bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evolutionary genomics of grape (
Vitis vinifera
ssp.
vinifera
) domestication
Authors: Zhou Yongfeng , Massonnet Mélanie , Sanjak Jaleal S. , Cantu Dario , Gaut Brandon S.
Published: October 2017

Significance

We generated genomic data to estimate the population history of grapes, the most economically important horticultural crop in the world. Domesticated grapes experienced a protracted, 22,000-y population decline prior to domestication; we hypothesize that this decline reflects low-intensity cultivation by humans prior to domestication. Domestication altered the mating system of grapes. The sex determination region is detectable as a region of heightened genetic divergence between wild and cultivated accessions. Based on gene expression analyses, we propose candidate genes that alter sex determination. Finally, grapes contain more deleterious mutations in heterozygous states than do their wild ancestors. The accumulation of deleterious mutations is due in part to clonal propagation, which shelters deleterious recessive mutations.
Narrative persuasion
Authors: Fitzgerald Kaitlin , Green Melanie C.
Published: October 2017

Narrative transportation theory is used to explain the processes that occur when an individual experiences a story. Transportation refers to the feeling of being immersed in a narrative, a state of cognitive, affective, and mental imagery engagement. Transportation can occur across media for both factual and fictional stories, and is typically measured with a self-report scale (Green & Brock, 2000). Transportation is a key mechanism underlying narrative influence on recipients’ attitudes and beliefs. Narrative persuasion through transportation has been demonstrated with a variety of topics, including health, social issues, and consumer products. Transportation theory suggests several mechanisms to explain this phenomenon, including reduced counter arguing, connections with characters, heightened perceptions of realism, the formation of vivid mental imagery, and emotional engagement.
The invention of violence
Authors: Taddei Renzo
Published: October 2017

Abstract1

This chapter presents and analyzes ethnographic data collected in Buenos Aires among soccer fans that are taken to behave in violent ways. The analysis addresses the relationship between fans and the police force. Using the theoretical framework proposed by Roy Wagner in The Invention of Culture, this text suggests that, with their single-minded focus on order and control, the police project the image of unruliness and resistance to police authority upon the soccer fans, which, in turn, induces the police to neurotically escalate and use violence. The fans, on the other hand, focus on heroic deeds and “protagonism” as part of their processes of individualization, and see the police force as an impediment to achieving their goals, which then leads them to act more energetically – hysterically – in their usual fandom activities. Neurosis and hysteria are used in specific ways, as shall be defined in the text.
Towards a model for discourse marker annotation
Authors: Bolly Catherine T. , Crible Ludivine , Degand Liesbeth , Uygur-Distexhe Deniz
Published: October 2017

This chapter presents an empirical method for the identification and annotation of discourse markers (DMs) in in spontaneous spoken French (MDMA project). Central to the proposal is the assumption that DMs may be described as clusters of features that, in specific patterns of combination, allow to distinguish DM use from other linguistic items fulfilling a non-propositional function, such as modal particles or pragmatic markers. The hypothesis underlying the annotation experiment is that the analysis of the distributional constraints imposed on specific markers should uncover reliable features for the identification and categorization of DMs. Multivariate statistics suggest a certain hierarchy between the different features under scrutiny, regarding their relevance and reliability, in the process of identifying DMs in context.
Fabrication and Physical Properties of Titanium Nitride/Hydroxyapatite Composites on Polyether Ether Ketone by RF Magnetron Sputtering Technique
Authors: Nupangtha W , Boonyawan D
Published: October 2017

Titanium nitride (TiN) coatings have been used very successfully in a variety of applications because of their excellent properties, such as the high hardness meaning good wear resistance and also used for covering medical implants. Hydroxyapatite is a bioactive ceramic that contributes to the restoration of bone tissue, which together with titanium nitride may contribute to obtaining a superior composite in terms of mechanical and bone tissue interaction matters. This paper aims to explain how to optimize deposition conditions for films synthesis on PEEK by varying sputtering parameters such as nitrogen flow rate and direction, deposition time, d-s (target-to-substrate distance) and 13.56 MHz RF power. The plasma conditions used to deposit films were monitored by the optical emission spectroscopy (OES). Titanium nitride/Hydroxyapatite composite films were performed by gas mixture with nitrogen and argon ratio of 1:3 and target-to-substrate distance at 8 cm. The gold colour, as-deposited film was found on PEEK with high hardness and higher surface energy than uncoated PEEK. X-ray diffraction characterization study was carried to study the crystal structural properties of these composites.
Sustaining our Natural Resources in the Face of Increasing Societal Demands on Agriculture: Directions for Future Research
Authors: Khanna Madhu , Swinton Scott M , Messer Kent D
Published: October 2017

U.S. agriculture is vital to meeting a growing global population’s demand for food, fiber, feed, and fuel. Smart technologies, big data, and improvements in crop genetics present producers with promising new opportunities for meeting these needs. However, a changing climate and an expanding global population impose challenges to increasing crop and livestock production while sustaining the natural resource base and protecting environmental quality. Sustainable agricultural development will call for systems approaches to allocate land among competing uses, coupled with the adoption of conservation technologies incentivized by cost‐effective policies that have been based on evidence from sound economic, behavioral, biological, and technological research. This paper suggests directions for future research in nine key dimensions that can fill important gaps in the existing literature and build on new research methods and policy needs, as well as inform strategies for sustainable growth of agriculture.
PaRSnIP: sequence-based protein solubility prediction using gradient boosting machine
Authors: Rawi Reda , Mall Raghvendra , Kunji Khalid , Shen Chen-Hsiang , Kwong Peter D , Chuang Gwo-Yu
Published: October 2017

Motivation

Protein solubility can be a decisive factor in both research and production efficiency, and in silico sequence-based predictors that can accurately estimate solubility outcomes are highly sought.

Results

In this study, we present a novel approach termed PRotein SolubIlity Predictor (PaRSnIP), which uses a gradient boosting machine algorithm as well as an approximation of sequence and structural features of the protein of interest. Based on an independent test set, PaRSnIP outperformed other state-of-the-art sequence-based methods by more than 9% in accuracy and 0.17 in Matthew’s correlation coefficient, with an overall accuracy of 74% and Matthew’s correlation coefficient of 0.48. Additionally, PaRSnIP provides importance scores for all features used in training. We observed higher fractions of exposed residues to associate positively with protein solubility and tripeptide stretches with multiple histidines to associate negatively with solubility. The improved prediction accuracy of PaRSnIP should enable it to predict protein solubility with greater reliability and to screen for sequence variants with enhanced manufacturability.

Availability and implementation

PaRSnIP software is available for download under GitHub (https://github.com/RedaRawi/PaRSnIP).

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Krait: an ultrafast tool for genome-wide survey of microsatellites and primer design
Authors: Du Lianming , Zhang Chi , Liu Qin , Zhang Xiuyue , Yue Bisong
Published: October 2017

Microsatellites are found to be related with various diseases and widely used in population genetics as genetic markers. However, it remains a challenge to identify microsatellite from large genome and screen microsatellites for primer design from a huge result dataset. Here, we present Krait, a robust and flexible tool for fast investigation of microsatellites in DNA sequences. Krait is designed to identify all types of perfect or imperfect microsatellites on a whole genomic sequence, and is also applicable to identification of compound microsatellites. Primer3 was seamlessly integrated into Krait so that users can design primer for microsatellite amplification in an efficient way. Additionally, Krait can export microsatellite results in FASTA or GFF3 format for further analysis and generate statistical report as well as plotting.

Availability and implementation

Krait is freely available at https://github.com/lmdu/krait under GPL2 License, implemented in C and Python, and supported on Windows, Linux and Mac operating systems.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Deep-water calibration of echosounders used for biomass surveys and species identification
Authors: Haris Kunnath , Kloser Rudy J , Ryan Tim E , Malan Jacques
Published: October 2017

Acoustic quantification of aquatic biomass using echosounders requires accurate calibration. With the advancing applications of deep-water echosounders involving moored, towed, profiling and autonomous instruments, calibration of echosounders at the operating depth is needed to ensure unbiased estimates of biomass and species identification. In this context, the deepwater calibration acoustic facility (DeCAF) was used to examine the depth-dependent variations in on-axis gain (G0) and equivalent two-way beam angle (Ψ) of three different transducers, operating at 38 (Simrad ES38-DD and MSI-38) and 120 kHz (Simrad ES120-7CD) used for biomass surveys and species identification. The analyses carried out using the sphere calibration method reveal significant variations in calibrated G0 and Ψ that in combination could result in substantial systemic biases in quantitative biomass estimation and species identification. The depth-dependent G0 variations derived using the DeCAF system are in accordance with available deep-water calibration results, demonstrating reasonable repeatability of target strength measurements (±0.6 dB) over the calibration deployments. Importantly, Ψ of the transducers was calculated to be consistently lower than the values specified by the manufacturer, and for one transducer would result in 18% change in the estimated biomass. These results highlight the potential for bias if the Ψ of transducer is not independently calculated using the actual survey echosounder.
Salvage radiotherapy for second oligo-recurrence in patients with breast cancer
Authors: Miyata Mari , Ohguri Takayuki , Yahara Katsuya , Yamaguchi Shinsaku , Imada Hajime , Korogi Yukunori
Published: October 2017

A new concept designated ‘oligo-recurrence (OR)’ has been proposed, which indicates one to several distant metastases/recurrences in one or more organs, which can be treated with local therapy, after the primary site of the cancer has been controlled. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and toxicity of salvage radiotherapy (RT) for the second OR of breast cancer. The second OR was defined as once-salvaged patients with OR who had a second failure that was also detected as the state of OR. Twenty-one patients with second OR were treated with salvage RT and were retrospectively analyzed. The sites of the second OR were locoregional recurrence in 7 patients and distant metastasis in 14 patients. Salvage RT was performed at a median total dose of 60 Gy. Nineteen (90%) patients had an objective response. The median overall survival and progression-free survival (PFS) times were 41 and 24 months after salvage RT for the second OR, respectively. The 3-year local (in-field) control (LC) rates were 93%. The toxicities were mild; acute toxicities ≥Grade 3 were seen in one patient with Grade 3 dermatitis, and no late toxicity ≥Grade 2 was observed. In conclusion, salvage RT for the second OR was able to achieve a better LC rate and longer PFS time without inducing severe toxicity, and therefore may be a potentially effective modality for inducing long-term survival in select patients.
HPV awareness and vaccination rates in college-aged male athletes
Authors: McCutcheon Tonna , Schaar Gina , Herline Alan , Hayes Rachel
Published: October 2017

College-aged males are at high risk for human papillomavirus (HPV); however, vaccination rates remain low, suggesting minimal HPV knowledge. Therefore, an educational intervention was developed and implemented to determine if an increase in HPV knowledge, perceived HPV risk, intention and perceived self-efficacy to obtain the vaccine, and vaccination rates were observed.
Anticholinergics for asthma: a long history
Authors: Rodrigo Gustavo J.
Published: October 2017

Purpose of review

To provide a fast overview about the introduction and development of anticholinergic drugs in Western medicine to their current indications particularly in asthma.

Recent findings

Although short-acting muscarinic antagonists have been positioned in the last 15 years for the treatment of adults and children with moderate-to-severe acute asthma in the emergency setting (reducing the risk of hospital admissions and improving lung function), a growing body of evidence has recently emerged that positions the long-acting muscarinic anticholinergic tiotropium bromide as add-on therapy to at least inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) maintenance therapy in adults, adolescents, and children with symptomatic asthma. Thus, the addition of tiotropium bromide to ICS alone or ICS and another controller was associated with significant improvements in spirometric measures and asthma control, and a significantly decrease in the rate of asthma exacerbations.

Short-acting muscarinic antagonists and tiotropium bromide have a well established role in the treatment of different phases of asthma. Further data are needed to provide more evidence on other selective long-acting muscarinic antagonists in addition to tiotropium as potential treatment options.
Accelerated atheromatosis and arteriosclerosis in primary systemic vasculitides: current evidence and future perspectives
Authors: Argyropoulou Ourania D. , Protogerou Athanase D. , Sfikakis Petros P.
Published: October 2017

Purpose of review

Primary systemic vasculitides (PSV) encompass a subset of autoimmune diseases, characterized by inflammation of blood vessels. Atheromatosis and arteriosclerosis may be accelerated in several PSV and account for the increased rate of cardiovascular morbidity that some exhibit. We aimed to summarize recent studies reporting on the acceleration of atheromatosis and/or arteriosclerosis in each type of PSV, using state-of-the-art noninvasive vascular biomarkers with clinical value as end points.

Recent findings

Limited number of PSV patients and methodology limitations reduce the value of many published studies. Accelerated atheromatosis, as measured by the use of carotid ultrasonagraphy (plaques and intimal–medial thickening) and increased arterial stiffening, as measured by the use of applanation tonometry (carotid to femoral pulse wave velocity), are currenly well established in Takayasu arteritis, Kawasaki disease and Behcet's disease. The association of atheromatosis and arteriosclerosis with polyarteritis nodosa and small vessel vasculitides remains less established and studied, so far.

Accelerated atheromatosis and arteriosclerosis or arteriosclerosis are established in some PSV. The potential clinical value of easy-to-measure and clinically useful noninvasive vascular biomarkes prompts the need for large prospective cohorts in order to provide useful future guidance regarding the prognosis and treatment of PSV patients.
Continuous Infraclavicular Brachial Block Versus Single-Shot Nerve Block for Distal Radius Surgery: A Prospective Randomized Control Trial
Authors: Ganta Abhishek , Ding David , Fisher Nina , Lavery Jessica , Jain Sudheer , Tejwani Nirmal C.
Published: October 2017

Objectives:

To compare the efficacy of an infraclavicular single-shot nerve block to a continuous infusion through an OnQ infusion pump for rebound pain (between 12 and 24 hours postoperatively) and postoperative narcotic analgesia requirements in distal radius fractures.

Design:

Prospective randomized control trial.

Settings:

Performed at 2 hospitals affiliated with a large urban academic medical center.

Patients:

Fifty patients undergoing operative fixation of distal radius fractures (OTA/AO type 23B/C).

Intervention:

Patients were randomized to receive either an infraclavicular block as a single shot (SSB group) or a continuous infusion through an OnQ pump (OnQ group).

Main Outcome Measures:

Visual analog scale (0–10) pain levels and amount of pain medication taken.

Results:

At all time points after discharge, mean postoperative pain scores were lower in the OnQ group versus the SSB group but did not reach statistical significance. At 12 hours postoperatively, the SSB group and OnQ group pain scores, respectively, were 5.2 and 4.1 (P = 0.1615). At 24 hours, the pain scores for the SSB and OnQ group, respectively, were 5.4 and 4.8 (P = 0.1918). At these same time points, the Percocet taken were the same at 1.3 and 2.3 (P = 0.8328 and 0.8617). Overall 5 of 24 patients in the OnQ group had pump malfunctions with 4 being removed before 48 hours.

Conclusion:

OnQ pump is not associated with statistically improved postoperative pain control compared with a single nerve block for distal radius fractures and did not address rebound pain.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Racial Differences in Palliative Care Use After Stroke in Majority-White, Minority-Serving, and Racially Integrated U.S. Hospitals
Authors: Faigle Roland , Ziai Wendy C. , Urrutia Victor C. , Cooper Lisa A. , Gottesman Rebecca F.
Published: October 2017

Objectives:

Racial/ethnic differences in palliative care resource use after stroke have been recognized, but it is unclear whether patient or hospital characteristics drive this disparity. We sought to determine whether palliative care use after intracerebral hemorrhage and ischemic stroke differs between hospitals serving varying proportions of minority patients.

Design:

Population-based cross-sectional study.

Setting:

Inpatient hospital admissions from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample between 2007 and 2011.

Patients:

A total of 46,735 intracerebral hemorrhage and 331,521 ischemic stroke cases.

Interventions:

Palliative care use.

Measurements and Main Results:

Intracerebral hemorrhage and ischemic stroke admissions were identified from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample between 2007 and 2011. Hospitals were categorized based on the percentage of ethnic minority stroke patients (< 25% minorities [“white hospitals”], 25–50% minorities [“mixed hospitals”], or > 50% minorities [“minority hospitals”]). Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between race/ethnicity and palliative care use within and between the different hospital strata. Stroke patients receiving care in minority hospitals had lower odds of palliative care compared with those treated in white hospitals, regardless of individual patient race/ethnicity (adjusted odds ratio, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.50–0.84 for intracerebral hemorrhage and odds ratio, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.50–0.77 for ischemic stroke). Ethnic minorities had a lower likelihood of receiving palliative care compared with whites in any hospital stratum, but the odds of palliative care for both white and minority intracerebral hemorrhage patients was lower in minority compared with white hospitals (odds ratio, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.50–0.87 for white and odds ratio, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.46–0.88 for minority patients). Similar results were observed in ischemic stroke.

Conclusions:

The odds of receiving palliative care for both white and minority stroke patients is lower in minority compared with white hospitals, suggesting system-level factors as a major contributor to explain race disparities in palliative care use after stroke.
Patterns of Failure in Patients With Adult Medulloblastoma Presenting Without Extraneural Metastasis
Authors: Mokhtech Meriem , Morris Christopher G. , Indelicato Daniel J. , Rutenberg Michael S. , Amdur Robert J.
Published: October 2017

Objectives:

The objective of this study is to evaluate long-term outcomes, specifically patterns of tumor recurrence, in patients with adult medulloblastoma treated with radiotherapy.

Methods:

We recorded outcomes of 28 (median age, 25 y) patients 18 years old or above with M0 to M3 medulloblastoma treated between 1971 and 2012. Among them, 61% had standard-risk disease. All received craniospinal irradiation with a posterior fossa boost. Median dose to the craniospinal axis was 36 Gy. Median total dose to the primary site was 55.9 Gy and 46% received chemotherapy.

Results:

Median follow-up among survivors was 14.2 years. At 5 and 10 years, local control was 80% and 73%, overall survival was 71% and 59%, cause-specific survival was 71% and 63%, and freedom from progression was 68% and 59%. Tumors recurred in 11 patients (39%); median time to recurrence was 2.4 years, and 82% of recurrences developed in patients with standard-risk disease. Of the recurrences, 55% involved the primary site; 36% were bone metastases without neural axis recurrence. There were no isolated recurrences in the spinal canal or ventricular system outside of the posterior fossa.

Conclusion:

The primary site is the main site of medulloblastoma recurrence, with isolated bone metastases more common in adults than children. Our results prompt us to consider 4 modifications to our treatment approach with adults who present with medulloblastoma: (1) initial staging to include PET or bone scan; (2) radiotherapy dose to the primary site of 59.4 Gy; (3) chemotherapy during and/or following radiotherapy in medically fit patients; (4) follow-up to include PET or bone scan twice a year for 3 years.
Diagnosis of Axillary Web Syndrome in Patients After Breast Cancer Surgery
Authors: Figueira Patricia V.G. , Haddad Cinira A.S. , de Almeida Rizzi Samantha K.L. , Facina Gil , Nazario Afonso C.P.
Published: October 2017

Objectives:

Axillary web syndrome (AWS) is a complication after breast cancer surgery associated with the axillary approach. We defined a diagnosis tool as well as evaluated cord frequency, characteristics, and risk factors.

Methods:

A prospective cohort study of 173 women followed-up at Breast Diseases Division of Universidade Federal de São Paulo between July 2014 and September 2015 was established as an evaluation protocol to diagnose AWS. Sociodemographic status, anthropometric values, range of motion, comorbidities, pain, cord frequency, and characteristics (localization, number, palpable, and/or visible) among other data were collected at different time points before and after surgery.

Results:

The majority of the cords appeared by the seventh day (66.1%), and the total incidence of the cords was 90.9% at the 180th day. The axilla was the place for 80% of the occurrence of AWS, and >70% of the cords were palpable. Flexion and abduction of the shoulder showed reduced range of motion. Pain was present in 39.7% of the patients. Lymphadenectomy as well as hypertension were associated with increased risk of cord development; diabetes was associated with a decreased risk.

Conclusions:

The evaluation protocol applied here showed a high incidence of AWS, with palpable cords more frequent than visible ones. The significance of hypertension and diabetes mellitus as risk factors for cord development in AWS should be evaluated in future studies. The evaluation protocol developed in this study seems to be of great importance for early detection of AWS and could also be valuable for future treatment planning.
Keratitis After Post-Kala-Azar Dermal Leishmaniasis
Authors: Pradhan Aditya , Basak Samar , Chowdhury Tuhin , Mohanta Ayan , Chatterjee Ananya
Published: October 2017

Purpose:

To report 2 cases of keratitis occurring after post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) in immunocompetent patients.

Methods:

Case report and literature review.

Results:

Two male patients presented with a dense stromal infiltrate in the temporal and superior aspects of the cornea, respectively. Microbiological workup in both patients did not show any offending organism. Both patients were undergoing treatment for PKDL in the form of oral miltefosine. After careful deliberation, topical prednisolone was started under antibiotic cover for both patients with close follow-up. There was a dramatic improvement with resolution of the infiltrate and a good visual outcome.

Conclusions:

We present the first reported cases of keratitis after PKDL, which responded to topical corticosteroid therapy. The treating clinician must be made aware of such a presentation of leishmaniasis especially in endemic areas.
Prospective Clinical Trial of Corneal Reconstruction With Biomaterial-Free Cultured Oral Mucosal Epithelial Cell Sheets
Authors: Kim Yu Jeong , Lee Hyun Ju , Ryu Jin Suk , Kim Yun Hee , Jeon Saewha , Oh Joo Youn , Choung Ho Kyung , Khwarg Sang In , Wee Won Ryang , Kim Mee Kum
Published: October 2017

Purpose:

To investigate the efficacy and safety of transplantation with biomaterial-free cultured oral mucosal epithelial cell sheets (COMECs) for ocular reconstruction in subjects with total limbal stem cell deficiency.

Methods:

A prospective clinical trial (NCT02149732) was conducted in 8 subjects with total limbal stem cell deficiency after approval from the institutional review board of Seoul National University Hospital (H-0707-043-213) and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of Korea. COMECs were prepared in a culture system without the use of any temperature-sensitive polymers or carriers. The COMECs were transplanted without suture fixation. Four subjects underwent penetrating keratoplasty after stabilization of the COMEC transplant. Stable epithelialization, changes in visual acuity, and postoperative complications were evaluated for 6 months. Corneal cytokeratins (K) of 4 subjects who underwent penetrating keratoplasty were stained with an immunofluorescent agent.

Results:

The ocular surface was successfully reconstructed in 6 eyes. Complete stable epithelialization was achieved within a mean of 53.6 days. Visual improvement (≥2 lines) was achieved in 62.5% of the eyes. K12 (corneal phenotype), K4, and K13 (mucosal phenotype) were well expressed in grafts after keratoplasty, whereas K1, K8, and K19 were barely expressed. No ocular infections, local tumor formation, or remarkable systemic complications were observed. Ocular reconstruction using COMECs failed in 2 eyes, which had full symblepharon in 4 quadrants.

Conclusions:

Transplanting biomaterial-free COMECs seems to be an efficient and safe procedure to reconstruct the ocular surface in patients who are completely limbal stem cell deficient without a full symblepharon.
H. pylori infection and gastric cancer in Bangladesh: a case-control study
Authors: Sarker Khandker Kawser , Kabir Md. Jahangir , Bhuyian A.K.M. Minhaj uddin , Alam Md. Shahjadul , Chowdhury Fazle Rabbi , Ahad M. Abdul , Rahman Md. Anisur , Rahman M. Mizanur
Published: October 2017

Background:

Like that of other Asian countries gastric cancer (GC) is also a leading cancer in Bangladesh and also a cause for cancer-related mortality. Infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the strongest recognized risk factor for gastric adenocarcinoma. The infection is also prevalent in common people. This case-control study was carried out to find an association between GC and H. pylori infection in the community.

Materials and Methods:

To evaluate association of H. pylori and carcinoma of stomach this study was conducted at National Institute of Cancer Research & Hospital, Dhaka from January 2013 to December 2014. H. pylori status was determined serologically by using H. pylori kit in the department of Biochemistry laboratory of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University. In total, 114 patients with GC and 520 patients not having GC were studied as controls. Logistic regression method was used to calculate the odds ratio.

Results:

Significantly more patients in the case group (86.8%) were found to be seropositive for H. pylori antigen in contrast to the control group (67.5%). All of the cases in the present study were in advanced stage. No significant association between H. pylori seropositivity and tumor location was found. It was noted that undifferentiated gastric carcinoma had slightly more association with H. pylori infection. Younger H. pylori–infected patients had been found to be at higher relative risk for GC than older patients.

Conclusion:

As there is a strong association found between GC and H. pylori infection special emphasis to eradicate H. pylori infection might reduce the incidence of this dreadly disease.
Hybrid Deep Learning on Single Wide-field Optical Coherence tomography Scans Accurately Classifies Glaucoma Suspects
Authors: Muhammad Hassan , Fuchs Thomas J. , De Cuir Nicole , De Moraes Carlos G. , Blumberg Dana M. , Liebmann Jeffrey M. , Ritch Robert , Hood Donald C.
Published: October 2017

Purpose:

Existing summary statistics based upon optical coherence tomographic (OCT) scans and/or visual fields (VFs) are suboptimal for distinguishing between healthy and glaucomatous eyes in the clinic. This study evaluates the extent to which a hybrid deep learning method (HDLM), combined with a single wide-field OCT protocol, can distinguish eyes previously classified as either healthy suspects or mild glaucoma.

Methods:

In total, 102 eyes from 102 patients, with or suspected open-angle glaucoma, had previously been classified by 2 glaucoma experts as either glaucomatous (57 eyes) or healthy/suspects (45 eyes). The HDLM had access only to information from a single, wide-field (9×12 mm) swept-source OCT scan per patient. Convolutional neural networks were used to extract rich features from maps derived from these scans. Random forest classifier was used to train a model based on these features to predict the existence of glaucomatous damage. The algorithm was compared against traditional OCT and VF metrics.

Results:

The accuracy of the HDLM ranged from 63.7% to 93.1% depending upon the input map. The retinal nerve fiber layer probability map had the best accuracy (93.1%), with 4 false positives, and 3 false negatives. In comparison, the accuracy of the OCT and 24-2 and 10-2 VF metrics ranged from 66.7% to 87.3%. The OCT quadrants analysis had the best accuracy (87.3%) of the metrics, with 4 false positives and 9 false negatives.

Conclusions:

The HDLM protocol outperforms standard OCT and VF clinical metrics in distinguishing healthy suspect eyes from eyes with early glaucoma. It should be possible to further improve this algorithm and with improvement it might be useful for screening.
Relationship Between Optic Nerve Head Drusen Volume and Structural and Functional Optic Nerve Damage
Authors: Skaat Alon , Muylaert Stephanie , Mogil Rachel S. , Furlanetto Rafael L. , Netto Camila F. , Banik Rudrani , Liebmann Jeffrey M. , Ritch Robert , Park Sung Chul
Published: October 2017

Purpose:

The purpose of this study is to assess the relationships between optic nerve head drusen (ONHD) volume, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and visual field (VF) loss.

Methods:

Patients with ONHD and no other ocular or systemic conditions that can affect RNFL or VF were enrolled. Serial enhanced depth imaging (EDI) optical coherence tomography (OCT) B-scans of the optic nerve head (interval between scans, ~30 μm) were obtained from each participant. ONHD volume was calculated for each eye by delineating the ONHD masses in each OCT B-scan using 3-dimensional reconstruction software.

Results:

A total of 47 eyes (28 patients) with ONHD were included (mean age, 57±16 y). ONHD volume varied considerably [0.265±0.227 (range, 0.005 to 0.855)] mm3. Linear and quadratic regression analyses demonstrated that ONHD volume is significantly associated with both global average RNFL thickness (linear R
2=0.531, quadratic R
2=0.557; P<0.001) and VF mean deviation (linear R
2=0.519, quadratic R
2=0.522; P<0.001). ONHD were most prevalent in the nasal quadrant (46 eyes, 98%), followed by superior, inferior and temporal quadrants [35 (74%), 30 (64%), and 16 (34%) eyes respectively]. The proportion of eyes with OCT RNFL defects (81%; 38/47 eyes) was significantly greater than that with VF defects (60%; 28/47 eyes) (P<0.001). RNFL defects were detected in 10 of the 19 eyes with no VF defects. RNFL defects were detected in all 28 eyes with VF defects.

Conclusions:

ONHD volume generally correlates with structural and functional optic nerve damage.
Male‐specific Association Between Fat‐Free Mass Index and Fecal Microbiota in 2‐ to 3‐Year‐Old Australian Children
Authors: Smith‐Brown Paula , Morrison Mark , Krause Lutz , Davies Peter S.W.
Published: October 2017

Objectives:

Maturation of the gut microbiota has been shown to influence childhood growth, whereas alterations in microbiota composition are proposed to be causally related to the development of overweight and obesity. The objective of this study is to explore the association between microbiota profile, body size, and body composition in young children.

Methods:

Fecal microbiota was examined by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, whereas body composition was assessed using the deuterium oxide dilution technique in a cohort of 37 well‐nourished 2‐ to 3‐year‐old Australian children.

Results:

Microbiota composition (weighted UniFrac distance) was shown to be significantly associated with FFMI (fat‐free mass index) z score (P = 0.027, adonis) in boys but not girls. In boys, FFMI z score was significantly correlated with the relative abundance of an OTU (Operational Taxonomic Unit) belonging to the Ruminococcaceae family (Rho = 0.822, P < 0.001, pFDR (false discovery rate adjusted P value) = 0.002, n = 18). At a FDR <0.2, FFMI z score in boys was positively associated with the relative abundance of OTU related to Dorea formicigenerans and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and negatively correlated to an OTU related to Bacteroides cellulosilyticus.

Conclusions:

These results suggest that previously reported associations between microbiota composition and body size may be driven by an association with fat‐free mass, particularly in males.
Donor Human Milk and Fortifier Use in United States Level 2, 3, and 4 Neonatal Care Hospitals
Authors: Perrin Maryanne T.
Published: October 2017

Objective:

In 2011, the United States Surgeon General issued a call to action to “identify and address obstacles to greater availability of safe banked donor milk for fragile infants.” The purpose of the present study is to analyze patterns in donor human milk (DHM) and fortifier use in level 2, 3, and 4 neonatal facilities in 2015 and to identify factors associated with nonuse.

Methods:

Data from the 2015 Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care survey, conducted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, were analyzed for questions about feeding practices within neonatal hospitals.

Results:

The percentage of neonatal facilities that reported using DHM in 2015 was 38.3%, up 74% from 2011. The majority of level 3 and level 4 facilities reported using DHM (65.7% and 73.3%, respectively) and fortifiers (96.1% and 91.9%, respectively). Within DHM‐using facilities, a wide range of DHM feeding patterns was reported. The prevalence of DHM use was higher in facilities that had the highest rates of mother's own milk feedings (P < 0.001), in facilities that were participating in the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (P < 0.001), and in facilities that were in a state with an operating milk bank (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

DHM use continues to increase in advanced care neonatal settings, with significant difference based on acuity level, facility size, breast‐feeding culture, and proximity to a milk bank. Geographic gaps in DHM use provide the opportunity for targeted efforts to improve access.
Impact of Race and Ethnicity on Outcomes for Children Waitlisted for Pediatric Liver Transplantation
Authors: Mogul Douglas B. , Luo Xun , Chow Eric K. , Massie Allan B. , Purnell Tanjala S. , Schwarz Kathleen B. , Cameron Andrew M. , Bridges John F.P. , Segev Dorry L.
Published: October 2017

Objective:

African Americans and other minorities are known to face barriers to health care influencing their access to organ transplantation but it is not known whether these barriers exist among pediatric liver transplant waitlist candidates. We sought to determine whether outcomes on the waitlist (ie, mortality, deceased donor liver transplantation [DDLT], and living‐donor liver transplantation [LDLT]) varied by race/ethnicity.

Methods:

National registry data were studied to estimate the race/ethnicity‐specific risk of waitlist mortality, DDLT and LDLT in children (<18 years) waitlisted between March 2002 and March 2015.

Results:

There was no evidence of racial/ethnic disparities in waitlist mortality. Compared to Caucasians, LDLT varied by race/ethnicity, with only 6.7% African Americans and 10.3% Hispanic children receiving LDLT compared with 12.4% Caucasian, 13.3% Asian, and 9.4% mix/other children. In an adjusted Cox proportional hazards model, African Americans were half as likely as Caucasians to use LDLT (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.410.550.73) but had similar use of DDLT (HR: 0.981.061.16). In a model that considered mortality, DDLT, and LDLT as competing risks, African Americans had significantly reduced incidence of LDLT (subhazard ratio [sHR]: 0.410.560.75) compared to Caucasians, but increased use of DDLT (sHR: 1.061.161.26).

Conclusions:

Compared to Caucasian children, African‐American children are less likely to use LDLT but have higher rates of DDLT and similar survival on the waitlist. Additional research is necessary to understand the clinical and socioeconomic factors contributing to lower utilization of LDLT among African‐American children awaiting transplantation.
The Prevalence and Investigation of Risk Factors of Oral Mucositis in a Pediatric Oncology Inpatient Population; a Prospective Study
Authors: Allen Gabrielle , Logan Richard , Revesz Tom , Keefe Dorothy , Gue Sam
Published: October 2017

Background:

Oral mucositis can be a frequent and severe complication of chemotherapy in children. It can result in pain, infection, depression, prolonged admission, treatment delays, increase in patient morbidity, and increased costs.

Aim:

To record the prevalence and severity of oral mucositis among inpatients and explore the relationship of risks factors and the development of oral mucositis.

Design:

During an 18-month period 643 clinical inpatient assessments were completed on 73 children who were admitted and had received chemotherapy in the last 14 days.

Results:

There were 43 episodes of oral mucositis in 31 children; 42.5% of the inpatient population. World Health Organization assessment identified 32.6% of episodes were grade 1, 34.9% grade 2, 14.0% grade 3, and 18.6% grade 4. Analysis revealed significant associations between patient diagnosis (P<0.0001), chemotherapy cycles (P<0.0001), day 8 and 9 of the chemotherapy cycle (P<0.05), and neutropenia (P<0.0001) and oral mucositis. Children had increased length of admission with increasing severity of oral mucositis (P=0.0005).

Conclusions:

The prevalence of oral mucositis was 42.5% among inpatients and admission length was increased with increasing severity. Patient diagnosis, chemotherapy treatment block, day of chemotherapy cycle, and neutropenic status were shown to influence the risk of developing oral mucositis.
Respectful Disposition After Miscarriage
Authors: Levang Elizabeth , Limbo Rana , Ziegler Tammara Ruiz
Published: October 2017

Compassionate clinical practice guidelines for healthcare providers for respectful disposition after miscarriage are presented. When woven into the whole of a clinician's practice, these guidelines provide the framework for giving women and their families the care they want and deserve when experiencing miscarriage. Relying on theoretical concepts of personhood, place, and protection, care providers can assess the unique meaning a woman assigns to her early pregnancy loss and offer interventions that embrace the concept of respectful disposition. Respectful methods of disposition involve a continuum of care that shows respect for remains and relies on person-, family-, and culture-centered nursing care. Policies, practices, and perspectives that flow from respectful disposition have women and families at their core and flexibility to cocreate care. This involves courage and competence. Several states have enacted fetal disposition laws, but these mandates are of questionable benefit because the expertise of healthcare leaders, nurses, physicians, chaplains, and other stakeholders must be involved in this sensitive and important area of care. Compassionate care cannot be legislated. We offer a practical approach to respectful disposition, including how to handle and prepare remains and examples of burial and memorial services, which will give clinicians the ability to respond empathetically and respectfully to the heart-rending plea of a woman who asks, “Where is my baby?”
Newborn Safety Bundle to Prevent Falls and Promote Safe Sleep
Authors: Lipke Bethann , Gilbert Gael , Shimer Heather , Consenstein Larry , Aris Christine , Ponto Lynne , Lafaver Susan , Kowal Christopher
Published: October 2017

Purpose:

At our Baby-Friendly USA hospital, with at least 80% of mothers breastfeeding and rooming-in, it is not uncommon for mothers to fall asleep in their hospital bed while feeding. The aim of this study was to develop a newborn infant safety bundle and evaluate its efficacy in helping reduce unsafe sleep situations while simultaneously preventing newborn falls.

Study Design and Method:

Data were collected in March 2015 using an infant at risk-to-fall instrument prior to nurses initiating the newborn infant safety bundle. The bundle included: (a) a parent safety agreement; (b) education, teach-back, and role modeling of safe sleep practices; and (c) implementation of a reporting and debriefing system for infant falls. All new mothers were eligible for inclusion. Data were collected over a random month every quarter for four quarters (through June 2016).

Results:

Fourteen percent (n = 23) of babies born at the hospital in March 2015 were found to be exposed to risk-to-fall situations; over half of their mothers were found asleep and still holding the baby. Following bundle implementation, identified unsafe sleep situations during June 2015 to June 2016 have trended down with no reports of an infant fall through May 2017.

Clinical Implications:

Increasing parental awareness, understanding, and participation in safe sleep practice creates and maintains a safer infant environment in the hospital setting.
In Vitro Effect of Lysozyme on Albumin Deposition to Hydrogel Contact Lens Materials
Authors: Babaei Omali Negar , Subbaraman Lakshman N. , Heynen Miriam , Fadli Zohra , Coles-Brennan Chantal , Jones Lyndon W.
Published: October 2017

SIGNIFICANCE

Albumin deposition on contact lenses could be detrimental to contact lens (CL) wear because this may increase the risk of bacterial binding and reduce comfort. Lysozyme deposition on selected lens materials would reduce albumin deposition on lenses.

PURPOSE

This study aims to determine if lysozyme deposition on CLs could act as a barrier against subsequent albumin adsorption, using an in vitro model.

METHODS

Six hydrogel CL materials (etafilcon A, polymacon, nelfilcon A, omafilcon A, ocufilcon B, and nesofilcon A) were evaluated. Four CLs of each type were soaked in lysozyme solution for 16 hours at 37°C. Lysozyme-coated lenses were then placed in vials with 1.5 mL of artificial tear solution containing 125I-labeled albumin for 16 hours at 37°C with shaking. Four uncoated lenses of each type were used as controls. Lenses soaked in radiolabeled albumin were rinsed in a phosphate-buffered saline solution, and radioactive counts were measured directly on lenses using a gamma counter. Albumin uptake on lenses was measured using a calibration curve by plotting radioactive counts versus protein concentration.

RESULTS

Results are reported as mean ± SD. Lysozyme-coated etafilcon A lenses exhibited lower levels of deposited albumin than uncoated etafilcon A lenses (58 ± 12 vs. 84 ± 5 ng/lens; P < .05). There were no differences in albumin adsorption between control (uncoated) and lysozyme-coated polymacon (105 ± 10 vs. 110 ± 34 ng/lens), nelfilcon A (51 ± 7 vs. 42 ± 20 ng/lens), omafilcon A (90 ± 20 vs. 80 ± 38 ng/lens), ocufilcon B (87 ± 20 vs. 115 ± 50 ng/lens), and nesofilcon A (170 ± 29 vs. 161 ± 10 ng/lens) lens materials (P > .05). Uncoated nesofilcon A lenses deposited the highest amount of albumin when compared with other uncoated lenses (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that lysozyme deposited onto etafilcon A resists the deposition of albumin, which may potentially be beneficial to CL wearers.
Ovarian Metastases of Breast Cancers With Signet Ring Cells: A Report of 17 Cases Including 14 Krukenberg Tumors
Authors: Bennett Jennifer A. , Young Robert H. , Chuang Ai-Ying , Lerwill Melinda F.
Published: October 2017

Krukenberg tumor, defined as metastatic adenocarcinoma to the ovary containing at least 10% signet ring cells, usually arises from the stomach but can also originate from other sites. We reviewed 17 metastatic breast carcinomas to the ovary with signet ring cells to potentially identify features indicative of mammary origin as opposed to other possible primary sites. The patients ranged from 41 to 76 (mean, 53.6) yr. Fourteen had a prior history of invasive breast carcinoma (invasive ductal carcinoma, 4; invasive lobular carcinoma, 3; adenocarcinoma not otherwise specified, 3; carcinoma with ductal and lobular features, 2; and unspecified carcinoma, 2) and metastases were identified 2 to 284 (mean, 79) mo after the original diagnosis. Three patients had no known history of invasive breast carcinoma: 1 was subsequently diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma, 1 had suspicious bilateral breast masses identified on imaging, and 1 was lost to follow-up. Bilateral ovarian metastases were present in 87%, and the tumors ranged from 3.8 to 19 (mean, 8) cm. Microscopically the ovarian architecture was effaced in 71% by discrete tumor lobules separated by striking edema. The tumors exhibited a variety of histologic patterns: nests were most common (88%), followed by cords (82%), diffuse sheets (82%), single cells (71%), small clusters (41%), glands (29%), and follicle-like cysts (12%). Signet ring cells comprised 2% to 70% (mean, 33%) of the tumors, with 14 cases meeting the criteria for Krukenberg tumor. Signet ring cells were most frequently observed within diffuse sheets (71%) and cords (65%). Tumor cells arranged in nests, cords, and diffuse sheets are typical of Krukenberg tumor of breast origin, and the patterns recapitulate those seen in primary breast carcinomas. Features characteristic of gastrointestinal origin, such as extracellular mucin, intestinal-type glands, dirty necrosis, microcysts, and goblet cell carcinoid-like foci, were absent. The overall morphologic picture in cases of ovarian spread of breast cancer with signet ring cells is usually strongly suggestive of mammary origin. The diagnosis can be further supported by the clinical history and immunohistochemical evaluation.