bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
When Postcolonial Studies Interrupts Media Studies†
Authors: Shome Raka
Published: May 2019

This article utilizes a postcolonial theoretical framework to challenge and unsettle the ways in which media has been historicized in media studies where the time of the North Atlantic West is taken to be an unspoken normative assumption through which we chart media’s development. Further, this article attempts to move us to the Global South by calling attention to media objects and the mediated lives that function through those objects, that have not received any place in media history. Nor are they recognized as a media object. The basic questions that this article raises are: (a) what happens to our understanding of media’s development when we complicate the temporality (North Atlantic Western) through which we narrate the history of media, and (b) What happens to our understanding of what media is when 24/7 electrification is not taken as a norm in our recognition of a media or technology object. What other media objects and mediated lives might then become visible?
Hydrogen technologies and developments in Japan
Authors: Iida Shigeki , Sakata Ko
Published: May 2019

The successful development of hydrogen-energy technologies has several advantages and benefits. Hydrogen-energy development could prevent global warming as well as ensure energy security for countries without adequate energy resources. The successful development of hydrogen would provide energy for transportation and electric power. It is a unique energy carrier, as it can be produced from various energy sources such as wind, fossil fuels and biomass and, when it is combusted, it emits no CO2 emissions. The other advantage is the wide distribution of resources globally that can be used to produce hydrogen. In Japan, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) published a ‘Strategic Roadmap for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells’ in 2014, with a revised update published in March 2016. The goal of the roadmap is to achieve a hydrogen society. The roadmap aims to resolve technical problems and secure economic efficiency. The roadmap has been organized into the following three phases: Phase 1—Installation of fuel cells; Phase 2—Hydrogen power plant/mass supply chain; Phase 3—CO2-free hydrogen. This paper reports on the current status of fuel cells and fuel-cell vehicles in Japan and gives a description and status of the R&D programmes along with the results of global energy model study towards 2050.
Validated Liquid Chromatographic Method for the Determination of (Canagliflozin, Dapagliflozin or Empagliflozin) and Metformin in the Presence of (1-Cyanoguanidine)
Authors: Hassib Sonia T , Taha Elham A , Elkady Ehab F , Barakat Ghada H
Published: May 2019

A simple and accurate liquid chromatographic method has been developed and validated for the determination of either canagliflozin, dapagliflozin propandiol monohydrate or empagliflozin and metformin in presence of metformin major degradation product;1-cyanoguanidine. The Liquid Chromatographic (LC) method was based on isocratic elution on Prontosil (Lichrosorb 100-5-NH2) column using a mobile phase consisting of NaH2PO4 buffer (10 mM, pH 2.8):acetonitrile (18.5:81.5, v/v), at a flow rate of 2 mL/min−1. Quantitation was achieved with UV detection at 225 nm. The validation of the method was assessed according to International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines. Linearity, accuracy and precision were satisfactory over the concentration ranges of 12.5–100, 3.75–30, 0.3075–2.46, and 0.3125–2.5 μg/mL for metformin HCl, canagliflozin, dapagliflozin propandiol monohydrate and empagliflozin, respectively. Limits of detection and quantitation were found to be 0.068, 0.135, 0.077 and 0.069 μg/mL and 0.206, 0.410, 0.233 and 0.210 μg/mL for metformin HCl, canagliflozin, dapagliflozin propandiol monohydrate and empagliflozin, respectively. The developed method is suitable for the quality control and routine analysis of the cited drugs separately or in combinations.
Thermal performance of fish is explained by an interplay between physiology, behaviour and ecology
Authors: Neubauer Philipp , Andersen Ken H
Published: May 2019

Increasing temperatures under climate change are thought to affect individual physiology of fish and other ectotherms through increases in metabolic demands, leading to changes in species performance with concomitant effects on species ecology. Although intuitively appealing, the driving mechanism behind thermal performance is contested; thermal performance (e.g. growth) appears correlated with metabolic scope (i.e. oxygen availability for activity) for a number of species, but a substantial number of datasets do not support oxygen limitation of long-term performance. Whether or not oxygen limitations via the metabolic scope, or a lack thereof, have major ecological consequences remains a highly contested question. size and trait-based model of energy and oxygen budgets to determine the relative influence of metabolic rates, oxygen limitation and environmental conditions on ectotherm performance. We show that oxygen limitation is not necessary to explain performance variation with temperature. Oxygen can drastically limit performance and fitness, especially at temperature extremes, but changes in thermal performance are primarily driven by the interplay between changing metabolic rates and species ecology. Furthermore, our model reveals that fitness trends with temperature can oppose trends in growth, suggesting a potential explanation for the paradox that species often occur at lower temperatures than their growth optimum. Our model provides a mechanistic underpinning that can provide general and realistic predictions about temperature impacts on the performance of fish and other ectotherms and function as a null model for contrasting temperature impacts on species with different metabolic and ecological traits.
A simple, graphical approach to comparing multiple treatments
Authors: Thompson Brennan S , Webb Matthew D
Published: May 2019

We consider a graphical approach to comparing multiple treatments that allows users to easily infer differences between any treatment effect and zero, and between any pair of treatment effects. This approach makes use of a flexible, resampling-based procedure that asymptotically controls the familywise error rate (the probability of making one or more spurious inferences). We demonstrate the usefulness of this approach with three empirical examples.
PopNetD3—A Network-Based Web Resource for Exploring Population Structure
Authors: Zhang Javi , Parkinson John
Published: May 2019

We present PopNetD3, a web tool that provides an integrated approach for the network-based visualization of population structure based on the PopNet clustering framework. Users first submit a tab-delimited file that defines diversity of SNPs across the genome which is subsequently processed by the PopNet backend to define patterns of conservation at the chromosome level. The resulting population structure is visualized through a dedicated D3-based tool, allowing users to interactively examine chromosomal regions predicted to share ancestry. We illustrate the capabilities of PopNetD3 through an analysis of 16 strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. PopNetD3 is capable of processing population data sets consisting of hundreds of individuals and is publicly available online at: http://compsysbio.org/popnetd3 Last Accessed: May 17, 2019.
Towards inclusive priority-setting for global health research projects: recommendations for sharing power with communities
Authors: Pratt Bridget
Published: May 2019

Global health research priority-setting is dominated by funders and researchers, often from high-income countries. Engaging communities that are considered disadvantaged and marginalized in priority-setting is essential to making their voices and concerns visible in global health research projects’ topics and questions. However, without attention to power dynamics, their engagement can often lead to presence without voice and voice without influence. Global health research priority-setting must be designed to share power with such communities to ensure that research projects’ topics and questions reflect the health care and system inequities they face. To better understand what sharing ‘power over’ priority-setting requires, 29 in-depth, semi-structured interviews and one focus group were undertaken with researchers, ethicists, community engagement practitioners and community-based organization staff. The study shows that, before moving ahead with priority-setting for global health research projects, it is vital to assess whether contextual factors necessary for meaningful engagement between researchers and marginalized communities are present or can be built in the research setting. Study findings describe several such contextual factors and 12 features of priority-setting that affect how processes are run, who participates in them, and who influences their outputs. During priority-setting for global health research projects, it is essential to implement ways of sharing power with communities in relation to these features. Study findings describe a multitude of such strategies that are employed in practice. After priority-setting, it is important to demonstrate respect and accountability to communities.
Non-self mutation: double-stranded RNA elicits antiviral pathogenic response in a Drosophila model of expanded CAG repeat neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Eyk Clare L van , Samaraweera Saumya E , Scott Andrew , Webber Dani L , Harvey David P , Mecinger Olivia , O’Keefe Louise V , Cropley Jennifer E , Young Paul , Ho Joshua , Suter Catherine , Richards Robert I
Published: May 2019

Inflammation is activated prior to symptoms in neurodegenerative diseases, providing a plausible pathogenic mechanism. Indeed, genetic and pharmacological ablation studies in animal models of several neurodegenerative diseases demonstrate that inflammation is required for pathology. However, while there is growing evidence that inflammation-mediated pathology may be the common mechanism underlying neurodegenerative diseases, including those due to dominantly inherited expanded repeats, the proximal causal agent is unknown. Expanded CAG.CUG repeat double-stranded RNA causes inflammation-mediated pathology when expressed in Drosophila. Repeat dsRNA is recognized by Dicer-2 as a foreign or ‘non-self’ molecule triggering both antiviral RNA and RNAi pathways. Neither of the RNAi pathway cofactors R2D2 nor loquacious are necessary, indicating antiviral RNA activation. RNA modification enables avoidance of recognition as ‘non-self’ by the innate inflammatory surveillance system. Human ADAR1 edits RNA conferring ‘self’ status and when co-expressed with expanded CAG.CUG dsRNA in Drosophila the pathology is lost. Cricket Paralysis Virus protein CrPV-1A is a known antagonist of Argonaute-2 in Drosophila antiviral defense. CrPV-1A co-expression also rescues pathogenesis, confirming anti-viral-RNA response. Repeat expansion mutation therefore confers ‘non-self’ recognition of endogenous RNA, thereby providing a proximal, autoinflammatory trigger for expanded repeat neurodegenerative diseases.
Delayed Diagnosis of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections in Hospitalized Adults: Individual Patient Data, Record Review Analysis and Physician Survey in the United States
Authors: Lee Nelson , Walsh Edward E , Sander Ian , Stolper Robert , Zakar Jessica , Wyffels Veronique , Myers David , Fleischhackl Roman
Published: May 2019

Background

Despite the prevalence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in adults hospitalized with acute respiratory infections, guidelines for the diagnosis and management of RSV have not been established. This analysis evaluated the role and timeliness of RSV diagnostic testing and its potential impact on clinical outcomes.

Methods

We analyzed individual patient data from hospitalized adults with confirmed RSV infections during 2 North American RSV seasons. Participating physicians reported clinical, virologic diagnosis, and outcome variables using a standardized online case form.

Results

Across 32 US states, 132 physicians reported 379 RSV cases. Polymerase chain reaction–based diagnostics were the most common type of test ordered (94.2%) with <5% ordered specifically to diagnose RSV. Most tests (67.6%) were ordered in hospital wards or intensive care units. Overall, 47.4%, 30.9%, and 21.7% of patients had RSV diagnosed <12, 12‒24, and >24 hours after hospital admission, respectively. Later diagnosis was associated with longer hospital stays (n = 145; R = +0.191; P < .05) and greater antibiotic use.

Conclusion

Diagnosis of RSV infection in hospitalized adults is often delayed, which may affect clinical management and outcomes. Our findings indicate the need to improve the diagnostic strategies in this patient population.
Overexpression of SmeGH contributes to the acquired MDR of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
Authors: Li Li-Hua , Zhang Man-San , Wu Chao-Jung , Lin Yi-Tsung , Yang Tsuey-Ching
Published: May 2019

Background

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia displays high-level resistance to various antibiotics. Fluoroquinolone is among the few treatment options for S. maltophilia infection. Overexpression of SmeDEF, SmeVWX and SmQnr are the main mechanisms responsible for fluoroquinolone resistance in S. maltophilia.

Objectives

To reveal the unidentified fluoroquinolone resistance mechanisms in S. maltophilia.

Methods

Fluoroquinolone-resistant spontaneous mutants were selected by spreading KJΔDEFΔ5, a SmeDEF- and SmeVWX-null double mutant, on ciprofloxacin- or levofloxacin-containing medium. Antibiotic susceptibility was assessed by the agar dilution method. Outer membrane protein profiles of fluoroquinolone-resistant mutants were assayed by SDS-PAGE and significant protein was characterized by LC-MS/MS. The expression of tolCsm, smeH, smeK, smeN, smeP, smeZ and smQnr was investigated by real-time quantitative PCR. The contribution of SmeGH overexpression to antibiotic resistance was verified by ΔsmeH mutant construction and smeGH complementation assay.

Results

Most fluoroquinolone-resistant mutants displayed MDR. The TolCsm protein and smeH transcript were concomitantly overexpressed in some MDR mutants. smeH deletion increased the susceptibility of the MDR mutants to fluoroquinolone, macrolide, chloramphenicol and tetracycline, and the resistance compromise was partially reversed by complementation with a plasmid containing smeGH. SmeGH overexpression was found in some fluoroquinolone-resistant clinical S. maltophilia isolates whose SmeDEF, SmeVWX and SmQnr proteins were not or were lowly expressed.

Conclusions

Overexpression of SmeGH contributes to the acquired resistance of S. maltophilia to fluoroquinolone, macrolide, chloramphenicol and tetracycline.
Leveraging Nordic links: South African labour’s role in regulating labour standards in wine global production networks
Authors: Hastings Thomas
Published: May 2019

There are established difficulties in upholding private standards within global production networks (GPNs) through the use of multi-stakeholder initiatives (MSIs). Taking the case of wine production in South Africa, the article examines labour’s role in leveraging new approaches to labour regulation in the interests of improved working standards and opportunities for labour organising. To do this, the paper adopts an extended take on the GPN framework which focuses on labour’s own networked capabilities. The role of worker agency in forging international connections and new relational geographies between unions and civil society organisations across wine GPNs (in particular between South Africa and Scandinavia) is explored. By applying pressure within and through these networks, workers are shown to encourage new approaches to private governance in the interests of improved worker rights on the ground.
The concerted actions of Tip1/CLIP-170, Klp5/Kinesin-8, and Alp14/XMAP215 regulate microtubule catastrophe at the cell end
Authors: Niu Xiaojia , Zheng Fan , Fu Chuanhai
Published: May 2019

Spatial regulation of microtubule catastrophe is important for controlling microtubule length and consequently contributes to the proper establishment of cell polarity and cell growth. The +TIP proteins including Tip1/CLIP-170, Klp5/Kinesin-8, and Alp14/XMAP215 reside at microtubule plus ends to regulate microtubule dynamics. In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Tip1 and Alp14 serve as microtubule-stabilizing factors, while Klp5 functions oppositely as a catastrophe-promoting factor. Despite that Tip1 has been shown to play a key role in restricting microtubule catastrophe to the cell end, how Tip1 fulfills the role remains to be determined. Employing live-cell microscopy, we showed that the absence of Tip1 impairs the localization of both Klp5 and Alp14 at microtubule plus ends, but the absence of Klp5 prolongs the residence time of Tip1 at microtubule plus ends. We further revealed that Klp5 accumulates behind Tip1 at microtubule plus ends in a Tip1-dependent manner. In addition, artificially tethering Klp5 to microtubule plus ends promotes premature microtubule catastrophe, while tethering Alp14 to microtubule plus ends in the cells lacking Tip1 rescues the phenotype of short microtubules. These findings establish that Tip1 restricts microtubule catastrophe to the cell end likely by spatially restricting the microtubule catastrophe activity of Klp5 and stabilizing Alp14 at microtubule plus ends. Thus, the work demonstrates the orchestration of Tip1, Alp14, and Klp5 in ensuring microtubule catastrophe at the cell end.
Severe chikungunya requiring intensive care in two travellers returning to the UK
Authors: Calderwood Claire , Bhagani Sanjay , Cropley Ian , Papineni Padmasayee
Published: May 2019

Chikungunya (CHIKV), an Alphavirus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, has been responsible for several outbreaks of infection in Asia and the Americas. Although the severe manifestations of CHIKV are increasingly reported in endemic settings, information on returning travelers is limited. We report two cases of travel-associated acute CHIKV requiring intensive care.
Travel vaccination recommendations and infection risk in HIV-positive travellers
Authors: Chang Lisa , Lim Bryan Chang Wei , Flaherty Gerard T , Torresi Joseph
Published: May 2019

Background

With the advent of highly active antiretroviral drugs for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) it has become possible for people with HIV to travel to destinations that may place them at risk of a number of infectious diseases. Prevention of infections by vaccination is therefore of paramount importance for these travellers. However, vaccine responsiveness in HIV-positive individuals is not infrequently reduced compared to HIV-negative individuals. An understanding of the expected immune responses to vaccines in HIV-positive travellers is therefore important in planning the best approach to a pretravel consultation.

Methods

A PubMed search was performed on HIV or acquired immune deficiency syndrome together with a search for specific vaccines. Review of the literature was performed to develop recommendations on vaccinations for HIV-positive travellers to high-risk destinations.

Results

The immune responses to several vaccines are reduced in HIV-positive people. In the case of vaccines for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza, pneumococcus, meningococcus and yellow fever there is a good body of data in the literature showing reduced immune responsiveness and also to help guide appropriate vaccination strategies. For other vaccines like Japanese encephalitis, rabies, typhoid fever, polio and cholera the data are not as robust; however, it is still possible to gain some understanding of the reduced responses seen with these vaccines.

Conclusion

This review provides a summary of the immunological responses to commonly used vaccines for the HIV-positive travellers. This information will help guide travel medicine practitioners in making decisions about vaccination and boosting of travellers with HIV.
UNIT project: Universe N-body simulations for the Investigation of Theoretical models from galaxy surveys
Authors: Chuang Chia-Hsun , Yepes Gustavo , Kitaura Francisco-Shu , Pellejero-Ibanez Marcos , Rodríguez-Torres Sergio , Feng Yu , Metcalf Robert Benton , Wechsler Risa H , Zhao Cheng , To Chun-Hao , Alam Shadab , Banerjee Arka , DeRose Joseph , Giocoli Carlo , Knebe Alexander , Reyes Guillermo
Published: May 2019

We present the UNIT N-body cosmological simulations project, designed to provide precise predictions for non-linear statistics of the galaxy distribution. We focus on characterizing statistics relevant to emission line and luminous red galaxies in the current and upcoming generation of galaxy surveys. We use a suite of precise particle mesh simulations (fastpm) as well as with full N-body calculations with a mass resolution of ${\sim } 1.2\times 10^9\, h^{-1}$M⊙ to investigate the recently suggested technique of Angulo and Pontzen to suppress the variance of cosmological simulations. We study redshift-space distortions, cosmic voids, higher order statistics from z = 2 down to 0. We find that both two- and three-point statistics are unbiased. Over the scales of interest for baryon acoustic oscillations and redshift-space distortions, we find that the variance is greatly reduced in the two-point statistics and in the cross-correlation between haloes and cosmic voids, but is not reduced significantly for the three-point statistics. We demonstrate that the accuracy of the two-point correlation function for a galaxy survey with effective volume of 20 (h−1Gpc)3 is improved by about a factor of 40, indicating that two pairs of simulations with a volume of 1 (h−1Gpc)3 lead to the equivalent variance of ∼150 such simulations. The N-body simulations presented here thus provide an effective survey volume of about seven times the effective survey volume of Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument or Euclid. The data from this project, including dark matter fields, halo catalogues, and their clustering statistics, are publicly available.
Simulations of radiative turbulent mixing layers
Authors: Ji (季索清) Suoqing , Oh S Peng , Masterson Phillip
Published: May 2019

Radiative turbulent mixing layers should be ubiquitous in multi-phase gas with shear flow. They are a potentially attractive explanation for the high ions such as O vi seen in high-velocity clouds and the circumgalactic medium (CGM) of galaxies. We perform 3D magnetohydrohynamics (MHD) simulations with non-equilibrium (NEI) and photoionization modelling, with an eye towards testing simple analytic models. Even purely hydrodynamic collisional ionization equilibrium (CIE) calculations have column densities much lower than observations. Characteristic inflow and turbulent velocities are much less than the shear velocity, and the layer width $h \propto t_{\mathrm{cool}}^{1/2}$ rather than h ∝ tcool. Column densities are not independent of density or metallicity as analytic scalings predict, and show surprisingly weak dependence on shear velocity and density contrast. Radiative cooling, rather than Kelvin–Helmholtz instability, appears paramount in determining the saturated state. Low pressure due to fast cooling both seeds turbulence and sets the entrainment rate of hot gas, whose enthalpy flux, along with turbulent dissipation, energizes the layer. Regardless of initial geometry, magnetic fields are amplified and stabilize the mixing layer via magnetic tension, producing almost laminar flow and depressing column densities. NEI effects can boost column densities by factors of a few. Suppression of cooling by NEI or photoionization can, in principle, also increase O vi column densities, but, in practice, is unimportant for CGM conditions. To explain observations, sightlines must pierce hundreds or thousands of mixing layers, which may be plausible if the CGM exists as a ‘fog’ of tiny cloudlets.
Molecular environs and triggered star formation around the large Galactic infrared bubble N 24
Authors: Li Xu , Esimbek Jarken , Zhou Jianjun , Baan W A , Ji Weiguang , Tang Xindi , Wu Gang , Tang Xiaoke , Li Qiang , Ma Yingxiu , Sailanbek Serikbek , Li Dalei , Alimbetova Dina
Published: May 2019

A multi-wavelength analysis of the large Galactic infrared bubble N 24 is presented in this paper in order to investigate the molecular and star-formation environment around expanding H ii regions. Using archival data from Herschel and ATLASGAL, the distribution and physical properties of the dust over the entire bubble are studied. Using the Clumpfind2d algorithm, 23 dense clumps are identified, with sizes and masses in the range 0.65–1.73 pc and 600–16 300 M⊙, respectively. To analyse the molecular environment in N 24, observations of NH3 (1,1) and (2,2) were carried out using the Nanshan 26-m radio telescope. Analysis of the kinetic temperature and gravitational stability of these clumps suggests gravitational collapse in several of them. The mass–size distributions of the clumps and the presence of massive young protostars indicate that the shell of N 24 is a region of ongoing massive-star formation. The compatibility of the dynamical and fragmentation timescales and the overabundance of young stellar objects and clumps on the rim suggest that the ‘collect-and-collapse’ mechanism is in play at the boundary of the bubble, but the existence of the infrared dark cloud at the edge of bubble indicates that a ‘radiation-driven implosion’ mechanism may also have played a role there.
Pergola-web: a web server for the visualization and analysis of longitudinal behavioral data using repurposed genomics tools and standards
Authors: Espinosa-Carrasco Jose , Pulido Toni Hermoso , Erb Ionas , Dierssen Mara , Ponomarenko Julia , Notredame Cedric
Published: May 2019

We present a new web application to query and visualize time-series behavioral data: the Pergola web-server. This server provides a user-friendly interface for exploring longitudinal behavioral data taking advantage of the Pergola Python library. Using the server, users can process the data applying some basic operations, such as binning or grouping, while formatting the data into existing genomic formats. Thanks to this repurposing of genomics standards, the application automatically renders an interactive data visualization based on sophisticated genome visualization tools. Our tool allows behavioral scientists to share, display and navigate complex behavioral data comprising multiple individuals and multiple data types, in a scalable and flexible manner. A download option allows for further analysis using genomic tools. The server can be a great resource for the field in a time where behavioral science is entering a data-intensive cycle thanks to high-throughput behavioral phenotyping platforms. Pergola is publicly available at http://pergola.crg.eu/.
SuhB is an integral part of the ribosomal antitermination complex and interacts with NusA
Authors: Dudenhoeffer Benjamin R , Schneider Hans , Schweimer Kristian , Knauer Stefan H
Published: May 2019

The synthesis of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is a tightly regulated central process in all cells. In bacteria efficient expression of all seven rRNA operons relies on the suppression of termination signals (antitermination) and the proper maturation of the synthesized rRNA. These processes depend on N-utilization substance (Nus) factors A, B, E and G, as well as ribosomal protein S4 and inositol monophosphatase SuhB, but their structural basis is only poorly understood. Combining nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and biochemical approaches we show that Escherichia coli SuhB can be integrated into a Nus factor-, and optionally S4-, containing antitermination complex halted at a ribosomal antitermination signal. We further demonstrate that SuhB specifically binds to the acidic repeat 2 (AR2) domain of the multi-domain protein NusA, an interaction that may be involved in antitermination or posttranscriptional processes. Moreover, we show that SuhB interacts with RNA and weakly associates with RNA polymerase (RNAP). We finally present evidence that SuhB, the C-terminal domain of the RNAP α-subunit, and the N-terminal domain of NusG share binding sites on NusA-AR2 and that all three can release autoinhibition of NusA, indicating that NusA-AR2 serves as versatile recruitment platform for various factors in transcription regulation.
New-onset glucose disorders in peritoneal dialysis patients: a meta-analysis and systematic review
Authors: Xue Cheng , Gu Yan-Yan , Cui Cheng-Ji , Zhou Chen-Chen , Wang Xian-Dong , Ruan Meng-Na , Huang Lin-Xi , Chen Si-Xiu , Yang Bo , Chen Xu-Jiao , Qian Yi-Xin , Wu Jun , Zhao Xue-Zhi , Zhang Yu-Qiang , Mei Chang-Lin , Zhang Shou-Lin , Xu Jing , Mao Zhi-Guo
Published: May 2019

Background

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients are at high risk of developing glucose metabolism disturbance (GMD). The incidence and prevalence of new-onset GMD, including diabetes mellitus (DM), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and impaired fast glucose (IFG), after initiation of PD, as well as their correlated influence factors, varies among studies in different areas and of different sample sizes. Also, the difference compared with hemodialysis (HD) remained unclear. Thus we designed this meta-analysis and systematic review to provide a full landscape of the occurrence of glucose disorders in PD patients.

Methods

We searched the MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases for relevant studies through September 2018. Meta-analysis was performed on outcomes using random effects models with subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis.

Results

We identified 1124 records and included 9 studies involving 13 879 PD patients. The pooled incidence of new-onset DM (NODM) was 8% [95% confidence interval (CI) 4–12; I2 = 98%] adjusted by sample sizes in PD patients. Pooled incidence rates of new-onset IGT and IFG were 15% (95% CI 3–31; I2 = 97%) and 32% (95% CI 27–37), respectively. There was no significant difference in NODM risk between PD and HD [risk ratio 0.99 (95% CI 0.69–1.40); P = 0.94; I2 = 92%]. PD patients with NODM were associated with an increased risk of mortality [hazard ratio 1.06 (95% CI 1.01–1.44); P < 0.001; I2 = 92.5%] compared with non-DM PD patients.

Conclusions

Around half of PD patients may develop a glucose disorder, which can affect the prognosis by significantly increasing mortality. The incidence did not differ among different ethnicities or between PD and HD. The risk factor analysis did not draw a definitive conclusion. The glucose tolerance test should be routinely performed in PD patients.
Radiotherapy, Lymphopenia, and Host Immune Capacity in Glioblastoma: A Potentially Actionable Toxicity Associated With Reduced Efficacy of Radiotherapy
Authors: Kleinberg Lawrence , Sloan Lindsey , Grossman Stuart , Lim Michael
Published: May 2019

Radiotherapy is cytotoxic to tumor cells and is therefore a critical component of therapy for many malignancies, including glioblastoma (GBM). We now appreciate the value of the immunomodulatory effects of radiation that may be important to overall therapeutic success in some patients with this primary brain tumor. Although potentially beneficial immune-stimulating properties of radiotherapy treatment have been the focus of recent study, this modality is actually at the same time associated with the depletion of lymphocytes, which are crucial to the defense against neoplastic development and progression. In this review, we describe the association of systemic lymphopenia with poor tumor outcome, present evidence that radiotherapy is an important contributing cause of lymphodepletion, describe the systemic immune context of tumor and brain injury that contributes to immunosuppression, describe other contributing factors to lymphopenia including concomitant medications and treatments, and speculate about the role of the normal physiologic response to brain injury in the immunosuppressive dynamics of GBM. Radiotherapy is one significant and potentially actionable iatrogenic suppressor of immune response that may be limiting the success of therapy in GBM and other tumor types. Altered strategies for radiotherapy more permissive of a vigorous antineoplastic immune response may improve outcome for malignancy.
Residual Tumor Volume and Location Predict Progression After Primary Subtotal Resection of Sporadic Vestibular Schwannomas: A Retrospective Volumetric Study
Authors: Breshears Jonathan D , Morshed Ramin A , Molinaro Annette M , McDermott Michael W , Cheung Steven W , Theodosopoulos Philip V
Published: May 2019

BACKGROUND

Preservation of functional integrity during vestibular schwannoma surgery has become critical in the era of patient-centric medical decision-making. Subtotal tumor removal is often necessary when dense adhesions between the tumor and critical structures are present. However, it is unclear what the rate of tumor control is after subtotal resection (STR) and what factors are associated with recurrence.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the rate of residual tumor growth after STR and identify clinical and radiographic predictors of tumor progression.

METHODS

A single-institution retrospective study was performed on all sporadic vestibular schwannomas that underwent surgical resection between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2015. Clinical charts, pathology, radiology, and operative reports were reviewed. Volumetric analysis was performed on all pre- and postoperative MR imaging. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of the primary endpoint of tumor progression. Kaplan–Meier analysis was performed to compare progression free survival between 2 groups of residual tumor volumes and location.

RESULTS

In this cohort of 66 patients who underwent primary STR, 30% had documented progression within a median follow up period of 3.1 yr. Greater residual tumor volume (OR 2.0 [1.1-4.0]) and residual disease within the internal auditory canal (OR 3.7 [1.0-13.4]) predicted progression on multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

These longitudinal data provide insight into the behavior of residual tumor, helping clinicians to determine if and when STR is an acceptable surgical strategy and to anchor expectations during shared medical decision-making consultation with patients.
High-temperature superconductivity in sulfur hydride evidenced by alternating-current magnetic susceptibility
Authors: Huang Xiaoli , Wang Xin , Duan Defang , Sundqvist Bertil , Li Xin , Huang Yanping , Yu Hongyu , Li Fangfei , Zhou Qiang , Liu Bingbing , Cui Tian
Published: May 2019

The search for high-temperature superconductivity is one of the research frontiers in physics. In the sulfur hydride system, an extremely high Tc (∼200 K) has been recently developed at pressure. However, the Meissner effect measurement above megabar pressures is still a great challenge. Here, we report the superconductivity identification of sulfur hydride at pressure, employing an in situ alternating-current magnetic susceptibility technique. We determine the superconducting phase diagram, finding that superconductivity suddenly appears at 117 GPa and Tc reaches 183 K at 149 GPa before decreasing monotonically with increasing pressure. By means of theoretical calculations, we elucidate the variation of Tc in the low-pressure region in terms of the changing stoichiometry of sulfur hydride and the further decrease in Tc owing to a drop in the electron–phonon interaction parameter λ. This work provides a new insight into clarifying superconducting phenomena and anchoring the superconducting phase diagram in the hydrides.
Use of consensus methods to determine the early clinical signs of cerebral palsy
Authors: Boychuck Zachary , Andersen John , Bussières André , Fehlings Darcy , Kirton Adam , Li Patricia , Oskoui Maryam , Rodriguez Charo , Shevell Michael , Snider Laurie , Majnemer Annette ,   PROMPT Group
Published: May 2019

Objectives

To develop expert-informed content regarding the early motor attributes of cerebral palsy (CP) that should prompt physician referral for diagnostic assessment of CP, as well as concurrent referral recommendations. This content will be used in the creation of knowledge translation (KT) tools for primary care practitioners and parents.

Methods

Two nominal group processes were conducted with relevant stakeholders, representing Canadian ‘content experts’ and ‘knowledge-users’, using an integrated KT approach.

Results

Six attributes were identified that should prompt referral for diagnosis. If the child demonstrates: Early handedness <12 months; stiffness or tightness in the legs between 6 and 12 months; persistent fisting of the hands >4 months; persistent head-lag >4 months; inability to sit without support >9 months; any asymmetry in posture or movement. Five referral recommendations were agreed upon: Motor intervention specialist (physical therapy and/or occupational therapy) for ALL; speech-language pathology IF there is a communication delay; audiology IF there is parental or healthcare professional concern regarding a communication delay; functional vision specialist (e.g., optometrist or occupational therapist) IF there is a vision concern (e.g., not fixating, following, or tracking); feeding specialist (e.g., occupational therapist, speech-language pathologist) IF there are feeding difficulties (e.g., poor sucking, poor swallowing, choking, and/or not gaining weight).

Conclusion

Rigorous consensus methods provided the initial evidence necessary to inform the content of tools to assist primary care providers in the early detection of CP. Results will be validated through a Delphi process with international experts, and user-friendly formats of this KT tool will be developed collaboratively with stakeholders.
Bacterial communities associated with individual transparent exopolymer particles (TEP)
Authors: Zäncker Birthe , Engel Anja , Cunliffe Michael
Published: May 2019

Transparent exopolymer particles (TEP) are polysaccharide-rich microgels that are prevalent in the marine environment and have important roles in the aggregation of organic matter and carbon export from the euphotic zone. TEP are readily colonized by bacteria and utilized by specialized taxa, such as Alteromonadaceae. However, bacterial community composition specifically attached to natural TEP remains largely unknown. In this study, we isolated individual TEP from Plymouth Sound (UK) and performed DNA sequencing of the TEP-attached bacterial communities. We also sampled the cognate bulk seawater total bacterial communities for comparison. The bacterial communities associated with individual TEP showed distinct differences compared to the total bulk bacterioplankton communities, with Alteromonadaceae significantly more abundant on TEP. The TEP-associated Alteromonadaceae consisted of two operational taxonomic units that were closely related to Marinobacter and Glaciecola, both previously associated with biogenic aggregates and microgel-rich habitats. This study provides novel insight into marine bacterial–microgel interactions.
ROLE OF METEOROLOGY AND LITHOLOGY IN THE TEMPORAL VARIATION OF THE OUTDOOR RADON LEVEL
Authors: Kikaj D , Kovács T , Vaupotič J
Published: May 2019

The outdoor radon concentration was monitored together with the meteorological parameters at two contrasting complex topographies: sub-Alpine basin (SA) and sub-Mediterranean valley (SM) in winter (December 2017–February 2018) and summer (June–August 2018). The time series for each site and each season are evaluated in three different ways: (i) clear-sky and cloudy condition together, (ii) clear-sky conditions only (cloud cover <20%) and (iii) cloudy condition only (cloud cover >20%), and compared to the expected atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) ‘mixing volume’ caused by meteorological changes. The results have confirmed the sensitivity of diurnal and seasonal radon concentration to the expected ABL ‘mixing volume’ at the two selected sites. The relationship is more pronounced in calm clear-sky conditions. Cloudy conditions are associated with fast weather changes, when the ABL is well mixed and hourly mean radon concentrations do not follow the typical diurnal trend.
A REVIEW ON 210Po AND 210Pb IN INDIAN SEAFOOD AND DOSE TO CONSUMERS
Authors: Pillai G Sankaran , Chandrasekaran S , Baskaran R , Venkatraman B , Deepu R
Published: May 2019

India is the second largest seafood producer in the world marketing more than 7000 edible species. In this regard, commendable studies have been conducted since the 1970s by different research groups and more data are reported. In this work, all the studies on 210Po and 210Pb measurements in abiotic and biotic components of India have been combined and reviewed. The concentrations of 210Po and 210Pb are estimated by radiochemical separation followed by alpha counting. Grain size, season, Tsunami waves and place of sampling have a decisive bearing on 210Po and 210Pb concentration in abiotic components. Plankton shows a higher Kd factor (104) compared to seaweeds and sea grass (103). Pond ecosystems recorded the highest Kd factor (4·3 × 104) compared to other freshwater and marine ecosystems. Bioaccumulation of 210Po and 210Pb varies with respect to variety of seafood. The committed effective dose (CED) calculated for shellfish species maintained a higher range of 2.5 × 10−2 mSv/y to 9.8 × 10−1 mSv/y and for fish species fluctuated from 3.8 × 10−4 mSv/y to 2.0 × 10−1 mSv/y. The studies conducted so far are scattered, and need to be gathered for future reference and planning (i.e. There is not much information available for Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra, West Bengal and Odessa coast). Therefore, it is strongly recommended that further and more complete research is undertaken to study the bioaccumulation of 210Po and 210Pb from seafood. Overall, the present review concludes that Indian seafood is radiologically safe.
Treating Hernias in Ottoman Crete (c. 1670–1760): The Legal Imprint of a Medical Procedure
Authors: Anastasopoulos Antonis , Kyriakopoulos Christos
Published: May 2019

In Crete, as in the rest of the Ottoman Empire, patients who suffered from hernias and other diseases that required surgery made statements to the court of law that absolved the surgeons of liability in case of death as a result of the operation. These statements also included information about the medical condition concerned, the surgeon, the medical procedure and the fee to be paid. In this article, we discuss such statements of the period 1670–1760 from the town of Kandiye (mod. Heraklion). On one hand, we demonstrate that a critical analysis of the statements reveals a dynamic society, which actively overcomes its ideology of submission to God and religious prejudices when it comes to dealing with health issues. On the other hand, we argue that, as the statements were made before the official court of law, they constitute a facet of the Ottomanisation of Cretan society and its practices.
Fabrication of novel bone haemostasis sheet by using sugar-containing hydroxyapatite and plant-derived polymer
Authors: Noh Yeonjeong , Umeda Tomohiro , Musha Yoshiro , Itatani Kiyoshi
Published: May 2019

The fabrication conditions of bone-haemostasis sheet were examined by using (i) phosphoryl oligosaccharides of calcium (POs-Ca), sugar-containing hydroxyapatite (
s
-Ca
10
(PO
4
)
6
(OH)
2
:
s
-HAp) derived from POs-Ca and (ii) natural plant-derived polymers (locust bean gum (LBG), guar gum (GG) and alginate (AG)). The sol, which had been prepared by dissolving 2 mass% LBG/GG and 2 mass% AG into 200 cm
3
deionized water and then by agitating at the speed of 20 000 r.p.m., was immersed into 3 mass% POs-Ca solution at room temperature for 24 h; it was hydrothermally treated at 100°C for 5 h, and then freeze-dried at −50°C for 24 h to form porous composite sheet. The microscopic observation showed that the pore sizes were controlled in the range of 5–100 µm by the optimization of LBG/GG ratio. The composite sheet showed the noted uptake of simulated body fluid (1426%) at 37.0°C and also the human blood. Thus, the porous composite sheet was found to be a promising candidate of the bone haemostasis, on the basis of the data of haemostasis, uptake ability of SBF and solubility in acetic acid–sodium acetate buffer solution.
Social organization of a solitary carnivore: spatial behaviour, interactions and relatedness in the slender mongoose
Authors: Graw Beke , Kranstauber Bart , Manser Marta B.
Published: May 2019

The majority of carnivore species are described as solitary, but little is known about their social organization and interactions with conspecifics. We investigated the spatial organization and social interactions as well as relatedness of slender mongooses (Galerella sanguinea) living in the southern Kalahari. This is a little studied small carnivore previously described as solitary with anecdotal evidence for male associations. In our study population, mongooses arranged in spatial groups consisting of one to three males and up to four females. Male ranges, based on sleeping sites, were large and overlapping, encompassing the smaller and more exclusive female ranges. Spatial groups could be distinguished by their behaviour, communal denning and home range. Within spatial groups animals communally denned in up to 33% of nights, mainly during winter months, presumably to gain thermoregulatory benefits. Associations of related males gained reproductive benefits likely through increased territorial and female defence. Our study supports slender mongooses to be better described as solitary foragers living in a complex system of spatial groups with amicable social interactions between specific individuals. We suggest that the recognition of underlying ‘hidden' complexities in these apparently ‘solitary' organizations needs to be accounted for when investigating group living and social behaviour.
Defining Hospital Catchment Areas Using Multiscale Community Detection: A Case Study for Planned Orthopaedic Care in England
Authors: Clarke Jonathan M , Barahona Mauricio , Darzi Ara W
Published: May 2019

Background

The English National Health Service 5-year Forward View emphasises the importance of integration of hospital and community services. Understanding the population a hospital serves is critical to formulating strategies for community engagement and determining their accountability for populations. Existing methods to define catchment areas are unable to adapt to dilute health care markets in urban areas where populations may interact with several different hospitals. Formulating catchment areas which permit the inclusion of more than one hospital based upon patient behaviour allows for collaboration between hospitals to reach out into the communities they collectively share.

Method

The proportion of presentations from all census Middle Super Output Areas (MSOAs) to every hospital trust providing orthopaedic care in England were calculated. The cosine similarity of all MSOAs to one another was computed from these proportions. Multiscale community detection was applied to planned orthopaedic surgical admissions in England from 1st April 2011 to 31st March 2015. Stable community configurations were identified and the proportion of patients presenting to hospitals located within the catchment area in which they resided was calculated. The performance of these catchment areas was compared to conventional methods for assigning mutually exclusive catchment areas.

Results

2,602,066 planned orthopaedic surgical admissions were identified for patients resident in 6,791 MSOAs in England attending 140 different hospital trusts. Markov multiscale community detection revealed five stable catchment area configurations consisting of 127, 51, 26, 15 and 11 catchment areas. Between 78% (127 catchments) and 93% (11 catchments) of clinical presentations were to hospitals within a patient’s allocated catchment area compared to 76% for the “first past the post” method.

Conclusions

Multiscale community detection is a novel and effective, data-driven method for defining mutually exclusive, collectively exhaustive catchment areas in secondary care. In urban areas with dilute healthcare markets, the model favours collaboration between hospitals in covering a clearly delineated but shared catchment, and thereby produces simplified and more representative catchment areas.