bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diaphragm muscle function following midcervical contusion injury in rats
Authors: Khurram Obaid U. , Fogarty Matthew J. , Rana Sabhya , Vang Pangdra , Sieck Gary C. , Mantilla Carlos B. 
Published: September 2018

Midcervical spinal cord contusion injury results in tissue damage, disruption of spinal pathways, and motor neuron loss. Unilateral C4 contusion results in loss of 40%–50% of phrenic motor neurons ipsilateral to the injury (~25% of the total phrenic motor neuron pool). Over time after unilateral C4 contusion injury, diaphragm muscle (DIAm) electromyogram activity increases both contralateral and ipsilateral to the side of injury in rats, suggesting compensation because of increased activation of the surviving motor neurons. However, the impact of contusion injury on DIAm force generation is less clear. Transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi) was measured across motor behaviors over time after unilateral C4 contusion injury in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Maximum Pdi (Pdimax) was elicited by bilateral phrenic nerve stimulation at 7 days postinjury. We hypothesized that Pdimaxis reduced following unilateral C4 contusion injury, whereas ventilatory behaviors of the DIAm are unimpaired. In support of our hypothesis, Pdimaxwas reduced by ~25% after unilateral C4 contusion, consistent with the extent of phrenic motor neuron loss following contusion injury. One day after contusion injury, the Pdi amplitude during airway occlusion was reduced from ~30 to ~20 cmH2O, but this reduction was completely reversed by 7 days postinjury. Ventilatory behaviors (~10 cmH2O), DIAm-specific force, and muscle fiber cross-sectional area did not differ between the laminectomy and contusion groups. These results indicate that the large reserve capacity for DIAm force generation allows for higher-force motor behaviors to be accomplished despite motor neuron loss, likely reflecting changes in motor unit recruitment.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Respiratory muscles such as the diaphragm generate the pressures necessary to accomplish a variety of motor behaviors ranging from ventilation to near-maximal expulsive behaviors. However, the impact of contusion injury on diaphragm pressure generation across behaviors is not clear. The present study shows that contusion injury impairs maximal pressure generation while preserving the ability of the diaphragm to accomplish lower-force motor behaviors, likely reflecting changes in diaphragm motor unit recruitment.
NK Cell Education in Tumor Immune Surveillance: DNAM-1/KIR Receptor Ratios as Predictive Biomarkers for Solid Tumor Outcome
Authors: Guillamón Concepción F. , Martínez-Sánchez María V. , Gimeno Lourdes , Mrowiec Anna , Martínez-García Jerónimo , Server-Pastor Gerardo , Martínez-Escribano Jorge , Torroba Amparo , Ferri Belén , Abellán Daniel , Campillo José A. , Legaz Isabel , López-Álvarez María R. , Moya-Quiles María Rosa , Muro Manuel , Minguela Alfredo 
Published: September 2018

Abstract
Natural killer cell (NKc)-based therapies offer promising outcomes in patients with tumors, but they could improve with appropriate selection of donors and optimization of methods to expand NKcs in vitro. Education through licensing interactions of inhibitory killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (iKIR) and NKG2A with their cognate HLA class-I ligands optimizes NKc functional competence. This work has evaluated the role of licensing interactions in NKc differentiation and the survival of cancer patients. We have analyzed KIR and KIR-ligand genes, and the expression of activating (CD16 and DNAM-1/CD226) and inhibitory (NKG2A and iKIRs) receptors on peripheral blood NKcs in 621 healthy controls and 249 solid cancer patients (80 melanoma, 80 bladder, and 89 ovarian). Licensing interactions upregulated the expression of activating CD226, reduced that of iKIR receptors, and shifted the CD226/iKIR receptor ratio on NKc membranes to activating receptors. A high tumor burden decreased CD226 expression, reduced the ratio of CD226/iKIR, and negatively affected patient survival. The progression-free survival (38.1 vs. 67.0 months, P &lt; 0.002) and overall survival (56.3 vs. 99.6 months, P &lt; 0.00001) were significantly shorter in patients with lower expression of CD226 on NKcs. Hence, transformed cells can downmodulate these licensing-driven receptor rearrangements as a specific mechanism to escape NKc immune surveillance. Our results suggest the importance of the CD226/iKIR receptor ratio of NKcs induced by licensing interactions as critical determinants for solid cancer immune surveillance, and may provide predictive biomarkers for patient survival that may also improve the selection of donors for NKc immunotherapy.
Maintaining Links with the Homeland through Marriage and Naming
Authors: Sam Monibo A. 
Published: September 2018

Abstract
The more contemporary wave of diaspora Africans constantly call upon a wide array of elements of their native cultures as they negotiate life in their host societies, signifying their continuing linkage to their homelands. This article examines marriage among Nigerian immigrants in the US for patterns expressing their continuing connectedness to their native cultures. I argue that marrying fellow Nigerians allows them to create a space where their native cultures become part of their daily lives. Legitimizing their marriages using Nigerian institutions, to an extent which is not required by US law, also signifies their connection to their homelands. When they give their children ethnic (Nigerian) names, they do so explicitly to express their cultural identity and roots and sow the seeds of this consciousness in their children.
The Dodge City Tornadoes on 24 May 2016: Damage Survey, Photogrammetric Analysis Combined with Mobile Polarimetric Radar Data
Authors: Wakimoto Roger M. , Wienhoff Zachary , Bluestein Howard B. , Reif Dylan 
Published: September 2018

AbstractPolarimetric measurements recorded by a mobile X-band radar are combined with photographs of the Dodge City, Kansas, tornado to quantitatively document the evolving debris cloud. An inner annulus or tube of high radar reflectivity encircled the tornado at low levels. A column of low cross-correlation coefficient ρhv was centered on the funnel cloud during the early stage of the tornado’s life cycle. In addition, two areas of low ρhv were located near the inner annulus of high radar reflectivity and were hypothesized to be regions of high debris loading that have been reproduced in simulations of lofted debris. Another column of low ρhv was a result of strong wind speeds that were progressively lofting small debris and dust as inflow rotated around and within the weak echo notch of the hook echo. A column of negative differential reflectivity ZDR was also centered on the tornado and was hypothesized to result from common debris alignment. The polarimetric structure undergoes a dramatic transition when the debris cloud was prominent and enveloped most of the funnel cloud. The weak echo column (WEC) began to fill at lower levels as large amounts of debris were lofted into the circulation. The axis of minimum ρhv shifted to a radius just beyond the funnel cloud. A column of positive ZDR was collocated with the funnel surrounded by negative ZDR. The negative ZDR and low ρhv within the debris cloud were likely the result of some common debris alignment from wheat stems. The positive ZDR within the funnel signified the presence of a few hydrometeors.
The relationship between body dysmorphic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder: A systematic review of direct comparative studies
Authors: Malcolm Amy , Labuschagne Izelle , Castle David , Terrett Gill , Rendell Peter G , Rossell Susan L 
Published: September 2018

Objective: Current nosology conceptualises body dysmorphic disorder as being related to obsessive-compulsive disorder, but the direct evidence to support this conceptualisation is mixed. In this systematic review, we aimed to provide an integrated overview of research that has directly compared body dysmorphic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Method: The PubMed database was searched for empirical studies which had directly compared body dysmorphic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder groups across any subject matter. Of 379 records, 31 met inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Results: Evidence of similarities between body dysmorphic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder was identified for broad illness features, including age of onset, illness course, symptom severity and level of functional impairment, as well as high perfectionism and high fear of negative evaluation. However, insight was clearly worse in body dysmorphic disorder than obsessive-compulsive disorder, and preliminary data also suggested unique visual processing features, impaired facial affect recognition, increased social anxiety severity and overall greater social-affective dysregulation in body dysmorphic disorder relative to obsessive-compulsive disorder. Conclusion: Limitations included a restricted number of studies overall, an absence of studies comparing biological parameters (e.g. neuroimaging), and the frequent inclusion of participants with comorbid body dysmorphic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Risks of interpreting common features as indications of shared underlying mechanisms are explored, and evidence of differences between the disorders are placed in the context of broader research findings. Overall, this review suggests that the current nosological status of body dysmorphic disorder is somewhat tenuous and requires further investigation, with particular focus on dimensional, biological and aetiological elements.
Association of Dairy Protein Intake During Pregnancy with Birth Weight
Authors: Clark David C. 
Published: September 2018

Background: One in 4 children globally is stunted. Stunting is associated with reduced cognitive development, reduced productivity, and chronic disease in later life. Objective: To explore the association between maternal diet during pregnancy and low birth weight, which increases the risk of stunting. Methods: Current literature pertaining to maternal diet and low birth weight was reviewed. Results: Low birth weight and small for gestational age are risk factors for stunting. Dietary pattern studies show an association between moderate dairy protein intake and increased birth weight and reduced risk of low birth weight. Protein-to-carbohydrate ratios are important factors in relation to gestational weight gain and fetal programming. There is evidence suggesting that whey protein could play a role in fetal lean body mass and reduced risk of low birth weight. Conclusions: Maternal diet is associated with birth weight.
Roy Bhaskar’s Critical Realism and the Social Science of Marxian Economics
Authors: Westra Richard 
Published: September 2018

This article supports claims that critical realism philosophy of science, as refounded in the hands of Roy Bhaskar, offers valuable knowledge enhancing insight into the advancement of Marx’s research program. However, it maintains that key principles set out by Bhaskar have not been adequately assimilated by those working with critical realism in the field of Marxist studies. When they are properly considered, they point to the necessity of reconstructing Marx’s corpus on a divergent basis from the conventional form it has assumed since the codification of “Marxism” by Karl Kautsky in the late nineteenth century as an overarching theory of history or historical materialism, wherein Marx’s economic studies in Capital are portrayed as but a subtheory. The article summarily breaks down three cardinal scientific principles elaborated by Bhaskar, which carry the most vital implications for Marxism. These are the bringing of ontology “back in” to theory construction, the robust case made for social science as a capital-S science, and the specification of retroduction as strategy for scientific discovery. It then explores the principles with regard to three abiding and interrelated questions of the Marxist research program: first is the very condition of intelligibility of economic theory; second is the question of the raison d’être for the dialectical architecture of Capital; third is the social scientific implications of the cognitive sequence in Marxism. In this endeavor the article introduces work in the Uno-Sekine tradition of Japanese Marxism. It shows how Uno’s reconstruction of Marxism is closely supported by Bhaskar’s fundamental criteria for science in a way that serves to strengthen Marx’s own scientific claims for his work. JEL Classification: B51, B400
Guidelines and clinical practice at the primary level of healthcare in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with and without kidney disease in five European countries
Authors: Eder Susanne , Leierer Johannes , Kerschbaum Julia , Rosivall Laszlo , Wiecek Andrzej , de Zeeuw Dick , Mark Patrick B , Heinze Georg , Rossing Peter , Heerspink Hiddo L , Mayer Gert 
Published: September 2018

Background: The number of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetes mellitus–associated chronic kidney disease varies considerably between countries. Next to differences in genetic as well as life style risk factors, varying practices in medical care delivery might cause this diversity. Method: The PROVALID study recruited 4000 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus at the primary level of healthcare in five European countries (Austria, Hungary, The Netherlands, Poland and Scotland). Baseline data were used to describe patient characteristics and compare the adherence to ADA (American Diabetes Association) and KDIGO (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes) guidelines with respect to metabolic and blood pressure control, use of renin–angiotensin system–blocking agents, statins and acetylsalicylic acid between the countries. Results: About 34.8% of the population had evidence of diabetes mellitus–associated chronic kidney disease. The median HbA1c level of the cohort was 6.8% (ranging from 6.5 in Poland to 7.0% in Scotland). Mean blood pressure was 136/79 (±17/10) and significantly higher in subjects with elevated albuminuria. These individuals also were more often treated with renin–angiotensin system–blocking agents (74.1% vs 84.6%), whereas the use of statins was driven by cardiovascular comorbidity. Acetylsalicylic acid was used in only 28.9% subjects. Despite similar cardiovascular comorbidities and renal function, the use of renin–angiotensin system–blocking agents varied significantly between the countries from 66.7% to 87.4%. An even higher variability was observed for patients >40 years of age using statins (39.8%–82.7%) and administration of acetylsalicylic acid in patients older than 50 years (5.2%–43.8%). Conclusion: Our study shows that medical practice in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with and without renal disease is different in European countries. Longitudinal follow-up will reveal if this diversity affects clinical endpoints.
Clinical significance of fucosylated GP73 in the differential diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zhao Yunsheng , Zhang Lina , Huo Lijing , Pei Liu , Li Qiuping , Li Hongchen , Jin Liang 
Published: September 2018

Objective: To investigate the clinical value of fucosylated GP73 (Fuc-GP73) levels for differential diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma from other liver diseases. Methods: Serum specimens were collected from 50 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, 60 patients with other digestive system diseases (ODSD), and 40 normal controls. Lectin affinity chromatography column combining with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using the ELISA index was utilized to measure the level of Fuc-GP73. By receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis its sensitivity and specificity were used to evaluate the diagnostic significance of Fuc-GP73 in hepatocellular carcinoma. Results: The median serum Fuc-GP73 level of hepatocellular carcinoma (20.4 μg/L) was much higher than that of ODSD patients (1.8 μg/L) and the normal controls group (0.3 μg/L), significantly ( P <0.01). There was no significant correlation between serum Fuc-GP73 level and sex, age, and tumor size in the hepatocellular carcinoma group ( P > 0.05); however, it was related to tumor, node, metastasis stage and lymph node metastasis ( P <0.05). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of Fuc-GP73 to detect hepatocellular carcinoma alone was 0.885; with the prespecified specificity of 95%, the sensitivity and the cutoff value were 82% and 3.1 μg/L. In addition, the combined test of Fuc-GP73 with other biomarkers can improve the clinical diagnostic efficiency; the AUC can reach to 0.983; and with the prespecified specificity of 95% its sensitivity increased to 94%. Conclusion: Fuc-GP73 can act as a superior glycobiomarker for the differential diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma; its combined detection with other biomarkers can improve diagnostic accuracy.
The Influence of Spatial Design on Team Communication in Hospital Emergency Departments
Authors: Naccarella Lucio , Raggatt Michelle , Redley Bernice 
Published: September 2018

Objective: To identify spatial design factors that influence informal interprofessional team-based communication within hospital emergency departments (EDs). Background: Effective team communication in EDs is critical for interprofessional collaborative care and prevention of serious errors due to miscommunication. Limited evidence exists about how informal communication in EDs is shaped by the physical workspace and how workplace design principles can improve the quality of ED team communication. Method: Two health services with four hospital sites in Victoria, Australia, participated. A multistage mixed-methods approach used (1) an anonymous online communication network survey ( N = 103) to collect data on patterns and locations of informal interprofessional team communication among ED staff, (2) focus groups ( N = 37) and interviews ( N = 3) using photoelicitation to understand the perspectives of ED staff about how spatial design influences team communication, and (3) validity testing of preliminary findings with executives and ED managers at the participating sites. Results: Informal communication with peers and within discipline groups on nonspecific areas of the ED was most common. Three key factors influenced the extent to which ED workspaces facilitated informal communication: (1) staff perceptions of privacy, (2) staff perceptions of safety, and (3) staff perceptions of connectedness to ED activity. Conclusion: Our research supports the proposition that ED physical environments influence informal team communication patterns. To facilitate effective team communication, ED workspace spatial designs need to provide visibility and connectedness, support and capture “case talk,” enable privacy for “comfort talk,” and optimize proximity to patients without compromising safety.
Up to a quarter of patients with certain chronic recalcitrant tendinopathies may have central sensitisation: a prospective cohort of more than 300 patients
Authors: Wheeler Patrick C 
Published: September 2018

Introduction:To identify the possible prevalence of ‘central sensitisation’, in patients with chronic recalcitrant lower limb tendinopathy conditions, with the Central Sensitisation Inventory (CSI) questionnaire.Methods:Patients with chronic lower limb tendinopathy conditions treated within a single hospital outpatient clinic specialising in tendinopathy were identified from clinical records. As part of routine care, self-reported numerical markers of pain, global function (using the EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) questionnaire) and the CSI score to investigate the possibility of central sensitisation were completed.Results:A total of 312 suitable patients with chronic lower limb tendinopathy and similar conditions were identified, who had completed a CSI questionnaire. Of these, 108 presented with greater trochanteric pain syndrome, 12 with patella tendinopathy, 33 with non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy, 48 with insertional Achilles tendinopathy and 110 with plantar fasciitis. A total of 66% of the patients were female, the median age was 54.9 years and the median duration of symptoms was 24 months. There was a median CSI score of 25%, with statistically significant differences noted between the different conditions studied. Overall, 20% of patients scored above a threshold of 40% on CSI questionnaire, indicating that central sensitisation was possible. Greater trochanteric pain syndrome and plantar fasciitis had the highest proportions in the conditions studied. Weak correlations were found between CSI and other pain scores studied.Conclusion:The CSI questionnaire may identify up to a quarter of patients with some chronic lower limb tendinopathy and associated conditions as being more likely to have central sensitisation, and these proportions differed between conditions. The clinical significance of this is unclear, but worth further study to see if/how this may relate to treatment outcomes. These are results from a single hospital clinic dealing with patients with chronic tendinopathy, and comparison with a control group is currently lacking. However, on the information presented here, the concept of central sensitisation should be considered in patients being treated for chronic tendinopathy.
Characterisation of health literacy strengths and weaknesses among people at metabolic and cardiovascular risk: Validity testing of the Health Literacy Questionnaire
Authors: Debussche Xavier , Lenclume Victorine , Balcou-Debussche Maryvette , Alakian Danielle , Sokolowsky Claude , Ballet Delphine , Elsworth Gerald R , Osborne Richard H , Huiart Laetitia 
Published: September 2018

Objectives: Health literacy refers to the ability of individuals to gain access to, use, and understand health information and services in order to maintain a good health. The assessment of health literacy profiles in a population is potentially crucial to respond to health needs. The Health Literacy Questionnaire explores nine dimensions of health literacy and has been shown to display robust psychometric properties. The aim was to test the validity of the multidimensional Health Literacy Questionnaire and to describe the health literacy profiles in a French population at risk of cardiovascular disease. Methods: Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires from 175 participants attending health education and support programmes in local associations of patients in Paris. Analysis included scale reliability, confirmatory factor analysis, and health literacy profiles via descriptive statistics. Results: In confirmatory factor analysis, the nine-factor structure was close to the original Health Literacy Questionnaire. A nine-factor confirmatory factor analysis model was fitted to the 44 items with no cross-loadings or correlated residuals allowed. Given the restricted nature of the model, the fit was satisfactory: χ2WLSMV(866 df) = 1383.81, p = 0.0000, comparative fit index = 0.925, Tucker–Lewis index = 0.918, root mean square error of approximation = 0.058, weighted root mean square residual = 1.175. Composite reliability ranged from 0.77 to 0.91. Among the 9 scales of the Health Literacy Questionnaire, the highest scores were found for scale 1 ‘Feeling understood and supported by healthcare professionals’ and scale 9 ‘Understand health information enough to know what to do’ and the lowest for scale 2 ‘Having sufficient information to manage my health’ and scale 7 ‘Navigating the healthcare system’. Conclusion: The French version of the Health Literacy Questionnaire was shown to be psychometrically robust with good reliability. In the context of France, the 9 scales of Health Literacy Questionnaire allow a thorough assessment of health literacy strengths and weaknesses to respond to health literacy needs and improve the accessibility of health information and services.