bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leukocyte Telomere Length and Its Interaction with Germline Variation in Telomere-Related Genes in Relation to Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Risk
Authors: Antwi Samuel O. , Bamlet William R. , Rabe Kari G. , Cawthon Richard M. , Umudi Isoken , Druliner Brooke R. , Sicotte Hugues , Oberg Ann L. , Jatoi Aminah , Boardman Lisa A. , Petersen Gloria M.
Published: April 2020

Background:

Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) has been associated with risk of multiple cancers, but its association with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is unclear. We therefore investigated the association between peripheral blood LTL and PDAC risk, and examined effect modification by candidate SNPs previously reported to be associated with variation in LTL.

Methods:

A case–control study of 1,460 PDAC cases and 1,459 frequency-matched controls was performed using biospecimens and data from the Mayo Clinic Biospecimen Resource for Pancreas Research. Quantitative PCR was used to measure LTL and categorized into tertiles based on sex-specific control distribution. Eleven telomere-related SNPs also were genotyped. Logistic regression was used to calculate ORs and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results:

Shorter peripheral blood LTL was associated with a higher risk of PDAC (ORT1vsT3 = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.03–1.54, Ptrend = 0.02; ORcontinuous = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.02–1.28), but the association was restricted to cases with treatment-naïve blood samples (ORT1vsT3 = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.16–1.96, Ptrend = 0.002; ORcontinuous = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.08–1.45) and not cases whose blood samples were collected after initiation of cancer therapy (ORT1vsT3 = 1.10, 95% CI = 0.87–1.39, Ptrend = 0.42; ORcontinuous = 1.08, 95% CI = 0.94–1.23). Three SNPs (TERC-rs10936599, ACYP2-rs11125529, and TERC-rs1317082) were each associated with interindividual variation in LTL among controls, but there was no evidence of effect modification by these SNPs.

Conclusions:

Treatment-naïve short LTL is associated with a higher risk of PDAC, and the association does not differ by germline variation in the candidate telomere-related SNPs examined.

Impact:

Peripheral blood LTL might serve as a molecular marker for risk modeling to identify persons at high risk of PDAC.
Cytotoxic Therapy–Induced Effects on Both Hematopoietic and Marrow Stromal Cells Promotes Therapy-Related Myeloid Neoplasms
Authors: Stoddart Angela , Wang Jianghong , Fernald Anthony A. , Davis Elizabeth M. , Johnson Camille R. , Hu Chunmei , Cheng Jason X. , McNerney Megan E. , Le Beau Michelle M.
Published: April 2020

Therapy-related myeloid neoplasms (t-MN) following treatment with alkylating agents are characterized by a del(5q), complex karyotypes, alterations of TP53, and a dismal prognosis. To decipher the molecular pathway(s) leading to the pathogenesis of del(5q) t-MN and the effect(s) of cytotoxic therapy on the marrow microenvironment, we developed a mouse model with loss of two key del(5q) genes, EGR1 and APC, in hematopoietic cells. We used the well-characterized drug, N-ethyl-N-nitrosurea (ENU), to demonstrate that alkylating agent exposure of stromal cells in the microenvironment increases the incidence of myeloid disease. In addition, loss of Trp53 with Egr1 and Apc was required to drive the development of a transplantable leukemia, and accompanied by the acquisition of somatic mutations in DNA damage response genes. ENU treatment of mesenchymal stromal cells induced cellular senescence and led to the acquisition of a senescence-associated secretory phenotype, which may be a critical microenvironmental alteration in the pathogenesis of myeloid neoplasms.

Significance:

This study challenges the historic view that prior cytotoxic therapy targets only hematopoietic cells and shows that chemotherapy-induced alterations to the microenvironment contribute to myeloid neoplasms in a model of del(5q) t-MN. The DNA damage response in hematopoietic cells and senescence of stromal cells are identified as potential therapeutic targets.

See related commentary by Shannon and Link, p. 10.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 5
Vascular Density and Retinal Function in Patients with Retinitis Pigmentosa Evaluated by Swept-Source OCT Angiography and Microperimetry
Authors: Corazza Paolo , Cirafici Paola , Testa Valeria , Orlans Harry Otway , Berisso Marta , Traverso Carlo Enrico , Vagge Aldo , Nicolò Massimo
Published: April 2020

Purpose: To determine the retinal and choroidal vessel density in the macular area with swept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography (SS-OCTA) in patients affected by retinitis pigmentosa (RP), to compare their data with those on healthy subjects, and to study a possible morphofunctional correlation by microperimetry (MP-1). Methods: A total of 40 eyes of 40 patients affected by RP and 24 eyes of 24 healthy subjects were included in the study. Manually moving down the segmentation line of the SS-OCTA, we have evaluated the vessel density for the superficial retinal plexus, deep retinal plexus, choriocapillaris, and three levels of the choroid. Results: Linear regression analyses were performed of the retinal structure and function. No significant correlation was detected in any case (R2 = 0, p > 0.05). A comparison between RP and healthy controls revealed a significant reduction in SS-OCTA mean capillary density in the RP group (p = 0.0011). This relationship was consistent across vascular layers (p = 0.2413). A significant association between the capillary density of the various vascular complexes was detected within individual eyes (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: This study represents the first comparing MP-1 and SS-OCTA data in the largest cohort of patients. RP patients showed a reduction in both the retinal and the choroidal vascular network in the macular area compared to healthy subjects.
Left Atrial End-Diastolic Volume Index as a Predictor of Cardiovascular Outcomes
Authors: Thadani Samir R. , Shaw Richard E. , Fang Qizhi , Whooley Mary A. , Schiller Nelson B.
Published: April 2020

Background:

The left atrial end-systolic volume index (LAESVI) is a predictor of cardiovascular outcomes and is the recommended measurement of left atrial size. The left atrial end-diastolic volume index (LAEDVI), representing the minimum or residual left atrial volume, has not been fully evaluated as a predictor of cardiovascular events. This study evaluated the predictive power of LAEDVI compared with LAESVI for heart failure (HF) hospitalizations, a composite of HF hospitalizations, myocardial infarction, stroke, and heart disease death, and all-cause mortality.

Methods:

We measured LAESVI and LAEDVI in subjects without atrial fibrillation or flutter or significant mitral valve disease. Using Cox proportional-hazard models, the association of LAESVI and LAEDVI with the stated outcomes was examined.

Results:

After a mean of 7.3±2.6 years of follow-up, there were 147 HF hospitalizations, 118 myocardial infarctions, 45 strokes, 96 heart disease deaths, and 351 deaths from all causes in 938 subjects. When comparing the highest and the lowest quartiles of LAEDVI, there was a near 6-fold increase in the hazard ratio (HR) for HF hospitalization (HR, 5.96;
P
<0.001). This was higher than what was seen with LAESVI (HR, 4.85;
P
<0.001). Similar associations were noted for the composite cardiovascular outcome (HR for LAEDVI, 2.97;
P
<0.001) and for all-cause mortality (HR for LAEDVI, 2.08;
P
<0.001). In adjusted models, LAEDVI demonstrated equal or better predictive power than LAESVI for HF hospitalization and the composite cardiovascular outcome.

Conclusions:

LAEDVI is a strong predictor of cardiovascular events in ambulatory patients with stable coronary heart disease and may merit routine use.
Diurnal Control of Blood Pressure Is Uncoupled From Sodium Excretion
Authors: Johnston Jermaine G. , Speed Joshua S. , Becker Bryan K. , Kasztan Malgorzata , Soliman Reham H. , Rhoads Megan K. , Tao Binli , Jin Chunhua , Geurts Aron M. , Hyndman Kelly A. , Pollock Jennifer S. , Pollock David M.
Published: April 2020

The diurnal rhythms of sodium handling and blood pressure are thought to be regulated by clock genes, such as Bmal1. However, little is known about the regulation of these factors by Bmal1, especially in rats. Using a novel whole-body Bmal1 knockout rat model (
Bmal1
−
/−
), we hypothesized that time of day regulation of sodium excretion is dependent on Bmal1. Using telemetry to continuously record mean arterial pressure, we observed that male and female
Bmal1
−/−
rats had significantly reduced mean arterial pressure over the course of 24 hours compared with littermate controls. The circadian mean arterial pressure pattern remained intact in both sexes of
Bmal1
−/−
rats, which is in contrast to the
Bmal1
−/−
mouse model. Male
Bmal1
−/−
rats had no significant difference in baseline sodium excretion between 12-hour active and inactive periods, indicating a lack of diurnal control independent of maintained mean arterial pressure rhythms. Female
Bmal1
−/−
rats, however, had significantly greater sodium excretion during the active versus inactive period similar to controls. Thus, we observed a clear dissociation between circadian blood pressure and control of sodium excretion that is sex dependent. These findings are consistent with a more robust ability of females to maintain control of sodium excretion, and furthermore, demonstrate a novel role for Bmal1 in control of diurnal blood pressure independent of sodium excretion.
Maternal Hypertensive Pregnancy Disorders and Mental Disorders in Children
Authors: Lahti-Pulkkinen Marius , Girchenko Polina , Tuovinen Soile , Sammallahti Sara , Reynolds Rebecca M. , Lahti Jari , Heinonen Kati , Lipsanen Jari , Hämäläinen Esa , Villa Pia M. , Kajantie Eero , Laivuori Hannele , Räikkönen Katri
Published: April 2020

The associations of maternal hypertensive pregnancy disorders with offspring mental disorders remain unclear. We examined whether maternal hypertensive disorders and maximum blood pressure during pregnancy predict offspring childhood mental disorders, whether the associations are independent of maternal and paternal mental disorders and paternal hypertensive disorders, independent of or additive with maternal early pregnancy overweight/obesity and diabetes mellitus disorders, and mediated or moderated by preterm birth, small-for-gestational-age birth and neonatal intensive care unit admission. Our prospective study comprised 4743 mother-child dyads of Prediction and Prevention of Preeclampsia and Intrauterine Growth Restriction study. Women were recruited to the study in early pregnancy at Finnish maternity hospitals. Children were born 2006 to 2010 and followed-up until December 31, 2016, to ages 6.4 to 10.8 years. Hypertensive pregnancy disorders were identified from medical records, Medical Birth Register, and Care Register for Health Care. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured at antenatal clinics and hospital visits. Mental disorder diagnoses were identified from Care Register for Health Care. Maternal gestational and chronic hypertension, preeclampsia and its severity increased offspring hazard of any childhood mental disorder. The associations of preeclampsia (hazard ratio=1.66 [95% CI, 1.14–2.42]) and severe preeclampsia (hazard ratio=2.01 [95% CI, 1.08–3.73]) were independent of all covariates. Maternal hypertensive and diabetes mellitus disorders and overweight/obesity also additively increased offspring hazard of mental disorders. Preterm and small-for-gestational-age births and neonatal intensive care unit admission partially mediated the effects of any and severe preeclampsia on offspring mental disorders. To conclude, maternal hypertensive pregnancy disorders carry adverse consequences for offspring mental health.
Variations in Cardiovascular Structure, Function, and Geometry in Midlife Associated With a History of Hypertensive Pregnancy
Authors: Boardman Henry , Lamata Pablo , Lazdam Merzaka , Verburg Ashley , Siepmann Timo , Upton Ross , Bilderbeck Amy , Dore Rhys , Smedley Clare , Kenworthy Yvonne , Sverrisdottir Yrsa , Aye Christina Y.L. , Williamson Wilby , Huckstep Odaro , Francis Jane M. , Neubauer Stefan , Lewandowski Adam J. , Leeson Paul
Published: April 2020

Hypertensive pregnancy is associated with increased maternal cardiovascular risk in later life. A range of cardiovascular adaptations after pregnancy have been reported to partly explain this risk. We used multimodality imaging to identify whether, by midlife, any pregnancy-associated phenotypes were still identifiable and to what extent they could be explained by blood pressure. Participants were identified by review of hospital maternity records 5 to 10 years after pregnancy and invited to a single visit for detailed cardiovascular imaging phenotyping. One hundred seventy-three women (age, 42±5 years, 70 after normotensive and 103 after hypertensive pregnancy) underwent magnetic resonance imaging of the heart and aorta, echocardiography, and vascular assessment, including capillaroscopy. Women with a history of hypertensive pregnancy had a distinct cardiac geometry with higher left ventricular mass index (49.9±7.1 versus 46.0±6.5 g/m
2
;
P
=0.001) and ejection fraction (65.6±5.4% versus 63.7±4.3%;
P
=0.03) but lower global longitudinal strain (−18.31±4.46% versus −19.94±3.59%;
P
=0.02). Left atrial volume index was also increased (40.4±9.2 versus 37.3±7.3 mL/m
2
;
P
=0.03) and E:A reduced (1.34±0.35 versus 1.52±0.45;
P
=0.003). Aortic compliance (0.240±0.053 versus 0.258±0.063;
P
=0.046) and functional capillary density (105.4±23.0 versus 115.2±20.9 capillaries/mm
2
;
P
=0.01) were reduced. Only differences in functional capillary density, left ventricular mass, and atrial volume indices remained after adjustment for blood pressure (
P
<0.01,
P
=0.01, and
P
=0.04, respectively). Differences in cardiac structure and geometry, as well as microvascular rarefaction, are evident in midlife after a hypertensive pregnancy, independent of blood pressure. To what extent these phenotypic patterns contribute to cardiovascular disease progression or provide additional measures to improve risk stratification requires further study.
Coronary Artery Calcium as a Synergistic Tool for the Age‐ and Sex‐Specific Risk of Cardiovascular and Cancer Mortality: The Coronary Artery Calcium Consortium
Authors: Dzaye Omar , Al Rifai Mahmoud , Dardari Zeina , Shaw Leslee J. , Al‐Mallah Mouaz H. , Handy Marshall Catherine , Rozanski Alan , Mortensen Martin B. , Duebgen Matthias , Matsushita Kunihiro , Rumberger John A. , Berman Daniel S. , Budoff Matthew J. , Miedema Michael D. , Nasir Khurram , Blaha Michael J. , Whelton Seamus P.
Published: April 2020

Background

Coronary artery calcium (
CAC
) is a predictor for the development of cardiovascular disease (
CVD
) and to a lesser extent cancer. The age‐ and sex‐specific relationship of
CAC
with
CVD
and cancer mortality is unknown.

Methods and Results

Asymptomatic patients aged 40 to 75 years old without known
CVD
were included from the
CAC
Consortium. We calculated sex‐specific mortality rates per 1000 person‐years’ follow‐up. Using parametric survival regression modeling, we determined the age‐ and sex‐specific
CAC
score at which the risk of death from
CVD
and cancer were equal. Among the 59 502 patients included in this analysis, the mean age was 54.9 (±8.5) years, 34% were women, and 89% were white. There were 671 deaths attributable to
CVD
and 954 deaths attributable to cancer over a mean follow‐up of 12±3 years. Among patients with
CAC
=0, cancer was the leading cause of death, the total mortality rate was low (women, 1.8; men, 1.5), and the
CVD
mortality rate was exceedingly low for women (0.3) and men (0.3). The age‐specific
CAC
score at which the risk of
CVD
and cancer mortality were equal had a U‐shaped relationship for women, while the relationship was exponential for men.

Conclusions

The age‐ and sex‐specific relationship of
CAC
with
CVD
and cancer mortality differed significantly for women and men. Our age‐ and sex‐specific
CAC
score provides a more precise estimate and further facilitates the use of
CAC
as a synergistic tool in strategies for the prediction and prevention of
CVD
and cancer mortality.
Shovels Out
Authors: Pandey Nandini
Published: April 2020

Review of: T.P. Wiseman, The House of Augustus: A Historical Detective Story. This engaging and accessible book conclusively puts to rest the longstanding misidentification of grand ruins on Rome’s Palatine Hill as the ‘House of Augustus’. Wiseman defends the view that Augustus’ buildings on the Palatine carefully differentiated between private modesty and public munificence while aligning the princeps with Romulus through their various imprints on this storied landscape. Sound archaeological arguments are couched within a less convincing attempt to reframe Augustus as a populist hero.
A catalog of the Bibionidae (Diptera: Bibionomorpha) of Chile
Authors: FITZGERALD SCOTT J. , GONZÁLEZ CHRISTIAN R , ELGUETA MARIO
Published: April 2020

A catalog of the Bibionidae of Chile is provided. We present all valid names and synonyms for the 33 species and 2 genera known from the country, including information about name, author, year of publication, page number, type species, type locality and references. The geographical distribution of the species known from Chile was compiled from bibliographic data and revised collections. Epiplecia Giard, Heteroplecia Hardy, and Pleciodes Hardy are proposed as junior synonyms of Plecia Wiedeman.
Notes on some crinoid associated decapod crustaceans (Crustacea: Decapoda) of Lakshadweep Archipelago, Central Indian Ocean
Authors: PRAKASH S. , MARIMUTHU N.
Published: April 2020

Decapod crustaceans symbiotic with echinoderms (sea stars, brittle stars, feather stars, basket stars, sea cucumbers, and sea urchins) possess remarkable diversification in the Indo-Pacific. In the present study, seven species of decapod crustaceans symbiotic with crinoids are recorded based on collections from selected Islands (Agatti, Amini, Bangaram, Kavaratti, Kalpeni, and Minicoy) of Lakshadweep Archipelago. Of these decapods, five caridean shrimps (Alpheidae: Synalpheus carinatus (de Man, 1888), S. comatularum (Haswell, 1882), S. stimpsonii (de Man, 1888); Palaemonidae: Palaemonella pottsi (Borradaile, 1915), Pontoniopsis comanthi (Borradaile, 1915), one brachyuran crab [Pilumnidae: Permanotus purpureus (Gordon, 1934)] and one squat lobster [Galatheidae: Allogalathea elegans (Adams & White, 1848)] were identified. The caridean shrimps have associated with the crinoids Comaster multifidus (Müller, 1841), Phanogenia gracilis (Hartlaub, 1893), P. distincta (Carpenter, 1888), P. multibrachiata (Carpenter, 1888) and Stephanometra indica (Smith, 1876). The brachyuran crab was observed in association with the crinoid Phanogenia gracilis whereas the squat lobsters were associated with Stephanometra tenuipinna (Hartlaub, 1890) and S. indica. Except S. stimpsonii and P. purpureus, all other species were recorded for the first time from India. Here, we provide details on morphology, distribution, habitat, and hosts for all species. We recommend further exploration of the sub-shallow coral reef areas of Lakshadweep as there will be many species that certainly remain to be discovered.
Crumbling Walls, Peeling Paint, and High Achievement Orientation: Alternative Facts or Truth?
Authors: Rathey Danielle A.
Published: April 2020

This article examines historical context shaping the achievement gap while considering school choice. Students in low performing districts are often labeled as unmotivated or not achievement oriented. These assertions are upheld by citing attendance rates, graduation rates, and achievement data. This research article demonstrates that a sample of students in a low performing district has similarly aligned attitudes and self-reported behaviors related to achievement and success as a neighboring affluent district. Differences appear when students reflect upon safety and resources. This article demonstrates that public education works when the right resources are in place; so why push minorities out of their neighborhood schools toward charters and magnets rather than bolster and make equitable the existing system?
Effects of Ensemble Size and Repertoire Difficulty on Ratings of Concert Band Performances
Authors: Silveira Jason M. , Silvey Brian A.
Published: April 2020

The purpose of this study was to examine effects of ensemble size and repertoire difficulty on listeners’ perceptions of concert band performances. Undergraduate music majors ( N = 210) viewed an audiovisual stimulus consisting of various images of large and small concert bands paired with identical audio performances of either an easy or difficult composition. Participants rated each ensemble’s tone quality/intonation, musicianship/expression, and rhythm/articulation using a 10-point Likert-type scale. Results indicated no main effects for ensemble size or order. There was a significant main effect for repertoire difficulty, with difficult repertoire being evaluated more positively than easier repertoire. We also found a significant Ensemble Size × Repertoire Difficulty × Order interaction, indicating that results were moderated based on order. Within the four orders, the largest mean difference in scores occurred in Order 3 (small/difficult, large/easy, small/easy, large/difficult), with the smallest mean differences occurring in Order 2 (large/difficult, small/easy, large/easy, small/difficult). The small/easy and large/easy videos and the small/difficult and large/difficult videos resulted in positive changes in ratings only when seen first and last, respectively. We recommend blind evaluation and the use of required “test pieces” in concert band festivals as ways to possibly mitigate effects of repertoire difficulty and ensemble size.
A Logistic Regression Extension for the Randomized Response Simple and Crossed Models: Theoretical Results and Empirical Evidence
Authors: Hsieh Shu-Hui , Perri Pier Francesco
Published: April 2020

We propose some theoretical and empirical advances by supplying the methodology for analyzing the factors that influence two sensitive variables when data are collected by randomized response (RR) survey modes. First, we provide the framework for obtaining the maximum likelihood estimates of logistic regression coefficients under the RR simple and crossed models, then we carry out a simulation study to assess the performance of the estimation procedure. Finally, logistic regression analysis is illustrated by considering real data about cannabis use and legalization and about abortion and illegal immigration. The empirical results bring out certain considerations about the effect of the RR and direct questioning survey modes on the estimates. The inference about the sign and the significance of the regression coefficients can contribute to the debate on whether the RR approach is an effective survey method to reduce misreporting and improve the validity of analyses.
Applying the principles of social action in contemporary Christian mission in Africa
Authors: Diara Benjamin , Uroko Favour
Published: April 2020

This article examined the need to apply the principles of social action in contemporary mission work in Africa. Early missionary enterprises in Africa employed some forms of social action but it is a historical fact that the missionary agents may have failed to adhere to the principles of social action. Thus, they ministered to Africans as masters and not servants, and as leaders and not facilitators which is contrary to the principles of social action. This may be considered as the reason African converts could not learn to do it themselves. The missionaries did not believe that the African people, especially the converts, had any skill, experience, or understanding that they could draw to tackle the problems they faced as a people. They also did not recognize the fact that all people have the right to be heard, to define the issues facing them, and to take action on their behalf. These are pieces of evidence of failure to apply the principles of social action on the part of the earlier missionaries who worked in Africa. This article recommends that for more effective missionary enterprise, contemporary Christian missionaries in Africa should study the interface between mission work and social action and pay strict adherence to the principles of social action in their work. The phenomenological method with ex post facto research design was employed for the research. Data were collected through both primary and secondary sources and qualitative descriptive analysis of the data was accordingly carried out. It was discovered that the need to apply social action principles in contemporary mission work in Africa is superlative.
An exploration using system dynamics modelling of population-level mindfulness, mindful eating and healthy weight following intervention
Authors: Roesler Anna , Nishi Nobuo
Published: April 2020

Background:

Mindful eating has been introduced as a strategy to help prevent overweight and obesity.

Aim:

The purpose of this research was to develop a simple system dynamics model to investigate the impact of different interventions on population level mindfulness, mindful eating and healthy weight over a 10-year period.

Methods:

A model was constructed and outcomes analysed following the addition of four mindful eating interventions, including decreasing busyness (formal and informal work), promotion of mindful eating (e.g. classes and media), promotion of mindfulness, reduction of external eating cues (decreased portion sizes and variety) or a combination of all interventions.

Results:

The model projected that if the current situation was to continue over the next 10-year period, there would be a small decrease of 0.6% in the healthy-weight population despite a 42% increase in people practising mindfulness and 40% increase in people eating mindfully. Of the four interventions introduced, decreasing busyness had the greatest impact on the number of people practising mindfulness, eating mindfully and of a healthy weight. However, when all four interventions were introduced together this resulted in the greatest (19%) increase in the proportion of healthy-weight people.

Conclusions:

The study suggests that mindful eating can be improved through intervention, however, the interventions will not greatly contribute to improving the healthy-weight population unless implemented in combination.
Increased ROCK1 not ROCK2 in circulating leukocytes in rats with myocardial ischemia/reperfusion
Authors: Cheng Chao , Liu Xiao-Bo , Xu Dong-Ling , Zhang Juan
Published: April 2020

Background:

Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of many cardiovascular diseases. Previous studies have demonstrated that ROCK is overactivated and involved in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion in vivo. But the role of ROCK in circulating leukocytes during myocardial ischemia/reperfusion is not well studied.

Material and methods:

This study was performed to evaluate ROCK activity in circulating leukocytes in rats with myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion Wistar rats were subjected to 30-min ischemia followed by 180-min reperfusion. ROCK activity in circulating leukocytes was examined by the phosphorylation state of myosin phosphatase targeting subunit 1, a substrate of ROCK.

Results:

ROCK activity significantly increased in leukocytes in rat ischemia/reperfusion models compared to the sham group. ROCK1 not ROCK2 level in circulating leukocytes was significantly elevated in ischemia/reperfusion. Administration of the selective inhibitor of ROCK, fasudil, significantly reduced myocardial infarct size, myocyte apoptosis, and inflammatory cytokine, including interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α. Furthermore, fasudil upregulated ischemia/reperfusion-induced reduction of nitric oxide production.

Conclusion:

Increased ROCK1 not ROCK2 in circulating leukocytes plays a role in the pathogenesis of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. Inhibition of ROCK1 in circulating leukocytes has an important role in fasudil-induced cardioprotective effects. ROCK1 in circulating leukocytes might be a new biomarker in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury.
Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma: Multicentric Experience in Mexico
Authors: Loredo-Abdalá Arturo , Casas-Muñoz Abigail , Villanueva-Clift Héctor José , Aguilar-Ceniceros Angélica , González-Garay Alejandro Gabriel , Gutiérrez-Leyva César de Jesús , Juarez Olguin Hugo
Published: April 2020

Abusive head trauma (AHT) is one of the most severe forms of child abuse due to its morbidity and mortality. However, AHT is still misdiagnosed in developing countries because of its nonspecific clinical picture and limited knowledge of it on the part of physicians. The aim of this study was to describe some characteristics of children with AHT, their families, and caregivers, as well as the clinical data that could serve as signs for its suspicion and the medical-legal resolution of the cases. Children suspect with AHT in emergency rooms in three Mexican hospitals were included after obtaining informed consent from the parents. All information was obtained from the parents by means of a questionnaire and from different clinical and radiological evaluations of the clinical records of the patients. 15 children, with a median age of 5 months and predominantly males (73.33%), were included in the study. 66% reported a history of irritability periods, and most of the patients (73.33%) had more than one habitual caregiver. The diagnosis of AHT was suspected in only 33.33% on admission in the Emergency Services. Acute symptomatology was present in 53.33%, while less severe symptoms were reported in the rest. Special attention should be paid on babies with history of irritable periods. When a child who is previously healthy and suddenly presents with a seizure or cardiorespiratory dysfunction or brought to the hospital dead, the diagnosis of AHT should be considered as a priority.
Marxism and the Debate on the Transition to Capitalism in Prewar Japan
Authors: Aoki Hideo
Published: April 2020

After the Meiji Restoration in 1868, Japan rapidly industrialized, greatly raising its level of economic productivity. However, the peasants were kept in a state of hunger under a semifeudal agricultural system. How should this semi-feudality be understood? About this question arose a debate among Japanese Marxists in prewar Japan: the Debate on Japanese Capitalism. This article examines the methodologies of three analysists of Japanese capitalism focusing on the level of abstraction of the analysis of capitalism, whose ideas were derived from Hegel’s Logic and Marx’s methodology of downward analysis and upward development: Moritarō Yamada of Kōzaha, Itsurō Sakisaka of Rōnōha, and Kōzō Uno, who distanced himself from both sides. Uno criticized Yamada and Sakisaka for directly analyzing a particular Japanese capitalism with a highly general theory such as Capital, and proposed the Three-Stage Theory: the Pure Theory, which is based on the assumption of a pure capitalism, such as Marx’s Capital; the Stage Theory, which clarifies the historical developmental stage of capitalism, such as Lenin’s Imperialism (1917); and the Empirical Analysis, which analyzes capitalism in each country at a given time. However, Uno’s main concern was to analyze Japanese capitalism in the Stage Theory, doing little to further advance it in the Empirical Analysis. Therefore, this article divided the Empirical Analysis into two levels of abstraction: the domain of theoretical construction of Japanese Capitalism, such as Lenin’s Development of Capitalism in Russia (1899), and of data analysis of specific conditions of Japanese capitalism, such as Engels’ The Condition of the Working Class in England (1844), and thus proposed the Four-Stage Theory. It is a hypothesis for complementing Uno’s Three-Stage Theory, which should be further developed by data. Finally, such methodological consideration for analyzing capitalism is applicable to non-Japanese capitalist societies.
Representation of European hydroclimatic patterns with self-organizing maps
Authors: Markonis Yannis , Strnad Filip
Published: April 2020

Self-organizing maps provide a powerful, non-linear technique of dimensionality reduction that can be used to identify clusters with similar attributes. Here, they were constructed from a 1000-year-long gridded palaeoclimatic dataset, namely the Old World Drought Atlas, to detect regions of homogeneous hydroclimatic variability across the European continent. A classification scheme of 10 regions was found to describe most efficiently the spatial properties of Europe’s hydroclimate. These regions were mainly divided into a northern and a southern subset, linked together with a northwest-to-southeast orientation. Further analysis of the classification scheme with complex networks confirmed the divergence between the northern and southern components of European hydroclimate, also revealing that is not strongly correlated to the Iberian Peninsula. On the contrary, the region covering the British Isles, France and Germany appeared to be linked to both branches, implying links of hydroclimate with atmospheric/oceanic circulation.
An expert consensus to standardize acupuncture treatment for knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Sun Ning , Wang Li-Qiong , Shao Jia-Kai , Zhang Na , Zhou Ping , Fang Sai-Nan , Chen Wei , Yang Jing-Wen , Liu Cun-Zhi
Published: April 2020

Background:

Acupuncture has been advocated for as a potentially effective therapy for patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) in systematic reviews and guidelines. However, there is still a lack of agreement on the optimal therapeutic protocol for acupuncture. This aim of this study was to develop an expert consensus regarding the therapeutic protocol of acupuncture to guide doctors in clinical practice.

Methods:

An initial list of items was based on an overview of research evidence from four databases and clinical problem investigation with a multidisciplinary panel. A two-step process was used to optimize the list, including semi-structured interviews with three acupuncture clinical experts and a three-round Delphi consensus survey with the voting panel. A nine-point Likert-type scale (1 = strongly disagree, 9 = strongly agree) was used to measure agreement.

Results:

In total, 52 professionals (response rate: 52%) confirmed their participation in the voting panel. The initial list including 28 items was evaluated. Following a three-round Delphi survey, a consensus was achieved including 37 items that can be broadly categorized into six domains: (1) main treatment principles, (2) acupuncture treatment, (3) dose of acupuncture intervention, (4) primary outcomes, (5) adverse events and (6) others.

Conclusion:

This expert consensus could be used to guide doctors in clinical practice and help patients with KOA gain access to appropriate and coordinated acupuncture treatment.
To ‘see’ is to break an entanglement: Quantum measurement, trauma and security
Authors: Fierke K M , Mackay Nicola
Published: April 2020

This article seeks to explore the quantum notion that to ‘see’ an entanglement is to break it in the context of an ‘experiment’ regarding the ongoing impact of traumatic political memory on the present. The analysis is a product of collaboration over the past four years between the two authors, one a scholar of international relations, the other a therapeutic practitioner with training in medical physics. Our focus is the conceptual claim that ‘seeing’ breaks an entanglement rather than the experiment itself. The first section explores a broad contrast between classical and quantum measurement, asking what this might mean at the macroscopic level. The second section categorizes Wendt’s claim about language as a form of expressive measurement and explores the relationship to discourse analysis. The third section explores the broad contours of our experiment and the role of a somewhat different form of non-linear expressive measurement. In the final section, we elaborate the relationship between redemptive measurement and breaking an entanglement, which involves a form of ‘seeing’ that witnesses to unacknowledged past trauma.
Advance Care Planning for African American Caregivers of Relatives With Dementias: Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Bonner Gloria J. , Freels Sally , Ferrans Carol , Steffen Alana , Suarez Marie L. , Dancy Barbara L. , Watkins Yashika J. , Collinge William , Hart Alysha S. , Aggarwal Neelum T. , Wilkie Diana J.
Published: April 2020

Background and Objectives:

African-American family caregivers may have insufficient knowledge to make informed end-of-life (EOL) decisions for relatives with dementias. Advance Care Treatment Plan (ACT-Plan) is a community-based education intervention to enhance knowledge of dementia and associated EOL medical treatments, self-efficacy, intentions, and behavior (written EOL care plan). This study evaluated efficacy of the intervention compared to attention control.

Research Design and Methods:

In a theoretically based, 2-group, cluster randomized controlled trial, 4 similar Midwestern urban megachurches were randomized to experimental or control conditions. Each church recruited African-American caregivers, enrolling concurrent waves of 5 to 9 participants in 4 weekly 1-hour sessions (358 total: ACT-Plan n = 173, control n = 185). Dementia, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), mechanical ventilation (MV), and tube feeding (TF) treatments were discussed in ACT-Plan classes. Participants completed assessments before the initial class, after the final class (week 4), and at week 20. Repeated measures models were used to test the intervention effect on changes in outcomes across time, adjusting for covariates as needed.

Results:

Knowledge of CPR, MV, TF, and self-efficacy to make EOL treatment decisions increased significantly more in the ACT-Plan group at weeks 4 and 20. Knowledge of dementia also increased more in the ACT-Plan group at both points, reaching statistical significance only at week 20. Intentions to make EOL treatment decisions and actually an advance care plan were similar between treatment arms.

Discussion and Implications:

Findings demonstrate promise for ACT-Plan to increase informed EOL treatment decisions for African American caregivers of individuals with dementias.
Mesalazine Induces Oxidative Stress and Cytochrome c Release in Isolated Rat Heart Mitochondria: An Analysis of Cardiotoxic Effects
Authors: Salimi Ahmad , Bahreini Farnaz , Jamali Zhaleh , Pourahmad Jalal
Published: April 2020

Mesalazine is widely used in the management of inflammatory bowel disease. Previous studies reported that mesalazine-induced cardiotoxicity is a rare, potentially fatal complication. Mitochondria play an important role in myocardial tissue homeostasis. Deterioration in mitochondrial function will eventually lead to cardiomyocyte death and consequently cardiovascular dysfunction. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of mesalazine on rat heart mitochondria. Rat heart mitochondria were isolated by mechanical lysis and differential centrifugation. Parameters of mitochondrial toxicity including succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) collapse, mitochondrial swelling, and cytochrome c release were evaluated. Results revealed that mesalazine induced a concentration- and time-dependent rise in mitochondrial ROS formation, inhibition of SDH, MMP collapse, mitochondrial swelling, and cytochrome c release in rat heart mitochondria. These results indicate that the cardiotoxic effects of mesalazine are most likely associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and ROS formation, which finally ends in cytochrome c release signaling and induction of apoptosis.
Palladium-103 plaque therapy for multifocal iris melanoma: Radiation of the entire anterior segment of the eye
Authors: Finger Paul T , Tomar Ankit Singh , Chin Kimberly J
Published: April 2020

Purpose:

To investigate the safety and tolerability of total anterior segment palladium-103 (103Pd) eye plaque brachytherapy for multifocal iris melanoma.

Methods:

Interventional case series of 11 patients with multifocal iris melanomas. Anterior segment ultrasound revealed tumor size, location, and intraocular margins. Epicorneal amniotic membrane grafts protected the cornea and decreased pain during total anterior segment 103-Pd ophthalmic plaque brachytherapy.

Results:

Eleven diffuse iris melanomas were American Joint Committee on Cancer 8th edition–classified as T1 (n = 5, 45.5%) and T2 (n = 6, 54.5%). Plaque radiation was completed to a minimum mean tumor dose of 85 Gy (mean dose rate, 58.1 cGy/h). Ultrasonographic tumor thickness regression was 41% (follow up mean 58.7, median 50, range: 8–139 months). Despite 100% local control and 100% eye retention, one patient (9.1%) developed metastatic disease. Four eyes required cataract surgery. There was no corneal stem-cell deficiency, corneal opacity, radiation maculopathy, or optic neuropathy. While visual acuity prior to treatment was 20/40 or better in 10 (91%), 9 were 20/40 or better (81.9%) at last follow-up. Four (36%) had glaucoma prior to treatment and three eyes developed glaucoma after treatment for a total of 63%.

Conclusion:

Total anterior segment (103Pd) plaque brachytherapy resulted in local control, good visual acuity, eye and life preservation in the treatment of multifocal iris melanoma.
Unusual presentation of early-onset X-linked retinoschisis: Report after 1 year of multimodal follow-up
Authors: Lembo Andrea , Bacci Giacomo Maria , Serafino Massimiliano , Lucentini Stefano , Caputo Roberto , Bargiacchi Sara , Passerini Ilaria , Barca Francesco , Nucci Paolo
Published: April 2020

Purpose:

To describe the unusual presentation, diagnosis, and clinical course of an early-onset X-linked infantile retinoschisis

Case report:

A 6-month-old infant presented with strabismus and poor fixation. After the detection of bilateral intraretinal hemorrhage and diffuse dystrophic retinal pattern at indirect ophthalmoscopy, the patient received a complete evaluation under anesthesia. Retinal wide-field imaging, spectral domain optical coherence tomography, and electroretinogram were performed and revealed a retinoschisis involving the posterior pole and the inferior periphery in the right eye. In the left eye, an inferior retinal detachment extending to the macula was detected. Blood sample and genetic counseling were required in the strong suspicion of an inherited retinal dystrophy. Genetic tests confirmed the diagnosis of X-linked retinoschisis (RS1 gene mutation). After consultation with a pediatric vitreoretinal surgeon, a wait and see strategy was chosen. The follow up visits showed a surprisingly good natural course of the disease.

Conclusion:

X-linked retinoschisis is a well-known inherited retinal disease potentially affecting young children as early as 3 months old. In this case, the stunning presentation (diffuse retinal pigment epithelium dystrophic changes resembling a macular dystrophy) and the positive course of the disease (resolution of macular retinal detachment in the left eye and stability of schisis in the right eye) arise some interesting considerations about the necessity of an early surgical treatment.
Predicting Healthy Lifestyle Behaviours Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes in Rural Bali, Indonesia
Authors: Asril Nice Maylani , Tabuchi Keiji , Tsunematsu Miwako , Kobayashi Toshio , Kakehashi Masayuki
Published: April 2020

Background:

Type 2 diabetes is a lifelong metabolic disease closely related to unhealthy lifestyle behaviours. This study aimed to identify factors explaining the healthy lifestyle behaviours of patients with type 2 diabetes in rural Indonesia. The extended health belief model, demographic characteristics, clinical lifestyle factors and diabetes knowledge were investigated to provide a complete description of these behaviours.

Method:

A sample of 203 patients with type 2 diabetes representing a cross-section of the population were recruited from community health centres in the rural areas of Bali province. The data were collected through questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and a hierarchical regression test were employed.

Results:

This study showed demographic characteristics, clinical and lifestyle factors, diabetes knowledge and the extended health belief model accounted for 71.8% of the variance in healthy lifestyle behaviours of patients with type 2 diabetes in rural Indonesia. The significant demographic factors were age, education level, employment status and traditional beliefs. The significant clinical and lifestyle factors were alcohol use, diabetic medicine and duration of symptoms. Finally, the significant extended health belief model factors were perceived severity, susceptibility, barriers, family support, bonding social capital and chance locus of control.

Conclusions:

The extended health belief model forms an adequate model for predicting healthy lifestyle behaviours among patients with diabetes in rural Indonesia. The contribution of this model should be strengthened in developing the diabetes management.
Virtual/reality: how to tell the difference
Authors: Murray Janet H.
Published: April 2020

With the advent of mass consumer virtual reality (VR) headsets and controllers in the second decade of the 20th century, some experts have predicted we are on a path toward losing the distinction between the real and the virtual. These predictions overstate the empirical evidence for the effects of VR; ignore its technical limitations; take for granted highly speculative claims about the nature of consciousness; and, most fundamentally, lose sight of the continuities between VR and other representational media. This article argues against thinking of VR as a magical technology for creating seamless illusions. Instead it situates VR as an emerging medium within an evolving community that is beginning to develop the media conventions to support sustained interaction and immersion. The future of VR is not an inevitable and delusional metaverse but a medium of representation that will always require our active creation of belief.
Playing Pac-Man in Portville: Policing the dilution and fragmentation of drug importations through major seaports
Authors: Sergi Anna
Published: April 2020

This article presents findings from a qualitative research project into organized crime, policing and security across five major seaports (‘Portvilles’): Genoa (Italy); Melbourne (Australia); Montreal (Canada); New York (USA); and Liverpool (UK). Through content analysis of confidential judicial files, the article will construct the offenders’ scenarios and options for importing drugs in Portville. Through also interviews with law enforcement agencies, police forces and security staff in these seaports, the article presents the policing and security struggles to disrupt importations. The main finding is that importation roles and security techniques change constantly and quickly, as in a game of Pac-Man. Security and policing in seaports lead to the dilution and fragmentation of drug importation, and only distribution tends to remain organized in Portville. In this chaotic environment, it is the rules of trade that affect the success of drug importations the most, rather than the failures of effective security and policing.