bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of a left circumflex coronary artery–left ventricle fistula by multimodality imaging in a child
Authors: Chen Jing , Yang Zhi-Gang 
Published: December 2016

AbstractMultimodality imaging revealed a left circumflex coronary artery–left ventricle fistula in a 4-year-old boy. MRI tissue tracking revealed a slight abnormality in the left ventricular myocardial strain. Early surgery was suggested to avoid serious complications.
Unexpected complication of uncovered aortic end in ductal stenting
Authors: Bijulal Sasidharan , Sasikumar Deepa , Rashid Aamir 
Published: December 2016

AbstractA newborn with tricuspid atresia and pulmonary atresia underwent ductal stenting. The aortic end of the ductus was not completely covered and was wide open; the baby was discharged on dual antiplatelets. The baby presented after a month with desaturation, and an angiogram showed extensive thrombus in the stent and the right pulmonary artery. The angle formed by the stent with the uncovered aortic end is likely to have precipitated the thrombus.
Bicuspid aortic valve outcomes
Authors: Rodrigues Inês , Agapito Ana F. , de Sousa Lídia , Oliveira José A. , Branco Luísa M. , Galrinho Ana , Abreu João , Timóteo Ana T. , Rosa Sílvia A. , Ferreira Rui C. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractBackgroundBicuspid aortic valve is the most common CHD. Its association with early valvular dysfunction, endocarditis, thoracic aorta dilatation, and aortic dissection is well established.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess the incidence and predictors of cardiac events in adults with bicuspid aortic valve.MethodsWe carried out a retrospective analysis of cardiac outcomes in ambulatory adults with bicuspid aortic valve followed-up in a tertiary hospital centre. Outcomes were defined as follows: interventional – intervention on the aortic valve or thoracic aorta; medical – death, aortic dissection, aortic valve endocarditis, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, or ischaemic heart disease requiring hospital admission; and a composite end point of both. Kaplan–Meier curves were generated to determine event rates, and predictors of cardiac events were determined by multivariate analysis.ResultsA total of 227 patients were followed-up over 13±9 years; 29% of patients developed severe aortic valve dysfunction and 12.3% reached ascending thoracic aorta dimensions above 45 mm. At least one cardiac outcome occurred in 38.8% of patients, with an incidence rate at 20 years of follow-up of 47±4%; 33% of patients were submitted to an aortic valve or thoracic aorta intervention. Survival 20 years after diagnosis was 94±2%. Independent predictors of the composite end point were baseline moderate–severe aortic valve dysfunction (hazard ratio, 3.19; 95% confidence interval, 1.35–7.54; p<0.01) and aortic valve leaflets calcification (hazard ratio, 4.72; 95% confidence interval, 1.91–11.64; p<0.005).ConclusionsIn this study of bicuspid aortic valve, the long-term survival was excellent but with occurrence of frequent cardiovascular events. Baseline aortic valve calcification and dysfunction were the only independent predictors of events.
EMS Systems in Lower-Middle Income Countries: A Literature Review
Authors: Suryanto  , Plummer Virginia , Boyle Malcolm 
Published: December 2016

AbstractIntroductionPrehospital care is one of the many issues that require addressing by lower-middle income countries (LMICs) where approximately 90% of global injuries occur. This may arise from more traffic in LMICs, poor road conditions, lack of public awareness of the importance of road safety, and the lack of ability to provide first aid to the victims. However, prehospital care in LMICs remains underdeveloped.ProblemThere is insufficient evidence regarding the development of prehospital care among LMICs. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the status of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) systems in these countries.MethodsA review of medical-related electronic databases was designed to identify the development of EMS systems in LMICs. A search of the literature was undertaken using three electronic databases, CINAHL, Ovid Medline, and EMBASE via Ovid, from their commencement date until the end of July 2015. The grey literature was searched using Google Scholar. Articles were included if they reported on the establishment and current status of an EMS system and were excluded if they were letters to the editor, articles focusing on disaster management, a combination of more than one country if the other country was not a LMIC, written in a language other than English or Bahasa Indonesia, and/or focusing only on in-hospital care.ResultsThere were 337 articles identified in CINAHL, 731 in Ovid Medline, 891 in EMBASE via Ovid, and 41 in Google Scholar. Based on the title and abstract, 31 articles from CINAHL, 40 from Ovid Medline, 43 from EMBASE, and 11 from Google Scholar were retrieved for further review. There were 92 articles that met the inclusion criteria with 35 articles removed, as they were duplicated, leaving 57 articles to be reviewed. From those 48 countries categorized as LMICs, there were 16 (33.3%) countries that had information about an EMS system, including injury types, patient demographic, prehospital transport, and the obstacles in implementing the prehospital care system.ConclusionThe implementation and development of an EMS system is varied among LMICs. Many LMICs lack an organized EMS system with most ambulances used purely for transport and not as an emergency care vehicle. Financial issues are the most common problems faced by LMICs with support from developed countries a necessity.Suryanto,PlummerV,BoyleM.EMS systems in lower-middle income countries: a literature review.Prehosp Disaster Med.2017;32(1):64–70.
The Birth and Growth of the National Ambulance Service in Ghana
Authors: Zakariah Ahmed , Stewart Barclay T. , Boateng Edmund , Achena Christiana , Tansley Gavin , Mock Charles 
Published: December 2016

AbstractIntroductionThis study aimed to document the growth and challenges encountered in the decade since inception of the National Ambulance Service (NAS) in Ghana, West Africa. By doing so, potentially instructive examples for other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) planning a formal prehospital care system or attempting to identify ways to improve existing emergency services could be identified.MethodsData routinely collected by the Ghana NAS from 2004-2014 were described, including: patient demographics, reason for the call, response location, target destination, and ti1mes of service. Additionally, the organizational structure and challenges encountered during the development and maturation of the NAS were reported.ResultsIn 2004, the NAS piloted operations with 69 newly trained emergency medical technicians (EMTs), nine ambulances, and seven stations. The NAS expanded service delivery with 199 ambulances at 128 stations operated by 1,651 EMTs and 47 administrative and maintenance staff in 2014. In 2004, nine percent of the country was covered by NAS services; in 2014, 81% of Ghana was covered. Health care transfers and roadside responses comprised the majority of services (43%-80% and 10%-57% by year, respectively). Increased mean response time, stable case holding time, and shorter vehicle engaged time reflect greater response ranges due to increased service uptake and improved efficiency of ambulance usage. Specific internal and external challenges with regard to NAS operations also were described.ConclusionThe steady growth of the NAS is evidence of the need for Emergency Medical Services and the effects of sound planning and timely responses to changes in program indicators. The way forward includes further capacity building to increase the number of scene responses, strengthening ties with local health facilities to ensure timely emergency medical care and appropriateness of transfers, assuring a more stable funding stream, and improving public awareness of NAS services.ZakariahA, StewartBT, BoatengE, AchenaC, TansleyG, MockC. The birth and growth of the National Ambulance Service in Ghana. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2017;32(1):83–93.
Estimation of the Demand for Hospital Care After a Possible High-Magnitude Earthquake in the City of Lima, Peru
Authors: Bambarén Celso , Uyen Angela , Rodriguez Miguel 
Published: December 2016

AbstractIntroductionA model prepared by National Civil Defense (INDECI; Lima, Peru) estimated that an earthquake with an intensity of 8.0 Mw in front of the central coast of Peru would result in 51,019 deaths and 686,105 injured in districts of Metropolitan Lima and Callao. Using this information as a base, a study was designed to determine the characteristics of the demand for treatment in public hospitals and to estimate gaps in care in the hours immediately after such an event.MethodsA probabilistic model was designed that included the following variables: demand for hospital care; time of arrival at the hospitals; type of medical treatment; reason for hospital admission; and the need for specialized care like hemodialysis, blood transfusions, and surgical procedures. The values for these variables were obtained through a literature search of the databases of the MEDLINE medical bibliography, the Cochrane and SciELO libraries, and Google Scholar for information on earthquakes over the last 30 years of over magnitude 6.0 on the moment magnitude scale.ResultsIf a high-magnitude earthquake were to occur in Lima, it was estimated that between 23,328 and 178,387 injured would go to hospitals, of which between 4,666 and 121,303 would require inpatient care, while between 18,662 and 57,084 could be treated as outpatients. It was estimated that there would be an average of 8,768 cases of crush syndrome and 54,217 cases of other health problems. Enough blood would be required for 8,761 wounded in the first 24 hours. Furthermore, it was expected that there would be a deficit of hospital beds and operating theaters due to the high demand.ConclusionSudden and violent disasters, such as earthquakes, represent significant challenges for health systems and services. This study shows the deficit of preparation and capacity to respond to a possible high-magnitude earthquake. The study also showed there are not enough resources to face mega-disasters, especially in large cities.BambarénC, UyenA, RodriguezM. Estimation of the demand for hospital care after a possible high-magnitude earthquake in the City of Lima, Peru. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2017;32(1):106–111.
Identification of 18 vector species belonging to Group I, Group II, and Group III ‘Dirty 22’ species known to contaminate food and spread foodborne pathogens: DNA barcoding study of public health importance
Authors: Sulaiman Irshad M. , Jacobs Emily , Simpson Steven , Kerdahi Khalil 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe US Food and Drug Administration (US-FDA) uses the presence of filth and extraneous materials as one of the criteria in implementing regulatory actions and assessing food adulteration of public health importance. So far, 22 common pest species (‘Dirty 22’ species) have been considered by this agency for the spreading of foodborne illness, and their presence is an indicator of unsanitary conditions in food processing and storage facilities. Recently, we classified the ‘Dirty 22’ species into four groups: Group I (four cockroach species), Group II (two ant species), Group III (12 fly species), and Group IV (four rodent species), and described two molecular diagnostic methods for group-specific identification. We developed a PCR-RFLP assay based on rRNA gene for the detection and differentiation of Group I ‘Dirty 22’ species. Later, we designed three Group II ‘Dirty 22’ species-specific nested PCR primer sets and sequence characterized the rRNA, elongation factor 1-alpha (EF-1a), and wingless (WNT-1) loci. In this follow-up study, we have evaluated the robustness of five unique sets of published primers targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene for insect barcoding. With modified PCR conditions, we successfully used COI barcoding for 18 members of Group I, Group II, and Group III ‘Dirty 22’ species. Results of this study reveal that COI barcoding is an effective tool for rapid identification of insects of Groups I, II, and III ‘Dirty 22’ species known to contaminate food and spread foodborne pathogens.
Effect of dengue mosquito control insecticide thermal fogging on non-target insects
Authors: Abeyasuriya K.G. Thilanka N. , Nugapola N.W. Nalaka P. , Perera M. Devika B. , Karunaratne W.A. Inoka P. , Karunaratne S.H.P. Parakrama 
Published: December 2016

AbstractDengue vector control programmes are mainly focused on insecticide fogging/space spraying to control adultAedesmosquito vector populations. Due to the diurnal habit of the vectors, spraying is routinely conducted during the day when many other insect species are also active. This study reports the simultaneous effect of fogging on non-target insects by direct counting of knockdown in the insect population. Eight fogging treatments were conducted in two sites in Kurunegala District of Sri Lanka. Pesguard insecticide was sprayed in each treatment for 8 minutes according to the standard methodology and the ‘knockdown insects’ were collected on randomly spread polyethythene sheets (10 m2). A total of 3884 insects (24.3 insects per treatment per m2) belonging to 12 orders were collected and 12.44% of them recovered during a 24-hr recovery period. Diptera was the most affected insect order (36%) followed by Collembola (30%) and Thysanoptera (17%). Out of the 31 mosquitoes (&lt;1%) collected, only two (&lt;0.1%) belonged to the genusAedes. Body length of 93% of the affected insects ranged from 0.35 mm to 1.8 mm. Positive controls using the WHO standard cage bioassays with the mosquitoAe. albopictus(n = 417) and the stingless beeTrigona iridipennis(n = 122) showed 100% initial knockdown, and 83.5% mosquito and 93.5% bee mortalities after the recovery period. The study shows that insecticide fogging does have a severe effect on non-target insects such as pollinators; therefore, fogging operations should be done in a controlled manner and indiscriminate fogging should be avoided.
Do Confucian Values Deter Chinese Citizens’ Support for Democracy?
Authors: Zhai Yida 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe cultural prerequisites of democracy have been receiving considerable attention over the past decades. Confucian values are regarded as incompatible with liberal democracy and are considered to impede democratization. This article explores the effect of Confucian values on the commitment of ordinary Chinese people to democracy. Support for democracy is divided into attachment to democracy and adherence to liberal democratic values. Attachment to democracy indicates explicit support for democracy, while adherence to liberal democratic values reflects implicit support for democracy. This study examines the impacts of Confucian values on each of these areas. The results show that there was no evidence that Confucian values inhibit the Chinese public's support for democracy in a democratic transition, but they are negatively connected to liberal democratic values, which are fundamental to the resilience and consolidation of a fledgling democracy. However, liberal democratic values are prone to increase with the generational shift.
Stressverarbeitung, Lebensqualität und körperliche Beanspruchungssymptome bei Kindern und Jugendlichen
Authors: Hampel Petra , Petermann Franz 
Published: December 2016

Zusammenfassung. In der vorliegenden Studie wurden hauptsächlich die Geschlechts- und Alterseffekte auf die Stressverarbeitung, gesundheitsbezogene Lebensqualität und körperliche Beanspruchungssymptomatik untersucht. Ferner sollte noch der Einfluss von Stressverarbeitungstypen auf die gesundheitsbezogene Lebensqualität und körperliche Beanspruchungssymptomatik überprüft werden. Hierfür wurden N = 577 Kinder und Jugendliche im Alter zwischen neun und 16 Jahren anhand des Stressverarbeitungsfragebogens für Kinder und Jugendliche, des KIDSCREEN-27 und dreier Items zur körperlichen Beanspruchungssymptomatik befragt. Die zweifaktoriellen multivariaten Varianzanalysen mit den unabhängigen Faktoren „Geschlecht“ und „Klassenstufe“ (4., 5., 7. vs. 9. Klasse) ergaben ein ungünstiges Stressverarbeitungsprofil, eine geringere Lebensqualität und eine erhöhte körperliche Beanspruchungssymptomatik bei den Älteren bzw. bei den Mädchen. Außerdem stellten Varianzanalysen eine höhere Lebensqualität und geringere körperliche Beanspruchungssymptomatik bei der Gruppe mit einem adaptiven Stressverarbeitungsstil im Vergleich zu der Gruppe mit einem maladaptiven Stil und der Gruppe mit insgesamt hohen Ausprägungen in der Stressverarbeitung fest. Die Befunde unterstützen die Bedeutung geschlechtssensibler, altersangepasster Gesundheitsförderprogramme im Grundschulalter.
N-Myc overexpression increases cisplatin resistance in neuroblastoma via deregulation of mitochondrial dynamics
Authors: Casinelli Gabriella , LaRosa Jeff , Sharma Manika , Cherok Edward , Banerjee Swati , Branca Maria , Edmunds Lia , Wang Yudong , Sims-Lucas Sunder , Churley Luke , Kelly Samantha , Sun Ming , Stolz Donna , Graves J Anthony 
Published: December 2016

AbstractN-Myc is a global transcription factor that regulates the expression of genes involved in a number of essential cellular processes including: ribosome biogenesis, cell cycle and apoptosis. Upon deregulation, N-Myc can drive pathologic expression of many of these genes, which ultimately defines its oncogenic potential. Overexpression of N-Myc has been demonstrated to contribute to tumorigenesis, most notably for the pediatric tumor, neuroblastoma. Herein, we provide evidence that deregulated N-Myc alters the expression of proteins involved in mitochondrial dynamics. We found that N-Myc overexpression leads to increased fusion of the mitochondrial reticulum secondary to changes in protein expression due to aberrant transcriptional and post-translational regulation. We believe the structural changes in the mitochondrial network in response to N-Myc amplification in neuroblastoma contributes to two important aspects of tumor development and maintenance—bioenergetic alterations and apoptotic resistance. Specifically, we found that N-Myc overexpressing cells are resistant to programmed cell death in response to exposure to low doses of cisplatin, and demonstrated that this was dependent on increased mitochondrial fusion. We speculate that these changes in mitochondrial structure and function may contribute significantly to the aggressive clinical ph9enotype of N-Myc amplified neuroblastoma.
Role and regulation of Cdc25A phosphatase in neuron death induced by NGF deprivation or β-amyloid
Authors: Chatterjee Nandini , Sanphui Priyankar , Kemeny Stav , Greene Lloyd A , Biswas Subhas C 
Published: December 2016

AbstractNeuron death during development and in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is associated with aberrant regulation/induction of cell cycle proteins. However, the proximal events in this process are unknown. Cell cycle initiation requires dephosphorylation of cyclin-dependent kinases by cell division cycle 25A (Cdc25A). Here, we show that Cdc25A is essential for neuronal death in response to NGF deprivation or β-amyloid (Aβ) treatment and describe the mechanisms by which it is regulated in these paradigms. Cdc25A mRNA, protein and Cdc25A phosphatase activity were induced by NGF deprivation and Aβ treatment. Enhanced Cdc25A expression was also observed in rat brains infused with Aβ and in Aβ-overexpressing AβPPswe-PS1dE9 mice. In cultured neurons Cdc25A inhibition by chemical inhibitors or shRNA prevented cell death and neurite degeneration caused by NGF deprivation or Aβ. Additionally, Cdc25A inhibition diminished distal signaling events including Cdk-dependent elevation of phospho-pRb and subsequent caspase-3 activation. Mechanism studies revealed that Cdc25A induction by NGF deprivation and Aβ is mediated by activation of Forkhead transcription factors that in turn suppress miR-21, a negative regulator of Cdc25A. Our studies thus identify Cdc25A as a required upstream element of the apoptotic cell cycle pathway that is required for neuron death in response to trophic factor deprivation and to Aβ exposure and therefore as a potential target to suppress pathologic neuron death.
Regulation of VDAC trafficking modulates cell death
Authors: Dubey Ashvini K , Godbole Ashwini , Mathew M K 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) and mitochondria-associated hexokinase (HxK) have crucial roles in both cell survival and death. Both the individual abundances and their ratio seem to influence the balance of survival and death and are thus critical in scenarios, such as neurodegeneration and cancer. Elevated levels of both VDAC and HxK have been reported in cancerous cells. Physical interaction is surmised and specific residues or regions involved have been identified, but details of the interaction and the mechanism by which it modulates survival are yet to be elucidated. We and others have shown that heterologous expression of VDAC can induce cell death, which can be mitigated by concomitant overexpression of HxK. We have also observed that upon overexpression, fluorescently tagged VDAC is distributed between the cytosol and mitochondria. In this study, we show that cell death ensues only when the protein, which is synthesized on cytoplasmic ribosomes, migrates to the mitochondrion. Further, coexpression of rat HxK II (rHxKII) can delay the translocation of human VDAC1 (hVDAC1) protein to mitochondria and thereby inhibit VDAC-induced cell death. Variation in the level of HxK protein as seen endogenously in different cell lines, or as experimentally manipulated by silencing and overexpression, can lead to differential VDAC translocation kinetics and related cell death. The N-terminal region of HxK and the Glu73 residue of hVDAC1, which have previously been implicated in a physical interaction, are required for cytosolic retention of VDAC. Finally, we show that, in otherwise unperturbed cells in culture, there is a small but significant amount of soluble VDAC in the cytosol present in a complex with HxK. This complex could well determine how a cell is poised with respect to incoming thanatopic signals, thereby tilting the survival/death balance in pharmacologically interesting situations, such as neurodegeneration and cancer.
Role of syn-eruptive plagioclase disequilibrium crystallization in basaltic magma ascent dynamics
Authors: La Spina G. , Burton M. , de’ Michieli Vitturi M. , Arzilli F. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractTimescales of magma ascent in conduit models are typically assumed to be much longer than crystallization and gas exsolution for basaltic eruptions. However, it is now recognized that basaltic magmas may rise fast enough for disequilibrium processes to play a key role on the ascent dynamics. The quantification of the characteristic times for crystallization and exsolution processes are fundamental to our understanding of such disequilibria and ascent dynamics. Here we use observations from Mount Etna’s 2001 eruption and a magma ascent model to constrain timescales for crystallization and exsolution processes. Our results show that plagioclase reaches equilibrium in 1–2 h, whereas ascent times were <1 h. Using these new constraints on disequilibrium plagioclase crystallization we also reproduce observed crystal abundances for different basaltic eruptions. The strong relation between magma ascent rate and disequilibrium crystallization and exsolution plays a key role in controlling eruption dynamics in basaltic volcanism.