bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Blood Pressure Pattern and Target Organ Damage in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Scheppach Johannes B. , Raff Ulrike , Toncar Sebastian , Ritter Christian , Klink Thorsten , Störk Stefan , Wanner Christoph , Schlieper Georg , Saritas Turgay , Reinartz Sebastian D. , Floege Jürgen , Janka Rolf , Uder Michael , Schmieder Roland E. , Eckardt Kai-Uwe , Schneider Markus P.
Published: September 2018

In patients with chronic kidney disease, data on blood pressure (BP) pattern and its association with target organ damage, which indicates elevated cardiovascular risk, are sparse. In 305 treated hypertensive chronic kidney disease patients, we assessed BP pattern, left ventricular mass (magnetic resonance imaging), intima-media thickness (ultrasound), 24-hour–pulse wave velocity and 24-hour–central augmentation index (Mobil-O-Graph). Controlled hypertension (normal office and ambulatory BP) was found in 41% and sustained uncontrolled hypertension (elevated office and ambulatory BP) in 30% of patients. Misclassification of BP status occurred in 29%: white coat uncontrolled hypertension (elevated office but normal ambulatory BP) was detected in 11% and masked uncontrolled hypertension (normal office but elevated ambulatory BP) in 18% of patients. Left ventricular mass was increased in white coat uncontrolled hypertension (+11.2 g), masked uncontrolled hypertension (+9.4 g), and sustained uncontrolled hypertension (+16.6 g) compared with controlled hypertension. Intima-media thickness was similar across all 4 BP groups. Twenty-four hour–pulse wave velocity and 24-hour–central augmentation index were increased in masked uncontrolled hypertension (+0.5 m/sec and +2.5%) and sustained uncontrolled hypertension (+0.5 m/sec and +2.9%) compared with controlled hypertension. In conclusion, based on office BP measurements, misclassification of true BP status occurred in almost one-third of chronic kidney disease patients. Both types of misclassification (white coat uncontrolled hypertension and masked uncontrolled hypertension) were associated with parameters of target organ damage. Ambulatory BP monitoring should be used routinely to identify chronic kidney disease patients at high cardiovascular risk.
Psychological Distress and Suicidal Ideation in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: Prevalence and Response to Management Strategy
Authors: Walters Tomos E. , Wick Kate , Tan Gabriel , Mearns Megan , Joseph Stephen A. , Morton Joseph B. , Sanders Prashanthan , Bryant Christina , Kistler Peter M. , Kalman Jonathan M.
Published: September 2018

Background

An association between atrial fibrillation (
AF
), anxiety, and depression is recognized, but the spectrum of psychological distress remains unclear. We aimed to characterize the severity and predictors of distress associated with
AF
in a tertiary population and its response to
AF
management.

Methods and Results

Seventy‐eight patients with symptomatic
AF
underwent evaluation, including of
AF
symptom severity, health‐related quality of life, psychological distress, suicidal ideation, and specific personality traits. Twenty participants underwent
AF
ablation and 58 were managed medically, with repeat assessments at 4, 8, and 12 months. Severe distress (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale score, ≥15/42) was identified in 27 of 78 (35%). Independent predictors were a personality marked by vulnerability to stress (Perceived Stress Scale:
R
2
, 0.54; β=0.7±0.1; t=7.8;
P
<0.001) and 1 marked by negativity/social inhibition (Type D Personality Scale:
R
2
, 0.47; β=0.7±0.1; t=6.7;
P
<0.001). Suicidal ideation was reported by 16 of 78 (20%) and was predicted by personality traits (Perceived Stress Scale score:
R
2
, 0.35; odds ratio, 1.22±0.06;
P
<0.001; Type D Personality Scale score:
R
2
, 0.48; odds ratio, 1.43±0.14;
P
<0.001). Effective
AF
ablation (median
AF
burden 1% [0–1%] over 12 months) was associated with significant reductions in distress (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale score, 13.9±1.8 to 4.3±1.8;
P
<0.05) and prevalence of suicidal ideation (30–5%;
P
=0.02).

Conclusions

There was a high prevalence of severe psychological distress (35%) and of suicidal ideation (20%) in a tertiary
AF
population, with personality traits predicting both. Effective
AF
ablation was associated with significant improvements, suggesting
AF
itself may be a treatable causative factor of distress.
Cognitive Impairment and Risk of All‐Cause and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality Over 20‐Year Follow‐up: Results From the BLSA
Authors: An Ji , Li Haibin , Tang Zhe , Zheng Deqiang , Guo Jin , Liu Yue , Feng Wei , Li Xia , Wang Anxin , Liu Xiangtong , Tao Lixin , Hou Chengbei , Zhang Feng , Yang Xinghua , Gao Qi , Wang Wei , Guo Xiuhua , Luo Yanxia
Published: September 2018

Background

Cognitive impairment may increase the risk of all‐cause and cardiovascular disease (
CVD
) mortality. This study examined the association between cognitive function and risk of all‐cause and
CVD
mortality among the elderly in Beijing, China.

Methods and Results

A total of 1996 participants aged ≥55 years at baseline were enrolled from the BLSA (Beijing Longitudinal Study of Aging). Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini‐Mental State Examination (
MMSE
), and participants were categorized as: <18, 18 to 23, 24 to 27, and 28 to 30. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the association. Hazard ratio (
HR
) and 95% confidence interval (
CI
) were reported. During a 20‐year follow‐up, 1122 (56.21%) participants died, 478 (42.60%) of whom died of
CVD
. Compared with
MMSE
scores of 28 to 30, participants with
MMSE
scores of <18 were independently associated with all‐cause mortality (
hazard ratio,
2.14; 95%
confidence interval,
1.59–2.87;
P
<0.001) and CVD mortality (hazard ratio
,
4.52; 95% confidence interval
,
2.80–7.30,
P
<0.001). Each 5‐point decrease in
MMSE
score was associated with a 34% increased risk of all‐cause mortality and a 56% increased risk of
CVD
mortality. This relationship remained statistically significant after using the competing risk model to consider non‐
CVD
death as a competing risk event.

Conclusion

Cognitive impairment measured by
MMSE
score was associated with elevated risk of all‐cause and
CVD
mortality among the elderly in Beijing, China.
Self‐Reported Sleep Duration and Quality and Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality: A Dose‐Response Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Kwok Chun Shing , Kontopantelis Evangelos , Kuligowski George , Gray Matthew , Muhyaldeen Alan , Gale Christopher P. , Peat George M. , Cleator Jacqueline , Chew‐Graham Carolyn , Loke Yoon Kong , Mamas Mamas Andreas
Published: September 2018

Background

There is growing evidence that sleep duration and quality may be associated with cardiovascular harm and mortality.

Methods and Results

We conducted a systematic review, meta‐analysis, and spline analysis of prospective cohort studies that evaluate the association between sleep duration and quality and cardiovascular outcomes. We searched
MEDLINE
and
EMBASE
for these studies and extracted data from identified studies. We utilized linear and nonlinear dose‐response meta‐analysis models and used DerSimonian–Laird random‐effects meta‐analysis models of risk ratios, with inverse variance weighting, and the I
2
statistic to quantify heterogeneity. Seventy‐four studies including 3 340 684 participants with 242 240 deaths among 2 564 029 participants who reported death events were reviewed. Findings were broadly similar across both linear and nonlinear dose‐response models in 30 studies with >1 000 000 participants, and we report results from the linear model. Self‐reported duration of sleep >8 hours was associated with a moderate increased risk of all‐cause mortality, with risk ratio
,
1.14 (1.05–1.25) for 9 hours, risk ratio, 1.30 (1.19–1.42) for 10 hours, and risk ratio, 1.47 (1.33–1.64) for 11 hours. No significant difference was identified for periods of self‐reported sleep <7 hours, whereas similar patterns were observed for stroke and cardiovascular disease mortality. Subjective poor sleep quality was associated with coronary heart disease (risk ratio
,
1.44; 95% confidence interval, 1.09–1.90), but no difference in mortality and other outcomes.

Conclusions

Divergence from the recommended 7 to 8 hours of sleep is associated with a higher risk of mortality and cardiovascular events. Longer duration of sleep may be more associated with adverse outcomes compared with shorter sleep durations.
Elimination of Purkinje Fibers by Electroporation Reduces Ventricular Fibrillation Vulnerability
Authors: Livia Christopher , Sugrue Alan , Witt Tyra , Polkinghorne Murray D. , Maor Elad , Kapa Suraj , Lehmann Helge I. , DeSimone Christopher V. , Behfar Atta , Asirvatham Samuel J. , McLeod Christopher J.
Published: September 2018

Background

The Purkinje network appears to play a pivotal role in the triggering as well as maintenance of ventricular fibrillation. Irreversible electroporation (
IRE
) using direct current has shown promise as a nonthermal ablation modality in the heart, but its ability to target and ablate the Purkinje tissue is undefined. Our aim was to investigate the potential for selective ablation of Purkinje/fascicular fibers using
IRE
.

Methods and Results

In an ex vivo Langendorff model of canine heart (n=8), direct current was delivered in a unipolar manner at various dosages from 750 to 2500 V, in 10 pulses with a 90‐μs duration at a frequency of 1 Hz. The window of ventricular fibrillation vulnerability was assessed before and after delivery of electroporation energy using a shock on T‐wave method.
IRE
consistently eradicated all Purkinje potentials at voltages between 750 and 2500 V (minimum field strength of 250–833 V/cm). The ventricular electrogram amplitude was only minimally reduced by ablation: 0.6±2.3 mV (
P
=0.03). In 4 hearts after
IRE
delivery, ventricular fibrillation could not be reinduced. At baseline, the lower limit of vulnerability to ventricular fibrillation was 1.8±0.4 J, and the upper limit of vulnerability was 19.5±3.0 J. The window of vulnerability was 17.8±2.9 J. Delivery of electroporation energy significantly reduced the window of vulnerability to 5.7±2.9 J (
P
=0.0003), with a postablation lower limit of vulnerability=7.3±2.63 J, and the upper limit of vulnerability=18.8±5.2 J.

Conclusions

Our study highlights that Purkinje tissue can be ablated with
IRE
without any evidence of underlying myocardial damage.
Association of Anemia and Iron Parameters With Mortality Among Patients Undergoing Prevalent Hemodialysis in Taiwan: The AIM‐HD Study
Authors: Kuo Ko‐Lin , Hung Szu‐Chun , Tseng Wei‐Cheng , Tsai Ming‐Tsun , Liu Jia‐Sin , Lin Ming‐Huang , Hsu Chih‐Cheng , Tarng Der‐Cherng ,   the Taiwan Society of Nephrology Renal Registry Data System, Ou Shuo‐Ming , Yang Chih‐Yu , Lin Yao‐Ping , Lin Yi‐Sheng , Hung Szu‐Chun , Hung Tung‐Po
Published: September 2018

Background

The Taiwan Health Insurance Bureau has conducted a bundled payment system for hemodialysis reimbursement since 1995. The maximum dose of erythropoiesis‐stimulating agents allowed by insurance is capped at 20 000 U of epoetin or 100 μg of darbepoetin alfa per month. Nephrologists have avoided the use of high dosages of erythropoiesis‐stimulating agents to achieve a hemoglobin level of 10 to 11 g/dL by iron supplementation. The clinical impact of these policies on patients’ outcomes is unknown. The authors aimed to assess the AIM‐HD (Association of Anemia, Iron parameters, and Mortality among the prevalent Hemodialysis patients) Study in Taiwan.

Methods and Results

The AIM‐HD study was conducted based on the Taiwan Renal Registry Data System. From 2001 to 2008, the authors enrolled 42 230 patients undergoing hemodialysis who were older than 20 years and had received hemodialysis for more than 12 months. Patient follow‐ups occurred until death or December 31, 2008. During a study period of 8 years, 12 653 (30.0%) patients died. After multivariate adjustment, the authors found that a hemoglobin level <10 g/dL was significantly associated with higher risk for all‐cause and cardiovascular deaths. Moreover, a serum ferritin level between 300 and 800 ng/mL and transferrin saturation value between 30% and 50% were associated with the lowest all‐cause mortality.

Conclusions

The authors recommend avoiding a low hemoglobin level and maintaining serum ferritin between 300 and 800 ng/mL and transferrin saturation between 30% and 50%, which were associated with lower risks of all‐cause mortality among patients undergoing hemodialysis receiving the restricted erythropoiesis‐stimulating agent doses but prompt intravenous iron supplementation in Taiwan.
Lower On‐Treatment Low‐Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Women and Men: Pooled Analysis of 10 ODYSSEY Phase 3 Alirocumab Trials
Authors: Vallejo‐Vaz Antonio J. , Ginsberg Henry N. , Davidson Michael H. , Eckel Robert H. , Cannon Christopher P. , Lee L. Veronica , Bessac Laurence , Pordy Robert , Letierce Alexia , Ray Kausik K.
Published: September 2018

Background

In statin trials, men and women derived similar relative risk reductions in cardiovascular events per 39 mg/
dL
low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (
LDL
‐C) reduction. We explored whether lower
LDL
‐C levels and greater
LDL
‐C percentage reductions than those achieved with statins are associated with reduced major adverse cardiovascular event (
MACE
) rates in women as well as men.

Methods and Results

Data pooled from 10 phase 3
ODYSSEY
randomized trials (n=4983) comparing alirocumab with control (placebo/ezetimibe) were assessed for association between 39 mg/dL lower on‐treatment
LDL
‐C and percentage
LDL
‐C change from baseline, and
MACE
risk by sex, using multivariable Cox regression. Mean baseline
LDL
‐C was 135 mg/dL (women) and 121 mg/dL (men). Average on‐treatment
LDL
‐C levels with alirocumab, ezetimibe, and placebo were 71, 114, and 134 mg/dL, respectively, in women (n=1882) and 52, 93, and 122 mg/dL, respectively, in men (n=3090). Overall, 36.5% and 58.7% of women and men, respectively, achieved on‐treatment
LDL
‐C <50 mg/dL. Each 39 mg/dL lower
LDL
‐C was associated with a 33% and 22% lower risk of
MACE
in women (
P
=0.0209) and men (
P
=0.0307), respectively, with no significant between‐sex difference (
P
for heterogeneity=0.4597). Results were similar when analyzed per 50%
LDL
‐C reduction, 24% (
P
=0.1094) and 29% (
P
=0.0125) lower
MACE
risk in women and men, respectively (
P
for heterogeneity=0.7499). Alirocumab was generally well tolerated in both sexes.

Conclusions

The present analysis reinforces the notion that both sexes derive a similar cardiovascular benefit from
LDL
‐C lowering. Although women had slightly higher on‐treatment
LDL
‐C than men, both sexes showed a similar lower
MACE
risk with lower
LDL
‐C.
Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibition Induces Renal Medullary Hypoxia in Conscious Rats
Authors: Emans Tonja W. , Janssen Ben J. , Joles Jaap A. , Krediet C.T. Paul
Published: September 2018

Background

Renal hypoxia, implicated as crucial factor in onset and progression of chronic kidney disease, may be attributed to reduced nitric oxide because
nitric oxide
dilates vasculature and inhibits mitochondrial oxygen consumption. We hypothesized that chronic
nitric oxide
synthase inhibition would induce renal hypoxia.

Methods and Results

Oxygen‐sensitive electrodes, attached to telemeters, were implanted in either renal cortex (n=6) or medulla (n=7) in rats. After recovery and stabilization, baseline oxygenation (
pO
2
) was recorded for 1 week. To inhibit
nitric oxide
synthase, N‐ω‐nitro‐
l
‐arginine (L‐NNA; 40 mg/kg/day) was administered via drinking water for 2 weeks. A separate group (n=8), instrumented with blood pressure telemeters, followed the same protocol. L‐NNA rapidly induced hypertension (165±6 versus 108±3 mm Hg;
P
<0.001) and proteinuria (79±12 versus 17±2 mg/day;
P
<0.001). Cortical
pO
2
, after initially dipping, returned to baseline and then increased. Medullary
pO
2
decreased progressively (up to −19±6% versus baseline;
P
<0.05). After 14 days of L‐NNA, amplitude of diurnal medullary
pO
2
was decreased (3.7 [2.2–5.3] versus 7.9 [7.5–8.4];
P
<0.01), whereas amplitudes of blood pressure and cortical
pO
2
were unaltered. Terminal glomerular filtration rate (1374±74 versus 2098±122 μL/min), renal blood flow (5014±336 versus 9966±905 μL/min), and sodium reabsorption efficiency (13.0±0.8 versus 22.8±1.7 μmol/μmol) decreased (all
P
<0.001).

Conclusions

For the first time, we show temporal development of renal cortical and medullary oxygenation during chronic
nitric oxide
synthase inhibition in unrestrained conscious rats. Whereas cortical
pO
2
shows transient changes, medullary
pO
2
decreased progressively. Chronic L‐NNA leads to decreased renal perfusion and sodium reabsorption efficiency, resulting in progressive medullary hypoxia, suggesting that juxtamedullary nephrons are potentially vulnerable to prolonged nitric oxide depletion.
Arginase II Contributes to the Ca
2+
/CaMKII/eNOS Axis by Regulating Ca
2+
Concentration Between the Cytosol and Mitochondria in a p32‐Dependent Manner
Authors: Koo Bon‐Hyeock , Hwang Hye‐Mi , Yi Bong‐Gu , Lim Hyun Kyo , Jeon Byeong Hwa , Hoe Kwang Lae , Kwon Young‐Guen , Won Moo‐Ho , Kim Young Myeong , Berkowitz Dan E. , Ryoo Sungwoo
Published: September 2018

Background

Arginase
II
activity contributes to reciprocal regulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (
eNOS
). We tested the hypotheses that arginase
II
activity participates in the regulation of Ca
2+
/Ca
2+
/calmodulin‐dependent kinase
II
/
eNOS
activation, and this process is dependent on mitochondrial p32.

Methods and Results

Downregulation of arginase
II
increased the concentration of cytosolic Ca
2+
([Ca
2+
]c) and decreased mitochondrial Ca
2+
([Ca
2+
]m) in microscopic and fluorescence‐activated cell sorting analyses, resulting in augmented
eNOS
Ser1177 phosphorylation and decreased
eNOS
Thr495 phosphorylation through Ca
2+
/Ca
2+
/calmodulin‐dependent kinase
II
. These changes were observed in human umbilical vein endothelial cells treated with small interfering
RNA
against p32 (sip32). Using matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry, fluorescence immunoassay, and ion chromatography, inhibition of arginase
II
reduced the amount of spermine, a binding molecule, and the release of Ca
2+
from p32. In addition, arginase
II
gene knockdown using small interfering
RNA
and knockout arginase
II
‐null mice resulted in reduced p32 protein level. In the aortas of wild‐type mice, small interfering
RNA
against p32 induced
eNOS
Ser1177 phosphorylation and enhanced
NO
‐dependent vasorelaxation. Arginase activity, p32 protein expression, spermine amount, and [Ca
2+
]m were increased in the aortas from apolipoprotein E (ApoE
−/−
) mice fed a high‐cholesterol diet, and intravenous administration of small interfering
RNA
against p32 restored Ca
2+
/Ca
2+
/calmodulin‐dependent kinase
II
‐dependent
eNOS
Ser1177 phosphorylation and improved endothelial dysfunction. The effects of arginase
II
downregulation were not associated with elevated
NO
production when tested in aortic endothelia from
eNOS
knockout mice.

Conclusions

These data demonstrate a novel function of arginase
II
in regulation of Ca
2+
‐dependent
eNOS
phosphorylation. This novel mechanism drives arginase activation, mitochondrial dysfunction, endothelial dysfunction, and atherogenesis.
Local Production of Soluble Urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptor and Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor‐1 in the Coronary Circulation Is Associated With Coronary Endothelial Dysfunction in Humans
Authors: Corban Michel T. , Prasad Abhiram , Nesbitt Lisa , Loeffler Darrell , Herrmann Joerg , Lerman Lilach O. , Lerman Amir
Published: September 2018

Background

Soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (su
PAR
) is a proinflammatory biomarker associated with immune activation and fibrinolysis inhibition. Plasminogen activator inhibitor (
PAI
‐1) is associated with excessive fibrin accumulation, thrombus formation, and atherosclerosis. The relationship between cross‐coronary su
PAR
and
PAI
‐1 production and endothelial dysfunction remains unknown.

Methods and Results

Seventy‐nine patients (age 53±10 years, 75% women) with angina and normal coronary arteries or mild coronary artery disease (<40% stenosis) on angiogram underwent acetylcholine assessment of epicardial endothelial dysfunction (mid–left anterior descending coronary artery diameter decrease >20% after acetylcholine) and mircovascular endothelial dysfunction (coronary blood flow change <50% after acetylcholine). Simultaneous left main and coronary sinus su
PAR
and
PAI
‐1 levels were measured in each patient before acetylcholine administration, and cross‐coronary su
PAR
and
PAI
‐1 production rates were calculated. Patients’ characteristics, except for age (51±10 versus 57±9,
P
=0.02), and resting coronary hemodynamics were not significantly different between patients with (26%) versus without (74%) epicardial endothelial dysfunction. Patients’ characteristics and resting coronary hemodynamics were not significantly different between those with (62%) and those without (38%) mircovascular endothelial dysfunction. Patients with mircovascular endothelial dysfunction demonstrated local coronary su
PAR
production versus su
PAR
extraction in patients with normal microvascular function (median 25.8 [interquartile range 121.6, −23.7] versus −12.7 [52.0, −74.8] ng/min,
P
=0.03). Patients with epicardial endothelial dysfunction had higher median coronary
PAI
‐1 production rates compared with those with normal epicardial endothelial function (1224.7 [12 940.7, −1915.4] versus −187.4 [4444.7, −4535.8] ng/min,
P
=0.03).

Conclusions

su
PAR
is released in coronary circulation of patients with mircovascular endothelial dysfunction and extracted in those with normal microvascular function. Cross‐coronary
PAI
‐1 release is higher in humans with epicardial endothelial dysfunction.
Combining Deep Learning and Argumentative Reasoning for the Analysis of Social Media Textual Content Using Small Data Sets
Authors: Cocarascu Oana , Toni Francesca
Published: September 2018

The use of social media has become a regular habit for many and has changed the way people interact with each other. In this article, we focus on analyzing whether news headlines support tweets and whether reviews are deceptive by analyzing the interaction or the influence that these texts have on the others, thus exploiting contextual information. Concretely, we define a deep learning method for relation–based argument mining to extract argumentative relations of attack and support. We then use this method for determining whether news articles support tweets, a useful task in fact-checking settings, where determining agreement toward a statement is a useful step toward determining its truthfulness. Furthermore, we use our method for extracting bipolar argumentation frameworks from reviews to help detect whether they are deceptive. We show experimentally that our method performs well in both settings. In particular, in the case of deception detection, our method contributes a novel argumentative feature that, when used in combination with other features in standard supervised classifiers, outperforms the latter even on small data sets.
Did Einstein Really Say that? Testing Content Versus Context in the Cultural Selection of Quotations
Authors: Acerbi Alberto , Tehrani Jamshid J.
Published: September 2018

We experimentally investigated the influence of context-based biases, such as prestige and popularity, on the preferences for quotations. Participants were presented with random quotes associated to famous or unknown authors (experiment one), or with random quotes presented as popular, i.e. chosen by many previous participants, or unpopular (experiment two). To exclude effects related to the content of the quotations, all participants were subsequently presented with the same quotations, again associated to famous and unknown authors (experiment three), or presented as popular or unpopular (experiment four). Overall, our results showed that context-based biases had no (in case of prestige and conformity), or limited (in case of popularity), effect in determining participants’ choices. Quotations preferred for their content were preferred in general, despite the contextual cues to which they were associated. We conclude discussing how our results fit with the well-known phenomenon of the spread and success (especially digital) of misattributed quotations, and we draw some more general implications for cultural evolution research.
A new species of Creagrutus (Characidae: Stevardiinae) from the upper Río Magdalena, Colombia
Authors: ALBORNOZ-GARZÓN JUAN G. , CONDE-SALDAÑA CRISTHIAN C. , GARCÍA-MELO JORGE E. , TAPHORN DONALD C. , VILLA-NAVARRO FRANCISCO A.
Published: September 2018

A new species of Creagrutus is described from several localities in the upper Río Magdalena drainage, Colombia. Creagrutus dulima n. sp. differs from all trans-Andean congeners by the combination of a relatively small orbital diameter, the shape and position of hooks on the pelvic-fin rays, in having the third infraorbital not in contact with the preopercle ventrally, and the presence of a dark, reticulated pigmentation pattern on the dorsal portion of body. The distribution of Creagrutus species in the Magdalena-Cauca River Basin is discussed, and an updated identification key for species of trans-Andean Creagrutus is provided.
A new sesarmid crab of the genus Karstarma (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura) associated with limestone formations in East Java, Indonesia
Authors: WOWOR DAISY , NG PETER K. L.
Published: September 2018

A new stygobitic sesarmid crab species is described from underground freshwater cave streams in the southern Malang karst range on the south coast of East Java Province, Indonesia. Karstarma malang n. sp. is morphologically most similar to K. jacobsoni (Ihle, 1912) from an underground river cave system in the southern coast of the Special Region of Yogyakarta Province in central Java, but differs in having a relatively larger cornea, less swollen ocular peduncle which lacks a ridge along the median part, proportionately shorter ambulatory legs and a more slender male first gonopod. This paper increases the number of the species of Karstarma Davie & Ng, 2007, to 16; the new species being the eighth of the genus from Indonesia. It is also the third species which has a distinctly reduced cornea.
Friendship by assignment? From formal interdependence to informal relations in organizations
Authors: Yakubovich Valery , Burg Ryan
Published: September 2018

We offer the first field experiment showing how job assignments create social ties at work and influence their persistence. Pairs of managers were assigned at random to project teams. We show that once those pairs work together and become interdependent, they are more likely to create informal relationships (friendships and advice ties). Interdependence also increases the persistence of the informal ties that existed prior to team assignments; the magnitude of this effect decreases with tie strength. As organizations extend their use of teamwork, they also create and maintain social networks across functional and geographic boundaries. Thus, transitory project teams forge an enduring organizational legacy.
Restless Feelings: Desiring Direct Contact After Postmortem Organ Donation
Authors: Bolt Sophie H. , Witjes Marloes , van den Ende Barbara
Published: September 2018

This article investigates the emergence of a growing demand in the Netherlands: the wish of organ donor families and organ recipients to establish contact. Such direct contact transgresses both the anonymity and privacy long considered by many to be fundamental to organ donation. Legislation prescribes that privacy should be safeguarded, but the parties involved increasingly manage to find each other. Research is needed to provide insight into the ramifications of direct contact, which may inform mourning counseling and psychosocial support. Drawing on qualitative interviews with donor’s relatives, we analyze the reasons for the desire to have direct contact. We seek to understand how meanings are constructed and contested through organs at the margins of life and death in the individualized and secularized society of the Netherlands. We find that relatives struggle with persistent restless feelings after postmortem organ donation and may develop a level of personal attachment and assign inalienability to human body parts.
Physical Fitness and Metabolic Syndrome in Brazilian Adolescents: Validity of Diagnostic Health Criteria
Authors: Oliveira Raphael G. de , Guedes Dartagnan P.
Published: September 2018

We tested health criteria cutoff points from physical fitness variables proposed by the Fitnessgram program for detecting metabolic syndrome ( MetS) in a representative sample of 1,035 Brazilian adolescents (565 girls and 470 boys) aged 12-20 years. We studied five fitness tests: (a) back-saver sit and reach, (b) trunk lift, (c) curl-up, (d) push-up, and (e) progressive aerobic cardiovascular endurance run ( PACER), and we defined MetS through the criteria of the International Diabetes Federation. We described the predictive performance of each fitness test in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve ( AUC) estimates of the receiver operating characteristic method. The AUCs for four tests ( back-saver sit and reach, trunk lift, curl-up, and push-up) revealed low accuracy for identifying MetS in both sexes (0.50 ≥ AUC ≤ 0.60), but AUCs for the PACER test demonstrated good accuracy values between 0.72 (0.68–0.76) and 0.83 (0.78–0.89). Thus, cutoff points proposed in the Fitnessgram program for the PACER test offer an effective means of screening adolescents at higher cardiometabolic risk, which, for the age-group used in this study, should be from 40.3-44.3 ml/kg/min for boys and 38.6-40.1 ml/kg/min for girls.
Insidious Assumptions
Authors: Buzinski Steven G. , Clark Jenna , Cohen Matthew , Buck Benjamin , Roberts Scott P.
Published: September 2018

Pluralistic ignorance occurs when individuals misperceive a group norm and attempt to match the perceived—rather than actual—norm. Little is currently known about its role in the undergraduate classroom. The present research examined the pluralistic ignorance of studying behavior and its relationship with examination performance across four studies. Results suggested that students underestimate the amount of time their peers spend studying (Study 1), the extent of their estimation error is related to exam performance (Study 2), and that the relationship is mediated by a perceived lack of preparation (Study 3). Finally, a brief classroom intervention (Study 4) may be able to eliminate the pluralistic ignorance. Implications for the theory of pluralistic ignorance, and college teaching, are discussed.
Vehicle stability enhancement and rollover prevention by a nonlinear predictive control method
Authors: Arslan M. Selçuk , Sever Mert
Published: September 2018

In this study, a nonlinear predictive control method is developed for the active steering control of a sport utility vehicle. The method is tested on a nonlinear mathematical model of an 11-degree-of-freedom vehicle. The system performance is evaluated by considering that the control law must keep the actual yaw rate close to the desired yaw rate and minimizing the vertical load changes at each wheel. The latter is proposed for this work. The vertical load changes play an important role in the dynamics and the stability of the system. The effectiveness of the control method is demonstrated through numerical simulation by using a vehicle model that includes three case studies: rapid lane change at low and high velocities and the fishhook manoeuvre. The results show that the stability of the vehicle is maintained and its rollover propensity is decreased. In addition, the proposed controller is compared with a well-known linear model predictive controller.
School climate perceptions of ethnically diverse students: Does school diversity matter?
Authors: Parris Leandra , Neves Jesslynn Rocha , La Salle Tamika
Published: September 2018

Student perceptions of school climate have been linked to a number of outcome variables; specifically, more positive perceptions of school climate are associated with academic achievement, social and emotional wellness, and reduced risky behaviors. Considering student perceptions of school climate can help to guide the selection and implementation of culturally-responsive, targeted school improvement efforts. Further, the ways that students experience and perceive the school environment have been shown to vary based on student reported racial/ethnic identity. In the present study, moderation analyses established a significant impact of school diversity (i.e., high diversity or low diversity) on the relationship between student race/ethnicity, perceptions of school climate, and associated subscales including school connectedness, peer and adult support, and cultural awareness. Contrary to prior research, as school diversity increased, perceptions of school climate decreased, with Asian participants least affected. Implications of the findings and directions for future research are discussed.
Nature Does Not Always Give You a Helping Hand: Comparing the Prosocial Effects of Nature at Different Resource and Security Levels
Authors: Ng Henry Kin Shing , Hong Yee-Ling , Chow Tak Sang , Leung Angel Nga Man
Published: September 2018

Humans become more prosocial after nature exposure. We proposed that the prosocial effect pertains to resource (e.g., food, water) and security (e.g., shelter, concealment) features in natural environments. Four studies tested the idea that prosociality changes with variations in environmental resource and security. Study 1 reported that urban greenspace, a resource feature to urban dwellers, predicted more volunteering in low-crime cities, but less so in high-crime cities. Studies 2 and 3 compared prosociality after exposure to natural sceneries in a Resource (high/low) × Security (high/low) design. Participants were more prosocial in the high-resource-high-security and low-resource-low-security conditions. Study 4 compared the four natural environments with two control conditions (urban, shape). It reported that not all natural environments led to higher prosociality, nor did any of them undermine prosociality. The findings supported heterogeneity in nature’s prosocial effect. Implications are discussed in relation to urban greening and the evolutionary basis of nature’s effect.
Family Meal Practices and Well-Being in Hong Kong: The Mediating Effect of Family Communication
Authors: Ho Henry C. Y. , Mui Moses , Wan Alice , Yew Carol , Lam Tai Hing , Chan Sophia S. , Stewart Sunita M.
Published: September 2018

The literature has provided substantial evidence for the positive associations between family meals and well-being. The underlying mechanism of this relationship has not been explicitly examined. The Happy Family Kitchen II project was a cluster randomized controlled trial of a community-based family intervention. Using data from this project, this article examined the direct and indirect associations among family meal practices, family communication time and quality, and well-being in Hong Kong. A total of 1,261 participants completed a self-administered questionnaire at baseline, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks. Cross-sectional and prospective mediation analyses showed that family meal and family meal preparation indirectly influenced family health, happiness and harmony, subjective happiness, and mental and physical quality of life through their effects on family communication quality. In contrast, family communication time was a weaker mediator of these effects. These findings highlight the role of quality rather than quantity of family communication in promoting well-being.
Phosphorus spectroscopy in acute TBI demonstrates metabolic changes that relate to outcome in the presence of normal structural MRI
Authors: Stovell Matthew G , Mada Marius O , Carpenter T Adrian , Yan Jiun-Lin , Guilfoyle Mathew R , Jalloh Ibrahim , Welsh Karen E , Helmy Adel , Howe Duncan J , Grice Peter , Mason Andrew , Giorgi-Coll Susan , Gallagher Clare N , Murphy Michael P , Menon David K , Hutchinson Peter J , Carpenter Keri LH
Published: September 2018

Metabolic dysfunction is a key pathophysiological process in the acute phase of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Although changes in brain glucose metabolism and extracellular lactate/pyruvate ratio are well known, it was hitherto unknown whether these translate to downstream changes in ATP metabolism and intracellular pH. We have performed the first clinical voxel-based in vivo phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P MRS) in 13 acute-phase major TBI patients versus 10 healthy controls (HCs), at 3T, focusing on eight central 2.5 × 2.5 × 2.5 cm3 voxels per subject. PCr/γATP ratio (a measure of energy status) in TBI patients was significantly higher (median = 1.09) than that of HCs (median = 0.93) (p < 0.0001), due to changes in both PCr and ATP. There was no significant difference in PCr/γATP between TBI patients with favourable and unfavourable outcome. Cerebral intracellular pH of TBI patients was significantly higher (median = 7.04) than that of HCs (median = 7.00) (p = 0.04). Alkalosis was limited to patients with unfavourable outcome (median = 7.07) (p < 0.0001). These changes persisted after excluding voxels with > 5% radiologically visible injury. This is the first clinical demonstration of brain alkalosis and elevated PCr/γATP ratio acutely after major TBI. 31P MRS has potential for non-invasively assessing brain injury in the absence of structural injury, predicting outcome and monitoring therapy response.
Compression screws and buttress plate versus compression screws only for Hoffa fracture in Chinese patients: a comparative study
Authors: Lu* Bangbao , Zhao* Shushan , Luo Zhongwei , Lin Zhangyuan , Zhu Yong
Published: September 2018

Objective

To compare compression screws and buttress plate (CS plus BP) with compression screws only (CS) in treating patients with Hoffa fracture.

Methods

This retrospective study included Chinese patients with Hoffa fracture treated by open reduction and internal fixation. Radiographs and clinical outcomes (range of movement [ROM], bone union and Knee Society Score [KSS]) were compared between patients treated using CS plus BP versus CS only.

Results

At 4 months following surgery, significantly better outcomes were shown in the CS plus BP group ( n = 24) versus CS only group ( n = 21) regarding ROM (120.4 ± 5.2° versus 110 ± 7.1°) and KSS (85.5 ± 4.1 versus 79.7 ± 3.3). At the 12-month follow-up, significantly better outcomes were maintained in the CS plus BP versus CS only group regarding ROM (126.2 ± 7.4° versus 120.5 ± 8.2°) and KSS (88.3 ± 4.6 versus 84.2 ± 4.0). At the final follow-up, all patients had normal fracture healing and no malunion, nonunion or reduction loss.

Conclusions

Fixation with CS plus BP for Hoffa fracture is effective and reliable, and may provide more adequate stability and better outcomes versus CS only.
Tracking patients with chronic occipital headache after occipital nerve decompression surgery: A case series
Authors: Blake Pamela , Nir Rony-Reuven , Perry Carlton J , Burstein Rami
Published: September 2018

Background

The therapeutic benefit of nerve decompression surgeries for chronic headache/migraine are controversial.

Aim

To provide clinical characteristics of headache type and treatment outcome of occipital nerve decompression surgery.

Methods

A retrospective review of clinical records. Inclusion criteria were evidence of chronic occipital headache with and without migrainous features and tenderness of neck muscles, occipital allodynia, and inadequate response to prophylactic drugs.

Results

Surgical decompression of the greater and lesser occipital nerves provided complete and extended (3–6 years) relief of new daily persistent headache in case 3 (46 year old female), and of chronic post-traumatic headache in cases 4 and 6 (35 and 30 year old females, respectively), partial relief of chronic headache/migraine in cases 1 and 2 (41 year old female and 36 year old male), and no relief of episodic (cases 3 and 4) or chronic migraine (case 5, 52 year old male), or chronic tension-type headache (case 7, 31 year old male).

Conclusions

As a case series, this study cannot test a hypothesis or determine cause and effect. However, the complete elimination of new daily persistent headache and post-traumatic headache, and the partial elimination of chronic headache/migraine in two patients – all refractory to other treatment approaches – supports and justifies the effort to continue to generate data that can help determine whether decompression nerve surgeries are beneficial in the treatment of certain types of chronic headache.
Tailored antimicrobial activity and long-term cytocompatibility of plasma polymer silver nanocomposites
Authors: Wiesenmueller Steffi , Cierniak Peter , Juebner Martin , Koerner Enrico , Hegemann Dirk , Mercer-Chalmers Bender Katja
Published: September 2018

The deposition of coatings enabling antibacterial properties in combination with cytocompatibility remains a challenge for biomaterial applications, such as in medical devices. Silver is one of the most utilized antibacterial surface components, due to its efficacy and extensive applicability. In this work, silver-containing plasma polymer nanocomposites (single layer and multilayers) were developed and tested, with a focus on cytotoxicity and bactericidal function, on the NIH3T3 mammalian cell line as well as Gram-negative ( Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and Gram-positive ( Staphylococcus aureus) bacterial strains. The data demonstrate that a tuneable Ag+ release is required, allowing sufficient antimicrobial activity while retaining appropriate cytocompatibility over the entire testing period of up to eight days.
Improved osteogenic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells in a layer-by-layer-modified gelatin scaffold
Authors: Fu Qiang , Ren Huaijuan , Zheng Chen , Zhuang Chao , Wu Tong , Qin Jinyan , Wang Zejian , Chen Yantian , Qi Nianmin
Published: September 2018

Dental pulp stem cell is a new type of mesenchymal stem cell that has a potential for tissue regeneration. Gelatin sponges are often used for hemostasis in dental surgery. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the dental pulp stem cells’ proliferation and osteogenic differentiation in different layer-by-layer-modified gelatin sponge scaffolds including the G, G + P (gelatin sponge+ poly-l-lysine modification), G + M (gelatin sponge + mineralization modification), and G + M + P (gelatin sponge + mineralization modification + poly-l-lysine modification) groups in vitro and assessed them in vivo. The results showed that dental pulp stem cells had a great potential for osteogenic differentiation. In vitro, the G + M + P group not only enhanced the adhesion and proliferation of dental pulp stem cells but also facilitated their osteogenic differentiation. However, alkaline phosphatase activity was prohibited after modification. In vivo, both dental pulp stem cells and cells from nude mice grew well on the scaffold, and G + M and G + M + P groups could promote the mineralization deposit formation and the expression of osteocalcin in osteogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells. In conclusion, the combination of dental pulp stem cells and G + M + P scaffold has a great potential for bone tissue engineering.
Manufacturing by Design
Authors: Rosenfeld Stuart A.
Published: September 2018

Although science and technology are the linchpins of innovation and industrial policies, market success also depends on product design—the bridge between technology and style, culture, and commerce. Design optimizes function, value, and appearance. Although the value and impacts of product design resist quantification, there is evidence that increased attention to and support for design-oriented manufacturing will stimulate growth and generate wealth. This evidence, drawn from patent, industry, and occupational data, surveys, case studies, and anecdotal information from across the United States and other countries, demonstrates that aesthetics, values, and experiences embodied in the designs of products create sustainable market advantages. While many manufacturers recognize the value of design, the dearth of educational programs in industrial design, insufficient support for design-based innovation, and lack of recognition of design in industrial policies and strategies impede many companies, in particular, small and midsized manufacturers from taking greater advantage of design.
Prosecuting Domestic Abuse in England and Wales: Crown Prosecution Service ‘Working Practice’ and New Public Managerialism
Authors: Porter Antonia
Published: September 2018

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) regards offences of domestic abuse as ‘particularly serious’ and considers tackling violence against women a ‘priority’. This article examines how criminal prosecutors in England and Wales approach cases of intimate partner abuse in practice, specifically at the point when a complainant no longer wishes to support the prosecution. It first introduces ‘New Public Managerialism’ (NPM). This is the lens through which the qualitative responses of a sample of nine prosecutors are thematically analysed. Second, the primary research indicates a prosecutorial tendency or ‘working practice’ in 2017 disinclined to terminate cases on request, prompting instead the routine or habitual use of ‘witness summons’. Third, the article exposes how techniques of NPM have contributed to the identified ‘working practice’, often in concealed and unintended ways. Managerial priorities in this context appear to have restricted the free exercise of the prosecutor’s discretion to take decisions on a case-by-case basis. The implications for women’s safety and autonomy are considered.
Demographic Trends of Child Labour in India: Implications for Policy Reforms
Authors: Dash Bishnu Mohan , Prashad Lokender , Dutta Mili
Published: September 2018

The article highlights the situation of child labour using the Census data of Government of India from 1971 to 2011. This study has also utilized the National Sample Survey Organization 68th round data on employment and unemployment of child labour in India. In this study, bivariate and multivariate analysis has been carried out. The chi-square test has been used to study the association between child labour and various socio-economic characteristics. The multiple logistic regression technique has been used to find out the factors affecting child labour. All the analysis has been carried out in SPSS and STATA software. The article has highlighted the growth rate of child labour and its distribution with socio- economic characteristics and work participation rate of child labour in India. Using the logistic regression, the study has projected the estimates of child labour in India. Besides that, the article recommended various suggestions for the abolition and regulation of the incidences of child labour in India.
Book Review: Alfredo Behrens, Gaucho Dialogues on Leadership and Management
Authors: Bhandarker Asha
Published: September 2018

Alfredo Behrens, Gaucho Dialogues on Leadership and Management. London: Anthem Press, 2017, 226 pp., $49. ISBN-13: 978-1783087105; ISBN-10: 1783087102.