bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Self-Assembling Peptide P11-4, Fluorides, and Caries Infiltration on Artificial Enamel Caries Lesions in vitro
Authors: Wierichs Richard J. , Kogel Julian , Lausch Julian , Esteves-Oliveira Marcella , Meyer-Lueckel Hendrik
Published: August 2017

The application of a self-assembling peptide on noncavitated caries lesions is supposed to be a feasible approach to facilitate remineralization and mask their unfavorable appearance. However, demineralizing conditions are common in the oral environment, so the aim of this pH-cycling study was to compare recommended and novel treatment methods regarding their ability to hamper demineralization and as a consequence mask artificial enamel caries lesions. Artificial caries lesions were prepared in bovine enamel and randomly allocated to 11 groups (n = 22). Treatments before pH-cycling were as follows: the application of a self-assembling peptide (Curodont™ Repair [C]), a low-viscosity resin (Icon® [I]), 2 fluoride solutions (10,000 ppm F-: Elmex fluid [E] and 43,350 ppm F-: Tiefenfluorid® [T]), and no intervention (N). During pH-cycling (28 days, 6 × 60 min demineralization/day) half of the specimens in each group were brushed (10 s; 2 ×/day) with either fluoride-free (named e.g., C0) or NaF (1,100 ppm F-; e.g., C1) dentifrice slurry. In another subgroup specimens were pH-cycled but not brushed (NNB). Differences in integrated mineral loss (ΔΔZ), lesion depth (ΔLD), and colorimetric values (ΔΔE) were calculated between values after pre-demineralization, surface treatment, and pH-cycling. Specimens of C0, C1, NNB, N0, N1, T0, and E0 showed significantly increased ΔZ and LD values after pH-cycling (p ≤ 0.003; paired t test). C0, C1, NNB, and N0 showed significantly higher changes in ΔΔZ than E1, I0, I1, and T1 (p < 0.001; ANOVA). Significantly reduced colorimetric values could only be observed for I1, I0, E1, and E0 after treatment and after pH-cycling (p ≤ 0.027; paired t test). In conclusion, under the conditions chosen only the application of a low-viscosity resin could mask caries lesions significantly, whereas self-assembling peptides could neither inhibit lesion progression nor mask the lesions considerably.
Remission Phase in Paediatric Type 1 Diabetes: New Understanding and Emerging Biomarkers
Authors: Fonolleda Mireia , Murillo Marta , Vázquez Federico , Bel Joan , Vives-Pi Marta
Published: August 2017

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a metabolic disease of unknown aetiology that results from the autoimmune destruction of the β-cells. Clinical onset with classic hyperglycaemic symptoms occurs much more frequently in children and young adults, when less than 30% of β-cells remain. Exogenous insulin administration is the only treatment for patients. However, due to glucose dysregulation, severe complications develop gradually. Recently, an increase in T1D incidence has been reported worldwide, especially in children. Shortly after diagnosis, T1D patients often experience partial remission called “honeymoon phase,” which lasts a few months, with minor requirements of exogenous insulin. In this stage, the remaining β-cells are still able to produce enough insulin to reduce the administration of exogenous insulin. A recovery of immunological tolerance to β-cell autoantigens could explain the regeneration attempt in this remission phase. This mini-review focuses on the remission phase in childhood T1D. Understanding this period and finding those peripheral biomarkers that are signs of immunoregulation or islet regeneration could contribute to the identification of patients with a better glycaemic prognosis and a lower risk of secondary complications. This remission phase could be a good checkpoint for the administration of future immunotherapies.
MicroRNA-27a Promotes the Proliferation and Invasiveness of Colon Cancer Cells by Targeting SFRP1 through the Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway
Authors: Ba Sang , Xuan Yi , Long Zi-Wen , Chen Hai-Yong , Zheng Shu-Sen
Published: August 2017

Objective: This study aims to explore the effects of microRNA-27a (miR-27a) on the proliferation and invasiveness of colon cancer cells through the Secreted Frizzled-related protein 1 (SFRP1) and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Methods: Colon cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues from 125 colon cancer patients, together with the HCEpic, HCT-116, HT-29, SW480 and SW620 cell lines, were prepared for this study. The transfected HCT-116 cells were divided into the miR-27a mimics, miR-27a-NC, anti-miR-27a, blank, Lv-SFRP1, Lv-NC, and miR-27a mimics + Lv-SFRP1 groups. RT-qPCR was performed to detect the expressions of miR-27a and SFRP1 mRNA. A dual-luciferase reporter assay was conducted to examine the effect of miR-27a on SFRP1. Western blotting was used to measure the expressions of the SFRP1, β-catenin, GSK-3β, p-β-catenin, p-GSK-3β, c-Myc and cyclin D1 proteins. MTT, soft agar clone formation and Transwell chamber assays were performed to detect cell proliferation and invasion. Results: Compared with normal tissues and cells, colon cancer tissues and cells demonstrated significantly higher expression of miR-27a, but lower expressions of SFRP1 mRNA and protein. MiR-27a negatively regulated the expression of SFRP1 mRNA. SFRP1 was also found to be a target gene of miR-27a. In the miR-27a mimic group, the proliferation and invasiveness of colon cancer cells were significantly increased, while the expressions of GSK-3 β and p-β-catenin were remarkably down-regulated; in contrast, the expressions of p-GSK-3β, -catenin, c-Myc and cyclin D1 were up-regulated. While the proliferation and invasiveness of colon cancer cells in the anti-miR-27a and Lv-SFRP1 groups were decreased, the expressions of GSK-3β and p-β-catenin were elevated, and the expressions of p-GSK-3β, β-catenin, c-Myc and cyclin D1 were decreased. Conclusion: These findings indicated that miR-27a could promote the proliferation and invasiveness of colon cancer cells by targeting SFRP1 through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
Plasma fibrin clot properties in the G20210A prothrombin mutation carriers following venous thromboembolism: the effect of rivaroxaban
Authors: Janion-Sadowska Agnieszka , Natorska Joanna , Siudut Jakub , Zabczyk Michal , Stanisz Andrzej , Undas Anetta
Published: August 2017

We sought to investigate whether the G20210A prothrombin mutation modifies plasma fibrin clot properties in patients after venous thromboembolism (VTE) and how rivaroxaban treatment affects these alterations. We studied 34 prothrombin mutation heterozygous carriers and sex- and age-matched 34 non-carriers, all at least three months since the first VTE episode, before and during treatment with rivaroxaban. Clot permeability (Ks) and clot lysis time (CLT) with or without elimination of thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) were assessed at baseline, 2–6 hours (h) after and 20–25 h after intake of rivaroxaban (20 mg/day). At baseline, the prothrombin mutation group formed denser clots (Ks −12 %, p=0.0006) and had impaired fibrinolysis (CLT +14 %, p=0.004, and CLT-TAFI +13 %, p=0.03) compared with the no mutation group and were similar to those observed in 15 healthy unrelated prothrombin mutation carriers. The G20210A prothrombin mutation was the independent predictor for Ks and CLT before rivaroxaban intake. At 2–6 h after rivaroxaban intake, clot properties improved in both G20210A carriers and non-carriers (Ks +38 %, and +37 %, CLT −25 % and −25 %, CLT-TAFI −20 % and −24 %, respectively, all p<0.001), but those parameters were worse in the prothrombin mutation group (Ks −12.8 %, CLT +17 %, CLT-TAFI +13 %, all p<0.001). Rivaroxaban concentration correlated with fibrin clot properties. After 20–25 h since rivaroxaban intake most clot properties returned to baseline. Rivaroxaban-related differences in clot structure were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy images. In conclusion, rivaroxaban treatment, though improves fibrin clot properties, cannot abolish more prothrombotic fibrin clot phenotype observed in prothrombin mutation carriers following VTE.
Downregulation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α contributes to impaired megakaryopoiesis in immune thrombocytopenia
Authors: Pan Tingting , Wang Qi , Zhu Li , Qi Jiaqian , You Tao , Han Yue
Published: August 2017

Impaired megakaryocyte maturation and exaggerated platelet destruction play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Previous studies have shown that HIF-1α promotes the homing and engraftment of haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), thereby stimulating HSC differentiation. However, whether HIF-1α plays a role in megakaryocytic maturation and platelet destruction in ITP remains elusive. Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), we demonstrated that there were lower HIF-1α levels in the bone marrow (BM) of ITP patients than in that of healthy donors and patients with chemotherapy-related thrombocytopenia. Subjects with lower megakaryocyte (<100/slide) and platelet (<30 × 109/L) counts exhibited significantly decreased BM HIF-1α levels, compared to those with higher megakaryocyte (≥100/slide) and platelet (≥30 × 109/L) counts. To test whether HIF-1α regulates megakaryopoiesis and platelet production, megakaryocytes derived from mouse BM cells were treated with an HIF-1α activator (IOX-2; 50 µM) or inhibitor (PX-478; 50 µM). PX-478 significantly decreased HIF-1α expression, cell size, and the populations of CD41-positive and high-ploidy cells. Importantly, to evaluate the role of HIF-1α as a potential therapeutic target in ITP, mouse BM cells were incubated with plasma from ITP patients in the presence or absence of IOX-2. IOX-2 significantly attenuated the ITP plasma-induced decrease in cell size as well as the proportions of CD41-positive and high-ploidy cells. In addition, IOX-2 increased the number of megakaryocytes from mouse BM cells treated with ITP plasma. Our findings indicate that decreased HIF-1α may contribute to impaired megakaryopoiesis in ITP, and HIF-1α may provide a potential therapy for ITP patients.

Supplementary Material to this article is available online at www.thrombosis-online.com.
Impact of Timing on the Functional Recovery Achieved With Platelet Supplementation After Treatment With Ticagrelor
Authors: Zafar M. Urooj , Smith Donald A. , Baber Usman , Sartori Samantha , Chen Kevin , Lam David W. , Linares-Koloffon Carlos A. , Rey-Mendoza Juan , Jimenez Britez Gustavo , Escolar Gines , Fuster Valentin , Badimon Juan J.
Published: August 2017

Background—

American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines advise waiting 5 to 7 days before operating on P2Y
12
inhibitor-treated acute coronary syndrome patients, to allow dissipation of its antiplatelet effects. Platelet transfusion is often used to restore hemostasis during operations, but its effectiveness and optimal timing are unclear. We investigated the degree of functional gains obtained from platelet supplementation after loading and maintenance of dual antiplatelet therapy with ticagrelor and the influence of timing on this strategy.

Methods and Results—

After baseline platelet testing (Multiplate Analyzer and VerifyNow), cardiovascular disease patients (n=20; 56.9±7.9 years; 65% men; 75% diabetic) received dual antiplatelet therapy as a single loading dose (ticagrelor 180 mg plus aspirin 325 mg) and as daily/maintenance treatment for 5 to 7 days (maintenance therapy: ticagrelor 90 mg BID plus aspirin 81 mg QD). At 4, 6, 24, and 48 hours from (last) dosing, patients’ blood samples were supplemented with concentrated platelets from healthy donors in vitro, raising platelet counts by 0% (unsupplemented control), 25%, 50%, and 75%, and the function retested. Reactivity in supplemented samples was compared with respective 0% sample and with the pretreatment baseline. Results under loading dose and maintenance therapy regimens were nearly identical. Platelet reactivity was higher (
P
<0.05) in nearly all supplemented samples versus respective controls. Aggregations with supplementation were 59% to 79% of baseline at 24 hours and equal to baseline at 48 hours.

Conclusions—

Platelet reactivity of ticagrelor-treated patients can be restored using concentrated platelets after a loading dose/maintenance therapy in a time-dependent manner under in vitro testing. Although statistically significant improvements are evident 6 hours after (last) dosing, ≥24 hours maybe needed for clinically meaningful restoration in platelet function.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
https://clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT02201394.
Optimized Screening of Coronary Artery Disease With Invasive Coronary Angiography and Ad Hoc Percutaneous Coronary Intervention During Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
Authors: Barbanti Marco , Todaro Denise , Costa Giuliano , Pilato Gerlando , Picci Andrea , Gulino Simona , Capranzano Piera , La Spina Ketty , Di Simone Emanuela , D’Arrigo Paolo , Deste Wanda , Indelicato Antonino , Cannata Stefano , Giannazzo Daniela , Immè Sebastiano , Tamburino Claudia , Patanè Martina , Buccheri Sergio , Capodanno Davide , Sgroi Carmelo , Tamburino Corrado
Published: August 2017

Background—

We sought to describe an optimized approach to coronary artery disease (CAD) screening and management in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Methods and Results—

When invasive coronary angiography showed CAD, the treatment strategy and completeness of revascularization was determined based on coronary anatomy. TAVR was performed in the same setting if percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was uncomplicated; otherwise TAVR was postponed. A total of 604 patients undergoing CAD screening at the time of TAVR procedure were prospectively included in this study. Severe CAD was found in 136 patients (22.5%). Among patients with severe CAD, 53 patients (8.8%) underwent uncomplicated PCI. After PCI, TAVR was postponed in 2 patients (0.3%). In 83 patients (13.8%), coronary angiography showed severe CAD that was left untreated. After TAVR, all-cause and cardiovascular 30-day mortality rates were 2.4% and 1.4%, respectively. Disabling stroke, myocardial infarction, and life-threatening bleeding occurred in 0.5%, 0.8%, and 4.0% of patients, respectively. Acute kidney injury II or III rate was 3.3%. At 2 years, all-cause mortality rate was 14.1%. Disabling stroke and myocardial infarction occurred in 2.5% and 1.8% of patients, respectively. Patients undergoing TAVR and PCI in the same session had similar rate of the composite of death, disabling stroke, and myocardial infarction when compared with patients without CAD, and patients with severe CAD left untreated (TAVR+PCI: 10.4%; severe CAD left untreated: 15.4%; no-CAD: 14.8%;
P
=0.765).

Conclusions—

In patients undergoing TAVR, screening of CAD with invasive coronary angiography and ad hoc PCI during TAVR is feasible and was not associated with increased periprocedural risks. PCI followed by TAVR in the same session had similar outcomes than TAVR in which PCI was not performed.
Age and Sex Disparities in Discharge Statin Prescribing in the Stroke Belt: Evidence From the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke Study
Authors: Albright Karen C. , Howard Virginia J. , Howard George , Muntner Paul , Bittner Vera , Safford Monika M. , Boehme Amelia K. , Rhodes J. David , Beasley T. Mark , Judd Suzanne E. , McClure Leslie A. , Limdi Nita , Blackburn Justin
Published: August 2017

Background

Stroke is a costly and debilitating disease that disproportionately affects blacks. Despite the efficacy of statins, evidence suggests racial disparities may exist in statin prescribing.

Methods and Results

We analyzed discharge medications for participants hospitalized for an ischemic stroke during follow‐up of the
REGARDS
(Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke) study. Medications on admission and discharge were abstracted from medical records. Among the 666 eligible incident strokes (2003–2013), analyses were restricted to 323 participants who were not statin users at the time of admission and had no history of atrial fibrillation. Overall, 48.7% were prescribed a statin on discharge. In the Stroke Belt, participants aged 65 years and older were 47% less likely to be discharged on a statin compared with those younger than 65 years (relative risk [
RR
], 0.53; 95%
CI
, 0.38–0.74). This association was not observed in non–Stroke Belt residents. Outside the Stroke Belt, blacks were more likely than whites to be discharged on a statin (
RR
, 1.42; 95%
CI
, 1.04–1.94), while no black:white association was present among Stroke Belt residents (
RR
, 0.93; 95%
CI
, 0.69–1.26;
P
for interaction=0.228). Compared with women, men in the Stroke Belt were 31% less likely to be discharged on a statin (
RR
, 0.69; 95%
CI
, 0.50–0.94) while men outside the Stroke Belt were more likely to be discharged on a statin (
RR
, 1.38; 95%
CI
, 0.99–1.92;
P
for interaction=0.004).

Conclusions

Statin discharge prescribing may differ among Stroke Belt and non–Stroke Belt residents, particularly in older Americans and men.
Utilization of Statins Beyond the Initial Period After Stroke and 1‐Year Risk of Recurrent Stroke
Authors: Lee Meng , Saver Jeffrey L. , Wu Yi‐Ling , Tang Sung‐Chun , Lee Jiann‐Der , Rao Neal M. , Wang Hui‐Hsuan , Jeng Jiann‐Shing , Lee Tsong‐Hai , Chen Pei‐Chun , Ovbiagele Bruce
Published: August 2017

Background

In‐hospital discontinuation of statins has been linked to poorer early stroke outcomes, but the consequences of postdischarge discontinuation or dose reduction of statin treatment are unknown. The objective of this study was to explore the effects of statin discontinuation or statin dose reduction on recurrent stroke risk.

Methods and Results

We conducted a nationwide cohort study using the data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. Our source population comprised all patients who were prescribed a statin within 90 days of discharge after an ischemic stroke between 2001 and 2012. Patients were categorized into 3 groups: statin‐discontinued, statin‐reduced, and statin‐maintained. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the hazard ratios and 95%
CI
s of recurrent stroke during 1‐year follow‐up in the groups who discontinued statins or reduced statin dose compared with the group who maintained statins as the reference. Among the 45 151 ischemic stroke patients meeting criteria, during the day‐90 to day‐180 period, 7.0% were on reduced statin therapy, and 18.5% were not on any statin therapy. Compared with maintained‐statin intensity therapy, discontinuation of statins was associated with an increased hazard of recurrent stroke (adjusted hazard ratio 1.42, 95%
CI
1.28‐1.57), whereas reduced‐statin dose was not associated with an additional risk (adjusted hazard ratio 0.94, 95%
CI
0.78‐1.12). Propensity‐matching analysis obtained similar results.

Conclusions

Discontinuation of statin therapy between 3 and 6 months after an index ischemic stroke was associated with a higher risk of recurrent stroke within 1 year after statin discontinuation.
Academic Publishing in the Humanities: Current trends in Germany
Authors: Hartmann Heiko
Published: August 2017

The traditional business model of academic publishers is in peril. Besides the consequences of digitization, publishers have to cope with new habits of media reception, a multitude of new substitutes, legal uncertainties, and the threat from open access. German publishers are reacting in very different ways to the challenges of the market for scholarly literature. While some smaller independent publishers are still concentrating on print titles and barely offer any electronic products, others rely on a modern digital strategy, intensive internationalization, and a large portfolio of e-products including open access formats. Focusing on the humanities, this essay analyses the current situation of German academic publishers and asks how they can succeed in the future when proven business models are no longer accepted by new market players.
Review of selected species of Campsurus Eaton 1868 (Ephemeroptera: Polymitarcyidae), with description of eleven new species and a key to male imagos of the genus
Authors: MOLINERI CARLOS , SALLES FREDERICO F.
Published: August 2017

The type species of the genus Campsurus Eaton 1868, Campsurus latipennis (Walker 1853), is redescribed, and some historical problems about its identity are addressed; notably, specimens had been assigned to two different species almost since its description. The nymph of C. latipennis is described for the first time. The following species are redescribed and/or rediagnosed: C. cuyuniensis Traver 1947, C. essequibo Traver 1947, C. lucidus Needham & Murphy 1924, C. indivisus Ulmer 1942 (=C. duplicatus Spieth 1943 syn. nov., nymph described for the first time here), C. litaninensis Spieth 1943, and C. segnis Needham & Murphy 1924. Eleven new species of Campsurus are described and illustrated: C. salobra sp. nov. (based on male and female imagos), C. nessimiani sp. nov. (based on male imago and nymph), C. dasilvai sp. nov. (based on male imago), C. zunigae sp. nov. (=Campsurus sp. B Traver 1947; based on male imago and nymph), C. pereirae sp. nov. (based on male and female imagos), C. janae sp. nov. (based on male subimago), C. demeni sp. nov. (based on male imago), C. sinamari sp. nov. (based on male and female imagos), C. inusitatus sp. nov. (=Campsurus sp. D Traver 1947; based on male imago), C. cotaxe sp. nov. (based on male and female imagos), and C. povilla sp. nov. (based on male and female imagos, nymph). The unknown female adult of C. amapaensis Molineri & Emmerich 2010 is described for the first time. Campsurus vulturorum Emmerich & Molineri 2011 is reported from Brazil for the first time. A key to separate male imagos of species of Campsurus is provided.
A new species of the genus Phymorhynchus (Neogastropoda: Raphitomidae) from a hydrothermal vent in the Manus Back-Arc Basin
Authors: ZHANG SHUQIAN , ZHANG SUPING
Published: August 2017

During an investigation carried out by the Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IOCAS), three living raphitomid specimens were collected from a hydrothermal vent site in the Manus Back-Arc Basin. Observations of the shell, external anatomy and radular morphology reveal that they represent an undescribed species of the genus Phymorhynchus Dall, 1908. In this paper, we describe and illustrate this species as Phymorhynchus oculatus sp. nov. The new species is most similar in general shell shape to Phymorhynchus buccinoides Okutani, Fujikura & Sasaki, 1993, but can be distinguished from it by having spiral cords over the whole shell surface and much longer marginal tooth with a distal barb. A list of species of Phymorhynchus from vent/seep habitats is also given.
A New Technique to Estimate Sensible Heat Fluxes around Micrometeorological Towers Using Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Authors: Lee Temple R. , Buban Michael , Dumas Edward , Baker C. Bruce
Published: August 2017

Upscaling point measurements from micrometeorological towers is a challenging task that is important for a variety of applications, for example, in process studies of convection initiation, carbon and energy budget studies, and the improvement of model parameterizations. In the present study, a technique was developed to determine the horizontal variability in sensible heat flux H surrounding micrometeorological towers. The technique was evaluated using 15-min flux observations, as well as measurements of land surface temperature and air temperature obtained from small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) conducted during a one-day measurement campaign. The computed H was found to be comparable to the micrometeorological measurements to within 5–10 W m−2. Furthermore, when comparing H computed using this technique with H determined using large-eddy simulations (LES), differences of <10 W m−2 were typically found. Thus, implementing this technique using observations from sUAS will help determine sensible heat flux variability at horizontal spatial scales larger than can be provided from flux tower measurements alone.
Using the Second-Generation GEFS Reforecasts to Predict Ceiling, Visibility, and Aviation Flight Category
Authors: Verlinden Kathryn L. , Bright David R.
Published: August 2017

This study is an aviation-based application of NOAA’s second-generation medium-range Global Ensemble Forecast System Reforecast (GEFS/R; i.e., hindcast or retrospective forecast) dataset. The study produced a downscaled probabilistic prediction of instrument flight conditions at major U.S. airports using an analog approach. This represents an initial step toward applications of reforecast data to probabilistic aviation decision support services. Results from this study show that even at the very coarse resolution of the GEFS/R dataset, the analog approach yielded skillful probabilistic forecasts of flight conditions (i.e., instrument flight rules vs visual flight rules) at most of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)’s Core 30 airports. This was particularly true over the central and eastern United States, including the important Golden Triangle, where aircraft flow affects traffic flow management across the entire national airspace system. Additionally, the results suggest that reforecast systems utilizing better horizontal and vertical resolution, in both the modeling system and the reforecast archive, would be very useful for aviation forecasting applications.
Competitive Binding Investigations and Quantitation in Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectra of Binary Dye Mixtures
Authors: Comanescu Mircea A. , Muehlethaler Cyril , Lombardi John R. , Leona Marco , Kubic Thomas A.
Published: August 2017

This research presents a study in surface-enhanced Raman quantitation of dyes present in mixtures of alizarin and purpurin using standard calibration curves and Langmuir isotherm calibration models. Investigations of the nature of competitive adsorption onto silver nanoparticles by centrifugation indicates that both dyes in the mixture interact with the nanoparticles simultaneously, but only the stronger adsorbing one is seen to dominate the spectral characteristics. Calibration can be carried out by careful selection of peaks characteristic to each dye in the mixture. Comparisons of peak height and peak area calibrations reveal that peak heights, when selected by the maximum value and accounting for peak shifts, prove the better model for quantitation. It is also shown that the microwave nanoparticle synthesis method produces stable nanoparticles with a shelf-life of at least one year that give very little variation within and between uses.
The United Auto Workers’ Attempts to Unionize Volkswagen Chattanooga
Authors: Silvia Stephen J.
Published: August 2017

The author examines attempts by the United Auto Workers (UAW) to unionize the Volkswagen (VW) plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee. These efforts were a pivotal test of labor’s ability to organize in the South. The UAW failed to organize the entire plant, despite an amenable employer, because of heavy intervention by external actors, the union’s failure to develop community support, and a paragraph in the pre-election agreement that promised wage restraint. VW management’s fear of losing state subsidies and their desire to not alienate the local business and political establishment took the card-check procedure for recognition off the table. VW management’s adoption of an accommodating position toward unionization for the entire plant, but resistance to it for the small skilled-mechanics unit, suggests that the company was willing to accept unionization only as a means to the end of creating a works council rather than out of a commitment to collective bargaining as a practice.
Ethnic Cleansing and the Politics of Restraint: Violence and Coexistence in the Lebanese Civil War
Authors: Hägerdal Nils
Published: August 2017

What happens when an armed group has military incentives to engage in ethnic cleansing, but political incentives to abstain? I argue that militants can solve this dilemma by collecting intelligence that allows them to discriminate between neutral and militant non-coethnics and target only the latter. Armed groups are better able to do so in intermixed areas, where loyal coethnics provide intelligence, and thus more likely to perpetrate selective violence in such locations. Homogenous, non-coethnic enclaves are more susceptible to ethnic cleansing as armed groups often have little choice but to use ethnicity as proxy for political loyalties. I elaborate and test this argument using an original data set and extensive interviews on a critical case in the literature on ethnic cleansing: the Lebanese civil war of 1975 to 1990.
PREPARE: guidelines for planning animal research and testing
Authors: Smith Adrian J , Clutton R Eddie , Lilley Elliot , Hansen Kristine E Aa , Brattelid Trond
Published: August 2017

There is widespread concern about the quality, reproducibility and translatability of studies involving research animals. Although there are a number of reporting guidelines available, there is very little overarching guidance on how to plan animal experiments, despite the fact that this is the logical place to start ensuring quality. In this paper we present the PREPARE guidelines: Planning Research and Experimental Procedures on Animals: Recommendations for Excellence. PREPARE covers the three broad areas which determine the quality of the preparation for animal studies: formulation, dialogue between scientists and the animal facility, and quality control of the various components in the study. Some topics overlap and the PREPARE checklist should be adapted to suit specific needs, for example in field research. Advice on use of the checklist is available on the Norecopa website, with links to guidelines for animal research and testing, at https://norecopa.no/PREPARE .
Studies of the thermal protective performance of fabrics under fire exposure: from small-scale to hexagon tests
Authors: Mandal Sumit , Annaheim Simon , Pitts Thomas , Camenzind Martin , Rossi René M
Published: August 2017

This study aims to investigate the thermal protective performance of fabrics used in firefighters' clothing under high-intensity fire exposure. The performance of thermal protective fabric systems with different physical properties was evaluated under laboratory simulated fire exposure. Additionally, the influence of the configuration of the fire exposure tests and modes of heat transfer through the fabrics was also thoroughly investigated. The protective performance was evaluated using the standard small-scale flame [International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9151:1995] and radiant heat (ISO 6942:2002) exposure tests. Additionally, the protective performance was evaluated under flash-fire exposure using a newly developed hexagon test. The protective performance values obtained from the small-scale (flame and radiant heat) and hexagon (flash fire) tests were compared and discussed. It has been found that a multi-layered fabric with high weight, thickness, and thermal resistance can significantly and positively affect the protective performance. If the air permeability of this fabric is high, it can show a lower protective performance; however, the impact of air permeability on the protective performance is insignificant especially in the case of the hexagon test. Notably, the protective performance can differ under two types of small-scale tests − flame and radiant heat. Also, this protective performance value is generally higher in the case of hexagon test in comparison with the small-scale tests. These differences in protective performance are mainly due to the unique configurations of these tests and/or different modes of heat transfer through the tested fabrics. The findings from this study will guide textile or materials engineers in the design and selection of materials for high performance thermal protective clothing; in turn, it will improve the occupational health and safety for firefighters.
Mechanical modeling of an arc-shaped suction slot for compact spinning and analysis of additional twists
Authors: Fu Ting , Yang Jianping , Cheng Guangwei , Chen Nanliang , Qiu Yiping
Published: August 2017

In this study, an arc-shaped suction slot was designed for a pneumatic compact spinning system with a lattice apron. A model was built via mechanical analysis of a fibrous strand in an arc-shaped suction slot to calculate additional twists inserted during condensing. The equations can be solved by using the Runge–Kutta method. The simulation results showed that negative pressure and frictional coefficient of the lattice apron and the fibrous strand have significant effects on additional twists of the strand in an arc-shaped slot. The curvature radius of the arc slot has some influence on the additional twists, while that of the condensing surface has no obvious effect on the additional twists. The radius of the strand may significantly influence the additional twists, but the radius of the strand itself is affected by various other factors. Spinning tests were carried out based on the model design. These results verified the additional twist model of the arc-shaped suction slot.
Is There a Dark Side to Mindfulness? Relation of Mindfulness to Criminogenic Cognitions
Authors: Tangney June P. , Dobbins Ashley E. , Stuewig Jeffrey B. , Schrader Shannon W.
Published: August 2017

In recent years, mindfulness-based interventions have been modified for use with inmate populations, but how this might relate to specific criminogenic cognitions has not been examined empirically. Theoretically, characteristics of mindfulness should be incompatible with distorted patterns of criminal thinking, but is this in fact the case? Among both 259 male jail inmates and 516 undergraduates, mindfulness was inversely related to the Criminogenic Cognitions Scale (CCS) through a latent variable of emotion regulation. However, in the jail sample, this mediational model also showed a direct, positive path from mindfulness to CCS, with an analogous, but nonsignificant trend in the college sample. Post hoc analyses indicate that the Nonjudgment of Self scale derived from the Mindfulness Inventory: Nine Dimensions (MI:ND) largely accounts for this apparently iatrogenic effect in both samples. Some degree of self-judgment is perhaps necessary and useful, especially among individuals involved in the criminal justice system.
Screening for Malnutrition Among People Accessing Health Services at Greek Public Hospitals: Results From an Observational Multicenter Study
Authors: Doundoulakis Ioannis , Poulia Kalliopi Anna , Antza Christina , Bouras Emmanouil , Kasapidou Eirini , Klek Stanislaw , Chourdakis Michael
Published: August 2017

Background

Malnutrition is associated with increased hospital stay and subsequently higher healthcare costs. Early detection of malnutrition among people accessing health services at public hospitals is vital to identify and treat malnutrition effectively and in a timewise and cost‐effective manner. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutrition risk of this population.

Materials and Methods

Nutrition screening was performed for 2970 patients (52% male; 55.3 ± 20.1 years old) at 34 hospitals. Nutrition risk was evaluated through 3 nutrition screening tools—Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS‐2002), Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST), and Mini Nutritional Assessment‐Screening Form (MNA‐SF).

Results

Malnutrition risk was found: 25.3% with NRS‐2002, 22.9% with MUST, and 60.5% with MNA‐SF. Nutrition risk among patients accessing health services at public hospitals increases with age (high‐risk patients among those ≥80 years old: NRS‐2002, 9.8%; MUST, 16.9%; MNA‐SF, 43.9%). The highest prevalence of nutrition risk was found at the oncology departments (16.7%, NRS‐2002; 23.4%, MUST). According to the NRS‐2002 and MUST, surgical patients have a greater risk for malnutrition vs internal medicine patients (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.0, P < .001; adjusted OR = 1.17, P < .001, respectively), whereas according to MNA‐SF, surgical patients have 30% lower probability for malnutrition risk against internal medicine patients (adjusted OR = 0.7, P < .001).

Conclusions

A high prevalence of malnutrition risk was reported among patients accessing health services at public hospitals. Early detection of malnutrition is vital to allow the allocation of the needed workforce to manage it effectively.
My Convictions about the Nature of Abilities, Gifts, and Talents
Authors: Gagné Françoys
Published: August 2017

The author proposes a set of sequentially structured statements on the nature and origin of human abilities, gifts, and talents; and he invites professionals and academics in gifted education to analyze their own beliefs on the nature of giftedness and talent. What positions and principles will they readily accept, which are less easily shared within the field, and what is the source of these hesitations and oppositions? In the long term, the author hopes that this detailed analysis and discussion of micrograduated statements will give rise to a conceptual foundation, solidly based empirically, that will become endorsed by a large majority of professionals in the field.
Clean skins: Making the e-Border security assemblage
Authors: Allen William L , Vollmer Bastian A
Published: August 2017

How do border security practitioners engage with data and technology, and what difficulties or limitations arise from these engagements? Responding to calls for critically examining how technological ‘solutions’ are enacted, we analyse the notion of e-Borders in the UK context as an assemblage comprising abstract conditions, concrete objects, and agents whose roles often manifest themselves through perceptions and practices. We draw upon interviews with former and currently serving senior staff from the UK Home Office, UK Border Force, intelligence services, and private sector suppliers. Practitioners’ reflections reveal how political, social, and human factors—including intuition and management cultures—both construct the e-Border assemblage and introduce discontinuities and frictions within it. Using a more tightly specified theory of assemblage, we highlight how human agents contribute to datafied phenomena like border control. In total, our study emphasises how assemblages are dynamic, never entirely coherent, and always being re-made.
Anaphylactoid Purpura in a Horse
Authors: Gunson D. E. , Rooney J. R.
Published: August 2017

An 8-year-old gelding with a long-standing, streptococcal respiratory infection developed dyspnoea and colic. Laparotomy disclosed numerous, discrete, hemorrhagic, thick areas of necrosis throughout the intestinal tract. At postmortem examination similar lesions were seen in the laryngeal mucosa and in many skeletal muscles. Microscopically these lesions had massive necrosis and hemorrhage with a leucocytoclastic vasculitis in adjacent tissue. This condition resembled anaphylactoid purpura (Henoch-Schönlein disease) in man. Fungal infection was ruled out by special stains which failed to show fungal elements.
Paracoccidioidomycosis (South American Blastomycosis) in a Squirrel Monkey (Saimiri sciureus)
Authors: Johnson W. D. , Lang C. M.
Published: August 2017

A female squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus) had granulomatous lesions in the liver and colon. There were many fungal organisms in sections of liver and many of these organisms had multiple buds on their surface. Although we did not prepare fungal cultures, the appearance of the organisms was sufficient to identify them as Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, the cause of paracoccidioidomycosis (South American blastomycosis).
Mesotheliomas of the Tunica Vaginalis Propria and Peritoneum in Fischer Rats
Authors: Gould D. H.
Published: August 2017

Nine mesotheliomas were found in a group of 384 mature, male, Fischer-derived rats maintained on various experimental diets in long-term feeding studies. The tumors apparently were unrelated to any of the test materials. They ranged from solid, raised serosal growths to delicate papillary structures, and occurred primarily on the tunica vaginalis propria of the testis, epididymis and spermatic cord. Four of the nine cases were unusual because there was mesotheliomatous involvement of the peritoneal as well as of the genital mesothelium.
Paecilomycosis in a Nonhuman Primate (Macaca mulatta)
Authors: Fleischman R. W. , Mccracken D.
Published: August 2017

Focal granulomas caused by fungi in the genus Paecilomyces occurred at subcutaneous and laryngeal sites in a Rhesus monkey. Slight wheezing was noted 8 months before the monkey died. Death was unexpected and was caused by asphyxiation after occlusion of the larynx by a fungal granuloma.
Parallel Intralysosomal Amyloid Fibrils, a Possible Result of Phagocytosis
Authors: Gruys E. , Castaño M.
Published: August 2017

Vacuoles of mesenchymal cells in the papillae of bovine kidneys with amyloidosis were studied by histochemical electron microscopy for acid phosphatase as a marker for lysosomes. The vacuoles contained parallel amyloid fibrils. The vacuoles of reticular interstitial cells were found to be lysosomes. Vacuoles of macrophage-like cells of the same papillae were positive, partially positive, or negative for the enzyme activity. A suspension of papillary material was injected subcutaneously in rats in a 21-day light and electron microscopy and enzyme histochemistry study. Amyloid was demonstrated in vacuoles of macrophages throughout this period and initially also in neutrophils. In most vacuoles amyloid fibrils were randomly arranged but in others parallel arrangement was demonstrated. Amyloid was only at the inoculation sites. Intralysosomal bovine amyloid may occur in parallel fibrillar arrangement without a definite indication for amyloid production.
Histiolymphocytic Lymphosarcoma in the Subcutis of Two Horses
Authors: Sheahan B. J. , Atkins G. J. , Russell R. J. , O'Connor J. P.
Published: August 2017

Two aged mares with histiolymphocytic lymphosarcoma had multiple rapidly proliferating tumours in the subcutis. Consistent haematological changes were absent. One mare had lymph node involvement but no neoplastic lesions in the viscera. Microbiological examination of tumour tissue showed coryneform bacteria; there was no evidence of C-type or lytic viruses or of reverse transcriptase. Prominent intramitochondrial crystalline inclusions were in histiocytic tumour cells.
Subclinical Myopathy Associated with Hyperadrenocorticism in the Dog
Authors: Braund K. G. , Dillon A. R. , Mikeal R. L. , August J. R.
Published: August 2017

One of seven dogs with clinical signs of hyperadrenocorticism had clinical evidence of neuromuscular disorder. Clinical diagnosis of hyperadrenocorticism was confirmed by plasma cortisol concentrations before and after adrenocorticotrophin hormone and dexamethasone administration. Electromyographic studies showed bizarre, high frequency discharges in all dogs. Examination of muscle biopsies taken from the biceps femoris muscle from each dog revealed mild degenerative changes of fiber size variation, focal necrosis and fiber splitting. Ragged red fibers were prominent and appeared to be related to mitochondrial aggregates. Significant (P < 0.05) type 1 and 2 fiber atrophy was found in all dogs. Fiber grouping was present in four dogs. Studies of fascicular biopsies of the peroneal nerve showed thinly myelinated fibers, onion-bulb formation, segmental demyelination and short intercalated internodes. These findings suggested a glucocorticoid-related myopathy in hyperadrenocorticism that also may have a neurogenic component.
Experimental Trypanosoma brucei Infection in Deer Mice: Splenic Changes
Authors: Moulton J. E.
Published: August 2017

Forty deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) were infected with Trypanosoma brucei organisms and were killed 33 to 83 days after inoculation (average, 63). The outstanding lesion was infiltration of plasma cells in various tissues. These cells caused disruption of the periarteriolar lymphocytic sheaths and thickening of red pulp cords in the spleen. The lymph node was almost completely replaced by plasma cells. The spleen and lymph nodes also had marked hyperplasia of germinal centers and granulomatous-like proliferation of macrophages. The nervous system showed meningoencephalitis characterized by accumulations of plasma cells.
Urban Rats as Chronic Carriers of Leptospirosis: An Ultrastructural Investigation
Authors: Sterling C. R. , Thiermann A. B.
Published: August 2017

Kidneys of six wild-trapped, adult Norway rats with high agglutinating titers to Leptospira icterohaemmorhagiae were examined ultrastructurally. Although many leptospires were seen in the lumen of proximal kidney tubules, few changes in epithelial cells of this region were found. The predominant lesion in chronic rat leptospirosis was diffuse interstitial nephritis. Principal kidney lesions were proximal tubule cell basement membrane thickening with or without the presence of granular particles, and an interstitial response that varied from mixed hypercellular to chiefly plasmacytic. The association of leptospires with membrane-bound protein droplets of the proximal kidney tubules may be important in the maintenance of the chronic carrier state in rat leptospirosis.
Mycotoxicosis Caused by a Single Dose of T-2 Toxin or Diacetoxyscirpenol in Broiler Chickens
Authors: Hoerr F. J. , Carlton W. W. , Yagen B.
Published: August 2017

T-2 toxin (3-hydroxy-4,15-diacetoxy-8-[3-methyl-butyrloxy]-12,13-epoxy-Δ9-trichothecene) and diacetoxyscirpenol, structurally similar trichothecene mycotoxins, in dimethylsulfoxide:saline (1:9 v/v) solvent, were given by crop gavage to 7-day-old male broiler chickens. Selected birds were killed at 1,6, 12, 18, 24, 72, and 168 hours post-treatment. The lesions induced by the two toxins were similar, but were more severe in chicks given T-2 toxin. Necrosis of lymphoid tissue and bone marrow began one hour after treatment with T-2 toxin, and was followed by rapid cell depletion. Cell repletion also was rapid, occurring by hour 24 in mildly injured tissues from birds given diacetoxyscirpenol and by hours 72 and 168 in more severely injured tissues from chickens given T-2 toxin. Hepatic lesions were multiple foci of coagulation necrosis and hemorrhage, and hyperplasia of bile ductules. The foci of hepatic cell necrosis resolved rapidly and the inflammatory cell reaction was minimal. Necrosis of gall bladder epithelium and secondary cholecystitis followed hepatic cell necrosis. In the alimentary tract, necrosis of the epithelium on the tips of villi in the duodenum was followed by necrosis of the epithelium of villi and crypts in the small and large intestine, and of mucosal epithelium of the proventriculus and ventriculus. Atrophy of intestinal villi and fewer mitotic figures were seen by 18 hours after treatment. The alimentary tract epithelium, however, looked normal by hour 72. Lesions in the integument, including necrosis of feather epidermis and of the follicular epidermis at the neck of the feather follicle, occurred at 12 to 24 hours after treatment.
Occipital Headaches in Children: Are They a Red Flag?
Authors: Genizi Jacob , Khourieh-Matar Amal , Assaf Nurit , Chistyakov Irena , Srugo Isaac
Published: August 2017

Occipital headache is considered a risk factor for serious secondary headache pathology. The purpose of our study was to assess the etiology of occipital headaches among children visiting the emergency department. Subjects were children aged 5 to 18 years who were referred to the emergency department due to headaches during the years 2013 to 2014. A total of 314 patients with headaches were seen at our emergency department. Thirty-nine patients had occipital headaches. Viral infections were the most prevalent final diagnosis (97; 31%), followed by migraine (37; 11.8%). None of our patients had a brain tumor. There was no difference in final diagnosis between the occipital and nonoccipital groups. The most common causes of occipital headaches are viral infections and primary headaches. Serious intracranial disorders presenting solely as occipital headaches and not accompanied by other neurologic signs are uncommon. Thus, occipital headaches should be evaluated in the same manner as other headache locations.