bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Potentially Avoidable Hospitalizations at Grand Yoff General Hospital, Senegal
Authors: Ndiaye Abdoul Aziz , Tall Alioune Badara , Ngom-Gueye Ndeye Fatou , Ka Ousseynou , Thiam Birahim , Mbodj Amadou Barro , Diop Cheikh Tacko , Diop-B Awa , Gueye Lamine , Tal-Dia Anta
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND: PAHs are necessary hospitalizations that could be prevented by appropriate primary care. They are mainly attributable to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which are increasing, especially in developing countries. The objective of this research was to evaluate the epidemiological burden of the PAHs at Grand Yoff General Hospital.METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 2015. The population consisted of all patients hospitalized from April to August 2015, except those who were admitted to surgery, maternity or neonatology departments. This was a comprehensive study; the cases were represented by patients admitted for diabetes, high blood pressure, pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease or stroke.RESULTS: A total of 739 hospitalizations were recorded in the targeted services, including 110 cases of PAHs (14.88%). Pulmonary disease was slightly more frequent (4.74%), followed by diabetes (4.08%), stroke (3.65%), then chronic kidney disease (1.35%) and high blood pressure (1.08%). The average age of cases was 57 ±17.49 years and 54.5% of patients were 60 years of age or older, the sex ratio was 0.96, the married 68.2%, and the widowed 20%. About 34% of the patients were uneducated and 24% had just a primary school level. Only 8.2% were employed, while 43% were housewives and 23% were retired. 70% got a monthly income less than 100 USD. The median length of stay was 5 days. The level of awareness of the severity of the disease had improved significantly, from 37.3% at entry to 71.8% at the end of the stay (p <0.01). That was the same for the level of information about the means of preventing disease prevention, from 32.7% to 64.5% with a p value <0.01.A similar frequency of PAHs was reported in another study carried out in a regional hospital in northern Senegal (15%) with a predominance of the elderly.CONCLUSION: PAHs are a heavy burden at Grand Yoff General Hospital. Strengthening primary health care through promotion and prevention is an alternative, especially for poor populations.
Activity of urine arylsulfatase A in brain-dead graft donors is a predictor of early and late graft function
Authors: Kwiatkowska Ewa , Domanski Leszek , Bober Joanna , Safranow Krzysztof , Pawlik Andrzej , Ciechanowski Kazimierz
Published: September 2017

Objective: Human lysosomal arylsulfatase A (ASA) is a member of the sulfatase family. Arylsulfatase A is required to degrade sulfatides. Sulfatides occur in the myelin sheets of the central and peripheral nervous system. In this study we evaluated the urine activity of lysosomal enzyme arylsulfatase A in brain-dead donors as a marker and predictor of short – and long-term renal allograft function. Patients/Methods:  We analyzed data from kidney recipients who received organs from brain‑dead donors. Data from 40 donors and 68 recipients were analyzed. Results:  Urine activity of arylsulfatase A in graft donors correlated positively with creatinine clearance in graft recipients after transplantation: : significantly after 30 days (Rs=0.38, p=0.004) and after 3 years (Rs=0.38, p=0.03), and with borderline significance after 14 days (Rs=0.25, p=0.08) and after one year (Rs=0.23, p=0.07). Conclusions:  The results of this study suggest that arylsulfatase A has a protective effect on kidney allograft, and the urine activity of this enzyme in kidney donors correlates positively with graft function.
On passing an open access policy at Florida State University: From outreach to implementation
Authors: Soper Devin
Published: September 2017

In February 2016, the Florida State University (FSU) Faculty Senate passed an institutional Open Access (OA) Policy by unanimous vote,1 following the lead of many public and private universities across the United States. This was the culmination of many years of outreach and advocacy by OA champions at FSU, with a diverse, talented team of faculty and librarians making significant contributions along the way. This was also just one instance of a growing trend across North America and globally, with impressive growth in the number of OA policies and mandates adopted by research organizations and funders over the past decade. The adoption of an OA policy still presents many challenges with respect to policy compliance,2 and there are open questions about the long-term impact of different OA policy requirements and implementation models.3 At the same time, OA policy adoption remains an important goal for many institutions, a symbolic affirmation of faculty support for the principles of OA. An OA policy can help an institution raise the profile of its institutional repository (IR), invigorate outreach efforts and content recruitment, and, in the case of Harvard Model policies, safeguard the author rights of its faculty.4
Recombinant Synthesis of Hybrid Lipid–Peptide Polymer Fusions that Self‐Assemble and Encapsulate Hydrophobic Drugs
Authors: Luginbuhl Kelli M. , Mozhdehi Davoud , Dzuricky Michael , Yousefpour Parisa , Huang Fred C. , Mayne Nicholas R. , Buehne Kristen L. , Chilkoti Ashutosh
Published: September 2017

Inspired by biohybrid molecules that are synthesized in Nature through post‐translational modification (PTM), we have exploited a eukaryotic PTM to recombinantly synthesize lipid–polypeptide hybrid materials. By co‐expressing yeast N‐myristoyltransferase with an elastin‐like polypeptide (ELP) fused to a short recognition sequence in E. coli, we show robust and high‐yield modification of the ELP with myristic acid. The ELP's reversible phase behavior is retained upon myristoylation and can be tuned to span a 30–60 °C. Myristoylated ELPs provide a versatile platform for genetically pre‐programming self‐assembly into micelles of varied size and shape. Their lipid cores can be loaded with hydrophobic small molecules by passive diffusion. Encapsulated doxorubicin and paclitaxel exhibit cytotoxic effects on 4T1 and PC3‐luc cells, respectively, with potencies similar to chemically conjugated counterparts, and longer plasma circulation than free drug upon intravenous injection in mice.
A Ferroelectric Iron(II) Spin Crossover Material
Authors: Jornet‐Mollá Verónica , Duan Yan , Giménez‐Saiz Carlos , Tang Yuan‐Yuan , Li Peng‐Fei , Romero Francisco M. , Xiong Ren‐Gen
Published: September 2017

A dual‐function material in which ferroelectricity and spin crossover coexist in the same temperature range has been obtained. Our synthetic strategy allows the construction of acentric crystal structures in a predictable way and is based on the high directionality of hydrogen bonds. The well‐known iron(II) spin crossover complex [Fe(bpp)2]2+ (bpp=2,6‐bis(pyrazol‐3‐yl)pyridine), a four‐fold noncentrosymmetric H‐bond donor, was combined with a disymmetric H‐bond acceptor such as the isonicotinate (isonic) anion to afford [Fe(bpp)2](isonic)2⋅2 H2O. This low‐spin iron(II) compound crystallizes in the acentric nonpolar I
space group and shows piezoelectricity and SHG properties. Upon dehydration, it undergoes a single‐crystal to single‐crystal structural rearrangement to a monoclinic polar Pc phase that is ferroelectric and exhibits spin crossover.
The central importance of ecological spatial connectivity to effective coastal marine protected areas and to meeting the challenges of climate change in the marine environment
Authors: Carr Mark H. , Robinson Sarah P. , Wahle Charles , Davis Gary , Kroll Stephen , Murray Samantha , Schumacker Ervin Joe , Williams Margaret
Published: September 2017

The several forms of ecological spatial connectivity – population, genetic, community, ecosystem – are among the most important ecological processes in determining the distribution, persistence and productivity of coastal marine populations and ecosystems.

Ecological marine protected areas (MPAs) focus on restoring or maintaining marine populations, communities, or ecosystems. All ecological MPAs – no matter their specific focus or objectives – depend for their success on incorporating ecological spatial connectivity into their design, use (i.e. application), and management.

Though important, a synthesis of the implications of ecological spatial connectivity for the design, use, and management of MPAs, especially in the face of a changing global climate, does not exist. We synthesize this information and distill it into practical principles for design, use, and management of MPAs and networks of MPAs.

High population connectivity among distant coastal ecosystems underscores the critical value of MPA networks for MPAs and the populations and ecosystems between them.

High ecosystem connectivity among coastal ecosystems underscores the importance of protecting multiple connected ecosystems within an MPA, maximizing ecosystem connectivity across MPAs, and managing ecosystems outside MPAs so as to minimize influxes of detrimental organisms and materials into MPAs.

Connectivity‐informed MPAs and MPA networks – designed and managed to foster the ecological spatial connectivity processes important to local populations, species, communities, and ecosystems – can best address ecological changes induced by climate change. Also, the protections afforded by MPAs from direct, local human impacts may ameliorate climate change impacts in coastal ecosystems inside MPAs and, indirectly, in ecosystems outside MPAs.
Aquaculture and marine protected areas: Potential opportunities and synergies
Authors: Le Gouvello Raphaëla , Hochart Laure‐Elise , Laffoley Dan , Simard François , Andrade Carlos , Angel Dror , Callier Myriam , De Monbrison David , Fezzardi Davide , Haroun Ricardo , Harris Alasdair , Hughes Adam , Massa Fabio , Roque Emmanuelle , Soto Doris , Stead Selina , Marino Giovanna
Published: September 2017

To meet the Convention on Biological Diversity's Aichi Target 11 on marine biodiversity protection and Aichi Target 6 on sustainable fisheries by 2020, as well as the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 on food security and SDG 14 on oceans by 2030, there is an urgent need to rethink how best to reconcile nature conservation and sustainable development.

This paper argues for effective governance to support processes that apply principles of sustainable development and an ecosystem approach to decide about economic activities at sea such as aquaculture. It describes opportunities, benefits and synergies between aquaculture and MPAs as a basis for wider debate. The scope is not a comprehensive analysis of aquaculture and MPAs, but rather to present examples of positive interactions between aquaculture activities and MPAs. The unintended negative consequences are also discussed to present balanced arguments.

This work draws from four workshops held in 2015 and 2016 and used to collect information from about 100 experts representing various sectors and perspectives.

It is recognized that aquaculture is an important activity in terms of sustainable development. It can play a role in providing food security, poverty alleviation and economic resilience, in particular for MPA local communities, and contribute to wild stock enhancement, as an alternative to overfishing and for providing services to the ecosystem.

This study showed that there is a need from both aquaculture and MPA sides for clarity of objectives and willingness for open and extensive dialogue. The paper concludes by describing a number of tools and methods for supporting greater synergies between aquaculture and MPAs.

The results from this work have already helped to build a common understanding between conservation and aquaculture and initiate a rapprochement for increasing synergies.
An evaluation of auditory feedback for students of dance: Effects of giving and receiving feedback
Authors: Quinn Mallory , Miltenberger Raymond , James Takema , Abreu Aracely
Published: September 2017

The purpose of this study was to evaluate auditory feedback for dance students on a competition team in which one peer provided auditory feedback to another peer for a selected dance movement. Some peers switched roles during the study, and increases in their performances were evaluated both as the receiver and deliverer of auditory feedback. All participants demonstrated increases in their respective target behaviors when they received auditory feedback. Several participants also displayed increases in their movements when they provided auditory feedback to their peer partner, although these increases were not as substantial as those who received feedback.
miRNA‐4317 suppresses human gastric cancer cell proliferation by targeting ZNF322
Authors: Hu Xiaoyi , Zhang Min , Miao Jiyu , Wang Xiaofei , Huang Chen
Published: September 2017

Studies have shown that miR‐4317 is dysregulated in tumor, but the biologic role of miR‐4317 in tumor development and progression remains unknown. The present study aimed to investigate the role of miR‐4317 in human gastric cancer. Quantitative real‐time PCR was used to quantify miR‐4317 expression levels in clinical gastric cancer specimens and cell lines. MTT, colony formation and cell cycle assays were performed to identify the contributions of miR‐4317 to cell proliferation in gastric cancer cell lines. The results showed that miR‐4317 was significantly decreased in 17 clinical gastric cancer specimens compared with adjacent non‐tumor stomach tissues. Forced expression of miR‐4317 suppressed gastric cancer cell proliferation and blocked S‐G2/M transition. Bioinformatics and dual‐luciferase reporter assays confirmed that ZNF322 is a direct target of miR‐4317. Silencing ZNF322 recapitulated the cellular and molecular effects seen upon miR‐4317 overexpression. These findings indicate that miR‐4317 represses the proliferation of gastric cancer cell, at least in part, by targeting and suppressing ZNF322 and that it may serve as a therapeutic target for gastric cancer treatment.
Intra‐ versus Intermolecular Hydrogen Bonding: Solvent‐Dependent Conformational Preferences of a Common Supramolecular Binding Motif from 1H NMR and Vibrational Circular Dichroism Spectra
Authors: Demarque Daniel P. , Merten Christian
Published: September 2017

When predicting binding properties of small molecules or larger supramolecular aggregates, intra‐ and intermolecular hydrogen bonds are often considered the most important factor. Spectroscopic techniques such as 1H NMR spectroscopy are typically utilized to characterize such binding events, but interpretation is often qualitative and follows chemical intuition. In this study, we compare the effects of intramolecular hydrogen bonding and solvation on two chiral 2,6‐pyridinediyl‐dialkylamides. In comparison with 1H NMR spectroscopy, vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectroscopy proved to be more sensitive to conformational changes. In fact, the change of the solvent from CDCl3 to [D6]DMSO generates mirror‐image VCD spectra for the same enantiomer. Here, the common sense that the sterically less hindered group is more prone to solvation proved to be wrong according predicted VCD spectra, which clearly show that both asymmetric amide hydrogens are equally likely to be solvated, but never simultaneously. The competition between intra‐ and intermolecular hydrogen bonding and their importance for a correct prediction of spectral properties are discussed.
Heterogeneous impact of smoking on major salivary gland cancer according to histopathological subtype: A case‐control study
Authors: Sawabe Michi , Ito Hidemi , Takahara Taishi , Oze Isao , Kawakita Daisuke , Yatabe Yasushi , Hasegawa Yasuhisa , Murakami Shingo , Matsuo Keitaro
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND

Major salivary gland cancers (M‐SGCs) are rare, and have distinct heterogeneous histopathological subtypes. To the authors' knowledge, no consistent evidence of an association between cigarette smoking and the risk of M‐SGCs has appeared to date. Furthermore, evidence of potential heterogeneity in the impact of smoking on histopathological subtypes is scarce, despite the fact that the histopathological subtypes of M‐SGC exhibit different genetic features.

METHODS

The authors conducted a case‐control study to investigate the association between smoking and M‐SGC by histopathological subtype. Cases were 81 patients with M‐SGCs and the controls were 810 age‐matched and sex‐matched first‐visit outpatients without cancer treated at Aichi Cancer Center Hospital from 1988 to 2005. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were assessed by conditional logistic regression analysis with adjustment for potential confounders.

RESULTS

Smoking was found to be associated with a significantly increased risk of M‐SGC overall, with an OR of 3.45 (95% CI, 1.58‐7.51; P =.001) for heavy smokers compared with never‐smokers. A significant dose‐response relationship was observed (P for trend, .001). When stratified by histological subtype, no obvious impact of smoking was observed among patients with mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC). In contrast, smoking demonstrated a significantly increased risk of M‐SGCs other than MEC, with an OR of 5.15 (95% CI, 2.06‐12.87; P<.001) for heavy smokers compared with never‐smokers. The authors observed possible heterogeneity with regard to the impact of smoking on risk between MEC and M‐SGCs other than MEC (P for heterogeneity, .052).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the current study demonstrate a significant positive association between cigarette smoking and the risk of M‐SGC overall. However, the impact of smoking appeared to be limited to M‐SGCs other than MEC. Cancer 2018;124:118‐24. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Dynamic searchable encryption with privacy protection for cloud computing
Authors: Ocansey Selasi Kwame , Ametepe Wolali , Li Xiao Wei , Wang Changda
Published: September 2017

The dynamic searchable encryption schemes generate search tokens for the encrypted data on a cloud server periodically or on a demand. With such search tokens, a user can query the encrypted data whiles preserving the data's privacy; ie, the cloud server can retrieve the query results to the user but do not know the content of the encrypted data. A framework DSSE with Forward Privacy (dynamic symmetric searchable encryption [DSSE] with forward privacy), which consists of Internet of Things and Cloud storage, with the attributes of the searchable encryption and the privacy preserving are proposed. Compared with the known DSSE schemes, our approach supports the multiusers query. Furthermore, our approach successfully patched most of the security flaws related to the sensitive information's leakage in the DSSE schemes. Both security analysis and simulations show that our approach outperforms other DSSE schemes with respect to both effectiveness and efficiency.
Computational Study of the Cu‐Free Allylic Alkylation Mechanism with Grignard Reagents: Role of the NHC Ligand
Authors: Poblador Bahamonde Amalia I. , Halbert Stéphanie
Published: September 2017

The mechanism of Cu‐free allylic alkylation reactions catalyzed by an NHC ligand with Grignard reagents has been explored by using the hybrid B3PW91 DFT method. The nature of the bonding of the active Mg species, which was validated by reference to the13C NMR chemical shift, was found to be highly ionic. In particular, a strong nucleophilic Mg–R (R = CH3) bond was explained by the activation of the NHC Lewis base ligand on Mg. The effect of ethereal solvent was examined by using explicit dimethyl ether solvent and a density‐based solvation model. An adequate representation of solvation is required to properly reproduce the formation of the supposed active species. The mechanism of the allylic alkylation emphasizes the bifunctional role of the Mg center that activates both the nucleophile and nucleofuge promoting an SN2‐type mechanism. The NHC ligand bonded to Mg is crucial and activates the Mg–R bond favoring C–C bond formation.
Cholesterol‐imprinted macroporous monoliths: Preparation and characterization
Authors: Stepanova Mariia А. , Kinziabulatova Lilia R. , Nikitina Anna A. , Korzhikova‐Vlakh Evgenia G. , Tennikova Tatiana B.
Published: September 2017

The development of sorbents for selective binding of cholesterol, which is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, has a great importance for analytical science and medicine. In this work, two series of macroporous cholesterol‐imprinted monolithic sorbents differing in the composition of functional monomers (methacrylic acid, butyl methacrylate, 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate and ethylene dimethacrylate), amount of a template (4, 6 and 8 mol%) used for molecular imprinting, as well as mean pore size were synthesized by in situ free‐radical process in stainless steel housing of 50 mm × 4.6 mm i.d. All prepared materials were characterized regarding to their hydrodynamic permeability and porous properties, as well as examined by BET and SEM methods. Imprinting factors, apparent dynamic dissociation constants, the maximum binding capacity, the number of theoretical plates and the height equivalent to a theoretical palate of MIP monoliths at different mobile phase flow rates were determined. The separation of a mixture of structural analogues, namely, cholesterol and prednisolone, was demonstrated. Additionally, the possibility of using the developed monoliths for cholesterol solid‐phase extraction from simulated biological solution was shown.
Transport of suspended sediments under the influence of bank macro‐roughness
Authors: Juez Carmelo , Bühlmann Iria , Maechler Gaetan , Schleiss Anton J. , Franca Mário J.
Published: September 2017

River restoration works often include measures to promote morphological diversity and enhance habitat suitability. One of these measures is the creation of macro‐roughness elements, such as lateral cavities and embayments, in the banks of channelized rivers. However, in flows that are heavily charged with fine sediments in suspension, such as glacier‐fed streams and very low‐gradient reaches of large catchment rivers, these lateral cavities may trap these sediments. Consequently, the morphological changes may be affected, and the functionality of the restoration interventions may be compromised. Herein, we analyse the influence of these macro‐roughness elements on the transport of fine sediments in the main channel. Laboratory tests with uniform flow charged with sediments in a channel with banks equipped with large‐scale rectangular roughness elements were carried out. The laboratory experiments covered a wide range of rectangular cavity geometrical configurations and shallowness ratios. The influence of key parameters such as flow shallowness, geometric ratios of the cavities and initial sediment concentration was tested. Surface particle image velocimetry, sediment samples and temporal turbidity records were collected during the experiments. The amount of sediments captured by the cavities, the temporal evolution of the concentration of sediments in suspension and the flow hydrodynamics are cross‐analysed and discussed. It is shown that the trapping efficiency of the macro‐roughness elements is a clear function of the channel geometry and the shallowness of the flow. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A one‐dimensional process‐based approach to study reservoir sediment dynamics during management operations
Authors: Guertault Lucie , Camenen Benoit , Paquier André , Peteuil Christophe
Published: September 2017

A comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of erosion and sedimentation in reservoirs under different management conditions is required to anticipate sedimentation issues and implement effective sediment management strategies. This paper describes a unique approach combining fluvial geomorphology tools and morphodynamic modeling for analyzing the sediment dynamics of an elongated hydropower reservoir subjected to management operations: the Génissiat Reservoir on the Rhône River. Functional sub‐reaches representative of the reservoir morphodynamics were delineated by adapting natural river segmentation methods to elongated reservoirs. The segmentation revealed the link between the spatial and temporal reservoir changes and the variability of longitudinal flow conditions during reservoir management operations. An innovative modeling strategy, incorporating the reservoir segmentation into two sediment transport codes, was implemented to simulate the dynamics of erosion and sedimentation at the reach scale during historic events. One code used a bedload approach, based on the Exner equation with a transport capacity formula, and the other used a suspended load approach based on the advection–dispersion equation. This strategy provided a fair quantification of the dynamics of erosion and sedimentation at the reach scale during different management operations. This study showed that the reservoir morphodynamics is controlled by bedload transport in upper reaches, graded suspended load transport of sand in middle reaches and suspended load transport of fine sediments in lower reaches. Eventually, it allowed a better understanding of the impact of dam management on sediment dynamics. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Geochemical characteristics, depositional environment, and controlling factors of Lower Cretaceous shales in Chagan Sag, Yingen‐Ejinaqi Basin
Authors: Niu Zicheng , Liu Guangdi , Cao Zhe , Guo Dianbin , Wang Peng , Tang Guo
Published: September 2017

The Lower Cretaceous shales of Chagan Sag, Yingen‐Ejinaqi Basin, are considered as the source rocks of hydrocarbons discovered in the sag. Borehole shales from the Lower Cretaceous were subjected to comprehensive geochemical study to evaluate the quality of source rock, to reconstruct the paleodepositional environment and to determine the controlling factors of organic matter enrichment. Content of present‐day total organic carbon, and hydrogen index, averaging 1.4% and 259.2 mg hydrocarbon/g total organic carbon, respectively reveal poor to fair quality of organic matter. Average value of vitrinite reflectance (Ro) of 1.0% indicates mature organic matter. Maceral composition and biomarker analysis provide evidence for a mixed aquatic and terrigeous organic matter input. Based on Sr/Cu, Sr/Ba, and gammacerane index, we propose that organic matter was deposited in closed hypersaline under hot and arid climate conditions. The ratios of V/(V + Ni), and pristane/phytane (Pr/Ph), as well as the presence of β‐carotene suggest a stratified water column with anoxic bottom water condition. Low to moderate productivity as a result of deficient nutrient supply, the excellent organic matter preservation condition under stratified anoxic water column and high sedimentary rate controlled the quality of source rock. In addition, influence of factors such as content of clay minerals on organic matter enrichment cannot be ignored.
Structural connectivity‐defined thalamic subregions have different functional connectivity abnormalities in multiple sclerosis patients: Implications for clinical correlations
Authors: d'Ambrosio Alessandro , Hidalgo de la Cruz Milagros , Valsasina Paola , Pagani Elisabetta , Colombo Bruno , Rodegher Mariaemma , Comi Giancarlo , Filippi Massimo , Rocca Maria A.
Published: September 2017

In spite of the well‐known importance of thalami in multiple sclerosis (MS), only limited data on whole and subregional thalamic functional connectivity (FC) changes are available. Using diffusion tensor imaging, we performed a structural connectivity based thalamic parcellation and investigated subregional thalamic resting‐state (RS) FC alterations and their relationship with clinical/cognitive measures in MS. MRI data from a reference set of healthy controls (HC) were used to parcellate the thalami into five subregions, according to their structural connectivity. For each thalamic subregion, a seed‐based RS FC analysis was performed in 187 MS patients and 94 HC. Correlations between thalamic RS FC and clinical/cognitive variables were assessed. Compared to HC, MS patients showed increased intra‐ and inter‐thalamic RS FC for almost all thalamic subregions, and increased RS FC between all thalamic subregions and the left insula. Frontal and motor thalamic subregions also showed reduced RS FC with the caudate nucleus. For the temporal thalamic subregion, we observed reduced RS FC with the ipsilateral thalamus, anterior and middle cingulate cortex, and cerebellum. Compared to cognitively preserved, cognitively impaired MS patients had higher thalamic RS FC with several temporal areas. In MS patients, lower RS FC between thalamic subregions and the caudate and cingulate cortex correlated with worse motor performance, whereas higher RS FC with the insula correlated with better motor performance. The main thalamic subregions have different RS‐FC abnormalities in MS patients. Increased thalamic RS FC with the insula may have a compensatory role, whereas increased RS FC with temporal areas, observed in patients with cognitive impairment may reflect maladaptive mechanisms. Hum Brain Mapp 38:6005–6018, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quality specification and status of internal quality control of cardiac biomarkers in China from 2011 to 2016
Authors: Li Tingting , Wang Wei , Zhao Haijian , He Falin , Zhong Kun , Yuan Shuai , Wang Zhiguo
Published: September 2017

Background

This study aimed to investigate the status of internal quality control (IQC) for cardiac biomarkers from 2011 to 2016 so that we can have overall knowledge of the precision level of measurements in China and set appropriate precision specifications.

Methods

Internal quality control data of cardiac biomarkers, including creatinine kinase MB (CK‐MB) (μg/L), CK‐MB(U/L), myoglobin (Mb), cardiac troponin I (cTnI), cardiac troponin T (cTnT), and homocysteines (HCY), were collected by a web‐based external quality assessment (EQA) system. Percentages of laboratories meeting five precision quality specifications for current coefficient of variations (CVs) were calculated. Then, appropriate precision specifications were chosen for these six analytes. Finally, the CVs and IQC practice were further analyzed with different grouping methods.

Results

The current CVs remained nearly constant for 6 years. cTnT had the highest pass rates every year against five specifications, whereas HCY had the lowest pass rates. Overall, most analytes had a satisfactory performance (pass rates >80%), except for HCY, if one‐third TEa or the minimum specification were employed. When the optimal specification was applied, the performance of most analytes was frustrating (pass rates < 60%) except for cTnT. The appropriate precision specifications of Mb, cTnI, cTnT and HCY were set as current CVs less than 9.20%, 9.90%, 7.50%, 10.54%, 7.63%, and 6.67%, respectively. The data of IQC practices indicated wide variation and substantial progress.

Conclusion

The precision performance of cTnT was already satisfying, while the other five analytes, especially HCY, were still frustrating; thus, ongoing investigation and continuous improvement for IQC are still needed.
Comparison of vessel enhancement algorithms applied to time‐of‐flight MRA images for cerebrovascular segmentation
Authors: Phellan Renzo , Forkert Nils D.
Published: September 2017

Purpose

Vessel enhancement algorithms are often used as a preprocessing step for vessel segmentation in medical images to improve the overall segmentation accuracy. Each algorithm uses different characteristics to enhance vessels, such that the most suitable algorithm may vary for different applications. This paper presents a comparative analysis of the accuracy gains in vessel segmentation generated by the use of nine vessel enhancement algorithms: Multiscale vesselness using the formulas described by Erdt (MSE), Frangi (MSF), and Sato (MSS), optimally oriented flux (OOF), ranking orientations responses path operator (RORPO), the regularized Perona–Malik approach (RPM), vessel enhanced diffusion (VED), hybrid diffusion with continuous switch (HDCS), and the white top hat algorithm (WTH).

Methods

The filters were evaluated and compared based on time‐of‐flight MRA datasets and corresponding manual segmentations from 5 healthy subjects and 10 patients with an arteriovenous malformation. Additionally, five synthetic angiographic datasets with corresponding ground truth segmentation were generated with three different noise levels (low, medium, and high) and also used for comparison. The parameters for each algorithm and subsequent segmentation were optimized using leave‐one‐out cross evaluation. The Dice coefficient, Matthews correlation coefficient, area under the ROC curve, number of connected components, and true positives were used for comparison.

Results

The results of this study suggest that vessel enhancement algorithms do not always lead to more accurate segmentation results compared to segmenting nonenhanced images directly. Multiscale vesselness algorithms, such as MSE, MSF, and MSS proved to be robust to noise, while diffusion‐based filters, such as RPM, VED, and HDCS ranked in the top of the list in scenarios with medium or no noise. Filters that assume tubular‐shapes, such as MSE, MSF, MSS, OOF, RORPO, and VED show a decrease in accuracy when considering patients with an AVM, because vessels may vary from its tubular‐shape in this case.

Conclusions

Vessel enhancement algorithms can help to improve the accuracy of the segmentation of the vascular system. However, their contribution to accuracy has to be evaluated as it depends on the specific applications, and in some cases it can lead to a reduction of the overall accuracy. No specific filter was suitable for all tested scenarios.
National trends in long‐term use of prescription opioids
Authors: Mojtabai Ramin
Published: September 2017

Purpose

This study examined recent trends and correlates of prescription opioid use and long‐term use in the United States.

Methods

Data were from 47 356 adult participants of National Health and Nutrition Survey from 1999‐2000 to 2013‐2014. Participants were asked about prescription medications used in the past 30 days. Long‐term use of prescription opioids was defined by use for 90 days or longer.

Results

The prevalence of prescription opioid use increased from 4.1% of US adults in 1999‐2000 to 6.8% in 2013‐2014 (odds ratio [OR] = 1.38, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.10‐1.75, P = .007). This trend was driven by a sharp increase in long‐term use which increased from 1.8% to 5.4% (OR = 2.22, 95% CI = 1.65‐3.00, P < .001). Of all opioid users in 2013‐2014, 79.4% were long‐term users compared with 45.1% in 1999‐2000. Long‐term use was associated with poorer physical health, concurrent benzodiazepine use, and history of heroin use.

Conclusions

The findings highlight the need for research on potential benefits and harms of long‐term use of opioids and efforts to restrict long‐term use to patients for whom the benefits outweigh the risks.
Poor recovery from cystic fibrosis pulmonary exacerbations is associated with poor long‐term outcomes
Authors: Sanders Don B. , Zhao Qianqian , Li Zhanhai , Farrell Philip M.
Published: September 2017

Rationale

People with CF treated with IV antibiotics for a pulmonary exacerbation (PEx) frequently fail to recover to baseline FEV1. The long‐term impact of these events has not been studied.

Objectives

To determine if a patient's spirometric recovery after a PEx is associated with time to next PEx within 1 year, the spirometric recovery after the next PEx, and/or the number of PEx episodes in the next 3 years.

Methods

We used data from the CF Foundation Patient Registry from 2004 to 2011. We randomly selected one PEx per patient that met inclusion/exclusion criteria. Patients were defined as Non‐Responders if their best FEV1 (in liters) recorded in the 3 months after the PEx was <90% of the best FEV1 (in liters) in the 6 months before the PEx. We compared Responders and Non‐Responders using multivariable regression models.

Results

We randomly chose 13 954 PEx episodes that met inclusion/exclusion criteria. A total of 2 762 (19.8%) patients were classified as Non‐Responders. Non‐Responders had a shorter median time to the next PEx, 235 (95%CI 218, 252) days, versus >365 days for Responders. Thirty‐four percent of Non‐Responders at the initial PEx were also Non‐Reponders at the next PEx, versus 20% of Responders at the initial PEx. Non‐Responders had more PEx episodes over the next 3 years, 4.99 (95%CI 4.84, 5.13), than Responders, 3.46 (95%CI 3.41, 3.51).

Conclusions

Poor recovery after a PEx is associated with a shorter time to the next PEx, increased risk of poor recovery at a second PEx, and more frequent subsequent PEx treatments.
Changes in field dose–response curves for demethylation inhibitor (DMI) and quinone outside inhibitor (QoI) fungicides against Zymoseptoria tritici, related to laboratory sensitivity phenotyping and genotyping assays
Authors: Blake Jonathan J , Gosling Paul , Fraaije Bart A , Burnett Fiona J , Knight Stuart M , Kildea Steven , Paveley Neil D
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND

Insensitivity of Zymoseptoria tritici to demethylation inhibitor (DMI) and quinone outside inhibitor (QoI) fungicides has been widely reported from laboratory studies, but the relationships between laboratory sensitivity phenotype or target site genotype and field efficacy remain uncertain. This article reports field experiments quantifying dose–response curves, and investigates the relationships between field performance and in vitro half maximal effective concentration (EC50) values for DMIs, and the frequency of the G143A substitution conferring QoI resistance.

RESULTS

Data were analysed from 83 field experiments over 21 years. Response curves were fitted, expressed as percentage control, rising towards an asymptote with increasing dose. Decline in DMI efficacy over years was associated with a decrease in the asymptote, and reduced curvature. Field ED50 values were positively related to in vitro EC50 values for isolates of Z. tritici collected over a 14‐year period. Loss of QoI efficacy was expressed through a change in asymptote. Increasing frequency of G143A was associated with changes in field dose–response asymptotes.

CONCLUSION

New resistant strains are often detected by resistance monitoring and laboratory phenotyped/genotyped before changes in field performance are detected. The relationships demonstrated here between laboratory tests and field performance could aid translation between laboratory and field for other fungicide groups. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Curcuminoids Lower Plasma Leptin Concentrations: A Meta‐analysis
Authors: Atkin Stephen L. , Katsiki Niki , Derosa Giuseppe , Maffioli Pamela , Sahebkar Amirhossein
Published: September 2017

Curcumin is a naturally occurring polyphenol that has been suggested to improve several metabolic diseases. Leptin is an adipokine involved in metabolic status and appetite, with marked crosstalk with other systems. Available data suggest that curcumin may affect leptin levels; therefore, this meta‐analysis was performed to evaluate this. A systematic review and meta‐analysis were undertaken on all randomized controlled trials of curcumin studies that included the measurement of leptin. The search included PubMed‐Medline, Scopus, ISI Web of Knowledge, and Google Scholar databases. Quantitative data synthesis was performed by using a random‐effects model, with standardized mean difference and 95% confidence interval as summary statistics. A funnel plot, Begg's rank correlation, and Egger's weighted regression tests assessed the presence of publication bias. Four eligible articles comprising five treatment arms were selected for the meta‐analysis. Meta‐analysis showed a significant decrease in plasma leptin concentrations following curcumin treatment (standardized mean difference: −0.69, 95% confidence interval: −1.16, −0.23, p = 0.003; I2 = 76.53%). There was no evidence of publication bias. This meta‐analysis showed that curcumin supplementation is associated with a decrease in leptin levels that may be regarded as a potential mechanism for the metabolic effects of curcumin. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Feasibility of Intraoperative Navigation for Liver Resection Using Real‐time Virtual Sonography With Novel Automatic Registration System
Authors: Takamoto Takeshi , Mise Yoshihiro , Satou Shouichi , Kobayashi Yuta , Miura Koui , Saiura Akio , Hasegawa Kiyoshi , Kokudo Norihiro , Makuuchi Masatoshi
Published: September 2017

Background

The clinical feasibility and usability of intraoperative ultrasonography (IOUS) tracked by computed tomography (CT) images have been proposed; however, it requires technically demanding manual registration procedure.

Study design

A prospective study using real‐time virtual sonography (RVS) with novel automatic registration system was conducted in four high‐volume centers of liver resection from 2015 to 2016. The requiring time for registration of IOUS and CT images and positional error of confluence of middle hepatic venous tributaries (V8‐MHV, V5‐MHV) were measured in patients undergoing laparotomy.

Results

Automatic registration was successful in 43 of 52 enrolled patients (83%), with error ranges of 11.4 (3.1–69.4) mm for V8‐MHV and 16.2 (4.3–66.8) mm for V5‐MHV. Time required for total registration process was 36 (27–74) s.

Conclusions

The RVS with novel automatic registration system can provide quick and easy registration and acceptable accuracy, which can promote the usage of IOUS.
A Zero-Sum Game? Repression and Protest in China
Authors: Li Yao
Published: September 2017

Most scholarship on contentious politics in authoritarian regimes focuses on severe repression and transgressive protest (e.g. revolt), suggesting a zero-sum game played by the state and challengers. However, a burgeoning literature suggests that less brutal forms of authoritarian states have emerged in recent decades and that protesters in these countries tend to limit their challenges, avoiding direct confrontation with the authorities. If so, can the notion of the zero-sum game truly capture the nuances and complexities of contentious politics in authoritarian regimes? Taking the case of China, this article offers a systematic analysis of the pattern of repression and protest in a strong authoritarian state. Drawing on an original data set of 1,418 protest events in China, this article shows that the Chinese state permits some (albeit limited) space for protest and that most protesters confine themselves to this space. These findings thus provide quantitative evidence that popular contention in China is featured by a non-zero-sum game. Overall, this study contributes to a more comprehensive and complex understanding of popular contention in authoritarian settings.
Simplified Cable Nerve Grafting with Nerve-Cutting Guides and Fibrin Glue
Authors: Bynum Donald , Patterson J. , Draeger Reid
Published: September 2017

Cable nerve grafting is the recommended surgical treatment for large peripheral nerve defects. Traditionally, this is performed by bridging a gap in the nerve with multiple autologous nerve cables, repairing the epineurium of each cable to the perineurium of a fascicle of the injured nerve that is similar in size to the graft. The authors present a new technique in which they used nerve-cutting guides to aid in the placement of fibrin glue to secure the sides of the cabled nerve graft together to facilitate handling of the cabled nerve graft and to expedite repair. Freshening the graft nerve ends after the application of fibrin glue using appropriately sized nerve-cutting guides allows for donor-recipient size match and epineurium-to-epineurium repair of the cabled graft to injured nerve. Though further follow-up is needed to determine long-term outcomes following this technique, early results are promising with clinical improvement seen in a similar timeframe to traditional grafting.
Zertifizierte Gynäkologische Krebszentren
Authors: Mensah Jumana , Wesselmann Simone , Beckmann Matthias
Published: September 2017

Mit dem Zertifizierungssystem für Gynäkologische Krebszentren wird das gesamte Versorgungsspektrum der gynäkologischen Krebserkrankungen abgebildet. In bislang 133 spezialisierten Zentren im In- und Ausland wird qualitätsgesicherte, leitliniengerechte Versorgung für Patientinnen mit unterschiedlichen gynäkologischen Malignomen gewährleistet. Mit den 2017 neu eingeführten, leitlinienbasierten Kennzahlen für Patientinnen mit Vulvakarzinom wird erstmals die Qualität der Behandlung auch für diese Patientinnengruppe spezifisch erfasst. Diese entitätsumfassenden Kennzahlen bilden mit den übergreifenden Anforderungen an die Diagnostik und Therapie aller gynäkologischer Tumore und den bereits bestehenden Qualitätsindikatoren für Ovarial- und Zervixkarzinome die Voraussetzung für eine umfassende Qualitätssicherung und -verbesserung.
A Plea for MERSQI
Authors: Smith Roger P. , Learman Lee A.
Published: September 2017

OBJECTIVE:

To describe the quality of educational scholarship presented at a large national conference of obstetrics and gynecology educators.

METHODS:

We reviewed Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology–Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics annual meeting abstracts from 2015 and 2016, published as supplements to Obstetrics & Gynecology. For this uncontrolled observational study, abstracts were reviewed and scored using the Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument (MERSQI). Comparisons between types of submissions (oral presentations or posters), origin of the report (academic or community), setting (undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate), and focus of the study (tool development or evaluation) were made. Abstracts from award-winning presentations and full manuscripts were compared with the remaining abstracts. One- and two-tailed Student t tests with a two-sample unequal variance (heteroscedastic) test were performed with a significance threshold of P≤.05.

RESULTS:

One hundred eighty-six abstracts and articles were available, with 101 posters and 77 oral presentations that could be scored in all six of the MERSQI domains. The average MERSQI score was 9.05 (±1.90) with scores ranging from 5 to 13.5 (median 9). Abstracts from full-text articles scored more than 1 point higher than other abstracts (10.2 compared with 9.0, P<.001, Cohen's d=0.72). Statistically significant smaller magnitude differences were found comparing tool development with evaluation, academic with community studies, and for award with nonaward winners. No differences were found comparing oral and poster presentations.

CONCLUSION:

The quality of educational scholarship presented at a national meeting of obstetrics and gynecology educators falls within the published range for other specialties. The MERSQI scoring system is a useful method for tracking and benchmarking the quality of medical education scholarship in obstetrics and gynecology.