bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The prevalence of anti‐K in Canadian prenatal patients
Authors: Goldman Mindy , Lane Debra , Webert Kathryn , Fallis Robert
Published: May 2015

BACKGROUND

Anti‐KEL1(K) is a major cause of hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn. We utilized data from prenatal testing of patients in Western Canada to determine the frequency of anti‐K. In Manitoba, we evaluated the frequency of transfusion as the likely cause for alloimmunization. We reviewed international practices to prevent alloimmunization.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Prenatal patients undergo antibody screening using an automated testing platform and uniform testing algorithm. Data on the frequency of antibodies, transfusion history, and donor K typing were extracted from the relevant databases at Canadian Blood Services. National standards were reviewed with the help of local experts.

RESULTS

Anti‐K was found in 397 of 390,193 patients from 2011 to 2013 (1.02 per 1000) and was the second most frequent antibody after anti‐E. In Manitoba, 26 of 75 (35%) anti‐K patients had received transfusions in the province since 2001; 14 of the 26 (54%) had received at least one K+ RBC unit and three had received all K– units, while in nine, donor K typing was incomplete. Only eight of the 26 had previous pregnancies, three with K+ partners. International practice varies; however, prophylactic use of matched or K– units is standard in many European countries.

CONCLUSIONS

Anti‐K was found in 0.1% of prenatal patients. Although our data on the history of transfusion are incomplete, they demonstrate that transfusion with a K+ unit is a major cause of alloimmunization. Given advances in phenotyping and genotyping technologies, prophylactic matching should be considered in Canada.
Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Composites: The Smaller Diameter, the Higher Fracture Toughness?
Authors: Chen Yuli , Wang Zhiyong , Wang Shengtao , Zhou Zhenggang , Zhang Jianyu , Liu Bin
Published: May 2015

Carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced composites have been drawing intense attentions of researchers due to their good mechanical and physical properties as well as potential applications. The diameter, as an important geometric parameter of CNTs, significantly affects the performance of CNTs in the reinforced composites, not only in a direct way but also in an indirect way by influencing the effective modulus and strength of reinforcing CNTs. This paper investigates the comprehensive effect of CNT diameter on the fracture toughness of CNT reinforced composites by accounting for both direct and indirect influences of CNT diameter based on the three-level failure analysis. The criteria for failure modes are established analytically, and the types of failure mode transition with the corresponding optimal CNT diameter are obtained. It is found that reducing CNT diameter can cause a sudden drop in fracture toughness of composites due to the transition of dominant failure mode. Therefore, the CNTs with smaller diameter do not definitely confer a better fracture toughness on their reinforced composites, and the optimal CNT diameter may exist in the transition between failure modes, especially from interfacial debonding to CNT break. In addition, according to the results, the failure mode of CNT break is suggested to be avoided in the composite design because of the low fracture toughness enhancement of CNTs in this mode. This study can provide guiding reference for CNT reinforced composite design.
Nonidealized Surface to Through-Wall Crack Transition Model for Axial Cracks in Cylinders
Authors: Shim Do-Jun , Park Jeong-Soon , Rudland David
Published: May 2015

Recent studies have shown that a subcritical surface crack, due to primary water stress corrosion cracking (PWSCC), can transition to a through-wall crack (TWC) with significant differences between the inner diameter (ID) and outer diameter (OD) crack lengths. This behavior has been observed for both circumferential and axial cracks. Recently, a surface to TWC transition model has been developed for circumferential cracks using existing K and COD (crack opening displacement) solutions for nonidealized circumferential TWCs. In this paper, a similar crack transition model (CTM) was developed for axial cracks. As a first step, a study was conducted to define the appropriate crack front shape for nonidealized axial TWCs. Then, elastic finite element analyses were carried out to develop K and COD solutions using these crack front shapes. The newly developed solutions were utilized for the CTM. The present CTM includes a criterion for transitioning the final surface crack to the initial nonidealized TWC. This criterion determines when the transition should occur (based on surface crack depth) and determines the two crack lengths (at ID and OD surfaces) of the initial nonidealized TWC. Furthermore, nonidealized TWC growth calculation can be conducted using the proposed model. Example results (crack length and COD) obtained from the proposed model were compared to those obtained from the natural crack growth simulations. Results presented in this paper demonstrated the applicability of the proposed model for simulating axial crack transition.
Cell proliferation on modified DLC thin films prepared by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Stoica Adrian , Manakhov Anton , Polčák Josef , Ondračka Pavel , Buršíková Vilma , Zajíčková Renata , Medalová Jiřina , Zajíčková Lenka
Published: May 2015

Recently, diamondlike carbon (DLC) thin films have gained interest for biological applications, such as hip and dental prostheses or heart valves and coronary stents, thanks to their high strength and stability. However, the biocompatibility of the DLC is still questionable due to its low wettability and possible mechanical failure (delamination). In this work, DLC:N:O and DLC: SiOx thin films were comparatively investigated with respect to cell proliferation. Thin DLC films with an addition of N, O, and Si were prepared by plasma enhanced CVD from mixtures of methane, hydrogen, and hexamethyldisiloxane. The films were optically characterized by infrared spectroscopy and ellipsometry in UV-visible spectrum. The thickness and the optical properties were obtained from the ellipsometric measurements. Atomic composition of the films was determined by Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy combined with elastic recoil detection analysis and by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The mechanical properties of the films were studied by depth sensing indentation technique. The number of cells that proliferate on the surface of the prepared DLC films and on control culture dishes were compared and correlated with the properties of as-deposited and aged films. The authors found that the level of cell proliferation on the coated dishes was high, comparable to the untreated (control) samples. The prepared DLC films were stable and no decrease of the biocompatibility was observed for the samples aged at ambient conditions.
Science Signaling
Podcast: 12 May 2015
Authors: Maguire-Zeiss Kathleen A. , Daniele Stefano G. , Yin Hang , VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: May 2015

Drugs that inhibit signaling by pattern recognition receptors on microglia reduce neuroinflammation associated with synucleinopathies such as Parkinson's disease.
Serum microRNAs are early indicators of survival after radiation-induced hematopoietic injury
Authors: Acharya Sanket S. , Fendler Wojciech , Watson Jacqueline , Hamilton Abigail , Pan Yunfeng , Gaudiano Emily , Moskwa Patryk , Bhanja Payel , Saha Subhrajit , Guha Chandan , Parmar Kalindi , Chowdhury Dipanjan
Published: May 2015

Serum miRNAs can predict long-term radiation-induced hematopoietic injury immediately after radiation and thereby facilitate timely medical intervention and improve overall survival of exposed individuals.
Classic reaction kinetics can explain complex patterns of antibiotic action
Authors: Abel zur Wiesch Pia , Abel Sören , Gkotzis Spyridon , Ocampo Paolo , Engelstädter Jan , Hinkley Trevor , Magnus Carsten , Waldor Matthew K. , Udekwu Klas , Cohen Ted
Published: May 2015

Chemical reaction kinetics explain three different effects of drug-mediated bacterial killing.
Malaria gives mosquitoes the munchies
Authors: Bouvier Nicole M.
Published: May 2015

The malaria parasite
Plasmodium falciparum
synthesizes the same chemical signals that attract the mosquito vector to nectar-producing plants.
More precision in lung cancer therapy
Authors: Thomas Anish
Published: May 2015

New drugs specifically targeting EGFR-sensitizing mutations and the EGFR T790M resistance mutation are associated with clinical benefit in lung cancer patients with acquired EGFR T790M mutations.
N
-Acetyltransferase Genotypes and the Pharmacokinetics and Tolerability of
para
-Aminosalicylic Acid in Patients with Drug-Resistant Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Authors: Sy Sherwin K. B. , de Kock Lizanne , Diacon Andreas H. , Werely Cedric J. , Xia Huiming , Rosenkranz Bernd , van der Merwe Lize , Donald Peter R.
Published: May 2015

The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between
N
-acetyltransferase genotypes, pharmacokinetics, and tolerability of granular slow-release
para
-aminosalicylic acid (GSR-PAS) in tuberculosis patients. The study was a randomized, two-period, open-label, crossover design wherein each patient received 4 g GSR-PAS twice daily or 8 g once daily alternately. The PAS concentration-time profiles were modeled by a one-compartment disposition model with three transit compartments in series to describe its absorption. Patients'
NAT1
and
NAT2
genotypes were determined by sequencing and restriction enzyme analysis, respectively. The number of daily vomits was modeled by a Poisson probability mass function. Comparisons of other tolerability measures by regimens, gender, and genotypes were evaluated by a linear mixed-effects model. The covariate effects associated with efavirenz, gender, and
NAT1*3
,
NAT1*14
, and
NAT2*5
alleles corresponded to 25, 37, −17, −48, and −27% changes, respectively, in oral clearance of PAS. The
NAT1*10
allele did not influence drug clearance. The time above the MIC of 1 mg/liter was significantly different between the two regimens but not influenced by the
NAT1
or
NAT2
genotypes. The occurrence and intensity of intolerance differed little between regimens. Four grams of GSR-PAS twice daily but not 8 g once daily ensured concentrations exceeding the MIC (1 mg/liter) throughout the dosing interval; PAS intolerance was not related to maximum PAS concentrations over the doses studied and was not more frequent after once-daily dosing. We confirm that the slow phenotype conferred by the
NAT1*14
and
NAT1*3
alleles resulted in higher PAS exposure but found no evidence of increased activity of the
NAT1*10
allele.
Interaction of Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium with Intestinal Organoids Derived from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Authors: Forbester Jessica L. , Goulding David , Vallier Ludovic , Hannan Nicholas , Hale Christine , Pickard Derek , Mukhopadhyay Subhankar , Dougan Gordon
Published: May 2015

The intestinal mucosa forms the first line of defense against infections mediated by enteric pathogens such as salmonellae. Here we exploited intestinal “organoids” (iHOs) generated from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hIPSCs) to explore the interaction of
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium with iHOs. Imaging and RNA sequencing were used to analyze these interactions, and clear changes in transcriptional signatures were detected, including altered patterns of cytokine expression after the exposure of iHOs to bacteria.
S
. Typhimurium microinjected into the lumen of iHOs was able to invade the epithelial barrier, with many bacteria residing within
Salmonella
-containing vacuoles. An
S
. Typhimurium
invA
mutant defective in the
Salmonella
pathogenicity island 1 invasion apparatus was less capable of invading the iHO epithelium. Hence, we provide evidence that hIPSC-derived organoids are a promising model of the intestinal epithelium for assessing interactions with enteric pathogens.
Gene Transfer Efficiency in Gonococcal Biofilms: Role of Biofilm Age, Architecture, and Pilin Antigenic Variation
Authors: Kouzel Nadzeya , Oldewurtel Enno R. , Maier Berenike
Published: May 2015

Extracellular DNA is an important structural component of many bacterial biofilms. It is unknown, however, to which extent external DNA is used to transfer genes by means of transformation. Here, we quantified the acquisition of multidrug resistance and visualized its spread under selective and nonselective conditions in biofilms formed by
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
. The density and architecture of the biofilms were controlled by microstructuring the substratum for bacterial adhesion. Horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes between cocultured strains, each carrying a single resistance, occurred efficiently in early biofilms. The efficiency of gene transfer was higher in early biofilms than between planktonic cells. It was strongly reduced after 24 h and independent of biofilm density. Pilin antigenic variation caused a high fraction of nonpiliated bacteria but was not responsible for the reduced gene transfer at later stages. When selective pressure was applied to dense biofilms using antibiotics at their MIC, the double-resistant bacteria did not show a significant growth advantage. In loosely connected biofilms, the spreading of double-resistant clones was prominent. We conclude that multidrug resistance readily develops in early gonococcal biofilms through horizontal gene transfer. However, selection and spreading of the multiresistant clones are heavily suppressed in dense biofilms.

IMPORTANCE
Biofilms are considered ideal reaction chambers for horizontal gene transfer and development of multidrug resistances. The rate at which genes are exchanged within biofilms is unknown. Here, we quantified the acquisition of double-drug resistance by gene transfer between gonococci with single resistances. At early biofilm stages, the transfer efficiency was higher than for planktonic cells but then decreased with biofilm age. The surface topography affected the architecture of the biofilm. While the efficiency of gene transfer was independent of the architecture, spreading of double-resistant bacteria under selective conditions was strongly enhanced in loose biofilms. We propose that while biofilms help generating multiresistant strains, selection takes place mostly after dispersal from the biofilm.
Induction of the Nitrate Assimilation
nirA
Operon and Protein-Protein Interactions in the Maturation of Nitrate and Nitrite Reductases in the Cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. Strain PCC 7120
Authors: Frías José E. , Flores Enrique
Published: May 2015

Nitrate is widely used as a nitrogen source by cyanobacteria, in which the nitrate assimilation structural genes frequently constitute the so-called
nirA
operon. This operon contains the genes encoding nitrite reductase (
nirA
), a nitrate/nitrite transporter (frequently an ABC-type transporter;
nrtABCD
), and nitrate reductase (
narB
). In the model filamentous cyanobacterium
Anabaena
sp. strain PCC 7120, which can fix N
2
in specialized cells termed heterocysts, the
nirA
operon is expressed at high levels only in media containing nitrate or nitrite and lacking ammonium, a preferred nitrogen source. Here we examined the genes downstream of the
nirA
operon in
Anabaena
and found that a small open reading frame of unknown function,
alr0613
, can be cotranscribed with the operon. The next gene in the genome,
alr0614
(
narM
), showed an expression pattern similar to that of the
nirA
operon, implying correlated expression of
narM
and the operon. A mutant of
narM
with an insertion mutation failed to produce nitrate reductase activity, consistent with the idea that NarM is required for the maturation of NarB. Both
narM
and
narB
mutants were impaired in the nitrate-dependent induction of the
nirA
operon, suggesting that nitrite is an inducer of the operon in
Anabaena
. It has previously been shown that the nitrite reductase protein NirA requires NirB, a protein likely involved in protein-protein interactions, to attain maximum activity. Bacterial two-hybrid analysis confirmed possible NirA-NirB and NarB-NarM interactions, suggesting that the development of both nitrite reductase and nitrate reductase activities in cyanobacteria involves physical interaction of the corresponding enzymes with their cognate partners, NirB and NarM, respectively.

IMPORTANCE
Nitrate is an important source of nitrogen for many microorganisms that is utilized through the nitrate assimilation system, which includes nitrate/nitrite membrane transporters and the nitrate and nitrite reductases. Many cyanobacteria assimilate nitrate, but regulation of the nitrate assimilation system varies in different cyanobacterial groups. In the N
2
-fixing, heterocyst-forming cyanobacteria, the
nirA
operon, which includes the structural genes for the nitrate assimilation system, is expressed in the presence of nitrate or nitrite if ammonium is not available to the cells. Here we studied the genes required for production of an active nitrate reductase, providing information on the nitrate-dependent induction of the operon, and found evidence for possible protein-protein interactions in the maturation of nitrate reductase and nitrite reductase.
The impact of physical activity on health-related fitness and quality of life for patients with head and neck cancer: a systematic review
Authors: Capozzi Lauren C , Nishimura Kathryn C , McNeely Margaret L , Lau Harold , Culos-Reed S Nicole
Published: May 2015

Background

Patients with head and neck cancer often face a plethora of cancer and treatment-related side effects, negatively impacting their lean body mass, physical functioning, quality of life and fatigue management. Physical activity is a potential mediator of many of these side effects. This is the first systematic review reporting on head and neck cancer and physical activity literature.

Methods

A literature search was conducted up to January 2015. Two reviewers independently identified articles using the outlined inclusion criteria, assessing the study methodology, risk of bias and extracting the necessary data from studies evaluating the impact of full-body physical activity on patients with head and neck cancer. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Statement was used to guide this review.

Results

We identified 16 articles published from 2003 to 2014, the majority of which were published within the past 5 years. Physical activity interventions were feasible, safe and beneficial in mediating cancer and treatment-related side effects. Specifically, patients experienced improvements in lean body mass, muscular strength, physical functioning, quality of life and fatigue management. Owing to significant study heterogeneity, data were not pooled. Reflecting the early state of the literature, included studies were found to vary greatly in design, quality and reporting characteristics.

Conclusions

There is early evidence that supports the benefit of physical activity interventions for patients with head and neck cancer, both during and following treatment. Future research is necessary to determine the benefits of different physical activity interventions, and their impact on patients with different head and neck cancers.
What is the association of smoking and alcohol use with the increase in social inequality in mortality in Denmark? A nationwide register-based study
Authors: Koch Mette Bjerrum , Diderichsen Finn , Grønbæk Morten , Juel Knud
Published: May 2015

Objectives

The aim of this paper is to estimate the impact of smoking and alcohol use on the increase in social inequality in mortality in Denmark in the period 1985–2009.

Design

A nationwide register-based study.

Setting

Denmark.

Participants

The whole Danish population aged 30 years or more in the period 1985–2009.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The primary outcome is mortality rates in relation to educational attainments calculated with and without deaths related to smoking and alcohol use. An absolute measure of inequality in mortality is applied along with a result on the direct contribution from smoking and alcohol use on the absolute difference in mortality rates. The secondary outcome is life expectancy in relation to educational attainments.

Results

Since 1985, Danish overall mortality rates have decreased. Alongside the improvement in mortality, the absolute difference in the mortality rate (per 100 000 persons) between the lowest and the highest educated quartile grew from 465 to 611 among men and from 250 to 386 among women. Smoking and alcohol use have caused 75% of the increase among men and 97% of the increase among women. Among men the increase was mainly caused by alcohol. In women the increase was mainly caused by smoking.

Conclusions

The main explanation for the increase in social inequality in mortality since the mid-1980s is smoking and alcohol use. A significant reduction in the social inequality in mortality can only happen if the prevention of smoking and alcohol use are targeted to the lower educated part of the Danish population.
Quantitative systematic review of the associations between short-term exposure to nitrogen dioxide and mortality and hospital admissions
Authors: Mills I C , Atkinson R W , Kang S , Walton H , Anderson H R
Published: May 2015

Background

Short-term exposure to NO2has been associated with adverse health effects and there is increasing concern that NO2is causally related to health effects, not merely a marker of traffic-generated pollution. No comprehensive meta-analysis of the time-series evidence on NO2has been published since 2007.

Objective

To quantitatively assess the evidence from epidemiological time-series studies published worldwide to determine whether and to what extent short-term exposure to NO2is associated with increased numbers of daily deaths and hospital admissions.

Design

We conducted a quantitative systematic review of 204 time-series studies of NO2and daily mortality and hospital admissions for several diagnoses and ages, which were indexed in three bibliographic databases up to May 2011. We calculated random-effects estimates by different geographic regions and globally, and also tested for heterogeneity and small study bias.

Results

Sufficient estimates for meta-analysis were available for 43 cause-specific and age-specific combinations of mortality or hospital admissions (25 for 24 h NO2and 18 of the same combinations for 1 h measures). For the all-age group, a 10 µg/m3increase in 24 h NO2was associated with increases in all-cause, cardiovascular and respiratory mortality (0.71% (95% CI 0.43% to 1.00%), 0.88% (0.63% to 1.13%) and 1.09% (0.75% to 1.42%), respectively), and with hospital admissions for respiratory (0.57% (0.33% to 0.82%)) and cardiovascular (0.66% (0.32% to 1.01%)) diseases. Evidence of heterogeneity between geographical region-specific estimates was identified in more than half of the combinations analysed.

Conclusions

Our review provides clear evidence of health effects associated with short-term exposure to NO2although further work is required to understand reasons for the regional heterogeneity observed. The growing literature, incorporating large multicentre studies and new evidence from less well-studied regions of the world, supports further quantitative review to assess the independence of NO2health effects from other air pollutants.
A study of urgent and emergency referrals from NHS Direct within England
Authors: Cook E J , Randhawa G , Guppy A , Large S
Published: May 2015

Objectives

The presented study aimed to explore referral patterns of National Health Service (NHS) Direct to determine how patients engage with telephone-based healthcare and how telephone-based healthcare can manage urgent and emergency care.

Setting

NHS Direct, England, UK

Participants

NHS Direct anonymised call data (N=1 415 472) were extracted over a representative 1-year period, during the combined month periods of July 2010, October 2010, January 2011 and April 2011. Urgent and emergency calls (N=269 558; 19.0%) were analysed by call factors and patient characteristics alongside symptom classification. Categorical data were analysed using the χ2test of independence with cross-tabulations used to test within-group differences.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Urgent and emergency referrals to 999; accident and emergency or to see a general practitioner urgently, which are expressed as call rate per 100 persons per annum. Outcomes related to symptom variations by patient characteristics (age, gender, ethnicity and deprivation) alongside differences by patient characteristics of call factors (date and time of day).

Results

Urgent and emergency referrals varied by a range of factors relating to call, patient and symptom characteristics. For young children (0–4), symptoms related to ‘crying’ and ‘colds and flu’ and ‘body temperature change’ represented the significantly highest referrals to ‘urgent and emergency’ health services symptoms relating to ‘mental health’ alongside ‘pain’ and ‘sensation disorders’ represented the highest referrals to urgent and emergency health services for adults aged 40+ years.

Conclusions

This study has highlighted characteristics of ‘higher likelihood’ referrals to urgent and emergency care through the delivery of a national nurse-led telephone healthcare service. This research can help facilitate an understanding of how patients engage with both in and out of hours care and the role of telephone-based healthcare within the care pathway.
Improving the handover and care of acute urological admissions
Authors: Bass Edward , Patel Snehal
Published: May 2015

The point at which a patient is most vulnerable during their journey through the hospital as an acute or emergency admission is the point at which they are transferred to the designated oncoming responsible team. Unsurprisingly, inadequate and incomplete clinical handovers have the potential for latter catastrophic consequences and are utterly avoidable. Recognising these facts, good clinical handover is an essential part of clinical governance and patient safety. Perhaps secondarily, clinical handover – especially when conducted with senior surgical personnel – can be a valuable learning tool for the surgical trainee.

An complete audit loop was performed to assess the rate of handover and urology registrar involvement in acute urology periods in 2 month long periods as well as the rate of inadequate investigations and treatment. The interventions introduced included foundation doctor induction training in acute urology cases, an explanation of the importance of handover and a reflective look at ourselves and our approachability. As a result there were significant improvements in the rate of early registrar involvement and successful handover for patients admitted under our take.
Influenza vaccination for NHS staff: attitudes and uptake
Authors: Shrikrishna Dinesh , Williams Siân , Restrick Louise , Hopkinson Nicholas S
Published: May 2015

Objectives

Annual vaccination against influenza (flu) is recommended for all UK National Health Service (NHS) staff to help reduce the risk of contracting the virus and transmitting it to patients. However, despite flu campaigns and vaccination promotion, uptake remains low. The aim of this study was to investigate staff attitudes to flu vaccination to see how this may influence their decision to be vaccinated.

Methods

An online survey was sent to staff members across 6 NHS trusts, asking if staff had been vaccinated in the preceding flu season (2013–2014); the survey included questions about beliefs and attitudes to the vaccination, scored on a 5-point Likert scale.

Results

3059 NHS staff members responded to the survey (86% in the 26–59 age group, 77% female and 84% hospital based). 68% of respondents reported being vaccinated in the preceding year. Using a stepwise regression model, the survey response retained as a positive predictor of having been vaccinated was ‘people working in healthcare should have the flu vaccination every year’ (p<0.001), and the responses retained as negative predictors were ‘the flu vaccination will make me unwell’ (p<0.001) and ‘the flu vaccination was too much trouble for me’ (p<0.001). Analysis by staff group showed a significant difference in the response to ‘the flu vaccination will make me unwell’ between groups (p=0.01), with doctors having a greater tendency to disagree with this statement than other staff members.

Conclusions

These results suggest that addressing NHS staff beliefs around the need for vaccination, while ensuring that practical barriers to having the vaccination are removed, may help to increase uptake. An emphasis on alleviating the concerns of particular staff groups regarding adverse effects of the vaccine may also be of benefit in improving uptake, to protect patients as well as staff.
Critical care in the emergency department: acute kidney injury
Authors: Nee Patrick A , Bailey David J , Todd Victoria , Lewington Andrew J , Wootten Andrea E , Sim Kevin J
Published: May 2015

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common among emergency department patients admitted to hospital. There is evidence of inadequate management of the condition leading to adverse outcomes. We present an illustrative case of AKI complicating a gastrointestinal disorder in an older adult. We discuss the clinical presentation, assessment and management of AKI with reference to recent consensus guidelines on classification and treatment.
Outcomes of vertebroplasty compared with kyphoplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Gu Chris N , Brinjikji Waleed , Evans Avery J , Murad Mohammad H , Kallmes David F
Published: May 2015

Background and purpose

Many studies demonstrate that both kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are superior to conservative therapy in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral body compression fractures. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies comparing the outcomes of vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty, which included prospective non-randomized, retrospective comparative, and randomized studies.

Materials and methods

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Web of Science databases for studies of kyphoplasty versus vertebroplasty from 1 January 1990 to 30 November 2014 and compared the following outcomes: procedure characteristics, pain and disability improvement, complications and anatomic outcomes. A subgroup analysis was performed comparing pain outcomes based on the risk of bias.

Results

29 studies enrolling 2838 patients (1384 kyphoplasty and 1454 vertebroplasty) were included. 16 prospective non-randomized studies, 10 retrospective comparative studies, and 3 randomized controlled studies were included. No significant differences were found in mean pain scores between the two groups postoperatively (2.9±1.5 kyphoplasty vs 2.9±1.7 vertebroplasty, p=0.39) and at 12 months (2.7±1.8 kyphoplasty vs 3.2±1.8 vertebroplasty, p=0.64). No significant differences were found in disability postoperatively (34.7±7.1 kyphoplasty group vs 36.3±7.8 vertebroplasty group, p=0.74) or at 12 months (28.3±16 kyphoplasty group vs 29.6±13.9 vertebroplasty group, p=0.70). Kyphoplasty was associated with lower odds of new fractures (p=0.06), less extraosseous cement leakage (p<0.01), and greater reduction in kyphotic angle (p<0.01).

Conclusions

No significant difference was found between vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty in short- and long-term pain and disability outcomes. Further studies are needed to better determine if any particular subgroups of patients would benefit more from vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty in the treatment of vertebral body compression fractures.
Nutrients, satiety, and control of energy intake
Authors: Tremblay Angelo , Bellisle France
Published: May 2015

In the context of the worldwide epidemic of obesity affecting men and women of all ages, it is important to understand the mechanisms that control human appetite, particularly those that allow the adjustment of energy intake to energy needs. Satiety is one important psycho-biological mechanism whose function is to inhibit intake following the ingestion of a food or a beverage. According to the classical theories of appetite control, satiety is influenced by macronutrient intake and/or metabolism. Satiety also seems to be modified by micronutrients, non-nutrients, and some bioactive food constituents. Under optimal conditions, satiety should be well connected with hunger and satiation in a way that spontaneously leads to a close match between energy intake and expenditures. However, the current obesity epidemic suggests that dysfunctions often affect satiety and energy intake. In this regard, this paper presents a conceptual integration that hopefully will help health professionals address satiety issues and provide the public with informed advice to facilitate appetite control.
Ubiquitin in regulation of spindle apparatus and its positioning: implications in development and disease
Authors: Srivastava Devika , Chakrabarti Oishee
Published: May 2015

Emerging data implicates ubiquitination, a post-translational modification, in regulating essential cellular events, one of them being mitosis. In this review we discuss how various E3 ligases modulate the cortical proteins such as dynein, LGN, NuMa, Gα, along with polymerization, stability, and integrity of spindles. These are responsible for regulating symmetric cell division. Some of the ubiquitin ligases regulating these proteins include PARK2, BRCA1/BARD1, MGRN1, SMURF2, and SIAH1; these play a pivotal role in the correct positioning of the spindle apparatus. A direct connection between developmental or various pathological disorders and the ubiquitination mediated cortical regulation is rather speculative, though deletions or mutations in them lead to developmental disorders and disease conditions.
Dominikia duoreactiva sp. nov. and Dominikia difficilevidera sp. nov., two new species in the Glomeromycota
Authors: Błaszkowski Janusz , Chwat Gerard , Symanczik Sarah , Góralska Anna
Published: May 2015

Two new species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) of the recently erected genus Dominikia (Glomeromycota) are described based on their morphology and phylogenetic analyses of SSU–ITS–LSU sequences. The distinctive morphological characters of the first species, Dominikia duoreactiva sp. nov., is the formation of loose clusters with yellow-coloured, 30–70 μm diameter spores having a three-layered spore wall, of which layers 1 and 3 stain in Melzer’s reagent. The second species, Dominikia difficilevidera sp. nov., is distinguished by its hyaline, 31–45 μm diameter spores, which arise mainly singly and have a three-layered spore wall, of which layer 1 is thicker than the structural laminate layer 2, and layer 3 is flexible to semi-flexible. Both species were originally associated with maritime dune plants; D. duoreactiva comes from the Giftun Island, Egypt, Africa, and D. difficilevidera from the Słowiński National Park, Poland. Based on available data, we suggest D. duoreactiva occurs rarely in the world, and D. difficilevidera has a worldwide distribution, but it either occurs infrequently or has been overlooked or lost during spore extraction from soils of many sites because of its extremely small and hyaline spores. A method allowing the extraction of even the smallest spores of AMF, but observable under a dissecting microscope, is described.
Molecular dynamics study of the monomers and dimers of N-AcAβ(13–23)NH2: on the effect of pH on the aggregation of the amyloid beta peptide of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Opare Stanley K.A. , Petoyan Anahit , Mehrazma Banafsheh , Rauk Arvi
Published: May 2015

The region encompassed by residues 13–23 of the amyloid beta peptide (Aβ(13–23)) of Alzheimer’s disease is the self-recognition site that initiates toxic oligomerization and fibrillization and also is the site of interaction of Aβ with many other proteins. We describe herein a study by molecular dynamics of N-AcAβ(13–23)NH2 (N-CH3C(O)HHQKLVFFAEDNH2) as a model of full-length Aβ(1–40) or Aβ(1–42) and of its dimers. The effect of pH at or below physiological (pH 7.4) is assessed by protonation of one or more of the His residues. The major conformation of the monomer of the systems is a flexible folded structure. Protonation of one or both His residues does not change the conformation in any significant way. The dimers of protonated and unprotonated systems exist almost exclusively as stable antiparallel β-sheets anchored at both ends by intermolecular salt bridges between Lys16 of one chain and the C-terminal residues Glu22 and Asp23 of the other. We also employ the technique of “umbrella sampling” whereby relative binding affinities of the complexes could be determined. In the case of unsymmetrically protonated species, each complex begins dissociation by releasing the weaker salt bridge, breaking interstrand hydrogen bonds, and losing the β-sheet character. The stronger salt bridge is the last to release and presumably is the first to form in the reverse process of aggregation. Umbrella sampling yields the free energy profiles of the dissociation as a function of the separation of the centres of mass. For each system, the dissociation profile has only a shallow maximum. By implication, the reverse process of assembly has almost no barrier. This is an example of entropy–enthalpy compensation that arises naturally during the molecular dynamics – umbrella sampling simulation.
Quantifying trophic niche spaces of small mammals using stable isotopes (δ15N and δ13C) at two scales across Alaska
Authors: Baltensperger A.P. , Huettmann F. , Hagelin J.C. , Welker J.M.
Published: May 2015

Changing climate conditions are causing global distribution shifts, resulting in altered food webs and novel species assemblages in terrestrial systems. How diets of sympatric small mammals overlap and whether this may translate into competitive exclusion among new species interactions remains largely unknown. Monitoring niche overlap in changing arctic and boreal communities can assist in forecasting interspecific competition and species turnover. We quantified the isotopic niche spaces of small mammals, which may reflect dietary niche spaces, at study sites along two megatransects spanning Alaska. Field sampling resulted in the capture of 724 small mammals belonging to 12 species of rodent (10 Arvicolinae and 2 Sciuridae) and 6 species of shrew (genus Sorex L., 1758). We created dietary mixing models based on hair samples for four rodent species using stable isotope (δ15N and δ13C) analyses in R. We also modeled isotopic niche ellipses and quantified niche overlap among species at small and large scales. A varied combination of fungi and herbaceous plants composed the diets of most species. Fundamental niche spaces overlapped considerably between sympatric species statewide, but realized niche spaces were largely segregated at individual sites. We conclude that some degree of dietary plasticity served to partition niche spaces and minimize interspecific competition, allowing sympatric species to co-exist.
A Clinical Study of Integrating Acupuncture and Western Medicine in Treating Patients with Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Chen Fang-Pey , Chang Ching-Mao , Shiu Jing-Huei , Chiu Jen-Hwey , Wu Ta-Peng , Yang Jen-Lin , Kung Yen-Ying , Chen Fun-Jou , Chern Chang-Ming , Hwang Shinn-Jang
Published: May 2015

Complementary therapy with acupuncture for Parkinson's disease (PD) has been studied for quite a long time, but the effectiveness of the treatment still remains unclear. The aim of this study is to evaluate the integrated effects of acupuncture treatment in PD patients who received western medicine. In the short-term acupuncture treatment study, 20 patients received acupuncture therapy twice a week in acupoints DU 20, GB 20, LI 11, LI 10, LI 4, GB 31, ST 32, GB 34 and GB 38 along with western medicine for 18 weeks, and 20 controlled patients received western medicine only. In the long-term acupuncture treatment, 13 patients received acupuncture treatment twice a week for 36 weeks. The outcome parameters include Unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (UPDRS), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory-Version 2 (BDI-II), and WHO quality of life (WHOQOL). In the short-term clinical trial, a higher percentage of patients in the acupuncture group had score improvement in UPDRS total scores (55% vs. 15%, p = 0.019), sub-score of mind, behavior and mood (85% vs. 25%, p < 0.001), activity of daily living (65% vs. 15%, p = 0.003), mobility (40% vs. 15%, p = 0.155) and complication of treatment (75% vs. 15%, p < 0.001), BDI-II score (85% vs. 35%, p = 0.003), and WHOQOL score (65% vs. 15%, p = 0.003) when compared to control group at the end of the 18 weeks' follow up. After 36 weeks of long-term acupuncture treatment, the mean UPDRS total scores and sub-score of mentation, behavior and mood, sub-score of complications of therapy and BDI-II score decreased significantly when compared to the pretreatment baseline. In conclusion, acupuncture treatment had integrated effects in reducing symptoms and signs of mind, behavior, mood, complications of therapy and depression in PD patients who received Western medicine.
Artocarpus communisInduces Autophagic Instead of Apoptotic Cell Death in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Tzeng Cheng-Wei , Tzeng Wen-Sheng , Lin Liang-Tzung , Lee Chiang-Wen , Yen Ming-Hong , Yen Feng-Lin , Lin Chun-Ching
Published: May 2015

For centuries, natural plant extracts have played an important role in traditional medicine for curing and preventing diseases. Studies have revealed that Artocarpus communis possess various bioactivities, such as anti-inflammation, anti-oxidant, and anticancer activities. A. communis offers economic value as a source of edible fruit, yields timber, and is widely used in folk medicines. However, little is known about its molecular mechanisms of anticancer activity. Here, we demonstrate the antiproliferative activity of A. communis methanol extract (AM) and its dichloromethane fraction (AD) in two human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines, HepG2 and PLC/PRF/5. Colony assay showed the long-term inhibitory effect of both extracts on cell growth. DNA laddering and immunoblotting analyses revealed that both extracts did not induce apoptosis in the hepatoma cell lines. AM and AD-treated cells demonstrated different cell cycle distribution compared to UV-treated cells, which presented apoptotic cell death with high sub-G1 ratio. Instead, acridine orange staining revealed that AM and AD triggered autophagosome accumulation. Immunoblotting showed a significant expression of autophagy-related proteins, which indicated the autophagic cell death (ACD) of hepatoma cell lines. This study therefore demonstrates that A. communis AM and its dichloromethane fraction can induce ACD in HCC cells and elucidates the potential of A. communis extracts for development as anti tumor therapeutic agents that utilize autophagy as mechanism in mediating cancer cell death.
Precision calculations for supersymmetric Higgs bosons
Authors: Hollik W.
Published: May 2015

Recent progress is presented on higher-order calculations for the mass spectrum of Higgs particles in the CP-conserving and CP-violating MSSM, covering diagrammatic two-loop calculations for neutral and charged Higgs bosons as well as all-order resummation of large logarithms arising from the strong and Yukawa coupling sectors.
Lattice Boltzmann simulation of acoustic resistance in microchannels
Authors: Guan Dong , Wu Jiu Hui , Jing Li , Lu Kuan
Published: May 2015

Lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) is utilized to model the acoustic resistance in microchannels at mesoscopic scale in this paper. Sound pressure distribution at different positions are studied. A number of physical parameters, such as the wavelength, channel number, channel width and length are investigated to find their effects on pressure variation. Simulation results are compared with those obtained by traditional methods and demonstrate that the LBM is a helpful approach to study sound attenuation in microchannels at mesoscopic scale. These results have potential application for designing the high-efficiency sound absorbers.
A seamless, client-centric programming model for type safe web applications
Authors: Ekblad Anton , Claessen Koen
Published: May 2015

We propose a new programming model for web applications which is (1) seamless; one program and one language is used to produce code for both client and server, (2) client-centric; the programmer takes the viewpoint of the client that runs code on the server rather than the other way around, (3) functional and type-safe, and (4) portable; everything is implemented as a Haskell library that implicitly takes care of all networking code. Our aim is to improve the painful and error-prone experience of today's standard development methods, in which clients and servers are coded in different languages and communicate with each other using ad-hoc protocols. We present the design of our library called Haste.App, an example web application that uses it, and discuss the implementation and the compiler technology on which it depends.
Building secure systems with LIO (demo)
Authors: Stefan Deian , Levy Amit , Russo Alejandro , Maziéres David
Published: May 2015

LIO is a decentralized information flow control (DIFC) system, implemented in Haskell. In this demo proposal, we give an overview of the LIO library and show how LIO can be used to build secure systems. In particular, we show how to specify high-level security policies in the context of web applications, and describe how LIO automatically enforces these policies even in the presence of untrusted code.
From Communicating Machines to Graphical Choreographies
Authors: Lange Julien , Tuosto Emilio , Yoshida Nobuko
Published: May 2015

Graphical choreographies, or global graphs, are general multiparty session specifications featuring expressive constructs such as forking, merging, and joining for representing application-level protocols. Global graphs can be directly translated into modelling notations such as BPMN and UML. This paper presents an algorithm whereby a global graph can be constructed from asynchronous interactions represented by communicating finite-state machines (CFSMs). Our results include: a sound and complete characterisation of a subset of safe CFSMs from which global graphs can be constructed; an algorithm to translate CFSMs to global graphs; a time complexity analysis; and an implementation of our theory, as well as an experimental evaluation.
A Formally-Verified C Static Analyzer
Authors: Jourdan Jacques-Henri , Laporte Vincent , Blazy Sandrine , Leroy Xavier , Pichardie David
Published: May 2015

This paper reports on the design and soundness proof, using the Coq proof assistant, of Verasco, a static analyzer based on abstract interpretation for most of the ISO C 1999 language (excluding recursion and dynamic allocation). Verasco establishes the absence of run-time errors in the analyzed programs. It enjoys a modular architecture that supports the extensible combination of multiple abstract domains, both relational and non-relational. Verasco integrates with the CompCert formally-verified C compiler so that not only the soundness of the analysis results is guaranteed with mathematical certitude, but also the fact that these guarantees carry over to the compiled code.
Functors are Type Refinement Systems
Authors: Melliès Paul-André , Zeilberger Noam
Published: May 2015

The standard reading of type theory through the lens of category theory is based on the idea of viewing a type system as a category of well-typed terms. We propose a basic revision of this reading: rather than interpreting type systems as categories, we describe them as
functors
from a category of typing derivations to a category of underlying terms. Then, turning this around, we explain how in fact
any
functor gives rise to a generalized type system, with an abstract notion of typing judgment, typing derivations and typing rules. This leads to a purely categorical reformulation of various natural classes of type systems as natural classes of functors.

The main purpose of this paper is to describe the general framework (which can also be seen as providing a categorical analysis of
refinement types
), and to present a few applications. As a larger case study, we revisit Reynolds' paper on ``The Meaning of Types'' (2000), showing how the paper's main results may be reconstructed along these lines.