bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vision utilities in Italy and the United States: Comparison of time tradeoff vision utilities
Authors: De Salvo Gabriella , Brown Gary C , Brown Melissa M
Published: January 2019

Background/Aims:

To compare time tradeoff vision utilities from two developed Western countries to ascertain whether these vision-related, quality-of-life preferences are similar.

Methods:

Time tradeoff utilities were acquired from ophthalmology patient populations with ophthalmic pathologic conditions by personal interview in Italy and the United States using a reliable and previously validated, standardized questionnaire.

Results:

Data from 47 consecutive Italian participants and 325 consecutive American participants were compared. The populations were matched for gender, age, and ophthalmic pathologic conditions. The utilities for the various vision sub-cohort levels, characterized according to vision in the better-seeing eye for the Italian/American cohorts were as follows: (1) 20/20 sub-cohort, Italian/American mean utilities = 0.82/0.91 (p = 0.10); (2) 20/25–20/30 sub-cohort, Italian/American mean utilities = 0.79/0.86, (p = 0.05); (3) 2040–20/100 sub-cohort, Italian/American mean utilities = 0.76/0.74 (p = 0.70); and (4) 20/200 or less sub-cohort, Italian/American mean utilities = 0.66/0.58 (p = 0.58).

Conclusion:

Vision-related quality of life, as measured by time tradeoff utilities, was similar in Italian and American ophthalmic populations. This information is relevant when comparing quality of life and cost-utility analyses across international borders.
Effects of corrosion and cleaning method on taper dimensions: an in vitro investigation
Authors: Faizan Ahmad , Longaray Jason , Nevelos Jim E , Westrich Geoffrey H
Published: January 2019

Purpose:

Taper corrosion related revisions have recently been reported in the orthopaedic literature. Cleaning procedure of the trunnions during hip revision is not standardised. The purpose of this bench top investigation was to understand the alterations in the trunnion dimensions and surface roughness characteristics as a result of corrosion product build-up.

Methods:

8 titanium alloy trunnions and CoCr femoral heads assemblies were cyclically tested in a mechanical simulator. Following disassembly of the tested constructs, the trunnions were cleaned using 2 methods. The trunnion dimensions were measured using coordinate measuring machine, and surface roughness was measured using white light interferometry. The trunnions were reassembled with ceramic femoral heads and titanium sleeves following cleaning. Head/sleeve pull-off testing was conducted to understand the effects of cleaning methods on the pull-off strength.

Results:

Grade 4 corrosion was observed on all trunnions after mechanical testing. The aggressive cleaning methods had a larger impact on the surface roughness when compared to the light cleaning method. The aggressive cleaning method also decreased the taper cone angle. The pull-off strength was not affected by the cleaning method and the pull-off values were approximately 50% of the assembly loads.

Conclusions:

The study suggests that trunnion cleaning method may alter the surface roughness and taper cone angle of the existing trunnion. However, the effects of these changes on the pull-off strength did not reach statistical significance. Complex corrosion testing under cyclic loading conditions are warranted to understand the long-term effects of these changes.
Decoding of Finger Millet Genome: A Milestone of Millet Genomics
Authors: Pandian Subramani , Ramesh Manikandan
Published: January 2019

Whole genome sequencing is an important milestone of the genomics-assisted molecular biology studies. Sequencing the whole genome of plants unravels the complex molecular structure of these complex organisms. In this respect, whole genome sequencing of important small millet that is finger millet was subsequently released by 2 independent groups. This commentary outlines the major applications of these reports, which also provided some opinion about this.
Efficacy of Regorafenib in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: A Multi-institutional Retrospective Study
Authors: Aljubran Ali , Elshenawy Mahmoud A , Kandil Magdy , Zahir Muhammed N , Shaheen Ahmed , Gad Ahmed , Alshaer Omar , Alzahrani Ahmed , Eldali Abdelmonem , Bazarbashi Shouki
Published: January 2019

Background:

Regorafenib is a multi-kinase inhibitor approved for treatment of refractory advanced colorectal cancer. It was found in the clinical trials to have a modest benefit and significant toxicity. Our aim was to assess the outcome in our local clinic practice.

Patients and methods:

Records of patients with confirmed colorectal cancer treated with regorafenib were reviewed. Clinical, pathological, and molecular data were collected. Efficacy and factors of possible prognostic significance were analyzed.

Results:

A total of 78 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer were treated with regorafenib from February 2014 to February 2016 in 4 different institutions (median age: 50.5 years; male: 40 [51.3%]; KRAS mutant: 41 [52%]; right colonic primary: 18 [23%]). A total of 52 patients (66.7%) had Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status of 0 to 1, whereas in 25 patients (32.1%) it was >1. In total, 58 patients (74%) had dose reduction. No patient achieved objective response, 15 patients (19%) achieved stable disease, and 56 patients (72%) had progressive disease. With a median follow-up of 6.5 months, the median progression-free survival was 2.8 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.5-3.3) and overall survival was 8.0 months (95% CI, 6.2-9.7). Only performance status of ⩽1 had a statistically significant impact on progression-free survival and overall survival in both univariate and multivariate analyses.

Conclusions:

Regorafenib in our clinical practice has equal efficacy to reported data from pivotal registration trials. Our data suggest that performance status is the most important prognostic factor in patients treated with regorafenib, suggesting a careful selection of patients.
Experimental and numerical investigation on thermodynamic performance of full-floating ring bearings with circumferential oil groove
Authors: Zhang Congcong , Men Rixiu , Wang Yongliang , He Hong , Chen Wei
Published: January 2019

Floating ring bearing systems in engine-oil lubricated turbochargers commonly withstand severe radial and axial thermal gradients. An engineered thermal management of the heat flows out of the bearing system is paramount in order to ensure the component's mechanical integrity and the reliability of the bearing systems. Therefore, oil flow plays an important role in maintaining an uninterrupted oil film and removing a large fraction of the thermal energy generated by rotational drag and the heat flow disposed from a hot shaft to cool the bearings. The floating rings usually feature circumferential oil groove on their outer surfaces for the increase of flow rate. This work presents experimental and numerical investigations into the operating parameters of full-floating ring bearings with a circumferential oil groove. A comprehensive model, including a transient form of thermal energy balance, is built to analyze relevant bearing parameters like temperature distribution, mechanical power loss, and ring speed ratio for various oil supply conditions. The Reynolds equation is solved by a separation of variables method satisfying the appropriate boundary conditions. For model validation purposes, an extensive experimental study on a cold-gas turbocharger test bench was conducted. As with the test data, the predictions show that oil supply conditions lead to different degrees of influence on the operating parameters of the investigated floating ring bearings.
A mixed method evaluation of an intervention for parents with mental illness
Authors: Maybery Darryl , Goodyear Melinda , Reupert Andrea , Sheen Jade , Cann Warren , O’Hanlon Brendan , Cuff Rose
Published: January 2019

Let’s Talk About Children is a manualised intervention for parents with a mental illness that aims to impact positively on family dynamics. Previous evaluations focused on parents with an affective disorder. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the intervention for parents with various mental illnesses and explore parents’ self-reported views regarding the impact of the intervention. A quasi-experimental approach was employed to compare outcomes for parents who received Let’s Talk About Children plus treatment as usual ( n = 20) with a wait list control (treatment as usual) group ( n = 19), using family functioning and parenting stress questionnaires. Questionnaires were completed 2 weeks prior to receiving the intervention and 4 to 6 weeks after the final session. The wait list parents completed the same questionnaires at two time periods, 6 weeks apart. Semi-structured interviews were conducted after the intervention. Both intervention and control groups showed improvements in parenting and family functioning. Interview data highlighted (1) increased insight, (2) normalising of the illness in the family, (3) family communication changes, (4) the importance of supporting the parenting role and (5) suggestions for additional supports. There are possible issues regarding the influence of psycho-education when giving participants information about the nature of the research.
The role of gender-based violence, health worries, and ambivalent sexism in the development of women’s gynecological symptoms
Authors: Kosterina Elena , Horne Sharon G , Lamb Sharon
Published: January 2019

This article explored the role of a lifetime history of gender-based violence, ambivalent sexism, and gynecological health worries in the development of reproductive and sexual symptoms among women in Kyrgyzstan. Non-pregnant women who were patients of gynecological clinics ( N = 143) participated in the study. A positive relationship between the experience of any type of violence (physical, sexual, and emotional) and number of gynecological symptoms was found. Hostile sexism was found to be a predictor of the number of reported symptoms. The number of gynecological health worries was found to fully mediate the relationship between history of gender-based violence and number of gynecological symptoms.
One small step towards a metatheory of evidence and proof
Authors: Schauer Frederick
Published: January 2019

Many challenges to a probabilistic account of evidence fail to distinguish two separate questions. One is the question of whether the evaluation of individual items of evidence is probabilistic or non-probabilistic. And the other is whether the evaluation of multiple items of evidence is sequential (Bayesian) or holistic. This paper seeks to distinguish these issues, to argue that challenges to probabilistic accounts have not yet made their case, and to attempt to clarify just what a theory of evidence and proof is a theory of.
Out of the shadows: The editor as a defining characteristic of journalism
Authors: Duffy Andrew
Published: January 2019

The editor has often been hidden in scholarship under the catch-all term of ‘journalist’. Yet the roles of editor and reporter, while overlapping, are distinct. That distinction is essential to make because the editorial function is one of the defining characteristics of news journalism that separates it from ‘interloper media’ such as blogs, public relations (PR), government missives and citizen journalism. Editors are a marker of quality control which legitimises news journalism. This article scrutinises the editor as one who negotiates among four groups with distinct values: the audience, the organisation, journalism as practice, and society. Editor-centric analysis examines how individuals in editorial systems negotiate diverse elements of a fragmented phenomenon which is routinely unified under the banner of ‘journalism’. Clearer assessment of the editor thus allows for richer assessment of what is – and what is not – journalism. It directs discourse rooted in experience and ideology to legitimate journalism as a cultural form, leading consideration of how editor-centric study can be applied empirically.
Botulinum Toxin A Injection for Treatment of Chronic Skin Ulcer: A Case Series and Literature Review
Authors: Zhong Jiaojiao , Lan Yu , Fu Shuying , Zhang Jing , Lu Sha , He Yunan , Zhang Jun-min
Published: January 2019

Chronic skin ulcer (CSU) often combines with a variety of refractory factors that respond poorly to routine treatments. Botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) can be injected subcutaneously to improve the local blood supply, to reduce pain, and to promote wound healing. At present, few reports have mentioned BTX-A injection for chronic skin ulcer treatment. We observed the effect of four cases that used BTX-A to treat CSU and provided a brief review of the literature. Four cases of CSUs with 4 different causes were treated with BTX-A injection (4 U/cm2). The specific operation is as follows: local, multipoint, cyclic, equidistant, and subcutaneous injections with a depth of 6 to 8 mm. The ulcer area was significantly reduced. Subsequently, the ulcer healed within 20 to 48 days. Botulinum toxin A is recommended as an important treatment for chronic skin ulcer that can improve healing of skin ulcers with various etiologies.
Effects of Phoenix dactylifera Ajwa on Infection, Hospitalization, and Survival Among Pediatric Cancer Patients in a University Hospital: A Nonrandomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Al Jaouni Soad K. , Hussein Abear , Alghamdi Nora , Qari Mohammed , El Hossary Dalia , Almuhayawi Mohammed S. , Olwi Duaa , Al-Raddadi Rajaa , Harakeh Steve , Mousa Shaker A.
Published: January 2019

This nonrandomized controlled trial determined the effects of Phoenix dactylifera palm date (Ajwa) intake on the number of infections and hospitalizations associated with fever, neutropenia, and mortality of pediatric cancer patients admitted between 2008 and 2017 to King Abdulaziz University Hospital (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia). Patients were eligible to be enrolled if they fulfilled the inclusion criteria, were not allergic to Ajwa, and were not enrolled in another study. Of 200 screened patients, 56 were included and 144 were excluded. Of the 56, 26 agreed to take Ajwa, and 30 served as controls. Both groups were assessed based on infection rates, frequency of hospital admissions for fever and neutropenia, and mortality rate. Background information regarding demographics, clinicopathological data, and treatment options was documented. Supplementation of Ajwa significantly reduced hospital admissions (for fever-associated neutropenia) and infections ( P = .009 and P < .001, respectively). Off-treatment did not significantly differ between the Ajwa and control groups. The Ajwa group had a better survival rate in comparison to the non-Ajwa group (stratified log-rank P = .005), where the main cause of death of patients in the non-Ajwa group was disease progression associated with infections (77%). In summary, Ajwa intake during the standard treatment of pediatric cancer patients improved their treatment outcome.
A new hybrid conjugate gradient method for dynamic force reconstruction
Authors: Wang Linjun , Xu Liu , Xie Youxiang , Du Yixian , Han Xiao
Published: January 2019

A new hybrid conjugate gradient method is proposed in this article based on the gradient operator and applied to the structural dynamic load identification problem. It has proved that the present method with the strong Wolfe line search possesses sufficient descent property. In addition, the present method is globally convergent when the parameter in the strong Wolfe line search conditions is restricted in some suitable intervals. Three example problems from engineering are solved by the newly developed conjugate gradient method to demonstrate the robustness and effectiveness of conjugate gradient method in solving multi-source dynamic load identification problems. Compared with the traditional Landweber iteration regularization method (Landweber), the proposed conjugate gradient method can more stably and effectively overcome the influences of noise, largely reduce the number of iterations, and provide accurate results in identifying multi-source dynamic force in practical engineering structure.
Tweeting about terror: A World Systems Theory approach to comparing international newspaper coverage online
Authors: Roman Nataliya , Alkazemi Mariam F , Stewart Margaret C
Published: January 2019

This study looks at news coverage of terrorist attacks on Twitter over a five-year period. It examines Twitter accounts of three US and three UK elite newspapers. This study found that terrorist attacks in core countries received more attention than attacks in non-core countries. Also, this study revealed that just three terrorist attacks: January and November 2015 Paris attacks and Brussels 2016 bombings, accounted for nearly a half of the overall US and UK tweets examined in this study.
Scientific Reasoning in Elementary School Children: Assessment of the Inquiry Cycle
Authors: Schiefer Julia , Golle Jessika , Tibus Maike , Oschatz Kerstin
Published: January 2019

Scientific reasoning abilities are already developing in elementary-school-aged children and enable them to understand the world around them. The goal of the current study was to develop a new instrument for 8- to 10-year-old children in Grades 3 and 4 to measure their understanding of the steps of the scientific inquiry cycle (SIC). Such an understanding is essential for scientific reasoning as well as for inquiry-based learning approaches and, above all, for scientific practice. We developed and applied 15 items in a sample of 878 third- and fourth-grade students ( n = 434, Grade 3; n = 435, Grade 4). As confirmed by item response theory (IRT) modeling, the items produced reliable scale scores. Furthermore, we explored the relations between children’s SIC performances, cognitive abilities, and epistemic beliefs. As expected, intelligence, text comprehension, experimentation strategies, and sophisticated epistemic beliefs were positively associated with children’s SIC performance, a finding that helps to establish initial evidence for the construct validity of the SIC test scores.
Bariatric surgery in patients with type 1 diabetes: special considerations are warranted
Authors: Landau Zohar , Kowen-Sandbank Galit , Jakubowicz Daniela , Raziel Asnat , Sakran Nasser , Zaslavsky-Paltiel Inna , Lerner-Geva Liat , Pinhas-Hamiel Orit
Published: January 2019

Objective:

We examined short and long-term outcomes of bariatric surgery in patients with obesity and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

Methods:

We reviewed the records of all adults insured by Maccabi Healthcare Services during 2010 -2015, with body mass index (BMI) ⩾30 kg/m2 and T1DM; and compared weight reduction and glucose control according to the performance of bariatric surgery. BMI and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were extracted for baseline and every 6 months, for a mean 3.5 years.

Results:

Of 52 patients, 26(50%) underwent bariatric surgery. Those who underwent surgery were more often female and with a longer duration of diabetes. Immediately postoperative, 4(15%) developed diabetic ketoacidosis, while 6(23%) experienced severe hypoglycemic episodes. The mean BMI decreased among surgery patients: from 39.5±4.4 to 30.1±5.0 kg/m2 ( p < 0.0001); and increased among those who did not undergo surgery: from 33.6±3.9 to 35.1±4.4 kg/m2 ( p = 0.49). The mean HbA1c level decreased during the first 6 months postoperative: from 8.5±0.9% to 7.9±0.9%; however, at the end of follow-up, was similar to baseline, 8.6±2.0% (p = 0.87). For patients who did not undergo surgery, the mean HbA1c increased from 7.9±1.9% to 8.6±1.5% ( p = 0.09).

Conclusions:

Among individuals with obesity and T1DM, weight loss was successful after bariatric surgery, but glucose control did not improve. The postoperative risks of diabetic ketoacidosis and severe hypoglycemic episodes should be considering when performing bariatric surgery in this population.
Trends and variations in outpatient coprescribing of simvastatin or atorvastatin with potentially interacting drugs in Thailand
Authors: Rattanachotphanit Thananan , Limwattananon Chulaporn , Waleekhachonloet Onanong
Published: January 2019

Background:

The aim of this study was to assess trends and variations in coprescribing of simvastatin or atorvastatin with interacting drugs in Thailand.

Methods:

Outpatient prescriptions between 2013 and 2015 in 26 tertiary care hospitals were analyzed for statin coprescribing. The proportion of patients exposed to coprescribing was estimated for semi-annual changes, using a time-series analysis and for hospital variations, using an interquartile range (IQR).

Results:

The coprescribing of simvastatin with all contraindicated drugs in 10 university and 16 general hospitals, respectively, was 3.6 and 3.1% in 2013, then decreased to 3.2 and 2.6% in 2014 and to 2.6 and 2.0% in 2015. The drug most frequently coprescribed with simvastatin, on a decreasing trend (by 0.19 percentage points) was gemfibrozil (in 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively; 2.9, 2.3 and 2.0% in university hospitals, and 2.5, 2.0 and 1.6% in general hospitals). A similar trend was found in atorvastatin-gemfibrozil coprescribing. Patients coprescribed simvastatin with the rest of the contraindicated drugs were relatively stable at 0.6–0.8%. No protease inhibitors were coprescribed with simvastatin and atorvastatin. The IQR of simvastatin coprescribing in the university hospitals was smaller than that in the general hospitals and decreased over time.

Conclusions:

Coprescriptions potentially leading to drug interactions with simvastatin in Thailand were observed although the contraindicated drugs were acknowledged. Mutual awareness among health professionals and the implementation of electronic prescribing should be strengthened as zero drug interaction was possible as in the case of protease inhibitors in the present study.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae endophthalmitis in a Cuban pediatric patient
Authors: Rodríguez Brian Arturo Mondeja , Alimañy Ernesto , Vila de Armas Yigani , Rodríguez Preval Nadia María
Published: January 2019

Bacterial endophthalmitis is the most severe form of vision-threatening ocular infection. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a primary respiratory pathogen that has been associated with several extrapulmonary manifestation, including ocular infection. In this work, we presented the microbiology diagnosis of an endophalmitis by M. pneumoniae using a novel A.R.I. WELL D-ONE® (CPM Scientifica, Italy) commercial micromethod in a Cuban pediatric patient. After positive M. pneumoniae confirmation, treatment with levofloxacin was initiated and successfully eliminated the ocular infection.
Grade 3 AC joint injury: A survey of current practice in the United Kingdom
Authors: Mahajan Ravindra H , Kumar Sachin , Mishra Bhanu Pratap
Published: January 2019

Acromio-clavicular (AC) joint injuries are a common injury seen in athletes and represent 9% to 12% of all shoulder injuries. There is no clear consensus on treatment of grade 3 injuries. We conducted a survey among upper limb surgeons in the United Kingdom to review commonly accepted practise. We found that majority of surgeons never did stress view. Most surgeons favoured surgery only if needed but not first choice. There is no consensus on timing of surgery. There are many fixation options available for AC joint dislocation and we found that surgeon’s preferences were quiet wide for choosing fixation method. That is also evident from this questionnaire as there is no consensus in orthopaedic surgeons for ideal treatment of type 3 AC joint dislocations. Authors recommend randomized controlled trial to formulate definite treatment plan.
The Need for Remedial Pedagogy in Undergraduate Violin Instruction: A Case Study of Postsecondary Instructors’ Perceptions
Authors: Mio Vanessa Andrea
Published: January 2019

Postsecondary violin instructors often implement remedial pedagogy with first-year performance/music education students to holistically nurture individual artistic goals and overall well-being. Using a qualitative multiple case study research design, 10 postsecondary violin instructors from across North America were interviewed to investigate their perceptions of why remedial pedagogy is often required for incoming first-year students. The interview data and external data sources were analyzed through the lens of empiricism, attribution theory, and teacher attribution scaffolding theory. The results indicated that some secondary instructors may require further knowledge in terms of effective communication and pedagogical approach with individual students. Other factors may be equally critical throughout the learning process, including student motivation, resistance, and parental support. The pedagogical expertise presented in this research can inform violin instructors about the factors/challenges that may affect teaching and learning as students prepare for higher education.
Effect of Ground Motion Duration on Reinforced Concrete Shear Wall Buildings
Authors: Fairhurst Michael , Bebamzadeh Armin , Ventura Carlos E.
Published: January 2019

This paper investigates the effect of earthquake ground motion duration on the design and collapse risk of reinforced concrete shear wall buildings from 6 to 30 stories. Both design and collapse levels of shaking were considered through nonlinear incremental dynamic analysis. At the design level of shaking, it was found that (1) maximum interstory drifts were increased as ground motion duration increased (from <20 s to 35–150 s of strong shaking), though not enough to flag the designs as unacceptable; (2) story forces and moments were not significantly affected; and (3) energy demands were greatly increased by motion duration. When the records were scaled until collapse level, it was found that (1) the median collapse scaling level was greatly impacted by duration, and the median collapse shaking level was almost 20% higher on average when considering shorter records; and (2) long duration records produced both larger probabilities of collapse at the design shaking level and lower collapse margin ratios compared with spectrally equivalent short duration records.
Positive Impact of Genetic Test on the Management and Outcome of Patients With Paraganglioma and/or Pheochromocytoma
Authors: Buffet Alexandre , Ben Aim Laurène , Leboulleux Sophie , Drui Delphine , Vezzosi Delphine , Libé Rossella , Ajzenberg Christiane , Bernardeschi Daniele , Cariou Bertrand , Chabolle Frédéric , Chabre Olivier , Darrouzet Vincent , Delemer Brigitte , Desailloud Rachel , Goichot Bernard , Esvant Annabelle , Offredo Lucile , Herman Philippe , Laboureau Sandrine , Lefebvre Hervé , Pierre Peggy , Raingeard Isabelle , Reznik Yves , Sadoul Jean-Louis , Hadoux Julien , Tabarin Antoine , Tauveron Igor , Zenaty Delphine , Favier Judith , Bertherat Jérôme , Baudin Eric , Amar Laurence , Gimenez-Roqueplo Anne-Paule ,   French Group of Endocrine Tumors (GTE) and COMETE Network
Published: January 2019

Context

Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) are characterized by a strong genetic component, with up to 40% of patients carrying a germline mutation in a PPGL susceptibility gene. International guidelines recommend that genetic screening be proposed to all patients with PPGL.

Objective

Our objective was to evaluate how a positive genetic test impacts the management and outcome of patients with SDHx or VHL-related PPGL.

Design

We performed a multicentric retrospective study involving 221 propositi carrying an SDHB, SDHD, SDHC, or VHL germline mutation. Patients were divided into two groups: genetic patients, who were informed of their genetic status within the year following the first PPGL diagnosis, and historic patients, who only benefited from the genetic test several years after initial PPGL diagnosis.

Results

Genetic patients had better follow-up than historic patients, with a greater number of examinations and a reduced number of patients lost to follow-up (9.6% vs 72%, respectively). During follow-up, smaller (18.7 vs 27.6 mm; P = 0.0128) new PPGLs and metastases as well as lower metastatic spread were observed in genetic patients. Of note, these differences were reversed in the historic cohort after genetic testing. Genetic patients who developed metachronous metastases had a better 5-year survival rate than historic patients (P = 0.0127).

Conclusion

Altogether, our data suggest that early knowledge of genetic status had a positive impact on the management and clinical outcome of patients with a germline SDHx or VHL mutation.
JC Viruria Is Associated With Reduced Risk of Diabetic Kidney Disease
Authors: Kruzel-Davila Etty , Divers Jasmin , Russell Gregory B , Kra-Oz Zipi , Cohen Moran Szwarcwort , Langefeld Carl D , Ma Lijun , Lyles Douglas S , Hicks Pamela J , Skorecki Karl L , Freedman Barry I ,   Family Investigation of Nephropathy and Diabetes (FIND Consortium)
Published: January 2019

Purpose

African Americans who shed JC polyomavirus (JCV) in their urine have reduced rates of nondiabetic chronic kidney disease (CKD). We assessed the associations between urinary JCV and urine BK polyomavirus (BKV) with CKD in African Americans with diabetes mellitus.

Methods

African Americans with diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and controls lacking nephropathy from the Family Investigation of Nephropathy and Diabetes Consortium (FIND) and African American-Diabetes Heart Study (AA-DHS) had urine tested for JCV and BKV using quantitative PCR. Of the 335 individuals tested, 148 had DKD and 187 were controls.

Results

JCV viruria was detected more often in the controls than in the patients with DKD (FIND: 46.6% vs 32.2%; OR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.29 to 0.93; P = 0.03; AA-DHS: 30.4% vs 26.2%; OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.27 to 1.48; P = 0.29). A joint analysis adjusted for age, sex, and study revealed that JC viruria was inversely associated with DKD (OR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.35 to 0.91; P = 0.02). Statistically significant relationships between BKV and DKD were not observed.

Main Conclusions

The results from the present study extend the inverse association between urine JCV and nondiabetic nephropathy in African Americans to DKD. These results imply that common pathways likely involving the innate immune system mediate coincident chronic kidney injury and restriction of JCV replication. Future studies are needed to explore causative pathways and characterize whether the absence of JC viruria can serve as a biomarker for DKD in the African American population.
Supraglottic Airway Rescue After Failed Fiberoptic Intubation in a Patient With Osteogenesis Imperfecta: A Case Report
Authors: Sutton Caitlin Dooley , Carvalho Brendan
Published: January 2019

We describe the management of a pregnant patient with osteogenesis imperfecta with a history of numerous fractures, severe scoliosis, and anticipated difficult airway. Her pregnancy was complicated by progressive shortness of breath and a fetal diagnosis of osteogenesis imperfecta. Spine anatomy precluded neuraxial anesthesia. Cesarean delivery was performed under general anesthesia at 34 weeks. Immediately after awake fiberoptic intubation and induction of general anesthesia, capnography waveform was lost with rapid profound oxygen desaturation. A supraglottic airway device was placed, oxygenation maintained with supraglottic airway and positive pressure ventilation throughout case, and the baby was delivered with Apgars of 8 and 9.
Rab10 regulates tubular endosome formation through KIF13A/B motors
Authors: Etoh Kan , Fukuda Mitsunori
Published: January 2019

Recycling endosomes are stations that sort endocytic cargoes to their appropriate destinations. Tubular endosomes have been characterized as a recycling endosomal compartment for clathrin-independent cargoes. However, the molecular mechanism by which tubular endosome formation is regulated is poorly understood. In this study we identified Rab10 as a novel protein localized at tubular endosomes by using a comprehensive localization screen of EGFP-tagged Rab small GTPases. Knockout of Rab10 completely abolished tubular endosomal structures in HeLaM cells. We also identified kinesin motors KIF13A/B as novel Rab10-interacting proteins by means of in silico screening. The results of this study demonstrated that both the Rab10-binding homology domain and the motor domain of KIF13A are required for Rab10-positive tubular endosome formation. Our findings provide insight into the mechanism by which the Rab10–KIF13A/B complex regulates tubular endosome formation.
Eliminating Fighting and Head Hits from Hockey: Opportunities and Barriers
Authors: Smith Aynsley M. , Farrell Kyle J. , Roberts William O. , Moris Mae R. , Stuart Michael J.
Published: January 2019

Removing fighting from ice hockey is an essential concussion prevention strategy that will improve the safety of the game at all levels.
Activity Tracker to Prescribe Various Exercise Intensities in Breast Cancer Survivors
Authors: MCNEIL JESSICA , BRENNER DARREN R. , STONE CHELSEA R. , O’REILLY RACHEL , RUAN YIBING , VALLANCE JEFF K. , COURNEYA KERRY S. , THORPE KEVIN E. , KLEIN DOUG J. , FRIEDENREICH CHRISTINE M.
Published: January 2019

Purpose

To prescribe different physical activity (PA) intensities using activity trackers to increase PA, reduce sedentary time, and improve health outcomes among breast cancer survivors. The maintenance effect of the interventions on study outcomes was also assessed.

Methods

The Breast Cancer and Physical Activity Level pilot trial randomized 45 breast cancer survivors to a home-based, 12-wk lower (300 min·wk−1 at 40%–59% of HR reserve) or higher-intensity PA (150 min·wk−1 at 60%–80% of HR reserve), or no PA intervention/control. Both intervention groups received Polar A360® activity trackers. Study outcomes assessed at baseline, 12 and 24 wk included PA and sedentary time (ActiGraph GT3X+), health-related fitness (e.g., body composition, cardiopulmonary fitness/V˙O2max), and patient-reported outcomes (e.g., quality of life). Intention-to-treat analyses were conducted using linear mixed models and adjusted for baseline outcomes.

Results

Increases in moderate-vigorous intensity PA (least squares adjusted group difference [LSAGD], 0.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.1–1.0) and decreases in sedentary time (LSAGD, −1.2; 95% CI, −2.2 to −0.2) were significantly greater in the lower-intensity PA group versus control at 12 wk. Increases in V˙O2max at 12 wk in both interventions groups were significantly greater than changes in the control group (lower-intensity PA group LSAGD, 4.2; 95% CI, 0.5–8.0 mL·kg−1·min−1; higher-intensity PA group LSAGD, 5.4; 95% CI, 1.7–9.1 mL·kg−1·min−1). Changes in PA and V˙O2max remained at 24 wk, but differences between the intervention and control groups were no longer statistically significant.

Conclusions

Increases in PA time and cardiopulmonary fitness/V˙O2max can be achieved with both lower- and higher-intensity PA interventions in breast cancer survivors. Reductions in sedentary time were also noted in the lower-intensity PA group.
Regulation of Hepatic Follistatin Expression at Rest and during Exercise in Mice
Authors: PEPPLER WILLEM T. , CASTELLANI LAURA N. , ROOT-MCCAIG JARED , TOWNSEND LOGAN K. , SUTTON CHARLES D. , FRENDO-CUMBO SCOTT , MEDAK KYLE D. , MACPHERSON REBECCA E. K. , CHARRON MAUREEN J. , WRIGHT DAVID C.
Published: January 2019

Introduction

Follistatin (FST) is a protein with numerous biological roles and was recently identified as an exercise-inducible hepatokine; however, the signals that regulate this are not well understood. The purpose of this study was to delineate potential endocrine factors that may regulate hepatic FST at rest and during exercise.

Methods

This study used four experiments. First, male and female C57BL/6J mice remained sedentary or were subjected to a single bout of exercise at moderate or exhaustive intensity with liver collected immediately post. Second, mice were injected with glucagon (1 mg·kg−1, 60 min), epinephrine (2 mg·kg−1, 30 min), glucagon then epinephrine, or saline. Third, mice were pretreated with propranolol (20–60 mg·kg−1, 30 min) before epinephrine injection. Fourth, glucagon receptor wild type (Gcgr
+/+
) or knockout (Gcgr
−/−
) mice were pretreated with saline or propranolol (20 mg·kg−1, 30 min) and were subjected to a single bout of exhaustive exercise with liver collected immediately post or after 2 h recovery. In all experiments liver FST mRNA expression was measured, and in experiment four FST protein content was measured.

Results

A single bout of treadmill exercise performed at an exhaustive but not moderate-intensity increased FST expression, as did injection of glucagon or epinephrine alone and when combined. Pretreatment of mice with propranolol attenuated the epinephrine-induced increase in FST expression. The exercise-induced increase in FST expression was attenuated in Gcgr−/− mice, with no effect of propranolol. Gcgr−/− mice had higher protein content of FST, but there was no effect of exercise or propranolol.

Conclusions

These data suggest that both glucagon and epinephrine regulate hepatic FST expression at rest; however, only glucagon is required for the exercise-induced increase.
Machine Learning in Modeling High School Sport Concussion Symptom Resolve
Authors: BERGERON MICHAEL F. , LANDSET SARA , MAUGANS TODD A. , WILLIAMS VERNON B. , COLLINS CHRISTY L. , WASSERMAN ERIN B. , KHOSHGOFTAAR TAGHI M.
Published: January 2019

Introduction

Concussion prevalence in sport is well recognized, so too is the challenge of clinical and return-to-play management for an injury with an inherent indeterminant time course of resolve. A clear, valid insight into the anticipated resolution time could assist in planning treatment intervention.

Purpose

This study implemented a supervised machine learning–based approach in modeling estimated symptom resolve time in high school athletes who incurred a concussion during sport activity.

Methods

We examined the efficacy of 10 classification algorithms using machine learning for the prediction of symptom resolution time (within 7, 14, or 28 d), with a data set representing 3 yr of concussions suffered by high school student-athletes in football (most concussion incidents) and other contact sports.

Results

The most prevalent sport-related concussion reported symptom was headache (94.9%), followed by dizziness (74.3%) and difficulty concentrating (61.1%). For all three category thresholds of predicted symptom resolution time, single-factor ANOVA revealed statistically significant performance differences across the 10 classification models for all learners at a 95% confidence interval (P = 0.000). Naïve Bayes and Random Forest with either 100 or 500 trees were the top-performing learners with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve performance ranging between 0.656 and 0.742 (0.0–1.0 scale).

Conclusions

Considering the limitations of these data specific to symptom presentation and resolve, supervised machine learning demonstrated efficacy, while warranting further exploration, in developing symptom-based prediction models for practical estimation of sport-related concussion recovery in enhancing clinical decision support.
Does It Matter if Your Health Insurer Is For Profit? Effects of Ownership on Premiums, Insurance Coverage, and Medical Spending
Authors: Dafny Leemore
Published: January 2019

There is limited empirical evidence about the impact of for-profit health insurers on various outcomes. I study the effects of conversions to for-profit status by Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) affiliates in 11 states, spanning 28 geographic markets. I find both the BCBS affiliate and its rivals increased premiums following conversions in markets where the converting affiliate had substantial market share. Medicaid enrollment rates also increased in these markets, a pattern consistent with “crowd in” of families who were formerly privately insured. The results suggest for-profit insurers are likelier than not-for-profit insurers to exercise market power when they possess it. (JEL G22, I13, I18, I38)
Liquidity Constraint Tightness and Consumer Responses to Fiscal Stimulus Policy
Authors: Kreiner Claus Thustrup , Lassen David Dreyer , Leth-Petersen Søren
Published: January 2019

The marginal interest rate is the price at which a household can access additional liquidity. Consumption theory posits that variation in marginal interest rates across consumers predicts differences in the propensity to spend a stimulus payment. This hypothesis is tested in the context of a Danish 2009 stimulus policy that transformed illiquid pension wealth into liquid wealth. Marginal interest rates are constructed from administrative records with account level information and merged with survey data measuring the spending response to the stimulus policy. The data reveal substantial variation in marginal interest rates across consumers, and these interest rates predict spending responses. (JEL D14, D15, E21, E43, E62)
Stimulating the Vote: ARRA Road Spending and Vote Share
Authors: Huet-Vaughn Emiliano
Published: January 2019

This paper estimates the impact of public good spending on voting behavior in the United States, using a quasi-experimental design and the distribution of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) road projects in New Jersey. I find an approximate 1.5 percentage point increase in Democratic Party presidential vote share in areas close to highway and bridge expenditures. I consider two alternative mechanisms: one, a salience mechanism whereby spending and associated “funded-by” signage affect political preferences; the other, a possible political multiplier effect whereby stimulus spending improves local economic outcomes, generating incumbent votes. Evidence is inconsistent with the later explanation. (JEL D72, H41, H54, H76, R42)
Intestinal duplications: incidentally ileum duplication cyst in young female
Authors: Martini Chiara , Pagano Paolo , Perrone Gennaro , Bresciani Paolo , Dell'Abate Paolo
Published: January 2019

Gastrointestinal tract duplication is a rare congenital malformation in young patients and in adults, that occur anywhere from the mouth to the anus and their macroscopic structure may be cystic or tubular.

Intestinal duplication does not show specific symptoms, indeed they can present with a variety of symptoms including abdominal distension and pain, sickness, hemorrhage, chronic respiratory disorders, as well as non-painful abdominal mass. Nonetheless, intestinal duplication can remain completely asymptomatic and be diagnosed as an incidental finding. Presentation with acute complications such as intestinal invagination or mechanical occlusion is quite rare.

We present a case of asymptomatic ileum duplication cyst in young female who referred to the emergency department for trauma and was screened by eco-Focus Assessment Sonography for Trauma (eco-FAST), followed by MR and CT.

The patient underwent ileal resection and prophylactic appendicectomy with ileo-cecal termino-lateral anastomosis. In this case, the intestinal duplication cyst was an asymptomatic incidental finding.
Expanded CUG repeats in DMPK transcripts adopt diverse hairpin conformations without influencing the structure of the flanking sequences
Authors: van Cruchten Remco T.P. , Wieringa Bé , Wansink Derick G.
Published: January 2019

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a complex neuromuscular disorder caused by expansion of a CTG repeat in the 3′-untranslated region (UTR) of the DMPK gene. Mutant DMPK transcripts form aberrant structures and anomalously associate with RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). As a first step toward better understanding of the involvement of abnormal DMPK mRNA folding in DM1 manifestation, we used SHAPE, DMS, CMCT, and RNase T1 structure probing in vitro for modeling of the topology of the DMPK 3′-UTR with normal and pathogenic repeat lengths of up to 197 CUG triplets. The resulting structural information was validated by disruption of base-pairing with LNA antisense oligonucleotides (AONs) and used for prediction of therapeutic AON accessibility and verification of DMPK knockdown efficacy in cells. Our model for DMPK RNA structure demonstrates that the hairpin formed by the CUG repeat has length-dependent conformational plasticity, with a structure that is guided by and embedded in an otherwise rigid architecture of flanking regions in the DMPK 3′-UTR. Evidence is provided that long CUG repeats may form not only single asymmetrical hairpins but also exist as branched structures. These newly identified structures have implications for DM1 pathogenic mechanisms, like sequestration of RBPs and repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN) translation.
Current trends in the treatment of pneumonia due to multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria
Authors: Watkins Richard R. , Van Duin David
Published: January 2019

Pneumonia is one of the most common infections worldwide. Morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs increase substantially when pneumonia is caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (MDR-GNB). The ongoing spread of antimicrobial resistance has made treating MDR-GNB pneumonia increasingly difficult. Fortunately, there have been some recent additions to our antibiotic armamentarium in the US and Europe for MDR-GNB, along with several agents that are in advanced stages of development. In this article, we review the risk factors for and current management of MDR-GNB pneumonia as well as novel agents with activity against these important and challenging pathogens.
Identification of brain regions associated with working memory deficit in schizophrenia
Authors: Chatterjee Indranath , Kumar Virendra , Sharma Sahil , Dhingra Divyanshi , Rana Bharti , Agarwal Manoj , Kumar Naveen
Published: January 2019

Background:Schizophrenia, a severe psychological disorder, shows symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions. In addition, patients with schizophrenia often exhibit a deficit in working memory which adversely impacts the attentiveness and the behavioral characteristics of a person. Although several clinical efforts have already been made to study working memory deficit in schizophrenia, in this paper, we investigate the applicability of a machine learning approach for identification of the brain regions that get affected by schizophrenia leading to the dysfunction of the working memory.

Methods:We propose a novel scheme for identification of the affected brain regions from functional magnetic resonance imaging data by deploying group independent component analysis in conjunction with feature extraction based on statistical measures, followed by sequential forward feature selection. The features that show highest accuracy during the classification between healthy and schizophrenia subjects are selected.

Results:This study reveals several brain regions like cerebellum, inferior temporal gyrus, superior temporal gyrus, superior frontal gyrus, insula, and amygdala that have been reported in the existing literature, thus validating the proposed approach. We are also able to identify some functional changes in the brain regions, such as Heschl gyrus and the vermian area, which have not been reported in the literature involving working memory studies amongst schizophrenia patients.

Conclusions:As our study confirms the results obtained in earlier studies, in addition to pointing out some brain regions not reported in earlier studies, the findings are likely to serve as a cue for clinical investigation, leading to better medical intervention.
Leibniz's laws of consistency and the philosophical foundations of connexive logic
Authors: Lenzen Wolfgang
Published: January 2019

As an extension of the traditional theory of the syllogism, Leibniz’s algebra of concepts is built up from the term-logical operators of conjunction, negation, and the relation of containment.Leibniz’s laws of consistency state that no concept contains its own negation, and that if concept A contains concept B, then A cannot also contain Not-B. Leibniz believed that these principles would be universally valid, but he eventually discovered that they have to be restricted to self-consistent concepts.This result is of utmost importance for the philosophical foundations of connexive logic, i.e. for the question how far either “Aristotle’s Thesis”, ¬(α → ¬α), or “Boethius’s Thesis”, (α → β) → ¬(α → ¬β), should be accepted as reasonable principles of a logic of conditionals.