bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) With Cardiovascular Risk in Primary Prevention
Authors: Zhu Yiming M. , Anderson Todd J. , Sikdar Khokan , Fung Marinda , McQueen Matthew J. , Lonn Eva M. , Verma Subodh 
Published: August 2015

Objective—
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) plays an important role in the modulation of low-density lipoprotein metabolism. This study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between serum PCSK9 concentrations and measures of vascular health, subclinical atherosclerosis, and adverse cardiovascular events. The relationship between traditional risk factors and PCSK9 concentrations was also examined.

Approach and Results—
The cohort consisted of 1527 middle-aged men enrolled in the Firefighters and Their Endothelium (FATE) study, who were free of vascular disease and followed up over a mean period of 7.2±1.7 years. Baseline evaluation included assessment of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and measurements of flow-mediated dilation, reactive hyperemic velocity time integral, and carotid intima-media thickness. Biochemical parameters, including serum PCSK9 concentrations, were analyzed to determine predictors of vascular measures and to evaluate the role of PCSK9 in the occurrence of adverse cardiovascular events. Multivariate linear regression analyses indicated that body mass index, insulin, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and triglycerides were independent predictors of PCSK9. Further modeling revealed no correlation between PCSK9 concentration and carotid intima media thickness, flow-mediated dilation, or reactive hyperemic velocity time integral. Analyses indicated no significant association between PCSK9 concentrations and cardiovascular event occurrences.

Conclusions—
Although correlated with low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, insulin, and triglycerides, PCSK9 was not associated with measures of vascular function or structure. There was also no significant relationship between PCSK9 concentrations and cardiovascular events. Thus, although PCSK9 is an important therapeutic target to reduce circulating low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentrations, it is unlikely to be a biomarker of atherosclerotic risk or vascular health.
An In Vitro Cynomolgus Vascular Surrogate System for Preclinical Drug Assessment and Human Translation
Authors: Cole Banumathi K. , Simmers Michael B. , Feaver Ryan , Qualls Charles W. , Collado M. Sol , Berzin Erica , Figler Robert A. , Pryor Andrew W. , Lawson Mark , Mackey Aaron , Manka David , Wamhoff Brian R. , Turk James R. , Blackman Brett R. 
Published: August 2015

Objectives—
The predictive value of animal and in vitro systems for drug development is limited, particularly for nonhuman primate studies as it is difficult to deduce the drug mechanism of action. We describe the development of an in vitro cynomolgus macaque vascular system that reflects the in vivo biology of healthy, atheroprone, or advanced inflammatory cardiovascular disease conditions.

Approach and Results—
We compare the responses of the in vitro human and cynomolgus vascular systems to 4 statins. Although statins exert beneficial pleiotropic effects on the human vasculature, the mechanism of action is difficult to investigate at the tissue level. Using RNA sequencing, we quantified the response to statins and report that most statins significantly increased the expression of genes that promote vascular health while suppressing inflammatory cytokine gene expression. Applying computational pathway analytics, we identified statin-regulated biological themes, independent of cholesterol lowering, that provide mechanisms for off-target effects, including thrombosis, cell cycle regulation, glycogen metabolism, and ethanol degradation.

Conclusions—
The cynomolgus vascular system described herein mimics the baseline and inflammatory regional biology of the human vasculature, including statin responsiveness, and provides mechanistic insight not achievable in vivo.
Domínguez, Y., Panfet Valdés, C.M. &amp; Miranda, V.F.O. (2014) Pinguicula filifolia subsp. alba (Lentibulariaceae), a new subspecies with an extremely restricted distribution in Pinar del Río, Cuba. Phytotaxa 158 (1): 85–92.
Authors: Domínguez Yoannis , Panfet Valdés Cristina Mercedes , De Miranda Vitor Fernandes Oliveira 
Published: August 2015

The carnivorous plant Pinguicula filifolia occurs in western Cuba and shows a restricted distribution due to habitat specificity associated with poor wet soils. Its populations are distributed mainly in south Pinar del Río (Cuba) and in Isla de la Juventud. Plants from one isolated location in NW Pinar del Río shows morphological differences with respect to the rest of the known populations observed in nature. Subsequent detailed morphological analysis of specimens led to the description of Pinguicula filifolia subsp. alba as a new subspecies. It differs from the typical subspecies in several reproductive traits involving flower, fruit and seed characters and is so far known only from the type locality.
Statistical Quality Control of High-Resolution Winds of Different Radiosonde Types for Climatology Analysis
Authors: Houchi Karim , Stoffelen Ad , Marseille Gert-Jan , De Kloe Jos 
Published: August 2015

AbstractQuality control (QC) is among the most important steps in any data processing. These steps are elaborated for high-vertical-resolution radiosonde datasets that were gathered and analyzed to study atmospheric winds. The database is composed of different radiosonde wind-finding systems (WFSs), including radio theodolite, Loran C, and GPS. Inspection of this database, particularly for wind, wind shear, and ascent height increments (dz), showed a nonnegligible amount of outliers in radio theodolite data as compared to the two other WFSs, thus denoting quality differences between the various systems. An effective statistical QC (SQC) is then developed to isolate and eliminate outliers from the more realistic observations. Improving the accuracy of the radio theodolite WFS is critical to the derivation of the vertical motion and the vertical gradients of the horizontal wind—that is, wind shear—mainly because of the direct dependence of these quantities ondz. Based on the climatological distribution of the quality-controlleddz, a new approach is suggested to estimate these wind quantities for radio theodolite data. The approach is validated with the high-quality modern WFSs (Loran C and GPS). Although initially of reduced quality, applying SQC and using the climatological meandzof 12-s smoothed radio theodolite profiles shows very good improvement in the climatological wind analyses of radio theodolite WFSs. Notably, the climatologies of ascent rate, vertical motion, horizontal wind, and vertical shear now look comparable for the various WFSs. Thus, the SQC processing steps prove essential and may be extended to other variables and measurement systems.
Children’s perceptions of illness and health: An analysis of drawings
Authors: Mouratidi Paraskevi-Stavroula , Bonoti Fotini , Leondari Angeliki 
Published: August 2015

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore possible age differences in children’s perceptions of illness and health and to what extent these differ from adults’ perceptions. Design: Cross-sectional design. Setting: Selected nursery and primary schools in Greece. Method: The sample consisted of 347 children aged 5–11 years and 114 adults – as a comparison group. Each participant was asked to create two drawings, depicting illness and health respectively, and to give an explanatory title for each. Drawings were categorised into three main categories, depending on the aspect of illness or health depicted, namely biomedical, psychosocial and lifestyle. Results: Older children produced more multifaceted depictions of illness and health than their younger counterparts, while the youngest group had difficulty to represent the two concepts clearly. A comparison of children’s perception of illness and health revealed that the first is perceived mainly as a biomedical phenomenon, while the latter as a psychosocial one. Finally, a comparison of adults’ and children’s representations showed that children understand illness mainly through its biomedical dimensions, unlike adults who seem to prefer to stress psychosocial ones. Conclusions: Knowledge of children’s subjective perceptions of illness and health may be useful in designing health prevention programmes and for medical professionals working with children experiencing chronic illness.
Bilateral Advantages in Subitizing With Visual Masking
Authors: Pryor Campbell G. , Howe Piers D. L. 
Published: August 2015

Performance on a range of visual-processing tasks has been shown to improve when information is split bilaterally across the left and right visual hemifields rather than being restricted to a single visual hemifield. However, a recent study by Delvenne et al. found no such bilateral advantage for subitizing, which is our ability to rapidly and accurately enumerate small quantities of objects. This finding is particularly surprising, as it contradicts the prediction of FINgers of INSTantiation theory that subitizing should benefit from bilateral presentation. Our study investigated the issue by determining if there are any circumstances where a bilateral advantage for subitization occurs. Contrary to Delvenne et al., we found that subitizing could show bilateral advantages, but only when the display was backward-masked. We discuss these findings in relation to how the rate of encoding and the time available for this encoding may affect bilateral advantages in subitizing. A general model is proposed under which bilateral advantages could be explained.
Medicaid IBCLC Service Coverage following the Affordable Care Act and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services Update
Authors: Herold Rachel A. , Bonuck Karen 
Published: August 2015

Background: International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) are associated with increased rates and duration of breastfeeding. Recent US legislation offers opportunities for private and public insurers to include IBCLC services as a covered benefit. Objective: To explore US states’ Medicaid coverage of IBCLC services following January 2014 legislative expansions of coverage for preventive health services. Methods: To assess IBCLC reimbursement practices, 20 states, stratified by Medicaid expansion (yes/no) and 3-month exclusive breastfeeding rates, were selected to participate. An electronic survey was sent to Medicaid and Maternal Health Directors, breastfeeding coordinators, and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) coordinators between July and December 2014. Email follow-ups clarified missing or ambiguous responses. Results: Of the 15 states responding, 9 had Medicaid expansion. None of the states permitted IBCLCs to bill for services autonomously. In 9 states, IBCLC services were covered with some type of stipulation, for example, billing under a physician. Of the 9 states with IBCLC coverage, 7 had accepted Medicaid expansion. States with higher rates of exclusive breastfeeding were also more likely to provide IBCLC coverage. Conclusion: Recent legislative changes to public and private insurance that could expand coverage of IBCLCs have not yielded appreciable changes, particularly in states without Medicaid expansion. There is a need for research on the effects of adopting expanded coverage for IBCLCs and advocacy to do so.
Microfoundations and Marxism
Authors: King John E 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe ‘microfoundations’ metaphor had been used by mainstream macroeconomists with the intention of explaining macroeconomics in terms of microeconomics, or more precisely in terms of statements about individuals, viewed as representative agents with rational expectations who maximise lifetime utility, subject to shocks within a general equilibrium framework. Of the three reasons for rejecting this explanatory strategy, the focus here is on downward causation. Although individuals are heavily influenced by society, their decisions and behaviour are not sufficient as the explanatory foundations for a macrotheory.
Orientation of the Subtalar Joint
Authors: Krähenbühl Nicola , Tschuck Michael , Bolliger Lilianna , Hintermann Beat , Knupp Markus 
Published: August 2015

Background: Up to 60% of patients with an osteoarthritic ankle joint develop talar tilt with progression of the osteoarthritic process. The configuration of the subtalar joint, in particular the posterior facet, may contribute to the development of this wear pattern. Recently, the subtalar vertical angle (SVA) was used to describe the posterior facet of the subtalar joint in the frontal plane. The aim of this work was to analyze if the orientation of the subtalar joint may influence the type of asymmetric ankle osteoarthritis. Methods: In total, 60 ankles were retrospectively analyzed including 40 osteoarthritic patients and 20 healthy controls. The osteoarthritic ankles were divided into 4 groups: varus ankle joints with (incongruent) or without (congruent) a tilted talus and valgus ankle joints with (incongruent) or without (congruent) a tilted talus. The orientation of the subtalar joint was described using the SVA. The SVA was determined for every patient using weightbearing CT scans. Additionally, the inter- and intraobserver reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Results: The inter- and intraobserver reliability was excellent (ICC > 0.989 and >0.975, respectively). The varus groups (incongruent and congruent) had significantly lower SVA values, that is, more varus orientation of the subtalar joint than the valgus groups ( P < .05). The SVA of the control group was between the values of the varus and valgus ankles. Conclusion: The SVA provided a reliable and consistent method to assess the varus/valgus configuration of the posterior facet of the subtalar joint. In our cohort, varus osteoarthritis of the ankle joint occurred with varus orientation of the subtalar joint whereas in patients with valgus osteoarthritis, valgus orientation of the subtalar joint was found. Our data suggest that the subtalar joint orientation may be a risk factor for the development of ankle joint osteoarthritis. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective case control study.
Evidence for seasonal reproduction in UK domestic cats
Authors: Jennett Amy L , Jennett Nigel M , Hopping Joanna , Yates David 
Published: August 2015

Objectives The aims of this study were to analyse a large body of data obtained by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) Greater Manchester Animal Hospital on the breeding pattern of owned domestic cats in the UK, and to provide clear statistical evidence of whether seasonal variation remains present in temperate climates. Methods The total number of cats spayed and the number of cats found to be pregnant were recorded on a monthly basis from December 2005 to July 2014 by the RSPCA Greater Manchester Animal Hospital. The percentage of cats found to be pregnant was calculated for each month and the 8.5 years of data were binned into calendar months. The mean and SD of the monthly pregnancy rate was calculated for each calendar month bin, as was the difference between the mean percentage of detected pregnancies and the global mean. The Z score for each month’s difference was then calculated. Results Data were available for 5414 cats neutered during the 8.5 consecutive years of this study. A global average of 8.9% of cats spayed were found to be pregnant. The mean calendar month pregnancy rate exhibited a very significant variation, with the highest positive deviation being in April (Z score +2.9) and the highest negative deviation being in November/December (Z score -4.5). When aggregated into 3 month averages, an extremely significant difference between ‘spring’ and ‘winter’ months of >7 SE ( P <<0.01) was found. Conclusions and relevance This study provides clear statistical evidence, from a large data set, that seasonal breeding patterns are still present under UK temperate conditions. We discuss the impact that this has on charity rescue shelters and propose that a campaign targeted at clients of animal welfare charities encouraging autumn neutering will be the most cost-effective method of cat population control, and help relieve the demand on welfare charity resources.
Cook and Chill
Authors: Deakin Sherine , Steele Dominic , Clarke Sarah , Gribben Cathryn , Bexley Anne-Marie , Laan Remmert , Kerr David 
Published: August 2015

Background: Exposure to extreme temperature can affect the performance of blood glucose monitoring systems. The aim was to determine the non-equilibrated performance of these systems at extreme high and low temperatures that can occur in daily life. Methods: The performances of 5 test systems, (1) Abbott FreeStyle Freedom Lite, (2) Roche AccuChek Aviva, (3) Bayer Contour, (4) LifeScan OneTouch Verio, and (5) Sanofi BG Star, were compared after “cooking” (50°C for 1 hour) or “chilling” (−5°C for 1 hour) with room temperature controls (23°C) using whole blood with glucose concentrations of 50, 100, and 200 mg/dl. Results: The equilibration period (time from the end of incubation to when the test system is operational) was between 1 and 8 minutes, and each test system took between 15 and 30 minutes after incubation to obtain stable measurements at room temperature. Incubating the strips at −5°C or 50°C had little effect on the glucose measurement, whereas incubating the meters introduced bias in performance between 0 and 15 minutes but not subsequently, compared to room temperature controls and at all 3 glucose levels. Conclusions: Compensating technologies embedded within blood glucose monitoring systems studied here perform well at extreme temperatures. People with diabetes need to be alerted to this feature to avoid perceptions of malperformance of their devices and the possible inability to get blood glucose readings on short notice (eg, during time of suspected rapid change or before an unplanned meal).
Mixed Influence of Electronic Health Record Implementation on Diabetes Order Patterns for Michigan Medicaid Adults
Authors: Corser William , Yuan Sha 
Published: August 2015

Background: These 2011-2013 analyses examined the authors’ hypothesis that relative diabetes care order changes would be measured after electronic health record (EHR) implementation for 291 Medicaid adults who received all of their office-based care at one midwestern federally qualified health center (FQHC) over a 24-month period (n = 2727 encounters, 2489 claims). Method: Beneficiary sociodemographic, clinical, and claims data were validated with clinic EHR and state Medicaid claims linked to providers’ national identifier numbers. Overall pre-post order rate comparisons, and a series of controlled within group binary logistic models were conducted under penalized maximum likelihood estimation terms. Results: After EHR implementation, both the overall order rates and odds ratios of per beneficiary hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) orders increased significantly (ie, from mean of 0.65 [SD = 1.19] annual tests to 0.96 tests [SD = 1.24] [ P < .001]). Although the overall post-EHR order rates of dilated eye exams and microalbumin urine tests appeared fairly stable, the odds of eye exam orders being placed at the claims level decreased significantly (OR = 0.774, P = .0030). Conclusions: These mixed results provide evidence of the varied diabetes care ordering patterns likely seen from increased office use of EHR technologies. The authors attempt to explain these post-EHR differences (or lack of) that generally resemble some of the authors’ results from another funded project. Ideally, these findings provide Medicaid and health care officials with a more realistic indication of how EHRs may, or may not, influence diabetes care ordering patterns for vulnerable lower-income primary health care consumers.
An Exploratory and Comparative Evaluation on the Spatial Perception of Two Densities of Multioccupancy Hospital Rooms
Authors: Yildirim Kemal , Yalcin Meryem 
Published: August 2015

Objective: The objective of this article was to explore interior spatial qualifications on patient perception of two densities of multioccupancy hospital rooms. Background: The research setting of this study was the three- and six-person capacity hospital rooms used for treatment of patients at a large hospital in a major metropolitan city in Turkey. Method: The subjects used in the study were randomly selected from among patients treated in the surgical medical sciences’ departments of the hospital. Accordingly, a research questionnaire was applied to a total of 101 subjects. Results: Results have shown that the three-person rooms were assessed more positively for privacy, functional, and perceptual qualifications compared to the six-person rooms. An increase in the number of persons and interior units of rooms affects negatively the auditory privacy and privacy areas of other patients. Conclusion: Consequently, although these rooms with different spatial sizes were very similar for concentration of persons and commodities, six-person rooms were perceived to be more crowded than three-person rooms.
Factors Expressed in an Animal Model of Anteroinferior Glenohumeral Instability
Authors: Mulcahey Mary K. , Marshall Mindy , Gallacher Stacey E. , Kaback Lee A. , Blaine Theodore A. 
Published: August 2015

Background: There is little information on the molecular factors important in healing and changes that occur in the glenoid labrum in response to injury. Using a novel animal model of acute anterior shoulder dislocation, this study characterizes the factors expressed in the glenoid labrum in response to injury and correlates their expression to glenohumeral stability. Purpose: To study the response of the glenoid labrum to injury both biomechanically and with immunohistochemical testing. Methods: An injury to the anteroinferior labrum was surgically induced in 50 male Lewis rats. Rats were sacrificed at 3, 7, 14, 28, or 42 days. Immunolocalization experiments were performed to localize the expression of growth factors and cytokines. For biomechanical testing, dynamic stiffness for anterior and posterior laxity, load to failure, stiffness, and maximum load were recorded. Statistical differences were determined at P < .05. Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Results: Expression of interleukin–1 beta (IL-1β), transforming growth factor–beta 1 (TGF-β1), matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3), and matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) were increased in injured compared with uninjured specimens. Collagen III expression was increased early and decreased with time. Biomechanical testing verified instability by demonstrating increased anterior displacement and decreased stiffness in injured shoulders at all time points. Conclusion: This novel animal model of acute anterior shoulder dislocation showed increased expression of IL-1β, TGF-β1, MMP3, MMP13, and collagen III in the injured labral tissue at early time points. Increased anterior laxity and decreased stiffness and maximum load to failure were seen after anterior labral injury, supporting the model’s ability to re-create anterior glenohumeral instability. These data provide important information on the temporal changes occurring in a rat model of anterior glenohumeral dislocation. Clinical Relevance: Identification of factors expressed in the anterior capsule and glenoid labrum in response to injury may lead to the development of novel agents that can be used to augment glenoid labrum healing and ultimately improve both surgical and nonsurgical treatment of this common shoulder injury.