bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nutritional Influences on One-Carbon Metabolism: Effects on Arsenic Methylation and Toxicity
Authors: Bozack Anne K. , Saxena Roheeni , Gamble Mary V.
Published: May 2018

Exposure to inorganic arsenic (InAs) via drinking water and/or food is a considerable worldwide problem. Methylation of InAs generates monomethyl (MMAsIII+V)- and dimethyl (DMAsIII+V)-arsenical species in a process that facilitates urinary As elimination; however, MMAs is considerably more toxic than either InAs or DMAs. Emerging evidence suggests that incomplete methylation of As to DMAs, resulting in increased MMAs, is associated with increased risk for a host of As-related health outcomes. The biochemical pathway that provides methyl groups for As methylation, one-carbon metabolism (OCM), is influenced by folate and other micronutrients, including choline and betaine. Individuals and species differ widely in their ability to methylate As. A growing body of research, including cell-culture, animal-model, and epidemiological studies, has demonstrated the role of OCM-related micronutrients in As methylation. This review examines the evidence that nutritional status and nutritional interventions can influence the metabolism and toxicity of As, with a primary focus on folate.
Unexpected Genetic Cause in Two Female Siblings with High Myopia and Reduced Visual Acuity
Authors: Preising M. N. , Friedburg C. , Bowl W. , Lorenz B.
Published: May 2018

In daily life, myopia is a frequent cause of reduced visual acuity (VA) due to missing or incomplete optical correction. While the genetic cause of high myopia itself is not well understood, a significant number of cases are secondary to hereditary malfunctions or degenerations of the retina. The mechanism by which this occurs remains yet unclear. Two female siblings, 4 y and 2 y, respectively, from a consanguineous Pakistani family were referred to our department for reduced VA and strabismus. Both girls were highly myopic and hence were further examined using standard clinical tests and electroretinography (ERG). The latter confirmed confounded electrical coupling of photoreceptors and bipolar cells. Further inquiry and testing confirmed a similar condition for the father including impaired night vision, reduced VA, photophobia, and an equally characteristic ERG. Findings in the mother were unremarkable. Subsequent genetic analysis of autosomal recessive and X-linked genes for congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB) revealed a novel homozygous splice site mutation in CACNA1F in the two girls transmitted from both the father and the mother. While in males the above clinical constellation is a frequent finding, this report, to the authors’ knowledge, is the first demonstrating biallelic mutations at the CACNA1F locus in females.
A Possible Mechanism: Vildagliptin Prevents Aortic Dysfunction through Paraoxonase and Angiopoietin-Like 3
Authors: Zhang Qian , Xiao Xinhua , Zheng Jia , Li Ming , Yu Miao , Ping Fan , Wang Tong , Wang Xiaojing
Published: May 2018

The collected data have revealed the beneficial effects of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors on the vascular endothelium, including vildagliptin. However, the involved mechanisms are not yet clear. In this study, Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the following four groups: control, diabetic, diabetic + low-dose vildagliptin (10 mg/kg/d), and diabetic + high-dose vildagliptin (20 mg/kg/d). The diabetic model was created by feeding a high-fat diet for four weeks and injection of streptozotocin. Then, vildagliptin groups were given oral vildagliptin for twelve weeks, and the control and diabetic groups were given the same volume of saline. The metabolic parameters, endothelial function, and whole genome expression in the aorta were examined. After 12 weeks of treatment, vildagliptin groups showed significantly reduced blood glucose, blood total cholesterol, and attenuated endothelial dysfunction. Notably, vildagliptin may inhibit angiopoietin-like 3 (Angptl3) and betaine-homocysteine S-methyltransferase (Bhmt) expression and activated paraoxonase-1 (Pon1) in the aorta of diabetic rats. These findings may demonstrate the vasoprotective pathway of vildagliptin in vivo.
A Chronic Glottic Foreign Body Diagnosed by Radiograph after 9 Months of Symptoms
Authors: Swibel Rosenthal Laura H. , Smith-Bronstein Virginia , Cervantes Santino , Schroeder James W.
Published: May 2018

A six-year-old girl presented to an emergency room after describing choking on a rubber band. She was in no distress and was discharged. Over the course of the next 9 months, she had numerous outpatient and emergency room visits due to intermittent stridor, difficulty breathing, and hoarseness. Eventually, dedicated airway films revealed a laryngeal foreign body. During rigid bronchoscopy, a two-centimeter rubber band was discovered in the larynx. It extended from the supraglottis, through the glottis, and into the subglottis. It was successfully removed. The patient was asymptomatic 24 hours later. This case highlights the appropriate evaluation and management of a child with stridor.
Time Trends and Regional Variation in Prevalence of Asthma and Associated Factors in Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Mohamed Hussain Shalam , Ayesha Farhana Syeda , Mohammed Alnasser Sulaiman
Published: May 2018

Background. Asthma is the most common reason for emergency visits to hospital and loss of productive hours. In Saudi Arabia, asthma affects more than 2 million people and majority of them have uncontrolled asthma with their quality of life adversely being impacted. It is well known that the prevalence of asthma has been increasing in many places around the world in the last few decades. The present review attempted to identify studies on asthma and associated factors in Saudi Arabian population and assess their time trends and regional variation.Methods. The titles and abstracts of retrieved articles were compared to delete duplication and irrelevant data. A data collection form was designed to extract several key components from selected articles like bibliographic information on the article, study population, and sample size. Extracted information was grouped appropriately for data analysis. Database search retrieved 71 articles. Applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 40 articles were excluded and 31 qualified full articles were included for the review.Results. Among 31 retained studies, Riyadh had the highest publication output followed by Jeddah. Ten studies were based on ISAAC and 5 on non-ISAAC questionnaires while 5 studies were genetic studies conducted to unravel the genetic basis of asthma. Most of the studies were conducted on pediatric subjects of less than 16 years of age. Sample sizes ranged from less than 150 to more than 10000 with study settings being predominantly urban (22 studies). The pooled weighted prevalence rates of asthma, lifetime wheeze, and rhinitis were 14.3% (95% CI: 13.4–15.2), 16.5 (95% CI 15.5–17.4), and 21.4 (95% CI 20.5–22.3), respectively. An increase in asthma prevalence from 1990 to 2000 along with a stabilized or not so significant decline in the prevalence from 2010 to 2016 was observed.Conclusion. The prevalence of asthma varied in different regions without any disparity in prevalence in the rural and urban areas of Saudi Arabia. The understanding of genetic variability and recognition of risk factors in asthma patients can greatly help in individualizing the therapy for the management and control of asthma.
Thyroid Ultrasound: More Sensitive than Radioactive Iodine Imaging in Detecting Recurrence of Papillary Thyroid Cancer in Two Pediatric Patients
Authors: Wise-Oringer Brittany K. , Goldis Marina , Regelmann Molly O. , Klein Michelle , Machac Josef , Kotlus Rosenberg Henrietta , Rapaport Robert
Published: May 2018

Background: Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is an uncommon pediatric disease with an excellent prognosis. In follow-up surveillance, neck ultrasound (US), basal and thyroid-stimulating hormone-stimulated serum thyroglobulin (Tg) levels, and diagnostic whole-body radioactive iodine scans (DxWBS) have been traditionally used in both adults and children for the detection of recurrence or metastases of PTC. Methods: Two pediatric patients with metastatic PTC were followed after standard ablative treatment with routine neck US and serum Tg levels, as well as periodic DxWBS. Results: Neck US identified recurrent and metastatic PTC which DxWBS failed to detect. Conclusion: Neck US was superior to DxWBS in the detection of recurrent PTC in these 2 pediatric patients. These findings are consistent with the 2015 American Thyroid Association (ATA) Guidelines that neck US is an ideal imaging modality in pediatric patients for the surveillance of PTC local recurrence or lymph node metastases.
Optimizing Genipin Concentration for Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking: An ex vivo Study
Authors: Gharaibeh Almutez M. , Saez Virginia , Garcia Nerea , Bataille Laurent , Alió Jorge L.
Published: May 2018

Purpose: Studying genipin variable concentrations, treatment durations, and delivery methods as a substance to increase corneal stiffness by inducing corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL). Materials and Methods: 100 bovine corneas treated with different genipin concentrations (0.1, 0.5, and 1%) and treatment durations (15 min, 40 min, 2 h, and 3 days) through different delivery methods compared to 10 controls treated with riboflavin/UV. Histology examination, enzymatic digestion with collagenase and thermal differential scanning calorimetry were performed on the different samples. Results: Bovine corneas soaked in 0.5% genipin morphologically showed 4.7% CXL in comparison to 5.6% in controls (p < 0.05). Corneas treated with topical 0.5% genipin, by a 140-µL drop applied hourly for 2 h, showed 7% corneal CXL. Corneas treated with topical genipin 0.5% for 30 min, 1 and 2 h showed 54 ± 6, 40 ± 7, and 39 ± 9% enzymatic degradation, respectively, in comparison to controls (74%). Corneas treated with 0.5% genipin for 1, 2, and 8 h showed higher thermal denaturation resistance (Td values of 64.9 ± 0.3, 64.7 ± 0.0 and 67.3 ± 0.9), respectively, in comparison to the control group (64.6 ± 0.5) (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Genipin 0.5%, in a 140-µL drop applied hourly for 2 h, showed better potential to enhance corneal stiffness and stability through inducing CXL.
Marxist Approaches to the Middle Ages, Some Issues and Examples
Authors: Wickham Chris
Published: May 2018

Esta conferência propõe que o paradigma marxista é bastante influente entre historiadores medievalistas, mesmo que isso não seja muito reconhecido, mesmo que alguns problemas também decorram disso. Desse reconhecimento derivam questões chave a serem enfrentadas por pesquisadores, especialmente se os historiadores quiserem no futuro ser teoricamente mais conscientes do que frequentemente o foram no passado, especialmente nos últimos anos.
Risk Score to Predict Need for Intensive Care in Initially Hemodynamically Stable Adults With Non–ST‐Segment–Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Fanaroff Alexander C. , Chen Anita Y. , Thomas Laine E. , Pieper Karen S. , Garratt Kirk N. , Peterson Eric D. , Newby L. Kristin , de Lemos James A. , Kosiborod Mikhail N. , Amsterdam Ezra A. , Wang Tracy Y.
Published: May 2018

Background

Intensive care unit (
ICU
) use for initially stable patients presenting with non–ST‐segment–elevation myocardial infarction (
NSTEMI
) varies widely across hospitals and minimally correlates with severity of illness. We aimed to develop a bedside risk score to assist in identifying high‐risk patients with
NSTEMI
for
ICU
admission.

Methods and Results

Using the Acute Coronary Treatment and Intervention Outcomes Network (ACTION) Registry linked to Medicare data, we identified patients with
NSTEMI
aged ≥65 years without cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest on presentation. Complications requiring
ICU
care were defined as subsequent development of cardiac arrest, shock, high‐grade atrioventricular block, respiratory failure, stroke, or death during the index hospitalization. We developed and validated a model and integer risk score (Acute Coronary Treatment and Intervention Outcomes Network (ACTION)
ICU
risk score) that uses variables present at hospital admission to predict requirement for
ICU
care. Of 29 973 patients with
NSTEMI
, 4282 (14%) developed a complication requiring
ICU
‐level care, yet 12 879 (43%) received care in an
ICU
. Signs or symptoms of heart failure, initial heart rate, initial systolic blood pressure, initial troponin, initial serum creatinine, prior revascularization, chronic lung disease,
ST
‐segment depression, and age had statistically significant associations with requirement for
ICU
care after adjusting for other risk factors. The ACTION
ICU
risk score had a C‐statistic of 0.72. It identified 11% of patients as having very high risk (>30%) of developing complications requiring
ICU
care and 49% as having low likelihood (<10%) of requiring an
ICU
.

Conclusions

The ACTION
ICU
risk score quantifies the risk of initially stable patients with
NSTEMI
developing a complication requiring
ICU
care, and could be used to more effectively allocate limited
ICU
resources.
The Politics of National Theatre: The Example of Kenya
Authors: wa Thiong’o Ngũgĩ
Published: May 2018

The celebration of the 250th anniversary of Poland’s national theatre, Teatr Narodowy, inspired reflections on the National Theatre of Kenya, the debate over what constitutes a national theatre, and the founding of the Kamĩrĩthũ Community Education and Cultural Center.
Black Box, White Cube, Gray Zone: Dance Exhibitions and Audience Attention
Authors: Bishop Claire
Published: May 2018

Relocated from the “black box” of experimental theatre to the “white cube” of the gallery, dance in the museum brings about new forms of performance — the dance exhibition — and new protocols of audience behavior that permit, even encourage, smartphone photography. This is the “gray zone” of recent performance, which is both a symptom of, and compensation for, the virtualization of contemporary perception.
The Performative Novel
Authors: Browning Barbara
Published: May 2018

From the highly lauded ERS production Gatz to the Danish initiative of humanlibrary.org , theatrical representations of “human books” appear to be proliferating, even as novelists are attempting to blur the boundaries between performance and text. What can the approximation of novels and theatrical productions teach us about the performative possibilities of fiction?
The Muslims Present Orgena
Authors: Lokke Geoffrey
Published: May 2018

The Trial (1956), a black nationalist play by Louis X (Louis Farrakhan), was expanded into a musical pageant called Orgena (1959) and performed in major venues by “The Muslims” of Boston’s Mosque No. 11, including two nights at Carnegie Hall. The history of The Trial and its development into Orgena generate discussion of the theology, politics, and cultural legacy of the Nation of Islam.
Aristotle on the Structure of Akratic Action
Authors: Cagnoli Fiecconi Elena
Published: May 2018

I argue that, for Aristotle, akratic actions are against one’s general commitment to act in accordance with one’s correct conception of one’s ends overall. Only some akratic actions are also against one’s correct decision to perform a particular action. This thesis explains Aristotle’s views on impetuousakrasia, weakakrasia, stubborn opinionated action and inverseakrasia. In addition, it sheds light on Aristotle’s account of practical rationality. Rational actions are coherent primarily with one’s commitments to one’s conception of the good and only secondarily with one’s decisions to perform a particular action.
Outcome of language contact
Authors: Dahlgren Sonja
Published: May 2018

This summary presents the main findings of my Ph.D. dissertation (University of Helsinki) on the phonological transfer of Egyptian on second language Greek usage in Egypt.
Where does the modality of Ancient Greek modal verbs come from?
Authors: Danesi Serena , Johnson  , Barðdal Jóhanna
Published: May 2018

Modality can be expressed through a variety of different linguistic means within and across languages, of which one manifestation is through noncanonical case marking of the subject. In Ancient Greek several predicates show a systematic alternation between constructions with nominative and oblique subjects, which coincides with a difference in meaning, yielding a modal meaning in the latter case. We show how this modal meaning cannot be derived from the meaning of the individual parts of the construction, neither from the lexical material nor from the relevant grammatical elements. Instead, the data call for a constructional analysis of a modal subconstruction of the oblique subject construction, for which the modality must be attributed to the construction itself. We argue that this can be viewed through the lens of subjectification in the sense of Traugott (2003), here demonstrating that the semantic relation holding between the subject referent and the oblique case marking selected by the verb has been extended to the empathic relation holding between the speaker and his/her attitude towards the proposition uttered (Barðdal 2004). This, we believe, is how the concept of modality came to be associated with oblique case marking of subjects.
Special Issue: Christian Philosophical Perspectives on Sustainable Development
Authors: Massink Henk , Jochemsen Henk
Published: May 2018

In this introductory article, the authors first briefly present the debate on the meaning of sustainability and consider the question of how to connect the concept of sustainability with a Christian—in particular, Reformational—way of doing philosophy. After examining the various uses of Dooyeweerdian philosophy in this regard, this introduction closes with an overview of the contributions to this special issue.
The Theocentric Perspective of Laudato Si’: A Critical Discussion
Authors: van den Heuvel Steven C.
Published: May 2018

In this article, I focus on Pope Francis’s “green” encyclical, Laudato Si’. After outlining some of its characteristics, I single out the pope’s engagement with anthropocentrism for critical discussion. The pope criticizes anthropocentrism (the view that human beings alone have intrinsic value), seeing it as a root cause of ecological destruction. Instead, he proposes what I would call a theocentric conception of nature. I criticize this view. First, I suggest that the pope is insufficiently critical in adopting a theocentric approach to the common creation story. Secondly, I argue from both a biblical-theological and a philosophical perspective against the pope’s resistance to the anthropocentrism of Genesis 1:26. Thirdly, I argue that because the pope opts for non-anthropocentrism, the encyclical falls short of offering a constructive way forward in relation to functioning in a technocratic society. Through these comments, I seek to strengthen the powerful and important message of this encyclical.
Embryology of Polygonatum (Asparagaceae) and its systematic significance
Authors: SONG YUAN-YUAN , ZHAO YUN-YUN , LIU JIA-XI
Published: May 2018

In this study, we systematically studied the microsporogenesis, megasporogenesis, as well as development of male and female gametophyte of Polygonatum macropodum and P. sibiricum using the conventional paraffin sectioning technique. Our results showed that 1) microsporocytes cytokinesis is of the successive type; 2) microspore tetrads are tetragonal or tetrahedral; 3) mature pollen grains are two-celled or three-celled; 4) ovary is superior and trilocular, with axile placentas bearing 4–6 anatropous per locule; 5) ovules are anatropous, crassinucellate and bitegmic, with micropyle formed by the inner integument; 6) megaspore tetrads are linear or T-shaped; 7) embryo sac development is typically of Polygonum-type. The embryological features of Polygonatum support its inclusion of Asparagaceae in Asparagales.
The tadpole of Adelphobates galactonotus (Steindachner, 1864) (Amphibia, Anura, Dendrobatidae)
Authors: SANTOS DANUSY LOPES , DANTAS SILIONAMÃ PEREIRA , NOMURA FAUSTO
Published: May 2018

The systematics of the dart-poison frogs, family Dendrobatidae, experienced several taxonomic rearrangements over time (e.g., Grant et al. 2006, 2017; Brown et al. 2011). Currently, this family comprises 194 described species organized in three sub-families and 15 genera (Frost 2018). Among them, the genus Adelphobates Grant, Frost, Caldwell, Gagliardo, Haddad, Kok, Means, Noonan, Schargel, & Wheeler, 2006, comprises three species, all distributed in Central and lower Amazon drainage of Peru and Brazil, and possibly in northeast of Bolivia (Grant et al. 2006; Frost 2018). Adelphobates galactonotus (Steindachner 1864) is an endemic Brazilian frog, and can be found throughout Pará, Maranhão, Mato Grosso and Tocantins states (Hoogmoed & Avila-Pires 2012), related to Amazon forest formations and also in transitional areas between the Cerrado and the Amazon forest (Valdujo et al. 2012). Despite this species is classified as Least Concern (Rodrigues et al. 2010), several threats are known. First, its geographic distribution coincides with the so-called Amazonian Deforestation Arc, which comprehends the southeastern portion of the Amazonian Forest that has been rapidly converted into pasture and crop areas or being flooded due to the construction of hydroelectric power plants (Hoogmoed & Avila-Pires 2012). Also, this species is present in Appendix II of CITES as a target for illegal trade, and their commercial exploitation should be controlled to avoid that this species become seriously endangered in the near future (see a case study in Paula et al. 2012). These threats are of deeper concern because despite A. galactonotus has been described since more than 150 years (Steindachner 1864), its tadpole remains unknown. Without a better understanding of the natural history of A. galactonotus, attempts of conservation strategies and population management are inefficient. In an effort to fill the knowledge gaps about this species natural history, we present a detailed description of the external morphology of the A. galactonotus tadpole.
Polyclinidae (Ascidiacea: Aplousobranchia) from the Gulf of Mexico, collected during the “Hourglass” cruises (1965–1967)
Authors: FORTALEZA MARIA TARCIANA VIEIRA , LOTUFO TITO MONTEIRO DA CRUZ
Published: May 2018

This paper presents the ascidians from the Family Polyclinidae collected in the Gulf of Mexico during the Hourglass Cruises between August 1965 and November 1967. The analysis of the collected material revealed the presence of eight polyclinid ascidians from three different genera, with two new species and two new records for the Gulf of Mexico.
The effect of extrusion reprocessing cycles on the structure and properties of nano-silica reinforced polypropylene/ethylene-propylene-rubber composites
Authors: Bouaziz Amira , khemakhem Marwa , Massardier Valérie , Jaziri Mohamed
Published: May 2018

In this study, the effect of repeated extrusion processing cycles on the structure and properties of polypropylene/ethylene-propylene-rubber/nano-silica composites was investigated. The recycling process was simulated by performing three extrusion runs, using a high shear twin screw extruder by varying the speed screw rotation (300, 800, and 1200 r/min), in order to get better understanding of the multi recycling effects. For comparative purposes, neat polypropylene/ethylene-propylene-rubber was also reprocessed under the same conditions as a reference material. From the morphological analyses performed by scanning electron microscopy, multiple extrusions were found to be not only helpful for decreasing the ethylene-propylene-rubber phase size, but also useful for ensuring a more homogenous dispersion of silica nanoparticles within the matrix. The physico-chemical properties analyses illustrate that the repeated cycles of extrusion processing provoke a decrease of the molar masses and an increase in the melt flow index. It was marked that, when going from the 1st to the 2nd extrusion cycle, and by increasing the rotation speed from 300 to 800 r/min at the same cycle, the mechanical properties were greatly enhanced. A substantial improvement of these properties was achieved after incorporating the silica nanoparticles and the maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene copolymer.
Venous leg symptoms in patients with varicocele: A multicenter assessment study (VEIN-TURKEY study)
Authors: Ozturk Selcuk , Akbaba Kaan Turker , Kılıc Suleyman , Cıcek Tufan , Peskırcıoglu Levent , Tandogan Izzet , Gurlek Ahmet , Aydemır Ozbay , Ilerı Mehmet , Yetkın Ertan
Published: May 2018

Objective

The aim of this study is to evaluate chronic venous disease symptoms by using the Venous Insufficiency Epidemiological and Economic Study-Quality of Life/Symptoms (VEINES-QoL/Sym) questionnaire in varicocele patients.

Material and methods

The study was designed as a prospective, case controlled study and conducted in four hospitals from Turkey. A total of 600 patients who admitted to urology outpatient clinic were enrolled to the study. After the exclusion of 44 patients who do not match the inclusion criteria, the remaining 556 patients were examined for the presence and grade of varicocele and subsequently examined clinically for the presence of chronic venous disease findings. Finally, patients were asked to answer the VEINES-Sym questionnaire consisting of 10 items. All patients’ demographic parameters, cardiovascular risk factors, other co-morbid diseases and drug usage were noted.

Results

Patients were classified into two groups: varicocele (+) group ( n = 269) and varicocele (−) group ( n = 287). VEINES-Sym scores of varicocele patients were lower compared to patients without varicocele (41.41 ± 5.21, 43.19 ± 3.22, respectively, p < 0.001). Grades of varicocele significantly but inversely correlated with VEINES-Sym score ( r = 0, −206, p = 0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that presence of varicocele irrespective of grading significantly and independently associated with the presence of aching (odds ratio: 2.054, 95% confidence interval: 1.265–3.338, p = 0.004) and throbbing (odds ratio: 2.586, 95% confidence interval: 1.353–4.943, p = 0.004).

Conclusion

Varicocele patients have lower VEINES-Sym scores compared to patients without varicocele and this finding is inversely correlated with the degree of the varicocele. This association supports the hypothesis that there may be a systemic vessel wall abnormality in venous disease patients. Patients with symptoms related to vascular dilatation in any territory may deserve to be assessed systematically with the support of further clinical studies.
Sponsorship Bias in Base-Case Values and Uncertainty Bounds of Health Economic Evaluations? A Systematic Review of Herpes Zoster Vaccination
Authors: Bilcke Joke , Verelst Frederik , Beutels Philippe
Published: May 2018

Background. New health technologies are more likely adopted when they have lower incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) and/or when their ICER is presented with more certainty. Industry-funded (IF) health economic evaluations use often more favorable base-case values, leading to more favorable conclusions. Purpose. To study whether IF health economic evaluations of varicella-zoster virus vaccination in the elderly use more favorable base-case values and account for less uncertainty than non–industry-funded (NIF) evaluations. Methods. Data source: PubMed. Data extracted: funding source; incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained; vaccine price; study quality score; base-case values, uncertainty ranges, and data sources for influential parameters: duration of vaccine protection, utility loss due to herpes zoster (HZ) disease, percentage of HZ patients developing postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), and duration of PHN. Data synthesis: qualitative comparisons; Fisher exact test for differences in study quality score and 1-sided Mann-Whitney U tests for differences in base-case values and uncertainty ranges. Results. Despite using the same data sources, IF studies ( n = 10) assume a longer duration of vaccine protection ( U = 56, P = 0.03), have a higher percentage of HZ patients developing PHN ( U = 22/33, P = 0.02/0.03 for ages 60–64/65–69), and tend to use higher HZ utility loss than NIF studies ( n = 11) for their baseline. IF studies show lower ICERs given similar or even higher vaccine prices than NIF studies, consider less uncertainty around the duration of vaccine protection ( U = 8, P < 0.001), and tend to use less uncertainty around the duration of PHN. Yet their quality has been rated equally well, using current standard quality rating tools. Conclusion. Researchers and decision makers should be aware of potential sponsorship bias in health economic evaluations, especially in the way source data are used to specify base-case values and uncertainty ranges.
Career Length and Performance Among Professional Baseball Players Returning to Play After Hip Arthroscopy
Authors: Frangiamore Salvatore J. , Mannava Sandeep , Briggs Karen K. , McNamara Shannen , Philippon Marc J.
Published: May 2018

Background:

Hip arthroscopy has been shown to be effective for management of symptomatic femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) in professional athletes; however, it is unclear how hip arthroscopy affects career length and performance when professional baseball players return to play.

Purpose:

To determine the career length, performance, and return-to-play rates of professional baseball players after undergoing arthroscopy for symptomatic FAI.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

Forty-four professional baseball players (51 hips) underwent hip arthroscopy for FAI between 2000 and 2015 by a single surgeon. Data were retrieved for each player from MLB.com , MiLB.com , Baseballreference.com , and individual team websites. Age, surgical procedure, and intraoperative findings were also used in analysis. Return to play was defined as playing in a preseason or regular season major or minor league game after arthroscopy. Career length was measured as total years played before and after arthroscopy. Performance measures included earned run average for pitchers, batting average for position players, and games played for all players.

Results:

Of the 44 players, there were 21 pitchers and 23 position players. Ninety-five percent (n = 42) were able to return to professional baseball after hip arthroscopy. The mean career length for all players was 9.5 years. The mean career length after return to play was 3.6 seasons (range, 1-14 seasons). Pitchers had a mean career length of 8.7 years (3.3 after surgery), and position players averaged a career length of 10 years (3.9 after surgery). There were no differences in performance measures between preinjury and postoperative values.

Conclusion:

Professional baseball players undergoing hip arthroscopy for FAI returned to sport and had similar performance as they did before injury. The average career length was 9.5 years. In our study cohort, more pitchers than position players underwent hip arthroscopy. Hip arthroscopy appears to be an effective surgical intervention, allowing for return to play after complete recovery.
Preparing for group analytic psychotherapy: meeting the new patient
Authors: Valbak Kristian
Published: May 2018

Preparing for group analytic psychotherapy—the patient and yourself as a therapist—is apparently done in many ways and still invested with much controversy and ambivalence. Some say, they do no selection or assessment at all. The patients or clients are taken from the waiting list in alphabetic order. Other therapists—mainly those working in National Health Services—use several assessment interviews before including patients into short- or long-term groups. Either way, this article revives some research results about assessment and hopes to inspire therapists in their first contact with the patient by presenting some examples from a clinical outpatient practice in a mental health service.
Exploring the fringes of psychopathology
Authors: Henckes Nicolas , Hess Volker , Reinholdt Marie
Published: May 2018

This special issue of History of the Humane Sciences intends to shed light on a series of psychopathological entities that do not target well defined conditions and experiences, but rather aim at delimiting zones of uncertainty that defy psychopathology’s order of things: mild diagnoses or subthreshold disorders, borderline conditions, culture bound syndromes, or ideas of dimensions and dimensionality. While these categories have come to play an increasingly central role in psychiatric and psychological thinking during the last 50 years, historians and social scientists have had remarkably little to say about how they have been created, what they have been used for, and what kind of realities they have helped to shape. In this introductory article we propose the concept of ‘psychopathological fringes’ to refer to these categories that are located somewhere at the border of psychopathological classifications and refer to zones of conceptual underdetermination. The notion of fringes serves to highlight both the conceptually and the socially marginal nature of the conditions, personal identities, and worlds delimited by these categories. The fringes of psychopathology are zones of vagueness, of epistemic uncertainty, and moral ambiguity. This introduction proposes a first incursion in these zones. It suggests some of the reason why they might have had attracted little interest in the past and why they may be more salient recently. It follows some analytical clues that might help chart a way through it and proposes a map through the collection of articles included in this issue.
Abuse Characteristics and the Concordance of Child Protective Service Determinations and Adolescent Self-Reports of Abuse
Authors: Kobulsky Julia M. , Kepple Nancy Jo , Jedwab Merav
Published: May 2018

This study examines the concordance of abuse self-reported by adolescents at 18 years and child protective service (CPS) determinations and how abuse characteristics predict concordance. It includes 819 youths participating in 18-year interviews of the Longitudinal Study of Child Abuse and Neglect (LONGSCAN). Cross-tabulations revealed low correspondence between self-reports and CPS determinations of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. Logistic regression identified that among youths with CPS physical abuse determinations, White race, chronicity, and co-occurring neglect were positively associated with corresponding self-reports. Co-occurring CPS-determined emotional abuse was more concordant with self-reports. More frequent self-reported physical abuse was associated with corresponding CPS determinations. Self-reports of childhood emotional abuse and perpetration by nonparental family/other household members were positively associated with corresponding CPS determinations. CPS determination concordance also varied significantly by LONGSCAN site. Results demonstrate differences in abuse characteristics captured by CPS data and youth self-report, which may impact research findings on abuse correlates.
From power struggle to benevolent authority and empathic limit-setting: Creating inclusive school practice with excluded students through action research
Authors: Razer Michal
Published: May 2018

Teachers face a dilemma in setting limits and establishing boundaries with excluded students, who often exhibit extremely disruptive behavior that cannot be ignored or condoned. Since limit-setting through threats, sanctions, punishment, or expulsion simply reinforces the cycle of exclusion, the alternative approach presented here is to treat the breaching of boundaries as a developmental rather than a moral issue. Benevolent authority and empathic limit-setting, which lie at the core of this method, involve understanding and tending to the needs of the young person while at the same time clearly defining the necessary boundaries and positively reinforcing students for maintaining them. The transition from power struggle to empathic limit-setting entails both a turning point in which problematic incidents are essentially reframed, and emotional awareness on the part of teachers of their own inner turmoil in response to such situations. To the extent that teachers can exercise their authority without punishing or humiliating their students, they provide a holding environment in which excluded students feel stable and secure enough to develop their own internal authority. This paper is based on action research carried out with teachers in an MEd program in inclusive education at the Oranim Academic College of Education in Israel.
The security analysis of E91 protocol in collective-rotation noise channel
Authors: Li Leilei , Li Hengji , Li Chaoyang , Chen Xiubo , Chang Yan , Yang Yuguang , Li Jian
Published: May 2018

The bit error in quantum communication is mainly caused by eavesdropping and noise. However, most quantum communication protocols only take eavesdropping into consideration and ignore the result of noise, making the inaccuracy situations in detecting the eavesdropper. To analyze the security of the quantum E91 protocol presented by Ekert in collective-rotation noise channel, an excellent model of noise analysis is proposed. The increment of the qubits error rate (ber) is used to detect eavesdropping. In our analysis, eavesdropper (Eve) can maximally get about 50% of the key from the communication when the noise level approximates to 0.5. The results show that in the collective-rotation noise environment, E91 protocol is secure and the raw key is available just as we have knew and proved. We also presented a new idea in analyzing the protocol security in noise channel.
The role of workplace social capital, compassion satisfaction and secondary traumatic stress in affective organisational commitment of a sample of Iranian nurses
Authors: Vagharseyyedin Seyyed Abolfazl , Zarei Bahare , Hosseini Mahdi
Published: May 2018

Background

Affective organisational commitment (AOC) refers to employees’ emotional attachment to the organisation and identification with it. It is vital that nurses explore contributors to their AOC because they stand as the largest group of employees in healthcare organisations.

Aim

This cross-sectional, analytical study explored the role of workplace social capital (WSC), compassion satisfaction (CS), and secondary traumatic stress (STS) in AOC in a sample of Iranian nurses.

Method

The study sample consisted of 250 nurses working in eight hospitals affiliated with Birjand University of Medical Sciences, eastern Iran. Participants’ WSC was measured using the Social Capital at Work Scale developed by Kouvonen et al. (2006). CS and STS were measured using CS and STS dimensions of the Professional Quality of Life measure (Version 5) developed by Stamm (2010).

Results

Significant positive associations were found between WSC and AOC ( p < 0.001), between the cognitive dimension of WSC and AOC ( p < 0.001), between the structural dimension of WSC and AOC ( p < 0.001), and between CS and AOC ( p < 0.001). The correlation between STS and AOC ( p < 0.001) was negatively significant.

Conclusion

Effort to promote WSC and CS on the one hand and prevention and early recognition of STS on the other hand can enhance nurses’ AOC.
Analysis of IL-6 and IL-1β release in cryopreserved pooled human whole blood stimulated with endotoxin
Authors: He Qing , Gao Hua , Xu Li-ming , Lu Yan , Wang Chong , Rui Jing , Fan Hua , Wang Xiu-ying , Wang Jun-zhi
Published: May 2018

To overcome the lack of availability of fresh human whole blood for pyrogen detection, we explored the feasibility of utilizing cryopreserved pooled human blood to detect the responses of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-1β to LPS. Whole blood was obtained from five donors and incubated with LPS. The quantities of pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured using ELISA, and the results were compared among the samples. After the blood was cryopreserved with Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) (10% v/v) and stored for 4 mo at –196℃, the detection limits of the IL-6/IL-1β responses to LPS were 0.2/0.4 endotoxin units (EU)/ml, respectively, and IL-6/IL-1β release increased in response to LPS in a dose-dependent manner. When these experiments were performed in three separate laboratories, the within-laboratory reproducibility of the IL-6/IL-1β responses was 100%/86.7%, 93.3%/100%, and 86.7%/80%, and the inter-laboratory reproducibility was 92.9%/85.7%, 64.3%/63.6%, and 57.1%/66.7%, respectively. The sensitivity (the probability of correctly classifying positive samples) and specificity (the probability of correctly classifying negative samples) of the IL-6/IL-1β tests were 81.7%/82.5% and 100%/100%, respectively. The results of this study suggest that cryopreserved pooled blood is a convenient and viable alternative for evaluating in vitro pyrogenicity. Additionally, maintaining cryopreserved pooled blood promotes safety for the user because it is released only after pretesting for infection parameters and has lower variation than fresh donations from a variety of donors.
Relapse Rate and MRI Activity in Young Adult Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: A Post Hoc Analysis of Phase 3 Fingolimod Trials
Authors: Gärtner Jutta , Chitnis Tanuja , Ghezzi Angelo , Pohl Daniela , Brück Wolfgang , Häring Dieter Adrian , Karlsson Goeril , Putzki Norman
Published: May 2018

Background

Disease activity differs in young patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) compared with the overall adult MS population.

Objective

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the effect of fingolimod 0.5 mg on disease activity in young adults with MS from three randomized, double-blind Phase 3 trials.

Methods

Annualized relapse rate (ARR), number of new/newly enlarging T2 lesions (neT2), and no evidence of disease activity (NEDA-3) were estimated in the intent-to-treat population at age 20 (youngest) and 30 (young) and compared to the overall population. Models used included a negative binomial regression (ARR/neT2) and a logistic regression (NEDA), with age at baseline as a continuous covariate.

Results

ARRs were higher in younger patients (all p < 0.05), and significantly reduced with fingolimod versus placebo or interferon beta-1a (IFN β-1a), with the percentage reduction inversely proportional to age. Fingolimod was significantly associated with a lower number of neT2 lesions versus placebo/IFN in all age groups except versus IFN in the youngest patients. Regardless of age, fingolimod-treated patients were more likely to achieve NEDA-3 versus placebo/IFN β-1a, with strongest benefits in the youngest patients (all p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Young adults show higher levels of MS disease activity, and may particularly benefit from fingolimod treatment compared with the overall study population.
Kawasaki Disease in a Patient With Williams Syndrome
Authors: Nabower Aleisha M. , Starr Lois J. , Cramer Jonathan
Published: May 2018

Kawasaki disease can be difficult to diagnose in infants, putting them at higher risk for developing coronary artery dilatation. It can be even more difficult to diagnose in the setting of preexisting cardiac anomalies such as those found in Williams syndrome. We present a case of a three-month-old male with Williams syndrome with rapidly developing giant coronary aneurysms due to Kawasaki disease. This case demonstrates the importance of repeat echocardiography in diagnosing incomplete Kawasaki disease in infants. We speculate that elastin changes, as present in Williams syndrome, may put affected children at higher risk for development of giant coronary arteries should they acquire Kawasaki disease.
Infection and Rerupture After Surgical Repair of Achilles Tendons
Authors: Jildeh Toufic R. , Okoroha Kelechi R. , Marshall Nathan E. , Abdul-Hak Abraham , Zeni Ferras , Moutzouros Vasilios
Published: May 2018

Background:

Surgical repair of an Achilles tendon rupture has been shown to decrease rerupture rates. However, surgery also increases the risk of complications, including infection.

Purpose:

To determine the risk factors for infection and rerupture after primary repair of Achilles tendon ruptures.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

A retrospective review was performed on 423 patients who underwent operative treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures between the years 2008 and 2014. The primary outcome of interest was the total rate of infection, and the secondary outcome of interest was the incidence of rerupture within 2 years of operation.

Results:

A total of 423 patients were analyzed, with a mean age of 46 years (range, 16-83 years) and a mean body mass index of 31.4 kg/m2 (range, 17-55 kg/m2). The overall infection rate was 2.8%, and the rerupture rate was 1%. The median time between surgery and superficial surgical site infection was 30 days, and the median time between surgery and rerupture was 38 days. Longer tourniquet times (100.3 ± 34.7 minutes vs 69.9 ± 21.4 minutes; P = .04) and greater estimated blood loss (15.0 ± 9.1 mL vs 5.1 ± 12.0 mL; P = .01) were associated with an increased rate of deep surgical site infections. Patients who had longer operation and tourniquet times trended toward higher rerupture rates ( P = .06 and .08, respectively). When compared with nonsmokers, current and previous smokers had an increased incidence of superficial or deep surgical site infections (6.25% vs 1.42%; P = .02). Age, sex, race, body mass index, alcohol use, diabetes, past steroid injections, and mechanism of injury did not contribute to complication rates.

Conclusion:

Achilles tendon repairs were associated with a low risk of infection and rerupture. Patients with longer tourniquet times, higher estimated blood loss, and a history of smoking were at increased risk for surgical site infections. Patients with longer operative times had increased rates of rerupture.