bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The 5′ and 3′ Untranslated Regions of the Flaviviral Genome
Authors: Ng Wy , Soto-Acosta Ruben , Bradrick Shelton , Garcia-Blanco Mariano , Ooi Eng
Published: June 2017

Flaviviruses are enveloped arthropod-borne viruses with a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA genome that can cause serious illness in humans and animals. The 11 kb 5′ capped RNA genome consists of a single open reading frame (ORF), and is flanked by 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions (UTR). The ORF is a polyprotein that is processed into three structural and seven non-structural proteins. The UTRs have been shown to be important for viral replication and immune modulation. Both of these regions consist of elements that are essential for genome cyclization, resulting in initiation of RNA synthesis. Genome mutation studies have been employed to investigate each component of the essential elements to show the necessity of each component and its role in viral RNA replication and growth. Furthermore, the highly structured 3′UTR is responsible for the generation of subgenomic flavivirus RNA (sfRNA) that helps the virus evade host immune response, thereby affecting viral pathogenesis. In addition, changes within the 3′UTR have been shown to affect transmissibility between vector and host, which can influence the development of vaccines.
Detection of HBV Covalently Closed Circular DNA
Authors: Li Xiaoling , Zhao Jinghua , Yuan Quan , Xia Ningshao
Published: June 2017

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection affects approximately 240 million people worldwide and remains a serious public health concern because its complete cure is impossible with current treatments. Covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) in the nucleus of infected cells cannot be eliminated by present therapeutics and may result in persistence and relapse. Drug development targeting cccDNA formation and maintenance is hindered by the lack of efficient cccDNA models and reliable cccDNA detection methods. Southern blotting is regarded as the gold standard for quantitative cccDNA detection, but it is complicated and not suitable for high-throughput drug screening, so more sensitive and simple methods, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods, Invader assays, in situ hybridization and surrogates, have been developed for cccDNA detection. However, most methods are not reliable enough, and there are no unified standards for these approaches. This review will summarize available methods for cccDNA detection. It is hoped that more robust methods for cccDNA monitoring will be developed and that standard operation procedures for routine cccDNA detection in scientific research and clinical monitoring will be established.
Modelling of Violent Water Wave Propagation and Impact by Incompressible SPH with First-Order Consistent Kernel Interpolation Scheme
Authors: Zheng Xing , Ma Qingwei , Shao Songdong , Khayyer Abbas
Published: June 2017

The Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) method has proven to have great potential in dealing with the wave–structure interactions since it can deal with the large amplitude and breaking waves and easily captures the free surface. The paper will adopt an incompressible SPH (ISPH) approach to simulate the wave propagation and impact, in which the fluid pressure is solved using a pressure Poisson equation and thus more stable and accurate pressure fields can be obtained. The focus of the study is on comparing three different pressure gradient calculation models in SPH and proposing the most efficient first-order consistent kernel interpolation (C1_KI) numerical scheme for modelling violent wave impact. The improvement of the model is validated by the benchmark dam break flows and laboratory wave propagation and impact experiments.
Role of Perturbing Ocean Initial Condition in Simulated Regional Sea Level Change
Authors: Hu Aixue , Meehl Gerald , Stammer Detlef , Han Weiqing , Strand Warren
Published: June 2017

Multiple lines of observational evidence indicate that the global climate has been getting warmer since the early 20th century. This warmer climate has led to a global mean sea level rise of about 18 cm during the 20th century, and over 6 cm for the first 15 years of the 21st century. Regionally the sea level rise is not uniform due in large part to internal climate variability. To better serve the community, the uncertainties of predicting/projecting regional sea level changes associated with internal climate variability need to be quantified. Previous research on this topic has used single-model large ensembles with perturbed atmospheric initial conditions (ICs). Here we compare uncertainties associated with perturbing ICs in just the atmosphere and just the ocean using a state-of-the-art coupled climate model. We find that by perturbing the oceanic ICs, the uncertainties in regional sea level changes increase compared to those with perturbed atmospheric ICs. Thus, in order for us to better assess the full spectrum of the impacts of such internal climate variability on regional and global sea level rise, approaches that involve perturbing both atmospheric and oceanic initial conditions are necessary.
Gridded Snow Water Equivalent Reconstruction for Utah Using Forest Inventory and Analysis Tree-Ring Data
Authors: Barandiaran Daniel , Wang S.-Y. , DeRose R.
Published: June 2017

Snowpack observations in the Intermountain West are sparse and short, making them difficult for use in depicting past variability and extremes. This study presents a reconstruction of April 1 snow water equivalent (SWE) for the period of 1850–1989 using increment cores collected by the U.S. Forest Service, Interior West Forest Inventory and Analysis program (FIA). In the state of Utah, SWE was reconstructed for 38 snow course locations using a combination of standardized tree-ring indices derived from both FIA increment cores and publicly available tree-ring chronologies. These individual reconstructions were then interpolated to a 4-km grid using an objective analysis with elevation correction to create an SWE product. The results showed a significant correlation with observed SWE as well as good correspondence to regional tree-ring-based drought reconstructions. Diagnostic analysis showed statewide coherent climate variability on inter-annual and inter-decadal time-scales, with added geographical details that would not be possible using courser pre-instrumental proxy datasets. This SWE reconstruction provides water resource managers and forecasters with better spatial resolution to examine past variability in snowpack, which will be important as future hydroclimatic variability is amplified by climate change.
Patients’ evaluations of patient safety in English general practices: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Ricci-Cabello Ignacio , Marsden Kate S , Avery Anthony J , Bell Brian G , Kadam Umesh T , Reeves David , Slight Sarah P , Perryman Katherine , Barnett Jane , Litchfield Ian , Thomas Sally , Campbell Stephen M , Doos Lucy , Esmail Aneez , Valderas Jose M
Published: June 2017

Background

Description of safety problems and harm in general practices has previously relied on information from health professionals, with scarce attention paid to experiences of patients.

Aim

To examine patient-reported experiences and outcomes of patient safety in primary care.

Design and setting

Cross-sectional study in 45 general practices across five regions in the north, centre, and south of England.

Method

A version of the Patient Reported Experiences and Outcomes of Safety in Primary Care (PREOS-PC) questionnaire was sent to a random sample of 6736 patients. Main outcome measures included ‘practice activation’ (what a practice does to create a safe environment); ‘patient activation’ (how proactive are patients in ensuring safe healthcare delivery); ‘experiences of safety events’ (safety errors); ‘outcomes of safety’ (harm); and ‘overall perception of safety’ (how safe patients rate their practice).

Results

Questionnaires were returned by 1244 patients (18.4%). Scores were high for ‘practice activation’ (mean [standard error] = 80.4 out of 100 [2.0]) and low for ‘patient activation’ (26.3 out of 100 [2.6]). Of the patients, 45% reported experiencing at least one safety problem in the previous 12 months, mostly related to appointments (33%), diagnosis (17%), patient provider communication (15%), and coordination between providers (14%). Twenty-three per cent of the responders reported some degree of harm in the previous 12 months. The overall assessment of level of safety of practices was generally high (86.0 out of 100 [16.8]).

Conclusion

Priority areas for patient safety improvement in general practices in England include appointments, diagnosis, communication, coordination, and patient activation.
The Origin of [C ii] 157 μm Emission in a Five-component Interstellar Medium: The Case of NGC 3184 and NGC 628
Authors: Abdullah A. , Brandl B. R. , Groves B. , Wolfire M. , Calzetti D. , Croxall K. , Looze I. de , Kennicutt R. C. , Sandstrom K. M. , Armus L. , Dale D. A. , Galametz M. , Herrera-Camus R. , Hunt L. K. , Smith J. D. , Tielens A. G. G. M.
Published: June 2017

With its relatively low ionization potential, C+ can be found throughout the interstellar medium (ISM) and provides one of the main cooling channels of the ISM via the [C ii] 157 μm emission. While the strength of the [C ii] line correlates with the star formation rate, the contributions of the various gas phases to the [C ii] emission on galactic scales are not well established. In this study we establish an empirical multi-component model of the ISM, including dense H ii regions, dense photon dissociation regions (PDRs), the warm ionized medium (WIM), low density and

 surfaces of molecular clouds (SfMCs), and the cold neutral medium (CNM). We test our model on ten luminous regions within the two nearby galaxies NGC 3184 and NGC 628 on angular scales of 500–600 pc. Both galaxies are part of the Herschel key program KINGFISH, and are complemented by a large set of ancillary ground- and space-based data. The five modeled phases together reproduce the observed [C ii] emission quite well, overpredicting the total flux slightly (about 45%) averaged over all regions. We find that dense PDRs are the dominating component, contributing 68% of the [C ii] flux on average, followed by the WIM and the SfMCs, with mean contributions of about half of the contribution from dense PDRs, each. CNM and dense H ii regions are only minor contributors with less than 5% each. These estimates are averaged over the selected regions, but the relative contributions of the various phases to the [C ii] flux vary significantly between these regions.
The Effect of Modified Gravity on the Odds of the Bound Violations of the Turn-around Radii
Authors: Lee Jounghun , Li Baojiu
Published: June 2017

The turn-around radii of the galaxy groups show the imprint of a long battle between their self-gravitational forces and the accelerating space. The standard ΛCDM cosmology based on the general relativity (GR) predicts the existence of an upper bound on the expectation value of the turn-around radius that is rarely violated by individual galaxy groups. We speculate that a deviation of the gravitational law from GR on the cosmological scale could cause an appreciable shift of the mean turn-around radius to higher values and make the occurrence of the bound violation more probable. Analyzing the data from high-resolution N-body simulations for two specific models with modified gravity (MG) and the standard GR+ΛCDM cosmology, we determine the turn-around radii of the massive Rockstar groups from the peculiar motions of the galactic halos located in the bound zone where the fifth force generated by MG is expected to be, at most, partially shielded. We detect a

signal of difference in the odds of the bound violations between a fiducial MG and the GR models, which proves that the odds of the bound violations increase with the strength of the fifth force produced by the presence of MG. The advantage of using the odds of the bound violations as a complementary diagnostics to probe the nature of gravity is discussed.
On the Origin of Sub-subgiant Stars. III. Formation Frequencies
Authors: Geller Aaron M. , Leiner Emily M. , Chatterjee Sourav , Leigh Nathan W. C. , Mathieu Robert D. , Sills Alison
Published: June 2017

Sub-subgiants (SSGs) are a new class of stars that are optically redder than normal main-sequence stars and fainter than normal subgiant stars. SSGs, as well as the possibly related red stragglers (which fall to the red of the giant branch), occupy a region of the color–magnitude diagram that is predicted to be devoid of stars by standard stellar evolution theory. In previous papers we presented the observed demographics of these sources and defined possible theoretical formation channels through isolated binary evolution, the rapid stripping of a subgiant’s envelope, and stellar collisions. SSGs offer key tests for single- and binary-star evolution and stellar collision models. In this paper, we synthesize these findings to discuss the formation frequencies through each of these channels. The empirical data, our analytic formation rate calculations, and analyses of SSGs in a large grid of Monte Carlo globular cluster models suggest that the binary evolution channels may be the most prevalent, though all channels appear to be viable routes to SSG creation (especially in higher-mass globular clusters). Multiple formation channels may operate simultaneously to produce the observed SSG population. Finally, many of these formation pathways can produce stars in both the SSG and red straggler (and blue straggler) regions of the color–magnitude diagram, in some cases as different stages along the same evolutionary sequence.
Mind Your Ps and Qs: The Interrelation between Period (P) and Mass-ratio (Q) Distributions of Binary Stars
Authors: Moe Maxwell , Di Stefano Rosanne
Published: June 2017

We compile observations of early-type binaries identified via spectroscopy, eclipses, long-baseline interferometry, adaptive optics, common proper motion, etc. Each observational technique is sensitive to companions across a narrow parameter space of orbital periods P and mass ratios q = 

/M
1. After combining the samples from the various surveys and correcting for their respective selection effects, we find that the properties of companions to O-type and B-type main-sequence (MS) stars differ among three regimes. First, at short orbital periods P ≲ 20 days (separations a ≲ 0.4 au), the binaries have small eccentricities e ≲ 0.4, favor modest mass ratios

, and exhibit a small excess of twins q > 0.95. Second, the companion frequency peaks at intermediate periods log P (days) ≈ 3.5 (a ≈ 10 au), where the binaries have mass ratios weighted toward small values q ≈ 0.2–0.3 and follow a Maxwellian “thermal” eccentricity distribution. Finally, companions with long orbital periods log P (days) ≈ 5.5–7.5 (a ≈ 200–5000 au) are outer tertiary components in hierarchical triples and have a mass ratio distribution across q ≈ 0.1–1.0 that is nearly consistent with random pairings drawn from the initial mass function. We discuss these companion distributions and properties in the context of binary-star formation and evolution. We also reanalyze the binary statistics of solar-type MS primaries, taking into account that 30% ± 10% of single-lined spectroscopic binaries likely contain white dwarf companions instead of low-mass stellar secondaries. The mean frequency of stellar companions with q > 0.1 and log P (days) < 8.0 per primary increases from 0.50 ± 0.04 for solar-type MS primaries to 2.1 ± 0.3 for O-type MS primaries. We fit joint probability density functions

to the corrected distributions, which can be incorporated into binary population synthesis studies.
An Improved Method for Determining the Integrated Properties of Nuclear Rings: NGC 1512
Authors: Ma Chao , de Grijs Richard , Ho Luis C.
Published: June 2017

The integrated properties of nuclear rings are correlated with the secular evolution and dynamics of the host galaxies of the rings, as well as with the formation and evolution of the rings’ star cluster population(s). Here we present a new method to accurately measure the spectral energy distribution and current star formation rate (SFR) of the nuclear ring in the barred spiral galaxy NGC 1512, based on high-resolution Hubble and Spitzer Space Telescope images. Image degradation does not have a significant negative effect on the robustness of the results. To obtain the ring’s SFR for the period spanning ∼3–10 Myr, we apply our method to the continuum-subtracted Hα and 8 μm images. The resulting SFR surface density,

, is much higher than the disk-averaged SFR densities in normal galaxies. We also estimate the ring’s total stellar mass, log (M/M
⊙) = 7.1 ± 0.11, for an average age of ∼40 Myr.
Regard pédopsychiatrique sur le diagnostic de dysphasie
Authors: Bock Nathaëlle , Serre-Pradère Geneviève , Robel Laurence , Baubet Thierry
Published: June 2017

La dysphasie est un trouble sévère et persistant du développement du langage oral. Classiquement, l’atteinte du développement du langage est dite « spécifique », c’est à dire ne relevant pas d’une cause cliniquement identifiable. Devant la complexité du diagnostic de dysphasie, il nous a paru nécessaire de dresser un état des lieux synthétique de l’état des recherches dans le domaine à partir d’une revue de la littérature. Dans une seconde partie, nous formalisons certains de nos questionnements autour de ce diagnostic et de la notion de spécificité, nés de la confrontation entre notre expérience clinique et les points saillants des recherches actuelles. Au vu de leur pratique clinique, et étayés de leurs recherches, les auteurs plaident pour l’impérative nécessité d’une évaluation pédopsychiatrique chez tous les enfants chez lesquels une dysphasie est suspectée ou diagnostiquée. Mots-clés : dysphasie, langage, enfant, spécificité, comorbidités.
Soutien et cohésion sociale dans les crèches et les ontmoetingsplaatsen , en Belgique
Authors: Vandenbroeck Michel , Geens Naomi
Published: June 2017

Sachant que la question de la cohésion sociale se pose de plus en plus dans nos villes et qu’un ensemble de recherches s’accordent aujourd’hui pour conclure que le soutien social (informel) est probablement l’une des formes de soutien à la parentalité les plus universelles, cet article analyse le potentiel des crèches pour contribuer à deux objectifs distincts mais liés : le soutien social, comme un soutien aux parents, et la cohésion sociale, comme objectif sociétal. Les données empiriques comprennent des observations effectuées dans deux crèches à Gand et à Bruxelles, des entretiens collectifs réalisés avec des parents usagers de ces crèches, des entretiens collectifs avec les personnels de ces crèches et des entretiens collectifs avec des parents qui fréquentent avec leurs enfants un lieu de rencontre parents et enfants (ontmoetingsplaats) à Bruxelles. Les résultats conduisent à penser que les expériences de lieux de rencontre parents-enfants pourraient inspirer les équipes des crèches.
Correlation of the Features of the Lumbar Multifidus Muscle With Facet Joint Osteoarthritis
Authors: Yu Bo , Jiang Kaibiao , Li Xinfeng , Zhang Jidong , Liu Zude
Published: June 2017

Facet joint osteoarthritis is considered a consequence of the aging process; however, there is evidence that it may be associated with degenerative changes of other structures. The goal of this study was to investigate the correlation between lumbar multifidus muscle features and facet joint osteoarthritis. This retrospective study included 160 patients who had acute or chronic low back pain and were diagnosed with facet joint osteoarthritis on computed tomography scan. Morphometric parameters, including cross-sectional area, muscle-fat index, and percentage of bilateral multifidus asymmetry at L3–L4, L4–L5, and L5–S1, were evaluated with T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Patients with facet joint osteoarthritis had a smaller cross-sectional area and a higher muscle-fat index than those without facet joint osteoarthritis (
P
<.001). In multivariate regression analysis, older age and higher muscle-fat index were independently associated with facet joint osteoarthritis at all 3 spinal levels (
P
<.001). Smaller cross-sectional area was independently associated with facet joint osteoarthritis only at L4–L5 (
P
=.005). Asymmetry of the bilateral multifidus cross-sectional area was independently associated with facet joint osteoarthritis at L5–S1 (
P
=.009), but did not seem to be responsible for asymmetric degeneration of the bilateral facet joints. A higher multifidus muscle-fat index was independently associated with facet joint osteoarthritis, and bilateral multifidus size asymmetry was associated with the development of facet joint osteoarthritis at L5–S1. It seems more accurate to consider facet joint osteoarthritis a failure of the whole joint structure, including the paraspinal musculature, rather than simply a failure of the facet joint cartilage. [
Orthopedics.
2017; 40(5):e793–e800.]
Investigating Interrater Reliability in an Online RN-to-BSN Program: Disparate Conclusions
Authors: Kilanowski Jill F. , Abbott Miriam Bowers
Published: June 2017

Background:

Interrater reliability of student-written assignments within a nursing education program is a desirable characteristic to ensure uniform quality of academic work. As online programs that advance RNs to baccalaureate-prepared nurses (i.e., RN-to-BSN programs) grow in popularity, the challenges of quality control increase.

Method:

Grading data representing mean, median, mode, and range from 19 course sections in an online RN-to-BSN program were submitted. Data were analyzed for measures of central tendency with a query of interrater reliability.

Results:

The data indicate that instructors assess student performance at a uniformly high level.

Conclusion:

The data lead to two disparate conclusions: student performance is high and is reliably assessed as such, or the online program suffers from grade inflation. Such disparate conclusions are uniquely endemic to any program that serves the RN-to-BSN population, typically high-performing students who have established prior mastery on licensure examinations. [
J Nurs Educ.
2017;56(6):360–363.]
A Primer on Heroin and Fentanyl
Authors: Worley Julie
Published: June 2017

Heroin and fentanyl use have reached epidemic proportions in the United States and are now blamed for the majority of drug-related overdose deaths. Both drugs are produced primarily in South America and Asia and enter the United States illegally. One result of smoking or injecting heroin or fentanyl is the development of a substance use disorder (SUD), which causes changes in brain chemistry and function. These changes result in negative behaviors and an inability to stop use. Yet, treatments are available and recovery is possible. Nurses have the potential to impact the heroin and fentanyl epidemic through developing therapeutic relationships with patients who are at risk or already have a SUD. Strategies for effective communication include maintaining a supportive, nonjudgmental attitude and incorporating motivational interviewing. All patients should be screened for opioid use and referred for treatment if indicated. It is important for nurses to be knowledgeable about heroin and fentanyl and available treatments. [
Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 55
(6), 16–20.]
Identification and Treatment of Adolescents With Perinatal Anxiety and Depression
Authors: Hughes Linda Paine , Austin-Ketch Tammy , Volpe Ellen M. , Campbell-Heider Nancy
Published: June 2017

Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMAD) are the most common, yet under-diagnosed and undertreated complication of pregnancy, affecting up to 50% of pregnant and parenting teens. PMAD are a global health issue that can have devastating effects on the mental, physical, emotional, developmental health, and social life of the mother, infant, and family. Adolescents present with similar symptoms of PMAD as their adult counterparts, but also experience isolation from their peer group and lack of resources and coping strategies, as well as difficulty sleeping and lack of concentration and ability to focus. Nurses and nurse practitioners are in an ideal position to assess preexisting risk factors for PMAD. The current applied evidence-based article addresses the diagnosis of PMAD, provides a conceptual framework for understanding the intra- and interpersonal dynamics affecting teens with PMAD, and suggests a new screening tool to guide diagnosis. An easy to recall mnemonic for diagnosis and referral (SAIL AHEAD) is proposed. By using the SAIL AHEAD mnemonic, providers will impact adolescents' parenting success and resiliency, thereby enhancing their future success in life. [
Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services
,
55
(6), 23–29.]
Biomechanical Characterization of Subclinical Keratoconus Without Topographic or Tomographic Abnormalities
Authors: Vinciguerra Riccardo , Ambrósio Renato , Roberts Cynthia J. , Azzolini Claudio , Vinciguerra Paolo
Published: June 2017

PURPOSE:

To present a case series of patients with subclinical keratoconus with normal topometric (anterior curvature) and tomographic findings in one eye who showed abnormalities detected by Corvis ST (Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany) in vivo biomechanical assessment.

METHODS:

All patients had a complete ophthalmic examination, including the Corvis ST biomechanical measurements, optical tomography, and pachymetry with Pentacam (Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH), and Placido-based topography with either the Nidek (OPD III Nidek, Gamagori, Japan) or CSO platform (Costruzione Strumenti Oftalmici, Florence, Italy). Inclusion criteria were a clinical diagnosis of ectasia in one eye and normal topometric and tomographic findings in the fellow eye (subclinical keratoconus), including a Belin/Ambrósio Enhanced Ectasia total deviation index from the Pentacam with less than 1.6 standard deviations from normative values and a Corvis Biomechanical Index score of greater than 0.5 in both eyes.

RESULTS:

Tomographic and topographic analysis was normal in one eye and abnormal in the fellow eye in 12 patients. The biomechanical results with the Corvis Biomechanical Index were shown to be abnormal in both eyes of all patients and aided the diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS:

Biomechanical analysis showed abnormalities, whereas tomography and topography were normal. Basing on these findings, the authors suggest the use of biomechanics as an additional diagnostic tool.

[
J Refract Surg.
2017;33(6):399–407.]
Questionnaires for Measuring Refractive Surgery Outcomes
Authors: Kandel Himal , Khadka Jyoti , Lundström Mats , Goggin Michael , Pesudovs Konrad
Published: June 2017

PURPOSE:

To identify the questionnaires used to assess refractive surgery outcomes, assess the available questionnaires in regard to their psychometric properties, validity, and reliability, and evaluate the performance of the available questionnaires in measuring refractive surgery outcomes.

METHODS:

An extensive literature search was done on PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, CINAHL, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases to identify articles that described or used at least one questionnaire to assess refractive surgery outcomes. The information on content quality, validity, reliability, responsiveness, and psychometric properties was extracted and analyzed based on an extensive set of quality criteria.

RESULTS:

Eighty-one articles describing 27 questionnaires (12 refractive error–specific, including 4 refractive surgery–specific, 7 vision-but-non-refractive, and 8 generic) were included in the review. Most articles (56, 69.1%) described refractive error–specific questionnaires. The Quality of Life Impact of Refractive Correction (QIRC), the Quality of Vision (QoV), and the Near Activity Visual Questionnaire (NAVQ) were originally constructed using Rasch analysis; others were developed using the Classical Test Theory. The National Eye Institute Refractive Quality of Life questionnaire was the most frequently used questionnaire, but it does not provide a valid measurement. The QoV, QIRC, and NAVQ are the three best existing questionnaires to assess visual symptoms, quality of life, and activity limitations, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

This review identified three superior quality questionnaires for measuring different aspects of quality of life in refractive surgery. Clinicians and researchers should choose a questionnaire based on the concept being measured with superior psychometric properties.

[
J Refract Surg.
2017;33(6):416–424.]
Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE) for Hyperopia: Optical Zone Diameter and Spherical Aberration Induction
Authors: Reinstein Dan Z. , Pradhan Kishore R. , Carp Glenn I. , Archer Timothy J. , Gobbe Marine , Sekundo Walter , Khan Raynan , Dhungana Purushottam
Published: June 2017

PURPOSE:

To evaluate optical zone diameter efficacy and spherical aberration change in hyperopic small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE).

METHODS:

Prospective study of 60 consecutive hyperopic SMILE procedures using the VisuMax femtosecond laser (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Jena, Germany) and matched LASIK procedures with the VisuMax and MEL 80 excimer (Carl Zeiss Meditec) lasers. Inclusion criteria were maximum attempted hyperopic meridian of between +1.00 and +7.00 diopters (D). For SMILE, the transition zone was 2 mm and the mean optical programmed zone was 6.37 mm (range: 6.3 to 6.7 mm). Two LASIK control groups (6.5- and 7-mm optical zone) matched for spherical equivalent treated were generated. Both tangential and axial curvature difference maps were generated for each eye at 3 months. A fixed grid and set of concentric circles were superimposed on the difference map to measure the achieved optical zone diameter.

RESULTS:

Mean attempted spherical equivalent refraction was +5.58 ± 0.95 D (range: +3.20 to +6.50 D) in the SMILE group. By tangential mapping, SMILE programmed at a mean optical zone of 6.37 mm achieved a diameter of 5.03 ± 0.30 mm, similar to 7-mm LASIK (4.96 ± 0.25 mm,
P
= 0.33) but larger than 6.5-mm LASIK (4.53 ± 0.25 mm,
P
< .001). By axial mapping, the achieved optical zone diameter was 6.75 ± 0.31 mm for 6.37-mm SMILE, larger than for both 6.5-mm (6.61 ± 0.21 mm) and 7-mm (6.92 ± 0.14 mm) LASIK (
P
< .01). Spherical aberration changed on average by −0.45 ± 0.22
μ
m for 6.37-mm SMILE, similar to 7-mm LASIK (−0.50 ± 0.21
μ
m,
P
= .29) and less than for 6.5-mm LASIK (−0.69 ± 0.22
μ
m,
P
< .001).

CONCLUSIONS:

The mean achieved optical zone diameter of hyperopic SMILE was found to be larger than the mean achieved optical zone diameter of hyperopic LASIK. Consequently, spherical aberration induction was similar for 6.37-mm SMILE and 7-mm LASIK.

[
J Refract Surg.
2017;33(6):370–376.]
Biomechanical Changes After LASIK Flap Creation Combined With Rapid Cross-Linking Measured With Brillouin Microscopy
Authors: Randleman J. Bradley , Su Johnny P. , Scarcelli Giuliano
Published: June 2017

PURPOSE:

To evaluate the biomechanical changes occurring after LASIK flap creation and rapid corneal cross-linking (CXL) measured with Brillouin light microscopy.

METHODS:

Porcine eyes (n = 11) were evaluated by Brillouin light microscopy sequentially in the following order: virgin state, after LASIK flap creation, and after rapid CXL. Each eye served as its own control. Depth profile of the Brillouin frequency shift was computed to reveal the depth-dependent changes in corneal stiffness.

RESULTS:

There was a statistically significant reduction of Brillouin shift (reduced corneal stiffness) after LASIK flap creation compared to virgin corneas across total corneal thickness (−0.035 GHz,
P
= .0195) and within the anterior stromal region (−0.104 GHz,
P
= .0039). Changes in the central (−0.029 GHz,
P
= .0391) and posterior (−0.005 GHz,
P
= .99) stromal regions were not significant. There was a small increase in Brillouin shift after rapid cross-linking that was not statistically or clinically significant across total corneal thickness (0.006 GHz,
P
= .4688 for any specific stromal region; 0.002 to 0.009 GHz,
P
> .46 for all).

CONCLUSIONS:

LASIK flap creation significantly reduced Brillouin shift in the anterior third of the stroma in porcine eyes. Rapid corneal cross-linking had no significant effect on Brillouin shift after LASIK flap creation in porcine eyes. With further validation, non-contact, non-perturbative Brillouin microscopy could become a useful monitoring tool to evaluate the biomechanical impact of corneal refractive procedures and corneal cross-linking protocols.

[
J Refract Surg.
2017;33(6):408–414.]
Los manuscritos aljamiado-moriscos de la Bibliothèque nationale d’Algérie
Authors: Roza Candás Pablo
Published: June 2017

El presente trabajo se ocupa de dos códices aljamiados (n.º 614 y 1944) conservados en la Bibliothèque nationale d’Algérie, cuyo principal interés radica en el hecho de constituir los únicos ejemplares moriscos conservados en el norte de África. Si bien la existencia de estos dos manuscritos nos es conocida desde hace más de un siglo, las referencias por parte de los autores a estos volúmenes han sido más bien escasas y en su mayor parte deficientes. Junto a una completa revisión de las diversas catalogaciones existentes, ofrezco en este trabajo una detallada descripción codicológica que permita un conocimiento más exacto de este fondo morisco norteafricano. De igual manera, me ocupo aquí de la fortuna de estos dos ejemplares desde su composición, posiblemente en tierras de Aragón, hasta su depósito final en esta biblioteca argelina.
T Cell–Derived IL-10 Impairs Host Resistance to Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection
Authors: Moreira-Teixeira Lúcia , Redford Paul S. , Stavropoulos Evangelos , Ghilardi Nico , Maynard Craig L. , Weaver Casey T. , Freitas do Rosário Ana Paula , Wu Xuemei , Langhorne Jean , O’Garra Anne
Published: June 2017

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity, causing ∼1.5 million deaths annually. CD4+ T cells and several cytokines, such as the Th1 cytokine IFN-γ, are critical in the control of this infection. Conversely, the immunosuppressive cytokine IL-10 has been shown to dampen Th1 cell responses to M. tuberculosis infection impairing bacterial clearance. However, the critical cellular source of IL-10 during M. tuberculosis infection is still unknown. Using IL-10 reporter mice, we show in this article that during the first 14 d of M. tuberculosis infection, the predominant cells expressing IL-10 in the lung were Ly6C+ monocytes. However, after day 21 postinfection, IL-10–expressing T cells were also highly represented. Notably, mice deficient in T cell–derived IL-10, but not mice deficient in monocyte-derived IL-10, showed a significant reduction in lung bacterial loads during chronic M. tuberculosis infection compared with fully IL-10–competent mice, indicating a major role for T cell–derived IL-10 in TB susceptibility. IL-10–expressing cells were detected among both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, expressed high levels of CD44 and Tbet, and were able to coproduce IFN-γ and IL-10 upon ex vivo stimulation. Furthermore, during M. tuberculosis infection, Il10 expression in CD4+ T cells was partially regulated by both IL-27 and type I IFN signaling. Together, our data reveal that, despite the multiple immune sources of IL-10 during M. tuberculosis infection, activated effector T cells are the major source accounting for IL-10–induced TB susceptibility.
Activated B Cells Participating in the Anti-Myelin Response Are Excluded from the Inflamed Central Nervous System in a Model of Autoimmunity that Allows for B Cell Recognition of Autoantigen
Authors: Tesfagiorgis Yodit , Zhu Sarah L. , Jain Rajiv , Kerfoot Steven M.
Published: June 2017

Once activated, T cells gain the ability to access both healthy and inflamed nonlymphoid tissues. They are then reactivated to remain in the tissue and exert their effector function only if they encounter their specific Ag. In this study, we set out to determine if the same is true for B cells using a mouse model of CNS autoimmunity that incorporates both T and B cell recognition of a myelin autoantigen. Both T and B cells were common infiltrates of spinal cords in diseased mice. However, unlike T cells, anti-myelin B cells were excluded from the inflamed tissue. Further, CNS B cells did not have a phenotype consistent with Ag-specific activation as it occurs in lymphatic tissue. Instead, they expressed elevated levels of CD80, indicating that B cells may contribute to local inflammation through nonantigen-specific mechanisms.
Precisely Tracking Childhood Death
Authors: Farag Tamer H. , Koplan Jeffrey P. , Breiman Robert F. , Madhi Shabir A. , Heaton Penny M. , Mundel Trevor , Ordi Jaume , Bassat Quique , Menendez Clara , Dowell Scott F.
Published: June 2017

Little is known about the specific causes of neonatal and under-five childhood death in high-mortality geographic regions due to a lack of primary data and dependence on inaccurate tools, such as verbal autopsy. To meet the ambitious new Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 to eliminate preventable child mortality in every country, better approaches are needed to precisely determine specific causes of death so that prevention and treatment interventions can be strengthened and focused. Minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS) is a technique that uses needle-based postmortem sampling, followed by advanced histopathology and microbiology to definitely determine cause of death. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is supporting a new surveillance system called the Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance network, which will determine cause of death using MITS in combination with other information, and yield cause-specific population-based mortality rates, eventually in up to 12–15 sites in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia. However, the Gates Foundation funding alone is not enough. We call on governments, other funders, and international stakeholders to expand the use of pathology-based cause of death determination to provide the information needed to end preventable childhood mortality.
First Report on Natural Infection of Phlebotomus sergenti with Leishmania tropica in a Classical Focus of Leishmania major in Tunisia
Authors: Jaouadi Kaouther , Bettaieb Jihene , Bennour Amira , Salem Sadok , Rjeibi Mohamed Ridha , Chaabane Sana , Yazidi Rihab , Khabouchi Neila , Gharbi Adel , Salah Afif Ben
Published: June 2017

In Tunisia, chronic cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania tropica is an important health problem. Its spreading has not been fully elucidated. Information on sandfly vectors, as well as their associated Leishmania species, is of paramount importance since vector dispersion is one of the major factors responsible for pathogen dissemination. Ninety-seven unfed females belonging to the genera Sergentomyia and Phlebotomus were collected between June and August 2015 using sticky paper traps. Polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the internal transcribed spacer 1and sequencing were used for Leishmania detection and identification. In total, 650 sandflies were captured and identified (380 males and 270 females). Ninety-seven unfed females were tested for the presence of Leishmania parasite DNA. Six Phlebotomus sergenti were found positive for L. tropica. This novel finding enhances the understanding of the cycle extension of L. tropica outside its original focus of Tataouine.
Surgical Site Infections in a Rural Teaching Hospital of North India
Authors: Abbey Rajesh , Mohan Manjul , Malik Nitin , Tiwari Rohit , Nahar Shashank
Published: June 2017

Aims and objectives

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are one of the most important causes of health care-associated infections. Understanding SSI reduces the social and economic burden of a hospital and society. In this context, we evaluated the various aspects of SSI in our institution, Rohilkhand Medical College & Hospital (RMCH), which is a tertiary care teaching hospital in rural Uttar Pradesh in North India.

Materials and methods

This prospective study was conducted in the Department of General Surgery, RMCH, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India. A total number of 1,498 patients admitted for surgical procedures with effect from November 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016, formed the subjects of the present study. All operated cases during the above period, including major and minor, emergency and elective, laparoscopic and open procedures were included in the present study. Data so obtained were analyzed statistically. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA criteria were used for defining the wound. Sample swabs were collected from the first dressing and up to 2 to 4 weeks postoperatively. Samples were processed for aerobic and anaerobic flora, and the antibiotic sensitivity of the isolates was also performed.

Results and discussion

The SSI rate in the present study was 8.67%. Significantly higher incidence of SSI was detected with increasing age. The SSI rate in case of emergency surgeries was more (27.7%) as compared with routine/elective surgeries (6.3%). The higher incidence (18.75%) of SSI was detected in patients having preoperative hospital stay of more than 7 days, and the maximum incidence (15.7%) was observed in patients having longer postoperative hospital stay of more than 10 days. Dirty wounds had the highest incidence of SSI (53.45%). The incidence of SSI increased with duration of surgery, order of surgery, and with the increasing duration of postoperative drains. Staphylococcus aureus was the commonest isolate (32.30%) followed by Escherichia coli (39%).

Conclusion

Though the incidence of SSI in the present study was slightly low as compared with similar reports from other institutions of the country, more rational antibiotic policy and more stringent infection control measures are needed.

How to cite this article

Abbey RK, Mohan M, Malik N, Tiwari R, Nahar S. Surgical Site Infections in a Rural Teaching Hospital of North India. Int J Adv Integ Med Sci 2017;2(1):11-16.
Influence of urban pollution on the production of organic particulate matter from isoprene epoxydiols in central Amazonia
Authors: de Sá Suzane S. , Palm Brett B. , Campuzano-Jost Pedro , Day Douglas A. , Newburn Matthew K. , Hu Weiwei , Isaacman-VanWertz Gabriel , Yee Lindsay D. , Thalman Ryan , Brito Joel , Carbone Samara , Artaxo Paulo , Goldstein Allen H. , Manzi Antonio O. , Souza Rodrigo A. F. , Mei Fan , Shilling John E. , Springston Stephen R. , Wang Jian , Surratt Jason D. , Alexander M. Lizabeth , Jimenez Jose L. , Martin Scot T.
Published: June 2017

Abstract. The atmospheric chemistry of isoprene contributes to the production of a substantial mass fraction of the particulate matter (PM) over tropical forests. Isoprene epoxydiols (IEPOX) produced in the gas phase by the oxidation of isoprene under HO2-dominant conditions are subsequently taken up by particles, thereby leading to production of secondary organic PM. The present study investigates possible perturbations to this pathway by urban pollution. The measurement site in central Amazonia was located 4 to 6 h downwind of Manaus, Brazil. Measurements took place from February through March 2014 of the wet season, as part of the GoAmazon2014/5 experiment. Mass spectra of organic PM collected with an Aerodyne Aerosol Mass Spectrometer were analyzed by positive-matrix factorization. One resolved statistical factor (IEPOX-SOA factor) was associated with PM production by the IEPOX pathway. The IEPOX-SOA factor loadings correlated with independently measured mass concentrations of tracers of IEPOX-derived PM, namely C5-alkene triols and 2-methyltetrols (R = 0. 96 and 0.78, respectively). The factor loading, as well as the ratio f of the loading to organic PM mass concentration, decreased under polluted compared to background conditions. For an increase in NOy concentration from 0.5 to 2 ppb, the factor loading and f decreased by two to three fold. Overall, sulfate concentration explained 37 % of the variability in the factor loading. After segregation of factor loading into subsets based on NOy concentration, the sulfate concentration explained up to 75 % of the variability. Considering both factors, the data sets show that the suppressing effects of increased NO concentrations dominated over the enhancing effects of higher sulfate concentrations. The pollution from Manaus elevated NOy concentrations more significantly than sulfate concentrations relative to background conditions. In this light, increased emissions of nitrogen oxides, as anticipated for some scenarios of Amazonian economic development, could significantly alter pathways of PM production that presently prevail over the tropical forest, implying changes to air quality and regional climate.
Three years of measurements of light-absorbing aerosols in the marine air at Henties Bay, Namibia: seasonality, origin, and transport
Authors: Formenti Paola , Piketh Stuart , Namwoonde Andreas , Klopper Danitza , Cazaunau Mathieu , Feron Anais , Gaimoz Cecile , Broccardo Stephen , Walton Nicola , Desboeufs Karine , Siour Guillaume , Burger Roelof , Hanghome Mattheus , Mafwila Samuel , Omoregie Edosa , Junkermann Wolfgang , Maenhaut Willy
Published: June 2017

Abstract. Continuous measurements between July 2012 and December 2015 at the Henties Bay Aerosol Observatory (HBAO; 22° S, 14°05’ E), Namibia, show that, during the austral wintertime, transport of light-absorbing black carbon aerosols occurs at low-level into the marine boundary layer from the South East Atlantic coast. Daily concentrations reach 986 ng m-3 and display a seasonal maximum from May to August, ahead of the dry season peak of biomass burning in southern Africa (August to October). This outflow is due to either anti-cyclonic circulation or along-the-coast streamlines and contributes to the transport of both biomass and fossil fuel burning aerosols. We estimate that the particle number concentration associated with this transport could contribute up to 2000 cm-3 to the cloud droplet number concentration with respect to pristine conditions. Their direct radiative effect is negligible.
Two decades of in-situ temperature measurements in the upper troposphere and lowermost stratosphere from IAGOS long-term routine observation
Authors: Berkes Florian , Neis Patrick , Schultz Martin G. , Bundke Ulrich , Rohs Susanne , Smit Herman G. J. , Wahner Andreas , Konopka Paul , Boulanger Damien , Nédélec Philippe , Thouret Valerie , Petzold Andreas
Published: June 2017

Abstract. Despite several studies on temperature trends in the tropopause region, a comprehensive understanding of the evolution of temperatures in this climate-sensitive region of the atmosphere remains elusive. Here we present a unique global-scale, long-term data set of high-resolution in-situ temperature data measured aboard passenger aircraft within the European Research Infrastructure IAGOS (In-service Aircraft for a Global Observing System, www.iagos.org). This data set is used to investigate temperature trends within the global upper troposphere and lowermost stratosphere (UTLS) for the period 1995 to 2012 in different geographical regions and vertical layers of the UTLS. The largest amount of observations is available over the North Atlantic. Here, a neutral temperature trend is found within the lowermost stratosphere. This contradicts the temperature trend in the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecast (ECMWF) ERA-Interim reanalysis, where a significant (95 % confidence) temperature increase of +0.56 K/decade is obtained. Differences between trends derived from observations and reanalysis data can be traced back to changes in the temperature bias between observation and model data over the studied period. This study demonstrates the value of the IAGOS temperature observations as anchor point for the evaluation of reanalyses and its suitability for independent trend analyses.