bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Peritransplant pancreatitis: A marker of high mortality and graft failure in liver transplant patients
Authors: Russell Tara A. , Park Sarah , Agopian Vatche G. , Zarrinpar Ali , Farmer Douglas G. , O'Neill Sean , Korayem Islam , Ebaid Samer , Gornbein Jeffrey , Busuttil Ronald W. , Kaldas Fady M.
Published: March 2017

Perioperative pancreatitis is a significant comorbid condition in surgical patients. However, the degree to which pancreatitis affects graft and overall survival in liver transplant recipients has not been evaluated. This study assesses the impact of pancreatitis on graft and patient survival in adult orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). All patients undergoing OLT at a single academic institution from 2007 to 2015 were reviewed. Pancreatitis was classified by method of diagnosis (intraoperative/radiographic [IO/R] versus isolated serologic diagnosis) and timing (preoperative versus postoperative diagnosis). Twenty‐three patients were identified with peritransplant pancreatitis (within 30 days preoperatively or postoperatively). A control group of patients without pancreatitis undergoing OLT was composed of 775 patients. Graft failure/death rates for patients with versus without pancreatitis were 7.4% versus 7.4% at 30 days, 33.3% versus 12.6% at 90 days, and 44.4% versus 26.9% at 12 months. Four patients with pancreatitis (17.4%) required emergent retransplantation and subsequently died within 90 days of their second transplant. Overall, 6 patients with pancreatitis (26.1%) died within 90 days of transplantation. Patients with pancreatitis had a hazard ratio (HR) for death or graft failure of 2.28 as compared with controls (P < 0.01). The effect of pancreatitis is most pronounced among those diagnosed by IO/R findings, with an adjusted HR of 2.53 (P < 0.01) and those diagnosed in the postoperative period, adjusted HR of 2.57 (P = 0.01). In conclusion, perioperative pancreatitis is associated with early graft failure and patient mortality, regardless of the method or timing of the diagnosis. Given these results, IO/R findings of pancreatitis should induce caution and potentially preclude OLT until resolved. Liver Transplantation 23 925–932 2017 AASLD.
Combined XIL‐6R and urocortin‐2 treatment restores MDX diaphragm muscle force
Authors: Manning Jennifer , Buckley Maria M. , O'Halloran Ken D. , O'Malley Dervla
Published: March 2017

Introduction: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is characterized by progressive muscle degeneration leading to immobility, respiratory failure, and premature death. As chronic inflammation and stress are implicated in DMD pathology, the efficacy of an anti‐inflammatory and anti‐stress intervention strategy in ameliorating diaphragm dysfunction was investigated. Methods: Diaphragm muscle contractile function was compared in wild‐type and dystrophin‐deficient mdx mice treated with saline, anti‐interleukin‐6 receptor antibodies (xIL‐6R), the corticotrophin‐releasing factor receptor 2 (CRFR2) agonist, urocortin 2, or both xIL‐6R and urocortin 2. Results: Combined treatment with xIL‐6R and urocortin 2 rescued impaired force in mdx diaphragms. Mechanical work production and muscle shortening was also improved by combined drug treatment. Discussion: Treatment which neutralizes peripheral IL‐6 signaling and stimulates CRFR2 recovers force‐generating capacity and the ability to perform mechanical work in mdx diaphragm muscle. These findings may be important in the search for therapeutic targets in DMD. Muscle Nerve 56: E134–E140, 2017
Full‐load route planning for balancing bike sharing systems by logic‐based benders decomposition
Authors: Kloimüllner Christian , Raidl Günther R.
Published: March 2017

Public bike sharing systems require some kind of rebalancing to avoid too many rental stations of running empty or entirely full, which would make the system ineffective and annoy customers. Most frequently, a fleet of vehicles with trailers is used for this purpose, moving bikes among the stations. Previous works considered different objectives and modeled the underlying routing problem in different ways, but they all allow an arbitrary number of bikes to be picked up at some stations and delivered to other stations, just limited by the vehicles’ capacities. Observations in practice, however, indicate that in larger well‐working bike sharing systems drivers almost never pickup or deliver only few bikes, but essentially always approximately full vehicle loads. Many stations even require several visits with full loads. Due to budgetary reasons, typically only just enough drivers and vehicles are employed to achieve a reasonable balance most of the time, but basically never an ideal one where single bikes play a substantial role. Consequently, we investigate here a simplified problem model, in which only full vehicle loads are considered for movement among the rental stations. This restriction appears to have only a minor impact on the achieved quality of the rebalancing in practice but eases the modeling substantially. More specifically, we formulate the rebalancing problem as a selective unit‐capacity pickup and delivery problem with time budgets on a bipartite graph and present a compact mixed integer linear programming model, a logic‐based Benders decomposition and a variant thereof, namely branch‐and‐check for it. For the general case, instances with up to 70 stations, and for the single‐vehicle case instances with up to 120 stations are solved to proven optimality. A comparison to leading metaheuristic approaches considering flexible vehicle loads indicates that indeed the restriction to full loads has only a very small impact on the finally achieved balance in typical scenarios of Citybike Wien. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, Vol. 69(3), 270–289 2017
Genome‐wide analysis identifies an african‐specific variant in SEMA4D associated with body mass index
Authors: Chen Guanjie , Doumatey Ayo P. , Zhou Jie , Lei Lin , Bentley Amy R. , Tekola-Ayele Fasil , Adebamowo Sally N. , Baker Jennifer L. , Fasanmade Olufemi , Okafor Godfrey , Eghan Benjamin , Agyenim‐Boateng Kofi , Amoah Albert , Adebamowo Clement , Acheampong Joseph , Johnson Thomas , Oli Johnnie , Shriner Daniel , Adeyemo Adebowale A. , Rotimi Charles N.
Published: March 2017

Objective

The prevalence of obesity varies between ethnic groups. No genome‐wide association study (GWAS) for body mass index (BMI) has been conducted in continental Africans.

Methods

We performed a GWAS for BMI in 1,570 West Africans (WA). Replication was conducted in independent samples of WA (n = 1,411) and African Americans (AA) (n = 9,020).

Results

We identified a novel genome‐wide significant African‐specific locus for BMI (SEMA4D, rs80068415; minor allele frequency = 0.008, P = 2.10 × 10−8). This finding was replicated in independent samples of WA (P = 0.013) and AA (P = 0.017). Individuals with obesity had higher serum SEMA4D levels compared to those without obesity (P < 0.0001), and elevated levels of serum SEMA4D were associated with increased obesity risk (OR = 4.2, P < 1 × 10−4). The prevalence of obesity was higher in individuals with the CT versus TT genotypes (55.6% vs. 22.9%).

Conclusions

A novel variant in SEMA4D was significantly associated with BMI. Carriers of the C allele were 4.6 BMI units heavier than carriers of the T allele (P = 0.0007). This variant is monomorphic in Europeans and Asians, highlighting the importance of studying diverse populations. While there is evidence for the involvement of SEMA4D in inflammatory processes, this study is the first to implicate SEMA4D in obesity pathophysiology.
Do consumers know enough to assess the true value of art? A study of beliefs and attitudes toward the NEA
Authors: Ottley Gary , Hanna Richard
Published: March 2017

Contemporary society tends to ascribe economic value to works of art, often neglecting the inherent cultural and social value of art in favor of an aesthetically driven conceptualization of “value.” The largest single financial supporter of nonprofit arts and arts education in the United States—the National Endowment of the Arts—is charged with supporting arts of all types, and not just those that the general public decides are of aesthetic or monetary value. This paper compares how the government of the United States funds nonprofit art initiatives through the National Endowment of the Arts, with how members of the American public perceive the importance and value of art being funded. It provides evidence of beliefs held by the general public about the inherent role and value of the arts in contemporary society. It also offers suggestions for how marketing principles and techniques might be engaged to reduce gaps in the public's knowledge about the arts.
Arts marketing framework: The arts organisation as a hub for participation
Authors: Wiid Ria , Mora‐Avila Paulo
Published: March 2017

The proliferation of artistic content, increased mobility of people, ethnic diversification, and increased scarcity of time outside of work against a backdrop of austerity requires an integrated approach to marketing within the arts. This paper proposes a framework for the marketing of arts based on participation, cocreation, and social networks. Additionally, the framework considers the role of self‐construal in the participation of arts.
Epithelial membrane protein 2 (EMP2) deficiency alters placental angiogenesis, mimicking features of human placental insufficiency
Authors: Williams Carmen J , Chu Alison , Jefferson Wendy N , Casero David , Sudhakar Deepthi , Khurana Nevil , Hogue Claire P , Aryasomayajula Chinmayi , Patel Priya , Sullivan Peggy , Padilla‐Banks Elizabeth , Mohandessi Shabnam , Janzen Carla , Wadehra Madhuri
Published: March 2017

Epithelial membrane protein‐2 (EMP2) is a tetraspan protein predicted to regulate placental development. Highly expressed in secretory endometrium and trophectoderm cells, previous studies suggest that it may regulate implantation by orchestrating the surface expression of integrins and other membrane proteins. In order to test the role of EMP2 in pregnancy, mice lacking EMP2 (Emp2−/−) were generated. Emp2−/− females are fertile but have reduced litter sizes when carrying Emp2−/− but not Emp2+/− fetuses. Placentas of Emp2−/− fetuses exhibit dysregulation in pathways related to neoangiogenesis, coagulation, and oxidative stress, and have increased fibrin deposition and altered vasculature. Given that these findings often occur due to placental insufficiency resulting in an oxygen‐poor environment, the expression of hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1 alpha (HIF‐1α) was examined. Placentas from Emp2−/− fetuses had increased total HIF‐1α expression in large part through an increase in uterine NK (uNK) cells, demonstrating a unique interplay between uNK cells and trophoblasts modulated through EMP2. To determine if these results translated to human pregnancy, placentas from normal, term deliveries or those complicated by placental insufficiency resulting in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) were stained for EMP2. EMP2 was significantly reduced in both villous and extravillous trophoblast populations in IUGR placentas. Experiments in vitro using human trophoblast cells lines indicate that EMP2 modulates angiogenesis by altering HIF‐1α expression. Our results reveal a novel role for EMP2 in regulating trophoblast function and vascular development in mice and humans, and suggest that it may be a new biomarker for placental insufficiency. Copyright © 2017 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effect of dimethylsulfoxide on the dissociation process of physical complexes of polyacrylonitrile in N,N‐dimethylformamide
Authors: Eom Youngho , Kim Byoung Chul
Published: March 2017

The physical properties and gelation behavior of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) solutions were investigated in mixed solvents of N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). For the individual solubility parameters, DMSO had the polar term closer to PAN than DMF. Small‐angle X‐ray scattering profiles and Fourier transform infrared spectra of 20 wt% PAN solutions confirmed that the internal structure and intermolecular complexes between nitrile groups were broken up by the DMSO molecules. The slope of Cole–Cole plot, a measure of the solution heterogeneity, increased with the mole fraction of DMSO (XDMSO) via three distinct zones. The homogenization was particularly noticeable in Zone 1 (0.0 < XDMSO < 0.4) and Zone 3 (0.7 < XDMSO < 1.0). The Huggins constant and UV‐visible absorption at 268 nm of dilute solutions decreased sharply above XDMSO of 0.7 in Zone 3. This indicated a marked increase of PAN solubility by dissociating the intramolecular complexes between nitrile groups. In Zone 1, the storage modulus of 20 wt% PAN solutions decreased but loss modulus remained almost constant with XDMSO at lower frequency below 1 rad s−1, indicating the weakening of the true entanglement points of the intermolecular complexes. The mechanism indicated that the intermolecular complexes between nitrile groups were dissociated by DMSO earlier than the intramolecular ones. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Kinetic energy density for orbital‐free density functional calculations by axiomatic approach
Authors: Alharbi Fahhad H. , Kais Sabre
Published: March 2017

An axiomatic approach is herein used to determine the physically acceptable forms for general D‐dimensional kinetic energy density functionals (KEDF). The resulted expansion captures most of the known forms of one‐point KEDFs. By statistically training the KEDF forms on a model problem of noninteracting kinetic energy in 1D (six terms only), the mean relative accuracy for 1000 randomly generated potentials is found to be better than the standard KEDF by several orders of magnitudes. The accuracy improves with the number of occupied states and was found to be better than
for a system with four occupied states. Furthermore, we show that free fitting of the coefficients associated with known KEDFs approaches the exactly analytic values. The presented approach can open a new route to search for physically acceptable kinetic energy density functionals and provide an essential step toward more accurate large‐scale orbital free density functional theory calculations.
Experimental Evaluation and Formal Analysis of High‐Level Tasks with Dynamic Obstacle Anticipation on a Full‐Sized Autonomous Vehicle
Authors: Johnson Benjamin , Havlak Frank , Kress‐Gazit Hadas , Campbell Mark
Published: March 2017

Certifying the behavior of autonomous systems is essential to the development and deployment of systems in safety‐critical applications. This paper presents an approach to using a correct‐by‐construction controller with the probabilistic results of dynamic obstacle anticipation, and validates the approach with experimental data obtained from Cornell's full‐scale autonomous vehicle. The obstacle anticipation (used to calculate the probability of collision with dynamic obstacles around the vehicle) is abstracted to a set of Boolean observations, which are then used by the synthesized controller (a state machine generated from temporal logic task specifications). The obstacle anticipation, sensor abstraction, and synthesized controller are implemented on a full‐scale autonomous vehicle, and experimental data are collected and compared with a formal analysis of the probabilistic behavior of the system. A comparison of the results shows good agreement between the formal analysis and the experimental results.
A Pyrene‐Pyrazole‐Based Rotamer Senses Hg2+ on the Nanomolar Scale
Authors: Naskar Barnali , Dhara Anamika , Modak Ritwik , Maiti Dilip K. , Prodhan Chandraday , Chaudhuri Keya , Requena Alberto , Cerón‐Carrasco José Pedro , Goswami Sanchita
Published: March 2017

In this experimental and theoretical study, a new pyrene‐pyrazole based chemosensor, 5‐Methyl‐1H‐pyrazole‐3‐carboxylic acid pyren‐1‐ylm ethylene hydrazide (MpcphH), is designed and prepared for selective sensing of Hg2+. Photophysical studies, including UV‐vis and fluorescence, showed that MpcphH exhibited high selectivity and sensitivity in response to Hg2+ with detection limit in the nano molar range. The 1H and 13C−NMR spectroscopic techniques are presented to elucidate the coordination modes of MpcphH towards Hg2+. The relative stability of the ketoimine/imineol tautomers and the specific rotamer responsible for Hg2+ coordination are evaluated by means of DFT calculations. Furthermore, MpcphH provides a reliable approach to monitor cellular cytoplasmic Hg2+ in HepG2 cells.
Hydrothermal Synthesis of CuFe2O4 Magnetic Nanoparticles as Active and Robust Catalyst for N‐arylation of Indole and Imidazole with Aryl Halide
Authors: Nakhate Akhil V. , Yadav Ganapati D.
Published: March 2017

Spinel ferrite magnetic nanoparticles are superior to the conventional catalysts. Here we report the synthesis of different types of spinel ferrite nanoparticles, MFe2O4 (M= Cu, Mn, Mg, Co, Ni), by a hydrothermal method. The prepared spinel ferrite nanoparticles were used for the N‐arylation reaction of indole with iodobenzene. Among these CuFe2O4 nanoparticles exhibited the best activity and selectivity for N‐arylation under ligand free condition. The prepared spinel ferrite microspheres were well characterised by using various characterization techniques such as TEM, XRD, XPS, SEM, EDXA, FT‐IR, N2 adsorption desorption measurements and TGA. The effect of various parameters were studied such as solvent, base, speed of agitation, mole ratio, catalyst loading and temperature in the reaction of indole with iodobenzene. Best conversion and yield were achieved at 110 °C and 1×10‐3 g/cm3 catalyst loading. Notably, CuFe2O4 magnetic nanoparticles were completely recovered and could be reused six times without any noticeable loss of activity. Reaction mechanism and kinetics are also presented.
Efficient CoMoS Catalysts Supported on Bio‐Inspired Polymer Coated Alumina for Hydrotreating Reactions
Authors: Munirathinam Rajesh , Laurenti Dorothée , Pirngruber Gerhard D. , Uzio Denis
Published: March 2017

Organic additives are widely used in order to improve the performance of hydrotreating catalysts. Yet, the use of polymers, in particular bio‐polymers, is less widespread. We present, herein, a strategy to coat alumina support with a bio‐polymer, namely polydopamine (Pdop). The Pdop coated supports provide a higher number of adsorption sites for Mo species compared to the bare support. The hydrotreating catalyst prepared on Pdop coated support showed improved performances for various hydrotreating reactions (aromatic hydrogenation, gas‐oil HDS and HDN). The increase in activity is ascribed to a better accessibility of active sites, and the presence of carbon adlayer between the active phase and alumina limiting detrimental direct metal support interactions. Modification of the alumina surfaces by Pdop creates new adsorption sites for metallic precursors, thereby allowing an improved accessibility of active sites especially at high surface densities.
Keggin Type‐Polyoxometalate Decorated Ruthenium Nanoparticles: Highly Active and Selective Nanocatalyst for the Oxidation of Veratryl Alcohol as a Lignin Model Compound
Authors: Baguc Ismail Burak , Saglam Serif , Ertas Ilknur Efecan , Keles Muhammed Nuri , Celebi Metin , Kaya Murat , Zahmakiran Mehmet
Published: March 2017

Described herein is a new nanocatalyst system that efficiently works in the aerobic oxidation of veratryl alcohol (VA), which is formed by cleavage of β‐O‐4 linkages in lignin, to veratraldehyde (VAL) under mild reaction conditions. The new nanocatalyst system comprised of ruthenium(0) nanoparticles supported on the Keggin type polyoxometalate (POM; K3[PMo12O40]) network (Ru/POM) can simply and reproducibly be prepared by the dimethylamine‐borane ((CH3)2NHBH3) reduction of ruthenium(III) chloride trihydrate (RuCl3.3H2O) in isopropanol solution of K3[P Mo12O40] at room temperature. The characterization of Ru/POM by the combination of various analytical techniques reveals that the formation of well‐dispersed ruthenium(0) nanoparticles with a mean diameter of 4.7 ± 1.2 nm on the surface of POM network structure. This new Ru/POM nanocatalyst displays remarkable activity (TOF=7.5 mol VAld/mol Ru×h) at high selectivity (> 98%) and almost complete conversion (98%) in the aerobic oxidation of VA to VAld under mild conditions.
Rh(III)‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Multisubstituted Isoquinolines from Benzylamines and Diazo Compounds
Authors: Lin Xing , Chauvin Remi , Yu Yunliang , Wang Lianhui , Xu Linhua , Cui Xiuling
Published: March 2017

Multisubstituted isoquinolines have been prepared by Rh(III)‐catalyzed cyclization of benzylamines with diazo compounds via aryl C−H bond activation using molecular oxygen from air as an oxidant. This method features mild reaction conditions, simple catalytic system, tolerance of a broad range of substrates, high efficiency and regioselectivity.
Furfuryl Alcohol and Furfural Hydrogenation over Activated Carbon–supported Palladium Catalyst in Presence of Water and Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Nanao Hidetaka , Murakami Yuka , Sato Osamu , Yamaguchi Aritomo , Hiyoshi Norihito , Shirai Masayuki
Published: March 2017

Hydrogenation of furfuryl alcohol and furfural over an activated carbon‐supported palladium catalyst was carried out and the effects of solvent and carbon dioxide on the activity and selectivity of the reactions were studied. For the hydrogenation of furfuryl alcohol and furfural, the addition of protic solvents led to a higher initial activity compared to that under neat conditions. Among the protic solvents, water caused the highest increase in the initial activities. When carbon dioxide was added to protic solvents, the initial activities increased further. For a system containing both water and carbon dioxide, the initial activity increased when the pressure of carbon dioxide introduced was increased up to 10 MPa, after which the activity remained almost constant. The results of the hydrogenation of furfural over the supported palladium catalyst showed that tetrahydrofurfural and furfuryl alcohol were the initial products; furfuryl alcohol was subsequently reduced to tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol.
Multinational Firms’ Motivations and Foreign Direct Investment Decisions: An Analysis of the Software and IT and Financial Services Sectors in the Irish Context
Authors: Annan‐Diab Fatima , Filippaios Fragkiskos
Published: March 2017

This article focuses on the way greenfield foreign direct investment (FDI) in different sectors is influenced by locational characteristics and explores the role of policy in attracting and retaining foreign investment. We contribute to the literature by empirically investigating the investment motivations of multinational companies in the software and information technology (IT) and financial services sectors in Ireland and those locational factors that contribute to the retention of FDI. The methodology used in this research is of a qualitative nature, and an exploratory deductive approach is adopted in order to gain an understanding of firms’ internationalization decisions and motivations. The data demonstrate that companies in the two sectors follow different investment motivations. Firms in the software and IT sector entered Ireland primarily because of the availability of a high‐quality workforce, whereas firms in the financial services sector entered Ireland following the deregulation of markets and the subsequent ease of doing business. The article builds on these findings to develop policy recommendations. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cervical‐length measurement in mid‐gestation to predict spontaneous preterm birth in asymptomatic triplet pregnancy
Authors: Fichera A. , Pagani G. , Stagnati V. , Cascella S. , Faiola S. , Gaini C. , Lanna M. , Pasquini L. , Raffaelli R. , Stampalija T. , Tommasini A. , Prefumo F.
Published: March 2017

Objective

To assess the predictive value of sonographic cervical‐length (CL) measurement in mid‐gestation for spontaneous preterm birth (PTB) in asymptomatic triplet pregnancy.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of asymptomatic triplet pregnancies followed at five Italian tertiary referral centers, between 2002 and 2015. CL was measured transvaginally between 18 and 24 weeks' gestation. Pregnancies with medically indicated PTB were excluded. Demographic and pregnancy characteristics of pregnancies complicated by PTB were analyzed and the distributions of CL measurements in these patients were calculated. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between CL and PTB, adjusted for confounders. Performance of CL measurement in prediction of PTB < 28, < 30 and < 32 weeks of gestation was assessed.

Results

A total of 120 triplet pregnancies were included in the final analysis. Median CL was 35 (interquartile range (IQR), 29–40) mm measured at a median gestational age of 20 + 2 (IQR, 20 + 0 to 23 + 4) weeks. Overall, 23 (19.2%), 17 (14.2%) and eight (6.7%) patients had a CL < 25, < 20 and < 15 mm, respectively. Spontaneous PTB < 32 weeks occurred in 41 (34.2%) cases, < 30 weeks in 23 (19.2%) and < 28 weeks in 12 (10%) cases. CL < 15 mm was significantly more frequent in the group of patients who delivered < 28 (P = 0.03) and < 30 (P = 0.01) weeks' gestation, compared with those who delivered after 28 and after 30 weeks, respectively, while CL < 20 mm was more common in triplet pregnancies with delivery < 32 weeks compared with those delivered ≥ 32 weeks (P = 0.03). Logistic regression analysis was possible only for PTB < 32 weeks due to the small number of cases that delivered < 30 and < 28 weeks. After adjustment for confounders, CL was not significantly associated with PTB < 32 weeks (adjusted odds ratio, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.94–1.01). CL measurement had an area under the receiver–operating characteristics curve of 0.41 (95% CI, 0.20–0.62), 0.41 (95% CI, 0.26–0.56) and 0.42 (95% CI, 0.31–0.54) for the prediction of spontaneous PTB < 28, < 30 and < 32 weeks, respectively.

Conclusion

CL assessed in mid‐gestation is a poor predictor of PTB < 28, < 30 and < 32 weeks' gestation in asymptomatic triplet pregnancy. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Accuracy of preoperative real‐time dynamic transvaginal ultrasound sliding sign in prediction of pelvic adhesions in women with previous abdominopelvic surgery: prospective, multicenter, double‐blind study
Authors: Ayachi A. , Bouchahda R. , Derouich S. , Mkaouer L. , Kehila M. , Abouda H. , Channoufi B. , Bouyahia M. , Braham M. , Zhioua F. , Bouchahda H. , Mourali M.
Published: March 2017

Objective

To investigate the role of the transvaginal sonographic (TVS) sliding sign in predicting pelvic adhesions in women with previous abdominopelvic surgery.

Methods

This was a multicenter, prospective, interventional, double‐blind study of patients with a history of abdominopelvic surgery who were undergoing laparoscopy or laparotomy during the 6‐month period from March to August 2016 in one of three academic obstetrics and gynecology departments. Prior to surgery, patients were examined by TVS to assess the vesicouterine pouch, uterus, ovaries and pouch of Douglas, using the TVS pelvic sliding sign. Ultrasound findings and medical and surgical data were recorded. We assessed the accuracy of the preoperative TVS sliding sign in the prediction of pelvic adhesions overall and in each compartment separately.

Results

During the study period, complete TVS sliding sign and laparoscopic or laparotomic data were available for 107 women. Their mean age was 44.0 (95% CI, 41.6–46.4; range, 20–79) years. Their mean parity was 2.0 (95% CI, 1.7–2.3; range, 0–9) and the mean number of previous abdominal surgical procedures per patient was 1.3 (95% CI, 1.2–1.5; range, 1–4). Adhesions were noted in 27/107 (25.2%) patients. The TVS sliding sign had a sensitivity of 96.3% and specificity of 92.6% in predicting pelvic adhesions. There was a significant relationship between adhesions in each compartment and the TVS sliding sign (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The TVS sliding sign is an effective means to detect preoperatively pelvic adhesions in patients with previous abdominopelvic surgery. Use of such a non‐invasive and well‐tolerated technique could help in the planning of laparoscopy or laparotomy and counseling of these patients. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Conventional vs virtual autopsy with postmortem MRI in phenotypic characterization of stillbirths and fetal malformations
Authors: Shruthi M. , Gupta N. , Jana M. , Mridha A. R. , Kumar A. , Agarwal R. , Sharma R. , Deka D. , Gupta A. K. , Kabra M.
Published: March 2017

Objective

To compare virtual autopsy using postmortem magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with conventional autopsy with respect to phenotypic characterization of stillbirths and malformed fetuses, and acceptability to parents.

Methods

This was a prospective diagnostic evaluation study, conducted from June 2013 to June 2015, including stillbirths and pregnancies terminated owing to fetal malformation at ≥ 20 weeks' gestation, for which parental consent to both conventional autopsy and postmortem MRI was obtained. Cases of maternal and obstetric cause of fetal demise were excluded. Whole‐body postmortem MRI (at 1.5 T) was performed prior to conventional autopsy. Taking conventional autopsy as the diagnostic gold standard, postmortem MRI findings alone, or in conjunction with other minimally invasive prenatal and postmortem investigations, were assessed and compared for diagnostic accuracy.

Results

Parental consent for both conventional autopsy and postmortem MRI was obtained in 52 cases of which 43 were included in the analysis. In 35 (81.4%) cases, the final diagnosis based on virtual autopsy with postmortem MRI was in agreement with that of conventional autopsy. With conventional autopsy as the reference standard, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of postmortem MRI were, respectively: 77.7%, 99.8%, 97.4% and 98.0% for whole‐body assessment; 93.1%, 99.0%, 87.1% and 99.5% for the nervous system; 61.0%, 100.0%, 100.0% and 96.7% for the cardiovascular system; 91.1%, 100.0%, 100.0% and 98.0% for the pulmonary system; 80.6%, 99.8%, 96.7% and 98.7% for the abdomen; 96.2%, 99.7%, 96.2% and 99.7% for the renal system; and 66.7%, 100.0%, 100.0% and 97.2% for the musculoskeletal system. Virtual autopsy was acceptable to 96.8% of families as compared with conventional autopsy to 82.5%.

Conclusions

Virtual autopsy using postmortem MRI and other minimally invasive investigations can be an acceptable alternative to conventional autopsy when the latter is refused by the parents. Postmortem MRI is more acceptable to parents and can provide additional diagnostic information on brain and spinal cord malformations. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
New method to predict need for Rashkind procedure in fetuses with dextro‐transposition of the great arteries
Authors: Słodki M. , Axt‐Fliedner R. , Zych‐Krekora K. , Wolter A. , Kawecki A. , Enzensberger C. , Gulczyńska E. , Respondek‐Liberska M. ,   The International Prenatal Cardiology Collaboration Group
Published: March 2017

Objective

Prenatal congenital heart disease classification systems distinguish between critical dextro‐transposition of the great arteries (d‐TGA) with restriction of the foramen ovale (FO) (which requires a Rashkind procedure within the first 24 h following delivery) and d‐TGA for which surgery is planned (after prostaglandin perfusion or Rashkind procedure later than 24 h after delivery). However, current prenatal diagnostic criteria for postnatal FO restriction in d‐TGA are inadequate, resulting in a high false‐negative rate. We aimed to identify echocardiographic features to predict the urgent need for Rashkind procedure.

Methods

We identified retrospectively 98 patients with singleton pregnancy diagnosed prenatally with fetal d‐TGA at two European centers from 2006 to 2013. Two groups were compared: (1) those in whom the Rashkind procedure was performed within the first 24 h postnatally; and (2) those who did not undergo a Rashkind procedure before cardiac surgery. Exclusion criteria were: (1) no fetal echocardiography within 3 weeks prior to delivery (n = 18); (2) delivery before 37 weeks of gestation (n = 6); (3) improper or lack of measurement of pulmonary vein maximum flow velocity (n = 10); (4) lack of neonatal follow‐up data (n = 9); (5) Rashkind procedure performed more than 24 h after delivery (n = 4).

Results

Fifty‐one patients met the inclusion criteria: 29 who underwent the Rashkind procedure and 22 who did not. There were no differences between these two study groups in terms of maternal age, gestational age at time of fetal echocardiography, fetal biometric measurements, estimated fetal weight, rate of Cesarean delivery, newborn weight or Apgar score at 1 min. There were also no differences during prenatal life between the two groups in terms of fetal cardiac size (heart area/chest area ratio), rate of disproportion between left and right ventricle, FO diameter and maximum velocity of flow through the FO. However, the pulmonary vein maximum velocity was significantly higher in the group requiring a Rashkind procedure (47.62 ± 7.48 vs 32.21 ± 5.47 cm/s; P < 0.001). The cut‐off value of 41 cm/s provided maximum specificity (100%) and positive predictive value (100%) at only a slight cost of sensitivity (82%) and NPV (86%). The prenatal appearance of the FO also differed between the groups, the FO valve being flat in 52% of those requiring a Rashkind procedure.

Conclusions

In fetuses with d‐TGA, prenatal sonographic findings of increased pulmonary venous blood flow and flattened FO valve were associated with the need for a Rashkind procedure within the first 24 h postnatally; these echocardiographic features could be used to predict prenatally a need for the procedure following delivery. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Validation of a CFD model with a synchronized triple‐lidar system in the wind turbine induction zone
Authors: Meyer Forsting A. R. , Troldborg N. , Murcia Leon J. P. , Sathe A. , Angelou N. , Vignaroli A.
Published: March 2017

A novel validation methodology allows verifying a CFD model over the entire wind turbine induction zone using measurements from three synchronized lidars. The validation procedure relies on spatially discretizing the probability density function of the measured free‐stream wind speed. The resulting distributions are reproduced numerically by weighting steady‐state Reynolds averaged Navier‐Stokes simulations accordingly. The only input varying between these computations is the velocity at the inlet boundary. The rotor is modelled using an actuator disc. So as to compare lidar and simulations, the spatial and temporal uncertainty of the measurements is quantified and propagated through the data processing. For all velocity components the maximal difference between measurements and model are below 4.5% relative to the average wind speed for most of the validation space. This applies to both mean and standard deviation. One rotor radius upstream the difference reaches maximally 1.3% for the axial component. © 2017 The Authors. Wind Energy Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Box C/D small nucleolar RNA genes and the Prader‐Willi syndrome: a complex interplay
Authors: Cavaillé Jérôme
Published: March 2017

The nucleolus of mammalian cells contains hundreds of box C/D small nucleolar RNAs (SNORDs). Through their ability to base pair with ribosomal RNA precursors, most play important roles in the synthesis and/or activity of ribosomes, either by guiding sequence‐specific 2′‐O‐methylations or by facilitating RNA folding and cleavages. A growing number of SNORD genes with elusive functions have been discovered recently. Intriguingly, the vast majority of them are located in two large, imprinted gene clusters at human chromosome region 15q11q13 (the
SNURF–SNRPN
domain) and at 14q32 (the
DLK1–DIO3
domain) where they are expressed, respectively, only from the paternally and maternally inherited alleles. These placental mammal‐specific SNORD genes have many features of the canonical SNORDs that guide 2′‐O‐methylations, yet they lack obvious complementarity with ribosomal RNAs and, surprisingly, they are processed from large, tandemly repeated genes expressed preferentially in the brain. This review summarizes our understanding of the biology of these peculiar SNORD genes, focusing particularly on
SNORD115
and
SNORD116
in the
SNURF–SNRPN
domain. It examines the growing evidence that altered levels of these SNORDs and/or their host‐gene transcripts may be a primary cause of Prader‐Willi syndrome (PWS; a rare disorder characterized by overeating and obesity) as well as abnormalities in signaling through the 5‐HT2C serotonin receptor. Finally, the hypothesis that PWS may be a ribosomopathy (ribosomal disease) is also discussed. WIREs RNA 2017, 8:e1417. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1417

This article is categorized under:

Translation > Ribosome Biogenesis

RNA Processing > RNA Editing and Modification

RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease
Crystal Structures and Luminescence of Two Cadmium‐Carboxylate Cluster‐based Compounds with Mixed Ligands
Authors: Ma Hui‐Fang , Lei Qian , Wang Yu‐Ling , Yin Shun‐Gao , Liu Qing‐Yan
Published: March 2017

Reactions of Cd(NO3)2·4H2O with 2‐quinolinecarboxylic acid (H‐QLC) in the presence of 1,4‐benzenedicarboxylic acid (H2‐BDC) or 1,3,5‐benzenetricarboxylic acid (H‐BTC) in DMF/H2O solvent afforded two compounds, namely, [Cd(QLC)(BDC)1/2(H2O)]n (1) and [Cd(QLC)(BTC)1/3]n (2). Both compounds are two‐dimensional (2D) frameworks but feature different cadmium‐carboxylate clusters as a result of the presence of the polycarboxylate ligands with different geometries and coordination preference. The dinuclear Cd2(QLC)2 units in 1 are bridged by the pairs of bridging water ligands to give a one‐dimensional (1D) chain, which is further linked by the second ligand of BDC2– to form a 2D structure. Compound 2 is constructed from unique hexanuclear macrometallacyclic Cd6(QLC)6 clusters, which are linked by the surrounding BTC3– ligands to generate a 2D structure. Photoluminescence studies showed both compounds exhibit ligand‐centered luminescent emissions with emission maxima at 405 and 401 nm, respectively.
A verification and deployment approach for elastic component-based applications
Authors: Graiet Mohamed , Hamel Lazhar , Mammar Amel , Tata Samir
Published: March 2017

Cloud environments are being increasingly used for the deployment and execution of complex applications and particularly component-based ones. They are expected to provide elasticity, among other characteristics, in order to allow a deployed application to rapidly change the amount of its allocated resources in order to meet the variation in demand while ensuring a given Quality of Service (QoS). However, establishing a correct elastic component-based application is not guaranteed in Cloud. Indeed, applying elasticity mechanisms should preserve functional properties and improve non-functional properties related to QoS, performance and resource consumption. In this paper, we propose an approach for the verification and deployment of elastic component-based applications. Our approach is based on the Event-B formal method. In fact, we formally model the component artifacts using Event-B and we define the Event-B events that model the elasticity mechanisms (scaling up and down) for component-based applications. Furthermore, we formally verify that our approach preserves the semantics of the component-based applications by using the proof obligations and the ProB animator. Once the elastic component-based applications are validated, they can be deployed in a Cloud environment using an elastic deployment framework which we have developed.
Enhancing the connection between the classroom and the clinical workplace: A systematic review
Authors: Peters Sanne , Clarebout Geraldine , Diemers Agnes , Delvaux Nicolas , Verburgh An , Aertgeerts Bert , Roex Ann
Published: March 2017

Introduction Although medical students are increasingly exposed to clinical experiences as part of their training, these often occur parallel with, rather than connected to, their classroom-based learning experiences. Additionally, students seem to struggle with spontaneously making the connection between these spheres of their training themselves. Therefore, this systematic review synthesized the existing evidence about educational interventions that aim to enhance the connection between learning in the classroom and its application in the workplace.

Methods Electronic databases (AMED, CINAHL, EMBASE, ERIC, Medline, RDRB, PsycINFO and WoS) were screened for quantitative and qualitative studies investigating educational interventions that referenced a connection between the classroom and workplace-based experiences within undergraduate, graduate or postgraduate medical education.

Results Three types of interventions were identified: classroom to workplace interventions, workplace to classroom interventions, and interventions involving multiple connections between the two settings. Most interventions involved a tool (e. g. video, flow chart) or a specific process (e. g. linking patient cases with classroom-based learning content, reflecting on differences between what was learned and how it works in practice) which aimed to enhance the connection between the two settings.

Discussion Small-scale interventions can bring classroom learning and workplace practice into closer alignment. Such interventions appear to be the necessary accompaniments to curricular structures, helping bridge the gap between classroom learning and workplace experience. This paper documents examples that may serve to assist medical educators in connecting the classroom and the workplace.
Reduced future‐oriented decision making in individuals with subjective cognitive decline: A functional MRI study
Authors: Hu Xiaochen , Uhle Franziska , Fliessbach Klaus , Wagner Michael , Han Ying , Weber Bernd , Jessen Frank
Published: March 2017

Introduction

Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) refers to an at‐risk state of Alzheimer's disease and subtle cognitive deficits that have been observed in this condition. Currently, it is unknown whether complex cognitive processes relevant to everyday life, such as future‐oriented choice behavior, are also altered in SCD.

Methods

Twenty SCD participants and 24 control (CO) participants took part in a functional magnetic resonance imaging task on intertemporal decisions, with and without simultaneous episodic future imagination.

Results

SCD participants showed reduced future‐oriented choices. Future imagination increased future‐oriented choices and was associated with increased brain activation in medial frontal polar cortex, right insular cortex, and anterior cingulate cortex in CO only, not SCD. In addition, more future‐oriented choices were associated with hippocampal activation during choice processing in CO only.

Discussion

Subtle neuronal network disruptions in SCD may underlie their myopic future decisions and lack of modulation of choice behavior by episodic future imagination.
Relationship of mast cell density with lymphangiogenesis and prognostic parameters in breast carcinoma
Authors: Keser Sevinc H. , Kandemir Nilufer O. , Ece Dilek , Gecmen Gonca G. , Gul Aylin E. , Barisik Nagehan O. , Sensu Sibel , Buyukuysal Cagatay , Barut Figen
Published: March 2017

In many cancers, mast cell density (MCD) in the tumor microenvironment is associated with tumor progression and, to a greater extent, angiogenesis. Our study was designed to investigate the correlation between MCD, tumor lymphangiogenesis, and several well‐established prognostic parameters in breast cancer. One hundred and four cases of invasive breast carcinoma diagnosed in our clinic between 2007 and 2011 were included. Mast cells and lymphatic vessels were stained with toluidine blue and D2‐40, respectively, and their densities were calculated in various areas of tumors and lymph nodes. The variables of MCD and lymphatic vessel density (LVD) were compared using prognostic parameters as well as with each other. As tumor size and volume increased, MCD increased comparably in metastatic lymph nodes; intratumoral and peritumoral LVD also increased. Lymphovascular invasion, lymphatic invasion, perineural invasion, and estrogen receptor positivity were positively related to intratumoral MCD. The relationship between peritumoral MCD and nontumoral breast tissue MCD was statistically significant. Stage was correlated with MCD in metastatic lymph nodes. Metastatic lymph node MCD and intratumoral MCD were also significantly related. Stage, lymphatic invasion, perineural invasion, lymphovascular invasion, and metastatic lymph node MCD were all correlated with intratumoral and/or peritumoral LVD. As nuclear grade increased, intratumoral LVD became higher. In breast carcinoma, MCD, depending on its location, was related to several prognostic parameters. Notably, mast cells may have at least some effect on lymphangiogenesis, which appears to be a predictor of tumor progression.
Recruiting to preclinical Alzheimer's disease clinical trials through registries
Authors: Grill Joshua D.
Published: March 2017

Participant registries are repositories of individuals who have expressed willingness to learn about studies for which they may be eligible. Registries are increasingly being used to improve recruitment to preclinical Alzheimer's disease (AD) clinical trials, which require large screening efforts to identify adequate numbers of participants who meet enrollment criteria. Recruiting to preclinical AD trials from registries is made more efficient through registry collection of data that permits exclusion of those who will not be eligible and identifies individuals most likely to qualify for trials. Such data could include self‐reported disease family history or other risk factors but could also include cognitive, genetic, or biomarker testing outcomes. Few data are available to guide investigators overseeing registries and important ethical questions are likely to arise related to their conduct, especially in registries collecting AD risk information. This article outlines three areas of consideration for registry investigators: informed consent, disclosure, and sponsorship.
A History of Modern Uganda
Authors: Reid Richard J.
Published: March 2017

This book is the first major study in several decades to consider Uganda as a nation, from its precolonial roots to the present day. Here, Richard J. Reid examines the political, economic, and social history of Uganda, providing a unique and wide-ranging examination of its turbulent and dynamic past for all those studying Uganda's place in African history and African politics. Reid identifies and examines key points of rupture and transition in Uganda's history, emphasising dramatic political and social change in the precolonial era, especially during the nineteenth century, and he also examines the continuing repercussions of these developments in the colonial and postcolonial periods. By considering the ways in which historical culture and consciousness has been ever present - in political discourse, art and literature, and social relationships - Reid defines the true extent of Uganda's viable national history.
Australia's Constitution after Whitlam
Authors: Lim Brendan
Published: March 2017

Australia's constitutional crisis of 1975 was not simply about the precise powers of the Senate or the Governor-General. It was about competing accounts of how to legitimate informal constitutional change. For Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, and the parliamentary tradition that he invoked, national elections sufficiently legitimated even the most constitutionally transformative of his goals. For his opponents, and a more complex tradition of popular sovereignty, more decisive evidence was required of the consent of the people themselves. This book traces the emergence of this fundamental constitutional debate and chronicles its subsequent iterations in sometimes surprising institutional configurations: the politics of judicial appointment in the Murphy Affair; the evolution of judicial review in the Mason Court; and the difficulties Australian republicanism faced in the Howard Referendum. Though the patterns of institutional engagement have changed, the persistent question of how to legitimate informal constitutional change continues to shape Australia's constitution after Whitlam.