bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self-Reported Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Testing and Diagnosis Among Men Who Have Sex With Men—20 US Cities, 2011 and 2014
Authors: Hoots Brooke E. , Torrone Elizabeth A. , Bernstein Kyle T. , Paz-Bailey Gabriela
Published: January 2018

Background

Annual screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea is recommended for sexually active men who have sex with men (MSM) at anatomical sites of contact, regardless of condom use.

Methods

We assessed differences in self-reported chlamydia and gonorrhea testing and diagnosis in the past 12 months among MSM using National HIV Behavioral Surveillance data from 2011 and 2014. Men who have sex with men who had 1 or more partners in the past 12 months were included in analyses. Analyses of chlamydia and gonorrhea diagnosis data were limited to participants who reported past 12 months chlamydia and gonorrhea testing, respectively. Differences in testing and diagnosis over time were assessed using Poisson regression models with robust standard errors separately for chlamydia and gonorrhea.

Results

Analyses included data from 18,896 MSM (2011, n = 9256; 2014, n = 9640). Testing for chlamydia was 37% in 2011 and 47% in 2014 (prevalence ratio [PR], 1.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20–1.30) and 38% and 47% for gonorrhea (PR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.19–1.29). Testing was higher in 2014 among most demographic subgroups. Prevalence of chlamydia diagnoses was 8% in 2011 and 11% in 2014 (PR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.18–1.59) and of gonorrhea diagnoses was 10% in 2011 and 14% in 2014 (adjusted PR: 1.40, 95% CI, 1.23–1.60). Larger changes in diagnoses were observed among MSM in the white and “other” racial categories and those who disclosed same-sex behavior to their health care provider.

Conclusions

Self-reported testing and diagnoses among MSM increased from 2011 to 2014. Increased efforts are needed to meet annual sexually transmitted disease screening recommendations among MSM at high HIV risk.
Fibroma-like PEComa
Authors: Larque Ana B. , Kradin Richard L. , Chebib Ivan , Nielsen G. Petur , Selig Martin K. , Thiele Elizabeth A. , Stemmer-Rachamimov Anat , Bredella Miriam A. , Kurzawa Pawel , Deshpande Vikram
Published: January 2018

Perivascular epithelioid cell tumor (PEComa), mesenchymal tumors morphologically characterized by epithelioid cells, coexpress melanocytic and muscle markers. Herein, we describe a heretofore-undescribed tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)-related neoplasm, morphologically resembling a soft tissue fibroma-like lesion, but showing an immunophenotype resembling PEComa. We identified 3 soft tissue fibroma-like lesions in individuals with TSC. We also evaluated 6 TSC-related periungual fibroma as well as a range of non-TSC fibroma-like lesions (n=19). Immunohistochemistry for HMB-45, desmin, smooth muscle actin, TFE3, and S100 was performed on the TSC-related fibromas. Periungual fibromas and non-TSC fibroma-like lesions were also stained for HMB-45. All 3 TSC patients were female, ranging in age from 4 to 51 years (mean, 26.7 y). Two tumors were located in extremities and 1 on the chest wall. The tumors showed elongated to stellate spindle-shape cells, prominent collagenous background, and lacked mitotic activity and cytologic atypia. Immunohistochemically, all 3 tumors were positive for HMB-45; smooth muscle actin or desmin was positive in both tumors tested. TFE3 was negative. All patients were alive with no evidence of disease with median follow-up of 55 months (range, 6 to 131 mo). Non-TSC fibroma-like lesions and oral and periungual fibromas were negative for HMB-45. Fibroma-like PEComa, a newly recognized soft tissue tumor with a strong association with TSC, mimics soft tissue fibroma but shows reactivity with melanocytic markers.
Maintaining a Competent Public Health Workforce: Lessons Learned From Experiences With Public Health Accreditation Domain 8 Standards and Measures
Authors: Yeager Valerie A. , Wharton M. Kristina , Beitsch Leslie M.
Published: January 2018

Context:

Public health accreditation is an ongoing national movement to improve the quality of public health departments and the public health system in the United States; however, calls have been made for more evidence regarding best practices in the accreditation process.

Objective:

The purpose of this work is to provide evidence about best practices in the accreditation process, specifically within the workforce development domain. It is the first in-depth investigation into workforce development using data collected by Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB).

Design:

Using deidentified accreditation application data from PHAB, this study employs a mixed-methods approach to examining practices, lessons learned, challenges, and strategies pertaining to workforce development planning for Domain 8.

Setting:

United States.

Participants:

US state (n = 19) and local health departments (n = 115).

Main Outcome Measures:

Public Health Accreditation Board assessment scores for the workforce measures and the relationship between the health department's approach to meeting a PHAB measure criteria and the PHAB assessment score.

Results:

Of the 9 different approaches identified as ways of encouraging the development of a sufficient number of qualified public health workers (version 1, measure 8.1.1), only 1 approach (local health department internship programs with schools of public health; B = 0.25, P < .03) was significantly related to higher scores. An opportunity for improvement identified for measure 8.2.1 was that plans missing a clear identification of the gap between current staff competencies and staff needs were associated with a 0.88-point decrease in the 4-point score (P < .001).

Conclusions:

Findings suggest that there are approaches adopted for meeting PHAB domain 8 measures that will impact the overall conformance assessment and score of a health department pursuing accreditation. There are several opportunities for improvement that health departments might consider when planning for accreditation or assessing their activities.
Two-component structural phase-field crystal models for graphene symmetries
Authors: Elder K. L. M. , Seymour M. , Lee M. , Hilke M. , Provatas N.
Published: January 2018

We extend the three-point XPFC model of Seymour & Provatas (Seymour & Provatas 2016
Phys. Rev. B
93
, 035447 (doi:10.1103/PhysRevB.93.035447)) to two components to capture chemical vapour deposition-grown graphene, and adapt a previous two-point XPFC model of Greenwood
et al.
(Greenwood
et al.
2011
Phys. Rev. B
84
, 064104 (
doi:10.1103/PhysRevB.84.064104
)) into a simple model of two-component graphene. The equilibrium properties of these models are examined and the two models are compared and contrasted. The first model is used to study the possible roles of hydrogen in graphene grain boundaries. The second model is used to study the role of hydrogen in the dendritic growth morphologies of graphene. The latter results are compared with new experiments.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘From atomistic interfaces to dendritic patterns’.
A complete analytical solution of the Fokker–Planck and balance equations for nucleation and growth of crystals
Authors: Makoveeva Eugenya V. , Alexandrov Dmitri V.
Published: January 2018

This article is concerned with a new analytical description of nucleation and growth of crystals in a metastable mushy layer (supercooled liquid or supersaturated solution) at the intermediate stage of phase transition. The model under consideration consisting of the non-stationary integro-differential system of governing equations for the distribution function and metastability level is analytically solved by means of the saddle-point technique for the Laplace-type integral in the case of arbitrary nucleation kinetics and time-dependent heat or mass sources in the balance equation. We demonstrate that the time-dependent distribution function approaches the stationary profile in course of time.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘From atomistic interfaces to dendritic patterns’.
Whole brain comparative anatomy using connectivity blueprints
Authors: Mars Rogier B. , Sotiropoulos Stamatios N. , Passingham Richard E. , Sallet Jerome , Verhagen Lennart , Khrapitchev Alexandr A. , Sibson Nicola , Jbabdi Saad
Published: January 2018

Comparing the brains of related species faces the challenges of establishing homologies whilst accommodating evolutionary specializations. Here we propose a general framework for understanding similarities and differences between the brains of primates. The approach uses white matter blueprints of the whole cortex based on a set of white matter tracts that can be anatomically matched across species. The blueprints provide a common reference space that allows us to navigate between brains of different species, identify homologue cortical areas, or to transform whole cortical maps from one species to the other. Specializations are cast within this framework as deviations between the species’ blueprints. We illustrate how this approach can be used to compare human and macaque brains.
Genetic architecture of gene expression traits across diverse populations
Authors: Mogil Lauren S , Andaleon Angela , Badalamenti Alexa , Dickinson Scott P , Guo Xiuqing , Rotter Jerome I , Johnson W. Craig , Im Hae Kyung , Liu Yongmei , Wheeler Heather E
Published: January 2018

For many complex traits, gene regulation is likely to play a crucial mechanistic role. How the genetic architectures of complex traits vary between populations and subsequent effects on genetic prediction are not well understood, in part due to the historical paucity of GWAS in populations of non-European ancestry. We used data from the MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) cohort to characterize the genetic architecture of gene expression within and between diverse populations. Genotype and monocyte gene expression were available in individuals with African American (AFA, n=233), Hispanic (HIS, n=352), and European (CAU, n=578) ancestry. We performed expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) mapping in each population and show genetic correlation of gene expression depends on shared ancestry proportions. Using elastic net modeling with cross validation to optimize genotypic predictors of gene expression in each population, we show the genetic architecture of gene expression for most predictable genes is sparse. We found the best predicted gene,
TACSTD2
, was the same across populations with R
2
> 0.86 in each population. However, we identified a subset of genes that are well-predicted in one population, but poorly predicted in another. We show these differences in predictive performance are due to allele frequency differences between populations. Using genotype weights trained in MESA to predict gene expression in independent populations showed that a training set with ancestry similar to the test set is better at predicting gene expression in test populations, demonstrating an urgent need for diverse population sampling in genomics. Our predictive models and performance statistics in diverse cohorts are made publicly available for use in transcriptome mapping methods at https://github.com/WheelerLab/DivPop.
Structure cristalline, caractérisation spectroscopique, calcul DFT et analyse de surface Hirshfeld du perchlorate de p-toluidinium
Authors: Ben Jomaa Meriam , Chebbi Hammouda , Fakhar Bourguiba Noura , Zid Mohamed Faouzi
Published: January 2018

The synthesis of p-toluidinium perchlorate (systematic name: 4-methylanilinium perchlorate), C7H10N+·ClO4
−, was carried out from an aqueous reaction of perchloric acid with p-toluidine. This compound was characterized by powder XRD, IR and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The structure was further confirmed by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study. The crystal structure is formed by a succession of two-dimensional molecular layers consisting of perchlorate anions and organic cations parallel to the (100) plane and located at x = 2n + ½ (n ∈ Z). Each mixed layer is formed by infinite chains {C7H10N+·ClO4
−}
n
parallel to the [010] direction and developing along the c axis, generating R
2
4(8), R
2
2(4) and R
4
4(12) graph-set motifs. The results of a theoretical study using the DFT method at the B3LYP/6–311++G(d,p) level are in good agreement with the experimental data. Hirshfeld surface and fingerprint plots reveal that the structure is dominated by O...H/H...O (54.2%), H...H (26.9%) and C—H ...π (14.3%) contacts. The studied crystal was refined as a two-component twin
A study on firm size distribution of the service sector and manufacturing sector
Authors: Sup Cho Sang
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This study aims to estimate the firm size distributions that belong to the service sector and manufacturing sector in Korea.

Design/methodology/approach

When estimating the firm size distribution, the author considers the following two major factors. First, the firm size distribution can have a gamma distribution rather than traditional accepted distributions such as Pareto distribution or log-normal distribution. In particular, industry-specific enterprises can have different size distributions of the type of gamma distribution. Second, the firm size distribution that is applied to this study’s data set should reflect a number of factors. For example, estimating mixture gamma distribution for firm size distribution should be required and compared, because the total amount of configuration data is composed of small businesses, medium-sized and large companies.

Findings

Using 8,230 number of firm data in 2013, the author estimates mixture gamma distribution for the firm size.

Originality/value

From the comparison, empirical results are found for the following characteristics of core firm size distribution: first, the firm size distribution of the manufacturing sector has a longer tail than firm size distribution of the service sector. Second, the manufacturing firm size distribution dominates the entire country firm size distribution. Third, one factor among the three factors that make up the mixed gamma firm size distribution is described for 99 per cent of the firm size distributions. From the estimated firm size distributions of the service sector and manufacturing sector in Korea, the author simply implies the strategy and policy implications for the start-up firm.
Thermal interface materials based on graphene and silver nanopowder
Authors: Sobik Piotr , Pawlowski Radoslaw , Pawlowski Bartlomiej , Drabczyk Boguslaw , Drabczyk Kazimierz
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present results of the studies on modification of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) encapsulation foil to be used as thermal interface material (TIM). It is estimated that poor thermal management in electronic devices can cause over 50 per cent of failures. As the junction temperature rises, the failure rate for electronics increases exponentially. To ensure sufficient heat transfer from its source, TIMs are used in various circuits. On the other hand, it is important to ensure high electric resistivity of the designed TIM.

Design/methodology/approach

The focus of the investigation was twofold: modification of EVA with both graphene oxide (GO) and silver nanopowder (nAg); and TIM applicability through lamination of photovoltaic cells with standard and modified EVA foil. The main problem of a new type of encapsulant is proper gas evacuation during the lamination process. For this reason, reference and modified samples were compared taking into account the percentage of gas bubbles in visible volume of laminated TIM. Finally, reference and modified TIM samples were compared using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and laser flash analysis (LFA) measurements.

Findings

The proper parameters of the lamination process for the modified EVA foil - with both GO and organometallic nAg particles - were selected. The nAg addition results in an increase in thermal conductivity of the proposed compositions with respect to unmodified EVA foil, which was confirmed by DSC and LFA measurements.

Originality/value

The experiments confirmed the potential application of both EVA foil as a matrix for TIM material and nAg with GO as an active agent. Proposed composition can bring additional support to a solar cell or other electronic components through effective heat removal, which increases its performance.
Effect of environmentally friendly plasma treatment on microfibre fabrics to improve some comfort properties
Authors: G. Ramakrishnan , C. Prakash , G. Janani
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate plasma treatment for Tencel microfibre fabrics for possible improvement in various functional properties.

Design/methodology/approach

The plasma treated and untreated fabrics were dyed using reactive dyes and evaluated for comfort properties such as wicking, water vapour permeability and air permeability.

Findings

The various comfort properties of plasma treated and an untreated Tencel microfibre fabric have been studied. The wicking results showed a significant reduction in wicking time for plasma treated fabrics compared to untreated fabrics. The test results for water vapour permeability show no significant difference between plasma treated and untreated fabrics. The plasma treated samples show higher air permeability than untreated samples. In the wetting test, it is clearly seen that the plasma treated samples absorbed the water at a faster rate.

Originality/value

This research investigates plasma treatment for Tencel microfibre fabrics for possible improvement in various functional properties.
A multi-actor multi-objective optimization approach for locating temporary logistics hubs during disaster response
Authors: Maharjan Rajali , Hanaoka Shinya
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a mathematical model that determines the location of temporary logistics hubs (TLHs) for disaster response and proposes a new method to determine weights of the objectives in a multi-objective optimization problem. The research is motivated by the importance of TLHs and the complexity that surrounds the determination of their location.

Design/methodology/approach

A multi-period multi-objective model with multi-sourcing is developed to determine the location of the TLHs. A fuzzy factor rating system (FFRS) under the group decision-making (GDM) condition is then proposed to determine the weights of the objectives when multiple decision makers exist.

Findings

The interview with decision makers shows the heterogeneity of decision opinions, thus substantiating the importance of GDM. The optimization results provide useful managerial insights for decision makers by considering the trade-off between two non-commensurable objectives.

Research limitations/implications

In this study, decision makers are considered to be homogeneous, which might not be the case in reality. This study does not consider the stochastic nature of relief demand.

Practical implications

The outcomes of this study are valuable to decision makers for relief distribution planning. The proposed FFRS approach reveals the importance of involving multiple decision makers to enhance sense of ownership of established TLHs.

Originality/value

A mathematical model highlighting the importance of multi-sourcing and short operational horizon of TLHs is developed. A new method is proposed and implemented to determine the weights of the objectives. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the multi-actor and multi-objective aspects of the TLH location problem have not thus far been considered simultaneously for one particular problem in humanitarian logistics.
Antifragilizing public procurement systems: A paradigm shift1
Authors: Saad Youssef G.
Published: January 2018

Taints of corruption in public procurement (PP) exist in both developed and developing countries alike- though in different scales and with different characteristics and impacts. Attempts to achieve a taint-free procurement regulation have failed even in the most robust and mature jurisdictions due to an inherent complexity and difficulty given the paradigms used. PP systems today remain fragile to various shocks2 coming mainly from markets and corruption. This paper proposes a paradigm shift in the way in which a PP System (PPS) should be designed and practiced rendering it as “antifragile”3 as possible to benefit from shocks, stresses and disorder. Antifragile PPS design revolutionizes not only the regulations but also the frameworks and institutional setups and the whole practice of the public procurement profession in a manner that permits growth and evolution at times of stress or distress. This paradigm shift is based on a design of the PPS as a complex system.
Disclosure rules in eu public procurement: Balancing between competition and transparency
Authors: Halonen Kirsi-Maria
Published: January 2018

The paper examines the disclosure of information within public contract awards under EU law. EU Public Procurement rules have several objectives that may at some times be conflicting with each other. A certain level of transparency of public procurement procedure is necessary in order to fight corruption, enhance trade opportunities and ensure effective legal remedies. On the other hand, too much transparency may have certain anti-competitive effects. The national laws regarding disclosure of information vary in different EU member states. In Finland the EU law principle of effective remedies has been interpreted as requiring full transparency among the bidders. The transparency rules under EU law and certain Member States' national laws are analysed. As a conclusion, it is suggested that the rules on disclosure should not be left solely to the discretion of member states as the over-transparent approach taken by certain member states may negatively affect the markets both on a national and EU level.
Filter bubbles in interdisciplinary research: a case study on climate and society
Authors: Mikki Susanne , Ruwehy Hemed Ali Al , Gjesdal Øyvind Liland , Zygmuntowska Marta
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare the content of Web of Science (WoS) and Google Scholar (GS) by searching the interdisciplinary field of climate and ancient societies. The authors aim at analyzing the retrieved documents by open availability, received citations, co-authors and type of publication.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors searched the services by a defined set of keyword. Data were retrieved and analyzed using a variety of bibliometric tools such as Publish or Perish, Sci2Tool and Gephi. In order to determine the proportion of open full texts based on the WoS result, the authors relocated the records in GS, using an off-campus internet connection.

Findings

The authors found that the top 1,000 downloadable and analyzable GS items matched poorly with the items retrieved by WoS. Based on this approach (subject searching), the services appeared complementary rather than similar. Even though the first search results differ considerably by service, almost each single WoS title could be located in GS. Based on GS’s full text recognition, the authors found 74 percent of WoS items openly available and the citation median of these was twice as high as for documents behind paywalls.

Research limitations/implications

Even though the study is a case study, the authors believe that findings are transferable to other interdisciplinary fields. The share of freely available documents, however, may depend on the investigated field and its culture toward open publishing.

Practical implications

Discovering the literature of interdisciplinary fields puts scholars in a challenging situation and requires a better understanding of the existing infrastructures. The authors hope that the paper contributes to that and can advise the research and library communities.

Originality/value

In light of an overwhelming and exponentially growing amount of literature, the bibliometric approach is new in a library context.
Assessing lifetime profitability of customers with purchasing cycles
Authors: Zhang Qin , Seetharaman P.B.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a method to help firms assess lifetime profitability of customers whose buying behaviors are characterized by purchasing cycles, which are determined by both intrinsic purchasing cycles and cumulative effects of firms’ marketing solicitations.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper first proposes a probability model to predict customers’ responses to firms’ marketing solicitations in which a customer’s inter-purchase times are assumed to follow a Poisson distribution, whose parameters vary across customers and follow a gamma distribution. The paper then proposes a customer profitability scoring model that uses customers’ responses as an input to assess their lifetime profitability at a given point of time.

Findings

The paper illustrates the proposed method using individual-level purchasing data of 529 customers from a catalog firm. The paper shows that the proposed model outperforms the benchmark model in terms of both explaining and predicting customers’ purchases. The paper also demonstrates significant profit consequences to the firm if incorrect methods are used instead of the proposed method.

Practical implications

The proposed method can help firms select or eliminate customers based on their lifetime profitability so that firms can focus their marketing efforts in a more targeted manner to increase total profits.

Originality/value

The proposed Gamma-Poisson probability model and the profitability scoring method are easy to implement due to the attractive conjugacy property. It is valuable for firms’ customer relationship management applications from the standpoint of making customer selection and inventory management decisions.
Optimizing β-carotene production byBlakeslea trisporausing bug damaged wheat
Authors: Durakli Velioglu Serap , Tirpanci Sivri Goksel
Published: January 2018

Purpose

β-carotene, found naturally in many foods, has been widely used as a colourant in various products. The aim of this study is to optimize the production of β-carotene byBlakeslea trisporausing bug-damaged wheat as the main nitrogen and carbon source.

Design/methodology/approach

Response surface methodology (RSM) has been used to determine the optimum concentrations of media components for the maximum β-carotene production. β-carotene concentration was determined quantitively using a spectrophotometric method.

Findings

A full quadratic model fit the data best for β-carotene production with a highR2value (0.999). Using optimized media increased the production of β-carotene byB. trisporaDSM-2387 andB. trisporaDSM-2388 to a higher level (250.407 mg/l) than the control medium (72.195 mg/l).

Originality/value

This study showed that bug-damaged wheat, an agro-industrial waste having low economical value, may be used as a valuable substrate for microbial production of β-carotene, a natural food colourant possessing high economical value.
Rheumatoid arthritis and periodontal disease: What are the similarities and differences?
Authors: Li Rongbin , Tian Cheng , Postlethwaite Arnold , Jiao Yan , Garcia‐Godoy Franklin , Pattanaik Debendra , Wei Dongmei , Gu Weikuan , Li Jianwei
Published: January 2018

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and periodontal disease (PD) are chronic inflammatory diseases that share similar osteoclasia, human leukocyte antigen‐DR4 allelic genes and immunological profile, and characteristic cytokines. Smoking can contribute to more severe RA and PD; secretion of pro‐inflammatory mediators destroys the soft synovial membrane and periodontium, respectively. Anti‐citrullinated protein antibodies and anti‐α‐enolase antibody are characteristic of these two diseases. Some studies suggest that PD may be associated with RA. Anti‐Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) antibody, but no P. gingivalis bacterium can be detected in RA patients’ joint fluid. Anti‐P. gingivalis antibody has been seen as a biomarker of RA. Both diseases share some nosogenesis and common pathological pathways. However, there are differing views on the connection between the two diseases. Interferon‐inducible‐16 (IFI16) is a genic marker of RA; moreover, the association between IFI16 and PD is rare. Some studies suggest PD is related to periodontal parameters and patient's pathological status rather than RA. Disease frequency in men and women differ between these two diseases. The expression of interleukin‐17 (IL‐17) receptor only associates with different genders in PD (PD of different sexes have different IL‐17 expressions). Periodontal local treatment only affects clinical periodontal status, and it does not alter circulating levels of IL‐6, tumor necrosis factor‐alpha or C‐reactive protein which are associated with RA. This review examines the similarities and differences between these two diseases and explores possible interactions. Importantly, we will discuss whether PD is a feature of RA and whether this knowledge provides helpful information in future treatment of both diseases.
Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy versus lobectomy for stage I non‐small cell lung cancer: A systematic review
Authors: Wang Siwei , Wang Xiaoxiao , Zhou Qing , Xu Youtao , Xia Wenjia , Xu Weizhang , Ma ZhiFei , Qiu Mantang , You Ran , Xu Lin , Yin Rong
Published: January 2018

Background

There is debate regarding the use of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) or surgery for patients with early stage non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This meta‐analysis compared the clinical efficacy of SABR and lobectomy in stage I NSCLC patients.

Methods

An online search identified eight eligible articles (including 2 trials and 7 cohort studies) for inclusion. The odds ratio (OR) was used as a summary statistic. Overall survival (OS), cause‐specific survival (CSS), and recurrence‐free survival (RFS) were selected to calculate ORs with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Fixed‐effects or random‐effects models were conducted according to study heterogeneity.

Results

There were no significant differences between SABR and lobectomy in terms of one‐year OS or CSS. Significant benefits of surgery were observed in three‐year OS (OR 2.11, 95% CI 1.55–2.86), three‐year CSS (OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.05–3.57), three‐year RFS (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.12–2.36), and five‐year OS (OR 2.40, 95% CI 1.71–3.36). In addition, lobectomy demonstrated a beneficial trend in one‐year RFS, five‐year RFS, and CSS.

Conclusion

Meta‐analyses of current evidence suggested that lobectomy provides better long‐term survival outcomes for stage I NSCLC patients.
A novel homozygous variant in BMPR1B underlies acromesomelic dysplasia Hunter–Thompson type
Authors: Ullah Asmat , Umair Muhammad , Muhammad Dost , Bilal Muhammad , Lee Kwanghyuk , Leal Suzanne M , Ahmad Wasim
Published: January 2018

Acromesomelic dysplasia is genetically heterogeneous group of skeletal disorders characterized by short stature and acromelia and mesomelia of limbs. Acromesomelic dysplasia segregates in an autosomal recessive pattern and is caused by biallelic sequence variants in three genes (NPR2, GDF5, and BMPR1B).

A consanguineous family of Pakistani origin segregating a subtype of acromesomelic dysplasia called Hunter–Thompson was clinically and genetically evaluated. Genotyping of microsatellite markers and linkage analysis revealed a 7.78 Mb homozygous region on chromosome 4q22.3, which harbors BMPR1B. Sequence analysis of the gene revealed a novel homozygous missense variant (c.1190T > G, p.Met397Arg) that segregates with the disease phenotype within the family and produced a Logarithm of odds (LOD) score of 3.9 with the disease phenotype. This study reports on the first familial case of acromesomelic dysplasia Hunter–Thompson type. It is also the first report of BMPR1B underlying the etiology of acromesomelic dysplasia Hunter–Thompson type.
Systematic review of benefits or harms of routine anaesthetist‐inserted throat packs in adults: practice recommendations for inserting and counting throat packs
Authors: Athanassoglou V. , Patel A. , McGuire B. , Higgs A. , Dover M. S. , Brennan P. A. , Banerjee A. , Bingham B. , Pandit J. J.
Published: January 2018

Throat packs are commonly inserted by anaesthetists after induction of anaesthesia for dental, maxillofacial, nasal or upper airway surgery. However, the evidence supporting this practice as routine is unclear, especially in the light of accidentally retained throat packs which constitute ‘Never Events’ as defined by NHS England. On behalf of three relevant national organisations, we therefore conducted a systematic review and literature search to assess the evidence base for benefit, and also the extent and severity of complications associated with throat pack use. Other than descriptions of how to insert throat packs in many standard texts, we could find no study that sought to assess the benefit of their insertion by anaesthetists. Instead, there were many reports of minor and major complications (the latter including serious postoperative airway obstruction and at least one death), and many descriptions of how to avoid complications. As a result of these findings, the three national organisations no longer recommend the routine insertion of throat packs by anaesthetists but advise caution and careful consideration. Two protocols for pack insertion are presented, should their use be judged necessary.
A randomised controlled trial comparing needle movements during combined spinal‐epidural anaesthesia with and without ultrasound assistance
Authors: Chin A. , Crooke B. , Heywood L. , Brijball R. , Pelecanos A. M. , Abeypala W.
Published: January 2018

Ultrasound assistance for neuraxial techniques may improve technical performance; however, it is unclear which populations benefit most. Our study aimed to investigate the efficacy of neuraxial ultrasound in women having caesarean section with combined spinal‐epidural anaesthesia, and to identify factors associated with improved technical performance. Two‐hundred and eighteen women were randomly allocated to ultrasound‐assisted or control groups. All the women had a pre‐procedure ultrasound, but only women in the ultrasound group had this information conveyed to the anaesthetist. Primary outcomes were first‐pass success (a single needle insertion with no redirections) and procedure difficulty. Secondary outcomes were block quality, patient experience and complications. Exploratory sub‐group analysis and regression analysis were used to identify factors associated with success. Data from 215 women were analysed. First‐pass success was achieved in 67 (63.8%) and 42 (38.2%) women in the ultrasound and control groups, respectively (adjusted p = 0.001). Combined spinal‐epidural anaesthesia was ‘difficult’ in 19 (18.1%) and 33 (30.0%) women in the ultrasound and control groups, respectively (adjusted p = 0.09). Secondary outcomes did not differ significantly. Anaesthetists misidentified the intervertebral level by two or more spaces in 23 (10.7%) women. Sub‐group analysis demonstrated a benefit for ultrasound in women with easily palpable spinous processes (adjusted p = 0.027). Regression analysis identified use of ultrasound and easily palpable spinous processes to be associated with first‐pass success.
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Refractory Severe Respiratory Failure in Acute Interstitial Pneumonia
Authors: Gonçalves‐Venade Gabriela , Lacerda‐Príncipe Nuno , Roncon‐Albuquerque Roberto , Paiva José Artur
Published: January 2018

Acute interstitial pneumonia (AIP) is a rare idiopathic interstitial lung disease with rapid progressive respiratory failure and high mortality. In the present report, three cases of AIP complicated by refractory respiratory failure supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are presented. One male and two female patients (ages 27–59) were included. Venovenous ECMO support was provided using miniaturized systems, with two‐site femoro‐jugular circuit configuration. Despite lung protective ventilation, prone position and neuromuscular blockade, refractory respiratory failure of unknown etiology supervened (ratio of arterial oxygen partial pressure to fractional inspired oxygen 46–130) and ECMO was initiated after 3–7 days of mechanical ventilation. AIP diagnosis was established after exclusion of infectious and noninfectious acute respiratory distress syndrome on the basis of clinical and analytical data, bronchoalveolar lavage analysis and lung imaging, with a confirmatory surgical lung biopsy revealing diffuse alveolar damage of unknown etiology. Immunosuppressive treatment consisted in high‐dose corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide in one case. Two patients survived to hospital discharge. ECMO allowed AIP diagnosis and treatment in the presence of refractory respiratory failure, therefore reducing ventilator‐induced lung injury and bridging lung recovery in two patients. ECMO referral should be considered in refractory respiratory failure if AIP is suspected.
The amelioration of British West Indian slavery: anthropometric evidence
Authors: Ward J. R.
Published: January 2018

An older view among historians, predominant until about 1970, held that British West Indian slave maintenance standards were significantly improved or ‘ameliorated’ from the later eighteenth century. Subsequent research has disputed this consensus, although uncertainty remains on key details of slave diet, labour, and demography. As an alternative welfare measure, this study examines the reported heights of detained runaway slaves and ex‐slaves held between 1788 and 1838 at workhouses on Jamaica, the most important British West Indian colony. Analytical challenges arise through the limited age data. Also, a disproportionate share of the detainees had an urban background. However, these problems can be overcome with help from local estate records and from eastern Caribbean anthropometric evidence. The mean stature of Jamaica‐born adult detainees clearly rose during the period, and they gained a widening height advantage relative to their Africa‐born counterparts. This offers a useful indicator of trends for the enslaved population at large. The workhouse material confirms ‘old school’ judgements that substantive amelioration occurred, as a course of deliberate slaveholder policy.
Rasagiline improves polysomnographic sleep parameters in patients with Parkinson's disease: a double‐blind, baseline‐controlled trial
Authors: Schrempf W. , Fauser M. , Wienecke M. , Brown S. , Maaß A. , Ossig C. , Otto K. , Brandt M. D. , Löhle M. , Schwanebeck U. , Graehlert X. , Reichmann H. , Storch A.
Published: January 2018

Background and purpose

The aim was to study the effects of rasagiline on sleep quality in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) with sleep disturbances. Sleep disorders are common in PD. Rasagiline is widely used in patients with PD, but double‐blind polysomnographic trials on its effects on sleep disturbances are missing.

Methods

This was a single‐center, double‐blind, baseline‐controlled investigator‐initiated clinical trial of rasagiline (1 mg/day) over 8 weeks in patients with PD with sleep disturbances. Blinding was achieved by running a strategic matched placebo parallel group. Co‐primary outcome measures were the changes between baseline and end of the treatment period in sleep maintenance/efficiency as assessed by polysomnography and the Parkinson's Disease Sleep Scale Version 2 (PDSS‐2) score.

Results

A total of 20 of 30 patients were randomized to rasagiline (mean ± SD age, 69.9 ± 6.9 years; 10 male; Hoehn–Yahr stage, 1.9 ± 0.8). Compared with baseline, sleep maintenance was significantly increased at the end of the treatment period (relative change normalized to baseline, +16.3 ± 27.9%; P = 0.024, paired two‐sided t‐test) and a positive trend for sleep efficiency was detected (+12.1 ± 28.6%; P = 0.097). Treatment with rasagiline led to significantly decreased wake time after sleep onset, number of arousals, percentage of light sleep and improved daytime sleepiness as measured by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. We did not observe changes in the co‐primary endpoint PDSS‐2 score, and no correlations of polysomnographic sleep parameters or PDSS‐2 score with motor function (Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale motor score). Rasagiline was well tolerated with no unexpected adverse events.

Conclusions

In patients with PD with sleep disturbances, rasagiline showed beneficial effects on sleep quality as measured by polysomnography. These effects were probably not related to motor improvement or translated into improved overall sleep quality perception by patients.
Seizure onset predicts its type
Authors: Donos Cristian , Maliia Mihai Dragos , Dümpelmann Matthias , Schulze‐Bonhage Andreas
Published: January 2018

Objective

Epilepsy is characterized by transient alterations in brain synchronization resulting in seizures with a wide spectrum of manifestations. Seizure severity and risks for patients depend on the evolution and spread of the hypersynchronous discharges. With standard visual inspection and pattern classification, this evolution could not be predicted early on. It is still unclear to what degree the seizure onset zone determines seizure severity. Such information would improve our understanding of ictal epileptic activity and the existing electroencephalogram (EEG)‐based warning and intervention systems, providing specific reactions to upcoming seizure types. We investigate the possibility of predicting the future development of an epileptic seizure during the first seconds of recordings after their electrographic onset.

Methods

Based on intracranial EEG recordings of 493 ictal events from 26 patients with focal epilepsy, a set of 25 time and frequency domain features was computed using nonoverlapping 1‐second time windows, from the first 3, 5, and 10 seconds of ictal EEG. Three random forest classifiers were trained to predict the future evolution of the seizure, distinguishing between subclinical events, focal onset aware and impaired awareness, and focal to bilateral tonic–clonic seizures.

Results

Results show that early seizure type prediction is possible based on a single EEG channel located in the seizure onset zone with correct prediction rates of 76.2 ± 14.5% for distinguishing subclinical electrographic events from clinically manifest seizures, 75 ± 16.8% for distinguishing focal onset seizures that are or are not bilateral tonic–clonic, and 71.4 ± 17.2% for distinguishing between focal onset seizures with or without impaired awareness. All predictions are above the chance level (P < .01).

Significance

These findings provide the basis for developing systems for specific early warning of patients and health care providers, and for targeting EEG‐based closed‐loop intervention approaches to electrographic patterns with a high inherent risk to become clinically manifest.
Ultrasonographic examination of the quadriceps femoris muscle: Normal images and findings
Authors: Denoix J.‐M. , Coudry V.
Published: January 2018

In the paper written by Ogden et al. (2019) in this edition of Equine Veterinary Education, a complete tear of the vastus medialis muscle was considered as the cause of the lateral luxation of the patella in a 2‐day‐old cob colt. As muscle tears can be documented with ultrasound, this short commentary is presenting normal ultrasonographic images of the quadriceps femoris (QF) muscle and findings on two clinical cases.
Long‐term effects of flow regulation by dams simplify fish functional diversity
Authors: Oliveira Anielly G. , Baumgartner Matheus T. , Gomes Luiz C. , Dias Rosa M. , Agostinho Angelo A.
Published: January 2018

The long‐term impact of river regulation on fish functional diversity by a dam immediately upstream from the upper Paraná River floodplain, Brazil, was evaluated. It was expected that the resulting alterations in natural flow, downstream from the dam, would negatively impact fish species, resulting in a functional simplification of the ichthyofauna. In addition, this effect was expected to be more pronounced in the directly affected main channel of the Paraná River than in its tributaries, the Baía and Ivinhema rivers.

Fish were sampled before (pre) and after (post) dam closure (the intervention). The functional traits used were diet, habitat use, mouth position, migration, parental care, internal fertilisation and maximum total length. Differences in trait composition between periods (pre and post) were tested using aPERMANOVAmain‐test. An indicator value analysis (IndVal) was applied to identify which traits significantly increased or decreased in abundance after the intervention. The indexes used were functional richness (FRic), Rao's quadratic entropy (FDQ) and functional redundancy (FRed). The intervention analysis based on linear models for time series was used to evaluate differences in these indexes over time.

Traits most representative during pre‐intervention were large‐bodied species with long reproductive migrations, pelagic, with subterminal and superior mouths, and herbivorous. Traits most representative during the post‐intervention were omnivorous species, with parental care, benthopelagic and insectivorous, which typically characterise fishes that inhabit stable environments.FRic decreased in Paraná and Baía rivers after the construction of the dam. However, the Ivinhema River showed an increase in meanFRic in the post‐intervention period.FDQdecreased substantially in all three rivers, whileFRed increased.

The combined results ofFRic,FDQandFRed corroborate the functional simplification hypothesis expected from flow regulation by dams on functional diversity. As expected, the most pronounced simplification occurred in the Paraná River. Therefore, hydroelectric power plants can act as environmental filters strongly selecting functional traits of the downstream fish fauna, generating long‐lasting impacts on ecosystem functioning and services.
‘On being the right size’ – Do aliens follow the rules?
Authors: van der Geer Alexandra A.E. , Lomolino Mark V. , Lyras George
Published: January 2018

Aim

To assess whether mammalian species introduced onto islands across the globe have evolved to exhibit body size patterns consistent with the ‘island rule,’, and to test an ecological explanation for body size evolution of insular mammals.

Location

Islands worldwide.

Methods

We assembled data on body mass, geographical characteristics (latitude, maximum elevation) and ecological communities (number of mammalian competitors, predators and prey) for 385 introduced populations across 285 islands, comprising 56 species of extant, non‐volant mammals. We used linear regression, ANCOVA and regression tree analyses to test whether introduced populations of mammals exhibit the island rule pattern, whether the degree of body size change increased with time in isolation and whether residual variation about the general trend can be attributed to the geographical and ecological characteristics of the islands.

Results

Introduced populations follow the predicted island rule trend, with body size shifts more pronounced for populations with greater residence times on the islands. Small mammals evolved to larger body sizes in lower latitudes and on islands with limited topographic relief. Consistent with our hypothesis on the ecology of evolution, body size of insular introduced populations was influenced by co‐occurring species of mammalian competitors, predators and prey.

Conclusion

The island rule is a pervasive pattern, exhibited across a broad span of geographical regions, taxa, time periods and, as evidenced here, for introduced as well as native mammals. Time in isolation impacts body size evolution profoundly. Body size shift of introduced mammals was much more pronounced with increasing residence times, yet far less than that exhibited by native, palaeo‐insular mammals (residence times > 10,000 years). Given the antiquity of many species introductions, it appears that much of what we view as the natural character and ecological dynamics of recent insular communities may have been rendered artefacts of ancient colonizations by humans and commensals.