bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Association of Sleep Apnea and Cancer in Veterans
Authors: Jara Sebastian M. , Phipps Amanda I. , Maynard Charles , Weaver Edward M.
Published: February 2020

Objective

To test the association between preexisting obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and subsequent cancer in a large long‐term cohort of veteran patients.

Study Design

Retrospective matched cohort study.

Setting

The Veterans Affairs Health Care System.

Subjects and Methods

All veteran patients diagnosed with OSA between 1993 and 2013 byInternational Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision(ICD‐9) codes in any Veterans Affairs facility and veteran patients without an OSA diagnosis, matched to patients with OSA by age and index year. Cancer diagnoses were identified byICD‐9codes for the time period at least 2 years after OSA diagnosis or index date. We tested the association between OSA and cancer using multivariate Cox regression with time since cohort entry as the time axis, adjusting for potential confounders.

Results

The cohort included 1,377,285 patients (726,008 with and 651,277 without an OSA diagnosis) with mean age of 55 years, predominantly male (94%), a minority obese (32%), and median follow‐up of 7.4 years (range, 2.0‐25.2). The proportion of patients diagnosed with cancer was higher in those with vs without an OSA diagnosis (8.3% vs 3.6%; mean difference 4.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.7%‐4.8%;P<. 001). After adjusting for age, sex, year of cohort entry, smoking status, alcohol use, obesity, and comorbidity, the hazard of incident cancer was nearly double in patients with vs without an OSA diagnosis (hazard ratio, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.94‐2.00;P<. 001).

Conclusion

Preexisting OSA was strongly associated with subsequent cancer in this veteran cohort, independent of several known cancer risk factors. These findings suggest that OSA may be a strong, independent risk factor for subsequent cancer development.
A Retrospective Study of the Clinical Characteristics Associated with Alcohol and Cannabis use in Early Phase Psychosis
Authors: Cookey Jacob , McGavin Jacob , Crocker Candice E. , Matheson Kara , Stewart Sherry H. , Tibbo Philip G.
Published: February 2020

Objective:

Alcohol and cannabis misuse are common in patients with early phase psychosis (EPP); however, research has tended to focus primarily on cannabis misuse and EPP outcomes, with a relative lack of data on alcohol misuse. This retrospective cross-sectional EPP study investigated the relationship between cannabis, alcohol, and cannabis combined with alcohol misuse, on age, gender, psychotic, depressive and anxiety symptom severity, and social/occupational functioning, at entry to service.

Methods:

Two-hundred and sixty-four EPP patients were divided into 4 groups based on substance use measured by the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test: (1) no to low-level cannabis and alcohol misuse (LU), (2) moderate to high alcohol misuse only (AU), (3) moderate to high cannabis misuse only (CU), and (4) moderate to high alcohol and cannabis misuse (AU + CU).

Results:

We found significant between group differences in age (with the AU group being the oldest and AU + CU group the youngest) as well as gender (with the CU group having the highest percentage of men). There were also group differences in positive psychotic symptoms (lowest in AU group), trait anxiety (highest in AU + CU group), and social/occupational functioning (highest in AU group). Further regression analyses revealed a particularly strong relationship between AU + CU group and trait anxiety (3-fold increased odds of clinical trait anxiety for combined misuse of alcohol and cannabis compared to non/low users).

Conclusions:

This study demonstrates the unique demographic and clinical characteristics found in the EPP population at entry to care associated with alcohol and cannabis misuse both separately and in combination. This work highlights the importance of including the assessment of alcohol misuse in addition to cannabis misuse in future treatment guidelines and research.
The Neuropsychiatric Inventory: Development and Applications
Authors: Cummings Jeffrey
Published: February 2020

Reasons for the Study:

The Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) has been used for studies of neuropsychiatric symptoms in neurodegenerative disorders for the past 25 years. This article reviews the history of the development and application of the NPI.

Main Findings:

The NPI consists of 10 (or 12) items that are assayed with questions, subquestions, and ratings of frequency and severity. The NPI has been shown to be valid and reliable. The NPI has been translated into approximately 40 languages; it has 4 of versions designed for different clinical applications. The NPI studies show contrasting profiles of behavioral symptoms in different neurologic disorders. The NPI has been used in approximately 350 clinical trials. In economic studies, the NPI captures the cost of behavioral symptoms in dementias.

Principle Conclusions:

The NPI is a useful instrument for capturing behavioral changes in Alzheimer disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.
The perceived benefits of accreditation on students’ performance: The case of private business schools
Authors: Kafaji Mohammed
Published: February 2020

In a world of globalization and transparency, many academic institutions are prioritizing the accreditation of their teaching and learning environments in order to achieve a strategic advantage over their competitors. This research examines the perceived benefits of accreditation from students’ perspectives and, in particular, assesses the extent to which accreditation adds value to students’ performance, academic motivation, and future career prospects. For comparison, the research also evaluates whether students’ knowledge of the strategic objectives of the program or college can have a similar impact on their performance, motivation, and career prospects. The research data were gathered from senior students at the College of Business at Alfaisal University, and the analysis was performed using structural equation modeling through the SmartPLS statistical package. The χ 2 statistic was used to determine whether or not gender affected the perceived value of accreditation on overall performance. The results suggest that students’ knowledge of the value of accreditation has a 60% higher impact on their overall performance than their awareness of the program’s or college’s strategic objectives. The gender of the student seems to have no bearing on these findings. The results highlight the value of accreditation and will help academic organizations develop awareness programs focused on this value. Such awareness programs have the potential to enhance the efforts of organizations trying to achieve accreditation by providing them with the direct support of their students.
Replicating Roaches: A Preregistered Direct Replication of Zajonc, Heingartner, and Herman’s (1969) Social-Facilitation Study
Authors: Halfmann Emma , Bredehöft Janne , Häusser Jan Alexander
Published: February 2020

Fifty years ago, Zajonc, Heingartner, and Herman (1969) conducted a famous experiment on social enhancement and inhibition of performance in cockroaches. A moderating effect of task difficulty on the effect of the presence of an audience, as revealed by impaired performance in complex tasks and enhanced performance in simple tasks, was presented as the major conclusion of this research. However, the researchers did not test this interaction statistically. We conducted a preregistered direct replication using a 2 (audience: present vs. absent) × 2 (task difficulty: runway vs. maze) between-subjects design. Results revealed main effects for task difficulty, with faster running times in the runway than the maze, and for audience, with slower running times when the audience was present than when it was absent. There was no interaction between the presence of an audience and task difficulty. Although we replicated the social-inhibition effect, there was no evidence for a social-facilitation effect.
Hopelessness in palliative care for people with motor neurone disease: Conceptual considerations
Authors: Poppe Christopher
Published: February 2020

The concepts of hope and its absence, hopelessness, are seen as crucial in palliative care for people with motor neurone disease. A primary measure in psychological research on hopelessness in people with motor neurone disease is the Beck Hopelessness Scale. This scale can be understood as being conceptually based on the philosophical standard account of hope, which understands hope as an intentional expectancy. This essay argues that this is a misconstruction of hopelessness in palliative care. Rather, pre-intentional hope is essential for palliative care of people with motor neurone disease. Pre-intentional hope enables the formation of intentional hopes and is intrinsically relational. Finally, it is argued that the absence of pre-intentional hope should not be subjected to psychiatric diagnosis, for example, in the form of demoralization disorder.
Global Travel in the Late Middle Ages: The Eyewitness Account of Johann Schiltberger
Authors: Classen Albrecht
Published: February 2020

Recent discussions have centred intensively on the question how to establish new cultural–historical perspectives that are no longer Eurocentric. Mediaevalists and Early Modernists have strongly endeavoured to grasp and to realise Global Mediaeval and Early Modern Studies, but despite many efforts, we are not easily getting away from traditional approaches, especially because many of our sources do not lend themselves quite so easily for that task. Whereas previous scholars have turned their attention primarily towards crusader and pilgrimage accounts, and then also towards some travelogues (Marco Polo), within the German context one early fifteenth-century text stands out that allows us to open the window wide towards a more global perspective, Hans Schiltberger’s Reisebuch. This experienced tremendous popularity in the German-speaking lands far into the late seventeenth century, illustrating the life of a slave who was traversing many countries in the Middle East and even Northern Asia in military service. This account can in fact be regarded as a unique contribution in terms of the author’s worldview and experiences. He was, involuntarily, one of the first European to report so extensively about those countries located east of the Holy Land and to discuss their political and military history.
Mode-switching control and stability analysis of a hybrid electromagnetic actuator for the vehicle suspension
Authors: Ding Renkai , Wang Ruochen , Meng Xiangpeng , Chen Long
Published: February 2020

To coordinate the contradictory relationship between dynamic performances and electrical energy consumption of an electromagnetic active suspension, a hybrid electromagnetic actuator that integrates with a linear motor and a hydraulic damper is developed, which can achieve active control and energy regeneration compared with the linear electromagnetic actuator. A mode-switching control method is put forward based on the modified skyhook control. The stability of the switched controller with a specific switching rule is investigated based on the Lyapunov theorem. Then, the switching control system of a hybrid electromagnetic actuator is designed. Finally, a linear electromagnetic actuator and a passive damper are taken as comparison objects, and comparative bench tests, including a dynamic performance test and an energy consumption test, are conducted. The test results show that the hybrid electromagnetic actuator with mode-switching control can balance the dynamic performances and electrical energy consumption effectively.
Effect of immersion ohmic heating on thawing rate and properties of frozen tuna fish
Authors: Fattahi Shahnaz , Zamindar Nafiseh
Published: February 2020

In the present study, the application of immersion ohmic heating was examined to improve thawing of frozen tuna fish cubes. The experimental tuna cubes (3 × 3 × 3 cm3) were thawed under ohmic heating subjected to three different voltages (40, 50, and 60 V) with three different concentrations (0.3, 0.4, and 0.5% w/v) of brine solution. The parameters associated with the quality of tuna, such as thawing time, thawing rate, thawing loss, cooking and total losses, centrifugal loss, lipid oxidation, texture, and color, were investigated during ohmic heating thawing, and compared with the conventional still air thawing, water thawing at 27 and 40 ℃. The results showed that immersion ohmic thawing significantly decreased the thawing time of frozen tuna fish cubes. Thawing time in ohmic treatment (50 V- 0.3% brine) was 5.95 times shorter than conventional conditions. The lowest thawing and cooking losses were observed at ohmic treatments. In addition, the ohmic treatments (group 1) were evaluated versus conventional methods (group 2) and the results showed that thawing and total losses in group 1 were significantly lower than group 2.
‘Tortoises all the way down’: Geertz, cybernetics and ‘culture’ at the end of the Cold War
Authors: Paidipaty Poornima
Published: February 2020

In his essay ‘The Impact of the Concept of Culture on the Concept of Man’, Clifford Geertz asserts that contemporary social science must ‘look for systematic relationships among diverse phenomena’. Geertz credits his approach to developments in the field of cybernetics, which pioneered the study of modern information systems to understand everything from computer systems and biological networks to human organisation. Geertz’s early formulation of culture, as a set of publicly traded symbols and their meanings, relied on cybernetic theories of ‘control mechanisms’, as discreet, ordered instructions and operational codes. In locating Geertz and the notion of culture within the historical developments and transformation of cyborg science, this paper also seeks to understand the expansive transformation of American anthropology in the Cold War period, as it shifts from the study of primitive to complex societies in the context of America’s growing global ambitions. Repositioning Geertz in this way helps contemporary readers understand Geertzian ‘culture’ beyond the limits of the cultural turn. More crucially, it better situates current anthropological interest in contingency, ontology and emergence within a broader historical and intellectual genealogy.
Octogenarian preferences and expectations for acute coronary syndrome treatment
Authors: Widell Charlotte , Andréen Sofie , Albertsson Per , Axelsson Åsa B
Published: February 2020

Background:

The number of elderly persons with cardiovascular disease is increasing. In Sweden, the incidence of acute myocardial infarction is the highest among individuals aged 85 years and over. However, there is still little evidence about whether this population benefits from established treatments. Furthermore, the values and preferences of octogenarians (age ⩾80 years), as well as how they could be involved in treatment decisions, have been largely overlooked in research. Overall, increased knowledge about the preferences and expectations of octogenarians is needed to incorporate their treatment expectations into the decision-making process.

Aims:

This study aimed to describe the treatment choice preferences and post-treatment life expectations of octogenarians with acute coronary syndrome.

Methods:

A total of 19 patients (eight women, 11 men) aged 80 years and older and diagnosed with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction or unstable angina were enrolled in this qualitative study. Data were collected between May 2011 and June 2013 through semistructured interviews. The data were analysed using qualitative content analysis.

Results:

We identified two main categories: Wanting the best and Hope for increased wellbeing. Participant preferences were influenced by their own and others’ previous experiences and their confidence in healthcare professionals. With respect to treatment outcomes, the participants hoped to get well, stay active, experience fewer symptoms and regain vitality.

Conclusion:

The studied octogenarians desired the best treatment option and trusted that their healthcare providers will make appropriate recommendations. These patients expected their treatment to result in increased wellbeing and fewer symptoms.
Subcentimetre thyroid nodules: Sonographic features associated with malignancy
Authors: Woon Tian K , Sanamandra Sarat K , Salkade Parag R , Venkatanarasimha Nanda , Ganguly Rehena , Ho Chi L , Bakar Rafidah Abu , Chua Jasmine ME , Tan Bien S , Damodharan Karthikeyan
Published: February 2020

Introduction

The aim of this study was to identify the ultrasound features which are associated with malignancy in subcentimetre thyroid nodules.

Methods

This retrospective study included 454 thyroid nodules <10 mm in size in 413 patients from 2012 to 2016, which were subjected to fine needle aspiration cytology. Each nodule was classified according to the ultrasound patterns of the 2015 American Thyroid Association guidelines and the high suspicion ultrasound features (solid, hypo-echogenicity, irregular margins, microcalcifications, taller-than-wide, interrupted rim calcifications, and extrathyroidal extension) were identified for evaluation of their diagnostic performance.

Results

Of the American Thyroid Association high suspicion ultrasound features, univariate analysis showed that hypo-echogenicity (sensitivity 81.6% (95% CI 65.7–92.3%), specificity 50.0% (95% CI 43.4–56.6%)), irregular margins (sensitivity 34.2% (95% CI 19.6–51.4%), specificity 92.2% (95% CI 88.0–95.3%)), microcalcifications (sensitivity 23.7% (95% CI 11.4–40.2%), specificity 91.0% (95% CI 86.5–94.3%)), and taller-than-wide (sensitivity 23.7% (95% CI 11.4–40.2%), specificity 92.2% (95% CI 88.0–95.3%)) were significantly associated with a malignant diagnosis. Amongst the above features, subsequent multivariate analysis identified a combination of hypo-echogenicity and irregular margins as significantly associated with malignancy. Our malignancy rates based on American Thyroid Association ultrasound patterns from benign to high suspicion were 0.0, 8.3, 3.9, 15.7, and 40.4%, respectively. The American Thyroid Association high suspicion ultrasound pattern had a sensitivity of 50.0% (95% CI 33.4–66.7%) and specificity of 84.5% (95% CI 79.2–88.9%).

Conclusion

The presence of both hypo-echogenicity and irregular margins was significantly associated with malignancy in subcentimetre thyroid nodules in our study. Hence, subcentimetre nodules which are hypoechoic with irregular margins may warrant further follow-up.
A study on human serum albumin corona formed on photoluminescent carbon dots
Authors: Wang Peng , Yuan Ming , Li Na , Zhang Feng
Published: February 2020

Fluorescence nanostructures have been widely applied in the biomedical field as therapeutic agents and as novel tools for labeling, imaging, and sensing. However, the protein corona will dramatically influence the predesigned properties of nanostructures in serum. Therefore, it is important to understand the mechanism of protein corona formation on nanostructures. Photoluminescent carbon dots have been widely applied in the biomedical field since their discovery. Due to the large overlap between the absorption spectra of proteins and the fluorescence spectra of photoluminescent carbon dots, herein we investigate the mechanism of human serum albumin corona formed on photoluminescent carbon dots using fluorescence resonance energy transfer. By employing spectroscopic methods, the binding constants and the number of binding sites between human serum albumin and photoluminescent carbon dots have been determined, and the corresponding thermodynamics are also discussed as well for the interaction between photoluminescent carbon dots and human serum albumin. In addition, we successfully demonstrate the photoluminescent carbon dots in labeling bean sprouts. We believe that the current research cannot shed light on the mechanism of protein corona formation on nanostructures, but also could benefit the design of hybrid nanomaterial which will be applied to serum environments.
Effects of Modified Posterior Shoulder Stretching Exercises on Shoulder Mobility, Pain, and Dysfunction in Patients With Subacromial Impingement Syndrome
Authors: Tahran Özge , Yeşilyaprak Sevgi Sevi
Published: February 2020

Background:

Posterior shoulder stretching exercises (PSSEs) aim to reduce posterior shoulder tightness (PST). Position modification of traditional PSSEs has been suggested to minimize inadequate control of scapular and glenohumeral rotation, possibly leading to increased subacromial impingement.

Hypothesis:

Modified PSSEs will have positive effects on shoulder mobility, pain, and dysfunction.

Study Design:

Randomized controlled trial.

Level of Evidence:

Level 1.

Methods:

A total of 67 symptomatic patients with subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS) and shoulder internal rotation asymmetry were randomly assigned to 3 groups: modified cross-body stretch (MCS) (n = 22; treatment program + MCS), modified sleeper stretch (MSS) (n = 22; treatment program + MSS), and a control group (n = 23; treatment program consisting of only modalities, range of motion [ROM], and strength training but no PSSEs) for 4 weeks. Pain, PST, shoulder rotation ROM, and dysfunction were evaluated.

Results:

Pain, PST, shoulder rotation ROM, function, and disability improved in all groups ( P < 0.05). The MCS and MSS groups had better results compared with the control group with regard to pain with activity, internal rotation ROM, function, and disability ( P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the stretching groups ( P > 0.05).

Conclusion:

All treatments improved pain, shoulder mobility, function, and disability in patients with SIS. However, modified PSSEs in addition to a treatment program was superior to the treatment program alone (without PSSEs) in improving pain with activity, internal rotation ROM, and dysfunction. Moreover, stretching provided clinically significant improvements.

Clinical Relevance:

Modified PSSEs, in addition to a treatment program, are beneficial for patients with SIS. Both modified cross-body and sleeper stretches are safe and efficacious for improving shoulder mobility, pain, and dysfunction.
Integrating natriuretic peptides and diastolic dysfunction to predict adverse events in high-risk asymptomatic subjects
Authors: Gori Mauro , Lam Carolyn S P , D’Elia Emila , Iorio Anna M , Calabrese Alice , Canova Paolo , Cioffi Giovanni , De Maria Renata , Ghirardi Arianna , Iacovoni Attilio , Grosu Aurelia , Fontana Alessandra , Ferrari Paola , Parati Gianfranco , Gavazzi Antonello , Senni Michele
Published: February 2020

Background

Natriuretic peptides and diastolic dysfunction have prognostic value in asymptomatic subjects at risk for heart failure. Their integration might further refine the risk stratification process in this setting. Aim of this paper was to explore the possibility to predict heart failure and death combining diastolic dysfunction and natriuretic peptides in an asymptomatic population at risk for heart failure.

Methods

Among 4047 subjects aged ≥55/≤80 years followed by 10 general practitioners in Italy, the DAVID-Berg study prospectively enrolled 623 asymptomatic outpatients at increased risk for heart failure. Baseline evaluation included electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and natriuretic peptides collection. Based on diastolic dysfunction and natriuretic peptides, subjects were classified in four groups: control group (no diastolic dysfunction/normal natriuretic peptides, 57%), no diastolic dysfunction/high natriuretic peptides (9%), diastolic dysfunction/normal natriuretic peptides (24%), and diastolic dysfunction/high natriuretic peptides (11%). We applied Cox multivariable and Classification and Regression Tree analyses.

Results

The mean age of the population was 69 ± 7 years, 44% were women, mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 61%, and 35% had diastolic dysfunction. During a median follow-up of 5.7 years, 95 heart failure/death events occurred. Overall, diastolic dysfunction and natriuretic peptides were predictive of adverse events (respectively, hazard ratio 1.91, confidence interval 1.19–3.05, padjusted = 0.007, and hazard ratio 2.25, confidence interval 1.35–3.74, padjusted = 0.002) with Cox analysis. However, considering the four study subgroups, only the group with diastolic dysfunction/high natriuretic peptides had a significantly worse prognosis compared to the control group (hazard ratio 4.48, confidence interval 2.31–8.70, padjusted < 0.001). At Classification and Regression Tree analysis, diastolic dysfunction/high natriuretic peptides was the strongest prognostic factor (risk range 24–58%).

Conclusions

The DAVID-Berg data suggest that we look for the quite common combination of diastolic dysfunction/high natriuretic peptides to correctly identify asymptomatic subjects at greater risk for incident heart failure/death, thus more suitable for preventive interventions.
Impact of cardiorespiratory fitness on survival in men with low socioeconomic status
Authors: Jae Sae Young , Kurl Sudhir , Bunsawat Kanokwan , Franklin Barry A , Choo Jina , Kunutsor Setor K , Kauhanen Jussi , Laukkanen Jari A
Published: February 2020

Aims

Although both low socioeconomic status (SES) and poor cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) are associated with increased chronic disease and heightened mortality, it remains unclear whether moderate-to-high levels of CRF are associated with survival benefits in low SES populations. This study evaluated the hypothesis that SES and CRF predict all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease mortality and that moderate-to-high levels of CRF may attenuate the association between low SES and increased mortality.

Methods

This study included 2368 men, who were followed in the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Study cohort. CRF was directly measured by peak oxygen uptake during progressive exercise testing. SES was characterized using self-reported questionnaires.

Results

During a 25-year median follow-up, 1116 all-cause mortality and 512 cardiovascular disease mortality events occurred. After adjusting for potential confounders, men with low SES were at increased risks for all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 1.49, 95% confidence interval: 1.30–1.71) and cardiovascular disease mortality (hazard ratio1.38, 1.13–1.69). Higher levels of CRF were associated with lower risks of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 0.54, 0.45–0.64) and cardiovascular disease mortality (hazard ratio 0.53, 0.40–0.69). In joint associations of SES and CRF with mortality, low SES-unfit had significantly higher risks of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 2.15, 1.78–2.59) and cardiovascular disease mortality (hazard ratio 1.95, 1.48-2.57), but low SES-fit was not associated with a heightened risk of cardiovascular disease mortality (hazard ratio 1.09, 0.80-1.48) as compared with their high SES-fit counterparts.

Conclusion

Both SES and CRF were independently associated with subsequent mortality; however, moderate-to-high levels of CRF were not associated with an excess risk of cardiovascular disease mortality in men with low SES.
Smoking status and mortality outcomes following percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Parasuraman Sathish , Zaman Azfar G , Egred Mohaned , Bagnall Alan , Broadhurst Paul A , Ahmed Javed , Edwards Richard , Das Raj , Garg Deepak , Purcell Ian , Noman Awsan
Published: February 2020

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of smoking on short (30-day) and intermediate (30-day to 6-month) mortality following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Background

The effect of smoking on mortality post-PCI is lacking in the modern PCI era.

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data comparing short- and intermediate-term mortality amongst smokers, ex-smokers and non-smokers.

Results

The study cohort consisted of 12,656 patients: never-smokers (n = 4288), ex-smokers (n = 4806) and current smokers (n = 3562). The mean age (±standard deviation) was 57 (±11) years in current smokers compared with 67 (±11) in ex-smokers and 67 (±12) in never-smokers; p < 0.0001. PCI was performed for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in 84.1% of current smokers, 57% of ex-smokers and 62.9% in never-smokers; p < 0.0001. In a logistic regression model, the adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals (CIs)) for 30-day mortality were 1.60 (1.10–2.32) in current smokers and 0.98 (0.70–1.38) in ex-smokers compared with never-smokers. In the Cox proportional hazard model, the adjusted hazard ratios (95% CI) for mortality between 30 days and 6 months were 1.03 (0.65–1.65) in current smokers and 1.19 (0.84–1.67) in ex-smokers compared with never-smokers.

Conclusion

This large observational study of non-selected patients demonstrates that ex-smokers and never-smokers are of similar age at first presentation to PCI, and there is no short- or intermediate-term mortality difference between them following PCI. Current smokers undergo PCI at a younger age, more often for ACS, and have higher short-term mortality. These findings underscore the public message on the benefits of smoking cessation and the harmful effects of smoking.
Regeneration of spent bleaching clay by ultrasonic irradiation and its application in methylene blue adsorption
Authors: Liang Xiaoyu , Yang Chao , Su Xintai , Xue Xiaogang
Published: February 2020

An effective method that combines solvent extraction with ultrasonic irradiation was developed to recycle spent bleaching clay (SBC) from modern oil refinery plants. The principle of ‘waste to treasure’ was used to achieve the regenerated SBC. Various characterization techniques were applied to analyse and compare regenerated SBC and commercial bleaching clay (CBC). The structure of the regenerated SBC did not show any obvious change compared with that of CBC, but the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller-specific surface area (SBET) and pore-volume values of the regenerated SBC increased. At the same time, the parameters of the regenerated SBC reached national standards. In addition, the samples were used as low-cost adsorbents for the adsorption of methylene blue (MB) from water. The regenerated SBC had greater adsorption efficiency and cycle performance for MB than CBC. Hence, the SBC may be treated by ultrasonic radiation combined with extraction, and the regenerated SBC has better properties than CBC. This work opens up a new approach to the regeneration and utilization of SBC and raises the potential of ultrasonic irradiation as an environmentally friendly method to be applied to various regeneration systems.
Dynamic cerebral autoregulation in anterior and posterior cerebral circulation during cold pressor test
Authors: Washio Takuro , Watanabe Hironori , Ogoh Shigehiko
Published: February 2020

We hypothesized that cerebral blood flow (CBF) regulation in the posterior circulation differs from that of the anterior circulation during a cold pressor test (CPT) and is accompanied by elevations in arterial blood pressure (ABP) and sympathetic nervous activity (SNA). To test this, dynamic cerebral autoregulation (dCA) in the middle and posterior cerebral arteries (MCA and PCA) were measured at three different conditions: control, early phase of the CPT, and the late phase of the CPT. The dCA was examined using a thigh cuff occlusion and release technique. The MCA and PCA blood velocities were unchanged at CPT compared with the control conditions despite an elevation in the ABP. The dCA in both the MCA and PCA remained unaltered at CPT. These findings suggest that CPT-induced elevations in the ABP and SNA did not cause changes in the CBF regulation in the posterior circulation compared with the anterior circulation.
Identifying glycan motifs using a novel subtree mining approach
Authors: Coff Lachlan , Chan Jeffrey , Ramsland Paul A. , Guy Andrew J.
Published: February 2020

Background

Glycans are complex sugar chains, crucial to many biological processes. By participating in binding interactions with proteins, glycans often play key roles in host–pathogen interactions. The specificities of glycan-binding proteins, such as lectins and antibodies, are governed by motifs within larger glycan structures, and improved characterisations of these determinants would aid research into human diseases. Identification of motifs has previously been approached as a frequent subtree mining problem, and we extend these approaches with a glycan notation that allows recognition of terminal motifs.

Results

In this work, we customised a frequent subtree mining approach by altering the glycan notation to include information on terminal connections. This allows specific identification of terminal residues as potential motifs, better capturing the complexity of glycan-binding interactions. We achieved this by including additional nodes in a graph representation of the glycan structure to indicate the presence or absence of a linkage at particular backbone carbon positions. Combining this frequent subtree mining approach with a state-of-the-art feature selection algorithm termed minimum-redundancy, maximum-relevance (mRMR), we have generated a classification pipeline that is trained on data from a glycan microarray. When applied to a set of commonly used lectins, the identified motifs were consistent with known binding determinants. Furthermore, logistic regression classifiers trained using these motifs performed well across most lectins examined, with a median AUC value of 0.89.

Conclusions

We present here a new subtree mining approach for the classification of glycan binding and identification of potential binding motifs. The Carbohydrate Classification Accounting for Restricted Linkages (CCARL) method will assist in the interpretation of glycan microarray experiments and will aid in the discovery of novel binding motifs for further experimental characterisation.
Genotype frequency distributions of 28 SNP markers in two commercial lines and five Chinese native chicken populations
Authors: Li Jing-Jing , Zhang Long , Ren Peng , Wang Ye , Yin Ling-Qian , Ran Jin-Shan , Zhang Xian-Xian , Liu Yi-Ping
Published: February 2020

Background

Modern breeding in the poultry industry mainly aims to produce high-performance poultry lines and breeds in two main directions of productivity, meat and eggs. To understand more about the productive potential of lowly selected Chinese native chicken populations, we selected 14 representative SNP markers strongly associated with growth traits or carcass traits and 14 SNP markers strongly associated with egg laying traits through previous reports. By using the MassArray technology, we detected the genotype frequency distributions of these 28 SNP markers in seven populations including four lowly selected as well as one moderately selected Sichuan native chicken populations, one commercial broiler line and one commercial layer line.

Results

Based on the genotype frequency distributions of these 28 SNP markers in 5 native chicken populations and 2 commercial lines, the results suggested that these Chinese indigenous chicken populations have a relatively close relationship with the commercial broiler line but a marked distinction from the commercial layer line. Two native chicken breeds, Shimian Caoke Chicken and Daheng Broilers, share similar genetic structure with the broiler line.

Conclusions

Our observations may help us to better select and breed superior domestic chickens and provide new clues for further study of breeding programs in local chicken populations.
Parental warmth interacts with several genes to affect executive function components: a genome-wide environment interaction study
Authors: Chen Chunhui , Chen Chuansheng , Xue Gui , Dong Qi , Zhao Libo , Zhang Shudong
Published: February 2020

Background

Executive function (EF) is vital to human beings. It has been linked to many genes and family environmental factors in separate studies, but few studies have examined the potential interactions between gene(s) and environmental factor(s). The current study explored the whole genome to identify SNPs, genes, and pathways that interacted with parental warmth (PW) on EF.

Results

Nine EF tasks were used to measure its three components (common EF, updating, shifting) based on the model proposed by Miyake et al. (2000). We found that rs111605473, LAMP5, SLC4A7, and LRRK1 interacted significantly with PW to affect the updating component of EF, and the GSE43955 pathway interacted significantly with PW to affect the common EF component.

Conclusions

The current study is the first to identify genes that interacted with PW to affect EF. Further studies are needed to reveal the underlying mechanism.
Genomics-based epidemiology of bovine Mycoplasma bovis strains in Israel
Authors: Yair Yael , Borovok Ilya , Mikula Inna , Falk Rama , Fox Larry K. , Gophna Uri , Lysnyansky Inna
Published: February 2020

Background

Mycoplasma bovis is an important etiologic agent of bovine mycoplasmosis affecting cattle production and animal welfare. In the past in Israel, M. bovis has been most frequently associated with bovine respiratory disease (BRD) and was rarely isolated from mastitis. This situation changed in 2008 when M. bovis-associated mastitis emerged in Israel. The aim of this study was to utilize whole genome sequencing to evaluate the molecular epidemiology and genomic diversity of M. bovis mastitis-associated strains and their genetic relatedness to M. bovis strains isolated from BRD in local feedlot calves and those imported to Israel from different European countries and Australia.

Results

Phylogeny based on total single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis of 225 M. bovis genomes clearly showed clustering of isolates on the basis of geographical origin: strains isolated from European countries clustered together and separately from Australian and Chinese isolates, while Israeli isolates were found in the both groups. The dominant genotype was identified among local mastitis-associated M. bovis isolates. This genotype showed a close genomic relatedness to M. bovis strains isolated from calves imported to Israel from Australia, to original Australian M. bovis strains, as well as to strains isolated in China.

Conclusions

This study represents the first comprehensive high-resolution genome-based epidemiological analysis of M. bovis in Israel and illustrates the possible dissemination of the pathogen across the globe by cattle trade.
Linkage disequilibrium mapping for grain Fe and Zn enhancing QTLs useful for nutrient dense rice breeding
Authors: Pradhan S. K. , Pandit E. , Pawar S. , Naveenkumar R. , Barik S. R. , Mohanty S. P. , Nayak D. K. , Ghritlahre S. K. , Sanjiba Rao D. , Reddy J. N. , Patnaik S. S. C.
Published: February 2020

Background

High yielding rice varieties are usually low in grain iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) content. These two micronutrients are involved in many enzymatic activities, lack of which cause many disorders in human body. Bio-fortification is a cheaper and easier way to improve the content of these nutrients in rice grain.

Results

A population panel was prepared representing all the phenotypic classes for grain Fe-Zn content from 485 germplasm lines. The panel was studied for genetic diversity, population structure and association mapping of grain Fe-Zn content in the milled rice. The population showed linkage disequilibrium showing deviation of Hardy-Weinberg’s expectation for Fe-Zn content in rice. Population structure at K = 3 categorized the panel population into distinct sub-populations corroborating with their grain Fe-Zn content. STRUCTURE analysis revealed a common primary ancestor for each sub-population. Novel quantitative trait loci (QTLs) namelyqFe3.3andqFe7.3for grain Fe andqZn2.2,qZn8.3andqZn12.3for Zn content were detected using association mapping. Four QTLs, namelyqFe3.3,qFe7.3,qFe8.1andqFe12.2for grain Fe content were detected to be co-localized withqZn3.1,qZn7,qZn8.3andqZn12.3QTLs controlling grain Zn content, respectively. Additionally, some Fe-Zn controlling QTLs were co-localized with the yield component QTLs,qTBGW,OsSPL14andqPN. The QTLsqFe1.1,qFe3.1,qFe5.1, qFe7.1, qFe8.1, qZn6, qZn7 and gRMm9–1for grain Fe-Zn content reported in earlier studies were validated in this study.

Conclusion

Novel QTLs,qFe3.3andqFe7.3for grain Fe andqZn2.2,qZn8.3andqZn12.3for Zn content were detected for these two traits. Four Fe-Zn controlling QTLs and few yield component QTLs were detected to be co-localized. The QTLs,qFe1.1,qFe3.1,qFe5.1, qFe7.1, qFe8.1, qFe3.3, qFe7.3, qZn6, qZn7, qZn2.2, qZn8.3andqZn12.3will be useful for biofortification of the micronutrients. Simultaneous enhancement of Fe-Zn content may be possible with yield component traits in rice.
Intraoperative ventilation strategies for obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Costa Souza George Márcio , Santos Gianni Mara , Zimpel Sandra Adriana , Melnik Tamara
Published: February 2020

Background

Obesity is a global epidemic, and it is widely known that increased Body mass index (BMI) is associated with alterations in respiratory mechanics. Bariatric surgery is established as an effective treatment for this condition.

Objective

To assess the safety and effectiveness of different ventilation strategies in obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery.

Methods

A systematic review of randomized clinical trials aimed at evaluating ventilation strategies for obese patients was carried out. Primary outcomes: in-hospital mortality, adequacy of gas exchange, and respiration mechanics alterations.

Results

Fourteen clinical trials with 574 participants were included. When recruitment maneuvers (RM) vs Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) were compared, RM resulted in better oxygenationp = 0.03 (MD 79.93), higher plateau pressurep < 0.00001 (MD 7.30), higher mean airway pressure p < 0.00001 (MD 6.61), and higher compliance p < 0.00001 (MD 21.00); when comparing RM + Zero end-expiratory pressure (ZEEP) vs RM + PEEP 5 or 10 cmH2O, RM associated with PEEP led to better oxygenationp = 0.001 (MD 167.00); when comparing Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) 40 cmH2O + PEEP 10 cmH2O vs CPAP 40 cmH2O + PEEP 15 cmH2O, CPAP 40 + PEEP 15 achieved better gas exchangep = 0.003 (MD 36.00) and compliancep = 0.0003 (MD 3.00).

Conclusion

There is some evidence that the alveolar recruitment maneuvers associated with PEEP lead to better oxygenation and higher compliance. There is no evidence of differences between pressure control ventilation (PCV) and Volume control ventilation (VCV).
Non-diagnostic autopsy findings in sudden unexplained death victims
Authors: Yazdanfard Puriya Daniel , Christensen Alex Hørby , Tfelt-Hansen Jacob , Bundgaard Henning , Winkel Bo Gregers
Published: February 2020

Background

Several inherited cardiac diseases may lead to sudden cardiac death (SCD) a devastating event in the families. It is crucial to establish a post mortem diagnosis to facilitate relevant work-up and treatment of family members. Sudden unexplained death (SUD) victims constitute roughly one third of all SCD cases in Denmark.

Methods

This was a single center, retrospective study investigating SUD cases. Victims who died unexplained due to suspected or confirmed cardiac disease were consecutively referred to a third line referral center established in 2005. All autopsy reports were investigated. Victims were divided into two groups: non-diagnostic cardiac findings and normal cardiac findings. None of the included victims had findings consistent with a diagnosis based on existing criteria.

Results

In total, 99 SUD cases were referred. The mean age of the victims was 37 years (range 0–62 years, 75% males). A total of 14 (14%) victims had a cardiovascular diagnosis pre-mortem. Thirty-seven cases had normal cardiac findings and non-diagnostic cardiac findings were found in 62 cases (63%). The five most common findings included ventricular hypertrophy and/or enlarged heart (n = 35, 35%), coronary atheromatosis (n = 31, 31%), myocardial fibrosis (n = 19, 19%), dilated chambers (n = 7, 7%) and myocardial inflammation (n = 5, 5%).

Conclusion

One third of SUD victims had normal cardiac findings and non-diagnostic cardiac findings were seen in almost two thirds of the SUD victims. These non-diagnostic findings may be precursors or early markers for underlying structural cardiac disorders or may be innocent bystanders in some cases. Further studies and improved post-mortem examination methods are needed for optimization of diagnostics in SUD.
The importance of stroke as a risk factor of cognitive decline in community dwelling older and oldest peoples: the SONIC study
Authors: Srithumsuk Werayuth , Kabayama Mai , Gondo Yasuyuki , Masui Yukie , Akagi Yuya , Klinpudtan Nonglak , Kiyoshige Eri , Godai Kayo , Sugimoto Ken , Akasaka Hiroshi , Takami Yoichi , Takeya Yasushi , Yamamoto Koichi , Ikebe Kazunori , Ogawa Madoka , Inagaki Hiroki , Ishizaki Tatsuro , Arai Yasumichi , Rakugi Hiromi , Kamide Kei
Published: February 2020

Background

Cognitive impairment is a major health concern among older and oldest people. Moreover, stroke is a relevant contributor for cognitive decline and development of dementia. The study of cognitive decline focused on stroke as the important risk factor by recruiting older and oldest is still lagging behind. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the importance of stroke as a risk factor of cognitive decline during 3 years in community dwelling older and oldest people.

Methods

This study was longitudinal study with a 3-year follow-up in Japan. The participants were 1333 community dwelling older and oldest people (70 years old = 675, 80 years old = 589, and 90 years old = 69). Data collected included basic data (age, sex, and history of stroke), vascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, atrial fibrillation, and current smoking), and social factors (educational level, frequency of going outdoors, long-term care (LTC) service used, and residential area). The Japanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-J) was decline of ≥2 points was defined as cognitive decline. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association between stroke and other risk factors with cognitive decline during a 3-year follow-up.

Results

The fit of the hypothesized model by multiple logistic regression showed that a history of stroke, advanced age, and greater MoCA-J score at the baseline were important risk factors, while the presence of dyslipidemia and a higher educational level were protective factors that were significantly correlated with cognitive decline during the 3-year follow-up.

Conclusions

The cognitive decline after the 3-year follow-up was influenced by the history of stroke and advanced age, while greater MoCA-J score at the baseline was positively associated with subsequent 3 years cognitive decline. The protective factors were the presence of dyslipidemia and a higher educational level. Therefore, these factors are considered important and should be taken into consideration when searching for creative solutions to prevent cognitive decline after stroke in community dwelling older and oldest people.