bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does p53 Inhibition Suppress Myocardial Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury?
Authors: Yano Toshiyuki , Abe Koki , Tanno Masaya , Miki Takayuki , Kuno Atsushi , Miura Tetsuji , Steenbergen Charles
Published: March 2018

p53 is well known as a regulator of apoptosis and autophagy. In addition, a recent study showed that p53 is a modulator of the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP), a trigger event of necrosis, but the role of p53 in necrosis induced by myocardial ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the role of p53 in acute myocardial I/R injury in perfused mouse hearts. In male C57BL6 mice between 12 and 15 weeks of age, 2 types of p53 inhibitors were used to suppress p53 function during I/R: pifithrin-α, an inhibitor of transcriptional functions of p53, and pifithrin-μ, an inhibitor of p53 translocation from the cytosol to mitochondria. Neither infusion of these inhibitors before ischemia nor infusion for the first 30-minute period of reperfusion reduced infarct size after 20-minute ischemia/120-minute reperfusion. Infarct sizes were similar in p53 heterozygous knockout mice (p53+/−) and wild-type mice (WT), but recovery of rate pressure product (RRP) 120 minutes after reperfusion was higher in p53+/− than in WT. The protein expression of p53 in WT was negligible under baseline conditions, during ischemia, and at 10 minutes after the start of reperfusion, but it became detectable at 120 minutes after reperfusion. In conclusion, upregulation of p53 during the late phase of reperfusion plays a significant role in contractile dysfunction after reperfusion, although p53 is not involved in cardiomyocyte necrosis during ischemia or in the early phase of reperfusion.
A fuzzy support vector machine based on environmental membership and its application to motor fault classification
Authors: Bing Li , Yilong Liang , Wei Cheng
Published: March 2018

To weaken the effects of the outliers or noise in classification, a fuzzy support vector machine (FSVM) based on environmental fuzzy membership is proposed. The environmental fuzzy membership considers not only the number of the similar samples nearby but also the distribution of the samples nearby. As more information of the samples is considered, the reliability and robustness of the FSVM is further enhanced, which can improve the classification performance, especially for overlapping samples. The classification performance of the proposed method is validated by numerical case studies, an experimental study for a breast cancer dataset, and an application to motor fault classification. Compared with the FSVM based on the k-nearest neighbor algorithm, the proposed method obtains more robust and accurate classification rates in all case studies.
Genotoxic Effects Due to Exposure to Chromium and Nickel Among Electroplating Workers
Authors: El Safty Amal Mohamed Kamal , Samir Aisha Mohamed , Mekkawy Mona Kamal , Fouad Marwa Mohamed
Published: March 2018

Using chromium and nickel for electroplating is important in many industries. This process induces variable adverse health effects among exposed workers. The aim of this study is to detect the genotoxic effects of combined exposure to chromium and nickel among electroplating workers. This study was conducted on 41 male workers occupationally exposed to chromium and nickel in the electroplating section of a factory compared to 41 male nonexposed individuals, where full history and clinical examination were performed. Laboratory investigations included measurement of serum chromium, nickel, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and micronuclei were measured in buccal cells. In exposed workers, serum chromium ranged from 0.09 to 7.20 µg/L, serum nickel ranged from 1.20 to 28.00 µg/L, serum 8-OHdG ranged from 1.09 to12.60 ng/mL, and these results were statistically significantly increased compared to nonexposed group ( P < 0.001). Electroplaters showed higher frequencies of micronuclei in buccal cells when compared to nonexposed (ranged from 20.00 to 130.00 N/1,000 versus 2.00 to 28.00 N/1,000; P < 0.001). Linear regression models were done to detect independent predictors of 8-OHdG and micronucleus test by comparing exposed and nonexposed groups. The model found that exposure to chromium and nickel increases serum 8-OHdG by 4.754 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.54-5.96). The model found that exposure to chromium and nickel increases micronucleus by 35.927 (95% CI: 28.517-43.337). Serum 8-OHdG and micronucleus test in buccal cells were increased with combined exposure to chromium and nickel. The current research concluded that workers exposed to nickel and chromium in electroplating industry are at risk of significant cytogenetic damage.
Early glycaemic control for maintaining visual function in type 1 diabetes: The Oulu cohort study of diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Hautala Nina , Siiskonen Mira , Hannula Virva , Järvinen Kaisu , Falck Aura
Published: March 2018

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the visual function and the ophthalmic status of young Finnish adults with long duration of type 1 diabetes in relation to the history of the metabolic control.

Methods:

A population-based cohort of children with type 1 diabetes examined in the Northern Ostrobothnia hospital district in 1989 (n = 216) was re-examined 18 years later. High-contrast visual acuity (best-corrected visual acuity), contrast sensitivity, refractive error, lens status, intraocular pressure, stage of diabetic retinopathy and received treatments were evaluated. The metabolic control was reflected by the mean of glycated haemoglobin A1 or glycated haemoglobin A1c values of the years 1983–1989 and 1992–2007, respectively.

Results:

In all, 96 men and 76 women age 30 ± 3 years with type 1 diabetes duration of 23 ± 4 years attended the re-evaluation. About 60% (103/172) had normal best-corrected visual acuity and 3% had low vision. Contrast sensitivity was abnormal in two-thirds. Half had myopia. Four patients had cataract surgery. Low childhood glycated haemoglobin A1 was indicative, and favourable glycated haemoglobin A1c during youth was a significant predictor of better contrast sensitivity and ocular state in adulthood.

Conclusion:

The majority of the patients have useful vision, although minor functional impairments are commonly detectable. Long duration of type 1 diabetes in association with non-optimal glycaemic control threatens visual function already at young adulthood. Thus, strong emphasis to control diabetes from onset is important in maintaining good visual function.
Diagnostic capability of optic nerve head rim width and retinal nerve fiber thickness in open-angle glaucoma
Authors: Di Staso Silvio , Agnifili Luca , Di Staso Federico , Climastone Hilary , Ciancaglini Marco , Scuderi Gian Luca
Published: March 2018

Purpose:

This study was performed to test the diagnostic capability of the minimum rim width compared to peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in patients with glaucoma.

Methods:

A case control, observer masked study, was conducted. Minimum rim width and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness were assessed using the patient-specific axis traced between fovea-to-Bruch’s membrane opening center axis. For both minimum rim width and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, the regionalization in six sectors (nasal, superior-nasal, superior-temporal, temporal, inferior-temporal, and inferior-nasal) was analyzed. Eyes with at least one sector with value below the 5% or 1% normative limit of the optical coherence tomography normative database were classified as glaucomatous. The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve, the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and predictive positive and negative values were calculated for both minimum rim width and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness.

Results:

A total of 118 eyes of 118 Caucasian subjects (80 eyes with open-angle glaucoma and 38 control eyes) were enrolled in the study. Accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were 79.7%, 77.5%, and 84.2%, respectively, for minimum rim width and 84.7%, 82.5%, and 89.5% for retinal nerve fiber layer thickness. The positive predictive values were 0.91% and 0.94% for minimum rim width and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, respectively, whereas the negative predictive values were 0.64% and 0.70%. The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve was 0.892 for minimum rim width and 0.938 for retinal nerve fiber layer thickness.

Conclusion:

Our results indicated that the sector analysis based on Bruch’s membrane opening and fovea to disk alignment is able to detect glaucomatous defects, and that Bruch’s membrane opening minimum rim width and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness showed equivalent diagnostic ability.
Hypoglycemic Coma in a Hemodialysis Patient Receiving Blood Glucose-Lowering Therapy With the Single Agent Teneligliptin
Authors: Minezumi Takumi , Takeda Shin-ichi , Igarashi Yusuke , Sato Kentaro , Murakami Yoshiaki , Nagata Daisuke
Published: March 2018

Blood glucose management in patients undergoing dialysis is clinically challenging. In this population, most conventional oral hypoglycemic agents are contraindicated, especially from the perspective of pharmacokinetics. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors exert unique pharmacologic actions via glucose-dependent mechanism and have an excellent tolerability profile with a very low risk of hypoglycemia. Furthermore, the literature reports that some dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors such as teneligliptin can be administered at the usual dose, regardless of a patient’s level of renal impairment. In this article, we report a case of hypoglycemic coma with a blood glucose level of 23 mg/dL. The patient became fully conscious shortly after receiving a glucose injection; however, severe hypoglycemia recurred for approximately 1.5 days. It eventually disappeared on the discontinuation of teneligliptin, which was the only antidiabetic agent that he had received. The present case may provide deep insights into promoting the safe use of hypoglycemic agents in patients undergoing dialysis.
Discontinuation of disease-modifying therapy in patients with multiple sclerosis over age 60
Authors: Hua Le H , Fan Tracey H , Conway Devon , Thompson Nicolas , Kinzy Tyler G
Published: March 2018

Background:

The risk–benefit ratio of continuing immunomodulating disease-modifying therapy (DMT) in older multiple sclerosis (MS) patients is unknown.

Objective:

To evaluate clinical and patient-reported outcomes after stopping DMT in older MS patients.

Methods:

Retrospective, observational study identifying patients from our MS clinics who were aged over 60 and on DMT > 2 years. Cause-specific Cox proportional hazards regression modeled time to discontinuation and time to reinitiation of therapy. Pre- and post-discontinuation comparisons of Performance Scales (PS), Timed 25-Foot Walk, and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ9) were analyzed using linear mixed models.

Results:

A total of 600 patients were included, with 178 (29.7%) discontinuing. Discontinuers were 2.2 years older, had 3.2 years longer disease duration, and 1.6 years lesser treatment exposure. Providers initiated discontinuation more than patients (68.0%). Only one clinical relapse occurred in discontinuers. A proportion (10.7%) reinitiated DMT. Provider-initiated discontinuers restarted less often (hazard ratio (HR): 0.34; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.12–0.9). In discontinuers, relapsing-remitting patients had lower PS on average than primary progressive. Provider-initiated discontinuation was associated with lower PS than patient- initiated discontinuation. PHQ9 scores appeared higher in those stopping intravenous (IV) therapies than interferons. Lower PS and PHQ9 indicate better outcomes.

Conclusion:

Most patients over age 60, who discontinued DMT, remained off DMT. This study provides real-world data that may guide clinicians considering discontinuing DMT.
Mughal hegemony and the emergence of South Asia as a “region” for regional order-building
Authors: Pardesi Manjeet S.
Published: March 2018

The region known as South Asia today emerged as the locus for order-building only in the early modern period (~1500–1750) as a “region” of Islamicate Asia. I demonstrate this through a cognitive-strategic process based on the interactions between polities and resources within and outside of South Asia. While the practices associated with the primary institutions of warfare, great power management, diplomacy, and political economy did not meaningfully differentiate South Asia from Eurasia in the pre-Mughal millennium, the deep rules associated with them marked South Asia off from Islamicate Asia after the rise of the Mughals. The practices of these four primary institutions were co-constituted with Mughal hegemony. Unlike recent scholarship, I show that the regional level existed before the emergence of a global-scale international system. My analysis has two major theoretical implications. First, I clarify the distinction between hegemonic and imperial orders, and argue that coercive hegemony must be understood as a primary institution of an international/regional society. Since all hegemonies are not alike, I explain why some hegemonic orders are based on coercion while others mix coercion with legitimacy/acquiescence by elucidating the structural differences between Mughal and Ming/Qing hegemonies. Second, I advance the debate on balance of power versus hegemony by providing a historically grounded explanation that demonstrates why the injection of extra-regional resources into early modern South Asia produced hegemony while fostering systemic balancing behavior in Europe (post-1500). My findings raise questions related to regionalization (order-building) without regionalism (shared identities/threat perceptions), while showing that region (trans)formation effects order.
Climate change and intergroup relations: Psychological insights, synergies, and future prospects
Authors: Pearson Adam R. , Schuldt Jonathon P.
Published: March 2018

Climate change is often conceived as a technical challenge, requiring smart policies and science-driven solutions. Yet, as revealed by each new round of international negotiations, and by growing (rather than receding) partisan divides on climate change in the United States, climate change is also profoundly social: How people understand and engage with the issue is powerfully influenced by the responses of others, including members of ingroups and outgroups. This special issue brings together research and theory that shed light on new and understudied group and intergroup dimensions of climate change. The featured articles showcase the breadth of social psychological processes (e.g., social identity and categorization processes, intergroup perceptions, normative influence, justice concerns, and group-based ideologies) relevant to the study of climate change while highlighting how the problem’s shared, global relevance poses unique questions and opportunities for the field. We explore the contributions of these articles to the social psychological study of climate change and highlight new challenges and pathways forward.
Analysis method of dynamics and structure optimization for sealing mechanism under reducing vibration condition
Authors: Shang Xin , Liu Xin-Cheng
Published: March 2018

The paper highlights the importance of optimal design model in the design evaluation of complex sealing mechanism. Sealing mechanism of the high-speed assembly machine is taken as the research object and construct rigid-flexible coupling dynamic equation. Dynamic characteristics of the sealing mechanism are analyzed by MATLAB. The maximum dynamic stress and reducing the acceleration of the end F are regarded as the optimization object. Cam profile curve parameter and the link cross section parameter are designed as the variables to construct the optimization design model of the whole sealing mechanism, and nonlinear constraint problem is transformed into a linear constraint problem. Based on the MATLAB genetic algorithm toolbox, the optimal design model of the sealing mechanism is solved, and the optimal result is obtained.
Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for the quantification of a potent H3 receptor antagonist conessine in serum and its application to pharmacokinetic studies
Authors: Shukla Mahendra , Francis Femi M , Lal Jawahar
Published: March 2018

Conessine, a steroidal alkaloid obtained from the bark and seeds of the plant species of Apocynaceae family, elicits a histamine antagonistic action, selectively for the H3 histaminergic receptors. This alkaloid is used mainly for the treatment of dysentery and helminthic disorders. For the quantification of conessine in serum, a liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method was developed. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a Zorbax SB-CN column (100 × 4.6 mm, 3.5 µm), and a mobile phase consisting of 90% methanol in aqueous ammonium acetate buffer (pH 3.5) with 0.1% (v/v) formic acid at an isocratic flow rate of 0.6 ml/min at 40℃ provides efficiency in separation. A volume of 40 µl was injected each time and the run time for each sample was 5 min. Phenacetin (internal standard) was added to 50 µl of serum sample prior to liquid–liquid extraction using 3% isopropanol in n-hexane. The detection was performed on a 5500 QTRAP mass spectrometer by multiple reaction monitoring mode via electrospray ionization source. The multiple reaction monitoring of conessine and IS was m/ z 357.4 to m/ z 312.1 and m/ z 180.1 to m/ z 138.1, respectively. The method that showed selectivity and linearity in the range of 1–200 ng/ml was validated in terms of sensitivity, accuracy, precision and stability. The detection and quantitation limits were recognized at 0.1 and 1 ng/ml, respectively. The intra- and inter-day precision and accuracy fulfils the acceptance criteria. Applying the method to the pharmacokinetic studies in rats, conessine showed a peak serum concentration at 2 h post oral dose with a good bioavailability of 71.28 ± 4.65%.
Managing behavioural and psychological symptoms in community dwelling older people with dementia: 2. A systematic review of qualitative studies
Authors: Braun Andreas , Trivedi Daksha P , Dickinson Angela , Hamilton Laura , Goodman Claire , Gage Heather , Ashaye Kunle , Iliffe Steve , Manthorpe Jill
Published: March 2018

Background

People living with dementia often develop distressing behavioural and psychological symptoms (BPSD) that can affect their quality of life and the capacity of family carers and staff providing support at home. This systematic review of qualitative studies considers the views and experiences of people living with dementia and care providers about these symptoms and what helps to reduce their impact.

Methods

The two-stage review involved (a) An initial mapping of the literature to understand the range of BPSD, and how it is operationalised by different groups, to develop a search strategy; (b) A search of electronic databases from January 2000 to March 2015, updated in October 2016. Included studies focused on people living in their own homes. Data extraction and thematic analysis were structured to provide a narrative synthesis of the evidence.

Results

We retrieved 17, 871 records and included relevant qualitative papers (n = 58) targeting community-dwelling people with dementia and family carers around the management of BPSD. Five key themes were identified: (1) Helpful interventions/support for BPSD management, (2) Barriers to support services for BPSD management, (3) Challenges around recognition/diagnosis of BPSD, (4) Difficulties in responding to aggression and other BPSD, and (5) Impact of BPSD on family carers and people living with dementia.

Conclusions

Family carers sometimes feel that their experiences of BPSD may not be evident to professionals until a crisis point is reached. Some helpful services exist but access to support, lack of knowledge and skills, and limited information are consistently identified as barriers to their uptake. The lack of common terminology to identify and monitor the range of BPSD that people with dementia living at home may experience means that closer attention should be paid to family carer accounts. Future research should include qualitative studies to evaluate the relevance of interventions.
Patterns of self-organization in the context of urban planning: Reconsidering venues of participation
Authors: Eizenberg Efrat
Published: March 2018

This article unpacks the relations that exist between the planning institution and urban residents by examining processes of self-organization in planning. Approaching self-organization with the lens of assemblage, the article proposes three categories or patterns of self-organization of different urban actors and portrays how they act in different forms to induce urban change. The three self-organization categories are as follows: (1) self-organization by the disenfranchised for basic rights, (2) self-organization by the ordinary for community interests, and (3) self-organization by the powerful for economic gains. In these different forms of self-organization, power and agency are differentially constituted by the relations between the residents, the planning institution, and the physical space. Moreover, the impacts of these actions on the urban space vary. Nevertheless, there are also some resemblances between groups and actions that are commonly dissociated. Unpacking different manifestations of self-organization in urban planning proposes a more relational interpretation that emphasizes the inextricable and overlapping relations of formal and informal planning and of top-down and bottom-up planning, and surfaces a different understanding of urban power relations.
Active Learning in a Child Psychology Course: Observing Play Behavior at a Children’s Museum
Authors: Kingery Julie Newman , Gaskell Margaret E. , Toner Shana R. , Rice Stacey E. , Gray Melissa L. , Milligan Jesse A. , Milmoe Maureen H.
Published: March 2018

The primary goal of this paper is to describe an innovative active learning experience (i.e., class trip to a children’s museum) aimed at expanding child psychology students’ knowledge of the developmental benefits of play. A secondary goal is to present preliminary data about the impact of this experience on students’ learning by examining scores of a pre /post knowledge assessment for students who went to the museum (N = 30; 27 female) and a comparison group who did not (N = 31; 29 female). Students who visited the museum demonstrated significantly greater improvement on the knowledge assessment relative to the comparison group. In response to an open-ended question, trip group students indicated that the museum experience helped them to better understand the role of play in children’s development and ways in which play behavior varies by age. Limitations of the empirical results related to the sample characteristics, scope of the knowledge assessment, and the nature of the museum trip are highlighted, along with a call for more rigorous future research on this topic.
Male Stigma: Emotional and Behavioral Effects of a Negative Social Identity on a Group of Canadian Men
Authors: Robertson Dr. Lloyd Hawkeye
Published: March 2018

Although the concept of stigma has been used to examine the place of various minority populations and women in society, it has not been previously applied to men. This qualitative research explores the experience of 16 Canadian men who believe they were stigmatized due to their sex. The study concludes that the experiences of these participants are consistent with social stigma involving assumptions of male violence and inadequacy with respect to the care of children. Mechanisms whereby such stigmatic assumptions could be maintained are explored along with the need for further research. The results of this research will have immediate application to counsellors working in the area of men’s wellness who wish to understand the experience from the perspective of their clients.
Modelling, attitude controller design and flight experiments of a novel micro-ducted-fan aircraft
Authors: Fan Wei , Xiang Changle , Xu Bin
Published: March 2018

This research concerns a novel micro-ducted-fan aircraft. A structured attitude controller is designed for a novel unmanned aerial vehicle in the presence of strong state coupling and system perturbation. The novel unmanned aerial vehicle is equipped with two tandem ducted fans to provide the main thrust. Relative to conventional (open-rotor) aircraft, our novel unmanned aerial vehicle can perform much better in indoor or other complex conditions. The inherent advantages of the duct structure also make this type of unmanned aerial vehicle more compact and efficient. In this research, a structured multi-loop feedback attitude controller is employed based on H-infinity synthesis and tuned using a type of non-smooth optimization method. This non-smooth optimization method directly and efficiently tunes the proposed control parameters to ideal structures while ensuring satisfactory practical control performance. A series of computer simulations and basic flight experiments are applied to evaluate the performance of the proposed controller. The results of simulations and experiments confirm that the performance of the proposed attitude controller is reliable and efficient in practice.
The processing of blend words in naming and sentence reading
Authors: Johnson Rebecca L , Slate Sarah Rose , Teevan Allison R , Juhasz Barbara J
Published: March 2018

Research exploring the processing of morphologically complex words, such as compound words, has found that they are decomposed into their constituent parts during processing. Although much is known about the processing of compound words, very little is known about the processing of lexicalised blend words, which are created from parts of two words, often with phoneme overlap (e.g., brunch). In the current study, blends were matched with non-blend words on a variety of lexical characteristics, and blend processing was examined using two tasks: a naming task and an eye-tracking task that recorded eye movements during reading. Results showed that blend words were processed more slowly than non-blend control words in both tasks. Blend words led to longer reaction times in naming and longer processing times on several eye movement measures compared to non-blend words. This was especially true for blends that were long, rated low in word familiarity, but were easily recognisable as blends.
Computational and empirical simulations of selective memory impairments: Converging evidence for a single-system account of memory dissociations
Authors: Curtis Evan T , Jamieson Randall K
Published: March 2018

Current theory has divided memory into multiple systems, resulting in a fractionated account of human behaviour. By an alternative perspective, memory is a single system. However, debate over the details of different single-system theories has overshadowed the converging agreement among them, slowing the reunification of memory. Evidence in favour of dividing memory often takes the form of dissociations observed in amnesia, where amnesic patients are impaired on some memory tasks but not others. The dissociations are taken as evidence for separate explicit and implicit memory systems. We argue against this perspective. We simulate two key dissociations between classification and recognition in a computational model of memory, A Theory of Nonanalytic Association. We assume that amnesia reflects a quantitative difference in the quality of encoding. We also present empirical evidence that replicates the dissociations in healthy participants, simulating amnesic behaviour by reducing study time. In both analyses, we successfully reproduce the dissociations. We integrate our computational and empirical successes with the success of alternative models and manipulations and argue that our demonstrations, taken in concert with similar demonstrations with similar models, provide converging evidence for a more general set of single-system analyses that support the conclusion that a wide variety of memory phenomena can be explained by a unified and coherent set of principles.
Populism and the Greek crisis: A modern tragedy
Authors: Arvanitopoulos Constantine
Published: March 2018

Greece’s economic crisis is a by-product of a deeper institutional, political and societal crisis. The crisis brought about a bailout programme conditional on fiscal and structural reform, as set forth in three successive memoranda of understanding between Greece and its creditors. The domestic political class accepted these memoranda, albeit reluctantly. After the initial response with its populist overtones and the subsequent long and tortuous process of adjustment, the country now seems close to a consensus on a minimum reform agenda. However, Greece needs a change of paradigm: a shift away from deep-rooted attitudes that have impaired the country’s tremendous potential, to a culture of reform and growth. Its political leadership has to come up with a plan, one embraced by the people, that will push the country out of the current catastrophic interlude and lead it into a new virtuous cycle.
Variation of Traditional Biomarkers of Liver Injury After an Ultramarathon at Altitude
Authors: Tirabassi Jill N. , Olewinski Lucianne , Khodaee Morteza
Published: March 2018

Background:

Significant elevations of traditional biomarkers of liver injury can occur as a result of running an ultramarathon.

Hypothesis:

Traditional serum biomarker levels of liver injury will significantly increase as the result of participating in this 161-km race at altitude.

Study Design:

Prospective cross-sectional study.

Level of Evidence:

Level 3.

Methods:

A total of 64 (before) and 83 (after) volunteer runners participated in a prospective observational field-based study at the Leadville 100 ultramarathon race. Changes in serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatine kinase (CK), and bilirubin levels were measured.

Results:

Of 669 athletes who started the race, 352 successfully completed the race within the 30-hour cutoff (53%). Of 36 runners who had pre- and postrace blood samples taken, the mean ALT, AST, and bilirubin levels were increased from 23 ± 10 U/L, 23 ± 5 U/L, and 0.60 ± 0.29 mg/dL to 117 ± 106 U/L, 485 ± 500 U/L, and 1.60 ± 0.61 mg/dL, respectively (all P < 0.001). There was no change in the mean ALP level ( P = 0.11). There were no significant correlations between postrace ALT, AST, ALP, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and bilirubin levels and athletes’ age, sex, body mass index, or finishing time. Significant positive linear correlations between AST, ALT, and LDH with CK were seen. Athletes in this study did not seek medical attention after the race based on an electronic survey (92% response rate).

Conclusion:

Significant elevations of traditional biomarkers of liver injury occurred as a result of running an ultramarathon at altitude. These correlated with CK, a marker of muscle injury.

Clinical Relevance:

When reviewing laboratory studies of traditional biomarkers of liver injury in athletes after an ultramarathon, significant elevations may be seen from baseline but are likely to be of no clinical consequence.
Not so different in present attitudes and behaviour, but expected future membership: A technical replication of a study of party youth in six European democracies
Authors: Behrens Lion , Rohlfing Ingo
Published: March 2018

Based on the statistical analysis of an original survey of young party members from six European democracies, a study concluded that three types of young members differed systematically regarding their membership objectives, activism, efficacy and perceptions of the party and self-perceived political future. We performed a technical replication of the original study, correcting four deficiencies, which led us to a different conclusion. First, we discuss substantive significance in addition to statistical significance. Second, we ran significance tests on all comparisons instead of limiting them to an arbitrary subset. Third, we performed pairwise comparisons between the three types of members instead of using pooled groups. Fourth, we avoided the inflation of the type-I error rate due to multiple testing by using the Bonferroni–Holm correction. We found that most of the differences between the types lacked substantive significance, and that statistical significance only coherently distinguished the types of members in their future membership, but not in their present behaviour and attitudes.
Digitally Mediated Protest: Social Media Affordances for Collective Identity Construction
Authors: Khazraee Emad , Novak Alison N.
Published: March 2018

Many scholars discuss the role of social media in the context of social movements, but there remain major disagreements regarding the precise role that social media plays. One area that deserves more in-depth study is the affordances of social media for constructing collective identity. This article examines the case of an Iranian women’s rights campaign page on Facebook, “My Stealthy Freedom,” using an analysis of textual and visual content. The article examines how online campaign pages on Facebook contribute to the formation of collective identity and the construction of a campaign narrative. Following the analysis, the authors discuss how photobiographic campaigns—social media users sharing personal photos and adjoining personal narratives in support of a cause—illustrate two affordances of social media for construction of collective identity: affordances for discourse and affordances for performance. Affordances for discourse contribute to the collective action framing process through sharing of grievances and collectively negotiating meaning. These affordances also contribute to a collectively and incrementally constructed narrative by sharing personal stories that resonate with the group. Affordances for performance focus on the enactment of protest through transgressive photobiographies deliberately staged to convey the movement message to broader audiences. Here, transgressive photobiographies are defined as modular performances that can be adopted for the repertoires of contentious politics through protesting of laws and norms, such as the mandatory hijab. These transgressive performances create group solidarity through engagement in risk, thereby contributing to the formation of group identities.
A qualitative exploration of psychosocial specialists’ experiences of providing support in UK burn care services
Authors: Guest Ella , Griffiths Catrin , Harcourt Diana
Published: March 2018

Introduction:

A burn can have a significant and long-lasting psychosocial impact on a patient and their family. The National Burn Care Standards (2013) recommend psychosocial support should be available in all UK burn services; however, little is known about how it is provided. The current study aimed to explore experiences of psychosocial specialists working in UK burn care, with a focus on the challenges they experience in their role.

Methods:

Semi-structured telephone interviews with eight psychosocial specialists (two psychotherapists and six clinical psychologists) who worked within UK burn care explored their experiences of providing support to patients and their families.

Results and Discussion:

Thematic analysis revealed two main themes: burn service-related experiences and challenges reflected health professionals having little time and resources to support all patients; reduced patient attendance due to them living large distances from service; psychosocial appointments being prioritised below wound-related treatments; and difficulties detecting patient needs with current outcome measures. Therapy-related experiences and challenges outlined the sociocultural and familial factors affecting engagement with support, difficulties treating patients with pre-existing mental health conditions within the burn service and individual differences in the stage at which patients are amenable to support.

Conclusion:

Findings provide an insight into the experiences of psychosocial specialists working in UK burn care and suggest a number of ways in which psychosocial provision in the NHS burn service could be developed.
“Being Alone and Expectations Lost”: A Realist Theory of Neighborhood Context, Stress, Depression, and the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease
Authors: Eastwood John , Kemp Lynn , Jalaludin Bin
Published: March 2018

We have previously reported on the findings of a critical realist concurrent triangulated mixed method multilevel study that sought to identify and explain complex perinatal contextual social and psychosocial mechanisms that may influence the developmental origins of health and disease. That study used both emergent and construction phases of a realist explanatory theory building method. The purpose of this article is to present the thesis, theoretical framework, propositions, and models explaining neighborhood context, stress, depression, and the developmental origins of health and disease. The analysis draws on an extensive extant literature; intensive (qualitative), extensive (quantitative), and multilevel studies used for phenomena detection, description, and emergent phase theory development; and the abductive and retroductive analysis undertaken for the theory construction phase. Global, economic, social, and cultural mechanisms were identified that explain maternal stress and depression within family and neighborhood contexts. There is a complex intertwining of historical, spatial, cultural, material, and relational elements that contribute to the experiences of loss and nurturing. Emerging is the centrality of social isolation and “ expectation lost” as possible triggers of stress and depression not only for mothers but possibly also for others who have their dreams shattered during life’s transitions. The thesis: In the neighborhood spatial context, in keeping with critical realist ontology, global-economic, social, and cultural-level generative powers trigger and condition maternal, psychological, and biological-level stress mechanisms, resulting in the phenomenon of maternal depression and alteration of the infants’ developmental trajectory.
Cannabis and psychosis: what do we know and what should we do?
Authors: Colizzi Marco , Murray Robin
Published: March 2018

It is now incontrovertible that heavy use of cannabis increases the risk of psychosis. There is a dose–response relationship and high potency preparations and synthetic cannabinoids carry the greatest risk. It would be wise to await the outcome of the different models of legalisation that are being introduced in North America, before deciding whether or not to follow suit.

Declaration of interest

None.
Designing a socio-normative intervention to reduce anemia in Odisha India: A formative research protocol
Authors: Sedlander Erica , Rimal Rajiv N , Talegawkar Sameera A. , Yilma Hagere , Munar Wolfgang
Published: March 2018

Background: More than half of women of reproductive age in India are anemic. Anemia is associated with increased risk of preterm delivery, higher maternal mortality and contributes to fatigue, which affects women’s work productivity. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends daily oral iron and folic acid (IFA) supplements during pregnancy and weekly supplements for women of reproductive age. Government programs and global donors have distributed and promoted IFA supplements in India for over four decades. However, initial intake and compliance remain inadequate.

Objectives: This protocol describes the formative research phase of a larger study, which will test, through a randomized controlled trial, the hypothesis that a social norms-based behavioral intervention in Odisha, India will improve uptake of IFA supplements and reduce anemia among reproductive age women as compared to usual care. The focus of this paper is on the formative research required to develop a sound intervention. We will examine socio-normative barriers to and facilitators of IFA supplement uptake.

Methods and analysis: Based on the Theory of Normative Social Behavior, we will adopt a mixed-method, multilevel approach. We will collect data using focus groups, in-depth interviews, observations, Rapid Participatory Ethnographic Evaluation and Research (PEER) techniques, and perceptual mapping methods. Our sample includes reproductive age women (pregnant and not pregnant), their husbands, their mothers/in law and key stakeholders. After analyzing the results, we will hold a convening in India to collaboratively design the intervention. Following the intervention design, we will test components of the intervention, gather user feedback and tweak as necessary. Additionally, to improve adoption and sustainability of the intervention, we will conduct policy dialogue with stakeholders throughout the formative research.

Impact: This study will contribute to the social norms and behavioral intervention research and inform policymakers about the value of adopting a socio-normative approach.
Adjunctive dexamethasone for the treatment of HIV-uninfected adults with tuberculous meningitis stratified by Leukotriene A4 hydrolase genotype (LAST ACT): Study protocol for a randomised double blind placebo controlled non-inferiority trial
Authors: Donovan Joseph , Phu Nguyen Hoan , Thao Le Thi Phuong , Lan Nguyen Huu , Mai Nguyen Thi Hoang , Trang Nguyen Thi Mai , Hiep Nguyen Thi Thu , Nhu Tran Bao , Hanh Bui Thi Bich , Mai Vu Thi Phuong , Bang Nguyen Duc , Giang Do Chau , Ha Dang Thi Minh , Day Jeremy , Thuong Nguyen TT , Vien Nguyen Nang , Geskus Ronald B. , Hien Tran Tinh , Kestelyn Evelyne , Wolbers Marcel , Chau Nguyen Van Vinh , Thwaites Guy E.
Published: March 2018

Background: Tuberculosis kills more people than any other bacterial infection worldwide. In tuberculous meningitis (TBM), a common functional promoter variant (C/T transition) in the gene encoding leukotriene A4 hydrolase (LTA4H), predicts pre-treatment inflammatory phenotype and response to dexamethasone in HIV-uninfected individuals. The primary aim of this study is to determine whether LTA4H genotype determines benefit or harm from adjunctive dexamethasone in HIV-uninfected Vietnamese adults with TBM. The secondary aim is to investigate alternative management strategies in individuals who develop drug induced liver injury (DILI) that will enable the safe continuation of rifampicin and isoniazid therapy. 

Methods: We will perform a parallel group, randomised (1:1), double blind, placebo-controlled,  multi-centre Phase III non-inferiority trial, comparing dexamethasone versus placebo for 6-8 weeks in addition to standard anti-tuberculosis treatment in HIV-uninfected patients with TBM stratified by LTA4H genotype. The primary endpoint will be death or new neurological event. The trial will enrol approximately 720 HIV-uninfected adults with a clinical diagnosis of TBM, from two hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. 640 participants with CC or CT- LTA4H genotype will be randomised to either dexamethasone or placebo, and the remaining TT- genotype participants will be treated with standard-of-care dexamethasone. We will also perform a randomised comparison of three management strategies for anti-tuberculosis DILI. An identical ancillary study will also be perfomed in the linked randomised controlled trial of dexamethasone in HIV-infected adults with TBM (ACT HIV). 

Discussion: Previous data have shown that LTA4H genotype may be a critical determinant of inflammation and consequently of adjunctive anti-inflammatory treatment response in TBM. We will stratify dexamethasone therapy according to LTA4H genotype in HIV-uninfected adults, which may indicate a role for targeted anti-inflammatory therapy according to variation in LTA4H C/T transition. A comparison of DILI management strategies may allow the safe continuation of rifampicin and isoniazid.
INNOVATIVE ACTIVITY IN FORESTRY INDUSTRYCOMPLEX OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Authors: Трейман Марина , Treyman Marina
Published: March 2018

The article contains the main aspects of innovative development and use of the country's forest resources, the relevance of the ongoing research is grounded in the fact that the forest needs to be used most fully, since its restoration is a long process. The aim of the study is to develop a methodological base based on the evaluation of the effectiveness of innovations in the timber industry complex of Russia, as well as proposals for adjusting the methods of economic damage to the country's forest resources. The research uses methods of analysis and synthesis of statistical data on the use of forest resources in Russia and abroad, as well as economic aspects of nature management, which is the methodology of the study. Proposals for adjusting the methodology for calculating economic losses make a significant contribution to the development of monetary valuation of forest use and allow the most accurate future forecasting of forest marketing opportunities at the regional level. The innovative activity of forest technology parks and modern experience allow developing and implementing this direction of economic development throughout Russia. The author has suggested a methodology for assessing innovation activities in the forest management of the Urals, that to develop an integrated approach to innovation, and the full use of the resource potential, the method is simple and accurate in use. The research has both scientific novelty and practical significance and perspectives for further introduction of the technology parks and industrial complexes of the regions into practice. The results of the research have showed that the Ural Techno park is a positive example of innovative development, although it has average values of developmental ranges. The most valuable and expensive recoverable species are birch and spruce, and it is for them that the greatest damage is done in the investigated range, and the proposed damage calculation procedure allows you to adjust the monetary estimates in comparison with the often used methods . The use of the resource potential of the Urals is complete and comprehensive
Aki Kaurismäki and Finnish strangeness: Leningrad Cowboys Go America as a cult film
Authors: Seppälä Jaakko
Published: March 2018

Leningrad Cowboys Go America (1989) was Aki Kaurismäki’s international breakthrough. The film has been less frequently analysed than prototypical Kaurismäki films such as Mies vailla menneisyyttä (The Man Without a Past) (2002). This article approaches Leningrad Cowboys Go America as a cult film and argues that it introduced Kaurismäki’s signature style of ironic minimalism to international audiences in an especially pronounced form. The film participated in the creation of the ‘strangeness’ that Finland is eager to market today.
From Hollywood to Norway and back again: The transnational horror film and Norwegian directors in America
Authors: Bakke Andresen Christer
Published: March 2018

In the nearly fifteen years since the release of Villmark (Dark Woods), the Norwegian horror genre has been a regular cinema attraction in Norway. In the same period, many directors who made their mark in Norwegian horror have been hired for work in American film. In this article, I argue that the genre sensibility that these directors have displayed, a fairly new characteristic of Norwegian cinema, is the reason their services have been wanted in Hollywood.
Cinematic landscapes of the Anthropocene: Scandinavian documentary film at the turn of the twenty-first century
Authors: Oscarson Christopher
Published: March 2018

Recent discussions about renaming the current geological epoch the Anthropocene provide a constructive lens to consider the work of contemporary Nordic documentary filmmakers (including Stefan Jarl, Michael Madsen and Mikael Kristersson) who are each exploring an evolving understanding of the ways that humans are simultaneously part of and separate from nature. The films considered here investigate how deeply embedded humans are in natural systems by manipulating anthropocentric perspectives as well as geographical and temporal sense of scale. The effects of these cinematic experiments help to form a renewed understanding of relatedness about how the future of humanity and the ecological fate of the planet are intertwined.