bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Randomized controlled trial of the effect of periodontal treatment on cardiovascular risk biomarkers in patients with stable coronary artery disease: Preliminary findings of 3 months
Authors: Montenegro Marlon M. , Ribeiro Ingrid W. J. , Kampits Cassio , Saffi Marco A. L. , Furtado Mariana V. , Polanczyk Carisi A. , Haas Alex N. , Rösing Cassiano K.
Published: February 2019

Aim

To assess the effect of periodontal therapy (PT) on cardiovascular blood biomarkers.

Materials and Methods

This single‐blind, parallel‐design, randomized controlled trial included patients with stable coronary artery disease and periodontitis. The test group (TG) received non‐surgical PT, whereas the control group (CG) received one session of plaque removal. Plasma levels of C‐reactive protein (CRP), glycated haemoglobin, lipids and cytokines (IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, IFN‐γ and TNF‐α) were measured at baseline and after 3 months.

Results

Eighty‐two patients (74.4% women, mean age 59.6 years) were analysed. TG had significantly better periodontal parameters than CG after 3 months, but no significant differences in blood markers were observed between them. In a post hoc subgroup analysis in patients with baseline CRP <3 mg/L, a significant increase in CRP was observed in CG (1.44 ± 0.82 mg/L to 4.35 ± 7.85 mg/L, p = 0.01), whereas CRP remained unchanged in TG (1.40 ± 0.96 mg/L to 1.33 ± 1.26 mg/L, p = 0.85), resulting in a significant difference between groups at 3 months. In patients with CRP ≥3 mg/L, a significant reduction in CRP was observed only in TG (11.3 ± 12.8 mg/L to 5.7 ± 4.1 mg/L, p = 0.04). Levels of IL‐6 and IL‐8 were significantly lower in TG than CG at 3 months.

Conclusions

PT leads to lower levels of CRP, IL‐6 and IL‐8 in cardiovascular patients with high CRP levels.
The Evolution of Family Policy: Lessons Learned, Challenges, and Hopes for the Future
Authors: Ooms Theodora
Published: February 2019

Over the past 50 years, the new field of family policy has built a substantial knowledge base, developed a robust theoretical and analytic framework, and created strong individual and organizational leadership. The field addresses an ever‐widening series of complex and often highly controversial areas of family life and has achieved considerable success. Yet the results of family policy remain largely unknown to and undervalued by academics, policymakers, the media, and the general public. This article outlines underlying value tensions and barriers but also points out that significant progress has been made in finding common ground in areas such as work–family policies, teen pregnancy prevention, child welfare services, domestic violence, couples and marriage education, and fatherhood programs. Yet much more remains to be done in several areas such as long‐term care and family caregiving. Establishing Family Matters Commissions in states could help family policy become a more visible, compelling, effective, and regular part of policymaking.
Multiple recurrences after endoscopic removal of common bile duct stones: A retrospective analysis of 976 cases
Authors: Kawaji Yuki , Isayama Hiroyuki , Nakai Yousuke , Saito Kei , Sato Tatsuya , Hakuta Ryunosuke , Saito Tomotaka , Takahara Naminatsu , Mizuno Suguru , Kogure Hirofumi , Matsubara Saburo , Tada Minoru , Kitano Masayuki , Koike Kazuhiko
Published: February 2019

Background and Aim

Recurrences after endoscopic treatment of common bile duct stones (CBDS) are common. The aims of this study were to identify risk factors for recurrences of CBDS and to evaluate the effect of interventions for prevention of further recurrences.

Methods

A total of 976 patients who underwent endoscopic treatment of CBDS were retrospectively studied. Risk factors for single and multiple recurrent CBDS were evaluated using a Cox hazard regression model. The incidences of further recurrences were evaluated according to the additional interventions.

Results

The mean age was 69.3 years, and 39.3% were female. Endoscopic papillary balloon dilation, endoscopic sphincterotomy, and endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation were performed in 858, 77, and 41 patients, respectively. The rates of one or more recurrence and multiple recurrences of CBDS were 12.4% and 2.7%, respectively. In the multivariate analyses, the significant risk factors were the bile duct size (hazard ratio [HR] 1.07, P = 0.012), gallbladder left in situ with stones (HR 1.91, P = 0.046), and pneumobilia after treatment (HR 2.10, P = 0.047) for single recurrence and the number of stones at the first recurrence (HR 1.16, P = 0.021) for multiple recurrences. In five out of nine cases with multiple recurrences, further recurrence was not observed after additional sphincteroplasty in addition to cholecystectomy.

Conclusions

The incidence of multiple recurrences was not uncommon after the first recurrence of CBDS.
PEX16 contributions to peroxisome import and metabolism revealed by viable Arabidopsis pex16 mutants
Authors: Burkhart Sarah E. , Llinas Roxanna J. , Bartel Bonnie
Published: February 2019

Peroxisomes rely on peroxins (PEX proteins) for biogenesis, importing membrane and matrix proteins, and fission. PEX16, which is implicated in peroxisomal membrane protein targeting and forming nascent peroxisomes from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), is unusual among peroxins because it is inserted co‐translationally into the ER and localizes to both ER and peroxisomal membranes. PEX16 mutations in humans, yeast, and plants confer some common peroxisomal defects; however, apparent functional differences have impeded the development of a unified model for PEX16 action. The only reported pex16 mutant in plants, the Arabidopsis shrunken seed1 mutant, is inviable, complicating analysis of PEX16 function after embryogenesis. Here, we characterized two viable Arabidopsis pex16 alleles that accumulate negligible PEX16 protein levels. Both mutants displayed impaired peroxisome function − slowed consumption of stored oil bodies, decreased import of matrix proteins, and increased peroxisome size. Moreover, one pex16 allele exhibited reduced growth that could be alleviated by an external fixed carbon source, decreased responsiveness to peroxisomally processed hormone precursors, and worsened or improved peroxisome function in combination with other pex mutants. Because the mutations impact different regions of the PEX16 gene, these viable pex16 alleles allow assessment of the importance of Arabidopsis PEX16 and its functional domains.
Does lymphadenectomy effect postoperative surgical morbidity and survival in patients with adult granulosa cell tumor of ovary?
Authors: Erkılınç Selçuk , Taylan Enes , Karataşlı Volkan , Uzaldı İpek , Karadeniz Tuğba , Gökçü Mehmet , Sancı Muzaffer
Published: February 2019

Aim

To evaluate the effect of lymphadenectomy on surgical morbidity and survival in adult granulosa cell tumor (AGCT) of the ovary.

Methods

Patients who underwent surgical treatment for AGCT between January 1993 and January 2016 were identified. Data were collected for patient age, menopausal status, surgical staging, lymphadenectomy, postoperative complications (anemia, wound infection, incisional hernia), length of hospital stay, follow‐up duration, site and time for recurrence, management of recurrence and vital status. Histopathological records were also evaluated for number of cellular mitosis.

Results

Lymphadenectomy (pelvic–paraaortic) was performed in 53 (53%) of 98 patients. Decrease in postoperative hemoglobin level and increased wound infection and longer hospital stay were significantly higher in lymphadenectomy group (P = 0.003, 0.043 and <0.001, respectively). Tumor stage (HR 95% CI 14.9 [2.43–92.8]) and number of mitoses >5 (HR 95% CI 14.9 [2.43–92.8]) were significantly associated with recurrence (P = <0.001 and 0.02, respectively). Tumor stage was the only prognostic factor for predicting overall survival (HR 95% CI 8.47 [2.17–33.2]). Lymphadenectomy showed no effect on disease‐free survival and overall survival both in multivariate Cox regression analyses (P = 0.46 and 0.69, respectively). Disease‐free survival and overall survival were similar in lymphadenectomy and no lymphadenectomy groups (Log Rank P = 0.382, 0.741, respectively).

Conclusion

Lymphadenectomy had no improved effect on survival and had negative effect on surgical morbidity in patients with AGCT.
Management of vulvar lymphedema of filarial origin in a pregnant woman and its outcome: A case report
Authors: Dorairajan Gowri , Subbaiah Murali S. , Shanbhag Esha R.
Published: February 2019

Lymphedema of filarial origin affecting the vulva is extremely rare. It is a dilemma if seen in a pregnant woman as there are no guidelines regarding excision and the mode of delivery. With the World Health Organization‐driven global program to eradicate filaria, it is unfortunate to see such cases. We report of a woman who had massive lymphedema of both the labia majora following filarial infection with a small secondary ulcer. She presented to our outpatient department in early pregnancy. After detailed counseling with the couple, a decision was taken for excision. The same was carried out. The wound healed well but the lymphedema recurred after 6 weeks. She was thereafter managed symptomatically. Pregnancy advanced without any complication. Her intrapartum management for a successful vaginal delivery is outlined in the report.
Long‐term efficacy and safety of biosimilar infliximab (CT‐P13) after switching from originator infliximab: open‐label extension of the NOR‐SWITCH trial
Authors: Goll G. L. , Jørgensen K. K. , Sexton J. , Olsen I. C. , Bolstad N. , Haavardsholm E. A. , Lundin K. E. A. , Tveit K. S. , Lorentzen M. , Berset I. P. , Fevang B. T. S. , Kalstad S. , Ryggen K. , Warren D. J. , Klaasen R. A. , Asak Ø. , Baigh S. , Blomgren I. M. , Brenna Ø. , Bruun T. J. , Dvergsnes K. , Frigstad S. O. , Hansen I. M. , Hatten I. S. H. , Huppertz‐Hauss G. , Henriksen M. , Hoie S. S. , Krogh J. , Midtgard I. P. , Mielnik P. , Moum B. , Noraberg G. , Poyan A. , Prestegård U. , Rashid H. U. , Strand E. K. , Skjetne K. , Seeberg K. A. , Torp R. , Ystrøm C. M. , Vold C. , Zettel C. C. , Waksvik K. , Gulbrandsen B. , Hagfors J. , Mørk C. , Jahnsen J. , Kvien T. K.
Published: February 2019

Background and objectives

The 52‐week, randomized, double‐blind, noninferiority, government‐funded NOR‐SWITCH trial demonstrated that switching from infliximab originator to less expensive biosimilar CT‐P13 was not inferior to continued treatment with infliximab originator. The NOR‐SWITCH extension trial aimed to assess efficacy, safety and immunogenicity in patients on CT‐P13 throughout the 78‐week study period (maintenance group) versus patients switched to CT‐P13 at week 52 (switch group). The primary outcome was disease worsening during follow‐up based on disease‐specific composite measures.

Methods

Patients were recruited from 24 Norwegian hospitals, 380 of 438 patients who completed the main study: 197 in the maintenance group and 183 in the switch group. In the full analysis set, 127 (33%) had Crohn's disease, 80 (21%) ulcerative colitis, 67 (18%) spondyloarthritis, 55 (15%) rheumatoid arthritis, 20 (5%) psoriatic arthritis and 31 (8%) chronic plaque psoriasis.

Results

Baseline characteristics were similar in the two groups at the time of switching (week 52). Disease worsening occurred in 32 (16.8%) patients in the maintenance group vs. 20 (11.6%) in the switch group (per‐protocol set). Adjusted risk difference was 5.9% (95% CI −1.1 to 12.9). Frequency of adverse events, anti‐drug antibodies, changes in generic disease variables and disease‐specific composite measures were comparable between arms. The study was inadequately powered to detect noninferiority within individual diseases.

Conclusion

The NOR‐SWITCH extension showed no difference in safety and efficacy between patients who maintained CT‐P13 and patients who switched from originator infliximab to CT‐P13, supporting that switching from originator infliximab to CT‐P13 is safe and efficacious.
The Psychological Management of the Poor: Prescribing Psychoactive Drugs in the Age of Neoliberalism
Authors: Dougherty Ryan J
Published: February 2019

This article examines neuroleptics in relation to the histories of biopsychiatry and neoliberalism in the United States. Drawing from Foucault's concept of biopower, I contend that neuroleptics are socially constructed as a mechanism to address underlying biological illnesses in order to achieve neoliberal subjectivity for mad/disabled people. I then argue this biopsychiatric and neoliberal construct dominates services with the expressed goal of creating people who self‐govern their own drug consumption. This, however, contrasts with accounts that depict intersubjective balancing acts between treatment providers and mad/disabled people, who must incorporate the various effects of psychoactive drugs beyond measures of rehabilitation. In doing so, I advocate for new lines of psychological inquiry that critically examine the structural determinants of poverty and the underlying constructions of citizenship and wellness.
Natural antimicrobials for control of Salmonella Enteritidis in feed and in vitro model of the chicken digestive process
Authors: Oliveira Geovane R. , Oliveira Willian K. , Andrade Carla , Melo Antonio Diego B. , Luciano Fernando B. , Macedo Renata E. F. , Costa Leandro B.
Published: February 2019

This study evaluated the antimicrobial effect of essential oils (EO) and organic acids (OA) against Salmonella Enteritidis in chicken feed and during an in vitro model that mimics the chicken digestive process. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), carvacrol (CV), propionic acid (PROP) and caproic acid (CAP) were individually determined. Then, based on the MICs of each compound, combinations of EOs and/or OAs were tested to evaluate their synergic antimicrobial effect. The synergic effect of AITC and CAP was the most efficient against the bacterial strain tested. Commercial feed was inoculated with a 5‐strain cocktail of S. Enteritidis and treated with different doses of AITC + CAP to evaluate their effect on the growth/survival of the pathogen. In addition, the simulated digestion model was used to access the antimicrobial effect of AITC + CAP added to the feed towards S. Enteritidis and Lactobacillus plantarum. Synergistic effect was found between AITC (0.065 mM) and CAP (17.5 mM) against S. Enteritidis in chicken feed, where S. Enteritidis was reduced to undetectable levels (<1.00 log CFU/g). AITC (1.95 mM) + CAP (45 mM) also decreased (p < 0.05) the population of S. Enteritidis in the simulated digestion, while the growth of L. plantarum was not affected. Therefore, the addition of AITC + CAP in feed might be a potential natural antimicrobial able to prevent economic losses caused for Salmonella in chicken.
Fire and lichen dynamics in the Taiga Shield of the Northwest Territories and implications for barren‐ground caribou winter forage
Authors: Lewis Kathy J. , Johnson Chris J. , Karim MD. Nayeem
Published: February 2019

Questions

Fire is the main disturbance agent in boreal forests and has profound effects on vegetation composition and structure, including terrestrial lichens that provide critical winter forage for barren‐ground caribou. What is the influence of fire on forest structure and the distribution and species assemblage of forage lichens? What is the current or potential effect of climate change on forage lichen in the boreal forest?

Location

High Boreal, Low Subarctic, and High Subarctic ecoregions of the Taiga Shield Ecozone in the Northwest Territories, Canada.

Methods

We used fire history data, satellite and air photo images, and field sampling to determine fire history and severity, and subsequent effects on tree and lichen species composition, in a 880,000 ha study area in the winter range of the Bathurst caribou herd.

Results

We found that low‐ and mixed‐severity fires were more common than high‐severity fires, and that forest fire severity increased with distance to treeline. Forest structure and composition were more important drivers of lichen cover than fire severity or time since fire.

Conclusions

While fire had a dominant role in forest structure and composition, the effects on lichen availability were due more to variation in tree growth. We found little evidence of changes in fire regime over the length of our reconstructions (approximately 200 years); however, increases in temperature and the positive relationship between temperature and fire frequency may lead to shortened fire cycles causing a reduction in the availability of forage lichens through burning.
Bosumtwi impact structure, Ghana: Evidence for fluidized emplacement of the ejecta
Authors: Baratoux David , Niang Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba , Reimold Wolf Uwe , Sapah Marian Selorm , Jessell Mark Walter , Boamah Daniel , Faye Gayane , Bouley Sylvain , Vanderhaeghe Olivier
Published: February 2019

The about 10.5 km diameter Bosumtwi impact crater is one of the youngest large impact structures on Earth. The crater rim is readily noticed on topographic maps or in satellite imagery. It defines a circular basin filled by water (Lake Bosumtwi) and lacustrine sediments. The morphology of this impact structure is also characterized by a circular plateau extending beyond the rim and up to 9–10 km from the center of the crater (about 2 crater radii). This feature comprises a shallow ring depression, also described as an annular moat, and a subdued circular ridge at its outer edge. The origin of this outermost feature could so far not be elucidated based on remote sensing data only. Our approach combines detailed topographic analysis, including roughness mapping, with airborne radiometric surveys (mapping near‐surface K, Th, U concentrations) and field observations. This provides evidence that the moat and outer ring are features inherited from the impact event and represent the partially eroded ejecta layer of the Bosumtwi impact structure. The characteristics of the outer ridge indicate that ejecta emplacement was not purely ballistic but requires ejecta fluidization and surface flow. The setting of Bosumtwi ejecta can therefore be considered as a terrestrial analog for rampart craters, which are common on Mars and Venus, and also found on icy bodies of the outer solar system (e.g., Ganymede, Europa, Dione, Tethys, and Charon). Future studies at Bosumtwi may therefore help to elucidate the mechanism of formation of rampart craters.
Advancing the Scientific Understanding of Trust and Culture in Negotiations
Authors: Kong Dejun Tony , Yao Jingjing
Published: February 2019

Trust plays a crucial role throughout the entire negotiation process, and culture adds more complexity to the meaning, functions, and dynamics of trust in negotiations. We take a modest step to provide some insights on trust and culture in the context of negotiations and envision what opportunities are ahead of us in this area. Specifically, we provide a “cognitive map” based on the collective wisdom in the extant negotiation literature and focus on raising important questions about six key culture‐related issues that warrant future research: (a) the meaning of trust, (b) the effects of trust, (c) trust development, (d) trust and distrust, (e) trust repair, and (f) trust in virtual negotiations.
Comparative analysis reveals Ce3D as optimal clearing method for in toto imaging of the mouse intestine
Authors: Bossolani Gleison D. P. , Pintelon Isabel , Detrez Jan D. , Buckinx Roeland , Thys Sofie , Zanoni Jacqueline Nelisis , De Vos Winnok H. , Timmermans Jean‐Pierre
Published: February 2019

Background

The intestinal wall has a complex topographical architecture. The multi‐layered network of the enteric nervous system and its intercellular interactions are difficult to map using traditional section‐based or whole‐mount histology. With the advent of optical clearing techniques, it has become feasible to visualize intact tissue and organs in 3D. However, as yet, a gap still needs to be filled in that no in‐depth analysis has been performed yet on the potential of different clearing techniques for the small intestine.

Aim

The goal of this study was to identify an optimal clearing protocol for in toto imaging of mouse intestinal tissue.

Methods

Five aqueous‐based clearing protocols (SeeDB2, CUBIC, ScaleS, Ce3D, and UbasM) and four organic reagent‐based clearing protocols (3DISCO, iDISCO+, uDISCO, and Visikol®) were assessed in segments of small intestine from CX3CR1GFP/GFP and wild‐type mice. Following clearing, optical transparency, tissue morphology, green fluorescent protein (GFP) fluorescence retention, and compatibility with (immuno‐)labeling were analyzed.

Key results

All organic reagent‐based clearing protocols—except for Visikol—rendered tissue highly transparent but led to substantial tissue shrinkage and deformation. Of the aqueous‐based protocols, only Ce3D yielded full‐thickness tissue transparency. In addition, Ce3D displayed excellent GFP retention and preservation of tissue morphology.

Conclusions

Ce3D emerged as a most efficient protocol for enabling rapid full‐thickness 3D mapping of the mouse intestinal wall.
Tree mycorrhizal associations mediate soil fertility effects on forest community structure in a temperate forest
Authors: Mao Zikun , Corrales Adriana , Zhu Kai , Yuan Zuoqiang , Lin Fei , Ye Ji , Hao Zhanqing , Wang Xugao
Published: February 2019

Soil fertility influences plant community structure, yet few studies have focused on how this influence is affected by the type of mycorrhizal association formed by tree species within local communities.

We examined the relationship of aboveground biomass (AGB) and diversity of adult trees with soil fertility (nitrogen, phosphorus, organic matter, etc.) in the context of different spatial distributions of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and ectomycorrhizal (EM) trees in a temperate forest in Northeast China.

Diversity showed a positive trend along the soil fertility gradient driven mostly by a positive relationship between AM tree abundance and soil fertility. By contrast, the AGB showed a negative trend along the soil fertility gradient driven mostly by a negative relationship between EM tree AGB and soil fertility. Furthermore, the opposite trend in the AGB and tree species diversity along the soil fertility gradient led to an overall negative diversity–biomass relationship at the 50‐m scale but not the 20‐m scale.

These results suggest that tree mycorrhizal associations play a critical role in driving forest community structure along soil fertility gradients and highlight the importance of tree mycorrhizal associations in influencing how the diversity–ecosystem function (e.g. biomass) relationships change with soil fertility.
Childhood pemphigus foliaceus presenting as a polycyclic eruption: Case report and review of the literature
Authors: Evans Megan S. , Culton Donna A. , Diaz Luis A. , Googe Paul B. , Morrell Dean S.
Published: February 2019

Pemphigus foliaceus (PF) is an autoimmune bullous disorder that has occasionally been reported to present as a polycyclic or arcuate eruption in children. We present a case of childhood PF presenting as an annular and polycyclic eruption, which initially led to a diagnostic conundrum and a delay in diagnosis but which ultimately responded well to therapy with systemic steroids and rituximab infusions. We briefly review the literature on polycyclic presentations of PF in childhood as well as the use of rituximab for pediatric pemphigus.
A barrier to care: Distance traveled affects adherence to treatment and follow‐up plans for patients with infantile hemangioma
Authors: Desrosiers Andrew S. , Ibrahim Jamil M. , Jacks Stephanie K.
Published: February 2019

A chart review was performed of all patients diagnosed with infantile hemangioma in the pediatric dermatology clinic to determine whether distance traveled by the patient affected adherence to follow‐up and treatment plans. An increase in distance was associated with an increase in likelihood of nonadherence to treatment or follow‐up plans. Compared to patients who lived within 10 miles of a pediatric dermatologist, families who lived farther away were less likely to adhere to treatment plans. Families who traveled over 20 miles to clinic were 7.38 times more likely to be nonadherent to the treatment plan than those who traveled 0‐10 miles.
Bare soil cover and arbuscular mycorrhizal community in the first montane forest restoration in Central Argentina
Authors: Becerra Alejandra G. , Diván Adriana , Renison Daniel
Published: February 2019

Soil erosion affects extensive areas worldwide and must be urgently reduced promoting plant cover and beneficial microorganisms associated with plants, including arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). In mountain environments, plant cover is difficult to enhance due to harsh conditions during the dry season and steep slopes. Our objective was to evaluate the percentage of the soil surface covered by plants and the AMF community associated with trees 12.5 years after planting during forest restoration efforts in microsites at different levels of soil degradation. The study was performed in the first montane forest restoration initiative of Central Argentina, where one of the trials consisted of plantingPolylepis australissaplings at microsites with different levels of soil degradation: high, intermediate, and low. After 12.5 years, percentage of bare soil cover was significantly reduced by 36 and 37% in the high and intermediate degradation microsites, respectively. Low degradation microsites were initially very low in bare soil and did not significantly change. Mycorrhizal colonization, hyphae, vesicles, arbuscules, AMF diversity, and community structure were similar among microsite types. Percentage of hyphal entry points was higher at microsites with low degradation, number of spores was higher in high and intermediate degradation, and species richness was higher in high degradation.AcaulosporaandGlomuswere the most abundant genera in all microsites. We conclude that even in the most degraded microsites around 2.8% of the bare soil is covered by vegetation each year and that the arbuscular mycorrhizal community is highly tolerant and adapted to soils with different disturbance types.
Reduced mortality from lower respiratory tract disease in adult diabetic patients treated with metformin
Authors: Mendy Angelico , Gopal Radha , Alcorn John F. , Forno Erick
Published: February 2019

Background and objective

Chronic lower respiratory diseases (CLRD) increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, which in turn may worsen lung function. Metformin, a common antidiabetic with anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant properties, may improve respiratory outcomes. Therefore, we examined the association of metformin use with the risk of mortality from CLRD.

Methods

We analysed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey during 1988–1994 and 1999–2010 for participants aged 40 years or older who had diabetes and were followed up for mortality through 2011. Information on prescription medicine was collected at baseline and CLRD‐related mortality during follow‐up was defined using the 10th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD‐10). Cox proportional hazards modelling was used to determine the mortality hazard ratio (HR) associated with metformin use, adjusting for relevant covariates.

Results

A total of 5266 participants with a median follow‐up of 6.1 years were included. The prevalence of metformin use was 31.9% and 1869 participants died during follow‐up, including 72 of CLRD. In the adjusted Cox proportional regression analysis, metformin was associated with a decreased risk of CLRD mortality in the overall population (HR: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.15–0.99) and among participants with baseline CLRD (HR: 0.30, 95% CI: 0.10–0.93), after adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, cigarette smoking, body mass index, current asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), insulin and other diabetic medications, and glycohaemoglobin level. We found no association between other antidiabetic medications and CLRD mortality.

Conclusion

In this sample representative of the U.S. population, metformin was associated with lower CLRD mortality in adults with diabetes.
Design and Assessment Methodology for System Resilience Metrics
Authors: Najarian Mohammad , Lim Gino J.
Published: February 2019

By providing objective measures, resilience metrics (RMs) help planners, designers, and decisionmakers to have a grasp of the resilience status of a system. Conceptual frameworks establish a sound basis for RM development. However, a significant challenge that has yet to be addressed is the assessment of the validity of RMs, whether they reflect all abilities of a resilient system, and whether or not they overrate/underrate these abilities. This article covers this gap by introducing a methodology that can show the validity of an RM against its conceptual framework. This methodology combines experimental design methods and statistical analysis techniques that provide an insight into the RM's quality. We also propose a new metric that can be used for general systems. The analysis of the proposed metric using the presented methodology shows that this metric is a better indicator of the system's abilities compared to the existing metrics.
The Age of Independence, Revisited: Parents and Interracial Union Formation Across the Life Course
Authors: Zhang Xing , Sassler Sharon
Published: February 2019

Romantic relationships that cross racial lines have grown since anti‐miscegenation laws were deemed unconstitutional. In The Age of Independence, Rosenfeld argued that parental influence over children's mate selection processes had waned. Rosenfeld, however, was not able to test this supposition directly because of his reliance on cross‐sectional census data. Using Waves I and III of Add Health for a cohort of individuals from 1994 to 2002, we examine whether parents matter in shaping their offspring's romantic attachments, by exploring whether adolescent reports of maternal closeness and parental control are associated with youth's likelihood of being in an interracial relationship in emerging adulthood. We find that parental factors do influence emerging adults’ romantic relationships; these associations vary by race, ethnicity, and gender. Among white men, maternal closeness in adolescence reduces the likelihood of being in an interracial relationship in emerging adulthood. Parental control elevates the odds of being in an interracial relationship among black and Hispanic women. We also find that parental decisions on where families live shape offspring's choices, as relative exogamous group size in adolescence is associated with interracial union formation in later life. Our findings suggest that parental influence remains salient in the partner choices made by emerging adults.
Late fusion of deep and shallow features to improve discrimination of actinic keratosis from normal skin using clinical photography
Authors: Spyridonos Panagiota , Gaitanis Georgios , Likas Aristidis , Bassukas Ioannis D.
Published: February 2019

Background

Actinic keratosis (AK) is a common premalignant skin lesion that can potentially progress to squamous cell carcinoma. Appropriate long‐term management of AK requires close patient monitoring in addition to therapeutic interventions. Computer‐aided diagnostic systems based on clinical photography might evolve in the future into valuable adjuncts to AK patient management. The present study proposes a late fusion approach of color‐texture features (shallow features) and deep features extracted from pre‐trained convolutional neural networks (CNN) to boost AK detection accuracy on clinical photographs.

Materials and Methods

System uses a sliding rectangular window of 50 × 50 pixels and a classifier that assigns the window region to either the AK or the healthy skin class. 6010 and 13 915 cropped regions of interest (ROI) of 50 × 50 pixels of AK and healthy skin, respectively, from 22 patients were used for system implementation. Different support vector machine (SVM) classifiers employing shallow or deep features and their late fusion using the max rule at decision level were compared with the McNemar test and Yule's Q‐statistic.

Results

Support vector machine classifiers based on deep and shallow features exhibited overall competitive performances with complementary improvements in detection accuracy. Late fusion yielded significant improvement (6%) in both sensitivity (87%) and specificity (86%) compared to single classifier performance.

Conclusion

The parallel improvement of sensitivity and specificity is encouraging, demonstrating the potential use of our system in evaluating AK burden. The latter might be of value in future clinical studies for the comparison of field‐directed treatment interventions.
The Development of Structured Vocalizations in Songbirds and Humans: A Comparative Analysis
Authors: Lipkind Dina , Geambasu Andreea , Levelt Clara C.
Published: February 2019

Humans and songbirds face a common challenge: acquiring the complex vocal repertoire of their social group. Although humans are thought to be unique in their ability to convey symbolic meaning through speech, speech and birdsong are comparable in their acoustic complexity and the mastery with which the vocalizations of adults are acquired by young individuals. In this review, we focus on recent advances in the study of vocal development in humans and songbirds that shed new light on the emergence of distinct structural levels of vocal behavior and point to new possible parallels between both groups.
Anti‐tumour activity of oncolytic reovirus against canine histiocytic sarcoma cells
Authors: Igase Masaya , Shousu Kazuha , Fujiki Noriyuki , Sakurai Masashi , Bonkobara Makoto , Hwang Chung C. , Coffey Matt , Noguchi Shunsuke , Nemoto Yuki , Mizuno Takuya
Published: February 2019

Canine histiocytic sarcoma is an aggressive, fatal neoplastic disease with a poor prognosis. Lomustine is generally accepted as the first‐line systemic therapy, although this compound does not provide complete regression. Therefore, research into a novel approach against canine histiocytic sarcoma is needed. However, anti‐tumour effects of oncolytic therapy using reovirus against histiocytic sarcoma are unknown. Here, we showed that reovirus has oncolytic activity in canine histiocytic sarcoma cell lines in vitro and in vivo. We found that reovirus can replicate and induce caspase‐dependent apoptosis in canine histiocytic sarcoma cell lines. A single intra‐tumoural injection of reovirus completely suppressed the growth of subcutaneously grafted tumours in NOD/SCID mice. Additionally, we demonstrated that susceptibility to reovirus‐induced cell death was attributable to the extent of expression of type I interferons induced by reovirus infection in vitro. In conclusion, oncolytic reovirus appears to be an effective treatment option for histiocytic sarcoma, and therefore warrants further investigation in early clinical trials.
Multi‐dimensional models for functional testing of keloid scars: In silico, in vitro, organoid, organotypic, ex vivo organ culture, and in vivo models
Authors: Lebeko Maribanyana , Khumalo Nonhlanhla P. , Bayat Ardeshir
Published: February 2019

Keloid scars are described as benign fibro‐proliferative dermal outgrowths that commonly occur in pigmented skin post cutaneous injury, and continue to grow beyond the boundary of the original wound margin. There is a lack of thorough understanding of keloid pathogenesis and thus keloid therapeutic options remain ill‐defined. In view of the poor response to current therapy and high recurrence rates, there is an unmet need in improving our knowledge and therefore in identifying targeted and effective treatment strategies in management of keloids. Keloid research however, is hampered by a lack of relevant animal models as keloids do not spontaneously occur in animals and are unique to human skin. Therefore, developing novel animal models and nonanimal models for functional evaluation of keloid cells and tissue for better understanding their pathobiology and response to putative candidate therapies are essential. Here, we present the key concepts and relevant emerging research on two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional cell and tissue models for functional testing of keloid scars. We will describe in detail current models including in vitro mono‐ and co‐cultures, multi‐cellular spheroids (organoids) and organotyopic cultures, ex vivo whole skin keloid tissue organ culture models as well as in vivo human patient models. Finally, we discuss the role played by time as the fourth dimension in a novel model that involves sequential temporal biopsies of human patients with keloids (a so called 4D in vivo human model). The use of these unique models will no doubt prove pivotal in identification of new drug targets as well as biomarkers, in functional testing of emerging novel therapeutics, and in enhancing our understanding of keloid disease biology.
IL‐7 overexpression enhances therapeutic potential of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells for diabetic wounds
Authors: Khalid Ramla Sana , Khan Irfan , Zaidi Midhat Batool , Naeem Nadia , Haneef Kanwal , Qazi Rida‐e‐Maria , Habib Rakhshinda , Malick Tuba Shakil , Ali Anwar , Salim Asmat
Published: February 2019

This study was aimed to enhance the healing potential of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells against chronic diabetic wounds through interleukin‐7 (IL‐7) transfection. IL‐7 plays an important role in wound healing and acts as a survival factor in some cell types. This study involves isolation, propagation, and characterization of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and their modification with IL‐7 gene via retroviral transfection. Transfected MSCs were assessed for their effect on angiogenic genes by qPCR. Wound healing potential of transfected MSCs was analyzed by scratch assay in vitro and by transplanting these cells in rat diabetic wound models in vivo. Wound area was measured for a period of 15 days and subsequent histological analysis was performed. qPCR results showed increased expression of IL‐7 gene (p ≤ 0.05) and also principal angiogenic genes, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), VEGF receptor 1 (FLT‐1), and VEGF receptor 2 (FLK‐1) (p ≤ 0.05). Neuropilin‐1 (NRP‐1) did not show any significant change. In vitro analysis of IL‐7 MSCs showed intense cell–cell connections and tube formation as compared to the normal MSCs. Rate of wound closure was more (p ≤ 0.001) in case of diabetic group transplanted with IL‐7 MSCs. Histological examination revealed enhanced vascular supply in skin tissues of diabetic animals transplanted with IL‐7 transfected MSCs as compared to normal MSCs. Immunohistochemical results showed significantly higher expression of IL‐7 (p ≤ 0.001) and α‐smooth muscle actin(p ≤ 0.001) in the tissue sections of IL‐7 transfected group as compared to normal MSCs and the diabetic control group; the latter indicates increase in the number of blood vessels. It is concluded from this study that IL‐7 overexpression in MSCs can enhance the healing potential of MSCs and aid in wound closure in diabetic animals through the induction of angiogenic genes.
Sistema de innovación como marco analítico de la agricultura protegida en la región centro de México
Authors: García-Sánchez Edgar Iván , Vargas-Canales Juan Manuel , Palacios-Rangel María Isabel , Aguilar-Ávila Jorge
Published: February 2019

Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo analizar la agricultura protegida en México y utilizó, como marco analítico, el sistema de innovación agrícola. Las regiones analizadas fueron Puebla, Tlaxcala e Hidalgo. Los resultados indican que en las tres regiones estudiadas hay baja adopción de innovaciones y que los sistemas de innovación presentan una articulación débil y una tendencia de rentabilidad baja. Para consolidar la  agricultura protegida como una alternativa para el desarrollo rural, es necesario implementar proyectos orientados al fortalecimiento de los sistemas de innovación que consideren las características territoriales.
A Sequential Approach for Robust Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Under Mixed Interval and Probabilistic Uncertainties
Authors: Xia Tingting , Li Mian
Published: February 2019

Uncertainties cannot be ignored in the design process of complex multidisciplinary systems. Robust multidisciplinary design optimization methods (RMDOs) can treat uncertainties as specified probabilistic distributions when enough statistical information is available while they assign intervals for nondeterministic variables since designers may not have enough information to obtain statistical distributions, especially in the early stage of design optimization processes. Both types of uncertainties are very likely to appear simultaneously. In order to obtain solutions to RMDO problems under mixed interval and probabilistic uncertainties, this work proposed a new sequential RMDO approach, mixed SR-MDO. First, the robust optimization (RO) problem in a single discipline under mixed uncertainties is formulated and solved. Then, following the SR-MDO framework from the previous work, MDO problems under mixed uncertainties are solved by handling probabilistic and interval uncertainties sequentially in decomposed subsystem problems. Interval uncertainties are handled by using the worst-case sensitivity analysis, and the influence of probabilistic uncertainties in objectives, constraints, as well as in discipline analysis models is characterized by corresponding mean and variance. The applied SR-MDO framework allows subsystems in its full autonomy RO and sequential RO stages to run independently in parallel. This makes mixed SR-MDO be efficient for independent disciplines to work simultaneously and be more time-saving. Computational complexity of the proposed approach mainly relates to the double-loop optimization process in the worst-case interval uncertainties analysis. Examples are presented to demonstrate the applicability and efficiency of the mixed SR-MDO approach.
A Clustering-Based Framework for Performance Degradation Prediction of Slewing Bearing Using Multiple Physical Signals
Authors: Ding Peng , Wang Hua , Dai Yongfen
Published: February 2019

Diagnosing the failure or predicting the performance state of low-speed and heavy-load slewing bearings is a practical and effective method to reduce unexpected stoppage or optimize the maintenances. Many literatures focus on the performance prediction of small rolling bearings, while studies on slewing bearings' health evaluation are very rare. Among these rare studies, supervised or unsupervised data-driven models are often used alone, few researchers devote to remaining useful life (RUL) prediction using the joint application of two learning modes which could fully take diversity and complexity of slewing bearings' degradation and damage into consideration. Therefore, this paper proposes a clustering-based framework with aids of supervised models and multiple physical signals. Correlation analysis and principle component analysis (PCA)-based multiple sensitive features in time-domain are used to establish the performance recession indicators (PRIs) of torque, temperature, and vibration. Subsequently, these three indicators are divided into several parts representing different degradation periods via optimized self-organizing map (OSOM). Finally, corresponding data-driven life models of these degradation periods are generated. Experimental results indicate that multiple physical signals can effectively describe the degradation process. The proposed clustering-based framework is provided with a more accurate prediction of slewing bearings' RUL and well reflects the performance recession periods.
Topological Characterization of an Evolving Product Structure Network: A Case Study of Generational Smartphone Products
Authors: Park Kijung , Kremer Gül E. Okudan
Published: February 2019

Products evolve over time to satisfy new customer needs, technologies, and markets. The evolution process of products necessarily involves changes in a product structure that might be characterized by inherent evolving properties. Although product evolution has been discussed from various perspectives, the underlying properties of an evolving product structure have not been sufficiently explored from an analytical view. Various empirical and theoretical studies in network science show that real networks representing different types of complex systems are not randomly structured but are characterized by certain properties regardless of their origins. Focusing on the topological universality of real networks, this study aims to reveal the inherent evolving properties of a product structure based on a network science approach through a case study of generational smartphone models. First, the product structure of each generational product is represented as a product structure network. Then, topological characteristics and patterns in each network are analyzed by network measures and motifs. The results show that the product structure networks may follow the universal properties observed in other real networks; the product structure grows as a scale-free network with common building blocks. The findings from this study suggest that the identified properties can be used as a basis to understand and formulate product evolution to obtain design benefits from topological robustness and modularity.
State-of-Charge Uncertainty of Lithium-Ion Battery Packs Considering the Cell-to-Cell Variability
Authors: Dahmardeh Modjtaba , Xi Zhimin
Published: February 2019

Accurate state-of-charge (SOC) estimation of lithium-ion battery packs is technically challenging because of the cell-to-cell variability due to the manufacturing tolerance. In addition, there is no unanimous definition of the pack SOC since each cell has its own SOC and the pack can be configured in different ways. This study first adopts a suitable pack SOC definition among existing ones, then proposes uncertainty modeling and propagation analysis for pack SOC estimation considering the cell-to-cell variability, and finally conducts the SOC estimation for one serially connected battery pack using the one state hysteresis model with the extended Kalman filter (EKF). The results reveal that pack SOC variability is inevitable due to the cell-to-cell variability and accurate pack SOC estimation is challenging considering both the cell-level SOC accuracy and the pack-level estimation efficiency.
Numerical Estimation of Expected Number of Failures for Repairable Systems Using a Generalized Renewal Process Model
Authors: Koutsellis Themistoklis , Mourelatos Zissimos P. , Hu Zhen
Published: February 2019

The reliability of repairable systems is important for many engineering applications such as warranty forecasting, maintenance strategies, and durability, among others. A generalized renewal process (GRP) approach, considering the effectiveness of repairs, is commonly used, modeling the concepts of minimal repair, perfect repair, and general repair. The effect of the latter is between the effects of a minimal and a perfect repair. The GRP models the sequence of recurrent failure/repair events for repairable systems by solving the so-called g-renewal equation, which has no analytical solution. This paper proposes a data-driven numerical estimation of the expected number of failures (ENF) for the GRP model without solving the complicated g-renewal equation directly. Instead, it uses an empirical relationship among the cumulative intensity function (CIF) of the GRP, ordinary renewal process (ORP), and nonhomogeneous Poisson process (NHPP). The ORP and NHPP are limiting cases of the generalized renewal process. For practical reasons, it is common to observe only a few units of a repairable system population for only a short time. Using the observed data, the proposed approach creates a reliability metamodel of a renewal process, which is then used to predict the expected number of failures, and assess the average effectiveness of each repair. This increases the usefulness of the method for many practical reliability problems where the collection of a large amount of data is not possible or economical. The good accuracy of the proposed approach is demonstrated with three examples using simulated data, and a real-life example of locomotive braking grids using actual data.