bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How functional involvement affects the transformation of external knowledge into innovation outcomes
Authors: Pateli Adamantia , Lioukas Spyros
Published: July 2017

This paper aims at investigating organizational mechanisms through which firms involved in open innovation initiatives can acquire external knowledge, integrate it with the existing one residing in the diverse functional areas, and transform it into innovation outcomes. Following the knowledge transformation perspective, we use the notions of early‐stage and late‐stage functional involvement, and explain their mediating effects on a firm's innovation performance. Based on a sample of 131 international firms involved in open innovation projects, we find that high involvement of functions related to the early stage of the innovation process – notably new concept generation, research and development, and design and testing – fully mediates the effect of external knowledge transfer on innovation performance. Similarly, high involvement of functions related to the late stage of the innovation process – notably manufacturing, marketing, distribution, and logistics – has significant indirect effect on innovation performance but lower than that of early‐stage functional involvement. Furthermore, the empirical research reveals that early‐stage functional involvement mediates the positive effect of external knowledge transfer on late‐stage functional involvement. Theoretical and practical implications of our findings are discussed.
Skin lesion in a patient after hematopoietic stem cell transplant
Authors: West Erica K. , Mehta Mudresh , Patel Vinit , Chamberland Robin
Published: July 2017

We present a case of a 61‐year‐old Caucasian woman who was hospitalized with fever on day 176 after a matched unrelated stem cell transplant for acute myelogenous leukemia. She developed hemorrhagic bullae on the skin of her right thigh, and both blood cultures and skin biopsy confirmed Fusarium proliferatum. Despite antifungal therapy, her condition worsened and she died while on comfort‐only measures.
In vivoconfocal microscopy of brachycephalic dogs with and without superficial corneal pigment
Authors: Vallone Lucien V. , Enders Andrew M. , Mohammed Hussni O. , Ledbetter Eric C.
Published: July 2017

Objective

To characterize canine superficial corneal pigment (SCP) in brachycephalic dogs usingin vivoconfocal microscopy (IVCM).

Animals studied

Fifty‐seven client‐owned brachycephalic dogs from breeds predisposed toSCP(i.e., Boston Terrier, Lhasa Apso, Pekingese, Pug, and Shih Tzu).

Procedures

Complete ocular examination, including slit‐lamp biomicroscopy, was used to determine presence or absence ofSCP, andIVCMexaminations were then performed. Clinical andIVCMabnormalities were recorded using a standardized scoring system and statistically compared between dogs with and withoutSCP. Dogs were split into two groups for analysis; Pugs and non‐Pug breeds.

Results

Of the 57 dogs examined, 32 were Pugs and 25 were non‐Pug breeds. Twenty‐three Pugs (71.8%) and 10 non‐Pugs (40%) displayedSCP. Six of 13 evaluatedIVCMfeatures were significantly (P< 0.05) associated withSCPin both Pugs and non‐Pugs and included superficial epithelial pigment, basal epithelial pigment, Langerhans cells, anterior stromal dendritic cells, epithelial disorganization, and vascularization. Additionally, superficial epithelial leukocytes and anterior stromal dendritic cells were significantly associated withSCPin Pugs only. Many of theIVCMfeatures associated withSCPwere also observed inSCPunaffected dogs; however, they were present at a reduced frequency and confined to the perilimbal region of the cornea.

Conclusions

ByIVCM,SCPin dogs is characterized by microscopic features of chronic inflammation. Abnormalities were superficial and largely confined to the corneal epithelium. Superficial pigment in brachycephalic dogs appears morphologically as a centripetal corneal migration of microanatomic features normally confined to the perilimbal region of the cornea.
Tai Chi Exercise for the Quality of Life in a Perimenopausal Women Organization: A Systematic Review
Authors: Wang Ying , Shan Weichao , Li Qing , Yang Na , Shan Weiying
Published: July 2017

Background

Improvement of the quality of life in perimenopausal women has recently become an important global health issue. Extensive research reports provide evidence of Tai Chi for the quality of life, but no systematic review has individually investigated Tai Chi as a main intervention on the quality of life in perimenopausal women.

Objective

To assess clinical evidence of Tai Chi for the quality of life in perimenopausal women.

Methods

Studies related to the effect of Tai Chi on the quality of life in perimenopausal women in the databases of China and abroad were searched. RevMan version 5.2 software was used, and the Medical Outcomes Study 36‐item short form health survey (SF‐36) and bone mineral density (BMD) were selected as evaluation indices.

Results

Five trials were included. The results of this study showed that Tai Chi had a significant effect on bodily pain, general health, vitality, mental health of SF‐36, and the spine dimension of BMD, as supported by the following data: bodily pain (Standard Mean Difference [SMD] = –3.63; 95% confidence interval [CI] [–6.62, –0.64]; p = .02); general health (SMD = −5.08; 95% CI [−7.60, –2.56]; p < .0001); vitality (SMD = −5.67; 95% CI [–8.54, –2.81], p = .0001); mental health (SMD = −2.51; 95% CI [–4.82, –0.20], p = .03); and spine dimension of BMD (SMD = −0.06; 95% CI [–0.10, –0.01]; p = .01). However, Tai Chi had no effect on physical function, emotional health, social function, role–physical of SF‐36, and the hip dimension of BMD, as supported by the following data: physical function (SMD = –1.79; 95% CI [–5.15, 1.57]; p = .30); emotional health (SMD = −2.90; 95% CI [–7.23, 1.43], p = .19]; social function (SMD = −2.23, 95% CI [–5.08, 0.61], p = .12; role–physical (SMD = − 1.18; 95% CI [–4.84, 2.47], p = .53; and hip dimension of BMD (SMD = −0.01; 95% CI [–0.03, 0.01]; p = .31).

Linking Evidence to Action

This systematic review found significant evidence for Tai Chi improving bodily pain, general health, vitality, mental health of SF–36, and the spine dimension of BMD in patients with perimenopausal syndrome. Findings suggest that Tai Chi might be recommended as effective and safe adjuvant treatment for patients with perimenopausal syndrome. More high‐quality randomized controlled trials are urgently needed to confirm these results.
Statutory Approval Process for Cross-Country Hydrocarbon Pipeline Projects
Authors: Vaidya Gauri , Pal Naresh
Published: July 2017

Laying of petroleum and natural gas pipelines requires Clearances pertaining to Environment, Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ), Forests and Wildlife from various statutory bodies of the Central and State Government depending on the proposed pipeline route. Because of the time-consuming appraisal process undertaken at various levels, planning the statutory approval process forms a very important part of the project implementation schedule. The project proponents have to forecast and plan well in advance for obtaining statutory approvals as scheduled.

This paper details the clearances required for pipeline projects mainly from environmental angle, the procedures involved and difficulties faced by project proponents. It also suggests project proponents to plan the activities in advance and be updated on the new guidelines and notifications issued by the authorities. It also puts forth some recommendations to Statutory Authorities to simplify the procedures for speedy disposal of proposals related to pipeline projects.
Free Span Rectifications in Submarine Pipeline Projects: A Case Study
Authors: Yadav Udaivir , Negi Pawan
Published: July 2017

Seabed features along a subsea pipeline route are highly stochastic. Free spans may be created in the pipelines due to seabed irregularities, subsequent scouring, and horizontal movements of pipeline during operation. It is quite common to encounter free spanning sections along the pipeline route from the very start till the end. Spanning of subsea pipelines is a primary area of concern not only in the detailed design and installation stage but also during the operation stage. For ensuring the pipeline safety during operation, underwater surveys must be conducted at suitable intervals. The frequency of such pipeline free spanning surveys depends on the operators’ interest and the statutory requirements. The static and dynamic characteristic of the pipeline spans should be investigated to ensure that the pipeline can be operated within acceptable safety levels. The unsupported spans that incur static as well as dynamic loads on the pipeline, may lead to vortex-induced vibrations and ultimately fatigue, and thus affecting the pipeline serviceability and design life. Vortex induced vibrations are not allowed to occur in the operation life as far as the conventional design is considered but DNV - RP - F105 allows the onset of vortex induced vibrations provided that the fatigue damage due to vortex induced vibrations doesn’t exceed the allowable values. Pipe soil interaction has a huge impact on the pipeline design as well as the pipeline service life. Analysis of the existing conditions and stress levels based on the site-specific surveys and environmental data needs to be carefully carried out for determining the acceptability of spans and the effective intervention works if required. Hydrological studies and numerical modeling may also need to be carried out for sediment transportation analysis and for proper assessment & quantification of sea bed erosion, trenching and backfilling requirements.

In the present work, the acceptable criteria in terms of static and dynamic stresses and fatigue damage limits due to vortex induced vibrations as per DNV - RP - F105 have been discussed. Further comprehensive analysis philosophy and the criticalities in the design analysis for free spanning of subsea pipeline are presented. A case study based on an offshore project in western India has been presented involving the major project issues. The main areas of concerns & challenges faced are examined in detail. Further study has been conducted for the other available strategic solutions in the VIV mitigation and rectification of free spanning sections.
Offshore Oil and Gas Pipeline: Flow Assurance and Corrosion Modelling for Inspection Prioritization
Authors: Barton Lewis , Laing Ian , Pinto Ashwin , Ladwa Ramesh
Published: July 2017

Flow modelling and corrosion risk assessment are used to study a challenging multiphase pipeline, where the main focus is the identification and prioritization of critical locations for direct inspection (DA). Through the internal corrosion direct assessment (ICDA), flow modelling sensitivity studies is carried out to identify critical locations with risks of high shear stresses and water holdup. Through corrosion risk assessment (CRA), the critical locations were narrowed down to four primary locations, which through direct inspection could provide the information necessary to estimate the overall pipeline condition. It is highlighted that without the In-line inspection (ILI) data, selection of inspection locations becomes problematic. However, carrying out a CRA in combination with dynamic flow modelling can build a more representative analysis and assist with effective engineering decision making.

One of the available industry standard tools that can assist with demonstration of pipelines’ integrity requirement is an approach that integrates flow assurance with corrosion modelling known as Internal Corrosion Direct Assessment (ICDA). More specifically, an industry standard multiphase dynamic flow model (OLGA) with well-established corrosion models, CRA and engineering judgement have been employed to identify and prioritize inspection locations.

A benefit of this work is the validation of predictions by both OLGA and the corrosion engineer in close adoption to the procedures of the NACE ICDA standard practice. Considerations from corrosion engineering aspect on modelling requirements and corrosion diagnosis will be presented, where the primary focus is on identification of hot spots and consequent inspection requirements in order to limit excavation activities and provide cost-effective solutions to the client.
HSE and City Gas Distribution
Authors: Sharma Ajay Kumar
Published: July 2017

City Gas Distribution is one of the most assured businesses in current times as Natural Gas being a clean fuel becomes the first choice of consumers.

Though CGD Network has enormous potential and has evident advantages however, it brings alongwith it’s own challenges but the biggest challenge is the vicinity of CGD Network with common public. A major factor for success of CGD Network depends on the discipline and involvement of common public in keeping CGD Network safe and effective.

This paper intends to discuss on HSE issues with focus on like Single Call system for India, Indian regulations Vs other countries and Quality Assurance.

Single Call system for India is the most important issue of CGD Network that really needs to be deliberated. In India, more than 20 clearances need to be obtained from various statutory and civil authorities before execution of any CGD Network project which really affects the project cost, time, consumer benefits, emergency response and third party damages.

Now let’s consider few international regulations like National Energy Board in Canada which is the nodal agency to ensure CGD pipelines are safe for public and environment. NEB regulations harmonize with provinces to ensure that any third party excavation work within pipeline corridor is carried out only after due communication to the pipeline company.

The 49 US Code 60114 - One Call notification system also mandates that any third party before carrying out any excavation needs to establish if there are underground facilities present in the area of the intended activity and contact appropriate system.

Indian regulations like T4S and ERDMP for CGD Network are indeed bringing all CGD companies at par in terms of design, safety, O&M and Integrity Management System. However, they need to sincerely look into Single Call System alongwith specific issues like interdistances, space constraints in big cities, compressor installation at height.

Quality Assurance involves periodic inspection and maintenance of CGD asset through a systematic plan including identification of critical equipments, Preventive Maintenance Schedules, carrying out maintenance as per the PM, maintaining a database of observations and defects. A key component is the generation of baseline data for implementing and monitoring Integrity Management System for CGD Network.

Hence, as CGD Network is a complex and dynamic distribution system involving public, private industries/commercials, civil authorities and wide geography, it is imperative to have a multi-pronged approach involving strict regulation enforcement, well informed public and latest technologies to ensure safe and efficient CGD Networks.
Papers of note in
Nature
547
(7663)
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: July 2017

This week’s articles identify a surprising role for dopamine outside the nervous system and a cryptic binding pocket that promotes leak currents through a potassium channel.
Olfactory control of metabolism
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: July 2017

Activation of olfactory sensory neurons promotes adiposity and insulin resistance in mice.
A Cationic Polymer That Shows High Antifungal Activity against Diverse Human Pathogens
Authors: Rank Leslie A. , Walsh Naomi M. , Liu Runhui , Lim Fang Yun , Bok Jin Woo , Huang Mingwei , Keller Nancy P. , Gellman Samuel H. , Hull Christina M.
Published: July 2017

Invasive fungal diseases are generally difficult to treat and often fatal. The therapeutic agents available to treat fungi are limited, and there is a critical need for new agents to combat these deadly infections. Antifungal compound development has been hindered by the challenge of creating agents that are highly active against fungal pathogens but not toxic to the host. Host defense peptides (HDPs) are produced by eukaryotes as a component of the innate immune response to pathogens and have served as inspiration for the development of many new antibacterial compounds. HDP mimics, however, have largely failed to exhibit potent and selective antifungal activity. Here, we present an HDP-like nylon-3 copolymer that is effective against diverse fungi while displaying only mild to moderate toxicity toward mammalian cells. This polymer is active on its own and in synergy with existing antifungal drugs against multiple species of
Candida
and
Cryptococcus
, reaching levels of efficacy comparable to those of the clinical agents amphotericin B and fluconazole in some cases. In addition, the polymer acts synergistically with azoles against different species of
Aspergillus
, including some azole-resistant strains. These findings indicate that nylon-3 polymers are a promising lead for development of new antifungal therapeutic strategies.
Progressive Dispersion of Azole Resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus: Fatal Invasive Aspergillosis in a Patient with Acute Myeloid Leukemia Infected with an A. fumigatus Strain with a
cyp51A
TR
46
Y121F M172I T289A Allele
Authors: Rößler Susann , Bader Oliver , Stölzel Friedrich , Sommer Ulrich , Spiess Birgit , Geibel Stephan , Buchheidt Dieter , Groß Uwe , Baretton Gustavo , Jacobs Enno , Ostrosky-Zeichner Luis
Published: July 2017

Patients with hematologic malignancies as well as allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients are at high risk for invasive aspergillosis. Here, we report a culture- and autopsy-proven fatal invasive aspergillosis in an allogeneic HSTC patient which he developed despite posaconazole prophylaxis. The agent was determined to be an azole-resistant
Aspergillus fumigatus
strain bearing the
cyp51A
mutation combination TR
46
Y121F M172I T289A. At increasing frequency, the azole resistance of
A. fumigatus
is being reported globally, limiting treatment options and complicating regimens.
Coadministration of Allopurinol To Increase Antimycobacterial Efficacy of Pyrazinamide as Evaluated in a Whole-Blood Bactericidal Activity Model
Authors: Naftalin Claire M. , Verma Rupangi , Gurumurthy Meera , Lu Qingshu , Zimmerman Matthew , Yeo Benjamin Chaik Meng , Tan Kin Hup , Lin Wenwei , Yu Buduo , Dartois Véronique , Paton Nicholas I.
Published: July 2017

Coadministering pyrazinamide (PZA) with the xanthine oxidase inhibitor allopurinol increases systemic levels of the active metabolite, pyrazinoic acid (POA), but the effects on bactericidal activity against tuberculosis are unknown. We randomized healthy volunteers to take a single dose of PZA (either 10 or 25 mg/kg of body weight) at the first visit and the same dose 7 days later, coadministered with allopurinol (100 mg daily; 2 days before to 1 day after the PZA dose). Blood was drawn at intervals until 48 h after each PZA dose, and drug levels were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Whole-blood bactericidal activity (WBA) was measured by inoculating blood samples withMycobacterium tuberculosisand estimating the change in bacterial CFU after 72 h of incubation. Allopurinol increased the POA area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 8 h (AUC0–8) (18.32 h · μg/ml versus 24.63 h · μg/ml for PZA alone versus PZA plus allopurinol) (P< 0.001) and its peak plasma concentration (Cmax) (2.81 μg/ml versus 4.00 μg/ml) (P< 0.001). There was no effect of allopurinol on mean cumulative WBA (0.01 ± 0.02 ΔlogCFU versus 0.00 ± 0.02 ΔlogCFU for PZA alone versus PZA plus allopurinol) (P= 0.49). Higher systemic POA levels were associated with greater WBA levels (P< 0.001), but the relationship was evident only at low POA concentrations. The lack of an effect of allopurinol on WBA despite a significant increase in blood POA levels suggests that host-generated POA may be less effective than POA generated inside bacteria. Coadministration of allopurinol does not appear to be a useful strategy for increasing the efficacy of PZA in clinical practice. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT02700347.)
Transcriptional Profiling of the Chicken Tracheal Response to Virulent Mycoplasma gallisepticum Strain R
low
Authors: Beaudet J. , Tulman E. R. , Pflaum K. , Liao X. , Kutish G. F. , Szczepanek S. M. , Silbart L. K. , Geary S. J.
Published: July 2017

Mycoplasma gallisepticum
, the primary etiologic agent of chronic respiratory disease (CRD) in poultry, leads to prolonged recruitment and activation of inflammatory cells in the respiratory mucosa. This is consistent with the current model of immune dysregulation that ostensibly allows the organism to evade clearance mechanisms and establish chronic infection. To date, studies using quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) and microarrays have shown a significant transient upregulation of cytokines and chemokines from tracheal epithelial cells (TECs)
in vitro
and tracheal tissue
ex vivo
in response to virulent strain R
low
that contributes to the infiltration of inflammatory cells into the tracheal mucosa. To expand upon these experiments, RNA was isolated from tracheas of 20 chickens infected with
M. gallisepticum
R
low
and 20 mock-infected animals at days 1, 3, 5, and 7 postinoculation, and samples were analyzed for differential gene expression using Illumina RNA sequencing. A rapid host response was observed 24 h postinfection, with over 2,500 significantly differentially expressed genes on day 3, the peak of infection. Many of these genes have immune-related functions involved in signaling pathways, including Toll-like receptor (TLR), mitogen-activated protein kinase, Jak-STAT, and the nucleotide oligomerization domain-like receptor pathways. Of interest was the increased expression of numerous cell surface receptors, including TLR4 and TLR15, which may contribute to the production of cytokines. Metabolic pathways were also activated on days 1 and 3 postinfection, ostensibly due to epithelial cell distress that occurs upon infection. Early perturbations in tissue-wide gene expression, as observed here, may underpin a profound immune dysregulation, setting the stage for disease manifestations characteristic of
M. gallisepticum
infection.
Interleukin-17C in Human Helicobacter pylori Gastritis
Authors: Tanaka Shingo , Nagashima Hiroyuki , Cruz Modesto , Uchida Tomohisa , Uotani Takahiro , Jiménez Abreu José A. , Mahachai Varocha , Vilaichone Ratha-korn , Ratanachu-ek Thawee , Tshering Lotay , Graham David Y. , Yamaoka Yoshio
Published: July 2017

The interleukin-17 (IL-17) family of cytokines (IL-17A to IL-17F) is involved in many inflammatory diseases. Although IL-17A is recognized as being involved in the pathophysiology ofHelicobacter pylori-associated diseases, the role of other IL-17 cytokine family members remains unclear. Microarray analysis of IL-17 family cytokines was performed inH. pylori-infected and uninfected gastric biopsy specimens.IL-17CmRNA was upregulated approximately 4.5-fold inH. pylori-infected gastric biopsy specimens. This was confirmed by quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR in infected and uninfected gastric mucosa obtained from Bhutan and from the Dominican Republic. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that IL-17C expression inH. pylori-infected gastric biopsy specimens was predominantly localized to epithelial and chromogranin A-positive endocrine cells.IL-17CmRNA levels were also significantly greater amongcagA-positive thancagA-negativeH. pyloriinfections (P= 0.012).In vitrostudies confirmed an increase inIL-17CmRNA and protein levels in cells infected withcagA-positive infections compared to cells infected with eithercagA-negative orcagpathogenicity island (PAI) mutant. Chemical inhibition of IκB kinase (IKK), mitogen-activated protein extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK), and Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibited induction of IL-17C proteins in infected cells, whereas p38 inhibition had no effect on IL-17C protein secretion. In conclusion,H. pyloriinfection was associated with a significant increase in IL-17C expression in human gastric mucosa. The role of IL-17C in the pathogenesis ofH. pylori-induced diseases remains to be determined.
Neutrophils Are Central to Antibody-Mediated Protection against Genital Chlamydia
Authors: Naglak Elizabeth K. , Morrison Sandra G. , Morrison Richard P.
Published: July 2017

Determining the effector populations involved in humoral protection against genital chlamydia infection is crucial to development of an effective chlamydial vaccine. Antibody has been implicated in protection studies in multiple animal models, and we previously showed that the passive transfer of immune serum alone does not confer immunity in the mouse. Using theChlamydia muridarummodel of genital infection, we demonstrate a protective role for bothChlamydia-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) and polymorphonuclear neutrophils and show the importance of an antibody/effector cell interaction in mediating humoral immunity. While neutrophils were found to contribute significantly to antibody-mediated protectionin vivo, natural killer (NK) cells were dispensable for protective immunity. Furthermore, gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-stimulated primary peritoneal neutrophils (PPNs) killed chlamydiaein vitroin an antibody-dependent manner. The results from this study support the view that an IFN-γ-activated effector cell population cooperates with antibody to protect against genital chlamydia and establish neutrophils as a key effector cell in this response.
Complement C3 as a Prompt for Human Macrophage Death during Infection with Francisella tularensis Strain SCHU S4
Authors: Brock Susan R. , Parmely Michael J.
Published: July 2017

Tularemia is caused by the Gram-negative bacterial pathogen
Francisella tularensis
. Infection of macrophages and their subsequent death are believed to play important roles in the progression of disease. Because complement is a particularly effective opsonin for
Francisella
, we asked whether complement-dependent uptake of
F. tularensis
strain SCHU S4 affects the survival of primary human macrophages during infection. Complement component C3 was found to be an essential opsonin in human serum not only for greatly increased uptake of SCHU S4 but also for the induction of macrophage death. Single-cell analysis also revealed that macrophage death did not require a high intracellular bacterial burden. In the presence of C3, macrophage death was observed at 24 h postinfection in a quarter of the macrophages that contained only 1 to 5 bacterial cells. Macrophages infected in the absence of C3 rarely underwent cell death, even when they contained large numbers of bacteria. The need for C3, but not extensive replication of the pathogen, was confirmed by infections with SCHU S4 Δ
purMCD
, a mutant capable of phagosome escape but of only limited cytosolic replication. C3-dependent
Francisella
uptake alone was insufficient to induce macrophage death, as evidenced by the failure of the phagosome escape-deficient mutant SCHU S4 Δ
fevR
to induce cell death despite opsonization with C3. Together, these findings indicate that recognition of C3-opsonized
F. tularensis
, but not extensive cytosolic replication, plays an important role in regulating macrophage viability during intracellular infections with type A
F. tularensis
.
Determining the worldwide epidemiology of surgical site infections after gastrointestinal resection surgery: protocol for a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study (GlobalSurg 2)
Authors: Collaborative GlobalSurg
Published: July 2017

Introduction

Surgical site infection (SSI) is the most common complication following major gastrointestinal surgery, affecting between 25% and 40% of patients. The rate of SSI doubles from low-income to high-income settings, persisting after risk adjustment. The relative impact of antibiotic-resistant organisms and the effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis globally are unknown. This study aims to determine SSI rates following gastrointestinal surgery across worldwide hospital settings.

Methods and analysis

This multicentre, international, prospective cohort study will be undertaken by any hospital providing emergency or elective gastroenterological surgical services. Centres will collect observational data on consecutive patients undergoing emergency or elective gastrointestinal resection, cholecystectomy or appendicectomy during a 6-month period. The primary outcome is the incidence of SSI with secondary outcomes describing the organisms causing SSIs, including their antibiotic susceptibility, and the microbiological tests used to identify them.

Ethics and dissemination

This project will not affect clinical practice and has been classified as clinical audit following research ethics review. The protocol will be disseminated through the international GlobalSurg network.

Trial registration number

NCT02662231.
Behind the smile: qualitative study of caregivers’ anguish and management responses while caring for someone living with heart failure
Authors: Wingham Jennifer , Frost Julia , Britten Nicky
Published: July 2017

Background

Caregivers support self-management in heart failure but often experience stress, anxiety and ill health as a result of providing care.

Aims

1. To identify the factors that contribute to the experience of anguish.

2. To understand how caregivers learn to live with what is frequently a challenging and demanding role.

Methods

Individual interviews with caregivers who had been caring for someone with heart failure for a minimum of 6 months. We used thematic analysis to inductively analyse transcripts.

Results

Twenty-two caregivers, from three centres in the United Kingdom, took part in individual interviews. The caregivers were aged between 39 and 84 years, and six were men. Twenty were in spousal or partner relationships. We found that caregivers often hide the extent of their emotional stress or anguish. We identified four main themes with explanatory subthemes—emotional impact (fear for the future and sense of hopelessness), role definition (changing sense of who I am, reduced resilience, learning care skills, role conflict and changing role), exclusion (exclusion by the cared-for person and by health professionals and feeling alone) and ignoring one’s own health—that were associated with anguish. From these findings, we produced a caregiver needs assessment model in the context of caring for a person with heart failure.

Conclusions and implications for practice

Caregivers have many unmet and hidden needs. Primary care health professionals are well placed to meet the needs of caregivers. The model may be used by health and social care professionals to identify needs and to provide caregivers with targeted practical and emotional support; and for researchers developing interventions to enhance self-management in heart failure.
Are there patient-related factors that influence sickness certification in patients with severe subjective health complaints? A cross-sectional exploratory study from different European countries
Authors: Merkus Suzanne L , Hoedeman Rob , Mæland Silje , Weerdesteijn Kristel H N , Schaafsma Frederieke G , Jourdain Maud , Canevet Jean-Paul , Rat Cédric , Anema Johannes R , Werner Erik L
Published: July 2017

Objectives

To develop hypotheses about whether there are patient-related factors that influence physicians’ decision-making that can explain why some patients with severe subjective health complaints (SHCs) are more likely to be granted sick leave than others.

Design

Exploratory cross-sectional.

Setting

Assessments of patient-related factors after watching nine authentic video recordings of patients with severe SHC from a Norwegian general practice. Our previous study showed that three of these nine patients were less likely than the remaining six patients to be granted sick leave by physicians from five European countries.

Participants

In total, 10 assessors from Norway, the Netherlands and France.

Outcomes

The direction in which the assessments may contribute towards the decision to grant a sickness certificate (increasing or decreasing the likelihood of granting sick leave).

Results

Physicians consider a wide variety of patient-related factors when assessing sickness certification. The overall assessment of these factors may provide an indication of whether a patient is more likely or less likely to be granted sick leave. Additionally, some single questions (notable functional limitations in the consultation, visible suffering, a clear purpose for sick leave and psychiatric comorbidity) may indicate differences between the two patient groups.

Conclusions

Next to the overall assessment, no notable effect of the complaints on functioning and suffering, a lack of a clear purpose for sick leave and the absence of psychiatric comorbidity may be factors that could help guide the decision to grant sick leave. These hypotheses should be tested and validated in representative samples of professionals involved in sickness certification. This may help to understand the tacit knowledge we believe physicians have when assessing work capacity of patients with severe SHC.
Oral glucocorticoid use and osteonecrosis in children and adults with chronic inflammatory diseases: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Horton Daniel B , Haynes Kevin , Denburg Michelle R , Thacker Mihir M , Rose Carlos D , Putt Mary E , Leonard Mary B , Strom Brian L
Published: July 2017

Objectives

We studied oral glucocorticoids and osteonecrosis, a rare but serious bone disease, in individuals with various chronic inflammatory diseases. We hypothesised that we would find stronger associations in adults versus children and in people with autoimmune diseases.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Population-representative data (1994–2013) from general practices in the UK.

Participants

Children and adults diagnosed with asthma; inflammatory bowel disease; juvenile, psoriatic or rheumatoid arthritis; psoriasis; or systemic lupus.

Exposures

Oral glucocorticoid patterns.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Diagnosed osteonecrosis (primary) and osteonecrosis plus clinical features (eg, symptoms, pain medication, surgical repair) (secondary). Discrete time failure models estimated the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of incident osteonecrosis following oral glucocorticoid exposure. Hypothesis testing was one sided (with corresponding 90% CI) since glucocorticoids were unlikely protective.

Results

After adjusting for demographic, disease-related and health utilisation factors, glucocorticoid exposure was associated with osteonecrosis in adults (ages 18–49, aHR 2.1 (90% CI 1.5 to 2.9); ages ≥50, aHR 1.3 (90% CI 1.01 to 1.7)). However, low-dose glucocorticoids, corresponding to average doses <7.5 mg prednisolone daily and maximum doses <30 mg daily, were not associated with osteonecrosis in adults. Furthermore, even at high glucocorticoid doses, there was no evidence of increased osteonecrosis among glucocorticoid-exposed children (p=0.04 for interaction by age) (any glucocorticoid exposure, ages 2–9: aHR 1.1 (90% CI 0.7 to 1.7); ages 10–17: aHR 0.6 (90% CI 0.3 to 1.6)). Arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and lupus were independently associated with osteonecrosis, but there was a similar dose relationship between glucocorticoids and osteonecrosis among adults with low-risk and high-risk diseases.

Conclusions

Glucocorticoid use was clearly associated with osteonecrosis in a dose-related fashion in adults, especially young adults, but this risk was not detectable in children. The absolute risk of glucocorticoid-associated osteonecrosis in the general paediatric population and in adults taking low glucocorticoid doses is at most extremely small.
Prognostic Factors of Overall Survival and Cancer-Specific Survival in Patients with Resected Early-Stage Rectal Adenocarcinoma: A Seer-Based Study
Authors: Lee Ko-Chao , Chung Kuan-Chih , Chen Hong-Hwa , Liu Chia-Cheng , Lu Chien-Chang
Published: July 2017

The benefits of radiotherapy for colorectal cancer are well documented, but the impact of adjuvant radiotherapy on early-stage rectal adenocarcinoma remains unclear. This study aimed to identify predictors of overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) in patients with stage II rectal adenocarcinoma treated with preoperative or postoperative radiation therapy. Patients with early-stage rectal adenocarcinoma in the postoperative state were identified using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. The primary endpoints were OS and overall CSS. Stage IIA patients without radiotherapy had significantly lower OS and CSS compared with those who received radiation before or after surgery. Stage IIB patients with radiotherapy before surgery had significantly higher OS and CSS compared with patients in the postoperative or no radiotherapy groups. Patients with signet ring cell carcinoma had the poorest OS among all the groups. Multivariable analysis showed that ethnicity (HR, 0.388, p=0.006) and radiation before surgery (HR, 0.614, p=0.006) were favorable prognostic factors for OS, while age (HR, 1.064, p<0.001), race (HR, 1.599, p=0.041), stage IIB (HR, 3.011, p=0.011), and more than one tumor deposit (TD) (HR, 2.300, p=0.001) were unfavorable prognostic factors for OS. Old age (HR, 1.047, p<0.00 L), stage IIB (HR, 8.619, p=0.005), circumferential resection margin between 0.1 mm and 10 mm (HR, 1.529, p=0.039), and more than one TD (HR, 2.688, p=0.001) were unfavorable prognostic factors for CSS. This population-based study identified predictors of OS and CSS in patients with early-stage resected rectal adenocarcinoma, which may help to guide future management of this patient population.
Palladium stabilized on poly and mono sulfonamide ligands as novel, simple, effective, and recyclable nano catalysts for C–C cross-coupling reactions
Authors: Ghorbani-Vaghei Ramin , Sarmast Narges
Published: July 2017

Poly and mono sulfonamide ligands were successfully used for the stabilization of palladium nanoparticles. The prepared nano catalysts that appeared to be heterogeneous and novel were characterized with various analytical tools. To establish the catalytic activity of the prepared catalysts, they were used in the Suzuki–Miyaura and Sonogashira–Hagihara coupling reactions of aryl halides under low palladium loading conditions. The catalysts showed good stability and could be recovered and reused for seven reaction cycles without significant loss of catalytic activity.
LONG-TERM GROWTH RATE OF EXPECTED UTILITY FOR LEVERAGED ETFs: MARTINGALE EXTRACTION APPROACH
Authors: LEUNG TIM , PARK HYUNGBIN
Published: July 2017

This paper studies the long-term growth rate of expected utility or expected return from holding a leveraged exchanged-traded fund (LETF), which is a constant proportion portfolio of the reference asset. We develop a martingale extraction approach to tackle the path-dependence in the expectation and determine the long-term growth rate through the eigenpair associated with the infinitesimal generator of a time-homogeneous Markovian diffusion. The long-term growth rates are derived explicitly under a number of models for the reference asset, including the geometric Brownian motion model, GARCH model, inverse GARCH model, extended CIR model, 3/2 model, quadratic model, as well as the Heston and [Formula: see text] stochastic volatility models. We also investigate the impact of stochastic interest rate such as the Vasicek model and the inverse GARCH short rate model. Additionally, we determine the optimal leverage ratio that maximizes the long-term growth rate, and examine the effects of model parameters.
HEART MURMURS DETECTION AND CHARACTERIZATION USING WAVELET ANALYSIS WITH RENYI ENTROPY
Authors: DAOUD BOUTANA , NAYAD KOURAS , BRAHAM BARKAT , MESSAOUD BENIDIR
Published: July 2017

Phonocardiogram signals (PCGs) represent a nonstationary signal due to their complicated production. Also, during the registration they may be added with different noise and pathological murmurs. Indeed, in real situation, the heart sound signal (HSs) may present some abnormal murmur characterizing a variety of heart diseases. This work deals with the segmentation of pathological PCGs based on the Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) which permits signal decomposition in different frequency bands. After the decomposition step, we estimate the Renyi Entropy (RE) of the detail coefficients. Then, we apply a threshold allowing detecting the murmur of the PCGs. After the detection, we characterize the results in time–frequency domain in order to extract some features such as frequency band, peak frequency and time duration of the abnormal murmur. The validation of the method is evaluated and proved using some pathological PCGs such as: Early Aortic Stenosis (EAS), Late Aortic Stenosis (LAS), Mitral Regurgitation (MR), Aortic Regurgitation (AR), Opening Snap (OS) and Pulmonary Stenosis (PS). The method presents good results in terms of the detection and the characterization of the main components and the abnormal murmurs associated with some valves disease.
On the n-coherence of the perfect closure of some ring extensions
Authors: Shaveisi Farzad , Amini Mostafa
Published: July 2017

A ring [Formula: see text] is called [Formula: see text]-coherent if every [Formula: see text]-presented ideal of [Formula: see text] is [Formula: see text]-presented. In this paper, the [Formula: see text]-coherence of the perfect closure [Formula: see text] is investigated. We show that if [Formula: see text] is [Formula: see text]-coherent, then it is normal. Also, it is shown that the perfect closure of a Noetherian reduced ring is [Formula: see text]-coherent if and only if the perfect closure of its Henselization is [Formula: see text]-coherent. Among other results, we study the [Formula: see text]-coherence of [Formula: see text] when [Formula: see text] is a retract algebra.
Canonical Forms for Isomorphic and Equivalent RDF Graphs
Authors: Hogan Aidan
Published: July 2017

Existential blank nodes greatly complicate a number of fundamental operations on Resource Description Framework (RDF) graphs. In particular, the problems of determining if two RDF graphs have the same structure modulo blank node labels (i.e., if they are
isomorphic
), or determining if two RDF graphs have the same meaning under simple semantics (i.e., if they are
simple-equivalent
), have no known polynomial-time algorithms. In this article, we propose methods that can produce two canonical forms of an RDF graph. The first canonical form preserves isomorphism such that any two isomorphic RDF graphs will produce the same canonical form; this
iso-canonical
form is produced by modifying the well-known canonical labelling algorithm N
auty
for application to RDF graphs. The second canonical form additionally preserves simple-equivalence such that any two simple-equivalent RDF graphs will produce the same canonical form; this
equi-canonical
form is produced by, in a preliminary step, leaning the RDF graph, and then computing the iso-canonical form. These algorithms have a number of practical applications, such as for identifying isomorphic or equivalent RDF graphs in a large collection without requiring pairwise comparison, for computing checksums or signing RDF graphs, for applying consistent Skolemisation schemes where blank nodes are mapped in a canonical manner to Internationalised Resource Identifiers (IRIs), and so forth. Likewise a variety of algorithms can be simplified by presupposing RDF graphs in one of these canonical forms. Both algorithms require exponential steps in the worst case; in our evaluation we demonstrate that there indeed exist difficult synthetic cases, but we also provide results over 9.9 million RDF graphs that suggest such cases occur infrequently in the real world, and that both canonical forms can be efficiently computed in all but a handful of such cases.
An IDeA for enhancing undergraduate research at rural primarily undergraduate institutions
Authors: Sens Donald A. , Cisek Karen L. , Conway Pat , Doze Van A.
Published: July 2017

This study documents the efforts of the North Dakota (ND) IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) program to assist in the development of undergraduate research programs at four state-supported primarily undergraduate institutions (PUIs) in ND. The study was initiated in the 2004–2005 academic year and continues to the present. The study shows that gaining initial institutional support for undergraduate research was assisted by providing salary support for faculty involved in undergraduate research. Once research was ongoing, each institution evolved their own unique plan for the use of support from the ND INBRE. Undergraduate student researchers have prepared, presented, and defended their research results on 188 unique posters since initiation of the program, with many posters being presented at more than one meeting. PUI faculty have authored 35 peer-reviewed manuscripts. Evaluation has shown that over 95% of the undergraduate students performing research matriculated with their bachelor’s degree. Career choices of 77.2% of these graduates was determined, and 37% pursued a career in the health professions. Of the students not pursuing a post-baccalaureate degree, 81.2% chose careers directly linked to science. The study reinforces the concept that undergraduate research can be performed directly on the PUI campus and be of value in preparing the next generation of health professionals in research, service, and teaching.
Patchoulene Epoxide Isolated from Patchouli Oil Suppresses Acute Inflammation through Inhibition of NF-κB and Downregulation of COX-2/iNOS
Authors: Liang Jia-Li , Wu Jia-Zhen , Liu Yu-Hong , Zhang Zhen-Biao , Wu Qi-Duan , Chen Han-Bin , Huang Yan-Feng , Dou Yao-Xing , Zhou Jiang-Tao , Su Zi-Ren , Zhan Janis Ya-Xian
Published: July 2017

According to the GC-MS analysis, compositional variation was observed between samples of patchouli oil, of which an unknown compound identified as patchoulene epoxide (PAO) was found only in the long-stored oil, whose biological activity still remains unknown. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the potential anti-inflammatory activity with three in vivo inflammatory models: xylene-induced ear edema, acetic acid-induced vascular permeability, and carrageenan-induced paw edema. Further investigation into its underlying mechanism on carrageenan-induced paw edema was conducted. Results demonstrated that PAO significantly inhibited the ear edema induced by xylene, lowered vascular permeability induced by acetic acid and decreased the paw edema induced by carrageenan. Moreover, PAO markedly decreased levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and nitric oxide (NO), but increased levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-10 (IL-10). PAO was also shown to significantly downregulate the protein and mRNA expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS). Western blot analysis revealed that PAO remarkably inhibited p50 and p65 translocation from the cytosol to the nucleus by suppressing IKKβ and IκBα phosphorylation. In conclusion, PAO exhibited potent anti-inflammatory activity probably by suppressing the activation of iNOS, COX-2 and NF-κB signaling pathways.