bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and Phase Transition Behaviours of New Chalcone Derivatives
Authors: Ha S. T. , Low Y. W.
Published: August 2013

A series of new chalcone derivatives with a general formula of C11H27COOC6H4COCH=CHC6H4X where X=F, Cl, Br, and NO2 were well synthesized and crystallized from organic solution. The physical properties as well as the chemical formulations of these compounds were determined by spectroscopic techniques (FTIR, and 1H and 13C NMR). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarizing optical microscopy (POM) techniques were employed to study their transition temperatures and mesophase characteristics. DSC thermograms of compounds with fluoro and nitro substituents displayed direct isotropization and recrystallization during heating and cooling processes. Chloro and bromo analogues exhibited Cr1‐to‐Cr2 transition within the crystal phase region. It was also found that enone linkage showed fewer tendencies to exhibit mesomorphic property compared to imine linkage. However, when enone linkage is combined with other central linkages and additional phenyl rings, it turns conducive to mesomorphism.
Over-the-Air Testing of Cognitive Radio Nodes in a Virtual Electromagnetic Environment
Authors: Sharma Rajesh K. , Kotterman Wim , Landmann Markus H. , Schirmer Christopher , Schneider Christian , Wollenschläger Frank , Del Galdo Giovanni , Hein Matthias A. , Thomä Reiner S.
Published: August 2013

This paper provides an overview of ongoing research in over-the-air (OTA) testing for next-generation communication and data transmission devices with special consideration of cognitive radio (CR). Existing state-of-the-art techniques and their merits and limitations are discussed. We identify the requirements and issues for the OTA test in a virtual electromagnetic environment (OTAinVEE) which needs to address the more complex scenario of future networks, where interference emulation becomes a highly challenging task. A complex interference scenario arises due to the attempt to simultaneously utilize several opportunity dimensions such as frequency, time, direction (space), and polarization, in a dynamic manner in a multiuser scenario. Although MIMO-OTA testing addresses many limitations of single antenna-conducted test systems, more dimensions and parameters to be addressed in the new scenarios imply further increase in cost and complexity. Closed-loop OTA test setups for CR evaluation are discussed along with an overview of other test scenarios.
The State of Charge Estimating Methods for Battery: A Review
Authors: Chang Wen-Yeau
Published: August 2013

An overview of new and current developments in state of charge (SOC) estimating methods for battery is given where the focus lies upon mathematical principles and practical implementations. As the battery SOC is an important parameter, which reflects the battery performance, so accurate estimation of SOC cannot only protect battery, prevent overcharge or discharge, and improve the battery life, but also let the application make rationally control strategies to achieve the purpose of saving energy. This paper gives a literature survey on the categories and mathematical methods of SOC estimation. Based on the assessment of SOC estimation methods, the future development direction of SOC estimation is proposed.
Effect of RGD Peptide‐Coated TiO2 Nanotubes on the Attachment, Proliferation, and Functionality of Bone‐Related Cells
Authors: Oh Seunghan , Moon Kyung Suk , Lee Seoung Hoon
Published: August 2013

The purpose of this research was to characterize an Arg‐Gly‐Asp (RGD) peptide immobilized on TiO2 nanotubes. In addition, we investigated the effects of the RGD peptide‐coated TiO2 nanotubes on the cellular response, proliferation, and functionality of osteogenic‐induced human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), which are osteoclasts that have been induced by bone marrow macrophages. The RGD peptide was grafted covalently onto the surface of TiO2 nanotubes based on the results of SEM, FT‐IR, and XPS. Furthermore, the RGD peptide promoted the initial attachment and proliferation of the hMSCs, regardless of the size of the TiO2 nanotubes. However, the RGD peptide did not prominently affect the osteogenic functionality of the hMSCs because the peptide suppressed hMSC motility associated with osteogenic differentiation. The result of an in vitro osteoclast test showed that the RGD peptide accelerated the initial attachment of preosteoclasts and the formation of mature osteoclasts, which could resorb the bone matrix. Therefore, we believe that an RGD coating on TiO2 nanotubes synthesized on Ti implants might not offer significant acceleration of bone formation in vivo because osteoblasts and osteoclasts reside in the same compartment.
Modeling and Control of Wind Turbine
Authors: Arturo Soriano Luis , Yu Wen , Rubio Jose de Jesus
Published: August 2013

In recent years, the energy production by wind turbines has been increasing, because its production is environmentally friendly; therefore, the technology developed for the production of energy through wind turbines brings great challenges in the investigation. This paper studies the characteristics of the wind turbine in the market and lab; it is focused on the recent advances of the wind turbine modeling with the aerodynamic power and the wind turbine control with the nonlinear, fuzzy, and predictive techniques.
Biomarkers Predicting Antidepressant Treatment Response: How Can We Advance the Field?
Authors: Labermaier Christiana , Masana Mercè , Müller Marianne B.
Published: August 2013

Major depression, affecting an estimated 350 million people worldwide, poses a serious social and economic threat to modern societies. There are currently two major problems calling for innovative research approaches, namely, the absence of biomarkers predicting antidepressant response and the lack of conceptually novel antidepressant compounds. Both, biomarker predictinga prioriwhether an individual patient will respond to the treatment of choice as well as an early distinction of responders and nonresponders during antidepressant therapy can have a significant impact on improving this situation. Biosignatures predicting antidepressant responsea priorior early in treatment would enable an evidence-based decision making on available treatment options. However, research to date does not identify any biologic or genetic predictors of sufficient clinical utility to inform the selection of specific antidepressant compound for an individual patient. In this review, we propose an optimized translational research strategy to overcome some of the major limitations in biomarker discovery. We are confident that early transfer and integration of data between both species, ideally leading to mutual supportive evidence from both preclinical and clinical studies, are most suitable to address some of the obstacles of current depression research.
Characterization of CD45−/CD31+/CD105+ Circulating Cells in the Peripheral Blood of Patients with Gynecologic Malignancies
Authors: Yu Hyun-Kyung , Lee Ho-Jeong , Choi Ha-Na , Ahn Jin-Hyung , Choi Ji-Young , Song Haeng-Seok , Lee Ki-Heon , Yoon Yeup , Yi Lee S. H. , Kim Jang-Seong , Kim Sun Jin , Kim Tae Jin
Published: August 2013

Purpose: Circulating endothelial cells (CEC) have been widely used as a prognostic biomarker and regarded as a promising strategy for monitoring the response to treatment in several cancers. However, the presence and biologic roles of CECs have remained controversial for decades because technical standards for the identification and quantification of CECs have not been established. Here, we hypothesized that CECs detected by flow cytometry might be monocytes rather than endothelial cells.

Experimental Design: The frequency of representative CEC subsets (i.e., CD45−/CD31+, CD45−/CD31+/CD146+, CD45−/CD31+/CD105+) was analyzed in the peripheral blood of patients with gynecologic cancer (n = 56) and healthy volunteers (n = 44). CD45−/CD31+ cells, which are components of CECs, were isolated and the expression of various markers (CD146, CD105, vWF, and CD144 for endothelial cells; CD68 and CD14 for monocytes) was examined by immunocytochemistry.

Results: CD45−/CD31+/CD105+ cells were significantly increased in the peripheral blood of patients with cancer, whereas evaluation of CD45−/CD31+/CD146+ cells was not possible both in patients with cancer and healthy controls due to the limited resolution of the flow cytometry. Immunocytochemistry analyses showed that these CD45−/CD31+/CD105+ cells did not express vWF and CD146 but rather CD144. Furthermore, CD45−/CD31+/CD105+ cells uniformly expressed the monocyte-specific markers CD14 and CD68. These results suggest that CD45−/CD31+/CD105+ cells carry the characteristics of monocytes rather than endothelial cells.

Conclusions: Our data indicate that CD45−/CD31+/CD105+ circulating cells, which are significantly increased in the peripheral blood of patients with gynecologic cancer, are monocytes rather than endothelial cells. Further investigation is required to determine the biologic significance of their presence and function in relation with angiogenesis. Clin Cancer Res; 19(19); 5340–50. ©2013 AACR.
Dual Blockade of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR (AZD8055) and RAS/MEK/ERK (AZD6244) Pathways Synergistically Inhibits Rhabdomyosarcoma Cell Growth In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Renshaw Jane , Taylor Kathryn R. , Bishop Ryan , Valenti Melanie , De Haven Brandon Alexis , Gowan Sharon , Eccles Suzanne A. , Ruddle Ruth R. , Johnson Louise D. , Raynaud Florence I. , Selfe Joanna L. , Thway Khin , Pietsch Torsten , Pearson Andrew D. , Shipley Janet
Published: August 2013

Purpose: To provide rationale for using phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and/or mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway inhibitors to treat rhabdomyosarcomas, a major cause of pediatric and adolescent cancer deaths.

Experimental Design: The prevalence of PI3K/MAPK pathway activation in rhabdomyosarcoma clinical samples was assessed using immunohistochemistry. Compensatory signaling and cross-talk between PI3K/MAPK pathways was determined in rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines following p110α short hairpin RNA–mediated depletion. Pharmacologic inhibition of reprogrammed signaling in stable p110α knockdown lines was used to determine the target-inhibition profile inducing maximal growth inhibition. The in vitro and in vivo efficacy of inhibitors of TORC1/2 (AZD8055), MEK (AZD6244), and P13K/mTOR (NVP-BEZ235) was evaluated alone and in pairwise combinations.

Results: PI3K pathway activation was seen in 82.5% rhabdomyosarcomas with coactivated MAPK in 36% and 46% of alveolar and embryonal subtypes, respectively. p110α knockdown in cell lines over the short and long term was associated with compensatory expression of other p110 isoforms, activation of the MAPK pathway, and cross-talk to reactivate the PI3K pathway. Combinations of PI3K pathway and MAP–ERK kinase (MEK) inhibitors synergistically inhibited cell growth in vitro. Treatment of RD cells with AZD8055 plus AZD6244 blocked reciprocal pathway activation, as evidenced by reduced AKT/ERK/S6 phosphorylation. In vivo, the synergistic effect on growth and changes in pharmacodynamic biomarkers was recapitulated using the AZD8055/AZD6244 combination but not NVP-BEZ235/AZD6244. Pharmacokinetic analysis provided evidence of drug–drug interaction with both combinations.

Conclusions: Dual PI3K/MAPK pathway activation and compensatory signaling in both rhabdomyosarcoma subtypes predict a lack of clinical efficacy for single agents targeting either pathway, supporting a therapeutic strategy combining a TORC1/2 with a MEK inhibitor. Clin Cancer Res; 19(21); 5940–51. ©2013 AACR.
Efficacy of Chemotherapy in BRCA1/2 Mutation Carrier Ovarian Cancer in the Setting of PARP Inhibitor Resistance: A Multi-Institutional Study
Authors: Ang Joo Ern , Gourley Charlie , Powell C. Bethan , High Hilda , Shapira-Frommer Ronnie , Castonguay Vincent , De Greve Jacques , Atkinson Tina , Yap Timothy A. , Sandhu Shahneen , Banerjee Susana , Chen Lee-May , Friedlander Michael L. , Kaufman Bella , Oza Amit M. , Matulonis Ursula , Barber Louise J. , Kozarewa Iwanka , Fenwick Kerry , Assiotis Ioannis , Campbell James , Chen Lina , de Bono Johann S. , Gore Martin E. , Lord Christopher J. , Ashworth Alan , Kaye Stan B.
Published: August 2013

Purpose: Preclinical data suggest that exposure to PARP inhibitors (PARPi) may compromise benefit to subsequent chemotherapy, particularly platinum-based regimens, in patients with BRCA1/2 mutation carrier ovarian cancer (PBMCOC), possibly through the acquisition of secondary BRCA1/2 mutations. The efficacy of chemotherapy in the PARPi-resistant setting was therefore investigated.

Experimental Design: We conducted a retrospective review of PBMCOC who received chemotherapy following disease progression on olaparib, administered at ≥200 mg twice daily for one month or more. Tumor samples were obtained in the post-olaparib setting where feasible and analyzed by massively parallel sequencing.

Results: Data were collected from 89 patients who received a median of 3 (range 1–11) lines of pre-olaparib chemotherapy. The overall objective response rate (ORR) to post-olaparib chemotherapy was 36% (24 of 67 patients) by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) and 45% (35 of 78) by RECIST and/or Gynecologic Cancer InterGroup (GCIG) CA125 criteria with median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of 17 weeks [95% confidence interval (CI), 13–21] and 34 weeks (95% CI, 26–42), respectively. For patients receiving platinum-based chemotherapy, ORRs were 40% (19 of 48) and 49% (26/53), respectively, with a median PFS of 22 weeks (95% CI, 15–29) and OS of 45 weeks (95% CI, 15–75). An increased platinum-to-platinum interval was associated with an increased OS and likelihood of response following post-olaparib platinum. No evidence of secondary BRCA1/2 mutation was detected in tumor samples of six PARPi-resistant patients [estimated frequency of such mutations adjusted for sample size: 0.125 (95%-CI: 0–0.375)].

Conclusions: Heavily pretreated PBMCOC who are PARPi-resistant retain the potential to respond to subsequent chemotherapy, including platinum-based agents. These data support the further development of PARPi in PBMCOC. Clin Cancer Res; 19(19); 5485–93. ©2013 AACR.
The Winning Formulation: The Development of Paclitaxel in Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Ma Wen Wee , Hidalgo Manuel
Published: August 2013

Paclitaxel has wide application in anticancer therapy but was never considered an efficacious agent in pancreatic cancer. A review of the experience with the Cremaphor formulation hinted at paclitaxel's activity in pancreatic cancer, but the early development was hampered by significant toxicities such as neutropenia and infection at clinically tolerable doses. However, such efficacy was confirmed in the recently completed phase III Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Clinical Trial (MPACT), in which the addition of nab-paclitaxel to gemcitabine significantly improved the survival of patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. Several other Cremaphor-free formulations of paclitaxel had also been evaluated in pancreatic cancer, and the reasons for the success of the albumin nanoparticulate are examined here. In the era of biologic and molecularly targeted agents, the success of nab-paclitaxel in recalcitrant pancreatic cancer is a timely reminder of the importance and relevance of pharmacology and novel drug delivery technology in the development of anticancer drugs. Clin Cancer Res; 19(20); 5572–9. ©2013 AACR.
Cetuximab Reverses the Warburg Effect by Inhibiting HIF-1–Regulated LDH-A
Authors: Lu Haiquan , Li Xinqun , Luo Zhongguang , Liu Jie , Fan Zhen
Published: August 2013

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) plays a critical role in reprogramming cancer metabolism toward aerobic glycolysis (i.e., the Warburg effect), which is critical to supplying cancer cells with the biomass needed for proliferation. Previous studies have shown that cetuximab, an EGF receptor–blocking monoclonal antibody, downregulates the alpha subunit of HIF-1 (HIF-1α) through the inhibition of EGF receptor downstream cell signaling and that downregulation of HIF-1α is required for cetuximab-induced antiproliferative effects. However, the mechanism underlying these actions has yet to be identified. In this study, we used the Seahorse XF96 extracellular flux analyzer to assess the effect of cetuximab treatment on changes in glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration, the two major energy-producing pathways, in live cells. We found that cetuximab downregulated lactate dehydrogenase A (LDH-A) and inhibited glycolysis in cetuximab-sensitive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells in an HIF-1α downregulation–dependent manner. HNSCC cells with acquired cetuximab resistance expressed a high level of HIF-1α and were highly glycolytic. Overexpression of a HIF-1α mutant (HIF-1α/ΔODD) conferred resistance to cetuximab-induced G1 phase cell-cycle arrest, which could be overcome by knockdown of LDH-A expression. Inhibition of LDH-A activity with oxamate enhanced the response of cetuximab-resistant cells to cetuximab. Cetuximab had no noticeable inhibitory effect on glycolysis in nontransformed cells. These findings provide novel mechanistic insights into cetuximab-induced cell-cycle arrest from the perspective of cancer metabolism and suggest novel strategies for enhancing cetuximab response. Mol Cancer Ther; 12(10); 2187–99. ©2013 AACR.
Targeting the Wnt Pathway in Synovial Sarcoma Models
Authors: Barham Whitney , Frump Andrea L. , Sherrill Taylor P. , Garcia Christina B. , Saito-Diaz Kenyi , VanSaun Michael N. , Fingleton Barbara , Gleaves Linda , Orton Darren , Capecchi Mario R. , Blackwell Timothy S. , Lee Ethan , Yull Fiona , Eid Josiane E.
Published: August 2013

Synovial sarcoma is an aggressive soft-tissue malignancy of children and young adults, with no effective systemic therapies. Its specific oncogene, SYT–SSX (SS18–SSX), drives sarcoma initiation and development. The exact mechanism of SYT–SSX oncogenic function remains unknown. In an SYT–SSX2 transgenic model, we show that a constitutive Wnt/β-catenin signal is aberrantly activated by SYT–SSX2, and inhibition of Wnt signaling through the genetic loss of β-catenin blocks synovial sarcoma tumor formation. In a combination of cell-based and synovial sarcoma tumor xenograft models, we show that inhibition of the Wnt cascade through coreceptor blockade and the use of small-molecule CK1α activators arrests synovial sarcoma tumor growth. We find that upregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin cascade by SYT-SSX2 correlates with its nuclear reprogramming function. These studies reveal the central role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in SYT–SSX2-induced sarcoma genesis, and open new venues for the development of effective synovial sarcoma curative agents.

Significance: Synovial sarcoma is an aggressive soft-tissue cancer that afflicts children and young adults, and for which there is no effective treatment. The current studies provide critical insight into our understanding of the pathogenesis of SYT–SSX-dependent synovial sarcoma and pave the way for the development of effective therapeutic agents for the treatment of the disease in humans. Cancer Discov; 3(11); 1286–1301. ©2013 AACR.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1207
Polymorphism of ITGB2 Gene 3′-UTR+145C/A Is Associated with Biliary Atresia
Authors: Zhao Rui , Song Zai , Dong Rui , Li Hao , Shen Chun , Zheng Shan
Published: August 2013

Background and Study Aims: Biliary atresia (BA) is a devastating disease of infants, invariably leading to cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease, and death if untreated. The etiology of BA is unknown, although infectious, immune, and genetic causes have been suggested. This study was designed to investigate whether polymorphism of the ITGB2 (CD18) gene is associated with susceptibility to BA. Methods: The ITGB2 gene promoter and 16 exons were genotyped following amplification and sequencing, with associations assessed using Fischer's exact test in 106 patients diagnosed with BA and 108 unrelated healthy controls. Results: We found one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the ITGB2 promoter region (-680 C/T) and five SNPs in exons, including: -111 T/C in exon 1, 117 G/A in exon 3, 819 G/A in exon 7, 1101 C/A in exon 10, and 3′-UTR+145C/A in exon 16. There were no significant differences in genotype and allelic frequencies of any of the SNPs between controls and patients with BA in both the promoter and exons 1, 3, 7, and 10. 3′-UTR+145C/A showed a significant increase in the C allele frequency (OR = 2.19, 95% CI: 1.39-3.46, p = 0.0006) and a significant increase in the CC genotype (p = 0.001) in BA patients compared with healthy controls. Using a reporter gene assay, the construct that contained the risk allele (3′-UTR+145 C) showed significantly higher luciferase activity than the nonrisk A allele (p = 0.007). Conclusion: Our study provides the first evidence of a possible role of ITGB2 3′-UTR+145C/A polymorphism in the pathogenesis of BA.
Longitudinal Determinants of Left Ventricular Mass and Geometry
Authors: Gidding Samuel S. , Liu Kiang , Colangelo Laura A. , Cook Nakela L. , Goff David C. , Glasser Stephen P. , Gardin Julius M. , Lima Joao A.C.
Published: August 2013

Background—

The purpose of this study was to identify determinants of 20-year change in left ventricular (LV) mass (LVM) and LV geometry in black and white young adults in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study.

Methods and Results—

We studied 2426 black and white men and women (54.7% white) aged 43 to 55 years with cardiovascular risk factor data and echocardiograms from CARDIA year 5 and 25 examinations. In regression models, year 25 LVM or relative wall thickness was the dependent variable and with year 5 echo values, age, sex, race, body mass index, change in body mass index, mean arterial blood pressure, change in mean blood pressure, heart rate, change in heart rate, tobacco use, presence of diabetes mellitus, alcohol use, and physical activity score as independent variables. LVM and relative wall thickness increased, whereas prevalence of normal geometry declined from 84.2% to 69.7%. Significant determinants of year 25 LVM/m
2.7
were year 5 LVM, year 5 and change in body mass index, year 5 and change in mean arterial pressure, year 5 and change in heart rate, baseline diabetes mellitus, and year 5 tobacco and alcohol use (overall
r
2
=0.40). Significant determinants of year 25 relative LV wall thickness were year 5 value, black race, change in body mass index, year 5 and change in mean arterial pressure, starting smoking, and year 5 diabetes mellitus (overall
r
2
=0.11).

Conclusions—

Prevalence of abnormal LV hypertrophy and geometry increased from young adulthood to middle age. Both young adult cardiovascular risk traits and change in these traits predicted change in LV mass/geometry.
Features of Coronary Plaque in Patients With Metabolic Syndrome and Diabetes Mellitus Assessed by 3-Vessel Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Yonetsu Taishi , Kato Koji , Uemura Shiro , Kim Byeong-Keuk , Jang Yangsoo , Kang Soo-Jin , Park Seung-Jung , Lee Stephen , Kim Soo-Joong , Jia Haibo , Vergallo Rocco , Abtahian Farhad , Tian Jinwei , Hu Sining , Yeh Robert W. , Sakhuja Rahul , McNulty Iris , Lee Hang , Zhang Shaosong , Yu Bo , Kakuta Tsunekazu , Jang Ik-Kyung
Published: August 2013

Background—

The pathophysiological basis for the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and coronary artery disease is not well understood. We sought to characterize coronary plaques in patients with MetS by using optical coherence tomography.

Methods and Results—

We identified 451 coronary plaques from 171 subjects who underwent optical coherence tomographic imaging in 3 coronary arteries. Subjects were divided into 3 groups: diabetes mellitus (DM, n=77), MetS (n=35), and a control group (C group, n=59) without DM or MetS. Optical coherence tomographic analysis included the presence of lipid-rich plaque, maximum lipid arc, lipid-core length, lipid index (LI), fibrous cap thickness, and thin-cap fibroatheroma. We defined LI as mean lipid arc multiplied by lipid-core length. Lipid-core length and LI were significantly greater in DM and MetS than in C group (lipid-core length: 7.7±4.0 and 7.0±3.8 versus 5.5±2.4 mm;
P
<0.001 and
P
=0.012, and LI: 1164±716 and 1086±693 versus 796±417 mm;
P
<0.001 and
P
=0.008). Maximum lipid arc was significantly greater in DM than in C group, whereas no significant difference was observed between MetS and C group (196±45°, 187±42° versus 176±52°;
P
=0.002 and
P
=0.182). Fibrous cap thickness and thin-cap fibroatheroma showed no significant difference among the 3 groups. In multivariate analysis, DM and MetS were independently associated with LI, whereas only acute coronary syndrome was the independent predictor for thin-cap fibroatheroma.

Conclusions—

Compared with control subjects, coronary plaques in MetS contain larger lipid. However, the MetS criteria used in this study could not distinguish the vulnerable features such as thin-cap fibroatheroma, suggesting the necessity of complementary information to identify patients at high risk for cardiovascular events.
T
1
Mapping With Cardiovascular MRI Is Highly Sensitive for Fabry Disease Independent of Hypertrophy and Sex
Authors: Thompson Richard B. , Chow Kelvin , Khan Aneal , Chan Alicia , Shanks Miriam , Paterson Ian , Oudit Gavin Y.
Published: August 2013

Background—

Fabry disease (FD) is an X-linked disorder of lysosomal metabolism affecting multiple organs with cardiac disease being the leading cause of death. Current imaging evaluations of the heart are suboptimal. The goals of the current study are to evaluate the potential of quantitative T
1
mapping with cardiovascular MRI as a disease-specific imaging biomarker.

Methods and Results—

A total of 31 patients with FD, 23 healthy controls, and 21 subjects with concentric remodeling or hypertrophy underwent cardiovascular MRI to measure left ventricular (LV) morphology, function, delayed enhancement, as well as myocardial T
1
values, and derived parameters (extracellular volume). All subjects had LV ejection fraction >50% and similar volumes. FD and concentric remodeling or hypertrophy had similarly increased mass, wall thickness, and mass/volume as compared with controls. A total of 16 of 31 FD subjects and 10 of 21 concentric remodeling or hypertrophy subjects had LV hypertrophy. Noncontrast myocardial T
1
values were substantially lower in FD as compared with controls and concentric remodeling or hypertrophy (1070±50, 1177±27, and 1207±33 ms, respectively;
P
<0.001), but extracellular volume was similar in all groups (21.7±2.4%, 22.2±3.1%, and 21.8±3.9%, respectively). Single-voxel NMR spectroscopy in 4 FD and 4 healthy control subjects showed a significant negative linear relationship between lipid content and noncontrast T
1
values (
r
=−0.9;
P
=0.002). Female subjects had lower LV mass and wall thickness, longer myocardial T
1
values and larger extracellular volume suggesting a key sex difference in cardiac remodeling.

Conclusions—

Reduced noncontrast myocardial T
1
values are the most sensitive and specific cardiovascular MRI parameter in patients with FD irrespective of sex and LV morphology and function.
Comparison of Bivalirudin and Radial Access Across a Spectrum of Preprocedural Risk of Bleeding in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Baklanov Dmitri V. , Kim Sunghee , Marso Steven P. , Subherwal Sumeet , Rao Sunil V.
Published: August 2013

Background—

Bleeding is a common, noncardiac, preventable complication of percutaneous coronary intervention. We compared the relative safety of radial access and bivalirudin in percutaneous coronary intervention.

Methods and Results—

From CathPCI Registry, we determined the association between the site of arterial access, bivalirudin, and periprocedural bleeding rates in 501 017 patients. Radial access patients receiving heparin (radial group) were compared with those receiving bivalirudin (radial combination group). Femoral access patients who had bivalirudin and a vascular closure device served as a reference group (femoral group). An inverse probability weighting analysis incorporating propensity scores was used to compare groups. The overall rate of bleeding was 2.59%. It was 2.71% in the femoral group, 2.5% in the radial group, and 1.82% in the radial combination groups (
P
<0.001). When compared with femoral group, the adjusted odds ratio for bleeding was significantly lower for patients with radial combination group (odds ratio, 0.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.72–0.86), but not for radial group (odds ratio, 0.96; 95% confidence interval, 0.88–1.05), unless patients treated with IIb/IIIa were excluded (radial group-IIb/IIIa odds ratio, 0.84; 95% confidence interval, 0.75–0.94).The number needed to treat to prevent 1 bleeding event with radial combination group was 138, whereas the number needed to treat to prevent 1 bleeding event in high-bleeding risk patients was 68.

Conclusions—

In this observational analysis, the combination of bivalirudin and radial access was associated with reduced bleeding event rate. This benefit was present across the entire spectrum of preprocedural risk of bleeding, with or without exposure to IIb/IIIa inhibitors. These data support an adequately powered randomized trial comparing bleeding avoidance strategies.
Variation in the Use of 12‐Lead Electrocardiography for Patients With Chest Pain by Emergency Medical Services in North Carolina
Authors: Bush Montika , Glickman Lawrence T. , Fernandez Antonio R. , Garvey J. L. , Glickman Seth W.
Published: August 2013

Background

Prehospital 12‐lead electrocardiography (
ECG
) is critical to timely
STEMI
care although its use remains inconsistent. Previous studies to identify reasons for failure to obtain a prehospital
ECG
have generally only focused on individual emergency medical service
(EMS)
systems in urban areas. Our study objective was to identify patient, geographic, and
EMS
agency‐related factors associated with failure to perform a prehospital
ECG
across a statewide geography.

Methods and Results

We analyzed data from the Prehospital Medical Information System (Pre
MIS
) in
N
orth
C
arolina from January 2008 to November 2010 for patients >30 years of age who used
EMS
and had a prehospital chief complaint of chest pain. Among 3.1 million
EMS
encounters, 134 350 patients met study criteria. From 2008–2010, 82 311 (61%) persons with chest pain received a prehospital
ECG
; utilization increased from 55% in 2008 to 65% in 2010 (trend
P
<0.001). Utilization by health referral region ranged from 22.9% to 74.2% and was lowest in rural areas. Men were more likely than women to have an
ECG
performed (63.0% vs 61.3%, adjusted
RR
1.02, 95%
CI
1.01 to 1.04). The certification‐level of the
EMS
provider (paramedic vsbasic/intermediate) and system‐level
ECG
equipment availability were the strongest predictors of
ECG
utilization. Persons in an ambulance with a certified paramedic were significantly more likely to receive a prehospital
ECG
than nonparamedics (
RR
2.15, 95%
CI
1.55, 2.99).

Conclusions

Across a large geographic area prehospital
ECG
use increased significantly, although important quality improvement opportunities remain. Increasing
ECG
availability and improving
EMS
certification and training levels are needed to improve overall care and reduce rural‐urban treatment differences.
Vascularization Pattern After Ischemic Stroke is Different in Control Versus Diabetic Rats
Authors: Prakash Roshini , Li Weiguo , Qu Zhi , Johnson Maribeth A. , Fagan Susan C. , Ergul Adviye
Published: August 2013

Background and Purpose—

Pre-existing diabetes mellitus worsens brain functionality in ischemic stroke. We have previously shown that type 2 diabetic rats exhibit enhanced dysfunctional cerebral neovascularization and when these rats are subjected to cerebral ischemic reperfusion injury develop hemorrhagic transformation and greater neurological deficits. However, our knowledge of vascular and functional plasticity during the recovery phase of diabetic stroke is limited. This study tested the hypothesis that vascular repair is impaired in the poststroke period in diabetes mellitus, and this is associated with poor sensorimotor and cognitive function. We further hypothesized that glycemic control prevents impaired vascularization and improves functional outcome in diabetes mellitus.

Methods—

Vascularization was assessed in the ipsilateral and contralateral hemispheres in control, diabetes mellitus and diabetes mellitus plus metformin groups 14 days after ischemic reperfusion injury, as well as in respective sham controls. Three-dimensional reconstruction of the fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-stained vasculature was achieved by confocal microscopy, and stereological parameters, including vascular volume and surface area, were measured. Astrogliosis was determined by glial fibrillary acidic protein staining. The relative rates of sensorimotor recovery, cognitive decline, and spontaneous activity were assessed.

Results—

Vascular density in the peri-infarct area was significantly reduced in diabetes mellitus, whereas there was reparative neovascularization in control rats. Astroglial swelling and reactivity were more pronounced in diabetic stroke compared with control stroke. Diabetes mellitus blunted sensorimotor recovery and also exacerbated anxiety-like symptoms and cognitive deficits. Glycemic control started after stroke partially prevented these changes.

Conclusions—

Diabetes mellitus impairs poststroke reparative neovascularization and impedes the recovery. Glycemic control after stroke can improve neurovascular repair and improve functional outcome.
Refining Angiographic Biomarkers of Revascularization
Authors: Yoo Albert J. , Simonsen Claus Z. , Prabhakaran Shyam , Chaudhry Zeshan A. , Issa Mohammad A. , Fugate Jennifer E. , Linfante Italo , Liebeskind David S. , Khatri Pooja , Jovin Tudor G. , Kallmes David F. , Dabus Guilherme , Zaidat Osama O.
Published: August 2013

Background and Purpose—

Angiographic revascularization grading after intra-arterial stroke therapy is limited by poor standardization, making it unclear which scale is optimal for predicting outcome. Using recently standardized criteria, we sought to compare the prognostic performance of 2 commonly used reperfusion scales.

Methods—

Inclusion criteria for this multicenter retrospective study were acute ischemic stroke attributable to middle cerebral artery M1 occlusion, intra-arterial therapy, and 90-day modified Rankin scale score. Post–intra-arterial therapy reperfusion was graded using the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) and Modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) scales. The scales were compared for prediction of clinical outcome using receiver-operating characteristic analysis.

Results—

Of 308 patients, mean age was 65 years, and median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 17. The mean time from stroke onset to groin puncture was 305 minutes. There was no difference in the time to treatment between patients grouped by final TIMI (ie, 0 versus 1 versus 2 versus 3) or mTICI grades (ie, 0 versus 1 versus 2a versus 2b versus 3). Good outcome (modified Rankin scale, 0–2) was achieved in 32.5% of patients, and mortality rate was 25.3% at 90 days. There was a 6.3% rate of parenchymal hematoma type 2. In receiver-operating characteristic analysis, mTICI was superior to TIMI for predicting 90-day modified Rankin scale 0 to 2 (c-statistic: 0.74 versus 0.68;
P
<0.0001). The optimal threshold for identifying a good outcome was mTICI 2b to 3 (sensitivity 78.0%; specificity 66.1%).

Conclusions—

mTICI is superior to TIMI for predicting clinical outcome after intra-arterial therapy. mTICI 2b to 3 is the optimal biomarker for procedural success.
The Pure and the Pious: Corporeality, Flow, and Transgression in Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity
Authors: Hannig Anita
Published: August 2013

Abstract

This article addresses a key problem at the intersection of medicine and religion: how do people fashion themselves into moral subjects in the midst of acute bodily suffering? In particular, how can we situate the wounded, porous body of obstetric fistula in relation to Ethiopian Orthodox Christian ideals of purity and containment? Through an analysis of regimens of embodied piety among Orthodox Christians in the Amhara region of Ethiopia, this article seeks to delineate the multiplicity of ways in which fistula sufferers are able to exercise their religiosity in the face of their physical affliction, and how they use the very symbols that would seem to alienate them to achieve a powerfully enlightened subject position. This study thus complicates static notions of the sacred to reveal the recursive nature of holiness, and shows that recognition of the body’s imperfection is built into the very system of Orthodox belief and practice.
Cymatosirella Dąbek, Witkowski & Sabbe gen. nov., a new marine benthic diatom genus (Bacillariophyta) belonging to the family Cymatosiraceae
Authors: DĄBEK PRZEMYSŁAW , SABBE KOEN , WITKOWSKI ANDRZEJ , ARCHIBALD COLIN , KURZYDŁOWSKI KRZYSZOF J. , ZGŁOBICKA IZABELA
Published: August 2013

We present a new marine benthic diatom genus Cymatosirella gen. nov. The genus belongs to the family Cymatosiraceae and has been assigned to the subfamily Extubocelluloideae on the basis of ultrastructural cell wall features. It has isovalvate cells with undulate valves and is characterized by the absence of tubular processes and the occurrence of hollow spines which are observed for the first time in the Cymatosiraceae. The new genus contains four species, two of which are transferred from the genus Cymatosira, viz. Cymatosirella capensis comb. nov. and Cymatosirella minutissima comb. nov., and two which are new to science, viz. Cymatosirella benguelensis sp. nov. and Cymatosirella taylorii sp. nov. Cymatosirella capensis is chosen as the generitype. The new genus includes a group of very small taxa inhabiting the intertidal zone of the Atlantic Ocean with three species in South Africa and one in Europe. C. capensis was originally described by Giffen from Langebaan Lagoon (a shallow marine inlet in the southern part of Saldanha Bay, Western Cape Province), on the basis of light microscopy only, and has to date only been illustrated by line drawings. C. minutissima, so far only known from the Westerschelde estuary (The Netherlands), has previously been documented in more detail using both light and electron microscopy. Here, we present the results of detailed light and electron microscopical investigations of C. capensis, both from its original type material and from recently collected samples from the type locality and neighboring littoral areas in the Western Cape Province, and of the new species C. benguelensis and C. taylorii, also from Western Cape localities. All species are compared with similar small taxa belonging to the Cymatosiraceae, subfamily Extubocelluloideae.
A systematic review of the genus Constempellina Kieffer (Diptera: Chironomidae) from the Russian Far East, with description of a new species
Authors: ZORINA OKSANA V.
Published: August 2013

A new species of the genus Constempellina Brundin, 1947, C. tokunagai sp. n., from the Russian Far East is described and figured as male, pupa and larva. The male and pupa of C. brevicosta (Edwards 1937) are redescribed and figured. Consequently, the generic diagnosis is emended. Keys to the males, pupae and larvae of Russian Constempellina are also given.
Two new species of the genus Xizicus, 1993 (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Meconematinae) from Xizang, China
Authors: JIAO JIAO , SHI FU-MING , GAO JIA-GUO
Published: August 2013

In this paper two new species of the genus Xizicus from Xizang, China are described, Xizicus (Axizicus) spinocercus Jiao & Shi sp. nov. and Xizicus (Axizicus) xizangensis Jiao & Shi sp. nov. The type specimens are deposited in the Museum of Hebei University.
Two new species and additional records of Lathrobium Gravenhorst (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Paederinae) from Guangxi, South China
Authors: Peng Zhong , Li Li-Zhen , Zhao Mei-Jun
Published: August 2013

Material of the paederine genus Lathrobium Gravenhorst, 1802 from the Chinese province of Guangxi is examined. Five apterous species are identified, two of which are described as new to science: L. damingense Peng & Li sp. n. (Daming Shan) and L. hujiayaoi Peng & Li sp. n. (Maoer Shan). The female sexual characters of L. proprium Peng & Li are described and illustrated for the first time. With the newly described species in this paper, the Lathrobium fauna of Guangxi constitutes 9 species, that of the entire mainland China 168 species.
Acrothoracican barnacles (Lithoglyptida) in Taiwan, including the taxonomic status of Balanodytes taiwanus Utinomi, 1950 and cryptic diversity of Auritoglyptes bicornis (Aurivillius, 1892)
Authors: CHAN Benny K.K. , CHEANG Chi Chiu , CHEN I-Han , KOLBASOV Gregory A.
Published: August 2013

We list five acrothoracican barnacles of the order Lithoglyptida currently found in Taiwanese waters, including two new records, Trypetesa habei Utinomi, 1962 and Berndtia purpurea Utinomi, 1950 and a new undescribed species of the genus Lithoglyptes. We also investigate the morphology and molecular genetics of Balanodytes taiwanus Utinomi, from its type locality, Taiwan. The original description of B. taiwanus in Utinomi (1950a) reported the absence of caudal appendages. Re-examination of the somatic body of one of the syntype specimens (the other syntype only having an opercular bar remaining) of B. taiwanus deposited in the Seto Marine Laboratory in Japan, revealed the presence of caudal appendages. The morphology of our specimens collected in various locations in Taiwan fits the description in Utinomi (1950a) and all have caudal appendages. The diagnosis of Balanodytes Utinomi, 1950 is revised herein. The genus Armatoglyptes Kolbasov & Newman, 2005 is a nomen nudum and a junior synonym of Balanodytes. Our results also show that the widespread species Lithoglyptes habei Tomlinson, 1963 is a junior synonym of B. taiwanensis. The molecular sequence divergencse of the 16S RNA and COI genes were studied for samples of another monotypic genus Auritoglyptes (A. bicornis) from different regions of Taiwan. It was shown that there are at least three phylogenetic clades in Taiwan, suggesting that Auritoglyptes represents a cryptic species complex.
Nemaspela ladae sp. n., a new troglobitic nemastomatid (Opiliones, Dyspnoi, Nemastomatidae) from a Dinaric cave
Authors: KARAMAN IVO M.
Published: August 2013

A new troglobitic Nemastomatidae from Mt. Romanija in Bosnia, is described and provisionally placed in the otherwise Caucasian genus Nemaspela Šilhavý, 1966 for sharing morphological similarities. Nemaspela ladae sp. n. seems not closely related to the second troglobitic Balkan genus Hadzinia Šilhavý, 1966, which shows closer relationship with Nemaspela femorecurvata Martens, 2006. New male specific characters shared by Hadzinia karamani (Hadži, 1940) and several similar, still undescribed species, indicate Hadzinia as an independent lineage. The unusual distribution of the Hadzinia-Nemaspela complex might indicate its relictual status as elements of the paleo-European mainland fauna, which survived adverse climatic changes during the Pleistocene in southern refuges. Possible relation of this complex with the fossils Mitostoma gruberi Dunlop and Mitov, 2009 from Bitterfeld and Baltic ambers is discussed. Further studies of the entire Hadzinia-Nemaspela complex and relatives are necessary to solve their phyletic and unusual zoogeographic connections.
Annotated Checklist of the large branchiopod crustaceans of Idaho, Oregon and Washington, USA, with the “rediscovery” of a new species of Branchinecta (Anostraca: Branchinectidae)
Authors: ROGERS D. CHRISTOPHER , HILL MATTHEW A.
Published: August 2013

We present a checklist of the large branchiopod crustaceans of Idaho, Oregon and Washington, USA. New distributional records are presented for most species, including the first records of Branchinecta constricta Rogers, 2006 and Lepidurus cryptus Rogers, 2001 from Idaho, the first record of B. oriena Belk & Rogers 2002 from Oregon, the first record of B. mackini Dexter, 1956 and Artemia franciscana Kellogg, 1906 co-occurring, and the first record of L. cryptus from Washington. Furthermore, we present the first record of Eulimnadia diversa Mattox, 1937 from west of the continental divide, which we interpret as an accidental introduction. In 1959, Lynch collected a new fairy shrimp species from Washington, deposited that material in the US National Museum, labeled “muddy fairy shrimp, Branchinecta lutulenta”, but never described it. Numerous efforts have been made to rediscover extant populations since 1999. We rediscovered this species in 2011, from two small pools from the vicinity of Lynch’s original collection site, which appears to have been destroyed. Branchinecta lutulenta sp. nov. is most closely related to B. lindahli Packard, 1883 and B. oterosanvicentei Obregón-Barboza et al., 2002. Branchinecta lutulenta sp. nov. is readily separable from all other Branchinecta species by the form of the male second antennal distal antennomere and the ornamentation of the female dorsum.
Erythrocyte nuclear size as a better diagnostic character than cell size in the identification of live cryptic polyploid species
Authors: OTERO MANUEL A. , GRENAT PABLO R. , VALETTI JULIAN A. , SALAS NANCY E. , MARTINO ADOLFO L.
Published: August 2013

It is well documented in anurans the cryptic condition of many species complexes involving polyploids. In these complexes the character that clearly differentiates them is the number of chromosome complements. The blood cells of amphibians conserve their nucleus, and so the erythrocyte size is correlated with the DNA content. We analyzed two cryptic-polyploid complexes occurring in the center of Argentina: Odontophrynus cordobae (2n)/O. americanus (4n) and Pleurodema kriegi (4n)/P. cordobae (8n). Our aim was evaluate the efficiency in the utilization of nuclear area with respect to cellular area of the erythrocytes to define the limits values for the identification of cryptic-polyploid species. We studied 110 individuals of Pleurodema and 116 individuals of Odontoprhynus. For each individual, we measured the cellular and nuclear length (L) and width (A) of 40 erythrocytes (Area= L*A*π/4) and boundary values were calculated using distribution curves. In both complexes studied, the erythrometric parameters showed significant differences between related species. Moreover, in both complexes the nuclear area was more efficient for identifying the species (Pleurodema: 34.39 μm² (probability=99.96%) and Odontophrynus: 24.02 μm² (99.075%)) than the cell area (Pleurodema: 273.08 μm² (97.55%) y Odontophrynus: 197.69 μm² (97.94%)). Greater efficiency found using nuclear area is novel and significant because most studies use only the cell area to differentiate polyploid complexes.
The Campsicnemus popeye species group (Diptera: Dolichopodidae) from French Polynesia
Authors: EVENHUIS NEAL L.
Published: August 2013

A new species-group (the popeye group) of the mega-diverse dolichopodid genus Campsicnemus from French Polynesia is described to include six new species: C. craigi Evenhuis, sp. nov.; C. elinae Evenhuis, sp. nov.; C. meyeri Evenhuis, sp. nov.; C. moorea Evenhuis, sp. nov.; C. pectinatus Evenhuis, sp. nov.; and C. popeye Evenhuis, sp. nov. Keys to Campsicnemus species groups in French Polynesia and to species in the C. popeye group are given.