bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multisectoral governance for health: challenges in implementing a total ban on chrysotile asbestos in Thailand
Authors: Kanchanachitra Churnrurtai , Tangcharoensathien Viroj , Patcharanarumol Walaiporn , Posayanonda Tipicha 
Published: October 2018

IntroductionInterest in multisectoral governance for health has grown in recent years in response to the limitations of government-centric policy formulation and implementation. This study describes multisectoral governance associated with policy formulation and implementation of a total ban on chrysotile asbestos in Thailand.MethodsQualitative methods were applied, including analysis of related literature and media, and in-depth interviews with key informants. Consent was obtained for interview and tape recording; protection of confidentiality was fully assured.ResultsAn agenda on total ban of chrysotile asbestos was proposed to the National Health Assembly, where a resolution was adopted in 2010. The resolution was endorsed by the Cabinet in 2011, which mandated the Ministry of Industry to implement the ban immediately. There was uneven interest and ownership by stakeholders in the policy formulation process. Long delays in implementation have been observed. Furthermore, while the policy is likely to affect relatively few industries there has been misinformation on the safe use of chrysotile, and delaying tactics and pressure from major chrysotile-exporting countries.ConclusionThe National Health Assembly is a useful platform for policy formulation on complex policy issues requiring multisectoral action. However, policy implementation is challenging due to lack of clear policy across sectors. Success in protecting people’s health requires participatory policy-making and effective governance of multisectoral action throughout implementation. The Assembly is not designed to enforce implementation, especially when power and authority lie with state actors, but monitoring and public reporting would be powerful tools to drive this agenda.
Burden of seasonal influenza in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Sambala Evanson Zondani , Mdolo Aaron , Banda Richard , Phiri Arthur , Wiyeh Alison B , Wiysonge Charles Shey 
Published: October 2018

IntroductionMeasures of epidemiological burdens are an important contribution to estimating disease severity and determining the at-risk populations for seasonal influenza. In the absence of these data, it is extremely difficult for policy-makers to decide on how to distribute limited resources. This systematic review will synthesise the literature on reported burden of seasonal influenza (eg, morbidity and mortality) in sub-Saharan Africa.Method and analysisWe will include published epidemiological studies that capture the burden estimation of seasonal influenza between 1 January 2000 and 31 August 2018. Studies that have reported disease burden estimates associated to influenza-like illness, acute respiratory illness, acute lower respiratory illness, severe acute respiratory illness and severe or very severe pneumonia using laboratory-confirmed influenza cases will be included. We will perform a multiple electronic database search in PubMed, Embase, African Journals Online, Cochrane, Web of science, CINAHL and Google scholar for eligible studies. The reference lists of relevant studies will also be hand-searched for potentially eligible studies. The titles and abstracts of identified records will be screened independently by two authors. The full-text articles of potentially eligible studies will be assessed independently by two authors. Discrepancies will be resolved by discussion, and by a third author if the first two authors fail to come to a consensus. The measures of the burden of influenza will be aggregated using a meta-analysis for homogeneous studies and narrative synthesis if the studies are heterogeneous. The strength of the evidence will be assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach.Ethics and disseminationThis systematic review will use publicly available data; and as such, no formal ethical review is required. Our findings will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and also disseminated through conferences and stakeholder meetings.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42017074091.
Triangulating abuse liability assessment for flavoured cigar products using physiological, behavioural economic and subjective assessments: a within-subjects clinical laboratory protocol
Authors: Wall Catherine S , Bono Rose S , Lester Rebecca C , Hoetger Cosima , Lipato Thokozeni , Guy Mignonne C , Eissenberg Thomas E , Bickel Warren K , Barnes Andrew J , Cobb Caroline O 
Published: October 2018

IntroductionIn the USA, Food and Drug Administration regulations prohibit the sale of flavoured cigarettes, with menthol being the exception. However, the manufacture, advertisement and sale of flavoured cigar products are permitted. Such flavourings influence positive perceptions of tobacco products and are linked to increased use. Flavourings may mask the taste of tobacco and enhance smoke inhalation, influencing toxicant exposure and abuse liability among novice tobacco users. Using clinical laboratory methods, this study investigates how flavour availability affects measures of abuse liability in young adult cigarette smokers. The specific aims are to evaluate the effect of cigar flavours on nicotine exposure, and behavioural and subjective measures of abuse liability.Methods and analysesParticipants (projected n=25) are healthy smokers of five or more cigarettes per day over the past 3 months, 18–25 years old, naive to cigar use (lifetime use of 50 or fewer cigar products and no more than 10 cigars smoked in the past 30 days) and without a desire to quit cigarette smoking in the next 30 days. Participants complete five laboratory sessions in a Latin square design with either their own brand cigarette or a session-specific Black & Mild cigar differing in flavour (apple, cream, original and wine). Participants are single-blinded to cigar flavours. Each session consists of two 10-puff smoking bouts (30 s interpuff interval) separated by 1 hour. Primary outcomes include saliva nicotine concentration, behavioural economic task performance and response to various questionnaire items assessing subjective effects predictive of abuse liability. Differences in outcomes across own brand cigarette and flavoured cigar conditions will be tested using linear mixed models.Ethics and disseminationThe Virginia Commonwealth University Institutional Review Board approved the study (VCU IRB: HM20007848). Dissemination channels for study findings include scientific journals, scientific meetings, and policy briefs.Trial registration numberNCT02937051.
Measuring the teamwork performance of teams in crisis situations: a systematic review of assessment tools and their measurement properties
Authors: Boet Sylvain , Etherington Cole , Larrigan Sarah , Yin Li , Khan Hira , Sullivan Katrina , Jung James J , Grantcharov Teodor P 
Published: October 2018

BackgroundEducational interventions to improve teamwork in crisis situations have proliferated in recent years with substantial variation in teamwork measurement. This systematic review aimed to synthesise available tools and their measurement properties in order to identify the most robust tool for measuring the teamwork performance of teams in crisis situations.MethodsSearches were conducted in Embase (via OVID), PsycINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Education Resources Information Center, Medline and Medline In-Process (via OVID) (through 12 January 2017). Studies evaluating the measurement properties of teamwork assessment tools for teams in clinical or simulated crisis situations were included. Two independent reviewers screened studies based on predetermined criteria and completed data extraction. Risk of bias was assessed using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) checklist.ResultsThe search yielded 1822 references. Twenty studies were included, representing 13 assessment tools. Tools were primarily assessed in simulated resuscitation scenarios for emergency department teams. The Team Emergency Assessment Measure (TEAM) had the most validation studies (n=5), which demonstrated three sources of validity (content, construct and concurrent) and three sources of reliability (internal consistency, inter-rater reliability and test–retest reliability). Most studies of TEAM’s measurement properties were at no risk of bias.ConclusionsA number of tools are available for assessing teamwork performance of teams in crisis situations. Although selection will ultimately depend on the user’s context, TEAM may be the most promising tool given its measurement evidence. Currently, there is a lack of tools to assess teamwork performance during intraoperative crisis situations. Additional research is needed in this regard.
Effect of high-intensity interval training on cardiovascular disease risk factors and body composition in psoriatic arthritis: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Thomsen Ruth Stoklund , Nilsen Tom Ivar Lund , Haugeberg Glenn , Bye Anja , Kavanaugh Arthur , Hoff Mari 
Published: October 2018

BackgroundPsoriatic arthritis (PsA) is associated with an accumulation of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on CVD risk factors in patients with PsA.MethodsWe randomly assigned 61 patients with PsA (41 women and 20 men) to an intervention group performing HIIT for 11 weeks or a control group who were instructed to not change their physical exercise habits. Outcomes were assessed at 3 and 9  months with measures on maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), fat percentage and Body Mass Index (BMI). We used linear mixed models to calculate mean difference with 95% CI between the groups according to the intention-to-treat principle.ResultsAt 3  months, the HIIT group had a 3.72  mL/kg/min (95%  CI 2.38 to 5.06) higher VO2maxand a 1.28 (95% CI −2.51 to −0.05) lower truncal fat percentage than controls. There was also some evidence that the HIIT group had lower total fat percentage (−0.80; 95%  CI −1.71 to 0.10) and slightly lower BMI (−0.31; 95%  CI −0.78 to 0.17) than the control group. At 9  months, the HIIT group had still a higher VO2max(3.08; 95%  CI 1.63 to 4.53) than the control group, whereas the difference in other factors were small.ConclusionIn patients with PsA, 3  months with HIIT was associated with a substantial increase in VO2maxand a reduction in truncal fat percentage compared with controls. The beneficial effect on VO2maxwas also sustained through 9  months.Trial registration numberNCT02995460.
Refined long-time asymptotics for Fisher–KPP fronts
Authors: Nolen James , Roquejoffre Jean-Michel , Ryzhik Lenya 
Published: October 2018

We study the one-dimensional Fisher–KPP equation, with an initial condition [Formula: see text] that coincides with the step function except on a compact set. A well-known result of Bramson in [Maximal displacement of branching Brownian motion, Comm. Pure Appl. Math. 31 (1978) 531–581; Convergence of Solutions of the Kolmogorov Equation to Travelling Waves (American Mathematical Society, Providence, RI, 1983)] states that, as [Formula: see text], the solution converges to a traveling wave located at the position [Formula: see text], with the shift [Formula: see text] that depends on [Formula: see text]. Ebert and Van Saarloos have formally derived in [Front propagation into unstable states: Universal algebraic convergence towards uniformly translating pulled fronts, Phys. D 146 (2000) 1–99; Front propagation into unstable states, Phys. Rep. 386 (2003) 29–222] a correction to the Bramson shift, arguing that [Formula: see text]. Here, we prove that this result does hold, with an error term of the size [Formula: see text], for any [Formula: see text]. The interesting aspect of this asymptotics is that the coefficient in front of the [Formula: see text]-term does not depend on [Formula: see text].
Effects of muscle energy technique on pain, range of motion and function in patients with post-surgical elbow stiffness: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Faqih Anood I , Bedekar Nilima , Shyam Ashok , Sancheti Parag 
Published: October 2018

Background: Elbow is a very functional joint. Elbow stiffness is a significant cause of disability hampering the function of the upper extremity as a whole. Muscle Energy Techniques (METs) are relatively pain-free techniques used in clinical practice for restricted range of motion (ROM). Objective: To study the effects of MET on pain, ROM and function given early in the rehabilitation in post-surgical elbow stiffness. Methods: An RCT was conducted on 30 patients post elbow fracture fixation. Group 1 was given MET immediately post removal of immobilization while Group 2 received MET 1 week later along with the rehabilitation protocol. Pain (Visual Analogue Scale), ROM (goniometry) and function (Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire) were assessed pre and post 3 weeks. Results: Group 1 showed greater improvement than Group 2, mean flexion and extension change between groups being [Formula: see text], 95%CI(5.9,17.4) and [Formula: see text], 95%CI(4.4,12.7), respectively. VAS and DASH scores improved better in Group 1, mean change being [Formula: see text], 95%CI(0.6,1.8) and [Formula: see text], 95%CI(13.5,22.8) for VAS and DASH scores, respectively. Conclusion: MET can be used as an adjunct to the rehabilitation protocol to treat elbow stiffness and can be given safely in the early stages of post elbow fracture rehabilitation managed surgically with open reduction and rigid internal fixation.
VNUT and VMAT2 segregate within sympathetic varicosities and localize near preferred Cav2 isoforms in the rat tail artery
Authors: Mojard Kalkhoran Somayeh , Chow Sarah Heather Jane , Walia Jagdeep Singh , Gershome Cynthia , Saraev Nickolas , Kim BaRun , Poburko Damon 
Published: October 2018

ATP and norepinephrine (NE) are coreleased from peripheral sympathetic nerve terminals. Whether they are stored in the same vesicles has been debated for decades. Preferential dependence of NE or ATP release on Ca2+ influx through specific voltage-gated Ca2+ channel (Cav2) isoforms suggests that NE and ATP are stored in separate vesicle pools, but simultaneous imaging of NE and ATP containing vesicles within single varicosities has not been reported. We conducted an immunohistochemical study of vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2/SLC18A2) and vesicular nucleotide translocase (VNUT/SLC17A9) as markers of vesicles containing NE and ATP in sympathetic nerves of the rat tail artery. A large fraction of varicosities exhibited neighboring, rather than overlapping, VNUT and VMAT2 fluorescent puncta. VMAT2, but not VNUT, colocalized with synaptotagmin 1. Cav2.1, Cav2.2, and Cav2.3 are expressed in nerves in the tunica adventitia. VMAT2 preferentially localized adjacent to Cav2.2 and Cav2.3 rather than Cav2.1. VNUT preferentially localized adjacent to Cav2.3 > Cav2.2 >> Cav2.1. With the use of wire myography, inhibition of field-stimulated vasoconstriction with the Cav2.3 blocker SNX-482 (0.25 µM) mimicked the effects of the P2X inhibitor suramin (100 µM) rather than the α-adrenergic inhibitor phentolamine (10 µM). Variable sensitivity to SNX-482 and suramin between animals closely correlated with Cav2.3 staining. We concluded that a majority of ATP and NE stores localize to separate vesicle pools that use different synaptotagmin isoforms and that localize near different Cav2 isoforms to mediate vesicle release. Cav2.3 appears to play a previously unrecognized role in mediating ATP release in the rat tail artery. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Immunofluorescence imaging of vesicular nucleotide translocase and vesicular monoamine transporter 2 in rat tail arteries revealed that ATP and norepinephrine, classical cotransmitters, localize to well-segregated vesicle pools. Furthermore, vesicular nucleotide translocase and vesicular monoamine transporter 2 exhibit preferential localization with specific Cav2 isoforms. These novel observations address long-standing debates regarding the mechanism(s) of sympathetic neurotransmitter corelease.
Association of Plasma Ceramides With Myocardial Perfusion in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease Undergoing Stress Myocardial Perfusion Scintigraphy
Authors: Mantovani Alessandro , Bonapace Stefano , Lunardi Gianluigi , Salgarello Matteo , Dugo Clementina , Gori Stefania , Barbieri Enrico , Verlato Giuseppe , Laaksonen Reijo , Byrne Christopher D. , Targher Giovanni 
Published: October 2018

Objective—
It is known that specific plasma ceramides are associated with stress-induced reversible myocardial perfusion defects in patients with established or suspected coronary artery disease undergoing myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS). However, it is currently uncertain whether plasma ceramides are also associated with reduced poststress myocardial perfusion in these patients.

Approach and Results—

We measured 6 previously identified high-risk plasma ceramide species (ceramide [d18:1/16:0], ceramide [d18:1/18:0], ceramide [d18:1/20:0], ceramide [d18:1/22:0], ceramide [d18:1/24:0], and ceramide [d18:1/24:1]) in 167 consecutive patients with established or suspected coronary artery disease undergoing stress MPS for clinical indications. Plasma ceramides were measured by a targeted liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry assay both at baseline and after MPS. Multivariable linear regression analysis was undertaken to examine the associations (standardized B coefficients) between plasma ceramides and the percentage of poststress myocardial perfusion after adjustment for multiple cardiovascular risk factors. Seventy-eight patients had stress-induced myocardial ischemia on MPS (mainly located in the anteroapical wall). Of the 6 measured plasma ceramides, higher levels of basal ceramide (d18:1/18:0; B=−0.182;
P
=0.019), ceramide (d18:1/20:0; B=−0.224;
P
=0.004), ceramide (d18:1/22:0; B=−0.163;
P
=0.035), and ceramide (d18:1/24:1; B=−0.20;
P
=0.010) were associated with lower poststress anteroapical wall perfusion. Notably, these significant associations persisted even after adjustment for conventional cardiovascular risk factors, previous coronary artery disease, electrocardiographic left bundle branch block, left ventricular ejection fraction and type of stress testing. Similar results were observed for poststress plasma ceramides.

Conclusions—
Higher circulating levels of specific ceramides, both at baseline and after stress, were independently associated with lower poststress anteroapical wall perfusion in patients with suspected or established coronary artery disease referred for clinically indicated MPS.
Whole-Exome Sequencing Identifies Pathogenic Variants in
TJP1
Gene Associated With Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: De Bortoli Marzia , Postma Alex V. , Poloni Giulia , Calore Martina , Minervini Giovanni , Mazzotti Elisa , Rigato Ilaria , Ebert Micaela , Lorenzon Alessandra , Vazza Giovanni , Cipriani Alberto , Bariani Riccardo , Perazzolo Marra Martina , Husser Daniela , Thiene Gaetano , Daliento Luciano , Corrado Domenico , Basso Cristina , Tosatto Silvio C.E. , Bauce Barbara , van Tintelen J. Peter , Rampazzo Alessandra 
Published: October 2018

Background:
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is an inherited cardiac disease characterized by progressive fibro-fatty myocardial replacement, ventricular arrhythmia, heart failure, and sudden death. Causative mutations can be identified in 60% of patients, and most of them are found in genes encoding mechanical junction proteins of the intercalated disk.

Methods:

Whole-exome sequencing was performed on the proband of an ACM family. Sanger sequencing was used to screen for mutations the tight junction protein 1 (
TJP1
) gene in unrelated patients. Predictions of local structure content and molecular dynamics simulations were performed to investigate the structural impact of the variants.

Results:

A novel c.2006A>G p.(Y669C) variant in
TJP1
gene was identified by whole-exome sequencing in a patient with ACM.
TJP1
encodes zonula occludens 1, an intercalated disk protein interacting with proteins of gap junctions and area composita. Additional rare
TJP1
variants have been identified in 1 of 40 Italian probands (c.793C>T p.(R265W)) with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy and in 2 of 43 Dutch/German patients (c. 986C>T, p.(S329L) and c.1079A>T, p.(D360V)) with dilated cardiomyopathy and recurrent ventricular tachycardia. The p.(D360V) variant was identified in a proband also carrying the p.(I156N) pathogenic variant in
DSP
. All 4
TJP1
variants are predicted to be deleterious and affect highly conserved amino acids, either at the GUK (guanylate kinase)–like domain (p.(Y669C)) or at the disordered region of the protein between the PDZ2 and PDZ3 domains (p.(R265W), p.(S329L), and p.(D360V)). The local unfolding induced by the former promotes structural rearrangements of the GUK domain, whereas the others are predicted to impair the function of the disordered region. Furthermore, rare variants in
TJP1
are statistically enriched in patients with ACM relative to controls.

Conclusions:

We provide here the first evidence linking likely pathogenic
TJP1
variants to ACM. Prevalence and pathogenic mechanism of
TJP1
-mediated ACM remain to be determined.
Comparison of Angiotensin‐Converting Enzyme Inhibitor and Angiotensin Receptor Blocker Management Strategies Before Cardiac Surgery: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Registry Trial
Authors: van Diepen Sean , Norris Colleen M. , Zheng Yinggan , Nagendran Jayan , Graham Michelle M. , Gaete Ortega Damaris , Townsend Derek R. , Ezekowitz Justin A. , Bagshaw Sean M. 
Published: October 2018

Background

Postoperative clinical outcomes associated with the preoperative continuation or discontinuation of angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors (
ACEIs
) or angiotensin receptor blockers (
ARBs
) before cardiac surgery remain unclear.

Methods and Results

In a single‐center, open‐label, randomized, registry‐based clinical trial, patients undergoing nonemergent cardiac surgery were assigned to
ACEI
/
ARB
continuation or discontinuation 2 days before surgery. Among the 584 patients screened, 261 met study criteria and 126 (48.3%) patients were enrolled. In total,121 patients (96% adherence; 60 to continuation and 61 to
ACEI
/
ARB
discontinuation) underwent surgery and completed the study protocol, and follow‐up was 100% complete. Postoperative intravenous vasopressor use (78.3% versus 75.4%,
P
=0.703), vasodilator use (71.7% versus 80.3%,
P
=0.265), vasoplegic shock (31.7% versus 27.9%,
P
=0.648), median duration of vasopressor (10 versus 5 hours,
P
=0.494), and vasodilator requirements (10 versus 9 hours,
P
=0.469) were not significantly different between the continuation and discontinuation arms. No differences were observed in the incidence of acute kidney injury (1.7% versus 1.6%,
P
=0.991), stroke (no events, mortality (1.7% versus 1.6%,
P
=0.991), median duration of mechanical ventilation (6 versus 6 hours,
P
=0.680), and median intensive care unit length of stay (43 versus 27 hours,
P
=0.420) between the treatment arms.

Conclusions

A randomized study evaluating the routine continuation or discontinuation of
ACEIs
or
ARB
s before cardiac surgery was feasible, and treatment assignment was not associated with differences in postoperative physiological or clinical outcomes. These preliminary findings suggest that preoperative
ACEI
/
ARB
management strategies did not affect the postoperative course of patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL
:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier:
NCT
02096406.