bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Systematic review and meta‐analysis of liver transplantation using grafts from deceased donors aged over 70 years
Authors: Dasari Bobby V. , Mergental Hynek , Isaac John R. , Muiesan Paolo , Mirza Darius F. , Perera Thamara
Published: October 2017

Introduction

Due to the current organ shortage, nearly 20% of patients die waiting for a liver transplant (LT). The average donor age is on the rise, and grafts from elderly donors are offered as extended criteria grafts.

Methods

This is a meta‐analysis comparing the outcome differences of adult patients undergoing LT using grafts from <70‐year‐old donors vs >70‐year‐old donors. The primary end‐points were graft and patient survival. Secondary outcomes were biliary and vascular complications as well as graft function. The odds ratio (OR) is a summary statistic with the corresponding 95% confidence interval; P < .05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Results

Eight nonrandomized comparative studies with 4376 LT recipients were included. About 79.9% and 20.1% of the grafts were from <70‐year‐old and >70‐year‐old donors, respectively. Graft survival at 1 year was similar between the two groups (P = .11), but there was better 3‐year and 5‐year graft survival in the >70‐year‐old group (P = .006 and P < .0001, respectively). Patient survival was also similar between the groups at 1 year (P = .54), but with better survival at 3‐year and 5‐year follow‐ups (P = .007 and P < .0001, respectively) in the >70‐year‐old group. There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of biliary, vascular, and graft functional‐related complications.

Conclusion

Liver grafts from selected >70‐year‐old donors do not pose added organ‐specific risks and thus have comparable transplantation outcomes.
Liver transplant length of stay (LOS) index: A novel predictive score for hospital length of stay following liver transplantation
Authors: Rana Abbas , Witte Ellen D. , Halazun Karim J. , Sood Gagan K. , Mindikoglu Ayse L. , Sussman Norman L. , Vierling John M. , Kueht Michael L. , Galvan Nhu Thao N. , Cotton Ronald T. , O'Mahony Christine A. , Goss John A.
Published: October 2017

An index to predict hospital length of stay after liver transplantation could address unmet clinical needs. Length of stay is an important surrogate for hospital costs and efforts to limit stays can preserve our healthcare resources. Here, we devised a scoring system that predicts hospital length of stay following liver transplantation. We used univariate and multivariate analyses on 73 635 adult liver transplant recipient data and identified independent recipient and donor risk factors for prolonged hospital stay (>30 days). Multiple imputation was used to account for missing variables. We identified 22 factors as significant predictors of prolonged hospital stay, including the most significant risk factors: intensive care unit (ICU) admission (OR 1.75, CI 1.58‐1.95) and previous transplant (OR 1.60, CI 1.47‐1.75). The length of stay (LOS) index assigns weighted risk points to each significant factor in a scoring system to predict prolonged hospital stay after liver transplantation with a c‐statistic of 0.75. The LOS index demonstrated good discrimination across the entire population, dividing the cohort into tertiles, which had odds ratios of 2.25 (CI 2.06‐2.46) and 7.90 (7.29‐8.56) for prolonged hospital stay (>30 days). The LOS index utilizes 22 significant donor and recipient factors to accurately predict hospital length of stay following liver transplantation. The index further demonstrates the basis for a clear clinical recommendation to mitigate risk of long hospitalization by minimizing cold ischemia time.
Assessment of current genetic structure from local to geographic scales indicates brake down of historically extensive gene flow in the dry grassland species Scabiosa canescens Waldst. & Kit. (Dipsacaceae)
Authors: Ismail Sascha A. , Duwe Virginia K. , Zippel Elke , Borsch Thomas
Published: October 2017

Aim

Species‐rich dry grasslands have declined drastically in recent decades leading to spatial isolation of associated species. This can disrupt gene flow leading to genetic erosion, inbreeding and increased differentiation. Using Scabiosa canescens as a case for a threatened central European species confined to dry grasslands, we investigate the genetic consequences of spatial and functional isolation. In particular, inbreeding and loss of genetic diversity are expected to be more pronounced in populations at the northern margin of the sampling area due to more intense agriculture, less suitable habitat and potential post‐glacial colonization from the south.

Location

Germany.

Methods

We genotyped 563 individuals at 10 microsatellite loci from 22 populations across the species’ range in Germany. We analyse spatial genetic structure and patterns of isolation by distance (IBD) at multiple scales. Further, we identify latitudinal and altitudinal patterns of genetic diversity and inbreeding.

Results

We found strong population differentiation but no IBD up to at least 200 km. Levels of inbreeding were positively correlated with latitude and tended to decline with altitude. An integration of altitude and latitude into temperature‐corrected altitude (CA) was positively correlated with genetic diversity. Populations in the Upper Rhine Valley appear to have a distinct ancestry.

Main conclusions

We interpret the strong population differentiation combined with no IBD up to at least 200 km as a sign for disrupted extensive gene flow. A trend for reduced genetic diversity towards the northern populations occurring at lower altitudes is probably driven by more intense land use but cannot be conclusively distinguished from other potential factors such as a more recent colonization history. Apart from the distinct Upper Rhine Valley populations, our findings suggest that assisted gene flow up to 100 km would mitigate genetic differentiation, inbreeding and loss of genetic diversity caused by disrupted long‐distance dispersal.
Effect of host instar on host discrimination of heterospecific‐parasitised hosts by sympatric parasitoids
Authors: CEBOLLA RUTH , BRU PABLO , URBANEJA ALBERTO , TENA ALEJANDRO
Published: October 2017

1. Interspecific competition among hymenopteran parasitoids may shape their behavioural strategies for host resource exploitation. In order to reduce or prevent competition, many parasitoid species have evolved the ability to discriminate between unparasitised hosts and hosts parasitised by another parasitoid species (i.e. heterospecific host discrimination). However, discriminatory ability might be affected by host instar.

2. This study reports the first results on whether host instar can influence the use of heterospecific‐parasitised hosts by sympatric parasitoids of the genus Aphytis (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae).

3. Aphytis melinus and Aphytis chrysomphali discriminated between unparasitised and heterospecific‐parasitised hosts when they found a third‐instar host (high quality), with a tendency to multi‐parasitise. However, this discrimination was not observed in the second instar (lower size).

4. The behavioural strategies adopted towards multi‐parasitise third‐instar hosts varied between both species. Aphytis chrysomphali reduced its clutch size in heterospecific‐parasitised hosts, whereas A. melinus tended to probe them for longer than healthy hosts.

5. Overall, our results highlight the importance of host instar in the study of intrinsic competition between parasitoids.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation of right inferior parietal cortex causally influences prefrontal activation for visual detection
Authors: Leitão Joana , Thielscher Axel , Lee Hweeling , Tuennerhoff Johannes , Noppeney Uta
Published: October 2017

For effective interactions with the environment, the brain needs to form perceptual decisions based on noisy sensory evidence. Accumulating evidence suggests that perceptual decisions are formed by widespread interactions amongst sensory areas representing the noisy sensory evidence and fronto‐parietal areas integrating the evidence into a decision variable that is compared to a decisional threshold. This concurrent transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)‐fMRI study applied 10 Hz bursts of four TMS (or Sham) pulses to the intraparietal sulcus (IPS) to investigate the causal influence of IPS on the neural systems involved in perceptual decision‐making. Participants had to detect visual signals at threshold intensity that were presented in their left lower visual field on 50% of the trials. Critically, we adjusted the signal strength such that participants failed to detect the visual stimulus on approximately 30% of the trials allowing us to categorise trials into hits, misses and correct rejections (CR). Our results show that IPS‐relative to Sham‐TMS attenuated activation increases for misses relative to CR in the left middle and superior frontal gyri. Critically, while IPS‐TMS did not significantly affect participants’ performance accuracy, it affected how observers adjusted their response times after making an error. We therefore suggest that activation increases in superior frontal gyri for misses relative to correct responses may not be critical for signal detection performance, but rather reflect post‐decisional processing such as metacognitive monitoring of choice accuracy or decisional confidence.
Chronic BMY7378 treatment alters behavioral circadian rhythms
Authors: Vijaya Shankara Jhenkruthi , Orr Angélique , Mychasiuk Richelle , Antle Michael C.
Published: October 2017

The mammalian circadian clock is synchronized to the day : night cycle by light. Serotonin modulates the circadian effects of light, with agonists inhibiting response to light and antagonists enhancing responses to light. A special class of serotonergic compounds, the mixed 5‐HT1A agonist/antagonists, potentiates light‐induced phase advances by up to 400% when administered acutely. In this study, we examine the effects of one of these mixed 5‐HT1A agonist/antagonists, BMY7378, when administered chronically. Thirty adult male hamsters were administered either vehicle or BMY7378 via surgically implanted osmotic mini pumps over a period of 28 days. In a light : dark cycle, chronic BMY7378 advanced the phase angle of entrainment, prolonged the duration of the active phase and attenuated the amplitude of the wheel‐running rhythm during the early night. In constant darkness, chronic treatment with BMY7378 significantly attenuated light‐induced phase advances, but had no significant effect on light‐induced phase delays. Non‐photic phase shifts to daytime administration of a 5‐HT1A/7 agonist were also attenuated by chronic BMY7378 treatment. qRT‐PCR analysis revealed that chronic BMY7378 treatment upregulated mRNA for 5‐HT1A and 5‐HT1B receptors in the hypothalamus and downregulated mRNA for 5‐HT1A and monoamine oxidase‐A in the brainstem. These results highlight adaptive changes of serotonin receptors in the brain to chronic treatment with BMY7378 and link such up‐ and downregulation to changes in important circadian parameters. Such long‐term changes to the circadian system should be considered when patients are treated chronically with drugs that alter serotonergic function.
A comparison of individual distinctiveness in three vocalizations of the dwarf mongoose (Helogale parvula)
Authors: Rubow Janneke , Cherry Michael I. , Sharpe Lynda L.
Published: October 2017

Individual specificity can be found in the vocalizations of many avian and mammalian species. However, it is often difficult to determine whether these vocal cues to identity rise from “unselected” individual differences in vocal morphology or whether they have been accentuated by selection for the purposes of advertising caller identity. By comparing the level of acoustic individuality of different vocalizations within the repertoire of a single species, it is possible to ascertain whether selection for individual recognition has modified the vocal cues to identity in particular contexts. We used discriminant function analyses to determine the level of accuracy with which calls could be classified to the correct individual caller, for three dwarf mongoose (Helogale parvula) vocalizations: contact, snake, and isolation calls. These calls were similar in acoustic structure but divergent in context and function. We found that all three call types showed individual specificity but levels varied with call type (increasing from snake to contact to isolation call). The individual distinctiveness of each call type appeared to be directly related to the degree of benefit that signalers were likely to accrue from advertising their identity within that call context. We conclude that dwarf mongoose signalers have undergone selection to facilitate vocal individual recognition, particularly in relation to the species’ isolation call.
Evaluating transferability of flow–ecology relationships across space, time and taxonomy
Authors: Chen William , Olden Julian D.
Published: October 2017

Environmental flow assessments are becoming increasingly central to ecologically‐sustainable river management. Rigorous evaluations of flow–ecology relationships serve a vital role in guiding these assessments to meet targeted ecosystem objectives. However, limited resources and widespread environmental change are outpacing the ability to gain knowledge of species’ flow responses and assess environmental needs for rivers individually. Successfully transferring flow–ecology relationships across space and time would facilitate regional‐scale environmental flow assessments, yet the necessary contexts for such success remains a knowledge gap.

Here, we leverage long‐term, multi‐species datasets across multiple river basins in southwestern United States as a case study to explore whether relationships between species abundances and hydrological conditions are transferable across space and time. Additionally, we evaluate the potential for ecological guilds based on fluvial dependence and life‐history strategies to facilitate the transfer of flow–ecology knowledge across taxonomic boundaries.

Species varied in the spatial transferability of their flow–ecology relationships. Spatial transferability was similar when comparing a species’ flow–ecology relationships within a river basin versus across different river basins, although transferability was considerably greater across free‐flowing rivers compared to regulated rivers. Species’ flow–ecology relationships transferred through time just as well as across space. Ecological guilds defined according to fluvial dependence and life‐history strategies offered just as much potential for transferring flow–ecology knowledge among species as transferring within species across space or time.

Our study provides insights into transferring flow–ecology knowledge to support effective, regional‐scale environmental flows. Further research into developing transferable flow–ecology relationships for a wide range of environmental predictors and biological responses across different spatial scales and flow regimes will enable us to keep pace with the increasing demand for science to inform sustainable river management.
Thermal refugia against coral bleaching throughout the northern Red Sea
Authors: Osman Eslam O. , Smith David J. , Ziegler Maren , Kürten Benjamin , Conrad Constanze , El‐Haddad Khaled M. , Voolstra Christian R. , Suggett David J.
Published: October 2017

Tropical reefs have been impacted by thermal anomalies caused by global warming that induced coral bleaching and mortality events globally. However, there have only been very few recordings of bleaching within the Red Sea despite covering a latitudinal range of 15° and consequently it has been considered a region that is less sensitive to thermal anomalies. We therefore examined historical patterns of sea surface temperature (SST) and associated anomalies (1982–2012) and compared warming trends with a unique compilation of corresponding coral bleaching records from throughout the region. These data indicated that the northern Red Sea has not experienced mass bleaching despite intensive Degree Heating Weeks (DHW) of >15°C‐weeks. Severe bleaching was restricted to the central and southern Red Sea where DHWs have been more frequent, but far less intense (DHWs <4°C‐weeks). A similar pattern was observed during the 2015–2016 El Niño event during which time corals in the northern Red Sea did not bleach despite high thermal stress (i.e. DHWs >8°C‐weeks), and bleaching was restricted to the central and southern Red Sea despite the lower thermal stress (DHWs < 8°C‐weeks). Heat stress assays carried out in the northern (Hurghada) and central (Thuwal) Red Sea on four key reef‐building species confirmed different regional thermal susceptibility, and that central Red Sea corals are more sensitive to thermal anomalies as compared to those from the north. Together, our data demonstrate that corals in the northern Red Sea have a much higher heat tolerance than their prevailing temperature regime would suggest. In contrast, corals from the central Red Sea are close to their thermal limits, which closely match the maximum annual water temperatures. The northern Red Sea harbours reef‐building corals that live well below their bleaching thresholds and thus we propose that the region represents a thermal refuge of global importance.
Influence of Seasonal Pumping on Groundwater Sources and Flow System, Nagaoka Plain, Japan
Authors: Abe Hiroaki , Tang Changyuan , Takeuchi Nozomu , Kondoh Akihiko
Published: October 2017

Intensive groundwater development in the urban area of the Nagaoka Plain, Japan, has induced changes in the pH and saturation index of calcite in groundwater. To account for these chemical changes, it is important to determine seasonal variations of recharge and the groundwater flow system in the aquifer. This study identified the sources and flow system of groundwater in this urban area by a comprehensive method using stable isotope data and a numerical groundwater model of the Nagaoka Plain. Stable isotope evidence shows that the groundwater is recharged by meteoric water originating from low‐elevation areas rather than the mountains surrounding the plain. The water table in the study area is drawn down during the winter and recovers in the other seasons. Numerical modeling shows that discharge occurs primarily along the Shinano River during the recovery period, whereas discharge is centered in urbanized areas during the drawdown period, when a conical depression of the water table stimulates recharge from the immediate area. These results are indications of a local groundwater flow system, with its recharge area between the Shinano River and the urban areas, which is governed by intensive seasonal groundwater extraction.
Pattern of bleeding in a large prospective cohort of haemophilia A patients: A three‐year follow‐up of the AHEAD (Advate in HaEmophilia A outcome Database) study
Authors: Khair K. , Mazzucconi M. G. , Parra R. , Santagostino E. , Tsakiris D. A. , Hermans C. , Oldenburg J. , Spotts G. , Steinitz‐Trost K. , Gringeri A.
Published: October 2017

Introduction

Outcome data on treatment of patients with haemophilia A spanning several years of real‐world evidence collection are currently very limited.

Aim and methods

The global prospective long‐term Advate® Haemophilia A Outcome Database (AHEAD) cohort study collects real‐world data from patients with severe and moderate haemophilia. We report an interim data read‐out after three years of observation.

Results

A total of 522 patients were enrolled from 21 countries: 334 completed year 1 follow‐up, 238 completed year 2 and 136 completed year 3, with an overall follow‐up of 811 patient‐years. Median annual bleeding rates (ABR) were 1.7 in the prophylaxis group and 8.9 in the on‐demand group at year 1 visit, 1.6 and 13.0, respectively, at year 2 visit and 2.2 and 10.3, respectively, at year 3 visit. Moreover, about 42% of patients on prophylaxis vs 12% of patients on on‐demand had zero annual joint bleeding rates (AJBR). Effectiveness of prophylaxis and on‐demand treatment was deemed excellent/good in the majority of cases. Octocog alfa (Advate®) was well tolerated. The inhibitors that developed in nine patients all disappeared spontaneously. Three patients had been previously exposed to FVIII for ≤50 exposure days (EDs), 3 for >50 EDs and 3 showed a borderline positive inhibitory activity (≤0.6 BU/mL).

Conclusions

These data confirm that the goal of zero bleeds is achievable, although not yet achieved in all patients. Understanding reasons behind the lower response to standard prophylaxis regimens in some patients and personalizing prophylactic treatment may further improve outcome in patients with haemophilia A.
Was DACA Responsible for the Surge in Unaccompanied Minors on the Southern Border?
Authors: Amuedo‐Dorantes Catalina , Puttitanun Thitima
Published: October 2017

The decision by the US administration to repeal the Executive Order of the Obama administration, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), has caused a great deal of commentary. This brief statement elaborates further on the findings reported in our original article
Intelligent sleeping car berth inventory control system in the case of variable capacity of railcars
Authors: Macura Dragana , Šelmić Milica , Teodorović Dušan
Published: October 2017

Managing ticket reservations in passenger rail transport is a complex task. A hybrid algorithm is developed as a decision support tool. The aim of the proposed algorithm is to provide real‐time decisions on seat inventory allocation taking into account relevant information from the past. This paper considers the revenue management application in passenger rail transport with variable capacity of sleeping cars. Uncertainty of capacity availability is embedded in the developed algorithm through a payoff table, while an Artificial Neural Network is used as a tool for making real‐time decisions. The algorithm is tested on hypothetical data.
Wound care evidence, knowledge and education amongst nurses: a semi‐systematic literature review
Authors: Welsh Lynn
Published: October 2017

The aims of this study were to determine the knowledge and skills of nurses involved in wound care, to provide a critical overview of the current evidence base underpinning wound care and to determine the extent of utilisation of existing evidence by nurses involved in the management of wounds in practice.

A semi‐systematic review of the literature was undertaken on Cinahl, Medline Science Direct and Cochrane using the search terms: wound, tissue viability, education, nurse, with limitations set for dates between 2009 and 2017 and English language.

Shortfalls were found in the evidence base underpinning wound care and in links between evidence and practice, prevalence of ritualistic practice and in structured education at pre‐ and post‐registration levels.

The evidence underpinning wound care practice should be further developed, including the conduction of independent studies and research of qualitative design to obtain rich data on both patient and clinician experiences of all aspects of wound management. More structured wound care education programmes, both at pre‐registration/undergraduate and professional development levels, should be established.
Diversity and seasonal abundance of tephritid fruit flies in three agro‐ecosystems in Benin, West Africa
Authors: Gnanvossou D. , Hanna R. , Goergen G. , Salifu D. , Tanga C. M. , Mohamed S. A. , Ekesi S.
Published: October 2017

The horticulture industry in Benin is under threat due to fruit fly infestation on important crops such as cucurbits and mango. Given the economic losses due to fruit fly infestations, population dynamics of fruit flies on these crops were monitored over 6 years (2004–2010) using three parapheromones—cuelure, methyl eugenol and terpinyl acetate. A total of 2,714,186 specimens belonging to 14 species in four genera (Bactrocera, Ceratitis, Dacus and Zeugodacus) were collected. Bactrocera dorsalis was the dominant species that accounted for 89%, 89.6% and 77.2% of captures in the Forest Savannah Mosaic (FSM), Southern Guinea Savannah (SGS) and Northern Guinea Savannah (NGS) agro‐ecosystems, respectively. Shannon index values of species diversity differed significantly among agro‐ecosystems, with highest diversity in FSM followed by SGS and NGS. Temperature, rainfall and relative humidity (RH) positively influenced the abundance of Dacus species and Zeugodacus cucurbitae across the three agro‐ecosystems. Monthly mean temperatures were in a range suitable for development and reproduction of fruit flies, although minimum temperatures could be below such range, which may explain the lower abundance of fruit fly populations during this period of the year. The abundance of B. dorsalis was negatively correlated with maximum temperature and positively correlated with RH and rainfall. Ceratitis species assemblages were significantly affected by minimum temperatures, rainfall and agro‐ecosystem. Populations of B. dorsalis and Ceratitis cosyra dropped drastically in August, while those of Z. cucurbitae and Dacus punctatifrons increased sharply from August. Results of this study provide a platform for developing a comprehensive and sustainable management strategy for B. dorsalis and other fruit flies in the three agro‐ecosystems to protect the horticulture industry in Benin.
A New Subspecies of Oxytricha granulifera (Hypotrichia: Oxytrichidae) from Mexico, with Notes on its Morphogenesis and Phylogenetic Position
Authors: Méndez‐Sánchez Daniel , Mayén‐Estrada Rosaura , Luo Xiaotian , Hu Xiaozhong
Published: October 2017

The genus Oxytricha Bory de Saint‐Vincent in Lamouroux, Bory de Saint‐Vincent and Deslongchamps, 1824 comprises about 38 species distributed worldwide and has been considered to be a nonmonophyletic group. Based on living observations, protargol preparations, and a small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene sequence, we describe a new subspecies Oxytricha granulifera chiapasensis n. subsp. This new taxon is morphologically characterized by undulating membranes basically in a Stylonychia‐pattern, six dorsal kineties, size in vivo ca. 60–120 × 20–40 μm, 21–30 right and 21–31 left marginal cirri, 22–29 adoral membranelles, and spherical cortical granules arranged in longitudinal rows on the dorsal side. In terms of the SSU rRNA gene sequence, the new subspecies differs from populations of O. granulifera from GENBANK by 7–35 nucleotides. Phylogenetic analyses showed that Oxytricha granulifera gene sequences were nested into three groups, with the new subspecies included in one of them. Oxytricha granulifera chiapasensis n. subsp. is different from Oxytricha granulifera granulifera Foissner and Adam, 1983 and Oxytricha granulifera quadricirrata Blatterer and Foissner, 1988 based on: (i) undulating membranes in Stylonychia‐pattern, (ii) formation of a sixth dorsal kinety during morphogenesis, (iii) the adoral membranelles number, and (iv) inhabiting freshwater habitats.
Automated identification of normoblast cell from human peripheral blood smear images
Authors: DAS DEV KUMAR , MAITI ASOK KUMAR , CHAKRABORTY CHANDAN
Published: October 2017

In this paper, we have presented a new computer‐aided technique for automatic detection of nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) or normoblast cell from peripheral blood smear image. The proposed methodology initiates with the localization of the nucleated cells by adopting multilevel thresholding approach in smear images. A novel colour space transformation technique has been introduced to differentiate nucleated blood cells [white blood cells (WBCs) and NRBC] from red blood cells (RBCs) by enhancing the contrast between them. Subsequently, special fuzzy c‐means (SFCM) clustering algorithm is applied on enhanced image to segment out the nucleated cell. Finally, nucleated RBC and WBC are discriminated by the random forest tree classifier based on first‐order statistical‐based features. Experimentally, we observed that the proposed technique achieved 99.42% accuracy in automatic detection of NRBC from blood smear images. Further, the technique could be used to assist the clinicians to diagnose a different anaemic condition.
Shyness, Preference for Solitude, and Adolescent Internalizing: The Roles of Maternal, Paternal, and Best‐Friend Support
Authors: Barstead Matthew G. , Smith Kelly A. , Laursen Brett , Booth‐LaForce Cathryn , King Shakeena , Rubin Kenneth H.
Published: October 2017

The researchers examined differential outcomes related to two distinct motivations for withdrawal (preference for solitude and shyness) as well as the possibility that support from important others (mothers, fathers, and best friends) attenuate any such links. Adolescents (159 males, 171 females) reported on their motivations to withdraw, internalizing symptoms, and relationship quality in eighth grade, as well as their anxiety and depression in ninth grade. Using structural equation modeling, the authors found that maternal support weakened the association between shyness and internalizing problems; friend support weakened the association between preference for solitude and depression; and friend support strengthened the association between shyness and depression. Results suggest that shy adolescents may not derive the same benefits from supportive friendships as their typical peers.
Screening and referral for children with physical disabilities
Authors: Georgiadis Andrew G , Thomason Pam , Willoughby Kate , Graham H Kerr
Published: October 2017

The clinical care of children with physical disabilities is a major priority for paediatricians and paediatric orthopaedic surgeons. Cerebral palsy (CP) is the prototypical condition and remains the most common cause of physical disability in developed countries. The incidence is approximately 2 per 1000 live births, translating to between 600 and 700 new children per annum in Australia, with approximately 34 000 children and adults currently living with CP. This figure is predicted to rise inexorably over the next 20 years. The care of children with physical disabilities, including those with CP, is usually coordinated by paediatricians, general practitioners and allied health teams including physiotherapists, with input from paediatric orthopaedic surgeons when appropriate. The emphasis in care for children with CP has moved from ‘reactive’ to ‘proactive’. In the past, children are often referred when symptomatic, for example when a hip dislocation had occurred and became painful. The emphasis now is on coordinated, multidisciplinary care in which musculoskeletal manifestations of disability are identified by screening programmes. Systematic screening, especially when population‐based and linked to a register, avoids children getting ‘lost in the system’. Early and more effective interventions may be offered for the prevention of contractures, dislocation of the hip and spinal deformities. In this review, we will focus on the assessment of gait in children with physical disabilities, and monitoring for hip and spine deformity.
Susceptibility of different mouse strains to peri‐implantitis
Authors: Hiyari S. , Naghibi A. , Wong R. , Sadreshkevary R. , Yi‐Ling L. , Tetradis S. , Camargo P. M. , Pirih F. Q.
Published: October 2017

Background and Objective

Peri‐implantitis (PI) is an inflammatory condition that affects the tissues surrounding dental implants. Although the pathogenesis of PI is not fully understood, evidence suggests that the etiology is multifactorial and may include a genetic component. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of genetics in the development of peri‐implantitis.

Material and Methods

Four‐week‐old C57BL/6J, C3H/HeJ and A/J male mice had their left maxillary molars extracted. Implants were placed in the healed extraction sockets. Upon osseointegration, ligatures were placed around the implant head for 1 or 4 weeks to induce PI. Micro‐computed tomography scanning was used to measure volumetric bone loss. Histological analyses were also performed to evaluate collagen organization and the presence of neutrophils and osteoclasts.

Results

Radiographically, comparing the ligature‐treated mice, C57BL/6J displayed the greatest amount of bone loss, followed by C3H/HeJ and A/J mice at 1 and 4 weeks. Histologically, at 1 week, C57BL/6J mice presented with the highest numbers of neutrophils and osteoclasts. At 4 weeks, C57BL/6J mice presented with the most active bone remodeling compared with the other two strains.

Conclusion

There were significant differences in the severity of peri‐implantitis among the different mouse strains, suggesting that the genetic framework can affect implant survival and success. Future work is needed to dissect the genetic contribution to the development of peri‐implantitis.
Osseointegration of zirconia and titanium implants in a rabbit tibiae model evaluated by microtomography, histomorphometry and fluorochrome labeling analyses
Authors: Martins R. , Cestari T. M. , Arantes R. V. N. , Santos P. S. , Taga R. , Carbonari M. J. , Oliveira R. C.
Published: October 2017

Objectives

This study compares the osseointegration of machined‐zirconia implants containing yttria (M‐Y‐TZP) with machined (M‐Ti) and resorbable blast media (RBM‐Ti) titanium implants.

Material and Methods

M‐Y‐TZP, M‐Ti and RBM‐Ti implants were randomly placed in rabbit tibiae. Fluorochrome bone labels (tetracycline, alizarin and calcein) were administered at different time periods. After 8 weeks, osseointegration was evaluated in terms of bone‐to‐implant contact (BIC), new bone area (nBA), remaining cortical bone area (rBA) and temporal quantification of fluorochromes, using micro‐CT and histomorphometric analyses.

Results

RBM‐Ti implants showed higher resorption of the remaining cortical bone and bone formation (rBA = 36.9% and nBA = 38.8%) than M‐Y‐TZP implants (rBA = 48% and nBA = 26.5%). The BIC values showed no differences among the groups in the cortical region (mean = 52.2%) but in the medullary region, they were 0.45‐fold higher in the RBM‐Ti group (51.2%) than in the M‐Y‐TZP group (35.2%). In all groups, high incorporation of tetracycline was observed (2nd to 4th weeks), followed by alizarin (4th to 6th weeks) and calcein (6th to 8th weeks). In the cortical region, incorporation of tetracycline was similar between RBM‐Ti (49.8%) and M‐Y‐TZP (35.9%) implants, but higher than M‐Ti (28.2%) implants. Subsequently, alizarin and calcein were 1.1‐fold higher in RBM‐Ti implants than in the other implants. In the medullary region, no significant differences were observed for all fluorochromes.

Conclusion

All implants favored bone formation and consequently promoted primary stability. Bone formation around the threads was faster in RBM‐Ti and M‐Y‐TZP implants than in M‐Ti implants, but limited bone remodeling with M‐Y‐TZP implants over time can have significant effects on secondary stability, suggesting caution for its use as an alternative substitute for titanium implants.
Fourier Analysis of Serial Dependence Measures
Authors: Van Hecke Ria , Volgushev Stanislav , Dette Holger
Published: October 2017

Classical spectral analysis is based on the discrete Fourier transform of the autocovariances. In this article we investigate the asymptotic properties of new frequency‐domain methods where the autocovariances in the spectral density are replaced by alternative dependence measures that can be estimated by U‐statistics. An interesting example is given by Kendall's τ, for which the limiting variance exhibits a surprising behavior.
Chemical variations and genetic relationships between the Hess and Foy offset dikes at the Sudbury impact structure
Authors: Pilles E. A. , Osinski G. R. , Grieve R. A. F. , Smith D. A. , Bailey J. M.
Published: October 2017

Offset dikes are found concentrically around—and extending radially outward from—the Sudbury Igneous Complex (SIC), which represents an ~3 km thick differentiated impact melt sheet. The dikes are typically composed of an inclusion‐rich, so‐called quartz diorite (IQD) in the center of the dike, and an inclusion‐poor quartz diorite (QD) along the margins of the dike. New exposures of the intersection between the concentric Hess and radial Foy offset dikes provide an excellent opportunity to understand the relationship between the radial and concentric offset dikes and their internal phases. The goal was to constrain the timing of the dike emplacements relative to the impact and formation of the SIC. Results herein suggest that (1) the timing between the emplacement of the QD and IQD melts was geologically short, (2) the Hess and Foy dikes coexisted as melts at the same time and the intersection between them represents a mixture of the two, (3) the Foy dike has a slightly more evolved chemical composition than the Hess dike, and (4) the IQD melt from the Foy dike underwent some degree of chemical fractionation after its initial emplacement.
Nutrient sensing in pancreatic islets: lessons from congenital hyperinsulinism and monogenic diabetes
Authors: Lu Ming , Li Changhong
Published: October 2017

Pancreatic beta cells sense changes in nutrients during the cycles of fasting and feeding and release insulin accordingly to maintain glucose homeostasis. Abnormal beta cell nutrient sensing resulting from gene mutations leads to hypoglycemia or diabetes. Glucokinase (GCK) plays a key role in beta cell glucose sensing. As one form of congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI), activating mutations of GCK result in a decreased threshold for glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion and hypoglycemia. In contrast, inactivating mutations of GCK result in diabetes, including a mild form (MODY2) and a severe form (permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus (PNDM)). Mutations of beta cell ion channels involved in insulin secretion regulation also alter glucose sensing. Activating or inactivating mutations of ATP‐dependent potassium (KATP) channel genes result in severe but completely opposite clinical phenotypes, including PNDM and CHI. Mutations of the other ion channels, including voltage‐gated potassium channels (Kv7.1) and voltage‐gated calcium channels, also lead to abnormal glucose sensing and CHI. Furthermore, amino acids can stimulate insulin secretion in a glucose‐independent manner in some forms of CHI, including activating mutations of the glutamate dehydrogenase gene, HDAH deficiency, and inactivating mutations of KATP channel genes. These genetic defects have provided insight into a better understanding of the complicated nature of beta cell fuel‐sensing mechanisms.
Osteocalcin and osteopontin influence bone morphology and mechanical properties
Authors: Bailey Stacyann , Karsenty Gerard , Gundberg Caren , Vashishth Deepak
Published: October 2017

Osteocalcin (OC) and osteopontin (OPN) are major non‐collagenous proteins (NCPs) involved in bone matrix organization and deposition. In spite of this, it is currently unknown whether OC and OPN alter bone morphology and consequently affect bone fracture resistance. The goal of this study is to establish the role of OC and OPN in the determination of cortical bone size, shape, and mechanical properties. Our results show that Oc–/– and Opn–/– mice were no different from each other or wild type (WT) with respect to bone morphology (P > 0.1). Bones from mice lacking both NCPs (Oc–/–Opn–/–) were shorter, with thicker cortices and larger cortical areas, compared with the WT, Oc–/–, and Opn–/– groups (P < 0.05), suggesting a synergistic role for NCPs in the determination of bone morphology. Maximum bending load was significantly different among the groups (P = 0.024), while tissue mineral density and measures of stiffness and strength were not different (P > 0.1). We conclude that the removal of both OC and OPN from bone matrix induces morphological adaptation at the structural level to maintain bone strength.
Multiple Testing for No Cointegration under Nonstationary Volatility
Authors: Demetrescu Matei , Hanck Christoph
Published: October 2017

With cointegration tests often being oversized under time‐varying error variance, it is possible, if not likely, to confuse error variance non‐stationarity with cointegration. This paper takes an instrumental variable (IV) approach to establish individual‐unit test statistics for no cointegration that are robust to variance non‐stationarity. The sign of a fitted departure from long‐run equilibrium is used as an instrument when estimating an error‐correction model. The resulting IV‐based test is shown to follow a chi‐square limiting null distribution irrespective of the variance pattern of the data‐generating process. In spite of this, the test proposed here has, unlike previous work relying on instrumental variables, competitive local power against sequences of local alternatives in 1/T‐neighbourhoods of the null. The standard limiting null distribution motivates, using the single‐unit tests in a multiple testing approach for cointegration in multi‐country data sets by combining P‐values from individual units. Simulations suggest good performance of the single‐unit and multiple testing procedures under various plausible designs of cross‐sectional correlation and cross‐unit cointegration in the data. An application to the equilibrium relationship between short‐ and long‐term interest rates illustrates the dramatic differences between results of robust and non‐robust tests.
Evolutionary history as a driver of ecological networks: a case study of plant–hummingbird interactions
Authors: Vitória Rômulo Silveira , Vizentin‐Bugoni Jeferson , D. S. Duarte Leandro
Published: October 2017

Multiple factors drive species interactions in ecological networks, such as morphological barriers, spatio–temporal distribution, abundances and evolutionary histories of species. Novel methods are making it possible to evaluate the relative importance of each of these drivers. However, the lack of appropriate methods has prevented evaluating the extent to which interaction networks are shaped by species’ evolutionary histories. This study includes the evolutionary histories of species among the potential drivers of interactions, allowing the comparative analysis of its importance in structuring ecological networks. We hypothesized different possible phylogenetic scenarios to predict frequencies of interactions between species by combining concepts from the fields of ecological networks and ecophylogenetics. The usage of these scenarios is illustrated in a plant–hummingbird interaction network database from the Atlantic Forest, southeastern Brazil. We first evaluated which phylogenetic hypotheses better predict the observed network; subsequently, we evaluated the relative importance of species evolutionary histories, abundances, and matching on species morphologies and phenologies as drivers of their frequencies of interactions. The results suggest that the evolutionary histories of hummingbirds are more important than the species abundances in structuring the studied plant–hummingbird network but less important than the morphological and phenological matching among species. The approach developed here offers the potential to advance our understanding of the multiple factors structuring ecological networks.
Genotypic diversity and environmental variability affect the invasibility of experimental plant populations
Authors: Scheepens J. F. , Rauschkolb Robert , Ziegler Rebekka , Schroth Veronica , Bossdorf Oliver
Published: October 2017

The world is experiencing increasing climatic variability, an ongoing loss of biodiversity and a growing spread of invasive species. Previous experimental studies demonstrated that the invasibility of plant populations is reduced with increasing resident genetic diversity and is promoted by environmental fluctuations, but their combined effect has so far not been considered. In a growth chamber experiment, we tested whether the genotypic diversity of experimental populations of Arabidopsis thaliana (1, 3 or 6 genotypes) and temperature fluctuations affect population invasion by Senecio vulgaris, and how these factors interact. We found that genotypic diversity tended to increase the invasion resistance of experimental plant populations in terms of the biomass ratio between the species, and that temperature fluctuations strongly favoured Arabidopsis (biomass: +49%) over Senecio (–28%). However, there were no interactions between environmental fluctuations and genotypic diversity. Nevertheless, the magnitude of net diversity effects and transgressive overyielding depended on temperature conditions, indicating that increased environmental variability can influence diversity mechanisms. Our study shows that, although genotypic diversity and environmental variability did not interact, these two factors independently affected the invasibility of plant populations.
Efficacy and Safety of Postoperative Pain Relief by Parecoxib Injection after Laparoscopic Surgeries: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Huang Jun‐ming , Lv Zheng‐tao , Zhang Ya‐nan , Jiang Wen‐xiu , Li Han‐ning , Nie Ming‐bo
Published: October 2017

Objective

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of parecoxib injection in pain relief after laparoscopic surgeries.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search based on 4 online databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science) was applied to retrieve all related randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Two independent reviewers screened each article for eligibility according to the predetermined inclusion criteria. The Cochrane Collaboration's tool was applied to evaluate the methodological quality of included studies. A standardized data collection sheet was designed to extract data from included studies. RevMan version 5.3 (The Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen, Denmark) was selected to perform meta‐analysis.

Results

A total of 1,060 participants who were scheduled for gynecological laparoscopic surgery or laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) were enrolled in 12 selected RCTs. The methodological qualities of the studies were evaluated as moderate to high. The combined data showed that perioperative parecoxib injection could significantly reduce the proportion of patients who required adjuvant pain relieve after laparoscopic surgeries. Significantly lower pain scores in the parecoxib groups were observed, which proved that preoperative or intraoperative injection of 40 mg parecoxib was more effective than placebo for immediate pain relief after LC. But preoperative injection of 40 mg parecoxib showed no improvement compared with placebo in the management of immediate pain following gynecological laparoscopic surgery. The occurrence of adverse events showed no differences between perioperative parecoxib administration and placebo control.

Conclusion

Perioperative parecoxib administration was effective in reducing the proportion of patients who required adjuvant pain relief after laparoscopic surgeries without significant adverse events compared with placebo. The effect of parecoxib injection on immediate pain relief remains in question. Future RCTs with larger sample sizes are encouraged.