bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficient in vitro generation of functional thymic epithelial progenitors from human embryonic stem cells
Authors: Su Min , Hu Rong , Jin Jingjun , Yan Yuan , Song Yinhong , Sullivan Ryan , Lai Laijun
Published: June 2015

Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) are the major components of the thymic microenvironment for T cell development. TECs are derived from thymic epithelial progenitors (TEPs). It has been reported that human ESCs (hESCs) can be directed to differentiate into TEPs in vitro. However, the efficiency for the differentiation is low. Furthermore, transplantation of hESC-TEPs in mice only resulted in a very low level of human T cell development from co-transplanted human hematopoietic precursors. We show here that we have developed a novel protocol to efficiently induce the differentiation of hESCs into TEPs in vitro. When transplanted into mice, hESC-TEPs develop into TECs and form a thymic architecture. Most importantly, the hESC-TECs support the long-term development of functional mouse T cells or a higher level of human T cell development from co-transplanted human hematopoietic precursors. The hESC-TEPs may provide a new approach to prevent or treat patients with T cell immunodeficiency.
Massage-like stroking boosts the immune system in mice
Authors: Major Benjamin , Rattazzi Lorenza , Brod Samuel , Pilipović Ivan , Leposavić Gordana , D’Acquisto Fulvio
Published: June 2015

Recent clinical evidence suggests that the therapeutic effect of massage involves the immune system and that this can be exploited as an adjunct therapy together with standard drug-based approaches. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms behind these effects exploring the immunomodulatory function of stroking as a surrogate of massage-like therapy in mice. C57/BL6 mice were stroked daily for 8 days either with a soft brush or directly with a gloved hand and then analysed for differences in their immune repertoire compared to control non-stroked mice. Our results show that hand- but not brush-stroked mice demonstrated a significant increase in thymic and splenic T cell number (p < 0.05; p < 0.01). These effects were not associated with significant changes in CD4/CD8 lineage commitment or activation profile. The boosting effects on T cell repertoire of massage-like therapy were associated with a decreased noradrenergic innervation of lymphoid organs and counteracted the immunosuppressive effect of hydrocortisone in vivo. Together our results in mice support the hypothesis that massage-like therapies might be of therapeutic value in the treatment of immunodeficiencies and related disorders and suggest a reduction of the inhibitory noradrenergic tone in lymphoid organs as one of the possible explanations for their immunomodulatory function.
Phenotypic diversity within a Pseudomonas aeruginosa population infecting an adult with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Clark Shawn T. , Diaz Caballero Julio , Cheang Mary , Coburn Bryan , Wang Pauline W. , Donaldson Sylva L. , Zhang Yu , Liu Mingyao , Keshavjee Shaf , Yau Yvonne C.W. , Waters Valerie J. , Elizabeth Tullis D. , Guttman David S. , Hwang David M.
Published: June 2015

Chronic airway infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa contribute to the progression of pulmonary disease in individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF). In the setting of CF, within-patient adaptation of a P. aeruginosa strain generates phenotypic diversity that can complicate microbiological analysis of patient samples. We investigated within- and between- sample diversity of 34 phenotypes among 235 P. aeruginosa isolates cultured from sputum samples collected from a single CF patient over the span of one year and assessed colony morphology as a screening tool for predicting phenotypes, including antimicrobial susceptibilities. We identified 15 distinct colony morphotypes that varied significantly in abundance both within and between sputum samples. Substantial within sample phenotypic heterogeneity was also noted in other phenotypes, with morphotypes being unreliable predictors of antimicrobial susceptibility and other phenotypes. Emergence of isolates with reduced susceptibility to β-lactams was observed during periods of clinical therapy with aztreonam. Our findings confirm that the P. aeruginosa population in chronic CF lung infections is highly dynamic and that intra-sample phenotypic diversity is underestimated if only one or few colonies are analyzed per sample.
Bessel beam CARS of axially structured samples
Authors: Heuke Sandro , Zheng Juanjuan , Akimov Denis , Heintzmann Rainer , Schmitt Michael , Popp Jürgen
Published: June 2015

We report about a Bessel beam CARS approach for axial profiling of multi-layer structures. This study presents an experimental implementation for the generation of CARS by Bessel beam excitation using only passive optical elements. Furthermore, an analytical expression is provided describing the generated anti-Stokes field by a homogeneous sample. Based on the concept of coherent transfer functions, the underling resolving power of axially structured geometries is investigated. It is found that through the non-linearity of the CARS process in combination with the folded illumination geometry continuous phase-matching is achieved starting from homogeneous samples up to spatial sample frequencies at twice of the pumping electric field wave. The experimental and analytical findings are modeled by the implementation of the Debye Integral and scalar Green function approach. Finally, the goal of reconstructing an axially layered sample is demonstrated on the basis of the numerically simulated modulus and phase of the anti-Stokes far-field radiation pattern.
Systemic high-mobility group box 1 administration suppresses skin inflammation by inducing an accumulation of PDGFRα+ mesenchymal cells from bone marrow
Authors: Aikawa Eriko , Fujita Ryo , Kikuchi Yasushi , Kaneda Yasufumi , Tamai Katsuto
Published: June 2015

High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) mobilizes platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha-positive (PDGFRα+) mesenchymal cells from bone marrow (BM) into circulation. However, whether HMGB1-induced endogenous PDGFRα+ mesenchymal cells stimulate skin regeneration has been unclear. Here, we investigated the functions of the HMGB1/BM-PDGFRα+ mesenchymal cell axis in the regeneration of mouse skin grafts. We found that intravenous HMGB1 administration induced an accumulation of endogenous BM-PDGFRα+ mesenchymal cells followed by significant inflammatory suppression in the grafts. In contrast, mice with reduced BM-PDGFRα+ mesenchymal cells showed massive inflammation of the grafts compared to mice that had normal levels of these cells even after HMGB1 administration, suggesting that BM-PDGFRα+ mesenchymal cells contribute to the HMGB1-induced anti-inflammatory effect. We also found that intravenously administered HMGB1 augmented the local migration of BM-PDGFRα+ mesenchymal cells from circulation to skin graft by inducing the expression of CXCR4, an SDF-1 receptor, on these cells. Finally, we showed the therapeutic activity of the HMGB1/BM-PDGFRα+ mesenchymal cell axis in an allergic contact dermatitis model. The results illustrated the contribution of the HMGB1/BM-PDGFRα+ mesenchymal cell axis in suppressing the inflammation of injured/inflamed skin. These findings may provide future perspectives on the use of HMGB1-based medicines for intractable diseases.
Global Spatio-temporal Patterns of Influenza in the Post-pandemic Era
Authors: He Daihai , Lui Roger , Wang Lin , Tse Chi Kong , Yang Lin , Stone Lewi
Published: June 2015

We study the global spatio-temporal patterns of influenza dynamics. This is achieved by analysing and modelling weekly laboratory confirmed cases of influenza A and B from 138 countries between January 2006 and January 2015. The data were obtained from FluNet, the surveillance network compiled by the the World Health Organization. We report a pattern of skip-and-resurgence behavior between the years 2011 and 2013 for influenza H1N1pdm, the strain responsible for the 2009 pandemic, in Europe and Eastern Asia. In particular, the expected H1N1pdm epidemic outbreak in 2011/12 failed to occur (or “skipped”) in many countries across the globe, although an outbreak occurred in the following year. We also report a pattern of well-synchronized wave of H1N1pdm in early 2011 in the Northern Hemisphere countries and a pattern of replacement of strain H1N1pre by H1N1pdm between the 2009 and 2012 influenza seasons. Using both a statistical and a mechanistic mathematical model and through fitting the data of 108 countries, we discuss the mechanisms that are likely to generate these events taking into account the role of multi-strain dynamics. A basic understanding of these patterns has important public health implications and scientific significance.
Real-time estimation of paracellular permeability of cerebral endothelial cells by capacitance sensor array
Authors: Hyun Jo Dong , Lee Rimi , Hyoung Kim Jin , Oh Jun Hyoung , Geol Lee Tae , Hun Kim Jeong
Published: June 2015

Vascular integrity is important in maintaining homeostasis of brain microenvironments. In various brain diseases including Alzheimer’s disease, stroke and multiple sclerosis, increased paracellular permeability due to breakdown of blood-brain barrier is linked with initiation and progression of pathological conditions. We developed a capacitance sensor array to monitor dielectric responses of cerebral endothelial cell monolayer, which could be utilized to evaluate the integrity of brain microvasculature. Our system measured real-time capacitance values which demonstrated frequency- and time-dependent variations. With the measurement of capacitance at the frequency of 100 Hz, we could differentiate the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a representative permeability-inducing factor, on endothelial cells and quantitatively analyse the normalized values. Interestingly, we showed differential capacitance values according to the status of endothelial cell monolayer, confluent or sparse, evidencing that the integrity of monolayer was associated with capacitance values. Another notable feature was that we could evaluate the expression of molecules in samples in our system with the reference of real-time capacitance values. We suggest that this dielectric spectroscopy system could be successfully implanted as a novel in vitro assay in the investigation of the roles of paracellular permeability in various brain diseases.
Radiomic feature clusters and Prognostic Signatures specific for Lung and Head & Neck cancer
Authors: Parmar Chintan , Leijenaar Ralph T. H. , Grossmann Patrick , Rios Velazquez Emmanuel , Bussink Johan , Rietveld Derek , Rietbergen Michelle M. , Haibe-Kains Benjamin , Lambin Philippe , Aerts Hugo J.W.L.
Published: June 2015

Radiomics provides a comprehensive quantification of tumor phenotypes by extracting and mining large number of quantitative image features. To reduce the redundancy and compare the prognostic characteristics of radiomic features across cancer types, we investigated cancer-specific radiomic feature clusters in four independent Lung and Head & Neck (H&N) cancer cohorts (in total 878 patients). Radiomic features were extracted from the pre-treatment computed tomography (CT) images. Consensus clustering resulted in eleven and thirteen stable radiomic feature clusters for Lung and H&N cancer, respectively. These clusters were validated in independent external validation cohorts using rand statistic (Lung RS = 0.92, p < 0.001, H&N RS = 0.92, p < 0.001). Our analysis indicated both common as well as cancer-specific clustering and clinical associations of radiomic features. Strongest associations with clinical parameters: Prognosis Lung CI = 0.60 ± 0.01, Prognosis H&N CI = 0.68 ± 0.01; Lung histology AUC = 0.56 ± 0.03, Lung stage AUC = 0.61 ± 0.01, H&N HPV AUC = 0.58 ± 0.03, H&N stage AUC = 0.77 ± 0.02. Full utilization of these cancer-specific characteristics of image features may further improve radiomic biomarkers, providing a non-invasive way of quantifying and monitoring tumor phenotypic characteristics in clinical practice.
A minimally invasive, lentiviral based method for the rapid and sustained genetic manipulation of renal tubules
Authors: Espana-Agusti Judit , Tuveson David A. , Adams David J. , Matakidou Athena
Published: June 2015

The accelerated discovery of disease-related genes emerging from genomic studies has strained the capacity of traditional genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) to provide in-vivo validation. Direct, somatic, genetic engineering approaches allow for accelerated and flexible genetic manipulation and represent an attractive alternative to GEMMs. In this study we investigated the feasibility, safety and efficiency of a minimally invasive, lentiviral based approach for the sustained in-vivo modification of renal tubular epithelial cells. Using ultrasound guidance, reporter vectors were directly injected into the mouse renal parenchyma. We observed transgene expression confined to the renal cortex (specifically proximal and distal tubules) and sustained beyond 2 months post injection. Furthermore, we demonstrate the ability of this methodology to induce long-term, in-vivo knockdown of candidate genes either through somatic recombination of floxed alleles or by direct delivery of specific shRNA sequences. This study demonstrates that ultrasound-guided injection of lentiviral vectors provides a safe and efficient method for the genetic manipulation of renal tubules, representing a quick and versatile alternative to GEMMs for the functional characterisation of disease-related genes.
Organic matter source and degradation as revealed by molecular biomarkers in agricultural soils of Yuanyang terrace
Authors: Li Fangfang , Pan Bo , Zhang Di , Yang Xiaolei , Li Hao , Liao Shaohua , Ghaffar Abdul , Peng Hongbo , Xing Baoshan
Published: June 2015

Three soils with different tillage activities were collected and compared for their organic matter sources and degradation. Two soils (TD and TP) with human activities showed more diverse of chemicals in both free lipids and CuO oxidation products than the one (NS) without human activities. Branched alkanoic acids only accounted for less than 5% of lipids, indicating limited microbial inputs in all three investigated soils. The degradation of lignin in NS and TD was relatively higher than TP, probably because of the chemical degradation, most likely UV light-involved photodegradation. Lignin parameters obtained from CuO oxidation products confirmed that woody gymnosperm tissue (such as pine trees) may be the main source for NS, while angiosperm tissues from vascular plant may be the predominant source for the lignins in TD and TP. Analysis of BPCAs illustrated that BC in NS may be mainly originated from soot or other fossil carbon sources, whereas BC in TD and TP may be produced during corn stalk and straw burning. BC was involved in mineral interactions for TD and TP. The dynamics of organic matter needs to be extensively examined for their nonideal interactions with contaminants.
Neonatal exposure to sevoflurane may not cause learning and memory deficits and behavioral abnormality in the childhood of Cynomolgus monkeys
Authors: Zhou Lisheng , Wang Zhi , Zhou Hui , Liu Ting , Lu Fudin , Wang Shouping , Li Jing , Peng Shuling , Zuo Zhiyi
Published: June 2015

Results of animal studies have raised a significant concern that commonly used general anesthetics may induce neurotoxicity in children. It may be difficult to resolve this concern with human studies because randomizing children only for testing anesthetic toxicity may not be feasible. We randomized 6-day old male Cynomolgus monkeys to receive or not to receive sevoflurane anesthesia at surgical plane for 5 h. Sevoflurane is the most commonly used general anesthetic in children in the U.S.A. Here, we showed that sevoflurane anesthesia did not affect the behavior evaluated by holding cage method when the monkeys were 3 and 7 months old. However, there was an age-dependent decrease in the frequency of stress events and environmental exploration behavior during the test. Sevoflurane also did not affect the learning and memory of the monkeys when they were assessed from the age of 7 months. Finally, sevoflurane did not affect the expression of multiple neuron-specific proteins in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of 10-month old monkeys after all behavioral and cognitive tests were completed. These results suggest that exposure of neonatal monkey to sevoflurane may not affect cognition, behavior and neuronal structures in childhood, indicating the safety of sevoflurane anesthesia in children.
Graphene oxide as a template for a complex functional oxide
Authors: Boston R. , Bell A. , Ting V. P. , Rhead A. T. , Nakayama T. , Faul C. F. J. , Hall S. R.
Published: June 2015

Graphene oxide monoliths of defined macromorphology are used to direct the structure of complex oxides for improved functionality.
Electron transport in carbon wires in contact with Ag electrodes: a detailed first principles investigation
Authors: Bonardi Paolo , Achilli Simona , Tantardini Gian Franco , Martinazzo Rocco
Published: June 2015

The structure and electronic properties of carbon atom chains Cnin contact with Ag electrodes are investigated in detail with first principles means.
Macrocyclic Cu(ii)-organophosphonate building block with room temperature magnetic ordering
Authors: Bulut A. , Zorlu Y. , Topkaya R. , Aktaş B. , Doğan S. , Kurt H. , Yücesan G.
Published: June 2015

A novel macrocyclic Cu(ii)-organophosphonate building block displaying high temperature magnetic ordering, and the structure of [{Cu(2,2′-bpy)}2(HO3P(CH2)8PO3H2)4] (1).
Observability of anammox activity in single-stage nitritation/anammox reactors using mass balances
Authors: Schielke-Jenni Sarina , Villez Kris , Morgenroth Eberhard , Udert Kai M.
Published: June 2015

Theoretically, mass balances based on microbial kinetics allow the determination of the activity of anammox bacteria (AMX) and heterotrophic bacteria (HET). In practise, the variance of the resulting activities is too high.
POSS-induced enhancement of mechanical strength in RAFT-made thermoresponsive hydrogels
Authors: Haldar Ujjal , Nandi Mridula , Maiti Binoy , De Priyadarsi
Published: June 2015

In this study, covalently cross-linked thermoresponsive hydrogels were prepared with higher mechanical stability by the introduction of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) moieties.
Novel nanocellular poly(aryl ether ketone) foams fabricated by controlling the crosslinking degree
Authors: Zhu Shisheng , Chen Zheng , Han Bing , Wang Guibin , Jiang Zhenhua , Zhang Shuling
Published: June 2015

Novel nanocellular poly(aryl ether ketone) foam was fabricated by controlling crosslinking degree to enhance the stored elastic energy of systems.
Chondrocytes behaviors within type I collagen microspheres and bulk hydrogels: an in vitro study
Authors: Liu Jun , Lin Hai , Li Xiupeng , Fan Yujiang , Zhang Xingdong
Published: June 2015

Cell niche, which is considered to be critical to the proliferation and differentiation of cells, is one of the most important aspects for the design and development of ideal scaffolds in tissue engineering.
Fabrication of a three-dimensional graphene coating for solid-phase microextraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Authors: Zhang Shuaihua , Li Zhi , Yang Xiumin , Wang Chun , Wang Zhi
Published: June 2015

A novel three-dimensional graphene (3D-G) coated fiber for solid-phase microextraction (SPME) was fabricated via a sol–gel coating method on stainless steel wires.
Chemical grafting of multi-walled carbon nanotubes on metal phthalocyanines for the preparation of nanocomposites with high dielectric constant and low dielectric loss for energy storage application
Authors: Li Xuefeng , Xu Wenhan , Zhang Yunhe , Xu Dan , Wang Guibin , Jiang Zhenhua
Published: June 2015

Phthalocyanines chemical grafting acidified multi-walled carbon nanotubes and PVDF composites exhibited high dielectric performances for energy storage applications.
Shear induced micromechanical synthesis of Ti3SiC2 MAXene nanosheets for functional applications
Authors: Mahesh K. V. , Rashada R. , Kiran M. , Peer Mohamed A. , Ananthakumar S.
Published: June 2015

Ultrathin Ti3SiC2 MAXene nanosheets were synthesized by shear induced micromechanical technique. This new class of 2D functional material is an ideal candidate for energy and electronic applications.
Room temperature memory device using single-molecule magnets
Authors: Hao Hua , Zheng XiaoHong , Jia Ting , Zeng Zhi
Published: June 2015

Based on charge-state transition, a molecular memory device utilising single-molecule magnets can work at room temperature.
Assistant effect of poly(methyl methacrylate)-grafted carbon nanotubes on the beta polymorph of poly(vinylidene fluoride) during microinjection
Authors: Bai Feng , Chen Gang , Nie Min , Wang Qi
Published: June 2015

A facial way to fabricate an electroactive PVDF device directly through melt processing.
Solution-processed indium-zinc-oxide thin-film transistors based on anodized aluminum oxide gate insulator modified with zirconium oxide
Authors: Li Yuzhi , Lan Linfeng , Xiao Peng , Lin Zhenguo , Sun Sheng , Song Wei , Song Erlong , Gao Peixiong , Wang Dan , Ning Honglong , Peng Junbiao
Published: June 2015

Enhanced performance of solution-processed IZO-TFTs with ZrOx interlayer due to Al diffusion suppression.
A thorough anion–π interaction study in biomolecules: on the importance of cooperativity effects
Authors: Lucas Xavier , Bauzá Antonio , Frontera Antonio , Quiñonero David
Published: June 2015

The importance of anion–π interactions in key biological processes is reported from a PDB analysis of anion–π interactions in biomolecules, also considering cooperativity effects by including other interactions.
Evaluation of enzymatically crosslinked injectable glycol chitosan hydrogel
Authors: Gohil Shalini V , Brittain Sarah B. , Kan Ho-Man , Drissi Hicham , Rowe David W. , Nair Lakshmi S.
Published: June 2015

An injectable, enzymatically crosslinkable glycol chitosan hydrogel was developed and evaluated for localized growth factor delivery.
Stimulated Brillouin side-scattering of the beat wave excited by two counter-propagating X-mode lasers in magnetized plasma
Authors: Verma Kanika , Sajal Vivek , Baliyan Sweta , Kumar Ravindra , Sharma Navneet K.
Published: June 2015

The stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) of nonresonant beat mode in the presence of static magnetic field is investigated in a plasma. Two counter-propagating lasers of frequencies (ω1 and ω2) and wave vectors (k1 and k2) drive a nonresonant space charge beat mode at the phase matching condition of frequency ω0≈ω1∼ω2 and wave number k→0≈k→1+k→2. The driver wave parametrically excites a pair of ion acoustic wave (ω,k→) and a sideband electromagnetic wave (ω3,k→3). The beat wave couples with the sideband electromagnetic wave to exert a nonlinear ponderomotive force at the frequency of ion acoustic wave. Density perturbations due to ion acoustic wave and ponderomotive force couple with the oscillatory motion of plasma electron due to velocity of beat wave to give rise to a nonlinear current (by feedback mechanism) responsible for the growth of sideband wave at resonance. The growth rate of SBS was reduced (from ∼1012s−1 to 1010s−1) by applying a transverse static magnetic field ∼90 T. The present study can be useful for the excitation of fast plasma waves (for the purpose of electron acceleration) by two counter-propagating laser beams.
Computational fluid dynamics analysis of the vertical axis wind turbine blade with tubercle leading edge
Authors: Bai Chi-Jeng , Lin Yang-You , Lin San-Yih , Wang Wei-Cheng
Published: June 2015

The performance of a vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) blade with NACA0015 airfoil section has been investigated using the commercial computational fluid dynamics software ANSYS FluentTM. The Semi Implicit Method for Pressure Linked Equations algorithm is chosen to solve the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. The k-ω shear stress transport turbulence model was selected for the turbulence flow simulations. The simulation results of lift and drag coefficients between angles of attack of 0° and 40° were first validated with the experimental data in order to confirm the boundary layer distributions. The grid numbers and time step sizes were then examined to confirm the simulation accuracy. To exam the 3D effect, a 2.5D model was additionally developed and compared with 2D model. Finally, the predictions of thrust obtained from the blade with tubercle leading edge were compared with the ones from the straight blade. Overall, the thrusts of VAWT with modified turbine blades were lower than the ones with straight blade. The values of the thrust decreased with increasing amplitudes and decreasing wavelengths, mainly due to the structure of the vortices generated at the leading edge of the turbine blade.
Influence of deposition temperature of thermal ALD deposited Al2O3 films on silicon surface passivation
Authors: Batra Neha , Gope Jhuma , Vandana  , Panigrahi Jagannath , Singh Rajbir , Singh P. K.
Published: June 2015

The effect of deposition temperature (Tdep) and subsequent annealing time (tanl) of atomic layer deposited aluminum oxide (Al2O3) films on silicon surface passivation (in terms of surface recombination velocity, SRV) is investigated. The pristine samples (as-deposited) show presence of positive fixed charges, QF. The interface defect density (Dit) decreases with increase in Tdep which further decreases with tanl up to 100s. An effective surface passivation (SRV<8 cm/s) is realized for Tdep ≥ 200 °C. The present investigation suggests that low thermal budget processing provides the same quality of passivation as realized by high thermal budget process (tanl between 10 to 30 min).
Screening for UGT1A1 Genotype in Study A5257 Would Have Markedly Reduced Premature Discontinuation of Atazanavir for Hyperbilirubinemia
Authors: Vardhanabhuti Saran , Ribaudo Heather J. , Landovitz Raphael J. , Ofotokun Ighovwerha , Lennox Jeffrey L. , Currier Judith S. , Olson Lana M. , Haas David W.
Published: June 2015

Background.  Some patients are not prescribed atazanavir because of concern about possible jaundice. Atazanavir-associated hyperbilirubinemia correlates with UGT1A1 rs887829 genotype. We examined bilirubin-related discontinuation of atazanavir in participants from AIDS Clinical Trials Group Study A5257.

Methods.  Discriminatory properties of UGT1A1 T/T genotype for predicting bilirubin-related atazanavir discontinuation through 96 weeks after antiretroviral initiation were estimated.

Results.  Genetic analyses involved 1450 participants, including 481 who initiated randomized atazanavir/ritonavir. Positive predictive values of rs887829 T/T for bilirubin-related discontinuation of atazanavir (with 95% confidence intervals [CIs]) were 20% (CI, 9%–36%) in Black, 60% (CI, 32%–84%) in White, and 29% (CI, 8%–58%) in Hispanic participants; negative predictive values were 97% (CI, 93%–99%), 95% (CI, 90%–98%), and 97% (CI, 90%–100%), respectively.

Conclusions.  Bilirubin-related discontinuation of atazanavir was rare in participants not homozygous for rs887829 T/T, regardless of race or ethnicity. We hypothesize that the higher rate of discontinuation among White participants homozygous for rs887829 T/T may reflect differences in physical manifestations of jaundice by race and ethnicity. Selective avoidance of atazanavir initiation among individuals with T/T genotypes would markedly reduce the likelihood of bilirubin-related discontinuation of atazanavir while allowing atazanavir to be prescribed to the majority of individuals. This genetic association will also affect atazanavir/cobicistat.
Haptic-audio simulator for visually impaired indoor exploration
Authors: Todd Catherine , Mallya Swati , Majeed Sara , Rojas Jude , Naylor Katy
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– VirtuNav is a haptic-, audio-enabled virtual reality simulator that facilitates persons with visual impairment to explore a 3D computer model of a real-life indoor location, such as a room or building. The purpose of this paper is to aid in pre-planning and spatial awareness, for a user to become more familiar with the environment prior to experiencing it in reality.

Design/methodology/approach

– The system offers two unique interfaces: a free-roam interface where the user can navigate, and an edit mode where the administrator can manage test users, maps and retrieve test data.

Findings

– System testing reveals that spatial awareness and memory mapping improve with user iterations within VirtuNav.

Research limitations/implications

– VirtuNav is a research tool for investigation of user familiarity developed after repeated exposure to the simulator, to determine the extent to which haptic and/or sound cues improve a visually impaired user’s ability to navigate a room or building with or without occlusion.

Social implications

– The application may prove useful for greater real world engagement: to build confidence in real world experiences, enabling persons with sight impairment to more comfortably and readily explore and interact with environments formerly unfamiliar or unattainable to them.

Originality/value

– VirtuNav is developed as a practical application offering several unique features including map design, semi-automatic 3D map reconstruction and object classification from 2D map data. Visual and haptic rendering of real-time 3D map navigation are provided as well as automated administrative functions for shortest path determination, actual path comparison, and performance indicator assessment: exploration time taken and collision data.
Factiva and Canadian Newsstand Major Dailies
Authors: Driedger S. Michelle , Weimer Jade
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– Scholars rely on electronic databases to conduct searches and locate relevant citations. The purpose of this paper is to compare the retrieval results on the same topic (multiple sclerosis and liberation therapy) of two commonly used databases for searching print news media: ProQuest’s Canadian Newsstand Major Dailies and Dow Jones’ Factiva.

Design/methodology/approach

– A case study comparing two electronic searchable databases using the same keywords, date range, and newspaper-specific search parameters across three Canadian university institutions.

Findings

– Considerable differences were found between institutional searches using Factiva. Factiva allows all individual users the capacity to establish systems-wide “administrator” privileges, thereby controlling the output for subsequent users if these preferences are not changed. The capacity for individual users to tailor searches within Canadian Newsstand Major Dailies was more in line with standard protocols for institutions paying for single user accounts with access to multiple sessions within that same institution: any user-specific searching/retrieval preferences are individually contained within a search and do not influence the searches of a different user.

Research limitations/implications

– What began as a comparative analysis of two commonly used databases for searching print news media turned into an examination of larger systemic problems. The findings call into question several factors: the integrity of a researcher-generated data set; the quality of results published in peer-reviewed journals based on researcher-generated data sets derived from established e-resource databases; the reliability of the same e-resource database across multiple institutions; and the quality of e-resource databases for scholarly research when developed to serve primarily non-academic clients.

Originality/value

– No comparison of this kind for these particular e-resource databases has been documented in the literature. In fact, the scholarly publications that address questions of functionality and reliability of either Factiva or Proquest have not brought this issue into the discussion. Therefore, this study furthers academic discourse on the nature and reliability of database use at any academic institution and illustrates that researchers, in a variety of academic fields, cannot depend on the reliability of their search results without thoroughly consulting the various settings of their database.
Social viewing behavior in social TV: proposing a new concept of socio-usability
Authors: Shin Dong-Hee , Kim Janghyun
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine whether and how usability and sociability differ in the way they influence users’ experiences using social TV (STV).

Design/methodology/approach

– The research model is theoretically proposed and empirically tested through a survey of STV users in South Korea. The model was analysed using structural equation modelling, and the results were input to a neural network model to predict adoption.

Findings

– Users differ in their emphasis on the identified dimensions when they view STV and socialise through it. Furthermore, the findings show the mediating and moderating roles of perceived sociability on the effect of performance on intention. That is, with sociability, users perceive higher utilitarian value and enjoyable hedonic value and thus are more likely to intend to use STV.

Research limitations/implications

– The implications of these findings are discussed in terms of building a theory of sociability and providing practical insights into developing a meaningful sociable TV experiences.

Originality/value

– As multidimensional constructs, users’ perceptions of sociability and usability are determined by multiple heterogeneous factors, such as utility and social interaction. This study highlights these two aspects in terms of the rising use of STV.
The effects of background risk on behavioural lateralization in a coral reef fish
Authors: Ferrari Maud C.O. , McCormick Mark I. , Allan Bridie J. M. , Choi Rebecca B. , Ramasamy Ryan A. , Chivers Douglas P.
Published: June 2015

Behavioural lateralization – the preferential use of one side of the body or either of the bilateral organs or limbs – has been well documented in many species, in a number of contexts. While the benefits reported are numerous, existing latent variability in the degree of lateralization within and across populations, species and taxa indicates that existing costs may modulate its expression.

Few studies have reported changes in the degree of lateralization at the individual level, in response to long‐term changes in environmental conditions, but not in response to short‐term changes in environmental conditions. Predation is highly variable both temporally and spatially and hence is a good candidate for testing lateralization effects based on short‐term changes in environmental conditions.

Here, we tested the hypothesis that the degree of behavioural lateralization changes following short‐term exposure to different levels of risk. We tested whether wild‐caught juvenile damselfish exposed to a high or low background level of risk for 4 days would subsequently differ in their turning bias, a trait that has been linked to predator escape behaviour in fishes.

We found that 4 days is enough to induce a difference in the absolute lateralization scores of the fish, with high‐risk fish being more strongly lateralized than low‐risk fish. Practically, this difference stemmed from decreasing lateralization scores for newly recruiting coral reef fishes that were kept in low‐risk environments, with the concurrent maintenance of higher lateralization scores for fish maintained under high‐risk conditions. Fish from the high‐risk background had higher survival than those from the low‐risk background upon release into mesocosms containing reef predators.

Our study highlights how early exposure to differential predation risk affects the degree of behavioural lateralization. Given the profound effects of lateralization on many aspects of an animal's life from its ability to discriminate conspecifics to how it forages and interacts during agonistic interactions, predation risk may be a key driver of animal development.
Management of post‐pneumonectomy syndrome using tissue expanders
Authors: Jung Jae Jun , Cho Jong Ho , Kim Hong Kwan , Choi Yong Soo , Kim Jhingook , Zo Jae Ill , Shim Young Mog
Published: June 2015

Background

Post‐pneumonectomy syndrome (PPS) is a rare syndrome characterized by trachea‐bronchial stenosis and severe dyspnea. In this study, we retrospectively evaluated the clinical outcomes in patients who underwent placement of tissue expanders for PPS.

Methods

Data from patients who underwent placement of tissue expanders for PPS were analyzed for preoperative characteristics, surgical techniques, and postoperative outcomes. Between 1997 and 2014, a total of 10 patients were treated for PPS by tissue expanders.

Results

The median age of the 10 patients was 45 years (range, 16–70). Four patients had undergone right pneumonectomy, three patients had undergone left pneumonectomy, and three patients had post‐pneumonectomy‐like syndrome. Preoperatively, seven patients initially received high oxygen therapy for hypoxemia but progressed to respiratory failure, and three patients required mechanical ventilator support. Among these three patients, one required intraoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support because of sudden cardiac arrest during preparation for surgery. The median follow‐up was 59.5 months (range, 2–204). The median interval between pneumonectomy and repositioning was 13 months (range, 8–581). Two patients underwent placement of a single tissue expander, and two tissue expanders were placed in eight of the 10 patients. The median volume of tissue expanders inflated with saline was 450 cc (range, 60–850 cc) per tissue expander. There was no perioperative mortality in our study. Complications occurred in four patients (40%).

Conclusions

Repositioning of the mediastinum with placement of a saline filled tissue expander for PPS is very effective for the relief of symptoms, with low mortality.
Mortality in incident dementia – results from the German Study on Aging, Cognition, and Dementia in Primary Care Patients
Authors: Roehr S. , Luck T. , Bickel H. , Brettschneider C. , Ernst A. , Fuchs A. , Heser K. , König H.‐H. , Jessen F. , Lange C. , Mösch E. , Pentzek M. , Steinmann S. , Weyerer S. , Werle J. , Wiese B. , Scherer M. , Maier W. , Riedel‐Heller S. G. ,   the AgeCoDe Study Group
Published: June 2015

Objective

Dementia is known to increase mortality, but the relative loss of life years and contributing factors are not well established. Thus, we aimed to investigate mortality in incident dementia from disease onset.

Method

Data were derived from the prospective longitudinal German AgeCoDe study. We used proportional hazards models to assess the impact of sociodemographic and health characteristics on mortality after dementia onset, Kaplan–Meier method for median survival times.

Results

Of 3214 subjects at risk, 523 (16.3%) developed incident dementia during a 9‐year follow‐up period. Median survival time after onset was 3.2 years (95% CI = 2.8–3.7) at a mean age of 85.0 (SD = 4.0) years (≥2.6 life years lost compared with the general German population). Survival was shorter in older age, males other dementias than Alzheimer's, and in the absence of subjective memory complaints (SMC).

Conclusion

Our findings emphasize that dementia substantially shortens life expectancy. Future studies should further investigate the potential impact of SMC on mortality in dementia.
Probiotics in neonatal intensive care – Back to the future
Authors: Deshpande Girish , Rao Shripada , Patole Sanjay
Published: June 2015

Survival of extremely preterm and critically ill neonates has improved significantly over the last few decades following advances in neonatal intensive care. These include antenatal glucocorticoids, surfactant, continuous positive airway pressure support, advanced gentle modes of ventilation and inhaled nitric oxide. Probiotic supplementation is a recent significant milestone in the history of neonatal intensive care. Very few, if any, interventions match the ability of probiotics to significantly reduce the risk of death and definite necrotising enterocolitis while facilitating enteral feeds in high‐risk preterm neonates. Probiotics also have a potential to benefit neonates with surgical conditions with significant gastrointestinal morbidity. Current evidence for the benefits of probiotic supplementation for neonates in an intensive care unit is reviewed. The mechanisms for the benefits of probiotics in this population are discussed, and guidelines for clinicians are provided in the context of the regulatory framework in Australia.
Avoiding unnecessary blood transfusions in women with profound anaemia
Authors: Lee Eun Sil , Kim Min Jung , Park Bo Ra , Kim Jeong Sig , Choi Gyu Yeon , Lee Jeong Jae , Lee Im Soon
Published: June 2015

Background

Blood transfusions may be associated with risks and the risk: benefit ratio is not always clear, even in the setting of haemorrhage.

Aims

To describe the management practices and outcomes in women with profound anaemia who refused blood transfusion.

Materials and Methods

Retrospective analysis over a 10‐year time frame of severely anaemic women (Hb <50 g/L) with benign conditions who had requested not to receive a blood transfusion. Demographic data, clinical presentation, anaemia management practice and serious adverse events were collected from the medical record charts. Women were analysed in two groups: a gynaecologic (Gyn) and an obstetric (Ob) population.

Results

A total of 19 women (12 Gyn and 7 Ob) met the inclusion criteria with a mean age of 35.8 ± 10.2 years. The lowest mean Hb concentration was 41.3 ± 9.7 g/L (Gyn Group) and 36.0 ± 8.9 g/L (Ob Group) which increased, to 67.3 ± 14.3 g/L and 73.1 ± 6.9 g/L, respectively, by the time of hospital discharge. Anaemia management initially addressed the underlying etiology and was followed by intravenous iron (all cases) plus erythropoiesis stimulating agents, haemocoagulase and/or fluids. The mean length of hospital stay was 10.5 ± 4.4 and 13.7 ± 4.1 days for the Gyn and Ob groups, respectively. No deaths or other serious complications occurred.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that young and otherwise healthy women can tolerate profound anaemia (Hb <50 g/L) permitting corrective strategies to be successfully implemented without the need for blood transfusion.
Perineal management techniques among midwives at five hospitals in New South Wales – A cross‐sectional survey
Authors: Ampt Amanda J. , de Vroome Michelle , Ford Jane B.
Published: June 2015

Background

Midwives are reported to have changed from ‘hands on’ to ‘hands poised or off’ approaches to birth at the same time as obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIs) are increasing. As perineal management details are not routinely collected, it is difficult to quantify practice.

Aims

To determine which perineal protections techniques midwives prefer for low‐risk non‐water births; whether preference is associated with technique taught or with other characteristics; and whether midwives change preference according to clinical scenario.

Materials and Methods

Midwives in Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD) were surveyed during a 2‐week period in 2014. Multiple‐choice questions were used, with free text option. Descriptive analyses, chi‐square and McNemar tests were undertaken.

Results

One hundred and eight midwives participated (response rate 76.7%). ‘Hands poised or off’ was preferred by 63.0% for a low‐risk birth. Current practice was associated with technique taught (P < 0.01). For scenarios with increased OASI risk midwives reported switching to ‘hands on’, with 83.4% employing ‘hands on’ whether there was concern about an impending OASI. There has been a shift over time from teaching ‘hands on’ to ‘hands poised or off’.

Conclusion

The preferred technique for a low‐risk birth appears to have changed from ‘hands on’ to ‘hands poised or off’, but most midwives adopt ‘hands on’ in situations of high risk for OASI. Further research is needed to establish whether there is an association with the rising OASI rate and the change in preferred perineal management technique for a low‐risk birth.
Risk of high‐grade cervical dysplasia and gynaecological malignancies following the cytologic diagnosis of atypical endocervical cells of undetermined significance: A retrospective study of a state‐wide screening population in Western Australia
Authors: Munro Aime , Williams Vincent , Semmens James , Leung Yee , Stewart Colin J.R. , Codde Jim , Spilsbury Katrina , Steel Nerida , Cohen Paul , O'leary Peter
Published: June 2015

Background

In 2006, Australia adopted a revised cervical cytology terminology system, known as the Australian Modified Bethesda System (AMBS). One substantial change in the AMBS was the introduction of the diagnostic category of atypical endocervical cells (AEC) of undetermined significance.

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of histologically confirmed high‐grade cervical dysplasia (cervical intra‐epithelial neoplasia (CIN) grades 2 and 3 and adenocarcinoma in situ (ACIS)), cervical carcinoma and endometrial carcinoma in women presenting with AEC on cervical cytology.

Methods

A seven‐year retrospective study examining clinical outcomes of women with AEC on a screening cervical smear. Cytology and histology results were extracted from the Western Australia Cervical Screening Registry, and time‐to‐event analysis was used to predict the odds of having or developing in situ and invasive neoplasia.

Results

AEC was reported in index smears from 0.093% (584/622754) women during the study period. No follow‐up was available in 35 AEC cases. Sixty‐five of the remaining 549 women (11.8%) had, or developed, high‐grade cervical dysplasia within five years of their index AEC diagnosis. Endometrial cancer was diagnosed in 21 women and cervical cancer in four women during the follow‐up period.

Conclusion

Cytologic demonstration of AEC requires careful gynaecologic evaluation, particularly in younger women who may be found to have either high‐grade squamous (CIN) or glandular (ACIS) lesions, while in older women, the possibility of endometrial neoplasia needs to be considered.
The association between endometrial polyps and metabolic syndrome: A case–control study
Authors: Özkan Nazlı Topfedaisi , Tokmak Aytekin , Güzel Ali İrfan , Özkan Selçuk , çİçek Mahmut Nedim
Published: June 2015

Background

Endometrial polyps are common benign gynaecologic disorders. The etiopathogenesis of this condition remains unclear, however obesity is an important risk factor for the development of endometrial polyps.

Aim

The aim of the study was to evaluate a possible association between endometrial polyps and clinical parameters of metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Materials and Methods

Forty‐five women with endometrial polyps (study group) and 45 without (control group) were included in this cross‐sectional study. The main parameters evaluated between the groups were age, BMI (body mass index), waist circumference (WC), blood pressure, serum lipid profiles, fasting glucose levels and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR).

Results

There was a significant difference between the groups in terms of BMI, WC, insulin levels and HOMA‐IR (P < 0.05). The MetS was present in 32 (71.1%) of women in the study group and in 6 (13.3%) in the control group (P < 0.001). Logistic regression demonstrated that MetS was a significant risk factor for endometrial polyps. ROC curve analysis also showed that MetS was the most significant discriminative risk factor in the study group with an AUC of 0.789 (0.691–0.887; CI 95%).

Conclusion

Our study suggests that there may be a relationship between endometrial polyps, MetS and insulin resistance. Further studies are required to explain the role of this relationship in the pathogenesis of the disease.