bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nonhuman Animals as Fictitious Commodities: Exploitation and Consequences in Industrial Agriculture
Authors: Stuart Diana , Gunderson Ryan 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThis article examines how nonhuman animals, along with land and labor, represent fictitious commodities as described by Karl Polanyi. Animals in agriculture are examined as an extreme example of animal commodification whose use resembles the exploitation of land and labor. Conceptual frameworks developed from Marxist theory, including the subsumption of nature, the second contradiction of capitalism, and alienation, are applied to illustrate how the negative impacts to animals, the environment, and public health associated with animal agriculture are caused by attempts to overcome the incomplete commodification of animals. This article illustrates how social theory can be extended to apply to animals, especially animals who are deeply embedded in human society. The inclusion of animals in social analyses also serves to strengthen our overall understanding of exploitation and oppression under capitalism.
Playing with Luxury: Dolls as Ambassadors for the Florentine Business Community in Sixteenth-Century Spain?
Authors: Orlandi Angela 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThrough the analysis of a doll made in Florence and destined for a family of Florentine merchants active in Seville, this paper outlines the patterns of consumption and the concept of luxury to be found amongst members of the Florentine economic elite of the sixteenth century. The doll is evidence for a lifestyle which was the culmination of a typically Renaissance intellectual sophistication and aesthetic sense, but also of the multiplicity of artistic and cultural influences which a merchant with a lengthy trading presence in one of the wealthiest and most important cities of the day came into contact with.
Inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of the Brief-BESTest in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Leung Regina Wai Man , Alison Jennifer A , McKeough Zoe J 
Published: August 2018

Objective: To investigate the inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of the Brief Balance Evaluation System Test (Brief-BESTest) in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and its correlation between the Brief-BESTest score and lung function, functional exercise capacity, functional lower limb strength, and fear of falling. Design: Prospective, single-group, observational study. Setting: Outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation program. Subjects: People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who were attending a pulmonary rehabilitation program. Intervention: Participants performed three Brief-BESTests on two separate days, assessed by two independent physiotherapists. Participants also performed a lung function test, two 6-minute walk tests, the five sit-to-stand test and completed the Fall Efficacy Scale International questionnaire. Results: Thirty participants (mean (SD) age was 72 (7), forced expiratory volume in 1 second % predicted was 47 (16%), and baseline 6-minute walk distance was 427 (90) meters) completed the study. The interclass coefficients of the inter-rater and intra-rater reliability were 0.86 and 0.96, respectively. The Brief-BESTest score was moderately correlated with the 6-minute walk distance ( r = 0.49, P < 0.01) and the five sit-to-stand test time ( r =−0.54, P < 0.01). No adverse events were reported after the completion of 90 tests in this study. Conclusion: The Brief-BESTest was shown to have good inter- and intra-rater reliability for measuring balance in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A moderate correlation was demonstrated between the Brief-BESTest balance score with functional exercise capacity and functional lower limb strength in this population.
The role of argyrophilic nucleolar organizing region-associated proteins in clinical exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Turan Sönmez Feruza , Eröz Recep 
Published: August 2018

Objective To investigate whether argyrophilic nucleolar organizing region-associated protein (AgNOR) parameters can be used as a biomarker that could potentially help with the management and clinical prognosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation. Methods This case–control study enrolled patients with COPD who were admitted to the Emergency Department and healthy sex- and age-matched control subjects. Peripheral blood samples were collected at hospital admission and the peripheral lymphocytes were silver-stained to investigate the quantity and distribution of AgNOR proteins. Fifty nuclei per patient were viewed and the total AgNOR area/total nuclear area (TAA/TNA) ratio and the mean AgNOR number for each patient were calculated. Results A total of 20 patients with COPD exacerbation and 17 healthy control subjects were recruited to the study. The TAA/TNA ratio and the mean AgNOR number were significantly higher in the patients with COPD exacerbation compared with the healthy control subjects. The mean AgNOR number showed a positive correlation with the pCO2 levels on admission. Conclusion AgNOR protein levels were elevated during a COPD exacerbation compared with healthy control subjects and there was a positive correlation between pCO2 levels and mean AgNOR number.
Practice of cervical end-esophageal exteriorization in patients with severe intrathoracic anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy
Authors: Wang Huijuan , Zhang Yanshan , Zhang Yinguo , Liu Wenling , Wang Jihong , Liu Guowei , Li Chao , Ding Wanshen 
Published: August 2018

Objective This study aimed to summarize the clinical experience of severe intrathoracic anastomotic leakage encountered in clinical practice by using cervical end-esophageal exteriorization. Methods We undertook a retrospective review of four patients who developed severe anastomotic leakage after subtotal esophagectomy at our department. Four patients with a life-threatening condition and failed conservative management were re-operated on from the original incision using an exteriorized cervical end-esophageal gastric conduit. We returned the gastric conduit to the abdomen and placed a feeding jejunostomy or gastrostomy catheter. Until inflammation was controlled, we re-established intestinal continuity with the gastric or colon conduit, pulled up to the neck by a retrosternal channel. Results Four patients with esophagectomy and severe intrathoracic anastomotic leakage underwent re-operation. The gastric conduit was returned to the abdomen and cervical end-esophageal exteriorization was performed. Inflammation was rapidly controlled after surgery. Three patients received a second re-operation to re-establish intestinal continuity on days 63, 63, and 16 after the first re-operation. One patient refused re-operation to re-establish intestinal continuity. All four patients survived. Conclusion Cervical end-esophageal exteriorization in patients with severe intrathoracic anastomotic leakage results in rapid control of inflammation. This creates an opportunity to re-establish gastrointestinal continuity, leading to survival of patients.
Survival after second and subsequent recurrences in osteosarcoma: a retrospective multicenter analysis
Authors: Tirtei Elisa , Asaftei Sebastian D. , Manicone Rosaria , Cesari Marilena , Paioli Anna , Rocca Michele , Ferrari Stefano , Fagioli Franca 
Published: August 2018

Purpose: Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary bone tumor. Despite complete surgical removal and intensive chemotherapeutic treatment, 30%-35% of patients with OS have local or systemic recurrence. Some patients survive multiple recurrences, but overall survival after OS recurrence is poor. This analysis aims to describe and identify factors influencing post-relapse survival (PRS) after a second OS relapse. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of 60 patients with a second relapse of OS of the extremities in 2 Italian centers between 2003 and 2013. Results: Treatment for first and subsequent relapses was planned according to institutional guidelines. After complete surgical remission (CSR) following the first recurrence, patients experienced a second OS relapse with a median disease-free interval (DFI) of 6 months. Lung disease was prevalent: 44 patients (76%) had pulmonary metastases. Survival after the second relapse was 22% at 5 years. Lung disease only correlated with better survival at 5 years (33.6%) compared with other sites of recurrence (5%; p = 0.008). Patients with a single pulmonary lesion had a better 5-year second PRS (42%; p = 0.02). Patients who achieved a second CSR had a 5-year second PRS of 33.4%. Chemotherapy (p<0.001) benefited patients without a third CSR. Conclusions: This analysis confirms the importance of an aggressive, repeated surgical approach. Lung metastases only, the number of lesions, DFI and CSR influenced survival. It also confirms the importance of chemotherapy in patients in whom surgical treatment is not feasible.
Denosumab in patients with aneurysmal bone cysts: A case series with preliminary results
Authors: Palmerini Emanuela , Ruggieri Pietro , Angelini Andrea , Boriani Stefano , Campanacci Domenico , Milano Giuseppe M. , Cesari Marilena , Paioli Anna , Longhi Alessandra , Abate Massimo E. , Scoccianti Guido , Terzi Silvia , Trovarelli Giulia , Franchi Alessandro , Picci Piero , Ferrari Stefano , Leopardi Martina Piccinni , Pierini Michela 
Published: August 2018

Purpose: Aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is a rare skeletal tumor usually treated with surgery/embolization. We hypothesized that owing to similarities with giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB), denosumab was active also in ABC. Methods: In this observational study, a retrospective analysis of ABC patients treated with denosumab was performed. Patients underwent radiologic disease assessment every 3 months. Symptoms and adverse events were noted. Results: Nine patients were identified (6 male, 3 female), with a median age of 17 years (range 14–42 years). Primary sites were 6 spine–pelvis, 1 ulna, 1 tibia, and 1 humerus. Patients were followed for a median time of 23 months (range 3–55 months). Patients received a median of 8 denosumab administrations (range 3–61). All symptomatic patients had pain relief and 1 had paresthesia improvement. Signs of denosumab activity were observed after 3 to 6 months of administration: bone formation by computed tomography scan was demonstrated in all patients and magnetic resonance imaging gadolinium contrast media decrease was observed in 7/9 patients. Adverse events were negligible. At last follow-up, all patients were progression-free: 5 still on denosumab treatment, 2 off denosumab were disease-free 11 and 17 months after surgery, and the last 2 patients reported no progression 12 and 24 months after denosumab interruption and no surgery. Conclusions: Denosumab has substantial activity in ABCs, with favorable toxicity profile. We strongly support the use of surgery and/or embolization for the treatment of ABC, but denosumab could have a role as a therapeutic option in patients with uncontrollable, locally destructive, or recurrent disease.
A systematic review of variables used to assess clinically acceptable alignment of unilateral transtibial amputees in the literature
Authors: Tafti Nahid , Hemmati Fatemeh , Safari Reza , Karimi Mohammad Taghi , Farmani Farzad , Khalaf Ali , Mardani Mohammad Ali 
Published: August 2018

Prosthetic alignment is a subjective concept which lacks reliability. The outcome responsiveness to prosthetic alignment quality could help to improve subjective and instrument assisted prosthetic alignment. This study was aimed to review variables used to assess clinically acceptable alignment in the literature. The search was done in some databases including: Google Scholar, PubMed, EBSCO, EMBASE, ISI Web of Knowledge and Scopus. The first selection criterion was based on abstracts and titles to address the research questions of interest. The American Academy of Orthotics and Prosthetics checklists were used for paper risk of bias assessment. A total of 25 studies were included in this study. Twenty-four studies revealed the critics of standing position or walking to locate clinically acceptable alignment, only one study measured outcomes in both situations. A total of 253 adults with transtibial amputations and mean age of 48.71 years participated in included studies. The confidence level of included studies was low to moderate, and before–after trial was the most common study design (n = 19). The joint angle, load line location with respect to joints and center of pressure–related parameters were reported as sensitive outcomes to prosthetic alignment quality in standing posture. The amount of forces at various parts of gait cycle and time of events were sensitive to prosthetic alignment quality during walking. Standing balance and posture and temporal parameters of walking could help to locate clinically acceptable alignment.
Comparison of phase 2 cardiac rehabilitation outcomes between patients after transcatheter versus surgical aortic valve replacement
Authors: Imran Hafiz M , Baig Muhammad , Mujib Marjan , Beale Charles , Gaw Arlene , Stabile Loren , Shah Nishant R , Gordon Paul C , Wu Wen-Chih 
Published: August 2018

Background Referral rates and outcomes of cardiac rehabilitation have not been evaluated in patients with transcatheter aortic valve replacement or compared with surgical aortic valve replacement. Method A retrospective cohort study was conducted in 488 patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement ( n = 199) and surgical aortic valve replacement ( n = 289) from a university-based statewide transcatheter aortic valve replacement/surgical aortic valve replacement program during 2015–2017. Cardiac rehabilitation consisted of supervised exercise, diet education, and stress and depression management. We compared changes from baseline in exercise duration and intensity during cardiac rehabilitation sessions, quality-of-life (36-Item Short-Form Health Survey), and psychosocial measures (anxiety, depression, mood, social support, and diet) between transcatheter aortic valve replacement and surgical aortic valve replacement patients using t-test and chi-square analyses. Results Of 488 patients, cardiac rehabilitation referral rates were similar at 41% (transcatheter aortic valve replacement 81/199 versus surgical aortic valve replacement 117/289), but enrollment rates were lower in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (27/199, 14%) versus surgical aortic valve replacement (102/289, 35%, p < 0.01). Among eligible patients, cardiac rehabilitation completion rates were lower in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (12%) than surgical aortic valve replacement (32%). Exercise intensity during cardiac rehabilitation improved in both groups in a similar fashion (transcatheter aortic valve replacement 1.03 ± 1.09 versus surgical aortic valve replacement 1.34 ± 1.15 metabolic equivalents), but increase in exercise duration was higher in transcatheter aortic valve replacement patients versus surgical aortic valve replacement patients (14.52 ± 6.42 versus 10.67 ± 8.38 min, p = 0.02). Improvement in physical composite score was higher in surgical aortic valve replacement versus transcatheter aortic valve replacement (8.72 ± 7.87 versus 2.36 ± 7.6, p = 0.02) while improvement in mental composite score was higher in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (8.19 ± 8.50) versus surgical aortic valve replacement (1.18 ± 7.23, p = 0.02). There was no significant difference between the two groups in improvement in psychosocial measures. Conclusion Cardiac rehabilitation enrollment was low in transcatheter aortic valve replacement patients versus surgical aortic valve replacement patients despite similar referral rates. Improvement in functional and quality-of-life performance was achieved in both transcatheter aortic valve replacement and surgical aortic valve replacement. Future studies should address obstacles for enrollment of transcatheter aortic valve replacement patients.
A Preoperative Educational Video Improves Patient Satisfaction and Perceived Knowledge, but Not Patient Understanding for Total Shoulder Arthroplasty: A Randomized, Surgeon-Blinded Study
Authors: Fasulo Sydney M , Testa Edward J , Lawler Sarah M , Fitzgerald Megan , Lowe Jeremiah T , Jawa Andrew 
Published: August 2018

Background The complexity of total joint arthroplasty warrants significant patient counseling, and some surgeons are utilizing multimedia to aid in preoperative education. Our aim was to assess the effect of an educational video on patient understanding and satisfaction when supplementing a traditional office consultation for total shoulder arthroplasty. Methods This study was a surgeon-blinded, randomized control trial involving 60 consecutive patients undergoing primary total shoulder arthroplasty. Following a preoperative consultation by a single surgeon, patients were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either a control or treatment group. All participants received a 9-question true-or-false test pertaining to basic shoulder arthroplasty knowledge. The treatment group subsequently viewed a 13-minute educational video explaining glenohumeral osteoarthritis, surgery, and postoperative expectations. At a second preoperative appointment, participants of both groups were asked to repeat the same test. Results Fifty-two patients were available for the second preoperative appointment. There was no difference in test scores between the video (7.84/9) and no video (7.89/9) groups ( P = .75). All patients in the video group reported improved satisfaction and understanding. Conclusion Patients who watched an educational video supplementing a preoperative consultation for shoulder arthroplasty reported improved satisfaction but did not demonstrate increased understanding compared to those receiving a standard preoperative consultation.
Clarifying questions about “risk factors”: predictors versus explanation
Authors: Schooling C. Mary , Jones Heidi E. 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
Background
In biomedical research much effort is thought to be wasted. Recommendations for improvement have largely focused on processes and procedures. Here, we additionally suggest less ambiguity concerning the questions addressed.

Methods
We clarify the distinction between two conflated concepts, prediction and explanation, both encompassed by the term “risk factor”, and give methods and presentation appropriate for each.

Results
Risk prediction studies use statistical techniques to generate contextually specific data-driven models requiring a representative sample that identify people at risk of health conditions efficiently (target populations for interventions). Risk prediction studies do not necessarily include causes (targets of intervention), but may include cheap and easy to measure surrogates or biomarkers of causes. Explanatory studies, ideally embedded within an informative model of reality, assess the role of causal factors which if targeted for interventions, are likely to improve outcomes. Predictive models allow identification of people or populations at elevated disease risk enabling targeting of proven interventions acting on causal factors. Explanatory models allow identification of causal factors to target across populations to prevent disease.

Conclusion
Ensuring a clear match of question to methods and interpretation will reduce research waste due to misinterpretation.
Microenvironmental regulation of cancer cell metabolism: implications for experimental design and translational studies
Authors: Muir Alexander , Danai Laura V. , Vander Heiden Matthew G. 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACT
Cancers have an altered metabolism, and there is interest in understanding precisely how oncogenic transformation alters cellular metabolism and how these metabolic alterations can translate into therapeutic opportunities. Researchers are developing increasingly powerful experimental techniques to study cellular metabolism, and these techniques have allowed for the analysis of cancer cell metabolism, both in tumors and in ex vivo cancer models. These analyses show that, while factors intrinsic to cancer cells such as oncogenic mutations, alter cellular metabolism, cell-extrinsic microenvironmental factors also substantially contribute to the metabolic phenotype of cancer cells. These findings highlight that microenvironmental factors within the tumor, such as nutrient availability, physical properties of the extracellular matrix, and interactions with stromal cells, can influence the metabolic phenotype of cancer cells and might ultimately dictate the response to metabolically targeted therapies. In an effort to better understand and target cancer metabolism, this Review focuses on the experimental evidence that microenvironmental factors regulate tumor metabolism, and on the implications of these findings for choosing appropriate model systems and experimental approaches.
Peak Ventilation Reference Standards from Exercise Testing: From the FRIEND Registry
Authors: KAMINSKY LEONARD A. , HARBER MATTHEW P. , IMBODEN MARY T. , ARENA ROSS , MYERS JONATHAN 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACT

Purpose
Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) provides valuable clinical information, including peak ventilation (V˙Epeak), which has been shown to have diagnostic and prognostic value in the assessment of patients with underlying pulmonary disease. This report provides reference standards for V˙Epeak derived from CPX on treadmills in apparently healthy individuals.

Methods
Nine laboratories in the United States experienced in CPX administration with established quality control procedures contributed to the Fitness Registry and the Importance of Exercise National Database from 2014 to 2017. Data from 5232 maximal exercise tests from men and women without cardiovascular or pulmonary disease were used to create percentiles of V˙Epeak for both men and women by decade between 20 and 79 yr. Additionally, prediction equations were developed for V˙Epeak using descriptive information.

Results

V˙Epeak was found to be significantly different between men and women and across age groups (P < 0.05). The rate of decline in V˙Epeak was 8.0% per decade for both men and women. A stepwise regression model of 70% of the sample revealed that sex, age, and height were significant predictors of V˙Epeak. The equation was cross-validated with data from the remaining 30% of the sample with a final equation developed from the full sample (r = 0.73). Additionally, a linear regression model revealed forced expiratory volume in 1 s significantly predicted V˙Epeak (r = 0.73).

Conclusions
Reference standards were developed for V˙Epeak for the United States population. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing laboratories will be able to provide interpretation of V˙Epeak from these age and sex-specific percentile reference values or alternatively can use these nonexercise prediction equations incorporating sex, age, and height or with a single predictor of forced expiratory volume in 1 s.