bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical characteristics, treatment indications and treatment algorithm for post‐partum hematomas
Authors: Tsumagari Ayako , Ohara Rena , Mayumi Miyuki , Yagi Hiroya , Nagai Yuko , Obata‐Yasuoka Mana , Hamada Hiromi , Satoh Toyomi
Published: February 2019

Aim

Post‐partum hematomas are a serious obstetrical complication. Choosing treatments for post‐partum hematomas is difficult, and the application of transcatheter arterial embolization remains unclear. We aimed to clarify the clinical characteristics, identify the treatment indications and create a treatment algorithm for post‐partum hematomas.

Methods

Fifty‐four patients with post‐partum hematomas were enrolled. Hematomas were categorized according to location: upper vaginal, lower vaginal and vulvar. Blood loss, treatment methods and other clinical data were collected from the patients’ medical records and analyzed retrospectively.

Results

Five, 19 and 30 patients had upper vaginal wall, lower vaginal wall and vulvar hematomas, respectively. All upper vaginal wall hematomas required transcatheter arterial embolization to control bleeding, and the average blood loss was 2473 ± 1689 mL. Most lower vaginal wall hematomas were treated surgically; however, two patients required transcatheter arterial embolization, and the average blood loss in these patients was much higher (2010 ± 1145 mL) than that in patients with lower vaginal wall hematomas (395 ± 316 mL). No patient with vulvar hematomas was treated with transcatheter arterial embolization. Two and four patients with vulvar and lower vaginal wall hematomas, respectively, were managed with observation.

Conclusion

We created an algorithm for post‐partum hematoma management. Post‐partum hematoma location should guide treatment selection. Transcatheter arterial embolization should be selected for upper vaginal wall hematomas. Most lower vaginal wall hematomas are treatable with surgery, but transcatheter arterial embolization should be considered for hemostasis in difficult cases. Management with observation may also be possible for lower vaginal wall and vulvar hematomas.
“You Never Know Who's Looking at Your Page!”: African American Male Adolescents’ Perceptions of Emotional Display Rules Online
Authors: Galletta Horner Christy , Akiva Thomas
Published: February 2019

Social network sites (SNSs) are a powerful new context for adolescent development. We qualitatively investigate African American adolescent boys’ (N = 50, mean age = 15.8) perceptions of emotional display rules onSNSs. We present and discuss a taxonomy of display rules for anger, sadness, embarrassment, and excitement. Perceived display rules around anger and sadness were most notable. Participants’ understandings of display rules around anger were complex and varied, with many describing threats of violence as marking the line between acceptable and unacceptable expressions. Although youth stated that expressing sadness viaSNScould garner emotional support, this was understood somewhat consistently as unacceptable. Overall, our findings suggest that perceptions of emotional display rules onSNSs are varied, complicated, and can be difficult to navigate.
Use of a novel vessel‐sealing device for peripheral lung biopsy and lung lobectomy in a cadaveric model
Authors: Brückner M. , Heblinski N. , Henrich M.
Published: February 2019

Objective

To evaluate the Caiman vessel‐sealing device for peripheral lung biopsy and total lung lobectomy in cadaveric canine lung lobes.

Material and Methods

Twelve lung lobes were randomly assigned to peripheral lung biopsy (n=6) or total lung lobectomy (n=6) with the 12‐mm Caiman vessel‐sealing device. Lungs were connected to a ventilator set at 10 breaths per minute with an initial pressure of 5 cm H2O during the procedure. The lungs were submerged in water for leak testing and the pressure increased until leakage occurred.

Results

Mean airway pressure at which leakage occurred was 39.17 ±13.20 cm H2O for peripheral lung biopsies and 38.33 ±13.67 cm H2O for total lung lobectomies. None of the samples leaked below 25 cm H2O, which is well above the physiologic airway pressure. Histologically, the largest bronchial diameter at the sealed area was 8.84 mm and the extent of collateral damage was approximately 2.7 mm in all specimens.

Clinical Significance

The Caiman vessel‐sealing device was successfully used for peripheral lung biopsy and total lung lobectomy in cadaveric canine lung lobes. All sealed lung lobes tolerated supra‐physiologic airway pressure, displayed minimal collateral damage, and were of good diagnostic quality. Further experimental studies are needed to evaluate the clinical safety of the device for peripheral lung biopsy or total lung lobectomy.
Comparison of the diagnostic value of symmetric dimethylarginine, cystatin C, and creatinine for detection of decreased glomerular filtration rate in dogs
Authors: Pelander Lena , Häggström Jens , Larsson Anders , Syme Harriet , Elliott Jonathan , Heiene Reidun , Ljungvall Ingrid
Published: February 2019

Background

Early detection of decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in dogs is challenging. Current methods are insensitive and new biomarkers are required.

Objective

To compare overall diagnostic performance of serum symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) and serum cystatin C to serum creatinine, for detection of decreased GFR in clinically stable dogs, with or without chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Animals

Ninety‐seven client‐owned dogs: 67 dogs with a diagnosis or suspicion of CKD and 30 healthy dogs were prospectively included.

Methods

Prospective diagnostic accuracy study. All dogs underwent physical examination, systemic arterial blood pressure measurement, urinalysis, hematology and blood biochemistry analysis, cardiac and urinary ultrasound examinations, and scintigraphy for estimation of glomerular filtration rate (mGFR). Frozen serum was used for batch analysis of SDMA and cystatin C.

Results

The area under the curve of creatinine, SDMA, and cystatin C for detection of an mGFR <30.8 mL/min/L was 0.98 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.93‐1.0), 0.96 (95% CI, 0.91‐0.99), and 0.87 (95% CI, 0.79‐0.93), respectively. The sensitivity of both creatinine and SDMA at their prespecified cutoffs (115 μmol/L [1.3 mg/dL] and 14 μg/dL) for detection of an abnormal mGFR was 90%. The specificity was 90% for creatinine and 87% for SDMA. When adjusting the cutoff for cystatin C to correspond to a diagnostic sensitivity of 90% (0.49 mg/L), specificity was lower (72%) than that of creatinine and SDMA.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Overall diagnostic performance of creatinine and SDMA for detection of decreased mGFR was similar. Overall diagnostic performance of cystatin C was inferior to both creatinine and SDMA.
Evaluation of equine coronavirus fecal shedding among hospitalized horses
Authors: Sanz Macarena G. , Kwon SoYoung , Pusterla Nicola , Gold Jenifer R. , Bain Fairfield , Evermann Jim
Published: February 2019

Background

Currently, diagnosis of equine coronavirus (ECoV) relies on the exclusion of other infectious causes of enteric disease along with molecular detection of ECoV in feces or tissue. Although this approach is complete, it is costly and may not always be achievable.

Objective

We hypothesized that the overall fecal shedding of ECoV in hospitalized horses is low. Our objective was to determine whether systemically healthy horses and horses with gastrointestinal disorders shed ECoV in their feces at the time of admission to a referral hospital and after 48 hours of stress associated with hospitalization.

Animals

One‐hundred thirty adult horses admitted to the Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital for gastrointestinal disease (n = 65) or for imaging under anesthesia (n = 65) that were hospitalized for 48 hours. Owner consent was obtained before sampling.

Methods

Fecal samples were collected at admission and 48 hours later. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for ECoV and electron microscopy (EM) were performed on all samples.

Results

Only 1 of 258 fecal samples was PCR‐positive for ECoV. Electron microscopy identified ECoV‐like particles in 9 of 258 samples, parvovirus‐like particles in 4 of 258 samples, and rotavirus‐like particles in 1 of 258 samples.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

The presence of ECoV in feces of hospitalized adult horses was low. Thus, fecal samples that are PCR‐positive for ECoV in adult horses that have clinical signs consistent with this viral infection are likely to be of diagnostic relevance. The clinical relevance of the viruses observed using EM remains to be investigated.
Plasma citrulline, arginine, nitric oxide, and blood ammonia levels in neonatal calves with acute diarrhea
Authors: Gultekin Mehmet , Voyvoda Huseyin , Ural Kerem , Erdogan Hasan , Balikci Canberk , Gultekin Gamze
Published: February 2019

Background

Plasma citrulline (CIT) concentration is considered to be a reliable marker of functional enterocyte mass, primarily in humans. However, information about CIT levels along with related metabolites, arginine (ARG), nitric oxide (NO), and ammonia in neonatal calves are lacking.

Objectives

To compare plasma CIT, ARG, NO, and whole blood ammonia concentrations in neonatal calves with acute diarrhea with those in healthy calves and to assess their possible relationships with diarrhea‐related criteria.

Animals

Seventy neonatal calves (60 with acute diarrhea and 10 healthy).

Methods

Observational case‐control study. Diarrheic calves were classified into subgroups on the basis of etiology, severity of diarrhea, degree of dehydration, and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) status. Plasma CIT and ARG concentrations were measured by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry.

Results

Plasma CIT (median [range]: 67.5 [61.9‐75.4] vs 30.1 [15.0‐56.1] μmol/L) and ARG (170.7 [148.5‐219.5] vs 106.1 [54.4‐190.7] μmol/L) were lower and plasma NO (4.42 [3.29‐5.58] vs 6.78 [5.29‐8.92] μM) and blood ammonia concentrations (28.7 [26.1‐36.9] vs 59.8 [34.6‐99.5] μmol/L) were higher in the neonatal calves with diarrhea (P < .001). Plasma CIT (β = −0.29,P = .02), ARG (β = −0.33,P = .01), NO (β = 0.55,P < .001), and blood ammonia (β = 0.63,P<.001) were affected by SIRS status. Except for ammonia (0.52), the effects sizes for severity of diarrhea and degree of dehydration were small (ηp2 ≤ 0.45) for CIT, ARG, and NO.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

The changes in these variables might have diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic value in diarrheic neonatal calves.
The impact of age and ageing on hepatocarcinoma surgery: Short‐ and long‐term outcomes in a multicentre propensity‐matched cohort
Authors: Famularo Simone , Di Sandro Stefano , Giani Alessandro , Angrisani Marco , Lauterio Andrea , Romano Fabrizio , Gianotti Luca , De Carlis Luciano
Published: February 2019

Background

Management of malignancy in elderly patients is challenging. We aimed to assess the impact of age and ageing on overall survival (OS), recurrence‐free survival (RFS), tumour‐specific survival (TSS) and potential years of life lost (PYLL) after surgery for hepatocarcinoma (HCC).

Methods

Consecutive patients treated for HCC between 2005 and 2015 were evaluated. Patients were divided according to age‐decade. Afterwards, elderly patients (≥75 years) were compared with patients < 75 years. A 1:1 propensity matching was used to reduce the risk of bias. Survival was estimated by Kaplan‐Meier method and Cox regression analysis.

Results

Four hundred and thirty‐nine patients were stratified: group 1 (age ≤ 55, n = 72), group 2 (age: 56‐65, n = 133), group 3 (age: 66‐74, n = 141) and group 4 (age ≥ 75, n = 93). Group 1 had the highest median PYLL (27.6, IQR 24.6‐32.5) while group 4 the lowest (2.0, IQR 0‐9.6; P < 0.001). Comparing elderly vs younger, there were no significant differences in terms of OS (P = 0.054), TSS (P = 0.321) and RFS (P = 0.240). Ageing was the only variable associated with post‐operative complications (OR: 2.51; 95% CI: 1.23‐5.13; P = 0.025) and liver‐related morbidity was an independent predictor of OS. (HR 2.49, 95% CI: 1.34‐4.64, P = 0.004).

Conclusion

Ageing per se is not an absolute contraindication for liver resection, given the acceptable oncologic long‐term prognosis, but the worse short‐term outcomes in the elderly should induce an accurate patient selection.
Duodenal low‐grade inflammation and expression of tight junction proteins in functional dyspepsia
Authors: Taki Masato , Oshima Tadayuki , Li Min , Sei Hiroo , Tozawa Katsuyuki , Tomita Toshihiko , Fukui Hirokazu , Watari Jiro , Miwa Hiroto
Published: February 2019

Background

Duodenal changes in functional dyspepsia (FD) might be related to the development of symptoms. However, relationships among low‐grade inflammation, Helicobacter pylori infection, and protein expression by tight junctions (TJs) in the duodenum are unclear. We therefore aimed to determine whether duodenal inflammation and genes associated with TJ proteins are associated with FD.

Methods

We evaluated inflammatory cell infiltration of the duodenum, H pylori infection, and genes associated with TJ proteins in duodenal biopsy specimens from 35 patients with FD according to the Rome III diagnostic questionnaire and from 31 asymptomatic controls without structural diseases. We immunohistochemically detected eosinophils and mast cells and counted them. The expression of claudins, occludin, and zonula occludens (ZO)‐1 mRNA was evaluated using quantitative RT‐PCR. Infection with H pylori was determined by measuring serum antibodies, rapid urease or urea breath tests, and endoscopic findings.

Results

Sex, age, and H pyloriinfection rates did not differ between patients with FD and controls. The numbers of eosinophils and mast cells were significantly increased in patients with FD compared with controls and were significantly correlated. Inflammatory cell counts in the duodenum were not associated with H pylori infection status. Claudin‐3 mRNA expression was increased in the patients with FD.

Conclusions

Subtle inflammation identified in the duodenum of patients with FD might be associated with the onset and persistence of dyspeptic symptoms.
Probiotics in late infancy reduce the incidence of eczema: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Schmidt Rikke Meineche , Pilmann Laursen Rikke , Bruun Signe , Larnkjær Anni , Mølgaard Christian , Michaelsen Kim F. , Høst Arne
Published: February 2019

Background

Allergic diseases are common and represent a considerable health and economic burden worldwide. We aimed to examine the effect of a combination of two probiotic strains administered in late infancy and early childhood on the development of allergic diseases and sensitization.

Methods

In this double‐blind, placebo‐controlled intervention trial, participants were randomized to receive a daily mixture of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp lactis or placebo—starting prior to attending day care. The intervention period was 6 months, and the parents answered web‐based questionnaires on allergic symptoms and doctor's diagnosed allergic disease monthly. IgE was measured at baseline and follow‐up.

Results

A total of 290 participants were randomized: 144 in the probiotic group and 146 in the placebo group. Mean age at intervention start was 10.1 months. At follow‐up (mean age 16.1 months), the incidence of eczema was 4.2% in the probiotic group and 11.5% in the placebo group (P = 0.036). The incidence of asthma and conjunctivitis did not differ between groups, and no children presented with rhinitis. Sensitization was equal in the two groups at intervention start (7.5% and 9.5%, respectively), and two children in each group were sensitized during the intervention.

Conclusions

We observed a significantly lower incidence of eczema in the probiotic group compared to the placebo group. The probiotics were administered in late infancy—prior to attending day care—suggesting a broader window of opportunity using probiotics in the prevention of eczema. The incidence of asthma, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and sensitization did not differ.
The art of distraction: How to compile and use a distraction kit in pediatric dermatology
Authors: Hoernke Jennifer M. , Schoch Jennifer J.
Published: February 2019

Painful procedures are inevitable in pediatric dermatology. Even though the procedures required are typically brief, there is great variability in children's ability to cope. Adequately preparing children for procedures and utilizing distraction tools can ease the anxiety of children, caregivers, and providers.
Integrated Scheduling and Capacity Planning with Considerations for Patients’ Length‐of‐Stays
Authors: Liu Nan , Truong Van‐Anh , Wang Xinshang , Anderson Brett R.
Published: February 2019

Despite the fact that hospital care is often delivered in successive stages, current healthcare scheduling and capacity planning methods usually treat different hospital units in isolation. To address such a shortcoming, we introduce the first Markov decision process model for scheduling surgical patients on a daily basis, explicitly taking into account patient length‐of‐stay in hospital after surgeries and inpatient census. By way of a simple and yet innovative variable transformation, we reveal the hidden submodularity structure in our model. This transformation, in particular, allows us to show that the optimal number of patients to admit increases when the waitlist of surgical patients is longer, given the number of patients recovering downstream is fixed. We conduct extensive simulation experiments to study the applicability of our theoretical model in various settings. Our simulations based on real data demonstrate substantial values in making integrated scheduling decisions that simultaneously consider capacity usage at all locations in a hospital, especially when demand and system capacities are balanced or more elective patients present in the patient mix. The traditional scheduling policy, which is solely driven by operating room usage, however, can lead to significantly suboptimal use of downstream capacity and, as our numerical experiments show, may result in up to a three‐fold increase in total expenses. In contrast, a scheduling policy based on downstream capacity usage often performs relatively close to the integrated scheduling policy, and therefore may serve as a simple, effective scheduling heuristic for hospital managers—especially when the downstream capacity is costly and less flexible.
Economic Analysis of Reward Advertising
Authors: Guo Hong , Zhao Xuying , Hao Lin , Liu De
Published: February 2019

Reward advertising is an emerging monetization mechanism for app developers in which consumers choose to view ads in exchange for apps’ premium content. We provide the first economic analysis of reward advertising by studying the implications of offering reward ads, either by itself, or in conjunction with direct selling of premium content. We find that the condition for offering reward ads is surprisingly simple, and it is often optimal to offer reward ads jointly with direct selling of premium content. Interestingly, a high reward rate could decrease the number of reward ads viewed because of accelerated satiation for premium content; thus, developers need to balance the need to incentivize ad viewing and to prevent excessive accelerated satiation. The need for limiting the number of reward ads per consumer only arises when the marginal revenue of reward ads diminishes quickly. Such limit is only effective when the base ad revenue rate is not too high and when ad viewers have relatively homogenous nuisance costs. Finally, reward ads may increase or decrease consumer surplus.
Lazy rice in space: gravity regulates helical movement in plants
Authors: Baral Anirban
Published: February 2019

Circumnutation, the helical movement of organs, has been observed in diverse species of land plants. Whether circumnutation arises purely from internal growth oscillations or as a response to exogenous forces such as gravity is a subject of active debate. By observing rice seedlings grown under microgravity at the International Space Station (ISS) and analyzing the agravitropic lazy1 mutant, Kobayashi et al. (2019) propose gravity as the causal force that regulates circumnutation of rice coleoptiles.
Redox transients of P680 associated with the incremental chlorophyll‐a fluorescence yield rises elicited by a series of saturating flashes in diuron‐treated photosystem II core complex of Thermosynechococcus vulcanus
Authors: Sipka Gábor , Müller Pavel , Brettel Klaus , Magyar Melinda , Kovács László , Zhu Qingjun , Xiao Yanan , Han Guangye , Lambrev Petar H. , Shen Jian‐Ren , Garab Győző
Published: February 2019

Recent chlorophyll‐a fluorescence yield measurements, using single‐turnover saturating flashes (STSFs), have revealed the involvement of a rate‐limiting step in the reactions following the charge separation induced by the first flash. As also shown here, in diuron‐inhibited PSII core complexes isolated from Thermosynechococcus vulcanus the fluorescence maximum could only be reached by a train of STSFs. In order to elucidate the origin of the fluorescence yield increments in STSF series, we performed transient absorption measurements at 819 nm, reflecting the photooxidation and re‐reduction kinetics of the primary electron donor P680. Upon single flash excitation of the dark‐adapted sample, the decay kinetics could be described with lifetimes of 17 ns (∼50%) and 167 ns (∼30%), and a longer‐lived component (∼20%). This kinetics are attributed to re‐reduction of P680•+ by the donor side of PSII. In contrast, upon second‐flash (with Δt between 5 μs and 100 ms) or repetitive excitation, the 819 nm absorption changes decayed with lifetimes of about 2 ns (∼60%) and 10 ns (∼30%), attributed to recombination of the primary radical pair P680•+Pheo•–, and a small longer‐lived component (∼10%). These data confirm that only the first STSF is capable of generating stable charge separation – leading to the reduction of QA; and thus, the fluorescence yield increments elicited by the consecutive flashes must have a different physical origin. Our double‐flash experiments indicate that the rate‐limiting steps, detected by chlorophyll‐a fluorescence, are not correlated with the turnover of P680.
On the Limits of the Precautionary Principle
Authors: Stefánsson H. Orri
Published: February 2019

The precautionary principle (PP) is an influential principle of risk management. It has been widely introduced into environmental legislation, and it plays an important role in most international environmental agreements. Yet, there is little consensus on precisely how to understand and formulate the principle. In this article I prove some impossibility results for two plausible formulations of the PP as a decision‐rule. These results illustrate the difficulty in making the PP consistent with the acceptance of any tradeoffs between catastrophic risks and more ordinary goods. How one interprets these results will, however, depend on one's views and commitments. For instance, those who are convinced that the conditions in the impossibility results are requirements of rationality may see these results as undermining the rationality of the PP. But others may simply take these results to identify a set of purported rationality conditions that defenders of the PP should not accept, or to illustrate types of situations in which the principle should not be applied.
A Comparison of Sample Survey Measures of Earnings of English Graduates with Administrative Data
Authors: Britton Jack , Shephard Neil , Vignoles Anna
Published: February 2019

Administrative data sets are increasingly used in research because of their excellent coverage and large scale. However, in the UK the use of administrative data on individuals’ earnings, and particularly graduates’ earnings, is novel. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of such data is important as they are set to be used extensively for research and to inform policy. Here we compare survey-based labour earnings data from the UK's Labour Force Survey (LFS) with UK Government administrative sources of individual level earnings data, focusing separately on young (up to age 32 years) graduates and non-graduates. This type of administrative data set has few sample selection issues and is longitudinal and its large samples mean that the earnings of subpopulations can potentially be studied with low error. Overall we find a similar share of individuals with zero earnings in the LFS and administrative data, but a considerably higher share (conditionally on working) earning below £8000 in the administrative data. The LFS has generally higher earnings right through the distribution, though above the median a large share of the differences can potentially be explained by employee pension contributions. We also find considerably larger gender difference in the survey data. The findings hold for both graduates and non-graduates. These differences are substantively important and suggest different conclusions about the gender wage gap, the graduate earnings premium and the extent of earnings inequality.
Global Contraceptive Failure Rates: Who Is Most at Risk?
Authors: Bradley Sarah E.K. , Polis Chelsea B. , Bankole Akinrinola , Croft Trevor
Published: February 2019

Contraceptive failure is a major contributor to unintended pregnancy worldwide. DHS retrospective calendars, which are the most widely used data source for estimating contraceptive failure in low‐income countries, vary in quality across countries and surveys. We identified surveys with the most reliable calendar data and analyzed 105,322 episodes of contraceptive use from 15 DHSs conducted between 1992 and 2014. We estimate contraceptive method‐specific 12‐month failure rates. We also examined how failure rates vary by age, education, socioeconomic status, contraceptive intention, residence, and marital status using multilevel piecewise exponential hazard models. Our failure rate estimates are significantly lower than results from the United States and slightly higher than previous studies that included more DHS surveys, including some with lower‐quality data. We estimate age‐specific global contraceptive failure rates and find strong, consistent age patterns with the youngest users experiencing failure rates up to ten times higher than older women for certain methods. Failure also varies by socioeconomic status, with the poorest, and youngest, women at highest risk of experiencing unintended pregnancy due to failure.
Nonlinear regression models with single‐index heteroscedasticity
Authors: Zhang Jun , Gai Yujie , Lin Bingqing , Zhu Xuehu
Published: February 2019

We consider nonlinear heteroscedastic single‐index models where the mean function is a parametric nonlinear model and the variance function depends on a single‐index structure. We develop an efficient estimation method for the parameters in the mean function by using the weighted least squares estimation, and we propose a “delete‐one‐component” estimator for the single‐index in the variance function based on absolute residuals. Asymptotic results of estimators are also investigated. The estimation methods for the error distribution based on the classical empirical distribution function and an empirical likelihood method are discussed. The empirical likelihood method allows for incorporation of the assumptions on the error distribution into the estimation. Simulations illustrate the results, and a real chemical data set is analyzed to demonstrate the performance of the proposed estimators.
Cryopreservation of UVC pathogen‐inactivated platelets
Authors: Waters Lauren , Padula Matthew P. , Marks Denese C. , Johnson Lacey
Published: February 2019

BACKGROUND

Extending the platelet (PLT) shelf life and enhancing product safety may be achieved by combining cryopreservation and pathogen inactivation (PI). Although studied individually, limited investigations into combining these treatments has been performed. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of PI treating PLTs before cryopreservation on in vitro PLT quality and function.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

ABO‐matched buffy coat–derived PLTs in PLT additive solution (SSP+; Macopharma) were pooled and split to form matched pairs (n = 8). One unit remained untreated and the other was treated with the THERAFLEX UV‐Platelets System (UVC; Macopharma). For cryopreservation, 5% to 6% dimethyl sulfoxide was added to the PLTs, and they were frozen at −80°C. After being thawed, untreated cryopreserved PLTs (CPPs) and UVC‐treated CPPs (UVC‐CPPs) were resuspended in plasma. In vitro quality was assessed immediately after thawing and after 24 hours of room temperature storage.

RESULTS

UVC‐CPPs had lower in vitro recovery compared to CPPs. By flow cytometry, PLTs demonstrated a similar abundance of GPIX (CD42a), GPIIb (CD41a), and GPIbα (CD42b‐HIP1), while the activation of GPIIb/IIIa (PAC‐1) was increased in UVC‐CPPs compared to CPPs. UVC‐CPPs demonstrated greater phosphatidylserine exposure (annexin V) and microparticle shedding but similar P‐selectin (CD62P) abundance compared to CPPs. UVC‐CPPs displayed similar functionality to CPPs when assessed using aggregometry, thromboelastography, and thrombin generation.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates the feasibility of cryopreserving UVC‐PI–treated PLT products. UVC‐PI treatment may increase the susceptibility of PLTs to damage caused during cryopreservation, but this is more pronounced during postthaw storage at room temperature.
Abdominal CT evaluation of the liver and spleen for staging mast cell tumors in dogs yields nonspecific results
Authors: Hughes Jonathan R , Szladovits Balazs , Drees Randi
Published: February 2019

Canine mast cell tumor staging is commonly performed using abdominal ultrasonography and fine‐needle aspiration cytology of masses, lymph nodes, and hepatic and splenic parenchyma. Computed tomography is used for abdominal, thoracic, or whole body imaging in staging mast cell tumors in the authors’ institution enabling evaluation of multiple body areas in one examination. The aim of this study was to compare the CT examinations acquired for staging of mast cell disease to their subsequent liver and spleen cytology findings. Medical records of dogs with primary mast cell tumors that underwent abdominal CT and concurrent liver and spleen aspirates were reviewed. The CT examinations were evaluated for attenuation, size, and margination of the liver and spleen. The relationship between CT findings and cytology results was analyzed. Forty‐nine dogs matched the inclusion criteria: five of forty‐nine dogs with cutaneous mast cell tumors were positive for metastasis from liver and/or spleen aspirates. Of the five dogs with cytological evidence of liver or spleen metastasis, four had normal CT liver attenuation and size, one dog had concurrent primary hepatocellular neoplasia, four dogs had abnormal splenic parenchyma (two nodular and two diffuse heterogeneity), and one dog had a normal attenuation of the spleen. In four dogs, the spleen was subjectively enlarged. Computed tomographic evaluation of the liver showed no consistent pattern associated with mast cell metastasis and did not predict cytology results. Multifocal splenic hypoattenuating lesions more commonly coincided with mast cell metastasis. Sampling of the liver and spleen remains to be considered in the absence of abnormal CT findings for full staging.
Exterior Shape Factors From Interior Shape Factors
Authors: Lienhard John H.
Published: February 2019

Shape factors for steady heat conduction enable quick and highly simplified calculations of heat transfer rates within bodies having a combination of isothermal and adiabatic boundary conditions. Many shape factors have been tabulated, and most undergraduate heat transfer books cover their derivation and use. However, the analytical determination of shape factors for any but the simplest configurations can quickly come to involve complicated mathematics, and, for that reason, it is desirable to extend the available results as far as possible. In this paper, we show that known shape factors for the interior of two-dimensional objects are identical to the corresponding shape factors for the exterior of those objects. The canonical case of the interior and exterior of a disk is examined first. Then, conformal mapping is used to relate known configurations for squares and rectangles to the solutions for the disk. Both a geometrical and a mathematical argument are introduced to show that shape factors are invariant under conformal mapping. Finally, the general case is demonstrated using Green's functions. In addition, the “Yin-Yang” phenomenon for conduction shape factors is explained as a rotation of the unit disk prior to conformal mapping.
Sound Propagation, Reflection, and Its Relevance to Ultrasound Imaging
Authors: Allen Thomas , Chally Alex , Moser Bradley , Widenhorn Ralf
Published: February 2019

The labs presented here build on a simple speed of sound activity and models medical ultrasound imaging by demonstrating how multiple reflections propagate in a closed system. A short sound pulse is emitted into a pipe that is closed at one end and contains one or more partially reflecting surfaces within the pipe. The variety of reflections and transmissions that occur can be measured with a microphone at the pipe entrance.
The Pulsar Search Collaboratory: Expanding Nationwide
Authors: Williamson Kathryn , McLaughlin Maura , Stewart John , Lorimer Duncan , Blumer Harsha , Zabriskie Cabot , Heatherly Sue Ann , Lynch Ryan
Published: February 2019

The Pulsar Search Collaboratory (PSC) engages high school students and teachers in analyzing real data from the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope for the purpose of discovering exotic stars called pulsars. These cosmic clocks can be used as a galactic-scale detector of gravitational waves, ripples in spacetime that have recently been directly detected from the mergers of stellar-mass black holes. Through immersing students in an authentic, positive learning environment to build a sense of belonging and competency, the goal of the PSC is to promote students’ long-term interests in science and science careers. Pulsar Search Collaboratory students have discovered seven pulsars since the start of the PSC in 2008. Originally targeted at teachers and students in West Virginia, over time the program has grown to 18 states. In a new effort to scale the PSC nationally, the PSC has developed an integrated online training program with both self-guided lectures and homework and real-time interactions with pulsar astronomers. Now, any high school student can join in the exciting search for pulsars and the discovery of a new type of gravitational waves.
Crispness, speech intelligibility, and coloration of reverberant recordings played back in another reverberant room (Room-In-Room)
Authors: Haeussler Andreas , van de Par Steven
Published: February 2019

This work examines the acoustical and perceptual consequences that can be found in a transfer chain consisting of a sound recorded in one room which is played back over a loudspeaker in another room. The total resulting “Room-In-Room” (RinR) response can be modelled as a convolution of the Room Impulse Response of the first and second room. Due to the convolution an increase in the reverberation time, pulse density, and a change of the temporal envelope of the early reflections can be observed, compared to a single room. In the spectral domain, the convolution results in an increase in spectral modulation strength, responsible for coloration. The listening test investigating the perceptual consequences of RinR found a decrease in perceived crispness due to reproduction in a playback room, especially for highly reverberant conditions. When within normal sized rooms the reverberation time and total source-receiver distance were kept constant, RinR and a single room condition showed no reduction in crispness. On the other hand, a strong increase in the perceived coloration was measured. Furthermore, a decrease in speech intelligibility has been found for RinR conditions, compared to single rooms (Speech Reception Threshold of 2–3 dB).
Short-term annoyance reactions to civil helicopter and propeller-driven aircraft noise: A laboratory experiment
Authors: Taghipour Armin , Pieren Reto , Schäffer Beat
Published: February 2019

Helicopter noise exhibits distinctive acoustical characteristics (e.g., pulsation) compared to noise from propeller-driven aircraft which contains tonal components. Whereas, at comparable sound exposure levels (LAE), annoyance reactions to these sources might be different, knowledge of potential annoyance differences is scarce. This paper reports a comparison between short-term annoyance reactions to noise from light-weight helicopters and propeller-driven aircraft in a laboratory setup. Stimuli were presented with a 3D sound reproduction system in a listening test facility based on field recordings of takeoffs and landings. Propagation filtering and amplitude changes were carried out to simulate various propagation distances and source levels, covering a reasonable LAE range from 64 to 85 dB(A) for a stimuli length of 24 s. Fifty-six subjects rated their short-term annoyance reactions on the ICBEN 11-point numerical scale. Associations between design variables (source type, procedure, and LAE) and short-term annoyance were explored by means of a linear mixed-effect model. LAE was found to be the major predictor. For the major range of LAE, no significant difference was found between annoyance to noise from the two aircraft types. Observed level differences at equal annoyance ratings were below 1 dB. Furthermore, helicopter landings were found slightly more annoying than helicopter takeoffs.
Reliability and Validity of the Ladder Agility Test Among Children
Authors: Smits-Engelsman Bouwien , Aertssen Wendy , Bonney Emmanuel
Published: February 2019

Purpose: This study aimed (1) to evaluate the test–retest reliability of a new agility test among children and (2) to determine the physical performance and anthropometric variables that may influence agility performance in this population. Methods: For aim 1, participants (n = 34) completed the Ladder Agility Test (LAT) twice, with a 2-week interval between the first and second test occasions. For aim 2, participants (n = 125) were assessed on the LAT as well as other measures thought to be necessary for agility such as motor coordination, explosive power of the lower extremity, dynamic balance, age, and body mass index. Results: Intraclass correlation coefficient of the LAT total score was .94 (95% confidence interval, .88–.97). Cronbach alpha of .85 was found between the 4 test items. An R2 of .466 was found to represent the explained variance of the LAT total score by the predicting variables. Dynamic balance (2-legged side jumps) (P < .001), motor coordination (P < .01), and age (P < .06) were found to be the major predictors of the LAT total score. Conclusions: This study shows that the LAT is a reliable and valid field-based test that can be used to evaluate agility performance in children. Factors such as dynamic balance, motor coordination, and age may influence agility performance.
Crucial role of feedback signals from prelimbic cortex to basolateral amygdala in the retrieval of morphine withdrawal memory
Authors: Song Jiaojiao , Shao Da , Guo Xinli , Zhao Yanfang , Cui Dongyang , Ma Qianqian , Sheng Huan , Ma Lan , Lai Bin , Chen Ming , Zheng Ping
Published: February 2019

The interaction of the basolateral amygdala and prelimbic cortex plays a crucial role in the reactivation of addiction memory.
Microbial dormancy in the marine subsurface: Global endospore abundance and response to burial
Authors: Wörmer Lars , Hoshino Tatsuhiko , Bowles Marshall W. , Viehweger Bernhard , Adhikari Rishi R. , Xiao Nan , Uramoto Go-ichiro , Könneke Martin , Lazar Cassandre S. , Morono Yuki , Inagaki Fumio , Hinrichs Kai-Uwe
Published: February 2019

Bacterial endospores are dominant members of the marine deep biosphere.
The nonlesional skin surface distinguishes atopic dermatitis with food allergy as a unique endotype
Authors: Leung Donald Y. M. , Calatroni Agustin , Zaramela Livia S. , LeBeau Petra K. , Dyjack Nathan , Brar Kanwaljit , David Gloria , Johnson Keli , Leung Susan , Ramirez-Gama Marco , Liang Bo , Rios Cydney , Montgomery Michael T. , Richers Brittany N. , Hall Clifton F. , Norquest Kathryn A. , Jung John , Bronova Irina , Kreimer Simion , Conover Talbot C. , Crumrine Debra , Cole Robert N. , Elias Peter , Zengler Karsten , Seibold Max A. , Berdyshev Evgeny , Goleva Elena
Published: February 2019

Patients with atopic dermatitis and food allergy have an immature epithelial barrier and type 2 immune activation in their skin.
Immunity to CRISPR-Cas9
Authors: Attenello Frank J.
Published: February 2019

Evaluation of patient serum samples commonly reveals preexisting anti-Cas9 antibodies and T cells.
Anxious to lose weight
Authors: Houtkooper Riekelt
Published: February 2019

Anxiety leads to increased whole-body energy expenditure and thermogenesis in mice, preventing weight gain upon high-fat diet feeding.
Don’t overlook the lung
Authors: Segal Leopoldo N.
Published: February 2019

The local lung microbiota provoke inflammation associated with lung adenocarcinoma by activating lung-resident γδ T cells in mice.
Wisdom of the caregivers: pooling individual subjective reports to diagnose states of consciousness in brain-injured patients, a monocentric prospective study
Authors: Hermann Bertrand , Goudard Gwen , Courcoux Karine , Valente Mélanie , Labat Sébastien , Despois Lucienne , Bourmaleau Julie , Richard-Gilis Louise , Faugeras Frédéric , Demeret Sophie , Sitt Jacobo D , Naccache Lionel , Rohaut Benjamin
Published: February 2019

Objectives

The clinical distinction between vegetative state/unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS) and minimally conscious state (MCS) is a key step to elaborate a prognosis and formulate an appropriate medical plan for any patient suffering from disorders of consciousness (DoC). However, this assessment is often challenging and may require specialised expertise. In this study, we hypothesised that pooling subjective reports of the level of consciousness of a given patient across several nursing staff members can be used to clinically detect MCS.

Setting and participants

Patients referred to consciousness assessment were prospectively screened. MCS (target condition) was defined according to the best Coma Recovery Scale-Revised score (CRS-R) obtained from expert physicians (reference standard). ‘DoC-feeling’ score was defined as the median of individual subjective reports pooled from multiple staff members during a week of hospitalisation (index test). Individual ratings were collected at the end of each shift using a 100 mm Visual Analogue Scale, blinded from the reference standard. Diagnostic accuracy was evaluated using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity and specificity metrics.

Results

692 ratings performed by 83 nursing staff members were collected from 47 patients. Twenty patients were diagnosed with UWS and 27 with MCS. DoC-feeling scores obtained by pooling all individual ratings obtained for a given patient were significantly greater in patients with MCS than with UWS (59.2 mm (IQR: 27.3–77.3) vs 7.2 mm (IQR: 2.4–11.4); p<0.001) yielding an AUC of 0.92 (95% CI 0.84 to 0.99).

Conclusions

DoC-feeling capitalises on the expertise of nursing staff to evaluate patients’ consciousness. Together with the CRS-R as well as with brain imaging, DoC-feeling might improve diagnostic and prognostic accuracy of patients with DoC.
Adherence to no-cost oral contraceptives among active-duty servicewomen
Authors: Rottenstreich Misgav , Drukker Lior , Reichman Orna , Kedem Ron , Rottenstreich Amihai , Sela Hen Y
Published: February 2019

Background

We aimed to evaluate the adherence to no-cost oral contraceptives (OC) among young single women and to identify factors associated with non-adherence.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study included all single female soldiers who received free-of-charge OCs from military pharmacies in Israel between 2006 and 2015. Military pharmacies’ dispensing registries were queried to assess the number of OC packages dispensed. Women were included in the study if their service continued for a period of at least 12 months from the time of receiving their first OC pack. Study outcomes were twelve cycles medication possession ratio (MPR), which is defined as the number of OC packs dispensed over a 12-cycle period divided by 12, presented as a percentage, and factors associated with the OC MPR as evaluated by multivariable regression analysis.

Results

During the study period, there were 3 05 923 active servicewomen aged 18–24 years. A total of 82 203 (26.9%) women were dispensed at least one pack of OCs. The mean MPR was 51.8% (35.2%). Only 14% of women had good adherence (MPR ≥90%). Multivariate regression models showed that non-adherence (MPR <90%) was more common among servicewomen (adjusted OR (95% CI)): who failed to graduate from high school (1.9 (1.54–2.33)) and with combat or combat-support type of service (1.66 (1.30–2.13)). Other social/ethnic factors, including first-generation immigrant (1.13 (1.05–1.21)), sub-Saharan African origin (1.28 (1.04–1.58)), lower IQ scores (1.28 (1.22–1.34)) and combat-support type of service (1.22 (1.12–1.34)) were associated with non-adherence, but to smaller degrees. Neither income nor health status predicted adherence in this population receiving no-cost OCs.

Conclusions

Overall, 12 cycles OC adherence was universally low among active servicewomen. Adherence demonstrated small, but significant, associations with sociodemographic factors, with the lowest levels of adherence predicted by low educational attainment and combat service.
Risk of cardiac and sudden death with and without revascularisation of a coronary chronic total occlusion
Authors: Godino Cosmo , Giannattasio Alessia , Scotti Andrea , Baldetti Luca , Pivato Carlo Andrea , Munafò Andrea , Cappelletti Alberto , Beneduce Alessandro , Melillo Francesco , Chiarito Mauro , Biondi Zoccai Giuseppe , Frati Giacomo , Fragasso Gabriele , Azzalini Lorenzo , Carlino Mauro , Montorfano Matteo , Margonato Alberto , Colombo Antonio
Published: February 2019

Objective

The aim of this study is to evaluate the long-term risk of cardiac death and sudden cardiac death (SCD) and/or sustained ventricular arrhythmias (SVAs) in patients with coronary chronic total occlusions (CTO) revascularised versus those with CTO not revascularised by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods

From a cohort of 1357 CTO-PCI patients, 1162 patients who underwent CTO PCI attempt were included in this long-term analysis: 837 patients were revascularised by PCI (CTO-R group) and 325 were not revascularised (CTO-NR group). Primary adverse endpoint was the incidence of cardiac death; secondary endpoint was the cumulative incidence of SCD/SVAs.

Results

Up to 12-year follow-up (median 6 year), compared with CTO-R patients, those with CTO-NR had significantly higher rate of cardiac death (13%[43/325]vs6%[48/837]; p<0.001) and SCD/SVAs (7.5%[24/325]vs2.5%[20/837]; p<0.001). The risk of cardiac death and SCD/SVAs was mainly driven by the subgroup of infarct-related artery (IRA) CTO patients and was significantly higher only in IRA CTO-NR patients (18%vs7%, p<0.001, 14%vs5%, p=0.001; IRA CTO-NR vs IRA CTO-R, respectively). At multivariable Cox hazards regression analysis, CTO-NR remains one of the strongest independent predictors of higher risk of cardiac death and of SCD/SVAs in the overall population and in IRA CTO patients.

Conclusions

At long-term follow-up, patients with CTO not revascularised by PCI had worse outcomes compared with those with CTO revascularised, with >2-fold risk of cardiac death and threefold risk of SCD/SVAs. The presence of an infarct-related artery (IRA CTO) not revascularised identified the category of patients with the highest rate of adverse events .