bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Delayed presentation of penetrating carotid injury: Two cases and a review of the literature
Authors: Jambhekar Amani , Maselli Amy , Lindborg Ryan , Bobka Thomas , Fahoum Bashar , D’Ayala Marcus , Rucinski James
Published: November 2016

Background

Carotid injuries secondary to a penetrating mechanism of trauma can present immediately, weeks, or even years after the initial injury. Although uncommon, these injuries are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We present two cases of delayed presentation of carotid injury after penetrating neck trauma, both of which were managed surgically.

Case report

A 57-year-old male presented with a symptomatic left facial artery pseudoaneurysm two weeks after sustaining a Zone III laceration at angle of mandible. He underwent successful left neck exploration and repair of pseudoaneurysm with complete resolution of his symptoms post-operatively. A 33-year-old female with a history of penetrating right neck trauma repaired primarily 10 years prior in Russia presented with new onset left upper extremity weakness and tingling. Outpatient diagnostic workup revealed a right common carotid aneurysm which was repaired with a polytetrafluoroethylene interposition graft. The patient was discharged without residual neurologic deficits. She represented several years later with neurologic symptoms and an occluded graft. She underwent successful ligation of her graft and was discharged with complete resolution of her symptoms.

Conclusion

Penetrating carotid injuries can manifest in an immediate or delayed fashion. Computerized tomographic angiography appears to be an appropriate diagnostic tool. Once diagnosed, either endovascular or surgical repair may be valid treatment options.
An investigation of the effect of post-injection schemes on soot reduction potential using optical diagnostics in a single-cylinder optical diesel engine
Authors: Hardalupas Yiannis , Hong Christopher , Keramiotis Christos , Ramaswamy Kumara Gurubaran , Soulopoulos Nikolaos , Taylor Alex MKP , Touloupis Dimitris , Vourliotakis George , Founti Maria A
Published: November 2016

This work employs a combination of pressure trace analysis, high-speed optical measurements and laser-based techniques for the assessment of the effects of various post-injection schemes on the soot reduction potential in an optical single-cylinder light-duty diesel engine. The engine was operated under a multiple injection scheme of two pilot and one main injection, typical of a partially premixed combustion mode, at the lower end of the load and engine speed range (ca 2.0 bar IMEP at 1200 r/min). Experiments considering the influence of the post-injection fuel amount (up to 15% of the total fuel quantity per cycle) and the post-injection timing within the expansion stroke (5, 10 and 15 CAD aTDC), under a constant total fuel mass per cycle, have been conducted. Findings were analysed via means of pressure trace and apparent rate of heat transfer analyses, as well as a series of optical diagnostic techniques, namely, high-speed flame natural luminosity imaging, CH*, [Formula: see text] and OH* line-of-sight chemiluminescence, as well as planar laser-induced incandescence measurements at 31 and 50 CAD aTDC. The combination of post-injection fuel amount and timing has substantial effects on charge reactivity and soot oxidation potential. The analysis reveals that an amount of fuel (7% of the total fuel mass per cycle) injected more than 10 CAD after the main combustion event leads to higher levels of soot emissions, while a larger amount of fuel (15% of the total fuel mass) injected 5 CAD after the main combustion event appears to have a beneficial effect on the soot oxidation processes. Overall, results indicate that a post-injection scheme close to the main combustion phasing could reduce soot levels and improve engine performance, that is, higher IMEP levels at the same fuel consumption rates, although it could increase engine noise.
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Nutritional Supplementation in Chronic Lower Extremity Wounds
Authors: Ye Junna , Mani Raj
Published: November 2016

A systematic review and meta-analyses of nutritional supplementation to treat chronic lower extremity wounds was done in order to test the premise that impaired nutrition is implicated in healing. The databases of Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and EBSCO CINAHL (1972-October 2014) were searched systematically. Only randomized controlled trials in adults with chronic lower extremity wounds were included. Both topical and systemic routes of supplementing nutrition were considered. The primary outcome was wound healing. Study characteristics, outcomes, and risk of bias were extracted by trained researchers and confirmed by the principal investigator. Twenty-three of 278 (8.3%) retrieved articles met the inclusion criteria and were selected. Most of the studies were of unclear or low risk. Overall, nutritional supplementation was favorable (risk ratio [RR] = 1.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.25-1.66). The systemic route was marginally better than the topical one (RR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.36-1.67; RR = 1.14, 95% CI = 0.96-1.36, respectively). For venous ulcers, the data showed nutritional supplementation to be significantly beneficial compared to placebo (RR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.31-1.59). Similar data were found for diabetic foot and sickle cell ulcers (RR = 1.17, 95% CI = 0.93-1.47; RR = 1.56, 95% CI = 0.94-2.60, respectively). These data permit the inferences that nutritional supplementation in the populations studied showed significant benefits in the healing of venous ulcers and tendency (nonsignificant trends) in the healing of diabetic and sickle cell ulcers.
A stochastic artificial neural network model for investigating street vendor behavior in a night market
Authors: Wu Pao-Kuan , Hsiao Tsung-Chih , Xiao Ming
Published: November 2016

This article offers a hybrid computational approach that combines an artificial neural network with Bayesian probability to improve on the conventional artificial neural network model. The artificial neural network model, which is renowned for its pattern classification abilities, is a type of deterministic algorithm. However, combining artificial neural network with Bayesian probability can convert the deterministic artificial neural network model into a stochastic artificial neural network model that is useful for conducting dynamic simulations. In this study, an experiment is performed to demonstrate this hybrid computational approach. The objective of this experiment is to analyze the behavior of illegal street vendors in a night market. By applying the hybrid computational approach, we can perform a series of dynamic simulations to investigate the development process of the illegal street vendors. The results of the dynamic simulation have high similarity with the real observations. Furthermore, we can use the simulation results to evaluate the commercial values of different parts of streets and to determine which streets will be unstable due to the impacts of economic fluctuations.
Carotid stenting versus endarterectomy in the same patient: A “direct” comparison
Authors: Ciccone Marco M , Scicchitano Pietro , Cortese Francesca , Gesualdo Michele , Zito Annapaola , Carbonara Rosa , Dentamaro Ilaria , Pulli Raffaele , Salerno Christian , Impedovo Giovanni , Marinazzo Davide , Angiletta Domenico , Guido Davide , Regina Guido
Published: November 2016

The aim of this study was to evaluate outcomes and feasibility of carotid artery stenting versus carotid endarterectomy, both procedures performed in the same patient. Forty-five subjects (33 males, 70 ± 7 years) underwent carotid endarterectomy or carotid artery stenting, the counter procedure on the contralateral carotid performed after a variable period. We evaluated the post-procedural percentage of carotid stenosis at 30, 180 days and one-year follow-up, and the occurrence of acute myocardial infarction, New York Heart Association class progression, stroke, death, cardiovascular death, angina, transient ischemic attack and renal failure. Carotid artery stenting treatment reduced the degree of re-stenosis after 180 days equally to carotid endarterectomy procedure (difference: 0.033%, P = 0.285). No statistically significant differences were observed according to the occurrence of acute myocardial infarction and New York Heart Association class progression, revealing odds ratio (OR) equal to 0.182 ( P = 0.361) for acute myocardial infarction and 0.303 ( P = 0.434) for New York Heart Association class progression. Carotid endarterectomy confirms its efficacy in carotid revascularization, but carotid artery stenting constitutes a good alternative when the procedures are selected based on patient-specific risk factors.
No sex differences in long-term functional outcome after intracerebral hemorrhage
Authors: de Ridder Inger , Kuramatsu Joji , Gerner Stefan , Madžar Dominik , Lücking Hannes , Kloska Stefan , Dippel Diederik , Schwab Stefan , Huttner Hagen B.
Published: November 2016

Background

There is conflicting evidence about the influence of sex on outcome after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) and the majority of the research focused on mortality and short-term outcome only. We investigated sex differences in long-term functional outcome after sICH.

Methods

We used data from a prospective hospital registry and included all consecutive patients with ICH admitted to our institution between January 2006 and July 2014. Functional outcome was assessed by modified Rankin Scale evaluated 3 and 12 months after ICH. We explored the influence of sex on long-term functional outcome using multivariable regression models and additionally by means of propensity score matching.

Results

We analyzed 823 patients, of whom 380 (46%) women. Women were on average three years older (p < 0.001), men had more often deep hematomas (p = 0.01). Unadjusted mortality rates were significantly increased in women at three months (42% vs. 35%; odds ratio (OR): 1.35; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02–1.80). After adjusting for baseline prognostic factors there were no differences between men and women in short- and long-term mortality (OR = 1.01; 95% CI = 0.66–1.54 and OR = 1.04; 95%CI = 0.69–1.57, respectively) and short- and long-term unfavorable outcome (OR = 1.02; 95%CI = 0.67–1.55 and OR = 0.96; 95% CI = 0.62–1.48, respectively).

Conclusion

We found no sex-related differences in long-term functional outcome in patients with sICH. The apparently worse functional outcome in women can be explained by differences in age.
Comparison of stroke volume evolution on diffusion-weighted imaging and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery following endovascular thrombectomy
Authors: Federau Christian , Christensen Soren , Mlynash Michael , Tsai Jenny , Kim Sun , Zaharchuk Greg , Inoue Manabu , Straka Matus , Mishra Nishant K , Kemp Stephanie , Lansberg Maarten G , Albers Gregory W
Published: November 2016

Background

To compare the evolution of the infarct lesion volume on both diffusion-weighted imaging and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery in the first five days after endovascular thrombectomy.

Methods

We included 109 patients from the CRISP and DEFUSE 2 studies. Stroke lesion volumes obtained on diffusion-weighted imaging and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images both early post-procedure (median 18 h after symptom onset) and day 5, were compared using median, interquartile range, and correlation plots. Patients were dichotomized based on the time after symptom onset of their post procedure images (≥18 h vs. <18 h), and the degree of reperfusion (on Tmax>6 s; ≥ 90% vs. < 90%).

Results

Early post-procedure, median infarct lesion volume was 19 ml [(IQR) 7–43] on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, and 23 ml [11–64] on diffusion-weighted imaging. On day 5, median infarct lesion volume was 52 ml [20–118] on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, and 37 ml [16–91] on diffusion-weighted imaging. Infarct lesion volume on early post-procedure diffusion-weighted imaging, compared to fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, correlated better with day 5 diffusion-weighted imaging and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery lesions (r = 0.88 and 0.88 vs. 0.78 and 0.77; p < 0.0001). Median lesion growth was significantly smaller on diffusion-weighted imaging when the early post-procedure scan was obtained ≥18 h post stroke onset (5 ml [−1–13]), compared to <18 h (13 ml [2–47]; p = 0.03), but was not significantly different on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (≥18 h: 26 ml [12–57]; <18 h: 21 ml [5–57]; p = 0.65). In the <90% reperfused group, the median infarct growth was significantly larger for diffusion-weighted imaging and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (diffusion-weighted imaging: 23 ml [8–57], fluid-attenuated inversion recovery: 41 ml [13–104]) compared to ≥90% (diffusion-weighted imaging: 6 ml [2–24]; p = 0.003, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery: 19 ml [8–46]; p = 0.001).

Conclusions

Early post-procedure lesion volume on diffusion-weighted imaging is a better estimate of day 5 infarct volume than fluid-attenuated inversion recovery. However, both early post-procedure diffusion-weighted imaging and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery underestimate day 5 diffusion-weighted imaging and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery lesion volumes, especially in patients who do not reperfuse.
Intravenous administration of tirofiban versus loading dose of oral clopidogrel for preventing thromboembolism in stent-assisted coiling of intracranial aneurysms
Authors: Zi-Liang Wang , Xiao-Dong Liang , Tian-Xiao Li , Liang-Fu Zhu , Jiang-Yu Xue , Wei-Xing Bai , Ying-Kun He , Gang-Qin Xu , Qiu-Ji Shao , Li Li , Guang Feng , Zhao-Shuo Li
Published: November 2016

Background

Thromboembolic complications after stenting of intracranial aneurysms may be affected by antiplatelet administration.

Aims

This retrospective study aimed to assess the safety of intravenous tirofiban versus loading dose of oral clopidogrel for preventing thromboembolism in stent-assisted coiling of intracranial aneurysms.

Methods

From January 2006 to December 2013, 281 patients with cerebral aneurysms were treated with stent-coiling using two antiplatelet strategies in comparison: the initial strategy (a loading dose of ≥300 mg clopidogrel followed by dual antiplatelet, clopidogrel group) and the modified strategy (intravenous administration of tirofiban 8 µg/kg over 3 min followed by a maintenance dose of 0.1 µg/kg/min for 24 h, tirofiban group). The end points were rates of perioperative thromboembolic events and intracranial hemorrhages.

Results

Thromboembolic events were observed more often in the clopidogrel group (13/120 aneurysms, 10.83%) than the tirofiban group (6/178 aneurysms, 3.37%; P = 0.010), with no increase in the rate of intracranial hemorrhages ( P = 0.164). In the ruptured subgroups, thromboembolic events were significantly fewer in the tirofiban subgroup (5/128, 3.91%) compared with the clopidogrel subgroup (7/53, 13.21%; P = 0.043) with no increase in the rate of hemorrhage ( P = 0.360).

Conclusions

Intravenous administration of tirofiban is safe in intracranial aneurysms treated with stent-assisted coiling.
A Mobile Computerized Decision Support System to Prevent Hypoglycemia in Hospitalized Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Spat Stephan , Donsa Klaus , Beck Peter , Höll Bernhard , Mader Julia K. , Schaupp Lukas , Augustin Thomas , Chiarugi Franco , Lichtenegger Katharina M. , Plank Johannes , Pieber Thomas R.
Published: November 2016

Background:

Diabetes management requires complex and interdisciplinary cooperation of health care professionals (HCPs). To support this complex process, IT-support is recommended by clinical guidelines. The aim of this article is to report on results from a clinical feasibility study testing the prototype of a mobile, tablet-based client-server system for computerized decision and workflow support (GlucoTab®) and to discuss its impact on hypoglycemia prevention.

Methods:

The system was tested in a monocentric, open, noncontrolled intervention study in 30 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The system supports HCPs in performing a basal-bolus insulin therapy. Diabetes therapy, adverse events, software errors and user feedback were documented. Safety, efficacy and user acceptance of the system were investigated.

Results:

Only 1.3% of blood glucose (BG) measurements were <70 mg/dl and only 2.6% were >300 mg/dl. The availability of the system (97.3%) and the rate of treatment activities documented with the system (>93.5%) were high. Only few suggestions from the system were overruled by the users (>95.7% adherence). Evaluation of the 3 anonymous questionnaires showed that confidence in the system increased over time. The majority of users believed that treatment errors could be prevented by using this system.

Conclusions:

Data from our feasibility study show a significant reduction of hypoglycemia by implementing a computerized system for workflow and decision support for diabetes management, compared to a paper-based process. The system was well accepted by HCPs, which is shown in the user acceptance analysis and that users adhered to the insulin dose suggestions made by the system.
Norwegian nurses’ quality of life, job satisfaction, as well as intention to change jobs
Authors: Andresen Ida Hellum , Hansen Thomas , Grov Ellen Karine
Published: November 2016

With the expected future nurse shortage we need knowledge on nurses’ life and work situation. The aim of this study is to examine 498 nurses’ satisfaction with life (SwL) and job (SwJ), and intention to change job (IchJ), and to compare this with a control group of non-nurses ( n = 3,714). With data from a Norwegian population-based survey, we analysed associations between socio-demographic and work-related variables. In order to study SwL, SwJ and IchJ we performed bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses. The results show that nurses reported significantly higher SwL and SwJ than non-nurses. For nurses, high SwL was significantly associated with lower age, higher SwJ and appreciative leaders. Significant predictors of higher SwJ were: intention to stay in current job, autonomy, appreciative leader, less monotonous tasks and less stressful work. Intention to change job was associated with low age, nagging colleagues, temporary position and low SwJ. The conclusion is that nurses reported high SwL and SwJ; however, leaders should aim to promote permanent positions, and to minimize stressful work conditions and nagging coworkers.
Awareness of Cancer Symptoms and Barriers to Seeking Medical Help Among Adult People Attending Primary Care Settings in Oman
Authors: Al-Azri Mohammed , Al-Maskari Aziza , Al-Matroushi Salma , Al-Awisi Huda , Davidson Robin , Panchatcharam Sathiya Murthi , Al-Maniri Abdullah
Published: November 2016

Objectives:

To explore the public’s awareness of cancer symptoms and the barriers to seeking medical help among Omani adults attending primary care settings in Muscat governorate, the capital city of Oman.

Methods:

The Cancer Awareness Measure (CAM) questionnaire (translated into Arabic) was used to collect data from a total of 12 randomly selected local health centers (LHCs) in Muscat governorate, the capital city of Oman. Omani adults aged 18 years and above attending LHCs during the study period were invited to participate in the study. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS version 22) was used to analyze the data.

Results:

A total of 999 participants completed the CAM questionnaire from 1200 invitations (response rate = 83%). The overall recognition of common cancer symptoms was less than 50% except for an unexplained lump/swelling, which was 71%. Multinomial logistic regression showed that women recognized more cancer symptoms than men (odds ratio [OR] = 1.79; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.27-2.51), that more highly educated participations recognized more cancer symptoms than less educated participants (OR = 39; 95% CI: 0.23-0.69). The majority of participants (91.2%) agreed that the right time to seek medical help for possible cancer symptom was within 2 weeks. Multinomial logistic regression showed that women rather than men were more likely to perceive barriers to seeking medical help (OR = 2.10; 95% CI: 1.60-2.76). Also the less educated participants, rather than more educated, were more likely to perceive barriers to seeking medical help (OR = 2.17; 95% CI: 1.16-4.05).

Conclusion:

Levels of awareness of cancer symptoms are low in Oman. More national CAMs are needed in Oman to increase public knowledge of cancer symptoms. Also, more public awareness is needed to overcome the barriers to seeking timely medical help particularly among groups of women and the unmarried, widowed, divorced, or separated if delays in presentation are to be minimized.
Caudal Regression Syndrome
Authors: Bhatt Shuchi , Tandon Anupama , Kumar Singh Avneesh , Manchanda Smita , Jain Sandhya , Meena Neha
Published: November 2016

Caudal regression syndrome (CRS), also known as caudal dysplasia syndrome, is a rare malformation that ranges from mild coccygeal to severe forms of lumbosacral and lower thoracic agenesis. Anomalies of other organ systems may also be found simultaneously. Recognition of CRS is important as the extent of abnormality and gestational age could determine the pregnancy’s outcome. Antenatal diagnosis is possible by recognizing the characteristic features on sonography. In this particular case study, a diagnosis of CRS was made during the second trimester with sonography and resulted in an adequate medical management decision. The sonographic features of CRS and its differential diagnoses are discussed in the context of this case study.
A randomised controlled trial of tiotropium in adolescents with severe symptomatic asthma
Authors: Hamelmann Eckard , Bernstein Jonathan A. , Vandewalker Mark , Moroni-Zentgraf Petra , Verri Daniela , Unseld Anna , Engel Michael , Boner Attilio L.
Published: November 2016

We present results from the first phase III trial of once-daily tiotropium add-on to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) plus one or more controller therapies in adolescents with severe symptomatic asthma.

In this double-blind, parallel-group trial (NCT01277523), 392 patients aged 12–17 years were randomised to receive once-daily tiotropium 5 µg or 2.5 µg, or placebo, as an add-on to ICS plus other controller therapies over 12 weeks. The primary and key secondary end-points were change from baseline (response) in peak forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) within 3 h post-dosing (FEV1(0–3h)) and trough FEV1, respectively, after 12 weeks of treatment.

Tiotropium 5 µg provided numerical improvements in peak FEV1(0–3h)response, compared with placebo (90 mL; p=0.104), and significant improvements were observed with tiotropium 2.5 µg (111 mL; p=0.046). Numerical improvements in trough FEV1response and asthma control were observed with both tiotropium doses, compared with placebo. The safety and tolerability of tiotropium were comparable with those of placebo.

Once-daily tiotropium Respimat add-on to ICS plus one or more controller therapies in adolescents with severe symptomatic asthma was well tolerated. The primary end-point of efficacy was not met, although positive trends for improvements in lung function and asthma control were observed.
Joint effect of airflow limitation and emphysema on postoperative outcomes in early-stage nonsmall cell lung cancer
Authors: Shin Sumin , Park Hye Yun , Kim Hyunkyung , Kim Hong Kwan , Choi Yong Soo , Kim Jhingook , Um Sang-Won , Chung Myung Jin , Kim Hojoong , Kwon O Jung , Zo Jae Ill , Guallar Eliseo , Cho Juhee , Shim Young Mog
Published: November 2016

This study aims to evaluate the joint effect of severity of airflow limitation and emphysema on postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) and overall survival after complete resection in patients with early-stage nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

We retrospectively studied 413 male patients with pathologic stage I or II NSCLC between 2007 and 2009. Severity of airflow limitation was defined based on forced expiratory volume in 1 s. Emphysema was defined by ≥5% low attenuation area at −950 HU.

In multivariable-adjusted analyses, the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for any PPC, comparing patients with moderate-to-severe airflow limitation to those without airflow limitation, was 2.23, and the aOR comparing patients with emphysema to those without emphysema was 1.77. However, the joint effect of airflow limitation and emphysema was much higher than expected from the independent effects of both factors (aOR 8.90). Moreover, patients with coexisting moderate-to-severe airflow limitation and emphysema had significantly poorer overall survival than any other group.

Patients with moderate-to-severe airflow limitation and emphysema had almost nine times the risk of PPCs and poorer survival than patients with neither of these conditions. Integrated assessment of airflow limitation severity and emphysema is necessary for the optimal selection of candidates for lung resection surgery of early-stage NSCLC.
Chest magnetic resonance imaging for pneumonia diagnosis in outpatients with lower respiratory tract infection
Authors: Syrjala Hannu , Broas Markku , Ohtonen Pasi , Jartti Airi , Pääkkö Eija
Published: November 2016

We assessed whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is applicable for diagnosing pneumonia among adult outpatients with lower respiratory tract infection.

Patients were recruited prospectively when they had symptoms for ≤7 days and fever ≥37.8 °C. The patients underwent high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), MRI and chest radiography, which were repeated 1 month later if necessary, to verify pneumonia. The duration of MRI examination was 3–4 min.

Among 77 patients, HRCT, MRI and radiography identified 32 (41.6%), 30 (39.0%) and 23 (29.9%) cases of pneumonia, respectively (p=0.001). MRI missed two HRCT-identified pneumonia cases due to motion artefacts. Chest radiography resulted in four false-positive pneumonia findings and MRI resulted in none. When HRCT was used as a reference, MRI had a sensitivity of 0.938 (95% CI 0.799–0.983) and specificity of 0.978 (95% CI 0.884–0.996) for the diagnosis of pneumonia, whereas the sensitivity and specificity for chest radiography were 0.719 (95% CI 0.546–0.844) and 0.911 (95% CI 0.793–0.965), respectively.

MRI is an accurate, fast and effective method for diagnosing outpatient pneumonia, with better accuracy compared with chest radiography and almost similar accuracy compared with HRCT.
SGFSC: speeding the gene functional similarity calculation based on hash tables
Authors: Tian Zhen , Wang Chunyu , Guo Maozu , Liu Xiaoyan , Teng Zhixia
Published: November 2016

Background

In recent years, many measures of gene functional similarity have been proposed and widely used in all kinds of essential research. These methods are mainly divided into two categories: pairwise approaches and group-wise approaches. However, a common problem with these methods is their time consumption, especially when measuring the gene functional similarities of a large number of gene pairs. The problem of computational efficiency for pairwise approaches is even more prominent because they are dependent on the combination of semantic similarity. Therefore, the efficient measurement of gene functional similarity remains a challenging problem.

Results

To speed current gene functional similarity calculation methods, a novel two-step computing strategy is proposed: (1) establish a hash table for each method to store essential information obtained from the Gene Ontology (GO) graph and (2) measure gene functional similarity based on the corresponding hash table. There is no need to traverse the GO graph repeatedly for each method with the help of the hash table. The analysis of time complexity shows that the computational efficiency of these methods is significantly improved. We also implement a novel Speeding Gene Functional Similarity Calculation tool, namely SGFSC, which is bundled with seven typical measures using our proposed strategy. Further experiments show the great advantage of SGFSC in measuring gene functional similarity on the whole genomic scale.

Conclusions

The proposed strategy is successful in speeding current gene functional similarity calculation methods. SGFSC is an efficient tool that is freely available at http://nclab.hit.edu.cn/SGFSC. The source code of SGFSC can be downloaded from http://pan.baidu.com/s/1dFFmvpZ.
Unsupervised gene set testing based on random matrix theory
Authors: Frost H. Robert , Amos Christopher I.
Published: November 2016

Background

Gene set testing, or pathway analysis, is a bioinformatics technique that performs statistical testing on biologically meaningful sets of genomic variables. Although originally developed for supervised analyses, i.e., to test the association between gene sets and an outcome variable, gene set testing also has important unsupervised applications, e.g.,p-value weighting. For unsupervised testing, however, few effective gene set testing methods are available with support especially poor for several biologically relevant use cases.

Results

In this paper, we describe two new unsupervised gene set testing methods based on random matrix theory, the Marc̆enko-Pastur Distribution Test (MPDT) and the Tracy-Widom Test (TWT), that support both self-contained and competitive null hypotheses. For the self-contained case, we contrast our proposed tests with the classic multivariate test based on a modified likelihood ratio criterion. For the competitive case, we compare the new tests against a competitive version of the classic test and our recently developed Spectral Gene Set Enrichment (SGSE) method. Evaluation of the TWT and MPDT methods is based on both simulation studies and a weightedp-value analysis of two real gene expression data sets using gene sets drawn from MSigDB collections.

Conclusions

The MPDT and TWT methods are novel and effective tools for unsupervised gene set analysis with superior statistical performance relative to existing techniques and the ability to generate biologically important results on real genomic data sets.
Labour mobility and labour market adjustment in the EU
Authors: Arpaia Alfonso , Kiss Aron , Palvolgyi Balazs , Turrini Alessandro
Published: November 2016

This paper assesses the role of labour mobility in the adjustment to asymmetric economic shocks in the EU. After presenting a series of stylised facts of mobility in the EU, it assesses mobility as a channel of economic adjustment by means of a vector autoregression (VAR) analysis in the vein of Blanchard and Katz (BPEA 1:1–75, 1992). Results indicate that, over the period 1970–2013, mobility absorbed about a quarter of an asymmetric shock within 1 year. Movements in response to shocks have almost doubled since the introduction of the euro. In contrast to previous papers on the labour market adjustment in the EU, the response of wages is integrated to the analysis. It is found that real wages have also become more responsive to asymmetric shocks.

JEL Classification: J61, J64
A Measure of College Student Persistence in the Sciences (PITS)
Authors: Hanauer David I. , Graham Mark J. , Hatfull Graham F.
Published: November 2016

Curricular changes that promote undergraduate persistence in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines are likely associated with particular student psychological outcomes, and tools are needed that effectively assess these developments. Here, we describe the theoretical basis, psychometric properties, and predictive abilities of the Persistence in the Sciences (PITS) assessment survey designed to measure these in course-based research experiences (CREs). The survey is constructed from existing psychological assessment instruments, incorporating a six-factor structure consisting of project ownership (emotion and content), self-efficacy, science identity, scientific community values, and networking, and is supported by a partial confirmatory factor analysis. The survey has strong internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha: α = 0.96) and was validated using standard simple and multiple regression analyses. The regression analyses demonstrated that the factors of the PITS survey were significant predictors of the intent to become a research scientist and, as such, potentially valid for the measurement of persistence in the sciences. The PITS survey provides an effective method for measuring the psychological outcomes of undergraduate research experiences relevant to persistence in STEM and offers an approach to the development and validation of more sophisticated assessment tools that recognize the specificities of the type of educational opportunities embedded in a CRE.
STEM Faculty as Learners in Pedagogical Reform and the Role of Research Articles as Professional Development Opportunities
Authors: Mulnix Amy B.
Published: November 2016

Discipline-based education research (DBER) publications are opportunities for professional development around science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education reform. Learning theory tells us these publications could be more impactful if authors, reviewers, and editors pay greater attention to linking principles and practice. This approach, which considers faculty as learners and STEM education reform as content, has the potential to better support faculty members because it promotes a deeper understanding of the reasons why a pedagogical change is effective. This depth of understanding is necessary for faculty members to successfully transfer new knowledge to their own contexts. A challenge ahead for the emergent learning sciences is to better integrate findings from across sister disciplines; DBER reports can take a step in that direction while improving their usefulness for instructors.
Pattern recognition receptor immunomodulation of innate immunity as a strategy to limit the impact of influenza virus
Authors: Pizzolla Angela , Smith Jeffery M , Brooks Andrew G , Reading Patrick C
Published: November 2016

Influenza remains a major global health issue and the effectiveness of current vaccines and antiviral drugs is limited by the continual evolution of influenza viruses. Therefore, identifying novel prophylactic or therapeutic treatments that induce appropriate innate immune responses to protect against influenza infection would represent an important advance in efforts to limit the impact of influenza. Cellular pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) recognize conserved structures expressed by pathogens to trigger intracellular signaling cascades, promoting expression of proinflammatory molecules and innate immunity. Therefore, a number of approaches have been developed to target specific PRRs in an effort to stimulate innate immunity and reduce disease in a variety of settings, including during influenza infections. Herein, we discuss progress in immunomodulation strategies designed to target cell-associated PRRs of the innate immune system, thereby, modifying innate responses to IAV infection and/or augmenting immune responses to influenza vaccines.
Bacterial secretion systems and regulation of inflammasome activation
Authors: Ratner Dmitry , Orning M Pontus A , Lien Egil
Published: November 2016

Innate immunity is critical for host defenses against pathogens, but many bacteria display complex ways of interacting with innate immune signaling, as they may both activate and evade certain pathways. Gram-negative bacteria can exhibit specialized nanomachine secretion systems for delivery of effector proteins into mammalian cells. Bacterial types III, IV, and VI secretion systems (T3SS, T4SS, and T6SS) are known for their impact on caspase-1-activating inflammasomes, necessary for producing bioactive inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18, key participants of anti-bacterial responses. Here, we discuss how these secretion systems can mediate triggering and inhibition of inflammasome signaling. We propose that a fine balance between secretion system-mediated activation and inhibition can determine net activation of inflammasome activity and control inflammation, clearance, or spread of the infection.
A separable strong-anisotropy approximation for pure qP-wave propagation in transversely isotropic media
Authors: Schleicher Jörg , Costa Jessé C.
Published: November 2016

The wave equation can be tailored to describe wave propagation in vertical-symmetry axis transversely isotropic (VTI) media. The qP- and qS-wave eikonal equations derived from the VTI wave equation indicate that in the pseudoacoustic approximation, their dispersion relations degenerate into a single one. Therefore, when using this dispersion relation for wave simulation, for instance, by means of finite-difference approximations, both events are generated. To avoid the occurrence of the pseudo-S-wave, the qP-wave dispersion relation alone needs to be approximated. This can be done with or without the pseudoacoustic approximation. A Padé expansion of the exact qP-wave dispersion relation leads to a very good approximation. Our implementation of a separable version of this equation in the mixed space-wavenumber domain permits it to be compared with a low-rank solution of the exact qP-wave dispersion relation. Our numerical experiments showed that this approximation can provide highly accurate wavefields, even in strongly anisotropic inhomogeneous media.
Effect of a High-Rate Versus a Low-Rate Oxytocin Infusion for Maintaining Uterine Contractility During Elective Cesarean Delivery: A Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Duffield Adrienne , McKenzie Christine , Carvalho Brendan , Ramachandran Bharathi , Yin Victoria , El-Sayed Yasser Y. , Riley Edward T. , Butwick Alexander J.
Published: November 2016

BACKGROUND:

Oxytocin is routinely used as prophylaxis against uterine atony. During elective cesarean delivery (CD), an oxytocin bolus is used to initiate adequate uterine tone, followed by an oxytocin infusion to maintain uterine contractility. However, it is unclear whether oxytocin maintenance infusion rate influences total estimated blood loss (EBL).

METHODS:

We performed a prospective, randomized, double-blind trial in 51 women undergoing elective CD. Women were randomly assigned to receive an oxytocin maintenance infusion of 2.5 or 15 U/h. All women received an oxytocin 1 U bolus to initiate adequate uterine tone. The primary outcome was EBL. EBL values between groups were compared using a Mann-Whitney U test; P < .05 as statistically significant. The median EBL difference with 95% confidence intervals was also calculated. Secondary outcomes included adequacy of uterine tone, use of additional uterotonics, and oxytocin-related side effects, including hypotension.

RESULTS:

Of 51 women, 24 received a low-rate infusion and 27 received a high-rate infusion. Median (interquartile range) EBL values in the low-rate and high-rate groups were 634 (340–886) mL versus 512 (405–740) mL, respectively (P = .7). The median difference in EBL between groups was 22 mL; 95% confidence interval = −158 to 236 mL. The rate of postpartum hemorrhage did not differ between groups (low-rate group: 4/24 [16.7%] versus high-rate group: 4/26 [15.4%]). There were no between-group differences over time (first 20 minutes after commencing infusion) in the incidence of adequate uterine tone (P = .72) or hypotension (P = .32).

CONCLUSIONS:

Among women undergoing elective CD receiving an oxytocin maintenance infusion, EBL and uterine tone did not differ between women receiving 2.5 U/h oxytocin and those receiving 15 U/h oxytocin. Our findings suggest that efficacy can be obtained with a low oxytocin maintenance infusion rate; however, dose-finding studies are needed to determine the infusion rate that optimizes drug efficacy while minimizing side effects.
Heterotypic models of osteosarcoma recapitulate tumor heterogeneity and biological behavior
Authors: Scott Milcah C. , Tomiyasu Hirotaka , Garbe John R. , Cornax Ingrid , Amaya Clarissa , O'Sullivan M Gerard , Subramanian Subbaya , Bryan Brad A. , Modiano Jaime F.
Published: November 2016

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a heterogeneous and rare disease with a disproportionate impact, as it mainly affects children and adolescents. Lamentably, more than half of patients with OS succumb to metastatic disease. Clarification of the etiology of the disease, development of better strategies to manage progression, and methods to guide personalized treatments are among the unmet health needs for OS patients. Progress in managing the disease has been hindered by the extreme heterogeneity of OS; thus, better models that accurately recapitulate the natural heterogeneity of the disease are needed. For this study, we used cell lines derived from two spontaneous canine OS with distinctly different biological behavior (OS-1 and OS-2) for heterotypic in vivo modeling that recapitulates the heterogeneous biology and behavior of this disease. Both cell lines demonstrated stability of the transcriptome when grown as orthotopic xenografts in athymic nude mice. Consistent with the behavior of the original tumors, OS-2 xenografts grew more rapidly at the primary site and had greater propensity to disseminate to lung and establish microscopic metastasis. Moreover, OS-2 promoted formation of a different tumor-associated stromal environment than OS-1 xenografts. In addition to comprising a larger fraction of the tumors, a robust pro-inflammatory population dominated the stromal cell infiltrates in OS-2 xenografts, while a mesenchymal population with a gene signature reflecting myogenic signaling dominated those in the OS-1 xenografts. Our studies show that canine OS cell lines maintain intrinsic features of the tumors from which they were derived and recapitulate the heterogeneous biology and behavior of bone cancer in mouse models. This system provides a resource to understand essential interactions between tumor cells and the stromal environment that drive progression and metastatic propensity of OS.
Corticosterone rapidly suppresses innate immune activity in the House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
Authors: Gao Sisi , Sanchez Clarissa , Deviche Pierre J.
Published: November 2016

Stress-induced effects on innate immune activity in wild birds have been difficult to predict. These difficulties may arise from the frequent assumptions that (a) the stress response influences different components of the immune response similarly, (b) stress-induced effects do not change over the course of the stress response, and (c) glucocorticoids are the primary regulators of stress-induced changes of immune activity. We tested the first two assumptions by measuring three components of innate immunity at two times during the stress response in captive adult male House Sparrows, Passer domesticus. Acute stress resulting from handling and restraint suppressed plasma lytic and microbicidal activity within 10 mins and reduced plasma agglutination ability within 120 mins. We tested the third assumption by measuring stress-induced effects in sparrows that were pharmacologically adrenalectomized by mitotane administration. Confirming the effectiveness of this treatment, mitotane-treated birds had lower pre-stress plasma CORT than control birds and showed no increase in plasma CORT during acute stress. The innate immune activity of mitotane-treated birds did not decrease during the stress response, but the pre-stress immune activity of these birds did not differ from that of vehicle-treated birds. These results suggest that elevated plasma CORT during stress is primarily responsible for mediating stress-induced suppression of innate immune activity.
An exploratory clustering approach for extracting stride parameters from tracking collars on free ranging wild animals
Authors: Dewhirst Oliver P. , Roskilly Kyle , Hubel Tatjana Y. , Jordan Neil R. , Golabek Krystyna A. , McNutt J. Weldon , Wilson Alan M.
Published: November 2016

Changes in stride frequency and length with speed are key parameters in animal locomotion research. They are commonly measured in a laboratory on a treadmill or by filming trained captive animals. Here we show that a clustering approach can be used to extract these variables from data collected by a tracking collar containing a GPS module and tri-axis accelerometers and gyroscopes. The method enables stride parameters to be measured during free ranging locomotion in natural habitats. As it does not require labelled data it is particularly suitable for use with difficult to observe animals. The method was tested on large data sets collected from collars on free ranging lions and African wild dogs and validated using a domestic dog.
Effects of foraging distance on macronutrient balancing and performance in the German cockroach,Blattella germanica
Authors: Ko Alexander E. , Jensen Kim , Schal Coby , Silverman Jules
Published: November 2016

The German cockroach (Blattella germanica L.) is an excellent model omnivore for studying the effect of foraging effort on nutrient balancing behavior and physiology, and its consequences for performance. We investigated the effect of foraging distance on individual German cockroaches by providing two foods differing in protein-to-carbohydrate ratio at opposite ends of long containers or adjacent to each other in short containers. Each food was nutritionally imbalanced, but the two foods were nutritionally complementary, allowing optimal foraging by selective feeding from both foods. We measured nutrient-specific consumption in fifth instar nymphs and newly eclosed females foraging at the two distances, hypothesizing that individuals foraging over longer distance would select more carbohydrate-biased diets to compensate for the energetic cost of locomotion. We then determined dry mass growth and lipid accumulation in the nymphs as well as mass gain and the length of basal oocytes in the adult females as an estimate of sexual maturation. Nymphs foraging over longer distance accumulated less lipid relative to total dry mass growth, but contrary to our predictions their protein intake was higher and they accumulated more structural mass. In concordance, adult females foraging over longer distance gained more body mass and matured their oocytes faster. Our results show a positive effect of foraging distance on fitness-related parameters at two life stages, in both cases involving increased consumption of specific nutrients corresponding to requirements at the respective life stage.
Structure of the thoracic spiracular valves and their contribution to the unidirectional gas exchange in flying blowfliesCalliphora vicina
Authors: Wasserthal Lutz T. , Fröhlich Anja S.
Published: November 2016

The operation of the thoracic spiracular valves was analysed using anatomical and physiological techniques. Dense spiracular filter trichomes impede a diffusive gas exchange. However, the hinged posterior filter flap of the metathoracic spiracle (Sp2) opens passively during upstroke of the wings and closes by the suction of the sub-atmospheric tracheal pressure during the down stroke, which supports a unidirectional respiratory airflow. The action of the interior spiracular valve lids was recorded by photocell-sensors oriented above the enlarged spiracles and projected onto the screen of a video camera. The thoracic spiracles opened much quicker (approximately 0.1 s) than they closed (1 s) suggesting that the spiracular muscles are openers, confirmed by experimental induction of muscle contraction. Simultaneous photocell measurement revealed that the first and second thoracic spiracles act concordantly. At rest the spiracles were mostly closed or only slightly open (below 1%). During intermittent short flights, the valves opened wide at the start of the flight for a short time, and in many cases opened again after the flight ended. Often the opening was wider after the flight ended than during the preceding flight itself. During long spontaneous continuous flight phases (up to two hours) the valves were only slightly open (below 5%), widening shortly after transient increases of wing stroke intensity. It is an amazing paradox that the spiracles were only slightly open most of the time during sustained flight. The advantage of generating sub-atmospheric pressure, supporting a unidirectional airflow with a PO2 increase above the resting level, is discussed.