bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reference values for high attenuation areas on chest CT in a healthy, never‐smoker, multi‐ethnic sample: The MESA study
Authors: Easthausen Imaani , Podolanczuk Anna , Hoffman Eric , Kawut Steven , Oelsner Elizabeth , Kim John S. , Raghu Ganesh , Stukovsky Karen Hinckley , Redline Susan , McClelland Robyn L. , Barr R Graham , Lederer David J. 
Published: February 2020

ABSTRACTBackground and objectiveNormative values for HAA—a quantitative, CT‐based measure of subclinical ILD—in healthy adults are needed to improve interpretability in clinical and research settings.MethodsHAA was measured on full‐lung CT in 3110 participants in the MESA study. Clinical prediction models were developed using a healthy never‐smoker subset with normal spirometry (n = 696). RMSE on cross‐validation was used as the primary criterion for model selection. Parametric and non‐parametric methods were considered. z‐Scores were calculated for the entire study sample. Associations between z‐scores and several ILD features were estimated.ResultsIn the healthy never‐smoker subset, the mean age was 69 years with a range of 54–93 years. The median HAA was 4.3% with a range of 2.7–17.8%. Linear regression had better predictive performance than other methods. The final model included race, height, weight, age and sex. The standard error of the estimate was 1.62 with a cross‐validated RMSE of 1.64 and an adjusted R2 of 0.139. z‐Scores were associated with several ILD outcomes in adjusted models, including ILA (OR: 1.40 per z‐unit; 95% CI: 1.30, 1.52), exertional dyspnoea (OR: 1.08 per z‐unit; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.15) and FVC (expected increase per z‐unit: −2.49; 95% CI: −2.95, − 2.03).ConclusionWe present a reference equation and z‐scores to define expected values of HAA on full‐lung CT to aid HAA interpretation in middle‐aged and older adults.
Barotropic instability of shear flows
Authors: Lin Zhiwu , Yang Jincheng , Zhu Hao 
Published: February 2020

AbstractWe consider barotropic instability of shear flows for incompressible fluids with Coriolis effects. For a class of shear flows, we develop a new method to find the sharp stability conditions. We study the flow with Sinus profile in details and obtain the sharp stability boundary in the whole parameter space, which corrects previous results in the fluid literature. Our new results are confirmed by more accurate numerical computation. The addition of the Coriolis force is found to bring fundamental changes to the stability of shear flows. Moreover, we study dynamical behaviors near the shear flows, including the bifurcation of nontrivial traveling wave solutions and the linear inviscid damping. The first ingredient of our proof is a careful classification of the neutral modes. The second one is to write the linearized fluid equation in a Hamiltonian form and then use an instability index theory for general Hamiltonian partial differential equations. The last one is to study the singular and nonresonant neutral modes using Sturm‐Liouville theory and hypergeometric functions.
Predicting 2‐year weight loss through temporally specific earlier losses, relevant behaviors, and their psychological correlates: Implications for behavioral treatment architectures
Authors: Annesi James J. 
Published: February 2020

Maintaining loss of weight beyond an initial 6–9 months remains problematic, with research indicating little recent progress. A poor understanding of how and when prior weight loss, behavioral changes, and psychosocial predictors are associated with long‐term weight changes persists. To better‐inform behavioral treatments for long‐term success with weight loss, women with obesity (N = 86; Mage = 48.6 years) volunteered for research incorporating community‐based weight‐management treatments. They were assessed at months 6, 12, and 24 on theory‐based psychosocial and behavioral factors, and over 24 months on weight. Considering the included times and temporal ranges, it was found that change in weight from month 6–24 was the strongest predictor of 24‐month weight change, and physical activity and fruit/vegetable intake at month 24 best predicted that change in weight. Self‐regulation, self‐efficacy, and mood at month 24 best predicted both physical activity and fruit/vegetable intake at month 24, with body satisfaction also a significant predictor of physical activity. From these data, mediation analyses found that the predictions of long‐term weight loss by scores of self‐regulation, self‐efficacy, body satisfaction, and mood at month 24 were significantly mediated by fruit/vegetable intake and physical activity in separate equations. Findings indicated both psychosocial and behavioral targets, and timing for those targets, most indicative of long‐term success with weight loss.
The Personal Sources of Responsiveness. Introduction to a Special Section
Authors: Campbell Rosie , Zittel Thomas 
Published: February 2020

AbstractResponsiveness is a core value in democratic politics. Individual legislators are important mechanisms for implementing this concern in real‐world settings and thus facilitating responsive government. This introduction to the special section on this topic starts out by highlighting the special relevance of individual legislators in this regard and by sketching important theoretical considerations that emerge from the political science literature on this issue. In its main part, it summarizes the key findings of the contributions in relation to its main theme, namely the personal sources of responsiveness. We end with a short conclusion that reflects on possible tensions between responsiveness and the personalization of representative systems.
Political or Financial Benefits? Ideology, Tenure, and Parliamentarians’ Choice of Interest Group Ties
Authors: Huwyler Oliver , Turner‐Zwinkels Tomas 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThis article develops and tests a parliamentarian‐centred decision model of the collaboration between interest groups (IGs) and parliamentarians. We posit that parliamentarians face a trade‐off when deciding on IG ties that offer them either political (policy support and votes) or financial benefits (additional income). We theorise the balance in this trade‐off to be moderated by ideology and tenure because both introduce variations in IG ties’ utility across politicians. Using Swiss longitudinal data from 1985 to 2015 on 743 parliamentarians and their 5,431 IG board positions, we show that parliamentarians become more financial benefit‐seeking over time. This holds in particular if they belong to right‐leaning parties. We also find self‐imposed restrictions for new and left‐leaning parliamentarians on seeking financial benefits. This highlights that parliamentarians are responsive to their partisan constituents when building their IG tie portfolio.
When Do Men Represent Women’s Interests in Parliament? How the Presence of Women in Parliament Affects the Legislative Behavior of Male Politicians
Authors: Höhmann Daniel 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThis paper analyzes the conditions affecting male Members of Parliaments’ (MPs) proclivity for representing women’s interests. It particularly explores whether the presence of female MPs has an effect on men’s parliamentary behavior. Three contrasting effects are discussed in the literature: (1) A spillover effect which postulates that men will become more likely to act on behalf of women if the number of female MPs increases, (2) a group‐threat effect which creates a hostile backlash among male MPs, or (3) a specialization effect which makes male MPs less likely to represent women because this is typically seen as a function that should be fulfilled by female MPs. Empirically, this paper analyzes the representation of women’s issues in parliamentary questions tabled in the German Bundestag (1998‐2013) by using automated content analysis. The results support the specialization hypothesis and show that male MPs reduce their intensity of women’s representation if the proportion of female MPs is high.
A plastid‐localized bona fide geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase plays a necessary role in monoterpene indole alkaloid biosynthesis in Catharanthus roseus
Authors: Kumar Sarma Rajeev , Rai Avanish , Bomzan Dikki Pedenla , Kumar Krishna , Hemmerlin Andréa , Dwivedi Varun , Godbole Rucha C. , Barvkar Vitthal , Shanker Karuna , Shilpashree H. B. , Bhattacharya Ankita , Smitha Attibele Ramamurthy , Hegde Namratha , Nagegowda Dinesh A. 
Published: February 2020

SUMMARYIn plants, geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP, C20) synthesized by GGPP synthase (GGPPS) serves as precursor for vital metabolic branches including specialized metabolites. Here, we report the characterization of a GGPPS (CrGGPPS2) from the Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) and demonstrate its role in monoterpene (C10)‐indole alkaloids (MIA) biosynthesis. The expression of CrGGPPS2 was not induced in response to methyl jasmonate (MeJA), and was similar to the gene encoding type‐I protein geranylgeranyltransferase_β subunit (CrPGGT‐I_β), which modulates MIA formation in C. roseus cell cultures. Recombinant CrGGPPS2 exhibited a bona fide GGPPS activity by catalyzing the formation of GGPP as the sole product. Co‐localization of fluorescent protein fusions clearly showed CrGGPPS2 was targeted to plastids. Downregulation of CrGGPPS2 by virus‐induced gene silencing (VIGS) significantly decreased the expression of transcription factors and pathway genes related to MIA biosynthesis, resulting in reduced MIA. Chemical complementation of CrGGPPS2‐vigs leaves with geranylgeraniol (GGol, alcoholic form of GGPP) restored the negative effects of CrGGPPS2 silencing on MIA biosynthesis. In contrast to VIGS, transient and stable overexpression of CrGGPPS2 enhanced the MIA biosynthesis. Interestingly, VIGS and transgenic‐overexpression of CrGGPPS2 had no effect on the main GGPP‐derived metabolites, cholorophylls and carotenoids in C. roseus leaves. Moreover, silencing of CrPGGT‐I_β, similar to CrGGPPS2‐vigs, negatively affected the genes related to MIA biosynthesis resulting in reduced MIA. Overall, this study demonstrated that plastidial CrGGPPS2 plays an indirect but necessary role in MIA biosynthesis. We propose that CrGGPPS2 might be involved in providing GGPP for modifying proteins of the signaling pathway involved in MIA biosynthesis.
Ferroportin inhibition attenuates plasma iron, oxidant stress, and renal injury following red blood cell transfusion in guinea pigs
Authors: Baek Jin Hyen , Shin Hye Kyung H. , Gao Yamei , Buehler Paul W. 
Published: February 2020

BACKGROUNDRed blood cell (RBC) transfusions result in the sequestration and metabolism of storage‐damaged RBCs within the spleen and liver. These events are followed by increased plasma iron concentrations that can contribute to oxidant stress and cellular injury. We hypothesized that administration of a ferroportin inhibitor (FPN‐INH) immediately after acute RBC exchange transfusion could attenuate posttransfusion circulatory compartment iron exposure, by retaining iron in spleen and hepatic macrophages.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSDonor guinea pig blood was leukoreduced, and RBCs were preserved at 4°C. Recipient guinea pigs (n = 5/group) were exchange transfused with donor RBCs after refrigerator preservation and dosed intravenously with a small‐molecule FPN‐INH. Groups included transfusion with vehicle (saline), 5 mg/kg or 25 mg/kg FPN‐INH. A time course of RBC morphology, plasma non–transferrin‐bound iron (NTBI) and plasma hemoglobin (Hb) were evaluated. End‐study spleen, liver, and kidney organ iron levels, as well as renal tissue oxidation and injury, were measured acutely (24‐hr after transfusion).RESULTSRBC transfusion increased plasma NTBI, with maximal concentrations occurring 8 hours after transfusion. Posttransfusion iron accumulation resulted in tubule oxidation and acute kidney injury. FPN inhibition increased spleen and liver parenchymal/macrophage iron accumulation, but attenuated plasma NTBI, and subsequent renal tissue oxidation/injury.CONCLUSIONIn situations of acute RBC transfusion, minimizing circulatory NTBI exposure by FPN inhibition may attenuate organ‐specific adverse consequences of iron exposure.
An animal model of transfusion‐related acute lung injury and the role of soluble CD40 ligand
Authors: Hu Ai , Chen Weiyun , Wu Shubin , Pan Boju , Zhu Afang , Yu Xuerong , Huang Yuguang 
Published: February 2020

Background and objectivesTransfusion‐related acute lung injury (TRALI) is a life‐threatening complication of transfusion and is one of leading causes of transfusion‐associated fatalities. However, the pathogenesis of TRALI is still unclear. Soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) is a proinflammatory cytokine that accumulates during blood component storage and is involved in transfusion reactions. The objective of this study was to establish a clinically relevant TRALI animal model and to evaluate the role of sCD40L in TRALI.Materials and methodsRats’ red‐blood‐cell (RBC) suspensions were prepared, and the quality of RBC was evaluated. A trauma–haemorrhage–transfusion strategy was applied to build the animal model. Lung oedema was evaluated by histopathology examination, total bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) protein concentration, Evans blue dye (EBD) leakage and inflammatory cytokines. The sCD40L concentrations were measured.ResultsStorage lesions of RBCs gradually increased over time. Obvious histological evidence of lung injury of rats transfused with a 35‐day RBC was observed. The total BALF protein concentration, EBD leakage, inflammatory cytokines concentration were increased significantly in the Day 35 group. The sCD40L concentration increased significantly in the storage RBC suspension over time but was slightly elevated in rat plasma.ConclusionsThese findings indicated successful establishment of a TRALI animal model with trauma–haemorrhage–transfusion, in which sCD40L may play a minor role in the development of TRALI.
Long-term visual outcomes of the Boston type I keratoprosthesis in Canada
Authors: Szigiato Andrei-Alexandru , Bostan Cristina , Nayman Taylor , Harissi-Dagher Mona 
Published: February 2020

Background/aimsTo evaluate long-term visual outcomes of Boston type I keratoprosthesis (KPro) surgery and identify risk factors for visual failure.MethodsSingle surgeon retrospective cohort study including 85 eyes of 74 patients who underwent KPro implantation to treat severe ocular surface disease, including limbal stem cell deficiency, postinfectious keratitis, aniridia and chemical burns. Procedures were performed at the Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal from October 2008 to May 2012. All patients with at least 5 years of follow-up were included in the analysis, including eyes with repeated KPro. Main outcome measures were visual acuity (VA), visual failure, defined as a sustained worse than preoperative VA, postoperative complications, and device retention.ResultsMean follow-up was 7.2±1.3 years (±SD). Mean VA was 2.1±0.7 (logarithm of minimal angle resolution) preoperatively and 1.9±1.2 at last follow-up. There were 2.4% of patients with VA better than 20/200 preoperatively and 36.5% at last follow-up. Maintenance of improved postoperative VA was seen in 61.8% of eyes at 7 years. Preoperative factors associated with visual failure were known history of glaucoma (HR=2.7 (1.2 to 5.9), p=0.02) and Stevens-Johnson syndrome (HR=7.3 (2.5 to 21.4) p<0.01). Cumulative 8-year complication rates were 38.8% retroprosthetic membrane formation, 25.9% hypotony, 23.5% new onset glaucoma, 17.6% retinal detachment, 8.2% device extrusion and 5.9% endophthalmitis. The majority (91.8%) of eyes retained the device 8 years after implantation.ConclusionAlmost two-thirds of patients had improved VA 7 years after KPro implantation. Preoperative risk factors for visual failure were known glaucoma and Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
Multicentre randomised controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of pre-emptive inferior mesenteric artery embolisation during endovascular aortic aneurysm repair on aneurysm sac change: protocol of Clarify IMA study
Authors: Ichihashi Shigeo , Takahara Mitsuyoshi , Fujimura Naoki , Nagatomi Satoru , Iwakoshi Shinichi , Bolstad Francesco , Kichikawa Kimihiko 
Published: February 2020

IntroductionType II endoleak (EL) is frequently seen after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and is often considered responsible for aneurysm sac enlargement if it persists. In order to reduce type II EL and consequent sac enlargement, pre-emptive embolisation of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA), which is a main source for persistent type II EL, has been introduced in many vascular centres. At present, there is a lack of robust evidence to support the efficacy of pre-emptive embolisation of IMA on reduction of persistent type II EL with subsequent sac shrinkage.Method and analysisThis multicentre, randomised controlled trial will recruit 200 patients who have fusiform AAA ≥50 mm/rapidly enlarging fusiform AAA, with patent IMA, and randomly allocate them either to a pre-emptive IMA embolisation group or non-embolisation control group in a ratio of 1:1. The primary endpoint is the difference of aneurysm sac volume change assessed by CT scans between the pre-emptive IMA embolisation group and the control group at 12 months after EVAR. The secondary endpoints are defined as change of aneurysm sac volume in both groups at 6 and 24 months, freedom from sac enlargement at 12 and 24 months after EVAR, prevalence of type II EL at 1, 6, 12 and 24 months evaluated by contrast-enhanced CT, reintervention rate, aneurysm related mortality, overall survival, perioperative morbidity, volume of contrast media used during EVAR and dosage of radiation.Ethics and disseminationThe protocol has been reviewed and approved by the ethics committee of Nara Medical University (No. 2113). The findings of this study will be communicated to healthcare professionals, participants and the public through peer-reviewed publications, scientific conferences and the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry home page.Trial registration numberUMIN000035502.
Inter-hospital comparison of working time allocation among internal medicine residents using time-motion observations: an innovative benchmarking tool
Authors: Frey Simon Martin , Méan Marie , Garnier Antoine , Castioni Julien , Wenger Nathalie , Egloff Michael , Marques-Vidal Pedro , Beer Juerg-Hans 
Published: February 2020

ObjectivesThe vast majority of residents’ working time is spent away from patients. In hospital practice, many factors may influence the resident’s working day structure.Using an innovative method, we aimed to compare working time allocation among internal medicine residents using time-motion observations. The first study goal was to describe how the method could be used for inter-hospital comparison. The secondary goal was to learn about specific differences in the resident’s working day structure in university and non-university hospital settings.DesignTwo separate time-motion studies. Trained peer-observers followed the residents during weekday day shifts with a tablet, able to record 22 different activities and corresponding context (with patient, phone, colleague or computer).SettingInternal medicine residencies at a university (May–July 2015) and a non-university (September–October 2016) community hospital.Participants28 residents (mean age: 29 years, average postgraduate training: 30 months) at university hospital, 21 residents (mean age: 30 years, average postgraduate training: 17 months) at non-university hospital.OutcomesTime spent with patients and time dedicated to activities directly related to patients; description of main differences of time allocation between hospitals.ResultsCumulatively 1051 hours of observation (566 (university hospital)+486 (non-university hospital)) and 92 day shifts (49+43) were evaluated. Daily working time was 11.5 versus 11.3 hours. A median daily period of 195 min (IQR 179–211, 27.9%) and 116 min (IQR 98–134, 17.2%) (p<0.001) was dedicated to direct patient care, respectively.ConclusionsWe successfully identified differences potentially related to each hospital structure and organisation. Inter-hospital comparisons could help set up interventions aiming to improve workday structure and experience of residents.
End-of-life care in general practice: clinic-based data collection
Authors: Ding Jinfeng , Cook Angus , Chua David , Licqurish Sharon , Woolford Marta , Deckx Laura , Mitchell Geoffrey , Johnson Claire E 
Published: February 2020

BackgroundThere are no processes that routinely assess end-of-life care in Australian general practice. This study aimed to develop a data collection process which could collect observational data on end-of-life care from Australian general practitioners (GPs) via a questionnaire and clinical data from general practice software.MethodsThe data collection process was developed based on a modified Delphi study, then pilot tested with GPs through online surveys across three Australian states and data extraction from general practice software, and finally evaluated through participant interviews.ResultsThe developed data collection process consisted of three questionnaires: Basic Practice Descriptors (32 items), Clinical Data Query (32 items) and GP-completed Questionnaire (21 items). Data extraction from general practice software was performed for 97 decedents of 10 GPs and gathered data on prescriptions, investigations and referral patterns. Reports on care of 272 decedents were provided by 63 GPs. The GP-completed Questionnaire achieved a satisfactory level of validity and reliability. Our interviews with 23 participating GPs demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of this data collection process in Australian general practice.ConclusionsThe data collection process developed and tested in this study is feasible and acceptable for Australian GPs, and comprehensively covers the major components of end-of-life care. Future studies could develop an automated data extraction tool to reduce the time and recall burden for GPs. These findings will help build a nationwide integrated information network for primary end-of-life care in Australia.