bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
MicroRNA-17–92 Cluster in Exosomes Enhance Neuroplasticity and Functional Recovery After Stroke in Rats
Authors: Xin Hongqi , Katakowski Mark , Wang Fengjie , Qian Jian-Yong , Liu Xian Shuang , Ali Meser M. , Buller Benjamin , Zhang Zheng Gang , Chopp Michael 
Published: February 2017

Background and Purpose—
Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) harvested exosomes are hypothesized as the major paracrine effectors of MSCs. In vitro, the miR-17–92 cluster promotes oligodendrogenesis, neurogenesis, and axonal outgrowth. We, therefore, investigated whether the miR-17–92 cluster–enriched exosomes harvested from MSCs transfected with an miR-17–92 cluster plasmid enhance neurological recovery compared with control MSC-derived exosomes.

Methods—
Rats subjected to 2 hours of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion were intravenously administered miR-17–92 cluster–enriched exosomes, control MSC exosomes, or liposomes and were euthanized 28 days post–middle cerebral artery occlusion. Histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and Golgi–Cox staining were used to assess dendritic, axonal, synaptic, and myelin remodeling. Expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog and activation of its downstream proteins, protein kinase B, mechanistic target of rapamycin, and glycogen synthase kinase 3β in the peri-infarct region were measured by means of Western blots.

Results—
Compared with the liposome treatment, both exosome treatment groups exhibited significant improvement of functional recovery, but miR-17–92 cluster–enriched exosome treatment had significantly more robust effects on improvement of neurological function and enhancements of oligodendrogenesis, neurogenesis, and neurite remodeling/neuronal dendrite plasticity in the ischemic boundary zone (IBZ) than the control MSC exosome treatment. Moreover, miR-17–92 cluster–enriched exosome treatment substantially inhibited phosphatase and tensin homolog, a validated miR-17–92 cluster target gene, and subsequently increased the phosphorylation of phosphatase and tensin homolog downstream proteins, protein kinase B, mechanistic target of rapamycin, and glycogen synthase kinase 3β compared with control MSC exosome treatment.

Conclusions—
Our data suggest that treatment of stroke with tailored exosomes enriched with the miR-17–92 cluster increases neural plasticity and functional recovery after stroke, possibly via targeting phosphatase and tensin homolog to activate the PI3K/protein kinase B/mechanistic target of rapamycin/glycogen synthase kinase 3β signaling pathway.
G. I. Gurdjieff’s Piano Music and Its Application in and outside “The Work”
Authors: Petsche Johanna J. M. 
Published: February 2017

Gurdjieff (c. 1866–1949) wrote a diverse collection of piano pieces at his “Institute for the Harmonious Development of Man” at the Chateau du Prieuré d’ Avon at Fontainebleau near Paris in a unique collaboration with pupil Thomas de Hartmann, a Ukrainian composer. This music was composed most intensely between the years 1925 and 1927, after Gurdjieff’s near-fatal car accident of 1924 when all work on his “Movements” or “sacred dances” had ceased. Thus this music was not written for the Movements but for other spiritual purposes. Gurdjieff would whistle, sing, and tap Eastern-sounding melodies and rhythms, and de Hartmann was required to immediately transform these indications into written Western notation, adding suitable harmonies. Like Gurdjieff’s teaching overall, the piano music is best described as a blending of Eastern and Western elements. In Gurdjieff’s lifetime this music was not published or recorded, and was mostly performed within his circle of pupils, as is appropriate within an initiatory and personally transmitted spiritual teaching. This article explores the Gurdjieff—de Hartmann music and its relationship to Gurdjieff’s overall esoteric teachings. There will also be an examination of how Gurdjieff groups and musicians continue to keep alive this music today, and it will be shown that the large number of recordings released represent its greatest cultural penetration into wider society. Currently hundreds of these recordings are available though, interestingly, most “Work” members are critical of them, arguing that the music only has value when experienced live and in a Work context.
“Should We Try to Self Remember While Playing Snakes and Ladders?”
Authors: O’Rawe Ricki 
Published: February 2017

Emerging from the Paris surrealist group, the English-born writer and painter Leonora Carrington (England, 1917—Mexico, 2011) was perpetually suspicious of orthodoxy. She often pokes fun at, parodies, and ultimately upsets traditional hierarchies of power. In her work animals impart wisdom, Goddesses loom large, and domestic spaces become sites of occult power. In this article, I investigate Carrington’s suspicion of gurus with claims to esoteric truth. Carrington participated in Fourth Way groups run by students of G. I. Gurdjieff (Christopher Fremantle) and P. D. Ouspensky (Rodney Collin). However, while she had a deep interest in the teachings, Carrington remained suspicious of the group practices of the Fourth Way, as can be seen in Elena Poniatowska’s fictionalized biography Leonora (2015). This article explores Carrington’s contact with the ‘Work’ in order to shed light on the character of Dr. Gambit in her 1950 novel, The Hearing Trumpet, commonly thought to be a parody of Gurdjieff. In doing so, it will investigate Carrington’s feminist objections to the role of the guru, while also contributing to a discussion of the unease some felt toward the praxis of the Fourth Way, despite their attraction to the philosophy.
Analysis of Precipitation Projections over the Climate Gradient of the Arkansas Red River Basin
Authors: Qiao Lei , Zou Chris B. , Gaitán Carlos F. , Hong Yang , McPherson Renee A. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractIncreases in the frequency and intensity of extreme precipitation are projected for most U.S. regions under climate change. There is a high degree of uncertainty, however, in precipitation regime changes across the large precipitation gradient of the Arkansas Red River basin (ARRB). The authors analyzed future precipitation regimes using two statistical downscaling datasets based on the scenarios from phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5). Seasonal precipitation in low-to-high quantiles was calculated and compared for the southern ARRB where the downscaled data were available. The results showed a generally comparable shift in precipitation patterns and amounts between the two datasets. However, some spatial variation of precipitation amount change exists, and the direction of change could be opposite for the summer. Both datasets showed that the top 10% of monthly precipitation amounts could increase for the southern ARRB, mostly ranging from 5–10 mm month−1 for the early part of the century (2010–39) to 15–30 mm month−1 for the midcentury (2040–69) as compared with the historical period (1968–97). The maximum monthly precipitation could increase by up to 150 mm in both datasets by the midcentury. Precipitation was projected to increase regardless of quantile during both winter and spring but tended to decrease during summer and autumn. More-frequent and higher-intensity rainfall events were expected for the eastern part of the basin, and longer and drier dry periods were expected for the western basin. Conservation strategies and sustainable water management should consider the regional differences in the projected changes in precipitation regimes for the basin under climate change.
Spectrally Dependent CLARREO Infrared Spectrometer Calibration Requirement for Climate Change Detection
Authors: Liu Xu , Wu Wan , Wielicki Bruce A. , Yang Qiguang , Kizer Susan H. , Huang Xianglei , Chen Xiuhong , Kato Seiji , Shea Yolanda L. , Mlynczak Martin G. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
Detecting climate trends of atmospheric temperature, moisture, cloud, and surface temperature requires accurately calibrated satellite instruments such as the Climate Absolute Radiance and Refractivity Observatory (CLARREO). Previous studies have evaluated the CLARREO measurement requirements for achieving climate change accuracy goals in orbit. The present study further quantifies the spectrally dependent IR instrument calibration requirement for detecting trends of atmospheric temperature and moisture profiles. The temperature, water vapor, and surface skin temperature variability and the associated correlation time are derived using the Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) and European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) reanalysis data. The results are further validated using climate model simulation results. With the derived natural variability as the reference, the calibration requirement is established by carrying out a simulation study for CLARREO observations of various atmospheric states under all-sky conditions. A 0.04-K (k = 2; 95% confidence) radiometric calibration requirement baseline is derived using a spectral fingerprinting method. It is also demonstrated that the requirement is spectrally dependent and that some spectral regions can be relaxed as a result of the hyperspectral nature of the CLARREO instrument. Relaxing the requirement to 0.06 K (k = 2) is discussed further based on the uncertainties associated with the temperature and water vapor natural variability and relatively small delay in the time to detect for trends relative to the baseline case. The methodology used in this study can be extended to other parameters (such as clouds and CO2) and other instrument configurations.
Early active rehabilitation after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: a prospective randomized pilot study
Authors: Raschhofer Rudolf , Poulios Nikos , Schimetta Wolfgang , Kisling Rüdiger , Mittermaier Christian 
Published: February 2017

Objective: To compare two different rehabilitation strategies, primary passive motion versus early isometric loading of the rotator cuff. Design: Prospective randomized controlled observer-blinded pilot study. Setting: Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Subjects: Thirty patients after rotator cuff surgery. Intervention: All participants were randomly assigned to one of the two outpatient treatment groups: primary passive motion versus early isometric loading of the rotator cuff. Both groups were treated for 12 weeks and performed additionally a home exercise program. Main measures: The primary outcome measure for functional assessment was the Constant Murley score. The secondary outcome measures were the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score (DASH), active range of motion, pain level and strength. Patients were assessed before, 6, 12 and 24 weeks after surgery. Results: Repeatedly measured metric variables were compared by the Quade rank analysis of covariance and revealed substantially better Constant Murley scores in the early activated group at all 3 assessments (6 weeks: 41 [31;45] versus 30 [23;37]; 12 weeks: 68 [56;77] versus 59 [53;62]; 24 weeks: 79 [76;81] versus 66 [62;74]; data as median [25%;75%]). Postoperative changes of Constant score were in favour of the active group with the biggest difference at week 12 (28 [38;12] versus 9 [27;-4]). Maximal pain levels showed clear more reduction 6 and 24 weeks after surgery in the early activated group. Conclusions: This pilot study with early isometric loading of the rotator cuff shows better function and less maximal pain. Further research is warranted to confirm our results.
The Effect of Graft Pretensioning on Bone Tunnel Diameter and Bone Formation After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in a Rat Model: Evaluation With Micro–Computed Tomography
Authors: Zong Jian-Chun , Ma Richard , Wang Hongsheng , Cong Guang-Ting , Lebaschi Amir , Deng Xiang-Hua , Rodeo Scott A. 
Published: February 2017

Background: Moderate graft pretensioning in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is paramount to restore knee stability and normalize knee kinematics. However, little is known about the effect of graft pretensioning on graft-to-bone healing after ACL reconstruction. Hypothesis: Moderate graft pretensioning will improve bone formation within the bone tunnel after ACL reconstruction, resulting in superior load to failure. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: 67 male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent unilateral ACL reconstruction with a flexor digitorum longus tendon autograft. The graft was subjected to pretensioning forces of 0 N, 5 N, or 10 N. Custom-made external fixators were used for knee immobilization postoperatively. Rats were euthanized for biomechanical load-to-failure testing (n = 45) and micro–computed tomography (μCT) examination (n = 22) at 3 and 6 weeks after surgery. Three regions of each femoral and tibial bone tunnel (aperture, middle, and tunnel exit) were chosen for measurement of tunnel diameter and new bone formation. Results: Biomechanical tests revealed significantly higher load-to-failure in the 5-N graft pretensioned group compared with the 0- and 10-N groups at 3 weeks (8.58 ± 2.67 N vs 3.96 ± 1.83 N and 4.46 ± 2.62 N, respectively) and 6 weeks (16.56 ± 3.50 N vs 10.82 ± 1.97 N and 7.35 ± 2.85 N, respectively) after surgery ( P < .05). The mean bone tunnel diameters at each of the 3 regions were significantly smaller in the 5-N group, at both the femoral and tibial tunnel sites, than in the 0- and 10-N groups ( P < .05). At 3 and 6 weeks postoperatively, the bone mineral density, bone volume fraction, and connectivity density around the aperture and middle regions of the tibial bone tunnels were all significantly higher in the 5-N group compared with the 0- and 10-N groups ( P < .05). In the aperture and middle regions of the femoral bone tunnels, pretensioning at either 5 or 10 N resulted in increased bone formation compared with the nonpretensioned group at 3 weeks postoperatively. No differences were found in bone formation between any of the 3 femoral tunnel regions at 6 weeks. Conclusion: Graft pretensioning can stimulate new bone formation and improve tendon-to-bone tunnel healing after ACL reconstruction. Clinical Relevance: Optimal graft pretensioning force in ACL reconstruction can improve bone tunnel healing. Further study is necessary to understand the mechanisms underlying the effect of graft pretensioning on healing at the bone-tunnel interface.
Plate fixation of periprosthetic femur fractures: What happens to the cement mantle?
Authors: Konstantinidis Lukas , Schmidt Benjamin , Bernstein Anke , Hirschmüller Anja , Schröter Steffen , Südkamp Norbert Paul , Helwig Peter 
Published: February 2017

Osteosynthesis of periprosthetic femur fractures by screw fixation around the implanted prosthetic stem is currently regarded as the biomechanically superior option compared with cerclage. The aim of this biomechanical study was damage analysis of the cement mantle after revision screw insertion. A prosthetic stem (Bicontact) was implanted in 20 cadaveric femora in cemented technique. A locking compression plate (Synthes) was then applied to the lateral femur at the level of the prosthetic stem. The method of plate fixation to the femur was assigned randomly to three groups: bicortical non-locking screws, monocortical locking screws, and bicortical locking screws. This was followed by applying a fluctuating axial load (2100 N, 0.5 Hz) for 20,000 cycles. After testing, macroscopic and microscopic evaluations of the cement mantle were conducted. Cracks formed in the cement mantle in 14% of the 80 screw holes. The type of screw (bicortical or monocortical; locking or non-locking) had no significant effect on the number of cracks (p = 0.52). The relationship between manifestation of crack damage and cement mantle thickness was not significant (p = 0.36), whereas the relationship between crack formation and screw position was significant (p = 0.019). Those screws whose circumference was only partially within the cement mantle yielded a significantly lower number of cracks compared with screws positioned completely within the cement mantle or even touching the prosthetic stem. In order to reduce the incidence of crack formation in the cement mantle during plate osteosynthesis of periprosthetic femur fractures, the screws should not be either placed within the cement mantle or make direct contact with the stem.
An ad hoc method for dual adjusting for measurement errors and nonresponse bias for estimating prevalence in survey data: Application to Iranian mental health survey on any illicit drug use
Authors: Khalagi Kazem , Mansournia Mohammad Ali , Motevalian Seyed-Abbas , Nourijelyani Keramat , Rahimi-Movaghar Afarin , Bakhtiyari Mahmood 
Published: February 2017

Purpose The prevalence estimates of binary variables in sample surveys are often subject to two systematic errors: measurement error and nonresponse bias. A multiple-bias analysis is essential to adjust for both biases. Methods In this paper, we linked the latent class log-linear and proxy pattern-mixture models to adjust jointly for measurement errors and nonresponse bias with missing not at random mechanism. These methods were employed to estimate the prevalence of any illicit drug use based on Iranian Mental Health Survey data. Results After jointly adjusting for measurement errors and nonresponse bias in this data, the prevalence (95% confidence interval) estimate of any illicit drug use changed from 3.41 (3.00, 3.81)% to 27.03 (9.02, 38.76)%, 27.42 (9.04, 38.91)%, and 27.18 (9.03, 38.82)% under “missing at random,” “missing not at random,” and an intermediate mode, respectively. Conclusions Under certain assumptions, a combination of the latent class log-linear and binary-outcome proxy pattern-mixture models can be used to jointly adjust for both measurement errors and nonresponse bias in the prevalence estimation of binary variables in surveys.
Susceptibility weighted imaging – a problem-solving tool in differentiation of cerebellopontine angle schwannomas and meningiomas
Authors: Mishra Atul , Thomas Bejoy , Kapilamoorthy TR 
Published: February 2017

Background and purpose Vestibular schwannomas and meningiomas of the cerebellopontine angle can be differentiated by the presence of foci of blooming on susceptibility weighted imaging. Materials and methods In this retrospective study, magnetic resonance imaging with susceptibility weighted imaging sequence in addition to other routine sequences was done in 73 patients. All the cases were studied for the presence of foci of blooming within the tumor on susceptibility weighted imaging. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis in all cases. Results There were 59 patients in the vestibular schwannoma group and 14 in the meningioma group. Susceptibility weighted imaging showed presence of blooming (due to microhemorrhages) in all the cases of cerebellopontine angle schwannomas. In the meningioma group, 13 cases showed no blooming within the lesion; one case showed blooming which was confirmed to be due to calcification on computed tomography study. For the detection of foci of blooming and predicting histopathologic diagnosis of schwannoma pre-operatively, susceptibility weighted imaging showed a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 92%, positive predictive value of 98.3%, and negative predictive value of 100%. The Fisher exact test showed a statistically significant difference in the differentiation of vestibular schwannoma from meningioma on the basis of detection of blooming on susceptibility weighted imaging ( p < 0.0001). Conclusion Susceptibility weighted imaging is a problem-solving tool in making accurate pre-operative differentiation of vestibular schwannoma from meningioma.
Occupational mercury vapour poisoning with a respiratory failure, pneumomediastinum and severe quadriparesis
Authors: Smiechowicz Jakub , Skoczynska Anna , Nieckula-Szwarc Agata , Kulpa Katarzyna , Kübler Andrzej 
Published: February 2017

Objectives: Despite restrictions, mercury continues to pose a health concern. Mercury has the ability to deposit in most parts of the body and can cause a wide range of unspecific symptoms leading to diagnostic mistakes. Methods and results: We report the case of severe mercury vapour poisoning after occupational exposure in a chloralkali plant worker that resulted in life-threatening respiratory failure, pneumomediastinum and quadriparesis. Conclusions: Prolonged mechanical ventilation and treatment with penicillamine and spironolactone was used with successful outcome.
Gingival Fluid Inflammatory Biomarkers and Hypertension in African Americans
Authors: Khocht A. , Rogers T. , Janal M.N. , Brown M. 
Published: February 2017

Hypertension and periodontitis are highly prevalent among African Americans. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationships among inflammatory biomarkers in the gingival fluid, periodontitis, and blood pressure in these individuals. Twenty-one subjects who reported a diagnosis of hypertension and a comparison group of 26 nonhypertensive participants were enrolled. All were African Americans, non–cigarette smoking, and free from other systemic illness. Blood pressure and body mass index were assessed. A comprehensive periodontal examination was performed. Gingival fluid was collected from 3 healthy sites and 3 diseased sites when available. Samples were assessed for 8-isoprostane, interleukin 1β, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), C-reactive protein (CRP), and matrix metalloproteinase 8. Regardless of hypertension status, diseased sites were associated with increased levels of these biomarkers. CRP and TNFα levels were also significantly higher in hypertensive than nonhypertensive individuals without diseased sites. After adjusting for demographics and body mass index, periodontal attachment loss was higher among hypertensive than nonhypertensive subjects. TNFα and CRP levels and hypertension were in the same association pathway with attachment loss. Elevated blood pressure may increase the risk of periodontitis through a localized inflammatory mechanism. Knowledge Transfer Statement: The results of this study can be used by clinicians to better understand the etiology and pathogenesis of periodontitis in hypertensive individuals in general and African Americans in particular. The information could lead to better management of periodontal disease.
A randomised controlled trial on the effect of inhaled hypertonic saline on quality of life in primary ciliary dyskinesia
Authors: Paff Tamara , Daniels Johannes M.A. , Weersink Els J. , Lutter René , Vonk Noordegraaf Anton , Haarman Eric G. 
Published: February 2017

Hypertonic saline inhalation lowers airway mucous viscosity. Increased cough transportability may improve quality of life (QoL) in primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD).In this randomised controlled trial (RCT), PCD patients received twice-daily inhalations of hypertonic (7%) saline or isotonic (0.9%) saline for 12 weeks, with 4 weeks washout during crossover. Primary outcome was change in QoL measured by the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) total score. Secondary outcomes were SGRQ subscores, Quality of Life Questionnaire-Bronchiectasis (QoL-B) scores, lower respiratory tract infection symptoms, exacerbations, spirometry, systemic and sputum inflammatory markers, adherence, and adverse events.There was no significant change in median (interquartile range) SGRQ total score between hypertonic saline (−2.6 (−9.0–1.5)) and isotonic saline (−0.3 (−8.1–6.1)) in 22 patients (age range 22–73 years) (p=0.38). QoL-B Health Perception scale improved with hypertonic saline (p=0.03). Adverse events occurred more frequently with hypertonic saline, but were mild.12 weeks of inhaled hypertonic saline did not improve SGRQ total score in adult PCD patients in this RCT, but the sample size was small. On the secondary and more disease-specific end-point of the QoL-B, a significant improvement was observed in the Health Perception scale. This study found little evidence to support the hypothesis that hypertonic saline improves QoL in PCD patients. We advise the use of disease-specific outcome measures in future trials.