bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High prevalence of haemoglobin S in the closed Egyptian community of Siwa Oasis
Authors: Moez Pacinte , Younan Doreen Nazeih Assaad
Published: December 2015

Background

Sickle cell haemoglobinopathy, the most frequent of the hereditary anomalies of haemoglobin, occurs most commonly in individuals of African descent. With a population of about 23 000, Siwa Oasis is situated in the Western Desert of Egypt, close to the Libyan border. It is Egypt's most remote oasis town and the Siwans have developed their own distinct Berber culture. Siwans represent a closed isolated community suffering from various health problems, among which is haemolytic anaemia.

Objectives

This study aimed at screening primary school children of Siwa Oasis for abnormal haemoglobin (Hb) profiles and determining the prevalence of Hb S among them.

Materials and methods

This descriptive and analytic study included 349 primary school children of both sexes, 153 males and 196 females with a male to female ratio of 1:1.3. Their ages ranged between 6 and 12 years. All subjects were screened for abnormal Hbs using complete blood counts and capillary Hb electrophoresis.

Results

Out of a total of 349 primary school children screened, 22% (77/349) were having abnormal Hb profiles, of whom 88% (68/77) had Hb S (ie, sickle cell disorder) constituting 20% of the total population studied. 94% of those having Hb S (64/68) had sickle cell trait (ie, Hb S less than 50%) constituting 18% of the total population screened, while 6% had sickle cell disease, having more than 50% Hb S.

Conclusions

The closed Egyptian community in Siwa Oasis has a high frequency of Hb S carriers and so represents one of the targets of prevention programmes to be implemented in Egypt in order to reduce the economic burden of health services for treating patients with sickle cell disease.

Trial registration number

1-25/15-1-2014.
Redefining the functional roles of the gastrointestinal migrating motor complex and motilin in small bacterial overgrowth and hunger signaling
Authors: Deloose Eveline , Tack Jan
Published: December 2015

During the fasting state the upper gastrointestinal tract exhibits a specific periodic migrating contraction pattern that is known as the migrating motor complex (MMC). Three different phases can be distinguished during the MMC. Phase III of the MMC is the most active of the three and can start either in the stomach or small intestine. Historically this pattern was designated to be the housekeeper of the gut since disturbances in the pattern were associated with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth; however, its role in the involvement of hunger sensations was already hinted in the beginning of the 20th century by both Cannon (Cannon W, Washburn A. Am J Physiol 29: 441–454, 1912) and Carlson (Carlson A. The Control of Hunger in Health and Disease. Chicago, IL: Univ. of Chicago Press, 1916). The discovery of motilin in 1973 shed more light on the control mechanisms of the MMC. Motilin plasma levels fluctuate together with the phases of the MMC and induce phase III contractions with a gastric onset. Recent research suggests that these motilin-induced phase III contractions signal hunger in healthy subjects and that this system is disturbed in morbidly obese patients. This minireview describes the functions of the MMC in the gut and its regulatory role in controlling hunger sensations.
Biological modeling of mucus to modulate mucus barriers
Authors: Desseyn Jean-Luc , Gouyer Valérie , Gottrand Frédéric
Published: December 2015

A recent study using a transgenic mouse, whose intestinal mucus contains a molecule made of 12 copies of a domain found in many gelling mucins, demonstrates that it is possible to strengthen mucus properties in situ, leading to promising new treatment strategies in diseases in which the mucosal barrier is impaired.
Blockade of CCR2 reduces macrophage influx and development of chronic renal damage in murine renovascular hypertension
Authors: Kashyap Sonu , Warner Gina M. , Hartono Stella P. , Boyilla Rajendra , Knudsen Bruce E. , Zubair Adeel S. , Lien Karen , Nath Karl A. , Textor Stephen C. , Lerman Lilach O. , Grande Joseph P.
Published: December 2015

Renovascular hypertension (RVH) is a common cause of both cardiovascular and renal morbidity and mortality. In renal artery stenosis (RAS), atrophy in the stenotic kidney is associated with an influx of macrophages and other mononuclear cells. We tested the hypothesis that chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) inhibition would reduce chronic renal injury by reducing macrophage influx in the stenotic kidney of mice with RAS. We employed a well-established murine model of RVH to define the relationship between macrophage infiltration and development of renal atrophy in the stenotic kidney. To determine the role of chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2)/CCR2 signaling in the development of renal atrophy, mice were treated with the CCR2 inhibitor RS-102895 at the time of RAS surgery and followed for 4 wk. Renal tubular epithelial cells expressed CCL2 by 3 days following surgery, a time at which no significant light microscopic alterations, including interstitial inflammation, were identified. Macrophage influx increased with time following surgery. At 4 wk, the development of severe renal atrophy was accompanied by an influx of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)+ and CD206+ macrophages that coexpressed F4/80, with a modest increase in macrophages coexpressing arginase 1 and F4/80. The CCR2 inhibitor RS-102895 attenuated renal atrophy and significantly reduced the number of dual-stained F4/80+ iNOS+ and F4/80+ CD206+ but not F4/80+ arginase 1+ macrophages. CCR2 inhibition reduces iNOS+ and CD206+ macrophage accumulation that coexpress F4/80 and renal atrophy in experimental renal artery stenosis. CCR2 blockade may provide a novel therapeutic approach to humans with RVH.
HL156A, a novel AMP-activated protein kinase activator, is protective against peritoneal fibrosis in an in vivo and in vitro model of peritoneal fibrosis
Authors: Ju Kyung Don , Kim Hyo Jin , Tsogbadrakh Bodokhsuren , Lee Jinho , Ryu Hyunjin , Cho Eun Jin , Hwang Young-Hwan , Kim Kiwon , Yang Jaeseok , Ahn Curie , Oh Kook-Hwan
Published: December 2015

HL156A is a novel AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activator. We aimed to investigate the protective mechanism of HL156A against peritoneal fibrosis (PF) in in vivo and in vitro models. The rat PF model was induced by daily intraperitoneally injection of chlorhexidine (CHX) solution containing 0.1% CHX gluconate and 15% ethanol for 4 wk. The rats in the treatment group were treated with HL156A (1 mg·kg−1·day−1). Control rats were injected with vehicle alone. In vitro, cultured rat peritoneal mesothelial cells (RPMCs) were treated with either high glucose (HG; 50 mM), normal glucose (NG; 5 mM), NG+HL156A, or HG+HL156A. HL156A in supplemented rats ameliorated peritoneal calcification, cocoon formation, bowel obstruction, and PF. Immunohistochemistry showed reduced fibronectin accumulation in the peritoneum of HL156A-treated rats compared with those injected with CHX alone. HL156A treatment of RPMCs inhibited HG-induced myofibroblast transdifferentiation and markers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Moreover, HL156A ameliorated HG-induced transforming growth factor-β1, Smad3, Snail, and fibronectin expression in the RPMCs via AMPK upregulation. These results suggest that HL156A exhibits a protective effect in PF progression. Further research is warranted to seek the therapeutic potential of HL156A as an antifibrotic agent in peritoneal dialysis patients.
Aging has small effects on initial ischemic acute kidney injury development despite changing intrarenal immunologic micromilieu in mice
Authors: Jang Hye Ryoun , Park Ji Hyeon , Kwon Ghee Young , Park Jae Berm , Lee Jung Eun , Kim Dae Joong , Kim Yoon-Goo , Kim Sung Joo , Oh Ha Young , Huh Wooseong
Published: December 2015

Inflammatory process mediated by innate and adaptive immune systems is a major pathogenic mechanism of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). There are concerns that organ recipients may be at increased risk of developing IRI after receiving kidneys from elder donors. To reveal the effects of aging on the development of renal IRI, we compared the immunologic micromilieu of normal and postischemic kidneys from mice of three different ages (9 wk, 6 mo, and 12 mo). There was a higher number of total T cells, especially effector memory CD4/CD8 T cells, and regulatory T cells in the normal kidneys of old mice. On day 2 after IRI, the proportion of necrotic tubules and renal functional changes were comparable between groups although old mice had a higher proportion of damaged tubule compared with young mice. More T cells, but less B cells, trafficked into the postischemic kidneys of old mice. The infiltration of NK T cells was similar across the groups. Macrophages and neutrophils were comparable between groups in both normal kidneys and postischemic kidneys. The intrarenal expressions of TNF-α and VEGF were decreased in normal and postischemic kidneys of aged mice. These mixed effects of aging on lymphocytes and cytokines/chemokines were not different between the two groups of old mice. Our study demonstrates that aging alters the intrarenal micromilieu but has small effects on the development of initial renal injury after IRI. Further study investigating aging-dependent differences in the repair process of renal IRI may be required.
ROMK inhibitor actions in the nephron probed with diuretics
Authors: Kharade Sujay V. , Flores Daniel , Lindsley Craig W. , Satlin Lisa M. , Denton Jerod S.
Published: December 2015

Diuretics acting on specific nephron segments to inhibit Na+ reabsorption have been used clinically for decades; however, drug interactions, tolerance, and derangements in serum K+ complicate their use to achieve target blood pressure. ROMK is an attractive diuretic target, in part, because its inhibition is postulated to indirectly inhibit the bumetanide-sensitive Na+-K+-2Cl− cotransporter (NKCC2) and the amiloride- and benzamil-sensitive epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC). The development of small-molecule ROMK inhibitors has created opportunities for exploring the physiological responses to ROMK inhibition. The present study evaluated how inhibition of ROMK alone or in combination with NKCC2, ENaC, or the hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) target NCC alter fluid and electrolyte transport in the nephron. The ROMK inhibitor VU591 failed to induce diuresis when administered orally to rats. However, another ROMK inhibitor, termed compound A, induced a robust natriuretic diuresis without kaliuresis. Compound A produced additive effects on urine output and Na+ excretion when combined with HCTZ, amiloride, or benzamil, but not when coadministered with bumetanide, suggesting that the major diuretic target site is the thick ascending limb (TAL). Interestingly, compound A inhibited the kaliuretic response induced by bumetanide and HCTZ, an effect we attribute to inhibition of ROMK-mediated K+ secretion in the TAL and CD. Compound A had no effect on heterologously expressed flow-sensitive large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels (Slo1/β1). In conclusion, compound A represents an important new pharmacological tool for investigating the renal consequences of ROMK inhibition and therapeutic potential of ROMK as a diuretic target.
Luminal angiotensin II stimulates rat medullary thick ascending limb chloride transport in the presence of basolateral norepinephrine
Authors: Baum Michel
Published: December 2015

Angiotensin II (ANG II) is secreted by the proximal tubule resulting in a luminal concentration that is 100- to 1,000-fold greater than that in the blood. Luminal ANG II has been shown to stimulate sodium transport in the proximal tubule and distal nephron. Surprisingly, luminal ANG II inhibits NaCl transport in the medullary thick ascending limb (mTAL), a nephron segment responsible for a significant amount of NaCl absorption from the glomerular ultrafiltrate. We confirmed that addition of 10−8M ANG II to the lumen inhibited mTAL chloride transport (220 ± 19 to 165 ± 25 pmol·mm−1·min−1, P < 0.01) and examined whether an interaction with basolateral norepinephrine existed to simulate the in vivo condition of an innervated tubule. We found that in the presence of a 10−6M norepinephrine bath, luminal ANG II stimulated mTAL chloride transport from 298 ± 18 to 364 ± 42 pmol·mm−1·min−1( P < 0.05). Stimulation of chloride transport by luminal ANG II was also observed with 10−3M bath dibutyryl cAMP in the bathing solution and bath isoproterenol. A bath of 10−5H-89 blocked the stimulation of chloride transport by norepinephrine and prevented the effect of luminal ANG II to either stimulate or inhibit chloride transport. Bath phentolamine, an α-adrenergic agonist, also prevented the decrease in mTAL chloride transport by luminal ANG II. Thus luminal ANG II increases chloride transport with basolateral norepinephrine; an effect likely mediated by stimulation of cAMP. Alpha-1 adrenergic stimulation prevents the inhibition of chloride transport by luminal ANG II.
Chronic nicotine exposure exacerbates transient focal cerebral ischemia-induced brain injury
Authors: Li Chun , Sun Hong , Arrick Denise M. , Mayhan William G.
Published: December 2015

Tobacco smoking is a risk factor contributing to the development and progression of ischemic stroke. Among many chemicals in tobacco, nicotine may be a key contributor. We hypothesized that nicotine alters the balance between oxidant and antioxidant networks leading to an increase in brain injury following transient focal cerebral ischemia. Male Sprague-Dawley were treated with nicotine (2 or 4 mg·kg−1·day−1) for 4 wk via an implanted subcutaneous osmotic minipump and subjected to a 2-h middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Infarct size and neurological deficits were evaluated at 24 h of reperfusion. Superoxide levels were determined by lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence. Expression of oxidant and antioxidant proteins was measured using Western blot analysis. We found that chronic nicotine exposure significantly increased infarct size and worsened neurological deficits. In addition, nicotine significantly elevated superoxide levels of cerebral cortex under basal conditions. Transient focal cerebral ischemia produced an increase in superoxide levels of cerebral cortex in control group, but no further increase was found in the nicotine group. Furthermore, chronic nicotine exposure did not alter protein expression of NADPH oxidase but significantly decreased MnSOD and uncoupling protein-2 (UCP-2) in the cerebral cortex and cerebral arteries. Our findings suggest that nicotine-induced exacerbation in brain damage following transient focal cerebral ischemia may be related to a preexisting oxidative stress via decreasing of MnSOD and UCP-2.
Evaluating countermeasures in spaceflight analogs
Authors: Ploutz-Snyder Lori
Published: December 2015

Countermeasures are defined as solutions to prevent the undesirable physiologic outcomes associated with spaceflight. Spaceflight analogs provide a valuable opportunity for the evaluation of countermeasures because they allow for the evaluation of more subjects, more experimental control, and are considerably less expensive than actual spaceflight. The various human analogs have differing strengths and weaknesses with respect to the development and evaluation of countermeasures. The human analogs are briefly reviewed with a focus on their suitability for countermeasure evaluation. Bed rest is the most commonly used analog for evaluating countermeasures. While countermeasures are typically developed to target one or maybe two particular physiologic issues, it is increasingly important to evaluate all of the organ systems to discern whether they might be unintended consequences on nontargeted tissues. In preparation for Mars exploration it will be necessary to fully integrate countermeasures to protect all organ systems. The synergistic and antagonistic effects of multiple countermeasures needs to be the focus of future work.
The Effect of Bacteriophage Preparations on Intracellular Killing of Bacteria by Phagocytes
Authors: Jończyk-Matysiak Ewa , Łusiak-Szelachowska Marzanna , Kłak Marlena , Bubak Barbara , Międzybrodzki Ryszard , Weber-Dąbrowska Beata , Żaczek Maciej , Fortuna Wojciech , Rogóż Paweł , Letkiewicz Sławomir , Szufnarowski Krzysztof , Górski Andrzej
Published: December 2015

Intracellular killing of bacteria is one of the fundamental mechanisms against invading pathogens. Impaired intracellular killing of bacteria by phagocytes may be the reason of chronic infections and may be caused by antibiotics or substances that can be produced by some bacteria. Therefore, it was of great practical importance to examine whether phage preparations may influence the process of phagocyte intracellular killing of bacteria. It may be important especially in the case of patients qualified for experimental phage therapy (approximately half of the patients with chronic bacterial infections have their immunity impaired). Our analysis included 51 patients with chronic Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial infections treated with phage preparations at the Phage Therapy Unit in Wroclaw. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of experimental phage therapy on intracellular killing of bacteria by patients’ peripheral blood monocytes and polymorphonuclear neutrophils. We observed that phage therapy does not reduce patients’ phagocytes’ ability to kill bacteria, and it does not affect the activity of phagocytes in patients with initially reduced ability to kill bacteria intracellularly. Our results suggest that experimental phage therapy has no significant adverse effects on the bactericidal properties of phagocytes, which confirms the safety of the therapy.
Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of Sequential Treatment of Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in the United States: A Decision Analysis
Authors: Rochau Ursula , Kluibenschaedl Martina , Stenehjem David , Kuan-Ling Kuo , Radich Jerald , Oderda Gary , Brixner Diana , Siebert Uwe
Published: December 2015

Currently several tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are approved for treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Our goal was to identify the optimal sequential treatment strategy in terms of effectiveness and cost-effectiveness for CML patients within the US health care context. We evaluated 18 treatment strategies regarding survival, quality-adjusted survival, and costs. For model parameters, the literature data, expert surveys, registry data, and economic databases were used. Evaluated strategies included imatinib, dasatinib, nilotinib, bosutinib, ponatinib, stem-cell transplantation (SCT), and chemotherapy. We developed a Markov state-transition model, which was analyzed as a cohort simulation over a lifelong time horizon with a third-party payer perspective and discount rate of 3%. Remaining life expectancies ranged from 5.4 years (3.9 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs)) for chemotherapy treatment without TKI to 14.4 years (11.1 QALYs) for nilotinib→dasatinib→chemotherapy/SCT. In the economic evaluation, imatinib→chemotherapy/SCT resulted in an incremental cost-utility ratio (ICUR) of $171,700/QALY compared to chemotherapy without TKI. Imatinib→nilotinib→chemotherapy/SCT yielded an ICUR of $253,500/QALY compared to imatinib→chemotherapy/SCT. Nilotinib→dasatinib→chemotherapy/SCT yielded an ICUR of $445,100/QALY compared to imatinib→nilotinib→chemotherapy/SCT. All remaining strategies were excluded due to dominance of the clinically superior strategies. Based on our analysis and current treatment guidelines, imatinib→nilotinib→chemotherapy/SCT and nilotinib→dasatinib→chemotherapy/SCT can be considered cost-effective for patients with CML, depending on willingness-to-pay.
Hydrogen Sulfide Attenuates Myocardial Hypoxia-Reoxygenation Injury by Inhibiting Autophagy via mTOR Activation
Authors: Xiao Jian , Zhu Xiaoyan , Kang Bo , Xu Jibin , Wu Lihui , Hong Jiang , Zhang Yufeng , Ni Xin , Wang Zhinong
Published: December 2015

Background: Autophagy plays a significant role in myocardial ischemia reperfusion (IR) injury. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been demonstrated to protect cardiomyocytes against IR injury, while whether it has anti-autophagy effect has not been known. The aim of this study was to investigate whether H2S regulates autophagy during IR injury and its possible mechanism. Methods and Results: The cardiomyocytes of neonatal rats were randomized into Con, hypoxia-reoxygenation (HR) and H2S protection groups. The severity of cell injury was evaluated by cell vitality (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays, and autophagy level was evaluated by flow cytometry and the assessment of autophagy-related gene (Atg) expression, such as that of Beclin1 and LC3-II. In response to H2S, Beclin1 and LC3-II protein were found to be down-regulated and p-mTOR protein was found to be up-regulated, together with an increase in cell vitality and a decrease in LDH. Furthermore, to find out whether mTOR was involved in the protective effect of H2S, rapamycin, inhibiter of mTOR, was used with or without applying NaHS and HR. It was found that rapamycin attenuated the myocardiocyte protective effect of H2S. To demonstrate the effect of autophagy during HR injury, the cardiomyocytes were pre-treated with 3-MA, which is an autophagy inhibitor, cell injury was attenuated by 3-MA. Conclusions: H2S plays a myocardial protective role against IR injury by regulating autophagy via mTOR activation.
Pregnancy Data in a Turkish Multiple Sclerosis Population
Authors: Altintas Ayse , Najar Bjar , Gozubatik-Celik Gokcen , Menku Sukriye F.
Published: December 2015

Background: To conduct the first retrospective clinical study investigating pregnancy in Turkish multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Summary: We evaluated 558 pregnancies in 199 MS patients and results were compared with general Turkish population's data. The fertility rate in the MS group was found to be lower than that in the general population, even before MS diagnosis was established. Our study suggests that the higher number of pregnancies may have a favorable effect on transition from relapsing-remitting MS to secondary progressive MS, although no effect has been shown regarding the possibility to reach EDSS 6.0 as a milestone. Key Messages: Our data support the conclusion that MS does not have a negative effect on the MS course and disability.
Total Fluoride Intake by Children from a Tropical Brazilian City
Authors: Lima Carolina V. , Cury Jaime A. , Vale Glauber C. , Lima Marina D.M. , Moura Lúcia de Fátima A.D. , de Moura Marcoeli Silva
Published: December 2015

The main sources of fluoride intake by children are fluoridated water and toothpaste. Little has been studied regarding fluoride intake from these sources in regions with tropical climates and high temperatures throughout the year. This study aimed to determine the amount of fluoride ingested from diet and tooth brushing by children who live in a city with a tropical climate. Sixty-seven children from Teresina, Piauí, Brazil, took part in this study. The city's water supply was optimally fluoridated. The duplicate-diet method was used to determine the fluoride intake from diet. The intake of fluoride from dentifrice was determined by subtracting the amount of fluoride placed on the toothbrush and that recovered after brushing. The concentration of fluoride was measured using an ion-specific electrode and is expressed as milligrams/kilogram of body weight/day. The mean (±SD) total amount was 0.071 ± 0.036 mg F/kg body weight/day, and the relative contributions of diet and toothpaste were 0.025 ± 0.010 and 0.046 ± 0.035, respectively. The factors associated with fluoride intake from toothpaste were: use of children's toothpaste (p = 0.003), use of large amounts of toothpaste (p < 0.001), and a high frequency of tooth brushing (p = 0.003). Sixty-four percent of children had an intake of less than 0.07 mg F/kg body weight/day, which is considered the upper limit for an aesthetically tolerable fluorosis risk. The results suggest that the amount of fluoride ingested by most children who live in a Brazilian city with a tropical climate is considered safe in terms of the risk of dental fluorosis.
Assessment of Social Cognition and Theory of Mind: Initial Validation of the Geneva Social Cognition Scale
Authors: Martory Marie-Dominique , Pegna Alan John , Sheybani Laurent , Métral Mélanie , Bernasconi Pertusio Françoise , Annoni Jean-Marie
Published: December 2015

Background: Social cognition is widely studied in neurology. At present, such evaluations are designed for research or for specific diseases and simple general clinical tools are lacking. We propose a clinical evaluation tool for social cognition, the Geneva Social Cognition Scale (GeSoCS). Methods: The GeSoCS is a 100-point scale composed of 6 subtests (theory of mind stories, recognition of social emotions, false beliefs, inferences, absurdity judgement and planning abilities) chosen from different validated tests of social and cognitive evaluation. Eighty-four patients with neurological disorders and 52 controls participated in the study. Evaluation duration lasted 20-60 min. Results: Mean scores were 92.6 ± 4.5 for controls and 76.5 ± 15.3 for patients and differentiate patients and controls in all subtests. With a cut-off score of 84, the scale had a sensitivity of 62% and a specificity of 94%. In our stroke subgroup, right CVAs failed in cartoons, inferences, ‘mind in the eyes', and in the temporal rule task while left CVAs were impaired in verbal/discourse tasks (social cognition, inferences, absurd stories, and cartoons. Conclusions: The GeSoCS is a medium duration assessment tool that appears to detect and characterize significant social impairment in neurological patients.
Risk Factors for Arm Lymphedema in a Cohort of Breast Cancer Patients Followed up for 10 Years
Authors: da Costa Vieira René Aloisio , Mafra da Costa Allini , Lopes de Souza Josue , Richieri Coelho Rafael , Zanardo de Oliveira Cleyton , Sarri Almir José , Affonso Junior Renato José , Zucca-Matthes Gustavo
Published: December 2015

Background: The etiology of lymphedema is multifactorial, and definition criteria of lymphedema, its limitation, and follow-up must be considered in studies related to risk factors. The aim of this study is to evaluate risk factors related to arm lymphedema in a cohort study with a long follow-up. Patients and Methods: The study was performed in 622 breast cancer patients. The main endpoint reported was the presence of clinical lymphedema reported in medical records. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify factors related to lymphedema. Results: 66.4% of the patients were submitted to mastectomy, 88.4% to level III axillary lymphadenectomy, 34.9% to radiotherapy in the supraclavicular fossa, and 4.3% to axillary radiotherapy. The mean follow-up was 96.7 months. 45 patients (7.2%) developed lymphedema, of which 82.2% had developed lymphedema at 60 months. Univariate regression analysis showed that supraclavicular radiotherapy, adjuvant/palliative chemotherapy, ≥ 15 lymph nodes dissected, and axillary surgery increase the lymphedema rate by 1.87, 2.28, 2.03, and 6.17, respectively. Adjusted multivariate regression analysis showed that the combination of axillary dissection and number of lymph nodes dissected was the main factor related to lymphedema (p = 0.017). Conclusion: In the pre-sentinel era, axillary dissection and the number of lymph nodes resected are related to 10-year lymphedema.
Missed Diagnosis of an Intraorbital Foreign Body of Homemade Fireworks Origin: A Case Report
Authors: Zhou Dan-dan , Niu Kai , Lu Cheng-wei , Hao Ji-long , Zhang Bing-jie , Hui Peng
Published: December 2015

Purpose: We report a rare case of traumatic injury to the eye caused by homemade fireworks in a Chinese juvenile patient with a metal ring left in the orbit after having been sutured at the Emergency Department. Methods: An 11-year-old boy presented with a traumatic injury to the right eye from homemade fireworks. Following initial assessment involving maxillofacial computed tomography (CT) and suturing at the Emergency Department, he was transferred to our department for further evaluation because of his poor sight 1 day later. On examination, a skin laceration beneath the right eyebrow was noted, but the superior orbit was not fully visible on the maxillofacial CT performed 1 day previously. Therefore, an orbital CT scan was carried out on the second day, which showed a hyperdense ring embedded in the superior border of the orbital wall; the ring was surgically removed. On postoperative day 7, a fundus examination revealed resolving vitreous hemorrhage, blunt traumatic retinal detachment, and a large retinal tear superior to the macula. The patient refused to take surgery for retinal detachment into consideration. Therefore, we opted for oral steroids and careful observation. Results: After 2 months' observation, the large retinal tear had healed and white fibrous scar tissue had developed, and the retinal detachment superior to the macula had reattached itself spontaneously. The patient's vision had further improved to 20/200. During 1 year of follow-up, he remained clinically stable. Conclusion: To avoid missing the diagnosis, a complete history of the mechanism of injury and accurate imaging still prove most useful. Complete removal of the foreign body by the emergency physician is necessary because of the ocular toxicity of an iron-containing foreign body. As evidenced by the current case, oral steroids and observation for a period of several months is a management of choice for traumatic retinal detachment and retinal tear superior to the macula associated with homemade fireworks in children.
Rab11a Mediates Vascular Endothelial-Cadherin Recycling and Controls Endothelial Barrier Function
Authors: Yan Zhibo , Wang Zhen-Guo , Segev Nava , Hu Sanyuan , Minshall Richard D. , Dull Randal O. , Zhang Meihong , Malik Asrar B. , Hu Guochang
Published: December 2015

Objective—

Vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin is the predominant component of endothelial adherens junctions essential for cell–cell adhesion and formation of the vascular barrier. Endocytic recycling is an important mechanism for maintaining the expression of cell surface membrane proteins. However, little is known about the molecular mechanism of VE-cadherin recycling and its role in maintenance of vascular integrity.

Approach and Results—

Using calcium-switch assay, confocal imaging, cell surface biotinylation, and flow cytometry, we showed that VE-cadherin recycling required Ras-related proteins in brain (Rab)11a and Rab11 family-interacting protein 2. Yeast 2-hybrid assay and coimmunoprecipitation demonstrated that direct interaction of VE-cadherin with family-interacting protein 2 (at aa 453–484) formed a ternary complex with Rab11a in human endothelial cells. Silencing of Rab11a or Rab11 family-interacting protein 2 in endothelial cells prevented VE-cadherin recycling and VE-cadherin expression at endothelial plasma membrane. Furthermore, inactivation of Rab11a signaling blocked junctional reannealing after vascular inflammation. Selective knockdown of Rab11a in pulmonary microvessels markedly increased vascular leakage in mice challenged with lipopolysaccharide or polymicrobial sepsis.

Conclusions—

Rab11a/Rab11 family-interacting protein 2–mediated VE-cadherin recycling is required for formation of adherens junctions and restoration of VE barrier integrity and hence a potential target for clinical intervention in inflammatory disease.
A Husband is More Important Than a Child
Authors: Kanavou Nikoletta
Published: December 2015

This article makes a fresh contribution to the interpretation of the ending of Chariton’s novel—an ending that has troubled many scholars, mainly due to the eventual separation of the loving couple from their biological child. It is argued that the outcome of Chariton’s plot is artistically prepared and is convincing to his readers; the argument relies on the realistic character of Chariton’s plot, and more importantly, on the elevation of the concept ofsophrosyneto the status of a basic feature of both plot and characterisation.
Satire and Historiography
Authors: Tamiolaki Melina
Published: December 2015

This paper examines the reception of classical historiography in Lucian’sDe historia conscribendaby suggesting that classical historians constitute a vehicle through which the author constructs his ownpersona; while presenting the rules of historiography, Lucian often equates himself to the classical historians. After offering a brief outline of the relevant vocabulary, expressions and allusions, I argue that Lucian’s exploitation of classical historiography does not aim merely at aesthetic imitation or parody, but serves a deeper function: Lucian wishes to establish a connection between theact(traits, process) and thetheoryof history writing and uses the former in order to legitimize the latter. Furthermore, his adaptation of classical historians (especially Thucydides) has a self-referential aspect, since the ideal historian should possess the qualities of the competent orator that Lucian himself represents. I interpret these traits of Lucian’s treatise by taking into account the cultural context of the second sophistic, as well as Lucian’s thematic interests and priorities.
Economic Liberalization and Intergenerational Mobility in Occupational Status
Authors: Gugushvili Alexi
Published: December 2015

One of the most important components of post-socialist transition has been economic liberalization. This article inquiries into how the latter is associated with intergenerational mobility in occupational status. Using European Values Studies (evs) data from the nationally representative samples for a large number of post-socialist societies, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (ebrd) index of economic liberalization, and multilevel mixed-effects linear regressions, I test the “meritocracy as functional imperative” perspective which implies that life chances depend on the efficiency considerations of liberalized economy. The derived results are robust to alternative model and variable specifications and suggest that economic liberalization explains cross-national differences in intergenerational status reproduction, and is better suited for macro-sociological models of mobility in occupational status than other conventional contextual explanations such as economic development and income inequality.
Politics without Commerce? Explaining the Discontinuity in Soviet-Nigerian Relations, 1971-1979
Authors: Ifidon Ehimika A. , Osarumwense Charles O.
Published: December 2015

The paper set out to explain the discontinuity in Soviet-Nigerian relations between the periods 1967-1970 and 1971-1979. The explanation usually given for the poor relations between Nigeria and the Soviet Union between 1960 and 1966 is the anti-communism of the Nigerian political elite; and ideological incompatibility for the non-vibrant relations between 1971 and 1979. These explanations appear idealistic and hypothetical. A major source of the problem of explanation is the consideration of Soviet-Nigerian relations only within the context of the Soviet-American Cold War struggle, from a trilateral perspective. What if the Cold War did not exist, what would have been the nature of Soviet-Nigerian relations? Adopting a bilateral framework, the paper argues that it was the inchoate state of trade relations, which would have provided the basis for continuity across administrations, that retarded Soviet-Nigerian political relations between 1971 and 1979.
Perceived Social Mobility and Political Trust in China
Authors: Su Zhenhua , Cao Yang , He Jingkai , Huang Waibin
Published: December 2015

Existing studies have traced China’s high political trust to three sources: traditional culture, the state’s success in fostering economic growth, and ideological propaganda. We identify a fourth source: perceived social mobility. We argue that when people perceive a reasonable chance for upward mobility based on personal initiatives and efforts, the status quo becomes more justifiable because individuals are responsible for their own successes and failures. Perceived social mobility thus instills a sense of optimism and fairness and exonerates the regime from many blames, thereby enhancing political trust. Regression analysis of the China portion of the 2007 World Values Survey data shows that respondents who saw themselves as having choices and control in life were indeed more likely to trust the ruling communist party. The respondents’ overall level of perceived social mobility is also high, which is consistent with the massive shake-up of the preexisting social order in China’s reform era.
Attitudes toward Human Rights
Authors: Guo Jeffrey J. , Kao Meei-Ying
Published: December 2015

The issue of human rights has gained attention in Taiwan, and this study represents a breakthrough regarding the use of an interdisciplinary research approach that includes a psychological focus. We utilized multiscale questionnaires to test the attitudes toward human rights from different perspectives. The results showed that the following: (1) The modal personalities of Taiwan, namely the authoritarian and dogmatic personalities, are not conducive to the development of human rights; (2) civil liberalism and globalism are good for the development of individual personalities, while patriotism and nationalism are not entirely bad, but support civil constraint; and (3) individuals in favor of civil liberalism are in the minority and face more difficulty in adapting to the Taiwanese environment. Our recommendation is that leaders who are strong in civil liberalism must be elected to encourage a culture of “obedience” and “disparate layout” for the development of human rights in Taiwan.
Mora creditoris im römischen Recht
Authors: Reetz Pia
Published: December 2015

The German civil code (BGB) establishes that the creditor defaults when he delays his acceptance, regardless of the question of fault. Since the creditor is still obliged to pay the debtor, the creditor only harms himself by not accepting performance. On the other hand, it is stated in the special section of the BGB that the emptor is not entitled to reject performance. With regard to the question as to whether such an obligation was known in classical Roman law, the source material remains ambiguous. But the relevant fragments can be systematized to the extent that they aim to balance the conflicting interests of creditor and debtor. In comparing the solution according to classical Roman law with the legal position of the BGB, the interplay between the provision on creditor’s delay and the emptor’s duty to accept performance result in a legal solution which is quite similar to the balance of interests found in classical ­Roman law even though it is based on a different legal ideology.
Consequences of changing expectations to law and its institutions
Authors: Koch Sören
Published: December 2015

The paper focuses on the reasons for and effects of the establishment of appellate courts in Norway. Based on the assumption that the introduction of an appellate system was caused by – and at the same time produced – expectations of law, the author reconstructs central features of the Norwegian legal order and its surrounding legal culture. By especially looking at the crucial role of the legal office of the lawman (lagmann), both in the development of the judicature in general and especially in the courts of appeal, the legacy of the medieval popular assembly (þing / ting) is traced back to its historical roots. The author identifies a close relationship between the increasing influence of state power, the demand for an effective judiciary and prevailing ideals of justice. The result was a not always intended but continuous professionalisation of the judges until the 19th century. The introduction of a jury – consisting of lay judges – appears on this background as aberration. However, as expectations on law had changed, the participation of lay judges had become a political desire in Norway from approximately 1830. To support this political claim the judiciary was restructured by applying a deeply unhistorical perception of the judiciary’s historical roots. Due to contradicting political tendencies it took about 60 years to finally establish the jury-system. Despite the fact that the institution of the jury was constantly criticized by legal scientists and legal practitioners alike and despite losing its political backing already decades ago, it still continues to exist. Obviously, the romantic notion of folks-courts still has not lost its attraction jet. The paper demonstrates that this notion is – seen from a historical perspective – unsustainable.
Nyctaginaceae: A taxonomic treatment for the Flora of Namibia
Authors: Struwig Madeleen , Klaassen Esmerialda S , Kwembeya Ezekiel G
Published: December 2015

A taxonomic treatment of the Nyctaginaceae for the Flora of Namibia is presented, including the description of the family, keys to the genera and species, nomenclature, descriptions of all generic and infrageneric taxa, as well as data about the habitat, elevation, flowering time and distribution. Namibia is the centre of diversity for the family in southern Africa and is represented by four genera and 17 species distributed throughout the country. The names Mirabilis divaricata, Boerhavia atomaria, B. viscosa, B. coccinea f. parcehirsuta and B. stellata are typified on specimens respectively preserved at BM, PH, G, B and an illustration.
Three new endangered species of Trembleya DC. (Melastomataceae: Microlicieae) from Minas Gerais, Brazil
Authors: Pacifico Ricardo Bressan , Rodrigues Karina Fidanza
Published: December 2015

During the preparation of a monograph of Trembleya DC. (Melastomataceae) three new species were found that are here described and illustrated: Trembleya acuminata can be recognized by its ovate and vernicose leaves with an acuminate-cuspidate apex, 6-merous flowers, and 4-locular ovary. Trembleya botaensis and Trembleya thomazii are closely related, differing by the indumentum with only sessile glands, white/purple colored petals, calyx lobes without a glandular apical seta, and by the apically rounded connective of the antesepalous stamens in Trembleya thomazii.
Nomenclatural notes in the Pleurothallidinae (Orchidaceae): Apoda-prorepentia
Authors: Karremans Adam P. , Rincón-González Milton
Published: December 2015

A new species of Acianthera, A. serratifolia, is described and illustrated based on material from Colombia. The species belongs to a small group of species that has alternatively been placed in the genus Apoda-prorepentia. Nevertheless, Apoda-prorepentia is embedded within Acianthera and therefore reduced to synonymy. The required new combinations are proposed.
Numerical Study of Motion and Stability of Falling Columnar Crystals
Authors: Hashino Tempei , Cheng Kai-Yuan , Chueh Chih-Che , Wang Pao K.
Published: December 2015

Understanding of the flow field and falling patterns of ice crystals is fundamental to cloud physics and radiative transfer, and yet the complex shape hampers a comprehensive understanding. In order to create better understanding of falling patterns of columnar crystals, this study utilizes a computational fluid dynamics package and explicitly simulates the motion as well as the flow fields. Three modes of patterns (i.e., strong damping, fluttering, and unstable modes) were identified in the space of inverse aspect ratio (q) and Reynolds number (Re). The boundary of stability depicts the “L” shape as found in a previous experimental study. This study newly found that the range of Re for stable motion increases with a decrease in q. Decomposition of hydrodynamic torques indicates that, for stable mode, the pressure and viscous torques acting on the lower prism faces counteract the rotation when the inclination angle becomes 0°. The unstable motion was attributed to the pressure torque acting on the upper prism faces, which is associated with eddies that lag behind the oscillating boundary. Observed Re–q relationships of columns suggest that the strong damping mode is most likely to occur in the atmosphere, but the fluttering mode is also possible. Furthermore, the time scales of oscillation and damping were parameterized as a function of q and Re. The impact of the fluttering on the riming process is limited at the beginning, which supports the current formulation in numerical weather and climate models.
Objective Calibration of Regional Climate Models: Application over Europe and North America
Authors: Bellprat Omar , Kotlarski Sven , Lüthi Daniel , De Elía Ramón , Frigon Anne , Laprise René , Schär Christoph
Published: December 2015

An important source of model uncertainty in climate models arises from unconfined model parameters in physical parameterizations. These parameters are commonly estimated on the basis of manual adjustments (expert tuning), which carries the risk of overtuning the parameters for a specific climate region or time period. This issue is particularly germane in the case of regional climate models (RCMs), which are often developed and used in one or a few geographical regions only. This study addresses the role of objective parameter calibration in this context. Using a previously developed objective calibration methodology, an RCM is calibrated over two regions (Europe and North America) and is used to investigate the transferability of the results. A total of eight different model parameters are calibrated, using a metamodel to account for parameter interactions. The study demonstrates that the calibration is effective in reducing model biases in both domains. For Europe, this concerns in particular a pronounced reduction of the summer warm bias and the associated overestimation of interannual temperature variability that have persisted through previous expert tuning efforts and are common in many global and regional climate models. The key process responsible for this improvement is an increased hydraulic conductivity. Higher hydraulic conductivity increases the water availability at the land surface and leads to increased evaporative cooling, stronger low cloud formation, and associated reduced incoming shortwave radiation. The calibrated parameter values are found to be almost identical for both domains; that is, the parameter calibration is transferable between the two regions. This is a promising result and indicates that models may be more universal than previously considered.
Global Assimilation of Multiangle and Multipolarization SMOS Brightness Temperature Observations into the GEOS-5 Catchment Land Surface Model for Soil Moisture Estimation
Authors: De Lannoy Gabriëlle J. M. , Reichle Rolf H.
Published: December 2015

Multiangle and multipolarization L-band microwave observations from the Soil Moisture Ocean Salinity (SMOS) mission are assimilated into the Goddard Earth Observing System Model, version 5 (GEOS-5), using a spatially distributed ensemble Kalman filter. A variant of this system is also used for the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) Level 4 soil moisture product. The assimilation involves a forward simulation of brightness temperatures (Tb) for various incidence angles and polarizations and an inversion of the differences between Tb forecasts and observations into updates to modeled surface and root-zone soil moisture, as well as surface soil temperature. With SMOS Tb assimilation, the unbiased root-mean-square difference between simulations and gridcell-scale in situ measurements in a few U.S. watersheds during the period from 1 July 2010 to 1 July 2014 is 0.034 m3 m−3 for both surface and root-zone soil moisture. A validation against gridcell-scale measurements and point-scale measurements from sparse networks in the United States, Australia, and Europe demonstrates that the assimilation improves both surface and root-zone soil moisture results over the open-loop (no assimilation) estimates in areas with limited vegetation and terrain complexity. At the global scale, the assimilation of SMOS Tb introduces mean absolute increments of 0.004 m3 m−3 to the profile soil moisture content and 0.7 K to the surface soil temperature. The updates induce changes to energy fluxes and runoff amounting to about 15% of their respective temporal standard deviation.