bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multicentre, randomised trial comparing acellular porcine collagen implant versus gluteus maximus myocutaneous flap for reconstruction of the pelvic floor after extended abdominoperineal excision of rectum: study protocol for the Nordic Extended Abdominoperineal Excision (NEAPE) study
Authors: Rutegård Martin , Rutegård Jörgen , Haapamäki Markku M 
Published: May 2019

IntroductionDifferent surgical techniques are used to cover the defect in the floor of the lesser pelvis after an ‘extralevator’ or ‘extended’ abdominoperineal excision for advanced rectal cancer. However, these operations are potentially mutilating, and the reconstruction method of the pelvic floor has been studied only sparsely. We aim to study whether a porcine-collagen implant is superior or equally beneficial to a gluteus maximus myocutaneous flap as a reconstruction method.Methods and analysisThis is a multicentre non-blinded randomised controlled trial with the experimental arm using a porcine-collagen implant and the control arm using a gluteus maximus muscle and skin rotation flap. Considered for inclusion are patients with rectal cancer, who are operated on with a wide abdominoperineal rectal excision including most of the levator muscles and where the muscle remnants cannot be closed in the midline with sutures. Patients with a primary or recurrent rectal cancer with an estimated survival of more than a year are eligible. The randomisation is computer generated with a concealed sequence and stratified by participating hospital and preoperative radiotherapy regimen. The main outcome is physical performance 6 months after surgery measured with the timed-stands test. Secondary outcomes are perineal wound healing, surgical complications, quality of life, ability to sit and other outcomes measured at 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery. To be able to state experimental arm non-inferiority with a 10% margin of the primary outcome with 90% statistical power and assuming 10% attrition, we aim to enrol 85 patients from May 2011 onwards.Ethics and disseminationThe study has been approved by the Regional Ethical Review board at Umeå University (protocol no: NEAPE-2010-335-31M). The results will be disseminated through patient associations and conventional scientific channels.Trial registration numberNCT01347697; Pre-results.
Anterior neck soft tissue thickness for airway evaluation measured by MRI in patients with cervical spondylosis: prospective cohort study
Authors: Han Yongzheng , Fang Jingchao , Zhang Hua , Xu Mao , Guo Xiangyang 
Published: May 2019

ObjectivesAnterior neck soft tissue thickness, usually measured by ultrasound, is increasingly being investigated to predict difficult laryngoscopy, but the results have not been validated. Considering the conflicting measurement data, different measuring body positions and lack of a standard ultrasound procedure, we used MRI to verify the efficacy of these popular ultrasonographic parameters.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingA tertiary hospital in Beijing, China.MethodsWe enrolled 315 adult patients who underwent cervical spinal surgery in Peking University Third Hospital from April to October 2016. We analysed MRI data to predict difficult laryngoscopy. Cormack–Lehane scales were assessed during intubation, and patients with a class III or IV view were assigned to the difficult laryngoscopy group.ResultsUnivariate analysis showed that male sex (p<0.01), older age (p=0.03) and body weight (p=0.02) were associated with difficult laryngoscopy. MRI data consisted of five common ultrasonographic variables used to predict difficult laryngoscopy, but none was a valuable predictor: skin to hyoid (p=0.18), skin to midpoint of epiglottis (p=0.72), skin to thyroid cartilage at the level of the vocal cords (p=0.10), skin to vocal cords (p=0.44) or skin to anterior to the trachea at the level of suprasternal notch (p=0.92). Adjusted by sex, age and body weight, none of the five MRI indicators had predictive value (p>0.05).ConclusionThe five most commonly studied ultrasonographic indicators of anterior soft tissue thickness appeared unreliable to predict difficult laryngoscopy in patients with cervical spondylosis. Further study is needed to validate the most valuable indicator to predict difficult laryngoscopy.Trial registration numberChiCTRROC-16008598; Pre-results.
Donor metabolic characteristics drive effects of faecal microbiota transplantation on recipient insulin sensitivity, energy expenditure and intestinal transit time
Authors: de Groot Pieter , Scheithauer Torsten , Bakker Guido J , Prodan Andrei , Levin Evgeni , Khan Muhammad Tanweer , Herrema Hilde , Ackermans Mariette , Serlie Mireille J M , de Brauw Maurits , Levels Johannes H M , Sales Amber , Gerdes Victor E , Ståhlman Marcus , Schimmel Alinda W M , Dallinga-Thie Geesje , Bergman Jacques JGHM , Holleman Frits , Hoekstra Joost B L , Groen Albert , Bäckhed Fredrik , Nieuwdorp Max 
Published: May 2019

ObjectiveBariatric surgery improves glucose metabolism. Recent data suggest that faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) using faeces from postbariatric surgery diet-induced obese mice in germ-free mice improves glucose metabolism and intestinal homeostasis. We here investigated whether allogenic FMT using faeces from post-Roux-en-Y gastric bypass donors (RYGB-D) compared with using faeces from metabolic syndrome donors (METS-D) has short-term effects on glucose metabolism, intestinal transit time and adipose tissue inflammation in treatment-naïve, obese, insulin-resistant male subjects.DesignSubjects with metabolic syndrome (n=22) received allogenic FMT either from RYGB-D or METS-D. Hepatic and peripheral insulin sensitivity as well as lipolysis were measured at baseline and 2 weeks after FMT by hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic stable isotope (2H2-glucose and2H5-glycerol) clamp. Secondary outcome parameters were changes in resting energy expenditure, intestinal transit time, faecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and bile acids, and inflammatory markers in subcutaneous adipose tissue related to intestinal microbiota composition. Faecal SCFA, bile acids, glycaemic control and inflammatory parameters were also evaluated at 8 weeks.ResultsWe observed a significant decrease in insulin sensitivity 2 weeks after allogenic METS-D FMT (median rate of glucose disappearance: from 40.6 to 34.0 µmol/kg/min; p<0.01). Moreover, a trend (p=0.052) towards faster intestinal transit time following RYGB-D FMT was seen. Finally, we observed changes in faecal bile acids (increased lithocholic, deoxycholic and (iso)lithocholic acid after METS-D FMT), inflammatory markers (decreased adipose tissue chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) gene expression and plasma CCL2 after RYGB-D FMT) and changes in several intestinal microbiota taxa.ConclusionAllogenic FMT using METS-D decreases insulin sensitivity in metabolic syndrome recipients when compared with using post-RYGB-D. Further research is needed to delineate the role of donor characteristics in FMT efficacy in human insulin-resistant subjects.Trial registration numberNTR4327.
Impact of the WHO FCTC on tobacco control: perspectives from stakeholders in 12 countries
Authors: Craig Lorraine , Fong Geoffrey T , Chung-Hall Janet , Puska Pekka 
Published: May 2019

BackgroundThe WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), the first WHO treaty, entered into force in 2005. In April 2015, a seven-member independent expert group (EG) was established by a decision of the FCTC Conference of the Parties to assess the impact of the Treaty in its first decade.One component of the EG’s methodology was to gather evidence on WHO FCTC impact from Parties themselves. This paper presents findings from 12 country missions on how the FCTC impacted progress on tobacco control.MethodsBetween November 2015 and May 2016, EG members conducted missions in 12 countries representing each of the six WHO regions and the four World Bank economic development levels. In each country, the EG interviewed a broad range of stakeholders to assess the extent to which the FCTC had contributed to tobacco control. The primary objective was to assess whether tobacco control measures would have been developed or passed, or implemented at all, or as quickly, if there had been no FCTC. Through this counterfactual inquiry, the EG sought to determine the FCTC’s causal role.ConclusionThe FCTC was reported to have made contributions along the entire policy/regulation process: the development of a measure, building legislative and political support for a measure and its implementation. These stakeholder perspectives support the conclusion that the FCTC has played a pivotal role in accelerating and strengthening the implementation of tobacco control measures, although tobacco industry interference continues to be a significant obstacle to further advancement.
Characterising KandyPens-related posts to Instagram: implications for nicotine and cannabis use
Authors: Majmundar Anuja , Kirkpatrick Matthew , Cruz Tess Boley , Unger Jennifer B , Allem Jon-Patrick 
Published: May 2019

BackgroundThis study analysed posts to Instagram related to KandyPens, an open-system pod mod e-cigarette company, marketing its products as aromatherapy devices. The objective was to determine themes, corresponding user profiles and references to types of e-liquid solutions used with KandyPens.MethodsData consisted of publicly available posts to Instagram with the hashtag ‘#kandypens’ collected from 8 June to 8 August 2018 (n=1775). Identified themes included: product appearance (eg, highlighting design features including colour of device), user experience (eg, vape tricks), flavours (eg, strawberry) and promotions (eg, $10 off). The type of e-liquid solutions (nicotine, aromatherapy and cannabis) used with KandyPens were also recorded. Instagram profiles were categorised into: vaping enthusiast/advocates, influencers, KandyPens’ official Instagram account, vape vendors and average Instagram users.ResultsUser experience (28.90%) and product appearance (21.80%) were predominant themes followed by promotions (10.08%), and flavours (1.01%). About 32.43 % of posts referenced cannabis-related solutions, 2.98 % of the posts mentioned nicotine-related solutions and 0.11 % of the posts mentioned aromatherapy. Average Instagram users (24.89%) posted the majority of posts followed by vape vendors (20.72%), KandyPens’ official account (17.96%), vaping enthusiasts/advocates (10.75%) and influencers (0.45%).ConclusionKandyPens markets its products as aromatherapy devices; however, Instagram posts related to these products rarely mentioned their purported purpose. Future research should consider product design, user experience and the co-use of nicotine and cannabis with KandyPens to assess implications related to product appeal and abuse liability.
Consumption of legal and illegal cigarettes in the Gambia
Authors: Chisha Zunda , Janneh Mohammed L , Ross Hana 
Published: May 2019

BackgroundThe prevalence of cigarette smoking in the Gambia is relatively high, compared with most African countries. Little is known about the characteristics of the smokers and their habits, particularly with regard to tobacco tax avoidance and tax evasion.MethodsA nationally representative survey of 1211 smokers conducted in November/December 2017 employed a three-stage stratified sampling method and resulted in 1205 complete observations. The sociodemographic characteristics and smoking behaviours were analysed, including smoking intensity and brand preferences. Information on the physical features of cigarette packs that smokers had, observed by enumerators, and self-reported cigarette prices were used to estimate the proportion of illegal cigarettes on the market.FindingsAs in many African countries, most smokers were male, between the ages of 25 and 54 years living primarily in urban areas. The three most popular cigarette brands are Piccadilly, Royal Business and Bond Street, which account for over three-quarters of all cigarette purchases. Price information suggests that about 7.3% of smokers purchased an illicit cigarette at their last purchase. When smoking intensity was taken into account, 8.6% of the total cigarette market was estimated to be illicit. Using an alternative method of evaluating pack’s features revealed that only 0.9% of last purchases were illicit.ConclusionDespite recent excise tobacco tax increases, the use of illicit cigarettes in the Gambia is low and does not represent a significant obstacle to reaching both the public health and fiscal goals of higher tobacco taxes.
ELECTROCATALYTIC ACTIVITY OF Ni–Mn–Sn ALLOY FOAMS FOR OXYGEN EVOLUTION REACTION (OER)
Authors: TAHERIAN NILOOFAR , SANJABI SOHRAB 
Published: May 2019

This study carried out to examine electrocatalytic activity of Ni–Mn–Sn alloy foams for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline media. As the first step, Ni–Mn–Sn alloy foams were prepared of sulfate bath on copper substrate. Next, after optimization of electrodeposition condition by cyclic voltammetry (CV) test, foams were electrodeposited at different current densities 100, 120, 140 and 180[Formula: see text]mA[Formula: see text]⋅[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text]. Then, they were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) along with energy disperse x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) to investigate surface morphologies and chemical compositions. According to FE-SEM results, it was revealed that formation of foam like structures were due to the presence of dynamic hydrogen bubbles template (DHBT). To survey their structure, grazing incidence X-ray diffractometer (GIXRD) analysis was performed. The resulted diffraction pattern determined not only FCC nickel structure of foams, but also mixed phases composed. Following this, Ni–Mn–Sn alloy foams were placed in 0.1 M KOH and related CV tests were applied to measure their electrocatalytic activity for OER. This study demonstrated good electrocatalytic activity for Ni–Mn–Sn alloy foams by showing favorable oxygen evolution overpotenitals and Tafel slopes.
Portugal e Brasil: entre violas e práticas socioculturais no contexto transatlântico
Authors: Ruas José Jarbas 
Published: May 2019

O presente artigo tem como objetivo ressaltar aspectos pertinentes às práticas socioculturais elementares a espacialidade e temporalidade entre Brasil e Portugal durante a colonização. Prestígio e depreciação são personagens importantes que protagonizam a história do instrumento. As práticas musicais, com estreitamento ao cotidiano musical vivenciado pela viola em ambas as localidades, são estudadas aqui com o objetivo de observar a manutenção de hábitos entre tais territorialidades que nos permitem propor à desconstrução das limitações fronteiriças transatlânticas dadas as transplantações de hábitos, costumes, valores e visões de mundo entre as partes.
Waterbirds from the mudflats of Thane Creek, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India: a review of distribution records from India
Authors: Adhikari Omkar Dilip 
Published: May 2019

Thane creek is one of the coastal and marine protected sites located in Mumbai which declared as a sanctuary recently in 2015. Creek region provides diverse habitat to birds for feeding, nesting and resting, making it a potential bird watching sight for ornithologists and enthusiasts. This article presents some interesting observations of waterbird species recorded from mudflats of Thane creek near Bhandup Pumping Station, Mumbai and also reviewed their previous records from various states of India.
Recent photographic records of Fishing Cat Prionailurus viverrinus (Bennett, 1833) (Carnivora: Felidae) in the Ayeyarwady Delta of Myanmar
Authors: Lin Naing , Platt Steven G. 
Published: May 2019

The distribution of the Fishing Cat Prionailurus viverrinus (Carnivora: Felidae) in Myanmar remains poorly known owing to a paucity of verifiable field records. We here present two recent photographic records that confirm the occurrence of the Fishing Cat in the Ayeyarwady Delta of southern Myanmar. Our photographic records together with other reports and the availability of suitable wetland habitat suggest that the Ayeyarwady Delta is globally important for Fishing Cat conservation. Deforestation, driven largely by agriculture, however, is of concern for the future survival of the Fishing Cat in Myanmar. Additional surveys are warranted to further resolve the distribution of the Fishing Cat in Myanmar.
Processes and Timescales in Onset and Withdrawal of “Aquaplanet Monsoons”
Authors: Geen Ruth , Lambert F. Hugo , Vallis Geoffrey K. 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
Aquaplanets with low-heat-capacity slab-ocean boundary conditions can exhibit rapid changes in the regime of the overturning circulation over the seasonal cycle, which have been connected to the onset of Earth’s monsoons. In spring, as the ITCZ migrates off the equator, it jumps poleward and a sudden transition occurs from an eddy-driven, equinoctial regime with two weak Hadley cells, to a near-angular-momentum-conserving, solstitial regime with a strong, cross-equatorial winter-hemisphere cell. Here, the controls on the transition latitude and rate are explored in idealized moist aquaplanet simulations. It is found that the transition remains rapid relative to the solar forcing when year length and slab-ocean heat capacity are varied, and, at Earth’s rotation rate, always occurs when the ITCZ reaches approximately 7°. This transition latitude is, however, found to scale inversely with rotation rate. Interestingly, the transition rate varies nonmonotonically with rotation, with a maximum at Earth’s rotation rate, suggesting that Earth may be particularly disposed to a fast monsoon onset. The fast transition relates to feedbacks in both the atmosphere and the slab ocean. In particular, an evaporative feedback between the lower-level branch of the overturning circulation and the surface temperature is identified. This accelerates monsoon onset and slows withdrawal. Last, comparing eddy-permitting and axisymmetric experiments shows that, in contrast with results from dry models, in this fully moist model the presence of eddies slows the migration of the ITCZ between hemispheres.
Surgical management of a cervical intramedullary hemangioblastoma presenting with intracystic hemorrhage by hemi-semi-laminectomy via a posterior approach
Authors: Li Jia , Jiang Xiao-Hang , Chen Ai-Qin , Ying Guang-Yu , Shen Fang , Zhu Yong-Jian 
Published: May 2019

Background and Importance Cervical spinal cord hemangioblastoma with intracystic hemorrhage is a rare entity and presents a challenge for clinicians with regard to its timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Case Presentation A 35-year-old man presented with sudden-onset acute and progressive neck pain and severe radicular pain in his left upper limb. Motor weakness and numbness in the left upper and lower limbs with gait ataxia followed 2 days later. His initial diagnosis was acute myelitis, and he was treated with glucocorticoids for 2 weeks. Follow-up contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) suggested a spinal cystic hemangioblastoma with intracystic hemorrhage at the C3-4 level. The tumor was totally removed by minimally invasive unilateral hemi-semi-laminectomy via a posterior transcystic approach. The postoperative course was uneventful, and postoperative MRI revealed no residual tumor. The patient showed full neurological recovery at the 1.5-year follow-up, and computed tomography with a volume-rendering technique showed regrowth of the left C3 lamina. Conclusion Close MRI follow-up and thin-section imaging are invaluable for the timely diagnosis of spinal hemangioblastoma with intracystic hemorrhage, which was safely removed via minimally invasive microsurgery in the present case.
Ligand-independent activation of the P2X7 receptor by Hsp90 inhibition stimulates motor neuron apoptosis
Authors: Strayer Amy L , Dennys-Rivers Cassandra N , Ricart Karina C , Bae Narae , Beckman Joseph S , Franco Maria Clara , Estevez Alvaro G 
Published: May 2019

Activation of the extracellular ATP ionotropic receptor P2X7 stimulates motor neuron apoptosis, whereas its inhibition in cell and animal models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis can be protective. These observations suggest that P2X7 receptor activation is relevant to motor neuron disease and that it could be targeted for therapeutic development. Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is an integral regulatory component of the P2X7 receptor complex, antagonizing ligand-induced receptor activation. Here, we show that the repressive activity of Hsp90 on P2X7 receptor activation in primary motor neurons is highly sensitive to inhibition. Primary motor neurons in culture are 100-fold more sensitive to Hsp90 inhibition by geldanamycin than other neuronal populations. Pharmacological inhibition and down-regulation of the P2X7 receptor prevented motor neuron apoptosis triggered by Hsp90 inhibition, which occurred in the absence of extracellular ATP. These observations suggest that inhibition of a seemingly motor neuron specific pool of Hsp90 leads to ligand independent activation of P2X7 receptor and motor neuron death. Downstream of Hsp90 inhibition, P2X7 receptor activated the phosphatase and tensin homolog (TPEN), which in turn suppressed the pro-survival phosphatidyl inositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway, leading to Fas-dependent motor neuron apoptosis. Conditions altering the interaction between P2X7 receptor and Hsp90, such as recruitment of Hsp90 to other subcellular compartments under stress conditions, or nitration following oxidative stress can induce motor neuron death. These findings may have broad implications in neurodegenerative disorders, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, in which activation of P2X7 receptor may be involved in both autonomous and non-autonomous motor neurons death.Impact statementHere we show that a motor neuron specific pool of Hsp90 that is highly sensitive to geldanamycin inhibition represses ligand-independent activation of P2X7 receptor and is critical to motor neuron survival. Activation of P2X7 receptor by Hsp90 inhibition triggers motor neuron apoptosis through the activation of PTEN, which in turn inhibits the PI3 kinase/Akt survival pathway. Thus, inhibition of Hsp90 for therapeutic applications may have the unexpected negative consequence of decreasing the activity of trophic pathways in motor neurons. The inhibition of Hsp90 as a therapeutic approach may require the identification of the Hsp90 complexes involved in pathogenic processes and the development of inhibitors selective for these complexes.