bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Photochemical Tissue Passivation Reduces Vein Graft Intimal Hyperplasia in a Swine Model of Arteriovenous Bypass Grafting
Authors: Goldstone Robert N. , McCormack Michael C. , Khan Saiqa I. , Salinas Harry M. , Meppelink Amanda , Randolph Mark A. , Watkins Michael T. , Redmond Robert W. , Austen William G. 
Published: July 2016

Background

Bypass grafting remains the standard of care for coronary artery disease and severe lower extremity ischemia. Efficacy is limited by poor long‐term venous graft patency secondary to intimal hyperplasia (
IH
) caused by venous injury upon exposure to arterial pressure. We investigate whether photochemical tissue passivation (
PTP
) treatment of vein grafts modulates smooth muscle cell (
SMC
) proliferation and migration, and inhibits development of
IH
.

Methods and Results

PTP
was performed at increasing fluences up to 120 J/cm
2
on porcine veins. Tensiometry performed to assess vessel elasticity/stiffness showed increased stiffness with increasing fluence until plateauing at 90 J/cm
2
(median, interquartile range [
IQR
]). At 90 J/cm
2
,
PTP
‐treated vessels had a 10‐fold greater Young's modulus than untreated controls (954 [
IQR
, 2217] vs 99 kPa [
IQR
, 63];
P
=0.03). Each pig received a
PTP
‐treated and untreated carotid artery venous interposition graft. At 4‐weeks, intimal/medial areas were assessed.
PTP
reduced the degree of
IH
by 66% and medial hypertrophy by 49%. Intimal area was 3.91 (
IQR
, 1.2) and 1.3 mm
2
(
IQR
, 0.97;
P
≤0.001) in untreated and
PTP
‐treated grafts, respectively. Medial area was 9.2 (
IQR
, 3.2) and 4.7 mm
2
(
IQR
, 2.0;
P
≤0.001) in untreated and
PTP
‐treated grafts, respectively. Immunohistochemistry was performed to assess alpha‐smooth muscle actin (
SMA
) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (
PCNA
). Objectively, there were less
SMA
‐positive cells within the intima/media of
PTP
‐treated vessels than controls. There was an increase in
PCNA
‐positive cells within control vein grafts (18% [
IQR
, 5.3]) versus
PTP
‐treated vein grafts (5% [
IQR
, 0.9];
P
=0.02).

Conclusions

By strengthening vein grafts,
PTP
decreases
SMC
proliferation and migration, thereby reducing
IH
.
Motivating Action under Uncertain Conditions: Enhancing Emergency Briefings during Coastal Storms
Authors: Carr Rachel Hogan , Montz Burrell , Semmens Kathryn , Maxfield Keri , Hoekstra Stephanie , Goldman Elizabeth 
Published: July 2016

Abstract
Coastal flood risk communication is most effective at motivating action when the medium and timing of delivery provide understandable information with clear directives when residents need it most. The U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) has many useful coastal flood forecast tools and products, but how and when this information is delivered are of critical importance. To assess how coastal residents understand and interpret NWS coastal flood products and the best mechanisms for delivery, five focus groups (including residents and emergency managers) in Monmouth and Ocean Counties in New Jersey were conducted. These focus groups employed a scenario-based approach that walked participants through the seven days leading up to Hurricane Sandy. Results support the use of emergency briefing packages as a preferred method for disseminating storm and flood risk information. However, changes to improve visual clarity, provide more succinct information, and localize messages must be undertaken for risk communication to be effective. Further, while residents prefer storm information four to five days prior to storm landfall, emergency managers preferred information seven days prior in order to have time to disseminate information to the community. Findings from this study, which include proposed revisions to NWS products, are expected to improve risk communication and community resiliency in the face of coastal storm threats.
Empowerment and occupation: A new perspective
Authors: Hammell Karen R. Whalley 
Published: July 2016

Background. The idea of empowerment permeates the occupational therapy literature yet has received little critical reflection from occupational therapy’s theorists. Purpose. This paper aims to explore the concept of empowerment and highlight a recent definition that resonates with occupational therapists’ core values. Key Issues. Empowerment is generally understood to be a process of bestowing power and giving ability to someone deficient in both. However, a new definition provides a framework for understanding how empowerment might enhance people’s capabilities. Implications. The World Bank’s depiction of empowerment fits well with occupational therapists’ beliefs in the importance of the ability and opportunity to “do,” providing a framework for action. This framework focuses on people’s capabilities: their freedom—or opportunity—to choose what they wish to do and to be and their ability to act on these wishes. Moreover, the World Bank’s assertion that empowered people have freedom of both choice and action suggests empowerment is a relevant concept for occupational therapists.
Potentially overlooked branches of the left pulmonary artery
Authors: Nagata Toshiyuki , Nakamura Yoshihiro , Kariatsumari Kota , Otsuka Tsunayuki , Aoki Masaya , Sato Masami 
Published: July 2016

Background During pulmonary resection, we sometimes encounter “pitfall branches” of the pulmonary artery, which could cause serious vessel injury. Current computed tomography and computer-processing technology can identify the pulmonary artery along the peripheral bronchus, thereby revealing the true rates of different pulmonary artery branching patterns. Knowledge of these branching patterns allows safe and definitive surgery. Methods In 186 cases of left lung resection performed at our institution from January 2006 to September 2011, two general thoracic surgeons and one radiologist independently reviewed computed tomography images and examined the branches of the pulmonary artery arising from the pars mediastinalis. Results Branching patterns of the lingular artery included 17 (9.2%) cases with mediastinal origin, 50 (26.9%) with interlobar and mediastinal origin, and 119 (63.9%) with interlobar origin. The 2 types of lingular artery of mediastinal origin, which were potentially overlooked during surgery, were observed in 36.1% of cases. This was a higher rate than previously reported. Moreover, a mediastinal basal pulmonary artery (A5+8+10 abnormal branching) was seen in one case. Conclusion Potentially overlooked branches of the left pulmonary artery arising from the pars mediastinalis are much more frequent than we expected. It is crucial to understand the branching pattern of the pulmonary artery by preoperative computed tomography assessment.
Virtually home: Exploring the potential of virtual reality to support patient discharge after stroke
Authors: Threapleton Kate , Newberry Karen , Sutton Greg , Worthington Esme , Drummond Avril 
Published: July 2016

Introduction The level of assessment and intervention received by patients prior to discharge varies widely across stroke services in the United Kingdom. This study aimed to explore the potential value of virtual reality in preparing patients for discharge following stroke. Method Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 13 occupational therapists, eight patients with a stroke and four community stroke survivors. Views were sought of the perceived acceptability, potential utility and limitations of a ‘virtual home’ environment for use in pre-discharge education and assessment. Data were analysed thematically. Findings Interviewees found the virtual home to be an acceptable and visual means of facilitating discussions about discharge. It was perceived as valuable in assessing patient insight into safety risks and exploring the implications of installing assistive equipment at home. Limitations were identified relating to specific software issues and the use of virtual reality with patients with cognitive or perceptual impairments. Conclusion The results demonstrate the potential utility of the virtual home within stroke rehabilitation. Patients and therapists engaged with the virtual home and, moreover, made practical suggestions for future development. Feasibility and pilot testing in a clinical setting is required to compare the use of the virtual home with traditional approaches of pre-discharge assessment.
Is Historical Materialism a Deterministic Approach? The Democratic Firm and the Transition to Socialism
Authors: Jossa Bruno 
Published: July 2016

Determinism is considered to be the doctrine teaching that a particular aspect or part of the social whole has a predominating influence on all the others. Several authors hold that economic determinism reflects the idea of a linear causality, i.e. of direct relations between a paramount economic cause and the effects that passively flow from it. Due to this linear notion of causality—they argue—the economic base is the necessary and, in itself, sufficient cause, whereas the super-structure is stripped of its autonomous role and production relations are the direct offshoot of the prevailing state of technology. In fact, this conception is typical of mechanistic, rather than Marxian, materialism, and as it tends to obliterate the role of super-structural factors, it is unable to account for the rise of existing forms of society and their different characteristics. The author’s arguments against the characterization of historical materialism as a deterministic approach are linked to his claim that socialism can be implemented by creating a system of democratically managed firms. JEL classification: P2, P5, D4, B14
From collision to collaboration – Integrating informal recyclers and re-use operators in Europe: A review
Authors: Scheinberg Anne , Nesić Jelena , Savain Rachel , Luppi Pietro , Sinnott Portia , Petean Flaviu , Pop Flaviu 
Published: July 2016

The European Union hosts some of the world’s most developed waste management systems and an ambitious policy commitment to the circular economy. The existence of informal recycling and re-use activities in Europe has been vigorously denied until quite recently, and remains a very challenging subject for the European solid waste management sector, as well as for European government and private institutions. In countries ranging from Malta to Macedonia and from France to Turkey, informal recyclers excluded from legal recycling niches increasingly collide with formalised and controlled European Union approaches to urban waste management, packaging recovery schemes, formal re-use enterprises, and extended producer responsibility systems. This review focuses on the period from 2004 through the first half of 2016. The 78 sources on European (and neighbouring) informal recycling and re-use are contextualised with global sources and experience. The articles focus on informal recovery in and at the borders of the European Union, document the conflicts and collisions, and elaborate some constructive approaches towards legalisation, integration, and reconciliation. The overarching recommendation, to locate the issue of informal recovery and integration in the framework of the European circular economy package, is supported by four specific pillars of an integration strategy: Documentation, legalisation, occupational and enterprise recognition, and preparation for structural integration.
The Value of a Brief Thought for the Day Reflection on an Academic Consult Service
Authors: O’Neil Thomas , Lyndale Patricia , Szakatis Kathryn , Fitzgerald Tom 
Published: July 2016

Background: Work in hospice and palliative medicine can be stressful. A variety of methods have been used to mitigate workplace stress including mindfulness mediation, reflective writing, and physical activity. An intervention implemented at our institution is a “Thought for the Day,” a short reflection on a piece of poetry, music, or religious writing. Although this practice may be commonplace in the field of hospice and palliative medicine, no literature has been published about its perceived utility by team members with various competing demands on their time. Objective: This study’s objective was to obtain a better understanding about the perception and utility of a Thought for the Day held by clinicians rounding on an academic palliative medicine consult service. Methods: A survey, containing qualitative and quantitative elements was sent to faculty, staff, and learners who participated in a Thought for the Day over the 18 months between March 2013 and October 2014. Twenty-eight responses were returned and analyzed. Results: Most participants (23 of the 28) felt that the Thought for the Day was an important use of their time on the academic consult service. Differences were seen by gender and team role. Additionally, it was reported that the Thought for the Day improved the participants’ perception of teamwork. Conclusion: The use of a Thought for the Day reflection may be beneficial and constructive even for a busy academic consult service.
Gastrocnemius Contracture in Patients With and Without Foot Pathology
Authors: Jastifer James R. , Marston Jessica 
Published: July 2016

Background: Several studies report performing a recession of the gastrocnemius tendon as surgical treatment of foot and ankle pain related to an isolated gastrocnemius contracture. Few report ankle range of motion using a validated measurement device or report a control group. All previous studies reporting measurements using a validated device have been small in number. Methods: Using a previously validated device, 66 patients presenting with foot or ankle pain and 66 controls were measured for ankle range of motion and isolated gastrocnemius contractures. Clinical and goniometer measurement of ankle range of motion was also performed. Results: The foot and ankle pain group had a mean dorsiflexion of 11.6 degrees compared with a mean of 17.2 degrees in the control group ( P < .0001). No patients in either group had less than 15 degrees of motion with the knee flexed. The difference in dorsiflexion was less using a goniometer than using the validated device, which may be due to measurement technique and external landmarks. Conclusion: Patients with foot and ankle pain had less ankle dorsiflexion than the control group. This is the largest study to date using a validated measurement device as well as a control group and supports the findings of previous authors. Level of Evidence: Level II, prospective cohort study.
Opportunity cost of the dermatologist’s consulting time in the economic evaluation of teledermatology
Authors: Fuertes-Guiró Fernando , Girabent-Farrés Montserrat 
Published: July 2016

Introduction This study, through a systematic review and meta-analysis, has sought to demonstrate that the opportunity cost is a value to take into account in studies of economic cost in telemedicine, illustrated through the time of the dermatologist’s consultation in teledermatology and traditional consultation. Methods Economic evaluation studies have been identified that compare teledermatology and traditional dermatological consultation during the period 1998–2015. We carried out a meta-analysis considering the work cost and the dermatologist’s consultation time, analysing their differences. The opportunity cost represented by these differences in the dermatological remote consultation time was subsequently calculated based on the design of a cost/time variable. Results It was not possible to meta-analyse the cost of the dermatologist’s consultation due to insufficient standardized complete data. It was possible to carry out a meta-analysis of the consultation time, and three articles were selected (2945 patients). Teledermatology accounts for more time (7.54 min) than conventional consultation ( p < 0.00001) and this difference is an opportunity cost of teledermatology of €29.25 per each remote consultation, with a unitary factor cost/time of 3.88€/minute. Conclusions There is no unanimity in the literature regarding which of the two procedures is cheaper; further studies with the necessary standardized variables are required. In this meta-analysis, teledermatology takes more time than a conventional dermatology consultation, which leads to an opportunity cost, increasing the total cost of consultation. The opportunity cost is a value that should be included in an analysis of economic costs, in the context of an economic assessment, when we evaluate a health activity.
Molecular Validation of Chondrogenic Differentiation and Hypoxia Responsiveness of Platelet-Lysate Expanded Adipose Tissue–Derived Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Authors: Galeano-Garces Catalina , Camilleri Emily T. , Riester Scott M. , Dudakovic Amel , Larson Dirk R. , Qu Wenchun , Smith Jay , Dietz Allan B. , Im Hee-Jeong , Krych Aaron J. , Larson A. Noelle , Karperien Marcel , van Wijnen Andre J. 
Published: July 2016

Objective:To determine the optimal environmental conditions for chondrogenic differentiation of human adipose tissue–derived mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (AMSCs). In this investigation we specifically investigate the role of oxygen tension and 3-dimensional (3D) culture systems.Design:Both AMSCs and primary human chondrocytes were cultured for 21 days in chondrogenic media under normoxic (21% oxygen) or hypoxic (2% oxygen) conditions using 2 distinct 3D culture methods (high-density pellets and poly-ε-caprolactone [PCL] scaffolds). Histologic analysis of chondro-pellets and the expression of chondrocyte-related genes as measured by reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction were used to evaluate the efficiency of differentiation.Results:AMSCs are capable of expressing established cartilage markers including COL2A1, ACAN, and DCN when grown in chondrogenic differentiation media as determined by gene expression and histologic analysis of cartilage markers. Expression of several cartilage-related genes was enhanced by low oxygen tension, including ACAN and HAPLN1. The pellet culture environment also promoted the expression of hypoxia-inducible cartilage markers compared with cells grown on 3D scaffolds.Conclusions:Cell type–specific effects of low oxygen and 3D environments indicate that mesenchymal cell fate and differentiation potential is remarkably sensitive to oxygen. Genetic programming of AMSCs to a chondrocytic phenotype is effective under hypoxic conditions as evidenced by increased expression of cartilage-related biomarkers and biosynthesis of a glycosaminoglycan-positive matrix. Lower local oxygen levels within cartilage pellets may be a significant driver of chondrogenic differentiation.
Trafficking of MHC molecules to the cell surface creates dynamic protein patches
Authors: Blumenthal Daniel , Edidin Michael , Gheber Levi A. 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACT
Major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) molecules signal infection or transformation by engaging receptors on T lymphocytes. The spatial organization of MHC-I on the plasma membranes is important for this engagement. We and others have shown that MHC-I molecules, like other membrane proteins, are not uniformly distributed, but occur in patches in the plasma membrane. Here, we describe the temporal details of MHC-I patch formation and combine them with the spatial details, which we have described earlier, to yield a comprehensive quantitative description of patch formation. MHC-I is delivered to the plasma membrane in clathrin-coated vesicles, arriving at a rate of ∼2.5×10−3 μm−1 min−1 (or about two arrivals per minute over the whole cell). The vesicles dock and fuse at non-random, apparently targeted, locations on the membrane and the newly delivered MHC-I molecules form patches that are a few hundred nanometers in diameter. The patches are maintained at steady state by a dynamic equilibrium between the rate of delivery and the rate of hindered diffusion of MHC-I molecules out of the patches (caused by components of the actin cytoskeleton).
A current view of serotonin transporters
Authors: De Felice Louis J. 
Published: July 2016

Serotonin transporters (SERTs) are largely recognized for one aspect of their function—to transport serotonin back into the presynaptic terminal after its release. Another aspect of their function, however, may be to generate currents large enough to have physiological consequences. The standard model for electrogenic transport is the alternating access model, in which serotonin is transported with a fixed ratio of co-transported ions resulting in net charge per cycle. The alternating access model, however, cannot account for all the observed currents through SERT or other monoamine transporters. Furthermore, SERT agonists like ecstasy or antagonists like fluoxetine generate or suppress currents that the standard model cannot support. Here we survey evidence for a channel mode of transport in which transmitters and ions move through a pore. Available structures for dopamine and serotonin transporters, however, provide no evidence for a pore conformation, raising questions of whether the proposed channel mode actually exists or whether the structural data are perhaps missing a transient open state.
Perspectives of the state education policy in Russia
Authors: Журавлева  , Zhuravleva Larisa 
Published: July 2016

The article is devoted to the actual problem of identifying priority areas of implementation of the state educational policy in modern Russia. The author summarizes the political and legal basis of the state policy in the sphere of education, determines the problematic aspects of the activities of state bodies in the field of education, and suggests the ways to optimize educational policy based on complex management actions.
The author notes that the priorities of the state educational policy are objectified in legal acts, state programs, concepts. It is noted that the translation of the federal legal framework in the field of education are the regional programs. Their goal is synergistic social and economic effects, namely: increasing the competitiveness of education, human capital, ensuring the needs of the growing economy for qualified workers and improving the efficiency of their use; improving the efficiency of the use of budgetary funds in the area of education through the implementation of integrated system projects.
Mechanisms for the implementation of educational strategies, based on complex management actions, would create a single federal center of legal and methodical support of educational institutions, the establishment of standard quality assessment in the field of education in view of the variety of types and kinds of educational institutions.
Influence of participatory budgeting on the opportunities of territorial development
Authors: Цуркан  , Tsurkan Marina 
Published: July 2016

The article examines various aspects of the implementation of participatory budgeting, considered as a tool for the development of the territories. The conceptual space of the category «participatory budgeting» is defined, domestic and foreign experience in implementation of relevant projects at the municipal level is studied, the factors of influence the examined tool on the possibility of the development of territories are formed, criteria indicators of implementation participatory budgeting in the municipality are proposed.
The solution of local problems within the framework of participatory budgeting will contribute to the sustainable development of rural areas.