bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diabetes, Abnormal Glucose, Dyslipidemia, Hypertension, and Risk of Inflammatory and Other Breast Cancer
Authors: Schairer Catherine , Gadalla Shahinaz M. , Pfeiffer Ruth M. , Moore Steven C. , Engels Eric A. 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
Background: Obesity has been associated with substantially higher risk of inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) than other breast cancer. Here, we assess whether comorbidities of obesity, namely diabetes, abnormal glucose, dyslipidemia, and hypertension, are differentially related to risk of IBC and other breast cancers by tumor stage at diagnosis (localized/regional/distant/unstaged).
Methods: We used linked SEER-Medicare data, with female breast cancer cases ages 66+ years identified by SEER registries (years 1992–2011). We divided first breast cancers into IBC (N = 2,306), locally advanced non-IBC (LABC; N = 10,347), and other (N = 197,276). We selected female controls (N = 200,000) from a stratified 5% random sample of Medicare recipients alive and breast cancer free. We assessed exposures until 12 months before diagnosis/selection using Medicare claims data. We estimated odds ratios (OR) and 99.9% confidence intervals (CI) using unconditional logistic regression.
Results: Diabetes was associated with increased risk of distant IBC (98.5% of IBC cases; OR 1.44; 99.9% CI 1.21–1.71), distant (OR 1.24; 99.9% CI, 1.09–1.40) and regional (OR 1.29 (99.9% CI, 1.14–1.45) LABC, and distant (OR 1.23; 99.9% CI, 1.10–1.39) and unstaged (OR 1.32; 99.9% CI, 1.18–1.47) other breast cancers. Dyslipidemia was associated with reduced risk of IBC (OR 0.80; 95% CI, 0.67–0.94) and other breast cancers except localized disease. Results were similar by tumor estrogen receptor status. Abnormal glucose levels and hypertension had little association with risk of any tumor type.
Conclusions: Associations with diabetes and dyslipidemia were similar for distant stage IBC and other advanced tumors.
Impact: If confirmed, such findings could suggest avenues for prevention. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 26(6); 862–8. ©2017 AACR.
Right Ventricular Ejection Fraction Is Incremental to Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction for the Prediction of Future Arrhythmic Events in Patients With Systolic Dysfunction
Authors: Mikami Yoko , Jolly Umjeet , Heydari Bobak , Peng Mingkai , Almehmadi Fahad , Zahrani Mohammed , Bokhari Mahmoud , Stirrat John , Lydell Carmen P. , Howarth Andrew G. , Yee Raymond , White James A. 
Published: January 2017

Background—
Left ventricular ejection fraction remains the primary risk stratification tool used in the selection of patients for implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy. However, this solitary marker fails to identify a substantial portion of patients experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. In this study, we examined the incremental value of considering right ventricular ejection fraction for the prediction of future arrhythmic events in patients with systolic dysfunction using the gold standard of cardiovascular magnetic resonance.

Methods and Results—

Three hundred fourteen consecutive patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy or nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy undergoing cardiovascular magnetic resonance were followed for the primary outcome of sudden cardiac arrest or appropriate implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy. Blinded quantification of left ventricular and right ventricular (RV) volumes was performed from standard cine imaging. Quantification of fibrosis from late gadolinium enhancement imaging was incrementally performed. RV dysfunction was defined as right ventricular ejection fraction ≤45%. Among all patients (164 ischemic cardiomyopathy, 150 nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy), the mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 32±12% (range, 6–54%) with mean right ventricular ejection fraction of 48±15% (range, 7–78%). At a median of 773 days, 49 patients (15.6%) experienced the primary outcome (9 sudden cardiac arrest, 40 appropriate implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapies). RV dysfunction was independently predictive of the primary outcome (hazard ratio=2.98;
P
=0.002). Among those with a left ventricular ejection fraction >35% (N=121; mean left ventricular ejection fraction, 45±6%), RV dysfunction provided an adjusted hazard ratio of 4.2 (
P
=0.02).

Conclusions—
RV dysfunction is a strong, independent predictor of arrhythmic events. Among patients with mild to moderate LV dysfunction, a cohort greatly contributing to global sudden cardiac arrest burden, this marker provides robust discrimination of high- versus low-risk subjects.
Application of Whole Exome Sequencing in the Clinical Diagnosis and Management of Inherited Cardiovascular Diseases in Adults
Authors: Seidelmann Sara B. , Smith Emily , Subrahmanyan Lakshman , Dykas Daniel , Abou Ziki Maen D. , Azari Bani , Hannah-Shmouni Fady , Jiang Yuexin , Akar Joseph G. , Marieb Mark , Jacoby Daniel , Bale Allen E. , Lifton Richard P. , Mani Arya 
Published: January 2017

Background—
With the advent of high throughput sequencing, the identification of genetic causes of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has become an integral part of medical diagnosis and management and at the forefront of personalized medicine in this field. The use of whole exome sequencing for clinical diagnosis, risk stratification, and management of inherited CVD has not been previously evaluated.

Methods and Results—

We analyzed the results of whole exome sequencing in first 200 adult patients with inherited CVD, who underwent genetic testing at the Yale Program for Cardiovascular Genetics. Genetic diagnosis was reached and reported with a success rate of 26.5% (53 of 200 patients). This compares to 18% (36 of 200) that would have been diagnosed using commercially available genetic panels (
P
=0.04). Whole exome sequencing was particularly useful for clinical diagnosis in patients with aborted sudden cardiac death, in whom the primary insult for the presence of both depressed cardiac function and prolonged QT had remained unknown. The analysis of the remaining cases using genome annotation and disease segregation led to the discovery of novel candidate genes in another 14% of the cases.

Conclusions—
Whole exome sequencing is an exceptionally valuable screening tool for its capability to establish the clinical diagnosis of inherited CVDs, particularly for poorly defined cases of sudden cardiac death. By presenting novel candidate genes and their potential disease associations, we also provide evidence for the use of this genetic tool for the identification of novel CVD genes. Creation and sharing of exome databases across centers of care should facilitate the discovery of unknown CVD genes.
Survival Benefits of Invasive Versus Conservative Strategies in Heart Failure in Patients With Reduced Ejection Fraction and Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Wolff Georg , Dimitroulis Dimitrios , Andreotti Felicita , Kołodziejczak Michalina , Jung Christian , Scicchitano Pietro , Devito Fiorella , Zito Annapaola , Occhipinti Michele , Castiglioni Battistina , Calveri Giuseppe , Maisano Francesco , Ciccone Marco M. , De Servi Stefano , Navarese Eliano P. 
Published: January 2017

Background—
Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction caused by ischemic heart disease is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. It remains unclear whether revascularization by either coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) carries benefits or risks in this group of stable patients compared with medical treatment.

Methods and Results—

We performed a meta-analysis of available studies comparing different methods of revascularization (PCI or CABG) against each other or medical treatment in patients with coronary artery disease and left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40%. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality; myocardial infarction, revascularization, and stroke were also analyzed. Twenty-one studies involving a total of 16 191 patients were included. Compared with medical treatment, there was a significant mortality reduction with CABG (hazard ratio, 0.66; 95% confidence interval, 0.61–0.72;
P
<0.001) and PCI (hazard ratio, 0.73; 95% confidence interval, 0.62–0.85;
P
<0.001). When compared with PCI, CABG still showed a survival benefit (hazard ratio, 0.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.75–0.90;
P
<0.001).

Conclusions—
The present meta-analysis indicates that revascularization strategies are superior to medical treatment in improving survival in patients with ischemic heart disease and reduced ejection fraction. Between the 2 revascularization strategies, CABG seems more favorable compared with PCI in this particular clinical setting.
Field Validation of the Los Angeles Motor Scale as a Tool for Paramedic Assessment of Stroke Severity
Authors: Kim Joon-Tae , Chung Pil-Wook , Starkman Sidney , Sanossian Nerses , Stratton Samuel J. , Eckstein Marc , Pratt Frank D. , Conwit Robin , Liebeskind David S. , Sharma Latisha , Restrepo Lucas , Tenser May-Kim , Valdes-Sueiras Miguel , Gornbein Jeffrey , Hamilton Scott , Saver Jeffrey L. 
Published: January 2017

Background and Purpose—
The Los Angeles Motor Scale (LAMS) is a 3-item, 0- to 10-point motor stroke-deficit scale developed for prehospital use. We assessed the convergent, divergent, and predictive validity of the LAMS when performed by paramedics in the field at multiple sites in a large and diverse geographic region.

Methods—
We analyzed early assessment and outcome data prospectively gathered in the FAST-MAG trial (Field Administration of Stroke Therapy–Magnesium phase 3) among patients with acute cerebrovascular disease (cerebral ischemia and intracranial hemorrhage) within 2 hours of onset, transported by 315 ambulances to 60 receiving hospitals.

Results—

Among 1632 acute cerebrovascular disease patients (age 70±13 years, male 57.5%), time from onset to prehospital LAMS was median 30 minutes (interquartile range 20–50), onset to early postarrival (EPA) LAMS was 145 minutes (interquartile range 119–180), and onset to EPA National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale was 150 minutes (interquartile range 120–180). Between the prehospital and EPA assessments, LAMS scores were stable in 40.5%, improved in 37.6%, and worsened in 21.9%. In tests of convergent validity, against the EPA National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, correlations were
r
=0.49 for the prehospital LAMS and
r
=0.89 for the EPA LAMS. Prehospital LAMS scores did diverge from the prehospital Glasgow Coma Scale,
r
=−0.22. Predictive accuracy (adjusted C statistics) for nondisabled 3-month outcome was as follows: prehospital LAMS, 0.76 (95% confidence interval 0.74–0.78); EPA LAMS, 0.85 (95% confidence interval 0.83–0.87); and EPA National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, 0.87 (95% confidence interval 0.85–0.88).

Conclusions—
In this multicenter, prospective, prehospital study, the LAMS showed good to excellent convergent, divergent, and predictive validity, further establishing it as a validated instrument to characterize stroke severity in the field.
Revisiting Hydrometeorology Using Cloud and Climate Observations
Authors: Betts Alan K. , Tawfik Ahmed B. , Desjardins Raymond L. 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
This paper uses 620 station years of hourly Canadian Prairie climate data to analyze the coupling of monthly near-surface climate with opaque cloud, a surrogate for radiation, and precipitation anomalies. While the cloud–climate coupling is strong, precipitation anomalies impact monthly climate for as long as 5 months. The April climate has memory of precipitation anomalies back to freeze-up in November, mostly stored in the snowpack. The summer climate has memory of precipitation anomalies back to the beginning of snowmelt in March. In the warm season, mean temperature is strongly correlated to opaque cloud anomalies, but only weakly to precipitation anomalies. Mixing ratio anomalies are correlated to precipitation, but only weakly to cloud. The diurnal cycle of mixing ratio shifts upward with increasing precipitation anomalies. Positive precipitation anomalies are coupled to a lower afternoon lifting condensation level and a higher afternoon equivalent potential temperature; both favor increased convection and precipitation. Regression coefficients on precipitation increase from wet to dry conditions. This is consistent with increased uptake of soil water when monthly precipitation is low, until drought conditions are reached, and also consistent with gravity satellite observations. Regression analysis shows monthly opaque cloud cover is tightly correlated to three climate variables that are routinely observed: diurnal temperature range, mean temperature, and mean relative humidity. The set of correlation coefficients, derived from cloud and climate observations, could be used to evaluate the representation of the land–cloud–atmosphere system in both forecast and climate models.
Lewin's Manifest Dream Exercise Revisited
Authors: Allison George H. , Loeb Felix , Spain David H. 
Published: January 2017

In an institute research class, the validity of Lewin's methodology in his manifest dream exercise was tested by a different approach. Class members developed a questionnaire based on two actual manifest dreams. Responses from six analytic candidates and fifteen graduate analysts were analyzed by two classroom groups, working independently. The data were assessed by two methods and the conclusions were only partially synchronous with Lewin's method of collective free association in which members of the group influenced one another. Our subjects did not influence one another, and they and research class members were “blind” to the dreams' associations, context, and meanings derived years earlier, until after data were assessed and conclusions were reached. One conclusion suggests that intuition as to “correct” meanings may be independent of the number of years of analytic experience. This project is reported to stimulate similar research projects as a regular part of psychoanalytic education.
Time and temperature affect glycolysis in blood samples regardless of fluoride-based preservatives: a potential underestimation of diabetes
Authors: Stapleton Mary , Daly Niamh , O’Kelly Ruth , Turner Michael J 
Published: January 2017

Background The inhibition of glycolysis prior to glucose measurement is an important consideration when interpreting glucose tolerance tests. This is particularly important in gestational diabetes mellitus where prompt diagnosis and treatment is essential. A study was planned to investigate the effect of preservatives and temperature on glycolysis. Methods Blood samples for glucose were obtained from consented females. Lithium heparin and fluoride-EDTA samples transported rapidly in ice slurry to the laboratory were analysed for glucose concentration and then held either in ice slurry or at room temperature for varying time intervals. Paired fluoride-citrate samples were received at room temperature and held at room temperature, with analysis at similar time intervals. Results No significant difference was noted between mean glucose concentrations when comparing different sample types received in ice slurry. The mean glucose concentrations decreased significantly for both sets of samples when held at room temperature (0.4 mmol/L) and in ice slurry (0.2 mmol/L). A review of patient glucose tolerance tests reported in our hospital indicated that 17.8% exceeded the recommended diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes mellitus. It was predicted that if the results of fasting samples were revised to reflect the effect of glycolysis at room temperature, the adjusted diagnostic rate could increase to 35.3%. Conclusion Preanalytical handling of blood samples for glucose analysis is vital. Fluoride-EDTA is an imperfect antiglycolytic, even when the samples are transported and analysed rapidly provides such optimal conditions. The use of fluoride-citrate tubes may offer a viable alternative in the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus.
Setting Up of Special Economic Zones in China
Authors: K. Kanungo Anil 
Published: January 2017

Establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in China has been a focus of study for many developing countries. It was initiated with a notion of experiment that foreign capital is an important instrument to put the country on a growth path of economic development and modernization while simultaneously integrating the inner regions with the main economic activity and development of the country. The Chinese experience of SEZs turned out to be a success in some sense as it could fulfil the desired goal of the Government. The paper makes an attempt to understand the concept behind this initiative; what political reforms were taken to set up SEZ; how it contributed to the growth of the Chinese economy; how FDI played a role in promoting exports and lastly, more importantly, what policy recommendations it suggests for future establishment of SEZs in China and in rest of the world.
The Relationship between Trade, Investment and Environment
Authors: Chakraborty Debashis , Mukherjee Sacchidananda 
Published: January 2017

The interlinkage between economic openness and environmental repercussions is a widely researched area. The current study contributes in the existing pool of research by conducting a cross-country empirical analysis for the year 2008 by exploring the interrelationship between openness indicators (trade and investment) and environmental performance of a country. For this purpose, the analysis separately considers export orientation, import orientation, FDI inwardness and FDI outwardness of the countries in different variations of the proposed empirical model. The regression results do not provide strong support to the Pollution Haven Hypothesis (PHH). The findings also confirm a relationship between socio-economic and socio-political factors in a country and its environmental performance. JEL Classification Codes: F18, F21
Visual Requirements for Landing on the Moon
Authors: Conklin Jack E. 
Published: January 2017

An analysis was conducted to determine some of the visual requirements for landing a shuttle spacecraft on the surface of the moon and subsequently achieving rendezvous with the command module in orbit. The major questions investigated were: (1) Is the astronaut capable of perceiving moon landmarks while in orbit in order to detect and identify a desired landing area? (2) Can the astronaut perceive the command module from the moon during all phases of its orbit from lunar horizon to entering the moon's shadow? To evaluate these questions, the properties of the moon landmarks were examined in terms of size (visual angle subtended), contrast, and velocity of the moving imagery. In addition, stellar magnitude and luminance data were calculated for the command module and the earth as seen from the moon for different phase angles and albedos. Finally, the effects of glare on the discrimination of the command module were discussed.
Maximum Information-Handling Rates for Sequentially Presented Visual Stimuli
Authors: Nicholson Robert M. 
Published: January 2017

The purposes of this study were: ( 1) To determine information-handling rates for sequentially presented stimuli; ( 2) demonstrate the relationship between information-handling rate and size of the surface that the operator must monitor, and ( 3) determine the effect of variations in duration of stimulus exposure. Performance measures were obtained for thirty subjects on three different panel sizes at two different exposures. Two methods were used in obtaining data: a method of sequentially varied stimuli and a method of randomly varied stimuli. All performance curves indicate a monotonic decrease as the speed of presentation was increased. Speed of presentation and the interaction of speed of presentation and panel size were determined to be significant at the 0.005 and 0.05 levels, respectively. The effect of the exposure times variable was nonsignificant. The method of randomly presented stimuli resulted in significantly better performance than the method of sequentially varied stimuli.
Comparison of Computer-Generated and Simulated Motion Picture Displays in a Driving Simulation
Authors: Wierwille Walter W. , Fung Peter P. 
Published: January 2017

An automotive driving simulator with a computer-generated display system, three axes of physical motion (roll, yaw, and lateral translation), sound, and vibration cues was used to investigate and compare human psychomotor response and vehicle response to different types of displays and motion cues. Subjects drove the simulator under four levels of displays; three being simulated preprogrammed motion picture displays (MPDS), one being the standard computer-generated display (CGDS). Motion and no-motion conditions were instituted at each display level. Each data run included lane-keeping and lane-changing tasks for various simulated highway conditions. During lane changes under MPDS conditions, both preprogrammed and nonpreprogrammed simulator conditions were examined. Seven dependent variables were used to measure performance. Results of the experiment show that one level of the simulated preprogrammed MPDS produced performance similar to that of a CGDS in all seven measures, whereas the other levels differed significantly. This suggests that using a properly instrumented preprogrammed MPDS will not compromise experimental results for certain research and educational experiments, and that in many cases an economical simulation using an MPDS would be adequate.
Case–control study of risk factors for suicide attempts in Isfahan, Iran
Authors: Golshiri Parastoo , Akbari Mojtaba , Zarei Abbas 
Published: January 2017

Background: Suicide is an important, preventable, public health problem worldwide, caused by the interaction of numerous environmental, biological and psychosocial factors. Aims: This study aimed to identify the factors associated with suicidal attempts in Isfahan, Iran, in 2015. Methods: In this case–control study, 175 cases who committed suicide and were admitted to emergency services were compared with 175 controls selected among outpatients from the same hospital without any history of suicide attempt. Demographic, psychosocial, personality traits, religiosity, coping skills, stressful life events, socioeconomic status and psychiatric distress were compared between groups. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify independent risk factors for suicide. Results: Marital status, education, socioeconomic status, psychological distress, perceived social support, stress coping strategies, personality, religious beliefs, stress life events and general health condition were significantly different between groups. The regression analysis revealed that perceived social support (odds ratio (OR) = 0.962, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.94–0.984), religious beliefs (OR = 0.923, 95% CI: 0.867–0.984) and stressful life event (OR = 1.524, 95% CI: 1.251–1.856) were significantly associated with suicide attempts. Conclusion: Our finding showed that religious beliefs, perceived social support and stressful life events are the main factors associated with suicide attempts. So, positive strategies such as improvements in life skills to control stressful life events, religiosity and perceived social support can be used to control suicide attempts.