bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of gamma and electron irradiations on superconducting properties of Bi1.6Pb0.4Sr2Ca2Cu3O10 (Bi-2223) superconductor
Authors: Mohiju Zaahidah’ Atiqah , Hamid Nasri A. , Abdullah Yusof
Published: July 2019

In several studies on the impact of radiation towards superconductor, there were evidences that changes may occur in superconducting properties due to alteration in lattice structure of HTS materials. In this work, the solid-state reaction method was employed in preparing the bulk samples of Bi1.6 Pb0.4Sr2Ca2Cu3O10 (hereafter Bi-2223) superconductor. The samples were then irradiated with gamma and electron sources with dosage of 100 kGray each. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) patterns were used to determine the phases that present in the samples. Results of XRD patterns for both the non-irradiated and irradiated samples showed well-defined peaks all of which could be indexed based on the Bi-2223 phase structure. Besides, the XRD patterns indicate that gamma and electron irradiations did not affect the Bi-2223 superconducting phase structure. Measurements of the critical temperature, TC and the critical current density, JC of all the samples were conducted before and after irradiation using AC susceptibility technique. TC for non-irradiated, electron irradiated and gamma irradiated sample is 97 K, 95 K and 103 K, respectively. On the other hand the JC for non-irradiated, electron irradiated and gamma irradiated sample is 1618 A/cm2 1729 A/cm2 and 1549 A/cm2 respectively. Results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs show improvement in the grain growth and disorientation in the texture of all the gamma and electron irradiated samples.
Ludlum configuration for the measurement of mass attenuation coefficients at high energy photons by using Compton scattering method
Authors: Mohd Yusof M F , Mohd Isa N , Abd Kadir A B , Salleh H
Published: July 2019

The measurements of mass attenuation coefficients by using Compton scattering technique was carried out by using the Ludlum configuration. A 137Cs sealed sourced was used and attenuated at angles between 30 and 75° to provide scattered gamma energies between 337.72 and 564.09 keV. The mass attenuation coefficients of solid water and perspex were measured and compared to the calculated value of water by using XCOM. The results showed that the measured mass attenuation coefficients of solid water and Perspex® phantoms were in agreement to the values of water within 6.84 and 7.20% average percentage of discrepancies. The results indicated the suitability of the Ludlum configuration for the measurement of mass attenuation coefficients by using the Compton scattering method.
Myosin IIA–mediated forces regulate multicellular integrity during vascular sprouting
Authors: Yoon Christine , Choi Colin , Stapleton Sarah , Mirabella Teodelinda , Howes Caroline , Dong Li , King Jessica , Yang Jinling , Oberai Assad , Eyckmans Jeroen , Chen Christopher S.
Published: July 2019

Angiogenic sprouting is a critical process involved in vascular network formation within tissues. During sprouting, tip cells and ensuing stalk cells migrate collectively into the extracellular matrix while preserving cell–cell junctions, forming patent structures that support blood flow. Although several signaling pathways have been identified as controlling sprouting, it remains unclear to what extent this process is mechanoregulated. To address this question, we investigated the role of cellular contractility in sprout morphogenesis, using a biomimetic model of angiogenesis. Three-dimensional maps of mechanical deformations generated by sprouts revealed that mainly leader cells, not stalk cells, exert contractile forces on the surrounding matrix. Surprisingly, inhibiting cellular contractility with blebbistatin did not affect the extent of cellular invasion but resulted in cell–cell dissociation primarily between tip and stalk cells. Closer examination of cell–cell junctions revealed that blebbistatin impaired adherens-junction organization, particularly between tip and stalk cells. Using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing, we further identified NMIIA as the major isoform responsible for regulating multicellularity and cell contractility during sprouting. Together, these studies reveal a critical role for NMIIA-mediated contractile forces in maintaining multicellularity during sprouting and highlight the central role of forces in regulating cell–cell adhesions during collective motility.
ASHP national survey of pharmacy practice in hospital settings: Workforce—2018
Authors: Schneider Philip J , Pedersen Craig A , Ganio Michael C , Scheckelhoff Douglas J
Published: July 2019

Purpose

Results of the 2018 ASHP national survey of pharmacy practice in hospital settings pertaining to the pharmacy workforce are presented.

Methods

Pharmacy directors at 4,897 general and children’s medical–surgical hospitals in the United States were surveyed using a mixed-mode method of contact by mail and email. Survey completion was online. IMS Health supplied data on hospital characteristics; the survey sample was drawn from the IMS hospital database.

Results

The survey response rate was 16.6%. The results indicate that inpatient staffing has increased for both pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. More than half of the respondents reported shortages of pharmacy managers, experienced technicians, and experienced pharmacy technicians with sterile compounding experience. More than half of the respondents reported an excess of entry-level frontline pharmacists. The perceived shortage of pharmacists is in decline, while the perceived shortage of pharmacy technicians, especially those with years of experience, is increasing. Pharmacists commonly chair multidisciplinary committees within health systems, and pharmacy leaders often report directly to the chief executive officer or chief operating officer; they are often responsible for reporting quality information associated with medication use to the health system’s board. The use of a pharmacist credentialing and privileging process beyond licensure has increased over the past 4 years. Attention is being devoted to stress in the work place and addressing burnout among healthcare professionals, including pharmacists.

Conclusion

The profession is fostering a workforce that is appropriate in composition, sufficient in number, and has the competence to improve the value and safety of medication use.
Environmentally relevant exposure to dibutyl phthalate disrupts DNA damage repair gene expression in the mouse ovary†
Authors: Liu Xiaosong , Craig Zelieann R
Published: July 2019

Phthalates have a history of reproductive toxicity in animal models and associations with adverse reproductive outcomes in women. Human exposure to dibutyl phthalate (DBP) occurs via consumer products (7–10 μg/kg/day) and medications (1–233 μg/kg/day). Most DBP toxicity studies have focused on high supraphysiological exposure levels; thus, very little is known about exposures occurring at environmentally relevant levels. CD-1 female mice (80 days old) were treated with tocopherol-stripped corn oil (vehicle control) or DBP dissolved in oil at environmentally relevant (10 and 100 μg/kg/day) or higher (1000 μg/kg/day) levels for 30 days to evaluate effects on DNA damage response (DDR) pathway genes and folliculogenesis. DBP exposure caused dose-dependent effects on folliculogenesis and gene expression. Specifically, animals exposed to the high dose of DBP had more atretic follicles in their ovaries, while in those treated with environmentally relevant doses, follicle numbers were no different from vehicle-treated controls. DBP exposure significantly reduced the expression of DDR genes including those involved in homologous recombination (Atm, Brca1, Mre11a, Rad50), mismatch repair (Msh3, Msh6), and nucleotide excision repair (Xpc, Pcna) in a dose-specific manner. Interestingly, staining for the DNA damage marker, γH2AX, was similar between treatments. DBP exposure did not result in differential DNA methylation in the Brca1 promoter but significantly reduced transcript levels for the maintenance DNA methyltransferase, Dnmt1, in the ovary. Collectively, these findings show that oral exposure to environmentally relevant levels of DBP for 30 days does not significantly impact folliculogenesis in adult mice but leads to aberrant ovarian expression of DDR genes.
Overview and Development of the Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance Determination of Cause of Death (DeCoDe) Process and DeCoDe Diagnosis Standards
Authors: Blau Dianna M , Caneer J Patrick , Philipsborn Rebecca P , Madhi Shabir A , Bassat Quique , Varo Rosauro , Mandomando Inácio , Igunza Kitiezo Aggrey , Kotloff Karen L , Tapia Milagritos D , Johnstone Siobhan , Chawana Richard , Rahman Afruna , El Arifeen Shams , Onyango Dickens , Kaiser Reinhard , Seale Anna C , Assefa Nega , Morris Timothy , Raghunathan Pratima L , Breiman Robert F
Published: July 2019

Mortality surveillance and cause of death data are instrumental in improving health, identifying diseases and conditions that cause a high burden of preventable deaths, and allocating resources to prevent these deaths. The Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) network uses a standardized process to define, assign, and code causes of stillbirth and child death (<5 years of age) across the CHAMPS network. A Determination of Cause of Death (DeCoDe) panel composed of experts from a local CHAMPS site analyzes all available individual information, including laboratory, histopathology, abstracted clinical records, and verbal autopsy findings for each case and, if applicable, also for the mother. Using this information, the site panel ascertains the underlying cause (event that precipitated the fatal sequence of events) and other antecedent, immediate, and maternal causes of death in accordance with the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision and the World Health Organization death certificate. Development and use of the CHAMPS diagnosis standards—a framework of required evidence to support cause of death determination—assures a homogenized procedure leading to a more consistent interpretation of complex data across the CHAMPS network. This and other standardizations ensures future comparability with other sources of mortality data produced externally to this project. Early lessons learned from implementation of DeCoDe in 5 CHAMPS sites in sub-Saharan Africa and Bangladesh have been incorporated into the DeCoDe process, and the implementation of DeCoDe has the potential to spur health systems improvements and local public health action.
Test parameters and cell chain length of Streptococcus thermophilus affect the microbial adhesion to hydrocarbons assay: a methodical approach
Authors: Nachtigall Carsten , Weber Carmen , Rothenburger Sandra , Jaros Doris , Rohm Harald
Published: July 2019

The microbial adhesion to hydrocarbons (MATH) test is one of the most common method to determine the hydrophobicity of cell surfaces. Despite its prevalence, no standard test parameters are used in literature, making a direct comparison of data almost impossible. Criticism also focuses on test parameters that may mask hydrophobic interactions and hence lead to erroneous test results. We methodically investigated the impact of different MATH test parameters on the calculation of the cell surface hydrophobicity of Streptococcus thermophilus, a widespread exopolysaccharide-producing lactic acid bacterium used in the production of fermented milk products. Besides composition and ionic strength of the buffer used for cell re-suspension, we observed a pronounced time dependency of the turbidity of the cell suspension during phase separation due to sedimentation and/or cell lysis. A new modification of the MATH assay was applied to enable the determination of cell surface hydrophobicity of long chain-forming bacteria. As the cell surface hydrophobicity was not altered during exponential growth phase, we assume that the cell surface and its capsular exopolysaccharide layer are not changed during cultivation.
Reconstructed lost Native American populations from Eastern Brazil are shaped by differential Jê/Tupi ancestry
Authors: Mas-Sandoval Alex , Arauna Lara R , Gouveia Mateus H , Barreto Mauricio L , Horta Bernardo L , Lima-Costa Maria Fernanda , Pereira Alexandre C , Salzano Francisco M , Hünemeier Tábita , Tarazona-Santos Eduardo , Bortolini Maria Cátira , Comas David
Published: July 2019

After the colonization of the Americas by Europeans and the consequent Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, most Native American populations in eastern Brazil disappeared or went through an admixture process that configured a population composed of three main genetic components: the European, the sub-Saharan African and the Native American. The study of the Native American genetic history is challenged by the availability of genome-wide samples from Native American populations, the technical difficulties to develop ancient DNA studies and the low proportions of the Native American component in the admixed Brazilian populations (in average 7%). We analysed genome-wide data of 5,825 individuals from three locations of eastern Brazil: Salvador (North East), Bambui (South East), and Pelotas (South) and we reconstructed populations that emulate the Native American groups that were living in the 16th century around the sampling locations. This genetic reconstruction was performed after local ancestry analysis of the admixed Brazilian populations, through the rearrangement of the Native American haplotypes into reconstructed individuals with full Native American ancestry (51 reconstructed individuals in Salvador, 45 in Bambui and 197 in Pelotas). We compared the reconstructed populations with non-admixed Native American populations from other regions of Brazil through haplotype-based methods. Our results reveal a population structure shaped by the dichotomy of Tupi-/Jê- speaking ancestry related groups. We also show evidence of a decrease of the diversity of non-admixed Native American groups after the European contact, in contrast with the reconstructed populations, suggesting a reservoir of the Native American genetic diversity within the admixed Brazilian population.
From ecology to genetics and back: the tale of two flounder species in the Baltic Sea
Authors: Jokinen Henri , Momigliano Paolo , Merilä Juha
Published: July 2019

Recent years have brought the realization that evolutionary changes driven by selection can occur in ecological time scales. However, recent evolutionary events can be hard to detect and may easily go unnoticed. For harvested species, such cryptic diversity may lead to suboptimal management. These points are illustrated by the two flounder species in the Baltic Sea. Although early ecological studies identified two ecotypes of European flounder (Platichthys flesus) based on spawning differences, genomic studies only recently demonstrated that they were reproductively isolated species, P. flesus and P. solemdali, separated through rapid ecologically driven speciation. These morphologically indistinguishable species are harvested within a mixed-stock fishery. In the northern Baltic Sea flounder landings have declined since the mid-1980s, with a drop in the Gulf of Finland (GoF) being particularly dramatic (∼90%). Genetic analyses of historical otolith samples from GoF catches have revealed that back in 1983 the fishery unknowingly targeted primarily P. flesus, whereas thereafter almost exclusively P. solemdali. Hence, the case of two flounder species illustrates (i) how ecological studies stimulated genetic investigations leading to discovery of ecological speciation and (ii) how cryptic species turnover discovered with genetic tools in turn improved ecological understanding with benefits to management and conservation.
Motivic Wave Front Sets
Authors: Raibaut Michel
Published: July 2019

The concept of wave front set was introduced in 1969–1970 by Sato in the hyperfunctions context [1, 34] and by Hörmander [23] in the $\mathcal C^{\infty }$ context. Howe in [25] used the theory of wave front sets in the study of Lie groups representations. Heifetz in [22] defined a notion of wave front set for distributions in the $p$-adic setting and used it to study some representations of $p$-adic Lie groups. In this article, we work in the $k\mathopen{(\!(} t \mathopen{)\!)}$-setting with $k$ a Characteristic 0 field. In that setting, balls are no longer compact but working in a definable context provides good substitutes for finiteness and compactness properties. We develop a notion of definable distributions in the framework of [13] and [14] for which we define notions of singular support and $\Lambda$-wave front sets (relative to some multiplicative subgroups $\Lambda$ of the valued field) and we investigate their behavior under natural operations like pullback, tensor product, and products of distributions.
Molecular Phylogeny of the Ant-Decapitating Flies, Genus Apocephalus Coquillett (Diptera: Phoridae)
Authors: Brown Brian V , Hayes Christine , Hash John M , Smith Paul T
Published: July 2019

The phylogenetic relationships of the large, diverse genus Apocephalus Coquillett are studied using seven loci (16S, COI, NDI, 28S, AK, CAD, and TPI). Both Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood methods were used to analyze the sequences. Pre-existing taxonomic relationships, based on morphology, were largely upheld, with the notable exception of the subgenus Mesophora Borgmeier being placed deep inside the genus. Therefore, Mesophora was synonymized with Apocephalus (new synonymy) and its species referred to as belonging to the Apocephalus wheeleri group. Both methods of analysis recovered similar results, providing what we consider reasonable explanations of the data, based on morphological information.
Burn Care and Surgical Exposure amongst Canadian Plastic Surgery Residents: Recommendations for Transitioning to a Competency-Based Medical Education Model
Authors: Shih Jessica G , Quong Whitney L , Knox Aaron D C , Zhygan Nick , Courtemanche Douglas J , Brown Mitchell H , Fish Joel S
Published: July 2019

With the ongoing implementation of a competency-based medical education (CMBE) model for residency programs in North America, emphasis on the duration of training has been refocused onto ability and competence. This study aims to determine the exposure of burn-related core procedural competencies (CPCs) in Canadian Plastic Surgery Residents in order to enhance curricular development and help define its goals. A retrospective review of burn-related resident case logs encompassing all 10 English-speaking plastic surgery residency programs from 2004 to 2014 was performed, including analysis of personal competence scores and resident role by Postgraduate Year (PGY)-year. Case logs of a total of 55 graduating plastic surgery residents were included in the study. Overall, 4033 procedures in burn and burn-related care were logged, accounting for 6.8% of all procedures logged. On average, each resident logged 73 burn procedures, 99% of which were CPCs. The most frequently performed procedure was harvest and application of autograft, allograft, or xenograft, while emergent procedures such as escharotomy and compartment release were performed on average less than one time per resident. Personal competence scores as well as role of the resident (surgical responsibility) increased as PGY-year progressed during residency. Canadian plastic surgery residency programs provide adequate exposure to the majority of the scope of burn care and surgery. However, infrequently encountered but critical procedures such as escharotomy and fasciotomy may require supplementation through dedicated educational opportunities. CMBE should identify these gaps in learning through facilitation of resident competency evaluation. With consideration for the amount of exposure to burn-related CPCs as identified, plastic surgery residency programs can work toward achieving competency in all aspects of burn care and surgery prior to the completion of residency.
Ticks as Soil-Dwelling Arthropods: An Intersection Between Disease and Soil Ecology
Authors: Burtis James C , Yavitt Joseph B , Fahey Timothy J , Ostfeld Richard S
Published: July 2019

Ticks are widespread vectors for many important medical and veterinary infections, and a better understanding of the factors that regulate their population dynamics is needed to reduce risk for humans, wildlife, and domestic animals. Most ticks, and all non-nidicolous tick species, spend only a small fraction of their lives associated with vertebrate hosts, with the remainder spent in or on soils and other substrates. Ecological studies of tick-borne disease dynamics have emphasized tick–host interactions, including host associations, burdens, and efficiencies of pathogen transmission, while under emphasizing tick biology during off-host periods. Our ability to predict spatiotemporal trends in tick-borne diseases requires more knowledge of soil ecosystems and their effect on host and tick populations. In this review, we focus on tick species of medical and veterinary concern and describe: 1) the relationships between soil factors and tick densities; 2) biotic and abiotic factors within the soil ecosystem that directly affect tick survival; 3) potential indirect effects on ticks mediated by soil ecosystem influences on their vertebrate hosts; 4) the potential for tick-mediated effects on vertebrate host populations to affect ecosystems; and 5) possible nontarget impacts of tick management on the soil ecosystem. Soils are complex ecosystem components with enormous potential to affect the survival and behavior of ticks during their off-host periods. Hence, tick-borne disease systems present an excellent opportunity for soil ecologists and public health researchers to collaborate and improve understanding of these medically important and ecologically complex disease cycles.
Improvement of MEFV gene variants classification to aid treatment decision making in familial Mediterranean fever
Authors: Accetturo Matteo , D’Uggento Angela Maria , Portincasa Piero , Stella Alessandro
Published: July 2019

Objective

FMF is an inherited autoinflammatory syndrome caused by mutations in the MEFV gene. MEFV variants are still largely classified as acvariant of uncertain significance, or with unresolved classification, posing significant challenges in FMF diagnosis. Rare Exome Variant Ensemble Learner (REVEL) is a recently developed variant metapredictor tool. To reduce the number of MEFV variants with ambiguous classification, we extracted REVEL scores for all missense variants present in the INFEVERS database, and analysed its correlation with expert-based classification and localization in the MEFV-encoded pyrin functional domains.

Methods

The data set of 216 MEFV missense variants was divided into four categories (likely benign, variant of uncertain significance, likely pathogenic and unresolved). Variants were plotted onto the pyrin protein, the distribution of REVEL scores in each category was computed and means, confidence intervals, and area under the receiver operating curve were calculated.

Results

We observed a non-random distribution of pathogenic variants along the pyrin functional domains. The REVEL scores demonstrated a good correlation with the consensus classification of the International Study Group for Systemic Autoinflammatory Diseases. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were calculated for different cut-off values of REVEL scores and a gene-specific-threshold of 0.298 was computed with confidence boundary limits. This cut-off value allowed us to propose a reclassification of 96 MEFV gene variants, thus reducing the variant of uncertain significance proportion from 61.6% to 17.6%.

Conclusion

The combination of available expert information with sensitive predictor tools could result in a more accurate interpretation of clinical consequences of MEFV gene variants, and to a better genetic counselling and patient management.
Unique Sjögren’s syndrome patient subsets defined by molecular features
Authors: James Judith A , Guthridge Joel M , Chen Hua , Lu Rufei , Bourn Rebecka L , Bean Krista , Munroe Melissa E , Smith Miles , Chakravarty Eliza , Baer Alan N , Noaiseh Ghaith , Parke Ann , Boyle Karen , Keyes-Elstein Lynette , Coca Andreea , Utset Tammy , Genovese Mark C , Pascual Virginia , Utz Paul J , Holers V. Michael , Deane Kevin D , Sivils Kathy L , Aberle Teresa , Wallace Daniel J , McNamara James , Franchimont Nathalie , St. Clair E. William
Published: July 2019

Objective

To address heterogeneity complicating primary SS (pSS) clinical trials, research and care by characterizing and clustering patients by their molecular phenotypes.

Methods

pSS patients met American–European Consensus Group classification criteria and had at least one systemic manifestation and stimulated salivary flow of ⩾0.1 ml/min. Correlated transcriptional modules were derived from gene expression microarray data from blood (n = 47 with appropriate samples). Patients were clustered based on this molecular information using an unbiased random forest modelling approach. In addition, multiplex, bead-based assays and ELISAs were used to assess 30 serum cytokines, chemokines and soluble receptors. Eleven autoantibodies, including anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB, were measured by Bio-Rad Bioplex 2200.

Results

Transcriptional modules distinguished three clusters of pSS patients. Cluster 1 showed no significant elevation of IFN or inflammation modules. Cluster 2 showed strong IFN and inflammation modular network signatures, as well as high plasma protein levels of IP-10/CXCL10, MIG/CXCL9, BLyS (BAFF) and LIGHT. Cluster 3 samples exhibited moderately elevated IFN modules, but with suppressed inflammatory modules, increased IP-10/CXCL10 and B cell–attracting chemokine 1/CXCL13 and trends toward increased MIG/CXCL9, IL-1α, and IL-21. Anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB were present in all three clusters.

Conclusion

Molecular profiles encompassing IFN, inflammation and other signatures can be used to separate patients with pSS into distinct clusters. In the future, such profiles may inform patient selection for clinical trials and guide treatment decisions.
Ethnic Disparities in Autism Spectrum Disorder Screening and Referral: Implications for Pediatric Practice
Authors: Rea Kelly E. , Armstrong-Brine Melissa , Ramirez Lisa , Stancin Terry
Published: July 2019

Objective:

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) screening completion rates are often low despite their validity and influence on earlier intervention and positive treatment outcomes. This study sought to examine the use of one ASD screening tool, the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers-Revised (MCHAT-R), in a racially and ethnically diverse urban pediatric clinic to review potential disparities within screening rates and referral practices.

Methods:

A retrospective chart review was conducted for children (N = 999) within the ages of 17 to 34 months seen for a well-child appointment at one of 3 pediatric clinics: a general pediatric clinic, resident pediatric clinic, and Hispanic pediatric clinic.

Results:

MCHAT-R screening completion rates were low for all clinics. There were no significant differences in MCHAT-R screening completion based on ethnicity; however, the percentage of children screening positive on the MCHAT-R was significantly higher for Hispanic versus non-Hispanic children. Referral practices were highly variable across positive screenings, and few children received the appropriate combination of referrals.

Conclusion:

Ethnic disparities in ASD positive screening rates and inconsistent referrals represent a critical issue in current pediatric practice. There is a great need for the development of more culturally sensitive ASD screening instruments. Additionally, to help increase ASD screening rate and accuracy, as well as consistency in referrals, greater emphasis is needed on professional training, parental education, and technology use within pediatric clinics.
Parental Attitudes and Beliefs Surrounding Play Among Predominantly Low-income Urban Families: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Shah Reshma , Gustafson Erika , Atkins Marc
Published: July 2019

Objective:

Parents' perceived benefits and barriers to participation in cognitively stimulating activities may help explain why income-related discrepancies in early and frequent participation in such activities exist. We sought to develop an improved understanding of attitudes and beliefs surrounding play among families who live in predominantly low-income urban communities.

Methods:

Using qualitative methods, focus groups were conducted with parents of children 2 weeks to 24 months of age who attended a primary care clinic serving predominantly low-income urban communities. Discussions were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results:

Thirty-five parents participated in 6 focus groups. Participants were 61% female and 94% nonwhite; 71% had children who received public health insurance. Analyses revealed 7 major themes that mapped onto the Health Belief Model's core domains of perceived need, barriers, and cues to action: (1) play as important for developing parent-child relationships, (2) toy- and media-focused play as important for developmental and educational benefit, (3) lack of time due to household and work demands, (4) lack of knowledge regarding the importance of play, (5) media-related barriers, (6) need for reminders, and (7) need for ideas for play.

Conclusion:

Caregivers of young children describe many important benefits of play, yet they have misconceptions regarding use of toys and media in promoting development as well as notable barriers to participating in play, which may be opportunities for intervention. Public health programs may be more effectively implemented if they consider these attitudes to develop new or refine existing strategies for promoting parent-child learning activities.
A Conceptual Approach to Designing Transposition Flaps
Authors: Scott Jeffrey F. , Bordeaux Jeremy S.
Published: July 2019

BACKGROUND

The large number of transposition flap geometries available for cutaneous reconstruction often makes the design of these flaps difficult for less experienced dermatologic surgeons.

OBJECTIVE

To present a conceptual approach to designing transposition flaps based on 2 elementary angles.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

First, a simplified framework for designing transposition flaps is presented, based on: (1) the takeoff point of the flap, (2) the angle between the primary limb and the primary defect (Angle A), and (3) the angle between the secondary limb and the primary limb (Angle B). Next, a comprehensive literature review highlights applications of the above conceptual approach in the design of z-plasties and single-lobed and multi-lobed transposition flaps.

RESULTS

Different types of transposition flaps all share the same key design elements, and modifications to Angle A and Angle B predict flap biomechanics.

CONCLUSION

The design of transposition flaps can be simplified by understanding how 2 elementary angles influence the geometry and biomechanics of various transposition flaps.
A Dried Blood Spot Analysis for Solithromycin in Adolescents, Children, and Infants: A Short Communication
Authors: Beechinor Ryan J. , Cohen-Wolkowiez Michael , Jasion Theresa , Hornik Christoph P. , Lang Jason E. , Hernandez Robert , Gonzalez Daniel
Published: July 2019

Background:

Solithromycin is a fourth-generation macrolide antibiotic with potential efficacy in pediatric community-acquired bacterial pneumonia. Pharmacokinetic (PK) studies of solithromycin in pediatric subjects are limited, therefore application of minimally invasive drug sampling techniques, such as dried blood spots (DBS), may enhance the enrollment of children in PK studies. The objectives of this study were to compare solithromycin concentrations in DBS with those in liquid plasma samples (LPS) and to quantify the effects of modeling DBS concentrations on the results of a population PK model.

Methods:

Comparability analysis was performed on matched DBS and LPS solithromycin concentrations collected from two different phase 1 clinical trials of solithromycin treatment in children (clinicaltrials.gov #NCT01966055 and #NCT02268279). Comparability of solithromycin concentrations was evaluated based on DBS:LPS ratio, median percentage prediction error, and median absolute percentage prediction error. The effect of correcting DBS concentrations for both hematocrit and protein binding was investigated. In addition, a previously published population PK model (NONMEM®) was leveraged to compare parameter estimates resulting from either DBS or LPS concentrations.

Results:

A total of 672 paired DBS-LPS concentrations were available from 95 subjects (age: 0–17 years of age). The median (range) LPS and DBS solithromycin concentrations were 0.3 (0.01–12) mcg/mL and 0.32 (0.01–14) mcg/mL, respectively. Median percentage prediction error and median absolute percentage prediction error of raw DBS to LPS solithromycin concentrations were 5.26% and 22.95%, respectively. In addition, the majority of population PK parameter estimates resulting from modeling DBS concentrations were within 15% of those obtained from modeling LPS concentrations.

Conclusions:

Solithromycin concentrations in DBS were similar to those measured in LPS and did not require correction for hematocrit or protein binding.
Association of Psychache and Alexithymia With Suicide in Patients With Schizophrenia
Authors: Demirkol Mehmet Emin , Tamam Lut , Namli Zeynep , Karaytuğ Mahmut Onur , Uğur Kerim
Published: July 2019

Suicide is a leading cause of death in patients with schizophrenia. Previous studies have mostly investigated the association between suicide and sociodemographics, positive and negative symptoms, and depressive symptoms. This study evaluated psychache and alexithymia in patients with schizophrenia, which have both been associated with suicide attempts and thoughts in patients with other psychiatric disorders. Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Psychache Scale (PAS), Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation (BSSI), Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS), and Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS) scores were obtained in 113 patients with schizophrenia, including 50 with suicide attempts. PANSS positive symptoms and general psychopathology subscale, CDSS, BSSI, TAS, and PAS scores were significantly higher in patients with suicide attempts. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, only the PAS score was an independent predictor of attempted suicide. Mediation analysis demonstrated that psychache (both directly and indirectly) and alexithymia (indirectly) might be associated with the risk of suicide in these patients.
Increased Word Spacing Improves Performance for Reading Scrolling Text with Central Vision Loss
Authors: Harvey Hannah , Anderson Stephen J. , Walker Robin
Published: July 2019

SIGNIFICANCE

Scrolling text can be an effective reading aid for those with central vision loss. Our results suggest that increased interword spacing with scrolling text may further improve the reading experience of this population. This conclusion may be of particular interest to low-vision aid developers and visual rehabilitation practitioners.

PURPOSE

The dynamic, horizontally scrolling text format has been shown to improve reading performance in individuals with central visual loss. Here, we sought to determine whether reading performance with scrolling text can be further improved by modulating interword spacing to reduce the effects of visual crowding, a factor known to impact negatively on reading with peripheral vision.

METHODS

The effects of interword spacing on reading performance (accuracy, memory recall, and speed) were assessed for eccentrically viewed single sentences of scrolling text. Separate experiments were used to determine whether performance measures were affected by any confound between interword spacing and text presentation rate in words per minute. Normally sighted participants were included, with a central vision loss implemented using a gaze-contingent scotoma of 8° diameter. In both experiments, participants read sentences that were presented with an interword spacing of one, two, or three characters.

RESULTS

Reading accuracy and memory recall were significantly enhanced with triple-character interword spacing (both measures, P ≤ .01). These basic findings were independent of the text presentation rate (in words per minute).

CONCLUSIONS

We attribute the improvements in reading performance with increased interword spacing to a reduction in the deleterious effects of visual crowding. We conclude that increased interword spacing may enhance reading experience and ability when using horizontally scrolling text with a central vision loss.
Case Report: A Rare Variant of Macular Serpiginous Choroiditis
Authors: Arvanitogiannis Angeliki
Published: July 2019

SIGNIFICANCE

Serpiginous choroiditis is a rare yet visually debilitating condition. To date, there is no established consensus on treatment protocol. This article presents a case report of macular serpiginous choroiditis and reviews supporting data for immunosuppressive treatment plans.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to examine a case of atypical serpiginous choroiditis with emphasis on diagnostic testing and treatment options.

CASE REPORT

A 62-year-old man presented with new, bilateral, yellow chorioretinal placoid lesions within the posterior pole. Optical coherence tomography revealed focal hyperreflective retinal pigment epithelium lesions with disruption of outer retinal layers. Fundus fluorescein angiography demonstrated stable hyperfluorescent lesions with the absence of fluid leakage. Further testing ruled out possible systemic correlation.

CONCLUSIONS

Macular serpiginous choroiditis is infrequently encountered; however, various differentials must be considered before making the diagnosis. Optical coherence tomography and fundus fluorescein angiography serve as useful tools in aiding the diagnosis. Treatment of serpiginous choroiditis must be initiated with caution given the high risk of adverse effects.
Loss of SATB2 Expression Is a Biomarker of Inflammatory Bowel Disease–associated Colorectal Dysplasia and Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Ma Changqing , Henn Patrick , Miller Caitlyn , Herbst Cameron , Hartman Douglas J. , Pai Reetesh K.
Published: July 2019

SATB2 is a sensitive immunohistochemistry marker of colorectal carcinoma and non-neoplastic colorectal epithelium that is complementary to CDX2. However, its expression is affected by molecular alterations. Inflammatory bowel disease–associated neoplasia demonstrates molecular alterations that are different from those in sporadic colorectal neoplasia. Given these differences, we examined SATB2 expression in 73 cases of inflammatory bowel disease–associated neoplasia including 37 dysplasia cases and 36 carcinomas and compared the expression patterns with 50 cases of nondysplastic colorectal mucosa in patients with active inflammatory bowel disease, 40 sporadic colonic polyps (20 conventional adenomas and 20 sessile serrated lesions/polyps), and 343 sporadic colorectal adenocarcinomas to assess SATB2 immunohistochemistry as a biomarker of inflammatory bowel disease–associated neoplasia. Loss of SATB2 expression was only identified in colorectal dysplasia arising in inflammatory bowel disease (15/37, 41%) and was not seen in nondysplastic colorectal mucosa with active inflammatory bowel disease or sporadic colonic polyps (P<0.001). Loss of SATB2 expression was identified in both endoscopically visible dysplasia (11/28, 39%) and invisible (4/9, 44%) dysplasia. Loss of SATB2 expression was identified in 67% (24/36) of inflammatory bowel disease–associated carcinomas and was significantly more frequent compared with sporadic colorectal carcinomas (47/343, 14%, P<0.001). There was no difference in positive CDX2 expression between inflammatory bowel disease–associated colorectal carcinoma and sporadic colorectal carcinoma (89% vs. 85%, P=1.0). In conclusion, loss of SATB2 expression is common in inflammatory bowel disease–associated colorectal dysplasia and adenocarcinoma and may be a helpful ancillary biomarker when evaluating for inflammatory bowel disease–associated dysplasia.
Improved Disease-free Survival After Prehabilitation for Colorectal Cancer Surgery
Authors: Trépanier Maude , Minnella Enrico M. , Paradis Tiffany , Awasthi Rashami , Kaneva Pepa , Schwartzman Kevin , Carli Franco , Fried Gerald M. , Feldman Liane S. , Lee Lawrence
Published: July 2019

Objective:

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of prehabilitation on survival after colorectal cancer surgery.

Summary of Background Data:

Preoperative multimodal exercise and nutritional programs (prehabilitation) improve functional capacity and recovery following colorectal surgery. Exercise may also affect cancer outcomes by mediating the systemic inflammatory response. The effect of prehabilitation on cancer outcomes is unknown.

Methods:

Pooled data from 3 prehabilitation trials (2 randomized controlled trials, 1 cohort) in patients undergoing elective, biopsy-proven, primary non-metastatic colorectal cancer surgery from 2009 to 2014 within an enhanced recovery program were analyzed. Patients were grouped into +prehab or–prehab. The primary outcomes were 5-year disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS). DFS and OS were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves and multiple Cox regression.

Results:

A total of 202 patients were included (+prehab 104, –prehab 98). Median prehabilitation duration was 29 days (interquartile range 20–40). Patient and tumor characteristics were well-balanced (33% stage III). Postoperative complications and time to adjuvant chemotherapy were similar. Mean duration of follow-up was 60.3 months (standard deviation 26.2). DFS was similar for the combined group of stage I–III patients (P = 0.244). For stage III patients, prehabilitation was associated with improved DFS (73.4% vs 50.9%, P = 0.044). There were no differences in OS (P = 0.226). Prehabilitation independently predicted improved DFS (hazard ratio 0.45; 95% confidence interval, 0.21–0.93), adjusting for stage and other confounders. Prehabilitation did not independently predict OS.

Conclusion:

In this report, prehabilitation is associated with improved 5-year DFS in stage III colorectal cancer. This finding should be confirmed in future trials.
Preoperative Colonic Decompression With Decompression Tube Insertion Versus Stent Insertion in Patients With Malignant Left Colonic Obstruction
Authors: Xu Yuan-Shun , Fu Yu-Fei , Li De-Chun , Song Tao
Published: July 2019

Purpose:

To compare the clinical effectiveness of preoperative colonic decompression (PCD) performed with stent or decompression tube insertion in patients with malignant left colonic obstruction (MLCO).

Materials and Methods:

Between September 2014 and September 2018, 63 patients with MLCO underwent PCD (decompression tube: 35; stent: 28) in our center. Elective surgery was performed for patients with clinical success of PCD.

Results:

The rates of technical success for PCD with tube and stent insertion were 91.4% (32/35) and 96.4% (27/28), respectively (P=0.773). Clinical success rates for PCD with tube and stent insertion were 90.6% (29/32) and 85.2% (23/27), respectively (P=0.811). Tumor resection with primary anastomosis was performed in all patients with clinical success in both groups. No significant differences were found between 2 groups regarding the duration of surgery and rates of postoperative complications.

Conclusion:

Decompression tube and stent insertion had similar effectiveness for PCD in patients with MLCO.
A gunpowder controversy in the early Royal Society, 1667–70
Authors: Robertson Haileigh
Published: July 2019

In 1667, ‘The History of Saltpetre and Gunpowder’ by Thomas Henshaw was published in Thomas Sprat's
The History of the Royal Society
. Three years later, Henshaw's work was subject to a scathing review by the notorious anti-Royal Society pamphleteer, Henry Stubbe. I argue that, for Stubbe, Henshaw was not merely a passive representative of the Royal Society through which he could direct his ire, but gunpowder, the subject of Henshaw's research, was important. Both Henshaw and Stubbe employed gunpowder deliberately and strategically. In this article I explore the reasons behind the Royal Society deciding to publish a ‘Baconian history’ of gunpowder. First I argue that the high status of gunpowder was used as a justification for experimental pursuits, and it provided a direct connection to the Society's forebear Francis Bacon. But Stubbe, who was already a critic of the Royal Society, happened to have knowledge that made him uniquely placed to write animadversions against Henshaw's paper. Secondly, gunpowder can shed light on the Baconian histories and the challenges faced by Baconian scholars in putting this project into practice.
Strongly correlated spatiotemporal encoding and simple decoding in the prefrontal cortex
Authors: Karpas ED , Maoz O , Kiani R , Schneidman E
Published: July 2019

We studied the fine temporal structure of spiking patterns of groups of up to 100 simultaneously recorded units in the prefrontal cortex of monkeys performing a visual discrimination task. We characterized the vocabulary of population activity patterns using 10 ms time bins and found that different sets of population activity patterns (codebooks) are used in different task epochs and that spiking correlations between units play a large role in defining those codebooks. Models that ignore those correlations fail to capture the population codebooks in all task epochs. Further, we show that temporal sequences of population activity patterns have strong history-dependence and are governed by different transition probabilities between patterns and different correlation time scales, in the different task epochs, suggesting different computational dynamics governing each epoch. Together, the large impact of spatial and temporal correlations on the dynamics of the population code makes the observed sequences of activity patterns many orders of magnitude more likely to appear than predicted by models that ignore these correlations and rely only on the population rates. Surprisingly, however, models that ignore these correlations perform quite well for decoding behavior from population responses. The difference of encoding and decoding complexity of the neural codebook suggests that one of the goals of the complex encoding scheme in the prefrontal cortex is to accommodate simple decoders that do not have to learn correlations.