bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The New Zealand Probabilistic Tsunami Hazard Model: development and implementation of a methodology for estimating tsunami hazard nationwide
Authors: Power William , Wang Xiaoming , Wallace Laura , Clark Kate , Mueller Christof
Published: March 2017

For New Zealand, a country straddling the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’, effective mitigation of the risks posed by tsunamis is an urgent priority. Mitigation measures include evacuation mapping, land-use planning and engineering of tsunami resilient buildings and infrastructure; but for these to be effective, a quantitative estimate of the tsunami hazard is needed. For this purpose we present the New Zealand Probabilistic Tsunami Hazard Model (NZPTHM). The model uses a Monte Carlo method for sampling from the geophysical parameters that constrain the magnitude–frequency distributions of the earthquake sources that can cause tsunamis affecting New Zealand. The sampled parameters are used to construct synthetic catalogues of the source events and the subsequent tsunami heights. Processing of these synthetic catalogues produces hazard curves, describing maximum tsunami height as a function of return period, which include ‘error bars’ (confidence intervals) as determined by the Monte Carlo model. Most practical mitigation measures require inundation modelling, and for this purpose we propose using de-aggregation, a process by which a small set of scenarios can be extracted from the NZPTHM for the purpose of detailed inundation modelling.
Spatial variability in sediment lithology and sedimentary processes along the Japan Trench: use of deep-sea turbidite records to reconstruct past large earthquakes
Authors: Ikehara Ken , Usami Kazuko , Kanamatsu Toshiya , Arai Kazuno , Yamaguchi Asuka , Fukuchi Rina
Published: March 2017

Large earthquakes and related tsunamis serve as triggering mechanisms that generate turbidity currents which form turbidites. The event deposits from the recent 2011 Tohoku-oki earthquake and tsunami are observed throughout a wide area along the Pacific coast of Tohoku, northern Japan, extending from the coast through the shelf and slope, to the trench floor. Spatio-temporal correlation of turbidites and other tsunamigenic deposits, such as those generated in the 2011 event, can be used to reconstruct the recurrence history of large earthquakes and tsunamis. Here we use sediment cores and sub-bottom profiles to analyse the depositional setting along the Japan Trench, and show that the environment is ideal for preserving turbidites. The subducting Pacific Plate creates graben or basins along the trench floor that accommodate the episodic deposition of fine-grained turbidites; and interseismic hemipelagic deposits that form with high sedimentation rates along the Japan Trench effectively cover earthquake-induced turbidites and preserve the deposits as a geological record of large earthquakes. Therefore, small deep-sea basins with high sedimentation rates, such as in and around the Japan Trench floor, are favourable environments for studies of turbidite palaeoseismology.
Profiling of ARDS pulmonary edema fluid identifies a metabolically distinct subset
Authors: Rogers Angela J. , Contrepois Kévin , Wu Manhong , Zheng Ming , Peltz Gary , Ware Lorraine B. , Matthay Michael A.
Published: March 2017

There is considerable biological and physiological heterogeneity among patients who meet standard clinical criteria for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In this study, we tested the hypothesis that there exists a subgroup of ARDS patients who exhibit a metabolically distinct profile. We examined undiluted pulmonary edema fluid obtained at the time of endotracheal intubation from 16 clinically phenotyped ARDS patients and 13 control patients with hydrostatic pulmonary edema. Nontargeted metabolic profiling was carried out on the undiluted edema fluid. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses including principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) were conducted to find discriminant metabolites. Seven-hundred and sixty unique metabolites were identified in the pulmonary edema fluid of these 29 patients. We found that a subset of ARDS patients (6/16, 38%) presented a distinct metabolic profile with the overrepresentation of 235 metabolites compared with edema fluid from the other 10 ARDS patients, whose edema fluid metabolic profile was indistinguishable from those of the 13 control patients with hydrostatic edema. This “high metabolite” endotype was characterized by higher concentrations of metabolites belonging to all of the main metabolic classes including lipids, amino acids, and carbohydrates. This distinct group with high metabolite levels in the edema fluid was also associated with a higher mortality rate. Thus metabolic profiling of the edema fluid of ARDS patients supports the hypothesis that there is considerable biological heterogeneity among ARDS patients who meet standard clinical and physiological criteria for ARDS.
Newly divided eosinophils limit ozone-induced airway hyperreactivity in nonsensitized guinea pigs
Authors: Wicher Sarah A. , Jacoby David B. , Fryer Allison D.
Published: March 2017

Ozone causes vagally mediated airway hyperreactivity and recruits inflammatory cells, including eosinophils, to lungs, where they mediate ozone-induced hyperreactivity 1 day after exposure but are paradoxically protective 3 days later. We aimed to test the role of newly divided eosinophils in ozone-induced airway hyperreactivity in sensitized and nonsensitized guinea pigs. Nonsensitized and sensitized guinea pigs were treated with 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) to label newly divided cells and were exposed to air or ozone for 4 h. Later (1 or 3 days later), vagally induced bronchoconstriction was measured, and inflammatory cells were harvested from bone marrow, blood, and bronchoalveolar lavage. Ozone induced eosinophil hematopoiesis. One day after ozone, mature eosinophils dominate the inflammatory response and potentiate vagally induced bronchoconstriction. However, by 3 days, newly divided eosinophils have reached the lungs, where they inhibit ozone-induced airway hyperreactivity because depleting them with antibody to IL-5 or a TNF-α antagonist worsened vagally induced bronchoconstriction. In sensitized guinea pigs, both ozone-induced eosinophil hematopoiesis and subsequent recruitment of newly divided eosinophils to lungs 3 days later failed to occur. Thus mature eosinophils dominated the ozone-induced inflammatory response in sensitized guinea pigs. Depleting these mature eosinophils prevented ozone-induced airway hyperreactivity in sensitized animals. Ozone induces eosinophil hematopoiesis and recruitment to lungs, where 3 days later, newly divided eosinophils attenuate vagally mediated hyperreactivity. Ozone-induced hematopoiesis of beneficial eosinophils is blocked by a TNF-α antagonist or by prior sensitization. In these animals, mature eosinophils are associated with hyperreactivity. Thus interventions targeting eosinophils, although beneficial in atopic individuals, may delay resolution of airway hyperreactivity in nonatopic individuals.
Improved Performance of Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Diagnosis in HCV Cirrhosis with Normal Alanine Transaminase
Authors: Yang Ju Dong , Dai Jianliang , Singal Amit G. , Gopal Purva , Addissie Benyam D. , Nguyen Mindie H. , Befeler Alex S. , Reddy K. Rajender , Schwartz Myron , Harnois Denise M. , Yamada Hiroyuki , Gores Gregory J. , Feng Ziding , Marrero Jorge A. , Roberts Lewis R.
Published: March 2017

Background: The utility of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance is controversial. We aimed to identify factors associated with elevated AFP and define the patients for whom AFP is effective for surveillance.

Methods: Data from the NCI Early Detection Research Network phase II HCC biomarker study (233 early-stage HCC and 412 cirrhotic patients) were analyzed. We analyzed 110 early-stage HCC and 362 cirrhotic hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients for external validation. Sensitivity, specificity, and area under the ROC curve (AUC) for HCC were calculated.

Results: HCV etiology, non-White race, and serum alanine transaminase (ALT) predicted elevated AFP in cirrhotics. Non-White race and ALT predicted elevated AFP in HCC patients. Higher AUC of AFP for HCC was noted in patients with HBV (0.85) and alcohol (0.84), whereas it was lower in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV; 0.80) and nonviral/alcohol etiology (0.76). The AUC was higher in HCV patients with serum ALT ≤40 U/L than patients with serum ALT >40 U/L (0.91 vs. 0.75, P < 0.01). At 90% specificity, the sensitivity of AFP increased from 44% to 74% in Whites with HCV and from 50% to 85% in non-Whites with HCV. There was a trend toward higher AUC in HCV patients with serum ALT ≤40 U/L than those with serum ALT >40 U/L (0.79 vs. 0.69, P = 0.10) in the validation cohort.

Conclusions: The satisfactory performance of AFP in HCV patients with normal ALT should be further validated.

Impact: The AFP may serve as a valuable surveillance test in HCV patients with normal ALT. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 26(7); 1085–92. ©2017 AACR.
Kernel Density Estimation as a Measure of Environmental Exposure Related to Insulin Resistance in Breast Cancer Survivors
Authors: Jankowska Marta M. , Natarajan Loki , Godbole Suneeta , Meseck Kristin , Sears Dorothy D. , Patterson Ruth E. , Kerr Jacqueline
Published: March 2017

Background: Environmental factors may influence breast cancer; however, most studies have measured environmental exposure in neighborhoods around home residences (static exposure). We hypothesize that tracking environmental exposures over time and space (dynamic exposure) is key to assessing total exposure. This study compares breast cancer survivors' exposure to walkable and recreation-promoting environments using dynamic Global Positioning System (GPS) and static home-based measures of exposure in relation to insulin resistance.

Methods: GPS data from 249 breast cancer survivors living in San Diego County were collected for one week along with fasting blood draw. Exposure to recreation spaces and walkability was measured for each woman's home address within an 800 m buffer (static), and using a kernel density weight of GPS tracks (dynamic). Participants' exposure estimates were related to insulin resistance (using the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, HOMA-IR) controlled by age and body mass index (BMI) in linear regression models.

Results: The dynamic measurement method resulted in greater variability in built environment exposure values than did the static method. Regression results showed no association between HOMA-IR and home-based, static measures of walkability and recreation area exposure. GPS-based dynamic measures of both walkability and recreation area were significantly associated with lower HOMA-IR (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: Dynamic exposure measurements may provide important evidence for community- and individual-level interventions that can address cancer risk inequities arising from environments wherein breast cancer survivors live and engage.

Impact: This is the first study to compare associations of dynamic versus static built environment exposure measures with insulin outcomes in breast cancer survivors. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 26(7); 1078–84. ©2017 AACR.
G-1 Inhibits Breast Cancer Cell Growth via Targeting Colchicine-Binding Site of Tubulin to Interfere with Microtubule Assembly
Authors: Lv Xiangmin , He Chunbo , Huang Cong , Hua Guohua , Wang Zhengfeng , Remmenga Steven W. , Rodabough Kerry J. , Karpf Adam R. , Dong Jixin , Davis John S. , Wang Cheng
Published: March 2017

G-protein–coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1) has been reported to play a significant role in mediating the rapid estrogen actions in a wide range of normal and cancer cells. G-1 was initially developed as a selective agonist for GPER. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the actions of G-1 are unknown, and recent studies report inconsistent effects of G-1 on the growth of breast cancer cells. By employing high-resolution laser scanning confocal microscopy and time-lapse imaging technology, as well as biochemical analyses, in the current study, we provide convincing in vitro and in vivo evidence that G-1 is able to suppress the growth of breast cancer cells independent of the expression status of GPERs and classic estrogen receptors. Interestingly, we found that triple-negative breast cancer cells (TNBC) are very sensitive to G-1 treatment. We found that G-1 arrested the cell cycle in the prophase of mitosis, leading to caspase activation and apoptosis of breast cancer cells. Our mechanistic studies indicated that G-1, similar to colchicine and 2-methoxyestradiol, binds to colchicine binding site on tubulin, inhibiting tubulin polymerization and subsequent assembly of normal mitotic spindle apparatus during breast cancer cell mitosis. Therefore, G-1 is a novel microtubule-targeting agent and could be a promising anti-microtubule drug for breast cancer treatment, especially for TNBC treatment. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(6); 1080–91. ©2017 AACR.
Highly Potent, Anthracycline-based Antibody–Drug Conjugates Generated by Enzymatic, Site-specific Conjugation
Authors: Stefan Nikolas , Gébleux Rémy , Waldmeier Lorenz , Hell Tamara , Escher Marie , Wolter Fabian I. , Grawunder Ulf , Beerli Roger R.
Published: March 2017

Antibody–drug conjugates (ADC) are highly potent and specific antitumor drugs, combining the specific targeting of mAbs with the potency of small-molecule toxic payloads. ADCs generated by conventional chemical conjugation yield heterogeneous mixtures with variable pharmacokinetics, stability, safety, and efficacy profiles. To address these issues, numerous site-specific conjugation technologies are currently being developed allowing the manufacturing of homogeneous ADCs with predetermined drug-to-antibody ratios. Here, we used sortase-mediated antibody conjugation (SMAC) technology to generate homogeneous ADCs based on a derivative of the highly potent anthracycline toxin PNU-159682 and a noncleavable peptide linker, using the anti-HER2 antibody trastuzumab (part of Kadcyla) and the anti-CD30 antibody cAC10 (part of Adcetris). Characterization of the resulting ADCs in vitro and in vivo showed that they were highly stable and exhibited potencies exceeding those of ADCs based on conventional tubulin-targeting payloads, such as Kadcyla and Adcetris. The data presented here suggest that such novel and highly potent ADC formats may help to increase the number of targets available to ADC approaches, by reducing the threshold levels of target expression required. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(5); 879–92. ©2017 AACR.
Nucleome Analysis Reveals Structure–Function Relationships for Colon Cancer
Authors: Seaman Laura , Chen Haiming , Brown Markus , Wangsa Darawalee , Patterson Geoff , Camps Jordi , Omenn Gilbert S. , Ried Thomas , Rajapakse Indika
Published: March 2017

Chromosomal translocations and aneuploidy are hallmarks of cancer genomes; however, the impact of these aberrations on the nucleome (i.e., nuclear structure and gene expression) is not yet understood. Here, the nucleome of the colorectal cancer cell line HT-29 was analyzed using chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) to study genome structure, complemented by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to determine the consequent changes in genome function. Importantly, translocations and copy number changes were identified at high resolution from Hi-C data and the structure–function relationships present in normal cells were maintained in cancer. In addition, a new copy number–based normalization method for Hi-C data was developed to analyze the effect of chromosomal aberrations on local chromatin structure. The data demonstrate that at the site of translocations, the correlation between chromatin organization and gene expression increases; thus, chromatin accessibility more directly reflects transcription. In addition, the homogeneously staining region of chromosome band 8q24 of HT-29, which includes the MYC oncogene, interacts with various loci throughout the genome and is composed of open chromatin. The methods, described herein, can be applied to the assessment of the nucleome in other cell types with chromosomal aberrations.

Implications: Findings show that chromosome conformation capture identifies chromosomal abnormalities at high resolution in cancer cells and that these abnormalities alter the relationship between structure and function. Mol Cancer Res; 15(7); 821–30. ©2017 AACR.
Effects of Renal Artery Denervation on Ventricular Arrhythmias in a Postinfarct Model
Authors: Jackson Nicholas , Gizurarson Sigfús , Azam Mohammed Ali , King Benjamin , Ramadeen Andrew , Zamiri Nima , Porta-Sánchez Andreu , Al-Hesayen Abdul , Graham John , Kusha Marjan , Massé Stéphane , Lai Patrick F.H. , Parker John , John Rohan , Kiehl Tim-Rasmus , Nair Govind Krishna Kumar , Dorian Paul , Nanthakumar Kumaraswamy
Published: March 2017

Background—

The therapeutic potential of renal denervation (RDN) for arrhythmias has not been fully explored. Detailed mechanistic evaluation is in order. The objective of the present study was to determine the antiarrhythmic potential of RDN in a postinfarct animal model and to determine whether any benefits relate to RDN-induced reduction of sympathetic effectors on the myocardium.

Methods and Results—

Pigs implanted with single-chamber implantable cardioverter defibrillators to record ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) were subjected to percutaneous coronary occlusion to induce myocardial infarction. Two weeks later, a sham or real RDN treatment was performed bilaterally using the St Jude EnligHTN basket catheter. Parameters of ventricular remodeling and modulation of cardio–renal sympathetic axis were monitored for 3 weeks after myocardial infarction. Histological analysis of renal arteries yielded a mean neurofilament score of healthy nerves that was significantly lower in the real RDN group than in sham controls; damaged nerves were found only in the real RDN group. There was a 100% reduction in the rate of spontaneous VAs after real RDN and a 75% increase in the rate of spontaneous VAs after sham RDN (
P
=0.03). In the infarcted myocardium, presence of sympathetic nerves and tissue abundance of neuropeptide-Y, an indicator of sympathetic nerve activities, were significantly lower in the RDN group. Peak and mean sinus tachycardia rates were significantly reduced after RDN.

Conclusions—

RDN in the infarcted pig model leads to reduction of postinfarction VAs and myocardial sympathetic effectors. This may form the basis for a potential therapeutic role of RDN in postinfarct VAs.
Weight Loss and Heart Failure
Authors: Sundström Johan , Bruze Gustaf , Ottosson Johan , Marcus Claude , Näslund Ingmar , Neovius Martin
Published: March 2017

Background:

Associations of obesity with incidence of heart failure have been observed, but the causality is uncertain. We hypothesized that gastric bypass surgery leads to a lower incidence of heart failure compared with intensive lifestyle modification in obese people.

Methods:

We included obese people without previous heart failure from a Swedish nationwide registry of people treated with a structured intensive lifestyle program and the Scandinavian Obesity Surgery Registry. All analyses used inverse probability weights based on baseline body mass index and a propensity score estimated from baseline variables. Treatment groups were well balanced in terms of weight, body mass index, and most potential confounders. Associations of treatment with heart failure incidence, as defined in the National Patient Register, were analyzed with Cox regression.

Results:

The 25 804 gastric bypass surgery patients had on average lost 18.8 kg more weight after 1 year and 22.6 kg more after 2 years than the 13 701 lifestyle modification patients. During a median of 4.1 years, surgery patients had lower heart failure incidence than lifestyle modification patients (hazard ratio, 0.54; 95% confidence interval, 0.36–0.82). A 10-kg achieved weight loss after 1 year was related to a hazard ratio for heart failure of 0.77 (95% confidence interval, 0.60–0.97) in both treatment groups combined. Results were robust in sensitivity analyses.

Conclusions:

Gastric bypass surgery was associated with approximately one half the incidence of heart failure compared with intensive lifestyle modification in this study of 2 large nationwide registries. We also observed a graded association between increasing weight loss and decreasing risk of heart failure.
Transcatheter Heart Valve Selection and Permanent Pacemaker Implantation in Patients With Pre‐Existent Right Bundle Branch Block
Authors: van Gils Lennart , Tchetche Didier , Lhermusier Thibault , Abawi Masieh , Dumonteil Nicolas , Rodriguez Olivares Ramón , Molina‐Martin de Nicolas Javier , Stella Pieter R. , Carrié Didier , De Jaegere Peter P. , Van Mieghem Nicolas M.
Published: March 2017

Background

Right bundle branch block is an established predictor for new conduction disturbances and need for a permanent pacemaker (
PPM
) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement. The aim of the study was to evaluate the absolute rates of transcatheter aortic valve replacement related
PPM
implantations in patients with pre‐existent right bundle branch block and categorize for different transcatheter heart valves.

Methods and Results

We pooled data on 306 transcatheter aortic valve replacement patients from 4 high‐volume centers in Europe and selected those with right bundle branch block at baseline without a previously implanted
PPM
. Logistic regression was used to evaluate whether
PPM
rate differed among transcatheter heart valves after adjustment for confounders. Mean age was 83±7 years and 63% were male. Median Society of Thoracic Surgeons score was 6.3 (interquartile range, 4.1–10.2). The following transcatheter valve designs were used: Medtronic CoreValve (n=130; Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN); Edwards Sapien
XT
(
ES
‐
XT
; n=124) and Edwards Sapien 3 (
ES
‐3; n=32; Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA); and Boston Scientific Lotus (n=20; Boston Scientific Corporation, Marlborough, MA). Overall permanent pacemaker implantation rate post‐transcatheter aortic valve replacement was 41%, and per valve design: 75% with Lotus, 46% with CoreValve, 32% with
ES
‐
XT
, and 34% with
ES
‐3. The indication for
PPM
implantation was total atrioventricular block in 98% of the cases. Lotus was associated with a higher
PPM
rate than all other valves.
PPM
rate did not differ between
ES
‐
XT
and
ES
‐3. Ventricular paced rhythm at 30‐day and 1‐year follow‐up was present in 81% at 89%, respectively.

Conclusions

Right bundle branch block at baseline is associated with a high incidence of
PPM
implantation for all transcatheter heart valves.
PPM
rate was highest for Lotus and lowest for
ES
‐
XT
and
ES
‐3. Pacemaker dependency remained high during follow‐up.
Association Between Acute Kidney Disease and Intravenous Dye Administration in Patients With Acute Stroke
Authors: Demel Stacie L. , Grossman Aaron W. , Khoury Jane C. , Moomaw Charles J. , Alwell Kathleen , Kissela Brett M. , Woo Daniel , Flaherty Matthew L. , Ferioli Simona , Mackey Jason , De Los Rios la Rosa Felipe , Martini Sharyl , Adeoye Opeolu , Kleindorfer Dawn O.
Published: March 2017

Background and Purpose—

Computed tomographic angiography and conventional angiography provide timely vascular anatomic information in patients with stroke. However, iodinated contrast dye may cause acute kidney injury (AKI). Within a large, biracial population, we examined in-hospital incidence of new or worsening kidney disease in patients with stroke and its association with administration of intravenous dye.

Methods—

All adult residents of the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region with acute ischemic stroke or intracerebral hemorrhage who presented to an emergency department in 2010 were included. Prevalence of unsuspected kidney disease at the time of emergency department presentation and the incidence of AKI after admission in 2 groups of patients—those who did and those who did not receive intravenous dye—were determined.

Results—

In 2010, 2299 patients met inclusion criteria (89% ischemic stroke and 11% intracerebral hemorrhage); mean age 69 years (SD 15), 22% black, and 54% women. Among these patients, 37% had kidney disease at baseline, including 22% (516/2299) in whom this was unsuspected. Two percent (2%; 15/853) of patients with baseline kidney disease developed AKI during the hospital stay. Of those with no baseline kidney disease, 1% (14/14 467) developed AKI. There was no association between dye administration and new or worsening kidney disease.

Conclusions—

Although 22% of patients in the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky stroke population had unsuspected kidney disease, the incidence of new or worsening kidney disease was low, and AKI was not associated with dye administration. These findings confirm single-center reports that the risk of severe renal complications after contrast dye is small.
Decreased Adiponectin-Mediated Signaling Through the AdipoR2 Pathway Is Associated With Carotid Plaque Instability
Authors: Gasbarrino Karina , Zheng Huaien , Hafiane Anouar , Veinot John P. , Lai Chi , Daskalopoulou Stella S.
Published: March 2017

Background and Purpose—

Adiponectin, the most abundantly secreted anti-inflammatory adipokine, protects against all stages of atherosclerotic plaque formation by acting on its receptors, AdipoR1 (adiponectin receptor 1) and AdipoR2 (adiponectin receptor 2). Through binding of AdipoR1, adiponectin leads to the activation of the AMPK (adenosine monophosphate–activated protein kinase) pathway, whereas stimulation of PPAR-α (peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor-α) is attributed to the binding of AdipoR2. However, the role of adiponectin and its receptors in plaque instability remains to be characterized. Thus, we aimed to investigate whether the adiponectin–AdipoR pathway is associated with carotid atherosclerotic plaque instability.

Methods—

The instability of plaque specimens obtained from patients who underwent a carotid endarterectomy (n=143) was assessed using gold standard histological classifications.

Results—

Using immunohistochemistry, we showed that adiponectin and AdipoR1/AdipoR2 are expressed in human carotid plaques and that their expression was localized most abundantly in areas of macrophage and foam cell accumulation. Unstable plaques expressed more adiponectin protein (Western blot,
P
<0.05) and less AdipoR2 mRNA (2.11-fold decrease,
P
<0.05) than stable plaques, whereas AdipoR1 expression remained similar between stable and unstable plaques. Beyond AdipoR1/AdipoR2 expression, a graded decrease in PPAR-α protein levels was observed in relation to carotid plaque instability (
P
<0.001), whereas AMPK phosphorylation was increased (
P
<0.05). Our in vitro model of plaque instability, involving the induction of foam cells from human THP-1 (Tamm–Horsfall protein 1) macrophages treated with acetylated low-density lipoprotein, supported our in vivo conclusions.

Conclusions—

An overall abundance of adiponectin with a decrease in AdipoR2 expression and activity was observed in unstable plaques, suggesting that reduced signaling through the AdipoR2 pathway, and not through AdipoR1, may contribute to plaque instability.
Quality of Acute Care and Long-Term Quality of Life and Survival
Authors: Cadilhac Dominique A. , Andrew Nadine E. , Lannin Natasha A. , Middleton Sandy , Levi Christopher R. , Dewey Helen M. , Grabsch Brenda , Faux Steve , Hill Kelvin , Grimley Rohan , Wong Andrew , Sabet Arman , Butler Ernest , Bladin Christopher F. , Bates Timothy R. , Groot Patrick , Castley Helen , Donnan Geoffrey A. , Anderson Craig S.
Published: March 2017

Background and Purpose—

Uncertainty exists over whether quality improvement strategies translate into better health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and survival after acute stroke. We aimed to determine the association of best practice recommended interventions and outcomes after stroke.

Methods—

Data are from the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry during 2010 to 2014. Multivariable regression was used to determine associations between 3 interventions: received acute stroke unit (ASU) care and in various combinations with prescribed antihypertensive medication at discharge, provision of a discharge care plan, and outcomes of survival and HRQoL (EuroQoL 5-dimensional questionnaire visual analogue scale) at 180 days, by stroke type. An assessment was also made of outcomes related to the number of processes patients received.

Results—

There were 17 585 stroke admissions (median age 77 years, 47% female; 81% managed in ASUs; 80% ischemic stroke) from 42 hospitals (77% metropolitan) assessed. Cumulative benefits on outcomes related to the number of care processes received by patients. ASU care was associated with a reduced likelihood of death (hazard ratio, 0.49; 95% confidence interval, 0.43–0.56) and better HRQoL (coefficient, 21.34; 95% confidence interval, 15.50–27.18) within 180 days. For those discharged from hospital, receiving ASU+antihypertensive medication provided greater 180-day survival (hazard ratio, 0.45; 95% confidence interval, 0.38–0.52) compared with ASU care alone (hazard ratio, 0.64; 95% confidence interval, 0.54–0.76). HRQoL gains were greatest for patients with intracerebral hemorrhage who received care bundles involving discharge processes (range of increase, 11%–19%).

Conclusions—

Patients with stroke who receive best practice recommended hospital care have improved long-term survival and HRQoL.
Shifting Perceptions of Risk and Reward: Use of Anticoagulation in Patients With Acute Brain Ischemia and Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Schwammenthal Yvonne , Tsabari Rakefet , Orion David , Merzlyak Oleg , Haratz Salo , Peretz Shlomi , Bornstein Natan M. , Ifergane Gal , Einhorn Michal , Schwammenthal Ehud , Geva Diklah , Tanne David
Published: March 2017

Background and Purpose—

Despite overwhelming evidence for the benefits of anticoagulation in patients with brain ischemia and atrial fibrillation, vast underuse has been reported.

Methods—

Use of anticoagulation for secondary stroke prevention was assessed in the National Acute Stroke Israeli Survey registry (NASIS) of hospitalized patients with atrial fibrillation and acute brain ischemia. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the effects of clinical covariates on anticoagulation therapy at discharge, and anticoagulation use over time was assessed in subgroups of patients with identified barriers to anticoagulation utilization.

Results—

There were 1254 survivors of acute brain ischemia with atrial fibrillation (mean age 77.2±10.6 years; 57.7% female). Between 2004 and 2013, the proportion of patients discharged on anticoagulation increased from 55% to 76.2%, and among those without perceived contraindications from 70% to 96% (
P
<0.0001). Older age, greater stroke severity, earlier registry period, and presence of contraindications were independent predictors of withholding therapy. Increased anticoagulation use over the years was observed even in patients with barriers to anticoagulation use, including patients with potential contraindications (
P
<0.001).

Conclusions—

In survivors of acute brain ischemia with atrial fibrillation, we observed a substantial increase in anticoagulation utilization within less than a decade. This change was mainly driven by greater utilization of anticoagulation in subgroups with traditional clinical barriers to anticoagulation use, indicating a shift in physicians’ perceptions of the risk–benefit ratio of anticoagulation.
Increased Vascular Disease Mortality Risk in Prediabetic Korean Adults Is Mainly Attributable to Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Kim Nam Hoon , Kwon Tae Yeon , Yu Sungwook , Kim Nan Hee , Choi Kyung Mook , Baik Sei Hyun , Park Yousung , Kim Sin Gon
Published: March 2017

Background and Purpose—

Prediabetes is a known risk factor for vascular diseases; however, its differential contribution to mortality risk from various vascular disease subtypes is not known.

Methods—

The subjects of the National Health Insurance Service in Korea (2002–2013) nationwide cohort were stratified into normal glucose tolerance (fasting glucose <100 mg/dL), impaired fasting glucose (IFG) stage 1 (100–109 mg/dL), IFG stage 2 (110–125 mg/dL), and diabetes mellitus groups based on the fasting glucose level. A Cox regression analysis with counting process formulation was used to assess the mortality risk for vascular disease and its subtypes—ischemic heart disease, ischemic stroke, and hemorrhagic stroke.

Results—

When adjusted for age, sex, and body mass index, IFG stage 2, but not stage 1, was associated with significantly higher all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 1.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18–1.34) and vascular disease mortality (HR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.08–1.49) compared with normal glucose tolerance. Among the vascular disease subtypes, mortality from ischemic stroke was significantly higher (HR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.18–2.18) in subjects with IFG stage 2 but not from ischemic heart disease and hemorrhagic stroke. The ischemic stroke mortality associated with IFG stage 2 remained significantly high when adjusted other modifiable vascular disease risk factors (HR, 1.51; 95% CI: 1.10–2.09) and medical treatments (HR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.19–2.57).

Conclusions—

Higher IFG degree (fasting glucose, 110–125 mg/dL) was associated with increased all-cause and vascular disease mortality. The increased vascular disease mortality in IFG stage 2 was attributable to ischemic stroke, but not ischemic heart disease or hemorrhagic stroke in Korean adults.
Children and Politics
Authors: Abendschön Simone
Published: March 2017

This special issue overcomes the still existing reservations to analyze children’s perspectives on politics and society. Dealing with different topics, research questions, and new data, the articles provide new insights and open the discussion for questions of children’s involvement in civil society. The findings of these articles should be relevant for all researchers of childhood sociology, for civic educationalists and students of political learning and behavior. Questions investigated are, among others, how do children think about politics, democracy, and society? How do they express their political attitudes? What do children’s political orientations and behavior look like? How politically knowledgeable are they and what are the reasons for between-group differences? What are important democratic learning contexts and factors that shape these orientations? And, last but not least, what methods can we use to analyze children’s political involvement in an adequate manner?
“Left” vs. “Right”
Authors: Lignier Wilfried , Pagis Julie
Published: March 2017

This article deals with the question of children’s relations to the political order. More precisely, it examines the empirical question of children’s appropriation of the left/right cleavage. To do so, we conducted a 2-year study (2010-2012), in two primary schools in Paris, with 336 children aged between 7 and 10 years. This article is based on the analysis of the questionnaire that was administered to all the children at the beginning of the second year, before the beginning of the presidential campaign of 2012. Starting with what could have been taken for survey bias—children preferring “the right” because they are right-handers—we argue that this misunderstanding is indeed meaningful and can be very useful, theoretically and methodologically. It helps us demonstrate that politicization is based on symbolic logics of transposition from one practical domain (the use of the body) to another (politics). On the basis of this misunderstanding, we construct an indicator of the degree of politicization, which allows us to demonstrate that these general symbolic logics are themselves dependent on social logics (of gender and class in particular) that make this transposition more or less difficult, and to occur more or less early. Regarding the qualitative analysis of the open-ended questions for the significations of “right” and “left”, we finally identify four main lexicons of explanation for this dichotomy (corporeal, nominal/descriptive, affective/moral, and argumentative).
Children and Society
Authors: Betz Tanja , Kayser Laura B.
Published: March 2017

In Western societies, we can observe a social order of knowledge between adults and children which involves the adults’ knowledge (e.g., on social matters) being investigated, made accessible, and distributed. Children’s knowledge, on the other hand, has not been studied in its own right. In this article, we therefore wish to focus on children’s social knowledge by analyzing passages from qualitative interviews with 15 elementary school children (age 8-10; different social backgrounds) on their understanding first, of differences in academic achievement, and second, of wealth and poverty, as well as their ideas on how these two topics are related and (therefore) their belief in meritocracy and knowledge about inequality. By exploring the children’s perspectives, we aim to get a better understanding of societal power structures and dynamics. Our findings reveal a distinct understanding of societal stratification issues on the part of children which is strongly linked to their position as children and not so much to their social class affiliation. Moreover, the results hint at children making a stabilizing contribution to the generational and social order of society.
Political Knowledge of Children and the Role of Sociostructural Factors
Authors: Abendschön Simone , Tausendpfund Markus
Published: March 2017

This article investigates how and why political knowledge varies among young children. The data of the empirical analyses are adapted from the German study “Learning to Live Democracy” and consists of a three-wave panel of 431 young children who were interviewed at the beginning and at the end of their first school year, as well as at the end of their fourth school year. The empirical results show that political knowledge among young children is not equally distributed. Girls, children from Turkish families and/or those from areas with a low socioeconomic status show a tendency to be less politically knowledgeable than boys, children from native German families and/or those from areas with a higher socioeconomic status. These differences do not disappear during the first years in school.
How Can We Explain the Gender Gap in Children’s Political Knowledge?
Authors: Simon Alice
Published: March 2017

The gender gap is one of the main puzzles explored in research on political knowledge. Studies on children have shown that this phenomenon takes root in childhood. Girls score lower than boys on knowledge tests, despite cultural developments promoting greater gender equality. How can the gender gap in children’s political knowledge be explained? This article examines the leading explanations for the gender gap found in the literature in light of the results of an original empirical study conducted with French children in primary school. It suggests that the gender gap in children’s political knowledge does not mainly result from either specific social inequalities or methodological bias, although the study does find that question-answering behavior differs between boys and girls. Rather, the gender gap appears to primarily result from socialization. Children progressively develop different perceptions of politics according to their gender, as well as different approaches to knowledge tests.
Elementary School Children’s Political Knowledge
Authors: Goetzmann Anke
Published: March 2017

This study looks at the question of which domain-specific concepts regarding politics children already understand and to what extent a naïve theory of politics can be postulated. It shows that even children in first grade have political knowledge that becomes increasingly differentiated throughout their time in elementary school. Fourth graders’ knowledge is more elaborate than that of first graders. The migrant background of children has a negative influence on political knowledge. No gender-specific differences in knowledge are found.
“Without Politics It Would Be Like a Robbery Without Police”
Authors: Haug Lena
Published: March 2017

The present study investigates the intensity and nature of children’s political interest based on an ontogenetic theory of interest development. It examines concepts of politics, the degree of general and issue interest, as well as the reasons why children develop political interest. The sample consists of 594 primary and secondary pupils aged 8 to 12 years. A combination of questionnaires and drawing tasks were used to evaluate the children’s interest in politics. The findings demonstrate a high and consistent degree of political interest. Some topics (e.g., war) stand out to be of particular interest to the children. Topic interest is stimulated either by a topic’s perceived relevance or by its attention-drawing potential. Differences among the children suggest that influences on the development of political interest take effect already in childhood.
The Catalan Political Process for Independence: An Example of the Partisan Media System
Authors: Micó Josep-Lluís , Carbonell Josep-Maria
Published: March 2017

Since 2012, Catalonia has been undergoing a complex political process in which a broad segment of the population has shown itself to be in favor of seceding from the Kingdom of Spain. This phenomenon is not new, given that during the 20th century, the relationship between the two territories was a source of instability and controversy, especially during the Civil War (1936-1939). However, the enormous popular dimension and the massive participation of hundreds of thousands of citizens have represented a remarkable new occurrence in recent times. Based on this situation, the primary aim of the present article is to describe the main reasons for this radicalization in the process of a hypothetical secession in which Catalonia breaks away from Spain. It also seeks to analyze and interpret the role that the media is playing in the so-called “Catalan Process.” Achieving this second objective has been possible thanks to research undertaken by Blanquerna School of Communication and International Relations (Ramon Llull University) based on more than 7,000 journalistic pieces published or broadcasted in more than 100 newspapers, magazines, television stations, radio stations, and cybernewspapers in seven different languages. The most significant conclusion of this study, based on content analysis of the aforementioned sample, is that the media are not being neutral in their coverage of the process. Thus, they have identified to varying degrees with one of the three possible outcomes of the conflict: the maintenance of the unity of Spain, the preferred option of much of national and international media; the independence of Catalonia, the choice of a high percentage of media in Catalonia itself; or a new relationship based on a federal system in Spain that would include Catalonia, the possibility with the least level of support in the three geographical areas studied.
The Consistent Attributes of the Ideal Presidential Candidate in an Increasingly Divided Electorate
Authors: Trent Judith S. , Short-Thompson Cady , Mongeau Paul A. , Metzler Maribeth S.
Published: March 2017

Political image is a transactional process between candidates’ actions and how voters assess them with their own individual ideas of the ideal presidential candidate. This 28-year longitudinal study of political communication serves to address the following four research questions. First, what attributes do voters find most important or desirable for a candidate to possess—in other words, what makes him or her an ideal presidential candidate? Second, how do these evaluations of ideal characteristics change across time and a different field of candidates? Third, how important are the candidates’ demographic variables? Fourth, how do the evaluations of ideal characteristics differ across the age, gender, and political party affiliation of the voters? These questions are posed and answered across 1988 to 2016 presidential campaign cycles in one of the longest research studies in the discipline of political communication.
The “unimaginable border” and bare life in Eva Hornung’s Dog Boy
Authors: Neave Lucy Ann
Published: March 2017

This article offers a consideration of the figure of the feral child in Australian writer Eva Hornung’s Dog Boy (2009), a novel based on stories circulating in the media about children raised by dogs in post-perestroika Russia. The book was praised for its exploration of the liminal space occupied by its protagonist, Romochka, the ecocritical potential in the idea of ferality, and its grimly realistic portrayal of both Romochka’s privations and the comfort offered by the company and loyalty of dogs. I read the novel less optimistically, through Giorgio Agamben’s conception of “bare life” and the metaphorical instrument of its production, the anthropological machine as described in The Open: Man and Animal. Romochka is excluded from political life and from legal protection, yet is subject to state intervention. Further, I argue that the novel is engaged in Australian and international debates about people excluded from political life and from the protection of the law, such as the homeless and refugees, who are nonetheless exposed to state power and surveillance.
The Elephant in the Schoolhouse
Authors: Spillane James P. , Shirrell Matthew , Sweet Tracy M.
Published: March 2017

Although the physical arrangement of workspaces can both constrain and enable interactions among organizational members, sociological research in education has not extensively examined the role of physical proximity in determining work-related social ties among school staff. Using social network analysis, this article explores the relationship between physical proximity and instructional advice seeking among school staff in all 14 elementary schools in one U.S. school district over four years. Results show that school staff whose workspaces are located closer to one another, and whose paths likely cross more frequently in their day-to-day work within the school building, are more likely to talk with one another about their work. Findings argue for more careful consideration when assigning school staff to workspaces, as the physical proximity of school staff appears to play a significant role in who talks to whom about instruction.
Selection and Implementation of Skill Acquisition Programs by Special Education Teachers and Staff for Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Kodak Tiffany , Cariveau Tom , LeBlanc Brittany A. , Mahon Jacob J. , Carroll Regina A.
Published: March 2017

The present investigation examined special education teachers’ selection and use of teaching strategies for receptive identification training with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in their classrooms. Teachers first responded to a survey in which they provided examples of receptive identification tasks taught in their classrooms, rated the efficacy of teaching strategies, described how they determined whether skills were mastered, listed any assessments they conducted to identify relevant prerequisite skills prior to receptive identification training, described how they selected teaching strategies for use in their classrooms, and listed their years of experience as a teacher and working with children with ASD. Subsequent observations of implementation of teaching strategies during trial-based instruction occurred in a proportion of teachers’ classrooms. The results of the observations showed that participants did not consistently implement components of trial-based instruction as described in the literature, and there were differences in implementation depending on the types of skills targeted during instruction.