bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes in mechanical properties of sprinting during repeated sprint in elite rugby sevens athletes
Authors: Jiménez‐Reyes Pedro , Cross Matt , Ross Alex , Samozino Pierre , Brughelli Matt , Gill Nicholas , Morin Jean‐Benoît
Published: November 2018

This study aimed to analyse fatigue‐induced changes in mechanical sprinting properties during a specific repeated‐sprint test in elite rugby sevens athletes. Twenty elite rugby sevens players performed ten 40 m sprints on a 30 s cycle with participant's running back and forth in a marked lane. Radar was used to assess maximal overground sprint performance over each 40 m. Macroscopic mechanical properties (maximal horizontal force (F0), maximal horizontal power (Pmax), maximal ratio of horizontal force (RFpeak), decrease in the ratio of horizontal‐to‐total force (DRF), total force and maximal sprinting velocity (v0)) were drawn from horizontal force velocity relationships, using a validated method applied to the speed–time data. Fatigue‐induced changes were analysed comparing the first sprint to an average of 2nd‐4th, 5th‐7th and 8th‐10th. Repeated‐sprint ability (RSA) testing induced substantial changes in the maximal velocity component, with a decrease (–15%) in v0 (effect size (ES) = –2.46 to –4.98), and to a lower extent (–5.9%) in the maximal force component F0 (ES = –0.59). DRF moderately decreased (14%; ES=–0.76–1.11), and RFpeak largely decreased in the later sprints (ES = –0.32 to –1.27). Fatigue observed in this RSA test appeared to have a greater effect on the technical ability to produce horizontal force at high velocities, likely due to an alteration in the ability to maintain horizontally oriented force application when velocity increases rather than during the initial acceleration phase, but also the overall force production capacity. The ability to maintain forward‐oriented force at high velocities is of central importance for identifying fatigue and monitoring load.
Virtual‐reality exergaming improves performance during high‐intensity interval training
Authors: Farrow Matthew , Lutteroth Christof , Rouse Peter C. , Bilzon James L. J.
Published: November 2018

Purpose: To determine if: (i) mean power output and enjoyment of high‐intensity interval training (HIIT) are enhanced by virtual‐reality (VR)‐exergaming (track mode) compared to standard ergometry (blank mode), (ii) if mean power output of HIIT can be increased by allowing participants to race against their own performance (ghost mode) or by increasing the resistance (hard mode), without compromising exercise enjoyment.

Methods: Sixteen participants (8 males, 8 females, VO2max: 41.2 ± 10.8 ml−1·kg−1·min−1) completed four VR‐HIIT conditions in a partially‐randomised cross‐over study; (1a) blank, (1b) track, (2a) ghost, and (2b) hard. VR‐HIIT sessions consisted of eight 60 s high‐intensity intervals at a resistance equivalent to 70% (77% for hard) maximum power output (PMAX), interspersed by 60 s recovery intervals at 12.5% PMAX, at a self‐selected cadence. Expired gases were collected and VO2 measured continuously. Post‐exercise questionnaires were administered to identify differences in indices related to intrinsic motivation, subjective vitality, and future exercise intentions.

Results: Enjoyment was higher for track vs. blank (difference: 0.9; 95% CI: 0.6, 1.3) with no other differences between conditions. There was no difference in mean power output for track vs. blank, however it was higher for track vs. ghost (difference: 5 Watts; CI: 3, 7), and hard vs. ghost (difference: 19 Watts; 95% CI: 15, 23).

Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that VR‐exergaming is an effective intervention to increase enjoyment during a single bout of HIIT in untrained individuals. The presence of a ghost may be an effective method to increase exercise intensity of VR‐HIIT.
Comparison of the standards for absorbed dose to water of the VSL, The Netherlands, and the BIPM for 60Co γ rays
Authors: Kessler C , Burns D , Jansen B J , Pooter J A de , Prez L A de
Published: November 2018

A key comparison of the standards for absorbed dose to water of the VSL, Dutch Metrology Institute, Delft, The Netherlands and of the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM) was carried out in the 60Co radiation beam of the BIPM in December 2017. The comparison result, based on the calibration coefficients for two transfer standards and expressed as a ratio of the VSL and the BIPM standards for absorbed dose to water, is 0.9960 with a combined standard uncertainty of 4.8 x 10-3. The results are analysed and presented in terms of degrees of equivalence, suitable for entry in the BIPM key comparison database.

KEY WORDS FOR SEARCH

Absorbed dose to water, 60Co, key comparison, radiation dosimetry

Main text

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCRI, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
CCQM-K121 - Monoterpenes in nitrogen at 2.5 nmol mol-1 final report
Authors: Liaskos Christina , Rhoderick George , Hodges Joseph , Possolo Antonio , Goodman Cassie , Kim Yong Doo , Kim Dal Ho , Lee Sangil , Allen Nicholas , Corbel Marivon , Worton David , Brown Richard , Brewer Paul
Published: November 2018

Main text

The growing awareness of climate change, and continuing concerns regarding tropospheric and stratospheric chemistry, will require future measurements and standards for compounds linked to these issues. To globally monitor and control the emissions of these species in the atmosphere, it is necessary to demonstrate measurement equivalence at the highest levels of accuracy for assigned values of standards. This report describes the results of a key comparison for several important monoterpene species, which are relevant to atmospheric chemistry and climate. The comparison samples include α-pinene, 3-carene, R-limonene and 1,8-cineole in a nitrogen matrix gas, at a 2.5 nmol mol-1 amount of substance fraction. The objective of this key comparison is to evaluate the participants' capabilities to measure trace level monoterpenes using their own calibration techniques.

KEY WORDS FOR SEARCH

VOCs, terpenes, metrology, gas standards

Main text

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCQM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
Multipoint distribution of periodic TASEP
Authors: Baik Jinho , Liu Zhipeng
Published: November 2018

The height fluctuations of the models in the KPZ class are expected to converge to a universal process. The spatial process at equal time is known to converge to the Airy process or its variations. However, the temporal process, or more generally the two-dimensional space-time fluctuation field, is less well understood. We consider this question for the periodic TASEP (totally asymmetric simple exclusion process). For a particular initial condition, we evaluate the multitime and multilocation distribution explicitly in terms of a multiple integral involving a Fredholm determinant. We then evaluate the large-time limit in the so-called relaxation time scale.
The ARP2/3 complex prevents excessive formin activity during cytokinesis
Authors: Chan Fung-Yi , Silva Ana M. , Saramago Joana , Pereira-Sousa Joana , Brighton Hailey E. , Pereira Marisa , Oegema Karen , Gassmann Reto , Carvalho Ana Xavier
Published: November 2018

Cytokinesis completes cell division by constriction of an actomyosin contractile ring that separates the two daughter cells. Here we use the early Caenorhabditis elegans embryo to explore how the actin filament network in the ring and the surrounding cortex is regulated by the single cytokinesis formin CYK-1 and the ARP2/3 complex, which nucleate nonbranched and branched filaments, respectively. We show that CYK-1 and the ARP2/3 complex are the predominant F-actin nucleators responsible for generating distinct cortical F-actin architectures and that depletion of either nucleator affects the kinetics of cytokinesis. CYK-1 is critical for normal F-actin levels in the contractile ring, and acute inhibition of CYK-1 after furrow ingression slows ring constriction rate, suggesting that CYK-1 activity is required throughout ring constriction. Surprisingly, although the ARP2/3 complex does not localize in the contractile ring, depletion of the ARP2 subunit or treatment with ARP2/3 complex inhibitor delays contractile ring formation and constriction. We present evidence that the delays are due to an excess in formin-nucleated cortical F-actin, suggesting that the ARP2/3 complex negatively regulates CYK-1 activity. We conclude that the kinetics of cytokinesis are modulated by interplay between the two major actin filament nucleators.
Brush border protocadherin CDHR2 promotes the elongation and maximized packing of microvilli in vivo
Authors: Pinette Julia A. , Mao Suli , Millis Bryan A. , Krystofiak Evan S. , Faust James J. , Tyska Matthew J.
Published: November 2018

Transporting epithelial cells optimize their morphology for solute uptake by building an apical specialization: a dense array of microvilli that serves to increase membrane surface area. In the intestinal tract, individual cells build thousands of microvilli, which pack tightly to form the brush border. Recent studies implicate adhesion molecule CDHR2 in the regulation of microvillar packing via the formation of adhesion complexes between the tips of adjacent protrusions. To gain insight on how CDHR2 contributes to brush border morphogenesis and enterocyte function under native in vivo conditions, we generated mice lacking CDHR2 expression in the intestinal tract. Although CDHR2 knockout (KO) mice are viable, body weight trends lower and careful examination of tissue, cell, and brush border morphology revealed several perturbations that likely contribute to reduced functional capacity of KO intestine. In the absence of CDHR2, microvilli are significantly shorter, and exhibit disordered packing and a 30% decrease in packing density. These structural perturbations are linked to decreased levels of key solute processing and transporting factors in the brush border. Thus, CDHR2 functions to elongate microvilli and maximize their numbers on the apical surface, which together serve to increase the functional capacity of enterocyte.
Combined Non-Ablative Laser and Microfat Grafting for Burn Scar Treatment
Authors: Onur Erol O , Agaoglu Galip , Jawad Mohammad Ali
Published: November 2018

Background

Burn scar treatment persists as an unsolved problem, involving thousands of affected patients disfigured for life.

Objectives

We sought to present our experience with the use of combined treatments for patients with burn scars.

Methods

This was a case series report of the senior author’s experience during 8 years utilizing the combined treatments of Fraxel Restore (fractional laser) and microfat graft injection for 288 patients with burn scars.

Results

Laser treatment reduced scar intensity and attenuated skin irregularities and hyperpigmentation. All patients demonstrated marked improvement of skin texture and an increase in scar softness after 3 sessions of microfat grafting. However, the degree of improvement varied between patients and was related to the severity of the scar and the type of tissue. Overall, a 40% to 80% improvement was noted in our patients. All patients and their families expressed satisfaction with the results.

Conclusions

The combined treatment of Fraxel and microfat grafting is an effective technique for improving the appearance of a hypertrophic scar or keloid on burn patients. Fat tissue stem cells may have helped to repair the damaged skin.

Level of Evidence: 4
Clusterdv: a simple density-based clustering method that is robust, general and automatic
Authors: Marques João C , Orger Michael B
Published: November 2018

Motivation

How to partition a dataset into a set of distinct clusters is a ubiquitous and challenging problem. The fact that data vary widely in features such as cluster shape, cluster number, density distribution, background noise, outliers and degree of overlap, makes it difficult to find a single algorithm that can be broadly applied. One recent method, clusterdp, based on search of density peaks, can be applied successfully to cluster many kinds of data, but it is not fully automatic, and fails on some simple data distributions.

Results

We propose an alternative approach, clusterdv, which estimates density dips between points, and allows robust determination of cluster number and distribution across a wide range of data, without any manual parameter adjustment. We show that this method is able to solve a range of synthetic and experimental datasets, where the underlying structure is known, and identifies consistent and meaningful clusters in new behavioral data.

Availability and implementation

The clusterdv is implemented in Matlab. Its source code, together with example datasets are available on: https://github.com/jcbmarques/clusterdv.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
High efficiency referential genome compression algorithm
Authors: Shi Wei , Chen Jianhua , Luo Mao , Chen Min
Published: November 2018

Motivation

With the development and the gradually popularized application of next-generation sequencing technologies (NGS), genome sequencing has been becoming faster and cheaper, creating a massive amount of genome sequence data which still grows at an explosive rate. The time and cost of transmission, storage, processing and analysis of these genetic data have become bottlenecks that hinder the development of genetics and biomedicine. Although there are many common data compression algorithms, they are not effective for genome sequences due to their inability to consider and exploit the inherent characteristics of genome sequence data. Therefore, the development of a fast and efficient compression algorithm specific to genome data is an important and pressing issue.

Results

We have developed a referential lossless genome data compression algorithm with better performance than previous algorithms. According to a carefully designed matching strategy selection mechanism, the advantages of local matching and global matching are reasonably combined together to improve the description efficiency of the matched sub-strings. The effects of the length and the position of matched sub-strings to the compression efficiency are jointly taken into consideration. The proposed algorithm can compress the FASTA data of complete human genomes, each of which is about 3 GB, in about 18 min. The compressed file sizes are ranging from a few megabytes to about forty megabytes. The averaged compression ratio is higher than that of the state-of-the-art genome compression algorithms, the time complexity is at the same order of the best-known algorithms.

Availability and implementation

https://github.com/jhchen5/SCCG

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Index suffix–prefix overlaps by (w, k)-minimizer to generate long contigs for reads compression
Authors: Liu Yuansheng , Yu Zuguo , Dinger Marcel E , Li Jinyan
Published: November 2018

Motivation

Advanced high-throughput sequencing technologies have produced massive amount of reads data, and algorithms have been specially designed to contract the size of these datasets for efficient storage and transmission. Reordering reads with regard to their positions in de novo assembled contigs or in explicit reference sequences has been proven to be one of the most effective reads compression approach. As there is usually no good prior knowledge about the reference sequence, current focus is on the novel construction of de novo assembled contigs.

Results

We introduce a new de novo compression algorithm named minicom. This algorithm uses large k-minimizers to index the reads and subgroup those that have the same minimizer. Within each subgroup, a contig is constructed. Then some pairs of the contigs derived from the subgroups are merged into longer contigs according to a (w, k)-minimizer-indexed suffix–prefix overlap similarity between two contigs. This merging process is repeated after the longer contigs are formed until no pair of contigs can be merged. We compare the performance of minicom with two reference-based methods and four de novo methods on 18 datasets (13 RNA-seq datasets and 5 whole genome sequencing datasets). In the compression of single-end reads, minicom obtained the smallest file size for 22 of 34 cases with significant improvement. In the compression of paired-end reads, minicom achieved 20–80% compression gain over the best state-of-the-art algorithm. Our method also achieved a 10% size reduction of compressed files in comparison with the best algorithm under the reads-order preserving mode. These excellent performances are mainly attributed to the exploit of the redundancy of the repetitive substrings in the long contigs.

Availability and implementation

https://github.com/yuansliu/minicom

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Identifying antimicrobial peptides using word embedding with deep recurrent neural networks
Authors: Hamid Md-Nafiz , Friedberg Iddo
Published: November 2018

Motivation

Antibiotic resistance constitutes a major public health crisis, and finding new sources of antimicrobial drugs is crucial to solving it. Bacteriocins, which are bacterially produced antimicrobial peptide products, are candidates for broadening the available choices of antimicrobials. However, the discovery of new bacteriocins by genomic mining is hampered by their sequences’ low complexity and high variance, which frustrates sequence similarity-based searches.

Results

Here we use word embeddings of protein sequences to represent bacteriocins, and apply a word embedding method that accounts for amino acid order in protein sequences, to predict novel bacteriocins from protein sequences without using sequence similarity. Our method predicts, with a high probability, six yet unknown putative bacteriocins in Lactobacillus. Generalized, the representation of sequences with word embeddings preserving sequence order information can be applied to peptide and protein classification problems for which sequence similarity cannot be used.

Availability and implementation

Data and source code for this project are freely available at: https://github.com/nafizh/NeuBI.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
The Mortality Burden of Multidrug-resistant Pathogens in India: A Retrospective, Observational Study
Authors: Gandra Sumanth , Tseng Katie K , Arora Anita , Bhowmik Bhaskar , Robinson Matthew L , Panigrahi Bishnu , Laxminarayan Ramanan , Klein Eili Y
Published: November 2018

Background

The threat posed by antibiotic resistance is of increasing concern in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) as their rates of antibiotic use increase. However, an understanding of the burden of resistance is lacking in LMICs, particularly for multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective, 10-hospital study of the relationship between MDR pathogens and mortality in India. Patient-level antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST) results for Enterococcus spp., Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter spp. were analyzed for their association with patient mortality outcomes.

Results

We analyzed data on 5103 AST results from 10 hospitals. The overall mortality rate of patients was 13.1% (n = 581), and there was a significant relationship between MDR and mortality. Infections with MDR and extensively drug resistant (XDR) E. coli, XDR K. pneumoniae, and MDR A. baumannii were associated with 2–3 times higher mortality. Mortality due to methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) was significantly higher than susceptible strains when the MRSA isolate was resistant to aminoglycosides.

Conclusions

This is one of the largest studies undertaken in an LMIC to measure the burden of antibiotic resistance. We found that MDR bacterial infections pose a significant risk to patients. While consistent with prior studies, the variations in drug resistance and associated mortality outcomes by pathogen are different from those observed in high-income countries and provide a baseline for studies in other LMICs. Future research should aim to elucidate the burden of resistance and the differential transmission mechanisms that drive this public health crisis.
Maternal work and exclusive breastfeeding in Mansoura, Egypt
Authors: Abou-ElWafa Hala Samir , El-Gilany Abdel-Hady
Published: November 2018

Background

Working mothers face unique barriers to breastfeeding, despite the compelling evidence of its benefits. The aim of this study was to describe exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rate of working mothers and associated factors.

Methods

Cross-sectional study was carried out in Mansoura District, Egypt from 1 July to 31 December 2017 among working mothers attending health care facilities for vaccinating their infants aged 6 months. Data were collected using a questionnaire covering sociodemographic and occupational data; breastfeeding supportive workplace facilities; antenatal and natal care; infant’s data; and EBF practice.

Results

EBF rate was 14.1%. Independent predictors were being still on work leave, return to work 4 months after childbirth, working as farmer/manual worker and in trades and business, and being self/family employed.

Conclusions

EBF rate is low among working mothers. There is a need to extend maternity leave and provide promoting workplace facilities.
Super-Earths in the TW Hya disc
Authors: Mentiplay Daniel , Price Daniel J , Pinte Christophe
Published: November 2018

We test the hypothesis that the sub-millimetre thermal emission and scattered light gaps seen in recent observations of TW Hya are caused by planet–disc interactions. We perform global three-dimensional dusty smoothed particle hydrodynamics simulations, comparing synthetic observations of our models with dust thermal emission, CO emission, and scattered light observations. We find that the dust gaps observed at 24 au and 41 au can be explained by two super-Earths (∼ 4 M⊕). A planet of approximately Saturn-mass can explain the CO emission and the depth and width of the gap seen in scattered light at 94 au. Our model produces a prominent spiral arm while there are only hints of this in the data. To avoid runaway growth and migration of the planets we require a disc mass of ${\lesssim } 10^{-2}\, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }{}$ in agreement with CO observations but 10–100 times lower than the estimate from HD line emission.
Transcriptional modulation of the T helper 17/interleukin 17 axis ameliorates renal ischemia-reperfusion injury
Authors: Lee Jae Wook , Bae Eunjin , Kwon Sun-Ho , Yu Mi-Yeon , Cha Ran-Hui , Lee Hajeong , Kim Dong Ki , Lee Jung Pyo , Ye Sang-Kyu , Yoo Joo-Yeon , Park Dong Jun , Kim Yon Su , Yang Seung Hee
Published: November 2018

Background

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a latent transcription factor critical for T-cell function. Although inhibition of the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/STAT3 pathway has been reported to be protective against ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), the role of T cell–associated STAT3 in the pathogenesis of renal IRI has not been specifically defined.

Methods

We induced renal IRI in both mice with T cell–specific STAT3 knockout (Lck-Cre;STAT3flox/flox) and wild-type controls (C57BL/6) and assessed renal damage and inflammation at 48 h after IRI. Human proximal tubular epithelial cells grown under hypoxia were treated with a JAK2 inhibitor, caffeic acid 3,4-dihydroxy-phenylethyl ester, to determine the effect of JAK2/STAT3 inhibition on renal epithelia. Independently, we disrupted Cln 3-requiring 9 (Ctr9) to inhibit T helper 17 (Th17) activation via RNA interference and determined if Ctr9 inhibition aggravates renal injury through upregulated Th17 activation.

Results

The Lck-Cre;STAT3flox/flox mice exhibited significantly reduced kidney damage compared with controls. This protective effect was associated with reduced intrarenal Th17 infiltration and proinflammatory cytokines. Human proximal tubular epithelial cells under hypoxia exhibited significant upregulation of interleukin 17 receptors, and pharmacologic inhibition of JAK2 significantly ameliorated this change. RNA interference with Ctr9 in splenocytes enhanced differentiation into Th17 cells. In vivo knockdown of Ctr9 in mice with renal IRI further aggravated Th17-associated inflammation and kidney injury.

Conclusions

STAT3 in T cells contributes to renal IRI through Th17 activation. Inhibition of Ctr9 further enhances Th17 activation and aggravates kidney injury, further supporting the role of Th17 cells in renal IRI.
Youth Access to Tobacco Products in the United States: Findings From Wave 1 (2013–2014) of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study
Authors: Tanski Susanne , Emond Jennifer , Stanton Cassandra , Kirchner Thomas , Choi Kelvin , Yang Ling , Ryant Chase , Robinson Joelle , Hyland Andrew
Published: November 2018

Objectives

Tobacco products in the US market are growing in diversity. Little is known about how youth access tobacco products given this current landscape.

Methods

Data were drawn from 15- to 17-year-olds from the Wave 1 youth sample of the US nationally representative Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study. Past 30-day tobacco users were asked about usual sources of access to 12 different tobacco products, and if they had been refused sale because of their age.

Results

Among 15- to 17-year-olds, social sources (“someone offered” or “asked someone”) were the predominant usual source of access for each tobacco product. “Bought by self” was the usual source of access for users of smokeless (excluding snus, 23.2%), cigarillos (21.0%), cigarettes (13.8%), hookah (12.0%), and electronic cigarettes (10.5%). Convenience stores and/or gas stations were the most often selected retail source for all products except hookah. Among youth who attempted purchase, 24.3% were refused sale of cigarettes, 23.9% cigarillos, and 13.8% smokeless tobacco.

Conclusions

Most 15- to 17-year-old tobacco users obtain tobacco products through social sources; however, among those who purchased tobacco, the majority report not being refused sale because of age. At the time of survey, cigarette and cigar sales to under 18 years were prohibited in all 50 states, and electronic cigarettes sales in 47 states and two territories. 2014 Annual Synar Reports signaled increasing trends in retail violations of state and/or district laws prohibiting tobacco product sales to under 18 years. Monitoring illicit youth sales, conducting compliance check inspections, and penalizing violations remain important to reduce youth tobacco access at retail venues.

Implications

Access to the spectrum of tobacco products by youth in the United States remains predominantly through social sources. However, of the minority of youth tobacco users in 2014 who purchased tobacco themselves, a few reported being refused sale: Convenience stores and/or gas stations were the most common retail source for tobacco products. The strategies of monitoring illicit youth sales, conducting compliance checks, and penalizing violations remain important to reduce youth tobacco access at retail venues. Limiting sources of youth tobacco access remains an important focus to reduce the burden of tobacco on the public health.
THE IMPACT OF OBESITY ON ABDOMINAL CT RADIATION DOSE AND IMAGE QUALITY
Authors: Qurashi Abdulaziz A , Rainford Louise A , Alshamrani Khalid M , Foley Shane J
Published: November 2018

The aim of this study was to evaluate how iterative reconstruction can compensate for the noise increase in low radiation dose abdominal computed tomography (CT) technique for large size patients and the general impact of obesity on abdominal organ doses and image quality in CT. An anthropomorphic phantom layered with either none or a single layer of 3-cm- thick circumferential animal fat packs to simulate obese patients was imaged using a 128MDCT scanner. Abdominal protocols (n = 12) were applied using automatic tube current modulation (ATCM) with various quality reference mAs (150, 200, 250 and 300). kVs of 100, 120 and 140 were used for each mAs selection. Metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor dosimeters (MOSFET) measured internal organ dose. All images produced were reconstructed with filtered back projection (FBP) and sinogram affirmed iterative reconstruction (SAFIRE) (3, 4 and 5) and objective noise was measured within three regions of interest at the level of L4–L5. Organ doses varied from 0.12 to 41.9 mGy, the spleen received the highest doses for both phantom sizes. Compared to the phantom simulating average size, the obese phantom was associated with up to twofold increase in delivered mAs, dose length product (DLP) and computed tomography dose index (CTDIvol) for the matched mAs selection (p < 0.05). However, organ dose increased by 50% only. The use of 100 kV resulted in a 40% lower dose (p < 0.05) compared to 120 kV and the associated noise increase was improved by SAFIRE (5) use, which resulted in 60% noise reduction compared to FBP (p < 0.05). When combined with iterative reconstruction, low kV is feasible for obese patients to optimise radiation dose and maintain objective image quality.
The politics of pro-worker reforms
Authors: Evans Alice
Published: November 2018

This paper explores the drivers of pro-worker reforms in Vietnam. It shows how commerce, trade deals, aid and geopolitics strengthened support for higher wages, social dialogue and freedom of association. Strikes have triggered Government concerns about regime legitimacy. Manufactures are also keen to resolve strikes and propitiate reputation-conscious buyers. Reform was further incentivized by TPP’s stipulation of Freedom of Association, together with economic and geopolitical incentives to join TPP. Donor-supported pilots have not motivated reform, but are nonetheless important: enabling reformists to explore new ideas; iteratively adapt; garner evidence of what furthers their priorities; with which they can persuade anxious colleagues. None of these forces are deterministic. They merely stimulate debate, authorize experimentation and are used by coalitions to push for reform. By tracing the politics of pro-worker reforms, this study draws attention to drivers often overlooked by donors: strikes, commerce, and trade deals.
Expression of the GAF Sensor, Carbohydrate-Active Enzymes, Elicitins, and RXLRs Differs Markedly Between Two Phytophthora cactorum Isolates
Authors: Toljamo Anna , Blande Daniel , Munawar Mustafa , Kärenlampi Sirpa O. , Kokko Harri
Published: November 2018

The phytopathogen Phytophthora cactorum infects economically important herbaceous and woody plant species. P. cactorum isolates differ in host specificity; for example, strawberry crown rot is often caused by a specialized pathotype. Here we compared the transcriptomes of two P. cactorum isolates that differ in their virulence to garden strawberry (Pc407: high virulence; Pc440: low virulence). De novo transcriptome assembly and clustering of contigs resulted in 19,372 gene clusters. Two days after inoculation of Fragaria vesca roots, 3,995 genes were differently expressed between the P. cactorum isolates. One of the genes that were highly expressed only in Pc407 encodes a GAF sensor protein potentially involved in membrane trafficking processes. Two days after inoculation, elicitins were highly expressed in Pc407 and lipid catabolism appeared to be more active than in Pc440. Of the carbohydrate-active enzymes, those that degrade pectin were often more highly expressed in Pc440, whereas members of glycosyl hydrolase family 1, potentially involved in the metabolism of glycosylated secondary metabolites, were more highly expressed in Pc407 at the time point studied. Differences were also observed among the RXLR effectors: Pc407 appears to rely on a smaller set of key RXLR effectors, whereas Pc440 expresses a greater number of RXLRs. This study is the first step toward improving understanding of the molecular basis of differences in the virulence of P. cactorum isolates. Identification of the key effectors is important, as it enables effector-assisted breeding strategies toward crown rot-resistant strawberry cultivars.
Safe Parameters for Utilizing Magnetic Growth Rods in Patient With a Vagal Nerve Stimulator and Case Report
Authors: Law Jesua , Shahbazian Jonathan H. , Elliott Michael J.
Published: November 2018

Background:

Magnetic growing rods are being utilized more frequently in children with early-onset scoliosis. Many of these children have multiple medical problems and additional medical devices implanted that utilize similar magnetic technology, including vagal nerve stimulator (VNS) devices. There is some concern that the external remote controller (ERC) used to control the magnetic growth rod will interact with these devices during lengthening procedures. We believe there are safe parameters which allow the magnetic growth rod ERC to be utilized in patients with an implanted VNS.

Methods:

A VNS device was tested in a simulation with the magnetic growth rods ERC to determine if it would activate/inactivate the device during a lengthening procedure. This study consists of 2 simulations. Simulation 1 evaluates placing the VNS adjacent to the ERC in the same coronal plane. Simulation 2 elevates the ERC placement above the device to simulate the thickness of a torso while increasing the distance of the VNS from the ERC in the coronal plane.

Results:

The time of exposure of the VNS device to the magnetic field had no correlation with activation. Distance had an effect on device activation. In the coronal plane of the device, activation occurred 43% of the time at 0 cm, 71% at 4 cm, and 5% activation at 8 cm. Greater than 10 cm had no activation. In the sagittal plane with the ERC 8 cm above the device, activation occurred 71% at 0 cm distance, 38% at 2 cm, and no activation occurred at a distance of >4 cm.

Conclusions:

Utilization of the magnetic growth rod ERC can be carried out safely in patients with a VNS. Simulations show that an actuator implanted 4 cm from the VNS device in the coronal plane in a child with >8 cm chest wall thickness will not activate the VNS device. When choosing a rod configuration for implantation, the child’s chest wall thickness and the ERC placement should be considered.
Female Genital Mutilation Reconstruction for Plastic Surgeons—A Call to Arms
Authors: Akinbiyi Takintope , Langston Emily , Percec Ivona
Published: November 2018

The practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) is performed for historically engrained cultural beliefs with no recognized health benefits. FGM continues to be practiced secondary to motivating factors based on cultural beliefs, the majority of which aim to maintain the “purity” of the female victim. The World Health Organization has classified FGM into 4 types ranging from partial clitoral resection to complete clitoral excision along with the majority of the vulva. The list of short and long-term complications is extensive and morbid, including injury to the patient’s sexuality and feminine identity. Reconstructive surgery can be an important addition to psychotherapy for these women with the goal of correcting the appearance of the vulva to achieve a more normal appearance, and to restore clitoral function. We suggest that this represents an opportunity for plastic surgeons to use our wealth of reconstructive knowledge to provide restoration of form and function to FGM victims.
Does Delay to Theater Lead to Increased Infection Rates in Hand Trauma? A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Pavan Fiona , Albarki Hashm S. , Vu Joseph , Keating Cameron , Leong James C.
Published: November 2018

Background:

In an ideal health system, traumatic wounds would be surgically managed within 24 hours; however, resource constraints result in patients with open wounds commonly waiting much longer for surgery. Does this result in increased morbidity? This study compares infection rates over time for patients who received operative management of traumatic hand injuries.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis was undertaken of patients admitted between July 2014 and June 2015 who presented within 24 hours of sustaining a hand injury and subsequently underwent operative repair. Patient and injury data were collected from arrival time at emergency departments across 3 Victorian metropolitan hospitals within the same network. Admission and outpatient follow-up of these patients was reviewed for signs of infection and treatment with antibiotics.

Results:

Six hundred thirty-eight patients met inclusion criteria, 8 of the 429 patients treated within 24 hours of presentation developed an infection (1.86%) compared with 11 of the 209 patients treated after 24 hours of presentation (5.26%). Using Fisher’s exact analysis, a statistically significant association was identified (P = 0.024). An odds ratio of 2.924 was calculated, with a number needed to harm of 26. When time was analyzed as a continuous variable using logistic regression, there was no statistical significance.

Conclusion:

This study shows some evidence that a timing may be important to reduce the rates of infection and raises the possibility that there may be a double peak for infection risk at the 6-hour and 24-hour marks. This gives a basis of potential further study.
Improved anal Cytology Sampling: Tush Brush Compared With Dacron Swab
Authors: Ferris Daron G. , Darragh Teresa M. , Kavuri Sravan , Patel Nikhil , Waller Jennifer L. , Goebel Angela
Published: November 2018

Objective

The objective of this study was to determine the performance characteristics of the Tush brush (TB) compared with a saline moistened Dacron swab (DS) as anal cytology sampling devices.

Materials and Methods

TB and DS anal cytology tests were randomly collected from 146 patients presenting for anal cytology. High-resolution anoscopy and biopsies were obtained as indicated. Sensitivity and specificity as well as rates of satisfactory specimens were determined for each method using the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUCROC) and McNemar's test, respectively. Perceived discomfort of each device was determined using a visual analog scale and compared using a paired t test.

Results

The adjudicated AUCROC, sensitivity, and specificity were greater, but not significantly different, for the brush (0.63, 85.5, and 40.0, respectively) compared with the swab (0.50, 79.6, and 33.3, respectively) when the anal biopsy results were considered the criterion standard. In the 1 subject diagnosed with anal cancer, the swab cytology result was normal, but the brush result was abnormal. Specimen adequacy was 95.2% for the brush and 93.2% for the swab. Mean discomfort (visual analog scale) scores were swab 28.5 mm versus brush 35.6 mm (p = .0003) with both scores within the minimal to moderate discomfort range.

Conclusions

Anal cytology AUCROC, sensitivity, and specificity in detecting anal neoplasia were greater using the TB when compared with the DS. A novel anal cytology sampling device designed specifically to increase the detection of anal neoplasia would be clinically beneficial.
Copper-Beaten Skull Appearance as a Response of Chronically Increased Intracranial Pressure
Authors: Bogdanović Milenko , Radnić Bojana , Savić Slobodan , Popović Vesna , Durmić Tijana
Published: November 2018

We present a case of 19-year-old female patient, who was injured in childhood and subsequently developed hydrocephalus, chronic elevation of intracranial pressure (ICP), and a copper-beaten skull appearance. Chronic hydrocephalus leads to an increase in intraventricular pressure, causing ventricular expansion and dislocation of adjacent cerebral structures. According to literature data, it has been hypothesized that chronically elevated ICP in persons with craniosynostosis, and other developmental structural abnormalities of the skull, may induce bone remodeling. In cases with copper-beaten skull appearance, increased ICP should be considered as a cause of death (after exclusion of all other obvious causes), and for that reason, careful examination of the skull appearance is suggested. This finding could be useful in cases with advanced postmortem changes, where it might indicate some medical conditions of the deceased or could even be considered unique feature for body identification, although this rationale should be used with great caution.
Rare Median Cleft-Lip Repair With Novel Surgical Procedures Using Bilateral Cleft Margin Flaps
Authors: Kang Songsu , Imai Keisuke , Masuoka Takeshi , Sakahara Daisuke , Kawamoto Koji , Tsumoto Jumpei
Published: November 2018

Reports of median cleft lip with nasal anomalies are few, and descriptions of concomitant surgical repair of a median cleft lip and bifid nose deformity are similarly rare. These surgical repair techniques mainly involve the use of normal neighboring structures. Reconstruction of the columella and nasal base is especially important. A new surgical procedure was examined using bilateral cleft margin flaps for patients with a rare median cleft lip. Two patients with a rare median cleft lip were indicated for the procedure. One patient was 3 months old at surgery, and the other patient was 6 months old. These patients underwent single-stage reconstruction of the lip and nose. The new surgical procedure is characterized by the reconstruction of the columella, which involves creating a supportive structure using a cleft margin flap; subsequently, an anterior covering is created using a hinge flap from the nasal tip. Upper lip formation is performed by repair of the orbicularis oris muscle and rotation advancement of a cutaneous and mucosal flap from the lateral segments. The postoperative follow-up period was 4 to 5 years. The postoperative appearance was satisfactory in both patients. Furthermore, no significant complications were observed postoperatively. In conclusion, the surgical procedure with bilateral cleft margin flaps described in this report allows for successful reconstruction of a median cleft lip. This procedure is effectively tissue saving and results in satisfactory outcomes, which are maintained over a long term.
Using an Immersive Virtual Reality System to Assess Lay Provider Response to an Unannounced Simulated Sudden Cardiac Arrest in the Out-of-Hospital Setting
Authors: Leary Marion , Almodovar Alfredo , Buckler David G. , Bhardwaj Abhishek , Blewer Audrey L. , Abella Benjamin S.
Published: November 2018

Background

A sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) occurs when the heart abruptly stops beating; because of the nature of SCA, capturing data in the out-of-hospital setting from actual bystander response is difficult. Current technologies such as virtual reality (VR) allow the creation of scenarios programmed for heightened realism. No studies have used an immersive VR system to observe lay bystander response.

Objective

We sought to characterize lay bystander response to an unannounced simulated VR SCA event during a multisensory scenario.

Methods

Using a VR wearable device combined with a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) recording manikin, we created a 3-minute multisensory SCA scenario that allowed for the observation of lay bystander response. Subjects were unaware of the nature of the emergency event but were told to respond how they would to an emergency situation. Subject's ability to proceed through the American Heart Association's Chain of Survival and their CPR quality were recorded. Frequencies and percentages were calculated using descriptive statistics.

Results

Between June 2016 and June 2017, 119 lay subjects were enrolled. Of those, 92% asked for 911 to be called, 81% attempted CPR, 13% requested an automated external defibrillator (AED), and 6% used the AED; 82% stated that they felt as if they were at a real SCA event. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation data were collected (n = 81), the mean CC rate was 93.5 ± 22.4 cpm, and the mean CC depth was 38.4 ± 13.8 mm.

Conclusions

In our unannounced, immersive VR SCA observational study of lay bystanders, most subjects attempted CPR, although the majority did not use an AED.
Social Network Analysis of a Simulation Community
Authors: Riley Richard H. , Kjaer Cai , Cheney A. Carol , Naumovski Svetlana , Straw Brodene L.
Published: November 2018

Introduction

Graphical analysis of networking maps can be used to measure the health, connectivity, and vulnerabilities of a professional community. We aimed to capture and map the connections and relationships between individuals and organizations in the healthcare simulation community of the state of Western Australia. It was also intended that this analysis would encourage new opportunities for collaboration to advance simulation-based education.

Methods

In association with a baseline list of established simulation practitioners, an online survey instrument and propriety mapping software were used to establish links and interactions between individuals, colleagues, their own, and external organizations.

Results

There were 79 respondents to the survey, with 500 pairs of relationships generated for 203 nominated personnel. Two thirds of respondents were from medical, nursing, and allied health fields. The average number of collaborators for each respondent was 6.6. Collaborative patterns were presented in matrices and social network maps. These data identified leaders, important networks, and weaknesses in this community of practice.

Conclusions

The study confirmed that there were a handful of simulation educators with many linkages both within and external to their own organizations. In addition, isolated groups with poor cross-organizational associations were identified. This information can be used by healthcare and educational organizations, and funding agencies, to better understand associations and collaborations across the wider simulation community and to consider appropriate improvements to strengthen the simulation network.
Cerebral Microbleeds and the Safety of Anticoagulation in Ischemic Stroke Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Liang Yifan , Song Quhong , Jiao Yang , Lin Jueying , Qu Huiling , Zhao Shanshan , Xu Junjie , Zhao Chuansheng , Zhao Mei
Published: November 2018

Objectives

The objective of this study was to investigate the safety of anticoagulation in ischemic stroke (IS) patients with cerebral microbleeds (CMBs).

Methods

PubMed, Web of Science, Elsevier Clinical Key, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library from 1996 to July 2018 were searched to identify relevant studies that included IS patients, underwent T2*-weighted gradient recalled echo, or susceptibility-weighted imaging for detection CMBs and used anticoagulants during follow-up. Primary outcome of interest was intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Secondary outcomes were hemorrhage transformation, IS, total mortality, and new developed CMBs. We critically appraised studies and conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidance.

Results

We included 7 observational studies. Cerebral microbleeds were associated with a significantly elevated risk of anticoagulation-related ICH (odds ratio, 4.01; 95% confidence interval, 1.82–8.81; P = 0.001). It was significant for warfarin (odds ratio, 8.02; 95% confidence interval, 1.51–42.62; P = 0.015). New developed CMBs in patients on warfarin treatment were associated with baseline CMBs, and the appearance of hemorrhagic transformation did not have a significant relationship with baseline CMBs.

Conclusions

The presence of CMBs increases the risk of ICH during anticoagulant treatment (especially warfarin) in IS patients. Further studies with larger numbers of patients are needed to confirm our conclusions.