Effects of vacancies on the thermal conductivity of Si nanowires

Point defects can be used to tailor the properties of semiconductors, but can also have undesired effects on electronic and thermal transport, particularly in ultrascaled nanostructures, such as nanowires. Here we use all-atom molecular dynamics to study the effect that different concentrations and spatial distributions of vacancies have on the thermal conductivity of Si nanowires, overcoming the limitations of previous studies. Although vacancies are not as effective as the nanovoids found in e.g. porous Si, they can still reduce the thermal conductivity in ultrathin Si nanowires by more than a factor of two, when found in concentrations smaller than 1%. We also present arguments against the so-called self-purification mechanism, which is sometimes suggested to take place and proposes that vacancies have no influence on transport phenomena in nanowires.

Global survival trends for brain tumors, by histology: analysis of individual records for 556,237 adults diagnosed in 59 countries during 2000-2014 (CONCORD-3)

BACKGROUND

Survival is a key metric of the effectiveness of a health system in managing cancer. We set out to provide a comprehensive examination of worldwide variation and trends in survival from brain tumors in adults, by histology.

METHODS

We analyzed individual data for adults (15-99 years) diagnosed with a brain tumor (ICD-O-3 topography code C71) during 2000-2014, regardless of tumor behavior. Data underwent a 3-phase quality control as part of CONCORD-3. We estimated net survival for 11 histology groups, using the unbiased nonparametric Pohar Perme estimator.

RESULTS

The study included 556,237 adults. In 2010-2014, the global range in age-standardized 5-year net survival for the most common sub-types was broad: in the range 20%-38% for diffuse and anaplastic astrocytoma, from 4% to 17% for glioblastoma, and between 32% and 69% for oligodendroglioma. For patients with glioblastoma, the largest gains in survival occurred between 2000-2004 and 2005-2009. These improvements were more noticeable among adults diagnosed aged 40-70 years than among younger adults.

CONCLUSIONS

To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the largest account to date of global trends in population-based survival for brain tumors by histology in adults. We have highlighted remarkable gains in 5-year survival from glioblastoma since 2005, providing large-scale empirical evidence on the uptake of chemoradiation at population level. Worldwide, survival improvements have been extensive, but some countries still lag behind. Our findings may help clinicians involved in national and international tumor pathway boards to promote initiatives aimed at more extensive implementation of clinical guidelines.

Synergistic enhancement of the phytostabilization of a semiarid mine tailing by a combination of organic amendment and native microorganisms (Funneliformis mosseae and Bacillus cereus)

The goal of this work was to evaluate the effects of fermented sugar beet residue and inoculation with a native arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus, Funneliformis mosseae (Nicol. and Gerd.) Gerd. and Trappe, or a native bacterium, Bacillus cereus Frankland & Frankland, alone or in combination, on the establishment of Lygeum spartum L. seedlings grown in a mine tailing under semiarid conditions. We conducted a field study to analyse root and shoot dry biomass, shoot nutrient contents, mycorrhization, plant nitrate reductase (NR) and acid phosphomonoesterase activities, soil enzyme activities and aggregate stability. Ten months after field transplanting, it was found that the three experimental factors had interacted synergistically with regard to shoot and root biomass, with increases of about 410% and 370%, respectively relative to plants in the untreated soil. The treatment combining all three factors increased the root content of all heavy metals, and the levels of nitrogen (N), phosphorus, potassium and NR activity in shoot tissues, whereas it decreased root acid phosphomonoesterase activity. Soil dehydrogenase, protease and β-glucosidase activities, total N content and aggregate stability were increased by the combined treatment. In conclusion, the combination of the organic amendment, the native AM fungus and the native bacterium can be regarded as a suitable tool for phytostabilization with L. spartum due to its ability to enhance the tolerance of plants to heavy metals, improve the plant nutritional status and increase the soil microbial function related to the C cycling.

A concept of a broadband inverted geometry spectrometer for the Second Target Station at the Spallation Neutron Source

BWAVES is an acronym for Broadband Wide-Angle VElocity Selector spectrometer, indicating that a novel WAVES (Wide-Angle VElocity Selector) device will be used to select the velocity/wavelength of the detected neutrons after they are scattered by the sample. We describe a conceptual design of BWAVES, a time-of-flight broadband inverted-geometry neutron spectrometer for the Second Target Station at the Spallation Neutron Source operated by Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Being the first inverted geometry spectrometer where the energy of the detected neutrons can be chosen by a WAVES device mechanically, irrespective of the limitations imposed by the crystal analyzers or filters, BWAVES will feature a uniquely broad, continuous dynamic range of measurable energy transfers, spanning 4.5 decades. This will enable measurements of both vibrational and relaxational excitations within the same, continuous scattering spectra. Novel approaches that are necessary for the implementation of a WAVES device at the BWAVES spectrometer will result in a spectrometer with the design and characteristics much different from those displayed by the neutron spectrometers in existence today.

Elevated functional versatility of the soil microbial community associated with the invader Carpobrotus edulis across a broad geographical scale

Exotic invasive plants may shape their own rhizosphere microbial community during global invasions. Nevertheless, the impacts of such plant invasions on the functional capacities of soil microbial communities remain poorly explored. We used an approach at a broad geographical scale to estimate the composition and abundance of the fungal functional groups, as well as the bacterial metabolic functions, associated with the rhizospheres of Carpobrotus edulis (L.) L. Bolus and the predominant native plants in coastal ecosystems located in different geographical regions. We used the ASV method to infer the potential functions of the soil microbial community with the PICRUSt2 and FUNGuild tools. The predictive functional profiling of the bacterial communities differed between the rhizospheres of the invasive and native plants, regardless of the biogeographic location of the invaded soil. Some predicted pathways related to the biosynthesis of nucleotides such as ppGpp and pppGpp, lipids, carbohydrates and secondary metabolites and the degradation of organic matter were enriched in the C. edulis rhizosphere. Moreover, the invasive microbiota was characterised by a greater richness and diversity of catabolic enzymes involved in nutrients cycling and higher relative abundances of saprotrophs and pathotrophs. Invasion by C. edulis promoted a shift in the potential functional versatility of the soil microbial communities, which can cope with nutrient limitations and biotic stress, and can favour the establishment of the invasive plant, but also alter the functioning and stability of the invaded ecosystems.

Descriptors of intrinsic hydrodynamic thermal transport: screening a phonon database in a machine learning approach

Machine learning techniques are used to explore the intrinsic origins of the hydrodynamic thermal transport and to find new materials interesting for science and engineering. The hydrodynamic thermal transport is governed intrinsically by the hydrodynamic scale and the thermal conductivity. The correlations between these intrinsic properties and harmonic and anharmonic properties, and a large number of compositional (290) and structural (1224) descriptors of 131 crystal compound materials are obtained, revealing some of the key descriptors that determines the magnitude of the intrinsic hydrodynamic effects, most of them related with the phonon relaxation times. Then, a trained black-box model is applied to screen more than 5000 materials. The results identify materials with potential technological applications. Understanding the properties correlated to hydrodynamic thermal transport can help to find new thermoelectric materials and on the design of new materials to ease the heat dissipation in electronic devices.

P–269 Effect of well-of-the-well culture as in vitro maturation system for human oocytes

Study question

Can the Well-of-the-Well system (WOW), applied on denuded oocytes, improve germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and maturation rate?

Summary answer

In vitro maturation (IVM) of denuded germinal vesicle (GV) oocyte using WOW culture system increases nuclear maturation competence when compared with droplet conventional culture

What is known already

Further research remains necessary to address the mechanism of oocyte maturation in order to refine culture conditions and improve the implantation rate of in vitro matured oocytes. Several studies on bovine oocytes have shown that oocyte-secreted factors (an uncharacterized mix of growth factors secreted by the oocyte) enhance oocyte developmental competence during in vitro maturation. These oocyte-secreted factors may accumulate at the bottom of the micro-well, as suggested for the WOW culture system. Previous reports suggested that diffusible factors secreted by individual oocytes probably accumulated in a micro-well WOW dish, may provide a suitable microenvironment for their in vitro maturation.

Study design, size, duration

A total of 879 GV collected between 2017 and 2019 were included in this study. They were randomly allocated into two experimental groups: (1) single-cultured oocytes (SC) that were cultured individually in micro-droplets, and (2) group-cultured oocytes (WOW) that were cultured in a microwell culture system using the WOW dish (culture dish for time lapse incubator). The nuclear maturation was assessed after 24 hours and 48 hours of IVM

Participants/materials, setting, methods

GV oocytes were obtained from 609 patients undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation cycles. Oocytes from the experimental group (1) were placed individually in conventional 25μl micro-droplets in a 35 mm dish. Oocytes from the experimental group (2) were placed in 80 μl droplet individually in each of 9 microwells of WOW dish. All GV oocytes were matured in a single step embryo culture medium, supplemented with human menopausal gonadotropin and synthetic serum substitute.

Main results and the role of chance

Mature oocyte (MII) was considered when we observed rupture of the GV and the presence of a first polar body in the perivitelline space during the first 24 or 48 hours of culture under inverted optical microscope. GVBD noted significant differences (p-valor = 0.000) between the study groups after culturing of 24 hours [GVBD: SC group; 70% (318/455) vs. WOW group; 83% (352/424)] and 48 hours [GVBD: SC group; 77% (319/416) vs. WOW group; 94% (398/424)]. The maturation rates (MR) showed significant differences (p-valor = 0.000) between the study groups after culturing of 24 hours [MR: SC group; 51% (233/455) vs. WOW group; 80% (338/424)] and 48 hours [MR: SC group; 71% (295/416) vs. WOW group; 91% (387/424)].

Limitations, reasons for caution

There is no data on cleavage and blastocyst rates.

There are no previous reports comparing the maturation rates in denuded human oocytes single-cultured in individually droplet or group-cultured in WOW dish.

Wider implications of the findings: Our results must be taken into account in order to improve the culture conditions for the optimization of the in vitro maturation technique in human oocytes from stimulated cycles.

We now provide evidence that group-cultured oocytes in WOW dish increase GVBD and maturation rates.

Trial registration number

Not applicable

Chiral Amphiphilic Secondary Amine-Porphyrin Hybrids for Aqueous Organocatalysis

Two chiral proline-derived amphiphilic 5-substituted-10,15,20-tris(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrins were prepared, and their pH-dependent supramolecular behavior was studied. In neutral aqueous solutions, the free-base form of the hybrids is highly soluble, allowing enamine-based organocatalysis to take place, whereas under acidic conditions, the porphyrinic protonated core of the hybrid leads to the formation of self-assembled structures, so that the hybrids flocculate and their catalytic activity is fully suppressed. The low degree of chirality transfer observed for aqueous Michael and aldol reactions strongly suggests that these reactions take place under true "in water" organocatalytic conditions. The highly insoluble catalyst aggregates can easily be separated from the reaction products by centrifugation of the acidic reaction mixtures, and after neutralization and desalting, the sodium salts of the sulfonated amine-porphyrin hybrids, retaining their full catalytic activity, can be recovered in high yield.

The invader Carpobrotus edulis promotes a specific rhizosphere microbiome across globally distributed coastal ecosystems

The importance of plant-microbe interactions to the success of invasive plants has rarely been studied at a global scale. Carpobrotus edulis (L.) N. E. Br is an aggressive invader in many areas around the world, forming dense mats in coastal environments. In an approach at a large geographical scale, over a wide latitudinal and climatic range, we tested the ability of C. edulis to alter the local bacterial and fungal community structure and microbial activity in eight invaded coastal locations. The factors invasiveness and geographical location had a significant effect on the soil microbiota, the microbial community composition and structure from the rhizosphere of native and C. edulis plants being distinct in every location. The effect of the invader on all the chemical, physico-chemical, and microbiological properties studied depended on the invaded location. The soil bacterial and fungal community composition and structure were related to the soil available nutrients and mean annual rainfall, and those of the soil bacterial community were also linked to the soil respiration and latitude. Overall, our results reveal that the ability of the invader C. edulis to alter soil microbial community structure harboring a specific microbiome was widespread across a large invaded range - leading to concurring changes in the rhizosphere microbial functioning, such as nutrient cycling.

Ballistic Phonons in Ultrathin Nanowires

According to Fourier's law, a temperature difference across a material results in a linear temperature profile and a thermal conductance that decreases inversely proportional to the system length. These are the hallmarks of diffusive heat flow. Here, we report heat flow in ultrathin (25 nm) GaP nanowires in the absence of a temperature gradient within the wire and find that the heat conductance is independent of wire length. These observations deviate from Fourier's law and are direct proof of ballistic heat flow, persisting for wire lengths up to at least 15 μm at room temperature. When doubling the wire diameter, a remarkably sudden transition to diffusive heat flow is observed. The ballistic heat flow in the ultrathin wires can be modeled within Landauer's formalism by ballistic phonons with an extraordinarily long mean free path.

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, a treatment discussion

Introduction

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), is characterized by recurrent episodes of severe nausea and intractable vomiting, preceded by chronic use of cannabis. A pathognomonic characteristic is compulsive bathing in hot water. The resolution of the problem occurs when cannabis use is stopped. However, patients are often reluctant to discontinue cannabis. Treatment with anti-emetic medication is ineffective. Case series suggested haloperidol as a potential treatment. Other antipsychotics as olanzapine has been used as anti-emetic treatment in chemotherapy.

Objectives

To describe three cases of patients with CHS whom showed a successful response to olanzapine, even when, haloperidol had failed.

Aims

To present an alternative treatment for CHS which can offer benefits over haloperidol.

Methods

We present three cases of patients who suffered from CHS and were admitted to emergency department. All patients were treated with olanzapine after conventional anti-hemetic treatment failure. One patient was also unsuccessfully treated with haloperidol.

Results

All three patients showed a good response to olanzapine treatment. Different presentations were effective: velotab and intramuscular. Their nausea, vomits and agitation were ameliorated. They could be discharge after maintained remission of symptoms.

Conclusions

Olanzapine should be considered as an adequate treatment for CHS. Its suitable receptorial profile, its availability in different routes of administration and its side effects profile could offer some benefits over haloperidol.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Comparison of brain microstructure after prenatal spina bifida repair by either laparotomy-assisted fetoscopic or open approach

OBJECTIVE

To compare prenatal and postnatal brain microstructure between infants that underwent fetoscopic myelomeningocele (MMC) repair and those that had open-hysterotomy repair.

METHODS

This was a longitudinal retrospective cohort study of 57 fetuses that met the Management of Myelomeningocele Study (MOMS) trial criteria and underwent prenatal MMC repair, by a fetoscopic (n = 27) or open-hysterotomy (n = 30) approach, at 21.4-25.9 weeks' gestation. Fetoscopic repair was performed under CO₂ insufflation, according to our protocol. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed before surgery in 30 cases (14 fetoscopic and 16 open), at 6 weeks postsurgery in 48 cases (24 fetoscopic and 24 open) and within the first year after birth in 23 infants (five fetoscopic and 18 open). Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values from the basal ganglia, frontal, occipital and parietal lobes, mesencephalon and genu as well as splenium of the corpus callosum were calculated. ADC values at each of the three timepoints (presurgery, 6 weeks postsurgery and postnatally) and the percentage change in the ADC values between the timepoints were compared between the fetoscopic-repair and open-repair groups. ADC values at 6 weeks after surgery in the two prenatally repaired groups were compared with those in a control group of eight healthy fetuses that underwent MRI at a similar gestational age (GA). Comparison of ADC values was performed using the Student's t-test for independent samples (or Mann-Whitney U-test if non-normally distributed) and multivariate general linear model analysis, adjusting for GA or age at MRI and mean ventricular width.

RESULTS

There were no differences in GA at surgery or GA/postnatal age at MRI between the groups. No significant differences were observed in ADC values in any of the brain areas assessed between the open-repair and fetoscopic-repair groups at 6 weeks after surgery and in the first year after birth. No differences were detected in the ADC values of the studied areas between the control and prenatally repaired groups, except for significantly increased ADC values in the genu of the corpus callosum in the open-hysterotomy and fetoscopic-repair groups. Additionally, there were no differences between the two prenatally repaired groups in the percentage change in ADC values at any of the time intervals analyzed.

CONCLUSIONS

Fetoscopic MMC repair has no detectable effect on brain microstructure when compared to babies repaired using an open-hysterotomy technique. CO₂ insufflation of the uterine cavity during fetoscopy does not seem to have any isolated deleterious effects on fetal brain microstructure. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Giant Electrophononic Response in PbTiO_{3} by Strain Engineering

We demonstrate theoretically how, by imposing epitaxial strain in a ferroelectric perovskite, it is possible to achieve a dynamical control of phonon propagation by means of external electric fields, which yields a giant electrophononic response, i.e., the dependence of the lattice thermal conductivity on external electric fields. Specifically, we study the strain-induced manipulation of the lattice structure and analyze its interplay with the electrophononic response. We show that tensile biaxial strain can drive the system to a regime where the electrical polarization can be effortlessly rotated and thus yield giant electrophononic responses that are at least one order of magnitude larger than in the unstrained system. These results derive directly from the almost divergent behavior of the electrical susceptibility at those critical strains that drive the polarization on the verge of a spontaneous rotation.

Reliability and validity of self-reported questionnaires to measure pain and disability in adults with neck pain and its associated disorders: part 3-a systematic review from the CADRE Collaboration

PURPOSE

To determine the reliability and validity of self-reported questionnaires to measure pain and disability in adults with grades I-IV neck pain and its associated disorders (NAD).

METHODS

We updated the systematic review of the 2000-2010 Bone and Joint Decade Task Force on Neck Pain and its Associated Disorders and systematically searched databases from 2005 to 2017. Independent reviewers screened and critically appraised studies using standardized tools. Evidence from low-risk-of-bias studies was synthesized according to best evidence synthesis principles. Validity studies were ranked according to the Sackett and Haynes classification.

RESULTS

We screened 2823 articles, and 26 were eligible for critical appraisal; 18 were low risk of bias. Preliminary evidence suggests that the Neck Disability Index (original and short versions), Whiplash Disability Questionnaire, Neck Pain Driving Index, and ProFitMap-Neck may be valid and reliable to measure disability in patients with NAD. We found preliminary evidence for the validity and reliability of pain measurements including the Body Pain Diagram, Visual Analogue Scale, the Numeric Rating Scale and the Pain-DETECT Questionnaire.

CONCLUSION

The evidence supporting the validity and reliability of instruments used to measure pain and disability is preliminary. Further validity studies are needed to confirm the clinical utility of self-reported questionnaires to assess pain and disability in patients with NAD. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.

Prenatal brain imaging for predicting need for postnatal hydrocephalus treatment in fetuses that had neural tube defect repair in utero

OBJECTIVE

To determine if brain imaging in fetuses that underwent prenatal repair of neural tube defect (NTD) can predict the need for postnatal hydrocephalus treatment (HT) in the first year postpartum.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of fetuses diagnosed with open NTD that had in-utero myelomeningocele repair between April 2014 and April 2016. Independent variables were collected from four chronological sets of fetal images: presurgery ultrasound, presurgery magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), 6-week postsurgery MRI and predelivery ultrasound. The following independent variables were collected from all image sets unless otherwise noted: gestational age, head circumference, mean ventricular width, ventricular volume (MRI only), hindbrain herniation (HBH) score (MRI only), and level of lesion (LOL), defined as the upper bony spinal defect (presurgery ultrasound only). Based on these measurements, additional variables were defined and calculated including change in degree of HBH, ventricular width growth (mm/week) and ventricular volume growth (mL/week). The need for HT (by either ventriculoperitoneal shunt or endoscopic third ventriculostomy with choroid plexus cauterization) was determined by a pediatric neurosurgeon using clinical and radiographic criteria; a secondary analysis was performed using the MOMS trial criteria for hydrocephalus. The predictive value of each parameter was assessed by receiver-operating characteristics curve and logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

Fifty affected fetuses were included in the study, of which 32 underwent open hysterotomy and 18 fetoscopic repair. Two neonates from the open hysterotomy group died and were excluded from the analysis. The mean gestational ages for the presurgery ultrasound, presurgery MRI, postsurgery MRI and predelivery ultrasound were 21.8 ± 2.1, 22.0 ± 1.8, 30.4 ± 1.6 and 31.0 ± 4.9 weeks, respectively. A total of 16 subjects required HT. The area under the curve (AUC) of predictive accuracy for HT showed that HBH grading on postsurgery MRI had the strongest predictive value (0.86; P < 0.01), outperforming other predictors such as postsurgery MRI ventricular volume (0.73; P = 0.03), MRI ventricular volume growth (0.79; P = 0.01), change in HBH (0.82; P = 0.01), and mean ventricular width on predelivery ultrasound (0.73; P = 0.01). Other variables, such as LOL, mean ventricular width on presurgery ultrasound, mean ventricular width on presurgery and postsurgery MRI, and ventricular growth assessment by MRI or ultrasound, had AUCs < 0.7. Optimal cut-offs of the variables with the highest AUC were evaluated to improve prediction. A combination of ventricular volume growth ≥ 2.02 mL/week and/or HBH of 3 on postsurgery MRI were the optimal cut-offs for the best prediction (odds ratio (OR), 42 (95% CI, 4-431); accuracy, 84%). Logistic regression analyses showed that persistence of severe HBH 6 weeks after surgery by MRI is one of the best predictors for HT (OR, 39 (95% CI, 4-369); accuracy, 84%). There was no significant change in the results when the MOMS trial criteria for hydrocephalus were used as the dependent variable.

CONCLUSIONS

Persistence of HBH on MRI 6 weeks after prenatal NTD repair independently predicted the need for postnatal HT better than any ultrasound- or other MRI-derived measurements of ventricular characteristics. These results should aid in prenatal counseling and add support to the hypothesis that HBH is a significant driver of hydrocephalus in myelomeningocele patients. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Does fetoscopic or open repair for spina bifida affect fetal and postnatal growth?

OBJECTIVE

The effect of fetoscopic myelomeningocele (MMC) repair on fetal growth is unknown. Fetal surgery itself and/or exposure to a carbon dioxide (CO₂ ) environment during spina bifida repair may affect placental function and impair fetal growth. Our aim was to assess and compare growth in fetuses, neonates and infants who underwent prenatal fetoscopic or open MMC repair.

METHODS

Fetal biometrics were obtained serially using ultrasound after fetoscopic (n = 32) or open hysterotomy (n = 34) MMC repair in utero at a single institution between November 2011 and July 2017. Measurements obtained during growth scans on initial evaluation prior to surgery, and those taken at 6 weeks post-surgery, were transformed into percentiles and compared between groups. Additional neonatal and infant anthropometric measurements, including weight, length/height and head circumference, were also transformed into percentiles and compared between the groups. The proportions of cases in each group with estimated fetal weight (EFW) or postnatal weight < 10^th and < 3^rd percentiles were calculated and compared. A linear mixed model was used to analyze the serial fetal growth measurements of each parameter, and random intercepts and slopes were used to compare study variables between the study groups. The duration of surgery (skin-to-skin time at fetoscopic and open MMC repair) and duration of CO₂ exposure (fetoscopic repair) were evaluated for any effect on the fetal, neonatal or infant biometric percentiles.

RESULTS

Fetuses which underwent fetoscopic repair had a larger abdominal circumference percentile at referral (57 ± 21 vs 46 ± 23; P = 0.04). There were no other differences between the two groups in fetal biometric percentiles at the time of referral, 6 weeks post-surgery or at birth. There were no differences between groups in EFW percentile or in proportions of cases with birth weight < 10^th and < 3^rd percentiles. Linear mixed-model analysis did not show any significant differences in any fetal growth parameter between the groups over time. There were no significant correlations between duration of surgery or duration of CO₂ exposure and any of the biometric percentiles evaluated. Postnatal growth showed no significant differences between the groups in weight, height or head circumference percentiles, at 6-18, 18-30 or > 30 months of age.

CONCLUSIONS

Babies exposed to fetoscopic or open MMC repair in-utero did not show significant differences in fetal or postnatal growth parameters. These results support the safety of the use of CO₂ gas for fetoscopic surgery. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Reliability and validity of clinical tests to assess posture, pain location, and cervical spine mobility in adults with neck pain and its associated disorders: Part 4. A systematic review from the cervical assessment and diagnosis research evaluation (CADRE) collaboration

PURPOSE

To determine the reliability and validity of clinical tests to assess posture, pain location, and cervical spine mobility in adults with grades I-IV neck pain and associated disorders (NAD).

METHODS

We systematically searched electronic databases to update the systematic review of the Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders. Eligible reliability and validity studies were critically appraised using modified versions of the QAREL and QUADAS-2 instruments, respectively. Evidence from low risk of bias studies were synthesized following best evidence synthesis principles.

RESULTS

We screened 14302 articles, critically appraised 46 studies, and found 32 low risk of bias articles (14 reliability and 18 validity studies). We found preliminary evidence of: 1) reliability of visual inspection, aided with devices (CROM and digital caliper) to assess head posture; 2) reliability and validity of soft tissue palpation to locate tender/trigger points in muscles; 3) reliability and validity of joint motion palpation to assess stiffness and pain provocation in combination; and 4) range of motion tests using visual estimation (in cervical extension only) or devices (digital caliper, goniometer, inclinometer) to assess cervical mobility.

CONCLUSIONS

We found little evidence to support the reliability and validity of clinical tests to assess head posture, pain location and cervical mobility in adults with NAD grades I-III. More advanced validity studies are needed to inform the clinical utility of tests used to evaluate patients with NAD.

Histatins, wound healing, and cell migration

Wounds in the oral mucosa heal faster and more efficiently than those in the skin, although the mechanisms underlying these differences are not completely clear. In the last 10 years, a group of salivary peptides, the histatins, has gained attention on behalf of their ability to improve several phases of the wound-healing process. In addition to their roles as anti-microbial agents and in enamel maintenance, histatins elicit other biological effects, namely by promoting the migration of different cell types contained in the oral mucosa and in non-oral tissues. Histatins, and specifically histatin-1, promote cell adhesion and migration in oral keratinocytes, gingival and dermal fibroblasts, non-oral epithelial cells, and endothelial cells. This is particularly relevant, as histatin-1 promotes the re-epithelialization phase and the angiogenic responses by increasing epithelial and endothelial cell migration. Although the molecular mechanisms associated with histatin-dependent cell migration remain poorly understood, recent studies have pointed to the control of signaling endosomes and the balance of small GTPases. This review aimed to update the literature on the effects of histatins in cell migration, with a focus on wound healing. We will also discuss the consequences that this increasing field will have in disease and therapy design.

Long-Term Safety of In Utero Exposure to Anti-TNFα Drugs for the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Results from the Multicenter European TEDDY Study

OBJECTIVES

The long-term safety of exposure to anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNFα) drugs during pregnancy has received little attention. We aimed to compare the relative risk of severe infections in children of mothers with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who were exposed to anti-TNFα drugs in utero with that of children who were not exposed to the drugs.

METHODS

Retrospective multicenter cohort study. Exposed cohort: children from mothers with IBD receiving anti-TNFα medication (with or without thiopurines) at any time during pregnancy or during the 3 months before conception. Non-exposed cohort: children from mothers with IBD not treated with anti-TNFα agents or thiopurines at any time during pregnancy or the 3 months before conception. The cumulative incidence of severe infections after birth was estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves, which were compared using the log-rank test. Cox-regression analysis was performed to identify potential predictive factors for severe infections in the offspring.

RESULTS

The study population comprised 841 children, of whom 388 (46%) had been exposed to anti-TNFα agents. Median follow-up after delivery was 47 months in the exposed group and 68 months in the non-exposed group. Both univariate and multivariate analysis showed the incidence rate of severe infections to be similar in non-exposed and exposed children (1.6% vs. 2.8% per person-year, hazard ratio 1.2 (95% confidence interval 0.8-1.8)). In the multivariate analysis, preterm delivery was the only variable associated with a higher risk of severe infection (2.5% (1.5-4.3)).

CONCLUSIONS

In utero exposure to anti-TNFα drugs does not seem to be associated with increased short-term or long-term risk of severe infections in children.

Full-field thermal imaging of quasiballistic crosstalk reduction in nanoscale devices

Understanding nanoscale thermal transport is of substantial importance for designing contemporary semiconductor technologies. Heat removal from small sources is well established to be severely impeded compared to diffusive predictions due to the ballistic nature of the dominant heat carriers. Experimental observations are commonly interpreted through a reduction of effective thermal conductivity, even though most measurements only probe a single aggregate thermal metric. Here, we employ thermoreflectance thermal imaging to directly visualise the 2D temperature field produced by localised heat sources on InGaAs with characteristic widths down to 100 nm. Besides displaying effective thermal performance reductions up to 50% at the active junctions in agreement with prior studies, our steady-state thermal images reveal that, remarkably, 1-3 μm adjacent to submicron devices the crosstalk is actually reduced by up to fourfold. Submicrosecond transient imaging additionally shows responses to be faster than conventionally predicted. A possible explanation based on hydrodynamic heat transport, and some open questions, are discussed.

Collective thermal transport in pure and alloy semiconductors

Suppressing collective effects from momentum-conserving phonon collisions cause fast drop in thermal conductivity at small semiconductor alloy impurity concentrations.

Thermal conductivity of Bi2Te3 nanowires: how size affects phonon scattering

This work provides an in-depth study of how the thermal conductivity of stoichiometric [110] Bi₂Te₃ nanowires becomes affected when reducing its diameter from an experimental and theoretical point of view. The thermal conductivity was observed to decrease more than 70% (from 1.78 ± 0.46 W K^-1 m^-1 to 0.52 ± 0.35 W K^-1 m^-1) when the diameter of the nanowire was reduced one order of magnitude (from 300 nm to 25 nm). The Kinetic-Collective model was used to understand such a reduction, which can be explained by the impact that surface scattering has in acoustic phonons. The smaller the diameter of the nanowires is, the larger the alteration in the mean free path of the low-frequency phonons is. The model agrees well with the experimental data, and the reduction in the thermal conductivity of the nanowires can be explained in terms of an increment of phonon scattering.

Clozapine induced diarrhea

Introduction

Clozapine (CZP) is the only antipsychotic approved for resistant schizophrenia 1. Due to its side effects, CZP is not the first therapeutic option in a psychotic episode. Its anticholinergic effects often cause constipation, however, diarrhea have also been described in literature.

Objectives

We describe a patient with two episodes of severe diarrhea after clozapine initiation, which lead to CZP discontinuation.

Aims

Discuss about the differential diagnosis of diarrhea in CZP patients and the needing of a further studies for clarify the more appropriate management in CZP induced diarrhea.

Methods

We present a case report of a 46 years man diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder who presented two episodes of severe diarrhea with fever, which forced his transfer to internal medicine and UCI after CZP initiation.

Results

At the first episode analytical, radiological and histological findings led to Crohn's disease diagnosis, which required budesonide and mesalazine treatment. In the second episode, the digestive team concluded that the episode was due to clozapine toxicity despite the controversial findings (clostridium toxin and Crohn's compatible biopsies)

Conclusions

Diarrhea caused by CZP has been controversial in the literature. However due to the severity of digestive episodes and the paucity of alternative treatments further studies for a better understanding of its physiopathology are warranted.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Polydipsia and intermittent hyponatremia

Introduction

Hyponatraemia occurs in 4% of schizophrenic patients. Dilutional hyponatraemia, due to inappropriate retention of water and excretion of sodium, occurs with different psychotropic medications and could lead to hippocampal dysfunction. This complication is usually asymptomatic but can cause severe problems, as lethargy and confusion, difficult to diagnose in mentally ill patients.

Objectives

To describe a case of a patient with psychotropic poli-therapy, admitted three times due to hyponatremia and the pharmacological changes that improved his condition.

Aims

To broadcast the intermittent hyponatraemia and polydipsia (PIP), a not rare condition, suffered by treated schizophrenic patients and discuss its physiopathology and treatment thorough a case report.

Methods

A 56-year schizophrenic male was admitted for presenting disorganized behavior, agitation, auditory hallucinations, disorientation, ataxia, vomits and urinary retention. He was on clomipramine, haloperidol and clotiapine (recently added), quetiapine, fluphenazine and clonazepam. After water restriction his symptoms improved and he was discharged. Twenty-five days later, he was readmitted for presenting the same symptoms and after water restriction, he was discharged. Five days later, he was again admitted and transferred to the psychiatric ward.

Results

Haloperidol, fluphenazine and clomipramine were replaced by clozapine. These changes lead him to normalize the hypoosmolality and reduce his water-voracity. Endocrinology team did not label this episode of SIADH due to its borderline blood and urine parameters.

Conclusions

Hyponatremia is frequent in schizophrenic patients and may have severe consequences. Therefore, a prompt recognition and treatment is warranted.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Indirect costs associated with glioblastoma: Experience at one hospital

INTRODUCTION

Glioblastoma is the most common primary brain tumour. Despite advances in treatment, its prognosis remains dismal, with a mean survival time of about 14 months. Many articles have addressed direct costs, those associated with the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Indirect costs, those associated with loss of productivity due to the disease, have seldom been described.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

We conducted a retrospective study in patients diagnosed with glioblastoma at Hospital Universitario Donostia between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2013. We collected demographics, data regarding the treatment received, and survival times. We calculated the indirect costs with the human capital approach, adjusting the mean salaries of comparable individuals by sex and age and obtaining mortality data for the general population from the Spanish National Statistics Institute. Past salaries were updated to 2015 euros according to the annual inflation rate and we applied a discount of 3.5% compounded yearly to future salaries.

RESULTS

We reviewed the records of 99 patients: 46 women (mean age 63.53) and 53 men (mean age 59.94); 29 patients underwent a biopsy and the remaining 70 underwent excisional surgery. Mean survival was 18.092 months for the whole series. The total indirect cost for the series was €11 080 762 (2015). Mean indirect cost per patient was €111 926 (2015).

DISCUSSION

Although glioblastoma is a relatively uncommon type of tumour, accounting for only 4% of all cancers, its poor prognosis and potential sequelae generate disproportionately large morbidity and mortality rates which translate to high indirect costs. Clinicians should be aware of the societal impact of glioblastoma and indirect costs should be taken into account when cost effectiveness studies are performed to better illustrate the overall consequences of this disease.

Fertilization defects in sperm from Cysteine-rich secretory protein 2 (Crisp2) knockout mice: implications for fertility disorders

STUDY HYPOTHESIS

We hypothesize that fertility disorders in patients with aberrant expression of Cysteine-RIch Secretory Protein 2 (CRISP2) could be linked to the proposed functional role of this protein in fertilization.

STUDY FINDING

Our in vivo and in vitro observations reveal that Crisp2-knockout mice exhibit significant defects in fertility-associated parameters under demanding conditions, as well as deficiencies in sperm fertilizing ability, hyperactivation development and intracellular Ca(2+) regulation.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Testicular CRISP2 is present in mature sperm and has been proposed to participate in gamete fusion in both humans and rodents. Interestingly, evidence in humans shows that aberrant expression of CRISP2 is associated with male infertility.

STUDY DESIGN, SAMPLES/MATERIALS, METHODS

A mouse line carrying a deletion in the sixth exon of the Crisp2 gene was generated. The analyses of the reproductive phenotype of Crisp2(-/-) adult males included the evaluation of their fertility before and after being subjected to unilateral vasectomy, in vivo fertilization rates obtained after mating with either estrus or superovulated females, in vitro sperm fertilizing ability and different sperm functional parameters associated with capacitation such as tyrosine phosphorylation (by western blot), acrosome reaction (by Coomassie Blue staining), hyperactivation (by computer-assisted sperm analysis) and intracellular Ca(2+) levels (by flow cytometry).

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

Crisp2(-/-) males presented normal fertility and in vivo fertilization rates when mated with estrus females. However, the mutant mice showed clear defects in those reproductive parameters compared with controls under more demanding conditions, i.e. when subjected to unilateral vasectomy to reduce the number of ejaculated sperm (n = 5; P< 0.05), or when mated with hormone-treated females containing a high number of eggs in the ampulla (n ≥ 5; P< 0.01). In vitro fertilization studies revealed that Crisp2(-/-) sperm exhibited deficiencies to penetrate the egg vestments (i.e. cumulus oophorus and zona pellucida) and to fuse with the egg (n ≥ 6; P< 0.01). Consistent with this, Crisp2-null sperm showed lower levels of hyperactivation (n = 7; P< 0.05), a vigorous motility required for penetration of the egg coats, as well as a dysregulation in intracellular Ca(2+) levels associated with capacitation (n = 5; P< 0.001).

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

The analysis of the possible mechanisms involved in fertility disorders in men with abnormal expression of CRISP2 was carried out in Crisp2 knockout mice due to the ethical and technical problems inherent to the use of human gametes for fertilization studies.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

Our findings in mice showing that Crisp2(-/-) males exhibit fertility and fertilization defects under demanding conditions support fertilization defects in sperm as a mechanism underlying infertility in men with aberrant expression of CRISP2. Moreover, our observations in mice resemble the situation in humans where fertility disorders can or cannot be detected depending on the accumulation of own individual defects or the fertility status of the partner. Finally, the fact that reproductive defects in mice are masked by conventional mating highlights the need of using different experimental approaches to analyze male fertility.

STUDY FUNDING AND COMPETING INTERESTS

This study was supported by the World Health Organization (H9/TSA/037), the National Research Council of Argentina (PIP 2009-290), the National Agency for Scientific and Technological Promotion of Argentina (PICT 2011, 2023) and the Rene Baron Foundation to P.S.C. and by the MEXT of Japan to M.I. The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

Detection and phylogenetic analysis of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus in Chile

Infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) is the etiological agent of a highly contagious disease that is endemic to salmon farming in Chile and causes great economic losses to the industry. Here we compared different diagnostic methods to detect IPNV in field samples, including 3 real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) assays, cell culture isolation, and indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Additionally, we performed a phylogenetic analysis to investigate the genogroups prevailing in Chile, as well as their geographic distribution and virulence. The 3 qRT-PCR assays used primers that targeted regions of the VP2 and VP1 genes of the virus and were tested in 46 samples, presenting a fair agreement within their results. All samples were positive for at least 2 of the qRT-PCR assays, 29 were positive for cell culture, and 23 for IFAT, showing less sensitivity for these latter 2 methods. For the phylogenetic analysis, portions of 1180 and 523 bp of the VP2 region of segment A were amplified by RT-PCR, sequenced and compared with sequences from reference strains and from isolates reported by previous studies carried out in Chile. Most of the sequenced isolates belonged to genogroup 5 (European origin), and 5 were classified within genogroup 1 (American origin). Chilean isolates formed clusters within each of the genogroups found, evidencing a clear differentiation from the reference strains. To our knowledge, this is the most extensive study completed for IPNV in Chile, covering isolates from sea- and freshwater salmon farms and showing a high prevalence of this virus in the country.

Growth of Highly Epitaxial YBa2Cu3O(7-δ) Films from a Simple Propionate-Based Solution

Intensive investigations have been conducted to develop epitaxial oxide thin films with superior electromagnetic performance by low-cost chemical solution deposition routes. In this paper, a novel propionate-based precursor solution without involving any other additive was proposed and employed to grow superconducting YBa2Cu3O(7-δ) (YBCO) films on LaAlO3 (LAO) single crystals. The precursor solutions are stable with a long shelf life of up to several months. Since the primary compositions are propionates after evaporating the solvent, the toxic reagents and evolved gases during solution synthesis and heat treatment can be eliminated completely. In this process, rapid pyrolysis and high conversation rate can also be achieved during growth of YBCO films in comparison with the conventional trifluoroacetate metal organic deposition routes. Remarkably, a 210 nm YBCO film exhibits high superconducting performance with a Jc value of 3.7 MA/cm(2) at 77 K, self-field. Nucleation and growth behaviors in the chemical solution process have also been studied. It is revealed that the amount of liquid phase (Ba-Cu-O) is sufficient through the entire thickness within a very short time at high growth temperatures, which results in pronounced densification and fast conversion of the YBCO phase.

Organochlorine pesticides and PCBs in Southern Right Whales (Eubalaena australis) breeding at Península Valdés, Argentina

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were assessed in blubber from 35 dead Southern Right Whales (SRW - Eubalaena australis) stranded at Península Valdés, Argentina. The life cycle includes a feeding period in high productivity areas of the South West Atlantic and a reproductive period in coastal template waters of Argentina. Organochlorine pesticides showed higher concentrations (22.6±13.8 ng·g(-1)ww) than PCBs (7.5±10 ng·g(-1)ww). Among pesticides, HCHs, DDTs, endosulfans, dieldrin, chlordans, heptachlor epoxide, and trans-nonachlor were detected. p,p'-DDE and p,p'-DDT were present in 69% and 26% of samples, respectively. p,p'-DDT/p,p'-DDE ratio showed low values (<0.33) as a result of aged DDT inputs. However, the occurrence of only p,p'-DDT in some samples suggests a recent pesticide input. α-HCH/γ-HCH ratio (<DL-0.37) indicated no recent contribution of technical HCH mixture and/or current use of lindane. Dieldrin was present in 77% of the samples and endosulfan was detected in all samples with predominance of α- (75%) over β-endosulfan (19%) and scarce contribution of endosulfan sulphate (7%), suggesting a recent input of this insecticide to the environment in the SRW foraging area. A predominance of pentachlorobiphenyls was observed. In 21 samples at least one PCB indicator was found and PCB #118, highly toxic, contributed in 5% to total PCBs. Although all these organochlorine compounds are forbidden they were bioaccumulated in the blubber of SRW with a predominance of endosulfans, the more recently used pesticide. The absence of data on chemical pollutants in stranded dead whales is highlighted as a priority for research. This is the first study on levels, compositional patterns, and organochlorine sources in SRW. Moreover, more research including milk, and other tissues/organs is recommended considered that in the studied specimens, mostly calves, pollutants are likely transferred from the mother during pregnancy and nursing.

Análisis de diluyentes comerciales de semen porcino refrigerado durante 4 días: resultados preliminares

La utilización de semen enfriado en inseminación artificial (IA) porcina sigue siendo una limitante, ya que la respuesta frente a temperaturas menores a 16 °C es aleatoria entre cerdos, y aún entre eyaculados del mismo cerdo. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue jerarquizar la capacidad para la conservación de dosis refrigeradas durante 4 días de tres diluyentes comerciales (de larga o media duración) de semen porcino (Androstar Plus®, MRA® y MIII®), analizando: viabilidad, funcionalidad de membrana, integridad acrosomal y movilidad en 11 eyaculados procedentes de 3 verracos. No existieron diferencias (p>0,05) entre diluyentes por lo que sería similar su capacidad de conservación durante un período de 4 días.

Agomelatine for the treatment of patients with fibromyalgia and depressive symptomatology: an uncontrolled, 12-week, pilot study

INTRODUCTION

Agomelatine, a melatonin agonist and selective 5-HT2C antagonist, is a novel antidepressant with sleep-enhancing properties. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of agomelatine among patients with fibromyalgia and depression.

METHODS

23 patients with fibromyalgia and depressive symptomatology received 25-50 mg of agomelatine daily for 12 weeks. The primary outcome measure was the change of the Beck depression inventory score. Secondary outcome measures included the hospital anxiety and depression scale, Pittsburgh sleep quality index, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, short-form health survey, brief pain inventory and patient's global impression scale.

RESULTS

Agomelatine significantly improved depression, global fibromyalgia severity and pain intensity but effect sizes were small. No improvement was seen in sleep quality. Patients categorized as responders to treatment had milder disease severity than non-responders. Agomelatine therapy was well tolerated and patients only reported mild and transient side effects.

DISCUSSION

Agomelatine slightly improved depressive and fibromyalgia symptomatology but did not improve sleep quality. Our data do not support agomelatine as a first-line treatment option for the treatment of fibromyalgia and depression.

Incidence of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia and current practice of prophylaxis with granulocyte colony-stimulating factors in cancer patients in Spain: a prospective, observational study

We aimed to describe the incidence of neutropenia in breast cancer and lymphoma patients and granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSF) use in clinical practice. We conducted a multicentre, prospective, observational study including breast cancer and lymphoma patients initiating chemotherapy (≥ 10% febrile neutropenia risk). We included 734 patients with breast cancer and 291 with lymphoma. Over the first four chemotherapy cycles, patients had an incidence of 11.0% grade 3-4 neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count <1.0 × 10(9) /L) and 4.3% febrile neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count <0.5 × 10(9) /L and fever ≥ 38 °C) in the breast cancer cohort, and 40.5% and 14.8% in the lymphoma cohort. Full dose on schedule (>85% of planned chemotherapy dose and ≤ 3 days delay) was achieved by 85.6% of breast cancer and 68.9% of lymphoma patients. Hospitalisation due to febrile neutropenia was required in 2.0% and 12.0% of breast cancer and lymphoma patients respectively. G-CSF was administered to 70.0% of breast cancer and 83.8% of lymphoma patients, and initiated from the first chemotherapy cycle (primary prophylaxis) in 60.6% and 64.2% of cases. Severe neutropenia affects approximately one in 10 breast cancer patients and one in two lymphoma patients receiving chemotherapy with moderate or greater risk of febrile neutropenia. Most patients received treatment with G-CSF in Spanish clinical practice.

Comparative efficacy of candling and glass plate compression for detection of diphyllobothriosis in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) musculature

The efficiency of the direct candling technique on fillets (candling 1) was compared with examination of cuts 4 mm thick or less (candling 2) and glass plate compression for the detection of plerocercoids of Diphyllobothrium spp. in muscles of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. Application of the three procedures gave the following results (percentage of infected fish/percentage of isolated plerocercoids): candling 1: 40.9/22, candling 2: 29.5/18.8, glass plate compression: 29.5/59.2, and combination of candling 1 and 2: 70.5/40.8. The combination of the three techniques yielded 100% sensitivity: 44 infected fish were detected of 77 trout examined. When different regions of the musculature were compared using the three techniques, a high density of plerocercoids and the highest percentage of infection (90.9%; 40 infected trout) were detected in the ventral musculature. Candling 1, candling 2 and glass plate compression on the ventral musculature gave the following case numbers and percentages, respectively, for the total of 44 cases: 9 (20.5%), 9 (20.5%), and 22 (50%).