bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rheumatoid Arthritis Affecting the Upper Cervical Spine: Biomechanical Assessment of the Stabilizing Ligaments
Authors: Meyer Carolin , Bredow Jan , Heising Elisa , Eysel Peer , Müller Lars Peter , Stein Gregor
Published: October 2017

Diameters of anterior and posterior atlantodental intervals (AADI and PADI) are diagnostically conclusive regarding ongoing neurological disorders in rheumatoid arthritis. MRI and X-ray are mostly used for patients’ follow-up. This investigation aimed at analyzing these intervals during motion of cervical spine, when transverse and alar ligaments are damaged. AADI and PADI of 10 native, human cervical spines were measured using lateral fluoroscopy, while the spines were assessed in neutral position first, in maximal inclination second, and in maximal extension at last. First, specimens were evaluated under intact conditions, followed by analysis after transverse and alar ligaments were destroyed. Damage of the transverse ligament leads to an increase of the AADI’s diameter about 0.65 mm in flexion and damage of alar ligaments results in significant enhancement of 3.59 mm at mean. In extension, the AADI rises 0.60 mm after the transverse ligament was cut and 0.90 mm when the alar ligaments are damaged. After all ligaments are destroyed, AADI assessed in extension closely resembles AADI at neutral position. Ligamentous damage showed an average significant decrease of the PADI of 1.37 mm in the first step and of 3.57 mm in the second step in flexion, while it is reduced about 1.61 mm and 0.41 mm in the extended and similarly in the neutrally positioned spine. Alar and transverse ligaments are both of obvious importance in order to prevent AAS and movement-related spinal cord compression. Functional imaging is necessary at follow-up in order to identify patients having an advanced risk of neurological disorders.
A New Type-2 Soft Set: Type-2 Soft Graphs and Their Applications
Authors: Hayat Khizar , Ali Muhammad Irfan , Cao Bing-Yuan , Yang Xiao-Peng
Published: October 2017

The correspondence between a vertex and its neighbors has an essential role in the structure of a graph. Type-2 soft sets are also based on the correspondence of primary parameters and underlying parameters. In this study, we present an application of type-2 soft sets in graph theory. We introduce vertex-neighbors based type-2 soft sets overX(set of all vertices of a graph) andE(set of all edges of a graph). Moreover, we introduce some type-2 soft operations in graphs by presenting several examples to demonstrate these new concepts. Finally, we describe an application of type-2 soft graphs in communication networks and present procedure as an algorithm.
Prevalence of Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Byrne Glynis , Rosenfeld Greg , Leung Yvette , Qian Hong , Raudzus Julia , Nunez Carlos , Bressler Brian
Published: October 2017

Background. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients are not routinely screened for depression and anxiety despite knowledge of an increased prevalence in people with chronic disease and negative effects on quality of life.Methods.Prevalence of anxiety and depression was assessed in IBD outpatients through retrospective chart review. The presence of anxiety and/or depression was determined using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 self-report questionnaires or by diagnosis through psychiatric interview. Patient demographics, disease characteristics, and medication information were also collected. Multivariable analysis was used to determine associations between patient factors and depression and anxiety.Results.327 patient charts were reviewed. Rates of depression and anxiety were found to be 25.8% and 21.2%, with 30.3% of patients suffering from depression and/or anxiety. Disease activity was found to be significantly associated with depression and/or anxiety (p=0.01). Females were more likely to have anxiety (p=0.01).Conclusion.A significant proportion of IBD patients suffer from depression and/or anxiety. The rates of these mental illnesses would justify screening and referral for psychiatric treatment in clinics treating this population. Patients with active disease are particularly at risk for anxiety and depression.
Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and DFT Study of Ethyl 1-(2-(Hydroxyimino)-2-phenylethyl)-3-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxylate
Authors: Zhou Jin-Hui , Zheng Liang-Wen , Yan Mao-Cai , Shi Mao-Jian , Liu Jing , Shangguan Guo-Qiang
Published: October 2017

The crystal structure of ethyl 1-(2-(hydroxyimino)-2-phenylethyl)-3-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxylate has been determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction. The crystal of the title compound is the monoclinic space group P2/c with unit cell parameters of a=8.634(2) Å, b=9.616(2) Å, c=22.190(3) Å, β=99.2652°, V=1818.3(4) Å3, and Z=4. The dihedral angles formed by the planes of the central pyrazole ring and the adjacent benzene rings are 73.60(7)° and 3.55(7)°, respectively. The combination of the weak intermolecular C-H⋯O and N-H⋯O hydrogen-bonding interactions stabilizes the crystal packing. The geometries of its Z and E isomers and the corresponding transition state (TS), as well as the dimer of its Z isomer, are optimized using the B3LYP hybrid functional coupled with def-TZVP triple-zeta polarized basis set. The bond angles and bond lengths of the optimized structure of Z dimer are very consistent with those of its single crystal parameters. Double-hybrid functional PWPB95-D3 in combination with very highly accurate basis set def2-QZVP is employed to evaluate accurate energy of each isomer and TS. The calculated equilibrium constant between Z and E isomers corresponds to the [Z]/[E] ratio of 4.29. Mulliken atomic charges and electrostatic potential (ESP) on molecular van der Waals (vdW) surface are calculated in order to study and predict the intermolecular interactions. The molecular total energies and frontier orbital analysis are also discussed.
Exercise Inhibits the Effects of Smoke‐Induced COPD Involving Modulation of STAT3
Authors: Rodrigues Brandao-Rangel Maysa Alves , Bachi Andre Luis Lacerda , Oliveira-Junior Manoel Carneiro , Abbasi Asghar , Silva-Renno Adriano , Aparecida de Brito Auriléia , Ligeiro de Oliveira Ana Paula , Choqueta Toledo-Arruda Alessandra , Belvisi Maria Gabriela , Paula Vieira Rodolfo
Published: October 2017

Purpose. Evaluate the participation of STAT3 in the effects of aerobic exercise (AE) in a model of smoke‐induced COPD. Methods. C57Bl/6 male mice were divided into control, Exe, COPD, and COPD+Exe groups. Smoke were administered during 90 days. Treadmill aerobic training begun on day 61 until day 90. Pulmonary inflammation, systemic inflammation, the level of lung emphysema, and the airway remodeling were evaluated. Analysis of integral and phosphorylated expression of STAT3 by airway epithelial cells, peribronchial leukocytes, and parenchymal leukocytes was performed. Results. AE inhibited smoke‐induced accumulation of total cells (p < 0.001), lymphocytes (p < 0.001), and neutrophils (p < 0.001) in BAL, as well as BAL levels of IL‐1β (p < 0.001), CXCL1 (p < 0.001), IL‐17 (p < 0.001), and TNF‐α (p < 0.05), while increased the levels of IL‐10 (p < 0.001). AE also inhibited smoke‐induced increases in total leukocytes (p < 0.001), neutrophils (p < 0.05), lymphocytes (p < 0.001), and monocytes (p < 0.01) in blood, as well as serum levels of IL‐1β (p < 0.01), CXCL1 (p < 0.01), IL‐17 (p < 0.05), and TNF‐α (p < 0.01), while increased the levels of IL‐10 (p < 0.001). AE reduced smoke‐induced emphysema (p < 0.001) and collagen fiber accumulation in the airways (p < 0.001). AE reduced smoke‐induced STAT3 and phospho‐STAT3 expression in airway epithelial cells (p < 0.001), peribronchial leukocytes (p < 0.001), and parenchymal leukocytes (p < 0.001). Conclusions. AE reduces smoke‐induced COPD phenotype involving STAT3.
Long-Term Properties of Cement-Based Composites Incorporating Natural Zeolite as a Feature of Progressive Building Material
Authors: Sičáková Alena , Špak Matej , Kozlovská Mária , Kováč Marek
Published: October 2017

This study is aimed at the utilization of natural zeolite as a prospective type of Supplementary Cementitious Material in connection with the innovations of construction solutions through the materials. The influence of zeolite on several properties of cement-based composites is studied. Basic characteristics of input powdery materials as well as the technological parameters of zeolite tested on mortar containing 50% of cement replacement are presented. The technical parameters of concrete containing 8, 13, and 25% of cement replacement by zeolite are presented as well. The paper is valuable due to the three-year testing period. The density of the hardened concrete was found to be decreasing with increasing zeolite content. While no significant differences in compressive strength were found after 28 days, differences between individual samples were clear after the long-term period. The presence of zeolite influenced the compressive strength positively in the case of the 8% and 13% replacement, while the higher proportion of natural zeolite (25%) caused lower compressive strength after 28 days but was similar to the reference concrete after three years. A major increase in strength was detected for all samples in the long-term period. It confirms the long-term potential of zeolite for strength improvement.
Shorter Decentralized Attribute-Based Encryption via Extended Dual System Groups
Authors: Zhang Jie , Chen Jie , Ge Aijun , Ma Chuangui
Published: October 2017

Decentralized attribute-based encryption (ABE) is a special form of multiauthority ABE systems, in which no central authority and global coordination are required other than creating the common reference parameters. In this paper, we propose a new decentralized ABE in prime-order groups by using extended dual system groups. We formulate some assumptions used to prove the security of our scheme. Our proposed scheme is fully secure under the standard k-Lin assumption in random oracle model and can support any monotone access structures. Compared with existing fully secure decentralized ABE systems, our construction has shorter ciphertexts and secret keys. Moreover, fast decryption is achieved in our system, in which ciphertexts can be decrypted with a constant number of pairings.
CD80 Expressed by CD8+ T Cells Contributes to PD-L1-Induced Apoptosis of Activated CD8+ T Cells
Authors: Rollins Meagan R. , Gibbons Johnson Rachel M.
Published: October 2017

Tumor cells are capable of limiting antitumor CD8+ T cell responses through their cell surface expression of PD-L1. In addition to PD-1 expressed by CD8+ T cells, PD-L1 also binds to CD80 expressed by CD8+ T cells. The influence of the PD-L1/CD80 interaction on CD8+ T cell function has not been fully characterized, so we sought to investigate the impact of the PD-L1/CD80 interaction on PD-L1-induced apoptosis of activated CD8+ T cells. We found that CD8+ T cells that lacked CD80 expression got activated to the same extent as wild-type CD8+ T cells, but when cultured with anti-CD3 and PD-L1/Fc protein, activated CD8+ T cells that lacked CD80 expression survived better than activated wild-type CD8+ T cells. These findings indicate that PD-L1 induces apoptosis in activated CD8+ T cells in part by signaling through CD80. Thus, in the design and implementation of checkpoint blockade therapies that target PD-L1, it is essential that both binding partners for PD-L1, PD-1, and CD80 are considered.
A Numerical Approach to the Dynamic Response of the Deployment System during a Circular Cylinder Crossing through the Wave Zone
Authors: Hu Xiaozhou , Cai Daojun , Jiang Yiyao
Published: October 2017

The dynamic response of the deployment system while deploying a circular cylinder crossing wave surface and the following submerging process are investigated numerically. The present numerical approach is based on the combination of solution methods of cable dynamics and computational fluid dynamics (CFD). For the implementation of the numerical approach, a cosimulation platform based on a CFD code and MATLAB is developed to study the fluid-solid interaction problem in the process. To generate regular waves, a numerical wave tank is built based on a piston-type wave generation method and a wave damping method applying porous media. Numerical simulations are performed based on the cosimulation platform. The sensitivities of cable tension, velocity, and acceleration of deployed body to different input parameters are investigated, including phase angles, wave heights, and periods of regular waves and deploying velocities, and the effects of those input parameters on dynamic responses of the deployment system are also discussed.
Review of Natural Product-Derived Compounds as Potent Antiglioblastoma Drugs
Authors: Park Moon Nyeo , Song Hyo Sook , Kim Myungsun , Lee Min-Jung , Cho Whisung , Lee Hyun-Jin , Hwang Cho-Hyun , Kim Soojong , Hwang Yechae , Kang Beomku , Kim Bonglee
Published: October 2017

Common care for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a surgical resection followed by radiotherapy and temozolomide- (TMZ-) based chemotherapy. Unfortunately, these therapies remain inadequate involving severe mortality and recurrence. Recently, new approaches discovering combinations of multiple inhibitors have been proposed along with the identification of key driver mutations that are specific to each patient. To date, this approach is still limited by the lack of effective therapy. Hopefully, novel compounds derived from natural products are suggested as potential solutions. Inhibitory effects of natural products on angiogenesis and metastasis and cancer suppressive effect of altering miRNA expression are provident discoveries. Angelica sinensis accelerates apoptosis by their key substances influencing factors of apoptosis pathways. Brazilin displays antitumor features by making influence on reactive oxygen species (ROS) intensity. Sargassum serratifolium, flavonoids, and so on have antimetastasis effect. Ficus carica controls miRNA that inhibits translation of certain secretory pathway proteins during the UPR. Serratia marcescens and patupilone (EPO 906) are physically assessed materials through clinical trials related to GBM progression. Consequently, our review puts emphasis on the potential of natural products in GBM treatment by regulating multiple malignant cancer-related pathway solving pending problem such as reducing toxicity and side effect.
Atypical Histiocyte-Rich Sweet’s Syndrome
Authors: Chi Sharon , Leung Marcia , Carmichael Mark , Royer Michael , Cho Sunghun
Published: October 2017

Sweet’s Syndrome is a rare neutrophilic dermatosis thought to be a result of immune dysregulation occurring in the setting of drug exposure, recent infection, pregnancy, and underlying malignancy or idiopathic with specific and widely accepted diagnostic criteria established in the literature. Other organ systems can be involved with varying degrees of severity. An unusual case of Sweet’s Syndrome associated with myopericarditis, acral involvement, and atypical histological findings with predominance of histiocytes is described here.
Design and Experimental Study of an L Shape Piezoelectric Energy Harvester
Authors: Kim In-Ho , Jang Seon-Jun , Jung Hyung-Jo
Published: October 2017

Piezoelectric energy harvesters of cantilevered beam type are studied in various fields due to simplicity. In general, these systems obtain electrical energy from mechanical strain by bending of cantilevered beam. However, conventional systems have disadvantages that they have low efficiency in frequency regions other than resonance frequency. To overcome the limitations, various energy harvesters to apply performance enhancement strategies are proposed and investigated. In this paper, a frequency-changeable L shape energy harvester which is form connected cantilever beam and rigid arm is proposed and investigated. The conventional piezoelectric energy harvester exhibits the principal frequency in the simple bending mode whereas the proposed system features the twisting mode resulting in a higher output voltage than the conventional system. The proposed energy harvester is simplified to a two-degree-of-freedom model and its dynamics are described. How the length of a rigid bar affects its natural frequencies is also studied. To evaluate the performance of the system, experiments by using a vertical shaker and numerical simulation are carried out. As a result, it is shown that the natural frequency for a twisting mode decreases as the arm length increased, and the higher output voltage is generated comparing with those of the conventional energy harvester.
Microarray Analysis Reveals a Potential Role of lncRNA Expression in 3,4-Benzopyrene/Angiotensin II-Activated Macrophage in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Authors: Zhou Yingying , Wang Jiaoni , Xue Yangjing , Fang Aili , Wu Shaoze , Huang Kaiyu , Tao Luyuan , Wang Jie , Shen Yigen , Wang Jinsheng , Pan Lulu , Li Lei , Ji Kangting
Published: October 2017

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a fatal disease, and exposure to 3,4-benzopyrene (Bap) is closely related to the development of AAA. We have found that Bap could impair the biological function of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), which are associated with the occurrence of AAA. We have also demonstrated that macrophage activation plays a key role in Bap-induced AAA, but the mechanism is unknown. Here, we used a mouse lncRNA array to investigate the expression signatures of lncRNAs and mRNAs in Bap-activated macrophage. A total of 457 lncRNAs and 219 mRNAs were found to be differentially expressed. The function of differential mRNAs was determined by pathway and Gene Ontology analysis. Eight pathways associated with inflammation were upregulated, and seven pathways including cell apoptosis were downregulated. It was worth noting that AGE-RAGE pathway, which was involved in Bap-induced EPC dysfunction, was significantly upregulated in Bap-activated macrophage and may contribute to AAA formation. Thus, lncRNAs may exert a key role in activated macrophages and intervene the core lncRNAs and may inhibit the occurrence of a series of cascade reactions in the macrophages, which may provide potential targets for AAA caused by smoking.
Effectiveness of Nivolumab versus Docetaxel as Second-Line Treatment in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients in Clinical Practice
Authors: Calpe-Armero Pablo , Ferriols-Lisart Rafael , Ferriols-Lisart Francisco , Pérez-Pitarch Alejandro
Published: October 2017

Aims: To evaluate the effectiveness of nivolumab as second-line treatment compared to standard therapy with docetaxel in adult patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in clinical practice. Methods: This is an observational, retrospective cohort study of adult patients diagnosed with NSCLC, stage III-IV, treated with docetaxel or nivolumab as second-line treatment. The end points evaluated were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). PFS and OS were described using the Kaplan-Meier method. The Cox proportional hazards model was applied to identify independent prognostic and predictive factors related to disease progression or death. Results: Thirty-three patients were included in this study (i.e., 14 in the nivolumab group and 19 in the docetaxel group). Nonsquamous NSCLC was the most frequent histological subtype. Cohorts were homogeneous. The follow-up time was 116 ± 87.3 days. The median PFS was 84 days (95% CI 39-300) for patients treated with nivolumab and 61 days (95% CI 48-76) for patients treated with docetaxel. The risk of progression was 60% lower for patients treated with nivolumab (HR 0.40; 95% CI 0.16-0.97; p = 0.043) compared to patients receiving docetaxel. Among the patients treated with docetaxel, the median OS was 129 days (95% CI 106-300). More than 50% of the patients treated with nivolumab were alive at the end of the follow-up period; nevertheless, the risk difference was not statistically significant (HR 0.55; 95% CI 0.20-1.51; p = 0.244). Conclusion: NSCLC patients treated with nivolumab as second-line therapy had a longer PFS compared to patients treated with docetaxel in a health care environment.
Lifestyle Behaviors and Clinical Outcomes in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Authors: Vainshelboim Baruch , Oliveira Jose , Izhakian Shimon , Unterman Avraham , Kramer Mordechai Reuven
Published: October 2017

Background: Lifestyle behaviors are not well-characterized in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Objectives: To assess the association between lifestyle behaviors and clinical outcomes in patients with IPF. Methods: A total of 34 IPF patients (median age 68 years) were assessed for daily sitting and weekly walking times using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire by in-person interview at baseline, and they were followed up for up to 40 months. Cox proportional hazard analysis was conducted for cardiorespiratory-related hospitalizations and mortality as outcomes. Results: Fifty percent of all patients were hospitalized, and 32% died during the follow-up period. Sitting and walking times were associated with hospitalizations and mortality in IPF. Compared to patients who reported a sitting time of <5 h/day, patients who sat 5 to <10 and ≥10 h/day experienced an increased risk of 2.4 and 5.8 (p trend = 0.036) for hospitalization and of 4.6 and 21.2 (p trend = 0.018) for mortality, respectively. Compared to patients walking <100 min/week, patients with a walking time of 100 to <150 and ≥150 min/week were associated with a 49 and 74% reduced risk for hospitalizations (p trend = 0.022) and a 62 and 86% reduced risk for mortality (p trend = 0.018), respectively. The risk for mortality was further reduced with a combination of shorter sitting and extended walking times. Conclusions: Shorter daily sitting and longer weekly walking times were associated with reduced hospitalization and mortality risks in patients with IPF. These findings suggest a clinical importance of assessing lifestyle behaviors in a comprehensive evaluation and prognostication of IPF patients. The results underscore potential clinical benefits of reducing sedentary behaviors among IPF patients; however, this warrants further investigation.
Prevalence Estimates of Rare Congenital Anomalies by Integrating Two Population-Based Registries in Tuscany, Italy
Authors: Coi Alessio , Santoro Michele , Pierini Anna , Marrucci Sonia , Pieroni Federica , Bianchi Fabrizio
Published: October 2017

Background/Aims: Population-based registries play a key role in the epidemiological surveillance of congenital anomalies (CAs). This study is aimed at improving the epidemiological surveillance and providing prevalence estimates of rare CAs using the Registry of Rare Diseases as an added data source to the Registry of Congenital Anomalies. Methods: Cases of diagnosed rare CAs (2006-2013) were extracted from the Tuscany Registry of Rare Diseases and the Tuscany Registry of Congenital Anomalies in order to set up an integrated dataset. Prevalence (per 100,000 births; 95% confidence interval) was calculated for each rare CA. Results: Overall, 56 rare CAs were analyzed including 656 cases, of whom 121 (18.4%) were retrieved from the Registry of Rare Diseases that provided a major contribution for rare CAs for which a prenatal diagnosis is difficult, or for CAs more easily diagnosed in the postneonatal period. After data integration, an increased prevalence estimate was observed in particular for atresia of bile ducts (6.24; 3.57-10.14), tuberous sclerosis (2.34; 0.86-5.10), Kabuki syndrome (1.95; 0.63-4.55), and some monogenic CAs. Conclusions: This study represents an example of integration of registries operating in the field of rare diseases. Providing the accurate prevalence of rare CAs is a key point to improving surveillance, supporting public health policies, and planning healthcare.
The Efficacy and Safety of Golimumab as Third- or Fourth-Line Anti-TNF Therapy in Patients with Refractory Crohn's Disease: A Case Series
Authors: Russi Linda , Scharl Michael , Rogler Gerhard , Biedermann Luc
Published: October 2017

Background: The TNF-α antagonist golimumab is approved for the treatment of ulcerative colitis but not for Crohn's disease (CD). We herein report a case series of 8 difficult-to-treat patients with severe and refractory CD receiving golimumab as an off-label rescue medication and fourth-line anti-TNF agent in our tertiary referral inflammatory bowel disease center. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of clinical, biochemical, and radiological as well as endoscopic parameters. The patients all suffered from severe refractory CD with ongoing symptoms. Moreover, all 8 patients had previously been treated with all 3 other TNF-α antagonists approved for CD in Switzerland (infliximab, adalimumab, and certolizumab pegol) without durable clinical response. Results: Three out of 8 patients showed a primary nonresponse. Among the 5 patients responding after induction, 1 patient showed a loss of response, and in 1 patient, treatment was terminated due to side effects. Three patients have a continuous clinical response under golimumab. We did not observe any severe adverse events during golimumab administration. Conclusions: A considerable fraction of this highly selected subgroup of difficult-to-treat CD patients responded to golimumab, indicating a promising potential for refractory CD patients, including those with multiple previous anti-TNF exposures.
Peripheral Artery Disease and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Outcomes
Authors: Fanaroff Alexander C. , Manandhar Pratik , Holmes David R. , Cohen David J. , Harrison J. Kevin , Hughes G. Chad , Thourani Vinod H. , Mack Michael J. , Sherwood Matthew W. , Jones W. Schuyler , Vemulapalli Sreekanth
Published: October 2017

Background—

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is associated with increased cardiovascular mortality, and PAD risk factors overlap with those for aortic stenosis. The prevalence and outcomes associated with PAD in a population undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are unknown.

Methods and Results—

Using the Society of Thoracic Surgeons/Transcatheter Valve Therapy Registry linked to Medicare claims data, we identified patients ≥65 years old undergoing TAVR from 2011 to 2015. We calculated hazard ratios for 1-year adverse outcomes, including mortality, readmission, and bleeding, for patients with PAD compared with those without, adjusting for baseline characteristics and postprocedure medications. Analyses were performed separately by access site (transfemoral and nontransfemoral). Of 19 660 patients undergoing transfemoral TAVR, 4810 (24.5%) had PAD; 3730 (47.9%) of 7780 patients undergoing nontransfemoral TAVR had PAD. In both groups, patients with PAD were significantly more likely to have coronary and carotid artery diseases. At 1-year follow-up, patients with PAD undergoing TAVR via transfemoral access had a higher incidence of death (16.8% versus 14.4%; adjusted hazard ratio, 1.14;
P
=0.01), readmission (45.5% versus 42.1%; hazard ratio, 1.11;
P
<0.001), and bleeding (23.1% versus 19.7%; hazard ratio, 1.18;
P
<0.001) compared with patients without PAD. Patients with PAD undergoing TAVR via nontransfemoral access did not have significantly higher rates of 1-year mortality or readmission compared with patients without PAD.

Conclusions—

PAD is common among patients undergoing commercial TAVR via transfemoral and nontransfemoral access. Among patients undergoing transfemoral TAVR, PAD is associated with a higher incidence of 1-year adverse outcomes compared with absence of PAD.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01737528.
Comparison Between Patent Ductus Arteriosus Stent and Modified Blalock-Taussig Shunt as Palliation for Infants With Ductal-Dependent Pulmonary Blood Flow
Authors: Glatz Andrew C. , Petit Christopher J. , Goldstein Bryan H. , Kelleman Michael S. , McCracken Courtney E. , McDonnell Alicia , Buckey Timothy , Mascio Christopher E. , Shashidharan Subi , Ligon R. Allen , Ao Jingning , Whiteside Wendy , Wallen W. Jack , Metcalf Christina M. , Aggarwal Varun , Agrawal Hitesh , Qureshi Athar M.
Published: October 2017

Background:

Infants with ductal-dependent pulmonary blood flow may undergo palliation with either a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) stent or a modified Blalock-Taussig (BT) shunt. A balanced multicenter comparison of these 2 approaches is lacking.

Methods:

Infants with ductal-dependent pulmonary blood flow palliated with either a PDA stent or a BT shunt from January 2008 to November 2015 were reviewed from the 4 member centers of the Congenital Catheterization Research Collaborative. Outcomes were compared by use of propensity score adjustment to account for baseline differences between groups.

Results:

One hundred six patients with a PDA stent and 251 patients with a BT shunt were included. The groups differed in underlying anatomy (expected 2-ventricle circulation in 60% of PDA stents versus 45% of BT shunts;
P
=0.001) and presence of antegrade pulmonary blood flow (61% of PDA stents versus 38% of BT shunts;
P
<0.001). After propensity score adjustment, there was no difference in the hazard of the primary composite outcome of death or unplanned reintervention to treat cyanosis (hazard ratio, 0.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.52–1.23;
P
=0.31). Other reinterventions were more common in the PDA stent group (hazard ratio, 29.8; 95% CI, 9.8–91.1;
P
<0.001). However, the PDA stent group had a lower adjusted intensive care unit length of stay (5.3 days [95% CI, 4.2–6.7] versus 9.19 days [95% CI, 7.9–10.6];
P
<0.001), a lower risk of diuretic use at discharge (odds ratio, 0.4; 95% CI, 0.25–0.64;
P
<0.001) and procedural complications (odds ratio, 0.4; 95% CI, 0.2–0.77;
P
=0.006), and larger (152 mm
2
/m
2
[95% CI, 132–176] versus 125 mm
2
/m
2
[95% CI, 113–138];
P
=0.029) and more symmetrical (symmetry index, 0.84 [95% CI, 0.8–0.89] versus 0.77 [95% CI, 0.75–0.8];
P
=0.008] pulmonary arteries at the time of subsequent surgical repair or last follow-up.

Conclusions:

In this multicenter comparison of palliative PDA stent and BT shunt for infants with ductal-dependent pulmonary blood flow adjusted for differences in patient factors, there was no difference in the primary end point, death or unplanned reintervention to treat cyanosis. However, other markers of morbidity and pulmonary artery size favored the PDA stent group, supporting PDA stent as a reasonable alternative to BT shunt in select patients.
Both Light Intensity and Moderate‐to‐Vigorous Physical Activity Measured by Accelerometry Are Favorably Associated With Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Older Women: The Objective Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Health (OPACH) Study
Authors: LaMonte Michael J. , Lewis Cora E. , Buchner David M. , Evenson Kelly R. , Rillamas‐Sun Eileen , Di Chongzhi , Lee I‐Min , Bellettiere John , Stefanick Marcia L. , Eaton Charles B. , Howard Barbara V. , Bird Chloe , LaCroix Andrea Z. , Rossouw Jacques , Ludlam Shari , Burwen Dale , McGowan Joan , Ford Leslie , Geller Nancy , Anderson Garnet , Prentice Ross , Kooperberg Charles , Manson JoAnn E. , Jackson Rebecca , Thomson Cynthia A. , Wactawski‐Wende Jean , Limacher Marian , Wallace Robert , Kuller Lewis , Shumaker Sally
Published: October 2017

Background

The relationship between light intensity physical activity (
PA
), which is common in older adults, and cardiovascular disease (
CVD
) risk factors is unclear. This study examined associations of accelerometer‐measured
PA
intensity with
CVD
risk factors in older women of different race‐ethnicities.

Methods and Results

Cross‐sectional analyses were conducted in 4832 women (mean age 78.9 years; 52.5% white, 30.5% black, 17.1% Hispanic) who were without known
CVD
and wore triaxial accelerometers a minimum of 4 of 7 days with ≥10 hours/d awake wear‐time. Vector magnitude counts per 15‐s epoch were used to define time spent in low light (19–225 counts/15 s), high light (226–518), and moderate‐to‐vigorous; ≥519) intensity
PA
. Fasting
CVD
biomarkers, resting blood pressure, waist girth, body mass index, and 10‐year predicted
CVD
risk (Reynolds Risk Score) were measured. After adjusting for age, wear time, race‐ethnicity, and potential confounders, each
PA
measure was favorably associated with mean high‐density lipoprotein, triglyceride, glucose, C‐reactive protein, body mass index, waist girth, and Reynolds Risk Score (
P
<0.05, all). Associations with mean blood pressure, insulin, and total and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol were variable. A 30‐minute/d increment in
PA
was associated, on average, with odds ratios for high predicted
CVD
risk (Reynolds Risk Score ≥20) of 0.96 (95% confidence interval, 0.92, 1.00), 0.88 (0.83, 0.94), and 0.85 (0.79, 0.91) for low light, high light, and moderate‐to‐vigorous, respectively, and remained significant with further mutual control for
PA
intensity.

Conclusions

PA
measured by accelerometry, including light intensity
PA
, was associated with lower
CVD
risk factor levels in race‐ethnically diverse older women.
Dan 7:2 עִם לֵילְיָא ‘by night’?
Authors: Muraoka Takamitsu
Published: October 2017

A punctiliar value of the Aramaic preposition עִם ‘immediately following in time’ is more likely at Dan 7:2 than the conventional ‘during, in’.
The Letter of Barnabas and the Jerusalem Temple
Authors: Sheppard Anthony
Published: October 2017

This article examines a short passage in the Letter of Barnabas (16:3-4) which appears to refer to a rumoured, planned, or actual contemporary rebuilding of the Jerusalem Temple under Roman auspices. I identify a possible historical context and set the possible attempted reconstruction of the Temple in the framework of Roman policy relating to colonies and indigenous temples. In particular, I reject attempts to date Barnabas from a cryptic apocalyptic quotation (4:4-5), preferring to rely mainly on an apparent reference to 4 Ezra, datable to ca. 100 ce. Combining this approach to dating with a search for possible historical contexts leads me to opt for a Hadrianic date, specifically during the planning of the Roman military colony of Aelia Capitolina, for the actual or, more likely, planned/rumoured reconstruction of the Temple.
The Strasbourg Court and Challenges to the Constitutional Architecture of Post-Conflict Federalism in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Beyond
Authors: Graziadei Stefan
Published: October 2017

In Pilav, the Strasbourg Court ruled that constitutional provisions relating to Bosnia’s presidency violate the European Convention on Human Rights, because they combine a territorial mode of election with an ethnic component. On a broader level, the case concerns “the minimum requirements of a democratic system of political law-making at the level of domestic government and the scope and content of fundamental rights”. Pilav maps into the relationship between national political accommodations in divided polities and non-discrimination and democratic principles at the core of the Convention system and beyond. The article discusses the implications of the ruling within the consociational context and offers guidance about its implementation. The key argument to be made is, rather than referring to the universality of human rights and applying those rights to consociations, courts should ground their legal arguments on a broader political theory about national democracy, while taking into consideration local conditions and problems.
The rcep and Its Investment Rules: Learning from Past Chinese ftas
Authors: Wang Heng
Published: October 2017

China’s free trade agreements (ftas) reveal malleability as the most striking feature. The paper analyzes the following questions: what is the trend of China’s fta approach to investment concerning malleability? Is China a rule follower, shaker or maker? How may China approach the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (rcep) regarding investment? It argues first that the malleability will probably expand from investment protection to investment liberalization. China converges with deep ftas regarding investment protection and may incrementally move to investment liberalization. Second, increased malleability of China’s ftas exists in regulatory autonomy and investor-state dispute settlement. Third, China is likely to be a rule shaker in the short to medium term, and become a rule maker later if challenges are addressed. Its approach may evolve from selective adaption to selective innovation. Finally, the rcep may adopt low-level investment rules and an early harvest approach due to, inter alia, existing agreements and the nature of mega fta.
Bird distributional patterns support biogeographical histories and are associated with bioclimatic units in the Atlantic Forest, Brazil
Authors: CARVALHO CRISTIANO DE SANTANA , NASCIMENTO NAYLA FÁBIA FERREIRA DO , ARAUJO HELDER F. P. DE
Published: October 2017

Rivers as barriers to dispersal and past forest refugia are two of the hypotheses proposed to explain the patterns of biodiversity in the Atlantic Forest. It has recently been shown that possible past refugia correspond to bioclimatically different regions, so we tested whether patterns of shared distribution of bird taxa in the Atlantic Forest are 1) limited by the Doce and São Francisco rivers or 2) associated with the bioclimatically different southern and northeastern regions. We catalogued lists of forest birds from 45 locations, 36 in the Atlantic forest and nine in Amazon, and used parsimony analysis of endemicity to identify groups of shared taxa. We also compared differences between these groups by permutational multivariate analysis of variance and identified the species that best supported the resulting groups. The results showed that the distribution of forest birds is divided into two main regions in the Atlantic Forest, the first with more southern localities and the second with northeastern localities. This distributional pattern is not delimited by riverbanks, but it may be associated with bioclimatic units, surrogated by altitude, that maintain current environmental differences between two main regions on Atlantic Forest and may be related to phylogenetic histories of taxa supporting the two groups.
Honor and political violence
Authors: Bjarnegård Elin , Brounéus Karen , Melander Erik
Published: October 2017

Who participates in political violence? In this study, we investigate the issue at the micro-level, comparing individuals who have used violence in political uprisings with those who have not. We develop our argument from the observation that men are strongly overrepresented in political violence, although most men do not participate. Literature on masculinities emphasizes the role of honor and its links to different forms of violence, such as domestic abuse, criminal violence, and violent attitudes. Building on this literature, we discern two separate but related aspects of honor: honor as male societal privilege and control over female sexuality, that is, patriarchal values, and honor as ideals of masculine toughness, that is, the perceived necessity for men to be fierce and respond to affronts with violence or threats of violence in order to preserve status. We argue that patriarchal values combined with ideals of masculine toughness together constitute honor ideology, which contributes in turn to the explanation of who participates in political violence. We present new and unique individual-level survey data on these issues, collected in Thailand. We find that honor ideology strongly and robustly predicts a higher likelihood of participating in political violence among male political activists. A number of previous studies found a macro-level relationship between gender equality and peacefulness in a society. This study provides evidence for one micro-level mechanism linking gender equality and political violence at the macro level. Based on these results, we conclude that honor ideology endorsement is a driver of violence in political conflicts.
Opt-out HIV and Hepatitis C Testing at the Dallas County Jail: Uptake, Prevalence, and Demographic Characteristics of Testers
Authors: de la Flor Carolina , Porsa Esmaeil , Nijhawan Ank E.
Published: October 2017

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are common in the criminal justice system. We offered opt-out HIV/HCV testing at the Dallas County Jail during intake from June 2015 to November 2016, after which testing was integrated into routine phlebotomy processes. The uptake of testing increased from 12.9% (118/915) in June 2015 to 80.5% (269/334) in January 2016. HIV was confirmed in 1.0% (30/3155) of inmates; 6 were new diagnoses and all were linked to care. HCV antibody positivity was found in 16.4% (500/4042) of inmates. Sixty percent (155/258) of HCV-positive inmates born between 1945 and 1965 (ie, baby boomers) were non-Hispanic black, whereas 56.2% (136/242) born after 1965 were non-Hispanic white. Testing only baby boomers would have missed approximately half of HCV infections, predominantly among young, non-Hispanic white people. Future efforts should expand HIV and HCV testing in jails, as it is feasible, acceptable, and increases prevention and engagement in care for a high-prevalence, hard-to-reach population.
The diversity of North American shrinking cities
Authors: Hartt Maxwell
Published: October 2017

Demographically and economically, there is an ongoing global shift that has resulted in the uneven development and distribution of monetary, human and knowledge capital. This paper first examines and consolidates economic, social and urban theories of growth and decline and demonstrates how globalisation has conceptually shifted the spatial scale and trajectory of urban change theories. The examination of the population trajectories of the 100 largest American cities from 1980 to 2010 demonstrates that the majority either grew or shrank continuously. This trend counters early cyclical models and supports the argument that globalisation has altered population trajectories. Second, conceptualisations of urban shrinkage trajectories are reviewed and a two-dimensional trajectory typology encompassing both economic and demographic change is presented. The diversity of urban shrinkage experiences is demonstrated through the application of the typology to the 20 largest shrinking American cities, 12 of which experienced overall population loss and simultaneous economic growth.
Sex and the Singular Girl: Dinah, Tamar, and the Corrective Art of Biblical Narrative
Authors: Stahlberg Lesleigh Cushing
Published: October 2017

Twice in the Jacob cycle in Genesis, we find a one-chapter long, self-contained story about a woman: Dinah and Tamar. The stories are almost never read together, despite their textual proximity and the clear thematic and idiomatic connections between them. Like Dinah, Tamar is a woman who finds herself in a vulnerable position outside her father's home. Like Dinah, she has unsanctioned sex. And yet, Tamar is the subject of much of her story. Dinah's is a story of rape and massacre, a story of a woman silenced even as she is ostensibly redeemed. Dinah does not act; she is acted upon or acted on behalf of. By contrast, Tamar speaks, she acts, she thinks, she conspires, she challenges. Reading intertextually, we see Genesis 38 inverts key elements of Genesis 34 in a number of ways, thereby possibly serving as a narrative correction of the earlier story.
The politics of identity change and conflict: An agenda for research
Authors: Todd Jennifer
Published: October 2017

The rise of identity politics has magnified the interest in and importance of identity in contemporary politics. Yet identity politics disguises intense contest and change behind its strong and simple identity claims. The concept of identity change is key to its analysis, giving analytic leverage into the identity-coalitions mobilized by elites, and the different reasons they are successful. This article argues for a new broad research agenda on identity change. The agenda builds on recent works on ethnic identity and boundary change while broadening the methodology and scope of analysis beyond changing identity categories to changing identity content and meaning, and emphasizing the intersecting processes of contestation and consensus, continuity and change. This mainstreams analysis of identity change in the wider political science analysis of social and political change.
Enhanced susceptibility to cortical spreading depression in two types of Na+,K+-ATPase α2 subunit-deficient mice as a model of familial hemiplegic migraine 2
Authors: Unekawa Miyuki , Ikeda Keiko , Tomita Yutaka , Kawakami Kiyoshi , Suzuki Norihiro
Published: October 2017

Background

Patients with familial hemiplegic migraine type 2 (FHM2) have a mutated ATP1A2 gene (encoding Na+,K+-ATPase α2 subunit) and show prolonged migraine aura. Cortical spreading depression (CSD), which involves mass depolarization of neurons and astrocytes that propagates slowly through the gray matter, is profoundly related to aura.

Methods

In two types of Atp1a2-defective heterozygous mice, Atp1a2tm1Kwk (C-KO) and Atp1a2tm2Kwk (N-KO), the sensitivity and responsiveness to CSD were examined under urethane anesthesia.

Results

In both cases, heterozygotes exhibited a low threshold for induction of CSD, faster propagation rate, slower recovery from DC deflection, and profound suppression of the electroencephalogram, compared to wild-type mice. A high dose of KCl elicited repeated CSDs for a longer period, with a tendency for a greater frequency of CSD occurrence in heterozygotes. The difference of every endpoint was slightly greater in N-KO than C-KO. Change of regional cerebral blood flow in response to CSD showed no significant difference.

Conclusion

Heterozygotes of Atp1a2-defective mice simulating FHM2 demonstrated high susceptibility to CSD rather than cortical vasoreactivity, and these effects may differ depending upon the knockout strategy for the gene disruption. These results suggest that patients with FHM2 may exhibit high susceptibility to CSD, resulting in migraine.
Adolescents Lack Sufficient Maturity to Consent to Medical Research
Authors: Cherry Mark J.
Published: October 2017

This study explores the ways in which adolescents, even so-called “mature minors”, lack adequate development of the intellectual, affective, and emotional capacities necessary morally to consent to medical research on their own behalf. The psychological and neurophysiological data regarding brain maturation supports the conclusion that adolescents are qualitatively different types of agents than mature adults. They lack full adult maturity and personal agency. As a result, in addition to the usual requirements for IRB approval, one or both parents, or a legal guardian, should provide informed consent for minor children to participate in medical research.
Lessons from Public Health Legal Preparedness to Operationalize Health in All Policies
Authors: Gakh Maxim , Rutkow Lainie
Published: October 2017

The Health in All Policies (HiAP) approach aims to integrate health into decisions across sectors to address the social determinants of health and enhance health equity. Jurisdictions interested in implementing this approach may seek clarification about how to operationalize it. Public health legal preparedness provides useful lessons for HiAP. While there are important differences between these two areas, there are also critical similarities. These similarities are particularly important because HiAP and public health preparedness are complementary. Law has been essential in advancing public health preparedness by helping to: (1) prioritize planning; (2) allocate responsibility; (3) enhance collaboration and coordination; (4) establish responsive funding; and (5) emphasize the needs of vulnerable populations. Law can be used similarly to advance HiAP.