bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Association between Statin Use and the Risk of Parkinson’s Disease: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies
Authors: Poly Tahmina Nasrin , Islam Md. Mohaimenul , Walther Bruno Andreas , Yang Hsuan-Chia  , Nguyen Phung-Anh , Huang Chih-Wei  , Shabbir Syed-Abdul , Li Yu-Chuan (Jack) 
Published: November 2017

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive disorder of the central nervous system. The prevalence of PD varies considerably by age group; it has a higher prevalence in patients aged 60 years and more. Several studies have shown that statin, a cholesterol-lowering medication, reduces the risk of developing PD, but evidence for this is so far inconclusive. The objective of this study is to evaluate the association between statin use and the risk of developing PD. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> PubMed, EMBASE, and the bibliographies of articles were searched for studies<b><i></i></b> published between January 1, 1990, and January 1, 2017, which reported on the association between statin use and PD. Articles were included if they (1) were published in English, (2) reported patients treated with statin, and the outcome of interest was PD, (3) provided OR/HR with 95% CI or sufficient information to calculate the 95% CI. All abstracts, full-text articles, and sources were reviewed, with duplicate data excluded. Summary relative risk (RRs) with 95% CI was pooled using a random-effects model. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were also conducted. <b><i>Results:</i></b> We selected 16 out of 529 unique abstracts for full-text review using our selection criteria, and 13 out of these 16 studies, comprising 4,877,059 persons, met all of our inclusion criteria. The overall pooled RR of PD was 0.70 (95% CI 0.58–0.84) with significant heterogeneity between estimates (<i>I</i><sup>2</sup> = 93.41%, <i>p</i> = 0.000) for the random-effects model. In subgroup analysis, the greater decreased risk was found in studies from Asia (RR 0.62 95% CI 0.51–0.76), whereas a moderate reduction was observed in studies from North America (RR 0.69 95% CI 0.47–1.00), but less reduction was observed in studies from Europe (RR 0.86 95% CI 0.80–0.92). Also, long-term statin use, simvastatin, and atorvastatin showed a higher rate of reduction with significance heterogeneity. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Our results showed that statin use is significantly associated with a lower risk of<b><i></i></b> developing PD. Physicians should consider statin drug therapy, monitor its outcomes, and empower their patients to improve their knowledge, therapeutic outcomes, and quality of life. However, preventive measures and their associated mechanisms must be further assessed and explored.
Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation and Concordance With the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology/Heart Rhythm Society Guidelines
Authors: Barnett Adam S. , Kim Sunghee , Fonarow Gregg C. , Thomas Laine E. , Reiffel James A. , Allen Larry A. , Freeman James V. , Naccarelli Gerald , Mahaffey Kenneth W. , Go Alan S. , Kowey Peter R. , Ansell Jack E. , Gersh Bernard J. , Hylek Elaine M. , Peterson Eric D. , Piccini Jonathan P. 
Published: November 2017

Background:
It is unclear how frequently patients with atrial fibrillation receive guideline-concordant (GC) care and whether guideline concordance is associated with improved outcomes.

Methods and Results:

Using data from ORBIT-AF (Outcomes Registry for Better Informed Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation), we determined how frequently patients received care that was concordant with 11 recommendations from the 2014 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology/Heart Rhythm Society atrial fibrillation guidelines pertaining to antithrombotic therapy, rate control, and antiarrhythmic medications. We also analyzed the association between GC care and clinical outcomes at both the patient level and center level. A total of 9570 patients were included. The median age was 75 years (interquartile range, 67–82), and the median CHA
2
DS
2
-VASc score was 4 (interquartile range, 3–5). A total of 5977 patients (62.5%) received care that was concordant with all guideline recommendations for which they were eligible. Rates of GC care were higher in patients treated by providers with greater specialization in arrhythmias (60.0%, 62.4%, and 67.0% for primary care physicians, cardiologists, and electrophysiologists, respectively;
P
<0.001). During a median of 30 months of follow-up, patients treated with GC care had a higher risk of bleeding hospitalization (hazard ratio=1.21;
P
=0.021) but a similar risk of death, stroke, major bleeding, and all-cause hospitalization.

Conclusions:
Over a third of patients with atrial fibrillation in this large outpatient registry received care that differed in some respect from guideline recommendations. There was no apparent association between GC care and improved risk-adjusted outcomes.
Cerebral Oxygenation Measurements by Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Fetuses With and Without Heart Defects
Authors: Lauridsen Mette H. , Uldbjerg Niels , Henriksen Tine B. , Petersen Olav B. , Stausbøl-Grøn Brian , Matthiesen Niels B. , Peters David A. , Ringgaard Steffen , Hjortdal Vibeke E. 
Published: November 2017

Background—
Children with major congenital heart defects are risking impaired cerebral growth, delayed cerebral maturation, and neurodevelopmental disorders. We aimed to compare the cerebral tissue oxygenation of fetuses with major heart defects to that of fetuses without heart defects as estimated by the magnetic resonance imaging modality T2*. T2* is low in areas with high concentrations of deoxyhemoglobin.

Methods and Results—

At gestational age mean 32 weeks (early) and mean 37 weeks (late), we compared the fetal cerebral T2* in 28 fetuses without heart defects to that of 15 fetuses with major heart defects: transposition of the great arteries (n=7), coarctation of the aorta/hypoplastic aortic arch (n=5), tetralogy of Fallot (n=1), hypoplastic right heart (n=1), and common arterial trunk (n=1). The women were scanned with a 1.5 T Philips scanner using a breath-hold multiecho gradient echo sequence. Among fetuses without heart defects, the mean T2* value was 157 ms (95% confidence interval [CI], 152–163) early and 125 ms (95% CI, 120–130) late. These figures were significantly lower (mean 14 ms; 95% CI, 6–22;
P
<0.001) among fetuses with heart defects 143 ms (95% CI, 136–150) early and 111 ms (95% CI, 104–118) late.

Conclusions—
Our findings indicate that fetal cerebral T2* is measurable and that fetal cerebral tissue oxygenation measured by T2* is lower in fetuses with heart defects compared with fetuses without heart defects. This corroborates the hypothesis that tissue hypoxia may be a potential pathogenic factor that possibly affects brain development in fetuses with heart defects.
PCSK9 Variants, Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol, and Neurocognitive Impairment
Authors: Mefford Matthew T. , Rosenson Robert S. , Cushman Mary , Farkouh Michael E. , McClure Leslie A. , Wadley Virginia G. , Irvin Marguerite R. , Bittner Vera , Safford Monika M. , Somaratne Ransi , Monda Keri L. , Muntner Paul , Levitan Emily B. 
Published: November 2017

Background:
Despite concerns about adverse neurocognitive events raised by prior trials, pharmacological PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type-9) inhibition was not associated with neurocognitive effects in a recent phase 3 randomized trial. PCSK9 loss-of-function (LOF) variants that result in lifelong exposure to lower levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol can provide information on the potential long-term effects of lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol on neurocognitive impairment and decline.

Methods:
We investigated the association between PCSK9 LOF variants and neurocognitive impairment and decline among black REGARDS study (Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke) participants with (n=241) and without (n=10 454) C697X or Y142X LOF variants. Neurocognitive tests included the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease (CERAD) battery (Word List Learning, World List Delayed Recall, Semantic Animal Fluency) and Six-Item Screener (SIS) assessments, administered longitudinally during follow-up. Neurocognitive impairment was defined as a score ≥1.5 SD below age, sex, and education-based stratum-specific means on 2 or 3 CERAD assessments or, separately, a score <5 on any SIS assessment at baseline or during follow-up. Neurocognitive decline was assessed using standardized continuous scores on individual neurocognitive tests.

Results:

The mean sample age was 64 years (SD, 9), 62% were women, and the prevalence of neurocognitive impairment at any assessment was 6.3% by CERAD and 15.4% by SIS definitions. Adjusted odds ratios for neurocognitive impairment for participants with versus without PCSK9 LOF variants were 1.11 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.58–2.13) using the CERAD battery and 0.89 (95% CI, 0.61–1.30) using the SIS assessment. Standardized average differences in individual neurocognitive assessment scores over the 5.6-year (range, 0.1–9.1) study period ranged between 0.07 (95% CI, −0.06 to 0.20) and −0.07 (95% CI, −0.18 to 0.05) among participants with versus without PCSK9 LOF variants. Patterns of neurocognitive decline were similar between participants with and without PCSK9 LOF variants (all
P
>0.10). Odds ratios for neurocognitive impairment per 20 mg/dL low-density lipoprotein cholesterol decrements were 1.02 (95% CI, 0.96–1.08) and 0.99 (95% CI, 0.95–1.02) for the CERAD and SIS definitions of impairment, respectively.

Conclusions:
These results suggest that lifelong exposure to low PCSK9 levels and cumulative exposure to lower levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol are not associated with neurocognitive effects in blacks.
Optogenetic Inhibition of Striatal GABAergic Neuronal Activity Improves Outcomes After Ischemic Brain Injury
Authors: Jiang Lu , Li Wanlu , Mamtilahun Muyassar , Song Yaying , Ma Yuanyuan , Qu Meijie , Lu Yifan , He Xiaosong , Zheng Jieyu , Fu Zongjie , Zhang Zhijun , Yang Guo-Yuan , Wang Yongting 
Published: November 2017

Background and Purpose—
Striatal GABAergic neuron is known as a key regulator in adult neurogenesis. However, the specific role of striatal GABAergic neuronal activity in the promotion of neurological recovery after ischemic stroke remains unknown. Here, we used optogenetic approach to investigate these effects and mechanism.

Methods—

Laser stimulation was delivered via an implanted optical fiber to inhibit or activate the striatal GABAergic neurons in
Gad2-Arch-GFP
or
Gad2-ChR2-tdTomato
mice (n=80) 1 week after 60-minute transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. Neurological severity score, brain atrophy volume, microvessel density, and cell morphological changes were examined using immunohistochemistry. Gene expression and protein levels of related growth factors were further examined using real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting.

Results—

Inhibiting striatal GABAergic neuronal activity improved functional recovery, reduced brain atrophy volume, and prohibited cell death compared with the control (
P
<0.05). Microvessel density and bFGF (basic fibroblast growth factor) expression in the inhibition group were also increased (
P
<0.05). In contrast, activation of striatal GABAergic neurons resulted in adverse effects compared with the control (
P
<0.05). Using cocultures of GABAergic neurons, astrocytes, and endothelial cells, we further demonstrated that the photoinhibition of GABAergic neuronal activity could upregulate bFGF expression in endothelial cells, depending on the presence of astrocytes. The conditioned medium from the aforementioned photoinhibited 3-cell coculture system protected cells from oxygen glucose deprivation injury.

Conclusions—
After ischemic stroke, optogenetic inhibition of GABAergic neurons upregulated bFGF expression by endothelial cells and promoted neurobehavioral recovery, possibly orchestrated by astrocytes. Optogenetically inhibiting neuronal activity provides a novel approach to promote neurological recovery.
A new bee species of the genus Dasypoda Latreille (Hymenoptera, Apoidea) from Portugal with comparative remarks on the subgenus Heterodasypoda Michez
Authors: RADCHENKO VLADIMIR G. 
Published: November 2017

A new bee species of the genus Dasypoda Latreille (Hymenoptera, Apoidea, Melittidae), D. michezi Radchenko sp. nov., is described from south-western Portugal. This species belongs to the subgenus Heterodasypoda and appears very similar to D. albimana Pérez 1905, which occurs in the west Mediterranean Basin. A detailed comparative diagnosis of D. michezi with the other 3 species of the subgenus Heterodasypoda, is provided. The new species is most easily distinguishable by the widened protrusion at the apex of the 6th sternum, which is deeply emarginated apically in the form of a wide triangle. In addition, the new species differs from other described species of the subgenus by the structure of the 7th and 8th sterna, male genitalia, and relative dimensions of antennal flagellomeres.
Characteristics of Explosive Cyclones over the Northern Pacific
Authors: Zhang Shuqin , Fu Gang , Lu Chungu , Liu Jingwu 
Published: November 2017

AbstractExplosive cyclones (ECs) over the northern Pacific Ocean during the cold season (October–April) over a 15-yr (2000–15) period are analyzed by using the Final (FNL) Analysis data provided by the National Centers for Environmental Prediction. These ECs are stratified into four categories according to their intensity: weak, moderate, strong, and super ECs. In addition, according to the spatial distribution of their maximum-deepening-rate positions, ECs are further classified into five regions: the Japan–Okhotsk Sea (JOS), the northwestern Pacific (NWP), the west-central Pacific (WCP), the east-central Pacific (ECP), and the northeastern Pacific (NEP). The occurrence frequency of ECs shows evident seasonal variations for the various regions over the northern Pacific. NWP ECs frequently occur in winter and early spring, WCP and ECP ECs frequently occur in winter, and JOS and NEP ECs mainly occur in autumn and early spring. The occurrence frequency, averaged maximum deepening rate, and developing and explosive-developing lifetimes of ECs decrease eastward over the northern Pacific, excluding JOS ECs, consistent with the climatological intensity distributions of the upper-level jet stream, midlevel positive vorticity, and low-level baroclinicity. On the seasonal scale, the occurrence frequency and spatial distribution of ECs are highly correlated with the intensity and position of the upper-level jet stream, respectively, and also with those of midlevel positive vorticity and low-level baroclinicity. Over the northwestern Pacific, the warm ocean surface also contributes to the rapid development of ECs. The composite analysis indicates that the large-scale atmospheric environment for NWP and NEP ECs shows significant differences from that for the 15-yr cold-season average. The southwesterly anomalies of the upper-level jet stream and positive anomalies of midlevel vorticity favor the prevalence of NWP and NEP ECs.
Coherent Power Measurements with a Compact Airborne Ka-Band Precipitation Radar
Authors: Pazmany Andrew L. , Haimov Samuel J. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractCoherent power is an alternative to the conventional noise-subtracted power technique for measuring weather radar signal power. The inherent noise-canceling feature of coherent power eliminates the need for estimating and subtracting the noise component, which is required when performing conventional signal power estimation at low signal-to-noise ratio. The coherent power technique is particularly useful when averaging a high number of samples to improve sensitivity to weak signals. In such cases, the signal power is small compared to the noise power and the required accuracy of the estimated noise power may be difficult to achieve. This paper compares conventional signal power estimation with the coherent power measurement technique by investigating bias, standard deviation, and probability of false alarm and detection rates as a function of signal-to-noise ratio and threshold level. This comparison is performed using analytical expressions, numerical simulations, and analysis of cloud and precipitation data collected with the airborne solid-state Ka-band precipitation radar (KPR) operated by the University of Wyoming.
Comparison of Turbulence Intensity from CTD-Attached and Free-Fall Microstructure Profilers
Authors: Goto Yasutaka , Yasuda Ichiro , Nagasawa Maki 
Published: November 2017

AbstractTurbulence intensity estimated from fast-response thermistors is compared between conductivity–temperature–depth (CTD)-attached and free-fall microstructure profilers, conducted at the same location within 2 h. The agreement is generally good but anomalously overestimated values, deviating from a lognormal distribution, appear sporadically in the CTD-attached method. These overestimated outliers are evident as spiky patches in the raw temperature gradient profiles. They often occur when the fall rate of the CTD frame W (m s−1) is small and its standard deviation Wsd is large. These overestimated outliers can be efficiently removed by rejecting data with the criteria of Wsd > 0.2 W − 0.06, where W and Wsd are computed for a 1-s interval. After the data screening, thermal and energy dissipation, χ and ε, from CTD-attached and free-fall profilers are consistent within a factor of 3 in the ranges of 10−10 < χ < 10−7°C2 s−1 and 10−10 < ε < 10−8 W kg−1, respectively, for 50-m depth-averaged data. Energy dissipation from the CTD-attached method tended to be underestimated in the higher turbulence range of ε > 10−8. This could be due to insufficient correction of the thermistor response for the faster fall rate (~1 m s−1) of CTD frames. Since ε < 10−8 in most parts of the intermediate and deep ocean, use of the CTD-attached fast-response thermistors provides an efficient way to expand the presently sparse turbulence observations.
The efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy for Chinese people: A meta-analysis
Authors: Ng Ting Kin , Wong Daniel Fu Keung 
Published: November 2017

Objective: Over the past decade, cognitive behavioral therapy has been applied to an increasingly wider range of disorders and problems in Chinese societies. However, no meta-analysis has been conducted to synthesize the studies on cognitive behavioral therapy for Chinese clients. The purpose of this meta-analytic study was to examine the overall efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy for Chinese people. Method: A literature search was conducted using electronic databases, including Web of Science, PsycINFO and PubMed. Pooled mean effect sizes were calculated using the random-effects model. Results: The literature search identified 55 studies with 6763 Chinese participants. The overall short-term effect of cognitive behavioral therapy on the primary outcome was medium in size. Effect sizes were medium for anxiety, depression/well-being and caregiving stress and small for psychotic symptoms and addictive behaviors. The effects of cognitive behavioral therapy on process variables, dysfunctional thoughts and coping, were in the small range. The overall longer-term effect of cognitive behavioral therapy on the primary outcome was medium in size. Moderator analyses showed that the short-term effect was stronger for culturally adapted cognitive behavioral therapy than for unadapted cognitive behavioral therapy. Type of primary outcome, type of control group, recruitment method, study design, the format of delivery and region were found to moderate the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy. Conclusion: The findings of this study provide evidence for the overall efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy for Chinese people and the benefit of cultural adaptation of cognitive behavioral therapy to Chinese culture.
Subchondral Bone Degradation After Microfracture for Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus: An MRI Analysis
Authors: Shimozono Yoshiharu , Coale Max , Yasui Youichi , O’Halloran Amanda , Deyer Timothy W. , Kennedy John G. 
Published: November 2017

Background: Microfracture is the most common cartilage-reparative procedure for the treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs). Damage to the subchondral bone (SCB) during microfracture may irreversibly change the joint-loading support of the ankle, leading to reparative fibrocartilage degradation over time. Purpose: To investigate the morphological change in the SCB after microfracture for OLT by developing a novel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scoring system specifically for evaluating the SCB. Furthermore, this study assesses the influence of the morphological changes of the SCB on clinical outcomes based on the new score. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Forty-two patients who underwent microfracture for OLT were included. An SCB Health (SCBH) scoring system was developed according to the amount of edema, subchondral cyst diameter, and qualitative and thickness change in the SCB, with a total score of 12 indicating normal SCB. MRI was obtained postoperatively from 6 months to 1 year, 1 to 2 years, 2 to 4 years, and 4 to 6 years. The Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) was evaluated preoperatively and at 2 years and final follow-up. Results: The mean patient age was 38.4 ± 15.6 years, with a mean follow-up of 51.7 ± 22.8 months. The mean FAOS improved significantly from 57.8 ± 14.4 preoperatively to 84.3 ± 7.2 at 24 months ( P < .001) and decreased to a final mean value of 77.1 ± 12.6 ( P < .001). The mean SCBH score decreased from 8.6 ± 1.9 preoperatively to 7.1 ± 1.8 on the first follow-up MRI ( P < .001) and significantly decreased to 5.9 ± 2.3 on the fourth follow-up MRI ( P < .001). Subchondral cysts were noticeably worse at the fourth follow-up MRI than at the first and second ( P < .001, P = .006, respectively). There was a positive correlation between the final FAOS and the SCBH score on the third and fourth follow-up MRI ( r = 0.55, P < .001; r = 0.70, P < .001, respectively), but no correlation was found on the first and second follow-up. Conclusion: The SCBs following microfracture for OLT were not restored at midterm follow-up. There was a significant decrease of the overall SCBH score over time. Noticeably, subchondral cysts deteriorated over time consistently. In addition, the SCBH score at midterm follow-up was positively correlated with clinical outcomes. Lasting morphological changes in the SCB may be indicative of longer-term failure of the microfracture procedure.