bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Treating Parents to Reduce NICU Transmission ofStaphylococcus aureus(TREAT PARENTS) trial: protocol of a multisite randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Milstone Aaron M , Koontz Danielle W , Voskertchian Annie , Popoola Victor O , Harrelson Kathleen , Ross Tracy , Aucott Susan W , Gilmore Maureen M , Carroll Karen C , Colantuoni Elizabeth
Published: September 2015

Introduction

More than 33 000 healthcare-associated infections occur in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) each year in the USA. Parents, rather than healthcare workers, may be a reservoir from which neonates acquireStaphylococcus aureus(S. aureus) colonisation in the NICU.This study looks to measure the effect of treating parents with short course intranasal mupirocin and topical chlorhexidine antisepsis on acquisition ofS. aureuscolonisation and infection in neonates.

Methods and analysis

The TREAT PARENTS trial (Treating Parents to Reduce Neonatal Transmission ofS. aureus) is a multicentre randomised, masked, placebo-controlled trial. Shortly after a neonate is admitted to the NICU, parents will be tested forS. aureuscolonisation. If either parent screens positive forS. aureus, then both parents as a pair will be enrolled and randomised to one of the two possible masked treatment arms. Arm 1 will include assignment to intranasal 2% mupirocin plus topical antisepsis with chlorhexidine gluconate impregnated cloths for 5 days. Arm 2 will include assignment to placebo ointment and placebo cloths for skin antisepsis for 5 days. The primary outcome will be neonatal acquisition of anS. aureusstrain that is concordant to the parental baselineS. aureusstrain as determined by periodic surveillance cultures or a culture collected during routine clinical care that growsS. aureus. Secondary outcomes will include neonatal acquisition ofS. aureus, neonatalS. aureusinfection, eradication ofS. aureuscolonisation in parents, natural history ofS. aureuscolonisation in parents receiving placebo, adverse reactions to treatment, feasibility of intervention, and attitudes and behaviour in consented parents. Four hundred neonate-parent pairs will be enrolled.

Ethics and dissemination

The study was approved by Johns Hopkins University IRB in June 2014 (IRB number 00092982). Protocol V.7 was approved in November 2014. Findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

NCT02223520.
Endovascular treatment of ophthalmic artery aneurysms: ophthalmic artery patency following flow diversion versus coil embolization
Authors: Durst Christopher R , Starke Robert M , Clopton David , Hixson H Robert , Schmitt Paul J , Gingras Jean M , Ding Dale , Liu Kenneth C , Crowley R Webster , Jensen Mary E , Evans Avery J , Gaughen John
Published: September 2015

Background and purpose

The Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) has been shown to effectively treat complex internal carotid artery aneurysms while maintaining patency of covered side branches. The purpose of this retrospective matched cohort study is to evaluate the effect of flow diversion on the patency of the ophthalmic artery when treating ophthalmic artery aneurysms.

Methods

A retrospective review of our prospectively collected institutional database identified 19 ophthalmic artery aneurysms treated with a PED. These were matched according to aneurysm diameter in a 1:2 fashion to ophthalmic artery aneurysms treated via coil embolization, although it is important to note that there was a statistically significance difference in the neck diameter between the two groups (p=0.045). Clinical and angiographic outcomes were recorded and analyzed.

Results

On follow-up angiography, decreased flow through the ophthalmic artery was observed in 26% of the PED cohort and 0% of the coil embolization cohort (p=0.003). No ophthalmologic complications were noted in either cohort. Complete occlusion at 12 months was more common following PED treatment than coil embolization (74% vs 47%; p=0.089), although lower than reported in previous trials. This may be due to inflow into the ophthalmic artery keeping the aneurysm patent. Retreatments were more common following coil embolization than PED (24% vs 11%), but this was not significant (p=0.304). Permanent morbidity rates were not significantly different between the PED (11%) and coil embolization (3%) cohorts (p=0.255).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that ophthalmic artery aneurysms may be adequately and safely treated with either the PED or coil embolization. However, treatment with the PED carries a higher risk of impeding flow to the ophthalmic artery, although this did not result in clinical sequelae in the current study.
Cervical oesophageal perforation by a colostrum tube with metal end‐piece in neonatal calves
Authors: Pardon Bart , Valgaeren Bonnie Rose , Chiers Koen , Saunders Jimmy , Deprez Piet R
Published: September 2015

In a three‐month period, a Belgian Blue beef herd was confronted with three unexplained mortalities in neonatal calves, characterised by the development of a marked cervical swelling. A fourth case was referred for closer examination. On clinical examination, the animal showed a diffuse cervical swelling with oedema and crepitation, depression, anorexia and muffled lung sounds. A barium contrast‐enhanced radiograph showed diffusion of contrast liquid from the oesophagus into the surrounding tissues, consistent with oesophageal perforation. Postmortem examination showed a fibrino‐necrotising (peri)oesophagitis, tracheitis and myositis, pyothorax, pneumomediastinum and pericardial emphysema. A perforating tear was present in the ventral oesophagus, 15 cm caudal from the larynx. The cause was an inappropriate tubing technique of the farmer and possibly the use of an oesophageal feeder with metal end‐piece.
Studying veterinary medicine in Warsaw
Authors: Drummond Katy
Published: September 2015

Katy Drummond is a few months from qualifying as a vet having studied at SGGW – Szkoła Główna Gospodarstwa Wiejskiego w Warszawie – the Warsaw University of Life Sciences
Ten‐minute chat
Authors: Hennessey Matt
Published: September 2015

Matt Hennessey recently set up the UK's first British Veterinary Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender group. The group's first meeting will be held at the BVA at the end of September.
Degenerate boundary layers for a system of viscous conservation laws
Authors: Nakamura Tohru
Published: September 2015

This paper is concerned with existence and asymptotic stability of a boundary layer solution which is a smooth stationary wave for a system of viscous conservation laws in one-dimensional half space. With the aid of the center manifold theory, it is shown that the degenerate boundary layer solution exists under the situation that one characteristic is zero and the other characteristics are negative. Asymptotic stability of the degenerate boundary layer solution is also proved in an algebraically weighted Sobolev space provided that the weight exponent [Formula: see text] satisfies [Formula: see text]. The stability analysis is based on deriving the a priori estimate by using the weighted energy method combined with the Hardy type inequality with the best possible constant.
Palaeostress analysis of normal faults in granite–implications for interpreting Riedel shearing related to regional deformation
Authors: Mondal Tridib Kumar , Mamtani Manish A.
Published: September 2015

In this study field data from mesoscopic-scale brittle structures (faults) are used to decipher palaeostress and relate it to regional-scale kinematics. Fault-slip data from oblique-slip normal faults in granite (Mulgund, West Dharwar Craton, southern India) are analysed in three steps: (1) determination of palaeostress direction using fault-slip data; (2) kinematic interpretation of fault data; (3) fitting the kinematic model to the regional far-field stress. Palaeostress analysis of two sets of faults (left-lateral and right-lateral oblique-slip normal faults) reveals that both formed under the same compression direction (ENE–WSW). It is shown that inferring the faults to be R, P, R′ and X shears of a Riedel shear system explains their kinematic evolution within the granite. The Riedel shears developed as a result of sinistral movement along the 305°-oriented contact between the granite and the surrounding gneisses. Riedel shear kinematics is interpreted as being a consequence of deformation partitioning, which was favoured by the rheological contrast between the above lithologies, during the late stage of a third phase of deformation under 315–135°-directed (
S
Hmax
) far-field stress.
A novel mechanism of myostatin regulation by its alternative splicing variant during myogenesis in avian species
Authors: Shin Sangsu , Song Yan , Ahn Jinsoo , Kim Eunsoo , Chen Paula , Yang Shujin , Suh Yeunsu , Lee Kichoon
Published: September 2015

Myostatin ( MSTN) is a key negative regulator of muscle growth and development, and an increase of muscle mass is achieved by inhibiting MSTN signaling. In the current study, five alternative splicing isoforms of MSTN mRNAs in avian species were identified in various tissues. Among these five, three truncated forms of myostatin, MSTN-B, -C, and -E created premature stop codons and produced partial MSTN prodomains encoded from exon 1. MSTN-B is the second dominant isoform following full-length MSTN-A, and their expression was dynamically regulated during muscle development of chicken, turkey, and quail in vivo and in vitro. To clarify the function of MSTN-B, two stable cell lines of quail myoblasts (QM7) were generated to overexpress MSTN-A or MSTN-B. Interestingly, MSTN-B promoted both cell proliferation and differentiation similar to the function of the MSTN prodomain to counteract the negative role of MSTN on myogenesis. The coimmunoprecipitation assay revealed that MSTN-B binds to MSTN-A and reduces the generation of mature MSTN. Furthermore, the current study demonstrated that the partial prodomain encoded from exon 1 is critical for binding of MSTN-B to MSTN-A. Altogether, these data imply that alternative splicing isoforms of MSTN could negatively regulate pro-myostatin processing in muscle cells and prevent MSTN-mediated inhibition of myogenesis in avian species.
Melatonin receptor signaling contributes to neuroprotection upon arousal from torpor in thirteen-lined ground squirrels
Authors: Schwartz Christine , Ballinger Mallory A. , Andrews Matthew T.
Published: September 2015

The brain of mammalian hibernators is naturally protected. Hibernating ground squirrels undergo rapid and extreme changes in body temperature and brain perfusion as they cycle between lengthy torpor bouts and brief periods of euthermia called interbout arousals (IBAs). Arousal from torpor to IBA occurs rapidly, but there is no evidence of brain injury accompanying this extreme physiological transition. Production of the hormone melatonin accompanies arousal, suggesting that it plays a protective role at this time. Here, we investigated mechanisms of melatonin receptor-mediated protection in the brain of the hibernating ground squirrel. We administered the competitive melatonin receptor antagonist luzindole (30 mg/kg ip) to ground squirrels at the predicted end of a torpor bout, triggering an arousal. We found that luzindole-treated animals exhibited caspase-3 activity two times higher than vehicle-treated animals in the hypothalamus at midarousal ( P = 0.01), suggesting that melatonin receptor signaling is important for protection in this brain region. We also found a 30% decline in succinate-fueled mitochondrial respiration in luzindole-treated animals compared with vehicle-treated animals ( P = 0.019), suggesting that melatonin receptor signaling is important for optimal mitochondrial function during arousal from torpor. The mitochondrial effects of luzindole treatment were seen only during the hibernation season, indicating that this effect is specifically important for arousal from torpor. These data provide evidence for the protective role of melatonin receptor signaling during the extreme physiological transition that occurs when a hibernating mammal arouses from torpor and provide further evidence for regional and seasonal changes in the hibernator brain.
Malignant Mesothelioma Mimicking Invasive Mammary Carcinoma in a Male Breast
Authors: Desouki Mohamed Mokhtar , Long Daniel Jerad
Published: September 2015

Malignant mesothelioma is an uncommon tumor with strong association with asbestos exposure. Few cases of malignant pleural mesothelioma metastatic to the female breast have been reported. Herein, we presented, for the first time, a case of locally infiltrating malignant pleural mesothelioma forming a mass in the breast of a male as the first pathologically confirmed manifestation of the disease. Breast ultrasound revealed an irregular mass in the right breast which involves the pectoralis muscle. Breast core biopsy revealed a proliferation of neoplastic epithelioid cells mimicking an infiltrating pleomorphic lobular carcinoma. IHC studies showed the cells to be positive for calretinin, CK5/6, WT1, and CK7. The cells were negative for MOC-31, BerEp4, ER, and PR. A final diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma, epithelioid type, was rendered. This case demonstrates the importance of considering a broad differential diagnosis in the setting of atypical presentation with application of a panel of IHC markers.
Maps Preserving Idempotence on Matrix Spaces
Authors: Sheng Yuqiu , Zhang Hanyu
Published: September 2015

SupposeFis an arbitrary field. Let|F|be the number of the elements ofF. LetMn(F)be the space of alln×nmatrices overF, letSn(F)be the subset ofMn(F)consisting of all symmetric matrices, and letTn(F)be the subset ofMn(F)consisting of all upper-triangular matrices. LetV∈{Sn(F),Mn(F),Tn(F)}; a mapΦ:V→Vis said to preserve idempotence ifA-λBis idempotent if and only ifΦ(A)-λΦ(B)is idempotent for anyA,B∈Vandλ∈F. In this paper, the maps preserving idempotence onSn(F),Mn(F), andTn(F)were characterized in case|F|=3.
The “Endothelialized Muscularis Mucosae”: A Case Report Describing a Large Cavernous Hemangioma at the Terminal Ileum and a New Histologic Clue for Preoperative Diagnosis from Endoscopic Biopsy
Authors: Purdy-Payne Erin K. , Miner Jean F. , Foles Brandon , Tran Tien-Anh N.
Published: September 2015

Cavernous hemangiomas of the gastrointestinal tract are quite rare and, until now, have been difficult to diagnose preoperatively due their nonspecific presentations and imaging features, as well as a lack of histologic description pertaining to small superficial biopsies such as those obtained endoscopically. We report a unique case of a 4 cm transmural cavernous hemangioma in the terminal ileum with literature review and describe a new histologic finding—the “endothelialized muscularis mucosae,” which was discovered upon review of the endoscopic biopsy and could potentially facilitate preoperative diagnosis of these lesions from endoscopic biopsies in the future. These lesions have classically required surgical resection in order to make a definitive diagnosis and rule out malignancy, with which they share many historical and radiographic features. Due to their potential to cause bowel obstruction, intussusception, perforation, and hemorrhage, these lesions may ultimately require surgical resection to relieve symptoms or prevent or treat complications—however, surgical planning and patient counseling could be greatly improved by a preoperative diagnosis. Therefore, gastroenterologists, pathologists, and surgeons should be aware of the “endothelialized muscularis mucosae” which can be very helpful in diagnosing GI cavernous hemangiomas from endoscopic biopsies.
Mode Stresses for the Interaction between an Inclined Crack and a Curved Crack in Plane Elasticity
Authors: Nik Long N. M. A. , Aridi M. R. , Eshkuvatov Z. K.
Published: September 2015

The interaction between the inclined and curved cracks is studied. Using the complex variable function method, the formulation in hypersingular integral equations is obtained. The curved length coordinate method and suitable quadrature rule are used to solve the integral equations numerically for the unknown function, which are later used to evaluate the stress intensity factor. There are four cases of the mode stresses; Mode I, Mode II, Mode III, and Mix Mode are presented as the numerical examples.
A Collecting Collision Tree Protocol for RFID Tag Identification with Capture Effect
Authors: Qing Yang , Jiancheng Li , Hongyi Wang
Published: September 2015

Multitag identification is one of the main advantages of the radio frequency identification (RFID) system. In the RFID system, the capture effect often happens in the real environment. When the capture effect occurs, the reader will not completely identify the tags in its scope. In many RFID applications, to get the real-time number of tags, the reader identifies the tags repeatedly. In these cases, the tag in the reader's scope is a staying tag or an arriving tag. The reader already stores the IDs of all staying tags, so it can just verify the existence of these tags to rapidly identify them. As a result, the reader can spend the main time in recognizing arriving tags. To cope with the capture effect and identify staying tags rapidly, this paper presents a collecting collision tree protocol for RFID tag identification with capture effect (CCT). In CCT, a collecting mechanism is adopted and a lot of staying tags can be recognized in a slot. What is more, the reader can identify all tags in its range when the capture effect happens. Finally, various analysis and simulation results show that CCT outperforms the existing algorithms significantly.
The Age-Specific Association of Waist Circumference and Risk of Chronic Kidney Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Shandong, China
Authors: Xu Lingling , Yu Weihong , Huang Ping , Li Chunying , Li Yan , Wang Meng , Xu Qun , Wang Jing , Zheng Caixia , Qu Bin , Zhao Yanping , Niu Meng , Wang Ou , Gong Fengying
Published: September 2015

Objective. To examine the association of three most common obesity measures including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) with chronic kidney disease (CKD) risk in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D).Design. Cross-sectional evaluation of the effect of anthropometric measures on CKD risk.Setting. Outpatient Department.Subjects. T2D patients who were treated between October 2012 and May 2013.Intervention. None.Main Outcome Measure. CKD risk.Results. On average, the patients had a mean age of 60.2 years, and 40% were males. CKD was present in 46% of all the patients. In multivariate logistic regression using the imputed data, higher WC was associated with greater odds of CKD (OR = 1.019, 95% CI = 1.002–1.006,P=0.030), but not BMI and WHR. Interestingly, we found that patients with very small WC seemed to have greater odds of CKD. We observed age-specific effect of WC such that the effect of WC on CKD risk is significant only in middle-aged T2D patients.Conclusion. Our study provides evidence for the association of WC with CKD in Chinese patients with T2D. T2D patients, especially middle-aged T2D patients, should reduce their WC to decrease CKD risk.
Postoperative Autologous Reinfusion in Total Knee Replacement
Authors: Crescibene A. , Martire F. , Gigliotti P. , Rende A. , Candela M.
Published: September 2015

Surgeries for total knee replacement (TKR) are increasing and in this context there is a need to develop new protocols for management and use of blood transfusion therapy. Autologous blood reduces the need for allogeneic blood transfusion and the aim of the present study was to verify the safety and the clinical efficacy. An observational retrospective study has been conducted on 124 patients, undergoing cemented total knee prosthesis replacement. Observed population was stratified into two groups: the first group received reinfusion of autologous blood collected in the postoperative surgery and the second group did not receive autologous blood reinfusion. Analysis of data shows that patients undergoing autologous blood reinfusion received less homologous blood bags (10.6% versus 30%;p=0.08) and reduced days of hospitalization (7.88 ± 0.7 days versus 8.96 ± 2.47 days for the control group;p=0.03). Microbiological tests were negative in all postoperatively salvaged and reinfused units. Our results emphasize the effectiveness of this procedure and have the characteristics of simplicity, low cost (€97.53 versus €103.79;p<0.01), and easy reproducibility. Use of autologous drainage system postoperatively is a procedure that allows reducing transfusion of homologous blood bags in patients undergoing TKR.
Galactomannan Downregulates the Inflammation Responses in Human Macrophages via NFκB2/p100
Authors: Toledano Víctor , Hernández-Jiménez Enrique , Cubillos-Zapata Carolina , Flandez Marta , Álvarez Enrique , Varela-Serrano Aníbal , Cantero Ramón , Valles Gema , García-Rio Francisco , López-Collazo Eduardo
Published: September 2015

We show that galactomannan, a polysaccharide consisting of a mannose backbone with galactose side groups present on the cell wall of several fungi, induces a reprogramming of the inflammatory response in human macrophages through dectin‐1 receptor. The nuclear factor kappa‐light‐chain‐enhancer of activated B cells 2 (NFκB2)/p100 was overexpressed after galactomannan challenge. Knocking down NFκB2/p100 using small interfering RNA (siRNA) indicated that NFκB2/p100 expression is a crucial factor in the progression of the galactomannan‐induced refractoriness. The data presented in this study could be used as a modulator of inflammatory response in clinical situations where refractory state is required.
Model to Estimate Monthly Time Horizons for Application of DEA in Selection of Stock Portfolio and for Maintenance of the Selected Portfolio
Authors: Isaias José Claudio , Pamplona Edson de Oliveira , Gomes José Henrique de Freitas
Published: September 2015

In the selecting of stock portfolios, one type of analysis that has shown good results is Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). It, however, has been shown to have gaps regarding its estimates of monthly time horizons of data collection for the selection of stock portfolios and of monthly time horizons for the maintenance of a selected portfolio. To better estimate these horizons, this study proposes a model of mathematical programming binary of minimization of square errors. This model is the paper’s main contribution. The model’s results are validated by simulating the estimated annual return indexes of a portfolio that uses both horizons estimated and of other portfolios that do not use these horizons. The simulation shows that portfolios with both horizons estimated have higher indexes, on average 6.99% per year. The hypothesis tests confirm the statistically significant superiority of the results of the proposed mathematical model’s indexes. The model’s indexes are also compared with portfolios that use just one of the horizons estimated; here the indexes of the dual-horizon portfolios outperform the single-horizon portfolios, though with a decrease in percentage of statistically significant superiority.
Anomalies of Imagination and Disordered Self in Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Rasmussen Andreas Rosén , Parnas Josef
Published: September 2015

Vivid mental imagery occurs frequently in schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs). Overlapping phenomena, such as obsessions or ruminations, are also frequent in other psychiatric disorders, raising significant diagnostic challenges. Unfortunately, contemporary operational psychopathology lacks the epistemological and phenomenological framework to address such questions. Using the resources of phenomenology and philosophy of mind, we articulate the structure of imagination and describe its distinctive modifications in the SSDs. Drawing on pilot data with patients' self-descriptions, we present the notion of perceptualized imagery. The anomalous imagery acquires spatialization, spatiotemporal constancy, explorability, autonomy and a sense of experiential distance between the subject and the image. As a quasi-perceptual, stable object, such imagery often evokes an intense affective response, whereas the normal sense of ‘irreality' of the fantasy may become compromised. We articulate these anomalies of imagination as being entailed by the underlying generative disorder of schizophrenia, namely the disorder of minimal self (unstable ipseity or first-person perspective). We propose that pathology of imagination is an important psychopathological aspect of the schizophrenia spectrum, with significant relevance for early diagnosis and differential diagnosis.
Additional Prognostic Value of SUVmax Measured by F-18 FDG PET/CT over Biological Marker Expressions in Surgically Resected Cervical Cancer Patients
Authors: Yun Man Soo , Kim Seong-Jang , Pak Kyoungjune , Lee Chang Hun
Published: September 2015

Purpose: We compared the prognostic ability of the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and various biological marker expressions to predict recurrence in patients with surgically resected cervical cancer. Methods: A retrospective review identified 60 patients with cervical cancer who received [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (F-18 FDG PET/CT) at the time of the diagnosis of cancer. The SUVmax, expressions of carbonic anhydrase-IX (CA-IX), glucose transporter 1 (GLUT-1), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and known prognostic factors were investigated. Results: The median follow-up time was 22.2 months (range 3.4-43.1 months). Using univariate analyses, the stage (stage II, p = 0.0066), SUVmax (> 6, p = 0.027), parametrial involvement (p < 0.0001), and positivity for CA-IX (p = 0.0191) were associated with recurrences of cervical cancer. With the Cox proportional hazard regression model, the SUVmax was a potent predictor for disease-free survival (DFS). Conclusion: Although CA-IX expression was related to DFS in the current study, the potent predictor for DFS was SUVmax. Therefore, SUVmax is of greater prognostic value than biological marker expression in patients with surgically resected cervical cancer.
Repeated Intravenous Treatment with Recombinant Tissue-Type Plasminogen Activator in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Laible Mona , Jenetzky Ekkehardt , Möhlenbruch Markus , Ringleb Peter Arthur , Rizos Timolaos
Published: September 2015

Objective: Increased use of systemic thrombolysis, demographic changes, and higher chances of surviving first-ever strokes all lead to an increasing number of patients with recurrent stroke. However, data on repeated thrombolysis are limited. Here, we report on the safety and clinical effects of repeated intravenous recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) treatment in a large consecutive cohort of stroke patients. Methods: We identified all stroke patients who received repeated thrombolysis. We determined safety and 3-month clinical outcome after the first and second thrombolysis. All patients received follow-up brain imaging. Good clinical outcome was defined as a modified Rankin Scale of 0-2 or recovery to the prestroke status. Results: In total, 24 patients were included (i.e. 1.5% of all stroke patients treated with rt-PA at our center who survived the first treatment; male 45.8%; median age at first event: 74.5 years). No allergic or anaphylactic reactions were recorded after the first time of treatment, but oral angioedema developed once during the second treatment. No symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage was observed. Clinical outcome was good in 75.0% after the first, but in only 41.7% after the second treatment (p = 0.021). Conclusions: Repeated thrombolysis was not associated with a higher rate of complications. However, the clinical outcome appears to be less satisfactory than after the first treatment.
Standardizing the Early Identification of Acute Kidney Injury: The NHS England National Patient Safety Alert
Authors: Selby Nicholas M. , Hill Robert , Fluck Richard J. ,   on behalf of the NHS England ‘Think Kidneys'' AKI Programme
Published: September 2015

Whilst varying standards of care for patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) continue to contribute to poor outcomes, a strong focus on strategies to drive quality improvement is paramount. To this end, a national Patient Safety Alert was issued in June 2014 to all healthcare providers in England entitled ‘Standardising the Early Identification of Acute Kidney Injury'. The aim was to embed an automated AKI detection system in the biochemistry laboratories of all acute hospitals. In addition to the direct clinical benefits that may come from earlier and more systematic recognition of AKI, it has also helped position AKI as a patient safety issue and will feed a national AKI registry, the latter a potent tool for future measurement and improvement initiatives.
Williams-Beuren Syndrome: Experience of 43 Patients and a Report of an Atypical Case from a Tertiary Care Center in India
Authors: Sharma Pankaj , Gupta Neerja , Chowdhury Madhumita R. , Phadke Shubha R. , Sapra Savita , Halder Ashutosh , Ghosh Manju , Kabra Madhulika
Published: September 2015

Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) or Williams syndrome (OMIM 194050) is a multisystem disorder manifested by neurodevelopmental delay and is caused by a hemizygous deletion of ∼1.5-1.8 Mb in the 7q11.23 region. Clinical features include cardiovascular anomalies (mainly supravalvular aortic stenosis), peripheral pulmonary stenosis, distinctive facies, intellectual disability (usually mild), unique personality characteristics, and growth and endocrine abnormalities. Clinical diagnostic criteria are available for WBS; however, the mainstay of diagnosis is the detection of the contiguous gene deletion. Although FISH remains the most widely used laboratory test, the diagnosis can also be established by means of qPCR, MLPA, microsatellite marker analysis, and chromosomal microarray (CMA). We evaluated the utility of MLPA to detect deletion/duplication in the 7q11.23 region in 43 patients suspected to have WBS using MLPA kits for microdeletion syndromes. A hemizygous deletion in the 7q11.23 region was found in 41 (95.3%) patients using MLPA. One patient had an atypical deletion detected by CMA. During the initial period of this study, the results of 12 patients tested by MLPA were also confirmed by FISH. Compared to FISH and CMA, MLPA is a cheaper, high-throughput, less labor-intensive and less time-consuming technique for the diagnosis of WBS. Although CMA is expensive and labor-intensive, its effectiveness is demonstrated to detect an atypical deletion and to delineate the breakpoints.
Circulating microparticles and the risk of thrombosis in inherited deficiencies of antithrombin, protein C and protein S
Authors: Campello Elena , Spiezia Luca , Radu Claudia M. , Bulato Cristiana , Gavasso Sabrina , Tormene Daniela , Woodhams Barry , Valle Fabio Dalla , Simioni Paolo
Published: September 2015

Many subjects carrying inherited thrombophilic defects will never experience venous thromboembolism (VTE) while other individuals developed recurrent VTE with no known additional risk factors. High levels of circulating microparticles (MP) have been associated with increased risk of VTE in patients with factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A mutation, suggesting a possible contribution of MP in the hypercoagulability of mild genetic thrombophilia. The role of MP as additional risk factor of VTE in carriers of natural clotting inhibitors defects (severe thrombophilia) has never been assessed. Plasma levels of annexin V-MP, endothelial-derived MP (EMP), platelet-derived MP (PMP), tissue factor-bearing MP (TF+) and the MP procoagulant activity (PPL) were measured in 132 carriers of natural anticoagulant deficiencies (25 antithrombin, 63 protein C and 64 protein S defect) and in 132 age and gender-matched healthy controls. Carriers of natural anticoagulant deficiencies, overall and separately considered, presented with higher median levels of annexin V-MP, EMP, PMP, TF+MP and PPL activity than healthy controls (p< 0.001, < 0.001, < 0.01, 0.025 and 0.03, respectively). Symptomatic carriers with a previous episode of VTE had significantly higher median levels of annexin-V MP than those without VTE (p=0.027). Carriers with high levels of annexin V-MP, EMP and PMP had an adjusted OR for VTE of 3.36 (95 % CI, 1.59 to 7.11), 9.26 (95 % CI, 3.55 to 24.1) and 2.72 (95 %CI, 1.16 to 6.38), respectively. Elevated levels of circulating MP can play a role in carriers of mild and severe inherited thrombophilia. The clinical implications of this association remain to be defined.
Genetics of Venous Thrombosis: update in 2015
Authors: Suchon Pierre , Trégouët David-Alexandre , Morange Pierre-Emmanuel
Published: September 2015

Venous thrombosis (VT) is a common multifactorial disease with a genetic component that was first suspected nearly 60 years ago. In this review, we document the genetic determinants of the disease, and update recent findings delivered by the application of high-throughput genotyping and sequencing technologies. To date, 17 genes have been robustly demonstrated to harbour genetic variations associated with VT risk: ABO, F2, F5, F9, F11, FGG, GP6, KNG1, PROC, PROCR, PROS1, SERPINC1, SLC44A2, STXBP5, THBD, TSPAN15 and VWF. The common polymorphisms are estimated to account only for a modest part (~5 %) of the VT heritability. Much remains to be done to fully disentangle the exact genetic (and epigenetic) architecture of the disease. A large suite of powerful tools and research strategies can be deployed on the large collections of patients that have already been assembled (and additional are ongoing).
Taxonomic Results of the BRYOTROP Expedition to Zaire and Rwanda 13. Radulaceae

Authors: Yamada Kohsaku
Published: September 2015

Taxonomic Results of the BRYOTROP Expedition
Taxonomic Results of the BRYOTROP Expedition to Zaire and Rwanda 21. Mniaceae

Authors: Koponen T.
Published: September 2015

The specimen represents a rather typical African form of this taxon. The marginal teeth of the leaf are small and the leaf cells near isodiametric, but on the basis of the clearly differentiated juxtacostal cells, the specimen belongs to var. rhynchophyrum. Two other tropical African species are Plagiomnium cuspidatum (Hedw.) T. Kop. and P. undulatum (Hedw.) T. Kop. which differ by having an acute or cuspidate leaf apex, which in P. rhynchophorum tends to be emarginate and apiculate, and having sharper and larger projecting marginal teeth on their leaves. The distribution of P. rhynchophyrum is mapped and African specimens listed in Koponen (1981).
Taxonomic Results of the BRYOTROP Expedition to Zaire and Rwanda 23. Neckeraceae, Pterobryaceae, Hypopterygiaceae

Authors: Enroth J.
Published: September 2015

Taxonomic Results of the BRYOTROP Expedition
Notes on the amphipacific relations of Hawaiian Cladoniaceae
Authors: Stenroos S. , Smith C. W.
Published: September 2015

The total number of currently accepted species of Cladoniaceae in the Hawaiian Islands is 22. Several taxonomic problems still exist, however. The effects of isolation are clear among Cladoniaceae. Endemism is high (c. 40%); and, the number of species low. The species must have reached the archipelago via long-distance trans-oceanic dispersal, probably aided by the abundant production of lichen propagules, such as soredia and microsquamules. Although most of the species found in Hawaii are widely distributed, the Hawaiian Cladoniaceae show slight affinities to those of E and SE Asia. Cladonia polyphylla Mont. & v.d. Bosch is an older name for C. fruticulosa Krempelh., and is lectotypified from authentic material. C. leprosula H. Magn. is included in C. ochrochlora Flörke.
Taxonomic results of the BRYOTROP-Expedition to Zaire and Rwanda 3. Description of Collecting Sites. The Vegetation of Kahuzi-Biega-National Park/Zaire, Nyungwe Forest and Virunga volcanoes/Rwanda

Authors: Fischer Eberhard
Published: September 2015

During the BRYOTROP-Expedition in 1991, 71 collecting sites could be visited. These are situated in the Kahuzi-Biega-National Park/Zaire, the Nyungwe Forest and the Virunga volcanoes/Rwanda. This paper provides a short description of the vegetation in these three areas and a detailed list of all collecting sites.
Taxonomic Results of the BRYOTROP Expedition to Zaire and Rwanda 4. A preliminary check-list of the Hepaticae and Anthocerotae from Central Africa (Zaire, Rwanda, Burundi)

Authors: Fischer Eberhard
Published: September 2015

A check-list of the Hepaticae and Anthocerotae from Central Africa (Zaire, Rwanda, Burundi) is presented. 267 liverwort species and 4 hornworts are recognized for the area. For Zaire 215 Hepaticae and 3 species of Anthocerotae are recorded. In Rwanda 150 liverworts and one hornwort have been found. Burundi is far less known and only 48 Hepaticae are recorded.
Taxonomic Results of the BRYOTROP Expedition to Zaire and Rwanda 7. Ricciaceae
Authors: Perold S. M.
Published: September 2015

Four Riccia species, namely R. lanceolata, R. okahandjana, R. stricta and R. vulcanicola of the hepatic family Ricciaceae (order Marchantiales) from Rwanda and Zaire are described and illustrated in this report. Riccia lanceolata and R. stricta are new records for Rwanda.
Litarcturus kexueiae sp. nov., a new deep-sea isopod from the Okinawa Trough (Crustacea, Isopoda, Valvifera, Antarcturidae)
Authors: LIU WENLIANG , SHA ZHONGLI
Published: September 2015

A new species of the genus Litarcturus Brandt, 1990, L. kexueiae sp. nov., collected from deep sea of the Okinawa Trough, is described and illustrated. It is readily distinguished from the other seven species of the genus by bearing long supraocular spines about as long as the head and posterolateral pleotelsonic spines overreaching the pleotelson apex.
New species of the genus Phaonia R.-D., 1830 (Diptera, Muscidae) from Central Asia
Authors: SOROKINA VERA S.
Published: September 2015

A list of species of Phaonia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 of Central Asia is given, and four new species of Phaonia are described from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan (P. babarabica sp. nov., P. juglans sp. nov., P. modesta sp. nov. and P. ninae sp. nov.). The male terminalia of all species and ovipositors of P. ninae sp. nov. and P. modesta sp. nov. are figured. Previous literature on the genus Phaonia in Central Asia is reviewed.
A new species of subgenus Eulandrevus Gorochov, 1988 (Orthoptera: Gryllidae: Landrevinae) from China
Authors: LIU YANG , HE ZHUQING , MA LIBIN
Published: September 2015

Duolandrevus crickets are brown, smooth, shiny and bear reduced tegmina. They are forest species and have an equatorial distribution. Only the subgenus Eulandrevus of this genus, containing three species, has been recorded from China. Here, an additional species is described, recently discovered on Hainan Island, China. This species is similar to Duolandrevus (Eulandrevus) hongkongae Otte, 1988, but differs in body size and details of the elytra and genitalia. The description and illustrations of the new species Duolandrevus hainanensis are provided.
Net Precipitation of Antarctica: Thermodynamical and Dynamical Parts of the Climate Change Signal
Authors: Grieger Jens , Leckebusch Gregor C. , Ulbrich Uwe
Published: September 2015

This paper investigates climate change signals of Southern Hemisphere (SH) moisture flux simulated by three members of one CMIP3 coupled atmosphere–ocean general circulation model (AOGCM) and a multimodel ensemble of CMIP5 simulations. Generally, flux changes are dominated by increased atmospheric moisture due to temperature increase in the future climate projections. An approach is presented to distinguish between thermodynamical and dynamical influences on moisture flux. Furthermore, a physical interpretation of the transport changes due to dynamics is investigated by decomposing atmospheric waves into different length scales and temporal variations. Signals of moisture flux are compared with fluctuations of geopotential height fields as well as climate signals of extratropical cyclones. Moisture flux variability in the synoptic length scale with temporal variations shorter than 8 days can be assigned to the SH storm track. Climate change signals of these atmospheric waves show a distinctive poleward shift. This can be attributed to the climate change signal of extratropical cyclones. Furthermore, the climate change signal of atmospheric waves can be better understood if strong cyclones that intensify especially on the Eastern Hemisphere are taken into account. Antarctic net precipitation is calculated by means of the vertically integrated moisture flux. Future projections show increasing signals of net precipitation, whereas the dynamical part of net precipitation decreases. This can be understood by means of the low-variability component of synoptic-scale waves, which show a decreasing signal, especially off the coast of West Antarctica. This is shown to be due to changing variability of the Amundsen–Bellingshausen Seas low.
Stability in the Underlying Constructs of Self-Control
Authors: Diamond Brie , Morris Robert G. , Piquero Alex R.
Published: September 2015

The stability of self-control represents a recently popular empirical topic; however, little attention has been paid to the stability of the underlying constructs of Gottfredson and Hirschi’s conception of self-control. The present study uses longitudinal data on youth residing in the northeastern United States and employs trajectory analysis to explore the presence of varying developmental trends in these constructs. The findings indicate that these constructs follow unique and varied trajectories that may help to elucidate issues with our understanding of the stability of self-control.
Decision-making in time of crisis: cutback management in Estonia
Authors: Savi Riin , Randma-Liiv Tiina
Published: September 2015

The article investigates the Estonian government's response to the fiscal crisis by looking at the dynamics of the decision-making processes during cutback management from 2008 to 2013 from the dichotomy of centralization–decentralization. The study explores the cutback decision-making by pinpointing the main actors and contextual variables shedding light on the management of fiscal crisis. It is demonstrated that, in general, the fiscal crisis contributed to increasing levels of centralization in governmental decision-making. The crisis decision-making was dominated by centralized political decisions and non-inclusion of the opposition and interest groups. Still, achieving urgent solutions was facilitated by decentralized decisions at the ministerial level, the empowerment of budgetary institutions and the intensive engagement of the civil servants. It has been indicated that the initially short-term procedures to enable cuts and resultant changes in decision-making processes are mostly in effect still in 2014 and thereby influence public administration practices in the long run.

Points for practitioners

The study shows that cutback management may lead to urgency in governmental decision-making, where centralization facilitates quick decisions. It is also demonstrated that a minority government is able to achieve fiscal adjustment even in a context of high political conflict. The crisis context sets new requirements to the competencies of public servants, as cutback management obliges them to cope with new and very complicated tasks. The article indicates that short-term cuts and changes in decision-making processes intended to alleviate the acute phase of crisis may remain in effect considerably longer than initially planned and thereby influence public administration practices in the long run.
HPV Infection of the Head and Neck Region and Its Stem Cells
Authors: Pullos A.N. , Castilho R.M. , Squarize C.H.
Published: September 2015

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is an etiologic agent associated with the development of head and neck squamous carcinoma (HNSCC)—in particular, oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. The HPV-positive HNSCC is characterized by genetic alterations, clinical progression, and therapeutic response, which are distinct from HPV-negative head and neck cancers, suggesting that virus-associated tumors constitute a unique entity among head and neck cancers. Malignant stem cells, or cancer stem cells, are a subpopulation of tumor cells that self-renew, initiate new tumors upon transplantation, and are resistant to therapy, and their discovery has revealed novel effects of oncovirus infection in cancer. In this review, we provide a virus-centric view and novel insights into HPV-positive head and neck pathogenesis. We discuss the influence of cancer stem cells, HPV oncoproteins, altered molecular pathways, and mutations in cancer initiation and cancer progression. We compiled a catalogue of the mutations associated with HPV-positive HNSCC, which may be a useful resource for genomic-based studies aiming to develop personalized therapies. We also explain recent changes in mass vaccination campaigns against HPV and the potential long-term impact of vaccinations on the prevention and treatment of HPV-positive head and neck cancers.
Collective or individual titles? Conflict over tenure regularisation in a Kenyan informal settlement
Authors: Rigon Andrea
Published: September 2015

Providing formal titles to residents in densely populated informal settlements without fuelling conflict or encouraging gentrification presents several challenges. It has been argued that, in some contexts, forms of collective tenure such as a Community Land Trust may help to overcome some of these problems. This paper analyses one attempt to legalise informal tenure arrangements, minimise relocation and prevent gentrification by introducing collective titling in an informal settlement in Nairobi. The paper demonstrates how attempts to build consensus on the most appropriate tenure system were deeply embedded in local conflicts between existing structure-owners (owners of shacks/buildings on land which is not theirs) and tenants. The state was unable to carry out the land reforms it had proposed – to protect the land user rights of all residents – because they implied a redistribution that was resisted by local elite actors. This paper argues that tenure reforms are shaped by context-specific power relations; in this case the process was characterised by the implementers’ need to maintain fragile agreements with local elites in order to avoid conflict. Tenure reforms are based on different ideas of whose rights should be recognised and competing claims are both negotiated through and shaped by the implementation process. Tenure reforms for contested land in informal settlements not only require technical mechanisms to prevent gentrification and displacement, but must reflect a serious consideration of local power relations and the capacity of the state to deal with conflicts arising from redistributive plans.