bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Noninvasive Transfontanelle Monitoring of the Intracerebral Pressure in Comparison With an Invasive Intradural Intracranial Pressure Device: A Prospective Study
Authors: Behmanesh Bedjan , Bartels Marco , Gessler Florian , Filmann Natalie , Seifert Volker , Setzer Matthias , Freiman Thomas M.
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUND: We previously introduced a novel noninvasive technique of intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring in children with open fontanelles.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the ICP obtained by our new technique to the ICP derived from an intradurally implanted ICP measurement device (external ventricular drain, subdural ICP device).

METHODS: Children with open fontanelles and need of intracranial monitoring were included in this study. A standard ICP probe was placed upon the frontal fontanelle and data were compared with the values recorded by an already invasively implanted subdural ICP technique. The 2 methods of ICP measurement were evaluated using the correlation coefficient, Bland and Altman method and method comparison by Carstensen.

RESULTS: Five children under the age of 1 year with an open frontal fontanelle were included in this study. Three were male and 2 were female. Mean age was 7 months. A total of 139 pairs of measurements were assessed. Mean transfontanelle ICP was 7.6 mm Hg. Mean ICP measured subdurally was 5.4 mm Hg. The correlation analysis showed a correlation coefficient of 0.7. The Bland-Altman plot revealed a good accuracy of the new method with >95% of the values within the limits of agreement. An additional method comparison analysis confirmed the finding of accurate ICP measurements between both applied methods.

CONCLUSION: The noninvasive transfontanelle ICP monitoring method displayed a high validity and reliability as proven by correlation analysis. This novel technique might therefore be an interesting and promising tool for noninvasive ICP monitoring in children. But further research is necessary to evaluate the accuracy of this technique in children with elevated ICP.
Endovascular Treatment of Large and Giant Carotid Aneurysms with Flow-Diverter Stents Alone or in Combination with Coils: A Multicenter Experience and Long-Term Follow-up
Authors: Peschillo Simone , Caporlingua Alessandro , Resta Maria Chiara , Peluso Jo Peter Paul , Burdi Nicola , Sourour Nader , Diana Francesco , Guidetti Giulio , Clarençon Frédéric , Bloemsma Gijs Coenraad , Di Maria Federico , Donatelli Massimo , Resta Maurizio
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUND: Although flow diverters (FDs) have been widely accepted by neurointerventionists, their safety has yet to be fully defined. Stratification by aneurysm size and location is essential for correct evaluation of treatment outcomes and risks of flow diversion.

OBJECTIVE: To compare neurological and anatomic outcomes and evaluate the risk of complications after endovascular treatment of large or giant internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms with FD/FDs alone or together with coil embolization.

METHODS: We reviewed all patients with large or giant, ruptured or unruptured ICA aneurysms who underwent endovascular treatment with flow diversion alone (group A) or with concomitant coiling (group B) in 4 international institutions between 2010 and 2015. Anatomic outcome was evaluated using the Byrne scale on digital subtraction angiography and/or angioMRI and/or angioCT scans 3, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively.

RESULTS: We collected 44 patients with large or giant ICA aneurysms. Four patients (9%) presented with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). FD/FDs were used alone in 26 patients and in combination with coil embolization in the 18 remaining patients. The mortality rate due to procedure-related and/or neurological complications was 2.2%. Twelve months after the procedure, 88.6% (n = 39) of patients had a favorable neurological outcome. One year after the procedure, the aneurysm was completely occluded in 72.7% of patients: 61.5% (16/18) in group A and 88.9% (16/26) in group B.

CONCLUSION: Clinical outcomes and rates of intraoperative and postoperative complications did not differ significantly between the groups. Better anatomic results using FD/FDs combined with coils were documented 6 months after the procedure; this option seems to provide a higher aneurysm occlusion rate and reduce the need for retreatment.
Pregnancy Intention and Maternal Alcohol Consumption
Authors: Pryor Jason , Patrick Stephen W. , Sundermann Alexandra C. , Wu Pingsheng , Hartmann Katherine E.
Published: March 2017

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate whether women planning a pregnancy are less likely to use alcohol in early pregnancy than those with unintended pregnancies.

METHODS:

Right From the Start (2000–2012) is a prospective, community-based pregnancy cohort. Maternal demographic, reproductive, and behavioral data were collected in telephone interviews at enrollment (mean±standard deviation 48±13 days of gestation) and later in the first trimester (mean±standard deviation 85±21 days of gestation). Alcohol consumption characteristics were included in the interviews. We used logistic regression to investigate the association of pregnancy intention with alcohol use.

RESULTS:

Among 5,036 women, 55% reported using alcohol in the first trimester with 6% continuing use at the first-trimester interview. Pregnancy was planned by 70% of participants. Alcohol use occurred in 55% and 56% of intended and unintended pregnancies, respectively (P=.32). Adjusting for confounders, women with intended pregnancies were 31% less likely to consume any alcohol in early pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.69, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.60–0.81) or binge drink (adjusted OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.54–0.86). Most women, regardless of intention, stopped or decreased alcohol consumption in early pregnancy.

CONCLUSION:

The majority of women, irrespective of intention, stopped or decreased drinking after pregnancy recognition. This suggests promoting early pregnancy awareness could prove more effective than promoting abstinence from alcohol among all who could conceive.
Diagnostic Tests for Evaluation of Stillbirth
Authors: Page Jessica M. , Christiansen-Lindquist Lauren , Thorsten Vanessa , Parker Corette B. , Reddy Uma M. , Dudley Donald J. , Saade George R. , Coustan Donald , Rowland Hogue Carol J. , Conway Deborah , Bukowski Radek , Pinar Halit , Heuser Cara C. , Gibbins Karen J. , Goldenberg Robert L. , Silver Robert M.
Published: March 2017

OBJECTIVE:

To estimate the usefulness of each diagnostic test in the work-up for potential causes of stillbirth.

METHODS:

A secondary analysis of 512 stillbirths enrolled in the Stillbirth Collaborative Research Network from 2006 to 2008 was performed. The Stillbirth Collaborative Research Network was a multisite, geographically, racially, and ethnically diverse, population-based study of stillbirth in the United States. Participants underwent standardized evaluations that included maternal interview, medical record abstraction, biospecimen collection, fetal autopsy, and placental pathology. Also, most participants had a clinical work-up that included karyotype, toxicology screen, syphilis serology, antibody screen, fetal–maternal hemorrhage testing, and testing for antiphospholipid antibodies as well as testing performed on biospecimens for research purposes. Previously, each participant had been assigned probable and possible causes of death using the Initial Causes of Fetal Death classification system. In this analysis, tests were considered useful if a positive result established (or helped to establish) this cause of death or a negative result excluded a cause of death that was suspected based on the clinical history or other results.

RESULTS:

The usefulness of each test was as follows: placental pathology 64.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 57.9–72.0), fetal autopsy 42.4% (95% CI 36.9–48.4), genetic testing 11.9% (95% CI 9.1–15.3), testing for antiphospholipid antibodies 11.1% (95% CI 8.4–14.4), fetal–maternal hemorrhage 6.4% (95% CI 4.4–9.1), glucose screen 1.6% (95% CI 0.7–3.1), parvovirus 0.4% (95% CI 0.0–1.4), and syphilis 0.2% (95% CI 0.0–1.1). The utility of the tests varied by clinical presentation, suggesting a customized approach for each patient.

CONCLUSION:

The most useful tests were placental pathology and fetal autopsy followed by genetic testing and testing for antiphospholipid antibodies.
Fetoscopic Open Neural Tube Defect Repair
Authors: Belfort Michael A. , Whitehead William E. , Shamshirsaz Alireza A. , Bateni Zhoobin H. , Olutoye Oluyinka O. , Olutoye Olutoyin A. , Mann David G. , Espinoza Jimmy , Williams Erin , Lee Timothy C. , Keswani Sundeep G. , Ayres Nancy , Cassady Christopher I. , Mehollin-Ray Amy R. , Sanz Cortes Magdalena , Carreras Elena , Peiro Jose L. , Ruano Rodrigo , Cass Darrell L.
Published: March 2017

OBJECTIVE:

To describe development of a two-port fetoscopic technique for spina bifida repair in the exteriorized, carbon dioxide-filled uterus and report early results of two cohorts of patients: the first 15 treated with an iterative technique and the latter 13 with a standardized technique.

METHODS:

This was a retrospective cohort study (2014–2016). All patients met Management of Myelomeningocele Study selection criteria. The intraoperative approach was iterative in the first 15 patients and was then standardized. Obstetric, maternal, fetal, and early neonatal outcomes were compared. Standard parametric and nonparametric tests were used as appropriate.

RESULTS:

Data for 28 patients (22 endoscopic only, four hybrid, two abandoned) are reported, but only those with a complete fetoscopic repair were analyzed (iterative technique [n=10] compared with standardized technique [n=12]). Maternal demographics and gestational age (median [range]) at fetal surgery (25.4 [22.9–25.9] compared with 24.8 [24–25.6] weeks) were similar, but delivery occurred at 35.9 (26–39) weeks of gestation with the iterative technique compared with 39 (35.9–40) weeks of gestation with the standardized technique (P<.01). Duration of surgery (267 [107–434] compared with 246 [206–333] minutes), complication rates, preterm prelabor rupture of membranes rates (4/12 [33%] compared with 1/10 [10%]), and vaginal delivery rates (5/12 [42%] compared with 6/10 [60%]) were not statistically different in the iterative and standardized techniques, respectively. In 6 of 12 (50%) compared with 1 of 10 (10%), respectively (P=.07), there was leakage of cerebrospinal fluid from the repair site at birth. Management of Myelomeningocele Study criteria for hydrocephalus–death at discharge were met in 9 of 12 (75%) and 3 of 10 (30%), respectively, and 7 of 12 (58%) compared with 2 of 10 (20%) have been treated for hydrocephalus to date. These latter differences were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION:

Fetoscopic open neural tube defect repair does not appear to increase maternal–fetal complications as compared with repair by hysterotomy, allows for vaginal delivery, and may reduce long-term maternal risks.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION:

ClinicalTrials.gov, https://clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02230072.
High-energy Pediatric Scapula Fractures and Their Associated Injuries
Authors: Shannon Steven F. , Hernandez Nicholas M. , Sems Stephen A. , Larson Annalise N. , Milbrandt Todd A.
Published: March 2017

Objectives:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate pediatric scapula fractures occurring in high-energy motorized vehicle accidents and their associated injury patterns in a pediatric patient population.

Methods:

One thousand nine hundred sixty-eight pediatric patients who presented after either on-road or off-road motorized vehicle accidents between 1996 and 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Thirty-eight patients were found to have scapula fractures and the remaining 1930 were identified as controls.

Results:

A total of 39 scapula fractures occurred in 38 patients. The most common pattern was the AO/OTA 14-A3 (n=32), followed by 14-A2 (n=5), 14-B1 (n=1), and 14-C2 (n=1). Scapula fracture patients experienced higher rate of spine fractures (42% vs. 18%, P=0.001), skull fractures (26% vs. 12%, P=0.02), rib fractures (40% vs. 7.6%, P<0.0001), clavicle fractures (34% vs. 6%, P<0.0001), and upper extremity fractures (58% vs. 21%, P<0.0001) compared with controls. Scapula fracture patients had higher Injury Severity Scores (22.1 vs. 10.8, P<0.0001), thoracic injury (79% vs. 31%, P<0.0001), intracranial hemorrhage (32% vs. 15%, P=0.012), pneumothorax (55% vs. 8%, P<0.0001), and lung contusion (63% vs. 12%, P<0.0001). No difference in mortality was observed for scapula and control patients (5% vs. 2%, P=0.302).

Conclusions:

Pediatric scapula fractures were not associated with higher mortality rates in this series but were associated with significant morbidity as demonstrated by high rates of associated intracranial hemorrhage, skull fractures, thoracic injury, upper extremity fractures, and spine fractures compared with control patients. Surgeons who care for pediatric trauma patients should view scapula fractures as an indicator for more significant injuries.

Level of Evidence:

Level III.
Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion Versus Mini-open Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion With Oblique Self-anchored Stand-alone Cages for the Treatment of Lumbar Disc Herniation
Authors: Kuang Lei , Wang Bing , Lü Guohua
Published: March 2017

Study Design.

A retrospective study.

Objective.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of mini-open ALIF (MO-ALIF) with self-anchored stand-alone cages for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation in comparison with transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF).

Summary of Background Data.

Currently, whether ALIF is superior to TLIF for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation remains controversial.

Methods.

This study retrospectively reviewed 82 patients who underwent MO-ALIF with self-anchored standalone cages (n = 42) or TLIF (n = 40) for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation between April 2013 and October 2014. Patient demographics, intraoperative parameters, and perioperative complications were collated. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS) scoring, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for pain in the leg and back, and radiological outcomes, including fusion, lumbar lordosis (LL), disc height (DH), and cage subsidence were evaluated at each follow-up for up to 2 years.

Results.

Patients who underwent TLIF had a significantly higher volume of blood loss (295.2 ± 81.4vs. 57.0 ± 15.2 mL) and longer surgery time (130.7 ± 45.1vs. 60.4 ± 20.8 min) than those who had MO-ALIF. Compared with baseline, both groups had significant improvements in the VAS and ODI scores and DH and LL postoperatively, though no significant difference was found between the two groups regarding these indexes. All patients reached solid fusion at the final follow-up in both groups. Three patients (3/42) with three levels (3/50) suffered from cage subsidence in the MO-ALIF group; meanwhile, no cage subsidence occurred in the TLIF group.

Conclusion.

MO-ALIF with self-anchored stand-alone cages is a safe and effective treatment of lumbar disc herniation with less surgical trauma and similar clinical and radiological outcomes compared with TLIF.

Level of Evidence:3
Targeting of protein translation as a new treatment paradigm for prostate cancer
Authors: Ramamurthy Vidya P. , Ramalingam Senthilmurugan , Kwegyir-Afful Andrew K. , Hussain Arif , Njar Vincent C.O.
Published: March 2017

Purpose of review

The current overview will summarize some of the developments in the area of protein translation, including their relation to the therapeutic targeting of prostate cancer.

Recent findings

Translational control, mediated by the rate-limiting eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E), drives selective translation of several oncogenic proteins, thereby contributing to tumor growth, metastasis, and treatment resistance in various cancers, including prostate cancer. As an essential regulatory hub, several oncogenic hyperactive signaling pathways appear to converge on eIF4E to promote tumorigenesis. Several approaches that target the eIF4E-dependent protein translation network are being actively studied, and it is likely that some may ultimately emerge as promising anticancer therapeutics.

An array of inhibitors has shown promise in targeting specific components of the translational machinery in several preclinical models of prostate cancer. It is hoped that some of these approaches may ultimately have relevance in improving the clinical outcomes of patients with advanced prostate cancer.
CHANGES IN THE POSTERIOR VITREOUS AFTER CATARACT SURGERY ASSESSED BY SWEPT-SOURCE OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY
Authors: Otsuka Yuki , Ooto Sotaro , Yoshimura Nagahisa
Published: March 2017

Purpose:

To assess changes in the posterior vitreous caused directly by phacoemulsification with implantation of an intraocular lens, using the enhanced vitreous swept-source optical coherence tomography system (Topcon, Tokyo, Japan).

Methods:

Consecutive patients with cataract without posterior vitreous detachment were enrolled. Swept-source optical coherence tomography examinations were performed 1 day before and several days after surgery, using enhanced vitreous visualization. We compared preoperative and postoperative posterior vitreous status and measured the distance between the internal limiting membrane and the posterior vitreous membrane at 26 locations at the posterior pole.

Results:

Images of 33 eyes (21 patients) could be analyzed. The perifoveal posterior vitreous detachment was not extended in any eyes, and the internal limiting membrane to posterior vitreous membrane distance before and after surgery did not differ at any location measured (P = 0.071–1.000). The posterior precortical vitreous pocket was dilated in three eyes. Age, gender, axial length, preoperative visual activity, nuclear sclerosis, duration of surgery, and duration between surgery and swept-source optical coherence tomography did not differ between the dilated vitreous pocket group (n = 3) and the unchanged group (n = 30).

Conclusion:

The height of the posterior vitreous membrane remained unchanged after surgery, although the posterior precortical vitreous pocket was dilated in three patients. Cataract surgery procedures seem to have little influence on the posterior vitreous membrane.
Subglottic Stenosis Following Cardiac Surgery With Cardiopulmonary Bypass in Infants and Children
Authors: Kruse Katherine E. , Purohit Prashant J. , Cadman C. Ross , Su Felice , Aghaeepour Nima , Hammer Gregory B.
Published: March 2017

Objectives:

To determine the 1) incidence of subglottic stenosis in infants and children following cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass and 2) risk factors associated with its development.

Design:

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting:

Tertiary children’s hospital in California.

Patients:

Infants and children who underwent cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.

Interventions:

Diagnosis of subglottic stenosis by tracheoscopy.

Measurements and Main Results:

The incidence of subglottic stenosis at our institution during the study period was 0.7%. Young age (p = 0.014), prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass (p = 0.03), and prolonged mechanical ventilation (p < 0.01) were associated with the development of subglottic stenosis. Gender, chromosomal anomaly, presence of a cuffed endotracheal tube, and lowest core temperature during cardiopulmonary bypass were not associated with the development of subglottic stenosis.

Conclusions:

The incidence of subglottic stenosis was less than that previously reported in this population. Although the incidence is relatively low, subglottic stenosis is a serious complication of tracheal intubation and all measures to prevent subglottic stenosis should be undertaken.
Postoperative pain—from mechanisms to treatment
Authors: Pogatzki-Zahn Esther M. , Segelcke Daniel , Schug Stephan A.
Published: March 2017

Introduction:

Pain management after surgery continues to be suboptimal; there are several reasons including lack of translation of results from basic science studies and scientific clinical evidence into clinical praxis.

Objectives:

This review presents and discusses basic science findings and scientific evidence generated within the last 2 decades in the field of acute postoperative pain.

Methods:

In the first part of the review, we give an overview about studies that have investigated the pathophysiology of postoperative pain by using rodent models of incisional pain up to July 2016. The second focus of the review lies on treatment recommendations based on guidelines and clinical evidence, eg, by using the fourth edition of the “Acute Pain Management: Scientific Evidence” of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists and Faculty of Pain Medicine.

Results:

Preclinical studies in rodent models characterized responses of primary afferent nociceptors and dorsal horn neurons as one neural basis for pain behavior including resting pain, hyperalgesia, movement-evoked pain or anxiety- and depression-like behaviors after surgery. Furthermore, the role of certain receptors, mediators, and neurotransmitters involved in peripheral and central sensitization after incision were identified; many of these are very specific, relate to some modalities only, and are unique for incisional pain. Future treatment should focus on these targets to develop therapeutic agents that are effective for the treatment of postoperative pain as well as have few side effects. Furthermore, basic science findings translate well into results from clinical studies. Scientific evidence is able to point towards useful (and less useful) elements of multimodal analgesia able to reduce opioid consumption, improve pain management, and enhance recovery.

Conclusion:

Understanding basic mechanisms of postoperative pain to identify effective treatment strategies may improve patients' outcome after surgery.
Bilateral Retrobulbar Optic Neuropathy Associated With Golimumab
Authors: de Frutos-Lezaun Marta , Bidaguren Aritz , de la Riva Patricia , Meneses Carlos F. , Olascoaga Javier
Published: March 2017

We report the first documented case of retrobulbar optic neuropathy associated with golimumab. A 48-year-old man was admitted with a 3-week history of progressive visual loss of his left eye. He had received a second infusion of golimumab for ankylosing spondylitis 10 days before admission. A magnetic resonance imaging scan showed enhancement of both optic nerves and visual evoked potentials were consistent with demyelinating bilateral optic neuropathy, although visual acuity drop in the right eye could not be determined because of deep amblyopia. No improvement was observed after golimumab dechallenge or corticosteroid treatment. Demyelinating complications related to treatment with tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors (TNFAI) have been previously described. Golimumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody, is the most recently developed TNFAI and thus, fewer adverse effects have been reported. Further studies should be developed to elucidate if variability in golimumab's pharmacokinetics or TNF receptor binding affinity could explain different safety profiles compared with other TNFAI.
Genome-wide association study results for educational attainment aid in identifying genetic heterogeneity of schizophrenia
Authors: Bansal V. , Mitjans M. , Burik C.A.P. , Linnér R.K. , Okbay A. , Rietveld C.A. , Begemann M. , Bonn S. , Ripke S. , de Vlaming R. , Nivard M.G. , Ehrenreich H. , Koellinger P.D.
Published: March 2017

Higher educational attainment (EA) is negatively associated with schizophrenia (SZ). However, recent studies found a positive genetic correlation between EA and SZ. We investigated possible causes of this counterintuitive finding using genome-wide association study results for EA and SZ (N = 443,581) and a replication cohort (1,169 controls; 1,067 cases) with deeply phenotyped SZ patients. We found strong genetic dependence between EA and SZ that cannot be explained by chance, linkage disequilibrium, or assortative mating. Instead, several genes seem to have pleiotropic effects on EA and SZ, but without a clear pattern of sign concordance. Genetic heterogeneity of SZ contributes to this finding. We demonstrate this by showing that the polygenic prediction of clinical SZ symptoms can be improved by taking the sign concordance of loci for EA and SZ into account. Furthermore, using EA as a proxy phenotype, we isolateFOXO6andSLITRK1as novel candidate genes for SZ.
Histone gene replacement reveals a post-transcriptional role for H3K36 in maintaining metazoan transcriptome fidelity
Authors: Meers Michael P. , Henriques Telmo , Lavender Christopher A. , McKay Daniel J. , Strahl Brian D. , Duronio Robert J. , Adelman Karen , Matera A. Gregory
Published: March 2017

Histone H3 lysine 36 methylation (H3K36me) is thought to participate in a host of co-transcriptional regulatory events. To study the function of this residue independent from the enzymes that modify it, we used a “histone replacement” system inDrosophilato generate a non-modifiable H3K36 lysine-to-arginine (H3K36R) mutant. We observed global dysregulation of mRNA levels in H3K36R animals that correlates with the incidence of H3K36me3. Similar to previous studies, we found that mutation of H3K36 also resulted in H4 hyperacetylation. However, neither cryptic transcription initiation, nor alternative pre-mRNA splicing, contributed to the observed changes in expression, in contrast with previously reported roles for H3K36me. Interestingly, knockdown of the RNA surveillance nuclease, Xrn1, and members of the CCR4-Not deadenylase complex, restored mRNA levels for a class of downregulated, H3K36me3-rich genes. We propose a posttranscriptional role for modification of replication-dependent H3K36 in the control of metazoan gene expression.

Impact Statement

Post-translational modification of histone H3K36 is neither required to suppress cryptic transcription initiation nor to include alternative exons in Drosophila; instead it promotes expression of active genes by stimulating polyadenylation.
Synaptic and peptidergic connectome of a neurosecretory centre in the annelid brain
Authors: Williams Elizabeth A. , Verasztó Csaba , Jasek Sanja , Conzelmann Markus , Shahidi Réza , Bauknecht Philipp , Jékely Gáspár
Published: March 2017

Neurosecretory centres in animal brains use peptidergic signalling to influence physiology and behaviour. Understanding neurosecretory centre function requires mapping cell types, synapses, and peptidergic networks. Here we use electron microscopy and gene expression mapping to analyse the synaptic and peptidergic connectome of an entire neurosecretory centre. We mapped 78 neurosecretory neurons in the brain of larvalPlatynereis dumerilii, a marine annelid. These neurons form an anterior neurosecretory organ expressing many neuropeptides, including hypothalamic peptide orthologues and their receptors. Analysis of peptide-receptor pairs revealed sparsely connected networks linking specific neuronal subsets. We experimentally analysed one peptide-receptor pair and found that a neuropeptide can couple neurosecretory and synaptic brain signalling. Our study uncovered extensive non-synaptic signalling within a neurosecretory centre and its connection to the synaptic brain.
The Effects of Practice-based Training on Graduate Teaching Assistants’ Classroom Practices
Authors: Becker Erin A. , Easlon Erin J. , Potter Sarah C. , Guzman-Alvarez Alberto , Spear Jensen M. , Facciotti Marc T. , Igo Michele M. , Singer Mitchell , Pagliarulo Christopher
Published: March 2017

Evidence-based teaching is a highly complex skill, requiring repeated cycles of deliberate practice and feedback to master. Despite existing well characterized frameworks for practice-based training in K-12 teacher education, the major principles of these frameworks have not yet been transferred to instructor development in higher educational contexts, including training of graduate teaching assistants (GTAs). We sought to determine whether a practice-based training program could help GTAs learn and use evidence-based teaching methods in their classrooms. We implemented a weekly training program for introductory biology GTAs, which included structured drills of techniques selected to enhance student practice, logic-development, and accountability and reduce apprehension. GTAs received regular performance feedback based on classroom observations. To quantify use of target techniques and levels of student participation, we collected and coded 160 hours of video footage. We found that, although GTAs adopted and utilized many of the target techniques with high frequency, techniques which enforced student participation were not stably adopted and their use was unresponsive to formal feedback. We also found that techniques discussed in training, but not practiced, were not used at quantifiable frequencies, further supporting the importance of practice-based training for influencing instructional practices.
High constitutive activity of a broad panel of housekeeping and tissue-specific cis-regulatory elements depends on a subset of ETS proteins
Authors: Curina Alessia , Termanini Alberto , Barozzi Iros , Prosperini Elena , Simonatto Marta , Polletti Sara , Silvola Alessio , Soldi Monica , Austenaa Liv , Bonaldi Tiziana , Ghisletti Serena , Natoli Gioacchino
Published: March 2017

Enhancers and promoters that control the transcriptional output of terminally differentiated cells include cell type-specific and broadly active housekeeping elements. Whether the high constitutive activity of these two groups of cis-regulatory elements relies on entirely distinct or instead also on shared regulators is unknown. By dissecting the cis-regulatory repertoire of macrophages, we found that the ELF subfamily of ETS proteins selectively bound within 60 base pairs (bp) from the transcription start sites of highly active housekeeping genes. ELFs also bound constitutively active, but not poised, macrophage-specific enhancers and promoters. The role of ELFs in promoting high-level constitutive transcription was suggested by multiple evidence: ELF sites enabled robust transcriptional activation by endogenous and minimal synthetic promoters, ELF recruitment was stabilized by the transcriptional machinery, and ELF proteins mediated recruitment of transcriptional and chromatin regulators to core promoters. These data suggest that the co-optation of a limited number of highly active transcription factors represents a broadly adopted strategy to equip both cell type-specific and housekeeping cis-regulatory elements with the ability to efficiently promote transcription.
Benchmarking motion planning algorithms for bin-picking applications
Authors: Iversen Thomas Fridolin , Ellekilde Lars-Peter
Published: March 2017

Purpose

For robot motion planning there exists a large number of different algorithms, each appropriate for a certain domain, and the right choice of planner depends on the specific use case. The purpose of this paper is to consider the application of bin picking and benchmark a set of motion planning algorithms to identify which are most suited in the given context.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a selection of motion planning algorithms and defines benchmarks based on three different bin-picking scenarios. The evaluation is done based on a fixed set of tasks, which are planned and executed on a real and a simulated robot.

Findings

The benchmarking shows a clear difference between the planners and generally indicates that algorithms integrating optimization, despite longer planning time, perform better due to a faster execution.

Originality/value

The originality of this work lies in the selected set of planners and the specific choice of application. Most new planners are only compared to existing methods for specific applications chosen to demonstrate the advantages. However, with the specifics of another application, such as bin picking, it is not obvious which planner to choose.
A novel data glove using inertial and magnetic sensors for motion capture and robotic arm-hand teleoperation
Authors: Fang Bin , Sun Fuchun , Liu Huaping , Guo Di
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a novel data glove which can capture the motion of the arm and hand by inertial and magnetic sensors. The proposed data glove is used to provide the information of the gestures and teleoperate the robotic arm-hand.

Design/methodology/approach

The data glove comprises 18 low-cost inertial and magnetic measurement units (IMMUs) which not only make up the drawbacks of traditional data glove that only captures the incomplete gesture information but also provide a novel scheme of the robotic arm-hand teleoperation. The IMMUs are compact and small enough to wear on the upper arm, forearm, palm and fingers. The calibration method is proposed to improve the accuracy of measurements of units, and the orientations of each IMMU are estimated by a two-step optimal filter. The kinematic models of the arm, hand and fingers are integrated into the entire system to capture the motion gesture. A positon algorithm is also deduced to compute the positions of fingertips. With the proposed data glove, the robotic arm-hand can be teleoperated by the human arm, palm and fingers, thus establishing a novel robotic arm-hand teleoperation scheme.

Findings

Experimental results show that the proposed data glove can accurately and fully capture the fine gesture. Using the proposed data glove as the multiple input device has also proved to be a suitable teleoperating robotic arm-hand system.

Originality/value

Integrated with 18 low-cost and miniature IMMUs, the proposed data glove can give more information of the gesture than existing devices. Meanwhile, the proposed algorithms for motion capture determine the superior results. Furthermore, the accurately captured gestures can efficiently facilitate a novel teleoperation scheme to teleoperate the robotic arm-hand.
Antecedents to organic cotton clothing purchase behaviour: study on Indian youth
Authors: Khare Arpita , Varshneya Geetika
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine influence of past environment-friendly behaviour, peer influence and green apparel knowledge in the context of organic clothing purchase behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected by means of a survey carried out in three major metropolitan cities and a sample of total 889 respondents was collected who were college students in India.

Findings

Past environment-friendly behaviour influenced Indian youth’s organic clothing purchase behaviour. Green apparel knowledge and peer influence, interestingly, had no impact on organic clothing purchase behaviour.

Research limitations/implications

The sample was limited to students who had past experience with green products. This was deliberately done as the objective was to examine the influence of past environment-friendly behaviour and green apparel knowledge on organic clothing purchase behaviour. Youth with limited awareness about organic clothing were not contacted. This restricted the findings to a specific youth segment. Further, the study was limited to Indian youth and did not examine the purchase behaviour of other consumer segments. Demographic variables were not used for analysis as only purchase behaviour of young people as a consumer segment was studied.

Practical implications

The findings can be used by organic apparel manufacturers in marketing organic clothing brands to the Indian youth. Organic clothing can be positioned to emphasise green values and distinct lifestyle for environment-conscious youths. Initiatives like celebrity talk-shows, organic clothing exhibitions, and launch of organic clothing designer brands can be used to promote organic apparel. College students can be used as opinion leaders to communicate benefits of organic clothing and inculcate green values among larger population.

Originality/value

Organic products and brands are becoming popular among Indian consumers. There has been limited research on the subject of youths’ purchase behaviour of organic clothing to date. Companies trying to launch organic clothing brands in the country may find the results helpful in understanding green buying behaviour.
Built to succeed: sustainable learning environment at UC Merced Library
Authors: Li Haipeng
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the sustainable learning environment at UC Merced Library.

Design/methodology/approach

Case study.

Findings

The Library is built to support active and constructive learning through its sustainable design as an open, collaborative, and welcoming learning environment and it has become a sustainable environment that supports sustainable learning for the future.

Originality/value

As the first new research university campus of the twenty-first Century in America, University of California, Merced (UC Merced), from its very beginning, has embraced principles of a green campus from ground up – sustainable economic, social, and environmental systems that preserve the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Business process modelling using ARIS: process architecture
Authors: Tbaishat Dina
Published: March 2017

Purpose

Academic libraries have witnessed huge changes due to internal and external factors. Recent evidence shows that there is a lack of interest in process analysis within academic libraries. There is a lot written on the need to change academic libraries but there is little analytical research that investigates processes, in terms of the process architecture. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The modelling tool used is Architecture of Integrated Information Systems (ARIS).

Findings

ARIS can provide a process architecture and design for academic libraries that might raise questions later about procedures and some inefficiencies.

Research limitations/implications

Library managers might need to learn new techniques.

Originality/value

There is a lot written on the need to change academic libraries but there is little analytical research that investigates processes, in terms of the process architecture. This research examines business process modelling for academic libraries, focusing on the process architecture, as a way of visualizing, understanding and documenting processes.
Online library job advertisement in United Arab Emirates: a content analysis of online sources
Authors: Kaba Abdoulaye
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate and analyze library jobs advertised by higher education institutions, newspapers and job market sites in United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses summative content analysis approach for data collection, data analysis, evaluation and assessment. It reports about the accuracy of advertisements, job titles, job categories, locations and types of libraries.

Findings

Higher education institutions demonstrate the highest accuracy level in advertising library jobs. Librarian emerged to be the highest advertised title by the sources. e-library executive, principal-publications and library, and primary librarian found to be the new titles in the market. The paper also found inconsistencies and lack of uniformities among the sources in using job categories to advertise library jobs. In fact, none of them used the term “library” in any category. Academic libraries recorded the highest advertised jobs compared to other types of libraries.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is based on library jobs advertised on the websites. Websites are only one source of library job advertisement.

Practical implications

The paper provides important information for librarians looking for library jobs in the Middle East as well as for library managers and decision makers who wish to recruit library professionals.

Originality/value

The paper represents one of the few studies conducted on library job marketing in UAE. Findings of the study may contribute to the improvement of library job marketing not only in UAE but also in the other gulf countries.
Co‐existence with non‐native brook trout breaks down the integration of phenotypic traits in brown trout parr
Authors: Závorka Libor , Koeck Barbara , Cucherousset Julien , Brijs Jeroen , Näslund Joacim , Aldvén David , Höjesjö Johan , Fleming Ian A. , Johnsson Jörgen I.
Published: March 2017

A phenotypic syndrome refers to complex patterns of integration among functionally related traits in an organism that defines how the organism interacts with its environment and sustains itself.

Human‐induced biological invasions have become important sources of environmental modifications. However, the extent to which invasive species affect the phenotypic syndromes of individuals in a native is currently unknown. Such knowledge has important implications for understanding ecological interactions and the management of biological invasions.

Here, field monitoring in a natural stream were combined with standardized estimates of behavioral, physiological and morphological traits to address the hypothesis that coexistence with a non‐native invader induces a novel environmental pressure that disrupts the adaptive integration among phenotypic traits of the native species. We compared the strength of integration among key phenotypic traits (i.e. aerobic scope, standard metabolic rate, body growth, activity, and body shape) and ecological niche traits (i.e. spring and summer diet, home range size, daily movements) of an allopatric group of native brown trout (Salmo trutta) with a group of brown trout living in sympatry with non‐native brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis).

We found that the integration of phenotypic traits was substantially reduced in the sympatric brown trout and that allopatric and sympatric brown trout differed in key phenotypic and ecological niche traits. Brown trout living in sympatry with non‐native brook trout consumed more terrestrial prey, had smaller home ranges, and a stouter body shape. Sympatric brown trout also had lower specific growth rate, suggesting a lower fitness.

The results are generally in line with our hypothesis suggesting that the reduction in fitness observed in sympatric brown trout is caused by the breakdown of their adaptive phenotypic syndrome. This may be caused by differences in the plasticity of the response of phenotypic traits to the novel selection pressure induced by the non‐native species. Our results may help explaining deleterious effects of non‐native species reported in the absence of direct competition with the native species.

A lay summary is available for this article.
Log moisture capacity does not predict epixylic bryophyte growth under thinned and unthinned forest canopies
Authors: Haughian Sean R. , Frego Katherine A.
Published: March 2017

Coarse woody debris (CWD) serves as habitat for diverse and rare taxa in forest systems. Because the abundance of mosses appears to be correlated with log size and stage of decay, many have suggested that CWD serves as a moisture reservoir, ensuring a humid microclimate and facilitating moss growth, but no one has tested this connection. Intact forest canopies are also thought to maintain humid conditions that benefit moss growth. If microclimatic regulation is the primary mechanism contributing to high moss abundance on CWD, then epixylic moss growth should increase with the capacity of the log moisture reservoir, and the importance of the reservoir size should increase with canopy opening.

Three types of synthetic logs, identical in size and shape but differing in moisture capacity, and two natural substrates, well‐decayed birch and cedar logs, were used to test the effects of log moisture capacity on growth of Dicranum flagellare under thinned and intact canopies of a spruce plantation over 20 months.

Surface humidity was positively associated with moisture capacity, but did not reach the water compensation point outside of precipitation events. Under a closed forest canopy, moss growth was negligible across all log types. Under an open forest canopy, moss growth was greater on natural substrates than synthetic ones, and negatively related to moisture capacity. Coarse woody debris facilitates a sufficiently humid surface for only a short time after precipitation, presumably when a film of liquid water is maintained near the surface.

For D. flagellare, canopy condition is a more accurate predictor of growth than CWD‐moisture capacity; any beneficial properties of CWD appear to be lessened by a dense forest canopy (as in silvicultural plantations), probably because it reduces access to liquid water from precipitation.

We propose that the surface moisture availability of CWD depends on optimal depth of a ‘resisting layer’ below the log surface, representing a tradeoff between water retention and loss (via percolation or runoff at extremely deep vs. shallow resisting layer depth). Coarse woody debris may possess microclimate‐regulating traits that benefit moss growth, but it does not appear to act as a moisture capacitor.

A lay summary is available for this article.
Vasomotor symptoms resulting from natural menopause: a systematic review and network meta‐analysis of treatment effects from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guideline on menopause
Authors: Sarri G , Pedder H , Dias S , Guo Y , Lumsden MA
Published: March 2017

Background

Vasomotor symptoms (VMSs) are the hallmarks of menopause, occurring in approximately 75% of postmenopausal women in the UK, and are severe in 25%.

Objectives

To identify which treatments are most clinically effective for the relief of VMSs for women in natural menopause without hysterectomy.

Search strategy

English publications in MEDLINE, Embase, and The Cochrane Library up to 13 January 2015 were searched.

Selection criteria

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of treatments for women with a uterus for the outcomes of frequency of VMSs (up to 26 weeks), vaginal bleeding, and discontinuation.

Data collection and analysis

Bayesian network meta‐analysis (NMA) using mean ratios (MRs) and odd ratios (ORs).

Main results

Across the three networks, 47 RCTs of 16 treatment classes (n = 8326 women) were included. When compared with placebo, transdermal estradiol and progestogen (O+P) had the highest probability of being the most effective treatment for VMS relief (69.8%; MR 0.23; 95% credible interval, 95% CrI 0.09–0.57), whereas oral O+P was ranked lower than transdermal O+P, although oral and transdermal O+P were no different for this outcome (MR 2.23; 95% CrI 0.7–7.1). Isoflavones and black cohosh were more effective than placebo, although not significantly better than O+P. Not only were selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin‐norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) found to be ineffective in relieving VMSs, but they also had significantly higher odds of discontinuation than placebo. Limited data were available for bleeding, therefore no conclusions could be made.

Conclusion

For women who have not undergone hysterectomy, transdermal O+P was the most effective treatment for VMS relief.

Tweetable abstract

Which treatment best relieves menopause flushes? Results from the #NICE guideline network meta‐analysis.