bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficient modification of the myostatin gene in porcine somatic cells and generation of knockout piglets
Authors: Rao Shengbin , Fujimura Tatsuya , Matsunari Hitomi , Sakuma Tetsushi , Nakano Kazuaki , Watanabe Masahito , Asano Yoshinori , Kitagawa Eri , Yamamoto Takashi , Nagashima Hiroshi
Published: October 2015

Myostatin (MSTN) is a negative regulator of myogenesis, and disruption of its function causes increased muscle mass in various species. Here, we report the generation of MSTN‐knockout (KO) pigs using genome editing technology combined with somatic‐cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). Transcription activator‐like effector nuclease (TALEN) with non‐repeat‐variable di‐residue variations, called Platinum TALEN, was highly efficient in modifying genes in porcine somatic cells, which were then used for SCNT to create MSTN KO piglets. These piglets exhibited a double‐muscled phenotype, possessing a higher body weight and longissimus muscle mass measuring 170% that of wild‐type piglets, with double the number of muscle fibers. These results demonstrate that loss of MSTN increases muscle mass in pigs, which may help increase pork production for consumption in the future. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 83: 61–70, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Management of apical compartment prolapse (uterine and vault prolapse): A FIGO Working Group report
Authors: Betschart Cornelia , Cervigni Mauro , Contreras Ortiz Oscar , Doumouchtsis Stergios K. , Koyama Masayasu , Medina Carlos , Haddad Jorge Milhem , la Torre Filippo , Zanni Giuliano
Published: October 2015

Aim

Apical prolapse includes descent of the uterus, vagina cuff, or rarely solely of the cervix. It is estimated that women have an 11–19% life‐time risk of undergoing surgery for POP. This rate is projected to increase over the next 2–3 decades. In this FIGO working group report we address the conservative and surgical treatment options for apical prolapse.

Methods

The FIGO working group “Pelvic Floor Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery” describes the different treatments for apical prolapse based on the literature evidence, the cost‐effectiveness, the degree of difficulty and summed them up with an experts recommendation.

Results

Among the conservative treatment options, pessaries are the most successful options since centuries with a low complication rate and low costs. Among the vaginal operative procedures the sacrospinous ligament fixation (SSLF) and the uterosacral ligament suspension (USLS) show comparable outcomes and efficacy with a different, however, rather low complication pattern and a favorable cost‐benefit profile. Sacrocolpopexy, independent on the open abdominal, laparoscopic, or robotic‐assisted laparoscopic technique has a good durability and quality of life performance. The minimal invasive techniques are as effective as the open abdominal techniques and there is no difference in mesh exposure.

Conclusion

Vaginal procedures are well described procedures with favorable outcomes and cost‐benefit profiles. Sacral colpopexy has a high‐effectivity; data on the route of performance and long‐term outcome are awaited. The cost with mesh implants are higher compared to the operations with autologous tissue or any conservative treatment and further studies are recommended to evaluate the cure rates in the span of decades and the possible long‐term mesh complications. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:507–513, 2017. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Rolling Horizon Heuristic for the Multiperiod Network Design and Routing Problem
Authors: Papadimitriou Dimitri , Fortz Bernard
Published: October 2015

The capacitated fixed‐charge network design (FCND) problem considers the simultaneous optimization of capacity installation and routing of traffic where a fixed cost is paid for opening a link and a linear routing cost is paid for sending traffic flow(s) on that link. The routing decisions must be performed such that the traffic flows remain bounded by the installed link capacities. The FCND problem appears as a particular case of the combined multiperiod network design and traffic flow routing problem with time‐dependent demands formulated in this article as a mixed integer linear program (MILP). A compact formulation based on the aggregation of traffic flows per destination and an extended formulation, where flows are decomposed by origin‐destination pairs while keeping the requirement of destination‐based routing, have been proposed in D. Papadimitriou and B. Fortz, IEEE International Conference on Communications (2014), pp.1124–1130 and IEEE Global Communications Conference (2014), pp.1303–1309, respectively. In this article, we propose to resolve this computationally challenging problem by means of the rolling horizon heuristic with the objective to decrease the computational time while degrading as less as possible the quality of the solution. The resulting improvements enable to progressively overcome the computational limits encountered when solving such problem, in particular, when the network size and number of periods increase. The improvements provided by the rolling horizon heuristic can be further exploited by extending the proposed model to account for different patterns of failures that may affect installed arcs over time. For this purpose, our generalized MILP formulation comprises a time‐variable link maintenance cost function. We further analyze the quality of the results for the proposed formulation with different link maintenance cost functions with the objective to derive the best arc replacement strategy. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, Vol. 66(4), 364–379 2015
Outcome of Children with Standard‐Risk T‐Lineage Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia—Comparison among Different Treatment Strategies
Authors: Matloub Yousif , Stork Linda , Asselin Barbara , Hunger Stephen P. , Borowitz Michael , Jones Tamekia , Bostrom Bruce , Gastier‐Foster Julie M. , Heerema Nyla A. , Carroll Andrew , Winick Naomi , Carroll William L. , Camitta Bruce , Devidas Meenakshi , Gaynon Paul S.
Published: October 2015

Background

Children with T‐lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia ALL (T‐ALL) historically have had inferior outcomes compared with the children with precursor‐B ALL (B‐ALL). After 1995, the Children's Cancer Group (CCG) treated patients with B‐ and T‐ALL according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) risk criteria, basing risk stratification on age and white blood cell (WBC) count regardless of immunophenotype. The Pediatric Oncology Group (POG) treated all the patients with T‐ALL on separate, generally more intensive protocols than those used to treat the patients with B‐ALL.

Procedure

We compared the outcomes of children with T‐ALL and NCI standard‐risk (SR) criteria treated on CCG and POG trials between 1996 and 2005. CCG SR‐ALL 1952 and 1991 enrolled 80 and 86 patients with T‐ALL, respectively, utilizing a reduced intensity Berlin–Frankfurt–Münster backbone. Treatment was intensified for slow early responders and only patients with overt central nervous system leukemia received cranial irradiation. Eighty‐four patients with T‐ALL and SR features were enrolled on POG 9404 comprising more intensive therapy with all patients receiving cranial irradiation.

Results

The 7‐year event‐free survival (EFS) for patients with SR T‐ALL on CCG 1952, CCG 1991, and POG 9404 were 74.1 ± 5.8%, 81.8 ± 5.3%, and 84.2 ± 4.3%, respectively (P = 0.18). Overall 7‐year survivals were 86.1 ± 4.6%, 88.3 ± 4.4%, 89.1 ± 3.6%, respectively (P = 0.84).

Conclusions

Comparable high rates of EFS and long‐term survival were achieved with all three regimens, with the CCG regimens utilizing a less intensive chemotherapy backbone without prophylactic cranial irradiation for patients with SR T‐ALL.
Impact of charge trapping on the ferroelectric switching behavior of doped HfO2
Authors: Pešić Milan , Slesazeck Stefan , Schenk Tony , Schroeder Uwe , Mikolajick Thomas
Published: October 2015

In order to analyse the interplay between ferroelectric switching and parasitic charge trapping in ferroelectric doped hafnium oxide, a metal ferroelectric metal capacitor and grain boundary model is implemented in TCAD. In our study, we present how bulk traps inside the ferroelectric material, traps at the interface with the electrodes are impacting the ferroelectric switching behaviour. Switching peak splitting was observed experimentally, and reproduced by TCAD simulation. Furthermore, the influence of DC voltage stress on the switching behaviour is investigated experimentally and compared to the already known AC‐behaviour.

DC stress of the FeCAP redistributes the charge within the device influencing the kinetics of the ferroelectric switching and causing the peak split.
Utility of indocyanine‐green fluorescent imaging during robot‐assisted sphincter‐saving surgery on rectal cancer patients
Authors: Kim Jin C. , Lee Jong L. , Yoon Yong S. , Alotaibi Abdulrahman M. , Kim Jihun
Published: October 2015

Background

There have been few studies describing the use of indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescent imaging during robot‐assisted (RA) sphincter‐saving operations (SSOs) and assessing its potential role in reducing anastomotic leak (AL).

Methods

A consecutive cohort of 436 rectal cancer patients who underwent curative RA SSOs were prospectively enrolled during 2010–2014, including 123 patients with ICG imaging (ICG+ group) and 313 patients without ICG imaging (ICG– group).

Results

ICG imaging appeared to be helpful in identifying competent perfusion of the bowel adjacent to the anastomosis in 13 patients (10.6%) who might be susceptible to bowel ischaemia, including restrictive mesocolon. AL was remarkably greater in the ICG– group compared with the ICG+ group (5.4% vs 0.8%; p = 0.031).

Conclusions

ICG imaging during RA SSO provides accurate real‐time knowledge of the perfusion status at or near the anastomosis, specifically reducing AL in patients who may incur bowel ischaemia. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Genome‐wide analysis of alternative splicing events in Hordeum vulgare: Highlighting retention of intron‐based splicing and its possible function through network analysis
Authors: Panahi Bahman , Mohammadi Seyed Abolghasem , Khaksefidi Reyhaneh Ebrahimi , Fallah Mehrabadi Jalil , Ebrahimie Esmaeil
Published: October 2015

In this study, using homology mapping of assembled expressed sequence tags against the genomic data, we identified alternative splicing events in barley. Results demonstrated that intron retention is frequently associated with specific abiotic stresses. Network analysis resulted in discovery of some specific sub‐networks between miRNAs and transcription factors in genes with high number of alternative splicing, such as cross talk between SPL2, SPL10 and SPL11 regulated by miR156 and miR157 families. To confirm the alternative splicing events, elongation factor protein (MLOC_3412) was selected followed by experimental verification of the predicted splice variants by Semi quantitative Reverse Transcription PCR (qRT‐PCR). Our novel integrative approach opens a new avenue for functional annotation of alternative splicing through regulatory‐based network discovery.
Laminin therapy for the promotion of muscle regeneration
Authors: Riederer Ingo , Bonomo Adriana Cesar , Mouly Vincent , Savino Wilson
Published: October 2015

Muscle regeneration is essentially due to activation of satellite cells, which can be isolated and amplified ex vivo, thus representing good candidates for cell therapy. Accumulating data show that the local microenvironment plays a major role during muscle regeneration. In the satellite cell niche, a major extracellular matrix protein is laminin. Human myoblasts transplanted into immunodeficient mice are preferentially located in laminin‐enriched areas. Additionally, laminin‐111 enhances myoblast proliferation in vitro and increases expression of the α7β1 integrin‐type laminin receptor. Intramuscular injection of laminin‐111 ameliorates muscular pathology in mdx mice, protecting muscle fibers from damage. Moreover, transplantation of human myoblasts with laminin‐111 into Rag/mdx immunodeficient recipients improved efficacy of myoblast transplantation, increasing the number of human dystrophin‐positive myofibres. Taken together, these data strongly indicate that exogenous laminin can ameliorate the regeneration process in different models of muscular dystrophies and can be instrumental for improving cell therapy aiming at repairing the degeneration/regeneration process in skeletal muscle.
Interaction between variants in CLU and MS4A4E modulates Alzheimer's disease risk
Authors: Ebbert Mark T.W. , Boehme Kevin L. , Wadsworth Mark E. , Staley Lyndsay A. ,   Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative,   Alzheimer's Disease Genetics Consortium, Mukherjee Shubhabrata , Crane Paul K. , Ridge Perry G. , Kauwe John S.K.
Published: October 2015

Introduction

Ebbert et al. reported gene‐gene interactions between rs11136000‐rs670139 (CLU‐MS4A4E) and rs3865444‐rs670139 (CD33‐MS4A4E). We evaluate these interactions in the largest data set for an epistasis study.

Methods

We tested interactions using 3837 cases and 4145 controls from Alzheimer's Disease Genetics Consortium using meta‐analyses and permutation analyses. We repeated meta‐analyses stratified by apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 status, estimated combined odds ratio (OR) and population attributable fraction (cPAF), and explored causal variants.

Results

Results support the CLU‐MS4A4E interaction and a dominant effect. An association between CLU‐MS4A4E and APOE ε4 negative status exists. The estimated synergy factor, OR, and cPAF for rs11136000‐rs670139 are 2.23, 2.45, and 8.0, respectively. We identified potential causal variants.

Discussion

We replicated the CLU‐MS4A4E interaction in a large case‐control series and observed APOE ε4 and possible dominant effect. The CLU‐MS4A4E OR is higher than any Alzheimer's disease locus except APOE ε4, APP, and TREM2. We estimated an 8% decrease in Alzheimer's disease incidence without CLU‐MS4A4E risk alleles and identified potential causal variants.
Acortamiento cubital. Contribución del sistema guiado para osteotomía y síntesis
Authors: Oteo J.A. , Benavente P. , Merino P.
Published: October 2015

Objetivos: El acortamiento cubital es la técnica quirúrgica empleada más habitualmente para casos de impactación y dolor cubitocarpiano. Tradicionalmente el cúbito ha sido cortado sin guía y la osteosíntesis realizada con una placa no diseñada para esta intervención, pero han surgido sistemas que pretenden facilitar el trabajo al cirujano utilizando guías para la osteotomía y placas de compresión específicas, e intentar mejorar la evolución de los pacientes. El propósito de este estudio es determinar si con el uso de los sistemas guiados se consiguen mejorar los resultados de la técnica previa.

Material y método: Entre 2004 y 2008 el acortamiento cubital se realizó en nuestro Centro sin utilizar una técnica guiada, a partir del 2008 se utilizó un sistema guiado. Se ha realizado un estudio descriptivo en 37 casos, 19 no guiados, 18 guiados, revisando el tiempo de duración de la cirugía, el rango de movimiento, el tiempo de consolidación y la retirada del material de osteosíntesis.

Resultados: Tras realizar un análisis estadístico de los datos, se ha visto que hay una diferencia estadísticamente significativa en relación con la variable duración de la cirugía, siendo la cirugía guiada veinte minutos más corta que la no guiada. No se han visto diferencias estadísticamente significativas en los otros parámetros.

Conclusión: En el acortamiento cubital el uso de los sistemas guiados para corte y osteosíntesis, consigue reducir el tiempo de la cirugía, sin ocasionar detrimento en los resultados en comparación con la técnica sin guía.
Pseudoartrosis y consolidaciones viciosas de falanges distales
Authors: Ferreres A. , Gómez M.A. , Gutiérrez R.
Published: October 2015

Objetivo: Analizar los resultados obtenidos en el tratamiento quirúrgico de las pseudoartrosis y mala consolidación de falange distal.

Material y método: Se revisaron las historias clínicas de tres pacientes que fueron tratados de una pseudoartrosis y uno de una mala consolidación de la falange distal. El tratamiento consistió en resecar el tejido fibroso, realizar un aporte de hueso esponjoso autólogo y una fijación interna con tornillos de minifragmentos. La vía de acceso varió en función de la localización de la lesión.

Resultados: En todos los pacientes se obtuvo la consolidación y reanudaron sus actividades previas sin molestias.

Conclusión: La pseudoartrosis y/o mala consolidación de falange distal puede solucionarse de forma efectiva mediante un apropiado abordaje quirúrgico, una fijación interna estable y aporte de injerto óseo autólogo.
Resultado precoz del tratamiento de la enfermedad de Dupuytren mediante inyección de colagenasa
Authors: Pérez-Giner R.A. , Aguilella L.
Published: October 2015

Objetivo: Presentar nuestro protocolo de tratamiento y el resultado precoz obtenido en una serie inicial de pacientes tratados con colagenasa.

Material y método: Estudio prospectivo sobre 40 pacientes afectos de enfermedad de Dupuytren, tratados mediante colagenasa en 47 dedos. Los criterios de inclusión han sido cuerdas palpables con una flexión metacarpo-falángica y/o interfalángica proximal superior a 20°. Se han recogido los grados de contractura de las articulaciones metacarpo-falángica, interfalángica proximal e interfalángica proximal con metacarpo-falángica en máxima flexión, antes y después del tratamiento al mes y a los tres meses de la inyección.

Resultados: Se ha obtenido extensión completa (contractura igual o menor de 5°) en el 53% de los dedos tratados, con una media de 1,19 inyecciones por dedo. El 91% de los pacientes ha considerado satisfactorio el resultado. La corrección en las metacarpo-falángicas ha sido completa en el 71% y en las interfalángicas proximales en el 43%. Cuando la interfalángica proximal se corregía previamente con la metacarpo-falángica en flexión, su extensión completa se ha obtenido en el 77%. Se detallan las características de las roturas cutáneas observadas.

Conclusión: La inyección de colagenasa es un método efectivo de tratamiento, con una tasa elevada de satisfacción en los pacientes.
Nueva interpretación de los estabilizadores anatómicos en la fractura de muñeca. Parte II: patrones de lesión de las fracturas de radio
Authors: Rotella J.M. , Rotella P.
Published: October 2015

En este trabajo se presenta una nueva interpretación personal de las lesiones de muñeca basada en el estudio de la filogenia, embriología, anatomía y biomecánica de esta región y en base a esta nueva interpretación planteamos una nueva clasificación (parte I del trabajo), que ayudará a entender los patrones lesiónales de las distintas fracturas (parte II del trabajo) y a definir una nueva “estrategia” para el tratamiento de las fracturas de radio (parte III del trabajo).

Se describen tres sectores en la región de la muñeca: cubital (interno); central (medio) y radial (externo); cada uno de ellos presentan diferentes orígenes evolutivo, formativo, constitutivo y funcional.

La semiología radiológica nos permite reconocer que sector de la muñeca está lesionado y cuál es el grado de inestabilidad de cada uno de ellos. Es importante interpretar los diferentes patrones de lesión, punto importante en el diagnóstico de estas lesiones para entender la fisiopatología de las mismas y poder llevar a cabo la correcta estrategia de tratamiento.
Fracturas del radio distal: encuesta sobre preferencias de manejo y tratamiento
Authors: Delgado P.J. , Martínez-Capoccini D.M. , Cervera J.
Published: October 2015

Objetivo: La fractura de la extremidad distal del radio (FEDR) es un traumatismo frecuente a cualquier edad y su tratamiento es aún tema de controversia. El objetivo del trabajo es determinar la tendencia actual de manejo en cirujanos especialistas en cirugía de la mano.

Material y método: Se realiza una encuesta electrónica remitida por correo electrónico a miembros de la Sociedad Española de Cirugía de la Mano (SECMA). A los participantes se les pregunta por sus preferencias respecto a clasificación, tratamiento conservador y quirúrgico de estas fracturas. Se valoran sus resultados con la evidencia científica actual al respecto.

Resultados: Se obtuvieron 49 respuestas (14,41% de los socios encuestados) La mayoría tenían más de 21 años de experiencia como cirujanos de mano. La clasificación más usada fue la de AO-ASIF. Las FEDR estables se realiza de forma conservadora con yeso sin incluir el codo. El tratamiento de elección quirúrgico es la fijación interna con placas volares y tornillos. No es habitual la utilización de la artroscopia como asistente de la reducción y en casos de inestabilidad de la RCD se trata mediante fijación con agujas transfixiantes o tornillos de fijación de la estiloides cubital. No hay consenso de utilización de suplementos biológicos ni tratamiento coadyuvantes de la osteporosis. La toma de decisiones se realiza tomando en cuenta su experiencia personal y los conocimientos adquiridos durante su vida profesional.

Conclusiones: El manejo de las FEDR varía en función de la experiencia de cada cirujano y no se correlaciona necesariamente con la evidencia científica publicada al respecto. Su manejo es heterogéneo y se necesitan estudios mayores y elaborar patrones de consenso para el manejo de estas lesiones.
El papel de la propiocepción y el control neuromuscular en las inestabilidades del carpo
Authors: Lluch A. , Salvà G. , Esplugas M. , Llusá M. , Hagert E. , Garcia-Elias M.
Published: October 2015

La congruencia articular, la integridad ligamentaria y la compresión de las superficies articulares ocasionada por la contracción muscular se han considerado históricamente los tres pilares básicos para la estabilidad del carpo. En los últimos años se ha propuesto un nuevo factor para explicar los mecanismos de estabilización carpiana, la propiocepción y el control neuromuscular. La propiocepción en la muñeca se origina en órganos sensoriales localizados en los ligamentos y cápsulas articulares (los mecanorreceptores). La estimulación de los mismos inicia un reflejo involuntario que provoca una respuesta muscular selectiva dirigida a proteger la zona de la muñeca donde se ha originado la señal aferente. En este trabajo de revisión se pretende dar a conocer el concepto de propiocepción y control neuromuscular, el papel que tienen en la estabilidad del carpo y las posibles aplicaciones en la práctica clínica.
Valores normativos de la fuerza de puño en la población española en edad laboral. Influencia de las variables antropométricas de la mano y el antebrazo
Authors: Oteo J.A. , Benavente P. , Garzón M.
Published: October 2015

Objetivos: Determinar si en los individuos adultos sanos existe una apertura óptima del dinamómetro para conseguir la máxima fuerza de puño y si esta se relaciona con los valores de los parámetros antropométricos del antebrazo y la mano. Saber si a través de las medidas antropométricas del antebrazo y la mano es posible predecir la fuerza de puño que puede desarrollar un persona.

Métodos: 99 hombres y 103 mujeres (20-60 años). Cada mano se testó 10 veces, utilizando 5 aperturas del dinamómetro TKK. Las medidas antropométricas tomadas fueron ancho de la mano abierta, longitud del segundo, el tercer y el cuarto dedos, anchura de la palma, longitud de la palma, longitud de la mano, longitud del antebrazo, perímetro del antebrazo y grosor de la eminencia tenar.

Resultados: Con solo 2 aperturas (5,5-6 cm en varones, 5-5,5 cm en mujeres) se consiguió la máxima fuerza de puño en más del 60% de los individuos. El tamaño de la mano y el antebrazo influyó en la posición de apertura óptima en las mujeres, no en los varones. Los parámetros antropométricos que mejor definieron la fuerza fueron diferentes según el sexo y el lado, pero en ningún caso se logró que el valor de R2 superase el 0,50.

Conclusiones: La máxima fuerza de puño se consigue utilizando las posiciones medias del dinamómetro, siendo en mujeres la apertura menor que en varones. Empleando exclusivamente los parámetros antropométricos de la mano y el antebrazo no se consigue un valor predictivo útil, como el obtenido por otros autores con otras medidas antropométricas.
Pharmocologic treatment with histone deacetylase 6 inhibitor (ACY‐738) recovers Alzheimer's disease phenotype in amyloid precursor protein/presenilin 1 (APP/PS1) mice
Authors: Majid Tabassum , Griffin Deric , Criss Zachary , Jarpe Matthew , Pautler Robia G.
Published: October 2015

Introduction

Current therapy for Alzheimer's disease (AD) focuses on delaying progression, illustrating the need for more effective therapeutic targets. Histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) modulates tubulin acetylation and has been implicated as an attractive target. HDAC6 is also elevated in postmortem tissue samples from patients. However, HDAC6 inhibitors have had limited success preclinically due to low blood‐brain barrier penetration.

Method

We investigated a specific, potent HDAC6 inhibitor (ACY‐738) in a mouse model of AD. We determined the effects of ACY‐738 treatment on axonal transport, behavior, and pathology in amyloid precursor protein/presenilin 1 mice.

Results

We demonstrated improvements in in vivo axonal transport in two treatment groups as a result of ACY‐738 brain levels. We also demonstrated recovery of short‐term learning and memory deficits, hyperactivity, and modifications of tau and tubulin.

Discussion

Our findings implicate specific, targeted HDAC6 inhibitors as potential therapeutics and demonstrate that further investigations are warranted into effects of HDAC6 inhibitors in AD.
Routine Use of Contact Precautions for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus: Which Way Is the Pendulum Swinging?
Authors: Russell Dana , Beekmann Susan E. , Polgreen Philip M. , Rubin Zachary , Uslan Daniel Z.
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUND

Studies have suggested that contact precautions (CP) for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant enterococcus may have risks that outweigh the benefits. These risks, coupled with more widespread use of horizontal interventions such as daily bathing with chlorhexidine gluconate, have brought into question the value of routine CP for these organisms.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the state of utilization of CP as well as adjunctive measures to reduce the risk of transmission in US hospitals.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey.

PARTICIPANTS

Total of 751 physician members of the Emerging Infections Network.

METHODS

An 8-question electronic survey distributed by email.

RESULTS

A total of 426/751 (57%) responded to the survey; 337/364 (93%) of respondents use routine CP for methicillin-resistant S. aureus and 335/364 (92%) use routine CP for vancomycin-resistant enterococcus. The most widely used trigger for initiation of CP for both pathogens was positive clinical culture. Practices for discontinuation of isolation varied widely. We found that 325/354 (92%) perform routine chlorhexidine gluconate bathing and 236/353 (67%) perform S. aureus decolonization with mupirocin for 1 or more subsets of inpatients, and 82/356 (23%) reported using either hydrogen peroxide vapor or ultraviolet-C room disinfection at discharge. Free text responses noted frustration and variation in the application, practice, and process for initiation and discontinuation of CP.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of CP for methicillin-resistant S. aureus and vancomycin-resistant enterococcus remains commonplace, although horizontal interventions such as chlorhexidine gluconate bathing are increasingly used. The heterogeneity of practices and policies was striking. Evidence-based guidelines regarding CP and horizontal interventions are needed.

Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol. 2015;37(1):36–40
Evaluating the Use of the Case Mix Index for Risk Adjustment of Healthcare-Associated Infection Data: An Illustration using Clostridium difficile Infection Data from the National Healthcare Safety Network
Authors: Thompson Nicola D. , Edwards Jonathan R. , Dudeck Margaret A. , Fridkin Scott K. , Magill Shelley S.
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUND

Case mix index (CMI) has been used as a facility-level indicator of patient disease severity. We sought to evaluate the potential for CMI to be used for risk adjustment of National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) healthcare-associated infection (HAI) data.

METHODS

NHSN facility-wide laboratory-identified Clostridium difficile infection event data from 2012 were merged with the fiscal year 2012 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) Impact file by CMS certification number (CCN) to obtain a CMI value for hospitals reporting to NHSN. Negative binomial regression was used to evaluate whether CMI was significantly associated with healthcare facility-onset (HO) CDI in univariate and multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Among 1,468 acute care hospitals reporting CDI data to NHSN in 2012, 1,429 matched by CCN to a CMI value in the Impact file. CMI (median, 1.49; interquartile range, 1.36–1.66) was a significant predictor of HO CDI in univariate analysis (P<.0001). After controlling for community onset CDI prevalence rate, medical school affiliation, hospital size, and CDI test type use, CMI remained highly significant (P<.0001), with an increase of 0.1 point in CMI associated with a 3.4% increase in the HO CDI incidence rate.

CONCLUSIONS

CMI was a significant predictor of NHSN HO CDI incidence. Additional work to explore the feasibility of using CMI for risk adjustment of NHSN data is necessary.

Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol. 2015;37(1):19–25
Coalition Governments and Party Competition: Political Communication Strategies of Coalition Parties
Authors: Sagarzazu Iñaki , Klüver Heike
Published: October 2015

Coalition parties have to reconcile two competing logics: they need to demonstrate unity to govern together, but also have to emphasize their own profile to succeed in elections. We argue that the electoral cycle explains whether unity or differentiation prevails. While differentiation dominates at the beginning and the end of the legislative term in close proximity to elections, compromise dominates the middle of the term when coalition governments focus on enacting a common policy agenda. To test our theoretical claims, we draw on an innovative quantitative text analysis of more than 21,000 press releases published by coalition parties from 2000 until 2010.
Crustal geodynamics from the Archaean Bundelkhand Craton, India: constraints from zircon U–Pb–Hf isotope studies
Authors: SAHA L. , FREI D. , GERDES A. , PATI J. K. , SARKAR S. , PATOLE V. , BHANDARI A. , NASIPURI P.
Published: October 2015

A comprehensive study based on U–Pb and Hf isotope analyses of zircons from gneisses has been conducted along the western part (Babina area) of the E–W-trending Bundelkhand Tectonic Zone in the central part of the Archaean Bundelkhand Craton. 207Pb–206Pb zircon ages and Hf isotopic data indicate the existence of a felsic crust at ~ 3.59 Ga, followed by a second tectonothermal event at ~ 3.44 Ga, leading to calc-alkaline magmatism and subsequent crustal growth. The study hence suggests that crust formation in the Bundelkhand Craton occurred in a similar time-frame to that recorded from the Singhbhum and Bastar cratons of the North Indian Shield.
Specialists, Spies, “Special Settlers”, and Prisoners of War: Social Frictions in the Kuzbass (USSR), 1920–1950
Authors: Landau Julia
Published: October 2015

The Kuzbass coalmining region in western Siberia (Kuznetsk Basin) was explored, populated, and exploited under Stalin’s rule. Struggling to offset a high labour turnover, the local state-run coal company enrolled deportees from other regions of Russia and Siberia, who were controlled by the secret police (OGPU). These workers shared a common experience in having been forcibly separated from their place of origin. At the same time, foreigners were recruited from abroad as experts and offered a privileged position. In the years of the Great Terror (1936−1938) both groups were persecuted, as they were regarded by the state as disloyal and suspicious. After the war, foreigners were recruited in large numbers as prisoners of war. Thus, migrants, foreigners, and deportees from other regions and countries constituted a significant part of the workforce in the Kuzbass, while their status constantly shifted due to economic needs and repressive politics.
Comparison of arginase isoform expression in patients with different subtypes of chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Taruya T , Takeno S , Kubota K , Sasaki A , Ishino T , Hirakawa K
Published: October 2015

Objective:

Although human paranasal sinuses are critical organs for nitric oxide production, little information is available regarding the role of arginase in alterations of arginine metabolism and nasal nitric oxide levels that may be informative for classifying chronic rhinosinusitis subtypes.

Methods:

The expression and localisation of arginase and nitric oxide synthase isoforms in paranasal sinus mucosa were examined, and the fractional exhaled nitric oxide was measured in chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (n=18) and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (n= 27) patients.

Results:

Increased arginase-2 activities in chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps patients were associated with significantly lower levels of nasal fractional exhaled nitric oxide. Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps patients showed significantNOS2messenger RNA upregulation with concomitant higher levels of oral and nasal fractional exhaled nitric oxide.

Conclusion:

These results indicate that fractional exhaled nitric oxide is a valid marker for differentiating chronic rhinosinusitis phenotypes based on a delicate balance between arginase and nitric oxide synthase activities in nitric oxide production.
Governing the antipodes: international cooperation in Antarctica and the Arctic
Authors: Young Oran R.
Published: October 2015

The Arctic and the Antarctic appear to be polar opposites with regard to many matters, including the systems of governance that have evolved in the two regions. Antarctica is demilitarised, closed to economic development, open to a wide range of scientific activities, and subject to strict environmental regulations under the terms of the legally binding Antarctic Treaty of 1959 along with several supplementary measures that together form the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS). The Arctic, by contrast, is a theatre of military operations, a site of largescale industrial activities, a homeland for sizable groups of indigenous peoples, and a focus of growing concern regarding the environmental impacts of human activities. The Arctic Council, the principal international body concerned with governance at the regional level, operates under the terms of a ministerial declaration that is not legally binding; it lacks the authority to make formal decisions about matters of current interest. Digging a little deeper, however, one turns up some illuminating similarities between the governance systems operating in the antipodes. In this article, I pursue this line of thinking, setting forth a range of observations relating to (i) the history of governance in the antipodes, (ii) institutional innovations occurring in these regions, (iii) issues of membership, (iv) jurisdictional concerns, (v) the role of science, (vi) relations with the UN system, (vii) institutional interplay, and (viii) the adaptiveness of governance systems in the face of changing circumstances. The governance systems for the polar regions are not likely to converge anytime soon. Nevertheless, this analysis should be of interest not only to those concerned with the fate of Antarctica and the Arctic but also to those seeking to find effective means of addressing needs for governance in other settings calling for governance without government.
STRATEGIC DYNAMIC JOCKEYING BETWEEN TWO PARALLEL QUEUES
Authors: Dehghanian Amin , Kharoufeh Jeffrey P. , Modarres Mohammad
Published: October 2015

Consider a two-station, heterogeneous parallel queueing system in which each station operates as an independent M/M/1 queue with its own infinite-capacity buffer. The input to the system is a Poisson process that splits among the two stations according to a Bernoulli splitting mechanism. However, upon arrival, a strategic customer initially joins one of the queues selectively and decides at subsequent arrival and departure epochs whether to jockey (or switch queues) with the aim of reducing her own sojourn time. There is a holding cost per unit time, and jockeying incurs a fixed non-negative cost while placing the customer at the end of the other queue. We examine individually optimal joining and jockeying policies that minimize the strategic customer's total expected discounted (or undiscounted) costs over finite and infinite time horizons. The main results reveal that, if the strategic customer is in station 1 with ℓ customers in front of her, and q1 and q2 customers in stations 1 and 2, respectively (excluding herself), then the incentive to jockey increases as either ℓ increases or q2 decreases. Numerical examples reveal that it may not be optimal to join, and/or jockey to, the station with the shortest queue or the fastest server.
On a class of nonlinear anisotropic parabolic problems
Authors: Abdou M. H. , Chrif M. , El Manouni S. , Hjiaj H.
Published: October 2015

We prove the existence of weak solutions for the strongly nonlinear parabolic problem

in the anisotropic Sobolev space , where the data f are assumed to be in the dual, and the nonlinear term g(x, t, s) has growth and sign conditions on s.
Controversies about the visual areas located at the anterior border of area V2 in primates
Authors: GATTASS RICARDO , LIMA BRUSS , SOARES JULIANA G.M. , UNGERLEIDER LESLIE G.
Published: October 2015

Anatomical and electrophysiological studies have provided us with detailed information regarding the extent and topography of the primary (V1) and secondary (V2) visual areas in primates. The consensus about the V1 and V2 maps, however, is in sharp contrast with controversies regarding the organization of the cortical areas lying immediately rostral to V2. In this review, we address the contentious issue of the extent of the third visual area (V3). Specifically, we will argue for the existence of both ventral (V3v) and dorsal (V3d) segments of V3, which are located, respectively, adjacent to the anterior border of ventral and dorsal V2. V3v and V3d would together constitute a single functional area with a complete representation of both upper and lower visual hemifields. Another contentious issue is the organization of the parietal-occipital (PO) area, which also borders the rostral edge of the medial portion of dorsal V2. Different from V1, V2, and V3, which exhibit a topography based on the defined lines of isoeccentricity and isopolar representation, area PO only has a systematic representation of polar angles, with an emphasis on the peripheral visual field (isoeccentricity lines are not well defined). Based on the connectivity patterns of area PO with distinct cytochrome oxidase modules in V2, we propose a subdivision of the dorsal stream of visual information processing into lateral and medial domains. In this model, area PO constitutes the first processing instance of the dorsal-medial stream, coding for the full-field flow of visual cues during navigation. Finally, we compare our findings with those in other species of Old and New World monkeys and argue that larger animals, such as macaque and capuchin monkeys, have similar organizations of the areas rostral to V2, which is different from that in smaller New World monkeys.
Co-localization of glutamic acid decarboxylase and vesicular GABA transporter in cytochrome oxidase patches of macaque striate cortex
Authors: ADAMS DANIEL L. , ECONOMIDES JOHN R. , HORTON JONATHAN C.
Published: October 2015

The patches in primary visual cortex constitute hot spots of metabolic activity, manifested by enhanced levels of cytochrome oxidase (CO) activity. They are also labeled preferentially by immunostaining for glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and parvalbumin. However, calbindin shows stronger immunoreactivity outside patches. In light of this discrepancy, the distribution of the vesicular GABA transporter (VGAT) was examined in striate cortex of two normal macaques. VGAT immunoreactivity was strongest in layers 4B, 4Cα, and 5. In tangential sections, the distribution of CO, GAD, and VGAT was compared in layer 2/3. There was a close match between all three labels. This finding indicates that GABA synthesis is enriched in patches, and that inhibitory synapses are more active in patches than interpatches.
Disaster Management and General Dental Practitioners in India: An Overlooked Resource
Authors: Chhabra Kumar Gaurav , Rajesh Gururaghavendran , Chhabra Chaya , Binnal Almas , Sharma Ashish , Pachori Yashpal
Published: October 2015

Objective

To assess General Dental Practitioners’ (GDPs) in India willingness to participate in disaster management and their previous training pertaining to disaster management, and to assess GDP objective knowledge, attitude, and behavior regarding disaster management.

Materials and Methods

This study was a cross-sectional survey conducted on all GDPs of Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India. Willingness to participate, perceived knowledge, perceived effectiveness, objective knowledge, attitude, and behavior regarding disaster management were assessed through questionnaire method. Information also was collected regarding age, gender, religion, and residence.

Results

A total of 142 out of 180 GDPs participated in the study, representing a response rate of 79%. A majority (85%) of respondents were willing to participate in disaster management. Mean score for knowledge was 12.21%, for attitude was 33.56%, for behavior was 14.50%, and for perceived effectiveness was 9.08%. Significant correlations were observed between qualification and perceived effectiveness (P=.003), and between attitude and years of practice (P=.04). Willingness to participate in disaster management and age showed significant association (P=.000).

Conclusions

High willingness and attitude to participate in disaster management was observed among respondents. Low knowledge and behavior scores were observed among GDPs.

ChhabraKG,RajeshG,ChhabraC,BinnalA,SharmaA,PachoriY.Disaster management and General Dental Practitioners in India: an overlooked resource.Prehosp Disaster Med.2015;30(6):569–573.
Developing Legacy: Health Planning in the Host City of Porto Alegre for the 2014 Football World Cup
Authors: Witt Regina Rigatto , Kotlhar Mauro Kruter , Mesquita Marilise Oliveira , Lima Maria Alice Dias da Silva , Marin Sandra Mara , Day Carolina Baltar , Bandeira Andrea Goncalves , Hutton Alison
Published: October 2015

Aim

To describe the process adopted to identify, classify, and evaluate legacy of health care planning in the host city of Porto Alegre for the Football World Cup 2014.

Background

There is an emerging interest in the need to demonstrate a sustainable health legacy from mass gatherings investments. Leaving a public health legacy for future host cities and countries is now an important part of planning for these events.

Process

The Ministry of Sports initiated and coordinated the development of projects in the host cities to identify actions, projects, and constructions to be developed to prepare for the World Cup. In Porto Alegre, a common structure was developed by the coordinating team to instruct legacy identification, classification, and evaluation. This structure was based on international documentary analysis (including official reports, policy documents, and web-based resources) and direct communication with recognized experts in the field.

Findings and Interpretation

Sixteen total legacies were identified for health surveillance (5) and health services (11). They were classified according to the strategic area, organizations involved, dimension, typology, planned or unplanned, tangible or intangible, territorial coverage, and situation prior to the World Cup. Possible impacts were then assessed as positive, negative, and potentiating, and mitigating actions were indicated.

Conclusions

The project allowed the identification, classification, and development of health legacy, including risk analysis, surveillance, mitigation measures, and provision of emergency medical care. Although the project intended the development of indicators to measure the identified legacies, evaluation was not possible at the time of publication due to time.

WittRR,KotlharMK,MesquitaMO,LimaMADS,MarinSM,DayCB,BandeiraAG,HuttonA.Developing legacy: health planning in the host city of Porto Alegre for the 2014 Football World Cup.Prehosp Disaster Med.2015;30(6):613–617.
The time course of cross-language activation in deaf ASL–English bilinguals
Authors: MORFORD JILL P. , OCCHINO-KEHOE CORRINE , PIÑAR PILAR , WILKINSON ERIN , KROLL JUDITH F.
Published: October 2015

What is the time course of cross-language activation in deaf sign–print bilinguals? Prior studies demonstrating cross-language activation in deaf bilinguals used paradigms that would allow strategic or conscious translation. This study investigates whether cross-language activation can be eliminated by reducing the time available for lexical processing. Deaf ASL–English bilinguals and hearing English monolinguals viewed pairs of English words and judged their semantic similarity. Half of the stimuli had phonologically related translations in ASL, but participants saw only English words. We replicated prior findings of cross-language activation despite the introduction of a much faster rate of presentation. Further, the deaf bilinguals were as fast or faster than hearing monolinguals despite the fact that the task was in their second language. The results allow us to rule out the possibility that deaf ASL–English bilinguals only activate ASL phonological forms when given ample time for strategic or conscious translation across their two languages.
Exploring the Impact of a Changing Climate on Tribal Communities
Authors: Watts Nievita , Dalbotten Diana
Published: October 2015

GA3: A Changing Climate's Effect on Rivers, Estuaries, Oceans, First Foods, and Tribal Health; Portland, Oregon, 21–23 March 2015
Climate Closure
Authors: Lovejoy S.
Published: October 2015

In the battle of public opinion over climate change, we can play to science's strengths by shifting tactics: Instead of struggling to prove humans are to blame, let's prove denialist fantasies wrong.
Night Lights Illuminate Human Presence near Rivers
Authors: Stanley Sarah
Published: October 2015

Nocturnal satellite imagery and other fine-scale data could improve global water resources management.
Genetic evidence for an origin of the Armenians from Bronze Age mixing of multiple populations
Authors: Haber Marc , Mezzavilla Massimo , Xue Yali , Comas David , Gasparini Paolo , Zalloua Pierre , Tyler-Smith Chris
Published: October 2015

The Armenians are a culturally isolated population who historically inhabited a region in the Near East bounded by the Mediterranean and Black seas and the Caucasus, but remain under-represented in genetic studies and have a complex history including a major geographic displacement during World War I. Here, we analyse genome-wide variation in 173 Armenians and compare them with 78 other worldwide populations. We find that Armenians form a distinctive cluster linking the Near East, Europe, and the Caucasus. We show that Armenian diversity can be explained by several mixtures of Eurasian populations that occurred between ~3000 and ~2000 bce, a period characterized by major population migrations after the domestication of the horse, appearance of chariots, and the rise of advanced civilizations in the Near East. However, genetic signals of population mixture cease after ~1200 bce when Bronze Age civilizations in the Eastern Mediterranean world suddenly and violently collapsed. Armenians have since remained isolated and genetic structure within the population developed ~500 years ago when Armenia was divided between the Ottomans and the Safavid Empire in Iran. Finally, we show that Armenians have higher genetic affinity to Neolithic Europeans than other present-day Near Easterners, and that 29% of Armenian ancestry may originate from an ancestral population that is best represented by Neolithic Europeans.