bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic role ofCYP4A11polymorphisms in the risk of developing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases
Authors: Yu Kuiying , Zhang Tao , Li Xuhua 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBackgroundWe are interested in comprehensively evaluating the potential genetic influence of rs9332978 A/G, rs1126742 T/C, and rs9333025 G/A polymorphisms ofCYP4A11(cytochrome P450 family 4, subfamily A, member 11) in the risk of developing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.MethodsA meta‐analysis was carried out using articles obtained from online databases and Stata/SE 12.0 software. We primarily used aPvalue of association test (Passociation) and odds ratios (OR) to assess the genetic relationships.ResultsWe included 22 eligible case‐control articles for our meta‐analysis. For the overall meta‐analysis of the rs9332978 A/G polymorphism, there was an increased risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in cases under the models of allele G vs. A (Passociation = 0.001, OR = 1.16), AG vs. AA (Passociation < 0.001, OR = 1.22), and AG+GG vs. AA (Passociation < 0.001, OR = 1.22) compared with the controls. There were similar results in the subgroup analysis of “hypertension” (Passociation = 0.024 for the allele model;Passociation = 0.003 for the heterozygote model; andPassociation = 0.005 for the dominant model). For rs1126742, there was a significant difference between cases and controls in the overall meta‐analysis and subgroup of “Caucasian,” “hypertension,” and “population‐based (PB)” under all of the genetic models (allPassociation < 0.05, OR > 1). Furthermore, a decreased risk was detected in the overall and “PB” subgroup meta‐analysis of rs9333025 under the models of A vs. G, AA vs. GG, and AA vs. GG+GA (allPassociation < 0.05, OR < 1).ConclusionThe rs1126742 T/C polymorphism ofCYP4A11is more likely to be a genetic risk factor for the hypertension cases in the Caucasian population. Moreover, whereas the AG genotype ofCYP4A11rs9332978 may be associated with an increased risk of hypertension, the AA genotype of rs9333025 may be linked to a decreased risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
Therapeutic doses of neostigmine, depolarising neuromuscular blockade and muscle weakness in awake volunteers: a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, randomised volunteer study
Authors: Kent N. B. , Liang S. S. , Phillips S. , Smith N. A. , Khandkar C. , Eikermann M. , Stewart P. A. 
Published: August 2018

SummaryNeostigmine reverses non‐depolarising neuromuscular blockade, but may cause muscle weakness when administered after full recovery of neuromuscular function. We hypothesised that neostigmine in therapeutic doses impairs muscle strength and respiratory function in awake healthy volunteers. Twenty‐one volunteers were randomised to receive two doses of either intravenous (i.v.) neostigmine 2.5 mg with glycopyrrolate 450 μg (neostigmine group, n = 14) or normal saline 0.9% (placebo group, n = 7). The first dose was administered immediately after obtaining baseline measurements, and the second dose was administered 15 min later. All 14 volunteers in the neostigmine group received the first dose, mean (SD) 35 (5.8) μg.kg−1, but only nine of these volunteers agreed to receive the second dose, 34 (3.5) ?g.kg‐1. The primary outcome was hand grip strength. Secondary outcomes were train‐of‐four ratio, single twitch height, forced expiratory volume in 1 s, forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity ratio, oxygen saturation, heart rate and mean arterial pressure. The first dose of intravenous neostigmine with glycopyrrolate resulted in reduced grip strength compared with placebo, −20 (20) % vs. +4.3 (9.9) %, p = 0.0016; depolarising neuromuscular blockade with decreased single twitch height, −14 (11) % vs. −3.8 (5.6) %, p = 0.0077; a restrictive spirometry pattern with decreased predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s, −15 (12) % vs. −0.47 (3.4) %, p = 0.0011; and predicted forced vital capacity, −20 (12) % vs. −0.59 (3.2) %, p < 0.0001 at 5 min after administration. The second dose of neostigmine with glycopyrrolate further decreased grip strength mean (SD) −41 (23) % vs. +1.0 (15) %, p = 0.0004; single twitch height −25 (15) % vs. −2.5 (6.6) %, p = 0.0030; predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s −23 (24) % vs. −0.7 (4.4) %, p = 0.0063; and predicted forced vital capacity, −27.1 (22.0) % vs. −0.66 (3.9) %, p = 0.0010. Train‐of‐four ratio remained unchanged (p = 0.22). In healthy volunteers, therapeutic doses of neostigmine induced significant and dose‐dependent muscle weakness, demonstrated by a decrease in maximum voluntary hand grip strength and a restrictive spirometry pattern secondary to depolarising neuromuscular blockade.
An investigation on the influence of yogic methods on heart rate variability
Authors: Senthilnathan Sengottuvel , Patel Rajesh , Narayanan Mariyappa , Katholil Gireesan , Janawadkar Madhukar Pandurang Rao , Radhakrishnan Thimmakudy Sambasiva , Sharma Krishna K. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe role of underlying mechanisms of yogic strategies which exert beneficiary effects on cardiac autonomic control is poorly understood. We have performed heart rate variability (HRV) analysis on subjects performing yogic methods and control subjects who mimic them through paced breathing and focused attention tasks using external cues.MethodsHeart rate (HR) time series is generated from electrocardiogram measured from subjects of yogic group (YG); performing yogic practices (n = 15), paced breathing group (PBG); involved in breathing exercises cued at breathing rates (BR) from 3 to 15 cycles per minute (cpm) (n = 23), normal breathing group (NBG) under regular breathing (n = 15), and subjects performing three different cognitive tasks designated as focused attention group (FAG), (n = 24). HRV is analyzed using coherence plots, spectrograms, HRV parameters, and instantaneous frequency recurrence plots (IFRP).ResultsHRV is similar among YG and PBG (at BR <12 cpm) and significantly different for YG vs. NBG (p < 0.001) and PBG vs. NBG (p < 0.001). Regularity of breathing oscillations observed in HR is quantified using IFRP and is identical among FAG, PBG, and YG and significantly different for YG vs. NBG (p < 0.01), PBG vs. NBG (p < 0.01), and FAG vs. NBG (p < 0.05).ConclusionsLow‐frequency breathing (BR <12 cpm) plays a primary role in eliciting physiologically significant changes in HRV. By identifying a similarity in breathing oscillations of HR of FAG, YG, and PBG, the results recognize the coexistence of attention and breathing strategies and postulate their joint role in sustaining autonomic benefits, while effects induced by breathing alone on HRV could be attained even intermittently.
A mixed‐methods evaluation of continuous electronic fetal monitoring for an extended period
Authors: Crawford Alexandra , Anyadi Patrick , Stephens Louise , Thomas Suzanne L. , Reid Holly , Higgins Lucy E. , Warrander Lynne K. , Johnstone Edward D. , Heazell Alexander E. P. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIntroductionContinuous fetal monitoring is used to objectively record the fetal heart rate and fetal activity over an extended period of time; however, its feasibility and acceptability to women is currently unknown. The study addressed the hypothesis that continuous fetal monitoring is feasible and acceptable to pregnant women.Material and methodsPregnant participants (n = 22) were monitored using a continuous fetal electrocardiography device, the Monica AN24. Signal quality, duration of recording and cardiotocography findings were correlated with maternal and fetal factors. Participants’ change in anxiety before and after monitoring was assessed using validated questionnaires. Participants’ experiences were explored through a questionnaire (n = 20) and semi‐structured interview (n = 13).ResultsRecordings were successfully obtained in 19 of the 22 participants (86.3%). The mean recording quality of fetal heart rate was 69.0% (range 17.4%‐99.4%) and maternal heart rate was 99.0% (90.9%‐100.0%). Recording quality was positively correlated with gestational age (P = 0.05) and negatively correlated with uterine activity and maternal movement (P < 0.001). Overall, participants were satisfied with their experience of continuous fetal monitoring; 30% considered it preferable to intermittent monitoring. Continuous fetal monitoring did not significantly increase maternal anxiety, with a trend towards a reduction in Pregnancy Specific Anxiety score (P = 0.07). Qualitative analysis grouped women’s responses into three themes: (a) reassurance and anxiety, (b) the physical device and (c) future developments in continuous fetal monitoring.ConclusionsContinuous fetal monitoring is a feasible and acceptable form of monitoring to pregnant women although further practical improvements could be incorporated. Further research is required to assess the ability of continuous fetal monitoring to detect fetal compromise.
Evaluation of Two Femoral Arterial Cannulae With Conventional Non‐Pulsatile and Alternative Pulsatile Flow in a Simulated Adult ECLS Circuit
Authors: Wang Shigang , Force Madison , Kunselman Allen R. , Brehm Christoph , Ündar Akif 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe objective of this study is to evaluate the hemodynamic characteristics of two femoral arterial cannulae in terms of circuit pressure, pressure drop, and hemodynamic energy transmission under non‐pulsatile and pulsatile modes in a simulated adult extracorporeal life support (ECLS) system. The ECLS circuit consisted of i‐cor diagonal pump and console (Xenios AG, Heilbronn, Germany), an iLA membrane ventilator (Xenios AG), an 18 Fr or 16 Fr femoral arterial cannula (Xenios AG), and a 23/25 Fr Estech remote access perfusion (RAP) femoral venous cannula (San Ramon, CA, USA). The circuit was primed with lactated Ringer’s solution and packed red blood cells to achieve a hematocrit of 35%. All trials were conducted at room temperature with flow rates of 1–4 L/min (1 L/min increments). The pulsatile flow settings were set at pulsatile frequency of 75 bpm and pulsatile amplitudes of 1000–4000 rpm (1000 rpm increments). Flow and pressure data were collected using a custom data acquisition system. Total hemodynamic energy (THE) is calculated by multiplying the ratio between the area under the hemodynamic power curve (∫flow × pressure dt) and the area under the pump flow curve (∫flow dt) by 1332. The pressure drop across the arterial cannula increased with increasing flow rate and decreasing cannula size. The pressure drops of 18 Fr and 16 Fr cannulae were 19.4–24.5 and 38.4–45.3 mm Hg at 1 L/min, 55.2–56.8 and 110.9–118.3 mm Hg at 2 L/min, 94.1–105.1 and 209.7–215.1 mm Hg at 3 L/min, and 169.2–172.6 and 376.4 mm Hg at 4 L/min, respectively. Pulsatile flow created more hemodynamic energy than non‐pulsatile flow, especially at lower flow rates. The percentages of THE loss across 18 Fr and 16 Fr cannula were 16.0–18.7 and 27.5–30.8% at 1 L/min, 35.1–35.7 and 52.3–53.8% at 2 L/min, 48.3–50.3 and 67.3–68.4% at 3 L/min and 62.9–63.1 and 79.0% at 4 L/min. The hemodynamic performance of the arterial cannula should be evaluated before use in clinical practice. The pressure drops and percentages of THE loss across two cannulae tested using human blood were higher compared to the manufacturer’s data tested using water. The cannula size should be chosen to match the expected flow rate. In addition, this novel i‐cor ECLS system can provide non‐pulsatile and ECG‐synchronized pulsatile flow without significantly increasing the cannula pressure drop and hemodynamic energy loss.
Laparoscopic high anterior resection for triple colorectal cancers with persistent ascending and descending mesocolons: A case report
Authors: Hisano Kyoko , Ueki Takashi , Kono Hiroshi , Ikenaga Naoki , Maeyama Ryo , Konomi Hiroyuki , Okido Masayuki , Yamashita Nobuaki , Motoshita Junichi , Ichimiya Hitoshi 
Published: August 2018

AbstractPersistent mesocolon is an embryological anomaly of the colon resulting from failure of the primitive dorsal mesocolon to fuse with the parietal peritoneum. We herein present a case of laparoscopic high anterior resection for triple colorectal cancers with persistent ascending and descending mesocolons and a right‐bound inferior mesenteric artery. Preoperative 3‐D CT demonstrated that the sigmoid colon had shifted to the right abdomen and was located under the ascending colon. Moreover, the inferior mesenteric artery and vein traveled toward the right abdomen accompanied by the mesentery of the descending colon. Adhesiolysis between the ascending and sigmoid colon was initially performed, and the sigmoid colon was placed in its normal position. The inferior mesenteric artery was then divided with lymph node dissection using a medial approach, and high anterior resection was completed. An understanding of the anatomical characteristics of persistent mesocolon is important to ensure safe laparoscopic surgery.
Learning curve for single‐incision laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair
Authors: Wakasugi Masaki , Nakahara Yujiro , Hirota Masaki , Matsumoto Takashi , Kusu Takashi , Takemoto Hiroyoshi , Takachi Ko , Oshima Satoshi 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIntroductionThe learning curve for totally extraperitoneal repair (TEP) is longer and steeper than that for transabdominal preperitoneal repair (TAPP) due to the preperitoneal view to which the surgeon is not accustomed and the limited working space. The aim of this study was to clarify the learning curve for SILS‐TEP.MethodsA retrospective analysis of 80 consecutive patients with unilateral inguinal hernia was performed. All patients underwent elective SILS‐TEP performed by a single learning surgeon with a teaching assistant between July 2016 and March 2018 at Kinki Central Hospital.ResultsThe operative time decreased gradually after 20 cases and stabilized after 40 cases. The first 40 cases were categorized as the learning period group, and the remaining 40 cases were categorized as the experienced period group. More patients received antithrombotic therapy in the experienced period than in the learning period (P < 0.05). The median operative time was 107 and 60 min in the learning period and the experienced period, respectively (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in blood loss peritoneal injury, conversion to a different procedure, postoperative hospital stay, complications, and recurrence between the two groups. No major complications or hernia recurrence were noted during follow‐up.ConclusionsThe learning curve for SILS‐TEP might take 40 cases to reduce the operative time. SILS‐TEP can be performed safely by a learning surgeon with a teaching assistant.
Precaution, threshold risk and public deliberation
Authors: Holm Sune 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIt has been argued that the precautionary principle is incoherent and thus useless as a guide for regulatory policy. In a recent paper in Bioethics, Wareham and Nardini propose a response to the ‘precautionary paradox’ according to which the precautionary principle's usefulness for decision making in policy and regulation contexts can be justified by appeal to a probability threshold discriminating between negligible and non‐negligible risks. It would be of great significance to debates about risk and precaution if there were a sound method for determining a minimum probability threshold of negligible risk. This is what Wareham and Nardini aim to do. The novelty of their approach is that they suggest that such a threshold should be determined by a method of public deliberation. In this article I discuss the merits of Wareham and Nardini’s public deliberation method for determining thresholds. I raise an epistemic worry about the public deliberation method they suggest, and argue that their proposal is inadequate due to a hidden assumption that the acceptability of a risk can be completely analysed in terms of its probability.
On Doubly Robust Estimation of the Hazard Difference
Authors: Dukes Oliver , Martinussen Torben , Tchetgen Tchetgen Eric J. , Vansteelandt Stijn 
Published: August 2018

Summary
The estimation of conditional treatment effects in an observational study with a survival outcome typically involves fitting a hazards regression model adjusted for a high-dimensional covariate. Standard estimation of the treatment effect is then not entirely satisfactory, as the misspecification of the effect of this covariate may induce a large bias. Such misspecification is a particular concern when inferring the hazard difference, because it is difficult to postulate additive hazards models that guarantee non-negative hazards over the entire observed covariate range. We therefore consider a novel class of semiparametric additive hazards models which leave the effects of covariates unspecified. The efficient score under this model is derived. We then propose two different estimation approaches for the hazard difference (and hence also the relative chance of survival), both of which yield estimators that are doubly robust. The approaches are illustrated using simulation studies and data on right heart catheterization and mortality from the SUPPORT study.
Anticipated and imagined futures: prospective cognition and depressed mood following brain injury
Authors: Murphy Fionnuala C. , Peers Polly V. , Blackwell Simon E. , Holmes Emily A. , Manly Tom 
Published: August 2018

ObjectivesDepression, which is common following acquired brain injury (ABI), has been shown to predict cognitive impairment, rehabilitation outcome, and quality of life. Whilst many studies have examined links between depression and cognitive–affective processing in the non‐ABI population, their applicability to this important clinical group, where cognitive difficulties can be marked, remains unknown. Here, we investigated biases in prospective cognition, which is known to be disrupted in (non‐ABI) depression yet important for well‐being.DesignCross‐sectional design with three groups (depressed ABI, non‐depressed ABI, and non‐ABI control participants). Continuous data were additionally analysed in correlation analyses.MethodsIndividuals with ABI varying in extent of self‐reported depression and matched non‐ABI control participants completed assessments of mood and prospective cognition (anticipating and imagining future events), alongside background tests of executive function and fluid intelligence.ResultsRelative to non‐depressed ABI and control participants, depressed ABI individuals demonstrated a reduced positive bias in prospective cognition: whereas non‐depressed ABI and control participants generated more examples of likely or possible positive versus negative future events, there was no evidence for such a positive bias in depressed ABI participants. Non‐depressed ABI and control participants also reported more vivid mental imagery for positive versus negative future scenarios, whereas such a pattern was not evident in depressed ABI participants. This pattern emerged despite background impairments in fluid intelligence and executive function associated with ABI.ConclusionsThese findings (1) elucidate depression‐linked cognitive–affective processes following ABI, where cognitive difficulties are common, and (2) highlight psychological processes associated with depression that are common to ABI and non‐ABI populations.Practitioner points

Clinical implications

A relative negative bias in future‐directed cognition is associated with depressed mood in individuals with chronic ABI.

Such processes may contribute to the onset and maintenance of depression following ABI.

These findings suggest it may be important to consider a role for prospective cognition in psychological interventions for depression following ABI.

Limitations of the study

The extent to which depressed mood following ABI is associated with biases in other cognitive domains remains unclear.

Whether similar patterns would be observed in acute patients with more profound cognitive difficulties requires further investigation.

Despite large effect sizes, our sample size is modest; these effects thus require replication in larger groups.
Earth surface modeling for education: How effective is it? Four semesters of classroom tests with WILSIM‐GC
Authors: Luo Wei , Smith Thomas J. , Whalley Kyle , Darling Andrew , Ormand Carol , Hung Wei‐Chen , Chiang Jui‐Ling , Pelletier Jon , Duffin Kirk 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThis paper presents results from a randomized experimental design replicated over four semesters that compared students’ performance in understanding landform evolution processes as measured by the pretest to posttest score growth between two treatment methods: an online interactive simulation tool and a paper‐based exercise. While both methods were shown to be effective at enhancing students’ learning of the landform concepts and processes, there was no statistically significant difference in score growth between the two instructional methods. However, the attitudinal survey indicated that students consistently favored the simulation approach over the paper‐based exercise. With the simulation method, female students showed greater score growth than males, especially for test items requiring higher level thinking. This indicates that the visually rich interactive simulation tool may be integrated to better support female students’ learning in geoscience. Science major students generally outperformed non‐science major students in terms of score growth, which suggests that background knowledge played an important role in realizing the potential of computer modeling in enhancing students’ learning. Sufficient scaffolding is necessary to maximize the effect of interactive earth surface modeling in geoscience education.
Community detection with opinion leaders’ identification for promoting collaborative problem‐based learning performance
Authors: Chen Chih‐Ming , You Zong‐Lin 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIn the 21st century when knowledge‐based economy is emphasized, the cultivation of autonomous learning and problem‐solving abilities presents the importance. With web‐based collaborative problem‐based learning (CPBL), learners could more conveniently cultivate their problem‐solving abilities through autonomous learning. Nevertheless, learners are often guided to solve a target problem by the information announced by teachers during the CPBL processes. Individual learners often could not effectively absorb such standard information, thus ignoring the important information from teachers. In the information communication theory, the two‐step flow of communication through opinion leaders has been proved that it can better change audiences’ attitudes than the one‐step flow of communication through mass media. This study thus employs the modularity Q function as the fitness function of genetic algorithm to optimally detect learning communities and uses PageRank measure to accurately find out community opinion leaders according to the social network interaction data of learners in the CPBL process. Based on quasi‐experimental design, this study examines whether learners in the experimental group using the two‐step flow of communication through opinion leaders to convey information for solving the target CPBL missions could more significantly enhance web‐based CPBL performance, social network interaction and group cohesion than learners in the control group using the one‐step flow of communication through teachers’ information. Analytical results show learners in the experimental group remarkably outperform those in the control group on learning performance and peer interaction under a CPBL environment. Particularly, female learners in the experimental group notably outperform female learners in the control group on learning performance, while there is no significant difference in male learners between both groups. More importantly, learners in the experimental group present significantly higher group cohesion than those in the control group. This study confirms that using the two‐step flow of communication instead of the one‐step flow of communication traditionally used in web‐based learning environments could significantly promote web‐based CPBL performance, social network interaction and group cohesion.