bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Zehnjahrestrend der Inzidenz der Hüftfrakturen in Deutschland von 2000 bis 2009
Authors: Möhrke W. , Abendroth K. , Defèr A.
Published: August 2018

Für den Zeitraum von 2000 bis 2009 wurden für Deutschland die Entwicklung der Bevölkerung, der Hüftfrakturen und deren Inzidenz aus dem Register des Bundesamtes für Statistik ermittelt. Neben der Betrachtung in der Gesamtbevölkerung fanden Analysen in der Osteoporose-Risikopopulation und hier in drei Altersgruppen von 50 bis 64 Jahren, von 65 bis 79 Jahren und über 80 Jahren statt. Die Anzahl der Hüftfrakturen in der Gesamtbevölkerung Deutschlands ist im betrachteten Zehnjahres-Zeitraum (2000 bis 2009) von 104 886 auf 122 307 (+16,6 %) angestiegen. Diese Zunahme erfolgt ausschließlich in der Osteoporose-Risikopopulation der über 50-Jährigen und da bei den Männern besonders deutlich. Der fallende Trend der Inzidenz der Hüftfrakturen in Nordamerika oder Skandinavien ist bezogen auf die Gesamtbevölkerung auch in Deutschland, trotz Anstieg bis 2003 mit insgesamt um –2,0 % unter den Wert von 2000, nachweisbar. Bemerkenswert ist die Reduktion der Inzidenz der Hüftfrakturen bei den Frauen der Altersgruppe 2 (65 bis 79 Jahre), beginnend ab dem Jahr 2004, um 2117 Frakturen (–8,1 %). Ob diese Entwicklung als ein Anzeichen einer wirksamen Fraktur- und Osteoporoseprävention gedeutet werden kann, bedarf weiterer, differenzierter Untersuchung. Beim Vergleich und der Deutung von Frakturinzidenzen zwischen einzelnen Ländern sollte unbedingt, neben der Berücksichtigung der demografischen Entwicklung, auch eine Differenzierung nach Alter und Geschlecht vorgenommen werden.
Sturzrisikoassessment während der Rehabilitation nach osteoporotischen Frakturen
Authors: Pils K.
Published: August 2018

Ein Sturz, insbesondere jener, der zu einer proximalen Extremitätenfraktur führt, ist meist Zeichen von funktionellen Defiziten, mangelnden Kompensationsfähigkeiten und stellt häufig einen Eintritt in eine Negativspirale dar. Rehabilitation nach osteosynthetisch versorgten Frakturen kann zu einer Verbesserung der Selbsthilfefähigkeit, Verlängerung der Autonomie und der Pflegeabhängigkeit beitragen. Dennoch ist es wichtig, bereits während der Rehabilitation aktuelle Defizite und Ressourcen aufzuzeigen. Im Sinnes des ICF (international classification of functioning) geht es nicht nur um das aktuelle Ereignis, sondern auch um die daraus resultierenden Funktionseinschränkungen, die zum Handicap führen. Die Kontextfaktoren und die Persönlichkeit spielen dabei eine relevante Rolle. Im Rahmen des Assessments werden klinische Eindrücke in nachvollziehbare Parameter geformt. Handlungsfelder im Rahmen des Entlassungsmanagements werden klar definiert und können gefüllt werden. Letzten Endes können auch Patienten die Alltagsrelevanz der Einschränkungen besser verstehen und sind vielleicht eher bereit, protektive Maßnahmen zu akzeptieren. In diesem Sinne werden einige Assessmentinstrumente vorgestellt und kritisch im Hinblick auf ihre prognostische Relevanz beleuchtet.
Die Wirkung der antiresorptiven Therapie am Knochen
Authors: Bock O.
Published: August 2018

Die meisten aktuellen Ansätze zur medikamentösen Behandlung des systemischen Knochenverlustes bei Osteoporose–wie Östrogene und SERM, aber vor allem Bisphosphonate und Denosumab – zielen auf eine Inhibition der Osteoklasten, der den Knochen abbauenden Zellen, ab. Stickstoffhaltige Bisphosphonate wirken durch ihre starke Bindung an der Knochenoberfläche und eine Hemmung der Osteoklastenfunktion vorwiegend über die Inhibierung der Farnesyl-Pyrophosphat-Synthase. Denosumab als vollhumaner monoklonaler Antikörper bewirkt hingegen eine gezielte Hemmung von RANK-Ligand und damit der Osteoklastendifferenzierung und -aktivierung sowie letztlich eine Reduktion der Osteoklastenzahl an der Knochenoberfläche. Bisphosphonate wie Alendronat, Risedronat, Ibandronat und Zoledronat sowie eben auch Denosumab zeigten in klinischen Studien robuste Ergebnisse bezüglich einer signifikanten Reduktion des Frakturrisikos. Ein grundlegendes Wissen um die unterschiedliche Wirkungsweise ist Voraussetzung, um einen potenziell kausalen Zusammenhang zwischen Antiresorptiva und Kieferosteonekrosen (ONJ) verstehen und daraus differenzierte und effektive Präventions- und Therapiestrategien entwickeln zu können.
Update Ätiologie/Risikofaktoren bei Osteonekrosen und Osteonekrose bei Kortikoidtherapie
Authors: Baumann B. , Rader C. P.
Published: August 2018

Schon seit Beginn der 1980iger-Jahre wird eine multifaktorielle Genese der Osteonekrose postuliert. Neueste Untersuchungen fokussieren auf die Endstreckengefäße. Die Summe der Risikofaktoren führt durch erkrankte Endothelien zum Verschluss der Endgefäße mit der Folge der umschriebenen Nekrose eines typischen Knochenbezirks. Diese Theorie der endothelialen Dysfunktion wird durch molekularmedizinische Verfahren unterstützt. Besonders das VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) der Knochenmarkszellen steht im Mittelpunkt des Interesses, da dieser Wachstumfaktor die Angiogenese und damit die Regenerationsfähigkeit des Knochens anzeigt. Bei Osteonekrose wird er vermindert und/oder in abnormer Variante exprimiert. Für die kortisoninduzierte Osteonekrose, deren Verständnis durch zahlreiche Tiermodelluntersuchungen deutlich verbessert wurde, gilt, dass sie durch kumulative Gabe oder durch sehr hohe Einzeldosen ausgelöst wird. Die Regenerationsfähigkeit ist beim Risikofaktor Kortison deutlich niedriger als bei anderen Risikofaktoren wie Alkohol.
Effekte der Glukokortikoide auf den Knochen
Authors: Lang A. , Hoff P. , Buttgereit F. , Amann J.
Published: August 2018

Glukokortikoide sind potente Modulatoren des Immunsystems mit antientzündlicher und immunsuppressiver Wirkung. Seit ihrer Einführung in die klinische Medizin werden Glukokortikoide sehr breit angewandt und kommen sowohl in sehr niedrigen bis sehr hohen Dosierungen zum Einsatz. Trotz der vielen positiven Eigenschaften der Glukokortikoide ist ihre Anwendung vor allem in höheren Dosierungen oft durch zahlreiche Nebenwirkungen gekennzeichnet. Eine typische unerwünschte Wirkung einer solchen Therapie ist die glukokortikoidinduzierte Osteoporose, die die häufigste sekundäre Osteoporoseform darstellt. In den vergangenen Jahren konnte das Wissen über die Glukokortikoidwirkungen auf den Knochen deutlich erweitert werden. Es wurde klar, dass Glukokortikoide dosis- und zeitabhängig sehr verschiedene Wirkungen auf dieses System haben. Während Glukokortikoide in physiologischer Konzentration eine regulatorische Wirkung auf die Osteoblastogenese haben und so die Knochenbildung begünstigen, sind ihre Auswirkungen in pharmakologischer Dosierung nahezu konträr. In diesem Beitrag geben wir einen Überblick über physiologische und pathophysiologische Glukokortikoideffekte auf den Knochen und beleuchten aktuelle Therapieempfehlungen bezüglich der glukokortikoidinduzierten Osteoporose.
Diagnostik von Knochenmetastasen heute und morgen
Authors: Hausmann D. , Büsing K.-A. , Schönberg S.
Published: August 2018

Knochenmetastasen sind häufig mit Schmerzen und Bewegungseinschränkungen verbunden. Pathologische Frakturen stellen ein zusätzliches Risiko dar. Moderne interdisziplinäre Therapien bieten heute die Möglichkeit, Symptome zu lindern und ein Fortschreiten der Erkrankung zu verzögern. Die Radiologie und die Nuklearmedizin spielen im Management von Knochenmetastasen eine herausragende Rolle sowohl bei der Detektion als auch bei der Therapieevaluation. Technische Neuerungen ermöglichen heute ein einzeitiges vollständiges Ganzkörperstaging mittels Ganzkörper-MRT und PET-CT. Sogenannte Theranostika erlauben darüber hinaus die Kombination von Diagnostik und Therapie. Insgesamt ist das Management von Knochenmetastasen von der Diagnostik über die Therapie bis hin zur Therapieevaluation eine interdisziplinäre Aufgabe, um eine möglichst individuelle, auf die spezifischen Bedürfnisse des einzelnen Patienten zugeschnittene, therapeutische Strategie zu entwickeln.
Effects of urocortin on spine?
Authors: Komrakova M. , Kottwitz L. , Dullin C. , Schmelz U. , Stuermer K. M. , Tezval M. , Sehmisch S.
Published: August 2018

Urocortin (UCN) is a member of the cortico tropin-releasing factor family. UCN enhances osteoblast differentiation and inhibits osteoclasts in vitro. In the present study, the effect of UCN on spine was assessed in the rat osteopenia model.

Sprague Dawley rats (3 month old) were either ovariectomized (OVX, n = 48) or sham operated (n = 12). After 9 weeks, OVX rats were divided into 4 groups (n = 12): OVX, UCN low (3 µ/kg BW), UCN high (30 µ/kg BW), estradiol-17β-benzoate (0.2 mg/kg BW). UCN was administered daily s. c., estrogen was supplied with food for 35 d. Thereafter, the lumbar vertebral bodies were analyzed by biomechanical test, micro-CT, pQCT, gene expression and ashing analyses. Serum alkaline phosphatase (AP), beta-Crosslaps, calcium, leptin levels were assessed.

Stiffness, BMD, BV/TV, trabecular parameters improved in UCN high group. UCN low dose had less effect on spine. AP was enhanced in UCN high group, leptin increased in both UCN groups, other serum parameters and expression of bone genes did not change. UCN high dose showed osteoprotective effect in spine.

Further studies are needed to understand mechanism of UCN action on bone and to reveal potential side effects.
Biomechanische Testung in der Orthopädie und Wirbelsäulenchirurgie
Authors: Kaddick C. , Baxmann M. , Grupp T. M.
Published: August 2018

Seit dem Beginn der neunziger Jahre haben sich die Wissensgebiete der experimentellen Orthopädie und Traumatologie, der Biomechanik und der Biotribologie in großen Schritten weiterentwickelt. Innovative, nachhaltige Produkte oder auch die Neukombination klinisch bewährter Designprinzipien können nur auf Basis tiefgreifender Kenntnisse der Biomechanik, der Biomaterialien und der klinischen Anwendung präklinisch evaluiert werden. Daher erfordert die Entwicklung leistungsfähiger Prüfmethoden zur Charakterisierung neuer Implantatsysteme die enge interdisziplinäre Zusammenarbeit von Implantatentwicklern, Operateuren, Biomechanikern, Biomaterialexperten und Biologen, sowie die aktive Mitarbeit in den internationalen Normungsgremien. Am Beispiel von ausgewählten Fragestellungen mit hoher klinischer Relevanz werden der Stand der Forschung und aktuelle Vorhaben bei der Entwicklung von neuen Prüfverfahren in der Gelenkendoprothetik und Wirbelsäulenchirurgie vorgestellt.
Stellenwert des allgemeinen Labors in der Diagnostik und Verlaufskontrolle der Osteoporose
Authors: Scharla S.
Published: August 2018

Die Differenzialdiagnostik ist bei Osteoporose sehr wichtig, weil zwischen primärer und sekundärer Osteoporose unterschieden wird, was auch therapeutische Konsequenzen hat. Dabei ist das Labor sehr bedeutend. Während bei primärer Osteoporose die allgemeinen Laborwerte in der Regel normal sind, findet man bei einer sekundären Osteoporose oft typische Abweichungen. Häufig sind dann spezielle weiterführende Untersuchungen notwendig.
Das Mammakarzinom beim Mann
Authors: Kouba M. , Rudolph S. E. , Hrdlicka P. , Zuber M. A.
Published: August 2018

Bei einem 78-jährigen Patienten konnten diffuse Knochenschmerzen im Bereich der Wirbelsäule und des Beckens mittels bildgebender Diagnostik auf eine Knochenmetastasierung zurückgeführt werden. Nach Ausschluss eines Malignoms der Prostata durch den Urologen erfolgte eine internistische Vorstellung zur weiteren Primärtumorsuche. Bei der klinischen Untersuchung fiel ein exulzerierender Tumor der rechten Brust lateral der Mamille auf, welcher mit Hilfe einer Stanzbiopsie histologisch als invasiv wachsendes duktales Mammakarzinom eingeordnet werden konnte. Die Therapie bestand in einer Mastektomie, der Gabe des Bisphosphonates Zoledronsäure sowie einer palliativen Radatio der Knochenmetastasen.
Genetische Ursachen und therapeutische Optionen bei Osteoporose im Kindes- und Jugendalter
Authors: Hoyer-Kuhn H. , Schönau E. , Semler O.
Published: August 2018

In den letzten Jahren hat sich die Diagnose “Osteogenesis imperfecta” (OI) von einem klar definierten, aber unvollständig verstandenen Krankheitsbild, zu einem heterogenen Symptomenkomplex gewandelt. Die meisten Patienten sind von einer Mutation in den Genen COL1A1 oder COL1A2 betroffen, die zu einem quantitativen oder qualitativen Mangel an Kollagen I führt. In den vergangenen Jahren wurde das pathophysiologische Verständnis durch neue molekulargenetische Erkenntnisse detaillierter. Mutationen, die Störungen der posttranslationalen Modifikation von Kollagen I bewirken, verursachen genauso den Phänotyp einer OI, wie Störungen der Osteoblastendifferenzierung. Das klinische Bild der OI kann aber über einen anderen pathophysiologischen Weg, wie z. B. der Überaktivierung von Osteoklasten (Mutationen im Gen SERPINF1), hervorgerufen werden. Trotz dieses erweiterten Wissens ist die Therapie weiterhin symptomatisch und beruht auf chirurgisch/orthopädischen und physiotherapeutischen Maßnahmen sowie auf der Behandlung mit Bisphosphonaten. Nur durch eine koordinierte Betreuung in einem Spezialzentrum kann den Kindern die bestmögliche Perspektive für ein Leben mit Glasknochen gegeben werden.
Mehr Muskulatur – gesündere Knochen?
Authors: Semler O. , Schoenau E. , Hoyer-Kuhn H.
Published: August 2018

Aufgrund einer steigenden Anzahl von Osteo porose-Erkrankungen gilt es, präventive Ansätze zu finden, um das Risiko spontaner Frakturen im höheren Lebensalter zu reduzieren. Lange wurde postuliert, dass Frakturen aufgrund einer reduzierten Knochenmasse entstehen. Das Konzept der “Peak Bone Mass” beruht auf der Hypothese, dass eine Anhäufung von Knochenmasse in der Adoleszenz die Frakturrate im Alter senken könne. Die Knochenmasse beschreibt jedoch nur, wie viel Knochenmasse absolut ein Individuum besitzt, nicht jedoch, ob die Knochen die erforderliche Festigkeit aufweisen. Die Knochenmasse ist vielmehr eine Funktion aus Körperlänge und muskulärer Beanspruchung, weniger jedoch des Alters. Die Knochenfestigkeit wird dabei durch verschiedene Einflussfaktoren geregelt, wie das Osteozytennetzwerk “Mechanostat”, das die aktuelle Beanspruchung misst und Adaptationsvorgänge einleitet, aber auch durch Hormone, Ernährung und Medikamente. Von der Beschreibung der reinen Knochenmasse aus ist, basierend auf diesen regulierenden Faktoren und Erkenntnissen über die Interaktion der aufgeführten Faktoren, das Konzept der funktionellen Muskel-Knochen-Einheit entstanden, welches beschreibt, dass die Entwicklung und der Erhalt der knöchernen Stabilität mit ihrer Festigkeit von der Muskulatur abhängig ist. In der Schlussfolgerung muss bei auftretenden Frakturen sowohl in der adulten Medizin als auch in der Pädiatrie zur Beurteilung des Skelettsystems die Muskulatur mit einbezogen werden, um eine Aussage darüber treffen zu können, ob es sich um eine primäre oder sekundäre Knochenerkrankung handelt.
Specification of the thrust coefficient when using the momentum sink approach for modelling of tidal turbines
Authors: Phoenix Anna , Nash Stephen
Published: August 2018

A common method for simulating tidal turbines in far-field coastal models is the momentum sink approach, where the thrust induced by a tidal turbine is included as an additional external force in the momentum equations. A value close to 1 is commonly used for the turbine thrust coefficient (CT), but this value is based on a relationship between turbine thrust and undisturbed free-stream flow. Implementation of the momentum sink approach usually means that the thrust is calculated using the flow at the turbine grid cell as opposed to the undisturbed upstream flow speed. This research found that adopting the typical thrust coefficient value in the range of 0.8–1.0 in combination with the local velocity at the turbine can lead to underestimation of the energy extraction and hydrodynamic impacts of a tidal turbine, particularly for finer resolution models. This research implements the momentum sink approach using a local thrust coefficient (C′T) which has appropriate values greater than 1. C′T was shown to be dependent on the turbine blockage (ratio of the turbine area to the grid cell area), and a relationship between the two was determined using a model of an idealised channel. This allows determination of appropriate C′T values for a desired turbine efficiency of 40%. The developed relationship was used to determine appropriate C′T values for four potential tidal turbine deployments in the Shannon estuary. The results show that the use of the appropriate C′T values resulted in the desired energy removal of 40%, while the use of values less than or equal to 1 resulted in lower than desired levels of energy removal.
Measurement of anisotropic thermal conductivity of a dense forest of nanowires using the 3ω method
Authors: Singhal Dhruv , Paterson Jessy , Tainoff Dimitri , Richard Jacques , Ben-Khedim Meriam , Gentile Pascal , Cagnon Laurent , Bourgault Daniel , Buttard Denis , Bourgeois Olivier
Published: August 2018

The 3ω method is a dynamic measurement technique developed for determining the thermal conductivity of thin films or semi-infinite bulk materials. A simplified model is often applied to deduce the thermal conductivity from the slope of the real part of the ac temperature amplitude as a function of the logarithm of frequency, which in-turn brings a limitation on the kind of samples under observation. In this work, we have measured the thermal conductivity of a forest of nanowires embedded in nanoporous alumina membranes using the 3ω method. An analytical solution of 2D heat conduction is then used to model the multilayer system, considering the anisotropic thermal properties of the different layers, substrate thermal conductivity, and their thicknesses. Data treatment is performed by fitting the experimental results with the 2D model on two different sets of nanowires (silicon and BiSbTe) embedded in the matrix of nanoporous alumina templates, having thermal conductivities that differ by at least one order of magnitude. These experimental results show that this method extends the applicability of the 3ω technique to more complex systems having anisotropic thermal properties.
2D hexagonal photonic crystal GeSn laser with 16% Sn content
Authors: Thai Q. M. , Pauc N. , Aubin J. , Bertrand M. , Chrétien J. , Chelnokov A. , Hartmann J. M. , Reboud V. , Calvo V.
Published: August 2018

We demonstrate lasing in an optically pumped GeSn photonic crystal membrane with 16% of Sn. A guided band-edge mode lased up to 60 K. A good agreement was found between experimental and calculated reduced mode frequencies of the photonic crystal. The active Ge0.84Sn0.16 layer was grown on a step-graded GeSn buffer, limiting thereby the density of misfit dislocations. The thresholds obtained (227 kW/cm2 at 15 K to 340 kW/cm2 at 60 K) were comparable to our previous works on suspended microdisks, highlighting the robustness of the GeSn optical gain against potential surface recombination effects stemming from a high surface-to-volume ratio.
Cs D2 line laser (852.1 nm) pumped by the photoassociation of Cs-Ar, Cs-Kr, and Cs-Xe collision pairs: Impact of rare gas partner on threshold and efficiency
Authors: Mironov A. E. , Carroll D. L. , Zimmerman J. W. , Eden J. G.
Published: August 2018

Cs atomic lasers, operating on the D2 line and pumped by the photoassociation of Cs-rare gas thermal collision pairs, have been examined in mixtures of Cs vapor with Ar, Kr, or Xe. Photoexcitation of the B 2Σ+ − X 2Σ+ molecular transition (i.e., the blue satellite of the D2 transition) at 836.7 nm (Cs-Ar), 841.1 nm (Cs-Kr), or 842.7 nm (Cs-Xe) yields lasers at 852.1 nm whose characteristics (optical-to-optical conversion efficiencies, pump energy threshold, and temperature dependence) are a reflection of the structure of the B 2Σ+ interatomic potential associated with each Cs-rare gas pair. Output pulse energies above 100 μJ are obtained from the Cs-Ar complex in the 493–513 K interval because of the height of the B 2Σ+ barrier in the Franck-Condon region for the pump, a molecular parameter also responsible for the robust temperature stability of the laser. Slope efficiencies (with respect to absorbed pump energy) of 17%, 12%, and 27% have been measured for Cs-Ar, Cs-Kr, and Cs-Xe pairs at 473 K, 453 K, and 453 K, respectively. The data reported here firmly link the performance of a photodissociation laser with the structure of the intermediate diatomic complex.
Beaming electromagnetic (or heat-flux) instabilities from the interplay with the electron temperature anisotropies
Authors: Shaaban S. M. , Lazar M. , Yoon P. H. , Poedts S.
Published: August 2018

In space plasmas, kinetic instabilities are driven by the beaming (drifting) components and/or the temperature anisotropy of charged particles. The heat-flux instabilities are known in the literature as electromagnetic modes destabilized by the electron beams (or strahls) aligned to the interplanetary magnetic field. A new kinetic approach is proposed here in order to provide a realistic characterization of heat-flux instabilities under the influence of electrons with temperature anisotropy. Numerical analysis is based on the kinetic Vlasov-Maxwell theory for two electron counter-streaming (core and beam) populations with temperature anisotropies and stationary, isotropic protons. The main properties of electromagnetic heat-flux instabilities are found to be markedly changed by the temperature anisotropy of the electron beam Ab=T⊥/T∥≠1, leading to stimulation of either the whistler branch if Ab>1 or the firehose branch for Ab<1. For a high temperature anisotropy, whistlers switch from heat-flux to a standard regime, when their instability is inhibited by the beam.
Tuning the adsorption behaviour of β-structure chitosan by metal binding
Authors: Ma Chunyan , Li Fang , Wang Caihua , He Miao , Shen Chensi , Sand Wolfgang , Liu Yanbiao
Published: August 2018

Environmental contextChitosan is an abundant natural component of marine life with potential applications as an adsorbant material for pollutants. We investigate the binding behaviour of chitosan, and show that the β-type structure readily chelates metal ions leading to enhanced adsorption of anionic pollutants in the chitosan-metal complex. The results are highly relevant to the removal of anionic organic pollutants from water.
AbstractChitosan, which is commonly extracted from squid pens of the Loligo genus, has a β-type structure. Chitosan has potential application to the adsorption of pollutants but has received little study. We investigate the adsorption ability of β-structure chitosan as well as FeIII and AlIII chitosan-metal complexes. Pristine β-chitosan shows lower adsorption abilities for dye, CrVI and fluoride ions compared with those for α-chitosan, mainly owing to having fewer –NH3+ groups on its surface. However, the anionic pollutant adsorption efficiency of β-chitosan is clearly enhanced when chelated with metal ions. A β-structure chitosan-Fe-Al complex displayed adsorption capacities of 621.45 mg g−1 and 144.53 mg g−1 for Acid Red 73 dye and fluoride ions, respectively, according to the fitted Langmuir–Freundlich model; and of more than 173.03 mg g−1 for CrVI, according to the Freundlich model. These values are much higher than those observed for α-structure chitosan-metal complexes. This enhancement effect on the sorptive behaviour of β-chitosan can be attributed to its loose structure. The polymer chains of β-chitosan are arranged in parallel with relatively weak intermolecular forces, which allows them to easily chelate metal ions. Anionic pollutants can then be efficiently adsorbed by the chelated metal ions in the chitosan-metal complex if the electrostatic attraction of the –NH3+ groups is weak. This investigation provides a better understanding of β-chitosan-based adsorbents for application to anionic pollutant adsorption and removal.
The New Zealand grass
Authors: Heads Michael
Published: August 2018

This paper analyses biogeography and ecology in the grass Simplicia, endemic to New Zealand, with respect to tectonic geology and to distributions in other groups of plants and animals. There are disjunctions and phylogenetic breaks at the Oparara basin (north-west Nelson), the Western Province–Eastern Province tectonic boundary, the Alpine fault and the Waihemo fault zone (Otago). Distribution boundaries at these localities recur in many other taxa and coincide spatially with important fault zones. General aspects of distribution and evolution in Simplicia are addressed, using a set of critical questions posed by McGlone (2015) as a conceptual framework. The biogeographic evidence suggests that the divergence of Simplicia and of its species took place by vicariance, and that this was mediated by tectonics. All individual plants of Simplicia have dispersed to their present locality, but there is no evidence that chance dispersal with founder speciation has occurred in the genus. Trends in these grasses, such as spikelet reduction, are global and have evolved in many different environments over tens of millions of years. This suggests that non-random mutation has been more important than environment and natural selection in directing the course of evolution.
Syringeal EMGs and synthetic stimuli reveal a switch-like activation of the songbird’s vocal motor program
Authors: Bush Alan , Döppler Juan F. , Goller Franz , Mindlin Gabriel B.
Published: August 2018

Significance

The study of the integration between sensory inputs and motor commands has greatly benefited from the finding that in sleeping oscine birds, playback of their own song evokes highly specific firing patterns in neurons also involved in the production of that song. Nevertheless, the sparse spiking patterns that can be recorded from few single neurons gives limited information of the overall activity of the song system. Here, we show that this response is not restricted to the central nervous system but reaches vocal muscles. Combining this integrated measure of the activity of the system with surrogate synthetic songs, we found an all-or-nothing or switch-like activation of the song system.
Prevalence and Nature of Structural Brain Abnormalities in Batterers: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study
Authors: Bueso-Izquierdo Natalia , Verdejo-Román Juan , Martínez-Barbero José Pablo , Pérez-Rosillo Miguel Ángel , Pérez-García Miguel , Hidalgo-Ruzzante Natalia , Hart Stephen D.
Published: August 2018

Introduction: Past research has found differences in the brain activation of batterers vs. other offenders in response to depictions of violence, but it is not known whether these functional differences are associated with structural brain abnormalities (SBAs).

Objective: Investigate the prevalence and nature of SBAs in batterers using neuroimaging methods.

Method: Two neuroradiologists independently diagnosed SBAs based on Magnetic Resonance Imaging scans for the 21 batterers and 20 other offenders. All participants had been screened to ensure that they had no obvious brain damage secondary to neurological injury or insult, including traumatic brain injury.

Results: One participant had both a major and minor SBA; 13 had one or more minor SBAs. Most were judged to be not clinically relevant.

Conclusion: SBAs are not strongly or specifically associated with IPV, and it is unlikely they are responsible for the differences in brain functioning between batterers and other offenders observed in past research.
On the problem of confounders in modeling gene expression
Authors: Schmidt Florian , Schulz Marcel H
Published: August 2018

Motivation

Modeling of Transcription Factor (TF) binding from both ChIP-seq and chromatin accessibility data has become prevalent in computational biology. Several models have been proposed to generate new hypotheses on transcriptional regulation. However, there is no distinct approach to derive TF binding scores from ChIP-seq and open chromatin experiments. Here, we review biases of various scoring approaches and their effects on the interpretation and reliability of predictive gene expression models.

Results

We generated predictive models for gene expression using ChIP-seq and DNase1-seq data from DEEP and ENCODE. Via randomization experiments, we identified confounders in TF gene scores derived from both ChIP-seq and DNase1-seq data. We reviewed correction approaches for both data types, which reduced the influence of identified confounders without harm to model performance. Also, our analyses highlighted further quality control measures, in addition to model performance, that may help to assure model reliability and to avoid misinterpretation in future studies.

Availability and implementation

The software used in this study is available online at https://github.com/SchulzLab/TEPIC.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
The Petrology of the Kaiserstuhl Volcanic Complex, SW Germany: The Importance of Metasomatized and Oxidized Lithospheric Mantle for Carbonatite Generation
Authors: Braunger S , Marks M A W , Walter B F , Neubauer R , Reich R , Wenzel T , Parsapoor A , Markl G
Published: August 2018

The Miocene Kaiserstuhl Volcanic Complex (Southwest Germany) consists largely of tephritic to phonolitic rocks, accompanied by minor nephelinitic to limburgitic and melilititic to haüynitic lithologies associated with carbonatites. Based on whole-rock geochemistry, petrography, mineralogy and mineral chemistry, combined with mineral equilibrium calculations and fractional crystallization models using the Least Square Fitting Method, we suggest that the Kaiserstuhl was fed by at least two distinct magma sources. The most primitive rock type of the tephritic to phonolitic group is rare monchiquite (basanitic lamprophyre) evolving towards tephrite, phonolitic tephrite, phonolitic noseanite, nosean phonolite and tephritic phonolite by fractional crystallization of variable amounts of clinopyroxene, amphibole, olivine, spinel/magnetite, garnet, titanite, plagioclase and nosean. During this evolution, temperature and silica activity (aSiO2) decrease from about 1100°C and aSiO2 = 0·6–0·8 to 880°C and aSiO2 = ∼0·2. At the same time, oxygen fugacity (fO2) increases from ΔFMQ* = +2–3 to ΔFMQ* = +3–5, with ΔFMQ* being defined as the log fO2 deviation from the silica activity-corrected FMQ buffer curve. Nephelinitic rocks probably derive by fractionation of mostly olivine, spinel/magnetite, melilite, perovskite and nepheline from an olivine melilititic magma. The nephelinitic rocks were formed at similarly high crystallization temperatures (>1000°C) and evolve towards limburgite (hyalo-nepheline basanite) by an increase of silica activity from about aSiO2 = 0·4–0·5 to aSiO2 = 0·5–0·9, whilst redox conditions are buffered to ΔFMQ* values of around +3. Haüyne melilitite and the more evolved (melilite) haüynite may equally be derived from an olivine melilitite by more intense olivine and less melilite fractionation combined with the accumulation of haüyne, clinopyroxene and spinel. These rocks were crystallized at very low silica activities (aSiO2 ≤0·2) and highly oxidized conditions (ΔFMQ* = +4–6). Even higher oxygen fugacities (ΔFMQ* = +6–7) determined for the carbonatite suggests a close genetic relation between these two groups. The assemblage of carbonatites with highly oxidized silicate rocks is typical of many carbonatite occurrences worldwide, at least for those associated with melilititic to nephelinitic silicate rocks. Therefore, we suggest that the existence of highly oxidized carbonate-bearing sublithospheric mantle domains is an important prerequisite to form such complexes.
Effects of dry or wet conditions during the preweaning phase on subsequent feedlot performance and carcass composition of beef cattle
Authors: Gatson Garth A , Gunn Patrick J , Busby W Darrell , Wiegand Bryon R , Vander Ley Brian L , Meyer Allison M
Published: August 2018

Our objective was to determine the effects of dry and wet conditions during the preweaning on subsequent feedlot performance and carcass characteristics of beef cattle. Steers (n = 7,432) and heifers (n = 2,361) finished in 16 feedlots in southwestern Iowa through the Tri-County Steer Carcass Futurity Cooperative were used for a retrospective analysis. Cattle originated in the Midwest (Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, Illinois, and Minnesota) and were born in February, March, or April of 2002 through 2013. Feedlot performance and carcass composition data were obtained for each animal. Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) values were obtained for each animal’s preweaning environment on a monthly basis. Mean PDSI values were used to classify conditions as dry (≤−2.0), normal (>−2.0 and <2.0), or wet (≥2.0) for the cool (April and May), warm (June through August), and combined (April through August) forage growing seasons preweaning. Mixed models were used to evaluate the effects of PDSI class on subsequent performance. Calf sex, date of birth (as day of year), year, and feedlot were also included as fixed effects. When considering PDSI class during the cool season, cattle from normal and wet classes had a greater feedlot delivery BW (P < 0.0001) than dry. Dry and normal classes had greater (P ≤ 0.02) delivery BW than wet during the warm and combined seasons, however. For the cool season, average daily gain was greater (P < 0.0001) for the dry class than normal and wet. Cattle from the normal class for the cool season had greater (P = 0.001) final BW than wet, but the wet class had the greatest (P < 0.04) and dry class had the lowest (P < 0.01) final BW during the warm season. During the cool season, HCW was greater (P < 0.007) for the normal than wet class, although HCW was greater (P ≤ 0.02) for wet compared with dry and normal during the warm season. Calculated yield grade was lower (P ≤ 0.006) for the normal class during the cool season compared with dry and wet. For both the warm and combined seasons, the dry class had lower (P ≤ 0.004) calculated yield grade compared with normal and wet. Carcasses from cattle that experienced normal or wet warm seasons had greater (P ≤ 0.0005) marbling scores than dry, and normal had greater (P = 0.0009) marbling score than dry for the combined seasons. In conclusion, these data indicate that both dry and wet conditions during the preweaning phase may impact ultimate feedlot performance and carcass composition.
Wound healing can be improved by (—)‐epigallocatechin gallate through targeting Notch in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic mice
Authors: Huang Ye-Wei , Zhu Qiang-Qiang , Yang Xiao-Ying , Xu Huan-Huan , Sun Bin , Wang Xuan-Jun , Sheng Jun
Published: August 2018

Delayed wound healing is one of the most prominent clinical manifestations of diabetes and lacks satisfactory treatment options. Persistent inflammation occurs in the late phase of wound healing and impairs the healing process in mice with diabetes mellitus (DM). In this study, we observed that the late wound healing in streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced DM mice could be improved by (−)‐epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). The macrophage accumulation, inflammation response, and Notch signaling can be inhibited by EGCG in the skin wounds of DM mice. Furthermore, we found that the LPS‐induced inflammation response including overactivated Notch signaling, was inhibited by EGCG in mouse macrophages. Moreover, we confirmed that EGCG could directly bind with mouse Notch‐1. In addition, our studies indicated that diabetic wound healing was improved by EGCG treatment before or after the inflammation phase by targeting the Notch signaling pathway, which suggests that the pre‐existing diabetic wound healing can be improved by EGCG. To summarize, wound healing can be improved by EGCG through targeting Notch in STZ‐induced DM mice. Our findings provide insight into the therapeutic strategy for diabetic wounds and offer EGCG as a novel potential medicine to treat chronic wounds.—Huang, Y.‐W., Zhu,Q.‐Q., Yang,X.‐Y., Xu,H.‐H., Sun,B., Wang,X.‐J., Sheng,J.Wound healing can be improved by (−)‐epigallocatechin gallate through targeting Notch in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic mice. FASEB J. 33, 953–964 (2019). www.fasebj.org
Impact of Home Care Admission Nurses' Goals on Electronic Health Record Documentation Strategies at the Point of Care
Authors: Yang Yushi , Bass Ellen J. , Bowles Kathryn H. , Sockolow Paulina S.
Published: August 2018

Home care nurses have multiple goals at the patient admission visit. Electronic health records support some of these goals, including high-quality documentation, but nurses may not complete the electronic documentation at the point of care. To characterize admission nurses' practices at the point of care and lay the foundation for design recommendations, this study investigates admission nurses' documentation strategies with respect to entering electronic data and how nursing goals affect them. We conducted 10 observations of home care agency admissions with five admission nurses in rural Pennsylvania. We collected screenshots and recorded the admission process. We asked the nurses questions outside the point of care. We coded the nurses' strategies at the data-entry screen level. Using thematic analysis, we investigated the influence of nursing goals on documentation strategies. Subject matter experts reviewed our findings. Several goals affect nurses' documentation strategies: ensure data accuracy, reduce time in the patient's home, and prevent infection. Home care admission nurses distribute the electronic documentation temporally due to their goals. Nurses developed memory aids to support completion of the documentation after leaving the patients' homes. Design and training should support the distributed manner in which home care nurses document patient encounters.
Longitudinal Study of Tacrolimus in Lymphocytes During the First Year After Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Klaasen Rolf Anton , Bergan Stein , Bremer Sara , Daleq Lina , Andersen Anders Mikal , Midtvedt Karsten , Skauby Morten Heier , Vethe Nils Tore
Published: August 2018

Introduction:

Tacrolimus (TAC) is an immunosuppressive drug used after organ transplantation. Dosing is adjusted using whole blood (WB-TAC) measurements. Patients within the therapeutic WB-TAC window still experience rejections and adverse effects. Alternative monitoring methods are therefore warranted. The authors developed a method for measuring TAC in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) isolates (PBMC-TAC) and performed a pharmacokinetic study in a cohort of kidney transplant patients during the first year after transplantation.

Methods:

PBMCs were isolated from whole blood by gradient centrifugation. After methanol-based extraction, liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry was used to determine TAC in the extract. PBMC-TAC was normalized to the number of cells and alternatively to the protein amount in cells. Predose and postdose (1.5 hours) samples from kidney transplant patients were collected at 1 week, 6 weeks, and 1 year after transplantation. WB-TAC was measured using immunoassay.

Results:

The PBMC-TAC assay fulfilled the validation criteria of the European Medicines Agency guidelines. Twenty-nine patients completed the study. Predose PBMC-TAC was (median) 23 (1 week), 33 (6 weeks), and 27 pg/106 cells (1 year). Postdose PBMC-TAC was 44, 30, and 27 pg/106 cells at 1 week, 6 weeks, and 1 year after transplantation, respectively. Predose WB-TAC (median) was 5.0, 6.0, and 5.4 mcg/L, and postdose WB-TAC was 10.5, 8.3, and 9.1 mcg/L, respectively, at 1 week, 6 weeks, and 1 year after transplantation. Whole blood and PBMC-TAC correlated at all timepoints (rho 0.40–0.82, P < 0.05) except before dosage at 6 weeks. PBMC-TAC normalized to the number of cells, and the amount of protein was modestly correlated (rho 0.36–0.81, P < 0.056).

Conclusions:

The correlation between WB-TAC and PBMC-TAC is modest during the first-year posttransplantation. Normalization of PBMC-TAC to cells or protein may yield different results. PBMC-TAC is increased 1.5 hours after dose at 1 week after transplantation, but not after 6 weeks or 1 year, indicating altered distribution kinetics.
Distribution of Genetic Polymorphisms of Genes Implicated in Thiopurine Drugs Metabolism
Authors: Chadli Zohra , Kerkeni Emna , Hannachi Ibtissem , Chouchene Saoussen , Ben Fredj Nadia , Boughattas Naceur A. , Aouam Karim , Chaabane Amel
Published: August 2018

Thiopurine-S-methyltransferase (TPMT) and inosine triphosphate pyrophosphatase (ITPA) are crucial enzymes involved in the metabolism of thiopurine drugs. Significant interethnic variation in the expression of TPMT and ITPA is caused by single nucleotide polymorphisms of genes encoding these proteins. The aim of this study was to describe the distribution of TPMT and ITPA polymorphisms in healthy Tunisian subjects and to establish the metabolizer status of thiopurine drugs in this population. A total of 309 healthy Tunisian subjects were recruited among blood donors of Fattouma Bourguiba Hospital of Monastir. A written informed consent was obtained from all subjects. Whole blood samples were collected from every subject in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid tubes. TPMT (c.238 G > C, c.460 G > A and c.719A > G) and ITPA (c.94C > A and IVS2+21A > C) mutations were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The observed frequencies of TPMT*3A and TPMT*3C alleles were both 0.8%. The phenotype distribution of TPMT was bimodal: 96.8% of subjects were extensive metabolizers and 3.2% were intermediate metabolizers. Genotyping of ITPA revealed frequencies of 9% and 3% for IVS2+21A > C and c.94C > A mutations, respectively. Accordingly, a trimodal phenotype distribution was found: 75.4% of the subjects were extensive metabolizers, 23.4% were intermediate metabolizers, and 1.2% wereslow metabolizers. Combination of TPMT and ITPA genotyping has revealed that a quarter of the Tunisian Population carries polymorphisms that reduce the metabolic activities of these enzymes.
Patient vs. Community Engagement: Emerging Issues
Authors: Kimminau Kim S. , Jernigan Cheryl , LeMaster Joseph , Aaronson Lauren S. , Christopher Myra , Ahmed Syed , Boivin Antoine , DeFino Mia , Greenlee Robert , Salvalaggio Ginetta , Hendricks Deborah , Herbert Carol , Mabachi Natabhona M. , Macaulay Ann , Westfall John M. , Waitman Lemuel R.
Published: August 2018

Background:

The value proposition of including patients at each step of the research process is that patient perspectives and preferences can have a positive impact on both the science and the outcomes of comparative effectiveness research. How to accomplish engagement and the extent to which approaches to community engagement inform strategies for effective patient engagement need to be examined to address conducting and accelerating comparative effectiveness research.

Objectives:

To examine how various perspectives and diverse training lead investigators and patients to conflicting positions on how best to advance patient engagement.

Research Design:

Qualitative methods were used to collect perspectives and models of engagement from a diverse group of patients, researchers and clinicians. The project culminated with a workshop involving these stakeholders. The workshop used a novel approach, combining World Café and Future Search techniques, to compare and contrast aspects of patient engagement and community engagement.

Subjects:

Participants included patients, researchers, and clinicians.

Measures:

Group and workshop discussions provided the consensus on topics related to patient and community engagement.

Results:

Participants developed and refined a framework that compares and contrasts features associated with patient and community engagement.

Conclusions:

Although patient and community engagement may share a similar approach to engagement based on trust and mutual benefit, there may be distinctive aspects that require a unique lexicon, strategies, tactics, and activities.
Assessing Risk of HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder
Authors: Cummins Denise , Waters Donna , Aggar Christina , O’Connor Catherine C.
Published: August 2018

Background

People with HIV (PLHIV) are aging, and 20% are at risk of developing a neurological complication known as HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND). Signs and symptoms of HAND may be subtle; however, treatment can improve clinical outcomes.

Objective

The aim of the study was to identify and agree on a risk assessment and monitoring process for the regular review of patients at risk of HAND.

Methods

Between March and September 2017, 25 experts from four community healthcare services participated in three rounds of a modified Delphi study to reach consensus on the items, monitoring period, and format of assessment tools to identify risk of HAND in PLHIV in the community.

Results

More than 80% consensus was reached at all three Delphi rounds. A flow chart, an initial assessment, and an annual monitoring tool were developed for an ongoing assessment of risk of developing HAND.

Conclusion

Twenty percent of PLHIV may develop HAND, a treatable condition. The use of a modified Delphi method led to the successful development of two risk assessment tools to identify those at risk of HAND. The initial assessment tool may be used as a precursor to formal assessment by medical and nursing staff, whereas the annual monitoring tool may assist community-based health professionals in their ongoing assessment of risk of HAND in PLHIV, facilitating early formal medical review for this condition.
Infection in Immunocompromised Hosts: Imaging
Authors: Tanaka Nobuyuki , Kunihiro Yoshie , Yanagawa Noriyo
Published: August 2018

Immunocompromised patients are encountered with increasing frequency in clinical practice. In addition to the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), therapy for malignant disease, and immune suppression for solid organ transplants, patients are now rendered immunosuppressed by advances in treatment for a wide variety of autoimmune diseases. The number of possible infecting organisms can be bewildering. Recognition of the type of immune defect and the duration and depth of immunosuppression (particularly in hematopoietic and solid organ transplants) can help generate a differential diagnosis. Radiologic imaging plays an important role in the detection and diagnosis of chest complications occurring in immunocompromised patients; however, chest radiography alone seldom provides adequate sensitivity and specificity. High-resolution computed tomography (CT) can provide better sensitivity and specificity, but even CT findings may be nonspecific findings unless considered in conjunction with the clinical context. Combination of CT pattern, clinical setting, and immunologic status provides the best chance for an accurate diagnosis. In this article, CT findings have been divided into 4 patterns: focal consolidation, nodules/masses, small/micronodules, and diffuse ground-glass attenuation/consolidation. Differential diagnoses are suggested for each pattern, adjusted for both AIDS and non-AIDS immunosuppressed patients.