bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bayesian Analysis: A Practical Approach to Interpret Clinical Trials and Create Clinical Practice Guidelines
Authors: Bittl John A. , He Yulei
Published: August 2017

Bayesian analysis is firmly grounded in the science of probability and has been increasingly supplementing or replacing traditional approaches based on
P
values. In this review, we present gradually more complex examples, along with programming code and data sets, to show how Bayesian analysis takes evidence from randomized clinical trials to update what is already known about specific treatments in cardiovascular medicine. In the example of revascularization choices for diabetic patients who have multivessel coronary artery disease, we combine the results of the FREEDOM trial (Future Revascularization Evaluation in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus: Optimal Management of Multivessel Disease) with prior probability distributions to show how strongly we should believe in the new Class I recommendation (“should be done”) for a preference of bypass surgery over percutaneous coronary intervention. In the debate about the duration of dual antiplatelet therapy after drug-eluting stent implantation, we avoid a common pitfall in traditional meta-analysis and create a network of randomized clinical trials to compare outcomes after specific treatment durations. Although we find no credible increase in mortality, we affirm the tradeoff between increased bleeding and reduced myocardial infarctions with prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy, findings that support the new Class IIb recommendation (“may be considered”) to extend dual antiplatelet therapy after drug-eluting stent implantation. In the decision between culprit artery-only and multivessel percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, we use hierarchical meta-analysis to analyze evidence from observational studies and randomized clinical trials and find that the probability of all-cause mortality at longest follow-up is similar after both strategies, a finding that challenges the older ban against noninfarct-artery intervention during primary percutaneous coronary intervention. These examples illustrate how Bayesian analysis integrates new trial information with existing knowledge to reduce uncertainty and change attitudes about treatments in cardiovascular medicine.
Burden of Intracranial Atherosclerosis Is Associated With Long-Term Vascular Outcome in Patients With Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Kim Byung-Su , Chung Pil-Wook , Park Kwang-Yeol , Won Hong-Hee , Bang Oh Young , Chung Chin-Sang , Lee Kwang Ho , Kim Gyeong-Moon
Published: August 2017

Background and Purpose—

Ischemic stroke patients often have intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS), despite heterogeneity in the cause of stroke. We tested the hypothesis that ICAS burden can independently reflect the risk of long-term vascular outcome.

Methods—

This was a retrospective cohort study analyzing data from a prospective stroke registry enrolling consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack. A total of 1081 patients were categorized into no ICAS, single ICAS, and advanced ICAS (ICAS ≥2 different intracranial arteries) groups. Primary and secondary end points were time to occurrence of recurrent ischemic stroke and composite vascular outcome, respectively. Study end points by ICAS burden were compared using Cox proportional hazards models in overall and propensity-matched patients.

Results—

ICAS was present in 405 patients (37.3%). During a median 5-year follow-up, recurrent stroke and composite vascular outcome occurred in 6.8% and 16.8% of patients, respectively. As the number of ICAS increased, the risk for study end points increased after adjustment of potential covariates (hazard ratio per 1 increase in ICAS, 1.19; 95% confidence interval, 1.01–1.42 for recurrent ischemic stroke and hazard ratio, 1.18; 95% confidence interval, 1.05–1.33 for composite vascular outcome). The hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) for recurrent stroke and composite vascular outcome in patients with advanced ICAS compared with those without ICAS were 1.56 (0.88–2.74) and 1.72 (1.17–2.53), respectively, in the overall patients. The corresponding values in the propensity-matched patients were 1.28 (0.71–2.30) and 1.95 (1.27–2.99), respectively.

Conclusions—

ICAS burden was independently associated with the risk of subsequent composite vascular outcome in patients with ischemic stroke. These findings suggest that ICAS burden can reflect the risk of long-term vascular outcome.
Disulfide Bonds: A Key Modification in Bacterial Extracytoplasmic Proteins
Authors: Lee S.F. , Davey L.
Published: August 2017

Disulfide bonds are a common posttranslational modification that contributes to the folding and stability of extracytoplasmic proteins. Almost all organisms, from eukaryotes to prokaryotes, have evolved enzymes to make and break these bonds. Accurate and efficient disulfide bond formation can be vital for protein function; therefore, the enzymes that catalyze disulfide bond formation are involved in multiple biological processes. Recent advances clearly show that oral bacteria also have the ability to from disulfide bonds, and this ability has an effect on a range of dental plaque–related phenotypes. In the gram-positive Streptococcus gordonii, the ability to form disulfide bonds affected autolysis, extracellular DNA release, biofilm formation, genetic competence, and bacteriocin production. In Actinomyces oris, disulfide bond formation is needed for pilus assembly, coaggregation, and biofilm formation. In other gram-positive bacteria, such as Enterococcus faecalis, disulfide bonds are formed in secreted bacteriocins and required for activity. In these oral bacteria, the enzymes that catalyze the disulfide bonds are quite diverse and share little sequence homology, but all contain a CXXC catalytic active site motif and a conserved C-terminal cis-proline, signature features of a thiol-disulfide oxidoreductase. Emerging evidence also indicates that gram-negative oral bacteria, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis and Tannerella forsythia, use disulfide bonds to stabilize their outer membrane porin proteins. Bioinformatic screens reveal that these gram-negative bacteria carry genes coding for thiol-disulfide oxidoreductases in their genomes. In conclusion, disulfide bond formation in oral bacteria is an emerging field, and the ability to form disulfide bonds plays an important role in dental plaque formation and fitness for the bacteria.
Soldiers’ Preferences Regarding Sperm Preservation, Posthumous Reproduction, and Attributes of a Potential “Posthumous Mother”
Authors: Bokek-Cohen Ya’arit , Ravitsky Vardit
Published: August 2017

We present study results regarding soldiers’ willingness to conduct posthumous reproduction. Two hundred twelve Israeli soldiers filled in a questionnaire designed to examine their willingness to cryopreserve sperm and evaluate in which familial circumstances they would consent to posthumous reproduction. They ranked the desirability of 46 attributes of a potential mother and a life partner. Findings indicate a relatively high predisposition in favor of posthumous-assisted reproduction; the wishes of soldiers’ parents had much more influence on soldiers’ willingness to pursue this technology than those of a partner. Soldiers preferred “feminine” jobs for a potential mother that would allow her to dedicate herself to child-rearing. The desired traits of such a mother were rated similarly to partner preferences; however, significant differences were found in attributes that are most related to the potential mother’s devotion to maternity. Interpretations of these findings are contextualized in relation to ethical and bereavement considerations.
Internal and External Imagery Effects on Tennis Skills Among Novices
Authors: Dana Amir , Gozalzadeh Elmira
Published: August 2017

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of internal and external visual imagery perspectives on performance accuracy of open and closed tennis skills (i.e., serve, forehand, and backhand) among novices. Thirty-six young male novices, aged 15–18 years, from a summer tennis program participated. Following initial skill acquisition (12 sessions), baseline assessments of imagery ability and imagery perspective preference were used to assign participants to one of three groups: internal imagery ( n = 12), external imagery ( n = 12), or a no-imagery (mental math exercise) control group ( n = 12). The experimental interventions of 15 minutes of mental imagery (internal or external) or mental math exercises followed by 15 minutes of physical practice were held three times a week for six weeks. The performance accuracy of the groups on the serve, forehand, and backhand strokes was measured at pre- and post-test using videotaping. Results showed significant increases in the performance accuracy of all three tennis strokes in all three groups, but serve accuracy in the internal imagery group and forehand accuracy in the external imagery group showed greater improvements, while backhand accuracy was similarly improved in all three groups. These findings highlight differential efficacy of internal and external visual imagery for performance improvement on complex sport skills in early stage motor learning.
The Role of Aspirational Experiences and Behaviors in Cultivating Momentum for Transfer Access in STEM: Variations Across Gender and Race
Authors: Wang Xueli , Lee Seo Young , Prevost Amy
Published: August 2017

Objective: Although upward transfer in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields represents a prominent national policy concern, community college students’ aspirations for transfer in STEM are often impeded, resulting in lower transfer rates. This study investigated four aspects of community college STEM students’ aspirational experiences and behaviors with regard to transfer: support for transfer, transfer service usage, transfer-oriented interactions, and transfer information acquisition. Particular attention was paid to how these factors may impact students’ aspirational momentum differently based on gender and race/ethnicity. Method: The study drew upon survey and administrative records from 1,245 first-time students beginning in STEM majors or courses at three large comprehensive 2-year institutions in a Midwestern state. A logistic regression model with interaction terms was employed to explore whether and how the relationship between students’ aspirational momentum toward STEM transfer and their aspirational experiences and behaviors vary across gender and race/ethnicity. Results: Results indicate that, overall, students engaging in more frequent transfer service usage were significantly more likely to have aspirational momentum, but this relationship is weaker among female students, compared with males. Also, Black and Hispanic students’ aspirational momentum was significantly less affected by support for transfer than for White students. In contrast, the effect of transfer service usage on aspirational momentum for Black students was significantly stronger than for White students. Contributions: Our findings hold implications for how to cultivate aspirational momentum toward transfer in STEM, especially how to resolve potential gender and racial disparities within this unique and pivotal transfer pathway.
An Initial Open Trial of a Brief Behavioral Activation Treatment for Depression and Medication Adherence in HIV-Infected Patients
Authors: Tull Matthew T. , Berghoff Christopher R. , Bardeen Joseph R. , Schoenleber Michelle , Konkle-Parker Deborah J.
Published: August 2017

Advances in HIV treatment through highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) have led to a steady decline in HIV-related mortality rates. However, HAART requires adherence to strict and often complicated medication regimens, and nonadherence to HAART can significantly decrease its effectiveness. Depression has consistently shown a robust association with medication nonadherence; consequently, numerous psychological interventions have been developed to target depression and increase medication adherence among HIV-infected individuals. The length of these interventions, however, may be prohibitive for certain HIV-infected populations, such as patients in rural areas. Therefore, this study provides an initial investigation of a one-session behavioral activation treatment for depression designed specifically for HIV-infected patients (BATD-HIV) at a community infectious disease clinic serving a largely rural population. In this initial uncontrolled open trial, BATD-HIV was administered to 10 HIV-infected patients with elevated symptoms of depression following their clinic appointment. Depression, anxiety, and stress symptom severity; behavioral activation processes; medication adherence; and CD4 T-cell count were assessed pre- and 1 month postintervention. Participants exhibited significant reductions in anxiety symptom severity and avoidance of negative aversive states and rumination from pre- to 1 month posttreatment. Although nonsignificant, participants also showed medium effect size reductions in depression and stress symptoms and work/school and social impairment, and medium effect size improvements in medication adherence and CD4 T-cell counts. Despite the preliminary nature of this study, results suggest that BATD-HIV may have utility as a brief treatment for HIV-infected patients with depression and warrants further investigation in larger scale randomized controlled trials.
Protecting the Innocence of Youth: Moral Sanctity Values Underlie Censorship From Young Children
Authors: Anderson Rajen A. , Masicampo E. J.
Published: August 2017

Three studies examined the relationship between people’s moral values (drawing on moral foundations theory) and their willingness to censor immoral acts from children. Results revealed that diverse moral values did not predict censorship judgments. It was not the case that participants who valued loyalty and authority, respectively, sought to censor depictions of disloyal and disobedient acts. Rather, censorship intentions were predicted by a single moral value—sanctity. The more people valued sanctity, the more willing they were to censor from children, regardless of the types of violations depicted (impurity, disloyalty, disobedience, etc.). Furthermore, people who valued sanctity objected to indecent exposure only to apparently innocent and pure children—those who were relatively young and who had not been previously exposed to immoral acts. These data suggest that sanctity, purity, and the preservation of innocence underlie intentions to censor from young children.
A change is gonna come: Media Events and the promise of transformation
Authors: Ytreberg Espen
Published: August 2017

This commentary on Media Events frames it as centrally being about societal transformation. The issue of transformation has been central in philosophical and historical approaches to the event, and Media Events can be considered an extension of those traditions into media studies. The commentary suggests ways that Dayan and Katz’s thinking on transformation can be developed within a historical approach to the study of events and their mediations.
Relative Standards and Distributive Justice: How Social Comparison Orientations Moderate the Link between Relative Earnings and Justice Perceptions
Authors: Schneider Simone M. , Valet Peter
Published: August 2017

Theories of distributive justice claim perceptions of justice have a comparative basis. They suggest the degree to which individuals perceive their earnings as just or unjust depends on the degree to which their earnings differ from those of similar others. Drawing on recent research on social comparisons, we argue social comparison orientations—the general tendency of individuals to compare themselves with others—moderate the link between relative earnings and justice perceptions. The empirical analysis is based on large-scale survey data for 3,744 German employees. Structural equation analyses confirm the relevance of social comparison orientations for the justice evaluation process. Individuals who earn less than similar others tend to perceive their earnings as more unjust if they also report an orientation toward social comparison. In contrast, relative earnings are less important for justice perceptions if individuals do not compare themselves with others. Our findings may explain why people in similar situations often differ substantially in their justice perceptions.
Decision making in the self-evolved collegiate court: Wikipedia’s Arbitration Committee and its implications for self-governance and judiciary in cyberspace
Authors: Konieczny Piotr
Published: August 2017

This article considers the extent to which non-legal factors (nationality, activity/experience, conflict avoidance, and time constraints) affect decision making within collegiate courts, through the study of the Wikipedia’s Arbitration Committee. That body is a self-evolved collegiate court of the Internet’s fifth most popular website, whose judges (known as arbitrators) are volunteers. This study shows that the decision-making process of this body seems mostly unaffected by the demographic factors studied and the acclimatization bias. Some evidence of conflict avoidance is found. Despite the professed equality of members of the Committee, there is clear evidence that some are much more active (and thus, influential) than others. Compared to most traditional court settings, in the volunteer collegiate court studied here, time constraints play a much more significant role than previously suggested in the literature.
It’s Much More Than Money! Relations Between Adolescents’ Financial Entitlement and Behavioral Outcomes
Authors: Fu Xinyuan , Padilla-Walker Laura M.
Published: August 2017

The present study examined the relations between financial entitlement and adolescent gratitude, prosocial behavior, and aggression; and the mediating role of sympathy. The sample consisted of 321 children (160 boys, Mage at Time 2 = 12.29, SD = 1.02) from Times 2, 3, and 4 of the Flourishing Families Project. Adolescents reported on financial entitlement at Time 2, on sympathy at Time 3, and on gratitude, prosocial behavior, and aggression at Time 4. Structural equation model tests showed that adolescents’ financial entitlement was negatively associated with sympathy, which in turn was positively associated with gratitude and prosocial behavior. Adolescents’ financial entitlement was also directly and positively associated with aggression. Discussion focuses on implications for understanding the consequences of financial entitlement on adolescent behaviors.
South African Adolescents’ Neighborhood Perceptions Predict Longitudinal Change in Youth and Family Functioning
Authors: Tarantino Nicholas , Goodrum Nada M. , Salama Christina , LeCroix Rebecca H. , Gaska Karie , Cook Sarah L. , Skinner Donald , Armistead Lisa P.
Published: August 2017

This study examined South African early adolescent youth (aged 10-14 years) and their female caregivers ( N = 99 dyads) participating in an HIV prevention intervention over a period of 8 months. We examined youth perceptions of neighborhood cohesion, safety, and collective monitoring as they related to concurrent and longitudinal associations with youth (externalizing behavior and hope about the future) and family (parent-youth relationship quality, parental involvement, and parental responsiveness to sex communication) functioning while controlling for baseline characteristics. Neighborhood perceptions were significantly associated ( p < .05) with short- and longer term outcomes. Gender differences suggested a greater protective association of perceived neighborhood conditions with changes in functioning for boys versus girls. Unexpected associations were also observed, including short-term associations suggesting a link between better neighborhood quality and poorer family functioning. We account for the culture of this South African community when contextualizing our findings and conclude with recommendations for interventions targeting neighborhood contexts.
The Rhode to Turnaround: The Impact of Waivers to No Child Left Behind on School Performance
Authors: Dougherty Shaun M. , Weiner Jennie M.
Published: August 2017

Using data from Rhode Island, and deploying a fuzzy regression-discontinuity design, this study capitalizes on a natural experiment in which schools, in accordance with the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) waivers, were sorted into performance categories based on a continuous performance measure. The lowest performing schools were then mandated to implement interventions. We find that schools implementing fewer interventions perform no differently than comparable schools without such requirements. Additionally, schools just required to implement more interventions performed worse than comparable schools implementing fewer. Finally, we find differences in the probability of student mobility from lower performing schools.
Open source integrated library systems migration: Librarians share the lessons learnt
Authors: Singh Vandana
Published: August 2017

To better understand how libraries experience the process of migrating to open source software integrated library systems (OSS ILSs), nine librarians from libraries of multiple types and sizes were interviewed. All these libraries are in the United States and these librarians had participated in surveys and interviews about open source software integrated library systems with the research team in past years and at the time of the interview were at different stages of migration to open source software integrated library systems, from contemplating migration to completed migration. The librarians answered questions about their open source software integrated library systems on topics such as the migration process, technical support, adaptation process, and lessons and advice from the overall experience. The in-depth responses provide valuable insights on the process of migration to help libraries understand the challenges and benefits of open source software integrated library systems and are presented in this paper.
The Impact of Human Resource Expenses on Business Value: Focus on Welfare and Training Expenses in Listed Korean Stock Markets
Authors: Kwon Gee-Jung
Published: August 2017

This article investigates whether investment in education and training and welfare expenses can help promote corporate value. If such expenditures are found to affect enterprise value, this evidence should lead to a revision of the current accounting treatment of education and training and welfare expenses in the Republic of Korea. The empirical results show that the book value of equity, education and training expenses and welfare costs has positive relationships with enterprise value, whereas accounting earnings have significantly negative effects on them in both the full samples and subsamples (i.e., KOSPI, KOSDAQ, large-sized, small and medium-sized firms, high-tech, and low-tech groups). The results of this study provide empirical evidence on the effects of welfare and training costs on firm value. They suggest a need to discuss investments in human capital such as welfare and education and training expenses, which have been treated as expenses for the past decades. However, the results are based only on companies listed on the Korean capital market. It is necessary to analyse firms in other countries, such as Japan, the USA and China.
Can BRICS Form a Currency Union? An Analysis under Markov Regime-Switching Framework
Authors: Saji T. G.
Published: August 2017

The article applies Markov Regime-Switching Model (MRSM) to explore the prospects of forming currency union among BRICS countries. Our data span the period before and after the formation of the group, and the study compares the regime-switching behaviour of their real exchange rate markets accordingly. The analysis found divergent real exchange market behaviour of the member countries before the formation of the group. However, after the integration of economies, the convergences in central bank’s direct intervention behaviours are evident especially among India, China and South Africa. The study concludes that the inclusion of the stronger policy interaction in the region now and future, especially in monetary management, unveils the chance of a strong currency union among BRICS members.
“Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place”—Between Discourses of Empowerment and Solicitude: Danish Public Sector Service Professionals’ Discourses of Nonattendance
Authors: Hoej Michaela , Johansen Katrine Schepelern , Olesen Birgitte Ravn , Arnfred Sidse Marie
Published: August 2017

Nonattendance constitutes a profound challenge in public sector services targeting young adults with mental health difficulties. Therefore, researchers and practitioners are occupied with trying to resolve this. For clinicians to be aware of their own naturalized and perhaps inappropriate communicative practices, we investigated the established normative organizational logics behind explanations and strategies related to nonattendance. We performed a critical discourse analysis on material collected through participatory research throughout 2015. Three discourses were identified: solicitude, responsibility, and youth discourse. Although the discourses were complex and entangled, they were used by all practitioners. Furthermore, some of the discourses, especially the responsibility and the solicitude discourses, were inherently tension filled, and practitioners experienced frustration in dealing with these tensions. The youth discourse can be understood as a coping mechanism to deal with these tensions because it distributes responsibility for nonattendance to general social and cultural processes.
Is the Assessment of Personality Comparable in Persons Who Have and Have Not Experienced Depressive, Anxiety, and Substance Use Disorders? An Examination of Measurement Invariance
Authors: Olino Thomas M. , Benini Laura , Icenogle Grace , Wilson Sylia , Klein Daniel N. , Seeley John R. , Lewinsohn Peter M.
Published: August 2017

Numerous studies have focused on characterizing personality differences between individuals with and without psychopathology. For drawing valid conclusions for these comparisons, the personality instruments used must demonstrate psychometric equivalence. However, we are unaware of any studies that examine measurement invariance in personality across individuals with and without psychopathology. This study conducted tests of measurement invariance for positive emotionality, negative emotionality, and disinhibition across individuals with and without histories of depressive, anxiety, and substance use disorders. We found consistent evidence that positive emotionality, negative emotionality, and disinhibition were assessed equivalently across all comparisons with each demonstrating strict invariance. Overall, results suggest that comparisons of personality measures between diagnostic groups satisfy the assumption of measurement invariance and these scales represent the same psychological constructs. Thus, mean-level comparisons across these groups are valid tests.
Karl-Otto Apel
Authors: Strydom Piet
Published: August 2017

Following Karl-Otto Apel’s death on 15 May 2017, this obituary gives an overview of his academic and intellectual biography from the perspective of someone who knew him personally.
Study of gyroscopic effects on the dynamics and vibrations of double-helical planetary gear set
Authors: K Khoozani Mohammad , Poursina Mehrdad , P Anaraki Ali
Published: August 2017

Gyroscopic effects may change the stability, dynamic behaviour and vibratory responses of the systems at high-speed applications in a significant manner. In this study, a new linear time-invariant lumped mass model in three-dimensional space is developed with a high emphasis on gyroscopic effects for a double-helical planetary gear system. In the developed model, each member has six degrees of freedom where both the mesh and the bearing stiffness are considered. The forced responses, due to gear mesh transmission error excitations, are calculated through the modal summation technique. The natural modes are extracted from the corresponding eigenvalue problem for the undamped system. The obtained results indicate the reduction in most of the natural frequencies by applying the gyroscopic effects in double-helical planetary gear systems. By considering the gyroscopic effects in this newly proposed model, the root mean square (RMS) amplitudes of vibration are changed in different directions. To verify this developed model and solution method, the obtained natural frequencies and forced responses are compared with those obtained in other studies.
Property-owning democracy as an alternative to capitalism
Authors: Raekstad Paul
Published: August 2017

Alan Thomas’ Republic of Equals: Predistribution and Property-Owning Democracy sets itself the ambitious task of synthesising neo-republican political theory and Rawlsian justice as fairness. It is an important and challenging work that will set the stage for a great deal of the discussion not only on justice and republicanism, but also on property-owning democracy, market socialism and broader discussions of alternative economic institutions to come. After reconstructing the argument of the book, this review article turns to some specific points it raises that warrant further discussion. More precisely, it examines Thomas’ critique of market socialism, arguing that it fails to do what it sets out to do: show that market socialism is incompatible with justice as fairness. Having discussed and rejected his critique of the main other model that Thomas considers, I then turn to questions of the feasibility of POD as a feasible alternative to familiar forms of capitalism.
Association Between the Asp312Asn, Lys751Gln, and Arg156Arg Polymorphisms in XPD and the Risk of Prostate Cancer
Authors: Fu Weijin , Xiao Feifan , Zhang Ruoheng , Li Jiatong , Zhao Dong , Lin Xuandong , Xu Yanzhen , Song Xiaowei , Xie Zhibin , Wen Qiongxian , Yang Xiaoli
Published: August 2017

Prostate cancer is the most common solid cancer and genetic factors play important roles in its pathogenesis. XPD is one of the 8 core genes involved in the nucleotide excision repair pathway. The relationship between Asp312Asn, Lys751Gln, and Arg156Arg polymorphisms in XPD and prostate cancer risk is a controversial topic. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to explore the relationship between these 3 polymorphisms and the risk of developing prostate cancer. We searched the electronic literature in PubMed and Google Scholar for all relevant studies (last updated January 1, 2017). The pooled odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the associations between the Asp312Asn, Lys751Gln, or Arg156Arg polymorphisms in XPD and prostate cancer risk were calculated. To evaluate the effects of specific study characteristics on the association of these 3 polymorphisms and prostate cancer risk, we performed subgroup analysis if 2 or more studies were available. After an extensive literature review, 7 publications regarding Asp312Asn genotype distribution with 8 case–controls, 9 publications regarding Lys751Gln genotype distribution with 10 case–controls, and 3 publications regarding Arg156Arg genotype distribution with 4 case–controls were selected. The results showed that Asp312Asn (odds ratio = 1.34, 95% confidence interval: 0.96-1.87, P = .000), Lys751Gln (odds ratio = 0.98, 95% confidence interval: 0.89-1.08, P = .986), and Arg156Arg (odds ratio = 1.05, 95% confidence interval: 0.91-1.22, P = .57) polymorphisms do not increase the risk of prostate cancer in the dominant model. Further, in the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, no relationships were observed between Lys751Gln and Arg156Arg polymorphisms and prostate cancer risk. However, stratified analysis by ethnicity revealed that Asp312Asn affects African (odds ratio = 1.57, 95% confidence interval: 1.06-2.33, P = .382) and Asian populations (odds ratio = 2.09, 95% confidence interval: 1.39-3.14, P = .396) in homozygote comparison. In conclusion, this meta-analysis suggests that there is no general association between the Asp312Asn, Lys751Gln, and Arg156Arg polymorphisms in XPD and prostate cancer susceptibility.
Navigating the complexities of media roles in conflict: The INFOCORE approach
Authors: Meyer Christoph O. , Baden Christian , Frère Marie-Soleil
Published: August 2017

The article draws on the first findings of the INFOCORE project to better understand the ways in which different types of media matter to the emergence, escalation or, conversely, the pacification and prevention of violence. The authors make the case for combining an interactionist approach of media influence, which is centred on the effects of evidential claims, frames and agendas made by various actors over time, with greater sensitivity for the factors that make conflict cases so different. They argue that the specific role played by the media depends, chiefly: (a) on the ways in which it transforms conflict actors’ claims, interpretations and prescriptions into media content; and (b) their ability to amplify these contents and endow them with reach, visibility and consonance. They found significant variation in media roles across six conflict cases and suggest that they are best explained four interlocking conditioning factors: (i) the degree to which the media landscape is diverse and free, or conversely, controlled and instrumentalized by conflict parties; (ii) societal attitudes to and uses of different media by audiences; (iii) different degrees of conflict intensity and dynamics between the conflict parties; (iv) the degree and nature of the involvement of regional and international actors. The article maintains that de-escalatory media influence will be most effective over the longer term, in settings of low intensity conflict and when tailored carefully to local conditions.
Tailoring therapy for ischemic cardiomyopathy: is Laplace’s law enough?
Authors: Adhyapak Srilakshmi M. , Parachuri V. Rao
Published: August 2017

The burden of heart failure has long plagued the productive years of the population, with therapeutic advances in the timely treatment of ischemic heart disease decreasing its associated mortality. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and β-blockers have impacted heart failure therapeutics in a revolutionary way. The importance of blockade of the renin–angiotensin system and adrenergic stimulation are fully accepted concepts that apply in young and old, symptomatic and asymptomatic, borderline low and very low Ejection Fraction (EF), left ventricular failure and biventricular failure. Despite several interventions, both pharmaceutical and device based for the treatment of ensuing heart failure, the incidence is increasing in large proportions. Newer molecules like sacubitril show more promise. Despite these novel therapies, several patients relentlessly progress to a stage of advanced heart failure. The use of left-ventricular-assist devices has variable clinical benefit, with some patients progressing to heart transplantation.
Clinical performance of an infliximab rapid quantification assay
Authors: Magro Fernando , Afonso Joana , Lopes Susana , Coelho Rosa , Gonçalves Raquel , Caldeira Paulo , Lago Paula , de Sousa Helena Tavares , Ramos Jaime , Gonçalves Ana Rita , Ministro Paula , Rosa Isadora , Meira Tânia , Andrade Patrícia , Soares João-Bruno , Carvalho Diana , Sousa Paula , Vieira Ana Isabel , Lopes Joanne , Dias Cláudia Camila , Geboes Karel , Carneiro Fátima
Published: August 2017

Background:

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM)-based algorithms can be used to guide infliximab (IFX) adjustments in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. This study aimed to explore a rapid IFX-quantification test from a clinical perspective.

Methods:

This manuscript describes a prospective cohort study involving 110 ulcerative colitis (UC) patients on the maintenance phase of IFX. IFX trough levels were quantified using a rapid quantification assay and a commonly-used reference kit.

Results:

Irrespective of the assay used to measure IFX, its through levels were statistically different between patients with and without endoscopic remission (Mayo endoscopic score = 0), as well as between patients stratified by their faecal calprotectin (FC) levels. Despite the fact that the two methods correlated well with each other [Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient = 0.843, p < 0.001; intraclass correlation coefficients = 0.857, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.791–0.903], there was a discernible systematic variation; values obtained with the reference kit were on average 2.62 units higher than those obtained with the rapid assay. Notwithstanding, 3 µg/ml was shown to be an acceptable cut-off to assess endoscopic status and inflammatory burden levels using both assays. The percentage of patients that had a positive outcome when the IFX concentration measured by the rapid assay ranked above 3 µg/ml was 88% both for a Mayo endoscopic score ⩽ 1 and for an FC concentration <250 µg/g.

Conclusions:

Based on this study, we concluded that using the rapid IFX assessment system with a 3 µg/ml threshold is a reliable alternative to the time-consuming enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays in patients on the maintenance phase of IFX.
A quantitative, multi-national and multi-stakeholder assessment of barriers to the adoption of cell therapies
Authors: Davies Benjamin M , Smith James , Rikabi Sarah , Wartolowska Karolina , Morrey Mark , French Anna , MacLaren Robert , Williams David , Bure Kim , Pinedo-Villanueva Rafael , Mathur Anthony , Birchall Martin , Snyder Evan , Atala Anthony , Reeve Brock , Brindley David
Published: August 2017

Cellular therapies, such as stem cell–based treatments, have been widely researched and numerous products and treatments have been developed. Despite this, there has been relatively limited use of these technologies in the healthcare sector. This study sought to investigate the perceived barriers to this more widespread adoption. An anonymous online questionnaire was developed, based on the findings of a pilot study. This was distributed to an audience of clinicians, researchers and commercial experts in 13 countries. The results were analysed for all respondents, and also sub-grouped by geographical region, and by profession of respondents. The results of the study showed that the most significant barrier was manufacturing, with other factors such as efficacy, regulation and cost-effectiveness being identified by the different groups. This study further demonstrates the need for these important issues to be addressed during the development of cellular therapies to enable more widespread adoption of these treatments.
Interpretation Biases in Clinical Paranoia
Authors: Savulich George , Shergill Sukhwinder S. , Yiend Jenny
Published: August 2017

Interpretation biases matching the concerns of a psychopathology have been implicated in the etiology of psychological disorders, but little research has investigated their presence in psychosis. Here we investigated negative, and specifically paranoia-relevant, interpretation biases in patients with schizophrenia, with ( n = 32) and without ( n = 29) paranoid symptoms and matched healthy controls ( n = 29). Results revealed negatively biased interpretations of emotional ambiguity in both patient groups compared to controls—paranoid patients showing the stronger biases on material permitting paranoid interpretations than on other types of ambiguous material—but mixed evidence that this content-specific effect applied uniquely to the paranoid patient group. These data support models of psychopathology, including psychosis, which implicate cognitive biases in the formation and maintenance of core symptoms. We conclude that biased interpretation specifically related to paranoia deserves further detailed empirical investigation as a possible causal and maintaining factor for psychosis symptoms.
Treatment Collaboration When the Stakes Are High
Authors: Michalopoulou Georgia , Briller Sherylyn , Katzer Kimberly Compton , Muklewicz Kaitlin C , Wasiluk Julia , Crider Beverly , Myers-Schim Stephanie , Secord Elizabeth
Published: August 2017

Family-centered care (FCC) is vital for children with special health-care needs and serious chronic illnesses. Family–clinician collaboration and partnership formation are key FCC elements associated with improved health outcomes. However, FCC implementation barriers persist. Although some ethnographic research examines how FCC principles align with practice in inpatient settings, more studies are needed in outpatient specialty clinics. Using an FCC-oriented research team (clinicians, social science researchers, and families) blended multidisciplinary clinical knowledge and family/patient expertise with chronic illness. Our ethnographic study in a high-risk asthma outpatient clinic examined how FCC principles align with clinical practice, identified factors affecting partnership, and compared our findings to a large ethnographic study in an inpatient setting. Qualitative data from direct observation of 14 families with lengthy clinic visits were analyzed. Codes were applied to themes using FCC principles. Clinic visits had interactional and contextual elements that both aligned and misaligned with key FCC principles: information sharing, respect, participation, and collaboration. Recommendations for advancing FCC are outlined, and the importance of this step in light of ongoing health disparities is addressed.
Preventing Caries in American Indian Children: Lost Battle or New Hope?
Authors: Albino J. , Batliner T.S. , Tiwari T.
Published: August 2017

Knowledge Transfer Statement: Preventing early childhood caries in American Indian children has proved to be an unexpectedly challenging goal. Biological and behavioral variables, as well as parental psychosocial characteristics and experiences, suggest new routes for understanding and mitigating the progress of disease. We provide our reflections after a decade of studying these issues in collaboration with tribal communities.
Multimorbidity and Polypharmacy in Family Medicine Residency Practices
Authors: Ie Kenya , Felton Maria , Springer Sydney , Wilson Stephen A. , Albert Steven M.
Published: August 2017

Background: Prescription-related problems among older adults have been of great interest. However, few data are available regarding the prevalence of these problems in US family medicine residency practices (FMRPs). Objective: The aim of this research was to examine the prevalence of multimorbidity, polypharmacy, and potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) use among older adults who visited 5 FMRPs more than once a year. Methods: A cross-sectional hospital record review for patients 65 years or older who visited 1 of the 5 university-affiliated FMRPs at least twice during January 1 to December 31, 2014, was conducted. The prevalence of multimorbidity (24 chronic index conditions), polypharmacy, and PIMs use was examined. Results: A total of 1084 patients were included in the analyses. The most common chronic conditions were hypertension (87.8%), hyperlipidemia (69.7%), and osteoarthritis (56.1%). The mean number of chronic conditions was 5.3 (SD 2.6). The prevalence of multimorbidity (≥2 chronic conditions) was 95.6%. Among these multimorbid older adults (N = 1036), the mean number of medication orders was 9.04 (SD 4.36) and 1.57 (SD 0.92) for PIMs, 86.1% met polypharmacy standards (≥5 medications), and 33.4% were prescribed one or more PIMs. The proportion of patients with fewer prescriptions at the last visit was 45.4% in the polypharmacy group and 38.0% in the PIMs group. Conclusion: Our results suggest a high level of morbidity and complexity among older adults receiving care in FMRPs. Improving the continuity of care as well as promoting interdisciplinary collaboration would have potential to reduce these prescription-related problems. Further research and education to address polypharmacy and PIMs among this population at FMRPs are required.
Genomic analysis of hairy cell leukemia identifies novel recurrent genetic alterations
Authors: Durham Benjamin H. , Getta Bartlomiej , Dietrich Sascha , Taylor Justin , Won Helen , Bogenberger James M. , Scott Sasinya , Kim Eunhee , Chung Young Rock , Chung Stephen S. , Hüllein Jennifer , Walther Tatjana , Wang Lu , Lu Sydney X. , Oakes Christopher C. , Tibes Raoul , Haferlach Torsten , Taylor Barry S. , Tallman Martin S. , Berger Michael F. , Park Jae H. , Zenz Thorsten , Abdel-Wahab Omar
Published: August 2017

Key Points

KMT2C mutations occur in 15% and 25% of patients with cHCL and vHCL, respectively, along with CCND3 and U2AF1 mutations each in 13% of vHCLs. NF1, NF2, N/KRAS, and IRS1 alterations contribute to clinical resistance to vemurafenib treatment in patients with cHCL.
Immune-checkpoint inhibitors associated with interstitial lung disease in cancer patients
Authors: Delaunay Myriam , Cadranel Jacques , Lusque Amélie , Meyer Nicolas , Gounant Valérie , Moro-Sibilot Denis , Michot Jean-Marie , Raimbourg Judith , Girard Nicolas , Guisier Florian , Planchard David , Metivier Anne-Cécile , Tomasini Pascale , Dansin Eric , Pérol Maurice , Campana Marion , Gautschi Oliver , Früh Martin , Fumet Jean-David , Audigier-Valette Clarisse , Couraud Sébastien , Dalle Stéphane , Leccia Marie-Thérèse , Jaffro Marion , Collot Samia , Prévot Grégoire , Milia Julie , Mazieres Julien
Published: August 2017

Immunotherapy is becoming a standard of care for many cancers. Immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) can generate immune-related adverse events. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) has been identified as a rare but potentially severe event.

Between December 2015 and April 2016, we conducted a retrospective study in centres experienced in ICI use. We report the main features of ICI–ILD with a focus on clinical presentation, radiological patterns and therapeutic strategies.

We identified 64 (3.5%) out of 1826 cancer patients with ICI–ILD. Patients mainly received programmed cell death-1 inhibitors. ILD usually occurred in males, and former or current smokers, with a median age of 59 years. We observed 65.6% grade 2/3 severity, 9.4% grade 4 severity and 9.4% fatal ILD. The median (range) time from initiation of immunotherapy to ILD was 2.3 (0.2−27.4) months. Onset tended to occur earlier in lung cancerversusmelanoma: median 2.1 and 5.2 months, respectively (p=0.02). Ground-glass opacities (81.3%) were the predominant lesions, followed by consolidations (53.1%). Organising pneumonia (23.4%) and hypersensitivity pneumonitis (15.6%) were the most common patterns. Overall survival at 6 months was 58.1% (95% CI 37.7–73.8%).

ICI–ILD often occurs early and displays suggestive radiological features. As there is no clearly identified risk factor, oncologists need to diagnose and adequately treat this adverse event.