bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of the Ar and He dilution gas mixture ratio on the hardness of a-C:H films synthesized by atmospheric pressure plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Kishimoto Eiichi , Maegawa Shunto , Shirakura Akira , Suzuki Tetsuya
Published: May 2017

Hydrogenated amorphous carbon (a-C:H) films synthesized by atmospheric-pressure plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (AP-PECVD) possess a low hardness because of the large amount of incorporated hydrogen. To increase the hardness of these a-C:H films, detachment of the hydrogen is accomplished using Ar ion bombardment during the deposition process. Herein, a-C:H films were deposited by AP-PECVD and the effects of varying the dilution gas mixing ratio of Ar and He on the hardness of the a-C:H films were investigated. As the Ar ratio in the mixture gas increased from 0% to 20%, the hardness of the films increased from 0.8 to 2.7 GPa. Furthermore, as the Ar ratio increased, the metastable He atoms in the plasma decreased, the intensity of the CHx peaks related to the hydrogen decreased, and the surface roughness of the films increased. These results imply that Ar ion bombardment at the film surface occurred and was caused by the Penning effect of metastable He and Ar atoms. The hardness of the a-C:H films synthesized by AP-PECVD was increased by the dilution of Ar and He gases because the hydrogen content of the films was decreased via the Ar ions generated by the Ar and He mixture gases.
Complete Genome Sequences of Two Phage-Like Plasmids Carrying the CTX-M-15 Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase Gene
Authors: Colavecchio Anna , Jeukens Julie , Freschi Luca , Edmond Rheault Jean-Guillaume , Kukavica-Ibrulj Irena , Levesque Roger C. , LeJeune Jeffrey , Goodridge Lawrence
Published: May 2017

Two similar phage-like plasmids carrying CTX-M-15 resistance cassettes were identified from two environmental
Escherichia coli
isolates. They demonstrate strong nucleotide sequence identity to the phage-like plasmid pECOH89 and
Salmonella
bacteriophage SSU5.
AnCo3, a New Member of the Emerging Family of Phage-Like Plasmids
Authors: Colavecchio Anna , Jeukens Julie , Freschi Luca , Edmond Rheault Jean-Guillaume , Kukavica-Ibrulj Irena , Levesque Roger , Goodridge Lawrence
Published: May 2017

A phage-like plasmid isolated from a clinical isolate of
Salmonella enterica
serovar Derby has strong nucleotide sequence identity to the phage-like plasmids pSTM_phi isolated from
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium L495, AnCo1 and AnCo2 from
Escherichia coli
243 and
Escherichia coli
244, and the virulent
Salmonella
-specific SSU5 bacteriophage.
Genome Sequence of a Bovine Rhinitis B Virus Identified in Cattle in Sweden
Authors: Blomström Anne-Lie , Oma Veslemøy , Khatri Mamata , Hansen Hanne H. , Stokstad Maria , Berg Mikael , Myrmel Mette
Published: May 2017

A bovine rhinitis B virus, identified in a calf from Sweden, was genetically characterized. The complete polyprotein was recovered, and phylogenetic analysis showed that this virus has the highest similarity to a bovine rhinitis B virus previously identified in Mexico.
Draft Genome Sequences of 25 Listeria monocytogenes Isolates Associated with Human Clinical Listeriosis in Ireland
Authors: O’Callaghan Amy , Hilliard Amber , Morgan Ciara A. , Culligan Eamonn P. , Leong Dara , DeLappe Niall , Hill Colin , Jordan Kieran , Cormican Martin , Gahan Cormac G. M.
Published: May 2017

Listeria monocytogenes
is a Gram-positive opportunistic pathogen that is the causative agent of listeriosis. Here, we report the draft genome sequences of 25
L. monocytogenes
strains isolated from patients with clinical listeriosis in the Republic of Ireland between 2013 and 2015.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Geobacillus
sp. LEMMY01, a Thermophilic Bacterium Isolated from the Site of a Burning Grass Pile
Authors: de Souza Yuri Pinheiro Alves , da Mota Fábio Faria , Rosado Alexandre Soares
Published: May 2017

We report here the 3,586,065-bp draft genome of
Geobacillus
sp. LEMMY01, which was isolated (axenic culture) from a thermophilic chemolitoautotrophic consortium obtained from the site of a burning grass pile. The genome contains biosynthetic gene clusters coding for secondary metabolites, such as terpene and lantipeptide, confirming the biotechnological potential of this strain.
Ten Genome Sequences of Human and Livestock Isolates of Bacillus anthracis from the Country of Georgia
Authors: Khmaladze Ekaterine , Dzavashvili Giorgi , Chanturia Gvantsa , Nikolich Mikeljon P. , Chain Patrick S. G. , Johnson Shannon L. , Imnadze Paata
Published: May 2017

Bacillus anthracis
causes the acute fatal disease anthrax, is a proven biological weapon, and is endemic in Georgia, where human and animal cases are reported annually. Here, we present whole-genome sequences of 10 historical
B. anthracis
strains from Georgia.
Draft Genome of the Heterotrophic Iron-Oxidizing Bacterium “
Acidibacillus ferroxidans
” Huett2, Isolated from a Mine Drainage Ditch in Freiberg, Germany
Authors: Schopf Simone , Ullrich Sophie R. , Heine Thomas , Schlömann Michael
Published: May 2017

Here, we communicate the draft genome of “
Acidibacillus ferrooxidans
” Huett2, a novel strain of an acidophilic, heterotrophic, iron-oxidizing bacterium belonging to the phylum
Firmicutes
. It was isolated from a water drainage system of a former minefield in Freiberg, Germany.
Draft Genome Sequence of Lawsonia intracellularis Strain E40504, Isolated from a Horse Diagnosed with Equine Proliferative Enteropathy
Authors: Mirajkar Nandita S. , Kelley Molly R. , Gebhart Connie J.
Published: May 2017

Reported herein is the draft genome sequence of equine-origin
Lawsonia intracellularis
strain E40504, an obligate intracellular bacterium and the etiological agent of equine proliferative enteropathy. The 1.69-Mb draft genome sequence includes 1,380 protein-coding genes and 49 RNA genes, and it lacks a genomic island reported in swine-origin
L. intracellularis
strain PHE/MN1-00.
Implication of Sialidases in
Salmonella
Infection: Genome Release of Sialidase Knockout Strains from Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium LT2
Authors: Arabyan Narine , Weis Allison M. , Huang Bihua C. , Weimer Bart C.
Published: May 2017

Sialidases, which are widely distributed in nature, cleave the α-ketosidic bond of terminal sialic acid residue. These emerging virulence factors degrade the host glycan. We report here the release of seven sialidase and one sialic acid transporter deletion in
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium strain LT2, which are important in cellular invasion during infection.
Draft Genome Sequence of Plant Growth-Promoting Endophytic
Streptomyces
sp. GKU 895 Isolated from the Roots of Sugarcane
Authors: Kruasuwan Worarat , Salih Talal Sabhan , Brozio Sarah , Hoskisson Paul A. , Thamchaipenet Arinthip
Published: May 2017

Streptomyces
sp. GKU 895 is an endophytic actinomycete isolated from the roots of sugarcane. GKU 895 has a genome of 8.3 Mbp and the genome exhibits adaptations related to plant growth-promoting activity. It also has extensive specialized metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters apparent in its genome.
How to use nasal nitric oxide in a child with suspected primary ciliary dyskinesia
Authors: Simpson Kim , Brodlie Malcolm
Published: May 2017

Measuring nasal nitric oxide (nNO) is increasingly used as part of testing for primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD). The diagnosis of PCD is often delayed until after bronchiectasis is established and auditory damage has occurred. It is important that all paediatricians are aware of clinical features that are suggestive of PCD that should prompt diagnostic testing. nNO levels are recognised to be low in people with PCD and results generated by static chemiluminescence analysers using velum closure technique in older children have good sensitivity and specificity. However, to conclusively rule PCD in or out, further tests of ciliary function are required and assessment of cilia ultrastructure, immunohistochemistry studies and genotyping may also be indicated. These tests are more complex, invasive and expensive than nNO. nNO is less well studied in younger children where tidal breathing measurements are required. Portable nitric oxide analysers are also increasingly used in practice. This paper discusses when to consider PCD as a possible diagnosis in a child along with the indications, physiological and technical background and clinical utility of nNO as a test for PCD in children.
Central serous chorioretinopathy secondary to tuberculosis: cause or coincidence
Authors: Khan Perwez , Khan Lubna , Anjum Nikhat , Saxena Nutan
Published: May 2017

32-year-old male with diagnosis of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) in both eyes and negative history of administration of any medicine was treated with bilateral focal laser at leakage point, with visual recovery. Recurrence occurred after 2 years in right eye and was treated successfully with acetazolamide. Second recurrence occurred after 1 year. Acetazolamide was restarted, but no improvement was noted. Thorough re-evaluation of the patient revealed a family history of tuberculosis. Ancillary investigations rendered the presumptive diagnosis of tuberculosis, and antituberculosis treatment led to visual recovery with no recurrences. Present case poses two dilemmas: whether CSCR was secondary to tuberculosis or was it an incidental association in tuberculosis endemic population and second whether resolution occurred due to the treatment of tuberculosis or due to mineralo-corticoid antagonism action of rifampicin. Significance of patient’s history, clinical observation and angiographic studies in the diagnosis of idiopathic and recurrent CSCR is reiterated.
Osmotic demyelination syndrome in type 1 diabetes in the absence of dyselectrolytaemia: an overlooked complication?
Authors: Sharma Chandramohan , Kumawat Banshi Lal , Panchal Maulik , Shah Mohit
Published: May 2017

Central pontine myelinolysis (CPM) is a demyelinating disorder of central nervous system which involves central portion of the pons and sometimes extrapontine areas also. It is commonly reported in settings of hyponatraemia or its rapid correction, but in the last few years it has also been reported in patients with diabetes in the absence of electrolyte disturbances or correction of serum osmolality. Here we report a case of a 20-year-old female patient, with a known history of type 1 diabetes mellitus, who presented with acute onset spastic quadriparesis with dysarthria and mild ataxia which evolved over 2 weeks. Her MRI brain showed well-defined, bilateral symmetric hyperintense lesion involving central pons showing area of diffusion restriction which was consistent with CPM. Patient was treated conservatively and improved over a period of few weeks. To diagnose more number of cases, we should not overlook CPM in patients with diabetes.
Migration of a Nexplanon contraceptive implant to the pulmonary artery
Authors: Barlow-Evans Rachel , Jaffer Kulsum , Balogun Moji
Published: May 2017

This is a case report of a 17-year-old woman who experienced distant intravascular migration of a radio-opaque Nexplanon contraceptive implant. She presented with an impalpable implant and this was located using CT in the left lower lobe pulmonary artery. Significant migration of a contraceptive implant is an uncommon risk. Using radio-opaque contraceptive implants such as Nexplanon increases the ability to locate them if migration occurs.
Navigating the benefits and burdens of life-saving treatment in severely decompensated cirrhosis: an illustrative, multisourced narrative
Authors: Berry Philip , Cheent Kuldeep , Lewis Heather , Peck Marcus
Published: May 2017

Severely decompensated cirrhosis presents major challenges in terms of balancing the benefits and burdens of life-extending treatment. Using accounts and interviews with a patient, her mother, consultant hepatologists and a consultant intensivist, this article explores the decision making around a 43-year-old woman with alcoholic liver disease who died after 100 days in a hospital. Particular focus is given to decisions on escalation, recognition of futility, distress associated with therapy and how messages given during end-of-life discussions are processed. Without suggesting that the case is an example of ideal practice, the importance of frequent multidisciplinary discussion, clinical re-evaluation and continuity of care is emphasised.
Recurrent syncope in systemic lupus erythematosus: a hidden cause in abdomen
Authors: Dev Tanvi , Bhari Neetu , Naranje Priyanka , Sethuraman Gomathy
Published: May 2017

Systemic inflammatory rheumatic diseases have shown an increase in frequency of internal malignancies, predominantly lymphoproliferative disorders. Occurrence of solid organ tumours is exceedingly rare. It is even rarer for it to manifest as recurrent syncope. We report a 55-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus, who later developed episodes of syncope and dizziness along with diaphoresis and palpitations. She also had associated abdominal pain and vomiting. Imaging revealed a gall bladder (GB) mass with hepatic extension, which was histologically consistent with adenocarcinoma of the GB. Subsequently she succumbed to death during chemotherapy.
Erroneously elevated glucose values due to maltose interference in mutant glucose dehydrogenase pyrroloquinolinequinone (mutant GDH-PQQ) based glucometer
Authors: Chakraborty Partha Pratim , Patra Shinjan , Bhattacharjee Rana , Chowdhury Subhankar
Published: May 2017

Currently available glucose test strip enzymes include glucose oxidase (GOD) and glucose dehydrogenase (GDH). In GDH-based glucometers, glucose oxidation can be catalysed by different cofactors: nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (GDH-NAD), flavin adenine dinucleotide (GDH-FAD), pyrroloquinolinequinone (GDH-PQQ) and mutant GDH-PQQ. GOD-based and GDH-NAD-based glucometers are substrate-specific and do not react with sugars other than glucose. GDH-FAD reacts with xylose only in addition to glucose. GDH-PQQ is not glucose-specific; in addition to glucose, it reacts with different other sugars and produces falsely high values of capillary glucose in the presence of such substances. There are reports of several deaths associated with usage of GDH-PQQ-based test strips. A modified form of GDH-PQQ, the so-called mutant GDH-PQQ, is supposedly free from such interferences. In this article spuriously high glucose values due to maltose interference in a glucometer using the mutant GDH-PQQ chemistry are being reported.
Migration of eroded laparoscopic adjustable gastric band causing small bowel obstruction and perforation
Authors: Abeysekera Ashvini , Lee Jerry , Ghosh Simon , Hacking Craig
Published: May 2017

We present an unusual and rare complication caused by gastric band erosion into the stomach after band placement 15 years ago. The complication was only picked up after the band had subsequently migrated from the stomach at the site of erosion, to the distal ileum causing acute small bowel obstruction and focal perforation requiring emergency laparotomy.

Abdominal pain in patients with gastric band should always be treated as serious until proven otherwise.
Lemierre’s syndrome; a rare cause of septic arthritis
Authors: Olivier James B , Al-Hourani Khalid , Bolland Benjamin
Published: May 2017

Lemierre’s syndrome is a rare condition characterised by pharyngitis leading to septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein. Complications include pulmonary septic emboli, septic arthritis and disseminated intravascular coagulation. The authors present a case of a healthy woman aged 25 years with septic arthritis of the shoulder due to this unusual cause. This diagnosis was made via a combination of clinical, radiological and microbiological findings. It was successfully treated via surgical and antimicrobial interventions. The patient made a good recovery with minimal associated morbidity or loss of function. This case highlights the importance for awareness and high index of suspicion for rarer causes of septic arthritis in young healthy adults as early appropriate intervention maximises prognosis.
The efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of central retinal artery occlusion
Authors: Soares Andreia , Gomes Nuno L , Mendonça Luís , Ferreira Carla
Published: May 2017

Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is an ophthalmological emergency. Various treatment modalities have been tried, but none have shown to alter natural history of the disease. Hyperoxia can restore retinal oxygenation, and favourable results were obtained with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). We report two patients with sudden visual loss due to CRAO treated with HBOT. Case 1: a 61-year-old female, presented with CRAO in her left eye(OS). She was submitted to eight sessions of HBOT(2.4atmosphere absolute (ATA)). BCVA(Best corrected visual acuity) improved from counting fingers (CF) to 1.0 and fluorescein angiography (FA) showed a normalisation. Vascular study showed a value of 8.8% for HbA1c and ventricular extrasystoles. Case 2: a 69-year-old male presented with CRAO in his OS. Nine sessions of HBOT(2.4 ATA) were performed. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA)improved from CF to 0.8 and the FA was normalised. Vascular study revealed an atheromatous carotid disease, and cardiac pathology. HBOT seems to be beneficial on the recovery of vision following CRAO.
Isolated prostate cancer soft tissue recurrence 10 years after radical prostatectomy
Authors: Khan Munad , Davidson Adee-Jonathan , McKinley Madeleine , Ischia Joseph
Published: May 2017

In advanced disease, prostate cancer is well known to invade locally as well as metastasise to distant locations. Metastases occur commonly in lymph nodes and bone but have also been known to involve certain visceral organs, particularly the lungs. Involvement of soft tissue by metastases is far less common, particularly in the context of cancer recurrence. We present the case of a male aged 68 years who presented with a rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) 10 years after radical prostatectomy (RP). The PSA increased despite salvage radiotherapy and was ultimately found to be caused by a PSA secreting prostate cancer soft tissue mass in the suprapubic region. Surgical resection of the mass caused a sharp decline in the PSA to negligible levels. This case highlights the need for ongoing surveillance post-RP and the potential for prostate cancer recurrence in the soft tissue that is refractory to routine salvage radiotherapy.
Interdevice comparison of retinal sensitivity assessments in a healthy population: the CenterVue MAIA and the Nidek MP-3 microperimeters
Authors: Balasubramanian Siva , Uji Akihito , Lei Jianqin , Velaga Swetha , Nittala Muneeswar , Sadda SriniVas
Published: May 2017

Background

To compare and correlate the retinal sensitivity measurements obtained with Nidek Microperimetry-3 (MP-3) and the CenterVue Macular Integrity Assessment (MAIA) microperimeters among healthy subjects.

Methods

In this prospective comparative study, 31 eyes of 23 subjects underwent complete ophthalmological examination including retinal sensitivity assessments using two microperimeters, the MP-3 (Nidek Technologies) and the MAIA (CenterVue). The mean retinal sensitivity (dB) and its corresponding luminance (asb) and contrast (log units) were analysed between the two instruments. The interdevice reproducibility and level of agreement between the sensitivity values of the devices were assessed.

Results

The mean retinal sensitivity (dB) measured by the MP-3 (25.02±1.06 dB, range: 20.90–26.70) was significantly (p<0.0001) lower compared with the MAIA (30.68±0.74 dB, range: 28–31.84). The luminosity levels were significantly (p<0.0001) higher with the MP3 (7.75±1.31 asb, range: 6.44–9.06) compared with the MAIA (0.92±0.14 asb, range: 0.78–1.06). The contrast sensitivity was significantly higher for the MP-3 (0.94±0.33 log units, range: 0.61–1.27) compared with the MAIA (0.23±0.03 log units, range: 0.20–0.26). Despite these absolute differences, the intraclass coefficient was 0.85 (95% CI 0.70 to 0.92) between the two devices after applying a standard correction factor to each data point (MAIA sensitivity=MP-3 sensitivity+5.65) with a mean difference between MAIA and MP-3 of 0.01.

Conclusion

Retinal sensitivity measures higher, but luminance and contrast sensitivity measure lower for MAIA-generated values compared with the MP-3. The relationships, however, appeared fairly consistent, and application of a standard correction factor allowed the data to be inter-related, at least for normal eyes.
Alteration in the gastric microbiota and its restoration by probiotics in patients with functional dyspepsia
Authors: Igarashi Muneki , Nakae Hirohiko , Matsuoka Takashi , Takahashi Shunsuke , Hisada Takayoshi , Tomita Junko , Koga Yasuhiro
Published: May 2017

Objective

The objective of this study was to comparatively analyse the gastric fluid (GF) microbiota between patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) and healthy controls (HC), and to assess the effect of probiotics on the microbiota.

Design

Twenty-four Japanese patients with FD who met the Rome III definition and 21 age-matched and gender-matched HC volunteers were enrolled. The patients with FD had been treated with LG21, a probiotic strain. The GF was sampled after an overnight fast using a nasogastric tube. The bile acids concentration was determined by ELISA. The V3-V4 region of 16S rRNA gene was amplified using bacterial DNA from the GF, and then about 30 000 high-quality amplicons per sample were grouped into operational taxonomic units for analyses.

Results

The ratio of GF samples in which the bile acids were detectable was significantly greater in the FD than in the HC groups. In the bacterial composition analysis at the phylum level, the GF microbiota had aBacteroidetes>Proteobacteriaabundance and an absence ofAcidobacteriain the FD group, in contrast, the GF microbiota had aBacteroidetes<Proteobacteriaabundance and the presence ofAcidobacteriain the HC group. Probiotic therapy in patients with FD shifted the composition of the GF microbiota to that observed in the HC volunteers.

Conclusions

Alteration in the GF microbiota was found in patients with FD compared with HC volunteers. Reflux of the small intestinal contents, including bile acid and intestinal bacteria, to the stomach was suggested to induce a bacterial composition change and be involved in the pathophysiology underlying FD. Probiotics appear effective in the treatment of FD through the normalisation of gastric microbiota.

Trial registration number

UMINCTR 000022026; Results.
Management of lipid-lowering therapy in patients with cardiovascular events in the UK: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Danese Mark D , Gleeson Michelle , Kutikova Lucie , Griffiths Robert I , Khunti Kamlesh , Seshasai Sreenivasa Rao Kondapally , Ray Kausik K
Published: May 2017

Objectives

To describe low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol management and lipid-lowering treatment patterns in patients with a cardiovascular (CV) event.

Design

Retrospective cohort study using Clinical Practice Research Datalink records linked with Hospital Episode Statistics data.

Setting

Routine clinical practice in the UK from 2006 to 2012.

Participants

Individuals ≥18 years were selected at their first CV-related hospitalisation (first event cohort) if they had received ≥2 lipid-lowering therapy prescriptions within 180 days beforehand. Patients were stratified into four mutually exclusive subgroups based on the presence or absence of vascular disease and of diabetes. Those with a second CV hospitalisation within 36 months were included in a separate cohort (second event cohort).

Primary and secondary outcome measures

LDL levels in the year prior to the CV event and 12 months later as well as measures of adherence to lipid-lowering therapy during the 12 months after the CV hospitalisation.

Results

There were 24 093 patients in the first event cohort, of whom 5274 were included in the second event cohort. Most received moderate intensity statins at baseline and 12 months. Among the four first event cohort subgroups at baseline, the proportions with an LDL of <1.8 mmol/L was similar between the two diabetic cohorts (36% to 38%) and were higher than those in the two non-diabetic cohorts (17% to 22%) and in the second event cohort (31%). An incremental 5% to 9% had an LDL below 1.8 mmol/L at 12 months, suggesting intensification of therapy. The proportion of adherent patients (medication possession ratio of≥0.8) was highest for statins, ranging from 68% to 72%. For ezetimibe, the range was 65% to 70%, and for fibrates, it was 48% to 62%.

Conclusions

Despite the existence of effective therapies for lowering cholesterol, patients do not reach achievable LDL targets.
Trends in the supply of California’s emergency departments and inpatient services, 2005–2014: a retrospective analysis
Authors: Chow Jessica L , Niedzwiecki Matthew J , Hsia Renee Y
Published: May 2017

Objectives

Given increasing demand for emergency care, there is growing concern over the availability of emergency department (ED) and inpatient resources. Existing studies of ED bed supply are dated and often overlook hospital capacity beyond ED settings. We described recent statewide trends in the capacity of ED and inpatient hospital services from 2005 to 2014.

Design

Retrospective analysis.

Setting

Using California hospital data, we examined the absolute and per admission changes in ED beds and inpatient beds in all hospitals from 2005 to 2014.

Participants

Our sample consisted of all patients inpatient and outpatient) from 501 hospital facilities over 10-year period.

Outcome measures

We analysed linear trends in the total annual ED visits, ED beds, licensed and staffed inpatient hospital beds and bed types, ED beds per ED visit, and inpatient beds per admission (ED and non-ED).

Results

Between 2005 and 2014, ED visits increased from 9.8 million to 13.2 million (an increase of 35.0%, p<0.001). ED beds also increased (by 29.8%, p<0.001), with an average annual increase of 195.4 beds. Despite this growth, ED beds per visit decreased by 3.9%, from 6.0 ED beds per 10 000 ED visits in 2005 to 5.8 beds in 2014 (p=0.01). While overall admission numbers declined by 4.9% (p=0.06), inpatient medical/surgical beds per visit grew by 11.3%, from 11.6 medical/surgical beds per 1000 admissions in 2005 to 12.9 beds in 2014 (p<0.001). However, there were reductions in psychiatric and chemical dependency beds per admission, by −15.3% (p<0.001) and −22.4% (p=0.05), respectively.

Conclusions

These trends suggest that, in its current state, inadequate supply of ED and specific inpatient beds cannot keep pace with growing patient demand for acute care. Analysis of ED and inpatient supply should capture dynamic variations in patient demand. Our novel ‘beds pervisit’ metric offers improvements over traditional supply measures.
Knee arthroscopy versus conservative management in patients with degenerative knee disease: a systematic review
Authors: Brignardello-Petersen Romina , Guyatt Gordon H , Buchbinder Rachelle , Poolman Rudolf W , Schandelmaier Stefan , Chang Yaping , Sadeghirad Behnam , Evaniew Nathan , Vandvik Per O
Published: May 2017

Objective

To determine the effects and complications of arthroscopic surgery compared with conservative management strategies in patients with degenerative knee disease.

Design

Systematic review.

Main outcome measures

Pain, function, adverse events.

Data sources

MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Google Scholar and Open Grey up to August 2016.

Eligibility criteria

For effects, randomised clinical trials (RCTs) comparing arthroscopic surgery with a conservative management strategy (including sham surgery) in patients with degenerative knee disease. For complications, RCTs and observational studies.

Review methods

Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed risk of bias for patient-important outcomes. A parallel guideline committee (BMJRapid Recommendations) provided input on the design and interpretation of the systematic review, including selection of patient-important outcomes. We used the GRADE approach to rate the certainty (quality) of the evidence.

Results

We included 13 RCTs and 12 observational studies. With respect to pain, the review identified high-certainty evidence that knee arthroscopy results in a very small reduction in pain up to 3 months (mean difference =5.4 on a 100-point scale, 95% CI 2.0 to 8.8) and very small or no pain reduction up to 2 years (mean difference =3.1, 95% CI −0.2 to 6.4) when compared with conservative management. With respect to function, the review identified moderate-certainty evidence that knee arthroscopy results in a very small improvement in the short term (mean difference =4.9 on a 100-point scale, 95% CI 1.5 to 8.4) and very small or no improved function up to 2 years (mean difference =3.2, 95% CI −0.5 to 6.8). Alternative presentations of magnitude of effect, and associated sensitivity analyses, were consistent with the findings of the primary analysis. Low-quality evidence suggested a very low probability of serious complications after knee arthroscopy.

Conclusions

Over the long term, patients who undergo knee arthroscopy versus those who receive conservative management strategies do not have important benefits in pain or function.

Trial registration number

PROSPERO CRD42016046242.
Classifying simulation-based studies using the description, justification and clarification framework: a review of simulation conference abstracts
Authors: Graham Alastair Campbell , Church Helen Rachael , Murdoch-Eaton Deborah G
Published: May 2017

Introduction

Simulation-based medical education (SBME) is an accepted learning methodology with an ever-expanding evidence base. Concerns have been expressed that research output in SBME lacks explicit links to educational theory. Using the ‘Description, Justification and Clarification’ framework we have investigated the extent to which SBME conference abstracts declare the educational theory underpinning their studies.

Methods

Abstracts from four major international SBME conferences (for 2014 and 2015) were reviewed. Abstracts were classified using the framework offered by Cook et al who classified studies published in major educational journals. Clarification studies are those which specifically declare and test their underpinning educational approach.

Results

We reviewed 1398 conference abstracts which we classified as Description 54.4%, Justification 36.3% and Clarification 9.3%. The two most frequently declared educational theories were Cognitive Theories and Experiential Learning.

Conclusion

The low proportion of Clarification studies found in the SBME conference abstracts reflects previous findings highlighting the lack of medical education studies that establish how and why SBME works. Researchers should be encouraged to declare their underpinning educational theories when presenting their work. Conference organisers play an important role in facilitating this through allowing sufficient word count in their submission criteria.
Older people’s views and experiences of engagement in standardised patient simulation
Authors: Thompson Juliana , Tiplady Sue , Hutchinson Anne , Cook Glenda , Harrington Barbara
Published: May 2017

Background

The last two decades have witnessed initiatives aimed at improving the care of older people, including educating nurses so that they are equipped with the skills to care for older people with frailty and complex multimorbidities. It has been suggested that involvement of older service users in nurse education can facilitate the development of nurses’ caring skills by promoting understanding of the reality of older people’s situations. One method of involving older service users is standardised patient simulation (SPS). While some recent studies have acknowledged the importance of considering standardised patients’ experiences and perceptions of simulation, to date few have focused specifically on the experiences of older people.

Methods

In this qualitative study, data were collected via focus groups, whereby older people were invited to discuss their views and experiences of involvement in SPS. Data were analysed using open coding.

Findings

Four themes emerged from the data, demonstrating that involving older people in SPS may be beneficial for their well-being. The four themes were: ‘using personal experiences to improve care’, ‘having a sense of purpose’, ‘preparation and support for SPS’ and ‘feeling appreciated’.

Discussion

While most participants reported that they enjoyed the SPS activities, engagement appeared to have had a much deeper significance for them. Many participants’ responses suggested that involvement assisted them to ‘make sense’ of their experiences of illness and healthcare, and also gave a sense of purpose, of belonging and of being valued.

Conclusion

Findings support the need for nurse educators to consider developing SPS programmes that involve older people.
Towards cultural materialism in the medical humanities: the case of blood rejuvenation
Authors: Oakley Catherine
Published: May 2017

This paper argues for an approach within the medical humanities that draws on the theoretical legacy of cultural materialism as a framework for reading cultural practices and their relationship to the social and economic order. It revisits the origins and development of cultural materialism in cultural studies and literary studies between the 1970s and 1990s and considers how, with adaptation, this methodology might facilitate ideological criticism focused on material formations of health, disease and the human body. I outline three key characteristics of a medicocultural materialist approach along these lines: (a) interdisciplinary work on a broad range of medical and cultural sources, including those drawn from ‘popular’ forms of culture; (b) the combination of historicist analysis with scrutiny of present-day contexts; (c) analyses that engage with political economy perspectives and/or the work of medical sociology in this area. The subsequent sections of the paper employ a medicocultural materialist approach to examine conjectural understandings of, and empirical investigations into, the capacity of transfused human blood to rejuvenate the ageing body. I trace textual faultlines that expose the structures of power which inform the movement of blood between bodies in ‘medical gothic’ fictions from the 19th-century fin de siècle, including Mary Elizabeth Braddon's ‘Good Lady Ducayne’ (1896) and Bram Stoker'sDracula(1897). I conclude with a critique of biomedical innovations in blood rejuvenation in the era of medical neoliberalism, before considering the potential applications of medicocultural materialism to other topics within the field of the medical humanities.
Screening contacts of patients with extrapulmonary TB for latent TB infection
Authors: Humphreys Anna , Abbara Aula , Williams Sion , John Laurence , Corrah Tumena , McGregor Alastair , Davidson Robert N
Published: May 2017

2016 TB National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines imply that contacts of extrapulmonary TB do not require screening for latent TB infection. At our high TB prevalence site, we identified 189 active cases of TB for whom there were 698 close contacts. 29.1% of the contacts of pulmonary TB and 10.7% of the contacts of extrapulmonary TB had active or latent TB infection. This supports screening contacts of extrapulmonary TB at our site and presents a way to access high-risk individuals. We propose to continue to screen the contacts of our patients with extrapulmonary TB and recommend other TB units audit their local results.
Modelling the implications of reducing smoking prevalence: the public health and economic benefits of achieving a ‘tobacco-free’ UK
Authors: Hunt Daniel , Knuchel-Takano André , Jaccard Abbygail , Bhimjiyani Arti , Retat Lise , Selvarajah Chit , Brown Katrina , Webber Laura L , Brown Martin
Published: May 2017

Introduction

Smoking is still the most preventable cause of cancer, and a leading cause of premature mortality and health inequalities in the UK. This study modelled the health and economic impacts of achieving a ‘tobacco-free’ ambition (TFA) where, by 2035, less than 5% of the population smoke tobacco across all socioeconomic groups.

Methods

A non-linear multivariate regression model was fitted to cross-sectional smoking data to create projections to 2035. These projections were used to predict the future incidence and costs of 17 smoking-related diseases using a microsimulation approach. The health and economic impacts of achieving a TFA were evaluated against a predicted baseline scenario, where current smoking trends continue.

Results

If trends continue, the prevalence of smoking in the UK was projected to be 10% by 2035—well above a TFA. If this ambition were achieved by 2035, it could mean 97 300 +/- 5 300 new cases of smoking-related diseases are avoided by 2035 (tobacco-related cancers: 35 900+/- 4 100; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: 29 000 +/- 2 700; stroke: 24 900 +/- 2 700; coronary heart disease: 7600 +/- 2 700), including around 12 350 diseases avoided in 2035 alone. The consequence of this health improvement is predicted to avoid £67 +/- 8 million in direct National Health Service and social care costs, and £548 million in non-health costs, in 2035 alone.

Conclusion

These findings strengthen the case to set bold targets on long-term declines in smoking prevalence to achieve a tobacco ‘endgame’. Results demonstrate the health and economic benefits that meeting a TFA can achieve over just 20 years. Effective ambitions and policy interventions are needed to reduce the disease and economic burden of smoking.
Uncertainty of inventory-based estimates of the carbon dynamics of Canada’s managed forest (1990–2014)
Authors: Metsaranta J.M. , Shaw C.H. , Kurz W.A. , Boisvenue C. , Morken S.
Published: May 2017

Canada’s National Forest Carbon Monitoring Accounting and Reporting System (NFCMARS) quantifies the carbon (C) dynamics and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and removals of Canada’s managed forest to fulfill reporting obligations under international climate conventions. Countries are also requested to assess the uncertainty associated with these estimates, which we report here. We used Monte Carlo simulation to quantify uncertainty of carbon stock and flux estimates from the Carbon Budget Model of the Canadian Forest Sector (CBM-CFS3), the core ecosystem model of the NFCMARS. We evaluated the impacts of model algorithms, parameters, and the input data used to describe forest characteristics and disturbance rates. Under our assumptions, 95% confidence interval widths averaged 16.2 Pg C (+8.3 and –7.9 Pg C, or ±15%) for total ecosystem C stock and 32.2 Tg C·year−1 (+16.6 and –15.6 Tg C·year−1) for net biome production relative to an overall simulation median of –0.8 Tg C·year−1 from 1990 to 2014. The largest sources of uncertainty were related to factors determining biomass increment and the parameters used to model soil and dead organic matter C dynamics. Opportunities to reduce uncertainty and associated research challenges were identified.
Genetic and phenotypic diversity of rhizobia nodulating chickpea (Cicer arietinumL.) in soils from southern and central Ethiopia
Authors: Tena Wondwosen , Wolde-Meskel Endalkachew , Degefu Tulu , Walley Fran
Published: May 2017

Forty-two chickpea-nodulating rhizobia were isolated from soil samples collected from diverse agro-ecological locations of Ethiopia and were characterized on the basis of 76 phenotypic traits. Furthermore, 18 representative strains were selected and characterized using multilocus sequence analyses of core and symbiotic gene loci. Numerical analysis of the phenotypic characteristics grouped the 42 strains into 4 distinct clusters. The analysis of the 16S rRNA gene of the 18 strains showed that they belong to the Mesorhizobium genus. On the basis of the phylogenetic tree constructed from the combined genes sequences (recA, atpD, glnII, and gyrB), the test strains were distributed into 4 genospecies (designated as genospecies I–IV). Genospecies I, II, and III could be classified with Mesorhizobium ciceri, Mesorhizobium abyssinicae, and Mesorhizobium shonense, respectively, while genospecies IV might represent an unnamed Mesorhizobium genospecies. Phylogenetic reconstruction based on the symbiosis-related (nifH and nodA) genes supported a single cluster together with a previously described symbiont of chickpea (M. ciceri and Mesorhizobium mediterraneum). Overall, our results corroborate earlier findings that Ethiopian soils harbor phylogenetically diverse Mesorhizobium species, justifying further explorative studies. The observed differences in symbiotic effectiveness indicated the potential to select effective strains for use as inoculants and to improve the productivity of chickpea in the country.
Weather resistance of CaSO4 ⋅ 1/2H2O-based sand-fixation material
Authors: Liu Xin , Tie Shengnian
Published: May 2017

Searching for an economical and effective sand-fixing material and technology is of great importance in Northwest China. This paper described the use of a semihydrated gypsum-(CaSO4 ⋅ 1/2H2O-)based composite as a sand-fixing material. Its morphology and composition were characterized by SEM, and its water resistance, freezing–thawing resistance and wind erosion resistance were tested in the field. The results indicated that semihydrated gypsum-(CaSO4 ⋅ 1/2H2O-)based sand-fixing composite has good water resistance and water-holding capacity. Its strength is maintained at 1.42 MPa after 50 freezing and thawing cycles, and its wind erosion increases with increasing wind speed and slope. Its compressive strength starts to decrease after nine months of field tests with no change in appearance, but it still satisfies the requirements of fixation technology. This sand-fixing material should have wide application owing to its good weather resistance.
Preparation and thermal properties of Glauber’s salt-based phase-change materials for Qinghai–Tibet Plateau solar greenhouses
Authors: Jiang Zipeng , Tie Shengnian
Published: May 2017

This paper reports the preparation and characterization of eutectic Glauber’s salt-based composite, phase-change materials (G-PCMs). PCMs were prepared using industrial-grade sodium sulfate decahydrate (Na2SO4 ⋅ 10H2O) as the basic material. Other salts were added to obtain the eutectic Glauber’s salt-based PCMs with phase-change temperatures of 25[Formula: see text]C, 15[Formula: see text]C and 10[Formula: see text]C. The modification of the G-PCMs was designed using the same experimental method to select the efficient nucleating, thickening and thermal conductive agents. The results show that borax can be an effective nucleating agent, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose is an excellent thickener and carbon powder is a good thermal conductive agent. The phase-change temperature, latent heat and thermal conductivity of the three different PCMs are 23.9[Formula: see text]C, 15.4[Formula: see text]C and 9.5[Formula: see text]C; 179.6, 129 and 116.2 J/g; and 1.02, 1.10 and 1.23 W/(m K), respectively. These PCMs possess suitable phase-change temperature, high latent heat and good thermal conductivity, and can be used in Qinghai–Tibet Plateau agricultural solar greenhouses.
Adsorption behavior of methylene blue by bone char
Authors: Jia Puqi , Tan Hongwei , Liu Kuiren , Gao Wei
Published: May 2017

This work studies the adsorption behavior of methylene blue (MB) from water by bone char (BC). The effects of pH, initial dye concentration and dosage of adsorbent on the adsorption were investigated. It was found that the adsorption capacity of MB was affected by the mount of OH[Formula: see text], initial concentration gradient driving force of MB, the surface charge and adsorption site of BC.
High-precision, pressure-driven pump for sub-picoliter scale quantitative injection
Authors: Li Na , Liu Yaowei , Li Shibao , Wang Xuefeng , Qin Yanding , Sun Mingzhu , Zhao Xin
Published: May 2017

The microinjection is generally performed on commercial microinjection pump using a nitrogen gas-holder as pressure supply. However, the commercial pump has some problems in picoliter-scale injection due to the instability of pressure source, and the success rate varies significantly across different operators. In this paper, a high-precision, pressure-driven pump for sub-picoliter scale quantitative injection is developed. This new pumping system is capable of generating a wide range of positive and negative pressure with high resolution by connecting a buffer tank to the gas passage structure. It is able to generate pressure between −30 kPa and +150 kPa with a resolution less than 1 Pa. Compared to the commercial pump, the new pumping system has high stability and resolution (less than 1 Pa versus 68.9 Pa). The injection accuracy of the system was further proved by applying it to quantitative injection experiment. The results demonstrate that the injection accuracy of the injection volume is 0.0022 pL.
Terahertz spectroscopy and solid-state density functional theory calculations of structural isomers: Nicotinic acid, isonicotinic acid and 2-picolinic acid
Authors: Ding Ling , Fan Wen-Hui , Chen Xu , Chen Ze-You , Song Chao
Published: May 2017

We report, for the first time to our knowledge, the terahertz (THz) spectra of isonicotinic acid and 2-picolinic acid. The distinct THz spectral differences among these two isomers and nicotinic acid have also been observed, indicating that the THz vibrational modes are highly sensitive to the structural differences even in similar molecular crystals. Besides, solid-state density functional theory calculations reveal better qualitative agreement with the measured absorption features, which are related to the molecular vibrations of nicotinic acid and isonicotinic acid. As for 2-picolinic acid, the calculation based on the primitive cell reproduces the absorption features at 1.46, 1.82 and 2.46 THz originating from intermolecular vibrations. These results suggest that THz spectra can identify the complex intermolecular interactions even in similar molecular crystals, which shows potential applications in identifying isomers in food and pharmaceutical production.
From Green function to quantum field
Authors: Sorkin Rafael D.
Published: May 2017

A pedagogical introduction to the theory of a Gaussian scalar field which shows firstly, how the whole theory is encapsulated in the Wightman function [Formula: see text] regarded abstractly as a two-index tensor on the vector space of (spacetime) field configurations, and secondly how one can arrive at [Formula: see text] starting from nothing but the retarded Green function [Formula: see text]. Conceiving the theory in this manner seems well suited to curved spacetimes and to causal sets. It makes it possible to provide a general spacetime region with a distinguished “vacuum” or “ground state”, and to recognize some interesting formal relationships, including a general condition on [Formula: see text] expressing zero-entropy or “purity”.
A classification matching method for manufacturing resource in cloud manufacturing environment
Authors: Feng Wei-Jiao , Yin Chao , Li Xiao-Bin , Li Liang
Published: May 2017

Cloud manufacturing (CMfg), combining the idea and technologies of cloud computing and Internet of Things, is an emerging service-oriented manufacturing model. The supply–demand matching of manufacturing resources is one of the key technologies for implemention. However, resources in CMfg system are geographically distributed, functional of similar and dynamically changeable, and these features make it difficult to obtain higher accuracy for existing matching methods. In order to select the most satisfied resources in CMfg, a semantics-based supply–demand classification matching method (SDCM) is proposed. Firstly, the implementing framework of SDCM is constructed. Then, combined with the theories of ontology and dynamic description logic, a semantics-based SDCM algorithm is designed, which includes four implementation stages, respectively, basic information matching, IOPE parameters (Input, Outputs, Preconditions, Effects) matching, QoS (Quality of Service) matching and comprehensive matching. Finally, a case verifies the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method.