bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Engineering Murine Adipocytes and Skeletal Muscle Cells in Meat-like Constructs Using Self-Assembled Layer-by-Layer Biofabrication: A Platform for Development of Cultivated Meat
Authors: Shahin-Shamsabadi Alireza , Selvaganapathy P. Ravi
Published: January 2021

Global meat consumption has been growing on a per capita basis over the past 20 years resulting in ever-increasing devotion of resources in the form of arable land and potable water to animal husbandry which is unsustainable and inefficient. One approach to meet this insatiable demand is to use biofabrication methods used in tissue engineering in order to make skeletal muscle tissue-like constructs known as cultivated meat to be used as a food source. Here, we demonstrate the use of a scaffold-free biofabrication method that forms cell sheets composed of murine adipocytes and skeletal muscle cells and assembles these sheets in parallel to create a 3D meat-like construct without the use of any exogenous materials. This layer-by-layer self-assembly and stacking process is fast (4 days of culture to form sheets and few hours for assembly) and scalable (stable sheets with diameters >3 cm are formed). Tissues formed with only muscle cells were equivalent to lean meat with comparable protein and fat contents (lean beef had 1.5 and 0.9 times protein and fat, respectively, as our constructs) and incorporating adipocyte cells in different ratios to myoblasts and/or treatment with different media cocktails resulted in a 5% (low fat meat) to 35% (high fat meat) increase in the fat content. Not only such constructs can be used as cultivated meat, they can also be used as skeletal muscle models.
Low-Dose Nivolumab in Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Real-World Experience
Authors: Zhao Joseph J. , Kumarakulasinghe Nesaretnam Barr , Muthu Vaishnavi , Lee Matilda , Walsh Robert , Low Jia Li , Choo Joan , Tan Hon Lyn , Chong Wan Qin , Ang Yvonne , Chan Gloria , Yong Wei Peng , Huang Yiqing , Ngoi Natalie , Wong Alvin
Published: January 2021

Background: The approved doses of the single agent nivolumab – an anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibody – for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are 3 mg/kg and a 240-mg flat dose, despite efficacy shown at lower doses in earlier CheckMate trials. In view of financial constraints, the minimum dose of nivolumab required for efficacy remains a critical area of inquiry. Methods: A retrospective review of RCC patients receiving single-agent anti-PD-1 treatment was conducted. Using the median cutoff of the maximum dose per body weight received, we investigated the effect of lower dosages on overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), and immune-related adverse event-free survival (irAE-FS). Survival analysis was made by Kaplan-Meier, by uni- and multivariable Cox models, and by modeling the statistical interaction between dosages and survival. Results: 32 patients were recruited: 8 patients (25%) receiving first-line treatment and 24 (75%) receiving second-line treatment and beyond. A median split at 2.15 mg/kg yielded 16 patients in both the lower-dose (LD) and the higher-dose (HD) cohort. Hazard ratios (HRs) demonstrated no difference in OS after adjustment for gender (HR = 0.22, 95% CI 0.05–1.05, p = 0.054; favoring LD), as well as in PFS after adjustment for gender and concurrent radiation therapy (HR = 0.58, 95% CI 0.25–1.34, p = 0.210; favoring LD). No differences in ORR were observed (50.0 vs. 43.8%, p = 1.00, in the LD and the HD cohort, respectively). Immune-related phenomena were observed in the LD group, including pseudoprogression and increased all-grade immune-related toxicities (irAE-FS: HR = 1.72, 95% CI 0.48–6.14, p = 0.293; favoring HD). Iterative dichotomization of dosages showed no dose-OS or dose-irAE-FS relationship. Conclusion: Our study suggests no apparent reduction in efficacy when using a low-dosage nivolumab regimen.
Continence and Complication Rates of Artificial Urinary Sphincter Devices (AMS 800) for Parkinson and Stroke Patients with Incontinence after Prostate Surgery: Retrospective Analysis of a Prospective Database
Authors: Maurer Valentin , Stahlberg Justus , Schiffmann Insa , Marks Phillip , Rosenbaum Clemens M. , Soave Armin , Vetterlein Malte W. , Meyer Christian P. , Riechardt Silke , Fisch Margit , Ludwig Tim A. , Dahlem Roland
Published: January 2021

Objectives: The artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) is the gold standard treatment for severe stress urinary incontinence (SUI). According to the literature, patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease (PD) or stroke (ST) show adverse continence outcomes after prostate surgery and, therefore, constitute a challenging cohort for continence surgery. However, little is known with respect to the results of AUS surgery in these patients. A retrospective analysis of our institutional, prospectively maintained AUS database aims to address this aspect with a focus on surgical and functional outcomes. Methods and Patients: All data of patients with an AUS implantation were prospectively collected in our database since 2009. The AUS was implanted according to a standardized protocol and activated at 6 weeks postoperatively at our institution. Further follow-up (FU) consisted of pad-test, uroflowmetry, residual urine, and radiography as well as a standardized questionnaire including the Incontinence Quality of Life questionnaire (I-Quol) and International Consultation on Incontinence questionnaire (ICIQ-SF) and is scheduled at 6 and 24 months and every 2 years thereafter. Patients received a preoperative urodynamic evaluation (UD). Patients with normal voiding and storage function were considered for AUS implantation. All patients performed a preoperative test for manual dexterity. Patients with a history of ST or PD were grouped and compared to nonneurological patients. Primary/secondary endpoints of the study were complications/continence. Results: 234 patients were available for analysis. The median FU was 24 months (interquartile range 7–36). Twenty-four patients (10%) had a neurological history (PD and ST). Neurological patients showed significantly worse outcomes regarding continence (objective/subjective/social continence; p = 0.04/p = 0.02/p = 0.1). Significant differences concerning explantation rates were not observed (p = 1). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed no significant difference regarding explantation-free survival (log-rank p = 0.53). Conclusion: AUS implantation shows significantly worse continence rates for neurological patients, despite the fact that all patients showed normal UD results and sufficient manual dexterity. Although neurological patients showed worse outcomes for continence, AUS implantation seems to be a safe and viable treatment for patients with a history of neurological disease.
Relationship of Hair Cortisol with History of Psychosis, Neuropsychological Performance and Functioning in Remitted Later-Life Major Depression
Authors: Bingham Kathleen S. , Mulsant Benoit H. , Dawson Deirdre R. , Banerjee Samprit , Flint Alastair J.
Published: January 2021

Introduction: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction that may persist into remission. Preliminary evidence suggests that this dysfunction may be associated with impaired neuropsychological performance in remitted MDD. MDD with psychotic features (“psychotic depression”) is associated with greater neuropsychological and functional impairment than nonpsychotic depression, including in remission. Therefore, the aim of this exploratory study was to examine the relationships among hair cortisol concentration (HCC) – a marker of longer term endogenous cortisol exposure – and history of psychotic features, neuropsychological performance, and functioning in remitted MDD. Methods: This cross-sectional study compared the relationship between HCC and (i) history of psychosis, (ii) neuropsychological performance, and (iii) everyday functioning in a group of 60 participants with remitted later-life MDD using Pearson’s correlation coefficients. This study also measured HCC in a group of 36 nonpsychiatric volunteers to examine the clinical significance of HCC in the patient group. Results: There were no statistically significant correlations between HCC and history of psychotic features, neuropsychological performance, or functioning. Furthermore, there was no clinically meaningful difference in HCC between patients and nonpsychiatric volunteers. Conclusion: This study is the first to examine HCC in psychotic depression. The results do not support the hypothesis that impaired neuropsychological performance, and everyday function in remitted psychotic depression is due to a sustained elevation of cortisol.
The Impact of Angiographic Geometry on the Clinical Presentation of True Vein of Galen Aneurysmal Malformations
Authors: Hassan Tamer , Sultan Ahmed , Ibrahim Tamer , El-Saadany Waleed F.
Published: January 2021

Background Purpose: Vein of Galen aneurysmal malformations (VGAM) may carry life-threatening and catastrophic sequelae in children. Their clinical presentations are differently variable between cardiac and cerebral syndromes. There may be a possible relationship between the Galenic angioarchitecture and the clinical presentation. We aimed to study the effect of the venous outflow impairment on the incidence of high-flow heart failure and the incidence of hydrocephalus. Materials and Methods: The angiographies of 21 patients with true VGAM have been studied. MR angiography, 3-dimensional CT angiogram (3D CTA), and conventional digital subtraction angiography were performed for all patients with true VGAM. Transarterial embolization was done in 1 or more sessions for all cases. Results: Among the 21 cases, 14 cases were mural type, 5 cases were choroidal type, and 2 cases were mixed. Hydrocephalus was observed more in infants (92.3%), mural types (92.9%), giant and supergiant (87.5%) aneurysms, and in cases with persistent limbic circle (90.91%). All cases of hydrocephalus were associated with significant stenosis (>70%) of the Falcine sinus draining system (100%). Conclusion: Significant stenosis (>70%) of the draining sinus is a significant factor for VGAM aneurysmal enlargement and occurrence of hydrocephalus. Probably, venous outflow impairment decreases the incidence of high-flow heart failure and increases the incidence of hydrocephalus.
Epidemiology of Erosive Tooth Wear, Dental Fluorosis and Molar Incisor Hypomineralization in the American Continent
Authors: Martignon Stefania , Bartlett David , Manton David J. , Martinez-Mier E. Angeles , Splieth Christian , Avila Viviana
Published: January 2021

Non-carious dental lesions such as developmental defects of enamel (DDE) and erosive tooth wear (ETW) are the subject of intensive research. This paper aims to give perspectives on both DDE, including dental fluorosis and molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH), and ETW, presenting epidemiological data from the Americas and associated diagnostic aspects. Besides, it is important to present evidence to guide the clinical assessment process, supporting the clinicians’ management decisions towards better oral health of their patients. The overall increase in the worldwide prevalence of non-carious lesions discussed in this this paper may reflect the need of perceptual changes. Although the number of publications related to these conditions has been increasing in the last years, there is still a need for clinical diagnostic and management awareness to include these conditions in routine dental practice. Besides, it is important to provide recommendations for standardized clinical assessment criteria, improving the process and helping clinicians’ adherence. In this sense, this paper discusses the most commonly implemented indices for each condition. Thus, despite the wide range of diagnostic indices, BEWE is proposed to be the index recommended for ETW assessment, Dean or Thylstrup & Fejerskov indices for fluorosis and preferably the EAPD criteria (or modified DDE index) for MIH. Overall, non-carious lesions are a growing concern, and it is important to implement preventive measures that control their severity and progression, and accurate diagnosis by the dental clinician.
Rise Time Perception, Phonological Processing, and Reading in Brazilian Portuguese-Speaking Schoolchildren
Authors: Campos Hellen de Oliveira Valentim , Alves Luciana Mendonça , Pereira Leandro Alves , Rothe-Neves Rui
Published: January 2021

Background/Aims: Studies of people with dyslexia have pointed to the ability to perceive the amplitude envelope rise time (“beat” perception) as a possible cause of phonological processing (PhP) difficulties in this population. However, there are very few studies about the relationships between such skills in the non-dyslexic school population. Methods: We investigated the influence of the beat perception ability on PhP and reading skills of 93 Brazilian Portuguese-speaking schoolchildren from the 3rd to the 5th year, with data on reading, phonological awareness (PhA), lexical access, phonological operational memory, and perception of amplitude envelope rise time. To verify the possible effects of age, gender, and school grade on the tasks in the study, we directly included these variables in the models. Results: Modeling structural equations showed that beat perception did not influence PhP or reading skills, but only the tasks of repetition of words and pseudowords. These tasks may be related because of the demand for phonological working memory necessary to perform the beat perception task rather than a possible connection between this and phonological abilities, as reported in the literature. Conclusion: We suspect beat perception could be of relevance only for subjects with altered reading and/or a deficit in PhP. Further studies will indicate whether the rise time of the amplitude envelope is an essential acoustic clue only for those individuals whose PhA ability is not fully present.
Health Insurance Status Is Related to Risk of Mortality and Hospitalization in Korean Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients: A Longitudinal Cohort Study
Authors: Park Hayne Cho , Kwon Young-Eun , Choi Hyung Yun , Oh Hyung Jung , Chang Tae Ik , Kang Ea Wha , Park Kyoung Sook , Yang Ki Hwa , Won Eun Mi , Shin Ji Hyeon , Ryu Dong-Ryeol , Lee Young-Ki
Published: January 2021

Background: There has been an increasing incidence of hemodialysis (HD) due to old age and comorbid condition such as diabetes. In general, socioeconomic status (SES) is known as one of the most important risk factors for patient mortality and morbidity. Whether low SES is associated with poorer outcome in HD patients is controversial. This study was performed to evaluate the association of health insurance status as a proxy indicator for SES upon mortality and hospitalization in maintenance HD patients. Methods: We used HD-quality assessment data from the year of 2015 for collecting demographic and clinical data. The subjects were classified into Medical Aid (MA) recipients (low SES) and National Health Insurance (NHI) beneficiary (high SES). We analyzed mortality and hospitalization risk based on health insurance status using Cox proportional hazard model. A total of 35,454 adult HD patients ≥18 years old who received HD treatment more than twice weekly were included in the analysis. Results: The ratio between MA recipient and NHI beneficiary was 76.7 versus 23.3%. The MA recipient group demonstrated younger age and lower proportion of female, diabetes, hypertension, and cerebrovascular accidents compared to the NHI beneficiary group. After adjusting for age, gender, comorbidity, and laboratory parameters, the MA recipient group showed a significantly higher mortality risk compared to the NHI beneficiary group (hazard ratio 1.073 [1.009–1.14], p = 0.025). The MA recipient group was also an independent risk factor for hospitalization after adjusting for age, gender, comorbidities, and laboratory parameters (hazard ratio 1.142 [1.108–1.178], p < 0.001). Conclusion: Low SES as measured by health insurance status was associated with an increased risk of patient mortality and hospitalization in Korean maintenance HD patients.
Clinical and Endoscopic Characteristics of Chinese Cronkhite-Canada Syndrome Patients: A Retrospective Study of 103 Cases
Authors: Lu Yuanyuan , Huang Fengxing , Wang Youwei , Zhou Juan , Zhao Qiu , Liu Lan
Published: January 2021

Introduction: Cronkhite-Canada syndrome (CCS) is a rare non-inherited disease characterized by extensive gastrointestinal (GI) polyposis and ectodermal dysplasia. So far, most of CCS related literatures are published as single case report or reviewed with limited case numbers. Our study was to update the clinical and endoscopic characteristics of Chinese CCS patients. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in 103 Chinese CCS patients (102 cases from literatures and 1 case from our department). Their clinical and endoscopic data were collected, and statistical analyses were performed. Results: (1) In Chinese population, people aged 50–70 years (62.62%) had a high incidence of CCS, and the ratio of male-to-female was 2.68:1. (2) The diverse range of GI manifestations was observed in all the patients, and almost all the patients had at least 1 symptom of ectodermal dysplasias. (3) All CCS patients presented multiple polyps in the GI tract except esophagus, and the size and appearance of polyps were diverse. Congestion, edema, and erosion were very common on the surface of polyps (96.83%) and the surrounding mucosa (85.71%). (4) The common pathological features of polyps were hyperplastic polyps (49.25%) and tubular adenomatous polyps (44.78%). The prevalence of cancer was 5.97% in Chinese CCS patients. Conclusions: Middle-aged and elderly people are the high-risk group. Various GI symptoms are observed in Chinese patients; the typical endoscopic finding is multiple small sessile polyps. These GI polyps have a chance of malignant potential. Long-term endoscopic surveillance and follow-up are recommended for the Chinese CCS patients.
Sleeve Gastrectomy Is the Most Common Cause of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Comparison with Other Bariatric Operations
Authors: Abu Sneineh Midhat , Abu Sneineh Majdi , Abu Sneineh Muneer , Abu Sneineh Monther , Abu Sneineh Mustafa , Abu Sneineh Malek
Published: January 2021

Introduction: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the complications of bariatric operations that might affect the quality of life. We aim to perform a retrospective cohort study to determine the incidence of symptomatic GERD following different types of bariatric surgery and which operations are considered a contraindication of GERD. Besides, we are attempting to identify the risk factors of GERD after bariatric surgery. Methods: Medical records of 729 patients who had undergone bariatric operations between January 2010 and June 2019 at the Shamir (Assaf Harofeh) Medical Center were reviewed. Results: There was a significant difference between the type of bariatric procedure and the incidence of GERD symptoms after the operation. The incidence of symptomatic GERD in patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy (SG) was 39.9% (p = 0.0131). This was significantly higher compared to 16.4% following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, 23.4% following laparoscopic adjustable gastric band, and 11% following one anastomosis gastric bypass. 113 patients out of 718 had a positive swallow test, and of these patients, 71 developed GERD symptoms postoperatively without correlation to the degree of reflux at the swallow test but with statistically significant correlation to the type of operation especially for SG (p value < 0.001), and to our knowledge, this was never reported in the literature. Conclusion: SG is a good bariatric procedure option but should be considered carefully in asymptomatic patients with reflux at contrast swallow study and symptomatic GERD patients preoperatively because of high levels of symptomatic GERD postoperatively. Asymptomatic reflux at contrast swallow study preoperatively could be considered a risk factor for GERD after the operation. More studies are needed to be performed on this subject with the addition of postoperative contrast swallow test and pH monitoring preoperatively and postoperatively.
РОЛЬ МЕДИЧНОЇ СЕСТРИ СІМЕЙНОЇ МЕДИЦИНИ В ЗБЕРЕЖЕННІ ЯКОСТІ ЖИТТЯ ТА СОЦІАЛЬНОЇ АКТИВНОСТІ ЖІНОК У ПОСТРЕПРОДУКТИВНОМУ ВІЦІ
Authors: Shevchenko A. E. , Malanchuk L. M. , Malanchuk A. S. , Malanchuk S. L. , Blahuliak T. V.
Published: January 2021

Стаття присвячена ролі медичної сестри сімейної медицини в збереженні якості життя та соціальної активності жінок пострепродуктивного віку.
АУДИТ ОЦІНКИ ЛІКАРЯМИ ДИСТАНЦІЙНОЇ ФОРМИ НАВЧАННЯ НА ЕТАПІ ПІСЛЯДИПЛОМНОЇ ОСВІТИ
Authors: Tantsiura L. D. , Kyselova I. V. , Biliaiev A. V.
Published: January 2021

На прикладі опитування лікарів-інтернів, слухачів циклів спеціалізації та тематичного удосконалення проведено аналіз ефективності дистанційної форми навчання кафедри дитячої анестезіології та інтенсивної терапії Національної медичної академії післядипломної освіти імені П. Л. Шупика. Показана затребуваність лікарів онлайн-формату для отримання теоретичних знань і неприйнятність дистанційної форми навчання в разі необхідності набуття або вдосконалення практичних/мануальних навичок. Виходячи з отриманих результатів опитування, наводяться позитивні і негативні сторони дистанційного навчання. Лікарі-інтерни й слухачі кафедри циклів спеціалізації та тематичного удосконалення віддали перевагу комбінованій моделі, тобто поєднанню очного і дистанційного видів навчання.
АКАДЕМІЧНА ДОБРОЧЕСНІСТЬ ТА АНТИПЛАГІАТНА ЕКСПЕРТИЗА У ЛЬВІВСЬКОМУ НАЦІОНАЛЬНОМУ МЕДИЧНОМУ УНІВЕРСИТЕТІ ІМЕНІ ДАНИЛА ГАЛИЦЬКОГО: КЛЮЧОВІ ЗАСАДИ І МЕТОДОЛОГІЯ
Authors: Vergun A. R. , Yagelo S. P. , Stechak Н. M.
Published: January 2021

У статті розглянуто й охарактеризовано ключові засади, методологію та комплекс заходів щодо імплементації і забезпечення академічної доброчесності та високих професійних стандартів у Львівському національному медичному університеті імені Данила Галицького, запобігання порушенням академічної доброчесності; честі, гідності, взаємної поваги і довіри, забезпечення рівноправності та толерантності всіх учасників освітнього процесу шляхом дотримання принципів і загальноприйнятих норм щодо етичної поведінки, протидії академічному плагіату з урахуванням вимог Законів України «Про освіту», «Про вищу освіту», «Про авторське право і суміжні права», рекомендацій Асоціації європейських університетів щодо відкритого доступу до наукової інформації та інших міжнародних асоціацій. Антиплагіатна перевірка наукових (включаючи дисертації) та навчально-методичних праць в Інтернеті та репозитарії університету здійснюється методом шингл-розбивки тексту ліцензованим та вільнодоступним ПЗ “Unichek”, “Plagiarism Detector Pro”, “Viper”, “AntiPlagiarism.NET”, “AdvegoPlagiatus” (ми жодним чином не рекламуємо якогось конкретного провайдера цих послуг чи алгоритму здійснення експертизи) і є достатньо ефективною, відповідає вимогам академічної доброчесності щодо трансдисциплінарної цінності проблемно-орієнтованого знання, сприяє покращенню якості освіти, підвищенню продуктивності навчального процесу та дослідницької діяльності.
Patient-Perceived Versus Actual Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and Associated Willingness to Consider and Use Prevention Therapy
Authors: Navar Ann Marie , Wang Tracy Y. , Li Shuang , Mi Xiaojuan , Li Zhuokai , Robinson Jennifer G. , Virani Salim S. , Peterson Eric D.
Published: January 2021

Background:

Cardiovascular prevention guidelines use estimated 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk based on the pooled cohort equations to guide treatment decisions and engage patients in shared decision-making. We sought to determine patient perceived versus actual risk of atherosclerotic CVD and associations with willingness for preventive therapy.

Methods:

We evaluated calculated and perceived CVD risk among 4187 patients across 124 sites in the Patient and Provider Assessment of Lipid Management Registry. Ten-year risk was assessed using the pooled cohort equations; risk relative-to-peers was determined based on age-, sex-, and race-based percentiles; and patient estimates of risk were assessed using patient surveys. Poisson regression models evaluated associations between risk estimates, statin use, and willingness to take prevention therapy.

Results:

Overall, there was no correlation between patients’ estimates of their 10-year CVD risk and calculated 10-year risk (ρ=−0.01,
P
correlation
=0.46), regardless of age, sex, race, or socioeconomic status. The majority (72.2%) overestimated their 10-year CVD risk relative to the pooled cohorts equation (mean perceived 33.3% versus mean calculated 17.1%,
P
difference
<0.01). Patients’ perceptions of their risk relative-to-peers were slightly correlated with standardized risk percentiles (ρ=0.19,
P
<0.01), although most had overly optimistic views of how risk compared with their peers. Increasing perceived risk was not associated with current statin use (
P
=0.18) but was associated with willingness to consider future prevention therapy (
P
<0.01). Perceived risk relative-to-peers was associated with increased prevalent statin use (risk ratio 1.04 per category increase [95% CI, 1.02–1.06]) and reported willingness for prevention therapy (risk ratio 1.11 [95% CI, 1.07–1.16]).

Conclusions:

When asked, most patients overestimate their 10-year risk but hold an optimistic bias of their risk relative to age-, race-, and sex-matched peers. Providing accurate absolute risk assessments to patients without proper context may paradoxically decrease many patients’ perceived risk of CVD, thereby disincentivizing initiation of CVD risk reduction therapy.
Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Alirocumab After Acute Coronary Syndrome According to Achieved Level of Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol
Authors: Schwartz Gregory G. , Gabriel Steg Philippe , Bhatt Deepak L. , Bittner Vera A. , Diaz Rafael , Goodman Shaun G. , Jukema J. Wouter , Kim Yong-Un , Li Qian H. , Manvelian Garen , Pordy Robert , Sourdille Timothée , White Harvey D. , Szarek Michael ,   For the ODYSSEY OUTCOMES Committees and Investigators
Published: January 2021

Background:

Recent international guidelines have lowered recommended target levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) for patients at very high risk for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). However, uncertainty persists whether additional benefit results from achieved LDL-C levels below the conventional targets. Inferences from previous analyses are limited because patients who achieve lower versus higher LDL-C on lipid-lowering therapy differ in other characteristics prognostic for MACE and because few achieved very low LDL-C levels. To overcome these limitations, we performed a propensity score–matching analysis of the ODYSSEY OUTCOMES trial (Evaluation of Cardiovascular Outcomes After an Acute Coronary Syndrome During Treatment With Alirocumab) which compared alirocumab with placebo in 18 924 patients with recent acute coronary syndrome receiving intensive or maximum-tolerated statin treatment.

Methods:

Patients on alirocumab were classified in prespecified strata of LDL-C achieved at 4 months of treatment: <25 (n=3357), 25 to 50 (n=3692), or >50 mg/dL (n=2197). For each stratum, MACE (coronary heart disease death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, or hospitalization for unstable angina) after month 4 was compared in patients receiving placebo with similar baseline characteristics and adherence by using 1:1 propensity score matching.

Results:

Across achieved LDL-C strata of the alirocumab group, patients differed by baseline LDL-C, lipoprotein(a), use of intensive statin therapy, study medication adherence, and other demographic, medical history, biometric, and laboratory criteria. After propensity score matching, characteristics were similar in corresponding patients of the alirocumab and placebo groups. Treatment hazard ratio, 95% CI, and absolute risk reduction (number per 100 patient-years) for MACE were similar in those with achieved LDL-C <25 mg/dL (hazard ratio, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.62–0.89]; absolute risk reduction, 0.92) or 25 to 50 mg/dL (hazard ratio, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.64–0.87]; absolute risk reduction, 1.05). Patients with achieved LDL-C >50 mg/dL had poorer adherence and derived less benefit (hazard ratio, 0.87 [95% CI, 0.73–1.04]; absolute risk reduction, 0.62). No safety concerns were associated with a limited period of LDL-C levels <15 mg/dL.

Conclusions:

After accounting for differences in baseline characteristics and adherence, patients treated with alirocumab who achieved LDL-C levels <25 mg/dL had a reduction in the risk of MACE that was similar to that of patients who achieved LDL-C levels of 25 to 50 mg/dL.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT01663402.
Hypertension, Prehypertension, and Hypertension Control
Authors: de Menezes Sara Teles , Giatti Luana , Brant Luisa Campos Caldeira , Griep Rosane Harter , Schmidt Maria Inês , Duncan Bruce Bartholow , Suemoto Claudia Kimie , Ribeiro Antonio Luiz Pinho , Barreto Sandhi Maria
Published: January 2021

Hypertension, particularly in middle age, has been associated with worse cognitive function, but evidence is inconclusive. This study investigated whether hypertension, prehypertension, age, and duration of diagnosis, as well as blood pressure control, are associated with a decline in cognitive performance in ELSA-Brasil participants. This longitudinal study included 7063 participants, mean age 58.9 years at baseline (2008–2010), who attended visit 2 (2012–2014). Cognitive performance was measured in both visits and evaluated by the standardized scores of the memory, verbal fluency, trail B tests, and global cognitive score. The associations were investigated using linear mixed models. Hypertension and prehypertension at baseline were associated with decline in global cognitive score; being hypertension associated with reduction in memory test; and prehypertension with reduction in fluency test. Hypertension diagnose ≥55 years was associated with lower global cognitive and memory test scores, and hypertension diagnose <55 years with lower memory test scores. Duration of hypertension diagnoses was not associated with any marker of cognitive function decline. Among treated individuals, blood pressure control at baseline was inversely associated with the decline in both global cognitive and memory test scores. In this relatively young cohort, hypertension, prehypertension, and blood pressure control were independent predictors of cognitive decline in distinct abilities. Our findings suggest that both lower and older age of hypertension, but not duration of diagnosis, were associated with cognitive decline in different abilities. In addition to hypertension, prehypertension and pressure control might be critical for the preservation of cognitive function.
On the taxonomical status of Acanthopsyche semiglabra Solyanikov with notes on morphology and distribution of Acanthopsyche ecksteini (Lederer) (Lepidoptera: Psychidae)
Authors: LOVTSOVA JULIA A. , KOLESNICHENKO KIRILL A.
Published: January 2021

Acanthopsyche ecksteini (Lederer, 1885) is morphologically redescribed and Acanthopsyche semiglabra Solyanikov, 2004, syn. n., is synonymized to Psyche ecksteini. The lectotype of Psyche ecksteini is designated and illustrated. The distribution is updated with the most eastern current reliable record in Orenburg Region (Russia).
A Coarse-to-Fine Registration on 3D Multi-Phase Abdominal CT Images
Authors: Yang Shao-Di , Zhang Fan , Yang Zhen , Yang Xiao-Yu , Li Shu-Zhou
Published: January 2021

Registration is a technical support for the integration of nanomaterial imaging-aided diagnosis and treatment. In this paper, a coarse-to-fine three-dimensional (3D) multi-phase abdominal CT images registration method is proposed. Firstly, a linear model is used to coarsely register
the paired multiphase images. Secondly, an intensity-based registration framework is proposed, which contains the data and spatial regularization terms and performs fine registration on the paired images obtained in the coarse registration step. The results illustrate that the proposed method
is superior to some existing methods with the average MSE, PSNR, and SSIM values of 0.0082, 21.2695, and 0.8956, respectively. Therefore, the proposed method provides an efficient and robust framework for 3D multi-phase abdominal CT images registration.
Regional Energy and Water Budget of a Precipitating Atmosphere over Ocean
Authors: Kato Seiji , Loeb Norman G. , Fasullo John T. , Trenberth Kevin E. , Lauritzen Peter H. , Rose Fred G. , Rutan David A. , Satoh Masaki
Published: January 2021

Effects of water mass imbalance and hydrometeor transport on the enthalpy flux and water phase on diabatic heating rate in computing the regional energy and water budget of the atmosphere over ocean are investigated. Equations of energy and water budget of the atmospheric column that explicitly consider the velocity of liquid and ice cloud particles, and rain and snow are formulated by separating water variables from dry air. Differences of energy budget equations formulated in this study from those used in earlier studies are that 1) diabatic heating rate depends on water phase, 2) diabatic heating due to net condensation of nonprecipitating hydrometeors is included, and 3) hydrometeors can be advected with a different velocity from the dry-air velocity. Convergence of water vapor associated with phase change and horizontal transport of hydrometeors is to increase diabatic heating in the atmospheric column where hydrometeors are formed and exported and to reduce energy where hydrometeors are imported and evaporated. The process can improve the regional energy and water mass balance when energy data products are integrated. Effects of enthalpy transport associated with water mass transport through the surface are cooling to the atmosphere and warming to the ocean when the enthalpy is averaged over the global ocean. There is no net effect to the atmosphere and ocean columns combined. While precipitation phase changes the regional diabatic heating rate up to 15 W m−2, the dependence of the global mean value on the temperature threshold of melting snow to form rain is less than 1 W m−2.
The Evolution and Arrest of a Turbulent Stratified Oceanic Bottom Boundary Layer over a Slope: Upslope Regime and PV Dynamics
Authors: Ruan Xiaozhou , Thompson Andrew F. , Taylor John R.
Published: January 2021

The influence of a sloping bottom and stratification on the evolution of an oceanic bottom boundary layer (BBL) in the presence of a mean flow is explored. As a complement to an earlier study by Ruan et al. (https://doi.org/10.1175/JPO-D-18-0079.1) examining Ekman arrest in a downslope regime, this paper describes turbulence and BBL dynamics during Ekman arrest in the upslope regime. In the upslope regime, an enhanced stratification develops in response to the upslope Ekman transport and suppresses turbulence. Using a suite of large-eddy simulations, we show that the BBL evolution can be described in a self-similar framework based on a nondimensional number X/Xa. This nondimensional number is defined as the ratio between the lateral displacement of density surfaces across the slope X and a displacement Xa required for Ekman arrest; the latter can be predicted from external parameters. Additionally, the evolution of the depth-integrated potential vorticity is considered in both upslope and downslope regimes. The PV destruction rate in the downslope regime is found to be twice the production rate in the upslope regime, using the same definition for the bottom mixed layer thickness. It is shown that this asymmetry is associated with the depth scale over which turbulent stresses are active. These results are a step toward improving parameterizations of BBL properties and evolution over sloping topography in coarse-resolution ocean models.
Policy Implications of the Common Ownership Debate
Authors: Posner Eric A.
Published: January 2021

Empirical findings that common ownership is associated with anticompetitive outcomes including higher prices raise questions about possible policy responses. This comment evaluates the major proposals, including antitrust enforcement against common owners, regulation of corporate governance, regulation of compensation of management of portfolio firms, regulation of capital market structure, and greater antitrust enforcement against portfolio firms.
Refugees in Resettlement: Processes, Policies, and Mental Health in the United States
Authors: Nilsson Johanna E. , Jorgenson Katherine C.
Published: January 2021

According to 2019 data, there are 26 million refugees and 3.5 million asylum seekers around the globe, representing a major humanitarian crisis. This Major Contribution provides information on the experiences of refugees resettled in the United States via the presentation of five manuscripts. In this introductory article, we address the current refugee crisis, refugee policies, and resettlement processes in the United States, as well as the American Psychological Association’s response to the crisis and the role of counseling psychology in serving refugees. Next follows three empirical articles, addressing aspects of the resettlement experiences of three groups of refugees: Somali, Burmese, and Syrian. The final article provides an overview of a culturally responsive intervention model to use when working with refugees.
Contemporary Refugees: Issues, Challenges, and a Culturally Responsive Intervention Model for Effective Practice
Authors: Bemak Fred , Chung Rita Chi-Ying
Published: January 2021

The vast number of worldwide refugees has caused a global refugee crisis, political turmoil, and heightened anxiety in resettlement countries, stimulating xenophobia and religious tensions. We provide an overview of the four articles in this Major Contribution as a foundation for describing contemporary issues, challenges, and present an effective culturally responsive model of intervention to work with present-day refugees.
On the Detection of the Correct Number of Factors in Two-Facet Models by Means of Parallel Analysis
Authors: Beauducel André , Hilger Norbert
Published: January 2021

Methods for optimal factor rotation of two-facet loading matrices have recently been proposed. However, the problem of the correct number of factors to retain for rotation of two-facet loading matrices has rarely been addressed in the context of exploratory factor analysis. Most previous studies were based on the observation that two-facet loading matrices may be rank deficient when the salient loadings of each factor have the same sign. It was shown here that full-rank two-facet loading matrices are, in principle, possible, when some factors have positive and negative salient loadings. Accordingly, the current simulation study on the number of factors to extract for two-facet models was based on rank-deficient and full-rank two-facet population models. The number of factors to extract was estimated from traditional parallel analysis based on the mean of the unreduced eigenvalues as well as from nine other rather traditional versions of parallel analysis (based on the 95th percentile of eigenvalues, based on reduced eigenvalues, based on eigenvalue differences). Parallel analysis based on the mean eigenvalues of the correlation matrix with the squared multiple correlations of each variable with the remaining variables inserted in the main diagonal had the highest detection rates for most of the two-facet factor models. Recommendations for the identification of the correct number of factors are based on the simulation results, on the results of an empirical example data set, and on the conditions for approximately rank-deficient and full-rank two-facet models.
Charpy impact energy absorption of 3D printed continuous Kevlar reinforced composites
Authors: Hetrick Dakota R , Sanei Seyed Hamid Reza , Ashour Omar , Bakis Charles E
Published: January 2021

Additive manufacturing (AM) has been used widely to produce three-dimensional (3D) parts from computer-aided design (CAD) software. Traditional Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printed polymer parts lack the necessary strength to be used for functional parts in service. The potential of printing continuous fiber reinforced composites has resulted in parts with better mechanical properties and enhanced performance. Very few studies have investigated the impact energy absorption of continuous fiber reinforced 3 D printed composites. The purpose of this work is to investigate the effect of different fiber patterns (unidirectional versus concentric), different stacking patterns (consolidated versus alternating layers), and fiber orientations (0°, 90°, 45°) on the impact energy absorption of 3 D printed continuous Kevlar fiber reinforced Onyx composites. Charpy impact testing was used to determine the impact energy absorption of the specimens. It was concluded that alternating the fiber and matrix layers as opposed to consolidating all the fiber layers in the center of the specimen results in lower impact energy absorption. Additionally, the specimens with unidirectional 90° fiber orientation had the lowest impact energy absorption among the specimens with alternating stacking pattern and those with consolidated [Formula: see text]45° angle-ply fiber orientations had the highest impact energy absorption.
Characteristics of Mandibular Canal Branches Related to Nociceptive Marker
Authors: Takiguchi M. , Sato I. , Li Z.L. , Miyaso H. , Kawata S. , Itoh M.
Published: January 2021

It is difficult to correlate the direction of mandibular canal branches (MCBs) with altered sensation in dental treatments. In contrast, calcitonin gene–related peptide (CGRP) is related to vasodilation, bone formation, and the interaction with the peripheral nervous system. Therefore, we investigated the detailed morphological characteristics of MCBs using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and observation of the CGRP distribution around the MCB. The MCB measurements were evaluated using principal component analysis (PCA) to identify morphological correlations. A total of 168 sides of mandibles from 84 cadavers were analyzed in this study. Most of the MCBs were primarily in the direction of the clock model from X to XI in sagittal sections and XII to I in coronal sections of the mandible. The structure of the MCB was divided into the fine canal branch (60.4%, 223/369), partial branch (24.4%, 90/369), and no canal branch (15.2%, 56/369). PCA indicated that the measurement element with the MCB and its structures were correlated in contrast to tooth factors. Positive CGRP reactions were clearly observed in the no-canal branch group compared to other groups. These data provide useful suggestions for MCB dynamics and information for clinical dental treatment.
Influence of inlaid material, yarn and knitted structure on the net buoyant force and mechanical properties of inlaid knitted fabric for buoyant swimwear
Authors: Li Nga-wun , Ho Chu-po , Yick Kit-lun , Zhou Jin-yun
Published: January 2021

Buoyant swimwear is becoming more common in recreational swimming use, so the performance of buoyant fabric is important when designing functional swimwear. In this study, potential buoyant inlaid knitted fabrics for buoyant swimwear are investigated. Three types of knitted structures, half milano, full milano and 1 × 1 rib, are selected and various kinds of tubes and foam rods in different diameters are prepared for inlaying during the knitting process by using a 7 G hand-knitting machine. The mean differences among the levels of three independent variables, (1) inlaid material, (2) yarn and (3) knitted structure, on three dependent variables (net buoyant force, compression and tensile properties) are analyzed by using a multivariate analysis of variance. The result shows that the net buoyant force and mechanical properties of the fabric are significantly different due to the inlaid material and knitted structure, but not the yarn. The net buoyant force increases with fabric thickness and the outer diameter of the inlaid material. The inlaid fabrics are less compressible than the control fabric and show better recoverability with an increase in the diameter of the inlaid material. For the tensile properties, the inlaid material reinforces the fabric in both the wale and course directions, in which the stiffness in the course direction is significantly increased. The inlaid fabric is stronger and resistant to breakage in the course direction when the diameter of the inlaid material is increased. The findings of this study contribute to developments in the textile and sportswear industry.
Mechanical and electrical properties of graphene-coated polyimide yarns improved by nitrogen plasma pre-treatment
Authors: Su Chuanli , Lin Fangbing , Jiang Jinhua , Shao Huiqi , Chen Nanliang
Published: January 2021

One-dimensional high-performance yarns with excellent conductivity and flexibility are of considerable interest in the energy and aerospace industries. However, how to achieve highly conductivity, excellent flexibility, extreme condition durability and high mechanical performance in one fiber material is still a great challenge using economically viable materials and synthesis technologies. Herein, we report electrically conductive yarns (modified polyimide (M-PI)/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) yarns) consisting of RGO coated on the surface of nitrogen plasma M-PI yarns, which are fabricated by combining the N2 plasma pre-treatment and repeated dip-coating and reducing technique. N2 plasma treatment is used to roughen the surface of the PI yarn and introduce functional groups, contributing to improve wettability, which can provide a stronger adhesion of the graphene coating. The dip-coating and reducing process was repeated 10 times to enhance the loading mass of RGO on the PI yarns, then M-PI/RGO yarns with better conductivity property can be obtained. The effects of N2 plasma treatment power and time on the M-PI yarns and M-PI/RGO yarns are investigated and discussed. The results demonstrate that the graphene layer is uniformly and densely coated on the PI yarn when being treated at 200 W for 8 min, and the conductivity of the M-PI/RGO yarn reaches 1.51 × 102 S/m. The M-PI/RGO yarn combine the advantages of RGO and PI yarns, retaining the mechanical properties and thermal stability of PI yarn while exploiting the conductive property of RGO. In addition, the enhanced adhesion between the PI yarn and graphene coating endows the composite yarns with excellent fastness and superior flexibility. This work describes an environmentally friendly, controllable and facile method to develop flexible and conductive functional graphene-coated PI yarns with high-performance properties.
Multigroup Segregation Analyses with Covariates
Authors: Yamaguchi Kazuo
Published: January 2021

The author introduces methods for the decomposition analysis of multigroup segregation measured by the index of dissimilarity, the squared coefficient of variation, and Theil’s entropy measure. Using a new causal framework, the author takes a unified approach to the decomposition analysis by specifying conditions that must be satisfied to decompose segregation into unexplained and explained components. Here, the unexplained component represents the direct effects of the group variable on the conditional probability of acquiring a social position—such as a residential district in an analysis of residential segregation or an occupation in an analysis of occupational segregation—and the explained component represents indirect effects of the group variable on the outcome through covariates. The major merit of this approach is its ability to control individual-level covariates for the decomposition analysis of segregation. Two methods, one for semiparametric outcome models with the identity link function and the other for semiparametric outcome models with the multinomial logit link function, are introduced in this unified framework. The application of these methods focuses on occupational segregation among racial/ethnic groups. Father’s occupation, subject’s educational attainment, and the region of interview are included as covariates, using data from the General Social Surveys.