bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Meditation and Cardiovascular Risk Reduction
Authors: Levine Glenn N. , Lange Richard A. , Bairey‐Merz C. Noel , Davidson Richard J. , Jamerson Kenneth , Mehta Puja K. , Michos Erin D. , Norris Keith , Ray Indranill Basu , Saban Karen L. , Shah Tina , Stein Richard , Smith Sidney C. ,   the American Heart Association Council on Clinical Cardiology; Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing; and Council on Hypertension
Published: September 2017

Abstract
Despite numerous advances in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Novel and inexpensive interventions that can contribute to the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease are of interest. Numerous studies have reported on the benefits of meditation. Meditation instruction and practice is widely accessible and inexpensive and may thus be a potential attractive cost‐effective adjunct to more traditional medical therapies. Accordingly, this American Heart Association scientific statement systematically reviewed the data on the potential benefits of meditation on cardiovascular risk. Neurophysiological and neuroanatomical studies demonstrate that meditation can have long‐standing effects on the brain, which provide some biological plausibility for beneficial consequences on the physiological basal state and on cardiovascular risk. Studies of the effects of meditation on cardiovascular risk have included those investigating physiological response to stress, smoking cessation, blood pressure reduction, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome, endothelial function, inducible myocardial ischemia, and primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Overall, studies of meditation suggest a possible benefit on cardiovascular risk, although the overall quality and, in some cases, quantity of study data are modest. Given the low costs and low risks of this intervention, meditation may be considered as an adjunct to guideline‐directed cardiovascular risk reduction by those interested in this lifestyle modification, with the understanding that the benefits of such intervention remain to be better established. Further research on meditation and cardiovascular risk is warranted. Such studies, to the degree possible, should utilize randomized study design, be adequately powered to meet the primary study outcome, strive to achieve low dropout rates, include long‐term follow‐up, and be performed by those without inherent bias in outcome.
Comprehensive Metabolomic Profiling and Incident Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ruiz‐Canela Miguel , Hruby Adela , Clish Clary B. , Liang Liming , Martínez‐González Miguel A. , Hu Frank B. 
Published: September 2017

Background

Metabolomics is a promising tool of cardiovascular biomarker discovery. We systematically reviewed the literature on comprehensive metabolomic profiling in association with incident cardiovascular disease (
CVD
).

Methods and Results

We searched
MEDLINE
and
EMBASE
from inception to January 2016. Studies were eligible if they pertained to adult humans; followed an agnostic and/or comprehensive approach; used serum or plasma (not urine or other biospecimens); conducted metabolite profiling at baseline in the context of examining prospective disease; and included myocardial infarction, stroke, and/or
CVD
death in the
CVD
outcome definition. We identified 12 original articles (9 cohort and 3 nested case‐control studies); participant numbers ranged from 67 to 7256. Mass spectrometry was the predominant analytical method. The number and chemical diversity of metabolites were very heterogeneous, ranging from 31 to >10 000 features. Four studies used untargeted profiling. Different types of metabolites were associated with
CVD
risk: acylcarnitines, dicarboxylacylcarnitines, and several amino acids and lipid classes. Only tiny improvements in
CVD
prediction beyond traditional risk factors were observed using these metabolites (C index improvement ranged from 0.006 to 0.05).

Conclusions

There are a limited number of longitudinal studies assessing associations between comprehensive metabolomic profiles and
CVD
risk. Quantitatively synthesizing the literature is challenging because of the widely varying analytical tools and the diversity of methodological and statistical approaches. Although some results are promising, more research is needed, notably standardization of metabolomic techniques and statistical approaches. Replication and combinations of novel and holistic methodological approaches would move the field toward the realization of its promise.
Effectiveness and Safety of Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants in Asian Patients With Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Cha Myung-Jin , Choi Eue-Keun , Han Kyung-Do , Lee So-Ryoung , Lim Woo-Hyun , Oh Seil , Lip Gregory Y.H. 
Published: October 2017

Background and Purpose—
There are limited real-world data comparing the effectiveness and safety of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) and warfarin in Asians with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. We aimed to compare the effectiveness and safety between NOACs and warfarin users in the Korean atrial fibrillation population, with particular focus on high-risk patients.

Methods—

Using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, we analyzed the risk of ischemic stroke, intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) events, and all-cause death in NOAC users (n=11 611 total, n=5681 taking rivaroxaban, n=3741 taking dabigatran, and n=2189 taking apixaban) compared with propensity score-matched warfarin users (n=23 222) among patients with high-risk atrial fibrillation (CHA
2
DS
2
-VASc score ≥2) between 2014 and 2015.

Results—
NOAC treatment was associated with similar risk of ischemic stroke and lower risk of ICH and all-cause mortality compared with warfarin. All 3 NOACs were associated with a similar risk of ischemic stroke and a lower risk of ICH compared with warfarin. Dabigatran and apixaban were associated with a lower risk of total mortality and the composite net clinical outcome (ischemic stroke, ICH, and all-cause death) compared with warfarin, whereas this was nonsignificant for rivaroxaban. Among previously oral anticoagulant–naive patients (n=23 262), dabigatran and apixaban were superior to warfarin for ICH prevention, whereas rivaroxaban and warfarin were associated with similar risk of ICH.

Conclusions—
In real-world practice among a high-risk Asian atrial fibrillation population, all 3 NOACs demonstrated similar risk of ischemic stroke and lower risk of ICH compared with warfarin. All-cause mortality was significantly lower only with dabigatran and apixaban.
Safety of Pregnancy After Cerebral Venous Thrombosis
Authors: Aguiar de Sousa Diana , Canhão Patrícia , Crassard Isabelle , Coutinho Jonathan , Arauz Antonio , Conforto Adriana , Béjot Yannick , Giroud Maurice , Ferro José M. , Pinho e Melo Teresa , Pereira Liliana , Costa Elisa , Rodrigues Miguel , Viana Baptista Miguel , Carvalho Marta , Lopes Gabriela , Correia Manuel , Pinto Ana Amélia , Coelho Paulo , Cunha Luís , Veiga Andreia , Silva Mário , Costa Maria Manuela , Nzwalo Hipólito , Ferreira Fátima , Zuurbier Yvonne , Dequatre-Ponchelle Nelly , Leys Didier , Bejot Yannick , Ruiz-Sandoval José Luis , Hacke Werner , Poli Sven , Gumbinger Christoph , Nolte Christian H. , Bogdahn Ulrich , Schlachetzki Felix , Gerriets Tibo , Stolz Erwin , Bastos Vanessa , Gagliardi Rubens , Diez-Tejedor Exuperio , Fuentes Blanca , Casado-Naranjo Ignacio , Martinelli Ida , Scoditti Umberto , de Veber Gabrielle , Lanthier Sylvain 
Published: October 2017

Background and Purpose—
Pregnancy is associated with increased risk of venous thrombotic events, including cerebral venous thrombosis. We aimed to study the complications and outcome of subsequent pregnancies in women with previous cerebral venous thrombosis.

Methods—
Follow-up study of women with acute cerebral venous thrombosis at childbearing age included in a previously described cohort (International Study of Cerebral Vein and Dural Sinus Thrombosis). Patients were interviewed by local neurologists to assess rate of venous thrombotic events, pregnancy outcomes, and antithrombotic prophylaxis during subsequent pregnancies.

Results—
A total of 119 women were included, with a median follow-up of 14 years. Eighty-two new pregnancies occurred in 47 women. In 83% (68 of 82), some form of antithrombotic prophylaxis was given during at least 1 trimester of pregnancy or puerperium. Venous thrombotic events occurred in 3 pregnancies, including 1 recurrent cerebral venous thrombosis. Two of the 3 women were on prophylactic low-molecular-weight heparin at the time of the event. Outcomes of pregnancies were 51 full-term newborns, 9 preterm births, 2 stillbirths, and 20 abortions (14 spontaneous).

Conclusions—
In women with prior cerebral venous thrombosis, recurrent venous thrombotic events during subsequent pregnancies are infrequent.
icsid’s Neoliberal Approach to Environmental Regulation in Developing Countries
Authors: Hippolyte Antonius R. 
Published: October 2017

Abstract
With the intensification of their participation in the foreign investment regime, Latin American States are finding it difficult to implement measures beneficial to protecting their environments due to their obligations to third States. This governance deficit is further compounded by the regime’s neoliberal predisposition in favour of property protection, which has penetrated the system and implicated the system of investment treaty arbitration, the regime’s primary dispute settlement mechanism. The International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (icsid) has also been implicated. This is seen in the momentous diversity in investor-State disputes resolved by various icsid tribunals, which concern attempts by Latin American States to protect their physical environments such as the protection of wildlife or other matters such as the regulation of hazardous waste landfills and ensuring that citizens have access to clean water. Tribunals have approached such disputes primarily from a commercial standpoint, ignoring non-market alternatives such as environmental considerations.
Size Matters: Another Reason Why the Atlantic Is Saltier than the Pacific
Authors: Jones C. S. , Cessi Paola 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe surface salinity in the North Atlantic controls the position of the sinking branch of the meridional overturning circulation (MOC); the North Atlantic has higher salinity, so deep-water formation occurs there rather than in the North Pacific. Here, it is shown that in a 3D primitive equation model of two basins of different widths connected by a reentrant channel, there is a preference for sinking in the narrow basin even under zonally uniform surface forcing. This preference is linked to the details of the velocity and salinity fields in the “sinking” basin. The southward western boundary current associated with the wind-driven subpolar gyre has higher velocity in the wide basin than in the narrow basin. It overwhelms the northward western boundary current associated with the MOC for wide-basin sinking, so freshwater is brought from the far north of the domain southward and forms a pool on the western boundary in the wide basin. The fresh pool suppresses local convection and spreads eastward, leading to low salinities in the north of the wide basin for wide-basin sinking. This pool of freshwater is much less prominent in the narrow basin for narrow-basin sinking, where the northward MOC western boundary current overcomes the southward western boundary current associated with the wind-driven subpolar gyre, bringing salty water from lower latitudes northward and enabling deep-water mass formation.
Expressing Flood Likelihood: Return Period versus Probability
Authors: Grounds Margaret A. , LeClerc Jared E. , Joslyn Susan 
Published: October 2017

Abstract
The likelihood of floods and other potentially destructive natural phenomena is often expressed as a return period or recurrence interval, such as a 100-yr flood. However, the expression might give users the impression that the event will occur exactly once within the described period, obscuring the intended probabilistic meaning. If so, users may think a flood is less likely when one has just occurred or more likely when it has not, leading to a “flood is due” effect. This hypothesis was tested experimentally in two studies reported here. Participants were given either a return period or a probability expression and asked to rate flood likelihood and concern. Flood recency was also manipulated. The results from both studies support a flood is due effect when the return period expression is used. In the return period condition alone, participants rated floods as more likely and expressed greater concern when no flood had occurred recently. When no likelihood information was conveyed in the control condition, the opposite effect was observed. Participants rated flood likelihood as higher and expressed greater concern when a flood had occurred recently. Participants using the percent chance expression were least affected by flood recency. This adds to the growing body of research suggesting that nonexperts can benefit from probabilistic weather forecasts.
Eustachian Tube Dysfunction–Related Symptoms in Chronic Nasal Obstruction Caused by Inferior Turbinate Enlargement
Authors: Harju Teemu , Kivekäs Ilkka , Numminen Jura , Rautiainen Markus 
Published: October 2017

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between chronic nasal obstruction caused by inferior turbinate enlargement and Eustachian tube dysfunction–related symptoms using the Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire (ETDQ-7) as an assessment method. Methods: A total of 80 adults were enrolled. Group 1 comprised consecutive patients with enlarged inferior turbinates and group 2 comprised healthy controls. The ETDQ-7 scores and tympanometry results of both groups were analyzed and compared. Results: The median total scores of the ETDQ-7 in groups 1 and 2 were 1.9 (interquartile range, 1.4-2.8) and 1.1 (interquartile range, 1.0-1.7), respectively ( P < .001). There was no significant difference in the abnormal tympanometry results between the groups. There was no significant difference in the ETDQ-7 total score between the patients with allergic sensitization and other patients in group 1. Conclusions: Patients with inferior turbinate enlargement have more symptoms related to Eustachian tube dysfunction than healthy controls. Most patients with Eustachian tube dysfunction had normal tympanometry and normal otoscopy, which indicates a baro-challenge-induced Eustachian tube dysfunction. Whether the patient has allergic sensitization or not does not seem to cause a difference in symptoms related to Eustachian tube dysfunction.
Blood asymmetric dimethylarginine and nitrite/nitrate concentrations in short-stature children born small for gestational age with and without growth hormone therapy
Authors: Nagasaka Hironori , Morioka Ichiro , Takuwa Mayuko , Nakacho Mariko , Yoshida Mayumi , Ishida Akihito , Hirayama Satoshi , Miida Takashi , Tsukahara Hirokazu , Yorifuji Tohru , Iijima Kazumoto 
Published: October 2017

Objective To investigate the basal amino acid metabolism and impact of growth hormone (GH) therapy in short-stature children born small for gestational age (short SGA children). Methods In this age-matched case-control study, the basal blood levels of amino acids, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), and nitrite/nitrate (NOx) were compared between 24 short SGA children and 25 age-matched normal children. Changes in these parameters were assessed for 12 months in 12 short SGA children initiating GH therapy (Group A) and 12 age-matched short SGA children without GH therapy (Group B). Results The arginine levels were significantly lower in the short SGA than in normal children. The ADMA levels were significantly higher and NOx levels were significantly lower in the short SGA than normal children. In Group A, the ADMA level was significantly lower and NOx level was significantly higher at 6 months than at baseline. At 12 months, the ADMA level in Group A began to increase, but the NOx level remained the same. Group B showed no significant changes. Conclusions This study is the first to show that ADMA is promoted and nitric oxide is suppressed in short SGA children and that GH therapy affects the production of ADMA and nitric oxide.
Open Reduction Assisted With an External Fixator and Internal Fixation With Calcaneal Locking Plate for Intra-articular Calcaneal Fractures
Authors: Yao Hui , Lu Huading , Zhao Huiqing , Lv Lulu , Hou Gang 
Published: September 2017

Background: The extensile lateral approach (ELA) has been considered to be a standard approach for displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures (DICF) because it provides excellent exposure and allows direct reduction of the depressed posterior facet fragment. But continuous retraction during surgery needs sufficient manpower and may cause ischemia. Failure of rigid fixation of DICF will not allow for early weight bearing and may lead to a loss of reduction. To avoid these disadvantages, this study presents open reduction assisted with an external fixator and internal fixation with a calcaneal locking plate. Methods: A series of 58 patients with 62 DICFs were treated over a period of 49 months. All patients were clinically and radiologically followed up with a mean follow-up of 35 (range 29-42) months. Clinical follow-up included visual analog scale (VAS), the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot score, and ability to work. Radiologic follow-up included axial and lateral radiographs and measurements of the Bohler angle and Gissane angle. Results: At the final follow-up, all fractures had healed. The mean VAS score was 2.9 (range 0 to 8, SD 1.9) and the average AOFAS score was 71 (range 55-85, SD 8.1). The mean postoperative Bohler angle immediately after the surgery was 28.3 degrees (range 13.0-44.6, SD 7.0), which decreased to 27.5 degrees (range 12.2-43.3, SD 7.0) at the final follow-up, and the mean postoperative Gissane angle after the surgery was 116.3 degrees (range 94.9-131.5, SD 9.0) which finally increased to 118.4 degrees (range 94.5-135.8, SD 9.3). No statistically significant differences regarding Bohler and Gissane angles were found between different Sanders fracture types ( P>.05). Conclusion: The presented operative technique was found to provide comparable reduction of Sanders type II-IV injuries. Level of Evidence: Level III, case control study.
Evaluation of Specific Administering Devices for Antineoplastic Drugs Compounded in Syringes in Paediatry: Methodology Proposal
Authors: Lefebvre Maximilien , Simon Nicolas , Vasseur Michèle , Sidikou Ousseini , Barthélémy Christine , Décaudin Bertrand , Odou Pascal 
Published: October 2017

Purpose The aims of this study were to propose a simple methodology to assess the rinsing volume of syringe extension sets and to compare several marketed devices. Methods A UV-spectrophotometry assay using quinine hydrochloride as drug substitute was developed. Quinine concentration ranged from 20 to 200 µg/ml. The assay was validated with the accuracy profile method and tested on five different assemblies (device+extension sets) with different dead-space volumes (1.28–2.80 ml) and at two different quinine concentrations (0.3 and 8.0 mg/ml). Rinsing was performed stepwise with water for injection until reaching an undetectable quinine concentration. After fitting the data with a Weibull model, assemblies were compared with an ANOVA performed on ranks (GraphPad, La Jolla, USA). Results The within-day and between-day precision ranges were 0.39–0.81 and 0.48–0.84%, respectively. The lower limit of quantification was 4.26 µg/ml. The volume required to completely rinse the infusion line was different according to the initial drug concentration and to the device assessed: from 6 to 10 ml for a low quinine concentration and from 7 to 17 ml for a high quinine concentration. Conclusion This study shows that a simple, cheap and easy-to-use methodology may be used to assess the rinsing volume of syringe extension sets. The rinsing volume is different according to the tested device.
Tumor Genome Wide DNA Alterations Assessed by Array CGH in Patients with Poor and Excellent Survival following Operation for Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Lagerstedt Kristina K. , Staaf Johan , Jönsson Göran , Hansson Elisabeth , Lönnroth Christina , Kressner Ulf , Lindström Lars , Nordgren Svante , Borg Åke , Lundholm Kent 
Published: October 2017

Genome wide DNA alterations were evaluated by array CGH in addition to RNA expression profiling in colorectal cancer from patients with excellent and poor survival following primary operations. DNA was used for CGH in BAC and cDNA arrays. Global RNA expression was determined by 44K arrays. DNA and RNA from tumor and normal colon were used from cancer patients grouped according to death, survival or Dukes A, B, C and D tumor stage. Confirmed DNA alterations in all Dukes A – D were judged relevant for carcinogenesis, while changes in Dukes C and D only were regarded relevant for tumor progression. Copy number gain was more common than loss in tumor tissue (p < 0.01). Major tumor DNA alterations occurred in chromosome 8, 13, 18 and 20, where short survival included gain in 8q and loss in 8p. Copy number gains related to tumor progression were most common on chromosome 7, 8, 19, 20, while corresponding major losses appeared in chromosome 8. Losses at chromosome 18 occurred in all Dukes stages. Normal colon tissue from cancer patients displayed gains in chromosome 19 and 20. Mathematical Vector analysis implied a number of BAC-clones in tumor DNA with genes of potential importance for death or survival. The genomic variation in colorectal cancer cells is tremendous and emphasizes that BAC array CGH is presently more powerful than available statistical models to discriminate DNA sequence information related to outcome. Present results suggest that a majority of DNA alterations observed in colorectal cancer are secondary to tumor progression. Therefore, it would require an immense work to distinguish primary from secondary DNA alterations behind colorectal cancer.