bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Upper gastrointestinal bleeding in Egyptian patients with cirrhosis: Post‐therapeutic outcome and prognostic indicators
Authors: Fouad Tamer R , Abdelsameea Eman , Abdel‐Razek Wael , Attia Ahmed , Mohamed Anwar , Metwally Khaled , Naguib Mary , Waked Imam
Published: March 2019

Background and Aim

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is a serious complication of portal hypertension in cirrhotic patients. The objective of this study is to identify the risk factors for morbidity and mortality occurring after an UGIB attack.

Methods

A total of 1097 UGIB attacks in 690 patients with liver cirrhosis were studied. Their clinical, laboratory, and endoscopic data were reviewed.

Results

Mean age 53.2 ± 10.6 (20–90) years, 78% men and the main cause of liver disease was hepatitis C (94.9%). Complications occurred after 467 attacks (42.6%): hepatic encephalopathy 31.4%, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis 18%, renal impairment 13.2%, and re‐bleeding in 7.8%, while 199 patients (18.1%) died. Complications followed 78.4% of bleeding from gastric varices, 75% of post‐interventional ulcers, 10.8% of peptic ulcers, and 5.9% of telangiectasias. By univariate analysis: packed red blood cells units transfused, transaminases, Child–Pugh (CP), model of end‐stage liver disease (MELD), and albumin–bilirubin (ALBI) scores, beside the presence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), previous hemorrhage in the previous 6 months, and the source of bleeding, were associated with occurrence of complications. By multivariate analysis, independent predictors of complications were CP, MELD, and ALBI scores (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval: 5.63, 3.55–8.93; 1.15, 1.11–1.19; and 2.11, 1.4–3.19, respectively) beside the presence of HCC (4.89, 2.48–9.64). Mortality predictors were packed red blood cells units transfused (1.11, 1.01–1.24), CP (5.1, 1.42–18.25) MELD (1.27, 1.21–1.32) scores, and presence of HCC (6.62, 2.93–14.95).

Conclusion

High CP, MELD, and ALBI scores beside the presence of HCC could predict poor outcome of UGIB. In the absence of these risk factors, early discharge could be considered if the source of bleeding is peptic ulcer or telangiectasia.
The New Biobehavioral Developmental Science of Puberty
Authors: Dorn Lorah D. , Susman Elizabeth J.
Published: March 2019

This special section is the product of a small‐group meeting of those who study puberty and its relevance. Our aim was to gather information and write manuscripts to inform scientists of advances and continuing obstacles, as well as to stimulate interdisciplinary research on puberty relevant across the lifespan. The themes of the nine position or review papers (and commentary), range from cell to society. We hope this introduction will entice you to read all the papers and consider how they apply or expand your next steps in research or help you synthesize the literature on puberty. We anticipate the papers can embellish your adolescent courses, and, for junior scientists, we hope the many intriguing possibilities for future research on puberty will be apparent.
Post‐Critical Belief Scale and Scripture as Predictors of Prejudice
Authors: Grove Richard C. , Hall Deborah L. , Rubenstein Ayla , Terrell Heather K.
Published: March 2019

Recent research has linked the strength of belief (transcendence) dimension of the Post‐Critical Belief Scale (PCBS) and exposure to violent Bible verses to greater prejudice toward value‐violating outgroups. Effects of exposure to specific Bible verses on attitudes toward outgroup members have not been measured in combination with the PCBS. The current study examined the two dimensions of the PCBS and exposure to scriptural endorsements of prejudice as predictors of prejudice toward value‐violating outgroups. The strength of belief dimension of the PCBS was a significant predictor of attitudes toward atheists, gay men, lesbians, Christians, and highly religious people. Conversely, exposure to scriptural endorsements of prejudice toward atheists and gay individuals did not have a significant effect on levels of prejudice. Implications are discussed in terms of intergroup bias and the religious values conflict model.
A case of Parkinson's disease following autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy
Authors: Mitsutake Akihiko , Matsumoto Hideyuki , Hatano Keiko , Higuchi Osamu , Nakane Shunya , Hashida Hideji
Published: March 2019

The patient is an 80‐year‐old man. At the age of 76, he presented with acute onset of severe orthostatic hypotension and diarrhea. Anti‐ganglionic acetylcholine receptor (anti‐gAChR) antibodies were positive, and prednisolone was effective. He was diagnosed with autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy (AAG) based on acute onset autonomic dysfunction, positive anti‐gAChR antibodies, and efficacy of prednisolone. After the event of AAG, he gradually developed Parkinson's disease (PD). Parkinsonism is described as a complication of AAG in the previous literature. Anti‐gAChR antibodies might inhibit dopamine neurotransmission and be associated with the development of PD.
Incivility at work, upset at home? Testing the cross‐level moderation effect of emotional dysregulation among female nurses from primary health care
Authors: Blanco‐Donoso Luis Manuel , Amutio Alberto , Moreno‐Jiménez Bernardo , del Carmen Yeo‐Ayala María , Hermosilla Daniel , Garrosa Eva
Published: March 2019

Workplace incivility is a growing problem in nursing. However, most studies that explore this psychosocial risk and its consequences do so considering a single level and a between‐person perspective. The aims of the study were to explore whether the effects of experiencing incivility during work‐time could explain the daily levels of well‐being of nurses at home; and to analyze if that relationship could be moderated by their levels of emotional dysregulation as a trait. This is a multilevel study with diary methodology. The study was carried out in 18 primary health‐care centers belonging to Madrid and the Basque Country, in Spain. Ninety‐four nurses completed a general questionnaire and 54 of them a diary booklet over five consecutive working days in two different moments, immediately after work and at bedtime. The results showed that nurses’ emotional dysregulation moderated the relationship between daily workplace incivility and daily fatigue, and positive affect at night at home. However, there were no direct effects of daily incivility on these outcome variables. In conclusion, the presence of difficulties in emotional regulation among nurses can increase the negative effects of daily workplace incivility on their health and well‐being.
Familial colorectal cancer risk in half siblings and siblings: nationwide cohort study
Authors: Tian Yu , Kharazmi Elham , Sundquist Kristina , Sundquist Jan , Brenner Hermann , Fallah Mahdi
Published: March 2019

Objective

To explore the risk of colorectal cancer in family members of patients with colorectal cancer, with an emphasis on subtypes of second degree relatives, especially half siblings, which were lacking in the literature.

Design

Ambidirectional cohort study.

Setting

Nationwide Swedish Family Cancer Data (record linkage).

Participants

All people residing in Sweden and born after 1931, with their biological parents, totalling >16 million individuals (follow-up: 1958-2015); of those with clear genealogy, 173 796 developed colorectal cancer.

Main outcome measures

Lifetime (0-79 years) cumulative risk and standardised incidence ratio of colorectal cancer among first degree relatives and second degree relatives.

Results

The overall lifetime cumulative risk of colorectal cancer in siblings of patients was 7%, which represents a 1.7-fold (95% confidence interval 1.6 to 1.7; n=2089) increase over the risk in those without any family history of colorectal cancer. A similarly increased lifetime cumulative risk (6%) was found among half siblings (standardised incidence ratio 1.5, 95% confidence interval 1.3 to 1.8; n=140). The risk in people with colorectal cancer in both a parent and a half sibling (standardised incidence ratio 3.6, 2.4 to 5.0; n=32) was close to the risk in those with both an affected parent and an affected sibling (2.7, 2.4 to 3.0; n=396). Family history of colorectal cancer in only one second degree relative other than a half sibling (without any affected first degree relatives), such as a grandparent, uncle, or aunt, showed minor association with the risk of colorectal cancer.

Conclusion

Family history of colorectal cancer in half siblings is similarly associated with colorectal cancer risk to that in siblings. The increase in risk of colorectal cancer among people with one affected second degree relative was negligible, except for half siblings, but the risk was substantially increased for a combination of family history in one affected second degree relative and an affected first degree relative (or even another second degree relative). These evidence based findings provide novel information to help to identify people at high risk with a family history of colorectal cancer that can potentially be used for risk adapted screening.
Sports injuries aligned to predicted mature height in highly trained Middle-Eastern youth athletes: a cohort study
Authors: Rejeb Abdallah , Johnson Amanda , Farooq Abdulaziz , Verrelst Ruth , Pullinger Samuel , Vaeyens Roel , Witvrouw Erik
Published: March 2019

Objectives

To investigate the association of maturity status with injury incidence in Middle-Eastern youth athletes.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Four consecutive seasons (2010–2014), Aspire Academy, Qatar.

Participants

Male athletes (age range: 11–18 years) representing four disciplines enrolled and grouped into two categories: individual sports and racquet sports.

Outcome measures

Injury data collected over four seasons. Athletes’ anthropometric characteristics assessed to calculate age at peak height velocity. Predicted mature heights (PMHs) collected and categorised into four quartiles. Athletes had wrist and hand radiographs for assessment of skeletal age (SA). Early and late maturers with an SA of >1 year older or younger than their chronological age (CA).

Results

For the sample (n=67) across all groups, 43 (64%) athletes had one or more injuries: total of 212 injuries, 4.9 injuries per athlete across study. Survival analysis of maturity status using SA found early maturing athletes had two-fold greater injury risk compared with late maturers (HR 2.04, 95% CI 1.15 to 3.61, p=0.015). PMH associated with injury risk (HR 1.05, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.08, p=0.006).

Athletes in fourth quartile (≥184 cm) had up to two-fold injury risk (HR 2.41, 95% CI 1.42 to 4.08, p=0.001). Racquet and individual sports involved similar injury risk (HR 1.14, 95% CI 0.86 to 1.52, p=0.37).

Conclusion

SA early maturity and PMH gradient were significant predictors of injury in youths.
Effectiveness of the Communities Care programme on change in social norms associated with gender-based violence (GBV) with residents in intervention compared with control districts in Mogadishu, Somalia
Authors: Glass Nancy , Perrin Nancy , Marsh Mendy , Clough Amber , Desgroppes Amelie , Kaburu Francesco , Ross Brendan , Read-Hamilton Sophie
Published: March 2019

Objective

Determine the effectiveness of the Communities Care programme (CCP) on change in harmful social norms associated with gender-based violence (GBV) and confidence in provision of services with residents in intervention compared with control district. We hypothesised that residents in the intervention district would report a decrease in support for harmful social norms and increase in confidence in services in comparison with control district.

Setting

The study was conducted in Mogadishu, Somalia.

Participants

In the intervention district, 192 community members (50% women) completed baseline surveys with 163 (84.9%) retained at endline. In the control district, 195 community members (50% women) completed baseline surveys with 167 (85.6%) retained at endline.

Intervention

CCP uses facilitated dialogues with community members to catalyse GBV prevention actions and provides training to diverse sectors to strengthen response services for GBV survivors.

Results

Residents in the intervention district had significantly greater improvement in change in social norms: (1) response to sexual violence (b=−0.214, p=0.041); (2) protecting family honour (b=−0.558, p<0.001); and (3) husband’s right to use violence (b=−0.309, p=0.003) compared with control district participants. The greatest change was seen in the norm of ‘protecting family honour’ with a Cohen’s d effect size (ES) of 0.70, followed by the norm ‘husband’s right to use violence’ (ES=0.38), and then the norm of ‘response to sexual violence’ (ES=0.28). Residents in intervention district had a significantly greater increase in confidence in provision of GBV services across diverse sectors than the control district (b=0.318, p<0.001) with an associated effect size of 0.67. There were no significant differences between residents in intervention and control districts on change in personal beliefs on the norms.

Conclusion

The evaluation showed the promise of CCP in changing harmful social norms associated with GBV and increasing confidence in provision of services in a complex humanitarian setting.
Validated methods to identify patients with asthma–COPD overlap in healthcare databases: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Amegadzie Joseph Emil , Badejo Oluwatosin , Gamble John-Michael , Wright Mark , Farrell Jamie , Jackson Brooke , Sultana Kirin , Hashmi Maimoona , Gao Zhiwei
Published: March 2019

Introduction

Asthma–chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) overlap (ACO) is characterised by patients presenting symptoms of both asthma and COPD. Many efforts have been made to validate different methods of identifying asthma–COPD overlap cases based on symptoms, spirometry and medical history in epidemiological studies using healthcare databases. There are various coding algorithm strategies that can be used and selection depends on targeted validation. The primary objectives of this systematic review are to identify validated methods (or algorithms) that identify patients with ACO from healthcare databases and summarise the reported validity measures of these methods.

Methods

MEDLINE, EMBASE databases and the Web of Science will be systematically searched by using appropriate search strategies that are able to identify studies containing validated codes and algorithms for the diagnosis of ACO in healthcare databases published, in English, before October 2018. For each selected study, we require the presence of at least one test measure (eg, sensitivity, specificity etc). We will also include studies, in which the validated algorithm is compared with an external reference standard such as questionnaires completed by patients or physicians, medical charts review, manual review or an independent second database. For all selected studies, a uniform table will be created to summarise the following vital information: name of author, publication year, country, data source, population, clinical outcome, algorithms, reference standard method of validation and characteristics of the test measure used to determine validity.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42018087472.
Life-threatening alcohol-related traffic crashes in adverse weather: a double-matched case–control analysis from Canada
Authors: Redelmeier Donald A , Manzoor Fizza
Published: March 2019

Importance

Drunk driving is a major cause of death in North America, yet physicians rarely counsel patients on the risks of drinking and driving.

Objective

To test whether the risks of a life-threatening alcohol-related traffic crash were further accentuated by adverse weather.

Design

Double matched case–control analysis of hospitalised patients.

Setting

Canada’s largest trauma centre between 1 January 1995 and 1 January 2015.

Participants

Patients hospitalised due to a life-threatening alcohol-related traffic crash.

Exposure

Relative risk of a crash associated with adverse weather estimated by evaluating the weather at the place and time of the crash (cases) compared with the weather at the same place and time a week earlier and a week later (controls).

Results

A total of 2088 patients were included, of whom the majority were drivers injured at night. Adverse weather prevailed among 312 alcohol-related crashes and was significantly more frequent compared with control circumstances. The relative risk of a life-threatening alcohol-related traffic crash was 19% higher during adverse weather compared with normal weather (95% CI: 5 to 35, p=0.006). The absolute increase in risk amounted to 43 additional crashes, extended to diverse groups of patients, applied during night-time and daytime, contributed to about 793 additional patient-days in hospital and was distinct from the risks for drivers who were negative for alcohol.

Conclusions

Adverse weather was associated with an increased risk of a life-threatening alcohol-related traffic crash. An awareness of this risk might inform warnings to patients about traffic safety and counselling alternatives to drinking and driving.
Online decision aids for primary cardiovascular disease prevention: systematic search, evaluation of quality and suitability for low health literacy patients
Authors: Bonner Carissa , Patel Pinika , Fajardo Michael Anthony , Zhuang Ruixuan , Trevena Lyndal
Published: March 2019

Objectives

Recent guideline changes for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention medication have resulted in calls to implement shared decision-making rather than arbitrary treatment thresholds. Less attention has been paid to existing tools that could facilitate this. Decision aids are well-established tools that enable shared decision-making and have been shown to improve CVD prevention adherence. However, it is unknown how many CVD decision aids are publicly available for patients online, what their quality is like and whether they are suitable for patients with lower health literacy, for whom the burden of CVD is greatest. This study aimed to identify and evaluate all English language, publicly available online CVD prevention decision aids.

Design

Systematic review of public websites in August to November 2016 using an environmental scan methodology, with updated evaluation in April 2018. The decision aids were evaluated based on: (1) suitability for low health literacy populations (understandability, actionability and readability); and (2) International Patient Decision Aids Standards (IPDAS).

Primary outcome measures

Understandability and actionability using the validated Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Printed Materials (PEMAT-P scale), readability using Gunning–Fog and Flesch–Kincaid indices and quality using IPDAS V.3 and V.4.

Results

A total of 25 unique decision aids were identified. On the PEMAT-P scale, the decision aids scored well on understandability (mean 87%) but not on actionability (mean 61%). Readability was also higher than recommended levels (mean Gunning–Fog index=10.1; suitable for grade 10 students). Four decision aids met criteria to be considered a decision aid (ie, met IPDAS qualifying criteria) and one sufficiently minimised major bias (ie, met IPDAS certification criteria).

Conclusions

Publicly available CVD prevention decision aids are not suitable for low literacy populations and only one met international standards for certification. Given that patients with lower health literacy are at increased risk of CVD, this urgently needs to be addressed.
Barriers to cervical cancer screening among rural women in eastern China: a qualitative study
Authors: Yang Huan , Li Shun-Ping , Chen Qing , Morgan Christopher
Published: March 2019

Objectives

To explore barriers to free cervical cancer screening among rural women in China from the perspective of women, healthcare providers and women’s husbands to inform intervention planning.

Design

A qualitative study framed around potential policy and practice options, drawing on the concepts of descriptive phenomenology and implementation research.

Setting

This study was carried out at township level within two counties in Jining Prefecture of eastern China.

Participants and data collection

Semi-structured in-depth interviews with 21 women and five healthcare providers, focus group discussions with nine healthcare providers and key informant interviews with four husbands of women eligible for screening.

Results

Thematic analysis generated five major themes: (1) gaps in knowledge of cervical cancer and health awareness, (2) fear of cancer and screening outcomes, (3) cultural barriers including reticence for intimate examinations, (4) influence of close contacts on screening decisions and (5) inconvenience. These demonstrate key knowledge gaps challenging current community health education. Important barriers, including fear of treatment cost and the time needed for screening, were also raised.

Conclusion

Our study details important barriers to cervical cancer screening relating to knowledge gaps, attitudes of fear or embarrassment and the role of contacts and service models. These provide data for policy and planning to improve the screening that will decrease the incidence and mortality rates of cervical cancer in China.
Comparison of macroscopic resorption time for a self‐locking device and suture material in ovarian pedicle ligation in dogs
Authors: da Mota Costa Matheus Roberto , de Abreu Oliveira André Lacerda , de Moura Vidal Leonardo Waldstein , Moran Ramos Renato , de Oliveira Campos Ingrid , Hansson Kerstin , Ley Charles J , Olsson Ulf , Borg Niklas Olov , Höglund Odd Viking
Published: March 2019

A resorbable self‐locking device (LigaTie) was developed to enable safe and easy surgical ligation of blood vessels. The aim of this study was to compare the long‐term in vivo resorption of the device to a commercially available suture of equivalent material (Maxon) following ovarian pedicle ligation. After ovariohysterectomy follow‐up ultrasound examinations were performed monthly on 21 dogs ligated with the device and 22 dogs ligated with the suture material until no hyperechoic remnants, acoustic shadowing or local tissue reactions were detected. In both groups, the ovarian pedicles gradually decreased in size. Ligation material was considered macroscopically resorbed when ultrasound showed no signs of the device or suture, ovarian pedicle or tissue reaction. Macroscopic resorption had occurred without signs of complications and was complete by four months for sutures and 5.5 months for the device. The results show that resorption time in vivo for the resorbable self‐locking device is mildly longer than suture of the same material and that no complications of device resorption were detected, supporting that the resorbable self‐locking device is safe for in vivo use.
On Pure-Strategy Nash Equilibria in a Duopolistic Market Share Model
Authors: Binner J. M. , Ciardiello F. , Fletcher L. R. , Kolokoltsov V. N.
Published: March 2019

This paper develops a duopolistic discounted marketing model with linear advertising costs and advertised prices for mature markets still in expansion. Generic and predatory advertising effects are combined together in the model. We characterize a class of advertising models with some lowered production costs. For such a class of models, advertising investments have a no-free-riding strict Nash equilibrium in pure strategies if discount rates are small. We discuss the entity of this efficiency at varying of parameters of our advertising model. We provide a computational framework in which market shares can be computed at equilibrium, too. We analyze market share dynamics for an asymmetrical numerical scenario where one of the two firms is more effective in generic and predatory advertising. Several numerical insights on market share dynamics are obtained. Our computational framework allows for different scenarios in practical applications and it is developed, thanks to Mathematica software.
The Association between Complexity and Managerial Discretion in the Property and Casualty Insurance Industry
Authors: Boyer M. Martin , Brewer Elijah , Reddic Willie
Published: March 2019

This paper investigates whether the setting of loss reserves depends on an insurer’s complexity, which is defined by the number of business lines an insurer underwrites and on the insurer’s expertise in those lines. Our results suggest that insurers with higher levels of complexity tend to over-reserve. We also find that, as complexity increases, insurers that are financially weak and smooth their earnings, tend to under-reserve (i.e., bias their loss reserves upward). Further, we find that as complexity increases, insurers with high tax liabilities tend to bias their loss reserves downward (i.e., over-reserve), suggesting that tax strategies are important issues for insurers. An insurer’s degree of complexity is particularly salient when determining the extent to which loss reserves can be aggressively set.
Design and Workspace Analysis of a Parallel Ankle Rehabilitation Robot (PARR)
Authors: Zhang Leiyu , Li Jianfeng , Dong Mingjie , Fang Bin , Cui Ying , Zuo Shiping , Zhang Kai
Published: March 2019

The ankle rehabilitation robot is essential equipment for patients with foot drop and talipes valgus to make up deficiencies of the manual rehabilitation training and reduce the workload of rehabilitation physicians. A parallel ankle rehabilitation robot (PARR) was developed which had three rotational degrees of freedom around a virtual stationary center for the ankle joint. The center of the ankle should be coincided with the virtual stationary center during the rehabilitation process. Meanwhile, a complete information acquisition system was constructed to improve the human-machine interactivity among the robot, patients, and physicians. The physiological motion space (PMS) of ankle joint in the autonomous and boundary elliptical movements was obtained with the help of the RRR branch and absolute encoders. The natural extreme postures of the ankle complex are the superposition of the three typical movements at the boundary motions. Based on the kinematic model of PARR, the theoretical workspace (TWS) of the parallel mechanism was acquired using the limit boundary searching method and could encircle PMS completely. However, the effective workspace (EWS) was smaller than TWS due to the physical structure, volume, and interference of mechanical elements. In addition, EWS has more clinical significance for the ankle rehabilitation. The PARR prototype satisfies all single-axis rehabilitations of the ankle and can cover most compound motions of the ankle. The goodness of fit of PMS can reach 93.5%. Hence, the developed PARR can be applied to the ankle rehabilitation widely.
Low-Grade Chondrosarcoma of the Proximal Phalanx: A Rare Presentation
Authors: Knapp Paul , Aviles Alberto , Najarian Christopher
Published: March 2019

Case. Chondrosarcomas are the second most common primary malignant sarcoma of the bone, though it is overall a rare tumor. Our case presents a 36-year-old Caucasian male who complained of an enlarging mass at his third finger MCP joint. After assessing the full clinical scenario, it was determined that wide excision with ray resection would provide the best result for this patient.Conclusion. This study explains a rare malignancy presenting in the proximal phalanx of the hand. The following report will review chondrosarcomas involving the hands, help differentiate between low-grade chondrosarcomas and enchondromas, and briefly cover treatment modalities.
A CBA‐KELM‐Based Recognition Method for Fault Diagnosis of Wind Turbines with Time‐Domain Analysis and Multisensor Data Fusion
Authors: Long Xiafei , Yang Ping , Guo Hongxia , Zhao Zhuoli , Wu Xiwen
Published: March 2019

Fault diagnosis technology (FDT) is an effective tool to ensure stability and reliable operation in wind turbines. In this paper, a novel fault diagnosis methodology based on a cloud bat algorithm (CBA)‐kernel extreme learning machines (KELM) approach for wind turbines is proposed via combination of the multisensor data fusion technique and time‐domain analysis. First, the derived method calculates the time‐domain indices of raw signals, and the fused time‐domain indexes dataset are obtained by the multisensor data fusion. Then, the CBA‐based KELM recognition model that can identify fault patterns of a wind turbine gearbox (WTB) is automatically established with the fused dataset. The dataset includes a large number of samples involving 6 fault types under different operational conditions by 5 accelerometers. The effectiveness and feasibility of this proposed method are proved by adopting the datasets originated from the test rig, and it achieves a diagnostic accuracy of 96.25%. Finally, compared with the other peer‐to‐peer methods, the experimental classification results show that the proposed CBA‐KELM technique has the best performances.
Concordance between the Different Cardiovascular Risk Scores in People with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Psoriasis Arthritis
Authors: Gonzalez-Martin Cristina , Grande Morais Silvia , Pertega-Diaz Sonia , Seoane-Pillado Teresa , Balboa-Barreiro Vanesa , Veiga-Seijo Raquel
Published: March 2019

Aim. To determine the cardiovascular risk and the concordance between the different scores in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Methods. Observational descriptive study of prevalence. Performed in the Rheumatology Service and the Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit of the University Hospital Complex of A Coruña (Spain). Patients diagnosed with RA or PsA, older than 18 years of age were included. Measurements: sociodemographic, anthropometric variables of the disease, comorbidity, cardiovascular risk, and therapeutic management. Results. 151 subjects (75 RA and 76 PsA) were studied. The average age was 57.9 ± 12.2 years, 61.6% being women. The average of the Charlson index was 2.8 ± 1.5. 43% were overweight. 46.5% were classified as cardiovascular risk, and the average percentage was 33.3% by Framingham. The best agreement has been between Framingham and Dorica (k = 0.709; p<0.001), classifying more than 80% of the cases in the same risk categories. Conclusions. The most prevalent risk factors were overweight and obesity, followed by smoking and hypertension. The prevalence of patients with moderate/high cardiovascular risk varies according to the score used, the levels of concordance being the scores of Framingham and Dorica.
Exploring the Drug Repurposing Versatility of Valproic Acid as a Multifunctional Regulator of Innate and Adaptive Immune Cells
Authors: Soria-Castro Rodolfo , Schcolnik-Cabrera Alejandro , Rodríguez-López Gloria , Campillo-Navarro Marcia , Puebla-Osorio Nahum , Estrada-Parra Sergio , Estrada-García Iris , Chacón-Salinas Rommel , Chávez-Blanco Alma D.
Published: March 2019

Valproic acid (VPA) is widely recognized for its use in the control of epilepsy and other neurological disorders in the past 50 years. Recent evidence has shown the potential of VPA in the control of certain cancers, owed in part to its role in modulating epigenetic changes through the inhibition of histone deacetylases, affecting the expression of genes involved in the cell cycle, differentiation, and apoptosis. The direct impact of VPA in cells of the immune system has only been explored recently. In this review, we discuss the effects of VPA in the suppression of some activation mechanisms in several immune cells that lead to an anti-inflammatory response. As expected, immune cells are not exempt from the effect of VPA, as it also affects the expression of genes of the cell cycle and apoptosis through epigenetic modifications. In addition to inhibiting histone deacetylases, VPA promotes RNA interference, activates histone methyltransferases, or represses the activation of transcription factors. However, during the infectious process, the effectiveness of VPA is subject to the biological nature of the pathogen and the associated immune response; this is because VPA can promote the control or the progression of the infection. Due to its various effects, VPA is a promising alternative for the control of autoimmune diseases and hypersensitivity and needs to be further explored.
Jesus and the Wings of Yhwh
Authors: Rowlands Jonathan
Published: March 2019

In this article the author analyses the lament over Jerusalem (Matt 23:37–39; Luke 13:34–35) and its use of bird imagery. He argues the picture of Jesus as a mother hen builds on an established metaphor that uses the imagery of a protective bird to refer to Yhwh’s divine protection over Israel. The author therefore asserts this pericope most likely portrays Jesus as the person of Yhwh.
Identification of areas of endemism in the Mexican cloud forests based on the distribution of endemic epiphytic bromeliads and orchids
Authors: ESTRADA SÁNCHEZ IVETH , GARCÍA-CRUZ JAVIER , ESPEJO-SERNA ADOLFO , LÓPEZ- ORTEGA GERARDO
Published: March 2019

To identify areas of endemism (AEs) in the Mexican cloud forests based on the distribution of endemic epiphytic bromeliads and orchids species and to propose a hypothesis about the current biogeographical relationship of the Mexican cloud forests. The AEs were identified using 1007 records corresponding to 205 species and the endemicity analysis as is implemented in the ndm/vndm programs. To obtain the consensus areas a strict consensus analysis was carried out considering 60% of shared species as the lower limit; those that presented an Endemicity Index ≥ 3.0 were recognized as AEs. A parsimony analysis of endemicity was performed with winclada/nona programs to infer their biogeographical relationships. Five AEs were recognized: 1) Western Mexico (supported by six species), 2) Southern Mexico (eight species), 3) Northern Gulf of Mexico, and 4) Central Gulf of Mexico (with nine species each), and 5) Northern Oaxaca (four species). The spatial homology hypothesis suggests that the areas of endemism from the Pacific Ocean Slope and from the Gulf of Mexico Slope has a different evolutionary history. Each AEs has a different species composition; the greatest species diversity is presented in the Gulf of Mexico slope AEs, while the greatest diversity of exclusive species is presented in the Pacific Ocean slope AEs. There is no a spatial homology hypothesis between the AEs of the Gulf of Mexico and the AEs of the Pacific Ocean, therefore, our results do not support the hypothesis of a cloud forest with continuous distribution in the past. The divergence times of the bromeliads and orchids and ecological succession theory could explain our results.
Pararhexoacrodictys (Incertae sedis, Ascomycetes) gen. nov., new combinations and new records of hyphomycetes from Brazil
Authors: CANTILLO TAIMY , DE ALMEIDA DAVI AUGUSTO CARNEIRO , MONTEIRO JOSIANE SANTANA , GUSMÃO LUÍS F.P.
Published: March 2019

In this study, Pararhexoacrodictys gen. nov., with Pa. catolensis as the type species is described and compared with morphologically similar Acrodictys-like genera. The new genus is phenotypically similar to both Rhexoacrodictys and Pseudoacrodictys but separated by other morphological characters. Pa. minima sp. nov. and two combinations, Pa. balansae and Pa. magnicornuata, are introduced, and new records of Pseudoacrodictys and Shrungabeeja are also registered for South America and the Neotropics.
Revision of the crab-spiders of the genus Runcinioides Mello-Leitão, 1929 (Araneae, Thomisidae)
Authors: FALEIRO BÁRBARA T. , SANTOS ADALBERTO J.
Published: March 2019

The genus Runcinioides is revised, including the redescription of R. argenteus Mello-Leitão, 1929 and R. litteratus (Piza, 1933). The male of R. litteratus is described and illustrated for the first time and Misumenops paranensis (Mello-Leitão, 1932) is here considered a junior synonym of R. argenteus. The known geographic distribution of both species is expanded with the inclusion of new occurrence data. Runcinioides pustulatus Mello-Leitão, 1929 and Runcinioides souzai Soares, 1942 are not related to the other species of the genus, and provisionally considered as incertae sedis.
Biodiversity of tiger beetles from Angola with the description of a new species of the genus Neochila Basilewsky, 1953 (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae)
Authors: SERRANO ARTUR R. M. , CAPELA RÚBEN A. , SANTOS CARMEN VAN-DÚNEM
Published: March 2019

One new tiger beetle species of the genus Neochila Basilewsky, 1953 is described from Angola. The genus is a new record for this country also. An annotated list of species of Cicindelidae sampled in Angola, including data on distribution and general ecology of these beetles is presented. Further, a dichotomic key is made available for the identification of Neochila species of the katangana group.
Compliance and Related Outcomes of Prophylactic Antibiotics in Traumatic Open Fractures
Authors: Johnson Hannah C. , Bailey Abby M. , Baum Regan A. , Justice Stephanie B. , Weant Kyle A.
Published: March 2019

Purpose: Prophylactic antibiotic therapy is a standard of care for patients who present with open fractures due to the risk of infectious complications. This study was conducted to characterize the use of initial prophylactic antibiotic use in open fractures, guideline compliance, and its impact on care. Methods: Retrospective chart review of adult patients presenting with an open fracture to a Level 1 Trauma Center Emergency Department over a 12-month period was conducted. Results: Of the 202 patients meeting inclusion criteria, overall compliance with guideline recommendations for antibiotic prophylaxis was found to be 33.2%. The duration of prophylactic therapy was significantly longer in the noncompliant group and among those who received a secondary antibiotic ( P < .05 for both comparisons). The duration of therapy was found to be significantly longer in those patients who developed an infection ( P < .001). Those who developed an infection had a longer hospital length of stay (LOS) ( P < .001) and intensive care unit LOS ( P = .002). In addition, those who developed an infection had significantly more surgeries ( P < .001) and received more red blood cell transfusions ( P < .001). Correlation analysis confirmed a significant association between infection and duration of antibiotic prophylaxis ( P = .02), number of surgeries ( P < .0001), and number of transfusions ( P < .0001). Conclusion: Guideline compliance was exceedingly low due to the extended duration of initial antibiotic therapy and did not appear to yield any clinical benefits. Infection was significantly associated with longer duration of initial prophylactic therapy and morbidity. Opportunities exist to elevate compliance with guidelines and to reevaluate prophylactic antimicrobial therapy in this setting.
The Effect of Walking on Auditory Localization, Visual Discrimination, and Aurally Aided Visual Search
Authors: Brungart Douglas S. , Kruger Sarah E. , Kwiatkowski Tricia , Heil Thomas , Cohen Julie
Published: March 2019

Objective:

The present study was designed to examine the impact that walking has on performance in auditory localization, visual discrimination, and aurally aided visual search tasks.

Background:

Auditory localization and visual search are critical skills that are frequently conducted by moving observers, but most laboratory studies of these tasks have been conducted on stationary listeners who were either seated or standing during stimulus presentation.

Method:

Thirty participants completed three different tasks while either standing still or while walking at a comfortable self-selected pace on a treadmill: (1) an auditory localization task, where they identified the perceived location of a target sound; (2) a visual discrimination task, where they identified a visual target presented at a known location directly in front of the listener; and (3) an aurally aided visual search task, where they identified a visual target that was presented in the presence of multiple visual distracters either in isolation or in conjunction with a spatially colocated auditory cue.

Results:

Participants who were walking performed auditory localization and aurally aided visual search tasks significantly faster than those who were standing, with no loss in accuracy.

Conclusion:

The improved aurally aided visual search performance found in this experiment may be related to enhanced overall activation caused by walking. It is also possible that the slight head movements required may have provided auditory cues that enhanced localization accuracy.

Application:

The results have potential applications in virtual and augmented reality displays where audio cues might be presented to listeners while walking.
All by Myself? Executives’ Impostor Phenomenon and Loneliness as Catalysts for Executive Coaching With Management Consultants
Authors: Kuna Shani
Published: March 2019

The scholarly literature regarding executive consulting relationships, typically labeled as executive coaching, tends to focus on the issue of its effectiveness. The fundamental question regarding executives’ desire to engage in this kind of intervention, whose benefits are considered ambivalent, has been mostly overlooked. Addressing this theme was the purpose of this exploratory study, in which in-depth interviews were conducted with 46 Israeli executives. Despite the executives’ explanation of executive coaching in rational terms of knowledge acquisition, the findings shed light on two phenomena that, surprisingly, have received limited attention: executive loneliness and impostorism. These intertwined experiences have been executives’ implicit catalysts for seeking help from management consultants. The study highlights the significant role of executive coaching as a means of emotional support for executive impostorism and loneliness. A major implication is the importance of providing managers promoted to senior positions with preparation for the emotional distress associated with their role.
Economic Diversification and Human Development in South Asia
Authors: Ali Muhammad , Memon Manzoor Hussain
Published: March 2019

The paper examines the effect of diversification on social welfare in South Asia using the macroeconomic data for the period 1996–2011, with export diversification as a proxy of economic diversification. In this paper, three types of diversification are assessed (i.e. related, unrelated, and overall variety). While unrelated variety and overall variety show increasing trend over the years, related variety seems to show a non-linear inverted U-shaped curve. Estimation results reveal that all three types of variety have a positive and significant relationship with human development in South Asia, which shows that diversification is beneficial for human development in South Asian countries. It is also found that the existing level of human capital significantly moderates the relationship between related variety and social welfare.
Damage mechanisms characterization of flax fibers–reinforced composites with interleaved natural viscoelastic layer using acoustic emission analysis
Authors: Mahi Abderrahim El , Daoud Hajer , Rebiere Jean-Luc , Gimenez Isabelle , Taktak Mohamed , Haddar Mohamed
Published: March 2019

In this paper, the static and fatigue behavior of flax fiber-reinforced composites with and without an interleaved natural viscoelastic layer are investigated. Viscoelastic composite plates consist of a soft natural viscoelastic layer which is confined between two identical flax fiber reinforced composites. Different stacking sequences of specimens are tested with uniaxial tensile loading until failure. The mechanical behavior and the acoustic activity of damage sources in various configurations with and without a viscoelastic layer are compared. The analysis of acoustic emission signals and the macroscopic and microscopic observations led to the identification of the main acoustic signatures of different damage modes dominant in each type of composites (with and without a viscoelastic layer). These results allow better identification of the influence of the impact of a viscoelastic layer on the mechanical behavior of different composites. In addition, static and fatigue flexural behavior of unidirectional composites with and without viscoelastic layer are characterized in 3-point bending tests. The effects of viscoelastic layer on the stiffness, hysteresis loops, and loss factor are studied for various numbers of cycles during cyclic fatigue.
Employment and Disability Among Canadian Medical Cannabis Patients
Authors: Davis Andrew
Published: March 2019

Do patients increase or decrease their employment after starting prescription medical cannabis? I exploit a novel panel database of more than 4,000 medical cannabis patients to analyze connections between medical cannabis treatment and changes in employment and disability status, finding a mild increase in employment and small reductions in unemployment and labor force participation. Patients taking antiepileptic medications at the time of cannabis prescription do significantly better than average, whereas patients taking nerve modulators do somewhat worse. Other factors such as age, sex, prior use of cannabis, or characteristics of prescription cannabis do not strongly correlate with labor market changes.
Evaluation of attention, perception, and stress levels of clinical cardiovascular perfusionists during cardiac operations: a pilot study
Authors: Merkle Frank , Kurtovic Dino , Starck Christoph , Pawelke Cynthia , Gierig Sina , Falk Volkmar
Published: March 2019

Background:

Performing cardiopulmonary bypass is a complex task which involves evaluating visual input from patient monitors and technical parameters displayed at the heart-lung machine console as well as reacting to other sensory input. Only few studies are available concerning the competency requirements for clinical cardiovascular perfusionists, including attention, perception, and coping with mental stress. This study aims at evaluating attention, perception, and stress levels of clinical cardiovascular perfusionists during cardiopulmonary bypass.

Methods:

Nine clinical cardiovascular perfusionists voluntarily offered to participate in the study. Participants were asked to wear Tobii 2 eye-tracking glasses throughout the procedures. Specific time points were analyzed (cardiopulmonary bypass on, initial cardioplegia delivery, steady state, cross-clamp off, and weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass). Data acquisition was supplemented by participants’ self-evaluation regarding their stress levels and by National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index (NASA TLX) questionnaires.

Results:

Seven datasets were sufficient to be evaluated. The clinical cardiovascular perfusionists’ professional experience ranged from 0.5 to 24 years. Evaluation of eye-tracking data revealed large variations in areas of interest hits, fixation, and dwell times. Across all phases, the venous reservoir, mean arterial pressure, arterial pump display, cardioplegia control, and data management system received the highest levels of attention. Pupil diameter measurements increased at start of cardiopulmonary bypass, cardioplegia delivery, and weaning off, but returned to base level during steady state. Clinical cardiovascular perfusionists’ self-evaluation showed that subjective stress level was highest at the start and the end of the procedure. NASA TLX questionnaires revealed medium-to-high mental and temporal workloads, but low physical workloads. Performance, effort, and frustration indices showed medium workloads.

Conclusion:

During cardiopulmonary bypass, perfusionists are subjected to stress. Peak stress levels were highest during start and end of cardiopulmonary bypass. Furthermore, visual attention and perception varied between the operative phases. Further studies are indicated to evaluate the design of heart-lung machines and stress-coping strategies during cardiopulmonary bypass.