bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risk Factors for Coarctation of the Aorta on Prenatal Ultrasound
Authors: Familiari Alessandra , Morlando Maddalena , Khalil Asma , Sonesson Sven-Erik , Scala Carolina , Rizzo Giuseppe , Del Sordo Gelsomina , Vassallo Chiara , Elena Flacco Maria , Manzoli Lamberto , Lanzone Antonio , Scambia Giovanni , Acharya Ganesh , D’Antonio Francesco 
Published: December 2016

Background:
Prenatal diagnosis of coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is still challenging and affected by high rates of false-positive diagnoses. The aim of this study was to ascertain the strength of association and to quantify the diagnostic accuracy of different ultrasound signs in predicting CoA prenatally.

Methods:
Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases were searched. Random-effects and hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic model meta-analyses were used to analyze the data.

Results:

Seven hundred ninety-four articles were identified, and 12 (922 fetuses at risk for CoA) articles were included. Mean mitral valve diameter
z
score was lower (
P
<0.001) and the mean tricuspid valve diameter
z
score was higher in fetuses with CoA than in those without CoA (
P
=0.01). Mean aortic valve diameter
z
score was lower in fetuses with CoA than in healthy fetuses (
P
≤0.001), but the ascending aorta diameter, expressed as
z
score or millimeters, was similar between groups (
P
=0.07 and 0.47, respectively). Mean aortic isthmus diameter
z
scores measured either in sagittal (
P
=0.02) or in 3-vessel trachea view (
P
<0.001) were lower in fetuses with CoA. Conversely, the mean pulmonary artery diameter
z
score, the right/left ventricular and pulmonary artery/ascending aorta diameter ratios were higher (
P
<0.001,
P
=0.02, and
P
=0.02, respectively) in fetuses with CoA in comparison with controls, although aortic isthmus/arterial duct diameter ratio was lower in fetuses with CoA than in those without CoA (
P
<0.001). The presence of coarctation shelf and aortic arch hypoplasia were more common in fetuses with CoA than in controls (odds ratio, 26.0; 95% confidence interval, 4.42–153;
P
<0.001 and odds ratio, 38.2; 95% confidence interval, 3.01–486;
P
=0.005), whereas persistent left superior vena cava (
P
=0.85), ventricular septal defect (
P
=0.12), and bicuspid aortic valve (
P
=0.14) did not carry an increased risk for this anomaly. Multiparametric diagnostic models integrating different ultrasound signs for the detection of CoA were associated with an increased detection rate.

Conclusions:
The detection rate of CoA may improve when a multiple-criteria prediction model is adopted. Further large multicenter studies sharing the same imaging protocols are needed to develop objective models for risk assessment in these fetuses.
Genetic Predisposition to Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Hachiya Tsuyoshi , Kamatani Yoichiro , Takahashi Atsushi , Hata Jun , Furukawa Ryohei , Shiwa Yuh , Yamaji Taiki , Hara Megumi , Tanno Kozo , Ohmomo Hideki , Ono Kanako , Takashima Naoyuki , Matsuda Koichi , Wakai Kenji , Sawada Norie , Iwasaki Motoki , Yamagishi Kazumasa , Ago Tetsuro , Ninomiya Toshiharu , Fukushima Akimune , Hozawa Atsushi , Minegishi Naoko , Satoh Mamoru , Endo Ryujin , Sasaki Makoto , Sakata Kiyomi , Kobayashi Seiichiro , Ogasawara Kuniaki , Nakamura Motoyuki , Hitomi Jiro , Kita Yoshikuni , Tanaka Keitaro , Iso Hiroyasu , Kitazono Takanari , Kubo Michiaki , Tanaka Hideo , Tsugane Shoichiro , Kiyohara Yutaka , Yamamoto Masayuki , Sobue Kenji , Shimizu Atsushi 
Published: December 2016

Background and Purpose—
The prediction of genetic predispositions to ischemic stroke (IS) may allow the identification of individuals at elevated risk and thereby prevent IS in clinical practice. Previously developed weighted multilocus genetic risk scores showed limited predictive ability for IS. Here, we investigated the predictive ability of a newer method, polygenic risk score (polyGRS), based on the idea that a few strong signals, as well as several weaker signals, can be collectively informative to determine IS risk.

Methods—
We genotyped 13 214 Japanese individuals with IS and 26 470 controls (derivation samples) and generated both multilocus genetic risk scores and polyGRS, using the same derivation data set. The predictive abilities of each scoring system were then assessed using 2 independent sets of Japanese samples (KyushuU and JPJM data sets).

Results—

In both validation data sets, polyGRS was shown to be significantly associated with IS, but weighted multilocus genetic risk scores was not. Comparing the highest with the lowest polyGRS quintile, the odds ratios for IS were 1.75 (95% confidence interval, 1.33–2.31) and 1.99 (95% confidence interval, 1.19–3.33) in the KyushuU and JPJM samples, respectively. Using the KyushuU samples, the addition of polyGRS to a nongenetic risk model resulted in a significant improvement of the predictive ability (net reclassification improvement=0.151;
P
<0.001).

Conclusions—
The polyGRS was shown to be superior to weighted multilocus genetic risk scores as an IS prediction model. Thus, together with the nongenetic risk factors, polyGRS will provide valuable information for individual risk assessment and management of modifiable risk factors.
Hematopoietic cell transplantation for a child with OSTM1 osteopetrosis
Authors: Overholt Kathleen M. , Rose Melissa J. , Joshi Sarita , Herman Gail E. , Bajwa Rajinder , Abu-Arja Rolla , Rangarajan Hemalatha G. , Horwitz Edwin M. 
Published: December 2016

Key Points
HCT prior to onset of neurologic symptoms in children with OSTM1 osteopetrosis does not halt neurologic progression.
LL-37 boosts immunosuppressive function of placenta-derived mesenchymal stromal cells
Authors: Oliveira-Bravo Martha , Sangiorgi Bruno Braga , Schiavinato Josiane Lilian dos Santos , Carvalho Juliana Lott , Covas Dimas Tadeu , Panepucci Rodrigo Alexandre , Neves Francisco de Assis Rocha , Franco Octávio Luiz , Pereira Rinaldo Wellerson , Saldanha-Araujo Felipe 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
Background
Although promising for graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) treatment, MSC therapy still faces important challenges. For instance, increasing MSC migratory capacity as well as potentializing immune response suppression are of interest. For GvHD management, preventing opportunistic infections is also a valuable strategy, since immunocompromised patients are easy targets for infections. LL-37 is a host defense peptide (HDP) that has been deeply investigated due to its immunomodulatory function. In this scenario, the combination of MSC and LL-37 may result in a robust combination to be clinically used.

Methods
In the present study, the effects of LL-37 upon the proliferation and migratory capacity of human placenta-derived MSCs (pMSCs) were assessed by MTT and wound scratch assays. The influence of LL-37 over the immunosuppressive function of pMSCs was then investigated using CFSE cell division kit. Flow cytometry and real-time PCR were used to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in the effects observed.

Results
LL-37 had no detrimental effects over MSC proliferation and viability, as assessed by MTT assay. Moreover, the peptide promoted increased migratory behavior of pMSCs and enhanced their immunomodulatory function over activated human PBMCs. Strikingly, our data shows that LL-37 treatment leads to increased TLR3 levels, as shown by flow cytometry, and to an increased expression of factors classically related to immunosuppression, namely IDO, IL-10, TGF-β, IL-6, and IL-1β.

Conclusions
Taken together, our observations may serve as groundwork for the development of new therapeutic strategies based on the combined use of LL-37 and MSCs, which may provide patients not only with an enhanced immunosuppression regime, but also with an agent to prevent opportunistic infections.
Grafted c-kit+/SSEA1− eye-wall progenitor cells delay retinal degeneration in mice by regulating neural plasticity and forming new graft-to-host synapses
Authors: Chen Xi , Chen Zehua , Li Zhengya , Zhao Chen , Zeng Yuxiao , Zou Ting , Fu Caiyun , Liu Xiaoli , Xu Haiwei , Yin Zheng Qin 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
Background
Despite diverse pathogenesis, the common pathological change observed in age-related macular degeneration and in most hereditary retinal degeneration (RD) diseases is photoreceptor loss. Photoreceptor replacement by cell transplantation may be a feasible treatment for RD. The major obstacles to clinical translation of stem cell-based cell therapy in RD remain the difficulty of obtaining sufficient quantities of appropriate and safe donor cells and the poor integration of grafted stem cell-derived photoreceptors into the remaining retinal circuitry.

Methods
Eye-wall c-kit+/stage-specific embryonic antigen 1 (SSEA1)− cells were isolated via fluorescence-activated cell sorting, and their self-renewal and differentiation potential were detected by immunochemistry and flow cytometry in vitro. After labeling with quantum nanocrystal dots and transplantation into the subretinal space of rd1 RD mice, differentiation and synapse formation by daughter cells of the eye-wall c-kit+/SSEA1− cells were evaluated by immunochemistry and western blotting. Morphological changes of the inner retina of rd1 mice after cell transplantation were demonstrated by immunochemistry. Retinal function of rd1 mice that received cell grafts was tested via flash electroretinograms and the light/dark transition test.

Results
Eye-wall c-kit+/SSEA1− cells were self-renewing and clonogenic, and they retained their proliferative potential through more than 20 passages. Additionally, eye-wall c-kit+/SSEA1− cells were capable of differentiating into multiple retinal cell types including photoreceptors, bipolar cells, horizontal cells, amacrine cells, Müller cells, and retinal pigment epithelium cells and of transdifferentiating into smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells in vitro. The levels of synaptophysin and postsynaptic density-95 in the retinas of eye-wall c-kit+/SSEA1− cell-transplanted rd1 mice were significantly increased at 4 weeks post transplantation. The c-kit+/SSEA1− cells were capable of differentiating into functional photoreceptors that formed new synaptic connections with recipient retinas in rd1 mice. Transplantation also partially corrected the abnormalities of inner retina of rd1 mice. At 4 and 8 weeks post transplantation, the rd1 mice that received c-kit+/SSEA1− cells showed significant increases in a-wave and b-wave amplitude and the percentage of time spent in the dark area.

Conclusions
Grafted c-kit+/SSEA1− cells restored the retinal function of rd1 mice via regulating neural plasticity and forming new graft-to-host synapses.
The regulation of acute immune responses to the bacterial lung pathogenLegionella pneumophila
Authors: Brown Andrew Stephen , Yang Chao , Hartland Elizabeth Louise , van Driel Ian Richard 
Published: December 2016

AbstractLegionella pneumophila causes Legionnaires’ disease, a severe and potentially fatal bacterial pneumonia in immunocompromised individuals. Despite the understanding that a robust inflammatory response is important for control of L. pneumophila infection, our understanding of the network of molecular and cellular events within the lung that function to clear the bacterium is not clearly understood. This review compiles our understanding of the various molecular and cellular pathways stimulated upon infection with L. pneumophila and considers recently published advances that focus on the immune response to L. pneumophila in the lungs of mice. This includes a cooperative network of tissue-resident and inflammatory phagocytes, including alveolar macrophages (AM)s, neutrophils, and inflammatory monocytes/monocyte-derived cells (MC) that contribute to the acute inflammatory response and restrict the bacteria via distinct intracellular pathways. The understanding of this difference in cellular activity in response to infection provides insight into the innate immune responses within the tissues in general and may prompt novel means of clinical management of bacterial infections in an era of increasing emergence of antibiotic resistance.
Do participatory scenario exercises promote systems thinking and build consensus?
Authors: Schmitt Olabisi Laura , Adebiyi Jelili , Traoré Pierre Sibiry , Kakwera Mayamiko Nathaniel 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
Participatory scenario processes are associated with positive social learning outcomes, including consensus-building and shifts toward more systemic thinking. However, these claims have not been assessed quantitatively in diverse cultural and socio-ecological settings. We convened three stakeholder workshops around the future of agricultural development and rural livelihoods in Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and Malawi, using a participatory scenario generation process to examine proposed research and action priorities under conditions of uncertainty. We administered pre- and post-workshop surveys, and used a paired t-test to assess how stakeholders’ rankings of research priorities changed after participating in the scenario visioning exercise. Workshop participants also listed their own priorities for research and implementation on both the pre- and post-survey forms. We found indications that the workshops promoted consensus-building around the research priorities, including a reduction in standard deviation of priority rankings post-workshop compared to pre-workshop; and a higher incidence of identical volunteered responses. We did not find evidence to support shifts in thinking to more systemic views of agricultural development. However, participants viewed themselves as having learned throughout the process. We conclude that scenario visioning does have the potential to foster consensus-building (one element of social learning) among diverse stakeholder groups. We urge researchers to continue to monitor and measure systems thinking outcomes from scenario visioning so that these processes may be designed to be more effective.
Contributions of fallow lands in the Brazilian Amazon to CO2 balance, deforestation and the agrarian economy: Inequalities among competing land use trajectories
Authors: Costa Francisco de Assis 
Published: December 2016

AbstractDevelopment of regulations limiting greenhouse gas emissions is creating demands and new markets for land-based carbon sinks. Expectations of development of clean technologies and new sources of clean energy are affecting the supply side, creating opportunities for remuneration for sustainable development of natural resources. This paper[1] presents a model developed to gain a realistic understanding of the heterogeneous roles of capoeira (fallow agricultural land) in land use dynamics and CO2 balance in the Brazilian Amazon. The model estimates the areas and CO2 balance of different types of capoeira in association with different farming activities and also monitors carbon intensity over time in the context of technological trajectories (distinct farming systems). Modeling with agricultural census data compared six different, competing technological trajectories of capoeira for changes in major land use variables and impacts on CO2 balance from 1990 to 2011. Results revealed that: a) technological trajectories contribute differently to net emissions of CO2, with livestock for meat enterprises being the highest net emitters and peasant agroforestry and plantation enterprises the lower emitters; b) carbon intensity tends to diminish over time because of increased weight of trajectories with lower carbon intensity, in combination with reduced carbon intensity of trajectories with higher carbon intensity; and c) for most trajectories, reuse of “old land” becomes increasingly more important for explaining the essence of agricultural dynamics, including CO2 balance, than is deforestation for opening up new agricultural land. These results draw attention to the role of capoeiras in modernization and intensification of the agricultural sector through renovation of deforested land. The model allows evaluation of deforestation and CO2 emissions as functions of the evolution of markets for agricultural products and of deforestation dynamics decoupled from those market fluctuations. The model points to the land market as a possible hypothetical determinant of deforestation; and has possible applications to development policies targeting the Brazilian Amazon.
Possible malfunction in widely used methane sampler deserves attention but poses limited implications for supply chain emission estimates
Authors: Alvarez Ramón A. , Lyon David R. , Marchese Anthony J. , Robinson Allen L. , Hamburg Steven P. 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
Estimates of methane emissions from natural gas production sites in the United States based on recent studies have been questioned due to possible malfunction of the Bacharach Hi Flow® Sampler (BHFS), the primary measurement instrument used for two out of five source types examined in those studies (equipment leaks and chemical injection pumps). Without assessing whether the BHFS malfunction occurred in those studies, we constrain the possible underestimation of emissions associated with the BHFS-based results by excluding potentially affected measurements. Assuming leak emission rates are similar for sites with low and high methane content, U.S. methane emissions from equipment leaks and chemical injection pumps in recent studies could be underestimated by up to 40–80% due to a malfunctioning BHFS. We discuss uncertainties associated with this estimate. While a 40–80% underestimation is important when characterizing individual source categories, the potential implications are attenuated when aggregating emissions across the five sources examined in the recent studies (&lt;12–24%), across all sources in the natural gas production segment (&lt;7–14%), or across the entire supply chain (&lt;2–5%). Therefore, potential errors caused by BHFS malfunction in recent studies would not substantially alter estimates of methane emissions from the U.S. natural gas supply chain. The possible malfunction of such a widely-used instrument deserves further attention to ensure that its use in quantifying emissions from individual supply chain components is not compromised.
What factors are driving increasing demand for community nursing?
Authors: Chalk Daniel , Legg Alison 
Published: December 2016

Demand for district nursing services is increasing significantly. With increasing economic pressures, services are struggling to meet increases in demand, and are looking to become more proactive in planning for future demand. Traditional quantitative forecasting methods have limited use, because of the complexity of inter-linking factors that potentially drive demand for community services. Qualitative system dynamics approaches can be useful to model the complex interplay of causal factors leading to an effect, such as increased demand for services, and identify particular areas of concern for future focus. We ran a facilitated qualitative system dynamics workshop with representatives working across community nursing services in Cornwall. The generated models identified 7 key areas of concern that could be significantly contributing to demand for district nursing services. We outline the identified problem areas in this paper, and discuss potential recommendations to reduce their effects based on causal links identified in the models.
LEAN HEALTHCARE APPLICATION IN A SURGICAL PROCEDURES APPOINTMENT SCHEDULING CENTER IN A MATERNITY
Authors: Paim Rafael , Costa Amanda , Carvalho Jonathan De , Lima Inácio Araripe Costa 
Published: December 2016

The study aimed to apply Lean Healthcare concepts and tools in surgical scheduling process. The intention was to structure and implement an appointment-scheduling central that was able to manage more effectively the demand for elective obstetrical surgeries in a neonatal maternity. The study used action research as a scientific method in order to solve a problem encountered in scheduling procedures involving employees in a cooperative and participatory improvement initiative. The method used was based on literature review, benchmarking visits and studies to identify good practices, and on current working condition analysis and comparison of indicators before and after the intervention. The Lean and TOC theoretical frameworks was used to improve the process, creating value for the patients and professionals, conducting root-cause analysis, identifying wastes and constrains, and proposing and implementing solutions. Using action research in the study and applying the concepts and tools was possible to reach different results as the 70% reduction in cancellations, the increase in the number of procedures scheduled in the units, and increased 97% level of appointment scheduling service among other results.
Turkey Training Community Alliance (TTCA) evaluation of the sport by objective function<p>Türkiye İdman Cemiyetleri İttifaki (TİCİ) amaçlarına göre sporun fonksiyonlarının değerlendirilmesi
Authors: Özmaden Murat , Soyer Fikret , Özmaden Harun 
Published: December 2016

TICI, which is the first multi-club organization of the history of Turkish sport management, intended to determine to what extent the physical and mental development, creating a strong society, preperation to army and country defence functions which is expected to be realized in a modern society that new association management aims and formulated by TICI with reference to the goals in its organization legislation. It is considered that this study will be important for being a model for next studies on sport management structures and the historical descriptions of physical education and sport and regarding the realisation of the sense of sport upon what social demands in the TICI period which is the sequence of our recent history. ÖzetBu çalışmada, Türk spor yönetim tarihinin ilk çok-kulüplü örgütü olarak TİCİ’nin kuruluş nizamnamesinde yer alan amaçlarından hareketle, Beden Eğitimi ve Spor’un yeni kurulan cemiyet yönetiminin hedeflediği modern toplumda yerine getirmesi beklenen ve tarafımızca formüle edilmiş, fiziksel ve ruhsal gelişim, güçlü toplum yaratma, askere hazırlık ve yurt müdafaası fonksiyonlarının hangi düzeyde gerçekleştirildiğinin belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Çalışmanın, yakın tarihimizin kesiti olan TİCİ döneminde, spor anlayışının hangi toplumsal taleplere dönük olduğunun anlaşılması ve sonraki dönemlere ait spor yönetim yapılarının ve beden eğitimi ve spor çalışmalarının tarihi tasvirlerine yönelik araştırmalar için model oluşturması bakımından önemli olacağı düşünülmektedir.
Ocena Przydatności Testerów Szorstkości w Procesie Eksploatacji Nawierzchni Lotniskowych
Authors: Wesołowski Mariusz , Barszcz Piotr , Blacha Krzysztof 
Published: December 2016

Streszczenie
Poprawność oceny szorstkości nawierzchni lotniskowych jest ważnym elementem bezpieczeństwa wykonywania operacji lotniczych. Zagraniczne oraz krajowe dokumenty normatywne określają wymagane wartości współczynników tarcia dla: projektowanych (nowych) nawierzchni lotniskowych, użytkowanych i/lub będących przedmiotem planowania prac remontowych oraz minimalne (graniczne) dla eksploatowanych nawierzchni lotniskowych. Ponadto, dokumenty te definiują ogólne wymagania dotyczące urządzeń pomiarowych stosowanych do określania szorstkości nawierzchni lotniskowych. Akceptowalny poziom powtarzalności pomiaru współczynnika tarcia nie jest warunkiem wystarczającym do zaakceptowania urządzenia do wykonywania pomiarów szorstkości nawierzchni elementów funkcjonalnych lotnisk. Dlatego warunkiem dopuszczenia urządzenia do wykonywania pomiarów współczynnika tarcia powinno być przeprowadzenie badań w celu określenia jego przydatności do tego typu pomiarów. Badania te powinny obejmować m.in. ocenę urządzenia w odniesieniu do urządzeń dopuszczonych do wykonywania pomiarów, z wykorzystaniem aparatu statystycznego. Na końcową ocenę przydatności urządzenia składa się ponadto całokształt problemów technicznych związanych z procesem eksploatacji poprzez przygotowanie urządzenia do pomiarów, jego kalibrację (sprawdzenie) przed pomiarami, a skończywszy na samych pomiarach.