bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Catheter Ablation Versus Best Medical Therapy in Patients With Persistent Atrial Fibrillation and Congestive Heart Failure
Authors: Kuck Karl-Heinz , Merkely Béla , Zahn Ralf , Arentz Thomas , Seidl Karlheinz , Schlüter Michael , Tilz Roland Richard , Piorkowski Christopher , Gellér László , Kleemann Thomas , Hindricks Gerhard
Published: November 2019

Background:

Optimal treatment of patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and an indication for internal defibrillator therapy is controversial.

Methods:

Patients with persistent/longstanding persistent AF and LVEF ≤35% were randomly allocated to catheter ablation of AF or best medical therapy (BMT). The primary study end point was the absolute increase in LVEF from baseline at 1 year. Secondary end points included 6-minute walk test, quality-of-life, and NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide). Pulmonary vein isolation was the primary ablation approach; BMT comprised rate or rhythm control. All patients were discharged after index hospitalization with a cardioverter-defibrillator or cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator implanted. The study was terminated early for futility.

Results:

Of 140 patients (65±8 years, 126 [90%] men) available for the end point analysis, 68 and 72 patients were assigned to ablation and BMT, respectively. At 1 year, LVEF had increased in ablation patients by 8.8% (95% CI, 5.8%–11.9%) and in BMT patients by 7.3% (4.3%–10.3%;
P
=0.36). Sinus rhythm was recorded on 12-lead electrocardiograms at 1 year in 61/83 ablation patients (73.5%) and 42/84 BMT patients (50%). Device-recorded AF burden at 1 year was 0% or maximally 5% of the time in 28/39 ablation patients (72%) and 16/36 BMT patients (44%). There was no difference in secondary end point outcome between ablation patients and BMT patients.

Conclusions:

The AMICA trial (Atrial Fibrillation Management in Congestive Heart Failure With Ablation) did not reveal any benefit of catheter ablation in patients with AF and advanced HF. This was mainly because of the fact that at 1 year, LVEF increased in ablation patients to a similar extent as in BMT patients. The effect of catheter ablation of AF in patients with HF may be affected by the extent of HF at baseline, with a rather limited ablation benefit in patients with seriously advanced HF.

Clinical Trial Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00652522.
Philippine Clitic Pronouns and the Lower Phase Edge
Authors: Erlewine Michael Yoshitaka , Levin Theodore
Published: November 2019

Pronominal paradigms in Philippine-type Austronesian languages show a robust and curious gap: in transitive clauses, pivot arguments and nonpivot agents may have bound pronominal forms, appearing as second-position clitics, but pronominal nonpivot themes must be full, free pronouns. This gap is instructive regarding the orga-nization of the lower phase edge. As cliticization involves a syntactic dependency between the host and argument position and all syntactic dependencies are constrained by phases, the gap is explained if pivots and nonpivot agents are specifiers of the phase head, making them the only DPs accessible for operations from outside of the lower phase.
Three new species of Collembola (Arthropoda: Hexapoda) from Brazil
Authors: BRITO RONIERE A. , LIMA ESTEVAM C. A. , ZEPPELINI DOUGLAS
Published: November 2019

Three new species of Collembola are described for Southeastern Brazil: Arrhopalites mendoncae sp. nov., Pararrhopalites queirozi sp. nov., and Coecobrya phoenix sp. nov. Although they were collected in caves and present characters such as absence of pigmentation, reduction or absence of eyes, and restriction to the local hypogean environment, none of them is troglobite. It is the first Coecobrya known from Brazil, the second species of the genus Arrhopalites with a trichobothrial complex angle superior to 160°, and the third species of the genus Pararrhopalites with three sensilla in the inter-antennal region. All species are named in honor of the Museu Nacional do Rio de Janeiro, and our colembologist colleagues, who recently had an entire collection destroyed by a fire of great proportions.
Do CMIP5 Models Show El Niño Diversity?
Authors: Feng Jie , Lian Tao , Ying Jun , Li Junde , Li Gen
Published: November 2019

Whether the state-of-the-art CMIP5 models have different El Niño types and how the degree of modeled El Niño diversity would be impacted by the future global warming are still heavily debated. In this study, cluster analysis is used to investigate El Niño diversity in 30 CMIP5 models. As the method does not rely on any prior knowledge of the patterns of El Niño seen in observations, it provides a practical way to identify the degree of El Niño diversity in models. Under the historical scenario, most models show a poor degree of El Niño diversity in their own model world, primarily due to the lopsided numbers of events belonging to the two modeled El Niño types and the weak compactness of events in each cluster. Four models are found showing significant El Niño diversity, yet none of them captures the longitudinal distributions of the warming centers of the two El Niño types seen in the observations. Heat budget analysis of the sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly suggests that the degree of modeled El Niño diversity is highly related to the climatological zonal SST gradient over the western-central equatorial Pacific in models. As the gradient is weakened in most models under the future high-emission scenario, the degree of modeled El Niño diversity is further reduced in the future. The results indicate that a better simulation of the SST gradient over the western-central equatorial Pacific might allow a more reliable simulation/projection of El Niño diversity in most CMIP5 models.
Spatiotemporal Variability of Tropical Cyclone Precipitation Using a High-Resolution, Gridded (0.25° × 0.25°) Dataset for the Eastern United States, 1948–2015
Authors: Bregy Joshua C. , Maxwell Justin T. , Robeson Scott M. , Ortegren Jason T. , Soulé Peter T. , Knapp Paul A.
Published: November 2019

Tropical cyclones (TCs) are an important source of precipitation for much of the eastern United States. However, our understanding of the spatiotemporal variability of tropical cyclone precipitation (TCP) and the connections to large-scale atmospheric circulation is limited by irregularly distributed rain gauges and short records of satellite measurements. To address this, we developed a new gridded (0.25° × 0.25°) publicly available dataset of TCP (1948–2015; Tropical Cyclone Precipitation Dataset, or TCPDat) using TC tracks to identify TCP within an existing gridded precipitation dataset. TCPDat was used to characterize total June–November TCP and percentage contribution to total June–November precipitation. TCP totals and contributions had maxima on the Louisiana, North Carolina, and Texas coasts, substantially decreasing farther inland at rates of approximately 6.2–6.7 mm km−1. Few statistically significant trends were discovered in either TCP totals or percentage contribution. TCP is positively related to an index of the position and strength of the western flank of the North Atlantic subtropical high (NASH), with the strongest correlations concentrated in the southeastern United States. Weaker inverse correlations between TCP and El Niño–Southern Oscillation are seen throughout the study site. Ultimately, spatial variations of TCP are more closely linked to variations in the NASH flank position or strength than to the ENSO index. The TCP dataset developed in this study is an important step in understanding hurricane–climate interactions and the impacts of TCs on communities, water resources, and ecosystems in the eastern United States.
Rapid Arctic Sea Ice Loss on the Synoptic Time Scale and Related Atmospheric Circulation Anomalies
Authors: Wang Zhuo , Walsh John , Szymborski Sarah , Peng Melinda
Published: November 2019

Large sea ice loss on the synoptic time scale is examined in various subregions in the Arctic as well as at the pan-Arctic scale. It is found that the frequency of large daily sea ice loss (LDSIL) days is significantly correlated with the September sea ice extent over the Beaufort–Chukchi–Siberian Seas, the Laptev–Kara Seas, the central Arctic, and the all-Arctic regions, indicating a link between the synoptic sea ice variability and the interannual variability of the annual minimum sea ice extent. A composite analysis reveals dipoles of anomalous cyclones and anticyclones associated with LDSIL days. Different from the well-known Arctic dipole pattern, the east–west dipoles are found over the corresponding regions of LDSIL in the Arctic marginal seas and are associated with the increasing occurrence of Rossby wave breaking and atmospheric rivers. The anticyclones of the dipoles are persistent and quasi-stationary, reminiscent of blocking. The anomalous poleward flow between the cyclone and the anticyclone enhances the poleward transport of heat and water vapor in the lower troposphere. Although enhanced downward shortwave radiation, associated with reduced cloud fraction, is found in some regions, it is not collocated with the regions of LDSIL. In contrast, enhanced downward longwave radiation owing to increasing column water vapor shows good spatial correspondence with LDSIL, indicating the importance of atmospheric rivers in LDSIL events. Lead/lag composites with respect to the onset of LDSIL episodes reveal precursor wave trains spanning the midlatitudes. The wave trains have predominantly zonal energy propagation in the midlatitudes and do not show a clear link to tropical or subtropical forcing.
Protecting students from “honor society” predators
Authors: Vissing Yvonne
Published: November 2019

As students compete for college admission, some are tempted by invitations to join honor societies that promise learning opportunities, scholarships, and a leg up in the college admission process. Yvonne Vissing explains how these organization target millions of students each year, encouraging them to purchase “opportunities” that fail to deliver on their promises. The frauds are often difficult to spot, because many use the slick marketing tactics of lucrative businesses. Despite lawsuits and consumer complaints, they continue to proliferate, often forming partnerships with businesses that have a financial interest in marketing to or manipulating students.
First Person: May I ask you a question?
Authors: Bruder Anne
Published: November 2019

Anne Bruder recalls how, when she was in 5th grade, she asked so many questions, so frequently, that she was put on a behavior contract that required her to limit the number of questions she asked. She began to see questions as something to budget carefully, an attitude that shifted when a college professor welcomed her questions and encouraged her to keep asking, without seeking permission. Today, as an associate professor of literature at Berea College, she uses questions to invite students into conversation, and she seeks to help them craft questions that get beyond simple facts to find more complex meanings.
Hepatitis C–Related Mortality Among American Indian/Alaska Native Persons in the Northwestern United States, 2006-2012
Authors: Hatcher Sarah M. , Joshi Sujata , Robinson Byron F. , Weiser Thomas
Published: November 2019

Objective:

American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) persons are commonly misclassified in epidemiologic and administrative data sets. The race-corrected hepatitis C virus (HCV)–related mortality rate among AI/AN persons in the Northwest United States (Idaho, Oregon, and Washington State) is unknown. We quantified the disparity in HCV-related mortality between AI/AN persons and non-Hispanic white (NHW) persons in the Northwest during 2006-2012 after correcting misclassified AI/AN race.

Methods:

After conducting probabilistic record linkage between death records and the Northwest Tribal Registry, we calculated HCV-related mortality rates for AI/AN and NHW persons by using National Center for Health Statistics bridged-race estimates standardized to the US 2000 standard population.

Results:

The 2006-2012 aggregate age-adjusted HCV-related mortality rate per 100 000 population in the Northwest was 19.6 (95% confidence interval [CI], 17.3-22.2) for AI/AN persons and 5.9 (95% CI, 5.7-6.1) for NHW persons (rate ratio [RR] = 3.3; 95% CI, 3.0-3.8). The disparity was larger among females (RR = 4.6; 95% CI, 3.8-5.5) than among males (RR = 2.9; 95% CI, 2.5-3.4).

Conclusion:

The disproportionate rate of HCV-related mortality among AI/AN persons in the Northwest highlights the need to expand HCV education, screening, and treatment among this population.
Violence between Different Members in the Family System: A Household Survey in a Brazilian City
Authors: Gebara Carla Ferreira de Paula , Ferri Cleusa Pinheiro , Bhona Fernanda Monteiro de Castro , Vieira Marcel de Toledo , Lourenço Lelio Moura , Noto Ana Regina
Published: November 2019

Objective: To investigate the associations between different types of violence within the family. Method: A household survey of a representative sample of adult women in two neighborhoods with different social–economic profiles in a Brazilian city. Data in respect of intimate partner violence (using the Revised Conflict Tactics Scales) and violence against children (using the Parent–Child Conflict Tactics Scales) were collected. Results: We interviewed 905 women, 532 of whom were in an intimate relationship and 446 had children. Bivariate logistic regression models indicated that women victims of some type of violence had higher odds (OR:62.5 CI:27.3–143.2) of abusing their partners. Moreover, both women being violent toward their partners and being victims of violence were associated with a greater chance of them abusing their children. Conclusion: The data highlight the circularity of violent relationships and, therefore, the importance of preventive and therapeutic strategies targeted toward the whole family rather than toward individuals.
“The Weight of Our Household Rests on My Shoulders”: Inequity in Family Work
Authors: DeGroot Jocelyn M. , Vik Tennley A.
Published: November 2019

This study explores gendered work imbalance, particularly pertaining to parenthood, and posits a social justice perspective with equity theory. Participants for this study were mothers who disclosed their lived experiences with family workload and inequity in an online, open-ended survey. Findings reinforce previous literature, indicating that there is an imbalance in equity between heterosexual romantic partners, and that mothers are overworked and undervalued, as the invisible work completed daily creates an imbalance in the relationship. This imbalance has a negative impact on the relationship and can have long-term consequences when no means of restoring equity is in sight.
Effects of motifs in music therapy on the attention of children with externalizing behavior problems
Authors: Yau King-chi , Fachner Jörg
Published: November 2019

Recent studies highlight the role of attention (i.e., executive attention and joint attention) in the negative association between children’s externalizing behavior problems (EBPs) and self-regulation. In music therapy improvisation, “Motifs” represent a repeated and meaningful use of freely improvised or structured music. They have been reported to be effective in drawing attention toward joint musical engagement. This study aimed to examine the effects of clinically derived motifs on the attention of a child with EBPs. Video microanalysis of four therapy sessions was employed. Interaction segments with/without motifs were then selected for analysis: (a) Executive attention measurement: a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to examine the effects of Motifs (Factor I) across sessions (Factor II) on the duration of interaction segments. (b) Joint attention measurement: another two-way ANOVA investigated the effects of these two factors on the duration of joint attentive responses in each segment. Results showed that (a) the segments with Motifs tended to decrease in duration throughout the sessions, while (b) these segments showed a significant increase in proportions of joint attentional responses. These findings suggest a positive effect of Motifs on enhancing efficiency of joint attention execution over time, indicating the child’s recognition of the Motifs through learning.
Engagement of the Secondary Ligamentous and Meniscal Restraints Relative to the Anterior Cruciate Ligament Predicts Anterior Knee Laxity
Authors: Kent Robert N. , Imhauser Carl W. , Thein Ran , Marom Niv , Wickiewicz Thomas L. , Nawabi Danyal H. , Pearle Andrew D.
Published: November 2019

Background:

Patients with high-grade preoperative side-to-side differences in anterior laxity as assessed via the Lachman test after unilateral anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture are at heightened risk of early ACL graft failure. Biomechanical factors that predict preoperative side-to-side differences in anterior laxity are poorly understood.

Purpose:

To assess, in a cadaveric model, whether the increase in anterior laxity caused by sectioning the ACL (a surrogate for preoperative side-to-side differences in anterior laxity) during a simulated Lachman test is associated with two biomechanical factors: (1) the tibial translation at which the secondary anterior stabilizers, including the remaining ligaments and the menisci, begin to carry force, or engage, relative to that of the ACL or (2) the forces carried by the ACL and secondary stabilizers at the peak applied anterior load.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

Seventeen fresh-frozen human cadaveric knees underwent Lachman tests simulated through a robotic manipulator with the ACL intact and sectioned. The net forces carried by the ACL and secondary soft tissue stabilizers (the medial meniscus and all remaining ligaments, measured as a whole) were characterized as a function of anterior tibial translation. The engagement points of the ACL (with the ACL intact) and each secondary stabilizer (with the ACL sectioned) were defined as the anterior translation at which they began to carry force, or engaged, during a simulated Lachman test. Then, the relative engagement point of each secondary stabilizer was defined as the difference between the engagement point of each secondary stabilizer and that of the ACL. Linear regressions were performed to test each association ( P < .05).

Results:

The increase in anterior laxity caused by ACL sectioning was associated with increased relative engagement points of both the secondary ligaments (β = 0.87; P < .001; R2 = 0.75) and the medial meniscus (β = 0.66; P < .001; R2 = 0.58). Smaller changes in anterior laxity were also associated with increased in situ medial meniscal force at the peak applied load when the ACL was intact (β = −0.06; P < .001; R2 = 0.53).

Conclusion:

The secondary ligaments and the medial meniscus require greater anterior tibial translation to engage (ie, begin to carry force) relative to the ACL in knees with greater changes in anterior laxity after ACL sectioning. Moreover, with the ACL intact, the medial meniscus carries more force in knees with smaller changes in anterior laxity after ACL sectioning.

Clinical Relevance:

Relative tissue engagement is a new biomechanical measure to characterize in situ function of the ligaments and menisci. This measure may aid in developing more personalized surgical approaches to reduce high rates of ACL graft revision in patients with high-grade laxity.
Dialogues with the absent Other: Using reported speech and the vocabulary of citizenship for contesting ecological laws and institutions
Authors: Castro Paula , Santos Tânia R
Published: November 2019

This article examines how a professional group articulates views of the new laws and institutions that call them to accept new practices and new meaning in the name of the ecological common good. Drawing on a framework integrating the approach of social representations and rhetorical social psychology with legal institutionalism, we analyze in-depth interviews and focus groups ( n = 29) with artisanal fishers. We explore how fishers use reported speech, that is, the quotation of others or self in own discourse, for building representations of Self, institutional-Others and their relations, examining also the values and dimensions of citizenship they mobilize with it. We show how fishers consistently use reported speech for presenting a negative institutional-Other acting in disrespect of the civil and political dimensions of citizenship, and a positive Self acting as a competent citizen – although rarely as a good ecological citizen. We discuss how focusing on reported speech by drawing on a theorization of how the institutional dimension interacts with the micro-level of interaction and discourse extends current comprehension of how contestation of the new meaning embedded in new laws can be warranted and maintained.
Book review: Roshan L. Joseph, Salespeople Don’t Lie
Authors: Pandit Ratan
Published: November 2019

Roshan L. Joseph, Salespeople Don’t Lie, New Delhi: SAGE Publications, 2018, 204 pp., ₹395. ISBN: 9789352807123.
Supporting Caregiver Use of Child Restraints in Rural Communities via Interactive Virtual Presence
Authors: Swanson Marissa , MacKay Morag , Yu Sophie , Kagiliery Alexis , Bloom Koren , Schwebel David C.
Published: November 2019

When used correctly, child restraint systems (CRS) effectively reduce the risk of serious injury and death to child passengers in motor vehicle crashes. However, error rates in CRS use among caregivers are extremely high. Consultation with child passenger safety technicians (CPST) reduces misuse rates, but access to CPST is limited, particularly in rural areas. Remote consultation via interactive virtual presence (IVP) may increase access to CPST. One hundred and fifty caregivers in Southeast Montana completed remote consultation with CPST via IVP. Errors in CRS selection, installation, and child positioning were coded at baseline and postintervention in a within-subjects, pretest–posttest design. The proportion of caregivers making one or more errors in CRS selection (McNemar’s test p < .001) and installation (McNemar’s test p < .001), but not child positioning, significantly decreased following remote consultation. IVP is a promising mobile health (mHealth) strategy for providing remote consultation with CPST to improve rates of correct CRS use and mitigate child injury risk.
A culturally derived framework of values-driven transformation in Māori economies of well-being (Ngā hono ōhanga oranga)
Authors: Wolfgramm Rachel , Spiller Chellie , Henry Ella , Pouwhare Robert
Published: November 2019

This article is based on current research investigating Māori economies of well-being. A primary question is “what constitutes transformative and prosperous Māori economies of well-being?” The impetus for the inquiry is a surge in interest in strategies that reconcile multidimensional demands in Māori development. The study is situated within an international renaissance of research and policy development in economies of well-being. The article contributes to a comprehensive, multilevel and interdisciplinary review of Māori economies and well-being literature. In addition, it offers a distinctive culturally derived framework: Ngā hono ōhanga oranga (Māori relational economies of well-being). This framework extends understanding of economies of well-being to include relational dimensions derived from Māori ontologies, mātauranga and kaupapa Māori (Māori approach). This framework offers valuable insights that can be used to advance policy development and implementation of economies of well-being. Future directions outline how this framework informs current and future research investigating Māori leadership and decision making.
Campylobacteriosis in the Nordic countries from 2000 to 2015: Trends in time and space
Authors: Kuhn Katrin G. , Nygård Karin M. , Löfdahl Margareta , Trönnberg Linda , Rimhanen-Finne Ruska , Sunde Linda S. , Guzman-Herrador Bernardo , Ethelberg Steen
Published: November 2019

Aims: This study aimed to describe the demographic and geographic patterns of campylobacteriosis in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden during 2000–2015. Methods: All Campylobacter infections notified to national authorities in the four countries during the study period were included. Background data for each notification consisted of patient age, sex, geographical location, presumed origin of infection and date of sample taken or date of sample received in the laboratory. These data were analysed in order to investigate annual trends, age group and sex patterns, as well as variations in the geographical and seasonal distribution of infections. Results: During the study period, a total of 164,001 Campylobacter infections, excluding travel-related cases, were registered, representing a mean annual incidence of 42.3 cases/100,000 population (ranging from 28.5 in Norway to 60.4 in Denmark). The incidence increased significantly from 2004 onwards in all countries, apart from Denmark. Males had higher infection rates in general. The highest incidences were observed in 0–4 year olds and those aged 20–29 years, apart from in Finland where there was no peak of infections in children aged 0–4 years. Seasonality of disease was distinct in all four countries, showing peaks of infection between July and August. In Sweden and Norway, incidences of campylobacteriosis were significantly higher in municipalities with high degrees of coastline or inland water. Conclusions: Campylobacter in the Nordic countries mostly follows known patterns with respect to demography and seasonality. Our study demonstrates new insights concerning geographical patterns of disease, highlighting possible future vulnerable population groups and locations.
Brothers in arms: Visual commonalities between US and IS recruitment strategies
Authors: Phillips Lawrie , Ghalwash Maha
Published: November 2019

This article claims that the visual image contributes to, reflects and supports the dominant discourse of two powerful armed groups that have operated in Iraq and Syria: the US military and the Islamic State (IS). This research uses multimodal discourse analysis to explore two crucial insights into the ideological power of the visual image: the power of the image as spectatorship or spectacle and the sublime or transcendental nature of the visual image. The authors conclude that US and IS recruitment and propaganda videos share these two crucial ideological elements: pride in the spectacle of their military power, discipline and technologies, and sublime commitment to the act of killing and dying for the cause. In this sense, the US military and IS are brothers in arms.
DR4-Associated Death Receptor Signal Promotes Cartilage Damage in Patients With Kashin-Beck Disease
Authors: Wu Shixun , Yi Zhi , Ling Ming , Liu Shizhang , Sun Zhengming , Guo Xiong
Published: November 2019

Purpose. To explore the relationship between the death receptor (DR) and the pathological progression of Kashin-Beck disease (KBD). Design. KBD cartilage samples were collected from 15 patients diagnosed according to the “National Diagnostic Criteria of KBD” in China. In vitro monolayer chondrocytes were cultured in complete medium. Caspase-3 and caspase-8 activities in chondrocytes were analyzed using a kit. Nuclear morphology was observed by Hoechst 33258 staining, apoptosis was verified by flow cytometry analysis, and DR molecules were detected using Western blotting and quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis. Results. Early apoptotic rates of KBD and osteoarthritis (OA) chondrocytes were higher than those of normal control (NC) cells. Excessive apoptotic nuclei were observed in OA and KBD cells after Hoechst 33258 staining. Activities of both caspase-3 and caspase-8 were higher in KBD and OA cells than in NC cells. The average DR4 mRNA level in KBD cells was 3.301-fold higher than that in NC cells, Fas-associating protein with death domain (FADD) transcript level in KBD cells was 2.528-fold higher than that in NC cells. Western blot analyses showed that FAS, DR4, DR5, caspase-3, and FADD were upregulated in the KBD and OA groups compared with the NC group. High expression of caspase-8 in KBD compared with NC was verified, whereas cellular FLICE-inhibitory protein (c-FLIP) in KBD was significantly downregulated. Conclusions. KBD and OA chondrocytes showed obvious FADD-caspase-dependent apoptosis, which is related to the DR pathway. Apoptosis in KBD articular cartilage is mainly related to FAS/DR4-FADD-caspase signaling, and OA is associated with FAS/DR4/DR5-FADD-caspase signaling.
Immediate Release of Vitreomacular Traction After Pneumatic Vitreolysis Followed by the Drinking Bird Technique
Authors: Mehta Neesurg , Gupta Lalita , Jansen Michael , Rosen Richard , Lee Jessica
Published: November 2019

Purpose:

To report a case of release of vitreomacular traction (VMT) in a patient with a full thickness macular hole (FTMH) immediately following pneumatic vitreolysis (PV) combined with head bobbing movements.

Methods:

A 71-year-old female with VMT and an FTMH presented with blurred vision for 2 months to the level of 20/400. At her 1-month follow-up visit, PV was performed using C3F8 gas and she was instructed to perform the drinking bird technique for ten minutes.

Results:

Optical coherence tomography performed ten minutes after PV with head bobbing showed VMT release and a smaller FTMH. Visual acuity improved to 20/150 immediately afterwards and to 20/80 two months later.

Conclusions:

Using the drinking bird technique for a continuous period of time immediately following PV may encourage rapid VMT release. PV may be a feasible option for patients with VMT and FTMH who do not want surgery.
TS-GOEA: a web tool for tissue-specific gene set enrichment analysis based on gene ontology
Authors: Peng Jiajie , Lu Guilin , Xue Hansheng , Wang Tao , Shang Xuequn
Published: November 2019

Background

The Gene Ontology (GO) knowledgebase is the world’s largest source of information on the functions of genes. Since the beginning of GO project, various tools have been developed to perform GO enrichment analysis experiments. GO enrichment analysis has become a commonly used method of gene function analysis. Existing GO enrichment analysis tools do not consider tissue-specific information, although this information is very important to current research.

Results

In this paper, we built an easy-to-use web tool calledTS−GOEAthat allows users to easily perform experiments based on tissue-specific GO enrichment analysis.TS−GOEAuses strict threshold statistical method for GO enrichment analysis, and provides statistical tests to improve the reliability of the analysis results. Meanwhile,TS−GOEAprovides tools to compare different experimental results, which is convenient for users to compare the experimental results. To evaluate its performance, we tested the genes associated with platelet disease withTS−GOEA.

Conclusions

TS−GOEAis an effective GO analysis tool with unique features. The experimental results show that our method has better performance and provides a useful supplement for the existing GO enrichment analysis tools.TS−GOEAis available athttp://120.77.47.2:5678.
The practice of key essential nutrition action messages and associated factors among mothers of children from birth up to 2 years old in Wereilu Wereda, south Wollo zone, Amhara, Northeast Ethiopia: a community based cross-sectional study
Authors: Beletew Biruk , Gebremichael Bereket , Tesfaye Tewodros , Mengesha Ayelign , Wudu Mesfin
Published: November 2019

Background

The 1000 days, between a woman’s pregnancy and her child’s second birthday, offer a unique window of opportunity to build healthier and more prosperous societies. The right nutrition during this time can have a profound impact on a child’s ability to grow, learn, and rise out of poverty. An essential nutrition action is one of the most effective preventive actions for reducing nutrition-related morbidity and mortality among young children. Nonetheless, there is limited evidence regarding the practice of essential nutrition action and its associated factors.

Objective

The main aim of this study was to assess the practice of key essential nutrition action messages and associated factors among mothers of children from birth up to 2 years old in Wereilu Wereda, South Wollo Zone, Northeast Ethiopia.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 563 mothers of children from birth up to 2 years old in Wereilu Wereda from April 1–30, 2018. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed. A structured, adapted and pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect the data. The data was collected through the interviews. The data were entered in EPI-data Version 4.2 and exported to SPSS version 24.0 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression was carried out to asses’ associations between the outcome and independent variables. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant in this study.

Results

The prevalence of good practice was 256 (46.5%). Educational status of the mother and the father, monthly income, parity, place of birth, postnatal care follow-up, level of knowledge and level of attitude were predictors of good practice.

Conclusion

The practices of key essential nutrition action messages in the study area were found to be low. So, it is better to improve access to information to the community on key essential nutrition action messages through trained health workers coupled with media.
Association between 90o push-up and cardiorespiratory fitness: cross-sectional evidence of push-up as a tractable tool for physical fitness surveillance in youth
Authors: Ajisafe Toyin
Published: November 2019

Background

Despite being associated with health outcomes like abdominal adiposity, depression, anxiety, and cardiovascular disease risk among youth, largely, clinicians still do not adopt physical fitness testing. A clarion call for increased surveillance was previously issued, in order to address the US population-level lack of knowledge regarding pervasive inactivity among children. Because schools often do not send home annual physical fitness testing results, many lay parents are unaware of their child’s physical fitness or the risk of associated adverse health outcomes. This study investigated associations between musculoskeletal fitness measures (including 90o push-up), cardiorespiratory fitness, and weight status.

Methods

Two hundred and ten students (9.7 ± 1.08 years, 138.6 ± 9.4 cm; 42.3 ± 14.4 kg) across third through fifth grades were tested for cardiorespiratory (i.e., Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER)) and musculoskeletal (90o push-up, trunk lift, sit-and-reach and curl-up) fitness. The relationships between measures of musculoskeletal and cardiorespiratory fitness were modeled using a series of linear regression analyses. Models were adjusted for age, sex, and weight status. Significant two-tailed tests were set at p < .05.

Results

Of the four musculoskeletal fitness measures, only 90o push-up was significantly associated (β = .353; p < .001) with PACER test scores (i.e., cardiorespiratory fitness). The related model (R2 = .324; F (4,205) = 26.061; p < .001) accounted for 32% of the variance in cardiorespiratory fitness. 90o push-up was associated with sit-and reach (β = .298; p < .001) and curl up (β = .413; p < = .001) test scores. When individually modeled, 90o push-up (β = −.461; p < .001) and PACER (β = −.436; p < .001) were inversely associated with weight status.

Conclusions

The 90o push-up test (a measure of upper body muscle strength and endurance) was associated with cardiorespiratory fitness, anterior trunk muscle strength and endurance, and lower back and posterior thigh muscle flexibility in youth aged 8–12 years old. Although the current findings do not establish a causal relationship, it is concluded that the 90o push-up test is a tractable tool for physical fitness surveillance by clinicians, parents, and possibly youth themselves.
Factors associated with injuries among tornado victims in Yancheng and Chifeng, China
Authors: Deng Qiangyu , Lv Yipeng , Zhao Fangjie , Yu Wenya , Dong Junqiang , Zhang Lulu
Published: November 2019

Background

As extremely violent meteorological disasters, tornadoes often cause serious casualties. The study aims to analyze the characteristics and causes of tornado injuries in China under certain humanistic and geographical conditions.

Methods

A random sampling questionnaire survey was developed and distributed to tornado victims from two separate occurrences: an Enhanced Fujita 4 tornado in Yancheng, and a Fujita 3 tornado in Chifeng. The information of demographic characteristics, disaster environment, and individual behaviors in victims was collected. Chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used to analyze influencing factor of injuries.

Results

A total of 94 valid questionnaires (participation rate 95.9%) were finally collected in Yancheng tornado and 67 valid questionnaires (participation rate 93.1%) in Chifeng tornado. Residents’ annual income (OR = 0.10, 95% CI 0.02–0.50, P = 0.005), degree of house collapse (OR = 183.12, 95% CI 8.04–4173.34, P = 0.001) have a significant impact on the probability of injury. Differences in tornado disaster drill awareness (P = 0.009), individual behaviors (P = 0.011) and fear level (P = 0.011) significantly affected the incidence of trauma. Whether victims were indoors or not has no statistical difference on injuries in China.

Conclusions

Our study clarifies risk factors and is conducive to the expansion of the investigation in tornado casualties. The government should improve the wind-resistance of residential buildings. Victims should participate in disaster prevention drills to take effective disaster avoidance actions.
Computational modeling of human bone fracture healing affected by different conditions of initial healing stage
Authors: Ghiasi Mohammad S. , Chen Jason E. , Rodriguez Edward K. , Vaziri Ashkan , Nazarian Ara
Published: November 2019

Background

Bone healing process includes four phases: inflammatory response, soft callus formation, hard callus development, and remodeling. Mechanobiological models have been used to investigate the role of various mechanical and biological factors on bone healing. However, the effects of initial healing phase, which includes the inflammatory stage, the granulation tissue formation, and the initial callus formation during the first few days post-fracture, are generally neglected in such studies.

Methods

In this study, we developed a finite-element-based model to simulate different levels of diffusion coefficient for mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) migration, Young’s modulus of granulation tissue, callus thickness and interfragmentary gap size to understand the modulatory effects of these initial phase parameters on bone healing.

Results

The results quantified how faster MSC migration, stiffer granulation tissue, thicker callus, and smaller interfragmentary gap enhanced healing to some extent. However, after a certain threshold, a state of saturation was reached for MSC migration rate, granulation tissue stiffness, and callus thickness. Therefore, a parametric study was performed to verify that the callus formed at the initial phase, in agreement with experimental observations, has an ideal range of geometry and material properties to have the most efficient healing time.

Conclusions

Findings from this paper quantified the effects of the initial healing phase on healing outcome to better understand the biological and mechanobiological mechanisms and their utilization in the design and optimization of treatment strategies. It is also demonstrated through a simulation that for fractures, where bone segments are in close proximity, callus development is not required. This finding is consistent with the concepts of primary and secondary bone healing.
Small is beautiful? Explaining resident satisfaction in Swedish nursing home care
Authors: Spangler Douglas , Blomqvist Paula , Lindberg Ylva , Winblad Ulrika
Published: November 2019

Background

Resident satisfaction is an important aspect of nursing home quality. Despite this, few studies have systematically investigated what aspects of nursing home care are most strongly associated with satisfaction. In Sweden, a large number of processual and structural measures are collected to describe the quality of nursing home care, though the impact of these measures on outcomes including resident satisfaction is poorly understood.

Methods

A cross-sectional analysis of data collected in two nationally representative surveys of Swedish eldercare quality using multi-level models to account for geographic differences.

Results

Of the factors examined, nursing home size was found to be the most important predictor of resident satisfaction, followed by the amount of exercise and activities offered by the nursing home. Measures of individualized care processes, ownership status, staffing ratios, and staff education levels were also weakly associated with resident satisfaction. Contrary to previous research, we found no clear differences between processual and structural variables in terms of their association with resident satisfaction.

Conclusions

The results suggest that of the investigated aspects of nursing home care, the size of the nursing home and the amount activities offered to residents were the strongest predictors of satisfaction. Investigation of the mechanisms behind the higher levels of satisfaction found at smaller nursing homes may be a fruitful avenue for further research.
Ultrasound-guided totally implantable venous access ports via the right innominate vein: a new approach for patients with breast cancer
Authors: Xu Liang , Qin Wenming , Zheng Weiwei , Sun Xingwei
Published: November 2019

Background

To evaluate the feasibility and safety of ultrasound-guided totally implantable venous access port (TIVAP) implantation via the right innominate vein in patients with breast cancer.

Methods

Sixty-seven breast cancer patients underwent ultrasound-guided implantation of TIVAPs via the right innominate vein for administration of chemotherapy. Clinical data including technical success, success rate for the first attempt, periprocedural, and postoperative complications were recorded and retrospectively studied.

Results

All patients underwent successful surgery. The success rate of the first attempt was 95.52% (64/67). The operation time was 28 to 45 min, with an average of 36 ± 6 min. Periprocedural complications included artery punctures in 1 (1.50%, 1/67) patient. Prior to this study, the mean TIVAP time was 257 ± 3 days (range 41 to 705 days). The rate of postoperative complications was 4.48% (3/67), including catheter-related infections in 1 case and fibrin sheath formation in 2 cases. Up to the present study, three people had unplanned port withdrawal due to complications, and the TIVAPs for 25 patients were still in normal use.

Conclusions

The success rate of ultrasound-guided TIVAPs via the right innominate vein is high with low complications, thus safe and feasible. This technique can provide a new option for chemotherapy of breast cancer patients.
Pathogenicity of the entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. endophytic and a soil isolate against the squash beetle, Epilachna chrysomelina (F.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)
Authors: Hassan Feyroz Ramadan , Abdullah Samir Khalaf , Assaf Lazgeen Haji
Published: November 2019

Laboratory and field bioassays were conducted to evaluate the pathogenicity of an endophytic and a soil isolate of the entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. against different stages of squash beetle, Epilachna chrysomelina (F.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Both isolates were identified by ITS rDNA sequence analysis. Both isolates were pathogenic to the squash beetle; however, their potential was different according to the conidia concentration and the exposure period. Three days post treatment, (100%) mortality rate was obtained, when the first and second larval instars were treated by the B. bassiana ES (soil isolate) compared to 83.67 and 72.60%, respectively when treated with the endophytic isolate. A percentage of 17.67% malformation occurred among the adults that emerged from treated pupae. The highest mortality percentage under field conditions were 28.67 and 22.33% for larvae and adults, respectively.
Velocity model building in a crosswell acquisition geometry with image-trained artificial neural networks
Authors: Wang Wenlong , Ma Jianwei
Published: November 2019

We have developed an artificial neural network to estimate P-wave velocity models directly from prestack common-source gathers. Our network is composed of a fully connected layer set and a modified fully convolutional layer set. The parameters in the network are tuned through supervised learning to map multishot common-source gathers to velocity models. To boost the generalization ability, the network is trained on a massive data set in which the velocity models are modified from natural images that are collected from an online repository. Multishot seismic traces are simulated from those models with acoustic wave equations in a crosswell acquisition geometry. Shot gathers from different source positions are transformed as channels in the network to increase data redundancy. The training process is expensive, but it only occurs once up front. The cost for predicting velocity models is negligible once the training is complete. Different variations of the network are trained and analyzed. The trained networks indicate encouraging results for predicting velocity models from prestack seismic data that are acquired with the same geometry as in the training set.