bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of 1‐(2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐inden‐5‐yl)‐2‐(ethylamino)pentan‐1‐one (bk‐IVP) in a Seized Drug Exhibit
Authors: Yovanovich Audra Curry , Goodpaster John V. , Minto Robert E.
Published: September 2017

To circumvent the law by evading regulation and obscuring their identities in routine analyses, numerous substituted cathinones have entered the illicit drug market. These compounds have been coined “bath salts” by users. In the described case, the laboratory received an unknown white powder for controlled substances identification. The sample could not be immediately identified using standard methods and procedures. Ultimately, the structure was elucidated using GC‐MS, NMR, FTIR, GC‐SPIR, UV, and color tests to be 1‐(2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐inden‐5‐yl)‐2‐(ethylamino)pentan‐1‐one (bk‐IVP), a cathinone analog with a rarely observed nonoxygenated bicyclic ring system. Features of spectra and chemical tests are reported that distinguish this class of cathinones from heterocyclic analogs.
The Nursing Diagnosis Disturbed Thought Processes: An Integrative Review
Authors: Escalada‐Hermández Paula , Marín‐Fernández Blanca
Published: September 2017

PURPOSE

To analyze and synthetize the existing scientific literature in relation to the nursing diagnosis disturbed thought processes (DTPs) (00130).

METHODS

An integrative review was developed, identifying relevant papers through a search of international and Spanish databases and the examination of key manuals.

FINDINGS

Theoretical papers propose modifications for the nursing diagnosis DTPs. Most of the research papers offer data about its frequency in different clinical settings.

CONCLUSIONS

There exists an interest in the nursing diagnosis DTPs. However, the available evidence is not very extensive and further work is necessary in order to refine this nursing diagnosis.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

The re‐inclusion of DTPs in the NANDA‐I classification will specially contribute to increment its utility in mental healthcare.
Description of three new species ofPhyllocnistisZeller, 1848 (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), from theAtlantic Forest, southBrazil, with notes on natural history and phylogeny
Authors: Brito Rosângela , Mielke Olaf H H , Gonçalves Gislene L , Moreira Gilson R P
Published: September 2017

Three new species ofPhyllocnistisZeller (Phyllocnistinae) from the Atlantic Forest, Rio Grande do Sul (RS) state of Brazil, are described.Phyllocnistis oureasp. nov. is a leaf miner ofBaccharis anomalaDC. (Asteraceae) in the municipality of Montenegro. The other two species,P. phoebussp. nov. andP. selenesp. nov. were found miningBegonia fruticosa(Klotzsch) A.DC. (Begoniaceae) andDrimys angustifoliaMiers (Winteraceae) leaves, respectively, in the municipality of São Francisco de Paula. Information regarding the natural history of each species is provided. The specific status and phylogenetic relationships, including other members ofPhyllocnistis, are inferred from DNA barcode (COI) sequences. Immature stages of the three species are typical sap‐feeding instars, followed by a final spinning instar. Differences found in pupal characters and the colour pattern of the fasciae of adult fore wings were stable and thus used to delimit these new species. Thus, five species ofPhyllocnistisare now known from Brazil, four of them from the Atlantic Forest. For the first time, we recorded Begoniaceae as a host plant family for Gracillariidae.
Histological characterization of umbilical cord in alpaca (Vicugna pacos)
Authors: Barrios‐Arpi L. M. , Rodríguez Gutiérrez J.‐L. , Lopez‐Torres B.
Published: September 2017

The histomorphometric features of umbilical cord constituents in seven foetuses of alpaca (Vicugna pacos) from Cerro de Pasco, Department, Peru, were determined. Sections of 2–5 cm of umbilical cord were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin and processed for light microscopy. Standard histological slides stained with haematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome and Van Gieson's trichrome were obtained. Histologically, common features of umbilical artery and vein were observed as well as mucous connective tissue, some cell features that compound this tissue constituted by cells presented features of myofibroblasts. Among most important findings that were observed, the lumen of umbilical vein was obliterated into star‐shaped form with the thinner umbilical artery wall; the smooth muscles and fibroblast were comparatively more in number in umbilical artery than that of umbilical vein, and the tunica media was larger in dimension than the tunica adventitia in umbilical vein. Conclusively, this histological study features an observation of the umbilical cord of alpaca foetuses and shows the similarity between them and those of other mammal species, including dromedaries and South American camelids.
Comparable Outcome of Out‐of‐Hospital Cardiac Arrest and In‐Hospital Cardiac Arrest Treated With Extracorporeal Life Support
Authors: Ellouze Omar , Vuillet Melitine , Perrot Justine , Grosjean Sandrine , Missaoui Anis , Aho Serge , Malapert Ghislain , Bouhemad Belaid , Bouchot Oliver , Girard Claude
Published: September 2017

Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) has shown benefits in the management of refractory in‐hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) by improving survival. Nonetheless, the results concerning out‐of‐hospital refractory cardiac arrests (OHCA) remain uncertain. The aim of our investigation was to compare survival between the two groups. We realized a single‐center retrospective, observational study of all patients who presented IHCA or OHCA treated with ECLS between 2011 and 2015. Multivariate analysis was realized to determine independent factors associated with mortality. Over the 4‐year period, 65 patients were included, 43 in the IHCA group (66.2%), and 22 (33.8%) in the OHCA group. The duration of low flow was significantly longer in the OHCA group (60 vs. 90 min, P = 0.004). Survival to discharge from the hospital was identical in the two groups (27% in the OHCA group vs. 23% in the IHCA group, P = 0.77). All surviving patients in the OHCA group had a cerebral performance categories score of 1–2. In multivariate analysis, we found that the initial lactate level and baseline blood creatinine were independently associated with mortality. We found comparable survival and neurological score in patients who presented IHCA and OHCA treated with ECLS. We believe that appropriate selection of patients and optimization of organ perfusion during resuscitation can lead to good results in patients with OHCA treated with ECLS.
A role of human beta defensin‐1 in predicting prostatic adenocarcinoma in cases of false‐negative biopsy
Authors: Hong Soon Auck , Kim Ki Hong , Lee Tae Jin , Park Eon Sub , Kim Mi Kyung , Myung Soon Chul
Published: September 2017

The purpose of this study was to clarify the role of human beta defensin‐1 (hBD‐1) in predicting PAC in morphologically normal prostate glands. In total, 25 patients with a negative initial biopsy for PAC and diagnosed as PAC positive in subsequent biopsies performed within 1 year of the initial biopsy were included. As a control group, 22 patients negative for PAC in at least three consecutive histologic examinations were selected. Expression of hBD‐1 was analyzed separately via immunohistochemistry in paired cores of non‐neoplastic gland and PAC in the false‐negative group and control group. Loss of hBD‐1 expression was observed in 95.6% and 90.0% PAC cases with Gleason Patterns 3 and 4 in repeat biopsies, respectively. hBD‐1 loss of basal cells in 40 (85.1%) previous non‐neoplastic biopsy cores in the false‐negative group was observed, in contrast to preserved basal cell expression of hBD‐1 in 64 (72.7%) biopsy cores in the control group (p = 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that hBD‐1 basal cell loss (≥20% of prostatic glands in total cores) is an independent factor for predicting PAC (odds ratio: 4.739, confidence interval: 1.093–20.554, p = 0.038). hBD‐1 loss of basal cells is a useful indicator to identify extremely high‐risk patients with initially negative biopsy.
Inverse Probability Weighted Cox Regression for Doubly Truncated Data
Authors: Mandel Micha , de Uña-Álvarez Jacobo , Simon David K. , Betensky Rebecca A.
Published: September 2017

Doubly truncated data arise when event times are observed only if they fall within subject-specific, possibly random, intervals. While non-parametric methods for survivor function estimation using doubly truncated data have been intensively studied, only a few methods for fitting regression models have been suggested, and only for a limited number of covariates. In this article, we present a method to fit the Cox regression model to doubly truncated data with multiple discrete and continuous covariates, and describe how to implement it using existing software. The approach is used to study the association between candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms and age of onset of Parkinson's disease.
Synthesis, quality control, and bio‐evaluation of 99mTc‐cyclophosphamide
Authors: Bokhari Tanveer Hussain , Roohi Samina , Hina Saira , Akbar Muhammad Usman , Sohaib Muhammad , Iqbal Munawar
Published: September 2017

Cancer is found to be the leading cause of death worldwide characterized by uncontrolled cell division. Nuclear medicines imaging using radiopharmaceuticals have pronounced potential for the diagnosis and treatment of cancers. Cyclophosphamide (CPH) is an antineoplastic drug which targets selectively cancer cells. In the present work, labeling of CPH with Tc‐99m is performed for diagnostic purpose, which gave labeling yield as high as 99% using 20 μg SnCl2·2H2O, 200 μg of ligand at pH 7 for 10 min reaction time at room temperature. The characterization of the prepared complex was performed using ITLC, electrophoresis, and HPLC. In vitro stability was analyzed in the presence of human serum at 37°C which has maximum value of 94 ± 0.5. The biodistribution studies of 99mTc‐CPH were performed in normal and tumor bearing Swiss Webster mice. The high accumulation of 99mTc‐CPH was observed in liver and tumours respectively at 4 hr after injection. Biodistribution results revealed that 99mTc‐CPH may be a potential tumour diagnostic agent simultaneously with chemotherapy.
Validation of the MASK‐rhinitis visual analogue scale on smartphone screens to assess allergic rhinitis control
Authors: Caimmi D. , Baiz N. , Tanno L. K. , Demoly P. , Arnavielhe S. , Murray R. , Bedbrook A. , Bergmann K. C. , De Vries G. , Fokkens W. J. , Fonseca J. , Haahtela T. , Keil T. , Kuna P. , Mullol J. , Papadopoulos N. , Passalacqua G. , Samolinski B. , Tomazic P. V. , Valiulis A. , van Eerd M. , Wickman M. , Annesi‐Maesano I. , Bousquet J. ,   the MASK Study Group
Published: September 2017

Background

Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) is a validated tool to assess control in allergic rhinitis patients.

Objective

The aim of this study was to validate the use of VAS in the MASK‐rhinitis (MACVIA‐ARIA Sentinel NetworK for allergic rhinitis) app (Allergy Diary) on smartphones screens to evaluate allergic rhinitis symptoms and disease control.

Methods

Each user filled 4 different VAS measuring overall, nasal, ocular, and asthma symptoms at least once. Following COSMIN guidelines, we evaluated internal consistency, (Cronbach's alpha coefficient and test‐retest), reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients), sensitivity, and acceptability of the MASK‐Rhinitis VAS.

Results

Between 1 August 2015 and 31 July 2016, the app was used 14 612 times in 15 countries. A total of 1225 users used it more than once, during the evaluated period. The tool resulted to be statistically satisfactory, showing excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's test > 0.84, test‐retest > 0.7), reliability (>0.9), and acceptability. In addition, the tool had a good sensitivity when users (n = 521) answered the VAS twice in less than 3 hours.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

The MASK‐rhinitis VAS is a reliable and valid tool to assess allergic control on smartphone screens, at the population level.
Organoid technology for brain and therapeutics research
Authors: Wang Zhi , Wang Shu‐Na , Xu Tian‐Ying , Miao Zhu‐Wei , Su Ding‐Feng , Miao Chao‐Yu
Published: September 2017

Brain is one of the most complex organs in human. The current brain research is mainly based on the animal models and traditional cell culture. However, the inherent species differences between humans and animals as well as the gap between organ level and cell level make it difficult to study human brain development and associated disorders through traditional technologies. Recently, the brain organoids derived from pluripotent stem cells have been reported to recapitulate many key features of human brain in vivo, for example recapitulating the zone of putative outer radial glia cells. Brain organoids offer a new platform for scientists to study brain development, neurological diseases, drug discovery and personalized medicine, regenerative medicine, and so on. Here, we discuss the progress, applications, advantages, limitations, and prospects of brain organoid technology in neurosciences and related therapeutics.
LncRNA‐ATB: An indispensable cancer‐related long noncoding RNA
Authors: Li Jinglin , Li Zhenglong , Zheng Wangyang , Li Xinheng , Wang Zhidong , Cui Yunfu , Jiang Xingming
Published: September 2017

Objectives

Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a group of non‐protein‐coding RNAs that are greater than 200 nucleotides in length. Increasing evidence indicates that lncRNAs, which may serve as either oncogenes or tumour suppressor genes, play a vital role in the pathophysiology of human diseases, especially in tumourigenesis and progression. Deregulation of lncRNAs impacts different cellular processes, such as proliferation, dedifferentiation, migration, invasion and anti‐apoptosis. The aim of this review was to explore the molecular mechanism and clinical significance of long non‐coding RNA‐activated by transforming growth factor β (lncRNA‐ATB) in various types of cancers.

Materials and methods

In this review, we summarize and analyze current studies concerning the biological functions and mechanisms of lncRNA‐ATB in tumour development. The related studies were obtained through a systematic search of Pubmed, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane Library.

Results

Long non‐coding RNAs‐ATB is a novel cancer‐related lncRNA that was recently found to exhibit aberrant expression in a variety of malignancies, including hepatocellular carcinoma, colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, and lung cancer. Dysregulation of lncRNA‐ATB has been shown to contribute to proliferation, migration and invasion of cancer cells. Long non‐coding RNAs‐ATB promotes tumourigenesis and progression mainly through competitively binding miRNAs to induce epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT).

Conclusions

Long non‐coding RNAs‐ATB likely represents a feasible cancer biomarker or therapeutic target.
Procalcitonin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C‐reactive protein in acute pulmonary exacerbations of cystic fibrosis
Authors: Loh Geoffrey , Ryaboy Ilya , Skabelund Andrew , French Alicia
Published: September 2017

Introduction

Acute pulmonary exacerbations of cystic fibrosis (APECF) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). APECF require frequent administration of antibiotics and subsequently lead to development of resistant organisms.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to identify inflammatory markers that may be help identify need for antibiotics and exacerbation as well as predict risk of exacerbations.

Methods

A total of 17 patients were enrolled, and baseline erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C‐reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin levels were obtained in addition to obtaining these levels during admissions for APECF.

Results

A total of 28 APECF were recorded. ESR and CRP significantly increased during exacerbation (P < .01 for both). Procalcitonin did not increase during exacerbations. Baseline elevations in ESR and CRP increased risk of an exacerbation (RR = 2.3 and 4.5, respectively).

Conclusions

ESR and CRP are useful markers for CF exacerbations, as levels rise with exacerbations. Baseline elevations in ESR and CRP were noted to show an increased risk for CF exacerbations. Procalcitonin, in contrast, is not a useful inflammatory marker.
Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia masquerading as cutaneous indeterminate dendritic cell tumor: Expanding the spectrum of skin lesions in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia
Authors: Loghavi Sanam , Curry Jonathan L. , Garcia‐Manero Guillermo , Patel Keyur P. , Xu Jie , Khoury Joseph D. , Torres‐Cabala Carlos A. , Nagarajan Priyadharsini , Aung Phyu P. , Gibson Bernard R. , Goodwin Brandon P. , Kelly Brent C. , Korivi Brinda R. , Medeiros L. Jeffrey , Prieto Victor G. , Kantarjian Hagop M. , Bueso‐Ramos Carlos E. , Tetzlaff Michael T.
Published: September 2017

Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is a hematopoietic stem cell neoplasm exhibiting both myelodysplastic and myeloproliferative features. Cutaneous involvement by CMML is critical to recognize as it typically is a harbinger of disease progression and an increased incidence of transformation to acute myeloid leukemia. Cutaneous lesions of CMML exhibit heterogeneous histopathologic features that can be challenging to recognize as CMML. We describe a 67‐year‐old man with a 3‐year history of CMML who had been managed on single‐agent azacitidine with stable disease before developing splenomegaly and acute onset skin lesions. Examination of these skin lesions revealed a dense infiltrate of histiocytic cells morphologically resembling Langerhans type cells (lacking frank histopathologic atypia), and with the immunophenotype of an indeterminate cell histiocytosis (S100+ CD1a+ and langerin−). Given the history of CMML, next‐generation sequencing studies were performed on the skin biopsy. These revealed a KRAS (p.G12R) mutation identical to that seen in the CMML 3 years prior, establishing a clonal relationship between the 2 processes. This case expands the spectrum for and underscores the protean nature of cutaneous involvement by CMML and underscores the importance of heightened vigilance when evaluating skin lesions of CMML patients.
Regional‐scale environmental drivers of highly endemic temperate fish communities located within a climate change hotspot
Authors: Galaiduk Ronen , Halford Andrew R. , Radford Ben T. , Moore Cordelia H. , Harvey Euan S.
Published: September 2017

Aim

We used modelled environmental data to identify important drivers of bioregional patterns of demersal fish assemblages characterized by a high proportion of endemic species.

Location

Of 1,600 km of coastal marine environment in south‐western Australia.

Methods

We compiled data from 1090 stereo‐BRUVs samples; a total of ~55,000 individuals belonging to 219 demersal fish species. Multivariate Regression Trees and Distance‐based Linear Models distinguished which biological and/or environmental variables, amongst an initial set of 49, were most correlated to observed patterns of demersal fish assemblage structure. Indicator species analysis identified fish species most representative of the assemblage types.

Results

The most parsimonious model (constrained by five benthic variables and one spatial variable) explained 42% of the variation in spatial patterns of fish community structure. Canopy‐forming seaweeds were the major benthic drivers, and, when found on structurally complex hard habitat, supported the highest diversity of species after sites dominated by hard coral cover. Indicator species analysis revealed that 28 of 35 significant species for this habitat type were endemics with fish assemblages associated with these habitats often spatially restricted to tens of kilometres.

Main conclusions

Demersal fish assemblage composition and biogeographical ranges in south‐western Australia are strongly influenced by the presence of canopy‐forming macroalgae. Canopy‐dominated habitats have already been subject to catastrophic temperature‐related die‐offs in the northern part of this study, indicating its vulnerability to temperature‐driven climate change. These results highlight not only the crucial role of this habitat in supporting endemic fish communities in the region, and the tenuous nature of their existence, but also the challenges facing marine managers who, unable to manipulate the influence of climate change variables, can only focus on alleviating stresses operating on local scales.
Diversity, biogeography and the global flows of alien amphibians and reptiles
Authors: Capinha César , Seebens Hanno , Cassey Phillip , García‐Díaz Pablo , Lenzner Bernd , Mang Thomas , Moser Dietmar , Pyšek Petr , Rödder Dennis , Scalera Riccardo , Winter Marten , Dullinger Stefan , Essl Franz
Published: September 2017

Aim

We introduce a high‐quality global database of established alien amphibians and reptiles. We use this data set to analyse: (1) the global distribution; (2) the temporal dynamics; (3) the flows between native and alien ranges; and (4) the key drivers of established alien amphibians and reptiles.

Location

Worldwide.

Methods

We collected geographical records of established amphibians and reptiles from a thorough search across a wide number of sources. We supplemented these data with year of first record, when available. We used descriptive statistics and data visualization techniques to analyse taxonomic, spatial and temporal patterns in establishment records and the global flows of alien species. We used generalized linear mixed models to relate spatial variation in the number of established species richness with variables describing geographical, environmental and human factors.

Results

Our database covers 86% of the terrestrial area of the world. We identified 78 alien amphibian and 198 alien reptile species established in at least one of our 359 study regions. These figures represent about 1.0% of the extant global amphibian and 1.9% of the extant global reptile species richness. The flows of amphibians were dominated by exchanges between and within North and South America, and within Europe (59% of all links). For reptiles, the network of global flows of established alien species was much more diverse, with every continental region being both a donor and a recipient of similar importance. The number of established alien amphibians and reptiles has grown slowly until 1950 and strongly increased thereafter. Our generalized linear mixed models revealed that insularity, climatic conditions, and socio‐economic development significantly influenced the distributional patterns for both groups.

Main conclusions

We conclude that biological invasions by alien amphibians and reptiles are a rapidly accelerating phenomenon, particularly on islands with heterogeneous climates of economically highly developed countries.
Geographical generality of bird‐habitat relationships depends on species traits
Authors: Bonthoux Sébastien , Balent Gérard , Augiron Steve , Baudry Jacques , Bretagnolle Vincent
Published: September 2017

Aim

The environmental filtering process is often considered as static in ecological studies. However, growing evidence shows that species‐environment relationships vary in space and time. In this study, we assessed to what extent bird responses to landscape components can be geographically generalised and whether differences in response generality can be explained by traits.

Location

France.

Methods

We collected a large bird data set (1968 point counts over two years) with a standardised protocol in three agricultural regions with different levels of intensification in France. We modelled the relationships between the distribution of 26 bird species and three landscape components (percentage of woodland, hedgerow density and landscape heterogeneity) and assessed whether differences between regions in bird responses to landscape components (i.e., landscape‐region interactions) can be explained by three species traits (habitat specialisation, diet and migration strategy). We also examined the response of total species richness.

Results

We found that 16 species showed regional differences in their response at least for one of the three landscape variables. Importance of landscape‐region interactions was significantly correlated with two species traits. Responses of specialist species to landscape components were geographically more constant than those of generalists. The geographical variability of responses was higher for migrants than for sedentary species. There were no significant relationships for the diet trait. Species richness responded positively to the three landscape metrics in a similar way in the three regions.

Main conclusions

The results underline the need to take into account the spatial differences between species responses to habitats according to their traits when modelling species‐habitat relationships at large scales. From a conservation point of view, we suggest that conservation measures could be generalised at a large scale for specialist species which are declining in agricultural landscapes.
Factors shaping avian alien species richness in Australia vs Europe
Authors: McKinney Matthew , Kark Salit
Published: September 2017

Aim

We aim to examine the relative importance of human activity‐related and natural variables in shaping spatial patterns of alien bird species richness at the continental scale for Australia. We examine the drivers shaping establishment of alien birds in Australia in the framework of the human activity hypothesis and the biotic acceptance hypothesis (the “rich get richer” model of biotic invasion), and directly compare our results to Europe.

Location

Continental Australia, Tasmania, Continental Europe, United Kingdom.

Methods

We use compiled atlas data on alien bird richness in continental Australia and Tasmania together and separately, records of known alien bird introduction events compiled from various sources and a suite of biogeographic variables to evaluate drivers of alien bird richness at a 50‐km resolution in Australia. We use hierarchical portioning and spatial generalized linear models to quantify the relative contribution of each environmental variable to alien bird richness. We then compare our results directly to those from a previous continental‐scale study in Europe and in the UK.

Results

We identify 24 established alien bird species across Australia (including nearshore islands and Tasmania) and present a detailed map of alien bird richness in Australia. We discover that in Australia, native bird species richness and land cover heterogeneity are the strongest predictors of alien bird richness at a 50‐km resolution, supporting the “rich get richer” model of species invasion.

Main conclusions

Our results are contrary to Europe, where the human activity hypothesis was best supported. By performing a cross‐continental comparison of drivers of alien bird richness, we show that processes shaping alien establishment and spread can vary across continents with variable human impact history and should be examined on a case‐by‐case basis before endorsing general hypotheses.
Radiofrequency ablation in patients with large cervical heterotopic gastric mucosa and globus sensation: Closing the treatment gap
Authors: Kristo Ivan , Rieder Erwin , Paireder Matthias , Schwameis Katrin , Jomrich Gerd , Dolak Werner , Parzefall Thomas , Riegler Martin , Asari Reza , Schoppmann Sebastian F.
Published: September 2017

Background and Aim

Symptomatic cervical heterotopic gastric mucosa, also known as cervical inlet patch (CIP), may present in various shapes and causes laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). Unfortunately, argon plasma coagulation, standard treatment of small symptomatic CIP, is limited in large CIP mainly because of concerns of stricture formation. Therefore, we aimed to investigate radiofrequency ablation (RFA), a novel minimally invasive ablation method, in the treatment of CIP focusing on large symptomatic patches.

Methods

Consecutive patients with macroscopic and histological evidence of large (≥20 mm diameter) heterotopic gastric mucosa were included in this prospective trial. Primary outcome was complete macroscopic and histological eradication rate of CIP. Secondary outcome measures were symptom improvement, quality of life, severity of LPR and adverse events.

Results

Ten patients (females, n = 5) underwent RFA of symptomatic CIP. Complete histological and macroscopic eradication of CIP was observed in 80% (females, n = 4) of individuals after two ablations. Globus sensations significantly improved from median visual analog scale score 8 (5–9) at baseline to 1.5 (1–7) after first ablation and 1 (1–2) after final evaluation (P < 0.001). Mental health scores significantly increased from 41.4 (± 8.5) to 54.4 (± 4.4) after RFA (P = 0.007). LPR improved significantly (P = 0.005) with absence of strictures after a mean follow up of 1.9 (± 0.5) years.

Conclusions

This is the first study on RFA focusing on therapy of large symptomatic heterotopic gastric mucosa. Hereby, we demonstrate that this new technique can be successfully implemented in patients where treatment was limited so far (NCT03023280).
Conifer species influence Heterobasidion irregulare sporulation on stem discs exposed to natural inoculum and root wood decay in soil‐block tests
Authors: Ohno K. , Myers L. J. , Smith D. R. , Clausen C. A. , Mausel D. , Stanosz G. R.
Published: September 2017

The fungal pathogen Heterobasidion irregulare has caused substantial damage to pine species in much of the south‐eastern United States, but the potential for damage from Heterobasidion root disease to forest tree species of the Great Lakes Region has not been thoroughly investigated. In each of three trials in two infested stands, fresh stem discs of six native conifer species were exposed to natural inoculum and examined for the asexual Spiniger stage of H. irregulare after incubation in the laboratory. In the first trial, the fungus was infrequently observed on discs, and differences among species were not found. But in the other two trials, detection of the pathogen was much more frequent on discs of tamarack (Larix laricina), red pine (Pinus resinosa) and white spruce (Picea glauca) than those of northern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis), eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) and balsam fir (Abies balsamea). In a second study, the ability of an isolate of H. irregulare to decay root sapwood of these same species was compared using a soil‐block decay test. After 16 weeks of incubation, weight loss due to decay was greatest for red pine (23.2%) and larch (19.1%) and least for balsam fir (1.3%). Differences in the ability of H. irregulare to infect and saprophytically utilize substrate of these important tree species should prompt additional investigation of the relative risk posed to forests of the Great Lakes Region.
Structural insight into a partially unfolded state preceding aggregation in an intracellular lipid‐binding protein
Authors: Horváth Gergő , Biczók László , Majer Zsuzsa , Kovács Mihály , Micsonai András , Kardos József , Toke Orsolya
Published: September 2017

Human ileal bile acid‐binding protein (I‐BABP) has a key role in the intracellular transport and metabolic targeting of bile salts. Similar to other members of the family of intracellular lipid‐binding proteins (iLBPs), disorder–order transitions and local unfolding processes are thought to mediate ligand entry and release in human I‐BABP. To gain insight into the stability of various protein regions, the temperature response of human I‐BABP was investigated using NMR, CD and fluorescence spectroscopy, as well as molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. A joint analysis of NMR thermal melting and relaxation dispersion data indicates a complex pattern of internal dynamics with a dominating single barrier and a likely presence of rapidly exchanging conformational substates on both sides of the barrier. Moreover, our residue‐specific analysis uncovers a partially unfolded U* state in which part of the helical region with three proximate β‐strands contains a substantial amount of residual structure, whereas several segments of the C‐terminal half exhibit a high susceptibility to temperature elevation. Cluster analysis of atomic temperature responses indicates a thermodynamic coupling between distant protein sites including the bottom of the β‐barrel, the E–F region and part of the helical cap. MD simulations up to 1 μs show correlated motions in the same protein regions and together with the NMR data suggest a role for the highly dynamic D–E turn and E–F region in the initiation of unfolding. The response of human I‐BABP to temperature elevation is discussed in the context of the folding/unfolding behaviour of different members of the iLBP family.
Extracellular vesicle‐mediated MFG‐E8 localization in the extracellular matrix is required for its integrin‐dependent function in mouse mammary epithelial cells
Authors: Ooishi Takuya , Nadano Daita , Matsuda Tsukasa , Oshima Kenzi
Published: September 2017

Milk fat globule‐EGF factor 8 (MFG‐E8) is a divalent‐binding secretory protein possessing an Arg‐Gly‐Asp (RGD) motif and a phosphatidylserine (PS)‐binding motif. This protein has been shown to be involved in mammary gland development and morphogenesis. Integrin‐binding activity is necessary for these MFG‐E8‐dependent cell processes. Although the target cells and molecules of MFG‐E8 in the cellular microenvironment are important to understand its physiological function, its localization is largely unclear. Here, we found that mouse MFG‐E8 localized to the basal lamina of the mammary gland during involution. In a model system of mammary COMMA‐1D cells, exogenously and endogenously expressed MFG‐E8 was deposited in the extracellular matrix (ECM) with membranous particles dependently on the PS‐binding motifs in the discoidin domains that were essential for association ability to extracellular vesicles (EVs). These data showed the basal MFG‐E8 localization mechanism in which EVs served as a scaffold. Such an immobilized MFG‐E8 associating with cell substrata but not soluble one in the culture media promoted integrin‐dependent suppression of β‐casein expression. These results suggest that MFG‐E8 requires EVs to transduce cellular signals from the basolateral side of the adhesion cells by accumulating in ECM.
Effect of different light–dark schedules on estrous cycle in mice, and implications for mitigating the adverse impact of night work
Authors: Yoshinaka Kiichi , Yamaguchi Ai , Matsumura Ritsuko , Node Koichi , Tokuda Isao , Akashi Makoto
Published: September 2017

Approximately 20% of workers in developed countries are involved in night work. Nevertheless, many studies have strongly suggested that night‐work‐induced chronic circadian misalignment increases the risk of a diverse range of health problems. Although a relation between night work and irregular menstrual cycles has been indicated epidemiologically, a direct causal link remains elusive. Here, we report that repetitive reversal of light–dark (LD) cycles triggers irregular estrous cycles in mice. The findings showed that the estrous cycle remained irregular for more than four weeks after the mice were returned to regular LD cycles. Importantly, the magnitude of the negative impact of reversed LD cycles on the estrous cycle, or more specifically the decreased number of normal estrous cycles during the observation period, was dependent on the difference in the frequency of LD reversal. Presently, no clear solution to prevent night‐work‐mediated menstrual abnormalities is available, and reducing night work in modern society is difficult. Our findings indicate that optimizing work schedules could significantly prevent menstrual problems without reducing total night‐work time.
Retreatment with sofosbuvir/ledipasvir with or without lead‐in interferon‐β injections in patients infected with genotype 1b hepatitis C virus after unsuccessful daclatasvir/asunaprevir therapy
Authors: Uemura Hayato , Uchida Yoshihito , Kouyama Jun‐ichi , Naiki Kayoko , Yamaba Shinpei , Fuchigami Akira , Saito Yoichi , Shiokawa Keisuke , Fujii Yohei , Uchiya Hiroshi , Nakazawa Manabu , Ando Satsuki , Nakao Masamitsu , Motoya Daisuke , Sugawara Kayoko , Inao Mie , Imai Yukinori , Nakayama Nobuaki , Tomiya Tomoaki , Mochida Satoshi
Published: September 2017

Aim

To improve the therapeutic efficacy of sofosbuvir/ledipasvir (SOF/LDV) for the retreatment of patients after daclatasvir/asunaprevir (DCV/ASV), a customized therapy with or without lead‐in interferon (IFN)‐β injections was formulated according to the types of resistance‐associated substitutions (RAS) in the non‐structural protein (NS)5A region of genotype 1b hepatitis C virus (HCV).

Methods

Thirty‐three patients failing prior DCV/ASV received SOF/LDV for 12 weeks. Patients with HCV carrying unfavorable NS5A‐RAS and/or those previously treated with simeprevir were given lead‐in IFN‐β injections twice a day for 2 weeks; sequential changes in the NS5A‐RAS during the injection period were evaluated using deep sequencing.

Results

Lead‐in injections were not undertaken in 27 patients; a sustained viral response (SVR) was achieved in 26 patients, while viral relapse occurred in 1 patient with HCV carrying NS5A‐L28M/R30H/Y93H mutations. Among the 6 patients receiving lead‐in injections, viral relapse occurred in 2 patients who had an unfavorable IFN‐λ3‐related gene single nucleotide polymorphism allele; both patients had been previously treated with simeprevir, and HCV carrying NS5A‐L31V/Y93H mutations had emerged after DCV/ASV. Deep sequencing revealed no changes in the NS5A‐RAS profiles during the lead‐in injection period in either patient. In contrast, in a patient with a favorable allele who was infected with similar unfavorable HCV strains, NS5A‐L31/Y93 wild‐type strains appeared during the injection period, enabling an SVR.

Conclusion

Using customized therapies based on the NS5A‐RAS profiles, a high SVR rate was obtained after SOF/LDV in patients failing prior DCV/ASV. Lead‐in IFN‐β injections did not improve the efficacy in patients with HCV carrying unfavorable NS5A‐RAS except in those with a favorable IFN‐λ3‐related gene allele.
In vitro evaluation of a novel pH neutral calcium phosphosilicate bioactive glass that does not require preconditioning prior to use
Authors: Li Ailing , Lv Yang , Ren Huihui , Cui Yang , Wang Chao , Martin Richard A. , Qiu Dong
Published: September 2017

It is well known that bioactive glasses can cause a significant increase in pH due to the rapid release of calcium and/or sodium ions. Consequently, preconditioning of the glass is usually required prior to surgery to negate the effect of this sudden release of ions. However, preconditioning for several days is far from ideal and also preconditioning is not practical for novel organic/inorganic sol‐gel hybrids currently being developed since the organic phase will start to hydrolyze and dissolve. This study describes a bioactive glass that dissolves without causing a significant change in pH from physiologically optimal values and requires no preconditioning prior to use. The bioactivity of the pH neutral glass, hydroxyapatite formation, and cellular responses, are measured and compared directly with results from archetypal 45S5 and S70C30 bioactive glasses. A hydroxyapatite layer was found to rapidly form (within 1 day) on the surface of the pH neutral glass upon reacting with simulated body fluid. In addition, improved cell compatibility was observed compared with 45S5 and S70C30 glasses. Therefore, this pH neutral glass has significant potential for bone repair applications.
SAPHO syndrome associated with hidradenitis suppurativa and pyoderma gangrenosum successfully treated with adalimumab and methotrexate: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Vekic Dunja A. , Woods Jane , Lin Peter , Cains Geoffrey D.
Published: September 2017

SAPHO (synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis) syndrome is a rare inflammatory condition describing the combination of skin, bone, and joint manifestations that has a heterogeneous presentation. We report a case of severe SAPHO syndrome in association with hidradenitis suppurativa and pyoderma gangrenosum in a 27‐year‐old male. The patient had an initial migratory arthritis affecting the knees, ankles, metacarpophalangeal joints, proximal interphalangeal joints, wrists, shoulder, and lower back, which progressed to a persistent arthritis and swelling at the sternum, shoulders, wrists, hands, feet, and lower back. Radiographic changes were consistent with the diagnosis of SAPHO syndrome. Serum proinflammatory cytokine levels were significantly elevated and improved substantially after 3 months of therapy. Rationale for therapy in this patient was the observation that tumor necrosis alpha antagonists have been successfully used in SAPHO syndrome, and since arthropathy was so prominent in our patient, we elected to use adalimumab combined with methotrexate.
How Home Health Agencies’ Ownership Affects Practice Patterns
Authors: Kim Hyunjee , Norton Edward C.
Published: September 2017

This study explores whether for‐profit home health agencies responded differently from non‐profit agencies to financial incentives embedded in the Medicare prospective payment system. Agencies were able to receive higher reimbursement per patient under the prospective payment system if they adjusted the number of therapy visits or the type of visits for a two‐month‐long episode. Agencies could also increase reimbursement by treating a patient for multiple episodes of care, because prospective payments were made on a per‐episode basis. Using the Medicare Claims and Provider of Services Files from 2001 to 2009, we examine differences between for‐profit and non‐profit agencies in these practice patterns during the first nine years of the prospective payment system. We find that for‐profit agencies were more likely to adopt most of these practice patterns than were non‐profit agencies. This finding suggests that for‐profit agencies were more responsive to financial incentives, and therefore disproportionately contributed to the increase in Medicare home health spending under the prospective payment system. Policymakers could consider revising the current prospective payment system that gives agencies incentives to distort practice patterns regardless of a patient's health care needs.
LEED v4: Where Are We Now? Critical Assessment through the LCA of an Office Building Using a Low Impact Energy Consumption Mix
Authors: Lessard Yannick , Anand Chirjiv , Blanchet Pierre , Frenette Caroline , Amor Ben
Published: September 2017

Various green building rating systems (GBRSs) have been proposed to reduce the environmental impact of buildings. However, these GBRSs, such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) v4, are primarily oriented toward a building's use stage energy consumption. Their application in contexts involving a high share of renewable energy, and hence a low‐impact electricity mix, can result in undesirable side effects. This paper aims to investigate such effects, based on an existing office building in Quebec (Canada), where more than 95% of the electricity consumption mix is renewable. This paper compares the material impacts from a low‐energy context building to material considerations in LEED v4. In addition to their contributions to the building impacts, material impacts are also defined by their potential to change impacts with different material configurations. Life cycle assessment (LCA) impacts were evaluated using Simapro 8.2, the ecoinvent 3.1 database, and the IMPACT 2002+ method. The building LCA results indicated higher environmental impact contributions from materials (>50%) compared to those from energy consumption. This is in contrast with the LEED v4 rating system, as it did not seem to be as effective in capturing such effects. The conclusions drawn from this work will help stakeholders from the buildings sector to have a better understanding of building environmental profiles, and the limitations of LEED v4 in contexts involving a low‐impact energy mix. In addition, this critical assessment can be used to further improve the LEED certification system.
A Note on the Magnitude of the Feedback Effect in Environmentally Extended Multi‐Region Input‐Output Tables
Authors: Moran Daniel , Wood Richard , Rodrigues João F. D.
Published: September 2017

Global multiregion input‐output (MRIO) tables have been developed to capture international spillover effects due to demand in one country and production in other countries. International spillovers have been growing and have become so dominant, especially in environmental analysis, that their inclusion is essential when analyzing impacts of consumption. MRIO tables give full coverage of the world economy, but do not always respect the official data of a given country. When international spillovers also cause increased production in the country of demand, we see what are known as “feedback effects.” As coupled models are being developed that make use of an official foreground national input‐output table (IOT) alongside an existing global MRIO, we are left in the situation where a coupled model does not use the official foreground information when modeling international feedback loops. The question thus arises: How large are these feedback loops for different environmental impacts? We look specifically at the amount of domestic production that is embodied in imports back into that region. We find that for emissions, the feedbacks are small, usually <2% of the total import footprint, though up to 6%+ for some countries in some years for some stressors. Our findings suggest that using Leontief multipliers from available MRIOs may be an acceptable method for modeling imports into national IOTs for environmentally extended MRIO analysis.
The Characteristics and Trends of Socioeconomic Metabolism in China
Authors: Dai Tiejun , Wang Wanjun
Published: September 2017

China has become the country with the largest resource use and has high levels of waste emissions that pose a great management challenge. To provide more details about environmental problems and to find effective solutions, this article analyzed the scale, structure, and trend of the socioeconomic metabolism in China during the period 1992–2014 based on economy‐wide material flow accounts (EW‐MFA), and predicted resource use during the period of the 13th Five‐Year Plan. The results of this study show that the scale of China's socioeconomic metabolism in China increased more than twofold, during 1992–2014. However, after 2011, with the economic slowdown, the growth rates of total material requirement (TMR), direct material input (DMI), and domestic processed output (DPO) began to decrease. China may reach an inflection point, but this point will probably not be approached before the year 2020. Material recycling (MR) has played an important role in improving resource productivity, improving it by 92.52 renminbi per tonne in 2014. Metallic minerals and fossil fuels are the main sources of hidden flow. Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, construction waste, and agricultural emissions have become the major sources of DPO. Because of the 13th Five‐Year Plan, China may slow the growth rate of DMI and may save 10.26 gigatonnes of resources during 2015–2020. Resource productivity is predicted to increase by 15.91%. Imports and MR may play more important roles. These suggestions are made: (1) strengthening the recycling system; (2) stronger policies, especially in metallic mineral and fossil fuels; (3) developing management systems for CO2 emissions, construction waste, and agricultural emissions; and (4) adjusting China's economic structure.