bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of exercise training on biventricular myocardial strain in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Angadi Siddhartha S. , Jarrett Catherine L. , Sherif Moustafa , Gaesser Glenn A. , Mookadam Farouk 
Published: March 2017

AbstractAimsHigh‐intensity interval training (HIIT) improves peak oxygen uptake and left ventricular diastology in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). However, its effects on myocardial strain in HFpEF remain unknown. We explored the effects of HIIT and moderate‐intensity aerobic continuous training (MI‐ACT) on left and right ventricular strain parameters in patients with HFpEF. Furthermore, we explored their relationship with peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak).Methods and resultsFifteen patients with HFpEF (age = 70 ± 8.3 years) were randomized to either: (i) HIIT (4 × 4 min, 85–90% peak heart rate, interspersed with 3 min of active recovery; n = 9) or (ii) MI‐ACT (30 min at 70% peak heart rate; n = 6). Patients were trained 3 days/week for 4 weeks and underwent VO2peak testing and 2D echocardiography at baseline and after completion of the 12 sessions of supervised exercise training. Left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) average global peak systolic longitudinal strain (GLS) and peak systolic longitudinal strain rate (GSR) were quantified. Paired t‐tests were used to examine within‐group differences and unpaired t‐tests used for between‐group differences (α = 0.05). Right ventricular average global peak systolic longitudinal strain improved significantly in the HIIT group after training (pre = −18.4 ± 3.2%, post = −21.4 ± 1.7%; P = 0.02) while RV‐GSR, LV‐GLS, and LV‐GSR did not (P > 0.2). No significant improvements were observed following MI‐ACT. No significant between‐group differences were observed for any strain measure. ΔLV‐GLS and ΔRV‐GLS were modestly correlated with ΔVO2peak (r = −0.48 and r = −0.45; P = 0.1, respectively).ConclusionsIn patients with HFpEF, 4 weeks of HIIT significantly improved RV‐GLS.
Are rare variants really independent?
Authors: Turkmen Asuman , Lin Shili 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACTRecent advances in genotyping with high‐density markers allow researchers access to genomic variants including rare ones. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) is widely used to provide insight into evolutionary history. It is also the basis for association mapping in humans and other species. Better understanding of the genomic LD structure may lead to better‐informed statistical tests that can improve the power of association studies. Although rare variant associations with common diseases (RVCD) have been extensively studied recently, there is very limited understanding, and even controversial view of LD structures among rare variants and between rare and common variants. In fact, many popular RVCD tests make the assumptions that rare variants are independent. In this report, we show that two commonly used LD measures are not capable of detecting LD when rare variants are involved. We present this argument from two perspectives, both the LD measures themselves and the computational issues associated with them. To address these issues, we propose an alternative LD measure, the polychoric correlation, that was originally designed for detecting associations among categorical variables. Using simulated as well as the 1000 Genomes data, we explore the performances of LD measures in detail and discuss their implications in association studies.
Coercion and Access to Health Care
Authors: Reiter Keramet 
Published: March 2017

AbstractIn this issue of the Hastings Center Report, Paul Christopher and colleagues describe a study of why prisoners choose to enroll in clinical research. The article represents an important methodological and policy contribution to the literature on prisoner participation in research and medical experimentation. Given the methodological and ethical debates to which this research seeks to make an empirical contribution, the careful manner in which the study was conducted and the transparency with which the authors describe the research is especially noteworthy. In sum, I respect the research steps the authors took. However, I disagree with their conclusions about both the absence of coercion for prisoner clinical research participants and the merits of applying risk‐benefit models to govern prisoner research participation.
Justifying Clinical Nudges
Authors: Gorin Moti , Joffe Steven , Dickert Neal , Halpern Scott 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe shift away from paternalistic decision‐making and toward patient‐centered, shared decision‐making has stemmed from the recognition that in order to practice medicine ethically, health care professionals must take seriously the values and preferences of their patients. At the same time, there is growing recognition that minor and seemingly irrelevant features of how choices are presented can substantially influence the decisions people make. Behavioral economists have identified striking ways in which trivial differences in the presentation of options can powerfully and predictably affect people's choices. Choice‐affecting features of the decision environment that do not restrict the range of choices or significantly alter the incentives have come to be known as “nudges.”Although some have criticized conscious efforts to influence choice, we believe that clinical nudges may often be morally justified. The most straightforward justification for nudge interventions is that they help people bypass their cognitive limitations—for example, the tendency to choose the first option presented even when that option is not the best for them—thereby allowing people to make choices that best align with their rational preferences or deeply held values. However, we argue that this justification is problematic. We argue that, if physicians wish to use nudges to shape their patients’ choices, the justification for doing so must appeal to an ethical and professional standard, not to patients’ preferences. We demonstrate how a standard with which clinicians and bioethicists already are quite familiar—the best‐interest standard—offers a robust justification for the use of nudges.
Expression of AKR1B10 as an independent marker for poor prognosis in human oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Ko Hui‐Hsin , Cheng Shih‐Lung , Lee Jang‐Jaer , Chen Hsin‐Ming , Kuo Mark Yen‐Ping , Cheng Shih‐Jung 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACTBackgroundAldo‐keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10) is implicated in xenobiotic detoxification and has disparate functions in tumorigenesis that are dependent on the cell types. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinicopathological significance of AKR1B10 as a prognostic marker for oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs).MethodsAKR1B10 protein expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in 77 patients with OSCC.ResultsThe AKR1B10 labeling score for OSCCs (1.16 ± 1.14) was significantly higher than that for normal oral mucosa (0.10 ± 0.23; p < .0001). High expression of AKR1B10 significantly correlated with large tumor size (p = .041), advanced TNM classification (p = .037), and patient's areca quid chewing habit (p = .025). Multivariate analysis revealed that high AKR1B10 labeling score >1.16 (hazard ratio, 3.647; p = .001) significantly correlated with mortality.ConclusionAKR1B10 overexpression is an independent poor prognostic biomarker for OSCC. AKR1B10 inhibitors may be promising in clinical trials against OSCC. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 39: 1327–1332, 2017
The correlation between LIN28B gene potentially functional variants and Wilms tumor susceptibility in Chinese children
Authors: Fu Wen , Liu Guo‐Chang , Zhao Zhang , Zhu Jinhong , Jia Wei , Zhu Shi‐Bo , Hu Jin‐Hua , Wang Feng‐Hua , He Jing , Xia Huimin 
Published: March 2017

BackgroundWilms tumor (WT) is the most common urologic cancer in children. However, genetic bases underlying WT remain largely unknown. Previous studies indicated that Lin28 homolog B (LIN28B) level is significantly elevated in some WTs. Enforced expression of Lin28b during kidney development could induce WT. Genetic variations in the LIN28B gene may be related to WT susceptibility.MethodIn this study, we aimed to assess the association between LIN28B gene polymorphisms and WT susceptibility in Chinese children. Four potentially functional polymorphisms in the LIN28B gene (rs314276 C>A, rs221634 A>T, rs221635 T>C and rs9404590 T>G) were genotyped in 145 cases and 531 cancer‐free controls, using Taqman method. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to evaluate the strength of the associations.ResultsOur results showed that the rs314276 CA genotype was associated with a decreased WT risk (CA vs CC: adjusted OR=0.65, 95% CI=0.43‐0.98, P=.042). Moreover, we found that carriers of the 1‐3 risk genotypes had a significantly increased WT risk when compared to the non‐carriers (adjusted OR=1.51, 95% CI=1.03‐2.20, P=.035). The association with risk genotypes was more predominant in children 18 month old or younger and in females.ConclusionIn summary, these results indicated that the LIN28B gene rs314276 C>A polymorphism alone and three combined polymorphisms may be able to modify WT susceptibility in Southern Chinese children. Our findings call for further validation in large studies with different ethnicities involved.
Depressive Symptoms and the Anticipation and Experience of Uplifting Events in Everyday Life
Authors: Starr Lisa R. , Hershenberg Rachel 
Published: March 2017

ObjectiveDespite proliferation of laboratory‐based studies examining reward functioning in depression, few studies have examined these processes in everyday life. We addressed this shortcoming by exploring experience and anticipation of uplifting experiences under ecologically valid conditionsMethodOne hundred fifty‐seven young adults, oversampled for depressive symptoms, completed a 14‐day diary tracking mood in relation to recent and anticipated positive eventsResultsConsistent with studies supporting “mood‐brightening” effects in depression, participants with greater baseline dysphoria showed stronger associations between elevated daily uplifts and lower daily depressive symptoms, particularly when events were interpersonal in nature. Baseline dysphoria was associated with lower daily anticipation of positive next‐day experiences; however, when dysphoric individuals did anticipate positive experiences, they experienced greater reductions in depressed moodConclusionResults suggest that despite reward processing deficits found in laboratory studies, dysphoric individuals show improvements in mood in conjunction with anticipation and consumption of uplifting events in daily life.
Comparison of MR flow quantification in peripheral and main pulmonary arteries in patients after right ventricular outflow tract surgery: A retrospective study
Authors: Rutz Tobias , Meierhofer Christian , Naumann Susanne , Martinoff Stefan , Ewert Peter , Stern Heiko C. , Fratz Sohrab 
Published: March 2017

PurposeTo compare the quantification of pulmonary stroke volume (SV) by phase contrast magnetic resonance (PC‐MR) in the main pulmonary artery (MPA) to the sum of SVs in both peripheral pulmonary arteries (PPA) in different right ventricular (RV) outflow pathologies.Materials and MethodsPulmonary SV was determined by PC‐MR in the MPA and the PPA in healthy individuals (H, n = 54), patients after correction for tetralogy of Fallot with significant pulmonary regurgitation and without pulmonary or RV outflow tract stenosis (PR, n = 50), and in patients with RV outflow tract or pulmonary valve stenosis (PS, n = 50). Resulting SVs were compared to aortic SV in the ascending aorta.ResultsMean age was similar between the groups: H 28 ± 17 vs. PR 24 ± 11 vs. PS 22 ± 10 years. Bland–Altman analyses revealed in all groups a relatively small systemic (bias) but large random error (limits of agreement) for pulmonary SV determined in the MPA as compared to summed SVs in the PPA. The largest limits of agreement were present in PS patients: H: MPA 3.9% (–11, + 19) vs. PPA 0.4% (–15, + 15); PR: MPA 5.2% (–25, + 36) vs. PPA 0.6% (–24, + 26); PS: MPA 5% (–36; + 46), PPA –0.03% (–34, + 35).ConclusionThe accuracy of PC‐MR in the MPA is reasonable; however, a large random error (precision) is observed that is most pronounced in PS patients. This potential error should be taken into consideration when interpreting MPA flow measurements.Level of Evidence: 3Technical Efficacy: Stage 2J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;46:1839–1845.
DWI of the prostate: Comparison of a faster diagonal acquisition to standard three‐scan trace acquisition
Authors: Corcuera‐Solano Idoia , Wagner Mathilde , Hectors Stefanie , Lewis Sara , Titelbaum Nicholas , Stemmer Alto , Rastinehad Ardeshir , Tewari Ashutosh , Taouli Bachir 
Published: March 2017

PurposeTo compare a faster diagonal diffusion‐weighted imaging (d‐DWI) to conventional three‐scan trace DWI (t‐DWI) acquisition for prostate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in terms of image quality, tumor detection/conspicuity, Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI‐RADS) characterization, quantitative estimated signal‐to‐noise ratio (eSNR), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurement.Patients and MethodsA total of 34 consecutive men with suspected prostate cancer (PCa) who underwent 3T MRI of the prostate were assessed. MRI included t‐DWI and d‐DWI (using b‐values of 50, 1000, and 1600 s/mm2, number of averages 1/5/10 for t‐DWI vs. 2/8/14 for d‐DWI, acquisition time 6:21 min vs. 4:17 min, respectively). Two independent observers evaluated image quality, including image sharpness, anatomic distortion, and artifacts on a 5‐point scale (1–5) and assessed tumor detection, conspicuity, and PI‐RADS classification with both DWI sequences. eSNR and ADC were measured in the peripheral zone (PZ), transitional zone (TZ), and detected tumors. Data was compared using paired Wilcoxon signed rank tests and McNemar test. Coefficients of variations (CV) between ADC obtained with both sequences were calculated.ResultsSignificantly fewer artifacts were observed on d‐DWI at b 1600 for observer 2 (P < 0.01), while the other image quality scores were equivalent for both sequences. eSNR was lower with d‐DWI vs. t‐DWI in PZ and TZ for b 1000 (P < 0.01 and P = 0.03, respectively) and b 1600 (P < 0.01 for both). ADC reproducibility between sequences was excellent (CV <10%). No significant differences were found for tumor detection (P ≥ 0.25), conspicuity (P ≥ 0.12), or PI‐RADS classification (P ≥ 0.10).Conclusiond‐DWI can provide a substantial reduction in acquisition time (∼30%) while maintaining equivalent tumor detection, PI‐RADS score, image quality, and ADC values.Level of Evidence: 3Technical Efficacy: Stage 2J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;46:1767–1775.
Effect of mechanical stresses on graphene‐based devices
Authors: Zheng Yi , Valerio Guido , Ren Zhuoxiang 
Published: March 2017

AbstractIn this work, we analyse the effect of mechanical stresses on graphene devices for application in flexible electronics. The possible Schottky contacts in the transistor are modeled through suitable transmission coefficients describing the tunnelling through the electrostatic potential along the graphene channel. The surface potential is determined by imposing an equality between the charges computed with a micromodel and a macromodel. All these computation tools are explicitly dependent on the choice of geometrical parameters, thus allowing the description of uniform geometrical deformations due to strains along a given direction. Numerical results are computed and discussed.
Hearing loss as a risk factor for dementia: A systematic review
Authors: Thomson Rhett S. , Auduong Priscilla , Miller Alexander T. , Gurgel Richard K. 
Published: March 2017

ObjectivesTo review evidence of hearing loss as a risk factor for dementia.Data Sources: PubMedReview methods: A systematic review was conducted using the PubMed database using the search terms (hearing loss OR presbycusis) AND (dementia OR cognitive decline). Initially, 488 articles were obtained. Only those studies evaluating an association between hearing loss and incident dementia or cognitive decline were included in the analysis. This resulted in 17 articles which were thoroughly evaluated with consideration for study design, method for determining hearing loss and cognitive status, relevant covariates and confounding factors, and key findings.ResultsAll of the 17 articles meeting inclusion criteria indicate that hearing loss is associated with dementia or cognitive decline. The methods used among the studies for ascertaining hearing loss and dementia were notably varied. For hearing loss, peripheral auditory function was tested far more than central auditory function. For peripheral audition, pure tone audiometry was the most commonly reported method for defining hearing loss. Only a few studies measured central auditory function by using the Synthetic Sentence Identification with Ipsilateral Competing Message test (SSI‐ICM) and the Staggered Spondaic Word Test (SSW). Dementia was most often defined using the Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE). However, many studies used extensive batteries of tests to define cognitive status, often including a neuropsychologist. Confounding variables such as cardiovascular risk factors were measured in 17 studies and family history of dementia was only evaluated in 1 study. Overall, the methods used by studies to ascertain hearing loss, cognitive status and other variables are valid, making their evaluation appear reliable.ConclusionWhile each of the studies included in this study utilized slightly different methods for evaluating participants, each of them demonstrated that hearing loss is associated with higher incidence of dementia in older adults.Level of EvidenceLevel V, systematic review.
Bi‐allelic alterations in DNA repair genes underpin homologous recombination DNA repair defects in breast cancer
Authors: Mutter Robert W , Riaz Nadeem , Ng Charlotte KY , Delsite Rob , Piscuoglio Salvatore , Edelweiss Marcia , Martelotto Luciano G , Sakr Rita A , King Tari A , Giri Dilip D , Drobnjak Maria , Brogi Edi , Bindra Ranjit , Bernheim Giana , Lim Raymond S , Blecua Pedro , Desrichard Alexis , Higginson Dan , Towers Russell , Jiang Ruomu , Lee William , Weigelt Britta , Reis‐Filho Jorge S , Powell Simon N 
Published: March 2017

AbstractHomologous recombination (HR) DNA repair‐deficient (HRD) breast cancers have been shown to be sensitive to DNA repair targeted therapies. Burgeoning evidence suggests that sporadic breast cancers, lacking germline BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations, may also be HRD. We developed a functional ex vivo RAD51‐based test to identify HRD primary breast cancers. An integrated approach examining methylation, gene expression, and whole‐exome sequencing was employed to ascertain the aetiology of HRD. Functional HRD breast cancers displayed genomic features of lack of competent HR, including large‐scale state transitions and specific mutational signatures. Somatic and/or germline genetic alterations resulting in bi‐allelic loss‐of‐function of HR genes underpinned functional HRD in 89% of cases, and were observed in only one of the 15 HR‐proficient samples tested. These findings indicate the importance of a comprehensive genetic assessment of bi‐allelic alterations in the HR pathway to deliver a precision medicine‐based approach to select patients for therapies targeting tumour‐specific DNA repair defects. Copyright © 2017 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bone morphogenetic protein and Notch signalling crosstalk in poor‐prognosis, mesenchymal‐subtype colorectal cancer
Authors: Irshad Shazia , Bansal Mukesh , Guarnieri Paolo , Davis Hayley , Al Haj Zen Ayman , Baran Brygida , Pinna Claudia Maria Assunta , Rahman Haseeb , Biswas Sujata , Bardella Chiara , Jeffery Rosemary , Wang Lai Mun , East James Edward , Tomlinson Ian , Lewis Annabelle , Leedham Simon John 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe functional role of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling in colorectal cancer (CRC) is poorly defined, with contradictory results in cancer cell line models reflecting the inherent difficulties of assessing a signalling pathway that is context‐dependent and subject to genetic constraints. By assessing the transcriptional response of a diploid human colonic epithelial cell line to BMP ligand stimulation, we generated a prognostic BMP signalling signature, which was applied to multiple CRC datasets to investigate BMP heterogeneity across CRC molecular subtypes. We linked BMP and Notch signalling pathway activity and function in human colonic epithelial cells, and normal and neoplastic tissue. BMP induced Notch through a γ‐secretase‐independent interaction, regulated by the SMAD proteins. In homeostasis, BMP/Notch co‐localization was restricted to cells at the top of the intestinal crypt, with more widespread interaction in some human CRC samples. BMP signalling was downregulated in the majority of CRCs, but was conserved specifically in mesenchymal‐subtype tumours, where it interacts with Notch to induce an epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype. In intestinal homeostasis, BMP–Notch pathway crosstalk is restricted to differentiating cells through stringent pathway segregation. Conserved BMP activity and loss of signalling stringency in mesenchymal‐subtype tumours promotes a synergistic BMP–Notch interaction, and this correlates with poor patient prognosis. BMP signalling heterogeneity across CRC subtypes and cell lines can account for previous experimental contradictions. Crosstalk between the BMP and Notch pathways will render mesenchymal‐subtype CRC insensitive to γ‐secretase inhibition unless BMP activation is concomitantly addressed. © 2017 The Authors. Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Decentralized summation‐based triggering mechanism for Lipschitz nonlinear systems
Authors: Mousavi Seyed Hossein , Marquez Horacio J. 
Published: March 2017

SummaryIn this paper, a decentralized event‐based triggering mechanism for a class of nonlinear control systems is studied. It is assumed that the measurement sensors are geographically distributed and so local event generator modules are employed. Then, a novel periodic triggering condition is proposed for each module, which can potentially reduce the information exchange between subsystems compared with traditional control approaches, while maintaining closed‐loop asymptotic stability. The triggering condition parameters are designed through a convex optimization problem with LMI constraints. Finally, simulations are carried out to illustrate the performance of the introduced scheme. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Waterscape: a perspective for understanding the contested geography of water
Authors: Karpouzoglou Timothy , Vij Sumit 
Published: March 2017

The waterscape is a perspective that has captured the imagination of diverse scholars interested in the interaction of water and society. This includes the way water travels in time and space and is shaped by culture and geography. In this article, we pay particular attention to the study of the waterscape in the political ecology tradition. Scholars following this tradition have placed strong emphasis on understanding the role of power and the contested nature of water in diverse rural, urban, and periurban landscapes. The article provides a brief account of the main strands of literature and serves the purpose of an introductory overview of the waterscape for beginners. We focus both on major works that have helped define the waterscape as a perspective in political ecology and recent studies on the role of unequal power and gender relationships, informal water practices, and local water flows such as ponds and wastewater. WIREs Water 2017, 4:e1210. doi: 10.1002/wat2.1210This article is categorized under:

Engineering Water > Planning Water
Human Water > Water Governance
Human Water > Water as Imagined and Represented