bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hierarchical Modeling of Patient and Physician Determinants of Blood Pressure Outcomes in Hypertensive Patients with and without Diabetes: Pooled Analysis of Six Observational Valsartan Studies with 15,282 Evaluable Patients
Authors: Ashy Noha , Nguyen Thanh-Nga , Denhaerynck Kris , Gharaibeh Mahdi , Alhossan Abdulaziz , Vancayzeele Stefaan , Brié Heidi , Aerts Ann , MacDonald Karen , Abraham Ivo
Published: September 2017

We pooled data from 6 valsartan-related studies including 3,658 diabetic and 11,624 nondiabetic patients to evaluate blood pressure (BP) outcomes after approximately 90 days of second- or later-line valsartan treatment. Hierarchical linear and logistic regressions were applied to identify determinants of BP outcomes. Similar reductions in BP values and similar BP control rates were achieved in both groups after approximately 90 days of therapy. The modeling analyses identified several common and different patient- and physician-related determinants of BP outcomes for both groups, many of which are modifiable or clinically manageable. Through varying in terms of association and influence between the diabetic and nondiabetic groups, patient-related determinants included age, BP at diagnosis of hypertension, risk factors, valsartan regimen, concomitant antihypertensive treatment, and adherence; and physician-related determinants included gender, years in practice, and hypertension management. In summary, in both diabetic and nondiabetic patients, the use of valsartan-centric treatment regimens in second- or later-line antihypertensive treatment is associated with significant reductions in BP level and improvement in BP control. The determinants identified in modeling provide guidance to clinicians in the common and differential management of hypertension in diabetic and nondiabetic patients.
Increased Levels of sRAGE in Diabetic CKD-G5D Patients: A Potential Protective Mechanism against AGE-Related Upregulation of Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 and Inflammation
Authors: Dozio Elena , Corradi Valentina , Vianello Elena , Scalzotto Elisa , de Cal Massimo , Corsi Romanelli Massimiliano Marco , Ronco Claudio
Published: September 2017

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) may induce cardiac remodeling in kidney disease by promoting fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) expression. Since AGEs are increased in diabetes mellitus (DM), our first aim was to evaluate the existence of any potential association between AGEs, FGF-23, inflammation, and increased cardiovascular risk in DM patients on dialysis (CKD-G5D). Secondarily, we explored the potential role of the soluble receptor for AGEs (sRAGE) as a marker of heart failure. Levels of glycated albumin (GA), sRAGE, c-terminal FGF-23 (cFGF-23), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and inflammatory mediators were compared between DM and non-DM CKD-G5D patients. The levels of sRAGE, cFGF-23, BNP, and proinflammatory markers were over the ranges of normality in both DM and non-DM groups. Only GA and sRAGE levels were increased in DM compared to non-DM patients. Plasma levels of sRAGE and CRP were the only independent predictors of BNP concentration. In conclusion, in DM CKD-G5D patients, sRAGE appeared to be a marker of cardiac remodeling. Indeed, its increase could be a potential protective mechanism against the increased risk of cardiovascular complications related to AGEs and inflammation. The causal relationship between sRAGE and cardiovascular risk in these patients needs to be further confirmed by mechanistic studies.
Orbital Cellulitis and Secondary Angle Closure: A Rare Presentation of Choroidal Melanoma
Authors: Oh Lawrence J. , Dunn Hamish , Cherepanoff Svetlana , Giblin Michel
Published: September 2017

We describe a case of choroidal melanoma initially presenting with orbital cellulitis, fulminant conjunctival swelling, and secondary angle closure. Despite treatment with intravenous antibiotics, the patient's condition did not improve. With further investigations including ultrasound scan and magnetic resonance imaging, a high-density lesion was found within the globe. Characteristic imaging findings suggested a malignant origin and the lesion was found to be a melanoma on histopathological analysis.
Proposta de um Core Set Abreviado de Avaliação da Funcionalidade em Cuidados Pós-Agudos Geriátricos
Authors: de Almeida Fontes Ana Paula , Fernandes Ana Alexandre , Botelho Maria Amália , Papoila Ana Luísa
Published: September 2017

Objetivo: Desenvolver um Core Set Geriátrico Abreviado para avaliação/intervenção da funcionalidade, em cuidados de reabilitação de contexto pós-agudo. Materiais e Métodos: Desenvolveu-se um estudo observacional do tipo analítico e longitudinal, que permitisse conhecer os domínios e as variáveis com maior valor preditivo e discriminativo relativamente à evolução da funcionalidade das condições de saúde observadas. Para a constituição da amostra consideraram-se os indivíduos com 65 ou mais anos, internados em unidades de Convalescença e Média Duração da Rede Nacional de Cuidados Continuados Integrados da região do Algarve. Resultados: A amostra foi constituída por 451 indivíduos, com uma média de idade 79,5 ± 7,5 anos, dos quais 62,1% eram mulheres. As condições de saúde com frequências mais elevadas como causa de admissão na Rede foram as fraturas da extremidade superior do fémur e os acidentes vasculares encefálicos que no seu conjunto equivaleram a 73,6% dos casos. Das 21 variáveis independentes que integraram os modelos explicativos da funcionalidade foi possível organizar uma listagem de 28 categorias: 5 Funções, 16 Atividades/Participação e 7 Fatores Ambientais. Conclusões: A presente proposta de Core Set Geriátrico Abreviado para os cuidados de reabilitação de contexto pós-agudo tem um enfoque sobretudo no componente Atividades/Participação, enquanto componente que materializa de forma concreta a interação do indivíduo com o meio e a sua vida real. A funcionalidade deve ser considerada uma variável incontornável da Saúde Pública pelo facto de permitir reproduzir as deficiências e limitações dos indivíduos, mas igualmente facilitar a alocação estruturada de equipamentos, serviços e sistemas, promotores da sua participação.
Oxymatrine Ameliorates Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Rats
Authors: Zhang Yan-Yan , Yi Minhan , Huang Yong-Pan
Published: September 2017

Background/Aims: Doxorubicin-induced cardiac toxicity has been a major concern of oncologists and is considered the main restriction on its clinical application. Oxymatrine has shown potent anti-cancer, anti-fibrosis, and anti-oxidative effects. Recently, it has been reported that oxymatrine is protective against some cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of oxymatrine on doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in rat hearts and H9c2 cells. Methods: Creatine Kinase - MB (CK-MB) and Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were determined using commercial kits. Biochemical indices reflecting oxidative stress, such as catalase (CAT), malonyldialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were also analyzed with commercial kits. Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) 2’,7’-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFH-DA) was measured by fluorescence microscopy. Histological analyses were conducted to observe morphological changes, and apoptosis was measured using a commercial kit. Western blots were used to detect the level of expression of cleaved caspase-3. Results: Doxorubicin treatment significantly increased oxidative stress levels, as indicated by catalase, malonyldialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and reactive oxygen species. Doxorubicin also increased pathological damage in myocardial tissue, myocardial ROS levels, and malonyldialdehyde levels, and induced apoptosis in myocardial tissues and H9c2 cells. All of these doxorubicin-induced effects were attenuated by oxymatrine. Conclusion: These in vitro and in vivo findings indicate that oxymatrine may be a promising cardioprotective agent against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity, at least in part mediated through oxymatrine’s inhibition of cardiac apoptosis and oxidative stress.
Ischemic Stroke Patients Demonstrate Increased Carotid Plaque Microvasculature Compared to (Ocular) Transient Ischemic Attack Patients
Authors: van Hoof Raf H.M. , Schreuder Floris H.B.M. , Nelemans Patty , Truijman Martine T.B. , van Orshoven Narender P. , Schreuder Tobien H. , Mess Werner H. , Heeneman Sylvia , van Oostenbrugge Robert J. , Wildberger Joachim E. , Kooi M. Eline
Published: September 2017

Background: Patients with a recent ischemic stroke have a higher risk of recurrent stroke compared to (ocular) transient ischemic attack (TIA) patients. Plaque microvasculature is considered as a feature of plaque vulnerability and can be quantified with carotid dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI). The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to explore the association between plaque microvasculature and the type of recent cerebrovascular events in symptomatic patients with mild-to-moderate carotid stenosis. Methods: A total of 87 symptomatic patients with a recent stroke (n = 35) or (ocular) TIA (n = 52) underwent carotid DCE-MRI examination. Plaque microvasculature was studied in the vessel wall and adventitia using DCE-MRI and the pharmacokinetic modeling parameter Ktrans. Statistical analysis was performed with logistic regression, correcting for associated clinical risk factors. Results: The 75th percentile adventitial (OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.18-3.29) Ktrans was significantly associated with a recent ischemic stroke compared to (ocular) TIA in multivariate analysis, while clinical risk factors were not significantly associated with the type of event. Conclusions: This study indicates a positive association of leaky plaque microvasculature with a recent ischemic stroke compared to (ocular) TIA. Prospective longitudinal studies are needed to investigate whether Ktrans or other plaque characteristics may serve as an imaging marker for predicting (the type of) future cerebrovascular events.
ВИЯВЛЕННЯ І КОРЕКЦІЯ СИСТЕМНИХ РИЗИКІВ ПРИ РЕАБІЛІТАЦІЇ ХВОРИХ В УМОВАХ САНАТОРІЮ. ПОСТАНОВКА ПРОБЛЕМИ
Authors: Sarkanych O. V.
Published: September 2017

The methodology of assessing patients' condition in the general system of providing medical care is analyzed. A method for assessing the severity of a patient's condition based on the principles of personalized medicine is substantiated.The evaluation of the patient's stay in the sanatorium is considered as a macro-clinical model of the medical care system, consisting of two clusters — restoring health in a sanatorium and getting a proper rest.
‘Come with Old Khayyam and Leave the Wise to Talk’
Authors: Mathews Freya
Published: September 2017

In the last thirty years, many ecophilosophies have come and gone. Visions of ecological reform and re-alignment have been rolling plentifully off the presses. Yet the ecological crisis, globally and at home, has only worsened. Why have ecophilosophical ideas failed to change social patterns of behaviour to any significant degree? Can theory change behaviour? Or is theory itself the problem? Is it theory which distances us from reality and thereby creates the moral gap between ourselves and the biosphere? If so, what contribution can philosophers and scholars possibly make towards an effective response to the current biosphere emergency?
Spectral Depth
Authors: Morton Timothy
Published: September 2017

Deep ecology holds that profound inner transformation is a necessary part of entering an ecological age and building a society that includes nonhuman lifeforms in meaningful ways. I am going to argue that this is definitely the case, and that the shock of realizing the truth of the Anthropocene amounts to a first step on a pathway that one might accurately see as ‘spiritual,’ if only for its profundity—though certainly not for any disengagement with the political.

What this transformation amounts to in part is a new way of experiencing ‘selfhood’ or the ‘inner self’ (or whatever we want to call it). This new mode sees existence to contain a necessarily spectral dimension. While it obviously makes reductionist forms of materialism untenable, such a dimension also troubles some of the ideas we might have about spirituality. I seek to show how the spectral is a vital element of being an ecological being, and argue that this spectrality affects how we conceptualize all kinds of other domains, such as ethics, politics and art.
Redescription of Bomis larvata L. Koch, 1874 with the description of a new Australian species
Authors: SZYMKOWIAK PAWEŁ , KRÓLIKOWSKA SYLWIA
Published: September 2017

All known species of Bomis are very small—spiders in this genus belong to the smallest crab spiders known. The type species, Bomis larvata L. Koch, 1874, is distributed in Australia. Three more species of the genus have been described from India. This paper is a redescription of B. larvata accompanied by a description of Bomis hippoponoi n. sp. from Australia.
New combinations, status, and species of Neotropical Ambrysini (Heteroptera: Naucoridae: Cryphocricinae)
Authors: SITES ROBERT W. , RODRIGUES HIGOR D. D. , REYNOSO-VELASCO DANIEL
Published: September 2017

The Neotropical saucer bug species Ambrysus maldonadus La Rivers and Ambrysus montandoni La Rivers originally were placed in Ambrysus Stål despite aberrant physiognomies and features inconsistent with the genus. These two species are herein transferred from Ambrysus to Carvalhoiella De Carlo and are new combinations. Further, Ambrysus (Picrops) usingeri La Rivers represents a monotypic subgenus, which is herein elevated to full generic status. As such, Picrops usingeri represents a new status for this species and a second species of Picrops from the Guiana Shield is described. In addition, the male of Ambrysus brunneus Sites is described and a comparison of character states for genera of Ambrysini is provided.
Guilielmia Weise, a little known Afrotropical flea beetle genus: systematic affinities and description of a second new species from Central Africa (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae, Alticini)
Authors: BIONDI MAURIZIO , D’ALESSANDRO PAOLA
Published: September 2017

The genus Guilielmia Weise from the high mountains of Central Africa, known on a female specimen only, is redescribed based on new specimens of the type species, and the new species Guilielmia leleupi sp. nov. described here. Habitus photos, and microscope and scanning electron micrographs of diagnostic characters, including the aedeagus, are provided for both the species. Some considerations about taxonomic affinities and morphological adaptations to high altitudes are suggested.
Global Multiscale Evaluation of Satellite Passive Microwave Retrieval of Precipitation during the TRMM and GPM Eras: Effective Resolution and Regional Diagnostics for Future Algorithm Development
Authors: Guilloteau Clément , Foufoula-Georgiou Efi , Kummerow Christian D.
Published: September 2017

The constellation of spaceborne passive microwave (MW) sensors, coordinated under the framework of the Precipitation Measurement Missions international agreement, continuously produces observations of clouds and precipitation all over the globe. The Goddard profiling algorithm (GPROF) is designed to infer the instantaneous surface precipitation rate from the measured MW radiances. The last version of the algorithm (GPROF-2014)—the product of more than 20 years of algorithmic development, validation, and improvement—is currently used to estimate precipitation rates from the microwave imager GMI on board the GPM core satellite. The previous version of the algorithm (GPROF-2010) was used with the microwave imager TMI on board TRMM. In this paper, TMI-GPROF-2010 estimates and GMI-GPROF-2014 estimates are compared with coincident active measurements from the Precipitation Radar on board TRMM and the Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar on board GPM, considered as reference products. The objective is to assess the improvement of the GPM-era microwave estimates relative to the TRMM-era estimates and diagnose regions where continuous improvement is needed. The assessment is oriented toward estimating the “effective resolution” of the MW estimates, that is, the finest scale at which the retrieval is able to accurately reproduce the spatial variability of precipitation. A wavelet-based multiscale decomposition of the radar and passive microwave precipitation fields is used to formally define and assess the effective resolution. It is found that the GPM-era MW retrieval can resolve finer-scale spatial variability over oceans than the TRMM-era retrieval. Over land, significant challenges exist, and this analysis provides useful diagnostics and a benchmark against which future retrieval algorithm improvement can be assessed.
Insurance Coverage and Acute Care Revisits After Pediatric Ambulatory Tonsillectomy
Authors: Tumin Dmitry , Raman Vidya T. , Tobias Joseph D.
Published: September 2017

We investigated whether patterns of health insurance coverage were associated with 30-day all-cause acute care revisits after ambulatory tonsillectomy at a free-standing quaternary-care pediatric hospital. Insurance patterns were classified from past encounters as continuous private, continuous Medicaid, Medicaid-to-private change, or private-to-Medicaid change. Among 478/675 boys/girls (age 9 ± 4 years) selected for analysis, 148 (13%) had 30-day revisits, whereas 96 (8%) changed from Medicaid to private insurance, and 99 (9%) changed from private insurance to Medicaid. Revisits were most common in the private-to-Medicaid group, compared with continuous private coverage (19% vs 10%; 95% CI of difference: 1%-18%; P = .007). The private-to-Medicaid group was most likely to be overweight, have symptoms of sleep disordered breathing, and have more past clinical encounters. In multivariable analysis, the greater risk of acute care revisits among children with private-to-Medicaid change in coverage was attributable to greater comorbidity burden and past health care utilization.
Effects of Stress and Task Difficulty on Working Memory and Cortical Networking
Authors: Kim Yujin , Woo Jihwan , Woo Minjung
Published: September 2017

This study investigated interactive effects of stress and task difficulty on working memory and cortico-cortical communication during memory encoding. Thirty-eight adolescent participants (mean age of 15.7 ± 1.5 years) completed easy and hard working memory tasks under low- and high-stress conditions. We analyzed the accuracy and reaction time (RT) of working memory performance and inter- and intrahemispheric electroencephalogram coherences during memory encoding. Working memory accuracy was higher, and RT shorter, in the easy versus the hard task. RT was shorter under the high-stress (TENS) versus low-stress (no-TENS) condition, while there was no difference in memory accuracy between the two stress conditions. For electroencephalogram coherence, we found higher interhemispheric coherence in all bands but only at frontal electrode sites in the easy versus the hard task. On the other hand, intrahemispheric coherence was higher in the left hemisphere in the easy (versus hard task) and higher in the right hemisphere (with one exception) in the hard (versus easy task). Inter- and intracoherences were higher in the low- versus high-stress condition. Significant interactions between task difficulty and stress condition were observed in coherences of the beta frequency band. The difference in coherence between low- and high-stress conditions was greater in the hard compared with the easy task, with lower coherence under the high-stress condition relative to the low-stress condition. Stress seemed to cause a decrease in cortical network communications between memory-relevant cortical areas as task difficulty increased.
The Editor’s Note
Authors: Richardson Joan
Published: September 2017

Reflecting on the contributions of communication theorist Marshall McLuhan (“the medium is the message,” hot media vs. cool media), the editor concludes that McLuhan would want us to understand that tools that we created — such as the internet and smartphones — are now recreating us and that we should use them to our purposes and not allow media to run our lives.
Another look at the Good Samaritan: Luke 10:25–37
Authors: Burris Ronald
Published: September 2017

The story of the Good Samaritan reminds us of one of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s most pointed statements on racial reconciliation: “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Most of us are familiar with the challenge to “love your neighbor” as emphasized by Jesus in the telling of the story, but we seldom think about loving the perpetrator. In this exposition of Luke 10:25–37, Burris moves us from a call to love the challenging neighbor to a love for all humanity that is deep enough and great enough to enable one to participate in night walks on the streets of Richmond, CA—a city riddled with gun violence.
Singing our way to justice: A conversation with Dan Damon—hymn writer, composer, and pastor
Authors: Hall Nancy E.
Published: September 2017

Hymnody has long reflected both the theology and the changing concerns of the Christian church. Dan Damon, a leading practitioner with more than a hundred published hymns, has conducted large-scale research into the representation of social justice issues in contemporary hymnals. Damon is interviewed about his creative process as hymn text writer and as composer (a process deeply intertwined with his work as pastor of a United Methodist church), shedding additional light on the questions that motivate his research: “What are we already singing about justice?” and “What justice issues have our hymn writers not yet addressed?” Several hymn texts illustrate Damon’s responses to the omissions implied by the latter question. Reflections on the role of this new hymnody, both in the congregation’s spiritual formation and as call to action, suggest the vitality to be gained by including hymn texts on social justice in our worship.
Radical hospitality and table fellowship in a time of unwelcome: Being church
Authors: Jeffress Jean
Published: September 2017

This is an expanded version of my Senior Sermon given at American Baptist Seminary of the West in April of 2017. The sermon was inspired by the work of my Mentor Project which shares the title of this piece. The work was the ministry of radical hospitality and table fellowship at the (A)Rise in Power National Convergence of radical Christian activists, which took place in February of 2017 on Oakland. The purpose of the work was to create a space of radical hospitality, welcome, and table fellowship as an expression of radical love, as a venue for spiritual healing, and as a model for ecclesiology. This work uses the vision of being church given in the book of Acts 2:42–47. This vision provides an alternative vision of our shared life together as Christians, and in this work I posit that to be church is to work to create this vision, whether in the walls of the church building, in the kitchen, or on the streets. This vision of church is fleeting, but as followers of Jesus we must continue to pursue it.
Prophesy or perish
Authors: McBride Michael
Published: September 2017

In this brief article, McBride exhorts his audience to take seriously the pouring out of the Spirit on all flesh as described in Joel 2:28. If the Spirit is in the world, working through humanity, then we need to tap into it to fight the powers of evil that hold us hostage to prejudice and racism. McBride, pastor and activist, calls every Christian to prophesy or perish.
An intelligent computer method for automatic mosaic of sequential slub yarn images based on image processing
Authors: Li Zhongjian , Xiong Nian , Wang Jingan , Pan Ruru , Gao Weidong , Zhang Ning
Published: September 2017

In order to analyze the parameters of slub yarn from sequential images accurately, an automatic image mosaic method is proposed in this paper. In this method, a series of overlapping yarn images, which are captured from a moving slub yarn, are stitched into a panorama automatically. Background subtraction, image segmentation and judgment template traversal methods are applied to preprocess the sequential images for obtaining a test image. Subsequently, certain rows in the bottom of the test image are used as a template image to match the next image. The matching coefficient matrix is calculated between the template image and next image based on the normalized cross-correlation method. In the matrix, the coordinates of the peak value are found as the optimal matching points. Two kinds of slub yarn images captured under 40 fps are stitched by using the proposed method and the manual method, respectively. Finally, an objective method is formulated to evaluate the qualities of the image mosaic by the proposed method. The experimental results show that the proposed method can find the match position accurately and is highly consistent with the manual method.
Neighborhood Environment, Residential Satisfaction, and Depressive Symptoms Among Older Adults in Residential Care Homes
Authors: Liu Susu , Ouyang Zheng , Chong Alice M. , Wang Haitao
Published: September 2017

Burgeoning evidence has shown that neighborhood environments are related to depressive symptoms in the older population. Older adults living in residential care homes may be more vulnerable to environmental characteristics. The current study sought to understand how institutionalized older adults relate to environmental factors and residential satisfaction in terms of depressive symptoms. Data were collected from a cross-sectional national survey of 1,429 Chinese elders living in residential care homes. The findings reveal that 46.1% of the older Chinese residents living in residential care homes suffered from mild to severe depression. In addition, the current study finds that both environmental factors (e.g., geographic position, air quality, and transportation) and residential satisfaction are negatively associated with depressive symptoms. The findings support that residential satisfaction partially mediate the relationship between exterior environmental characteristics and depressive symptoms.
Upsides to Dark and Downsides to Bright Personality: A Multidomain Review and Future Research Agenda
Authors: Smith Mickey B. , Hill Aaron D. , Wallace J. Craig , Recendes Tessa , Judge Timothy A.
Published: September 2017

It has become common practice to refer to personality traits as being either bright or dark, and a wealth of research has provided support for the effects of both bright traits and dark traits in organizations. This research has largely focused on explaining the downside of dark traits and the upside of bright traits. However, a recent trend has emerged in which scholars are challenging the long-standing convention that bright traits are always beneficial and dark traits are always detrimental. Instead, novel research has begun to explore the potential upside of dark traits and downside of bright traits. In this review, we adopt a multidomain perspective—integrating work from organizational behavior, human resources, strategic management, and entrepreneurship—to highlight this growing body of research. Specifically, we focus on the work advancing our understanding of the complexity of personality, such as identifying situations in which dark traits may be advantageous or beneficial and detecting curvilinear effects that suggest too much of a bright trait may be disadvantageous. Furthermore, we provide a brief discussion on special considerations for the measurement of both bright and dark traits and close with a series of avenues for future research.
Clinical Outcomes of Meniscal Allograft Transplantation With or Without Other Procedures: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Lee Bum-Sik , Kim Hyun-Jung , Lee Chang-Rack , Bin Seong-Il , Lee Dae-Hee , Kim Na-Jin , Kim Chang-Wan
Published: September 2017

Background:

While additional procedures correcting accompanying pathological conditions can improve the clinical outcomes of meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT), whether those outcomes are comparable or poorer than those of isolated MAT has yet to be clarified.

Purpose:

 To evaluate whether there is a difference in clinical outcomes between isolated MAT and MAT combined with other procedures (combined MAT).

Study Design:

Meta-analysis and systematic review.

Methods:

For the comparison of clinical outcomes between isolated MAT and combined MAT, the authors searched MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. Studies that separately reported the clinical outcomes of isolated MAT and combined MAT were included. Clinical outcomes were evaluated in terms of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and complication, reoperation, survivorship, and failure rates. We conducted a meta-analysis of the PROs that were used in more than 3 studies.

Results:

A total of 24 studies were included in this study. In the meta-analysis, no significant differences in Lysholm scores (95% CI, –5.92 to 1.55; P = .25), Tegner activity scores (95% CI, –0.54 to 0.22; P = .41), International Knee Documentation Committee subjective scores (95% CI, –5.67 to 3.37; P = .62), and visual analog scale scores (95% CI, –0.15 to 0.94; P = .16) were observed between isolated MAT and combined MAT. For PROs that were not included in the meta-analysis, most studies reported no significant difference between the 2 groups. As for the survivorship and failure rates, studies showed varying outcomes. Four studies reported that additional procedures did not affect MAT failure or survivorship. However, 3 studies reported that ligament surgery, realignment osteotomy, and osteochondral autograft transfer were risk factors of failure. One study reported that the medial MAT group in which high tibial osteotomy was performed showed a higher survival rate than the isolated medial MAT group.

Conclusion:

Overall, there seems to be no significant difference between the postoperative PROs in terms of isolated MAT and combined MAT. However, more data are required to verify the effects of osteotomy and cartilage procedures on the clinical outcomes of MAT. We could not draw conclusions about the differences in complication, reoperation, survivorship, and failure rates between the 2 groups because we did not obtain sufficient data.
Being an ‘adolescent’: The consequences of gendered risks for young people in rural Uganda
Authors: Bernays Sarah , Bukenya Dominic , Thompson Claire , Ssembajja Fatuma , Seeley Janet
Published: September 2017

The behaviour of adolescents is recognised increasingly as having substantial and long-term consequences for their health. We examined the meaning of ‘adolescence’ in southern Uganda with HIV-positive young people aged 11–24 years. Adolescent girls and boys are described differently in the local language (Luganda). Adolescence is described as a behavioural rather than a life course category and an inherently dangerous one. The practices, risks and consequences of ‘adolescent’ behaviour are highly gendered. Local understandings of adolescence are likely to have a significant impact on the efficacy of interventions designed to minimise their ‘risky behaviour’.
Evaluation of hot water storage strategy in internal combustion engine on different driving cycles using numerical simulations
Authors: Sara Hanna , Chalet David , Cormerais Mickaël , Hetet Jean-François
Published: September 2017

Since the main interest worldwide of green environment companies is to reduce pollutant emissions, the automotive industry is aiming to improve engine efficiency in order to reduce fuel consumption. Recently, studies have been shifted from upgrading the engine to the auxiliary systems attached to it. Thermal management is one of the successful fields that has shown promise in minimizing fuel consumption and reducing pollutant emissions. Throughout this work, a four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine model was developed on GT-Power. Also, a thermal code has been developed in parallel on GT-Suite, in which the different parts of the coolant and lubricant circuits were modeled and calibrated to have the best agreement with the temperature profile of the two fluids in the system.

Once the model was verified, hot coolant storage, a thermal management strategy, was applied to the system to assess the fuel consumption gain. The storage tank was located downstream the thermostat and upstream the radiator with three valves to control the coolant flow. The place was chosen to avoid negative impact on the cold start-up of the engine when the tank is at the ambient temperature. This strategy was applied on different driving cycles such as the NEDC, WLTC, CADC (urban and highway), and an in-house developed driving cycle. The ambient temperature was varied between −7°C to represent the coldest winter and 20°C. The results of this study summarize the ability of the hot coolant storage strategy in reducing the fuel consumption, and show the best driving cycle that needs to be applied on along with the influence of the different ambient temperatures.
Attenuation of tall flexible structures using longitudinal moving mass: Moving finite element method
Authors: Walker Mario P , Okuma Masaaki , Sakamoto Hiraku
Published: September 2017

For the foreseeable future, tall building structures will be built taller and more flexible, which means more vulnerable to excitations. As such, there is considerable interest in developing structural control methods to protect against harmful vibrations. However, challenges present themselves for conventional mass damper systems as these tend to primarily utilise lateral motion which becomes very limited as the height of structures increases. This article proposes a novel approach to reduce tall building’s long-period oscillations using mass damper motion in the much larger longitudinal direction. This motion induces Coriolis effect and if manoeuvred properly can be used to effectively reduce vibration of the primary structure. Numerical analysis was done using finite element method. The Shinjuku Mitsui Building was used as a benchmark for the primary structure, which was modelled as a vertical cantilever beam. The results showed the concept to be a viable approach for damping long-period vibrations of flexible structures. Enhancing this effect was also introduced and briefly discussed, using a multiple-degree-of-freedom damper and a constant positive velocity water-flow damper as examples. Further work continues for optimum design of the concept to make it a practical approach for tall buildings. Additionally, investigation into enhancing the damping effect is being done in more detail. This approach provides new possibilities for vibration control of any long-period structure.
Undefined Terms
Authors: Jones Chris
Published: September 2017

Between 1200 and 1350, the meaning attributed to the terms ‘emperor’ and ‘empire’ evolved in France to reflect the growth in power of the Capetian-Valois kings and a concomitant decline in the authority exercised by contemporary Romano-German rulers. Both terms were ubiquitous in France in this period. The fact that neither was adopted to describe the expansion of royal power was because, as this article will demonstrate, its growth was considered a consolidation of existing rights and was limited by deep-seated concerns for legitimacy, neither of which fostered imperial comparisons. At the same time, a multi-layered understanding of imperial terminology developed in France. On one level, ‘empire’ and ‘emperor’ became interchangeable with ‘kingdom’ and ‘king’. Yet imperial vocabulary remained highly malleable. Philip IV’s conflict with the papacy led to the development of specific arguments intended to undermine any subordination of French royal authority to external parties. However, far from becoming irrelevant, the terminology of empire became integral to contemporary French political discourse. It offered solutions to otherwise insoluble problems. The article establishes the way in which the office of emperor came to be understood as, simultaneously, a limited form of temporal kingship but one that encompassed a universal role disassociated from government. Imperial terms were transmuted in French thought from an association with the exercise of universal temporal authority to signify a specialised function. This function was usually, but not exclusively, understood as leadership of the crusade.
Slow Growth of Foreign Direct Investment in Central African Republic
Authors: Pacific Yapatake Kossele Thales
Published: September 2017

Large amounts of foreign direct investment (FDI) has been attracted by many African countries. Yet, Central African Republic is by far less attractive in the perspective of potential investors. The aim of this article is to investigate the slow inflows and growth of FDI in the country. In the short and long run, we found out that the gross domestic product growth, the domestic credit to private sector, the electricity production and the quality of public administration are not significant. The error correction mechanism is significant at 0.05 which demonstrates that the speed of adjustment of the model from short run to long run is about 46 per cent. It is very important for the Central African Republic to renovate the national electricity supply company by increasing the hydroelectric production.
Effects of yarn defects and specimen size on impact compressive damages of 3-D angle interlock woven composites
Authors: Liu Tao , Sun Baozhong , Gu Bohong
Published: September 2017

The objective of this work is to investigate yarn defects and specimen size on the impact compressive properties of 3-D angle interlock woven composites (AIWCs). The size effects on impact compressive properties were tested along in plane and out of plane directions. A new finite element model, with inherent defects in the geometrical model of yarns, was established to simulate impact compressive properties of the 3-D AIWCs. The model was further used to analyze size effects on impact compressive properties of 3-D AIWCs. We found the size effect on the 3-D AIWCs was not apparent both in experimental and numerical results; however, the random defects in yarns had a great effect on the compressive properties of 3-D AIWCs along different directions. The yarns effects will weaken the compressive stiffness and strength significantly.
A single center retrospective analysis of a protocol for high-dose methotrexate and leucovorin rescue administration
Authors: Cerminara Zak , Duffy Alison , Nishioka Jennifer , Trovato James , Gilmore Steven
Published: September 2017

Background

Methotrexate has a wide dosing range. High-dose methotrexate is a dose of 1000 mg/m2 or greater. In the 1970s, the incidence of mortality associated with High-dose methotrexate ranged from 4.6 to 6%. In 2012, the University of Maryland Medical Center implemented a standardized high-dose methotrexate protocol. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the institution followed recommendations based on the Bleyer nomogram for the administration of high-dose methotrexate more closely after the implementation of the protocol.

Methods

In this retrospective chart review, 37 patients received 119 cycles of high-dose methotrexate before the protocol implementation (1 January 2009 through 31 December 2010) and 45 patients received 106 cycles of high-dose methotrexate after protocol implementation (1 January 2013 through 31 December 2014). Patient characteristics, protocol data, and complications were analyzed.

Results

Protocol implementation significantly reduced the deviation of methotrexate level timing at 24, 48, and 72 h: median 7.47 vs. 1.46 h, 7.23 vs. 1.35 h, and 7.00 vs. 1.52 h before and after implementation, respectively (p < 0.0001 for each). The protocol significantly reduced deviation of the first dose of leucovorin administration: median 5.2 vs. 0.675 h before and after implementation, respectively (p<0.0001). After protocol implementation, there was an increase in the use of leucovorin prescriptions written appropriately for patients discharged before methotrexate levels reached a value of ≤0.05 µmol/L.

Conclusions

Implementation of a protocol for the administration of high-dose methotrexate improved the adherence to consensus recommendations. Further analysis is needed to assess clinical pharmacist involvement and the cost savings implications within this protocol.
Case report of capecitabine toxicity and use of uridine triacetate
Authors: Oliver Wesley D , Duffy Alison P , Hausner Petr F
Published: September 2017

Fluorouracil and capecitabine are fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy agents that are commonly used for various cancers. These agents are generally well tolerated at standard doses; however, it has been reported that 31–34% of patients develop dose-limiting toxicities. Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase and thymidylate synthase play a major role in fluorouracil and capecitabine activity and toxicity. Uridine triacetate has shown promising results for the emergency treatment of patients who either receive an overdose of the cancer treatment fluorouracil or capecitabine or to treat patients who exhibit early-onset, severe, or life-threatening toxicity. We describe a case of a patient who developed capecitabine toxicity and was unsuccessfully treated with uridine triacetate.
The Use of Substances Other Than Nicotine in Electronic Cigarettes Among College Students
Authors: Kenne Deric R , Fischbein Rebecca L , Tan Andy SL , Banks Mark
Published: September 2017

Introduction:

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have grown in popularity, especially among youth and young adults. Although e-cigarettes were originally intended to vaporize a liquid mixture containing nicotine, there appears to be an increasing trend in other substance use in e-cigarettes (OSUE).

Materials and methods:

Cross-sectional data from 1542 undergraduate college student e-cigarette users from a large Midwestern university were collected via online survey to assess prevalence of e-cigarette use, reasons for use, perceived harm, and prevalence and predictors of OSUE.

Results:

Nearly 7% (6.94%) reported using an e-cigarette to vaporize and inhale a substance other than nicotine. Current tobacco cigarette smokers were significantly more likely to report OSUE (51.0%) as compared with never (33.7%) and former (15.4%) smokers. Among respondents reporting OSUE, the primary reason for e-cigarette use was “safer than cigarettes” (21.7%), followed by “experimentation” (18.9%) and “friends use” (17.0%). Most (77.9%) reported using cannabis or some derivative of cannabis in an e-cigarette. Binomial logistic regression found that women were less likely to report OSUE by a factor of 0.60, former tobacco cigarette smokers as compared with never smokers were more likely to report OSUE by a factor of 1.87, and e-cigarette users who reported using e-cigarettes for “cool or trendy” reasons were more likely to report OSUE by a factor of 2.89.

Discussion:

Little is known regarding the health effects of cannabis and cannabis derivatives delivered through e-cigarettes. Concern may also be warranted regarding the potential dangers of this young population using substances more dangerous than cannabis in e-cigarettes. Knowledge is limited regarding the public health impact of vaping cannabis or other illicit substances among college student populations. This study stresses the need for continued research regarding the vaping of cannabis and other illicit substances among college students.
Epigenetic Regulation of Gene Expression Induced by Butyrate in Colorectal Cancer: Involvement of MicroRNA
Authors: Bishop Karen S , Xu Huawen , Marlow Gareth
Published: September 2017

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cause of cancer mortality globally. Development of CRC is closely associated with lifestyle, and diet may modulate risk. A Western-style diet is characterised by a high intake of red meat but low consumption of fruit, vegetables, and whole cereals. Such a diet is associated with CRC risks. It has been demonstrated that butyrate, produced by the fermentation of dietary plant fibre, can alter both genetic and epigenetic expressions. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that are commonly present in both normal and tumour cells. Aberrant miRNA expression is associated with CRC initiation, progression, and metastasis. In addition, butyrate can modulate cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and miRNA expression in CRC. In this review, the effects of butyrate on modulating miRNA expression in CRC will be discussed. Furthermore, evidence on the effect of butyrate on CRC risk through reducing oncogenic miRNA expression will be presented.
Experimental investigation on the rheological properties of castor oil at different temperatures
Authors: Wang Hongyue , Qian Shanhua , Ni Zifeng , Huang Chuanhui , Zhao Yongwu
Published: September 2017

Castor oil is one of the most enormous potential environment-friendly lubricants, and used as the base oil and additives in industrial applications. In this paper, the rheological property of castor oil was investigated using the optical interferometric test rig to analyze its flow properties under the micro gap. These results indicated that the central film thickness of castor oil in the point contact zone underwent the initial increased and then stable variation with the entrainment speed at different temperatures. The temperature and entrainment speed played an important role on the lubrication state and oil shape variation along the transverse and entrainment direction. At low temperature, the contact zone was almost in the thin lubrication regime at low entrainment speed, but was in the elastohydrodynamic lubrication regime at high entrainment speed. The side leakage went through the initial increased then decreased trend with the temperature and entrainment speed. These research results would further develop the engineering application of castor oil.
Mechanisms governing the fragmentation of glycerophospholipids containing choline and ethanolamine polar head groups
Authors: Colsch Benoit , Fenaille François , Warnet Anna , Junot Christophe , Tabet Jean-Claude
Published: September 2017

Glycerophospholipids are the major amphiphilic molecules found in the plasma membrane bilayer of all vertebrate cells. Involved in many biological processes, their huge structural diversity and large concentration scale make their thorough characterization extremely difficult in complex biological matrices. Mass spectrometry techniques are now recognized as being among the most powerful methods for the sensitive and comprehensive characterization of lipids. Depending on the experimental conditions used during electrospray ionization mass spectrometry experiments, glycerophospholipids can be detected as different molecular species (e.g. protonated, sodiated species) when analyzed either in positive or negative ionization modes or by direct introduction or hyphenated mass spectrometry-based methods. The observed ionized forms are characteristic of the corresponding phospholipid structures, and their formation is highly influenced by the polar head group. Although the fragmentation behavior of each phospholipid class has already been widely studied under low collision energy, there are no established rules based on charge-induced dissociation mechanisms for explaining the generation of fragment ions. In the present paper, we emphasize the crucial roles played by ion–dipole complexes and salt bridges within charge-induced dissociation processes. Under these conditions, we were able to readily explain almost all the fragment ions obtained under low-energy collision-induced dissociation for particular glycerophospholipids and lysoglycerophospholipids species including glycerophosphatidylcholines and glycerophosphatidylethanolamines. Thus, in addition to providing a basis for a better comprehension of phospholipid fragmentation processes, our work also highlighted some potentially new relevant diagnostic ions to signal the presence of particular lipid species.