bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Health economic burden that different wound types impose on the UK's National Health Service
Authors: Guest Julian F , Ayoub Nadia , McIlwraith Tracey , Uchegbu Ijeoma , Gerrish Alyson , Weidlich Diana , Vowden Kathryn , Vowden Peter
Published: May 2016

The aim of this study was to estimate the patterns of care and annual levels of health care resource use attributable to the management of different wound types by the UK's National Health Service (NHS) in 2012/2013 and the annual costs incurred by the NHS in managing them. This was a retrospective cohort analysis of the records of 2000 patients in The Health Improvement Network (THIN) Database. Patients' characteristics, wound‐related health outcomes and all health care resource use were quantified, and the total NHS cost of patient management was estimated at 2013/2014 prices. The NHS managed an estimated 2·2 million patients with a wound during 2012/2013. Patients were predominantly managed in the community by general practitioners (GPs) and nurses. The annual NHS cost varied between £1·94 billion for managing 731 000 leg ulcers and £89·6 million for managing 87 000 burns, and associated comorbidities. Sixty‐one percent of all wounds were shown to heal in an average year. Resource use associated with managing the unhealed wounds was substantially greater than that of managing the healed wounds (e.g. 20% more practice nurse visits, 104% more community nurse visits). Consequently, the annual cost of managing wounds that healed in the study period was estimated to be £2·1 billion compared with £3·2 billion for the 39% of wounds that did not heal within the study year. Within the study period, the cost per healed wound ranged from £698 to £3998 per patient and that of an unhealed wound ranged from £1719 to £5976 per patient. Hence, the patient care cost of an unhealed wound was a mean 135% more than that of a healed wound. Real‐world evidence highlights the substantial burden that wounds impose on the NHS in an average year. Clinical and economic benefits to both patients and the NHS could accrue from strategies that focus on (a) wound prevention, (b) accurate diagnosis and (c) improving wound‐healing rates.
A meta‐analysis of reflectance confocal microscopy for the diagnosis of malignant skin tumours
Authors: Xiong Y.D. , Ma S. , Li X. , Zhong X. , Duan C. , Chen Q.
Published: May 2016

Early diagnosis is extremely important for treatment and prognosis of skin cancer. Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is a recently developed technique used to diagnose skin cancer. This meta‐analysis was carried out to assess the accuracy of RCM for the diagnosis of malignant skin tumours. We conducted a systematic literature search of EMBASE, PubMed, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science database for relevant articles in English published up to 24 December 2015. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the QUADAS‐2 tool. Statistical analyses were conducted using the software Meta‐Disc version 1.4 and STATA version 12.0. A total of 21 studies involving 3108 patients with a total of 3602 lesions were included in the per‐lesion analysis. The corresponding pooled results for sensitivity and specificity were 93.6% (95% CI: 0.92–0.95) and 82.7% (95% CI: 0.81–0.84) respectively. Positive likelihood ratio and negative likelihood ratio were 5.84 (95% CI: 4.27–7.98) and 0.08 (95% CI: 0.07–0.10) respectively. Subgroup analysis showed that RCM had a sensitivity of 92.7% (95% CI: 0.90–0.95) and a specificity of 78.3% (95% CI: 0.76–0.81) for detecting melanoma. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of RCM for detecting basal cell carcinoma were 91.7% (95% CI: 0.87–0.95) and 91.3% (95% CI: 0.94–0.96) respectively. RCM is a valid method of identifying malignant skin tumours accurately.
Effects of maternal folic acid supplementation on gene methylation and being small for gestational age
Authors: Qian Y.‐Y. , Huang X.‐L. , Liang H. , Zhang Z.‐F. , Xu J.‐H. , Chen J.‐P. , Yuan W. , He L. , Wang L. , Miao M.‐H. , Du J. , Li D.‐K.
Published: May 2016

Background

Being small for gestational age (SGA), a foetal growth abnormality, has a long‐lasting impact on childhood health. Its aetiology and underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Underlying epigenetic changes of imprinted genes have emerged as a potential pathological pathway because they may be associated with growth, including SGA. As a common methyl donor, folic acid (FA) is essential for DNA methylation, synthesis and repair, and FA supplementation is widely recommended for women planning pregnancy. The present study aimed to investigate the inter‐relationships among methylation levels of two imprinted genes [H19 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) and MEST DMRs], maternal FA supplementation and SGA.

Methods

We conducted a case–control study. Umbilical cord blood was taken from 39 SGA infants and 49 controls whose birth weights are appropriate for gestational age (AGA). DNA methylation levels of H19 and MEST DMRs were determined by an analysis of mass array quantitative methylation.

Results

Statistically significantly higher methylation levels were observed at sites 7.8, 9 and 17.18 of H19 (P = 0.030, 0.016 and 0.050, respectively) in the SGA infants compared to the AGA group. In addition, the association was stronger in male births where the mothers took FA around conception at six H19 sites (P = 0.004, 0.005, 0.048, 0.002, 0.021 and 0.005, respectively).

Conclusions

Methylation levels at H19 DMRs were higher in SGA infants compared to AGA controls. It appears that the association may be influenced by maternal peri‐conception FA supplementation and also be sex‐specific.
A systematic literature review of the physical and psychosocial correlates of Special Olympics participation among individuals with intellectual disability
Authors: Tint A. , Thomson K. , Weiss J.A.
Published: May 2016

Background

Special Olympics (SO) is commonly cited to play an important role in the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID). The purpose of the current review was to (a) synthesise key findings regarding the physical, psychological/emotional, social and/or intellectual/cognitive correlates of SO participation for individuals with ID and (b) highlight limitations in the extant research as well as directions for future research.

Method

A systematic review of electronic databases was undertaken. A total of 46 articles were confirmed to meet study criteria. Quality assessments of included studies were conducted using checklists from the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network methodology checklists (SIGN 50; SIGN 2008).

Results

There was a larger amount of support for physical, psychological/emotional and social outcomes as compared with cognitive/intellectual outcomes; however, many studies were confounded by measurement difficulties, sampling procedures and a lack of replicable methods, which hinder generalisation of results.

Conclusions

This review highlights the need for a continued critical focus on SO programme evaluation research with more rigorous and replicable methods.
Ultrastructural features of dentinoenamel junction revealed by focused gallium ion beam milling
Authors: BAKHSH TURKI A.
Published: May 2016

To take full advantage of focused ion beam (FIB) in preparation of ultrathin sections of biological tissues, we have used a cryo‐milling process. In this study, extracted human teeth were scanned by optical coherence tomography to inspect the samples for intactness and to determine the area of interest. Then, the selected area of interest was cross‐sectioned for examination under a confocal laser scanning microscope to determine the target location of the dentinoenamel junction (DEJ) that was later milled by cryo‐FIB at preset parameters, followed by transmission electron microscope examination of the final sliced specimens for ultrastructural characterization. The proposed technique was able to outline the DEJ and to identify the different tooth layers in a single section, without artefacts or tissue damage. The DEJ was outlined as fine longitudinal projections intermingling between the solid electron‐dense enamel and intricate electron‐lucent hollow dentin. In conclusion, this study has shown the great potential of cryo‐FIB in handling different biological tissues having different physical properties, with great precision and accuracy and minimum artefacts.
Screening for SH3TC2 gene mutations in a series of demyelinating recessive Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease (CMT4)
Authors: Piscosquito Giuseppe , Saveri Paola , Magri Stefania , Ciano Claudia , Gandioli Claudia , Morbin Michela , Bella Daniela D. , Moroni Isabella , Taroni Franco , Pareyson Davide
Published: May 2016

Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease type 4C (CMT4C) is an autosomal recessive (AR) demyelinating neuropathy associated to SH3TC2 mutations, characterized by early onset, spine deformities, and cranial nerve involvement. We screened 43 CMT4 patients (36 index cases) with AR inheritance, demyelinating nerve conductions, and negative testing for PMP22 duplication, GJB1 and MPZ mutations, for SH3TC2 mutations. Twelve patients (11 index cases) had CMT4C as they carried homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations in SH3TC2. We found six mutations: three nonsense (p.R1109*, p.R954*, p.Q892*), one splice site (c.805+2T>C), one synonymous variant (p.K93K) predicting altered splicing, and one frameshift (p.F491Lfs*32) mutation. The splice site and the frameshift mutations are novel. Mean onset age was 7 years (range: 1–14). Neuropathy was moderate‐to‐severe. Scoliosis was present in 11 patients (severe in 4), and cranial nerve deficits in 9 (hearing loss in 7). Scoliosis and cranial nerve involvement are frequent features of this CMT4 subtype, and their presence should prompt the clinician to look for SH3TC2 gene mutations. In our series of undiagnosed CMT4 patients, SH3TC2 mutation frequency is 30%, confirming that CMT4C may be the most common AR‐CMT type.
Workplace bullying among Nurses in South Taiwan
Authors: Fang Li , Huang Su‐Hui , Fang Shu‐Hui
Published: May 2016

Aims and objectives

This study was to investigate bullying among hospital nurses and its correlates.

Background

Chinese people were unlikely to express their opinions or pursue individual rights. Workplace bullying took place more easily among the educated people within Chinese culture. However, studies related to workplace bullying among hospital nurses in Taiwan were still limited.

Design

A cross‐sectional design.

Methods

Two hundred and eighty‐five nurses who worked in the regional teaching hospital in south Taiwan were recruited. The significant predictors of workplace bullying were identified by using linear regression analysis.

Results

The mean of overall bullying was 1·47, showing that the frequency of the nurses having experienced workplace bullying was between ‘never’ and ‘now and then’. The most frequent bullying item was ‘being yelled at or being the target of anger’, followed by ‘being the objects of untruthful criticism’ and ‘having views ignored’. Hospital nurses working in the Emergency room would gain 10·888 points more in the overall bullying scale compared with those who worked in operation rooms or haemodialysis rooms. They were more likely to be bullied. Hospital nurses with one year increase in nursing experience were 0·207 points less likely to be bullied.

Conclusions

Reducing workplace bullying among hospital nurses was an essential method to provide quality assurance to health care. Nurse managers should build up zero tolerance policy to decrease nurses’ exposure to workplace bullying.

Relevance to clinical practice

Training programmes related to bullying prevention are suggested to avoid workplace bullying. The contents of the educational training programmes or workshops should incorporate the characteristics and consequences of the workplace bullying, and the strategies to deal with bullying.
The potential role of in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy for evaluating oral cavity lesions: a systematic review
Authors: Lucchese Alberta , Gentile Enrica , Romano Antonio , Maio Claudio , Laino Luigi , Serpico Rosario
Published: May 2016

Background

Since the early 2000s, several studies have examined the application of reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) to the oral cavity. This review gives an overview of the literature on reflectance confocal microscopy analysis of the oral cavity in vivo and identifies flaws in the studies, providing guidance to improve reflectance confocal microscopy applications and inform the design of future studies.

Methods

The PubMed, ISI, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for publications on RCM using the terms ‘reflectance confocal microscopy’ in combination with ‘mouth’ and other terms related to the topic of interest.

Results

The search gave 617 results. Seventeen studies were included in our final analysis. We decided to organize the selected articles according to four topics: healthy mucosa, autoimmune diseases, cancer and precancerous lesions, and hard dental tissues.

Conclusion

Although reflectance confocal microscopy is promising for diagnosing and monitoring oral pathology, it has shortcomings and there are still too few publications on this topic. Further studies are needed to increase the quantity and quality of the results, to translate research into clinical practice.
Optimal Subsidization of Business Start‐Ups
Authors: YAZICI HAKKI
Published: May 2016

This paper studies efficient allocation of resources in an economy in which agents are initially heterogeneous with regard to their wealth levels and whether they have productive ideas or not. An agent with an idea can start a business that generates random returns. Agents have private information about (1) their initial types, (2) how they allocate their resources between consumption and investment, and (3) the realized returns. I show that, under informational frictions, a society that targets productive efficiency should subsidize poor agents with ideas, and choose the amount and timing of subsidies carefully in order to ensure that other agents do not mimic poor agents with ideas and receive subsidies. Then, I provide an implementation of the start‐up subsidies in a market framework that resembles the U.S. Small Business Administration's Business Loan Program.
EXTRA SPINDLE POLES (Separase) controls anisotropic cell expansion in Norway spruce (Picea abies) embryos independently of its role in anaphase progression
Authors: Moschou Panagiotis N. , Savenkov Eugene I. , Minina Elena A. , Fukada Kazutake , Reza Salim Hossain , Gutierrez‐Beltran Emilio , Sanchez‐Vera Victoria , Suarez Maria F. , Hussey Patrick J. , Smertenko Andrei P. , Bozhkov Peter V.
Published: May 2016

The caspase‐related protease separase (EXTRA SPINDLE POLES, ESP) plays a major role in chromatid disjunction and cell expansion in Arabidopsis thaliana. Whether the expansion phenotypes are linked to defects in cell division in Arabidopsis ESP mutants remains elusive.

Here we present the identification, cloning and characterization of the gymnosperm Norway spruce (Picea abies, Pa) ESP. We used the P. abies somatic embryo system and a combination of reverse genetics and microscopy to explore the roles of Pa ESP during embryogenesis.

Pa ESP was expressed in the proliferating embryonal mass, while it was absent in the suspensor cells. Pa ESP associated with kinetochore microtubules in metaphase and then with anaphase spindle midzone. During cytokinesis, it localized on the phragmoplast microtubules and on the cell plate. Pa ESP deficiency perturbed anisotropic expansion and reduced mitotic divisions in cotyledonary embryos. Furthermore, whilst Pa ESP can rescue the chromatid nondisjunction phenotype of Arabidopsis ESP mutants, it cannot rescue anisotropic cell expansion.

Our data demonstrate that the roles of ESP in daughter chromatid separation and cell expansion are conserved between gymnosperms and angiosperms. However, the mechanisms of ESP‐mediated regulation of cell expansion seem to be lineage‐specific.
Zika virus: oral healthcare implications
Authors: Leão JC , Gueiros LA , Lodi G , Robinson NA , Scully C
Published: May 2016

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection has been recognised since 1947, but just recently it became a worldwide major public health problem. The most common features of ZIKV infection are fever, cutaneous rash, arthralgia and conjunctivitis but most affected patients with the clinical disease present with only mild symptoms. However, severe neurological complications have been described: there is an occasional association with Guillain–Barre syndrome, and emerging data indicate an association between vertical transmission of ZIKV infection and microcephaly, but no specific orofacial manifestations have yet been reported. ZIKV is present in body fluids and has also been demonstrated in the saliva, but there is as yet no reliable evidence to support ZIKV transmission via this pathway. Transmission in oral health care should be effectively prevented using standard infection control measures. There are currently no specific treatments for Zika virus disease and no vaccines available, so prevention of ZIKV is based on vector control.
Immune cellular profile of bisphosphonate‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw
Authors: de Barros Silva PG , de Oliveira CC , Brizeno LAC , Wong DVT , Lima Júnior RCP , Gonçalves RP , Sousa FB , Mota MRL , de Albuquerque Ribeiro R , Alves APNN
Published: May 2016

Objectives

Characterize the cell profile and immunostaining of proinflammatory markers in an experimental model of bisphosphonate‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ).

Materials and Methods

Male Wistar rats (n = 6–7) were treated chronically with saline solution or zoledronic acid (ZA) at 0.04, 0.20, and 1.00 mg kg−1 (1.4 × 10−7, 6.9 × 10−6, and 3.4 × 10−5 mol kg−1), and subsequently, the first left inferior molar was extracted. Were performed counting of viable and empty osteocyte lacunae, viable and apoptotic osteoclasts, polymorphonuclear neutrophil, mast cells (toluidine blue), and the positive presence cells for CD68, tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), IL (interleukin)‐1β, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐kB) and IL‐18 binding protein (IL‐18 bp).

Results

BRONJ was showed in ZA treated with 0.20 and 1.00 mg kg−1. There is a dose dependent increase in percentage of empty osteocyte lacunae (P < 0.001) and apoptotic osteoclasts (P < 0.001), counting of total osteoclasts (P = 0.003), polymorphonuclear neutrophil cells (P = 0.009), cytoplasmic‐positive cells of CD68 (P < 0.001), TNF‐α (P = 0.001), IL‐1β (P = 0.001), iNOS (P < 0.001), NF‐kB (P = 0.006), and nuclear‐positive cells of NF‐kB (P = 0.011). Consequently, there is no difference in mast cells (P = 0.957), and IL‐18 bp immunostaining decreases dose dependently (P = 0.005).

Conclusions

BRONJ is characterized by increases in immunostaining for proinflammatory markers and NF‐kB and inversely associated with cells exhibiting IL‐18 bp.
At what scales does aggregated dispersal lead to coexistence?
Authors: Pedersen Eric J. , Guichard Frédéric
Published: May 2016

Aggregation during dispersal can allow persistence of weak competitors, by creating conditions where stronger competitors are more likely to interact with conspecifics than with heterospecifics. However, aggregation mechanisms operate over a wide range of spatial scales, and species experience space in very different ways. The net effect of dispersal aggregation on coexistence will depend on how these scales interact. We show that it is possible to approximate the effects of aggregated dispersal on coexistence by considering three empirically measurable parameters: the spatial scale of interaction (how strongly competition drops off with distance), the spatial scale of aggregation (how large propagule packets are), and the temporal scale of aggregation (how frequently packets arrive). We use a novel metacommunity moment closure based on this approximation and stochastic simulations to show that aggregated dispersal allows for coexistence only when the stronger competitor is both aggregated and interacts at the same or a smaller spatial scale than the weaker competitor. When species interact and are aggregated at the same scales, coexistence outcomes are only weakly sensitive to the absolute scales of interaction and aggregation, as long as the scale of interaction is smaller than the scale of aggregation. However, coexistence is sensitive to the time‐scale of aggregation: increasing the frequency of packet arrival substantially reduces the region of fitness inequalities where both species persist. Finally, coexistence is less likely and global extinction of both competitors is more frequent when aggregation is fixed (with a constant number of propagules per packet), compared to density‐dependent (number of propagules increases with adult density).
Nonprofits as Advocates and Providers: A Conceptual Framework
Authors: Fyall Rachel
Published: May 2016

While nonprofit organizations are frequently understood as influencing policy through advocacy, the policy influence of nonprofit service provision has not been widely acknowledged within the context of the policy process. In spite of this oversight, nonprofit organizations have significant discretion over the publicly funded services they provide, and public policy is continuously shaped through nonprofit service delivery. Furthermore, nonprofit organizations frequently embody the roles of interest group and policy implementer simultaneously. The advocate‐provider framework presented here situates these concurrent nonprofit functions within the policy process context. This framework connects research and theory across policy process, public management, and nonprofit management scholarship. The advocate‐provider perspective challenges assumptions from existing scholarship while highlighting the need for future research that jointly investigates nonprofit advocacy, public service provision, and policy processes.
Pericarditis and Pericardial Effusions in End‐Stage Renal Disease
Authors: Dad Taimur , Sarnak Mark J.
Published: May 2016

Pericarditis and pericardial effusions are not uncommon in patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD). Etiologies include those found in the general population along with two entities unique to patients with kidney disease, namely uremic and dialysis‐associated pericarditis. Uremic pericarditis has been arbitrarily defined as pericarditis that develops before or within 8 weeks of initiation of dialysis, while dialysis‐associated pericarditis is used to define pericarditis in patients on dialysis for more than 8 weeks. Retention of uremic toxins is likely a major contributor to uremic and dialysis‐associated pericarditis although their exact cause is not known. Indeed, whether they are actually distinct entities is uncertain. Symptoms and signs of pericarditis differ in patients with ESRD compared to the non‐ESRD population. Management has not been well studied and ranges from initiation and intensification of dialysis to percutaneous or open drainage for large effusions. This review covers the literature on this topic but emphasizes that most of the data are old and of relatively poor quality, and therefore additional research is needed.
Predictors of high‐quality cord blood units
Authors: Santos Sandra V.F. , Barros Sonia M.O. , Santos Marisa S. , Marti Luciana C. , Ribeiro Andreza A.F. , Kondo Andrea T. , Kutner Jose M.
Published: May 2016

BACKGROUND

Analysis of umbilical cord blood (UCB) transplants shows a correlation between engraftment and total number of infused cells. Thus, it is worth evaluating what maternal and neonatal characteristics and collection techniques may affect the quality of UCB units.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A cross‐sectional study was performed with 7897 donors sequentially selected in three health care institutions in Brazil from October 2004 to March 2012, in which both quantitative and qualitative approaches were applied. All donors were considered suitable for cord blood collection.

RESULTS

The maternal and neonatal characteristics and techniques of collection that influenced the total number of nucleated cells (TNCs; p < 0.001) were type of delivery, newborn weight and sex, and institution of UCB collection. The TNC count was associated with gestational age (p = 0.008), type of delivery (p < 0.001), newborn sex (p < 0.001), newborn weight (p < 0.001), and UCB collection technique (p = 0.003). Center B presented the largest number of nucleated cells in its results (p < 0.001), followed by Center A (p = 0.001). Other characteristics, such as maternal age, were analyzed but were not relevant for the nucleated cell number.

CONCLUSION

This study provides elements for a model that allows an efficient selection of UCB donors, prioritizing candidates who have a better chance to lead to an optimized use of cord blood cells units.
Dynamin‐1 deletion enhances post‐tetanic potentiation and quantal size after tetanic stimulation at the calyx of Held
Authors: Mahapatra Satyajit , Lou Xuelin
Published: May 2016

Key points

Post‐tetanic potentiation (PTP) is attributed mainly to an increase in release probability (Pr) and/or readily‐releasable pool (RRP) in many synapses, but the role of endocytosis in PTP is unknown.

Using the calyx of Held synapse from tissue‐specific dynamin‐1 knockout (cKO) mice (P16–20), we report that cKO synapses show enhanced PTP compared to control.

We found significant increases in both spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic current (spEPSC) amplitude and RRP size (estimated by a train of 30 APs at 100 Hz) in cKO over control during PTP.

Actin depolymerization blocks the increase in spEPSC amplitude in both control and cKO, and it abolishes the enhancement of PTP in cKO. PTP is sensitive to the PKC inhibitor GF109203X in both control and cKO.

We conclude that an activity‐dependent quantal size increase contributes to the enhancement of PTP in cKO over control and an altered endocytosis affects short‐term plasticity through quantal size changes.

High‐frequency stimulation leads to post‐tetanic potentiation (PTP) at many types of synapses. Previous studies suggest that PTP results primarily from a protein kinase C (PKC)‐dependent increase in release probability (Pr) and/or readily‐releasable pool (RRP) of synaptic vesicles (SVs), but the role of SV endocytosis in PTP is unknown. Using the mature calyx of Held (P16–20), we report that tissue‐specific ablation of dynamin‐1 (cKO), an endocytic protein crucial for SV regeneration, enhances PTP in cKO over control. To explore the mechanism of this enhancement, we estimated the changes in paired‐pulse ratios (PPRs) and RRP size during PTP. RRP was estimated by the back‐extrapolation of cumulative EPSC amplitudes during a train of 30 action potentials at 100 Hz (termed RRPtrain). We found an increase in RRPtrain during PTP in both control and cKO, but no significant changes in the PPR. Moreover, the amplitude and frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (spEPSCs) increased during PTP in both control and cKO; however, the spEPSC amplitude in cKO during PTP was significantly larger than in control. Actin depolymerization reagent latrunculin‐B (Lat‐B) abolished the activity‐dependent increase in spEPSC amplitude in both control and cKO, but selectively blocked the enhancement of PTP in cKO, without affecting PTP in control. PKC inhibitor GF109203X nearly abolished PTP in both control and cKO. These data suggest that the quantal size increase contributes to the enhancement of PTP in dynamin‐1 cKO, and this change depends on strong synaptic activity and actin polymerization.
Design, Simulation, and Injection Moulding of a Microreactor Baseplate
Authors: Valentinčič Joško , Glojek Andrej , Sabotin Izidor
Published: May 2016

A suitable tooling strategy is identified to enable mass production of a microreactor baseplate via injection moulding. A bottom grooved micromixer design suitable for micromilling of a tool insert is developed. To identify suitable polymer and process parameters, injection moulding simulations are performed. Mesh generation is described; two approaches of gate description as well as mould temperature control in simulation software are discussed. Three materials are examined from the injection moulding point of view, polystyrene (PS), cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), and polyether ether ketone (PEEK). A microreactor baseplate is produced by injection moulding of PS.
Dynamic Bayesian Network-Based Risk Assessment for Arctic Offshore Drilling Waste Handling Practices
Authors: Ayele Yonas Zewdu , Barabady Javad , Droguett Enrique Lopez
Published: May 2016

The increased complexity of Arctic offshore drilling waste handling facilities, coupled with stringent regulatory requirements such as zero “hazardous” discharge, calls for rigorous risk management practices. To assess and quantify risks from offshore drilling waste handling practices, a number of methods and models are developed. Most of the conventional risk assessment approaches are, however, broad, holistic, practical guides or roadmaps developed for off-the-shelf systems, for non-Arctic offshore operations. To avoid the inadequacies of traditional risk assessment approaches and to manage the major risk elements connected with the handling of drilling waste, this paper proposes a risk assessment methodology for Arctic offshore drilling waste handling practices based on the dynamic Bayesian network (DBN). The proposed risk methodology combines prior operating environment information with actual observed data from weather forecasting to predict the future potential hazards and/or risks. The methodology continuously updates the potential risks based on the current risk influencing factors (RIF) such as snowstorms, and atmospheric and sea spray icing information. The application of the proposed methodology is demonstrated by a drilling waste handling scenario case study for an oil field development project in the Barents Sea, Norway. The case study results show that the risk of undesirable events in the Arctic is 4.2 times more likely to be high (unacceptable) environmental risk than the risk of events in the North Sea. Further, the Arctic environment has the potential to cause high rates of waste handling system failure; these are between 50 and 85%, depending on the type of system and operating season.
Magnesium hydride film formation using subatmospheric pressure H2 plasma at low temperature
Authors: Ohmi Hiromasa , Kakiuchi Hiroaki , Yasutake Kiyoshi
Published: May 2016

MgH2 films were prepared using pure hydrogen plasma under subatmospheric pressures ranging from 13.3 to 53.3 kPa (100–400 Torr). The prepared films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction (XRD), and temperature programmed desorption measurements. The ratio of MgH2 to Mg in the prepared films was evaluated, as the degree of Mg hydrogenation, by XRD analysis. The plasma was found to be indispensable for the preparation of thick MgH2 film near normal hydrogen pressure. Hydrogen plasma exposure treatment after Mg film formation had only a very small effect on thick MgH2 film formation, despite the use of subatmospheric pressure hydrogen plasma with high H atom density. Simultaneous supply of Mg and atomic hydrogen was found to be important in preparing thick MgH2 films. Therefore, the surface reaction between Mg and H appears to play an important role in the growth process. The flux ratio (ΓH/ΓMg) of atomic H and Mg required to prepare highly hydrogenated Mg was found to be more than 100. The resulting degree of hydrogenation of the prepared MgH2 film was as good or better than that of commercial powders. MgH2 film prepared on Si substrate exhibited growth with (211) preferred orientation as the deposition rate was decreased, and a columnar structure along the growth direction. The deposition rate reached 2.9 μm/min while still maintaining a high degree of hydrogenation.
Designer nanoscale DNA assemblies programmed from the top down
Authors: Veneziano Rémi , Ratanalert Sakul , Zhang Kaiming , Zhang Fei , Yan Hao , Chiu Wah , Bathe Mark
Published: May 2016

Simplifying DNA origami design

Many intricate nanostructures have been made with DNA origami. This process occurs when a long DNA scaffold develops a particular shape after hybridization with short staple strands. Most designs, however, require a difficult iterative procedure of refining the base pairing. Veneziano
et al.
now report algorithms that automate the design of arbitrary DNA wireframe structures. Synthesizing and structurally characterizing a variety of nanostructures allowed for verification of the algorithms' accuracy.

Science
, this issue p.
1534
Spatiotemporal coordination of stem cell commitment during epidermal homeostasis
Authors: Rompolas Panteleimon , Mesa Kailin R. , Kawaguchi Kyogo , Park Sangbum , Gonzalez David , Brown Samara , Boucher Jonathan , Klein Allon M. , Greco Valentina
Published: May 2016

Tracking stem cell fate in time and space

After injury and during homeostasis, tissues rely on the balance of cell loss and renewal. Rompolas
et al.
visualized individual stem cells over their lifetime in the epidermis of live mice. Tracking stem cells over multiple generations revealed that tissue homeostasis in the mouse epidermis is not maintained by asymmetric cell division as previously thought, but through the coordination of sibling cell fate and lifetimes. Furthermore, differentiating stem cells reused the existing spatial organization of the epidermis.

Science
, this issue p.
1471
Complete Genome Sequence of the Mycobacterium immunogenum Type Strain CCUG 47286
Authors: Jaén-Luchoro Daniel , Seguí Carolina , Aliaga-Lozano Francisco , Salvà-Serra Francisco , Busquets Antonio , Gomila Margarita , Ramírez Antonio , Ruiz Mikel , Moore Edward R. B. , Lalucat Jorge , Bennasar-Figueras Antoni
Published: May 2016

Here, we report the complete genome sequence of
Mycobacterium immunogenum
type strain CCUG 47286, a nontuberculous mycobacterium. The whole genome has 5,573,781 bp and covers as many as 5,484 predicted genes. This genome contributes to the task of closing the still-existing gap of genomes of rapidly growing mycobacterial type strains.
Variable Genome Sequences of the Murine Pneumotropic Virus (
Polyomaviridae
) Regulatory Region Isolated from an Infected Mouse Tissue Viral Suspension
Authors: Libbey Jane E. , Fujinami Robert S.
Published: May 2016

The murine pneumotropic virus genome, isolated from an infected murine tissue homogenate, was sequenced to completion. The lungs, liver, spleen, and kidneys were the source of the tissue homogenate in order to mirror the heterogeneity of the virus population
in vivo
. The regulatory region sequence was found to be highly variable.
Complete Genome Sequence of Porcine Deltacoronavirus Isolated in Thailand in 2015
Authors: Madapong Adthakorn , Saeng-chuto Kepalee , Lorsirigool Athip , Temeeyasen Gun , Srijangwad Anchalee , Tripipat Thitima , Wegner Matthew , Nilubol Dachrit
Published: May 2016

In Thailand, porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) was first identified in November 2015. The virus was isolated from piglets experiencing diarrhea outbreak. Herein, the full-length genome sequence of the Thai PDCoV isolate P23_15_TT_1115 is reported. The results provide a clearer understanding of the molecular characteristics of PDCoV in Thailand.
Complete Genome Sequences of the
Carlavirus Sweet potato chlorotic fleck virus
from East Timor and Australia
Authors: Maina Solomon , Edwards Owain R. , de Almeida Luis , Ximenes Abel , Jones Roger A. C.
Published: May 2016

We present here the first complete genome sequences of
Sweet potato chlorotic fleck virus
(SPCFV) from sweet potato in Australia and East Timor, and we compare these with four complete SPCFV genomes from South Korea and one from Uganda. The Australian, East Timorese, South Korean, and Ugandan genomes differed considerably from each other.
Whole-Genome Sequence of Rummeliibacillus stabekisii Strain PP9 Isolated from Antarctic Soil
Authors: da Mota Fábio Faria , Vollú Renata Estebanez , Jurelevicius Diogo , Seldin Lucy
Published: May 2016

The whole genome of
Rummeliibacillus stabekisii
PP9, isolated from a soil sample from Antarctica, consists of a circular chromosome of 3,412,092 bp and a circular plasmid of 8,647 bp, with 3,244 protein-coding genes, 12 copies of the 16S-23S-5S rRNA operon, 101 tRNA genes, and 6 noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs).
Draft Genome Sequence of
Frankia
Strain G2, a Nitrogen-Fixing Actinobacterium Isolated from
Casuarina equisetifolia
and Able To Nodulate Actinorhizal Plants of the Order
Rhamnales
Authors: Nouioui Imen , Gtari Maher , Göker Markus , Ghodhbane-Gtari Faten , Tisa Louis S. , Fernandez Maria P. , Normand Philippe , Huntemann Marcel , Clum Alicia , Pillay Manoj , Varghese Neha , Reddy T. B. K. , Ivanova Natalia , Woyke Tanja , Kyrpides Nikos C. , Klenk Hans-Peter
Published: May 2016

Frankia
sp. strain G2 was originally isolated from
Casuarina equisetifolia
and is characterized by its ability to nodulate actinorhizal plants of the
Rhamnales
order, but not its original host. It represents one of the largest
Frankia
genomes so far sequenced (9.5 Mbp).
First Complete Genome Sequence of
Pepper vein yellows virus
from Australia
Authors: Maina Solomon , Edwards Owain R. , Jones Roger A. C.
Published: May 2016

We present here the first complete genomic RNA sequence of the polerovirus
Pepper vein yellows virus
(PeVYV) obtained from a pepper plant in Australia. We compare it with complete PeVYV genomes from Japan and China. The Australian genome was more closely related to the Japanese than the Chinese genome.
Evaluating the effectiveness of exercise training on elderly patients who require haemodialysis: study protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Matsuzawa Ryota , Hoshi Keika , Yoneki Kei , Matsunaga Atsuhiko
Published: May 2016

Introduction

As the average age of haemodialysis patients rapidly increases around the world, the number of frail, elderly patients has increased. Frailty is well known to be an indicator of disability and a poor prognosis for haemodialysis patients. Exercise interventions have been safely and successfully implemented for middle-aged or younger patients undergoing haemodialysis. However, the benefits of exercise interventions on elderly patients undergoing haemodialysis remain controversial. The main objective of this study is to systematically review the effects of exercise training on the physical function, exercise capacity and quality of life of elderly patients undergoing haemodialysis, and to provide an update on the relevant evidence.

Methods and analyses

Published randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the effectiveness of exercise training on haemodialysis patients with respect to physical function, exercise tolerance and quality of life will be included. Bibliographic databases include MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CINAHL, Web of Science, PsycINFO and PEDro. The risk of bias of the included RCTs will be assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's tool and TESTEX. The primary outcome will be physical function and exercise tolerance. This review protocol is reported according to the PRISMA-P 2015 checklist. Statistical analysis will be performed using review manager software (RevMan V.5.3, Cochrane Collaboration, Oxford, England).

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is not required because this study does not include confidential personal data nor does it perform interventions on patients. This review is expected to inform readers on the effectiveness of exercise training in elderly patients undergoing haemodialysis. Findings will be presented at conferences and submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42015020701.
Insulin Clearance: An Underappreciated Modulator of Plasma Insulin Concentration
Authors: Kim Sun H , Reaven Gerald M
Published: May 2016

Plasma glucose concentrations are tightly regulated and maintained within a narrow range in non-diabetic individuals. Maintenance of this physiological state is primarily a function of the ability of the pancreatic β-cells to modify insulin secretion rate (ISR), thus preventing wide-swings in plasma glucose concentrations. As a consequence, and in contrast to plasma glucose concentrations, plasma insulin concentrations vary substantially in non-diabetic individuals. Although differences in ISR are primarily responsible for the variability in plasma insulin concentration, there is increasing evidence that differences in insulin clearance rate (ICR) also play a role in regulation of plasma insulin concentration. The goal of this mini-review is to highlight situations that demonstrate the important role of ICR in both insulin and glucose homeostasis.
Observed change in peak oxygen consumption after aortic valve replacement and its predictors
Authors: Le Van Doan Tuyet , Jensen Gunnar Vagn Hagemann , Kjøller-Hansen Lars
Published: May 2016

Objective

To assess the change in peak oxygen consumption (pVO2) and determine its outcome predictors after aortic valve replacement (AVR) for aortic stenosis (AS).

Methods

Patients with AS and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction who were referred for single AVR had cardiopulmonary exercise testing prior to and 9 months post-AVR. Predictors of outcome for pVO2were determined by multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses. A significant change in pVO2was defined as a relative change that was more than twice the coefficient of repeatability by test–retest (>10%).

Results

The pre-AVR characteristics of the 37 study patients included the following: median age (range) 72 (46–83) years, aortic valve area index (AVAI) 0.41 (SD 0.11) cm2/m2, mean gradient (MG) 49.1 (SD 15.3) mm Hg and New York Heart Association (NYHA)≥II 27 (73%). Pre-AVR and post-AVR mean pVO2was 18.5 and 18.4 mL/kg/m2(87% of the predicted), respectively, but the change from pre-AVR was heterogeneous. The relative change in pVO2was positively associated with the preoperative MG (β=0.50, p=0.001) and negatively associated with brain natriuretic peptide > upper level of normal according to age and gender (β=−0.40, p=0.009). A relative increase in pVO2exceeding 10% was found in 9 (24%), predicted by lower pre-AVR AVAI (OR 0.18; 95% CI 0.04 to 0.82, p=0.027) and lower peak O2pulse (OR 0.94; 95% CI 0.88 to 0.99, p=0.045). Decreases in pVO2exceeding 10% were found in 11 (30%) and predicted by lower MG (OR 0.93; 95% CI 0.86 to 0.99, p=0.033).

Conclusions

Change in pVO2was heterogeneous. Predictors of favourable and unfavourable outcomes for pVO2were identified.
Translation of clinical problems in osteoarthritis into pathophysiological research goals
Authors: van der Kraan Peter M , Berenbaum Francis , Blanco Francisco J , Cosimo de Bari , Lafeber Floris , Hauge Ellen , Higginbottom Adele , Ioan-Facsinay Andreea , Loughlin John , Meulenbelt Ingrid , Moilanen Eeva , Pitsillidou Irene , Tsezou Aspasia , van Meurs Joyce , Vincent Tonia , Wittoek Ruth , Lories Rik ,   On behalf of the EULAR Study group in OA (http://www.eular.org/investigative_rheumatology_study_groups.cfm)
Published: May 2016

Osteoarthritis (OA) accounts for more disability among the elderly than any other disease and is associated with an increased mortality rate. The prevalence in Europe will rise in the future since this continent has a strongly ageing population and an obesity epidemic; obesity and age both being major risk factors for OA. No adequate therapeutic options, besides joint replacement, are available, although they are greatly needed and should be acquired by adequate research investments. However, the perspective on OA from a researcher's point of view is not always aligned with the perspective of a patient with OA. Researchers base their views on OA mainly on abnormalities in structure and function while patients consider OA as a collection of symptoms. In this viewpoint paper, we discuss the possibility of translating the most important clinical problems into pathophysiological research goals to facilitate the translation from bench to bedside and vice versa. This viewpoint is the outcome of a dialogue within the ‘European League Against Rheumatism study group on OA’ and People with Arthritis/Rheumatism across Europe (PARE) representatives.
Stress–strain pattern–based criterion to assess cyclic shear resistance of soil from laboratory element tests
Authors: Wijewickreme Dharma , Soysa Achala
Published: May 2016

The cyclic shear response of soils is commonly examined using undrained (or constant-volume) laboratory element tests conducted using triaxial and direct simple shear (DSS) devices. The cyclic resistance ratio (CRR) from these tests is expressed in terms of the number of cycles of loading to reach unacceptable performance that is defined in terms of the attainment of a certain excess pore-water pressure and (or) strain level. While strain accumulation is generally commensurate with excess pore-water pressure, the definition of unacceptable performance in laboratory tests based purely on cyclic strain criteria is not robust. The shear stiffness is a more fundamental parameter in describing engineering performance than the excess pore-water pressure alone or shear strain alone; so far, no criterion has considered shear stiffness to determine CRR. Data from cyclic DSS tests indicate consistent differences inherent in the patterns between the stress–strain loops at initial and later stages of cyclic loading; instead of relatively “smooth” stress–strain loops in the initial parts of loading, nonsmooth changes in incremental stiffness showing “kinks” are notable in the stress–strain loops at large strains. The point of pattern change in a stress–strain loop provides a meaningful basis to determine the CRR (based on unacceptable performance) in cyclic shear tests.
Cohomological Hall algebras and character varieties
Authors: Davison Ben
Published: May 2016

In this paper, we investigate the relationship between twisted and untwisted character varieties, via a specific instance of the Cohomological Hall algebra for moduli of objects in 3-Calabi–Yau categories introduced by Kontsevich and Soibelman. In terms of Donaldson–Thomas theory, this relationship is completely understood via the calculations of Hausel and Villegas of the [Formula: see text] polynomials of twisted character varieties and untwisted character stacks. We present a conjectural lift of this relationship to the cohomological Hall algebra setting.
Neutron–antineutron transition as a test-bed for dynamical CPT violations
Authors: Addazi Andrea
Published: May 2016

We show a simple mechanism for a dynamical CPT violation in the neutron sector. In particular, we show a CPT-violating see-saw mechanism, generating a Majorana mass and a CPT-violating mass for the neutron. CPT-violating see-saw involves a sterile partner of the neutron, living in a hidden sector, in which CPT is spontaneously broken. In particular, neutrons (antineutrons) can communicate with the hidden sector through nonperturbative quantum gravity effects called exotic instantons. Exotic instantons dynamically break R-parity, generating one effective vertex between the neutron and its sterile partner. In this way, we show how a small CPT-violating mass term for the neutron is naturally generated. This model can be tested in the next generation of experiments in neutron–antineutron physics. This strongly motivates researches of CPT-violating effects in neutron–antineutron physics as a test-bed for dynamical CPT-violations in SM.