bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Subclavian Steal Syndrome with or without Arterial Stenosis: A Review
Authors: Kargiotis Odysseas , Siahos Simos , Safouris Apostolos , Feleskouras Agisilaos , Magoufis Georgios , Tsivgoulis Georgios
Published: June 2016

The subclavian‐vertebral artery steal syndrome (SSS) is the hemodynamic phenomenon of blood flow reversal in the vertebral artery due to significant stenosis or occlusion of the proximal subclavian artery or the innominate artery. Occasionally, SSS is diagnosed in patients not harboring arterial stenosis. With the exception of arterial congenital malformations, the limited case reports of SSS with intact subclavian artery are attributed to dialysis arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs). Interestingly, these cases are more frequently symptomatic than those with the classical atherosclerotic SSS forms. On the other hand, the disclosure of SSS due to subclavian/innominate artery atherosclerotic stenosis, even in the absence of accompanying symptoms, should prompt a thorough cardiovascular work‐up for the early detection of coexisting coronary, carotid, or peripheral artery disease. Herein, we review the incidence, clinical presentation, sonographic findings, and therapeutic interventions related to SSS with and without subclavian/innominate artery stenosis. We also review the currently available data in the literature regarding the association of SSS and dialysis AVF. In addition, we present a patient with bilateral symptomatic SSS as the result of an arteriovenous graft (AVG) that was introduced after the preexisting AVF in the contralateral arm became nonfunctional. SSS due to subclavian or innominate artery stenosis/occlusion is rarely symptomatic warranting interventional treatment. In contrast, when it is attributed to AVF, surgical correction is frequently necessary.
Turned versus anodised dental implants: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Chrcanovic B. R. , Albrektsson T. , Wennerberg A.
Published: June 2016

The aim of this meta‐analysis was to test the null hypothesis of no difference in the implant failure rates, marginal bone loss (MBL)and post‐operative infection for patients being rehabilitated by turned versus anodised‐surface implants, against the alternative hypothesis of a difference. An electronic search without time or language restrictions was undertaken in November 2015. Eligibility criteria included clinical human studies, either randomised or not. Thirty‐eight publications were included. The results suggest a risk ratio of 2·82 (95% CI 1·95–4·06, P < 0·00001) for failure of turned implants, when compared to anodised‐surface implants. Sensitivity analyses showed similar results when only the studies inserting implants in maxillae or mandibles were pooled. There were no statistically significant effects of turned implants on the MBL (mean difference‐MD 0·02, 95%CI −0·16–0·20; P = 0·82) in comparison to anodised implants. The results of a meta‐regression considering the follow‐up period as a covariate suggested an increase of the MD with the increase in the follow‐up time (MD increase 0·012 mm year−1), however, without a statistical significance (P = 0·813). Due to lack of satisfactory information, meta‐analysis for the outcome ‘post‐operative infection’ was not performed. The results have to be interpreted with caution due to the presence of several confounding factors in the included studies.
Life Insurance Demand Under Health Shock Risk
Authors: Hambel Christoph , Kraft Holger , Schendel Lorenz S. , Steffensen Mogens
Published: June 2016

This article studies the consumption‐investment‐insurance problem of a family. The wage earner faces the risk of a health shock. The family can buy long‐term life insurance that can only be revised at significant costs. A revision is only possible as long as the insured person is healthy. The combination of unspanned labor income and the stickiness of insurance decisions reduces the long‐term insurance demand significantly. Since such a reduction is costly and families anticipate these potential costs, they buy less protection at all ages. In particular, young families stay away from long‐term life insurance markets altogether.
Melatonin enhances cold tolerance in drought‐primed wild‐type and abscisic acid‐deficient mutant barley
Authors: Li Xiangnan , Tan Dun‐Xian , Jiang Dong , Liu Fulai
Published: June 2016

Melatonin is involved in multiple plant developmental processes and various stress responses. To explore the roles of melatonin played as well as its association with abscisic acid (ABA) in a process of drought priming‐induced cold tolerance (DPICT), a wild‐type barley and its ABA‐deficient mutant Az34 counterpart were selected for comparison, in which the effects of melatonin application (either foliarly or rhizospherically) and/or drought priming on the cold tolerance of both types of barleys were systematically investigated. It was demonstrated that the early drought priming induced an increase of endogenous melatonin production, which is not ABA dependent. In addition, exogenously applied melatonin resulted in higher ABA concentration in the drought‐primed plants than in the nonprimed plants when exposed to cold stress, indicating that ABA responded in a drought‐dependent manner. The interplay of melatonin and ABA leads to plants maintaining better water status. Drought priming‐induced melatonin accumulation enhanced the antioxidant capacity in both chloroplasts and mitochondria, which sustained the photosynthetic electron transport in photosynthetic apparatus of the plants under cold stress. These results suggest that the exogenous melatonin application enhances the DPICT by modulating subcellular antioxidant systems and ABA levels in barley.
Scoring System for Multiple Organ Dysfunction in Adult Horses with Acute Surgical Gastrointestinal Disease
Authors: McConachie E. , Giguère S. , Barton M.H.
Published: June 2016

Background

The prevalence of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) in horses with acute surgical gastrointestinal (GI) disease is unknown. Currently, there are no validated criteria to confirm MODS in adult horses.

Objectives

To develop criteria for a MODS score for horses with acute surgical colic (MODS SGI) and evaluate the association with 6‐month survival. To compare the MODS SGI score with a MODS score extrapolated from criteria used in people (MODS EQ).

Animals

Adult horses that required exploratory laparotomy (n = 62) for colic. Healthy adult horses undergoing elective surgical procedures (n = 12) established the reference range of some variables.

Methods

Prospectively, a MODS SGI score was developed based on organ‐specific criteria established from a literature review, data collection, and clinical judgment. Data for scoring each horse were collected on Days 1 and 2 postoperatively. Horses were scored retrospectively using both scoring criteria. The prognostic performance of the MODS SGI score and its overall performance compared with the MODS EQ score were assessed with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Results

The MODS SGI score had excellent performance for predicting 6‐month survival with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.95 (95% CI: 0.87–0.99). The AUC for the MODS SGI score was significantly higher than the MODS EQ (AUC: 0.76; 0.63–0.86).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

The MODS SGI score predicts 6‐month survival from discharge in horses with acute surgical colic. The MODS SGI score performed better than a score extrapolated from human scoring systems.
The need for new categorizations of dietary specialism incorporating spatio‐temporal variability of individual diet specialization
Authors: Pagani‐Núñez E. , Barnett C. A. , Gu H. , Goodale E.
Published: June 2016

In the last decade, an increasing body of research has addressed the extent to which different individuals within a species or population specialize in their exploitation of different food resources, which is referred to as individual diet specialization (IDS). Traditionally, researchers use the terms ‘specialist’ and ‘generalist’, despite the inability of these labels to capture all of the complexity of IDS. In this paper, we compare the dietary specialism of great tit Parus major and blue tit Cyanistes caeruleus at different temporal and spatial scales. We use these two species to illustrate the differences within and between species in individual levels of IDS. Both of these species show greater IDS in Mediterranean habitats, where resources are less plentiful and more variable than in Northern Europe. Additionally, we also emphasize that IDS within populations may change temporally. At the same time, there are differences between species, with great tits showing a higher capacity than blue tits to specialize at both the individual and the population level. Great tits can be considered generalists at the species level and specialists at the individual level, while blue tits can be considered generalists at both the species and the individual level. Our study demonstrates that there is a need for researchers to determine the relative importance of intrinsic factors (e.g. differences between species or individuals in their behavioral flexibility or cognitive capacity) and extrinsic factors (e.g. resource base) in shaping patterns of dietary specialization. We conclude that, within and among species, different individuals respond differently to similar environmental pressures, utilize different niches and develop different functions in the ecosystem depending on their type of IDS. Therefore, we propose that label ‘generalists’ should distinguish between facultative generalists, which can develop new specializations, and obligate generalists, which have a limited capacity to develop novel specializations.
Serum WFA+‐M2BP levels for evaluation of early stages of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection
Authors: Zou Xia , Zhu Ming‐Yu , Yu De‐Min , Li Wei , Zhang Dong‐Hua , Lu Fei‐Jie , Gong Qi‐Ming , Liu Feng , Jiang Jie‐Hong , Zheng Min‐Hua , Kuno Atsushi , Narimatsu Hisashi , Zhang Yan , Zhang Xin‐Xin
Published: June 2016

Background & Aims

Accurate evaluation of liver fibrosis is crucial for predicting progression of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. We assessed the utility of a novel fibrosis glycobiomarker Wisteria floribunda agglutinin‐positive Mac‐2‐binding protein (WFA+‐M2BP) for evaluating liver fibrosis and disease progression in patients with chronic HBV infection.

Methods

We enrolled 774 patients with chronic HBV infection, with or without fibrosis, diagnosed by liver biopsy/FibroScan. Patients who underwent liver biopsy (n = 297) were divided into training (n = 221) and validation (n = 76) groups. Serum WFA+‐M2BP values were measured and compared with FIB‐4 index, aspartate aminotransferase (AST)‐to‐platelet ratio (APRI) and AST‐to‐alanine aminotransferase ratio (AAR) using receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

Results

Serum WFA+‐M2BP levels increased significantly with fibrosis progression (P < 0.0001). Area under the ROC curve of WFA+‐M2BP for diagnosing significant fibrosis was higher than that of FIB‐4 (P = 0.198), APRI (P = 0.017) and AAR (P < 0.001), with sensitivity and specificity in the training set of 60.5% and 79.8% and validation set of 59.5% and 82.1%, respectively. Serum WFA+‐M2BP levels were significantly correlated with FibroScan values (P < 0.0001) and improved the accuracy of FibroScan in assessing significant fibrosis. Changes in WFA+‐M2BP levels were parallel with those in FibroScan values during nucleot(s)ide analogues therapy in patients with chronic HBV infection.

Conclusions

WFA+‐M2BP is an accurate serum indicator for assessing early stages of liver fibrosis and may monitor regression of fibrosis during the treatment of chronic HBV infection. WFA+‐M2BP provides a simple and reliable alternative or complementary method to liver biopsy and FibroScan.
Adaptation in isolated populations: when does it happen and when can we tell?
Authors: Crisci Jessica L. , Dean Matthew D. , Ralph Peter
Published: June 2016

Isolated populations with novel phenotypes present an exciting opportunity to uncover the genetic basis of ecologically significant adaptation, and genomic scans have often, but not always, led to candidate genes directly related to an adaptive phenotype. However, in many cases these populations were established by a severe bottleneck, which can make identifying targets of selection problematic. Here, we simulate severe bottlenecks and subsequent selection on standing variation, mimicking adaptation after establishment of a new small population, such as an island or an artificial selection experiment. Using simulations of single loci under positive selection and population genetics theory, we examine how population size and age of the population isolate affect the ability of outlier scans for selection to identify adaptive alleles using both single‐site measures and haplotype structure. We find and explain an optimal combination of selection strength, starting frequency, and age of the adaptive allele, which we refer to as a Goldilocks zone, where adaptation is likely to occur and yet the adaptive variants are most likely to derive from a single ancestor (a ‘hard’ selective sweep); in this zone, four commonly used statistics detect selection with high power. Real‐world examples of both island colonization and experimental evolution studies are discussed. Our study provides concrete considerations to be made before embarking on whole‐genome sequencing of differentiated populations.
Adult‐onset atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor featuring long spindle cells with nuclear palisading and perivascular pseudorosettes
Authors: Horiguchi Hidehisa , Nakata Satoshi , Nobusawa Sumihito , Uyama Shinichi , Miyamoto Tadashi , Ueta Hiromi , Fujimoto Naomi , Yokoo Hideaki
Published: June 2016

Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (AT/RTs) are rare malignant neoplasms of the CNS that preferentially affect young children. We herein report an adult case of AT/RT surviving for more than 5 years with the residual tumor. The patient, a 24‐year‐old man at onset, presented with a contrast‐enhancing mass lesion in the left occipital lobe, and underwent partial tumor resection. Histologically, the tumor was predominantly composed of long spindle cells exhibiting nuclear palisading and perivascular pseudorosettes, which appeared to mimic mesenchymal, ependymal and Schwann cell tumors. A small number of isolated rhabdoid cells did not initially attract attention, and a tentative pathological diagnosis of a malignant mesenchymal tumor was made. In a later examination focusing on the small areas of rhabdoid cells, the extensive loss of the nuclear expression of INI1 was detected in all areas. Diffuse staining with vimentin and focal immunoreactivity for epithelial membrane antigen and alpha smooth muscle actin were observed not only in AT/RT foci, but also in spindle cell areas. Thus, polyphenotypic immunoreactivity was evident. Fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed a homozygous deletion of chromosome 22q covering the INI1 locus. Histopathological differences between infant and adult AT/RTs currently remain unclear. In the case of a malignant adult brain tumor showing a hardly classifiable morphology and immunophenotypic diversity, an analysis of the INI1 status may contribute to an accurate diagnosis.
Changes in problematic and disordered eating after gastric bypass, adjustable gastric banding and vertical sleeve gastrectomy: a systematic review of pre‐post studies
Authors: Opozda M. , Chur‐Hansen A. , Wittert G.
Published: June 2016

Despite differences in their mechanisms and outcomes, little is known about whether postsurgical changes in eating behaviours also differ by bariatric procedure. Following a systematic search, 23 studies on changes in binge eating disorder (BED) and related behaviours, bulimia nervosa and related behaviours, night eating syndrome, grazing and emotional eating after Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB), adjustable gastric banding (AGB) and vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) were reviewed. Significant methodological problems and a dearth of literature regarding many behaviours and VSG were seen. Regarding BED and related behaviours, although later re‐increases were noted, short to medium‐term reductions after RYGB were common, and reported changes after AGB were inconsistent. Short to medium‐term reductions in emotional eating, and from a few studies, short to long‐term reductions in bulimic symptoms, were reported after RYGB. Reoccurrences and new occurrences of problem and disordered eating, especially BED and binge episodes, were apparent after RYGB and AGB. Further conclusions and comparisons could not be made because of limited or low‐quality evidence. Long‐term comparison studies of changes to problematic and disordered eating in RYGB, AGB and VSG patients are needed. It is currently unclear whether any bariatric procedure leads to long‐term improvement of any problematic or disordered eating behaviours.
Older adult awareness of the influence of cardiovascular disease risk factors on cognitive function
Authors: Wright Regina S. , Ford Cassandra , Sniscak Courtney R.
Published: June 2016

Aims and objectives

The aims of the current study were to (i) assess older people's awareness of the association between CVD risk factors and cognitive function; and (ii) examine whether awareness varies as a function of demographic factors.

Background

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors have been linked to subtle deficits in cognitive function. CVD risk factors increase the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. The association between cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and cognitive decrements has been well documented among older people; however, we are unaware of any studies that have measured older people's awareness of this relationship in an effort to assess educational needs.

Design

A descriptive, cross‐sectional survey design was employed.

Methods

Community‐based older adults aged 60 and older completed a survey that assessed their knowledge of the association between CVD risk factors and cognitive function.

Results

One hundred fifty older adults, with a mean age of 72.88 years, completed the survey. Results showed that over 75% of the sample was aware that CVD risk factors affect cognitive function. White older adults and older adults with greater perceived financial well‐being tended to be more aware of these relationships than non‐White participants with less perceived financial well‐being.

Conclusions

Results suggest that many, but not all older people have awareness of this relationship. As such, there is a need for increased education about the cognitive effects of CVD risk factors, particularly among older people who are already at risk for developing CVD and those with lesser financial well‐being.

Implications for Practice

Appropriate educational strategies can expose older patients to the importance of healthy lifestyle and self‐care to maintain cognitive function. Nurses can incorporate education into care by identifying patients that would benefit from tailored interventions and providing information to at‐risk patients about how to maintain their cognitive function through management of specific CVD risk factors.
A Rare Presentation of a Dermoid Cyst with Draining Sinus in a Child: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Yan Chen , Low David W.
Published: June 2016

Orbitofacial dermoid cysts in children are treated using surgical excision. Dermoid cysts of the frontotemporal region usually present as superficial, slow‐growing masses without deep extension. We report a rare case wherein a frontotemporal dermoid in a 21‐month‐old girl presented with a draining sinus tract to the skin and extended intracranially through the sphenoid bone. It was removed surgically and a dermoid cyst was removed from the frontotemporal region, extending superficially from the skin sinus tract through the sphenoid bone and attaching to the dura of the anterior temporal lobe. In addition to our case presentation, a literature review was performed to identify the few reported similar cases in the published literature, the combination of which suggests that frontotemporal dermoid cysts with associated draining sinus tracts may require preoperative imaging with computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging before surgical intervention because of the high likelihood of intracranial extension.
Agminated Fibroblastic Conective Tissue Nevus: A New Clinical Presentation
Authors: Downey Camila , Requena Luis , Bagué Silvia , Sánchez Martínez Miquel Ángel , Lloreta Josep , Baselga Eulalia
Published: June 2016

Connective tissue nevi are benign hamartomatous lesions in which one or several of the components of the dermis (collagen, elastin, glicosaminoglycans) show predominance or depletion. Recently, de Feraudy et al broadened the spectrum of connective tissue nevus, describing fibroblastic connective tissue nevus (FCTN), which is characterized by proliferation of CD34+ cells of fibroblastic and myofibroblastic lineage. Only solitary papules and nodules have been described. We present the first case of FCTN with multiple agminated lesions on the leg of an infant and the difficulties encountered in the differential diagnosis with dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.
Vibrational communication of the brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys)
Authors: Polajnar Jernej , Maistrello Lara , Bertarella Ambra , Mazzoni Valerio
Published: June 2016

Communication with substrate‐borne vibrational signals is common in the family Pentatomidae, although this aspect of biology of the invasive pestHalyomorpha halysStål remains unexplored so far. In the present study, the behaviour of single animals and pairs is observed on a bean plant and a loudspeaker membrane at the same time as recording substrate vibrations with a laser vibrometer, with the aim of adding to the existing description of mating behaviour. The maleH. halysemit long, narrow‐band vibrational signals spontaneously to which the nearby females reply with their own vibrational signals, triggering male searching. During this phase, the insects emit two (in females) or three song types (in males) in various combinations, until they come into physical contact, after which the final male song type, characterized by tremulation, is the only kind of vibratory emission. Females never start singing spontaneously and the mating sequence does not proceed if either partner is silent. Male signals do not attract males or females and so vibrations are unlikely to play a role in maintaining the aggregations that are characteristic of this species, whereas female signals show promise for developing behavioural manipulation methods against this invasive pest.
A Southern Hemisphere record of global trace‐metal drawdown and orbital modulation of organic‐matter burial across the Cenomanian–Turonian boundary (Ocean Drilling Program Site 1138, Kerguelen Plateau)
Authors: Dickson Alexander J. , Saker‐Clark Matthew , Jenkyns Hugh C. , Bottini Cinzia , Erba Elisabetta , Russo Fabio , Gorbanenko Olga , Naafs Bernhard D. A. , Pancost Richard D. , Robinson Stuart A. , van den Boorn Sander H.J.M , Idiz Erdem
Published: June 2016

Despite its assumed global nature, there are very few detailed stratigraphic records of the late Cenomanian to the early Turonian Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 from the Southern Hemisphere. A highly resolved record of environmental changes across the Cenomanian–Turonian boundary interval is presented from Ocean Drilling Program Site 1138 on the central Kerguelen Plateau (southern Indian Ocean). The new data lead to three key observations. Firstly, detailed biostratigraphy and chemostratigraphy indicate that the record of Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 is not complete, with a hiatus spanning the onset of the event. A decrease in glauconite and highly weathered clays after the onset of Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 marks the end of the hiatus interval, which can be explained by a relative sea‐level rise that increased sediment accommodation space on the Kerguelen Plateau margin. This change in depositional environment controlled the timing of the delayed peak in organic‐matter burial during Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 at Site 1138 compared with other Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 locations worldwide. A second key observation is the presence of cyclic fluctuations in the quantity and composition of organic matter being buried on the central Kerguelen Plateau throughout the latter stages of Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 and the early Turonian. A close correspondence between organic matter, sedimentary elemental compositions and sediments recording sea‐floor oxygenation suggests that the cycles were mainly productivity‐driven phenomena. Available age‐control points constrain the periodicity of the coupled changes in sedimentary parameters to ca 20 to 70 ka, suggesting a link between carbon burial and astronomically forced climatic variations (precession or obliquity) in the Southern Hemisphere mid‐latitudes both during, and after, Oceanic Anoxic Event 2: fluctuations that were superimposed on the impact of global‐scale processes. Finally, trace‐metal data from the black‐shale unit at Site 1138 provide the first evidence from outside of the proto‐North Atlantic region for a global drawdown of seawater trace‐metal (Mo) inventories during Oceanic Anoxic Event 2.
New Insights into the Management of Patients with Autoimmune Diseases or Inflammatory Disorders During Pregnancy
Authors: Tavakolpour Soheil , Rahimzadeh Ghazal
Published: June 2016

The treatment of autoimmune diseases remains a serious problem. Current therapies can lead to adverse effects in patients. One of the most vulnerable patient groups is pregnant women. It has been reported that different autoimmune diseases have a certain trend during pregnancy and after delivery which could be explained by maternal immune responses. Better management of pregnant women with autoimmune diseases or inflammatory disorders could be achieved by linking such alterations in immune responses and governed immune responses in different autoimmune disorders while considering various reports of autoimmune conditions during pregnancy. This study considers changing the T helper cells (Th1) and Th2 balance and suggests some new approaches for the better management of autoimmune diseases in pregnant women based on immune responses. Additionally, the possible role of Th17, alterations in some selected autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), multiple sclerosis (MS), psoriasis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), atopic dermatitis (AD), asthma and pemphigus during pregnancy, and possible associated mechanisms are discussed.
Renewable Energy Policy Instruments and Market Power
Authors: von der Fehr Nils‐Henrik M. , Ropenus Stephanie
Published: June 2016

Markets for green certificates allow generators with market power to squeeze the margins of their competitors, as a generator that is vertically integrated into network activities might do. We analyze this issue in a stylized electricity industry in which a dominant producer of both conventional and renewable energy is facing a competitive fringe of renewable‐energy producers. We demonstrate that whether or not a dominant firm is vertically integrated into network activities, it can disadvantage the fringe producers by distorting certificates prices, thereby inducing cost inefficiency in the generation of renewable energy. We compare green certificates to a system of feed‐in tariffs, where a similar margin squeeze is not possible.
Direct and Cross Effects of Employment Protection: The Case of Parental Childcare
Authors: Olsson Martin
Published: June 2016

I examine whether employment protection affects the willingness of working parents to provide childcare. Using a reform that made it easier for employers to dismiss workers in small firms, I find that softer employment protection reduces the use of temporary parental leave among directly treated fathers. In addition, I find that households respond to an increase in the dismissal risk by reducing temporary parental leave for the indirectly treated spouse. Spousal labor supply can thus serve as informal insurance against adverse income shocks.
Domestic Inequality and Carbon Emissions in Comparative Perspective
Authors: Jorgenson Andrew K. , Schor Juliet B. , Knight Kyle W. , Huang Xiaorui
Published: June 2016

Drawing from multiple bodies of literature, the authors investigate the relationship between consumption‐based carbon emissions and domestic income inequality for 67 nations from 1991 to 2008. Results of two‐way fixed‐effects longitudinal models indicate that the relationship between national‐level emissions and inequality changes through time and varies for nations in different macroeconomic contexts. For high‐income nations, the relationship shifts from negative to positive, suggesting that in recent years, income inequality in such nations increases carbon emissions. For middle‐income nations, the association is negative, and becomes increasingly negative in the later years of the study. For low‐income nations, the relationship between carbon emissions and domestic income inequality is null for the entire 1991 to 2008 period. These diverse results hold, net of the effects of other well‐established human drivers of emissions, including population size, level of economic development, and urbanization. The authors conclude by emphasizing the need for future research on greenhouse gas emissions and domestic inequality, and the central role that sociology should play in this emerging area of inquiry.
Seroepidemiology: an underused tool for designing and monitoring vaccination programmes in low‐ and middle‐income countries
Authors: Cutts Felicity T. , Hanson Matt
Published: June 2016

Seroepidemiology, the use of data on the prevalence of bio‐markers of infection or vaccination, is a potentially powerful tool to understand the epidemiology of infection before vaccination and to monitor the effectiveness of vaccination programmes. Global and national burden of disease estimates for hepatitis B and rubella are based almost exclusively on serological data. Seroepidemiology has helped in the design of measles, poliomyelitis and rubella elimination programmes, by informing estimates of the required population immunity thresholds for elimination. It contributes to monitoring of these programmes by identifying population immunity gaps and evaluating the effectiveness of vaccination campaigns. Seroepidemiological data have also helped to identify contributing factors to resurgences of diphtheria, Haemophilus Influenzae type B and pertussis. When there is no confounding by antibodies induced by natural infection (as is the case for tetanus and hepatitis B vaccines), seroprevalence data provide a composite picture of vaccination coverage and effectiveness, although they cannot reliably indicate the number of doses of vaccine received. Despite these potential uses, technological, time and cost constraints have limited the widespread application of this tool in low‐income countries. The use of venous blood samples makes it difficult to obtain high participation rates in surveys, but the performance of assays based on less invasive samples such as dried blood spots or oral fluid has varied greatly. Waning antibody levels after vaccination may mean that seroprevalence underestimates immunity. This, together with variation in assay sensitivity and specificity and the common need to take account of antibody induced by natural infection, means that relatively sophisticated statistical analysis of data is required. Nonetheless, advances in assays on minimally invasive samples may enhance the feasibility of including serology in large survey programmes in low‐income countries. In this paper, we review the potential uses of seroepidemiology to improve vaccination policymaking and programme monitoring and discuss what is needed to broaden the use of this tool in low‐ and middle‐income countries.
Towards programmable plant genetic circuits
Authors: Medford June I. , Prasad Ashok
Published: June 2016

Synthetic biology enables the construction of genetic circuits with predictable gene functions in plants. Detailed quantitative descriptions of the transfer function or input–output function for genetic parts (promoters, 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions, etc.) are collected. These data are then used in computational simulations to determine their robustness and desired properties, thereby enabling the best components to be selected for experimental testing in plants. In addition, the process forms an iterative workflow which allows vast improvement to validated elements with sub‐optimal function. These processes enable computational functions such as digital logic in living plants and follow the pathway of technological advances which took us from vacuum tubes to cell phones.
Accuracy Enhancement of Thermoelectric Simulation by Modeling the Electrical Contact
Authors: Chen Min , Gao Junling , Kang Zhengdong , Zhang Jianzhong
Published: June 2016

The main objective of this study is to numerically analyze the uncertainty of the electrical interface resistance in thermoelectric modules (TEMs) and its contribution to the error of practical device and system simulation. To improve the simulation, the numerical implementation of the interface resistance in TEMs of any size, especially its temperature-dependent characteristics, is critical in the thermoelectric modeling. Using the electrothermal analogy and the PSpice simulator as the simulation baseline, the proposed nonlinear and statistical modeling of the interface resistance is examined and supported through extensive comparisons between experimental findings and numerical results. Considerable accuracy improvement is obtained for a single TEM and a system consisting of a number of interconnected TEMs.
Studies on cathodic arc PVD grown TiCrN based erosion resistant thin films
Authors: Valleti Krishna , C Puneet , L Rama Krishna , Joshi Shrikant V.
Published: June 2016

Titanium chromium nitride (TiCrN) coatings with varying Cr content in two configurations, mono- and multilayer, were deposited on high speed steel substrates using a cylindrical cathodic arc physical vapor deposition technique. The physical, mechanical, and erosion behavior of the coatings were investigated. Among the monolayer coatings, the thicker Ti0.48Cr0.52N coatings yielded the best erosion resistance property. But with the increase in thickness, a considerable increase in residual stress is observed. Toward minimizing the stress accumulation, the effect of multilayering with periodic in situ heat treatment (after each 1 μm film growth) was studied by growing films in Ti0.52Cr0.48N/Ti0.40Cr0.60N bilayer configuration. A new approach based on % area of erosion damage for measuring relative wear rate of thin films has been proposed and implemented. The multilayer coatings exhibited superior erosion performance compared to the well-known erosion resistant TiN coatings that are in use for compressor blades from past few decades. Further, the erosion failure mechanisms in TiCrN coatings were also studied and found to be clearly different for mono- and multilayer configurations. The results reveal that the thicker multilayer TiCrN coatings (20 μm) exhibit promising choice for erosion resistance applications.
On the formation of cleaved mirror facets of GaN-based laser diodes—A comparative study of diamond-tip edge-scribing and laser scribing
Authors: Kang Ji Hye , Krüger Olaf , Spengler Uwe , Zeimer Ute , Einfeldt Sven , Kneissl Michael
Published: June 2016

The formation of cleaved mirror facets of GaN-based laser diodes on c-plane GaN substrates is investigated using either diamond-tip edge-scribing or laser scribing with a skip-and-scribe method. The yield of properly cleaved facets was significantly improved to around 80% when using the laser skip-and-scribe method instead of diamond scribing. In addition, the cleavage planes of laser scribed samples showed fewer terraces than those of diamond scribed samples. The performance of broad area laser diodes with proper facet quality is shown to be independent of the scribing methods studied.
Elastic Bandaging for Orthopedic- and Sports-Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review
Authors: Fousekis Konstantinos , Billis Evdokia , Matzaroglou Charalampos , Mylonas Konstantinos , Koutsojannis Constantinos , Tsepis Elias
Published: June 2016

Context:

Elastic bandages are commonly used in sports to treat and prevent sport injuries.

Objective:

To conduct a systematic review assessing the effectiveness of elastic bandaging in orthopedic- and sports-injury prevention and rehabilitation.

Evidence Acquisition:

The researchers searched the electronic databases MEDLINE, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, EMBASE, and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) with keywords elastic bandaging in combination, respectively, with first aid, sports injuries, orthopedic injuries, and sports injuries prevention and rehabilitation. Research studies were selected based on the use of the term elastic bandaging in the abstract. Final selection was made by applying inclusion and exclusion criteria to the full text. Studies were included if they were peer-reviewed clinical trials written in English on the effects of elastic bandaging for orthopedic-injury prevention and rehabilitation.

Evidence Synthesis:

Twelve studies met the criteria and were included in the final analysis. Data collected included number of participants, condition being treated, treatment used, control group, outcome measures, and results. Studies were critically analyzed using the PEDro scale.

Conclusions:

The studies in this review fell into 2 categories: studies in athletes (n = 2) and nonathletes (n = 10). All included trials had moderate to high quality, scoring ≥5 on the PEDro scale. The PEDro scores for the studies in athletes and nonathletes ranged from 5 to 6 out of 10 and from 5 to 8 out of 10, respectively. The quality of studies was mixed, ranging from higher- to moderate-quality methodological clinical trials. Overall, elastic bandaging can assist proprioceptive function of knee and ankle joint. Because of the moderate methodological quality and insufficient number of clinical trials, further effects of elastic bandaging could not be confirmed.
Changes in Hamstring Range of Motion After Neurodynamic Sciatic Sliders: A Critically Appraised Topic
Authors: Bonser Robert J. , Hancock Christy L. , Hansberger Bethany L. , Loutsch Rick A. , Stanford Eric K. , Zeigel Alli K. , Baker Russell T. , May James , Nasypany Alan , Cheatham Scott
Published: June 2016

Clinical Scenario:

Hamstring tightness is a common condition leading to dysfunctional or restricted movement that is often treated with stretching. Neurodynamics has been proposed as an alternative to stretching by targeting the neural system rather than muscle tissue.

Focused Clinical Question:

In an active population, what is the effect of using neurodynamic sliders compared with stretching on traditional measures of range of motion (ROM)?

Summary of Key Findings:

The authors of a well-designed study found that neurodynamic sliders were more effective than static stretching, while the authors of 2 less-well-designed studies reported no difference with static stretching or that proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching was more effective than neurodynamic sliders.

Clinical Bottom Line:

Evidence exists to support the use of neurodynamic sliders to increase measures of hamstring ROM in patients who present with limited hamstring flexibility; however, the effectiveness of neurodynamic sliders compared with traditional stretching is inconclusive.

Strength of Recommendation:

Grade B evidence exists that neurodynamic sliders perform as well as traditional stretching techniques at increasing measures of hamstring ROM in patients with limited hamstring flexibility.
Immediate Effects of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Stretching Programs Compared With Passive Stretching Programs for Hamstring Flexibility: A Critically Appraised Topic
Authors: Hill Kristian J. , Robinson Kendall P. , Cuchna Jennifer W. , Hoch Matthew C.
Published: June 2016

Clinical Scenario:

Increasing hamstring flexibility through clinical stretching interventions may be an effective means to prevent hamstring injuries. However the most effective method to increase hamstring flexibility has yet to be determined.

Clinical Question:

For a healthy individual, are proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching programs more effective in immediately improving hamstring flexibility when compared with static stretching programs?

Summary of Key Findings:

A thorough literature search returned 195 possible studies; 5 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included. Current evidence supports the use of PNF stretching or static stretching programs for increasing hamstring flexibility. However, neither program demonstrated superior effectiveness when examining immediate increases in hamstring flexibility.

Clinical Bottom Line:

There were consistent findings from multiple low-quality studies that indicate there is no difference in the immediate improvements in hamstring flexibility when comparing PNF stretching programs to static stretching programs in physically active adults.

Strength of Recommendation:

Grade B evidence exists that PNF and static stretching programs equally increase hamstring flexibility immediately following the stretching program.
Shoulder Muscle Activation Levels During the Push-Up-Plus Exercise on Stable and Unstable Surfaces
Authors: Torres Rafaela J.B. , Pirauá André L.T. , Nascimento Vinícius Y.S. , dos Santos Priscila S. , Beltrão Natália B. , de Oliveira Valéria M.A. , Pitangui Ana Carolina R. , de Araújo Rodrigo C.
Published: June 2016

The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute effect of the use of stable and unstable surfaces on electromyography (EMG) activity and coactivation of the scapular and upper-limb muscles during the push-up plus (with full protraction of the scapula). Muscle activation of anterior deltoid (AD), posterior deltoid (PD), pectoralis major, biceps brachii (BB), triceps brachii (TB), upper trapezius (UT), middle trapezius (MT), lower trapezius (LT), and serratus anterior (SA) levels and coactivation index were determined by surface EMG in 20 young men during push-up plus performed on a stable and unstable condition (2 unstable devices applied to hands and feet). The paired t test and Cohen d were used for statistical analysis. The results showed that during the execution of the push-up plus on the unstable surface an increased EMG activity of the scapular stabilizing muscles (SA, MT, and LT) was observed, while AD and PD muscles showed a decrease. During exercise execution on the unstable surface there was a higher index of coactivation of the scapular muscles (SA–MT and UT–LT pairs). No significant differences were observed in TB–BB and AD–PD pairs. These results suggest that the push-up-plus exercise associated with unstable surfaces produced greater EMG activity levels and coactivation index of the scapular stabilizing muscle. On the other hand, the use of an unstable surface does not promote the same effect for the shoulder muscles.
Proximity biotinylation provides insight into the molecular composition of focal adhesions at the nanometer scale
Authors: Dong Jing-Ming , Tay Felicia Pei-Ling , Swa Hannah Lee-Foon , Gunaratne Jayantha , Leung Thomas , Burke Brian , Manser Ed
Published: June 2016

Identification of proteins within nanometers of components in focal adhesions reveals potential targets for preventing metastasis.
Prophylactic Efficacy of Quercetin 3-β-
O
-
d
-Glucoside against Ebola Virus Infection
Authors: Qiu Xiangguo , Kroeker Andrea , He Shihua , Kozak Robert , Audet Jonathan , Mbikay Majambu , Chrétien Michel
Published: June 2016

Ebola outbreaks occur on a frequent basis, with the 2014-2015 outbreak in West Africa being the largest one ever recorded. This outbreak has resulted in over 11,000 deaths in four African countries and has received international attention and intervention. Although there are currently no approved therapies or vaccines, many promising candidates are undergoing clinical trials, and several have had success in promoting recovery from Ebola. However, these prophylactics and therapeutics have been designed and tested only against the same species of Ebola virus as the one causing the current outbreak. Future outbreaks involving other species would require reformulation and possibly redevelopment. Therefore, a broad-spectrum alternative is highly desirable. We have found that a flavonoid derivative called quercetin 3-β-
O
-
d
-glucoside (Q3G) has the ability to protect mice from Ebola even when given as little as 30 min prior to infection. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that this compound targets the early steps of viral entry. Most promisingly, antiviral activity against two distinct species of Ebola virus was seen. This study serves as a proof of principle that Q3G has potential as a prophylactic against Ebola virus infection.
Multicenter Comparison of the Etest and EUCAST Methods for Antifungal Susceptibility Testing of Candida Isolates to Micafungin
Authors: Bougnoux M.-E. , Dannaoui E. , Accoceberry I. , Angoulvant A. , Bailly E. , Botterel F. , Chevrier S. , Chouaki T. , Cornet M. , Dalle F. , Datry A. , Dupuis A. , Fekkar A. , Gangneux J. P. , Guitard J. , Hennequin C. , Le Govic Y. , Le Pape P. , Maubon D. , Ranque S. , Sautour M. , Sendid B. , Chandenier J.
Published: June 2016

In vitrosusceptibility of 933Candidaisolates, from 16 French hospitals, to micafungin was determined using the Etest in each center. All isolates were then sent to a single center for determination of MICs by the EUCAST reference method. Overall essential agreement between the two tests was 98.5% at ±2 log2dilutions and 90.2% at ±1 log2dilutions. Categorical agreement was 98.2%. The Etest is a valuable alternative to EUCAST for the routine determination of micafungin MICs in medical mycology laboratories.
Travelers Can Import Colistin-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae, Including Those Possessing the Plasmid-Mediated
mcr-1
Gene
Authors: Bernasconi Odette J. , Kuenzli Esther , Pires João , Tinguely Regula , Carattoli Alessandra , Hatz Christoph , Perreten Vincent , Endimiani Andrea
Published: June 2016

Stool samples from 38 travelers returning from India were screened for extended-spectrum cephalosporin- and carbapenem-resistant
Enterobacteriaceae
implementing standard selective plates. Twenty-six (76.3%) people were colonized with CTX-M or DHA producers, but none of the strains was colistin resistant and/or
mcr-1
positive. Nevertheless, using overnight enrichment and CHROMagar Orientation plates supplemented with colistin, four people (10.5%) were found to be colonized with colistin-resistant
Escherichia coli
. One cephalosporin-susceptible sequence type 10 (ST10) strain carried a 4,211-bp IS
Apl1-mcr-1
-IS
Apl1
element in an IncHI2 plasmid backbone.