bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Standing MRI for surgical planning of equine fracture repair
Authors: Genton Martin , Vila Thibault , Olive Julien , Rossignol Fabrice
Published: July 2019

Objective

To report the feasibility of standing MRI (sMRI) and document the value of sMRI in surgical planning for surgical repair of limb fractures in the horse.

Study design

Retrospective case series.

Animals

Thirty‐one horses with preoperative sMRI.

Methods

Medical records were reviewed for fracture type, application of a polyester cast, sMRI sequences performed, technical variables, and image quality. Fracture geometry and concomitant lesions were compared between sMRI and radiography. The relative value of sMRI with regard to surgical planning was classified as minor (sMRI did not provide additional findings), intermediate (additional lesions found or slight modification to surgical plan), or major (sMRI led to significant alternations in surgical plan).

Results

Standing MRI provided good studies in all horses. Standing MRI was classified as having major relevance in 12 of 31 horses, intermediate relevance in 14 of 31 horses, and minor relevance in 5 of 31 horses.

Conclusion

Preoperative sMRI produced good studies in all horses and influenced the surgical planning in the majority of fractures in this study. Application of a polyester cast seemed to improve comfort without appreciable loss of image quality.

Clinical significance

Standing MRI can be considered as an adjunct to plan the repair of equine fractures, and a polyester cast does not impair image quality.
Significant impact of developing countries and emerging markets in Systematic and Applied Acarology
Authors: Zhang Zhi-Qiang
Published: July 2019

Journal impact factors for 2018 were recently announced by Clarivate Analytics in the June 2019 edition of Journal Citation Reports (JCR). In this editorial, I compared the impact factor of Systematic and Applied Acarology (SAA) with those of other main acarological journals as I did in Zhang (2017). Following Zhang (2018a), I also highlighted the top 10 SAA papers from 2016/2017 with the highest numbers of citations in 2018 (according to JCR June 2019 edition). In addition, I remarked on the increasing impact of developing countries and emerging markets in systematic and applied acarology, both in the number of publications and citations, and also include announcements of meetings on applied acarology.
Three new species of eriophyoid mites (Acari: Eriophyoidea) from South Laos
Authors: Qin Fengping , Zhao Yeyun , Yao Gang , Wang Guoquan
Published: July 2019

Three new species were described and illustrated from South Laos in this paper, two of them, Phetehaburus caricae sp. nov. infesting Carica papaya L. (Caricaceae) and Phyllocoptruta tabernaemontana sp. nov. infesting Tabernaemontana divaricata L. (Apocynaceae) belong to subfamily Phyllocoptinae (Eriophyidae) and another species, Diptilomiopus careyus sp. nov. infesting Careya arborea Roxb. (Lecythidaceae) belongs to Diptilomiopinae (Diptilomiopidae). All the new species described herein are vagrants on the host plant.
A COPII subunit acts with an autophagy receptor to target endoplasmic reticulum for degradation
Authors: Cui Yixian , Parashar Smriti , Zahoor Muhammad , Needham Patrick G. , Mari Muriel , Zhu Ming , Chen Shuliang , Ho Hsuan-Chung , Reggiori Fulvio , Farhan Hesso , Brodsky Jeffrey L. , Ferro-Novick Susan
Published: July 2019

ER-phagy keeps cells healthy

In eukaryotic cells, about one-third of all proteins are targeted to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which serves as a hub for secretory protein traffic and quality control. Cui
et al.
studied a protein known as Lst1 in yeast and SEC24C in mammalian cells that is involved in loading secretory cargo into vesicles that are delivered to the Golgi complex. In response to stress caused by starvation or misfolded aggregate-prone secretory proteins, Lst1 acted to promote an additional function—ER-phagy. Together with autophagy receptors on the ER, Lst1 targeted ER domains for degradation to avert protein aggregation, thus preserving cellular health.

Science
, this issue p.
53
Large plasticity in magnesium mediated by pyramidal dislocations
Authors: Liu Bo-Yu , Liu Fei , Yang Nan , Zhai Xiao-Bo , Zhang Lei , Yang Yang , Li Bin , Li Ju , Ma Evan , Nie Jian-Feng , Shan Zhi-Wei
Published: July 2019

Smaller but more ductile

Poor ductility is one limiting factor in widespread use of strong but lightweight magnesium alloys in cars, trains, and planes. The usual way to try to circumvent this poor ductility is by adding other elements, which can be costly. Liu
et al.
show that very small samples of pure magnesium are much more ductile than previously believed (see the Perspective by Proust). The small samples suppress the deformation twinning that causes fractures in larger samples. Avoiding this mechanism should allow development of high-ductility magnesium and other metal alloys.

Science
, this issue p.
73
; see also p.
30
Resetting histone modifications during human parental-to-zygotic transition
Authors: Xia Weikun , Xu Jiawei , Yu Guang , Yao Guidong , Xu Kai , Ma Xueshan , Zhang Nan , Liu Bofeng , Li Tong , Lin Zili , Chen Xia , Li Lijia , Wang Qiujun , Shi Dayuan , Shi Senlin , Zhang Yile , Song Wenyan , Jin Haixia , Hu Linli , Bu Zhiqin , Wang Yang , Na Jie , Xie Wei , Sun Ying-Pu
Published: July 2019

Epigenetics of human embryonic development

Substantial epigenetic reprogramming occurs in mammalian early development. Xia
et al.
investigated the reprogramming dynamics of three key histone modifications in human early embryonic development. The reprogramming in humans is highly species-specific and different than that in mice. A globally permissive chromatin state connects parental and zygotic epigenomes during maternal-to-zygotic transition. Inner-cell mass-specific, but not trophectoderm-specific, genes are asymmetrically patterned by a histone mark during early lineage segregation.

Science
, this issue p.
353
Direct mapping of curve-crossing dynamics in IBr by attosecond transient absorption spectroscopy
Authors: Kobayashi Yuki , Chang Kristina F. , Zeng Tao , Neumark Daniel M. , Leone Stephen R.
Published: July 2019

A panoramic view of photodissociation

As light pulses get shorter in time, they correspondingly get broader in frequency. Kobayashi
et al.
take advantage of both properties of attosecond pulses to elucidate iodine monobromide (IBr) photodissociation by detecting ultrafast bromine and iodine spectral shifts simultaneously. A preliminary burst of light weakens the I–Br bond. Then, as the atoms fly apart, they reach a configuration where the bond vibration can couple ground and excited electronic states. The broadband probe pulse reveals rapid changes in each atom's electronic structure at this juncture.

Science
, this issue p.
79
Processing magnesium at room temperature
Authors: Proust Gwénaëlle
Published: July 2019

In situ microscopy experiments show how pyramidal slip increases magnesium's ductility
Engineered Root Bacteria Release Plant-Available Phosphate from Phytate
Authors: Shulse Christine N. , Chovatia Mansi , Agosto Carolyn , Wang Gaoyan , Hamilton Matthew , Deutsch Samuel , Yoshikuni Yasuo , Blow Matthew J.
Published: July 2019

Phosphate fertilizers are essential for high-yield agriculture yet are costly and environmentally damaging. Microbes that release soluble phosphate from naturally occurring sources in the soil are appealing, as they may reduce the need for such fertilizers. In this study, we used synthetic biology approaches to create a collection of engineered root-associated microbes with the ability to release phosphate from phytate. We demonstrate that these strains improve plant growth under phosphorus-limited conditions. This represents a first step in the development of phosphate-mining bacteria for future use in crop systems.
Patterns and Predictors of
Staphylococcus aureus
Carriage during the First Year of Life: a Longitudinal Study
Authors: Reiss-Mandel Aylana , Rubin Carmit , Maayan-Mezger Ayala , Novikov Ilya , Jaber Hanaa , Dolitzky Mordechay , Freedman Laurence , Rahav Galia , Regev-Yochay Gili
Published: July 2019

We sought here to investigate the patterns of
Staphylococcus aureus
carriage in the first year of life, its determinants, and the dynamics of transmission between mothers and infants. A prospective longitudinal cohort study of
S. aureus
carriage among mothers and their infants was performed, including monthly screenings from pregnancy/birth through the first year of the infant’s life. Medical and lifestyle data were collected.
Assessing Performance of HRP2 Antigen Detection for Malaria Diagnosis in Mozambique
Authors: Plucinski Mateusz M. , Candrinho Baltazar , Dimene Mercia , Colborn James , Lu Austin , Nace Doug , Zulliger Rose , Rogier Eric
Published: July 2019

Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) that detect the
Plasmodium falciparum
-specific histidine-rich protein 2 (PfHRP2) antigen are the primary methods for malaria diagnosis in Mozambique. However, these tests do not detect infections with non-falciparum malaria or
Pfhrp2
- and
Pfhrp3
-deleted
P. falciparum
parasites.
Acute splenic infarction presenting as an unusual manifestation of essential thrombocythaemia with normal platelet count
Authors: Yoshida Katsuyuki , Kurihara Ibuki , Fukuchi Takahiko , Sugawara Hitoshi
Published: July 2019

Essential thrombocythaemia (ET) is characterised by elevated platelet count by a clonal stem cell disorder of megakaryocytes. Although thrombosis is a common complication of ET, splenic infarction (SI) is extremely rare. Here, we present the case of a 31-year-old Japanese man who presented with sudden-onset severe pain at the left hypochondrium on the day before admission. Enhanced abdominal CT revealed SI. The laboratory test results revealed a normal platelet count (439×109/L). Subsequently, the patient was diagnosed with ET because the platelet count gradually increased to 50.0×104/μL, andJAK2 V617Fmutation was identified. Accordingly, low-dose aspirin was initiated, and no thrombotic episode occurred. Nevertheless, 6 months postdischarge, the platelet count gradually increased to >650 × 109/L, and anagrelide was initiated. This case demonstrates an unusual complication of acute SI due to ET under the rare situation of the normal platelet count.
Gastric diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with bilateral adrenal metastasis
Authors: Hassan Muhammad , Mandal Amrendra Kumar , Sidhu Jasdeep Singh , Cardenas Luz Maria
Published: July 2019

Extranodal adrenal involvement in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is very rare, estimated to be around less than 0.2%. Most common sites involved are stomach, intestine and testis. It is very rare for adrenal tumours to present as primary adrenal insufficiency, with an incidence of around 1.2% in patients diagnosed with adrenal masses. Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBL) originating from the stomach and metastasizing to bilateral adrenal glands is an extremely uncommon occurrence with only three cases found on review of the literature. We present a case of a 62-year-old African–American man who presented with nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and hypotension, later being diagnosed as DLBL of the gastric antrum metastasized to bilateral adrenal glands. Initial laboratory workup revealed including hormonal analysis and cosyntropin test revealed adrenal insufficiency. The patient later died during the hospitalisation after developing respiratory failure, severe hypotension refractory to vasopressors and severe metabolic acidosis.
(Doctor…My child keeps falling over) unexpected MRI findings in children with history of frequent falls and dizziness: a case series
Authors: Mahmood Ashraf Nabeel , Abulaban Osama , Janjua Arshad
Published: July 2019

Frequent falls and dizziness are common complaints in children. These symptoms can be caused by wide range of underlying pathologies including peripheral vestibular deficits, cardiac disease, central lesions, motor skills delay and psychogenic disorders. We report three paediatric cases who presented with complaints of repeated falls and imbalance. MRI scan revealed underlying brain lesions (frontal lobe arteriovenous malformation, exophytic brain stem glioma and cerebellomedullary angle arachnoid cyst with cerebellar tonsillar ectopia). By reporting these cases, we would like to emphasise the importance of a thorough assessment of children with similar symptoms by detailed clinical history, physical examination and maintaining low threshold for investigations, including radiological imaging. Taking in consideration, the wide range of differential diagnosis, the challenge of obtaining detailed history and difficulty of performing reliable physical examination in this age group. Management of underlying disorders can be medical, surgical or just observational.
Treatment strategies for Graves’ ophthalmopathy: a network meta-analysis
Authors: Zhou Xiaoxin , Zhou Dongdong , Wang Juan , Chen Guangmin
Published: July 2019

Purpose

Various treatments have been investigated for Graves’ ophthalmopathy (GO). We aimed to provide an overall profile of the efficacy and tolerability of various interventions for active and moderate to severe GO.

Methods

PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched on 6 July 2018. Randomised controlled trials (RCT) investigating GO treatments were included. Two researchers independently extracted data according to a predefined form. A random effects network meta-analysis was performed using a frequentist approach. The primary outcome was efficacy, and the secondary outcome was tolerability (side effect discontinuation).

Results

Thirty-three studies with 1846 patients with GO were included. Orbital radiotherapy (ORT) plus intravenous glucocorticoids (IVGC) (OR 27.11; 95% CI 4.57 to 160.92), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) (24.40, 95% CI 5.28 to 112.67), oral glucocorticoids (OGC) plus ciclosporin (20.22, 95% CI 1.60 to 255.20), IVGC plus MMF (12.08, 95% CI 2.96 to 49.35), teprotumumab (8.92, 95% CI 2.51 to 31.77), ORT plus OGC (4.88, 95% CI 1.25 to 19.06), rituximab (RTX) (4.85, 95% CI 1.18 to 19.86), somatostatin analogues (4.23, 95% CI 1.60 to 11.16), OGC plus azathioprine (AzA) (5.77, 95% CI 1.17 to 28.47) and IVGC (4.96, 95% CI 1.96 to 12.55) showed significantly better improvement than no treatment. ORT plus IVGC ranked first, followed by MMF. High heterogeneity and significant local inconsistency were observed in the RTX studies. The results of the sensitivity analyses were similar to those of the main analysis.

Conclusion

A robust recommendation regarding the best treatment cannot be made, because most evidence was rated as low or very low quality according to the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations framework. Large RCTs and individual participant data meta-analyses are necessary to confirm these results and explore potential moderators.

PROPERO trial registration number

CRD42018103029.
Long-term outcomes of ocular adnexal lesions in IgG4-related ophthalmic disease
Authors: Kubota Toshinobu , Katayama Masao , Nishimura Reiko , Moritani Suzuko
Published: July 2019

Aims

To determine the long-term outcomes of ocular adnexal lesions in immunoglobulin G4-related ophthalmic disease (IgG4-ROD).

Methods

This retrospective, non-randomised exploratory study included 82 patients with ocular adnexal lesions. We evaluated the long-term outcomes in 71 patients during the median follow-up period of 30 months, who underwent either watchful waiting (n=20; range 12–90 months) or systemic corticosteroid treatment, delivered according to consensus guidelines (n=51; range 9– 115 months). We also analysed factors that might contribute to recalcitrance to treatment.

Results

Of 82 patients, 40 (49%) were male, and the median patient age was 60 years old. Twenty-one (26%) patients with extraocular muscle (EOM) and/or trigeminal nerve branch (CN V) enlargements had a significantly high frequency of multiple ocular adnexal lesions (p<0.0001, Fisher’s exact test). In addition, two patients developed EOM and/or CN V enlargements de novo over time. Twenty patients with solitary lacrimal gland enlargements preferred watchful waiting, due to mild symptoms. Of these, 18 (90%) lesions remained dormant throughout a median follow-up of 27 months. Among 51 patients treated with corticosteroids, 31 (61%) experienced relapses after treatment and required systemic low-dose maintenance treatment. A multivariate analysis indicated that EOM and/or CN V enlargements comprised a risk factor for relapse (HR 2.7; 95% CI 1.1 to 6.7).

Conclusions

This exploratory study showed that different types of ocular adnexal lesions in IgG4-ROD displayed distinct proliferative activities. Our results suggested that EOM and/or CN V enlargements might be secondary lesions that confer refractoriness to systemic corticosteroid treatment recommended by consensus guidelines.
Validating the efficacy of the binomial pointwise linear regression method to detect glaucoma progression with multicentral database
Authors: Asano Shotaro , Murata Hiroshi , Matsuura Masato , Fujino Yuri , Miki Atsuya , Tanito Masaki , Mizoue Shiro , Mori Kazuhiko , Suzuki Katsuyoshi , Yamashita Takehiro , Kashiwagi Kenji , Shoji Nobuyuki , Zangwill Linda M , Asaoka Ryo
Published: July 2019

Background/aim

We previously reported the benefit of applying binomial pointwise linear regression (PLR: binomial PLR) to detect 10–2 glaucomatous visual field (VF) progression. The purpose of the current study was to validate the usefulness of the binomial PLR to detect glaucomatous VF progression in the central 24°.

Methods

Series of 15 VFs (Humphrey Field Analyzer 24–2 SITA-standard) from 341 eyes of 233 patients, obtained over 7.9±2.1 years (mean±SD), were investigated. PLR was performed by regressing the total deviation of all test points. VF progression was determined from the VF test points analyses using the binomial test (one side, p<0.025). The time needed to detect VF progression was compared across the binomial PLR, permutation analysis of PLR (PoPLR) and mean total deviation (mTD) trend analysis.

Results

The binomial PLR was comparable with PoPLR and mTD trend analyses in the positive predictive value (0.18–0.87), the negative predictive value (0.89–0.95) and the false positive rate (0.057–0.35) to evaluate glaucomatous VF progression. The time to classify progression with binomial PLR (5.8±2.8 years) was significantly shorter than those with mTD trend analysis (6.7±2.8 years) and PoPLR (6.6±2.7 years).

Conclusions

The binomial PLR method, which detected glaucomatous VF progression in the central 24° significantly earlier than PoPLR and mTD trend analyses, shows promise for improving our ability to detect visual field progression for clinical management of glaucoma and in clinical trials of new glaucoma therapies.
Systemic medications and cortical cataract: the Singapore Epidemiology of Eye Diseases Study
Authors: Dai Wei , Tham Yih Chung , Chee Miao Li , Majithia Shivani , Poh Stanley , Tan Ava Grace , Tao Yijin , Wang Jie Jin , Cheng Ching-Yu
Published: July 2019

Background/aims

To evaluate the association between systemic medications and cortical cataract prevalence in an Asian population.

Methods

The Singapore Epidemiology of Eye Diseases Study recruited 10 033 Chinese, Malay and Indian residents aged 40+ years living in Singapore. Information on medication use was collected at interview using questionnaires. The presence and severity of cortical cataract were assessed from lens photographs using the modified Wisconsin Cataract Grading System. Associations between medications and the presence of cortical cataract were assessed using logistic regression. Associations between medications and greater severity of cortical cataract (none, minimal, early and late) were assessed using ordinal logistic regression.

Results

A total of 8965 participants were included, the mean age was 57.6 (SD=9.8) years, and 4555 (50.8%) were women. After adjusting for age, gender, ethnicity, body mass index, smoking status, socioeconomic status, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes, duration of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, ACE inhibitors (OR=1.27; 95% CI 1.05 to 1.55), fibrates (OR=1.57; 95% CI 1.05 to 2.35), alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (AGIs) (OR=1.85; 95% CI 1.13 to 3.02) and insulin (OR=1.80; 95% CI 1.11 to 2.93) were significantly associated with the presence of cortical cataract. Further adjusting for concurrent medication use did not alter these associations. Consistently, the four medications were also associated with a greater severity level of cortical cataract.

Conclusion

ACE inhibitors, fibrates and AGIs were associated with increased prevalence of cortical cataract in this Asian population, independent of the presence of hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and diabetes, respectively. Whether they contribute to the risk of cortical cataract needs confirmation in longitudinal studies.
Quantifying the impact of genes on body mass index during the obesity epidemic: longitudinal findings from the HUNT Study
Authors: Brandkvist Maria , Bjørngaard Johan Håkon , Ødegård Rønnaug Astri , Åsvold Bjørn Olav , Sund Erik R , Vie Gunnhild Åberge
Published: July 2019

Objectives

To study the trajectories of body mass index (BMI) in Norway over five decades and to assess the differential influence of the obesogenic environment on BMI according to genetic predisposition.

Design

Longitudinal study.

Setting

General population of Nord-Trøndelag County, Norway.

Participants

118 959 people aged 13-80 years who participated in a longitudinal population based health study (Nord-Trøndelag Health Study, HUNT), of whom 67 305 were included in analyses of association between genetic predisposition and BMI.

Main outcome measure

BMI.

Results

Obesity increased in Norway starting between the mid-1980s and mid-1990s and, compared with older birth cohorts, those born after 1970 had a substantially higher BMI already in young adulthood. BMI differed substantially between the highest and lowest fifths of genetic susceptibility for all ages at each decade, and the difference increased gradually from the 1960s to the 2000s. For 35 year old men, the most genetically predisposed had 1.20 kg/m2 (95% confidence interval 1.03 to 1.37 kg/m2) higher BMI than those who were least genetically predisposed in the 1960s compared with 2.09 kg/m2 (1.90 to 2.27 kg/m2) in the 2000s. For women of the same age, the corresponding differences in BMI were 1.77 kg/m2 (1.56 to 1.97 kg/m2) and 2.58 kg/m2 (2.36 to 2.80 kg/m2).

Conclusions

This study provides evidence that genetically predisposed people are at greater risk for higher BMI and that genetic predisposition interacts with the obesogenic environment resulting in higher BMI, as observed between the mid-1980s and mid-2000s. Regardless, BMI has increased for both genetically predisposed and non-predisposed people, implying that the environment remains the main contributor.
pQCT bone geometry and strength: population epidemiology and concordance in Australian children aged 11–12 years and their parents
Authors: Vlok Jennifer , Simm Peter J , Lycett Kate , Clifford Susan A , Grobler Anneke C , Lange Katherine , Ismail Najmi , Osborn William , Wake Melissa
Published: July 2019

Objectives

To describe the epidemiology and concordance of bone health in a population-based sample of Australian parent-child dyads at child age 11–12 years.

Design

Population-based cross-sectional study (the Child Health CheckPoint) nested between waves 6 and 7 of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC).

Setting

Assessment centres in seven cities around Australia, February 2015–March 2016.

Participants: of all participating CheckPoint families (n=1874), bone data were available for 1222 dyads (1271 children, 50% girls; 1250 parents, 86% mothers).

Outcome measures

Peripheral quantitative CT (pQCT) of the non-dominant leg scanned at the 4% (distal) and 66% (mid-calf) tibial sites. Stratec XCT 2000 software generated estimates of bone density, geometry and polar stress-strain index.

Parent-child concordance were assessed using Pearson’s correlation coefficients and multivariable linear regression models. Percentiles were determined using survey weights. Survey weights and methods accounted for LSAC’s complex sampling, stratification and clustering within postcodes.

Results

Concordances were greater for the geometric pQCT parameters (periosteal circumference 0.38, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.43; endosteal circumference 0.42, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.47; total cross-sectional area 0.37, 95% CI 0.32 to 0.42) than density (cortical density 0.25, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.30). Mother-child and father-child values were similar. Relationships attenuated only slightly on adjustment for age, sex and body mass index. Percentiles and concordance are presented for the whole sample and by sex.

Conclusions

There is strong parent-child concordance in bone geometry and, to a lesser extent, density even before the period of peak adolescent bone deposition. This geometrical concordance suggests that future intergenerational bone studies could consider using pQCT rather than the more commonly used dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).
Effectiveness of additional X-ray protection devices in reducing Scattered radiation in radial interventions: protocol of the ESPRESSO randomised trial
Authors: Anadol Remzi , Brandt Moritz , Merz Nico , Knorr Maike , Ahoopai Majid , Geyer Martin , Krompiec Damian , Wenzel Phillip , Münzel Thomas , Gori Tommaso
Published: July 2019

Background

A number of devices have been developed to minimise operator radiation exposure in the setting of cardiac catheterisation. The effectiveness of these devices has traditionally been explored in transfemoral coronary procedures; however, less is known for the transradial approach. We set out to examine the impact of three different radiation protection devices in a real-world setting.

Methods and design

Consecutive coronary diagnostic and intervention procedures are randomised in a 1:1:1 ratio to a shield-only protection (shield group), shield and overlapping 0.5 mm Pb panel curtain (curtain group) or shield, curtain and additional 75×40 cm, 0.5 mm Pb drape placed across the waist of the patient (drape group).

The primary outcome is the difference in relative exposure of the primary operator among groups. Relative exposure is defined as the ratio between operator’s exposure (E in μSv) and patient exposure (dose area product in cGy·cm2).

Ethics and dissemination

The protocol complies with good clinical practice and the ethical principles described in the Declaration of Helsinki and is approved by the local ethics committee. The results of the trial will be published as original article(s) in medical journals and/or as presentation at congresses.

Trial registration number

NCT03634657
Mortality and health-related quality of life following injuries and associated factors: a cohort study in Chandigarh, North India
Authors: Jagnoor Jagnoor , Prinja Shankar , Nguyen Ha , Gabbe Belinda J , Peden Margaret , Ivers Rebecca Q
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Injuries are among the 10 leading causes of deaths worldwide. In recent years, the quality and reporting of injury mortality has improved but little or no data are available on the morbidity burden and impact of non-fatal injuries in India. This study evaluates health recovery status postinjury, identifying predictors of recovery in North India.

Methods

Prospective cohort study recruiting patients from one tertiary-level and two secondary-level hospitals in North India between April and June 2014 hospitalised due to any injury. Health-related quality of life was assessed at baseline and at 1-month, 2-month, 4-month and 12-month postinjury using the EuroQol five-dimensional (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaire. Multivariable linear regressions with generalised estimating equations were used to examine the relationship between sociodemographic and injury-related factors with the EQ-5D-5L single utility score and the visual analogue scale (VAS) score.

Results

A total of 2416 eligible patients aged ≥18 years were enrolled in the study. Of these, 2150 (74%) completed baseline and all four follow-up EQ-5D-5L questionnaires. Almost 7% (n=172) patients died by the first follow-up and the overall mortality at 12 months was 9% (n=176). Both EQ-5D-5L utility and VAS scores dropped significantly at 1-month postinjury but gradually improved at 2, 4 and 12 months. Severe injuries, defined as those requiring a hospital stay of ≥7 days, were associated with lower utility scores at 1-month, 2-month and 4-month follow-ups (p<0.001).

Conclusion

This is the first study to examine health outcomes following injuries in India. The findings highlight the need to understand the social, psychological and biological factors influencing recovery outcomes. High mortality following discharge emphasises the need to invest in secondary and tertiary injury prevention in India.
Sexual rights puzzle: re-solved?
Authors: Di Nucci Ezio
Published: July 2019

My sexual rights puzzle according to which positive sexual rights are not compatible with negative sexual rights has been recently criticised in theJournal of Medical Ethicsby Steven J Firth, who has put forward three objections to the puzzle. In this brief response, I analyse and reject each of these three objections.
A technical comparison of thrombectomy vacuum aspiration systems
Authors: Yaeger Kurt , Iserson Annabelle , Singh Paul , Wolf Jacob , Vidal Ester , Oxley Thomas , Costa Anthony B , Fifi Johanna T
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Improved functional outcomes after mechanical thrombectomy for emergent large vessel occlusion depend on expedient reperfusion after clinical presentation. Device technology has improved substantially over the years, and several commercial options exist for both large-bore aspiration catheters and suction pump systems.

Objective

To compare various vacuum pumps and examine the aspiration forces they generate as well as the force of catheter tip detachment from an artificial thrombus.

Methods

Using an artificial thrombus made from polyvinyl alcohol gel, we tested various mechanical characteristics of commercially available suction pumps, including the Penumbra Jet Engine, Penumbra Max, Stryker Medela AXS, Microvention Gomco, and a 60 cc syringe. Both aspiration pressure and tip force generated were analyzed. Subsequently, a cohort of thrombectomy catheters were assessed using the Penumbra Jet Engine to determine tip forces generated on an artificial thrombus. One-way analysis of variance was used to assess statistical significance.

Results

The Penumbra Jet Engine system generated both the highest maximum aspiration pressures (28.8 inches Hg) and the highest tip force (23.68 grams force (gf)) on an artificial thrombus, with statistical significance compared with the other pump systems. Using the Jet Engine, the largest-bore catheter was associated with the highest tip force (32.12 gf). The overall correlation coefficient between catheter inner diameter and tip force was 0.98.

Conclusions

The Penumbra Jet Engine pump generates significantly higher vacuum pressures and tip forces than the other commercially available aspiration pump systems. Furthermore, catheters with a larger inner diameter generate higher tip suction forces on aspiration. Whether these mechanical features lead to improved clinical outcomes is yet to be determined.
Medication-overuse headache
Authors: Wakerley Benjamin R
Published: July 2019

Medication-overuse headache is defined as headache occurring on more than 15days in a month in people with pre-existing primary headache, and developing as a consequence of regular overuse of acute headache treatments. Medication-overuse headache is common in general neurology clinics and can be difficult to manage. Most patients have a background of migraine, which has slowly transformed over months and years from the episodic to chronic form; with this comes an increased use of acute migraine treatment. This paper identifies who is at risk of developing medication-overuse headache, and reviews preventive measures and current treatment strategies.
Tracheostomy in motor neurone disease
Authors: Turner Martin R , Faull Christina , McDermott Christopher J , Nickol Annabel H , Palmer Jonathan , Talbot Kevin
Published: July 2019

Tracheostomy-associated ventilation for the respiratory insufficiency caused by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (motor neurone disease (MND)) is a complex issue with practical, ethical and economic dimensions. This article considers the current prevalence of tracheostomy in MND, the evidence for its benefit both for survival and quality of life, and the practicalities of its implementation. The decision to request invasive ventilatory support is among the most challenging for those living with MND. Neurologists should be prepared to discuss this option openly and objectively: we suggest a framework for discussion, including withdrawal of therapy.
Essential tremor: a nuanced approach to the clinical features
Authors: Louis Elan D
Published: July 2019

Essential tremor is the most common form of tremor in humans. Given neurologists’ high exposure to this condition, and its seemingly straightforward phenotype, it might seem easy to diagnose. However, 30%–50 % of patients labelled as having ‘essential tremor’ have other diagnoses, mostly Parkinson’s disease and dystonia. The tremor of essential tremor is neither non-descript nor featureless but is multifaceted and highly patterned. This review focuses on its clinical features, beginning with a discussion of tremors and then briefly discussing its additional motor features, and presents several aids to help distinguish essential tremor from Parkinson’s disease and dystonia. Careful attention to certain clinical nuances will aid the diagnosis and care of patients with essential tremor.
Multiscale flow characteristics of droplet spreading with microgravity conditions
Authors: Chen Xue-Qing , Tong Lei
Published: July 2019

In this paper, mesoscopic lattice–Boltzmann method (LBM) and microscopic molecular dynamics simulation method were used to simulate droplet dynamic wetting under microgravity. In terms of LBM, the wetting process of a droplet on a solid wall surface was simulated by introducing the fluid–fluid and solid–fluid interactions. In terms of molecular dynamics simulation, the spreading process of water on gold surface was simulated. Calculation results showed that two kinds of calculation methods were based on the microscopic molecular theory or mesoscopic kinetics theory, and such models could effectively overcome the contact line paradox issue, which results from the macro-continuum assumption and non-slip boundary condition assumption. The spreading exhibits two-stage behavior: fast spreading and slow spreading stages. For the two simulation methods, the ratio of fast spreading stage duration to slow spreading duration, spreading capacity (equilibrium contact radius/initial radius), and the spreading exponent of the rapid stage were very close. However, the predictive spreading index of the slow spreading stage was different, owing to the different spreading mechanisms between meso- and nanoscales.
Genome-wide characterization and expression profiling of the MAPKKK genes in Gossypium arboreum L.
Authors: Zhu Weidong , Tan Wei , Li Qiulin , Chen Xiugui , Wang Junjuan , Liu Xingzhou , Ye Wuwei , Yin Zujun
Published: July 2019

Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinases (MAPKKKs) are important components of MAPK cascades, which have different functions during developmental processes and stress responses. To date, there has been no systematic investigation of this gene family in the diploid cotton Gossypium arboreum L. In this study, a genome-wide survey was performed that identified 78 MAPKKK genes in G. arboreum. Phylogenetic analysis classified these genes into three subgroups: 14 belonged to ZIK, 20 to MEKK, and 44 to Raf. Chromosome location, phylogeny, and the conserved protein motifs of the MAPKKK gene family in G. arboreum were analyzed. The MAPKKK genes had a scattered genomic distribution across 13 chromosomes. The members in the same subfamily shared similar conserved motifs. The MAPKKK expression patterns were analyzed in mature leaves, stems, roots, and at different ovule developmental stages, as well as under salt and drought stresses. Transcriptome analysis showed that 76 MAPKKK genes had different transcript accumulation patterns in the tested tissues and 38 MAPKKK genes were differentially expressed in response to salt and drought stresses. These results lay the foundation for understanding the complex mechanisms behind MAPKKK-mediated developmental processes and abiotic stress-signaling transduction pathways in cotton.
Determining average trapping time of delayed random walks on Apollonian network
Authors: Zhang Huai , Zhang Hongjuan
Published: July 2019

Designing appropriate technology to effectively control the trapping process in complex systems and achieve the desired trapping efficiency is central in the study of trapping problem in complex systems. In this paper, we study delayed random walks on Apollonian network with a trap fixed at a given initial hub node. In more detail, a stochastic parameter p was introduced in the approach to alter the transition probability of random walks. We further derive analytically the average trapping time (ATT) as the measure of trapping efficiency with the obtained analytical expression being in good agreement with the corresponding numerical solutions. The result indicates that ATT scales sublinearly with network size when [Formula: see text]. Therefore, we introduced stochastic parameter p only alter the prefactor of ATT and left the leading scaling of ATT unchanged. Our work may pave the way for understanding how to control trapping process in real complex systems.
Human Action Pattern Recognition and Semantic Research Based on Embodied Cognition Theory
Authors: Tan Liang
Published: July 2019

Human body motion pattern recognition in video images is an important research direction in the field of pattern recognition. It has a very broad application prospect in many fields such as intelligent video surveillance, human-computer interaction, motion analysis, video retrieval, etc. Research has also received extensive attention from scholars at home and abroad. Pattern recognition is essentially a branch of artificial intelligence. It has its unique role in the field of artificial intelligence. Accurate recognition of human body motion patterns in video images is of great help in image classification, retrieval, human tracking and video surveillance. Based on the human visual perception mechanism, this paper proposes a human behavior recognition algorithm based on semantic saliency map. Through the combination of sliding window and similarity measure, the behavioral region that best exhibits the semantic features of the image is found, which is the semantically significant region. The semantic significant region and the original image are used as the dual input source to study the human behavior recognition, and the image is enhanced. The utilization of significant regional information better reveals the identifiable area of the image and contributes to the recognition of human behavior.
INFLUENCE OF POST-LASER PROCESSING ON THE MECHANICAL AND TRIBOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF PVD TiAlN COATINGS
Authors: ZHANG KEDONG , DENG JIANXIN , XING YOUQIANG , GUO XUHONG
Published: July 2019

TiAlN-coated cemented carbide samples were treated using an Nd:YAG laser at different scanning speeds after the physical vapor deposition (PVD) process. The ball-on-disk wear tests in dry friction condition were performed to evaluate the tribological properties of the treated TiAlN coated samples sliding against AISI 316 stainless steel materials. Characterization tests such as instrumented nanoindentation hardness tests and variable depth scratch tests were also carried out to evaluate the mechanical properties as well as the coating adhesiveness of the PVD TiAlN coatings with additional laser treatments. Results showed that the post-laser processing with appropriate input parameters can significantly affect the coating adhesiveness and anti-adhesive wear properties. In this study, the moderate scanning speed (10[Formula: see text]mm/s) is most effective in minimizing the PVD coating defect, densifying the PVD coating and increasing the critical load of the coatings, resulting in a increase of 32% in critical load of the coatings. Meanwhile, specific attention was paid to the role of post-laser processing in the stable protective layer formation. The adhesion layer of steel materials shows its best adherence to the post-treated TiAlN coating surface in combination with a high mechanical stability, due to a synergistic effect of the improved coating/substrate adhesion and mechanical interlock.
(Cu, Ag)-DOPED ZnS WITH WIDE VISIBLE LIGHT RANGE ABSORPTION FOR WATER SPLITTING: A THEORETICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL STUDY
Authors: CHEN XIAOBO , LIU WEIWEI , ZHANG ZHIHAI , YANG WEN , YANG PEIZHI
Published: July 2019

Photocatalytic water splitting using a semiconductor photocatalyst is a promising process for direct solar energy conversion. In this study, the feasibility of the photocatalytic H2 evolution on (Cu, Ag)- doped ZnS catalysts under visible light irradiation has been investigated by using first-principles density functional theory calculations and experimental studies. The present results reveal that (Cu, Ag)-doped ZnS structures have relatively small formation energy, implying that they are more easily obtained in experiment. Moreover, the absorption is enhanced obviously in the visible-light region for (Cu, Ag)-doped ZnS, but their energy levels are still suitable for water splitting to generate H2, which means that (Cu, Ag)-doped ZnS structures are promising candidate photocatalyst materials for H2 production driven by visible light. ZnS and (Cu, Ag)-doped ZnS were prepared using chemical precipitation method. (Cu, Ag)-doped ZnS samples showed an improved photocatalytic activity compared with undoped ZnS. Ag-doped ZnS (0.15 g L[Formula: see text] has the highest hydrogen evolution rate of 794.6 [Formula: see text]mol[Formula: see text] h[Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] g[Formula: see text] at pH 3 (0.1 M Na2S solution as a sacrificing agent).
MULTICOMPONENT Al-BRONZE COATINGS THERMALLY SPRAYED ONTO TIN BRONZE SUBSTRATE: MICROSTRUCTURAL, MECHANICAL AND CORROSION CHARACTERIZATION IN A 3.5% NaCl SOLUTION
Authors: MANA T. , ATI A. , ZAID B. , SOUAMI N.
Published: July 2019

In this work, multicomponent Al-bronze alloys coated Tin-Bronze substrates, fabricated by thermal flame spraying, are characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy. Mechanical characterizations are also presented: microhardness measurement and friction coefficient. The electrochemical behavior of tin-bronze samples uncoated and coated with multicomponent Al-Bronze coatings is studied in NaCl 3.5% solutions using potentiodynamic polarization curves and polarization resistance measurements. The microstructure of the coatings has a lamellar morphology. Each lamella is constituted of a mixture of Cu3Al globular micro precipitates ([Formula: see text]-phase) uniformly distributed over the solid solution matrix ([Formula: see text]-Cu). An oxide based on Cu, Al and Fe is also present in very low concentration. [Formula: see text]-phase is unexpected because it is present only above 570∘C in the Cu-Al phase diagram. Compared with the tin-bronze substrate, multicomponent Al-bronze coatings show a friction coefficient three times lower and have a better electrochemical behavior in 3.5% NaCl solution.
Homological invariants over non-positive DG-rings
Authors: Yang Xiaoyan , Wang Li
Published: July 2019

This paper explores various notions of projective, injective and flat dimensions, and the different versions of each dimension are compared to each other. Homological characterizations of these dimensions are provided in terms of bounded resolutions and vanishing of appropriate derived functors over a non-positive DG-ring. Some homological identities related to these homological invariants, such as Auslander–Buchsbaum formula, Bass formula and derived depth formula, are proved over a commutative Noetherian DG-ring.
Effects of combination therapy and infrared radiation on pain, physical function, and quality of life in subjects with knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled study
Authors: Usman Zubair , Maharaj Sonill Sooknunan , Kaka Bashir
Published: July 2019

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common degenerative articular disease that causes disability and poor quality of life (QoL) of the individuals. Electrotherapeutic agents such as therapeutic ultrasound (US), interferential current (IFC), and infrared radiation are used in the treatment. It is not clear which of these agents is the best in improving these variables.

Objective: The study aimed to compare the effects of the combined application of US and IFC therapies and infrared radiation on pain, functional activities, and QoL in people with KOA.

Methods: In a randomized controlled study, 60 participants were randomized into two groups, the combination therapy group (CTG) and the infrared radiation group (IRG). Each group received 15-min treatment three times per week for 12 weeks. The visual analog scale (VAS) was used to assess the pain, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) for functional activities and the Short Form Health Survey questionnaire for QoL.

Results: Participants in the CTG had a significant ([Formula: see text]) reduction in pain and significant ([Formula: see text]) improvement in functional activities and QoL compared to the IRG.

Conclusion: The results of this study support the use of the combination of IFC and US therapies to reduce pain and improve function and QoL for KOA patients.
STRATEGIC ACCORD AND TENSION FOR BUSINESS MODEL INNOVATION: EXAMINING DIFFERENT TACIT KNOWLEDGE TYPES AND OPEN ACTION STRATEGIES
Authors: SUH TAEWON , KHAN OMAR J. , SCHNELLBÄCHER BENEDIKT , HEIDENREICH SVEN
Published: July 2019

Both academics and practitioners are underlining the relevance of business model innovation in unlocking lasting, competitive advantages. To understand how business model innovation is achieved in the team level and which contingency factors drive or inhibit the process, this study scrutinizes the strategic accord and tension of analogous and opposing action strategies, as potential contingency factors controlling and balancing the effects of external and internal tacit knowledge on business model innovation. Using a research sample of 162 team projects, our empirical study supported the research hypotheses regarding how tacit knowledge fuels business model innovation, highlighting differed moderating roles of three open action strategies (team autonomy, team creativity, and team diversity) on the relationship between two transferred knowledge types and business model innovation of technology-intensive companies. This study shed light on how team management strategies, namely manifestations of open action strategies, moderate the effectiveness of tacit knowledge on business model innovation.
Frequency Graphs for Travelling Salesman Problem Based on Ant Colony Optimization
Authors: Wang Yong , Wu Yiwen
Published: July 2019

Traveling salesman problem (TSP) is a typical combinatorial optimization problem. A heuristic model called frequency graph is introduced for TSP. It is computed with a set of optimal i-vertex paths (OP) in a weighted graph. The frequencies on the edges are enumerated from the set of OPs. The OPs have more intersections of edges with the optimal Hamiltonian cycle (OHC) than they do with the other Hamiltonian cycles. Thus, the frequencies of the OHC edges are generally bigger than those of most of the other edges. They are taken as the heuristic information instead of edges’ weights for TSP. The ant colony optimization is used to find an approximation or OHC based on the frequency graph. The solutions are compared with those using weighted graphs for certain TSP instances. The experimental results show that the frequency graph is better than weighted graph (WG) for most TSPs under the same preconditions.