bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Demands and tasks of intercultural school development: Group discussions with experts about intercultural school development
Authors: Syring Marcus , Tillmann Teresa , Sacher Nicole , Weiß Sabine , Kiel Ewald
Published: May 2017

The present study is aimed at identifying demands and tasks that are considered important by experts in the field of interculturalism for the successful development of schools. Although different theoretical models about intercultural school development, incorporating various conditions and dimensions, have already been suggested, gaps in research on the specific content of various administrative levels of school as an educational institution can still be identified. In order to fill those gaps, we conducted group discussions with small groups of experts in the field of interculturalism. Experts were matched into three groups so that each represents a high level of diversity regarding their particular expertise. Results from the discussions were investigated by applying content analysis. Based on the revealed findings, five fields of action can be established that are essential for the process of intercultural school development. The revealed areas covered a variety of factors, ranging from individual reflection to developmental processes of a school as an organization. In the present study, those facets are interpreted as conditions under which successful intercultural school development processes can be established. While most content areas can be mapped to the existing theoretical models, they add further information with regard to the content of the theoretical dimensions. This is particularly the case at the individual level. Resulting practical implications are explained and further discussed on the basis of inevitable future research.
“Am I as extended as you say I am?” Consumer’s emic perspectives on the extended self
Authors: Stone Tim , Gould Stephen J. , Szabó-Douat Teodóra
Published: May 2017

Although the extended self-construct has been widely investigated in consumer research, it has inspired relatively few critiques. Moreover, there has been little research which directly assesses consumers’ own emic perspectives on the extended self. Here, an empirical investigation is reported which explicitly solicits consumers’ own ideas and hermeneutically considers them in relation to etic researcher theory. The findings indicate a major theoretical blind spot: not only do consumers differ in the polysemy, that is, the various meanings and discourses they apply to the extended self but also that marketing theory should be revised to reflect this lack of universal understanding.
Adult-Perpetrated Animal Abuse: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Alleyne Emma , Parfitt Charlotte
Published: May 2017

Adults perpetrate the majority of animal abuse incidents yet clinicians are left with very little evidence base to advance/enhance their practice. The purpose of this systematic review is to synthesize and evaluate the current literature on adult-perpetrated animal abuse and to identify the etiological factors related to this type of offending. Twenty-three studies met the specific inclusion criteria but most importantly, they examined the characteristics of adult perpetrators of animal abuse. The findings from this review were demarcated by sample type: (1) Participants were the perpetrators of the animal abuse or held offense-supportive attitudes and (2) participants were victims of intimate partner violence reporting incidents of animal abuse perpetrated by their partner. From the perpetrator perspective, there were key developmental (i.e., maladaptive parenting strategies), behavioral (such as varied offending behaviors), and psychological (e.g., callousness, empathy deficits) factors highlighted in the literature. Finally, in the context of intimate partner violence, findings indicated that perpetrators abuse animals to control, coerce, intimidate, and/or manipulate their victims (this effect is moderated by the victims’ emotional attachment to their pet). This review inherently underlines treatment targets that could achieve greater clinical gains, but we also conclude that more empirical and theoretical work is needed in order to set an agenda that prioritizes future research and effective practice.
“I Can’t Answer What You’re Asking Me. Let Me Go, Please.”
Authors: Martin Stephanie L. , Birhanu Zewdie , Omotayo Moshood O. , Kebede Yohannes , Pelto Gretel H. , Stoltzfus Rebecca J. , Dickin Katherine L.
Published: May 2017

Cognitive interviewing is a method to develop culturally appropriate survey questions and scale items. We conducted two rounds of cognitive interviews with 24 pregnant women in Ethiopia and Kenya to assess the appropriateness, acceptability, and comprehension of general and micronutrient supplement adherence-specific social support scales. We stopped the first round of cognitive interviews after receiving negative feedback from interviewers and participants about their distressing and uncomfortable experiences with cognitive probes and challenges related to cultural perspectives on social support. Through an iterative process, we made substantial changes to the cognitive interview guides and items from both social support scales. In the second round, the revised cognitive interviewing process substantially improved interviewer and participant experiences and increased comprehension and appropriateness of both social support scales. This study confirms the importance of cultural adaptation of the cognitive interviewing process as well as social support scales.
Palliative Endovascular Techniques for Management of Peripheral Vascular Blowout Syndrome in End-Stage Malignancies
Authors: Huntress Lauren A. , Kogan Samuel , Nagarsheth Khanjan , Nassiri Naiem
Published: May 2017

Vascular blowout syndrome (VBOS) secondary to neoplastic erosion is a dreadful complication of advanced stage malignancies that can compromise quality of life and overall prognosis in a fragile patient population. Endovascular therapy can offer minimally invasive, life-saving maneuvers both acutely and prophylactically. Four patients with end-stage malignancies eroding into various peripheral vascular beds with impending, threatened, and acute VBOS underwent successful endovascular management. Technical success was achieved in all patients with no perioperative morbidity or mortality. In all patients, endovascular intervention controlled life-threatening hemorrhage and facilitated adjunctive therapeutic modalities such as surgical tumor debulking and/or chemoradiation. In conclusion, our small case series demonstrates that endovascular therapy can offer safe and effective palliation of peripheral VBOS secondary to neoplastic erosion.
Health Literacy Research Methods
Authors: Morales Miraida
Published: May 2017

This article describes a case study method developed for a user-centered health literacy pilot study involving vulnerable participants. The method is based on community-based and critical approaches to research and user-centered studies. The pilot study highlights specific challenges and benefits of working with community organizations and of conducting research with adults who are new or beginning readers. Special attention is given to the study design, selection of appropriate materials, and data collection methods in order to minimize bias, empower participants, and ensure data quality and validity.
Doing criminology on media and crime in Asia
Authors: Laidler Karen Joe , Lee Maggy , Wong Gary PF
Published: May 2017

This article draws from recent critiques on media criminology in the North. In doing so, we are interested in whether and how these critiques figure in relation to those doing criminology in the South, in particular in Asia. We first describe why media criminology has yet to develop as an area of study in its own right and what lessons we might draw from the development of media criminology in the Northern context. We then examine the contours of crime and media research in the East and Southeast Asian context, looking particularly at how existing studies on media and deviance reinforce or challenge traditional notions about problems and problem populations, and how media and deviance are intertwined in a variety of culturally inflected ways that reflect broader political institutions and political contestations. Third, we begin to sketch out the contributions from other disciplines to inform the study of crime and media in Asia. Here we suggest that some disciplines, particularly the rich tradition of sociology of media studies and cultural studies, may be better placed to analyze media and crime in ways that administrative criminology in the Asian context cannot. Significantly, as our preliminary mapping of media representations of specific crime issues in Asia indicates, studies on reporting crime and fictionalizing crime in Asia have produced critical insights into the construction of the crime landscape (its fears and concerns, its potential victims, and the role of the citizen and government) in the region.
Measurement of the head impacts in a sub-elite Australian Rules football team with an instrumented patch: An exploratory analysis
Authors: King D , Hecimovich M , Clark T , Gissane C
Published: May 2017

An investigation was made of the frequency, magnitude, and distribution of head impacts in Australian Football League players over a season of matches. In a prospective cohort analysis of impact magnitude, frequency, and distribution on data collected with a wireless head impact sensor worn behind the ear of 23 players, a total of 4903 impacts were recorded. Players experienced on average 407 ± 143 impacts over the duration of the study resulting in 30 ± 38 impacts per-player per-match. Linear accelerations ranged from 10  g to 153  g with a mean, median, and 95th percentile value of 17  g, 13  g, and 40  g, respectively. Rotational accelerations ranged from 130 rad/s2 to 21,890 rad/s2 with a mean, median, and 95th percentile value of 2426 rad/s2, 1556 rad/s2, and 7571 rad/s2, respectively. This study obtained initial measurements on the frequency, magnitude, distribution, and risk weighted exposure of head impacts in Australia Rules Football in order to better inform medical personnel in the identification and evaluation of at-risk players for concussion. The location of impacts varied considerably with the back of the head recording more total impacts than the front, side, and top. Midfielders sustained more impacts per-player, per-match, and had higher median resultant linear accelerations than forwards and defenders. The results of this study, in which most impacts were within the low severity limit for linear, rotational, HITSP, and RWECP, indicate that Australian Rules football needs to include more encompassing methods of examination of player exposure.
Developmental activities and the acquisition of perceptual-cognitive expertise in international field hockey players
Authors: Drake David , Breslin Gavin
Published: May 2017

The purpose of this study was to contrast the practice history profiles of international field hockey players and developmental activities leading to the attainment of high levels of perceptual-cognitive performance. Twenty-three international hockey players were assigned to a high performing or low performing group based on coach rankings of their perceptual and decision-making skill. Participants completed a practice history questionnaire assessing the number of hours in total practice, match play, coach-led practice, individual practice and peer-led play. Results showed that high performing players accumulated greater hours in total practice, match play, and coach-led practice compared to their low performing counterparts. Match play and coach-led practice are influential factors in the development of perceptual-cognitive performance. Diversification of sporting activities during participant’s development years did not have a negative consequence on the acquisition of hockey-specific perceptual-cognitive skills.
A Gaussian semi-parametric implied volatility model
Authors: Wu Xiaoyan , Zhuang Ying , Chen Fei , Wang Meiqing
Published: May 2017

Modeling the implied volatility has received extensive attention, as the implied volatility is an important parameter in option pricing. Usually the implied volatility can be approximated by fitting a polynomial about the strike and the maturity or by stochastic methods. In this article, a Gaussian semi-parametric model is proposed based on the quadratic polynomial semi-parametric model suggested by Borovkova. In the new model, the Gaussian function is used to construct a smooth term substituting the quadratic term in the polynomial model, and the arbitrage-free constraints are used to calibrate the model. The empirical tests show that the Gaussian semi-parametric model has a better performance in fitting and forecasting.
Audit of the management of patients at high risk of carbapenemase-producing enterobacteriaceae (CPE): Are we ready?
Authors: Ratnayake Lasantha , Harris Amy , Ko Doreen , Hawtin Linda
Published: May 2017

Background:

Incidence of carbapenemase-producing enterobacteriaceae (CPE) in the UK is increasing. In 2013, Public Health England (PHE) published a toolkit to control spread of CPE within healthcare settings.

Aim:

To assess compliance to hospital CPE policy (adapted from PHE) in the identification, isolation and screening of suspected CPE patients.

Methods:

Admission booklets of 150 patients were evaluated to see whether the relevant section had been completed to identify high-risk CPE patients. Where necessary, patients were interviewed or their GPs were contacted to assess their CPE risk. Additionally, 28 patients screened for CPE were audited to assess compliance to screening and isolation.

Findings:

Only 23 patients out of 147 (15.6%) were risk assessed on admission. Risk status of 27 (18.4%) patients could not be assessed due to lack of data. Fifteen patients out of 28 (54%) screened for CPE were identified and isolated on admission. Ten out of 19 patients (53%) had three screens 48 h apart.

Discussion:

This audit highlights difficulties in screening based on individual risk factors as the majority of patients were not screened on admission and documentation on isolation and screening was poor. More needs to be done to raise awareness of the requirements for routine assessment, isolation and screening.
Varying impact of co-morbid conditions on self-harm resulting in mortality in Australia
Authors: Churruca Kate , Draper Brian , Mitchell Rebecca
Published: May 2017

Background:

Research has associated some chronic conditions with self-harm and suicide. Quantifying such a relationship in mortality data relies on accurate death records and adequate techniques for identifying these conditions.

Objective:

This study aimed to quantify the impact of identification methods for co-morbid conditions on suicides in individuals aged 30 years and older in Australia and examined differences by gender.

Method:

A retrospective examination of mortality records in the National Coronial Information System (NCIS) was conducted. Two different methods for identifying co-morbidities were compared: International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision (ICD-10) coded data, which are provided to the NCIS by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, and free-text searches of Medical Cause of Death fields. Descriptive statistics and χ2 tests were used to compare the methods for identifying co-morbidities and look at differences by gender.

Results:

Results showed inconsistencies between ICD-10 coded and coronial reports in the identification of suicide and chronic conditions, particularly by type (physical or mental). There were also significant differences in the proportion of co-morbid conditions by gender.

Conclusion:

While ICD-10 coded mortality data more comprehensively identified co-morbidities, discrepancies in the identification of suicide and co-morbid conditions in both systems require further investigation to determine their nature (linkage errors, human subjectivity) and address them. Furthermore, due to the prescriptive coding procedures, the extent to which medico-legal databases may be used to explore potential and previously unrecognised associations between chronic conditions and self-harm deaths remains limited.
Federated health information architecture: Enabling healthcare providers and policymakers to use data for decision-making
Authors: Kumar Manish , Mostafa Javed , Ramaswamy Rohit
Published: May 2017

Health information systems (HIS) in India, as in most other developing countries, support public health management but fail to enable healthcare providers to use data for delivering quality services. Such a failure is surprising, given that the population healthcare data that the system collects are aggregated from patient records. An important reason for this failure is that the health information architecture (HIA) of the HIS is designed primarily to serve the information needs of policymakers and program managers. India has recognised the architectural gaps in its HIS and proposes to develop an integrated HIA. An enabling HIA that attempts to balance the autonomy of local systems with the requirements of a centralised monitoring agency could meet the diverse information needs of various stakeholders. Given the lack of in-country knowledge and experience in designing such an HIA, this case study was undertaken to analyse HIS in the Bihar state of India and to understand whether it would enable healthcare providers, program managers and policymakers to use data for decision-making. Based on a literature review and data collected from interviews with key informants, this article proposes a federated HIA, which has the potential to improve HIS efficiency; provide flexibility for local innovation; cater to the diverse information needs of healthcare providers, program managers and policymakers; and encourage data-based decision-making.
Epigenetics, inflammation and metabolism in right heart failure associated with pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Samson Nolwenn , Paulin Roxane
Published: May 2017

Right ventricular failure (RVF) is the most important prognostic factor for both morbidity and mortality in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), but also occurs in numerous other common diseases and conditions, including left ventricle dysfunction. RVF remains understudied compared with left ventricular failure (LVF). However, right and left ventricles have many differences at the morphological level or the embryologic origin, and respond differently to pressure overload. Therefore, knowledge from the left ventricle cannot be extrapolated to the right ventricle. Few studies have focused on the right ventricle and have permitted to increase our knowledge on the right ventricular‐specific mechanisms driving decompensation. Here we review basic principles such as mechanisms accounting for right ventricle hypertrophy, dysfunction, and transition toward failure, with a focus on epigenetics, inflammatory, and metabolic processes.
Satire, social media and revolutionary cultural production in the Bahrain uprising: From utopian fiction to political satire
Authors: Jones Marc Owen
Published: May 2017

Social media has permitted activists to subvert censorship and state-controlled media. As a result, it has become a key medium for experimenting with and/or creating genres previously marginalised or discouraged by the Bahraini government. This article explores aspects of revolutionary cultural production and creative resistance in Bahrain since the uprisings in 2011 and examines the role social media has played in shaping and defining it. Focusing on memes, parody accounts and the YouTube serial Baharna Drama, this article looks at the rise of political satire online and the evolution of satirical forms over the progression of the uprising as a dialectic with government policy and propaganda. This article argues that social media has facilitated the emergence of new forms of satire in Bahrain and has allowed activists to assert, to both local and global audiences and in different registers, the integrity of a desired revolutionary aesthetic by confronting state attempts to paint the revolution as schismatic and divisive. As such, 2011 marked a new turn in Bahrain’s satirical heritage. It also argues that the subversive nature of satire makes it a favourable genre with regard to revolutionary cultural production and the public sphere, yet acknowledges that satirical forms, as a response to authoritarian policies, are rarely devoid of the tutelage necessary to make them a truly revolutionary form of counter-narrative.
Victims’ Voices: Understanding the Emotional Impact of Cyberstalking and Individuals’ Coping Responses
Authors: Worsley Joanne D. , Wheatcroft Jacqueline M. , Short Emma , Corcoran Rhiannon
Published: May 2017

Recent quantitative research has identified similar detrimental effects on victims of cyberstalking as those that arise from traditional stalking. The current study thematically analyzed one hundred victim narratives gathered by means of an online survey with a view to assessing the mental health and well-being implications of the experience of cyberstalking. Coping strategies employed by victims and the perceived effectiveness of each strategy were also explored. The findings suggest that the emotional impact of cyberstalking predominantly includes comorbid anxiety and depression. Common coping strategies adopted by victims in our sample include avoidant coping, ignoring the perpetrator, confrontational coping, support seeking, and cognitive reframing. Taken together, the findings demonstrate that the ramifications of cyberstalking are widespread, affecting psychological, social, interpersonal, and economic aspects of life. To adapt, some victims made major changes to both their work and social life, with some ceasing employment and others modifying their usual daily activities. The widespread negative effects of cyberstalking identified in this study highlight that this phenomenon should be a concern to both legal and mental health professionals, particularly as the comments made by our sample illustrate the current inadequacy of response and provision. Recommendations are discussed and provided for law enforcement and mental health professionals.
A Critical Review of Low Back Pain Guidelines
Authors: Chetty Laran
Published: May 2017

Low back pain (LBP) remains one of the most common and challenging musculoskeletal conditions encountered by health care professionals and is a leading cause of absenteeism. Clinical guidelines are often considered best evidence in health care. The aim of this critical review was to assess the quality and recommendations of LBP guidelines using the Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation (AGREE) instrument. Electronic databases were used to identify LBP guidelines published between 2000 and 2015. Nine guidelines were selected for review from a total of 17. Only five guidelines effectively addressed the AGREE scoring. On the basis of the appraisal and domain scores, only four guidelines were strongly recommended. Improved translation of research evidence from guidelines to clinical practice is needed.
The Relationship Between Shiftwork and Violence Against Nurses: A Case Control Study
Authors: Sun Steve , Gerberich Susan Goodwin , Ryan Andrew D.
Published: May 2017

This study investigated the potential relationship between shiftwork and work-related physical assault (PA) against nurses who are at high risk of violence globally. Nurses (6,300), randomly selected from the licensing database and working in Minnesota, were surveyed regarding PA experiences. Through a nested case-control study, nurses who reported a PA in the previous 12 months and controls who were randomly selected from their assault-free working months, respectively, identified exposures experienced during the month prior to the assault month (cases) and the random non-PA months (controls). Comparing case and control exposures, shiftwork was examined relevant to PA. Among 310 cases and 946 controls, most worked 8 hours or less (87%, 88%) during day shifts (44%, 70%). Multivariable analyses (odds ratios [ORs] and 95% confidence intervals [CIs]) revealed increased risk of PA for nurses working evening (OR = 1.55, 95% CI = [1.05, 2.27]), night (OR = 3.54, 95% CI = [2.31, 5.44]), and rotating day and evening (OR = 2.88, 95% CI = [1.22, 6.80]) shifts, which provides a basis for intervention opportunities.
Calciphylaxis in the Setting of Alcoholic Cirrhosis: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Shah Natasha , Arshad Hafiz Muhammad Sharjeel , Li Yanxia , Silva Rogelio
Published: May 2017

Calciphylaxis can be a severe life-threatening dermatologic disease that is a known complication associated with end-stage renal disease. However, multiple non-uremic etiologies that are not yet well studied can cause calciphylaxis. We report a rare care of a 40-year-old female with history of alcoholic cirrhosis without any evidence of renal dysfunction who presents with calciphylaxis.
A Severe Case of Cutaneous Adverse Drug Reaction Secondary to a Novice Drug: Idelalisib
Authors: Gabriel Joseph Gabriel , Kapila Aaysha , Gonzalez-Estrada Alexei
Published: May 2017

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase δ (PIK3δ) is a tyrosine kinase essential for B cell survival, making it an important target in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Idelalisib is an inhibitor of PIK3δ demonstrating initial success in disease response, but is now shown to have a decreased overall survival and life-threatening serious adverse events. The following is an unfortunate case of a grade III adverse skin reaction secondary to idelalisib with the likely complication of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia.
Challenges to Ethically Managing Parkinson Disease
Authors: Shaw Shelagh T , Vivekananda-Schmidt Pirashanthie
Published: May 2017

This study investigated the current ethical issues in relation to recognizing and managing Parkinson disease (PD) from the patient’s perspective.

Methods:

Twelve patients living with PD who were from the medical school’s Patients as Educators program were recruited. Semistructured interviews were conducted to record patient experiences in order to identify potential ethical issues in relation to recognizing and managing PD. Thematic analysis was applied to the interview transcripts.

Results:

Four key themes emerged from the interviews. These were information giving, coping, identity, and future medical treatment. These data indicate variable experiences in relation to communication between patient and health-care professional, better support for both planning end-of-life decisions and in coping with the disease’s impacts on their identity. Patients with PD also struggle with access to support services and support for main carer.

Implications:

To ensure ethical practice in supporting patients with PD, these emerging themes need further investigation; and management guidelines relevant to PD must be informed by research in this area to ensure ethical care of patients with PD, their carers, and families.
Sphingomyelin encrypts tissue factor: ATP-induced activation of A-SMase leads to tissue factor decryption and microvesicle shedding
Authors: Wang Jue , Pendurthi Usha R. , Rao L. Vijaya Mohan
Published: May 2017

Key Points

SM in the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane is responsible for TF encryption. ATP-induced activation of A-SMase leads to hydrolysis of SM in the outer leaflet, which consequently activates TF and releases TF+ MVs.
Bronchial inflammation and bacterial load in stable COPD is associated with TLR4 overexpression
Authors: Di Stefano Antonino , Ricciardolo Fabio L.M. , Caramori Gaetano , Adcock Ian M. , Chung Kian Fan , Barnes Peter J. , Brun Paola , Leonardi Andrea , Andò Filippo , Vallese Davide , Gnemmi Isabella , Righi Luisella , Cappello Francesco , Balbi Bruno
Published: May 2017

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and nucleotide-binding oligomerisation domain (NOD)-like receptors (NLRs) are two major forms of innate immune sensors but their role in the immunopathology of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is incompletely studied. Our objective here was to investigate TLR and NLR signalling pathways in the bronchial mucosa in stable COPD.

Using immunohistochemistry, the expression levels of TLR2, TLR4, TLR9, NOD1, NOD2, CD14, myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88), Toll-interleukin-1 receptor domain-containing adaptor protein (TIRAP), and the interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinases phospho-IRAK1 and IRAK4 were measured in the bronchial mucosa of subjects with stable COPD of different severity (n=34), control smokers (n=12) and nonsmokers (n=12). The bronchial bacterial load ofPseudomonas aeruginosa,Haemophilus influenzae,Moraxella catarrhalisandStreptococcus pneumoniaewas measured by quantitative real-time PCR.

TLR4 and NOD1 expression was increased in the bronchial mucosa of patients with severe/very severe stable COPD compared with control subjects. TLR4 bronchial epithelial expression correlated positively with CD4+and CD8+cells and airflow obstruction. NOD1 expression correlated with CD8+cells. The bronchial load ofP. aeruginosawas directly correlated, butH. influenzaeinversely correlated, with the degree of airflow obstruction. Bacterial load did not correlate with inflammatory cells.

Bronchial epithelial overexpression of TLR4 and NOD1 in severe/very severe stable COPD, associated with increased bronchial inflammation andP. aeruginosabacterial load, may play a role in the pathogenesis of COPD.
Concurrent use of long-acting bronchodilators in COPD and the risk of adverse cardiovascular events
Authors: Suissa Samy , Dell'Aniello Sophie , Ernst Pierre
Published: May 2017

The cardiovascular risk of concurrently using long-acting β2-agonists (LABAs) and anticholinergics (LAMAs) in COPD is uncertain. We assessed the comparative cardiovascular and cerebrovascular safety of adding a second long-acting bronchodilator in patients with COPD.

We identified a cohort of COPD patients, new users of LABA or the LAMA tiotropium during 2002–2012, from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink. Using high-dimensional propensity scores, each patient adding a second bronchodilator was matched with a patient who remained on monotherapy. Patients were followed for 1 year for the occurrence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), stroke, heart failure and arrhythmia.

The cohorts included up to 31 174 patients adding a bronchodilator matched to 31 174 patients remaining on bronchodilator monotherapy. Adding a long-acting bronchodilator, compared to remaining on monotherapy, was not associated with an increased risk of AMI (hazard ratio (HR) 1.12, 95% CI 0.92–1.36), stroke (HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.69–1.10) or arrhythmia (HR 1.05, 95% CI 0.81–1.36), but the risk was elevated for heart failure (HR 1.16, 95% CI 1.03–1.30).

Adding a second long-acting bronchodilator in the real-world-setting treatment of COPD does not increase the risk of most cardiovascular events. The modest increase for heart failure warrants further investigation.
Bayesian Updating of Earthquake Vulnerability Functions with Application to Mortality Rates
Authors: Noh Hae-Young , Kiremidjian Anne , Ceferino Luis , So Emily
Published: May 2017

Vulnerability functions often rely on data from expert opinion, post-earthquake investigations, or analytical simulations. Combining the information can be particularly challenging. In this paper, a Bayesian statistical framework is presented to combining disparate information. The framework is illustrated through application to earthquake mortality data obtained from the 2005 Pakistan earthquake and from PAGER. Three different models are tested including an exponential, a combination of Bernoulli and exponential and Bernoulli and gamma fit to model respectively zero and non-zero mortality rates. A novel Bayesian model for the Bernoulli-exponential and Bernoulli-gamma probability densities is introduced. It is found that the exponential distribution represents the zero casualties very poorly. The Bernoulli-exponential and Bernoulli-gamma models capture the data for both the zero and non-zero mortality rates. It is also shown that the Bernoulli-gamma model fits the 2005 Pakistan data the best and has uncertainties that are smaller than either the ones from the 2005 Pakistan data or the PAGER data.
Dynamic regulation of VEGF-inducible genes by an ERK-ERG-p300 transcriptional network
Authors: Fish Jason E. , Gutierrez Manuel Cantu , Dang Lan T. , Khyzha Nadiya , Chen Zhiqi , Veitch Shawn , Cheng Henry S. , Khor Melvin , Antounians Lina , Njock Makon-Sébastien , Boudreau Emilie , Herman Alexander M. , Rhyner Alexander M. , Ruiz Oscar E. , Eisenhoffer George T. , Medina-Rivera Alejandra , Wilson Michael D. , Wythe Joshua D.
Published: May 2017

The transcriptional pathways activated downstream of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) signaling during angiogenesis remain incompletely characterized. By assessing the signals responsible for induction of the Notch ligand, Delta-Like 4 (DLL4) in endothelial cells we find that activation of the MAPK/ERK pathway mirrors the rapid and dynamic induction of DLL4 transcription and that this pathway is required for DLL4 expression. Furthermore, VEGF/ERK signaling induces phosphorylation and activation of the ETS transcription factor ERG, a prerequisite for DLL4 induction. Transcription of DLL4 coincides with dynamic ERG-dependent recruitment of the transcriptional co-activator p300. Genome-wide gene expression profiling identified a network of VEGF-responsive and ERG-dependent genes, and ERG ChIP-seq revealed the presence of conserved ERG-bound putative enhancer elements near these target genes. Functional experiments performed in vitro and in vivo confirm that this network of genes requires ERK, ERG, and p300 activity. Finally, genome-editing and transgenic approaches demonstrate that a highly conserved ERG-bound enhancer located upstream of HLX (a transcription factor implicated in sprouting angiogenesis) is required for its VEGF-mediated induction. Collectively, these findings elucidate a novel transcriptional pathway contributing to VEGF-dependent angiogenesis.
TRAPPC13 modulates autophagy and the response to Golgi stress
Authors: Ramírez-Peinado Silvia , Ignashkova Tatiana I. , van Raam Bram J. , Baumann Jan , Sennott Erica L. , Gendarme Mathieu , Lindemann Ralph K. , Starnbach Michael N. , Reiling Jan H.
Published: May 2017

Tether complexes play important roles in endocytic and exocytic trafficking of lipids and proteins. In yeast, the multisubunit transport protein particle (TRAPP) tether regulates endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-to-Golgi and intra-Golgi transport and is also implicated in autophagy. In addition, the TRAPP complex acts as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for Ypt1, which is homologous to human Rab1a and Rab1b. Here, we show that human TRAPPC13 and other TRAPP subunits are critically involved in the survival response to several Golgi-disrupting agents. Loss of TRAPPC13 partially preserves the secretory pathway and viability in response to brefeldin A, in a manner that is dependent on ARF1 and the large GEF GBF1, and concomitant with reduced caspase activation and ER stress marker induction. TRAPPC13 depletion reduces Rab1a and Rab1b activity, impairs autophagy and leads to increased infectivity to the pathogenic bacterium Shigella flexneri in response to brefeldin A. Thus, our results lend support for the existence of a mammalian TRAPPIII complex containing TRAPPC13, which is important for autophagic flux under certain stress conditions.
Valuing Thinly Traded Assets
Authors: Longstaff Francis A.
Published: May 2017

We model illiquidity as a restriction on the stopping rules investors can follow in selling assets, and apply this framework to the valuation of thinly traded investments. We find that discounts for illiquidity can be surprisingly large, approaching 30%–50% in some cases. Immediacy plays a unique role and is valued much more than ongoing liquidity. We show that investors in illiquid enterprises have strong incentives to increase dividends and other cash payouts, thereby introducing potential agency conflicts. We also find that illiquidity and volatility are fundamentally entangled in their effects on asset prices. This aspect may help explain why some assets are viewed as inherently more liquid than others and why liquidity concerns are heightened during financial crises.

This paper was accepted by Gustavo Manso, finance.
The association between whole body sagittal balance and risk of falls among elderly patients seeking treatment for back pain
Authors: Kim J. , Hwang J. Y. , Oh J. K. , Park M. S. , Kim S. W. , Chang H. , Kim T-H.
Published: May 2017

Objectives

The objective of this study was to assess the association between whole body sagittal balance and risk of falls in elderly patients who have sought treatment for back pain. Balanced spinal sagittal alignment is known to be important for the prevention of falls. However, spinal sagittal imbalance can be markedly compensated by the lower extremities, and whole body sagittal balance including the lower extremities should be assessed to evaluate actual imbalances related to falls.

Methods

Patients over 70 years old who visited an outpatient clinic for back pain treatment and underwent a standing whole-body radiograph were enrolled. Falls were prospectively assessed for 12 months using a monthly fall diary, and patients were divided into fallers and non-fallers according to the history of falls. Radiological parameters from whole-body radiographs and clinical data were compared between the two groups.

Results

A total of 144 patients (120 female patients and 24 male patients) completed a 12-month follow-up for assessing falls. A total of 31 patients (21.5%) reported at least one fall within the 12-month follow-up. In univariate logistic regression analysis, the risk of falls was significantly increased in older patients and those with more medical comorbidities, decreased lumbar lordosis, increased sagittal vertical axis, and increased horizontal distance between the C7 plumb line and the centre of the ankle (C7A). Increased C7A was significantly associated with increased risk of falls even after multivariate adjustment.

Conclusion

Whole body sagittal balance, measured by the horizontal distance between the C7 plumb line and the centre of the ankle, was significantly associated with risk of falls among elderly patients with back pain. Cite this article: J. Kim, J. Y. Hwang, J. K. Oh, M. S. Park, S. W. Kim, H. Chang, T-H. Kim. The association between whole body sagittal balance and risk of falls among elderly patients seeking treatment for back pain. Bone Joint Res 2017;6:–344. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.65.BJR-2016-0271.R2.
What the Chilcot report teaches us
Authors: Falk Richard
Published: May 2017

After six years the United Kingdom embarked upon an official inquiry into its participation in the 2003 attack on Iraq and role in the subsequent occupation up until 2009. The inquiry, known by the last name of its chair, Sir John Chilcot, produced an exhaustive report that contains many details of great interest, but it is disappointing when it comes to the bigger questions relating to the culpability and accountability of Tony Blair, the relationship between Britain and international law in war–peace contexts, and a considered analysis of the proper show of respect for the authority of the United Nations by a member State. This article offers a critical appraisal of the United Kingdom’s 2016 Iraq Inquiry.
Indolent form of adrenocortical carcinoma: clinico-morphological features of 7 patients.
Authors: Bokhian Vagan U. , Pavlovskaya Alentina I. , Kolomeytseva Alina A. , Bugaev Vladislav E. , Stilidi Ivan S.
Published: May 2017

Адренокортикальный рак (АКР) имеет высокий злокачественный потенциал в преобладающем большинстве случаев, однако у некоторых больных АКР характеризуется вялым, неагрессивным течением, когда пациенты с доказанными отдаленными метастазами или рецидивом могут жить без прогрессирования достаточно продолжительное время. Индолентный курс АКР определен как отсутствие роста доказанных злокачественных опухолевых узлов за период 12 мес. и более. Проведен сравнительный анализ клинико-морфологических характеристик 7 больных с индолентным АКР в сравнении с контрольной группой, состоящей из 157 больных, оперированных по поводу АКР. Изучены клинические характеристики, гистологические критерии Вейса, индекс пролиферативной активности Ki67, экспрессия белка р53, b-катенина. У 7 пациентов, оперированных многократно (до 5 раз), отмечено индолентное течение рецидивного или метастатического АКР. Максимальный срок наблюдения, когда отсутствовал рост опухоли, составил более 37 мес. Клинические характеристики больных обеих групп достоверно не отличались. Гистологические критерии Вейса, индекс Ki67, экспрессия белка р53 также достоверно не отличались. Экспрессия b-катенина, как ядерная, так и цитоплазматическая, отсутствовала в клетках АКР с индолентным течением, различия по сравнению с контрольной группой достоверны. Индолентное течение обусловлено биологическими особенностями опухоли, не отражается в клинических показателях, характеризующих первичную опухоль. Возможно, одним из механизмов, приводящих к подобному течению заболевания, является инактивация сигнального пути Wnt/b-катенин. Феномен индолентного течения АКР, характеризующегося, как правило, высоким злокачественным потенциалом, требует дальнейших исследований.
Factors predicting the outcomes of removal of corticotropinom in Cushing's disease
Authors: Marova Evgenia I. , Kolesnikova Galina S. , Arapova Svetlana D. , Grigorjev Aleksandr U. , Lapshina Anastasia M. , Melnichenko Galina A.
Published: May 2017

Обоснование. Болезнь Иценко–Кушинга (БИК) – тяжелое многосимптомное заболевание гипоталамо-гипофизарно-надпочечниковой системы. Причиной заболевания является наличие аденомы гипофиза (кортикотропиномы). Увеличение секреции адренокортикотропного гормона (АКТГ) аденомой гипофиза приводит к повышенной секреции кортизола корой надпочечников и развитию тотального эндогенного гиперкортицизма. Золотым стандартом лечения данного заболевания является хирургическое удаление кортикотропиномы. Однако аденомэктомия не во всех случаях бывает эффективной, и примерно в 20% случаев после проведенного радикального лечения не удается достичь ремиссии заболевания и возникает рецидив.
Цель. Целью нашей работы являлась оценка факторов, оказывающих влияние на результат аденомэктомии у пациентов с болезнью Иценко–Кушинга, и выявление предикторов рецидива.
Методы. В исследование было включено 84 пациента (80 женщин и 4 мужчин) в возрасте от 18 до 58 лет с БИК до и после трансназальной аденомэктомии. Период наблюдения от 3 до 15 лет, начиная с 2001 г. (в среднем 9,0 лет). Была проведена ретроспективная оценка клинических и гормональных факторов (АКТГ и кортизола) до операции и через 1–3 и 8–13 дней после операции.
Результаты. У 54 (64,3%) из 84 пациентов с БИК после проведенной трансназальной аденомэктомии развилась ремиссия заболевания. Оперативное лечение было неэффективно у 30 (35,7%) пациентов, и им была проведена повторная аденомэктомия. По данным МРТ головного мозга, среди пациентов с ремиссией заболевания чаще встречались микроаденомы гипофиза (54%) по сравнению с пациентами, у которых операция оказалась неэффективна, а на МРТ чаще встречались макроаденомы (63%). У всех больных с БИК независимо от исхода нейрохирургической операции наблюдалось достоверное снижение уровня кортизола и АКТГ в раннем послеоперационном периоде.
Заключение. Показателями эффективности аденомэктомии и длительной ремиссии у пациентов с БИК являются уровень утреннего кортизола менее 100 нмоль/л и уровень АКТГ менее 10,0 пг/мл на ранних сроках после операции (1–13-й дни). Наличие надпочечниковой недостаточности после аденомэктомии является предиктором эффективности операции, но не исключает вероятности развития рецидива.
Russian Association of Endocrinologists clinical practice guideline for adrenal incidentalomas differential diagnosis
Authors: Beltsevich Dmitriy G. , Melnichenko Galina A. , Kuznetsov Nikolay S. , Troshina Ekaterina A. , Platonova Nadezhda M. , Vanushko Vladimir E. , Yukina Marina Y. , Molashenko Natalia V.
Published: May 2017

Обсуждается диагностический алгоритм при случайно выявленных образованиях надпочечников, направленный на определение гормональной активности и злокачественного потенциала, показания и ранжированность наблюдения  для группы пациентов с гормонально неактивными доброкачественными опухолями.
Рекомендовано определение гормональной активности образования, которая может проявляться гиперкатехоламинемией, эндогенным гиперкортицизмом, первичным гиперальдостеронизмом.
Всем пациентам рекомендовано определение кортизола в утренние часы на фоне подавляющего теста с 1 мг дексаметазона. При отсутствии физиологического подавления уровня кортизола в качестве подтверждающего теста предлагается использовать определение адренокортикотропного гормона в утренние часы.
В качестве метода первичной диагностики феохромоцитомы/параганглиомы (ФХЦ/ПГ) рекомендовано определение свободных метанефринов плазмы или фракционированных метанефринов суточной мочи. При положительном результате тестирования необходимо углубленное обследование для исключения или подтверждения ФХЦ/ПГ.
При наличии у больного с опухолью надпочечника артериальной гипертензии рекомендовано определение соотношения между уровнем альдостерона и активностью ренина плазмы (прямой концентрации ренина) для исключения первичного гиперальдостеронизма.
Для диагностики злокачественного потенциала опухоли рекомендована оценка количественных денситометрических показателей компьютерной томографии.
Лечебная тактика в отношении инциденталом надпочечников не рассматривается в настоящих рекомендациях, так как является сферой компетенции соответствующих рекомендаций по конкретным нозологиям.
Radioiodine therapy of thyrotoxicosis in children and adolescents. Indications, efficacy and safety. Literature review
Authors: Rumiantsev Pavel Olegovich , Kiyaev Alexey Vasil'evich , Sehemeta Marina Sergeevna , Chikulaeva Olga Alexandrovna
Published: May 2017

Болезнь Грейвса (БГ) – основная причина тиреотоксикоза у детей. В современной клинической практике применяется три метода лечения БГ: тиреостатики, радиоактивный йод и операция. Все эти методы лечения применяются давно, и в мире накоплен огромный опыт применения каждого из методов лечения. Лечение начинают практически всегда с тиреостатиков, непереносимость или неэффективность которых становится показанием к выбору альтернативных методов лечения. Для осознанного выбора метода лечения необходимо понимать его потенциальные параметры эффективности и безопасности, а также влияющие на них факторы. Цель обзора – критический анализ эффективности и безопасности радиойодтерапии в лечении тиреотоксикоза у детей и подростков в сравнении с аналогичными показателями других методов лечения, а также показания и противопоказания к данному виду лечения в современной клинической практике эндокринологов, радиологов и эндокринных хирургов. Выбор тактики лечения БГ у ребенка на каждом этапе осуществляется согласованно с ним и его родителями/опекунами путем информирования лечащим врачом об объективных преимуществах и недостатках методов лечения на основе имеющейся доказательной базы. Также приведены основные рекомендации эффективной и безопасной терапии радиоактивным йодом БГ у детей и подростков.