bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rigidity theory for C∗-dynamical systems and the “Pedersen rigidity problem”
Authors: Kaliszewski S. , Omland Tron , Quigg John 
Published: February 2018

Let [Formula: see text] be a locally compact abelian group. By modifying a theorem of Pedersen, it follows that actions of [Formula: see text] on [Formula: see text]-algebras [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are outer conjugate if and only if there is an isomorphism of the crossed products that is equivariant for the dual actions and preserves the images of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] in the multiplier algebras of the crossed products. The rigidity problem discussed in this paper deals with the necessity of the last condition concerning the images of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. There is an alternative formulation of the problem: an action of the dual group [Formula: see text] together with a suitably equivariant unitary homomorphism of [Formula: see text] give rise to a generalized fixed-point algebra via Landstad’s theorem, and a problem related to the above is to produce an action of [Formula: see text] and two such equivariant unitary homomorphisms of [Formula: see text] that give distinct generalized fixed-point algebras. We present several situations where the condition on the images of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is redundant, and where having distinct generalized fixed-point algebras is impossible. For example, if [Formula: see text] is discrete, this will be the case for all actions of [Formula: see text].
Financial Hardship after Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: Lack of Impact on Survival
Authors: Khera Nandita , Albelda Randy , Hahn Theresa , Coronado Diana Salas , Odejide Oreofe O. , Soiffer Robert J. , Abel Gregory A. 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
Background: Financial hardship is a growing challenge for patients with blood cancer who undergo hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), and it is associated with poor patient-reported outcomes. In contrast, little is known about the potential impact of patient-reported financial hardship on post-HCT survival.
Methods: We sought to describe the association of financial hardship with survival after HCT in a prospectively assembled cohort of patients from three large transplant centers (n = 325).
Results: There was no association between financial hardship measures assessed at 6 months post-HCT and 1- or 2-year survival after HCT.
Conclusions: Patient-reported financial distress after HCT does not seem to adversely affect post-HCT survival.
Impact: When assessing the effectiveness of interventions to ameliorate familial financial burden among HCT, the focus should be on patient-reported outcomes rather than survival. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 27(3); 345–7. ©2018 AACR.
Cilostazol Attenuates Angiotensin II–Induced Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms but Not Atherosclerosis in Apolipoprotein E–Deficient Mice
Authors: Umebayashi Ryoko , Uchida Haruhito A. , Kakio Yuki , Subramanian Venkateswaran , Daugherty Alan , Wada Jun 
Published: February 2018

Objective—
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a permanent dilation of the abdominal aorta associated with rupture, which frequently results in fatal consequences. AAA tissue is commonly characterized by localized structural deterioration accompanied with inflammation and profound accumulation of leukocytes, although the specific function of these cells is unknown. Cilostazol, a phosphodiesterase III inhibitor, is commonly used for patients with peripheral vascular disease or stroke because of its anti-platelet aggregation effect and anti-inflammatory effect, which is vasoprotective effect. In this study, we evaluated the effects of cilostazol on angiotensin II–induced AAA formation.

Approach and Results—
Male apolipoprotein E–deficient mice were fed either normal diet or a diet containing cilostazol (0.1% wt/wt). After 1 week of diet consumption, mice were infused with angiotensin II (1000 ng/kg per minute) for 4 weeks. Angiotensin II infusion increased maximal diameters of abdominal aortas, whereas cilostazol administration significantly attenuated dilatation of abdominal aortas, thereby, reducing AAA incidence. Cilostazol also reduced macrophage accumulation, matrix metalloproteinases activation, and inflammatory gene expression in the aortic media. In cultured vascular endothelial cells, cilostazol reduced expression of inflammatory cytokines and adhesive molecules through activation of the cAMP–PKA (protein kinase A) pathway.

Conclusions—
Cilostazol attenuated angiotensin II–induced AAA formation by its anti-inflammatory effect through phosphodiesterase III inhibition in the aortic wall. Cilostazol may be a promising new therapeutic option for AAAs.
Long-Term Outcome of Substrate Modification in Ablation of Post–Myocardial Infarction Ventricular Tachycardia
Authors: Wolf Michael , Sacher Frédéric , Cochet Hubert , Kitamura Takeshi , Takigawa Masateru , Yamashita Seigo , Vlachos Konstantinos , Cheniti Ghassen , Frontera Antonio , Martin Ruairidh , Thompson Nathaniel , Massoullié Grégoire , Lam Anna , Martin Claire , Collot Florent , Duchateau Josselin , Pambrun Thomas , Denis Arnaud , Derval Nicolas , Hocini Mélèze , Haïssaguerre Michel , Jaïs Pierre 
Published: February 2018

Background:
Long-term results of substrate modification for ablation of ventricular tachycardia (VT) have not been reported. We report long-term outcomes of substrate elimination targeting local abnormal ventricular activities (LAVA) for post–myocardial infarction VT.

Methods and Results:
One hundred fifty-nine consecutive patients undergoing first ablation were included (65±11 years, 92% implantable cardioverter defibrillators, 54% storms, and 73% appropriate shocks). LAVA were identified in 92% and VT was inducible in 73%. Complete LAVA elimination and noninducibility after ablation were achieved in 64% and 85%. During a median follow-up of 47 months (interquartile range, 34–82), single-procedure ventricular arrhythmia (VA)–free survival was 55% (10% storms and 19% shocks). The VA-free survival was 73%, 68%, 61%, 55%, and 49% after 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years, respectively. Complete LAVA elimination was associated with improved outcomes: VA-free survival of 82% at 1 year and 61% at 5 years. In the subgroup treated with multielectrode mapping and real-time image integration, VA-free survival was 86% and 65% at 1 year and 4 years, respectively. Including repeat procedures in 18% of pts (1.3±0.6 ablations/pt) outcomes improved to 69% VA-free survival (2% storms and 9% shocks) during median 46-month follow-up. Overall survival was 91% at 1 year and 77% at 5 years of follow-up.

Conclusions:
In this monocentric study, substrate modification targeting LAVA for post–myocardial infarction VT resulted in a substantial reduction of VT storm and implantable cardioverter defibrillator shocks and up to 49% of patients free from arrhythmia at 5 years after a single procedure. Complete LAVA elimination, multielectrode mapping, and real-time integration were associated with improved VA-free survival.
Repolarization Heterogeneity Measured With T-Wave Area Dispersion in Standard 12-Lead ECG Predicts Sudden Cardiac Death in General Population
Authors: Kenttä Tuomas V. , Sinner Moritz F. , Nearing Bruce D. , Freudling Rebecca , Porthan Kimmo , Tikkanen Jani T. , Müller-Nurasyid Martina , Schramm Katharina , Viitasalo Matti , Jula Antti , Nieminen Markku S. , Peters Annette , Salomaa Veikko , Oikarinen Lasse , Verrier Richard L. , Kääb Stefan , Junttila M. Juhani , Huikuri Heikki V. 
Published: February 2018

Background:
We developed a novel electrocardiographic marker, T-wave area dispersion (TW-Ad), which measures repolarization heterogeneity by assessing interlead T-wave areas during a single cardiac cycle and tested whether it can identify patients at risk for sudden cardiac death (SCD) in the general population.

Methods and Results:

TW-Ad was measured from standard digital 12-lead ECG in 5618 adults (46% men; age, 50.9±12.5 years) participating in the Health 2000 Study—an epidemiological survey representative of the Finnish adult population. Independent replication was performed in 3831 participants of the KORA S4 Study (Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg; 49% men; age, 48.7±13.7 years; mean follow-up, 8.8±1.1 years). During follow-up (7.7±1.4 years), 72 SCDs occurred in the Health 2000 Survey. Lower TW-Ad was univariately associated with SCD (0.32±0.36 versus 0.60±0.19;
P
<0.001); it had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.809. TW-Ad (≤0.46) conferred a hazard ratio of 10.8 (95% confidence interval, 6.8–17.4;
P
<0.001) for SCD; it remained independently predictive of SCD after multivariable adjustment for clinical risk markers (hazard ratio, 4.6; 95% confidence interval, 2.7–7.4;
P
<0.001). Replication analyses performed in the KORA S4 Study confirmed an increased risk for cardiac death (unadjusted hazard ratio, 5.5; 95% confidence interval, 3.2–9.5;
P
<0.001; multivariable adjusted hazard ratio, 1.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.1–3.5;
P
<0.05).

Conclusion:
Low TW-Ad, reflecting increased heterogeneity of repolarization, in standard 12-lead resting ECGs is a powerful and independent predictor of SCD in the adult general population.
Neuroprotective Effects of MAGL (Monoacylglycerol Lipase) Inhibitors in Experimental Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Choi Sang-Ho , Arai Allison L. , Mou Yongshan , Kang Byeongteck , Yen Cecil Chern-Chyi , Hallenbeck John , Silva Afonso C. 
Published: February 2018

Background and Purpose—
MAGL (monoacylglycerol lipase) is an enzyme that hydrolyzes the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol and regulates the production of arachidonic acid and prostaglandins—substances that mediate tissue inflammatory response. Here, we have studied the effects of the selective MAGL inhibitors JZL184 and MJN110 and their underlying molecular mechanisms on 3 different experimental models of focal cerebral ischemia.

Methods—
SHR (spontaneously hypertensive rats) and normotensive WKY (Wistar Kyoto) rats were subject to an intracortical injection of the potent vasoconstrictor endothelin-1, permanent occlusion of a distal segment of the middle cerebral artery via craniectomy, or transient occlusion of the middle cerebral artery by the intraluminal suture method. JZL184 or MJN110 was administered 60 minutes after focal cerebral ischemia. Infarct volumes, hemispheric swelling, and functional outcomes were assessed between days 1 to 28 by magnetic resonance imaging, histology, and behavioral tests.

Results—
Pharmacological inhibition of MAGL significantly attenuated infarct volume and hemispheric swelling. MAGL inhibition also ameliorated sensorimotor deficits, suppressed inflammatory response, and decreased the number of degenerating neurons. These beneficial effects of MAGL inhibition were not fully abrogated by selective antagonists of cannabinoid receptors, indicating that the anti-inflammatory effects are caused by inhibition of eicosanoid production rather than by activation of cannabinoid receptors.

Conclusions—
Our results suggest that MAGL may contribute to the pathophysiology of focal cerebral ischemia and is thus a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of ischemic stroke.
Vehicle-mounted net sampling of airborne micro-Heteroptera in western Liberia, West Africa: 1. Isometopinae (Miridae)
Authors: KRÜGER ANDREAS 
Published: February 2018

A vehicle-mounted “car-net” is a rarely used technique of insect sampling. In Liberia, it was used over several consecutive months, and the first results of taxonomic analyses of Heteroptera from the by-catch are presented, namely on the mirid subfamily Isometopinae (“jumping tree bugs”). So far, no isometopine species have been known from Liberia. New records of Isometopinae in Liberia are provided including: Isometopus slateri (Akingbohungbe), Myiomma cobbeni Akingbohungbe, M. rubra Smith, and M. rubrovenata Smith. Additional new species are described, including: Isometopus bongensis sp. nov., Paloniella garmsi sp. nov., P. erinacea sp. nov., Ptisca liberiense sp. nov., Myiomma albostiolata sp. nov., M .brunnea sp. nov., M. fuscipes sp. nov., M. goellneri sp. nov. and M. variabilis sp. nov. A new genus with one included species is similarly described as follows: Bongiella nodistylis gen. nov. et sp. nov.
Two new species of the family Cunaxidae (Acari: Prostigmata) from Madagascar
Authors: KALÚZ STANISLAV , STARÝ JOSEF 
Published: February 2018

Two new mite species from Madagascar, based on female specimens, viz. Armascirus skvarlai sp. nov. and Cunaxa corpuzrarosae sp. nov. (Acari: Prostigmata: Cunaxidae), are described and figured. Armascirus skvarlai sp. nov. differs from the related species A. gimpeli Smiley, 1992 by having long hysterosomal platelets, thin and long lateromedial sts on the palpal genu, and from A. ozarkensis Skvarla & Dowling, 2012 by having a cone-shaped proterosomal shield with straight lateral edges, and by its nearly triangular hysterosomal shield. Cunaxa corpuzrarosae sp. nov. differs from the related species C. potchensis Den Heyer, 1979 by having 4 pairs of sts between coxae IV and the genital region, and by having a short stout palpal femoral apophysis; and from C. mageei Smiley, 1992 and C. neogazella Smiley, 1992 by having much shorter hysterodorsal and palpal tibiotarsal setae.
Neuroimaging utilization and findings in headache outpatients: Significance of red and yellow flags
Authors: Young Nathan P , Elrashidi Muhamad Y , McKie Paul M , Ebbert Jon O 
Published: February 2018

Background Neuroimaging for headache commonly exceeds published guideline recommendations and may be overutilized. Methods We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study of all outpatient community patients at Mayo Clinic Rochester who underwent a neuroimaging study for a headache indication in 2015. We assessed the neuroimaging utilization pattern, clinical application of red flags, and concordance with neuroimaging guidelines. Results We identified 190 outpatients who underwent 304 neuroimaging studies for headache. The median age was 46.5 years (range 18–91 years), 65% were female, and most reported no prior history of headache (n = 97, 51%). A minority of patients had prior brain imaging studies (n = 44, 23%) and neurological consultations for headache (n = 29, 15%). Few studies were ordered after consultation with a neurologist (n = 14, 7%). Seventy-seven percent of patients were documented to have a “red flag” justifying the imaging study. Abnormal neuroimaging findings were found in 3.1% of patients with warning flags (5/161); carotid dissection (n = 3) and reversible cerebral vasoconstrictive syndrome (n = 2). An estimated 35% of patients were imaged against guidelines. Conclusions The prevalence of serious causes of headache in a community practice was low despite the presence of a documented red flag symptom. Inadequate understanding or application of red flags may be contributing to recommendations to image patients against current guidelines. Interventions to reduce unnecessary neuroimaging of patients with headache need to be designed and implemented.
Should Children With Cleft Palate Receive Early Long-Term Tympanostomy Tubes
Authors: Shaffer Amber D. , Ford Matthew D. , Choi Sukgi S. , Jabbour Noel 
Published: February 2018

Objectives: To determine whether children with cleft palate might benefit from early long-term tympanostomy tubes with the hypothesis that receiving multiple tubes is associated with shorter duration of first tubes. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Tertiary care children’s hospital. Participants: Records from 401 consecutive children with cleft palate ± cleft lip, born April 2005 to April 2010, were reviewed. After exclusion of children with cleft repair at an outside hospital, no follow-up after 5 years of age, intact secondary palate, no tubes, or tube replacement at palatoplasty, 105 children remained. Main Outcome Measure: Number of tubes. Results: Armstrong grommet tubes were placed at a median age of 6.7 months (range 2.3-19.6 months). Tubes were replaced in 55.3% of patients, with 34.0% receiving ≥3 sets. Duration of first tubes was significantly longer for children with 1 set of tubes compared with those with multiple sets (median 26 vs 19 months, P = .004). Otorrhea, but not perforation, was associated with longer duration of first tubes (median 27 vs 20.5 months, P = .028). Cleft type did not impact the proportion of patients with multiple tubes. Median age at last tube placement for children with multiple tubes was 5.0 years (range 1.9-8.7 years). Conclusion: Short duration of first tubes is associated with receiving multiple tubes. Because most patients require repeat tubes and many require tubes until school age, there is a significant need for controlled, prospective trials of early long-term tube placement in this population.
Cleft Lip and Palate in CHARGE Syndrome
Authors: Isaac Kathryn V. , Ganske Ingrid M. , Rottgers Stephen A. , Lim So Young , Mulliken John B. 
Published: February 2018

Objective: Infants with syndromic cleft lip and/or cleft palate (CL/P) often require more complex care than their nonsyndromic counterparts. Our purpose was to (1) determine the prevalence of CL/P in patients with CHARGE syndrome and (2) highlight factors that affect management in this subset of children. Design: This is a retrospective review from 1998 to 2016. Patients: Patients with CHARGE syndrome were diagnosed clinically and genetically. Main Outcomes Measures: Prevalence of CL/P was determined and clinical details tabulated: phenotypic anomalies, cleft types, operative treatment, and results of repair. Results: CHARGE syndrome was confirmed in 44 patients: 11 (25%) had cleft lip and palate and 1 had cleft palate only. Surgical treatment followed our usual protocols. Two patients with cardiac anomalies had prolonged recovery following surgical correction, necessitating palatal closure prior to nasolabial repair. One of these patients was too old for dentofacial orthopedics and underwent combined premaxillary setback and palatoplasty, prior to labial closure. Velopharyngeal insufficiency was frequent (n = 3/7). All patients had feeding difficulty and required a gastrostomy tube. All patients had neurosensory hearing loss; anomalies of the semicircular canals were frequent (n = 3/4). External auricular anomalies, colobomas, and cardiovascular anomalies were also common (n = 8/11). Other associated anomalies were choanal atresia (n = 4/11) and tracheoesophageal fistula (n = 2/11). Conclusions: CHARGE syndrome is an under-recognized genetic cause of cleft lip and palate. Hearing loss and speech and feeding difficulties often occur in these infants. Diagnosis can be delayed if the child presents with covert phenotypic features, such as chorioretinal colobomas, semicircular canal hypoplasia, and unilateral choanal atresia.
Effect of dimethyl fumarate on renal disease progression in a genetic ortholog of nephronophthisis
Authors: Oey Oliver , Rao Padmashree , Luciuk Magdalena , Mannix Carly , Rogers Natasha M , Sagar Priyanka , Wong Annette , Rangan Gopala 
Published: February 2018

Dimethyl fumarate is an FDA-approved oral immunomodulatory drug with anti-inflammatory properties that induces the upregulation of the anti-oxidant transcription factor, nuclear factor erythroid-derived factor 2. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of dimethyl fumarate on interstitial inflammation and renal cyst growth in a preclinical model of nephronophthisis. Four-week-old female Lewis polycystic kidney disease (a genetic ortholog of human nephronophthisis-9) rats received vehicle (V), 10 mg/kg (D10) or 30 mg/kg (D30) ( n = 8–9 each) dimethyl fumarate in drinking water for eight weeks. Age-matched Lewis control rats were also studied ( n = 4 each). Nuclear factor erythroid-derived factor 2 was quantified by whole-slide image analysis of kidney sections. Renal nuclear factor erythroid-derived factor 2 activation was partially reduced in vehicle-treated Lewis polycystic kidney disease rats compared to Lewis control (21.4 ± 1.7 vs. 27.0 ± 1.6%, mean ± SD; P < 0.01). Dimethyl fumarate upregulated nuclear factor erythroid-derived factor 2 in both Lewis Polycystic Kidney Disease (D10: 35.9 ± 3.8; D30: 33.6 ± 3.4%) and Lewis rats (D30: 34.4 ± 1.3%) compared to vehicle-treated rats ( P < 0.05). Dimethyl fumarate significantly reduced CD68+ cell accumulation in Lewis polycystic kidney disease rats (V: 31.7 ± 2.4; D10: 23.0 ± 1.1; D30: 21.5 ± 1.9; P < 0.05). In Lewis polycystic kidney disease rats, dimethyl fumarate did not alter the progression of kidney enlargement (V: 6.4 ± 1.6; D10: 6.9 ± 1.2; D30: 7.3 ± 1.3%) and the percentage cystic index (V: 59.1 ± 2.7; D10: 55.7 ± 3.5; D30: 58.4 ± 2.9%). Renal dysfunction, as determined by the serum creatinine (Lewis + V: 26 ± 4 vs. LPK + V: 60 ± 25 P < 0.01; LPK + D10: 47 ± 7; LPK + D30: 47 ± 9 µmol/L), and proteinuria were also unaffected by dimethyl fumarate treatment. In conclusion, the upregulation of nuclear factor erythroid-derived factor 2 by dimethyl fumarate reduced renal macrophage infiltration in nephronophthisis without adverse effects, suggesting that it could potentially be used in combination with other therapies that reduce the rate of renal cyst growth. Impact statement This is the first study to investigate the effects of dimethyl fumarate in a model of cystic kidney disease. The study assessed the therapeutic efficacy of dimethyl fumarate in upregulating renal nuclear factor erythroid-derived factor 2 expression, reducing macrophage accumulation and cyst progression in a Lewis polycystic kidney disease rat model. This study demonstrates that dimethyl fumarate significantly upregulated renal nuclear factor erythroid-derived factor 2 expression and attenuates renal macrophage infiltration, but had no effect on renal cyst progression, cardiac enlargement, and improving renal function.
Endovascular Management of SVC Syndrome due to Fibrosing Mediastinitis—A Feasibility and Safety Analysis
Authors: Majumdar Shamaita , Shoela Ramy , Kim David J. , Ramaswamy Raja , Mani Naganathan , Salter Amber , Akinwande Olaguoke 
Published: February 2018

Purpose: To assess the outcomes of endovascular management for superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome secondary to fibrosing mediastinitis (FM). Methods: Between January 2004 and December 2016, 10 consecutive patients with endovascularly managed SVC syndrome secondary to FM were identified in an institutional database. Venograms were performed to assess the severity and location of the lesion and allow measurement for stent selection. Standard stenting and angioplasty techniques were utilized to establish luminal patency. The safety, feasibility, clinical success, and the primary and secondary patency were evaluated. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to determine median duration of stent patency. A log-rank test was used to test differences in prior stent use. Results: Our cohort was predominantly female (7/10) with an average age of 42.2 years. Of the 10 patients, 3 had undergone endovascular stenting at an outside institution prior to referral to our institution due to new, recurrent, or worsening symptoms. All patients underwent venography demonstrating stenosis (8/10) or occlusion (2/10) at initial presentation. Stenting or angioplasty was technically successful in 9 (90.0%) patients. Eight of 10 patients had primary stenting, while 1 achieved vascular patency and symptom resolution with angioplasty alone. Median duration of primary patency was 31.3 months (95% confidence interval: 5.9-103). Six (54.5%) patients required secondary revision procedures. Median duration of secondary patency was 6.1 months, with 25% of revisions occurring by 4 months and 75% occurring by 20.9 months. All treated patients (9/9) reported symptomatic relief at 1-month follow-up, establishing a clinical success rate of 100%. There were no 30-day adverse effects related to the procedure. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that endovascular therapy is a safe and feasible approach for managing FM-related SVC syndrome.