bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impacted supernumerary tooth removal by osteotomy and osteosynthesis of the anterior nasal spine
Authors: Takadoum Sarah , Favre de Thierrens Carle , Fauroux Marie-Alix
Published: December 2018

Introduction:For dental avulsion, surgery may be invasive where it affects bone volume and may cause damage to the surrounding anatomical structures. Piezosurgery is a minimally invasive surgery due to the thin and precise cutting of the tooth compared with conventional burs.Technique:the authors have presented the case of a thirteen-year-old girl referred by her orthodontists for the extraction of a supernumerary tooth. The anterior nasal spine (ANS) was cut using piezosurgical techniques, repositioned and fixed using osteosynthesis with a bone screw. Postoperative follow ups were promising, and the bone screw was taken out a year later.Comments:The preservation of the nasal mucosa had probably aided in the trophicity and healing of ANS. The minimal bone loss by piezosurgical techniques allowed for the replacement of ANS and its osteosynthesis.Conclusion:This case describes a minimally invasive procedure which allowed for the removal of a deeply impacted supernumerary tooth, without damaging the surrounding teeth or nasal mucosa, and maintaining ANS bone volume.
Akzidentelle Hypothermie
Authors: Sefrin Peter
Published: December 2018

Eine akzidentelle Hypothermie ist nicht nur im Winter, sondern im Rettungsdienst ganzjährig zu erwarten. Von einer Hypothermie spricht man, wenn die Körperkerntemperatur (KKT) unter 35 °C abfällt. Die Ursachen für eine akzidentelle Hypothermie sind vielfältig und reichen von einer Exposition und äußere Faktoren über Intoxikationen bis hin zu Ertrinken und Verschüttung unter Schnee.
Anthropometry, Physical and Movement Features, and Repeated-sprint Ability in Soccer Players
Authors: Campa Francesco , Semprini Gabriele , Júdice Pedro , Messina Gianluca , Toselli Stefania
Published: December 2018

This study aimed to evaluate the associations of anthropometry, functional movement patterns (FMP) and physical performance characteristics with repeated-sprint ability (RSA) in male youth soccer players. Thirty six athletes (ages 16.6±0.5 years, BMI 22.0±1.3 kg/m2) completed the RSA test and other physical tests including countermovement jump with (CMJA) and without the help of arms (CMJ), 10-m and 20-m straight-line sprints, Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (Yo-Yo), and functional movement screen (FMS). In addition, a battery of anthropometric variables was measured. RSA performance components such as best time (BT), mean time (MT) and sprint decrement were calculated. Results showed that measures of physical performance derived from horizontal plane in 10-m and 20-m sprints, were more strongly associated (p<0.01) with RSA performance than those obtained with CMJ or CMJA (p<0.05). High correlations (p<0.01) were found between MT, BT and Yo-Yo distance (r=−0.79, r=−0.67, respectively), as well as with FMS scores (r=−0.68, r=−0.58, respectively). Anthropometric measures, such as fat mass, upper fat area, thigh fat area, calf muscle area, and endomorphy were associated with RSA components (p<0.05). Predictors for the RSA performance identified in the stepwise multivariate analysis included Yo-Yo distance, time in sprints, FMP, and calf muscle area.
Der Zielschritt-Test (ZST) – Ein Test zur
Überprüfung der motorischen
Differenzierungsfähigkeit
Authors: Derlien Steffen , Loudovici-Krug Dana , Best Norman
Published: December 2018

Die motorische Differenzierungsfähigkeit ist eine Eigenschaft, welche
essentiell für die Bewegungsausführung ist. Der
Zielschritt-Test eröffnet die Möglichkeit diese
Fähigkeit zu überprüfen und einzuschätzen.
Dieser Test wird hier vorgestellt.
Adherence to Therapeutic Footwear in Type 2 Diabetes in Malta
Authors: Formosa Cynthia , Borg Anthea , Papanas Nikolaos , Mizzi Stephen
Published: December 2018

Background The literature reports that people living with diabetes do not adhere to their prescribed therapeutic footwear as instructed. The reason for this is still uncertian although certain footwear characteristics seem to reasons reported leading to reduced level of adherence.

Objectives To explore the reasons for current adherence or otherwise to prescribed stock footwear amongst patients living with type-2 diabetes.

Methods An exploratory qualitative design method using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis [IPA] was employed in this research. Employing purposive sampling, twelve participants were recruited and interviewed. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and later analysed.

Results Common themes that emerged from this study fell under 2 main categories including ‘Adherence’ and ‘Non – Adherence’ to wearing the prescribed stock footwear. A number of themes were identified with regards to the reasons for such adherence or otherwise by respective participants including footwear characteristics, service provision, peer pressure and the patient’s knowledge and attitudes.

Conclusion This study demonstrated suboptimal adherence to wearing therapeutic footwear among people with type 2 diabetes. Although the literature highlights the importance of adherence to therapeutic footwear in high risk populations for the prevention of diabetic foot complications, this study provides the reasons as to why patients still do not comply in wearing their prescribed therapeutic footwear. In order to improve behavioral changes patients would require on-going care, empowerment and support combined with educational programs to achieve a higher level of adherence. More research is warranted to explore further psychosocial interventions in diabetes care.
Comparison of Polypropylene and Bioabsorbable Mesh for Abdominal Wall Reinforcement following Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction
Authors: Jordan Sumanas , Schulz Steven , Carraher Amanda , Cabiling David
Published: December 2018

Background Abdominal wall morbidity following microvascular breast reconstruction continues to be an area of interest due to both functional and aesthetic concerns. Donor-site closure technique has been shown to affect bulge and hernia rates and ranges from primary closure to various uses of mesh. Few studies to date have compared types of mesh. The present study compares BARD polypropylene to bioabsorbable GORE Bio-A (polyglycolic acid/trimethylene carbonate) mesh used as a fascial underlay with primary fascial closure.

Methods A retrospective review of all consecutive deep inferior epigastric artery-based microvascular breast reconstructions, including perforator and muscle-sparing flaps, performed between September 2014 and February 2017 was performed. All patients underwent primary fascial closure with mesh underlay. Risk factors for the formation of an abdominal bulge or hernia were identified by multivariate logistic regression.

Results Eighty-seven patients, with 123 abdominal donor sites, were included. Heavy-weight polypropylene mesh was used for 58 donor sites, while polyglycolic acid/trimethylene carbonate mesh was used in 65 donor sites. The overall incidence of bulge or hernia was 11.4%. The bioabsorbable cohort experienced significantly more bulges/hernias than the polypropylene mesh cohort (20% vs. 1.7% by donor site). Time to diagnosis of bulge was longer for the bioabsorbable group (219 ± 107 vs. 69 days). Flap type and perforator row were not associated with bulge/hernia. The polyglycolic acid/trimethylene carbonate mesh was associated with a 13.3-fold risk of bulge/hernia (p = 0.016).

Conclusion Polyglycolic acid/trimethylene carbonate mesh is not appropriate for anterior rectus fascia reinforcement following abdominal tissue transfer.
Long-Term Effects of Bevacizumab on Vestibular Schwannoma Volume in Neurofibromatosis Type 2 Patients
Authors: Killeen Daniel E. , Klesse Laura , Tolisano Anthony M. , Hunter Jacob B. , Kutz Joe Walter
Published: December 2018

Introduction Bevacizumab offers a medical treatment that may slow the growth of vestibular schwannomas (VS) and possibly preserve hearing in patients with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2). This study aims to investigate the effect of long-term bevacizumab treatment on VS progression.

Methods Demographic, clinical, audiometric, and radiographic data were collected from the medical records of NF2 patients treated with bevacizumab at a tertiary medical center.

Results Eleven tumors from seven NF2 patients treated with bevacizumab were analyzed. The median age was 17 years (range: 12–47 years). Median bevacizumab treatment time was 33 months (range: 12–74 months). Of five patients with serviceable hearing pretreatment, one (20%) maintained serviceable hearing during bevacizumab therapy. Significantly slower growth rates for both tumor diameters and tumor volumes were identified during active bevacizumab treatment. Median tumor diameters and volumes during active bevacizumab treatment were 0 cm/year (range: –0.13–0.17 cm/year) and 0.1 cm3/year (range: –0.92–0.41), compared with 0.37 cm/year (range: 0–1.5 cm/year, p = 0.0011) and 1.38 cm3/year (range: 0.013–3.74), respectively, without bevacizumab treatment (p = 0.0263). Reduced tumor progression was noted with bevacizumab treatment utilizing both linear greatest diameter (hazard ratio 0.16, p = 0.006) and segmentation volumes (hazard ratio 0.15, p = 0.023). Complications of bevacizumab treatment included fatigue (43%), nausea/vomiting (43%), hypertension (43%), epistaxis (29%), and proteinuria (29%). One subject had a cerebrovascular accident detected on screening magnetic resonance imaging without symptoms or neurological sequelae.

Discussion Bevacizumab may reduce tumor growth rate and the risk of progression based on both volumetric and linear measurements.
Addressing socioeconomic inequality in access to university education: an analysis of synergies and tensions in Scottish policy
Authors: Sosu Edward M. , Smith Lauren N. , Santoro Ninetta , McKendry Stephanie
Published: December 2018

International research suggests that access to higher education has a significant impact on individuals’ life chances and their standard of living, yet university student populations often do not reflect the broader societies from which they are drawn. In Scotland, where students from wealthy backgrounds are four times more likely than students from lower income backgrounds to go to university, reducing the higher education access gap has become a key government policy priority. This study investigates synergies and tensions in contemporary Scottish policies aimed at widening access to higher education. The data for analysis consisted of 35 key Scottish policy documents on widening access to university published from 2011 to 2016. Drawing on the work of key social justice theorists (Rawls, Young and Sen) as our analytic framework, we identified important synergies which include policy interventions targeting the multiple causes of the access gap. We also identified tensions in the form of widening access policy ambitions being tempered by meritocratic admissions processes that do not favour the most disadvantaged, as well as financial support systems that may lead to higher debt burden for students from low income households. We make recommendations for financial support and high-quality guidance for students from low income families and call for regulations requiring universities to demonstrate the impact of their access policies and strategies. Attending to these synergies and tensions will contribute to increased equity and access to university for students from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds.
Statistical mechanics of CDMA multiuser detector implemented in coherent Ising machine
Authors: Aonishi Toru , Mimura Kazushi , Okada Masato , Yamamoto Yoshihisa
Published: December 2018

The scalability and computational ability of the coherent Ising machine (CIM) have made it attract attention as one of the most effective Ising computing architectures for solving large-scale optimization problems. However, the theory and techniques of equilibrium classical thermodynamics cannot be directly applied to the CIM because it is an open-dissipative system. In an attempt to adapt the theory and techniques to the CIM, we have used a canonical frustrated model of Ising computation called the CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) multiuser detector. Here, we derive a macroscopic equation to estimate the critical value of the spreading factor for achieving a low bit error rate as a function of the normalized pump rate in the CIM-implemented CDMA multiuser detector.
Photonic bandgap transmission map of graphene in a defective optical structure
Authors: Jahani Dariush
Published: December 2018

Interaction of graphene with a defect layer of a 1D defective photonic structure correspondingly could open a Dirac gap in its nonlinear energy dispersion. Also, an excitonic gap could be created upon applied strong magnetic fields at low temperatures. Now, the exact solution for the transmission of the allowed defective states under the influence of a homogeneous magnetic field requires providing a new scheme for the transfer matrix method to cover the circularly polarized propagation of the light in the terahertz frequency regime. In this paper, through an easy-to-follow framework for obtaining the distinct expression of the related transfer matrix method, it is observed that the hybrid defective states in the suggested optical structure undergo an unconventional transmission map as a function of the Dirac gap. Moreover, it is shown that mapping the transmission spectrum in the frequency space reveals peculiar results for narrow-band transport of the defective states. Finally, it is demonstrated that the transmission spectrum shows plateaus as a function of the applied magnetic field analogous to the situations observed for the conductance of a 2D electron gas system in the quantum Hall effect regime. This almost simple suggested design which can be fully controlled marks the first optical counterpart of the quantum Hall effect in optics.
EuO epitaxy by oxygen scavenging on SrTiO3 (001): Effect of SrTiO3 thickness and temperature
Authors: Guo Wei , Posadas Agham B. , Lu Sirong , Smith David J. , Demkov Alexander A.
Published: December 2018

The EuO/SrTiO3 heterojunction is a promising combination of a ferromagnetic material and a two-dimensional electron system. We explore the deposition of Eu metal on SrTiO3/Si pseudo-substrates, with varying SrTiO3 (STO) thickness, under ultrahigh vacuum conditions. By varying the thickness of the STO layer (2-10 nm) and the deposition temperature (20-300 °C), we investigate the process by which oxygen is scavenged from STO by Eu. In situ x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy is used to investigate the electronic structure of the nominal Eu/STO/Si stack. We find that as a result of Eu deposition, epitaxial EuO is formed on thick STO (6-10 nm), leaving behind a highly oxygen-deficient SrTiO3-δ layer of ∼4 nm in thickness. However, if the thickness of the STO layer is comparable to or less than the scavenging depth, the crystal structure of STO is disrupted and a solid state reaction between Eu, Si, and STO occurs when the deposition is done at a high temperature (300 °C). On the other hand, at a low temperature (20 °C), only a 1-2 nm-thick EuO interlayer is grown, on top of which the Eu metal appears to be stable. This study elucidates the growth process under different conditions and provides a better understanding and control of this system.
Influence of deep levels on the electrical transport properties of CdZnTeSe detectors
Authors: Rejhon M. , Franc J. , Dědič V. , Pekárek J. , Roy U. N. , Grill R. , James R. B.
Published: December 2018

We investigated the influence of deep levels on the electrical transport properties of CdZnTeSe (CZTS) radiation detectors by comparing experimental data with numerical simulations based on the simultaneous solution of drift-diffusion and Poisson equations, including the Shockley-Read-Hall model of the carrier trapping. We determined the Schottky barrier heights and the Fermi level position from I-V measurements. We measured the time evolution of the electric field and the electrical current after the application of a voltage bias. We observed that the electrical properties of CZTS are fundamentally governed by two deep levels close to the mid-bandgap—one recombination and one hole trap. We show that the hole trap indirectly increases the mobility-lifetime product of electrons. We conclude that the structure of deep levels in CZTS is favorable for high electrical charge transport.
A pathway to produce strong and tough martensitic stainless steels resistance spot welds
Authors: Aghajani H. , Pouranvari M.
Published: December 2018

Martensitic stainless steel (MSS) resistance spot welds are prone to quasi-cleavage interfacial failure with very low energy absorption capability due to formation of hard and brittle carbon and chromium rich martensite in the fusion zone (FZ). In this work, a new pathway is proposed to enhance strength/toughness of the MSS resistance spot welds based on modification of the FZ composition/microstructure via introducing a nickel interlayer. This altered the FZ microstructure from dual phase microstructure of martensite and δ-ferrite to austenitic microstructure with finely dispersed ultra-fine chromium rich carbides. Formation of a tough predominately austenitic microstructure in the FZ enabled achieving a pullout failure with an unprecedented level of energy absorption.
On subprojectivity of 𝐶(𝐾,𝑋)
Authors: González Manuel , Pello Javier
Published: December 2018

We show that the Banach space

C
(
K
,
X
)

C(K,X)

is subprojective if

K
K

is scattered and

X
X

is subprojective.
An orbit space of a nonlinear involution of 𝑆²×𝑆² with nonnegative sectional curvature
Authors: Torres Rafael
Published: December 2018

We describe a construction of Riemannian metrics of nonnegative sectional curvature on a closed smooth nonorientable 4-manifold with fundamental group of order two that realizes a homotopy class that was not previously known to contain nonnegatively curved manifolds. The procedure yields new metrics of nonnegative sectional curvature on any 2-sphere bundle with base space the 2-sphere or the real projective plane.
A combinatorial model for computing volumes of flow polytopes
Authors: Benedetti Carolina , González D’León Rafael , Hanusa Christopher , Harris Pamela , Khare Apoorva , Morales Alejandro , Yip Martha
Published: December 2018

We introduce new families of combinatorial objects whose enumeration computes volumes of flow polytopes. These objects provide an interpretation, based on parking functions, of Baldoni and Vergne’s generalization of a volume formula originally due to Lidskii. We recover known flow polytope volume formulas and prove new volume formulas for flow polytopes. A highlight of our model is an elegant formula for the flow polytope of a graph we call the caracol graph.

As by-products of our work, we uncover a new triangle of numbers that interpolates between Catalan numbers and the number of parking functions, we prove the log-concavity of rows of this triangle along with other sequences derived from volume computations, and we introduce a new Ehrhart-like polynomial for flow polytope volume and conjecture product formulas for the polytopes we consider.
Surgical aortic valve replacement and patient–prosthesis mismatch: a meta-analysis of 108 182 patients
Authors: Sá Michel Pompeu Barros de Oliveira , de Carvalho Martinha Millianny Barros , Sobral Filho Dário Celestino , Cavalcanti Luiz Rafael Pereira , Rayol Sérgio da Costa , Diniz Roberto Gouvea Silva , Menezes Alexandre Motta , Clavel Marie-Annick , Pibarot Philippe , Lima Ricardo Carvalho
Published: December 2018

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to evaluate the impact of patient–prosthesis mismatch (PPM) on the risk of perioperative, early-, mid- and long-term mortality rates after surgical aortic valve replacement.

METHODS

Databases were searched for studies published until March 2018. The main outcomes of interest were perioperative mortality, 1-year mortality, 5-year mortality and 10-year mortality.

RESULTS

The search yielded 3761 studies for inclusion. Of these, 70 articles were analysed, and their data were extracted. The total number of patients included was 108 182 who underwent surgical aortic valve replacement. The incidence of PPM after surgical aortic valve replacement was 53.7% (58 116 with PPM and 50 066 without PPM). Perioperative mortality [odds ratio (OR) 1.491, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.302–1.707; P < 0.001], 1-year mortality (OR 1.465, 95% CI 1.277–1.681; P < 0.001), 5-year mortality (OR 1.358, 95% CI 1.218–1.515; P < 0.001) and 10-year mortality (OR 1.534, 95% CI 1.290–1.825; P < 0.001) were increased in patients with PPM. Both severe PPM and moderate PPM were associated with increased risk of perioperative mortality, 1-year mortality, 5-year mortality and 10-year mortality when analysed together and separately, although we observed a higher risk in the group with severe PPM.

CONCLUSIONS

Moderate/severe PPM increases perioperative, early-, mid- and long-term mortality rates proportionally to its severity. The findings of this study support the implementation of surgical strategies to prevent PPM in order to decrease mortality rates.
Compatible Mixture of Bacterial Antagonists Developed to Protect Potato Tubers from Soft Rot Caused by Pectobacterium spp. and Dickeya spp.
Authors: Krzyzanowska Dorota M. , Maciag Tomasz , Siwinska Joanna , Krychowiak Marta , Jafra Sylwia , Czajkowski Robert
Published: December 2018

Possibilities to protect potato tubers from rotting caused by Soft Rot Pectobacteriaceae (SRP) under disease favoring conditions were investigated using compatible mixtures of bacterial antagonists and tested with a newly developed stepwise efficacy-based screening protocol. Twenty-two bacterial antagonists were evaluated against a combination of five Pectobacterium and Dickeya strains representing species and subspecies most often associated with potato soft rot in Europe. To enable potential synergistic activity, the antagonists were initially tested against the combination of pathogens in 15 random mixtures containing up to 5 antagonists each. Three mixtures (M2, M4, and M14) out of 15 tested reduced tuber tissue maceration due to soft rot. The individual antagonists derived from M2, M4, and M14 mixtures were tested on potato slices and whole tuber injection assays. These five strains (S. plymuthica strain A294, E. amnigenus strain A167, R. aquatilis strain H145, S. rubidaea strain H440, and S. rubidaea strain H469) were combined to develop a tailored biological control mixture against potato soft rot. The new mixture, designated the Great Five (GF), was tested on seed potato tubers vacuum infiltrated with antagonists and subsequently with the combination of five SRP pathogens. In these experiments, the GF mixture provided stable protection of inoculated potato tubers, reducing soft rot by 46% (P = 0.0016) under high disease pressure conditions. The A294, A167, H145, H440, and H469 antagonists were characterized for features important for viable commercial applications including growth at different temperatures, resistance to antibiotics, and potential toxicity toward Caenorhabditis elegans. The implications for control of soft rot caused by SRP with the use of the GF mixture of antagonists are discussed.
Microbiome and disease in the upper airway
Authors: Lee Jivianne T. , Kim Christine M. , Ramakrishnan Vijay
Published: December 2018

Purpose of review

Microbiome refers to the genetic potential of resident microorganisms that inhabit a given niche. The exact role of the microbiome and its relation to chronic disease processes remains largely unknown, although various associations have been observed. We reviewed current literature investigating the microbiome of the upper airway by subsite (nasal cavity, sinus cavities, nasopharynx, and larynx) and its relation to chronic inflammatory disease processes.

Recent findings

The disruption of indigenous microbiota at a specific subsite may lead to pathogen overgrowth and increased susceptibility to infection. This has previously been demonstrated in the gastrointestinal tract and lower airways. The role of the microbiome and its relation to pathogenesis of disease in the upper airway, however, is less clearly understood. The present review discusses the recent studies that appear to link dysbiosis to upper airway chronic inflammatory diseases.

Despite mounting research, the role of microbiota in the upper airway remains poorly understood. Based on review of the current literature comparing healthy versus diseased patients with site-specific inflammatory conditions, a complex consortium of microbial communities inhabits the upper airway. Fluctuations in the baseline microbiome may contribute to disease pathogenesis, and improved understanding of the dynamics between shifting microbiota may be critical to guiding future medical therapy.
Measuring Value in the Provision of Lower-Limb Prostheses
Authors: Stevens Phillip M. , Highsmith M. Jason , Sutton Bryce
Published: December 2018

As modern health care systems transition from fee-for-service to fee-for-value structures, it is increasingly relevant for the field of prosthetic rehabilitation to understand modern economic science. Health care economics can be approached through a range of analyses in which the costs of health care services are compared against subsequent cost savings, consequences observed with the intervention, the effectiveness of the intervention with regard to a range of outcomes valued by the patient, payer, and provider, or widely used global utility measures. Although examples of economic science are limited in current prosthetic literature, available examples are cited to describe various approaches to economic analysis. An understanding of economic science clarifies the need for the continued identification, creation, and adoption of outcome measures sensitive enough to discriminate between prosthetic interventions and valued collectively by patients, payers, and providers. Future clinical trials should collect and report upon the associated costs as well as meaningful outcome measures to expand the current body of economic evidence in the prosthetic literature.
Recovery process of bilaterally injured corticoreticulospinal tracts in a patient with subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Jang Sung Ho , Chang Chul Hoon , Jung Young Jin , Seo You Sung
Published: December 2018

Rationale:

A few studies using diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) have demonstrated recovery of injured corticoreticulospinal tract (CRT) in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage and infarct. However, no study reported on a patient who showed peri-infarct reorganization of an injured CRT following a middle cerebral artery territory infarct.

Patient concerns:

A 56-year-old right-handed male patient was diagnosed as spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and underwent clipping for a ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm and right frontal extraventricular drainage for IVH at the department of neurosurgery of a university hospital. After onset, he presented with complete weakness of both legs.

Diagnoses:

The patient was diagnosed as spontaneous SAH and IVH.

Interventions:

Clinical assessment and DTT were performed at 1, 3, 6, and 20 months after onset.

Outcomes:

The weakness of both legs showed slow recovery for 10 months until 11 months after onset (medical research council: 6 months; 3/3 and 11 months; 4/4). As a result, he was able to walk independently on an even floor at 6 months and on stairs at 11 months after onset. The discontinued both CRTs on 1-month DTT were restored to the cerebral cortex on 3-month DTT, and then thickened consecutively on 6-month and 20-month DTTs.

Lessons:

The recovery process of injured CRTs concurrent with recovery of leg weakness was demonstrated in a patient with SAH using DTT. This study has important implications in terms of regaining gait function by the recovery of bilaterally injured CRTs which was facilitated by the long-term rehabilitation.
Optical coherence tomography guided successful treatment without stent implantation in a patient with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction caused by plaque rapture
Authors: Zhang Fei-Fei , Dang Yi , Hao Qing-Qing , Xie Yue-Tao , Li Shu-Ren , Qi Xiao-Yong
Published: December 2018

Rationale:

Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) with immediate stenting provides effective revascularization. While the risks of no-reflow, stent thrombosis, stent undersizing, and malapposition reduced the benefits in patients with high burden thrombosis. Intravascular imaging, especially optical coherence tomography (OCT), offers potential in optimization of percutaneous coronary intervention.

Patient concerns:

A 51-year-old male underwent coronary angiography (CAG) due to chest pain with minimal ST-segment depression of the electrocardiogram.

Diagnoses:

Urgent CAG revealed burden thrombus in the mid left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) with TIMI grade I distal flow.

Interventions:

After aspiration thrombectomy, OCT was used to evaluate the target lesion of non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and conservative treatment without stent implantation was selected.

Outcomes:

CAG repeated 1 month after PPCI revealed TIMI grade III blood flow in LAD and only minimal stenosis in the target lesion. OCT showed a cavity formation due to plaque rupture and MLA increased after thrombus dissolution. Follow-up was uneventful at 6 months.

Lessons:

OCT may be useful imaging modality to identify the characteristic of culprit lesion of acute myocardial infarction and subsequently guide individual treatment.
The efficacy of first-line regimens for Helicobacter pylori eradication in different continents
Authors: Zamani Mohammad , Zamani Vahid , Derakhshan Mohammad H. , Shokri-Shirvani Javad
Published: December 2018

Background:

Striking prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection has been convoluted with considerable resistance to various antibiotics worldwide. Although many eradication regimens have been introduced as the first-line therapies against H pylori, lack of appropriate multiple comparison studies makes hard to implement such results to the clinical practice. This project attempts to utilize a comprehensive network meta-analysis to pool the results of clinical trial comparing various first-line eradication therapies simultaneously in different continents.

Methods:

We will include all randomized controlled trials assessing the first-line regimens for treatment of H pylori published in last 10 years. We will search the databases of PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number registry, World Health Organisation International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and ClinicalTrials.gov for randomized controlled trials published since January 2009 without language limitation. The primary and secondary outcomes will be H pylori eradication rate and adverse events, respectively. Subgroup analyses will be conducted for different continents. Two reviewers will independently contribute in study selection and data extraction. For evaluating quality of studies, Cochrane Collaboration tool score will be used. We will conduct network meta-analysis for treatment comparisons using STATA software version 13.

Results:

These findings will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication.

Conclusion:

Our results will provide the guidance for clinicians in deferent regions to select the best possible therapeutic regimen for treatment of H pylori infected patients.

Registration number:

This systematic review and network meta-analysis has been registered in the PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews, with registration number CRD42017077061.
The Timed Up and Go Test in Children: Does Protocol Choice Matter? A Systematic Review
Authors: Verbecque Evi , Schepens Kirsten , Theré Joke , Schepens Bénédicte , Klingels Katrijn , Hallemans Ann
Published: December 2018

Purpose:

Results on reliability and normative data for the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) in children who are developing typically are systematically reviewed.

Summary of Key Points:

Six different TUG protocols are presented for which normative data are available for ages 3 to 18 years. TUG time is consistent within and between raters and sessions and is influenced by age. The choice of protocol, self-selected versus fastest walking speed, and use of a motivational aspect and of the outcome calculation affect TUG time as well as its consistency within and between sessions.

Conclusions:

A standard protocol for the TUG is lacking and should be developed with attention to reliability.

Recommendations for Clinical Practice:

If the TUG is to be used as a screening tool for dynamic balance control, clinicians need to apply protocols that include fastest walking speed motivation.
GenomeGraphR: A user-friendly open-source web application for foodborne pathogen Whole Genome Sequencing data integration, analysis, and visualization.
Authors: Sanaa Moez , Pouillot Régis , Garces-Vega Francisco J , Strain Errol , Van Doren Jane M
Published: December 2018

Food safety risk assessments and large-scale epidemiological investigations have the potential to provide better and new types of information when whole genome sequence (WGS) data are effectively integrated. Today, the NCBI Pathogen Detection database WGS collections have grown significantly through improvements in technology, coordination, and collaboration, such as the GenomeTrakr and PulseNet networks. However, high-quality genomic data is not often coupled with high-quality epidemiological or food chain metadata. We have created a set of tools for cleaning, curation, integration, analysis and visualization of microbial genome sequencing data. It has been tested using Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes data sets provided by NCBI Pathogen Detection (160,000 sequenced isolates). GenomeGraphR presents foodborne pathogen WGS data and associated curated metadata in a user-friendly interface that allows a user to query a variety of research questions such as, transmission sources and dynamics, global reach, and persistence of genotypes associated with contamination in the food supply and foodborne illness across time or space. The application is freely available (https://fda-riskmodels.foodrisk.org/genomegraphr/).
Enhancer features that drive formation of transcriptional condensates
Authors: Shrinivas Krishna , Sabari Benjamin R. , Coffey Eliot L. , Klein Isaac A. , Boija Ann , Zamudio Alicia V. , Schuijers Jurian , Hannett Nancy M. , Sharp Phillip A. , Young Richard A. , Chakraborty Arup K.
Published: December 2018

Enhancers, DNA elements that regulate gene expression, contain transcription factor (TF) binding sites. TFs bind short sequence motifs that are present throughout the genome at much higher frequency than active enhancers, and so the features that define active enhancers are not well understood. We show that DNA elements with TF binding site valency, density, and binding affinity above sharply defined thresholds can recruit TFs and coactivators in condensates by the cooperative process of phase separation. We demonstrate that weak cooperative interactions between IDRs of TFs and coactivators in combination with specific TF-DNA interactions are required for forming such transcriptional condensates. IDR-IDR interactions are relatively non-specific with the same molecular interactions shared by many TFs and coactivators, and phase separation is a universal cooperative mechanism. Therefore, whether a genomic locus is an enhancer that can assemble a transcriptional condensate is determined predominantly by its cognate TFs’ binding site valency and density.
Historical abundance and distributions of Salpa thompsoni hot spots in the Southern Ocean, with projections for further ocean warming
Authors: Słomska Angelika Wanda , Panasiuk Anna , Weydmann-Zwolicka Agata , Wawrzynek-Borejko Justyna , Konik Marta , Siegel Volker
Published: December 2018

Abstract

Over the last three decades, a significant variability in Salpa thompsoni occurrence has been observed as a response to the environmental fluctuations of the Southern Ocean ecosystem, e.g. changes in sea surface temperature as well as shrinking of ice-cover extent around the cold Antarctic waters.

This study presents the historical data of salps abundance from the southwest Atlantic Sector of the Southern Ocean and covers time span of 20 years. Presented dataset allowed to track previous fluctuations in Antarctic salp abundance and enabled to combine their distribution with different bottom depth, thermal and ice conditions. The subsequent goal of this work was to reveal hot spots of salps location and to predict the future range of S. thompsoni distribution with upcoming climate warming in the next 50 years.

Results of our study revealed that the highest salp number was located mostly in the shallow shelf waters with ice-cover and lower temperature. In the studied area, Salpa thompsoni hot spot distributions have been located mostly around Elephant Island but also within islands around Brensfield and Gerlache Straits, as well as to the south near the cold Bellingshausen Sea. The inference of future salp distribution demonstrated that the range of S. thompsoni would presumably move southwards enlarging their habitat area by nearly 500 000 km2.
Increasing the resolution and precision of psychiatric GWAS by re-imputing summary statistics using a large, diverse reference panel
Authors: Chatzinakos Chris , Lee Donghyung , Cai Na , Vladimirov Vladimir I. , Webb Bradley T. , Riley Brien P. , Flint Jonathan , Kendler Kenneth S. , Ressler Kerry J. , Daskalakis Nikolaos P. , Bacanu Silviu-Alin
Published: December 2018

Genotype imputation across populations of mixed ancestry is critical for optimal discovery in large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Methods for direct imputation of GWAS summary statistics were previously shown to be practically as accurate as summary statistics produced after raw genotype imputation, while incurring orders of magnitude lower computational burden. Given that direct imputation needs a precise estimation of linkage-disequilibrium (LD) and that most of the methods using a small reference panel e.g., ~2,500 subject coming from the 1000 Genome Project, there is a great need for much larger and more diverse reference panels. To accurately estimate the LD needed for an exhaustive analysis of any cosmopolitan cohort, we developed DISTMIX2. DISTMIX2: i) uses a much larger and more diverse reference panel and ii) estimates weights of ethnic mixture based solely on Z-scores (when AFs are not available). We applied DISTMIX2 to GWAS summary statistics from the Psychiatric Genetic Consortium (PGC). DISTMIX2 uncovered signals in numerous new regions, with most of these findings coming from the rarer variants. Rarer variants provide much sharper location for the signals compared with common variants, as the LD for rare variants extends over a lower distance than for common ones. For example, while the original PGC post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) study found only 3 marginal signals for common variants, we now uncover a very strong signal for a rare variant in PKN2, a gene associated with neuronal and hippocampal development. Thus, DISTMIX2 provides a robust and fast (re)imputation approach for most Psychiatric GWAS studies.
Description of Schaedlerella arabinophila gen. nov., sp. nov., a D-arabinose utilizing bacterium isolated from feces of C57BL/6J mice and a close relative of Clostridium sp. ASF 502
Authors: Soh Melissa , Miyake Sou , Lim Austin , Seedorf Henning
Published: December 2018

The use of gnotobiotics has gained large interest in recent years due to technological advances that have revealed the importance of host-associated microbiomes for host physiology and health. One of the oldest and most important gnotobiotics mouse model, the Altered Schaedler Flora (ASF) has been used for several decades. ASF comprises eight different bacterial species, which have been characterized to different extent, but only few are available through public strain collections. Here, the isolation of a close relative to one of the less studied ASF strains, Clostridium sp. ASF 502, is reported. Isolate TLL-A1, which shares 99.6% 16S rRNA gene sequence identity with Clostridium sp. ASF 502, was obtained from feces of C57BL/6J mice where is was detectable at a relative abundance of less than one percent. D-arabinose was used as sole carbon source in the anaerobic cultivation medium. Growth experiments with TLL-A1 on different carbon sources and analysis of its ~6.5 gigabase genome indicate that TLL-A1 harbors a large gene repertoire to utilize different carbohydrates for growth. Comparative genome analyses of TLL-A1 and Clostridium sp. ASF 502 reveal differences in genome content between the two strains, in particular with regards to carbohydrate activating enzymes. Based on physiology and genomic analysis it is proposed to name TLL-A1 to gen. nov. sp. nov Schaedlerella arabinophila TLL-A1 (DSMZ 106076T; KCTC 15657T). The closely related Clostridium sp. ASF 502 is proposed to be renamed to Schaedlerella arabinophila to reflect its taxonomic standing and to keep 'ASF 502' as strain designation.
A novel non-invasive method to detect gut barrier related changes during a gastrointestinal nematode infection
Authors: Ahmed Norus , Affinass Nicole , Heitlinger Emanuel , Kühl Anja A. , Xenophontos Natasa , Jarquin Victor Hugo , Jost Jenny , Steinfelder Svenja , Hartmann Susanne
Published: December 2018

Currently, methods for monitoring changes of gut barrier integrity and the associated immune response via non-invasive means are limited. Therefore, we aimed to develop a novel non-invasive technique to investigate immunological host responses representing gut barrier changes in response to infection. We identified the mucous layer on feces from mice to be mainly composed of exfoliated intestinal epithelial cells. Expression of RELM-β, a gene prominently expressed in intestinal nematode infections, was used as an indicator of intestinal cellular barrier changes to infection. RELM-β was detected as early as 6 days post-infection (dpi) in exfoliated epithelial cells. Interestingly, RELM-β expression also mirrored the quality of the immune response, with higher amounts being detectable in a secondary infection and in high dose nematode infection in laboratory mice. This technique was also applicable to captured worm-infected wild house mice. We have therefore developed a novel non-invasive method reflecting gut barrier changes associated with alterations in cellular responses to a gastrointestinal nematode infection.
Semantic Probing: Feasibility of using sequential probes to decode what is on a user’s mind
Authors: Dijkstra Karen , Farquhar Jason , Desain Peter
Published: December 2018

In this paper, we investigate the feasibility of using multiple sequential probe words to decode their relatedness to an active semantic concept on a user’s mind from the respective electrophysiological brain responses. If feasible, this relatedness information could be used by a Brain Computer Interface to infer that semantic concept, by integrating the knowledge of the relationship between the multiple probe words and the ‘unknown’ target. Such a BCI can take advantage of the N400: an event related potential that is sensitive to semantic content of a stimulus in relation to an established semantic context. However, it is unknown whether the N400 is suited for the multiple probing paradigm we propose, as other intervening words might distract from the established context (i.e., the target word). We perform an experiment in which we present up to ten words after an initial target word, and find no attenuation of the strength of the N400 in grand average ERPs and no decrease in classification accuracy for probes occurring later in the sequences. These results lay the groundwork for the development of a BCI that infers the concept on a user’s mind through repeated probing.
Properties of Predictive Gain Modulation in a Dragonfly Visual Neuron
Authors: Fabian Joseph M , Dunbier James R , O'Carroll David C , Wiederman Steven D
Published: December 2018

Dragonflies pursue and capture tiny prey and conspecifics with extremely high success rates. These moving targets represent a small visual signal on the retina and successful chases require accurate detection and amplification by downstream neuronal circuits. This amplification has been observed in a population of neurons called Small Target Motion Detectors (STMDs), through a mechanism we termed predictive gain modulation. As targets drift through the receptive field responses build slowly over time. This gain is modulated across the receptive field, enhancing sensitivity just ahead of the targets path, with suppression of activity elsewhere in the surround. Whilst some properties of this mechanism have been described, it is not yet known which stimulus parameters are required to generate this gain modulation. Previous work suggested that the strength of gain enhancement was predominantly determined by the duration of the targets prior path. Here we show that the predictive gain modulation is more than a sluggish build-up of gain over time. Rather, gain is dependent on both past and present parameters of the stimulus. We also describe response variability as a major challenge of target detecting neurons and propose that the predictive gain modulations role is to drive neurons into response saturation, thus minimising neuronal variability despite noisy visual input signals.
Current models cannot account for V1's specialisation for binocular natural image statistics
Authors: Henriksen Sid , Butts Daniel A , Read Jenny C. A. , Cumming Bruce G
Published: December 2018

A long-standing observation about primary visual cortex (V1) is that the stimulus selectivity of neurons can be well explained with a cascade of linear computations followed by a nonlinear rectification stage. This framework remains highly influential in systems neuroscience and has also inspired recent efforts in artificial intelligence. The success of these models include describing the disparity-selectivity of binocular neurons in V1. Some aspects of real neuronal disparity responses are hard to explain with simple linear-nonlinear models, notably the attenuated response of real cells to "anticorrelated" stimuli which violate natural binocular image statistics. General linear-nonlinear models can account for this attenuation, but no one has yet tested whether they quantitatively match the response of real neurons. Here, we exhaustively test this framework using recently developed optimisation techniques. We show that many cells are very poorly characterised by even general linear-nonlinear models. Strikingly, the models can account for neuronal responses to unnatural anticorrelated stimuli as well as to most natural, correlated stimuli. However, the models fail to capture the particularly strong response to binocularly correlated stimuli at the preferred disparity of the cell. Thus, V1 neurons perform an amplification of responses to correlated stimuli which cannot be accounted for by a linear-nonlinear cascade. The implication is that even simple stimulus selectivity in V1 requires more complex computations than previously envisaged.