bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Investigation of the Utility of the Audible Alert in Recent Generation Medtronic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators
Authors: MANANDHAR MERYNA , NEMIROVSKY DMITRY , FEIGENBLUM DAVID Y. , SIMONS GRANT R. 
Published: November 2016

BackgroundMedtronic implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs; Medtronic Inc., Mounds View, MN, USA) are equipped with Patient Alert™, a feature in which the ICD generator emits a series of audible tones to notify patients of possible system malfunction. A prior study of this issue revealed that only 50% of patients with older Medtronic devices were able to hear alerts. More recently, Medtronic has incorporated modifications to the alert. Therefore, we studied how frequently alert tones emitted by the current generation of Medtronic ICDs are audible by patients.MethodsA series of patients were evaluated in an outpatient ICD clinic. Alert tones were demonstrated using a device programmer in a quiet room and in the presence of low‐level background noise. Patients reported whether they heard the tones, and they completed questionnaires regarding the tones.ResultsThe total sample size was 100 patients, 81 male, who ranged from 29 years to 94 years of age (mean age 72.1 ± 11.8). Among the study subjects, 46% were older than 75 years, 41% were between 55 years and 75 years, and 13% were younger than 55 years. In the absence of background noise, 94% of patients were able to hear both alerts, 1% heard only one alert, and 5% heard neither. In the presence of background noise, 88% of patients heard both the alerts, 7% heard only one alert, and 5% heard neither alerts.ConclusionsOur results demonstrate that alert tones in recent generation Medtronic ICDs have improved audibility, compared to prior published data, among a large outpatient ICD population.
Distance is associated with mortality on the waitlist in pediatric liver transplantation
Authors: Adler Joel T. , Bababekov Yanik J. , Markmann James F. , Chang David C. , Yeh Heidi 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThe distance to liver transplant centers affects outcomes in adult liver transplantation. Because pediatric patients are particularly vulnerable, we hypothesized that distance adversely affects the time to transplantation and waitlist mortality. The SRTR was queried for isolated pediatric liver transplant registrants (under age 18) with valid ZIP code information from 2003 to 2012. Distance was measured from home ZIP code to listing transplant center. Competing events analysis, adjusted for demographic factors, indication, and PELD, was undertaken for transplantation and death while on the waitlist. The median distance to listing transplant center for 6924 children was 65 (IQR 17.5‐189) miles. Median distance traveled increased by listing volume (73.9 vs 33.8 miles, highest vs lowest volume quartile, P<.001 for trend) and varied across the country. Longer distance was not associated with time to transplantation (HR 0.99, longest vs shortest distance quartile, P=.80), but was associated with increased mortality (HR 1.75, P<.001). Larger centers attract patients from a distance, while smaller centers serve local populations. Increasing distance is associated with a higher risk of waitlist death, which may reflect decreased access to specialist and tertiary care associated with a transplant center.
Matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry for the spatial location of feline oviductal proteins
Authors: Apparicio M , Santos VG , Rocha DFO , Ferreira CR , Macente BI , Magalhães GM , Alves AE , Motheo TF , Padilha‐Nakaghi LC , Pires‐Buttler EA , Luvoni GC , Eberlin MN , Vicente WRR 
Published: November 2016

ContentsWith the purpose of identifying factors involved in early stages of embryo development in the domestic cat, matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI‐IMS) was used for the first time to describe the spatial localization of proteins in the oviducts of queens. Oviducts were obtained from two 2 and 4 years old cross‐bred queens, divided into three segments, snap‐frozen in liquid nitrogen and then stored at −80°C until use. Next, they were sectioned in a cryostat, fixed on ITO (indium tin oxide) conductive glass slides for MALDI‐IMS and serial sections were collected on microscope slides for histology. As confirmed by histology, MALDI‐IMS was able to show contrasting protein distributions in the oviductal infundibulum, ampulla and isthmus. Mass spectra were characterized by abundant ions of m/z 1,259, 4,939, 4,960 and 10,626, which have been tentatively attributed to keratin, thymosin β10, thymosin β4 and S100, respectively. Keratin and thymosins are involved in the biological response to tissue damage. S100 proteins are calcium‐modulated proteins implicated in a variety of cellular activities, including cell differentiation and regulation of cell motility. These results suggest that protein composition differs between segments of the cat oviduct, which corresponds to morphological changes within these sections. Further functional studies could elucidate the effects of these proteins on feline reproductive physiology.
Activin A and follistatin in patients with asthma. Does severity make the difference?
Authors: Papaporfyriou Anastasia , Bakakos Petros , Kostikas Konstantinos , Papatheodorou Georgios , Hillas Georgios , Trigidou Rodoula , Katafigiotis Patroklos , Koulouris Nikolaos G. , Papiris Spyros A. , Loukides Stelios 
Published: November 2016

ABSTRACT
Background and objectiveActivin A is a pleiotropic cytokine holding a fundamental role in inflammation and tissue remodelling. Follistatin can modulate the bioactivity of activin. We aimed to measure activin A and follistatin in sputum supernatants and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of asthmatic patients and to determine the possible associations with severity as well as with inflammatory and remodelling indices.MethodsA total of 58 asthmatic patients (33 with severe refractory asthma (SRA)) and 10 healthy controls underwent sputum induction for % cells, activin A, follistatin, eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF‐β1), IL‐13 and IL‐8 measurements. In 22 asthmatic patients, BAL and bronchial biopsies were also performed for the assessment of the above‐mentioned variables, measurement of remodelling indices and immunostaining for different activin A receptors.ResultsSputum activin A (pg/mL) was higher in patients with SRA (median (interquartile ranges): 76 (33–185)) compared to mild‐to‐moderate asthma (44 (18–84); P = 0.005), whereas follistatin did not differ between the two groups. BAL activin A (pg/mL) was higher in patients with SRA compared to those with mild‐to‐moderate disease. A significant association was observed between activin A and TGF‐β1, eosinophils in sputum and/or in BAL, while reticular basement membrane (RBM) thickness was significantly associated with BAL activin levels only. No difference in immunostaining for activin receptor type IB was observed between patients with SRA and those with mild‐to‐moderate asthma.ConclusionSputum and BAL levels of activin A are higher in SRA. The association of activin A with TGF‐β1, eosinophils and RBM thickness may indicate a role of this cytokine in the inflammatory and remodelling process in SRA.
New Statistics For Old?—Measuring the Wellbeing of The UK
Authors: Allin Paul , Hand David J. 
Published: November 2016

Summary
Attempts to create measures of national wellbeing and progress have a long history. In the UK, they go back at least as far as the 1790s, with Sir John Sinclair's Statistical Account of Scotland. More recently, worldwide interest has led to the creation of various indices seeking to go beyond familiar economic measures like gross domestic product. We review the ‘Measuring national well-being’ development programme of the UK's Office for National Statistics and explore some of the challenges which need to be faced to bring wider measures into use. These include the importance of getting the measures adopted as policy drivers, how to challenge the continuing dominance of economic measures, sustainability and environmental issues, international comparability and methodological statistical questions.
Emergency Department Youth Patients With Suicidal Ideation or Attempts: Predicting Suicide Attempts Through 18 Months of Follow‐Up
Authors: Rosenbaum Asarnow Joan , Berk Michele , Zhang Lily , Wang Peter , Tang Lingqi 
Published: November 2016

This prospective study of suicidal emergency department (ED) patients (ages 10–18) examined the timing, cumulative probability, and predictors of suicide attempts through 18 months of follow‐up. The cumulative probability of attempts was as follows: .15 at 6 months, .22 at 1 year, and .24 by 18 months. One attempt was fatal, yielding a death rate of .006. Significant predictors of suicide attempt risk included a suicide attempt at ED presentation (vs. suicidal ideation only), nonsuicidal self‐injurious behavior, and low levels of delinquent symptoms. Results underscore the importance of both prior suicide attempts and nonsuicidal self‐harm as risk indicators for future and potentially lethal suicide attempts.
Who stops the sweatshops? Our neglect of the injustice of maldistribution
Authors: Jankowski Glen S. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractResearchers have attempted to hold fashion, beauty, and toy industries' promotion of narrow beauty ideals responsible for the injustice of body dissatisfaction. We advocate for reform by calling upon the industries to represent plus‐sized and older models (e.g., on catwalks) as antidotes to narrow beauty ideals, citing evidence that the use of such models are no less profitable. This attempts to address what Fraser () calls the injustice of misrecognition. This advocacy however not only masks another injustice these industries perpetuate: maldistribution (Fraser, ), but it can actively worsen it. This is most poignantly exemplified by the 250 million sweatshop workers in the Global South working in these industries. Those of us advocating against these industries' injustices are encouraged to join People and Planet in their campaign to use universities' vast purchasing power for sweatshop reform. This is one small way to advocate against maldistribution, redressing the imbalance.
Aseptic meningitis following therapy with immune globulins: a combination of product features and patient characteristics?
Authors: Berg Roger , Fuellenhals Elisabeth 
Published: November 2016

BACKGROUNDAseptic meningitis (AM) represents a recognized side effect of immune globulin (IG) therapy and may warrant additional diagnostic procedures and therapy with anti‐infective drugs until a definite diagnosis can be established. Although, to date, only small case series have been published, the objective of the current study was to investigate a large case series of patients with AM.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSThe pharmacovigilance safety database of a 10% liquid IG (Gammagard Liquid) was queried for all reports of AM. Patient demographics, treatment‐specific data, and product‐specific data were determined. The proportional reporting rates of AM were compared according to the route of administration (intravenous vs. subcutaneous) and molecular size distribution of IG lot (dimer content ≥ 8 vs. < 8%).RESULTSIn total, 144 AM episodes were reported in 136 distinct patients. Females were affected by AM nearly four times more than males. AM was not limited to patients who received high‐dose IG therapies but was observed in those who received low‐dose regimens in percentages comparable to the estimated usage patterns of IG. Lots that had high dimer values were associated with AM significantly more often than lots that had low dimer values (p < 0.001), and subcutaneous IG administration was associated with lower rates of AM compared with intravenous IG administration (p = 0.055).CONCLUSIONIn contrast to previously published data, AM was observed in both low‐dose and high‐dose regimens without favoring high IG doses, and females were affected nearly four times more often than males. Immunoglobulin G dimers may play a role in the etiology of AM, and subcutaneous administration may be associated with a lower rate of AM compared with intravenous administration.
Blood products use in France: a nationwide cross‐sectional survey
Authors: Fillet Anne‐Marie , Desmarets Maxime , Assari Suzanne , Quaranta Jean‐François , François Anne , Pugin Aurore , Schuhmacher Anne , Lassale Bernard , Monnet Elisabeth , Cabre Philippe , Legrand Dominique , Binda Delphine , Djoudi Rachid 
Published: November 2016

BACKGROUNDBlood products use has increased in France between 2000 and 2011. To understand the reasons for this increase, data about transfused patients and transfusion practices needed to be updated.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSA nationwide cross‐sectional survey was performed with health care establishments. Diagnoses and indication for the transfusion, pretransfusion laboratory results, and blood products used were collected during a randomly selected 24‐hour period in 2011. All patients who received at least one blood product delivered on the survey day were included.RESULTSA total of 10,794 blood products were requested for 4720 patients: 8688 red blood cell (RBC) units, 842 platelet (PLT) concentrates, and 1264 fresh‐frozen plasma (FFP) units. Hematologic and cancer pathologies included 46% of transfused patients, 34% of the patients had transfusions in a surgical context, and 32.4% of transfused patients were receiving medication with an impact on transfusion. Nearly half of RBC transfusions were performed with hemoglobin levels of less than 8 g/dL. PLT transfusions for prophylactic indication were prescribed with PLT counts of less than 20 × 109 and 50 × 109/L in 56.9 and 86.6% of patients, respectively. RBCs and PLTs transfusion practices were in agreement with national guidelines. FFP units were involved in 8.0% of all prescriptions. Among these, 57.4% were requested in the context of an acute hemorrhage and 8.4% for plasma exchange. The median of FFP use (n = 2) in a nonsurgical context, excluding plasma exchange, suggests an insufficient dosing of FFP.CONCLUSIONExcept for insufficient FFP dosing per patient and limitations on assessment of indications for prescribing, transfusion practices were in agreement with national guidelines.
Properties of donated red blood cell components from patients with hereditary hemochromatosis
Authors: Sut Caroline , Hamzeh‐Cognasse Hind , Laradi Sandrine , Bost Vincent , Aubrège Christine , Acquart Sophie , Vignal Martine , Boutahar Nadia , Arthaud Charles Antoine , Ange Eyraud Marie , Pozzetto Bruno , Tiberghien Pierre , Garraud Olivier , Cognasse Fabrice 
Published: November 2016

BACKGROUNDRed blood cells (RBCs) contain large amounts of iron, and periodic therapeutic phlebotomy is thus the main treatment for hereditary hemochromatosis (HH). However, the donation of therapeutic phlebotomy products from asymptomatic patients for transfusion purposes remains controversial. In this study, we compared the quality of RBCs obtained from HH patients with those of non‐HH RBCs, within the allowed 42‐day storage period.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSRBCs were obtained from HH patient donors and random regular blood donors by whole blood collection. RBCs were stored for up to 42 days, according to national regulations and standard blood bank conditions in France. The following variables were assessed: hematologic and biochemical results, RBC membrane and soluble inflammatory markers, and the proinflammatory potential of HH RBC supernatant toward endothelial cells in an in vitro model.RESULTSThere were no major differences between the two groups in terms of biophysical, biochemical, or soluble immunomodulatory factors. However, we observed small but significant differences in changes in RBC membrane proteins during storage, including increased phosphatidylserine expression and decreased hemolysis in HH compared with normal RBCs. However, there were no differences in terms of bioactivity of soluble immunomodulatory factors in the RBC supernatant during storage between HH and control donors, as determined by their effects on endothelial cells in vitro.CONCLUSIONSThese in vitro studies suggest that RBCs from HH patients appear, while exhibiting subtle differences, to be suitable for transfusion purposes according to currently accepted criteria.
How Do the Trans‐Pacific Economies Affect the USA? An Industrial Sector Approach
Authors: Yagihashi Takeshi , Selover David D. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThis paper studies how the Trans‐Pacific region affects theUSeconomy in terms of business cycle transmission. We use a large data set consisting of disaggregated sectoral industrial production indexes from selected countries in the region and employ a factor‐augmented vector autoregression (FAVAR) approach to analyse the transmission of shocks in different industries. We find that a positive output shock in the entire Trans‐Pacific region has positive effects on the majority ofUSmanufacturing sectors. We also find that sectoral shocks in five sectors of the Trans‐Pacific region have a large impact on the overallUSeconomy. Three of the five sectors displayed strong same‐sector responses relative to the overall response, suggesting that vertical production linkages might play a key role in the transmission of shocks. Our results highlight the importance of examining industrial sectors in studying the transmission of shocks in the Trans‐Pacific region.
Cholinergic modulation of the parafacial respiratory group
Authors: Boutin Rozlyn C. T. , Alsahafi Zaki , Pagliardini Silvia 
Published: November 2016

Key points
This study investigates the effects of cholinergic transmission on the expiratory oscillator, the parafacial respiratory group (pFRG) in urethane anaesthetized adult rats.
Local inhibition of the acetyl cholinesterase enzyme induced activation of expiratory abdominal muscles and active expiration.
Local application of the cholinomimetic carbachol elicited recruitment of late expiratory neurons, expiratory abdominal muscle activity and active expiration. This effect was antagonized by local application of the muscarinic antagonists scopolamine, J104129 and 4DAMP.
We observed distinct physiological responses between the more medial chemosensitive region of the retrotrapezoid nucleus and the more lateral region of pFRG.
These results support the hypothesis that pFRG is under cholinergic neuromodulation and the region surrounding the facial nucleus contains a group of neurons with distinct physiological roles.
AbstractActive inspiration and expiration are opposing respiratory phases generated by two separate oscillators in the brainstem: inspiration driven by a neuronal network located in the preBötzinger complex (preBötC) and expiration driven by a neuronal network located in the parafacial respiratory group (pFRG). While continuous activity of the preBötC is necessary for maintaining ventilation, the pFRG behaves as a conditional expiratory oscillator, being silent in resting conditions and becoming rhythmically active in the presence of increased respiratory drive (e.g. hypoxia, hypercapnia, exercise and through release of inhibition). Recent evidence from our laboratory suggests that expiratory activity in the principal expiratory pump muscles, the abdominals, is modulated in a state‐dependent fashion, frequently occurring during periods of REM sleep. We hypothesized that acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter released in wakefulness and REM sleep by mesopontine structures, contributes to the activation of pFRG neurons and thus acts to promote the recruitment of expiratory abdominal muscle activity. We investigated the stimulatory effect of cholinergic neurotransmission on pFRG activity and recruitment of active expiration in vivo under anaesthesia. We demonstrate that local application of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor physostigmine into the pFRG potentiated expiratory activity. Furthermore, local application of the cholinomimetic carbachol into the pFRG activated late expiratory neurons and induced long lasting rhythmic active expiration. This effect was completely abolished by pre‐application of the muscarinic antagonist scopolamine, and more selective M3 antagonists 4DAMP and J104129. We conclude that cholinergic muscarinic transmission contributes to excitation of pFRG neurons and promotes both active recruitment of abdominal muscles and active expiratory flow.
Lubricant Free Foil Bearings Pave Way to Highly Efficient and Reliable Flywheel Energy Storage System
Authors: Heshmat Hooshang , Walton James F. 
Published: November 2016

Advanced compliant foil bearings capable of operating in low ambient pressures associated with soft vacuum are now paving the way to a new type of flywheel energy storage system. Many conventional flywheel energy storage system design approaches use active magnetic bearings with backup bearing technologies to meet the need for high speed operation in a low ambient pressure environment. Low ambient pressures are needed to overcome the power loss limitations associated with windage at high surface speeds. However, bearing technologies that rely on active control tend to be large, are dynamically soft which necessitates backup bearings and require a power supply which consumes some of the stored power to maintain rotor levitation.
In this paper the authors will demonstrate both theoretically and experimentally the ability of advanced 5th generation compliant foil bearings to support large flywheel rotors weighing in excess of 900 N and which can operate to speeds in excess of 40,000 rpm. Testing conducted at pressures as low as 7 kPa demonstrates the ability of foil bearings to operate in low ambient pressures consistent with flywheel energy storage system needs for low windage loss. The authors will also present a hypothesis and the mechanisms involved in a hydrodynamic phenomenon that allows a foil bearing to operate successfully when the mean free path of the air molecules is exceedingly large due to low ambient pressures.
Experimental Investigation on Effective Bulk Modulus and Effective Volume in an External Gear Pump
Authors: Nakagawa Shuichi , Ichiyanagi Takayoshi , Nishiumi Takao 
Published: November 2016

Pressure ripples generated by a positive displacement pump in a hydraulic system can lead to severe noise and vibration problems. The source impedance of a positive displacement pump has a considerable impact on the generation of pressure ripples. It is, therefore, important to be able to predict the source impedance in order to design quiet hydraulic systems.
The source impedance of a positive displacement pump depends, amongst other things, on bulk modulus and volume. However, it is known that the mathematical model that takes into account the bulk modulus of hydraulic oil and the volume of a discharge room in the pump results in an estimated value of the source impedance that is greater than the measured value.
In this study, the factors which affect the source impedance of an external gear pump for an agricultural tractor have been investigated. In particular, the effect of the following factors has been investigated experimentally: the effective bulk modulus as determined by the components of the pump: leakage in the pump: the specific volume ratio of entrained air to hydraulic oil: and the volume of the tooth space of the pump. In addition, the effect of volumetric change of the discharge room by pumping action has been investigated using CFD with moving mesh technique.