bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stimmlich enkodierte emotionale Erregung (Voice Stress) und Posttraumatische Reifung sowie Partnerschaftszufriedenheit bei Partnern von Brustkrebspatientinnen im Kontext der sozialen Unterstützung
Authors: Zimmermann Tanja , Krüger Jan , Weusthoff Sarah
Published: May 2017

Einleitung Eine Brustkrebserkrankung geht mit erheblichen psychosozialen Belastungen für die Patientin und ihren Partner einher. Positive intradyadische Kommunikation und gegenseitige soziale Unterstützung wirken protektiv gegenüber diesen Belastungen. Individuelle emotionale Erregung gemessen über die Sprachgrundfrequenz (f0) gilt während partnerschaftlicher Interaktionen als wichtiger Aspekt des gegenseitigen Unterstützungsverhaltens und kann über die Sprachgrundfrequenz (f0-range) objektiv gemessen werden.

Material & Methoden N=44 Paare führten siebenminütige Gespräche, bei denen der Mann als Sprecher seine Belastungen bezüglich der Krebserkrankung der Frau äußerte, während die Frau in der Zuhörerrolle Unterstützung bieten sollte. Mithilfe eines Akteur-Partner-Interdependenz-Modells (APIM) wurde die f0 beider Partner während der partnerschaftlichen Interaktion und ihr Zusammenhang mit dem Ausmaß an posttraumatischer Reifung (PTR) und Partnerschaftsqualität untersucht.

Ergebnisse Eine größere PTR hing mit einer höheren eigenen f0 im Paargespräch bei den Männern zusammen (Akteur-Effekt) sowie tendenziell mit der f0 der Frau (Partner-Effekt). Es konnten keine Akteur- oder Partnereffekte bei den Frauen gefunden werden. Keine Effekte zeigten sich für Partnerschaftsqualität und f0.

Diskussion Im Rahmen partnerschaftlicher Unterstützung scheint eine erhöhte emotionale Erregung f0 in Verbindung mit positiven psychologischen Faktoren zu stehen. Die f0 im Kontext der sozialen Unterstützung könnte mit einer positiven Selbstwirksamkeitserwartung zusammen hängen, die sich förderlich auf PTR auswirken und dem Sprecher Souveränität im emotionalen Ausdruck verleihen könnte. Diese Souveränität könnte sich wiederum in einer höheren Involviertheit und somit höheren f0 – Werten ausdrücken. Eine weitere Überprüfung dieser Ergebnisse ist erforderlich.
Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in the Follow-Up of Endoleaks after Endovascular Aortic Repair (EVAR)
Authors: Rübenthaler Johannes , Zimmermann Hanna , Armbruster Marco , Müller-Peltzer Katharina , Bogner Florian , Reiser Maximilian , Clevert Dirk-André
Published: May 2017

Endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) has become established in the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms and shows potential benefits such as a low perioperative morbidity and a short hospitalization duration. The follow-up after EVAR primarily consists of lifelong postinterventional imaging of the aneurysm size in order to detect complications such as endoleaks or stent dislocation. Computed tomography angiography, an imaging modality that uses ionizing radiation and that relies on a contrast medium which is dependent on thyroid and renal function, is widely used for follow-up. Meanwhile, contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) has been established as a viable, fast and cost-effective imaging alternative for the follow-up and the detection of endoleaks after EVAR with the additional benefit of being a real-time non-ionizing radiation examination and having comparable or even superior diagnostic performance. This review describes the use of CEUS for follow-up after EVAR and describes the most common pathologies.
Diagnostic Value of Diffusion-Weighted MRI for Tumor Characterization, Differentiation and Monitoring in Pediatric Patients with Neuroblastic Tumors
Authors: Neubauer Henning , Li Mengxia , Müller Verena , Pabst Thomas , Beer Meinrad
Published: May 2017

Purpose We explored the diagnostic value of diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) for tumor characterization, differentiation and therapy monitoring in pediatric patients with extracranial neuroblastic tumors.

Materials and Methods All 29 patients (14 girls, median age: 3 years) with neuroblastoma (NB, n = 19), ganglioneuroblastoma (GNB, n = 4) and ganglioneuroma (GN, n = 6) who had had at least one in-house DWI examination since 2005 were identified and retrospectively analyzed. Two independent blinded readers measured ADC values (unit: 10−3 mm2/s) and signal intensity ratios (SIRs) of the primary tumor and, if applicable, of the tumor after chemotherapy, metastases and tumor relapse.

Results The pre-treatment ADC was 0.90 ± 0.23 in NB/GNB and 1.70 ± 0.36 in GN without overlap between the two entities for both readers, 0.67 ± 0.14 in metastases and 0.72 ± 0.18 in tumor relapse. With chemotherapy, mean ADC increased to 1.54 ± 0.33 in NB/GNB and to 1.23 ± 0.27 in metastases (p < 0.05). The median SIRs of various tumor lesions vs. liver, vs. muscle tissue and vs. adjacent tissue were significantly higher on DWI (range: 2.4 – 9.9) than on ce-T1w (range: 1.0 – 1.8, all p < 0.05). The coefficient of variation (CV) was ≤ 8.0 % for ADC and ≤ 16.4 % for signal intensity data.

Conclusion Based on mean ADC, DWI distinguishes between NB/GNB and GN with high certainty and provides plausible quantitative data on tumor response to therapy. Lesion conspicuity, as measured by SIR, is superior on DWI, compared to ce-T1w. DWI as a noninvasive, radiation-free and widely available imaging technique should be an integral part of MR imaging for neuroblastic tumors and should undergo prospective evaluation in multicenter studies.

Key Points 

Citation Format
Indications, results, and clinical impact of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided sampling in gastroenterology: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Clinical Guideline – Updated January 2017
Authors: Dumonceau Jean-Marc , Deprez Pierre , Jenssen Christian , Iglesias-Garcia Julio , Larghi Alberto , Vanbiervliet Geoffroy , Aithal Guruprasad , Arcidiacono Paolo , Bastos Pedro , Carrara Silvia , Czakó László , Fernández-Esparrach Gloria , Fockens Paul , Ginès Àngels , Havre Roald , Hassan Cesare , Vilmann Peter , van Hooft Jeanin , Polkowski Marcin
Published: May 2017

MAIN RECOMMENDATIONS

For pancreatic solid lesions, ESGE recommends performing endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided sampling as first-line procedure when a pathological diagnosis is required. Alternatively, percutaneous sampling may be considered in metastatic disease.

Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence.

In the case of negative or inconclusive results and a high degree of suspicion of malignant disease, ESGE suggests re-evaluating the pathology slides, repeating EUS-guided sampling, or surgery.

Weak recommendation, low quality evidence.

In patients with chronic pancreatitis associated with a pancreatic mass, EUS-guided sampling results that do not confirm cancer should be interpreted with caution.

Strong recommendation, low quality evidence.

For pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs), ESGE recommends EUS-guided sampling for biochemical analyses plus cytopathological examination if a precise diagnosis may change patient management, except for lesions ≤ 10 mm in diameter with no high risk stigmata. If the volume of PCL aspirate is small, it is recommended that carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level determination be done as the first analysis.

Strong recommendation, low quality evidence.

For esophageal cancer, ESGE suggests performing EUS-guided sampling for the assessment of regional lymph nodes (LNs) in T1 (and, depending on local treatment policy, T2) adenocarcinoma and of lesions suspicious for metastasis such as distant LNs, left liver lobe lesions, and suspected peritoneal carcinomatosis.

Weak recommendation, low quality evidence.

For lymphadenopathy of unknown origin, ESGE recommends performing EUS-guided (or alternatively endobronchial ultrasound [EBUS]-guided) sampling if the pathological result is likely to affect patient management and no superficial lymphadenopathy is easily accessible.

Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence.

In the case of solid liver masses suspicious for metastasis, ESGE suggests performing EUS-guided sampling if the pathological result is likely to affect patient management, and (i) the lesion is poorly accessible/not detected at percutaneous imaging, or (ii) a sample obtained via the percutaneous route repeatedly yielded an inconclusive result.

Weak recommendation, low quality evidence.
Generations of solvable discrete-time dynamical systems
Authors: Bihun Oksana , Calogero Francesco
Published: May 2017

A technique is introduced which allows to generate—starting from any solvable discrete-time dynamical system involving N time-dependent variables—new, generally nonlinear, generations of discrete-time dynamical systems, also involving N time-dependent variables and being as well solvable by algebraic operations (essentially by finding the N zeros of explicitly known polynomials of degree N). The dynamical systems constructed using this technique may also feature large numbers of arbitrary constants, and they need not be autonomous. The solvable character of these models allows to identify special cases with remarkable time evolutions: for instance, isochronous or asymptotically isochronous discrete-time dynamical systems. The technique is illustrated by a few examples.
Nanoscopic length scale dependence of hydrogen bonded molecular associates’ dynamics in methanol
Authors: Bertrand C. E. , Self J. L. , Copley J. R. D. , Faraone A.
Published: May 2017

In a recent paper [C. E. Bertrand et al., J. Chem. Phys. 145, 014502 (2016)], we have shown that the collective dynamics of methanol shows a fast relaxation process related to the standard density-fluctuation heat mode and a slow non-Fickian mode originating from the hydrogen bonded molecular associates. Here we report on the length scale dependence of this slow relaxation process. Using quasielastic neutron scattering and molecular dynamics simulations, we show that the dynamics of the slow process is affected by the structuring of the associates, which is accessible through polarized neutron diffraction experiments. Using a series of partially deuterated samples, the dynamics of the associates is investigated and is found to have a similar time scale to the lifetime of hydrogen bonding in the system. Both the structural relaxation and the dynamics of the associates are thermally activated by the breaking of hydrogen bonding.
Relativistic effects on evolution of a q-Gaussian laser beam in magnetoplasma: Application of higher order corrections
Authors: Kaur Ravinder , Singh Gill Tarsem , Mahajan Ranju
Published: May 2017

In this research work, the authors have investigated the propagation characteristics of a q-Gaussian laser beam in a magnetoplasma by considering the relativistic nonlinearity. The field distribution in the medium is expressed in terms of beam width parameter f and q parameter. Higher order terms in the expansion of the dielectric function and the eikonal have been taken into account. The behavior of the beam width parameter with a dimensionless distance of propagation ξ for various values of q is examined. The phenomenon of self-trapping is also studied under variety of parameters. Further, the effect of the magnetic field on the self-focusing of the laser beam has also been explored.
Simulation study of planar and nonplanar super rogue waves in an electronegative plasma: Local discontinuous Galerkin method
Authors: El-Tantawy S. A. , Aboelenen Tarek
Published: May 2017

Planar and nonplanar (cylindrical and spherical) ion-acoustic super rogue waves in an unmagnetized electronegative plasma are investigated, both analytically (for planar geometry) and numerically (for planar and nonplanar geometries). Using a reductive perturbation technique, the basic set of fluid equations is reduced to a nonplanar/modified nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLSE), which describes a slow modulation of the nonlinear wave amplitude. The local modulational instability of the ion-acoustic structures governed by the planar and nonplanar NLSE is reported. Furthermore, the existence region of rogue waves is strictly defined. The parameters used in our calculations are from the lab observation data. The local discontinuous Galerkin (LDG) method is used to find rogue wave solutions of the planar and nonplanar NLSE and to prove L2 stability of this method. Also, it is found that the numerical simulations and the exact (analytical) solutions of the planar NLSE match remarkably well and numerical examples show that the convergence orders of the proposed LDG method are N + 1 when polynomials of degree N are used. Moreover, it is noted that the spherical rogue waves travel faster than their cylindrical counterpart. Also, the numerical solution showed that the spherical and cylindrical amplitudes of the localized pulses decrease with the increase in the time | τ |.
Three-dimensional simplified and unconditionally stable lattice Boltzmann method for incompressible isothermal and thermal flows
Authors: Chen Z. , Shu C. , Tan D.
Published: May 2017

In this paper, a three-dimensional simplified and unconditionally stable lattice Boltzmann method (3D-USLBM) is proposed for simulating incompressible isothermal/thermal flows. This method is developed by reconstructing solutions to the macroscopic governing equations recovered from the lattice Boltzmann equation and resolved in a predictor-corrector scheme. The final formulations of 3D-USLBM only involve the equilibrium and the non-equilibrium distribution functions. Among them, the former is calculated from the macroscopic variables and the latter is evaluated from the difference between two equilibrium distribution functions at different locations and time levels. Thus, 3D-USLBM directly tracks the evolution of macroscopic variables, which yields lower cost in virtual memory and facilitates the implementation of physical boundary conditions. A von Neumann stability analysis was performed on the present method to theoretically prove its unconditional stability. By imposing a regular Lagrange interpolation algorithm, this method can be flexibly extended to a non-uniform Cartesian mesh or body-fitted mesh with curved boundaries. Four numerical tests, that is, plane Poiseuille flow, 3D lid-driven cavity flow and 3D natural convection in a cubic cavity, and concentric annulus, were conducted to verify the stability, accuracy, and flexibility of the presented method.
Thermal stratification hinders gyrotactic micro-organism rising in free-surface turbulence
Authors: Lovecchio Salvatore , Zonta Francesco , Marchioli Cristian , Soldati Alfredo
Published: May 2017

Thermal stratification in water bodies influences the exchange of heat, momentum, and chemical species across the air-water interface by modifying the sub-surface turbulence characteristics. Turbulence modifications may in turn prevent small motile algae (phytoplankton, in particular) from reaching the heated surface. We examine how different regimes of stable thermal stratification affect the motion of these microscopic organisms (modelled as gyrotactic self-propelling cells) in a free-surface turbulent channel flow. This archetypal setup mimics an environmentally plausible situation that can be found in lakes and oceans. Results from direct numerical simulations of turbulence coupled with Lagrangian tracking reveal that rising of bottom-heavy self-propelling cells depends strongly on the strength of stratification, especially near the thermocline where high temperature and velocity gradients occur: Here hydrodynamic shear may disrupt directional cell motility and hamper near-surface accumulation. For all gyrotactic re-orientation times considered in this study (spanning two orders of magnitude), we observe a reduction of the cell rising speed and temporary confinement under the thermocline: If re-orientation is fast, cells eventually trespass the thermocline within the simulated time span; if re-orientation is slow, confinement lasts much longer because cells align in the streamwise direction and their vertical swimming is practically annihilated.
Unique load dependency of static friction of wrinkles formed on textile-embedded elastomer surfaces
Authors: Ohzono Takuya , Teraoka Kay
Published: May 2017

We investigate, over a wide range of normal loads, the static friction on textile-embedded elastomer surfaces that show hierarchical microstructures tunable by adjusting internal in-plane compressive strains. These microstructures, under compression, comprise small protrusions on textile fibers and surface-buckling-based wrinkles with periodicities on the order of tens and hundreds of microns, respectively. The static-friction coefficients unexpectedly increase under normal loads. This unique property, associated with the transition from partial to almost total contact, depends on both loads and the aspect ratio of the wrinkles. Wrinkle-structure tuning modulates load-dependent friction’s nonlinearity, which may augment the tribological performance of elastomeric materials.
Reporting pre-exposure prophylaxis use in Craigslist personal advertisements among men seeking sex with men in the United States
Authors: Hill Brandon J. , Bak Trevor , VandeVusse Alicia , Rosentel Kris
Published: May 2017

This study describes the self-reported use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in the personal advertisements of men seeking sex with men in the United States on the online classified advertisement site, Craigslist. Overall self-reported PrEP use was low (0.20%; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.18–0.22). However, PrEP use in personal ads was described in conjunction with seeking sexual risk behaviours including ‘bareback’ sex (22.7%; 95% CI = 17.7–27.7%) and sex with substance use (26.8%; 95% CI = 21.5–32.1%). Only 4.0% of personal ads sought safe sex (3.3%; 95% CI = 1.2–5.4%) or required condoms (0.7%; 95% CI = –0.3–1.7%). Our findings underscore the need for increased public PrEP awareness, particularly among men seeking sex with men, as well as the importance of healthcare providers emphasising sexually transmissible infection prevention behaviours (i.e. condom use) used in conjunction with PrEP.
Impact of International Monetary Fund programs on child health
Authors: Daoud Adel , Nosrati Elias , Reinsberg Bernhard , Kentikelenis Alexander E. , Stubbs Thomas H. , King Lawrence P.
Published: May 2017

Significance

This study adds to the state of the art by analyzing the impact of International Monetary Fund (IMF) programs on children’s health, mediated by their parents’ education. It is the first to combine macrodata and microdata to address this issue systematically across five dimensions of child health: water, malnutrition, shelter, sanitation, and health care access. The sample represents about 2.8 billion (about 50%) of the world’s population in year 2000. Using multilevel models, we find that, although IMF programs do not correlate directly with child health indicators, they reduce the protective effect of parental education on child health, especially in rural areas, and have a mixed impact across the five dimensions of urban child health.
Investigation of hindwing folding in ladybird beetles by artificial elytron transplantation and microcomputed tomography
Authors: Saito Kazuya , Nomura Shuhei , Yamamoto Shuhei , Niiyama Ryuma , Okabe Yoji
Published: May 2017

Significance

Hindwings in ladybird beetles successfully achieve compatibility between the deformability (instability) required for wing folding and strength property (stability) required for flying. This study demonstrates how ladybird beetles address these two conflicting requirements by an unprecedented technique using artificial wings. Our results, which clarify the detailed wing-folding process and reveal the supporting structures, provide indispensable initial knowledge for revealing this naturally evolved optimization system. Investigating the characteristics in the venations and crease patterns revealed in this study could provide an innovative designing method, enabling the integration of structural stability and deformability, and thus could have a considerable impact on engineering science.
Cholinergic shaping of neural correlations
Authors: Minces Victor , Pinto Lucas , Dan Yang , Chiba Andrea A.
Published: May 2017

Significance

The capacity of a network of neurons to represent the sensory world depends not only on the way individual neurons respond to sensory stimuli but also on the similarity of activity across neurons comprising the network. This similarity can be quantified as the correlation of activity across neuronal pairs, or neural correlations. This work presents a unique finding, demonstrating that a neuromodulator, in this case acetylcholine, can produce specific changes in the correlation structure of the cortical network that ultimately increase the encoding capacity of the network.
OCD candidate gene
SLC1A1
/EAAT3 impacts basal ganglia-mediated activity and stereotypic behavior
Authors: Zike Isaac D. , Chohan Muhammad O. , Kopelman Jared M. , Krasnow Emily N. , Flicker Daniel , Nautiyal Katherine M. , Bubser Michael , Kellendonk Christoph , Jones Carrie K. , Stanwood Gregg , Tanaka Kenji Fransis , Moore Holly , Ahmari Susanne E. , Veenstra-VanderWeele Jeremy
Published: May 2017

Significance

Genetic linkage and association studies in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) implicate
SLC1A1
(encoding the neuronal glutamate transporter excitatory amino acid transporter 3, EAAT3), and neuroimaging studies demonstrate abnormal basal ganglia circuit function in OCD. However, no previous studies have investigated the role of EAAT3 in these circuits or tested its impact on repetitive behavior. Using a combined genetic and pharmacological challenge approach, we have demonstrated that ablated expression of EAAT3 diminishes basal ganglia-mediated repetitive behavior in mice. Targeted rescue of midbrain expression points to an impact of EAAT3 on dopaminergic neuron function, suggesting a model for synthesizing glutamate and dopamine effects on stereotypic behavior. These findings provide evidence that EAAT3 impacts basal ganglia-dependent repetitive behavior and suggest a potential target for drug development.
Large-moment antiferromagnetic order in overdoped high-
T
c
superconductor
154
SmFeAsO

1−
x

D

x
Authors: Iimura Soshi , Okanishi Hiroshi , Matsuishi Satoru , Hiraka Haruhiro , Honda Takashi , Ikeda Kazutaka , Hansen Thomas C. , Otomo Toshiya , Hosono Hideo
Published: May 2017

Significance

Using neutron powder diffraction measurements on the bulk highest-
T
c
superconductor
154
SmFeAsO

1−
x

D

x

, we discovered a new antiferromagnetic (AFM) phase in the electron-overdoped regime,
x
≥ 0.56 (AFM2). The magnetic moment on Fe in AFM2 reaches 2.73 μ
B
/Fe, which is the largest in all the nondoped iron-based antiferromagnets reported so far. Our theoretical calculations reveal that the AFM2 phase in SmFeAsO

1−
x

H

x

originates in the kinetic frustration of the Fe-3
d

xy

orbital, in which the Fe-3
d

xy

nearest-neighbor hopping parameter becomes zero. The unique phase diagram, i.e., the highest-
T
c
superconducting phase adjacent to the strongly electron-correlated phase in heavily electron-doped regime (not nondoped regime), yields important clues to the unconventional origins of superconductivity.
Evaluation of Genetic Population Structure of Smallmouth Bass in the Susquehanna River Basin, Pennsylvania
Authors: Schall Megan K. , Bartron Meredith L. , Wertz Timothy , Niles Jonathan M. , Shaw Cassidy H. , Blazer Vicki S. , Wagner Tyler
Published: May 2017

The Smallmouth Bass Micropterus dolomieu was introduced into the Susquehanna River basin, Pennsylvania, nearly 150 years ago. Since introduction, it has become an economically and ecologically important species that supports popular recreational fisheries. It is also one of the most abundant top predators in the system. Currently, there is no information on the level of genetic diversity or genetic structuring that may have occurred since introduction. An understanding of genetic diversity is important for the delineation of management units and investigation of gene flow at various management scales. The goals of this research were to investigate population genetic structure of Smallmouth Bass at sites within the Susquehanna River basin and to assess genetic differentiation relative to Smallmouth Bass at an out-of-basin site (Allegheny River, Pennsylvania) located within the species’ native range. During spring 2015, fin clips (n = 1,034) were collected from adults at 11 river sites and 13 tributary sites in the Susquehanna River basin and at one site on the Allegheny River. Fin clips were genotyped at 12 polymorphic microsatellite loci. Based on our results, adults sampled throughout the Susquehanna River basin did not represent separate genetic populations. There were only subtle differences in genetic diversity among sites (mean pairwise genetic differentiation index FST = 0.012), and there was an overall lack of population differentiation (K = 3 admixed populations). The greatest genetic differentiation was observed between fish collected from the out-of-basin site and those from the Susquehanna River basin sites. Knowledge that separate genetic populations of Smallmouth Bass do not exist in the Susquehanna River basin is valuable information for fisheries management in addition to providing baseline genetic data on an introduced sport fish population.

Received August 25, 2016; accepted May 4, 2017 Published online July 11, 2017
Differential expression of genes related to glucose metabolism in domesticated pigs and wild boar
Authors: He Dafang , Ma Jideng , Long Keren , Wang Xun , Li Xuewei , Jiang Anan , Li Mingzhou
Published: May 2017

Glucose metabolism is a basic biological process that shows substantial variation within and between species. Using pig as a model organism, we investigated differences in glucose metabolic genes in seven tissues from domesticated pigs (Rongchang pig and Tibetan pig, meanwhile, the Tibetan pig just as a special case of the domesticated pig under plateau condition) and wild boar. We found large differences in the expression of genes involved in multiple aspects of glucose metabolism, including genes associated with glucose transport, gluconeogenesis, and glycolysis. In addition, we identified microRNAs (miRNAs) that may be involved in the divergence of glucose metabolism in pig. A combined analysis of mRNA and miRNA expression indicated that some miRNA:mRNA pairs showed ab facto function in it. Our results provide a valuable resource for further determination of miRNA regulatory roles in pig glucose metabolism and reveal the divergence of glucose metabolism in pigs under domestication.
Neural correlates of individual differences in fixation duration during natural reading
Authors: Henderson John M , Choi Wonil , Luke Steven G , Schmidt Joseph
Published: May 2017

Reading requires integration of language and cognitive processes with attention and eye movement control. Individuals differ in their reading ability, but little is known about the neurocognitive processes associated with these individual differences. To investigate this issue, we combined eyetracking and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), simultaneously recording eye movements and blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) activity while subjects read text passages. We found that the variability and skew of fixation duration distributions across individuals, as assessed by ex-Gaussian analyses, decreased with increasing neural activity in regions associated with the cortical eye movement control network (left frontal eye fields [FEF], left intraparietal sulcus [IPS], left inferior frontal gyrus [IFG] and right IFG). The results suggest that individual differences in fixation duration during reading are related to underlying neurocognitive processes associated with the eye movement control system and its relationship to language processing. The results also show that eye movements and fMRI can be combined to investigate the neural correlates of individual differences in natural reading.
Mental health problems among 4–17-year-olds with hearing problems
Authors: Hancock Kirsten J. , Brennan-Jones Christopher G. , Vithiatharan Rena , Payne Donald , Runions Kevin , Lin Ashleigh , Eikelboom Robert H.
Published: May 2017

Objective:

This study aimed to characterize the risk of mental health problems among a representative sample of 6,310 4–17-year-olds, 147 of whom had parent-reported hearing problems.

Methods:

The study used data from the Young Minds Matter survey. The Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children (DISC-IV) assessed prevalence of mood, anxiety and behavioural disorders. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) assessed social and emotional problems. Logistic regression models were used to estimate odds of having mental health problems adjusting for child factors (speech and language problems, global health, age and gender), family factors (family structure, parent income, education, financial strain and psychological distress) and school-related factors (bullying, school liking, school absence).

Results:

In unadjusted analyses, children and young people with hearing problems had substantially higher odds of most mental health problems. Hearing problems were not associated with any mental health problem among 4–11-year-olds after adjusting for other child factors. After adjustments for child, family and school-related factors, 12–17-year-olds with a hearing problem remained at greater risk of social phobia and generalized anxiety (DISC-IV), and of peer and emotional problems (SDQ).

Conclusions:

Clinicians caring for children and young people with hearing problems should be alert for heightened risk of specific mental health problems based on age and the nature of hearing problems. Understanding a wider range of correlates associated with the higher prevalence of mental health problems may allow health professionals to be more informed about the nature of mental health problems that are comorbid to hearing problems.
Oncogene-inducible organoids as a miniature platform to assess cancer characteristics
Authors: Mizutani Tomohiro , Tsukamoto Yoshiyuki , Clevers Hans
Published: May 2017

Direct effects of oncogenic proteins or inhibitor treatments on signaling pathways are difficult to assess in transgenic mice. In this issue, Riemer et al. (2017. J. Cell Biol. https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.201610058) demonstrate that oncogene-inducible organoids offer the experimental versatility of two-dimensional cell lines, while closely representing the in vivo situation.
Influence of Durum Genotype on Whole Wheat and Traditional Spaghetti Qualities
Authors: Deng Lingzhu , Elias Elias M. , Manthey Frank A.
Published: May 2017

This research was conducted to determine if genotypes selected for their superior traditional semolina pasta quality would also make the best whole wheat pasta. Results from 19 durum wheat cultivars and 17 breeding lines grown at 19 different environments in North Dakota showed that physical and cooking qualities varied differently for whole wheat and traditional spaghettis, respectively. Ward's clustering segregated the 36 genotypes into five groups based on whole wheat spaghetti quality. Groups 1 and 2 (21 genotypes) produced good to high‐quality whole wheat pasta that displayed high mean values for cooked firmness (4.3 and 4.1 g·cm), mechanical strength (31.3 and 31.0 g), and color (brightness, 34.92 and 34.54), respectively. Groups 4 and 5 produced poor quality whole wheat pasta that had low cooked firmness (both 3.5 g·cm) and high cooking loss (10.1 and 10.4%). Grain protein content (≥13.9%) was found with high quality of whole wheat spaghetti. Of the 36 genotypes evaluated, 21 and 3 genotypes produced good and poor qualities, respectively, of whole wheat and traditional spaghettis, and 12 other genotypes produced good traditional spaghetti but produced poor quality whole wheat spaghetti. These data indicate the need to select genotypes specifically for their whole wheat pasta quality.
Preoperative Pain Neuroscience Education Combined With Knee Joint Mobilization for Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Lluch Enrique , Dueñas Lirios , Falla Deborah , Baert Isabel , Meeus Mira , Sánchez-Frutos José , Nijs Jo
Published: May 2017

Objectives:

This study aimed to first compare the effects of a preoperative treatment combining pain neuroscience education (PNE) with knee joint mobilization versus biomedical education with knee joint mobilization on central sensitization (CS) in patients with knee osteoarthritis, both before and after surgery. Second, we wanted to compare the effects of both interventions on knee pain, disability, and psychosocial variables.

Materials and Methods:

Forty-four patients with knee osteoarthritis were allocated to receive 4 sessions of either PNE combined with knee joint mobilization or biomedical education with knee joint mobilization before surgery. All participants completed self-administered questionnaires and quantitative sensory testing was performed at baseline, after treatment and at a 1 month follow-up (all before surgery), and at 3 months after surgery.

Results:

Significant and clinically relevant differences before and after surgery were found after treatments for both knee pain and disability, and some measures of CS (ie, widespread hyperalgesia, CS inventory), with no significant between-group differences. Other indicators of CS (ie, conditioned pain modulation, temporal summation) did not change over time following either treatment, and in some occasions the observed changes were not in the expected direction. Patients receiving PNE with knee joint mobilization achieved greater improvements in psychosocial variables (pain catastrophizing, kinesiophobia) both before and after surgery.

Discussion:

Preoperative PNE combined with knee joint mobilization did not produce any additional benefits over time for knee pain and disability, and CS measures compared with biomedical education with knee joint mobilization. Superior effects in the PNE with knee joint mobilization group were only observed for psychosocial variables related to pain catastrophizing and kinesiophobia.
Comparison of Continuous Adductor Canal Catheters and Single-shot Peripheral Nerve Blocks Providing Analgesia After Unicondylar Knee Replacement, as Part of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Program
Authors: Paul Jonathan A. , Rosenblatt Meg A.
Published: May 2017

With the current trend toward ambulatory joint replacements, it is important to identify the approach to postoperative analgesia which best balances comfort and mobility. Adductor canal blocks provide analgesia after unicondylar knee replacement and can be performed with either an infusion catheter [adductor canal block catheter (ACB-C)] or as a single-shot injection [adductor canal block single-shot injection (ACB-SS)]. We conducted a retrospective analysis comparing the perceived quality of analgesia achieved by the 2 techniques, hypothesizing that patients receiving ACB-Cs would have less opioid consumption and lower pain scores than those who received ACB-SSs. After Institutional Review Board approval, we identified patients who underwent unicondylar knee arthroplasty between August and December 2015. Patients designated American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status 1 to 3 were included. Those discharged home on postoperative day (POD) 0 or provided an alternative nerve block were excluded. The primary outcome was opioid consumption over POD 1. Morning and afternoon pain scores were also evaluated. Of the 125 patients identified, there were 17 exclusions. Of those remaining, 69 received an ACB-C and 38 received an ACB-SS. The median amount of opioid use was lower in the ACB-C group than in the ACB-SS group [12 mg (8, 16) vs. 26 mg (20, 31.5), P<0.0001]. Patients treated with ACB-Cs had lower pain scores in the morning [0 (0, 1) vs. 3.5 (0, 5), P<0.0001] and afternoon [0 (0, 0) vs. 4 (0, 5), P<0.0001] on POD 1. Our data suggest an association between adductor canal catheters and both lower opioid consumption and pain scores. A prospective randomized trial is required to confirm this finding and help determine the optimal intervention.
Effect of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (fennel) on menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women: a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Rahimikian Fatemeh , Rahimi Roja , Golzareh Parvin , Bekhradi Reza , Mehran Abbas
Published: May 2017

Objective:

Preliminary data suggest that Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) can be an effective treatment for menopausal symptoms. This trial was designed to assess the efficacy of fennel in the management of menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women.

Methods:

In this triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 90 postmenopausal women aged 45 to 60 years in Tehran were randomly assigned to treatment (n = 45) or placebo (n = 45) groups. The participants received 8 weeks of treatment with soft capsules containing 100 mg fennel or a placebo (2 per day for each group). The participants were followed for 2 weeks postintervention to assess the continuance of the effect of intervention. The Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) questionnaire was used to assess changes in menopausal symptoms at baseline and at 4, 8, and 10 weeks after onset of intervention.

Results:

The groups recorded similar mean scores on the MRS questionnaire before intervention. After intervention, the treatment group showed a significant decrease in the mean MRS score. The results of the Friedman test showed significant differences between the mean score at baseline and those at 4, 8, and 10 weeks after onset of intervention in the treatment group (P < 0.001), whereas there were no significant differences in the placebo group. When the fennel and the placebo groups were compared, the independent t test showed significant differences in mean scores between groups at 4, 8, and 10 weeks (2 weeks postintervention; P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

Fennel is an effective and safe treatment to reduce menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women without serious side effects. More clinical trials with larger populations are required to confirm this result.
Yield of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome and No Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Parvand Mahraz , Starovoytov Andrew , Sedlak Tara L.
Published: May 2017

Purpose:

Ten percent to 25% of women and 6%–10% of men with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are found to have no obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) on coronary computed tomography angiogram or invasive coronary angiography. The etiology of presentation is often unclear. We examined the diagnostic yield of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) in patients with signs and symptoms suggestive of an ACS and no obstructive CAD.

Methods:

We retrospectively studied patients with signs and symptoms suggestive of an ACS and no obstructive CAD on coronary computed tomography angiogram or invasive coronary angiography who had CMR performed at St. Paul’s Hospital, British Columbia, Canada, from 2013 to 2015. No obstructive CAD was defined as <50% stenosis in any epicardial artery. We compared CMR diagnostic yield in troponin-positive and troponin-negative patients and determined the etiology of presentation in each category. We also examined gender differences.

Results:

Ninety-eight patients met inclusion criteria. The average age was 55.8 years, 70% were female, and 60% were troponin positive upon presentation. Abnormal CMR was observed in 35.7% of patients, yielding a diagnosis in 27.9% of females and 53.5% of males (P = 0.02). Troponin-positive patients had a significantly higher prevalence of an abnormal CMR than did troponin-negative patients (44.1% vs. 23.1%; P = 0.03). Myocarditis was more common in troponin-positive patients (25.4% vs. 2.6%; P = 0.002).

Conclusions:

Forty-four percent of patients with positive troponin and with signs and symptoms suggestive of an ACS, no obstructive CAD on invasive coronary angiography or coronary computed tomography angiogram, and unclear diagnosis had abnormalities on CMR that identified the diagnosis. CMR should be considered in patients with positive troponin values when the etiology for their presentation is unclear.
Conjunctival Squamous Cell Neoplasia Associated With Ocular Cicatricial Pemphigoid
Authors: Choi Catherine J. , Jakobiec Frederick A. , Zakka Fouad R. , Foster C. Stephen , Chodosh James , Freitag Suzanne K.
Published: May 2017

The purpose of this study was to describe a possible causal relationship between ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP) and ocular surface squamous neoplasia. Two middle-aged female patients with already diagnosed OCP were studied in regard to the subsequent onset of conjunctival squamous neoplasia. Their clinical histories, ocular examinations, clinical photographs, and results of biopsies and any ancillary immunofluorescent laboratory evaluation studies were carefully reviewed. One patient had a preinvasive squamous dysplasia and the other an invasive squamous cell carcinoma, both in the unequivocal setting of OCP with bilateral conjunctivitis, symblephara, and forniceal foreshortening. The patients had been receiving intensive immunotherapy consisting of some combination of corticosteroids, rituximab, and interferon alpha. Both patients had a positive immunofluorescent study demonstrating immunoreactants at the level of the epithelial basement membrane. Each patient had 2 earlier negative immunofluorescent studies before a third was positive. While rare, there is 1 previous report of an association between OCP and conjunctival squamous neoplasia. The current report provides more data supporting the proposal that this conjunction is more than a random event. Repeat immunofluorescent studies after an initial negative result in a patient with strong clinical signs of OCP are imperative due to the frequency of false negative studies in the context of clinically persuasive disease.
Genetics and its potential to improve type 1 diabetes care
Authors: Rich Stephen S.
Published: May 2017

Purpose of review

The genetic basis of type 1 diabetes (T1D) is being characterized through DNA sequence variation and cell type specificity. This review discusses the current understanding of the genes and variants implicated in risk of T1D and how genetic information can be used in prediction, intervention and components of clinical care.

Recent findings

Fine mapping and functional studies has provided resolution of the heritable basis of T1D risk, incorporating novel insights on the dominant role of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes as well as the lesser impact of non-HLA genes. Evaluation of T1D-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), there is enrichment of genetic effects restricted to specific immune cell types (CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, CD19+ B cells and CD34+ stem cells), suggesting pathways to improved prediction. In addition, T1D-associated SNPs have been used to generate genetic risk scores (GRS) as a tool to distinguish T1D from type 2 diabetes (T2D) and to provide prediagnostic data to target those for autoimmunity screening (e.g. islet autoantibodies) as a prelude for continuous monitoring and entry into intervention trials.

Genetic susceptibility accounts for nearly one-half of the risk for T1D. Although the T1D-associated SNPs in white populations account for nearly 90% of the genetic risk, with high sensitivity and specificity, the low prevalence of T1D makes the T1D GRS of limited utility. However, identifying those with highest genetic risk may permit early and targeted immune monitoring to diagnose T1D months prior to clinical onset.
Evidence for more intensive cholesterol lowering
Authors: Soran Handrean , Kwok See , Adam Safwaan , Ho Jan Hoong , Durrington Paul N.
Published: May 2017

Purpose of review

In randomized clinical trials, reduction in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk with cholesterol-lowering drugs correlates with the LDL cholesterol decrease. However, because the majority have investigated a fixed statin dose, current guidelines disagree about the use of statin dose titration or non-statin adjunctive cholesterol-lowering drugs.

Recent findings

We conducted a meta-analysis of all randomized controlled trials with CVD end-points, comparing two intensities of lipid-lowering regimens within the same population, using varying statins doses and/or potency, ezetimibe or PCSK9 inhibitors and compared the observed number of patients needed to be treated for 10 years to prevent one CVD event (NNT) with NNT predicted from trials of predominantly single-dose statin.

Some 75439 participants in 10 randomized studies were included. The mean 10-year CVD risk in controls was around 50% and the incremental mean LDL cholesterol decrease 0.95 mmol/l (36.7 mg/dl). Observed NNT closely correlated with those predicted from predominantly single-dose statin trials [18.2 and 17.1; Pearson R=0.844 (P=0.001)]. When pre-treatment LDL cholesterol exceeded 4 mmol/l (155 mg/dl), achieving a target LDL cholesterol of 1.8 mmol/l (70 mg/dl) was the most effective strategy. At lower pre-treatment levels, fixed-dose statin equivalent to atorvastatin 80 mg daily was superior. The target of 40% reduction in non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol was least effective regardless of pre-treatment LDL cholesterol.

We conclude that when initial LDL cholesterol exceeds 4 mmol/l and absolute CVD risk demands it, a target value of 1.8 mmol/l should be achieved, if necessary by adding ezetimibe and/or PCSK9 inhibitors to statin treatment.
The Importance of Factors Related to Nurse Retention
Authors: Bugajski Andrew , Lengerich Alex , Marchese Matthew , Hall Brittany , Yackzan Susan , Davies Claire , Brockopp Dorothy
Published: May 2017

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to examine the importance of factors related to nurse retention.

BACKGROUND

Retaining nurses within the healthcare system is a challenge for hospital administrators. Understanding factors important to nurse retention is essential.

METHODS

Responses of nurses (n = 279) to the Baptist Health Nurse Retention Questionnaire (BHNRQ) at a 391-bed Magnet® redesignated community hospital were analyzed to explore differences in importance scores of bedside nurses.

RESULTS

The results demonstrate that each of the 12 items on the BHNRQ was moderately to highly important. A multivariate analysis of variance based on generation, degree, unit, and experience revealed no significant differences on subscale scores (nursing practice, management, and staffing). Themes derived from the comment section on the BHNRQ were consistent with quantitative findings.

CONCLUSION

Clinical and managerial competence, engagement with their employees, and presence on the unit are keys to retaining a satisfied nursing workforce.
Effects of RN Age and Experience on Transformational Leadership Practices
Authors: Herman Susan , Gish Mary , Rosenblum Ruth , Herman Michael
Published: May 2017

OBJECTIVE

This study reported the evolution of transformational leadership (TL) practices and behaviors across years of age, management experience, and professional nursing practice within a professional nursing leadership organization.

BACKGROUND

Recent studies of CNO TL found valuations peak near age 60 years. This study reported on a wider range of management positions, correlating years of RN practice and management experience and age to TL metrics.

METHOD

This study used Kouzes and Posner's Leadership Practices Inventory—Self-Assessment (LPI-S) to survey a nursing leadership organization, the Association of California Nurse Leaders (ACNL). Anonymous responses were analyzed to identify leadership trends in age and years of professional service.

RESULTS

On average, LPI-S metrics of leadership skills advance through years of management, RN experience, and age. The TL scores are statistically higher in most LPI-S categories for those with more than 30 years of RN or management experience. Decade-averaged LPI-S TL metrics in the ACNL survey evolve linearly throughout age before peaking in the decade from age 60 to 69 years. A similar evolution of TL metrics is seen in decades of either years of management experience or years of RN experience. Transformational leadership increased with nursing maturity particularly for LPI-S categories of “inspire a shared vision,” “challenge the process,” and “enable others to act.”

CONCLUSION

In the ACNL population studied, decade-averaged leadership metrics advanced. Leadership evolution with age in the broader RN population peaked in age bracket 60 to 69 years. The LPI-S averages declined when older than 70 years, coinciding with a shift from full-time work toward retirement and part-time employment.