bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Short-Term Continuous Positive Airway Pressure on Myocardial Sympathetic Nerve Function and Energetics in Patients With Heart Failure and Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Hall Allison B. , Ziadi Maria C. , Leech Judith A. , Chen Shin-Yee , Burwash Ian G. , Renaud Jennifer , deKemp Robert A. , Haddad Haissam , Mielniczuk Lisa M. , Yoshinaga Keiichiro , Guo Ann , Chen Li , Walter Olga , Garrard Linda , DaSilva Jean N. , Floras John S. , Beanlands Rob S.B. 
Published: July 2014

Background—
Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), 2 states of increased metabolic demand and sympathetic nervous system activation, often coexist. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), which alleviates OSA, can improve ventricular function. It is unknown whether this is due to altered oxidative metabolism or presynaptic sympathetic nerve function. We hypothesized that short-term (6–8 weeks) CPAP in patients with OSA and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction would improve myocardial sympathetic nerve function and energetics.

Methods and Results—

Forty-five patients with OSA and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (left ventricular ejection fraction 35.8±9.7% [mean±SD]) were evaluated with the use of echocardiography and
11
C-acetate and
11
C-hydroxyephedrine positron emission tomography before and ≈6 to 8 weeks after randomization to receive short-term CPAP (n=22) or no CPAP (n=23). Work metabolic index, an estimate of myocardial efficiency, was calculated as follows: (stroke volume index×heart rate×systolic blood pressure÷K
mono
), where K
mono
is the monoexponential function fit to the myocardial
11
C-acetate time-activity data, reflecting oxidative metabolism. Presynaptic sympathetic nerve function was measured with the use of the
11
C-hydroxyephedrine retention index. CPAP significantly increased hydroxyephedrine retention versus no CPAP (Δretention: +0.012 [0.002, 0.021] versus −0.006 [−0.013, 0.005] min
−1
;
P
=0.003). There was no significant change in work metabolic index between groups. However, in those with more severe OSA (apnea-hypopnea index >20 events per hour), CPAP significantly increased both work metabolic index and systolic blood pressure (
P
<0.05).

Conclusions—
In patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and OSA, short-term CPAP increased hydroxyephedrine retention, indicating improved myocardial sympathetic nerve function, but overall did not affect energetics. In those with more severe OSA, CPAP may improve cardiac efficiency. Further outcome-based investigation of the consequences of CPAP is warranted.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00756366.
Establishment of Government-Initiated Comprehensive Stroke Centers for Acute Ischemic Stroke Management in South Korea
Authors: Kim Jei , Hwang Yang-Ha , Kim Joon-Tae , Choi Nack-Cheon , Kang Sa-Yoon , Cha Jae-Kwan , Ha Yeon Soo , Shin Dong-Ick , Kim Seongheon , Lim Byeong-Hoon 
Published: July 2014

Background and Purpose—
In 2008, the Ministry of Health and Welfare of South Korea initiated the Regional Comprehensive Stroke Center (CSC) program to decrease the incidence and mortality of stroke nationwide. We evaluated the performance of acute ischemic stroke management after the Regional CSC program was introduced.

Methods—
The Ministry of Health and Welfare established 9 Regional CSCs in different provinces from 2008 to 2010. All Regional CSCs have been able to execute the critical processes independently for stroke management since 2011. The Ministry of Health and Welfare was responsible for program development and financial support, the Regional CSC for program execution, and the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for auditing the execution. We analyzed prospectively collected data on the required indices from 2011 and repeated the analysis the following year for comparison.

Results—
After the Regional CSCs were established, the first brain image was taken within 1 hour from arrival at the emergency room for all patients with stroke; the length of hospital stay decreased from 14 to 12 days; for the rapid execution of thrombolysis, the first brain image was taken within 12 minutes; intravenous and intra-arterial thrombolysis were started within 40 and 110 minutes, respectively, after emergency room arrival; and the hospital stay of thrombolytic patients decreased from 19 to 15 days.

Conclusions—
The Regional CSC program has improved the performance of acute stroke management in South Korea and can be used as a model for rapidly improving stroke management.
Redirected aggression reduces the cost for victims in semi-provisioned free-ranging Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata fuscata)
Authors: Tokuyama Nahoko , Furuichi Takeshi 
Published: July 2014

In many social species, the victim often attacks an uninvolved third individual soon after a conflict. This behaviour is called ‘redirected aggression’ or ‘redirection’, and its role(s) remain(s) controversial. We observed semi-provisioned free-ranging Japanese macaques at Iwatayama Monkey Park in Arashiyama, Kyoto, Japan, to test three hypotheses concerning the function of redirected aggression: Japanese macaques perform redirection to (1) indirectly retaliate against the aggressor, (2) reduce post-conflict stress, or (3) reduce post-conflict uncertainty. When we observed aggressive interactions, we recorded the behaviour of victims during the subsequent 10 min. Redirection occurred more frequently when the rank of the victim of the initial conflict was high, when the victim was an older monkey, and when conflicts occurred among kin. The results largely supported hypothesis 3. Victims received renewed aggression not only from the initial aggressor but also from bystanders more frequently within 1 min after the initial conflict than in the subsequent 9 min. Victims who performed redirection received less aggression from bystanders. Victims might have been able to avoid renewed aggression because they could change their state from victim to aggressor by performing redirection. This effect of redirection did not differ with the victim’s rank. However, the lower the victim’s rank, the higher the risk that they would receive retaliation from the target of the redirected aggression or the latter’s kin. Thus, redirection caused the same magnitude of benefit and a different magnitude of risk according to the victim’s rank. The victim may need to judge his/her own situation when making the decision as to whether to perform redirection.
Competition and cuckoldry: estimating fitness of alternative reproductive tactics in plainfin midshipman
Authors: Cogliati Karen M. , Balshine Sigal , Neff Bryan D. 
Published: July 2014

There has been much debate about how male alternative reproductive tactics (ARTs) evolve. In particular, researchers question whether ARTs have evolved as a conditional, ‘best of a bad job’ strategy where one tactic has higher fitness than the other, or whether they have evolved as a result of a genetic polymorphism where both tactics have equal fitness. Despite the large number of species known to have ARTs, tests of equal fitness between tactics have only been conducted in a handful of species. We tested the prediction of equal fitness using the plainfin midshipman (Porichthys notatus), a species with two well characterized male ARTs: guarding type I males and cuckolding type II males. We collected data across three years and three sampling locations to determine the proportion of each reproductive tactic, as well as the proportion of offspring sired by each male type using microsatellite markers. Our analysis suggests that males adopting the conventional guarding tactic likely have higher fitness compared to males adopting the cuckolder type II tactic. Also, we show that the guarding male tactic is able to gain paternity through cuckoldry, and that these males, who sometimes guard and sometimes cuckold, are responsible for the majority of paternity lost within nests. Indeed, the classic cuckolding type II males were responsible for only a small fraction of the paternity lost. These results highlight the degree of flexibility in male behaviour even among individuals adopting the same male tactic. Taken together, our results provide the first exploration of the evolution of male ARTs in plainfin midshipman and, given the tractability of midshipman system, a valuable next step will be to look for gene-by-environment interactions on tactic development and expression.
The Role of the Parietal Cortex in Multisensory and Response Integration: Evidence from Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
Authors: Zmigrod Sharon 
Published: July 2014

The question of how the brain forms unified representations from multisensory data that are processed in distinct cortical regions is known in the literature as ‘the binding problem’. In the last decade, several studies have suggested possible neural mechanisms and brain regions that might be involved in integration processes. One of the brain regions that is implicated with multisensory perception is the posterior parietal cortex (PPC). Evidence from patients with parietal lesions suggests the involvement of the PPC in coherent perception. Here, we investigated the role of the PPC in multisensory feature integration through experimental manipulation of non-invasive brain stimulation with healthy participants using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). In different sessions, healthy participants received anodal, cathodal, or sham stimulation (2 mA, 20 min) over the right PPC while performing an audio-visual event-file task. The results underscore two interesting observations. Firstly, there was a significant difference in integration effects between features from different modalities in the anodal stimulation compared to sham, suggesting interference of the multisensory integration processes during the brain stimulation. And secondly, after anodal stimulation, the unattended feature became more likely to be integrated with the response feature compared to the other conditions, presumably through an interference of attentional processes. Hence, these findings emphasize the role of the right PPC in multisensory integration. Furthermore, from a methodological perspective, tDCS can be used as an experimental tool by creating a temporary, reversible disruption in cognitive processes in order to explore the mechanisms underlying cognitive functions.
A taxonomic revision of the Capparis spinosa group (Capparaceae) from the Mediterranean to Central Asia
Authors: Fici Silvio 
Published: July 2014

A revision of the Capparis spinosa group has been carried out in southern Europe, northern Africa, western and central Asia, in order to provide a uniform taxonomic treatment of its representatives. The xerotropical origin of this group, showing disjunct distribution in several holoarctic and paleotropical regions, is underlined and the different species concepts historically adopted are discussed. In the present treatment a single species is recognized, C. spinosa, represented in the study area by two subspecies. C. spinosa subsp. spinosa shows derived characters, high polymorphism and a wide distribution range from the Mediterranean eastwards to China and Nepal. C. spinosa subsp. rupestris, less variable and showing phenotypic characters closer to the tropical stock of the group, is recorded in the Mediterranean Region and the Sahara. On the basis of herbarium and field investigations, the variability and distribution of the two subspecies are examined. Within each subspecies some varieties are recognized, for which morphological, chorological and autecological data are presented. Four new combinations (C. spinosa subsp. spinosa var. herbacea, C. spinosa subsp. spinosa var. atlantica, C. spinosa subsp. rupestris var. ovata, C. spinosa subsp. rupestris var. myrtifolia) are proposed.
Savings in public services after the crisis: a multilevel analysis of public preferences in the EU-27
Authors: Van de Walle Steven , Jilke Sebastian 
Published: July 2014

Policy responses to the global financial crisis can be divided into pro- and counter-cyclical approaches. The former advocates reducing public spending in times of financial constraints. The latter approach advocates public spending to boost the economy. Using public opinion ( N = 23,652) data from 27 EU member countries, we empirically test a model for citizen preferences for reducing spending in public services versus government investment in measures to boost the economy as a response to the financial crisis. We look at individual- and country-level determinants of attitudes to savings in public services, and concentrate on four groups of explanations: political disaffection, ideology, self-interest, and macro-economic conditions. It was found that political disaffection and the respondent’s ideological orientation both have effects on preferences, as well as whether one experiences economic strain or receives welfare services. Macro-economic conditions, such as a country’s government deficit level, public debt or public expenditure have, surprisingly, no effect on citizens’ financial policy preferences. We discuss the implications of our results for public administration theory and practice. Points for practitioners The article analyses citizens’ preferred government reactions to the financial crisis. It distinguishes between reducing public spending and measures to boost the economy. It was found that macro-economic conditions matter very little for these preferences. In fact, explanations for these attitudes and preferences need to be looked for primarily at the individual level, not the country level. Preferences for or against savings in public services are largely influenced by ideological dispositions, age, education, overall levels of political trust, and whether citizens are (potential) beneficiaries of welfare services. The article contributes to understanding why citizens support or oppose pro- or counter-cyclical policy measures to emerge from the crisis.
Progressive resistance training before and after total hip and knee arthroplasty: a systematic review
Authors: Skoffer Birgit , Dalgas Ulrik , Mechlenburg Inger 
Published: July 2014

Objective: To investigate the effect of progressive resistance training (PRT) on muscle strength and functional capacity before and/or after total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The effects of THA and TKA upon quality of life and the rate of adverse events were also investigated. Data sources: Literature from nine databases. Review methods: Studies were included if 1) the effect of a PRT intervention was compared with no intervention or another type of intervention; 2) the outcomes included muscle strength and/or functional capacity; 3) all participants were scheduled for or had just undergone THA or TKA; 4) they were randomized, controlled trials (RCT); and 5) only full-length papers in English were studied. Data on patient characteristics, training regime, controls, and outcome measures were extracted. Results: Four RCT studies on PRT and THA including 136 patients and three RCT studies on PRT and TKA including 284 patients were identified and rated according to the PEDro scale. The general methodological quality of the studies was low. No adverse events were reported in any of the studies. Weak evidence of a beneficial effect of PRT before and/or after THA on muscle strength and functional capacity was found. No effect of PRT before TKA on muscle strength and functional capacity was found. The results of postoperative PRT were too heterogeneous to allow conclusions. Conclusion: PRT is safe and feasible before and/or after THA. PRT is safe, but the methodological quality of existing evidence permits no conclusion on the effectiveness of PRT before and/or after TKA.
Is the American Society of Shoulder and Elbow Therapists’ rehabilitation guideline better than standard care when applied to Bankart-operated patients? A controlled study
Authors: Damkjær Lars , Petersen Tom , Juul-Kristensen Birgit 
Published: July 2014

Objective: To determine whether there is a difference in shoulder-related physical function and quality of life between postoperative rehabilitation patients receiving standard care and those receiving care according to the American Society of Shoulder and Elbow Therapists’ rehabilitation guideline for arthroscopic anterior capsulolabral repair of the shoulder. Design: Descriptive studies with comparison between a retrospective and a prospective cohort. Setting: Municipal outpatient rehabilitation centre. Patients: A total of 96 arthroscopic Bankart-operated patients. Interventions: A total of 52 patients received standard care; 44 patients underwent rehabilitation according to the American Society of Shoulder and Elbow Therapists’ rehabilitation guideline. Main measurements: Primary outcome variable was Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index. Secondary outcome measures were Patient-Specific Functional Scale, shoulder range of motion, return to work, return to sports, and costs. Results: There was no significant difference in adjusted mean change scores between the standard care group and the guideline group in the primary outcome variable (Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index total = 574.85 vs. 644.48) or the secondary outcomes (Patient-Specific Functional Scale = 4.6 vs. 5.0; range of motion in forward flexion = 46.49° vs. 49.58°; external rotation in adduction = 28.58° vs. 34.18°; external rotation in abduction = 51.29° vs. 47.55°; weeks until return to work = 5.2 vs. 6.9; weeks until return to sports =13.9 vs. 13.1; costs = number of visits; 18.5 vs. 15.9). Conclusions: There were no significant between-group differences in shoulder-related physical function and quality of life between the standard care group and the guideline group, following Bankart operations.
Graft Maturation of Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation
Authors: Niethammer Thomas R. , Safi Elem , Ficklscherer Andreas , Horng Annie , Feist Markus , Feist-Pagenstert Isa , Jansson Volkmar , Pietschmann Matthias F. , Müller Peter E. 
Published: July 2014

Background: Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) using tissue-engineered cartilage is a successful therapy for full-thickness cartilage lesions in the knee joint. However, in vivo graft maturation is still unclear. Purpose: The aim of this prospective study was to analyze graft maturation after ACI in the knee using objective T2 mapping in correlation with the clinical outcomes within a 3-year postoperative course. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A total of 13 patients with isolated cartilage defects of the knee were treated with Novocart 3D, a matrix-based ACI procedure in the knee joint. The patients had complete data from International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores and MRI examinations for 6 to 36 months postoperatively. All cartilage defects were arthroscopically classified as Outerbridge grades III and IV. The mean area of the cartilage defect was 5.6 cm2. Postoperative clinical and MRI examinations were conducted at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months after surgery. The modified magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue (MOCART) score was used to evaluate the quality and integration of the Novocart 3D implants on MRI. The T2 relaxation time values of the ACI graft and healthy native cartilage areas were determined to assess graft maturation using T2 mapping. Results: The T2 relaxation times of the ACI graft showed significant improvement, with decreasing values from 41.6 milliseconds at 6-month follow-up to 32.4 and 30.9 milliseconds after 24 and 36 months, respectively. These values were similar to the T2 relaxation times of the native surrounding cartilage. There was no correlation between the clinical outcomes (IKDC score) and T2 relaxation time values. Conclusion: The T2 relaxation time in the repaired tissue showed similar values compared with normal hyaline cartilage. Graft maturation after ACI in the knee joint needs at least 1 year, with ongoing adjustment of the T2 relaxation time values compared with native surrounding cartilage. A correlation between increasing ACI graft maturation and clinical outcomes (IKDC score) could not be found with the data available.
Haptoglobin genotype and cerebrovascular disease incidence in type 1 diabetes
Authors: Costacou Tina , Secrest Aaron M , Ferrell Robert E , Orchard Trevor J 
Published: July 2014

Objective: We prospectively evaluated the haptoglobin (Hp)–stroke association in type 1 diabetes and hypothesized that despite increasing the risk of coronary artery disease, the presence of the Hp 2 allele would be associated with a lower incidence of stroke. Methods: Participants from the Epidemiology of Diabetes Complications study without prevalent stroke and Hp available were evaluated ( n = 607; mean age 27.6 years and duration 19.3 years). Results: During 22 years of follow-up, stroke incidence did not differ by Hp genotype ( p = 0.49). Restricting analyses to those diagnosed with diabetes ≥1965 (13% mortality vs 40% in the <1965 cohort) to diminish potential survival bias, the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for Hp 1-1 was 3.08 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.81–11.77, p = 0.10). Further stratifying by hypertension prevalence, an increased stroke incidence was observed with Hp 1-1 only in those with hypertension (HR = 7.03, 95% CI = 1.42–34.89, p = 0.02). Conclusion: Despite the protective effect against vascular diabetes complications, a borderline increased risk of stroke was observed with Hp 1-1 in type 1 diabetes. This mixed Hp effect on cardiovascular risk by outcome studied merits further investigation and cautions against the universal application of preventive therapies across all Hp genotypes.
Three-dimensional osteogenic and chondrogenic systems to model osteochondral physiology and degenerative joint diseases
Authors: Alexander Peter G , Gottardi Riccardo , Lin Hang , Lozito Thomas P , Tuan Rocky S 
Published: July 2014

Tissue engineered constructs have the potential to function as in vitro pre-clinical models of normal tissue function and disease pathogenesis for drug screening and toxicity assessment. Effective high throughput assays demand minimal systems with clearly defined performance parameters. These systems must accurately model the structure and function of the human organs and their physiological response to different stimuli. Musculoskeletal tissues present unique challenges in this respect, as they are load-bearing, matrix-rich tissues whose functionality is intimately connected to the extracellular matrix and its organization. Of particular clinical importance is the osteochondral junction, the target tissue affected in degenerative joint diseases, such as osteoarthritis (OA), which consists of hyaline articular cartilage in close interaction with subchondral bone. In this review, we present an overview of currently available in vitro three-dimensional systems for bone and cartilage tissue engineering that mimic native physiology, and the utility and limitations of these systems. Specifically, we address the need to combine bone, cartilage and other tissues to form an interactive microphysiological system (MPS) to fully capture the biological complexity and mechanical functions of the osteochondral junction of the articular joint. The potential applications of three-dimensional MPSs for musculoskeletal biology and medicine are highlighted.