bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical features and prognostic impact of PRDM16 expression in adult acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Yamato Genki , Yamaguchi Hiroki , Handa Hiroshi , Shiba Norio , Kawamura Machiko , Wakita Satoshi , Inokuchi Koiti , Hara Yusuke , Ohki Kentaro , Okubo Jun , Park Myoung‐Ja , Sotomatsu Manabu , Arakawa Hirokazu , Hayashi Yasuhide
Published: July 2017

High PRDM16 (also known as MEL1) expression is a representative marker of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with NUP98‐NSD1 and is a significant predictive marker for poor prognosis in pediatric AML. However, the clinical features of adult AML with PRDM16 expression remain unclear. PRDM16 is highly homologous to MDS1/EVI1, which is an alternatively spliced transcript of MECOM (also known as EVI1). We investigated PRDM16 expression in 151 AML patients, with 47 (31%) exhibiting high PRDM16 expression (PRDM16/ABL1 ratio ≥ 0.010). High PRDM16 expression significantly correlated with DNMT3A (43% vs. 15%, P < 0.001) and NPM1 (43% vs. 21%, P = 0.010) mutations and partial tandem duplication of KMT2A (22% vs. 1%, P < 0.001). Remarkably, high‐PRDM16‐expression patients were frequent in the noncomplete remission group (48% vs. 21%, P = 0.002). Overall survival (OS) was significantly worse in high‐PRDM16‐expression patients than in low‐PRDM16‐expression patients (5‐year OS, 18% vs. 34%; P = 0.002). This trend was observed more clearly among patients aged <65 years (5‐year OS, 21% vs. 50%; P = 0.001), particularly in FLT3‐ITD‐negative patients in the intermediate cytogenetic risk group (5‐year OS, 25% vs. 59%; P = 0.009). These results suggest that high PRDM16 expression is a significant predictive marker for poor prognosis in adult AML patients, similar to pediatric AML patients.
Outcomes of conception subsequent to methotrexate treatment for an unruptured ectopic pregnancy
Authors: Svirsky Ran , Ben‐Ami Ido , Berkovitch Matitiahu , Halperin Reuvit , Rozovski Uri
Published: July 2017

Objective

To assess the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in subsequent pregnancies among women treated with methotrexate for ectopic pregnancy.

Methods

In a retrospective single‐center study, data were assessed for women treated with methotrexate for ectopic pregnancy at Asaf Harofe Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel, between May 2004 and May 2014.

Results

Overall, 226 women were treated with methotrexate for ectopic pregnancy and subsequently conceived. The median time from treatment to conception was 10 months (range 1–120 months), and 127 women conceived within 12 months of treatment. Except for early missed abortion—which affected 23 (10.2%) pregnancies—adverse pregnancy outcomes such as fetal malformations were rare. The frequency of early abortion was lowest for women who conceived within 6 months of treatment with methotrexate (3/93, 3.2%), increased between 6 and 23 months (15/83, 18.1%), and remained high thereafter (7/50, 14.0%; P=0.006).

Conclusion

The frequency of fetal malformation in a subsequent pregnancy was low among women treated with methotrexate for ectopic pregnancy. The frequency of early missed abortion was lowest during the first 6 months after treatment with methotrexate.
Trunk elongation and ontogenetic changes in the axial skeleton of Triturus newts
Authors: Govedarica Petar , Cvijanović Milena , Slijepčević Maja , Ivanović Ana
Published: July 2017

Body elongation in vertebrates can be achieved by lengthening of the vertebrae or by an increase in their number. In salamanders, longer bodies are mostly associated with greater numbers of vertebrae in the trunk or tail region. However, studies on the relative contribution of the length of single vertebra to body elongation are lacking. In this study, we focus on evolutionary and ontogenetic changes in differentiation of the trunk vertebrae and the relative contribution of individual vertebrae to trunk lengthening in Triturus newts, a monophyletic group of salamanders that shows remarkable disparity in body shape. We compared juveniles and adults of the most elongated T. dobrogicus, which has 17 trunk vertebrae, with juveniles and adults of two closely related species (T. ivanbureschi and T. anatolicus belonging to the T. karelinii species complex) representing a stout and robust morphotype with thirteen trunk vertebrae. We show that trunk vertebrae are uniform in size at the juvenile stage of both analyzed morphotypes. In adults, the trunk vertebrae of the elongated T. dobrogicus are largely uniform, while in those of T. anatolicus, the first two vertebrae differ from the remaining trunk vertebrae. There was no difference in the relative contribution of individual vertebrae to body lengthening between species or stages. We conclude that body elongation in Triturus newts is achieved by increasing the number of vertebrae but not their length.
Color discrimination errors associate with axial motor impairments in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Bohnen Nicolaas I. , Haugen Jacob , Ridder Andrew , Kotagal Vikas , Albin Roger L. , Frey Kirk A. , Müller Martijn L.T.M.
Published: July 2017

Background

Visual function deficits are more common in imbalance‐predominant compared to tremor‐predominant PD, suggesting a pathophysiological role of impaired visual functions in axial motor impairments.

Objective

To investigate the relationship between changes in color discrimination and motor impairments in PD while accounting for cognitive or other confounder factors.

Methods

PD subjects (n = 49, age 66.7 ± 8.3 years; Hoehn & Yahr stage 2.6 ± 0.6) completed color discrimination assessment using the Farnsworth‐Munsell 100 Hue Color Vision Test, neuropsychological, motor assessments, and [11C]dihydrotetrabenazine vesicular monoamine transporter type 2 PET imaging. MDS‐UPDRS sub‐scores for cardinal motor features were computed. Timed Up & Go mobility and walking tests were assessed in 48 subjects.

Results

Bivariate correlation coefficients between color discrimination and motor variables were significant only for the Timed Up & Go test (RS = 0.44, P = 0.0018) and the MDS‐UPDRS axial motor scores (RS = 0.38, P = 0.0068). Multiple regression confounder analysis using the Timed Up & Go as outcome parameter showed a significant total model (F(5,43) = 7.3, P < 0.0001) with significant regressor effects for color discrimination (standardized β = 0.32, t = 2.6, P = 0.012), global cognitive Z‐score (β = −0.33, t = −2.5, P = 0.018), duration of disease (β = 0.26, t = 1.8, P = 0.038), but not for age or striatal dopaminergic binding. The color discrimination test was also a significant independent regressor in the MDS‐UPDRS axial motor model (standardized β = 0.29, t = 2.4, P = 0.022; total model t(5,43) = 6.4, P = 0.0002).

Conclusions

Color discrimination errors associate with axial motor features in PD independent of cognitive deficits, nigrostriatal dopaminergic denervation, and other confounder variables. These findings may reflect shared pathophysiology between color discrimination visual impairments and axial motor burden in PD.
Localized accumulation of cytosolic calcium near the fused sperm is associated with the calcium‐ and voltage‐dependent block of sperm entry in the sea urchin egg
Authors: Ivonnet Pedro I. , Mohri Tatsuma , McCulloh David H.
Published: July 2017

Interaction of the sperm and egg depolarizes the egg membrane, allowing the sperm to enter; however, if the egg membrane is not allowed to depolarize from its resting potential (e.g., by voltage‐clamp), the sperm will not enter. Previous studies demonstrated that sperm entry into sea urchin eggs that are voltage‐clamped at negative membrane potentials is regulated both by the egg's membrane potential and a voltage‐dependent influx of calcium into the egg. In these cases, electrical or cytoplasmic continuity (sperm‐egg membrane fusion) occurs at negative membrane potentials, but subsequent loss of cytoplasmic continuity results in failure of sperm entry (unfusion). The work presented herein examined where, in relation to the sperm, and when, in relation to the sperm‐induced electrophysiological events, the egg's calcium influx occurs, and how these events relate to successful or failed sperm entry. When sperm entered the egg, elevation of intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) began near the fused sperm on average 5.9 s after sperm‐egg membrane fusion. Conversely, when sperm failed to enter the egg, [Ca2+]i elevated near the site of sperm‐egg fusion on average 0.7 s after sperm‐egg membrane fusion, which is significantly earlier than in eggs for which sperm entered. Therefore, the accumulation of calcium near the site of sperm‐egg fusion is spatially and temporally consistent with the mechanism that may be responsible for loss of cytoplasmic continuity and failure of sperm entry.
Ultrasound assessment of the sural nerve in patients with neuropathic pain after ankle surgery
Authors: Rbia Nadia , Nijhuis Tim H.J. , Roukema Gert R. , Selles Ruud W. , van der Vlies Cornelis H. , Hovius Steven E.R.
Published: July 2017

Introduction: The sural nerve may be damaged after ankle injury. The aim of our study was to determine the diagnostic utility of high‐resolution sonography in patients with ankle fractures treated by open reduction and internal fixation in whom there was a clinical suspicion of sural neuropathy. Methods: We examined the ultrasound (US) characteristics of patients with and without postsurgical sural neuropathic pain and healthy volunteers. Cross‐sectional area (CSA), echogenicity, and vascularization of the sural nerves were recorded. Results: Fourteen participants and all sural nerves were identified. CSA (P < 0.001) and vascularization (P = 0.002) were increased in symptomatic patients when compared with asymptomatic patients and healthy volunteers. There were no significant differences in nerve echogenicity (P = 0.983). Discussion: US may be a valuable tool for evaluating clinically suspected sural nerve damage after ankle stabilization surgery. Sural nerve abnormalities are seen in patients with postsurgical neuropathic pain. Muscle Nerve 57: 407–413, 2018
The effect of the GLP‐1 analogue Exenatide on functional connectivity within an NTS‐based network in women with and without obesity
Authors: Coveleskie K. , Kilpatrick L. A. , Gupta A. , Stains J. , Connolly L. , Labus J. S. , Sanmiguel C. , Mayer E. A.
Published: July 2017

Objective

The differential effect of GLP‐1 agonist Exenatide on functional connectivity of the nucleus tractus solitaries (NTS), a key region associated with homeostasis, and on appetite‐related behaviours was investigated in women with normal weight compared with women with obesity.

Methods

Following an 8‐h fast, 19 female subjects (11 lean, 8 obese) participated in a 2‐d double blind crossover study. Subjects underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging at fast and 30‐min post subcutaneous injection of 5 μg of Exenatide or placebo. Functional connectivity was examined with the NTS. Drug‐induced functional connectivity changes within and between groups and correlations with appetite measures were examined in a region of interest approach focusing on the thalamus and hypothalamus.

Results

Women with obesity reported less hunger after drug injection. Exenatide administration increased functional connectivity of the left NTS with the left thalamus and hypothalamus in the obese group only and increased the correlation between NTS functional connectivity and hunger scores in all subjects, but more so in the obese.

Conclusions

Obesity can impact the effects of Exenatide on brain connectivity, specifically in the NTS and is linked to changes in appetite control. This has implications for the use of GLP‐1 analogues in therapeutic interventions.
Electrochemical and structural characterization of Azotobacter vinelandii flavodoxin II
Authors: Segal Helen M. , Spatzal Thomas , Hill Michael G. , Udit Andrew K. , Rees Douglas C.
Published: July 2017

Azotobacter vinelandii flavodoxin II serves as a physiological reductant of nitrogenase, the enzyme system mediating biological nitrogen fixation. Wildtype A. vinelandii flavodoxin II was electrochemically and crystallographically characterized to better understand the molecular basis for this functional role. The redox properties were monitored on surfactant‐modified basal plane graphite electrodes, with two distinct redox couples measured by cyclic voltammetry corresponding to reduction potentials of −483 ± 1 mV and −187 ± 9 mV (vs. NHE) in 50 mM potassium phosphate, 150 mM NaCl, pH 7.5. These redox potentials were assigned as the semiquinone/hydroquinone couple and the quinone/semiquinone couple, respectively. This study constitutes one of the first applications of surfactant‐modified basal plane graphite electrodes to characterize the redox properties of a flavodoxin, thus providing a novel electrochemical method to study this class of protein. The X‐ray crystal structure of the flavodoxin purified from A. vinelandii was solved at 1.17 Å resolution. With this structure, the native nitrogenase electron transfer proteins have all been structurally characterized. Docking studies indicate that a common binding site surrounding the Fe‐protein [4Fe:4S] cluster mediates complex formation with the redox partners Mo‐Fe protein, ferredoxin I, and flavodoxin II. This model supports a mechanistic hypothesis that electron transfer reactions between the Fe‐protein and its redox partners are mutually exclusive.
Amino‐acid composition after loop deletion drives domain swapping
Authors: Nandwani Neha , Surana Parag , Udgaonkar Jayant B. , Das Ranabir , Gosavi Shachi
Published: July 2017

Rational engineering of a protein to enable domain swapping requires an understanding of the sequence, structural and energetic factors that favor the domain‐swapped oligomer over the monomer. While it is known that the deletion of loops between β‐strands can promote domain swapping, the spliced sequence at the position of the loop deletion is thought to have a minimal role to play in such domain swapping. Here, two loop‐deletion mutants of the non‐domain‐swapping protein monellin, frame‐shifted by a single residue, were designed. Although the spliced sequence in the two mutants differed by only one residue at the site of the deletion, only one of them (YEIKG) promoted domain swapping. The mutant containing the spliced sequence YENKG was entirely monomeric. This new understanding that the domain swapping propensity after loop deletion may depend critically on the chemical composition of the shortened loop will facilitate the rational design of domain swapping.
Vascular Compression of the Anterior Optic Pathway: A Rare Occurrence?
Authors: Tsutsumi Satoshi , Ono Hideo , Yasumoto Yukimasa
Published: July 2017

Background

Vascular compression of the anterior optic pathway has been documented as an infrequent cause of visual impairments. Here we characterize such vascular compression using magnetic resonance imaging.

Methods

A total of 183 patients without pathologies affecting the optic pathways underwent T2-weighted or constructive interference steady-state sequence magnetic resonance imaging. Imaging data from coronal sections were analyzed.

Results

A vascular compression of the anterior optic pathway was identified in 20 patients (11%). They comprised 13 men and 7 women with a mean age of 60.8 years. The vascular compressions were observed at 22 sites, 15 on the optic nerve (ON) and 7 on the optic chiasm (OC). Twelve of them were on the right and 10 were on the left side. The offending vessels were the supraclinoid portion of the internal carotid artery in 86.4% and the A1 segment of the anterior cerebral artery in 13.6%. Compression sites at the ON and OC were variable, with the inferolateral surface being the most frequent (77.3% occurrences). In 2 patients (9.1%), the ON was compressed in a sandwich manner.

Conclusions

Vascular compression of the ON and OC may not be an infrequent occurrence in the cranial cavity. Progressive and unexplainable visual impairment might possibly be caused by vascular-compressive neuropathy.
Targeting anxiety to improve quality of life in patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Buonocore M. , Bosia M. , Bechi M. , Spangaro M. , Cavedoni S. , Cocchi F. , Bianchi L. , Guglielmino C. , Mastromatteo A.R. , Cavallaro R.
Published: July 2017

Background:

Several studies suggested that anxiety can significantly affect the outcome of schizophrenia. Despite this evidence, non-pharmacological interventions targeting anxiety are still heterogenous. This study aims to test the efficacy of a novel training specifically designed to target anxiety in patients with schizophrenia. Innovatively, this training, beyond psychoeducation and problem solving, also targets Theory of Mind, as it provides coping strategies.

Method:

Twenty-seven outpatients with schizophrenia received a novel rehabilitative training targeting anxiety (Anxiety Management Group [AMG]) combined with a Computer-Assisted Cognitive Remediation (CACR), and twenty received CACR plus a control intervention (Control Newspaper discussion Group [CNG]). All patients were assessed at baseline and after treatment for quality of life, neurocognition and anxiety.

Results:

After training, patients treated with AMG + CACR showed significantly greater improvements on anxiety. A significant increase in quality of life was observed only for AMG + CACR group. Moreover, the participants’ appraisal showed a significant difference between treatment groups with higher ratings among patients who received the AMG + CACR.

Conclusions:

This study thus suggests feasibility and efficacy of the proposed intervention, that could be implemented in rehabilitative programs for patients with schizophrenia with potential benefits also on disease course and outcome.
Developmental vitamin D deficiency alters multiple neurotransmitter systems in the neonatal rat brain
Authors: Kesby James P. , Turner Karly M. , Alexander Suzanne , Eyles Darryl W. , McGrath John J. , Burne Thomas H.J.
Published: July 2017

Background

Epidemiological evidence suggests that developmental vitamin D (DVD) deficiency is a risk factor for neuropsychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia. DVD deficiency in rats is associated with altered brain structure and adult behaviours indicating alterations in dopamine and glutamate signalling. Developmental alterations in dopamine neurotransmission have also been observed in DVD‐deficient rats but a comprehensive assessment of brain neurochemistry has not been undertaken. Thus, the current study determined the regional concentrations of dopamine, noradrenaline, serotonin, glutamine, glutamate and γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA), and associated metabolites, in DVD‐deficient neonates.

Methods

Sprague‐Dawley rats were fed a vitamin D deficient diet or control diet six weeks prior to mating until birth and housed under UVB‐free lighting conditions. Neurotransmitter concentration was assessed by high‐performance liquid chromatography on post‐mortem neonatal brain tissue.

Results

Ubiquitous reductions in the levels of glutamine (12–24%) were observed in DVD‐deficient neonates compared with control neonates. Similarly, in multiple brain regions DVD‐deficient neonates had increased levels of noradrenaline and serine compared with control neonates. In contrast, increased levels of dopamine and decreased levels of serotonin in DVD‐deficient neonates were limited to striatal subregions compared with controls.

Conclusions

Our results confirm that DVD deficiency leads to changes in multiple neurotransmitter systems in the neonate brain. Importantly, this regionally‐based assessment in DVD‐deficient neonates identified both widespread neurotransmitter changes (glutamine/noradrenaline) and regionally selective neurotransmitter changes (dopamine/serotonin). Thus, vitamin D may have both general and local actions depending on the neurotransmitter system being investigated. Taken together, these data suggest that DVD deficiency alters neurotransmitter systems relevant to schizophrenia in the developing rat brain.
Sphincter-saving extrasphincteric rectal dissection and proximal segmental sphincteric excision techniques by using combined abdominal and transvaginal anterior perineal access in female patients who have lower rectal cancer (Transvaginal low anterior rectal resection)
Authors: Yücesoy Ali Naki
Published: July 2017

Background Combined abdominal and transvaginal anterior perineal approaches have been used as an alternative surgical method for the surgical treatment of the lower rectal cancer. The main aim of this paper is to describe the surgical stages of the combined abdominal and transvaginal approaches performed for lower rectal cancer, especially in transvaginal anterior perineal stage.

Method We have performed sphincter-saving surgical operations by using transvaginal anterior perineal access by combining with the abdominal access in four female patients who had lower rectal cancer.

Results Sphincter-saving extrasphincteric dissection and proximal segmental sphincteric excision techniques were performed in four female patients operated with combined abdominal and transvaginal anterior perineal approach. All patients were found to have continence. Postoperatively, one patient was converted to abdominoperineal rectal amputation due to the detected distal resection margin positivity.

Conclusion Transvaginal anterior perineal access provides the extrasphincteric rectal dissection possibility in the ischioanal fossa. Therefore, the combined abdominal and transvaginal anterior perineal approaches have been based on the different anatomical and surgical features when compared to intersphincteric dissection technique which is the most common used surgical procedure in lower rectal cancer surgery.
Developing enhanced carbon nanotube reinforced composites for full-scale 3D printed components
Authors: Thomas Daniel
Published: July 2017

Recent research has developed a range of novel nano-enhanced 3D Printer filaments for high-end structural applications. In this research, an enhanced carbon nanotube filament has been formulated with different concentrations of graphitized multiwalled carbon nanotubes. These have been dispersed into an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene polymer matrix under a process of high sheer mixing. This formulation was extruded to form a 1.75 mm diameter filament that was used to 3D print custom full size aerospace components that were later tested and displayed mechanical strength enhancement. In this article the process is detailed which show a method to manufacture 3D printed nanocomposite structures. These polymer filaments can be used on any conventional fused deposition modeling 3D Printing machine for the fabrication of scale components that require mechanical enhancement.
Alumnos tutores y el aprendizaje de la lectura crítica en internado de pregrado
Authors: Cobos Aguilar Héctor , Pérez Cortés Patricia , Sánchez López Sophia , Sámano Guerrero Alejandro , Elizondo Pereo Rogelio A. , Ochoa Castro Carlos E.
Published: July 2017

Introducción: En pregrado las habilidades docentes de los estudiantes son soslayadas.

Objetivo: Comparar los resultados obtenidos en lectura crítica de investigación por médicos internos de pregrado (MIP) en un curso impartido por alumnos tutores versus profesores, así como su desempeño docente.

Método: Se estudiaro 100 MIP en 4 grupos: G1 (n: 16), G2 (n: 29), G3 (n: 28), G4 (n: 27). Alumnos tutores (G: 1, 2, 3 ) y profesores (G4 ). Se impartió un curso de 40 h, con lectura de artículos de investigación publicados y resolución de guías, revisión de tareas, con discusión grupal. Se usó un instrumento: válido y consistente (KR 0.78) con 96 reactivos, equilibrado, 32 para interpretar, enjuiciar y proponer, y con 12 por diseño (casos-controles, pruebas diagnósticas, encuestas, instrumentos, ensayo clínico aleatorizado, cohortes, metaanálisis y seguimiento; equilibrado, con 48 respuestas falsas y verdaderas. Se aplicó al inicio y final del curso. Se utilizó la mediana como análisis antes y después, por indicador, diseño y globales. Se determinó el azar de respuestas y avance ponderado por grupo. Los MIP calificaron el desempeño docente de los profesores con 17 reactivos.

Resultados: Globales inicial vs. final (G1: 14 vs. 22*, G2: 11 vs. 28*, G3: 13 vs. 21 y G4: 21 vs. 33. (*Wilcoxon < 0.05). Kruskal-Wallis, > 0.05, inicial global entre grupos y < 0.05 en final a  avor G2 y G4 . El azar disminuyó al 38, 24, 36 y 7%; y el avance ponderado fue 1.9, 3.1, 1.9 y 2.5 en los 4 grupos respectivamente. En diseños hubo más avances en instrumentos y CA. Los 4 profesores fueron calificados de manera semejante (U de Mann-Whitney > 0.05).

Conclusiones: Los resultados confirman que los alumnos tutores seleccionados pueden con estrategias participativas estimular el aprendizaje de la lectura crítica de investigación en MIP, y aproximarse a los obtenidos por los profesores experimentados. Se debe estimular y fortalecer esta habilidad en los jóvenes médicos.
Exploración del nivel de neurofobia en estudiantes de medicina en México
Authors: Eraña Rojas Irma Elisa , Segura-Azuara Nancy De los Ángeles , López Cabrera Mildred Vanessa
Published: July 2017

Introducción: El temor a tratar pacientes con padecimientos neurológicos, mejor conocido como neurofobia, incapacita a estudiantes y profesionales de la salud en el manejo efectivo de estos pacientes.

Objetivo: El objetivo de esta investigación fue medir el nivel de neurofobia de los estudiantes de medicina a través de una autoevaluación sobre sus actitudes hacia el manejo de pacientes con problemas neurológicos.

Método: El diseño de la investigación fue cuantitativo, descriptivo y de corte transeccional, se condujo con una muestra de 131 alumnos del programa de medicina de una  universidad privada. Se adaptó un instrumento, y se utilizaron ocho ítems para evaluar la ansiedad hacia: la complejidad de las neurociencias, el encuentro clínico con un paciente neurológico, y la falta de conocimiento o habilidades procedimentales.

Resultados: El análisis estadístico confirmó la confiabilidad interna del instrumento y la estadística descriptiva evidenció algunas tendencias de los estudiantes hacia la neurofobia. Conclusiones: Los resultados indican que los estudiantes atribuyeron esta ansiedad específicamente a tratar pacientes con enfermedades neurológicas como a la complejidad percibida de las neurociencias.
Evaluación de identificación de signos en radiografía de tórax en estudiantes de medicina
Authors: Erguera Aguirre Laura Raquel , De los Santos Rodríguez Moisés Natanael , Sierra Basto Gilberto
Published: July 2017

Introducción: Existen enfermedades prevalentes con alto impacto en la salud pública que utilizan la radiografía de tórax como una herramienta de apoyo por su accesibilidad y gran valor diagnóstico. Estudios recientes muestran evidencia de que la habilidad para identificación de signos en radiografía de tórax es deficiente en estudiantes de pregrado.

Objetivo: Se evaluó el nivel de habilidad para la identificación de signos clínicos en la radiografía de tórax de los estudiantes de pregrado de la Facultad de Medicina.

Método: Se realizó un estudio prospectivo, transversal, descriptivo y observacional. Se evaluó la habilidad para la identificación de signos radiográficos en una muestra representativa de la población de estudiantes de ciencias clínicas de la facultad de Medicina conformada por 34 participantes mediante un instrumento construido y validado para la población.

Resultados: El 50%(17estudiantes) mostró una habilidad insuficiente para identificar signos en la radiografía de tórax. Entre los signos menos identificados se encontraron: aumento de radiolucidez con un 5.8%, broncograma aéreo 23.5% y borramiento de ángulo costofrénico con 38.2% respectivamente. Los signos más identificados fueron corazón en forma de gota con un 94.1%, cavitación con 91.1% e infiltrado alveolar con un 82.3% de aciertos.

Conclusiones: Al menos la mitad de los estudiantes no contaban con la habilidad para identificar signos radiológicos característicos. Numerosos factores explicaron estos resultados, entre los que se encuentran la falta de práctica de la habilidad para la identificación radiológica de los estudiantes y la ausencia de tutoría al estudiante de pregrado en el hospital.
Can Water Vapor Help Forecast When a Volcano Will Blow?
Authors: Underwood Emily
Published: July 2017

A widely used technique to monitor sulfur dioxide was tweaked to focus on water vapor at Peru’s Sabancaya Volcano. Results show that the volcano steamed up prior to its 2016 eruption.
New Technique Could Help Scientists Track Nitrous Oxide Sources
Authors: Stanley Sarah
Published: July 2017

A long-term study in Switzerland reveals the promise of a new method to determine isotopic composition of the potent greenhouse gas.
How Geomagnetic Storms Light Up the Geocorona
Authors: Crane Leah
Published: July 2017

After geomagnetic storms, Earth’s corona abruptly increases in hydrogen density. For the first time, serendipitous observations have allowed researchers to investigate why.
Probing the Power of Pacific Supertyphoons
Authors: Hornyak Tim
Published: July 2017

Despite higher than normal surface temperatures and heat contents of ocean waters where the storms developed, evidence is lacking that global warming is revving them up.
Six Points of Perspective on Larsen C’s Huge New Iceberg
Authors: Wendel JoAnna , Kumar Mohi
Published: July 2017

A Delaware-sized slab of ice just broke off Antarctica. Now what?
Sulfur and nitrogen co-doped holey graphene aerogel for structurally resilient solid-state supercapacitors under high compressions
Authors: Kotal Moumita , Kim Hyunjun , Roy Sandipan , Oh Il-Kwon
Published: July 2017

A highly compressible, conductive nitrogen and sulfur co-doped holey graphene aerogel (NS-HGA) is developed for structurally resilient solid-state supercapacitors under high compressions.
Breaking the reduced glutathione-activated antioxidant defence for enhanced photodynamic therapy
Authors: Zhan Qi-chen , Shi Xian-qing , Yan Xiao-hong , Liu Qian , Zhou Jia-hong , Zhou Lin , Wei Shao-hua
Published: July 2017

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been applied in cancer treatment by utilizing reactive oxygen species (ROSs) to kill cancer cells.
Microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis of solid-state carbon dots with intensive emission for white light-emitting devices
Authors: Zheng Jingxia , Wang Yaling , Zhang Feng , Yang Yongzhen , Liu Xuguang , Guo Kunpeng , Wang Hua , Xu Bingshe
Published: July 2017

Carbon dots synthesized by a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method exhibit efficient solid-state luminescence for white light-emitting devices.
Highly emissive poly(maleic anhydride-alt-vinyl pyrrolidone) with molecular weight-dependent and excitation-dependent fluorescence
Authors: Shang Cong , Wei Nan , Zhuo Hongmei , Shao Yumei , Zhang Qin , Zhang Zexian , Wang Huiliang
Published: July 2017

Nonconventional poly(maleic anhydride-alt-vinyl pyrrolidone) copolymers exhibit distinct AIE characteristics, as well as molecular weight-dependent and excitation-dependent fluorescence. They can emit blue to red colours under different excitation wavelengths.
Cobalt hexacyanoferrate nanoparticles for wet-processed brown–bleached electrochromic devices with hybridization of high-spin/low-spin phases
Authors: Kholoud Elghool , Watanabe Hiroshi , Takahashi Akira , Emara Mahmoud M. , Abd-El-Nabey Bashir A. , Kurihara Masato , Tajima Kazuki , Kawamoto Tohru
Published: July 2017

A brown–bleached electrochromic device with inorganic printed nanoparticles and an appropriate mixture of a low-spin and a high spin state.
P-Rex1 and P-Rex2 RacGEFs and cancer
Authors: Srijakotre Nuthasuda , Man Joey , Ooms Lisa M. , Lucato Christina M. , Ellisdon Andrew M. , Mitchell Christina A.
Published: July 2017

Phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate-dependent Rac exchanger (P-Rex) proteins are RacGEFs that are synergistically activated by phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate and Gβγ subunits of G-protein-coupled receptors. P-Rex1 and P-Rex2 share similar amino acid sequence homology, domain structure, and catalytic function. Recent evidence suggests that both P-Rex proteins may play oncogenic roles in human cancers. P-Rex1 and P-Rex2 are altered predominantly via overexpression and mutation, respectively, in various cancer types, including breast cancer, prostate cancer, and melanoma. This review compares the similarities and differences between P-Rex1 and P-Rex2 functions in human cancers in terms of cellular effects and signalling mechanisms. Emerging clinical data predict that changes in expression or mutation of P-Rex1 and P-Rex2 may lead to changes in tumour outcome, particularly in breast cancer and melanoma.
Middle Ear Function Measures From Single Component Tympanometry to Wideband Acoustic Immittance
Authors: Kaf Wafaa A. , Fawzy Mohamed
Published: July 2017

This paper highlights collective research findings about middle ear measures using standard single- and multi-frequency tympanometry measures and wideband acoustic immittance (WAI) measurements, including wideband energy reflectance and wideband absorbance tympanometry. The paper also provides a review of normative and pathological findings with WAI measures. Current research suggests that WAI measures provide faster and more accurate assessment of middle ear status than standard tympanometry measures in both infants and adults. WAI measures assess the middle ear across a wide range of frequencies, which help with differential diagnoses of middle ear disorders. With this new advance in middle ear measures and promising research findings, audiologists are encouraged to incorporate WAI measures in the basic audiologic test battery as a screening and a diagnostic tool for middle ear disorders and for newborn hearing screening.
Improving stereo matching by incorporating geometry prior into ConvNet
Authors: Liang Zhengfa , Liu Hengzhu , Qiao Linbo , Feng Yiliu , Chen Wei
Published: July 2017

Deep learning‐based methods for stereo matching have shown superior performance over traditional ones. However, most of them ignore the inherent geometry prior of stereo matching when training, i.e. the reference image can be reconstructed from the second image in the visible regions. The reconstruction can be achieved by backward warping the second image using the disparity map of the reference image, while the visible regions can be calculated by left‐right consistency check. This prior is useful especially when the ground truth disparity is sparse (e.g. the outdoor scene such as KITTI 2015). This prior incorporated into a two‐stage end‐to‐end training process, both of which try to minimise the end‐point‐error with respect to the sparse ground truth disparity (supervised learning), and the reconstruction error (self‐supervised learning). The predicted disparity and the reconstruction error of the first stage act as additional information, and are fed to the second stage to make further use of this prior knowledge to improve performance. Experiments on the challenging KITTI 2015 dataset show that the method improves the results in the foreground region, and ranks first among all the published methods on the D1‐fg metric.
Automatic classification of traffic incident's severity using machine learning approaches
Authors: Nguyen Hoang , Cai Chen , Chen Fang
Published: July 2017

During daily work at a Transport Management Centre (TMC), the operators have to record and process a large volume of traffic information especially incident records. Their tasks involve manual classification of the data and then decide appropriate operations to clear the incidents on time. A real‐time automatic decision support system can minimise an operator's responded time and hence reduce congestion. Besides standard descriptions (e.g. incident location, date, time, lanes affected), severity is an important criteria that operators have to evaluate based on all available information before any control commands can be issued. The NSW TMC and the research organisation Data61 in Sydney have collaborated to discover and visualise frequent patterns in historical incident response records, leading to the automatic classification of severity levels among past incidents using advanced machine learning, active learning and outlier detection techniques. The experiments were executed using 4 years TMC's incident logs from 2011 to 2014 which includes >40,000 records. The classification model achieved nearly 90% accuracy in five‐fold cross‐validation and is expected to help the TMC to improve its procedures, response plans, and resource allocations.
Trauma systems around the world: A systematic overview
Authors: Dijkink Suzan , Nederpelt Charlie J. , Krijnen Pieta , Velmahos George C. , Schipper Inger B.
Published: July 2017

BACKGROUND

Implementation of trauma care systems has resulted in improved patient outcomes, but international differences obviously remain. Improvement of care can only be established if we recognize and clarify these differences. The aim of the current review is to provide an overview of the recent literature on the state of trauma systems globally.

METHODS

The literature review over the period 2000 to 2016 was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Prehospital care, acute hospital care and quality assurance were classified using the World Health Organization Trauma System Maturity Index in four levels from I (least mature) to IV (most mature).

RESULTS

The search yielded 93 articles about trauma systems in 32 countries: 23 high-income (HI), 8 middle-income (MI) countries and 1 low-income (LI) country. Trauma-related mortality was highest in the MI and LI countries. Level IV prehospital care with Advanced Life Support was established in 19 HI countries, in contrast to the MI and LI countries where this was only reported in Brazil, China, and Turkey. In 18 HI countries, a Level III/IV hospital-based trauma system was implemented, whereas in nine LI- and MI countries Level I/II trauma systems were seen, mostly lacking dedicated trauma centers and teams. A national trauma registry was implemented in 10 HI countries.

CONCLUSION

Despite the presence of seemingly sufficient resources and the evidence-based benefits of trauma systems, only nine of the 23 HI countries in our review have a well-defined and documented national trauma system. Although 90% of all lethal traumatic injuries occur in middle and LI countries, according to literature which our study is limited to, only few of these countries a hold formal trauma system or trauma registry. Much can be gained concerning trauma systems in these countries, but unfortunately, the economic situation of many countries may render trauma systems not at their top priority list.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Systematic review, level III.
Decompressive craniectomy versus craniotomy only for intracranial hemorrhage evacuation: A propensity matched study
Authors: Jehan Faisal , Azim Asad , Rhee Peter , Khan Muhammad , Gries Lynn , O'Keeffe Terence , Kulvatunyou Narong , Tang Andrew , Joseph Bellal
Published: July 2017

BACKGROUND

Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is often performed in conjunction with evacuation of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) to control intracranial pressure (ICP) in patients with a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The efficacy of DC in lowering ICP is well established; however, its effect on clinical outcomes remains controversial. The aim of our study is to assess outcomes in TBI patients undergoing DC versus craniotomy only (CO) for the evacuation of ICH.

METHODS

We performed a 5-year retrospective analysis of TBI patients with ICH who underwent craniotomy or craniectomy for traumatic ICH. Patients were divided into two groups, those who underwent CO and those who underwent DC. Propensity scoring matched patients in a 1:2 ratio for demographics, admission Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, severity of injury, type and size of ICH, and anticoagulant use. Outcome measures included mortality, adverse discharge disposition (skilled nursing facility), discharge GCS and Glasgow Outcome Scale scores, and complications.

RESULTS

We reviewed 1,831 patients with TBI, of which 155 underwent craniotomy and/or craniectomy. After propensity score matching, we included 99 of those patients in our study (DC, 33; CO, 66). Matched groups were similar in age (p = 0.68), admission GCS score (p = 0.50), Injury Severity Score (p = 0.70), head Abbreviated Injury Scale score (p = 0.32), and intracranial bleeding characteristics. Overall, 26.3% (n = 26) of the patients died and 62.6% (n = 62) were discharged to Rehab/skilled nursing facility. There was no difference in the mortality rate (27.3% vs. 25.0%; p = 0.99), adverse discharge disposition (45% vs. 33%; p = 0.66), GCS score (p = 0.53), and Glasgow Outcome Scale (p = 0.80) at discharge between the DC and the CO groups. However, patients in DC group had higher complication rates and ventilator days.

CONCLUSION

This study showed no significant difference in clinical outcomes for patients undergoing evacuation of ICH regardless of the procedure performed. DC did not appear to be superior to craniotomy alone for the treatment of acute ICH.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic, level III.
Reconfiguration of brain network architectures between resting state and complexity-dependent cognitive reasoning
Authors: Hearne Luke J. , Cocchi Luca , Zalesky Andrew , Mattingley Jason B.
Published: July 2017

Our capacity for higher cognitive reasoning has a measureable limit. This limit is thought to arise from the brain’s capacity to flexibly reconfigure interactions between spatially distributed networks. Recent work, however, has suggested that reconfigurations of task-related networks are modest when compared with intrinsic ‘resting state’ network architecture. Here we combined resting state and task-driven functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine how flexible, task-specific reconfigurations associated with increasing reasoning demands are integrated within a stable intrinsic brain topology. Human participants (21 males and 28 females) underwent an initial resting state scan, followed by a cognitive reasoning task involving different levels of complexity, followed by a second resting state scan. The reasoning task required participants to deduce the identity of a missing element in a 4 × 4 matrix, and item difficulty was scaled parametrically as determined by relational complexity theory. Analyses revealed that external task engagement was characterized by a significant change in functional brain modules. Specifically, resting state and null-task demand conditions were associated with more segregated brain network topology, whereas increases in reasoning complexity resulted in merging of resting state modules. Further increments in task complexity did not change the established modular architecture, but impacted selective patterns of connectivity between fronto-parietal, subcortical, cingulo-opercular and default-mode networks. Larger increases in network efficiency within the newly established task modules were associated with higher reasoning accuracy. Our results shed light on the network architectures that underlie external task engagement, and highlight selective changes in brain connectivity supporting increases in task complexity.

Significance Statement

Humans have clear limits in their ability to solve complex reasoning problems. It is thought that such limitations arise from flexible, moment-to-moment reconfigurations of functional brain networks. It is less clear how such task-driven adaptive changes in connectivity relate to stable, intrinsic networks of the brain and behavioral performance. We found that increased reasoning demands rely on selective patterns of connectivity within cortical networks that emerged in addition to a more general, task-induced modular architecture. This task-driven architecture reverted to a more segregated resting state architecture both immediately before and after the task. These findings reveal how flexibility in human brain networks is integral to achieving successful reasoning performance across different levels of cognitive demand.
Noise Gated by Dendrosomatic Interactions Increases Information Transmission
Authors: Naud Richard , Payeur Alexandre , Longtin André
Published: July 2017

We study how noise in active dendrites affects information transmission. A mismatch of both noise and refractoriness between a dendritic compartment and a somatic compartment is shown to lead to an input-dependent exchange of leadership, where the dendrite entrains the soma for weak stimuli and the soma entrains the dendrite for strong stimuli. Using this simple mechanism, the noise in the dendritic compartment can boost weak signals without affecting the output of the neuron for strong stimuli. We show that these mechanisms give rise to a noise-induced increase of information transmission by neural populations.
Multiplexed Gene Synthesis in Emulsions for Exploring Protein Functional Landscapes
Authors: Plesa Calin , Sidore Angus M. , Lubock Nathan B. , Zhang Di , Kosuri Sriram
Published: July 2017

Next-generation sequencing has engendered an expanding suite of functional assays that can test sequence-function relationships at unprecedented scales in pooled formats (multiplex). Such assays are currently constrained by the short length of oligonucleotide (oligo) pools, which limit potential applications. Here we report a simple, low-cost, and scalable method called DropSynth that assembles gene libraries from oligo pools for use in multiplexed functional assays. DropSynth utilizes a library of barcoded beads to isolate and concentrate oligos needed for a gene’s synthesis in a pooled format. These bead-bound oligos are then emulsified, processed, and assembled into genes within the emulsion droplets. We synthesized ~1000 phylogenetically diverse orthologs of phosphopantetheine adenylyltransferase (PPAT) and tested their fitness in a multiplexed functional assay. While the majority of orthologs complement, those that do not are broadly distributed across the phylogenetic tree. Synthetic errors in our assemblies allow us to explore local landscapes around the designed orthologs revealing constrained mutations for complementing orthologs as well as gain-of-function mutations for low-fitness orthologs. This broad mutational scanning approach is complementary to deep mutational scanning and helps us understand proteins by probing evolutionarily divergent sequences that share function.
Multi-scale immune selection and the transmission-diversity feedback ofPlasmodium falciparummalaria
Authors: Holding Thomas , Valletta John Joseph , Recker Mario
Published: July 2017

Antigenic diversity is a key factor underlying the complex epidemiology ofPlasmodium falciparummalaria. Within-host clonal antigenic variation limits host exposure to the parasite’s antigenic repertoire, while the high degree of diversity at the population-level requires multiple exposures for hosts to acquire anti-disease immunity. This diversity is predominantly generated through mitotic and meiotic recombination between individual genes and multi-gene repertoires and is therefore expected to respond dynamically to changes in transmission and immune selection. We hypothesised that this coupling creates a positive feedback mechanism whereby infection and disease transmission promotes the generation of diversity, which itself facilitates immune evasion and hence further infection and transmission. To investigate the link between diversity and malaria prevalence in more detail we developed an individual-based model in which antigenic diversity emerges as a dynamic property from the underlying transmission processes. We show that the balance between stochastic extinction and the generation of new antigenic variants is intrinsically linked to within-host and between-host immune selection, which in turn determines the level of diversity that can be maintained in a given population. We further show that the transmission-diversity feedback can lead to temporal lags in the response to natural or intervention-induced perturbations in transmission rates. These results will add to our understanding of the epidemiological dynamics ofP. falciparummalaria in different transmission settings and will have important implications for monitoring and assessing the effectiveness of disease control efforts.