bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
F7 gene variants modulate protein levels in a large cohort of patients with factor VII deficiency
Authors: Quintavalle Gabriele , Riccardi Federica , Rivolta Gianna , Martorana Davide , Di Perna Caterina , Percesepe Antonio , Tagliaferri Annarita ,   on behalf of the Ad-Hoc Study Group
Published: April 2017

Congenital factor VII (FVII) deficiency is a rare bleeding disorder caused by mutations in F7 gene with autosomal recessive inheritance. A clinical heterogeneity with poor correlation with FVII:C levels has been described. It was the objective of this study to identify genetic defects and to evaluate their relationships with phenotype in a large cohort of patients with FVII:C<50%. One hundred twenty-three probands were genotyped for F7 mutations and three polymorphic variants and classified according to recently published clinical scores. Forty out of 123 patients (33?%) were symptomatic (43 bleedings). A severe bleeding tendency was observed only in patients with FVII:C<0.10%. Epistaxis (11%) and menorrhagia (32% of females in fertile age) were the most frequent bleedings. Molecular analysis detected 48 mutations, 20 not reported in the F7 international databases. Most mutations (62%) were missense, large deletions were 6.2%. Compound heterozygotes/homozygotes for mutations presented lower FVII:C levels compared to the other classes (Chi2=43.709, p<0,001). The polymorphisms distribution was significantly different among the three F7 genotypic groups (Chi2=72.289, p<0,001). The presence of truncating mutations was associated with lowest FVII:C levels (Chi2=21.351, p=0.002). This study confirms the clinical and molecular variability of the disease and the type of symptoms. It shows a good correlation between the type of F7 mutation and/or polymorphisms and FVII:C levels, without a direct link between FVII:C and bleeding tendency. The results suggest that large deletions are underestimated and that they represent a common mechanism of F7 gene inactivation which should always be investigated in the diagnostic testing for FVII deficiency.
Concurrent Isolation of 3 Distinct Cardiac Stem Cell Populations From a Single Human Heart Biopsy
Authors: Monsanto Megan M. , White Kevin S. , Kim Taeyong , Wang Bingyan J. , Fisher Kristina , Ilves Kelli , Khalafalla Farid G. , Casillas Alexandria , Broughton Kathleen , Mohsin Sadia , Dembitsky Walter P. , Sussman Mark A.
Published: April 2017

Rationale:

The relative actions and synergism between distinct myocardial-derived stem cell populations remain obscure. Ongoing debates on optimal cell population(s) for treatment of heart failure prompted implementation of a protocol for isolation of multiple stem cell populations from a single myocardial tissue sample to develop new insights for achieving myocardial regeneration.

Objective:

Establish a robust cardiac stem cell isolation and culture protocol to consistently generate 3 distinct stem cell populations from a single human heart biopsy.

Methods and Results:

Isolation of 3 endogenous cardiac stem cell populations was performed from human heart samples routinely discarded during implantation of a left ventricular assist device. Tissue explants were mechanically minced into 1 mm
3
pieces to minimize time exposure to collagenase digestion and preserve cell viability. Centrifugation removes large cardiomyocytes and tissue debris producing a single cell suspension that is sorted using magnetic-activated cell sorting technology. Initial sorting is based on tyrosine-protein kinase Kit (c-Kit) expression that enriches for 2 c-Kit
+
cell populations yielding a mixture of cardiac progenitor cells and endothelial progenitor cells. Flowthrough c-Kit
−
mesenchymal stem cells are positively selected by surface expression of markers CD90 and CD105. After 1 week of culture, the c-Kit
+
population is further enriched by selection for a CD133
+
endothelial progenitor cell population. Persistence of respective cell surface markers in vitro is confirmed both by flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry.

Conclusions:

Three distinct cardiac cell populations with individualized phenotypic properties consistent with cardiac progenitor cells, endothelial progenitor cells, and mesenchymal stem cells can be successfully concurrently isolated and expanded from a single tissue sample derived from human heart failure patients.
Effects of the Mean Amplitude of Glycemic Excursions and Vascular Endothelial Dysfunction on Cardiovascular Events in Nondiabetic Patients With Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Akasaka Tomonori , Sueta Daisuke , Tabata Noriaki , Takashio Seiji , Yamamoto Eiichiro , Izumiya Yasuhiro , Tsujita Kenichi , Kojima Sunao , Kaikita Koichi , Matsui Kunihiko , Hokimoto Seiji
Published: April 2017

Background

Mean amplitude of glycemic excursion (
MAGE
) is commonly used to gauge the degree of glucose level fluctuations.
MAGE
plays a significant role in vascular endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular events in patients with diabetes mellitus (
DM
), but its significance is not clear in non‐
DM
patients. Thus, we examined the impact of
MAGE
and vascular endothelial dysfunction on clinical outcomes in non‐
DM
patients with coronary artery disease.

Methods and Results

We followed non‐
DM
patients (n=65) for 12 months who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention and assessed the relationship among
MAGE
, reactive hyperemia index (
RHI
) measured by reactive hyperemia peripheral arterial tonometry as endothelial function, and cardiovascular events. Cardiovascular events analyzed were cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, unstable angina, and revascularizations. Compared with patients with
MAGE
<65 mg/dL (normal glycemic excursions), the group with
MAGE ≥
65 mg/dL (high glycemic excursions) had significantly higher high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (0.10±0.11 mg/dL versus 0.18±0.13 mg/dL,
P
=0.006) and lower
RHI
(0.64±0.21 versus 0.51±0.22,
P
=0.035). The multivariable analysis identified high
MAGE
and low
RHI
(≤0.56) as risk factors associated with cardiovascular events (hazard ratio, 5.6; 95%
RI,
1.72–18.4 [
P
=0.004] versus hazard ratio, 4.5; 95%
RI,
1.37–14.9 [
P
=0.013]). When the prognosis was classified by combination with
MAGE
and
RHI
, the incidence of cardiovascular events was 46.7% (high
MAGE
+low
RHI
), 26.7% (high
MAGE
+high
RHI
), 20.0% (low
MAGE
+low
RHI
), and 6.6% (low
MAGE
+high
RHI
) in descending order (
P
=0.014). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that
MAGE
,
RHI
, and
MAGE
+
RHI
were each associated with cardiovascular events (area under the curve 0.780, 0.727, and 0.796, respectively).

Conclusions

MAGE
was associated with cardiovascular events in non‐
DM
patients with coronary artery disease. Furthermore, the combination with
MAGE
and
RHI
was useful for further subdivision of the risk of cardiovascular events.
Use of Noncontrast Computed Tomography and Computed Tomographic Perfusion in Predicting Intracerebral Hemorrhage After Intravenous Alteplase Therapy
Authors: Batchelor Connor , Pordeli Pooneh , d’Esterre Christopher D. , Najm Mohamed , Al-Ajlan Fahad S. , Boesen Mari E. , McDougall Connor , Hur Lisa , Fainardi Enrico , Shankar Jai Jai Shiva , Rubiera Marta , Khaw Alexander V. , Hill Michael D. , Demchuk Andrew M. , Sajobi Tolulope T. , Goyal Mayank , Lee Ting-Yim , Aviv Richard I. , Menon Bijoy K.
Published: April 2017

Background and Purpose—

Intracerebral hemorrhage is a feared complication of intravenous alteplase therapy in patients with acute ischemic stroke. We explore the use of multimodal computed tomography in predicting this complication.

Methods—

All patients were administered intravenous alteplase with/without intra-arterial therapy. An age- and sex-matched case–control design with classic and conditional logistic regression techniques was chosen for analyses. Outcome was parenchymal hemorrhage on 24- to 48-hour imaging. Exposure variables were imaging (noncontrast computed tomography hypoattenuation degree, relative volume of very low cerebral blood volume, relative volume of cerebral blood flow ≤7 mL/min·per 100 g, relative volume of T
max
≥16 s with all volumes standardized to
z
axis coverage, mean permeability surface area product values within T
max
≥8 s volume, and mean permeability surface area product values within ipsilesional hemisphere) and clinical variables (NIHSS [National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale], onset to imaging time, baseline systolic blood pressure, blood glucose, serum creatinine, treatment type, and reperfusion status).

Results—

One-hundred eighteen subjects (22 patients with parenchymal hemorrhage versus 96 without, median baseline NIHSS score of 15) were included in the final analysis. In multivariable regression, noncontrast computed tomography hypoattenuation grade (
P
<0.006) and computerized tomography perfusion white matter relative volume of very low cerebral blood volume (
P
=0.04) were the only significant variables associated with parenchymal hemorrhage on follow-up imaging (area under the curve, 0.73; 95% confidence interval, 0.63–0.83). Interrater reliability for noncontrast computed tomography hypoattenuation grade was moderate (κ=0.6).

Conclusions—

Baseline hypoattenuation on noncontrast computed tomography and very low cerebral blood volume on computerized tomography perfusion are associated with development of parenchymal hemorrhage in patients with acute ischemic stroke receiving intravenous alteplase.
The Development of the Principle of Distributed Authority, or Sphere Sovereignty
Authors: Henderson Roger
Published: April 2017

The article traces the articulation of the principle of distributed authority, or sphere sovereignty, and its background in politics and theology. It considers the two Dutch national leaders who used and developed it most as well as noting some of its earlier sources. An account is given of the way the principle of distributed authority arose and what it meant to the thinkers and leaders of the Anti-Revolutionary (movement and) Party in the Netherlands. The principle and its articulation is chronicled through the long struggle for the distribution of educational, ecclesiastical, and political authority (sovereignty) to those people active in various areas, each understood as sovereign spheres. The article shows the crucial role played by Kuyper in the step by step formulation of the principle, thereby laying to rest rival claims. Finally, the article suggests that the principle had great importance in Herman Dooyeweerd’s thought and in the development of his philosophy.
Balligratus, new genus of wingless ground beetles from equatorial Andean montane forest (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Lachnophorini)
Authors: MORET PIERRE , ORTUÑO VICENTE M.
Published: April 2017

A new carabid beetle genus, Balligratus gen. nov., belonging to the tribe Lachnophorini, is described. It is geographically restricted to the equatorial Andes, and ecologically linked to the montane pluvial forest ecosystem, at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 3,600 m. As other carabid lineages that have radiated in such environments, Balligratus gen. nov. is a wingless clade, characterized by the loss of flight wings associated with metathoracic reduction, constriction of the elytral base, and reduced eye size. This evolution is unique among Lachnophorini. Four new species are described, all of them from Ecuador: Balligratus brevis sp. nov., Balligratus globosus sp. nov., Balligratus gracilis sp. nov. and Balligratus humerangulus sp. nov.
Revision of Disphaerobius Attems, 1926 (Chilopoda: Lithobiomorpha: Lithobiidae: Pterygoterginae), a centipede genus with remarkable sexual dimorphism
Authors: FARZALIEVA GYULLI SH. , NEFEDIEV PAVEL S. , TUF IVAN H.
Published: April 2017

Disphaerobius Attems, 1926, the sole constituent genus of the subfamily Pterygoterginae, is synonymized with Pterygotergum Verhoeff, 1934 syn. nov., and is shown to comprise only two species: D. svenhedini (Verhoeff, 1934) comb. nov. ex Pterygotergum, and D. loricatus (Sseliwanoff, 1881) (= Lithobius magnificus Trotzina, 1895), both syn. nov. and comb. nov. ex Lithobius Leach, 1814. Disphaerobius is rediagnosed, both of its basically Central Asian species are redescribed from fresh material of both sexes, and their distributions are mapped. Disphaerobius svenhedini is newly recorded from S Kazakhstan and W Mongolia. New material of D. loricatus is also recorded. Sexual dimorphic characters in Lithobiomorpha are briefly discussed, these being considered especially strongly pronounced and unique in Disphaerobius.
Analyzing Simulated Convective Bursts in Two Atlantic Hurricanes. Part II: Intensity Change due to Bursts
Authors: Hazelton Andrew T. , Hart Robert E. , Rogers Robert F.
Published: April 2017

This paper investigates convective burst (CB) evolution in Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model simulations of two tropical cyclones (TCs), focusing on the relationship between CBs and TC intensity change. Analysis of intensity change in the simulations shows that there are more CBs inside the radius of maximum winds (RMW) during times when the TCs are about to intensify, while weakening/steady times are associated with more CBs outside the RMW, consistent with past observational and theoretical studies. The vertical mass flux distributions show greater vertical mass flux at upper levels both from weaker updrafts and CBs for intensifying cases. The TC simulations are further dissected by past intensity change, and times of sustained intensification have more CBs than times when the TC has been weakening but then intensifies. This result suggests that CB development may not always be predictive of intensification, but rather may occur as a result of ongoing intensification and contribute to ongoing intensification. Abrupt short-term intensification is found to be associated with an even higher density of CBs inside the RMW than is slower intensification. Lag correlations between CBs and intensity reveal a broad peak, with the CBs leading pressure falls by 0–3 h. These relationships are further confirmed by analysis of individual simulation periods, although the relationship can vary depending on environmental conditions and the previous evolution of the TC. These results show that increased convection due to both weak updrafts and CBs inside the RMW is favorable for sustained TC intensification and show many details of the typical short-term response of the TC core to CBs.
Tracking Mesoscale Pressure Perturbations Using the USArray Transportable Array
Authors: Jacques Alexander A. , Horel John D. , Crosman Erik T. , Vernon Frank L.
Published: April 2017

Mesoscale convective phenomena induce pressure perturbations that can alter the strength and magnitude of surface winds, precipitation, and other sensible weather, which, in some cases, can inflict injuries and damage to property. This work extends prior research to identify and characterize mesoscale pressure features using a unique resource of 1-Hz pressure observations available from the USArray Transportable Array (TA) seismic field campaign.

A two-dimensional variational technique is used to obtain 5-km surface pressure analysis grids every 5 min from 1 March to 31 August 2011 from the TA observations and gridded surface pressure from the Real-Time Mesoscale Analysis over a swath of the central United States. Bandpass-filtering and feature-tracking algorithms are employed to isolate, identify, and assess prominent mesoscale pressure perturbations and their properties. Two case studies, the first involving mesoscale convective systems and the second using a solitary gravity wave, are analyzed using additional surface observation and gridded data resources. Summary statistics for tracked features during the period reviewed indicate a majority of perturbations last less than 3 h, produce maximum perturbation magnitudes between 2 and 5 hPa, and move at speeds ranging from 15 to 35 m s−1. The results of this study combined with improvements nationwide in real-time access to pressure observations at subhourly reporting intervals highlight the potential for improved detection and nowcasting of high-impact mesoscale weather features.
High Costs, Low Resources, and Missing Information: Explaining Student Borrowing in the For-Profit Sector
Authors: Cellini Stephanie Riegg , Darolia Rajeev
Published: April 2017

This article examines the borrowing behavior of students enrolled in for-profit colleges, asking how and why their borrowing differs relative to students pursuing postsecondary education in other sectors. We employ statistical decompositions to understand the extent to which variation in borrowing across sectors can be attributed to observed characteristics of students and of higher education institutions. Drawing on nationally representative data on undergraduate students, we show that college costs of attendance are the primary observed driver of the large differences in borrowing between students in for-profit institutions and those in other sectors. However, a substantial portion of borrowing differences remains unexplained by these high costs, low student financial resources, and variation in college attendance patterns. Further, there is little evidence that changes in these characteristics can explain the rise in student borrowing in the for-profit sector over time. We discuss how these findings present challenges to regulation of the for-profit sector, and the extent to which policymaking can encourage prudent borrowing and college choice decisions.
Navigating the Financial Aid Process: Borrowing Outcomes among First-Generation and Non-First-Generation Students
Authors: Furquim Fernando , Glasener Kristen M. , Oster Meghan , McCall Brian P. , DesJardins Stephen L.
Published: April 2017

A growing number and proportion of students rely on student loans to assist with the costs of postsecondary education. Yet little is known about how first-generation students use federal loans to finance their education. In this article, we examine each of the decisions that culminate in student indebtedness: the decision to apply for aid, whether to borrow, and how much to borrow. We find significant differences by generational status at each step of the student borrowing process. First-generation students are more likely to apply for financial aid, borrow, and take out larger loans than their peers, after controlling for a rich set of covariates for costs and financial resources. We find that student characteristics cannot fully explain these observed differences in borrowing outcomes across generations.
Student Loan Relief Programs: Implications for Borrowers and the Federal Government
Authors: Di Wenhua , Edmiston Kelly D.
Published: April 2017

As college costs increase and more students fund their education through borrowing, debt load and delinquency rates have become significant problems. This article discusses the impacts of the federal student loan repayment relief programs that are available. The implications of relief plans on borrowers’ costs and the federal budget vary by plan and for different loan amounts and income levels, making it challenging for policy-makers to design programs that adequately balance risks between borrowers and taxpayers. Existing programs are also complicated, making it difficult for borrowers to make informed decisions on repayment programs. We examine how the various programs work in practice and consider their likely outcomes over a set of income-debt-program scenarios, bringing clarity to the repayment environment. We find that lower-income borrowers and borrowers who will have significant remaining balances forgiven at the end of the required repayment period are generally more likely to benefit from loan relief programs, but participation of these borrowers can be very costly.
Medical Therapy Before Carotid Endarterectomy: Changes Over a 13-Year Period and Comparison Between Asymptomatic and Symptomatic Patients
Authors: Bissacco Daniele , Carmo Michele , Barbetta Iacopo , Dallatana Raffaello , Settembrini Piergiorgio G.
Published: April 2017

We evaluated the evolution of chronic medical therapy in patients admitted for carotid endarterectomy (CEA) over a 13-year period and to analyze the difference in medical treatment between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. A retrospective study was conducted on patients treated between 2002 and 2015. The use of antiplatelets (acetylsalicylic acid [ASA], ticlopidine, and clopidogrel), oral anticoagulant therapy (OAT), statins and antihypertensives (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors [ACE-I]/angiotensin receptor blockers [ARBs], β-blockers [BB]) administration was evaluated. During the study period, 852 CEAs were performed in 681 (79.9%) asymptomatic patients. Prescription rate increased significantly for ASA (+29.2%), clopidogrel (+10.3%), statins (+60.8%), ACE-I/ARBs (+31.1%), and BB (+19.3%; all Ptrend < .05). No significant modification was observed for ticlopidine and OAT (ticlopidine use was abandoned in the recent years, but this difference was not significant due to the small numbers). A lower medication intake was recorded for symptomatic patients when compared with asymptomatic patients, except for OAT and clopidogrel. Our analysis suggests that medical therapy has changed over the years for patients with carotid stenosis. Although this is a big step toward best medical therapy, preoperative drug therapy remains suboptimal in symptomatic patients.
Evaluation of the Nutritional Changes Caused by Huanglongbing (HLB) to Citrus Plants Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy
Authors: Ranulfi Anielle Coelho , Romano Renan Arnon , Bebeachibuli Magalhães Aida , Ferreira Ednaldo José , Ribeiro Villas-Boas Paulino , Marcondes Bastos Pereira Milori Débora
Published: April 2017

Huanglongbing (HLB) is the most recent and destructive bacterial disease of citrus and has no cure yet. A promising alternative to conventional methods is to use laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), a multi-elemental analytical technique, to identify the nutritional changes provoked by the disease to the citrus leaves and associate the mineral composition profile with its health status. The leaves were collected from adult citrus trees and identified by visual inspection as healthy, HLB-symptomatic, and HLB-asymptomatic. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy measurements were done in fresh leaves without sample preparation. Nutritional variations were evaluated using statistical tools, such as Student's t-test and analysis of variance applied to LIBS spectra, and the largest were found for Ca, Mg, and K. Considering the nutritional profile changes, a classifier induced by classification via regression combined with partial least squares regression was built resulting in an accuracy of 73% for distinguishing the three categories of leaves.
Statistical Aspects of Near-Infrared Spectroscopy for the Characterization of Errors and Model Building
Authors: Monteiro Alessandra da Rocha Duailibe , Feital Thiago de Sá , Pinto José Carlos
Published: April 2017

Due to the complex nature of near-infrared (NIR) spectra, it is usually very difficult to provide quantitative interpretations of spectral data. As a consequence, careful building and validation of calibration models are of fundamental importance prior to development of useful applications of NIR technologies. For this reason, this work presents a statistical study about the NIR spectroscopy, analyzing the NIR behavior when the experimental conditions are changed. Near-infrared spectra were measured at different temperatures and stirring velocities for systems containing a pure solvent and a suspension of polymer powder in order to perform the error analysis. Then, mixtures of xylene and toluene were analyzed through NIR at different temperatures and stirring velocities and the obtained data were used to build calibration models with multivariate techniques. The results showed that the precision of the NIR measurements depends on the analytical conditions and that unavoidable fluctuations of spectral data (or spectral data variability) are strongly correlated, leading to full covariance matrices of spectral fluctuations, which has been surprisingly neglected during quantitative analyses. In particular, modeling of the xylene/toluene NIR data performed with different multivariate techniques revealed that the principal directions are not preserved when the real covariance matrix of measurement errors is taken into account.
On Boredom and Perceptions of Heroes: A Meaning-Regulation Approach to Heroism
Authors: Coughlan Gillian , Igou Eric R. , van Tilburg Wijnand A. P. , Kinsella Elaine L. , Ritchie Timothy D.
Published: April 2017

We propose that boredom, a state associated with a sense of meaninglessness, leads to a psychological search for meaning in life, which, in turn, elevates affirmation of heroes. This hypothesis builds on the notion that heroes function, in part, as sources of meaning in life. Using a correlational model, we found that boredom proneness predicted more positive perceptions of heroes via searches for meaning in one’s own life. In addition, hero perceptions seemed to prevent boredom by offering a sense of meaning in life. These findings contribute to an understanding of the psychologically existential qualities of boredom and functions of heroes. The results are consistent with the assumption that boredom triggers the existential process of searching for meaning in life. It is this search that influences perceptions of heroes as vehicles for a sense of meaning in life. Our data suggest that heroes grant a sense of meaningfulness, and in so doing, may serve as a tool to counteract the lack of meaning signaled by boredom. These findings implicate novel avenues for future research on boredom and on heroes, and more precisely, they shed light on perception and affirmations of heroes as part of existential self-regulatory processes.
The effectiveness of acute normolvolemic hemodilution and autologous prime on intraoperative blood management during cardiac surgery
Authors: Stammers Alfred H. , Mongero Linda B. , Tesdahl Eric , Stasko Andrew , Weinstein Samuel
Published: April 2017

Objective:

Intraoperative blood management during cardiac surgery is a multifaceted process incorporating various interventions directed at optimizing oxygen delivery and enhancing hemostasis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) and autologous priming (AP) on preserving the hematocrit during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

Method:

Case records from a national registry of adult patients who underwent cardiac surgery between January and October 2016 were reviewed. Groups were determined as follows: ANH, AP, ANH+AP or Neither. Primary endpoint was first the hematocrit on CPB with secondary endpoints of hematocrit drift and red blood cell (RBC) transfusion rate.

Results:

Eighteen thousand and twenty-four (18,024) consecutive patients were reviewed. The first CPB hematocrit was lowest in the ANH group (26.5%±4.4%) and highest in ANH+AP patients (27.5%±4.8%) (p<0.001). The change in hematocrit was greatest in the ANH group (8.3%±3.9%) compared to both the AP (6.4%±3.8%) and ANH+AP (6.9%±4.1%) groups (p<0.001). Intraoperative RBC transfusions were as follows: ANH 26 (7.8%), AP 2,531 (20.0%), ANH+AP 287 (10.3%) and Neither 592 (26.7%) (p<0.001).

Conclusions:

Regression results show that the use of ANH will result in the greatest decline in hematocrit values. When combined with AP, higher hematocrits and lower transfusions were seen.
Synthesis, characterisation and preliminary investigation of the haemocompatibility of poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide)–poly(ethyleneglycol)–poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) copolymer for simvastatin delivery
Authors: Wang Fengzhe , Liu Xuan , Feng Longbao , Zhu Qiyu , Yan Shina , Guo Rui
Published: April 2017

The development of nanomedicine has provided advanced treatment opportunities for many diseases. Simvastatin, a widely used anti-lipidaemic drug, has potential for the treatment of orthopaedic diseases. However, the clinical application of simvastatin is limited because of its hydrophobicity and lack of distribution in osseous tissue. In this study, an amphiphilic nanoparticle, poly(d,l-lactide- co-glycolide)–poly(ethyleneglycol)–poly(d,l-lactide- co-glycolide), was synthesised to improve the biocompatibility of simvastatin. The haemocompatibility of the poly(d,l-lactide- co-glycolide)–poly(ethyleneglycol)–poly(d,l-lactide- co-glycolide) copolymer was investigated through its aggregation, morphology and lysis of human red blood cells, along with its impact on the clotting function according to the activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time and thromboelastographic assays. The results demonstrated that the poly(d,l-lactide- co-glycolide)–poly(ethyleneglycol)–poly(d,l-lactide- co-glycolide) copolymer with a concentration lower than 10 mg/mL had little impact on the aggregation, morphology or lysis of red blood cells, or on blood coagulation. Therefore, the copolymer may be a strong alternative candidate as an effective and safe drug carrier.
Comparison of Bronchoscopy-Guided and Real-Time Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Dilatational Tracheostomy: Safety, Complications, and Effectiveness in Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Sarıtaş Aykut , Kurnaz Muhammed M.
Published: April 2017

Objective:

To compare the efficacy, safety, and incidence of complications between fiber-optic bronchoscopy-guided percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (FOB-PDT) and ultrasound-guided percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (US-PDT) and to determine whether US-PDT is a viable alternative to FOB-PDT.

Methods:

This randomized prospective study was carried out in 80 patients who were randomly divided into US-PDT and FOB-PDT groups. Demographic data and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II), procedure duration, hemorrhage status, complications, procedure difficulty, displacement of entry location after US, and hemodynamic data were evaluated in both groups. Tracheal incision was performed with real-time US and a transverse probe position in the out-of-plane mode.

Results:

No significant differences were observed between the 2 groups in terms of demographic data, oral intubation time, APACHE II values, difficulty of the procedure, or the number of needle interventions ( P > .05). The mean hemorrhage ratio of the FOB-PDT group was significantly higher than that of the US-PDT group ( P < .05). The entry location was changed in 6 patients in the US-PDT group following neck examination with US. The mean duration of the procedure for the FOB-PDT group was significantly longer than that for the US-PDT group ( P < .05).

Conclusion:

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy is a safe procedure for critically ill patients and has the advantages of a low complication rate, short duration of procedure, being informative with regard to neck anatomy, and facilitating prevention of vascular puncture. Thus, US-PDT can be used as an alternative to FOB-PDT.
Strategic Resource Use for Learning: A Self-Administered Intervention That Guides Self-Reflection on Effective Resource Use Enhances Academic Performance
Authors: Chen Patricia , Chavez Omar , Ong Desmond C. , Gunderson Brenda
Published: April 2017

Many educational policies provide learners with more resources (e.g., new learning activities, study materials, or technologies), but less often do they address whether students are using these resources effectively. We hypothesized that making students more self-reflective about how they should approach their learning with the resources available to them would improve their class performance. We designed a novel Strategic Resource Use intervention that students could self-administer online and tested its effects in two cohorts of a college-level introductory statistics class. Before each exam, students randomly assigned to the treatment condition strategized about which academic resources they would use for studying, why each resource would be useful, and how they would use their resources. Students randomly assigned to the treatment condition reported being more self-reflective about their learning throughout the class, used their resources more effectively, and outperformed students in the control condition by an average of one third of a letter grade in the class.
Health-Related Quality of Life of Nepalese Children With Leukemia Using Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 Generic Core Scale
Authors: V. K. Anu , Onta Mandira , Joshi Sarala
Published: April 2017

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is an essential measure to consider when evaluating the full impact of illness in children diagnosed with leukemia. The purpose of the current study was to assess the overall HRQOL and specific functioning subscales of Nepalese children with leukemia using Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 Generic Core Scale (PedsQL 4.0), compare self-report with parent proxy report of HRQOL and to identify the determinants affecting HRQOL. After cultural linguistic validation of PedsQL, a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 43 children with leukemia and their parents in B. P. Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital, Bharatpur via interview schedule. Among the subscales of HRQOL both the child’s self-report and parent proxy report scores were highest in social functioning and lowest in emotional functioning subscale. Intraclass correlation coefficient between proxy reports and self-reports were highest (0.828) in physical functioning and lowest (0.493) in social functioning subscales. Age group was significantly associated with the total score, physical functioning subscale, and emotional functioning subscale of only proxy scores. Leukemic children’s age-specific needs should be addressed properly to improve their overall HRQOL.
A fast second-order parareal solver for fractional optimal control problems
Authors: Wu Shu-Lin , Huang Ting-Zhu
Published: April 2017

The gradient projection technique has recently been used to solve the optimal control problems governed by a fractional diffusion equation. It lies in repeatedly solving the state and co-state equations derived from the optimality conditions, and the Crank–Nicolson (CN) scheme, which gives a second-order numerical solution, is a widely used method to solve these two equations. The goal of this paper is to implement the CN scheme in a parallel-in-time manner in the framework of the parareal algorithm. Because of the stiffness of the approximation matrix of the fractional operator, direct use of the CN scheme results in a convergence factor ρ satisfying [Formula: see text] as [Formula: see text] for the parareal algorithm, where [Formula: see text] denotes the space step-size. Here, we provide a new idea to let the parareal algorithm use the CN scheme as the basic component possessing a constant convergence factor [Formula: see text], which is independent of [Formula: see text]. Numerical results are provided to show the efficiency of the proposed algorithm.
The Affordable Care Act Appears to Have Narrowed Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Insurance Coverage and Access to Care Among Young Adults
Authors: Lipton Brandy J. , Decker Sandra L. , Sommers Benjamin D.
Published: April 2017

Prior to the Affordable Care Act, one in three young adults aged 19 to 25 years were uninsured, with substantial racial/ethnic disparities in coverage. We analyzed the separate and cumulative changes in racial/ethnic disparities in coverage and access to care among young adults after implementation of the Affordable Care Act’s 2010 dependent coverage provision and 2014 Medicaid and Marketplace expansions. We find that the dependent coverage provision was associated with similar gains across racial/ethnic groups, but the 2014 expansion was associated with larger gains in coverage among Hispanics and Blacks relative to Whites. After the 2014 expansion, coverage increased by 11.0 and 10.1 percentage points among Hispanics and Blacks, respectively, compared with a 5.6 percentage point increase among Whites. The percentage with a usual source of care and a recent doctor’s visit also increased more for Blacks relative to Whites. Increases in coverage were larger in Medicaid expansion compared with nonexpansion states for most racial/ethnic groups.
Platform privacies: Governance, collaboration, and the different meanings of “privacy” in iOS and Android development
Authors: Greene Daniel , Shilton Katie
Published: April 2017

Mobile application design can have a tremendous impact on consumer privacy. But how do mobile developers learn what constitutes privacy? We analyze discussions about privacy on two major developer forums: one for iOS and one for Android. We find that the different platforms produce markedly different definitions of privacy. For iOS developers, Apple is a gatekeeper, controlling market access. The meaning of “privacy” shifts as developers try to interpret Apple’s policy guidance. For Android developers, Google is one data-collecting adversary among many. Privacy becomes a set of defensive features through which developers respond to a data-driven economy’s unequal distribution of power. By focusing on the development cultures arising from each platform, we highlight the power differentials inherent in “privacy by design” approaches, illustrating the role of platforms not only as intermediaries for privacy-sensitive content but also as regulators who help define what privacy is and how it works.
Being and planning, world formation and authenticity in Heideggerian analysis
Authors: Low Nicholas , Sturup Sophie
Published: April 2017

The theory of being helps us understand the condition of planning in an evanescent, shape-shifting world and how to be a strategic planner in such a world. Martin Heidegger’s investigation of being reveals important and sometimes disconcerting insights into humans and the worlds they inhabit and generate. In this article, we use Heidegger’s framework of thought to reveal what being means for planners and planning. In our investigation, we focus on one theme that seems fundamental to the practice of planning, the transformative impulse, and we reflect on how Heidegger’s thought provides insights into that element. We show how Heidegger, the philosopher of the everyday, overturned the Cartesian dualistic ontology of subject–object, replacing it with the holistic being-in-the-world. We explore how this holistic ontology helps reinterpret transformative practice. We argue that effective transformation of society involves a transformation of being.
Bacterial Prevalence and Antibiotic Resistance in Clinical Isolates of Diabetic Foot Ulcers in the Northeast of Tamaulipas, Mexico
Authors: Sánchez-Sánchez Mario , Cruz-Pulido Wendy Lizeth , Bladinieres-Cámara Eduardo , Alcalá-Durán Rodrigo , Rivera-Sánchez Gildardo , Bocanegra-García Virgilio
Published: April 2017

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a serious and common problem in patients with diabetes mellitus and constitute one of the major causes of lower extremity amputation. The microbiological profile of DFUs depends on the acute or chronic character of the wound. Aerobic gram-positive cocci are the predominant organisms isolated from DFUs. Diabetic foot biopsies from patients admitted to the Angiology and Vascular Surgery Hospital of the Northeast, in Reynosa, Tamaulipas from December 2011 to April 2016 were analyzed. The samples were processed using standard microbiology techniques. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out according to the protocol established by the Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). We obtained 246 bacterial isolates, based on the results of phenotypic resistance. The least effective antibiotics for gram-positive bacteria were penicillin and dicloxacillin; for gram-negative bacteria, cefalotin and penicillin were the least effective. Levofloxacin, cefalotin, and amikacin were the most effective antibiotics for gram-positive and negative bacteria, respectively. Enterobacter genus was significantly associated with muscle biopsies ( P = .011) and samples without growth were significantly associated with specimens of pyogenic origin ( P = .000). In 215 DFU samples, we found that Staphylococcus aureus was the most commonly isolated pathogen followed by Enterobacter sp. This is consistent with previous reports. Enterobacter species may play an important role in the colonization/infection of certain tissues; however, further studies are needed in this regard.
The Effects of Specialization and Sex on Anterior Y-Balance Performance in High School Athletes
Authors: Miller Madeline M. , Trapp Jessica L. , Post Eric G. , Trigsted Stephanie M. , McGuine Timothy A. , Brooks M. Alison , Bell David R.
Published: April 2017

Background:

Sport specialization and movement asymmetry have been separately discussed as potential risk factors for lower extremity injury. Early specialization may lead to the development of movement asymmetries that can predispose an athlete to injury, but this has not been thoroughly examined.

Hypothesis:

Athletes rated as specialized would exhibit greater between-limb anterior reach asymmetry and decreased anterior reach distance on the Y-balance test (YBT) as compared with nonspecialized high school athletes, and these differences would not be dependent on sex.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study.

Level of Evidence:

Level 3.

Methods:

Two hundred ninety-five athletes (117 male, 178 female; mean age, 15.6 ± 1.2 years) from 2 local high schools participating in basketball, soccer, volleyball, and tennis responded to a questionnaire regarding sport specialization status and performed trials of the YBT during preseason testing. Specialization was categorized according to 3 previously utilized specialization classification methods (single/multisport, 3-point scale, and 6-point scale), and interactions between specialization and sex with Y-balance performance were calculated using 2-way analyses of variance.

Results:

Single-sport male athletes displayed greater anterior reach asymmetry than other interaction groups. A consistent main effect was observed for sex, with men displaying greater anterior asymmetry and decreased anterior reach distance than women. However, the interaction effects of specialization and sex on anterior Y-balance performance varied based on the classification method used.

Conclusion:

Single-sport male athletes displayed greater anterior reach asymmetry on the YBT than multisport and female athletes. Specialization classification method is important because the 6- and 3-point scales may not accurately identify balance abnormalities. Male athletes performed worse than female athletes on both of the Y-balance tasks.

Clinical Relevance:

Clinicians should be aware that single-sport male athletes may display deficits in dynamic balance, potentially increasing their risk of injury.
Lie for a Dime
Authors: Chandler Jesse J. , Paolacci Gabriele
Published: April 2017

The Internet has enabled recruitment of large samples with specific characteristics. However, when researchers rely on participant self-report to determine eligibility, data quality depends on participant honesty. Across four studies on Amazon Mechanical Turk, we show that a substantial number of participants misrepresent theoretically relevant characteristics (e.g., demographics, product ownership) to meet eligibility criteria explicit in the studies, inferred by a previous exclusion from the study or inferred in previous experiences with similar studies. When recruiting rare populations, a large proportion of responses can be impostors. We provide recommendations about how to ensure that ineligible participants are excluded that are applicable to a wide variety of data collection efforts, which rely on self-report.
Evaluating the efficacy and tolerability of mirabegron, a β3-adrenoceptor agonist, for the treatment of overactive bladder: Systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Fest Joy , Pfalzgraf Daniel , Weiss Christel , Hetjens Svetlana
Published: April 2017

Purpose:

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common condition affecting approximately 11% of individuals worldwide. One of the newest treatment options for OAB symptoms is mirabegron. The objective of this network meta-analysis is to evaluate the extent of the efficacy and tolerability of mirabegron compared both to placebo and first-line anticholinergic pharmacotherapies.

Methods:

Articles were identified through the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases using the search term ‘mirabegron’. All original, prospective, randomised, controlled, double-blind clinical trials studying mirabegron in adults receiving initial treatment for OAB were included. Efficacy was assessed based on outcome variables and responder data. Tolerability was evaluated for reported adverse events.

Results:

Thirteen studies including a total of 13,333 individuals were included. Mirabegron demonstrated better efficacy compared to placebo and tolterodine extended release 4 mg. Compared to placebo, the incidence of tachycardia and nasopharyngitis was greater with mirabegron 50 mg, and the incidence of cardiac arrhythmia was greater in 100 mg treatment groups. Mirabegron 100 mg also demonstrated a lower incidence of cardiac arrhythmia compared to tolterodine.

Conclusions:

The current study presents new information that may affect patient-centred strategies for the management of OAB, with a particular concern for cardiovascular safety.
The Prevalence of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use Among Dermatology Outpatients in Shiraz, Iran
Authors: Dastgheib Ladan , Farahangiz Saman , Adelpour Zeinab , Salehi Alireza
Published: April 2017

The objective of this study was to assess complementary and alternative medicine use and its related factors among Iranian dermatology outpatients. In this cross-sectional study, a self-structured questionnaire was administered to 600 dermatology outpatients. Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, and binary logistic regression test were used. A total of 188 (31.3%) patients had used one of complementary and alternative medicine methods. The most frequent method used was herbal medicine (89.9%). The mean years of duration of the skin condition were significantly higher in complementary and alternative medicine users compared with nonusers ( P = .037). Patients with acne and alopecia significantly used more complementary and alternative medicine (odds ratio: 2.48 and 3.19, respectively). There was a significant relationship between education and using complementary and alternative medicine ( P < .001). Complementary and alternative medicine use is prevalent among our patients and we should think of ways of educating general population about complementary and alternative medicine methods and their potential risks and benefits and encourage our health care workers to communicate these materials with their patients.
Nuanced Aggression in Group Decision Making
Authors: Henningsen David Dryden , Henningsen Mary Lynn Miller
Published: April 2017

Group decision making in organizations represents an opportunity for group members to seek to exert social influence. Whining and bullying are examined as nonrational influence tactics used by individuals in groups. Both tactics are envisioned as forms of aggression, differing across a dominance—submissiveness continuum. The impact of whining and bullying as compliance gaining tactics for organizational group decision making is examined using 234 individuals whose jobs include group decision making in organizations. The use of bullying and whining tactics are positively correlated indicating dominance complementarity, with increases in one tactic being associated with increases in the other. In addition, bullying and whining are found to have negative effects on cohesiveness and group decision-making effectiveness.