bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of the Processfolio: Promoting Preservice Music Teacher Reflection Through Authentic Assessment
Authors: Silveira Jason M. , Beauregard Julie , Bull Tina
Published: March 2017

The purpose of this study was to determine what impact an authentic assessment tool (i.e., a processfolio) would have on our music education Master of Arts in Teaching degree program. We conducted a case study at our university with the music education Master of Arts in Teaching student cohort to detail the development and initial implementation of the processfolio as a means of reflection in preservice music teachers. Data included participant observation, individual and collaborative note taking, written artifacts from students and faculty, audio/video recordings, and semistructured interviews. Findings indicated (a) processfolios became a lens through which students focused their growth as reflective teachers; (b) a lack of examples and confusion over specific processfolio requirements was stress inducing; (c) the collaborative nature of working within a peer/faculty cohort was socially, emotionally, and academically valuable; (d) students effectively used the processfolio to demonstrate synthesis of the multiple facets of the graduate music education program.
Prospective evaluation of a protocol for transitioning porcine lente insulin-treated diabetic cats to human recombinant protamine zinc insulin
Authors: Gostelow Ruth , Hazuchova Katarina , Scudder Christopher , Forcada Yaiza , Church David , Niessen Stijn JM
Published: March 2017

Objectives

The objective was to evaluate a nadir-led protocol for transitioning porcine lente insulin suspension (PLIS)-treated diabetic cats onto human recombinant protamine zinc insulin (PZIR).

Methods

Recently diagnosed (<5 months) diabetic cats, treated with PLIS q12h for ⩾6 weeks, were recruited. Fructosamine, 24 h blood glucose curve (BGC), quality of life assessment (DIAQoL-pet score) and Diabetic Clinical Score (DCS) were assessed at enrolment (PLIS-treated) and 2, 4 and 12 weeks after transitioning to PZIR (starting dose 0.2–0.7 U/kg q12h). Short duration of insulin action was defined as <9 h. Linear mixed effects modelling assessed for change in fructosamine, mean blood glucose (MBG) during BGCs, DIAQoL-pet score, DCS and q12h insulin dose. McNemar’s tests compared the proportion of cats with hypoglycaemia at week 0 (PLIS-treated) and week 4 (PZIR-treated).

Results

Twenty-two cats were recruited. Median PLIS dose at enrolment was 0.5 U/kg (interquartile range 0.3–0.7 U/kg) q12h, equalling median PZIR starting dose (0.5 U/kg; interquartile range 0.3–0.7 U/kg q12h). Transitioning was followed by significant decreases in fructosamine ( P = 0.00007), insulin dose ( P = 0.02), DCS ( P = 8.1 × 10−8) and DIAQoL-pet score ( P = 0.003), indicating improved quality of life. MBG did not alter significantly ( P = 0.1). Five cats (22.7%) achieved remission. Hypoglycaemia was recorded in 30/190 12 h BGCs (15.8%) and five cats experienced clinical hypoglycaemia. The proportion of cats with hypoglycaemia did not differ between PLIS (week 0) and PZIR (week 4) ( P = 1.0). Duration of action was analysed in 19 cats. Six cats (31.6%) showed short duration of action on PLIS, compared with two cats (10.5%) after 4 weeks on PZIR. All six cats with short PLIS duration showed duration of ⩾9 h on PZIR.

Conclusions and relevance

Used alongside a low-carbohydrate diet, transitioning to PZIR was associated with significantly improved clinical signs and quality of life, with some cats achieving remission. Transition to PZIR should be considered for cats with short duration of action on PLIS.
Functional network connectivity abnormalities in multiple sclerosis: Correlations with disability and cognitive impairment
Authors: Rocca Maria A , Valsasina Paola , Leavitt Victoria M , Rodegher Mariaemma , Radaelli Marta , Riccitelli Gianna C , Martinelli Vittorio , Martinelli-Boneschi Filippo , Falini Andrea , Comi Giancarlo , Filippi Massimo
Published: March 2017

Objective:

To investigate resting state (RS) functional connectivity (FC) abnormalities within the principal brain networks in a large cohort of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, to define the trajectory of FC changes over disease stages and their relation with clinical and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures.

Methods:

RS functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), clinical, and neuropsychological evaluation were obtained from 215 MS patients and 98 healthy controls. Connectivity abnormalities and correlations with clinical/neuropsychological/imaging measures were evaluated. We analyzed seed-voxel FC with seven major hubs, producing one visual/sensory, one motor, two cognitive, one cerebellar, and two subcortical networks.

Results:

MS patients showed reduced network average RS FC versus controls in the default-mode network. At regional level, a complex pattern of decreased and increased RS FC was found. Reduced RS FC mainly involved sensorimotor, cognitive, thalamic, and cerebellar networks, whereas increased RS FC involved visual/sensory and subcortical networks. Reduced RS FC correlated with T2 lesions. Reduced thalamic RS FC correlated with better neuropsychological performance, whereas for all remaining networks reduced FC correlated with more severe clinical/cognitive impairment.

Conclusion:

Increased and decreased RS FC occurs in MS and contributes to a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. RS FC reduction is related to T2 lesions. Such a paradigm is inverted for the thalamic network.
Nurses’ use of pliable and directed strategies when encountering children in child and school healthcare
Authors: Harder Maria , Enskär Karin , Golsäter Marie
Published: March 2017

Nurses in Swedish child and school healthcare need to balance their assignment of promoting children’s health and development based on the national health-monitoring programme with their responsibility to consider each child’s needs. In this balancing act, they encounter children through directed and pliable strategies to fulfil their professional obligations. The aim of this study was to analyse the extent to which nurses use different strategies when encountering children during their recurrent health visits throughout childhood. A quantitative descriptive content analysis was used to code 30 video recordings displaying nurses’ encounters with children (3–16 years of age). A constructed observation protocol was used to identify the codes. The results show that nurses use pliable strategies (58%) and directed strategies (42%) in encounters with children. The action they use the most within the pliable strategy is encouraging (51%), while in the directed strategy, the action they use most is instructing (56%). That they primarily use these opposing actions can be understood as trying to synthesize their twofold assignment. However, they seem to act pliably to be able to fulfil their public function as dictated by the national health-monitoring programme, rather than to meet each child’s needs.
Thermal performance assessment of vernacular residential semi-open spaces in Mediterranean climate
Authors: Philokyprou Maria , Michael Aimilios , Thravalou Stavroula , Ioannou Ioannis
Published: March 2017

This paper investigates the overall thermal performance of vernacular buildings in Nicosia, Cyprus and highlights the role of semi-open spaces in improving the thermal comfort of the aforementioned structures. The novelty of the study lies in the fact that it presents, in a comparative way, field measurements carried out in five traditional buildings, discussing at the same time the impact of authentic architectural features, as well as of contemporary interventions, on the bioclimatic function of the original building envelope, taking into account the daily use of the premises under investigation. The research outcomes highlight the positive contribution of semi-open spaces to the thermal comfort of vernacular buildings, especially during the cooling period (summer). Contemporary architectural interventions, such as the conversion of semi-open spaces into closed indoor spaces, as well as the behaviour of occupants, are also found to affect the thermal performance of the traditional building envelope.
Hydroelastic analysis of a semi-submerged propeller using simultaneous solution of Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations and linear elasticity equations
Authors: Javanmardi Nasrin , Ghadimi Parviz
Published: March 2017

Numerical analysis of fluid–structure interaction in semi-submerged propellers is considered as one of the complex problems in multiphase flow simulation. This study utilizes a coupled numerical simulation for Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations and elasticity equations in order to analyze the hydroelastics of a semi-submerged propeller. Also, the free surface effects and existence of cavitation by which the problem may be simulated in a more realistic situation are considered. The governing equations of the fluid and structural parts are discretized based on finite volume and finite element methods, respectively, and solved using the ANSYS software. Validity of the numerical simulation is assessed by comparing its results against available results of semi-empirical equations. This comparison displays good agreement. Hydrodynamic and hydroelastic analyses are performed for a wide range of advanced and submerged ratios. It is clarified that frequency, which is five times greater than that of the shaft speed, is a dominant factor in the oscillations. It is also observed that the existence of cavity patterns and ventilation have a major role in variations in fluctuation amplitudes. Moreover, it is concluded that larger advanced ratio leads to an increase in the displayed oscillations. Based on the current simulation, it is detected that the determined failure point is located at an expected place. It is also observed that distribution of von Mises stress significantly depends on water surface profile. Finally, it is concluded that the Cavitation number has a direct relation with the stress.
Characteristic Analysis of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Randomized Controlled Trials of Oncology: A Comparison of Published Studies
Authors: Zhang Huiqing , Yang Geliang , Zhang Wei , Gu Wei , Su Yonghua , Ling Changquan
Published: March 2017

Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has been widely used by cancer patients and oncologists in the past decades. The present study aimed to examine and compare the characteristics and registration status of published studies in a sample of recently published CAM randomized controlled trial (RCT) reports of oncology in leading journals of 3 categories: general and internal medicine (GIM), clinical oncology (CO), and CAM. Methods: Articles published in the top 5 journals of the 3 categories from 2006 to 2015 were searched in PubMed. Basic characteristics, registration information, impact factor, and citations were identified and extracted from the included RCTs. Data were summarized by frequency, mean, and median and compared using χ2 test and Kruskal-Wallis H test. Results: A total of 59 RCTs were included; among them, 34 (58%) could be identified with a registration number. GIM journals (15) enjoyed the highest average number of citations per article, followed by CO (12) and CAM (3) journals ( P < .0001). ClinicalTrials.gov was the most popular registry for these RCTs. Of the RCTs registered in ClinicalTrials.gov , 24% (4/17) of the published studies in CO journals put their results in the registry; however, no study in GIM and CAM journals put the result in the registry ( P = .372). Conclusion: The top GIM, CO, and CAM journals rarely published CAM RCTs of oncology from 2006 to 2015, and the CAM articles of oncology were less cited. However, there was a clear improvement in the trial registration rate over the past decades.
Analgesia induced by the epigenetic drug, L-acetylcarnitine, outlasts the end of treatment in mouse models of chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain
Authors: Notartomaso Serena , Mascio Giada , Bernabucci Matteo , Zappulla Cristina , Scarselli Pamela , Cannella Milena , Imbriglio Tiziana , Gradini Roberto , Battaglia Giuseppe , Bruno Valeria , Nicoletti Ferdinando
Published: March 2017

Background

L-acetylcarnitine, a drug marketed for the treatment of chronic pain, causes analgesia by epigenetically up-regulating type-2 metabotropic glutamate (mGlu2) receptors in the spinal cord. Because the epigenetic mechanisms are typically long-lasting, we hypothesized that analgesia could outlast the duration of L-acetylcarnitine treatment in models of inflammatory and neuropathic pain.

Results

A seven-day treatment with L-acetylcarnitine (100 mg/kg, once a day, i.p.) produced an antiallodynic effect in the complete Freund adjuvant mouse model of chronic inflammatory pain. L-Acetylcarnitine-induced analgesia persisted for at least 14 days after drug withdrawal. In contrast, the analgesic effect of pregabalin, amitryptiline, ceftriaxone, and N-acetylcysteine disappeared seven days after drug withdrawal. L-acetylcarnitine treatment enhanced mGlu2/3 receptor protein levels in the dorsal region of the spinal cord. This effect also persisted for two weeks after drug withdrawal and was associated with increased levels of acetylated histone H3 bound to the Grm2 gene promoter in the dorsal root ganglia. A long-lasting analgesic effect of L-acetylcarnitine was also observed in mice subjected to chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve. In these animals, a 14-day treatment with pregabalin, amitryptiline, tramadol, or L-acetylcarnitine produced a significant antiallodynic effect, with pregabalin displaying the greatest efficacy. In mice treated with pregabalin, tramadol or L-acetylcarnitine the analgesic effect was still visible 15 days after the end of drug treatment. However, only in mice treated with L-acetylcarnitine analgesia persisted 37 days after drug withdrawal. This effect was associated with an increase in mGlu2/3 receptor protein levels in the dorsal horns of the spinal cord.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that L-acetylcarnitine has the unique property to cause a long-lasting analgesic effect that might reduce relapses in patients suffering from chronic pain.
Intrathecal administration of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells genetically modified with human proenkephalin gene decrease nociceptive pain in neuropathic rats
Authors: Sun Yi , Zhang Dengwen , Li Haifeng , Long Ruichun , Sun Qiang
Published: March 2017

Background

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) has been one of the potential tools in neuropathic pain therapy; however, the augmented efficacy may be expected when they are modified with human proenkephalin ( hPPE) gene. In the current study, the antinociceptive effect of human bone marrow stem cells (hBMSCs) engineered with hPPE gene (hPPE-hBMSCs) on sciatic nerve chronic constriction injury (CCI)-induced neuropathic pain in rats was investigated.

Methods

Primary-cultured hBMSCs were passaged and modified with hPPE, and the cell suspensions (6 × 106) were then intrathecally injected into a rat model of CCI. Paw mechanical withdrawal threshold and paw withdrawal thermal latency were measured before and after CCI surgery. The effects of hPPE gene transfer on hBMSCs bioactivity were analyzed in vitro and in vivo.

Results

No changes were observed in the surface phenotypes and differentiation of hBMSCs after gene transfer. The hPPE-hBMSC group showed improved paw mechanical withdrawal threshold and paw thermal withdrawal latency values on the ipsilateral side of rats with CCI from day 9 post-surgery, and the analgesic effect was reversed by naloxone. Leucine-enkephalin (L-EK) secretion was augmented in the hPPE-engineered hBMSC group.

Conclusions

The intrathecal administration of BMSCs modified with hPPE gene can effectively relieve pain caused by chronic constriction injury in rats and might be a potentially therapeutic tool for neuropathic pain in humans.
Endocytosis of GluN2B-containing NMDA receptor mediates NMDA-induced excitotoxicity
Authors: Wu Yu , Chen Changwan , Yang Qian , Jiao Mingfei , Qiu Shuang
Published: March 2017

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor overactivation is involved in neuronal damage after stroke. However, the mechanism underlying NMDA receptor-mediated excitotoxicity remains unclear. In this study, we confirmed that excessive activation of NMDARs led to cell apoptosis in PC12 cells and in primary cultured cortical neurons, which was mediated predominantly by the GluN2B-containing, but not the GluN2A-containing NMDARs. In addition, Clathrin-dependent endocytosis participated in NMDA-induced excitotoxicity. Furthermore, we identified that GluN2B-containing NMDARs underwent endocytosis during excessive NMDA treatment. Peptides specifically disrupting the interaction between GluN2B and AP-2 complex not only blocked endocytosis of GluN2B induced by NMDA treatment but also abolished NMDA-induced excitotoxicity. These results demonstrate that Clathrin-dependent endocytosis of GluN2B-containing NMDARs is critical to NMDA-induced excitotoxicity in PC12 cells and in primary cultured cortical neurons, and therefore provide a novel target for blocking NMDAR-mediated excitotoxicity.
Resistance to a Posthuman and Retrograde Oughtopia: Exploring the Narrative of South Korea’s Sci-Fi Animation, Wonder Kiddy
Authors: Soongbeum Ahn
Published: March 2017

This article analyzes the narrative of South Korea’s first animated science fiction TV series, 2020 Space Wonder Kiddy, which presents the model of a posthuman society and seeks to demonstrate the characters’ perception of this imaginary world. The study provides insight into the so-called ‘oughtopia’ model, proposing a possible way to organize the society of the future. By portraying the community of Wonder Kiddy, where humans, aliens (elves) and robots of all kinds coexist as one social organism, the author carries out judgments about a technological civilization of the future and analyzes concerns associated with the technophobia of modern people. The first concern is the fear that intelligent machines could start living according to their own rules of self-evolution, imitating the governing principles typical of human society. Secondly, Wonder Kiddy reflects the fear of the collapse of modern humanity and the death of the human race, followed by a shift to a posthuman society. Thirdly, it presents concerns about how mythological value, an essential component of humans’ spiritual richness, might collapse if a technological civilization’s speed and sense of direction get out of hand. Finally, it questions the belief about the historical progress of the human race, which rests on the concept of linear time. On the other hand, Wonder Kiddy presents the model of an ideal solution for preserving all ecological, natural and scenic values. This adds strength to the view that the oughtopia of Wonder Kiddy was not planned as a realistic model, but designed to symbolize a simple outcome of general environmentalist logic.
The Translocalized McDull Series: National Identity and the Politics of Powerlessness
Authors: Wu Hang
Published: March 2017

The animated film Me & My Mum was released in mainland China and Hong Kong in 2014 and proved to be a huge box office hit, cashing in on the existing McDull animated films that are hailed as the best animations in Hong Kong. Previous scholarship suggests that the McDull animated film series is a symbol of Hong Kong local culture; it serves as a repository of the changing landscapes of Hong Kong and demonstrates hybrid identities. However, this article argues that the McDull animated film series is more translocal than local, a fact which reveals the dynamics of the Hong Kong–mainland China relationship after Hong Kong’s return to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. The translocalized McDull series demonstrates an obsession with Chineseness which helps to evoke the national identity. By aestheticizing powerlessness as cuteness through anthropomorphic animals, the McDull series used to be highly political; they grappled with the wounds of society in Hong Kong. However, the articulation of a well-rounded McDull in the translocalized film Me & My Mum indicates that it is conforming to the Chinese Communist Party’s ideology of ideal children while the political power of aestheticizing powerlessness is repressed, revealing the dominant power of the Chinese film market.
Developing Expressive Ani-Morphs
Authors: Quist Amanda M
Published: March 2017

The expressive potential of the morph is most fully realized in animation, a technique known as the ‘ani-morph’. Though ani-morphing has a fascinating history, there is no critical systematization of this technique that allows for direct comparison of one such transformation to another. This article introduces a taxonomical framework that provides a consistent and organized method of examining the visual expressivity of the morph, enabling comprehensive comparisons to be made between diverse morphing sequences. This framework is particularly useful in evaluating the practice of ‘continuous ani-morphing’, or the use of multiple morphs in sequence. The article begins by entering into a detailed taxonomical analysis of several ani-morphs, first by typifying each category of the taxonomy, and then following with a full cataloguing of their progressive stages. A case study supports the conclusion that high expressivity in continuous ani-morphing exists in sequences that employ a range of object relationships and feature-based mid-morphs, particularly through highly active and spatial transformations. The stylistic development of the ani-morph ultimately is instructive in predicting the future of the photo-real or digital morph. Though continuous photo-real morphing has yet to demonstrate the level of expressivity apparent in the history of continuous ani-morphing, the evolution of ani-morphing ultimately suggests how the expressivity of the photo-real morph will develop in the future.
‘A flood of Syrians has slowed to a trickle’: The use of metaphors in the representation of Syrian refugees in the online media news reports of host and non-host countries
Authors: Abid Raith Zeher , Manan Shakila Abdul , Rahman Zuhair Abdul Amir Abdul
Published: March 2017

Numerous studies have examined the manner in which minority groups, including refugees, are depicted in the media discourse of the host countries or the dominant majority groups. The results of such studies indicate that media systematically discriminate these minority groups and deem them as a security, economic and hygiene threat to the majority groups. Through the use of Lakoff and Jonson’s conceptual metaphor theory, this study compares and contrasts the representation of Syrian refugees in the online media discourse of not only host countries but also non-host countries, which, in this study, refers to nations that do not host Syrian refugees. The results show that statistical differences between the metaphors used by host and non-host countries only occur when using the metaphors that describe the entry of refugees and the burden they are inflicting on the host countries. This is clearly indicated by the p-values of the log-likelihood test.
Outbreak of clonal complex 22 Panton–Valentine leucocidin-positive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Garvey Mark I. , Bradley Craig W. , Holden Kerry L. , Oppenheim Beryl
Published: March 2017

Aims:

We describe the investigation and control of a nosocomial outbreak of Sequence Type (ST) 22 MRSA containing the Panton–Valentine leucocidin (PVL) toxin in an acute multispecialty surgical ward at University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.

Methods:

A patient was classed as acquiring methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) if they had a negative admission screen and then had MRSA isolated from a subsequent screen or clinical specimen. Spa typing and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was undertaken to confirm MRSA acquisitions.

Findings:

The Infection Prevention and Control Team were alerted to the possibility of an outbreak when two patients acquired MRSA while being on the same ward. In total, five patients were involved in the outbreak where four patients acquired the PVL-MRSA clone from an index patient due to inadequate infection control practice. Two patients who acquired the strain developed a bloodstream infection. Infection control measures included decolonisation of affected patients, screening of all patients on the ward, environmental sampling and enhanced cleaning.

Discussion:

Our study highlights the potential risk of spread and pathogenicity of this clone in the healthcare setting. Spa typing and PFGE assisted with confirmation of the outbreak and implementation of infection control measures. In outbreaks, microbiological typing should be undertaken as a matter of course as without specialist typing identification of the described outbreak would have been delayed.
Meeting Patient Expectations During Hospitalization: A Grounded Theoretical Analysis of Patient-Centered Room Elements
Authors: Patterson Emily S. , Sanders Elizabeth B.-N. , Sommerich Carolyn M. , Lavender Steven A. , Li Jing , Evans Kevin D.
Published: March 2017

Objectives:

To identify patient needs and expectations that can be utilized to inform the design or renovation of medical–surgical patient rooms in a hospital.

Background:

There is an increased interest in supportive room design to increase patient satisfaction and improve the healing process.

Methods:

Patients’ and family caregivers’ reactions were elicited to intentional room elements embedded in a set of five full-scale simulated room prototypes. Small groups of patients and caregivers toured two of the five rooms and provided verbal and written evaluations of room features. A grounded theory approach was employed to generate a codebook, identify the frequency of codes, and to group codes and memos into emerging themes. Insights from emergent themes were compared with findings from written surveys on the importance of various room design elements completed at the beginning of each session.

Results:

A theoretical design framework was generated, showing patients expect a hospital room that provides them with the core components of comfort to support healing, facilitates a strong sense of connection to people and the outside world, enables quick and independent access to the patient’s things, and offers suitable levels of control to the patient throughout their hospital stay.

Conclusions:

The implications for assisting architects, healthcare planners, and interior space designers are described using this framework, as well as its potential for design guidance. In addition, the connection between patient-centered room elements and relevant survey questions in publicly reported patient satisfaction scores for hospitals is discussed.
Seasonal Differences in Light Exposure and the Associations With Health and Well-Being in Older Adults: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Nioi Amanda , Roe Jenny , Gow Alan , McNair David , Aspinall Peter
Published: March 2017

Objective:

This article reports summer verses winter seasonal variations across a suite of blue light, illuminance levels and health and well-being indicators.

Background:

The quality of lighting in care homes has been assessed previously, yet seasonal comparisons and the associations with sleep quality are limited. This exploratory study investigates light exposure in two seasons to determine the changes over time and the associations with health and well-being.

Methods:

In a repeated measures design, 16 older people (aged 72–99 years) living in a care home had their personal light exposure and sleep/wake patterns monitored for 4 days. Cognitive ability, mental well-being, daytime physical activity, and visual function were assessed. Mean light levels at preset times across the day, duration in light exposure over 1,000 lux, and sleep parameters were computed. Statistical investigations included correlations exploring associations and paired means tests to detect the changes between seasons.

Results:

The mean morning illuminance level in summer was 466 lux and 65 lux in winter. Duration in bright light over 1,000 lux was 46 min in summer and 3 min in winter. Light measures were significantly higher in summer. There was no statistical difference in sleep quality parameters between seasons, but there were significant difference in daytime physical activity level (i.e., this was higher in summer).

Conclusion:

The findings indicate low level of light exposures experienced in both seasons, with exposure levels being particularly low in winter. This provides new insights into the limited amount of light older people receive independent of season and the possible impacts on sleep and daytime physical activity level.
Endothelial follistatin‐like‐1 regulates the postnatal development of the pulmonary vasculature by modulating BMP/Smad signaling
Authors: Tania Navessa P. , Maarsingh Harm , T. Bos I. Sophie , Mattiotti Andrea , Prakash Stuti , Timens Wim , Gunst Quinn D. , Jimenez‐Borreguero Luis J. , Schmidt Martina , van den Hoff Maurice J.B. , Gosens Reinoud
Published: March 2017

Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling regulates vascular smooth muscle maturation, endothelial cell proliferation, and tube formation. The endogenous BMP antagonist Follistatin‐like 1 (Fstl1) is highly expressed in pulmonary vascular endothelium of the developing mouse lung, suggesting a role in pulmonary vascular formation and vascular homeostasis. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of Fstl1 in the pulmonary vascular endothelium. To this aim, Fstl1 was conditionally deleted from endothelial and endothelial‐derived cells using Tie2‐cre driven Fstl1‐KO mice (Fstl1‐eKO mice). Endothelial‐specific Fstl1 deletion was postnatally lethal, as ∼70% of Fstl1‐eKO mice died at three weeks after birth. Deletion of Fstl1 from endothelium resulted in a reduction of right ventricular output at three weeks after birth compared with controls. This was associated with pulmonary vascular remodeling, as the percentage of actin‐positive small pulmonary vessels was increased at three weeks in Fstl1‐eKO mice compared with controls. Endothelial deletion of Fstl1 resulted in activation of Smad1/5/8 signaling and increased BMP/Smad‐regulated gene expression of Jagged1, Endoglin, and Gata2 at one week after birth compared with controls. In addition, potent vasoconstrictor Endothelin‐1, the expression of which is driven by Gata2, was increased in expression, both on the mRNA and protein levels, at one week after birth compared with controls. At three weeks, Jagged1 was reduced in the Fstl1‐eKO mice whereas Endoglin and Endothelin‐1 were unchanged. In conclusion, loss of endothelial Fstl1 in the lung is associated with elevated BMP‐regulated genes, impaired small pulmonary vascular remodeling, and decreased right ventricular output.
Prognostic comparison between creatinine-based glomerular filtration rate formulas for the prediction of 10-year outcome in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome treated by percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Ballo Piercarlo , Chechi Tania , Spaziani Gaia , Fibbi Veronica , Conti Duccio , Ferro Giuseppe , Nigrelli Santi , Dattolo Pietro , Fazi Antonio , Santoro Giovanni Maria , Zuppiroli Alfredo , Pizzarelli Francesco
Published: March 2017

Background:

Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is a predictor of outcome among patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS), but which estimation formula provides the best long-term risk stratification in this setting is still unclear. We compared the prognostic performance of four creatinine-based formulas for the prediction of 10-year outcome in a NSTE-ACS population treated by percutaneous coronary intervention.

Methods:

In 222 NSTE-ACS patients submitted to percutaneous coronary intervention, eGFR was calculated using four formulas: Cockcroft–Gault, re-expressed modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD), chronic kidney disease epidemiology collaboration (CKD-Epi), and Mayo-quadratic. Predefined endpoints were all-cause death and a composite of cardiovascular death, non-fatal reinfarction, clinically driven repeat revascularisation, and heart failure hospitalisation.

Results:

The different eGFR values showed poor agreement, with prevalences of renal dysfunction ranging from 14% to 35%. Over a median follow-up of 10.2 years, eGFR calculated by the CKD-Epi and Mayo-quadratic formulas independently predicted outcome, with an increase in the risk of death and events by up to 17% and 11%, respectively, for each decrement of 10 ml/min/1.73 m2. The Cockcroft–Gault and MDRD equations showed a borderline association with mortality and did not predict events. When compared in terms of goodness of fit, discrimination and calibration, the Mayo-quadratic outperformed the other formulas for the prediction of death and the CKD-Epi showed the best performance for the prediction of events (net reclassification improvement values 0.33–0.35).

Conclusions:

eGFR is an independent predictor of long-term outcome in patients with NSTE-ACS treated by percutaneous coronary intervention. The Mayo-quadratic and CKD-Epi equations might be superior to classic eGFR formulas for risk stratification in these patients.
Use of selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors and platelet aggregation inhibitors among individuals with co-occurring atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and depression or anxiety
Authors: Thornton J Douglas , Agarwal Parul , Sambamoorthi Usha
Published: March 2017

Objective:

Medications commonly used to treat heart disease, anxiety, and depression can interact resulting in an increased risk of bleeding, warranting a cautious approach in medical decision making. This retrospective, descriptive study examined the prevalence and the factors associated with the use of both selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor and platelet aggregation inhibitor among individuals with co-occurring atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and anxiety or depression.

Methods:

Respondents aged 22 years and older, alive throughout the study period, and diagnosed with co-occurring atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and anxiety or depression (n = 1507) in years 2007 through 2013 of the Medical Expenditures Panel Survey were included. The use of treatment was grouped as follows: selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor and platelet aggregation inhibitor, selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor or platelet aggregation inhibitor, and neither selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor nor platelet aggregation inhibitor.

Results:

Overall, 16.5% used both selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor and platelet aggregation inhibitor, 61.2% used selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor or platelet aggregation inhibitor, and 22.3% used neither selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor nor platelet aggregation inhibitor. Respondents aged over 65 years (adjusted odds ratio = 1.93 (95% confidence interval = 1.08–3.45)) and having a diagnosis of diabetes (adjusted odds ratio = 1.63 (95% confidence interval = 1.15–2.31)) and hypertension (adjusted odds ratio = 1.84 (95% confidence interval = 1.04–3.27)) were more likely to be prescribed the combination.

Conclusion:

The drug interaction was prevalent in patients who are already at higher risk of health disparities and worse outcomes thus requiring vigilant evaluation.
Fructose: Toxic effect on cardiorenal risk factors and redox state
Authors: Francisqueti Fabiane V , Santos Klinsmann C , Ferron Artur JT , Lo Angelo TC , Minatel Igor O , Campos Dijon HS , Ferreira Ana Lucia A , Corrêa Camila R
Published: March 2017

Aim:

To investigate the effects of fructose consumption on the antioxidant capacity in heart and kidney, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and evaluation of these variables after its removal.

Methods:

Male Wistar rats (n = 36) were divided into control group (n = 12): standard chow + water or F group: standard chow + fructose in drinking water (30%) for 15 weeks. After, F group was divided to continue receiving standard chow + fructose in drinking water (30%) (n = 12) or standard chow + water (Ex group, n = 12) for 9 weeks. Water, chow and caloric diaries intake, final body weight, adiposity index, plasma glucose and triacylglycerol, systolic blood pressure, and cardiac and renal hydrophilic antioxidant capacity were analyzed.

Results:

Control and Ex groups consumed less chow and water compared to F group. Caloric intake was higher in control group. There was no difference in final body weight and adiposity index. Systolic blood pressure and cardiac and renal hydrophilic antioxidant capacity were worst in F group.

Conclusion:

Prolonged exposure to fructose induces oxidative stress, systolic blood pressure, and increase in triacylglycerol. When stopped fructose consumption, Ex group presented improvement in these variables, suggesting the toxicity effect of fructose when consumed in high amounts and prolonged exposure.
Management of upper ureteral stones exceeding 15 mm in diameter: Shock wave lithotripsy versus semirigid ureteroscopy with holmium:yttrium–aluminum–garnet laser lithotripsy
Authors: Aboutaleb Hamdy , Omar Mohamed , Salem Shady , Elshazly Mohamed
Published: March 2017

Objectives:

We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the efficacy and outcome of shock wave lithotripsy versus semirigid ureteroscopy in the management of the proximal ureteral stones of diameter exceeding 15 mm.

Methods:

During the 2009−2014 study period, 147 patients presenting with the proximal ureteral stones exceeding 15 mm in diameter were treated. Both shock wave lithotripsy and ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy were offered for our patients. A 6/8.9 Fr semirigid ureteroscope was used in conjunction with a holmium:yttrium–aluminum–garnet laser. The stone-free rate was assessed at 2 weeks and 3 months post-treatment. All patients were evaluated for stone-free status, operation time, hospital stay, perioperative complications, and auxiliary procedures.

Results:

Of the 147 patients who took part in this study, 66 (45%) had undergone shock wave lithotripsy and 81 (55%) underwent ureteroscopy. At the 3-month follow-up, the overall stone-free rate in the shock wave lithotripsy group was 39/66 (59%) compared to 70/81 (86.4%) in the ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy group. Ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy achieved a highly significant stone-free rate ( p = 0.0002), and the mean operative time, auxiliary procedures, and postoperative complication rates were comparable between the two groups.

Conclusion:

In terms of the management of proximal ureteral stones exceeding 15 mm in diameter, ureteroscopy achieved a greater stone-free rate and is considered the first-line of management. Shock wave lithotripsy achieved lower stone-free rate, and it could be used in selected cases.
Prospects for Equitable Land Reform in Zimbabwe: Revisiting Sam Moyo’s Work on the Land Question
Authors: Murisa Tendai
Published: March 2017

Zimbabwe’s decolonization could never be complete without addressing the land question. Sam Moyo’s work, spanning over three decades, has been a point of reference in the discussion of land policy performance, rural mobilization and trends in land reform. His work mostly focused on influencing policy, creating connections between local processes (such as land occupations), national policy and global debates. The article provides a summary of Sam Moyo’s writing on land reform policy in Zimbabwe. It highlights the complex relationships that exist between policy formulation, rural mobilization and implementation of policy. Whilst celebrating the work of an icon, the article also takes a more critical stance on outstanding issues as pertaining to the fast-track land reform process that began in 2000. The Government of Zimbabwe (GoZ) has not adequately resolved the land tenure question and currently faces the threat of elite capture.
Congenital Intrahepatic Portosystemic Venous Shunt With an Associated Aneurysm: Sonographic Diagnosis
Authors: Ghazle Hamad , Bollinger Samantha
Published: March 2017

Intrahepatic portosystemic venous shunts with associated aneurysms are extremely rare anomalous communications between intrahepatic portal veins and systemic veins through intrahepatic venous channels. Intrahepatic portosystemic venous shunts are usually asymptomatic but can be the cause of hepatic encephalopathy and hypoglycemia, especially when a high degree of shunting exists. The sonographic incidental finding of an aneurysmal vascular connection between the left portal vein and left hepatic vein as diagnosed by sonography is presented and discussed. When evaluating patients with suspected symptoms of hepatobiliary disease, sonographers and radiologists should carefully scan and meticulously assess the liver for signs of abnormal venous communications.
A comparison of published multidimensional indices to predict outcome in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Sharp Charles , Adamali Huzaifa I. , Millar Ann B.
Published: March 2017

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) has an unpredictable course and prognostic factors are incompletely understood. We aimed to identify prognostic factors, including multidimensional indices from a significant IPF cohort at the Bristol Interstitial Lung Disease Centre in the UK.

Patients diagnosed with IPF between 2007 and 2014 were identified. Longitudinal pulmonary physiology and exercise testing results were collated, with all-cause mortality used as the primary outcome. Factors influencing overall, 12- and 24-month survival were identified using Cox proportional hazards modelling and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.

We found in this real-world cohort of 167 patients, diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and initiation of long-term oxygen were independent markers of poor prognosis. Exercise testing results predicted 12-month mortality as well asDLCO, but did not perform as well for overall survival. The Composite Physiological Index was the best performing multidimensional index, but did not outperformDLCO. Our data confirmed that patients who experienced a fall in forced vital capacity (FVC) >10% had significantly worse survival after that point (p=0.024).

Our data from longitudinal follow-up in IPF show thatDLCOis the best individual prognostic marker, outperforming FVC. Exercise testing is important in predicting early poor outcome. Regular and complete review should be conducted to ensure appropriate care is delivered in a timely fashion.
Increased incidence of adult pneumococcal pneumonia during school holiday periods
Authors: Daniel Priya , Rodrigo Chamira , Bewick Thomas , Sheppard Carmen , Greenwood Sonia , McKeever Tricia M. , Slack Mary , Lim Wei Shen
Published: March 2017

Child contact is a recognised risk factor for adult pneumococcal disease. Peaks in invasive pneumococcal disease incidence observed during winter holidays may be related to changes in social dynamics. This analysis was conducted to examine adult pneumococcal community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) incidence during school holiday periods.

Between September 2008 and 2013, consecutive adults admitted to hospitals covering the Greater Nottingham area with a diagnosis of CAP were studied. Pneumococcal pneumonia was detected using culture and antigen detection methods.

Of 2221 adults studied, 575 (25.9%) were admitted during school holidays and 643 (29.0%) had pneumococcal CAP. CAP of pneumococcal aetiology was significantly more likely in adults admitted during school holidays compared to term time (35.3%versus26.7%; adjusted OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.11–1.72, p=0.004). Over the 5-year period, the age-adjusted incidence of hospitalised pneumococcal CAP was higher during school holidays compared to term time (incident rate ratio 1.35, 95% CI 1.14–1.60, p<0.001); there was no difference in rates of all-cause CAP or non-pneumococcal CAP. Reported child contact was higher in individuals with pneumococcal CAP admitted during school holidays compared to term time (42.0%versus33.7%, OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.00–2.03, p=0.046).

Further study of transmission dynamics in relation to these findings and to identify appropriate intervention strategies is warranted.
Deep residual coalesced convolutional network for efficient semantic road segmentation
Authors: Ardiyanto Igi , Adji Teguh Bharata
Published: March 2017

This paper proposes a deep learning-based efficient and compact solution for road scene segmentation problem, named deep residual coalesced convolutional network (RCC-Net). Initially, the RCC-Net performs dimensionality reduction to compress and extract relevant features, from which it is subsequently delivered to the encoder. The encoder adopts the residual network style for efficient model size. In the core of each residual network, three different convolutional layers are simultaneously coalesced for obtaining broader information. The decoder is then altered to upsample the encoder for pixel-wise mapping from the input images to the segmented output. Experimental results reveal the efficacy of the proposed network over the state-of-the-art methods and its capability to be deployed in an average system.
NOX2-dependent immunosuppression in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia
Authors: Aurelius Johan , Hallner Alexander , Werlenius Olle , Riise Rebecca , Moüllgård Lars , Brune Mats , Hansson Markus , Martner Anna , Thorén Fredrik B , Hellstrand Kristoffer
Published: March 2017

Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is a myeloproliferative and myelodysplastic neoplasm with few treatment options and dismal prognosis. The role of natural killer (NK) cells and other antileukemic lymphocytes in CMML is largely unknown. We aimed to provide insight into the mechanisms of immune evasion in CMML with a focus on immunosuppressive reactive oxygen species (ROS) formed by the myeloid cell NADPH oxidase-2 (NOX2). The dominant population of primary human CMML cells was found to express membrane-bound NOX2 and to release ROS, which, in turn, triggered extensive PARP-1–dependent cell death in cocultured NK cells, CD8+ T effector memory cells, and CD8+ T effector cells. Inhibitors of ROS formation and scavengers of extracellular ROS prevented CMML cell-induced lymphocyte death and facilitated NK cell degranulation toward Ab-coated, primary CMML cells. In patients with CMML, elevation of immature cell counts (CD34+) in blood was associated with reduced expression of several NK cell-activating receptors. We propose that CMML cells may use extracellular ROS as a targetable mechanism of immune escape.
Nonlinear inversion of isostatic residual gravity data from Montage Basin, northern Gulf of California
Authors: García-Abdeslem Juan
Published: March 2017

The flexural isostatic response to surface loads is used to estimate the crustal thickness in northwestern Mexico and Southwestern USA. This estimate is used to compute an isostatic regional gravity, which, subtracted from Bouguer gravity anomalies, led to the isostatic residual gravity anomaly at Montage Basin. This basin is located between the southern portion of the Mexicali Valley and the northern Gulf of California, it roughly has an extension of [Formula: see text] wide, and it shows a gravity minimum reaching approximately [Formula: see text]. Montage Basin is within the extensional province of the Gulf of California, where rifting is currently an ongoing geologic process, and deep exploratory wells drilled by Petróleos Mexicanos have shown that the basin accommodates thick sedimentary sequences greater than 5 km. The interpretation of the isostatic residual gravity anomaly is considered as a nonlinear inverse problem, constrained using density as a function of depth derived from Gardner’s equation applied to dual time [Formula: see text]-logs, assuming isostatic equilibrium and considering the basin as a subsurface load that is compensated at depth by a mass of unknown shape and density. The outcome of the inverse problem suggests that Montage Basin accommodates as much as 7.5 km thick sedimentary sequences and a compensating mass at a minimum depth of 13 km.