bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relative Capture: Quasi-Experimental Evidence From the Chinese Judiciary
Authors: Wang Yuhua
Published: August 2017

There has been a long-held view since the Federalist Papers that the lower the level of government, the greater is the extent of capture by vested interests. Relying on the analytical framework of relative capture, I challenge this assumption by arguing that interest groups have different incentives and capacities to capture different levels of government. I test the theory by investigating how judges at different judicial levels adjudicate corporate lawsuits in China. Exploiting a quasi-experiment in which the Supreme People’s Court dramatically raised the threshold for entering higher level courts in 2008, I show that privately owned enterprises are more likely to win in lower level courts, and state-owned enterprises are more likely to win in higher level courts. I then employ qualitative interviews to explore the mechanisms behind them. The findings challenge an underlying assumption in the decentralization literature and have important policy implications for countries that are trapped in centralization/decentralization cycles.
Do Promoter Holding and Firm Performance Exhibit Endogenous Relationship? An Analysis from Emerging Market of India
Authors: Bhatia Shikha , Srivastava Aman
Published: August 2017

Firm ownership structure has a strong influence on its long-term performance and financial literature documents that high concentration of promoter ownership has a positive bearing on firm performance. This study is an attempt to analyze relationship between promoter’s holding and firm performance in an emerging market setting of India. The study specifically examines the endogeneity problem through use of simultaneous equations. To ensure robustness in addition to accounting-based measures (ROA and ROE), a market-based performance measure (Tobin’s Q) has been employed. Panel data of 2148 firm-year observations are analyzed from 2003 to 2015 for 179 companies listed on India’s broad-based market Index, the S&P BSE 500. The results indicate presence of non-linear relationship between the firm performance and promoter’s holdings. Specifically, the study documents the relationship to be of U curve nature and clearly finds evidence of endogenous relationship between promoter’s holding and firm performance.
In utero exposure to alcohol alters reactivity of cerebral arterioles
Authors: Cananzi Sergio G , Mayhan William G
Published: August 2017

Our goal was to examine whether in utero exposure to alcohol impaired reactivity of cerebral arterioles during development. We fed Sprague–Dawley dams a liquid diet with or without alcohol (3% ethanol) for the duration of pregnancy (21–23 days). Around 4–6 weeks after birth, we examined reactivity of cerebral arterioles to eNOS- (ADP) and nNOS-dependent (NMDA) agonists in the offspring. We found that in utero exposure to alcohol attenuated responses of cerebral arterioles to ADP and NMDA, but not to nitroglycerin in rats exposed to alcohol in utero. L-NMMA reduced responses to agonists in control rats, but not in rats exposed to alcohol in utero. Treatment of dams with apocynin for the duration of pregnancy rescued the impairment in reactivity to ADP and NMDA in the offspring. Protein expression of NOX-2 and NOX-4 was increased in alcohol rats compared to control rats. We also found an increase in superoxide levels in the cortex of rats exposed to alcohol in utero. Our findings suggest that in utero exposure to alcohol impairs eNOS and nNOS reactivity of cerebral arterioles via a chronic increase in oxidative stress.
Evaluation of vascular invasion in patients with musculoskeletal tumors of lower extremities: use of time-resolved 3D MR angiography at 3-T
Authors: Jin Teng , Wu Gang , Li Xiaoming , Feng Xiaoyuan
Published: August 2017

Background

Time-resolved angiography with stochastic trajectories (TWIST) sequence makes considerable progress in temporal and spatial resolution, which presents high potential in evaluation of vascular diseases.

Purpose

To assess magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using TWIST MR angiography (MRA) sequence in the assessment of vascular invasion for bone and soft-tissue tumors in comparison to computed tomography angiography (CTA) as the reference standard.

Material and Methods

Thirty-three patients with lower extremity musculoskeletal tumors were imaged with conventional MR and TWIST MRA. CTA was performed 48 h later. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the femoral artery were calculated. Vascular invasion as determined by MRA and CTA was separately analyzed. Vascular invasion by MRA and CTA were analyzed with kappa coefficients to determine agreement between the imaging methods.

Results

Seven cases of bone and 26 cases of soft tissue tumors were examined. SNR and CNR of the femoral artery were excellent for TWIST MRA (mean ± SD values of 317 ± 80 and 276 ± 76, respectively). Based on the TWIST sequence, the vessels were free of tumor in 16 cases. Vascular displacement was found in 11 cases and vascular stenosis in six cases. The MRA findings conflicted with CTA findings in only one case. The kappa value was 0.953 ( P < 0.01). In five cases, vascular malformations were found with TWIST MRA but not CTA.

Conclusion

TWIST MRA enables accurate delineation of anatomical structures and tumor arterial involvement, providing reliable preoperative imaging information with respect to lower extremity musculoskeletal tumors.
Pneumatic retinopexy combined with scleral buckling in the management of relatively complicated cases of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment: A multicenter, retrospective, observational consecutive case series*
Authors: Zhou Chuandi , Lin Qiurong , Wang Yuxin , Qiu Qinghua
Published: August 2017

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of maximal pneumatic retinopexy (PR) and subretinal fluid (SRF) drainage combined with scleral buckling (SB) in the treatment of complicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).

Methods

Patients with RRD who underwent maximal PR and SRF drainage combined with SB from June 2007 to June 2012 were included in this multicenter retrospective study. The outcome measures were the primary and final operation success rates and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA).

Results

In total, 159 consecutive patients were included. The mean follow-up period was 13.76 ± 1.97 months. Primary operation success was achieved in 146/159 (91.82%) eyes. After salvage management, the final reattachment rate increased to 98.11%. All eyes had improved BCVA, with 62/159 (38.99%) attaining BCVA of ≥20/40.

Conclusions

Maximal PR and SRF drainage combined with SB achieved satisfactory anatomical and visual recovery in relatively complicated cases of RRD. The decreased need for vitrectomy makes this surgical approach more widely available.
The legitimization of concern: A flexible framework for investigating the enactment of stakeholders in environmental planning and governance processes
Authors: Metzger Jonathan , Soneryd Linda , Linke Sebastian
Published: August 2017

From the 1990s and onwards, environmental planning and governance has undergone a broad participatory turn. This paper focuses on one specific aspect of participatory processes and the concrete arrangements through which they are carried out, more specifically: how such processes always come to enact some actors as ‘legitimately concerned’ stakeholders and others not. Such investigations bring into focus context-specific effects of inclusion and exclusion as well as de/legitimization of specific actors and concerns. We propose a flexible framework for untangling the various components which in different ways influence the fine-grained power dynamics at play in such events, particularly focusing on the enactments of stakeholders that result from the situated interplay of rationales and infrastructures for participation. The guiding ambitions for the framework is for it to be applicable to a broad range of subfields of environmental planning and governance while avoiding the analytical risks of strong normative commitments from the outset regarding whether participation per se is good or bad, and offering some novel insights into the investigated cases. Throughout the paper, we utilize two case studies, from urban planning and fisheries management, to test the analytical productivity of the proposed framework while also searching for cues for the further development of the framework itself.
Nutrition Care in Patients With Head and Neck or Esophageal Cancer: The Patient Perspective
Authors: Alberda Cathy , Alvadj‐Korenic Tatjana , Mayan Maria , Gramlich Leah
Published: August 2017

Background: Patients with head/neck or esophageal (HNE) cancer are likely to develop malnutrition throughout the course of their disease and its treatment. Although nutrition care is considered a cornerstone of disease management, clinical practices to treat malnutrition vary. The objective of this qualitative study is to understand the patients’ experiences with nutrition care in the context of their treatment and recovery. Methods: A descriptive qualitative study design was used to explore patients’ experiences. Ten patients with head and neck (HN) cancer and 10 patients with esophageal cancer were interviewed near the completion of their cancer treatment using a semistructured interview guide. The data sets were analyzed separately using qualitative content analysis. The preliminary findings from each data set were compared and contrasted; 3 themes that crossed both data sets were identified. Results: Three themes were identified: (1) coping with physical and psychosocial aspects of illness and nutrition; (2) understanding the nature of the illness, treatment, and nutrition pathway; and (3) being supported during the trajectory of care. The major differences between HN and esophageal groups were identified in the context of understanding and being supported: the lack of coordination throughout the trajectory of care and conflicting messages from healthcare providers were a source of uncertainty, confusion, and isolation in the HN group. The need for timely and ongoing patient‐focused nutrition care, with formal and informal support, was identified in both groups. Conclusion: Models for nutrition care should support provision of consistent information across health professionals and throughout the treatment trajectory.
Pacifiers and Exclusive Breastfeeding: Does Risk for Postpartum Depression Modify the Association?
Authors: Sipsma Heather L. , Kornfeind Katelin , Kair Laura R.
Published: August 2017

Background:

Postpartum depression is associated with lower rates of breastfeeding. Evidence describing the effect of pacifiers on breastfeeding is inconsistent, and previous research suggests that pacifiers may help vulnerable mothers breastfeed.

Research aim:

This study aimed to determine (a) how receiving a pacifier in the hospital affects exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) at 1 week and 3 months postpartum and (b) whether this association is modified by risk for postpartum depression (PPD).

Methods:

Data were derived from Listening to Mothers III. We included participants ( n = 1,349) who intended to breastfeed and delivered at term. Mothers were considered at high risk for PPD if they reported feeling the need to receive treatment for depression during pregnancy. We used weighted multivariable logistic regression models to adjust for covariates.

Results:

Receiving a pacifier in the hospital was not significantly associated with EBF at 1 week (odds ratio [ OR] = 0.84, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.62, 1.12]) but was significantly associated with lower odds of EBF at 3 months postpartum ( OR = 0.72, 95% CI [0.54, 0.95]). Risk for PPD modified this association. Among mothers at high risk for PPD, receiving a pacifier was significantly associated with increased odds of EBF ( OR = 3.31, 95% CI [1.23, 8.97] at 1 week and OR = 5.27, 95% CI [1.97, 14.12] at 3 months); however, among mothers who were at lower risk for PPD, receiving a pacifier was associated with decreased odds of EBF ( OR = 0.75, 95% CI [0.56, 1.02] at 1 week and OR = 0.62, 95% CI [0.46, 0.82] at 3 months).

Conclusion:

Pacifiers may help protect against early cessation of EBF among mothers at high risk for depression. Additional research is needed to better understand this association.
The participation of urban displaced populations in (in)formal markets: contrasting experiences in Kampala, Uganda
Authors: Monteith William , Lwasa Shuaib
Published: August 2017

An estimated 60 per cent of the world’s 17 million refugees currently reside in cities, where they often lack access to financial assistance and legal protection.(1) In their absence, displaced populations depend on participation in formal and, more frequently, informal markets for livelihood generation. However, little is known about how refugees enter these markets, how they fare in relation to host populations and internally displaced persons (IDPs), and how municipal and humanitarian actors might intervene to improve their outcomes. This paper examines the participation of refugee and IDP populations in markets in Kampala – the capital of a country with one of the largest refugee populations in the world. It investigates the experiences of Acholi, Somali and Congolese populations in the paper bead, bitenge fabric and cosmetics markets, respectively. Considerable diversity is found in the experiences of these different populations, relating to their access to basic services, supply chains, and diasporic networks.
Dealing with Missing Data: A Comparative Exploration of Approaches Using the Integrated City Sustainability Database
Authors: Curley Cali , Krause Rachel M. , Feiock Richard , Hawkins Christopher V.
Published: August 2017

Studies of governments and local organizations using survey data have played a critical role in the development of urban studies and related disciplines. However, missing data pose a daunting challenge for this research. This article seeks to raise awareness about the treatment of missing data in urban studies research by comparing and evaluating three commonly used approaches to deal with missing data—listwise deletion, single imputation, and multiple imputation. Comparative analyses illustrate the relative performance of these approaches using the second-generation Integrated City Sustainability Database (ICSD). The results demonstrate the benefit of using an approach to missing data based on multiple imputation, using a theoretically informed and statistically supported set of predictor variables to develop a more complete sample that is free of issues raised by nonresponse in survey data. The results confirm the usefulness of the ICSD in the study of environmental and sustainability and other policy in U.S. cities. We conclude with a discussion of results and provide a set of recommendations for urban researcher scholars.
Implementation and evaluation of medicine and therapeutic information service by clinical pharmacists in oncology care setting
Authors: Patel Himanshu , Gurumurthy Parthasarathi
Published: August 2017

Background

This study was conducted to explore the role of clinical pharmacists in providing medicine and therapeutic information service in oncology care setting.

Methods

It was a prospective study conducted for a period of three years after implementation of medicine and therapeutic information service as an integral part of oncology pharmacy services. The medicine and therapeutic information queries were received during ward rounds, at ambulatory care and via telephone by clinical pharmacists. All the medicine and therapeutic information requests were reviewed and answered to the concerned requester(s). Answered medicine and therapeutic information requests were electronically documented in the hospital drug information database and analyzed further.

Results

A total of 484 medicine and therapeutic information requests were received by clinical pharmacists during period of August 2013 to June 2016. Majority of medicine and therapeutic information queries were requested by radiation oncologists (27.2%) followed by medical oncologists (26.4%), general physicians (14.04%), resident medical officers (11.7%), ambulatory care nurses (8.6%), in-patient nurses (5.1%) and patients and care takers (6.6%). Majority of the medicine and therapeutic information queries were asked for the purpose of improving patient care (48.3%) followed by to update knowledge (30.9%) and training sessions to nurses (6.6%). The most common categories of medicine and therapeutic information were adverse drug reactions and its management (21.4%) followed by dosage adjustments of chemotherapy and biologicals (15.5%), supportive care related (14.6%), contraindications (14%), drug–drug interactions (11.9%), management of co-morbidities (7.8%), chemotherapy selection in special populations (4.5%).

Conclusion

The provision of medicine and therapeutic information was found to be useful in providing medicine information to improve patient care and to update knowledge of health care professionals at the study hospital.
Pediatric Pathology Fellowship Recruitment—Report of a Survey Conducted by the Fellowship Committee of the Society for Pediatric Pathology
Authors: Singh Vivekanand , Eldin Karen , Timmons Charles , Bush Jonathan , Rabah Raja
Published: August 2017

Pediatric pathology (PP) is a subspecialty of pathology encompassing disease states during human development from the fetus to the young adult. Despite the existence of ACGME-accredited fellowship programs and opportunity for pediatric pathology subspecialty board certification, many pediatric pathology fellowship positions remain unfilled in North America. We sought to understand the difficulties in recruitment to the PP training programs by conducting a survey. A 3-pronged survey targeting pathology residents (PR), PP fellows and recent fellowship graduates (F&G), and PP training programs was conducted. Three separate questionnaires were prepared, one for each group; and administered online via SurveyMonkey. There were 175 responses to PR survey, 29 to F&G and 19 to programs survey. The results of the PR and F&G survey revealed that trainees select a subspecialty early in their residency training, primarily based on their interest, followed by prospects of employment. Nearly half of resident respondents had discounted pediatric pathology subspecialty training without prior exposure to the specialty. Senior residents and faculty members were reported as the main source for fellowship information for residents choosing subspecialty training and the choice of the training program was mostly dictated by geographic location. Most fellow recruits are racially diverse, female, and American medical graduates. Pathology residents decide on subspecialty training based on their interest; however, many are not exposed to pediatric pathology early on in training. The survey results suggest that existing PP fellowship positions likely will continue to exceed demand for subspecialty training. The results of the study could aid in developing strategies to boost recruitment to PP.
Feline leprosy due to Candidatus ‘Mycobacterium lepraefelis’: Further clinical and molecular characterisation of eight previously reported cases and an additional 30 cases
Authors: O’Brien Carolyn R , Malik Richard , Globan Maria , Reppas George , McCowan Christina , Fyfe Janet A
Published: August 2017

Objectives:

This paper, the last in a series of three on ‘feline leprosy’, provides a detailed description of disease referable to the previously unnamed species, Candidatus ‘Mycobacterium lepraefelis’, a close relative of the human pathogens Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis.

Methods:

Cases were sourced retrospectively and prospectively for this observational study, describing clinical, geographical and molecular microbiological data for cats definitively diagnosed with Candidatus ‘M lepraefelis’ infection.

Results:

A total of 145 cases of feline leprosy were scrutinised; 114 ‘new’ cases were sourced from the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory (VIDRL) records, veterinary pathology laboratories or veterinarians, and 31 cases were derived from six published studies. Thirty-eight cats were definitively diagnosed with Candidatus ‘M lepraefelis’ infection. Typically, cats tended to be middle-aged or older when first infected, with a male predilection. Affected cats typically had widespread cutaneous lesions, in some cases after initially localised disease. Advanced cases were often systemically unwell. All cats had outdoor access. The histological picture was lepromatous in the majority of patients, although two cases had tuberculoid disease. In one case that underwent necropsy, lesions were evident in the liver, spleen and lungs. Treatment was varied, although most cats received a combination of oral clarithromycin and rifampicin. Prognosis for recovery was variable, but typically poor.

Conclusions and relevance:

Candidatus ‘M lepraefelis’ typically causes high bacterial index (lepromatous) feline leprosy that in some cases progresses to systemic mycobacteriosis. The disease has a variable clinical course and prognosis. Many cases either died or were euthanased due to the infection. Multilocus sequence analysis reveals a heterogeneous picture and further analysis of draft genome sequencing may give clues to the taxonomy and epidemiology of this organism. Prospective treatment trials and/or additional drug susceptibility testing in specialised systems would further inform treatment recommendations.

Comparative aspects:

This paper finishes with a discussion of comparative aspects of infection caused by the three feline leproid disease agents that have been the subject of this series: Candidatus ’Mycobacterium tarwinense’, Mycobacterium lepraemurium and Candidatus ‘M lepraefelis’.
Validation of the English and Mandarin versions of the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory in an Asian population
Authors: Liu Jianlin , Mahendran Rathi , Chua Shi Min , Lam Kevin FY , Lim Haikel A , Kuparasundram Sangita , Chan Yiong Huak , Simard Sébastian , Kua Ee Heok , Griva Konstadina
Published: August 2017

The Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory has shown adequate psychometric properties to assess for fear of cancer recurrence among cancer survivors. However, the use of the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory in Asia is limited due to the paucity of validation studies. Participants include 331 cancer survivors who completed the English and newly developed Mandarin versions of the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory. The results revealed that both versions of the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory demonstrated satisfactory internal reliability, test–retest reliability, convergent validity, and concurrent validity. A confirmatory factor analysis provided support for the original seven-factor structure. The validated Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory is applicable to cancer survivors in Singapore.
Development and psychometric evaluation of the Thirst Distress Scale for patients with heart failure
Authors: Waldréus Nana , Jaarsma Tiny , van der Wal Martje HL , Kato Naoko P
Published: August 2017

Background:

Patients with heart failure can experience thirst distress. However, there is no instrument to measure this in patients with heart failure. The aim of the present study was to develop the Thirst Distress Scale for patients with Heart Failure (TDS-HF) and to evaluate psychometric properties of the scale.

Methods and results:

The TDS-HF was developed to measure thirst distress in patients with heart failure. Face and content validity was confirmed using expert panels including patients and healthcare professionals. Data on the TDS-HF was collected from patients with heart failure at outpatient heart failure clinics and hospitals in Sweden, the Netherlands and Japan. Psychometric properties were evaluated using data from 256 heart failure patients (age 72±11 years). Concurrent validity of the scale was assessed using a thirst intensity visual analogue scale. Patients did not have any difficulties answering the questions, and time taken to answer the questions was about five minutes. Factor analysis of the scale showed one factor. After psychometric testing, one item was deleted. For the eight item TDS-HF, a single factor explained 61% of the variance and Cronbach’s alpha was 0.90. The eight item TDS-HF was significantly associated with the thirst intensity score ( r=0.55, p<0.001). Regarding test-retest reliability, the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.88, and the weighted kappa values ranged from 0.29–0.60.

Conclusion:

The eight-item TDS-HF is valid and reliable for measuring thirst distress in patients with heart failure.
On the Nature of Objectification: Implications of Considering People as Means to Goals
Authors: Orehek Edward , Weaverling Casey G.
Published: August 2017

People are objectified when they are treated as a means to a goal. The most common example is when women are sexually objectified and reduced to their physical appearance, sexuality, or individual body parts. In such instances, people are used in the same way as objects and are evaluated according to their instrumentality to the others’ goals. The aim of this paper is to gain a better understanding of objectification. We will (a) outline basic principles of means-goal relations during goal pursuit, (b) review research in which people are means to goals, (c) explain objectification according to a means-goal psychology in which people serve as means to goals, and (d) explain the implications of our account for the consequences of objectification. Specifically, we argue objectification is inevitable and that the consequences of objectification, including its morality, depend on the goal to which a person serves and whether the objectified person wants to serve that goal.
Increased expression of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha transcribed by promoter 2 indicates a poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Cai Shao-hang , Lu Shi-xun , Liu Li-li , Zhang Chris Zhiyi , Yun Jing-ping
Published: August 2017

Background:

Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4α) plays an important role in tumourigenesis. There is growing evidence indicating that HNF4α transcribed by promoter 1 (P1-HNF4α) is expressed at relatively low levels in HCC and its presence predicts a favourable outcome for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. However, the role of HNF4α transcribed by promoter 2 (P2-HNF4α) in HCC remains unclear.

Methods:

A total of 615 HCC specimens were obtained to construct tissue microarrays and perform immunohistochemistry. The relationship between P2-HNF4α and clinical features of HCC patients were analysed. Kaplan–Meier analysis was conducted to assess the prognostic value of P2-HNF4α.

Results:

The results showed that the expression of P2-HNF4α in HCC was noticeably increased in HCC tissues compared with the nontumourous tissues. In addition, P1-HNF4α expression was negatively correlated with P2-HNF4α expression ( p = 0.023). High P2-HNF4α expression was significantly associated with poor differentiation of HCC ( p = 0.002) and vascular invasion ( p = 0.017). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that P2-HNF4α expression was closely correlated with overall survival in the training group ( p = 0.01), validation group ( p = 0.034), and overall group of patients with HCC ( p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

Our data show that the role of HNF4α in cancer development needs to be further refined. P2-HNF4α, different from P1-HNF4α, is markedly upregulated and serves as an oncogene-associated protein in HCC. Our study therefore provides a promising biomarker for prognostic prediction and a potential therapeutic target for HCC.
Emotional Mimicry Beyond the Face?
Authors: Moody Eric J. , Reed Catherine L. , Van Bommel Tara , App Betsy , McIntosh Daniel N.
Published: August 2017

Emotional mimicry—quick and spontaneous matching of another’s expressions—is a well-documented phenomenon that is associated with numerous social outcomes. Although the mechanisms underlying mimicry are not fully understood, there is growing awareness that it is more than a one-to-one motor matching of others’ expressions and may be the result of neural simulation. If true, it is possible that mimicry could extend to other parts of the body, even in the absence of visual information from that body part. Indeed, we found that passively viewing anger and fear expressions, without accompanying information from the body, voice or other channels, produced both facial mimicry and corresponding responses in arm muscles that make a fist or a defensive posture. This suggests that observers simulated observed expressions and that activity may have spilled over to other areas to create a body response.
When Does Maluma/Takete Fail? Two Key Failures and a Meta-Analysis Suggest That Phonology and Phonotactics Matter
Authors: Styles Suzy J. , Gawne Lauren
Published: August 2017

Eighty-seven years ago, Köhler reported that the majority of students picked the same answer in a quiz: Which novel word form (‘maluma’ or ‘takete’) went best with which abstract line drawing (one curved, one angular). Others have consistently shown the effect in a variety of contexts, with only one reported failure by Rogers and Ross. In the spirit of transparency, we report our own failure in the same journal. In our study, speakers of Syuba, from the Himalaya in Nepal, do not show a preference when matching word forms ‘kiki’ and ‘bubu’ to spiky versus curvy shapes. We conducted a meta-analysis of previous studies to investigate the relationship between pseudoword legality and task effects. Our combined analyses suggest a common source for both of the failures: ‘wordiness’ – We believe these tests fail when the test words do not behave according to the sound structure of the target language.
Staged approach for surgical management of a true femoral artery aneurysm combined with bilateral iliac artery aneurysms
Authors: Dolapoglu Ahmet , Ertugay Serkan , Posacioglu Hakan
Published: August 2017

True femoral artery aneurysm is a rare vascular entity and is often associated with aortic or peripheral aneurysms. Life-threatening complications associated with peripheral arterial aneurysms include rupture, thrombosis, and embolization. In patients with multiple aneurysms, any symptomatic aneurysms should be treated first; in asymptomatic patients, the aneurysms can be repaired either simultaneously in a single operation or serially in a staged procedure. We report a case of concomitant true femoral aneurysm and bilateral iliac artery aneurysms, which were treated with a combination of open surgical and endovascular techniques.
Simulation in urological training: Where are we in 2017?
Authors: Robinson Andrew J , Miller George , Rukin Nick
Published: August 2017

Traditional Halstedian principles are no longer compatible with modern day urological training. Changing patterns of healthcare provision and the advanced nature of minimally invasive urological surgery have resulted in trainees receiving reduced exposure to independent operative experience. The drive towards consultant-delivered care, coupled with the introduction of the European working time directive, necessitate the urology trainee to meet end-of-training competencies with fewer learning opportunities compared with previous generations. Simulation provides an opportunity to compensate for reduced operative experience by augmenting both technical and non-technical skills development. A variety of simulation models can be used from cadaveric, synthetic and animal models to advanced virtual reality to aid surgical training. Whilst simulation is not without limitations, it has the potential to significantly enhance procedural competency and non-technical skills in a risk-free environment. Clear benefits, including equipment familiarity and trainee confidence have been demonstrated. However, direct transferability of these benefits to an operating-theatre is not clearly evident. Whilst not a substitute for clinical practice, simulation is likely to prove itself as a valuable adjunct to urological training. In this narrative review, we examine the current literature on simulation training in relation to urological surgery.
Women, Gender, and the Revocation of Citizenship in the United States
Authors: Herzog Ben , Adams Julia
Published: August 2017

Taking away citizenship, as an extreme measure, defines its boundaries by specifying acts that are deemed nationally desirable and undesirable. The history of expatriation in the United States serves as a case study for the interaction between gender and the limits of modern citizenship status. Citizenship laws and mechanisms of revocation in the United States were explicitly patriarchal until 1922; until then, women lost their citizenship on marriage to a foreign citizen. The laws regarding revocation of citizenship have continued to target prototypically masculine behaviors, particularly those bearing on the military defense of the state. Since the 1920s moment, women in the United States exist in a contradictory citizenship regime: paradoxically endowed with relative immunity from certain forms of regulation and punishment as their status as active political individuals remains a site of struggle.
Sketch for an Archetypal Building
Authors: Steadman P
Published: August 2017

An archetypal form of building is proposed, to which the forms of actual buildings may be related by continuous deformation of parts and by suppression of some parts altogether. Parallels are drawn with pre-Darwinian ideas about archetypal forms in biology. The archetypal building serves to represent those overall properties of the envelope which are determined by the constraints of lighting and the close-packing of certain generic types of space—'cellular space’, ‘open-plan space’, and ‘halls’. Four worked examples are given showing the transformation of the archetype into real historical buildings. Potential applications are suggested in the classification of building types, in building science, in architectural history, and in design support systems.
Clinical and biological characteristics of the French COBRA cohort of adult subjects with asthma
Authors: Pretolani Marina , Soussan David , Poirier Isabelle , Thabut Gabriel , Aubier Michel
Published: August 2017

The COhort of BRonchial obstruction and Asthma (COBRA) is a longitudinal cohort that involves 12 French academic institutions. DNA, serum samples and clinical data are collected at entry and every 6 months thereafter.

Of 1080 patients with asthma recruited between 2007 and 2015, 401 had mild/moderate and 613 had severe asthma. In cross-sectional analyses, compared with patients with milder disease, patients with severe asthma had more symptoms, exacerbations, hospitalisations and visits to the emergency department during the preceding 12 months, higher numbers of blood eosinophils, and more comorbidities. More than 60% of patients with severe asthma were therapy-uncontrolled at entry, and 152 of them were being treated with omalizumab. In addition, patients with asthma who had the highest eosinophilia levels (>300/mm3) had shorter asthma duration, lower lung function, and higher rates of severe exacerbations and unacceptable asthma control than patients with lower eosinophil counts.

Longitudinal analyses performed in 427 patients with asthma with at least three differential blood cell counts demonstrated that both eosinophil numbers and eosinophil increase over time were associated with the number of exacerbations occurring until the next visit and with Juniper score.

Studies with the COBRA cohort will help to improve knowledge concerning the risk and biological factors associated with asthma severity and to better understand their influence on the disease trajectory.
Treatment of limited disease small cell lung cancer: the multidisciplinary team
Authors: Glatzer Markus , Rittmeyer Achim , Müller Joachim , Opitz Isabelle , Papachristofilou Alexandros , Psallidas Ioannis , Früh Martin , Born Diana , Putora Paul Martin
Published: August 2017

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) presents multiple interdisciplinary challenges with several paradigm shifts in its treatment in recent years. SCLC treatment requires multidisciplinary management and timely treatment. The aim of this review is to focus on the team management aspects in the treatment of limited disease SCLC and how this can contribute towards improving outcomes.
ERS statement on protracted bacterial bronchitis in children
Authors: Kantar Ahmad , Chang Anne B. , Shields Mike D. , Marchant Julie M. , Grimwood Keith , Grigg Jonathan , Priftis Kostas N. , Cutrera Renato , Midulla Fabio , Brand Paul L.P. , Everard Mark L.
Published: August 2017

This European Respiratory Society statement provides a comprehensive overview on protracted bacterial bronchitis (PBB) in children. A task force of experts, consisting of clinicians from Europe and Australia who manage children with PBB determined the overall scope of this statement through consensus. Systematic reviews addressing key questions were undertaken, diagrams in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement constructed and findings of relevant studies summarised. The final content of this statement was agreed upon by all members.

The current knowledge regarding PBB is presented, including the definition, microbiology data, known pathobiology, bronchoalveolar lavage findings and treatment strategies to manage these children. Evidence for the definition of PBB was sought specifically and presented. In addition, the task force identified several major clinical areas in PBB requiring further research, including collecting more prospective data to better identify the disease burden within the community, determining its natural history, a better understanding of the underlying disease mechanisms and how to optimise its treatment, with a particular requirement for randomised controlled trials to be conducted in primary care.
New insights into the materials of fifteenth- and sixteenth-century Netherlandish paintings in the National Gallery, London
Authors: Spring Marika
Published: August 2017

The long-term programme of technical examination conducted at the National Gallery, London, during cataloguing of the Netherlandish School paintings surveyed the materials and techniques of a wide range of artists, including not only Van Eyck, Van der Weyden, Bosch, Bruegel, Massys and Gossaert but also lesser known painters from the same period. The research presented in this article brings together both published and unpublished results from this project, strengthening the trends that had been emerging and bringing new insights into the development of artists’ materials over this period. A notable finding during the programme was the discovery of two paint additives—colourless powdered glass and zinc sulphate (white vitriol)—probably added as driers. The new quantitative analyses of the glass composition presented here add to those already published, and reveal that towards the end of the fifteenth century high lime–low alkali glass begins to be used. This observation holds the potential to contribute to questions about the dating of Netherlandish paintings. A smaller number of occurrences of zinc sulphate were identified suggesting that it was less common than glass as an additive, but it is nevertheless significant since it was used by a key figure in the history of oil painting, Jan van Eyck, and occasionally, where present in excess, has caused conservation problems such as drying defects in the paint. Occurrences of the unusual pigments vivianite and fluorite were identified in a few sixteenth-century works. The main changes encountered during the period, however, were the introduction of the blue pigment smalt, its instability having consequences for the current appearance of the paintings, and of a green copper mineral pigment composed of mainly copper sulphate. The latter has proved to be far more common than had been realised in the past.
Osimertinib As First-Line Treatment of EGFR Mutation–Positive Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Ramalingam Suresh S. , Yang James C.-H. , Lee Chee Khoon , Kurata Takayasu , Kim Dong-Wan , John Thomas , Nogami Naoyuki , Ohe Yuichiro , Mann Helen , Rukazenkov Yuri , Ghiorghiu Serban , Stetson Daniel , Markovets Aleksandra , Barrett J. Carl , Thress Kenneth S. , Jänne Pasi A.
Published: August 2017

Purpose

The AURA study ( ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01802632) included two cohorts of treatment-naïve patients to examine clinical activity and safety of osimertinib (an epidermal growth factor receptor [EGFR] –tyrosine kinase inhibitor selective for EGFR–tyrosine kinase inhibitor sensitizing [ EGFRm] and EGFR T790M resistance mutations) as first-line treatment of EGFR-mutated advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Patients and Methods

Sixty treatment-naïve patients with locally advanced or metastatic EGFRm NSCLC received osimertinib 80 or 160 mg once daily (30 patients per cohort). End points included investigator-assessed objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and safety evaluation. Plasma samples were collected at or after patients experienced disease progression, as defined by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST), to investigate osimertinib resistance mechanisms.

Results

At data cutoff (November 1, 2016), median follow-up was 19.1 months. Overall ORR was 67% (95% CI, 47% to 83%) in the 80-mg group, 87% (95% CI, 69% to 96%) in the 160-mg group, and 77% (95% CI, 64% to 87%) across doses. Median PFS time was 22.1 months (95% CI, 13.7 to 30.2 months) in the 80-mg group, 19.3 months (95% CI, 13.7 to 26.0 months) in the 160-mg group, and 20.5 months (95% CI, 15.0 to 26.1 months) across doses. Of 38 patients with postprogression plasma samples, 50% had no detectable circulating tumor DNA. Nine of 19 patients had putative resistance mechanisms, including amplification of MET (n = 1); amplification of EGFR and KRAS (n = 1); MEK1, KRAS, or PIK3CA mutation (n = 1 each); EGFR C797S mutation (n = 2); JAK2 mutation (n = 1); and HER2 exon 20 insertion (n = 1). Acquired EGFR T790M was not detected.

Conclusion

Osimertinib demonstrated a robust ORR and prolonged PFS in treatment-naïve patients with EGFRm advanced NSCLC. There was no evidence of acquired EGFR T790M mutation in postprogression plasma samples.
Circulatory mechanisms underlying adaptive increases in thermogenic capacity in high-altitude deer mice
Authors: Tate Kevin B. , Ivy Catherine M. , Velotta Jonathan P. , Storz Jay F. , McClelland Grant B. , Cheviron Zachary A. , Scott Graham R.
Published: August 2017

We examined the circulatory mechanisms underlying adaptive increases in thermogenic capacity in deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) native to the cold hypoxic environment at high altitudes. Deer mice from high- and low-altitude populations were born and raised in captivity to adulthood, and then acclimated to normoxia or hypobaric hypoxia (simulating hypoxia at ∼4300 m). Thermogenic capacity (maximal O2 consumption, VO2max, during cold exposure) was measured in hypoxia, along with arterial O2 saturation (SaO2) and heart rate (fH). Hypoxia acclimation increased VO2max by a greater magnitude in highlanders than in lowlanders. Highlanders also had higher SaO2 and extracted more O2 from the blood per heartbeat (O2 pulse=VO2max/fH). Hypoxia acclimation increased fH, O2 pulse, and capillary density in the left ventricle of the heart. Our results suggest that adaptive increases in thermogenic capacity involve integrated functional changes across the O2 cascade that augment O2 circulation and extraction from the blood.
An Ago2-associated capped transcriptional start site small RNA suppresses adenovirus DNA replication
Authors: Kamel Wael , Akusjärvi Göran
Published: August 2017

Here we show that the adenovirus major late promoter produces a 31-nucleotide transcriptional start site small RNA (MLP-TSS-sRNA) that retains the 7-methylguanosine (m7G)-cap and is incorporated onto Ago2-containing RNA-induced silencing complexes (RISC) in human adenovirus-37 infected cells. RNA polymerase II CLIP (UV-cross linking immunoprecipitation) experiments suggest that the MLP-TSS-sRNA is produced by promoter proximal stalling/termination of RNA polymerase II transcription at the site of the small RNA 3′ end. The MLP-TSS-sRNA is highly stable in cells and functionally active, down-regulating complementary targets in a sequence and dose-dependent manner. The MLP-TSS-sRNA is transcribed from the opposite strand to the adenoviral DNA polymerase and preterminal protein mRNAs, two essential viral replication proteins. We show that the MLP-TSS-sRNA act in trans to reduce DNA polymerase and preterminal protein mRNA expression. As a consequence of this, the MLP-TSS-sRNA has an inhibitory effect on the efficiency of viral DNA replication. Collectively, our results suggest that this novel sRNA may serve a regulatory function controlling viral genome replication during a lytic and/or persistent adenovirus infection in its natural host.
Super-lncRNAs: identification of lncRNAs that target super-enhancers via RNA:DNA:DNA triplex formation
Authors: Soibam Benjamin
Published: August 2017

Super-enhancers are characterized by high levels of Mediator binding and are major contributors to the expression of their associated genes. They exhibit high levels of local chromatin interactions and a higher order of local chromatin organization. On the other hand, lncRNAs can localize to specific DNA sites by forming a RNA:DNA:DNA triplex, which in turn can contribute to local chromatin organization. In this paper, we characterize a new class of lncRNAs called super-lncRNAs that target super-enhancers and which can contribute to the local chromatin organization of the super-enhancers. Using a logistic regression model based on the number of RNA:DNA:DNA triplex sites a lncRNA forms within the super-enhancer, we identify 442 unique super-lncRNA transcripts in 27 different human cell and tissue types; 70% of these super-lncRNAs were tissue restricted. They primarily harbor a single triplex-forming repeat domain, which forms an RNA:DNA:DNA triplex with multiple anchor DNA sites (originating from transposable elements) within the super-enhancers. Super-lncRNAs can be grouped into 17 different clusters based on the tissue or cell lines they target. Super-lncRNAs in a particular cluster share common short structural motifs and their corresponding super-enhancer targets are associated with gene ontology terms pertaining to the tissue or cell line. Super-lncRNAs may use these structural motifs to recruit and transport necessary regulators (such as transcription factors and Mediator complexes) to super-enhancers, influence chromatin organization, and act as spatial amplifiers for key tissue-specific genes associated with super-enhancers.