bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The quartic tensor model
Authors: Gurau Razvan
Published: January 2017

This chapter studies in detail the tensor model with an arbitrary quartic interaction. Using the Hubbard–Stratonovich intermediate field representation, the quartic model can be reformulated in terms of a model of edge colored maps. In this new formulation, it is shown that the 1/N expansion of the model holds non perturbatively. It is shown that the cumulants are Borel summable in the coupling constant, uniformly in N. The perturbative 1/N consists in showing that each term in a formal power series expansion in the coupling constants of a cumulant obeys a scaling bound in 1/N. Establishing the 1/N expansion non perturbatively consists in proving that any cumulant is an analytic function of the coupling constant in a certain domain in the complex plane and showing that, in this domain, the cumulant writes as a sum of explicit terms in 1/N plus a rest term, which is analytic and obeys an appropriate scaling bound in 1/N.
The INS on the Line
Authors: Kang S. Deborah
Published: January 2017

For much of the twentieth century, Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) officials recognized that the US-Mexico border region was different, confronting a set of political, social, and environmental obstacles that prevented them from replicating their achievements on Angel Island and Ellis Island, the most restrictive immigration stations in the nation. In response to these challenges local INS officials resorted to the law, nullifying, modifying, and even inventing immigration laws and policies for the borderlands. The INS on the Line traces the ways in which the INS on the US-Mexico border made and remade the nation's immigration laws over the course of the twentieth century. While popular and scholarly accounts describe the INS primarily as a law enforcement agency, the author demonstrates that the agency defined itself not only as a law enforcement unit but also as a lawmaking body. Through a nuanced examination of the agency's legal innovations in the Southwest, the author reveals how local immigration officials constructed a complex approach to border control, an approach that closed the line in the name of nativism and national security; opened it for the benefit of transnational economic and social concerns; and redefined it as a vast legal jurisdiction for the policing of undocumented immigrants. Despite its contingent and local origins, this composite approach to border control continues to inform the daily operations of the nation's immigration agencies, American immigration law and policy, and our very conceptions of the US-Mexico border today.
The prevalence of the complications and their associated factors in humeral lengthening for achondroplasia: retrospective study of 54 cases
Authors: Nakano-Matsuoka Natsuko , Fukiage Kenichi , Harada Yuki , Kashiwagi Naoya , Futami Tohru
Published: January 2017

The aim of this study is to evaluate the complications of humeral lengthening and their associated factors. Fifty-four achondroplastic patients were treated by bilateral humeral lengthening. Our original shoulder sling was sufficient to prevent shoulder dislocation. Pre-existing radial head dislocation was observed in 18 patients. Lengthening was accomplished in all cases without a decrease in the elbow function. Seven humeri fractured after the fixator removal. The risk factors for postoperative fracture were a waiting period of less than 5 days, a healing index less than 25, and the concave shape of the callus. There was no radial nerve palsy.
Flap Reconstruction for Pressure Ulcers: An Outcomes Analysis
Authors: Bamba Ravinder , Madden James J. , Hoffman Ashley N. , Kim Justine S. , Thayer Wesley P. , Nanney Lillian B. , Spear Marcia E.
Published: January 2017

Background:

Historically, complication rates after pressure ulcer reconstruction utilizing flap coverage have been high. Patients undergoing operations for pressure ulcer coverage typically have multiple risk factors for postoperative complications. The purpose of this study was to examine a large patient series in the pressure ulcer population to uncover objective evidence of the linkage between risk factors and outcomes after flap coverage.

Methods:

This study was a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent flap reconstruction for a pressure ulcer between 1997 and 2015. The characteristics of patients were analyzed to determine those who had complications such as pressure ulcer recurrence, wound dehiscence, and wound infection.

Results:

All patients (N = 276) underwent flap coverage of their pressure ulcers. The overall complication rate was 58.7% (162 patients). Wound dehiscence was the most common complication (31.2%), and the pressure ulcer recurrence rate was 28.6%. Multivariate regression for pressure ulcer recurrence revealed that body mass index <18.5 [relative risk (RR) 3.13], active smoking (RR 2.33), and ischial pressure ulcers (RR 3.46) were independent risk factors for pressure ulcer recurrence. Ischial pressure ulcers (RR 2.27) and preoperative osteomyelitis (RR 2.78) were independent risk factors for wound dehiscence. Diabetes was an independent risk factor for wound infection (RR 4.34).

Conclusions:

Our retrospective analysis revealed numerous factors that are associated with high rates of major postoperative complications. Risk factors must be taken into account when offering flap coverage, and risk-reducing strategies must be implemented in patients before pressure ulcer reconstruction.
Atypical Antipsychotics and the Risk of Falls and Fractures Among Older Adults
Authors: Ramcharran Darmendra , Qiu Hong , Schuemie Martijn J. , Ryan Patrick B.
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the risk of falls and fractures among older adults receiving atypical antipsychotics.

Methods

An emulation analysis of a previously published study was performed using the US Truven MarketScan Medicare Supplemental database (MDCR). In addition, modified analyses were implemented to evaluate alternative confounding control strategies that (1) included all covariates used to fit propensity score models in outcome models and (2) required patients to have a mental health condition diagnosis and a health care visit within 90 days prior to the index date.

Findings

The MDCR emulation analyses yielded similar results as the previous study. For the previous study and our emulation analysis, the results were: nonvertebral osteoporotic fractures (odds ratio [OR], 1.51; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.41–1.60; and OR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.37–1.63, respectively), hip fractures (OR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.53–1.81; and OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.43–1.77, respectively), any fracture (OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.24–1.34; and OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.23–1.41, respectively), and falls (OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.47–1.61; and OR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.11–1.89, respectively). However, in modified analyses, no associations were significant. The primary change that resulted in the attenuation of associations was the requirement for patients to have a mental health condition diagnosis and a health care visit prior to the index date.

Conclusions

Our MDCR emulation analysis yielded similar results as a previous study; however, in modified analyses, the associations between fractures and falls and atypical antipsychotics were no longer significant. The contrast of results between the emulation and modified analyses may be due to the analytic approach used to compare patients (and potential confounding by indication). Further research is warranted to evaluate these associations.
Long-Term Hearing Results After Ossiculoplasty
Authors: Cox Matthew D. , Trinidade Aaron , Russell James Shep , Dornhoffer John L.
Published: January 2017

Objectives:

To determine if the OOPS index is predictive of long-term hearing results after ossiculoplasty.

Study Design:

Case series with retrospective chart review.

Setting:

Tertiary care otology practice.

Patients:

Adult and pediatric patients (3–88 years of age).

Interventions:

Ossiculoplasty with cartilage tympanoplasty, with or without mastoidectomy.

Outcome Measures:

Primary outcome measures included short-term hearing results (pure-tone average air-bone gap [PTA-ABG] measured between 60 days and 1 year after surgery), long-term hearing results (PTA-ABG measured ≥5 years after surgery), and the rate of successful ABG closure to ≤20 dB. Secondary measures included the need for revision surgery, delayed tympanic membrane graft failure, worsening conductive hearing loss (after an initially satisfactory hearing result), and recurrence of cholesteatoma.

Results:

There was no significant difference between adults and children for short-term hearing results (average post-op PTA-ABG was 18.9 dB vs. 19.8 dB, respectively;p = 0.544), long-term hearing results (average final PTA-ABG was 19.3 dB vs. 19.4 dB, respectively;p = 0.922), or rate of ABG closure to less than 20 dB (63.1% vs. 58.0%,p = 0.282). Spearman's rank-order correlation (ρ) identified a strong positive correlation between OOPS index score and average post-operative PTA-ABG (ρ = 0.983;p < 0.001; 2-tailed), as well as average long-term PTA-ABG (ρ = 0.950,p < 0.001; 2-tailed).

Conclusions:

The OOPS index makes it possible to accurately prognosticate hearing outcomes in adult and pediatric patients undergoing ossiculoplasty in both the short term and the long term.
What to eat and drink in the festive season: a pan-European, observational, cross-sectional study
Authors: Parker Helen L. , Curcic Jelena , Heinrich Henriette , Sauter Matthias , Hollenstein Michael , Schwizer Werner , Savarino Edoardo , Fox Mark
Published: January 2017

Background

Digestive discomfort after meals is common in the community, especially during the festive season. It is uncertain whether this is related to intake of either high-calorie or high-fat foods or, alternatively, intake of specific foods. This prospective, cross-sectional study tested the hypothesis that the risk of reflux or dyspepsia is associated with the fat content of the meal independent of caloric load in a ‘real-life’ setting.

Materials and methods

Four festive meals were served to delegates attending a conference on four consecutive days. Test meals had the same volume, but varied in calorie and fat content. Study procedures and symptoms were monitored using a mobile application (SymTrack). The effect of alcoholic compared with nonalcoholic drinks was also assessed. Primary outcome was the occurrence of reflux or dyspeptic symptoms. Fullness was documented by a visual analogue scale.

Results

A total of 84/120 (70%) delegates aged 22–69 years consented to participate. At screening, 22 (31%) participants reported at least mild symptoms on the Leuven Dyspepsia Questionnaire. Specific ingredients did not appear to impact on postprandial symptoms. All high-calorie dinners [British, German, Italian (with alcohol)] induced more symptoms than the low-fat, low-calorie Czech dinner [odds ratio: 2.6, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.97–6.9 (P=0.058), 1.5 (0.3–3.8), and 2.8 (0.7–10.5), respectively]. Self-reported fullness after the high-fat, high-calorie British dinner was higher by 23/100 (95% CI: 4–42, P=0.016) with respect to low-fat, low-calorie Czech and German dinners.

Conclusion

Study participants tolerated a range of food and drink well. Reflux or dyspeptic symptoms were least likely after the low-fat, low-calorie meal. Fullness was increased after the high-fat, high-calorie dinner, but not low-fat meals. These results will help the public to make evidence-based dietary choices during the carnival season!
Perceived stress as a risk factor for dyspepsia: a register-based cohort study
Authors: Deding Ulrik , Torp-Pedersen Christian , Bøggild Henrik
Published: January 2017

Objective

Dyspepsia is a common condition and has a huge impact on quality of life and working capacity, but its causes are not well understood. An association between stress and dyspepsia has been debated for decades, but the issue has not been resolved. We examined the 3-year risk of redeeming a proton-pump inhibitor or an H2-receptor antagonist as a proxy of dyspepsia according to the level of perceived stress.

Participants and methods

Perceived stress was measured in a general health survey of 16 124 Danes aged older than 16 years of age in 2010 using Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale. Data were linked individually to national registries, including the Danish National Prescription Registry. The risk of redeeming a proton-pump inhibitor or an H2-receptor antagonist for quintiles of stress level was estimated using Cox proportional hazard regression.

Results

In total, 2703 redeemed one of these drugs during the 33 months of follow-up. The cumulative incidence proportion of dyspepsia increased gradually, from 11.6 to 24.9%, with quintiles of stress. After full model adjustment, the four highest stress quintiles had a statistically significantly increased risk of redeeming a drug compared with the lowest stress quintile. The hazard ratios were 1.16 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00–1.34] for the second quintile, 1.21 (95% CI: 1.06–1.39) for the third quintile, 1.20 (95% CI: 1.05–1.38) for the fourth quintile, and 1.30 (95% CI: 1.12–1.50) for the fifth quintile.

Conclusion

Higher levels of self-reported perceived everyday life stress increased the risk of redeeming a drug for dyspepsia significantly during 33 months of follow-up.
Different branching patterns of the spinal accessory nerve: impact on neck dissection technique and postoperative shoulder function
Authors: Lanišnik Boštjan
Published: January 2017

Purpose of review

Despite nerve-sparing surgery, postoperative shoulder morbidity remains high and significantly impacts patient's quality of life. This review will focus on recent findings of anatomical nuances of the cranial nerve XI (CN XI) along its course in the neck and possible reasons for postoperative morbidity.

Recent findings

The most recent studies identified three different branching patterns of the CN XI in the neck. In type 1 (66%), the branch for trapezius muscle exits at the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle (mSCM). In type 2 (22%), the branch for trapezius muscle takes off from the common trunk of the CN XI before it enters the mSCM. In type 3 (12%), the motor branch for trapezius muscle exits behind posterior border of mSCM but takes a more medial course to form macroganglia with cervical nerves. Cervical nerves may also contribute to innervation of the trapezius muscle in up to 39% of the cases, but the clinical importance of those connections is not known.

If these anatomical patterns are not recognized and if cervical nerves are resected during neck dissection, shoulder morbidity remains high. The role of cervical nerves in innervation of the trapezius muscle is still controversial and unpredictable.
The multiplex network of human diseases
Authors: Halu Arda , De Domenico Manlio , Arenas Alex , Sharma Amitabh
Published: January 2017

Untangling the complex interplay between phenotype and genotype is crucial to the effective characterization and subtyping of diseases. Here we build and analyze the multiplex network of 779 human diseases, which consists of a genotype-based layer and a phenotype-based layer. We show that diseases with common genetic constituents tend to share symptoms, and uncover how phenotype information helps boost genotype information. Moreover, we offer a flexible classification of diseases that considers their molecular underpinnings alongside their clinical manifestations. We detect cohesive groups of diseases that have high intra-group similarity at both the molecular and the phenotypic level. Inspecting these disease classes, we demonstrate the underlying pathways that connect diseases mechanistically. We observe monogenic disorders grouped together with complex diseases for which they increase the risk factor. We propose potentially new disease associations that arise as a unique feature of the information flow within and across the two layers.
Integrated time-lapse and single-cell transcription studies highlight the variable and dynamic nature of human hematopoietic cell fate commitment
Authors: Moussy Alice , Cosette Jérémie , Parmentier Romuald , da Silva Cindy , Corre Guillaume , Richard Angélique , Gandrillon Olivier , Stockholm Daniel , Páldi András
Published: January 2017

Individual cells take lineage commitment decisions in a way that is not necessarily uniform. We address this issue by characterizing transcriptional changes in cord blood derived CD34+ cells at the single-cell level and integrating data with cell division history and morphological changes determined by time-lapse microscopy. We show, that major transcriptional changes leading to a multilineage-primed gene expression state occur very rapidly during the first cell cycle. One of the two stable lineage-primed patterns emerges gradually in each cell with variable timing. Some cells reach a stable morphology and molecular phenotype by the end of the first cell cycle and transmit it clonally. Others fluctuate between the two phenotypes over several cell cycles. Our analysis highlights the dynamic nature and variable timing of cell fate commitment in hematopoietic cells, links the gene expression pattern to cell morphology and identifies a new category of cells with fluctuating phenotypic characteristics, demonstrating the complexity of the fate decision process, away from a simple binary switch between two options as it is usually envisioned.
Tracking multiple genomic elements using correlative CRISPR imaging and sequential DNA FISH
Authors: Guan J. , Liu H. , Shi X. , Feng S. , Huang B.
Published: January 2017

Live imaging of genome has offered important insights into the dynamics of the genome organization and gene expression. The demand to image simultaneously multiple genomic loci has prompted a flurry of exciting advances in multi-color CRISPR imaging, although color-based multiplexing is limited by the need for spectrally distinct fluorophores. Here we introduce an approach to achieve highly multiplexed live recording via correlative CRISPR imaging and sequential DNA fluorescencein situhybridization (FISH). This approach first performs one-color live imaging of multiple genomic loci and then uses sequential rounds of DNA FISH to determine the loci identity. We have optimized the FISH protocol so that each round is complete in 1 min, demonstrating the identification of 7 genomic elements and the capability to sustain reversible staining and washing for up to 20 rounds. We have also developed a correlation-based algorithm to faithfully register live and FISH images. Our approach keeps the rest of the color palette open to image other cellular phenomena of interest, as demonstrated by our simultaneous live imaging of genomic loci together with a cell cycle reporter. Furthermore, the algorithm to register faithfully between live and fixed imaging is directly transferrable to other systems such as multiplex RNA imaging with RNA-FISH and multiplex protein imaging with antibody-staining.
A Flow Procedure for the Linearization of Genome Sequence Graphs
Authors: Haussler David , Smuga-Otto Maciej , Paten Benedict , Novak Adam M , Nikitin Sergei , Zueva Maria , Miagkov Dmitrii
Published: January 2017

1

Efforts to incorporate human genetic variation into the reference human genome have converged on the idea of a graph representation of genetic variation within a species, a genome sequence graph. A sequence graph represents a set of individual haploid reference genomes as paths in a single graph. When that set of reference genomes is sufficiently diverse, the sequence graph implicitly contains all frequent human genetic variations, including translocations, inversions, deletions, and insertions.

In representing a set of genomes as a sequence graph one encounters certain challenges. One of the most important is the problem of graph linearization, essential both for efficiency of storage and access, as well as for natural graph visualization and compatibility with other tools. The goal of graph linearization is to order nodes of the graph in such a way that operations such as access, traversal and visualization are as efficient and effective as possible.

A new algorithm for the linearization of sequence graphs, called the flow procedure, is proposed in this paper. Comparative experimental evaluation of the flow procedure against other algorithms shows that it outperforms its rivals in the metrics most relevant to sequence graphs.
Precision and accuracy of stress measurement with a portable X-ray machine using an area detector
Authors: Lee Seung-Yub , Ling Jinjing , Wang Shenghe , Ramirez-Rico Joaquin
Published: January 2017

The use of portable X-ray stress analyzers, which utilize an area detector along with the newly adopted `cosα' or full-ring fitting method, has recently attracted increasing interest. In laboratory conditions, these measurements are fast, convenient and precise because they employ a single-exposure technique that does not require sample rotation. In addition, the effects of grain size and orientation can be evaluated from the Debye ring recorded on the area detector prior to data analysis. The accuracy of the measured stress, however, has been questioned because in most cases just a single reflection is analyzed and the sample-to-detector distances are relatively short. This article presents a comprehensive analysis of the uncertainty associated with a state-of-the-art commercial portable X-ray device. Annealed ferrite reference powders were used to quantify the instrument precision, and the accuracy of the stress measurement was tested by in situ tensile loading on 1018 carbon steel and 6061 aluminium alloy bar samples. The results show that the precision and accuracy are sensitive to the instrument (or sample) tilt angle (ψ0) as well as to the selected hkl reflection of the sample. The instrument, sample and data analysis methods all affect the overall uncertainty, and each contribution is described for this specific portable X-ray system. Finally, on the basis of the conclusions reached, desirable measurement/analysis protocols for accurate stress assessments are also presented.
The impact of idiosyncratic risk on accrual management
Authors: Datta Sudip , Iskandar-Datta Mai , Singh Vivek
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to add an important new dimension to the earnings management literature by establishing a link between idiosyncratic risk and the degree of accrual management.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a comprehensive sample of 44,599 firm-year observations during the period spanning 1987-2009, the study offers robust empirical evidence of the importance of firm-specific idiosyncratic volatility as a determinant of earnings manipulation. The authors use standard measures of earnings management and idiosyncratic volatility. The authors test the hypotheses with robust econometrics techniques.

Findings

The authors document a strong positive relationship between idiosyncratic risk and accruals management. Further, the authors find a positive association between residual volatility and discretionary accruals whether accruals are income inflationary or income deflationary. The findings are robust to alternate idiosyncratic risk proxies and variables associated with earnings management.

Originality/value

Overall, the knowledge derived from this study provides additional tools to assess the degree of earnings management by firms, and hence the quality of the financial reporting. Thus the findings will enable standard setters, financial market regulators, analysts, and investors to make more informed legislative, regulatory, resource allocation, and investment decisions.
Investment styles and the multifactor analysis of market timing skill
Authors: Peltomäki Jarkko
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present and demonstrate how the use of a multifactor model in the analysis of market timing skill can be misleading because the use of a multifactor model does not suit all investment styles equally well. If the factors of the analysis model do not span the portfolio holdings of a fund with less conventional investment strategy, the use of a multifactor model may even deteriorate the overall inference in measuring the market timing skill of a large sample of funds.

Design/methodology/approach

This study investigates the limitations of multifactor models in the analysis of market timing skill by applying the traditional Treynor-Mazuy and Henriksson-Merton analysis models of market timing skill using a set of “placebo” funds which are “natural” passive market timers.

Findings

The results of the study show that the incorporation of the Carhart four-factor model into the analysis of market timing skill considerably reduces the percentage of significant market timing results. But, as expected, the reduction of bias is not equal for different investment styles, and it works best when the factors of the analysis model are related to the investment style of the placebo portfolio.

Practical implications

This style-related limitation of multifactor models in the analysis of market timing skill may result in detecting funds with less conventional investment strategies as market timers since the factors used in the analysis are not likely to span their investment styles.

Originality/value

This study shows that the use of a multifactor model may lead to inferring passive market timers with less conventional investment styles as market timers. In addition, the findings of the study leave option replication approaches as more preferable bias corrections than multifactor extensions.
Causal relationships between population stability and food‐web topology
Authors: Monteiro Angelo B. , Del Bianco Faria Lucas
Published: January 2017

Historically, food‐web theory has examined the aspects of natural communities that are responsible for maintaining stability in complex communities. The two main lines of research emphasize either topological aspects damping the propagation of perturbations, or population–stability mechanisms that regulate population outbreaks and prevent a total system destabilization. Recent studies, however, have demonstrated that these two aspects act synergistically to produce a single conceptual framework.

Nevertheless, causal relationships are still unexplored: it remains uncertain if topological patterns maintain population stability, or alternatively, if population stability promotes food‐web topology.

In this contribution, we explored the causal relationships between food‐web topology and population stability within complex communities. We generated food webs, using three models with specific biological assumptions, and measured three population‐stability variables, i.e. the proportion of locally stable three‐species and four‐species modules and the proportion of stable matrices; and two topological variables, i.e. modularity and degree of omnivory. We then used path analysis to evaluate two causality hypotheses, in which (i) topology promotes population stability, and (ii) population stability promotes food‐web topology.

We found that population stability promoted food‐web topology for all models, despite the different biological assumptions. We also observed consistent causal relationships between variables, in accordance with recent literature.

These results suggest that studies that intend to discuss the appearance of omnivorous behaviour or the stabilization aspect of compartmentalization, should first consider the stability of population dynamics. Additionally, they strongly support a recently proposed theory of an intrinsic mechanism to natural communities, selecting topologies capable of producing an equilibrium point where all species could coexist, and shaping natural communities to a similar and consistent pattern.

A lay summary is available for this article.
Herding in frontier stock markets: evidence from the Vietnamese stock market
Authors: Bui Nha Duc , Nguyen Loan Thi Bich , Nguyen Nhung Thi Tuyet , Titman Gordon Frederick
Published: January 2017

By using the model of Changet al. () with some modification and extension, this paper provides three main contributions to investor behavior literature in frontier stock markets, specifically the Vietnamese stock market. First, the study found the evidence of herd behavior in Vietnam, a frontier market, in both industry and market contexts. Second, the results show that investor herd behavior is driven by both up and down market scenarios. Third, the study observes that U.S. stock market affects herd behavior in the Vietnamese stock market. However, the Hong Kong stock market only impacts market information.
Incident alopecia areata and vitiligo in adult women with atopic dermatitis: Nurses’ Health Study 2
Authors: Drucker A. M. , Thompson J. M. , Li W.‐Q. , Cho E. , Li T. , Guttman‐Yassky E. , Qureshi A. A.
Published: January 2017

We aimed to determine the risk of alopecia areata (AA) and vitiligo associated with atopic dermatitis (AD) in a large cohort of US women, the Nurses’ Health Study 2. We used logistic regression to calculate age‐ and multivariate‐adjusted odds ratios to determine the risk of incident AA and vitiligo associated with AD diagnosed in or before 2009. A total of 87 406 and 87 447 participants were included in the AA and vitiligo analyses, respectively. A history of AD in 2009 was reported in 11% of participants. There were 147 incident cases of AA and 98 incident cases of vitiligo over 2 years of follow‐up. AD was associated with increased risk of developing AA (OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.18–2.76) and vitiligo (OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.29–3.54) in multivariate models. In this study of US women, AD was associated with increased risk of incident vitiligo and AA in adulthood.
Determination of the median effective dose (ED50) of spinal chloroprocaine in labour analgesia
Authors: Coppens M. , Anssens S. , Parashchanka A. , Roelens K. , Deschepper E. , De Hert S. , Wouters P. F.
Published: January 2017

The primary goal of this study was to determine the median effective dose (ED50) of spinal chloroprocaine for labour analgesia. Thirty‐eight parturients requesting neuraxial analgesia were enrolled. Doses of 1% chloroprocaine were determined by the technique of up–down sequential allocation, with an initial dose of 20 mg and steps of 2 mg. The chloroprocaine spinal dose was given as the spinal component of a combined spinal‐epidural, which was then supplemented with an epidural dose of 7.5 μg sufentanil in 7 ml saline. Effective analgesia was defined as a score ≤ 10 mm within 15 min on a 100‐mm visual analogue pain scale. Using the isotonic regression estimator method, the ED50 of chloroprocaine for the spinal component of a combined spinal‐epidural for labour was calculated to be median (95%CI) 12.0 (9.3–17.0) mg.
From physical geography to environmental geography: Bridges and gaps (a French perspective)
Authors: André Marie‐Françoise
Published: January 2017

Key Messages

A clinical analysis of some linkages and gaps between physical and environmental geography is provided from a French perspective.

Physical and environmental geography can be viewed either as enemy sisters or as incorporated within a fruitful scientific continuum.

An inclusive version of environmental geography might offer an open space for human and physical geographers to collaborate in stitching together the once‐torn fabric of French geography.
Epigenetics in normal and malignant hematopoiesis: An overview and update 2017
Authors: Goyama Susumu , Kitamura Toshio
Published: January 2017

Epigenetic regulation in hematopoiesis has been a field of rapid expansion. Genome‐wide analyses have revealed, and will continue to identify genetic alterations in epigenetic genes that are present in various types of hematopoietic neoplasms. Development of new mouse models for individual epigenetic modifiers has revealed their novel, sometimes unexpected, functions. In this review, we provide an overview of genetic alterations within epigenetic genes in various types of hematopoietic neoplasms. We then summarize the physiologic roles of these epigenetic modifiers during hematopoiesis, and describe therapeutic approaches targeting the epigenetic modifications. Interestingly, the mutational spectrum of epigenetic genes indicates that myeloid neoplasms are similar to T‐cell neoplasms, whereas B‐cell lymphomas have distinct features. Furthermore, it appears that the epigenetic mutations related to active transcription are more associated with myeloid/T‐cell neoplasms, whereas those that repress transcription are associated with B‐cell lymphomas. These observations may imply that the global low‐level or high‐level transcriptional activity underlies the development of myeloid/T‐cell tumors or B‐cell tumors, respectively.
Synthesis of primaquine glyco‐conjugates as potential tissue schizontocidal antimalarial agents
Authors: Azad Chandra S. , Saxena Mridula , Siddiqui Arif J. , Bhardwaj Jyoti , Puri Sunil K. , Dutta Guru P. , Anand Nitya , Saxena Anil K.
Published: January 2017

Primaquine (PQ) is the only drug used to prevent relapse of malaria due to P. vivax and P. ovale, by eradicating the dormant liver form of the parasite (hypnozoites). The side‐effects associated with PQ limits is uses in treatment of malaria. To overcome the premature oxidative deamination and to increase the life span of drug in the biological system, the novel glyco‐conjugates of PQ were synthesized by coupling of primaquine with hexoses in phosphate buffer. The saccharide part of the hybrid molecules thought to direct the drug to the liver, where hypnozoites resides. All the synthesized compounds were fully characterized and evaluated for their radical curative activities. The three compounds viz glucoside (15a), galactoside (15b) and mannoside (15c) with high activity were tested for their activity in rhesus monkeys where the most active compound 15b showed twofold activity (100% radical curative activity at 1.92 mmol/kg) than the standard drug PQ diphosphate (3.861 mmol/kg). It is proposed that results from these studies may be advantageous to develop a new potent tissue schizonticide antimalarial compound.
Antileukemic action of novel diamine Pt(II) halogenido complexes: Comparison of the representative novel Pt(II) with corresponding Pt(IV) complex
Authors: Misirlić Denčić Sonja , Poljarević Jelena , Isakovic Andjelka M. , Marković Ivanka , Sabo Tibor J. , Grgurić‐Šipka Sanja
Published: January 2017

This study presents the synthesis, characterization, and antitumor action of five new Pt(II) halogenido, chlorido, and iodido complexes with edda type of ligands. (S,S)‐Ethylenediamine‐N,N′‐di‐2‐(3‐cyclohexyl)propanoic acid dihydrochloride and its methyl, ethyl, and n‐propyl esters were prepared according to the previously reported procedure. All investigated complexes were characterized by IR, ESI‐MS (1H, 13C, and HMBC) NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Their cytotoxic action was investigated in four human tumor cell lines: promyelocytic (HL‐60) and lymphocytic (REH) leukemia, glioma (U251), and lung carcinoma (H460). Cell viability was assessed by acid phosphatase and LDH assay, while oxidative stress and cell death parameters were analyzed by flow cytometry. The results showed that novel Pt(II) complexes exhibited antitumor action superior to precursor ligands, with iodido complexes being more efficient than corresponding chlorido complexes. Human promyelocytic cell line (HL‐60) was the most sensitive to antitumor action of all investigated substances and was used for investigation of the underlying mode of antileukemic action. The investigated Pt(II) complexes showed more potent antileukemic action than corresponding Pt(IV) complex, through induction of oxidative stress and apoptosis, evidenced by caspase (8, 9, and 3) activation and phosphatidylserine externalization.
Fidgety movements in infants born very preterm: predictive value for cerebral palsy in a clinical multicentre setting
Authors: Datta Alexandre N , Furrer Mark A , Bernhardt Iris , Hüppi Petra S , Borradori‐Tolsa Cristina , Bucher Hans Ulrich , Latal Beatrice , Grunt Sebastian , Natalucci Giancarlo ,   The GM Group
Published: January 2017

Aim

This study assessed predictive values of fidgety movement assessment (FMA) in a large sample of infants born very preterm for developmental abnormalities, in particular for cerebral palsy (CP) at 2 years in an everyday clinical setting.

Method

This is a multicentre study of infants born preterm with gestational age lower than 32.0 weeks. FMA was performed at 3 months corrected age; neurodevelopment (Bayley Scales of Infant Development, 2nd edition) and neurological abnormalities were assessed at 2 years. Predictive values of FMA for the development of CP were calculated and combined with abnormalities at cerebral ultrasound.

Results

Five hundred and thirty‐five infants (gestational age 28.2wks [standard deviation 1.3wks]) were included. Eighty‐one percent showed normal fidgety movements and 19% atypical (82 absent, 21 abnormal) fidgety movements. Absent fidgety movements predicted CP at 2 years with an odds ratio (OR) of 8.9 (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.1–17.0), a combination of atypical fidgety movements and major brain lesion on cerebral ultrasound predicted it with an OR of 17.8 (95% CI 5.2–61.6). Mean mental developmental index of infants with absent fidgety movements was significantly lower (p=0.012) than with normal fidgety movements.

Interpretation

Detection of infants at risk for later CP through FMA was good, but less robust when performed in a routine clinical setting; prediction improved when combined with neonatal cerebral ultrasound.
Measuring communication and participation in children with speech and language disorders
Authors: Mccartney Elspeth
Published: January 2017

This commentary is on the original article by Hidecker et al. on pages 526–530 of this issue.
Evaluation of the stability of soil nanoparticles: the effect of natural organic matter in electrolyte solutions
Authors: Zhu X. , Chen H. , Li W. , He Y. , Brookes P. C. , White R. , Xu J. M.
Published: January 2017

Nanoparticles are ubiquitous in soil, and their quantity and stability play important roles in the fate, transport and bioavailability of contaminants in the environment. In this research, four soil nanoparticles (SNPs) were extracted from typical soil of different regions in China. Three different kinds of natural organic matter (NOM) were subsequently added to suspensions of SNPs to determine the effects of NOM on the stability of SNPs. The critical coagulation concentration (CCC), one of the most important indicators of the stability of the colloidal suspension in electrolyte solutions, was measured. The increase in CCC values indicated that the stability of SNPs was enhanced by NOM; however, the stability varied with the different electrolytes, properties of SNPs and properties of NOM. A coating of NOM increased the negative charges on the surface of SNPs. Therefore, the electrostatic force had a greater effect on the stability of SNPs than the van der Waals force, which contributed to their stability. The effect of NOM on the stability of SNPs was more evident in electrolytes with a monovalent cation (Na+) than in those with a divalent (Ca2+) or trivalent cation (La3+). The NOM increased the stability of less stable SNPs in relation to the composition and properties of SNPs. Further research is required to understand better how the behaviour and fate of SNPs are affected by NOM in the environment.

Highlights

The effect of organic matter on the stability of soil nanoparticles is evaluated.

Stability of soil nanoparticles was enhanced by a surface coating of organic matter.

The electrostatic force contributed to the stability of soil nanoparticles with the addition of organic matter.

Change in stability was also related to types and properties of soil nanoparticles and organic matter.
The Direct Referral to Endovascular Center criteria: a proposal for pre‐hospital evaluation of acute stroke in the Madrid Stroke Network
Authors: Rodríguez‐Pardo J. , Fuentes B. , Alonso de Leciñana M. , Ximénez‐Carrillo Á. , Zapata‐Wainberg G. , Álvarez‐Fraga J. , Barriga F. J. , Castillo L. , Carneado‐Ruiz J. , Díaz‐Guzman J. , Egido‐Herrero J. , de Felipe A. , Fernández‐Ferro J. , Frade‐Pardo L. , García‐Gallardo Á. , García‐Pastor A. , Gil‐Núñez A. , Gómez‐Escalonilla C. , Guillán M. , Herrero‐Infante Y. , Masjuan‐Vallejo J. , Ortega‐Casarrubios M. Á. , Vivancos‐Mora J. , Díez‐Tejedor E. ,   the Madrid Stroke Network
Published: January 2017

Background and purpose

For patients with acute ischaemic stroke due to large‐vessel occlusion, it has recently been shown that mechanical thrombectomy (MT) with stent retrievers is better than medical treatment alone. However, few hospitals can provideMT24 h/day 365 days/year, and it remains unclear whether selected patients with acute stroke should be directly transferred to the nearestMT‐providing hospital to prevent treatment delays. Clinical scales such as Rapid Arterial Occlusion Evaluation (RACE) have been developed to predict large‐vessel occlusion at a pre‐hospital level, but their predictive value forMTis low. We propose new criteria to identify patients eligible forMT, with higher accuracy.

Methods

TheDirect Referral to Endovascular Center criteria were defined based on a retrospective cohort of 317 patients admitted to a stroke center. The association of age, sex,RACEscale score and blood pressure with the likelihood of receivingMTwere analyzed. Cut‐off points with the highest association were thereafter evaluated in a prospective cohort of 153 patients from nine stroke units comprising the Madrid Stroke Network.

Results

Patients with aRACEscale score ≥ 5, systolic blood pressure <190 mmHg and age <81 years showed a significantly higher probability of undergoingMT(odds ratio, 33.38; 95% confidence interval, 12–92.9). This outcome was confirmed in the prospective cohort, with 68% sensitivity, 84% specificity, 42% positive and 94% negative predictive values forMT, ruling out 83% of hemorrhagic strokes.

Conclusions

TheDirect Referral to Endovascular Center criteria could be useful for identifying patients suitable forMT.
Oregon's Informal Domestic Relations Trial: A New Tool to Efficiently and Fairly Manage Family Court Trials
Authors: Howe William J. , Hall Jeffrey E.
Published: January 2017

The Informal Domestic Relations Trial (IDRT) process adopted by the Deschutes County, Oregon, Circuit Court is described, evaluated, and compared to simplified family law procedural rules of other jurisdictions. The IDRT process has been created by local court rule, and will soon be adopted statewide in Oregon. The IDRT rule allows parties to choose a simplified trial or hearing format where the parties speak directly to the judge with no direct or cross‐examination, nonparty witnesses are limited to experts, the traditional rules of evidence are waived, and all exhibits offered by the parties are admitted. IDRT cases are typically docketed more quickly than traditional trials; last just a couple of hours; and decisions are rendered promptly, usually the day of the hearing or trial. The court retains jurisdiction to modify the process as fairness requires and to divert cases where domestic violence or other reasons render IDRT inappropriate.
The Family Law Bar, the Interdisciplinary Resource Center for Separating and Divorcing Parents, and the “Spark to Kindle the White Flame of Progress”
Authors: Schepard Andrew , Kline Pruett Marsha , Kourlis Rebecca Love
Published: January 2017

The Interdisciplinary Resource Center for Separating and Divorcing Families at the University of Denver described in the Honoring Families Initiative's Family Law Bar Report provides a suite of holistic services tailored to the individual needs of families with children. Services provided include assessment and service planning, legal education, dispute resolution (mediation), agreement and order drafting, therapeutic services, and financial planning. As established by a rigorous empirical evaluation, parents and children appreciate and benefit from these coordinated, holistic services. The Center experience gives evidence of the value of interdisciplinary collaboration. It is our hope that the Family Law Bar will be inspired to promote the development of Centers throughout the country and promote changes in legal regulation and education to facilitate interdisciplinary collaborations for the benefit of separating and divorcing families.
Development and psychometric testing of the Attitudes, Subjective Norms, Perceived Behavioural Control, and Intention to Pursue a Career in Mental Health Nursing scale
Authors: Wilbourn Mark , Salamonson Yenna , Ramjan Lucie , Chang Sungwon
Published: January 2017

The aim of the present study was to develop and test the psychometric properties of the Attitudes, Subjective Norms, Perceived Behavioural Control, and Intention to Pursue a Career in Mental Health Nursing (ASPIRE) scale, an instrument to assess nursing students' intention to work in mental health nursing. Understanding the factors influencing undergraduate nursing students' career intentions might lead to improved recruitment strategies. However, there are no standardized tools to measure and assess students' intention to pursue a career in mental health nursing. The present study used a cross‐sectional survey design undertaken at a large tertiary institution in Western Sydney (Australia) between May and August 2013. It comprised three distinct and sequential phases: (i) items were generated representing the four dimensions of the theory of planned behaviour; (ii) face and content validity were tested by a representative reference group and panel of experts; and (iii) survey data from 1109 first‐ and second‐year and 619 third‐year students were used in exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to test the factorial validity of the scale. Internal consistency was measured using Cronbach's alpha. Items generated for theASPIREscale were subject to face and content validity testing. Results showed good factorial validity and reliability for the final 14‐item scale. Principal axis factoring revealed a one‐factor solution, the hypothesized model being supported by confirmatory factor analysis. TheASPIREscale is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring intention to pursue a career in mental health nursing among Bachelor of Nursing students.
Commentary: Beyond more of the same – sustaining the benefits of preschool education – reflections on Bierman et al. (2016)
Authors: Phillips Deborah A.
Published: January 2017

Preschool education is now firmly linked to two aspirational purposes: as the first step on a trajectory of academic and life success for all children and as wise economic policy for the nation. Both purposes are grounded in an assumption that the early developmental boost children receive from preschool will produce lasting impacts. However, efforts to identify enduring impacts of contemporary preschool programs have produced mixed evidence, leading the field to acknowledge that we have yet to adequately understand the essential conditions and processes in early education classrooms that increase the odds that children will flourish in school and thrive in their adult lives.
The Evolving Health Policy Landscape and Suggested Geriatric Tenets to Guide Future Responses
Authors: Kane Robert L. , Saliba Debra , Hollmann Peter
Published: January 2017

We cannot view the future of healthcare but we can sense that big changes are afoot. Many revolve around the plans to “repeal and replace” the Affordable Care Act. We speculate on some potential areas of change in the context of a set of tenets about what care for older persons should address.