bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Atrial arrhythmias in inherited arrhythmogenic disorders
Authors: Hasdemir Can 
Published: February 2016

AbstractAtrial arrhythmias are being increasingly recognized in inherited arrhythmogenic disorders particularly in patients with Brugada syndrome and short QT syndrome. Atrial arrhythmias in inherited arrhythmogenic disorders have significant epidemiologic, clinical, and prognostic implications. There has been progress in the understanding of underlying genetic characteristics and the mechanistic link between atrial arrhythmias and inherited arrhythmogenic disorders. Appropriate management of these patients is of paramount importance.
Knee Kinematics and Joint Moments During Stair Negotiation in Participants With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Deficiency and Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Hajizadeh Maryam , Hashemi Oskouei Alireza , Ghalichi Farzan , Sole Gisela 
Published: February 2016

AbstractObjectiveBiomechanical changes have been reported for patients with anterior cruciate ligament deficiency (ACLD) and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL reconstruction) (ACLR), likely due to loss of stability and changes in proprioception and neuromotor control. This review evaluated kinematics and kinetics of ACLD and ACLR knees, compared with those on the contralateral uninjured sides, as well as and those in asymptomatic controls during stair navigation.DesignThis is a systematic review and meta‐analysis.Literature SurveyElectronic database searches were conducted from their original available dates to January 2015. Studies that included participants with ACLD or ACLR and reported knee joint angles or moments during stair ascent or descent were included.MethodologyNine studies met the inclusion criteria, and the methodological quality of these was assessed with a modified Downs and Black checklist. Effect sizes for differences between injured leg and uninjured contralateral leg or controls were calculated, and meta‐analyses were performed if two or more studies considered the same variable.SynthesisQuality assessment showed an average (± standard deviation) of 70.3% ± 7.2%. Meta‐analysis showed less knee flexion at initial contact for ACLR knees compared with that in contralateral knees during stair ascent, with a moderate effect size and minimal heterogeneity. Knees with ACLD showed less peak knee flexion compared with that on contralateral sides during stair ascent, with minimal heterogeneity. External knee flexion moments were lower for ACLR compared with those in controls and contralateral sides during ascent and descent, whereas these moments were decreased for the ACLD compared with controls only during ascent. Meta‐analysis results exhibited moderate/high heterogeneity or small/trivial effect sizes.ConclusionsDifferences for kinematics and kinetics for the ACL‐injured knees indicate long‐term compensatory and asymmetric movement patterns while ascending and descending stairs. Due to the heterogeneity as well as the small numbers of available studies, the consequences of these differences in terms of long‐term function or posttraumatic osteoarthritis need further exploration.
Risk of Avalanche Involvement in Winter Backcountry Recreation: The Advantage of Small Groups
Authors: Zweifel Benjamin , Procter Emily , Techel Frank , Strapazzon Giacomo , Boutellier Roman 
Published: February 2016

Objective Avalanches are the primary hazard for winter backcountry recreationists and cause numerous deaths and injuries annually. Although recreationists usually travel in groups, there is little empirical knowledge on group-related risk factors. This study aims to explore the relative risk of avalanche accidents with respect to group size and to discuss underlying reasons for different risk levels. Methods We compared backcountry usage data in regions in Switzerland and Italy with avalanche accident data in these regions. Results We found higher avalanche risk for groups of 4 or more people and lower risk for people traveling alone and in groups of 2. The relative risk of group size 4, 5, and 6 was higher compared with the reference group size of 2 in the Swiss and Italian dataset. The relative risk for people traveling alone was not significantly different compared with the reference group size of 2 in the Italian dataset but was lower in the Swiss dataset. Conclusions These findings are in accordance with avalanche safety recommendations regarding the higher risk of large groups but not regarding lower risks of people traveling alone in avalanche terrain, which is not recommended and requires great caution. Further studies on backcountry usage are necessary to improve our understanding of human behavior and risk factors. New techniques (eg, video monitoring) may be useful for acquiring reliable data on backcountry usage.
The role of serial physical examinations in the management of angioedema involving the head and neck: A prospective observational study
Authors: Linkov Gary , Cracchiolo Jennifer R. , Chan Norman J. , Healy Megan , Jamal Nausheen , Soliman Ahmed M.S. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractObjectiveTo elucidate the progression of angioedema of the head and neck with routine management and to assess the utility of serial physical exams and fiberoptic laryngoscopy in its management.MethodsThis study was a prospective observational research. From 2013 to 2014, a prospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary referral center. Forty patient were approached, 7 refused, 33 (18–90 years old) were enrolled. Patients presented with angioedema involving the head and neck over a 12 month period were asked to participate in the study. Physical examination and fiberoptic laryngoscopy were performed at presentation and then repeated at least 1 h later.ResultsThirty‐three patients with head and neck angioedema from any cause were enrolled (mean age 58, range 23–89 years). The upper lip was the most commonly involved site (58%). On reevaluation, 82% of patients reported subjective improvement in symptoms. The association between subjective improvement and the physical exam, including fiberoptic laryngoscopy findings, was statistically significant (P < 0.001).ConclusionIn stable patients with angioedema of any head and neck subsite, self‐reported symptoms are associated with clinical stability or improvement as assessed by physical signs and fiberoptic laryngoscopy. Patients' symptoms may be an appropriate surrogate to monitor clinical status without the need for routine serial physical examinations or fiberoptic laryngoscopy, though further study is needed.
Varieties of Religious Freedom in Japanese Buddhist Responses to the 1899 Religions Bill
Authors: THOMAS Jolyon Baraka 
Published: February 2016

AbstractHistorians have often described early-twentieth-century Japanese Buddhists as ignorant of the importance of religious freedom, myopically focused on their parochial agendas, and sycophantically aligned with the state. Such depictions assume that the attitudes of a minority of elite Buddhist clerics represent majority Buddhist opinion; they also problematically treat religious freedom as a universal principle rather than a historically contingent concept subject to the conflicting claims of competing interest groups. This article highlights the contingency of religious freedom law and the diversity of its interpretation by introducing three discrete attitudes that surfaced in Buddhist responses to a controversial Bill advanced by the Japanese government in December 1899. Tracing differences between statist, corporatist, and latitudinarian interpretations of religious freedom, it shows that religious freedom is never unitary or uniform in any time or place.
LIFE CARE ANNUITIES (LCA) EMBEDDED IN A NOTIONAL DEFINED CONTRIBUTION (NDC) FRAMEWORK
Authors: Pla-Porcel Javier , Ventura-Marco Manuel , Vidal-Meliá Carlos 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThis paper examines the possibility of embedding public long-term care (LTC) insurance within the retirement pension system, i.e. introducing life care annuities into a notional defined contribution framework. To do this, we develop a multistate overlapping generations model that includes the so-called survivor dividend and give special attention to the assumptions made about mortality rates for dependent persons and LTC incidence rates, which largely determine the contribution rate assigned to LTC. The proposed model could be of interest to policymakers because it could be implemented without too much difficulty, it would universalize LTC coverage with a “fixed” cost, and it would discourage politicians from making promises about future LTC benefits without the necessary funding support.
PERCEPTION, HISTORY AND BENEFIT
Authors: Simion Mona 
Published: February 2016

AbstractIn recent literature, several authors attempt to naturalize epistemic normativity by employing an etiological account of functions. The thought is that epistemic entitlement consists in the normal functioning of our belief-acquisition systems, where the latter acquire the function to reliably deliver true beliefs through a history of biological benefit.This paper's aim is twofold. First, it puts pressure on the main proper functionalist claim; it is argued that a history of positive biological feedback is neither necessary nor sufficient for epistemic justification. Second, I suggest that this problem is sourced in a defect of application of functionalist accounts to epistemic normativity, and I offer a fix.
SEEING IT FOR ONESELF: PERCEPTUAL KNOWLEDGE, UNDERSTANDING, AND INTELLECTUAL AUTONOMY
Authors: Pritchard Duncan 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACTThe idea of ‘seeing it for oneself’ is explored. It is claimed that there is something epistemically important about acquiring one's knowledge first-hand via active perception rather than second-hand via testimony (or even via passive perception). Moreover, it is claimed that this kind of active perceptual seeing it for oneself is importantly related to the kind of understanding that is acquired when one possesses a correct and appropriately detailed explanation of how cause and effect are related. In both cases we have a kind of seeing it for oneself – perceptual, intellectual – which serves what is claimed to be a fundamental good:intellectual autonomy. It is argued that this proposal leads to a distinctive view about the goal of inquiry as often being a certain kind of knowledge rather than knowledgesimpliciter. Finally, it is claimed that treating intellectual autonomy as a fundamental good is entirely compatible with granting that there is an important social dimension to our epistemic practices.
INFERENTIALISM AND COGNITIVE PENETRATION OF PERCEPTION
Authors: Lyons Jack C. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractCognitive penetration of perception is the idea that what we see (hear, taste, etc.) is influenced by such “cognitive” states as beliefs, expectations, and so on. A perceptual belief that results from cognitive penetration may be less justified than a nonpenetrated one. Inferentialism is a kind of internalist view that tries to account for this by claiming that (a) some experiences are epistemically evaluable, on the basis of why the perceiver has that experience, and (b) the familiar canons of good inference provide the appropriate standards by which experiences are evaluated. I examine recent defenses of inferentialism by Susanna Siegel, Peter Markie, and Matthew McGrath and argue that the prospects for inferentialism are dim.
Impact of Safety-Engineered Devices on the Incidence of Occupational Blood and Body Fluid Exposures Among Healthcare Personnel in an Academic Facility, 2000–2014
Authors: Kanamori Hajime , Weber David J. , DiBiase Lauren M. , Pitman Karen L. , Consoli Stephanie A. , Hill James , Sickbert-Bennett Emily E. , Rutala William A. 
Published: February 2016

BACKGROUNDLegislative actions and advanced technologies, particularly dissemination of safety-engineered devices, have aided in protecting healthcare personnel from occupational blood and body fluid exposures (BBFE).OBJECTIVETo investigate the trends in BBFE among healthcare personnel over 15 years and the impact of safety-engineered devices on the incidence of percutaneous injuries as well as features of injuries associated with these devices.METHODSRetrospective cohort study at University of North Carolina Hospitals, a tertiary care academic facility. Data on BBFE in healthcare personnel were extracted from Occupational Health Service records (2000–2014). Exposures associated with safety-engineered and conventional devices were compared. Generalized linear models were applied to measure the annual incidence rate difference by exposure type over time.RESULTSA total of 4,300 BBFE, including 3,318 percutaneous injuries (77%), were reported. The incidence rate for overall BBFE was significantly reduced during 2000–2014 (incidence rate difference, 1.72; P=.0003). The incidence rate for percutaneous injuries was also dramatically reduced during 2001–2006 (incidence rate difference, 1.37; P=.0079) but was less changed during 2006–2014. Percutaneous injuries associated with safety-engineered devices accounted for 27% of all BBFE. BBFE was most commonly due to injecting through skin, placing intravenous catheters, and blood drawing.CONCLUSIONSOur study revealed significant overall reduction in BBFE and percutaneous injuries likely due in part to the impact of safety-engineered devices but also identified that a considerable proportion of percutaneous injuries is now associated with these devices. Additional prevention strategies are needed to further reduce percutaneous injuries and improve design of safety-engineered devices.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;37:497–504
Surgical Team Stability and Risk of Sharps-Related Blood and Body Fluid Exposures During Surgical Procedures
Authors: Myers Douglas J. , Lipscomb Hester J. , Epling Carol , Hunt Debra , Richardson William , Smith-Lovin Lynn , Dement John M. 
Published: February 2016

OBJECTIVETo explore whether surgical teams with greater stability among their members (ie, members have worked together more in the past) experience lower rates of sharps-related percutaneous blood and body fluid exposures (BBFE) during surgical procedures.DESIGNA 10-year retrospective cohort study.SETTINGA single large academic teaching hospital.PARTICIPANTSSurgical teams participating in surgical procedures (n=333,073) performed during 2001–2010 and 2,113 reported percutaneous BBFE were analyzed.METHODSA social network measure (referred to as the team stability index) was used to quantify the extent to which surgical team members worked together in the previous 6 months. Poisson regression was used to examine the effect of team stability on the risk of BBFE while controlling for procedure characteristics and accounting for procedure duration. Separate regression models were generated for percutaneous BBFE involving suture needles and those involving other surgical devices.RESULTSThe team stability index was associated with the risk of percutaneous BBFE (adjusted rate ratio, 0.93 [95% CI, 0.88–0.97]). However, the association was stronger for percutaneous BBFE involving devices other than suture needles (adjusted rate ratio, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.85–0.99]) than for exposures involving suture needles (0.96 [0.88–1.04]).CONCLUSIONSGreater team stability may reduce the risk of percutaneous BBFE during surgical procedures, particularly for exposures involving devices other than suture needles. Additional research should be conducted on the basis of primary data gathered specifically to measure qualities of relationships among surgical team personnel.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;37:512–518
Consumption of a high-fat meal containing cheese compared with a vegan alternative lowers postprandial C-reactive protein in overweight and obese individuals with metabolic abnormalities: a randomised controlled cross-over study
Authors: Demmer Elieke , Van Loan Marta D. , Rivera Nancy , Rogers Tara S. , Gertz Erik R. , German J. Bruce , Zivkovic Angela M. , Smilowitz Jennifer T. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractDietary recommendations suggest decreased consumption of SFA to minimise CVD risk; however, not all foods rich in SFA are equivalent. To evaluate the effects of SFA in a dairy food matrix, as Cheddar cheese, v. SFA from a vegan-alternative test meal on postprandial inflammatory markers, a randomised controlled cross-over trial was conducted in twenty overweight or obese adults with metabolic abnormalities. Individuals consumed two isoenergetic high-fat mixed meals separated by a 1- to 2-week washout period. Serum was collected at baseline, and at 1, 3 and 6 h postprandially and analysed for inflammatory markers (IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17, IL-18, TNFα, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1)), acute-phase proteins C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid-A (SAA), cellular adhesion molecules and blood lipids, glucose and insulin. Following both high-fat test meals, postprandial TAG concentrations rose steadily (P < 0·05) without a decrease by 6 h. The incremental AUC (iAUC) for CRP was significantly lower (P < 0·05) in response to the cheese compared with the vegan-alternative test meal. A treatment effect was not observed for any other inflammatory markers; however, for both test meals, multiple markers significantly changed from baseline over the 6 h postprandial period (IL-6, IL-8, IL-18, TNFα, MCP-1, SAA). Saturated fat in the form of a cheese matrix reduced the iAUC for CRP compared with a vegan-alternative test meal during the postprandial 6 h period. The study is registered at clinicaltrials.gov under NCT01803633.
The role of MMP genes in recurrent depressive disorders and cognitive functions
Authors: Bobińska Kinga , Szemraj Janusz , Gałecki Piotr , Talarowska Monika 
Published: February 2016

ObjectiveAmong the 28 metalloproteinases described so far, 23 can be found in the human organism, but only few are expressed in the human brain. The main objective of this study was to analyse the relationship between MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-2 gene expression and cognitive performance.MethodsThe study comprised 234 subjects: patients suffering from recurrent depressive disorder (rDD, n=139) and healthy subjects (HS, n=95). The cognitive function assessment was carried out with the help of the following tests: Trail Making Test, The Stroop Test, Verbal Fluency Test and Auditory Verbal Learning Test. Gene expression on the mRNA and protein level was evaluated for MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-2 in both groups using RNA extraction, reverse transcription and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsBoth mRNA and protein expression levels of all the genes were significantly lower in rDD subjects as compared with HS. Having analysed the entire experimental group (N=234), significant interrelations were found between the expression of the analysed genes and the results of the tests used to measure cognitive functions. Increased expression on both the mRNA and the protein level was associated in each case with better performance of all the tests conducted. After carrying out a separate analysis on the people from the rDD group and the HS group, similar dependencies were still observed.ConclusionsThe results of our study show decreased expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-2 genes on both mRNA and protein levels in depression. Elevated expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-2 positively affects cognitive efficiency: working memory, executive functions, attention functions, direct and delayed auditory–verbal memory, the effectiveness of learning processes and verbal fluency. The study highlights the important role of peripheral matrix metalloproteinases genes in depression and cognitive functions.
A specimen of Canis cf. C. etruscus (Mammalia, Carnivora) from the Middle Villafranchian of the Oosterschelde
Authors: Reumer J.W.F. , Piskoulis P. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractA recent find of a Middle Villafranchian (c. 2.35–2.10 Ma) Canis cf. C. etruscus in the trawlings from the Oosterschelde concerns the oldest dog known from the Netherlands and is the first appearance record of this canid in the North Sea Basin. It shows that the tribe Canini was dispersed beyond south central Europe up to the northwestern edge of the continent. The find confirms the lack of synchroneity and usefulness of the so-called ‘Wolf Event’.
Associations of breast-feeding patterns and introduction of solid foods with childhood bone mass: The Generation R Study
Authors: van den Hooven Edith H. , Gharsalli Mounira , Heppe Denise H. M. , Raat Hein , Hofman Albert , Franco Oscar H. , Rivadeneira Fernando , Jaddoe Vincent W. V. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBreast-feeding has been associated with later bone health, but results from previous studies are inconsistent. We examined the associations of breast-feeding patterns and timing of introduction of solids with bone mass at the age of 6 years in a prospective cohort study among 4919 children. We collected information about duration and exclusiveness of breast-feeding and timing of introduction of any solids with postnatal questionnaires. A total body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan was performed at 6 years of age, and bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), area-adjusted BMC (aBMC) and bone area (BA) were analysed. Compared with children who were ever breast-fed, those never breast-fed had lower BMD (−4·62 mg/cm2; 95 % CI −8·28, −0·97), BMC (−8·08 g; 95 % CI −12·45, −3·71) and BA (−7·03 cm2; 95 % CI −12·55, −1·52) at 6 years of age. Among all breast-fed children, those who were breast-fed non-exclusively in the first 4 months had higher BMD (2·91 mg/cm2; 95 % CI 0·41, 5·41) and aBMC (3·97 g; 95 % CI 1·30, 6·64) and lower BA (−4·45 cm2; 95 % CI −8·28, −0·61) compared with children breast-fed exclusively for at least 4 months. Compared with introduction of solids between 4 and 5 months, introduction <4 months was associated with higher BMD and aBMC, whereas introduction between 5 and 6 months was associated with lower aBMC and higher BA. Additional adjustment for infant vitamin D supplementation did not change the results. In conclusion, results from the present study suggest that ever breast-feeding compared with never breast-feeding is associated with higher bone mass in 6-year-old children, but exclusive breast-feeding for 4 months or longer was not positively associated with bone outcomes.
Development and validation of an interview-administered FFQ for assessment of vitamin D and calcium intakes in Finnish women
Authors: Itkonen Suvi T. , Erkkola Maijaliisa , Skaffari Essi , Saaristo Pilvi , Saarnio Elisa M. , Viljakainen Heli T. , Kärkkäinen Merja U. M. , Lamberg-Allardt Christel J. E. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractIncreased vitamin D fortification of dairy products has increased the supply of vitamin D-containing products with different vitamin D contents on the market in Finland. The authors developed a ninety-eight-item FFQ with eight food groups and with a question on supplementation to assess dietary and supplemental vitamin D and Ca intakes in Finnish women (60ºN). The FFQ was validated in subgroups with different habitual vitamin D supplement use (0–57·5 µg/d) against the biomarker serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (S-25(OH)D) and against 3-d food records (FR) (n29–67). Median total vitamin D intake among participants was 9·4 (range 1·6–30·5) µg/d. Spearman’s correlations for vitamin D and Ca ranged from 0·28 (P0·146, FFQv. S-25(OH)D, persons not using supplements) to 0·75 (P<0·001, FFQv. FR, supplement use included). The correlations between the FFQ and S-25(OH)D concentrations improved within increasing supplement intake. The Bland–Altman analysis showed wide limits of agreement between FFQ and FR: for vitamin D between −7·8 and 8·8 µg/d and for Ca between −938 and 934 mg/d, with mean differences being 0·5 µg/d and 2 mg/d, respectively. The triads method was used to calculate the validity coefficients of the FFQ for vitamin D, resulting in a mean of 1·00 (95 % CI 0·59, 1·00) and a range from 0·33 to 1·00. The perceived variation in the estimates could have been avoided with a longer FR period and larger number of participants. The results are comparable with earlier studies, and the FFQ provides a reasonable estimation of vitamin D and Ca intakes.