bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association Between Serum Leptin Level and Calcific Aortic Valve Disease
Authors: Liu Yehong , Gu Yuying , Shen Ying , Lin Bowen , Li Ying , He Xiaoyan , Zhang Yibo , Lu Lin , Shen Weifeng , Zhang Qi , Yang Ke 
Published: September 2019

Background

The pathophysiological process of calcific aortic valve disease (
CAVD
) is similar to that of atherosclerosis. Leptin accelerates the process of atherosclerosis. We sought to examine the relationship between leptin and
CAVD
.

Methods and Results

Serum leptin was measured in 397 consecutive patients undergoing standard transthoracic echocardiography and Doppler flow imaging. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to assess the association between leptin and
CAVD
. Western blotting was performed to detect the expression of phosphorylated and total extracellular signal‐regulated kinase. Serum leptin (median) was higher in 200 patients with
CAVD
than that in 197 non‐
CAVD
controls (20.07 versus 9.03 ng/
mL
;
P
<0.01). Leptin correlated positively with age (
r
=0.37,
P
<0.01) and negatively with estimated glomerular filtration rate (
r
=−0.37,
P
<0.01). Multivariate analysis indicated that elevated leptin was an independent determinant for the presence of
CAVD
(
P
<0.01). Receiver‐operating characteristic curve analysis of leptin to detect the presence of
CAVD
showed that the area under the curve was 0.74 (95%
CI
, 0.69–0.79;
P
<0.01). The diagnostic value of leptin for the detection of
CAVD
was higher among younger patients (aged ≤65 years) or those with at least mildly reduced renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate ≤82.06
mL
/min per 1.73 m
2
). The activation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 was stronger in calcific aortic valves than in normal aortic valves.

Conclusions

Elevated leptin is associated with the presence of
CAVD
, especially among younger patients or those with renal dysfunction.
Joint Associations of Obesity and NT‐proBNP With the Incidence of Atrial Fibrillation in the ARIC Study
Authors: Almuwaqqat Zakaria , O'Neal Wesley T. , Norby Faye L. , Lutsey Pamela L. , Selvin Elizabeth , Soliman Elsayed Z. , Chen Lin Y. , Alonso Alvaro 
Published: September 2019

Background

Circulating
NT
‐proBNP (N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide) levels, a well‐known indicator of atrial wall stress and remodeling, inversely correlate with body mass index. Both are strongly predictive of atrial fibrillation (
AF
). Their potential interaction in relation to incident AF, however, has not been explored.

Methods and Results

In total, 9556 participants of the ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) study who had 2 measurements of
NT
‐pro
BNP
and no baseline
AF
or heart failure were followed from 1996 to 1998 through 2016 for the occurrence of incident
AF
. Participants were categorized as obese (body mass index ≥30) and nonobese (body mass index <30) and by
NT
‐pro
BNP
levels (using the median of 68.2 pg/
mL
as the cutoff). Over a median follow‐up of 18.3 years, we identified 1806 incident cases of
AF
. Analysis using multivariable Cox regression models showed that obese participants with high
NT
‐pro
BNP
levels at visit 4 had a higher adjusted risk of incident
AF
(hazard ratio: 3.64; 95% CI, 3.15–4.22) compared with nonobese individuals with low
NT
‐pro
BNP
levels. The association of obesity with
AF
risk was not modified by
NT
‐pro
BNP
levels (
P
=0.46 for interaction). Increasing
BNP
among participants from 1990–1992 to 1996–1998 was associated with increased
AF
risk. After further adjustment for clinical risk factors and medications, results were similar.

Conclusions

Individuals who had both elevated body mass index and
NT
‐pro
BNP
and were free of clinically recognized heart failure were at higher risk of
AF
development. Those who experienced an increase in
NT
‐pro
BNP
levels between visits 2 and 4 were at higher risk of
AF
.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Risk for Early Incident Atrial Fibrillation: A Prospective Cohort Study of 1.1 Million Young Adults
Authors: Rosman Lindsey , Lampert Rachel , Ramsey Christine M. , Dziura James , Chui Phillip W. , Brandt Cynthia , Haskell Sally , Burg Matthew M. 
Published: September 2019

Background

Acute psychological stress and negative emotions are known risk factors for atrial fibrillation (
AF
). Whether exposure to chronic stress syndromes, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (
PTSD
), also increases susceptibility to
AF
is unknown.

Methods and Results

We prospectively assessed the incidence of
AF
over a 13‐year period among 988 090 young and middle‐aged veterans (mean age, 30.29±9.19 years; 87.8% men, 64.5% white) who first accessed care through the Veterans Health Administration from October 2001 to November 2014 and were free of
AF
, atrial flutter, or atrial tachycardia at baseline. Time‐varying, multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were used to examine the independent contribution of
PTSD
to new
AF
. We also tested for effect modification by sex and controlled for healthcare use. During a mean follow‐up of 4.8 years, 2491 patients were diagnosed with
AF
. Patients with
PTSD
had a higher overall incidence of
AF
(
P
<0.0001) and were more likely to develop
AF
at a younger age than those without
PTSD
(
P
=0.004).
PTSD
was significantly associated with incident
AF
in unadjusted models (hazard ratio, 1.31; 95%
CI
, 1.19–1.43) and models that adjusted for demographics, lifestyle factors, cardiovascular risk factors, and depression (hazard ratio, 1.13; 95%
CI
, 1.02–1.24). The interaction with sex was nonsignificant (
P
=0.93).

Conclusions

PTSD
was associated increased risk for early incident
AF
after adjustment for established
AF
risk factors and depression in this cohort of young and middle‐aged veterans. Findings from this study require validation in more diverse populations to determine their generalizability.
Hemodialysis Procedure–Associated Autonomic Imbalance and Cardiac Arrhythmias: Insights From Continuous 14‐Day ECG Monitoring
Authors: Rogovoy Nichole M. , Howell Stacey J. , Lee Tiffany L. , Hamilton Christopher , Perez‐Alday Erick A. , Kabir Muammar M. , Zhang Yanwei , Kim Esther D. , Fitzpatrick Jessica , Monroy‐Trujillo Jose M. , Estrella Michelle M. , Sozio Stephen M. , Jaar Bernard G. , Parekh Rulan S. , Tereshchenko Larisa G. 
Published: September 2019

Background
In patients with end‐stage kidney disease, sudden cardiac death is more frequent after a long interdialytic interval, within 6 hours after the end of a hemodialysis session. We hypothesized that the occurrence of paroxysmal arrhythmias is associated with changes in heart rate and heart rate variability in different phases of hemodialysis.

Methods and Results

We conducted a prospective ancillary study of the Predictors of Arrhythmic and Cardiovascular Risk in End Stage Renal Disease cohort. Continuous
ECG
monitoring was performed using an
ECG
patch, and short‐term heart rate variability was measured for 3 minutes every hour (by root mean square of the successive normal‐to‐normal intervals, spectral analysis, Poincaré plot, and entropy), up to 300 hours. Out of enrolled participants (n=28; age 54±13 years; 57% men; 96% black; 33% with a history of cardiovascular disease; left ventricular ejection fraction 70±9%), arrhythmias were detected in 13 (46%). Nonsustained ventricular tachycardia occurred more frequently during/posthemodialysis than pre‐/between hemodialysis (63% versus 37%,
P
=0.015). In adjusted for cardiovascular disease time‐series analysis, nonsustained ventricular tachycardia was preceded by a sudden heart rate increase (by 11.2 [95%
CI
10.1–12.3] beats per minute;
P
<0.0001). During every‐other‐day dialysis, root mean square of the successive normal‐to‐normal intervals had a significant circadian pattern (Mesor 10.6 [ 95%
CI
0.9–11.2] ms; amplitude 1.5 [95%
CI
1.0–3.1] ms; peak at 02:01 [95%
CI
20:22–03:16]
am
;
P
<0.0001), which was replaced by a steady worsening on the second day without dialysis (root mean square of the successive normal‐to‐normal intervals −1.41 [95%
CI
−1.67 to −1.15] ms/24 h;
P
<0.0001).

Conclusions
Sudden increase in heart rate during/posthemodialysis is associated with nonsustained ventricular tachycardia. Every‐other‐day hemodialysis preserves circadian rhythm, but a second day without dialysis is characterized by parasympathetic withdrawal.
Re-Viewing Western U.S. Rephotography in the Anthropocene
Authors: Handley William R. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractIn this paper, documentary and artistic pairings of nineteenth-century survey photographs with rephotographs from the 1970s-2000s of identical views of western U.S. sites are read within divergent temporal and historiographical paradigms about historical and geological change. Viewed and interpreted within the legacy of American technocratic “progress” and of debates about the “old” and “new” western histories, this juxtaposed work across a century speaks to shifts in historians’ paradigms about the meaning of western expansion, from optimism to tragedy, and to whether geologic and human history are continuous or discontinuous. The ecological rupture of the Anthropocene returns us to nineteenth-century debates, which in part motivated survey photographs, about whether changes in geological and life forms are gradual or catastrophic—or some uneasy combination of the two. What haunts these photographs today is both a lost ideological past and a precarious, humanly viable future that the Anthropocene exposes.
Dispute Settlement in the Law of the Sea: Survey for 2018
Authors: Churchill Robin 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
This is the latest in a series of annual surveys in this Journal reviewing dispute settlement in the law of the sea, both under Part XV of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and outside the framework of the Convention. It covers developments during 2018. The most significant developments during the year were the judgment of the International Court of Justice in Costa Rica v. Nicaragua, delimiting the maritime boundaries between the two States’ overlapping maritime zones in both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean; the report of the Conciliation Commission concerning maritime boundary arrangements between Timor-Leste and Australia; and the findings of a dispute settlement body of the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization.
Compensability of Moral Damage in Islamic Contract Law: A Comparative Analysis of the Palestinian, Jordanian and Qatari Civil Codes
Authors: Dodeen Mahmoud M. 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
This study explores Islamic law’s position towards the compensation of natural and juridical persons for moral damage within the scope of contractual liability in view of divergent and unclear legal and judicial opinions in Arab countries. One line of argument makes a distinction in the approach to tort and contractual liability. As a result, courts have been influenced by these opinions. In contrast, other jurists have not taken great pains to reach a different discretion in search of the truth. To enrich this study, to ensure a sound interpretation of the true situation, and in an attempt to draw a closer link between the positions of Islamic law and Latin law, the study provides a comparison between the civil codes of three Arab countries: Palestine, Jordan and Qatar.
Gross Fraud in the UAE Civil Code: From Its Roots in Islamic Jurisprudence to Contemporary Proposals for Reform
Authors: Jadalhaq Iyad Mohammad 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
The regulations concerning gross fraud instituted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) legislature in the UAE Civil Code are derived from provisions put forward by the Ḥanafī school of law. A general rule was put forward, and exceptions thereto were set. A certain remedy for gross fraud was instituted, namely, giving the defrauded party the right to terminate the contract. This article determines the comprehensiveness and adequacy of the legal texts dealing with the impact of gross fraud on contracts in the UAE Civil Code, the methods by which balance could be achieved between the interests of the contracting parties, and the means of protecting the defrauded contractor. Furthermore, shortcomings and defects in the existing legal texts that require amendment and reform are highlighted. This study concludes that the legislative treatment of the impact of gross fraud on contracts is insufficient, and advances possible recommendations.
Horner Syndrome from a Pediatric Otolaryngology Perspective
Authors: Folkert Kyra N. , de Beaufort Heather , Bauman Nancy M. 
Published: September 2019

Introduction: Horner syndrome is described as the clinical triad of miosis, ptosis, and anhidrosis. In pediatric patients the condition may be congenital or acquired from neoplastic, infectious or traumatic conditions, including birth trauma. Most cases of pediatric Horner syndrome present first to a pediatric ophthalmologist however since the neural pathways involve the cervical sympathetic chain otolaryngologists should understand the pathophysiology to avoid delay in management of potentially malignant cases. Objectives: To aid otolaryngologists in recognizing and managing pediatric Horner syndrome by describing 3 unique cases from malignant, traumatic and/or congenital causes. Methods: Case report of 3 pediatric patients with Horner syndrome presenting to our pediatric otolaryngology department. Results: Case #1 is 5-month-old female with ptosis and a left level II 1.5 cm neck mass. Magnetic resonance imaging showed the mass displacing the common carotid artery and excisional biopsy revealed a poorly differentiated neuroblastoma. Case #2 is a 9-year-old female with anisocoria appearing after suffering a severe playground injury. Case #3 is a 3-year-old-male who developed ptosis and anisocoria following re-excision of a recurrent cervical lymphatic malformation. Conclusion: Pediatric Horner syndrome may be a benign finding that is easily overlooked but may reflect a serious underlying condition. Otolaryngologists should be aware of the pathophysiology and differential diagnosis, including malignant causes, to appropriately manage patients.
Evaluating the differential effectiveness of social influence and personality-targeted alcohol prevention on mental health outcomes among high-risk youth: A novel cluster randomised controlled factorial design trial
Authors: Newton Nicola C , Stapinski Lexine , Teesson Maree , Slade Tim , Champion Katrina E , Barrett Emma L , Birrell Louise , Kelly Erin , Mather Marius , Conrod Patricia J 
Published: September 2019

Objective: This study examined the secondary mental health outcomes of two contrasting alcohol prevention approaches, whereby one intervention targets common underlying personality risk for alcohol use and mental health problems ( Preventure) and the other targets alcohol- and drug-related behaviours and cognitions ( Climate Schools). Methods: A 2 × 2 cluster randomised controlled factorial design trial was conducted in 26 Australian schools randomised to the following 4 conditions: Climate Schools ( n = 6), Preventure ( n = 7), combined Climate Schools and Preventure (CAP; n = 6) or treatment as usual (TAU; n = 7). Participants completed questionnaires at baseline, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months post-baseline including the Brief Symptom Inventory anxiety and depression scales and hyperactivity and conduct scales of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Analyses focused on students who were at high-risk based on personality traits ( n = 947; Mage = 13.3). The effectiveness of each approach in reducing symptoms of internalising and externalising problems was assessed using multi-level mixed effects analysis. Results: Main effects for each intervention relative to not receiving that intervention revealed significant main effects of Preventure in reducing anxiety symptoms ( d = −0.27, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [−0.53, −0.01], p < 0.05) and a marginal effect in reducing depressive symptoms ( d = −0.24, 95% CI = [−0.49, 0.01], p = 0.06) over 3 years. Interaction effects revealed that when delivered alone, Preventure significantly reduced conduct problems ( d = −0.45, 95% CI = [−0.78, −0.11], p < 0.05) and hyperactivity symptoms ( d = −0.38, 95% CI = [−0.70,−0.07], p < 0.05) compared to TAU. Conclusion: This study is the first to report the effectiveness of personality-targeted alcohol prevention in reducing internalising and externalising symptoms relative to an active control, providing evidence in favour of its specificity in preventing concurrent substance use and mental health problems among high-risk youth.
Effect of Meniscal Ramp Lesion Repair on Knee Kinematics, Bony Contact Forces, and In Situ Forces in the Anterior Cruciate Ligament
Authors: Naendrup Jan-Hendrik , Pfeiffer Thomas R. , Chan Calvin , Nagai Kanto , Novaretti João V. , Sheean Andrew J. , Shafizadeh Sven T. , Debski Richard E. , Musahl Volker 
Published: September 2019

Background: Meniscal ramp lesions are possible concomitant injuries in cases of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficiency. Although recent studies have investigated the influence of ramp lesions on knee kinematics, the effect on the ACL reconstruction graft remains unknown. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose was to determine the effects of ramp lesion and ramp lesion repair on knee kinematics, the in situ forces in the ACL, and bony contact forces. It was hypothesized that ramp lesions will significantly increase in situ forces in the native ACL and bony contact forces and that ramp lesion repair will restore these conditions comparably with those forces of the intact knee. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Investigators tested 9 human cadaveric knee specimens using a 6 degrees of freedom robotic testing system. The knee was continuously flexed from full extension to 90° while the following loads were applied: (1) 90-N anterior load, (2) 5 N·m of external-rotation torque, (3) 134-N anterior load + 200-N compression load, (4) 4 N·m of external-rotation torque + 200-N compression load, and (5) 4 N·m of internal-rotation torque + 200-N compression load. Loading conditions were applied to the intact knee, a knee with an arthroscopically induced 25-mm ramp lesion, and a knee with an all-inside repaired ramp lesion. In situ forces in the ACL, bony contact forces in the medial compartment, and bony contact forces in the lateral compartment were quantified. Results: In response to all loading conditions, no differences were found with respect to kinematics, in situ forces in the ACL, and bony contact forces between intact knees and knees with a ramp lesion. However, compared with intact knees, knees with a ramp lesion repair had significantly reduced anterior translation at flexion angles from full extension to 40° in response to a 90-N anterior load ( P < .05). In addition, a significant decrease in the in situ forces in the ACL after ramp repair was detected only for higher flexion angles when 4 N·m of external-rotation torque combined with a 200-N compression load ( P < .05) and 4 N·m of internal-rotation torque combined with a 200-N compression load were applied ( P < .05). Conclusion: In this biomechanical study, ramp lesions did not significantly affect knee biomechanics at the time of surgery. Clinical Relevance: From a biomechanical time-zero perspective, the indications for ramp lesion repair may be limited.
Two-year cumulative patency of endovascular arteriovenous fistula
Authors: Beathard Gerald A , Litchfield Terry , Jennings William C 
Published: September 2019

Background and objectives: The recent advent of a device to create a proximal radial artery arteriovenous fistula using an endovascular approach to create the anastomosis represents a significant advance in dialysis access creation. This endovascular arteriovenous fistula offers the beneficial attributes of the proximal radial artery arteriovenous fistula while adding the advantages of avoiding a surgical procedure. The endovascular arteriovenous fistula can be created safely, functions well, has excellent patency, and has a high degree of patient satisfaction. The purpose of this study is to report the 2-year cumulative patency rate for a large multicenter cohort of endovascular arteriovenous fistula cases. Design: An endovascular arteriovenous fistula was created in 105 patients using either local or regional anesthesia and conscious sedation. Patient data were obtained from each program’s electronic health record system. Data collection was truncated at 2 years postprocedure and used to calculate cumulative patency. Post-access creation patient satisfaction was assessed. Results: A physiologically mature arteriovenous fistula (blood flow ⩾500 mL/min and a target vein internal diameter ⩾4 mm) was obtained in 98%. A clinically functional arteriovenous fistula (supporting two-needle dialysis according to the patient’s dialysis prescription) was demonstrated in 95%. Access failure resulting in the loss of access occurred in eight cases during the study period. The cumulative patency rate at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months was 97.1%, 93.9%, 93.9%, and 92.7%, respectively. The post-procedure patient evaluation emphasized a high level of patient satisfaction. Conclusion: The proximal radial artery arteriovenous fistula created using an endovascular approach for the anastomosis is associated with excellent 2-year cumulative patency and is associated with a high level of patient satisfaction.
Differentiated bilingual vocabulary assessment reveals similarities and differences compared to monolinguals: Conceptual versus single-language scoring and the relation with home language and literacy activities
Authors: Ehl Birgit , Bruns Gunnar , Grosche Michael 
Published: September 2019

Purpose: As bilingual students often achieve lower scores than monolinguals in single-language vocabulary assessments, a deficit-oriented view of bilingualism is widespread in educational institutions. This study examined whether this alleged difference remains when the conceptual vocabulary scores of bilingual primary students are considered, and when home language and literacy activities are taken into account. Methods: Extensive expressive vocabulary measures were administered in both the environmental language (German) and the heritage language (Turkish) to simultaneous and sequential bilingual students, and to their monolingual peers. Their parents provided information about the frequency of home language and literacy activities. Data: The study included 302 students (5;9–10;9 years). 83 were simultaneous bilingual, 55 sequential bilingual and 164 monolingual. Comparisons on vocabulary were conducted via separate multiple regression analyses with frequency of home language and literacy activities as a control variable. Findings: In single-language vocabulary scores of the environmental language, simultaneous and sequential bilingual students scored lower than monolinguals. In contrast, and most importantly, there were no differences between either bilingual group and monolinguals with regard to conceptual vocabulary and the relationship between conceptual vocabulary and frequency of home language and literacy activities. Controlling for frequency of home language and literacy activities did not change these findings. Originality: This study compared the expressive single-language and conceptual vocabulary scores of simultaneous and sequential bilinguals with the scores of monolinguals in a large sample of primary students, for the first time additionally controlling for home language and literacy activities, with the German and Turkish languages. Implications: Because bilingual students have the same conceptual vocabulary scores as monolinguals, lower single-language vocabulary scores do not reflect a language deficiency.