bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology and trends in non-fatal self-harm in three centres in England, 2000–2012: findings from the Multicentre Study of Self-harm in England
Authors: Geulayov Galit , Kapur Navneet , Turnbull Pauline , Clements Caroline , Waters Keith , Ness Jennifer , Townsend Ellen , Hawton Keith
Published: April 2016

Objectives

Self-harm is a major health problem in many countries, with potential adverse outcomes including suicide and other causes of premature death. It is important to monitor national trends in this behaviour. We examined trends in non-fatal self-harm and its management in England during the 13-year period, 2000–2012.

Design and setting

This observational study was undertaken in the three centres of the Multicentre Study of Self-harm in England. Information on all episodes of self-harm by individuals aged 15 years and over presenting to five general hospitals in three cities (Oxford, Manchester and Derby) was collected through face-to-face assessment or scrutiny of emergency department electronic databases. We used negative binomial regression models to assess trends in rates of self-harm and logistic regression models for binary outcomes (eg, assessed vs non-assessed patients).

Participants

During 2000–2012, there were 84 378 self-harm episodes (58.6% by females), involving 47 048 persons.

Results

Rates of self-harm declined in females (incidence rate ratio (IRR) 0.98; 95% CI 0.97 to 0.99, p<0.0001). In males, rates of self-harm declined until 2008 (IRR 0.96; 95% CI 0.95 to 0.98, p<0.0001) and then increased (IRR 1.05; 95% CI 1.02 to 1.09, p=0.002). Rates of self-harm were strongly correlated with suicide rates in England in males (r=0.82, p=0.0006) and females (r=0.74, p=0.004). Over 75% of self-harm episodes were due to self-poisoning, mainly with analgesics (45.7%), antidepressants (24.7%) and benzodiazepines (13.8%). A substantial increase in self-injury occurred in the latter part of the study period. This was especially marked for self-cutting/stabbing and hanging/asphyxiation. Psychosocial assessment by specialist mental health staff occurred in 53.2% of episodes.

Conclusions

Trends in rates of self-harm and suicide may be closely related; therefore, self-harm can be a useful mental health indicator. Despite national guidance, many patients still do not receive psychosocial assessment, especially those who self-injure.
Risk factors for persistent and new chronic opioid use in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Inacio Maria C S , Hansen Craig , Pratt Nicole L , Graves Stephen E , Roughead Elizabeth E
Published: April 2016

Objectives

To determine chronic opioid use pre-THA (total hip arthroplasty) and post-THA, and risk factors for persistent or new chronic opioid use post-THA.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Australian Government Department of Veterans' Affairs health claims database.

Participants

9525 patients who had an elective unilateral THA between 1/01/2001 and 12/31/2012.

Primary outcome measure

Chronic opioid use. Defined as 90 days of continuous opioid use or 120 days of non-continuous use.

Results

Pre-THA, 6.2% (n=593) of patients were chronic users, while 5.2% (n=492) were post-THA. Among the 492 postoperative chronic users, 302 (61%) were chronic users pre-THA and post-THA and 190 (39%) became new chronic users after surgery. Risk factors for persistent chronic use were younger age (OR=0.96, 95% CI 0.93 to 0.99/1-year increment), back pain (OR=1.99, 95% CI 1.20 to 3.23), diabetes (OR=3.52, 95% CI 1.05 to 11.8), hypnotics use (OR=2.52, 95% CI 1.48 to 4.30) and higher pre-THA opioid exposure (compared with opioid use for 94–157 days, 157–224 days (OR=3.75, 95% CI 2.28 to 6.18), 225+ days (OR=5.18, 95% CI 2.92 to 9.19). Risk factors for new chronic opioid use post-THA were being a woman (OR=1.40, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.96), back pain (OR=3.90, 95% CI 2.85 to 5.33), depression (OR=1.70, 95% CI 1.20 to 2.41), gastric acid disease (OR=1.62, 95% CI 1.16 to 2.25), migraine (OR=5.11, 95% CI 1.08 to 24.18), liver disease (OR=4.33, 95% CI 1.08 to 17.35), weight loss (OR=2.60, 95% CI 1.06 to 6.39), dementia (OR=2.19, 95% CI 1.04 to 4.61), hyperlipidaemia (OR=1.38, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.91), hypnotics (OR=1.56, 95% CI 1.13 to 2.16) and antineuropathic pain medication use (OR=3.11, 95% CI 2.05 to 4.72).

Conclusions

Patients undergoing THA are exposed to opioids for long periods of time, putting them at high risk of harm related to opioid use. We identified groups at risk of chronic opioid use, including younger patients and women, as well as modifiable risk factors of chronic opioid use, including level of opioid exposure presurgery and hypnotic use. These indicators of chronic opioid use can be used by clinicians to target patient groups for suitable pain management interventions.
Examining the social determinants of children's developmental health: protocol for building a pan-Canadian population-based monitoring system for early childhood development
Authors: Guhn Martin , Janus Magdalena , Enns Jennifer , Brownell Marni , Forer Barry , Duku Eric , Muhajarine Nazeem , Raos Rob
Published: April 2016

Introduction

Early childhood is a key period to establish policies and practices that optimise children's health and development, but Canada lacks nationally representative data on social indicators of children's well-being. To address this gap, the Early Development Instrument (EDI), a teacher-administered questionnaire completed for kindergarten-age children, has been implemented across most Canadian provinces over the past 10 years. The purpose of this protocol is to describe the Canadian Neighbourhoods and Early Child Development (CanNECD) Study, the aims of which are to create a pan-Canadian EDI database to monitor trends over time in children's developmental health and to advance research examining the social determinants of health.

Methods and analysis

Canada-wide EDI records from 2004 to 2014 (representing over 700 000 children) will be linked to Canada Census and Income Taxfiler data. Variables of socioeconomic status derived from these databases will be used to predict neighbourhood-level EDI vulnerability rates by conducting a series of regression analyses and latent variable models at provincial/territorial and national levels. Where data are available, we will measure the neighbourhood-level change in developmental vulnerability rates over time and model the socioeconomic factors associated with those trends.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval for this study was granted by the Behavioural Research Ethics Board at the University of British Columbia. Study findings will be disseminated to key partners, including provincial and federal ministries, schools and school districts, collaborative community groups and the early childhood development research community. The database created as part of this longitudinal population-level monitoring system will allow researchers to associate practices, programmes and policies at school and community levels with trends in developmental health outcomes. The CanNECD Study will guide future early childhood development action and policies, using the database as a tool for formative programme and policy evaluation.
Workarounds to hospital electronic prescribing systems: a qualitative study in English hospitals
Authors: Cresswell Kathrin M , Mozaffar Hajar , Lee Lisa , Williams Robin , Sheikh Aziz
Published: April 2016

Background

Concerns with the usability of electronic prescribing (ePrescribing) systems can lead to the development of workarounds by users.

Objectives

To investigate the types of workarounds users employed, the underlying reasons offered and implications for care provision and patient safety.

Methods

We collected a large qualitative data set, comprising interviews, observations and project documents, as part of an evaluation of ePrescribing systems in five English hospitals, which we conceptualised as case studies. Data were collected at up to three different time points throughout implementation and adoption. Thematic analysis involving deductive and inductive approaches was facilitated by NVivo 10.

Results

Our data set consisted of 173 interviews, 24 rounds of observation and 17 documents. Participating hospitals were at various stages of implementing a range of systems with differing functionalities. We identified two types of workarounds: informal and formal. The former were informal practices employed by users not approved by management, which were introduced because of perceived changes to professional roles, issues with system usability and performance and challenges relating to the inaccessibility of hardware. The latter were formalised practices that were promoted by management and occurred when systems posed threats to patient safety and organisational functioning. Both types of workarounds involved using paper and other software systems as intermediaries, which often created new risks relating to a lack of efficient transfer of real-time information between different users.

Conclusions

Assessing formal and informal workarounds employed by users should be part of routine organisational implementation strategies of major health information technology initiatives. Workarounds can create new risks and present new opportunities for improvement in system design and integration.
Approaches to managing uncertainty in people with life-limiting conditions: role of communication and palliative care
Authors: Etkind S N , Koffman J
Published: April 2016

Patients with any major illness can expect to experience uncertainty about the nature of their illness, its treatment and their prognosis. Prognostic uncertainty is a particular source of patient distress among those living with life-limiting disease. Uncertainty also affects professionals and it has been argued that the level of professional tolerance of uncertainty can affect levels of investigation as well as healthcare resource use. We know that the way in which uncertainty is recognised, managed and communicated can have important impacts on patients' treatment and quality of life. Current approaches to uncertainty in life-limiting illness include the use of care bundles and approaches that focus on communication and education. The experience in communicating in difficult situations that specialist palliative care professionals can provide may also be of benefit for patients with life-limiting illness in the context of uncertainty. While there are a number of promising approaches to uncertainty, as yet few interventions targeted at recognising and addressing uncertainty have been fully evaluated and further research is needed in this area.
Debris-flow events at Mt Mangart, Slovenia
Authors: Lenart Stanislav
Published: April 2016

In November 2000, following significant rainfall of long duration but relatively low intensity, a sequence of mass movements occurred on the slopes of Mt Mangart in Slovenia. The initial mass movement involved a relatively dry debris flow triggered by a rising water table. The debris-flow deposits filled the local valley, blocking the stream. The deposits gradually became saturated and 2 days later resulted in a secondary (wet) debris flow. This second event was much more mobile, travelling rapidly through steep terrain and leading to the destruction or damage of 29 buildings in the village of Log pod Mangartom and seven fatalities.
The Cretaceous of the South Kyzylkum and Nuratau Region, Western Tien Shan, Central Uzbekistan
Authors: McCann Tom
Published: April 2016

The Kyzylkum and south Nuratau areas of Central Uzbekistan form the westernmost parts of the Tien Shan and contain rare outcrops of Cretaceous rocks that were deposited along the northern margin of the Amu Darya Basin. The succession can be subdivided into 18 clastic and carbonate facies, and these were deposited in a series of contrasting depositional environments from Aptian through to Maastrichtian times. Broadly, the region comprised a coastal–marine transitional zone, with the coastline advancing and retreating over time, these changes being related to major marine incursions to the east (as far as the Tarim Basin). Tectonic activity along the basin margin, with subsequent uplift of parts of the mosaic of boundary blocks, most probably influenced the development of coeval clastic/carbonate successions in the late Cretaceous.
Coexistent Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia with Extrapulmonary Sequestration
Authors: Kawamura Nao , Bhandal Samarjeet
Published: April 2016

Bronchopulmonary foregut malformations are a heterogeneous but interrelated group of abnormalities that may contain more than one histologic feature. It is helpful to be familiar with the presentation and imaging features of bronchopulmonary foregut malformations presenting as a congenital mass or mass-like lesion, as imaging plays a central role in the evaluation of these lesions since, when symptomatic, clinical features are usually nonspecific. With imaging, the presence of other associated lesions can be determined, facilitating appropriate management to prevent the potential complications. We report a case of coexisting extralobar pulmonary sequestration and ipsilateral diaphragmatic hernia in a term neonate.
Equilibrium Investment Strategy for DC Pension Plan with Inflation and Stochastic Income under Heston’s SV Model
Authors: Sun Jingyun , Li Zhongfei , Li Yongwu
Published: April 2016

We consider a portfolio selection problem for a defined contribution (DC) pension plan under the mean-variance criteria. We take into account the inflation risk and assume that the salary income process of the pension plan member is stochastic. Furthermore, the financial market consists of a risk-free asset, an inflation-linked bond, and a risky asset with Heston’s stochastic volatility (SV). Under the framework of game theory, we derive two extended Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) equations systems and give the corresponding verification theorems in both the periods of accumulation and distribution of the DC pension plan. The explicit expressions of the equilibrium investment strategies, corresponding equilibrium value functions, and the efficient frontiers are also obtained. Finally, some numerical simulations and sensitivity analysis are presented to verify our theoretical results.
Excisional Treatment of Cervical Dysplasia in Australia 2004–2013: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Robertson Gregory , Robson Stephen J.
Published: April 2016

Background. Excisional treatment of preinvasive cervical dysplasia has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. We aimed to examine trends in the rate of excisional treatment in reproductive age women in the era of HPV vaccination.Methods. National data for Australia regarding histological diagnoses of cervical dysplasia and excisional treatment for the period from 2004 to 2013 inclusive were obtained from two datasets and used to calculate age-stratified incidence rates of excisional treatment and of excisional treatments per diagnosis of dysplasia.Results.The incidence of low-grade squamous dysplasia fell in all age groups, while the incidence of high-grade dysplasia fell in the 20-to-24-year group but rose slightly for older age groups. The rate of excisional treatment fell in women aged under 35 but there was no significant change for women 35 years or older. The rate of all excisional treatments (loop excision + cone biopsy) per high-grade diagnosis (CIN2 + CIN3 + adenocarcinomain situ) fell across all three age-bands in both datasets.Conclusion. To ensure that the use of excisional treatment is appropriate, with lower rates for younger HPV-vaccinated women, close surveillance, audit, and ongoing education will be required.
Synthesis, Spectral Characterization, and Antibacterial and Antifungal Studies of PANI/V2O5Nanocomposites
Authors: Sridhar Chakradhar , Gunvanthrao Yernale Nagesh , Prasad M. V. N. Ambika
Published: April 2016

The present study deals with the synthesis and characterization of nanocrystalline vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) nanoparticles and their antibacterial and antifungal activity onStaphylococcus aureus and Aspergillus niger, respectively, by agar diffusion method. The metal oxide has been synthesized by employing the sol-gel method, polyaniline (PANI) has been synthesized by chemical oxidation, and PANI/V2O5composites have been synthesized byin situpolymerization method with different ratios (10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 weight%) of V2O5in PANI. The newly prepared composites were characterized by FTIR and powder X-ray diffraction (P-XRD) techniques and are found to be formed of PANI/V2O5nanocomposites, and also the compounds showed moderate antibacterial and antifungal activity.
An Enhanced Hybrid Social Based Routing Algorithm for MANET-DTN
Authors: Matis Martin , Doboš L’ubomír , Papaj Ján
Published: April 2016

A new routing algorithm for mobile ad hoc networks is proposed in this paper: an Enhanced Hybrid Social Based Routing (HSBR) algorithm for MANET-DTN as optimal solution for well-connected multihop mobile networks (MANET) and/or worse connected MANET with small density of the nodes and/or due to mobility fragmented MANET into two or more subnetworks or islands. This proposed HSBR algorithm is fully decentralized combining main features of both Dynamic Source Routing (DSR) and Social Based Opportunistic Routing (SBOR) algorithms. The proposed scheme is simulated and evaluated by replaying real life traces which exhibit this highly dynamic topology. Evaluation of new proposed HSBR algorithm was made by comparison with DSR and SBOR. All methods were simulated with different levels of velocity. The results show that HSBR has the highest success of packet delivery, but with higher delay in comparison with DSR, and much lower in comparison with SBOR. Simulation results indicate that HSBR approach can be applicable in networks, where MANET or DTN solutions are separately useless or ineffective. This method provides delivery of the message in every possible situation in areas without infrastructure and can be used as backup method for disaster situation when infrastructure is destroyed.
Tuberculous Gastric Abscess in a Patient with AIDS: A Rare Presentation
Authors: Nayyar Ekta , Torres Julian A. , Malvestutto Carlos D.
Published: April 2016

Tuberculosis is a healthcare concern that affects millions of individuals around the globe. Coinfection with HIV has changed both the clinical presentation and the outcome of the disease dramatically in the last few decades. Extrapulmonary tuberculosis is seen more frequently in the immunocompromised host. An unusual case of gastric tuberculosis in an AIDS patient is reported here. A 49-year-old female with AIDS was admitted for fever and epigastric pain. A gastric submucosal abscess was observed on imaging and confirmed by biopsy showing numerous neutrophils and acid-fast bacilli. Aspirate grewMycobacterium tuberculosis.This report highlights a very unusual presentation of tuberculosis in an immunodeficient patient. High clinical suspicion for opportunistic infections in unusual locations should be maintained in these patients presenting with clinical syndromes that do not respond to standard treatments. New diagnostic modalities facilitate accurate identification of these infections.
CooperSense: A Cooperative and Selective Picture Forwarding Framework Based on Tree Fusion
Authors: Chen Huihui , Guo Bin , Yu Zhiwen
Published: April 2016

Mobile crowd photographing has become a major crowd sensing paradigm, which allows people to use cameras on smart devices for local sensing. In MCP, pictures taken by different people in close proximity or time period can be highly similar and different MCP tasks have diverse constraints or needs to deal with such duplicate data. In order to save the network cost and improve the transmitting efficiency, pictures will be preselected by mobile clients and then uploaded to the server in an opportunistic manner. In this paper, CooperSense, a multitask MCP framework for cooperative and selective picture forwarding, was designed. Based on the sensing context of pictures and task constraints, CooperSense structures sequenced pictures into a hierarchical context tree. When two participants encounter, their mobile clients will just exchange their context trees and at the same time automatically accomplish forwarding high-quality pictures to each other via a tree fusion mechanism. Via virtual or real pruning and grafting, mobile clients learn which picture should be sent to the encounter and which one should be abandoned. Our experimental results indicate that the transmission and storage cost of CooperSense are much lower comparing with the traditional Epidemic Routing (ER) method, while their efficiency is almost the same.
A Novel Energy-Efficient k-Coverage Algorithm Based on Probability Driven Mechanism of Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Li Chuanfeng , Sun Zeyu , Wang Huihui , Song Houbing
Published: April 2016

In the process of fulfilling k-coverage over target nodes, a large quantity of redundant data may be produced, which will cause network congestion, reduce communication efficiency, impair coverage quality, and exhaust network energy quickly. To solve this problem, the paper proposes an Energy-Efficient k-Coverage Algorithm (EEKCA), which attempts to construct a network coverage model by utilizing the relative positions of nodes. Through analyzing the model, the coverage expectations for nodes in the monitored area and the minimum number of nodes required for full coverage are computed. As for power consumption, the paper presents an energy shifting function between working nodes and neighboring nodes, by use of which the scheduling for low-energy node is completed, balancing the energy consumption over the entire network and optimizing network resources. Finally, simulation results suggest that the proposed algorithm not only can improve the coverage quality of network but also can prevent the rapid depletion of node energy, thus achieving the goal of extending network lifetime.
A Review of Computational Electromagnetic Methods for Graphene Modeling
Authors: Shao Yu , Yang Jing Jing , Huang Ming
Published: April 2016

Graphene is a very promising optoelectronic material and has gained more and more attention. To analyze its electromagnetic properties, several numerical methods have been developed for graphene simulation. In this paper, a review of application of graphene in electronic and photonic device is provided, as well as some widely used computational electromagnetic algorithms for graphene modeling. The advantages and drawbacks of each method are discussed and numerical examples of these methods are given to illustrate their performance and application.
Nanotechnology Based Approaches for Enhancing Oral Bioavailability of Poorly Water Soluble Antihypertensive Drugs
Authors: Sharma Mayank , Sharma Rajesh , Jain Dinesh Kumar
Published: April 2016

Oral administration is the most convenient route among various routes of drug delivery as it offers high patient compliance. However, the poor aqueous solubility and poor enzymatic/metabolic stability of drugs are major limitations in successful oral drug delivery. There are several approaches to improve problems related to hydrophobic drugs. Among various approaches, nanotechnology based drug delivery system has potential to overcome the challenges associated with the oral route of administration. Novel drug delivery systems are available in many areas of medicine. The application of these systems in the treatment of hypertension continues to broaden. The present review focuses on various nanocarriers available in oral drug administration for improving solubility profile, dissolution, and consequently bioavailability of hydrophobic antihypertensive drugs.
Inspection and Numerical Analysis of an Ottoman Railway Bridge in Jordan
Authors: Almasri Amin H. , Al-Waked Qusai Fandi
Published: April 2016

The construction of bridges represents a big challenge, since they require enormous economic effort and specialized technical skills. Bridges were historically important as they help connecting people and thus diffusing cultures, sharing ideas, and providing the backbone of transportation networks. This study focuses on the inspection and structural analysis of a 20th-century Ottoman railway stone arched bridge located on the Hejaz railway network in Jordan. The bridge has a very important cultural heritage value which stems from its history. The bridge stone material was cut and tested to determine its strength, in order to be used in the analysis. The structural analysis was carried out to assess the structural condition of the bridge and its suitability for reuse. The study includes static analysis under gravity loads and seismic analysis under earthquake loads. Despite the existence of deterioration in the bridge body construction materials due to a combination of human and natural factors, the analysis results proved enough structural capability to sustain the imposed gravity loads, but not a strong earthquake.
Heads Up! Predictive Gene Signatures in Head and Neck Cancer May Be Coming Soon
Authors: Chau Nicole G. , Hammerman Peter S.
Published: April 2016

Cetuximab–platinum chemotherapy is used for recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC); however, a minority of patients benefit. Gene expression profiling (GEP) of HNSCCs with prolonged responses to cetuximab-chemotherapy demonstrate basal subtype traits including signatures of EGFR signaling and hypoxic differentiation. GEP of short-response patients show RAS activation. Clin Cancer Res; 22(15); 3710–2. ©2016 AACR.

See related article by Bossi et al., p. 3961
Role for the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor and Diverse Ligands in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Migration and Tumorigenesis
Authors: Stanford Elizabeth A. , Ramirez-Cardenas Alejandra , Wang Zhongyan , Novikov Olga , Alamoud Khalid , Koutrakis Petros , Mizgerd Joseph P. , Genco Caroline A. , Kukuruzinska Maria , Monti Stefano , Bais Manish V. , Sherr David H.
Published: April 2016

Over 45,000 new cases of oral and pharyngeal cancers are diagnosed and account for over 8,000 deaths a year in the United States. An environmental chemical receptor, the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), has previously been implicated in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) initiation as well as in normal tissue-specific stem cell self-renewal. These previous studies inspired the hypothesis that the AhR plays a role in both the acquisition and progression of OSCC, as well as in the formation and maintenance of cancer stem-like cells. To test this hypothesis, AhR activity in two oral squamous cell lines was modulated with AhR prototypic, environmental and bacterial AhR ligands, AhR-specific inhibitors, and phenotypic, genomic and functional characteristics were evaluated. The data demonstrate that: (i) primary OSCC tissue expresses elevated levels of nuclear AhR as compared with normal tissue, (ii) AhR mRNA expression is upregulated in 320 primary OSCCs, (iii) AhR hyperactivation with several ligands, including environmental and bacterial ligands, significantly increases AhR activity, ALDH1 activity, and accelerates cell migration, (iv) AhR inhibition blocks the rapid migration of OSCC cells and reduces cell chemoresistance, (v) AhR knockdown inhibits tumorsphere formation in low adherence conditions, and (vi) AhR knockdown inhibits tumor growth and increases overall survival in vivo. These data demonstrate that the AhR plays an important role in development and progression of OSCC, and specifically cancer stem-like cells. Prototypic, environmental, and bacterial AhR ligands may exacerbate OSCC by enhancing expression of these properties.

Implications: This study, for the first time, demonstrates the ability of diverse AhR ligands to regulate AhR activity in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells, as well as regulate several important characteristics of oral cancer stem cells, in vivo and in vitro. Mol Cancer Res; 14(8); 696–706. ©2016 AACR.
HIV and Hepatitis C–Coinfected Patients Have Lower Low‐Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Despite Higher Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin Kexin 9 (PCSK9): An Apparent “PCSK9–Lipid Paradox”
Authors: Kohli Payal , Ganz Peter , Ma Yifei , Scherzer Rebecca , Hur Sophia , Weigel Bernard , Grunfeld Carl , Deeks Steven , Wasserman Scott , Scott Rob , Hsue Priscilla Y.
Published: April 2016

Background

Proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9 (
PCSK
9) inhibitors reduce low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (
LDL
‐C) and improve outcomes in the general population.
HIV
‐infected individuals are at increased risk for cardiovascular events and have high rates of dyslipidemia and hepatitis C virus (
HCV
) coinfection, making
PCSK
9 inhibition a potentially attractive therapy.

Methods and Results

We studied 567 participants from a clinic‐based cohort to compare
PCSK
9 levels in patients with
HIV
/
HCV
coinfection (n=110) with those with
HIV
infection alone (n=385) and with uninfected controls (n=72). The mean age was 49 years, and the median
LDL
‐C level was 100 mg/dL (
IQR
77–124 mg/dL); 21% were taking statins. The 3 groups had similar rates of traditional risk factors. Total cholesterol,
LDL
‐C, and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were lower in coinfected patients compared with controls (
P
<0.001).
PCSK
9 was 21% higher in
HIV
/
HCV
‐coinfected patients versus controls (95%
CI
9–34%,
P
<0.001) and 11% higher in coinfected individuals versus those with
HIV
infection alone (95%
CI
3–20%,
P
=0.008). After adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors,
HIV
/
HCV
coinfection remained significantly associated with 20% higher
PCSK
9 levels versus controls (95%
CI
8–33%,
P
=0.001). Interleukin‐6 levels increased in a stepwise fashion from controls (lowest) to
HIV
‐infected to
HIV
/
HCV
‐coinfected individuals (highest) and correlated with
PCSK
9 (
r
=0.11,
P
=0.018).

Conclusions

Despite having
lower
LDL
‐C, circulating
PCSK
9 levels were
increased
in patients coinfected with
HIV
and
HCV
in parallel with elevations in the inflammatory, proatherogenic cytokine interleukin‐6. Clinical trials should be conducted to determine the efficacy of targeted
PCSK
9 inhibition in the setting of
HIV
/
HCV
coinfection.
Remnant Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Incident Coronary Heart Disease: The Jackson Heart and Framingham Offspring Cohort Studies
Authors: Joshi Parag H. , Khokhar Arif A. , Massaro Joseph M. , Lirette Seth T. , Griswold Michael E. , Martin Seth S. , Blaha Michael J. , Kulkarni Krishnaji R. , Correa Adolfo , D'Agostino Ralph B. , Jones Steven R. , Toth Peter P. ,   the Lipoprotein Investigators Collaborative (LIC) Study Group
Published: April 2016

Background

Remnant lipoproteins (RLPs), the triglyceride‐enriched precursors to low‐density lipoprotein, are an emerging risk factor for coronary heart disease (
CHD
). We sought to determine the association of RLP cholesterol (
RLP
‐C) levels with incident
CHD
in 2 diverse, prospective, longitudinal observational US cohorts.

Methods and Results

We analyzed cholesterol levels from serum lipoprotein samples separated via density gradient ultracentrifugation in 4114 US black participants (mean age 53.8 years, 64% women) from the Jackson Heart Study and a random sample of 818 predominantly white participants (mean age 57.3 years, 52% women) from the Framingham Offspring Cohort Study. Multivariable‐adjusted hazard ratios (
HRs
) for
RLP
‐C (the sum of very low‐density lipoprotein
3
cholesterol and intermediate‐density lipoprotein cholesterol) were derived to estimate associations with incident
CHD
events consisting of myocardial infarction,
CHD
death, and revascularizations for each cohort separately and as a combined population. There were 146
CHD
events in the combined population. After adjustments for age, sex, body mass index, smoking, blood pressure, diabetes, and lipid‐lowering therapy for the combined population,
RLP
‐C (
HR
1.23 per 1‐
SD
increase, 95%
CI
1.06–1.42,
P
<0.01) and intermediate‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (
HR
1.26 per 1‐
SD
increase, 95%
CI
1.08–1.47,
P
<0.01) predicted
CHD
during an 8‐year follow‐up. Associations were attenuated by high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and ultimately lost significance with inclusion of real low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, which excludes Lp(a) and IDL cholesterol fractions. Similar associations were seen in multivariable analyses within each cohort.

Conclusion

RLP
‐C levels are predictive of incident
CHD
in this diverse group of primary prevention subjects. Interventions aimed at reducing
RLP
‐C to prevent
CHD
warrant further intensive investigation.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL
:
http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov
. Unique identifier:
NCT
00415415.
Tactical Innovation in Social Movements
Authors: Wang Dan J. , Soule Sarah A.
Published: April 2016

Social movement researchers argue that tactical innovation occurs as a response to changes external to movements, such as police repression and shifts in political authority, or is due to internal movement processes, such as the characteristics of movement organizations and actors. In this study, we locate the roots of tactical innovation in the multiplicity of movement claims articulated at protest events. With data on more than 23,000 protest events that took place in the United States between 1960 and 1995, we develop novel measures of two forms of tactical innovation and the relationships between protest event claims. Our results show that multi-issue protest events are more likely to use novel recombinations of tactics, and protest events with more peripheral movement claims tend to introduce new protest tactics. Our approach brings together work on social movement dynamics, innovation, and field theoretic approaches to theorize about the relationship between the tools and content of activism.
The Controversy on the Depenalization of Religious Blasphemy in Contemporary Greece
Authors: Diamantopoulou Elisabeth A.
Published: April 2016

This article deals with the controversy over the depenalization of religious blasphemy in present-day Orthodox majority Greece. Focusing on an overview and critical analysis of the Greek legislation and contemporary case law (20th–21st centuries), the article highlights the State’s “religious protectionism” and the influence of the “dominant religion” via the legal and judicial apparatuses. The claims for abolition of the blasphemy legislation and the overall criticism, by several actors, of civil society are examined in the wider context of the contemporary debate on the necessity of separation between Church and State, and the denouncing of the interweaving between various actors at different levels of State and Church power.
Book Review: Richard B. Allen, European Slave Trading in the Indian Ocean
Authors: Roy Tirthankar
Published: April 2016

Richard B. Allen, European Slave Trading in the Indian Ocean, 1500–1850, Athens, Ohio: Ohio University Press, 2014, p. 378
Book Review: UTSA RAY, Culinary Culture in Colonial India: A Cosmopolitan Platter and the Middle Class
Authors: Sharma Jayeeta
Published: April 2016

UTSA RAY, Culinary Culture in Colonial India: A Cosmopolitan Platter and the Middle Class, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2015, p. 274.
Islamic spirituality and social work interventions: The person-in-relation approach
Authors: Pathan Sadique
Published: April 2016

One of the essential roles of a social worker is providing counselling for clients who are in need of emotional/social support. The limbic system helps to explain the physiological and cerebral functions that influence human emotion and behaviour. The chapter written by Lewis et al., ‘Kits, Cats, Sacks, and Uncertainty: How the limbic brain’s structure poses problems for love’, helps explain the basis of the scientific and physiological interpretation of emotion and feeling. However, Islamic concepts and thoughts provide an alternative and starkly contrasting perspective on human emotion and behaviour. This article argues that by social worker practitioners understanding and incorporating these Islamic concepts and terms as part of therapeutic approach, interventions will be more readily received by Muslim clients and therapeutic interventions in particular could become more effective. Furthermore, the learning of Islamic concepts by social work practitioners is an ethical consideration: the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics has outlined that social workers must strive to demonstrate that social work practice meets the cultural and spiritual needs of clients. Through learning notions on relationships and spirituality as characterized in Islam, this in turn can help the social work practitioner in challenging any personal bias and assumptions relating to Muslim culture and Islamic faith. The person-in-relation therapy is one approach that allows social work practitioners to integrate Islamic concepts when working with Muslim clients.
The role of the mosque and its relevance to social work
Authors: Al-Krenawi Alean
Published: April 2016

This article examines the significant role of the mosque in the Muslim community. In addition to being a place of prayer, the mosque provides educational, political welfare, and conflict resolution services in times of dispute between groups, families, couples, and individuals. Practitioners, social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists from Western cultures lack the informal information that can provide a full understanding of the ways in which Muslims cope in times of crisis. We suggest that social workers should expand their knowledge of the mosque and the Imam and acknowledge the vital role they play in the Muslim community. We believe that the mosque and Imam can work together with the social workers and supply the cultural and social knowledge that is required for the proper assistance to be given. This approach will help bridge the gap between local-religious and Western models of intervention.
Localized Piezoelectric Alveolar Decortication for Orthodontic Treatment in Adults
Authors: Charavet C. , Lecloux G. , Bruwier A. , Rompen E. , Maes N. , Limme M. , Lambert F.
Published: April 2016

This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the benefits and clinical outcomes of piezocision, which is a minimally invasive approach to corticotomy that is used in orthodontic treatments. Twenty-four adult patients presenting with mild overcrowdings were randomly allocated to either a control group that was treated with conventional orthodontics or a test group that received piezo-assisted orthodontics. The piezocisions were performed 1 wk week after the placement of the orthodontic appliances. Neither grafting material nor sutures were used. All patients were followed every 2 wk, and archwires were changed only when they were no longer active. The periods required for the completion of the overall orthodontic treatments were calculated, and the periodontal parameters were evaluated at baseline and at the end of the orthodontic treatment. Patient-centered outcomes were assessed with a visual analog scale; analgesic use following the procedures was also recorded. The patient characteristics were similar between the 2 groups. The overall treatment time was significantly reduced by 43% in the piezocision group as compared with the control group. In both groups, periodontal parameters (i.e., recession depth, pocket depth, plaque index, and papilla bleeding index) remained unchanged between the baseline and treatment completion time points. No increase in root resorption was observed in either group. Scars were observed in 50% of the patients in the piezocision group. Analgesic consumption was similar following orthodontic appliance placement and piezocision surgery. Patient satisfaction was significantly better in the piezocision group than in the control group. In these conditions, the piezocision technique seemed to be effective in accelerating orthodontic tooth movement. No gingival recessions were observed. The risk of residual scars might limit the indications for piezocision in patients with a high smile line ( ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02590835).
Transcriptome Reveals Cathepsin K in Periodontal Ligament Differentiation
Authors: Yamada S. , Ozaki N. , Tsushima K. , Yamaba S. , Fujihara C. , Awata T. , Sakashita H. , Kajikawa T. , Kitagaki J. , Yamashita M. , Yanagita M. , Murakami S.
Published: April 2016

Periodontal ligaments (PDLs) play an important role in remodeling the alveolar bond and cementum. Characterization of the periodontal tissue transcriptome remains incomplete, and an improved understanding of PDL features could aid in developing new regenerative therapies. Here, we aimed to generate and analyze a large human PDL transcriptome. We obtained PDLs from orthodontic treatment patients, isolated the RNA, and used a vector-capping method to make a complementary DNA library from >20,000 clones. Our results revealed that 58% of the sequences were full length. Furthermore, our analysis showed that genes expressed at the highest frequencies included those for collagen type I, collagen type III, and proteases. We also found 5 genes whose expressions have not been previously reported in human PDL. To access which of the highly expressed genes might be important for PDL cell differentiation, we used real-time polymerase chain reaction to measure their expression in differentiating cells. Among the genes tested, the cysteine protease cathepsin K had the highest upregulation, so we measured its relative expression in several tissues, as well as in osteoclasts, which are known to express high levels of cathepsin K. Our results revealed that PDL cells express cathepsin K at similar levels as osteoclasts, which are both expressed at higher levels than those of the other tissues tested. We also measured cathepsin K protein expression and enzyme activity during cell differentiation and found that both increased during this process. Immunocytochemistry experiments revealed that cathepsin K localizes to the interior of lysosomes. Last, we examined the effect of inhibiting cathepsin K during cell differentiation and found that cathepsin K inhibition stimulated calcified nodule formation and increased the levels of collagen type I and osteocalcin gene expression. Based on these results, cathepsin K seems to regulate collagen fiber accumulation during human PDL cell differentiation into hard tissue-forming cells.
“My Highest Priority Was to Absolve the Divine Laws”: The Theory and Politics of Hobbes’ Leviathan in a War of Religion
Authors: Jones Meirav
Published: April 2016

In his autobiography, Thomas Hobbes stated that he wrote his most influential work of political theory, Leviathan, to “absolve the divine laws” in response to “atrocious crimes being attributed to the commands of God.” This article attempts to take Hobbes seriously, and to read Leviathan as a contribution to the religious politics of the English Civil War. I demonstrate Hobbes’ appropriation of the religious terms and sources characterizing civil-war political discourse, and explore these terms and sources both in Hobbes’ response to religiously motivated politics and in the foundations of his most important political ideas. Hobbes emerges from this account as a critic of Christian politics and enthusiasm broadly conceived, as a political philosopher who employed an Israelite political model, and as an erstwhile ally of some of those usually considered his deepest opponents.
Constructing a Collaborative Critique-Learning Environment for Exploring Science Through Improvisational Performance
Authors: Wright Christopher G.
Published: April 2016

This exploratory design experiment investigates Black male youth’s participation in a science-learning environment designed to conceptualize the practice of critique as improvisational performance. The research highlights the young men’s deployment of a linguistic practice, signifying, used to co-construct and enact the practice of collaborative critique. Implications include calling for the continued reimagining of teaching and learning science within urban contexts, including the need for educators to develop the required skills for recognizing and building upon students’ potential resources. The theoretical and pedagogical choices incorporated in this study contrasts often-utilized discourses of deficiency associated with science education in urban contexts.
Effects of urban spatial structure on level of excess commutes: A comparison between Seoul and Los Angeles
Authors: Jun Myung-Jin , Choi Simon , Wen Frank , Kwon Ki-Hyun
Published: April 2016

This study investigates the effects of the urban spatial structure on the excess commuting rate (ECR) by comparing commuting patterns in two cities having distinctive urban forms, Seoul, Korea and Los Angeles, California, USA. A major difference was found in that commuters working closer to employment centres, or living in single-family detached housing in LA, are likely to have lower ECR, but not in Seoul. Employment suburbanisation, strict zoning separating residence and workplace and single-family housing-dominant low-density suburbs in LA are regarded as the reasons for their lower ECRs, which, by definition, imply relatively shorter actual commute duration and/or longer minimum time. Seoul can learn a lesson from LA for employment decentralisation in order to reduce actual commute time, while land use patterns in Seoul such as high level of mixed land use and compact development can provide policy implications for LA for improving commuters’ accessibility and reducing minimum time.
The Singer of Technology
Authors: Pochatko Andrew M.
Published: April 2016

Using frameworks from Ong, Turner, and Frohmann, the author analyzes excerpts from Hesiod’s Works and Days and from the Book of Exodus for technical features. These documents were found to contain technical information that was best used in face-to-face interaction. Further, the documents exhibit evidence of residual orality, an encroachment of oral register into written. These findings suggest that technical communication originates in the genres and oral registers of ancient cultures. Such details have been missed owing to a written bias of technical communication and of scholars who look upon such works only as literature. Presently, oral-based information is viewed as informal and less authoritative than written information. In the absence of writing, however, information can only be transmitted orally.
Does the Center Hold? Reflections on a Sociological Core
Authors: Ballantine Jeanne , Greenwood Nancy , Howard Jay R. , Kain Edward L. , Pike Diane , Schwartz Michael , Smith R. Tyson , Zipp John F.
Published: April 2016

Is there a distinct disciplinary core (or foundation of agreed on knowledge) in sociology? Should we define a core in our broad field to build consensus? If so, what should it look like? We address these questions by presenting three viewpoints that lean for and against identifying a core for department curricula, students, and the public face of sociology. First, “There really is not much, if any, core.” Second, sociology is “a habit of the mind” (a sociological imagination). Third, key content of a sociological core can be identified using a long or short list. Centripetal forces pressure the discipline to define itself for assessment, transfer articulations, general education, the trend toward interdisciplinary courses, and the public face of sociology. We describe previous efforts for the introductory course and sociology curricula. We conclude with a discussion of everyday practices in sociology that are built on the conception of a core.