bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vitamin D deficiency or supplementation and the risk of human herpesvirus infections or reactivation: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Lin Liang-Yu , Bhate Ketaki , Forbes Harriet , Smeeth Liam , Warren-Gash Charlotte , Langan Sinéad
Published: October 2019

Introduction

Human herpesviruses induce lifelong latent infections and may reactivate as the immune system deteriorates. Recent studies have suggested that vitamin D, an essential element of bone health, may have some effect of protecting against infections, but investigations of its potential to prevent herpesvirus infection or reactivation are limited. We will review the current literature examining vitamin D and the risk of herpesvirus infections or reactivation.

Methods and analysis

Our systematic review will address two research questions: (1) Do deficient/insufficient serum vitamin D levels increase the risk of herpesvirus infections and (2) Does vitamin D supplementation protect against herpesvirus infections? We will include only intervention studies with control groups, cohort studies and case-control studies. We will use subject headings and keywords to search for synonyms of ‘vitamin D’ and ‘herpesviruses’ (including herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2, varicella-zoster virus, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus and human herpesviruses type 6, 7 and 8) in Medline, Embase, Global Health, Web of Science, Scopus and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and the grey literature databases Open Grey, EThOS and BASE from inception to 31 August 2019. References to the included articles and relevant systematic reviews will also be examined. Two reviewers will independently screen the study titles and abstracts, and examine the full texts to decide the final eligibility. They will independently extract data from the studies and assess bias using the Cochrane Collaboration approach. A third researcher will solve any discrepancies. The results will be narratively synthesised; if an adequate number of studies is included and the homogeneity between studies is acceptable, a meta-analysis will be performed. We will assess the quality of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework, and display the results in a summary of findings table.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical review is not required for a systematic review. We will publish the results in a peer-review journal. Any amendments to the protocol will be recorded in the supplementary section.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42019130153.
Ageing stereotypes and prodromal Alzheimer’s disease (AGING): study protocol for an ongoing randomised clinical study
Authors: Gauthier Kim , Morand Alexandrine , Dutheil Frederic , Alescio-Lautier Béatrice , Boucraut José , Clarys David , Eustache Francis , Girard Nadine , Guedj Eric , Mazerolle Marie , Paccalin Marc , de la Sayette Vincent , Zaréa Aline , Huguet Pascal , Michel Bernard F , Desgranges Béatrice ,   AGING consortium, Régner Isabelle
Published: October 2019

Introduction

The number of older people diagnosed with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), the prodromal state of Alzheimer's disease (AD), is increasing worldwide. However, some patients with aMCI never convert to the AD type of dementia, with some remaining stable and others reverting to normal. This overdiagnosis bias has been largely overlooked and gone unexplained. There is ample evidence in the laboratory that negative ageing stereotypes (eg, the culturally shared belief that ageing inescapably causes severe cognitive decline) contribute to the deteriorating cognitive performances of healthy older adults, leading them to perform below their true abilities. The study described here is intended to test for the first time whether such stereotypes also impair patients’ cognitive performances during neuropsychological examinations in memory clinics, resulting in overdiagnosis of aMCI.

Methods and analysis

The ongoing study is a 4-year randomised clinical trial comparing patients’ physiological stress and cognitive performances during neuropsychological testing in memory clinics. A total of 260 patients attending their first cognitive evaluation will be randomised to either a standard condition of test administration, assumed here to implicitly activate negative ageing stereotypes or a reduced-threat instruction condition designed to alleviate the anxiety arising from these stereotypes. Both groups will be tested with the same test battery and stress biomarkers. For 30 patients diagnosed with aMCI in each group (n=60), biomarkers of neurodegeneration and amyloidopathy will be used to distinguish between aMCI with normal versus abnormal AD biomarkers. A 9-month follow-up will be performed on all patients to identify those whose cognitive performances remain stable, deteriorate or improve.

Ethics and dissemination

This protocol has been approved by the French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety and the Sud-Est I French Ethics Committee (2017-A00946-47). Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

NCT03138018.
The impact of closing emergency departments on mortality in emergencies: an observational study
Authors: Knowles Emma , Shephard Neil , Stone Tony , Mason Suzanne M , Nicholl Jon
Published: October 2019

Background

In England the demand for emergency care is increasing, while there is also a staffing shortage. This has implications for quality of care and patient safety. One solution may be to concentrate resources on fewer sites by closing or downgrading emergency departments (EDs). Our aim was to quantify the impact of such reorganisation on population mortality.

Methods

We undertook a controlled interrupted time series analysis to detect the impact of closing or downgrading five EDs, which occurred due to concerns regarding sustainability. We obtained mortality data from 2007 to 2014 using national databases. To establish ED resident catchment populations, estimated journey times by road were supplied by the Department for Transport. Other major changes in the emergency and urgent care system were determined by analysis of annual NHS Trust reports in each geographical area studied. Our main outcome measures were mortality and case fatality for a set of 16 serious emergency conditions.

Results

For residents in the areas affected by closure, journey time to the nearest ED increased (median change 9 min, range 0–25 min). We found no statistically reliable evidence of a change in overall mortality following reorganisation of ED care in any of the five areas or overall (+2.5% more deaths per month on average; 95% CI −5.2% to +10.2%; p=0.52). There was some evidence to suggest that, on average across the five areas, there was a small increase in case fatality, an indicator of the ‘risk of death’ (+2.3%, 95% CI +0.9% to+3.6%; p<0.001), but this may have arisen due to changes in hospital admissions.

Conclusions

We found no evidence that reorganisation of emergency care was associated with a change in population mortality in the five areas studied. Further research should establish the economic consequences and impact on patient experience and neighbouring hospitals.
Effects of nationwide implementation of work-related medical rehabilitation in Germany: propensity score matched analysis
Authors: Bethge Matthias , Markus Miriam , Streibelt Marco , Gerlich Christian , Schuler Michael
Published: October 2019

Objectives

Since 2014, the Federal German Pension Insurance has approved several departments to implement work-related medical rehabilitation programmes across Germany. Our cohort study was launched to assess the effects of work-related medical rehabilitation under real-life conditions.

Methods

Participants received either a common or a work-related medical rehabilitation programme. Propensity score matching was used to identify controls that were comparable to work-related medical rehabilitation patients. The effects were assessed by patient-reported outcome measures 10 months after completing the rehabilitation programme.

Results

We compared 641 patients who were treated in work-related medical rehabilitation with 641 matched controls. Only half of the treated patients had high initial work disability risk scores and were intended to be reached by the new programmes. The dose of work-related components was on average in accordance with the guideline; however, the heterogeneity was high. Work-related medical rehabilitation increased the proportion of patients returning to work by 5.8 percentage points (95% CI 0.005 to 0.110), decreased the median time to return to work by 9.46 days (95% CI -18.14 to -0.79), and improved self-rated work ability by 0.38 points (95% CI 0.05 to 0.72) compared with common medical rehabilitation. A per-protocol analysis revealed that work-related medical rehabilitation was more effective if patients were assigned according to the guideline and the minimal mandatory treatment dose was actually delivered.

Conclusions

The implementation of work-related medical rehabilitation in German rehabilitation centres affected work participation outcomes. Improving guideline fidelity (reach and dose delivered) will probably improve the outcomes in real-world care.

Trial Registration Number

DRKS00009780
Morbidity and mortality of domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) under primary veterinary care in England
Authors: O'Neill Dan G , Craven Hermien C , Brodbelt David C , Church David B , Hedley Joanna
Published: October 2019

Background

The domestic rabbit is a common pet species, but limited research exists on the health of pet rabbits. This study aimed to characterise common disorders of pet rabbits and reasons for mortality as recorded by veterinary practices in England.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study covered anonymised clinical records of 6349 rabbits attending 107 primary veterinary care clinics.

Results

The median age was 3.2 years (interquartile range (IQR) 1.6–5.1), and the median adult bodyweight was 2.1 kg (IQR 1.7–2.6). The most common breed types were domestic (n=2022, 31.9 per cent), lop (1675, 26.4 per cent) and Netherland dwarf (672, 10.6 per cent). For those rabbits that died during the study period, the median age at death was 4.3 years (IQR 2.1–7.0). The most common causes of death were recorded as myiasis (prevalence 10.9 per cent, 95 per cent confidence interval (CI): 7.4 to 15.2), anorexia (4.9 per cent, 95 per cent CI: 4.0 to 10.4), recumbency/collapse (4.9 per cent, 95 per cent CI: 4.0 to 10.4) and ileus (4.3 per cent, 95 per cent CI: 3.5 to 9.5). The most prevalent specific disorders recorded were overgrown claw/nails (16.0 per cent, 95 per cent CI: 14.5 to 17.5), overgrown molar(s) (7.6 per cent, 95 per cent CI: 6.6 to 8.7), perineal soiling (4.5 per cent, 95 per cent CI: 3.7 to 5.4), overgrown incisor(s) (4.3 per cent, 95 per cent CI: 3.5 to 5.2) and ileus (4.2 per cent, 95 per cent CI: 3.4 to 5.0).

Conclusions

This study augments the limited evidence base on rabbit health and can assist veterinarians to better advise owners on optimal animal husbandry priorities.
A 3-3-1 model with low scale seesaw mechanisms
Authors: Cárcamo Hernández A. E. , Hidalgo Velásquez Yocelyne , Pérez-Julve Nicolás A.
Published: October 2019

We construct a viable 3-3-1 model with two $$SU(3)_L$$SU(3)L scalar triplets, extended fermion and scalar spectrum, based on the $$T^{\prime }$$T′ family symmetry and other auxiliary cyclic symmetries, whose spontaneous breaking yields the observed pattern of SM fermion mass spectrum and fermionic mixing parameters. In our model the SM quarks lighter than the top quark, get their masses from a low scale Universal seesaw mechanism, the SM charged lepton masses are produced by a Froggatt-Nielsen mechanism and the small light active neutrino masses are generated from an inverse seesaw mechanism. The model is consistent with the low energy SM fermion flavor data and successfully accommodates the current Higgs diphoton decay rate and predicts charged lepton flavor violating decays within the reach of the forthcoming experiments.
Metamaterial-based fuel sensor application with three rhombus slots
Authors: Tümkaya Mehmet Ali , Ünal Emin , Sabah Cumali
Published: October 2019

In this paper, a sensor structure operating in the microwave frequency band is used and it is aimed to determine whether fuel samples are branded or not. In the literature, the studies on the sensor applications of metamaterials (MTMs) have increased considerably in recent years. However, this study, unlike other studies, focuses on determining the changes in electromagnetic parameters of different fuel samples at X band frequencies. For this purpose, the electromagnetic properties of the branded and unbranded fuel samples are measured experimentally. Then, simulation studies are carried out using the experimental results and the dimensions of the resonators are optimized to determine the most suitable structure. Fabrication of MTM sensor structure is then performed using optimized dimensions. Finally, the experimental study is carried out using the sensor structure.
Nonlinear energy deposition of filamentation with femtosecond Airy laser beams in water
Authors: Zeng Qingwei , Liu Lei , Zhang Kejin , Gao Taichang , Chen Ming , Wang Qi
Published: October 2019

The nonlinear propagation of femtosecond Airy laser filaments in water is numerically investigated in this paper. We mainly consider the influences of confinement parameter, pulse duration and beam waist on the deposited energy of filaments. The values of confinement parameter are found to have a significant impact on the temporal and spatial dynamics of the pulse. The characteristics of energy deposition also differ widely for Airy beams with different confinement parameters. The less the confinement parameter, the more energy deposited by filamentation. However, the relative deposited energy evolves relatively small changes under different confinement parameters. We also found the longer pulse duration and longer beam waist are beneficial to the total deposited energy increase.
Plant Cell Polarity: Creating Diversity from Inside the Box
Authors: Muroyama Andrew , Bergmann Dominique
Published: October 2019

Cell polarity in plants operates across a broad range of spatial and temporal scales to control processes from acute cell growth to systemic hormone distribution. Similar to other eukaryotes, plants generate polarity at both the subcellular and tissue levels, often through polarization of membrane-associated protein complexes. However, likely due to the constraints imposed by the cell wall and their extremely plastic development, plants possess novel polarity molecules and mechanisms highly tuned to environmental inputs. Considerable progress has been made in identifying key plant polarity regulators, but detailed molecular understanding of polarity mechanisms remains incomplete in plants. Here, we emphasize the striking similarities in the conceptual frameworks that generate polarity in both animals and plants. To this end, we highlight how novel, plant-specific proteins engage in common themes of positive feedback, dynamic intracellular trafficking, and posttranslational regulation to establish polarity axes in development. We end with a discussion of how environmental signals control intrinsic polarity to impact postembryonic organogenesis and growth.
Ultrasonic Testing Analysis of Concrete Structure Based on S Transform
Authors: Xu Juncai , Wei Hai
Published: October 2019

Ultrasonic testing analysis is a crucial scientific component during the process and interpretation of the ultrasonic detection signal. Focusing on the ultrasonic testing characteristics, the time‐invariant spectral analysis method cannot meet the processing requirements of the detection signal fully. Thus, S transform, the time‐varying analysis method, was introduced into the ultrasonic testing data processing of the concrete structure. The acoustic wave phase velocity was derived based on the spectrum analysis, and the S transform time‐frequency analysis method was established. Finally, based on the method of concrete experimental data set, studies show that the frequency energy spectrum with S transform can realize flexible and effective identification of defects in the concrete structure. Definitely, this analysis method can significantly improve the resolution and practicality of ultrasonic testing.
Mathematical Modeling, Analysis, and Simulation of Tumor Dynamics with Drug Interventions
Authors: Unni Pranav , Seshaiyer Padmanabhan
Published: October 2019

Over the last few decades, there have been significant developments in theoretical, experimental, and clinical approaches to understand the dynamics of cancer cells and their interactions with the immune system. These have led to the development of important methods for cancer therapy including virotherapy, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted drug therapy, and many others. Along with this, there have also been some developments on analytical and computational models to help provide insights into clinical observations. This work develops a new mathematical model that combines important interactions between tumor cells and cells in the immune systems including natural killer cells, dendritic cells, and cytotoxic CD8+T cells combined with drug delivery to these cell sites. These interactions are described via a system of ordinary differential equations that are solved numerically. A stability analysis of this model is also performed to determine conditions for tumor-free equilibrium to be stable. We also study the influence of proliferation rates and drug interventions in the dynamics of all the cells involved. Another contribution is the development of a novel parameter estimation methodology to determine optimal parameters in the model that can reproduce a given dataset. Our results seem to suggest that the model employed is a robust candidate for studying the dynamics of tumor cells and it helps to provide the dynamic interactions between the tumor cells, immune system, and drug-response systems.
Lycorine Attenuates Autophagy in Osteoclasts via an Axis of mROS/TRPML1/TFEB to Reduce LPS-Induced Bone Loss
Authors: Park Hyun-Jung , Gholam-Zadeh Malihatosadat , Suh Jae-Hee , Choi Hye-Seon
Published: October 2019

Lycorine, a plant alkaloid, exhibits anti-inflammatory activity by acting in macrophages that share precursor cells with osteoclasts (OCs). We hypothesized that lycorine might decrease bone loss by acting in OCs after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, since OCs play a main role in LPS-induced bone loss. Microcomputerized tomography (μCT) analysis revealed that lycorine attenuated LPS-induced bone loss in mice.In vivotartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining showed that increased surface area and number of OCs in LPS-treated mice were also decreased by lycorine treatment, suggesting that OCs are responsible for the bone-sparing effect of lycorine.In vitro, the increased number and activity of OCs induced by LPS were reduced by lycorine. Lycorine also decreased LPS-induced autophagy in OCs by evaluation of decreased lipidated form of microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B (LC3) (LC3II) and increased sequestosome 1 (p62). Lycorine attenuated oxidized transient receptor potential cation channel, mucolipin subfamily (TRPML1) by reducing mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS) and decreased transcription factor EB (TFEB) nuclear translocation. Lycorine reduced the number and activity of OCs by decreasing autophagy in OCs via an axis of mROS/TRPML1/TFEB. Collectively, lycorine protected against LPS-induced bone loss by acting in OCs. Our data highlight the therapeutic potential of lycorine for protection against inflammatory bone loss.
The Utility of the Congenital Pulmonary Airway Malformation-Volume Ratio in the Assessment of Fetal Echogenic Lung Lesions: A Systematic Review
Authors: Kane Stefan C. , Ancona Emanuele , Reidy Karen L. , Palma-Dias Ricardo
Published: October 2019

Although relatively uncommon, the incidence of fetal echogenic lung lesions – a heterogeneous group of anomalies that includes congenital pulmonary airway malformations (CPAM) and bronchopulmonary sequestrations (BPS) – has increased recently. Two decades ago, the CPAM-volume ratio (CVR) was first described as a tool to predict the development of hydrops, with this outcome found to be unlikely in fetuses with CVRs of ≤1.6 cm2. Since then, no clear international consensus has evolved as to the optimal CVR thresholds for the prediction of fetal/neonatal outcomes. This systematic review aimed to assess all original research studies that reported on the predictive utility of the CVR. Potentially relevant papers were identified through searching for citations of the paper that originally described the CVR, in addition to keyword searches of electronic databases. Fifty-two original research papers were included in the final review. Of these, 34 used the CVR for descriptive purposes only, 5 assessed the validity of established thresholds in different populations, and 13 proposed new thresholds. The evidence identified in this review would suggest that a threshold much lower than 1.6 cm2 is likely to be of greater utility in most populations for many outcomes of perinatal relevance. For neonatal outcomes (mostly respiratory compromise at birth), a CVR on the initial ultrasound scan ranging from 0.5 to 1.0 cm2 appears to have the greatest predictive value. Although a number of studies concurred that 1.6 cm2 was a useful threshold for the prediction of hydrops, many others were unable to assess this due to the rarity of this complication. For this reason, thresholds as low as 0.4 cm2 may be more useful for the prediction of a broader range of fetal concerns, including mediastinal shift and fluid collections. Further large-scale studies are required to determine the true utility of this well-established index.
Atopic March: Collegium Internationale Allergologicum Update 2020
Authors: Aw Michael , Penn Jeremy , Gauvreau Gail M. , Lima Hermenio , Sehmi Roma
Published: October 2019

In recent decades, the worldwide prevalence of allergic disease has increased considerably. The atopic march is a model aimed at explaining the apparent progression of allergic diseases from atopic dermatitis (AD) to allergic asthma (AA) and to allergic rhinitis (AR). It hypothesizes that allergic disease begins, typically in children, with the development of AD, then AA, and finally progresses to AR. This theory has been widely studied in cross-sectional and long-term longitudinal studies and it has been found that as prevalence of AD declines, prevalence of AA increases. A similar relationship is reported between AA and AR. The legitimacy of the atopic march model is, however, currently debated. Epidemiological evidence and criticism of longitudinal studies point to an overstatement of the atopic march’s prevalence and incorrect mechanisms, opening a discussion for alternative models to better explain the pathophysiological and epidemiological processes that promote this progression of allergic diseases. Albeit, risk factors for the development and progression of allergic disease, particularly AD, are critical in identifying disease progression. Investigating the role of age, severity, family history, phenotype, and genetic traits may give a better indication into the progression of allergic diseases. In addition, studies following patients from infancy into adulthood and a general increase in longitudinal studies would help broaden the knowledge of allergic disease progression and the atopic march.
Paronychia and Periungual Granulation as a Novel Side Effect of Ibrutinib: A Case Report
Authors: Yorulmaz Ahu , Yalcin Basak
Published: October 2019

Ibrutinib is an oral covalent inhibitor of the Bruton’s tyrosine kinase pathway and is approved for the treatment of B-cell malignancies including chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, mantle cell lymphoma, and Waldenström’s macroglobulinaemia. It is generally a drug of choice for high-risk patients with indolent lymphomas. The safety profile of ibrutinib appears to be tolerable, with well-known side effects such as infections and haematologic complications. Additionally, dermatological adverse reactions with ibrutinib therapy have been reported to encompass maculopapular rash and hair/nail abnormalities. Here, we present a case of ibrutinib-induced paronychia and periungual granulation in a 40-year-old woman. To the best of our knowledge, this is the third description of ibrutinib-induced paronychia and periungual granulation.
Pattern Recognition to Identify Stroke in the Cognitive Profile: Secondary Analyses of a Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Clouston Sean A.P. , Zhang Yun , Smith Dylan M.
Published: October 2019

Background: Stroke can produce subtle changes in the brain that may produce symptoms that are too small to lead to a diagnosis. Noting that a lack of diagnosis may bias research estimates, the current study sought to examine the utility of pattern recognition relying on serial assessments of cognition to objectively identify stroke-like patterns of cognitive decline (pattern-detected stroke, p-stroke). Methods: Secondary data analysis was conducted using participants with no reported history of stroke in the Health and Retirement Study, a large (n = 16,113) epidemiological study of cognitive aging among respondents aged 50 years and older that measured episodic memory consistently biennially between 1996 and 2014. Analyses were limited to participants with at least 4 serial measures of episodic memory. Occurrence and date of p-stroke events were identified utilizing pattern recognition to identify stepwise declines in cognition consistent with stroke. Descriptive statistics included the percentage of the population with p-stroke, the mean change in episodic memory resulting in stroke-positive testing, and the mean time between p-stroke and first major diagnosed stroke. Statistical analyses comparing cases of p-stroke with reported major stroke relied on the area under the receiver-operating curve (AUC). Longitudinal modeling was utilized to examine rates of change in those with/without major stroke after adjusting for demographics. Results: The pattern recognition protocol identified 7,499 p-strokes that went unreported. On average, individuals with p-stroke declined in episodic memory by 1.986 (SD = 0.023) words at the inferred time of stroke. The resulting pattern recognition protocol was able to identify self-­reported major stroke (AUC = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.57–0.59, p < 0.001). In those with a reported major stroke, p-stroke events were detectable on average 4.963 (4.650–5.275) years (p < 0.001) before diagnosis was first reported. The incidence of p-stroke was 40.23/1,000 (95% CI = 39.40–41.08) person-years. After adjusting for sex, age was associated with the incidence of p-stroke and major stroke at similar rates. Conclusions: This is the first study to propose utilizing pattern recognition to identify the incidence and timing of p-stroke. Further work is warranted examining the clinical utility of pattern recognition in identifying p-stroke in longitudinal cognitive profiles.
Denial of Pregnancy: Psychopathology and Clinical Management
Authors: Nanjundaswamy Madhuri H. , Gaddapati Sravani , Thippeswamy Harish , Thampy Mareena , Vaiphei Kimneihat , Kashyap Himani , Kishore Thomas , Ganjekar Sundarnag , Chandra Prabha S.
Published: October 2019

Denial of pregnancy (DOP) is a challenging condition with poorly understood psychopathology. DOP is reported to be associated with problems such as severe psychological conflicts, obstetric complications, risks to the newborn, and difficulties in bonding with the infant. In this paper, we present and discuss the clinical manifestations of a severe form of DOP that lasted until the time of delivery with resultant multifaceted complications. Our paper highlights the severity of psychopathology and the need for coordinated management. Descriptions from different cultural backgrounds would improve the conceptual understanding of DOP.
Ring Finger Protein 213 Variant and Plaque Characteristics, Vascular Remodeling, and Hemodynamics in Patients With Intracranial Atherosclerotic Stroke: A High‐Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Hemodynamic Study
Authors: Choi Eun‐Hyeok , Lee Hanul , Chung Jong‐Won , Seo Woo‐Keun , Kim Gyeong‐Moon , Ki Chang‐Seok , Kim Yoon‐Chul , Bang Oh Young
Published: October 2019

Background

Intracranial atherosclerotic stroke is prevalent in Asians. We hypothesized that patients with the ring finger protein 213 (
RNF213
) variant, a susceptibility locus for moyamoya disease in Asians, have different neuroimaging characteristics in terms of the vessel wall and hemodynamics.

Methods and Results

We analyzed consecutive patients with ischemic events in middle cerebral artery distribution and relevant plaques of the distal internal carotid artery or proximal middle cerebral artery on high‐resolution magnetic resonance imaging. Patients with carotid/cardiac sources of embolism or moyamoya disease were excluded. High‐resolution magnetic resonance imaging features (eg, outer vessel diameters and plaque characteristics) and fractional flow (as measured by adjusted signal intensity ratio on time‐of‐flight magnetic resonance angiography) were compared between
RNF213
p.Arg4810Lys variant carriers and noncarriers. Among 144 patients included, 44 (29.9%) had the
RNF213
variant. Clinical characteristics, including age, sex, body mass index, and vascular risk factors, were not significantly different between
RNF213
variant carriers and noncarriers. However, the outer vessel diameter was smaller in
RNF213
variant carriers than in noncarriers (
P
<0.0001 for middle cerebral artery of relevant stenosis [2.05‐mm analysis of RNF213 gene for moyamoya disease in the Chinese HAN population 2.75 mm];
P
<0.0001 for contralateral side [2.42  versus 3.00 mm] and
P
<0.001 for basilar artery [3.19 versus 3.53 mm]). Other high‐resolution magnetic resonance imaging features, including plaque morphology and eccentricity, were not significantly different. Fractional flow was diminished in patients with smaller‐diameter intracranial arteries with a similar degree of stenosis.

Conclusions

The
RNF213
variant may be associated with vasculogenesis, but not with atherogenesis. Patients with this variant had small intracranial arteries predisposing hemodynamic compromise in the presence of intracranial atherosclerosis. In addition to antiatherosclerotic strategies, further studies are warranted to develop novel therapeutic strategies against
RNF213
vasculopathy in Asians.
Anaesthetic modality and post-surgical oncological outcomes for paediatric tumours: is there a link?
Authors: Lee SY , Acharyya S , Tan AWL , Loh AHP
Published: October 2019

INTRODUCTION Children with solid organ tumours often present for curative surgery. Even with the best surgical technique, micrometastases can occur. Preclinical studies support the postulation that neuraxial anaesthesia maintains the body’s immune and inflammatory milieu against metastasis. However, human retrospective adult studies showed varying results, and no study has been done in children. We aimed to find out if intraoperative epidural, perioperative opioid and volatile dose are associated with relapse-free survival (RFS) in children with solid organ tumours. METHODS This is a retrospective cohort study of 126 children from a tertiary paediatric unit who were diagnosed with solid organ tumours (neuroblastoma, hepatoblastoma or sarcoma) over a 16-year period. RFS, stratified by tumour subtypes, was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) were obtained from multivariable Cox regression models after taking potential covariates into account. RESULTS Of 126 children with solid organ tumours (51.6% neuroblastoma, 34.9% sarcoma and 13.5% hepatoblastoma), 53.2% received combined general anaesthesia (GA)/epidural. A total of 21 (31.3%) and 20 (33.9%) patients relapsed during the study period in the combined GA/epidural group and the GA alone group, respectively. Patients with sarcoma receiving combined GA/epidural had a clinically meaningful lower risk of relapse compared to patients receiving GA alone (aHR 0.51, 95% confidence interval 0.14–1.79), although this was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrated some clinically meaningful associations, especially in paediatric sarcoma patients. Overall, however, there was no statistically significant association between epidural use and an improved RFS.
Phytotoxicity of graphene oxide on rice plants is concentration-dependent
Authors: Chen Jianzhen , Mu Qilin , Tian Xiaohai
Published: October 2019

Graphene significantly affects seeds germination and seedling growth of food plants. Phytotoxicity tests by seeds germination and seedling growth are important means to detect toxicity of graphene oxide. We in this study assessed the effect of graphene oxide on rice plants at low concentration.
Graphene oxide significantly inhibited water absorption during 3–6 h soaking, postponed seeds germination, but significantly decreased seeds germination rate under 10 μg/mL treatment. Graphene oxide showed most destructive effect on root than upper ground part, and severely
restrained root development and increased chlorophyll content. Moreover, graphene oxide enhanced superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase activities, and the change could alleviate oxygen damage. All these results indicate graphene oxide has some concentration-dependent phytotoxicity
on seeds germination and seedling development, but also decreases damage by improving activities of antioxidant enzymes.
From NEON Field Sites to Data Portal: A Community Resource for Surface–Atmosphere Research Comes Online
Authors: Metzger Stefan , Ayres Edward , Durden David , Florian Christopher , Lee Robert , Lunch Claire , Luo Hongyan , Pingintha-Durden Natchaya , Roberti Joshua A. , SanClements Michael , Sturtevant Cove , Xu Ke , Zulueta Rommel C.
Published: October 2019

The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) is a multidecadal and continental-scale observatory with sites across the United States. Having entered its operational phase in 2018, NEON data products, software, and services become available to facilitate research on the impacts of climate change, land-use change, and invasive species. An essential component of NEON are its 47 tower sites, where eddy-covariance (EC) sensors are operated to determine the surface–atmosphere exchange of momentum, heat, water, and CO2. EC tower networks such as AmeriFlux, the Integrated Carbon Observation System (ICOS), and NEON are vital for providing the distributed observations to address interactions at the soil–vegetation–atmosphere interface. NEON represents the largest single-provider EC network globally, with standardized observations and data processing explicitly designed for intersite comparability and analysis of feedbacks across multiple spatial and temporal scales. Furthermore, EC is tightly integrated with soil, meteorology, atmospheric chemistry, isotope, phenology, and rich contextual observations such as airborne remote sensing and in situ sampling bouts. Here, we present an overview of NEON’s observational design, field operation, and data processing that yield community resources for the study of surface–atmosphere interactions. Near-real-time data products become available from the NEON Data Portal, and EC and meteorological data are ingested into AmeriFlux and FLUXNET globally harmonized data releases. Open-source software for reproducible, extensible, and portable data analysis includes the eddy4R family of R packages underlying the EC data product generation. These resources strive to integrate with existing infrastructures and networks, to suggest novel systemic solutions, and to synergize ongoing research efforts across science communities.
Trust Mediating Reliability–Reliance Relationship in Supervisory Control of Human–Swarm Interactions
Authors: Hussein Aya , Elsawah Sondoss , Abbass Hussein A.
Published: October 2019

Objective

This work aims to further test the theory that trust mediates the interdependency between automation reliability and the rate of human reliance on automation.

Background

Human trust in automation has been the focus of many research studies. Theoretically, trust has been proposed to impact human reliance on automation by mediating the relationship between automation reliability and the rate of human reliance. Experimentally, however, the results are contradicting as some confirm the mediating role of trust, whereas others deny it. Hence, it is important to experimentally reinvestigate this role of trust and understand how the results should be interpreted in the light of existing theory.

Method

Thirty-two subjects supervised a swarm of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in foraging missions in which the swarm provided recommendations on whether or not to collect potential targets, based on the information sensed by the UAVs. By manipulating the reliability of the recommendations, we observed changes in participants’ trust and their behavioral responses.

Results

A within-subject mediation analysis revealed a significant mediation role of trust in the relationship between swarm reliability and reliance rate. High swarm reliability increased the rate of correct acceptances, but decreased the rate of correct rejections. No significant effect of reliability was found on response time.

Conclusion

Trust is not a mere by-product of the interaction; it possesses a predictive power to estimate the level of reliance on automation.

Application

The mediation role of trust confirms the significance of trust calibration in determining the appropriate level of reliance on swarm automation.
Enhancing the power of quality issues using superconducting magnetic storage devices–based dynamic voltage restorer–aided switched coupled inductor inverter with space vector pulse width modulation techniques
Authors: Sivaperumal P , Dash Subranhsu Sekhar , Saravanan K
Published: October 2019

This paper emphasizes on proposing a dynamic voltage restorer–based superconducting magnetic storage devices have utilized to power quality issues. Dynamic voltage restorer can be used for different topologies of the inverter. The conventional topology of dynamic voltage restorer possessing voltage source inverter or Z-source inverter is modified into a switched coupled inductor inverter which has the clear edge in power transfer over the former. The versatility of the controller is enhanced by this work by deploying a fuzzy combine discrete wavelet transforms. The proposed system in this paper, switched coupled inductor inverter–based dynamic voltage restorer-superconducting magnetic storage devices on mitigating the interruption, harmonics and voltage sag/swell. The operating of switched coupled inductor inverter has buck/boost function capability and reduced number of passive components. Due to digitalization, higher utilization factor and reduced harmonic content, controller of fuzzy logic–space vector pulse width modulation techniques with filter application of discrete wavelet transform is used to operate of switched coupled inductor inverter. The hysteresis controller is used to perform the superconducting magnetic storage devices device, has the ability in the storage of real power with high energy density and protects the consumer from grid fluctuation. To detect the power quality disturbances quickly response and improve the compensation capability of dynamic voltage restorer-superconducting magnetic storage devices. The whole of the suggested system is simulated in MATLAB/Simulink and realized as a prototype whose control pulses are duly generated and fed by dSPACE 1104 controller.
The successful use of extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation as rescue therapy for unilateral pulmonary edema following minimally invasive mitral valve surgery
Authors: Goyal Shraddha , Dashey Susan , Zlocha Viktor , HannaJumma Sameer
Published: October 2019

Unilateral right pulmonary edema has been reported as a potential life-threatening complication after minimally invasive mitral valve surgery. Nearly 2% of these cases in the immediate postoperative period have been reported to require extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation support as a rescue therapy for severe hypoxia. The exact pathophysiology of this condition remains unclear, but has been assumed to be related to ischemia–reperfusion injury and re-expansion pulmonary edema. We present in this report the successful use of extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation to manage two cases of severe hypoxia and multiorgan dysfunction secondary to unilateral right pulmonary edema.
Parent Autonomy Support and Psychological Control, Dark Triad, and Subjective Well-Being of Chinese Adolescents: Synergy of Variable- and Person-Centered Approaches
Authors: Li Ruoxuan , Yao Meilin , Chen Yunxiang , Liu Hongrui
Published: October 2019

In the current study, variable- and person-centered approaches were simultaneously adopted to investigate the relations among perceived parental autonomy support and psychological control, the Dark Triad traits, and subjective well-being (SWB) among Chinese adolescents ( N = 1,533). Results showed that autonomy support from parents primarily contributed to narcissism, whereas psychological control predicted all the Dark Triad traits, which in turn had reversed effects on adolescents’ SWB. In particular, narcissism had more prominent effects on SWB and important mediating effects in the relation between parent autonomy support and psychological control and SWB. Four distinct Dark Triad traits groups were identified, and the characteristics of these groups suggested that Machiavellianism was more strongly related to psychopathy relative to narcissism; moreover, the four groups demonstrated different links with parental autonomy support and psychological control and SWB, further supporting the results noted above. Implications for theory and practice are included.
In Vivo Anterior Cruciate Ligament Deformation During a Single-Legged Jump Measured by Magnetic Resonance Imaging and High-Speed Biplanar Radiography
Authors: Englander Zoë A. , Baldwin Edward L. , Smith Wyatt A.R. , Garrett William E. , Spritzer Charles E. , DeFrate Louis E.
Published: October 2019

Background:

The in vivo mechanics of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and its bundles during dynamic activities are not completely understood. An improved understanding of how the ACL stabilizes the knee is likely to aid in the identification and prevention of injurious maneuvers.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The purpose was to measure in vivo ACL strain during a single-legged jump through use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and high-speed biplanar radiography. We hypothesized that ACL strain would increase with the knee near extension, and a peak in ACL strain would occur just before landing from the jump, potentially due to quadriceps contraction in anticipation of landing.

Study Design:

Descriptive laboratory study.

Methods:

Models of the femur, tibia, and ACL attachment sites of 8 male participants were generated from MRI scans through use of solid modeling. High-speed biplanar radiographs were obtained from these participants as they performed a single-legged jump. The bone models were registered to the biplanar radiographs, thereby reproducing the in vivo positions of the joint throughout the jump. ACL and bundle elongations were defined as the centroid to centroid distances between attachment sites for each knee position. ACL strain was defined as ACL length normalized to its length measured in the position of the knee at the time of MRI.

Results:

Peaks in ACL strain were observed before toe-off and 55 ± 35 milliseconds before initial ground contact. These peaks were associated with the knee positioned at low flexion angles. Mean ACL strain was inversely related to mean flexion angle (rho = −0.73, P < .001), such that ACL strain generally increased with knee extension throughout the jumping motion. ACL bundle lengths were significantly (rho > 0.85, P < .001) correlated with overall ACL length.

Conclusion:

These findings provide insight into how landing in extension can increase the risk of ACL injury. Specifically, this study shows that peak ACL strain can occur just before landing from a single-legged jump. Thus, when an individual lands on an extended knee, the ACL is relatively taut, which may make it particularly vulnerable to injury, especially in the presence of a movement perturbation or unanticipated change in landing strategy.

Clinical Relevance:

This study provides a novel measurement of dynamic ACL strain during an athletic maneuver and lends insight into how landing in extension can increase the likelihood of ACL failure.
The Self-Generated Stress Scale: Development, Psychometric Features, and Associations With Perfectionism, Self-Criticism, and Distress
Authors: Flett Gordon L. , Hewitt Paul L. , Nepon Taryn
Published: October 2019

In the current article, we describe the development and validation of a self-report measure of self-generated stress and its associations with measures of perfectionism, self-criticism, and distress. The Self-Generated Stress Scale is a seven-item inventory that taps the tendency to see oneself as someone who generates and adds to existing personal stress (i.e., making a challenging situation worse or turning a life problem into a bigger problem). Psychometric analyses with data from three samples of university students showed that the Self-Generated Stress Scale has one factor and acceptable internal consistency. Analyses established that self-generated stress is associated with trait perfectionism, self-criticism, dependency, and self-silencing, as well as indices tapping cognitive perfectionism and perfectionistic self-presentation. Self-generated stress was also associated with distress and psychosomatic health symptoms. Regression analyses established that scores on the Self-Generated Stress Scale predict unique variance in distress and negative affect beyond the variance attributable to self-criticism and other measures of stress. Overall, our findings attest to the further use of the Self-Generated Stress Scale in various contexts and highlight that certain perfectionists suffer from a perceived tendency to make their lives more stressful. The implications of these findings are discussed along with directions for future research.