bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diastolic Pulmonary Gradient as a Predictor of Right Ventricular Failure After Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation
Authors: Alnsasra Hilmi , Asleh Rabea , Schettle Sarah D. , Pereira Naveen L. , Frantz Robert P. , Edwards Brooks S. , Clavell Alfredo L. , Maltais Simon , Daly Richard C. , Stulak John M. , Rosenbaum Andrew N. , Behfar Atta , Kushwaha Sudhir S.
Published: August 2019

Background

Diastolic pulmonary gradient (
DPG
) was proposed as a better marker of pulmonary vascular remodeling compared with pulmonary vascular resistance (
PVR
) and transpulmonary gradient (
TPG
). The prognostic significance of
DPG
in patients requiring a left ventricular assist device (
LVAD
) remains unclear. We sought to investigate whether pre‐
LVAD DPG
is a predictor of survival or right ventricular (
RV
) failure post‐
LVAD
.

Methods and Results

We retrospectively reviewed 268 patients who underwent right heart catheterization before
LVAD
implantation from 2007 to 2017 and had pulmonary hypertension because of left heart disease. Patients were dichotomized using
DPG
≥7 mm Hg,
PVR
≥3 mm Hg, or
TPG
≥12 mm Hg. The associations between these parameters and all‐cause mortality or
RV
failure post
LVAD
were assessed with Cox proportional hazards regression and Kaplan–Meier analyses. After a mean follow‐up time of 35 months, elevated
DPG
was associated with increased risk of
RV
failure (hazard ratio [
HR
]: 3.30;
P
=0.004, for
DPG
≥7 versus
DPG
<7), whereas elevated
PVR
(
HR
1.85,
P
=0.13 for
PVR
≥3 versus
PVR
<3) or
TPG
(
HR
1.47,
P
=0.35, for
TPG
≥12 versus
TPG
<12) were not associated with the development of
RV
failure. Elevated
DPG
was not associated with mortality risk (
HR
1.16,
P
=0.54, for
DPG
≥7 versus
DPG
<7), whereas elevated
PVR
, but not
TPG
, was associated with higher mortality risk (
HR
1.55;
P
=0.026, for
PVR
≥3 versus
PVR
<3).

Conclusions

Among patients with pulmonary hypertension because of left heart disease requiring
LVAD
support, elevated
DPG
was associated with
RV
failure but not survival, while elevated
PVR
predicted mortality post
LVAD
implantation.
Natural History of Cardiomyopathy in Adult Dogs With Golden Retriever Muscular Dystrophy
Authors: Guo Lee‐Jae , Soslow Jonathan H. , Bettis Amanda K. , Nghiem Peter P. , Cummings Kevin J. , Lenox Mark W. , Miller Matthew W. , Kornegay Joe N. , Spurney Christopher F.
Published: August 2019

Background

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (
DMD
) is an X‐linked disease that causes progressive muscle weakness. Affected boys typically die from respiratory or cardiac failure. Golden retriever muscular dystrophy (
GRMD
) is genetically homologous with
DMD
and causes analogous skeletal and cardiac muscle disease. Previous studies have detailed features of
GRMD
cardiomyopathy in mostly young dogs. Cardiac disease is not well characterized in adult
GRMD
dogs, and cardiac magnetic resonance (
CMR
) imaging studies have not been completed.

Methods and Results

We evaluated echocardiography and
CMR
in 24 adult
GRMD
dogs at different ages. Left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions, wall thickness, and myocardial strain were assessed with echocardiography. Features evaluated with
CMR
included left ventricular function, chamber size, myocardial mass, and late gadolinium enhancement. Our results largely paralleled those of
DMD
cardiomyopathy. Ejection fraction and fractional shortening correlated well with age, with systolic dysfunction occurring at ≈30 to 45 months. Circumferential strain was more sensitive than ejection fraction in early disease detection. Evidence of left ventricular chamber dilatation provided proof of dilated cardiomyopathy. Late gadolinium enhancement imaging showed
DMD
‐like left ventricular lateral wall lesions and earlier involvement of the anterior septum. Multiple functional indexes were graded objectively and added, with and without late gadolinium enhancement, to give cardiac and cardiomyopathy scores of disease severity. Consistent with
DMD
, there was parallel skeletal muscle involvement, as tibiotarsal joint flexion torque declined in tandem with cardiac function.

Conclusions

This study established parallels of progressive cardiomyopathy between dystrophic dogs and boys, further validating
GRMD
as a model of
DMD
cardiac disease.
Association Between Cardiovascular Risk and Perceived Fatigability in Mid‐to‐Late Life
Authors: Qiao Yujia , Martinez‐Amezcua Pablo , Wanigatunga Amal A. , Urbanek Jacek K. , Simonsick Eleanor M. , Ferrucci Luigi , Schrack Jennifer A.
Published: August 2019

Background

Cardiovascular disease (
CVD
) and fatigue commonly co‐occur in older adults, yet the subjective nature of fatigue and its situational dependence leave the true magnitude of this association undefined.

Methods and Results

Six‐hundred and twenty‐five participants with no history of
CVD
(aged 68.1+12.0 years), from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging who underwent ≥2 clinic visits between 2007 and 2015 were classified according to sex‐specific predicted 10‐year
CVD
risk scores using the Framingham
CVD
risk score (Framingham) and the Pooled Cohort Equation at baseline. Perceived fatigability was assessed using the Borg rating of perceived exertion scale after a 5‐minute treadmill walk (0.67 m/s, 0% grade). Linear models were used to assess the association between baseline
CVD
risk and perceived fatigability an average of 4.5 years later, adjusted for demographics, behaviors, and medical history. In final models, a 5% higher baseline Pooled Cohort Equation score was associated with greater perceived fatigability at follow‐up (β=0.13 rating of perceived exertion,
P
=0.008). Stratified analyses suggested this association was stronger among those aged ≤70 years and those with obesity. Of the individual
CVD
risk score components, older age was most strongly associated with perceived fatigability (β=0.48,
P
<0.001), followed by women (β=0.11,
P
=0.002), and treated hypertension (β=0.11,
P
=0.003). There was no association with the Framingham risk score.

Conclusions

Perceived fatigability was higher among participants with greater
CVD
risk measured using the Pooled Cohort Equation risk score. The strong associations with hypertension and obesity suggest prevention and promotion of cardiovascular health may also lower perceived fatigability, particularly among those aged ≤70 years or living with obesity.
Liberation and Retribution: War Crimes and Collaboration in Smolensk Oblast
Authors: Gray Travis
Published: August 2019

The first Red Army soldiers who liberated Smolensk in September, 1943 entered a broken world. The ruined city stood empty and the countryside resembled a vast wasteland. Amidst the destruction, Party officials began picking up the pieces and rebuilding Soviet power in the region. The main concern of this study is to understand how this process unfolded by examining reports of local war crime and treason investigations carried out by the Extraordinary State Commission of Smolensk Oblast (Chrezvychainaia gosudarstvennaia komissiia, ChGK). These yet untapped archival materials show that while Soviet investigative and punitive practices affirmed the state’s renewed political authority in Smolensk, their efforts were often constrained by the regime’s postwar reconstruction goals.
Where Economic Development Meets the Rule of Law? Promoting Sustainable Development Goals Through the European Neighborhood Policy
Authors: Rabinovych Maryna
Published: August 2019

The 2030 Agenda and pertinent EU law and policy are marked by an emphasis on the interlinkages between the Sustainable Development Goals. With this in mind, this article explores whether the Agenda and the respective EU law and policy offer a conceptually clear and instrumental vision of the interlinkages between economic development (Goal 8) and the rule of law (Goal 16). It is argued that both the Agenda and relevant EU policies view the rule of law both as an independent value and as an instrument of economic development, without distinguishing the components that rule of law is comprised of. The article discusses the Eastern dimension of the European Neighborhood Policy as a case study to contextualize the analysis. Based on its findings regarding the interlinkages between the rule of law and economic development in the 2030 Agenda and relevant EU policy, the article also sets out certain policy recommendations for creating a sustainable development-oriented design of the Eastern dimension of the European Neighbourhood Policy.
Two remarkable new species of Argyrophorus Blanchard from the Peruvian high Andes (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Satyrinae)
Authors: PYRCZ TOMASZ W. , GUTIÉRREZ JOSÉ CERDEÑA , FLORCZYK KLAUDIA
Published: August 2019

Two new species of butterflies of the genus Argyrophorus Blanchard (Nymphalidae, Satyrinae)—A. idealis n. sp. and A. rubrostriata n. sp.—are described from the Cordillera Negra in north-central Peru. Both, as indicated by colour patterns, male and female genitalia, are related to Argyrophorus lamna (Thieme) which occurs further east and southwards. The new species occur in open puna grassland at approximately 4000 m. One of them is exceptional because both fore and hindwings are uniform shining silvery, in this respect similar only to the Chilean A. argenteus Blanchard.
Hydrological Forecasts and Projections for Improved Decision-Making in the Water Sector in Europe
Authors: Samaniego Luis , Thober Stephan , Wanders Niko , Pan Ming , Rakovec Oldrich , Sheffield Justin , Wood Eric F. , Prudhomme Christel , Rees Gwyn , Houghton-Carr Helen , Fry Matthew , Smith Katie , Watts Glenn , Hisdal Hege , Estrela Teodoro , Buontempo Carlo , Marx Andreas , Kumar Rohini
Published: August 2019

Simulations of water fluxes at high spatial resolution that consistently cover historical observations, seasonal forecasts, and future climate projections are key to providing climate services aimed at supporting operational and strategic planning, and developing mitigation and adaptation policies. The End-to-end Demonstrator for improved decision-making in the water sector in Europe (EDgE) is a proof-of-concept project funded by the Copernicus Climate Change Service program that addresses these requirements by combining a multimodel ensemble of state-of-the-art climate model outputs and hydrological models to deliver sectoral climate impact indicators (SCIIs) codesigned with private and public water sector stakeholders from three contrasting European countries. The final product of EDgE is a water-oriented information system implemented through a web application. Here, we present the underlying structure of the EDgE modeling chain, which is composed of four phases: 1) climate data processing, 2) hydrological modeling, 3) stakeholder codesign and SCII estimation, and 4) uncertainty and skill assessments. Daily temperature and precipitation from observational datasets, four climate models for seasonal forecasts, and five climate models under two emission scenarios are consistently downscaled to 5-km spatial resolution to ensure locally relevant simulations based on four hydrological models. The consistency of the hydrological models is guaranteed by using identical input data for land surface parameterizations. The multimodel outputs are composed of 65 years of historical observations, a 19-yr ensemble of seasonal hindcasts, and a century-long ensemble of climate impact projections. These unique, high-resolution hydroclimatic simulations and SCIIs provide an unprecedented information system for decision-making over Europe and can serve as a template for water-related climate services in other regions.
The North Pacific Pacemaker Effect on Historical ENSO and Its Mechanisms
Authors: Amaya Dillon J. , Kosaka Yu , Zhou Wenyu , Zhang Yu , Xie Shang-Ping , Miller Arthur J.
Published: August 2019

Studies have indicated that North Pacific sea surface temperature (SST) variability can significantly modulate El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), but there has been little effort to put extratropical–tropical interactions into the context of historical events. To quantify the role of the North Pacific in pacing the timing and magnitude of observed ENSO, we use a fully coupled climate model to produce an ensemble of North Pacific Ocean–Global Atmosphere (nPOGA) SST pacemaker simulations. In nPOGA, SST anomalies are restored back to observations in the North Pacific (>15°N) but are free to evolve throughout the rest of the globe. We find that the North Pacific SST has significantly influenced observed ENSO variability, accounting for approximately 15% of the total variance in boreal fall and winter. The connection between the North and tropical Pacific arises from two physical pathways: 1) a wind–evaporation–SST (WES) propagating mechanism, and 2) a Gill-like atmospheric response associated with anomalous deep convection in boreal summer and fall, which we refer to as the summer deep convection (SDC) response. The SDC response accounts for 25% of the observed zonal wind variability around the equatorial date line. On an event-by-event basis, nPOGA most closely reproduces the 2014/15 and the 2015/16 El Niños. In particular, we show that the 2015 Pacific meridional mode event increased wind forcing along the equator by 20%, potentially contributing to the extreme nature of the 2015/16 El Niño. Our results illustrate the significant role of extratropical noise in pacing the initiation and magnitude of ENSO events and may improve the predictability of ENSO on seasonal time scales.
Ocean Swells along the Global Coastlines and Their Climate Projections for the Twenty-First Century
Authors: Amores Angel , Marcos Marta
Published: August 2019

Remotely generated swell waves are the dominant contributor of the coastal wind-wave climate along most of the world coastlines. In this work we describe the characteristics of swells from a coastal perspective. We identify the main regions of formation of swell waves at present and during the late twenty-first century under the RCP8.5 emissions/climate change scenario. We have applied an algorithm that allows one to unequivocally differentiate the swell component from the local wind-waves for a global wave hindcast and for eight CMIP5 state-of-the-art wave model climate projections. We have identified four different regions of swell formation, two in each hemisphere, with the Southern Ocean being by far the main region of swell generation. By the end of this century, the number of swell events generated in the Northern Hemisphere is expected to decrease while the opposite is projected to occur in the Southern Hemisphere. The increase in the Southern Hemisphere is directly associated with a poleward movement and intensification of the wind belts projected by atmospheric climate models.
Acquiring the Arctic-Scale Spatial Distribution of Snow Depth Based on AMSR-E Snow Depth Product
Authors: Nie Yafei , Wang Yuzhe , Lv Xianqing
Published: August 2019

Snow on sea ice is a key variable in Arctic climate studies and thus plays an important role in geophysics. However, snow depths (SDs) derived from passive satellite remote sensing data are missing on multiyear ice due to the limitation of algorithm. We interpolate the SDs using the polynomial fitting (PF) method, trigonometric polynomial fitting (TPF) method, and multiquadric function interpolation method, and NASA’s Operation IceBridge (OIB) SD product is used to assess errors. Results show that TPF with the highest degree in x direction equaling 2 and the highest degree in y direction equaling 4 (TPF24) is the most satisfactory method, which has a deviation of 7.19 cm from OIB SD. Although PF with the highest degree in x and y directions being 7 and 8, respectively (PF78), also performs well in terms of error (7.22 cm), unreasonable value will be obtained at the edge due to its high degree. Results of TPF24 show a thicker SD area located in the north of Greenland, which is in good agreement with the actual situation.
Impacts of Assimilating High-Resolution Atmospheric Motion Vectors Derived from Himawari-8 on Tropical Cyclone Forecast in HWRF
Authors: Sawada Masahiro , Ma Zaizhong , Mehra Avichal , Tallapragada Vijay , Oyama Ryo , Shimoji Kazuki
Published: August 2019

The impact of the assimilation of high spatial and temporal resolution atmospheric motion vectors (AMVs) on tropical cyclone (TC) forecasts has been investigated. The high-resolution AMVs are derived from the full disk scan of the new generation geostationary satellite Himawari-8. Forecast experiments for three TCs in 2016 in a western North Pacific basin are performed using the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) operational Hurricane Weather Research and Forecasting Model (HWRF). Two different ensemble–variational hybrid data assimilation configurations (using background error covariance created by global ensemble forecast and HWRF ensemble forecast), based on the Gridpoint Statistical Interpolation (GSI), are used for the sensitivity experiments. The results show that the inclusion of high-resolution Himawari-8 AMVs (H8AMV) can benefit the track forecast skill, especially for long-range lead times. The diagnosis of optimal steering flow indicates that the improved track forecast seems to be attributed to the improvement of initial steering flow surrounding the TC. However, the assimilation of H8AMV increases the negative intensity bias and error, especially for short-range forecast lead times. The investigation of the structural change from the assimilation of H8AMV revealed that the following two factors are likely related to this degradation: 1) an increase of inertial stability outside the radius of maximum wind (RMW), which weakens the boundary layer inflow; and 2) a drying around and outside the RMW. Assimilating H8AMV using background error covariance created from HWRF ensemble forecast contributes to a significant reduction in negative intensity bias and error, and there is a significant benefit to TC size forecast.
Hydrometeor Lofting and Mesoscale Snowbands
Authors: Lackmann Gary M. , Thompson Gregory
Published: August 2019

Environments that accompany mesoscale snowbands in extratropical cyclones feature strong midlevel frontogenesis and weak symmetric stability, conditions conducive to vigorous ascent. Prior observational and numerical studies document the occurrence of upward vertical velocities in excess of 1 m s−1 near the comma head of winter cyclones. These values roughly correspond to the terminal fall velocity of snow; snow lofting has been measured directly with vertically pointing radars. Here, we investigate the occurrence of lower-tropospheric snow lofting near mesoscale bands and its contribution to snowfall heterogeneity. We test the hypothesis that hydrometeor lofting substantially influences snowfall distributions by analyzing the vertical snow flux in case-study simulations, by computing snow trajectories, and by testing sensitivity of simulated snowbands to parameterized snow terminal fall velocity and advection. These experiments confirm the presence of upward snow flux in the lower troposphere upstream of simulated mesoscale snowbands for two events (27 January 2015 and 2 February 2016). The band of lower-tropospheric lofting played a more important role in the January 2015 case relative to the February 2016 event. Lofting enhances the horizontal advection of snow by increasing hydrometeor residence time aloft, influencing the surface snowfall distribution. Experimental simulations illustrate that while lofting and advection influence the snow distribution, these processes reduce snowfall heterogeneity, contrary to our initial hypothesis. Our findings indicate that considerable horizontal displacement can occur between the locations of strongest ascent and heaviest surface snowfall. Numerical forecasts of snowbands are sensitive to formulations of terminal fall velocity of snow in microphysical parameterizations due to this lofting and transport process.
An Evaluation of Snowband Predictability in the High-Resolution Rapid Refresh
Authors: Radford Jacob T. , Lackmann Gary M. , Baxter Martin A.
Published: August 2019

Narrow regions of intense, banded snowfall present hazardous travel conditions due to rapid onset, high precipitation rates, and lowered visibility. Despite their importance, there are few verification studies of snowbands in operational forecast models. The objective of this study is to evaluate the ability of the High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) model to predict snowbands in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. An automated band-detection algorithm was applied to a 3-yr period of simulated and observed radar reflectivity to compare snowband climatologies. This algorithm uses the distributions of reflectivities in contiguous precipitation regions to determine a band intensity threshold. The predictability of snowbands on a case-by-case basis was also evaluated using an object-oriented approach. The distribution of HRRR forecast banding resembles that of the observations, but with a significant positive frequency bias. This may partially be due to underrepresentation of observed bands in our verification dataset due to limited radar coverage in portions of the central United States. On a case-by-case basis, traditional skill metrics indicate limited predictability, but allowing for small timing discrepancies dramatically improves scores. Object-oriented verification yields mixed results, with 30% of forecasts receiving a score indicative of a well-predicted event. However, 69% of cases have at least one forecast lead demonstrating skill, suggesting the HRRR is successful in depicting environments conducive to band formation. These results suggest adopting a probabilistic, ensemble approach, and indicate that the deterministic HRRR is best suited for the identification of regions of elevated snowband risk and not precise timing or location information.
Causative Factors for Complications in Transpalatal Advancement
Authors: Chan Lyndon , Kitpornchai Leon , Mackay Stuart
Published: August 2019

Introduction:

Transpalatal advancement (TPA) is a procedure that is used when modern variants of uvulopharyn-gopalatoplasty are unable to provide enough anterior traction. Although successful in reduction of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) parameters, it also comes with procedure-specific risks. Formation of an oro-nasal fistula (ONF) is a complication that results in significant morbidity and a protracted treatment course.

Methods:

After approval from the University of Wollongong Health Research Ethics Committee, a retrospective chart review of all cases undergoing TPA performed by a single surgeon over a 10-year period from 2008 to 2018 was performed. Patients underwent pre- and postoperative level 1 or 2 polysomnography. Factors potentially contributing to palatal complications, as well as pre- and postoperative polysomnographic parameters, subjective sleep questionnaires, and body mass index (BMI) were statistically analyzed where a P value <.05 was considered a significant result.

Results:

A total of 59 patients were included. Overall palatal complication rate was 25.4% (15/59), with the most common being transient velo-palatal insufficiency (VPI) (8/59, 13.6%). ONF developed in 4/59 (6.8%) of patients. None of the analyzed contributing factors for palatal complications were statistically significant, except the presence of a high-arched palate and development of ONF. All analyzed sleep parameters, as well as BMI, were significantly different when comparing pre- to postoperative results.

Conclusion:

This study suggests that TPA has a role in current sleep surgery paradigms and can significantly improve both objective and subjective outcome measures of OSA. Surgeons contemplating TPA on patients with high-arched hard palates should do so with caution.
Attitudes of Clinicians about Screening Head and Neck Cancer Survivors for Lung Cancer Using Low-Dose Computed Tomography
Authors: Dukes Kimberly , Seaman Aaron T. , Hoffman Richard M. , Christensen Alan J. , Kendell Nicholas , Sussman Andrew L. , Vélez-Bermúdez Miriam , Volk Robert J. , Pagedar Nitin A.
Published: August 2019

Objective:

National guidelines recommend lung cancer screening (LCS) using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) for high-risk patients, including survivors of other tobacco-related cancers like head and neck cancer (HNC). This qualitative study investigated clinicians’ practices and attitudes toward LCS with LDCT with patients who have survived HNC, in the context of mandated requirements for shared decision making (SDM) using decision aids.

Methods:

Thematic analysis of transcribed semi-structured clinician interviews and focus group.

Results:

Clinicians recognized LCS’ utility for some HNC survivors with smoking histories. However, they identified many challenges to SDM in diverse clinic settings, including time, workflow, uncertainty about guidelines and reimbursement, decision aids, competing patient priorities, unclear evidence, potentially heightened patient receptivity and stress, and the complexity of discussions. They also identified challenges to LCS implementation.

Conclusions:

While clinicians feel that LDCT LCS may benefit some HNC survivors, there are barriers both to implementing LCS SDM for these patients in primary care as currently recommended and to integrating it into cancer clinics. Challenges for SDM across settings include a lack of decision aids tailored to patients with cancer histories. Given recommendations to broaden LCS eligibility criteria, more research may be required before refinement of current guidelines.
The association of endothelial injury and systemic inflammation with perioperative myocardial infarction
Authors: Ollila Aino , Vikatmaa Leena , Virolainen Juha , Nisula Sara , Lakkisto Päivi , Vikatmaa Pirkka , Tikkanen Ilkka , Venermo Maarit , Pettilä Ville
Published: August 2019

Background

Major surgery predisposes to endothelial glycocalyx injury. Endothelial glycocalyx injury associates with cardiac morbidity, including spontaneous myocardial infarction. However, the relation between endothelial glycocalyx injury and the development of perioperative myocardial infarction remains unknown.

Methods

Fifteen perioperative myocardial infarction patients and 60 propensity-matched controls were investigated in this prospective study. The diagnosis of perioperative myocardial infarction was based on repeated cardiac troponin T measurements, electrocardiographs and recordings of ischaemic signs and symptoms. We measured endothelial glycocalyx markers – soluble thrombomodulin, syndecan-1 and vascular adhesion protein 1 – and an inflammatory marker, namely interleukin-6, preoperatively and 6 h and 24 h postoperatively. We calculated the areas under the receiver operating characteristics curves (AUCs) to compare the performances of the different markers in predicting perioperative myocardial infarction. The highest value of each marker was used in the analysis.

Results

The interleukin-6 concentrations of perioperative myocardial infarction patients were significantly higher preoperatively and 6 and 24 h postoperatively ( P =  0.002, P =  0.002 and P =  0.001, respectively). The AUCs (95% confidence intervals) for the detection of perioperative myocardial infarction were 0.51 (0.34–0.69) for soluble thrombomodulin, 0.63 (0.47–0.79) for syndecan-1, 0.54 (0.37–0.70) for vascular adhesion protein 1 and 0.69 (0.54–0.85) for interleukin-6.

Conclusions

Systemic inflammation, reflected by interleukin-6, associates with cardiac troponin T release and perioperative myocardial infarction. Circulating interleukin-6 demonstrated some potential to predict perioperative myocardial infarction, whereas endothelial glycocalyx markers did not.
Superiority of glycated albumin over glycated haemoglobin as indicator of glycaemic control and predictor of all-cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus receiving peritoneal dialysis
Authors: Miyabe Mizuki , Kurajoh Masafumi , Mori Katsuhito , Okuno Senji , Okada Shigeki , Emoto Masanori , Tsujimoto Yoshihiro , Inaba Masaaki
Published: August 2019

Background

Glycated albumin, in contrast to glycated haemoglobin, precisely reflects glycaemic control and predicts all-cause mortality in haemodialysis patients with diabetes mellitus. However, whether those associations exist in diabetes mellitus patients receiving peritoneal dialysis remains unclear.

Methods

This was a retrospective cross-sectional and longitudinal observational study. We measured glycated albumin, glycated haemoglobin and casual plasma glucose for two months in diabetes mellitus-peritoneal dialysis ( n = 44) and diabetes mellitus-haemodialysis ( n = 88) patients (age-, gender-matched). The diabetes mellitus-peritoneal dialysis patients were followed for three years to monitor occurrence of all-cause mortality.

Results

Glycated albumin and glycated albumin/casual plasma glucose ratios, but not casual plasma glucose, glycated haemoglobin, or glycated haemoglobin/casual plasma glucose, were significantly lower in the diabetes mellitus-peritoneal dialysis as compared with the diabetes mellitus-haemodialysis patients. The regression lines between casual plasma glucose and glycated albumin showed a significant parallel shift downwards in diabetes mellitus-peritoneal dialysis as compared with diabetes mellitus-haemodialysis patients, while the slope did not differ significantly between the groups, resulting in underestimation of glycaemic control by 4.5%. Kapan-Meier analysis of the diabetes mellitus-peritoneal dialysis patients revealed that higher glycated albumin (median >18.0%), but not glycated haemoglobin (median >6.6%), indicated significantly elevated risk for all-cause mortality, which occurred in 15 patients (34.1%), as compared with those with a lower glycated albumin concentration. Higher glycated albumin concentration was also significantly and independently associated with all-cause mortality in multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis.

Conclusions

Glycated albumin, in contrast to glycated haemoglobin, more precisely reflects glycaemic control in diabetes mellitus-peritoneal dialysis patients, based on its significant association with all-cause mortality. Furthermore, adjustment of the true glycated albumin concentration by adding 4.5% might provide a more precise measurement for determining glycaemic control in such patients.
Inequities in Access: The Impact of a Segmented Health Insurance System on Physician Visits and Hospital Admissions Among Older Adults in the 2014 China Family Panel Studies
Authors: Lin Shen (Lamson)
Published: August 2019

The fragmentation of job-based and community-based insurance plans inevitably undermines health care accessibility in China’s market-oriented health system, especially for uninsured and rural residents. Based on the 2014 China Family Panel Studies, this secondary data analysis examined whether socioeconomic indicators, health-related determinants, and particularly social health insurance status affect physician visits in the past 2 weeks and hospital admissions in the past 12 months among a representative sample of older adults (n = 6,570). Grounded in Andersen’s behavioral framework, 2 series of logistic regression analyses were performed: one was built in a hierarchical manner, assessing blocks of predisposing, enabling, health-need, and lifestyle-behavioral factors; the other was conducted in a cross-referencing manner, comparing uninsured populations with job-based and community-based insurance enrollees. Results show that, after full adjustment, the odds of physician visits were lower among urban insurance enrollees (OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.47–0.97) than rural residents. For hospital admissions, both uninsured elders (OR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.48–0.87) and community-based insurance enrollees (OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.47–0.97) had lower use of inpatient care than job-based insurance enrollees, demonstrating inequitable access. This study suggests that policy efforts should unify the social health insurance system to combat existing insurance-related inequities in health care use for underserved aging populations.
Testing Life Course Models Whereby Juvenile and Adult Adversity Combine to Influence Speed of Biological Aging
Authors: Simons Ronald L. , Lei Man-Kit , Beach Steven R. H. , Simons Leslie Gordon , Barr Ashley B. , Gibbons Frederick X. , Philibert Robert A.
Published: August 2019

The present study extends prior research on the links between social adversity and aging by employing more comprehensive measures of adversity and a new gene expression index of aging. Hierarchical regression and 20 years of data from a sample of 381 black Americans were used to test models regarding the impact of social adversity on speed of aging. Consistent with the early life sensitivity model, early adversity continued to predict accelerated aging after controlling for adult adversity. Contrary to the pathway model, adult adversity was not related to aging following controls for early adversity. The cumulative stress model received partial support as high adversity during adulthood amplified the effect of early adversity on aging. Finally, consonant with the social change model, low adversity during adulthood buffered the effect of early adversity on aging. These findings held after controlling for health behaviors such as smoking, diet, and exercise.
Bullying Victimization as a Strain: Examining Changes in Bullying Victimization and Delinquency among Korean Students from a Developmental General Strain Theory Perspective
Authors: Park Yeoju , Metcalfe Christi
Published: August 2019

Objectives:

Using a developmental extension of Agnew’s general strain theory (GST), the current study aims to assess the within-individual associations between bullying victimization and delinquency, as well as the recent versus enduring effects of bullying victimization experiences and the moderating influences of several risk factors.

Method:

Random effects Tobit models are conducted to examine the relationship between changes in bullying victimization and five forms of delinquency using five waves from the Korean Youth Panel Survey. A measure calculating the duration of consecutive bullying experiences is introduced into these models to capture the enduring effects of this strain, and margins analyses are used to assess moderating influences.

Results:

There is a positive relationship between experiencing a bullying event and delinquency, and this relationship is stronger at higher levels of risk factors. Moreover, bullying victimization over consecutive years has a consistent harmful effect with regard to analogous behavior and violence and theft, as opposed to a diminishing effect for overall delinquency, substance use, and bullying.

Conclusions:

While there is support for many of the propositions of GST, there are some inconsistences regarding the duration effects. The findings suggest the need for further assessments of the temporal patterns of strains.
Does the Demographic Structure Affect Outbound Tourism Demand? A Panel Smooth Transition Regression Approach
Authors: Li Zhiyong , Shu Haoyu , Tan Ting , Huang Songshan (Sam) , Zha Jianping
Published: August 2019

This study aims to examine the relationship between the demographic structure and outbound tourism demand using panel data from 72 countries and regions during the 2000-2014 period. A panel smooth transition regression (PSTR) model is employed to prove that there is a nonlinear relationship between demographic factors and outbound tourism demand and that the demographic effects can vary under different income regimes. The empirical results indicate that the impacts of demographic factors on outbound tourism demand change significantly when income constraints are relaxed. Based on this premise, we can better understand the travel characteristics of different groups, which are subdivided according to different demographic factors.
Normalization of Distance and Similarity in Sequence Analysis
Authors: Elzinga Cees H. , Studer Matthias
Published: August 2019

We explore the relations between the notion of distance and a feature set–based concept of similarity and show that this concept of similarity has a spatial interpretation that is complementary to distance: it is interpreted as “direction.” Furthermore, we show how proper normalization leads to distances that can be directly interpreted as dissimilarity: Closeness in normalized space implies and is implied by similarity of the same objects, while remoteness implies and is implied by dissimilarity. Finally, we show how, in research into destandardization of the life course, properly normalizing may drastically and unequivocally change our interpretation of intercohortal distances.
World-Craving: Rahel Varnhagen, Daniel Paul Schreber, and the Strange Promise of Paranoia
Authors: Rotem Noga
Published: August 2019

This essay reads Hannah Arendt’s Rahel Varnhagen (1957) alongside Sigmund Freud’s case history of paranoia, The Schreber Case (1911), two texts about 18th- and 19th-century personalities caught up in the gender and ethnic politics of their times. Noting affinities between the fantasies documented in Varnhagen’s and Schreber’s memoirs, I compare Seyla Benhabib’s and Eric Santner’s readings of these two texts as political, not psychological, documents. I propose a reading of paranoia positioned between Benhabib’s too optimistic dismissal of paranoia and Santner’s too tragic approach. The result is a new reading of Varnhagen’s story and an approach to paranoia as a potentially promising political affect. Might paranoia stand not just for world-withdrawal but also for world-building? If so, this would be in keeping with Arendt’s own treatment of her subject’s persecution fantasies not only as a “verdict against the world” but also as a desire for a world.
The Role of Coping Strategies in Understanding the Effects of Institutional Racism on Mental Health Outcomes for African American Men
Authors: Greer Tawanda M. , Cavalhieri Klaus E.
Published: August 2019

The purpose of this study was to examine coping strategies as moderators of the effects of institutional racism on psychological outcomes for a sample of 283 self-identified African American men. We hypothesized that the use of strategies that have been conceptualized as adaptive (e.g., spirituality, problem-oriented coping) would influence the severity of institutional racism on psychological symptoms, such that more frequent use would be associated with less severe symptoms. Furthermore, we hypothesized that more frequent use of avoidant strategies (e.g., substance use, disengagement) would be associated with greater severity of psychological symptoms in relation to exposure to institutional racism. Moderated hierarchical regression analyses were performed to test these hypotheses. Statistically significant main effects revealed that coping strategies that involved more self-reliance were associated with greater severity in mental health symptoms. A statistically significant interaction effect was also revealed, which suggested that greater reliance on spirituality was associated with increased symptoms of interpersonal sensitivity in relation to experiences of institutional racism. Implications of the findings are discussed.
The longitudinal interplay of emotion understanding, theory of mind, and language in the preschool years
Authors: Sarmento-Henrique Renata , Quintanilla Laura , Lucas-Molina Beatriz , Recio Patricia , Giménez-Dasí Marta
Published: August 2019

Emotion comprehension (EC), theory of mind (ToM), and language are particularly important aspects of child development. In recent years, there has been increasing interest in understanding how these three variables are related to preschool children. However, results have been contradictory, and it is not clear how EC, ToM, and language are associated. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationships among EC, ToM, and language through a longitudinal study. Participants were 105 children (49 girls and 56 boys). EC, ToM, and language skills were assessed when children were 3, 4, and 5 years old. The cross-lagged model confirmed that EC preceded ToM in time. The half-longitudinal model showed that linguistic skills at 4 years old mediated the relationship between EC at 3 years old and ToM at 5 years old. These findings provide important insights into the complex relationships among EC, ToM, and language. Developmental, educational, and clinical implications of the results are discussed.
The Presentation of Donor Conception in Young Adult Fiction
Authors: Nelson Margaret K.
Published: August 2019

Using a thematic analysis, this study examines the presentation of donor conception in 30 books of fiction written for young adults. Most of the donor-conceived characters in these books live in single mother families, the majority are girls, and most have some kind of status as outsiders. Donor conception is presented differently depending on the type of family in which the teen lives. Children living with single mothers are most often endangered. Children living with lesbian-couple parents are most often marked as outsiders. Among children living with heterosexual-couple parents, donor conception is often presented as a significant issue that can unsettle family dynamics and lead to a search for the donor or donor siblings.
Therapy-based exercise from the perspective of adult patients: a qualitative systematic review conducted using an ethnographic approach
Authors: Davenport Sally , Dickinson Angela , Minns Lowe Catherine
Published: August 2019

Objectives:

Many patients do not meet recommended levels of therapy-based exercise. This review aims to explore how adult patients view being prescribed therapy-based exercise, the information/education they are given and receive and if/how they independently practise and adhere.

Design:

A qualitative systematic review conducted using an ethnographic approach and in accordance with the PRISMA statement.

Sources:

PubMed, CINAHL, SCOPUS and EMBASE databases (01 January 2000–31 December 2018).

Methods:

Qualitative studies with a focus on engagement/adherence with therapy-based exercise were included. Data extraction and quality appraisal were undertaken by two reviewers. Results were discussed and data synthesized.

Results:

A total of 20,294 titles were screened, with data extracted from 39 full texts and data from 18 papers used to construct three themes. ‘The Guidance received’ suggests that the type of delivery desired to support and sustain engagement was context-dependent and individually situated. ‘The Therapist as teacher’ advocates that patients see independent therapy-based exercise as a shared activity and value caring, kind and professional qualities in their therapist. ‘The Person as learner’ proposes that when having to engage with and practise therapy-based exercise because of ill-health, patients often see themselves as new learners who experience fear and uncertainty about what to do. Patients may have unacknowledged ambivalences about learning that impact on engagement and persistence.

Conclusion:

The quality of the interaction between therapists and patients appears integral to patients engaging with, and sustaining practice of, rehabilitation programmes. Programmes need to be individualized, and health care professionals need to take patients’ previous experiences and ambivalences in motivation and empowerment into account.
Stay or Exit: Why Do Nonprofits Maintain Collaborations With Government?
Authors: Peng Shuyang , Liao Yuguo , Lu Jiahuan
Published: August 2019

Although the public-management literature has demonstrated a growing interest in public–nonprofit collaborations, it pays little attention to the sustainability of collaborations. This study proposes that nonprofits’ intentions to maintain collaborations with government are influenced by both instrumental and relational factors. Using a national sample of human service nonprofits, this study demonstrates that both nonprofits’ continuance commitment and affective commitment play a role in shaping their intentions to maintain collaborative relationships with government. Specifically, continuance commitment is driven by the presence of a formal agreement and the dependence on government funding, and affective commitment is shaped by distributive and procedural justice. The findings have implications for public managers to effectively manage their collaborations with nonprofits.
Prevalence and Clinical Implications of Chondral Injuries After Hip Arthroscopic Surgery for Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome
Authors: Chahla Jorge , Beck Edward C. , Okoroha Kelechi , Cancienne Jourdan M. , Kunze Kyle N. , Nho Shane J.
Published: August 2019

Background:

Studies on the effect of partial- and full-thickness chondral damage of the hip on outcomes and the ability to achieve meaningful clinical outcomes are limited.

Purpose:

To determine the effect of full- and partial-thickness chondral injuries on 2-year outcomes in patients undergoing hip arthroscopic surgery for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) compared with patients without chondral damage, and to identify significant predictors of achieving the patient acceptable symptomatic state (PASS) and minimal clinically important difference (MCID).

Study Design:

Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Data from consecutive patients with evidence of chondromalacia at the time of primary hip arthroscopic surgery with routine capsular closure for the treatment of FAIS by a single fellowship-trained surgeon between January 2012 and September 2016 were reviewed. Patients were divided into groups with partial-thickness (grade I-III) or full-thickness (grade IV) chondral defects and matched by age and body mass index (BMI) to patients without chondral injuries. Preoperative and postoperative outcomes were compared among the 3 groups, and a binary logistic regression analysis was utilized to identify significant predictors of achieving the MCID and PASS.

Results:

There were 634 patients included in the analysis, with a mean age of 34.5 ± 10.9 years and a mean BMI of 25.2 ± 4.7 kg/m2. A total of 493 (77.8%) patients had no evidence of chondral damage, 92 (14.5%) patients had partial-thickness chondral defects, and 49 (7.7%) patients had full-thickness chondral defects. There were statistically significant differences in the Hip Outcome Score (HOS)–Activities of Daily Living, HOS–Sports Subscale, modified Harris Hip Score, pain, and satisfaction ( P < .01) among the 3 groups. Patients with grade IV chondromalacia experienced the poorest outcomes and lowest percentage of achieving the PASS. Predictors for achieving any PASS threshold included preoperative alpha angle (odds ratio [OR], 0.96; P = .016), absence of preoperative limping (OR, 7.25; P = .002), absence of preoperative chronic pain (OR, 5.83; P = .019), primary hip arthroscopic surgery (OR, 0.17; P = .050), patients who self-identified as runners (OR, 2.27; P = .037), and Tönnis grade 0 (OR, 2.86; P = .032). Male sex (OR, 2.49; P = .015) was the only predictor of achieving any MCID threshold.

Conclusion:

Patients with grade IV chondral defects experienced worse functional outcomes, lower satisfaction, and increased pain when compared with both patients without chondral damage or grade I-III chondromalacia at 2-year follow-up. Several predictors were associated with achieving clinically significant function in patients undergoing hip arthroscopic surgery for FAIS.