bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagenetic apatite character and in situ ion microprobe U–Pb age, Keeseville Formation, Potsdam Group, New York State
Authors: Gall Quentin , Davis William J. , Lowe David G. , Dabros Quinn
Published: March 2017

An occurrence of diagenetic fluorapatite cement is documented within the Cambro-Ordovician Keeseville Formation, Potsdam Group, near Chateaugay in New York State. The fluorapatite cement occurs as stratiform layers within ephemeral fluvial quartz arenites, which have been reworked by aeolian processes prior to burial. The paragenetic sequence includes the following: compaction of dust-rimmed grains → quartz cementation → minor kaolinite → fluorapatite cementation followed by secondary dissolution porosity and telogenetic hematite cementation. Mesogenetic illitization of kaolinite may have taken place prior to or following fluorapatite cementation. The fluorapatite occurs as elongated bladed crystals that characteristically contain ladder-like, inclusion-rich cores running parallel to crystal length, surrounded by clearer rims, and larger blocky crystals towards the middle of interstices. In situ SHRIMP analyses of blocky fluorapatite crystals yield a U–Pb age of 486 ± 29 Ma, indicating that the cement formed during mesogenetic burial processes and (or) during fluid flow driven by Taconic orogenic events. There is no obvious source of phosphorous for the fluorapatite cement within the Potsdam Group, but phosphorous-rich lithologies are known from the adjacent basement of the Adirondack Dome. Phosphorous-rich fluids may have been derived from these basement lithologies. The occurrence of the rare fluorapatite cement in the Keeseville Formation adjacent to the Chateaugay Lake Fault raises the possibility that alkaline phosphatic fluids were focused within the fault and migrated laterally away from the fault into the host Keeseville Formation to form stratiform fluorapatite cement in the sandstone.
Considerations for effective science communication
Authors: Cooke Steven J. , Gallagher Austin J. , Sopinka Natalie M. , Nguyen Vivian M. , Skubel Rachel A. , Hammerschlag Neil , Boon Sarah , Young Nathan , Danylchuk Andy J.
Published: March 2017

It is increasingly common for scientists to engage in sharing science-related knowledge with diverse knowledge users—an activity called science communication. Given that many scientists now seek information on how to communicate effectively, we have generated a list of 16 important considerations for those interested in science communication: (1) Define what science communication means to you and your research; (2) Know—and listen to—your target audience; (3) Consider a diverse but coordinated communication portfolio; (4) Draft skilled players and build a network; (5) Create and seize opportunities; (6) Be creative when you communicate; (7) Focus on the science in science communication; (8) Be an honest broker; (9) Understand the science of science communication; (10) Think like an entrepreneur; (11) Don’t let your colleagues stop you; (12) Integrate science communication into your research program; (13) Recognize how science communication enhances your science; (14) Request science communication funds from grants; (15) Strive for bidirectional communication; and (16) Evaluate, reflect, and be prepared to adapt. It is our ambition that the ideas shared here will encourage readers to engage in science communication and increase the effectiveness of those already active in science communication, stimulating them to share their experiences with others.
Context-sensitive languages and G-automata
Authors: Bishop-Ross Rachel , Corson Jon M. , Ross James Lance
Published: March 2017

For a given finitely generated group [Formula: see text], the type of languages that are accepted by [Formula: see text]-automata is determined by the word problem of [Formula: see text] for most of the classical types of languages. We observe that the only exceptions are the families of context-sensitive and recursive languages. Thus, in general, to ensure that the language accepted by a [Formula: see text]-automaton is in the same classical family of languages as the word problem of [Formula: see text], some restriction must be imposed on the [Formula: see text]-automaton. We show that restricting to [Formula: see text]-automata without [Formula: see text]-transitions is sufficient for this purpose. We then define the pullback of two [Formula: see text]-automata and use this construction to study the closure properties of the family of languages accepted by [Formula: see text]-automata without [Formula: see text]-transitions. As a further consequence, when [Formula: see text] is the product of two groups, we give a characterization of the family of languages accepted by [Formula: see text]-automata in terms of the families of languages accepted by [Formula: see text]- and [Formula: see text]-automata. We also give a construction of a grammar for the language accepted by an arbitrary [Formula: see text]-automaton and show how to get a context-sensitive grammar when [Formula: see text] is finitely generated with a context-sensitive word problem and the [Formula: see text]-automaton is without [Formula: see text]-transitions.
An accurate and fast alignment-free method for profiling microbial communities
Authors: Pham Diem-Trang , Gao Shanshan , Phan Vinhthuy
Published: March 2017

Determining abundances of microbial genomes in metagenomic samples is an important problem in analyzing metagenomic data. Although homology-based methods are popular, they have shown to be computationally expensive due to the alignment of tens of millions of reads from metagenomic samples to reference genomes of hundreds to thousands of environmental microbial species. We introduce an efficient alignment-free approach to estimate abundances of microbial genomes in metagenomic samples. The approach is based on solving linear and quadratic programs, which are represented by genome-specific markers (GSM). We compared our method against popular alignment-free and homology-based methods. Without contamination, our method was more accurate than other alignment-free methods while being much faster than a homology-based method. In more realistic settings where samples were contaminated with human DNA, our method was the most accurate method in predicting abundance at varying levels of contamination. We achieve higher accuracy than both alignment-free and homology-based methods.
Super-resolution microscopy and its applications in neuroscience
Authors: Wang Xuecen , Wang Jiahao , Zhu Xinpei , Zheng Yao , Si Ke , Gong Wei
Published: March 2017

Optical microscopy promises researchers to see most tiny substances directly. However, the resolution of conventional microscopy is restricted by the diffraction limit. This makes it a challenge to observe subcellular processes happened in nanoscale. The development of super-resolution microscopy provides a solution to this challenge. Here, we briefly review several commonly used super-resolution techniques, explicating their basic principles and applications in biological science, especially in neuroscience. In addition, characteristics and limitations of each technique are compared to provide a guidance for biologists to choose the most suitable tool.
Asymptotically Optimal Encodings of Range Data Structures for Selection and Top-
k
Queries
Authors: Grossi Roberto , Iacono John , Navarro Gonzalo , Raman Rajeev , Satti S. Rao
Published: March 2017

Given an array
A
[1,
n
] of elements with a total order, we consider the problem of building a data structure that solves two queries: (
a
) selection queries receive a range [
i
,
j
] and an integer
k
and return the position of the
k
th largest element in
A
[
i
,
j
]; (
b
) top-
k
queries receive [
i
,
j
] and
k
and return the positions of the
k
largest elements in
A
[
i
,
j
]. These problems can be solved in optimal time,
O
(1+lg
k
/lg lg
n
) and
O
(
k
), respectively, using linear-space data structures.

We provide the first study of the
encoding
data structures for the above problems, where
A
cannot be accessed at query time. Several applications are interested in the relative order of the entries of
A
, and their positions, rather their actual values, and thus we do not need to keep
A
at query time. In those cases, encodings save storage space: we first show that any encoding answering such queries requires
n
lg
k
-
O
(
n
+
k
lg
k
) bits of space; then, we design encodings using
O
(
n
lg
k
) bits, that is, asymptotically optimal up to constant factors, while preserving optimal query time.
A Prediction Method of Historical Timber Buildings’ Vibrations Induced by Traffic Loads and Its Validation
Authors: Zhang Yunshi , Zhang Nan , Cao Yanmei , Xia He
Published: March 2017

A prediction method in the frequency domain is proposed for predicting the vibrations of historical timber building induced by traffic loads. The modal parameters of a structure are identified using a double-confirmation analysis method based on the autospectrum. Then, the vibration responses of the building are calculated using a limited number of measurement records by inputting the calculated vibration information for the foundation of the updated building model. The proposed method is used to predict the vibrations of the Buddhist sutra depositary at Yangzhou Zhunti Temple. Comparing the results shows that the vibration responses of a structure under traffic loads can be effectively predicted in the relevant frequency bands.
A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Baduanjin Qigong for Health Benefits: Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Zou Liye , Sasaki Jeffer Eidi , Wang Huiru , Xiao Zhongjun , Fang Qun , Zhang Mark
Published: March 2017

Objective. To investigate the effects of practicing Baduanjin Qigong on different health outcomes. Methods. Six electronic databases were used for literature search through entering the following key words: Baduanjin Qigong, quality of life, sleep quality, and health‐related outcomes. Results. Nineteen randomized controlled trials were used for meta‐analysis. The aggregated results from this systematic review have shown significant benefits in favour of Baduanjin Qigong on quality of life (SMD, −0.75; 95% CI −1.26 to −0.24; P = 0.004), sleep quality (SMD, −0.55; 95% CI −0.97 to −0.12; P = 0.01), balance (SMD, −0.94; 95% CI −1.59 to 0.30; P = 0.004), handgrip strength (SMD, −0.69; 95% CI −1.2 to −0.19; P = 0.007), trunk flexibility (SMD, −0.66; 95% CI −1.13 to −0.19; P = 0.006), systolic (SMD, −0.60; 95% CI −0.94 to −0.27; P = 0.0004) and diastolic blood pressure (SMD, −0.46; 95% CI −0.73 to −0.20; P = 0.0005), and resting heart rate (SMD, −0.87; 95% CI −1.47 to −0.27; P = 0.005). The aggregated results of meta‐analyses examining the effect of Baduanjin Qigong on leg power, cardiopulmonary endurance, and pulmonary function remain unclear because of a small number of studies. Conclusions. The aggregated results from this systematic review show that Baduanjin Qigong practice is beneficial for quality of life, sleep quality, balance, handgrip strength, trunk flexibility, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and resting heart rate. Further studies are necessary to confirm the effects of Baduanjin Qigong on leg power, cardiopulmonary endurance, and pulmonary function (e.g., vital capacity), while considering a long‐term follow‐up. Registration Number. This trial is registered with International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO): CRD42016036966.
Novel Fuzzy-Modeling-Based Adaptive Synchronization of Nonlinear Dynamic Systems
Authors: Li Shih-Yu , Chen Chin-Sheng , Tam Lap-Mou , Tsai Shun-Hung
Published: March 2017

In this paper, a novel fuzzy-model-based adaptive synchronization scheme and its fuzzy update laws of parameters are proposed to address the adaptive synchronization problem. The proposed fuzzy controller does not share the same premise of fuzzy system, and the numbers of fuzzy controllers is reduced effectively through the novel modeling strategy. In addition, based on the adaptive synchronization scheme, the error dynamic system can be guaranteed to be asymptotically stable and the true values of unknown parameters can be obtained. Two identical complicated dynamic systems, Mathieu-Van der pol system (M-V system) with uncertainties, are illustrated for numerical simulation example to show the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed novel adaptive control strategy.
Lattice Dynamics and Transport Properties of Multiferroic DyMn2O5
Authors: Ahmad Javed , Bukhari Syed Hamad , Jamil M. Tufiq , Rehmani Mehr Khalid , Ahmad Hammad , Sultan Tahir
Published: March 2017

We have investigated the optical and electrical properties of polycrystalline DyMn2O5synthesized by sol-gel method. Analysis of the reflectivity spectrum has led to the observation of 18 infrared (IR) active phonon modes out of 36 predicted ones. We discuss the results in terms of different phonon bands originated as a result of atomic vibrations. Moreover, the optical energy band gap ofEg(OC)~1.78 eV has been estimated from optical conductivity(σ1(ω))spectrum. The energy band gap and optical transitions were also determined from UV-visible absorption spectrum and band gap ofEg(UV)~1.57 eV was estimated. Moreover, DC electrical resistivity shows the p-type polaronic conduction above room temperature.
Identification of Rocks and Their Quartz Content in Gua Musang Goldfield Using Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer Imagery
Authors: Yao Kouame , Pradhan Biswajeet , Idrees Mohammed Oludare
Published: March 2017

Quartz is an important mineral element and the most abundant rock-forming mineral that controls the mineralogy of a reservoir. At the surface, quartz is more stable than most other rock minerals because it is made up of interlocking silica that makes it quite resistant to mechanical weathering. Quartz abundance is an indication of mineralization in many metal deposits; therefore, identification and mapping of quartz in rocks are of great value for exploration and resource potential assessments. In this study, thermal infrared (TIR) bands of the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) imagery were used to identify quartz contained rocks in Gua Musang. First, the image was corrected for atmospheric effect and the study area subset for further processing. Thereafter, spectral transformation (principal component analysis (PCA)) was implemented on the TIR bands and the resulting principal component (PC) images were analysed. The three optimal PCs were selected using the strength of spectral interaction and the eigenvalues of each band. To discriminate between quartz-rich and quartz-poor rocks, RGB false colour composite and greyscale image of one of the PCs were analysed. The result shows that volcanogenic igneous rock and carbonate sedimentary rocks of Permian formation are quartz-poor while Triassic sedimentary rock made up of organic particles and sandstone is quartz-rich. On the contrary, the quartz content in the metamorphic rock varies across the area but is richer in quartz content than the igneous and carbonate rocks. Classification of the composite image classified using maximum likelihood (ML) supervised classification method produced overall accuracy and Kappa coefficient of 96.53%, and 0.95, respectively.
Systematic Comparison of Brain Imaging Meta-Analyses of ToM with vPT
Authors: Arora Aditi , Schurz Matthias , Perner Josef
Published: March 2017

In visual perspective taking (vPT) one has to concern oneself with what other people see and how they see it. Since seeing is a mental state, developmental studies have discussed vPT within the domain of “theory of mind (ToM)” but imaging studies have not treated it as such. Based on earlier results from several meta-analyses, we tested for the overlap of visual perspective taking studies with 6 different kinds of ToM studies: false belief, trait judgments, strategic games, social animations, mind in the eyes, and rational actions. Joint activation was observed between the vPT task and some kinds of ToM tasks in regions involving the left temporoparietal junction (TPJ), anterior precuneus, left middle occipital gyrus/extrastriate body area (EBA), and the left inferior frontal and precentral gyrus. Importantly, no overlap activation was found for the vPT tasks with the joint core of all six kinds of ToM tasks. This raises the important question of what the common denominator of all tasks that fall under the label of “theory of mind” is supposed to be if visual perspective taking is not one of them.
Structural and Antimicrobial Evaluation of Silver Doped Hydroxyapatite-Polydimethylsiloxane Thin Layers
Authors: Iconaru S. L. , Chifiriuc M. C. , Groza A.
Published: March 2017

An Ag:HAp (xAg= 0.5) powder was deposited by thermal evaporation technique as coating on a silicon substrate previously covered with a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layer. The Ag:HAp-PDMS layers were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). By infrared spectroscopy analysis, the phase composition of the Ag:HAp-PDMS layers was investigated. The antimicrobial activity of Ag:HAp-PDMS layers was tested againstEscherichia coli,Staphylococcus aureus,andCandida albicansmicrobial strains. The microbial activity decreases significantly for the surveyed time intervals on Ag:HAp-PDMS layers.
Antioxidant and Cytotoxicological Effects ofAloe veraFood Supplements
Authors: López Zaira , Núñez-Jinez Gabriela , Avalos-Navarro Guadalupe , Rivera Gildardo , Salazar-Flores Joel , Ramírez José A. , Ayil-Gutiérrez Benjamín A. , Knauth Peter
Published: March 2017

Currently, food industries use supplements fromAloe veraas highly concentrated powders (starting products), which are added to the final product at a concentration of 1x, meaning 10 g/L for decolourized and spray-dried whole leaf powder (WLP) or 5 g/L for decolourized and spray-dried inner leaf powder (ILG) and also for nondecolourized and belt-dried inner leaf powder (ILF). Flavonoids, tannins, or saponins could not be detected for any starting product at this concentration and their total phenol concentration of 68–112 μM gallate-eq. was much lower than in fresh extract; however, their antioxidant capacity of 90–123 μM ascorbate-eq. for DPPH was similar to the fresh extract. Starting products, dissolved at 1x, had an aloin concentration of 0.04 to 0.07 ppm, a concentration much lower than the industry standard of 10 ppm for foodstuff. While decolourized starting products (i.e., treated with activated carbon) exhibited low cytotoxicity on HeLa cells (CC50= 15 g/L ILG or 50 g/L WLP), ILF at CC50= 1–5 g/L exhibited cytotoxic effects, that is, at concentrations even below the recommended for human consumption. Probable causes for the cytotoxicity of ILF are the exposure to high temperatures (70–85°C) combined with a high fibre content.
Esculetin Neutralises Cytotoxicity oft-BHP but Not of H2O2on Human Leukaemia NB4 Cells
Authors: Rubio Virginia , García-Pérez Ana I. , Tejedor M. Cristina , Herráez Angel , Diez José C.
Published: March 2017

The coumarin esculetin shows antioxidant action on some cell types, both by scavenging ROS and by decreasing ROS production. We have previously demonstrated the induction of apoptosis by esculetin on NB4 human leukaemia cells by an ill-defined mechanism related to ROS levels. In this work, we analyze the effect of the simultaneous treatment with esculetin and two oxidants to observe the early events in the mechanism of esculetin-induced apoptosis. Our results show that, from the early time of 15 min, esculetin acts synergistically with H2O2to decrease cell viability and metabolic activity and to increase apoptosis in NB4 cells. In contrast, the early oxidative effects oft-BHP are neutralised by esculetin, protecting human leukaemia NB4 cells from apoptosis. Esculetin seems to restrict the increase in peroxides caused by H2O2ort-BHP in the time interval analyzed. These results contribute to a better understanding of the cytotoxic effect caused by esculetin on NB4 cells. At the same time, the early neutralisation of exogenous oxidants could be of interest to prevent diseases related to oxidative stress imbalance.
Association between VEGF Gene Polymorphisms and In-Stent Restenosis after Coronary Intervention Treated with Bare Metal Stent
Authors: Bagyura Zsolt , Kiss Loretta , Hirschberg Kristóf , Berta Balázs , Széplaki Gábor , Lux Árpád , Szelid Zsolt , Soós Pál , Merkely Béla
Published: March 2017

Background. In-stent restenosis (ISR) is the gradual narrowing of the vessel lumen after coronary stent implantation due to the increase in vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein plays an important role in this process. Our aim was to analyze the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms of the VEGF gene (rs2010963 and rs6999447) with the occurrence of ISR after coronary artery bare metal stent (BMS) implantation. Methods. 205 patients with a history of BMS implantation and a repeated coronarography were prospectively enrolled. Patients were assigned to diffuse restenosis group (n=105) and control group (n=100) and VEGF genotypes were determined. Results. Diffuse ISR was significantly more frequently observed in patients with homozygous normal genotype of rs2010963 polymorphism, and this polymorphism was independently associated with diffuse ISR. Conclusions. RS2010963 is associated with higher incidence of development of diffuse coronary ISR in patients treated with BMS implantation.
The BTK Inhibitor Ibrutinib (PCI-32765) Overcomes Paclitaxel Resistance in ABCB1- and ABCC10-Overexpressing Cells and Tumors
Authors: Zhang Hui , Patel Atish , Wang Yi-Jun , Zhang Yun-Kai , Kathawala Rishil J. , Qiu Long-Hui , Patel Bhargav A. , Huang Li-Hua , Shukla Suneet , Yang Dong-Hua , Ambudkar Suresh V. , Fu Li-Wu , Chen Zhe-Sheng
Published: March 2017

Paclitaxel is one of the most widely used antineoplastic drugs in the clinic. Unfortunately, the occurrence of cellular resistance has limited its efficacy and application. The ATP-binding cassette subfamily B member 1 (ABCB1/P-glycoprotein) and subfamily C member 10 (ABCC10/MRP7) are the major membrane protein transporters responsible for the efflux of paclitaxel, constituting one of the most important mechanisms of paclitaxel resistance. Here, we demonstrated that the Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor, ibrutinib, significantly enhanced the antitumor activity of paclitaxel by antagonizing the efflux function of ABCB1 and ABCC10 in cells overexpressing these transporters. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the ABCB1 or ABCC10 protein expression was not altered after treatment with ibrutinib for up to 72 hours using Western blot analysis. However, the ATPase activity of ABCB1 was significantly stimulated by treatment with ibrutinib. Molecular docking analysis suggested the binding conformation of ibrutinib within the large cavity of the transmembrane region of ABCB1. Importantly, ibrutinib could effectively enhance paclitaxel-induced inhibition on the growth of ABCB1- and ABCC10-overexpressing tumors in nude athymic mice. These results demonstrate that the combination of ibrutinib and paclitaxel can effectively antagonize ABCB1- or ABCC10-mediated paclitaxel resistance that could be of great clinical interest. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(6); 1021–30. ©2017 AACR.
Die alleinige Bestimmung der Sauerstoffsättigung kann nicht die Patienten identifizieren, die von einer Langzeitsauerstoff-Therapie profitieren
Authors: Haidl Peter
Published: March 2017

Hintergrund: Nächtliche Hypoxämie, gekennzeichnet durch anomal niedrige Sauerstoffsättigungswerte im arteriellen Blut während des Schlafs, ist ein wichtiges Merkmal verschiedener Gesundheitsstörungen. Der Sauerstoff-Entsättigungsindex, ein gängiges Maß für den Schweregrad der nächtlichen Hypoxämie, wird mittels nächtlicher Pulsoxymetrie ermittelt. Hierzu muss der Patient über Nacht einen Pulsoxymeter-Sensor tragen. Ziele: Ziel der Studie war es, eine mögliche Methode zur kontaktlosen Einschätzung des Entsättigungsindex zu erarbeiten. Methoden: Wir stellten die Hypothese auf, dass die Schwere der nächtlichen Hypoxämie positiv mit der sympathischen Aktivierung des Herzens während des Schlafs assoziiert ist. Mittels dreier unterschiedlicher Ballistokardiografie-Systeme erfolgte eine kontaktlose Überwachung der Herzfrequenzvariabilität, um die kardiale sympathische Aktivität zu beurteilen. Wir erfassten gepaarte polysomnografische und ballistokardiografische Aufzeichnungen von 20 Personen mit nicht-nächtlicher Hypoxämie (Sauerstoff-Entsättigungsindex <5 Ereignisse/h) und 76 Personen mit nächtlicher Hypoxämie. Von diesen 96 gepaarten Aufzeichnung wurden 48 als Trainingsdaten verwendet und die anderen 48 als Testdaten. Ergebnisse: Die Regressionsanalyse des Niedrigfrequenzbereichs der Herzfrequenzvariabilität ergab eine mittlere quadratische Abweichung von 3,33 Ereignissen/h zwischen den ermittelten Schätzwerten und den Referenzwerten des Sauerstoff-Entsättigungsindex. Die nächtliche Hypoxämie-Diagnostik nach unserem Verfahren zeigte eine durchschnittliche Güte von 96,5% bei Cutoff-Werten für den Sauerstoff-Entsättigungsindex von ≥5, 15 und 30 Ereignissen/h. Schlussfolgerungen: Unsere Methode zeigt Potenzial als ergänzende Maßnahme für den Fall des zufälligen Abrutschens eines Pulsoximeter-Sensors bei der nächtlichen Pulsoxymetrie. Die unabhängige Anwendung unseres Verfahrens könnte die Langzeitüberwachung des Sauerstoff-Entsättigungsindex im häuslichen Umfeld erleichtern.
Biological Subtypes of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Hubalek Michael , Czech Theresa , Müller Hannes
Published: March 2017

Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) are defined as tumors that are negative for estrogen, progesterone and HER-2 receptor. At a percentage of 10-20% TNBCs represent a minority in all breast cancers. However, because of the poor prognosis this particular subtype, triple negative disease accounts for a disproportionate number of metastatic cases and breast cancer deaths. Identification of its subtypes is essential for understanding the biological characteristics and clinical behavior of TNBC, as well as for developing personalized treatments. This review will focus on the great progress that has been made in the past few years on identifying new targets in TNBC subtypes and a variety of new treatment options that are on the verge of routine clinical application.
Lebensqualität als wichtiges Therapieziel im Gesamtbehandlungskonzept bei COPD
Authors: Frohnhofen Helmut
Published: March 2017

Hintergrund: Die chronisch-obstruktive Lungenerkrankung (COPD) ist eine der Hauptursachen für Morbidität bei älteren Menschen. COPD geht mit einer beeinträchtigten gesundheitsbezogenen Lebensqualität (health-related quality of life, HRQoL) einher, allerdings sind die Faktoren dieser Beeinträchtigung bisher nicht hinreichend erforscht. Ein besseres Verständnis der maßgeblichen Faktoren für die HRQoL dürfte eine bessere Versorgung der betroffenen Patienten ermöglichen. Ziele: Ziel dieser Studie war es, mögliche altersspezifische Unterschiede bei der HRQoL innerhalb einer Patientenpopulation mit ähnlichem Schweregrad der Obstruktion zu untersuchen. Methoden: Insgesamt 180 konsekutive Patienten wurden in die Studie eingeschlossen. Wir analysierten Spirometriedaten, BODE-Index und dessen Komponenten sowie Charlson-Komorbiditätsindex. Die HRQoL wurde anhand zweier Fragebögen beurteilt: Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ) und St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). Ergebnisse: Die Kohorte umfasste 93 «jüngere» Patienten (Durchschnittsalter 54,8 ± 3,1 Jahre) und 87 Patienten höheren Alters (Durchschnittsalter 73,1 ± 5,5 Jahre). In beiden Gruppen lag ein vergleichbares Maß an Obstruktion vor: Die FEV1 (in % des Sollwerts) betrug 39,9 ± 13,2% in der älteren und 41,7 ± 11,7 % in der jüngeren Gruppe (p > 0,05). Eine schrittweise Regressionsanalyse mit Vorwärtsselektion ergab, dass der BODE-Index, der Charlson-Index und die Exazerbationsrate wichtige Prädiktoren für die Abnahme der HRQoL bei älteren COPD-Patienten darstellen; hierdurch lassen sich 29% des gesamten SGRQ-Scores erklären. Bei den jüngeren COPD-Patienten betrug das Bestimmtheitsmaß R2 0,27, doch die Prädiktoren waren BODE-Index und Exazerbationsrate. Schlussfolgerungen: BODE-Index, Charlson-Index und Exazerbationsrate erwiesen sich als Hauptdeterminanten der HRQoL bei COPD-Patienten höheren Alters, bei jüngeren COPD-Patienten waren es der BODE-Index und die Exazerbationsrate.
A Phenanthrene Derivative, 5,7-Dimethoxy-1,4-Phenanthrenequinone, Inhibits Cell Adhesion Molecule Expression and Migration in Vascular Endothelial and Smooth Muscle Cells
Authors: Lo Huey-Ming , Hwang Tsong-Long , Wu Wen-Bin
Published: March 2017

The activation of endothelial cells (ECs) and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) have played a crucial role in monocyte chemotaxis/adhesion and intima thickening during vascular injury and atherosclerosis, respectively. Several phenanthrenes isolated from plants and natural products have been shown to possess different bioactivities such as anti-platelet aggregation and anti-inflammation. The current study was designated to investigate the effects of a phenanthrene derivative, 5,7-dimethoxy-1,4-phenanthrenequinone (DMPQ), on cell adhesion molecule (CAM) expression in vascular ECs and migration in VSMCs. The DMPQ attenuated monocyte-EC interaction but it did not affect monocyte adhesion to matrix. In parallel, DMPQ reduced tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-induced intercellular adhesion molecule and vascular CAM expression in ECs. DMPQ compromised TNF-α-induced IκB activation, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) translocation, and NF-κB-DNA complex formation. Moreover, it affected TNF-α- and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced reactive oxygen species production and IκB activation. These suggest that DMPQ affects CAM expression by affecting NF-κB signaling. Meanwhile, DMPQ could also inhibit platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced VSMC migration toward collagen by affecting cellular PDGF signaling, including PDGFRβ, PLCγ, ERK1/2, and Akt phosphorylation. The VSMC adhesion to collagen and collagen-induced focal adhesion kinase activation during cell adhesion were impaired by DMPQ treatment. This study reveals a phenanthrene derivative-DMPQ-with anti-inflammatory and anti-migratory bioactivity toward vascular ECs and SMCs, suggesting its protective effect on vascular injuries.
Complete Recovery from Blindness in Case of Compressive Optic Neuropathy due to Unruptured Anterior Cerebral Artery Aneurysm
Authors: Fukiyama Yurie , Oku Hidehiro , Hashimoto Yusuke , Nishikawa Yuko , Tonari Masahiro , Sugasawa Jun , Miyachi Shigeru , Ikeda Tsunehiko
Published: March 2017

It is not common for an isolated visual symptom to be the first indication of an aneurysm compressing the optic nerve. The compression can lead to blindness, and a recovery from the blindness is rare. We report a female with a left painless optic neuropathy caused by an unruptured anterior cerebral artery aneurysm. The patient had a temporal hemianopic visual field defect, which progressed to blindness in the left eye, while the right visual function was not affected. A coil embolization of the aneurysm completely restored her visual acuity to 20/20. These findings suggest that aneurysmal lesions should be ruled out in case of unilateral optic neuropathy with hemianopic visual field defects and progressive visual loss.
Global Longitudinal Strain by Echocardiography Predicts Long-Term Risk of Cardiovascular Morbidity and Mortality in a Low-Risk General Population
Authors: Biering-Sørensen Tor , Biering-Sørensen Sofie Reumert , Olsen Flemming Javier , Sengeløv Morten , Jørgensen Peter Godsk , Mogelvang Rasmus , Shah Amil M. , Jensen Jan Skov
Published: March 2017

Background—

Global longitudinal strain (GLS) is prognostic of adverse cardiovascular outcomes in various patient populations, but the prognostic utility of GLS for long-term cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the general population is unknown.

Methods and Results—

A total of 1296 participants in a general population study underwent a health examination, including echocardiography measurement of GLS. The primary end point was the composite of incident heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, or cardiovascular death. During a median follow-up of 11 years, 149 (12%) participants were diagnosed with heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, or cardiovascular death. Lower GLS was associated with a higher risk of the composite end point (hazard ratio, 1.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.08–1.17;
P
<0.001 per 1% decrease), an association that persisted after multivariable adjustment for age, sex, heart rate, hypertension, systolic blood pressure, left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular mass index, left ventricular dimension, deceleration time, left atrium dimension,
E
/
e
′, and pro B-type natriuretic peptide (hazard ratio, 1.05; 95% confidence interval, 1.00–1.11;
P
=0.045 per 1% decrease). GLS provided incremental prognostic information beyond the Framingham Risk Score, the Systemic Coronary Evaluation risk chart, and the modified American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Pooled Cohort Equation for the composite outcome and incident heart failure. Sex modified the relationship between GLS and outcome such that after multivariable adjustment, GLS was an independent predictor of outcomes in men but not in women (hazard ratio, 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.06–1.24;
P
=0.001, and hazard ratio, 0.99; 95% confidence interval, 0.92–1.07;
P
=0.81, respectively;
P
for interaction =0.032).

Conclusions—

In the general population, GLS provides independent and incremental prognostic information regarding long-term risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. GLS seems to be a stronger prognosticator in men than in women.
Cerebral Aneurysm Morphology Before and After Rupture
Authors: Skodvin Torbjørn Øygard , Johnsen Liv-Hege , Gjertsen Øivind , Isaksen Jørgen Gjernes , Sorteberg Angelika
Published: March 2017

Background and Purpose—

Using postrupture morphology to predict rupture risk of an intracranial aneurysm may be inaccurate because of possible morphological changes at or around the time of rupture. The present study aims at comparing morphology from angiograms obtained prior to and just after rupture and to evaluate whether postrupture morphology is an adequate surrogate for rupture risk.

Methods—

Case series of 29 aneurysms from a nationwide retrospective data collection. Two neuroradiologists who were blinded to pre- versus postrupture images assessed predefined morphological parameters independently and reached consensus regarding all measurements. Prerupture morphology and respective changes after rupture were quantified and linked to risk factors and to the risk of rupture according to the PHASES (population, hypertension, age, size of aneurysm, earlier subarachnoid hemorrhage from another aneurysm, site of aneurysm) and unruptured intracranial aneurysm treatment (UIAT) scores.

Results—

All 1-dimensional parameter medians were significantly larger after rupture, except neck diameter. Number of aneurysms with daughter sacs was 9 (31%) before and 17 (59%) after rupture (
P
=0.005). Aneurysm growth from the images prior to and just after rupture increased with the time elapsed between images. Aneurysms in patients with hypertension were significantly larger at diagnosis. Prerupture morphology did not differ in relation to smoke status. Clinical risk factors were not significantly associated with morphological change.

Conclusions—

The changes in aneurysm morphology observed after rupture reflect the compound effect of time with successive growth and formation of irregularities and the impact of rupture per se. Postrupture morphology should not be considered an adequate surrogate for the prerupture morphology in the evaluation of rupture risk.
Clarification of the concept of Aframmi (Heteromorpheae, Apiaceae) and a new monotypic genus, Normantha
Authors: WINTER PIETER J.D. , TILNEY PATRICIA M. , WYK BEN-ERIK VAN
Published: March 2017

Aframmi is a mixed concept made up of disparate elements from three different genera. Recent studies of Aframmi angolense, the type species of Aframmi, provide evidence that the species belongs to the genus Heteromorpha. An examination of the type specimen of Aframmi longiradiatum shows it to be fundamentally different from the generitype, A. angolense, and better placed in Physotrichia, in which it was originally described. The third element, previously misidentified as A. longiradiatum, is an as yet undescribed species with populations from both sides of the Zambia-Tanzania border as well as Angola. This new species is here accommodated in a new monotypic genus and described as Normantha filiformis P.J.D.Winter. The affinities of Normantha P.J.D.Winter & B-E.van Wyk with other genera currently considered to belong in the tribe Heteromorpheae are discussed. A combination of inflorescence and fruit morphological evidence as well as the extended, woody vegetative axis in common with the other (typically woody) genera in the tribe, lead us to postulate an affinity with Pseudocarum.
Multiyear Variability in the Tasman Sea and Impacts on Southern Hemisphere Climate in CMIP5 Models
Authors: Chung Christine T. Y. , Power Scott B. , Santoso Agus , Wang Guomin
Published: March 2017

Naturally occurring multiyear to decadal variability is evident in rainfall, temperature, severe weather, and flood frequency around the globe. It is therefore important to understand the cause of this variability and the extent to which it can be predicted. Here internally generated decadal climate variability and its predictability potential in an ensemble of CMIP5 models are assessed. Global hot spots of subsurface ocean decadal variability are identified, revealing variability in the southern Tasman Sea that is coherent with variability in much of the Pacific Ocean and Southern Hemisphere. It is found that subsurface temperature variability in the southern Tasman Sea primarily arises in response to preceding changes in Southern Hemisphere winds. This variability is multiyear to decadal in character and is coherent with surface temperature in parts of the Southern Hemisphere up to several years later. This provides some degree of potential predictability to surface temperature in the southern Tasman Sea and surrounding regions. A few models exhibit significant correlation between subsurface variability in the southern Tasman Sea and zonally averaged precipitation south of 50°S; however, the multimodel mean does not exhibit any significant correlation between subsurface variability and precipitation. Models that exhibit stronger subsurface variability in the southern Tasman Sea also have a stronger interdecadal Pacific oscillation signal in the Pacific.
Grand Advantage
Authors: Hällsten Martin , Pfeffer Fabian T.
Published: March 2017

We study the role of family wealth for children’s educational achievement using novel Swedish register data. In particular, we focus on the relationship between grandparents’ wealth and their grandchildren’s educational achievement. Doing so allows us to reliably establish the independent role of wealth in contributing to long-term inequalities in opportunity. We use regression models with extensive controls to account for observed socioeconomic characteristics of families, cousin fixed effects to net out potentially unobserved grandparent effects, and marginal structural models to account for endogenous selection. We find substantial associations between grandparents’ wealth and their grandchildren’s grade point averages (GPA) in the 9th grade that are only partly mediated by parents’ socioeconomic characteristics and wealth. Our findings indicate that family wealth inequality—even in a comparatively egalitarian context like Sweden—has profound consequences for the distribution of opportunity across multiple generations. We posit that our estimates of the long-term consequences of wealth inequality may be conservative for nations other than Sweden, like the United States, where family wealth—in addition to its insurance and normative functions—allows the direct purchase of educational quality and access.
Therapeutic interventions for bereavement: Learning from Ugandan therapists
Authors: Montgomery Lorna , Owen-Pugh Valerie
Published: March 2017

This article contributes to the development of indigenous knowledge around therapeutic interventions for bereavement in non-western settings. Interventions are explored through 18 qualitative interviews with indigenous therapists in the Sub-Saharan African country of Uganda. Aspects of the therapeutic process are examined along with clients’ presenting problem and the ways in which clients make sense of their loss and express their grief. Ugandan therapists identified contradictions between their indigenous practices and western assumptions embedded in bereavement counselling theory and practice. These indigenous accounts indicate ways in which existing therapeutic approaches might best be modified for use in non-western and pluralistic societies.
Exploring the Contemporary Stage and Scripts for the Enactment of Dying Roles: A Narrative Review of the Literature
Authors: Lowrie Daniel , Ray Robin , Plummer David , Yau Matthew
Published: March 2017

This narrative review explores the literature regarding the drama of dying from several academic perspectives. Three key themes were identified including “The impact of blurred boundaries on roles and transitions,” “The orchestration of death and dying through time,” and “Contemporary dying and new machinery of control.” This review reveals the manner in which tightly scripted dying roles serve the needs of the living to a greater extent than those of the dying, by ensuring the depiction of both dying and death as phenomena which have been brought under the control of the living, thereby countering death anxiety. An incongruence between the actual experience of dying and contemporary dying scripts is also highlighted. The authors argue that this incongruence is hidden from the broader societal audience through the maintenance of a dying role that demands serenity and acceptance, thus downplaying or even hiding the actual end-of-life experiences of the dying themselves.
Anxiety and depression are improved by continuous positive airway pressure treatments in obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Li Yu-Ying , Mazarakis Thodoris , Shen Yu-Chih , Yang Miao-Chun , Chang En-Ting , Wang Hsiu-Mei
Published: March 2017

Background

Obstructive sleep apnea involves repeated nocturnal desaturation and sleep fragmentation that leads to poor sleep quality, anxiety, and depression. This study aimed to investigate short- and long-term improvements in the anxiety and depression of patients with different obstructive sleep apnea treatments.

Methods

This is a prospective, non-randomized hospital-based study evaluated 55 patients (46 male, 9 female) with obstructive sleep apnea. The patients were divided into three groups based on different treatment: uvulopalatopharyngoplasty group, continuous positive airway pressure group, and no treatment group (by their own decision). They completed the Beck Depression Inventory II, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index before treatment and at one and six months after treatment.

Results

Compared to the no treatment group, the surgery and continuous positive airway pressure groups had higher body mass index, AHI, and Epworth sleepiness scale, but no difference in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Chinese Health Questionnaire-12, Beck Depression Inventory II, and Beck Anxiety Inventory. The continuous positive airway pressure and surgery groups still had no improvements in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Chinese Health Questionnaire-12, Beck Depression Inventory II, and Beck Anxiety Inventory scores one month after treatment. At six months after treatment, the continuous positive airway pressure group had significantly decreased Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Chinese Health Questionnaire-12, Beck Depression Inventory II, and Beck Anxiety Inventory, whereas the surgery group had significant difference in Beck Anxiety Inventory only and the no treatment group still had no significant difference in any of the parameters.

Conclusions

Continuous positive airway pressure can improve the sleep quality, quality of life, depression, and anxiety of obstructive sleep apnea patients after six months of treatment. However, surgery can significantly improve anxiety only in the same period.
Atypical antipsychotic use and outcomes in an urban maternal mental health service
Authors: Hatters Friedman Susan , Moller-Olsen Charmian , Prakash Chandni , North Abigail
Published: March 2017

Objective

Despite many women suffering from psychosis in their childbearing years, limited data exist about the use of atypical antipsychotic agents in pregnancy. Atypical antipsychotic agents are often used to treat bipolar disorder, instead of lithium or valproate because of the known teratogenicity of those agents. As well, atypical antipsychotics are often prescribed in anxiety disorders and depression. This study sought to describe pregnancy outcomes for women prescribed atypical antipsychotics during pregnancy.

Methods

This retrospective review included all cases treated by Auckland Maternal Mental Health services in which atypical antipsychotic agents were utilized during pregnancy over three years.

Results

Over the three years, 45 pregnant women were prescribed atypical antipsychotic agents, most commonly quetiapine or olanzapine. Two-fifths (40%) were diagnosed with bipolar disorder and almost one-third (31%) with a psychotic disorder. Two-thirds (64%) were prescribed multiple psychotropic medications during their pregnancy. Instrumental delivery rates were elevated at 38%. A minority (13%) of the women developed gestational diabetes mellitus. Although 7% of infants were born premature, all were born after 35 weeks. Two major malformations were noted, similar to baseline community rates.

Conclusions

This naturalistic study adds to the limited literature about treatment with atypical antipsychotic agents in pregnancy, though not adequately powered to detect small differences in malformations or obstetrical outcomes. It also highlights the myriad of indications for which pregnant women are prescribed atypical antipsychotics, and the multiple other risk factors seen in this population.
A comparison of reliability and precision of subscore reporting methods for a state English language proficiency assessment
Authors: Longabach Tanya , Peyton Vicki
Published: March 2017

K–12 English language proficiency tests that assess multiple content domains (e.g., listening, speaking, reading, writing) often have subsections based on these content domains; scores assigned to these subsections are commonly known as subscores. Testing programs face increasing customer demands for the reporting of subscores in addition to the total test scores in today’s accountability-oriented educational environment. Although reporting subscores can provide much-needed information for teachers, administrators, and students about proficiency in the test domains, one of the major drawbacks of subscore reporting includes their lower reliability as compared to the test as a whole. In addition, viewing language domains as if they were not interrelated, and reporting subscores without considering this relationship between domains, may be contradictory to the theory of language acquisition.

This study explored several methods of assigning subscores to the four domains of a state English language proficiency test, including classical test theory (CTT)-based number correct, unidimensional item response theory (UIRT), augmented item response theory (A-IRT), and multidimensional item response theory (MIRT), and compared the reliability and precision of these different methods across language domains and grade bands. The first two methods assessed proficiency in the domains separately, without considering the relationship between domains; the last two methods took into consideration relationships between domains. The reliability and precision of the CTT and UIRT methods were similar and lower than those of A-IRT and MIRT for most domains and grade bands; MIRT was found to be the most reliable method. Policy implications and limitations of this study, as well as directions for further research, are discussed.