bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Schizandrin A Alleviates LPS-Induced Injury in Human Keratinocyte Cell Hacat Through a MicroRNA-127-Dependent Regulation
Authors: Li Shujie , Xie Ruijin , Jiang Chengrui , Liu Mei
Published: September 2018

Background/Aims: Inflammatory skin diseases are the most common problems in dermatology. Schizandrin A (SchA) has been reported to have anti-inflammatory properties. Herein, we aimed to investigate the protective effects of SchA on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced injury in keratinocyte HaCaT cells. Methods: Inflammation injury in HaCaT cells was induced by LPS treatment. Cell viability, apoptotic cell rate, and apoptosis-related proteins were analyzed by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, Annexin V-(fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)/ Propidium Iodide (PI) double staining method, and western blot, respectively. The pro-inflammatory factors were analyzed by western blot and quantified by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Expression of miR-127 in SchA-treated cells was analyzed by qRT-PCR. The effects of SchA on activations of p38MAPK/ERK and JNK pathways were analyzed by western blot. Results: SchA protected HaCaT cells from LPS-induced inflammation damage via promoting cell viability, suppressing apoptosis. Meanwhile, SchA inhibited IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α expression. miR-127 expression was up-regulated in LPS-treated HaCaT cells but down-regulated after SchA treatment. Overexpression of miR-127 inhibited cell growth and induced expression of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α. Additionally, miR-127 overexpression impaired the protective effects of SchA, implying miR-127 might be correlated to the anti-inflammation property of SchA and also involved in inactivation of p38MAPK/ERK and JNK pathways by SchA. Conclusion: miR-127 is involved in the protective functions of SchA on LPS-induced inflammation injury in human keratinocyte cell HaCaT, which might inactivates of p38MAPK/ERK and JNK signaling pathways in HaCaT cells.
Astragaloside IV Protects Rat Cardiomyocytes from Hypoxia-Induced Injury by Down-Regulation of miR-23a and miR-92a
Authors: Gong Licheng , Chang Hong , Zhang Jingze , Guo Gongliang , Shi Jingwei , Xu Haiming
Published: September 2018

Background/Aims: Astragaloside IV (AS-IV), a traditional Chinese medicine isolated from Astragalus membranaceus, has been shown to exert cardioprotective effect previously. This study aimed to reveal the effects of AS-IV on hypoxia-injured cardiomyocyte. Methods: H9c2 cells were treated with various doses of AS-IV for 24 h upon hypoxia. CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry/Western blot, and qRT-PCR were respectively conducted to measure the changes in cell viability, apoptosis, and the expression of miR-23a and miR-92a. Sprague–Dawley rats were received coronary ligation, and were administrated by various doses of AS-IV for 14 days. The infarct volume and outcome of rats followed by ligation were tested by ultrasound, arteriopuncture and nitrotetrazolium blue chloride (NBT) staining. Results: We found that 10 μg/ml of AS-IV exerted myocardioprotective effects against hypoxia-induced cell damage, as AS-IV significantly increased H9c2 cells viability and decreased apoptosis. Interestingly, the myocardioprotective effects of AS-IV were alleviated by miR-23a and/or miR-92a overexpression. Knockdown of miR-23a and miR-92a activated PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ ERK signaling pathways. Bcl-2 was a target gene for miR-23a, and BCL2L2 was a target gene for miR-92a. In the animal model of myocardial infarction (MI), AS-IV significantly reduced the infarct volume, ejection fraction (EF), shortening fraction (FS) and LV systolic pressure (LVSP), and significantly increased left ventricular end-diastolic internal diameter (LVEDd). And also, the elevated expression of miR-23a and miR-92a in MI rat was reduced by AS-IV. Conclusion: AS-IV protected cardiomyocytes against hypoxia-induced injury possibly via down-regulation of miR-23a and miR-92a, and via activation of PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK signaling pathways.
Hyperglycemia Altered the Fate of Cardiac Stem Cells to Adipogenesis through Inhibiting the β-Catenin/TCF-4 Pathway
Authors: Zhang Xiaoming , Meng Ke , Pu Yujie , Wang Chao , Chen Yingying , Wang Linlin
Published: September 2018

Background/Aims: Hyperglycemia is an important risk factor for the most severe cardiovascular diseases in patients with diabetes. It has been demonstrated that cardiac stem cells (CSCs) play a pivotal role in the maintenance of cardiac homeostasis and regeneration. However, the mechanism underlying the influence of diabetes on CSCs remains unclear. This study demonstrated that hyperglycemia might promote adipogenesis in CSCs, which induces a decline in myocardial regeneration capability in diabetes. Methods: CSCs were isolated and cultured in high-glucose medium. The levels of β-catenin and TCF-4 in CSCs were determined by immunofluorescence staining and western blot analysis. Adipogenic transcriptional factors and CSCs markers were also examined by flow cytometry and western blot analysis after adipogenesis induction. In addition, Oil Red O staining was performed to investigate lipid droplet formation during adipogenesis induction with or without LiCl, a potent activator of TCF/β-catenin-dependent transcription. Results: High-glucose conditions inhibited nuclear translocation of β-catenin/TCF-4 and promoted adipogenesis in CSCs. After adipogenesis induction, expression of adipogenic transcriptional factors (PPARγ, ADD1, and C/EBPα) were increased (P < 0.01) and that of CSCs markers (c-Kit, Sca-1, MDR-1, and isl-1) were decreased (P< 0.01) in CSCs in the high-glucose group. Furthermore, lipid droplet formation was increased in CSCs cultured with high glucose, while LiCl attenuated lipid droplet formation in these CSCs (P < 0.01). Conclusion: These results demonstrated that hyperglycemia inhibited the β-catenin/TCF-4 pathway and promoted CSCs adipogenesis. Our findings suggest a new opportunity for future interventional strategie for abnormal myocardial regeneration and epicardial fat in patients with diabetes.
Image Quality of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients With an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator System Designed for the Magnetic Resonance Imaging Environment
Authors: Schwitter Juerg , Gold Michael R. , Al Fagih Ahmed , Lee Sung , Peterson Michael , Ciuffo Allen , Zhang Yan , Kristiansen Nina , Kanal Emanuel , Sommer Torsten
Published: September 2018

Background—

Recently, magnetic resonance (MR)–conditional implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) systems have become available. However, associated cardiac MR image (MRI) quality is unknown. The goal was to evaluate the image quality performance of various cardiac MR sequences in a multicenter trial of patients implanted with an MR-conditional ICD system.

Methods and Results—

The Evera-MRI trial enrolled 275 patients in 42 centers worldwide. There were 263 patients implanted with an Evera-MRI single- or dual-chamber ICD and randomized to controls (n=88) and MRI (n=175), 156 of whom underwent a protocol-required MRI (9–12 weeks post implant). Steady-state-free-precession (SSFP) and fast-gradient-echo (FGE) sequences were acquired in short-axis and horizontal long-axis orientations. Qualitative and quantitative assessment of image quality was performed by using a 7-point scale (grades 1–3: good quality, grades 6–7: nondiagnostic) and measuring ICD- and lead-related artifact size. Good to moderate image quality (grades 1–5) was obtained in 53% and 74% of SSFP and FGE acquisitions, respectively, covering the left ventricle, and in 69% and 84%, respectively, covering the right ventricle. Odds for better image quality were greater for right ventricle versus left ventricle (odds ratio, 1.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.5–2.2;
P
<0.0001) and greater for FGE versus SSFP (odds ratio, 3.5; 95% confidence interval, 2.5–4.8;
P
<0.0001). Compared with SSFP, ICD-related artifacts on FGE were smaller (141±65 versus 75±57 mm, respectively;
P
<0.0001). Lead artifacts were much smaller than ICD artifacts (
P
<0.0001).

Conclusions—

FGE yields good to moderate quality in 74% of left ventricle and 84% of right ventricle acquisitions and performs better than SSFP in patients with an MRI-conditional ICD system. In these patients, cardiac MRI can offer diagnostic information in most cases.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT02117414.
Prospective Evaluation of
18
F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Uptake in Postischemic Myocardium by Simultaneous Positron Emission Tomography/Magnetic Resonance Imaging as a Prognostic Marker of Functional Outcome
Authors: Rischpler Christoph , Dirschinger Ralf J. , Nekolla Stephan G. , Kossmann Hans , Nicolosi Stefania , Hanus Franziska , van Marwick Sandra , Kunze Karl P. , Meinicke Alexander , Götze Katharina , Kastrati Adnan , Langwieser Nicolas , Ibrahim Tareq , Nahrendorf Matthias , Schwaiger Markus , Laugwitz Karl-Ludwig
Published: September 2018

Background—

The immune system orchestrates the repair of infarcted myocardium. Imaging of the cellular inflammatory response by
18
F-fluorodeoxyglucose (
18
F-FDG) positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging in the heart has been demonstrated in preclinical and clinical studies. However, the clinical relevance of post-MI
18
F-FDG uptake in the heart has not been elucidated. The objective of this study was to explore the value of
18
F-FDG positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging in patients after acute myocardial infarction as a biosignal for left ventricular functional outcome.

Methods and Results—

We prospectively enrolled 49 patients with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction and performed
18
F-FDG positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging 5 days after percutaneous coronary intervention and follow-up cardiac magnetic resonance imaging after 6 to 9 months. In a subset of patients,
99m
Tc-sestamibi single-photon emission computed tomography was performed with tracer injection before revascularization. Cellular innate immune response was analyzed at multiple time points. Segmental comparison of
18
F-FDG-uptake and late gadolinium enhancement showed substantial overlap (κ=0.66), whereas quantitative analysis demonstrated that
18
F-FDG extent exceeded late gadolinium enhancement extent (33.2±16.2% left ventricular myocardium versus 20.4±10.6% left ventricular myocardium,
P
<0.0001) and corresponded to the area at risk (
r
=0.87,
P
<0.0001). The peripheral blood count of CD14
high
/CD16
+
monocytes correlated with the infarction size and
18
F-FDG signal extent (
r
=0.53,
P
<0.002 and
r
=0.42,
P
<0.02, respectively).
18
F-FDG uptake in the infarcted myocardium was highest in areas with transmural scar, and the standardized uptake value
mean
was associated with left ventricular functional outcome independent of infarct size (Δ ejection fraction:
P
<0.04, Δ end-diastolic volume:
P
<0.02, Δ end-systolic volume:
P
<0.005).

Conclusions—

In this study, the intensity of
18
F-FDG uptake in the myocardium after acute myocardial infarction correlated inversely with functional outcome at 6 months. Thus,
18
F-FDG uptake in infarcted myocardium may represent a novel biosignal of myocardial injury.
Routine Screening of Coronary Artery Disease With Computed Tomographic Coronary Angiography in Place of Invasive Coronary Angiography in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
Authors: Chieffo Alaide , Giustino Gennaro , Spagnolo Pietro , Panoulas Vasileios F. , Montorfano Matteo , Latib Azeem , Figini Filippo , Agricola Eustachio , Gerli Chiara , Franco Annalisa , Giglio Manuela , Cioni Micaela , Alfieri Ottavio , Camici Paolo Guido , Colombo Antonio
Published: September 2018

Background—

Coronary artery disease (CAD) screening is required before transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVR). Although invasive coronary angiography (CA) remains the gold standard for CAD assessment, computed tomographic CA (CTCA) could be a safe and effective noninvasive alternative for CAD screening in patients undergoing TAVR.

Methods and Results—

From November 2007 to May 2013, all patients undergoing TAVR at our institution were included in the study cohort. CTCA was used as first-line imaging tool for CAD screening. Invasive CA was performed when any of the following were present: coronary anatomy at CTCA was not evaluable and presence of significant CAD at CTCA. The primary objective was to compare major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events at 30 days and 1 year between patients who performed CTCA as only screening test and those who performed CTCA and invasive CA. Of 491 patients treated with TAVR, 375 (76.3%) performed only CTCA, whereas 116 (21.7%) underwent also CA. No differences were present in crude major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event rates at 30 days and 1 year between the 2 groups. After multivariable adjustment, CTCA performed alone was not associated with higher risk of MACE at 1 year of follow-up (hazard ratio, 0.89; 95% confidence interval, 0.49–1.60;
P
=0.69).

Conclusions—

CTCA performed as a routine noninvasive imaging tool in patients undergoing TAVR seems safe and effective allowing, with a single test, acquisition of information on aortic annulus anatomy, peripheral access sites, and evaluation of coronary anatomy.
Effect of Clinical Trial Experience on Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Outcomes
Authors: McCarthy Fenton H. , Groeneveld Peter W. , Kobrin Dale , McDermott Katherine M. , Wirtalla Christopher , Desai Nimesh D.
Published: September 2018

Background—

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in November 2011 after a collaborative technology development process involving professional medical societies, the medical device industry, and the FDA. After FDA approval, TAVR was adopted by numerous hospitals that had not participated in TAVR clinical trials. It is uncertain if outcomes at these hospitals were comparable with those at clinical trial hospitals.

Methods and Results—

All patients with Medicare physician claims for TAVR between January 1, 2011, and November 30, 2012, were identified, and postoperative mortality was assessed using Medicare enrollment data. Risk-adjusted mortality was calculated via a multivariable model that adjusted for demographics and comorbidities. We identified 5009 patients who underwent TAVR, with 3617 TAVRs performed at 68 hospitals that had participated in clinical trials and 1392 TAVRs performed at 140 nontrial hospitals. The preoperative characteristics of patients at trial versus nontrial hospitals were similar. There were no significant differences in risk-adjusted 30-day mortality (5.9% versus 5.6%, odds ratio, 0.88; 95% confidence interval, 0.66–1.15;
P
=0.34) or 180-day mortality (16.5% versus 15.8%, odds ratio, 0.99; 95% confidence interval, 0.75–1.3;
P
=0.94).

Conclusions—

Patients undergoing TAVR at nontrial hospitals had comparable clinical outcomes to patients undergoing TAVR at clinical trial hospitals. This finding contrasts with several other cardiovascular devices and procedures for which higher mortality was observed at hospitals that did not participate in clinical trials. The unique policy and regulatory environment governing TAVR adoption by hospitals may have contributed to better outcomes during the technology diffusion process.
Repeated Intramyocardial Bone Marrow Cell Injection in Previously Responding Patients With Refractory Angina Again Improves Myocardial Perfusion, Anginal Complaints, and Quality of Life
Authors: Mann Imke , Rodrigo Sander F. , van Ramshorst Jan , Beeres Saskia L. , Dibbets-Schneider Petra , de Roos Albert , Wolterbeek Ron , Zwaginga Jaap J. , Fibbe Willem E. , Bax Jeroen J. , Schalij Martin J. , Atsma Douwe E.
Published: September 2018

Background—

Intramyocardial bone marrow cell injection is associated with improvements in myocardial perfusion and anginal symptoms in patients with refractory angina pectoris. This study evaluates the effect of repeated intramyocardial bone marrow cell injection in patients with residual or recurrent myocardial ischemia.

Methods and Results—

Twenty-three patients (17 men; 69±9 years) who had improved myocardial perfusion after the first injection but had residual or recurrent angina and ischemia on single-photon emission computed tomographic myocardial perfusion imaging were included. Patients again received intramyocardial injection of 100×10
6
autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells, 4.6±2.5 years after their first injection. No periprocedural complications occurred. Myocardial perfusion assessed using single-photon emission computed tomographic myocardial perfusion imaging improved from a summed stress score of 27.3±5.8 at baseline to 24.5±4.4 at 3 months (
P
=0.002) and 25.4±4.9 at 12 months of follow-up (
P
=0.002). Perfusion improvement after 3 months was comparable with the effect of the first injection (
P
=0.379). Anginal complaints improved ≤12 months after cell injection in Canadian Cardiovascular Society score (mean change at 3, 6, and 12 months: 0.6±0.9%, 0.5±0.9%, and 0.6±0.9%, respectively;
P
slope
=0.007, first versus repeated;
P
=0.188) and in quality of life score as measured by Seattle Angina Questionnaire (mean change at 3, 6, and 12 months: 7±14%, 8±14%, and 7±15%, respectively;
P
slope
=0.020, first versus repeated;
P
=0.126).

Conclusions—

Repeated bone marrow cell injection in previously responding patients with refractory angina is associated with improvements in myocardial perfusion, anginal complaints, and quality of life score ≤12 months of follow-up.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.trialregister.nl
. Unique identifier: NTR2664.
Occupational Health Risks in Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Workers
Authors: Andreassi Maria Grazia , Piccaluga Emanuela , Guagliumi Giulio , Del Greco Maurizio , Gaita Fiorenzo , Picano Eugenio
Published: September 2018

Background—

Orthopedic strain and radiation exposure are recognized risk factors in personnel staff performing fluoroscopically guided cardiovascular procedures. However, the potential occupational health effects are still unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of health problems among personnel staff working in interventional cardiology/cardiac electrophysiology and correlate them with the length of occupational radiation exposure.

Methods and Results—

We used a self-administered questionnaire to collect demographic information, work-related information, lifestyle-confounding factors, all current medications, and health status. A total number of 746 questionnaires were properly filled comprising 466 exposed staff (281 males; 44±9 years) and 280 unexposed subjects (179 males; 43±7years). Exposed personnel included 218 interventional cardiologists and electrophysiologists (168 males; 46±9 years); 191 nurses (76 males; 42±7 years), and 57 technicians (37 males; 40±12 years) working for a median of 10 years (quartiles: 5–24 years). Skin lesions (
P
=0.002), orthopedic illness (
P
<0.001), cataract (
P
=0.003), hypertension (
P
=0.02), and hypercholesterolemia (
P
<0.001) were all significantly higher in exposed versus nonexposed group, with a clear gradient unfavorable for physicians over technicians and nurses and for longer history of work (>16 years). In highly exposed physicians, adjusted odds ratio ranged from 1.7 for hypertension (95% confidence interval: 1–3;
P
=0.05), 2.9 for hypercholesterolemia (95% confidence interval: 1–5;
P
=0.004), 4.5 for cancer (95% confidence interval: 0.9–25;
P
=0.06), to 9 for cataract (95% confidence interval: 2–41;
P
=0.004).

Conclusions—

Health problems are more frequently observed in workers performing fluoroscopically guided cardiovascular procedures than in unexposed controls, raising the need to spread the culture of safety in the cath laboratory.
Transcriptomic and Proteomic Patterns of Systemic Inflammation in On-Pump and Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
Authors: Tomic V. , Russwurm S. , Möller E. , Claus R.A. , Blaess M. , Brunkhorst F. , Bruegel M. , Bode K. , Bloos F. , Wippermann J. , Wahlers T. , Deigner H.-P. , Thiery J. , Reinhart K. , Bauer M.
Published: September 2018

Background—

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) provides controlled operative conditions but induces a whole-body inflammatory response capable of initiating devastating morbidity and mortality. Although technically more demanding, deliberate avoidance of CPB in off-pump surgery attenuates the physiological insult associated with CABG.

Methods and Results—

To systematically assess the molecular mechanisms underlying the better-preserved remote organ function, we studied gene expression patterns in leukocytes and plasma proteomic response to on-pump and off-pump CABG. Proteomic analysis confirmed (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin [IL]-6, IL-10) and expanded (eg, interferon [IFN]-γ, granulocyte colony–stimulating factor [G-CSF], monocyte chemotactic protein-1, macrophage inflammatory protein-1β) the mediators released on CPB, whereas blood leukocyte transcriptomics suggested that circulating leukocytes are not primarily responsible for this response. Interestingly, release of some cytokines (eg, IL-6, IFN-γ, G-CSF) was observed on off-pump surgery to a similar extent but with delayed kinetics. A total of 45 of 4868 transcripts were identified to be significantly altered as a result of initiation of CPB. Systematic analysis of transcriptional activation by CPB revealed primarily genes involved in inflammation-related cell–cell communication (such as L-selectin or intercellular adhesion molecule-2) and signaling (such as IL-1, IL-8, or IL-18 receptors and toll-like receptors 4, 5, and 6), thus confirming a “primed” phenotype of circulating peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Conclusions—

Gene array and multiplex protein analysis, only in concert, can illuminate the molecular mechanisms responsible for systemic sequelae of CPB and indicate that circulating leukocytes overexpress adhesion and signaling factors after contact with CPB, which potentially facilitates their trapping, eg, in the lungs and may promote a subsequent tissue-associated inflammatory response.
Impact of Lymphangiogenesis on Cardiac Remodeling After Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Shimizu Yuuki , Polavarapu Rohini , Eskla Kattri‐Liis , Pantner Yvanna , Nicholson Chad K. , Ishii Masakazu , Brunnhoelzl Daniel , Mauria Rohit , Husain Ahsan , Naqvi Nawazish , Murohara Toyoaki , Calvert John W.
Published: September 2018

Background

Lymphatic vessels interconnect with blood vessels to form an elaborate system that aids in the control of tissue pressure and edema formation. Although the lymphatic system has been known to exist in a heart, little is known about the role the cardiac lymphatic system plays in the development of heart failure.

Methods and Results

Mice (C57
BL
/6J, male, 8 to 12 weeks of age) were subjected to either myocardial ischemia or myocardial ischemia and reperfusion for up to 28 days. Analysis revealed that both models increased the protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor C and
VEGF
receptor 3 starting at 1 day after the onset of injury, whereas a significant increase in lymphatic vessel density was observed starting at 3 days. Further studies aimed to determine the consequences of inhibiting the endogenous lymphangiogenesis response on the development of heart failure. Using 2 different pharmacological approaches, we found that inhibiting
VEGF
receptor 3 with
MAZ
‐51 and blocking endogenous vascular endothelial growth factor C with a neutralizing antibody blunted the increase in lymphatic vessel density, blunted lymphatic transport, increased inflammation, increased edema, and increased cardiac dysfunction. Subsequent studies revealed that augmentation of the endogenous lymphangiogenesis response with vascular endothelial growth factor C treatment reduced inflammation, reduced edema, and improved cardiac dysfunction.

Conclusions

These results suggest that the endogenous lymphangiogenesis response plays an adaptive role in the development of ischemic‐induced heart failure and supports the emerging concept that therapeutic lymphangiogenesis is a promising new approach for the treatment of cardiovascular disease.
Use of Antihypertensive Agents and Association With Risk of Adverse Outcomes in Chronic Kidney Disease: Focus on Angiotensin‐Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers
Authors: Ku Elaine , McCulloch Charles E. , Vittinghoff Eric , Lin Feng , Johansen Kirsten L.
Published: September 2018

Background

Our objective was to determine patterns of antihypertensive agent use by stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and to evaluate the association between different classes of antihypertensive agents with nonrenal outcomes, especially in advanced
CKD
.

Methods and Results

We studied 3939 participants of the
CRIC
(Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort) study. Predictors were time‐dependent angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker , β‐blocker, and calcium channel blocker use (versus nonuse of agents in each class). Outcomes were adjudicated heart failure events or death. Adjusted Cox models were used to determine the association between predictors and outcomes. We also examined whether the associations differed based on the severity of
CKD
(early [stage 2–3
CKD
] versus advanced disease [stage 4–5
CKD
]). During median follow‐up of 7.5 years, renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system inhibitor use plateaued during
CKD
stage 3 (75%) and declined to 37% by stage 5, while β‐blocker, calcium channel blocker, and diuretic use increased steadily with advancing
CKD
. Renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system inhibitor use was associated with lower risk of heart failure (hazard ratio, 0.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.67–0.97) and death (hazard ratio, 0.78; 95% confidence interval, 0.67–0.90), regardless of severity of
CKD
. Calcium channel blocker use was not associated with risk of heart failure or death, regardless of the severity of
CKD
. β‐Blocker use was associated with higher risk of heart failure (hazard ratio, 1.62; 95% confidence interval, 1.29–2.04) and death (hazard ratio, 1.22; 95% confidence interval, 1.03–1.43), especially during early
CKD
(
P
<0.05 for interaction).

Conclusions

Angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker use decreased, while use of other agents increased with advancing
CKD
. Use of agents besides angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers may be associated with suboptimal outcomes in patients with
CKD
.
Breath Crystals
Authors: Lloyd David
Published: September 2018

This essay draws out some largely unremarked aesthetic convergences between Samuel Beckett and two Romanian-Jewish, German-language contemporaries of his: the poet Paul Celan and the painter Avigdor Arikha.
‘At Me Too Someone Is Looking …’
Authors: Pattie David
Published: September 2018

Beckett’s writing—in prose and theatre—is commonly imagined as a series of exercises in decay and diminution. His protagonists exist in a world in which all systems decay, and where, because of this endemic system failure, they are progressively unable to express the reality of their situation through systems of discourse. This article argues that, although this may be true for Beckett’s prose pieces, it is not true of his theatrical works. Beckett’s plays rely for their effects on the fact that theatre itself can be thought of as a coercive system—one that does not decay, but which persists, even as the protagonists trapped within it are worn down to nothing.
New species and records of the Pericoma trifasciata group from Croatia (Diptera: Psychodidae)
Authors: KVIFTE GUNNAR MIKALSEN , IVKOVIĆ MARIJA
Published: September 2018

Pericoma miljenkoi sp. nov. is described based on adult males from the Plitvička jezera National Park, Croatia. Pericoma trifasciata is recorded from Croatia for the first time, and COI DNA barcodes are given from specimens collected in Germany. An emended key to adult Pericoma of the trifasciata group is presented. The Croatian Psychodidae fauna now stands at 35 species.
Comments on “A Third-Law Isentropic Analysis of a Simulated Hurricane”
Authors: Pauluis Olivier M.
Published: September 2018

The atmospheric overturning can be estimated by computing an isentropic streamfunction, defined as the net upward mass transport of all air parcels with the potential temperature less than a given threshold. Here, the streamfunctions for the equivalent potential temperature and the entropy potential temperature are compared in a numerical simulation of a hurricane. It is shown that, when condensate is not taken into account, the two streamfunctions are equivalent and can be related to one another by a coordinate transformation. When condensate content is included, the streamfunctions differ substantially in the upper troposphere because of the large amount of ice water found in some updrafts. It is also shown that using an equivalent potential temperature over ice avoids this problem and offers a more robust way to compute the atmospheric overturning when precipitation is included. While it has been recently recommended to limit the isentropic analysis to the entropy potential temperature, it is argued here that more insights can be gained by comparing a circulation averaged in multiple coordinates over limiting oneself to one specific choice.
Reply to “Comments on ‘A Third-Law Isentropic Analysis of a Simulated Hurricane’”
Authors: Marquet Pascal , Dauhut Thibaut
Published: September 2018

A careful reading of old articles puts Olivier Pauluis’s criticisms concerning the definition of isentropic processes in terms of a potential temperature closely associated with the entropy of moist air, together with the third principle of thermodynamics, into perspective.
Object-Based Algorithm for the Identification and Tracking of Convective Outflow Boundaries in Numerical Models
Authors: Chipilski Hristo G. , Wang Xuguang , Parsons David B.
Published: September 2018

A novel object-based algorithm capable of identifying and tracking convective outflow boundaries in convection-allowing numerical models is presented in this study. The most distinct feature of the proposed algorithm is its ability to seamlessly analyze numerically simulated density currents and bores, both of which play an important role in the dynamics of nocturnal convective systems. The unified identification and classification of these morphologically different phenomena is achieved through a multivariate approach combined with appropriate image processing techniques. The tracking component of the algorithm utilizes two dynamical constraints, which improve the object association results in comparison to methods based on statistical assumptions alone. Special attention is placed on some of the outstanding challenges regarding the formulation of the algorithm and possible ways to address those in future research. Apart from describing the technical details behind the algorithm, this study also introduces specific algorithm applications relevant to the analysis and prediction of bores. These applications are illustrated for a retrospective case study simulated with a convection-allowing ensemble prediction system. The paper highlights how the newly developed algorithm tools naturally form a foundation for understanding the initiation, structure, and evolution of bores and convective systems in the nocturnal environment.
Educational differences in women’s work–family conflict
Authors: Tunlid Sara
Published: September 2018

In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to the importance of addressing the impact of both policy context and individual factors, as well as the interaction between the two, to explain inequalities between social groups. This paper uses data from the European Social Survey 2010 to examine how partnered mothers’ work–family conflict varies with educational level and child care for children 0–2 years old. The study uses multilevel methods and adjusts for several work-related factors, such as occupation, non-standard working hours and flexible schedule, as well as the partner’s time spent on paid and unpaid work. The results show that more educated mothers experience higher work–family conflict than less educated mothers do. The difference can be explained in full by work-related characteristics. Stratified analyses show that child care lowers the conflict, but only for the less educated mothers. In fact, child care seems to increase the conflict for more educated mothers of very young children. Furthermore, a positive interaction effect indicates larger educational differences in work–family conflict in countries with extensive child care. The present study underscores the importance of recognizing the intersection of education and family policy, as they both play an important role for work–family conflict.
Evaluation of Pharyngoesophageal Segment Using 320-Row Area Detector Computed Tomography
Authors: Wattanapan Pattra , Kagaya Hitoshi , Inamoto Yoko , Saitoh Eiichi , Shibata Seiko , Iida Takatoshi
Published: September 2018

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to determine the shape and area of the pharyngoesophageal segment (PES) during swallowing using 320-row area detector computed tomography, which can acquire a volume data set covering a 16-cm area in a single rotation.

Methods:

Twenty healthy subjects were scanned during swallowing 3, 10, and 20 mL of honey-thick barium (5% w/v). PES was identified using cross-sectional images of 0.5-mm slice thickness, and the area in each section was measured.

Results:

The PES opening area and the anteroposterior and lateral diameters of the PES were volume dependent. However, there was no statistical difference in anteroposterior and lateral diameters between 3- and 10-mL bolus swallowing.

Conclusions:

Three hundred twenty–row area detector computed tomography provided new information about PES. This technique will facilitate further understanding of the mechanisms of PES opening and swallowing physiology.
Imperfect Recall: The Politics of Subnational Office Removals
Authors: Holland Alisha C. , Incio José
Published: September 2018

Why do some citizens remove the same politicians that they elected from office? This article examines the use of recall referenda, an increasingly prevalent process in which citizens organize a vote to remove politicians from office before they complete their terms. Although celebrated as a tool to improve electoral accountability, we argue that recall referenda are organized to pursue political vendettas. We test this claim using an original data set on the different stages leading to subnational recalls in Peru. Recalls are initiated more often when politicians lose by narrow vote margins and when women hold office. Once put to a vote, citizens do use office performance to decide whether to retain their politicians. Losing politicians organized fewer recall referenda following an institutional reform that allowed politicians to name their successors. The implication is that recall referenda create weak incentives to improve office performance, but careful institutional design can improve their functioning.
Authoritarian Amendments: Legislative Institutions as Intraexecutive Constraints in Post-Soviet Russia
Authors: Noble Ben
Published: September 2018

Why are executive bills sometimes amended significantly in authoritarian legislatures? Bill change clashes with the conventional picture of parliaments in nondemocracies as “rubber stamp” bodies. Recent work challenging the “rubber stamp” model suggests that cases of amendment are the result of legislator influence. This article proposes an alternative argument: Amendment can result from intraexecutive policy-making processes, unresolved in the prelegislative, cabinet-level stage. Factionalised executives can use legislative institutions to help overcome information asymmetries, as well as the commitment and monitoring problems involved in collective decision making. The article evaluates this alternative account using a combination of statistical and case-study analyses, drawing on both cross-national and fine-grained data from contemporary Russia. The findings contribute to our knowledge of authoritarian legislatures, policy-making processes in nondemocracies, and Russian politics.
The Politics of Trade-Offs: Studying the Dynamics of Welfare State Reform With Conjoint Experiments
Authors: Häusermann Silja , Kurer Thomas , Traber Denise
Published: September 2018

Welfare state reform in times of austerity is notoriously difficult because most citizens oppose retrenchment of social benefits. Governments, thus, tend to combine cutbacks with selective benefit expansions, thereby creating trade-offs: to secure new advantages, citizens must accept painful cutbacks. Prior research has been unable to assess the effectiveness of compensating components in restrictive welfare reforms. We provide novel evidence on feasible reform strategies by applying conjoint survey analysis to a highly realistic direct democratic setting of multidimensional welfare state reform. Drawing on an original survey of Swiss citizens’ attitudes toward comprehensive pension reform, we empirically demonstrate that built-in trade-offs strongly enhance the prospects of restrictive welfare reforms. Our findings indicate that agency matters: governments and policy makers can and must grant the right compensations to the relevant opposition groups to overcome institutional inertia.
Development and Evaluation of the Individuals With Learning Disabilities and/or Difficulties Perceived Discrimination Scale
Authors: Geiger Elizabeth F. , Brewster Melanie E.
Published: September 2018

The present two studies describe the development and psychometric evaluation of the Learning Disability/Difficulty Perceived Discrimination Scale used to assess the self-reported discrimination experiences of people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. In Study 1 ( N = 202) an exploratory factor analysis yielded two factors, Inferior and Cheating the System. In Study 2 ( N = 216) a confirmatory factor analysis supported the stability of this two-factor correlated model and a bifactor model. Across studies, subscale and full-scale items offered evidence of good reliability, convergent validity, and concurrent validity. Preliminary support for a minority stress framework is explored. Limitations, research, and clinical work with learning difficulties and/or disabilities populations are discussed.
A Qualitative Study of Korean Men Experiencing Stress Due to Nonprestigious Hakbeol
Authors: Garrison Yunkyoung Loh , Kim Ji Youn Cindy , Liu William Ming
Published: September 2018

Hakbeol refers to one’s place in a hierarchical undergraduate pedigree system in South Korea. This qualitative study explored 12 Korean men’s experiences with societal prejudices associated with nonprestigious hakbeol status (e.g., attending “lesser-known” universities). Considering the gender role strain paradigm and the Confucian historical context in Korea, this study attempted to illuminate psychological issues stemming from Korean men’s emphasis on the value of a prestigious hakbeol status. Participants reported (a) holding both supportive and critical views about the hakbeol system; (b) perceiving an influence of their hakbeol status on fulfilling their filial piety; (c) experiencing unwanted everyday experiences in relation to others, careers, and self-image; and (d) making efforts to cope with barriers related to their hakbeol status. These findings provide psychologists with the language and evidence to address mental health concerns caused by hakbeol-based discrimination and systemic injustice issues. Implications for counseling, training, advocacy, and research are discussed.
Exploring the Determinants of Becoming a Mentor in Turkish Organizations
Authors: Ozgen Muhsine Itir , Thatchenkery Tojo , Rowell James William
Published: September 2018

The success of organizational mentoring programs is dependent on employees becoming mentors themselves. This research explores the determinants of individuals’ willingness to mentor. It was conducted in 2016, with 175 respondents from six subsidiaries of two Turkish conglomerates. The quantitative study aimed to analyze the relationship between—personal dispositions (Self-Efficacy and Appreciative Intelligence®), organization’s situational factors, previous mentoring experiences, expected costs and benefits from mentoring—and willingness to mentor. The results indicated that individuals scoring highly on dispositional variables and expected benefits from mentoring showed a higher propensity to mentor. While practitioners may identify candidates with higher scores on Appreciative Intelligence®, and Expected Benefits Scales, they also need to enable the expected benefıts to be achieved in the organization. This study contributes to the academic literature on understanding mentoring intentions and provides practitioners with actionable recommendations for the recruitment of mentors who in turn may contribute to positive organization change.
Canal Commands and Rising Inequity
Authors: Kulkarni Seema
Published: September 2018

Public sector irrigation is rapidly changing in India, and the state of Maharashtra is no exception to this. Public sector irrigation projects that were designed independently of groundwater are increasingly being used to harness ground- water. This has been a gradual ongoing process which has shifted benefits from public to private. Increasing use of groundwater in canal commands has huge implications for equity, both in terms of direct access to water and decision-making in its use and allocation, and also indirectly, in terms of changing land and labour relations. Changing discourse in the water policy, prioritising the private over public interests is contributing substantially to these inequities. Without wanting to suggest that water inequities are an outcome of the present neoliberal framework alone, this article reflects the concern that the neo-liberal language has become dominant in steering water policies and programmes that hold implications for water access, allocations and decision-making. This article uses examples from canal irrigation projects in Maharashtra and the emerging policies around its governance to highlight the increasing privatisation of a public resource.
Understanding urban gentrification through machine learning
Authors: Reades Jonathan , De Souza Jordan , Hubbard Phil
Published: September 2018

Recent developments in the field of machine learning offer new ways of modelling complex socio-spatial processes, allowing us to make predictions about how and where they might manifest in the future. Drawing on earlier empirical and theoretical attempts to understand gentrification and urban change, this paper shows it is possible to analyse existing patterns and processes of neighbourhood change to identify areas likely to experience change in the future. This is evidenced through an analysis of socio-economic transition in London neighbourhoods (based on 2001 and 2011 Census variables) which is used to predict those areas most likely to demonstrate ‘uplift’ or ‘decline’ by 2021. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications of such modelling for the understanding of gentrification processes, noting that if qualitative work on gentrification and neighbourhood change is to offer more than a rigorous post-mortem then intensive, qualitative case studies must be confronted with – and complemented by – predictions stemming from other, more extensive approaches. As a demonstration of the capabilities of machine learning, this paper underlines the continuing value of quantitative approaches in understanding complex urban processes such as gentrification.
The Different Role of Mentor Support Along the High-School Dropout Process
Authors: Itzhaki Yael
Published: September 2018

This study examined the contribution of mentor support to the following aspects of high-school dropouts’ lives: the personal (self-esteem, and the process of becoming less religious [BLR]), social (societal conditional positive and negative regard) and psychological (well-being and loneliness). The study, conducted among Ultraorthodox Jewish males, included 261 participants, aged 14 years to 21 years ( M = 17, SD = 1.17), who were at different stages in the dropout process. Findings indicated a significant difference in the contribution of mentor support. Among youths still in their yeshiva high schools, mentor support made only a minor contribution to the process of BLR; for youths in a program for dropouts, mentor support made a positive contribution to most aspects of their lives. However, among dropouts, mentor support contributed negatively to all aspects that were examined in the current study. Findings highlight the importance of further illuminating the role of mentor support and adapting it to youths’ needs.
Impact of Brief Intervention Workshops on Addiction Provider Knowledge, Skills, Negative Attitudes, and Interest in Implementing Evidence-Based Practices
Authors: Doumas Diana M. , Esp Susan , Miller Raissa
Published: September 2018

This study evaluated the impact of Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) workshops on posttraining knowledge, skills, negative attitudes, and interest in implementing evidence-based practices (EBPs). Participants ( N = 70) were primarily mental health counselor (41.4%), social workers (20.0%), substance abuse counselors (15.7%), school counselors (5.7%), and nursing professionals (4.3%) who selected the 1- or 2-day workshop for continuing education credit. Participants attended either a Basic MI training workshop (1 day) or a Basic MI training plus an advanced MI/SBIRT training workshop (2 days) to assess if exposure to two EBPs would improve training outcomes. Participants in both the 1-day and 2-day workshops reported posttraining increased perceived knowledge and skills, decreased negative attitudes toward EBPs, and increased interest in implementing EBPs from pretraining to posttraining. There were no differences between participants in the Basic MI or MI plus advanced MI/SBIRT training conditions. Implications for reducing the research-practice gap in EBPs are discussed.
The Sharing Economy: A Geographically Weighted Regression Approach to Examine Crime and the Shared Lodging Sector
Authors: Xu Yu-Hua , Pennington-Gray Lori , Kim Jinwon
Published: September 2018

The sharing economy has gained great market share within the lodging sector by offering cost-effective accommodation solutions. However, it is also troubled by increasing criminal incidents. This study examined the global relationship between the density of Airbnb and crimes in Florida, explored how the relationships vary at the county level. The results suggested that crime-lodging associations vary by listing types but not crime types. Only the Shared Room type consistently exhibited positive associations with both property and violent crimes, while Private Room and Entire Home exhibited negative associations. Local variations were identified by geographically weighted regression, which could be explained by the local tourism development and ethnic diversity degree. We suggested equal efforts in preventing both property and violent crimes in home sharing business. Also regional differences need to be considered when responding to shared lodging crimes.