bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spin-glass transition in Ni carbide single crystal nanoparticles with Ni3C − type structure
Authors: Fujieda S. , Kuboniwa T. , Shinoda K. , Suzuki S. , Echigoya J.
Published: March 2016

Hexagonal shaped nanoparticles about 60 nm in size were successfully synthesized in tetraethylene glycol solution containing polyvinylpyrrolidone. By the analysis of the electron diffraction pattern, these were identified as a single crystal of Ni carbide with Ni3C − type structure. Their magnetization curve at 5 K was not completely saturated under a magnetic field of 5 T. The thermomagnetization curves after zero-field cooling and after field cooling exhibited the magnetic cooling effect at low temperatures. Furthermore, the 2nd order nonlinear term of AC magnetic susceptibility exhibited a negative divergence at about 17 K. It is concluded that Ni carbide single crystal nanoparticles with the Ni3C − type structure exhibit spin-glass transition at low temperatures.
Analysis of the transient response of nuclear spins in GaAs with/without nuclear magnetic resonance
Authors: Rasly Mahmoud , Lin Zhichao , Yamamoto Masafumi , Uemura Tetsuya
Published: March 2016

As an alternative to studying the steady-state responses of nuclear spins in solid state systems, working within a transient-state framework can reveal interesting phenomena. The response of nuclear spins in GaAs to a changing magnetic field was analyzed based on the time evolution of nuclear spin temperature. Simulation results well reproduced our experimental results for the transient oblique Hanle signals observed in an all-electrical spin injection device. The analysis showed that the so called dynamic nuclear polarization can be treated as a cooling tool for the nuclear spins: It works as a provider to exchange spin angular momentum between polarized electron spins and nuclear spins through the hyperfine interaction, leading to an increase in the nuclear polarization. In addition, a time-delay of the nuclear spin temperature with a fast sweep of the external magnetic field produces a possible transient state for the nuclear spin polarization. On the other hand, the nuclear magnetic resonance acts as a heating tool for a nuclear spin system. This causes the nuclear spin temperature to jump to infinity: i.e., the average nuclear spins along with the nuclear field vanish at resonant fields of 75As, 69Ga and 71Ga, showing an interesting step-dip structure in the oblique Hanle signals. These analyses provide a quantitative understanding of nuclear spin dynamics in semiconductors for application in future computation processing.
Subcellular optogenetic activation of Cdc42 controls local and distal signaling to drive immune cell migration
Authors: O’Neill Patrick R. , Kalyanaraman Vani , Gautam N.
Published: March 2016

Migratory immune cells use intracellular signaling networks to generate and orient spatially polarized responses to extracellular cues. The monomeric G protein Cdc42 is believed to play an important role in controlling the polarized responses, but it has been difficult to determine directly the consequences of localized Cdc42 activation within an immune cell. Here we used subcellular optogenetics to determine how Cdc42 activation at one side of a cell affects both cell behavior and dynamic molecular responses throughout the cell. We found that localized Cdc42 activation is sufficient to generate polarized signaling and directional cell migration. The optically activated region becomes the leading edge of the cell, with Cdc42 activating Rac and generating membrane protrusions driven by the actin cytoskeleton. Cdc42 also exerts long-range effects that cause myosin accumulation at the opposite side of the cell and actomyosin-mediated retraction of the cell rear. This process requires the RhoA-activated kinase ROCK, suggesting that Cdc42 activation at one side of a cell triggers increased RhoA signaling at the opposite side. Our results demonstrate how dynamic, subcellular perturbation of an individual signaling protein can help to determine its role in controlling polarized cellular responses.
Assembly scaffolding with PE-contaminated mate-pair libraries
Authors: Sahlin Kristoffer , Chikhi Rayan , Arvestad Lars
Published: March 2016

Motivation: Scaffolding is often an essential step in a genome assembly process, in which contigs are ordered and oriented using read pairs from a combination of paired-end libraries and longer-range mate-pair libraries. Although a simple idea, scaffolding is unfortunately hard to get right in practice. One source of problems is so-called PE-contamination in mate-pair libraries, in which a non-negligible fraction of the read pairs get the wrong orientation and a much smaller insert size than what is expected. This contamination has been discussed before, in relation to integrated scaffolders, but solutions rely on the orientation being observable, e.g. by finding the junction adapter sequence in the reads. This is not always possible, making orientation and insert size of a read pair stochastic. To our knowledge, there is neither previous work on modeling PE-contamination, nor a study on the effect PE-contamination has on scaffolding quality.

Results: We have addressed PE-contamination in an update to our scaffolder BESST. We formulate the problem as an integer linear program which is solved using an efficient heuristic. The new method shows significant improvement over both integrated and stand-alone scaffolders in our experiments. The impact of modeling PE-contamination is quantified by comparing with the previous BESST model. We also show how other scaffolders are vulnerable to PE-contaminated libraries, resulting in an increased number of misassemblies, more conservative scaffolding and inflated assembly sizes.

Availability and implementation: The model is implemented in BESST. Source code and usage instructions are found at https://github.com/ksahlin/BESST. BESST can also be downloaded using PyPI.

Contact:  ksahlin@kth.se

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
An exploratory analysis of managerial perceptions of social and environmental reporting in China
Authors: Zhao Na , Patten Dennis M
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– This paper aims to determine the perceptions of managers in China with respect to the pressures for, and the purposes of, social and environmental reporting (SER) in the Chinese context.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors interviewed 14 managers from nine different state-owned enterprises, all headquartered in Beijing. Interviews were conducted during 2009, the height of the period of growth in standalone corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting in China. The authors assess the perceptions of the managers from a neo-institutional perspective.

Findings

– The findings indicate that, similar to reporting in more Western economies, managers perceive that a variety of coercive, normative and mimetic pressures interplay to influence SER in the Chinese context. The managers perceive peer institutions as exerting the greatest pressures for reporting and, surprisingly, indicate that the government, rather than exerting coercive pressures for SER, instead is seen as playing a facilitating role. The findings also reveal that the managers almost uniformly see the purpose of the reporting as a tool of image enhancement, particularly with respect to the general public. However, in contrast to studies of organizational response to institutional change in other settings, the authors find little non-conformity.

Research limitations/implications

– The findings suggest neo-institutional arguments for CSR reporting appear to hold, even in China’s socialist market economy.

Practical implications

– The finding that managers see CSR reporting as being largely about image enhancement may help to explain the low quality of disclosure documented in other studies.

Social implications

– Improving CSR disclosure in China would appear to require more mandated pressure from, particularly, governmental powers.

Originality/value

– This is the first study to explore via in-depth interviews the perceptions of managers in China to the evolving practice of standalone CSR reporting.
CSR disclosure in response to major airline accidents: a legitimacy-based exploration
Authors: Vourvachis Petros , Woodward Thérèse , Woodward David G. , Patten Dennis M
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the literature investigating disclosure reactions to legitimacy threats by analyzing the corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure reactions to catastrophic accidents suffered by major airlines.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors use content analysis to examine changes in annual report disclosure in response to four separate airline disasters. The authors adopt two classification schemes and two measurement approaches to explore these changes.

Findings

– The authors find that for three events the organizations appear to have responded with considerable increases in CSR disclosure that are consistent with attempts of legitimation. For one of the events examined, the authors find no disclosure response and suggest that this could be due to the company’s unwillingness to accept responsibility.

Research limitations/implications

– The study’s focus on major airlines that have suffered an accident with available annual reports in English meant that other companies had to be excluded from the analysis.

Practical implications

– The findings demonstrate the use of the annual report as a legitimation tool and further highlight the need for greater transparency and comparability across publications.

Originality/value

– The paper adds to the scarce literature examining corporate disclosure reactions following threats to their social legitimacy.
Draft Genome Sequence of Goose Dicistrovirus
Authors: Greninger Alexander L. , Jerome Keith R.
Published: March 2016

We report the draft genome sequence of goose dicistrovirus assembled from the filtered feces of a Canadian goose from South Lake Union in Seattle, Washington. The 9.1-kb dicistronic RNA virus falls within the familyDicistroviridae; however, it shares <33% translated amino acid sequence within the nonstructural open reading frame (ORF) from aparavirus or cripavirus.
Association of cannabis use with hospital admission and antipsychotic treatment failure in first episode psychosis: an observational study
Authors: Patel Rashmi , Wilson Robin , Jackson Richard , Ball Michael , Shetty Hitesh , Broadbent Matthew , Stewart Robert , McGuire Philip , Bhattacharyya Sagnik
Published: March 2016

Objective

To investigate whether cannabis use is associated with increased risk of relapse, as indexed by number of hospital admissions, and whether antipsychotic treatment failure, as indexed by number of unique antipsychotics prescribed, may mediate this effect in a large data set of patients with first episode psychosis (FEP).

Design

Observational study with exploratory mediation analysis.

Setting

Anonymised electronic mental health record data from the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.

Participants

2026 people presenting to early intervention services with FEP.

Exposure

Cannabis use at presentation, identified using natural language processing.

Main outcome measures

admission to psychiatric hospital and clozapine prescription up to 5 years following presentation.

Mediator

Number of unique antipsychotics prescribed.

Results

Cannabis use was present in 46.3% of the sample at first presentation and was particularly common in patients who were 16–25, male and single. It was associated with increased frequency of hospital admission (incidence rate ratio 1.50, 95% CI 1.25 to 1.80), increased likelihood of compulsory admission (OR 1.55, 1.16 to 2.08) and greater number of days spent in hospital (β coefficient 35.1 days, 12.1 to 58.1). The number of unique antipsychotics prescribed, mediated increased frequency of hospital admission (natural indirect effect 1.09, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.18; total effect 1.50, 1.21 to 1.87), increased likelihood of compulsory admission (natural indirect effect (NIE) 1.27, 1.03 to 1.58; total effect (TE) 1.76, 0.81 to 3.84) and greater number of days spent in hospital (NIE 17.9, 2.4 to 33.4; TE 34.8, 11.6 to 58.1).

Conclusions

Cannabis use in patients with FEP was associated with an increased likelihood of hospital admission. This was linked to the prescription of several different antipsychotic drugs, indicating clinical judgement of antipsychotic treatment failure. Together, this suggests that cannabis use might be associated with worse clinical outcomes in psychosis by contributing towards failure of antipsychotic treatment.
Language spoken at home and the association between ethnicity and doctor–patient communication in primary care: analysis of survey data for South Asian and White British patients
Authors: Brodie Kara , Abel Gary , Burt Jenni
Published: March 2016

Objectives

To investigate if language spoken at home mediates the relationship between ethnicity and doctor–patient communication for South Asian and White British patients.

Methods

We conducted secondary analysis of patient experience survey data collected from 5870 patients across 25 English general practices. Mixed effect linear regression estimated the difference in composite general practitioner–patient communication scores between White British and South Asian patients, controlling for practice, patient demographics and patient language.

Results

There was strong evidence of an association between doctor–patient communication scores and ethnicity. South Asian patients reported scores averaging 3.0 percentage points lower (scale of 0–100) than White British patients (95% CI −4.9 to −1.1, p=0.002). This difference reduced to 1.4 points (95% CI −3.1 to 0.4) after accounting for speaking a non-English language at home; respondents who spoke a non-English language at home reported lower scores than English-speakers (adjusted difference 3.3 points, 95% CI −6.4 to −0.2).

Conclusions

South Asian patients rate communication lower than White British patients within the same practices and with similar demographics. Our analysis further shows that this disparity is largely mediated by language.
Lenticulostriate infarctions after successful mechanical thrombectomy in middle cerebral artery occlusion
Authors: Kleine Justus F , Beller Ebba , Zimmer Claus , Kaesmacher Johannes
Published: March 2016

Background

In stroke due to middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion, collaterals may sustain tissue in the peripheral MCA territory, extending the time window for recanalizing therapies. However, MCA occlusions often block some or all of the ‘lenticulostriate’ (LS) arteries originating from the M1 segment, eliminating blood flow to dependent territories in the striatum, which have no collateral supply. This study examines whether mechanical thrombectomy (MTE) can avert imminent striatal infarction in patients with acute MCA occlusion.

Methods

279 patients with isolated MCA occlusion subjected to MTE were included. Actual LS occlusions and infarctions were assigned to predefined ‘LS occlusion’ and ‘LS infarct’ patterns derived from known LS vascular anatomy. The predictive performance of LS occlusion patterns regarding ensuing infarction in striatal subterritories was assessed by standard statistical measures.

Results

LS occlusion patterns predicted infarction in associated striatal subterritories with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 91% and a negative predictive value of 81%. In 15 of the 22 patients who did not develop the predicted striatal infarctions, reassessment of angiographies revealed LS vascular supply variants that explained these ‘false positive’ LS occlusion patterns, raising the PPV to 96%. Symptom onset to recanalization times were relatively short, but this alone could not account for the false positive LS occlusion patterns in the remaining seven of these patients.

Conclusions

With currently achievable symptom onset to recanalization times, striatal infarctions are determined by MCA occlusion sites and individual vascular anatomy, and cannot normally be averted by MTE, but there are exceptions. Further study of such exceptional cases may yield important insights into the determinants of infarct growth in the hyperacute phase of infarct evolution.
Influence of a low-carbohydrate diet on endothelial microvesicles in overweight women
Authors: Wekesa Antony L. , Doyle Lorna M. , Fitzmaurice Doreen , O’Donovan Orla , Phelan John P. , Ross Mark D. , Cross Keith S. , Harrison Michael
Published: March 2016

Low-carbohydrate diets (LCD) are increasing in popularity, but their effect on vascular health has been questioned. Endothelial microvesicles (EMV) are membrane-derived vesicles with the potential to act as a sensitive prognostic biomarker of vascular health and endothelial function. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of a LCD on EMV and other endothelial biomarkers of protein origin. Twenty-four overweight women (age, 48.4 ± 0.6 years; height, 1.60 ± 0.07 m; body mass, 76.5 ± 9.1 kg; body mass index, 28.1 ± 2.7 kg·m−2; waist circumference, 84.1 ± 7.4 cm; mean ± standard deviation) were randomised to either 24 weeks on their normal diet (ND) or a LCD, after which they crossed over to 24 weeks on the alternative diet. Participants were assisted in reducing carbohydrate intake, but not below 40 g·day−1. Body composition and endothelial biomarkers were assessed at the crossover point and at the end of the study. Daily carbohydrate intake (87 ± 7 versus 179 ± 11 g) and the percentage of energy derived from carbohydrate (29% versus 44%) were lower (p < 0.05) on the LCD compared to the ND, but absolute fat and saturated fat intake were unchanged. Body mass and waist circumference were 3.7 ± 0.8 kg and 3.5 ± 1.0 cm lower (p < 0.05), respectively, after the LCD compared with the ND phases. CD31+CD41−EMV, soluble (s) thrombomodulin, sE-selectin, sP-selectin, serum amyloid A and C-reactive protein were lower (p < 0.05) after the LCD compared to the ND, but serum lipids and apolipoproteins were not different. EMV along with a range of endothelial and inflammatory biomarkers are reduced by a LCD that involves modest weight loss.
Patient Navigation Associated with Decreased 30-Day All-Cause Readmission
Authors: Kowalkowski MA , Raghavan D , Blackley K , Morris V , Farhangfar C
Published: March 2016

Background: Oncology patient navigation (PN) programs have been developed to improve outcomes and reduce disparities. Limited data exist to describe the effect of PN on important clinical outcomes, such as readmission, post cancer diagnosis. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adults (≥18 yrs) diagnosed with first primary cancer from Jan 2013-Nov 2014 at a multi-site academic community based cancer institute. “Nearest-neighbor with caliper” propensity-score (PS) matching was used to match PN to similar not navigated (NN) patients. Patients had ≥3 mo follow-up post cancer diagnosis. 30d all-cause readmission (ACR) was any inpatient admission within 30d of discharge from index hospitalization (IH). IH was the first inpatient admission ≤12 mo post cancer diagnosis. When IH ended in transfer to another acute care facility, ACR was calculated from final discharge from acute care. Deaths during IH and discharges against medical advice were excluded from ACR analysis. Multivariable random effects and conditional logistic regression models evaluated associations between PN and length of hospital stay (LOS) and ACR. Results: 10532 patients were eligible (2592 PN; 7940 NN). 4324 PS-matched patients (2162 PN/NN) were included, with balanced demographic (age, sex, race, ethnicity, insurance, marital status, employment, rurality) and tumor characteristics (site, stage, grade, vascular invasion, metastases) and overall health (comorbidity index, inpatient admission 12mo before cancer diagnosis) between groups. There were 4156 total inpatient admissions ≤12 mo post cancer diagnosis. 1190 PN and 958 NN had ≥1 inpatient admission (55% vs 44% P < 0.01). Controlling for principle diagnosis, procedures performed, and charges, LOS was slightly shorter in PN than NN (log LOS β = −0.05 [5% shorter stay] P = 0.05). Among those with eligible IH, 17% PN and 21% NN were readmitted ≤30 d. Controlling for principle diagnosis, procedures performed, and LOS during IH, PN had lower odds of ACR (OR = 0.66 95% CI, 0.48–0.92). Conclusion: In a large, diverse PS-matched cohort, PN patients had shorter LOS and lower odds of ACR. Results suggest PN improves care transition and clinical outcomes for cancer patients after inpatient admission. Additional analyses will explore subgroup differences.
Understanding TERT Promoter Mutations: A Common Path to Immortality
Authors: Bell Robert J.A. , Rube H. Tomas , Xavier-Magalhães Ana , Costa Bruno M. , Mancini Andrew , Song Jun S. , Costello Joseph F.
Published: March 2016

Telomerase (TERT) activation is a fundamental step in tumorigenesis. By maintaining telomere length, telomerase relieves a main barrier on cellular lifespan, enabling limitless proliferation driven by oncogenes. The recently discovered, highly recurrent mutations in the promoter of TERT are found in over 50 cancer types, and are the most common mutation in many cancers. Transcriptional activation of TERT, via promoter mutation or other mechanisms, is the rate-limiting step in production of active telomerase. Although TERT is expressed in stem cells, it is naturally silenced upon differentiation. Thus, the presence of TERT promoter mutations may shed light on whether a particular tumor arose from a stem cell or more differentiated cell type. It is becoming clear that TERT mutations occur early during cellular transformation, and activate the TERT promoter by recruiting transcription factors that do not normally regulate TERT gene expression. This review highlights the fundamental and widespread role of TERT promoter mutations in tumorigenesis, including recent progress on their mechanism of transcriptional activation. These somatic promoter mutations, along with germline variation in the TERT locus also appear to have significant value as biomarkers of patient outcome. Understanding the precise molecular mechanism of TERT activation by promoter mutation and germline variation may inspire novel cancer cell-specific targeted therapies for a large number of cancer patients. Mol Cancer Res; 14(4); 315–23. ©2016 AACR.
Motivações e expectativas na busca de tratamento para o uso abusivo e dependência de crack, álcool e outras drogas
Authors: Gomes Rebeca Rodrigues , Ribeiro Mara Cristina , Matias Ewerton Cardoso , Brêda Mércia Zeviani , Mângia Elisabete Ferreira
Published: March 2016

Pesquisa realizada em um Centro de Atenção Psicossocial Álcool e Drogas que objetivou analisar sob que circunstâncias ocorre a procura ao serviço e as motivações e expectativas que envolvem este processo e impulsionam a adesão ao tratamento. Trata-se de investigação exploratória e descritiva de caráter qualitativo que desenvolveu estudo bibliográfico e documental e realizou 10 entrevistas com usuários do serviço submetidas à Análise de Conteúdo. Os resultados apontam que a família exerce forte influência na motivação, tanto na busca do serviço quanto na adesão ao tratamento,  outras motivações são a saúde fragilizada, violência experienciada pelo usuário em seu cotidiano e o desejo de mudança. As expectativas estão relacionadas à vontade de abandonar o consumo de drogas e à (re)construção de vínculos com a família e o trabalho. Conclui-se que  os serviços  especializados devem ampliar suas estratégias de inserção da família e da comunidade na atenção objetivando o fortalecimento do processo de cuidado. Investimentos em suas habilidades, autonomia e protagonismo também devem ser desenvolvidos para responder às expectativas dos usuários de reconstrução de suas histórias de vida.
Age-related Multiscale Changes in Brain Signal Variability in Pre-task versus Post-task Resting-state EEG
Authors: Wang Hongye , McIntosh Anthony R. , Kovacevic Natasa , Karachalios Maria , Protzner Andrea B.
Published: March 2016

Recent empirical work suggests that, during healthy aging, the variability of network dynamics changes during task performance. Such variability appears to reflect the spontaneous formation and dissolution of different functional networks. We sought to extend these observations into resting-state dynamics. We recorded EEG in young, middle-aged, and older adults during a “rest–task–rest” design and investigated if aging modifies the interaction between resting-state activity and external stimulus-induced activity. Using multiscale entropy as our measure of variability, we found that, with increasing age, resting-state dynamics shifts from distributed to more local neural processing, especially at posterior sources. In the young group, resting-state dynamics also changed from pre- to post-task, where fine-scale entropy increased in task-positive regions and coarse-scale entropy increased in the posterior cingulate, a key region associated with the default mode network. Lastly, pre- and post-task resting-state dynamics were linked to performance on the intervening task for all age groups, but this relationship became weaker with increasing age. Our results suggest that age-related changes in resting-state dynamics occur across different spatial and temporal scales and have consequences for information processing capacity.
Differential role of Id1 in MLL-AF9–driven leukemia based on cell of origin
Authors: Man Na , Sun Xiao-Jian , Tan Yurong , García-Cao Marta , Liu Fan , Cheng Guoyan , Hatlen Megan , Xu Haiming , Shah Ronit , Chastain Nolan , Liu Na , Huang Gang , Zhou Yuan , Sheng Mengyao , Song Junhong , Yang Feng-Chun , Benezra Robert , Nimer Stephen D. , Wang Lan
Published: March 2016

Key Points

Loss of Id1 delays leukemogenesis in fetal MLL-AF9 leukemia model, but accelerates leukemogenesis in postnatal MLL-AF9 leukemia model. Deletion of Cdkn1a (p21) rescues the loss of Id1 in both MLL-AF9 mouse models.
Can Historic Interiors with Large Cubature be Turned Acoustically Correct?
Authors: Kamisiński Tadeusz , Kulowski Andrzej , Kinasz Roman
Published: March 2016

Historic interiors with large cubature, such as reception, theatrical, and concert halls, need to be renovated periodically if they are to be preserved as cultural heritage for future generations. In such cases it is necessary to maintain appropriate balance between requirements imposed by heritage conservation authorities office which are usually being given a higher priority, applicable safety regulations, and the comfort of use, including good acoustics.

The paper is a presentation of architectural interference in three historic interiors with large cubature leading to changes in their acoustic qualities. In two cases, the changes were beneficial to the functional qualities of the halls to satisfaction of the investors carrying out the renovation work. In the third instance, the architectural interference aimed at showing off the monumental valor of the interior resulted in significant degradation of its acoustics. To remedy the situation impairing the functional program of the facility, corrective measures are proposed neutral with respect to its historic character.
The spatial prediction of landslide susceptibility applying artificial neural network and logistic regression models: A case study of Inje, Korea
Authors: Saro Lee , Woo Jeon Seong , Kwan-Young Oh , Moung-Jin Lee
Published: March 2016

The aim of this study is to predict landslide susceptibility caused using the spatial analysis by the application of a statistical methodology based on the GIS. Logistic regression models along with artificial neutral network were applied and validated to analyze landslide susceptibility in Inje, Korea. Landslide occurrence area in the study were identified based on interpretations of optical remote sensing data (Aerial photographs) followed by field surveys. A spatial database considering forest, geophysical, soil and topographic data, was built on the study area using the Geographical Information System (GIS). These factors were analysed using artificial neural network (ANN) and logistic regression models to generate a landslide susceptibility map. The study validates the landslide susceptibility map by comparing them with landslide occurrence areas. The locations of landslide occurrence were divided randomly into a training set (50%) and a test set (50%). A training set analyse the landslide susceptibility map using the artificial network along with logistic regression models, and a test set was retained to validate the prediction map. The validation results revealed that the artificial neural network model (with an accuracy of 80.10%) was better at predicting landslides than the logistic regression model (with an accuracy of 77.05%). Of the weights used in the artificial neural network model, ‘slope’ yielded the highest weight value (1.330), and ‘aspect’ yielded the lowest value (1.000). This research applied two statistical analysis methods in a GIS and compared their results. Based on the findings, we were able to derive a more effective method for analyzing landslide susceptibility.
A Seroprevalence Study of Hepatitis B and C Virus Infections in a Hospitalized Population in Romania, an Opportunity for a Better National Prevention and Control Strategy
Authors: Popovici Odette , Molnar Geza B. , Popovici Florin , Janţă Denisa , Pistol Adriana , Azoicăi Doina
Published: March 2016

Background & Aims: The most recent prevalence data for jepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Romania came from an ESEN 2 study (2002), and from a Romanian population-based study performed in 2008. Most of the previous studies were regional and performed in specific groups (blood donors, pregnant women, institutionalized people, etc) and had limited representativeness at the national level, both for HBV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The scarcity of prevalence data for HBV and HCV infection coming from the routine surveillance was also considered.

The aim of our study was to obtain overall and age group specific estimates of the prevalence of HBV and HCN infections markers in Romania, in order to recommend evidence-based public health interventions. The main outcome was the proportion of persons with HBV, HCV and HBV+HCV infection markers, overall and by age group and gender.

Methods: Our seroprevalence study ensured national representativeness for the targeted hospitalized population. A prospective collection of serum samples in hospital laboratories was completed between September and November 2013, using a systematic sampling. The study respected the confidentiality of personal data. We calculated the sample size using EpiInfo7 and used Z test – Two-tailed probability for statistical significance.

Results: The overall prevalence data estimated in our study were HBc Ab 28%, HBs Ag 4.2%, HBs Ab regardless of titer 64.1%, HBs Ab in titer of at least 10mUI/ml and negative HBc Ab 17.5%; HCV Ab 5.6%; HBc Ab and HCV Ab 2.8%, as markers of double infection.

Conclusion: The overall prevalence data estimated in our study for HBs Ag (4.2%) and HCV Ab (5.6%) correspond to a medium endemicity based on the WHO criteria. The estimated prevalence of HBV and HCV infection markers in the study population should represent an opportunity for a better national prevention and control strategy.

Abbrevations: ECDC: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control; ESEN: European Seroepidemiology Network; HBcAb: Hepatitis B-core antibodies; HBsAg: Hepatitis B surface antigen; HBV: Hepatitis B virus; HCVAb: Hepatitis C virus antibodies; HCV: Hepatitis C virus; NIPH: The National Institute of Public Health.
Probiotics in the Treatment of Diverticular Disease. A Systematic Review
Authors: Lahner Edith , Bellisario Cristina , Hassan Cesare , Zullo Angelo , Esposito Gianluca , Annibale Bruno
Published: March 2016

Background & Aims: Diverticular disease is a common gastrointestinal condition. Low-grade inflammation and altered intestinal microbiota have been identified as factors contributing to abdominal symptoms. Probiotics may lead to symptoms improvement by modifying the gut microbiota and are promising treatments for diverticular disease. The aim of this study was to systematically review the efficacy of probiotics in diverticular disease in terms of remission of abdominal symptoms and prevention of acute diverticulitis.

Methods: According to PRISMA, we identified studies on diverticular disease patients treated with probiotics (Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane). The quality of these studies was evaluated by the Jadad scale. Main outcomes measures were remission of abdominal symptoms and prevention of acute diverticulitis.

Results: 11 studies (2 double-blind randomized placebo-controlled, 5 open randomized, 4 non-randomized open studies) were eligible. Overall, diverticular disease patients were 764 (55.1% females, age 58-75 years). Three studies included patients with symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease, 4 studies with symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease in remission, 4 studies with complicated or acute diverticulitis. Mainly (72.7%) single probiotic strains had been used, most frequently Lactobacilli. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 24 months. Interventions were variable: in 8 studies the probiotic was administered together with antibiotic or anti-inflammatory agents and compared with the efficacy of the drug alone; in 3 studies the probiotic was compared with a high-fibre diet or used together with phytoextracts. As an outcome measure, 4 studies evaluated the occurrence rate of acute diverticulitis, 6 studies the reduction of abdominal symptoms, and 6 studies the recurrence of abdominal symptoms. Meta-analysis on the efficacy of probiotics in diverticular disease could not be performed due to the poor quality of retrieved studies.

Conclusion: This systematic review showed that high-quality data on the efficacy of probiotics in diverticular disease are scant: the available data do not permit conclusions. Further investigation is required to understand how probiotics can be employed in this condition.

Abbreviations: DD: diverticular disease; IBS: irritable bowel syndrome; PRISMA: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses; RR: relative risk.
Mínimo existencial, acesso à justiça e defensoria pública: algumas aproximações
Authors: Ferreira Ryldson Martins
Published: March 2016

O presente artigo estuda o acesso à justiça como elemento do mínimo essencial e a Defensoria Pública como Instituição responsável pela concretização desse direito fundamental. Inicialmente, vê-se como o mínimo existencial é tratado na doutrina e na Jurisprudência. Em seguida, analisa-se o tratamento dado à efetividade dos direitos sociais e sua evolução. No contexto atual, percebe-se quais são os entraves à efetividade dos direitos sociais, destacando-se, dentre estes, a reserva do possível, que, dada a sua relevância, foi objeto de discussão. Continuando, faz-se breve estudo do acesso à justiça sob dois aspectos principais, quais sejam, o de que este é um direito fundamental, bem como o de que para determinada doutrina é considerado um elemento instrumental do mínimo existencial. Por fim, explicita-se o mister da Defensoria Pública como Instituição responsável pela concretização do direito fundamental ao acesso à justiça e, como conseqüência, responsável também pela efetividade dos direitos sociais.
Nitrogen Management Effects on Spring Wheat Yield and Protein Concentration Vary with Seeding Date and Slope Position
Authors: Grant Cynthia A. , Moulin Alan P. , Tremblay Nicolas
Published: March 2016

Efficient N fertilizer can improve economic returns and reduce environmental risk. This study evaluated effects of fertilizer rate, source, timing and placement combinations on spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield and protein concentration under varying environmental conditions created by differing slope position and seeding dates. Grain yield and protein responses to N management were evaluated for 3 yr at two locations near Brandon, MB, Canada. Grain yield was generally higher by up to 0.9 t ha−1 and protein lower by up to 20 g kg−1 on lower vs. upper slope positions. Grain yield was higher by up to 0.7 t ha−1 and protein concentration lower by 20 g kg−1 with early vs. late seeding. While grain yield and protein both usually increased with N application, by up to 25 and 20%, differences among fertilizer treatments were infrequent. In 2 site‐years, grain yield was lower with fall‐ than spring‐banded urea and the use of fall‐banded controlled release urea (CRU) reduced N losses and led to yields intermediate between fall‐ and spring‐banded urea. Where differences occurred among fertilizer treatments, yield was generally highest with spring side‐banded urea. However, protein occasionally increased with use of CRU vs. urea fertilizer. Spring side‐banded urea, although less costly than enhanced efficiency fertilizers or split N applications, produces both yield and protein concentrations as high or higher than a range of enhanced efficiency fertilizer products or split applications of N, and is a good N management option under environmental conditions in southwestern Manitoba.

Core Ideas

Benefits of controlled release fertilizers are low where N losses are low

In‐soil banding of N is an effective management practice

Use of urease inhibitors may not overcome loss of efficiency for surface application as compared to in‐soil banding

Spring in‐soil bands are as or more effective than split applications of N in increasing spring wheat yield under common prairie conditions

When banded in the fall, controlled release urea can be more effective than uncoated urea where environmental conditions promote N losses
Industry Characteristics, Risk Premiums, and Debt Pricing
Authors: Amiram Dan , Kalay Alon , Sadka Gil
Published: March 2016

Despite theoretical and anecdotal evidence highlighting the importance of industry-level analyses to lenders, the empirical literature on debt pricing has focused almost exclusively on firm-level forces that affect expected loss. This paper provides empirical evidence that industry-level characteristics relate to debt pricing through risk premiums. We address the empirical challenges that arise when testing these theories by using a proprietary dataset of time-varying and forward-looking measures of industry characteristics. These characteristics include growth, sensitivity to external shocks, and industry structure, all measured at the six-digit NAICS level. Our results show that lenders demand higher spreads to bear industry-level risk. The relation exists within subsamples with constant credit ratings, and strengthens when lenders' loan portfolios are less diversified and during periods when diversification is difficult. Therefore, our results suggest that industry characteristics relate to debt pricing by informing lenders not only about expected loss, but also about risk premiums.

JEL Classifications: G31; G32; G33; M21.
Cement leakage in pedicle screw augmentation: a prospective analysis of 98 patients and 474 augmented pedicle screws
Authors: Mueller Jan U. , Baldauf Joerg , Marx Sascha , Kirsch Michael , Schroeder Henry W. S. , Pillich Dirk T.
Published: March 2016

OBJECTIVE

Loosening and pullout of pedicle screws are well-known problems in pedicle screw fixation surgery. Augmentation of pedicle screws with bone cement, first described as early as 1975, increases the pedicle-screw interface and pullout force in osteoporotic vertebrae. The aim of the present study was to identify cement leakage and pulmonary embolism rates in a large prospective single-center series of pedicle screw augmentations.

METHODS

All patients who underwent cement-augmented pedicle screw placement between May 2006 and October 2010 at the authors' institution were included in this prospective cohort study. Perivertebral cement leakage and pulmonary cement embolism were evaluated with a CT scan of the area of operation and with a radiograph of the chest, respectively.

RESULTS

A total of 98 patients underwent placement of cement-augmented pedicle screws; 474 augmented screws were inserted in 237 vertebrae. No symptomatic perivertebral cement leakage or symptomatic pulmonary cement embolism was observed, but asymptomatic perivertebral cement leakage was seen in 88 patients (93.6%) and in 165 augmented vertebrae (73.3%). Cement leakage most often occurred in the perivertebral venous system. Clinically asymptomatic pulmonary cement embolism was found in 4 patients (4.1%).

CONCLUSIONS

Perivertebral cement leakage often occurs in pedicle screw augmentation, but in most cases, it is clinically asymptomatic. Cement augmentation should be performed under continuous fluoroscopy to avoid high-volume leakage. Alternative strategies, such as use of expandable screws, should be examined in more detail for patients at high risk of screw loosening.
Progressive hemorrhagic injury after severe traumatic brain injury: effect of hemoglobin transfusion thresholds
Authors: Vedantam Aditya , Yamal Jose-Miguel , Rubin Maria Laura , Robertson Claudia S. , Gopinath Shankar P.
Published: March 2016

OBJECT

There is limited literature available to guide transfusion practices for patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Recent studies have shown that maintaining a higher hemoglobin threshold after severe TBI offers no clinical benefit. The present study aimed to determine if a higher transfusion threshold was independently associated with an increased risk of progressive hemorrhagic injury (PHI), thereby contributing to higher rates of morbidity and mortality.

METHODS

The authors performed a secondary analysis of data obtained from a recently performed randomized clinical trial studying the effects of erythropoietin and blood transfusions on neurological recovery after severe TBI. Assigned hemoglobin thresholds (10 g/dl vs 7 g/dl) were maintained with packed red blood cell transfusions during the acute phase after injury. PHI was defined as the presence of new or enlarging intracranial hematomas on CT as long as 10 days after injury. A severe PHI was defined as an event that required an escalation of medical management or surgical intervention. Clinical and imaging parameters and transfusion thresholds were used in a multivariate Cox regression analysis to identify independent risk factors for PHI.

RESULTS

Among 200 patients enrolled in the trial, PHI was detected in 61 patients (30.5%). The majority of patients with PHI had a new, delayed contusion (n = 29) or an increase in contusion size (n = 15). The mean time interval between injury and identification of PHI was 17.2 ± 15.8 hours. The adjusted risk of severe PHI was 2.3 times higher for patients with a transfusion threshold of 10 g/dl (95% confidence interval 1.1–4.7; p = 0.02). Diffuse brain injury was associated with a lower risk of PHI events, whereas higher initial intracranial pressure increased the risk of PHI (p < 0.001). PHI was associated with a longer median length of stay in the intensive care unit (18.3 vs 14.4 days, respectively; p = 0.04) and poorer Glasgow Outcome Scale scores (42.9% vs 25.5%, respectively; p = 0.02) at 6 months.

CONCLUSIONS

A higher transfusion threshold of 10 g/dl after severe TBI increased the risk of severe PHI events. These results indicate the potential adverse effect of using a higher hemoglobin transfusion threshold after severe TBI.
Primary pineal rhabdomyosarcoma successfully treated by high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation: case report
Authors: Ishi Yukitomo , Yamaguchi Shigeru , Iguchi Akihiro , Cho Yuko , Ohshima Junjiro , Hatanaka Kanako C. , Takakuwa Emi , Kobayashi Hiroyuki , Terasaka Shunsuke , Houkin Kiyohiro
Published: March 2016

Primary intracranial rhabdomyosarcoma is quite rare, and its prognosis is poor compared with that for rhabdomyosarcoma in other organs. The authors present a case of pineal rhabdomyosarcoma successfully managed with multimodal therapy including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) followed by autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (HDC/APBSCT). An 8-year-old girl presenting with headache and nausea was referred to the authors' institution. Computed tomography and MRI revealed a pineal tumor associated with obstructive hydrocephalus. Subsequently, an emergent endoscopic tumor biopsy and third ventriculostomy were performed. The patient's symptoms immediately improved. The most likely pathological diagnosis was embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. Chemotherapy with etoposide, cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, pirarubicin, ifosfamide, actinomycin D, and vincristine was followed by a second-look operation and whole-brain and craniospinal radiation. Because the intraoperative findings and pathological examination of the second operation suggested a definitive diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma and the presence of viable residual tumor cells, HDC with etoposide and melphalan was followed by APBSCT. The patient was discharged from the hospital without residual tumor or any neurological deficit. No recurrence was observed at 30 months. This is the first case of primary pineal rhabdomyosarcoma treated with HDC/APBSCT. Although the efficacy of HDC/APBSCT for rhabdomyosarcoma has not been established, the prognosis of primary intracranial rhabdomyosarcoma treated with conventional treatment is quite poor. High-dose chemotherapy followed by APBSCT may contribute to a better prognosis for primary intracranial rhabdomyosarcoma.
Hyaluronic acid scaffold has a neuroprotective effect in hemisection spinal cord injury
Authors: Kushchayev Sergiy V. , Giers Morgan B. , Hom Eng Doris , Martirosyan Nikolay L. , Eschbacher Jennifer M. , Mortazavi Martin M. , Theodore Nicholas , Panitch Alyssa , Preul Mark C.
Published: March 2016

OBJECTIVE

Spinal cord injury occurs in 2 phases. The initial trauma is followed by inflammation that leads to fibrous scar tissue, glial scarring, and cavity formation. Scarring causes further axon death around and above the injury. A reduction in secondary injury could lead to functional improvement. In this study, hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels were implanted into the gap formed in the hemisected spinal cord of Sprague-Dawley rats in an attempt to attenuate damage and regenerate tissue.

METHODS

A T-10 hemisection spinal cord injury was created in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats; the rats were assigned to a sham, control (phosphate-buffered saline), or HA hydrogel–treated group. One cohort of 23 animals was followed for 12 weeks and underwent weekly behavioral assessments. At 12 weeks, retrograde tracing was performed by injecting Fluoro-Gold in the left L-2 gray matter. At 14 weeks, the animals were killed. The volume of the lesion and the number of cells labeled from retrograde tracing were calculated. Animals in a separate cohort were killed at 8 or 16 weeks and perfused for immunohistochemical analysis and transmission electron microscopy. Samples were stained using H & E, neurofilament stain (neurons and axons), silver stain (disrupted axons), glial fibrillary acidic protein stain (astrocytes), and Iba1 stain (mononuclear cells).

RESULTS

The lesions were significantly smaller in size and there were more retrograde-labeled cells in the red nuclei of the HA hydrogel–treated rats than in those of the controls; however, the behavioral assessments revealed no differences between the groups. The immunohistochemical analyses revealed decreased fibrous scarring and increased retention of organized intact axonal tissue in the HA hydrogel–treated group. There was a decreased presence of inflammatory cells in the HA hydrogel–treated group. No axonal or neuronal regeneration was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of these experiments show that HA hydrogel had a neuroprotective effect on the spinal cord by decreasing the magnitude of secondary injury after a lacerating spinal cord injury. Although regeneration and behavioral improvement were not observed, the reduction in disorganized scar tissue and the retention of neurons near and above the lesion are important for future regenerative efforts. In addition, this gel would be useful as the base substrate in the development of a more complex scaffold.