bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of finite element methods for vector Laplacians on surfaces
Authors: Hansbo Peter , Larson Mats G , Larsson Karl
Published: March 2019

We develop a finite element method for the vector Laplacian based on the covariant derivative of tangential vector fields on surfaces embedded in ${\mathbb{R}}^3$. Closely related operators arise in models of flow on surfaces as well as elastic membranes and shells. The method is based on standard continuous parametric Lagrange elements that describe a ${\mathbb{R}}^3$ vector field on the surface, and the tangent condition is weakly enforced using a penalization term. We derive error estimates that take into account the approximation of both the geometry of the surface and the solution to the partial differential equation. In particular, we note that to achieve optimal order error estimates, in both energy and $L^2$ norms, the normal approximation used in the penalization term must be of the same order as the approximation of the solution. This can be fulfilled either by using an improved normal in the penalization term, or by increasing the order of the geometry approximation. We also present numerical results using higher-order finite elements that verify our theoretical findings.
Age-Related Differences in Past or Present Hepatitis C Virus Infection Among People Who Inject Drugs: National Human Immunodeficiency Virus Behavioral Surveillance, 8 US Cities, 2015
Authors: Abara Winston E , Trujillo Lindsay , Broz Dita , Finlayson Teresa , Teshale Eyasu , Paz-Bailey Gabriela , Glick Sara , Al-Tayyib Alia A , Robinson William T , Masiello-Schuette Stephanie , Sey Ekow K , Anderson Bridget J , Poe Jonathon , Braunstein Sarah
Published: March 2019

Background

Historically, older people who inject drugs (PWID) have had the highest hepatitis C virus (HCV) burden; however, young PWID now account for recent increases. We assessed factors associated with past or present HCV infection (HCV antibody [anti-HCV] positive) among young (≤35 years) and older (>35 years) PWID.

Methods

We calculated adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to examine sociodemographic and past 12-month injection behaviors associated with HCV infection.

Results

Of 4094 PWID, 55.2% were anti-HCV positive. Among young PWID, anti-HCV prevalence was 42.1% and associated with ≤high school diploma/General Education Development diploma (GED) (aPR, 1.17 [95% CI, 1.03–1.33]), receptive syringe sharing (aPR, 1.37 [95% CI, 1.21–1.56]), sharing injection equipment (aPR, 1.16 [95% CI, 1.01–1.35]), arrest history (aPR, 1.14 [95% CI, 1.02–1.29]), and injecting speedball (aPR, 1.37 [95% CI, 1.16–1.61]). Among older PWID, anti-HCV prevalence was 62.2% and associated with ≤high school diploma/GED (aPR, 1.08 [95% CI, 1.02–1.15]), sharing injection equipment (aPR, 1.08 [95% CI, 1.02–1.15]), high injection frequency (aPR, 1.16 [95% CI, 1.01–1.34]), and injecting speedball (aPR, 1.09 [95% CI, 1.01–1.16]).

Conclusions

Anti-HCV prevalence is high among PWID and varies with age. Scaling up direct-acting antiviral treatment, syringe service programs, and medication-assisted therapy is critical to mitigating transmission risk and infection burden.
Social determinants of health in mental health care and research: a case for greater inclusion
Authors: Deferio Joseph J , Breitinger Scott , Khullar Dhruv , Sheth Amit , Pathak Jyotishman
Published: March 2019

Social determinants of health (SDOH) are known to influence mental health outcomes, which are independent risk factors for poor health status and physical illness. Currently, however, existing SDOH data collection methods are ad hoc and inadequate, and SDOH data are not systematically included in clinical research or used to inform patient care. Social contextual data are rarely captured prospectively in a structured and comprehensive manner, leaving large knowledge gaps. Extraction methods are now being developed to facilitate the collection, standardization, and integration of SDOH data into electronic health records. If successful, these efforts may have implications for health equity, such as reducing disparities in access and outcomes. Broader use of surveys, natural language processing, and machine learning methods to harness SDOH may help researchers and clinical teams reduce barriers to mental health care.
Development of a Quick Knockdown Test for Diagnosing Resistance to Phosphine in Sitophilus oryzae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a Major Pest of Stored Products
Authors: Nayak Manoj K , Kaur Ramandeep , Jagadeesan Rajeswaran , Pavic Hervoika , Phillips Thomas W , Daglish Gregory J
Published: March 2019

A key component in the management of resistance to fumigant phosphine in stored products pests is their early detection and implementation of control strategies. Currently, resistance testing involves exposing adults to a specific discriminating concentration over a fixed time period (20–48 h). Although it is widely adopted, this test takes significant time for assay preparation (up to 4 wk) as well as diagnosis (1–2 wk). To address these lacunae, we have established a ‘quick knockdown test’ using a key grain insect pest, rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.). Susceptible, weakly and strongly phosphine-resistant reference strains were exposed to a threshold concentration of phosphine over short exposure periods (min to h). The time to knockdown (KT) responses to phosphine were characterized at 2 (1,440 ppm) and 5 mg/liter (3,600 ppm). The time to 99.9% KT (KT99.9) at 2 mg/liter was 12.52 min for the susceptible adults, compared with 167.9 and 1,510 min in the case of weakly and strongly resistant phenotypes, respectively. As anticipated, increasing the concentration of phosphine to 5 mg/liter halved the KT99.9 (81.57 min) to separate weakly and strongly resistant populations than it was required at 2 mg/liter. We validated the KT99.9 value for the 5 mg/liter against field-derived populations of S. oryzae. The results were aligned with the existing Food and Agriculture Organization approach, confirming that the proposed ‘quick test’ is a reliable tool to rapidly diagnose resistance in this species.
New candidate loci and marker genes on chromosome 7 for improved chilling tolerance in sorghum
Authors: Moghimi Naghmeh , Desai Jigar S , Bheemanahalli Raju , Impa Somayanda M , Vennapusa Amaranatha Reddy , Sebela David , Perumal Ramasamy , Doherty Colleen J , Jagadish S V Krishna
Published: March 2019

Sorghum is often exposed to suboptimal low temperature stress under field conditions, particularly at the seedling establishment stage. Enhancing chilling tolerance will facilitate earlier planting and so minimize the negative impacts of other stresses experienced at later growth stages. Genome-wide association mapping was performed on a sorghum association panel grown under control (30/20 °C; day/night) and chilling (20/10 °C) conditions. Genomic regions on chromosome 7, controlling the emergence index and seedling (root and shoot) vigor, were associated with increased chilling tolerance but they did not co-localize with undesirable tannin content quantitative trait loci (QTLs). Shoot and root samples from highly contrasting haplotype pairs expressing differential responses to chilling stress were used to identify candidate genes. Three candidate genes (an alpha/beta hydrolase domain protein, a DnaJ/Hsp40 motif-containing protein, and a YTH domain-containing RNA-binding protein) were expressed at significantly higher levels under chilling stress in the tolerant haplotype compared with the sensitive haplotype and BTx623. Moreover, two CBF/DREB1A transcription factors on chromosome 2 showed a divergent response to chilling in the contrasting haplotypes. These studies identify haplotype differences on chromosome 7 that modulate chilling tolerance by either regulating CBF or feeding back into this signaling pathway. We have identified new candidate genes that will be useful markers in ongoing efforts to develop tannin-free chilling-tolerant sorghum hybrids.
Alternative Paths, Phrase Expansion, and the Music of Felix Mendelssohn
Authors: Jarvis Brian Edward , Peterson John
Published: March 2019

William Rothstein’s seminal work on phrase rhythm has been foundational for scholars who study phrase expansion using Schenkerian principles, such as David Beach, Charles Burkhart, Joseph Kraus, and Samuel Ng. Other scholars consider phrase expansion from the perspective of William Caplin’s form-functional theory, such as Janet Schmalfeldt and Steven Vande Moortele. Both groups tend to emphasize structural concerns. Recent theories of musical meaning, however, challenge analysts to consider phrase expansions through an expressive lens. This article engages with that challenge using the metaphor of musical motion, a concept that is informally present in numerous analytical writings but was formalized in work on conceptual metaphors by Steve Larson and Mark Johnson. In particular, we introduce a category of expansion techniques called “alternative paths” in which a phrase deviates from its expected course toward a goal via the addition of new material. By defining how the new material is initiated and concluded, alternative paths provide a more nuanced view of passages that might otherwise be described by the more generic terms “parenthesis,” “interpolation,” or “purple patch.” We use Felix Mendelssohn’s works to demonstrate the effectiveness and flexibility of our approach, though the theory of alternative paths is by no means limited to that repertoire.
Quantitative fundamental theorem of algebra
Authors: Perrucci Daniel , Roy Marie-Françoise
Published: March 2019

Using subresultants, we modify a real-algebraic proof due to Eisermann of the fundamental theorem of Algebra (FTA) to obtain the following quantitative information: in order to prove the FTA for polynomials of degree d, the intermediate value theorem (IVT) is required to hold only for real polynomials of degree at most d2. We also explain that the classical proof due to Laplace requires IVT for real polynomials of exponential degree. These quantitative results highlight the difference in nature of these two proofs.
Milton’s ‘Naturam non pati senium’ and ‘De Idea Platonica’ as Cambridge Act Verses: A Reconsideration in Light of Manuscript Evidence
Authors: Dulgarian Robert
Published: March 2019

This article offers a comprehensive reinterpretation of Milton’s Latin poems ‘Naturam non pati senium’ and ‘De Idea Platonica quemadmodum Aristoteles intellexit’ based upon a reconstruction of their context in the academic institutions of 1620s Cambridge. After framing the poems in the broader context of the fairly large corpus of surviving printed and manuscript carmina comitalia or ‘Act Verses’, the documentary evidence for the Latin disputations which they conventionally preceded, and the surviving evidence for the rôle of such verses in university exercises, the article argues for the importance of Sarah Knight’s 2010 manuscript discovery connecting Milton’s poems to the calendar year 1629, but shows that an alternative reading of the manuscript evidence offers a more convincing and much more illuminating account of the poems’ relation to their context. Finally, the article will argue that such a reconsideration of the poems can elucidate the striking absence of consensus concerning the philosophical positions that they take and the nature of their arguments, while revealing a hitherto unsuspected aspect of the student Milton’s deep involvement in university culture.
Physical Therapy Evaluation and Management of Cancer-Related Low Back Pain: A Perspective
Authors: Berengut Emil
Published: March 2019

Patients living with cancer (PLWC) present with unique challenges for the rehabilitation professional. With recent advances in the early detection and treatment of cancer, the patients are surviving longer, leading to an increased focus on the quality of life and functional concerns such as low back pain (LBP). While physical therapy for patients with LBP has generated a progressively increasing amount of research, much of it has excluded PLWC in participant selection. A recent PubMed search revealed few rehabilitation studies that specifically investigated this problem in the oncologic population or included them among other participants. Thus, rehabilitation clinicians must rely on their clinical reasoning, experience, and information from the nononcologic populations to make optimal treatment decisions. The goals of this perspective are to discuss unique considerations and potential management strategies for cancer-related LBP. Furthermore, we hope to generate interest among clinicians and researchers of this topic.
A Nudge Toward Universal Aspirin for Preeclampsia Prevention
Authors: Ayala Nina K. , Rouse Dwight J.
Published: March 2019

The July 2018 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' guidelines for aspirin prophylaxis for preeclampsia prevention represent a departure from prior, more stringent guidelines and extend eligibility for aspirin prophylaxis to a large proportion of pregnant women in the United States. However, these latest guidelines are predicated on a complex, risk-factor–based screening algorithm and ignore the reality that, outside of the setting of clinical research, effective implementation of risk-factor–based approaches consistently falls short. Herein we argue for transitioning to universal aspirin prophylaxis for preeclampsia prevention using the concept of libertarian paternalism, knowing that altering the choice architecture from an “opt-in” to an “opt-out” system will greatly increase the number of patients who receive the advantage of this inexpensive, safe, and beneficial preventative intervention.
Cytopathological tests for early detection of oral carcinogenesis
Authors: Salgueiro Arthur P. , Martelli Francine T. , D’Ávila Stéphanie R. , Milnikel Tainara R. , Koehler-Santos Patricia , Maraschin Bruna J. , da Silva Viviane P. , Rados Pantelis V. , Visioli Fernanda
Published: March 2019

The carcinogenesis in the oral cavity occurs as a multistep process and is often preceded by potentially malignant lesions. The main risk factors for the development of oral cancer are smoking and alcohol intake. The current challenge is to identify patients at greatest risk for the development of oral cancer using noninvasive and effective methods. The aim of this study is to evaluate the microsatellite mutations in the 9p21 locus, the cell proliferative activity, the pattern of epithelial desquamation, and the nucleus/cytoplasm ratio of exfoliated epithelial cells. Cytopathological samples were collected from 131 individuals divided into four groups: control (n = 26), alcohol-smoking (n = 32), leukoplakia (n = 38), and the oral squamous cell carcinoma group (OSCC, n = 35). From the cytological scraping, a slide was silver impregnated for Ag-stained nucleolar organizer region analysis and another slide was stained using the Papanicolaou technique. The remaining cells were used for DNA extraction, followed by PCR amplification and capillary electrophoresis. The cell proliferation velocity rate was higher in the leukoplakia and OSCC groups compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The leukoplakia group showed increased anucleated scales, whereas the nucleated superficial predominated in the control group and the parabasal cells in the OSCC group (P < 0.05). An increased nucleus/cytoplasm ratio was detected only in the OSCC group (P < 0.05). The 9p21 locus mutation frequency was higher in the alcohol-smoking and leukoplakia groups. 9p21 analysis and Ag-stained nucleolar organizer region methods are promising for the screening and monitoring of individuals at higher risk for the development of oral cancer.
ACUTE RETINAL ISCHEMIA IN CENTRAL VERSUS BRANCH RETINAL ARTERY OCCLUSION
Authors: Matthé Egbert , Eulitz Peggy , Furashova Olga
Published: March 2019

Purpose:

To compare changes in thickness of separate retinal layers between acute central and branch retinal artery occlusion (RAO) regarding the severity grade of retinal ischemia using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography.

Methods:

Design: retrospective, observational case–control series. Setting: institutional. Patients: 114 patients with acute RAO. Examinations were conducted with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography at the first visit (baseline). Observations: RAO was categorized as branch (43 patients) or central RAO (71 patients) clinically. Retinal artery occlusion was categorized into the 3 grades “incomplete,” “subtotal,” and “total,” based on optical coherence tomography findings. Thickness of several retinal layers was evaluated on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography images. Obtained data were compared between the 3 grades and between central and branch RAO. The contralateral eyes were used as controls. Main outcome measures: thickness of selected retinal layers.

Results:

Thickness of selected inner retinal layers and central foveal thickness increased statistically significant according to the severity grade (healthy = incomplete < subtotal < total). In each severity grade, there was no significant difference in retinal layers' thickness between branch and central RAO, except for central foveal thickness.

Conclusion:

Thickness increase of selected retinal layers follows—except for central foveal thickness—the same pattern in central and branch RAO. Retinal layers' thickness increases significantly with the higher ischemia grade in both central and branch RAO.
Forensic Nursing Education and Practice in the Netherlands: Where Are We at?
Authors: de Vries Maria Lisa , Dorn Tina , Eppink Marijke , Reijnders Udo Johannes Leonardus
Published: March 2019

Background:

Forensic nursing is a new discipline to the Netherlands. Since 2013, a program has been in place to train experienced nurses in several aspects of forensic nursing, including injury assessment and wound documentation, sexual assault examination, assessment of child abuse, death investigation, and primary care for detainees of the police.

Objective:

The purpose of the study was to provide information on the working environment, self-rated competencies, and practice experiences of forensic nurses after having completed the program.

Methods:

In 2017, an online questionnaire was developed by the researchers and distributed among the 114 Dutch forensic nurses who had completed the program.

Results:

Eighty-three nurses responded to the questionnaire, resulting in a 73% response rate. Nurses who practiced in the emergency and ambulance sector or as pediatric nurses continued to work in these roles after having finished the program. Upon completion of the program, more nurses were employed at sexual assault centers. Overall, respondents indicated that they felt competent with performing forensic nursing tasks. Respondents had a positive outlook of their work as forensic nurses, with a large majority seeing possibilities for further expansion of their roles (87%). Forty-eight percent reported that, at times, they experienced resistance to their involvement with forensic matters from other professionals in their work environments.

Discussion:

Forensic nursing in the Netherlands is an emerging profession. Although its foundation has been established, further developments will only be achieved through collaboration with the wider medical field.
Changes in Caregiver Health in the Years Surrounding the Birth of a Child With Health Problems
Authors: Brehaut Jamie C. , Guèvremont Anne , Arim Rubab G. , Garner Rochelle E. , Miller Anton R. , McGrail Kimberlyn M. , Brownell Marni , Lach Lucy M. , Rosenbaum Peter L. , Kohen Dafna E.
Published: March 2019

Background:

Caregivers of children with health problems (CHPs; usually mothers) experience more physical and psychological health problems than those of children without health problems (non-CHPs). Primarily cross-sectional and survey-driven, this literature has not yet explored whether these health differences existed before the birth of the CHPs, or are exacerbated postbirth.

Methods:

Using linked administrative health data on all mother-child dyads for children born in the year 2000 in British Columbia, Canada, we examined maternal health before, during, and after the birth of CHPs, and compared it between mothers of CHPs and non-CHPs with piecewise growth curve modeling.

Results:

Compared with mothers of non-CHPs, mothers of CHPs had more physician visits (8.09 vs. 11.07), more medication types (1.81 vs. 2.60), and were more likely to be diagnosed with selected health conditions (30.9% vs. 42.5%) 4 years before the birth of the child. Over the 7-year postbirth period, the health of the 2 groups of mothers further diverged: while mothers of CHPs showed increases on physician visits and types of medication, mothers of non-CHPs did not experience any changes in physician visits and had less steep increases for types of medication.

Conclusions:

Health issues associated with having a child with a health problem may begin well before the birth of the child, but also appear to be exacerbated postbirth. The health challenges of caregivers of CHPs may be multifactorial, involving both preexisting conditions and the stresses associated with caring for a child with health problems.
Multiple carbapenemase gene production by Acinetobacter baumannii isolates from burn patients in Iran
Authors: Eslami Majid , Shafiei Morvarid , Mirforughi Seyede Amene , Rajabi Ali
Published: March 2019

Objective:

Acinetobacter baumannii is among the major Gram-negative nosocomial pathogens, and their antibiotic resistance has spread extensively; especially in burn settings.

Methods:

A total of 300 clinical isolates of A. baumannii were collected from burn patients hospitalized in burn settings. The isolates were examined for antimicrobial susceptibility testing by the disc diffusion method. The class D (bla
OXA-51-like, bla
OXA-23-like, bla
OXA-58-like and bla
OXA-24-like) and class B (encoded by bla
VIM and bla
SIM) carbapenemase genes were investigated by multiplex PCR.

Results:

A high level of carbapenem resistance was observed among isolates, but none of them were resistant to colistin. Among carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii, previous antibiotic consumption was significantly higher (significant risk factor for carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii acquisition) than other risk factors (P = 0.0123), whereas older age of patients was not significantly higher among other ranges in multivariate analysis by analysis of variance (ANOVA test). The bla
OXA-51-like gene was the predominant gene, followed by bla
OXA-23-like, bla
OXA-24-like, bla
OXA-58-like, bla
SIM,
bla
NDM and bla
VIM genes being 66, 35.33, 22, 14, 1.33, 1.33 and 13.33%, respectively. Furthermore, the co-existence of bla
OXA-51-like/bla
OXA-23-like, bla
OXA-51-like/bla
OXA-23-like/bla
OXA-24-like and bla
OXA-51-like/bla
OXA-24-like were 22.67, 12 and 11.33%, respectively.

Conclusion:

A high level of class D and class B carbapenemases among A. baumannii strains in the burn settings is a crisis in the eradication of infections caused by MDR, XDR and PDR strains. Therefore, the uncontrolled consumption of last-line antibiotics should be restricted and infection control strategies must be implemented accurately.
Including and Training Family Caregivers of Older Adults in Hospital Care
Authors: Fields Beth , Rodakowski Juleen , Leighton Cassandra , Feiler Connie , Minnier Tami , James A. Everette
Published: March 2019

Background:

Despite the role caregivers play in the delivery of care, the interactions and training methods used with caregivers during an inpatient stay are not clear.

Purpose:

The purpose was to examine interactions and training methods used with caregivers during hospital care.

Methods:

A mixed-methods case study was conducted. Observations were summarized and interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results:

The frequency of caregiver engagement varied at different points in the care process but was highest among observations during the stay care point. Providers were most commonly using written and verbal instructions to train caregivers. Three themes emerged from the interviews and were described to be both facilitators and barriers to caregiver involvement: experience, time, and relationship.

Conclusions:

High-quality person and family-centered care depends upon coordinated efforts among health care systems, providers, patients, and caregivers. Future caregiver initiatives should aim to decrease disengagement, increase assessment, and broaden the use of training methods.
Cytochrome P450 in Palliative Care and Hospice Kits
Authors: Quinn Mary Jo
Published: March 2019

As hospice and palliative care populations shift from the majority having a primary cancer diagnosis to most with a noncancer diagnosis, clinicians are challenged with caring for chronically ill patients with multiple comorbidities. In addition to traditional pain and symptom management, patients’ comfort goals are frequently addressed by managing the underlying disease and comorbid conditions. As a result, many patients have extensive medication profiles. This raises the potential for drug-drug interactions at cytochrome P450 pathways that can interfere with anticipated drug response. Likewise, polypharmacy can be problematic when using palliative care order sets and hospice comfort kits to manage emergent symptoms or as the patient approaches death. This is further complicated when medications are administered before a pharmacist’s review for drug interactions. This article provides an overview of cytochrome P450 and uses an unfolding case study approach to explore interactions that may occur within a patient’s medication profile or in combination with medications commonly used by palliative care and hospice.
Sexual Risk Factors and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Testing Intention Among At-Risk College Students Who Have Never Been Tested
Authors: James Tyler G. , Cheong JeeWon , Ryan Sadie J.
Published: March 2019

Survey data from a university in the southeast United States were used to estimate the relation between sexual risk factors, perceived susceptibility, and human immunodeficiency virus testing intention among sexually active college students who had never been tested. Sexual risk factors, but not knowledge, were indirectly related to increased human immunodeficiency virus testing intention through perceived susceptibility.
Case Series: Multimodal Imaging Reveals the Spectrum of Pattern Dystrophies of the Retinal Pigment Epithelium
Authors: Crane Emily R. , Bass Sherry J.
Published: March 2019

SIGNIFICANCE

Pattern dystrophies of the retinal pigment epithelium, often misdiagnosed as other macular conditions, were once considered a rare retinal disease. However, an increasing number of cases have recently been discovered owing to advancements in multimodal imaging and increased awareness of the condition.

PURPOSE

The purposes of this study were to increase awareness of pattern dystrophies and to review how to accurately diagnose and manage pattern dystrophies by understanding their presentation on fundus autofluorescence, optical coherence tomography, and electrodiagnostic testing.

CASE SERIES

Three cases of patients diagnosed as having pattern dystrophies are reported. In case 1, fundus autofluorescence, optical coherence tomography, and electrodiagnostic testing aid in diagnosing multifocal pattern dystrophy. The same tools are used to diagnose adult-onset foveomacular vitelliform dystrophy in case 2 and reticular pattern dystrophy in case 3.

CONCLUSIONS

Fundus autofluorescence, optical coherence tomography, and electrodiagnostic testing facilitate the proper diagnosis of patients with pattern dystrophies. With increased awareness of pattern dystrophies and increased use of multimodal imaging, pattern dystrophies will likely no longer be considered rare.
Epiregulin is released from intervertebral disks and induces spontaneous activity in pain pathways
Authors: Kongstorp Mette , Schjølberg Tiril , Jacobsen Daniel Pitz , Haugen Fred , Gjerstad Johannes
Published: March 2019

Introduction:

Lumbar radicular pain after disk herniation is associated with local release of many inflammatory molecules from nucleus pulposus (NP) cells leaking out of the intervertebral disk. Here, we have used a rat model to investigate the role of epiregulin (EREG), a member of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family, in this process.

Methods:

A protein immunoassay was chosen to confirm the release of EREG from the NP tissue. Single unit recordings were used to demonstrate the effect of recombinant EREG applied onto the dorsal nerve roots in vivo. Intracellular responses induced by recombinant EREG were studied in cultured dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells by phosphoprotein assay. Changes in EGF receptor expression induced by NP in the DRG were examined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Results:

The protein immunoassay showed that EREG was released from the NP tissue. Moreover, application of EREG onto the spinal dorsal nerve roots induced a decrease in the evoked responses, but an increase in spontaneous activity in the dorsal horn neurons. Interestingly, the EREG activated the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway in the DRG, a pathway previously linked to cellular growth, proliferation, and tissue regeneration. An NP-induced upregulation of the EGF receptor HER3 in the DRG was also revealed.

Conclusion:

Taken together, the present observations indicate that EREG may induce changes in the DRG and spontaneous activity in the pain pathways. We suggest that EREG signaling may be involved in the pathophysiological process leading to sensory deficits and neuropathic pain in patients after disk herniation.
Paracrine Effects of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Promote Lymphangiogenesis in Irradiated Lymphatic Endothelial Cells
Authors: Saijo Hiroto , Suzuki Keiji , Yoshimoto Hiroshi , Imamura Yoshinobu , Yamashita Shunichi , Tanaka Katsumi
Published: March 2019

Background:

There is currently no reliable treatment for secondary lymphedema caused by lymph node dissection or radiotherapy; however, stem cell–based regenerative medicine is emerging as a promising remedy for such complications. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of adipose-derived stem cells on lymphangiogenesis involving human dermal lymphatic endothelial cells exposed to ionizing radiation.

Methods:

Proliferation, migration, and tube formation were analyzed in human dermal lymphatic endothelial cells that were co-cultured with adipose-derived stem cells or cultured in adipose-derived stem cell–conditioned medium. The levels of lymphangiogenic factors secreted from adipose-derived stem cells were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and Western blotting.

Results:

Co-culturing with adipose-derived stem cells and the use of adipose-derived stem cell–conditioned medium both significantly promoted proliferation, migration, and tube formation in nonirradiated human dermal lymphatic endothelial cells. The authors also found that irradiated adipose-derived stem cells had similar alleviative effects on irradiated human dermal lymphatic endothelial cells. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and Western blotting analysis revealed that irradiating adipose-derived stem cells increased their secretion of basic fibroblast growth factor in a dose-dependent manner, whereas it caused no detectable change in their secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor A or C, or hepatocyte growth factor.

Conclusions:

These results demonstrated that factors secreted by adipose-derived stem cells contribute to the promotion of lymphangiogenesis in irradiated human dermal lymphatic endothelial cells. The authors’ findings also suggest that radiation potentiates the paracrine effects of adipose-derived stem cells by stimulating basic fibroblast growth factor protein expression.
Three-Dimensional Analysis of Donor Masks for Facial Transplantation
Authors: Cammarata Michael J. , Wake Nicole , Kantar Rami S. , Maroutsis Margy , Rifkin William J. , Hazen Alexes , Brecht Lawrence E. , Bernstein G. Leslie , Diaz-Siso J. Rodrigo , Rodriguez Eduardo D.
Published: March 2019

Background:

Face transplant teams have an ethical responsibility to restore the donor's likeness after allograft procurement. This has been achieved with masks constructed from facial impressions and three-dimensional printing. The authors compare the accuracy of conventional impression and three-dimensional printing technology.

Methods:

For three subjects, a three-dimensionally–printed mask was created using advanced three-dimensional imaging and PolyJet technology. Three silicone masks were made using an impression technique; a mold requiring direct contact with each subject's face was reinforced by plaster bands and filled with silicone. Digital models of the face and both masks of each subject were acquired with Vectra H1 Imaging or Artec scanners. Each digital mask model was overlaid onto its corresponding digital face model using a seven-landmark coregistration; part comparison was performed. The absolute deviation between each digital mask and digital face model was compared with the Mann-Whitney U test.

Results:

The absolute deviation (in millimeters) of each digitally printed mask model relative to the digital face model was significantly smaller than that of the digital silicone mask model (subject 1, 0.61 versus 1.29, p < 0.001; subject 2, 2.59 versus 2.87, p < 0.001; subject 3, 1.77 versus 4.20, p < 0.001). Mean cost and production times were $720 and 40.2 hours for three-dimensionally printed masks, and $735 and 11 hours for silicone masks.

Conclusions:

Surface analysis shows that three-dimensionally–printed masks offer greater surface accuracy than silicone masks. Greater donor resemblance without additional risk to the allograft may make three-dimensionally–printed masks the superior choice for face transplant teams.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, V.
Evaluating mortality outlier hospitals to improve the quality of care in emergency general surgery
Authors: Becher Robert D. , DeWane Michael P. , Sukumar Nitin , Stolar Marilyn J. , Gill Thomas M. , Maung Adrian A. , Schuster Kevin M. , Davis Kimberly A.
Published: March 2019

BACKGROUND

Expected performance rates for various outcome metrics are a hallmark of hospital quality indicators used by Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and National Quality Forum. The identification of outlier hospitals with above- and below-expected mortality for emergency general surgery (EGS) operations is therefore of great value for EGS quality improvement initiatives. The aim of this study was to determine hospital variation in mortality after EGS operations, and compare characteristics between outlier hospitals.

METHODS

Using data from the California State Inpatient Database (2010–2011), we identified patients who underwent one of eight common EGS operations. Expected mortality was obtained from a Bayesian model, adjusting for both patient- and hospital-level variables. A hospital-level standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was constructed (ratio of observed to expected deaths). Only hospitals performing three or more of each operation were included. An “outlier” hospital was defined as having an SMR with 80% confidence interval that did not cross 1.0. High- and low-mortality SMR outliers were compared.

RESULTS

There were 140,333 patients included from 220 hospitals. Standardized mortality ratio varied from a high of 2.6 (mortality, 160% higher than expected) to a low of 0.2 (mortality, 80% lower than expected); 12 hospitals were high SMR outliers, and 28 were low SMR outliers. Standardized mortality was over three times worse in the high SMR outliers compared with the low SMR outliers (1.7 vs. 0.5; p < 0.001). Hospital-, patient-, and operative-level characteristics were equivalent in each outlier group.

CONCLUSION

There exists significant hospital variation in standardized mortality after EGS operations. High SMR outliers have significant excess mortality, while low SMR outliers have superior EGS survival. Common hospital-level characteristics do not explain the wide gap between underperforming and overperforming outlier institutions. These findings suggest that SMR can help guide assessment of EGS performance across hospitals; further research is essential to identify and define the hospital processes of care which translate into optimal EGS outcomes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Epidemiologic Study, level III.
Antioxidant effects of ethanol extracts from plants on semi-dried eels
Authors: Song Hee-Sun
Published: March 2019

Ethanol extracts from Ginger, cinnamon, dried onions, and Hutgae (Hovenia dulcis Thunb.) trunk were pre-treated on the eels to find out their peroxidation preventing properties on the eels. The eels were evenly coated with the extract equivalent to 2% of their total weight and dried for 15 h at 35℃ using an air blower. Antioxidative properties of ethanol extracts were reviewed through the DPPH scavenging effect, and the acid value, peroxide value, and linoleic acid value of the semi-dried eels, and also the delayed reaction of peroxidation of semi-dried eel oil. The highest level of DPPH scavenging was cinnamon extract, followed by Hutgae trunk extract, dried onions, and ginger (p<0.05). Regarding acid value of eels refrigerated for 21 days, ginger extract recorded the lowest. As in the preventative effect of free fatty acid, ginger extract prevented the early hydroperoxide during the drying process of eels. During the 20 days of peroxide-induced-reaction period, the most effective preventer of linoleic acid peroxide was Hutgae trunk extract and ginger and dried onion extracts were followed. During the 20 days of peroxide-induced-reaction period, the effective peroxidation preventers of semi-dried eel oil were ginger, cinnamon, and dried onions extracts. Hutgae trunk extract was found to delay effectively the peroxidation induction period of eel oil. In conclusion, pre-application of ethanol extracts from ginger and cinnamon was effective in delaying peroxidation of eels in the drying process and of semi-dried eels in refrigeration, and extracts from dried onions and Hutgae trunk were stalling the induced peroxidation and restricting peroxide content to some degrees.
Evaluation of phytochemical constituents and organoleptic properties of mulberry leaf tea obtained by different processing methods
Authors: Jeon Young-Hee , Choi Sang-Won
Published: March 2019

This study was conducted to determine the phytochemical constituents and organoleptic properties in mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaf teas (MLTs) prepared by various processing methods, viz., roasting, steaming, and fermentation. Phytochemical constituents, such as polyphenols, 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), in three different MLTs were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography. In addition, their organoleptic properties including color, flavor, taste, and overall acceptability were evaluated. Prior to the preparation of MLTs, the three phytochemical constituents of mulberry leaves collected from seven different cultivars and two harvesting seasons were quantified. Of the seven mulberry cultivars examined, Cheongil mulberry leaves harvested in June and September were found to have moderate polyphenol, DNJ, and GABA contents, as compared with the other cultivars. The the roasted mulberry leaf tea (RMLT) was found to have the highest content of total phenolics (2,714.7 mg/100 g), while the steamed mulberry leaf tea (SMLT) and fermented mulberry leaf tea (FMLT) had the highest contents of DNJ (125.6 mg/100 g) and GABA (245.8 mg/100 g), respectively. The scores of color, flavor, taste, and overall acceptability of RMLT were significantly higher than those of SMLT and FMLT, which had a peculiar color, flavor, and taste. Thus, each of roasted, steamed and fermented MLTs has characteristic phytochemical constituents and organoleptic property, because of which they need to be further developed each suitable processing method.
Baking characteristics of white bread containing added varieties of rice powder
Authors: Joung Yong Myeon
Published: March 2019

The properties of dough containing added powders of different rice varieties and the bread baking characteristics, based on product preservation evaluation, were compared with those of the control (without added rice). The stability of the dough generally decreased for all the cultivars except for Cambodian rice. Upon addition of 30% of each rice variety, there was no significant difference in terms of volume between the control and the finished product with added rice. The moisture activity of the rice varieties ranged from 0.944 to 0.946, and no significant difference was observed in the water activity. However, the product preservation evaluation indicated that the color and puffiness of the breads with added rice varieties were high. According to the overall preservation evaluation, the softness, taste, and moistness of the breads with added rice in the order: glutinous rice, steamed rice, goami rice, rice, and Cambodian rice. Therefore, in the production of breads containing 30% of rice varieties, the volume and texture of the breads were similar to those of the control, and the elasticity of the products did not decrease even after the storage period of each product. Therefore, we think that it is best to keep the shelf-life of the product.
Target of selective auditory attention can be robustly followed with MEG
Authors: Kurmanavičiūtė Dovilė , Kataja Hanna , Jas Mainak , Välilä Anne , Parkkonen Lauri
Published: March 2019

Selective auditory attention enables filtering of relevant acoustic information from irrelevant. Specific auditory responses, measurable by magneto- and electroencephalography (MEG/EEG), are known to be modulated by attention to the evoking stimuli. However, such attention effects have typically been studied in unnatural conditions (e.g. during dichotic listening of pure tones) and have been demonstrated mostly in averaged auditory evoked responses.

To test how reliably we can detect the attention target from unaveraged brain responses, we recorded MEG data from 15 healthy subjects that were presented with two human speakers uttering continuously the words “Yes” and “No” in an interleaved manner. The subjects were asked to attend to one speaker. To investigate which temporal and spatial aspects of the responses carry the most information about the target of auditory attention, we performed spatially and temporally resolved classification of the unaveraged MEG responses using a support vector machine.

Sensor-level decoding of the responses to attended vs. unattended words resulted in a mean accuracy of 79% ± 2% (N= 14) for both stimulus words. The discriminating information was mostly available 200–400 ms after the stimulus onset. Spatially-resolved source-level decoding indicated that the most informative sources were in the auditory cortices, in both the left and right hemisphere.

Our result corroborates attention modulation of auditory evoked responses and shows that such modulations are detectable in unaveraged MEG responses at high accuracy, which could be exploited e.g. in an intuitive brain–computer interface.
A dilute gold nanoparticle suspension as small-angle X-ray scattering standard for an absolute scale using an extended Guinier approximation
Authors: Mohammed Ahmed S. A. , Carino Agnese , Testino Andrea , Andalibi Mohammad Reza , Cervellino Antonio
Published: March 2019

In this article, a practical procedure for absolute intensity calibration for small-angle scattering (SAXS) studies on liquid microjets is established. A gold nanoparticle suspension is used as standard so that the intercept at Q = 0 of the SAXS scattering curve provides a scaling reference. In order to obtain the most precise extrapolation at Q = 0, an extension of the Guinier approximation has been used, with a second-order term in the fit that adapts to a larger Q range.
Microdisplays as a versatile tool for the optical simulation of crystal diffraction in the classroom
Authors: Lehmann Jannis , Tzschaschel Christian , Fiebig Manfred , Weber Thomas
Published: March 2019

Presented here is a flexible and low-cost setup for demonstrating X-ray, electron or neutron diffraction methods in the classroom. Using programmable spatial light modulators extracted from a commercial video projector, physical diffraction patterns are generated, in real time, of any two-dimensional structure which can be displayed on a computer screen. This concept enables hands-on experience beyond simplest-case scenarios of scattering phenomena, and for the students, the transfer to the regime of visible light greatly enhances intuitive understanding of diffraction in real and reciprocal space. The idea and working principle of the modified video projector are explained, technical advice is given for its choice and successful modification, and a Python-based open-source program code is provided. Program features include the design and interactive manipulation of two-dimensional crystal structures to allow a straightforward demonstration of concepts such as reciprocal space, structure factors, selection rules, symmetry and symmetry violation, as well as structural disorder. This approach has already proved helpful in teaching crystal diffraction to undergraduate students in materials science.
Extrinsic cues, perceived quality, and purchase intention for private labels
Authors: Yan Liu , Xiaojun Fan , Li Jie , Dong Xuebing
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Based on the cue utilization theory and congruity theory, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the mediating effects of perceived quality on the relationships between category characteristics and purchase intention for private labels.

Design/methodology/approach

To examine the research hypotheses, the authors conducted a questionnaire survey on 703 adult consumers in China.

Findings

The results show that perceived quality fully mediates the relationships between category complexity, risk importance, category quality variation, product signatureness and purchase intention. In addition, consumers’ knowledge moderates the relationship between perceived quality and purchase intention. The implications and future research directions are discussed in this study.

Originality/value

The results show that the category complexity is positively related to consumers’ perceived quality. Although opposite to the conclusions in prior research, the findings are consistent with the unique phenomenon in China, that is, to label the name and location of the contract manufacturers. The authors investigate the moderating role of consumer knowledge, which will provide meaningful guidance for the Chinese retailing market.