bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Prognostic Value of Decreased KLF4 in Digestive System Cancers: A Meta-Analysis from 17 Studies
Authors: Hu Jianpei , Li Huipu , Wu Chunyu , Zhao Xueying , Liu Chaodong
Published: September 2017

Background. The prognostic value of loss of Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) expression in digestive system cancers has not reached a consensus. This study aimed for a comprehensive investigation of the internal associations between KLF4 expression loss and prognostic implications in patients with digestive system cancers. Methods. We searched for all relevant literatures in the electronic databases until February 1, 2017. The degree of association between KLF4 and prognosis was evaluated by pooled hazard ratios (HRs) as well as relevant 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Results. Seventeen eligible studies with 2118 patients revealed that loss of KLF4 expression was connected with poor prognosis, with the pooled HRs of 1.61 (95% CI: 1.17–2.20, P=0.003) for the overall survival (OS) and 1.99 (95% CI: 1.12–3.52, P=0.001) for the disease-free survival (DFS)/recurrence-free survival (RFS)/metastasis-free survival (MFS). Additionally, loss of KLF4 expression was also related to a worse disease-special survival (DSS) yielding a pooled HR of 1.73 (95% CI: 1.08–2.77, P=0.022). Conclusion. Our findings suggest that loss of KLF4 expression is correlated with a bad outcome in most digestive system cancers, apart from esophagus squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
Effect of Remote Ischemic Preconditioning on Perioperative Cardiac Events in Patients Undergoing Elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Meta-Analysis of 16 Randomized Trials
Authors: Wang Xiangming , Kong Na , Zhou Chuanwei , Mungun Deeraj , Iyan Zakaria , Guo Yan , Yang Zhijian
Published: September 2017

Background. The main objective of this meta-analysis was to investigate whether remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) reduces cardiac and renal events in patients undergoing elective cardiovascular interventions.Methods and Results. We systematically searched articles published from 2006 to 2016 in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used as the effect index for dichotomous variables. The standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% CIs were calculated as the pooled continuous effect. Sixteen RCTs of 2435 patients undergoing elective PCI were selected. Compared with control group, RIPC could significantly reduce the incidence of perioperative myocardial infarction (OR = 0.64; 95% CI: 0.48–0.86;P=0.003) and acute kidney injury (OR = 0.56; 95% CI: 0.322–0.99;P=0.049). Metaregression analysis showed that the reduction of PMI by RIPC was enhanced for CAD patients with multivessel disease (coef.: −0.05[-0.09;-0.01],P=0.022). There were no differences in the changes of cTnI (P=0.934) and CRP (P=0.075) in two groups.Conclusion. Our meta-analysis of RCTs demonstrated that RIPC can provide cardiac and renal protection for patients undergoing elective PCI, while no beneficial effect on reducing the levels of cTnI and CRP after PCI was reported.
NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation‐Mediated Pyroptosis Aggravates Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Diabetic Rats
Authors: Qiu Zhen , Lei Shaoqing , Zhao Bo , Wu Yang , Su Wating , Liu Min , Meng Qingtao , Zhou Bin , Leng Yan , Xia Zhong-yuan
Published: September 2017

The reactive oxygen species‐ (ROS‐) induced nod‐like receptor protein‐3 (NLRP3) inflammasome triggers sterile inflammatory responses and pyroptosis, which is a proinflammatory form of programmed cell death initiated by the activation of inflammatory caspases. NLRP3 inflammasome activation plays an important role in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury. Our present study investigated whether diabetes aggravated MI/R injury through NLRP3 inflammasome‐mediated pyroptosis. Type 1 diabetic rat model was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg). MI/R was induced by ligating the left anterior descending artery (LAD) for 30 minutes followed by 2 h reperfusion. H9C2 cardiomyocytes were exposed to high glucose (HG, 30 mM) conditions and hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) stimulation. The myocardial infarct size, CK‐MB, and LDH release in the diabetic rats subjected to MI/R were significantly higher than those in the nondiabetic rats, accompanied with increased NLRP3 inflammasome activation and increased pyroptosis. Inhibition of inflammasome activation with BAY11‐7082 significantly decreased the MI/R injury. In vitro studies showed similar effects, as BAY11‐7082 or the ROS scavenger N‐acetylcysteine, attenuated HG and H/R‐induced H9C2 cell injury. In conclusion, hyperglycaemia‐induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation may be a ROS‐dependent process in pyroptotic cell death, and NLRP3 inflammasome‐induced pyroptosis aggravates MI/R injury in diabetic rats.
ANGPTL1 Interacts with Integrin α1β1 to Suppress HCC Angiogenesis and Metastasis by Inhibiting JAK2/STAT3 Signaling
Authors: Yan Qian , Jiang Lingxi , Liu Ming , Yu Dandan , Zhang Yu , Li Yan , Fang Shuo , Li Yan , Zhu Ying-Hui , Yuan Yun-Fei , Guan Xin-Yuan
Published: September 2017

Downregulation of tumor suppressor signaling plays an important role in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we report that downregulation of the angiopoietin-like protein ANGPTL1 is associated with vascular invasion, tumor thrombus, metastasis, and poor prognosis in HCC. Ectopic expression of ANGPTL1 in HCC cells effectively decreased their in vitro and in vivo tumorigenicity, cell motility, and angiogenesis. shRNA-mediated depletion of ANGPTL1 exerted opposing effects. ANGPTL1 promoted apoptosis via inhibition of the STAT3/Bcl-2–mediated antiapoptotic pathway and decreased cell migration and invasion via downregulation of transcription factors SNAIL and SLUG. Furthermore, ANGPTL1 inhibited angiogenesis by attenuating ERK and AKT signaling and interacted with integrin α1β1 receptor to suppress the downstream FAK/Src–JAK–STAT3 signaling pathway. Taken together, these results suggest ANGPTL1 as a prognostic biomarker and novel therapeutic agent in HCC. Cancer Res; 77(21); 5831–45. ©2017 AACR.
Biology and Etiology of Young-Onset Breast Cancers among Premenopausal African American Women: Results from the AMBER Consortium
Authors: Chollet-Hinton Lynn , Olshan Andrew F. , Nichols Hazel B. , Anders Carey K. , Lund Jennifer L. , Allott Emma H. , Bethea Traci N. , Hong Chi-Chen , Cohen Stephanie M. , Khoury Thaer , Zirpoli Gary R. , Borges Virginia F. , Rosenberg Lynn A. , Bandera Elisa V. , Ambrosone Christine B. , Palmer Julie R. , Troester Melissa A.
Published: September 2017

Background: African American (AA) women have higher incidence of aggressive, young-onset (<40 years) breast cancers. Young- and older-onset disease may have distinct tumor biologies and etiologies; however, studies investigating age differences among AA women have been rare and generally underpowered.

Methods: We examined tumor characteristics and breast cancer risk factors associated with premenopausal young (<40) vs. older (≥40) AA women's breast cancer in the African American Breast Cancer Epidemiology and Risk Consortium (2,008 cases and 5,144 controls). Unconditional logistic regression models assessed heterogeneity of tumor biology and risk factor associations by age, overall, and by estrogen receptor status.

Results: Premenopausal AA women <40 years had higher frequency of poorer-prognosis tumor characteristics compared with older women, including negative estrogen and progesterone receptor status, triple-negative subtype, higher grade, higher stage, and larger tumors. Adiposity (i.e., waist-to-hip ratio) and family history of breast cancer were more strongly associated with young-onset disease [case–control OR = 1.46, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.04–2.05; OR = 3.10, 95% CI = 2.08–4.63, respectively] compared with older-onset disease (OR = 1.11, 95% CI = 0.91–1.35; OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.26–1.94). Breastfeeding showed a slight inverse risk association among young women (OR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.43–1.16). Oral contraceptive use was associated with increased risk regardless of age. Considering various cutoff points for young age (<40, <45, <50), age-related heterogeneity was greatest when <40 was used.

Conclusions: Among premenopausal AA women, diagnosis before age 40 is associated with more aggressive breast tumor biology and some etiologic differences.

Impact: Modifiable risk factors including breastfeeding, adiposity, and oral contraceptive use may be important targets for mitigating harms of young-onset breast cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 26(12); 1722–9. ©2017 AACR.
Consanguinity Rates Predict Long Runs of Homozygosity in Jewish Populations
Authors: Kang Jonathan T.L. , Goldberg Amy , Edge Michael D. , Behar Doron M. , Rosenberg Noah A.
Published: September 2017

Objectives: Recent studies have highlighted the potential of analyses of genomic sharing to produce insight into the demographic processes affecting human populations. We study runs of homozygosity (ROH) in 18 Jewish populations, examining these groups in relation to 123 non-Jewish populations sampled worldwide. Methods: By sorting ROH into 3 length classes (short, intermediate, and long), we evaluate the impact of demographic processes on genomic patterns in Jewish populations. Results: We find that the portion of the genome appearing in long ROH - the length class most directly related to recent consanguinity - closely accords with data gathered from interviews during the 1950s on frequencies of consanguineous unions in various Jewish groups. Conclusion: The high correlation between 1950s consanguinity levels and coverage by long ROH explains differences across populations in ROH patterns. The dissection of ROH into length classes and the comparison to consanguinity data assist in understanding a number of additional phenomena, including similarities of Jewish populations to Middle Eastern, European, and Central and South Asian non-Jewish populations in short ROH patterns, relative lengths of identity-by-descent tracts in different Jewish groups, and the “population isolate” status of the Ashkenazi Jews.
Prompt Response to Prednisone Predicts Benign Course in MuSK-MG
Authors: Gungor-Tuncer Ozlem , Yilmaz Vuslat , Toker Alper , Saruhan-Direskeneli Guher , Gulsen-Parman Yesim , Oflazer-Serdaroglu Piraye , Deymeer Feza
Published: September 2017

Background: The difficult course of patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) with anti-muscle-specific tyrosine kinase antibodies (MuSK) has been emphasized. However, no clear information is available on patients who have a benign course. Methods: This study was aimed at comparing patients with favorable (minimal manifestations [MM] or better) and unfavorable outcomes to determine whether excellent response to corticosteroid (CS) treatment within 3 months (good response-3 months) has any predictive effect on the prognosis. Results: Forty-six percent of 46 patients had a favorable outcome at year 3 and 54% at final follow-up. The major finding of this study was its high predictive value with good response-3 months. Those with good response-3 months had significantly more favorable outcome as compared to those without at year 3. The positive predictive value of good response-3 months was high (89% at year 3 and 84% at final follow-up). The negative predictive value diminished from 85% at year 3 to 67% at final follow-up due to increasing number of patients improving in the long run. Overall, 33% of the patients had a benign course with good response-3 months and no major exacerbations until the end of follow-up. Conclusions: Excellent response to CSs within 3 months appears to predict a favorable outcome in MuSK-MG.
Infection and Erosion Rates in Trials of a Cranially Implanted Neurostimulator Do Not Increase with Subsequent Neurostimulator Placements
Authors: Weber Peter B. , Kapur Ritu , Gwinn Ryder P. , Zimmerman Richard S. , Courtney Tracy A. , Morrell Martha J.
Published: September 2017

Background/Aims: The RNS® System utilizes a cranially implanted neurostimulator attached to leads placed at the seizure focus to provide brain responsive stimulation for the treatment of medically intractable partial onset epilepsy. Infection and erosion rates related to the cranial implant site were assessed overall and by neurostimulator procedure to determine whether rates increased with additional procedures. Methods: Infection and erosion rates were calculated as (1) chance per neurostimulator procedure, (2) incidence per patient implant year, and (3) rates for initial and each subsequent neurostimulator implant (generalized estimating equation). Results: In 256 patients followed for an average of 7 years, the infection rate was 3.7% per neurostimulator procedure (n = 31/840), and the rate of erosions was 0.8% per neurostimulator procedure (n = 7/840). Rates did not increase with subsequent neurostimulator procedures (p = 0.66, infection; p = 0.70, erosion). A prior infection or erosion at the implant site did not significantly increase the risk at a later procedure (p ≥ 0.05 for all combinations). Conclusion: These data indicate that the risk for infection compares favorably to other neurostimulation devices and suggest that rates of infection and erosion do not increase with subsequent neurostimulator replacements.
Ingeborg Syllm-Rapoport (1912-2017): An Exemplary Life for Children and Paediatrics
Authors: Sallmon Hannes , Wauer Roland R. , Roehr Charles Christoph
Published: September 2017

Ingeborg Syllm-Rapoport, the first Chair in neonatology in Europe, passed away on March 23. Her biography illustrates how medical and scientific work has been influenced by social, ideological, and economic frames and boundaries in the 20th century. Regarded as a “Half-Jew” by the Nazi racist laws, she was denied her medical doctorate. She went to the USA, where she trained in paediatrics and met her husband, the biochemist Samuel Mitja Rapoport. During the “McCarthy Era” both were persecuted as communists. They returned to Europe and became two of the most influential figures at the Charité Hospital in East Berlin. She had to wait until 2015 to finally undergo the doctoral examination at the age of 102 years, making her the oldest person in history to receive a doctorate. We describe Syllm-Rapoport's life and the challenges she had to face living in several countries under different political systems in the 20th century.
Impact of Age and Aerobic Exercise Training on Conduit Artery Wall Thickness: Role of the Shear Pattern
Authors: Tanahashi Koichiro , Kosaki Keisei , Sawano Yuriko , Yoshikawa Toru , Tagawa Kaname , Kumagai Hiroshi , Akazawa Nobuhiko , Maeda Seiji
Published: September 2017

Hemodynamic shear stress is the frictional force of blood on the arterial wall. The shear pattern in the conduit artery affects the endothelium and may participate in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. We investigated the role of the shear pattern in age- and aerobic exercise-induced changes in conduit artery wall thickness via cross-sectional and interventional studies. In a cross-sectional study, we found that brachial shear rate patterns and brachial artery intima-media thickness (IMT) correlated with age. Additionally, brachial artery shear rate patterns were associated with brachial artery IMT in 102 middle-aged and older individuals. In an interventional study, 39 middle-aged and older subjects were divided into 2 groups: control and exercise. The exercise group completed 12 weeks of aerobic exercise training. Aerobic exercise training significantly increased the antegrade shear rate and decreased the retrograde shear rate and brachial artery IMT. Moreover, changes in the brachial artery antegrade shear rate and the retrograde shear rate correlated with the change in brachial artery IMT. The results of the present study indicate that changes in brachial artery shear rate patterns may contribute to age- and aerobic exercise training-induced changes in brachial artery wall thickness.
Mediastinal and Subcutaneous Chest Fat Are Differentially Associated with Emphysema Progression and Clinical Outcomes in Smokers
Authors: Grace Jon , Leader Joseph K. , Nouraie Seyed M. , Pu Jiantao , Chandra Divay , Zhang Yingze , Sciurba Frank C. , Bon Jessica
Published: September 2017

Background: Studies have demonstrated both positive and negative effects of obesity on clinical outcomes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In other chronic diseases, fat location is differentially associated with disease outcomes; however, this relationship has not been well studied in COPD. Objective: To determine if fat location explains the differential association of body mass index (BMI) with clinical outcome measures in smokers. Methods: Baseline and 6-year chest computed tomography scans from 68 current and former smokers were used to quantify mediastinal and subcutaneous fat. The relationships of BMI, mediastinal fat, and subcutaneous fat with cross-sectional and 6-year changes in pulmonary function, incremental shuttle walk distance (ISWD), quantitative emphysema, and circulating interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were assessed using generalized linear models adjusted for clinically relevant covariates. Results: Baseline subcutaneous fat was negatively associated with emphysema progression over 6 years (p < 0.01). BMI and mediastinal fat volume were inversely associated with baseline ISWD (p < 0.01 and p = 0.043, respectively) as well as 6-year change in ISWD (p = 0.020 and p = 0.028, respectively). IL-6 was directly associated with BMI and mediastinal fat (p < 0.01) and CRP was directly associated with BMI only (p = 0.033). Conclusions: Increased subcutaneous chest fat is associated with less emphysema progression over time in smokers, while increased mediastinal fat volume is associated with decreased walk distance and increased IL-6 levels. These findings suggest a complex interaction between fat, inflammation, and emphysema that should be considered when phenotyping patients with COPD and provide new evidence of an inverse association between emphysema progression and chest subcutaneous fat.
EBUS-TBNA Can Distinguish Sarcoid-Like Side Effect of Nivolumab Treatment from Tumor Progression in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Lainez Ségolène , Tissot Claire , Cottier Michèle , Vergnon Jean-Michel
Published: September 2017

With the expansion of immunotherapy in the treatment of lung cancer, clinicians have to face new clinical pictures and adapt their practice. We report the case of a 69-year-old man diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer using endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) and treated with nivolumab as second-line therapy. After 8 injections of nivolumab, a new CT and PET scan revealed massive growth and increase in metabolism of hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes, whereas the size and metabolism of the left upper lobe lesion were reduced. A new EBUS-TBNA was thus performed and showed an epithelioid cell reaction compatible with sarcoidosis in the 3 punctured lymph nodes (stations 4R, 11L, 7). In the absence of cancer evolution, nivolumab was continued, and the CT after the twelfth injection showed stability.
The Lung in Dysregulated States of Humoral Immunity
Authors: Uzunhan Yurdagül , Jeny Florence , Kambouchner Marianne , Didier Morgane , Bouvry Diane , Nunes Hilario , Bernaudin Jean-François , Valeyre Dominique
Published: September 2017

In common variable immunodeficiency, lung manifestations are related to different mechanisms: recurrent pneumonias due to encapsulated bacteria responsible for diffuse bronchiectasis, diffuse infiltrative pneumonia with various patterns, and lymphomas, mostly B cell extranodal non-Hodgkin type. The diagnosis relies on significant serum Ig deficiency and the exclusion of any primary or secondary cause. Histopathology may be needed. Immunoglobulin (IgG) replacement is crucial to prevent infections and bronchiectasis. IgG4-related respiratory disease, often associated with extrapulmonary localizations, presents with solitary nodules or masses, diffuse interstitial lung diseases, bronchiolitis, lymphadenopathy, and pleural or pericardial involvement. Diagnosis relies on international criteria including serum IgG4 dosage and significantly increased IgG4/IgG plasma cells ratio in pathologically suggestive biopsy. Respiratory amyloidosis presents with tracheobronchial, nodular, and cystic or diffuse interstitial lung infiltration. Usually of AL (amyloid light chain) subtype, it may be localized or systemic, primary or secondary to a lymphoproliferative process. Very rare other diseases due to nonamyloid IgG deposits are described. Among the various lung manifestations of dysregulated states of humoral immunity, this article covers only those associated with the common variable immunodeficiency, IgG4-related disease, amyloidosis, and pulmonary light-chain deposition disease. Autoimmune connective-vascular tissue diseases or lymphoproliferative disorders are addressed in other chapters of this issue.
Oral Tolerization with Mycobacterial Heat Shock Protein 65 Reduces Chronic Experimental Atherosclerosis in Aged Mice
Authors: Wick Cecilia , Onestingel Elisabeth , Demetz Egon , Dietrich Hermann , Wick Georg
Published: September 2017

Background: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the artery wall where both innate and adaptive immunity play important roles. Modulation of the immune response against the stress protein antigen, heat shock protein (HSP) 60, by administration of mycobacterial HSP65 (mbHSP65) orally and/or nasally shows promising therapeutic results in young animals in the sense of less severe experimental atherosclerosis; however, the case of aged animals with already established atherosclerosis has so far never been investigated. Objective: To investigate if mbHSP65 immunization would further accelerate atherosclerotic progression in aged ApoE-/- mice (18 months old) with already long-established atherosclerosis and if these mice could be orally tolerized against mbHSP65. Methods: Aged wild-type (WT) and ApoE-/- mice (65 weeks) were immunized and/or orally treated with mbHSP65 and then either kept on normal chow or changed to high-cholesterol diet (HCD). Atherosclerosis was assessed by en face analysis and the number of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ T regulatory cells (Tregs) was assessed by flow cytometry in lymph node and spleen cells. Total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were determined. Soluble mammalian HSP60 and anti-mouse HSP60 (mHSP60) and anti-mbHSP65 antibodies were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: As expected, aged WT mice had only minor lesions in the aorta, which did not change under HCD for 14 weeks. Aged ApoE-/- mice already had large complicated plaques, which increased in size under HCD. mbHSP65 immunization led to a significant aggravation of atherosclerosis in both WT and ApoE-/- mice irrespective of the nature of their diet. This increase was accompanied by increased titers of both anti-mHSP60 and anti-mbHSP65 antibodies in the circulation. The increased plaque formation could be significantly diminished with oral mbHSP65 tolerization. An increased number of Tregs and lower or unchanged levels of cholesterol and triglycerides were associated with the reduced size of aortal lesions. Conclusion: Oral tolerization against mbHSP65 could be used both to prevent and to treat chronic atherosclerosis in aged individuals.
Constantin Tsiminakis (1875–1942): Neurologist, Neuropathologist, Statesman
Authors: Triarhou Lazaros C.
Published: September 2017

The article is a 75-year memorial tribute to the Greek neurologist, Constantin Tsiminakis (1875–1942). Coming from a family of physicians, Tsiminakis graduated from the University of Athens in 1897, and trained in Vienna under Nothnagel, Frankl-Hochwart, and Obersteiner. In 1905, he was appointed Reader in Neurology and Psychiatry at his alma mater. He published over 40 articles on topics of neurology and neuropathology, including megalencephaly, hydrocephalus, progressive paralysis, epidemic encephalitis, dengue fever, and narcolepsy. However, his main focus of interest was epilepsy, including post-encephalitic forms. To differentially diagnose true from feigned epilepsy, he devised a method of compressing the carotids, which became known as the “Tsiminakis maneuver”. A cultivated man and a talented poet, he rebutted the Freudian interpretation of artistic creativity. Finally, in the national legislative election in 1923, Tsiminakis was elected a Plenipotentiary Member of the Hellenic Parliament under the Liberal Party and served until 1925.
Taxonomic revision of the tigrina Leopardus tigrinus (Schreber, 1775) species group (Carnivora, Felidae)
Authors: Nascimento Fabio Oliveira do , Feijó Anderson
Published: September 2017

The tigrina Leopardus tigrinus (Schreber, 1775) is a small-sized Neotropical spotted cat found from northern Argentina and southern Brazil to Costa Rica. Four subspecies are traditionally recognized: L. t. tigrinus (Schreber, 1775) from northern Brazil, the Guianas and eastern Venezuela; L. t. pardinoides (Gray, 1867) from western Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru; L. t. guttulus (Hensel, 1872) from southern Brazil, Paraguay and northern Argentina; and L. t. oncillus (Thomas, 1903) from Costa Rica. We studied external and craniodental morphology in quantitative and qualitative terms from 250 specimens in order to clarify the taxonomic status of tigrina. Based on the characters analyzed in this study, we recognize three diagnosable morphogroups, each with a distinct geographic distribution: northern/northwestern/west (samples from northern Brazil, the Guianas, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, northwestern Argentina and Costa Rica), eastern (samples from northeastern and central Brazil), and southern (samples from southern Brazil, Paraguay and northeastern Argentina). Taking into account the morphologic evidence presented here, supported by biogeographic data and molecular studies available, we recognize three full species for tigrinas: L. tigrinus (including the putative subspecies L. t. pardinoides and L. t. oncillus as junior synonyms) for northern/northwestern/west group; L. emiliae (Thomas, 1914) for eastern group; and L. guttulus for southern group.
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Versus Optimal Medical Therapy for Chronic Total Coronary Occlusion With Well‐Developed Collaterals
Authors: Choi Se Yeon , Choi Byoung Geol , Rha Seung‐Woon , Baek Man Jong , Ryu Yang Gi , Park Yoonjee , Byun Jae Kyeong , Shim Minsuk , Li Hu , Mashaly Ahmed , Jang Won Young , Kim Woohyeun , Choi Jah Yeon , Park Eun Jin , Na Jin Oh , Choi Cheol Ung , Lim Hong Euy , Kim Eung Ju , Park Chang Gyu , Seo Hong Seog , Oh Dong Joo
Published: September 2017

Background

The impact of percutaneous coronary intervention (
PCI
) on chronic total occlusion in patients with well‐developed collaterals is not clear.

Methods and Results

A total of 640 chronic total occlusion patients with collateral flow grade ≥2 were divided into 2 groups; chronic total occlusion patients either treated with
PCI
(the
PCI
group; n=305) or optimal medical therapy (the optimal medical therapy group; n=335). To adjust for potential confounders, a propensity score matching analysis was performed. Major clinical outcomes were compared between the 2 groups up to 5 years. In the entire population, the
PCI
group had a lower hazard of myocardial infarction (hazard ratio [
HR
], 0.177;
P
=0.039; 95% confidence interval [
CI
], 0.03–0.91) and the composite of total death or myocardial infarction (
HR
, 0.298;
P
=0.017; 95%
CI
, 0.11–0.80); however, it showed higher hazard of target lesion revascularization (
HR
, 3.942;
P
=0.003; 95%
CI
, 1.58–9.81) and target vessel revascularization (
HR
, 4.218;
P
=0.001; 95%
CI
, 1.85–9.60). After propensity score matching, a total of 158 matched pairs were generated. Although the
PCI
group showed a higher hazard of target lesion revascularization (
HR
, 2.868;
P
=0.027; 95%
CI
, 1.13–7.31) and target vessel revascularization (
HR
=2.62;
P
=0.022; 95%
CI
, 1.15–5.97), it still exhibited a lower incidence of the composite of total death or myocardial infarction (
HR
, 0.263;
P
=0.017; 95%
CI
, 0.087–0.790). The mean ejection fraction was improved from 47.8% to 51.6% (
P
<0.001) after
PCI
.

Conclusions

In our study, successful revascularization by
PCI
for chronic total occlusion lesions with well‐developed collaterals was associated with lower incidence of death and myocardial infarction, improved left ventricular function, but increased repeat revascularization rate.
The family Opilioacaridae (Parasitiformes: Opilioacarida) in Mexico, description of two new species and notes on biology and geographical distribution
Authors: VÁZQUEZ MA. MAGDALENA , KLOMPEN HANS
Published: September 2017

Two new species of Opilioacaridae from Mexico are described, Neocarus chactemalensis sp. nov. and N. comalensis sp. nov., and new records for N. texanus Chamberlin & Mulaik and N. veracruzensis Vazquez & Klompen are presented. Relative positions of internal structures of the ovipositor, a highly variable character, are described based on comparisons of invaginated and evaginated ovipositors. A study of records of Opilioacaridae in Mexico shows that the group is distributed across a wide range of ecosystems and elevations, from dry, semi-desert to wet tropical forest, and coastal plains to the altiplano (>2,000m).
A new species of Astyanax Baird & Girard (Characiformes: Characidae) from the upper rio Araguaia, Central Brazil
Authors: OLIVEIRA CARLOS ALEXANDRE MIRANDA , PAVANELLI CARLA SIMONE , BERTACO VINÍCIUS ARAÚJO
Published: September 2017

We describe a new species of Astyanax from the upper rio Araguaia basin, Mato Grosso State, Brazil. The new species presents a combination of characters that indicates its allocation within the A. scabripinnis species complex. The new species differs from congeners belonging to the A. scabripinnis species complex by a combination of the following characters: lateral dark stripe beginning immediately behind the upper margin of the opercle; a single vertical humeral dark blotch; a scattered pattern of dark chromatophores below lateral line, at the abdominal region; 15 to 20 branched anal-fin rays; lateral line with 33 to 36 perforated scales; dentary teeth decreasing abruptly in size from the fourth or fifth tooth onwards; and 13 or 14 circumpeduncular scales.
Two new species of the genus Oxytate from China (Araneae: Thomisidae)
Authors: LIU KEKE , LIU JIHE , XU XIANG
Published: September 2017

Two new crab spider species from China are diagnosed, described and illustrated: Oxytate bicornis sp. nov. from Jiangxi and Oxytate palmata sp. nov. from Guangxi. The total number of the known species of Oxytate from China rises to 13 with the addition of two new species described in the present paper.
A checklist of the Iranian Mordellidae (Coleoptera: Tenebrionoidea)
Authors: RUZZIER ENRICO , GHAHARI HASSAN , HORÁK JAN
Published: September 2017

The Mordellidae Latreille, 1802 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionoidea) fauna of Iran is summarized. A total of 48 species are reported, subdivided into ten genera: Dellamora Normand, Mediimorda Méquignon, Mordella Linnaeus, Mordellaria Ermisch, Mordellistena A. Costa, Mordellistenula Stchegoleva-Barovskaya, Mordellochroa Emery, Paratomoxioda Ermisch, Stenalia Mulsant, and Variimorda Méquignon. Mordellistena (Mordellistena) batteni Horák, 1980, Mordellistena (Mordellistena) humeropicta Ermisch, 1963, Mordellistena (Mordellistena) intersecta Emery, 1876, Mordellistena (Mordellistena) neuwaldeggiana (Panzer, 1796), Mordellistena (Mordellistena) parabrevicauda Ermisch, 1965, Mordellochroa abdominalis (Fabricius, 1775), Stenalia escherichi Schilsky, 1899 and Stenalia gracilicornis Baudi de Selve, 1878 are new country records and the new taxonomic combination is proposed Mediimorda fallaciosa (Stshegoleva-Barowskaja, 1930) n. comb.
Mystical mobilities and entheogenic Latin America
Authors: Giucci Guillermo
Published: September 2017

In this paper, I seek to explore the concept of mystical mobility as a way of addressing travelling and thus using mobility resources that go beyond the transport agenda. I propose to address innovative paths and research questions by discussing alternative cultural geographies in order to seriously reconsider the concept of mobility in a broad sense. The work aims to introduce the notion of ‘mystical mobility’ and its relationship with entheogens (i.e. psychoactive substances) as a new component of mobility studies, also considering how physical and mystical trips are (or are not) combined.
Student-centered Pedagogy and Real-world Research: Using Documents as Sources of Data in Teaching Social Science Skills and Methods
Authors: Peyrefitte Magali , Lazar Gillian
Published: September 2017

This teaching note describes the design and implementation of an activity in a 90-minute teaching session that was developed to introduce a diverse cohort of first-year criminology and sociology students to the use of documents as sources of data. This approach was contextualized in real-world research through scaffolded, student-centered tasks focused on archival material and contemporary estate agents’ brochures so as to investigate changes in the suburbs that surround a university in north London. To contribute to the growing discussion on pedagogic dialogical spaces in teaching research methods, we provide empirical evidence of students’ greater engagement via group work and the opportunity to draw on experiential knowledge in analyzing sources. Beyond stimulating students’ engagement with research skills and methods, the data also show the value of our approach in helping students develop their analytical skills, particularly through a process of comparison and contrast.
Fifty top-cited spine articles from mainland China: A citation analysis
Authors: Wu Yaohong , Zhao Yachao , Lin Linghan , Lu Zhijun , Guo Zhaoyang , Li Xiaoming , Chen Rongchun , Ma Huasong
Published: September 2017

Objective

To identify the 50 top-cited spine articles from mainland China and to analyze their main characteristics.

Methods

Web of Science was used to identify the 50 top-cited spine articles from mainland China in 27 spine-related journals. The title, year of publication, number of citations, journal, anatomic focus, subspecialty, evidence level, city, institution and author were recorded.

Results

The top 50 articles had 29–122 citations and were published in 11 English-language journals; most (32) were published in the 2000s. The journal Spine had the largest number of articles and The Lancet had the highest impact factor. The lumber spine was the most discussed anatomic area (18). Degenerative spine disease was the most common subspecialty topic (22). Most articles were clinical studies (29); the others were basic research (21). Level IV was the most common evidence level (17).

Conclusions

This list indicates the most influential articles from mainland China in the global spine research community. Identification of these articles provides insights into the trends in spine care in mainland China and the historical contributions of researchers from mainland China to the international spine research field.
‘Hockey becomes like a family in itself’: Re-examining social capital through women’s experiences of a sport club undergoing quasi-professionalisation
Authors: Forsdike Kirsty , Marjoribanks Timothy , Sawyer Anne-Maree
Published: September 2017

The community-based sports club is often recognised as a key site for the development of social capital. Intergenerational ties and connections to place can generate a strong sense of identity and can foster practices of psychological and material support. In this sense, community sports clubs can also be seen as an extension of the family. We examine social capital and Ray Pahl’s ‘personal communities’ through an ethnographic study of women hockey players’ discussions about their intimate connections and engagement in family-like practices in an Australian metropolitan field hockey club. Women hockey players’ experiences of family-like bonds are threatened by the drive towards competitive growth and increasing professionalisation as local sporting bodies strive for survival and success. Their narratives reveal experiences of loss and conflicted relationships in the context of these broader structural changes in the club’s organisation and operations. Ultimately, the strength of a local sports club as a site for the development of social capital is called into question as traditional networks are eroded in the drive for growth, professionalisation and economic survival.
Person–Organization Fit and Friendship From Coworkers: Effects on Feeling Self-Verified and Employee Outcomes
Authors: Kim Tae-Yeol , Lin Xiaowan , Kim Sang-Pyo
Published: September 2017

This study examined how person–organization fit and friendship from coworkers combine to affect people’s self-verification, and how self-verification ultimately relates to employee outcomes (job performance and organizational citizenship behaviors). Based on a sample of 117 employee–supervisor pairs, multilevel analyses revealed a positive relationship between employees’ perceptions of person–organization fit and self-verification, and also showed that the relationship was facilitated by friendship from coworkers. Specifically, person–organization fit and self-verification perceptions were positively related when friendship from coworkers was high, but nonsignificant when friendship from coworkers was low. In addition, employees’ self-verification perceptions were positively and significantly associated with job performance and organizational citizenship behaviors. Our research suggests that enhancing person–organization fit and promoting friendship from coworkers in the workplace organizations can satisfy the basic human impulse to feel self-verified, and thus enhance employees’ positive work behaviors.
Human Movement Responses to the Rorschach and Mirroring Activity: An fMRI Study
Authors: Giromini Luciano , Viglione Donald J. , Pineda Jaime A. , Porcelli Piero , Hubbard David , Zennaro Alessandro , Cauda Franco
Published: September 2017

It has been suggested that the Rorschach human movement (M) response could be associated with an embodied simulation mechanism mediated by the mirror neuron system (MNS). To date, evidence for this hypothesis comes from two electroencephalogram studies and one repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation study. To provide additional data on this topic, the Rorschach was administered during fMRI to a sample of 26 healthy adult volunteers. Activity in MNS-related brain areas temporally associated with M responses was compared with such activity for other, non-M Rorschach responses. Data analyses focused on MNS regions of interest identified by Neurosynth, a web-based platform for large scale, automated meta-analysis of fMRI data. Consistent with the hypothesis that M responses involve embodied simulation and MNS activity, univariate region of interest analyses showed that production of M responses associated with significantly greater activity in MNS-related brain areas when compared with non-M Rorschach responses. This finding is consistent with the traditional interpretation of the M code.
Treatment Approaches for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Almhanna Khaldoun , Kim Richard , Kalmadi Sujith
Published: September 2017

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer worldwide, and it is responsible for up to one million deaths annually. Although multiple risk factors for HCC have been identified, and despite preventive measures, the incidence of HCC continues to rise to epidemiologic proportions in the United States. In general, tumor resection and orthotopic liver transplantation are the treatment with the best outcome; however, HCC is generally diagnosed late in its course when patients are not eligible for curative treatment options. HCC is a relatively Chemo-refractory tumor secondary to heterogeneity of the tumor and the high rate of multidrug resistant gene expression. There are no standard treatments for HCC, multiple palliative treatment modalities have been used for patients with unresectable disease. None of these modalities have shown any superiority; and the retrospective nature of these available data has confounded any reasonable conclusions. Different institutions use different treatment schema dependent on the center expertise. Sorafenib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has recently demonstrated a survival advantage in metastatic HCC, and if approved by the FDA, might become the standard of care. In this article we will review the rationale behind the currently available treatment options for HCC.
A control-oriented dynamic model for sit-to-stand motion with fixed support
Authors: Taghvaei Sajjad , Tavasoli Ali , Feizi Navid , Rajestari Zahra , Abdi Mohammad
Published: September 2017

Establishing a validated dynamic model for human daily life movements is a crucial step in designing assistive devices for people with disabilities. Sit-to-stand motion with fixed support is a frequent task in daily life, and in order to provide assistive devices for such task, a validated dynamic model is required. The main contribution of this paper is to present a multi-body dynamic model of sit-to-stand motion with fixed support and to validate the model with experimental results from human joint tracking and force sensors on the support. Dynamic equations governing the body motion during sit-to-stand are derived using a multi-body model interconnected to the fixed support through handling muscle force. It is hypothesized that sit-to-stand motion is performed by optimized support force and control effort by the subject. In this regard, the human body attempt for sit-to-stand motion is distributed among various joints such that an energy-based cost function is optimized, and at the same time, the choice of biomechanical actuation is prioritized through adjusting various weighting coefficients in the objective function. The limitations on joint torques and the hand force are included as inequality constraints in the optimization problem. The developed multi-body dynamic model is evaluated through comparison between the computed support force (theoretical) and the measured force (experimental) obtained from a fixed support equipped with three-axis force sensors. The proposed dynamic model uses the visual data that are recorded to track the skeleton configuration of the subjects as the desired trajectory to follow by the controller. A set of experimental data from five healthy subjects is obtained, and the results show acceptable agreement between simulation and experimental results. The results suggest energy-based optimization solution can be considered as a valid approach is multi-body dynamic modelling of sit-to-stand task.
The relation between total cerebral small vessel disease burden and gait impairment in patients with minor stroke
Authors: Loos Caroline MJ , McHutchison Caroline , Cvoro Vera , Makin Stephen DJ , Staals Julie , Chappell Francesca , Dennis Martin S , van Oostenbrugge Robert J , Wardlaw Joanna M
Published: September 2017

Background and aims

Individual MRI markers of cerebral small vessel disease are associated with gait impairment. The impact of total cerebral small vessel disease-related brain damage, expressed by a cerebral small vessel disease MRI burden score, on mobility after stroke, has not been considered, although this score gives a better representation of the overall effect of cerebral small vessel disease on the brain. We determined if the total cerebral small vessel disease burden is associated with gait impairment three years after minor stroke.

Methods

In total, 200 patients with minor lacunar or non-lacunar stroke (NIHSS ≤ 7) underwent a brain MRI at presentation. Presence of lacunes, white matter hyperintensities, cerebral microbleeds, and perivascular spaces were summed in a total cerebral small vessel disease MRI burden score (range 0–4). Gait disturbances, measured by timed-up-and-go test and self-reported stroke impact scale mobility domain were assessed three years after stroke. We tested associations adjusted for key variables by linear regression analysis.

Results

Total cerebral small vessel disease burden was not associated with gait impairment after minor stroke in all patients, nor in lacunar stroke patients ( n = 87). In non-lacunar stroke patients ( n = 113), total cerebral small vessel disease burden was associated with lower stroke impact scale mobility domain scores, independent of age, vascular risk factors, and stroke severity (unstandardized B −4.61; 95% CI −8.42; −0.79, p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Patients with non-lacunar stroke and a higher total cerebral small vessel disease burden have more subjective mobility impairment three years after stroke. The total cerebral small vessel disease MRI burden score is a possible marker to identify patients at risk for subjective gait impairment. These findings should be confirmed in larger studies.
Analysis of “Seven Year Surveillance of the Clinical Performance of a Blood Glucose Test-Strip Product”
Authors: Krouwer Jan S.
Published: September 2017

The article titled “Seven Year Surveillance of the Clinical Performance of a Blood Glucose Test-Strip Product” by Setford and coworkers in this issue of Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology is an impressive study showing that over 7 years in three clinics, using multiple reagent lots, a total of 73 600 samples met the ISO 15197 2015 standard with no results in the D or E zones of a Parkes glucose meter error grid. Three requirements are suggested for a clinically acceptable glucose meter. The authors provide strong evidence for meeting two requirements but fail to provide summarized data about the number of nonnumeric results. Finally, the authors overstate some results, called “spin” by some which is not necessary. The superb results should stand on their own.
Emergency Medicine Pharmacist Impact on Door-to-Needle Time in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Jacoby Joshua S. , Draper Heather M. , Dumkow Lisa E. , Farooq Muhammad U. , DeYoung G. Robert , Brandt Kasey L.
Published: September 2017

Background and Purpose:

Decreased door-to-needle (DTN) time with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) for acute ischemic stroke is associated with improved patient outcomes. Emergency medicine pharmacists (EMPs) can expedite the administration of tPA by assessing patients for contraindications, preparing, and administering tPA. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of EMPs on DTN times and clinical outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke who receive tPA in the emergency department.

Methods:

A retrospective, single-center, cohort study of patients who received tPA between August 1, 2012, and August 30, 2014, was conducted to compare DTN times with or without EMP involvement in stroke care. Secondary outcomes included changes in neurological status as measured by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), length of hospital stay, discharge disposition, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, and in-hospital all-cause mortality.

Results:

A total of 100 patients were included. The EMPs were involved in the care of 49 patients. The EMP involvement was associated with a significant improvement in DTN time (median 46 [interquartile range IQR: 34.5-67] vs 58 [IQR: 45-79] minutes; P = .019) and with receiving tPA within 45 minutes of arrival (49% vs 25%, odds ratio [OR]: 2.81 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.21-6.52]). National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores were significantly improved at 24 hours post-tPA in favor of the EMP group (median NIHSS 1 [IQR: 0-4] vs 2 [IQR: 1-9.25]; P = .047).

Conclusions:

The EMP involvement in initial stroke care was associated with a significant improvement in DTN time.