bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
17β-Estradiol Enhances Vascular Endothelial Ets-1/miR-126-3p Expression: The Possible Mechanism for Attenuation of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Li Ping , Wei Jinzhi , Li Xiaosa , Cheng Yang , Chen Weiyu , Cui Yuhong , Simoncini Tommaso , Gu Zhengtian , Yang Jun , Fu Xiaodong 
Published: November 2016

Abstract

Context:
Endothelial microRNA 126 (miR-126) attenuates the development of atherosclerosis (AS). However, there is no evidence showing the role of miR-126 in estrogen’s antiatherogenic effects.

Objective:
We hypothesized that 17β-estradiol (E2) modulates miR-126 expression and thus may improve endothelial function and retard AS development.

Design/Setting/Participants:
This was a prospective cohort study of 12 healthy regularly menstruating female volunteers. ApoE−/− mice were used as the atherosclerosis model and human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured as the cell model.

Main Outcome Measures:
Serum hormones and miR-126-3p levels were measured up to 3 times for 1 cycle. Real-time polymerase chain reaction, histology for atherosclerotic lesions, immunofluorescence, luciferase assay, transfection experiments, cell proliferation, migration and tube formation assay, and western blot were performed.

Results:
Serum concentrations of miR-126-3p in cycling women were higher at the ovulatory and luteal phases than in the follicular phase, and they were positively correlated with E2 values. Administration of miR-126-3p mimics to ApoE−/− mice-attenuated atherogenesis, and antagomir-126-3p partially reversed the protective effect of E2 on atherogenesis. In HUVECs, E2 increased miR-126-3p expression via upregulation of Ets-1 (a transcription factor for miR-126). c-Src/Akt signaling was important for E2-mediated expression of Ets-1/miR-126. E2 decreased expression of miR-126-3p target Spred1 (a protein that inhibits mitogenic signaling). Overexpression of Spred1 partially blocked enhancement of endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation by E2. Additionally, E2 regulates miR-126-3p–mediated expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 to inhibit monocyte adhesion into HUVECs.

Conclusions:
E2 protection against atherogenesis is possibly mediated by Ets-1/miR-126.
Clinical Characterization of Patients With Autosomal Dominant Short Stature due to Aggrecan Mutations
Authors: Gkourogianni Alexandra , Andrew Melissa , Tyzinski Leah , Crocker Melissa , Douglas Jessica , Dunbar Nancy , Fairchild Jan , Funari Mariana F. A. , Heath Karen E. , Jorge Alexander A. L. , Kurtzman Tracey , LaFranchi Stephen , Lalani Seema , Lebl Jan , Lin Yuezhen , Los Evan , Newbern Dorothee , Nowak Catherine , Olson Micah , Popovic Jadranka , Průhová Štěpánka , Elblova Lenka , Quintos Jose Bernardo , Segerlund Emma , Sentchordi Lucia , Shinawi Marwan , Stattin Eva-Lena , Swartz Jonathan , Angel Ariadna González del , Cuéllar Sinhué Diaz , Hosono Hidekazu , Sanchez-Lara Pedro A. , Hwa Vivian , Baron Jeffrey , Nilsson Ola , Dauber Andrew 
Published: November 2016

Abstract

Context:
Heterozygous mutations in the aggrecan gene (ACAN) cause autosomal dominant short stature with accelerated skeletal maturation.

Objective:
We sought to characterize the phenotypic spectrum and response to growth-promoting therapies.

Patients and Methods:
One hundred three individuals (57 females, 46 males) from 20 families with autosomal dominant short stature and heterozygous ACAN mutations were identified and confirmed using whole-exome sequencing, targeted next-generation sequencing, and/or Sanger sequencing. Clinical information was collected from the medical records.

Results:
Identified ACAN variants showed perfect cosegregation with phenotype. Adult individuals had mildly disproportionate short stature [median height, −2.8 standard deviation score (SDS); range, −5.9 to −0.9] and a history of early growth cessation. The condition was frequently associated with early-onset osteoarthritis (12 families) and intervertebral disc disease (9 families). No apparent genotype–phenotype correlation was found between the type of ACAN mutation and the presence of joint complaints. Childhood height was less affected (median height, −2.0 SDS; range, −4.2 to −0.6). Most children with ACAN mutations had advanced bone age (bone age − chronologic age; median, +1.3 years; range, +0.0 to +3.7 years). Nineteen individuals had received growth hormone therapy with some evidence of increased growth velocity.

Conclusions:
Heterozygous ACAN mutations result in a phenotypic spectrum ranging from mild and proportionate short stature to a mild skeletal dysplasia with disproportionate short stature and brachydactyly. Many affected individuals developed early-onset osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease, suggesting dysfunction of the articular cartilage and intervertebral disc cartilage. Additional studies are needed to determine the optimal treatment strategy for these patients.
Anterior single odontoid screw placement for type II odontoid fractures: our modified surgical technique and initial results in a cohort study of 15 patients
Authors: Munakomi Sunil , Tamrakar Karuna , Chaudhary Pramod Kumar , Bhattarai Binod 
Published: November 2016

Objective: Anterior odontoid screw fixation for type II odontoid fracture is the ideal management option. However in the context of unavailability of an O-arm or neuro-navigation and poor images from the available C-arm may be an obstacle to ideal trajectory and placement of the odontoid screw. We herein detail our surgical technique so as to ensure a correct trajectory and subsequent good fusion in Type II odontoid fractures. This may be advantageous in clinical set ups lacking state of the art facilities. Methods and Results: In this cohort study we included 15 consecutive patients who underwent anterior odontoid screw placement. We routinely dissect the longus colli to completely visualize the entire width of C3 body. We then perform a median C2-C3 disectomy followed by creating a gutter in the superior end of C3 body. We then guide the Kirchsner (K) wire purchasing adequate anterior cortex of C2. Rest of the procedure follows the similar steps as described for odontoid screw placement. We achieved 100% correct trajectory and screw placement in our study. There were no instances of screw break out, pull out or nonunion. There was one patient mortality following myocardial infarction in our study. Conclusion: Preoperative imaging details, proper patient positioning, meticulous dissection, thorough anatomical knowledge and few added surgical nuances are the cornerstones in ideal odontoid screw placement. This may be pivotal in managing patients in developing nations having rudimentary neurosurgical set up.
The First Results of the Learning Achievements Monitoring in Mathematics of Students in the Novosibirsk Region
Authors: �������  , Velichko Anna , �����  , Zakhir Yuliya , ��������  , Pimonova Elena 
Published: November 2016

The article presents one of the central elements of system quality education assessment of the Novosibirsk Region � educational achievements monitoring
in mathematics of schoolchildren. The description of changes in the approach to the formulation of the purpose of monitoring, characteristics
of design measuring instruments used, possible variants of use of the monitoring results, to determine the sample of participating schools, the number
and list of school subjects monitoring is presented. Variants of using the results of monitoring at diff erent levels of the education system are illustrated.
Purpose and objectives are formulated. Starting values of regional monitoring indicators in mathematics, the comparable results of monitoring, analyzing
contextual information collected during monitoring are given. Prospects for the development of monitoring in the Novosibirsk region are described.
Criteria-leveled Evaluation of Students Studying Achievements at Russian and Literature Classes
Authors: �������  , Niyazova A. 
Published: November 2016

Issues on using of criteria-leveled model of evaluation of students� studying achievements on 10-point scale, which were worked out on the basis of new
principles of evaluation, are considered in this article. The main ones among them are teaching results planning, evaluation of student�s competence
as dynamic developing individuality; promotion of student from lower level of development to higher by dint of objectivity of his achievements evaluation,
students exercise self-control and self-evaluation of own activity. Using of concrete criteria while evaluation of students� studying achievements by
Russian and literature in 7th grade is shown. Criteria of subject evaluation tables are composed referred to requirements to knowledge, skills of students
according to the studying program of Russian and literature. Developed evaluation criteria stimulate students to carry out self-analysis, self-evaluation
of own success and failures.
Global Economic Growth and Expected Returns Around the World: The End-of-the-Year Effect
Authors: Møller Stig V. , Rangvid Jesper 
Published: November 2016

Global economic growth at the end of the year strongly predicts returns from a wide spectrum of international assets, such as global, regional, and individual-country stocks, FX, and commodities. Global economic growth at other times of the year does not predict international returns. Low growth in the global economy at the end of the year predicts higher returns over the following year. It also predicts the global business cycle. When global economic growth at the end of the year is low, investors expect a worsening of the global business cycle and increase their required returns.This paper was accepted by Lauren Cohen, finance.
Risk factors for development of primary bladder squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Manley KV , Hubbard R , Swallow D , Finch W , Wood SJ , Biers SM 
Published: November 2016

INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of risk factors for primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the bladder. MATERIALS A total of 90 cases of primary SCC of the bladder were identified through multicentre analysis. Patient demographics, stage and grade of cancer at presentation, management and outcomes were recorded. The presence of known risk factors (catheter use, neuropathic bladder, smoking history, recurrent urinary tract infection and bladder stones) was also documented. RESULTS Over half of the patients had at least one identifiable risk factor for the development of primary bladder SCC: 13.9% of patients had a history of catheter use (clean intermittent self-catheterisation [CISC] in 11.1%), 10.0% of patients had a neuropathic bladder, 27.8% were smokers or ex-smokers and 20.0% had a documented history of recurrent urinary tract infection. Statistical analysis of the results showed no association between risk factors and grade of tumour at presentation. CONCLUSIONS These data further support the association between primary bladder SCC and several of the well documented risk factors for its development. Chronic use of CISC may confer a greater risk for development of SCC than thought previously. Further evidence of the role of CISC in primary SCC is required to justify routine screening and to determine exactly when surveillance of the bladder should begin for this group of patients.
The incidence of incisional hernias following ileostomy reversal in colorectal cancer patients treated with anterior resection
Authors: Fazekas Balazs , Fazekas Bence , Hendricks J , Smart N , Arulampalam T 
Published: November 2016

INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was to identify the rate of incisional hernia formation following ileostomy reversal in patients who underwent anterior resection for colorectal cancer. In addition, we aimed to ascertain risk factors for the development of reversal-site incisional hernias and to record the characteristics of the resultant hernias. MATERIALS AND METHODS Using a prospectively compiled database of colorectal cancer patients who were treated with anterior resection, we identified individuals who had undergone both ileostomy formation and subsequent reversal of their ileostomies from January 2005 to December 2014. Medical records were reviewed to record descriptive patient data about risk factors for hernia formation, operative details and any subsequent operations. Computed tomography reports were reviewed to identify the number, site and characteristics of incisional hernias. RESULTS A total of 121 patients were included in this study; 14.9% (n = 18) developed an incisional hernia at the ileostomy reversal site; 17.4% (n = 21) at a non-ileostomy site and 6.6% (n = 8) developed both. The reversal-site hernias were smaller both in width and length compared with the non-ileostomy-site hernias. Risk factors for the development of reversal-site incisional hernias were higher body mass index (BMI), lower age, open surgery, longer reversal time and a history of previous hernias. We did not detect a difference in the size of the incisional hernias that developed in patients with these specific risk factors. CONCLUSIONS Incisional hernias are a significant complication of ileostomy reversal. Further evaluation of the use of prophylactic mesh to reduce the incidence of incisional hernias may be worthwhile.
A comparison of airborne bacterial fallout between orthopaedic and vascular surgery
Authors: Stather P , Salji M , Hassan S-U , Abbas M , Ahmed A , Mills H , Elston T , Backhouse C , Howard A , Choksy S 
Published: November 2016

INTRODUCTION The objective of the study was to compare bacterial fallout during vascular prosthesis insertion and orthopaedic major joint replacement performed in conventional and laminar flow ventilation, respectively. MATERIALS AND METHODS A prospective single-centre case control study of 21 consecutive elective vascular procedures involving prosthetic graft insertion and 24 consecutive elective orthopaedic major joint replacements were tested for degree of bacterial fallout using agar settle plates. Preparation time, waiting time and total procedure duration were collected at the time of surgery, and bacterial colony counts on the agar settle plates from airborne bacterial fallout were counted after an incubation period. RESULTS Bacterial fallout count in vascular prosthetic graft insertion was 15-fold greater than in orthopaedic prosthetic joint insertion (15, (IQR 15) vs 1, (IQR 3) respectively, P < 0.0001, Wilcoxon). Waiting time and patient transfer did not significantly increase bacterial fallout counts during the procedure (P = 0.9). CONCLUSIONS Vascular surgical theatres have significantly higher bacterial fallout compared with orthopaedic theatres. This may be partly explained by orthopaedic surgery being routinely performed in laminar flow ventilation, a practice which has not been widely adopted for vascular surgery, in which prosthetic infection may also result in significant mortality and morbidity.
Evolving Use of Natriuretic Peptides as Part of Strategies for Heart Failure Prevention
Authors: McDonald Ken , Wilkinson Mark 
Published: November 2016

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Heart failure (HF) remains one of the major cardiovascular challenges to the Western world. Once established, HF is characterized by compromised life expectancy and quality of life with considerable dependence on hospital care for episodic clinical deterioration. Much is understood about the risk factors that predispose to the development of HF. With such a broad range of factors, it is clear that there is a large population at risk, potentially in excess of 25% of the adult population. Therein lies the major challenge at the outset of our efforts to prevent HF. With such a large population at risk, how do we develop an effective prevention strategy?

CONTENT
HF prevention requires a multimodal approach. In this review, we focus primarily on the role of natriuretic peptide (NP) as a tool in a prevention strategy.

SUMMARY
Prevention of HF is a major public health challenge, underlined by the concerning epidemiological trends, the associated costs, and the continued difficulty to find effective therapies for the growing number of patients with preserved systolic function HF. Population-based approaches focusing on lifestyle and risk factor control have made some impact but not to a satisfactory level and also tend to result in a uniform approach across a population with different risk profiles. Individualizing risk is therefore required, with emerging data indicating that NP-guided risk stratification and intervention can reduce downstream incident HF and other cardiovascular events.
Multimodal Analysis of Parentheticals in Conversational Speech
Authors: Lelandais Manon , Ferré Gaëlle 
Published: November 2016

AbstractBased on a video recording of conversational British English, this paper aims at describing the relation between verbal and non-verbal signals in the production process of parentheticals within the framework of Multimodal Discourse Analysis. Parentheticals are described in linguistics as side sequences interrupting linear development. Although their syntactic, prosodic, and discursive characteristics have been deeply analysed, few studies have focused on the articulation of the different communicative modes in their production process. Beyond showing that gesture brings complementary information in regard to prosody, contributing to a composite collateral message, the results allow better delineation and understanding of skip-connecting phenomena as constructing coherence. Changes in the modal configuration throughout the parenthetical sequence suggest modes are dynamic and flexible resources for indexing parentheticals and their particular framing function.
Multimodal Action and Speaker Positioning in Closing Argument
Authors: Gilbert Kristin Enola , Matoesian Gregory M. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThis paper examines how gesture, gaze, and objects function in speaker positioning, epistemic stance, and the production of evidence during closing argument in a criminal trial. While most research on closing focuses on descriptions of witnesses’ testimony, this research considers the role of objects as communicative action in the construction and co-construction of persuasive legal oratory. We demonstrate how an attorney can reduce social distance between himself and jurors through the use of impersonal and exclusive pronouns and how speech, gesture, and objects integrate along the aesthetic dimension of communicative practice to emphasize and evaluate testimony. More specifically, we demonstrate how a novel form of evidential action emerges through a recurring flow of gaze, objects, and coding practice.
Moving a King: A Social Semiotic Analysis of Knut Steen’s Sculpture of the Norwegian King Olav V, and Its Relocation
Authors: Maagerø Eva , Veum Aslaug 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThis article presents an analysis of Knut Steen’s sculpture of the Norwegian king Olav V from 2006. The sculpture was planned to be placed in the center of Oslo, in front of Oslo City Hall, but was moved to a fjord and mountain landscape in Western Norway, the old trading post Skjerjehamn at the gateway to the Sognefjord. The 7.5 m high massive sculpture of king Olav lifting his arm to a greeting provoked the art commission of the municipality of Oslo. According to the commission, the sculpture was reminicent of art in the Nazi time and of Hitler’s way of greeting. The meaning potential of the sculpture is analysed in three levels, inspired by Jay Lemke’s sandwich model (
Intersubjectivity and Materiality: A Multimodal Perspective
Authors: Pirini Jesse 
Published: November 2016

Abstract
Researchers seeking to analyse how intersubjectivity is established and maintained face significant challenges. The purpose of this article is to provide theoretical/methodological tools that begin to address these challenges. I develop these tools by applying several concepts from multimodal (inter)action analysis to an excerpt taken from the beginning of a tutoring session, drawn from a wider data set of nine one-to-one tutoring sessions. Focusing on co-produced higher-level actions as an analytic site of intersubjectivity, I show that lower-level actions that co-constitute a higher-level action can be delineated into tiers of materiality. I identify three tiers of materiality: durable, adjustable and fleeting. I introduce the theoretical/methodological tool tiers of material intersubjectivity to delineate these tiers analytically from empirical data, and show how these tiers identify a multimodal basis of material intersubjectivity. Building on this analysis I argue that the durable and adjustable tiers of material intersubjectivity produce the interactive substrate, which must be established in order for actions that display fleeting materiality to produce intersubjectivity. These theoretical/methodological tools extend the framework of multimodal (inter)action analysis, and I consider some potential applications beyond the example used here.
The Participatory Stance of the White House on Facebook: A Critical Multimodal Analysis
Authors: Moschini Ilaria 
Published: November 2016

Abstract
The digital revolution has led to the increasing hybridization of American political discourse with the language and the formats of the web, giving rise to a public/private narration where many communication codes merge and where different discursive voices are interwoven. Through the study of a qualitative dataset of messages posted on the “Timeline” section of the White House’s Facebook profile, the paper aims at examining the multimodal meaning-making strategies chosen to encode official messages with a special focus on the combination of words and images. More in detail, adopting a Critical Multimodal perspective (Machin and Mayr 2012; van Leeuwen 2013), the analysis will investigate the stance (Biber and Conrad 2000; Martin and White 2005) of the digitally remediated institutional voice (Askehave and Ellerup Nielsen 2005; Eisenlauer 2013) in order to explore whether such stance and its related textual practices are influenced by the postmodern, libertarian and play-oriented attitude typical of the so-called ‘hacker/geek’ culture (Coleman 2013; Konzack 2006).
Multimodality, Cognitive Poetics, and Genre: Reading Grady Hendrix’s novel Horrorstör
Authors: Gibbons Alison 
Published: November 2016

Abstract
Quirk Books, the publisher of Grady Hendrix’s (2014, Horrorstör. Philadelphia: Quirk Books) Horrorstör, portray the novel on their website as “a traditional haunted house story” but also mention that it “comes conveniently packaged in the form of a retail catalog”. Such description points to two generic foundations: the horror novel, which is manifested primarily through the novel’s literary themes and linguistic style, and the retail catalogue, signalled chiefly through the novel’s multimodal design features. In this paper I argue that in order to account for Horrorstör both as literary experience and as “sly social commentary” (as Quirk books claim), consideration and analysis of genre is vital. The paper subsequently offers a cognitive stylistic approach to multimodal literary genre analysis. In doing so, it presents a reading of the novel as a literary artefact: as fiction and as commodity.
Early Holocene ritual complexity in South America: the archaeological record of Lapa do Santo (east-central Brazil)
Authors: Strauss André , Oliveira Rodrigo Elias , Villagran Ximena S. , Bernardo Danilo V. , Salazar-García Domingo C. , Bissaro Marcos César , Pugliese Francisco , Hermenegildo Tiago , Santos Rafael , Barioni Alberto , de Oliveira Emiliano Castro , Moreno de Sousa João Carlos , Jaouen Klervia , Ernani Max , Hubbe Mark , Inglez Mariana , Gratão Marina , Rockwell H. , Machado Márcia , de Souza Gustavo , Chemale Farid , Kawashita Koji , O'Connell Tamsin C. , Israde Isabel , Feathers James , Campi Claudio , Richards Michael , Wahl Joachim , Kipnis Renato , Araujo Astolfo , Neves Walter 
Published: November 2016

Abstract