bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reverse Sequential Therapy Achieves a Similar Eradication Rate as Standard Sequential Therapy for Helicobacter pylori Eradication: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Tsay Feng‐Woei , Wu Deng‐Chyang , Kao Sung‐Shuo , Tsai Tzung‐Jium , Lai Kwok‐Hung , Cheng Jin‐Shiung , Chan Hoi‐Hung , Wang Huay‐Min , Tsai Wei‐Lun , Tseng Hui‐Hwa , Peng Nan‐Jin , Hsu Ping‐I
Published: December 2014

Background and Aims

Sequential therapy is a two‐step therapy achieving a promising eradication rate for Helicobacter pylori infection. The rationale of sequential method has been proposed that amoxicillin weakens bacterial cell walls in the initial phase of treatment, preventing the development of drug efflux channels for clarithromycin and metronidazole used in the second phase. The aim of this prospective, randomized, controlled study was to investigate whether the efficacy of reverse sequential therapy was noninferior to sequential therapy in the treatment of H. pylori infection.

Methods

From January 2009 to December 2010, consecutive H. pylori‐infected patients were randomly assigned to receive either sequential therapy (a 5‐day dual therapy with pantoprazole plus amoxicillin, followed by a 5‐day triple therapy with pantoprazole plus clarithromycin and metronidazole) or reverse sequential therapy (a 5‐day triple therapy with pantoprazole plus clarithromycin and metronidazole, followed by a 5‐day dual therapy with pantoprazole plus amoxicillin). H. pylori status was examined 6 weeks after the end of treatment by rapid urease and histology or urea breath test.

Results

One hundred and twenty‐two H. pylori‐infected participants were randomized to receive sequential (n = 60) or reverse sequential therapy (n = 62). The eradication rates, by intention‐to‐treat analysis, were similar: 91.9% (95% confidence interval (CI): 85.1–98.7%) for sequential therapy and 96.7% (95% CI: 92.2–101.2%) for reverse sequential therapy (p = .44). Per‐protocol analysis also showed similar results: 91.8% (95% CI: 84.9–98.7%) for sequential group and 96.7% (95% CI: 92.2–101.2%) for reverse sequential therapy (p = .43). The two treatments exhibited comparable frequencies of adverse events (11.3% vs 6.7%, respectively) and drug compliance (98.4% vs 100%, respectively). The overall resistance rates of antibiotics were clarithromycin 10.5%, amoxicillin 0%, and metronidazole 44.2% of patients, respectively. The dual resistance rate of clarithromycin and metronidazole was 4.2%. Both therapies achieved a high eradication rate for clarithromycin‐resistant strains (100% vs 100%, respectively) and metronidazole‐resistant strains (81.8% vs 95%, respectively) by intention‐to‐treat analysis.

Conclusions

Ten‐day reverse sequential therapy and standard sequential therapy are equally effective for H. Pylori eradication. The finding indicates that the sequence of antibiotics administered in sequential therapy does not influence the efficacy of the treatment.
2. ON ISLAMIC TIME: RETHINKING CHRONOLOGY IN THE HISTORIOGRAPHY OF MUSLIM SOCIETIES
Authors: BASHIR SHAHZAD
Published: December 2014

This article argues that the academic representation of Islamic history as a single timeline, which was established in the nineteenth century and continues to predominate to the present, is a primary issue restricting fruitful readings of Islamic historical materials. Utilizing insights in thinking about history that favor multiple temporalities, I suggest that scholars in Islamic studies can expand the possibilities of their work by paying attention to the diversity of ways in which time is conceptualized within original materials. As illustrations for the rethinking I advocate, I provide readings of the structures and literary affects of three Persian works in different genres, produced circa 1490–1540 ce. I suggest that a foundational reorientation in the field of Islamic historiography has the potential to help us break out of binds identified in the critique of orientalism provided by Edward Said and others and would lead to better ways to approach developments in Muslim societies.
Anion efflux from cytotrophoblast cells derived from normal term human placenta is stimulated by hyposmotic challenge and extracellular A23187 but not by membrane‐soluble cAMP
Authors: Turner M. A. , Sides M. K. , Sibley C. P. , Greenwood S. L.
Published: December 2014

The regulation of placental anion transport influences fetal accretion and placental homeostasis. We investigated whether efflux of 125I− or 36Cl− from multinucleated cytotrophoblast cells derived from human term placenta is regulated by one of three stimuli: (a) the calcium ionophore A23187, (b) a ‘cocktail’ of agents designed to raise intracellular levels of cAMP, (c) a hyposmotic solution. After loading with the appropriate isotope for 2 h and thorough washing, cells were exposed to sequential aliquots of buffer applied and removed each minute. Following an equilibration period of 5 min one of the stimuli was applied at room temperature At the end of the experiment the cells were lysed to give a lysate count which was used to express the count obtained from each aliquot as percentage efflux of that possible for that minute. The cAMP ‘cocktail’ and A23187 were applied for 5 min; the hyposmotic solution was applied for 10 min. The results for 125I− at 7 min showed that the mean efflux in the presence of hyposmotic shock was greater than control (5.7 ± 1.0% min−1 versus 2.2 ±0.1 % min−1, respectively; mean ± S.E.M., n = 4 placentas). Similarly mean efflux at 6 min in the presence of A23187 was also significantly greater than control (6.5 ±1.9 % min−1 versus 2.6 ± 1.0 % min−1, respectively, n = 3 placentas). The mean efflux in the presence of the cAMP cocktail was not different from control at any time point. The results were qualitatively the same if 38Cl− was used in the place of 125I− and when the experiment was performed with 36Cl− in a HCO3− buffer gassed with CO2. Mean 125I− efflux at 6 min in response to hyposmotic challenge was 33 % less (P < 0.01) in the presence of 1 mM 4,4′‐diisothiocyanatostilbene‐2,2′‐disulphonic acid (DIDS) and 37% less (P <0.005) in the presence of 10 μm tamoxifen but no different if the hyposmotic solution was nominally calcium free. We conclude that there are differential effects of second messengers on anion efflux from the differentiated cytotrophoblast cells.
Effect of maternal feed restriction on blood pressure in the adult guinea pig
Authors: Kind Karen L. , Simonetta Giuseppe , Clifton Peter M. , Robinson Jeffrey S. , Owens Julie A.
Published: December 2014

Small size at birth has been associated with increased blood pressure in adult men and women. In rats, isocaloric protein restriction reduces fetal growth and increases systolic blood pressure in adult offspring. Balanced maternal undernutrition in the rat also increases adult blood pressure, but not consistently. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of moderate balanced maternal undernutrition (85% of ad libitum intake from 4 weeks before, and throughout pregnancy) on blood pressure of adult offspring in the guinea pig, a species that is relatively mature at birth. Blood pressure was measured in chronically catheterised offspring of ad libitum fed or feed‐restricted mothers, at 3 months of age (young adult). Maternal feed restriction reduced birth weight (‐17%) and increased systolic blood pressure (+9%, P < 0.03) in young adult male offspring. In offspring of ad libitum fed and feed‐restricted mothers, combined data showed that systolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure correlated negatively with head width at birth (P = 0.02 and P = 0.04, respectively, n = 28). Systolic blood pressure also correlated negatively with birth weight and the ratio birth weight/birth length, but only in offspring of ad libitum fed mothers (P = 0.04 and P = 0.03, respectively, n = 22). The effect of maternal feed restriction on systolic blood pressure in male offspring was not significant when adjusted for these measures of size at birth. Thus, moderate balanced undernutrition in the guinea pig increases systolic blood pressure in young adult male offspring; however, these effects may be mediated, at least in part, through effects on fetal growth.
Lack of ataxia telangiectasia mutated kinase induces structural and functional changes in the heart: role in β‐adrenergic receptor‐stimulated apoptosis
Authors: Foster Cerrone R. , Zha QinQin , Daniel Laura L. , Singh Mahipal , Singh Krishna
Published: December 2014

Ataxia telangiectasia mutated kinase (ATM) is involved in cell cycle checkpoints, DNA repair and apoptosis. β‐Adrenergic receptor (β‐AR) stimulation induces cardiac myocyte apoptosis. Here we analysed basal myocardial structure and function in ATM knockout (KO) mice and tested the hypothesis that ATM modulates β‐AR‐stimulated myocyte apoptosis. Left ventricular (LV) structure and function, myocyte apoptosis, fibrosis and expression of fibrosis‐, hypertrophy‐ and apoptosis‐related proteins were examined in wild‐type (WT) and KO mice with or without l‐isoprenaline treatment for 24 h. Body and heart weights were lower in KO mice. M‐Mode echocardiography showed reduced septal wall thicknesses and LV diameters in KO mice. Doppler echocardiography showed an increased ratio of early peak velocity (E wave) to that of the late LV filling (A wave) in KO mice. Basal fibrosis and myocyte cross‐sectional area were greater in KO hearts. Expression of fibrosis‐related genes (connective tissue growth factor and plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1) and hypertrophy‐related gene (atrial natriuretic peptide) was higher in KO hearts. β‐Adrenergic receptor stimulation increased myocyte apoptosis to a similar extent in both groups. Activation of c‐Jun N‐terminal kinases and expression and phosphorylation of p53 in response to β‐AR stimulation were only observed in the WT group. Akt phosphorylation was lower in KO sham‐treated animals and remained lower following β‐AR stimulation in the KO group. β‐Adrenergic receptor stimulation activated glycogen synthase kinase‐3β to a similar extent in both groups. Thus, lack of ATM induces structural and functional changes in the heart, with enhanced myocardial fibrosis and myocyte hypertrophy. β‐Adrenergic receptor‐stimulated apoptosis in WT hearts is associated with a p53‐ and JNKs‐dependent mechanism, while decreased Akt activity may play a role in increased myocyte apoptosis in the absence of ATM.
The impact of remittances from Canada's seasonal workers programme on Mexican farms
Authors: CARVAJAL GUTIÉRREZ Lidia , JOHNSON Thomas G.
Published: December 2014

Based on a survey of participants in Canada's Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program, the authors’ three‐stage least squares estimation of a simultaneous equation model finds that migrants’ remittances enhance on‐farm investments in Mexico, which, in turn, increase farm income. Remittances are also found to have a positive influence on non‐farm income in Mexico, by giving respondents the possibility of starting a new business and diversifying their investments. These results support the hypothesis underlying the “new economics of labour migration” that remittances contribute to economic development by relaxing the credit constraint on the investment function of family farms.
A conceptual framework for evaluating the conceptualization, implementation and performance of transitional care programmes
Authors: Wee Shiou‐Liang , Vrijhoef Hubertus J. M.
Published: December 2014

Developed health systems want to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions by addressing the needs of chronically ill older adults throughout acute episodes of illness. Transitional care (TC) is a set of actions designed to ensure the coordination and continuity of health care as patients transfer between different locations or different levels of care within the same location, of which the main outcome of interest is avoiding hospital readmission. Implementation of TC is complex because it entails different actions to put multiple care components into practice, with various degrees of flexibility of adapting the intervention. Furthermore, the outcome involves behaviour change required by those delivering or receiving the intervention. Although there are examples of promising interventions, the possible variations in conceptualization and implementation present a real challenge for the adaptation of efficacious TC interventions from trial to ‘real‐world’ settings. There is a lack of a theoretical basis or explicit logic model for why adapted interventions should work. This study provides conceptual approaches for the implementation and evaluation of TC programmes. It describes a framework of (1) conceptualization – with respect to the components in an intervention and the population of interest; (2) manner and context of implementation; and (3) evaluation – how these processes of implementation impact health outcomes.
Views of pharmacy graduates and pharmacist tutors on evidence‐based practice in relation to over‐the‐counter consultations: a qualitative study
Authors: McKee Peter , Hughes Carmel , Hanna Lezley‐Anne
Published: December 2014

Rationale, aims and objectives

Health care services offered to the public should be based on the best available evidence. We aimed to explore pharmacy tutors' and trainees' views on the importance of evidence when making decisions about over‐the‐counter (OTC) medicines and also to investigate whether the tutor influenced the trainee in practice.

Methods

Following ethical approval and piloting, semi‐structured interviews were conducted with pharmacy graduates (trainees) and pharmacist tutors. Transcribed interview data were entered into the NVivo software package (version 10), coded and analysed via thematic analysis.

Results

Twelve trainees (five males, seven females) and 11 tutors (five males, six females) participated. Main themes that emerged were (in)consistency and contradiction, confidence, acculturation, and continuation and perpetuation. Despite having an awareness of the importance and potential benefits, an evidence‐based approach did not seem to be routinely or consistently implemented in practice. Confidence in products was largely derived from personal use and patient feedback. A lack of discussion about evidence was justified on the basis of not wanting to lessen patient confidence in requested product(s) or possibly negating the placebo effect. Trainees became acculturated to ‘real‐life’ practice; university teaching and evidence was deemed less relevant than meeting customer expectations. The tutor's actions were mirrored by their trainee resulting in continuation and perpetuation of the same professional attitudes and behaviours.

Conclusions

Evidence appeared to have limited influence on OTC decision making. The tutor played a key role in the trainee's professional development. More work could be performed to investigate how evidence can be regarded as relevant and something that is consistently implemented in practice.
Complement regulators in human disease: lessons from modern genetics
Authors: Liszewski M. K. , Atkinson J. P.
Published: December 2014

First identified in human serum in the late 19th century as a ‘complement’ to antibodies in mediating bacterial lysis, the complement system emerged more than a billion years ago probably as the first humoral immune system. The contemporary complement system consists of nearly 60 proteins in three activation pathways (classical, alternative and lectin) and a terminal cytolytic pathway common to all. Modern molecular biology and genetics have not only led to further elucidation of the structure of complement system components, but have also revealed function‐altering rare variants and common polymorphisms, particularly in regulators of the alternative pathway, that predispose to human disease by creating ‘hyperinflammatory complement phenotypes’. To treat these ‘complementopathies’, a monoclonal antibody against the initiator of the membrane attack complex, C5, has received approval for use. Additional therapeutic reagents are on the horizon.
Quality of life in mothers of preschoolers with high‐functioning pervasive developmental disorders
Authors: Suzumura Shunsuke
Published: December 2014

Background

Parents of children with pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) are likely to experience serious distress. The aims of this study were to (i) assess distress among mothers of preschoolers with high‐functioning PDD (HFPDD); and (ii) examine its relation to the child's behavioral characteristics.

Methods

Participants were 30 mothers of preschoolers with HFPDD, and 30 mothers of a matched control group. Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire (version 2), and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire were used for assessment. The children's autistic traits were assessed using the total number of items for the DSM‐IV‐TR autistic disorder diagnosis.

Results

Mothers in the HFPDD group were more distressed mentally than physically. Neither physical nor mental distress in the group was related to the child's autistic traits, while their mental distress was significantly related to the child's behavior problems.

Conclusions

Mothers in the HFPDD group were at increased risk of impaired mental wellbeing. Maternal mental distress in the group was significantly related to general behavior problems, but not to autistic traits in the child.
4q27 as a psoriasis susceptibility locus in the Northeastern Chinese Han population
Authors: Zhou J. , Wang L. , Wang F. , Xu P. , Li Y. , Bai B. , Dang L. , Sun D.
Published: December 2014

Psoriasis is an autoimmune inflammatory skin disease with genetic components. Chromosome 4q27 is related to many autoimmune diseases, however, the relationship between psoriasis and 4q27 has not been fully established yet. The objective of this study is to investigate the association between chromosome 4q27 and psoriasis in the Northeastern Chinese Han population. Four common single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs2069762, rs4833837, rs6840978, and rs7684187) from chromosome 4q27 were genotyped in 400 psoriasis cases and 398 controls from the Northeastern Chinese Han population using the Multiplex SNaPSHOT method. Single nucleotide polymorphism and haplotype frequencies were analyzed using spss 13.0. Our data indicated that rs2069762 GG, TG genotypes [GG: odds ratio (OR) = 2.6875, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.5948–4.5290, P < 0.0001; TG: OR = 1.6159, 95% CI = 1.2044–2.1681, P = 0.0013], and H3 haplotype (OR = 1.717, 95% CI = 1.050–2.808, P = 0.030) increased the risk of psoriasis. Furthermore, rs4833837 GG, GA genotypes (GG: OR = 0.2071, 95% CI = 0.0685–0.6266, P = 0.0022; GA: OR = 0.4711, 95% CI = 0.3289–0.6746, P < 0.0001), and H5 haplotype (OR = 0.482, 95% CI = 0.238–0.978, P = 0.039) were identified as protective factors for psoriasis. 4q27 polymorphisms are associated with psoriasis in the Northeastern Chinese Han population.
NOx Sensor Ammonia-Cross-Sensitivity Factor Estimation in Diesel Engine Selective Catalytic Reduction Systems
Authors: Zhang Hui , Wang Junmin
Published: December 2014

Since the NOx sensor is cross-sensitive to gaseous ammonia, the reading of NOx sensor may not be accurate when the gaseous ammonia is involved and it is a combination of the actual NOx concentration plus the ammonia concentration multiplied by a factor. The factor is named as NOx sensor cross-sensitivity factor. As the reading is inaccurate, this cross-sensitivity phenomenon restricts the application of NOx sensor in the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system. A practical and economic approach is to design an observer to estimate the cross-sensitivity factor and correct the NOx sensor reading. In this work, the NOx sensor ammonia-cross-sensitivity factor observer design problem for diesel engine SCR systems is investigated. To achieve the objective, first, a three-state nonlinear model for the SCR system is adopted. To establish the model of the ammonia cross-sensitivity factor, it is assumed that the qth-order derivative of the factor is zero. Then, based on the nonlinear model, a proportional-multiple-integral (PMI) observer of the factor is proposed and a nonlinear estimation error system is obtained. With the linear-parameter-varying (LPV) technique, the stability, and the H∞ performance of the nonlinear estimation error system are investigated. Based on the analysis results, the design methods of the stable and the H∞ observer gains are developed. At the end, simulations and comparisons via an experimentally validated full vehicle simulator are carried out to illustrate the efficacy and the advantages of the proposed approach over the existing methods. Since the effect of disturbance to the estimation is considered and constrained in the H∞ observer, the designed H∞ observer has a better estimation performance when the system is subject to disturbance.
Effect of Horizontal Alternating Current Electric Field on the Stability of Natural Convection in a Dielectric Fluid Saturated Vertical Porous Layer
Authors: Shankar B. M. , Kumar Jai , Shivakumara I. S.
Published: December 2014

The stability of natural convection in a dielectric fluid-saturated vertical porous layer in the presence of a uniform horizontal AC electric field is investigated. The flow in the porous medium is governed by Brinkman–Wooding-extended-Darcy equation with fluid viscosity different from effective viscosity. The resulting generalized eigenvalue problem is solved numerically using the Chebyshev collocation method. The critical Grashof number Gc, the critical wave number ac, and the critical wave speed cc are computed for a wide range of Prandtl number Pr, Darcy number Da, the ratio of effective viscosity to the fluid viscosity Λ, and AC electric Rayleigh number Rea. Interestingly, the value of Prandtl number at which the transition from stationary to traveling-wave mode takes place is found to be independent of Rea. The interconnectedness of the Darcy number and the Prandtl number on the nature of modes of instability is clearly delineated and found that increasing in Da and Rea is to destabilize the system. The ratio of viscosities Λ shows stabilizing effect on the system at the stationary mode, but to the contrary, it exhibits a dual behavior once the instability is via traveling-wave mode. Besides, the value of Pr at which transition occurs from stationary to traveling-wave mode instability increases with decreasing Λ. The behavior of secondary flows is discussed in detail for values of physical parameters at which transition from stationary to traveling-wave mode takes place.
Experimental Pressure Drop and Heat Transfer in a Rectangular Channel With a Sinusoidal Porous Screen
Authors: Mahmood Gazi I. , Simonson Carey J. , Besant Robert W.
Published: December 2014

Experiments are conducted to investigate turbulence enhancing effects of a porous mesh-screen with a sinusoidal shape normal to the flow direction inside a rectangular cross section air channel at low Reynolds numbers (i.e., Re = 1360–3800). The baseline measurements are obtained at the same channel and Reynolds numbers without the screen present. The surface of the screen pores are oriented parallel to the mean flow. Data are presented for the total and wall-static pressure drop along the channel, Nusselt number distributions on the heated wall at several constant heat rates, and air temperature distributions at the channel exit with and without (baseline cases) the screen. The heat transfer measurements are obtained with one wall heated as well as two parallel walls heated to simulate different applications for air channels in the flat plate heat exchangers. The results indicate that the ratio of screen channel to baseline Nusselt number (Nu/Nu0) and the ratio of screen channel to baseline friction factor (f/f0) increase with the Reynolds number (Re). The fully developed Nu/Nu0 is 2.0–2.5 as the fully developed f/f0 is 4.4 at 3100 < Re ≤ 3800. However, the screen channel heat convection performance index, (Nu/Nu0)/(f/f0)1/3 is only greater than 1.0 when Re > 2500 which is the design objective of reducing the pumping power and heat transfer area in the channel. Nonetheless, the screen insert is only beneficial to augment the convective heat transfer in the channel over the range of transition Reynolds number tested. The average total pressure drop across the channel and average exit air temperature suggest that the screen insert promotes good mixing of fluid across the channel for the Reynolds numbers tested.
Properties of reactively sputtered oxygenated cadmium sulfide (CdS:O) and their impact on CdTe solar cell performance
Authors: Meysing Daniel M. , Wolden Colin A. , Griffith Michelle M. , Mahabaduge Hasitha , Pankow Joel , Reese Matthew O. , Burst James M. , Rance William L. , Barnes Teresa M.
Published: December 2014

Oxygenated cadmium sulfide (CdS:O) is commonly used as the n-type window layer in high-performance CdTe heterojunction solar cells. This layer is deposited by reactive sputtering, but the optimal amount of oxygen in the sputtering ambient is highly dependent on the specific system and process employed. In this work, the intrinsic properties of CdS:O were measured as a function of the oxygen content (0%–10%) in the sputtering ambient and correlated to device performance with the goal of better defining optimal CdS:O properties for CdTe solar cells. Optimal performance was found using CdS:O films that contained ∼40 at. % oxygen as measured by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed these results and showed that oxygen is incorporated primarily as oxygenated sulfur compounds (SOx). Device efficiency improved from 10.5% using CdS to >14% with CdS:O due largely to increases in short-circuit current density as well as a modest improvement in open-circuit voltage. The transparency of the CdS:O films was well correlated with observed improvements in blue quantum efficiency with increasing oxygen content. The optical bandgap of as-deposited CdS:O was identified as a simple metric for process optimization and transfer, with 2.8 eV being ideal for the device architecture employed.
Atomic layer deposition of aluminum sulfide thin films using trimethylaluminum and hydrogen sulfide
Authors: Sinha Soumyadeep , Mahuli Neha , Sarkar Shaibal K.
Published: December 2014

Sequential exposures of trimethylaluminum and hydrogen sulfide are used to deposit aluminum sulfide thin films by atomic layer deposition (ALD) in the temperature ranging from 100 to 200 °C. Growth rate of 1.3 Å per ALD cycle is achieved by in-situ quartz crystal microbalance measurements. It is found that the growth rate per ALD cycle is highly dependent on the purging time between the two precursors. Increased purge time results in higher growth rate. Surface limited chemistry during each ALD half cycle is studied by in-situ Fourier transformed infrared vibration spectroscopy. Time of flight secondary ion-mass spectroscopy measurement is used to confirm elemental composition of the deposited films.
Toward accurate tooth segmentation from computed tomography images using a hybrid level set model
Authors: Gan Yangzhou , Xia Zeyang , Xiong Jing , Zhao Qunfei , Hu Ying , Zhang Jianwei
Published: December 2014

Purpose:

A three‐dimensional (3D) model of the teeth provides important information for orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning. Tooth segmentation is an essential step in generating the 3D digital model from computed tomography (CT) images. The aim of this study is to develop an accurate and efficient tooth segmentation method from CT images.

Methods:

The 3D dental CT volumetric images are segmented slice by slice in a two‐dimensional (2D) transverse plane. The 2D segmentation is composed of a manual initialization step and an automatic slice by slice segmentation step. In the manual initialization step, the user manually picks a starting slice and selects a seed point for each tooth in this slice. In the automatic slice segmentation step, a developed hybrid level set model is applied to segment tooth contours from each slice. Tooth contour propagation strategy is employed to initialize the level set function automatically. Cone beam CT (CBCT) images of two subjects were used to tune the parameters. Images of 16 additional subjects were used to validate the performance of the method. Volume overlap metrics and surface distance metrics were adopted to assess the segmentation accuracy quantitatively. The volume overlap metrics were volume difference (VD, mm3) and Dice similarity coefficient (DSC, %). The surface distance metrics were average symmetric surface distance (ASSD, mm), RMS (root mean square) symmetric surface distance (RMSSSD, mm), and maximum symmetric surface distance (MSSD, mm). Computation time was recorded to assess the efficiency. The performance of the proposed method has been compared with two state‐of‐the‐art methods.

Results:

For the tested CBCT images, the VD, DSC, ASSD, RMSSSD, and MSSD for the incisor were 38.16 ± 12.94 mm3, 88.82 ± 2.14%, 0.29 ± 0.03 mm, 0.32 ± 0.08 mm, and 1.25 ± 0.58 mm, respectively; the VD, DSC, ASSD, RMSSSD, and MSSD for the canine were 49.12 ± 9.33 mm3, 91.57 ± 0.82%, 0.27 ± 0.02 mm, 0.28 ± 0.03 mm, and 1.06 ± 0.40 mm, respectively; the VD, DSC, ASSD, RMSSSD, and MSSD for the premolar were 37.95 ± 10.13 mm3, 92.45 ± 2.29%, 0.29 ± 0.06 mm, 0.33 ± 0.10 mm, and 1.28 ± 0.72 mm, respectively; the VD, DSC, ASSD, RMSSSD, and MSSD for the molar were 52.38 ± 17.27 mm3, 94.12 ± 1.38%, 0.30 ± 0.08 mm, 0.35 ± 0.17 mm, and 1.52 ± 0.75 mm, respectively. The computation time of the proposed method for segmenting CBCT images of one subject was 7.25 ± 0.73 min. Compared with two other methods, the proposed method achieves significant improvement in terms of accuracy.

Conclusions:

The presented tooth segmentation method can be used to segment tooth contours from CT images accurately and efficiently.
Linear rheology of nanofilled polymers
Authors: Song Yihu , Zheng Qiang
Published: December 2014

The linear rheology of nanoparticle filled polymer (NPFP) melts has been a quite charming but controversial topic of long standing. This article reviews recent research advances to provide a general understanding of its universal appearance and underlying mechanism. This work summarizes the rheological criteria for determining the so-called liquid-to-solid transition with increasing filler content, the contradictory ideas of four kinds of time-concentration superposition principles proposed for constructing master curves of linear rheology, and a wide range of constitutive and phenomenological models focused on creating rheological contributions of the polymer, filler, and interface region from different perspectives. Controversies about microstructures of NPFPs including filler structure and chain dynamics of the matrix are briefly described. Several open questions are highlighted to outline the most likely general framework for the further investigation of the linear rheology of NPFP melts.
The genetics of resistant malaria
Authors: Vogel Gretchen
Published: December 2014

Studies confirm changes in suspected gene confer resistance to artemisinin.
E.U. to let wary members ban genetically modified crops
Authors: Rabesandratana Tania
Published: December 2014

Revived proposal allows countries to reject varieties even if scientific assessments say they're safe.
Back from the dead
Authors: Stone Richard
Published: December 2014

The once-moribund idea that volcanism helped kill off the dinosaurs gains new credibility.
Live wire
Authors: Service Robert F.
Published: December 2014

Do cells use electricity to repair DNA? Jacqueline Barton aims to find out.
Exploring the frontiers of science in Western China
Authors: Holden Kevin
Published: December 2014

China's remarkable economic rise is also propelling advances across the sciences, and these intertwined trends are transforming the western section of the country. To speed up this transformation, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), universities, and the central government are all creating award schemes aimed at attracting leading scholars trained abroad to take up positions in western China. Science centers across the region are ramping up efforts to make research teams more innovative and more international. This strategy extends to the spheres of genomics, medicine, geoscience, astronomy, physics, and conservation and is creating professional openings across the western sector of China.
Zero infection
Authors: Woolhouse Mark , Drury Patrick , Dye Christopher
Published: December 2014

Last month, United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim, and World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Margaret Chan held a press conference after the UN Chief Executive Board's meeting to assess the global response to the Ebola epidemic. The secretary-general's message was clear: “Our end game is not near.” To eliminate infection from the human population by mid-2015, as Ban Ki-moon hopes, the world must intensify its fight against this virus, but we should also recognize that we need better ways to combat international health hazards of all kinds.
Identification of TL-Om1, an Adult T-Cell Leukemia (ATL) Cell Line, as Reference Material for Quantitative PCR for Human T-Lymphotropic Virus 1
Authors: Kuramitsu Madoka , Okuma Kazu , Yamagishi Makoto , Yamochi Tadanori , Firouzi Sanaz , Momose Haruka , Mizukami Takuo , Takizawa Kazuya , Araki Kumiko , Sugamura Kazuo , Yamaguchi Kazunari , Watanabe Toshiki , Hamaguchi Isao
Published: December 2014

Quantitative PCR (qPCR) for human T-lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV-1) is useful for measuring the amount of integrated HTLV-1 proviral DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Many laboratories in Japan have developed different HTLV-1 qPCR methods. However, when six independent laboratories analyzed the proviral load of the same samples, there was a 5-fold difference in their results. To standardize HTLV-1 qPCR, preparation of a well-defined reference material is needed. We analyzed the integrated HTLV-1 genome and the internal control (IC) genes of TL-Om1, a cell line derived from adult T-cell leukemia, to confirm its suitability as a reference material for HTLV-1 qPCR. Fluorescent
in situ
hybridization (FISH) showed that HTLV-1 provirus was monoclonally integrated in chromosome 1 at the site of 1p13 in the TL-Om1 genome. HTLV-1 proviral genome was not transferred from TL-Om1 to an uninfected T-cell line, suggesting that the HTLV-1 proviral copy number in TL-Om1 cells is stable. To determine the copy number of HTLV-1 provirus and IC genes in TL-Om1 cells, we used FISH, digital PCR, and qPCR. HTLV-1 copy numbers obtained by these three methods were similar, suggesting that their results were accurate. Also, the ratio of the copy number of HTLV-1 provirus to one of the IC genes, RNase P, was consistent for all three methods. These findings indicate that TL-Om1 cells are an appropriate reference material for HTLV-1 qPCR.
Performance of the Molecular Alere i Influenza A&B Test Compared to That of the Xpert Flu A/B Assay
Authors: Chapin Kimberle C. , Flores-Cortez Estefany J.
Published: December 2014

Data on the performance of rapid molecular point-of-care use platforms for diagnosis of influenza are lacking. We validated nasopharyngeal (NP) flocked specimens in universal transport medium (UTM) and evaluated the clinical sensitivity and specificity of the Alere i influenza A&B test compared to those of the Xpert flu A/B assay. The Alere i influenza A&B test had an overall sensitivity and specificity of 93.8% and 62.5% for influenza A, respectively, and of 91.8% and 53.6% for influenza B, respectively. The poor specificity was due to influenza virus samples determined positive for both type A and B.
Acanthamoeba Encephalitis: Isolation of Genotype T1 in Mycobacterial Liquid Culture Medium
Authors: Azzam Rula , Badenoch Paul R. , Francis Michelle J. , Fernandez Charles , Adamson Penelope J. , Dendle Claire , Woolley Ian , Robson Jenny , Korman Tony M. , Graham Maryza
Published: December 2014

We report a case of
Acanthamoeba
encephalitis diagnosed from an antemortem brain biopsy specimen, where the organism was first isolated in mycobacterial liquid medium and first identified by using a sequence generated by a commercial panfungal sequencing assay. We correlate susceptibility results with clinical outcome.
Accurate Quantification of Episomal HIV-1 Two-Long Terminal Repeat Circles by Use of Optimized DNA Isolation and Droplet Digital PCR
Authors: Malatinkova Eva , Kiselinova Maja , Bonczkowski Pawel , Trypsteen Wim , Messiaen Peter , Vermeire Jolien , Verhasselt Bruno , Vervisch Karen , Vandekerckhove Linos , De Spiegelaere Ward
Published: December 2014

Episomal HIV-1 two-long terminal repeat (2-LTR) circles are considered markers for ongoing viral replication. Two sample processing procedures were compared to accurately quantify 2-LTR in patients by using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). Here, we show that plasmid isolation with a spiked non-HIV plasmid for normalization enables more accurate 2-LTR quantification than genomic DNA isolation.
Aspergilluscitrinoterreus, a New Species of Section Terrei Isolated from Samples of Patients with Nonhematological Predisposing Conditions
Authors: Guinea Jesús , Sandoval-Denis Marcelo , Escribano Pilar , Peláez Teresa , Guarro Josep , Bouza Emilio
Published: December 2014

The use of molecular identification techniques has revealed an increasing number of new species within
Aspergillus
section
Terrei
. We phenotyped a set of 26 clinical isolates that showed genetic differences from
Aspergillus terreus
sensu stricto
by analyzing sequences from PCR-amplified β-tubulin and calmodulin genes and the internal transcribed spacer region. Since the isolates were phylogenetically and morphologically different from all of the members of
Aspergillus
section
Terrei
, they are described here as a new species,
Aspergillus
citrinoterreus
, so named because it produces a diffusible yellowish pigment in agar.
A. citrinoterreus
isolates were significantly more susceptible to itraconazole, voriconazole, and posaconazole than
A. terreus
sensu stricto
isolates were; in contrast, the amphotericin B MICs for both species were high.
A. citrinoterreus
was found in clinical samples from patients with proven or probable invasive aspergillosis and colonized patients, none of whom had hematological malignancies as predisposing conditions. However, they did have other underlying conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cirrhosis, and cancer or had received a solid organ transplants and presented not only with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis but also with mediastinitis.
A. citrinoterreus
isolates were detected for the first time in 2002. In all cases of invasive aspergillosis,
A. citrinoterreus
was found to be a copathogen, mostly with
A. fumigatus
.
Phosphatidylserine-Specific Phospholipase A1 Involved in Hepatitis C Virus Assembly through NS2 Complex Formation
Authors: Guo Min , Pei Rongjuan , Yang Qi , Cao Huang , Wang Yun , Wu Chunchen , Chen Jizheng , Zhou Yuan , Hu Xue , Lu Mengji , Chen Xinwen
Published: December 2014

Several members of the phospholipase family have been reported to be involved in hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication. Here, we identified another phospholipase, phosphatidylserine-specific phospholipase A1 (PLA1A), as a host factor involved in HCV assembly. PLA1A was upregulated by HCV infection, and PLA1A knockdown significantly reduced J399EM (genotype 2a) HCV propagation at the assembly step but not the entry, RNA replication, and protein translation steps of the life cycle. Protein localization and interaction analysis further revealed a role of PLA1A in the interaction of NS2-E2 and NS2-NS5A, as the formation of the NS2-E2 and NS2-NS5A complexes was weakened in the absence of PLA1A. In addition, PLA1A stabilized the NS2/NS5A dotted structure during infection. These data suggest that PLA1A plays an important role in bridging the membrane-associated NS2-E2 complex and the NS5A-associated replication complex via its interaction with E2, NS2, and NS5A, which leads to a coordinating interaction between the structural and nonstructural proteins and facilitates viral assembly.

IMPORTANCE
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genomic replication is driven by the replication complex and occurs at the membranous web, while the lipid droplet is the organelle in which virion assembly is initiated. In this study, we identified phosphatidylserine-specific phospholipase A1 (PLA1A), a member of phospholipase A 1 family, as a novel host factor involved in the assembly process of HCV. PLA1A, which is induced by HCV infection at a late infection stage, interacts with HCV E2, NS2, and NS5A proteins and enhances and stabilizes the NS2-E2 and NS2-NS5A complex formation, which is essential for viral assembly. Thus, PLA1A is an important host factor which is involved in the initiation of the viral assembly in close proximity to Core-decorated lipid droplets through bringing together the HCV replication complex and envelope complex.
Objectively measured physical activity in Finnish employees: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Mutikainen Sara , Helander Elina , Pietilä Julia , Korhonen Ilkka , Kujala Urho M
Published: December 2014

Objectives

To objectively measure the amount of intensity-specific physical activity by gender and age with respect to body mass index (BMI) during workdays and days off among Finnish employees.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Setting

Primary care occupational healthcare units.

Participants

A sample of 9554 Finnish employees (4221 men and 5333 women; age range 18–65 years; BMI range 18.5–40 kg/m2) who participated in health assessments related to occupational health promotion.

Main outcome measurements

The amount of moderate-to-vigorous (MVPA) and vigorous (VPA) physical activity (≥3 and ≥6 metabolic equivalents, respectively) was assessed by estimating the minute-to-minute oxygen consumption from the recorded beat-to-beat R-R interval data. The estimation method used heart rate, respiration rate and on/off response information from R-R interval data calibrated by age, gender, height, weight and self-reported physical activity class. The proportion of participants fulfilling the aerobic physical activity recommendation of ≥150 min/week was calculated on the basis of ≥10 min bouts, by multiplying the VPA minutes by 2.

Results

Both MVPA and VPA were higher among men and during days off, and decreased with increasing age and BMI (p<0.001 for all). Similar results were observed when the probability of having a bout of MVPA or VPA lasting continuously for ≥10 min per measurement day was studied. The total amount of VPA was low among overweight (mean ≤2.6 min/day), obese (mean ≤0.6 min/day) and all women in the age group 51–65 years (mean ≤2.5 min/day) during both types of days. The proportion of participants fulfilling the aerobic physical activity recommendation was highest for normal weight men (65%; 95% CI 62% to 67%) and lowest for obese women (10%; 95% CI 8% to 12%).

Conclusions

Objectively measured physical activity is higher among men and during days off, and decreases with increasing age and BMI. The amount of VPA is very low among obese, overweight and older women.
Radiologists’ perspectives about evidence-based medicine and their clinical practice: a semistructured interview study
Authors: Tong Allison , Mahady Suzanne E , Craig Jonathan C , Lau Gabes , Peduto Anthony J , Loy Clement
Published: December 2014

Objectives

To describe radiologist's attitudes and perspectives on evidence-based medicine (EBM) and their practice.

Design

Face-to-face semistructured interviews, thematic analysis.

Setting

24 institutions across six Australian states and New Zealand. Transcripts were imported into HyperRESEARCH software and thematically analysed.

Participants

25 radiologists.

Results

Six themes were identified: legitimising decisions (validated justification, prioritising patient preferences, reinforcing protocols), optimising outcomes (ensuring patient safety, maximising efficiency), availability of access (requiring immediacy, inadequacy of evidence, time constraints, proximity of peer networks, grasping information dispersion), over-riding pragmatism (perceptibly applicability, preserving the art of medicine, technical demands), limited confidence (conceptual obscurity, reputation-based trust, demands constant practice, suspicion and cynicism), and competing powers (hierarchical conflict, prevailing commercial interests).

Conclusions

Radiologists believe EBM can support clinical decision-making for optimal patient outcomes and service efficiency but feel limited in their capacities to assimilate and apply EBM in practice. Improving access to evidence, providing ongoing education and training supplemented with practical tools for appraising evidence; and developing evidence-based guidelines and protocols may enhance feasibility and promote the confidence and skills among radiologists in applying EBM in radiology practice for better patient care.
Improving accessibility of trust guidelines and protocols at the Great Western Hospital, Swindon
Authors: Robertson Ian , Smith Abigail , Tucker Jennifer , Cilia Erica , Chen Kangni , Marion Rose , Nesbitt Julian , Ramcharitar Steve , Cathiavadi Greamspet Mala
Published: December 2014

Trust guidelines and policies outline recommendations for the management of common clinical and non-clinical situations, serving to standardise best practice. Prior to this project, there was no consolidated location for these documents. Lack of organisational structure and inadequate search functionality within the trust intranet led to time wasted locating information, acting outside of recognised best practice, and ultimately potentially compromising patient safety.

We surveyed 55 junior doctors, 95% of respondents were dependent on guidelines on a daily basis. 20% spending greater than 5 minutes to locate protocols and 38% unable to locate some relevant documents at all. We analysed the time taken for junior doctors to locate six randomly selected protocols. Pre-intervention mean time was 133 seconds (on six occasions doctors were unable to locate the guideline).

All trust guidelines and protocols currently available on the intranet were collated, consolidated, and renamed according to content. These were then re-alphabetised and new search terms linked to each document. Existing links were then uploaded and a single web page made available via the trust intranet homepage. The new page was publicised by email, posters and interdepartmental presentations.

In our post intervention survey, 97% of respondents were aware of the project and had made use of the page. All protocols were located during re-testing with 90% of those resurveyed stating it was easier to locate protocols. Overall, a reduction in the time and number of clicks required to locate protocols was demonstrated: mean time 16 seconds vs 133 seconds pre-intervention (n=60). 53% of guidelines located in <30s and 86% <2 minutes.