bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of “Dream Herb,”Calea zacatechichi, for Nephrotoxicity Using Human Kidney Proximal Tubule Cells
Authors: Mossoba Miriam E. , Flynn Thomas J. , Vohra Sanah , Wiesenfeld Paddy , Sprando Robert L.
Published: September 2016

A recent surge in the use of dietary supplements, including herbal remedies, necessitates investigations into their safety profiles. “Dream herb,”Calea zacatechichi, has long been used in traditional folk medicine for a variety of purposes and is currently being marketed in the US for medicinal purposes, including diabetes treatment. Despite the inherent vulnerability of the renal system to xenobiotic toxicity, there is a lack of safety studies on the nephrotoxic potential of this herb. Additionally, the high frequency of diabetes-associated kidney disease makes safety screening ofC. zacatechichifor safety especially important. We exposed human proximal tubule HK-2 cells to increasing doses of this herb alongside known toxicant and protectant control compounds to examine potential toxicity effects ofC. zacatechichirelative to control compounds. We evaluated both cellular and mitochondrial functional changes related to toxicity of this dietary supplement and found that even at low doses evidence of cellular toxicity was significant. Moreover, these findings correlated with significantly elevated levels of nephrotoxicity biomarkers, lending further support for the need to further scrutinize the safety of this herbal dietary supplement.
Menthol Smokers: Metabolomic Profiling and Smoking Behavior
Authors: Hsu Ping-Ching , Lan Renny S. , Brasky Theodore M. , Marian Catalin , Cheema Amrita K. , Ressom Habtom W. , Loffredo Christopher A. , Pickworth Wallace B. , Shields Peter G.
Published: September 2016

Background: The use of menthol in cigarettes and marketing is under consideration for regulation by the FDA. However, the effects of menthol on smoking behavior and carcinogen exposure have been inconclusive. We previously reported metabolomic profiling for cigarette smokers, and novelly identified a menthol-glucuronide (MG) as the most significant metabolite directly related to smoking. Here, MG is studied in relation to smoking behavior and metabolomic profiles.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of 105 smokers who smoked two cigarettes in the laboratory one hour apart. Blood nicotine, MG, and exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) boosts were determined (the difference before and after smoking). Spearman correlation, χ2, and ANCOVA adjusted for gender, race, and cotinine levels for menthol smokers assessed the relationship of MG boost, smoking behavior, and metabolic profiles. Multivariate metabolite characterization using supervised partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was carried out for the classification of metabolomics profiles.

Results: MG boost was positively correlated with CO boost, nicotine boost, average puff volume, puff duration, and total smoke exposure. Classification using PLS-DA, MG was the top metabolite discriminating metabolome of menthol versus nonmenthol smokers. Among menthol smokers, 42 metabolites were significantly correlated with MG boost, which linked to cellular functions, such as of cell death, survival, and movement.

Conclusions: Plasma MG boost is a new smoking behavior biomarker that may provide novel information over self-reported use of menthol cigarettes by integrating different smoking measures for understanding smoking behavior and harm of menthol cigarettes.

Impact: These results provide insight into the biological effect of menthol smoking. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 26(1); 51–60. ©2016 AACR.
The Pioneering and Unknown Stereotactic Approach of Roeder and Orthner from Göttingen. Part I. Surgical Technique for Tailoring Individualized Stereotactic Lesions
Authors: Hamel Wolfgang , Köppen Johannes A. , Hariz Marwan , Krack Paul , Moll Christian K.E.
Published: September 2016

During the 1950s through the 1970s, Hans Orthner and Fritz Roeder, two German neurologists from Göttingen, developed a sophisticated technique to perform functional stereotactic surgery with outstanding accuracy. They introduced direct air ventriculography performed in the same surgical session as the ablative stereotactic procedure. For individualized surgical targeting, Orthner prepared a stereotactic atlas (>60 brains) with an ingenious brain-slicing device, the Göttinger macrotome. Brains were grouped based on similarity of six different head and ventricle measurements. A brain cluster representing the best match for a patient was selected for stereotactic targeting. Stereotactic lesions were tailored in an individual manner and shaped by stringing together multiple small coagulations following intraoperative test stimulation. This was achieved from a single probe trajectory by using well-engineered string electrodes with calibrated curving and involved laborious calculations. Only high-frequency thermocoagulation was regarded as appropriate for lesioning. With this meticulous technique, the most advanced stereotactic procedures were performed, including bilateral pallidotomy that ultimately could be restricted to the ansa lenticularis and ventromedial hypothalamotomy, the most delicate stereotactic operation performed to date. Outside Göttingen, this technique has only been used by Prof. Dieter Müller in Hamburg, Germany. This elaborate stereotactic approach is widely unknown and deserves to be discussed in a historical context.
Aggressive Posterior Retinopathy of Prematurity Is Associated with Multiple Infectious Episodes and Thrombocytopenia
Authors: Lundgren Pia , Lundberg Linnea , Hellgren Gunnel , Holmström Gerd , Hård Anna-Lena , Smith Lois E. , Wallin Agneta , Hallberg Boubou , Hellström Ann
Published: September 2016

Background: The most severe form of rapidly progressing retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is termed aggressive posterior ROP (APROP). APROP frequently causes severe visual impairment in affected preterm infants despite timely and appropriate laser treatment. Objectives: We investigated the postnatal characteristics associated with APROP development in a national Swedish cohort. Methods: This retrospective, 1:1 matched case-control study included all infants that developed APROP in zone 1 (n = 9) between 2008 and 2012. Control infants, matched for gestational age and birth weight, developed ROP no worse than stage 2 (n = 9). We retrieved data from medical records on infant birth characteristics, postnatal morbidities, and blood analyses from birth to the first ROP treatment. Infectious episodes included sepsis, C-reactive protein ≥10 mg/l, and other clinical signs of infection that required antibiotic treatment. A platelet count <100 × 109/l was considered to be thrombocytopenia. Results: All APROP cases postnatally developed at least two infectious episodes, one in the first month and one around the time of ROP diagnosis. All APROP cases exhibited thrombocytopenia in the first month, and 6/9 exhibited thrombocytopenia around the time of ROP diagnosis. Compared to the controls, APROP cases more frequently developed necrotizing enterocolitis (8/9 vs. 1/9; p < 0.01) and sepsis (9/9 vs. 3/9; p < 0.01), and they had significantly lower median platelet counts (90 × 109/l, range 4-459, vs. 158 × 109/l, range 20-500; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Multiple infectious episodes and thrombocytopenia, particularly around the time of ROP diagnosis, were associated with APROP development.
Insecure Attachment Styles and Increased Borderline Personality Organization in Substance Use Disorders
Authors: Hiebler-Ragger Michaela , Unterrainer Human-Friedrich , Rinner Anita , Kapfhammer Hans-Peter
Published: September 2016

Background: Previous research has linked insecure attachment styles and borderline personality organization to substance use disorder (SUD). However, it still remains unclear whether those impairments apply to different kinds of SUDs to the same extent. Therefore, in this study we sought to investigate potential differences regarding attachment deficits and borderline personality organization in two different SUD inpatient groups and furthermore in comparison to healthy controls. Sampling and Methods: A total of 66 (24 female) inpatients diagnosed with alcohol use disorder (AUD), 57 (10 female) inpatients diagnosed with polydrug use disorder (PUD), and 114 (51 female) healthy controls completed the Borderline Personality Inventory and the Attachment Style Questionnaire. Results: Compared to healthy controls, AUD and PUD inpatients showed significant deficits in all attachment parameters (p < 0.01) as well as a significantly increased amount of borderline personality organization (p < 0.01). No differences between AUD and PUD inpatients were observed (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Our results indicate that the drug(s) of choice cannot be regarded as an indicator for the extent of attachment deficits or personality pathology. These initial findings are mainly limited by the rather small sample size as well as just a single point of measurement. Future research might also consider further covariates such as comorbidity or psychotropic medication.
Ex vivo Skin Permeation of Betulin from Water-in-Oil Foams
Authors: Färber Anna , Daniels Rolf
Published: September 2016

Triterpenes of the outer bark of birch are known to improve wound healing. An oleogel with these triterpenes as active principle is approved by the European Medicines Agency. As foams can be applied without touching the skin, they might be an advantageous application form. A comparable wound-healing effect can be expected when the permeation flux of the triterpenes from different types of formulations, namely oleogels, water-in-oil emulsions and water-in-oil foams, is similar. The tested formulations were based on three lipids (medium-chain trigylcerides, sunflower oil and paraffin) which differ in their polarity and solvent power for the triterpenes. Infinite dose permeation experiments were performed using porcine skin which was injured by either tape stripping or skin grafting. The results showed that steady-state permeation flux and lag time depend clearly on the depth of the skin lesion. Moreover, it was substantially affected by the lipid used as basis for the different formulations. In contrast, the different formulation types showed a comparable permeation behaviour leading to the conclusion that all formulation types can be used alike for the treatment of wounds, and the results that have already been obtained with oleogels can be directly translated to the foam with its superior use properties.
Survival Outcomes in EGFR Mutation-Positive Lung Cancer Patients Treated with Gefitinib until or beyond Progression
Authors: Moiseyenko Fedor V. , Moiseyenko Vladimir M. , Aleksakhina Svetlana N. , Chubenko Vyacheslav A. , Volkov Nikita M. , Kozyreva Kseniya S. , Kramchaninov Michail M. , Zhuravlev Alexandr S. , Shelekhova Kseniya V. , Ivantsov Alexandr O. , Venina Aigul R. , Preobrazhenskaya Elena V. , Mitiushkina Natalia V. , Iyevleva Aglaya G. , Imyanitov Evgeny N.
Published: September 2016

Background: Discontinuation of gefitinib treatment is often accompanied by a disease flare. Some studies have demonstrated a benefit of the use of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) beyond progression; however, long-term results of these investigations remain limited. Patients and Methods: We observed 70 patients with EGFR-mutated (EGFR-M+) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving single-agent gefitinib in a routine clinical setting; 56 patients were experiencing RECIST progression at the time of the analysis. Results: There was a significant increase (p = 0.00001) in overall survival (OS) in patients continuing on gefitinib beyond progression (n = 21; median duration of continued gefitinib use: 4.2 months; median OS: not reached; expected OS: 29.7 months) as compared to those who stopped gefitinib treatment upon disease progression (n = 35; median OS: 14.0 months). The association between extended gefitinib use and improved OS remained true in multivariate Cox regression analysis (hazard ratio = 4.49, 95% confidence interval 1.25-16.09; p = 0.021). Patient selection bias constitutes an essential limitation of this clinical observational study, given that patients with a more favorable disease course and/or high initial tumor sensitivity to TKI treatment were more likely to be considered for prolonged gefitinib use. Conclusion: This study confirms that continued administration of gefitinib beyond progression is a viable treatment option for some patients with EGFR-M+ NSCLC, in particular those who cannot be rescued by novel EGFR mutation-specific inhibitors such as osimertinib.
Association of Prostate Blood Flow with Male Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms
Authors: Wu Kuan-Yu , Tsai Yuh-Shyan , Chen Chia-Hong , Chen I-Hung , Tzai Tzong-Shin , Tong Yat-Ching
Published: September 2016

Purpose: To investigate the association of prostate blood flow (PBF) with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in aged males using Doppler spectral waveform (DSW) analysis. Patients and Methods: We performed a prospective analysis involving 133 aged males with clinical diagnosis of LUTS. DSW parameters (peak-systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), and resistive index (RI)) were measured at bilateral neurovascular bundles (NVB), periurethral, and capsular branches by Doppler transrectal ultrasound with the patient in the right lateral decubitus position. The associations of PBF parameters and the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) were analyzed. Results: Overall, total IPSS scores were significantly correlated with the RI of bilateral NVB vessels (r2 = 0.03, 0.04; p = 0.04, 0.02, respectively), and PSV of left NVB vessels. PSV of bilateral NVB vessels were associated with the storage score (p = 0.022 and p = 0.016), but not with the voiding score. The sum of the frequency and urgency score was also associated with EDV of both capsular and urethral branches (p = 0.043 and p = 0.009, respectively), and PSV of NVB vessels on both sides (p = 0.045 and p = 0.019, respectively). Conclusions: There is an association between PBF and LUTS, especially with storage symptoms. The findings may provide some insights in understanding the underlying pathophysiology of lower urinary tract dysfunction.
A Case of Turner Syndrome with Multiple Embolic Infarcts
Authors: Yoon Cindy W. , Lee Eungseok , Yoon Byung-Nam , Park Hee-Kwon , Rha Joung-Ho
Published: September 2016

Only a few cases of Turner syndrome (TS) with ischemic stroke have been reported. Various arteriopathies of the cerebral arteries, including fibromuscular dysplasia, congenital hypoplasia, moyamoya syndrome, and premature atherosclerosis have been assumed to be the cause of ischemic stroke in TS. There has been no case report of a TS patient presenting with an embolic stroke pattern without any cerebral arteriopathy. A 28-year-old woman with TS was referred to our hospital because of abnormal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. She underwent brain MRI at the referring hospital because she experienced sudden-onset diffuse headache. Diffusion-weighted imaging revealed multiple acute embolic infarcts in different vascular territories. Intracranial and extracranial arterial disease was not detected on cerebral magnetic resonance angiography and carotid sonography. Embolic source workups, including transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography, Holter monitoring, and transcranial Doppler shunt study, were all negative. Hypercoagulability and vasculitis panels were also negative. Our patient was diagnosed with cryptogenic embolic stroke. This is the first report of a TS patient with an embolic stroke pattern. Our case shows that ischemic stroke in TS could be due to embolism as well as the various cerebral arteriopathies documented in previous reports.
Atendimento pré-hospitalar ao indivíduo com comportamento suicida: uma revisão integrativa
Authors: Silva Sabrina Lacerda da , Kohlrausch Eglê Rejane
Published: September 2016

O objetivo deste estudo é identificar as ações realizadas pelos profissionais de enfermagem durante o atendimento pré-hospitalar ao indivíduo com comportamento suicida. Pesquisa de revisão integrativa, que utilizou o Método de Cooper. A coleta de dados foi realizada nas seguintes bases: LILACS, BDENF, MEDLINE, SciELO e BIREME. Obteve-se 4765 artigos, dos quais 190 atenderam aos critérios de inclusão, 21 responderam a questão norteadora, 18 eram repetidos, sendo três utilizados neste estudo. Foram encontradas 32 ações de enfermagem realizadas. Considera-se, portanto , importante que a equipe de enfermagem, gestores e sociedade voltem seu olhar para o tema comportamento suicida a fim de aprimorar o atendimento e entendimento sobre o desejo de morte.
Oficina terapêutica como expressão da subjetividade
Authors: Farias Izamir Duarte de , Thofehrn Maira Buss , Andrade Ana Paula Müller de , Carvalho Lisa Antunes , Fernandes Helen Nicoletti , Porto Adrize Rutz
Published: September 2016

Objetivo: Conhecer a percepção de profissionais de diferentes formações na área da saúde a respeito do funcionamento das oficinas terapêuticas no CAPS. Pesquisa de abordagem qualitativa, descritiva e exploratória, fundamentada pela teoria Histórico-Cultural de Vygotsky. Foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas, em que participaram vinte e quatro profissionais de saúde dos Centros de Atenção Psicossocial da cidade de Pelotas/RS. As oficinas terapêuticas foram identificadas como espaços que propiciam aos pacientes dos serviços de saúde mental meios de buscar suas potencialidades valorizando os aspectos saudáveis da vida, permitindo a expressão da subjetividade através da arte, do artesanato e das atividades coletivas terapêuticas
Estresse entre graduandos de enfermagem de uma universidade pública
Authors: Mota Nayanne Ingrid Farias , Alves Estela Rodrigues Paiva , Leite Gerlaine De Oliveira , Sousa Brena Stefani Meira Acioly de , Ferreira Filha Maria de Oliveira , Dias Maria Djair
Published: September 2016

Objetivo: Estimar o nível de estresse e a sintomatologia apresentada em acadêmicos de enfermagem de uma universidade pública. Método: Estudo transversal e quantitativo envolvendo 151 graduandos de enfermagem selecionados a partir de um sorteio baseado na lista de alunos matriculados. Foi utilizado o inventário de sintomas do stress de Lipp versão para adultos. Os dados foram analisados e apresentados descritivamente por meio de distribuições absolutas e percentuais, utilizando software estatístico R. Resultados: 49,7% dos alunos apresentaram sintomas de estresse, com a maioria de indivíduos cursando o 8º e 9º períodos. Os sintomas psicológicos foram mais presentes (50,7%). Conclusão: Recomendase implementação de ferramentas de tecnologia leve do cuidado que apresentam baixo custo e alto poder resolutivo, para melhor combate ao estresse
Relação entre os níveis de atividade física e qualidade de vida no uso de drogas em adolescentes
Authors: Pinheiro Bruno De Oliveira , Andrade André Luiz Monezi , De Micheli Denise
Published: September 2016

Devido ao crescente consumo de drogas entre os adolescentes em fase escolar, este estudo teve por objetivo avaliar a real contribuição das atividades físicas como método de prevenção ao uso de entorpecentes , considerando os índices de qualidade de vida e padrões de consumo dessas substâncias. O estudo foi realizado com 754 adolescentes entre 14 e 18 anos de idade. Verificou-se, entre os adolescentes com alto nível de atividade física, maiores índices de consumo de substâncias psicotrópicas, bebidas energéticas, substâncias ergogênicas e baixos índices de qualidade de vida. De modo geral, sugere-se a realização de intervenções de caráter educativo sobre o uso de substâncias em geral, tanto para adolescentes praticantes de atividades físicas quanto para familiares e treinadores
Signal-Averaged Electrocardiography as a Noninvasive Tool for Evaluating the Outcomes After Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation of Ventricular Tachycardia in Patients With Ischemic Heart Disease
Authors: Dinov Borislav , Bode Kerstin , Koenig Sebastian , Oebel Sabrina , Sommer Philipp , Bollmann Andreas , Hindricks Gerhard , Arya Arash
Published: September 2016

Background—

Inducibility of ventricular tachycardia (VT) has limited ability to predict recurrent VT after catheter ablation (CA). We sought to correlate the signal-averaged ECG (SAECG) with the endocardial scar characteristics in patients with ischemic VTs. We suggest that successful CA can result in normalization of the SAECG.

Methods and Results—

Fifty patients (42 male; aged 67±10 years, ejection fraction 34±12%) with ischemic VTs were prospectively enrolled. SAECG was performed before and after CA. Patients with at least 2 abnormal criteria (filtered QRS ≥114 ms; root mean square 40 <20 μV, and low-amplitude potentials 40 >38 ms) were defined as having positive SAECG. There was a linear correlation between endocardial scar area (<1.5 mV) and filtered QRS (
r
=0.414;
P
=0.003). CA resulted in normalization of the SAECG in 6 patients. In patients with filtered QRS ≤120 ms, 13 (40.6%) patients had normal SAECG after CA compared with 7 (21.9%) before ablation (
P
=0.034). Patients with normal or normalized SAECG after CA had better VT-free survival compared with those whose SAECG remained abnormal. Abnormal SAECG after CA was a predictor for VT recurrence: hazard ratio=3.64;
P
=0.039 for the overall population, and hazard ratio=5.80;
P
=0.022 for patients having QRS ≤120 ms.

Conclusions—

There is a significant correlation between the surface SAECG and endocardial scar size in patients with ischemic VTs. A successful CA can result in normalization of SAECG that is associated with more favorable long-term outcomes. SAECG can be useful to assess the procedural success of VT ablation.
Thoracic Epidural Anesthesia Reduces Right Ventricular Systolic Function With Maintained Ventricular-Pulmonary Coupling
Authors: Wink Jeroen , de Wilde Rob B. P. , Wouters Patrick F. , van Dorp Eveline L. A. , Veering Bernadette Th. , Versteegh Michel I. M. , Aarts Leon P. H. J. , Steendijk Paul
Published: September 2016

Background:

Blockade of cardiac sympathetic fibers by thoracic epidural anesthesia may affect right ventricular function and interfere with the coupling between right ventricular function and right ventricular afterload. Our main objectives were to study the effects of thoracic epidural anesthesia on right ventricular function and ventricular-pulmonary coupling.

Methods:

In 10 patients scheduled for lung resection, right ventricular function and its response to increased afterload, induced by temporary, unilateral clamping of the pulmonary artery, was tested before and after induction of thoracic epidural anesthesia using combined pressure-conductance catheters.

Results:

Thoracic epidural anesthesia resulted in a significant decrease in right ventricular contractility (ΔESV
25
: +25.5 mL,
P
=0.0003; ΔEes: -0.025 mm Hg/mL,
P
=0.04). Stroke work, dP/dt
MAX
, and ejection fraction showed a similar decrease in systolic function (all
P
<0.05). A concomitant decrease in effective arterial elastance (ΔEa: -0.094 mm Hg/mL,
P
=0.004) yielded unchanged ventricular-pulmonary coupling. Cardiac output, systemic vascular resistance, and mean arterial blood pressure were unchanged. Clamping of the pulmonary artery significantly increased afterload (ΔEa: +0.226 mm Hg/mL,
P
<0.001). In response, right ventricular contractility increased (ΔESV
25
: -26.6 mL,
P
=0.0002; ΔEes: +0.034 mm Hg/mL,
P
=0.008), but ventricular-pulmonary coupling decreased (Δ(Ees/Ea) = -0.153,
P
<0.0001). None of the measured indices showed significant interactive effects, indicating that the effects of increased afterload were the same before and after thoracic epidural anesthesia.

Conclusions:

Thoracic epidural anesthesia impairs right ventricular contractility but does not inhibit the native positive inotropic response of the right ventricle to increased afterload. Right ventricular-pulmonary arterial coupling was decreased with increased afterload but not affected by the induction of thoracic epidural anesthesia.

Clinical Trial Registration:

URL:
http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp?TC=2844
. Unique identifier: NTR2844.
Quantifying the Association Between Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Wahid Ahad , Manek Nishma , Nichols Melanie , Kelly Paul , Foster Charlie , Webster Premila , Kaur Asha , Friedemann Smith Claire , Wilkins Elizabeth , Rayner Mike , Roberts Nia , Scarborough Peter
Published: September 2016

Background

The relationships between physical activity (
PA
) and both cardiovascular disease (
CVD
) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2
DM
) have predominantly been estimated using categorical measures of
PA
, masking the shape of the dose‐response relationship. In this systematic review and meta‐analysis, for the very first time we are able to derive a single continuous
PA
metric to compare the association between
PA
and
CVD
/T2
DM
, both before and after adjustment for a measure of body weight.

Methods and Results

The search was applied to
MEDLINE
and
EMBASE
electronic databases for all studies published from January 1981 to March 2014. A total of 36 studies (3 439 874 participants and 179 393 events, during an average follow‐up period of 12.3 years) were included in the analysis (33 pertaining to
CVD
and 3 to T2
DM
). An increase from being inactive to achieving recommended
PA
levels (150 minutes of moderate‐intensity aerobic activity per week) was associated with lower risk of
CVD
mortality by 23%,
CVD
incidence by 17%, and T2
DM
incidence by 26% (relative risk [
RR
], 0.77 [0.71–0.84]), (
RR
, 0.83 [0.77–0.89]), and (
RR
, 0.74 [0.72–0.77]), respectively, after adjustment for body weight.

Conclusions

By using a single continuous metric for
PA
levels, we were able to make a comparison of the effect of PA on
CVD
incidence and mortality including myocardial infarct (
MI
), stroke, and heart failure, as well as T2DM. Effect sizes were generally similar for
CVD
and T2DM, and suggested that the greatest gain in health is associated with moving from inactivity to small amounts of
PA
.
Alcohol Consumption, Left Atrial Diameter, and Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: McManus David D. , Yin Xiaoyan , Gladstone Rachel , Vittinghoff Eric , Vasan Ramachandran S. , Larson Martin G. , Benjamin Emelia J. , Marcus Gregory M.
Published: September 2016

Background

Alcohol consumption has been associated with atrial fibrillation (
AF
) in several epidemiologic studies, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. We sought to test the hypothesis that an atrial myopathy, manifested by echocardiographic left atrial enlargement, explains the association between chronic alcohol use and
AF
.

Methods and Results

We evaluated the relationship between cumulative alcohol consumption and risk of incident
AF
in 5220 Offspring and Original Framingham Heart Study participants (mean age 56.3 years, 54% women) with echocardiographic left atrial size measurements. The incidence of
AF
was 8.4 per 1000 person‐years, with 1088 incident
AF
cases occurring over a median 6.0 years (25th–75th percentiles 4.0–8.7 years) of follow‐up. After multivariable adjustment for potential confounders, every additional 10 g of alcohol per day (just under 1 drink per day) was associated with a 0.16 mm (95%
CI
, 0.10–0.21 mm) larger left atrial dimension. Also in multivariable adjusted analysis, every 10 g per day of alcohol consumed was associated with a 5% higher risk of developing new‐onset
AF
(hazard ratio, 1.05; 95%
CI
, 1.01–1.09). An estimated 24% (95%
CI
, 8–75) of the association between alcohol and
AF
risk was explained by left atrial enlargement.

Conclusions

Our study of a large, community‐based sample identified alcohol consumption as a predictor of left atrial enlargement and subsequent incident
AF
. Left atrial enlargement may be an intermediate phenotype along the causal pathway linking long‐term alcohol consumption to
AF
.
Two new species of genus Lasiosina Becker from China (Diptera, Chloropidae)
Authors: LIU XIAOYAN , YANG DING
Published: September 2016

A review of the species of the genus Lasiosina Becker from China is provided. The following two species are described as new to science: L. nigrolineata sp. nov. and L. recurvata sp. nov. A key to all species of Lasiosina from China is given.
New and little-known species of the genus Lacon Laporte, 1838 (Coleoptera: Elateridae) of Afghanistan and adjacent countries
Authors: PROSVIROV ALEXANDER S.
Published: September 2016

Two new species of the genus Lacon Laporte, 1838 are described: L. elegantissimus sp. nov. (Afghanistan, India) and L. kabakovi sp. nov. (Afghanistan). L. caeruleus Schimmel, 1998 is recorded for the first time in Afghanistan, presence of L. funebris (Solsky, 1881) in Afghanistan is confirmed. In addition, some taxonomic and morphological notes on the Lacon species of Afghanistan and adjacent countries are given.
First occurrence of Nemobiinae crickets in the Lesser Antilles (Orthoptera, Grylloidea, Trigonidiidae), with the descriptions of three new species
Authors: DESUTTER-GRANDCOLAS LAURE , HUGEL SYLVAIN
Published: September 2016

The occurrence of Nemobiinae crickets (Grylloidea, Trigonidiidae) in the Lesser Antilles is attested here for the first time, by the descriptions of three new species of Absonemobius Desutter-Grandcolas, 1993 from Guadeloupe, St. Lucia and St. Vincent: Absonemobius septentrion n. sp., Absonemobius lucensis n. sp. and Absonemobius vincenti n. sp., and the discovery of Hygronemobius Hebard, 1913 in Guadeloupe. The generic attribution of several nemobiine species described from the Caribbean and from Southern Central America are also reviewed: Nemobius elegans Otte, 2006 from Costa Rica and Pteronemobius sanaco Otte & Perez-Gelabert, 2009 described from Belize are transferred to Hygronemobius; Hygronemobius darienicus Hebard, 1913 described from Panama is transferred to Absonemobius Desutter-Grandcolas, 1993; Hygronemobius epia Otte & Perez-Gelabert, 2009 does not belong to Hygronemobius, but is temporarily kept in this genus as incertae sedis.
Bayesian Optimization of the Community Land Model Simulated Biosphere–Atmosphere Exchange using CO2 Observations from a Dense Tower Network and Aircraft Campaigns over Oregon
Authors: Schmidt Andres , Law Beverly E. , Göckede Mathias , Hanson Chad , Yang Zhenlin , Conley Stephen
Published: September 2016

The vast forests and natural areas of the Pacific Northwest compose one of the most productive ecosystems in the Northern Hemisphere. The heterogeneous landscape of Oregon poses a particular challenge to ecosystem models. This study presents a framework using a scaling factor Bayesian inversion to improve the modeled atmosphere–biosphere exchange of CO2. Observations from five CO/CO2 towers, eddy covariance towers, and airborne campaigns were used to constrain the Community Land Model, version 4.5 (CLM4.5), simulated terrestrial CO2 exchange at a high spatial and temporal resolution (1/24°; 3 hourly). To balance aggregation errors and the degrees of freedom in the inverse modeling system, the authors applied an unsupervised clustering approach for the spatial structuring of the model domain. Data from flight campaigns were used to quantify the uncertainty introduced by the Lagrangian particle dispersion model that was applied for the inversions. The average annual statewide net ecosystem productivity (NEP) was increased by 32% to 29.7 TgC yr−1 by assimilating the tropospheric mixing ratio data. The associated uncertainty was decreased by 28.4%–29% on average over the entire Oregon model domain with the lowest uncertainties of 11% in western Oregon. The largest differences between posterior and prior CO2 fluxes were found for the Coast Range ecoregion of Oregon that also exhibits the highest availability of atmospheric observations and associated footprints. In this area, covered by highly productive Douglas fir forest, the differences between the prior and posterior estimate of NEP averaged 3.84 TgC yr−1 during the study period from 2012 through 2014.
Estimating Snow Water Storage in North America Using CLM4, DART, and Snow Radiance Data Assimilation
Authors: Kwon Yonghwan , Yang Zong-Liang , Zhao Long , Hoar Timothy J. , Toure Ally M. , Rodell Matthew
Published: September 2016

This paper addresses continental-scale snow estimates in North America using a recently developed snow radiance assimilation (RA) system. A series of RA experiments with the ensemble adjustment Kalman filter are conducted by assimilating the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for Earth Observing System (AMSR-E) brightness temperature TB at 18.7- and 36.5-GHz vertical polarization channels. The overall RA performance in estimating snow depth for North America is improved by simultaneously updating the Community Land Model, version 4 (CLM4), snow/soil states and radiative transfer model (RTM) parameters involved in predicting TB based on their correlations with the prior TB (i.e., rule-based RA), although degradations are also observed. The RA system exhibits a more mixed performance for snow cover fraction estimates. Compared to the open-loop run (0.171 m RMSE), the overall snow depth estimates are improved by 1.6% (0.168 m RMSE) in the rule-based RA whereas the default RA (without a rule) results in a degradation of 3.6% (0.177 m RMSE). Significant improvement of the snow depth estimates in the rule-based RA is observed for tundra snow class (11.5%, p < 0.05) and bare soil land-cover type (13.5%, p < 0.05). However, the overall improvement is not significant (p = 0.135) because snow estimates are degraded or marginally improved for other snow classes and land covers, especially the taiga snow class and forest land cover (7.1% and 7.3% degradations, respectively). The current RA system needs to be further refined to enhance snow estimates for various snow types and forested regions.
Using Separable Nonnegative Matrix Factorization Techniques for the Analysis of Time-Resolved Raman Spectra
Authors: Luce Robert , Hildebrandt Peter , Kuhlmann Uwe , Liesen Jörg
Published: September 2016

The key challenge of time-resolved Raman spectroscopy is the identification of the constituent species and the analysis of the kinetics of the underlying reaction network. In this work we present an integral approach that allows for determining both the component spectra and the rate constants simultaneously from a series of vibrational spectra. It is based on an algorithm for nonnegative matrix factorization that is applied to the experimental data set following a few pre-processing steps. As a prerequisite for physically unambiguous solutions, each component spectrum must include one vibrational band that does not significantly interfere with the vibrational bands of other species. The approach is applied to synthetic “experimental” spectra derived from model systems comprising a set of species with component spectra differing with respect to their degree of spectral interferences and signal-to-noise ratios. In each case, the species involved are connected via monomolecular reaction pathways. The potential and limitations of the approach for recovering the respective rate constants and component spectra are discussed.
Analysis of urinary human chorionic gonadotrophin concentrations in normal and failing pregnancies using longitudinal, Cox proportional hazards and two-stage modelling
Authors: Marriott Lorrae , Zinaman Michael , Abrams Keith R , Crowther Michael J , Johnson Sarah
Published: September 2016

Background

Human chorionic gonadotrophin is a marker of early pregnancy. This study sought to determine the possibility of being able to distinguish between healthy and failing pregnancies by utilizing patient-associated risk factors and daily urinary human chorionic gonadotrophin concentrations.

Methods

Data were from a study that collected daily early morning urine samples from women trying to conceive (n = 1505); 250 of whom became pregnant. Data from 129 women who became pregnant (including 44 miscarriages) were included in these analyses. A longitudinal model was used to profile human chorionic gonadotrophin, a Cox proportional hazards model to assess demographic/menstrual history data on the time to failed pregnancy, and a two-stage model to combine these two models.

Results

The profile for log human chorionic gonadotrophin concentrations in women suffering miscarriage differs to that of viable pregnancies; rate of human chorionic gonadotrophin rise is slower in those suffering a biochemical loss (loss before six weeks, recognized by a rise and fall of human chorionic gonadotrophin) and tends to plateau at a lower log human chorionic gonadotrophin in women suffering an early miscarriage (loss six weeks or later), compared with viable pregnancies. Maternal age, longest cycle length and time from luteinizing hormone surge to human chorionic gonadotrophin reaching 25 mIU/mL were found to be significantly associated with miscarriage risk. The two-stage model found that for an increase of one day in the time from luteinizing hormone surge to human chorionic gonadotrophin reaching 25 mIU/mL, there is a 30% increase in miscarriage risk (hazard ratio: 1.30; 95% confidence interval: 1.04, 1.62).

Conclusion

Rise of human chorionic gonadotrophin in early pregnancy could be useful to predict pregnancy viability. Daily tracking of urinary human chorionic gonadotrophin may enable early identification of some pregnancies at risk of miscarriage.
Jeanne Dumée as Astronomer and Woman in Seventeenth-Century France: The Myth and Her Lost Voice
Authors: Aubin David
Published: September 2016

As the author of a manuscript defending the Copernican system in 1680, Jeanne Dumée is often cited among the few women who practised astronomy in early-modern France. However, her reputation is largely founded on a myth that was in place even before her work was available to the public. After her manuscript resurfaced at the Bibliothèque nationale de France, it took a long time for people to recognize that it hardly was original at all, a misunderstanding that is still leading some historians astray. In this paper, attempts are made to understand more about Dumée’s life and work, especially through a careful reading of her work and of her sources. It is argued that a careful rendering of Dumée’s voice may provide clues for a better understanding of astronomy’s place in early-modern women’s sociability.
Agencies of Social Movements: Experiences of Bangladesh’s Shahbag Movement and Hefazat-e-Islam
Authors: Zaman Fahmida
Published: September 2016

This paper aims to address the emergence of parallel yet contradictory social movements in Bangladesh and explore the following question: what political factors in Bangladesh led to the emergence of these parallel movements? Unlike what social movements discourse has addressed, Bangladesh has seen the rise of two powerful and binary camps. To understand the growth of such conflicting movements, this paper hypothesizes that the framing of identity and ideology by the movement participants and the media have engendered the concurrent yet conflicting movements in Bangladesh. The paper focuses on how framing strategies led to ideological polarization between these movements.
Investigation of the morphology and properties of the polypropylene/low-density polyethylene/wood powder and the maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene/low-density polyethylene/wood powder polymer blend composites
Authors: Dikobe DG , Luyt AS
Published: September 2016

The properties of polypropylene/low-density polyethylene and maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene/low-density polyethylene blends, and their wood powder composites are compared in this study. The blends contained equal amounts of polymers, and the wood powder was added into the blends to form polypropylene/low-density polyethylene/wood powder and maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene/low-density polyethylene/wood powder ternary systems. The Fourier-transform infrared analysis of the blends and composites did not provide any evidence of significant interactions between the different components, although the rest of the results clearly showed that maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene and wood powder significantly interacted, and that there was some interaction between maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene and low-density polyethylene. The differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical analysis results confirmed the immiscibility of polypropylene and low-density polyethylene, and polypropylene and maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene, and indicated that wood powder was distributed in both the low-density polyethylene and polypropylene phases in the polypropylene/low-density polyethylene blend, but most probably only in the maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene phase in the maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene/low-density polyethylene blend. The polypropylene/low-density polyethylene and maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene/low-density polyethylene blends were found to be more thermally stable than the neat polymers, while the presence of wood powder in both polymer blends further increased the thermal stability of the polymers. The blends and composites with maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene showed higher tensile modulus values and lower elongation at break values than the composites with polypropylene, while the stress at break values of the two sets of samples were comparable.
Labial swelling: a rare presentation of pubic bone tuberculosis
Authors: Shende Prajakta , Gandhewar Manisha , Gaikwad Pradip , Nanaware Sandip , Risbud Joshi Prachi
Published: September 2016

Tuberculosis (TB), being a global health problem, represents variedly. Its presentation as a labial swelling secondary to pubic bone TB has been reported rarely in literature. We report a case of pubic bone TB presenting as a labial swelling in a woman of reproductive age. Early diagnosis with fine needle aspiration cytology, acid-fast bacillus (AFB) staining, AFB culture and magnetic resonance imaging with early initiation of treatment resulted in a favourable outcome.
A Review of Cognitive Dissonance Theory in Management Research
Authors: Hinojosa Amanda S. , Gardner William L. , Walker H. Jack , Cogliser Claudia , Gullifor Daniel
Published: September 2016

Since its introduction to the social psychology literature 60 years ago, Festinger’s cognitive dissonance theory (CDT) has been frequently applied to the management literature to explain and predict the motivational nature of dissonance in producing attitude and behavior change in managerial decision making and the broader organizational context. Yet many of the popular constructs that stem from CDT have since lost touch with more recent developments in the field of origin. In this paper, we provide a review of the key constructs and predictions associated with CDT from Festinger’s early work to the latest developments. We then review key management research that has incorporated CDT. Drawing from the latest refinements to CDT, we describe how future management studies could benefit by integrating these refinements into their theoretical frameworks, rather than simply relying on Festinger’s seminal work on the 60th anniversary of its publication (1957).
Knowledge sharing among employees in Ghanaian Industries
Authors: Boateng Henry , Dzandu Michael Dzigbordi , Tang Yinshan
Published: September 2016

This study investigates the effects of organizational culture (OC) and transformational leadership (TL) style on knowledge sharing (KS). The presence of transformational culture and communal culture in industries in Ghana was ascertained. Survey research design was used. The simple random sampling technique was used to select the sample size of the study. Questionnaire was used for the data collection. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression. The findings show presence of communal culture in industries in Ghana. Again, it was found that OC is a significant predictor of KS. The study also found that leadership in industries lack TL qualities. Furthermore, TL insignificantly contributes to KS.
Teachers’ Perceptions of Female Student Aggression at an All-Girls School
Authors: Winter Clare Rebecca , McKenzie Karen
Published: September 2016

There has been limited research into how teachers view and respond to relational aggression in girls. The existing research is largely quantitative and questionnaire based and has indicated that gender stereotypes may influence teachers’ perceptions of female aggression. The present study adopted a qualitative approach, using semi-structured interviews to explore how seven teachers (six females and one male) working in a single-sex girls’ school experienced and perceived female student aggression. The results were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and three themes were identified: the physicality of female aggression, aggression as the presence or absence of control, and community—aggression as a means of expressing belonging. These themes were discussed in the context of the need for a new language of female aggression, which promoted a genuine language of assertion for girls and women.
Collectivism and Perceived Congruence With Parents as Antecedents to Career Aspirations
Authors: Sawitri Dian R. , Creed Peter A.
Published: September 2016

Cultural orientation and perceived career congruence with parents are potentially important influences on adolescent career development in collectivist contexts, but few studies have integrated these variables in a social cognitive-based model. We surveyed 337 Grade 10 students (53% girls, mean age = 15.9 years) from Central Java, Indonesia, and examined a model that consisted of vertical collectivism (VC) and horizontal collectivism (HC), perceived congruence with parents, self-efficacy, and career aspirations. After controlling for socioeconomic status and school achievement, HC was more strongly associated with perceived congruence with parents than VC, and VC and HC were indirectly associated with aspirations via congruence and self-efficacy. These two patterns of collectivism were directly and indirectly associated with self-efficacy via congruence, and perceived congruence was indirectly associated with aspirations via self-efficacy. This study underlined the effects of VC, HC, and perceived adolescent–parent career congruence on career decision-making self-efficacy and aspirations of adolescents from a collectivistic country.
Optimization of structure parameters for angular contact ball bearings based on Kriging model and particle swarm optimization algorithm
Authors: Jilu Feng , Zhili Sun , Hongzhe Sun
Published: September 2016

To achieve the heat generation of an angular contact ball bearing, especially when confronted with a difficult challenge, is a complexity of numerical and analytical models of bearings. A combination method of the Kriging model and particle swarm optimization algorithm is proposed for optimizing structure parameters of the bearing to obtain the minimum heat generation of the bearing. Therefore, the heat generation and stiffness of the angular contact ball bearing, which are acquired based on pseudo statics analysis and raceway control theory of the bearing, are the optimization goal and constraint condition, respectively, that are used in particle swarm optimization. Taking the angular contact ball bearing NSK-7016A5 as an example, the results show that the total heat generation of the bearing is decreased and that the axial stiffness of the bearing is increased by optimizing the structure parameters of the bearing. In the end, the combination method that uses both Kriging and particle swarm optimization to optimize the structure parameters of the bearing could obtain satisfactory design results and increased bearing design efficiency; it also bears the potential for the design parameter optimization of other mechanical structures, which may lead to better design results.