bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improvement in low upright baroreflex sensitivity is associated with positive clinical effect of orthostatic training
Authors: Mitro Peter , Šimurda Miloš , Muller Ervin 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAimTo assess the clinical efficacy of orthostatic training (OT) and its effect on the autonomic activity.MethodsOT was performed in 38 patients (13 males, age 36.4 ± 15.2 years). Baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), heart rate variability, and quality of life (SF 36) were assessed before and after 6 months of OT. Patients with no recurrence of syncope and reduction of the presyncope number to one‐third or less were classified as responders.ResultsCompliance to OT was low. Only 55% (38 from 69 patients) completed the training programme; 28 patients were responders (74%) and 10 patients were nonresponders. Before OT, BRS in upright position was lower in responders than in nonresponders (sitting: 8.05 ± 3.94 ms/mm Hg vs 12.51 ± 5.3 ms/mm Hg, P = 0.04, standing: 5.08 ± 2.34 ms/mm Hg vs 7.54 ± 2.16 ms/mm Hg, P = 0.02). After OT, BRS increased in responders (sitting: 8.05 ± 3.94 ms/mm Hg to 9.31 ± 4.49 ms/mm Hg, P = 0.05; standing: 5.08 ± 2.34 ms/mm Hg to 5.96 ± 2.38 ms/mm Hg, P = 0.03). No differences in supine BRS were observed. In responders, low frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF) power in sitting and standing positions significantly increased after OT (P < 0.05). In nonresponders, there was no significant rise in BRS, LF, and HF after OT. A significant increase in quality of life was noted in responders, but not in nonresponders.ConclusionsOT reduced symptoms in 74% patients who trained regularly. However, the compliance to training was low. Possible mechanism of OT is reconditioning effect on baroreceptor reactivity in upright position.
Donohue syndrome: A review of literature, case series, and anesthetic considerations
Authors: Kirkwood Alana , Stuart Grant , Harding Louise 
Published: November 2017

SummaryBackgroundDonohue syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder of insulin resistance, causing a functional defect in insulin receptor function, and affecting the ability of the insulin to bind the receptor. Features include severe hyperinsulinism and fasting hypoglycemia, along with severe failure to thrive despite feeding. An accelerated fasting state results in muscle wasting, decreased subcutaneous fat, and an excess of thick skin. A reduced thoracic diameter is accentuated by increased abdominal distension, which impacts on respiratory reserve.Cardiac disease develops early in life, with progressive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy as a result of hyperinsulinism. Prognosis is poor with the majority of patients dying in infancy of sepsis. The aim of this review is to report our experience of providing anesthesia for patients with Donohue syndrome, and inform guidance for safe management of these children, based on a comprehensive literature review.MethodsA literature search was carried out using PubMed, Medline, and the Cochrane Library, and using the MESH search terms detailed below. Patients were identified by formal request to the department of pediatric endocrinology at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Each patient's notes were searched manually and electronically for both clinical presentation and outcome, and anesthesia records.DiscussionThere is currently no published literature relating to anesthetic management of Donohue syndrome. We report a case series of 5 patients with Donohue syndrome who have presented to our institution. This small series of children with this complex disorder demonstrates a clearly increased risk of general anesthesia. Many of the risks relate to restrictive lung disease and abdominal distension which worsens with bag valve mask ventilation and limited respiratory reserve which leads to precipitous desaturation. During induction, a spontaneously breathing technique is recommended. If required, bag valve mask ventilation should be accompanied by constant gastric aspiration. Intubation is challenging, and a difficult airway plan, including a second experienced anesthetist and ENT support, should be in place. These children are predisposed to developing cardiomyopathy and therefore at risk of cardiovascular collapse under anesthesia.
New solutions to reduce wrong route medication errors
Authors: Litman Ronald S. , Smith Victoria I. , Mainland Phoebe 
Published: November 2017

SummaryWrong route medication errors due to tubing misconnections are potentially life‐threatening complications that have been made possible by the universal use of the Luer connector. The new International Organization of Standardization standards for small bore connectors, ISO 80369 series, have been developed to reduce the risk of these types of erroneous connections. Tubing connectors for different routes of clinical application will contain differently designed connectors that are physically incompatible. However, design and manufacturing standards have progressed slowly, and clinical roll‐outs have been delayed, despite the implementation of California laws to promote their use. We are currently in a state of transition where new connectors for enteral and neuraxial use will be entering the clinical market in the next few years, and increasing use will identify additional patient safety concerns.
Long noncoding RNAs involve in resistance to Verticillium dahliae, a fungal disease in cotton
Authors: Zhang Lin , Wang Maojun , Li Nannan , Wang Honglei , Qiu Ping , Pei Liuling , Xu Zheng , Wang Tianyi , Gao Erlin , Liu Junxia , Liu Shiming , Hu Qin , Miao Yuhuan , Lindsey Keith , Tu Lili , Zhu Longfu , Zhang Xianlong 
Published: November 2017

SummaryLong noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have several known functions in plant development, but their possible roles in responding to plant disease remain largely unresolved. In this study, we described a comprehensive disease‐responding lncRNA profiles in defence against a cotton fungal disease Verticillium dahliae. We further revealed the conserved and specific characters of disease‐responding process between two cotton species. Conservatively for two cotton species, we found the expression dominance of induced lncRNAs in the Dt subgenome, indicating a biased induction pattern in the co‐existing subgenomes of allotetraploid cotton. Comparative analysis of lncRNA expression and their proposed functions in resistant Gossypium barbadense cv. ‘7124’ versus susceptible Gossypium hirsutum cv. ‘YZ1’ revealed their distinct disease response mechanisms. Species‐specific (LS) lncRNAs containing more SNPs displayed a fiercer inducing level postinfection than the species‐conserved (core) lncRNAs. Gene Ontology enrichment of LS lncRNAs and core lncRNAs indicates distinct roles in the process of biotic stimulus. Further functional analysis showed that two core lncRNAs, GhlncNAT‐ANX2‐ and GhlncNAT‐RLP7‐silenced seedlings, displayed an enhanced resistance towards V. dahliae and Botrytis cinerea, possibly associated with the increased expression of LOX1 and LOX2. This study represents the first characterization of lncRNAs involved in resistance to fungal disease and provides new clues to elucidate cotton disease response mechanism.
Does cross‐acclimation between drought and freezing stress persist over ecologically relevant time spans? A test using the grass Poa pratensis
Authors: Kong R. S. , Henry H. A. L. 
Published: November 2017

Abstract

Despite evidence that prior exposure to drought can increase subsequent plant freezing tolerance, few studies have explored such interactions over ecologically relevant time spans. We examined the combined effects of drought and subsequent freezing on tiller growth and leaf sugar concentrations in the grass, Poa pratensis.

We exposed tillers to no drought (−0.04 MPa), moderate drought (−0.19 MPa) or severe drought (−0.42 MPa) for 3 weeks in summer. Tillers were then frozen in autumn or spring at −5 °C (frost damage) or at 0 °C (control) for 3 days and harvested after a re‐growth period.

For shoot growth, there was a significant interaction between drought and autumn freezing, whereby the relative effect of freezing on growth was least for the plants previously exposed to severe drought; however, there was no significant interaction between drought and spring freezing. For root growth, there were no significant interactions between drought and freezing in either season. Leaf sugar concentrations increased significantly with drought intensity, but these effects dissipated within a month, prior to the onset of the autumn freezing treatment.

Overall, our results suggest that interactions between prior drought and subsequent freezing in P. pratensis may be most relevant in the context of autumn freezing, and despite the important role of soluble sugars in increasing both drought and freezing tolerance in this species, the retention of these compounds after drought stress does not appear to explain the occurrence of drought–frost interactions at ecologically relevant time scales.
Insights into Flood‐Coping Appraisals of Protection Motivation Theory: Empirical Evidence from Germany and France
Authors: Bubeck Philip , Wouter Botzen W. J. , Laudan Jonas , Aerts Jeroen C.J.H. , Thieken Annegret H. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractProtection motivation theory (PMT) has become a popular theory to explain the risk‐reducing behavior of residents against natural hazards. PMT captures the two main cognitive processes that individuals undergo when faced with a threat, namely, threat appraisal and coping appraisal. The latter describes the evaluation of possible response measures that may reduce or avert the perceived threat. Although the coping appraisal component of PMT was found to be a better predictor of protective intentions and behavior, little is known about the factors that influence individuals’ coping appraisals of natural hazards. More insight into flood‐coping appraisals of PMT, therefore, are needed to better understand the decision‐making process of individuals and to develop effective risk communication strategies. This study presents the results of two surveys among more than 1,600 flood‐prone households in Germany and France. Five hypotheses were tested using multivariate statistics regarding factors related to flood‐coping appraisals, which were derived from the PMT framework, related literature, and the literature on social vulnerability. We found that socioeconomic characteristics alone are not sufficient to explain flood‐coping appraisals. Particularly, observational learning from the social environment, such as friends and neighbors, is positively related to flood‐coping appraisals. This suggests that social norms and networks play an important role in flood‐preparedness decisions. Providing risk and coping information can also have a positive effect. Given the strong positive influence of the social environment on flood‐coping appraisals, future research should investigate how risk communication can be enhanced by making use of the observed social norms and network effects.
An Agent‐Based Model of Evolving Community Flood Risk
Authors: Tonn Gina L. , Guikema Seth D. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAlthough individual behavior plays a major role in community flood risk, traditional flood risk models generally do not capture information on how community policies and individual decisions impact the evolution of flood risk over time. The purpose of this study is to improve the understanding of the temporal aspects of flood risk through a combined analysis of the behavioral, engineering, and physical hazard aspects of flood risk. Additionally, the study aims to develop a new modeling approach for integrating behavior, policy, flood hazards, and engineering interventions. An agent‐based model (ABM) is used to analyze the influence of flood protection measures, individual behavior, and the occurrence of floods and near‐miss flood events on community flood risk. The ABM focuses on the following decisions and behaviors: dissemination of flood management information, installation of community flood protection, elevation of household mechanical equipment, and elevation of homes. The approach is place based, with a case study area in Fargo, North Dakota, but is focused on generalizable insights. Generally, community mitigation results in reduced future damage, and individual action, including mitigation and movement into and out of high‐risk areas, can have a significant influence on community flood risk. The results of this study provide useful insights into the interplay between individual and community actions and how it affects the evolution of flood risk. This study lends insight into priorities for future work, including the development of more in‐depth behavioral and decision rules at the individual and community level.
Can Incentives Improve Survey Data Quality in Developing Countries?: Results from a Field Experiment in India
Authors: Stecklov Guy , Weinreb Alexander , Carletto Calogero 
Published: November 2017

SummaryWe report results of an experiment designed to assess whether the payment of contingent incentives to respondents in Karnataka, India, impacts the quality of survey data. Of 2276 households sampled at the city block level, 934 were randomly assigned to receive a small one-time payment at the time of the survey, whereas the remaining households did not receive this incentive. We analyse the effects of incentives across a range of questions that are common in survey research in less developed countries. Our study suggests that incentives reduced unit non-response. Conditionally on participation, we also find little impact of incentives on a broad range of sociodemographic, behavioural and attitudinal questions. In contrast, we consistently find that households that received incentives reported substantially lower consumption and income levels and fewer assets. Given random assignment and very high response rates, the most plausible interpretation of this finding is that incentivizing respondents in this setting may increase their motivation to present themselves as more needy, whether to justify the current payment or to increase the chance of receiving resources in the future. Therefore, despite early indications that contingent incentives may raise response rates, the net effect on data quality must be carefully considered.
Signal Regression Models for Location, Scale and Shape with an Application to Stock Returns
Authors: Brockhaus Sarah , Fuest Andreas , Mayr Andreas , Greven Sonja 
Published: November 2017

SummaryWe discuss scalar-on-function regression models where all parameters of the assumed response distribution can be modelled depending on covariates. We thus combine signal regression models with generalized additive models for location, scale and shape. Our approach is motivated by a time series of stock returns, where it is of interest to model both the expectation and the variance depending on lagged response values and functional liquidity curves. We compare two fundamentally different methods for estimation, a gradient boosting and a penalized-likelihood-based approach, and address practically important points like identifiability and model choice. Estimation by a componentwise gradient boosting algorithm allows for high dimensional data settings and variable selection. Estimation by a penalized-likelihood-based approach has the advantage of directly provided statistical inference.
Acid‐base alterations in ESRD and effects of hemodialysis
Authors: Qian Qi 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAcid‐base alterations in patients with kidney failure and on hemodialysis (HD) treatment contribute to (1) intradialytic hypercapnia and hypoxia, (2) hemodynamic instability and cardiac arrhythmia, (3) systemic inflammation, and (4) a number of associated electrolyte alterations including potentiating effects of hypokalemia, hypocalcemia and, chronically, soft‐tissue and vascular calcification, imparting poor prognosis and mortality. This paper discusses acid‐base regulation and pathogenesis of dysregulation in patients with kidney failure. Major organ and systemic effects of acid‐base perturbations with a specific focus on kidney failure patients on HD are emphasized, and potential mitigating strategies proposed. The high rate of HD‐related complications, specifically those that can be accounted for by rapid and steep acid‐base perturbations imposed by HD treatment, attests to the pressing need for investigations to establish a better dialysis regimen.
Low fitness is associated with metabolic risk independently of central adiposity in a cohort of 18‐year‐olds
Authors: Lätt E. , Jürimäe J. , Harro J. , Loit H.‐M. , Mäestu J. 
Published: November 2017

It is unclear whether cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) remains associated with metabolic risk if controlled for central adiposity and other confounders; thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the independent effect of CRF on metabolic syndrome risk factors in relatively homogeneous age group of young adults. In this cross‐sectional study, 828 participants performed CRF test on a cycle ergometer (Wmax kg) and were categorized into sex‐specific tertiles. Continuous metabolic syndrome risk score (MetS‐score) was calculated as the sum of standardized scores of five metabolic syndrome risk factors: glucose, mean arterial pressure, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and total cholesterol/high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio. Low fitness group had higher values in all measured metabolic syndrome parameters, except for cholesterol parameters, compared to high fitness group. The unadjusted model indicated that CRF was negatively associated with clustered metabolic risk (β = −0.116, P = .001). After the adjustment of smoking habits, sports training participation, and waist circumference, the association between CRF and MetS‐score slightly increased (β = ‐0.126; P < .001). Low CRF was associated with increased risk (OR = 2.58 (95% CI 1.50‐4.41)) for higher MetS‐score after adjustment for potential confounders and waist circumference. The results of our study indicate that being highly fit increases the likelihood of having lower MetS‐score for approximately 2 and 2.5 times independently of central adiposity compared to average and low fitness, respectively. In conclusion, it is highly important to improve CRF through regular exercise, not focusing just on body composition in young adulthood in every weight status group.
Effective inactivation of a wide range of viruses by pasteurization
Authors: Gröner Albrecht , Broumis Connie , Fang Randel , Nowak Thomas , Popp Birgit , Schäfer Wolfram , Roth Nathan J. 
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUNDCareful selection and testing of plasma reduces the risk of blood‐borne viruses in the starting material for plasma‐derived products. Furthermore, effective measures such as pasteurization at 60°C for 10 hours have been implemented in the manufacturing process of therapeutic plasma proteins such as human albumin, coagulation factors, immunoglobulins, and enzyme inhibitors to inactivate blood‐borne viruses of concern. A comprehensive compilation of the virus reduction capacity of pasteurization is presented including the effect of stabilizers used to protect the therapeutic protein from modifications during heat treatment.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSThe virus inactivation kinetics of pasteurization for a broad range of viruses were evaluated in the relevant intermediates from more than 15 different plasma manufacturing processes. Studies were carried out under the routine manufacturing target variables, such as temperature and product‐specific stabilizer composition. Additional studies were also performed under robustness conditions, that is, outside production specifications.RESULTSThe data demonstrate that pasteurization inactivates a wide range of enveloped and nonenveloped viruses of diverse physicochemical characteristics. After a maximum of 6 hours' incubation, no residual infectivity could be detected for the majority of enveloped viruses. Effective inactivation of a range of nonenveloped viruses, with the exception of nonhuman parvoviruses, was documented.CONCLUSIONPasteurization is a very robust and reliable virus inactivation method with a broad effectiveness against known blood‐borne pathogens and emerging or potentially emerging viruses. Pasteurization has proven itself to be a highly effective step, in combination with other complementary safety measures, toward assuring the virus safety of final product.
DNA methylation in the central and efferent limbs of the chemoreflex requires carotid body neural activity
Authors: Nanduri Jayasri , Peng Ying‐Jie , Wang Ning , Khan Shakil A. , Semenza Gregg L. , Prabhakar Nanduri R. 
Published: November 2017

Key points
The mechanisms underlying long‐term (30 days) intermittent hypoxia (LT‐IH)‐evoked DNA methylation of anti‐oxidant enzyme (AOE) gene repression in the carotid body (CB) reflex pathway were examined.
LT‐IH‐treated rats showed increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in the CB reflex pathway.
Administration of a ROS scavenger or CB ablation blocked LT‐IH‐evoked DNA methylation and AOE gene repression in the central and efferent limbs of the CB reflex.
LT‐IH increased DNA methyltransferase (Dnmt) activity through upregulation of Dnmt1 and 3b proteins by ROS‐dependent inactivation of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) by Akt.
A pan‐Akt inhibitor prevented LT‐IH‐induced GSK3β inactivation, elevated Dnmt protein expression and activity, AOE gene methylation, sympathetic activation and hypertension.
AbstractLong‐term exposure to intermittent hypoxia (LT‐IH; 30 days), simulating blood O2 profiles during sleep apnoea, has been shown to repress anti‐oxidant enzyme (AOE) gene expression by DNA methylation in the carotid body (CB) reflex pathway, resulting in persistent elevation of plasma catecholamine levels and blood pressure. The present study examined the mechanisms by which LT‐IH induces DNA methylation. Adult rats exposed to LT‐IH showed elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the CB, nucleus tractus solitarius (nTS) and rostroventrolateral medulla (RVLM) and adrenal medulla (AM), which represent the central and efferent limbs of the CB reflex, respectively. ROS scavenger treatment during the first ten days of IH exposure prevented ROS accumulation, blocked DNA methylation, and normalized AOE gene expression, suggesting that ROS generated during the early stages of IH activate DNA methylation. CB ablation prevented the ROS accumulation, normalized AOE gene expression in the nTS, RVLM, and AM and blocked DNA methylation, suggesting that LT‐IH‐induced DNA methylation in the central and efferent limbs of the CB reflex is indirect and requires CB neural activity. LT‐IH increased DNA methyl transferase (Dnmt) activity through upregulation of Dnmt1 and 3b protein expression due to ROS‐dependent inactivation of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) by protein kinase B (Akt). Treating rats with the pan‐Akt inhibitor GSK690693 blocked the induction of Dnmt activity, Dnmt protein expression, and DNA methylation, leading to normalization of AOE gene expression as well as plasma catecholamine levels and blood pressure.