bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship of Number of Missing Teeth to Hip Fracture in Elderly Patients: A Cohort Pilot Study
Authors: Priebe Jennifer , Wermers Robert A. , Sems Stephen A. , Viozzi Christopher F. , Koka Sreenivas
Published: September 2017

Purpose

To determine the relationship between the number of missing natural teeth or remaining natural teeth and osteoporotic hip fracture in elderly patients and to determine the relationship between the number of missing teeth or remaining teeth and osteoporotic fracture risk assessment (FRAX) probability.

Materials and Methods

Number of missing teeth was determined by clinical oral exam on a total of 100 subjects, 50 with hip fractures and 50 without. Ten‐year fracture risk and hip fracture risk probabilities were calculated using the FRAX tool. Statistical analyses were performed to determine strength of associations between number of missing natural teeth and likelihood of experiencing a fracture. Degree of correlation between number of missing natural teeth and FRAX probabilities were calculated.

Results

There appears to be an association between the number of missing natural teeth and hip fractures. For every 5‐tooth increase in the number of missing teeth, the likelihood of being a subject in the hip fracture group increased by 26%. Number of missing natural teeth was positively correlated with FRAX overall fracture and hip fracture probability.

Conclusions

Number of missing natural teeth may be a valuable tool to assist members of medical and dental teams in identifying patients with higher FRAX scores and higher likelihood of experiencing a hip fracture. Additional research is necessary to validate these findings.
Interfacial Fracture Toughness of Adhesive Resin Cement—Lithium‐Disilicate/Resin‐Composite Blocks
Authors: Mesmar Samer , Ruse N. Dorin
Published: September 2017

Purpose

Resin composite blocks (RCB) are advocated as alternative to ceramic blocks (CB). Prior to use, adherence to these materials should characterized. This study aimed to test the null hypothesis (H0) that material and surface treatment combinations do not influence interfacial fracture toughness (KIC) of a self‐cured adhesive resin cement [RelyX Ultimate (RXU)] to RCB or CB, under nonaged and aged conditions.

Materials and Methods

Two RCB, Lava Ultimate (LU) and Enamic (EN), and one CB, IPS e.max Press (EMP) were used. Half‐size [(6 × 6 × 6 × 6 mm)] specimens were prepared for EMP (n = 30), EN (n = 30), and LU (n = 60). RCB specimens were prepared by wet cutting/grinding, while CB specimens were pressed. Surfaces of EMP and EN were preconditioned with hydrofluoric acid (5%); surfaces of LU were sandblasted with either 27 μm alumina (LUS) or 30 μm silica‐modified alumina Rocatec soft (LUR). All specimens were bonded with Scotchbond Universal adhesive and RXU. Additionally, twenty (4 × 4 × 4 × 8 mm) RXU specimens were prepared. All specimens were stored in water at 37°C and tested after 1 and 60 days. Interfacial KIC was determined with the notchless triangular prism specimen KIC test. Results were analyzed with two‐way ANOVA and Scheffé multiple means comparisons (α = 0.05). Preconditioned and selected fractured surfaces were characterized with scanning electron microscopy.

Results

At 24 hours, LUS‐RXU and LUR‐RXU had significantly higher interfacial KIC than EN‐RXU and EMP‐RXU and were not different from KIC of RXU. Aging lead to a significant decrease in KIC of RXU and interfacial KIC of LUS‐RXU, LUR‐RXU, and EMP‐RXU; interfacial KIC of EN‐RXU was not affected. Based on the results, H0 was rejected.

Conclusion

Under the conditions of this study, at 24 hours, interfacial KIC of LUS‐RXU and LUR‐RXU was superior to EMP‐RXU and EN‐RXU. Aging in water at 37°C did not affect interfacial KIC of EN‐RXU but adversely affected KIC of RXU and the other interfacial KIC. Clinical Implications: The results suggest that RXU and its adherence to LU and EMP deteriorates upon exposure to water at 37°C. In making clinical decisions related to material selection, practitioners should consider in vitro results.
The microbiome associated with two Synechococcus ribotypes at different levels of ecological interaction
Authors: Callieri Cristiana , Amalfitano Stefano , Corno Gianluca , Di Cesare Andrea , Bertoni Roberto , Eckert Ester M.
Published: September 2017

Planktonic cyanobacteria belonging to the genus Synechococcus are ubiquitously distributed in marine and fresh waters, substantially contributing to total carbon fixation on a global scale. While their ecological relevance is acknowledged, increasing resolution in molecular techniques allows disentangling cyanobacteria's role at the micro‐scale, where complex microbial interactions may drive the overall community assembly. The interplay between phylogenetically different Synechococcus clades and their associated bacterial communities can affect their ecological fate and susceptibility to protistan predation. In this study, we experimentally promoted different levels of ecological interaction by mixing two Synechococcus ribotypes (MW101C3 and LL) and their associated bacteria, with and without a nanoflagellate grazer (Poterioochromonas sp.) in laboratory cultures. The beta‐diversity of the Synechococcus‐associated microbiome in laboratory cultures indicated that the presence of the LL ribotype was the main factor determining community composition changes (41% of total variance), and prevailed over the effect of protistan predation (18% of total variance). Our outcomes also showed that species coexistence and predation may promote microbial diversity, thus highlighting the underrated ecological relevance of such micro‐scale factors.
An Assessment of Participant‐Described Interprofessional Oral Health Referral Systems Across Rurality
Authors: Boynes Sean G. , Lauer Abigail , Deutchman Mark , Martin Amy B.
Published: September 2017

Purpose

As a means to identify and quantify oral health interprofessional collaborative practice (IPP), we examined participant‐described medical‐to‐dental (M2D) referral networks and how they function across rurality.

Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional survey on the appraisal of IPP referral systems in 2016. Secondarily, we examined if rural health clinics (RHCs) have different experiences with M2D referrals compared to other practice types. Independent variables included geographic and organizational indicators, referral system attributes, and respondent characteristics. Data were coded by Census region and state Medicaid expansion status. Bivariable and multivariable analyses were conducted using SAS.

Findings

A convenience cohort (n = 559) from 44 states was examined. Nearly, half (48.7%) reported dependable M2D referral systems. In bivariate analysis, all independent variables were significant except for state Medicaid expansion status. In multivariable analysis, Census region retained significance (P = .0093). Organization type and practice issues with no shows/missed appointments continued to have significance (P < .001 and .002, respectively). Accountable care organizations were over 5 times (5.72, P = .001) more likely than RHCs to report dependable M2D referral systems. Federally qualified health clinics were slightly over 3 times more likely than RHCs to report dependable M2D referral (3.04, P < .001). No differences between RHCs and other private practices were observed.

Conclusions

The importance of IPP continues to be promoted in the current health care environment. Our study demonstrates that, in this motivated study population, M2D referrals can work well, even in rural areas. Organization type, directionality of referral, broken appointment rates, and electronic health information management were all found to significantly impact the respondents’ rating on the dependability of an M2D referral process.
Detection of Bovine Coronavirus in Healthy and Diarrheic Dairy Calves
Authors: Gomez D.E. , Arroyo L.G. , Poljak Z. , Viel L. , Weese J.S.
Published: September 2017

Background

BCoV is identified in both healthy and diarrheic calves, complicating its assessment as a primary pathogen.

Objectives

To investigate the detection rates of bovine coronavirus (BCoV) in feces of healthy and diarrheic calves and to describe the usefulness of a pancoronavirus reverse transcriptase (RT) PCR (PanCoV‐RT‐PCR) assay to identify BCoV in samples of diarrheic calves.

Animals

Two hundred and eighty‐six calves <21 days. Calves with liquid or semiliquid feces, temperature >39.5°C, and inappetence were considered as cases, and those that had pasty or firm feces and normal physical examination were designated as controls.

Methods

Prospective case–control study. A specific BCoV‐RT‐PCR assay was used to detect BCoV in fecal samples. Association between BCoV and health status was evaluated by exact and random effect logistic regression. Fecal (n = 28) and nasal (n = 8) samples from diarrheic calves were tested for the presence of BCoV by both the PanCoV‐RT‐PCR and a specific BCoV‐RT‐PCR assays. A Kappa coefficient test was used to assess the level of agreement of both assays.

Results

BCoV was detected in 55% (157/286) of calves; 46% (66/143), and 64% (91/143) of healthy and diarrheic calves, respectively. Diarrheic calves had higher odds of BCoV presence than healthy calves (OR: 2.16, 95% CI: 1.26 to 3.83, P = 0.004). A good agreement between PanCoV‐RT‐PCR and BCoV‐RT‐PCR to detect BCoV was identified (κ = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.392 to 0.967; P < 0.001).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

BCoV was more likely to be detected in diarrheic than healthy calves. The PanCoV‐RT‐PCR assay can be a useful tool to detect CoV samples from diarrheic calves.
Job Search Methods and Wages: Are Natives and Immigrants Different?
Authors: Carlsson Magnus , Eriksson Stefan , Rooth Dan‐Olof
Published: September 2017

We conduct a survey of newly hired workers in the Swedish labour market to analyse if there are differences between natives and immigrants in the choice of search intensity/methods and in the search method getting the job. We further investigate if the wage and other characteristics of the new job differ depending on the successful search method. We find that immigrants use all search methods more than natives, but they especially rely on informal search. Immigrants are more likely than natives to find a job using informal search through friends and relatives, and these jobs are associated with lower wages.
NRAMP2, a trans‐Golgi network‐localized manganese transporter, is required for Arabidopsis root growth under manganese deficiency
Authors: Gao Huiling , Xie Wenxiang , Yang Changhong , Xu Jingyi , Li Jingjun , Wang Hua , Chen Xi , Huang Chao‐Feng
Published: September 2017

To cope with manganese (Mn) deficiency, plants have evolved an efficient transport system to uptake and redistribute Mn. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain to be demonstrated.

We carried out a forward genetic screen in a root high‐affinity Mn transporter nramp1 mutant background in Arabidopsis thaliana and identified an uncharacterized Mn transport NRAMP2. We investigated the effect of nramp2 mutation on root growth and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and we also examined the NRAMP2 expression pattern, and the subcellular localization and transport activity of NRAMP2.

Mutation of NRAMP2 impaired plant growth, while overexpression of NRAMP2 improved plant growth under low Mn conditions. In the nramp2‐1nramp1 double mutant, Mn deficiency inhibited root cell elongation and root hair development, which was associated with increased hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) accumulation. NRAMP2 is preferentially localized to the trans‐Golgi network. NRAMP2 has Mn influx transport activity in yeast, and mutation of NRAMP2 led to greater Mn retention in roots.

Our results suggest that under Mn‐deficient conditions, increased accumulation of H2O2 is partially responsible for the root growth inhibition and NRAMP2 is involved in remobilization of Mn in Golgi for root growth.
The effect of diet or exercise on ectopic adiposity in children and adolescents with obesity: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Hens W. , Vissers D. , Hansen D. , Peeters S. , Gielen J. , Van Gaal L. , Taeymans J.
Published: September 2017

Objective

Ectopic fat depostion in youth with obesity is associated with an increased cardiovascular disease risk. The aim of this meta‐analysis was to summarize the evidence for the use of diet and/or exercise on ectopic adiposity in this population.

Methods

A systematic literature search was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analysis statement. Clinical trials that assessed ectopic fat deposition and included study arms with diet and/or exercise were searched in PubMed, PEDro and the Cochrane database.

Results

Hepatic fat content and intramyocellular lipid content were described in nine studies and three studies, respectively. Most studies included teenagers, and study duration ranged between 3 and 12 months without follow‐up. Using random‐effects weights, the standardized mean difference of the change in hepatic adiposity (totalling 320 subjects) was −0.54 Hedges' g (95% confidence interval: −0.69 to −0.38 with p < 0.0001). By re‐expressing this effect size, it is seen that diet and/or exercise results in an absolute reduction of intrahepatic lipid with 2%, which accords with a relative reduction up to 70%. Although there were significant ameliorations of insulin sensitivity, no significant changes in intramyocellular lipid were observed.

Conclusions

This meta‐analysis showed that diet and/or exercise is effective to reduce hepatic adiposity in youth with obesity.
Conversion of array‐based single nucleotide polymorphic markers for use in targeted genotyping by sequencing in hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum)
Authors: Burridge Amanda J. , Wilkinson Paul A. , Winfield Mark O. , Barker Gary L. A. , Allen Alexandra M. , Coghill Jane A. , Waterfall Christy , Edwards Keith J.
Published: September 2017

Wheat breeders and academics alike use single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as molecular markers to characterize regions of interest within the hexaploid wheat genome. A number of SNP‐based genotyping platforms are available, and their utility depends upon factors such as the available technologies, number of data points required, budgets and the technical expertise required. Unfortunately, markers can rarely be exchanged between existing and newly developed platforms, meaning that previously generated data cannot be compared, or combined, with more recently generated data sets. We predict that genotyping by sequencing will become the predominant genotyping technology within the next 5–10 years. With this in mind, to ensure that data generated from current genotyping platforms continues to be of use, we have designed and utilized SNP‐based capture probes from several thousand existing and publicly available probes from Axiom® and KASP™ genotyping platforms. We have validated our capture probes in a targeted genotyping by sequencing protocol using 31 previously genotyped UK elite hexaploid wheat accessions. Data comparisons between targeted genotyping by sequencing, Axiom® array genotyping and KASP™ genotyping assays, identified a set of 3256 probes which reliably bring together targeted genotyping by sequencing data with the previously available marker data set. As such, these probes are likely to be of considerable value to the wheat community. The probe details, full probe sequences and a custom built analysis pipeline may be freely downloaded from the CerealsDB website (http://www.cerealsdb.uk.net/cerealgenomics/CerealsDB/sequence_capture.php).
Development and evaluation of high‐density Axiom®CicerSNP Array for high‐resolution genetic mapping and breeding applications in chickpea
Authors: Roorkiwal Manish , Jain Ankit , Kale Sandip M. , Doddamani Dadakhalandar , Chitikineni Annapurna , Thudi Mahendar , Varshney Rajeev K.
Published: September 2017

To accelerate genomics research and molecular breeding applications in chickpea, a high‐throughput SNP genotyping platform ‘Axiom®CicerSNP Array’ has been designed, developed and validated. Screening of whole‐genome resequencing data from 429 chickpea lines identified 4.9 million SNPs, from which a subset of 70 463 high‐quality nonredundant SNPs was selected using different stringent filter criteria. This was further narrowed down to 61 174 SNPs based on p‐convert score ≥0.3, of which 50 590 SNPs could be tiled on array. Among these tiled SNPs, a total of 11 245 SNPs (22.23%) were from the coding regions of 3673 different genes. The developed Axiom®CicerSNP Array was used for genotyping two recombinant inbred line populations, namely ICCRIL03 (ICC 4958 × ICC 1882) and ICCRIL04 (ICC 283 × ICC 8261). Genotyping data reflected high success and polymorphic rate, with 15 140 (29.93%; ICCRIL03) and 20 018 (39.57%; ICCRIL04) polymorphic SNPs. High‐density genetic maps comprising 13 679 SNPs spanning 1033.67 cM and 7769 SNPs spanning 1076.35 cM were developed for ICCRIL03 and ICCRIL04 populations, respectively. QTL analysis using multilocation, multiseason phenotyping data on these RILs identified 70 (ICCRIL03) and 120 (ICCRIL04) main‐effect QTLs on genetic map. Higher precision and potential of this array is expected to advance chickpea genetics and breeding applications.
Minimal important difference of target lobar volume reduction after endobronchial valve treatment for emphysema
Authors: Welling Jorrit B.A. , Hartman Jorine E. , van Rikxoort Eva M. , Ten Hacken Nick H.T. , Kerstjens Huib A.M. , Klooster Karin , Slebos Dirk‐Jan
Published: September 2017

Background and objective

Target lobar volume reduction (TLVR) is an important efficacy outcome measure for bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) treatment using one‐way endobronchial valves (EBV) in patients with severe emphysema. The commonly used cut‐off value for TLVR that expresses a perceivable clinical benefit is −350 mL. However, a scientifically determined minimal important difference (MID) for TLVR never has been published. The objective of the present study was to determine the MID for TLVR on HRCT in patients who were treated with EBV.

Methods

A total of 318 patients with severe emphysema from two BLVR trials were analysed. Anchor‐based methods were used to define the TLVR MID at 6 months follow‐up. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), residual volume (RV) and St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) were used as anchors.

Results

The calculated TLVR MID with each anchor was: FEV1 −587 mL, RV −534 mL and SGRQ −560 mL. The combined MID (average of the three anchor‐based MIDs) was −563 mL.

Conclusion

Using the anchor‐based method, we established a TLVR MID of −563 mL in patients with severe emphysema at 6 months follow‐up after EBV treatment. This value can be useful for both interpreting the results from trials and clinical practice, as well as for designing future studies on lung volume reduction.
Streptococcus pneumoniae colonization of the nasopharynx is associated with increased severity during respiratory syncytial virus infection in young children
Authors: Brealey Jaelle C. , Chappell Keith J. , Galbraith Sally , Fantino Emmanuelle , Gaydon Jane , Tozer Sarah , Young Paul R. , Holt Patrick G. , Sly Peter D.
Published: September 2017

Background and Objective

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most significant cause of acute respiratory infection (ARI) in early life. RSV and other respiratory viruses are known to stimulate substantial outgrowth of potentially pathogenic bacteria in the upper airways of young children. However, the clinical significance of interactions between viruses and bacteria is currently unclear. The present study aimed to clarify the effect of viral and bacterial co‐detections on disease severity during paediatric ARI.

Methods

Nasopharyngeal aspirates from children under 2 years of age presenting with ARI to the emergency department were screened by quantitative PCR for 17 respiratory viruses and the bacterial pathogens Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis. Associations between pathogen detection and clinical measures of disease severity were investigated.

Results

RSV was the most common virus detected, present in 29 of 58 samples from children with ARI (50%). Detection of S. pneumoniae was significantly more frequent during RSV infections compared to other respiratory viruses (adjusted effect size: 1.8, P: 0.03), and co‐detection of both pathogens was associated with higher clinical disease severity scores (adjusted effect size: 1.2, P: 0.03).

Conclusion

Co‐detection of RSV and S. pneumoniae in the nasopharynx was associated with more severe ARI, suggesting that S. pneumoniae colonization plays a pathogenic role in young children.
How deep is your love? A quantitative spatial analysis of the transatlantic trade partnership
Authors: Krebs Oliver , Pflüger Michael
Published: September 2017

This paper explores the quantitative effects of trade liberalization envisioned in a transatlantic trade and investment partnership (TTIP) between the United States and the European Union. We use a quantitative trade model that, in contrast to other works, features consumptive and productive uses of land and we allow for labor mobility and a spatial equilibrium. Our calibration draws mainly on the world input–output database (WIOD). The eventual outcome of the negotiations is uncertain. Tariffs in E.U.–U.S. trade are already very low, however, so that an agreement will have a major impact only by eliminating nontariff barriers. These are extremely hard to quantify. We address these uncertainties by considering a corridor of trade‐liberalization paths and by providing numerous robustness checks. Even with ambitious liberalization, real income gains within a TTIP are in the range of up to 0.46 percent for most countries. The effect on outside countries is typically negative, yet even smaller. Taking land into account scales down the welfare effects strongly. Interestingly, we find that all German counties derive unambiguous welfare gains even though the model allows for negative terms‐of‐trade effects. Our analysis also implies that in order to arrive at the same welfare gains as under a TTIP, a multilateral liberalization would have to be much more ambitious for the U.S. than for the E.U.
Tracking and Modelling Prices Using Web-Scraped Price Microdata: Towards Automated Daily Consumer Price Index Forecasting
Authors: Powell Ben , Nason Guy , Elliott Duncan , Mayhew Matthew , Davies Jennifer , Winton Joe
Published: September 2017

With the increasing relevance and availability of on-line prices that we see today, it is natural to ask whether the prediction of the consumer price index (CPI), or related statistics, may usefully be computed more frequently than existing monthly schedules allow for. The simple answer is ‘yes’, but there are challenges to be overcome first. A key challenge, addressed by our work, is that web-scraped price data are extremely messy and it is not obvious, a priori, how to reconcile them with standard CPI statistics. Our research focuses on average prices and disaggregated CPI at the level of product categories (lager, potatoes, etc.) and develops a new model that describes the joint time evolution of latent daily log-inflation rates driving prices seen on the Internet and prices recorded in official surveys, with the model adapting to various product categories. Our model reveals the differing levels of dynamic behaviour across product category and, correspondingly, differing levels of predictability. Our methodology enables good prediction of product-category-specific CPI immediately before their release. In due course, with increasingly complete web-scraped data, combined with the best survey data, the prospect of more frequent intermonth aggregated CPI prediction is an achievable goal.
Retroward extrusion of high‐pressure rocks: An example from the Hellenides (Pelion Blueschist Nappe, NW Aegean)
Authors: Gerogiannis Nikolaos , Xypolias Paraskevas
Published: September 2017

Current tectonic models interpret the Hellenides as a unidirectional, SW‐vergent orogenic belt. New (micro‐)structural and amphibole chemistry analyses show, instead, that the exhumation of the Pelion Blueschist Nappe (PBN) of the Internal Hellenides was achieved by retroward (ENE)‐directed ductile extrusion, which opposes the principal (proward) orogenic vergence. Retroward extrusion occurred between two sub‐parallel, major ductile shear zones (Basal thrust and Upper detachment) with opposite shear senses, which operated simultaneously under blueschist‐ to greenschist‐facies conditions during the late Eocene–Oligocene. Because the PBN is tectonically sandwiched between Pelagonian basement rocks, we suggest that the PBN protolith was accumulated during the Late Cretaceous in an incipient backarc basin developed above the NE‐dipping subduction of the Pindos Ocean beneath the Pelagonian microcontinent. Subsequent Apulian–Pelagonian collision triggered basin inversion and the proward‐dipping intracontinental subduction that caused the early/middle Eocene blueschist‐facies metamorphism followed by the retroward extrusion of the PBN.
Provision of cellular blood components to CMV‐seronegative patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation in the UK: survey of UK transplant centres
Authors: Morton S. , Peniket A. , Malladi R. , Murphy M. F.
Published: September 2017

Objectives

To identify current UK practice with regards to provision of blood components for cytomegalovirus (CMV)‐seronegative, potential, allogeneic stem cell recipients of seronegative grafts.

Background

Infection with CMV remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (aSCT). CMV transmission has been a risk associated with the transfusion of blood components from previously exposed donors, but leucocyte reduction has been demonstrated to minimise this risk. In 2012, the UK Advisory Committee for the Safety of Tissues and Organs (SaBTO) recommended that CMV‐unselected components could be safely transfused without increased risk of CMV transmission.

Methods

We surveyed UK aSCT centres to establish current practice.

Results

Fifteen adult and seven paediatric centres (75%) responded; 22·7% continue to provide components from CMV‐seronegative donors. Reasons cited include the continued perceived risk of CMV transmission by blood transfusion, its associated morbidity and concerns regarding potential for ambiguous CMV serostatus in seronegative potential transplant recipients due to passive antibody transfer from CMV‐seropositive blood donors, leading to erroneous donor/recipient CMV matching at transplant.

Conclusions

The survey demonstrated a surprisingly high rate (22.7%) of centres continuing to provide blood components from CMV‐seronegative donors despite SaBTO guidance.
Asymmetry between ON and OFF α ganglion cells of mouse retina: integration of signal and noise from synaptic inputs
Authors: Freed Michael A.
Published: September 2017

Key points

Bipolar and amacrine cells presynaptic to the ON sustained α cell of mouse retina provide currents with a higher signal‐to‐noise power ratio (SNR) than those presynaptic to the OFF sustained α cell.

Yet the ON cell loses proportionately more SNR from synaptic inputs to spike output than the OFF cell does.

The higher SNR of ON bipolar cells at the beginning of the ON pathway compensates for losses incurred by the ON ganglion cell, and improves the processing of positive contrasts.

ON and OFF pathways in the retina include functional pairs of neurons that, at first glance, appear to have symmetrically similar responses to brightening and darkening, respectively. Upon careful examination, however, functional pairs exhibit asymmetries in receptive field size and response kinetics. Until now, descriptions of how light‐adapted retinal circuitry maintains a preponderance of signal over the noise have not distinguished between ON and OFF pathways. Here I present evidence of marked asymmetries between members of a functional pair of sustained α ganglion cells in the mouse retina. The ON cell exhibited a proportionately greater loss of signal‐to‐noise power ratio (SNR) from its presynaptic arrays to its postsynaptic currents. Thus the ON cell combines signal and noise from its presynaptic arrays of bipolar and amacrine cells less efficiently than the OFF cell does. Yet the inefficiency of the ON cell is compensated by its presynaptic arrays providing a higher SNR than the arrays presynaptic to the OFF cell, apparently to improve visual processing of positive contrasts. Dynamic clamp experiments were performed that introduced synaptic conductances into ON and OFF cells. When the amacrine‐modulated conductance was removed, the ON cell's spike train exhibited an increase in SNR. The OFF cell, however, showed the opposite effect of removing amacrine input, which was a decrease in SNR. Thus ON and OFF cells have different modes of synaptic integration with direct effects on the SNR of the spike output.
An Experimental Study of Stall Suppression and Associated Changes to the Flow Structures in the Tip Region of an Axial Low Speed Fan Rotor by Axial Casing Grooves
Authors: Chen Huang , Li Yuanchao , Koley Subhra Shankha , Doeller Nick , Katz Joseph
Published: September 2017

The effects of axial casing grooves (ACGs) on the performance and flow structures in the tip region of an axial low speed fan rotor are studied experimentally in the JHU refractive index-matched liquid facility. The four-per-passage semicircular grooves are skewed by 45 deg, overlapping partially with the blade leading edge (LE) and extending upstream. They reduce the stall flow rate by 40% compared to the same machine with a smooth endwall. Stereo-particle image velocimetry (SPIV) measurements show that the inflow into the downstream side of the grooves and the outflow from their upstream side vary periodically, peaking when the inlet is aligned with the blade pressure side (PS). This periodic suction has three effects: first, substantial fractions of the leakage flow and the tip leakage vortex (TLV) are entrained into the groove, causing a reduction in TLV strength starting from midchord. Second, the grooves prevent the formation of large-scale backflow vortices (BFVs), which are associated with the TLV, propagate from one blade passage to the next, and play a key role in the onset of rotating stall in the untreated fan. Third, the flow exiting from the grooves causes periodic variations of the relative flow angle around the blade LE, presumably affecting the blade loading. The distributions of turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) provide statistical evidence that in contrast to the untreated casing, very little turbulence originating from the TLV and BFV of one blade propagates across the tip gap to the next passage.
Complete Nucleotide Sequence of Klebsiella pneumoniae Bacteriophage vB_KpnM_KpV477
Authors: Komisarova Ekaterina V. , Kislichkina Angelina A. , Krasilnikova Valentina M. , Bogun Alexander G. , Fursova Nadezhda K. , Volozhantsev Nikolay V.
Published: September 2017

The double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) bacteriophage vB_KpnM_KpV477, with a broad spectrum of lytic activity against
Klebsiella pneumoniae
, including strains of capsular serotypes K1, K2, and K57, was isolated from a clinical sample. The phage genome comprises 168,272 bp, with a G+C content of 39.3%, and it contains 275 putative coding sequences (CDSs) and 17 tRNAs.
First Whole-Genome Shotgun Sequence of a Promising Cellulase Secretor,
Trichoderma koningiopsis
Strain POS7
Authors: Castrillo María Lorena , Bich Gustavo Ángel , Modenutti Carlos , Turjanski Adrián , Zapata Pedro Darío , Villalba Laura Lidia
Published: September 2017

Trichoderma koningiopsis
strain POS7 produces significantly large amounts of cellulase enzymes in solid-state fermentation. The Illumina-based sequence analysis reveals an approximate genome size of 36.6 Mbp, with a G+C content of 48.82% for
T. koningiopsis
POS7. Based on
ab initio
prediction, 12,661 coding genes were annotated.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Plant Pathogen
Streptomyces
sp. Strain 11-1-2
Authors: Bown Luke , Bignell Dawn R. D.
Published: September 2017

Streptomyces
sp. strain 11-1-2 is a Gram-positive filamentous bacterium that was isolated from a common scab lesion on a potato tuber. The strain is highly pathogenic to plants but does not produce the virulence-associated
Streptomyces
phytotoxin thaxtomin A. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of
Streptomyces
sp. 11-1-2.
Genome Sequence of Grapevine Virus K, a Novel Vitivirus Infecting Grapevine
Authors: Jo Yeonhwa , Song Myung-Kyu , Choi Hoseong , Park Jae-Seong , Lee Jae-Wung , Lian Sen , Lee Bong Choon , Cho Won Kyong
Published: September 2017

Here, we report the genome sequence of grapevine virus K (GVK), a novel single-stranded RNA virus identified from a transcriptome of grapevine. The genome of GVK is 7,476 nucleotides in length and encodes 5 open reading frames. GVK is a putative member of the genus
Vitivirus
in the family
Betaflexiviridae
.
Complete Genome Sequence of Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease-Causing Vibrio campbellii LA16-V1, Isolated from Penaeus vannamei Cultured in a Latin American Country
Authors: Ahn Ye Som , Piamsomboon Patharapol , Tang Kathy F. J. , Han Jee Eun , Kim Ji Hyung
Published: September 2017

We report here the complete genome sequence of
Vibrio campbellii
, isolated from
Penaeus vannamei
cultured in a Latin American country. The Tn
3
-like transposon and
pirAB
genes were encoded on the plasmid pLA16-2. These data support the geographical variations in the virulence plasmid found among acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND)-causing
Vibrio
isolates from Latin America and Asia.
Carbohydrate-last meal pattern lowers postprandial glucose and insulin excursions in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Shukla Alpana P , Andono Jeselin , Touhamy Samir H , Casper Anthony , Iliescu Radu G , Mauer Elizabeth , Shan Zhu Yuan , Ludwig David S , Aronne Louis J
Published: September 2017

Background

There are limited data regarding the timing of carbohydrate ingestion during a meal and postprandial glucose regulation.

Methods

Sixteen subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) consumed the same meal on 3 days in random order: carbohydrate first, followed 10 min later by protein and vegetables; protein and vegetables first, followed 10 min later by carbohydrate; or all components together. Blood was sampled for glucose, insulin, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and glucagon measurements at baseline (just before meal ingestion) and subsequently at 30 min intervals up to 180 min.

Results

The incremental areas under the curve for glucose (iAUC0–180) and incremental glucose peaks were 53% and 54% lower, respectively, when carbohydrate was consumed last compared with carbohydrate consumed first (3124.7±501.2 vs 6703.5±904.6 mg/dL×180min, p<0.001; 34.7±4.1 vs 75.0±6.5 mg/dL, p<0.001) and 44% and 40% lower, respectively, compared with the all components together condition (3124.7±501.2 vs 5587.1±828.7 mg/dL×180min, p=0.003; 34.7±4.1 vs 58.2±5.9 mg/dL, p<0.001). Postprandial insulin excursions were lower (iAUC0–180: 7354.1±897.3 vs 9769.7±1002.1 µU/mL×min, p=0.003) and GLP-1 excursions higher (iAUC0–180: 3487.56±327.7 vs 2519.11±494.8 pg/mL×min, p=0.019) following the carbohydrate-last meal order compared with carbohydrate first.

Conclusion

The carbohydrate-last meal pattern may be an effective behavioral strategy to improve postprandial glycemia.
Patients with symptoms of delayed gastric emptying have a high prevalence of oesophageal dysmotility, irrespective of scintigraphic evidence of gastroparesis
Authors: Triadafilopoulos George , Nguyen Linda , Clarke John O
Published: September 2017

Background

Patients with symptoms suggestive of gastroparesis exhibit several symptoms, such as epigastric pain, postprandial fullness, bloating and regurgitation. It is uncertain if such symptoms reflect underlying oesophageal motor disorder.

Aims

To examine whether patients with epigastric pain and postprandial distress syndrome suggestive of functional dyspepsia and/or gastroparesis also have concomitant oesophageal motility abnormalities and, if so, whether there are any associations between these disturbances.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, consecutive patients with functional gastrointestinal symptoms suggestive of gastric neuromuscular dysfunction (gastroparesis or functional dyspepsia) underwent clinical assessment, gastric scintigraphy, oesophageal high-resolution manometry and ambulatory pH monitoring using standard protocols.

Results

We studied 61 patients with various functional upper gastrointestinal symptoms who underwent gastric scintigraphy, oesophageal high-resolution manometry and ambulatory pH monitoring. Forty-four patients exhibited gastroparesis by gastric scintigraphy. Oesophageal motility disorders were found in 68% and 42% of patients with or without scintigraphic evidence of gastroparesis respectively, suggesting of overlapping gastric and oesophageal neuromuscular disorder. Forty-three per cent of patients with gastroparesis had abnormal oesophageal acid exposure with mean % pH <4.0 of 7.5 in contrast to 38% of those symptomatic controls with normal gastric emptying, with mean %pH <4.0 of 5.4 (NS). Symptoms of epigastric pain, heartburn/regurgitation, bloating, nausea, vomiting, dysphagia, belching and weight loss could not distinguish patients with or without gastroparesis, although weight loss was significantly more prevalent and severe (p<0.002) in patients with gastroparesis. There was no relationship between oesophageal symptoms and motor or pH abnormalities in either groups.

Conclusions

Irrespective of gastric emptying delay by scintigraphy, patients with symptoms suggestive of gastric neuromuscular dysfunction have a high prevalence of oesophageal motor disorder and pathological oesophageal acid exposure that may contribute to their symptoms and may require therapy. High-resolution oesophageal manometry and pH monitoring are non-invasive and potentially useful in the assessment and management of these patients.
Assessing oral medication adherence among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with polytherapy in a developed Asian community: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Lee Cia Sin , Tan Jane Hwee Mian , Sankari Usha , Koh Yi Ling Eileen , Tan Ngiap Chuan
Published: September 2017

Objectives

The disease burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is rising due to suboptimal glycaemic control leading to vascular complications. Medication adherence (MA) directly influences glycaemic control and clinical consequences. This study aimed to assess the MA of patients with T2DM and identify associated factors.

Design

Analysis of data from a cross-sectional survey and electronic medical records.

Setting

Primary care outpatient clinic in Singapore.

Participants

Adult patients with T2DM.

Main outcome measures

MA to each prescribed oral hypoglycaemic agent (OHA) was measured using the five-question Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS-5). Low MA is defined as a MARS-R score of <25. Demographic data, clinical characteristics and investigation results were collected to identify factors that are associated with low MA.

Results

The study population comprised 382 patients with a slight female predominance (53.4%) and a mean±SD age of 62.0±10.4 years. 57.1% of the patients had low MA to at least one OHA. Univariate analysis showed that patients who were younger, of Chinese ethnicity, married or widowed, self-administering their medications or taking fewer (four or less) daily medications tended to have low MA to OHA. Logistic regression revealed that younger age (OR 0.97; 95% CI 0.95 to0.99), Chinese ethnicity (OR 2.80; 95% CI 1.53 to5.15) and poorer glycaemic control (HbA1c level) (OR 1.27; 95% CI 1.06 to1.51) were associated with low MA to OHA.

Conclusions

Younger patients with T2DM and of Chinese ethnicity were susceptible to low MA to OHA, which was associated with poorer glycaemic control. Polytherapy was not associated with low MA.
Early-onset drug-induced parkinsonism after exposure to offenders implies nigrostriatal dopaminergic dysfunction
Authors: Chung Seok Jong , Yoo Han Soo , Moon Hyojeong , Oh Jungsu S , Kim Jae Seung , Park Yong Hee , Hong Jin Yong , Ye Byoung Seok , Sohn Young H , Lee Phil Hyu
Published: September 2017

Objectives

The onset of parkinsonism in patients with drug-induced parkinsonism (DIP) exhibits extensive individual variability following exposure to offending drugs. We investigated whether the individual variations in the onset time of parkinsonism reflected the underlying subtle dopaminergic dysfunction in DIP.

Methods

We enrolled 71 patients with DIP who had visually normal striatal dopamine transporter (DAT) availability in 18F-FP-CIT positron emission tomography scans. According to their exposure durations to the offending drugs prior to onset of the parkinsonism, the patients were divided into the early-onset group (duration ≤6 months; n=35) and delayed-onset group (duration >6 months; n=36). We performed the quantitative analysis of the DAT availability in each striatal subregion between the groups.

Results

No patients with DIP had DAT availability that was more than 2 SD below the normal mean of DAT availability. Compared with the delayed-onset group, the early-onset DIP group had decreased DAT availability in the striatal subregions including the posterior putamen (p=0.018), anterior putamen (p=0.011), caudate (p=0.035) and ventral striatum (p=0.027). After adjusting for age, sex and cross-cultural smell identification test scores, a multivariate analysis revealed that the DAT availability in the striatal subregions of the patients with DIP was significantly and positively associated with the natural logarithm of the duration of drug exposure.

Conclusions

These results suggest that a short exposure to the offending drugs before the development of parkinsonism would be associated with subtle nigrostriatal dopaminergic dysfunction in patients with DIP.
Sometimes, not always, not never: a response to Pickard and Pearce
Authors: Sullivan Patrick J
Published: September 2017

This paper provides a response to Hanna Pickard and Stephen Pearce’s paper ‘Balancing costs and benefits: a clinical perspective does not support a harm minimisation approach for self-injury outside of community settings.’ This paper responded to my article ‘Should healthcare professionals sometimes allow harm? The case of self-injury.’ There is much in the paper that I would agree with, but I feel it is important to respond to a number of the criticisms of my paper in order to clarify my position and to facilitate ongoing debate in relation to this important issue.
Physiotherapists as detectives: investigating clues and plots in the clinical encounter
Authors: Ahlsen Birgitte , Mengshoel Anne Marit , Bondevik Hilde , Engebretsen Eivind
Published: September 2017

This article investigates the clinical reasoning process of physiotherapists working with patients with chronic muscle pain. The article demonstrates how physiotherapists work with clues and weigh up different plots as they seek to build consistent stories about their patient’s illness. The material consists of interviews with 10 Norwegian physiotherapists performed after the first clinical encounter with a patient. Using a narrative approach and Lonergan’s theory of interpretation, the study highlights how, like detectives, the therapists work with clues by asking a number of interpretive questions of their data. They interrogatewhatthey have observed and heard during the first session, they also questionhowthe patient’s story was told, including the contextual and relation aspects of clue production, and they askwhythe patient’s story was told to them in this particular way at this particular time. The article shows how the therapists configure clues into various plots on the basis of their experience of working with similar cases and how their detective work is pushed forward by uncertainty and persistent questioning of the data.
The challenge of teaching undergraduates evidence‐based veterinary medicine
Authors: Dean R. , Brennan M. , Baillie S. , Brearley J. , Cripps P. , Eisler M. C. , Ewers R. , Handel I. , Holmes M. , Hudson C. , Jones P. , McLauchlan G. , McBrearty A. , Place E. J. , Shaw D. , Smith R. , Verheyen K. , Daly J. M.
Published: September 2017

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons now lists ‘How to evaluate evidence’ as a day one competence for newly qualified vets. In this article, representatives from each of the veterinary schools in the UK discuss how the challenge of delivering and assessing the concepts of evidence‐based veterinary medicine in a crowded undergraduate curriculum can be met.
Cost Efficiency Measurement in Data Envelopment Analysis with Dynamic Network Structures: A Relational Model
Authors: Seyedboveir Soheila , Kordrostami Sohrab , Daneshian Behrouz , Amirteimoori Alireza
Published: September 2017

The “Dynamic-network” version of cost efficiency measurement in Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is proposed in this paper. The classical DEA models ignore operations of individual processes within a system; moreover, they compute efficiency at the same time. Therefore, we suggest a relational model to estimate cost efficiency in static network structures. Also, we incorporate the dynamic effect in network structures. The proposed models here evaluate the overall efficiency over the whole periods and indicate it as a weighted average of period efficiencies. The main advantage revealed in this study is recognition of: which divisions at what periods caused the inefficiency of the system, the internal activities of the system over time, considered; moreover, the results obtained here is applicable in, improving the performance of the system. A case study of Iranian banking industry is used to show the applicability of the approach.
On the volume and Chern–Simons invariant for 2-bridge knot orbifolds
Authors: Ham Ji-Young , Lee Joongul , Mednykh Alexander , Rasskazov Aleksei
Published: September 2017

This paper extends the work by Mednykh and Rasskazov presented in [On the structure of the canonical fundamental set for the 2-bridge link orbifolds, Universität Bielefeld, Sonderforschungsbereich 343, Discrete Structuren in der Mathematik, Preprint (1988), pp. 98–062, www.mathematik.uni-bielefeld.de/sfb343/preprints/pr98062.ps.gz ]. By using their approach, we derive the Riley–Mednykh polynomial for a family of [Formula: see text]-bridge knot orbifolds. As a result, we obtain explicit formulae for the volumes and Chern–Simons invariants of orbifolds and cone-manifolds on the knot with Conway’s notation [Formula: see text].
On the classification of a large set of rational 3-tangle diagrams
Authors: Kwon Bo-Hyun
Published: September 2017

We note that a rational [Formula: see text]-tangle diagram is obtained from a combination of four generators. There is an algorithm to distinguish two rational [Formula: see text]-tangle diagrams up to isotopy: [B. Kwon, An algorithm to classify rational [Formula: see text]-tangles, J. Knot Theory Ramifications 24(1) (2015) 1550004]. However, there is no perfect classification about rational [Formula: see text]-tangle diagrams such as the classification of rational [Formula: see text]-tangle diagrams corresponding to rational numbers. In this paper, we classify a large set of rational [Formula: see text]-tangles which are generated by only three generators.