bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is Multiple Overlapping Uncovered Stents Technique Suitable for Aortic Aneurysm Repair?
Authors: Yeow Siang Lin , Leo Hwa Liang 
Published: September 2017

AbstractA computational fluid dynamic model to assess the impact of flow‐diverter device on intra‐aneurysmal flow in complex aortic aneurysm from the viewpoint of hemodynamics is presented. The aim of this study is to investigate the hemodynamic effects of an endovascular flow‐diverter technique using multiple overlapping uncovered stents (MOUS) in the treatment of complex aortic aneurysm involving side branch. The placement of porous barrier such as MOUS across the aneurysm alters the blood flow pattern in the aneurysm sac. Subsequently, flow diversion effect creates a natural hemodynamic environment to promote aneurysm thrombosis, thus stabilizing the aneurysm. The study revealed that intra‐aneurysmal flow was reduced and low time average wall shear stress (TAWSS), high relative residence time (RRT), and high oscillatory shear index (OSI) regions were observed in the aneurysm sac. Three to four MOUS stents produced the best hemodynamic environment for the formation of thrombus, with saccular aneurysm performing better than fusiform aneurysm from the viewpoint of hemodynamics. A result also revealed that flow in the branch vessel was not compromised suggesting the capacity of preserving patency of branch vessels while at the same time stabilizing the aneurysm. Based on the hemodynamic performance of this study coupled with existing reported clinical studies, deploying three to four MOUS stents is a feasible solution to treat aneurysm with side branch, favorably for saccular shape aneurysm.
Design and Development of Novel Transcatheter Bicaval Valves in the Interventional Treatment of Tricuspid Regurgitation
Authors: Ismail Munirah , Kabinejadian Foad , Nguyen Yen Ngoc , Tay Edgar Lik Wui , Leo Hwa Liang 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe concept of heterotopic implantation of transcatheter tricuspid valve is new and has shown promising results thus far. While the Reynolds shear stress values measured in the vicinity of this valve are relatively low, the values at some time points are higher than the threshold of platelet activation. Hence, in this study, we aim to reduce these values with an innovative stent design. It was shown that the Reynolds shear stress values measured were lower than those of valves made of generic stent design and the maximum Reynolds shear stress values in the vicinity of the valves was very low (∼10 dynes/cm2). The results also depicted the interesting flow phenomenon of this non‐physiological treatment approach. Thus, this study has shown that bicaval valves could potentially be considered as a minimally invasive option to treat tricuspid regurgitation and valve design improvements could reduce the flow disturbances that were observed.
Co‐administration of cyclosporine and ticagrelor may lead to a higher exposure to cyclosporine: a case report of a 49‐year‐old man
Authors: van Sloten Thomas T. , de Klaver Paul A. G. , van den Wall Bake A. Warmold L. 
Published: September 2017

Adverse EventA drug interaction leading to higher exposure to cyclosporine.Drugs ImplicatedCyclosporine and ticagrelor.The PatientA 49‐year‐old man with a stable renal graft, managed with cyclosporine with stable trough blood concentrations for several years, was treated with ticagrelor for unstable angina pectoris.Evidence That Links the Drug to the EventThe timeline was consistent with the appearance of an interaction, the interaction was confirmed by an increase in trough concentration of cyclosporine, and there were no alternative causes that by themselves could have caused the increase in cyclosporine exposure.ManagementCessation of ticagrelor.MechanismInhibition of CYP3A4 and P‐glycoprotein by ticagrelor.Implications for TherapyClinicians should be aware of this potential interaction as ticagrelor is frequently prescribed in individuals using cyclosporine. Close monitoring of cyclosporine serum concentrations is warranted to avoid overdosing of cyclosporine. A pharmacokinetic study is needed to further examine the probable interaction between cyclosporine and ticagrelor.
An anti‐racism methodology: The Native Sons and Daughters and racism against Asians in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Baird Ian G. 
Published: September 2017

Key Messages

It is important to develop methodologies to counter white supremacy and racism against Asians.
The Native Sons and Daughters of British Columbia were leading organizations engaged in Asian racism during the 20th century.
The production of knowledge associated with better understanding past racism against Asians can be useful for countering a present‐day increase in racism against Asians in British Columbia and beyond.
Direct current stimulation modulates the excitability of the sensory and motor fibres in the human posterior tibial nerve, with a long‐lasting effect on the H‐reflex
Authors: Bolzoni Francesco , Esposti Roberto , Bruttini Carlo , Zenoni Giuseppe , Jankowska Elzbieta , Cavallari Paolo 
Published: September 2017

AbstractSeveral studies demonstrated that transcutaneous direct current stimulation (DCS) may modulate central nervous system excitability. However, much less is known about how DC affects peripheral nerve fibres. We investigated the action of DCS on motor and sensory fibres of the human posterior tibial nerve, with supplementary analysis in acute experiments on rats. In forty human subjects, electric pulses at the popliteal fossa were used to elicit either M‐waves or H‐reflexes in the Soleus, before (15 min), during (10 min) and after (30 min) DCS. Cathodal or anodal current (2 mA) was applied to the same nerve. Cathodal DCS significantly increased the H‐reflex amplitude; the post‐polarization effect lasted up to ~ 25 min after the termination of DCS. Anodal DCS instead significantly decreased the reflex amplitude for up to ~ 5 min after DCS end. DCS effects on M‐wave showed the same polarity dependence but with considerably shorter after‐effects, which never exceeded 5 min. DCS changed the excitability of both motor and sensory fibres. These effects and especially the long‐lasting modulation of the H‐reflex suggest a possible rehabilitative application of DCS that could be applied either to compensate an altered peripheral excitability or to modulate the afferent transmission to spinal and supraspinal structures. In animal experiments, DCS was applied, under anaesthesia, to either the exposed peroneus nerve or its Dorsal Root, and its effects closely resembled those found in human subjects. They validate therefore the use of the animal models for future investigations on the DCS mechanisms.
More than constipation – bowel symptoms in Parkinson's disease and their connection to gut microbiota
Authors: Mertsalmi T. H. , Aho V. T. E. , Pereira P. A. B. , Paulin L. , Pekkonen E. , Auvinen P. , Scheperjans F. 
Published: September 2017

Background and purposeThe majority of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients suffer from gastrointestinal symptoms of which constipation is considered the most prominent. Recently, in addition to constipation, a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) was also found to be associated with increased PD risk. Gut microbiota alterations have been reported in IBS and recently also in PD. IBS‐like bowel symptoms in PD and their possible connection to other non‐motor symptoms and faecal microbiota were assessed.MethodsThis case−control study compared 74 PD patients with 75 controls without any signs of parkinsonism or potential premotor symptoms. IBS‐like symptoms were assessed using the Rome III questionnaire. The non‐motor symptoms were assessed using the Non‐Motor Symptoms Questionnaire and Non‐Motor Symptom Scale. Faecal microbiota were assessed by pyrosequencing of the V1–V3 regions of the bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA gene.ResultsSymptoms that were IBS‐like were significantly more prevalent in PD patients than in controls (24.3% vs. 5.3%; P = 0.001). Criteria for functional constipation were met by 12.2% of PD patients and 6.7% of controls (P = 0.072). PD patients with IBS‐like symptoms had more non‐motor symptoms and a lower faecal abundance of Prevotella bacteria than those without IBS‐like symptoms.ConclusionOur results indicate that PD patients may suffer from colonic dysfunction beyond pure constipation. Therefore, a more comprehensive assessment of bowel symptoms could provide valuable information. The lower abundance of Prevotella bacteria in PD patients with IBS‐like symptoms suggests that the microbiota−gut−brain axis may be implicated in the gastrointestinal dysfunction of PD patients.
States and rates: Complementary approaches to developing flow‐ecology relationships
Authors: Wheeler Kit , Wenger Seth J. , Freeman Mary C. 
Published: September 2017

Abstract

In recognition of the influence of flow on riverine habitats and organisms, stream ecologists have devoted considerable effort to the development of quantitative predictive relationships describing ecological responses to flow variability, i.e. flow‐ecology relationships.

Methods used to generate flow‐ecology relationships can be thought of as a continuum bookended by pure states approaches on one end and by rates approaches on the other. In pure states approaches, the ecological response is a snapshot of a condition or property (i.e. a state) derived from a single measurement in time. In contrast, ecological responses in rates approaches reflect temporal change (i.e. a rate) and are thus reliant on repeated measurements made over time.

Here, we elaborate on the fundamental characteristics of different approaches (pure states, rates and an intermediate approach we call repeated states) for generating flow‐ecology relationships, examine how commonly the different approaches are used in the flow‐ecology literature, conduct an independent analysis to illustrate the different outcomes achieved by applying repeated‐states and rates approaches using a dataset for stream fish diversity in relation to flow magnitude, and identify some of the different ways ecologists are applying rates approaches in flow ecology.

Our literature review revealed that repeated‐states approaches (53% of reviewed studies) were used far more commonly than either pure states (19%) or rates (12%) approaches to generate flow‐ecology relationships. The remaining hybrid studies (17%) used both state and rate responses, and thus also relied on repeated measurements over time.

Despite frequent collection of data suitable for rates approaches, flow‐ecology relationships have generally been developed using states approaches that relate changes in ecological states to different long‐term average flow conditions, rather than to specific flow sequences over much shorter time intervals. Such flow‐ecology relationships cannot generate temporally specific predictions of ecological responses to changing flow conditions (i.e. the expected change in state following a specific flow sequence), nor can they describe demographic processes underlying observed changes. While there are different scenarios in which a pure or repeated‐states approach would be useful, more frequent use of rates approaches would increase our ability to test flow‐ecology hypotheses and our mechanistic understanding of flow‐ecology relationships.
Helicobacter pylori infection in children
Authors: Kalach Nicolas , Bontems Patrick , Raymond Josette 
Published: September 2017

AbstractHelicobacter pylori infection in children differs from that in adults, from the point of view of epidemiology, host response, clinical features, related diseases, and diagnosis, as well as treatment strategies.The prevalence of H. pylori infection, in both children and adults, is decreasing in the Western World as well as in some developing countries, which contrasts with the increase in childhood asthma and allergic diseases. Recurrent abdominal pain is not specific during H. pylori infection in children. The role of H. pylori infection and failure to thrive, children's growth, type I diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and celiac disease remains controversial.The main initial diagnosis is based on upper digestive endoscopy with biopsy‐based methods. Nodular gastritis may be a pathognomonic endoscopic finding of childhood H. pylori infection. The infection eradication control is based on validated noninvasive tests.The main cause of treatment failure of H. pylori infection is its clarithromycin resistance. We recommend standard antibiotic susceptibility testing of H. pylori in pediatric patients prior to the initiation of eradication therapy. H. pylori treatment in children should be based on an evaluation of the rate of eradication in the local population, a systematic use of a treatment adapted to the susceptibility profile and a treatment compliance greater than 90%. The last meta‐analysis in children did not show an advantage for sequential therapy when compared to a 14‐day triple therapy.Finally, the high rate of antibiotic resistance responsible for therapy failure in recent years justifies the necessity of a novel vaccine to prevent H. pylori infection in children.
Urolithiasis is prevalent and associated with reduced bone mineral density in β‐thalassaemia major
Authors: Wong Phillip , Milat Frances , Fuller Peter J. , Kerr Peter G. , Doery James C. G. , Oh Danielle H. , Jackson Dana , Gillespie Matthew T. , Bowden Donald K. , Pasricha Sant‐Rayn , Lau Ken K. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractAsymptomatic urolithiasis is common and of mixed composition in patients with β‐thalassaemia major. Twenty‐seven subjects were imaged using dual‐energy computer tomography to determine the presence and composition of urolithiasis. The prevalence of urolithiasis was 59% and affected patients generally had multiple stones, often with more than one component: struvite (33%), calcium oxalate (31%) and cystine (22%). Hypercalciuria was present in 78% of subjects and calcium‐containing urolithiasis was associated with reduced femoral neck Z scores.
Impact of physical activity on obesity and lipid profile of adults with intellectual disability
Authors: Gawlik Krystyna , Zwierzchowska Anna , Celebańska Diana 
Published: September 2017

IntroductionThis study assessed overweight, obesity and lipid profiles in adults with intellectual disability and compared these metrics with their physical activity.Materials and MethodBasic somatic parameters, lipid profile and weekly physical activity were examined in 27 adults with moderate intellectual disability. Chi‐square independence tests and Pearson's linear correlation coefficients were used.ResultsThe participants had excess body mass, excess body fat and abdominal obesity. Very high positive correlations were shown between body mass index and both waist circumference and %fat. The lipid profiles were more favourable in the general population. Healthy levels of physical activity were observed in 8% of women and 26% of men. A high negative correlation was found between physical activity and body mass index.ConclusionThe study group was characterized by excess body mass and insufficient levels of physical activity. Body mass index and waist circumference are sufficient indicators for identifying obesity in adults with intellectual disability.
The Religious Foundations of the European Crisis
Authors: Hien Josef 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThere has been much talk about ordoliberalism recently. Scholars and the press identify it as the dominant economic instruction sheet for Germany's European crisis politics. However, by analyzing ordoliberalism only as an economic theory, the debate downplays that ordoliberalism is also an ethical theory, with strong roots in Protestant social thought. It is this rooting in Protestant social thought that makes Ordoliberalism incompatible with the socioeconomic ethics of most of the European crisis countries, whose ethics originate in Catholic and Orthodox social thought. This divergence is the source of a crisis of understanding between European nations and hinders a collective response to the Euro crisis.
Patients' perceptions and experiences of patient‐centred care in dietetic consultations
Authors: Sladdin I. , Chaboyer W. , Ball L. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBackgroundPatient‐centred care (PCC) is essential to quality healthcare. However, there is a paucity of research on PCC in dietetics, particularly regarding patients' experiences and perspectives of PCC. We aimed to enhance our understanding of PCC in dietetics by exploring patients' perceptions and experiences of PCC in individual dietetic consultations.MethodsThe present study used qualitative methods, situated in a constructivist–interpretivist paradigm. Maximum variation purposive sampling was used to recruit English speaking adult participants who had participated in ≥1 dietetic consultations for nutrition care. Individual semi‐structured interviews explored participants' perceptions and experiences of PCC in dietetic consultations. Data were analysed thematically.ResultsEleven patients were interviewed between September and November 2016. Four overarching themes emerged: (i) fostering and maintaining caring relationships; (ii) delivering individualised care; (iii) enabling patient involvement; and (iv) taking control of one's own health.ConclusionsPCC is important to patients. Thus, there is opportunity for dietitians to enhance the care they provide by adopting patient‐centred practices. As the first study of its kind, these findings can inform future dietetic practice, education and research by contributing patients' perspectives of PCC. By understanding patients' unique needs and preferences, dietitians can better align their practice with a patient‐centred approach. Furthermore, these findings are useful for informing future dietetic research and education.
Parental decisions following prenatal diagnosis of sex chromosome aneuploidy in Hong Kong
Authors: So Po Lam , Cheng Kwun Yue Yvonne , Cheuk Kwan Yiu , Chiu Wan Kam , Mak Shui Lam , Mok Sau Lan , Lo Tsz Kin , Yung Wai Kuen , Lo Fai Man , Chung Hon Yin Brian , Kan Sik Yau Anita , Lee Chin Peng , Tang Hoi Yin Mary 
Published: September 2017

AbstractAimAccording to the published work, pregnancy termination rates due to prenatal diagnosis of fetal sex chromosome aneuploidies (SCA) vary widely. Some potentially modifiable and non‐modifiable factors have been reported to be associated with parental decision. This study aimed to evaluate the rate of pregnancy termination for fetal SCA and the factors influencing parents' decisions in Hong Kong.MethodsThis was a 21‐year retrospective cohort study of parents' decisions following prenatal diagnosis of SCA. Univariate and multivariate analyses for the association between demographic factors, prenatal factors, or counseling provided and decision‐making were conducted.ResultsThe study included 399 pregnancies with prenatal diagnosis of SCA and the overall termination rate was 55.6% (91.7%, 48.0%, 23.4%, 4.8%, and 22.7% for 45,X, 47,XXY, 47,XXX, 47,XYY, and mosaicism, respectively). Pregnancies with ultrasound abnormalities were associated with higher termination rates than pregnancies with normal ultrasound findings (91.3% vs 28.3%, P < 0.0001). From multivariate regression analysis on 226 pregnancies with normal ultrasound examination, a higher likelihood to terminate was found in pregnancies affected by 45,X and 47,XXY (adjusted odds ratio, 4.72, P < 0.0001). Increased maternal age and history of infertility were associated with lower likelihood to terminate (adjusted odds ratio, 0.9, P = 0.012; and 5.12, P = 0.038, respectively). The pregnancy termination rate declined over time.ConclusionA significant correlation was found between the termination of SCA‐affected pregnancy and the presence of fetal sonographic abnormalities, type of SCA, maternal age, and presence of infertility.
Null Hypothesis Significance Testing and p Values
Authors: Travers Jason C. , Cook Bryan G. , Cook Lysandra 
Published: September 2017

Abstractp values are commonly reported in quantitative research, but are often misunderstood and misinterpreted by research consumers. Our aim in this article is to provide special educators with guidance for appropriately interpreting p values, with the broader goal of improving research consumers’ understanding and interpretation of research findings. Specifically, we discuss null hypothesis significance testing, describe what p values mean and how they are reported, describe some common misconceptions of p values, and provide two examples from the research literature to illustrate how p values are used in the field. Our take‐home message is that p values indicate how likely study results are to occur if the null hypothesis is true, and that p values should be cautiously interpreted.
Evolutionary conservation of structure and function of the UVR8 photoreceptor from the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha and the moss Physcomitrella patens
Authors: Soriano Gonzalo , Cloix Catherine , Heilmann Monika , Núñez‐Olivera Encarnación , Martínez‐Abaigar Javier , Jenkins Gareth I. 
Published: September 2017

Summary

The ultraviolet‐B (UV‐B) photoreceptor UV RESISTANCE LOCUS 8 (UVR8) mediates photomorphogenic responses to UV‐B in Arabidopsis through differential gene expression, but little is known about UVR8 in other species. Bryophyte lineages were the earliest diverging embryophytes, thus being the first plants facing the UV‐B regime typical of land. We therefore examined whether liverwort and moss species have functional UVR8 proteins and whether they are regulated similarly to Arabidopsis UVR8.

We examined the expression, dimer/monomer status, cellular localisation and function of Marchantia polymorpha and Physcomitrella patens UVR8 in experiments with bryophyte tissue and expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP)–UVR8 fusions in Nicotiana leaves and transgenic Arabidopsis.

P. patens expresses two UVR8 genes that encode functional proteins, whereas the single M. polymorpha UVR8 gene expresses two transcripts by alternative splicing that encode functional UVR8 variants. P. patens UVR8 proteins form dimers that monomerise and accumulate in the nucleus following UV‐B exposure, similar to Arabidopsis UVR8, but M. polymorpha UVR8 has weaker dimers and the proteins appear more constitutively nuclear.

We conclude that liverwort and moss species produce functional UVR8 proteins. Although there are differences in expression and regulation of P. patens and M. polymorpha UVR8, the mechanism of UVR8 action is strongly conserved in evolution.
Transgenic soybeans expressing betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase from Atriplex canescens show increased drought tolerance
Authors: Qin Di , Zhao Cui‐Lan , Liu Xiao‐Yi , Wang Pi‐Wu 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBetaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (BADH) catalyses the oxidation of betaine aldehyde to glycine betaine. To test whether BADH can increase drought tolerance in soybean (Glycine max), BADH from the drought‐tolerant plant Atriplex canescens (AcBADH) was introduced into the soybean cultivar ‘Jinong 17’ by Agrobacterium‐mediated cotyledon transformation. Eight independent AcBADH transgenic lines were subjected to drought stress. As expected, AcBADH was expressed in transgenic soybean leaves and not in the control. In transgenic plants, AcBADH expression increased following drought treatment. Under osmotic stress, the germination index was 6%–17% higher in the transgenic lines than in the control. Using a randomized block design, we measured drought‐related physiological indices and yield traits. The proline content in AcBADH transgenic soybeans increased by 12.5%–16.6%, peroxidase activity increased by 1%–7%, dry weight of plant increased by 15%–20% and malondialdehyde contents decreased by 1.5%–13%, compared to the control. Under drought conditions, two of the eight transgenic soybean lines had higher yields than the control, with increases of 7.59%–8.84%. Therefore, transgenic expression of AcBADH may provide a promising strategy to engineer drought tolerance without adverse consequences.