bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An ideal universal host for highly efficient full-color, white phosphorescent and TADF OLEDs with a simple and unified structure
Authors: Gao Kuo , Liu Kunkun , Li Xiang-Long , Cai Xinyi , Chen Dongjun , Xu Zhida , He Zuozheng , Li Binbin , Qiao Zhenyang , Chen Dongcheng , Cao Yong , Su Shi-Jian
Published: September 2017

Viaemploying a unique universal host, highly efficient full-color, white phosphorescent and TADF OLEDs were achieved with a simple and unified structure.
Diabetes-Associated Biobanking: More Topical Than Ever?
Authors: Lydia Kynast Katharina , Volk Nadine , Fleming Thomas , Herpel Esther
Published: September 2017

The increasing prevalence of diabetes and its accompanying long-term complications, as well as the associated economic burden, calls for a rapid clinical translation of biomedical research to better valid the physiological relevance of the findings from basic research. To meet this condition, the Collaborative Research Center (CRC) 1118 has established the first nationwide diabetes-specific Biomaterialbank (BMB) that permanently preserves solid and liquid specimen retro- and prospectively at the Institute of Pathology and Department of Endocrinology of the University Hospital Heidelberg. The main purpose of this BMB is to collect, preserve, characterize and provide human diabetic specimen to researchers investigating the role of reactive metabolites (RM) as cause of diabetic late complications. In this review we discuss the urgent need to support translational and clinical research projects by making use of diabetic solid and liquid specimen and provide an insight into the organization and general conditions of biobanking procedures which are pivotal to guaranteeing high-quality human biomaterial. In light of diabetes-tailored biobanking, we describe our newly initiated activities and introduce the diverse technology platforms that can be used for the investigation of promising molecular targets pertinent for diabetes. With this article we demonstrate that the preservation of rare specimen is also particularly relevant in the non-neoplastic field and contributes to basic investigation, promotes comprehensive scientific data and fortifies the sustainability for diabetes research. In addition, the increased understanding of how metabolic imbalance triggers diabetes onset and progression and favors diabetic late symptoms might hold some promise for future innovative diagnostic and/ or therapeutic applications, eventually adding to the improvement of patient care.
Palivizumab for prophylaxis of respiratory syncytial virus infections in preterm neonates
Authors: Gortner Ludwig
Published: September 2017

Recent data indicate that the number of children cared for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections in hospitals is in the range of 50,000 to 100,000 per year in the United States 3. Major risk factors include apart from prematurity specifically below 29 weeks, congenital heart defects, Down syndrome and further congenital anomalies. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommended in 2014 a restriction of Palivizumab prophylaxis to preterm infants of <29 weeks of gestation and those with a high-risk course postnatally and higher gestational ages apart from specific indications resulting from congenital anomalies including congenital heart defects 1.
Cardiovascular Responses to Resistance Exercise Performed with Large and Small Muscle Mass
Authors: Matos-Santos Lenifran , Farinatti Paulo , P. Borges Juliana , Massaferri Renato , Monteiro Walace
Published: September 2017

Prior research about the effects of the amount of exercised muscle mass upon cardiovascular responses (CVR) has neglected a potential bias related to total exercise and concentric/eccentric duration. Autonomic responses and perceived exertion (RPE) were compared in resistance exercises performed with larger and smaller muscle mass and matched for total exercise and concentric/eccentric duration. Twelve men performed 4 sets of 12 repetitions of unilateral (UNI) and bilateral (BIL) knee extensions at 70% of 12RM. Increases in CVR were always greater at the last set of BIL over UNI, as were SBP (35% vs. 23%), DBP (36% vs. 23%), HR (40% vs. 26%), RRP (90% vs 53%) and CO (55% vs 39%). No difference between protocols was found for autonomic modulation before and after exercise, but BIL induced significantly greater changes than UNI from baseline for R-R intervals (−13% vs. −7%), SDNN (−38% vs. −17%) and rMSSD (−41% vs. −21%). The rate of perceived exertion in the last set was higher in BIL than UNI (7.6±0.5 vs. 6.6±1.4 OMNI-RES; P<0.05) and did not correlate with any CVR. Thus, CVR were greater in resistance exercise performed with larger than smaller muscle mass. This information is relevant for patients with high cardiovascular risk.
A Comparison of the Efficacy of Once-Daily Fluticasone Furoate/Vilanterole with Twice-Daily Fluticasone Propionate/Salmeterol in Elderly Asthmatics
Authors: Ishiura Yoshihisa , Fujimura Masaki , Shiba Yasutaka , Ohkura Noriyuki , Hara Johsuke , Abo Miki , Kasahara Kazuo
Published: September 2017

Background Asthma in the elderly population has been focused because it affects quality of life and results in a higher hospitalization rate and mortality. Fluticasone furoate (FF)/vilanterole (VI) is a novel inhaled corticosteroids (ICS)/long-acting β2 agonist (LABA) combination being developed for once-daily administration for asthma with greater anti-inflammatory activity and longer duration of bronchidilation. The ElliptaTM dry powder inhaler (DPI) has also been available as a new device with high levels of satisfaction and preference.

Methods A 12-week, randomized, open-label cross-over, pilot study was conducted in 18 elderly patients with bronchial asthma to compare the effectiveness of once-daily FF/VI 200/25 µg via the ElliptaTM DPI vs. twice-daily fluticasone propionate (FP)/salmeterol (SAL) 500/50 µg via the DiskusTM DPI. The study period included a 4-week run-in, the first 4-week treatment, and the second 4-week treatment. Respiratory functions, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and asthma control test (ACT) scores were measured 0, 4, and 8 weeks after randomization. Preferences for their device were also assessed using a self-completed questionnaire.

Results Spirometric paramters, FeNO levels and ACT scores were not significantly different during the run-in period, the FP/SAL treatment period, and the FF/VI treatment period. FF/VI treatment via the ElliptaTM DPI was preferred to the FP/SAL treatment via the DiskusTM DPI (p<0.01).

Conclusions These data indicate that FF/VI treatment via the ElliptaTM DPI is preferred in elderly patients with asthma based on its ease-of-use, suggesting the potential to improve patient adherence and, as a result, overall disease management.
A relational (re)view of the UK’s social care crisis
Authors: Harding Rosie
Published: September 2017

It has become commonplace to say that there is a crisis in adult social care in the United Kingdom. This comment reflects on empirical and conceptual work on care, and feminist perspectives on re-valuing care, to make the case for a fundamental re-appraisal of how we resource and regulate adult social care. The problems generated by the uneven implementation of contemporary legal frameworks and the chronic underfunding of social care are explored, to demonstrate how regulatory, governmental and policy choices shape the everyday experience of delivering and receiving formal care services. Once these relational connections between regulation and everyday life are exposed, the need for a different, fairer and more just approach to care regulation becomes clear.
Split-disk micro-lasers: Tunable whispering gallery mode cavities
Authors: Siegle T. , Remmel M. , Krämmer S. , Kalt H.
Published: September 2017

Optical micro-cavities of various types have emerged as promising photonic structures, for both the investigation of fundamental science in cavity quantum electrodynamics and simultaneously for various applications, e.g., lasers, filters, or modulators. In either branch a demand for adjustable and tunable photonic devices becomes apparent, which has been mainly based on the modification of the refractive index of the micro-resonators so far. In this paper, we report on a novel type of whispering gallery mode resonator where resonance tuning is achieved by modification of the configuration. This is realized by polymeric split-disks consisting of opposing half-disks with an intermediate air gap. Functionality of the split-disk concept and its figures of merit like low-threshold lasing are demonstrated for laser dye-doped split-disks fabricated by electron beam lithography on Si substrates. Reversible resonance tuning is achieved for split-disks structured onto elastomeric substrates by direct laser writing. The gap width and hence the resonance wavelength can be well-controlled by mechanically stretching the elastomer and exploiting the lateral shrinkage of the substrate. We demonstrate a broad spectral tunability of laser modes by more than three times the free spectral range. These cavities have the potential to form a key element of flexible and tunable photonic circuits based on polymers.
Food and nutrition programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians: an overview of systematic reviews
Authors: Browne Jennifer , Adams Karen , Atkinson Petah , Gleeson Deborah , Hayes Rick
Published: September 2017

Objective To provide an overview of previous reviews of programs that aimed to improve nutritional status or diet-related health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, in order to determine what programs are effective and why. Methods A systematic search of databases and relevant websites was undertaken to identify reviews of nutrition interventions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Pairs of reviewers undertook study selection and data extraction and performed quality assessment using a validated tool. Results Twelve papers reporting 11 reviews were identified. Two reviews were rated high quality, three were rated medium and six were rated low quality. The reviews demonstrated that a positive effect on nutrition and chronic disease indicators can be a result of: 1) incorporating nutrition and breastfeeding advice into maternal and child health care services; and 2) multifaceted community nutrition programs. The evidence suggests that the most important factor determining the success of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander food and nutrition programs is community involvement in (and, ideally, control of) program development and implementation. Conclusions Community-directed food and nutrition programs, especially those with multiple components that address the underlying causes of nutrition issues, can be effective in improving nutrition-related outcomes. What is known about the topic? More effective action is urgently required in order to reduce the unacceptable health inequalities between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians. Food insecurity and nutrition-related chronic conditions are responsible for a large proportion of the ill health experienced by Australia’s First Peoples. What does this paper add? This narrative overview of 11 reviews published between 2005 and 2015 provides a synthesis of the current evidence for improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nutrition across the lifespan. The findings suggest that community-based and community-controlled programs, especially those with multiple components that address the underlying causes of nutrition issues, have the greatest potential to improve nutrition-related health outcomes. What are the implications for practitioners? Food and nutrition programs that are initiated and designed by local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are most likely to be effective. Nutrition and breastfeeding education and advice should be consistently incorporated into maternal and child healthcare services. Nutrition issues should be addressed through multifaceted approaches that address improving individual knowledge and skills, as well as strategies that increase access to nutritious food and provide a healthy food environment.
Population monitoring of an urban gliding mammal in eastern Australia
Authors: Goldingay Ross L.
Published: September 2017

Long-term monitoring is an important element of species conservation. This study describes changes in the size of a squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) population over a 10-year period. The population occupied a 45-ha forest remnant within the urban area of Brisbane. Gliders were tagged from 25 nights of trapping during 2006–08 and from 16 nights of trapping in 2015. Population modelling was used to estimate adult population size. This suggested the adult population comprised 30–40 individuals at the beginning and end of the 10-year period. It reached a peak of 70 individuals in mid-2007. These data suggest that the study area contains a small population that is prone to interannual variation but there was no evidence of it being in decline. Survival estimates during 2006–08 were equivalent to those estimated for a larger population in Victoria. Population monitoring should be continued to determine how resilient this population is to population decline and to investigate factors that may cause decline. This study provides an example of an approach that could be used to monitor threatened populations of the squirrel glider.
Investigation of Hybrid Materials Based on Polyurethane Modified with Aliphatic Side Chains Combined with Nano-TiO2
Authors: Zhang Jie , Zhang Nanjie , Liu Quan , Ren Haojun , Li Pengfei , Yang Kang
Published: September 2017

In this study, methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and polytetrahydrofuran ether diol (PTMG) were used as the raw materials for the synthesis of polyurethane (PU). 1,4-Butanediol, glyceryl monostearate, d-sorbitol tetrastearate, or d-trehalose hexastearate, all containing different amounts of aliphatic side chains, were used as the chain extenders and to introduce C18 side chains into the hard segments of PU, and hybrid materials were then fabricated by mixing PUs with nano-titanium dioxide (nano-TiO2). The effects of the different chain extenders on the surface properties of PU coatings and the hybrid materials were investigated. All the materials were characterised by NMR and FT-IR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, polarising microscopy, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, nanoindentation, and contact angle measurements. The results indicate that incremental changes in the number of side chains decrease the degree of microscale separation from the PU coating and increase the crystallinity of the aliphatic side chains. By introducing the aliphatic side chains, the surface coating presents many tiny protrusions, which enhance the surface roughness and the contact angle. Moreover, both the nano-TiO2 and aliphatic side chain content affect the contact angle of the hybrid materials. The as-obtained superhydrophobic materials exhibit contact angles above 150° with a sliding angle below 3° and present excellent mechanical properties such as hardness and Young’s modulus. The nano-TiO2 was chemically bonded to the molecular chains of PU, resulting in superhydrophobic materials with good acidic and alkaline resistance and anti-stripping properties.
Multiple interactions between an Arf/GEF complex and charged lipids determine activation kinetics on the membrane
Authors: Karandur Deepti , Nawrotek Agata , Kuriyan John , Cherfils Jacqueline
Published: September 2017

Significance

Small GTPases and their regulators require association to membranes to propagate actions in the cell, but our understanding of how the membrane exerts its effects has remained fragmentary. Here, we combined X-ray crystallography, coarse-grained molecular dynamics, and experimental reconstitution of the lipidated ADP ribosylation factor (Arf) GTPase and its guanine-nucleotide exchange factor, Brag2, in artificial membranes to study how this system functions on membranes. Our results reveal that the Arf/Brag2 complex interacts with multiple PIP
2
lipids, resulting in a well-defined orientation in close apposition to the membrane that explains the exceptional efficiency of activation of Arf by Brag2. Our coarse-grained model provides a structural framework to understand the assembly of Arf GTPases complexes with regulators and effectors at the surface of membranes.
A big city perspective oncome/camevariation
Authors: Levey Stephen , Fox Susan , Kastronic Laura
Published: September 2017

This study examines the alternation between non-standard preteritecomeand its standard counterpartcamein London English. A major component of the investigation centers on the comparison ofcome/camevariation in the speech of Anglo (British-heritage) and non-Anglo (migrant-heritage) youth. Rates of preteritecomevary markedly across different age cohorts and minority ethnic groups, foregrounding the importance of social factors as key determinants of variant use. By contrast, the internal conditioning of variant selection is not robust, as inferred from the paucity of significant linguistic effects. Similarities in variable patterning in elderly and adolescent Anglo speaker groups nevertheless suggest that shared structural affinities may be due to historical transmission. Conversely, comparison of Anglo and non-Anglo adolescents’ use ofcome/camevariation reveals fewer correspondences in the grammar underlying variable use. The results demonstrate that data from non-Anglo groups contribute to a fuller understanding ofcome/camevariation in an ethnically diverse metropolis.
Protein–protein interaction specificity is captured by contact preferences and interface composition
Authors: Nadalin Francesca , Carbone Alessandra
Published: September 2017

Motivation

Large-scale computational docking will be increasingly used in future years to discriminate protein–protein interactions at the residue resolution. Complete cross-docking experiments make in silico reconstruction of protein–protein interaction networks a feasible goal. They ask for efficient and accurate screening of the millions structural conformations issued by the calculations.

Results

We propose CIPS (Combined Interface Propensity for decoy Scoring), a new pair potential combining interface composition with residue–residue contact preference. CIPS outperforms several other methods on screening docking solutions obtained either with all-atom or with coarse-grain rigid docking. Further testing on 28 CAPRI targets corroborates CIPS predictive power over existing methods. By combining CIPS with atomic potentials, discrimination of correct conformations in all-atom structures reaches optimal accuracy. The drastic reduction of candidate solutions produced by thousands of proteins docked against each other makes large-scale docking accessible to analysis.

Availability and implementation

CIPS source code is freely available at http://www.lcqb.upmc.fr/CIPS.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
graphkernels: R and Python packages for graph comparison
Authors: Sugiyama Mahito , Ghisu M Elisabetta , Llinares-López Felipe , Borgwardt Karsten
Published: September 2017

Measuring the similarity of graphs is a fundamental step in the analysis of graph-structured data, which is omnipresent in computational biology. Graph kernels have been proposed as a powerful and efficient approach to this problem of graph comparison. Here we provide graphkernels, the first R and Python graph kernel libraries including baseline kernels such as label histogram based kernels, classic graph kernels such as random walk based kernels, and the state-of-the-art Weisfeiler-Lehman graph kernel. The core of all graph kernels is implemented in C ++ for efficiency. Using the kernel matrices computed by the package, we can easily perform tasks such as classification, regression and clustering on graph-structured samples.

Availability and implementation

The R and Python packages including source code are available at https://CRAN.R-project.org/package=graphkernels and https://pypi.python.org/pypi/graphkernels.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available online at Bioinformatics.
Universality laws for randomized dimension reduction, with applications
Authors: Oymak Samet , Tropp Joel A
Published: September 2017

Dimension reduction is the process of embedding high-dimensional data into a lower dimensional space to facilitate its analysis. In the Euclidean setting, one fundamental technique for dimension reduction is to apply a random linear map to the data. This dimension reduction procedure succeeds when it preserves certain geometric features of the set. The question is how large the embedding dimension must be to ensure that randomized dimension reduction succeeds with high probability. This article studies a natural family of randomized dimension reduction maps and a large class of data sets. It proves that there is a phase transition in the success probability of the dimension reduction map as the embedding dimension increases. For a given data set, the location of the phase transition is the same for all maps in this family. Furthermore, each map has the same stability properties, as quantified through the minimum RSV. These results can be viewed as new universality laws in high-dimensional stochastic geometry. Universality laws for randomized dimension reduction have many applications in applied mathematics, signal processing and statistics. They yield design principles for numerical linear algebra algorithms, for compressed sensing measurement ensembles and for random linear codes. Furthermore, these results have implications for the performance of statistical estimation methods under a large class of random experimental designs.
Association of genetic variants with fatigue in patients with malignant glioma
Authors: Armstrong Terri S , Vera Elizabeth , Zhou Renke , Acquaye Alvina A , Sullaway Catherine M , Berger Ann M , Breton Ghislain , Mahajan Anita , Wefel Jeffrey S , Gilbert Mark R , Bondy Melissa , Scheurer Michael E
Published: September 2017

Background

Fatigue is a consistently reported, severe symptom among patients with gliomas throughout the disease trajectory. Genomic pathways associated with fatigue in glioma patients have yet to be identified.

Methods

Clinical factors (performance status, tumor details, age, gender) were collected by chart review on glioma patients with fatigue (“I have lack of energy” on Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Brain), as well as available genotyping data. Candidate genes in clock and inflammatory pathways were identified from a literature review, of which 50 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 7 genes were available. Clinical factors and SNPs identified by univariate analyses were included in a multivariate model for moderate-severe fatigue.

Results

The study included 176 patients (median age = 47 years, 67% males). Moderate-severe fatigue was reported by 43%. Results from multivariate analysis revealed poor performance status and 2 SNPs were associated with fatigue severity. Moderate-severe fatigue was more common in patients with poor performance status (OR = 3.52, P < .01). For each additional copy of the minor allele in rs934945 (PER2) the odds of fatigue decreased (OR = 0.51, P < .05). For each additional copy of the minor allele in rs922270 (ARTNL2) the odds of fatigue increased (OR = 2.38, P < .01). Both of these genes are important in the circadian clock pathway, which has been implicated in diurnal preference, and duration and quality of sleep. No genes in the inflammatory pathway were associated with fatigue in the current study.

Conclusions

Identifying patients at highest risk for fatigue during treatment allows for improved clinical monitoring and enrichment of patient selection for clinical trials.
Ongoing HIV Replication During ART Reconsidered
Authors: Kearney Mary F , Wiegand Ann , Shao Wei , McManus William R , Bale Michael J , Luke Brian , Maldarelli Frank , Mellors John W , Coffin John M
Published: September 2017

Lorenzo-Redondo et al. recently analyzed HIV RNA sequences in plasma virus and proviral DNA sequences in lymph nodes (LN) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from samples collected over a 6-month period from 3 individuals following initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and concluded that ongoing HIV replication occurred in LN despite ART and that this replication maintained the HIV reservoir. We analyzed the same sequences and found that the dataset was very limited (median of 5 unique RNA or DNA sequences per sample) after accounting for polymerase chain reaction resampling and hypermutation and that the few remaining DNA sequences after 3 and 6 months on ART were not more diverse or divergent from those in pre-ART in any of the individuals studied. These findings, and others, lead us to conclude that the claims of ongoing replication on ART made by Lorenzo-Redondo et al. are not justified from the dataset analyzed in their publication.
Encouraging Reflexivity in a Residency Leadership Development Program: Expanding Outside the Competency Approach
Authors: Clapp Justin T. , Gordon Emily K.B. , Baranov Dimitry Y. , Trey Beulah , Tilin Felice J. , Fleisher Lee A.
Published: September 2017

Problem

While leadership development is increasingly a goal of academic medicine, it is typically framed as competency acquisition, which can limit its focus to a circumscribed set of social behaviors. This orientation may also reinforce the cultural characteristics of academic medicine that can make effective leadership difficult, rather than training leaders capable of examining and changing this culture. Expanding leadership development so it promotes social reflexivity presents a way to bolster some of the weaknesses of the competency paradigm.

Approach

In 2013–2016, the University of Penn sylvania’s Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care (DACC) carried out a leadership development program for residents, which included seminars focused on developing particular leadership skills and annual capstone sessions facilitating discussion between residents and attending physicians about topics chosen by residents. The capstone sessions proved to be most impactful, serving as forums for open conversation about how these groups interact when engaged in social behaviors such as giving/receiving feedback, offering support after an adverse event, and teaching/learning in the clinic.

Outcomes

The success of the capstone sessions led to a 2016 DACC-wide initiative to facilitate transparency among all professional roles (faculty, residents, nurse anesthetists, administrative staff) and encourage widespread reflexive examination about how the manner in which these groups interact encourages or impedes leadership and teamwork.

Next Steps

Further work is necessary to describe how leadership program formats can be diversified to better encourage reflexivity. There is also a need to develop mechanisms for assessing outcomes of leadership programs that expand outside the competency-based system.
Patients’ and Clinicians’ Views of the Psychological Components of Tinnitus Treatment That Could Inform Audiologists’ Usual Care: A Delphi Survey
Authors: Thompson Dean M. , Taylor John , Hall Deborah A. , Walker Dawn-Marie , McMurran Mary , Casey Amanda , Stockdale David , Featherstone Debbie , Hoare Derek J.
Published: September 2017

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to determine which components of psychological therapies are most important and appropriate to inform audiologists’ usual care for people with tinnitus.

Design:

A 39-member panel of patients, audiologists, hearing therapists, and psychologists completed a three-round Delphi survey to reach consensus on essential components of audiologist-delivered psychologically informed care for tinnitus.

Results:

Consensus (≥80% agreement) was reached on including 76 of 160 components. No components reached consensus for exclusion. The components reaching consensus were predominantly common therapeutic skills such as Socratic questioning and active listening, rather than specific techniques, for example, graded exposure therapy or cognitive restructuring. Consensus on educational components to include largely concerned psychological models of tinnitus rather than neurophysiological information.

Conclusions:

The results of this Delphi survey provide a tool to develop audiologists’ usual tinnitus care using components that both patients and clinicians agree are important and appropriate to be delivered by an audiologist for adults with tinnitus-related distress. Research is now necessary to test the added effects of these components when delivered by audiologists.
Breast Reduction: Decreasing Complications and Improving Long-Term Aesthetic Results with Parenchymal Sutures
Authors: Hudson Donald Anthony , Moodley Sean
Published: September 2017

Background:

The inverted T/keyhole pattern is commonly used for large breast reductions. This technique relies on the breast skin to retain the shape. With the passage of time “fallout” (pseudoptosis) occurs impairing the cosmetic result. A technique is described that uses parenchymal sutures and inframammary fold (IMF) reinforcement sutures to maintain the intraoperative shape.

Methods:

A retrospective study of 25 consecutive patients (50 breasts) where the IMF was reinforced and parenchymal sutures were inserted. The patients were followed up and the nipple to notch and nipple to IMF distance was measured and compared with that marked preoperatively and set intraoperatively. Complications, especially T junction breakdown, were also recorded.

Results:

The mean age was 38 years (range, 16–62 years) with a mean follow-up of 12 months. The mean body mass index was 31 (range, 22–41). The mean mass of tissue excised was 925 g (range, 340–1,800 g) per side. The distance from the suprasternal notch to the nipple remained unchanged. The distance from the nipple to the IMF remained the same as that marked preoperatively except in 3 patients who developed pseudoptosis. Only 3 patients had wound dehiscence.

Conclusion:

Parenchymal and superficial fascial system sutures combined with IMF reinforcement contributes to maintaining the aesthetic result and decreasing complications, in weight stable patients.
Limbal Cysts: A Subset Exhibiting Cornea-Specific Cytokeratins
Authors: Charles Norman C. , Jakobiec Frederick A. , Zakka Fouad R. , Haberman Ilyse D. , Katikireddy Kishore Reddy , Jurkunas Ula V.
Published: September 2017

Two cases of limbal cysts lined by nonkeratinizing epithelium were studied with a panel of cytokeratins. One was a long-standing lesion in a 30-year-old man, whereas the other was excised from a 40-year-old man following pterygium surgery. Each cyst was immunostained with a panel of cytokeratins that were specific exclusively and separately for corneal and conjunctival epithelia. The epithelial lining of each cyst was CK12 positive for corneal epithelium and CK13 negative for conjunctival epithelium. It is hypothesized that a subset of corneoscleral cysts contain corneal epithelium, probably derived from a type of limbal stem cell differentiation.
Retrospective Evaluation of the Impact of a Geriatric Trauma Institute on Fragility Hip Fracture Patient Outcomes
Authors: Katrancha Elizabeth D. , Zipf Jami , Abrahams Nancy , Schroeder Richard
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND:

Fragility hip fractures occur in the older than 65-year population at an alarming rate. It is estimated that 260,000 hip fractures occur annually. Patient outcomes following hip fractures are devastating. One of every 5 patients dies within 1 year of injury, and 1 of 3 remains in a nursing home for years after the injury. Published literature recommends an interdisciplinary approach to caring for hip-fractured patients and expediting surgery to improve outcomes.

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the impact of the Geriatric Trauma Institute (GTI) on fragility hip fracture patient outcomes. Specific outcomes included length of stay (LOS), length of time from emergency department (ED) arrival to operating room (OR), complication rate, and discharge destination.

METHODS:

This study is a single-center pre- and post-retrospective chart review. Data were collected using database queries within the hospital system. Pre-GTI (n = 326) patients older than 65 years with International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes 820.0–820.9 (hip fractures) admitted to either a primary care physician or orthopaedic surgeon service between April 1, 2011, and April 1, 2013, were compared with post-GTI (n = 245) patients older than 65 years with ICD-9 codes 820.0–820.9 (hip fractures) admitted to trauma services (GTI) between May 1, 2013, and May 1, 2015. Descriptive statistics including demographic data (age, sex) and comparison of outcomes (LOS, ED to OR time, complications, and disposition) across the groups using standard analysis of variance (ANOVA) and correlation techniques.

RESULTS:

No statistical difference was found between groups for age, sex, or time from ED to OR pre- versus post-time period using one-way ANOVA, F(1,569) = 1.08, p = .30. The complication rate was calculated pre- and post-GTI and compared using the 2-proportion z-test. The difference between the pre-GTI group (16.6%; 54 of 326 patients) and the post-GTI group (9.4%; 23 of 245 patients) was statistically significant, p = .013. Mean LOS was statistically significantly higher in the pre-GTI group (M = 5) than in the post-GTI group (M = 5.2), U = 33,55, z = −3.32, p = .001. No statistical significance was found between pre- and postdischarge destination, χ2(4) = .4.82, p = .307; likelihood ratio test, χ2(4) = .5.19, p = .269.

CONCLUSIONS:

This retrospective pre- and post-GTI chart review demonstrates the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary team approach in decreasing complications and LOS for fragility hip-fractured patients. A team approach to the care of these patients improves outcomes and quality of life.
Spontaneous Reduction of Fractured Thoracolumbar Spine With Complete Dislocation
Authors: Zhao Chen , Zhang Bing , Shi Jiandang , Li Yaping , Pang Long
Published: September 2017

Fractures and dislocations with complete lateral displacement of the spine at the lumbar and thoracic levels are some of the most severe types of thoracolumbar trauma. They are usually caused by high-energy trauma and accompanied by extreme, life-threatening injuries and neurological deficits that vary in severity, which may delay operative intervention. It is often difficult to reduce such a complex fracture–dislocation because of the force that the muscles exert on the bone and the injured part of the spinal cord. No absolute guidelines for reduction, fixation, decompression, and fusion of this type of injury have been established. We report a rare case of spontaneous reduction of the fractured thoracolumbar spine with complete dislocation and discuss the management of such severe injuries through review of the existing literature.
The Protective Effect of A Short Peptide Derived From Cold-Inducible RNA-Binding Protein in Renal Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury
Authors: McGinn Joseph , Zhang Fangming , Aziz Monowar , Yang Weng-Lang , Nicastro Jeffrey , Coppa Gene F. , Wang Ping
Published: September 2017

Extracellular cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRP) functions as damage-associated molecular pattern and has been demonstrated to be responsible in part for the damage occurring after renal ischemia–reperfusion (I/R). A short peptide derived from CIRP, named C23, binds to myeloid differentiation factor 2, a Toll-like receptor 4 coreceptor. We hypothesize that C23 reduces renal ischemia–reperfusion (RIR) injury by blocking CIRP. We observed that pretreatment with C23 significantly decreased the levels of recombinant mouse CIRP-induced tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in a dose-dependent fashion in cultured macrophages. C57BL/6 mice were subjected to bilateral renal pedicle clamps for 35 min to induce ischemia, followed by reperfusion for 24 h and harvest of blood and renal tissue. C23 peptide (8 mg/kg) or vehicle was injected intraperitoneally at the beginning of reperfusion. Plasma TNF-α, interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), and IL-6 levels were decreased in C23-treated RIR mice as compared with vehicle-treated mice by 74%, 85%, and 68%, respectively. Expressions of TNF-α and keratinocyte chemoattractant in the kidneys from C23-treated mice were decreased by 55% and 60%, respectively. Expression of kidney injury molecule-1 and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin in the kidney of C23-treated mice were significantly reduced by 46% and 55%, respectively. Renal tissue histological assessments revealed significant reduction in damage score by 44% in C23-treated mice. Finally, a survival study revealed a significant survival advantage with a 70% survival rate in C23 group vs. 37% in vehicle group. Thus, C23 has potential as a novel therapy for the patients suffering from I/R-induced renal injury.
Luminous blue variables and the fates of very massive stars
Authors: Smith Nathan
Published: September 2017

Luminous blue variables (LBVs) had long been considered massive stars in transition to the Wolf–Rayet (WR) phase, so their identification as progenitors of some peculiar supernovae (SNe) was surprising. More recently, environment statistics of LBVs show that most of them cannot be in transition to the WR phase after all, because LBVs are more isolated than allowed in this scenario. Additionally, the high-mass H shells around luminous SNe IIn require that some very massive stars above 40 
M
⊙
die without shedding their H envelopes, and the precursor outbursts are a challenge for understanding the final burning sequences leading to core collapse. Recent evidence suggests a clear continuum in pre-SN mass loss from super-luminous SNe IIn, to regular SNe IIn, to SNe II-L and II-P, whereas most stripped-envelope SNe seem to arise from a separate channel of lower-mass binary stars rather than massive WR stars.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Bridging the gap: from massive stars to supernovae’.
The direct identification of core-collapse supernova progenitors
Authors: Van Dyk Schuyler D.
Published: September 2017

To place core-collapse supernovae (SNe) in context with the evolution of massive stars, it is necessary to determine their stellar origins. I describe the direct identification of SN progenitors in existing pre-explosion images, particularly those obtained through serendipitous imaging of nearby galaxies by theHubble Space Telescope. I comment on specific cases representing the various core-collapse SN types. Establishing the astrometric coincidence of a SN with its putative progenitor is relatively straightforward. One merely needs a comparably high-resolution image of the SN itself and its stellar environment to perform this matching. The interpretation of these results, though, is far more complicated and fraught with larger uncertainties, including assumptions of the distance to and the extinction of the SN, as well as the metallicity of the SN environment. Furthermore, existing theoretical stellar evolutionary tracks exhibit significant variations one from the next. Nonetheless, it appears fairly certain that Type II-P (plateau) SNe arise from massive stars in the red supergiant phase. Many of the known cases are associated with subluminous Type II-P events. The progenitors of Type II-L (linear) SNe are less established. Among the stripped-envelope SNe, there are now a number of examples of cool, but not red, supergiants (presumably in binaries) as Type IIb progenitors. We appear now finally to have an identified progenitor of a Type Ib SN, but no known example yet for a Type Ic. The connection has been made between some Type IIn SNe and progenitor stars in a luminous blue variable phase, but that link is still thin, based on direct identifications. Finally, I also describe the need to revisit the SN site, long after the SN has faded, to confirm the progenitor identification through the star's disappearance and potentially to detect a putative binary companion that may have survived the explosion.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Bridging the gap: from massive stars to supernovae’.
Predicting the nature of supernova progenitors
Authors: Groh Jose H.
Published: September 2017

Stars more massive than about 8 solar masses end their lives as a supernova (SN), an event of fundamental importance Universe-wide. The physical properties of massive stars before the SN event are very uncertain, both from theoretical and observational perspectives. In this article, I briefly review recent efforts to predict the nature of stars before death, in particular, by performing coupled stellar evolution and atmosphere modelling of
single
stars in the pre-SN stage. These models are able to predict the high-resolution spectrum and broadband photometry, which can then be directly compared with the observations of core-collapse SN progenitors. The predictions for the spectral types of massive stars before death can be surprising. Depending on the initial mass and rotation, single star models indicate that massive stars die as red supergiants, yellow hypergiants, luminous blue variables and Wolf–Rayet stars of the WN and WO subtypes. I finish by assessing the detectability of SN Ibc progenitors.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Bridging the gap: from massive stars to supernovae’.
Accurate Genomic Prediction Of Human Height
Authors: Lello Louis , Avery Steven G. , Tellier Laurent , Vazquez Ana I. , de los Campos Gustavo , Hsu Stephen D. H.
Published: September 2017

We construct genomic predictors for heritable and extremely complex human quan-titative traits (height, heel bone density, and educational attainment) using modern methods in high dimensional statistics (i.e., machine learning). Replication tests show that these predictors capture, respectively, ∼40, 20, and 9 percent of total variance for the three traits. For example, predicted heights correlate ∼0.65 with actual height; actual heights of most individuals in validation samples are within a few cm of the prediction. The variance captured for height is comparable to the estimated SNP heritability from GCTA (GREML) analysis, and seems to be close to its asymptotic value (i.e., as sample size goes to infinity), suggesting that we have captured most of the heritability for the SNPs used. Thus, our results resolve the common SNP portion of the “missing heritability” problem – i.e., the gap between prediction R-squared and SNP heritability. The ∼20k activated SNPs in our height predictor reveal the genetic architecture of human height, at least for common SNPs. Our primary dataset is the UK Biobank cohort, comprised of almost 500k individual genotypes with multiple phenotypes. We also use other datasets and SNPs found in earlier GWAS for out-of-sample validation of our results.
Polycomb directs timely activation of germline genes in spermatogenesis
Authors: Maezawa So , Hasegawa Kazuteru , Yukawa Masashi , Sakashita Akihiko , Alavattam Kris G. , Andreassen Paul R. , Vidal Miguel , Koseki Haruhiko , Barski Artem , Namekawa Satoshi H.
Published: September 2017

During spermatogenesis, a large number of germline genes essential for male fertility are coordinately activated. However, it remains unknown how timely activation of this group of germline genes is accomplished. Here we show that Polycomb-repressive complex 1 (PRC1) directs timely activation of germline genes during spermatogenesis. Inactivation of PRC1 in male germ cells results in the gradual loss of a stem cell population and severe differentiation defects, leading to male infertility. In the stem cell population, RNF2, the dominant catalytic subunit of PRC1, activates transcription of Sall4, which codes for a transcription factor essential for subsequent spermatogenic differentiation. Furthermore, RNF2 and SALL4 together occupy transcription start sites of germline genes in the stem cell population. Once differentiation commences, these germline genes are activated to enable the progression of spermatogenesis. Our study identifies a novel mechanism by which Polycomb directs the developmental process by activating a group of lineage-specific genes.
Comparison of the crystal structures and thermochemistry of a novel soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator riociguat and its solvates
Authors: Zhou Xinbo , Hu Xiurong , Gu Jianming , Zhu Jianrong
Published: September 2017

Riociguat (Rio) is the first oral soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator to be approved for pulmonary arterial hypertension. In this study, form (II) of riociguat and three solvates with acetonitrile [form (III)], N,N-dimethylformamide [form (IV)] and ethyl acetate [form (V)] were crystallized. They were identified and characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, and their crystal structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. No crystal structure has previously been reported for the known form (II) of riociguat. Crystal structure determination of Rio and its new solvates revealed that the dimeric R
2
2(14) motif is common in both structures. The crystal packing of solvates adopts channel-like patterns, whereas form (II) of riociguat adopts sheet-like patterns. Strong π–π interactions exist in the above four forms. The conformation of the riociguat in one molecule of 0.5-DMF solvate was found to be significantly different from the conformations found in the other solvates. Desolvation of the three solvates was studied by thermogravimetric analysis and X-ray diffraction, and was shown to transform them into form (I) of riociguat.
Crystal structures of {μ2-N,N′-bis[(pyridin-3-yl)methyl]ethanediamide}tetrakis(dimethylcarbamodithioato)dizinc(II) dimethylformamide disolvate and {μ2-N,N′-bis[(pyridin-3-yl)methyl]ethanediamide}tetrakis(di-n-propylcarbamodithioato)dizinc(II)
Authors: Arman Hadi D. , Poplaukhin Pavel , Tiekink Edward R. T.
Published: September 2017

The title structures, [Zn2(C3H6NS2)4(C14H14N4O2)]·2C3H7NO (I) and [Zn2(C7H14NS2)4(C14H14N4O2)] (II), each feature a bidentate, bridging bipyridyl-type ligand encompassing a di-amide group. In (I), the binuclear compound is disposed about a centre of inversion, leading to an open conformation, while in (II), the complete molecule is completed by the application of a twofold axis of symmetry so that the bridging ligand has a U-shape. In each of (I) and (II), the dithiocarbamate ligands are chelating with varying degrees of symmetry, so the zinc atom is within an NS4set approximating a square-pyramid for (I) and a trigonal-bipyramid for (II). The solvent dimethylformaide (DMF) molecules in (I) connect to the bridging ligandviaamide-N—H...O(DMF) and various amide-, DMF-C—H...O(amide, DMF) interactions. The resultant three-molecule aggregates assemble into a three-dimensional architectureviaC—H...π(pyridyl, chelate ring) interactions. In (II), undulating tapes sustained by amide-N—H...O(amide) hydrogen bonding lead to linear supramolecular chains with alternating molecules lying to either side of the tape; no further directional interactions are noted in the crystal.