bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What is the evidence for using bed rest as part of hospital treatment of severe anorexia nervosa?
Authors: Ibrahim Ali , Cutinha Darren , Ayton Agnes
Published: April 2019

Bed rest is commonly used on medical and paediatric wards as part of nursing management of the physically compromised patient with severe anorexia nervosa. The aim of this study was to review the evidence base of bed rest as an intervention in the management of severe anorexia nervosa. We searched MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, PsychInfo, CINAHL, HMIC, AMED, HBE, BNI and guidelines written in English until April 2018 using the following terms: bed rest and anorexia nervosa. After exclusion of duplicates, three guidelines and eight articles were included. The papers were methodologically heterogeneous, and therefore, quantitative summary was not possible. There have been no randomised controlled trials to compare the benefits and harms of bed rest as the focus of intervention in the treatment of anorexia nervosa. Several papers showed that patients have a strong preference for less restrictive approaches. These are also less intensive in nursing time. Negative physical consequences were described in a number of studies: these included lower heart rate, impaired bone turn over and increased risk of infection. We found no evidence to support bed rest in hospital treatment of anorexia nervosa. The risks associated with bed rest are significant and include both physical and psychological harm, and these can be avoided by early mobilisation. Given the established complications of bed rest in other critically ill patient populations, it is difficult to recommend the enforcement of bed rest for patients with anorexia nervosa. Future research should focus on safe early mobilisation, which would reduce complications and improve patient satisfaction.
Fungi participate in the dysbiosis of gut microbiota in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis
Authors: Lemoinne Sara , Kemgang Astrid , Ben Belkacem Karima , Straube Marjolène , Jegou Sarah , Corpechot Christophe ,   Saint-Antoine IBD Network, Chazouillères Olivier , Housset Chantal , Sokol Harry
Published: April 2019

Objective

Patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) were previously shown to display a bacterial gut dysbiosis but fungal microbiota has never been examined in these patients. The aim of this study was to assess the fungal gut microbiota in patients with PSC.

Design

We analysed the faecal microbiota of patients with PSC and concomitant IBD (n=27), patients with PSC and no IBD (n=22), patients with IBD and no PSC (n=33) and healthy subjects (n=30). Bacterial and fungal composition of the faecal microbiota was determined using 16S and ITS2 sequencing, respectively.

Results

We found that patients with PSC harboured bacterial dysbiosis characterised by a decreased biodiversity, an altered composition and a decreased correlation network density. These alterations of the microbiota were associated with PSC, independently of IBD status. For the first time, we showed that patients with PSC displayed a fungal gut dysbiosis, characterised by a relative increase in biodiversity and an altered composition. Notably, we observed an increased proportion of Exophiala and a decreased proportion of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Compared with patients with IBD and healthy subjects, the gut microbiota of patients with PSC exhibited a strong disruption in bacteria-fungi correlation network, suggesting an alteration in the interkingdom crosstalk.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that bacteria and fungi contribute to gut dysbiosis in PSC.
Impact of comorbidity on health outcome after a transport-related injury
Authors: Samoborec Stella , Simpson Pamela , Hassani-Mahmooei Behrooz , Ruseckaite Rasa , Giummarra Melita , Ayton Darshini , Evans Sue
Published: April 2019

Introduction

Understanding the impact of comorbidity on health outcomes is important given that comorbidities can affect survival, morbidity, service delivery costs and healthcare utilisation. However, little is known about the types of comorbidities affecting specific health outcomes after minor to moderate road trauma.

Methods

This study involved 1574 participants who claimed injury compensation following transport-related injury. Cross sectional data were collected. Health outcomes were assessed using the EQ-5D-3L specific domains and summary score. Twelve self-reported pre-existing chronic conditions were assessed using a multivariate logistic regression, adjusting for demographic and injury characteristics.

Results

Out of 1574 participants, only 17 (1%) participants reported no pre-existing comorbidities, 72% reported one, 13% reported two and 14% reported three or more comorbidities. Hypertension (15%), depression (14%) and anxiety (14%) were the most commonly reported comorbidities, followed by arthritis (13%), chronic pain (11%) and asthma (11%). Participants with a history of arthritis (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.90, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.91); chronic back pain (AOR 1.59, 95% CI, 1.04 to 2.43); other chronic pain (AOR 2.73, 95% CI 1.42 to 4.24); depression (AOR 2.55, 95% CI 1.60 to 4.05) and anxiety (AOR 2.08, 95% CI 1.32 to 3.26) were at increased risk of poorer health outcomes, after controlling for age, gender, type of injury and time since injury.

Conclusion

This study found that comorbidities such as arthritis, chronic back pain, other chronic pain, depression and anxiety significantly increase the odds of poorer health postinjury, regardless of the time since injury. Regular screening of comorbid conditions may help identify people likely to have poorer outcomes, thereby enabling the implementation of interventions to optimise health despite the presence of comorbidities.
A novel mutation in theGFAPgene expands the phenotype of Alexander disease
Authors: Casasnovas Carlos , Verdura Edgard , Vélez Valentina , Schlüter Agatha , Pons-Escoda Albert , Homedes Christian , Ruiz Montserrat , Fourcade Stéphane , Launay Nathalie , Pujol Aurora
Published: April 2019

Background

Alexander disease, an autosomal dominant leukodystrophy, is caused by missense mutations inGFAP. Although mostly diagnosed in children, associated with severe leukoencephalopathy, milder adult forms also exist.

Methods

A family affected by adult-onset spastic paraplegia underwent neurological examination and cerebral MRI. Two patients were sequenced by whole exome sequencing (WES). A candidate variant was functionally tested in an astrocytoma cell line.

Results

The novel variant inGFAP(Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein) N-terminal head domain (p.Gly18Val) cosegregated in multiple relatives (LOD score: 2.7). All patients, even those with the mildest forms, showed characteristic signal changes or atrophy in the brainstem and spinal cord MRIs, and abnormal MRS. In vitro, this variant did not cause significant protein aggregation, in contrast to most Alexander disease mutations characterised so far. However, cell area analysis showed larger size, a feature previously described in patients and mouse models.

Conclusion

We suggest that this variant causes variable expressivity and an attenuated phenotype of Alexander disease type II, probably associated with alternative pathogenic mechanisms, that is, astrocyte enlargement.GFAPanalysis should be considered in adult-onset neurological presentations with pyramidal and bulbar symptoms, in particular when characteristic findings, such as the tadpole sign, are present in MRI. WES is a powerful tool to diagnose atypical cases.
Onset of efficacy and duration of response of galcanezumab for the prevention of episodic migraine: a post-hoc analysis
Authors: Goadsby Peter J , Dodick David W , Martinez James M , Ferguson Margaret B , Oakes Tina M , Zhang Qi , Skljarevski Vladimir , Aurora Sheena K
Published: April 2019

Background and objective

As new migraine prevention treatments are developed, the onset of a preventive effect, how long it is maintained and whether patients initially non-responsive develop clinically meaningful responses with continued treatment can be assessed.

Methods

Analyses were conducted post-hoc of a double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase II-a study in patients with episodic migraine receiving galcanezumab 150 mg or placebo biweekly for 12 weeks (Lancet Neurol13:885, 2014). The number of migraine headache days per week, and onset of efficacy measured as the first week galacanezumab separated from placebo were determined. Patients with ≥50%, ≥75% and 100% reduction in migraine headache days from baseline at months 1, 2 and 3 were calculated and defined as sustained responses. Non-responders (<50% response) at month 1 or 2 who then showed ≥50%, ≥75% and 100% response at later time-points were calculated.

Results

Patients were randomised to galcanezumab (n=107) or placebo (n=110). A significant (p=0.018) change of −0.89±0.11 (galcanezumab) vs −0.53±0.11 (placebo) migraine headache days indicated onset at week 1. Forty-seven per cent of galcanezumab and 25% of placebo patients responding at month 1 maintained response through months 2 and 3. Of non-responders at month 1, 27% on galcanezumab and 20% on placebo responded on months 2 and 3, and 50% of galcanezumab non-responders in months 1 and 2 responded on month 3, vs 24% on placebo.

Conclusions

The onset of efficacy of galcanezumab is within 1 week in a majority of patients, and patients receiving galcanezumab are twice more likely to maintain responses than placebo patients. Early non-responders may respond by month 2 or month 3.

Trial registration number

NCT01625988.
Efficient and Scalable Execution of Fine-Grained Dynamic Linear Pipelines
Authors: Mastoras Aristeidis , Gross Thomas R.
Published: April 2019

We present
Pipelite
, a dynamic scheduler that exploits the properties of dynamic linear pipelines to achieve high performance for fine-grained workloads. The flexibility of
Pipelite
allows the stages and their data dependences to be determined at runtime.
Pipelite
unifies communication, scheduling, and synchronization algorithms with suitable data structures. This unified design introduces the
local suspension
mechanism and a
wait-free enqueue
operation, which allow efficient dynamic scheduling. The evaluation on a 44-core machine, using programs from three widely used benchmark suites, shows that
Pipelite
implies low overhead and significantly outperforms the state of the art in terms of speedup, scalability, and memory usage.
A Note on Using Performance and Data Profiles for Training Algorithms
Authors: Porcelli Margherita , Toint Philippe L.
Published: April 2019

This article shows how to use performance and data profile benchmarking tools to improve the performance of algorithms. We propose to achieve this goal by defining and approximately solving suitable optimization problems involving the parameters of the algorithm under consideration. Because these problems do not have derivatives and may involve integer variables, we suggest using a mixed-integer derivative-free optimizer for this task. A numerical illustration is presented (using the BFO package), which indicates that the obtained gains are potentially significant.
The Peano Software—Parallel, Automaton-based, Dynamically Adaptive Grid Traversals
Authors: Weinzierl Tobias
Published: April 2019

We discuss the design decisions, design alternatives, and rationale behind the third generation of Peano, a framework for dynamically adaptive Cartesian meshes derived from spacetrees. Peano ties the mesh traversal to the mesh storage and supports only one element-wise traversal order resulting from space-filling curves. The user is not free to choose a traversal order herself. The traversal can exploit regular grid subregions and shared memory as well as distributed memory systems with almost no modifications to a serial application code. We formalize the software design by means of two interacting automata—one automaton for the multiscale grid traversal and one for the application-specific algorithmic steps. This yields a callback-based programming paradigm. We further sketch the supported application types and the two data storage schemes realized before we detail high-performance computing aspects and lessons learned. Special emphasis is put on observations regarding the used programming idioms and algorithmic concepts. This transforms our report from a “one way to implement things” code description into a generic discussion and summary of some alternatives, rationale, and design decisions to be made for any tree-based adaptive mesh refinement software.
Heat therapy vs. supervised exercise therapy for peripheral arterial disease: a 12-wk randomized, controlled trial
Authors: Akerman Ashley P. , Thomas Kate N. , van Rij Andre M. , Body E. Dianne , Alfadhel Mesfer , Cotter James D.
Published: April 2019

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is characterized by lower limb atherosclerosis impairing blood supply and causing walking-induced leg pain or claudication. Adherence to traditional exercise training programs is poor due to these symptoms despite exercise being a mainstay of conservative treatment. Heat therapy improves many cardiovascular health outcomes, so this study tested if this was a viable alternative cardiovascular therapy for PAD patients. Volunteers with PAD were randomized to 12 wk of heat ( n = 11; mean age 76 ± 8 yr, BMI 28.7 ± 3.5 kg/m2, 4 females) or exercise ( n = 11; 74 ± 10 yr, 28.5 ± 6.8 kg/m2, 3 females). Heat involved spa bathing at ∼39°C, 3–5 days/wk for ≤30 min, followed by ≤30 min of callisthenics. Exercise involved ≤90 min of supervised walking and gym-based exercise, 1–2 days/wk. Following the interventions, total walking distance during a 6-min walk test increased (from ∼350 m) by 41 m (95% CI: [13, 69], P = 0.006) regardless of group, and pain-free walking distance increased (from ∼170 m) by 43 m ([22, 63], P < 0.001). Systolic blood pressure was reduced more following heat (−7 mmHg, [−4, −10], P < 0.001) than following exercise (−3 mmHg, [0, −6], P = 0.078), and diastolic and mean arterial pressure decreased by 4 mmHg in both groups ( P = 0.002). There were no significant changes in blood volume, ankle-brachial index, or measures of vascular health. There were no differences in the improvement in functional or blood pressure outcomes between heat and exercise in individuals with PAD.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Heat therapy via hot-water immersion and supervised exercise both improved walking distance and resting blood pressure in peripheral arterial disease (PAD) patients over 12 wk. Adherence to heat therapy was excellent, and the heat intervention was well tolerated. The results of the current study indicate that heat therapy can improve functional ability and has potential as an effective cardiovascular conditioning tool for individuals with PAD.

Listen to this article's corresponding podcast at https://ajpheart.podbean.com/e/heat-therapy-vs-exercise-in-peripheral-arterial-disease/ .
Arrdc2 and Arrdc3 elicit divergent changes in gene expression in skeletal muscle following anabolic and catabolic stimuli
Authors: Gordon Bradley S. , Rossetti Michael L. , Eroshkin Alexey M.
Published: April 2019

Skeletal muscle is a highly plastic organ regulating various processes in the body. As such, loss of skeletal muscle underlies the increased morbidity and mortality risk that is associated with numerous conditions. However, no therapies are available to combat the loss of muscle mass during atrophic conditions, which is due in part to the incomplete understanding of the molecular networks altered by anabolic and catabolic stimuli. Thus, the current objective was to identify novel gene networks modulated by such stimuli. For this, total RNA from the tibialis anterior muscle of mice that were fasted overnight or fasted overnight and refed the next morning was subjected to microarray analysis. The refeeding stimulus altered the expression of genes associated with signal transduction. Specifically, expression of alpha arrestin domain containing 2 (Arrdc2) and alpha arrestin domain containing 3 (Arrdc3) was significantly lowered 70–85% by refeeding. Subsequent analysis showed that expression of these genes was also lowered 50–75% by mechanical overload, with the combination of nutrients and mechanical overload acting synergistically to lower Arrdc2 and Arrdc3 expression. On the converse, stimuli that suppress growth such as testosterone depletion or acute aerobic exercise increased Arrdc2 and Arrdc3 expression in skeletal muscle. While Arrdc2 and Arrdc3 exhibited divergent changes in expression following anabolic or catabolic stimuli, no other member of the Arrdc family of genes exhibited the consistent change in expression across the analyzed conditions. Thus, Arrdc2 and Arrdc3 are a novel set of genes that may be implicated in the regulation of skeletal muscle mass.
Evaluation of the Relationship between Type II Diabetes Mellitus and the Prevalence of Apical Periodontitis in Root-Filled Teeth Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography: An Observational Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Sisli Selen Nihal
Published: April 2019

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of apical periodontitis (AP) in patients with type II diabetes mellitus (DM) with either optimal glycemic control (OGC) or poor glycemic control (PGC) compared with nondiabetics using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Subjects and Methods: The periapical status of 75 teeth with adequate root canal treatment performed at least 1 year ago that could be visualized in the field of view of CBCT images of 43 DM patients (29 females, 14 males) was compared with a control group consisting of 162 teeth of 86 nondiabetics (56 females, 30 males). In addition, the DM group was divided into subgroups according to the patients’ mean glycated hemoglobin level as either having OGC or PGC. The periapical status of the teeth was evaluated using the CBCT periapical index (CBCTPAI), and AP was diagnosed as a CBCTPAI ≥1. χ2, Fisher’s exact test, and independent-samples t tests were used for the statistical analysis, and p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Significant differences between the DM group and the control group were observed (p< 0.05) in terms of AP (the frequencies of both CBCTPAI ≥1 and CBCTPAI ≥3) and the frequency of cardiovascular disease, while there were no significant differences between the DM subgroups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of AP and severe bone destruction in periapical tissues was significantly higher in the DM patients compared with the nondiabetic patients.
Temp Nations? A Research Agenda on Migration, Temporariness, and Membership
Authors: Cook-Martín David
Published: April 2019

This article outlines a research agenda to study how, why, and with what consequences systems of migration policy that rely on time-delimited statuses have been tools of nation-state making. Taking a long view and comparing key contemporary cases, I argue that temporary migration regimes have been appealing because they purport to reconcile the disparate interests and preferences of political actors in sending and receiving countries, native and foreign workers, and employers. Such regimes have been a means for the affirmative selection of migrants as workers—an approach that preserves the option of rejecting them as permanent members. The proposed research would uncover the full range of temporal means by which states have shaped populations through migration policy. Substantively, it explores how changes in the ratio of temporary to permanent statuses affect the meaning of political belonging. This would include an examination of how the policing of temporariness requires routine bureaucratic monitoring as well as extreme measures like deportation with consequences for migrants as well as for the communities in which they live.
Agency Legitimacy: A Reputational Power Analysis of the Bureau of Land Management
Authors: Malay Joshua , Fairholm Mathew
Published: April 2019

This article examines the organizational reputation of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) using Daniel Carpenter’s reputation and power theory as a theoretical and methodological base. Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) is utilized to guide and organize case selection, as it is the legal mandate behind BLM authority and represents the fullest extent of the agency’s activities. The findings of this case study indicate that the BLM has a negative reputation in all but the legal-procedural dimension. Three implications are identified: (a) FLPMA serves only to define the procedural-legal aspect of public planning process, (b) the inability of FLPMA to define a purpose to public lands management has its root in the large scope of activity required of the BLM by FLPMA, and (c) finally, retention has placed the BLM and the federal government in a precarious position of an owner rather than custodian of the public lands.
Peripheral capital goes global: Naspers, globalisation and global media contraflow
Authors: Teer-Tomaselli Ruth , Tomaselli Keyan , Dludla Mpumelelo
Published: April 2019

Naspers, a South African media conglomerate worth US$64 billion in 2016, operates across a range of media and information platforms in 120 countries, including many ‘emerging markets’. Naspers is an exemplar of media markets’ contraflow, conceptualised as the movement of information, media content, consumer goods and capital from the ‘developing world’ into more developed markets. This study examines (a) how Naspers has diversified its core media holdings (print and satellite) into digital information service providers and e-commerce; (b) how this was achieved both globally and domestically; and (c) how this diversification allowed Naspers to maintain its pre-eminent position in the South African media market. South African financial magazine articles, between 2010 and 2014, reporting on Naspers’ globalisation are thematically examined with regard to globalisation, diversification, ownership and control and collaboration. These themes frame a political economy analysis of how Naspers penetrated, expanded and solidified its e-commerce business operations nationally and globally.
Extraversion and neuroticism: Associated responses to a positive mood induction
Authors: Fox Andrew G , Moore Michael T
Published: April 2019

The purpose of this investigation was two-fold: (1) to determine if a musical stimulus can successfully generate a positive mood induction and (2) to identify particular personality traits that may correlate with the response to this mood induction. Participants were recruited from social media websites (Facebook and Twitter), as well as from introductory psychology classes at a private university in the northeast, and completed online measures of the Big Five personality traits, positive, and negative affect. Participants were then asked to listen to a piece of music designed to induce a positive mood, followed by a subsequent assessment of both positive and negative affect. Results of our study show a complex pattern of interrelationships, consistent with the notion that both extraversion and neuroticism are characterized by mood reactivity. Future studies should attempt to replicate these findings.
Resistance and Revolution in the Age of Authoritarian Revanchism: The Power of Revolutionary Imaginaries in the Austerity-Security State Era
Authors: Selbin Eric
Published: April 2019

We live in an age of authoritarian revanchism, an era of Austerity-Security States often voted in by a set of fears stoked by elites that economies require patriarchal, conserving policies. Hence the end of state welfare functions, destruction of stable employment and unclear job futures create profound economic fear even as the destruction of communal bonds such as identities, social protections and sense of place have produced deep social dread. Resistance, rebellion and revolution remain ready and apt responses for people all around the world. Recent academic interest in ‘imaginaries’ – social, cultural, technological, psychological and more – reflect a renewed appreciation for human agency, collective action, ideology, cultural matters and the ‘narrative turn’. Rich revolutionary imaginaries, often daring acts of bricolage, provide people with the means and methods to struggle for control of the material and ideological conditions of their everyday lives even in the face of forces inimical to their interests. What could be more meaningful than changing the small worlds that are our everyday worlds and hence matter most for most of us most of the time? Where, when, and who will bring revolution into the 21st Century? A broader, deeper definition will help to ascertain, explore and explicate.

Resistencia y revolución en la época del revanchismo autoritario: el poder de los imaginarios revolucionarios en la era de la austeridad-seguridad
Throbbing crowds: Of dancing grannies and acoustic milieus in contemporary China
Authors: Wang Jing
Published: April 2019

Drawing from ancient Chinese acoustic thinking and contemporary Western philosophy, this article re-interprets ‘the throbbing crowd’ (the kind of crowd organised by a certain kind of rhythm) once described by Elias Canetti (1963). Through the philosophy of qi that defines things as correlative, changing and responsive, I try to suggest that the acoustic milieu generated by groups like Chinese dancing grannies that emerged in late 1990s when the nationwide movement of laid-off workers took place, should not be reduced to a background sound. Instead, an acoustic milieu is produced by and at the same time produces creative and embodied co-relations, that is, new modalities of being-together.
The Social and Emotional Impact of Involving Individuals With Mental Illness in the Research Process
Authors: Werner-Seidler Aliza , Shaw Frances
Published: April 2019

There is a need to involve individuals with a lived experience in health and medical research. Some organizations have developed mechanisms to seek the input of people with a lived experience. However, there are few examples of qualitative research into the impacts of participation. In this study, we investigate the social and emotional impact of participation on individuals, as well as the perceived impact on the organization, in an advisory panel at an Australian mental health research institute. In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 50% of the participants on the panel to understand how they conceptualized their involvement. Participants became invested in the organization and their role within it, and found it personally valuable to access diverse perspectives and discuss mental health outside a treatment context. These findings suggest that participating in the research process is beneficial to individuals with a lived experience of mental illness.
Engaging Patients in Primary Care Quality Improvement Initiatives: Facilitators and Barriers
Authors: Pandhi Nancy , Jacobson Nora , Crowder Madison , Quanbeck Andrew , Hass Mollie , Davis Sarah
Published: April 2019

Health care transformation calls for patient engagement in quality improvement (PEQI), yet practice participation remains low. This pilot study of 8 primary care clinics at 7 statewide locations sought to determine the most effective strategies for disseminating a previously successful single-system PEQI intervention. Qualitative data were obtained through site visits, interviews, observations, and journaling. All material pertaining to barriers, recruitment/retention, and implementation was extracted, compared, and categorized. Five teams partially completed the intervention and 3 finished. These 3 teams did not ask for shorter trainings and were assigned a quality improvement (QI) coach. Multiple barriers to recruitment, implementation, and retention were noted at the organizational and clinic/team level, including turnover, shifting priorities, cross-level communication difficulties, lack of QI knowledge, and confusion between patient engagement and patient activation. These findings suggest that QI facilitation and dedicated time can help primary care teams identify and overcome barriers to PEQI.
A systematic follow-up protocol achieving a low hemodialysis graft thrombosis rate
Authors: Caro Acevedo Pilar , Marchante Rosa , Thuissard Israel J , Sanz-Rosa David , Amann Raquel , Hernandez Beatriz , Delgado Ramón
Published: April 2019

Introduction:

Graft is an alternative to native arteriovenous fistula to ensure permanent vascular access in hemodialysis patients. The most common complication is significant stenosis, which frequently causes thrombosis and graft loss. Periodic monitoring and surveillance with elective correction of stenotic lesions can prolong graft survival.

Objective:

To describe the effect of early diagnosis of significant stenosis on the rate of thrombosis and graft patency.

Methods:

Retrospective, observational study of a cohort of 86 prevalent patients undergoing hemodialysis with a graft as their vascular access. We applied a systematic follow-up protocol of 115 grafts based on various screening methods of monitoring (clinical monitoring, pre-pump arterial pressure, dynamic venous pressure, percentage of recirculation, and dose of dialysis) in conjunction with surveillance (normalized intra-access venous pressure and access flow). The annual rates of thrombosis, and primary, primary-assisted, and secondary patency were assessed.

Results:

The incidence of significant stenosis and thrombosis was 57.4% (65/115) and 39.0% (45/115), respectively. Of all screening procedures, normalized intra-access venous pressure was the best predictor of significant stenosis (hazards ratio, 7.71; 95% confidence interval, 3.06–19.46). The annual rate of thrombosis fluctuated from 0 to 0.26 thromboses/patient/year, with an average rate of 0.14 thromboses/patient/year. Primary, primary-assisted, and secondary patency were 74%/79%/82%, 50%/60%/66%, and 23%/35%/37% at 1, 2, and 5 years, respectively.

Conclusion:

The implementation of a systematic graft follow-up protocol combined with monitoring and surveillance enabled early diagnosis and elective correction of significant stenosis, prolonged graft patency, and a low thrombosis rate.
Anticancer Activity of Methanol Extract of Ficus carica Leaves and Fruits Against Proliferation, Apoptosis, and Necrosis in Huh7it Cells
Authors: Purnamasari Risa , Winarni Dwi , Permanasari Adita Ayu , Agustina Eva , Hayaza Suhailah , Darmanto Win
Published: April 2019

The polyphenol plant extracts have previously been demonstrated to act as chemopreventive and anticancer agents. Ficus carica is a rich source of polyphenols, yet its antioxidant and anticancer activities remain poorly characterized. This study aimed to determine the anticancer activity of F carica leaf and fruit extracts by investigating their impact on proliferation, apoptosis, and Huh7it cell necrosis. Leaves and fruits were extracted using methanol, and the phytochemical contents were analyzed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The antioxidant activity was measured using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl method. Anticancer activities were examined through MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium) assay on Huh7it liver cancer cells. The apoptosis and necrosis conditions were examined using Annexin biomarkers V-PI and later analyzed in flow cytometry. F carica leaves and fruit examined were found to have strong antioxidant activities with IC50 values of 7.9875 µg/mL and 13.402 µg/mL, respectively. MTT assay results indicated F carica leaves and fruit had IC50 values >653 μg/mL and >2000 μg/mL, respectively. The flow cytometry analysis indicated a higher percentage of Huh7it apoptosis and necrosis in leaf extracts compared with fruit extracts. The difference in anticancer activity was attributed to differing compounds present in each extract.
Distinct DNA Sequence Preference for Histone Occupancy in Primary and Transformed Cells
Authors: Datta Subhamoy , Patel Manthan , Patel Divyesh , Singh Umashankar
Published: April 2019

Genome-wide occupancy of several histone modifications in various cell types has been studied using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) sequencing. Histone occupancy depends on DNA sequence features like inter-strand symmetry of base composition and periodic occurrence of TT/AT. However, whether DNA sequence motifs act as an additional effector of histone occupancy is not known. We have analyzed the presence of DNA sequence motifs in publicly available ChIP-sequence datasets for different histone modifications. Our results show that DNA sequence motifs are associated with histone occupancy, some of which are different between primary and transformed cells. The motifs for primary and transformed cells showed different levels of GC-richness and proximity to transcription start sites (TSSs). The TSSs associated with transformed or primary cell-specific motifs showed different levels of TSS flank transcription in primary and transformed cells. Interestingly, TSSs with a motif-linked occupancy of H2AFZ, a component of positioned nucleosomes, showed a distinct pattern of RNA Polymerase II (POLR2A) occupancy and TSS flank transcription in primary and transformed cells. These results indicate that DNA sequence features dictate differential histone occupancy in primary and transformed cells, and the DNA sequence motifs affect transcription through regulation of histone occupancy.
Percussion characteristic analysis for hydraulic rock drill with no constant-pressurized chamber through numerical simulation and experiment
Authors: Ma Wei , Geng Xiaoguang , Jia Chengzhe , Gao Lulu , Liu Yuchao , Tian Xiang
Published: April 2019

Considering the insufficiency of numerical study on the percussion characteristic of hydraulic rock drill, which restricts the improvement of efficiency and reliability, a coupling model including the impact piston, spool valve, impact accumulator, and connecting pipelines was established taking into account the oil compressibility, oil leakage, and pressure drop in valve ports. The rebound velocity of impact piston was calculated based on the stress wave theory. The simulation results revealed the coupling mechanism of percussion system. Pressure curves of the piston’s front-chamber and rear-chamber, and valve’s left-chamber and right-chamber were obtained by field rock drilling test. Then, the velocity curve of impact piston was obtained after judging the striking point through the feature of rear-chamber’s pressure spike, so were the rock drill’s impact energy, impact frequency, and impact power. The simulation and experimental results have consistency. And, on this basis, the influence of spool valve’s damping clearance ( δ) and pipeline diameters ( d1, d2) connecting the impact piston and spool valve on the percussion performance and system cavitation was researched. The results show that the larger δ is better considering reversal time of spool valve, the impact frequency of rock drill, pressure fluctuation, and cavitation relief. But too large δ will cause over quick impact velocity of the spool valve, which may lead to strong vibration and the damage of spool valve. The optimal value of δ is 0.01 mm by comprehensive consideration. The pipeline diameters have an important influence on the pressure fluctuation and negative pressure in rear-chamber. The diameters should be larger than 18 mm to alleviate the cavitation. This article provides means for the design and research of rock drills.
Performance of condensing and evaporating characteristics of an auto-refrigerating cascade system
Authors: Rui Shengjun , Lu Xianghua , Liang Kunfeng
Published: April 2019

The condensing and evaporating characteristics of an auto-refrigerating cascade cycle employing ternary zeotropic mixture R600a/R23/R14 are studied in this article. When the outlet temperature of condenser is 300 K, the composition ratio of R600a/R23/R14 in liquid mixture is 78.04/12.62/9.34, respectively. In the liquid mixture, the R600a is the dominating component. The separation mass fraction of R23 by phase separators I and II is 12.62% and 30.27%, respectively; 78.04% refrigerant R600a can be separated by phase separator I, and 9.34% refrigerant R14 is liquid. In evaporator, the composition ratio of R600a occupies 6.31%, while the low-boiling-point refrigerant R14 accounts for 45.64%. The changing of composition ratio could significantly influence the cooling loads while had a little influence on the changing of the evaporating temperature. The maximum cooling load is 85 and 50 W for composition 35/35/30 and composition 35/30/35, respectively, and the maximum coefficients of performance are 14.4% and 8.5%, respectively.
Gut bioengineering promotes gut repair and pharmaceutical research: a review
Authors: Huang Jinjian , Ren Yanhan , Wu Xiuwen , Li Zongan , Ren Jianan
Published: April 2019

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract has a diverse set of physiological functions, including peristalsis, immune defense, and nutrient absorptions. These functions are mediated by various intestinal cells such as epithelial cells, interstitial cells, smooth muscle cells, and neurocytes. The loss or dysfunction of specific cells directly results in GI disease, while supplementation of normal cells promotes gut healing. Gut bioengineering has been developing for this purpose to reconstruct the damaged tissues. Moreover, GI tract provides an accessible route for drug delivery, but the collateral damages induced by side effects cannot be ignored. Bioengineered intestinal tissues provide three-dimensional platforms that mimic the in vivo environment to study drug functions. Given the importance of gut bioengineering in current research, in this review, we summarize the advances in the technologies of gut bioengineering and their applications. We were able to identify several ground-breaking discoveries in our review, while more work is needed to promote the clinical translation of gut bioengineering.
Researching health behaviour in ‘real time’: Methodological insights from a prospective study on Olympic hopefuls
Authors: Schubring Astrid , Barker-Ruchti Natalie , Post Anna , Pettersson Stefan
Published: April 2019

In this article, we share our experience of navigating qualitative longitudinal research with a ‘hard to recruit’ population. To detail design conception, methodological challenges and insights, we draw on the case of a 1-year-long study on health behaviour in Olympic hopefuls. In order to accompany 12 athletes who aimed to qualify for either an Olympic Games (n = 10) or a World Championship (n = 2), we developed and implemented a career background questionnaire; semi-structured interviews; weekly web surveys; a training observation and a compilation of competition results. Based on the longitudinal research experience, we present project management and project data of the Paths-to-Rio study to discuss the challenges we faced, including gaining access to an elite population, their retention and anonymity. We further outline insights the prospective study gave us on the value of missing data as data and on the benefits participants described in terms of learning through research involvement. We conclude with recommendations for future qualitative longitudinal research.
Randomized Trial of Intravenous Versus Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy Plus Bevacizumab in Advanced Ovarian Carcinoma: An NRG Oncology/Gynecologic Oncology Group Study
Authors: Walker Joan L. , Brady Mark F. , Wenzel Lari , Fleming Gini F. , Huang Helen Q. , DiSilvestro Paul A. , Fujiwara Keiichi , Alberts David S. , Zheng Wenxin , Tewari Krishnansu S. , Cohn David E. , Powell Matthew A. , Van Le Linda , Davidson Susan A. , Gray Heidi J. , Rose Peter G. , Aghajanian Carol , Myers Tashanna , Alvarez Secord Angeles , Rubin Stephen C. , Mannel Robert S.
Published: April 2019

PURPOSE

To evaluate the impact of two different intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy regimens on progression-free survival (PFS) among women with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian carcinoma.

METHODS

Eligible patients were randomly assigned to six cycles of IV paclitaxel 80 mg/m2 once per week with intravenous (IV) carboplatin area under the curve 6 (IV carboplatin) versus IV paclitaxel 80 mg/m2 once per week with IP carboplatin area under the curve 6 (IP carboplatin) versus once every 3 weeks IV paclitaxel 135 mg/m2 over 3 hours day 1, IP cisplatin 75 mg/m2 day 2, and IP paclitaxel 60 mg/m2 day 8 (IP cisplatin). All participants received bevacizumab 15 mg/kg IV every 3 weeks in cycles 2 to 22.

RESULTS

A total of 1,560 participants were enrolled and had 84.8 months of follow-up. The median PFS duration was 24.9 months in the IV carboplatin arm, 27.4 months in the IP carboplatin arm, and 26.2 months in the IP cisplatin arm. For the subgroup of 1,380 patients with stage II/III and residual disease of 1 cm or less, median PFS was 26.9 (IV-carboplatin), 28.7 (IP-carboplatin), and 27.8 months (IP cisplatin), respectively. Median PFS for patients with stage II/III and no residual disease was 35.9, 38.8, and 35.5 months, respectively. Median overall survival for all enrolled was 75.5, 78.9, and 72.9 months, respectively, and median overall survival for stage II/III with no gross residual disease was 98.8 months, 104.8 months, and not reached. Mean patient-reported Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy neurotoxicity scores (Gynecologic Oncology Group) were similar for all arms, but the mean Trial Outcome Index of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Ovary scores during chemotherapy were statistically worse in the IP cisplatin arm.

CONCLUSION

Compared with the IV carboplatin reference arm, the duration of PFS was not significantly increased with either IP regimen when combined with bevacizumab and was better tolerated than IP cisplatin.
Surveillance, social punishment, and the viability of Homo Virtualis
Authors: Mellon Robert C.
Published: April 2019

As emerging encryption technology results in widespread freedom from detection of online activity, Homo Virtualis might usefully be considered as Homo sapiens without a gun to its head—a highly evolved species experiencing, for the first time on a massive scale, a home environment in which the individual who engages in acts that harm others is not identifiable. This renders the punishment of antisocial behavior in this context impossible, clearing the warning signals for retribution and crippling this ancient and brutal method for limiting the occurrence of antisocial or unwanted behavior. If Homo Virtualis is to retain this newfound freedom from threat and invigilation, prosocial behavior must continue to prevail in the absence of credible threat of punishment for the antisocial. The prospects are far from certain, and an attendant spike in the frequency of misdeed would be sure to evoke a crackdown on encryption tech. On the bright side, a widespread failure of punishment to inhibit malice and malfeasance online might finally evoke serious consideration of how H. sapiens might ensure a low frequency of antisocial behavior absent the threat of dire consequence for transgression, via the positive reinforcement of prosocial conduct, rendering interpersonal and community sensitivity and service pleasurable rather than obligatory. Encryption technologies can provide valuable support for such a comprehensively humanistic effort to reduce malfeasance by eliminating threats of public censure for current and budding offenders’ own efforts to address their problematic proclivities.
Has Section 404 of the Sarbanes–Oxley Act Discouraged Corporate Investment? New Evidence from a Natural Experiment
Authors: Albuquerque Ana , Zhu Julie Lei
Published: April 2019

Prior studies conclude that an unintended consequence of firms complying with the Sarbanes–Oxley Act is lower levels of risk-taking activities, including investment. We first show that prior studies cannot isolate the effects of SOX from other contemporaneous events. We then use the implementation requirements of SOX404 to construct a natural experiment that isolates the effects of SOX404 for a sample of small firms. We do not find a reduction in investment and other risk-taking activities for firms that had to comply with SOX404, relative to other firms. Because small firms are expected to be the most adversely affected by the regulation, our results cast doubt on the notion that SOX404 had a negative impact on larger firms.

Data and the online appendix are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2018.3090 .

This paper was accepted by Suraj Srinivasan, accounting.
Peer Effects of Corporate Social Responsibility
Authors: Cao Jie , Liang Hao , Zhan Xintong
Published: April 2019

We investigate how firms react to their product-market peers’ commitment to and adoption of corporate social responsibility (CSR) using a regression discontinuity design approach. Relying on the passage or failure of CSR proposals by a narrow margin of votes during shareholder meetings, we find the passage of a close-call CSR proposal and its implementation are followed by the adoption of similar CSR practices by peer firms. In addition, peers that have greater difficulty in catching up with the voting firm in CSR experience significantly lower stock returns around the passage, consistent with the notion that the spillover effect of the adoption of CSR is a strategic response to competitive threat. Using alternative definitions of peers and examining underlying mechanisms, we further rule out alternative explanations, such as that based on propagation by financial intermediaries.

This paper was accepted by Gustavo Manso, finance department.
International scoping exercise into expertise in children's orthopaedic nursing and educational pathways
Authors: Judd Julia
Published: April 2019

Maintaining competence and keeping skills and knowledge in children's orthopaedic nursing alive are problematic in both the UK and Australia. The dearth of dedicated postgraduate courses for this specialty has resulted in an array of unregulated in-house training, nurses' individual educational needs not being met and potential for children with an orthopaedic problem being put at risk of not receiving optimal care. This paper reports on a travel scholarship used to compare and contrast the UK with Australia, which supported an international scoping exercise to identify nurses' beliefs regarding expertise in children's orthopaedic nursing and explore provision for maintaining pertinent knowledge and skills. Potential ways to improve support for nurses in maintaining expertise in this field of practice are discussed.
How the NMC quality standards assure nursing and nursing associate education
Authors: Glasper Alan
Published: April 2019

Emeritus Professor Alan Glasper, University of Southampton, discusses the new processes used by the Nursing and Midwifery Council to ensure that all programmes leading to registration are fit for purpose and award
From staff nurse to nurse consultant: Continuing professional development part 12: keeping evidence
Authors: Fowler John
Published: April 2019

John Fowler Educational Consultant, discusses the nature and importance of evidence
Investigating the effect of local warming on vein diameter in the antecubital area in adults aged 20-40 years
Authors: Homayouni Aliakbar , Tabari-Khomeiran Rasoul , Asadi-Louyeh Attaolah
Published: April 2019

Background:

peripheral intravenous cannulation is the most prevalent invasive procedure performed on patients admitted to hospital. The procedure is not always easy to undertake and can lead to problems for the patient and nurse. Alongside various procedures, local warming is one technique that could be used to increase the diameter of superficial veins. This prospective non-randomised trial aimed to determine the effect of local warming on vein diameter in the antecubital area in adults aged 20–40 years.

Method:

the subjects included 55 volunteers who were in good health. The cephalic vein diameter of the right arm cubital area was measured for each participant using ultrasound guidance. The arm was warmed for 10 minutes using a heating device maintained at 42ºC. A second ultrasound scan was then undertaken immediately afterwards and cephalic vein diameter measured.

Results:

local warming increased the cephalic vein diameter in the cubital area by 0.43±0.4 mm. There was no significant relationship between change in cephalic vein diameter and participants' gender, age or body mass index.

Conclusion:

the results indicate that the application of heat is an effective technique for venodilation and could be considered in emergencies or in cases when other veins are difficult to access.