bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digital spaces, public places and communicative power
Authors: Kreide Regina
Published: January 2016

The deliberative model of politics has recently been criticized for not being very well equipped to conceptualize current developments such as the misinterpretation of political difference, the digital turn, and public protests. A first critique is that this model assumes a conception of public spheres that is too idealistic. A second objection is that it misconceives the relationship between empirical reality and normativity. Third, it is assumed that deliberative democracy offers an antiquated notion of a shared ‘we’ of political actors and because of this, fourth, fails to take into consideration the ‘digital turn’, in particular the de-personalizing effects of social media that have led to a rapid decline of the public sphere. And a fifth critique states that the deliberative model ignores the fact that politics is not, and especially protests and revolutions are not, seminar-like debates but spontaneous, chaotic and sometimes violent expressions. I will argue that all of these critiques fall short in a variety of ways. A deliberative model of politics allows us to address the tension between the ideal and the real, the ‘old media’ and the so-called digitalization of public spheres as well as peaceful discourse and violent uprisings. Especially the concept of communicative power, a notion also used by Hannah Arendt and Jürgen Habermas, reveals the potentials for future participation in digital spaces and public places.
Neuroprotective effects of adenosine deaminase in the striatum
Authors: Tamura Risa , Ohta Hiroyuki , Satoh Yasushi , Nonoyama Shigeaki , Nishida Yasuhiro , Nibuya Masashi
Published: January 2016

Adenosine deaminase (ADA) is a ubiquitous enzyme that catabolizes adenosine and deoxyadenosine. During cerebral ischemia, extracellular adenosine levels increase acutely and adenosine deaminase catabolizes the increased levels of adenosine. Since adenosine is a known neuroprotective agent, adenosine deaminase was thought to have a negative effect during ischemia. In this study, however, we demonstrate that adenosine deaminase has substantial neuroprotective effects in the striatum, which is especially vulnerable during cerebral ischemia. We used temporary oxygen/glucose deprivation (OGD) to simulate ischemia in rat corticostriatal brain slices. We used field potentials as the primary measure of neuronal damage. For stable and efficient electrophysiological assessment, we used transgenic rats expressing channelrhodopsin-2, which depolarizes neurons in response to blue light. Time courses of electrically evoked striatal field potential (eFP) and optogenetically evoked striatal field potential (optFP) were recorded during and after oxygen/glucose deprivation. The levels of both eFP and optFP decreased after 10 min of oxygen/glucose deprivation. Bath-application of 10 µg/ml adenosine deaminase during oxygen/glucose deprivation significantly attenuated the oxygen/glucose deprivation-induced reduction in levels of eFP and optFP. The number of injured cells decreased significantly, and western blot analysis indicated a significant decrease of autophagic signaling in the adenosine deaminase-treated oxygen/glucose deprivation slices. These results indicate that adenosine deaminase has protective effects in the striatum.
Magnetic Resonance investigation into the mechanisms involved in the development of high-altitude cerebral edema
Authors: Sagoo Ravjit S , Hutchinson Charles E , Wright Alex , Handford Charles , Parsons Helen , Sherwood Victoria , Wayte Sarah , Nagaraja Sanjoy , Ng’Andwe Eddie , Wilson Mark H , Imray Christopher HE ,   for the Birmingham Medical Research and Expedition Society
Published: January 2016

Rapid ascent to high altitude commonly results in acute mountain sickness, and on occasion potentially fatal high-altitude cerebral edema. The exact pathophysiological mechanisms behind these syndromes remain to be determined. We report a study in which 12 subjects were exposed to a FiO2 = 0.12 for 22 h and underwent serial magnetic resonance imaging sequences to enable measurement of middle cerebral artery velocity, flow and diameter, and brain parenchymal, cerebrospinal fluid and cerebral venous volumes. Ten subjects completed 22 h and most developed symptoms of acute mountain sickness (mean Lake Louise Score 5.4; p < 0.001 vs. baseline). Cerebral oxygen delivery was maintained by an increase in middle cerebral artery velocity and diameter (first 6 h). There appeared to be venocompression at the level of the small, deep cerebral veins (116 cm3 at 2 h to 97 cm3 at 22 h; p < 0.05). Brain white matter volume increased over the 22-h period (574 ml to 587 ml; p < 0.001) and correlated with cumulative Lake Louise scores at 22 h ( p < 0.05). We conclude that cerebral oxygen delivery was maintained by increased arterial inflow and this preceded the development of cerebral edema. Venous outflow restriction appeared to play a contributory role in the formation of cerebral edema, a novel feature that has not been observed previously.
Cerebroprotection by the neuronal PGE2 receptor EP2 after intracerebral hemorrhage in middle-aged mice
Authors: Wu He , Wu Tao , Han Xiaoning , Wan Jieru , Jiang Chao , Chen Wenwu , Lu Hong , Yang Qingwu , Wang Jian
Published: January 2016

Inflammatory responses mediated by prostaglandins such as PGE2 may contribute to secondary brain injury after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). However, the cell-specific signaling by PGE2 receptor EP2 differs depending on whether the neuropathic insult is acute or chronic. Using genetic and pharmacologic approaches, we investigated the role of EP2 receptor in two mouse models of ICH induced by intrastriatal injection of collagenase or autologous arterial whole blood. We used middle-aged male mice to enhance the clinical relevance of the study. EP2 receptor was expressed in neurons but not in astrocytes or microglia after collagenase-induced ICH. Brain injury after collagenase-induced ICH was associated with enhanced cellular and molecular inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2/9 activity. EP2 receptor deletion exacerbated brain injury, brain swelling/edema, neuronal death, and neurobehavioral deficits, whereas EP2 receptor activation by the highly selective agonist AE1-259-01 reversed these outcomes. EP2 receptor deletion also exacerbated brain edema and neurologic deficits in the blood ICH model. These findings support the premise that neuronal EP2 receptor activation by PGE2 protects brain against ICH injury in middle-aged mice through its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects and anti-MMP-2/9 activity. PGE2/EP2 signaling warrants further investigation for potential use in ICH treatment.
Human Amniotic Membrane–Derived Products in Sports Medicine
Authors: Riboh Jonathan C. , Saltzman Bryan M. , Yanke Adam B. , Cole Brian J.
Published: January 2016

Background:

Amniotic membrane (AM)–derived products have been successfully used in ophthalmology, plastic surgery, and wound care, but little is known about their potential applications in orthopaedic sports medicine.

Purpose:

To provide an updated review of the basic science and preclinical and clinical data supporting the use of AM-derived products and to review their current applications in sports medicine.

Study Design:

Systematic review.

Methods:

A systematic search of the literature was conducted using the Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases. The search term amniotic membrane was used alone and in conjunction with stem cell, orthopaedic, tissue engineering, scaffold, and sports medicine.

Results:

The search identified 6870 articles, 80 of which, after screening of the titles and abstracts, were considered relevant to this study. Fifty-five articles described the anatomy, basic science, and nonorthopaedic applications of AM-derived products. Twenty-five articles described preclinical and clinical trials of AM-derived products for orthopaedic sports medicine. Because the level of evidence obtained from this search was not adequate for systematic review or meta-analysis, a current concepts review on the anatomy, physiology, and clinical uses of AM-derived products is presented.

Conclusion:

Amniotic membranes have many promising applications in sports medicine. They are a source of pluripotent cells, highly organized collagen, antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory cytokines, immunomodulators, and matrix proteins. These properties may make it beneficial when applied as tissue engineering scaffolds, improving tissue organization in healing, and treatment of the arthritic joint. The current body of evidence in sports medicine is heavily biased toward in vitro and animal studies, with little to no human clinical data. Nonetheless, 14 companies or distributors offer commercial AM products. The preparation and formulation of these products alter their biological and mechanical properties, and a thorough understanding of these differences will help guide the use of AM-derived products in sports medicine research.
Defect Characteristics of Reverse Hill-Sachs Lesions
Authors: Moroder Philipp , Tauber Mark , Scheibel Markus , Habermeyer Peter , Imhoff Andreas B. , Liem Dennis , Lill Helmut , Buchmann Stefan , Wolke Julia , Guevara-Alvarez Alberto , Salmoukas Katharina , Resch Herbert
Published: January 2016

Background:

Little scientific evidence regarding reverse Hill-Sachs lesions (RHSLs) in posterior shoulder instability exists. Recently, standardized measurement methods of the size and localization were introduced, and the biomechanical effect of the extent and position of the defects on the risk of re-engagement was determined.

Purpose:

To analyze the characteristics and patterns of RHSLs in a large case series using standardized measurements and to interpret the results based on the newly available biomechanical findings.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

In this multicenter study, 102 cases of RHSLs in 99 patients were collected from 7 different shoulder centers between 2004 and 2013. Patient- as well as injury-specific information was gathered, and defect characteristics in terms of the size, localization, and depth index were determined on computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scans by means of standardized measurements. Additionally, the position (gamma angle) of the posterior defect margin as a predictor of re-engagement was analyzed.

Results:

Three types of an RHSL were distinguished based on the pathogenesis and chronicity of the lesion: dislocation (D), locked dislocation (LD), and chronic locked dislocation (CLD). While the localization of the defects did not vary significantly between the subgroups ( P = .072), their mean size differed signficantly (D: 32.6° ± 11.7°, LD: 49.4° ± 17.2°, CLD: 64.1° ± 20.7°; P < .001). The mean gamma angle as a predictor of re-engagement was similarly significantly different between groups (D: 83.8° ± 14.5°, LD: 96.5° ± 17.9°, CLD: 108.7° ± 18.4°; P < .001). The orientation of the posterior defect margin was consistently quite parallel to the humeral shaft axis, with a mean difference of 0.3° ± 8.1°.

Conclusion:

The distinction between the 3 different RHSL types based on the pathogenesis and chronicity of the defect helps identify defects prone to re-engagement. The gamma angle as a measurement of the position of the posterior defect margin and therefore a predictor of re-engagement varies significantly between the defect types.
Living at the Edge
Authors: Chaudhry Vandana
Published: January 2016

Based on the philosophy of Yunus—founder of the Grameen Bank model and Nobel Prize laureate—microfinance has been globally upheld as a neoliberal panacea for addressing poverty and income disparities. Despite these advances, microfinance—as a key policy tool for increasing well-being, social mobility, and capital markets in the underserved communities of the Global South—has not yet been evaluated for its effects in empowering women with disabilities. I draw from disability studies, feminist studies, and social work to examine the ethnographic phenomenon of disabled women who, despite dire poverty, take the unexpected strategic step of collectively refusing to accept microfinance loans. I argue that the individualizing, market-oriented logic of microfinance comports standards of compulsory able-bodiedness that are contradicted by disability as a reality that is experienced through relational kinship ties in rural India. This suggests that approaches to social work in microfinance and disability should attend to cultural aspects of power that manifest through beliefs about gender, ability, and kin-based relationality, beliefs which may sit uneasily with western cultural norms of autonomy, empowerment, and individual agency purported by neoliberal development programs. Finally, this article sheds light on the current development models and social work interventions in the public sphere, which tend to be ill-suited to redress the conditions of impairment that affect disabled women, and invites us to reimagine the domestic sphere as a domain of emergent dependencies and agentive possibilities.
Older Parents Benefit More in Health Outcome From Daughters’ Than Sons’ Emotional Care in China
Authors: Zeng Yi , Brasher Melanie Sereny , Gu Danan , Vaupel James W.
Published: January 2016

Objective: To examine whether older parents in China would benefit more from daughters’ care than from sons’ emotional care. Method: Analysis of the unique data sets of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey conducted in 2002, 2005, and 2008-2009 in 22 provinces. Results: As compared with having son(s), having daughter(s) is significantly more beneficial at older ages in China, with regard to maintaining higher cognitive capacity and reducing mortality risk. Such daughter advantages in providing emotional care to older parents are more profound among the oldest-old aged 80+ as compared with the young-old aged 65 to 79 and surprisingly more profound in rural areas as compared with urban areas, even though son preference is much more common among rural residents. Discussion: We describe how educational campaigns aimed at informing the public about the benefits of daughter(s) for older parents’ health outcome could help promote gender equality and reduce traditional son preference, especially in rural China.
Mechanical characterization and finite element modeling of polylactic acid BCC-Z cellular lattice structures fabricated by fused deposition modeling
Authors: Rezaei R , Karamooz Ravari MR , Badrossamay M , Kadkhodaei M
Published: January 2016

In recent years, cellular lattice structures are of interest due to their high strength in combination with low weight. They may be used in various areas such as aerospace and automotive industries. Accordingly, assessment of their manufacturability, repeatability and mechanical properties is very important. In this paper, these issues are investigated for Polylactic Acid cellular lattice structures fabricated by fused deposition modeling. To do so, some benchmarks are designed and fabricated to find suitable processing parameters as well as the structural dimensions. In addition, to evaluate the mechanical properties of the lattice’s material, a number of tension and compression specimens are fabricated and tested. The material’s stress–strain curves reveal non-linear behaviors. These curves are not coincided in tension and compression which shows an asymmetric material behavior. To characterize the fabricated cellular lattices, they are tested in compression, and the deformation mechanisms of the structures are analyzed. To investigate the correlation between the bulk material and the material of the ligaments, a solid finite element model is developed to predict the stress–strain response of the lattice. The obtained result shows a reasonably good correlation between the model and experiments.
Effect of Obesity on Outcomes of Forefoot Surgery
Authors: Stewart Matthew S. , Bettin Clayton C. , Ramsey Matthew T. , Ishikawa Susan N. , Murphy G. Andrew , Richardson David R. , Tolley Elizabeth A.
Published: January 2016

Background:

Forefoot surgery typically is elective, so it is important to define risk factors to educate patients on potential complications. The purpose of this study was to determine if obesity is an independent risk factor that contributes to increased complication rates after forefoot surgery.

Methods:

Through a retrospective review of records, 633 patients were identified who had forefoot surgery at one institution between 2008 and 2010. All patients who currently smoked or smoked in the past were excluded to eliminate a confounding factor, as smoking is known to increase complication rates, leaving 427 patients for inclusion, 299 nonobese (BMI less than 30) and 128 obese (BMI more than 30). Medical records were reviewed for the occurrence of complications, including nonunion, delayed union, delayed wound healing, infection, and persistent pain.

Results:

The overall complication rate was 9%, with similar rates between obese (10%) and nonobese patients (9%). The only specific complication approaching significance ( P = .13) was a higher rate of infection in obese patients (4 % compared to 1%), which could be attributed to the higher percentage of diabetic patients in the obese group. Diabetic patients, regardless of weight, had significantly higher rates of infection ( P = .03), with a trend toward higher rates of overall complications and delayed wound healing ( P = .08 and P < .06, respectively).

Conclusion:

Obesity was not shown to lead to more frequent complications after forefoot surgery. Diabetes was associated with significantly higher rates of infection, regardless of weight. Though not significant, there was a trend toward higher rates of overall complications and delayed wound healing in diabetic patients as well.

Level of Evidence:

Level III, retrospective comparative study.
Nebivolol Acts as a S-Nitrosoglutathione Reductase Inhibitor
Authors: Jiang Hong , Polhemus David J. , Islam Kazi N. , Torregrossa Ashley C. , Li Zhen , Potts Amy , Lefer David J. , Bryan Nathan S.
Published: January 2016

Background and Purpose:

Published data on nebivolol reveal selective β1 adrenergic selectively along with novel nitric oxide (NO)-dependent vasodilatory properties. However, the exact molecular mechanism is unknown. Protein S-nitrosylation constitutes a large part of the ubiquitous influence of NO on cellular signal transduction and is involved in a number of human diseases. More recently, protein denitrosylation has been shown to play a major role in controlling cellular S-nitrosylation (SNO). Several enzymes have been reported to catalyze the reduction of SNOs and are viewed as candidate denitrosylases. One of the first described is known as S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR). Importantly, GSNOR has been shown to play a role in regulating SNO signaling downstream of the β-adrenergic receptor and is therefore operative in cellular signal transduction. Pharmacological inhibition or genetic deletion of GSNOR leads to enhanced vasodilation and characteristic of known effects of nebivolol. Structurally, nebivolol is similar to known inhibitors of GSNOR. Therefore, we hypothesize that some of the known effects of nebivolol may occur through this mechanism.

Experimental Approach:

Using cell culture systems, tissue organ bath, and intact animal models, we report that nebivolol treatment leads to a dose-dependent accumulation of nitrosothiols in cells, and this is associated with an enhanced vasodilation by S-nitrosoglutathione.

Key Results:

These data suggest a new mechanism of action of nebivolol that may explain in part the reported NO activity.

Conclusions and Implications:

Because exogenous mediators of protein SNO or denitrosylation can substantially affect the development or progression of disease, this may call for new utility of nebivolol.
Family Feuds Are Forever
Authors: Giorgio Grace A.
Published: January 2016

Imaging and enacting possibilities through narrative, this story presents past, present and future outcomes of a dysfunctional family.
Phase I study of multi-gene cell therapy in patients with peripheral artery disease
Authors: Grossman P Michael , Mohler Emile R , Roessler Blake J , Wilensky Robert L , Levine Bruce L , Woo Edward Y , Upchurch Gilbert R , Schneiderman Jacob , Koren Belly , Hutoran Marina , Gershstein Diana , Flugelman Moshe Y
Published: January 2016

Alternative treatment strategies for claudication are needed and cell-based therapies designed to induce angiogenesis are promising. The purpose of this report was to conduct a Phase I safety, dose-escalating, non-randomized, open-label study of autologous, fully differentiated venous endothelial and smooth muscle cells called MultiGeneAngio (MGA) for claudication due to peripheral artery disease. Twelve subjects, at two centers, received a single intra-arterial infusion of a suspension of equal amounts of transduced autologous venous smooth muscle cells expressing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF165) and endothelial cells expressing angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) (Cohort 1: 1 × 107, Cohort 2: 2 × 107, Cohort 3: 5 × 107, Cohort 4: 7 × 107). The treatment was given unblinded and in the more symptomatic lower extremity. Transduced cells were tested for in vitro doubling time, telomerase activity, and gene expression. The main outcomes were clinical safety and tolerability. Other safety measures included ankle–brachial index (ABI) and walking time on a treadmill. All subjects were male (mean age 60 ± 5 years) including 25% with diabetes mellitus. At 1-year follow-up, there was one serious adverse event possibly related to MGA. Safety endpoints including VEGF and Ang-1 plasma protein levels were within normal ranges in all subjects. The mean maximal walking time increased from baseline to 1 year and the index limb ABI was unchanged, indicating no safety concerns. MGA, an autologous, transduced, cell-based therapy was well tolerated and safe in this Phase I study. Further evaluation is warranted in randomized human studies. Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00390767.
Understanding an Ebola outbreak: Social representations of emerging infectious diseases
Authors: Idoiaga Mondragon Nahia , Gil de Montes Lorena , Valencia Jose
Published: January 2016

This study examined the collective image of the 2014–2015 Ebola outbreak, to understand how people incorporate this epidemic in their everyday thinking. A free association exercise elicited by Ebola was answered by 294 people from Spain and the content was analysed using Alceste software. First, results showed that Ebola was represented as inherently African. Second, it was also depicted as a global threat creating fear. People also felt anger, and they blamed political authorities and the mass media for the failure to manage this crisis. Finally, this research underlines the importance of the social representations to understand how current outbreaks are cognitively represented and emotionally faced as a key factor to appropriately manage future epidemics.
Key prescriptive parameters analysis of the new china building energy code based on saving to investment ratio methodology
Authors: Zhang Shicong , Jiang Yiqiang , Xu Wei , Liu Zongjiang , Sun Deyu
Published: January 2016

In this paper, a saving to investment ratio (SIR) method was used to determine the key prescriptive parameters for upgrading the building energy code with different energy reduction ratio requirements, including the U value of walls, roofs and windows; as well as a consideration of the efficiency of boilers and coefficient of performance of water chillers. An economic model for single typical energy saving technologies was established and the relationship between the incremental cost and the payback period of the different technologies was analysed; then the baseline building model was optimized by these measures in descending order according to the SIR methodology. The model method (SIR) was then applied to case studies in four climate regions of China. A large office reference building situated in Harbin, Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou in climate zones from north to south of China was analysed as examples to showcase the relationship between the building energy saving ratio and the incremental cost. The key prescriptive parameter requirements of walls, roofs, windows, chillers and boilers with 5% and 10% energy saving ratios were defined separately for these buildings.
You are what you eat: Exploring the relationship between women, food, and incarceration
Authors: de Graaf Kaitlyn , Kilty Jennifer M
Published: January 2016

Building on Thomas Ugelvik’s (2011) work, this article seeks to capture the food-related experiences and challenges faced by provincially and federally incarcerated women in Canada. This research shows that criminalized women engage with food in different ways than Ugelvik’s sample of men did while in prison. We consider how prison fare operates as a form of status degradation and how the less eligibility principle allows for incarcerated populations to be fed low-quality foods. This is followed by a discussion of how the ways in which women share and trade food demonstrates an ethic of care and a strategy of coping and resistance. Mealtime resistance via the storing, sharing, and trading of food exemplifies how women negotiate power in the carceral context; this use of individual agency, albeit limited, fosters togetherness and solidarity, making prison time temporarily more comfortable and manageable. By showcasing participants’ first-hand accounts of prison fare, we explore how women’s relationships with food shape their material experiences of incarceration.
Groundhog day? Nietzsche, Deleuze and the eternal return of prosumption in lifelong learning
Authors: Beighton Christian
Published: January 2016

This conceptual article examines George Ritzer’s concept of prosumption in the context of lifelong learning in the United Kingdom. Ritzer’s references to prosumption as a form of eternal return of a ‘primal act’, which draw on the work of Friedrich Nietzsche and Gilles Deleuze, introduce some ambiguity into the concept. This ambiguity echoes a certain polarization in the debate about co-creation, especially regarding the nature of consumer participation in the creation of value, but it is central to defining the limits of consumer freedom and agency. Critical analysis of UK lifelong learning discourse shows how prosumption can work as a tool of control in this context, producing docile subjectivities, compliant forms of creative co-production and disposable ‘nothing’ products through repetition and a return of the same. Where prosumption is able to challenge this repetition, however, it involves creativity and the return of difference. These examples show how eternal return, ultimately, underpins prosumption’s claim to offer a valid description of emerging practices of prosuming lifelong learners.
Numerical calculation of total horizontal wave force on a perforated caisson with a top cover based on smoothed particle hydrodynamics method
Authors: Tang Xiaocheng , Jiang Feng , Chen Hongzhou , Jin Zhao , Zhang Li , Hao Dongxue
Published: January 2016

The revised smoothed particle hydrodynamics method based on Riemann solution has been used to calculate the total horizontal wave force acting on a perforated caisson with a top cover. The interaction process between the wave and perforated caisson is simulated in a two-dimensional numerical wave flume which is verified by linear regular wave theory, water particles flowing in or out of the dissipation chamber are also described in this article, including the distribution of velocity vector. The effect of main non-linear influence factor on total horizontal force is examined here; wave pressure distribution along the height of the perforated caisson in front, inner side or the rear wall of the dissipation chamber is also presented in order to exhibit the more practical performance of perforated caisson with a top cover. The relationship between the total horizontal force and top cover height is anglicized, and the influence of top cover height on components of the total horizontal force is discussed here. A comparison between the numerical total horizontal force results and values tested from the test data is finished; it can be seen that the numerical results agree well with the test data. It is concluded that the smoothed particle hydrodynamics method described in this article can be utilized to calculate the total horizontal force on a perforated caisson with a top cover.
Treatment of an Older Adult With Borderline Personality Disorder and Prescription Opioid Abuse
Authors: Yang Janet A. , Ashtari Nahid , Kyupelyan Lucy , Runyan Amanda M.
Published: January 2016

This article summarizes the treatment of an older adult with borderline personality disorder and a co-occurring opioid abuse using an integration of the recovery model, person-centered therapy, and the stages of change. Therapy included rapport building, a nonjudgmental attitude, enhancing understanding of behaviors that interfere with the client’s goals, clarifying consequences of the client’s choices, empathizing with the client’s fear of reducing opioid use, building coping skills, and providing a strong, supportive presence through the opiate reduction process. Over the course of treatment, the client’s overuse of opioids decreased as did her depression and suicidal ideation. This case highlights the importance of understanding medication abuse from the client’s perspective, emphasizing nonjudgment and clarifying the client’s choices and the consequences of her choices.
Assessment of Pradosia huberi effects on the reproductive system of male rats
Authors: Cristina Silva dos Santos Elane , Antunes Priscylla Silva , Santos Flávia Luana Pereira dos , Rocha Aldeíde de Oliveira Batista , Pita João Carlos Lima Rodrigues , Xavier Aline Lira , Macêdo Cibério Landim , Jacob Kerollayne Christtine , de Oliveira Nayara Alves , de Medeiros Alessandra Azevedo Nascimento , Diniz Margareth de Fátima Formiga Melo , de Cássia da Silveira e Sá Rita
Published: January 2016

Pradosia huberi is a species found in the Amazon region and used as an antiulcerogenic and gastroprotective agent; however, phytochemical analysis has revealed the presence of compounds with potential toxic effects on the reproductive system. For the evaluation of the toxicity of P. huberi on male fertility, male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: one control (distilled water p.o.) and three treated (hydroalcoholic extract of the stem bark of P. Huberi (PH-HAE) at doses of 1.22, 6.1, and 30.5 mg/kg p.o.) once daily, for 63 days. In the last week of treatment (from the 57th to the 63rd day), the rats were mated with untreated virgin females ( n = 30/group) and were killed on day 64. To investigate the toxic potential of PH-HAE on the reproductive system of rats the following parameters were evaluated: sperm production, genotoxicity, and general development. The production of gametes and their morphology did not differ between control and treated groups. Treatment with PH-HAE did not result in fewer vaginal plugs formed, indicating that the ability to mate was not impaired, but caused an increase of 14.3 and 10.8% in the preimplantation loss index, a reduction of 14.3 and 10.8% in the implantation index, and a reduction of 5.6 and 8.2% in the postimplantation loss index of female rats mated with rats treated with 6.1 and 30.5 mg/kg, respectively, indicating a possible toxic action of PH-HAE on the reproductive system of rats.
Robotic Quantification of Position Sense in Children With Perinatal Stroke
Authors: Kuczynski Andrea M. , Dukelow Sean P. , Semrau Jennifer A. , Kirton Adam
Published: January 2016

Background. Perinatal stroke is the leading cause of hemiparetic cerebral palsy. Motor deficits and their treatment are commonly emphasized in the literature. Sensory dysfunction may be an important contributor to disability, but it is difficult to measure accurately clinically. Objective. Use robotics to quantify position sense deficits in hemiparetic children with perinatal stroke and determine their association with common clinical measures. Methods. Case-control study. Participants were children aged 6 to 19 years with magnetic resonance imaging–confirmed unilateral perinatal arterial ischemic stroke or periventricular venous infarction and symptomatic hemiparetic cerebral palsy. Participants completed a position matching task using an exoskeleton robotic device (KINARM). Position matching variability, shift, and expansion/contraction area were measured with and without vision. Robotic outcomes were compared across stroke groups and controls and to clinical measures of disability (Assisting Hand Assessment) and sensory function. Results. Forty stroke participants (22 arterial, 18 venous, median age 12 years, 43% female) were compared with 60 healthy controls. Position sense variability was impaired in arterial (6.01 ± 1.8 cm) and venous (5.42 ± 1.8 cm) stroke compared to controls (3.54 ± 0.9 cm, P < .001) with vision occluded. Impairment remained when vision was restored. Robotic measures correlated with functional disability. Sensitivity and specificity of clinical sensory tests were modest. Conclusions. Robotic assessment of position sense is feasible in children with perinatal stroke. Impairment is common and worse in arterial lesions. Limited correction with vision suggests cortical sensory network dysfunction. Disordered position sense may represent a therapeutic target in hemiparetic cerebral palsy.
Effects of Unilateral Upper Limb Training in Two Distinct Prognostic Groups Early After Stroke
Authors: Kwakkel Gert , Winters Caroline , van Wegen Erwin E. H. , Nijland Rinske H. M. , van Kuijk Annette A. A. , Visser-Meily Anne , de Groot Jurriaan , de Vlugt Erwin , Arendzen J. Hans , Geurts Alexander C. H. , Meskers Carel G. M. ,   on behalf of the EXPLICIT-Stroke Consortium
Published: January 2016

Background and Objective. Favorable prognosis of the upper limb depends on preservation or return of voluntary finger extension (FE) early after stroke. The present study aimed to determine the effects of modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT) and electromyography-triggered neuromuscular stimulation (EMG-NMS) on upper limb capacity early poststroke. Methods. A total of 159 ischemic stroke patients were included: 58 patients with a favorable prognosis (>10° of FE) were randomly allocated to 3 weeks of mCIMT or usual care only; 101 patients with an unfavorable prognosis were allocated to 3-week EMG-NMS or usual care only. Both interventions started within 14 days poststroke, lasted up until 5 weeks, focused at preservation or return of FE. Results. Upper limb capacity was measured with the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), assessed weekly within the first 5 weeks poststroke and at postassessments at 8, 12, and 26 weeks. Clinically relevant differences in ARAT in favor of mCIMT were found after 5, 8, and 12 weeks poststroke (respectively, 6, 7, and 7 points; P < .05), but not after 26 weeks. We did not find statistically significant differences between mCIMT and usual care on impairment measures, such as the Fugl-Meyer assessment of the arm (FMA-UE). EMG-NMS did not result in significant differences. Conclusions. Three weeks of early mCIMT is superior to usual care in terms of regaining upper limb capacity in patients with a favorable prognosis; 3 weeks of EMG-NMS in patients with an unfavorable prognosis is not beneficial. Despite meaningful improvements in upper limb capacity, no evidence was found that the time-dependent neurological improvements early poststroke are significantly influenced by either mCIMT or EMG-NMS.
Embolization of direct carotid cavernous fistulas with the novel double-balloon technique
Authors: Niu Yin , Li Lin , Tang Jun , Zhu Gang , Chen Zhi
Published: January 2016

Multiple endovascular management of direct carotid cavernous fistula (CCF) has been widely accepted as a treatment option. Embolization of the fistula with detachable balloons or thrombogenic coil-based occlusion has been the main choice to treat direct CCF, with good safety and efficacy. This study investigated the safety and efficacy of embolization of direct CCF with the novel double-balloon technique. A retrospective review of a prospective database on cerebral vascular disease was performed. We identified a total of five patients presenting with high-flow direct CCF. All patients were managed with transarterial embolization with the novel double-balloon technique. Three of the five patients were treated with two detachable balloons, and a completely occluded fistula with preservation of the internal carotid artery was achieved. Of the remaining two patients treated with more detachable balloons, one patient achieved a perfect outcome and the other one suffered from recurrent fistula due to balloon migration 3 weeks after embolization. During a follow-up period of 12–18 months, no symptoms reoccurred in any patient. Thus, the double-balloon treatment may be a promising method for CCF complete occlusion. This novel technique may bring more benefits in the following two cases: 1). A single inflated detachable balloon fails to completely occlude the CCF, which causing the next balloon can not pass into the fistula. 2). A giant CCF needs more balloons for fistula embolization.
Effects of profile wear on wheel–rail contact conditions and dynamic interaction of vehicle and turnout
Authors: Xu Jingmang , Wang Ping , Wang Li , Chen Rong
Published: January 2016

Severe wear is a common damage mechanism in railway turnouts, which strongly affects the dynamic performance of railway vehicles and maintenance costs of tracks. This article explores the effects of profile wear on contact behaviors in the wheel–rail/switch contact and dynamic interaction, and nominal and measured worn turnout rail profiles are used as boundary conditions of wheel–rail contact. The calculation of the dynamic loads and the resultant contact stresses and internal stresses makes it possible to rationally design railway turnouts and correctly select the material to be applied for their components. For these reasons, the multi-body system SIMPACK and finite element software ANSYS are used to calculate the features of load and subsequently distributions of contact stresses and internal stresses in the regions of wheel–turnout components. The results show that profile wear disturbs the distribution of wheel–rail contact point pairs, changes the positions of wheel–rail contact points along the longitudinal direction, and affects the dynamic interaction of vehicle and turnout. For the measured profile in this article, profile wear aggravates vertical dynamic responses significantly but improves lateral dynamic responses. Profile wear disturbs the normal contact situations between the wheel and switch rail and worsens the stress state of the switch rail.
Supporting and evaluation systems of low carbon transport: Study on theory and practice
Authors: Huang Yin , Hu Xiaoping , Zhang Dezhi , Fang Xiaoping , Li Xiamiao
Published: January 2016

Climate change is an extremely serious international problem, which is concerned by all the communities in the world. As a major sector of energy consumption and the main source of carbon emissions, it is necessary for the Chinese transportation sector to take on a low carbon development path in order to alleviate the energy consumption and environment pollution and take a positive role in these fields. Under such environment, the supporting and evaluation systems of low carbon transport from four aspects, namely, the efficiency, industry, innovation, guide and society, of low carbon are established in this study. An empirical example from Changsha City, Hunan Province in China is provided as numerical example.
Mediating claims of environmental degradation, source credibility and risk to human health: Ecuadorian news coverage of the Chevron case
Authors: Pinto Juliet , Prado Paola , Tirado-Alcaraz J Alejandro
Published: January 2016

How are claims of environmental degradation and health risk and hazard socially constructed in mediated arenas? This article examines frames, sources and claims in articles from Ecuadorian news regarding the lawsuit against Chevron brought by thousands of indigenous peoples living in the Amazonian region, who claimed their health was at risk and ancestral lands destroyed by petroleum contamination. Findings indicated that the risk discussion at the heart of events and conflicts was subsumed by coverage that focused largely on the legal conflict as well as was indexed to the claims denying the hazard. The case has significance for understanding mediated claims of risk and responsibility through a lens of news production.
A discrete-choice experiment to determine patient preferences for injectable multiple sclerosis treatments in Germany
Authors: Poulos Christine , Kinter Elizabeth , Yang Jui-Chen , Bridges John F. P. , Posner Joshua , Gleißner Erika , Mühlbacher Axel , Kieseier Bernd
Published: January 2016

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to assess the relative importance of features of a hypothetical injectable disease-modifying treatment for patients with multiple sclerosis using a discrete-choice experiment.

Methods:

German residents at least 18 years of age with a self-reported physician diagnosis of multiple sclerosis completed a 25–30 minute online discrete-choice experiment. Patients were asked to choose one of two hypothetical injectable treatments for multiple sclerosis, defined by different levels of six attributes (disability progression, the number of relapses in the next 4 years, injection time, frequency of injections, presence of flu-like symptoms, and presence of injection-site reactions). The data were analyzed using a random-parameters logit model.

Results:

Of 202 adults who completed the survey, results from 189 were used in the analysis. Approximately 50% of all patients reported a diagnosis of relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis, and 31% reported secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. Approximately 71% of patients had current or prior experience with injectable multiple sclerosis medication. Approximately 53% had experienced flu-like symptoms caused by their medication, and 47% had experienced mild injection-site reactions. At least one significant difference was seen between levels in all attributes, except injection time. The greatest change in relative importance between levels of an attribute was years until symptoms get worse from 1 to 4 years. The magnitude of this difference was about twice that of relapses in the next 4 years, frequency of injections, and flu-like symptoms.

Conclusions:

Most attributes examined in this experiment had an influence on patient preference. Patients placed a significant value on improvements in the frequency of dosing and disability progression. Results suggest that changes in injection frequency can be as important as changes in efficacy and safety attributes. Understanding which attributes of injectable therapies influence patient preference could potentially improve outcomes and adherence in patients with multiple sclerosis.
Real‐world Helicobacter pylori diagnosis in patients referred for esophagoduodenoscopy: The gap between guidelines and clinical practice
Authors: Shirin Dor , Matalon Shay , Avidan Benjamin , Broide Efrat , Shirin Haim
Published: January 2016

Background and aims

Histopathology is the most accurate test to detect H. pylori when performed correctly with unknown validity in daily practice clinic settings. We aimed to determine the rate of potentially false‐negative H. pylori results that might be due to continued use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in routine endoscopy practice. We also aimed to establish whether gastroenterologists recommend routine cessation of PPIs before esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and whether they regularly document that biopsies for H. pylori testing have been taken while the patients are on PPI treatment.

Methods

Detailed information about three known factors (PPIs, antibiotics and prior H. pylori eradication treatment), which may cause histology or rapid urease test (RUT) to be unreliable, had been prospectively collected through interviews using a questionnaire before each test. Gastric biopsies were stained with H&E for histological analysis.

Results

A total of 409 individuals at three academic gastroenterology institutions were tested 200 times with histology. Fifty‐six per cent (68 of 122) of all negative tests fell in the category of continuing PPI use, which had the potential to make the histology and RUT results unreliable.

Conclusions

These data demonstrate a clear and important gap between current guidelines and real‐world practice with regards to the diagnosis of H. pylori during EGD. A negative histology or RUT should be considered false negative until potential protocol violations are excluded. Documentation of PPI use during the EGD should be an integral part of the EGD report. The current practice of taking biopsies for H. pylori testing in patients under PPIs should be reevaluated.
Affective Disruption From Social Rhythm and Behavioral Approach System (BAS) Sensitivities
Authors: Boland Elaine M. , Stange Jonathan P. , LaBelle Denise R. , Shapero Benjamin G. , Weiss Rachel B. , Abramson Lyn Y. , Alloy Lauren B.
Published: January 2016

The behavioral approach system (BAS)/reward hypersensitivity theory and the social zeitgeber theory are two biopsychosocial theories of bipolar spectrum disorders (BSDs) that may work together to explain affective dysregulation. The present study examined whether BAS sensitivity is associated with affective symptoms via (a) increased social rhythm disruption in response to BAS-relevant life events or (b) greater exposure to BAS events leading to social rhythm disruption and subsequent symptoms. Results indicated that high BAS individuals were more likely to experience social rhythm disruption following BAS-relevant events. Social rhythm disruption mediated the association between BAS-relevant events and symptoms (Hypothesis a). High BAS individuals experienced significantly more BAS-relevant events, which predicted greater social rhythm disruption, which predicted greater levels of affective symptoms (Hypothesis b). Individuals at risk for BSD may be sensitive to BAS-relevant stimuli, experience more BAS-relevant events, and experience affective dysregulation due to the interplay of the BAS and circadian rhythms.
Suicidal Behavior and Associations with Quality of Life among HIV-Infected Patients in Ibadan, Nigeria
Authors: Oladeji Bibilola Damilola , Taiwo Babafemi , Mosuro Olushola , Fayemiwo Samuel A. , Abiona Taiwo , Fought Angela J. , Robertson Kevin , Ogunniyi Adesola , Adewole Isaac F.
Published: January 2016

Background:

Suicidality has rarely been studied in HIV-infected patients in sub-Saharan Africa. This study explored suicidal behavior in a clinic sample of people living with HIV, in Nigeria.

Methods:

Consecutive patients were interviewed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI-10.0) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHO-QOL-HIV-BREF). Associations of suicidal behavior were explored using logistic regression models.

Results:

In this sample of 828 patients (71% female, mean age 41.3 ± 10 years), prevalence of suicidal behaviors were 15.1%, 5.8%, and 3.9% for suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts, respectively. Women were more likely than men to report suicidal ideation (odds ratio 1.7; 95% confidence interval 1.05-2.64). Depression and/or anxiety disorder was associated with increased odds of all suicidal behaviors. Suicidal behavior was associated with significantly lower overall and domain scores on the WHO-QOL.

Conclusion:

Suicidal behaviors were common and significantly associated with the presence of mental disorders and lower quality of life.