bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Measurement properties of the craniocervical flexion test: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Araujo Francisco Xavier de , Ferreira Giovanni Esteves , Scholl Schell Maurício , Castro Marcelo Peduzzi de , Silva Marcelo Faria , Ribeiro Daniel Cury 
Published: February 2018

IntroductionNeck pain is the leading cause of years lived with disability worldwide and it accounts for high economic and societal burden. Altered activation of the neck muscles is a common musculoskeletal impairment presented by patients with neck pain. The craniocervical flexion test with pressure biofeedback unit has been widely used in clinical practice to assess function of deep neck flexor muscles. This systematic review will assess the measurement properties of the craniocervical flexion test for assessing deep cervical flexor muscles.Methods and analysisThis is a protocol for a systematic review that will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis statement. MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, PEDro, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Scopus and Science Direct will be systematically searched from inception. Studies of any design that have investigated and reported at least one measurement property of the craniocervical flexion test for assessing the deep cervical flexor muscles will be included. All measurement properties will be considered as outcomes. Two reviewers will independently rate the risk of bias of individual studies using the updated COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments risk of bias checklist. A structured narrative synthesis will be used for data analysis. Quantitative findings for each measurement property will be summarised. The overall rating for a measurement property will be classified as ‘positive’, ‘indeterminate’ or ‘negative’. The overall rating will be accompanied with a level of evidence.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval and patient consent are not required since this is a systematic review based on published studies. Findings will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42017062175.
In vitro assessment of the starch digestibility of western Canadian wheat market classes and cultivars
Authors: Karunaratne Namalika D. , Abbott Dawn A. , Chibbar Ravindra N. , Hucl Pierre J. , Pozniak Curtis J. , Classen Henry L. 
Published: February 2018

The objective of the study was to measure the effect of wheat market class and cultivar on starch digestibility using an in vitro model that mimics the chicken digestive tract and relate it to grain characteristics. The study evaluated 18 wheat cultivars from eight western Canadian wheat classes and, each cultivar was replicated four times. Samples were subjected to gastric and small intestine (SI) digestion phases and each sample was assayed in triplicate; glucose release was measured in SI phase. Starch granule distribution, amylose, total starch, crude protein (CP), ash, and non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) were analyzed in all wheat samples. Small intestinal phase times of 15, 60, and 120 min were chosen to approximate digestion in the terminal duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Starch digestibility of wheat classes ranged as follows: 15 min — 33.1% to 49.1%, 60 min — 80.2% to 93.3%, and 120 min — 92.4% to 97.6%. Starch digestibility positively correlated with CP, ash, NSP, and proportion of large granules, whereas it negatively correlated with total starch, and proportion of small and medium granules. In conclusion, market class and cultivar of western Canadian wheat affects both rate and extent of starch digestibility and it is related to various grain characteristics.
Macrophages and CD8+ T Cells Mediate the Antitumor Efficacy of Combined CD40 Ligation and Imatinib Therapy in Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors
Authors: Zhang Jennifer Q. , Zeng Shan , Vitiello Gerardo A. , Seifert Adrian M. , Medina Benjamin D. , Beckman Michael J. , Loo Jennifer K. , Santamaria-Barria Juan , Maltbaek Joanna H. , Param Nesteene J. , Moral John A. , Zhao Julia N. , Balachandran Vinod , Rossi Ferdinand , Antonescu Cristina R. , DeMatteo Ronald P. 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
Tyrosine kinase inhibition of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) is effective but typically culminates in resistance and is rarely curative. Immunotherapy has potential application to GIST, as we previously showed that T-cell checkpoint blockade increases the antitumor effects of imatinib. Here, we showed that ligation of CD40 using an agonistic antibody (anti-CD40) activated tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in vivo in a knock-in mouse model of GIST harboring a germline mutation in Kit exon 11. Activated TAMs had greater TNFα production and NFκB signaling and directly inhibited tumor cells in vitro. Anti-CD40 required concomitant therapy with imatinib for efficacy and depended on TAMs, and to a lesser extent CD8+ T cells, but not on CD4+ T cells or B cells. In an analysis of 50 human GIST specimens by flow cytometry, we found that CD40 was expressed on human TAMs and tumor cells yet was downregulated after response to imatinib. CD40 ligation did not have a direct inhibitory effect on human GIST cells. Our findings provide the rationale for combining anti-CD40 and tyrosine kinase inhibition to treat human GIST. Cancer Immunol Res; 6(4); 434–47. ©2018 AACR.
Presence of Kidney Disease as an Outcome Predictor in Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Bitker Laurent , Sens Florence , Payet Cécile , Turquier Ségolène , Duclos Antoine , Cottin Vincent , Juillard Laurent 
Published: February 2018

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) may lead to right heart failure and subsequently alter glomerular filtration rates (GFR). Chronic kidney disease (CKD, GFR &#x3c;60 mL/min/1.73 m<sup>2</sup>) may also adversely affect PAH prognosis. This study aimed to assess how right heart hemodynamics was associated with reduced estimated GFR (eGFR) and the association of CKD with survival in PAH patients. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> In a prospective PAH cohort (2003–2012), invasive hemodynamics and eGFR were collected at diagnosis (179 patients) and during follow-up (159 patients). The prevalence of CKD was assessed at PAH diagnosis. Variables, including hemodynamics, associated with reduced eGFR at diagnosis and during follow-up were tested in multivariate analysis. The association of CKD with survival was evaluated using a multivariate Cox regression model. <b><i>Results:</i></b> At diagnosis, mean age was 60.4 ± 16.5 years, mean pulmonary arterial pressure was 43 ± 12 mm Hg, and eGFR was 74.4 ± 26.4 mL/min/1.73 m<sup>2</sup>. CKD was observed in 52 incident patients (29%). Independent determinants of reduced eGFR at diagnosis were age, systemic hypertension, and decreased cardiac index. Independent determinants of reduced eGFR during follow-up were age, female gender, PAH etiology, systemic hypertension, decreased cardiac index, and increased right atrial pressure. Age ≥60 years, female gender, NYHA 4, and CKD at diagnosis were independently associated with decreased survival. The adjusted hazards ratio for death associated with CKD was 1.81 (95% confidence interval [1.01–3.25]). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> CKD is frequent at PAH diagnosis and is independently associated with increased mortality. Right heart failure may induce renal hypoperfusion and congestion, and is associated with eGFR decrease.
Novel Role of IL (Interleukin)-1β in Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Formation and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
Authors: Meher Akshaya K. , Spinosa Michael , Davis John P. , Pope Nicolas , Laubach Victor E. , Su Gang , Serbulea Vlad , Leitinger Norbert , Ailawadi Gorav , Upchurch Gilbert R. 
Published: February 2018

Objective—
Neutrophils promote experimental abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) formation via a mechanism that is independent from MMPs (matrix metalloproteinases). Recently, we reported a dominant role of IL (interleukin)-1β in the formation of murine experimental AAAs. Here, the hypothesis that IL-1β–induced neutrophil extracellular trap formation (NETosis) promotes AAA was tested.

Approach and Results—
NETs were identified through colocalized staining of neutrophil, Cit-H3 (citrullinated histone H3), and DNA, using immunohistochemistry. NETs were detected in human AAAs and were colocalized with IL-1β. In vitro, IL-1RA attenuated IL-1β–induced NETosis in human neutrophils. Mechanistically, IL-1β treatment of isolated neutrophils induced nuclear localization of ceramide synthase 6 and synthesis of C16-ceramide, which was inhibited by IL-1RA or fumonisin B1, an inhibitor of ceramide synthesis. Furthermore, IL-1RA or fumonisin B1 attenuated IL1-β–induced NETosis. In an experimental model of murine AAA, NETs were detected at a very early stage–day 3 of aneurysm induction. IL-1β–knockout mice demonstrated significantly lower infiltration of neutrophils to aorta and were protected from AAA. Adoptive transfer of wild-type neutrophils promoted AAA formation in IL-1β–knockout mice. Moreover, treatment of wild-type mice with Cl-amidine, an inhibitor NETosis, significantly attenuated AAA formation, whereas, treatment with deoxyribonuclease, a DNA digesting enzyme, had no effect on AAA formation.

Conclusions—
Altogether, the results suggest a dominant role of IL-1β–induced NETosis in AAA formation.
Genome-Wide Association and Functional Studies Identify
SCML4
and
THSD7A
as Novel Susceptibility Genes for Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Li Yang , Wang Dao Wen , Chen Yundai , Chen Can , Guo Jian , Zhang Shu , Sun Zhijun , Ding Hu , Yao Yan , Zhou Lei , Xu Ke , Song Chun , Yang Fan , Zhao Bin , Yan Han , Wang Wen-Jing , Wu Chong , Lu Xiangfeng , Yang Xueli , Dong Jie , Zheng Guyan , Tian Shuhan , Cui Yanjun , Jin Lijuan , Liu Gangqiong , Cui Hanbin , Wang Shenghuang , Jiang Feng , Wang Changhua , Erdmann Jeanette , Zeng Linyao , Huang Shian , Zhong Jianfeng , Ma Yuehua , Chen Wenjiang , Sun Jianli , Lei Wei , Chen Shenghan , Rao Shaoqi , Gu Dongfeng , Schunkert Heribert , Tian Xiao-Li 
Published: February 2018

Objective—
The genetic contribution to coronary artery disease (CAD) remains largely unclear. We combined genetic screening with functional characterizations to identify novel loci and candidate genes for CAD.

Approach and Results—

We performed genome-wide screening followed by multicenter validation in 8 cohorts consisting of 21 828 participants of Han ethnicity and identified 3 novel intragenic SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms), rs9486729 (
SCML4
[Scm polycomb group protein-like 4]; odds ratio, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.17–1.34;
P
=3.51×10
−11
), rs17165136 (
THSD7A
[thrombospondin type 1 domain-containing 7A]; odds ratio 1.28; 95% CI, 1.21–1.35;
P
<1.00×10
−25
), and rs852787 (
DAB1
[disabled-1]; odds ratio, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.21–1.38;
P
=2.02×10
−14
), associated with CAD with genome-wide significance. The risk allele of rs9486729 and protective allele of rs17165136 were associated with the decreased expression of their host genes,
SCML4
and
THSD7A
, respectively, whereas rs852787 did not have transcriptional effects on any gene. Knockdown of
SCML4
activated endothelial cells by increasing the expression of
IL-6
,
E-selectin
, and
ICAM
and weakened their antiapoptotic activity, whereas the knockdown of
THSD7A
had little effect on these endothelial cell functions but attenuated monocyte adhesion via decreasing the expression of
ICAM
,
L-selectin
, and
ITGB2
. We further showed that inhibiting the expression of
SCML4
exacerbated endothelial dysfunction and vascular remodeling in a rat model with partial carotid ligation.

Conclusions—

We identify 3 novel loci associated with CAD and show that 2 genes,
SCML4
and
THSD7A
, make functional contributions to atherosclerosis. How rs852787 and its host gene
DAB1
are linked to CAD needs further studies.
Hypoxia Triggers SENP1 (Sentrin-Specific Protease 1) Modulation of KLF15 (Kruppel-Like Factor 15) and Transcriptional Regulation of Arg2 (Arginase 2) in Pulmonary Endothelium
Authors: Pandey Deepesh , Nomura Yohei , Rossberg Max C. , Hori Daijiro , Bhatta Anil , Keceli Gizem , Leucker Thorsten , Santhanam Lakshmi , Shimoda Larissa A. , Berkowitz Dan , Romer Lewis 
Published: February 2018

Objective—
KLF15 (Kruppel-like factor 15) has recently been shown to suppress activation of proinflammatory processes that contribute to atherogenesis in vascular smooth muscle, however, the role of KLF15 in vascular endothelial function is unknown. Arginase mediates inflammatory vasculopathy and vascular injury in pulmonary hypertension. Here, we tested the hypothesis that KLF15 is a critical regulator of hypoxia-induced Arg2 (arginase 2) transcription in human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMEC).

Approach and Results—
Quiescent HPMEC express ample amounts of full-length KLF15. HPMECs exposed to 24 hours of hypoxia exhibited a marked decrease in KLF15 protein levels and a reciprocal increase in Arg2 protein and mRNA. Chromatin immunoprecipitation indicated direct binding of KLF15 to the Arg2 promoter, which was relieved with HPMEC exposure to hypoxia. Furthermore, overexpression of KLF15 in HPMEC reversed hypoxia-induced augmentation of Arg2 abundance and arginase activity and rescued nitric oxide (NO) production. Ectopic KLF15 also reversed hypoxia-induced endothelium-mediated vasodilatation in isolated rat pulmonary artery rings. Mechanisms by which hypoxia regulates KLF15 abundance, stability, and compartmentalization to the nucleus in HPMEC were then investigated. Hypoxia triggered deSUMOylation of KLF15 by SENP1 (sentrin-specific protease 1), and translocation of KLF15 from nucleus to cytoplasm.

Conclusions—
KLF15 is a critical regulator of pulmonary endothelial homeostasis via repression of endothelial Arg2 expression. KLF15 abundance and nuclear compartmentalization are regulated by SUMOylation/deSUMOylation—a hypoxia-sensitive process that is controlled by SENP1. Strategies including overexpression of KLF15 or inhibition of SENP1 may represent novel therapeutic targets for pulmonary hypertension.
John Gill and the History of Redemption as Mere Shadow
Authors: Rathel David Mark 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
John Gill was an influential minister and theologian of the eighteenth century. Deeply influenced by the Reformed tradition, he made significant innovation to the doctrine of the covenant of redemption. Current surveys of his theology have unfortunately not adequately explored this innovation. The primary cause of this failure is a lack of attention to Gill’s historical context, a context shaped by doctrinal antinomianism and no-offer Calvinism. This article will contextualize Gill’s thought and provide a more accurate reading of his covenant theology by arguing that he offered a unique construction of the covenant of redemption that radically minimized human agency in the reception of salvation.
Demographic life history traits in a population of a critically endangered species, Darevskia dryada (Darevsky & Tuniyev, 1997)
Authors: Altunışık Abdullah , Eksilmez Halit 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
Knowing the age structure of endangered species is important in order to contribute to future conservation studies for such species. In this context, we investigated age structure, age at sexual maturity, potential reproductive lifespan and longevity in a population of the Charnali lizard, Darevskia dryada, an endangered species from Turkey. The results show that the Charnali lizard has a longer life span than other lizards of the genus Darevskia that live in the same region. We estimated that these lizards attain their sexual maturity at the age of one or two years and the potential reproductive life span for males and females is six and five years, respectively. As in many other lizards, the Charnali lizard exhibited a low-level male-biased sexual dimorphism in terms of increased size. We believe that this study, in which prior information related to the Charnali lizard is shared, will contribute to future conservation activities for this critically endangered species.
Quantification of 10 steroid hormones in human saliva from Chinese adult volunteers
Authors: Liu Jian , Qiu Xuemei , Wang Daoming , Li Yantao , Zong Yang , Liu Yichen , Zhang Yue , Yang Ping , Zuo Yong , Yang Huanming , Wang Jian , Du Yutao , Zi Jin 
Published: February 2018

Objective This study was performed to investigate the effects of age and sex on 10 salivary steroid hormones and analyze the correlations between salivary and plasma hormones. Methods The concentrations of 10 salivary steroid hormones in 1090 Chinese adult volunteers were examined using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, and a related investigation was performed on the concentrations of salivary hormones in this population. Results The concentrations of androstenedione (A4), 17α-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), aldosterone (ALD), cortisone (COR), corticosterone (CORT), cortisol (F), progesterone (P), and testosterone were significantly different between men and women (Student’s t-test). Differences in 17-OHP and ALD concentrations were highly significant between women in the follicular and luteal phases of their menstrual cycle (Student’s t-test). Five salivary steroid hormones (17-OHP, A4, CORT, COR, and F) significantly decreased with increasing age (Kruskal–Wallis test). A high linear correlation between salivary and plasma 17-OHP, P, A4, and F were observed with obvious sex-related differences (Pearson’s correlation, r > 0.7). Conclusions Our results provide important knowledge regarding the descriptive characteristics of salivary hormones in relation to age and sex and their correlations with plasma hormones.
‘Being Urban’ in the Context of Global Urbanization: The Case of India
Authors: Channa Subhadra Mitra 
Published: February 2018

AbstractWestern intellectual sources have dominated the social sciences to an extent that most definitions originate from a Eurocentric meaning system; words like urban, wild, nature, and culture being no exception. This paper interrogates and makes a critical assessment of what urban may mean in a non-western context, taking Delhi, the capital of India, as an example. It demonstrates that the meaning of a phrase, ‘being urban’, can only be understood in its historical, social/cultural, and political context; that the notion of a civil society, and meaning of terms such as public and private may be contextualized in varying moral universes and value systems to mean quite different things in different contexts. Overall the paper seeks to illuminate the futility of monolithic and reductionist constructs and value of situational and ethnographically constructed meanings of social and cultural phenomena. It demonstrates that even dichotomies like urban/non-urban are fuzzy and fluid, given the actual situation of real cities and their population; that a city is not defined by structure alone but by the people who live in it.
A comparative study of a mentalization-based versus a psychodynamic group therapy session
Authors: Kalleklev Jens , Karterud Sigmund 
Published: February 2018

Aims: The purpose of this study was to explore how mentalization-based group therapy (MBT-G) for patients with borderline personality disorder may be both different and similar to a more traditional psychodynamic group psychotherapy approach. Material and methods: The study is a comparative case-study examining a supposedly representative clinical example of MBT-G and a supposedly representative clinical example of a psychodynamic group (PDG). Both groups were composed mainly of patients with borderline personality disorder. The study used a mixed methodological approach with quantitative research methods, including MBT-G Adherence and Quality Scale and Reflective Functioning Scale (RF-scale), and qualitative content analysis. Results: 1) The MBT-G therapists focused consistently on mental states and emotions. This was reflected both in a significantly higher intervention frequency, and in a higher proportion of theoretically assumed mentalizing-promoting interventions. 2) We observed an increase in mentalizing (defined as RF) among some patients in the MBT-G group. In the PDG session, RF development were less systematic, and had lesser impact. 3) Interventions with ‘demand’ characteristics might play an important role in developing a mentalizing group discourse. 4) In both groups, therapists and patients actively structured the sessions, but the MBT-G session more explicitly engaged in ‘meta’ discussions about it, i.e. discussing whether a topic should or should not be put on the agenda. Conclusion: Despite similarities between the approaches, differences in choice of therapeutic focus and consistency suggest that the two methods engage patients in different therapy processes. The results warrant studies that include more sessions in order to validate or falsify the resulting hypotheses.
Economic growth, welfare models and inequality in the context of globalisation
Authors: Tridico Pasquale , Paternesi Meloni Walter 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe recent economic crisis was a test case for many advanced countries to determine the capacity of their socio-economic model to cope with the challenges of globalisation and financial crash. From this perspective, the aim of this article is to explore whether the expansion of the welfare state should be seen as a barrier to economic growth and competitiveness, as ‘neoliberal’ economists often argue, or whether increasing public social provision might contribute to enhancing real income. After a comparative discussion of the evolution of different welfare models in developed countries, we advance our argument that public social spending is not a drain on competitiveness or an obstacle to economic efficiency. On the contrary, we explore the possibility that increasing welfare expenditure can stimulate economic growth along with lowering inequality, while the so-called ‘efficiency thesis’ (according to which globalisation needs to be accompanied by the retrenchment of welfare states in order to promote external competitiveness) produces worse economic performance and higher inequality. As a test of this hypothesis, we analyse empirical data on 34 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries from 1990 to 2013. We use econometric analysis to indicate that the so-called ‘compensation thesis’ (a process whereby globalisation is regulated through expansion of welfare states) may contribute to real income dynamics, while greater income inequality may inhibit per capita gross domestic product growth.