bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gasless laparoendoscopic single‐port clampless sutureless partial nephrectomy for peripheral renal tumors: Perioperative outcomes
Authors: Kihara Kazunori , Koga Fumitaka , Fujii Yasuhisa , Masuda Hitoshi , Tatokoro Manabu , Yokoyama Minato , Matsuoka Yoh , Numao Noboru , Ishioka Junichiro , Saito Kazutaka
Published: January 2015

Objectives

To describe the technical aspects of gasless laparoendoscopic single‐port clampless sutureless partial nephrectomy for peripheral renal tumors, and to evaluate its outcomes, including surgical, pathological, and short‐term oncological and functional outcomes.

Methods

Between January 2010 and June 2013, 103 patients with peripheral renal tumors suggestive of renal cell carcinoma underwent gasless laparoendoscopic single‐port partial nephrectomy. In all cases, an attempt was made to accomplish partial nephrectomy without vascular clamping using ultrasonic coagulating and bipolar sealing devices. Hemostasis was achieved by coagulation and hemostatic agents without reconstructing the renal parenchyma.

Results

Of the 103 patients, gasless laparoendoscopic single‐port partial nephrectomy was accomplished without vascular clamping and parenchymal suture in all but two patients (98%). Median operative time and blood loss were 191 min and 244 mL, respectively. One patient (1%) received allogeneic blood transfusion. The median postoperative time to full recovery was 3 days. Three major complications (3%, all grade 3 urinary leakage) were observed. Of 92 renal cell carcinoma patients, four (4%) had positive surgical margins, most of which underwent thermal degeneration histologically. In 91 non‐metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients, 3‐year local recurrence‐free, progression‐free, cancer‐specific and overall survival rates were 100%, 99%, 100%, and 100%, respectively (mean follow‐up period, 21 months). In the 103 patients, the median percent decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate 3 months after partial nephrectomy was 2.4%.

Conclusions

Gasless laparoendoscopic single‐port clampless sutureless partial nephrectomy can be accomplished in almost all cases of peripheral renal tumors. This surgery is technically feasible and safe, yielding acceptable short‐term oncological outcomes and maximal preservation of renal function.
The utility of the surgical safety checklist for wound patients
Authors: Myers Joseph W , Gilmore Brent A , Powers Kelly A , Kim Paul J , Attinger Christopher E
Published: January 2015

The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of changes in patient care resulting from the use of a surgical safety checklist. Data were retrospectively obtained from 233 patients. The number and types of changes made to the patients' intra‐operative management, based on the use of the checklist, were recorded. The number of patients whose management was modified as a result of the checklist was 113 (48%) out of 233. The total number of changes made was 132, and 18 patients had more than one modification made to their care plan. Further stratification was identified: among the 132 changes made, antibiotics were held or administered in 73 (55%), changes related to anaemia involving type and screen or transfusion occurred in 27 (20%), modifications made regarding anti‐coagulation occurred in 8 (7%), beta‐blockers were held in 2 (2%), an allergy was identified in 7 (5%), modifications made to the surgical procedure were 3 (2%) and a category labelled ‘other’ encompassed 9 (7%) changes. The surgical safety checklist is a standardised form of team communication that leads to modifications of the patient care plan in a large percentage of cases. The ever‐increasing complexity of medicine means that patients are at greater risk of oversight and harm without the use of a checklist.
Nursing students' attitudes towards information and communication technology: an exploratory and confirmatory factor analytic approach
Authors: Lee Jung Jae , Clarke Charlotte L.
Published: January 2015

Aim

The aim of this study was to develop and psychometrically test a shortened version of the Information Technology Attitude Scales for Health, in the investigation of nursing students with clinical placement experiences.

Background

Nurses and nursing students need to develop high levels of competency in information and communication technology. However, they encounter statistically significant barriers in the use of the technology. Although some instruments have been developed to measure factors that influence nurses' attitudes towards technology, the validity is questionable and few studies have been developed to test the attitudes of nursing students, in particular.

Design

A cross‐sectional survey design was performed.

Methods

The Information Technology Attitude Scales for Health was used to collect data from October 2012–December 2012. A panel of experts reviewed the content of the instrument and a pilot study was conducted. Following this, a total of 508 nursing students, who were engaged in clinical placements, were recruited from six universities in South Korea. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed and reliability and construct validity were assessed.

Results

The resulting instrument consisted of 19 items across four factors. Reliability of the four factors was acceptable and the validity was supported.

Conclusions

The instrument was shown to be both valid and reliable for measuring nursing students' attitudes towards technology, thus aiding in the current understandings of this aspect. Through these measurements and understandings, nursing educators and students are able to be more reflexive of their attitudes and can thus seek to develop them positively.
Production of Pomegranate Juice Concentrate by Complete Block Cryoconcentration Process
Authors: Khajehei Forough , Niakousari Mehrdad , Eskandari Mohammad H. , Sarshar Mohammad
Published: January 2015

In this study, complete block cryoconcentration of pomegranate juice was investigated. Two freezing temperatures (−20 ± 1C and −40 ± 1C), two thawing modes (gravitational‐assisted thawing and microwave‐assisted thawing) and four cryoconcentration stages were the process variables. Total dry matter content, process efficiency, pH and color values (L, a, b and ΔE) of cryoconcentrated and ice fractions were investigated. In addition, pomegranate juice concentrate was produced by conventional thermal processes, namely evaporation by rotary vacuum evaporator and by heating at atmospheric pressure to compare the color values and pH of final cryoconcentrated pomegranate juice with those of thermally produced juice concentrates. Freezing temperature and thawing mode did not have any significant effect on the total dry matter content of cryoconcentrated and ice fractions as well as process efficiency, pH and the color values (P > 0.05). However, the results indicate that cryoconcentration stage had a significant effect on dry matter content, process efficiency and the color properties of both fractions (P > 0.05). The final dry matter content of pomegranate concentrate reached 34.20 ± 0.13% from the initial value of 17.16 ± 0.68%. The change in the pH of final cryoconcentrated pomegranate juice was less than the change in the pH of thermally produced juice concentrates. This study showed that the color characteristics of pomegranate juice were well preserved by complete block cryoconcentration process in comparison to conventional thermal processes.

Practical Applications

Concentration of fruit juices is one of the oldest methods by which the shelf life of fresh products can be extended significantly. Concentration of fruit juices by means of thermal process is proved to induce adverse effects on sensory and chemical properties of them. Cryoconcentration technology is introduced as a suitable technique for concentration of liquid foods and nutraceuticals because it can preserve the nutritional and sensory qualities of the products while it is a green technology. Because pomegranate juice is a valuable source of bioactive compounds that are responsible for its appropriate color, cryoconcentration process has high potential for preserving its nutritional and sensory properties during concentration process.
Fifty years of immunisation in Australia (1964–2014): The increasing opportunity to prevent diseases
Authors: Royle Jenny , Lambert Stephen B
Published: January 2015

Medicine has seen dramatic changes in the last 50 years, and vaccinology is no different. Australia has made a significant contribution to world knowledge on vaccine‐preventable diseases. Certain deadly diseases have disappeared or become rare in Australia following successful introduction of vaccines. As diseases become rarer, public knowledge about the diseases and their serious consequences has decreased, and concerns about potential vaccine side effects have increased. To maintain confidence in immunisations, sharing of detailed information about the vaccines and the diseases we are trying to prevent is integral to the continued success of our public health programme. Modern quality immunisation programmes need to communicate complex information to immunisation providers and also to the general community. Improving immunisation coverage rates and eliminating the gap in coverage and timeliness between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non‐Indigenous people has become a high priority.
Paediatric cardiology: The last 50 years
Authors: Richardson Malcolm E
Published: January 2015

In the last half‐century, the outlook for children with heart disease has changed dramatically. Morphologists have transformed our understanding of heart defects. Improved imaging methods, such as echocardiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, have made diagnostic cardiac catheterisation almost redundant. However, interventional catheterisation has flourished as transcatheter procedures have replaced surgery for many lesions. The ability to pharmacologically manipulate the duct has revolutionised the management of the sick neonate with major heart disease. Better surgical techniques, such as deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest, allow repair of lesions in early infancy before irreversible complications develop. Advances in anaesthesia and intensive care have been integral. New sub‐disciplines, such as fetal cardiology and electrophysiology, have emerged. The sum of these numerous developments is enormous. Lesions that were previously considered lethal are now routinely treated. Consequently, the great majority of children with major heart disease now reach adulthood in good health.
Closing the gaps in child health in the Pacific: An achievable goal in the next 20 years
Authors: Duke Trevor , Kado Joseph H , Auto James , Amini James , Gilbert Katherine
Published: January 2015

It is not inconceivable that by 2035 the substantial gaps in child health across the Pacific can close significantly. Currently, Australia and New Zealand have child mortality rates of 5 and 6 per 1000 live births, respectively, while Pacific island developing nations have under 5 mortality rates ranging from 13 to 16 (Vanuatu, Fiji and Tonga) to 47 and 58 per 1000 live births (Kiribati and Papua New Guinea, respectively). However, these Pacific child mortality rates are falling, by an average of 1.4% per year since 1990, and more rapidly (1.9% per year) since 2000. Based on progress elsewhere, there is a need to (i) define the specific things needed to close the gaps in child health; (ii) be far more ambitious and hopeful than ever before; and (iii) form a new regional compact based on solidarity and interdependence.
Fifty years of allergy: 1965–2015
Authors: Campbell Dianne E , Mehr Sam
Published: January 2015

The last 50 years in allergy could almost be considered the first 50 years. Over this time period, we have witnessed the emergence of allergy as a subspecialty, have seen and continue to observe a tremendous change in prevalence of allergic disease and have gained insight into the mechanisms that underlie allergic predisposition and disease manifestation. We have improved the care of children with many forms of allergic disease and now sit poised to be able to alter the natural history of allergic disease with the use of specific immunotherapy. There is much left to do in the next 50 years including understanding what underlies both the predisposition to atopic disease and its natural resolution and identifying the environmental cofactors involved in the ‘allergic epidemic’ and therefore targets for effective primary prevention.
Fifty years of newborn screening
Authors: Wilcken Bridget , Wiley Veronica
Published: January 2015

Newborn screening has evolved fast following recent advances in diagnosis and treatment of disease, particularly the development of multiplex testing and applications of molecular testing. Formal evidence of benefit from newborn screening has been largely lacking, due to the rarity of individual disorders. There are wide international differences in the choice of disorders screened, and ethical issues in both screening and not screening are apparent. More evidence is needed about benefit and harm of screening for specific disorders and renewed discussion about the basic aims of newborn screening must be undertaken.
Temporal Dynamics of Powdery Mildew (Oidium neolycopersici) and its Effects on the Host Growth Dynamics of Tomato
Authors: Chelal John , Hau Bernhard
Published: January 2015

Controlled glasshouse experiments were conducted to investigate the temporal progress of powdery mildew and its effects on host dynamics of tomato, without and with one fungicide application. Healthy tomato transplants (5‐ to 6‐week old) were artificially inoculated with powdery mildew, and disease progress as well as host growth were monitored in both fungicide sprayed and unsprayed treatments and compared with non‐inoculated plants. Actual disease severity on a plant basis increased in unsprayed plants reaching maximum severity in the proportionate range of 0.53–0.83. One fungicide spray significantly reduced the maximum disease severity by two‐ to fourfolds. Despite adjustments for defoliation, declines in the proportion of disease severity between successive assessments were evident. Whereas the estimated growth rates of diseased plants were significantly lower than that of healthy plants, no significant differences were observed in the maximum leaf area formed of inoculated and non‐inoculated plants. A considerable effect of the powdery mildew epidemics was manifested through hastened shrivelling and defoliation of diseased leaves within the tomato canopy. An average of 18–29% and 40–52% of leaves had abscised from the plant canopy at the last date of assessment in sprayed and non‐sprayed plants, respectively. Accordingly, defoliation accounted for 14–33.3% and 58.3–63.1% losses in leaf area of sprayed and non‐sprayed plants, respectively. Duration of healthy leaf area and yield of inoculated plants were also significantly reduced by powdery mildew epidemics.
Decrease in diversity and changes in community composition of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in roots of apple trees with increasing orchard management intensity across a regional scale
Authors: van Geel Maarten , Ceustermans An , van Hemelrijck Wendy , Lievens Bart , Honnay Olivier
Published: January 2015

Understanding which factors drive the diversity and community composition of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is important due to the role of these soil micro‐organisms in ecosystem functioning and current environmental threats toAMFbiodiversity. Additionally, in agro‐ecosystems, this knowledge may help to evaluate their use in making agriculture more sustainable. Here, we used 454‐pyrosequencing of small subunit rRNAgene amplicons to quantifyAMFdiversity and community composition in the roots of cultivated apple trees across 24 orchards in central Belgium. We aimed at identifying the factors (soil chemical variables, organic vs. conventional farming, and geographical location) that affectAMFdiversity and community composition. In total, 110AMF OTUs were detected, of which the majority belonged to the Glomeraceae (73%) and the Claroideoglomeraceae (19%). We show that soil characteristics and farming system, rather than the geographical location of the orchards, shapeAMFcommunities on apple trees. Particularly, plant‐available P content of the soil was associated with lowerAMFdiversity. In orchards with a lower plant‐available P content of the soil (P < 100 mg/kg soil), we also found a significantly higherAMFdiversity in organically managed orchards as compared to conventionally managed orchards. Finally, the degree of nestedness of theAMFcommunities was related to plant‐available P and N content of the soil, pointing at a progressive loss ofAMFtaxa with increasing fertilization. Overall, we conclude that a combination of organic orchard management and moderate fertilization may preserve diverseAMFcommunities on apple trees and thatAMFin the roots of apple trees appear not to be dispersal limited at the scale of central Belgium.
An update on newer pediatric supraglottic airways with recommendations for clinical use
Authors: Jagannathan Narasimhan , Ramsey Melissa A. , White Michelle C. , Sohn Lisa
Published: January 2015

Supraglottic airways are an established part of routine and emergency pediatric airway management, including use in difficult airways and neonatal resuscitation. With the introduction of newer supraglottic airways in children, efficacy can only be determined by comparing these devices with those that are already well established (laryngeal mask airway Classic and laryngeal mask airway ProSeal). This narrative review aims to present the current literature on these newer supraglottic airways and give recommendations for their use in various clinical scenarios based on the existing evidence.
Engineering temporal accumulation of a low recalcitrance polysaccharide leads to increased C6 sugar content in plant cell walls
Authors: Vega‐Sánchez Miguel E. , Loqué Dominique , Lao Jeemeng , Catena Michela , Verhertbruggen Yves , Herter Thomas , Yang Fan , Harholt Jesper , Ebert Berit , Baidoo Edward E. K. , Keasling Jay D. , Scheller Henrik V. , Heazlewood Joshua L. , Ronald Pamela C.
Published: January 2015

Reduced cell wall recalcitrance and increased C6 monosaccharide content are desirable traits for future biofuel crops, as long as these biomass modifications do not significantly alter normal growth and development. Mixed‐linkage glucan (MLG), a cell wall polysaccharide only present in grasses and related species among flowering plants, is comprised of glucose monomers linked by both β‐1,3 and β‐1,4 bonds. Previous data have shown that constitutive production of MLG in barley (Hordeum vulgare) severely compromises growth and development. Here, we used spatio‐temporal strategies to engineer Arabidopsis thaliana plants to accumulate significant amounts of MLG in the cell wall by expressing the rice CslF6 MLG synthase using secondary cell wall and senescence‐associated promoters. Results using secondary wall promoters were suboptimal. When the rice MLG synthase was expressed under the control of a senescence‐associated promoter, we obtained up to four times more glucose in the matrix cell wall fraction and up to a 42% increase in saccharification compared to control lines. Importantly, these plants grew and developed normally. The induction of MLG deposition at senescence correlated with an increase of gluconic acid in cell wall extracts of transgenic plants in contrast to the other approaches presented in this study. MLG produced in Arabidopsis has an altered structure compared to the grass glucan, which likely affects its solubility, while its molecular size is unaffected. The induction of cell wall polysaccharide biosynthesis in senescing tissues offers a novel engineering alternative to enhance cell wall properties of lignocellulosic biofuel crops.
Normatively Enriched Moral Meta‐Semantics
Authors: Rubin Michael
Published: January 2015

In order to defend the Cornell variety of naturalistic moral realism from Horgan and Timmons’ Moral Twin Earth objection, several philosophers have proposed what I callNormatively Enriched Moral Meta‐Semantics(NEMMS). According to NEMMS, the natural properties that serve as the contents of moral predicates are fixed (at least in part) by non‐moral normative facts. In this paper, I elucidate two versions of NEMMS: one proposed by David Brink, and the other proposed by Mark van Roojen. I show what these meta‐semantics have in common, and how each one promises the Cornell realist a response to the Moral Twin Earth objection. I then argue that Cornell realists ought to be wary of adopting NEMMS. A naturalist realist who adopts this meta‐semantics confronts a trilemma. The proponent of NEMMS owes a meta‐ethical account of the relevant content‐fixing normative facts. Such facts are either reducible to recognizably natural facts or they are not. If they are not reducible, then NEMMS entails the denial of ethical naturalism (and so, the denial of Cornell realism). If such facts are taken to be reducible to facts about agents’ actual or hypothetical attitudes, then (among other problems) the account renders moral facts stance‐dependent. Consequently, moral realism is false. Alternatively, one might propose that the content‐fixing normative facts are reducible to attitude‐independent natural facts. However, such a proposal is refuted by its own Twin Earth objection.
Inheritance of maize resistance to gibberella and fusarium ear rots and kernel contamination with deoxynivalenol and fumonisins
Authors: Butrón A. , Reid L. M. , Santiago R. , Cao A. , Malvar R. A.
Published: January 2015

The objective of this study was to investigate the stability, across well‐differentiated environments, of genetic control of maize resistance to Fusarium graminearum and Fusarium verticillioides ear rots and mycotoxin contamination, found in genotypes of diverse origin and adapted to different environments. This knowledge will help to design the most appropriate breeding programme to reduce mycotoxin content across a wide range of environments. Although maize genetics involved in resistance to ear rots and mycotoxin contamination greatly depended on the environment, additive and dominance effects were the predominant genetic effects in most environments. The stability across environments for resistance to ear rots and deoxynivalenol and fumonisin contamination was low, and recommended target areas of breeding programmes for either Fusarium species are different based on the different nature of genetic effect × environment interactions for each species. In general, the classification of inbreds and hybrids according to their resistance levels was similar across environments, suggesting that the same sources of resistance could be suitable for different environments, and breeding for resistance to one species would affect resistance to the other one.
Transmission of infection to liver transplant recipients from donors with infective endocarditis: lessons learned
Authors: Miceli M.H. , Gonulalan M. , Perri M.B. , Samuel L. , Al Fares M.A. , Brown K. , Bruno D.A. , Zervos M. , Ramesh M. , Alangaden G.
Published: January 2015

Donors not meeting standard criteria, such as those with bacteremia, are now being used in response to the increasing need for organs for transplantation. Recommended strategies to prevent the occurrence of donor‐derived bacteremia include the use of directed antibiotic prophylaxis. However, this approach does not eliminate the risk of infection transmission. Similarly, the management of organ recipients from donors with infective endocarditis (IE) remains uncharacterized. We report 2 cases of donor‐derived bacterial infections in liver transplant recipients despite pathogen‐specific antibiotic prophylaxis. In both instances, the donors had documented IE treated with appropriate antimicrobial therapy and clearance of bacteremia. Recipients had very distinctive clinical outcomes likely related to pathogen virulence and the extent of donor infection. Persistent infection in the transplanted liver should be suspected in organ recipients of a liver from donors with IE, despite the absence of bacteremia at the time of death and organ procurement. For eradication, recipients may require prolonged pathogen‐directed antimicrobial therapy, such as is used for endovascular infections. Prompt recognition of donors with IE, appropriate notification, and prolonged antibiotic prophylaxis are key to reducing the risk of such donor‐derived infections.
A Closed-Form Optimal Tuning of Mass Dampers for One Degree-of-Freedom Systems Under Rotating Unbalance Forcing
Authors: Argentini T. , Belloli M. , Borghesani P.
Published: January 2015

This paper is focused on the study of a vibrating system forced by a rotating unbalance and coupled to a tuned mass damper (TMD). The analysis of the dynamic response of the entire system is used to define the parameters of such device in order to achieve optimal damping properties. The inertial forcing due to the rotating unbalance depends quadratically on the forcing frequency and it leads to optimal tuning parameters that differ from classical values obtained for pure harmonic forcing. Analytical results demonstrate that frequency and damping ratios, as a function of the mass parameter, should be higher than classical optimal parameters. The analytical study is carried out for the undamped primary system, and numerically investigated for the damped primary system. We show that, for practical applications, proper TMD tuning allows to achieve a reduction in the steady-state response of about 20% with respect to the response achieved with a classically tuned damper.
The Retreating-Stop Needle Guide as an Alternative to Variable-Angle Needle Guides
Authors: Neice Andrew
Published: January 2015

A new type of needle guide, a retreating-stop needle guide, is proposed and compared with existing variable-angle style needle guides. Compared to existing designs, this design gives the user finer control over the depth of needle insertion as well as preventing excessive needle advancement. For a subset of ultrasound guided procedures, particularly those that may benefit from out-of-plane approaches, retreating-stop needle guides could potentially improve needle placement. A prototype retreating-stop needle guide was constructed which has measurement resolution of 5 mm and a depth range of 3.0–7.5 cm, which is superior to commonly available existing needle guides. Resolutions of 2–3 mm are theoretically possible with this technique.
Tooth Contact Analysis for a Double-Crowned Involute Helical Gear With Twist-Free Tooth Flanks Generated by Dual-Lead Hob Cutters
Authors: Tran Van-The , Hsu Ruei-Hung , Tsay Chung-Biau
Published: January 2015

To double-crown an involute helical gear, a hobbing method is proposed by setting the hob's diagonal feed motion as a second-order function of hob's traverse movement and modifying the tooth profile of hob cutter into a dual-lead form with pressure angle changed in its longitudinal direction. Merits of the proposed double-crowning method are also verified by using three computer simulation examples to illustrate and compare the topographies of tooth flanks, contact ellipses, and transmission errors under various assembly errors of the double-crowned gear pairs with those produced by using the conventional modified hob cutter and dual-lead hob cutter. Computer simulation results reveal the advantages of the proposed hobbing method for involute helical gear manufacturing.
Optimal Design of a 2-UPR-RPU Parallel Manipulator
Authors: Wang Feibo , Chen Qiaohong , Li Qinchuan
Published: January 2015

This paper investigates dimensional optimization of a 2-UPR-RPU parallel manipulator (where U is a universal joint, P a prismatic pair, and R a revolute pair). First, the kinematics and screws of the mechanism are analyzed. Then, three indices developed from motion/force transmission are proposed to evaluate the performance of the 2-UPR-RPU parallel manipulator. Based on the performance atlases obtained, a set of optimal parameters are selected from the optimum region within the parameter design space. Finally, the optimized parameters are determined for practical applications.
Experimental Investigation of Wall Nucleation Characteristics in Flow Boiling
Authors: Brooks Caleb S. , Silin Nicolás , Hibiki Takashi , Ishii Mamoru
Published: January 2015

Wall nucleation experiments have been performed in a vertical annulus test section for investigation of the bubble departure diameter and bubble departure frequency. The experimental data in forced convective subcooled boiling flow is presented as a parametric study of the effect of wall heat flux, local bulk liquid subcooling, liquid flow rate, and system pressure. The data are shown to extend the database currently available in literature to a wider range of system conditions. Along with the current database in forced convective flow, the available models for bubble departure size and frequency are reviewed and compared with the existing database. The prediction of the bubble departure frequency is shown to require accurate modeling of the bubble departure diameter which has poor agreement with the experimental database.
A long-acting integrase inhibitor protects female macaques from repeated high-dose intravaginal SHIV challenge
Authors: Andrews Chasity D. , Yueh Yun Lan , Spreen William R. , St. Bernard Leslie , Boente-Carrera Mar , Rodriguez Kristina , Gettie Agegnehu , Russell-Lodrigue Kasi , Blanchard James , Ford Susan , Mohri Hiroshi , Cheng-Mayer Cecilia , Hong Zhi , Ho David D. , Markowitz Martin
Published: January 2015

The long-acting integrase inhibitor GSK744 protects macaques from three high-dose SHIV challenges at plasma drug concentrations that could be achieved with quarterly injections in humans.
Salbutamol or aminophylline for acute severe asthma: how to choose which one, when and why?
Authors: Neame Matthew , Aragon Octavio , Fernandes Ricardo M , Sinha Ian
Published: January 2015

Acute, severe exacerbations of asthma present a challenge due to the significant morbidity associated with this presentation. For exacerbations that are refractory to initial treatments with inhaled and oral therapies, there is still doubt about which intravenous therapies are most likely to be helpful. β-2 agonists and aminophylline have differing mechanisms of action that also affect their adverse effects profiles and these are considered. A review of the available randomised control trials suggests that a bolus of intravenous salbutamol may reduce symptoms and hasten recovery. Aminophylline infusions may improve lung function, and in some studies have been shown to improve symptoms, but the evidence is not clear cut. Decisions about which treatment to use should include risk management considerations such as ease of prescription, preparation and administration factors and availability of high-dependency beds.
Association between duration of use of pharmacotherapy and smoking cessation: findings from a national survey
Authors: Siahpush Mohammad , Shaikh Raees A , McCarthy Molly , Sikora Kessler Asia , Tibbits Melissa , Singh Gopal K
Published: January 2015

Objective

To investigate the association of the duration of use of prescription medications and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) with smoking cessation using a national sample of the general population in the USA, controlling for nicotine dependence and sociodemographic variables.

Setting

USA.

Participants

We used data from the 2010–2011 Tobacco Use Supplement to the US Current Population Survey. We limited the analysis to current daily smokers who made a quit attempt in the past year and former smokers who were a daily smoker 1 year prior to the survey (n=8263). Respondents were asked about duration of use of prescription medication (varenicline, bupropion, other) and NRT (nicotine patch, gum/lozenges, nasal spray and inhaler) for smoking cessation.

Primary outcome measure

Successful smoking cessation. Individuals who reported to have smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime but were not smoking at all at the time of the interview and were a daily smoker 1 year prior to the interview were considered to have successfully quit smoking.

Results

After adjusting for daily cigarette consumption and sociodemographic covariates, we found evidence for an association between duration of pharmacotherapy use and smoking cessation (p<0.001). Adjusted cessation rates for those who used prescription medication or NRT for 5+ weeks were 28.8% and 27.8%, respectively. Adjusted cessation rates for those who used prescription medication or NRT for less than 5 weeks varied from 6.2% to 14.5%. Adjusted cessation rates for those who used only behavioural counselling and those who attempted to quit smoking unassisted were 16.1% and 16.4%, respectively.

Conclusions

Use of pharmacotherapy for at least 5 weeks is associated with increased likelihood of successful smoking cessation. Results suggest that encouraging smokers who intend to quit to use pharmacotherapy and to adhere to treatment duration can help improve chances of successful cessation.
Does the use of passive or active consent affect consent or completion rates, or dietary data quality? Repeat cross-sectional survey among school children aged 11–12 years
Authors: Spence Suzanne , White Martin , Adamson Ashley J , Matthews John N S
Published: January 2015

Objectives

An expectation of research is that participants should give fully informed consent. However, there is also a need to maximise recruitment to ensure representativeness. We explored the impact of passive or active parental consent on consent, completion rates and on dietary data quality in a survey among children aged 11–12 years.

Setting

Six middle schools in North-East England.

Participants

All children aged 11–12 years attending the six middle schools were eligible to participate (n=1141).

Main outcomes

Primary outcomes: whether or not each eligible child's parent gave consent and provided a complete dietary diary; whether or not a child completed their dietary diary but only among children who agreed to participate, and whether or not children providing diaries were classified as an under-reporter or not.

Results

Parents were more likely to consent passively than actively. This difference was greater among the more deprived: OR 16.9 (95% CI 5.7 to 50.2) in the least and 129.6 (95% CI 39.9 to 420.6) in the most deprived quintile (test for interaction: method of consent by level of deprivation, p=0.02). For all children eligible, completion was more likely if passive consent was used (OR 2.8, 95% CI 2.2 to 3.7). When only children who gave consent are considered, completion was less likely when passive rather than active consent was used (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.4 to 0.9). Completion rate decreased as level of deprivation increased; we found no evidence that the OR for the method of consent varied by level of deprivation. There was no evidence that the quality of dietary data, as measured by an assessment of under-reporting, differed by method of consent (OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.5 to 1.2).

Conclusions

Passive consent led to a higher participation rate and a more representative sample without compromising data quality.
Lateralising value of experiential hallucinations in temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Heydrich Lukas , Marillier Guillaume , Evans Nathan , Blanke Olaf , Seeck Margitta
Published: January 2015

Objectives

Ever since John Hughlings Jackson first described the so-called ‘dreamy state’ during temporal lobe epilepsy, that is, the sense of an abnormal familiarity (déjà vu) or vivid memory-like hallucinations from the past (experiential hallucinations), these phenomena have been studied and repeatedly linked to mesial temporal lobe structures. However, little is known about the lateralising value of either déjà vu or experiential hallucinations.

Methods

We analysed a sample of 28 patients with intractable focal epilepsy suffering from either déjà vu or experiential hallucinations. All the patients underwent thorough presurgical examination, including MRI, positron emission tomography, single-photon emission CT, EEG and neuropsychological examination.

Results

While déjà vu was due to right or left mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, experiential hallucinations were strongly lateralised to the left mesial temporal lobe. Moreover, there was a significant effect for interictal language deficits being more frequent in patients suffering from experiential hallucinations.

Conclusions

These results suggest a lateralising value for experiential hallucinations to the left temporal lobe.
Exploring the spectrum of heavy quarkonium hybrids with QCD sum rules
Authors: Kleiv R.T. , Bulthuis B. , Harnett D. , Richards T. , Chen Wei , Ho J. , Steele T.G. , Zhu Shi-Lin
Published: January 2015

QCD Laplace sum rules are used to calculate heavy quarkonium (charmonium and bottomonium) hybrid masses in several distinct JPC channels. Previous studies of heavy quarkonium hybrids did not include the effects of dimension-six condensates, leading to unstable sum rules and unreliable mass predictions in some channels. We have updated these sum rules to include dimension-six condensates, providing new mass predictions for the spectra of heavy quarkonium hybrids. We confirm the finding of other approaches that the negative-parity JPC = (0, 1, 2)–+, 1–– states form the lightest hybrid supermultiplet and the positive-parity JPC = (0, 1)+–, (0, 1, 2)++ states are members of a heavier supermultiplet. Our results disfavor a pure charmonium hybrid interpretation of the X(3872), in agreement with previous work.
EFFECT OF GLYCATED SERUM ALBUMIN ON FUNCTIONAL MARKERS IN HUMAN UMBILICAL VEIN ENDOTHELIAL CELLS IN THE PRESENCE OF SHEAR STRESS
Authors: NIRALA BIKESH K. , GOHIL NIVEDITA KARMAKAR
Published: January 2015

Regions of the vasculature subjected to low wall shear stress and disturbed flow patterns are prone to atherosclerotic plaque formation. Pro-inflammatory conditions induced by products of protein glycation in diabetes substantially enhance this risk. One of the contributory factors is the enhanced production of ROS by advanced glycation end products (AGE) of proteins and lipids formed in chronic diabetes. In this study, we examine the interaction of oscillatory wall shear stress and glycated serum albumin (AGE-HSA) in modulating NOsynthase activity and expression of pro-inflammatory molecules such as RAGE, s-ICAM-1 and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-9) in cultured HUVEC. Our findings indicate that orbital shear stress (OSS) up-regulates RAGE expression at low (LSS 4.5 dyn/cm2) more than at high shear stress (HSS 12 dyn/cm2) at 4 h. This effect is promoted in the AGE-HSA (2 mg/mL) in a dose-dependent manner. Augmentation of NOsynthase activity was lower at LSS and further inhibited in the presence of AGE-HSA. Expression of s-ICAM-1 was found to be shear stress modulated with additive up-regulation in combination with AGE-HSA while MMP-9 was not affected by shear stress or AGE-HSA individually but in combination caused significant up-regulation. These changes in endothelial function correlate with mechanisms that initiate atherogenic process in diabetic macrovascular pathology.
Ninebrane structures
Authors: Sati Hisham
Published: January 2015

String structures in degree 4 are associated with cancelation of anomalies of string theory in 10 dimensions. Fivebrane structures in degree 8 have recently been shown to be associated with cancelation of anomalies associated to fivebranes in string theory and M-theory. We introduce and describe Ninebrane structures in degree 12 and demonstrate how they capture some anomaly cancelation phenomena in M-theory. Along the way we also define certain variants, considered as intermediate cases in degrees 9 and 10, which we call 2-Orientation and 2-Spin structures, respectively. As in the lower degree cases, we also discuss the natural twists of these structures and characterize the corresponding topological groups associated to each of the structures, which likewise admit refinements to differential cohomology.
Study of industrially applied methods for verification, validation and uncertainty quantification of simulator models
Authors: Eek Magnus , Kharrazi Sogol , Gavel Hampus , Ölvander Johan
Published: January 2015

To better utilize the potential of system simulation models and simulators, industrially applicable methods for Verification, Validation and Uncertainty Quantification (VV&UQ) are crucial. This paper presents an exploratory case study of VV&UQ techniques applied on models integrated in aircraft system simulators at Saab Aeronautics and in driving simulators at the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI). Results show that a large number of Verification and Validation (V&V) techniques are applied, some of which are promising for further development and use in simulator credibility assessment. Regarding the application of UQ, a large gap between academia and this part of industry has been identified, and simplified methods are needed. The applicability of the NASA Credibility Assessment Scale (CAS) at the studied organizations is also evaluated and it can be concluded that the CAS is considered to be a usable tool for achieving a uniform level of V&V for all models included in a simulator, although its implementation at the studied organizations requires tailoring and coordination.
0.3 byr of drainage stability along the Palaeozoic palaeo-Pacific Gondwana margin; a detrital zircon study
Authors: Augustsson Carita , Rüsing Tobias , Niemeyer Hans , Kooijman Ellen , Berndt Jasper , Bahlburg Heinrich , Zimmermann Udo
Published: January 2015

The palaeo-Pacific margin of Gondwana in the present-day south–central Andes is marked by tectonic activity related to subduction and terrane accretion. We present detrital zircon U–Pb data encompassing the Palaeozoic era in northern Chile and northwestern Argentina. Cathodoluminescence images reveal dominantly magmatic zircon barely affected by abrasion and displaying only one growth phase. The main age clusters for these zircon grains are Ediacaran to Palaeozoic with an additional peak at 1.3–0.9 Ga and they can be correlated with ‘Grenvillian’ age, and the Brasiliano, Pampean, and Famatinian orogenies. The zircon data reveal main transport from the nearby Ordovician Famatinian arc and related rocks. The Silurian sandstone units are more comparable with Cambrian units, with Brasiliano and Transamazonian ages (2.2–1.9 Ga) being more common, because the Silurian deposits were situated within or east of the (extinct) Famatinian arc. Hence, the arc acted as a transport barrier throughout Palaeozoic time. The complete suite of zircon ages does not record the accretions of exotic terranes or the Palaeozoic glacial periods. We conclude that the transport system along the palaeo-Pacific margin of Gondwana remained stable for
c
. 0.3 byr and that provenance data do not necessarily reflect the interior of a continent. Hence, inherited geomorphological features must be taken into account when detrital mineral ages are interpreted.

Supplementary material:

U–Pb data, CL images, and detailed geological maps are available at
www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18796
.
Extranuclear Steroid Receptors Are Essential for Steroid Hormone Actions
Authors: Levin Ellis R.
Published: January 2015

Steroid hormones are produced throughout the phylogenetic tree, from plants to mammals. In the past 40 years, steroid receptors localized to the nucleus have been recognized as being important to mediating steroid action in many organs. This action mainly arises from the regulation of key genes that are important for organ development and function. These include but are not limited to genes influencing the reproductive tract, mammary glands, bone, brain, fat differentiation, pituitary hormone regulation, and metabolic effects in many organs. Unfortunately, steroids also promote the development of hormone-responsive cancers, including breast, uterus, and prostate cancer. It has also been shown that steroid receptors exist outside the nucleus in many organs and cells, with unclear impact for normal development, health, and disease. This review describes the evidence from many laboratories that these receptors exist and function with nuclear receptors to provide the full impact of all steroid hormones.
Treatment of Recurrent and Severe Clostridium Difficile Infection
Authors: Keller J.J. , Kuijper E.J.
Published: January 2015

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a serious complication of hospitalization and antibiotic use with a high mortality and very high costs. Despite appropriate treatment, a subset of patients develop chronic recurrent CDI. Some other patients develop severe and life-threatening colitis. The risk factors, pathogenesis, and treatment of recurrent CDI and severe CDI are discussed in this review. In particular, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) as a treatment strategy is outlined and a treatment algorithm incorporating FMT is described.
Chloride channel ClC-5 binds to aspartyl aminopeptidase to regulate renal albumin endocytosis
Authors: Lee Aven , Slattery Craig , Nikolic-Paterson David J. , Hryciw Deanne H. , Wilk Sherwin , Wilk Elizabeth , Zhang Yuan , Valova Valentina A. , Robinson Phillip J. , Kelly Darren J. , Poronnik Philip
Published: January 2015

ClC-5 is a chloride/proton exchanger that plays an obligate role in albumin uptake by the renal proximal tubule. ClC-5 forms an endocytic complex with the albumin receptor megalin/cubilin. We have identified a novel ClC-5 binding partner, cytosolic aspartyl aminopeptidase (DNPEP; EC 3.4.11.21), that catalyzes the release of N-terminal aspartate/glutamate residues. The physiological role of DNPEP remains largely unresolved. Mass spectrometric analysis of proteins binding to the glutathione- S-transferase (GST)-ClC-5 C terminus identified DNPEP as an interacting partner. Coimmunoprecipitation confirmed that DNPEP and ClC-5 also associated in cells. Further experiments using purified GST-ClC-5 and His-DNPEP proteins demonstrated that the two proteins bound directly to each other. In opossum kidney (OK) cells, confocal immunofluorescence studies revealed that DNPEP colocalized with albumin-containing endocytic vesicles. Overexpression of wild-type DNPEP increased cell-surface levels of ClC-5 and albumin uptake. Analysis of DNPEP-immunoprecipitated products from rat kidney lysate identified β-actin and tubulin, suggesting a role for DNPEP in cytoskeletal maintenance. A DNase I inhibition assay showed a significant decrease in the amount of G actin when DNPEP was overexpressed in OK cells, suggesting a role for DNPEP in stabilizing the cytoskeleton. DNPEP was not present in the urine of healthy rats; however, it was readily detected in the urine in rat models of mild and heavy proteinuria (diabetic nephropathy and anti-glomerular basement membrane disease, respectively). Urinary levels of DNPEP were found to correlate with the severity of proteinuria. Therefore, we have identified another key molecular component of the albumin endocytic machinery in the renal proximal tubule and describe a new role for DNPEP in stabilizing the actin cytoskeleton.