bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic Predisposition to High Blood Pressure and Lifestyle Factors
Authors: Pazoki Raha , Dehghan Abbas , Evangelou Evangelos , Warren Helen , Gao He , Caulfield Mark , Elliott Paul , Tzoulaki Ioanna 
Published: December 2017

Background:High blood pressure (BP) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Both heritable and lifestyle risk factors contribute to elevated BP levels. We aimed to investigate the extent to which lifestyle factors could offset the effect of an adverse BP genetic profile and its effect on CVD risk.Methods:We constructed a genetic risk score for high BP by using 314 published BP loci in 277 005 individuals without previous CVD from the UK Biobank study, a prospective cohort of individuals aged 40 to 69 years, with a median of 6.11 years of follow-up. We scored participants according to their lifestyle factors including body mass index, healthy diet, sedentary lifestyle, alcohol consumption, smoking, and urinary sodium excretion levels measured at recruitment. We examined the association between tertiles of genetic risk and tertiles of lifestyle score with BP levels and incident CVD by using linear regression and Cox regression models, respectively.Results:Healthy lifestyle score was strongly associated with BP (P<10–320) for systolic and diastolic BP and CVD events regardless of the underlying BP genetic risk. Participants with a favorable in comparison with an unfavorable lifestyle (bottom versus top tertile lifestyle score) had 4.9, 4.3, and 4.1 mm Hg lower systolic BP in low, middle, and high genetic risk groups, respectively (Pfor interaction=0.0006). Similarly, favorable in comparison with unfavorable lifestyle showed 30%, 33%, and 31% lower risk of CVD among participants in low, middle, and high genetic risk groups, respectively (Pfor interaction=0.99).Conclusions:Our data further support population-wide efforts to lower BP in the population via lifestyle modification. The advantages and disadvantages of disclosing genetic predisposition to high BP for risk stratification needs careful evaluation.
Epicurus’ Varietas and ἡ κινητικὴ ἡδονή
Authors: Liebersohn Yosef Z. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractAccording to Epicurus’ view which locates the summit of pleasure in the absence of all pain, once pain has been removed pleasure cannot be increased, but it can be embellished. This article has two main aims. Firstly I shall deal with this embellishment, namely the pleasure beyond the absence of pain (thevarietas), and discuss its exact place within the Epicurean theory of pleasures; I argue thatvarietaspertains only to pleasures concerning the body. Secondly, and on the basis of my findings concerning the Epicureanvarietas, I shall offer a redefinition of the concept of kinetic pleasures and argue that the pair natural-unnatural is the axis by which the kinetic pleasures are to be divided into pleasures concerning the body and pleasures concerning the soul respectively. I shall end by referring to a well disputed question concerning the Epicurean way of living, namely the question: “was Epicurus an ascetic?”.
Whither the 100th Meridian? The Once and Future Physical and Human Geography of America’s Arid–Humid Divide. Part II: The Meridian Moves East
Authors: Seager Richard , Feldman Jamie , Lis Nathan , Ting Mingfang , Williams Alton P. , Nakamura Jennifer , Liu Haibo , Henderson Naomi 
Published: December 2017

Abstract
The 100th meridian bisects the Great Plains of the United States and effectively divides the continent into more arid western and less arid eastern halves and is well expressed in terms of vegetation, land hydrology, crops, and the farm economy. Here, it is considered how this arid–humid divide will change in intensity and location during the current century under rising greenhouse gases. It is first shown that state-of-the-art climate models from phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project generally underestimate the degree of aridity of the United States and simulate an arid–humid divide that is too diffuse. These biases are traced to excessive precipitation and evapotranspiration and inadequate blocking of eastward moisture flux by the Pacific coastal ranges and Rockies. Bias-corrected future projections are developed that modify observationally based measures of aridity by the model-projected fractional changes in aridity. Aridity increases across the United States, and the aridity gradient weakens. The main contributor to the changes is rising potential evapotranspiration, while changes in precipitation working alone increase aridity across the southern and decrease across the northern United States. The “effective 100th meridian” moves to the east as the century progresses. In the current farm economy, farm size and percent of county under rangelands increase and percent of cropland under corn decreases as aridity increases. Statistical relations between these quantities and the bias-corrected aridity projections suggest that, all else being equal (which it will not be), adjustment to changing environmental conditions would cause farm size and rangeland area to increase across the plains and percent of cropland under corn to decrease in the northern plains as the century advances.
A New Direction in the Atmospheric Pollutant Dispersion inside the Planetary Boundary Layer
Authors: Moreira Davidson , Moret Marcelo 
Published: December 2017

AbstractIn this study, an analytical solution for the steady-state fractional advection–diffusion equation was obtained to simulate the atmospheric dispersion of pollutants in a vertically inhomogeneous planetary boundary layer. The authors propose a method that uses the modified generalized integral Laplace transform technique to solve the transformed problem with a fractional derivative, resulting in a more general solution. The model results were compared with the fractional Gaussian model and demonstrate that, when considering an experimental dataset under moderately unstable conditions, fractional-derivative models perform better than traditional integer-order models.
Comments on “Revisiting the Relationship between Eyewall Contraction and Intensification”
Authors: Kieu Chanh Q. , Zhang Da-Lin 
Published: December 2017

Abstract
This comment presents some concerns with the study of Stern et al. and their misinterpretation of the contraction of the radius of the maximum wind (RMW) in tropical cyclones. It is shown that their geometrical RMW contraction model provides little dynamical understanding of the RMW contraction during tropical cyclone intensification, and it differs fundamentally from the RMW contraction model of Willoughby et al. that was derived from the directional derivative concept. Moreover, it is demonstrated that Stern et al. were mistaken in commenting on the derivation of the governing equation for the RMW contraction in Kieu.
Reply to “Comments on ‘Revisiting the Relationship between Eyewall Contraction and Intensification’”
Authors: Stern Daniel P. , Vigh Jonathan L. , Nolan David S. , Zhang Fuqing 
Published: December 2017

Abstract
In their comment, Kieu and Zhang critique the recent study of Stern et al. that examined the contraction of the radius of maximum wind (RMW) and its relationship to tropical cyclone intensification. Stern et al. derived a diagnostic expression for the rate of contraction and used this to show that while RMW contraction begins and accelerates as a result of an increasing negative radial gradient of tangential wind tendency inward of the RMW, contraction slows down and eventually ceases as a result of the increasing sharpness of the wind profile around the RMW during intensification. Kieu and Zhang claim that this kinematic framework does not yield useful understanding, that Stern et al. are mistaken in their favorable comparison of this framework to earlier work by Willoughby et al., and that Stern et al. are mistaken in their conclusion that an equation for the contraction of the RMW derived by Kieu is erroneous. This reply demonstrates that each of these claims by Kieu and Zhang is incorrect.
Impact of South Pacific Subtropical Dipole Mode on the Equatorial Pacific
Authors: Zheng Jian , Wang Faming , Alexander Michael A. , Wang Mengyang 
Published: December 2017

AbstractPrevious studies have indicated that a sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA) dipole in the subtropical South Pacific (SPSD), which peaks in austral summer (January–March), is dominated by thermodynamic processes. Observational analyses and numerical experiments were used to investigate the influence of SPSD mode on the equatorial Pacific. The model is an atmospheric general circulation model coupled to a reduced-gravity ocean model. An SPSD-like SSTA was imposed on 1 March, after which the model was free to evolve until the end of the year. The coupled model response showed that warm SSTAs extend toward the equator with northwesterly wind anomalies and then grow to El Niño–like anomalies by the end of the year. SPSD forcing weakens southeasterly trade winds and propagates warm SSTAs toward the equator through wind–evaporation–SST (WES) feedback. Meanwhile, relaxation of trade winds in the eastern equatorial Pacific depresses the thermocline and upwelling. Eastward anomalous currents near the equator cause warm horizontal advection in the central Pacific. Further experiments showed that thermodynamic coupling mainly acts on but is not essential for SSTA propagation, either from the subtropics to the equator or westward along the equator, while oceanic dynamic coupling alone also appears to be able to initiate anomalies on the equator and plays a critical role in SSTA growth in the tropical Pacific. This is consistent with observational analyses, which indicated that influence of WES feedback on SSTA propagation associated with the SPSD is limited. Finally, the warm pole close to the equator plays the dominant role in inducing the El Niño–like anomalies.
A Study of Low-Frequency, Wind-Driven, Coastal-Trapped Waves along the Southeast Coast of Australia
Authors: Liao Fanglou , Wang Xiao Hua 
Published: December 2017

AbstractCoastal-trapped waves (CTWs) along the southeast coast of Australia were investigated based on a frictional, wind-driven long-wave theory. It was found that low-frequency sea level anomalies (SLAs) were continuously propagating from the south coast up along the east coast as CTWs, mainly forced by the alongshore wind stress. Three main subinertial peaks existed in the spectral characteristics of the SLAs, with periods of 14.2, 10.2, and 7.8 days, respectively. Power spectral density distributions of the peaks showed that the CTW amplitudes varied significantly along the southeast coast. For idealized linear and exponential shelves, a theoretical analysis indicated that the fundamental factor influencing the eigenvector of mode 1, and therefore the CTW amplitude, was the offshore water depth. This theoretical work was well supported by eight sensitivity cases. Four additional cases were conducted, and time-averaged energy fluxes were calculated to identify the energy source of the CTWs in the Australian Coastal Experiment (ACE) region. It was shown that both the local wind stress and the wind stress in Bass Strait contributed to the CTWs in the ACE region, with the latter playing a more important role. The remaining CTW energy came from remote forcing farther west of Bass Strait. The energy flux calculation also showed that the CTW energy flux was almost constant along the investigated coast because of the balance between frictional dissipation and the energy gain from the alongshore wind stress; the significant variations in the power spectral density (PSD) of the subinertial peaks were mainly due to the variations in the modal eigenvectors caused by the shelf geometry.
Presepsin: A potential biomarker of PJI? A comparative analysis with known and new infection biomarkers
Authors: Marazzi Monica Gioia , Randelli Filippo , Brioschi Marco , Drago Lorenzo , Romanò Carlo Luca , Banfi Giuseppe , Massaccesi Luca , Crapanzano Calogero , Morelli Franca , Corsi Romanelli Massimiliano Marco , Galliera Emanuela 
Published: December 2017

There is still no “gold standard” for the diagnosis and prognosis of post-operative periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). Among serum biomarkers, an emerging molecule is presepsin, the soluble fraction of CD14, recently described in other settings as a powerful diagnostic tool to detect sepsis at different degrees of severity. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic and prognostic value of presepsin in PJI. A total of 30 patients with PJI and 30 patients without PJI were enrolled. Presepsin, C-reactive protein (CRP), serum interleukin (IL)-6, triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 (TREM-1), CCL2, matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), CD163, osteopontin (OPN), and toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) were measured at different times after surgery. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and area under the curve (AUC) were analyzed for each biomarker. Presepsin showed greater diagnostic value than CRP and IL-6; CD163, TREM-1, and MMP-9 had very low diagnostic potential. Presepsin, OPN, CCL2, suPAR, and TLR2 all decreased significantly with increasing time of recovery after surgery in PJI patients. Presepsin can be considered a useful tool for the diagnosis and clinical monitoring of PJI and can be backed by a panel of new inflammatory markers involved in monocyte-/macrophage-mediated inflammatory responses, such as OPN, CCL2, TLR2, and suPAR.
Nanosized strontium substituted hydroxyapatite prepared from egg shell for enhanced biological properties
Authors: Geng Zhen , Cheng You , Ma Lili , Li Zhaoyang , Cui Zhenduo , Zhu Shengli , Liang Yanqin , Liu Yunde , Bao Huijing , Li Xue , Yang Xianjin 
Published: December 2017

The fabrication and application of bioactive hydroxyapatite has always been a research hot spot in the fields of orthopaedics. Now it is common to use calcium (Ca) salt as Ca2+ source to synthesise hydroxyapatite. And egg shell could be another promising raw material as Ca2+ source, which is not only economical but also biogenic. In this study, egg shell (ES)-hydroxyapatite was prepared by using egg shells via hydrothermal method. Furthermore, ES-Sr hydroxyapatite was synthesized by incorporation of bioactive element strontium (Sr2+) into ES-hydroxyapatite. The in vitro experiment showed that compared with hydroxyapatite, ES-hydroxyapatite showed better biological performances, which could be attributed to the trace elements in egg shell, such as magnesium (Mg). And the incorporation of Sr2+ could further enhance the bioactivity. These results indicated that apatite with high biological activity, which had great application prospects in orthopedics, could be produced by egg shells and the incorporation of Sr2+.
Improvements in Regional Left Ventricular Function Following Late Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Anterior Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Adhyapak Srilakshmi M , Menon Prahlad G , Varghese Kiron , Mehra Abhinav , Lohitashwa SB , Fantini Fabio 
Published: December 2017

Background: Late revascularization following a myocardial infarction has questionable clinical benefit. Methods: We studied 13 patients with anterior wall myocardial infarction who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention within 2 weeks of the primary event, by quantitative analysis of 2-dimensional echocardiographic images. Endocardial segmentations of the left ventricular (LV) endocardium from the 4-chamber views were studied over time to establish cumulative wall displacements (CWDs) throughout the cardiac cycle. Results: Left ventricular end-systolic volume decreased to 42 ± 8 mL/body surface area ( P = .034) and LV ejection fraction improved to 52% ± 7% ( P = .04). Analysis of LV endocardial CWD demonstrated significant improvements in mid-systolic to late-systolic phases in the apical LV segments, from 3.5 ± 0.32 to 5.89 ± 0.43 mm ( P = .019). Improvements in CWD were also observed in the late-diastolic phase of the cardiac cycle, from 1.50 ± 0.42 to 1.76 ± 0.52 mm ( P = .04). Conclusions: In our pilot patient cohort, following late establishment of infarct-related artery patency following an anterior wall myocardial infarction, regional improvements were noted in the LV apical segments during systole and late diastole.
Telemonitoring in patients with heart failure: Is there a long-term effect?
Authors: Gingele Arno J , Brunner-la Rocca Hanspeter , Ramaekers Bram , Gorgels Anton , De Weerd Gerjan , Kragten Johannes , van Empel Vanessa , Brandenburg Vincent , Vrijhoef Hubertus , Cleuren Ger , Knackstedt Christian , Boyne Josiane JJ 
Published: December 2017

Introduction Evidence suggests that telemonitoring decreases mortality and heart failure (HF)-related hospital admission in patients with HF. However, most studies follow their patients for only several months. Little is known about the long-term effects of telemonitoring after a period of application. Methods In 2007, the TEHAF study was initiated to compare tailored telemonitoring with usual care with respect to time until first HF-related hospital admission. In total, 301 patients completed the study after a follow-up period of one year. No differences could be found in time to first HF-related admission between intervention and control groups. Here, we performed a retrospective analysis in order to investigate potential long-term effects of telemonitoring. The primary endpoint was time to first HF-related hospital admission. Secondary endpoints were, amongst others, all-cause mortality, hospital admission due to HF and days alive and out of hospital (DAOOH). Electronic files of all included patients were reviewed between October 2007 and September 2015. Result Mean follow-up duration was 1652 days (standard deviation: 1055 days). No significant difference in time to first HF-related hospital admission (log-rank test, p = 0.15), all-cause mortality (log-rank test, p = 0.43), or DAOOH (two-sample t-test, p = 0.87) could be found. However, patients that underwent telemonitoring had significantly fewer HF-related hospital admissions (incident rate ratio 0.54, 95% confidence interval 0.31–0.88). Discussion Telemonitoring did not significantly influence the long-term outcome in our study. Therefore, extending the follow-up period of telemonitoring studies in HF patients is probably not beneficial.
Decreased Rates of Inpatient Hypoglycemia Following Implementation of an Automated Tool in the Electronic Medical Record for Identifying Root Causes
Authors: Sinha Gregory Naina , Seley Jane Jeffrie , Ukena Jenny , Shah Sona , Fred Matthew R. , Dargar Savira Kochhar , Mauer Elizabeth , Kim Robert J. 
Published: December 2017

Objective: The objective was to identify root causes of hypoglycemia on medicine inpatient units using an automated tool. Data collected will guide educational interventions aimed at improving patient care and safety by decreasing rates of hypoglycemia. Methods: A survey was conducted among RNs to identify risk factors for hypoglycemia. Survey data were used to create a hypoglycemia root cause survey tool in the EMR. RNs were prompted to utilize the tool when blood glucose (BG) < 70 mg/dL. Once the most common modifiable cause of hypoglycemia was identified, an educational intervention for safe and effective use of insulin was launched. This strategy was designed to empower the care team to reduce the insulin dose when appropriate to prevent future hypoglycemic episodes. Results: BG data were compared from March and April in 2016 and 2017. Rates of hypoglycemia (BG < 70 mg/dL) decreased from 2.3% to 1.5%; BG values in target range (70-180 mg/dL) increased from 59.4% to 65.7%; hyperglycemia (BG > 180 mg/dL) decreased from 38.3% to 32.8% (all P values < .001). The number of patients with recurrent hypoglycemia (3 or more episodes) decreased from 5.7% to 2.2% ( P = .044). Conclusions: The two most frequent modifiable causes of hypoglycemia (insulin and nutrition) were identified by an RN survey and confirmed by chart review. A targeted educational intervention addressing safe and effective insulin dosing resulted in a significant decrease in both hypoglycemia and recurrent hypoglycemia. This was associated with an improvement in overall glycemic control. Ongoing clinician education regarding insulin and nutrition accompanied by discussions between RNs and prescribers to address hypoglycemic events in real-time could continue to lower the rate of occurrence.
Multicenter mortality and morbidity associated with pulmonary hypertension in the pediatric intensive care unit
Authors: Balkin Emily Morell , Steurer Martina A. , Delagnes Elise A. , Zinter Matt S. , Rajagopal Satish , Keller Roberta L. , Fineman Jeffrey R. 
Published: December 2017

Despite advances in the diagnosis and management of pediatric pulmonary hypertension (PH), children with PH represent a growing inpatient population with significant morbidity and mortality. To date, no studies have described the clinical characteristics of children with PH in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). A retrospective multicenter cohort study of 153 centers in the Virtual PICU Systems database who submitted data between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2015 was performed. A total of 14,880/670,098 admissions (2.2%) with a diagnosis of PH were identified. Of these, 2190 (14.7%) had primary PH and 12,690 (85.3%) had secondary PH. Mortality for PH admissions was 6.8% compared to 2.3% in those admitted without PH (odds ratio = 3.1; 95% confidence interval = 2.9–3.4). Compared to patients admitted to the PICU without PH, those with PH were younger, had longer length of stay, higher illness severity scores, were more likely to receive invasive mechanical ventilation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and more likely to have co‐diagnoses of sepsis, heart failure, and respiratory failure. In a multivariate model, factors significantly associated with mortality for children with PH included age < 6 months or > 16 years, invasive mechanical ventilation, and co‐diagnoses of heart failure, sepsis, hemoptysis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, stroke, and multi‐organ dysfunction syndrome. Despite therapeutic advances, the disease burden and mortality of children with PH remains significant. Further investigation of the risk factors associated with clinical deterioration and mortality in this population could improve the ability to prognosticate and inform clinical decision‐making.