linea alba with abdominal hernia. The standard abdominoplasty with multiple wide longitudinal plications of the abdominal wall was performed in each patient under general anesthesia. There was no recurrence of diastasis recti abdominis or abdominal hernia during follow-up periods. The application of abdominoplasty in postpartum women with severe diastasis recti abdominis with abdominal hernia is thus considered to be an efficient management option. We hope these cases can provide a reference for the treatment of similar situations.
Reassessing changes in diurnal temperature range: A new data set and characterization of data biases
Authors: Thorne P. W. , Menne M. J. , Williams C. N. , Rennie J. J. , Lawrimore J. H. , Vose R. S. , Peterson T. C. , Durre I. , Davy R. , Esau I. , Klein‐Tank A. M. G. , Merlone A.
Published: April 2016

It has been a decade since changes in diurnal temperature range (DTR) globally have been assessed in a stand‐alone data analysis. The present study takes advantage of substantively improved basic data holdings arising from the International Surface Temperature Initiative's databank effort and applies the National Centers for Environmental Information's automated pairwise homogeneity assessment algorithm to reassess DTR records. It is found that breakpoints are more prevalent in DTR than other temperature elements and that the resulting adjustments have a broader distribution. This strongly implies that there is an overarching tendency, across the global meteorological networks, for nonclimatic artifacts to impart either random or anticorrelated rather than correlated biases in maximum and minimum temperature series. Future homogenization efforts would likely benefit from simultaneous consideration of DTR and maximum and minimum temperatures, in addition to average temperatures. Estimates of change in DTR are relatively insensitive to whether adjustments are calculated directly or inferred from adjustments returned for the maximum and minimum temperature series. The homogenized series exhibit a reduction in DTR since the midtwentieth century globally (−0.044 K/decade). Adjustments serve to approximately halve the long‐term global reduction in DTR in the basic “raw” data. Most of the estimated DTR reduction occurred over 1960–1980. In several regions DTR has apparently increased over 1979–2012, while globally it has exhibited very little change (−0.016 K/decade). Estimated changes in DTR are an order of magnitude smaller than in maximum and minimum temperatures, which have both been increasing rapidly on multidecadal timescales (0.186 K/decade and 0.236 K/decade, respectively, since the midtwentieth century).
Long‐term experimentally deepened snow decreases growing‐season respiration in a low‐ and high‐arctic tundra ecosystem
Authors: Semenchuk Philipp R. , Christiansen Casper T. , Grogan Paul , Elberling Bo , Cooper Elisabeth J.
Published: April 2016

Tundra soils store large amounts of carbon (C) that could be released through enhanced ecosystem respiration (ER) as the arctic warms. Over time, this may change the quantity and quality of available soil C pools, which in‐turn may feedback and regulate ER responses to climate warming. Therefore, short‐term increases in ER rates due to experimental warming may not be sustained over longer periods, as observed in other studies. One important aspect, which is often overlooked, is how climatic changes affecting ER in one season may carry‐over and determine ER in following seasons. Using snow fences, we increased snow depth and thereby winter soil temperatures in a high‐arctic site in Svalbard (78°N) and a low‐arctic site in the Northwest Territories, Canada (64°N), for 5 and 9 years, respectively. Deepened snow enhanced winter ER while having negligible effect on growing‐season soil temperatures and soil moisture. Growing‐season ER at the high‐arctic site was not affected by the snow treatment after 2 years. However, surprisingly, the deepened snow treatments significantly reduced growing‐season ER rates after 5 years at the high‐arctic site and after 8–9 years at the low‐arctic site. We speculate that the reduction in ER rates, that became apparent only after several years of experimental manipulation, may, at least in part, be due to prolonged depletion of labile C substrate as a result of warmer soils over multiple cold seasons. Long‐term changes in winter climate may therefore significantly influence annual net C balance not just because of increased wintertime C loss but also because of “legacy” effects on ER rates during the following growing seasons.
Global‐scale regionalization of hydrologic model parameters
Authors: Beck Hylke E. , van Dijk Albert I. J. M. , de Roo Ad , Miralles Diego G. , McVicar Tim R. , Schellekens Jaap , Bruijnzeel L. Adrian
Published: April 2016

Current state‐of‐the‐art models typically applied at continental to global scales (hereafter called macroscale) tend to use a priori parameters, resulting in suboptimal streamflow (Q) simulation. For the first time, a scheme for regionalization of model parameters at the global scale was developed. We used data from a diverse set of 1787 small‐to‐medium sized catchments (
km2) and the simple conceptual HBV model to set up and test the scheme. Each catchment was calibrated against observed daily Q, after which 674 catchments with high calibration and validation scores, and thus presumably good‐quality observed Q and forcing data, were selected to serve as donor catchments. The calibrated parameter sets for the donors were subsequently transferred to 0.5° grid cells with similar climatic and physiographic characteristics, resulting in parameter maps for HBV with global coverage. For each grid cell, we used the 10 most similar donor catchments, rather than the single most similar donor, and averaged the resulting simulated Q, which enhanced model performance. The 1113 catchments not used as donors were used to independently evaluate the scheme. The regionalized parameters outperformed spatially uniform (i.e., averaged calibrated) parameters for 79% of the evaluation catchments. Substantial improvements were evident for all major Köppen‐Geiger climate types and even for evaluation catchments > 5000 km distant from the donors. The median improvement was about half of the performance increase achieved through calibration. HBV with regionalized parameters outperformed nine state‐of‐the‐art macroscale models, suggesting these might also benefit from the new regionalization scheme. The produced HBV parameter maps including ancillary data are available via www.gloh2o.org.
Confined aquifer head measurements and storage properties in the San Luis Valley, Colorado, from spaceborne InSAR observations
Authors: Chen Jingyi , Knight Rosemary , Zebker Howard A. , Schreüder Willem A.
Published: April 2016

Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR), a remote sensing technique for measuring centimeter‐level surface deformation, is used to estimate hydraulic head in the confined aquifer of the San Luis Valley (SLV), Colorado. Reconstructing head measurements from InSAR in agricultural regions can be difficult, as InSAR phase data are often decorrelated due to vegetation growth. Analysis of 17 L‐band ALOS PALSAR scenes, acquired between January 2007 and March 2011, demonstrates that comprehensive InSAR deformation measurements can be recovered over the vegetated groundwater basin with an improved processing strategy. Local skeletal storage coefficients and time delays between the head change and deformation are estimated through a joint InSAR‐well data analysis. InSAR subsidence estimates are transformed to head changes with finer temporal and spatial resolution than is possible using existing well records alone. Both InSAR and well data suggest that little long‐term water‐storage loss occurred in the SLV over the study period and that inelastic compaction was negligible. The seasonal head variations derived from InSAR are consistent with the existing well data at most locations where confined aquifer pumping activity dominates. Our results demonstrate the advantages of InSAR measurements for basin‐wide characterization of aquifer storage properties and groundwater levels over agricultural regions.
Water‐table‐dependent hydrological changes following peatland forestry drainage and restoration: Analysis of restoration success
Authors: Menberu Meseret Walle , Tahvanainen Teemu , Marttila Hannu , Irannezhad Masoud , Ronkanen Anna‐Kaisa , Penttinen Jouni , Kløve Bjørn
Published: April 2016

A before‐after‐control approach was used to analyze the impact of peatland restoration on hydrology, based on high temporal resolution water‐table (WT) data from 43 boreal peatlands representative of a south‐boreal to north‐boreal climate gradient. During the study, 24 forestry drained sites were restored and 19 pristine peatlands used as control sites. Different approaches were developed and used to analyze WT changes (mean WT position, WT fluctuation, WT hydrograph, recession, and storage characteristics). Restoration increased WT in most cases but particularly in spruce mires, followed by pine mires and fens. Before restoration, the WT fluctuation (WTF) was large, indicating peat temporary storage gain (SG). After restoration, the WT hydrograph recession limb slopes and SG coefficients (Rc) declined significantly. Drainage or restoration did not significantly affect mean diurnal WT fluctuations, used here as a proxy for evapotranspiration. Overall, the changes in WT characteristics following restoration indicated creation of favorable hydrological conditions for recovery of functional peatland ecosystems in previously degraded peatland sites. This was supported by calculation of bryophyte species abundance thresholds for WT. These results can be used to optimize restoration efforts in different peatland systems and as a qualitative conceptual basis for future restoration operations.
Five centuries of U.S. West Coast drought: Occurrence, spatial distribution, and associated atmospheric circulation patterns
Authors: Wise Erika K.
Published: April 2016

The U.S. West Coast drought commencing in 2012 developed in association with a large, persistent high‐pressure ridge linked to internal atmospheric variability. This study places the occurrence, spatial patterns, and associated circulation features of West Coast drought into a paleoclimate context through a synoptic dendroclimatology approach linking atmospheric circulation to surface hydroclimate patterns. Spatial reconstructions of upper atmosphere pressure patterns and cool‐season drought show that West Coast‐wide drought, although relatively rare compared to north‐south dipole drought, has occurred periodically since 1500 Common Era and is consistently associated with a strong ridge centered along the Pacific Northwest coast. Atmospheric blocking is also linked to north‐dry dipole droughts, while south‐dry and wider Western droughts indicate La Niña‐type patterns. The transition latitude between the northern and southern sides of the western precipitation dipole, important for California hydroclimate patterns, has had frequent year‐to‐year fluctuations but remained centered on 40°N over the past five centuries.
Extreme temperature and precipitation events in March 2015 in central and northern Chile
Authors: Barrett Bradford S. , Campos Diego A. , Veloso José Vicencio , Rondanelli Roberto
Published: April 2016

From 18 to 27 March 2015, northern, central, and southern Chile experienced a series of extreme hydrometeorological events. First, the highest surface air temperature ever recorded in Santiago (with reliable records dating to 1877), 36.8°C at Quinta Normal, was measured at 15:47 local time on 20 March 2015. Immediately following this high heat event, an extreme precipitation event, with damaging streamflows from precipitation totals greater than 45 mm, occurred in the semiarid and hyperarid Atacama regions. Finally, concurrent with the heavy precipitation event, extremely warm temperatures were recorded throughout southern Chile. These events were examined from a synoptic perspective with the goal of identifying forcing mechanisms and potential interaction between each analysis which provides operational context by which to identify and predict similar events in the future. Primary findings were as follows: (1) record warm temperatures in central Chile resulted from anomalous lower troposphere ridging and easterly downslope flow, both of which developed in response to an anomalous midtroposphere ridge‐trough pattern; (2) a cutoff low with anomalous heights near one standard deviation below normal slowly moved east and was steered ashore near 25°S by circulation around a very strong ridge (anomalies more than 3 standard deviations above normal) centered near 60°S; (3) anomalously high precipitable water content (20 mm above climatological norms) over the Peruvian Bight region was advected southward and eastward ahead of the cutoff low by low‐level northwesterly flow, greatly enhancing observed precipitation over northern Chile.
Purity versus Pollution
Authors: Golomski Casey
Published: April 2016

Purity and pollution refer to states of being, actions, objects, and persons that have oppositional meaning and value according to a symbolic system of classification in historical context. These terms do not refer only to cleanliness and dirtiness, but become metaphors for morality and social norms. They operate within and between societies and cultural systems, serving to differentiate others along axes of class, religion, race, ethnicity, age, capability, gender, and sexuality.
Shari'a
Authors: Mavani Hamid
Published: April 2016

The shari'a is viewed by most Muslims as a totalizing and all‐encompassing divine law that addresses both the religious and mundane aspects of their lives. The premodern formulation of shari'a law, without taking into account the context and sociohistorical circumstances, has resulted in serious disabilities for women as it pertains to the regulation of sexuality because the premodern shari'a is based on a patriarchal worldview. Modernity and challenges faced by Muslims residing in the West have compelled Muslim jurists to engage in legal reform by operationalizingijtihad, interpreting the Qur'an contextually, and viewing Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) as changeable and non‐immutable.
Positionality
Authors: Qin Dongxiao
Published: April 2016

Positionality is the practice of a researcher delineating his or her own position in relation to the study, with the implication that this position may influence aspect of the study, such as the data collected or the way in which it is interpreted. This entry discusses the concept of positionality and examines the dialogical process in which the research situation is structured by both the researcher and participants being researched. It also discusses the “insider/outsider” debate. It is critical to articulate a researcher's positionality as an “insider” by looking at “others” (participants) similar to oneself. A researcher needs to be conscious of himself/herself as an intentional agent who researched and wrote about participants' lived experiences from an insider's point of view. The researcher's positionality seeks to clarify the personal experiences that have shaped this research inquiry and to make transparent the reflexivity that informs the analyses and theorizing process.
Asexuality
Authors: Cerankowski Karli June
Published: April 2016

Asexuality, an orientation for people who do not experience sexual attraction, is largely based in a web community that began with the foundation of the Asexual Visibility and Education Network in 2001. The asexual movement has since passed through several phases of growth in terms of media attention, activism, and the production of scholarship. Asexuality can now be more complexly understood in relation to medical discourse and disorder, perspectives on disability and sexuality, and in the context of racial diversity, all in service of redefining and questioning sexual “normalcy.”
Developmental identity versus typology: Lucy has only four sacral segments
Authors: Machnicki Allison L. , Lovejoy C. Owen , Reno Philip L.
Published: April 2016

Objectives

Both interspecific and intraspecific variation in vertebral counts reflect the action of patterning control mechanisms such as Hox. The preserved A.L. 288‐1 (“Lucy”) sacrum contains five fused elements. However, the transverse processes of the most caudal element do not contact those of the segment immediately craniad to it, leaving incomplete sacral foramina on both sides. This conforms to the traditional definition of four‐segmented sacra, which are very rare in humans and African apes. It was recently suggested that fossilization damage precludes interpretation of this specimen and that additional sacral‐like features of its last segment (e.g., the extent of the sacral hiatus) suggest a general Australopithecus pattern of five sacral vertebrae.

Methods

We provide updated descriptions of the original Lucy sacrum. We evaluate sacral/coccygeal variation in a large sample of extant hominoids and place it within the context of developmental variation in the mammalian vertebral column.

Results

We report that fossilization damage did not shorten the transverse processes of the fifth segment of Lucy's sacrum. In addition, we find that the extent of the sacral hiatus is too variable in apes and hominids to provide meaningful information on segment identity. Most importantly, a combination of sacral and coccygeal features is to be expected in vertebrae at regional boundaries.

Discussion

The sacral/caudal boundary appears to be displaced cranially in early hominids relative to extant African apes and humans, a condition consistent with the likely ancestral condition for Miocene hominoids. While not definitive in itself, a four‐segmented sacrum accords well with the “long‐back” model for the Pan/Homo last common ancestor. Am J Phys Anthropol 160:729–739, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Heterologe Produktion pilzlicher Maleidride enthüllt die kryptische Cyclisierung in ihrer Biosynthese
Authors: Williams Katherine , Szwalbe Agnieszka J. , Mulholland Nicholas P. , Vincent Jason L. , Bailey Andrew M. , Willis Christine L. , Simpson Thomas J. , Cox Russell J.
Published: April 2016

Die von Pilzen produzierten Maleidride sind eine wichtige Klasse bioaktiver Sekundärmetaboliten, die aus sieben‐, acht‐ oder neungliedrigen Carbocyclen bestehen. Jeder Cyclus ist mit einem oder zwei anellierten Maleinsäureanhydridresten substituiert. Durch Gen‐Knockouts und heterologe Expressionsexperimente wurde die Biosynthese von Byssochlaminsäure (ein Nonadrid) und Agnestadrid A (ein Heptadrid) untersucht. Unsere Experimente zeigen, dass der Vorläufer der Cyclisierung von einer iterativen, vollständig reduzierenden, pilzlichen Polyketidsynthase erzeugt wird, die durch eine Hydrolase und zwei Citrat‐verarbeitende Enzyme unterstützt wird. Die ungewöhnliche Cyclisierung wird zum einen von zwei Proteinen katalysiert, die Homologien zu Ketosteroidisomerasen aufweisen, und zum anderen von zwei weiteren Proteinen mit Homologien zu Phosphatidylethanolamin‐bindenden Proteinen.