bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
GSK-3β inhibition confers cardioprotection associated with the restoration of mitochondrial function and suppression of endoplasmic reticulum stress in sevoflurane preconditioned rats following ischemia/reperfusion injury
Authors: Wang Yujia , Ge Chunlin , Chen Junfeng , Tang Kun , Liu Jianjun 
Published: July 2018

Background: Sevoflurane has been shown to protect against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in animals, while its cardioprotection is lost if the ischemic insult is too long. In this study, we proposed a prevailing hypothesis that GSK-3β inhibitor-mediated activation of GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway provides additional cardioprotection in sevoflurane preconditioned rats following I/R injury. Methods: Rats were subjected to treatment with TDZD-8, a GSK-3β inhibitor, 5 minutes prior to sevoflurane preconditioning and 30-minute ischemia and 120-minute reperfusion. Furthermore, in order to find out whether this cardioprotection is linked with mitochondrial function and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), we isolated mitochondria from rat hearts perfused with TDZD-8 and determined the alternations of ERS markers. Results: Sevoflurane preconditioning or GSK-3β inhibitor treatment prevented cardiomyocyte apoptosis, phosphorylated GSK-3β and accelerated total β-catenin expression levels, reduced mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) activity, promoted the recovery of mitochondrial membrane potential and decreased the expression levels of GRP78, caspase-12 and C/EBP homology protein (CHOP) in rats under I/R condition, suggesting sevoflurane preconditioning or TDZD-8 activate the GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway, improve mitochondria function and suppress ERS occurrence. Conclusions: Taken together, the findings obtained from the study support the concept that sevoflurane preconditioning confers cardioprotection against myocardial I/R injury and GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling activation mediated by TDZD-8 as a novel target to prolong cardioprotection by sevoflurane anaesthesia.
Gain of function of sporadic/familial hemiplegic migraine-causing SCN1A mutations: Use of an optimized cDNA
Authors: Bertelli Sara , Barbieri Raffaella , Pusch Michael , Gavazzo Paola 
Published: July 2018

Introduction Familial hemiplegic migraine 3 is an autosomal dominant headache disorder associated with aura and transient hemiparesis, caused by mutations of the neuronal voltage-gated sodium channel Nav1.1. While a gain-of function phenotype is generally assumed to underlie familial hemiplegic migraine, this has not been fully explored. Indeed, a major obstacle in studying in vitro neuronal sodium channels is the difficulty in propagating and mutagenizing expression plasmids containing their cDNAs. The aim of this work was to study the functional effect of two previously uncharacterized hemiplegic migraine causing mutations, Leu1670Trp (L1670W) and Phe1774Ser (F1774S). Methods A novel SCN1A containing-plasmid was designed in silico and synthesized, and migraine mutations were inserted in this background. Whole-cell patch clamp was performed to investigate the functional properties of mutant Nav1.1 transiently expressed in Human Embryonic Kidney 293 cells. Results and conclusions We generated an optimized Nav1.1 expression plasmid that was extremely simple to handle and used the novel plasmid to study the functional effects of two migraine mutations. We observed that L1670W, but not F1774S, reduced current density and that both mutations led to a dramatic increase in persistent sodium currents, a depolarizing shift of the steady state-inactivation voltage-dependence, and a faster recovery from inactivation. The results are consistent with a major gain-of function effect underlying familial hemiplegic migraine 3. Our optimization strategy will help to characterize in an efficient manner the effect in vitro of mutations of neuronal voltage-gated sodium channels.
Frontal infrared thermography in healthy individuals and chronic migraine patients: Reliability of the method
Authors: Antonaci Fabio , Rossi Elena , Voiticovschi-Iosob Cristina , Dalla Volta Giorgio , Marceglia Sara 
Published: July 2018

Background The use of frontal infrared thermography in the diagnosis of primary headaches provided scattering results due to measurement fluctuations and different types of headaches or research protocols. Objective This study aims to assess the reliability of frontal infrared thermography in healthy individuals and provide a preliminary evaluation in chronic migraine patients using a commercial infrared thermal camera. Methods Thermographic images were acquired in 20 controls and 15 patients at three consecutive time-points in two daily sessions. The Side Difference and Asymmetry Index parameters were defined. The reproducibility of the measurements, the correlation of Asymmetry Index and Side Difference with clinical evaluations and patient perceptions, and the ability of the parameters to discriminate between patients and controls were investigated. Results We reported a good reproducibility of the measurements (Inter-class Correlation Coefficient > 0.75 and Coefficient of Variation < 13.4%), independent from external factors. The Side Difference was significantly different between patients and controls (  p < 0.001). The Asymmetry Index showed good correlation with the side of unilateral pain (  p = 0.0056). Conclusions Frontal infrared thermography can be used to quantify the difference between the right and the left side of frontal vascular changes in chronic migraine patients, provided that standardized conditions are satisfied.
Free Markets and the Decline of Democracy
Authors: Weeks John 
Published: July 2018

Well into the twenty-first century, it is difficult to find a major country in which democratic institutions are not under stress, in many cases under aggressive attack. In the United States, the government has fallen under the control of a profoundly antidemocratic regime. In Europe, long-standing authoritarian tendencies have enjoyed a quantum leap under the neoliberal austerity regime fostered by the German government with the cover of the European Commission. This paper discusses the source of this near universal twenty-first-century tendency to authoritarianism. JEL Classification: A13, B52
An Exploration of Barriers Facing Physicians in Diagnosing and Treating Obesity
Authors: Hite Ashley , Victorson David , Elue Rita , Plunkett Beth A. 
Published: July 2018

Purpose: To determine whether primary care physicians can accurately assess body mass index (BMI) by visual inspection and to assess barriers related to the diagnosis and management of obesity. Design: Prospective Survey Study. Setting: Hospitals and Clinics. Subjects: Primary care providers in the fields of Internal Medicine, Family Medicine and Obstetrics/Gynecology. Measures: Measures investigated included providers visual assessment of BMI, BMI knowledge, diagnosis and management of obese patients, and perceived barriers to treatment. Analysis: Top and bottom quartiles and total scores were determined for responses regarding the reported management of obesity, reported comfort with care, and reported barriers to care and used as the cut point. Statistical analyses were utilized to examine relations and compare groups. Results: 206 (74%) of the 280 eligible providers completed the survey. The accuracy of visual assessment of BMI was 52%. Physicians were more likely to underestimate BMI than overestimate (36% ± 4% vs 12% ± 6%, respectively, P < .001). Although 91% of providers report routinely calculating BMI, only 61% routinely discuss BMI. Providers feel comfortable providing exercise (72%) and dietary counseling (61%). However, fewer are comfortable prescribing medical (16.4%) and surgical options (36%). Conclusion: Visual assessment of BMI is not reliable. Primary care physicians in our study population do not consistently discuss obesity with their patients and many report insufficient knowledge with regard to treatment options. Further studies are needed to determine whether these results are valid for other physicians in various practice settings and to mid-level providers. In addition, research is needed that investigate how collaboration with providers outside the medical field could reduce the burden on physicians in treating patients with overweight or obesity.
Enrollment Strategies, Barriers to Participation, and Reach of a Workplace Intervention Targeting Sedentary Behavior
Authors: Mullane Sarah L. , Rydell Sarah A. , Larouche Miranda L. , Toledo Meynard John L. , Feltes Linda H. , Vuong Brenna , Crespo Noe C. , Gaesser Glenn A. , Estabrooks Paul A. , Pereira Mark A. , Buman Matthew P. 
Published: July 2018

Purpose: To review enrollment strategies, participation barriers, and program reach of a large, 2-year workplace intervention targeting sedentary behavior. Approach: Cross-sectional, retrospective review. Setting: Twenty-four worksites balanced across academic, industry, and government sectors in Minneapolis/Saint Paul (Minnesota) and Phoenix (Arizona) regions. Participants: Full-time (≥30+ h/wk), sedentary office workers. Methods: Reach was calculated as the proportion of eligible employees who enrolled in the intervention ([N enrolled/(proportion of eligible employees × N total employees)] × 100). Mean (1 standard deviation) and median worksite sizes were calculated at each enrollment step. Participation barriers and modifications were recorded by the research team. A survey was sent to a subset of nonparticipants (N = 57), and thematic analyses were conducted to examine reasons for nonparticipation, positive impacts, and negative experiences. Results: Employer reach was 65% (56 worksites invited to participate; 66% eligible of 56 responses; 24 enrolled). Employee reach was 58% (1317 invited to participate, 83% eligible of 906 responses; 632 enrolled). Postrandomization, on average, 59% (15%) of the worksites participated. Eighteen modifications were developed to overcome participant-, context-, and research-related participation barriers. Conclusion: A high proportion of worksites and employees approached to participate in a sedentary behavior reduction intervention engaged in the study. Interventions that provide flexible enrollment, graded participant engagement options, and adopt a participant-centered approach may facilitate workplace intervention success.
Evaluation of Mental Health First Aid USA Using the Mental Health Beliefs and Literacy Scale
Authors: Banh My K. , Chaikind Jeremy , Robertson Hillary A. , Troxel Mary , Achille Justine , Egan Caroline , Anthony Bruno J. 
Published: July 2018

Purpose: This study assessed the impact of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) in the United States with a theoretically based and psychometrically sound measure, the Mental Health Beliefs and Literacy Scale (MBLS). Design: Online MBLS surveys were administered pre-MHFA training, 3-weeks post-training, and 6-months posttraining. Setting: Mental Health First Aid trainings carried out across the United States. Participants: Six hundred sixty-two trainees were contacted, and 273 (41%) completed the presurvey. Of those, 63% filled out the postsurvey and 35% completed the 6-month survey. Seventy-six individuals completed all 3 surveys. Intervention: Mental Health First Aid is an 8-hour education program to help the general public identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness and substance abuse; to date, almost 1 million people have been trained. Measure: The MLBS, based on the Unified Theory of Behavior Change framework, consists of attitudinal, social-, and skill-based constructs affecting the intention to perform and achievement of MHFA actions and reports of their actual completion. Analysis: Change across time points was assessed using multivariate repeated measures analysis of variance. Results: Significant short- and longer term changes were found in internally consistent constructs tapping positive beliefs about MHFA actions, the confidence and intention to perform them as well as mental health literacy. Conclusion: The MBLS documented strong positive effects of MHFA training that were greater in individuals without prior mental health training, the intended targets of MHFA efforts.
Eating-Related and Psychological Outcomes of Health at Every Size Intervention in Health and Social Services Centers Across the Province of Québec
Authors: Bégin Catherine , Carbonneau Elise , Gagnon-Girouard Marie-Pierre , Mongeau Lyne , Paquette Marie-Claude , Turcotte Mylène , Provencher Véronique 
Published: July 2018

Purpose: To report the outcomes of a Health at Every Size (HAES) intervention in a real-world setting. Design: Quasi-experimental design evaluating eating behaviors and psychological factors. Setting: The HAES intervention is offered in Health and Social Services Centers in Québec (Canada). Participants: For this study, 216 women (body mass index [BMI]: 35.76 [6.80] kg/m2) who participated to the HAES intervention were compared to 110 women (BMI: 34.56 [7.30] kg/m2) from a comparison group. Intervention: The HAES intervention is composed of 14 weekly meetings provided by health professionals. It focuses on healthy lifestyle, self-acceptance, and intuitive eating. Measures: Eating behaviors (ie, flexible restraint, rigid restraint, disinhibition, susceptibility to hunger, intuitive eating, and obsessive-compulsive eating) and psychological correlates (ie, body esteem, self-esteem, and depression) were assessed using validated questionnaires at baseline, postintervention, and 1-year follow-up. Analysis: Group, time, and interaction effects analyzed with mixed models. Results: Significant group by time interactions were found for flexible restraint ( P = .0400), disinhibition ( P < .0001), susceptibility to hunger ( P < .0001), intuitive eating ( P < .0001), obsessive–compulsive eating ( P < .0001), body-esteem ( P < .0001), depression ( P = .0057), and self-esteem ( P < .0001), where women in the HAES group showed greater improvements than women in the comparison group at short and/or long term. Conclusion: The evaluation of this HAES intervention in a real-life context showed its effectiveness in improving eating-, weight-, and psychological-related variables among women struggling with weight and body image.
Description of Mandibular Improvements in a Series of Infants With Congenital Muscular Torticollis and Deformational Plagiocephaly Treated With Physical Therapy
Authors: Fenton Regina , Gaetani Susan , MacIsaac Zoe , Ludwick Eric , Grunwaldt Lorelei 
Published: July 2018

Background: Many infants with congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) have deformational plagiocephaly (DP), and a small cohort also demonstrate mandibular asymmetry (MA). The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate mandibular changes in these infants with previous computed tomography (CT) scans who underwent physical therapy (PT) to treat CMT. Methods: A retrospective study included patients presenting to a pediatric plastic surgery clinic from December 2010 to June 2012 with CMT, DP, and MA. A small subset of these patients initially received a 3D CT scan due to concern for craniosynostosis. An even smaller subset of these patients subsequently received a second 3D CT scan to evaluate for late-onset craniosynostosis. Patients were treated with PT for at least 4 months for CMT. Initial CT scans were retrospectively compared to subsequent CT scans to determine ramal height asymmetry changes. Clinical documentation was reviewed for evidence of MA changes, CMT improvement, and duration of PT. Results: Ten patients met inclusion criteria. Ramal height ratio (affected/unaffected) on initial CT was 0.87, which significantly improved on subsequent CT to 0.93 ( P < .05). None of the patients were diagnosed with craniosynostosis on initial CT. One patient was diagnosed with late-onset coronal craniosynostosis on subsequent CT. Conclusions: We identified a small cohort of infants with MA, CMT, and DP. These patients uniformly demonstrated decreased ramal height ipsilateral to the affected sternocleidomastoid muscle. Ramal asymmetry measured by ramal height ratios improved in all infants undergoing PT.
Shelter housing for cats: Practical aspects of design and construction, and adaptation of existing accommodation
Authors: Wagner Denae , Hurley Kate , Stavisky Jenny 
Published: July 2018

Practical relevance: Not every cat shelter will have purpose-built accommodation but housing designed with the basic needs of cats in mind, whether purpose-built or adapted from existing housing, will improve the experience of cats passing through the facility. Challenges: Designing and building accommodation for cats in shelters should be a thoughtful process. There is a range of different housing types available. A variety of factors, such as expected length of stay, type of cat, cost and disease risk, will influence which design is most appropriate. Aims: This review, the second in a two-part series, provides an overview of some of the essential requirements for housing shelter cats, either singly or in groups. Specific practical aspects of housing, including design, space allowances, cage furnishings and suitable construction materials, are discussed, and suggestions made for upgrading existing housing where extensive rebuilding is not feasible or realistic. Evidence base: There is a relatively small body of empirical evidence to inform shelter design recommendations. The recommendations in this article are based on a careful review of the available evidence, some of which has come from allied fields such as the care of experimental animals. Where evidence is not yet available, recommendations have been based on field experience and collective expert opinion.
AAFP Feline Anesthesia Guidelines
Authors: Robertson Sheilah A , Gogolski Susan M , Pascoe Peter , Shafford Heidi L , Sager Jennifer , Griffenhagen Gregg M 
Published: July 2018

Aim: The overarching purpose of the AAFP Anesthesia Guidelines (hereafter referred to as the ‘Guidelines’) is to make anesthesia and sedation safer for the feline patient. Scope and accessibility: It is noteworthy that these are the first exclusively feline anesthesia guidelines authored by an expert panel, making them particularly useful as an extensively referenced, practical resource for veterinary practice teams. Because much of the key content is presented in tabular or visual format, the Guidelines have a high level of accessibility and convenience that invites regular usage. While the recommendations in the Guidelines focus primarily on client-owned cats, the content is also applicable to community-sourced animals with an unknown medical history.
Establishing thresholds for metal ion levels in patients with bilateral Articular Surface Replacement hip arthroplasty
Authors: Donahue Gabrielle S , Galea Vincent P , Laaksonen Inari , Connelly James W. , Muratoglu Orhun , Malchau Henrik 
Published: July 2018

Introduction: The primary aim of the current study was to determine whether metal ion levels could identify well- from poorly-functioning implants in patients after undergoing bilateral Articular Surface Replacement (ASR) Hip System. The secondary aim was to establish threshold values for Co and Cr that could be used to predict clinical problems in these patients. Materials and methods: The study included 125 patients treated with bilateral ASR hip resurfacing (HRA) and 93 patients treated with bilateral ASR XL total hip arthroplasty (THA) at a mean follow-up of 7.1 years post-surgery. Patients were labelled as well- or poorly-functioning based on strict criteria. We calculated the Co and Cr safe upper ion limits (SUL) for ASR HRA and ASR XL THA separately and assessed these cutoffs ability to predict clinical problems. Results: In patients with bilateral ASR HRA, the well-functioning group had lower ions than the poorly-functioning. In ASR THA patients, there was no difference in blood Co or Cr levels between well- and poorly-functioning implant groups ( p = 0.118 and p = 0.379, respectively). Both Co and Cr could effectively discriminate between well-functioning and poorly-functioning ASR HRA implants ( p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively), but not for ASR THA implants ( p = 0.118 and p = 0.564, respectively). SULs of 4.0 ppb for Co and 4.0 ppb for Cr could differentiate between well- and poorly-functioning implants with high specificity. Conclusions: Metal ion levels are a more reliable tool in MoM HRA than THA when discriminating well- from poorly-functioning implants in bilateral patients. For patients treated with bilateral ASR HRA, ion levels above 4.0 ppb are highly specific for the detection of clinical problems.
Cardiac Injuries at Estonian Major Trauma Facilities: A 23-year Perspective
Authors: Einberg M. , Saar S. , Seljanko A. , Lomp A. , Lepner U. , Talving P. 
Published: July 2018

Background and Aims: Cardiac injuries are highly lethal lesions following trauma and most of the patients decease in pre-hospital settings. However, studies on cardiac trauma in Estonia are scarce. Thus, we set out to study cardiac injuries admitted to Estonian major trauma facilities during 23 years of Estonian independence. Materials and Methods: After the ethics review board approval, all consecutive patients with cardiac injuries per ICD-9 (861.0 and 861.1) and ICD-10 codes (S.26) admitted to the major trauma facilities between 1 January 1993 and 31 July 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Cardiac contusions were excluded. Data collected included demographics, injury profile, and in-hospital outcomes. Primary outcome was mortality. Secondary outcomes were cardiac injury profile and hospital length of stay. Results: During the study period, 37 patients were included. Mean age was 33.1 ± 12.0 years and 92% were male. Penetrating and blunt trauma accounted for 89% and 11% of the cases, respectively. Thoracotomy and sternotomy rates for cardiac repair were 80% and 20%, respectively. Most frequently injured cardiac chamber was left ventricle at 49% followed by right ventricle, right atrium, and left atrium at 34%, 17%, and 3% of the patients, respectively. Multi-chamber injury was observed at 5% of the cases. Overall hospital length of stay was 13.5 ± 16.7 days. Overall mortality was 22% (n = 8) with uniformly fatal outcomes following left atrial and multi-chamber injuries. Conclusion: Overall, 37 patients with cardiac injuries were hospitalized to national major trauma facilities during the 23-year study period. The overall in-hospital mortality was 22% comparing favorably with previous reports. Risk factors for mortality were initial Glasgow Coma Scale < 9, pre-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and alcohol intoxication.