bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparation and Performance of an Oil-Soluble Polyethylene Wax Particles Temporary Plugging Agent
Authors: Li Cuixia , Qin Xiaoping , Li Liangchuan , Yan Fei , Wang Jinzhong , Zhang Yixin
Published: October 2018

In order to solve the problem of low strength, low permeability recovery rate, and narrow suitable temperature range of the oil-soluble temporary plugging agent, the idea of preparing the oil-soluble polyethylene wax particles temporary plugging agent (OPPTA) using polyethylene wax as the main raw material was proposed. Emulsifier and stabilizer were selected, and the dosage of emulsifier, stabilizer, and stirring speed was optimized. The method for preparing OPPTA was formed. The temporary plugging performance of OPPTA for the natural core was studied. The plugging rate and the recovery rate of core permeability after plugging removal of OPPTA were 99.9% and 90.1%, respectively. The temporary plugging performance of OPPTA was better than that of a conventional oil soluble temporary plugging agent W-11.
Pneumococcal Meningitis Complicated by Cerebral Vasculitis, Abscess, Hydrocephalus, and Hearing Loss
Authors: Poil Abdul Razzakh , Shaukat Adila , Kumar Devendra
Published: October 2018

Intracranial abscesses, postinfectious vasculitis, and hydrocephalus are rare complications of Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) meningitis, and to our knowledge, there have been no case reports where all these 3 complications occurred in a single patient with Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis. Here, we report a case of a 48-year-old male who developed postinfectious vasculitis, abscess, hydrocephalus, and hearing loss after S. pneumoniae meningitis. Clinicians ought to be aware of the possible adverse outcomes of S. pneumoniae meningitis and the limitations of current treatment options.
Expert Opinion on Three Clinical Cases with a Common Urgent Problem: Urge Urinary Incontinence
Authors: Tubaro Andrea , Heesakkers John , Cornu Jean Nicolas , Robinson Dudley
Published: October 2018

Urgency is the cornerstone symptom of overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome, which is associated with reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and affects patients with different profiles. We report here three clinical pictures of OAB: a male patient with mixed lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), a young woman with comorbidities, and an elderly woman with mixed urinary incontinence. The aim is to analyze the specificities of these real cases, to discuss what would be the most appropriate management, and how treatment with fesoterodine, an antimuscarinic agent with key pharmacological properties, might meet the patients’ expectations. Relevant and constructive messages are drawn: urgency, the cornerstone symptom, should be given special attention; fesoterodine is effective and well tolerated in the elderly; before switching to another medication consider increasing the dosage of fesoterodine; the major goal of initial therapy is to meet patient expectations; and involving the patient in the treatment plan increases her/his adherence.
Embedded System Based on an ARM Microcontroller to Analyze Heart Rate Variability in Real Time Using Wavelets
Authors: Rodriguez Victor H. , Medrano Carlos , Plaza Inmaculada
Published: October 2018

The analyses of electrocardiogram (ECG) and heart rate variability (HRV) are of primordial interest for cardiovascular diseases. The algorithm used for the detection of the QRS complex is the basis for HRV analysis and HRV quality will depend strongly on it. The aim of this paper is to implement HRV analysis in real time on an ARM microcontroller (MCU). Thus, there is no need to send raw data to a cloud server for real time HRV monitoring and, consequently, the communication requirements and the power consumption of the local sensor node would be far lower. The system would facilitate the integration into edge computing, for instance, in small local networks, such as hospitals. A QRS detector based on wavelets is proposed, which is able to autonomously select the coefficients the QRS complex will be detected with. To validate it, the MITBIH and NSRDB databases were used. This detector was implemented in real time using an MCU. Subsequently HRV analysis was implemented in the time, frequency, and nonlinear domains. When evaluating the QRS detector with the MITBIH database, 99.61% positive prediction (PP), 99.3% sensitivity (SE), and a prediction error rate (DER) of 1.12% were obtained. For the NSRDB database the results were a PP of 99.95%, an SE of 99.98%, and a DER of 0.0006%. The execution of the QRS detector in the MCU took 52 milliseconds. On the other hand, the time required to calculate the HRV depends on the data size, but it took only a few seconds to analyze several thousands of interbeat intervals. The results obtained for the detector were superior to 99%, so it is expected that the HRV is reliable. It has also been shown that the detection of QRS complex can be done in real time using advanced processing techniques such as wavelets.
Antioxidant Potential of Herbal Preparations and Components from Galactites elegans (All.) Nyman ex Soldano
Authors: Tebboub Omar , Cotugno Roberta , Oke-Altuntas Feyza , Bouheroum Mohamed , Demirtas Íbrahim , D’Ambola Massimiliano , Malafronte Nicola , Vassallo Antonio
Published: October 2018

Galactites is a genus of flowering plants belonging to Asteraceae family. This genus is mainly represented by the Galactites elegans (All.) Nyman ex Soldano, the milky thistle, a plant of Mediterranean origin. Galactites elegans is consumed as a monofloral boar thistle honey. Chromatography separation of CHCl3 and n-BuOH extracts of aerial parts of G. elegans led to isolation of 18 pure compounds. Their structures were elucidated by 1D‐and 2D‐NMR spectroscopy and confirmed by mass spectrometry analysis. Sinapic aldehyde, abietin, chlorogenic acid, neochlorogenic acid, 8α‐hydroxypinoresinol, 9α‐hydroxypinoresinol, pinoresinol, 4‐ketopinoresinol, nortrachelogenin, and erythro‐guaiacylglycerol‐β‐O‐4′‐dihydroconiferyl alcohol were isolated from CHCl3 extract, while luteolin 4′‐O‐glucuronide, naringenin-7‐O‐neohesperidoside, kaempferol‐3‐O‐α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→6)‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside, apigenin‐7‐O‐α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→6)‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside, quercitrin, quercetin‐3‐O‐α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→6)‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside, ciwujiatone, and nortrachelogenin‐4,4′‐di‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside were obtained from n-BuOH extract. The majority of isolated compounds displayed a significant antioxidant potential in vitro test (DPPH). The ability of compounds to reduce the level of peroxides in control and BHP‐treated Jurkat cells was studied. The lignan derivatives were also able to reduce at 50 μM the basal level of peroxides in Jurkat cells as well as counteract peroxide increase induced by BHP treatment. Particularly 8α‐hydroxypinoresinol was the most active showing 70% of peroxide level inhibition.
Renal Tubular Acidosis and Hypokalemic Paralysis as a First Presentation of Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome
Authors: Sedhain Arun , Acharya Kiran , Sharma Alok , Khan Amir , Adhikari Shital
Published: October 2018

Sjögren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disease with multisystem involvement and varying clinical presentation. We report the clinical course and outcome of a case who presented with repeated episodes of hypokalemia mimicking hypokalemic periodic paralysis and metabolic acidosis, which was later diagnosed as distal renal tubular acidosis secondary to primary Sjögren’s syndrome. A 50-year-old lady, who was previously diagnosed as hypokalemic periodic paralysis, presented with generalized weakness and fatigue. She was found to have severe hypokalemia with normal anion-gap metabolic acidosis consistent with distal renal tubular acidosis. Subsequent evaluation revealed Sjögren’s syndrome as the cause of her problems. Kidney biopsy done to evaluate significant proteinuria revealed nonproliferative morphology with patchy acute tubular injury and significant chronic interstitial nephritis. The patient responded well to potassium supplementation and oral prednisolone. Presentation of this case highlights the necessity of close vigilance while managing a case of repeated hypokalemia, which could be one of the rare clinical manifestations of Sjögren’s syndrome.
The Impact of Early-Phase Trial Design in the Drug Development Process
Authors: Conaway Mark R. , Petroni Gina R.
Published: October 2018

Purpose:

Many of the therapeutic agents that are being used currently were developed using the 3+3 decision rule for dose finding. Over the past 30 years, several dose-finding designs have been proposed and evaluated, including the “continual reassessment method” (CRM) and the “Bayesian optimal interval design” (BOIN). This research investigates the role of the choice of an early-phase design on the likelihood that drugs entering the drug development pipeline will have 2 successful phase III trials.

Experimental Design: Using simulation, each agent in a population of hypothetical agents was tracked through the drug development process, from initial dose finding to 2 confirmatory phase III trials. Varying the designs of the phase I, II, and III trials allows for an assessment of the effect of the choice of designs on the proportion of agents with successful phase III trials.

Results:

The results indicate that using the CRM or BOIN, rather than the 3+3, substantially enhances the proportion of effective agents that have successful phase III trials, with the CRM having a greater effect than BOIN. A larger phase II trial magnifies the effect of the phase I design.

Conclusions:

The results underscore the importance of the choice of the early-phase designs. Use of the 3+3 results in fewer agents with successful phase III trials compared with the CRM or BOIN. The difference is more pronounced among highly effective agents. In addition, the results show the importance of a sufficiently powered phase II trial.
KRAS G12C NSCLC Models Are Sensitive to Direct Targeting of KRAS in Combination with PI3K Inhibition
Authors: Misale Sandra , Fatherree Jackson P. , Cortez Eliane , Li Chendi , Bilton Samantha , Timonina Daria , Myers David T. , Lee Dana , Gomez-Caraballo Maria , Greenberg Max , Nangia Varuna , Greninger Patricia , Egan Regina K. , McClanaghan Joseph , Stein Giovanna T. , Murchie Ellen , Zarrinkar Patrick P. , Janes Matthew R. , Li Lian-Sheng , Liu Yi , Hata Aaron N. , Benes Cyril H.
Published: October 2018

Purpose:

KRAS-mutant lung cancers have been recalcitrant to treatments including those targeting the MAPK pathway. Covalent inhibitors of KRAS p.G12C allele allow for direct and specific inhibition of mutant KRAS in cancer cells. However, as for other targeted therapies, the therapeutic potential of these inhibitors can be impaired by intrinsic resistance mechanisms. Therefore, combination strategies are likely needed to improve efficacy.

Experimental Design: To identify strategies to maximally leverage direct KRAS inhibition we defined the response of a panel of NSCLC models bearing the KRAS G12C–activating mutation in vitro and in vivo. We used a second-generation KRAS G12C inhibitor, ARS1620 with improved bioavailability over the first generation. We analyzed KRAS downstream effectors signaling to identify mechanisms underlying differential response. To identify candidate combination strategies, we performed a high-throughput drug screening across 112 drugs in combination with ARS1620. We validated the top hits in vitro and in vivo including patient-derived xenograft models.

Results:

Response to direct KRAS G12C inhibition was heterogeneous across models. Adaptive resistance mechanisms involving reactivation of MAPK pathway and failure to induce PI3K–AKT pathway inactivation were identified as likely resistance events. We identified several model-specific effective combinations as well as a broad-sensitizing effect of PI3K-AKT–mTOR pathway inhibitors. The G12Ci+PI3Ki combination was effective in vitro and in vivo on models resistant to single-agent ARS1620 including patient-derived xenografts models.

Conclusions:

Our findings suggest that signaling adaptation can in some instances limit the efficacy of ARS1620 but combination with PI3K inhibitors can overcome this resistance.
Biomarkers and Bone Imaging Dynamics Associated with Clinical Outcomes of Oral Cabozantinib Therapy in Metastatic Castrate-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Authors: Vaishampayan Ulka N. , Podgorski Izabela , Heilbrun Lance K. , Lawhorn-Crews Jawana M. , Dobson Kimberlee C. , Boerner Julie , Stark Karri , Smith Daryn W. , Heath Elisabeth I. , Fontana Joseph A. , Shields Anthony F.
Published: October 2018

Purpose:

Cabozantinib is a multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor that demonstrated remarkable responses on bone scan in metastatic prostate cancer. Randomized trials failed to demonstrate statistically significant overall survival (OS). We studied the dynamics of biomarker changes with imaging and biopsies pretherapy and posttherapy to explore factors that are likely to be predictive of efficacy with cabozantinib.

Experimental Design: Eligibility included patients with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer with normal organ function and performance status 0–2. Cabozantinib 60 mg orally was administered daily. Pretherapy and 2 weeks post, 99mTc-labeled bone scans, positron emission tomography with 18F-sodium fluoride (NaF-PET) and 18F-(1-(2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl) thymine (FMAU PET) scans were conducted. Pretherapy and posttherapy tumor biopsies were conducted, and serum and urine bone markers were measured.

Results:

Twenty evaluable patients were treated. Eight patients had a PSA decline, of which 2 had a decline of ≥50%. Median progression-free survival (PFS) and OS were 4.1 and 11.2 months, respectively, and 3 patients were on therapy for 8, 10, and 13 months. The NaF-PET demonstrated a median decline in SUVmax of −56% (range, −85 to −5%, n = 11) and −41% (range, −60 to −25%, n = 9) for patients who were clinically stable and remained on therapy for ≥4 or <4 cycles, respectively. The FMAU PET demonstrated a median decline in SUVmax of −44% (−60 to −14%) and −42% (−63% to −23%) for these groups. The changes in bone markers and mesenchymal epithelial transition/MET testing did not correlate with clinical benefit.

Conclusions:

Early changes in imaging and tissue or serum/urine biomarkers did not demonstrate utility in predicting clinical benefit with cabozantinib therapy.
Genome-Wide Meta-analysis of Gene–Environmental Interaction for Insulin Resistance Phenotypes and Breast Cancer Risk in Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Jung Su Yon , Mancuso Nick , Yu Herbert , Papp Jeanette , Sobel Eric , Zhang Zuo-Feng
Published: October 2018

Insulin resistance (IR)–related genetic variants are possibly associated with breast cancer, and the gene–phenotype–cancer association could be modified by lifestyle factors including obesity, physical inactivity, and high-fat diet. Using data from postmenopausal women, a population highly susceptible to obesity, IR, and increased risk of breast cancer, we implemented a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in two steps: (1) GWAS meta-analysis of gene–environmental (i.e., behavioral) interaction (G*E) for IR phenotypes (hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and homeostatic model assessment–insulin resistance) and (2) after the G*E GWAS meta-analysis, the identified SNPs were tested for their associations with breast cancer risk in overall or subgroup population, where the SNPs were identified at genome-wide significance. We found 58 loci (55 novel SNPs; 5 index SNPs and 6 SNPs, independent of each other) that are associated with IR phenotypes in women overall or women stratified by obesity, physical activity, and high-fat diet; among those 58 loci, 29 (26 new loci; 2 index SNPs and 2 SNPs, independently) were associated with postmenopausal breast cancer. Our study suggests that a number of newly identified SNPs may have their effects on glucose intolerance by interplaying with obesity and other lifestyle factors, and a substantial proportion of these SNPs’ susceptibility can also interact with the lifestyle factors to ultimately influence breast cancer risk. These findings may contribute to improved prediction accuracy for cancer and suggest potential intervention strategies for those women carrying genetic risk that will reduce their breast cancer risk.
Paraneoplastische Syndrome in der Dermatologie - eine Übersicht
Authors: Körber Andreas
Published: October 2018

A number of paraneoplastic syndromes have been described with gynecological cancers. These syndromes are induced by substances secreted by the tumor or by an immune response triggered by the cancer. Each system of the human body can be affected by different syndromes. Indeed, paraneoplastic syndromes occurring from tumors of the gynecologic tract were found to involve the nervous, ophthalmologic, dermatologic, rheumatologic, endocrine, hematologic and renal systems. These syndromes can manifest before, at the time, or after the diagnosis of cancer. They can also occur at the time of a recurrence. Knowledge about these syndromes is important for physicians caring for patients with cancers, as they can result in severe morbidity and must be treated appropriately. Literature regarding paraneoplastic syndromes associated with tumors of the female genital tract is scattered and the subject has not been reviewed recently. A systematic literature search was thus conducted to identify paraneoplastic syndromes associated with gynecologic cancers. This review focuses on the cancers involved with each paraneoplastic syndrome, and on their pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, possible complications, outcomes, and treatments. As the mainstay of treatment in these conditions is often to address the underlying tumor, it is of upmost importance that physicians be aware of these rare cancer manifestations.
Kombinierte immunonkologische Therapie bei Patienten mit fortgeschrittenem Melanom: Sicherheit, Effektivität und Nebenwirkungen
Authors: Maschke Jan
Published: October 2018

Den Sicherheitsanalysen von Sznol und Koautoren liegen die Daten von 448 Patienten der Dosiseskalations-Studie CA209-004 (Phase I) sowie der Phase-II- und III-Studien CheckMate 067 und CheckMate 069 zugrunde. Schadendorf und Koautoren wählten dagegen die 407 behandelten Patienten der CheckMate 067 und 069 Studien aus. In allen Studien war eine Induktionstherapie mit Nivolumab plus Ipilimumab sowie eine Konsolidierungstherapie nur mit Nivolumab vorgesehen. Sznol und Koautoren legen den Fokus auf die Häufigkeit, Schwere, Art und den zeitlichen Verlauf der Nebenwirkungen (NW) der immunonkologischen (I-O) Therapie. Sie unterscheiden allgemeine und vermutet immunologische NW. Schadendorf und Koautoren analysieren die Daten in Bezug auf die therapeutische Effektivität (progressionsfreies Überleben und Gesamtüberleben) und unterscheiden nach Patienten, welche die Therapie aufgrund von NW abbrachen versus diejenigen, die die I-O-Therapie fortführten.
On Brazilian Helobata Bergroth, 1888 (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae) II: new distribution data
Authors: Clarkson Bruno , Almeida Lucia M.
Published: October 2018

As an add-on to the work of Clarkson et al. (2016), new distributional data on species of Helobata Bergroth, 1888 (Hydrophilidae: Acidocerinae) from Brazil is provided. Helobata amazonensis Clarkson, Santos & Ferreira‑Jr., 2016, is recorded for the first time for Roraima State and its female is recorded for the first time. Helobata quatipuru Fernández & Bachmann, 1987 and H. larvalis (Horn, 1873) are recorded for the first time for Minas Gerais, Cerrado Biome area. The genus is recorded for the first time for Goiás State. Additions and modifications in the previously published key to Brazilian species are provided.
Type specimens of Pompiloidea, Thynnoidea and Vespoidea (Hymenoptera) deposited in the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Andrade Tamires De Oliveira , Ramos Kelli S. , Onody Helena C. , Santos Alvaro D. dos , Brandão Carlos Roberto F.
Published: October 2018

The Hymenoptera collection of the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil (MZSP) houses one of the most important collections for the Brazilian and Neotropical wasp faunas. The present catalogue lists the type specimens of Pompiloidea, Thynnoidea and Vespoidea (Insecta, Hymenoptera) deposited in the MZSP. The collection includes a total of 301 type specimens (66 holotypes, 27 lectotypes, 158 paratypes, 45 paralectotypes, and five syntpes), being 91 Pompiloidea (40 Mutillidae type specimens of 10 genera and 25 species, 51 Pompilidae type specimens of 4 genera and 27 species), 191 Vespoidea (15 genera and 85 species of Vespidae), and 18 Thynnoidea (eight genera and 12 species of Thynnidae). All information written in labels was compiled and is presented along with additional data from the original descriptions, MZSP records and other sources. We provice Specimage links to high resolution photographs of holotypes and lectotypes at the Hymenoptera image database of the Ohio State University.
Six new species and new records of the genus Desmopachria Babington (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae: Hyphidrini) from Brazil and redescription of D. varians Wehncke, 1877
Authors: Braga Rafael Benzi , Ferreira-Jr. Nelson
Published: October 2018

Six new species of the genus Desmopachria Babington, 1841 are described and illustrated from Brazil: D. anauine sp. nov., D. carranca sp. nov., D. francischettii sp. nov., D. nigrasphera sp. nov., D. nigricoxa sp. nov. and D. yanomami sp. nov. Desmopachria varians is redescribed and illustrated from syntypes photos and material identified by Dr. Frank Young. New records for eight other species from Brazilian states are presented here: D. amyae Miller, 2001 has a new record from Minas Gerais State, D. grammosticta Braga & Ferreira‑Jr., 2015 have new records from Minas Gerais and São Paulo States, D. granoides Young, 1986 has a new record from Espirito Santo State, D. laevis Sharp, 1882 have new records from Espírito Santo and Parana States, D. leptophallica Braga & Ferreira‑Jr., 2014 has a new record from Paraná State, D. sioli Young, 1980 has a new record from Minas Gerais State, D. striola Sharp, 1887 have new records from Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo States and D. volatidisca Miller, 2001 has a new record from Paraíba States and an unpublished record of D. challeti Miller, 2001 from Brazil.
Medical Therapy for Systemic Right Ventricles: A Systematic Review (Part 1) for the 2018 AHA/ACC Guideline for the Management of Adults With Congenital Heart Disease: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines
Authors: Zaragoza-Macias Elisa , Zaidi Ali N. , Dendukuri Nandini , Marelli Ariane
Published: October 2018

Patients with systemic morphological right ventricles (RVs), including congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries and dextro-transposition of the great arteries with a Mustard or Senning atrial baffle repair, have a high likelihood of developing systemic ventricular dysfunction. Unfortunately, there are a limited number of clinical studies on the efficacy of medical therapy for systemic RV dysfunction.

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs), beta blockers, and aldosterone antagonists in adults with systemic RVs. The inclusion criteria included age ≥18 years, systemic RVs, and at least 3 months of treatment with ACE inhibitor, ARB, beta blocker, or aldosterone antagonist. The outcomes included RV end-diastolic and end-systolic dimensions, RV ejection fraction, functional class, and exercise capacity. EMBASE, PubMed, and Cochrane databases were searched. The selected data were pooled and analyzed with the DerSimonian-Laird random-effects meta-analysis model. Between-study heterogeneity was assessed with Cochran’s Q test. A Bayesian meta-analysis model was also used in the event that heterogeneity was low. Bias assessment was performed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool, and statistical risk of bias was assessed with Begg and Mazumdar’s test and Egger’s test.

Six studies met the inclusion criteria, contributing a total of 187 patients; treatment with beta blocker was the intervention that could not be analyzed because of the small number of patients and diversity of outcomes reported. After at least 3 months of treatment with ACE inhibitors, ARBs, or aldosterone antagonists, there was no statistically significant change in mean ejection fraction, ventricular dimensions, or peak ventilatory equivalent of oxygen. The methodological quality of the majority of included studies was low, mainly because of a lack of a randomized and controlled design, small sample size, and incomplete follow-up.

In conclusion, pooled results across the limited available studies did not provide conclusive evidence with regard to a beneficial effect of medical therapy in adults with systemic RV dysfunction. Randomized controlled trials or comparative-effectiveness studies that are sufficiently powered to demonstrate effect are needed to elucidate the efficacy of ACE inhibitors, ARBs, beta blockers, and aldosterone antagonists in patients with systemic RVs.
Home-Time as a Surrogate Marker for Functional Outcome After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Authors: Stienen Martin Nikolaus , Smoll Nicolas Roydon , Fung Christian , Goldberg Johannes , Bervini David , Maduri Rodolfo , Chiappini Alessio , Robert Thomas , May Adrien , Bijlenga Philippe , Zumofen Daniel , Roethlisberger Michel , Seule Martin Alexander , Marbacher Serge , Fandino Javier , Schatlo Bawarjan , Schaller Karl , Keller Emanuela , Bozinov Oliver , Regli Luca ,   on behalf of the Swiss SOS Study Group*, Burkhardt Jan-Karl , Neidert Marian C. , Maldaner Nicolai , Finkenstädt Sina , Schöni Daniel , Raabe Andreas , Beck Jürgen , Mariani Luigi , Guzman Raphael , D’Alonzo Donato , Daniel Roy Thomas , Reinert Michael , Ferrari Andrea , Hildebrandt Gerhard , Weyerbrock Astrid , Corniola Marco
Published: October 2018

Background and Purpose—

Commonly used tools to determine functional outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) have limitations. Time spent at the patient’s home has previously been proposed as a robust outcome measure after ischemic stroke. Here, we set out to validate home-time as an outcome measure after aSAH.

Methods—

We examined prospectively collected data from a nationwide multicenter registry of aSAH patients admitted to a tertiary neurosurgical department in Switzerland (Swiss SOS [Swiss Study on Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage]; 2009–2015). We calculated mean home-time (defined as days spent at home for the first 90 days after aSAH) and 95% CIs for each category of modified Rankin Scale at discharge and 1-year follow-up, using linear regression models to analyze home-time differences per modified Rankin Scale category.

Results—

We had home-time data from 1076 of 1866 patients (57.7%), and multiple imputation was used to fill-in missing data from the remaining 790 patients. Increasing home-time was associated with improved modified Rankin Scale scores at time of hospital discharge (
P
<0.0001) and at 1-year follow-up (
P
<0.0001). Within each of the 8 participating hospitals, the relationship between home-time and modified Rankin Scale was maintained.

Conclusions—

Home-time for the first 90 days after aSAH offers a robust and easily ascertainable outcome measure, discriminating particularly well across better recovery levels at time of hospital discharge and at 1-year follow-up. This measure complies with the modern trend of patient-centered healthcare and research, representing an outcome that is particularly relevant to the patient.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
https://clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT03245866.
A Newfound Friend or a Good Old Companion?
Authors: Lin Judith C.P.
Published: October 2018

Recent studies suggest that a significant number of Taiwanese Protestant churches have been heavily influenced by the charismatic movement since the 1980s. A strong case can be made, however, that the “charismatic” character has been inherent in Taiwanese Protestantism since long before 1980, not least because the charismatic character has much in common with the spiritual instincts of people in Taiwan. By studying the works of two prominent preachers (Kou Shih-yuan and Wu Yung) and certain issues of the Taiwan Church News (Presbyterian Church in Taiwan), I will show that a sizeable number of Protestants in Taiwan before 1980 embraced the realm of spiritual and demonic beings, although they showed different degrees of friendliness towards charisms. I will conclude that, rather than speaking of the “charismaticization” of churches in Taiwan, perhaps we ought to speak of the rediscovery of the charismatic character that is inherent in churches in Taiwan.
“Piercing the Veil” and African Dreams and Visions
Authors: Droll Anna Marie
Published: October 2018

Pentecostal scholarship is conscientiously examining gaps in Western theology in regard to pneumatology. This article describes the phenomena of pentecostal dreams and visions (D/V s) in the African context as significant to that dialogue, pointing to their spiritual value in many African churches. I suggest that they can be seen as existential samples of the pneumatological imagination as put forth by Amos Yong and also as described by Nimi Wariboko. I use Yong’s theology to argue that the pneumatological imagination in African contexts readdresses the experience of D/V s, which are normative phenomena in indigenous religions, through the hermeneutical interplay of Spirit-Word-community. I also suggest that the experience of D/V s satisfies Wariboko’s definition of grace, that they are subject to his politics of spiritual warfare, and that their interpretation and application exemplify the transformation of “ontological and epistemological coordinates of existence” by “piercing the veil” of phenomenality for the experience of the noumenal.
Identity and Otherness: A Trinitarian Theological Exploration of Engaging the Other and Embracing The Otherness in a Pluralistic World
Authors: Moe David Thang
Published: October 2018

The aim of this article is to explore the hermeneutics of identity and otherness and then to propose some methodological ways of how a Christian should rethink his or her identity and the identity of the other. This article takes the Trinitarian nature of personal diversity and one divine communion identity as paradigms for addressing the identity of the Christian communion and the human communion with cultural otherness. Finally, the article examines a mutual transformation of thicker identity as the telos of a critical engagement and mutual embrace between Christians and the other in a pluralistic world.
Servant Leadership Revisited: διακονία, Masculinity and Martyrdom in Mark 10:42–45
Authors: Smit Peter-Ben
Published: October 2018

Mark 10:42–45 is a key text for discussions of ‘diakonia’ and the related ministry of ‘deacons’ in the church. This paper uses a gender-critical approach to analyse the text, in the course of which a new exegetical proposal is made. It is argued not only that this text makes a somewhat subversive proposal for leadership, but also that our understanding of it can be furthered by means of masculinities studies
Diversity of Armenian mayflies (Ephemeroptera) with the description of a new species of the genus Ecdyonurus (Heptageniidae)
Authors: HRIVNIAK ĽUBOŠ , SROKA PAVEL , GODUNKO ROMAN J. , PALATOV DMITRY , POLÁŠEK MAREK , MANKO PETER , OBOŇA JOZEF
Published: October 2018

We provide the first commented checklist of Armenian mayflies, based on all relevant literature and recent extensive sampling of 72 localities throughout Armenia during 2011, 2014, and 2015. Altogether 46 species are listed, eight of them reported from Armenia for the first time. One new species, Ecdyonurus (Ecdyonurus) eurycephalus sp. nov. is described (larva and male imago) based on morphological and molecular (COI) data. The species is characterized by a unique head shape in male imago and by the presence of tracheal filaments on gill plate VII in the larval stage.
The Predictive Value of PRECISE-DAPT Score for In-Hospital Mortality in Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Tanik Veysel Ozan , Cinar Tufan , Arugaslan Emre , Karabag Yavuz , Hayiroglu Mert Ilker , Cagdas Metin , Rencuzogullari Ibrahim , Uluganyan Mahmut
Published: October 2018

The PREdicting bleeding Complications In patients undergoing Stent implantation and subsEquent Dual Anti-Platelet Therapy (PRECISE-DAPT) score predicts the bleeding risk in patients treated with dual antiplatelet treatment after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). This study aimed to determine the predictive value of the admission PRECISE-DAPT score for in-hospital mortality in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with pPCI. Of the 1418 patients enrolled, the study population was divided into 2 groups: PRECISE-DAPT score ≥25 and PRECISE-DAPT score <25. The primary goal was to determine the incidence of in-hospital all-cause mortality. In-hospital mortality was significantly higher in patients whose PRECISE-DAPT score ≥25 compared with the patients whose PRECISE-DAPT score <25 (9.4 vs 0.9%; P < .001, respectively). Both univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard analyses showed that the PRECISE-DAPT score is independently associated with in-hospital mortality (hazards ratio [HR]: 1.043, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.003-1.084; P = .035; and HR: 1.026, 95% CI: 1.004-1.048; P = .021, respectively). A pairwise comparison of receiver operating characteristic curves showed that the predictive value of the PRECISE-DAPT score with regard to in-hospital mortality was noninferior compared with the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction risk score. The PRECISE-DAPT score may be a significant independent predictor of in-hospital mortality in patients with STEMI treated with pPCI.
State Collective Bargaining Laws and Public-Sector Pay
Authors: Brunner Eric J. , Ju Andrew
Published: October 2018

Using the Public Use Microdata Sample from the 2005 to 2015 American Community Survey, the authors provide new evidence on how state collective bargaining laws affect public-sector wages. To isolate the causal effect of bargaining laws on public-sector pay, they examine wage differentials between otherwise similar public- and private-sector employees located in the same local labor market. They estimate difference-in-differences (DD) models that exploit two sources of plausibly exogenous variation: 1) policy discontinuities along state borders and 2) variation within states in collective bargaining laws in states where the majority of public workers are without collective bargaining rights. Findings show that mandatory collective bargaining laws increase public-sector wages by approximately 5 to 8 percentage points. Results therefore suggest that mandatory collective bargaining laws provide a formal mechanism through which public-sector workers are able to bargain for increased compensation.
Color Crit: Critical Race Theory and the History and Future of Colorism in the United States
Authors: Reece Robert L.
Published: October 2018

Critical race theory teaches that racism and racial inequality are constants in American society that stand outside of the prejudices of individuals. It argues that structures and institutions are primarily responsible for the maintenance of racial inequality. However, critical race theorists have neglected to formally examine and theorize colorism, a primary offshoot of racial domination. Although studies of colorism have become increasingly common, they lack a unifying theoretical framework, opting to lean on ideas about prejudice and preference to explain the advantages lighter skinned, Black Americans are afforded relative to darker skinned Black Americans. In this study, I deploy a critical race framework to push back against preference as the only, or primary, mechanism facilitating skin tone stratification. Instead, I use historical Census data and regression analysis to explore the historical role of color-based marriage selection on concentrating economic advantage among lighter skinned Black Americans. I then discuss the policy and legal implications of developing a structural view of colorism and skin tone stratification in the United States and the broader implications for how we conceptualize race in this country.
Shh Plays an Inhibitory Role in Cusp Patterning by Regulation of Sostdc1
Authors: Kim J. , Ahn Y. , Adasooriya D. , Woo E.J. , Kim H.J. , Hu K.S. , Krumlauf R. , Cho S.W.
Published: October 2018

Crown shapes in mammalian teeth vary considerably from species to species, and morphological characters in crown shape have been used to identify species. Cusp pattern is one of the characters in crown shape. In the processes governing the formation of cusp pattern, the Shh pathway has been implicated as an important player. Suppression of Shh signaling activity in vitro in explant assays appears to induce supernumerary cusp formation in wild-type tooth germs. However, the in vivo role of Shh signaling in cusp pattern formation and the molecular mechanisms by which Shh regulates cusp patterning are not clear. Here, through in vivo phenotypic analyses of mice in which Shh activity was suppressed and compared with wild-type mice, we characterized differences in the location, number, incidence, and shape of supernumerary cusps in molars at embryonic day 15.5. We found that the distances between cusps were reduced in molars of Shh activity–suppressed mice in vivo. These findings confirm and extend the previous idea that Shh acts as an inhibitor in the reaction-diffusion model for cusp pattern formation by negatively regulating the intercuspal distance. We uncovered a significant reduction of expression level of Sostdc1, which encodes a secreted modulator of Wnt signaling, after suppression of Shh activity. The supernumerary cusp formation in Sostdc1−/− mice and compound Sostdc1 and Lrp mutant mice indicates a strong association between Wnt and Shh signaling pathways in cusp patterning. In further support of this idea, there is a high degree of similarity in the supernumerary cusp patterns of mice lacking Sostdc1 or Shh at embryonic day 15.5. These results suggest that Shh plays an inhibitory role in cusp pattern formation by modulating Wnt signaling through the positive regulation of Sostdc1.
Simple leg ulcers: difficult diagnosis
Authors: Fegan David , Glennon Mary Jacqueline
Published: October 2018

Chronic leg ulcers in children in tropical developing countries are common. They are difficult to diagnose clinically and to manage. Our case illustrates that even in areas where yaws is endemic and point of care testing is available, the diagnosis remains difficult.
Psychological Distance Promotes Exploration in Search of a Global Maximum
Authors: Yudkin Daniel A. , Pick Rotem , Hur Elina Yewon , Liberman Nira , Trope Yaacov
Published: October 2018

Agents must sometimes decide whether to exploit a known resource or search for potentially more profitable options. Here, we investigate the role of psychological distancing in promoting exploratory behavior. We argue that exploration dilemmas pit the value of a reward (“desirability”) against the difficulty or uncertainty of obtaining it (“feasibility”). Based on construal level theory, which suggests that psychological distance increases the importance of rewards’ desirability (vs. feasibility), we expect that psychological distance will increase exploration. Four experiments support this prediction. In Experiment 1, participants who were prompted to consider an exploration game from a physically distanced perspective were more likely to leave a local maximum in search of a global maximum. Experiments 2 and 3 show that social distance has similar results. Experiment 4 finds evidence of a direct association between construal mind-set and exploration. Overall, this research highlights how psychological distancing strategies can promote exploration.
“Better World”: A Case Study of A Korean Megachurch’s NGO
Authors: Jennings J Nelson
Published: October 2018

This is a case study about Better World (BW), the NGO of Seoul-based Onnuri Church. The article is more descriptive than prescriptive and proceeds more inductively regarding explanations for BW’s practices than deductively evaluating BW according to predetermined models. This case study seeks to understand, present, and analyze BW in relation to larger development themes associated with Christian development activities. More than providing answers, the article hopes to sharpen questions. After considering the historical development of various programs, the study examines BW’s philosophy of mission, ministry, and development. The article then closely examines programs and some challenges that BW faces.
The mental representation of the human gait in hip osteoarthrosis and total hip arthroplasty patients: A clinical cross-sectional study
Authors: Jacksteit Robert , Mau-Moeller Anett , Völker Antje , Bader Rainer , Mittelmeier Wolfram , Skripitz Ralf , Stöckel Tino
Published: October 2018

Objective:

To explore differences in gait-specific long-term memory structures and actual gait performance between patients with hip osteoarthrosis, patients seen six months after total hip arthroplasty and healthy controls to gain insights into the role of the gait-specific mental representation for rehabilitation.

Design:

Cross-sectional study

Subjects:

Twenty hip osteoarthrosis patients, 20 patients seen six months after total hip arthroplasty and 20 healthy controls

Methods:

Spatio-temporal (gait speed, step length) and temporophasic (stance time, swing time, single support time, total double support time) gait parameters, and gait variability were measured with an electronic walkway (OptoGait). The gait-specific mental representation was assessed using the structural dimensional analysis of mental representations (SDA-M).

Results:

Hip osteoarthrosis patients showed significantly longer stance and total double support times, shorter swing and single support times, and a decreased gait speed as compared with healthy controls (all P < 0.01). The differences in double support times were still evident in patients seen six months after total hip arthroplasty ( P < 0.01). The gait-specific mental representation differed between hip osteoarthrosis patients and healthy controls with regard to mid-stance and mid-swing phases; the mid-stance phase was still affected six months after total hip arthroplasty (both P < 0.05).

Conclusion:

Our data indicated that actual gait performance and gait-specific long-term memory structures differ between hip osteoarthrosis patients and healthy controls. Important, some of these disease-related changes were still evident in patients seen six months after total hip arthroplasty.
SleepSure: a pilot randomized-controlled trial to assess the effects of eye masks and earplugs on the quality of sleep for patients in hospital
Authors: Sweity Samaher , Finlay Andrew , Lees Charlotte , Monk Adam , Sherpa Toshi , Wade Derick
Published: October 2018

Objective:

To determine the short-term effects of supplying hospital inpatients with earplugs and eye masks, preparatory to a full-scale trial.

Design:

A single-centre, open-label, two-arm, parallel group, randomized-controlled trial.

Setting:

A total of 13 medical and surgical wards in a large teaching hospital in the United Kingdom.

Participants:

Everyone admitted to hospital aged 18 years or older, who stayed overnight and had the mental capacity and sufficient understanding of English to give consent, the ability to complete the study questionnaire and the ability to use earplugs and eye masks unaided was considered.

Interventions:

The intervention group was provided with earplugs and eye masks for use the following night, and the control group received standard care.

Main measures:

Sleep quality assessed using the SleepSure questionnaire after the first night of using the intervention, use of earplugs and eye masks, number of falls throughout their inpatient stay, use of zopiclone during inpatient stay, length of stay and recruitment rate.

Results:

A total of 1600 patients were admitted; out of which, 626 (39%) were eligible and 206 (13% total, 33% eligible) recruited (intervention group, 109). The intervention group’s mean sleep quality score was 6.33 (95% confidence interval (CI): 5.89–6.77), compared with 5.09 (95% CI: 4.66–5.52) in the control group ( p < 0.001). There were no differences in use of zopiclone, falls or length of stay between the groups. Of the intervention group, 91 (86%) reported using the earplugs and/or eye masks.

Conclusions:

The intervention seems feasible, and effective, but trial eligibility rate and rate of recruitment into the study were limited.
Cognitive improvement of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors in schizophrenia
Authors: Santos Borja , González-Fraile Eduardo , Zabala Arantzazu , Guillén Virginia , Rueda José R , Ballesteros Javier
Published: October 2018

Background:

Schizophrenia is a severe, persistent mental disorder, and a leading cause of disability worldwide. Cognitive impairments presented in schizophrenia lead to a worse prognostic, thus treatments targeted to enhance cognition in schizophrenia may be clinically relevant.

Aims:

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors as add-on medication to antipsychotics on cognition in patients with schizophrenia.

Methods:

Search strategies were developed for Medline, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and are current to March 2018. We included randomised controlled trials that compared antipsychotics plus acetylcholinesterase inhibitors versus antipsychotics plus placebo on prespecified cognitive domains (speed of processing, attention and working memory). Two review authors independently evaluated study eligibility, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. We used random-effects model for meta-analyses and assessed the quality of evidence using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE).

Results:

We included nine randomised controlled trials. Six randomised controlled trials ( n=219) presented evidence that acetylcholinesterase inhibitors improve speed of processing (standardised mean difference −0.52, 95% confidence interval (−0.79 to −0.25); p value=0.0002). However, eight randomised controlled trials ( n=252) did find placebo was better than acetylcholinesterase inhibitors in the attention domain (−0.43, (−0.72 to −0.13); p value=0.005) and eight randomised controlled trials ( n=273) did not find differences in the working memory (−0.14, (−0.51 to 0.24), p value=0.47).

Conclusions:

The current evidence is too weak to base recommendations on the use of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors as adjunctive treatments to antipsychotics to improve basic cognitive functions. We have limited confidence in the effect estimates.