bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early Experience With CliniMACS Prodigy CCS (IFN-gamma) System in Selection of Virus-specific T Cells From Third-party Donors for Pediatric Patients With Severe Viral Infections After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: Kállay Krisztián , Kassa Csaba , Réti Marienn , Karászi Éva , Sinkó János , Goda Vera , Stréhn Anita , Csordás Katalin , Horváth Orsolya , Szederjesi Attila , Tasnády Szabolcs , Hardi Apor , Kriván Gergely
Published: December 2017

Viral reactivation is a frequent complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation especially in children. For refractory cases, rapid virus-specific T-cell therapy would be ideally implemented within a few days. Over the course of a year in our pediatric cohort of 43 allogeneic transplantation, 9 patients fulfilled criteria for virus-specific T-cell therapy. Viral infections were due to cytomegalovirus (CMV) in 3, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in 2, and adenovirus (AdV) in 1 case, whereas >1 virus was detected in 3 cases. Viral diseases necessitating a T-cell therapy were CMV pneumonitis and colitis, AdV enteritis and cystitis, and EBV-induced posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disease. Cells were produced by the CliniMACS Prodigy CCS (IFN-gamma) System within 24 hours after mononuclear leukapheresis. Eight patients became completely asymptomatic, whereas 7 also cleared the virus. Six patients are alive without viral illness or sequelae demonstrating viral DNA clearance in peripheral blood with a median follow-up of 535 (350–786) days. One patient with CMV pneumonitis died of respiratory insufficiency. In 2 cases the viral illness improved or cleared, however, the patients died of invasive aspergillosis. No cases of graft-versus-host disease, rejection, organ toxicity, or recurrent infection were noticed. Virus-specific T-cell therapy implemented by the CliniMACS Prodigy CCS (IFN-gamma) System is an automated, fast, safe, and probably effective way to control resistant viral diseases after pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
BRAF-inhibitors can exert control of disease in BRAF T599I mutated melanoma: a case report
Authors: Gallo Susanna , Coha Valentina , Caravelli Daniela , Becco Paolo , Venesio Tiziana , Zaccagna Alessandro , Giacone Elena , Marenco Federica , Pisacane Alberto , Racca Manuela , Gammaitoni Loretta , Aglietta Massimo , Carnevale-Schianca Fabrizio
Published: December 2017

BRAF signaling is involved in melanoma growth in more than half of metastatic patients. In the last few years, new drugs that block this pathway have significantly improved the outcomes of patients with metastatic melanoma. Ninety percent of BRAF mutations involve exon 15, and the most frequent, V600E, results from the amino acid change from valine (V) to glutamic acid (E). BRAFV600 inhibitor treatments have shown a notable overall response rate and improvements in progression-free and overall survival. Rare BRAF mutations of codon 599 have been also described in a few patients with papillary thyroid cancer and melanoma. Nowadays, no evidence is available in the literature, describing the role of target therapies as treatment in patients with this specific codon mutation. We describe the case of a young woman with metastatic melanoma with a particular BRAF mutation, T599I, who has benefited from treatment with a BRAF inhibitor, vemurafenib.
Sebaceous Neoplasms With Rippled, Labyrinthine/Sinusoidal, Petaloid, and Carcinoid-Like Patterns: A Study of 57 Cases Validating Their Occurrence as a Morphological Spectrum and Showing No Significant Association With Muir–Torre Syndrome or DNA Mismatch Repair Protein Deficiency
Authors: Wiedemeyer Katharina , Kyrpychova Liubov , Işikci Özlem Tanas , Spagnolo Dominic V. , Kutzner Heinz , Rütten Arno , Fernandez-Figueras Maria T. , Denisjuk Natalja , Suster Saul , Pavlovsky Michal , Petersson Fredrik , Michal Michal , Lee Joyce , Kerl Katrin , Kazakov Dmitry V.
Published: December 2017

Sebaceous neoplasms with an organoid pattern (rippled, labyrinthine/sinusoidal, carcinoid-like, and petaloid) are rare. Previous studies suggested that the above patterns likely represent variations along a morphological continuum. The objectives of this study were to (1) validate this proposition by studying a large number of cases, (2) determine whether there are specific associations with clinical features, (3) establish their frequency, and (4) determine whether they have any association with Muir–Torre syndrome. Fifty-seven sebaceous neoplasms (54 sebaceomas and 3 sebaceous carcinomas) with organoid growth patterns were studied. These occurred in 36 men and 18 women (sex unknown in 3), with ages at diagnosis ranging from 22 to 89 years (mean, 63 years). All patients presented with a solitary nodule (mean size, 11 mm) on the head and neck area. Of the 57 tumors, 24 manifested a single growth pattern, 23 had a combination of 2 patterns, and 10 a combination of 3 patterns, indicating that these patterns are part of a morphological continuum of changes. The carcinoid-like pattern was the most frequent in the “monopatterned” neoplasms (13 cases), whereas the labyrinthine/sinusoidal pattern comprised most of the “polypatterned” lesions, in which various combinations occurred. Immunohistochemically, mismatch repair protein deficiency was detected in 3 of the 22 cases studied, whereas 5 of the 33 patients with available follow-up had an internal malignancy/premalignancy. In conclusion, sebaceous neoplasms with organoid growth patterns are predominantly sebaceomas having a predilection for the scalp, occurring as solitary lesions in elderly patients (male to female ratio of 2:1). Such patterns are expected to be found in a quarter of sebaceomas. In most cases, more than one of the organoid patterns is present. These lesions do not appear to be associated with internal malignancy or mismatch repair deficiency in most cases. However, confirmation of the absence of any significant association with Muir–Torre syndrome syndrome will require genetic studies.
Firm Papules of the Hands and Neck
Authors: Jacob Sharon E. , Manalo Iviensan F.
Published: December 2017

Teledermatology is a term to describe the provision of dermatologic medical services through telecommunication technology. This is a teledermatology case of firm papules on the hands and neck.
Intraoperative Near-Infrared Fluorescence Imaging of Multiple Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors
Authors: Handgraaf Henricus J.M. , Boogerd Leonora S.F. , Shahbazi Feshtali Shirin , Fariña Sarasqueta Arantza , Snel Marieke , Swijnenburg Rutger-Jan , Vahrmeijer Alexander L. , Bonsing Bert A. , Mieog J. Sven D.
Published: December 2017

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 syndrome can feature pancreatic neuroendocrine lesions that have the potential to degenerate into malignancies (pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors [PNETs]). Resection is required in selected cases and aims to cure patients and to prevent metastasis. Preoperative imaging is important to assess the number, size, and location of PNETs. However, sensitivity of preoperative imaging modalities to detect small lesions can be rather disappointing. This makes intraoperative reassessment of the pancreas crucial. Methylene blue (MB) accumulates in neuroendocrine lesions after intravenous administration. Methylene blue emits fluorescence of approximately 700 nm and can be visualized using a dedicated near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging system. We present a 58-year-old male patient with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 syndrome and 2 lesions suspected as PNETs identified during regular follow-up. Intraoperative administration of MB allowed successful NIR fluorescence imaging of multiple lesions missed by preoperative imaging. After confirmation by intraoperative ultrasound, this new finding led to a major change in treatment: from enucleations to total pancreatectomy. Histopathologic examination confirmed that the fluorescent lesions were indeed neuroendocrine lesions ranging from microadenomas to PNETs. This case demonstrates that intraoperative assessment of neuroendocrine lesions can be improved by intraoperative NIR fluorescence imaging using MB, a safe and relatively easy technique.
Hypovitamininosis D in Childhood Cancer Survivors: Importance of Vitamin D Supplementation and Measurement Over Different Points of Time
Authors: Fouda Ashraf , Kandil Shaimaa , Boujettif Khadijah , Fayea Najwa
Published: December 2017

This observational retrospective cross-sectional and case-controlled study measures levels of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25-OH-VD) in pediatric cancer survivors at different intervals and assesses the effect of 2 supplementation regimens over a period of 12 months. Sixty-eight patients were included in this quasi-experimental study, of which 32 were boys and 36 were girls. A control group of 30 healthy children were included. It was found that initial 25-OH-VD levels were insufficient (<30 ng/mL) in 61 patients (89.7%). Yet, no significant difference between the levels of 25-OH-VD in these patients as compared with the healthy control group was evidenced. However, 25-OH-VD levels were significantly higher at 18 months in patients who were supplemented with oral 50,000 IU/month vitamin D during the 12 months in comparison with patients supplemented with 1000 IU/day. Our findings indicate that pediatric cancer survivors who require frequent monitoring of their 25-OH-VD levels yielded better results when supplemented with higher doses of vitamin D over longer periods of time. A course of oral vitamin D supplementation regimen of 50,000 IU/month gave effective results with excellent compliance and no reports of any adverse or harmful effects.
Concomitant Anterior Repair, Preoperative Prolapse Severity, and Anatomic Prolapse Outcomes After Vaginal Apical Procedures
Authors: Nager Charles W. , Grimes Cara L. , Nolen Tracy L. , Wai Clifford Y. , Brubaker Linda , Jeppson Peter C. , Wilson Tracey S. , Visco Anthony G. , Barber Matthew D. , Sutkin Gary , Norton Peggy , Rardin Charles R. , Arya Lily , Wallace Dennis , Meikle Susan F.
Published: December 2017

Objective

The aim of the study was to compare anterior and overall prolapse prevalence at 1 year in surgical participants with or without concomitant anterior repair (AR) at the time of sacrospinous ligament fixation (SSLF) or uterosacral ligament suspension (ULS).

Methods

This is a secondary analysis of two surgical trials; concomitant AR was performed at surgeon's discretion. Anterior anatomic success was defined as pelvic organ prolapse quantification of prolapse point Ba ≤0 and overall success was defined as pelvic organ prolapse quantification points Ba, Bp, and C ≤0 at 12 months.

Results

Sixty-three percent (441/701) of the participants underwent concomitant AR and were older, more often postmenopausal, had previous hysterectomy, and had higher-stage anterior, but not apical prolapse. Anterior anatomic success was marginally but statistically better in the combined group (SSLF and ULS) with concomitant AR (82% vs 80%, P = 0.03). In subanalyses, the improvement in anatomic support with AR was observed only in the SSLF subgroup (81% vs 73%, P = 0.02) and mostly in the SSLF subgroup with higher preoperative stage (74% vs 57%, P = 0.02). Anterior repair did not improve success rates in participants with lower-stage prolapse or undergoing ULS. Overall success rates were similar to anterior anatomic success rates. Participants with higher-stage preoperative anterior prolapse had significantly lower success rates.

Conclusions

In the absence of clinical trial data, this analysis suggests an AR should be considered for women with higher-stage prolapse undergoing an SSLF. Preoperative prolapse severity is a strong predictor of poor anatomic outcomes with native tissue vaginal apical surgeries.
Factors Associated With Lack of Vision Improvement in Children With Cortical Visual Impairment
Authors: Handa Swati , Saffari Seyed E. , Borchert Mark
Published: December 2017

Background:

Improvement in vision has been noted in children with cortical visual impairment (CVI), resulting from disparate types of brain injury. The purpose of our study was to determine the risk factors associated with poor recovery of vision in this group of patients.

Methods:

Case records of children who were born before 2010 with at least 4 follow-up visits for CVI were reviewed for underlying etiologies of CVI, visual acuity (VA), and associated neurological and ophthalmological disorders. VA was assessed in 6 qualitative grades. Changes in VA were recorded as the difference between the grades of VA at presentation and the last follow-up visit. The outcome was calculated as a ratio of actual improvement to potential improvement in grades of qualitative VA. Multiple linear regression determined factors associated with lack of vision improvement in all children and based on etiology.

Results:

Fifty-three children with CVI were identified. The median age at presentation was 13.6 months (range: 2.9–76.4 months) and the median follow-up was 5.8 years (1.1–16.3 years). CVI resulted from central nervous system (CNS) malformation (9.4%), hypoxic/inflammatory injury (15.1%), seizures (24.5%), and combined causes (51.0%). Vision improvement was noted in 83% of children. Lack of VA improvement was associated with older age at presentation in all children with CVI and within each etiological group except CNS malformation. None of the other investigated variables were associated with poor recovery of VA.

Conclusions:

Most of the children with CVI showed improvement in vision. Older age at presentation, but not etiology of CVI, was associated with poor improvement in VA.
Solitary interfacial hydroelastic waves
Authors: Părău Emilian I.
Published: December 2017

Solitary waves travelling along an elastic plate present between two fluids with different densities are computed in this paper. Different two-dimensional configurations are considered: the upper fluid can be of infinite extent, bounded by a rigid wall or under a second elastic plate. The dispersion relation is obtained for each case and numerical codes based on integro-differential formulations for the full nonlinear problem are derived.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Nonlinear water waves’.
Stokes drift
Authors: van den Bremer T. S. , Breivik Ø.
Published: December 2017

During its periodic motion, a particle floating at the free surface of a water wave experiences a net drift velocity in the direction of wave propagation, known as the Stokes drift (Stokes 1847
Trans. Camb. Philos. Soc.
8
, 441–455). More generally, the Stokes drift velocity is the difference between the average Lagrangian flow velocity of a fluid parcel and the average Eulerian flow velocity of the fluid. This paper reviews progress in fundamental and applied research on the induced mean flow associated with surface gravity waves since the first description of the Stokes drift, now 170 years ago. After briefly reviewing the fundamental physical processes, most of which have been established for decades, the review addresses progress in laboratory and field observations of the Stokes drift. Despite more than a century of experimental studies, laboratory studies of the mean circulation set up by waves in a laboratory flume remain somewhat contentious. In the field, rapid advances are expected due to increasingly small and cheap sensors and transmitters, making widespread use of small surface-following drifters possible. We also discuss remote sensing of the Stokes drift from high-frequency radar. Finally, the paper discusses the three main areas of application of the Stokes drift: in the coastal zone, in Eulerian models of the upper ocean layer and in the modelling of tracer transport, such as oil and plastic pollution. Future climate models will probably involve full coupling of ocean and atmosphere systems, in which the wave model provides consistent forcing on the ocean surface boundary layer. Together with the advent of new space-borne instruments that can measure surface Stokes drift, such models hold the promise of quantifying the impact of wave effects on the global atmosphere–ocean system and hopefully contribute to improved climate projections.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Nonlinear water waves’.
New exact relations for steady irrotational two-dimensional gravity and capillary surface waves
Authors: Clamond Didier
Published: December 2017

Steady two-dimensional surface capillary–gravity waves in irrotational motion are considered on constant depth. By exploiting the holomorphic properties in the physical plane and introducing some transformations of the boundary conditions at the free surface, new exact relations and equations for the free surface only are derived. In particular, a physical plane counterpart of the Babenko equation is obtained.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Nonlinear water waves’.
Efficient bio-production of citramalate using an engineered Escherichia coli strain
Authors: Webb Joseph P. , Arnold S. Alison , Baxter Scott , Hall Stephen J. , Eastham Graham , Stephens Gill
Published: December 2017

Citramalic acid is a central intermediate in a combined biocatalytic and chemocatalytic route to produce bio-based methylmethacrylate, the monomer used to manufacture Perspex and other high performance materials. We developed an engineered E. coli strain and a fed-batch bioprocess to produce citramalate at concentrations in excess of 80 g l−1 in only 65 h. This exceptional efficiency was achieved by designing the production strain and the fermentation system to operate synergistically. Thus, a single gene encoding a mesophilic variant of citramalate synthase from Methanococcus jannaschii, CimA3.7, was expressed in E. coli to convert acetyl-CoA and pyruvate to citramalate, and the ldhA and pflB genes were deleted. By using a bioprocess with a continuous, growth-limiting feed of glucose, these simple interventions diverted substrate flux directly from central metabolism towards formation of citramalate, without problematic accumulation of acetate. Furthermore, the nutritional requirements of the production strain could be satisfied through the use of a mineral salts medium supplemented only with glucose (172 g l−1 in total) and 1.4 g l−1 yeast extract. Using this system, citramalate accumulated to 82±1.5 g l−1, with a productivity of 1.85 g l−1 h−1 and a conversion efficiency of 0.48 gcitramalate g−1
glucose. The new bioprocess forms a practical first step for integrated bio- and chemocatalytic production of methylmethacrylate.
TORC1 inhibition as an immunotherapy to reduce infections in the elderly
Authors: Mannick Joan B. , Morris Melody , Hockey Hans-Ulrich P. , Roma Guglielmo , Beibel Martin , Kulmatycki Kenneth , Watkins Mollie , Shavlakadze Tea , Zhou Weihua , Quinn Dean , Glass David J. , Klickstein Lloyd B.
Published: December 2017

mTOR inhibition extends lifespan and ameliorates aging-related pathologies including declining immune function in model organisms. The objective of this Phase 2a clinical trial was to determine if low dose mTOR inhibitor therapy enhanced immune function and thereby decreased infection rates in elderly subjects. The results indicate that 6 weeks of treatment with a low dose combination of a catalytic (BEZ235) plus an allosteric (RAD001) mTOR inhibitor (that selectively inhibits TORC1 downstream of mTOR) was safe, significantly decreased the rate of infections reported by elderly subjects for a year following study drug initiation, upregulated antiviral gene expression, and significantly improved influenza vaccination response. Thus selective TORC1 inhibition with a combination of BEZ235 and RAD001 may be efficacious as immunotherapy to reduce infections, a leading cause of death in the elderly.

One Sentence Summary

Treatment of elderly subjects with a low dose mTOR inhibitor regimen that selectively inhibits TORC1 significantly decreased infection rates
Understanding Research Development Needs in Capacity Building for NCD Research: The Case of Thailand
Authors: Singha-Dong N , Bigelow A , Furspan P , Rajataramya B , Villarruel A , Barton D , Potempa K
Published: December 2017

Chronic non-communicable diseases (NCD) are the most significant causes of death globally. In Thailand, NCDs have increased 10.4% and 11%, respectively, since 2002. Thus, there is a compelling need in Thailand to enhance the capacity for research aimed at improving both NCD prevention and care. A survey was conducted of current multi-disciplinary doctorally prepared faculty (n=115) to determine perceived NCD research training needs. The results of this survey showed that the greatest exposure to NCD was in clinical practice, followed by teaching NCD content, and then research. Few researchers published their findings in journals. All responders reported needing significant support in research design, methods and statistical analysis procedures. These results were used to guide the development of a post-doctoral training program for NCD research in Thailand. After three years of the training program, we found that trainee applicants’ preferences and choices were aligned with the original survey-based planning.
Predicting Response to Platin Chemotherapy Agents with Biochemically-inspired Machine Learning
Authors: Mucaki Eliseos J. , Zhao Jonathan Z.L. , Lizotte Dan , Rogan Peter K.
Published: December 2017

Selection of effective genes that accurately predict chemotherapy response could improve cancer outcomes. We compare optimized gene signatures for cisplatin, carboplatin, and oxaliplatin response in the same cell lines, and respectively validate each with cancer patient data. Supervised support vector machine learning was used to derive gene sets whose expression was related to cell line GI50values by backwards feature selection with cross-validation. Specific genes and functional pathways distinguishing sensitive from resistant cell lines are identified by contrasting signatures obtained at extreme vs. median GI50thresholds. Ensembles of gene signatures at different thresholds are combined to reduce dependence on specific GI50values for predicting drug response. The most accurate models for each platin are: cisplatin:BARD1,BCL2,BCL2L1,CDKN2C,FAAP24,FEN1,MAP3K1,MAPK13,MAPK3,NFKB1,NFKB2,SLC22A5,SLC31A2,TLR4,TWIST1; carboplatin:AKT1,EIF3K,ERCC1,GNGT1,GSR,MTHFR,NEDD4L,NLRP1,NRAS,RAF1,SGK1,TIGD1,TP53,VEGFB,VEGFC;oxaliplatin:BRAF,FCGR2A,IGF1,MSH2,NAGK,NFE2L2,NQO1,PANK3,SLC47A1,SLCO1B1,UGT1A1. TCGA bladder, ovarian and colorectal cancer patients were used to test cisplatin, carboplatin and oxaliplatin signatures (respectively), resulting in 71.0%, 60.2% and 54.5% accuracy in predicting disease recurrence and 59%, 61% and 72% accuracy in predicting remission. One cisplatin signature predicted 100% of recurrence in non-smoking bladder cancer patients (57% disease-free; N=19), and 79% recurrence in smokers (62% disease-free; N=35). This approach should be adaptable to other studies of chemotherapy response, independent of drug or cancer types.
Are Nonsense Alleles of Drosophila melanogaster Genes under Any Selection?
Authors: Potapova Nadezhda A. , Andrianova Maria A. , Bazykin Georgii A. , Kondrashov Alexey S.
Published: December 2017

A gene which carries a bona fide loss-of-function mutation effectively becomes a functionless pseudogene, free from selective constraint. However, there is a number of molecular mechanisms that may lead to at least a partial preservation of the function of genes carrying even drastic alleles. We performed a direct measurement of the strength of negative selection acting on nonsense alleles of protein-coding genes in the Zambian population of Drosophila melanogaster. Within those exons that carry nonsense mutations, negative selection, assayed by the ratio of missense over synonymous nucleotide diversity levels, appears to be absent, consistent with total loss of function. In other exons of nonsense alleles, negative selection was deeply relaxed but likely not completely absent, and the per site number of missense alleles declined significantly with the distance from the premature stop codon. This pattern may be due to alternative splicing which preserves function of some isoforms of nonsense alleles of genes.
Large-scale structural variation detection in subterranean clover subtypes using optical mapping validated at nucleotide level
Authors: Yuan Yuxuan , Milec Zbyněk , Bayer Philipp E. , Vrána Jan , Doležel Jaroslav , Edwards David , Erskine William , Kaur Parwinder
Published: December 2017

Whole genome sequencing has been widely used to detect structural variations (SVs). However, the limited single molecule size makes it difficult to characterize large-scale SVs in a genome because they cannot fully cover such vast and complex regions. Recently, optical mapping in nanochannels has provided novel resolution to detect large-scale SVs by comparing the physical location of the nickase recognition sequence in genomes. Other than in humans, SVs discovered in plants by optical mapping have not been validated. To assess the accuracy of SV calling in plants by optical mapping, we selected two genetically diverse subspecies of the Trifolium model species, subterranean clover cvs. Daliak and Yarloop. The SVs discovered by BioNano optical mapping (BOM) were validated using Illumina short reads. In the analysis, BOM identified 12 large-scale regions containing deletions and 19 containing insertions in Yarloop. The 12 large-scale regions contained 71 small deletions when validated by Illumina short reads. The results suggest that BOM could detect the total size of deletions and insertions, but it could not precisely report the location and actual quantity of SVs in the genome. Nucleotide-level validation is crucial to confirm and characterize SVs reported by optical mapping. The accuracy of SV detection by BOM is highly dependent on the quality of reference genomes and the density of selected nickases.
Results of follow-up experiments to “Odorant cues linked to social immunity induce lateralized antennal stimulation in honey bees (Apis mellifera L.)”
Authors: McAfee Alison , Collins Troy F. , Foster Leonard J.
Published: December 2017

In 2017, we published the paper “Odorant cues linked to social immunity induce lateralized antennal stimulation in honey bees (Apis mellifera L.)” in Scientific Reports. Since then, we have performed three follow-up experiments which have either negative or contradictory results. Previously, we used electrophysiology to show that hygienic bees displayed significantly higher sensitivity to β-ocimene when stimulated via their left antennae compared to their right. We repeated this assay using worker honey bees from a single hygienic colony and found, to our surprise, that the right antennae elicited higher sensitivity. We also previously attempted to identify a molecular basis for lateralization by using mass spectrometry-based proteomics to compare left and right antennal proteomes. Of the 1,845 proteins, none were differentially expressed. Here, we repeated this experiment but employed orthogonal peptide fractionation to increase proteome coverage to 3,114 proteins; however, still none were differentially expressed. Finally, we attempted to manipulate gene expression of a key antennal odorant binding protein linked to hygienic behaviour (OBP18) using RNA interference via antenna microinjection. We were not able to achieve long-lasting OBP18 knock-down, but comparing the proteomes of untreated, mock dsRNA-treated and OBP18 dsRNA-treated worker antennae revealed numerous off-target effects of the act of injecting alone. By openly reporting this data, we hope to set an example for information transparency.
Redetermination of theγ-form of tellurium dioxide
Authors: Weil Matthias
Published: December 2017

The crystal structure of γ-TeO2was redetermined on the basis of single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. The previous structure determination of this modification was based on laboratory powder X-ray diffraction data [Champarnaud-Mesjardet al.(2000).J. Phys. Chem. Solids,61, 1499–1507]. The current redetermination revealed all atoms with anisotropic displacement parameters, accompanied with a much higher accuracy and precision in terms of bond lengths and angles, and the determination of the absolute structure. The crystal structure consists of TeO4bisphenoids that combine through corner-sharing of all their oxygen atoms into a three-dimensional framework.
Risk assessment of online child abuse material (CAM) offenders: a review of existing tools
Authors: Garrington Catherine , Chamberlain Peter , Rickwood Debra , Boer Douglas P.
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to summarise the available risk and assessment tools for child abuse material (CAM) offenders. Noting the rise of internet-based offences surrounding CAM, it has been proposed that there may be substantial differences between internet only (IO) offenders, contact only and mixed profile sexual offenders.

Design/methodology/approach

Through online searches, risk assessment tools for sexual offenders were identified. Scoring manuals were consulted for applicability to IO offenders.

Findings

Nine risk assessment tools for sexual offenders were included. Risk assessment tools for sexual offenders use cautionary language regarding the application of sexual offence risk assessment tools to IO offenders. An additional five tools were identified specifically addressing IO offenders. Three of these tools address risk assessment and two assess cognitions and behaviours.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations include the identification of static and dynamic risk factors and the application of structured professional judgement.

Practical implications

By drawing together existing tools and recommendations for use with the IO offender population, a gap is identified for CAM specific risk assessment tools.

Originality/value

Appropriate risk assessment, case planning and treatment will contribute to the appropriate management and treatment of the IO offender population.
Unpacking the foundational dimensions of work integration social enterprise
Authors: Lysaght Rosemary , Roy Michael J. , Rendall Jack S. , Krupa Terry , Ball Liam , Davis Janessa
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The aim of this exploratory, mixed methods study was to develop and test a tool that identifies foundational dimensions of work integration social enterprises (WISEs) for use in empirical studies and enterprise self-assessment. Construction of the initial prototype was based upon a review of the literature and prior qualitative research by the authors.

Design/methodology/approach

A 20-item question pool with a four-point response scale was constructed to explore WISE business and employment practices and strategies for worker growth and development. Three sequential field tests were conducted with the prototype – the first with 5 Canadian WISEs, the second with 14 WISEs in the UK and the third with 6 Canadian WISEs involved in an outcome study in the mental health sector. Each field test included completion of the questionnaire by persons with managerial responsibility within the WISE and evaluative feedback captured through questions on the applicability and interpretability of the items.

Findings

Testing of the prototype instrument revealed the inherent diversity in the field and the difficulty in creating questions that both embrace that diversity and produce unidimensional variables definable along a spectrum. A number of challenges with question structure were identified and have been modified throughout the iterative testing process.

Research limitations/implications

This study identified central domains for inclusion in a multi-dimensional WISE assessment tool. Further testing will help further refine scaling and establish psychometric properties.

Originality/value

This measure will provide a descriptive profile of WISEs across sectors and identify WISE core dimensions for research and organizational development.
From Plagiarism‐Plagued to Plagiarism‐Proof: Using Anonymized Case Assignments in Intermediate Accounting
Authors: Scott Sandra
Published: December 2017

Plagiarism in accounting case assignments is a serious problem that undercuts the important objectives the case assignments are used to achieve: the development of students’ critical thinking skills and the advancement of their written communication skills. This paper examines plagiarism behavior through the lens of fraud theory by targeting two elements of the fraud triangle: rationalization and opportunity. Efforts to target rationalization by changing student perceptions of peer behavior were not effective. This led to a shift in focus to the assignment itself which was providing the opportunity for misconduct. Students were sidestepping authentic engagement in the assignment by gaining access to published solutions or peer submissions from previous semesters. One failsafe design response to this problem is to use only originally written cases. However, writing a large number of original cases each semester is unrealistic within many instructors’ workloads. This article instead proposes the use of a case refreshing strategy that makes cases appear unique to each group of students. When this strategy was introduced in an intermediate accounting course, there was a dramatic decrease in plagiarism and a corresponding improvement of the academic integrity environment in the course.
VARRO, DICAEARCHUS, AND THE HISTORY OF ROMAN RES RUSTICAE
Authors: NELSESTUEN GRANT A.
Published: December 2017

This article reconstructs the historical narrative underlying the account of Roman farming in De re rustica, thereby shedding new light on Varro's intellectual engagements in composing his agricultural treatise and methodology as a scholar of Rome. Central to this account is Dicaearchus of Messana's three-stage theory of human development, which not only provides an anthropological pedigree for agriculture (in book 1) and animal husbandry (in book 2), but also establishes the theoretical framework for Varro's innovative treatment of so-called ‘animal husbandry of the villa’ (in book 3). By presenting this last sphere of rustic production as a newly viable mode of farming contingent on the vast wealth and decline of morality in contemporary Rome, Varro uses it to emblematize ‘urban life’ as a fourth stage of human existence. The history of Roman farming thus offers a profoundly ambivalent narrative, entailing technological and material progress at the cost of moral decline.
The RSPO3 gene as genetic markers for bone mass assessed by quantitative ultrasound in a population of young adults
Authors: Correa‐Rodríguez María , Schmidt Rio‐Valle Jacqueline , Rueda‐Medina Blanca
Published: December 2017

Ultrasound bone mass measurement has been postulated as a valuable bone‐health assessment tool for primary care. The aim of this study was to analyse the possible relationship between the SPTBN1, RSPO3, CCDC170, DKK1, GPATCH1, and TMEM135 genes, with calcaneal quantitative ultrasound (QUS) in a population of young adults. These genes were first associated with broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) in the GEFOS/GENOMOS study. A cross‐sectional study was conducted on 575 individuals (mean age 20.41 ± 2.69). Bone mass at the right calcaneus was estimated by QUS. Six single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in SPTBN1 (rs11898505), RSPO3 (rs7741021), CCDC170 (rs4869739), DKK1 (rs7902708), TMEM135 (rs597319), and GPATCH1 (rs10416265) were selected as genetic markers based on their previous association with calcaneal QUS. After adjusting for multiple confounding factors, the only significant association with QUS in our population was found for the rs7741021 SNP in the RSPO3 gene (P = 0.006) using the dominant model of inheritance. This suggests the possible implication of the RSPO3 gene in bone mass acquisition during early adulthood.
The effects of recreational ketamine cystitis on urinary tract reconstruction – a surgical challenge
Authors: Sihra Néha , Ockrim Jeremy , Wood Dan
Published: December 2017

Objectives

To identify the rate of postoperative complications in patients who require surgical reconstruction for ketamine‐induced urinary tract dysfunction and to identify any predictors for poor postoperative outcome with subsequent management strategies.

Patients and Methods

A retrospective review of data collected between 2007 and 2017 of all patients with ketamine‐induced urinary tract disease was performed. Evaluation included computed tomography urogram, cystoscopy, and biopsy. Indications and outcomes for surgical intervention were assessed.

Results

In all, 44 patients were identified of which 68% were male. The mean (range) age at presentation was 31 (23–55) years. All bladder biopsies confirmed an eosinophilic inflammatory infiltrate. A significant proportion of patients (81.8%) were found to have reduced cystoscopic bladder capacity of <300 mL (mean 196, range 25–550 mL). In all, 29 patients were treated conservatively with a view to symptom resolution. Two patients underwent dilatation for urethral strictures. Four patients underwent repeated intra‐detrusor onabotulinum toxin injection with minimal subjective symptom relief. Two of these patients proceeded to have major reconstruction. Indications for urinary tract reconstruction included intractable symptoms, high‐pressure compliance loss with renal compromise and ureteric obstruction. Patients were advised to abstain from ketamine use for a minimum of 6 months prior to consideration of surgical intervention. A total of 14 patients underwent major reconstruction. Surgical intervention included ileal conduit urinary diversion, augmentation cystoplasty with or without Mitrofanoff channels, ureteric re‐implantation, and cystectomy with neobladders. Complications included anastomotic leaks, ureteric strictures, adhesional small bowel obstruction, renal failure, and sepsis. Overall, complications occurred in 10/14 patients.

Conclusion

In a tertiary high‐volume reconstructive unit, ketamine patients were at high risk of significant perioperative complications. There did not appear to be any other common factor apart from their use of ketamine, and the significant inflammatory change associated with this. We recommend meticulous preoperative evaluation and multidisciplinary consultation for all patients to determine optimal treatment strategies.
Erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp: reappraisal of an underrecognized entity
Authors: Wilk Michael , Zelger Bettina G. , Hauser Undine , Höpfl Reinhard , Zelger Bernhard
Published: December 2017

Erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp (EPDS) is an inflammatory dermatosis of unknown etiology. Herein, we present a review of the disease and report our own clinical and histopathological experience in eleven patients. EPDS tends to spontaneously affect bald areas of the scalp in elderly individuals. A history of previous surgery at the same site – as observed in four of our patients – is common. Coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular insult, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and severe cases of cancer were frequent comorbidities. Most patients show an undulating clinical course despite topical anti‐inflammatory treatment; in some individuals, the lesions heal with scarring. Histopathology reveals scaly crusts or erosions and granulation tissue‐like changes in the dermis, evolving into a scar in more advanced stages. Apart from actinic/local damage, impaired immunity and microcirculation may be predisposing factors of the disease. Similar to pyoderma gangrenosum, EPDS must be considered in the context of nonhealing wounds in the elderly after the differential diagnoses mimicking EPDS have been ruled out. Given that previous or concomitant adjacent basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma is a common finding and that infiltrative variants extending beyond the clinically visible tumor may occur, histological mapping of the surrounding skin may be advisable in doubtful cases.
Evidence for increased chylomicron remnants in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Burggraaf Benjamin , van Breukelen‐van der Stoep Deborah F. , van Zeben Jendé , van der Meulen Noelle , van de Geijn Gert‐Jan M. , Liem Anho , Valdivielso Pedro , Rioja Villodres José , Ramírez‐Bollero José , van der Zwan Ellen , Castro Cabezas Manuel
Published: December 2017

Background

Levels of apolipoprotein (apo) B48 may be increased in conditions associated with systemic inflammation and increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We aimed to evaluate apo B48 levels in patients with RA in relation to subclinical atherosclerosis.

Methods

Patients with RA (without CVD) and controls without RA but with high CVD risk (based on the presence of diabetes mellitus or a history of CVD) and healthy controls were included in this cross‐sectional study. Carotid intima‐media thickness (cIMT) was measured as a surrogate for vascular damage.

Results

In total, 312 patients with RA, 65 controls with high CVD risk and 36 healthy controls were included. Patients with RA had the highest mean apo B48 (10.00 ± 6.65 mg/L) compared to controls with high CVD risk and healthy controls (8.37 ± 5.16 and 5.22 ± 2.46, P < .001). Triglycerides levels were comparable with controls.

In RA, apo B48 correlated positively with triglycerides (r = .645; P < .001) but not with cIMT. However, in RA subjects not using lipid or blood pressure lowering medication, a weak correlation was found with cIMT (r = .157; P = .014). RA patients in the highest apo B48 tertile were more often rheumatoid factor positive and anti‐CCP positive compared to the lowest tertile.

Conclusion

Rheumatoid arthritis patients have higher levels of apo B48 compared to controls with high CVD risk and healthy controls, with normal levels of triglycerides. This accumulation of atherogenic chylomicron remnants may contribute to the elevated CVD risk in RA patients.
Evidence for declining forest resilience to wildfires under climate change
Authors: Stevens‐Rumann Camille S. , Kemp Kerry B. , Higuera Philip E. , Harvey Brian J. , Rother Monica T. , Donato Daniel C. , Morgan Penelope , Veblen Thomas T.
Published: December 2017

Forest resilience to climate change is a global concern given the potential effects of increased disturbance activity, warming temperatures and increased moisture stress on plants. We used a multi‐regional dataset of 1485 sites across 52 wildfires from the US Rocky Mountains to ask if and how changing climate over the last several decades impacted post‐fire tree regeneration, a key indicator of forest resilience. Results highlight significant decreases in tree regeneration in the 21st century. Annual moisture deficits were significantly greater from 2000 to 2015 as compared to 1985–1999, suggesting increasingly unfavourable post‐fire growing conditions, corresponding to significantly lower seedling densities and increased regeneration failure. Dry forests that already occur at the edge of their climatic tolerance are most prone to conversion to non‐forests after wildfires. Major climate‐induced reduction in forest density and extent has important consequences for a myriad of ecosystem services now and in the future.
MicroRNA 143‐5p regulates alpaca melanocyte migration, proliferation and melanogenesis
Authors: Ji Kaiyuan , Zhang Pengqian , Zhang Junzhen , Fan Ruiwen , Liu Yu , Yang Shanshan , Hu Shuaipeng , Liu Xuexian , Dong Changsheng
Published: December 2017

microRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to be closely involved in the control of melanogenesis and hair colour in mammals. Previous data also indicate that miR‐143 regulates cell growth in melanoma. Here, we aimed to investigate the role of miR‐143‐5p in alpaca melanocytes. We found that miR‐143‐5p was highly expressed in the cytoplasm of alpaca melanocytes as demonstrated by an in situ hybridization assay. Prediction analysis revealed that miR‐143‐5p could regulate TGF‐β‐activated kinase 1 (TAK1) expression, which we confirmed by luciferase reporter assay, indicating that miR‐143‐5p controls TAK1 expression by directly targeting its 3′ untranslated region (UTR). miR‐143‐5p overexpression decreased TAK1 expression, which led to increased melanocyte migration and proliferation, and downregulation of microphthalmia‐associated transcription factor (MITF), which regulates melanin production. These results support a functional role for miR‐143‐5p in regulating alpaca melanocyte migration, proliferation and melanogenesis through direct targeting of TAK1.
Impacts of climate change on rice production in Africa and causes of simulated yield changes
Authors: van Oort Pepijn A. J. , Zwart Sander J.
Published: December 2017

This study is the first of its kind to quantify possible effects of climate change on rice production in Africa. We simulated impacts on rice in irrigated systems (dry season and wet season) and rainfed systems (upland and lowland). We simulated the use of rice varieties with a higher temperature sum as adaptation option. We simulated rice yields for 4 RCP climate change scenarios and identified causes of yield declines. Without adaptation, shortening of the growing period due to higher temperatures had a negative impact on yields (−24% in RCP 8.5 in 2070 compared with the baseline year 2000). With varieties that have a high temperature sum, the length of the growing period would remain the same as under the baseline conditions. With this adaptation option rainfed rice yields would increase slightly (+8%) but they remain subject to water availability constraints. Irrigated rice yields in East Africa would increase (+25%) due to more favourable temperatures and due to CO2 fertilization. Wet season irrigated rice yields in West Africa were projected to change by −21% or +7% (without/with adaptation). Without adaptation irrigated rice yields in West Africa in the dry season would decrease by −45% with adaptation they would decrease significantly less (−15%). The main cause of this decline was reduced photosynthesis at extremely high temperatures. Simulated heat sterility hardly increased and was not found a major cause for yield decline. The implications for these findings are as follows. For East Africa to benefit from climate change, improved water and nutrient management will be needed to benefit fully from the more favourable temperatures and increased CO2 concentrations. For West Africa, more research is needed on photosynthesis processes at extreme temperatures and on adaptation options such as shifting sowing dates.
MOTHERS IN WAR: “RESPONSIBLE MOTHERING,” CHILDREN, AND THE PREVENTION OF VIOLENCE IN TWENTIETH‐CENTURY WAR
Authors: DAMOUSI JOY
Published: December 2017

The key concern of this article is to explore how the history of twentieth‐century violence forces us to reflect on how we interpret the acts of those who find themselves attempting to prevent violence, as mothers have done in relation to their children, in the context of violence and atrocity. A focus on mothers and maternity redirects our analysis to gendered aspects of a history of violence and war that do not concentrate solely on bodily violent acts or physical inflictions upon women—crucial as these remain to histories of violence—but shifts the attention to examining women and violence within another aspect: that of women as active agents negotiating violent contexts. It builds on the considerable scholarship that argues that mothers in war have invariably been represented only as victims or spectators in war, and yet they have also demonstrated agency both individually and collectively. This is significant because to ignore this dimension of scholarly endeavor misses an opportunity to write women into histories of violence in ways that complicate their role in war and make them central to the story. To marginalize mothers in the broader canvas of war and violence, as scholarship often does, is also to narrow our focus of understandings of agency and the negotiation of violence itself. I explore these wider questions by focusing on the cataclysmic events of war, in the first instance in the context of a total war in the early twentieth century, the First World War, and in the second—the Greek Civil War—a civil war that took place in mid‐century. Although these are vastly different conflicts, they both illuminate the decisions of mothers to attempt to prevent further violence in war, especially in relation to their children, and to highlight the contested notion of “responsible motherhood” in war.