bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low incidence of metastasis and recurrence from cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma found in a UK population: Do we need to adjust our thinking on this rare but potentially fatal event?
Authors: Nelson Toby G. , Ashton Richard E.
Published: July 2017

Background and Methods

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the commonest skin cancer with metastatic potential, however, reported rates of metastasis varies greatly. All cases of primary cSCC on the Isle of Wight between 2005 and 2014 were identified and retrospectively followed for recurrence and/or metastasis. Primary outcome was to identify the rate of metastasis/recurrence from cSCC. Secondary outcomes included associated risk factors for metastasis/recurrence, death from cSCC, and time from diagnosis of primary cSCC to event.

Results

A total of 1122 patients with 1495 tumors were identified within the study period. A total of 18 metastasized and 40 recurred, an overall incidence of 1.2% and 2.7%, respectively. Eight patients died from their disease.

Conclusions

Risk of metastasis from cSCC in the UK general population is likely to be in the order of 1.2%. Where metastasis occurs this is often within 2 years. Recurrence rates are higher following curette and cautery.

Discussion

If treated adequately both recurrence and metastasis from cSCC is a rare event. Not all cSCC cases need follow‐up instead time should be spent educating patients around signs of recurrence/metastasis then discharged, relieving burden on secondary care. Multi‐disciplinary teaming meetings are expensive and should be limited to complex cases.
Use of a 72‐cm‐long extended bilateral deep inferior epigastric artery perforator free flap for reconstruction of a lower leg with no suitable recipient vessel around the injury zone: A case report
Authors: Yoshimatsu Hidehiko , Yamamoto Takumi , Hayashi Akitatsu , Iida Takuya
Published: July 2017

In free‐flap reconstruction of the lower extremity, due either to trauma or pre‐existing vascular disease, healthy vessels may not be readily available in the proximity of the defect. A variety of options including a cross‐leg free flap, vein grafts, arteriovenous loops, and “bridging” flaps have been used to address the issue. The purpose of this report is to present a case in which a 72‐cm long extended bilateral deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) free flap was used for coverage of a 20 × 25 cm soft tissue defect of the lower leg following a Gustilo grade IIIC fracture in a 29‐year‐old man. Because usable recipient vessels were far from the zone of injury, and to avoid complications accompanying long vein grafts, a long flap was necessary. The exposed tibia required coverage with a free flap, but peripheral portions of the defect with exposed muscles could be covered with a skin graft. Thus, a 72 × 12 cm flap was chosen. The flap was based on both bilateral DIEPs and on the superficial circumflex iliac artery (SCIA). The flap survived completely with no complications. After one debulking surgery, the flap and the donor site showed pleasing cosmesis, and the patient could walk without crutches at 18 months after the first surgery. In cases where no healthy recipient vessels can be found close to the defect, we believe that the use of an extended bilateral DIEP flap may be a feasible option which shortens or precludes vein grafts with no additional flap donor sites.
Convergence to equilibrium for linear spatially homogeneous Boltzmann equation with hard and soft potentials: A semigroup approach in L1‐spaces
Authors: Lods B. , Mokhtar‐Kharroubi M.
Published: July 2017

We investigate the large time behavior of solutions to the spatially homogeneous linear Boltzmann equation from a semigroup viewpoint. Our analysis is performed in some (weighted) L1‐spaces. We deal with both the cases of hard and soft potentials (with angular cut‐off). For hard potentials, we provide a new proof of the fact that, in weighted L1‐spaces with exponential or algebraic weights, the solutions converge exponentially fast towards equilibrium. Our approach uses weak‐compactness arguments combined with recent results of the second author on positive semigroups in L1‐spaces. For soft potentials, in L1‐spaces, we exploit the convergence to ergodic projection for perturbed substochastic semigroup to show that, for very general initial datum, solutions to the linear Boltzmann equation converges to equilibrium in large time. Moreover, for a large class of initial data, we also prove that the convergence rate is at least algebraic. Notice that, for soft potentials, no exponential rate of convergence is expected because of the absence of spectral gap.
Parenting stress and development of late preterm infants at 4 months corrected age
Authors: Mughal Muhammad K. , Ginn Carla S. , Magill‐Evans Joyce , Benzies Karen M.
Published: July 2017

Parenting stress has been linked to child development issues in early preterm infants, but less is known about its effects on development in infants born late preterm. We examined relationships between parenting stress of 108 mothers and 108 fathers and development of late preterm infants born at 34 0/7 to 36 6/7 weeks gestation. At 4 months corrected age, mothers and fathers completed the Parenting Stress Index (PSI‐3); mothers were primary caregivers in almost all families and completed the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ‐2) on child development. Mothers reported significantly more stress than fathers on the PSI‐3 Parent Domain. PSI‐3 subscale scores from the Child Domain were significant predictors of mother‐reported infant development as measured by the ASQ‐2 in regression models: Reinforces Parent predicted Gross Motor, Mood predicted Communication, and Acceptability predicted Communication, Fine Motor, Problem Solving, and Personal ‐Social development scale scores. Experiences of parenting stress differed for mothers and fathers. Further research is required on specific dimensions of parenting stress related to development of late preterm infants.
Photooxygenation of oxygen‐substituted naphthalenes
Authors: Bauch Marcel , Krtitschka Angela , Linker Torsten
Published: July 2017

The reaction of oxygen‐substituted naphthalenes with singlet oxygen (1O2) has been investigated, and labile endoperoxides have been isolated and characterized at –78°C for the first time. Low‐temperature kinetics by UV spectroscopy revealed that alkoxy and silyloxy substituents remarkably increase the rate of photooxygenations compared to 1,4‐dimethylnaphthalene, whereas acyloxy‐substituted acenes are inert towards 1O2. The reactivities nicely correlate with HOMO energies and free activation energies, which we determined by density functional theory calculations. The lability of the isolated endoperoxides is due to their very fast back reaction to the corresponding naphthalenes even at –20°C under release of 1O2, making them to superior sources of this reactive species under very mild conditions. Finally, a carbohydrate‐substituted naphthalene has been synthesized, which reacts reversibly with 1O2 and might be applied for enantioselective oxidations in future work.
Synergistic Effect of TPD7 and Berberine against Leukemia Jurkat Cell Growth through Regulating Ephrin‐B2 Signaling
Authors: Ma Weina , Zhu Man , Yang Liu , Yang Tianfeng , Zhang Yanmin
Published: July 2017

TPD7, a novel biphenyl urea taspine derivative, and berberine have presented inhibition on VEGFR2 that can be regulated by ephrin‐B2 reverse signaling through interactions with the PDZ domain. The purpose of this study is to investigate the inhibitory effect of the combination of TPD7 and berberine (TAB) on T‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell growth. TPD7 and berberine together synergistically inhibited the proliferation of Jurkat cells. Also, the combination of TAB induced G1‐phase cell‐cycle arrest by downregulating the level of cyclin D1, cyclin E, and CDC2. Furthermore, the combination of TAB significantly enhanced apoptosis in Jurkat cells, and the apoptosis most likely resulted from the modulation of the level of Bcl‐2 family members. Most importantly, the concomitant treatment simultaneously regulated the ephrin‐B2 and VEGFR2 signaling, as well as modulated the MEK/ERK and PTEN/PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling. Therefore, the combination treatment of TAB may be a promising therapeutic method in treating T‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A multiresponse model for reliability‐based simulation optimization in systems subjected to random external stresses
Authors: Hejazi Taha‐Hossein
Published: July 2017

Systems with multiple output characteristics are very difficult to optimize, especially where outputs are interrelated and some external factors affect their performance. In many systems, some correlations and/or conflicts exist between performance measures. Multiple response optimization is a mathematical‐statistical technique that helps experts improve all the system's outputs, simultaneously. The present work aims to derive a stress‐strength reliability measure for multiresponse problems, so the strength criteria of a system are optimized against external stresses. To achieve this purpose, multivariate normal‐normal stress‐strength models are developed and applied for optimization of (s, S) inventory systems in which demands and lead times are random. At the end, a numerical example is also studied to illustrate the efficacy of the proposed approach.
Structure‐independent motion recovery from a monocular image sequence with low fill fraction
Authors: Keshavan Jishnu , Humbert J. Sean
Published: July 2017

Real‐world image sequences are usually characterized by frequent loss and replacement of tracked feature data, and the key to accurate motion recovery from such image sequences lies in the synthesis of a structure‐independent dynamic filter that enables the replacement of lost point features with newly acquired points in a seamless manner. In this note, a novel nonlinear observer is proposed that relies on filtered estimates of optical flow to accomplish structure‐independent motion recovery from monocular image sequences with a low fill fraction. With a single component of linear velocity assumed known, the proposed scheme relies on the perspective observation of at least five points to yield exponentially convergent estimates of the unknown motion parameters that converge to a uniform, ultimate bound in the presence of model error. The unknown linear and angular velocities are assumed to be generated using an imperfectly known model that incorporates a bounded uncertainty, and optical flow estimation is accomplished using a robust differentiator that is based on the sliding‐mode technique. Numerical results are used to validate and demonstrate superior observer performance compared to a leading alternative design on a real‐world–like image sequence that is characterized by significant measurement noise and high feature turnover rate.
Sharp nonparametric bounds and randomization inference for treatment effects on an ordinal outcome
Authors: Chiba Yasutaka
Published: July 2017

In clinical research, investigators are interested in inferring the average causal effect of a treatment. However, the causal parameter that can be used to derive the average causal effect is not well defined for ordinal outcomes. Although some definitions have been proposed, they are limited in that they are not identical to the well‐defined causal risk for a binary outcome, which is the simplest ordinal outcome. In this paper, we propose the use of a causal parameter for an ordinal outcome, defined as the proportion that a potential outcome under one treatment condition would not be smaller than that under the other condition. For a binary outcome, this proportion is identical to the causal risk. Unfortunately, the proposed causal parameter cannot be identified, even under randomization. Therefore, we present a numerical method to calculate the sharp nonparametric bounds within a sample, reflecting the impact of confounding. When the assumption of independent potential outcomes is included, the causal parameter can be identified when randomization is in play. Then, we present exact tests and the associated confidence intervals for the relative treatment effect using the randomization‐based approach, which are an extension of the existing methods for a binary outcome. Our methodologies are illustrated using data from an emetic prevention clinical trial.
Performance evaluation of infilled rocking wall frame structure
Authors: Wu Shoujun , Yang T.Y.
Published: July 2017

Conventional reinforced concrete (RC) frame structures are prone to soft‐story mechanism. This deficiency can be eliminated by introducing rocking wall system. Previously studied rocking wall systems usually have the rocking wall situated outside the frame, which results in some challenges and inconvenience. In the study, a novel infilled rocking wall frame (IRWF) system is proposed, which uses infilled RC wall to create a rocking wall within the RC frame. To evaluate seismic performance of the proposed system, both an IRWF model and an RC frame (RCF) model were designed according to Chinese seismic design code. Time history analysis and incremental dynamic analysis were conducted to compare both systems. The results show that IRWF system has more uniform drift and higher collapse margin ratio compared to the RCF system. Economic evaluation of IRWF system was investigated using the state‐of‐the‐art ATC‐58 performance‐based assessment methodology. The result shows superior performance of the IRWF system. The annualized loss of the IRWF model is about 28% less than the RCF model. This shows IRWF system is a viable and efficient alternative resilient seismic force resisting system.
The Effect of Monoglyceride Polymorphism on Cold‐Flow Properties of Biodiesel Model Fuel
Authors: Sugami Yuitsu , Yoshidomi Shinichiro , Minami Eiji , Shisa Noriko , Hayashi Hitoshi , Saka Shiro
Published: July 2017

The cloud point (CP) of biodiesel refers to the temperature at which crystallization begins on cooling. However, solid precipitates are often formed at a temperature higher than the CP during storage. Such precipitates are known to consist largely of monoglycerides (MGs) as intermediate compounds. MGs have high melting points, which are detrimental to the cold‐flow properties of biodiesel. MGs have several polymorphic forms, including α, β′ and β, with different melting points (α < β′ < β), and this fact makes the behavior of biodiesel at low temperature complicated. In this study, the precipitation behavior of MGs in biodiesel is discussed focusing on polymorphism using 1‐monopalmitin and methyl oleate mixtures as a model biodiesel fuel. The CPs measured were close to the calculated solid‐liquid equilibrium curve for α‐type 1‐monopalmitin. However, precipitates formed at temperatures higher than the CP when the mixtures were held at temperatures lower than the equilibrium curve of the β′ form. This indicates that the β′ form causes a risk of precipitation at temperatures above the CP and that the CP is not a suitable indicator of the cold‐flow properties of biodiesel.
Application of Transgalactosylation Activity of β-Galactosidase from Kluyveromyces lactis for the Synthesis of Ascorbic Acid Galactoside
Authors: Wojciechowska Aleksandra , Klewicki Robert , Sójka Michał , Grzelak-Błaszczyk Katarzyna
Published: July 2017

In view of a commonly known beneficial role and low stability of ascorbic acid, many efforts are constantly undertaken to produce its improved derivatives. This paper presents results on the synthesis of ascorbic acid galactoside using transgalactosylation properties of β-galactosidase from Kluyveromyces lactis and lactose as a donor of galactosyl moiety. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of selected factors (concentration and molar ratio of substrates, amount of the enzyme preparation, pH of the solution, presence of different ions) on the course of transgalactosylation reaction. Research has shown that approx. 2.5% dry matter (d.m.; 12.7 g/L) of ascorbic acid galactoside is formed under favourable conditions (50% (w/v) substrates, sodium ascorbate and lactose at the molar ratio of 1.9:1, enzyme dose of 28,600 U/100 g lactose, pH = 7.0). The addition of Mg2+ or K+ ions to the reaction medium caused an increase in the final product content (even up to approx. 3.4% d.m., 17.2 g/L), while Na+ or Mn2+ had an adverse impact on the yield. The gathered data may be valuable for cosmetic or food industry.
Penile Plication With or Without Degloving of the Penis Results in Similar Outcomes
Authors: Kadirov Rustam , Coskun Burhan , Kaygisiz Onur , Gunseren Kadir Omur , Kordan Yakup , Yavascaoglu Ismet , Kilicarslan Hakan
Published: July 2017

Background

Penile plication techniques with or without degloving offer a minimally invasive option for the treatment of penile curvature.

Aim

To review the outcomes of penile plication surgery and patient satisfaction with and without degloving of the penis.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 52 patients who underwent penile plication for the treatment of Peyronie disease or congenital penile curvature.

Outcomes

Surgical success rates, complications, and patient satisfaction determined with the Treatment Benefit Scale were compared between groups.

Results

The overall surgical success rate was 92.3% at a mean follow-up of 18.84 ± 23.51 months. There were no intraoperative complications. In the degloving group, 42.6% of patients were greatly satisfied and 42.6% had better outcomes; in the without degloving group, 61.5% of patients were greatly satisfied and 30.8% had better outcomes. Comparison of outcomes was not statistically significant between groups.

Clinical Implications

The results of the present study indicate the two techniques can be used for penile plication.

Conclusion

With or without degloving, penile plication is safe and effective and provides high patient satisfaction.

Kadirov R, Coskun B, Kaygisiz O, et al. Penile Plication With or Without Degloving of the Penis Results in Similar Outcomes. Sex Med 2017;5:e142–e147.
Association of cancer and Alzheimer's disease risk in a national cohort of veterans
Authors: Frain Laura , Swanson David , Cho Kelly , Gagnon David , Lu Kun Ping , Betensky Rebecca A. , Driver Jane
Published: July 2017

Introduction

To examine the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) among cancer survivors in a national database.

Methods

Retrospective cohort of 3,499,378 mostly male US veterans aged ≥65 years were followed between 1996 and 2011. We used Cox models to estimate risk of AD and alternative outcomes (non‐AD dementia, osteoarthritis, stroke, and macular degeneration) in veterans with and without a history of cancer.

Results

Survivors of a wide variety of cancers had modestly lower AD risk, but increased risk of the alternative outcomes. Survivors of screened cancers, including prostate cancer, had a slightly increased AD risk. Cancer treatment was independently associated with decreased AD risk; those who received chemotherapy had a lower risk than those who did not.

Discussion

Survivors of some cancers have a lower risk of AD but not other age‐related conditions, arguing that lower AD diagnosis is not simply due to bias. Cancer treatment may be associated with decreased risk of AD.
Retained or expelled staples after transanal stapled surgery: this is the problem!
Authors: Sturiale Alessandro , Martellucci Jacopo , Naldini Gabriele
Published: July 2017

Study objective The aim is to assess the presence and persistence of the agraphes at the level of staple line after transanal stapled surgery.

Methods From April to December 2016 one-hundred-thirteen patients with variable follow-up (6 months–10 years) were randomly selected among all the patients undergone transanal stapled surgery for haemorrhoidal disease or functional disorders such as obstructed defecation syndrome. Only 87 patients agreed to participate this study. All the patients underwent digital exploration, anoscopy and 360° tridimensional transanal ultrasound.

Main results Different types of stapled transanal surgical procedures were performed: 48 transanal rectal resection with high volume device, 24 stapled haemorrhoidopexy, 8 Double Stapled Haemorrhoidopexy, 7 Transtarr. In 41.4% the staple line was not identified with digital examination or anoscopy and 17.2% of patients have some staples partially expelled inside the lumen. 360° tridimensional transanal ultrasound showed a complete staple line at the ano-rectal junction which appears as an interrupted hyperechoic circular layer.

Conclusion The staples after stapled transanal surgery remain at the level of the staple line independently from the device used by the surgeon leading to the necessity of a shared and adequate language, in fact the shed staples need to be considered as expelled instead of retained.
Efficacy of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) in men with bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) and non‐neurogenic bladder dysfunction
Authors: Pyun Jong Hyun , Kang Sung Gu , Kang Seok Ho , Cheon Jun , Kim Je Jong , Lee Jeong Gu
Published: July 2017

We aimed to compare the short‐term outcomes of men who had urodynamic evidence of detrusor underactivity (DU) or detrusor overactivity (DO) of a non‐neurogenic etiology as well as bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) and who underwent Holmium Laser Enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP). A database of 322 patients who underwent HoLEP between 2010 and 2014 was analyzed. Patients were classified into three groups according to the results of a preoperative urodynamic study. Preoperative parameters such as International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), Quality of Life (QoL) index, IPSS grade, uroflowmetry were compared with postoperative parameters measured at 6 months. There were 138 patients with BOO‐only and 89 patients with BOO and detrusor dysfunction including 56 with DO and 33 with DU. The degree of improvement in IPSS‐total (BOO: 10.7, DO: 8.3, DU: 7.0; p = 0.023) was greater in the BOO‐only group than in the DU group. There were more patients whose IPSS grade improved in the BOO‐only group (71%) than in the detrusor dysfunction group (DO: 53.6% and DU: 45.5%). Postoperative IPSS‐voiding (4.5 vs 7.0), and Qmax (18 vs 13.7) in the BOO‐only group were significantly better than those in the DU group. Additionally, postoperative IPSS‐storage (4.7 vs 6.7), and IPSS‐total (9.1 vs 12.3) in the BOO‐only group were significantly better than in the DO group (all p < 0.05). In conclusion, early surgical management for men with severe LUTS and associated BPH before secondary degeneration occurs may be beneficial for preserving detrusor function and yield better treatment outcomes.
An Economic Analysis of Coastal Beach Safety Information-Seeking Behavior
Authors: Kaminski Abigail , Bell Kathleen P. , Noblet Caroline L. , Evans Keith S.
Published: July 2017

We estimate a bivariate probit model using data from a survey of Maine and New Hampshire beachgoers to (i) assess the impact of exposure to and contact with beach waters on safety information-seeking behaviors, and (ii) compare information-seeking behaviors for surf conditions and water quality information. We find that individuals who engage in certain high-contact recreation activities (i.e., swimming, fishing, surfing) are more likely to seek out safety information and that some potential drivers of this behavior affect searches differently for surf conditions versus water quality information.
Case of the Kaliña and Lokono Peoples v. Suriname
Authors: Lixinski Lucas
Published: July 2017

On November 25, 2015, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (Court) held that the state of Suriname had violated the rights of two indigenous groups by denying recognition of their juridical personality and their entitlement to collective property and judicial protection. In Kaliña and Lokono Peoples v. Suriname, the Court also considered the impact of nature reserves on indigenous land rights, as well as the legitimacy of private titling of property that encroaches on land for which collective title has not been attained. The decision pushes the Court's previous jurisprudence significantly—and somewhat controversially—by asserting that under the American Convention on Human Rights, indigenous peoples are entitled, as collective entities, to recognition of their legal personality. In so doing, the Court challenged ordinary assumptions about the individualized character of most adjudication regarding international human rights and made the possibility of enforcing collective rights more palpable.
Dental injuries in younger emergency department patients
Authors: James Vigil , Vandersluis Yona R. , Zhang Evangeline W. J. , Scolnik Dennis
Published: July 2017

Background

Dental trauma is a relatively common occurrence in childhood, with an impact exceeding that of periodontal diseases. It places a significant burden on the public health system because of its high frequency, impact on quality of life and consumption of resources.

Objectives

To identify changing trends of dental injury in patients between 0-18 years of age in Canada and provide a detailed assessment of dental injury patterns in patients attending a large pediatric tertiary care hospital.

Methods

This retrospective study was carried out in two parts. Firstly, data from patients who presented to the emergency departments of the 15 Canadian hospitals involved in the Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (CHIRPP) from 1stJanuary 1990 to 31stDecember 2013 was collected. Secondly, at the Hospital for Sick Children, charts of patients identified from the aforementioned database from the years 2008, 2012 and 2015 were accessed for additional clinical data.

Results

Based on CHIRPP data there appears to be an increasing incidence in dental injuries presenting to emergency departments nationally. Participation in sports and cycling contributed to the majority of dental injuries. The use of safety equipment such as helmets with a face-grill and mouth-guard was low.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates a rising incidence of dental injuries in young patients. Most dental injuries occurred during sports and playground related activities. The low rate of use of safety equipment and playground safety measures suggests that Canadian Standards Association standards for playgrounds could be more effective if strengthened by mandatory legislation.
KIC 2557430: A Triple System Containing One γ Dor and Two Flaring Components?
Authors: Kamil Ceren , Dal Hasan Ali
Published: July 2017

The results are presented for eclipsing binary KIC 2557430. The mass ratio was computed as 0.868 ± 0.002, while the inclination (i) was found as 69°.75 ± 0°.01 with T2 = 6271±1 K. 50 frequencies were found in the period analysis. 48 frequencies of them are caused due to the primary component, a γ Doradus star, while two of them are caused by the cool spots. 69 flares were detected in the analyses. Two OPEA models were derived for flares, which indicates that the flares were come from two different sources. The Plateau value was found to be 1.4336 ± 0.1104 s for Source 1, which is seen as possible the secondary component and 0.7550 ± 0.0677 s for Source 2, which is seen as possible third body. The half-life value was computed as 2278.1 s for Group 1 and 1811.2 s for Group 2. The flare frequency N1 was found to be 0.02726 h−1 and N2 was computed as 0.00002 for Group 1, while N1 was found to be 0.01977 h−1 and N2 was computed as 0.00001 for Group 2. In a results, KIC 2557430 is a possible triple system consisting of a γ Doradus-type star, a chromospherically active star, and also a flaring third body.
INDUSTRIAL AND AGRICULTURAL WASTES DECREASED GREENHOUSE-GAS EMISSIONS AND INCREASED RICE GRAIN YIELD IN A SUBTROPICAL PADDY FIELD
Authors: WANG WEIQI , ZENG CONGSHENG , SARDANS JORDI , ZENG DONGPING , WANG CHUN , BARTRONS MIREIA , PEÑUELAS JOSEP
Published: July 2017

Reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) from paddy fields is crucial both for the sustainability of rice production and mitigation of global climatic warming. The effects of applying industrial and agricultural wastes as fertilizer on the reduction of GHG emissions in cropland areas, however, remain poorly known. We studied the effects of the application of 8 Mg ha−1of diverse wastes on GHG emission and rice yield in a subtropical paddy in southeastern China. Plots fertilized with steel slag, biochar, shell slag, gypsum slag and silicate and calcium fertilizer had lower total global-warming potentials (GWP, including CO2, CH4and N2O emissions) per unit area than control plots without waste application despite non-significant differences among these treatments. Structural equation models showed that the effects of these fertilization treatments on gas emissions were partially due to their effects on soil variables, such as soil water content or soil salinity. Steel slag, biochar and shell slag increased rice yield by 7.1%, 15.5% and 6.5%, respectively. The biochar amendment had a 40% lower GWP by Mg−1yield production, relative to the control. These results thus encourage further studies of the suitability of the use waste materials as fertilizers in other different types of paddy field as a way to mitigate GHG emissions and increase crop yield.
Class, Cotton, and ‘Woddaries’: A Scandinavian railway contractor in Western India, 1860–69
Authors: BUBB ALEXANDER
Published: July 2017

This article makes use of a recently unearthed archive in Sweden, complemented by research in the India Office Records and Maharashtra State Archives, to explore the business networks of the small-scale railway contractor in 1860s Bombay Presidency. The argument centres on the career of one individual, comparing him with several contemporaries. In contrast to their civilian colleagues, freebooting engineers have been a somewhat understudied group. Sometimes lacking formal technical training, and without an official position in colonial India, they were distrusted as profiteering, even corrupt, opportunists. This article will present them instead as a diverse professional class, incorporating Parsis alongside various European nationalities, who became specialists in local milieux, sourcing timber and stone at the lowest prices and retaining the loyalty of itinerant labourers. It will propose that the 1860s cotton boom in western India provided them with a short-lived window of opportunity in which to flourish, and to diversify into a variety of speculative enterprises including cotton trading, land reclamation, and explosives. The accidents and bridge collapses of the 1867 monsoon, and subsequent public outcry, will be identified as a watershed after which that window of opportunity begins to shut. The article's concluding section analyses the contractors’ relationship with their labour force and its intermediary representatives, and strategies for defusing strikes. Ultimately, small independent contractors were agents of modernity not formally affiliated with the imperial project, and forced to bargain with merchants and strikers without official backing. Theirs is a record of complex negotiations at the local level, carried out in the immediate post-Mutiny settlement.
Le centenaire de la première Convention de Genève
Authors: Huber Max
Published: July 2017

Le dernier numéro de la Revue internationale était consacré au Centenaire de la « Convention de Geneve du 22 août 1864 pour l'amélioration du sort des militaires blessés dans les armées en campagne ».

Nous reproduisons aujourd'hui les passages essentiels d'un l'article paru naguère dans notre Revue, et dans lequel Max Huber soulignait l'importance de la première Convention de Genève, dont il analysait divers éléments, et qu'il montrait liée, à son origine et dans son développement, au mouvement de la Croix-Rouge.
Frontline uses of European Union (EU) law: a parallel legal order? How structural discretion conditions uses of EU law in Dutch and German migration offices
Authors: Dörrenbächer Nora
Published: July 2017

This article tackles the question of how bureaucratic structures condition frontline implementers’ use of European Union (EU) migration law. Adopting an organisational perspective, the study expects that only under discretion do implementers draw independently on original EU law. Empirically, the article draws on qualitative interviews with migration law implementers in the Netherlands and the German Bundesland of North Rhine-Westphalia. The analysis reveals that in the nondiscretionary Dutch structure, frontline implementers only rely on EU law when receiving instructions from higher administrative levels. The use of EU law is more diverse in the German discretionary structure. Under legal tension, several German frontline implementers use EU law parallel to national law. However, not all German respondents feel comfortable in interpreting original EU law and jurisprudence. Although structural discretion conditions uses of EU law, the variation of the German case suggests that microlevel factors complement explanations for frontline uses of EU law.
CASE STUDY ON AN IPILIMUMAB COST-CONTAINMENT STRATEGY IN AN ITALIAN HOSPITAL
Authors: Russi Alberto , Chiarion-Sileni Vanna , Damuzzo Vera , Di Sarra Francesca , Pigozzo Jacopo , Palozzo Angelo Claudio
Published: July 2017

Objectives: Ipilimumab is the first licensed immune checkpoint inhibitor for treatment of melanoma. The promising results of the registration clinical study need confirmation in real practice and its clinical success comes together with a relevant budget impact due to the high price of this drug. The aim of this work is to describe a new model of economical sustainability of ipilimumab developed in an Italian reference center for melanoma treatment.

Methods: This retrospective, observational, and monocentric study was carried out at the Veneto Institute of Oncology. Ipilimumab was administered to fifty-seven patients with advanced melanoma. Overall survival, progression free survival, and toxicity were evaluated. A local management procedure was evaluated together with the cost-saving strategies implemented by the Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA).

Results: We demonstrated that the use of ipilimumab for metastatic melanoma in real practice had an efficacy and toxicity similar to that reported in the literature. In this scenario, our management model (centralization of compounding + drug-day) permitted savings up to the 11.1 percent of the gross cost for the drug (calculated assuming that no cost saving procedures were applied) while the policy of cost containment designed by AIFA produced an additional 6.2 percent of savings.

Conclusions: In real practice conditions, the centralized administration of ipilimumab allows to replicate the results of clinical studies and in the meantime to contain the cost associated with this drug. The local strategy of management can be readily applied to most of the high cost drugs compounded in the hospital pharmacy. Impact of findings on practice: (i) We describe a new model of economic sustainability (drug-day, centralization of compounding, payback systems) of an expensive and innovative drug, ipilimumab, for treatment of melanoma within an Italian cancer center. (ii) This pivotal study demonstrated that a cost containment strategy is feasible and it needs the cooperation of all healthcare providers (oncologists, pharmacists, nurses, and technicians) to guarantee the full efficiency of the process.
Usage and processing of the French causal connectives ‘car’ and ‘parce que’
Authors: ZUFFEREY SANDRINE , MAK WILLEM , VERBRUGGE SARA , SANDERS TED
Published: July 2017

The difference between ‘car’ and ‘parce que’ is often explained in the literature by the type of causal relation (objective or subjective) that each connective prototypically conveys. Recent corpus studies have demonstrated, however, that this distinction does not hold in speech, and is fluctuating in writing. In this article, we present new empirical data to assess the status of this pair of connectives. In Experiment 1, we test French-speakers’ intuitions about ‘car’ and ‘parce que’ in a completion task, and compare these results with those of a similar experiment in Dutch. In Experiment 2, we measure the processing of objective and subjective causal relations containing ‘car’ and ‘parce que’ in an online reading experiment. Experiments 1 and 2 lead us to conclude that ‘car’ has to a large extent lost its specific procedural meaning. In the literature, the difference between ‘car’ and ‘parce que’ is also linked to a difference of register, ‘car’ being perceived as a formal equivalent of ‘parce que’. We assess the strength of this distinction in Experiment 3, by means of a completion task involving sentences from different registers. Results confirm the effect of register as a distinguishing factor between ‘car’ and ‘parce que’.
New Scholarship on Central and Eastern Europe
Authors: DONERT CELIA , GREBLE EMILY , WARDHAUGH JESSICA
Published: July 2017

A steady stream of creative new scholarship on Central and Eastern Europe has been arriving at the desks of reviews editors in Contemporary European History. Commissioning and editing essays on this scholarship has persuasively demonstrated its wider importance, not least in challenging the ambiguous and arbitrary line that continues to divide European historiography between East and West. We have therefore taken the decision to present the following five articles collectively, as a means of reflecting on and interrogating assumptions in European historiography. Why do Germany and France still dominate narratives of the Great War? Can we speak of urban continuities and similarities across the socialist and capitalist spheres? How does studying food offer new insights on the global phenomenon of socialism and socialist production?
Flow cytometric sex sorting affects CD4 membrane distribution and binding of exogenous DNA on bovine sperm cells
Authors: Domingues William Borges , da Silveira Tony Leandro Rezende , Komninou Eliza Rossi , Monte Leonardo Garcia , Remião Mariana Härter , Dellagostin Odir Antônio , Corcini Carine Dahl , Varela Junior Antônio Sergio , Seixas Fabiana Kömmling , Collares Tiago , Campos Vinicius Farias
Published: July 2017

Bovine sex-sorted sperm have been commercialized and successfully used for the production of transgenic embryos of the desired sex through the sperm-mediated gene transfer (SMGT) technique. However, sex-sorted sperm show a reduced ability to internalize exogenous DNA. The interaction between sperm cells and the exogenous DNA has been reported in other species to be a CD4-like molecule-dependent process. The flow cytometry-based sex-sorting process subjects the spermatozoa to different stresses causing changes in the cell membrane. The aim of this study was to elucidate the relationship between the redistribution of CD4-like molecules and binding of exogenous DNA to sex-sorted bovine sperm. In the first set of experiments, the membrane phospholipid disorder and the redistribution of the CD4 were evaluated. The second set of experiments was conducted to investigate the effect of CD4 redistribution on the mechanism of binding of exogenous DNA to sperm cells and the efficiency of lipofection in sex-sorted bovine sperm. Sex-sorting procedure increased the membrane phospholipid disorder and induced the redistribution of CD4-like molecules. Both X-sorted and Y-sorted sperm had decreased DNA bound to membrane in comparison with the unsorted sperm; however, the binding of the exogenous DNA was significantly increased with the addition of liposomes. Moreover, we demonstrated that the number of sperm-bound exogenous DNA was decreased when these cells were preincubated with anti-bovine CD4 monoclonal antibody, supporting our hypothesis that CD4-like molecules indeed play a crucial role in the process of exogenous DNA/bovine sperm cells interaction.
MICU1 protects against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury and its control by the importer receptor Tom70
Authors: Xue Qiang , Pei Haifeng , Liu Qinshe , Zhao Mingjun , Sun Jing , Gao Erhe , Ma Xinliang , Tao Ling
Published: July 2017

Mitochondrial Ca2+ overload is a main contributor to mitochondrial damage hence cardiomyocyte death in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury. MICU1 has been recently identified as an important regulator of mitochondrial Ca2+ homeostasis. Here we try to identify the role of MICU1 in MI/R, and to investigate whether the mitochondrial importer receptor Tom70 possesses critical roles in the mitochondrial translocation of MICU1 and MI/R. Specific small interfering RNA (20 μg) against MICU1 and Tom70, and lentivirus vectors carrying the Tom70a sequences (3.3 × 107 TU) were delivered through intramyocardial injection. Seventy-two hours after injection, mice were subjected to 30 min of MI followed by 3 h (for cell apoptosis and mitochondrial damage assessment) or 24 h (for cardiac function and infarct size determination) of reperfusion. MI/R had no significant effect on total MICU1 expression, but caused significant reduction of MICU1 in mitochondria. Knockdown of MICU1 significantly aggravated MI/R injury, as evidenced by enlarged infarct size, depressed cardiac function and increased myocardial apoptosis. Moreover, MICU1 deficiency resulted in markedly aggravated mitochondrial Ca2+ overload, consequently destructed mitochondrial morphology and suppressed mitochondrial function (evidenced by decreased ATP production). Interestingly, mitochondrial Tom70 was also decreased in MI/R. Genetic loss-function study revealed that mitochondrial MICU1 expression was depressed by Tom70 ablation. Furthermore, Tom70 deficiency significantly aggravated MI/R injury and worsened mitochondrial Ca2+ overload. However, supplementation of Tom70 significantly attenuated MI/R injury, preserved mitochondrial morphology and function, and inhibited mitochondrial Ca2+ overload, all of which were abolished by MICU1 suppression. Mitochondrial Tom70/MICU1 pathway protects against MI/R injury, in which mitochondrial localization of MICU1 is governed by Tom70, and MICU1 serves as an indispensable factor in Tom70’s cardioprotection.
Pleiotropic effects of sphingosine-1-phosphate signaling to control human chorionic mesenchymal stem cell physiology
Authors: Innamorati Giulio , Fontana Emanuela , Steccanella Federica , Gandhi Kushal , Bassi Giulio , Zandonà Valeria , Giacomello Luca
Published: July 2017

Chorionic stem cells represent a promising opportunity for regenerative medicine. A deeper understanding of the stimuli that regulate their physiology, could lead to innovative clinical approaches. We revealed the presence of multiple sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor isoforms in chorion-derived mesenchymal stem cells (CMSCs). Their activation simultaneously propagated from the plasma membrane through Gi and other heterotrimeric G proteins and further diverged toward extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), p38 and protein kinase D 1. At a functional level, S1P signaling inhibited CMSC migration, while promoting proliferation. Instead, a reduction of cell density was obtained when S1P was combined to treatments that increased cAMP intracellular concentration. Such surprising reduction of cell viability was relatively specific as it was not observed with stromal stem cells from bone marrow. Neither it was observed by activating analogous G proteins with bradykinin nor by inducing cell death via a cAMP-independent pathway. S1P could thus reveal novel keys to improve CMSC differentiation programs acting on cAMP concentration. Furthermore, S1P receptor agonists/antagonists could become instrumental in favoring CMSC engraftment by controlling cell motility.
Auger electron emission initiated by the creation of valence-band holes in graphene by positron annihilation
Authors: Chirayath V. A. , Callewaert V. , Fairchild A. J. , Chrysler M. D. , Gladen R. W. , Mcdonald A. D. , Imam S. K. , Shastry K. , Koymen A. R. , Saniz R. , Barbiellini B. , Rajeshwar K. , Partoens B. , Weiss A. H.
Published: July 2017

Auger processes involving the filling of holes in the valence band are thought to make important contributions to the low-energy photoelectron and secondary electron spectrum from many solids. However, measurements of the energy spectrum and the efficiency with which electrons are emitted in this process remain elusive due to a large unrelated background resulting from primary beam-induced secondary electrons. Here, we report the direct measurement of the energy spectra of electrons emitted from single layer graphene as a result of the decay of deep holes in the valence band. These measurements were made possible by eliminating competing backgrounds by employing low-energy positrons (<1.25 eV) to create valence-band holes by annihilation. Our experimental results, supported by theoretical calculations, indicate that between 80 and 100% of the deep valence-band holes in graphene are filled via an Auger transition.
Enhanced anti-metastatic and anti-tumorigenic efficacy of Berbamine loaded lipid nanoparticles in vivo
Authors: Parhi Priyambada , Suklabaidya Sujit , Kumar Sahoo Sanjeeb
Published: July 2017

Research on metastasis is gaining momentum for effective cancer management. Berbamine (BBM) has the potency to act as a therapeutic in multiple cancers and cancer metastasis. However, the major limitation of the compound includes poor bioavailability at the tumor site due to short plasma half-life. Here, our major objective involved development of lipid based nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with BBM with an aim to circumvent the above problem. Moreover its, therapeutic potentiality was evaluated through various in vitro cellular studies and in vivo melanoma primary and experimental lung metastatic tumor model in C57BL/6 mice. Results of different cellular experiments demonstrated enhanced therapeutic efficacy of BBM-NPs in inhibiting metastasis, cell proliferation and growth as compared to native BBM in highly metastatic cancer cell lines. Further, in vivo results demonstrated suppression of primary B16F10 melanoma tumor growth in C57BL/6 mice model treated with BBM-NPs than that of native BBM. Importantly, a moderately cytotoxic dose of BBM-NPs was able to significantly suppress the incidence of B16F10 cells lung metastasis in vivo. Results indicated development of an effective approach for aggressive metastatic cancer.
X-ray crystallographic structure of a bacterial polysialyltransferase provides insight into the biosynthesis of capsular polysialic acid
Authors: Lizak Christian , Worrall Liam J. , Baumann Lars , Pfleiderer Moritz M. , Volkers Gesa , Sun Tianjun , Sim Lyann , Wakarchuk Warren , Withers Stephen G. , Strynadka Natalie C. J.
Published: July 2017

Polysialic acid (polySia) is a homopolymeric saccharide that is associated with some neuroinvasive pathogens and is found on selective cell types in their eukaryotic host. The presence of a polySia capsule on these bacterial pathogens helps with resistance to phagocytosis, cationic microbial peptides and bactericidal antibody production. The biosynthesis of bacterial polySia is catalysed by a single polysialyltransferase (PST) transferring sialic acid from a nucleotide-activated donor to a lipid-linked acceptor oligosaccharide. Here we present the X-ray structure of the bacterial PST from Mannheimia haemolytica serotype A2, thereby defining the architecture of this class of enzymes representing the GT38 family. The structure reveals a prominent electropositive groove between the two Rossmann-like domains forming the GT-B fold that is suitable for binding of polySia chain products. Complex structures of PST with a sugar donor analogue and an acceptor mimetic combined with kinetic studies of PST active site mutants provide insight into the principles of substrate binding and catalysis. Our results are the basis for a molecular understanding of polySia biosynthesis in bacteria and might assist the production of polysialylated therapeutic reagents and the development of novel antibiotics.