Showing papers by "University of Kentucky published in 2009"
TL;DR: A committee of the Society to develop a unified system of termnology, suitable for adoption by the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research as part of its Instructions to Authors is formed, and is as complex and conceptually difficult as the field with which it deals.
Abstract: RACTITIONERS OF BONE HISTOMORPHOMETRY communicate P with each other in a variety of arcane languages, which in general are unintelligible to those outside the field. Many in the bone and mineral scientific community would like to keep abreast of the contributions of histology to their subject, but are dismayed by the semantic barriers they must overcome. The need for standardization has been recognized for many years,(') during which there has been much talk but no action. To meet the needs of ASBMR members, Dr. B.L. Riggs (President, 19851986) asked the senior author to convene a committee of the Society to develop a unified system of termnology, suitable for adoption by the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research as part of its Instructions to Authors. The committee includes members from Europe and Canada as well as the U.S., and represents most existing systems of nomenclature. A circular letter seeking suggestions and information on current usage was sent to several hundred persons, with names drawn from the Society membership roster and lists of attendees at various recent conferences, to which approximately 40 replies were obtained. These confirmed the magnitude of the semantic problem (for some measurements as many as nine different terms were in use) and suggested a range of solutions likely to be generally acceptable. In formulating the new system. the committee kept in mind certain agreed general principles. First, the primary reason for change was to help other scientists understand bone histomorphometry, not to help bone histomorphometrists undcntand each other. Second. names should be self-explanatory and dcscriptive, without implicit assumptions. Third. symbols should consist mainly of abbreviations that included the first letter of each word in the same order as in the name. without subscripts or superscripts. Fourth. each symbol component should have one and only one meaning, and so eliminate ambiguity. Fifth, primary measurements should be clearly distinguished from derived indices. Finally, the chosen system should be sufficiently flexible to apply to all surfaces and all types of bone, and to accommodate any new primary measurement or derived index. The recommended system shares common elements with. but also differs substantially from. all those in current usc. was tested in practice for several months before the final forniat was chosen, and is as complex and conceptually difficult ;I\\ the field with which it deals. For those within the field we hope that increased readership of their papers will be adequate conipensation for the inconvcnicncc of learning a new systcm. For those outside the field, mastering the new system will be hard work, but if we are able to secure its acceptance by all journals with an interest in bone and mineral metabolism, the effort will only have to be expended once rather than. as at present. rcpeated many times. To this end we give the reasons for our decisions in the areas of controversy and, as well as definitions, provide methods for calculation of derived indices and
5,130 citations
TL;DR: The kinds of things that social scientists have tried to explain using social network analysis are reviewed and a nutshell description of the basic assumptions, goals, and explanatory mechanisms prevalent in the field is provided.
Abstract: Over the past decade, there has been an explosion of interest in network research across the physical and social sciences. For social scientists, the theory of networks has been a gold mine, yielding explanations for social phenomena in a wide variety of disciplines from psychology to economics. Here, we review the kinds of things that social scientists have tried to explain using social network analysis and provide a nutshell description of the basic assumptions, goals, and explanatory mechanisms prevalent in the field. We hope to contribute to a dialogue among researchers from across the physical and social sciences who share a common interest in understanding the antecedents and consequences of network phenomena.
3,423 citations
Harvard University1, University of Massachusetts Medical School2, Massachusetts Institute of Technology3, Rhode Island Hospital4, University of Kentucky5, Tufts University6, Université de Montréal7, University of Bologna8, Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute9, Vanderbilt University10, Northwestern University11, University of Milan12
TL;DR: Neuronal cytoplasmic protein aggregation and defective RNA metabolism thus appear to be common pathogenic mechanisms involved in ALS and possibly in other neurodegenerative disorders.
Abstract: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal degenerative motor neuron disorder Ten percent of cases are inherited; most involve unidentified genes We report here 13 mutations in the fused in sarcoma/translated in liposarcoma (FUS/TLS) gene on chromosome 16 that were specific for familial ALS The FUS/TLS protein binds to RNA, functions in diverse processes, and is normally located predominantly in the nucleus In contrast, the mutant forms of FUS/TLS accumulated in the cytoplasm of neurons, a pathology that is similar to that of the gene TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP43), whose mutations also cause ALS Neuronal cytoplasmic protein aggregation and defective RNA metabolism thus appear to be common pathogenic mechanisms involved in ALS and possibly in other neurodegenerative disorders
2,387 citations
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors collected detailed qualitative information from financial filings to categorize financial constraints for a random sample of firms from 1995 to 2004, and used ordered logit models predicting constraints as a function of different quantitative factors.
Abstract: We collect detailed qualitative information from financial filings to categorize financial constraints for a random sample of firms from 1995 to 2004. Using this categorization, we estimate ordered logit models predicting constraints as a function of different quantitative factors. Our findings cast serious doubt on the validity of the KZ index as a measure of financial constraints, while offering mixed evidence on the validity of other common measures of constraints. We find that firm size and age are particularly useful predictors of financial constraint levels, and we propose a measure of financial constraints that is based solely on these firm characteristics.
2,102 citations
TL;DR: Dietary fiber intake benefits a number of gastrointestinal disorders including the following: gastroesophageal reflux disease, duodenal ulcer, diverticulitis, constipation, and hemorrhoids.
Abstract: Dietary fiber intake provides many health benefits. However, average fiber intakes for US children and adults are less than half of the recommended levels. Individuals with high intakes of dietary fiber appear to be at significantly lower risk for developing coronary heart disease, stroke, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and certain gastrointestinal diseases. Increasing fiber intake lowers blood pressure and serum cholesterol levels. Increased intake of soluble fiber improves glycemia and insulin sensitivity in non-diabetic and diabetic individuals. Fiber supplementation in obese individuals significantly enhances weight loss. Increased fiber intake benefits a number of gastrointestinal disorders including the following: gastroesophageal reflux disease, duodenal ulcer, diverticulitis, constipation, and hemorrhoids. Prebiotic fibers appear to enhance immune function. Dietary fiber intake provides similar benefits for children as for adults. The recommended dietary fiber intakes for children and adults are 14 g/1000 kcal. More effective communication and consumer education is required to enhance fiber consumption from foods or supplements.
1,778 citations
B. I. Abelev1, Madan M. Aggarwal2, Zubayer Ahammed3, A. V. Alakhverdyants4 +345 more•Institutions (49)
1,696 citations
TL;DR: At comparable sedation levels, dexmedetomidine-treated patients spent less time on the ventilator, experienced less delirium, and developed less tachycardia and hypertension.
Abstract: Context γ-Aminobutyric acid receptor agonist medications are the most commonly used sedatives for intensive care unit (ICU) patients, yet preliminary evidence indicates that the α 2 agonist dexmedetomidine may have distinct advantages Objective To compare the efficacy and safety of prolonged sedation with dexmedetomidine vs midazolam for mechanically ventilated patients Design, Setting, and Patients Prospective, double-blind, randomized trial conducted in 68 centers in 5 countries between March 2005 and August 2007 among 375 medical/surgical ICU patients with expected mechanical ventilation for more than 24 hours Sedation level and delirium were assessed using the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) and the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU Interventions Dexmedetomidine (02-14 μg/kg per hour [n = 244]) or midazolam (002-01 mg/kg per hour [n = 122]) titrated to achieve light sedation (RASS scores between −2 and +1) from enrollment until extubation or 30 days Main Outcome Measures Percentage of time within target RASS range Secondary end points included prevalence and duration of delirium, use of fentanyl and open-label midazolam, and nursing assessments Additional outcomes included duration of mechanical ventilation, ICU length of stay, and adverse events Results There was no difference in percentage of time within the target RASS range (773% for dexmedetomidine group vs 751% for midazolam group; difference, 22% [95% confidence interval {CI}, −32% to 75%]; P = 18) The prevalence of delirium during treatment was 54% (n = 132/244) in dexmedetomidine-treated patients vs 766% (n = 93/122) in midazolam-treated patients (difference, 226% [95% CI, 14% to 33%]; P Conclusions There was no difference between dexmedetomidine and midazolam in time at targeted sedation level in mechanically ventilated ICU patients At comparable sedation levels, dexmedetomidine-treated patients spent less time on the ventilator, experienced less delirium, and developed less tachycardia and hypertension The most notable adverse effect of dexmedetomidine was bradycardia Trial Registration clinicaltrialsgov Identifier: NCT00216190Published online February 2, 2009 (doi:101001/jama200956)
1,293 citations
TL;DR: New STS risk models have been developed for CABG mortality and eight other endpoints and overall model performance is excellent, with acceptable calibration in the overall population and in numerous subgroups.
1,121 citations
TL;DR: New valve surgery models using contemporary data that include both valve repair as well as replacement are developed, expanding upon existing valve models, and include several nonfatal complications in addition to mortality.
1,109 citations
University of Hertfordshire1, University of Alabama at Birmingham2, University of Helsinki3, University of South Florida4, University of Glasgow5, University of Kentucky6, Leiden University Medical Center7, Institute for Animal Health8, University of Guelph9, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven10, Pasteur Institute11, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada12, University of Bristol13, University of Edinburgh14, Queen's University15
TL;DR: Changes to virus taxonomy approved and ratified by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses in February 2015 are listed.
Abstract: Changes to virus taxonomy approved and ratified by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses in February 2015 are listed.
1,039 citations
TL;DR: This review discusses the targeting of the elevated copper levels and oxidative stress levels in cancer with the aid of a copper chelator d-penicillamine (d-pen) for potential cancer treatment.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors measured the charged-particle spectra at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) time projection chamber and reported the average transverse momenta, total particle production, particle yield ratios, strangeness, and baryon production rates as a function of collision system and centrality.
Abstract: Identified charged-particle spectra of pi(+/-), K(+/-), p, and (p) over bar at midrapidity (vertical bar y vertical bar < 0.1) measured by the dE/dx method in the STAR (solenoidal tracker at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider) time projection chamber are reported for pp and d + Au collisions at root s(NN) = 200 GeV and for Au + Au collisions at 62.4, 130, and 200 GeV. Average transverse momenta, total particle production, particle yield ratios, strangeness, and baryon production rates are investigated as a function of the collision system and centrality. The transverse momentum spectra are found to be flatter for heavy particles than for light particles in all collision systems; the effect is more prominent for more central collisions. The extracted average transverse momentum of each particle species follows a trend determined by the total charged-particle multiplicity density. The Bjorken energy density estimate is at least several GeV/fm(3) for a formation time less than 1 fm/c. A significantly larger net-baryon density and a stronger increase of the net-baryon density with centrality are found in Au + Au collisions at 62.4 GeV than at the two higher energies. Antibaryon production relative to total particle multiplicity is found to be constant over centrality, but increases with the collision energy. Strangeness production relative to total particle multiplicity is similar at the three measured RHIC energies. Relative strangeness production increases quickly with centrality in peripheral Au + Au collisions, to a value about 50% above the pp value, and remains rather constant in more central collisions. Bulk freeze-out properties are extracted from thermal equilibrium model and hydrodynamics-motivated blast-wave model fits to the data. Resonance decays are found to have little effect on the extracted kinetic freeze-out parameters because of the transverse momentum range of our measurements. The extracted chemical freeze-out temperature is constant, independent of collision system or centrality; its value is close to the predicted phase-transition temperature, suggesting that chemical freeze-out happens in the vicinity of hadronization and the chemical freeze-out temperature is universal despite the vastly different initial conditions in the collision systems. The extracted kinetic freeze-out temperature, while similar to the chemical freeze-out temperature in pp, d + Au, and peripheral Au + Au collisions, drops significantly with centrality in Au + Au collisions, whereas the extracted transverse radial flow velocity increases rapidly with centrality. There appears to be a prolonged period of particle elastic scatterings from chemical to kinetic freeze-out in central Au + Au collisions. The bulk properties extracted at chemical and kinetic freeze-out are observed to evolve smoothly over the measured energy range, collision systems, and collision centralities.
TL;DR: Use of SBRT results in high rates of local control in medically inoperable patients with Stage I NSCLC, and there was no significant survival difference between patients with peripheral vs. central tumors.
Abstract: Purpose The 50-month results of a prospective Phase II trial of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in medically inoperable patients are reported. Methods and Materials A total of 70 medically inoperable patients had clinically staged T1 (34 patients) or T2 (36 patients) (≤7 cm), N0, M0, biopsy-confirmed non–small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and received SBRT as per our previously published reports. The SBRT treatment dose of 60-66 Gy was prescribed to the 80% isodose volume in three fractions. Results Median follow-up was 50.2 months (range, 1.4–64.8 months). Kaplan-Meier local control at 3 years was 88.1%. Regional (nodal) and distant recurrence occurred in 6 (8.6%) and 9 (12.9%) patients, respectively. Median survival (MS) was 32.4 months and 3-year overall survival (OS) was 42.7% (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 31.1–54.3%). Cancer-specific survival at 3 years was 81.7% (95% CI, 70.0–93.4%). For patients with T1 tumors, MS was 38.7 months (95% CI, 25.3–50.2) and for T2 tumors MS was 24.5 months (95% CI, 18.5–37.4) ( p = 0.194). Tumor volume (≤5 cc, 5–10 cc, 10–20 cc, >20 cc) did not significantly impact survival: MS was 36.9 months (95% CI, 18.1–42.9), 34.0 (95% CI, 16.9–57.1), 32.8 (95% CI, 21.3–57.8), and 21.4 months (95% CI, 17.8–41.6), respectively ( p = 0.712). There was no significant survival difference between patients with peripheral vs. central tumors (MS 33.2 vs. 24.4 months, p = 0.697). Grade 3 to 5 toxicity occurred in 5 of 48 patients with peripheral lung tumors (10.4%) and in 6 of 22 patients (27.3%) with central tumors (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.088). Conclusion Based on our study results, use of SBRT results in high rates of local control in medically inoperable patients with Stage I NSCLC.
Broad Institute1, University of Pavia2, Uppsala University3, University of Bologna4, University of Kentucky5, University of Adelaide6, University of Tampa7, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna8, University of Bern9, University of California, Davis10, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute11, Cornell University12, Royal Veterinary College13, Institut national de la recherche agronomique14, Japan Racing Association15, University College Dublin16, Genetic Information Research Institute17, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences18, University of Minnesota19, University of Bari20, Texas A&M University21, Animal Health Trust22, Massachusetts Institute of Technology23
TL;DR: The analysis reveals an evolutionarily new centromere on equine chromosome 11 that displays properties of an immature but fully functioning Centromere and is devoid of centromeric satellite sequence, suggesting thatCentromeric function may arise before satellite repeat accumulation.
Abstract: We report a high-quality draft sequence of the genome of the horse (Equus caballus). The genome is relatively repetitive but has little segmental duplication. Chromosomes appear to have undergone few historical rearrangements: 53% of equine chromosomes show conserved synteny to a single human chromosome. Equine chromosome 11 is shown to have an evolutionary new centromere devoid of centromeric satellite DNA, suggesting that centromeric function may arise before satellite repeat accumulation. Linkage disequilibrium, showing the influences of early domestication of large herds of female horses, is intermediate in length between dog and human, and there is long-range haplotype sharing among breeds.
TL;DR: Evaluation of nucleotide sequences reveals that regulatory elements of the sod2 gene reside in both the noncoding and the coding region, and changes associated with sod2 lead to alterations in expression levels as well as protein function.
TL;DR: More studies are needed to examine the best tests of respiratory function in ALS, as well as the optimal time for starting PEG, the impact of PEG on quality of life and survival, and the effect of vitamins and supplements on ALS.
Abstract: Objective: To systematically review evidence bearing on the management of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Methods: The authors analyzed studies from 1998 to 2007 to update the 1999 practice parameter. Topics covered in this section include slowing disease progression, nutrition, and respiratory management for patients with ALS. Results: The authors identified 8 Class I studies, 5 Class II studies, and 43 Class III studies in ALS. Important treatments are available for patients with ALS that are underutilized. Noninvasive ventilation (NIV), percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), and riluzole are particularly important and have the best evidence. More studies are needed to examine the best tests of respiratory function in ALS, as well as the optimal time for starting PEG, the impact of PEG on quality of life and survival, and the effect of vitamins and supplements on ALS. Recommendations: Riluzole should be offered to slow disease progression (Level A). PEG should be considered to stabilize weight and to prolong survival in patients with ALS (Level B). NIV should be considered to treat respiratory insufficiency in order to lengthen survival (Level B), and may be considered to slow the decline of forced vital capacity (Level C) and improve quality of life (Level C). Early initiation of NIV may increase compliance (Level C), and insufflation/exsufflation may be considered to help clear secretions (Level C). Neurology ® 2009;73:1218 –1226 GLOSSARY AAN American Academy of Neurology; ALS amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; FVC forced vital capacity; HFCWO high frequency chest wall oscillation; MIE mechanical insufflation/exsufflation; MIP maximal inspiratory pressure; NIV noninvasive ventilation; PCEF peak cough expiratory flow; Pdi transdiaphragmatic pressure; PEG percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy; QOL quality of life; RIG radiologically inserted device; SNP sniff nasal pressure; TIV tracheostomy invasive ventilation.
TL;DR: A stereo matching algorithm with careful handling of disparity, discontinuity, and occlusion based on an energy-minimization framework that is evaluated on the Middlebury data sets, showing that the algorithm is the top performer among all the algorithms listed there.
Abstract: In this paper, we formulate a stereo matching algorithm with careful handling of disparity, discontinuity, and occlusion. The algorithm works with a global matching stereo model based on an energy-minimization framework. The global energy contains two terms, the data term and the smoothness term. The data term is first approximated by a color-weighted correlation, then refined in occluded and low-texture areas in a repeated application of a hierarchical loopy belief propagation algorithm. The experimental results are evaluated on the Middlebury data sets, showing that our algorithm is the top performer among all the algorithms listed there.
TL;DR: A committee is established to define the key questions related to pulmonary exacerbations, review the clinical evidence using an evidence-based methodology, and provide recommendations to clinicians that will be helpful to clinicians in the treatment of individuals with cystic fibrosis.
Abstract: The natural history of cystic fibrosis lung disease is one of chronic progression with intermittent episodes of acute worsening of symptoms frequently called acute pulmonary exacerbations These exacerbations typically warrant medical intervention. It is important that appropriate therapies are recommended on the basis of available evidence of efficacy and safety. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation therefore established a committee to define the key questions related to pulmonary exacerbations, review the clinical evidence using an evidence-based methodology, and provide recommendations to clinicians. It is hoped that these guidelines will be helpful to clinicians in the treatment of individuals with cystic fibrosis.
TL;DR: Cognitive function in nondemented aging appears to be degraded by the presence of NFTs and SPs, and neuropathological processes related to AD in persons without dementia appear to be associated with subtle cognitive dysfunction and may represent a preclinical stage of the illness.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a typology of risk sources, consisting of environmental factors, industry factors, organizational factors, problem-specific factors, and decision-maker related factors, which can be used by managers to measure and assess the vulnerabilities of their company and supply chain.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review the growing literature examining supply chain risk management (SCRM) and to develop a typology of risks in the supply chain.Design/methodology/approach – The paper draws its insights and conclusions from a review of the literature on supply chain risk, and a synthesis of the broader domain of risk management.Findings – While the literature on SCRM is growing, the literature lacks an organized structure for the sources of supply chain risk. The current paper bridges this gap by synthesizing the diverse literature into a typology of risk sources, consisting of environmental factors, industry factors, organizational factors, problem‐specific factors, and decision‐maker related factors.Practical implications – The paper devises a typology that can be used by managers to measure and assess the vulnerabilities of their company and supply chain. The typology also provides avenues for future research that further guides practitioners in the management of their supp...
TL;DR: A systematic review of the OSA-related risk of crash in commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers foundUntreated sleep apnea is a significant contributor to motor vehicle crashes.
Abstract: STUDY OBJECTIVES: We performed a systematic review of the OSA-related risk of crash in commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. The primary objective involved determining whether individuals with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are at an increased risk for a motor vehicle crash when compared to comparable individuals who do not have the disorder. A secondary objective involved determining what factors are associated with an increased motor vehicle crash risk among individuals with OSA. DESIGN/SETTING: Seven electronic databases (MEDLINE, PubMed (PreMEDLINE), EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, TRIS, and the Cochrane library) were searched (through May 27, 2009), as well as the reference lists of all obtained articles. We included controlled studies (case-control or cohort) that evaluated crash risk in individuals with OSA. We evaluated the quality of each study and the interplay between the quality, quantity, robustness, and consistency of the body of evidence, and tested for publication bias. Data were extracted by 2 independent analysts. When appropriate, data from different studies were combined in a fixed- or random-effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: Individuals with OSA are clearly at increased risk for crash. The mean crash-rate ratio associated with OSA is likely to fall within the range of 1.21 to 4.89. Characteristics that may predict crash in drivers with OSA include BMI, apnea plus hypopnea index, oxygen saturation, and possibly daytime sleepiness. CONCLUSIONS: Untreated sleep apnea is a significant contributor to motor vehicle crashes. Language: en
TL;DR: Clinical relevant performance of the polymeric micelles provides a promising approach for more efficient and patient-friendly cancer therapy and potentiate combination delivery of multiple drugs using mixed micells.
TL;DR: Preclinical studies indicate that when full GLP-1 agonism is augmented with an appropriate degree of glucagon receptor activation, body fat reduction can be substantially enhanced without any overt adverse effects.
Abstract: We report the efficacy of a new peptide with agonism at the glucagon and GLP-1 receptors that has potent, sustained satiation-inducing and lipolytic effects. Selective chemical modification to glucagon resulted in a loss of specificity, with minimal change to inherent activity. The structural basis for the co-agonism appears to be a combination of local positional interactions and a change in secondary structure. Two co-agonist peptides differing from each other only in their level of glucagon receptor agonism were studied in rodent obesity models. Administration of PEGylated peptides once per week normalized adiposity and glucose tolerance in diet-induced obese mice. Reduction of body weight was achieved by a loss of body fat resulting from decreased food intake and increased energy expenditure. These preclinical studies indicate that when full GLP-1 agonism is augmented with an appropriate degree of glucagon receptor activation, body fat reduction can be substantially enhanced without any overt adverse effects.
TL;DR: It is found that healthy never-smoker females achieve full lung growth earlier than males, and their rate of decline with age was slightly, but not significantly, lower, and there is a range of susceptibility to the effects of smoking.
Abstract: Rationale: Understanding normal lung development and aging in health and disease, both in men and in women, is essential to interpreting any therapeutic intervention.Objectives: We aimed to describe lung function changes in healthy never-smoking males and females, from adolescence to old age, and to determine the effects of smoking and those derived from quitting.Methods: Prospective cohort study within all participants of the Framingham Offspring cohort who had two or more valid spirometry measurements during follow-up (n = 4,391; age range at baseline 13 to 71 yr), with a median follow-up time of 23 years.Measurements and Main Results: To best fit the curves describing FEV1 changes with age to raw data, we used a generalized additive model with smooth terms and incorporating the subject-specific (longitudinal) random effects. We found that: (1) healthy never-smoker females achieve full lung growth earlier than males, and their rate of decline with age was slightly, but not significantly, lower; (2) smok...
TL;DR: Tailored, self-guided health interventions delivered via the Web to date have involved a great diversity of features and formats and further outcome research is needed to enhance the understanding of how and under what conditions computer-tailoring leads to positive health outcomes in online behavioral interventions.
TL;DR: The data suggest that intestinal epithelial cells may release LPS on chylomicrons from cell-associated pools, which may contribute to postprandial inflammatory responses or chronic diet-induced inflammation in chylomaticron target tissues.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors provide supply chain researchers with an overview of social network analysis, covering both specific concepts (such as structural holes or betweenness centrality) and the generic explanatory mechanisms that network theorists often invoke to relate network variables to outcomes of interest.
Abstract: The network perspective is rapidly becoming a lingua franca across virtually all of the sciences from anthropology to physics. In this paper, we provide supply chain researchers with an overview of social network analysis, covering both specific concepts (such as structural holes or betweenness centrality) and the generic explanatory mechanisms that network theorists often invoke to relate network variables to outcomes of interest. One reason for discussing mechanisms is facilitate appropriate translation and context-specific modification of concepts rather than blind copying. We have also taken care to apply network concepts to both “hard” types of ties (e.g., materials and money flows) and “soft” types of ties (e.g., friendships and sharing-of-information), as both are crucial (and mutually embedded) in the supply chain context. Another aim of the review is to point to areas in other fields that we think are particularly suitable for SCM to draw network concepts from, such as sociology, ecology, input-output research and even the study of romantic networks. We believe the portability of many network concepts provides a potential for unifying many fields, and a consequence of this for SCM may be to decrease the distance between SCM and other branches of management science.
University of Washington1, Stanford University2, United States Department of Veterans Affairs3, University of Iowa4, Harvard University5, Medical College of Wisconsin6, Baylor College of Medicine7, Brown University8, University of Wisconsin-Madison9, Northwestern University10, University of Kentucky11
TL;DR: Due to important trade-offs between potential benefits, harms, costs, and burdens of alternative therapies, shared decision-making is an important component of a number of the recommendations.
Abstract: Study design Clinical practice guideline Objective To develop evidence-based recommendations on use of interventional diagnostic tests and therapies, surgeries, and interdisciplinary rehabilitation for low back pain of any duration, with or without leg pain Summary of background data Management of patients with persistent and disabling low back pain remains a clinical challenge A number of interventional diagnostic tests and therapies and surgery are available and their use is increasing, but in some cases their utility remains uncertain or controversial Interdisciplinary rehabilitation has also been proposed as a potentially effective noninvasive intervention for persistent and disabling low back pain Methods A multidisciplinary panel was convened by the American Pain Society Its recommendations were based on a systematic review that focused on evidence from randomized controlled trials Recommendations were graded using methods adapted from the US Preventive Services Task Force and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation Working Group Results Investigators reviewed 3348 abstracts A total of 161 randomized trials were deemed relevant to the recommendations in this guideline The panel developed a total of 8 recommendations Conclusion Recommendations on use of interventional diagnostic tests and therapies, surgery, and interdisciplinary rehabilitation are presented Due to important trade-offs between potential benefits, harms, costs, and burdens of alternative therapies, shared decision-making is an important component of a number of the recommendations
TL;DR: It is argued that existing data strongly support the hypothesis that both amyloid plaques and NFTs contribute to cognitive impairment, and whether individuals without antemortem cognitive impairment can harbor severe AD-type pathological findings at autopsy.
Abstract: Amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) are the pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer disease (AD) There is controversy regarding the use of current diagnostic criteria for AD and whether amyloid plaques and NFTs contribute to cognitive impairment Because AD is specific to humans, rigorous and comprehensiveclinicopathologic studies are necessary to test and refine hypotheses of AD diagnosis and pathogenesis Neither the clinical nor the pathological aspects of AD evolve in a linear manner, but thepredictable sequence of AD pathology allows for stage-based correlations with cognitive deterioration We discuss subsets of patients with clinical dementia who lack amyloid plaques and NFTs and, conversely, whether individuals without antemortem cognitive impairment can harbor severe AD-type pathological findings at autopsy There are many medical, technical, and anatomical challenges to clinicopathologic studies in AD For example, at least two thirds of persons older than 80 years have non-AD brain diseases that can effect on cognitive function We argue that existing data strongly support the hypothesis that both amyloid plaques and NFTs contribute to cognitive impairment
TL;DR: Abstinence after binge ethanol intoxication results in brain cell genesis that could contribute to the return of brain function and structure found in abstinent humans.
Abstract: Aims: This is a review of preclinical studies covering alcohol-induced brain neuronal death and loss of neurogenesis as well as abstinence-induced brain cell genesis, e.g. brain regeneration. Efforts are made to relate preclinical studies to human studies. Methods: The studies described are preclinical rat experiments using a 4-day binge ethanol treatment known to induce physical dependence to ethanol. Neurodegeneration and cognitive deficits following binge treatment mimic the mild degeneration and cognitive deficits found in humans. Various histological methods are used to follow brain regional degeneration and regeneration. Results: Alcohol-induced degeneration occurs due to neuronal death during alcohol intoxication. Neuronal death is related to increases in oxidative stress in brain that coincide with the induction of proinflammatory cytokines and oxidative enzymes that insult brain. Degeneration is associated with increased NF-κB proinflammatory transcription and decreased CREB transcription. Corticolimbic brain regions are most sensitive to binge-induced degeneration and induce relearning deficits. Drugs that block oxidative stress and NF-κB transcription or increase CREB transcription block binge-induced neurodegeneration, inhibition of neurogenesis and proinflammatory enzyme induction. Regeneration of brain occurs during abstinence following binge ethanol treatment. Bursts of proliferating cells occur across multiple brain regions, with many new microglia across brain after months of abstinence and many new neurons in neurogenic hippocampal dentate gyrus. Brain regeneration may be important to sustain abstinence in humans. Conclusions: Alcohol-induced neurodegeneration occurs primarily during intoxication and is related to increased oxidative stress and proinflammatory proteins that are neurotoxic. Abstinence after binge ethanol intoxication results in brain cell genesis that could contribute to the return of brain function and structure found in abstinent humans.