bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How Should We Manage Arrest Following Cardiac Surgery?
Authors: Ley S. Jill
Published: May 2015

Perioperative arrest occurs in thousands of cardiac surgical patients annually, yet standard resuscitation methods are ineffective or potentially harmful. These “high risk, low volume” events typically occur in well-monitored patients in the highly specialized environment of the operating room or intensive care unit, with a short list of likely causes of arrest, making a protocolized approach to management feasible and desirable. An evidence-based guideline for resuscitation specific to the cardiac surgical patient was first published by Dunning et al in 2009 and adopted by the European Resuscitation Council the following year. It emphasizes important deviations from advanced cardiac life support, including immediate defibrillation or pacing of arrhythmias before external compressions, if feasible within 1 minute, and avoidance of epinephrine due to potential rebound hypertension. In standard fashion, the rapid exclusion of reversible causes of arrest is followed by chest reopening within 5 minutes. This approach is now standard of care in most European countries and is under review for use in the United States by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. The anesthesiologist, as either team leader or participant, plays a critical role in optimally managing arrests after cardiac surgery. Their familiarity with this new standard is essential to optimal patient outcomes.
Early Extubation and Fast-Track Management of Off-Pump Cardiac Patients in the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Bainbridge Daniel , Cheng Davy C.
Published: May 2015

Off-pump surgery was the original approach to treating patients with cardiac disease in the era before cardiopulmonary bypass. With the advent and refinement of cardiopulmonary bypass, the use of this technique fell out of favor and was quickly surpassed by on-pump techniques. However, the limitations of bypass surgery, especially for coronary artery bypass procedures, was still significant, leading to renewed interest in this technique. Postoperative care for off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgery presents both a challenge and opportunity to the intensivist. OPCAB patients can be treated in a fast-track manner allowing rapid recovery and early extubation and discharge from the intensive care unit. This is supported through the use of protocols that help standardize care and set expectations for the post–cardiac care team. Importantly, complications that may delay recovery including hypothermia, hypotension, and bleeding must be recognized early and treated aggressively to prevent unwanted complications and intensive care delays. Finally, care of these patients has shifted to the post-anesthesia recovery room, making knowledge of the care of these patients in the early postoperative period essential for cardiac anesthesiologists. This article will discuss the care of OPCAB patients following surgery and include approaches to managing patients who return both intubated and extubated.
Exploring Curvilinearity Through Fractional Polynomials in Management Research
Authors: Nikolaeva Ralitza , Bhatnagar Amit , Ghose Sanjoy
Published: May 2015

Imprecise theories do not give enough guidelines for empirical analyses. A paradigmatic shift from linear to curvilinear relationships is necessary to advance management theories. Within the framework of the abductive generation of theories, the authors present a data exploratory technique for the identification of functional relationships between variables. Originating in medical research, the method uses fractional polynomials to test for alternative curvilinear relationships. It is a compromise between nonparametric curve fitting and conventional polynomials. The multivariable fractional polynomial (MFP) technique is a good tool for exploratory research when theoretical knowledge is nonspecific and thus very useful in phenomena discovery. The authors conduct simulations to demonstrate MFP’s performance in various scenarios. The technique’s major benefit is the uncovering of nontraditional shapes that cannot be modeled by logarithmic or quadratic functions. While MFP is not suitable for small samples, there does not seem to be a downside of overfitting the data as the fitted curves are very close to the true ones. The authors call for a routine application of the procedure in exploratory studies involving medium to large sample sizes.
Potential Unintended Consequences of the Movement Toward Forensic Laboratory Independence
Authors: Maguire Edward R. , King William R. , Wells William , Katz Charles M.
Published: May 2015

The scholarly literature identifies two types of errors of justice: errors of due process and errors of impunity. Errors of due process involve failing to protect the innocent from becoming ensnared in the criminal justice process or imposing excessive sanctions on offenders. Errors of impunity involve failing to sanction, or imposing insufficient sanctions, on culpable offenders. The great challenge in designing criminal justice systems is balancing these two types of errors. We contend that the National Research Council’s recent recommendation to remove crime laboratories from law enforcement agencies in the United States focuses too heavily on avoiding one type of error while largely ignoring the other. We believe that heeding this recommendation without appropriate caution might produce an imbalance that generates serious unintended consequences. We draw on recent studies of how crime labs and law enforcement agencies process sexual assault kits and ballistic evidence to illustrate the potential unintended consequences of separating crime labs from law enforcement agencies.
Effects of 13-Hour 20-Minute Work Shifts on Law Enforcement Officers' Sleep, Cognitive Abilities, Health, Quality of Life, and Work Performance
Authors: Bell Leonard B. , Virden Thomas B. , Lewis Deborah J. , Cassidy Barry A.
Published: May 2015

To determine the impact of a longer-than-average compressed workweek on police officers’ sleep, cognitive abilities, health, quality of life, and work performance, two precincts of the Phoenix Police Department participated in a 9-month, repeated-measures study. The experimental precinct worked three consecutive 13-hr 20-min (13:20-hr) shifts per week for 6 months, while the control precinct worked four 10-hr shifts per week. Officers were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Psychomotor Vigilance Test, STROOP Color-Word test, Quality of Life Inventory, and measures of salivary cortisol. The Phoenix Police Department provided data for Professional Standards Bureau complaints, shooting qualifications, vehicular accidents, self-initiated calls, adult bookings, field interrogations, overtime, and time off for the 6 months of the study period and the same 6 months of the previous year. Self-reported caffeine intake and shift preference were also collected. Officers working 13:20-hr shifts experienced significant ( p < .05) decreases in hours of sleep, overall quality of sleep, concentration, cognitive processing, and quality of life (overall and in six of eight subareas). Significant ( p < .05) increases were observed in fatigue, daytime dysfunction due to sleepiness, reaction time, anticipatory errors, and Professional Standards Bureau complaints. There were no significant differences in most indices of work performance or differences due to working day or night shifts. When officers working 13:20-hr shifts returned to 10-hr shifts, all variables returned to baseline (prestudy) levels. Officers from both precincts overwhelmingly preferred 10-hr shifts. This study indicates that there are no apparent advantages but considerable liabilities associated with 13:20-hr shifts for police officers.
Systematic review of the behavioural assessment of pain in cats
Authors: Merola Isabella , Mills Daniel S
Published: May 2015

Objectives

The objectives were to review systematically the range of assessment tools used in cats to detect the behavioural expression of pain and the evidence of their quality; and to examine behavioural metrics (considering both the sensory and affective domains) used to assess pain.

Methods

A search of PubMed and ScienceDirect, alongside articles known to the authors, from 2000 onwards, for papers in English was performed. This was followed by a manual search of the references within the primary data sources. Only peer-reviewed publications that provided information on the assessment tool used to evaluate the behavioural expression of pain in cats, in conscious animals (not anaesthetised cats), were included.

Results

No previous systematic reviews were identified. One hundred papers were included in the final assessment. Studies were primarily related to the assessment of pain in relation to surgical procedures, and no clear distinction was made concerning the onset of acute and chronic pain. Ten broad types of instrument to assess pain were identified, and generally the quality of evidence to support the use of the various instruments was poor. Only one specific instrument (UNESP-Botucatu scale) had published evidence of validity, reliability and sensitivity at the level of a randomised control trial, but with a positive rather than placebo control, and limited to its use in the ovariohysterectomy situation. The metrics used within the tools appeared to focus primarily on the sensory aspect of pain, with no study clearly discriminating between the sensory and affective components of pain.

Conclusions and relevance

Further studies are required to provide a higher quality of evidence for methods used to assess pain in cats. Furthermore, a consistent definition for acute and chronic pain is needed. Tools need to be validated that can detect pain in a range of conditions and by different evaluators (veterinary surgeons and owners), which consider both the sensory and emotional aspects of pain.
Conversion disorder in a preschool age girl
Authors: Bouras Georgios , Michopoulos Ioannis , Theofanopoulou Nikoletta , Giannopoulou Ioanna , Christodoulou Christos , Dinopoulos Argirios
Published: May 2015

This article reports a case of a 5-year-old girl with clinical manifestations of a conversion disorder. Children presenting with a conversion disorder very often have multiple investigations and more than two-thirds of them are admitted to the hospital. This case illustrates the necessity of adapting, from the outset, a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis and management, which helps in providing an explanatory model that takes into account stressors, factors within the child and the family, and aids in planning an appropriate psychotherapeutic intervention based on the child’s and family’s needs.
Parametric regression model for lighting calibration
Authors: Sun Chanjuan , Giles Harry , Lian Zhiwei
Published: May 2015

This article aims to assess some of the main lighting software programs currently available for architecture. It compares the daylight simulation results from programs, Flamingo nXt rendering, DIVA and Lightscape with the physical measurements carried out on a flat plate surface and in a model box. Identical parameters of geometry and lighting conditions were set. Two strategies were used to investigate the difference and correlation between the measurements and simulations. One test simulated several angles which were identical to the real-time sun position during daytime by rotating the box for both the simulation and field test, and the other test conducted every hour during daytime simulated three typical days (spring equinox, summer solstice and winter solstice). The output from simulation programs was conducted on a set grid of identical surface locations. The simulation programs and physical measurements were used to generate a parametric model. The results suggested that the accuracy of all these inspected simulation programs was acceptable for design exploration and that the parametric model could be used to calibrate the programs to give more accurate, real-time illuminance and luminance.
Components separation technique is feasible for assisting delayed primary fascial closure of open abdomen
Authors: Rasilainen S. K. , Mentula P. J. , Leppäniemi A. K.
Published: May 2015

Background and aims:

The goal after open abdomen treatment is to reach primary fascial closure. Modern negative pressure wound therapy systems are sometimes inefficient for this purpose. This retrospective chart analysis describes the use of the ‘components separation’ method in facilitating primary fascial closure after open abdomen.

Material and methods:

A total of 16 consecutive critically ill surgical patients treated with components separation during open abdomen management were analyzed. No patients were excluded.

Results:

Primary fascial closure was achieved in 75% (12/16). Components separation was performed during ongoing open abdomen treatment in 7 patients and at the time of delayed primary fascial closure in 9 patients. Of the former, 3/7 (43%) patients reached primary fascial closure, whereas all 9 patients in the latter group had successful fascial closure without major complications (p = 0.019).

Conclusion:

Components separation is a useful method in contributing to successful primary fascial closure in patients treated for open abdomen. Best results were obtained when components separation was performed simultaneously with primary fascial closure at the end of the open abdomen treatment.
Person-centredness in direct care workers caring for residents with dementia: Effects of a psycho-educational intervention
Authors: Barbosa Ana , Nolan Mike , Sousa Liliana , Figueiredo Daniela
Published: May 2015

This study assessed the effects of a psycho-educational intervention on direct care workers' person-centredness during morning care to residents with dementia. A controlled pretest–posttest study was conducted in four aged-care facilities with 56 direct care workers (female, mean age 44.72 ± 9.02). Two experimental facilities received a psycho-educational intervention comprising person-centred care competences and stress management skills; control facilities received an education-only intervention, without stress support. In total, 112 video-recorded morning care sessions were coded using the Global Behaviour Scale. Both groups reported significantly higher scores on eight of 11 items of the Global Behaviour Scale and on the Global Behaviour Scale total score at posttest (F=10.59; p=0.02). Global Behaviour Scale total score improvements were higher for the experimental group, with values close to significance (F=3.90; p=0.054). The findings suggest that a psycho-educational intervention may increase care workers' person-centredness. Further research is needed to explore the long-term sustainability and extent of its benefits on workers and residents.
Are College Faculty and First-Generation, Low-Income Students Ready for Each Other?
Authors: Schademan Alfred R. , Thompson Maris R.
Published: May 2015

Utilizing current research on college readiness as well as the role of cultural agents as a conceptual framework, this qualitative study investigates student and faculty beliefs about readiness and the pedagogical practices that allow instructors to effectively serve as cultural agents for first-generation, low-income students. Three major findings that emerged from the study are as follows: (a) faculty beliefs about student readiness impact the degree to which faculty serve as cultural agents for FGLI students, (b) faculty who serve as cultural agents enact particular practices and dispositions that enable students to become more academically prepared, and (c) FGLI students arrive at college with diverse forms of readiness that require varying forms of nurturing and support. A key implication of the study is that colleges should bear a greater responsibility in supporting faculty and other campus cultural agents in nurturing the success of FGLI students.
Hybrid, Y-configured, dual stent-assisted coil embolization in the treatment of wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms
Authors: Akgul Erol , Balli Tugsan , Aksungur Erol H
Published: May 2015

In Y-stenting, stabilization of the first stent may be problematic as in some cases it migrates during second stent insertion. This report evaluates the safety and effectiveness of the technique and presents the long-term results of hybrid, Y-configured, dual stent-assisted coil embolization in the treatment of wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms.

We retrospectively evaluated the patients treated endovascularly due to cerebral aneurysms. Twenty patients treated with hybrid Y-stent-assisted coil embolization were enrolled in the study. In hybrid stenting, an open-cell intracranial stent (Neuroform) was used as a first stent to prevent stent migration. A closed-cell stent (Enterprise or Acclino) was used as a second stent and the aneurysm was embolized with coils between the stent struts.

In all patients, hybrid Y-stenting and coil embolization were accomplished successfully. No stent migration occurred. Clinically, neither symptomatic neurologic complication nor death was seen. Of 20 wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms, nine were at the basilar tip, while seven were at the middle cerebral artery and three at the anterior communicating artery. In one patient, the aneurysm was at the A2-3 junction of the anterior cerebral artery. One of the patients had a subarachnoid hemorrhage. The mean angiographic follow-up was 25.6 months. No in-stent stenosis was seen in any of the patients and recanalization in only one.

Hybrid, Y-configured, dual stent-assisted coil embolization is a safe and effective method in the treatment of wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms to prevent stent migration and aneurysm recanalization, and is a viable alternative to microsurgery.
Effect of flow diversion with silk on aneurysm size: A single center experience
Authors: Slater Lee-Anne , Soufan Cathy , Holt Michael , Chong Winston
Published: May 2015

Alterations in aneurysm size and mass effect can result in alleviation or aggravation of symptoms. We assessed the effects of flow diversion with SILK stents on aneurysm sac size and associated factors.

A retrospective evaluation of 14 aneurysms treated with SILK stents alone with MRI follow-up was performed. Aneurysm sac size was measured using the sequence best demonstrating the sac. Aneurysm characteristics and flow-related enhancement on time of flight images were documented. Clinical histories were reviewed for evolution of symptoms.

Complete collapse of the aneurysm sac was demonstrated at three and 18 months in 2/14 aneurysms. Increase in size was observed in 2/14 aneurysms with associated persistent flow on time of flight MRA. Blister formation with aggravation of symptoms was observed in one aneurysm, and subsequent decrease in size occurred after treatment with a second SILK. The other aneurysm which increased in size initially continued to enlarge asymptomatically despite retreatment with a second SILK, however at 24 months thrombosis of the sac and decrease in size was observed. The remaining 10/14 aneurysms decreased in size. Nine had corresponding MRA occlusion and the tenth demonstrated decreased but persistent flow on the time of flight MRA. No aneurysm with MRA occlusion increased in size.

Decrease in sac size was associated with MRA occlusion in our study. Persistence of flow and blistering were associated with increased sac size. As previously demonstrated flow diversion may be effective in the treatment of large aneurysms presenting with mass effect, however rates of sac obliteration in this small series were not as high as previously reported.
Using a covered stent for large cerebral aneurysms treated with stent-assisted coiling
Authors: Fang Chun , Liu Chuan-Sen , Xiao Ya-ping , Zhao Mei , Zhang Jian-Min , Li Ming-Hua , Zhu Yue-Qi
Published: May 2015

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of covered stent implantation for large intracranial aneurysms treated with stent-assisted coiling.

Materials and methods

Seven patients with a cerebral aneurysm were selected for this study. The aneurysms were located at the cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery in three cases, the supraclinoid segment in two and the vertebrobasilar junction in one. Aneurysm diameter was 10–25 mm. Mass effect symptoms occurred in six patients, epistaxis in one and subarachnoid hemorrhage in one. All patients underwent endovascular reconstruction with stent-assisted coiling and a covered stent. Five had undergone conventional endovascular embolization with stent-assisted coiling three to six months previously; the covered stent was then navigated through the existing stent and deployed to cover the aneurysm neck. In two cases, the covered stent was deployed after stent-assisted coiling in a single procedure.

Results

Angiography showed that all aneurysms were excluded from the circulation and parent arteries were preserved. No technical adverse events occurred. At the one- to two-year follow-up, complete resolution of clinical symptom had occurred in six patients and partial resolution in one. No recurrent aneurysm filling and no hemodynamic stenosis was observed.

Conclusion

Endovascular reconstruction combining a covered stent with stent-assisted coiling could be an effective and safe strategy for the treatment of large cerebral aneurysms.
Ureteroarterial fistula: A review of the literature
Authors: Das Akhil , Lewandoski Patricia , Laganosky Dean , Walton John , Shenot Patrick
Published: May 2015

Ureteroarterial fistulas are rare, erosive defects that occur between the distal segments of the ureter and the adjacent blood vessels in individuals with urologic and vascular comorbidities. Characterized by diffuse, pulsatile bleeding into the urinary tract, this condition carries a significant mortality rate in the absence of early recognition. Recent treatment efforts have focused on use of endovascular stenting techniques as an alternative to open surgical closure of the underlying defects in hemodynamically stable patients. We provide a literature review detailing the characteristics, mechanism, and management of ureteroarterial fistulas.
Long-term outcomes and factors influencing late survival following elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair: A 24-year experience
Authors: Khashram Manar , Jenkins Julie S , Jenkins Jason , Kruger Allan J , Boyne Nicholas S , Foster Wallace J , Walker Philip J
Published: May 2015

Background

Abdominal aortic aneurysms can be either treated by an open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair or an endovascular repair. Comparing clinical predictors of outcomes and those which influence survival rates in the long term is important in determining the choice of treatment offered and the decision-making process with patients.

Aims

To determine the influence of pre-existing clinical predictors and perioperative determinants on late survival of elective open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair and endovascular repair at a tertiary hospital.

Methods

Consecutive patients undergoing elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair from 1990 to 2013 were included. Data were collected from a prospectively acquired database and death data were gathered from the Queensland state death registry. Pre-existing risks and perioperative factors were assessed independently. Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression modeling were performed.

Results

During the study period, 1340 abdominal aortic aneurysms were repaired electively, of which 982 were open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. The average age was 72.4 years old and 81.7% were males. The cumulative percentage survival rates for open abdominal aortic aneurysms repair at 5, 10, 15 and 20 years were 79, 49, 31 and 22, respectively. The corresponding 5-, 10- and 15-year survival rates for endovascular repair were not significantly different at 75, 49 and 33%, respectively (P = 0.75). Predictors of reduced survival were advanced age, American Society of Anaesthesiology scores, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, renal impairment, bifurcated grafts, peripheral vascular disease and congestive heart failure.

Conclusions

Open repair offers a good long-term treatment option for patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm and in our experience there is no significant difference in late survival between open abdominal aortic aneurysms repair and endovascular repair. Consideration of the factors identified in this study that predict reduced long-term survival for open abdominal aortic aneurysms repair and endovascular repair should be considered when deciding repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Description of a new technique for repairing chronic type B dissections that involve visceral branches being fed by both true and false lumen by using both lumens as conduits
Authors: Anderson Joe , Remund Tyler , Pohlson Katie , Kelly Patrick
Published: May 2015

Here we present three cases performed using a novel technique where aortic flow is compartmentalized proximal to the target vessels through a physician-modified endograft. The visceral segment is then further compartmentalized by the use of another physician modified endograft. By compartmentalizing the flow proximal to the visceral segment, both the true lumen and false lumen can be used as conduits for coextensive bridging stent grafts. Overall, patients have tolerated this procedure extremely well, and while further study and follow-up must be conducted, this procedure could offer a reasonable long-term solution to thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms complicated by dissection.
Facebook’s emotional contagion study and the ethical problem of co-opted identity in mediated environments where users lack control
Authors: Selinger Evan , Hartzog Woodrow
Published: May 2015

We argue a main but underappreciated reason why the Facebook emotional contagion experiment is ethically problematic is that it co-opted user data in a way that violated identity-based norms and exploited the vulnerability of those disclosing on social media who are unable to control how personal information is presented in this technologically mediated environment.
Ultrasound determination of rotator cuff tear repairability
Authors: Tse Andrew K , Lam Patrick H , Walton Judie R , Hackett Lisa , Murrell George AC
Published: May 2015

Background

Rotator cuff repair aims to reattach the torn tendon to the greater tuberosity footprint with suture anchors. The present study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound in predicting rotator cuff tear repairability and to assess which sonographic and pre-operative features are strongest in predicting repairability.

Methods

The study was a retrospective analysis of measurements made prospectively in a cohort of 373 patients who had ultrasounds of their shoulder and underwent rotator cuff repair. Measurements of rotator cuff tear size and muscle atrophy were made pre-operatively by ultrasound to enable prediction of rotator cuff repairability. Tears were classified following ultrasound as repairable or irreparable, and were correlated with intra-operative repairability.

Results

Ultrasound assessment of rotator cuff tear repairability has a sensitivity of 86% ( p < 0.0001) and a specificity of 67% ( p < 0.0001). The strongest predictors of rotator cuff repairability were tear size ( p < 0.001) and age ( p = 0.004). Sonographic assessments of tear size ≥4 cm2 or anteroposterior tear length ≥25 mm indicated an irreparable rotator cuff tear.

Conclusions

Ultrasound assessment is accurate in predicting rotator cuff tear repairability. Tear size or anteroposterior tear length and age were the best predictors of repairability.
Factor structure and measurement invariance of the Health Education Impact Questionnaire: Does the subjectivity of the response perspective threaten the contextual validity of inferences?
Authors: Elsworth Gerald R , Nolte Sandra , Osborne Richard H
Published: May 2015

Objective:

On-going evidence is required to support the validity of inferences about change and group differences in the evaluation of health programs, particularly when self-report scales requiring substantial subjectivity in response generation are used as outcome measures. Following this reasoning, the aim of this study was to replicate the factor structure and investigate the measurement invariance of the latest version of the Health Education Impact Questionnaire, a widely used health program evaluation measure.

Methods:

An archived dataset of responses to the most recent version of the English-language Health Education Impact Questionnaire that uses four rather than six response options (N = 3221) was analysed using exploratory structural equation modelling and confirmatory factor analysis appropriate for ordered categorical data. Metric and scalar invariance were studied following recent recommendations in the literature to apply fully invariant unconditional models with minimum constraints necessary for model identification.

Results:

The original eight-factor structure was replicated and all but one of the scales (Self Monitoring and Insight) was found to consist of unifactorial items with reliability of ⩾0.8 and satisfactory discriminant validity. Configural, metric and scalar invariance were established across pre-test to post-test and population sub-groups (sex, age, education, ethnic background).

Conclusion:

The results support the high level of interest in the Health Education Impact Questionnaire, particularly for use as a pre-test/post-test measure in experimental studies, other pre–post evaluation designs and system-level monitoring and evaluation.
Interaction of CD38 Variant and Chronic Interpersonal Stress Prospectively Predicts Social Anxiety and Depression Symptoms Over 6 Years
Authors: Tabak Benjamin A. , Vrshek-Schallhorn Suzanne , Zinbarg Richard E. , Prenoveau Jason M. , Mineka Susan , Redei Eva E. , Adam Emma K. , Craske Michelle G.
Published: May 2015

Variation in the CD38 gene, which regulates secretion of the neuropeptide oxytocin, has been associated with several social phenotypes. Specifically, rs3796863 A allele carriers have demonstrated increased social sensitivity. In 400 older adolescents, we used trait-state-occasion modeling to investigate how rs3796863 genotype, baseline ratings of chronic interpersonal stress, and their gene–environment (G×E) interaction predicted trait social anxiety and depression symptoms over 6 years. We found significant G×E effects for CD38 A-carrier genotypes and chronic interpersonal stress at baseline predicting greater social anxiety and depression symptoms. A significant G×E effect of smaller magnitude was also found for C/C genotype and chronic interpersonal stress predicting greater depression; however, this effect was small compared with the main effect of chronic interpersonal stress. Thus, in the context of chronic interpersonal stress, heightened social sensitivity associated with the rs3796863 A allele may prospectively predict risk for social anxiety and (to a lesser extent) depression.
Obstacles to the response to HIV/AIDS in South Africa: Historical legacies in perception and policy environment in 1994–2006
Authors: Kim Young Soo
Published: May 2015

This paper presents the results of a study which overviews the policy failure regarding antiretroviral treatment (ART) in South Africa from the late 1990s to the mid-2000s. Despite being clinically proven by the international medical community to be effective in the treatment and prevention of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), ART was not implemented in post-apartheid regimes. President Mbeki denied the conventional scientific truth that HIV causes AIDS. Such a policy environment as a function of administration combined with a bureaucratic system and health care infrastructure was unfavorable for the implementation of ART. The report attempts to reveal how colonial history and apartheid experiences had an influence on shaping the perception of Mbeki as well as the conditions for policy development, which impeded the introduction of the ART program.
Integrated model for assessment of electromagnetic force field due to arc welding
Authors: Dahiwale N. B. , Kapil A. , Sharma A.
Published: May 2015

Computation of the electromagnetic force over a wide range of consumable arc welding parameters is difficult with available models because of the need for experimentally evaluated electrode extension for every individual set of parameters. This becomes more complicated in case of submerged are welding, because the welding arc remains buried beneath flux. This study presents a new approach of integrating mechanistic model of electrode extension with the computational model of electromagnetic force, wherein the apparent electrode extension is obtained by solving the electrode melting rate equation. The proposed approach is demonstrated through a case on submerged arc welding. The effect of current, voltage, electrode diameter, contact tip to workpiece distance and polarity, on the electromagnetic force, is determined and analysed. This investigation shows that detrimental effects of welding electromagnetic force can be restricted without compromising productivity because after initial rapid increase, no considerable change in melting rate is caused by the force under consideration.
Friction stir welding of 6 mm thick carbon steel underwater and in air
Authors: Baillie P. , Campbell S. W. , Galloway A. M. , Cater S. R. , McPherson N. A.
Published: May 2015

This study compared the mechanical and microstructural properties produced during friction stir welding of S275 structural steel in air and underwater. Post-weld tests assessed the tensile strength, microhardness, distortion, Charpy impact toughness and fatigue performance in each case. The study showed that there was no significant difference in the strength, hardness or fatigue life of the air and underwater specimens. However, Charpy impact toughness was shown to decrease for the underwater specimens and was attributed to the presence of a slightly less angular grain structure than the samples welded in air. Reduced angular and longitudinal distortion was observed in the underwater welded plate compared to the plate welded in air.
Simultaneous optimisation of structural topology and material grading using level set method
Authors: Dunning P. D. , Brampton C. J. , Kim H. A.
Published: May 2015

The present paper introduces a new technique for simultaneously optimising the topology and continuous material distribution of a structure. Topology optimisation offers great potential for novel, improved structural designs and is an ideal design tool for additive manufacturing (AM) techniques. Level set based topology optimisation produces solutions with clear, smooth boundaries that can be directly fabricated using AM. Further benefits of AM may be realised by also optimising the material distribution within the structure. The sequential linear programming level set method is used to include material distribution design variables in the topology optimisation problem. This allows the topology and continuous material distribution to be optimised simultaneously. Several compliance minimisation problems are used to demonstrate the proposed approach.
MicroRNA-155–deficient dendritic cells cause less severe GVHD through reduced migration and defective inflammasome activation
Authors: Chen Sophia , Smith Benjamin A. H. , Iype Joseena , Prestipino Alessandro , Pfeifer Dietmar , Grundmann Sebastian , Schmitt-Graeff Annette , Idzko Marco , Beck Yvonne , Prinz Gabriele , Finke Jürgen , Duyster Justus , Zeiser Robert
Published: May 2015

Key Points

GVHD induction is dependent on functional miR-155 in DCs of the allo-HCT recipient. MiR-155 deficiency reduces ATP-mediated cell migration, ERK and inflammasome activation, and IL-1β production of DCs.
Most partial domains in proteins are alignment and annotation artifacts
Authors: Triant Deborah A , Pearson William R
Published: May 2015

Background

Protein domains are commonly used to assess the functional roles and evolutionary relationships of proteins and protein families. Here, we use the Pfam protein family database to examine a set of candidate partial domains. Pfam protein domains are often thought of as evolutionarily indivisible, structurally compact, units from which larger functional proteins are assembled; however, almost 4% of Pfam27 PfamA domains are shorter than 50% of their family model length, suggesting that more than half of the domain is missing at those locations. To better understand the structural nature of partial domains in proteins, we examined 30,961 partial domain regions from 136 domain families contained in a representative subset of PfamA domains (RefProtDom2 or RPD2).

Results

We characterized three types of apparent partial domains: split domains, bounded partials, and unbounded partials. We find that bounded partial domains are over-represented in eukaryotes and in lower quality protein predictions, suggesting that they often result from inaccurate genome assemblies or gene models. We also find that a large percentage of unbounded partial domains produce long alignments, which suggests that their annotation as a partial is an alignment artifact; yet some can be found as partials in other sequence contexts.

Conclusions

Partial domains are largely the result of alignment and annotation artifacts and should be viewed with caution. The presence of partial domain annotations in proteins should raise the concern that the prediction of the protein’s gene may be incomplete. In general, protein domains can be considered the structural building blocks of proteins.
Widespread intron retention diversifies most cancer transcriptomes
Authors: Dvinge Heidi , Bradley Robert K.
Published: May 2015

Background

Somatic mutations affecting components of the RNA splicing machinery occur with high frequencies across many tumor types. These mutations give rise to distinct alterations in normal splice site and exon recognition, such as unusual 3′ splice site preferences, that likely contribute to tumorigenesis.

Methods

We analyzed genome-wide patterns of RNA splicing across 805 matched tumor and normal control samples from 16 distinct cancer types to identify signals of abnormal cancer-associated splicing.

Results

We found that abnormal RNA splicing, typified by widespread intron retention, is common across cancers even in the absence of mutations directly affecting the RNA splicing machinery. Almost all liquid and solid cancer types exhibited frequent retention of both alternative and constitutive introns relative to control normal tissues. The sole exception was breast cancer, where intron retention typified adjacent normal rather than cancer tissue. Different introns were preferentially retained in specific cancer types, although a small subset of introns enriched for genes encoding RNA splicing and export factors exhibited frequent retention across diverse cancers. The extent of intron retention correlated with the presence of IDH1 and IDH2 mutations in acute myeloid leukemia and across molecular subtypes in breast cancer. Many introns that were preferentially retained in primary cancers were present at high levels in the cytoplasmic mRNA pools of cancer cell lines.

Conclusions

Our data indicate that abnormal RNA splicing is a common characteristic of cancers even in the absence of mutational insults to the splicing machinery, and suggest that intron-containing mRNAs contribute to the transcriptional diversity of many cancers.
The association between antibody levels before and after 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine immunization and subsequent pneumococcal infection in chronic arthritis patients
Authors: Nagel Johanna , Geborek Pierre , Saxne Tore , Jönsson Göran , Englund Martin , Petersson Ingemar F , Nilsson Jan-Åke , Truedsson Lennart , Kapetanovic Meliha C
Published: May 2015

Introduction

The aim of present study is to inverstigate the association between antibody levels after vaccination with 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) and subsequent serious pneumococcal infections in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondylarthropathy (SpA) patients.

Methods

A cohort of 497 patients (RA = 248 and SpA = 249) received a single dose of PCV7. At vaccination, patients were treated with methotrexate (MTX; n = 85), anti-tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) + MTX (n = 169), anti-TNF monotherapy (n = 158) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)/analgesics (n = 85). Antibody levels of serotypes 6B and 23B were analyzed before and 4 to 6 weeks after vaccination using standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serious pneumococcal infections (pneumonia/lower respiratory tract infection, meningitis, sepsis, septic arthritis) occurring within 4.5 years after vaccination were identified in the Skåne Healthcare Register using the International Classification of Diseases, tenth revision (ICD-10) codes. The association between post-vaccination antibody levels and protection against infections and determination of protective cutoff levels was explored using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Predictors of infection were studied using regression analyses.

Results

Eighteen infections were registered in 15 patients before vaccination and 27 infections in 23 patients after vaccination. Patients with serious infections after vaccination had significantly lower post-vaccination antibody titres for both 6B (P = 0.04) and 23 F (P = 0.04). Post-vaccination antibody levels of at least 1.29 mg/L and 1.01 mg/L for 6B and 23, respectively, were associated with better protection from serious infections. Higher age, concomitant prednisolone but not MTX or anti-TNF were associated with such infections.

Conclusions

Patients with more robust antibody responses after vaccination with pneumococcal conjugate vaccine were less likely to suffer from serious infections. High age and prednisolone at vaccination were associated with putative serious pneumococcal infections in this cohort.

Trial registration number

EudraCT EU 2007-006539-29 and NCT00828997. Registered 23 January 2009.
Evidence for cadherin-11 cleavage in the synovium and partial characterization of its mechanism
Authors: Noss Erika H , Watts Gerald FM , Zocco Davide , Keller Tracy L , Whitman Malcolm , Blobel Carl P , Lee David M , Brenner Michael B
Published: May 2015

Introduction

Engagement of the homotypic cell-to-cell adhesion molecule cadherin-11 on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovial fibroblasts with a chimeric molecule containing the cadherin-11 extracellular binding domain stimulated cytokine, chemokine, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) release, implicating cadherin-11 signaling in RA pathogenesis. The objective of this study was to determine if cadherin-11 extracellular domain fragments are found inside the joint and if a physiologic synovial fibroblast cleavage pathway releases those fragments.

Methods

Cadherin-11 cleavage fragments were detected by western blot in cell media or lysates. Cleavage was interrupted using chemical inhibitors or short-interfering RNA (siRNA) gene silencing. The amount of cadherin-11 fragments in synovial fluid was measured by western blot and ELISA.

Results

Soluble cadherin-11 extracellular fragments were detected in human synovial fluid at significantly higher levels in RA samples compared to osteoarthritis (OA) samples. A cadherin-11 N-terminal extracellular binding domain fragment was shed from synovial fibroblasts after ionomycin stimulation, followed by presenilin 1 (PSN1)-dependent regulated intramembrane proteolysis of the retained membrane-bound C-terminal fragments. In addition to ionomycin-induced calcium flux, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α also stimulated cleavage in both two- and three-dimensional fibroblast cultures. Although cadherin-11 extracellular domains were shed by a disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM) 10 in several cell types, a novel ADAM- and metalloproteinase-independent activity mediated shedding in primary human fibroblasts.

Conclusions

Cadherin-11 undergoes ectodomain shedding followed by regulated intramembrane proteolysis in synovial fibroblasts, triggered by a novel sheddase that generates extracelluar cadherin-11 fragments. Cadherin-11 fragments were enriched in RA synovial fluid, suggesting they may be a marker of synovial burden and may function to modify cadherin-11 interactions between synovial fibroblasts.
Borderline pulmonary pressures in scleroderma - a ‘pre-pulmonary arterial hypertension’ condition?
Authors: Kovacs Gabor , Olschewski Horst
Published: May 2015

Patients with systemic sclerosis may develop borderline pulmonary arterial pressure. The clinical relevance of this condition is not always clear. Reported data support the evidence that this subgroup may represent an intermediate stage between normal pulmonary arterial pressure and manifest pulmonary arterial hypertension, a serious complication in scleroderma. Recognizing the clinical relevance of borderline pulmonary arterial pressure increase in scleroderma patients, future studies should aim for clear evidence for diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms for this population.
Very small embryonic-like stem cells are involved in pancreatic regeneration and their dysfunction with age may lead to diabetes and cancer
Authors: Bhartiya Deepa , Patel Hiren
Published: May 2015

Mouse pancreas has a remarkable ability to regenerate after partial pancreatectomy, and several investigators have studied the underlying mechanisms involved in this regeneration process; however, the field remains contentious. Elegant lineage-tracing studies undertaken over a decade have generated strong evidence against neogenesis from stem cells and in favor of reduplication of pre-existing islets. Ductal epithelium has also been implicated during regeneration. We recently provided direct evidence for the possible involvement of very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs) during regeneration after partial pancreatectomy in mice. VSELs were first reported in pancreas in 2008 and are mobilized in large numbers after treating mice with streptozotocin and in patients with pancreatic cancer. VSELs can be detected in mouse pancreas as small-sized LIN−/CD45−/SCA-1+ cells (3 to 5 μm), present in small numbers (0.6%), which express nuclear Oct-4 (octamer-binding transcription factor 4) and other pluripotent markers along with their immediate descendant ‘progenitors’, which are slightly bigger and co-express Oct-4 and PDX-1. VSELs and the progenitors get mobilized in large numbers after partial pancreatectomy and regenerate both pancreatic islets and acinar cells. In this review, we deliberate upon possible reasons why VSELs have eluded scientists so far. Because of their small size, VSELs are probably unknowingly and inadvertently discarded during processing. Similar to menopause and related loss of ovarian function, type 2 diabetes mellitus occurs because of a decline in beta-cell function possibly resulting from an age-related compromised niche which does not allow VSELs to maintain normal homeostasis. As suggested earlier for ovarian cancers, the presence of Oct-4 and other pluripotent markers in pancreatic cancers is suggestive of VSELs as the possible cancer-initiating stem cells. Several issues raised in the review require urgent confirmation and thus provide scope for further research before arriving at a consensus on the fundamental role played by VSELs in normal pancreas biology and during regeneration, aging, and cancer. In the future, such understanding may allow manipulation of endogenous VSELs to our advantage in patients with diabetes and also to treat cancer.