bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Systematic Review of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency after Gastrectomy for Cancer
Authors: Straatman Jennifer , Wiegel Jim , van der Wielen Nicole , Jansma E.P. , Cuesta Miguel A. , van der Peet Donald L.
Published: March 2017

Background: Survival rates after a total gastrectomy with adequate lymphadenectomy are improving, leading to a shift in outcomes of interest from survival to postoperative outcomes and symptoms. In this systematic review, we investigate gastrointestinal symptoms that occur after a gastrectomy in relation to exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and the effect of pancreatic exocrine enzyme supplementation on these symptoms. Methods: Online databases PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were systematically searched in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Studies that researched gastrointestinal symptoms, exocrine pancreatic function, and enzyme supplementation were identified and assessed. Results: The search resulted in a total of 1,023 articles after exclusion of duplicates. After performing a thorough assessment, 4 studies were included for systematic review. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency was investigated by 2 studies; the results showed a significant decrease of total exocrine pancreatic function of up to 76%. The other 2 studies investigated the effect of pancreatic enzyme supplementation and found minor improvement in fecal consistency and a decrease in high-degree steatorrhea. No differences in individual symptom scores were reported. Conclusion: Gastrointestinal symptoms such as steatorrhea, bloating, and dumping syndrome may be related to exocrine pancreatic function, initiated by total gastrectomy. Treatment with pancreatic enzymes had a minor positive effect on patients. It should be noted that these studies were of a small sample size and low quality. New and larger RCTs are necessary to either prove or disprove the benefit of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy in the treatment of the gastrointestinal symptoms after total gastrectomy.
Proteomic Analysis of Mouse Cortex Postsynaptic Density following Neonatal Brain Hypoxia-Ischemia
Authors: Shao Guo , Wang Yongqiang , Guan Shenheng , Burlingame Alma L. , Lu Fuxin , Knox Renatta , Ferriero Donna M. , Jiang Xiangning
Published: March 2017

Proteomics of the synapses and postsynaptic densities (PSDs) have provided a deep understanding of protein composition and signal networks in the adult brain, which underlie neuronal plasticity and neurodegenerative or psychiatric disorders. However, there is a paucity of knowledge about the architecture and organization of PSDs in the immature brain, and how it is modified by brain injury in an early developing stage. Mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomic analysis was performed on PSDs prepared from cortices of postnatal day 9 naïve mice or pups which had suffered hypoxic-ischemic (HI) brain injury. 512 proteins of different functional groups were identified from PSDs collected 1 h after HI injury, among which 60 have not been reported previously. Seven newly identified proteins involved in neural development were highlighted. HI injury increased the yield of PSDs at early time points upon reperfusion, and multiple proteins were recruited into PSDs following the insult. Quantitative analysis was performed using spectral counting, and proteins whose relative expression was more than 50% up- or downregulated compared to the sham animals 1 h after HI insult were reported. Validation with Western blotting demonstrated changes in expression and phosphorylation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor, activation of a series of postsynaptic protein kinases and dysregulation of scaffold and adaptor proteins in response to neonatal HI insult. This work, along with other recent studies of synaptic protein profiling in the immature brain, builds a foundation for future investigation on the molecular mechanisms underlying developing plasticity. Furthermore, it provides insights into the biochemical changes of PSDs following early brain hypoxia-ischemia, which is helpful for understanding not only the injury mechanisms, but also the process of repair or replenishment of neuronal circuits during recovery from brain damage.
New Insights on Early Patterns of Respiratory Disease among Extremely Low Gestational Age Newborns
Authors: Nobile Stefano , Marchionni Paolo , Vento Giovanni , Vendettuoli Valentina , Marabini Claudio , Lio Alessandra , Ricci Cinzia , Mercadante Domenica , Colnaghi Mariarosa , Mosca Fabio , Romagnoli Costantino , Carnielli Virgilio
Published: March 2017

Background: The analysis of early patterns of lung disease among preterm infants may help to identify predictors of pulmonary deterioration. Objectives: To analyze FIO2 requirement in the first 14 days of life among preterm infants and to find predictors of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: 3 Italian level III NICUs. Population: infants born between 240/7 and 276/7 weeks' gestational age (GA) who survived to 14 days. A consecutive sample of 588 infants was analyzed. Daily mode FIO2 in the first 2 weeks of life were analyzed according to the criteria defined by Laughon et al. [Pediatrics 2009;123:1124-1131], who found 3 early respiratory patterns: consistently low FIO2 (LowFIO2), pulmonary deterioration (PD), and early persistent pulmonary deterioration (EPPD). Factors associated with pulmonary deterioration were studied by univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: Forty percent of infants had low FIO2, 18% had pulmonary deterioation, 21% had early persistent pulmonary deterioration, and 21% had a previously unreported pattern (pulmonary improvement, PI). The prevalence of BPD was 7% in the LowFIO2 group, 28% in the PI group, 44% in the PD group, and 62% in the EPPD group (p = 0.000). Infants with lung deterioration were more frequently males (OR = 2.019, CI: 1.319-3.090, p = 0.001), had lower GA (OR = 0.945, CI: 0.915-0.975, p = 0.000), higher incidence of severe respiratory distress syndrome (OR = 2.956, CI: 1.430-6.112, p = 0.003), and lack of postnatal caffeine (OR = 0.167, CI: 0.052-0.541, p = 0.003). Conclusions: We report 4 distinct patterns of early respiratory disease associated with significantly different prevalence of BPD and discuss risk factors for lung deterioration.
Comparison of Total Kidney Volume Quantification Methods in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Disease for a Comprehensive Disease Assessment
Authors: Turco Dario , Busutti Marco , Mignani Renzo , Magistroni Riccardo , Corsi Cristiana
Published: March 2017

Background: In recent times, the scientific community has been showing increasing interest in the treatments aimed at slowing the progression of the autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). Therefore, in this paper, we test and evaluate the performance of several available methods for total kidney volume (TKV) computation in ADPKD patients - from echography to MRI - in order to optimize patient classification. Methods: Two methods based on geometric assumptions (mid-slice [MS], ellipsoid [EL]) and a third one on true contour detection were tested on 40 ADPKD patients at different disease stage using MRI. The EL method was also tested using ultrasound images in a subset of 14 patients. Their performance was compared against TKVs derived from reference manual segmentation of MR images. Patient clinical classification was also performed based on computed volumes. Results: Kidney volumes derived from echography significantly underestimated reference volumes. Geometric-based methods applied to MR images had similar acceptable results. The highly automated method showed better performance. Volume assessment was accurate and reproducible. Importantly, classification resulted in 79, 13, 10, and 2.5% of misclassification using kidney volumes obtained from echo and MRI applying the EL, the MS and the highly automated method respectively. Conclusion: Considering the fact that the image-based technique is the only approach providing a 3D patient-specific kidney model and allowing further analysis including cyst volume computation and monitoring disease progression, we suggest that geometric assumption (e.g., EL method) should be avoided. The contour-detection approach should be used for a reproducible and precise morphologic classification of the renal volume of ADPKD patients.
Effects of Glycyrrhizin in a Mouse Model of Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Deng Qing-Ping , Wang Mao-Jie , Zeng Xing , Chen George Gong , Huang Run-Yue
Published: March 2017

Background: Currently, there is a global attempt to identify potential anti-cancer agents with low toxicity. Previous studies have found that glycyrrhizin exerts anti-cancer action with low toxicity through suppressing thromboxane A2 (TxA2) in lung cancer cell lines. However, these effects have not yet been determined in animal models of lung cancer. Methods: Human lung adenocarcinoma xenografts were established in nude mice by the introduction of A549 cells with stable transfection of the TxA2 receptor (TPα). The animal model was confirmed by the hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) method. Tumor-bearing mice were then administered graded concentrations of glycyrrhizin, cisplatin or both. After the treatments, body weights of all animals were recorded, and immunohistochemistry staining of lung tissues and serum biochemistry detection of aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), urea and creatinine were carried out. Results: Treatment with glycyrrhizin alone or the combination of cisplatin and glycyrrhizin profoundly reduced expression of thromboxane synthase (TxAS) as well as proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), recovered the body weight, and rescued damage of liver and kidney in tumor-bearing mice. Although it inhibited PCNA expression, cisplatin could not significantly suppress TxAS expression. Because of a positive feedback loop between TPα and TxAS, the effects of glycyrrhizin are possibly attributable to the suppression of the TxA2 pathway. Conclusions: This study provides in vivo evidence to support glycyrrhizin as a potential candidate for developing new regimens to overcome tumor progression and the resistance and toxicity of cisplatin.
The Value of lncRNA HULC as a Prognostic Factor for Survival of Cancer Outcome: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Chen Xian , Lun Limin , Hou Huabin , Tian Runhua , Zhang Haiping , Zhang Yunyuan
Published: March 2017

Aims: Growing evidence from recent studies has shown that lncRNA HULC plays a role in the development of multiple carcinomas. This meta-analysis aimed to analyze available data to identify the prognostic value of HULC in multiple tumors. Methods: A systematic search was performed by using PubMed (medline), Embase, ISI Web of Knowledge, Springer, the Cochrane Library, Scopus, BioMed Central, ScienceDirect, Wanfang, Weipu, and China National Knowledge Internet (CNKI) computerized databases from inception to Nov 30, 2016. The quality of the publications was assessed according to the critical review checklist of the Dutch Cochrane Centre proposed by MOOSE and PRISMA. Pooled hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated to summarize the effect. Results: A total of ten studies with 1077 cancer patients were pooled in the present meta-analysis to evaluate the prognostic value of HULC in multiple tumors. High expression levels of HULC were demonstrated to be associated with poor overall survival (OS) (HR=2.44, 95%CI: 1.96-3.03, P=0.000). Subgroup analysis showed that cancer type (digestive or non-digestive disease), residence region (China), sample size (more or less than 100) and follow-up months (more or less than 60) did not alter the predictive value of HULC on OS in various cancers. Additionally, increased HULC expression was found to be moderately associated with tumor stage and progression (III/IV vs. I/II: HR=1.59, 95% CI: 1.31-1.92, P<0.00001). Furthermore, elevated HULC expression significantly predicted distant metastasis (HR=3.90, 95% CI: 1.89-8.02, P=0.0002) and lymph node metastasis (HR=2.04, 95% CI: 1.03-4.05, P=0.04) respectively. No significant heterogeneity was observed among studies except lymph node metastasis. Conclusion: The results indicate that HULC expression level is an independent prognostic biomarker for unfavorable OS and metastasis in general tumors.
NPY and CGRP Inhibitor Influence on ERK Pathway and Macrophage Aggregation during Fracture Healing
Authors: Tang Peng , Duan Chunguang , Wang Zheng , Wang ChunMei , Meng Guolin , Lin Kaifeng , Yang Qian , Yuan Zhi
Published: March 2017

Aim: The aims of this study are to investigate the effects of neurotransmitters NPY and CGRP on ERK signaling in fracture healing, and to identify the correlation between macrophage aggregation and fracture healing. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used to build a fracture model. The neurotransmitter receptor inhibitors were injected intraperitoneally into the rats. Immunofluorescence staining and ELISA were employed to determine the expression of NPY and CGRP in fracture area and the peripheral blood, respectively. Micro-CT together with histological staining were utilized to assess the fracture healing conditions. Relative protein expression was determined using western blot. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the aggregation of macrophages in the injury area. Results: During fracture healing, the serum NPY and CGRP significantly increased. The levels of NPY and CGRP reached a peak in the 8th week and reduced significantly thereafter. NPY and CGRP inhibitors could inhibit fracture healing and down-regulate the phosphorylated ERK. Macrophages (NPY+ and CGRP+) aggregated in the injury area. Conclusion: NPY and CGRP participated in fracture healing, in which they were also shown to influence phosphorylated ERK expression. In addition, macrophages are involved in the fracture healing process.
Acute Changes in Left Atrial Pressure After MitraClip Are Associated With Improvement in 6-Minute Walk Distance
Authors: Maor Elad , Raphael Claire E. , Panaich Sidakpal S. , Reeder Guy S. , Nishimura Rick A. , Nkomo Vuyisile T. , Rihal Charanjit S. , Eleid Mackram F.
Published: March 2017

Background—

Data on the clinical use of left atrial (LA) hemodynamic monitoring during MitraClip procedure are limited. This study evaluated the association between intraprocedural changes in LA pressure after MitraClip and improvement in exercise capacity as documented by 6-minute walk test (6MWT).

Methods and Results—

Study population included 50 patients who underwent MitraClip at the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN), between June 2014 and July 2016 and completed both baseline and 30-day follow-up 6MWT. Primary outcome for the current analysis was defined as 6MWT improvement above the median. Mean age of the study population was 79±10 years, and 34 (68%) were men. Baseline preprocedural 6MWT distance was 308 m (interquartile range [IQR], 234–394 m). Acute, intraprocedural change in LA pressure after MitraClip was 3 mm Hg (IQR, 1–6 mm Hg), and change in V wave was 11 mm Hg (IQR, 6–19 mm Hg). Median 6MWT improvement was 25 m (IQR, 19–47 m). Univariate analysis showed that patients with ≤ mild postprocedural mitral regurgitation were 4-fold more likely to experience an improvement in 6MWT (
P
=0.02). Multivariate model demonstrated that each 5 mm Hg decrease in V wave was associated with 49% increased likelihood for improvement in 6-minute walk (
P
=0.04). Similar model with V-wave change as a dichotomous variable showed that patients with a V-wave decrease of ≥11 mm Hg were 3.8× more likely to improve their 6MWT (
P
=0.05).

Conclusions—

Acute changes in LA pressure after MitraClip procedure are associated with clinical improvement as measured by 6MWT. Continuous LA pressure monitoring may be a useful tool for procedural guidance during transcatheter mitral repair.
Development and Psychometric Properties of a Scale to Measure Hospital Organizational Culture for Cardiovascular Care
Authors: Bradley Elizabeth H. , Brewster Amanda L. , Fosburgh Heather , Cherlin Emily J. , Curry Leslie A.
Published: March 2017

Background—

Because organizational culture is increasingly understood as fundamental to achieving high performance in hospital and other healthcare settings, the ability to measure this nuanced concept empirically has gained importance. Aside from measures of patient safety culture, no measure of organizational culture has been widely endorsed in the medical literature, limiting replication of previous findings and broader use in interventional studies.

Methods and Results—

We sought to develop and assess the validity and reliability of a scale for assessing organizational culture in the context of hospitals’ efforts to reducing 30-day risk-standardized mortality after acute myocardial infarction. The 31-item scale was completed by 147 individuals representing 10 hospitals during August and September 2014. The resulting organizational culture scale demonstrated high level of construct validity and internal consistency. Factor analyses indicated that the 31 items loaded well (loading values 0.48–0.90), supporting distinguishable domains of (1) learning environment, (2) psychological safety, (3) commitment to the organization, (4) senior management support, and (5) time for improvement efforts. Cronbach α coefficients were 0.94 for the scale and ranged from 0.77 to 0.88 for the subscales. The scale displayed reasonable convergent validity and statistically significant variability across hospitals, with hospital identity accounting for 11.3% of variance in culture scores across respondents.

Conclusions—

We developed and validated a relatively easy-to-administer survey that was able to detect substantial variability in organizational culture across different hospitals and may be useful in measuring hospital culture and evaluating changes in culture over time as part performance improvement efforts.
Endothelial Protective Monocyte Patrolling in Large Arteries Intensified by Western Diet and Atherosclerosis
Authors: Quintar Amado , McArdle Sara , Wolf Dennis , Marki Alex , Ehinger Erik , Vassallo Melanie , Miller Jacqueline , Mikulski Zbigniew , Ley Klaus , Buscher Konrad
Published: March 2017

Rationale:

Nonclassical mouse monocyte (CX3CR1
high
, Ly-6C
low
) patrolling along the vessels of the microcirculation is critical for endothelial homeostasis and inflammation. Because of technical challenges, it is currently not established how patrolling occurs in large arteries.

Objective:

This study was undertaken to elucidate the molecular, migratory, and functional phenotypes of patrolling monocytes in the high shear and pulsatile environment of large arteries in healthy, hyperlipidemic, and atherosclerotic conditions.

Methods and Results:

Applying a new method for stable, long-term 2-photon intravital microscopy of unrestrained large arteries in live CX3CR1-GFP (green fluorescent protein) mice, we show that nonclassical monocytes patrol inside healthy carotid arteries at a velocity of 36 μm/min, 3× faster than in microvessels. The tracks are less straight but lead preferentially downstream. The number of patrolling monocytes is increased 9-fold by feeding wild-type mice a Western diet or by applying topical TLR7/8 (Toll-like receptor) agonists. A similar increase is seen in CX3CR1
+/GFP
/apoE
−/−
mice on chow diet, with a further 2- to 3-fold increase on Western diet (22-fold over healthy). In plaque conditions, monocytes are readily captured onto the endothelium from free flow. Stable patrolling is unaffected in CX3CR1-deficient mice and involves the contribution of LFA-1 (lymphocyte-associated antigen 1) and α
4
integrins. The endothelial damage in atherosclerotic carotid arteries was assessed by electron microscopy and correlates with the number of intraluminal patrollers. Abolishing patrolling monocytes in Nr4a1
−/−
apoE
−/−
mice leads to pronounced endothelial apoptosis.

Conclusions:

Arterial patrolling is a prominent new feature of nonclassical monocytes with unique molecular and kinetic properties. It is highly upregulated in hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis in a CX3CR1-independent fashion and plays a potential role in endothelial protection.
Effect of 2013 ACC/AHA Blood Cholesterol Guidelines on Statin Treatment Patterns and Low‐Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Patients
Authors: Okerson Ted , Patel Jeetvan , DiMario Stefan , Burton Tanya , Seare Jerald , Harrison David J.
Published: March 2017

Background

Preceding release of the 2013 American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) cholesterol guidelines, prescribers aimed for specific low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) goals in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). The 2013 guidelines changed this focus to treating patients with appropriate statin intensity given their ASCVD risk. We examined statin use and LDL‐C levels before and after the 2013 ACC/AHA guidelines in patients with clinical ASCVD as defined in the guidelines.

Methods and Results

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult commercial and Medicare Advantage health plan enrollees in the Optum Research Database. Patients had ≥1 claim with a diagnosis of clinical ASCVD between November 1, 2012 and December 31, 2014 and were continuously enrolled 6 months before (baseline) and 7 months after (follow‐up) the first ASCVD visit. Patients were assigned to monthly cohorts based on ASCVD event month. Statin use and intensity were measured at baseline and first month of follow‐up. LDL‐C changes were assessed using ordinary least squares regression. For 90 287 patients, mean (SD) age was 68 (12) years; 50% were female; and 30% had commercial insurance. Statin use remained consistent before and after guidelines (32% and 31%, respectively). Of patients receiving statins, high‐intensity use increased by 4 percentage points 1 year after guidelines (
P
<0.001). Mean LDL‐C levels were 2.4 mmol/L (94 mg/dL) both pre‐ and postguidelines.

Conclusions

Statin use and mean monthly LDL‐C before and after the guidelines remained largely unchanged; statin intensity increased modestly. More effort may be needed to increase guideline understanding and adherence to improve treatment of high‐risk patients.
Characterization of Foci and Breakthrough Sites During Persistent and Long‐Standing Persistent Atrial Fibrillation in Patients: Studies Using High‐Density (510–512 Electrodes) Biatrial Epicardial Mapping
Authors: Lee Seungyup , Sahadevan Jayakumar , Khrestian Celeen M. , Markowitz Alan , Waldo Albert L.
Published: March 2017

Background

We previously demonstrated that persistent and long‐standing persistent atrial fibrillation is maintained by activation emanating from foci and breakthrough sites of different cycle lengths (CLs). The purpose of this study was to characterize the behavior of focal and nonrandom breakthrough activation identified during high‐density mapping of atrial fibrillation in these patients.

Methods and Results

During open heart surgery, we recorded activation from both atria simultaneously using 510 to 512 epicardial electrodes along with ECG lead II in 12 patients with persistent and long‐standing persistent atrial fibrillation. For each patient, analysis of 32 consecutive seconds of activation from identified focal (sustained and/or intermittent) and nonrandom breakthrough sites was performed. Multiple foci (sustained and/or intermittent) of different CLs were present in both atria in 11 of 12 patients; 8 foci were sustained, and 22 were intermittent. Temporal CL behavior of sustained foci varied over time (≤20 ms of the mean CL). For intermittent foci, no activation periods were due to a spontaneous pause (18 of 22) or activation of the focus by another wave front (11 of 22). All patients had breakthrough activation. Seven patients had 12 nonrandom breakthrough sites. Periods of no breakthrough activation were caused by a spontaneous pause (6 of 12 patients) or activation from another wave front (4 of 12) or were uncertain (5 of 12). Focal and nonrandom breakthrough activation sometimes produced repetitive “wannabe” (incomplete) reentry in 6 of 12 patients.

Conclusions

During persistent and long‐standing persistent atrial fibrillation, sustained foci manifested variable CLs. Spontaneous pauses or activation from other wave fronts explained the intermittency of foci and nonrandom breakthrough. Focal and nonrandom breakthrough activation occasionally produced wannabe reentry.
Hobbes on the Ratios of Motions and Magnitudes
Authors: Jesseph Douglas
Published: March 2017

Hobbes intended and expected De Corpore to secure his place among the foremost mathematicians of his era. This is evident from the content of Part iii of the work, which contains putative solutions to the most eagerly sought mathematical results of the seventeenth century. It is well known that Hobbes failed abysmally in his attempts to solve problems of this sort, but it is not generally understood that the mathematics of De Corpore is closely connected with the work of some of seventeenth-century Europe’s most important mathematicians. This paper investigates the connection between the main mathematical chapters of De Corpore and the work of Galileo Galilei, Bonaventura Cavalieri, and Gilles Personne de Roberval. I show that Hobbes’s approach in Chapter 16 borrows heavily from Galileo’s Two New Sciences, while his treatment of “deficient figures’ in Chapter 17 is nearly identical in method to Cavalieri’s Exercitationes Geometricae Sex. Further, I argue that Hobbes’s attempt to determine the arc length of the parabola in Chapter 18 is intended to use Roberval’s methods to generate a more general result than one that Roberval himself had achieved in the 1640s (when he and Hobbes were both active in the circle of mathematicians around Marin Mersenne). I claim Hobbes was convinced that his first principles had led him to discover a “method of motion” that he mistakenly thought could solve any geometric problem with elementary constructions.
New littoral mite species (Acari, Oribatida, Fortuyniidae) from the Galápagos archipelago, with ecological and zoogeographical considerations
Authors: PFINGSTL TOBIAS , SCHATZ HEINRICH
Published: March 2017

Two species of Fortuyniidae, found on the Galápagos Islands (Ecuador) are described and illustrated based on the adult and juvenile instars. Alismobates galapagoensis sp. nov. was found on six islands of the archipelago, in littoral and supralittoral habitats. It is morphologically similar to A. inexpectatus Pfingstl & Schuster, 2012 from Bermuda, but differs from that species and all other known congeners by a prominent cuticular ridge on epimeron III among other unique character combinations. Litoribates caelestis gen. and sp. nov. was found on the islands Santa Cruz and Bartolomé in the littoral zone under Maytenus and mangroves. Notes on distribution and ecological preferences of both species are included.
Herpes Simplex Virus Laryngitis Presenting as Airway Obstruction: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Harless Lucas , Jiang Nancy , Schneider Frank , Durr Megan
Published: March 2017

Objectives:

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) laryngitis is rare in adults. We add a case report to the literature and perform a literature review to further delineate the clinical presentation, course, and treatment of HSV laryngitis in adults.

Methods:

Case report and literature review using PubMed and Ovid databases.

Results:

Ten cases of diagnosed HSV laryngitis in adults were reported in the literature. It is more common in immunocompromised patients. The mean patient age was 51 years with a male to female ratio of 1:1. The clinical presentation and course of HSV laryngitis is variable. Patients may have mild chronic symptoms, such as dysphonia, or a fulminant course with rapid airway compromise. On laryngoscopic exam, the most common findings are a white exudate or ulceration. The most common treatment is with antiviral medication, such as acyclovir, which tends to be highly effective.

Conclusions:

Herpes simplex virus laryngitis is rare. Clinical presentation of HSV laryngitis is variable, and its course may be indolent or fulminant. Treatment with antiviral medication tends to be highly effective.
Trajectories and antecedents of integration in mergers and acquisitions: A comparison of two longitudinal studies
Authors: Edwards Martin R , Lipponen Jukka , Edwards Tony , Hakonen Marko
Published: March 2017

Despite existing research examining snapshots of employee reactions to organizational mergers and acquisitions (M&A), there is a complete absence of work theorizing or exploring rates of change in employees’ organizational identification with the merged entity. We address this gap using two three-wave longitudinal panel samples from different M&A settings, tracking change in identification through a two-year period. Theorizing trajectories of change in identification across the organizations in both settings, we make predictions linked to expected antecedents of change in identification. Our research context (M&A-1) involves a merger of three Finish universities tracking 938 employees from each organization in three waves (nine months pre-merger to 24 months post-merger). Our second context (M&A-2) involves a multinational acquisition tracking 346 employees from both the acquired and acquiring organization in three waves (from two to 26 months post-acquisition). Using Latent Growth Modelling, we confirm predicted trajectories of change in identification. Across both samples, a linear increase (across Time 1, Time 2 and Time 3) in justice and linear decrease in threat perceptions were found to significantly predict a linear increase in identification across the post-M&A period. We discuss organizational identification development trajectories and how changes in these two antecedents account for changes in identification across M&A contexts.
The development of modern public administration in East Asia
Authors: Kim Pan Suk
Published: March 2017

East Asia has one of the most successful economies in the world today, so public administration as a practice as well as a discipline has arguably played a pivotal role in such a developmental process. However, there are not many readable references on such issues. Accordingly, this article will first discuss the issue of East Asian development models, after which it will discuss the civil service entrance examinations as an East Asian model of bureaucratic recruitment. This article will then discuss the development of modern public administration in three dimensions (i.e., practice, education, and research), after which it will discuss major issues and challenges of public administration in China, Japan, and South Korea.
Relationship Between Future Time Orientation and Item Nonresponse on Subjective Probability Questions: A Cross-Cultural Analysis
Authors: Lee Sunghee , Liu Mingnan , Hu Mengyao
Published: March 2017

Time orientation is an unconscious yet fundamental cognitive process that provides a framework for organizing personal experiences in temporal categories of past, present, and future, reflecting the relative emphasis given to these categories. Culture lies central to individuals’ time orientation, leading to cultural variations in time orientation. For example, people from future-oriented cultures tend to emphasize the future and store information relevant for the future more than those from present- or past-oriented cultures. For survey questions that ask respondents to report expected probabilities of future events, this may translate into culture-specific question difficulties, manifested through systematically varying “I don’t know” item nonresponse rates. This study drew on the time orientation theory and examined culture-specific nonresponse patterns on subjective probability questions using methodologically comparable population-based surveys from multiple countries. The results supported our hypothesis. Item nonresponse rates on these questions varied significantly in the way that future orientation at the group as well as individual level was associated with lower nonresponse rates. This pattern did not apply to nonprobability questions. Our study also suggested potential nonresponse bias. Examining culture-specific constructs, such as time orientation, as a framework for measurement mechanisms may contribute to improving cross-cultural research.
Positive Psychology and Humanistic Psychology: Evil Twins, Sibling Rivals, Distant Cousins, or Something Else?
Authors: Rich Grant J.
Published: March 2017

This article builds on earlier work by Rich in the Journal of Humanistic Psychology on relations between positive psychology and humanistic psychology and examines both developments and challenges over the past 15 years, including discussion of leading critics of positive psychology such as Brown, Friedman, Held, Kagan, Waterman, and Wong. The discipline of positive psychology is contextualized with respect to the history of psychology in general, and humanistic psychology in particular, and several notable examples of well-being research are examined critically, including work by Fredrickson on the positivity ratio, and mixed-methods research by anthropologists. The article explores some limitations of the use of quantitative methods in positive psychology, notes some advantages of the use of qualitative methods for positive psychology, and discusses issues regarding the relationship between positive psychology and humanistic psychology, including how, whether, if, and when scholars from the two disciplines could collaborate in meaningful and effective ways.
Southampton to Durban on the Union Castle Line: An Imperial Shipping Company and the limits of globality c. 1900–39
Authors: Hyslop Jonathan
Published: March 2017

This article examines the relationship between Durban and Southampton constructed by the Union Castle Line between 1900 and the 1930s. It shows how specific, long-lasting patterns of commercial organisation and labour recruitment were laid down, and how they survived the contingencies of war, working class insurgency and financial crisis. The article proposes the concepts of ‘maritime capital field’ and ‘maritime labour field’ to describe the long-lasting shapes which transnational structural relationships gave to imperial shipping enterprises. A critique is made of the work of Michael Miller on European shipping companies in this period: the article demonstrates that the Union Castle case challenges both Miller’s emphasis on an expansive globalisation and his emphasis on the cosmopolitanism of the shipping industry. Political and social closures and limitations were characteristic of the relations between the two ports. Restrictive forms of political, ideological and military power within the British Empire played a great role in structuring the connections between Durban and Southampton.
Maximizing the success of bile duct cannulation studies in rats: recommendations for best practice
Authors: Burden Natalie , Kendrick John , Knight Lindsay , McGregor Victoria , Murphy Helen , Punler Malcolm , van Wijk Hans
Published: March 2017

Bile duct cannulation (BDC) studies are usually carried out in the rat to support the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion profiling of novel agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals. The different aspects of these studies (e.g. surgical preparation, dosing and collection of bile) can be intricate and/or technically complex. The animals are often kept singly housed for the duration of the studies following surgical implantation of the cannulas. The generation of insufficient data to meet the study objectives, for example due to failure in cannula patency, can result in the need to repeat these studies. A working group of contract research organizations that routinely carry out BDC studies was brought together by the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) to share their experiences, and to establish the key factors necessary to ensure routinely high success rates. Through these discussions the group has identified opportunities for best practice across various aspects of the studies. The aim of these recommendations is to support all staff involved in conducting BDC studies to maximize the amount of useful data generated using the fewest animals possible, while ensuring the highest possible standards of animal welfare.
Effect of ultrasound on the quantitative analysis of wool in blends by chemical reaction with a mechanical device
Authors: Zhuo Meng , Mingxing Zhou , Yize Sun , Xudong Sun
Published: March 2017

The purpose of our research is to explore the effect of ultrasound applied on the quantitative analysis of wool in blended fabric by chemical reaction with a mechanical device. One cylindrical container for blended fabric for the whole process is designed, and detailed observations are made of the step of wool-dissolving assisted by ultrasound. A ventilation hole is essential for the fabric container or else the solvent will be unable to transcend in and out of the fabric container smoothly. For fabrics that cannot be untwisted into yarns, shredding into strips is a reasonable alternative. The fabric piece in the fabric container weighed 0.5 g and the appropriate time for dissolving was 40 minutes. As compared to the traditional manual method, dissolving in the fabric container assisted by ultrasound is equivalent, but is more convenient for mechanization and automation of the whole quantitative analysis.
Determination of the porosity in a bifacial fabric using micro-computed tomography and three-dimensional reconstruction
Authors: Zhu Licheng , Wang Xungai , Hinestroza Juan P , Naebe Maryam
Published: March 2017

Fabric porosity affects the performance of textile materials, and characterization of the pore size in fabrics is a particularly difficult task. In this study, micro-computed tomography and reconstructed three dimensional (3D) images were used to accurately measure the fabric porosity and to determine the number, diameters, and locations of the pores. To validate the flexibility of the proposed technique, we analyzed woven, knitted, and bifacial fabrics made of wool/acrylic and polyester. Distributions of pore diameters and pore connections in the bifacial fabric confirmed that this fabric comprises a combination of woven and knitted structures. The volume porosities of the woven, knitted, and bifacial fabrics obtained from 3D reconstruction were similar to those calculated based on other techniques such as mathematical models. While the different fabric structures used in this study showed similar volume porosities, they had different air permeability. However, porosity analysis suggested new evidence to validate permeability measurements in fabrics. A new method for determining fabric surface and measuring fabric thickness is proposed, which accesses the number and diameters of inter-fiber pores. Having access to this type of information can potentially be used to engineer and to tune the performance of textiles.
Do Agritourism Visitors Care about Landscapes? An Examination with Producer-Level Data
Authors: Melstrom Richard T. , Murphy Cassandra
Published: March 2017

This article develops a random utility model of tourist demand for agritourism destinations. Prior research has largely focused on modeling the effect of visitor characteristics and demographics on the demand for agritourism. In contrast, we analyze cross-section data on producer-reported visits to measure the effects of destination attributes. This allows us to examine whether tourists choose destinations based on landscape attributes. The destination choice model is applied to agritourism demand in Oklahoma. We calculate elasticities from both conditional logit and Poisson interpretations of the model. The results provide no evidence that landscapes affect the demand for single-day sites, but do suggest local land use plays a role in the demand for overnight destinations.
The Updating of the Cuban Model: Precursor Socialism and Cooperativism
Authors: Fuentes-Ramírez Ricardo R.
Published: March 2017

Cuba can best be conceptualized as a precursor socialist social formation that has not necessarily begun a transition to capitalism. A case study of nonagricultural cooperatives demonstrates that the current reform process in Cuba has included features that could be foundational with respect to a new socialist formation characterized by participatory planning.

Idealmente, Cuba se puede conceptualizar como una formación socialista precursora que no ha comenzado necesariamente una transición al capitalismo. Un estudio de caso de las cooperativas no-agropecuarias demuestra que el actual proceso de reforma en Cuba abarca características que podrían ser fundamentales a una nueva formación socialista caracterizada por la planificación participativa.
Towards a knowledge-based probabilistic and context-aware social recommender system
Authors: Colombo-Mendoza Luis Omar , Valencia-García Rafael , Rodríguez-González Alejandro , Colomo-Palacios Ricardo , Alor-Hernández Giner
Published: March 2017

In this article, we propose (1) a knowledge-based probabilistic collaborative filtering (CF) recommendation approach using both an ontology-based semantic similarity metric and a latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) model-based recommendation technique and (2) a context-aware software architecture and system with the objective of validating the recommendation approach in the eating domain (foodservice places). The ontology on which the similarity metric is based is additionally leveraged to model and reason about users’ contexts; the proposed LDA model also guides the users’ context modelling to some extent. An evaluation method in the form of a comparative analysis based on traditional information retrieval (IR) metrics and a reference ranking-based evaluation metric (correctly ranked places) is presented towards the end of this article to reliably assess the efficacy and effectiveness of our recommendation approach, along with its utility from the user’s perspective. Our recommendation approach achieves higher average precision and recall values (8% and 7.40%, respectively) in the best-case scenario when compared with a CF approach that employs a baseline similarity metric. In addition, when compared with a partial implementation that does not consider users’ preferences for topics, the comprehensive implementation of our recommendation approach achieves higher average values of correctly ranked places (2.5 of 5 versus 1.5 of 5).
Identity change in a context of intergroup threat: Regional identity mobilization in Bolivia
Authors: Flesken Anaïd
Published: March 2017

The consequences of marginalized ethnic group emancipation for historically privileged groups are rarely examined, despite assertions that the disruption of traditional power balances leads to backlash. This article addresses identity change in a ‘most probable case’ of intergroup threat, examining reactions to indigenous empowerment in Bolivia. After translating theory on identity change into testable implications, it explores meso-level rhetoric of the Santa Cruz Autonomy movement through diverse sources and micro-level identification through time-series survey data. It finds evidence for the constructionist power of discourse: its ability to create societal consensus on collective identity in a relatively short time span.
Digitize and punish: Computerized crime mapping and racialized carceral power in Chicago
Authors: Jefferson Brian Jordan
Published: March 2017

While critical attention has recently turned to racialized police violence in US cities, another quiet development in urban policing is taking place. Hundreds of police departments have begun to wed database software with geographic information systems to represent crime cartographically. Focusing on the Chicago police’s digital mapping application, CLEARmap, the article interprets this development from the standpoint of racialized carceral power. It puts critical geographic information systems theory into discussion with critical ethnic studies and builds the case that CLEARmap does not passively “read” urban space, but provides ostensibly scientific ways of reading and policing negatively racialized fractions of surplus labor in ways that reproduces, and in some instances extends the tentacles of carceral power. CLEARmap’s data structure ensures that negatively racialized fractions of surplus labor, the places they inhabit, and the social problems that afflict them are only representable to state authorities and the public as objects of policing and punishment. CLEARmap is also used at police–community meetings and via the Internet to adapt public perceptions of crime to that of the policing apparatus, and mobilize the public as appendages of police surveillance. By tracing these phenomena, the article casts a heretofore untheorized dimension of the carceral power into sharp relief.
Chronic stress induced disruption of the peri-infarct neurovascular unit following experimentally induced photothrombotic stroke
Authors: Zhao Zidan , Ong Lin Kooi , Johnson Sarah , Nilsson Michael , Walker Frederick R
Published: March 2017

How stress influences brain repair is an issue of considerable importance, as patients recovering from stroke are known to experience high and often unremitting levels of stress post-event. In the current study, we investigated how chronic stress modified the key cellular components of the neurovascular unit. Using an experimental model of focal cortical ischemia in male C57BL/6 mice, we examined how exposure to a persistently aversive environment, induced by the application of chronic restraint stress, altered the cortical remodeling post-stroke. We focused on systematically investigating changes in the key components of the neurovascular unit (i.e. neurons, microglia, astrocytes, and blood vessels) within the peri-infarct territories using both immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. The results from our study indicated that exposure to chronic stress exerted a significant suppressive effect on each of the key cellular components involved in neurovascular remodeling. Co-incident with these cellular changes, we observed that chronic stress was associated with an exacerbation of motor impairment 42 days post-event. Collectively, these results highlight the vulnerability of the peri-infarct neurovascular unit to the negative effects of chronic stress.
Social Categories Alone Are Insufficient to Elicit an In-Group Advantage in Perceptions of Within-Person Variability
Authors: Short Lindsey A. , Wagler Maria C.
Published: March 2017

Within-person variability affects identity perception of other-race faces more than own-race faces; when participants sort images into piles representing different identities, they sort photographs of two other-race identities into more piles than two own-race identities. These results have been interpreted in terms of perceptual expertise, such that lack of experience with other-race faces leads to reduced ability to extract identity-relevant information across images. However, an alternative explanation is that sociocognitive factors (e.g., cognitive disregard for out-group faces) lead to differences in the number of perceived identities. Here, we examined whether social factors alone elicit an in-group advantage in perceptions of within-person variability. Caucasian participants sorted 40 photographs of two unfamiliar Caucasian identities (20 photographs/model) into piles based on the number of identities they believed were present. Half of the participants were told that the images were of students attending their university (in-group), whereas half were told that the images were of students attending a rival university (out-group). Participants sorted the photographs into a comparable number of identities for in- and out-group faces. This lack of an in-group advantage suggests that sociocognitive factors alone cannot account for differences in the number of perceived identities across faces from two categories.