bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Superior Canal Dehiscence Surgery Outcomes Following Failed Round Window Surgery
Authors: Chemtob Raphaelle A. , Noij Kimberley S. , Qureshi Ahad A. , Klokker Mads , Nakajima Hideko Heidi , Lee Daniel J.
Published: March 2019

Objective:

Round window (RW) occlusion or reinforcement is a less-invasive option compared with direct repair approaches to improve symptoms of superior canal dehiscence (SCD) syndrome. However, RW surgery is associated with variable outcomes. Middle fossa craniotomy or transmastoid repair is an option for SCD patients who fail RW surgery, but it is unknown whether sequential repair following RW plugging improves SCD symptoms or increases complications. The objective of this study is to evaluate outcomes of SCD repair via middle fossa craniotomy following failed RW surgery.

Study Design:

Retrospective review.

Setting:

Academic tertiary care center.

Patients:

Adult patients with SCD syndrome who underwent failed RW surgery followed by sequential middle fossa craniotomy and plugging of the arcuate eminence defect. Patients with SCD associated with the superior petrosal sinus were excluded.

Intervention:

None.

Main Outcome Measure:

Prospectively collected pre- and postoperative symptom questionnaires, threshold audiograms, and cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMP).

Results:

Seven SCD patients (out of a total of 194 surgical cases at our institution) underwent sequential middle-fossa SCD repair following failed RW surgery. Resolution of symptoms and reversal of diagnostic indicators were observed in the majority of subjects following sequential repair. Two of seven patients underwent a third procedure with plugging of the superior semicircular canal by a transmastoid approach due to the presence of residual symptoms.

Conclusion:

Middle fossa craniotomy and SCD occlusion is a safe and reasonable option for patients who fail RW surgery. Our cohort did not show increased risks of auditory or vestibular dysfunction.
Genetic diversity of clinicalBordetella pertussisST2 strains in comparison with vaccine reference strains of India
Authors: Sharma Naresh Chand , Anandan Shalini , Devanga Ragupathi Naveen Kumar , Muthuirulandi Sethuvel Dhiviya Prabaa , Vasudevan Karthick , Kumar Dhirendra , Gupta Sushil Kumar , Sangal Lucky , Murugesan Vijayalakshmi , Veeraraghavan Balaji
Published: March 2019

Pertussis is a highly contagious disease of the respiratory tract caused byBordetella pertussis, a bacteria that lives in the mouth, nose, and throat. Current study reports the highly accurate complete genomes of two clinicalB. pertussisstrains from India for the first time. The analysis revealed insertional elements flanked by IS481, which has been previously regarded as the important component for bacterial evolution. The twoB. pertussisclinical strains exhibited diversity through genome degradation when compared to whole-cell pertussis vaccine reference strains of India. These isolates harboured multiple genetic virulence traits and toxin subunits, which belonged to sequence type ST2. The genome information of Indian clinicalB. pertussisstrains will serve as a baseline data to decipher more information on the genome evolution, virulence factors and their role in pathogenesis for effective vaccine strategies.
Candlelight demonstrations and the presidential impeachment in South Korea
Authors: Kang Shin-Goo
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce and analyze the short-term and long-term causes of the candlelight demonstrations and the ensuing presidential impeachment in South Korea, as well as the characteristics of the organization that planned the candlelight demonstrations and the participants of them.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is based on the previous literature, news articles, as well as various surveys on the randomly selected participants of the demonstrations and on a representative sample of Korean electorate, including non-participants as well.

Findings

The candlelight demonstrations, although “triggered” by a news report, would not have occurred, without angers and discontents accumulated over the president’s whole term by the irregularities and wrongdoings of the administration. The system of checks and balances in democratic system did not work properly. In that regard, the candlelight demonstrations and the ensuing presidential impeachment were just an unanticipated expression of the problems and defects built in the Korean democratic system of 1987, which would have found a way out in any form eventually.

Originality/value

Based on the analysis of the candlelight demonstrations and the ensuing presidential impeachment, the paper suggests instructive implications on a new democracy as well as on modern representative democracies that are in jeopardy now.
Dissonance on perceptions of end‐of‐life needs between health‐care providers and members of the public: Quantitative cross‐sectional surveys
Authors: Cardona Magnolia , Lewis Ebony , Shanmugam Shantiban , Nicholson Margaret , Williamson Margaret , Hanly Laura , Hillman Ken
Published: March 2019

Objective

To investigate views, determinants and barriers to end‐of‐life discussions for doctors, nurses and members of the public (MoP) and their acceptability of risk prediction tools.

Methods

Concurrent surveys of 360 doctors and nurses and 497 MoP.

Results

Sixty per cent of clinicians reported high confidence in initiating end‐of‐life discussions, and 55.8% regularly engaged in them. Barriers to end‐of‐life communication reported by clinicians were uncertainty on the likely time to death (44.7%) and family requests to withhold information from patients (44.2%). By contrast, most (92.8%) MoP wanted information about life expectancy; 89.9% wanted involvement in treatment decisions if the likelihood of death was high; and 23.8% already had an advance care directive.

Conclusions

A dissonance exists between doctor/nurses perception of older peoples’ preference for receiving prognostic information and the public desire for involvement in decision‐making at the end of life. As public attitudes change, strategies for greater involvement of patients in shared end‐of‐life planning are warranted.
Evaluation of an intraventricular balloon pump for short‐term support of patients with heart failure
Authors: Boone Alice C. , Gregory Shaun D. , Wu Eric L. , Stephens Andrew , Liao Sam , Pauls Jo P. , Salamonsen Robert , Fraser John , Tansley Geoff D.
Published: March 2019

The high cost of ventricular assist devices results in poor cost‐effectiveness when used as a short‐term bridging solution, thus a low‐cost alternative is desirable. The present study aimed to develop an intraventricular balloon pump (IVBP) for short‐term circulatory support, and to evaluate the effect of balloon actuation timing on the degree of cardiac support provided to a simulated in vitro severe heart failure (SHF) patient. A silicone IVBP was designed to avoid contact with internal left ventricular (LV) features (ie, papillary muscles, chordae, aortic, and mitral valves) based on LV computed tomography data of 10 SHF patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. The hemodynamic effects of varying balloon inflation and deflation timing parameters (inflation duty [D] and end‐inflation point [σ]) were evaluated in a purpose‐built systemic mock circulatory loop. Three IVBP actuation timing categories were defined: co‐, transitional, and counterpulsation. Compared to the SHF baseline, co‐pulsation increased aortic flow from 3.5 to 5.2 L/min, mean arterial pressure from 72.1 to 94.8 mmHg and ejection fraction from 14.4% to 21.5%, while mean left atrial pressure decreased from 14.6 to 10 mmHg. Transitional and counterpulsation resulted in a double ventricular pulse and extended the duration of increased ventricular pressure, potentially impeding diastolic filling and coronary perfusion. This in vitro study showed the IVBP could restore the hemodynamic balance of a simulated SHF patient with dilated cardiomyopathy to healthy levels.
Cerebellar, limbic, and midbrain volume alterations in sudden unexpected death in epilepsy
Authors: Allen Luke A. , Vos Sjoerd B. , Kumar Rajesh , Ogren Jennifer A. , Harper Rebecca K. , Winston Gavin P. , Balestrini Simona , Wandschneider Britta , Scott Catherine A. , Ourselin Sebsatien , Duncan John S. , Lhatoo Samden D. , Harper Ronald M. , Diehl Beate
Published: March 2019

Objective

The processes underlying sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) remain elusive, but centrally mediated cardiovascular or respiratory collapse is suspected. Volume changes in brain areas mediating recovery from extreme cardiorespiratory challenges may indicate failure mechanisms and allow prospective identification of SUDEP risk.

Methods

We retrospectively imaged SUDEP cases (n = 25), patients comparable for age, sex, epilepsy syndrome, localization, and disease duration who were high‐risk (n = 25) or low‐risk (n = 23), and age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls (n = 25) with identical high‐resolution T1‐weighted scans. Regional gray matter volume, determined by voxel‐based morphometry, and segmentation‐derived structure sizes were compared across groups, controlling for total intracranial volume, age, and sex.

Results

Substantial bilateral gray matter loss appeared in SUDEP cases in the medial and lateral cerebellum. This was less prominent in high‐risk subjects and absent in low‐risk subjects. The periaqueductal gray, left posterior and medial thalamus, left hippocampus, and bilateral posterior cingulate also showed volume loss in SUDEP. High‐risk subjects showed left thalamic volume reductions to a lesser extent. Bilateral amygdala, entorhinal, and parahippocampal volumes increased in SUDEP and high‐risk patients, with the subcallosal cortex enlarged in SUDEP only. Disease duration correlated negatively with parahippocampal volume. Volumes of the bilateral anterior insula and midbrain in SUDEP cases were larger the closer to SUDEP from magnetic resonance imaging.

Significance

SUDEP victims show significant tissue loss in areas essential for cardiorespiratory recovery and enhanced volumes in areas that trigger hypotension or impede respiratory patterning. Those changes may shed light on SUDEP pathogenesis and prospectively detect patterns identifying those at risk.
High, but stable, trend in the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus: A population‐based study in Xiamen, China
Authors: Yan Bing , Yu Yaxin , Lin Mingzhu , Li Zhibin , Wang Liying , Huang Peiying , Song Haiqu , Shi Xiulin , Yang Shuyu , Li Xiaoying , Li Xuejun
Published: March 2019

Aims/Introduction

Diabetes prevalence in China has increased, but the trend in gestational diabetes mellitus prevalence is unclear. The objective of the present study was to examine the prevalence of gestational diabetes in Xiamen, China, and its association with maternal risk factors.

Materials and Methods

This linked‐database cohort study used the Medical Birth Registry of Xiamen. Between 1 March 2011 and 30 March 2018, 78,572 women who were diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) were enrolled in the study. Maternal factors associated with the prevalence of GDM were examined using multivariate logistic regression.

Results

A total of 13,738 (17.6%) pregnant women were diagnosed with GDM according to the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups criteria. GDM prevalence ranged from 15.5% (2012) to 19.9% (2017). Increasing age was associated with GDM; women aged >40 years versus those aged >25 years had an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 5.91 (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.202–8.314). A positive correlation was observed between weight and GDM risk; obese women versus normal‐weight women had an adjusted OR of 2.508 (95% CI 2.253–2.792). Family history of diabetes and hypertension were more commonly observed among women with GDM. Multivariate analysis showed that family history of diabetes (OR 1.101, 90% CI 1.028–1.180), weight gain during early pregnancy (OR 1.087, 90% CI 1.052–1.124) and systolic blood pressure (OR 1.015, 90% CI 1.011–1.020) were risk factors associated with GDM incidence.

Conclusions

GDM affects 17.6% of all pregnant women in Xiamen. Age and maternal obesity were major contributors to GDM. The trend of GDM risk remained stable during the study.
The Effects of Incomplete Rating Designs in Combination With Rater Effects
Authors: Wind Stefanie A. , Jones Eli
Published: March 2019

Researchers have explored a variety of topics related to identifying and distinguishing among specific types of rater effects, as well as the implications of different types of incomplete data collection designs for rater‐mediated assessments. In this study, we used simulated data to examine the sensitivity of latent trait model indicators of three rater effects (leniency, central tendency, and severity) in combination with different types of incomplete rating designs (systematic links, anchor performances, and spiral). We used the rating scale model and the partial credit model to calculate rater location estimates, standard errors of rater estimates, model–data fit statistics, and the standard deviation of rating scale category thresholds as indicators of rater effects and we explored the sensitivity of these indicators to rater effects under different conditions. Our results suggest that it is possible to detect rater effects when each of the three types of rating designs is used. However, there are differences in the sensitivity of each indicator related to type of rater effect, type of rating design, and the overall proportion of effect raters. We discuss implications for research and practice related to rater‐mediated assessments.
Existence, uniqueness, and stability of optimal payoffs of eligible assets
Authors: Baes Michel , Koch‐Medina Pablo , Munari Cosimo
Published: March 2019

In a capital adequacy framework, risk measures are used to determine the minimal amount of capital that a financial institution has to raise and invest in a portfolio of prespecified eligible assets in order to pass a given capital adequacy test. From a capital efficiency perspective, it is important to be able to do so at the lowest possible cost and to identify the corresponding portfolios, or, equivalently, their payoffs. We study the existence and uniqueness of such optimal payoffs as well as their behavior under a perturbation or an approximation of the underlying capital position. This behavior is naturally linked to the continuity properties of the set‐valued map that associates to each capital position the corresponding set of optimal eligible payoffs. Upper continuity can be ensured under fairly natural assumptions. Lower continuity is typically less easy to establish. While it is always satisfied in a polyhedral setting, it generally fails otherwise, even when the reference risk measure is convex. However, lower continuity can often be established for eligible payoffs that are close to being optimal. Besides capital adequacy, our results have a variety of natural applications to pricing, hedging, and capital allocation problems.
What the Machine Saw: some questions on the ethics of computer vision and machine learning to investigate human remains trafficking
Authors: Huffer Damien , Wood Cristina , Graham Shawn
Published: March 2019

This article represents the next step in our ongoing effort to understand the online human remains trade, how, why and where it exists on social media. It expands upon initial research to explore the 'rhetoric' and structure behind the use and manipulation of images and text by this collecting community, topics explored using Google Inception v.3, TensorFlow, etc. (Huffer and Graham 2017; 2018). This current research goes beyond that work to address the ethical and moral dilemmas that can confound the use of new technology to classify and sort thousands of images. The categories used to 'train' the machine are self-determined by the researchers, but to what extent can current image classifying methods be broken to create false positives or false negatives when attempting to classify images taken from social media sales records as either old authentic items or recent forgeries made using remains sourced from unknown locations? What potential do they have to be exploited by dealers or forgers as a way to 'authenticate the market'? Analysing the data obtained when 'scraping' image or text relevant to cultural property trafficking of any kind involves the use of machine learning and neural network analysis, the ethics of which are themselves complicated. Here, we discuss these issues around two case studies; the ongoing repatriation case of Abraham Ulrikab, and an example of what it looks like when the classifier is deliberately broken.
Scheme to mine the abyss gets sea trial
Authors: Voosen Paul
Published: March 2019

As collector robot gathers metal-rich nodules, scientists will monitor ecosystems.
Marketing “healthy” babies
Fables and Futures: Biotechnology, Disability, and the Stories We Tell Ourselves
George Estreich
MIT Press, 2019. 237 pp.
Authors: Annas George J.
Published: March 2019

Does the rhetoric of consumer genetics aim to eliminate disability without mentioning it?
A master regulator of regeneration
Authors: Alonge Michael , Schatz Michael C.
Published: March 2019

Study of panther worm reveals a pioneer transcription factor that regulates regeneration
Genomic and Functional Analysis of Emerging Virulent and Multidrug-Resistant
Escherichia coli
Lineage Sequence Type 648
Authors: Schaufler Katharina , Semmler Torsten , Wieler Lothar H. , Trott Darren J. , Pitout Johann , Peirano Gisele , Bonnedahl Jonas , Dolejska Monika , Literak Ivan , Fuchs Stephan , Ahmed Niyaz , Grobbel Mirjam , Torres Carmen , McNally Alan , Pickard Derek , Ewers Christa , Croucher Nicholas J. , Corander Jukka , Guenther Sebastian
Published: March 2019

The pathogenic extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing
Escherichia coli
lineage ST648 is increasingly reported from multiple origins. Our study of a large and global ST648 collection from various hosts (87 whole-genome sequences) combining core and accessory genomics with functional analyses and
in vivo
experiments suggests that ST648 is a nascent and generalist lineage, lacking clear phylogeographic and host association signals.
The RNase YbeY Is Vital for Ribosome Maturation, Stress Resistance, and Virulence of the Natural Genetic Engineer
Agrobacterium tumefaciens
Authors: Möller Philip , Busch Philip , Sauerbrei Beate , Kraus Alexander , Förstner Konrad U. , Wen Tuan-Nan , Overlöper Aaron , Lai Erh-Min , Narberhaus Franz
Published: March 2019

Although
ybeY
gene belongs to the universal bacterial core genome, its biological function is incompletely understood. Here, we show that YbeY is critical for fitness and host-microbe interaction in the plant pathogen
Agrobacterium tumefaciens
. Consistent with the reported endoribonuclease activity of YbeY,
A. tumefaciens
YbeY acts as a RNase involved in maturation of 16S rRNA. This report adds a worldwide plant pathogen and natural genetic engineer of plants to the growing list of bacteria that require the conserved YbeY protein for host-microbe interaction.
Paleoproterozoic Iron Oxide Apatite (IOA) and Iron Oxide-Copper-Gold (IOCG) mineralization in the East Arm Basin, Northwest Territories, Canada
Authors: Potter E.G. , Corriveau L. , Kjarsgaard B.A.
Published: March 2019

The Paleoproterozoic East Arm Basin of Canada hosts polymetallic vein, iron oxide–apatite (IOA), and potential iron oxide–copper–gold (IOCG) mineral occurrences, mainly associated with a belt of ca. 1.87 Ga intermediate-composition sills termed the Compton intrusions. Advances in our knowledge of the East Arm Basin and of IOA and IOCG deposits within the broader context of iron oxide and alkali-calcic alteration systems enables a new regional analysis of this mineralization and facilitates comparison of these mineral occurrences and host rocks to the nearby Great Bear magmatic zone IOCG districts. The Compton intrusions and co-magmatic Pearson Formation volcanic rocks are comparable in age and composition to intrusive plus volcanic rocks of the Great Bear magmatic zone that host IOA–IOCG mineralization. Taking into account fault displacements, emplacement of Compton intrusions and Pearson Formation volcanic rocks are also consistent with the architecture of modern arcs, supporting a direct relationship with the Great Bear subduction zone. Trace element patterns of uraninite contained in IOA occurrences of the East Arm Basin are also similar to the patterns of uraninite from the Great Bear magmatic zone occurrences, consistent with both regions having experienced similar iron oxide and alkali-calcic alteration and mineralization. Our new results indicate that exploration for IOA, IOCG, and affiliated deposits in the East Arm Basin should focus on delineating increased potassic-iron alteration types and fault/breccia zones associated with these systems through field mapping and application of geochemical, radiometric, magnetic, and gravity surveys.
Indices of Criticality in Simple Games
Authors: Dall’Aglio Marco , Fragnelli Vito , Moretti Stefano
Published: March 2019

Power indices in simple games measure the relevance of a player through her ability in being critical, i.e. essential for a coalition to win. We introduce new indices that measure the power of a player in being decisive through the collaboration of other players. We study the behavior of these criticality indices to compare the power of different players within a single voting situation, and that of the same player with varying weight across different voting situations. In both cases we establish monotonicity results in line with those of Turnovec [1998]. Finally, we examine which properties characterizing the indices of Shapley–Shubik and Banzhaf are shared by these new indices.
Optogenetic Stimulation Enhanced Neuronal Plasticities in Motor Recovery after Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Lu Changbo , Wu Xianglong , Ma Hongzhe , Wang Qingchuan , Wang Yikai , Luo Yan , Li Cong , Xu Hui
Published: March 2019

Motor capability recovery after ischemic stroke involves dynamic remodeling processes of neural connectomes in the nervous system. Various neuromodulatory strategies combining direct stimulating interventions with behavioral trainings for motor recovery after ischemic stroke have been developed. However, the effectiveness of these interventions varies widely due to unspecific activation or inhibition of undefined neuronal subtypes. Optogenetics is a functional and structural connection-based approach that can selectively activate or inhibit specific subtype neurons with a higher precision, and it has been widely applied to build up neuronal plasticities of the nervous system, which shows a great potential in restoring motor functions in stroke animal models. Here, we reviewed neurobiological mechanisms of enhanced brain plasticities underlying motor recovery through the optogenetic stimulation after ischemic stroke. Several brain sites and neural circuits that have been previously proven effective for motor function rehabilitation were identified, which would be helpful for a more schematic understanding of effective neuronal connectomes in the motor function recovery after ischemic stroke.
Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Inhibit Endometrial Cancer Cell Proliferation and Migration through Delivery of Exogenous miR-302a
Authors: Li Xin , Liu Li li , Yao Ju lei , Wang Kai , Ai Hao
Published: March 2019

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are potential therapeutic targets in endometrial cancer, but the difficulties associated with their delivery to tumor target cells have hampered their applications. Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) have a well-recognized tumor-homing ability, emphasizing the capacity of tumor-targeted delivery of extracellular vesicles. hUCMSCs release extracellular vesicles rich in miRNAs, which play a vital role in intercellular communication. The purpose of this study was to verify a potential tumor suppressor microRNA, miR-302a, and engineered hUCMSC extracellular vesicles enriched with miR-302a for therapy of endometrial cancer. Here, we observed that miR-302a was significantly downregulated in endometrial cancer tissues when compared with adjacent tissues. Overexpression of miR-302a in endometrial cancer cells robustly suppressed cell proliferation and migration. Meanwhile, the proliferation and migration were significantly inhibited in endometrial cancer cells when cultured with miR-302a-loaded extracellular vesicles derived from hUCMSCs. Importantly, our data showed that engineered extracellular vesicles rich in miR-302 significantly inhibited the expression of cyclin D1 and suppressed AKT signaling pathway in endometrial cancer cells. These results suggested that exogenous miR-302a delivered by hUCMSC-derived extracellular vesicles has exciting potential as an effective anticancer therapy.
Mutant Lines of Spring Wheat with Increased Iron, Zinc, and Micronutrients in Grains and Enhanced Bioavailability for Human Health
Authors: Kenzhebayeva Saule , Abekova Alfia , Atabayeva Saule , Yernazarova Gulzira , Omirbekova Nargul , Zhang Guoping , Turasheva Svetlana , Asrandina Saltanat , Sarsu Fatma , Wang Yarong
Published: March 2019

Deficiency of metals, primarily Fe and Zn, affects over half of the world’s population. Human diets dominated by cereal products cause micronutrient malnutrition, which is common in many developing countries where populations depend heavily on staple grain crops such as wheat, maize, and rice. Biofortification is one of the most effective approaches to alleviate malnutrition. Genetically stable mutant spring wheat lines (M7 generation) produced via 100 or 200 Gy gamma treatments to broaden genetic variation for grain nutrients were analyzed for nutritionally important minerals (Ca, Fe, and Zn), their bioavailability, and grain protein content (GPC). Variation was 172.3–883.0 mg/kg for Ca, 40.9–89.0 mg/kg for Fe, and 22.2–89.6 mg/kg for Zn. In mutant lines, among the investigated minerals, the highest increases in concentrations were observed in Fe, Zn, and Ca when compared to the parental cultivar Zhenis. Some mutant lines, mostly in the 100 Gy-derived germplasm, had more than two-fold higher Fe, Zn, and Ca concentrations, lower phytic acid concentration (1.4–2.1-fold), and 6.5–7% higher grain protein content compared to the parent. Variation was detected for the molar ratios of Ca:Phy, Phy:Fe, and Phy:Zn (1.27–10.41, 1.40–5.32, and 1.78–11.78, respectively). The results of this study show how genetic variation generated through radiation can be useful to achieve nutrient biofortification of crops to overcome human malnutrition.
HPV Vaccine: Updates and Highlights
Authors: de Oliveira Cristina Mendes , Fregnani José Humberto T.G. , Villa Luisa Lina
Published: March 2019

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted biological agent and is the cause of many conditions in men and women, including precancer lesions and cancer. Three prophylactic HPV vaccines targeting high-risk HPV types are available in many countries worldwide: 2-, 4- and 9-valent vaccines. All the 3 vaccines use recombinant DNA technology and are prepared from the purified L1 protein that self-assembles to form HPV type-specific empty shells. This non-systematic review aims to summarize the HPV epidemiology and the vaccine development to review the landmark trials of HPV vaccine, to present to most remarkable results from clinical trials and the real world, and to stress the challenges and the barriers for HPV vaccine implementation.
Right Ventricular Dysfunction and the Effect of Defibrillator Implantation in Patients With Nonischemic Systolic Heart Failure
Authors: Elming Marie Bayer , Hammer-Hansen Sophia , Voges Inga , Nyktari Evangelia , Raja Anna Axelsson , Svendsen Jesper Hastrup , Pehrson Steen , Signorovitch James , Køber Lars Valeur , Prasad Sanjay K. , Thune Jens Jakob
Published: March 2019

Background

Patients with nonischemic systolic heart failure are at an increased risk of sudden cardiac death, but more discriminating tools are needed to identify those patients likely to benefit from implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation. Whether right ventricular (RV) ejection fraction (RVEF) can identify patients with nonischemic systolic heart failure more likely to benefit from ICD implantation is not yet known.

Methods

In this post hoc analysis of the DANISH trial (Danish Study to Assess the Efficacy of ICDs in Patients with Nonischemic Systolic Heart Failure on Mortality), patients with nonischemic systolic heart failure randomized to ICD or control underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance. RV systolic dysfunction was defined as RVEF ≤45%. Cox regression assessed the effects of RV function and ICD implantation on all-cause mortality, sudden cardiac death, and cardiovascular death.

Results

Overall, 239 patients had interpretable images of RV volume. Median RVEF was 51%, RV systolic dysfunction was present in 75 (31%) patients, and 55 (23%) patients died. RVEF was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality, hazards ratio 1.34 per 10% absolute decrease in RVEF (95% CI, 1.05–1.70),
P
=0.02. There was a statistically significant interaction between RVEF and the effect of ICD implantation (
P
=0.001). ICD implantation significantly reduced all-cause mortality in patients with RV systolic dysfunction, hazards ratio 0.41 (95% CI, 0.17–0.97),
P
=0.04 but not in patients without RV systolic dysfunction, hazards ratio 1.87 (95% CI, 0.85–3.92),
P
=0.12, (
P
=0.01 for the difference in effect of ICD between RV groups).

Conclusions

In this post hoc analysis of the DANISH trial, ICD therapy was associated with survival benefit in patients with biventricular heart failure. These findings need confirmation in a prospective study.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00542945.
Perspectives on Directions and Priorities for Future Preclinical Studies in Regenerative Medicine
Authors: Grigorian Shamagian Lilian , Madonna Rosalinda , Taylor Doris , Climent Andreu M. , Prosper Felipe , Bras-Rosario Luis , Bayes-Genis Antoni , Ferdinandy Péter , Fernández-Avilés Francisco , Izpisua Belmonte Juan Carlos , Fuster Valentin , Bolli Roberto
Published: March 2019

The myocardium consists of numerous cell types embedded in organized layers of ECM (extracellular matrix) and requires an intricate network of blood and lymphatic vessels and nerves to provide nutrients and electrical coupling to the cells. Although much of the focus has been on cardiomyocytes, these cells make up <40% of cells within a healthy adult heart. Therefore, repairing or regenerating cardiac tissue by merely reconstituting cardiomyocytes is a simplistic and ineffective approach. In fact, when an injury occurs, cardiac tissue organization is disrupted at the level of the cells, the tissue architecture, and the coordinated interaction among the cells. Thus, reconstitution of a functional tissue must reestablish electrical and mechanical communication between cardiomyocytes and restore their surrounding environment. It is also essential to restore distinctive myocardial features, such as vascular patency and pump function. In this article, we review the current status, challenges, and future priorities in cardiac regenerative or reparative medicine. In the first part, we provide an overview of our current understanding of heart repair and comment on the main contributors and mechanisms involved in innate regeneration. A brief section is dedicated to the novel concept of rejuvenation or regeneration, which we think may impact future development in the field. The last section describes regenerative therapies, where the most advanced and disruptive strategies used for myocardial repair are discussed. Our recommendations for priority areas in studies of cardiac regeneration or repair are summarized in
Tables 1
and
2
.
EKONOMİK GÜVEN ENDEKSİ VE FİNANSAL YATIRIM ARAÇLARI GETİRİLERİ ARASINDAKİ NEDENSELLİK İLİŞKİSİ: 2007-2017 DÖNEMİNDE ABD DOLARI VE ALTIN GETİRİLERİ ÖRNEĞİ
Authors: GÜNGÖR Sezen
Published: March 2019

Çalışmada
ekonomik güven endeksi ve finansal yatırım araçlarının reel getirileri
arasındaki nedensellik ilişkisi ele alınmıştır. ABD doları ve altının 2007-2017
yılların arasındaki reel getirilerinin, aynı tarih aralığındaki ekonomik güven
endeksi üzerindeki nedensellik analizi Granger Nedensellik Testi ile yapılmış
ve veriler EViews paket programında analiz edilmiştir. Sonuçlara göre ABD
dolarının reel getirisi ile ekonomik güven endeksi arasında tek yönlü
nedensellik bulunmuştur. Buna göre doların reel getirisi ekonomik güven
endeksinin nedeni niteliğindedir. Ayrıca bu iki değişken arasında negatif
korelasyona da rastlanmıştır. Yapılan analizlere göre altının reel getirisi ile
ekonomik güven endeksi arasında kurulan nedensellik bağının da tek yönlü olduğu
gözlenmiştir. Buna göre altının reel getirisi ekonomik güven endeksinin nedeni
niteliğindedir. Bu değişkenler arasında yapılan korelasyon analizi ise pozitif
çıkmıştır.
Weisheitliche Idealbiografie und Ethik in Phil 3
Authors: Standhartinger Angela
Published: March 2019

Paul models his autobiography in Phil 3:4–14 not as a paradigmatic embodiment of Phil 2:6–11 but as a Jewish sage. Framed by dramatic and apocalyptic passages, Phil 3:4–14 include the fundamental change of heart, when the wise one becomes aware that all advantages of noble birth and virtues count for nothing in comparison with the overwhelming gifts Wisdom resp. Christ will offer to those who constantly seek and love her and him. Like the sage of Sirach 51:13–30 and Wisdom of Solomon 6–9 Paul will never attain perfection. But similar to the Jewish sage he calls his students to join him in imitation (Phil 3:17). In accordance with ancient philosophy, rhetoric and ethics mimesis does not mean copying or imitation in a modern sense, but describes a creative activity, a call to take the ideal that Paul’s actions represent and join in applying it to one’s own behavior and actions.
Observations on the Disposition of Hebrews
Authors: Lang Friedrich Gustav
Published: March 2019

The disposition of Hebrews is analyzed in terms of literary structure and significant proportions. The discussion of differing proposals for the letter leads to an outline of five main parts. Two christological sections (1:1–2:18; 7:1–10:18) alternate with two hortatory ones calling to faith (3:1–6:20; 10:19–12:29), then follow general exhortations (13:1–21), finally an epistolary appendix (13:22–25). The stichos of 15 syllables is introduced as the ancient standard measure of Greek prose. Counting stichoi in Hebrews reveals remarkable proportions seemingly due to intentional disposing. The letter’s first main part, for example, is half the size of the second one, and both together half the size of the whole. All results of the structural and stichometrical analysis are then condensed in a tabular outline.
Using floristic characteristics of contemporary vegetation for identifying archaeological sites: Tel ‘Eton archaeological site as a test case
Authors: Sapir Yair , Sapir Yuval , Faust Avraham
Published: March 2019

Over the last century, crosstalk between archaeologists and botanists had focused on the identification of plants remnants, such as charcoal or seeds found in archaeological inventory. Here we demonstrate how botany can play a fundamental role in identifying ancient landscape by using current vegetation. Identifying the loci of ancient human activity is the initial step of any archaeological study, enabling analyses such as settlement patterns, economic structures and land use, as well as devising excavations strategy. While mounds (tells) are standing out of their surroundings and are easily detected, other sites are hidden underground, and require various methods for detection. The cost and intensity of these methods vary, but most are time-consuming, require a team of specialists, and show somewhat limited success, leading archaeologists to seek new methods of site detection. Here, we describe a study of vegetational parameters at Tel ‘Eton (Israel), located in a semi-arid climatic region, where vegetation is mostly herbaceous, mainly comprised of annual plants. We compared above ground biomass, species richness and species composition among four plots in Tel ‘Eton and its surrounding. Two plots were located where ancient settlement found in a previous study, one on top of the mound and one below, where a “lower city” was previously identified. The other two plots were located in similar topographies, namely one on a hill and the other below, but in never-settled areas. While above ground biomass was similar between settled and not-settled plots, species richness was significantly higher in settled plots (40 and 32 species in settled plots, versus 28 and 9 species in non-settled) and species composition was significantly different between them. Our results demonstrate that loci of buried remains of human activity significantly differ from non-settled ones, hence providing the basis for an above ground indirect method of identification of human remains. We propose that floristic sampling of ground-level vegetation may allow archaeologists to identify buried sites, and hence increase the validity of various types of archaeological analyses, such as creating maps of settlements, which rely on the identification of sites without excavating them.
A new species of Silene (Caryophyllaceae) from Turkey
Authors: ÖZBEK MEHMET UFUK , UZUNHİSARCIKLI MEHMET ERKAN
Published: March 2019

Silene arsuzensis Özbek & Uzunh. sp. nov. from Arsuz, Kale Village (Turkey, Hatay Province) is described and illustrated. It is morphologically similar to S. aegyptiaca from which differs in floral features (inflorescence, calyx and anthophore). A map of the new species and those of the species morphologically similar, as well as the ecological and biogeographycal remarks, conservation status, pollen and seed morphology are also presented.
Choosing Your Platform for Social Media Drug Research and Improving Your Keyword Filter List
Authors: Adams Nikki , Artigiani Eleanor Erin , Wish Eric D.
Published: March 2019

Social media research often has two things in common: Twitter is the platform used and a keyword filter list is used to extract only relevant Tweets. Here we propose that (a) alternative platforms be considered more often when doing social media research, and (b) regardless of platform, researchers use word embeddings as a type of synonym discovery to improve their keyword filter list, both of which lead to more relevant data. We demonstrate the benefit of these proposals by comparing how successful our synonym discovery method is at finding terms for marijuana and select opioids on Twitter versus a platform that can be filtered by topic, Reddit. We also find words that are not on the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) drug slang list for that year, some of which appear on the list the subsequent year, showing that this method could be employed to find drug terms faster than traditional means.
Task-Dependent Mechanisms in the Perception of Music and Speech: Domain-Specific Transfer Effects of Elementary School Music Education
Authors: Lukács Borbála , Honbolygó Ferenc
Published: March 2019

Previous studies have demonstrated that active engagement in musical activities benefits auditory and cognitive processing. However, it is still unclear whether musical experience improves domain-general mechanisms reflected in superior functioning in language or the enhancement is selective and limited to musical abilities. In the present study, we evaluated the transfer effect of general elementary school music education on the development of linguistic abilities. The relationship between specific musical auditory skills, phonological awareness, and reading was investigated in 30 second-grade children who attended either a class with an intensive music curriculum or a class with a regular curriculum. Results indicated no significant differences between the music and the regular class, suggesting that 1 year of Kodály-based classroom music education is not enough to yield relevant improvement in musical and linguistic abilities. Although there was no considerable relationship between reading and musical abilities, phoneme deletion accuracy was specifically associated with tonal memory. These findings suggest that similar cognitive mechanisms may be required to process melodic and phonological sequences. Therefore, we assume that task-dependent mechanisms may exist in melody and speech perception, which might account for the presence of inconsistent findings in the music transfer literature.
Variability and Impact of Self-Selected Interset Rest Periods During Experienced Strength Training
Authors: Ibbott P. , Ball N. , Welvaert M. , Thompson K. G.
Published: March 2019

We investigated the variability of strength trained athletes' self-selected rest periods between sets of heavy squat training. Sixteen strength-trained male athletes (Mage = 23, SD = 3 years) completed two squat training sessions 48 hours apart. Each training session consisted of five sets of 5RM squats, interspersed with self-selected interset rest periods. A Gymaware linear optical encoder collected kinetic data for each squat and temporal data for each interset rest period. The participants' subjective ratings of the experience were taken before (Readiness to Lift [RTL]) and after (Rating of Perceived Effort [RPE]) each set. Mean total rest time and mean power output differed significantly between sessions. For both sessions, interset rest period increased, and power output decreased between Sets 3, 4, and 5 (95% CI range [−101, −17]) compared with Set 1. In both sessions, RPE increased significantly in Set 3 compared with Set 1 (95% CI range = [0.68, 2.19]), while RTL decreased significantly from Set 3 (95% CI range [−2.99, −0.58]) compared to Set 1. Interset rest period and power output demonstrated fair reliability between sessions (mean intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.55), while RPE and RTL demonstrated good and excellent reliability, respectively (mean intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.63 and 0.80). In conclusion, highly trained strength athletes demonstrated a significant difference in their between session power output and total rest time when using self-selected interset rest periods, despite stability in their subjective ratings of fatigue and effort. Interset rest periods can be self-selected reliably to complete strength training in heavy squat protocol; however, power output may decline during the set.
Augmented Reality: Teaching Daily Living Skills to Adults With Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Bridges Shannon A. , Robinson Olivia P. , Stewart Elizabeth W. , Kwon Dongjin , Mutua Kagendo
Published: March 2019

Independent living is recognized as a marker of adulthood. For individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, however, the need for continued support in completing daily living tasks reduces the likelihood of achieving independence in this domain. Barriers to living independently include increased dependence on family and support staff and deficits in functional life skills. In this study, a multiple-baseline across behaviors design was used to examine the efficacy of an augmented reality intervention for teaching daily living skills to three young adults with disabilities in a residential postsecondary education program. Our results indicate the intervention was effective for increasing independence among all participants. Furthermore, the intervention was found to be a socially acceptable and nonstigmatizing method for supporting young adults in a residential postsecondary education program.
A case study of music instruction according to E. Willems’ pedagogy in children with intellectual disabilities: Its impacts on music abilities and language skills
Authors: Smolej Fritz Barbara , Peklaj Cirila
Published: March 2019

The aim of this case study was to explore the effects of music instruction according to the E. Willems teaching method on the music abilities and language skills in students with intellectual disabilities (ID). Eight students with ID (average age 9.64 years) participated in the study. They attended 35 music lessons during the school year. Each lesson included tasks for developing four domains: auditory perception, rhythm, singing songs and natural body movement. We developed the tasks for measuring music abilities and language skills and applied them three times: before the music training, immediately after the training and in delayed measurement 10 months after the training. Results showed a significant improvement in the music abilities in rhythm between the first and the second measurements. The improvements between the first two measurements were also found in language skills, in following instructions and in discrimination and repetition of phonemes in pairs. The research method used does not allow for the generalization of results, but it is the first step in empirical research into the effects of music instruction according to the principles of E. Willems’ pedagogy in children with ID.
Professor Henry Urich 1916–2015: A London neuropathologist and his Polish heritage
Authors: Karch Steven B , Swash Michael
Published: March 2019

This is the story of a tumultuous life, lived with enthusiasm and considerable academic success, despite destruction of his cultural heritage in Poland, and loss of his family, by the cruelty of the invading Soviet and Nazi armies in 1939. As a newly qualified doctor from the Polish Medical School at the University of Edinburgh, he was parachuted into Arnhem with the Polish airborne forces, survived, educated himself in British ways and habits, and rapidly succeeded in the medical hierarchy to become an esteemed neuropathologist not only at The London Hospital, but internationally. His central European background provided him with the linguistic and multicultural skills to excel in this highly specialised area of medical science. He was one of the last of the classically trained neuropathologists.
Full dispersion and characteristics of complex guided waves in functionally graded piezoelectric plates
Authors: Zhang Xiaoming , Zhang Chuanzeng , Yu Jiangong , Luo Jing
Published: March 2019

The improvement of the resolution and energy conversion efficiency of piezoelectric devices requires a thorough study of guided wave, especially the evanescent wave modes with high-phase speed and low attenuation. Due to the computation difficulties, investigations about the evanescent wave in piezoelectric structures are rather limited. In this article, an analytic method based on the orthogonal function technique is presented to investigate the complex dispersion relations and the evanescent guided wave in functionally graded piezoelectric plates, which can convert the complex partial differential equations with variable coefficients into an eigenvalue problem and obtain all solutions. Comparisons with other related studies are conducted to validate the correctness of the presented method. Three-dimensional full dispersion curves are plotted to gain a better insight into the nature of the evanescent waves. The influences of piezoelectricity and graded fields and electrical boundary conditions on evanescent waves are illustrated. The electromechanical coupling factors of the functionally graded piezoelectric material plates with different gradient fields are also investigated. Furthermore, the displacement amplitude and electric potential distributions are also discussed to illustrate the specificities of evanescent guided waves. The corresponding results presented in this work are promised to be used to improve the resolution of piezoelectric transducers.