bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The growing landscape of tubulin acetylation: lysine 40 and many more
Authors: Sadoul Karin , Khochbin Saadi
Published: June 2016

Tubulin heterodimers are the building block of microtubules, which are major elements of the cytoskeleton. Several types of post-translational modifications are found on tubulin subunits as well as on the microtubule polymer to regulate the multiple roles of microtubules. Acetylation of lysine 40 (K40) of the α-tubulin subunit is one of these post-translational modifications which has been extensively studied. We summarize the current knowledge about the structural aspects of K40 acetylation, the functional consequences, the enzymes involved and their regulation. Most importantly, we discuss the potential importance of the recently discovered additional acetylation acceptor lysines in tubulin subunits and highlight the urgent need to study tubulin acetylation in a more integrated perspective.
Adaptive modulation and coding techniques for global navigation satellite system inter‐satellite communication based on the channel condition
Authors: Huang Jinhui , Su Yingxue , Liu Wenxiang , Wang Feixue
Published: June 2016

Inter‐satellite link (ISL) will play an increasingly important role in the next generation of global navigation satellite system (GNSS). The inter‐satellite distances in the GNSS vary greatly, resulting in a power loss difference of as much as 20 db. However, there are no reports on promotion of spectral efficiency in inter‐satellite channels at present. In this study, the authors propose an efficient utilisation of the adaptive modulation and coding (AMC) scheme for ISLs in the GNSS. A novel method, based on inter‐satellite distance, is presented for choosing the modulation and coding scheme (MCS). The proposed method provides a convenient way to estimate signal‐to‐noise ratio of the ISLs in GNSS. This AMC technique is implemented according to two different algorithms. One is the target bit error rate (BER) algorithm based on inter‐satellite distance, aimed at keeping the BER below a target limit. The other is the maximum throughput algorithm based on inter‐satellite distance, aimed at maximising the data throughput. In cases where the inter‐satellite distance is short, simulation results show that, under the premise of the same transmission power, the throughput of two proposed AMC schemes is nearly six times that of a fixed MCS.
Proposition d’un protocole définissant les facteurs limites des
traitements de compensation de la classe III
Authors: Chaques Asensi José
Published: June 2016

Les patients présentant des dysharmonies squelettiques de classe III sont traités en
orthodontie selon des protocoles orthodontico-chirurgicaux ou simplement orthodontiques
par des compensations dento-alvéolaires dans une stratégie de camouflage. Les cas les plus
sévères sont orientés vers des traitements chirurgicaux. Certains autres sont gérés
seulement par l’orthodontie avec un pronostic raisonnable de résultat satisfaisant.
Cependant, la conduite à tenir pour les cas limites reste à définir car la littérature
orthodontique nous donne peu d’informations sur l’identification des facteurs à prendre en
compte pour le choix de l’une ou l’autre modalité de traitement. De plus, la
quantification de ces facteurs est pratiquement absente, ou rarement suggérée dans la
littérature. Pour ces raisons, le processus de décision reste au stade de réflexion
subjective fondée sur «le bon sens clinique» ou simplement réduite à «une supposition
éclairée». Pour contribuer à résoudre ce problème et aider les cliniciens à trouver la
meilleure solution pour un patient déterminé, nous proposons un protocole qui s’appuie sur
quatre facteurs différents : la dysharmonie squelettique, la sévérité de la malocclusion,
l’état parodontal et l’esthétique faciale. Pour chaque facteur, plusieurs paramètres
seront évalués et pour certains, nous tenterons d’apporter des informations quantitatives
avec des valeurs numériques de référence. Enfin, nous présenterons des exemples cliniques
à l’appui des concepts évoqués en même temps que les différentes options thérapeutiques.
Le plan de traitement finalement choisi et les résultats obtenus seront ensuite analysés
pour chaque cas.
Critères de réussite esthétique des
génioplasties
Authors: Raberin Monique
Published: June 2016

Les dysmorphies maxillo-mandibulaires peuvent s’accompagner d’anomalies structurales
mentonnières. Les déplacements chirurgicaux tridimensionnels des bases osseuses ont des
limites. Une génioplastie appropriée complète la normalisation du profil cutané. Le trait
d’ostéotomie par une inclinaison réfléchie et une possible extension latérale, telle la
technique du chin wing, permet d’améliorer l’ovale du visage. La
simulation céphalométrique avec la ligne R permet l’analyse des déplacements mentonniers
et la gestion de l’impact de l’inclinaison des incisives inférieures sur le sillon
labio-mentonnier lors de la géniolastie de propulsion. L’ancrage osseux constitue une aide
précieuse pour une optimisation de la position des incisives inférieures et de la bascule
du plan d’occlusion. Les critères orthodontiques sont des facteurs essentiels à la
réussite esthétique de la génioplastie.
Das Angebot von medizinisch-diagnostischen Selbsttests auf deutschsprachigen Internetseiten: Ergebnisse einer systematischen Recherche
Authors: Kuecuekbalaban P. , Schmidt S. , Muehlan H.
Published: June 2016

Ziel der Studie: Das Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit war es einen Überblick über das Angebot frei verkäuflicher medizinisch-diagnostischer Selbsttests auf deutschsprachigen Internetseiten zu erstellen.

Methodik: Es wurde eine systematische Internetrecherche von September 2014 bis März 2015 mit den folgenden Suchbegriffen durchgeführt: Selbsttest, Selbstdiagnose, Heimtest, Heimdiagnose und Schnelltest.

Ergebnisse: Es konnten 513 verschiedene Selbsttests zur Diagnostik von insgesamt 52 unterschiedlichen Krankheiten bzw. Krankheitsrisiken identifiziert werden, darunter waren Selbsttests zur Diagnostik von chronischen Krankheiten (z. B. Diabetes, chronische Erkrankung der Nieren, Leber oder Lunge), sexuell übertragbaren Krankheiten und Geschlechtskrankheiten (z. B. HIV, Chlamydien, Gonorrhoe), Infektionskrankheiten (z. B. Tuberkulose, Malaria, Helicobacter pylori), Allergien (z. B. Hausstaub, Katzen, Histamin) und Krebserkrankungen sowie Tests zur Diagnostik von 12 verschiedenen psychotropen Substanzen. Diese wurden von 90 Unternehmen in Deutschland und aus dem Ausland vertrieben.

Schlussfolgerung: Die Anzahl an frei verkäuflichen medizinisch-diagnostischen Selbsttests über das Internet ist in den letzten 10 Jahren enorm gestiegen. Weitere Studien zur Untersuchung der Determinanten der Inanspruchnahme von Selbsttests sowie zu den Auswirkungen der Anwendung auf das Erleben und Verhalten der Nutzer sind notwendig.
A minimalistic approach to static and dynamic electron correlations: Amending generalized valence bond method with extended random phase approximation correlation correction
Authors: Chatterjee Koushik , Pastorczak Ewa , Jawulski Konrad , Pernal Katarzyna
Published: June 2016

A perfect-pairing generalized valence bond (GVB) approximation is known to be one of the simplest approximations, which allows one to capture the essence of static correlation in molecular systems. In spite of its attractive feature of being relatively computationally efficient, this approximation misses a large portion of dynamic correlation and does not offer sufficient accuracy to be generally useful for studying electronic structure of molecules. We propose to correct the GVB model and alleviate some of its deficiencies by amending it with the correlation energy correction derived from the recently formulated extended random phase approximation (ERPA). On the examples of systems of diverse electronic structures, we show that the resulting ERPA-GVB method greatly improves upon the GVB model. ERPA-GVB recovers most of the electron correlation and it yields energy barrier heights of excellent accuracy. Thanks to a balanced treatment of static and dynamic correlation, ERPA-GVB stays reliable when one moves from systems dominated by dynamic electron correlation to those for which the static correlation comes into play.
Tuning the spectral emittance of α-SiC open-cell foams up to 1300 K with their macro porosity
Authors: Rousseau B. , Guevelou S. , Mekeze-Monthe A. , Vicente J. , Del Campo L. , De Sousa Meneses D. , Echegut P. , Caliot C. , Flamant G.
Published: June 2016

A simple and robust analytical model is used to finely predict the spectral emittance under air up to 1300 K of α-SiC open-cell foams constituted of optically thick struts. The model integrates both the chemical composition and the macro-porosity and is valid only if foams have volumes higher than their Representative Elementary Volumes required for determining their emittance. Infrared emission spectroscopy carried out on a doped silicon carbide single crystal associated to homemade numerical tools based on 3D meshed images (Monte Carlo Ray Tracing code, foam generator) make possible to understand the exact role of the cell network in emittance. Finally, one can tune the spectral emittance of α-SiC foams up to 1300 K by simply changing their porosity.
Redefining the generic limits of Winthemia (Diptera : Tachinidae)
Authors: Inclán Diego J. , Stireman John O. , Cerretti Pierfilippo
Published: June 2016

One of the major problems hindering the systematic study of tachinid flies is that genera are often poorly defined, making it difficult to unambiguously assign species among closely related genera. Within the tribe Winthemiini, an example of this problem is represented by the unstable classification of the Afrotropical species most recently classified as Smidtia capensis (Schiner). This species has been previously assigned to four different genera on the basis of limited examination and evidence. Here, we evaluate the identity and phylogenetic affinities of this species and other members of the tribe Winthemiini using morphological and molecular phylogenetic analysis. We demonstrate that S. capensis actually belongs to the genus Winthemia Robineau-Desvoidy. We also find that Winthemia is paraphyletic with respect to two monotypic genera, Crypsina (type species Crypsina prima Brauer & Bergenstamm) and Hemiwinthemia (type species Hemiwinthemia calva Villeneuve). On the basis of morphological and genetic evidence, we propose to extend the generic limits of Winthemia to include W. londti, sp. nov. (South Africa), W. capensis (Schiner), comb. nov. (South Africa), W. prima (Brauer & Bergenstamm), comb. nov. (China, Japan, Australia) and W. calva (Villeneuve), comb. nov. (D.R. Congo), thus synonymising with Winthemia the generic names Crypsina, syn. nov. and Hemiwinthemia, syn. nov.
Biharmonic hypersurfaces with bounded mean curvature
Authors: Maeta Shun
Published: June 2016

We consider a complete biharmonic hypersurface with nowhere zero mean curvature vector field

ϕ
:
(

M
m

,
g
)
→
(

S

m
+
1

,
h
)

\phi :(M^m,g)\rightarrow (S^{m+1},h)

in a sphere. If the squared norm of the second fundamental form

B
B

is bounded from above by

m
m

, and

∫
M

H

−
p

d

v
g

>
∞

\int _M H^{- p }dv_g>\infty

, for some

0
>
p
>
∞

0>p>\infty

, then the mean curvature is constant. This is an affirmative partial answer to the BMO conjecture for biharmonic submanifolds.
Inequalities for the ratio of complete elliptic integrals
Authors: Alzer Horst , Richards Kendall
Published: June 2016

We present various inequalities for the complete elliptic integral of the first kind,
\[
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="script upper K left-parenthesis r right-parenthesis equals integral Subscript 0 Superscript pi slash 2 Baseline StartFraction 1 Over StartRoot 1 minus r squared sine squared left-parenthesis t right-parenthesis EndRoot EndFraction d t left-parenthesis 0 greater-than r greater-than 1 right-parenthesis period">

K

(
r
)
=

∫
0

π

/

2

1

1
−

r
2

sin
2

⁡
(
t
)

d
t

(
0
>
r
>
1
)

.

\mathcal {K}(r)=\int _0^{\pi /2} \frac {1}{\sqrt {1- r ^2\sin ^2(t)}}dt \quad {(0>r>1)}.

\]
Among others, we prove that the inequalities
\[
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="StartFraction 1 Over 1 plus one fourth r EndFraction greater-than StartFraction script upper K left-parenthesis r right-parenthesis Over script upper K left-parenthesis StartRoot r EndRoot right-parenthesis EndFraction and StartFraction script upper K left-parenthesis StartRoot 1 minus r squared EndRoot right-parenthesis Over script upper K left-parenthesis StartRoot 1 minus r EndRoot right-parenthesis EndFraction greater-than StartFraction 2 Over 1 plus StartRoot r EndRoot EndFraction">

1

1
+

1
4

r

>

K

(
r
)

K

(

r

)

and

K

(

1
−

r
2

)

K

(

1
−
r

)

>

2

1
+

r

\frac {1}{1+\frac {1}{4}r}>\frac {\mathcal {K}(r)}{\mathcal {K}(\sqrt {r})} \quad \mbox {and} \quad { \frac {\mathcal {K}(\sqrt {1-r^2})}{\mathcal {K}(\sqrt {1-r})}>\frac {2}{1+\sqrt {r}}}

\]
are valid for all

r
∈
(
0
,
1
)

r\in (0,1)

. These estimates refine results published by Anderson, Vamanamurthy, and Vuorinen in 1990.
Asymptotic property of a reparable multi-state device
Authors: Xu Houbao , Yu Jingyuan , Zhu Guangtian
Published: June 2016

This paper is devoted to studying the existence, uniqueness and asymptotic stability of a multi-state device’s time-dependent solution.

C
0

C_0

semigroup theory is used to prove the existence of a unique non-negative solution of the device. Moveover, by analyzing the spectrum of the system operator generated by the device, this paper proves that 0 is the unique spectral point on the imaginary axis and the other spectra lie in the left half plane. As a result, the asymptotic behavior of a multi-state device is obtained.
Marked-length-spectral rigidity for flat metrics
Authors: Bankovic Anja , Leininger Christopher
Published: June 2016

In this paper we prove that the space of flat metrics (nonpositively curved Euclidean cone metrics) on a closed, oriented surface is marked-length-spectrally rigid. In other words, two flat metrics assigning the same lengths to all closed curves differ by an isometry isotopic to the identity. The novel proof suggests a stronger rigidity conjecture for this class of metrics.
Cohomological invariants of algebraic stacks
Authors: Pirisi Roberto
Published: June 2016

The purpose of this paper is to lay the foundations of a theory of invariants in étale cohomology for smooth Artin stacks. We compute the invariants in the case of the stack of elliptic curves, and we use the theory we developed to get some results regarding Brauer groups of algebraic spaces.
Ideals in a multiplier algebra on the ball
Authors: Clouâtre Raphaël , Davidson Kenneth
Published: June 2016

We study the ideals of the closure of the polynomial multipliers on the Drury-Arveson space. Structural results are obtained by investigating the relation between an ideal and its weak-

∗
*

closure, much in the spirit of the corresponding classical facts for the disc algebra. Zero sets for multipliers are also considered and are deeply intertwined with the structure of ideals. Our approach is primarily based on duality arguments.
Compactification of the moduli of polarized abelian varieties and mirror symmetry
Authors: Zhu Yuecheng
Published: June 2016

We show that Martin Olsson’s compactification of moduli space of polarized abelian varieties can be interpreted in terms of KSBA stable pairs. We find that any degenerating family of polarized abelic sheme over a local normal base is equipped with a canonical set of divisors

S
(

K
2

)

S(K_2)

. Choosing any divisor

Θ
\Theta

from the set

S
(

K
2

)

S(K_2)

, we get a KSBA stable pair. Then the limit in the moduli space of KSBA pairs

A
P

¯

g
,
d

\overline {\mathscr {AP}}_{g,d}

agrees with the canonical degeneration given by Martin Olsson’s compactification. Moreover, we give an alternative construction of the compactification by using mirror symmetry. We construct a toroidal compactification

A

¯

g
,
δ

m

\overline {\mathscr {A}}_{g,\delta }^m

that is isomorphic to Olsson’s compactification over characteristic zero. The collection of fans needed for a toroidal compactification is obtained from the Mori fans of the minimal models of the mirror families.
Conpair: concordance and contamination estimator for matched tumor–normal pairs
Authors: Bergmann Ewa A. , Chen Bo-Juen , Arora Kanika , Vacic Vladimir , Zody Michael C.
Published: June 2016

Motivation: Sequencing of matched tumor and normal samples is the standard study design for reliable detection of somatic alterations. However, even very low levels of cross-sample contamination significantly impact calling of somatic mutations, because contaminant germline variants can be incorrectly interpreted as somatic. There are currently no sequence-only based methods that reliably estimate contamination levels in tumor samples, which frequently display copy number changes. As a solution, we developed Conpair, a tool for detection of sample swaps and cross-individual contamination in whole-genome and whole-exome tumor–normal sequencing experiments.

Results: On a ladder of in silico contaminated samples, we demonstrated that Conpair reliably measures contamination levels as low as 0.1%, even in presence of copy number changes. We also estimated contamination levels in glioblastoma WGS and WXS tumor–normal datasets from TCGA and showed that they strongly correlate with tumor–normal concordance, as well as with the number of germline variants called as somatic by several widely-used somatic callers.

Availability and Implementation: The method is available at: https://github.com/nygenome/conpair.

Contact:  egrabowska@gmail.com or mczody@nygenome.org

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
ABAEnrichment: an R package to test for gene set expression enrichment in the adult and developing human brain
Authors: Grote Steffi , Prüfer Kay , Kelso Janet , Dannemann Michael
Published: June 2016

Summary: We present ABAEnrichment, an R package that tests for expression enrichment in specific brain regions at different developmental stages using expression information gathered from multiple regions of the adult and developing human brain, together with ontologically organized structural information about the brain, both provided by the Allen Brain Atlas. We validate ABAEnrichment by successfully recovering the origin of gene sets identified in specific brain cell-types and developmental stages.

Availability and Implementation: ABAEnrichment was implemented as an R package and is available under GPL (≥ 2) from the Bioconductor website (http://bioconductor.org/packages/3.3/bioc/html/ABAEnrichment.html).

Contacts:  steffi_grote@eva.mpg.de, kelso@eva.mpg.de or michael_dannemann@eva.mpg.de

Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Reachability of discrete time ARMA representations
Authors: Moysis Lazaros , Karampetakis Nicholas P
Published: June 2016

A new formula for the solution of discrete time auto-regressive moving average (ARMA) representations is provided. Then, the concept of reachability (also known as controllability from the origin) is examined by showcasing the reachable subspace of the system and the consistent inputs that drive the system to a desired state, taking into account the admissible initial conditions. The theory is illustrated by an example and the study of the special cases of ARMA representations, i.e. state space systems, descriptor systems and causal systems.
Ten-Year Experience of Cutaneous and/or Subcutaneous Infections Due to Coelomycetes in France
Authors: Guégan Sarah , Garcia-Hermoso Dea , Sitbon Karine , Ahmed Sarah , Moguelet Philippe , Dromer Françoise , Lortholary Olivier ,   the French Mycosis Study Group, Ait-Ammar N. , Dunand J. , Levy B. , Moulonguet L. , Zarrouk V. , Kubab S. , Thépot C. , Gendrey G. , Beaubrun M. , Bienvenu A. L. , Euvrard S. , Desbois N. , Meniane J. C. , Diallo S. , Toubas D. , Cassaing S. , Guitard J. , Chochillon C. , Rioux C. , Dupin N. , Paugam A. , Zeller V. , Bougnoux M. E. , Charlier C. , Fekkar A. , Tourret J. , Alanio A. , Bretagne S. , Gallien S. , Raffoux E. , Frances C.
Published: June 2016

Background.  Coelomycetes are rarely but increasingly reported in association with human infections involving mostly skin and subcutaneous tissues, both in immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. Coelomycetes constitute a heterogeneous group of filamentous fungi with distinct morphological characteristics in culture, namely an ability to produce asexual spores within fruit bodies.

Methods.  We included all cases of proven primary cutaneous and/or subcutaneous infections due to coelomycetes received for identification at the French National Reference Center for Invasive Mycoses and Antifungals between 2005 and 2014. Eumycetoma, chromoblastomycosis, and disseminated infections were excluded.

Results.  Eighteen cases were analyzed. The median age was 60.5 years. In all cases, patients originated from tropical or subtropical areas. An underlying immunodepression was present in 89% of cases. Cutaneous and/or subcutaneous lesions, mainly nodules, abscesses, or infiltrated plaques, were observed in distal body areas. Isolates of different genera of coelomycetes were identified: Medicopsis (6), Paraconiothyrium (3), Gloniopsis (3), Diaporthe (3), Peyronellaea (2), Lasiodiplodia (1). Lesion treatment consisted of complete (10) or partial (2) surgical excision and/or the use of systemic antifungal therapy, namely voriconazole (5) and posaconazole (4). Literature review yielded 48 additional cases of cutaneous and/or subcutaneous infections due to coelomycetes.

Conclusions.  Infectious diseases physicians should suspect coelomycetes when observing cutaneous and/or subcutaneous infections in immunocompromised hosts from tropical areas; a sequence-based approach is crucial for strains identification but must be supported by consistent phenotypic features; surgical treatment should be favored for solitary, well limited lesions; new triazoles may be used in case of extensive lesions, especially in immunocompromised patients.
Health care multidisciplinary teams: The sociotechnical approach for an integrated system-wide perspective
Authors: Marsilio Marta , Torbica Aleksandra , Villa Stefano
Published: June 2016

Background:

The current literature on the enabling conditions of multidisciplinary teams focuses on the singular dimensions of the organizations (i.e., human resources, clinical pathways, objects) without shedding light on to the way in which these organizational factors interact and mutually influence one another.

Purpose:

Drawing on a system perspective of organizations, the authors analyze the organizational patterns that promote and support multidisciplinary teams and how they interrelate and interact to enforce the organization work system.

Methodology/Approach:

The authors develop a modified sociotechnical system (STS) model to understand how the two dimensions of technical (devices/tools, layout/organization of space, core process standardization) and social (organizational structure, management of human resources and operations) can facilitate the implementation of multidisciplinary teams in health care. The study conducts an empirical analysis based on a sample of hospital adopters of transcatheter aortic valve implantation using the revised STS model.

Findings:

The modified STS model applied to the case studies improves our understanding of the critical implementation factors of a multidisciplinary approach and the importance of coordinating radical changes in the technical and the social subsystems of health care organizations. The analysis informs that the multidisciplinary effort is not a sequential process and that the interplay between the two subsystems needs to be managed efficaciously as an integrated organizational whole to deliver the goals set.

Practice Implications:

Hospital managers must place equal focus on the closely interrelated technical and social dimensions by investing in (a) shared layouts and spaces that cross the boundaries of the specialized health care units, (b) standardization of the core processes through the implementation of local clinical pathways, (c) structured knowledge management mechanisms, (d) the creation of clinical directorates, and (e) the design of a planning and budgeting system that integrates the multidisciplinary concept.
The Effects of Quality of Life and Ability to Perform Activities of Daily Living on Mild Cognitive Impairment in Older People Living in Publicly Managed Congregate Housing
Authors: Chang Chun-Feng , Yang Rea-Jeng , Chang Shu-Fang , Chou Yuan Hwa , Huang Ean-Wen
Published: June 2016

Background:

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is characterized by a decrease in cognitive abilities that does not affect the ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs). Therefore, this condition is easily overlooked. The prevalence and factors of influence for MCI in older people living in publicly managed congregate housing are currently unknown.

Purpose:

This study investigated the prevalence and distribution of MCI in older people living in publicly managed congregate housing and assessed the correlations among quality of life (QoL), ADL, and MCI.

Methods:

This study applied a correlational study design. The participants were older people who met the study criteria and who lived in public housing in Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan. One-on-one interviews were conducted to measure the cognitive abilities of the participants, and 299 valid samples were collected.

Results:

The prevalence of MCI in older people living in publicly managed congregate housing was 16.1%. The χ2 test was employed to evaluate the distribution of MCI prevalence and indicated that the group with higher MCI prevalence exhibited the following characteristics: older than 81 years; married; lived in public housing for more than 20 years; cohabiting; had a history of drinking; and exhibited severe memory regression, physical disabilities, psychological distress, and low QoL. The difference between the groups achieved statistical significance (p < .05). After performing logistical regression analysis to control demographic variables, we found that QoL and ADL were critical for predicting MCI.

Conclusions/Implications for Practice:

This study confirmed that QoL and ADL correlate significantly with MCI in older people. Maintaining an open and supportive community enables older people to maintain sufficient mental activity, which has been shown to reduce MCI. These findings may provide an important reference for policy makers, educators, researchers, and community practitioners in their development of service strategies for older people.
Physical Functioning, Physical Activity, Exercise Self-Efficacy, and Quality of Life Among Individuals With Chronic Heart Failure in Korea: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study
Authors: Lee Haejung , Boo Sunjoo , Yu Jihyoung , Suh Soon-Rim , Chun Kook Jin , Kim Jong Hyun
Published: June 2016

Background:

Both the beneficial relationship between exercise and quality of life and the important role played by exercise self-efficacy in maintaining an exercise regimen among individuals with chronic heart failure are well known. However, most nursing interventions for Korean patients with chronic heart failure focus only on providing education related to risk factors and symptoms. Little information is available regarding the influence of physical functions, physical activity, and exercise self-efficacy on quality of life.

Purpose:

This study was conducted to examine the impact of physical functioning, physical activity, and exercise self-efficacy on quality of life among individuals with chronic heart failure.

Methods:

This study used a cross-sectional descriptive design. Data were collected from 116 outpatients with chronic heart failure in Korea. Left ventricular ejection fraction and New York Heart Association classifications were chart reviewed. Information pertaining to levels of physical activity, exercise self-efficacy, and quality of life were collected using self-administered questionnaires. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t tests, analyses of variance, correlations, and hierarchical multiple regressions.

Results:

About 60% of participants were physically inactive, and most showed relatively low exercise self-efficacy. The mean quality-of-life score was 80.09. The significant correlates for quality of life were poverty, functional status, physical inactivity, and exercise self-efficacy. Collectively, these four variables accounted for 50% of the observed total variance in quality of life.

Conclusions/Implications for Practice:

Approaches that focus on enhancing exercise self-efficacy may improve patient-centered outcomes in those with chronic heart failure. In light of the low level of exercise self-efficacy reported and the demonstrated ability of this factor to predict quality of life, the development of effective strategies to enhance exercise self-efficacy offers a novel and effective approach to improving the quality of life of patients with chronic heart failure. Nurses should be proactive in advising patients with chronic heart failure to be more physically active and to enhance their self-confidence in diverse ways.
The Impact of Clinical Trials Conducted by Research Networks in Pediatric Critical Care
Authors: Choong Karen , Duffett Mark , Cook Deborah J. , Randolph Adrienne G.
Published: June 2016

Objectives:

Research networks in adult and neonatal critical care have demonstrated collaborative and successful execution of clinical trials. Such networks appear to have been relatively recently established in the field of pediatric critical care. The objective of this study was to evaluate the productivity and impact of randomized controlled trials conducted by pediatric critical care research networks, compared with nonnetwork trials.

Data Sources, Study Selection, and Data Abstraction:

We searched multiple online databases including MEDLINE, reference lists of randomized controlled trials, and relevant systematic reviews. Independent pairs of reviewers identified published randomized controlled trials administering any intervention to children in a PICU and abstracted data. A research network was defined as a formal consortium or collaborative research group established for the purpose of conducting clinical research. Data were independently abstracted in duplicate.

Main Results:

There were 288 pediatric critical care randomized controlled trials published in English between 1986 and July 2015, of which 15 randomized controlled trials (5.2%) were conducted by a total of five research networks. Network randomized controlled trials were more often multicentered, multinational, and larger in size (p < 0.001), compared with nonnetwork randomized controlled trials. Accordingly, their trials took longer to complete (median, 36 vs 21 mo; p < 0.001). Early stopping occurred in 46.7% of network randomized controlled trials (46.7%) and 27% of nonnetwork randomized controlled trials (p = 0.14), most commonly for futility. None of the network, but 45% of the nonnetwork trials found a significant difference in their primary outcome (p < 0.001). Network trials were more frequently cited (median, 6 vs 2 citations per year) and published in higher impact journals (median impact factor, 21.8 vs 3; p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

Research networks have conducted a minority of randomized controlled trials in pediatric critical care. They infrequently demonstrate significant differences in their primary outcomes. Despite this, network trials are cited more frequently and appear to have greater impact. There are important lessons to learn from both individual researchers as well as research networks that may guide the successful conduct of collaborative, high-quality randomized controlled trials in critically ill children.
Use of Biological Tissue Matrix in Postneurosurgical Posterior Trunk Reconstruction Is Associated with Higher Wound Complication Rates
Authors: Coon Devin , Calotta Nicholas A. , Broyles Justin M. , Sacks Justin M.
Published: June 2016

Background:

Patients undergoing neurosurgical spine surgery for spinal tumors are increasingly undergoing soft-tissue reconstruction involving the use of biological tissue matrices. There are limited data available on the safety of these devices in posterior trunk reconstruction.

Methods:

A cohort study of patients undergoing oncologic spine surgery with subsequent plastic surgery soft-tissue reconstruction from 2002 to 2014 was conducted. Demographic, medical, and surgical variables were recorded. The primary outcome variable was development of a postoperative wound complication. Secondary outcome variables were specific complications, including infection, seroma, hematoma, dehiscence, and cerebrospinal fluid leak. The predictor variable was the presence or absence of biological matrix at the reconstruction site.

Results:

A total of 293 cases in 260 patients were included in this study. The cohorts were similar with regard to demographic, medical, and surgical variables. The incidence of all-cause wound complications in patients receiving biological matrix for reconstruction was 49.2 percent, whereas the all-cause complication rate for patients not receiving the matrix was 31.7 percent (p = 0.010). The rates of infection (34.9 percent versus 20.9 percent) and seroma (19.0 percent versus 10.0 percent) were also increased in patients receiving biological matrix. In multivariate analysis, biological matrix use remained a predictor of wound complications (p = 0.045), infection (p = 0.011), and seroma (p = 0.047).

Conclusions:

The authors identified an increased risk of infection and seroma with the use of biological tissue matrix in posterior trunk reconstruction. Careful consideration of the risks and benefits of using these devices in this patient population is warranted.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, III.
The Essential Anatomical Subunit Approximation Unilateral Cleft Lip Repair
Authors: Chong David K. , Swanson Jordan W.
Published: June 2016

The anatomical subunit approximation cleft lip repair advantageously achieves a balanced lip contour, with the line of repair hidden along seams of aesthetic subunits. Dr. David Fisher's original description of the repair reflects the considerable thought that went into the evolution of his design. As his technique has gained acceptance in the intervening 10 years, the authors note several key principles embodied in it that represent a shift in the cleft lip repair paradigm. The authors believe understanding these principles is important to mastery of the anatomical subunit technique, and facilitate its teaching. First, design a plan that adheres to anatomical subunits and perform measurements precisely. Second, identify and adequately release each cleft tissue layer from the lip and nose to enable restoration of balance. Third, drive surgical approximation through inset of the lateral muscle into the superiorly backcut medial orbicularis muscle, followed by skin closure with inferior triangle interposition above the white roll. In this article, the authors present essential components of the technique, and identify several principles that enable its successful execution.
SPY Imaging Use in Postmastectomy Breast Reconstruction Patients: Preventative or Overly Conservative?
Authors: Mattison Gennaya L. , Lewis Priya G. , Gupta Subhas C. , Kim Hahns Y.
Published: June 2016

Background:

SPY Elite imaging uses an injectable fluorescing agent to intraoperatively assess the perfusion and viability of tissue, including skin flaps, during postmastectomy reconstruction for breast cancer patients. In this study, the authors sought to compare the surgeon’s assessment of flap viability with that of SPY imaging perfusion, analyzing the clinical outcomes postoperatively.

Methods:

In this study, the intraoperative difference between the plastic surgeon’s assessment of skin viability and the SPY imaging assessment was analyzed by the skin flap area preserved in patients undergoing skin-sparing mastectomy. After the mastectomy, the operating surgeon marked the area of the skin flap to excise; then, the SPY imaging was performed and photographs and videos of the perfusion were collected. The skin flap was resected before implant or tissue expander placement according to the plastic surgeon’s assessment. The patients were routinely followed up in the clinic postoperatively.

Results:

A total of 55 breasts were analyzed. The surface area of diminished perfusion was significantly greater in the SPY imaging compared with the surgeon’s assessment.

Conclusions:

In this study, intraoperative indocyanine green angiography was found to be conservative in its estimation of viability and, if followed, would result in a more aggressive resection than the area deemed viable by the operating surgeon. Based on the results, intraoperative indocyanine green angiography should be used in settings where perfusion is clinically assessed as marginal. It likely does not play a useful role in lower risk cases where the operating surgeon identifies no areas of concern.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Diagnostic, IV.
Secondary Breast Augmentation
Authors: Brown Mitchell H. , Somogyi Ron B. , Aggarwal Shagun
Published: June 2016

Learning Objectives:

After studying this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Assess common clinical problems in the secondary breast augmentation patient. 2. Describe a treatment plan to correct the most common complications of breast augmentation. 3. Provide surgical and nonsurgical options for managing complications of breast augmentation. 4. Decrease the incidence of future complications through accurate assessment, preoperative planning, and precise surgical technique.

Breast augmentation has been increasing steadily in popularity over the past three decades. Many of these patients present with secondary problems or complications following their primary breast augmentation. Two of the most common complications are capsular contracture and implant malposition. Familiarity and comfort with the assessment and management of these complications is necessary for all plastic surgeons. An up-to-date understanding of current devices and techniques may decrease the need to manage future complications from the current cohort of breast augmentation patients.
Health-Related Quality-of-Life Instruments for Pediatric Patients with Diverse Facial Deformities: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Tapia Viridiana J. , Epstein Sherise , Tolmach Oresta S. , Hassan Abdul S. , Chung Natalie N. , Gosman Amanda A.
Published: June 2016

Background:

Treatment for patients with diverse craniofacial conditions is complex and long-term. Craniofacial conditions profoundly influence health-related quality of life, and patient- and parent-reported outcomes provide a critical and complementary perspective on the multidisciplinary treatment of patients. However, little is known regarding the health-related quality of life among children with diverse craniofacial conditions. The purpose of this study was to systematically review the literature regarding patient- and parent-reported outcomes measures for patients with diverse craniofacial conditions.

Methods:

Articles from the PubMed, PsychINFO, CINAHL, Embase/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases that used patient- and/or parent-reported outcome instruments in patients with diverse craniofacial conditions were reviewed. Diagnoses included were cleft lip and/or palate, craniosynostosis, microtia, craniofacial microsomia, facial vascular malformations, and congenital nevi across pediatric populations (0 to 22 years of age).

Results:

Six hundred ninety articles were identified, and 155 were selected for inclusion. One hundred twenty different health-related quality-of-life tools were used to analyze factors such as physical, psychological, or social function. Of these, the 10 most common psychometrically tested tools were identified in 59 studies. Five tools had both parent and patient versions. Two tools were developed and validated for patients with diverse craniofacial conditions, but neither was developed for nonadolescent children.

Conclusions:

Many parent- and patient-reported instruments are used to measure varying health-related quality of life factors in this population, but no tool exists that was developed and psychometrically tested in different facial deformities that measures comprehensive health-related quality of life issues across all pediatric ages. This study will guide the development of new tools to measure the parent and patient health-related quality-of-life perspective in patients with diverse craniofacial conditions.
Hand Function and Appearance following Reconstruction for Congenital Hand Differences: A Qualitative Analysis of Children and Parents
Authors: Kelley Brian P. , Franzblau Lauren E. , Chung Kevin C. , Carlozzi Noelle , Waljee Jennifer F.
Published: June 2016

Background:

Congenital hand differences induce social, psychological, and functional challenges for children. However, little is known about how children perceive their outcomes after reconstructive or what concerns children have.

Methods:

A total of 33 children (aged 6 to 17 years) who were treated for congenital hand differences, and their parents, participated in qualitative, semistructured interviews regarding the child’s hand function and appearance. Discussion focused on the influence of congenital hand differences on the child’s daily activities, school, and participation in sports and music. The interviews were open format to allow for spontaneous emergence of relevant themes followed by guided questioning. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using qualitative coding, iterative comparisons, and frequency analysis to reveal perceptions of children and parents.

Results:

In this sample, 73 percent of children and parents reported difficulty with hand function. Children experienced difficulties with personal care (58 percent), school activities (30 percent), and household tasks (27 percent). Children were bothered by hand appearance (48 percent), pain (30 percent), and weakness (24 percent). Complex anomalies were associated with greater disability and limitation in sports and music.

Conclusions:

Children with congenital hand differences are concerned with the aesthetics of their hands and limitations in their ability to perform activities. Children were often discouraged by activities that their peers accomplished easily, but with increasing age demonstrated adaptive behaviors to accommodate in their “own way,” suggesting the uniqueness of their limitations. Patients may benefit from early hand therapy guided toward areas of concern to enhance functional adaptation.
Gender Authorship Trends of Plastic Surgery Research in the United States
Authors: Silvestre Jason , Wu Liza C. , Lin Ines C. , Serletti Joseph M.
Published: June 2016

Background:

An increasing number of women are entering the medical profession, but plastic surgery remains a male-dominated profession, especially within academia. As academic aspirations and advancement depend largely on research productivity, the authors assessed the number of articles authored by women published in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Methods:

Original articles in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery published during the years 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000, 2004, and 2014 were analyzed. First and senior authors with an M.D. degree and U.S. institutional affiliation were categorized by gender. Authorship trends were compared with those from other specialties. Findings were placed in the context of gender trends among plastic surgery residents in the United States.

Results:

The percentage of female authors in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery increased from 2.4 percent in 1970 to 13.3 percent in 2014. Over the same time period, the percentage of female plastic surgery residents increased from 2.6 percent to 32.5 percent. By 2014, there were more female first authors (19.1 percent) than senior authors (7.7 percent) (p < 0.001). As a field, plastic surgery had fewer female authors than other medical specialties including pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, general surgery, internal medicine, and radiation oncology (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

The increase in representation of female authors in plastic surgery is encouraging but lags behind advances in other specialties. Understanding reasons for these trends may help improve gender equity in academic plastic surgery.
Inbreeding removes sex differences in lifespan in a population of
Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Carazo Pau , Green Jared , Sepil Irem , Pizzari Tommaso , Wigby Stuart
Published: June 2016

Sex differences in ageing rates and lifespan are common in nature, and an enduring puzzle for evolutionary biology. One possibility is that sex-specific mortality rates may result from recessive deleterious alleles in ‘unguarded’ heterogametic X or Z sex chromosomes (the unguarded X hypothesis). Empirical evidence for this is, however, limited. Here, we test a fundamental prediction of the unguarded X hypothesis in
Drosophila melanogaster
, namely that inbreeding shortens lifespan more in females (the homogametic sex in
Drosophila
) than in males. To test for additional sex-specific social effects, we studied the lifespan of males and females kept in isolation, in related same-sex groups, and in unrelated same-sex groups. As expected, outbred females outlived outbred males and inbreeding shortened lifespan. However, inbreeding-mediated reductions in lifespan were stronger for females, such that lifespan was similar in inbred females and males. We also show that the social environment, independent of inbreeding, affected male, but not female lifespan. In conjunction with recent studies, the present results suggest that asymmetric inheritance mechanisms may play an important role in the evolution of sex-specific lifespan and that social effects must be considered explicitly when studying these fundamental patterns.
Acoustic signalling reflects personality in a social mammal
Authors: Friel Mary , Kunc Hansjoerg P. , Griffin Kym , Asher Lucy , Collins Lisa M.
Published: June 2016

Social interactions among individuals are often mediated through acoustic signals. If acoustic signals are consistent and related to an individual's personality, these consistent individual differences in signalling may be an important driver in social interactions. However, few studies in non-human mammals have investigated the relationship between acoustic signalling and personality. Here we show that acoustic signalling rate is repeatable and strongly related to personality in a highly social mammal, the domestic pig (Sus scrofa domestica). Furthermore, acoustic signalling varied between environments of differing quality, with males from a poor-quality environment having a reduced vocalization rate compared with females and males from an enriched environment. Such differences may be mediated by personality with pigs from a poor-quality environment having more reactive and more extreme personality scores compared with pigs from an enriched environment. Our results add to the evidence that acoustic signalling reflects personality in a non-human mammal. Signals reflecting personalities may have far reaching consequences in shaping the evolution of social behaviours as acoustic communication forms an integral part of animal societies.