bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Folic acid supplementation during high-fat diet feeding restores AMPK activation via an AMP-LKB1-dependent mechanism
Authors: Sid Victoria , Wu Nan , Sarna Lindsei K. , Siow Yaw L. , House James D. , O Karmin
Published: September 2015

AMPK is an endogenous energy sensor that regulates lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is regarded as a hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome with impaired lipid and glucose metabolism and increased oxidative stress. Our recent study showed that folic acid supplementation attenuated hepatic oxidative stress and lipid accumulation in high-fat diet-fed mice. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of folic acid on hepatic AMPK during high-fat diet feeding and the mechanisms involved. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed a control diet (10% kcal fat), a high-fat diet (60% kcal fat), or a high-fat diet supplemented with folic acid (26 mg/kg diet) for 5 wk. Mice fed a high-fat diet exhibited hyperglycemia, hepatic cholesterol accumulation, and reduced hepatic AMPK phosphorylation. Folic acid supplementation restored AMPK phosphorylation (activation) and reduced blood glucose and hepatic cholesterol levels. Activation of AMPK by folic acid was mediated through an elevation of its allosteric activator AMP and activation of its upstream kinase, namely, liver kinase B1 (LKB1) in the liver. Consistent with in vivo findings, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (bioactive form of folate) restored phosphorylation (activation) of both AMPK and LKB1 in palmitic acid-treated HepG2 cells. Activation of AMPK by folic acid might be responsible for AMPK-dependent phosphorylation of HMG-CoA reductase, leading to reduced hepatic cholesterol synthesis during high-fat diet feeding. These results suggest that folic acid supplementation may improve cholesterol and glucose metabolism by restoration of AMPK activation in the liver.
Enigma (partially) resolved: phospholipase A2 receptor is the cause of “idiopathic” membranous glomerulonephritis
Authors: Truong Luan D. , Seshan Surya V.
Published: September 2015

Membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN) is a very significant kidney disease. It is one of the frequent causes of heavy protein excretion in urine. MGN is thought to be an immune-mediated disease caused by glomerular deposition of antigen-antibody complexes. The pathogenic antigen, however, has been an enigma until recently. It was discovered in 2009 that phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R), a normal transmembrane protein in podocyte plasma membrane, is the antigen causing MGN. Within 5 yr of its discovery, this seminal finding has leaded to novel insights into the treatment of this disease including diagnosis, therapy, and prediction of outcome. This finding also paves the way for fundamental studies on how and why autoimmunity against PLA2R develops. The discovery of PLA2A as the cause of “idiopathic” MGN after a half century of speculation, followed by further fundamental insights with such an expedient and successful application in patient care, embodies the elegance of science at its junction with society. This perspective traces the story of this remarkable discovery.
Learning to balance on one leg: motor strategy and sensory weighting
Authors: van Dieën Jaap H. , van Leeuwen Marloes , Faber Gert S.
Published: September 2015

We investigated motor and sensory changes underlying learning of a balance task. Fourteen participants practiced balancing on one leg on a board that could freely rotate in the frontal plane. They performed six, 16-s trials standing on one leg on a stable surface (2 trials without manipulation, 2 with vestibular, and 2 with visual stimulation) and six trials on the balance board before and after a 30-min training. Center of mass (COM) movement, segment, and total angular momenta and board angles were determined. Trials on stable surface were compared with trials after training to assess effects of surface conditions. Trials pretraining and posttraining were compared to assess rapid (between trials pretraining) and slower (before and after training) learning, and sensory manipulation trials were compared with unperturbed trials to assess sensory weighting. COM excursions were larger on the unstable surface but decreased with practice, with the largest improvement over the pretraining trials. Changes in angular momentum contributed more to COM acceleration on the balance board, but with practice this decreased. Visual stimulation increased sway similarly in both surface conditions, while vestibular stimulation increased sway less on the balance board. With practice, the effects of visual and vestibular stimulation increased rapidly. Initially, oscillations of the balance board occurred at 3.5 Hz, which decreased with practice. The initial decrease in sway with practice was associated with upweighting of visual information, while later changes were associated with suppression of oscillations that we suggest are due to too high proprioceptive feedback gains.
Isoform-specific phosphorylation-dependent regulation of connexin hemichannels
Authors: Alstrøm Jette Skov , Hansen Daniel Bloch , Nielsen Morten Schak , MacAulay Nanna
Published: September 2015

Connexins form gap junction channels made up of two connexons (hemichannels) from adjacent cells. Unopposed hemichannels may open toward the extracellular space upon stimulation by, e.g., removal of divalent cations from the extracellular solution and allow isoform-specific transmembrane flux of fluorescent dyes and physiologically relevant molecules, such as ATP and ions. Connexin (Cx)43 and Cx30 are the major astrocytic connexins. Protein kinase C (PKC) regulates Cx43 in its cell-cell gap junction configuration and may also act to keep Cx43 hemichannels closed. In contrast, the regulation of Cx30 hemichannels by PKC is unexplored. To determine phosphorylation-dependent regulation of Cx30 and Cx43 hemichannels, these were heterologously expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes and opened with divalent cation-free solution. Inhibition of PKC activity did not affect hemichannel opening of either connexin. PKC activation had no effect on Cx43-mediated hemichannel activity, whereas both dye uptake and current through Cx30 hemichannels were reduced. We detected no PKC-induced connexin internalization from the plasma membrane, indicating that PKC reduced Cx30 hemichannel activity by channel closure. In an attempt to resolve the PKC phosphorylation site(s) on Cx30, alanine mutations of putative cytoplasmic PKC consensus sites were created to prevent phosphorylation (T5A, T8A, T102A, S222A, S225A, S239A, and S258A). These Cx30 mutants responded to PKC activation, suggesting that Cx30 hemichannels are not regulated by phosphorylation of a single site. In conclusion, Cx30, but not Cx43, hemichannels close upon PKC activation, illustrating that connexin hemichannels display not only isoform-specific permeability profiles but also isoform-specific regulation by PKC.
Clinical Trial of Acolbifene in Premenopausal Women at High Risk for Breast Cancer
Authors: Fabian Carol J. , Kimler Bruce F. , Zalles Carola M. , Phillips Teresa A. , Metheny Trina , Petroff Brian K. , Havighurst Thomas C. , Kim KyungMann , Bailey Howard H. , Heckman-Stoddard Brandy M.
Published: September 2015

The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of using the selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) acolbifene as a breast cancer prevention agent in premenopausal women. To do so, we assessed change in proliferation in benign breast tissue sampled by random periareolar fine-needle aspiration (RPFNA) as a primary endpoint, along with changes in other risk biomarkers and objective and subjective side effects as secondary endpoints. Twenty-five women with cytologic hyperplasia ± atypia and ≥2% of breast epithelial cells staining positive for Ki-67, received 20 mg acolbifene daily for 6–8 months, and then had benign breast tissue and blood risk biomarkers reassessed. Ki-67 decreased from a median of 4.6% [interquartile range (IQR), 3.1%–8.5%] at baseline to 1.4% (IQR, 0.6%–3.5%) after acolbifene (P < 0.001; Wilcoxon signed-rank test), despite increases in bioavailable estradiol. There were also significant decreases in expression (RT-qPCR) of estrogen-inducible genes that code for pS2, ERα, and progesterone receptor (P ≤ 0.026). There was no significant change in serum IGF1, IGFBP3, IGF1:IGFBP3 ratio, or mammographic breast density. Subjective side effects were minimal with no significant increase in hot flashes, muscle cramps, arthralgias, or fatigue. Objective measures showed a clinically insignificant decrease in lumbar spine bone density (DEXA) and an increase in ovarian cysts but no change in endometrial thickness (sonography). In summary, acolbifene was associated with favorable changes in benign breast epithelial cell proliferation and estrogen-inducible gene expression but minimal side effects, suggesting a phase IIB placebo-controlled trial evaluating it further for breast cancer prevention. Cancer Prev Res; 8(12); 1146–55. ©2015 AACR.
Myocardial Lipid Profiling During Time Course of High Fat Diet and its Relationship to the Expression of Fatty Acid Transporters
Authors: Harasim Ewa , Stępek Tomasz , Konstantynowicz-Nowicka Karolina , Baranowski Marcin , Górski Jan , Chabowski Adrian
Published: September 2015

Background/Aims: It is well documented that increased fatty acids (FA) supply causes lipid accumulation and insulin resistance in skeletal muscles. Whether the same mechanism is present in the heart is still unclear. Therefore, the goal of our study was to determine the content of specific myocardial lipid fractions during feeding rats a high fat diet (HFD) for 5 weeks. Moreover, the relation between changes in myocardial lipid content, whole body insulin resistance and the expression of fatty acid transporters in each week of HFD was established. Methods: Gas liquid chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography were used to determine the content of lipid fractions in the left ventricle. Expression of selected proteins was estimated by Western blot technique. All measurements were made after each week of HFD. Results: As expected, lipid profile in myocardium was altered by HFD in different weeks of the study with the most intense changes in triacylglycerols, long chain fatty acid-CoA and ceramide. Furthermore, there was a significant elevation of plasmalemmal (the 4th and the 5th week) and mitochondrial expression (from the 3rd to the 5th week) of fatty acid translocase. Conclusion: High fat diet affects myocardial lipid profile in each week of its duration and causes alternations in FA metabolism in cardiomyocytes.
MiRNAs Associated Polymorphisms in the 3'UTR of MET Promote the Risk of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Zhu Xiaojue , Fu Changqing , Zhang Lihua , Xu Guoxing , Wang Shusheng
Published: September 2015

Background/Aims: MET can act as an oncogene and its signaling server has essential roles in regulating tumorigenesis. Polymorphisms in MET have been reported to be associated with poor prognosis in human cancer, but an association with the risk of human non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has not been found so far. In this study rs41281081 and rs76322625, located in the 3'UTR of MET, were selected to evaluate their relationship with the risk of NSCLC among the Chinese population. Methods: A questionnaire, SNaPshot genotype assay, real time PCR assay, cell transfection and the dual luciferase reporter assay were used. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of rs41281081 and rs76322625 in the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of MET was involved as a risk factor in the occurrence of NSCLC. Results: SNP rs41281081 could be regulated by miR-335 and rs76322625 could be regulated by miR-1026 to cause an up-regulation of MET in patients with NSCLC. Furthermore, the carriers of the GA and AA genotypes in rs41281081, and the CU and UU genotypes in rs76322625 presented with poor cell differentiation and large tumor size, as well as a high probability of metastasis. Conclusion: Our findings have shown that the SNPs rs41281081 and rs76322625 in MET 3ʹUTR, through disruption of the regulatory role of miR-335 and miR-1026 in MET expression, may act as promoting factors in the pathogenesis of NSCLC.
HDAC6 Promotes Cardiac Fibrosis Progression through Suppressing RASSF1A Expression
Authors: Tao Hui , Yang Jing-Jing , Hu Wei , Shi Kai-Hu , Li Jun
Published: September 2015

Objectives: Cardiac fibrosis is characterized by net accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins in the cardiac interstitium, and contributes to both systolic and diastolic dysfunction in many cardiac pathophysiologic conditions. HDAC6 is a transcriptional regulator of the histone deacetylase family, subfamily 2. Previous studies have shown that HDAC6 plays critical roles in transcription regulation and proliferation events. However, the precise mechanisms of how HDAC is associated with cardiac fibrosis progression have not yet been elucidated. Methods: Fifty adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into two groups. Cardiac fibrosis was produced by common isoprenaline and cardiac fibroblasts were harvested from SD neonate rats and cultured. The expression of HDAC6, RASSF1A, α-SMA and collagen I were measured by Western blotting and qRT-PCR. Small interfering (si)RNA of HDAC6 affects the proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts and the regulation of RASSF1A/ERK1/2 signaling pathways. Results: In this study, we found that mRNA and protein levels of HDAC6 were upregulated in cardiac fibrosis tissues and activated cardiac fibroblast cells. Inhibition of HDAC6 by siRNA or the inhibitor tubacin attenuated the TGF-β1-induced myofibroblast markers. In contrast, HDAC6 knockdown using siRNA inhibited cardiac fibroblast cell proliferation. Furthermore, we demonstrated that knockdown of HDAC6 elevated RASSF1A expression in activated cardiac fibroblasts, and treatment of cardiac fibroblasts with the HDAC6 inhibitor tubacin also elevated RASSF1A expression. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that a previously unknown mechanism of HDAC6 inactivation of RASSF1A controls cardiac fibroblast proliferation and fibrosis.
Time for the Global Rollout of Endoscopic Lung Volume Reduction
Authors: Koegelenberg Coenraad F.N. , Slebos Dirk-Jan , Shah Pallav L. , Theron Johan , Dheda Keertan , Allwood Brian W. , Herth Felix J.F.
Published: September 2015

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease remains one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality globally. The disease is generally managed with pharmacotherapy, as well as guidance about smoking cessation and pulmonary rehabilitation. Endoscopic lung volume reduction (ELVR) has been proposed for the treatment of advanced emphysema, with the aim of obtaining the same clinical and functional advantages of surgical lung volume reduction whilst potentially reducing risks and costs. There is a growing body of evidence that certain well-defined sub-groups of patients with advanced emphysema may benefit from ELVR, provided the selection criteria are met and a systematic approach is followed. ELVR devices, particularly unidirectional valves and coils, are currently being rolled out to many countries outside of the USA and Europe, although very few centres currently have the capacity to correctly evaluate and provide ELVR to prospective candidates. The high cost of these interventions underpins the need for careful patient selection to best identify those who may or may not benefit from ELVR-related procedures. The aim of this review is to provide the practicing pulmonologist with an overview of the practical aspects and current evidence for the use of the various techniques available, and to suggest an evidence-based approach for the appropriate use of these devices, particularly in emerging markets, where there should be a drive to develop and equip key specialised ELVR units.
Thyroid Dysfunction in Neonates Born to Mothers Who Have Undergone Hysterosalpingography Involving an Oil-Soluble Iodinated Contrast Medium
Authors: Satoh Mari , Aso Keiko , Katagiri Yukiko
Published: September 2015

Background/Aims: Patients developing neonatal thyroid dysfunction following maternal hysterosalpingography (HSG) involving the use of oil-soluble iodinated contrast medium (ethiodized oil) have been reported. The present study aimed to investigate the frequency and risk factors for neonatal thyroid dysfunction following HSG. Methods: We studied 212 infants born to mothers who had become pregnant after undergoing HSG involving the use of ethiodized oil. Results: Five of the 212 infants tested positive during congenital hypothyroidism screening; this frequency (2.4%) was higher than the recall rate among first congenital hypothyroidism screening results (0.7%) in Tokyo, Japan. Two of the 5 screening-positive infants showed hypothyroidism, and 3 showed hyperthyrotropinemia. The urinary iodine concentrations in 4 out of the 5 screening-positive infants were 1,150, 940, 1,570, and 319 μg/l. The subjects were divided into thyroid dysfunction (n = 5) and normal thyroid function (n = 207) groups. The median dosage of ethiodized oil in the thyroid dysfunction group was significantly higher than in the normal thyroid function group (20 vs. 8 ml, p = 0.033). Conclusion: When infertile women undergo HSG, the dosage of oil-soluble iodinated contrast medium should be as low as possible to minimize the risk of fetal or neonatal thyroid dysfunction.
From Sex Determination to Initial Folliculogenesis in Mammalian Ovaries: Morphogenetic Waves along the Anteroposterior and Dorsoventral Axes
Authors: Suzuki Hitomi , Kanai-Azuma Masami , Kanai Yoshiakira
Published: September 2015

Gonadal sex in most mammals is determined based on sex differentiation of the supporting cell lineages. In mouse XY gonads, SRY induces SOX9 upregulation and subsequent FGF9 expression by embryonic day 11.5 (E11.5), leading to the differentiation of Sertoli cells. XX gonads, lacking SRY action, start on the ovarian program through the actions of WNT4 and FOXL2 from around E11.5-12.0. These 2 ovarian factors, together with retinoic acid (RA) action, promote feminization partially through the repression of the masculinizing activities of SOX9, FGF9 and DMRT1. RA initiates meiosis in female germ cell cysts, in which intercellular bridges between interconnected germ cells rapidly undergo cyst breakdown by E17.5. Ovarian morphogenesis is characterized by continuous recruitment of pre-granulosa progenitor cells from the coelomic epithelia during the embryonic stage, which results in the formation of ovigerous cords and tight packing of non-interconnected oocytes (i.e. oocyte nests) at the perinatal stages. At birth, the oocyte nests break down into single oocytes surrounded by granulosa cells, leading to the assembly of primordial follicles. This review focuses on recent advances in the molecular and cellular events of initial ovarian differentiation, meiotic initiation, germ cell nest breakdown, and primordial follicle formation based on anatomical and morphogenetic aspects.
Гастродуоденальні гострокровоточиві виразки, спричинені прийманням нестероїдних протизапальних препаратів
Authors: КАМІНСЬКИЙ О. А.
Published: September 2015

У роботі наведено результати лікування 238 хворих із гострими шлунково-кишковими кровотечами на фоні приймання медикаментозних препаратів. Проаналізовано частоту розвитку гострих медикаментозних виразок верхнього відділу шлунково-кишкового тракту і можливості їх лікування.
Ефективність комбінованих шунтувань при проведенні дистальних реконструкцій
Authors: ГУДЗ О. І.
Published: September 2015

Представлено ранні та віддалені результати стегново-підколінних реконструкцій із використанням різних видів шунтувального матеріалу. Доведено, що за умови відсутності придатного автологічного матеріалу, алопластичне шунтування слід доповнювати венозною вставкою між протезом та підколінною артерією. У пацієнтів, в яких немає можливості використати автовенозну вставку, альтернативою може бути дезоблітерований сегмент початкового відділу поверхневої стегнової артерії. Гістоморфологічні дослідження показали, що дезоблітерована стінка стегнової артерії не поступається за антитромботичними властивостями великій підшкірній вені, а щодо можливості сповільненого розвитку гіперплазії інтими навіть переважає її.
Лапароскопічна герніопластика гриж черевної стінки при нестандартних умовах
Authors: ВОРОВСЬКИЙ О. О.
Published: September 2015

Проведено аналіз хірургічного лікування малоінвазивним способом вентральних гриж черевної стінки у 208 хворих. Відзначено, що у 27 (13,0 %) пацієнтів під час операції виникали нестандартні ситуації, що утруднювали хід операційного лікування. Серед причин на першому місці була лапароскопічна герніопластика післяопераційних вентральних гриж із хронічною спайковою хворобою — 6 (2,9 %) випадків, на другому — рецидивні пахвинні грижі після трансабдомінальної преперитонеальної ендовідеогерніопластики — 5 (2,4 %) випадків; на третьому — фіксовані (невправимі грижі) — 4 (1,92 %); наявність в одному пахвинному каналі косої та прямої “панталонних” гриж — по 4 (1,9 %) випадки кожної; на четвертому — ковзні пахвинні грижі — 3 (1,4 %); на п’ятому — пахвинно-калиткові грижі — 2 (1,0 %).

Крім того, в 11 (5,2 %) пацієнтів, які були прооперовані з приводу пахвинних гриж, було діагностовано поєднану хірургічну внутрішньочеревну патологію, що вимагало розширення хірургічного втручання в обсязі 1—2 симультанних операцій, де на першому місці був хронічний склеротично-інфільтративний холецистит — 6 (2,9 %) хворих, на другому — гінекологічна патологія — 3 (1,5 %); водянка оболонок яєчка — 1 (0,5 %) пацієнт; перекрут жирової підвіски сигмоподібної кишки, що симулював защемлення лівобічної пахвинної грижі, — 1 (0,5 %) хворий. Завдяки розробленим способам операційного лікування даної патології та застосуванню для перито-нізації протеза апарата високочастотного електрозварювання біологічних тканин ЕК — 300 М1 в режимі зварювання вдалося уникнути різного виду ускладнень.
Актуальні питання абдомінальних ускладнень у хворих на генералізовану форму туберкульозу
Authors: СТЕЦЬ М. М. , МАГАС О. І.
Published: September 2015

Всесвітня організація охорони здоров’я у 1993 р. оголосила туберкульоз глобальною проблемою людства. Абдомінальний туберкульоз займає особливе положення серед інших форм позалегеневого туберкульозу, оскільки він становить значну складність у діагностиці і вважається до сьогодні рідкісною патологією. Дані про справжню поширеність абдомінального туберкульозу відсутні. За період з 2005 до 2014 р. на базі Київської міської клінічної лікарні № 3 було проліковано 330 хворих з туберкульозом, з них у 8 (2,4 %) пацієнтів діагностовано туберкульоз органів черевної порожнини. Структура абдомінальної форми туберкульозу була такою: у 2 пацієнтів — абсцеси брижі здухвинної кишки, у 3 хворих — заочеревинна флегмона на тлі деструкції поперекових хребців, у решти 3 — множинні перфорації тонкої кишки з некробіозним розпадом лімфатичних вузлів брижі та гнійно-фібринозним розповсюдженим перитонітом, в тому числі в одного пацієнта — з формуванням абсцесів правого заочеревинного простору та перфорацією сліпої кишки. Хворі були оперовані в ургентному порядку. Загальна летальність складала 15,8 %, а в абдомінальній формі — 62,5 %. Рання діагностика абдомінальних форм туберкульозу, медикаментозний максималізм є запорукою ефективного лікування даної категорії хворих.
Нестандартный подход к лечению больных с циррозом печени, осложненным кровотечением, с применением малоинвазивных технологий
Authors: ГРУБНИК Ю. В. , ГРУБНИК В. Ю. , ФОМЕНКО В. А. , ЮЗВАК А. Н.
Published: September 2015

Лечение осложненной портальной гипертензии является одной из наиболее актуальных, сложных и нерешенных проблем хирургии. За последние де-сятилетия во всех странах мира отмечается рост числа заболеваемости циррозом печени - наиболее частой причины портальной гипертензии. По данным Всемирной организации здравоохранения (ВОЗ), летальность от цирроза печени занимает восьмое место среди заболеваний пищеваритель-ного тракта [4]. Много авторов связывают эти не-благоприятные тенденции с ростом потребления алкоголя, увеличением заболеваемости вирусным гепатитом, увеличением количества потребляемых лекарств, недостаточным знанием многих вопро-сов патогенеза заболеваний печени. Наиболее тя-желым и трудно прогнозируемым осложнением портальной гипертензии является кровотечение из варикозно расширенных вен пищевода и желудка. Риск возникновения первого кровотечения в первые 2 года после постановки диагноза составляет 30 %, а летальность при первом кровотечении -50 %
Criação parental, dificuldades interpessoais e consumo de drogas
Authors: Guzmn-Ramirez Veronica , Alonso-Castillo Mara Magdalena , Armendriz-Garca Nora Anglica , Alonso-Castillo Bertha Alicia , Lpez-Cisneros Manuel Antonio , Cisneros-Zaleta Brett Homero
Published: September 2015

Determinao da criao parental e as dificuldades interpessoais entre consumidores e no consumidores de drogas e identificao da relao e efeitos da criao parental e as dificuldades interpessoais com o consumo de drogas, mediante um estudo descritivo e correlativo atravs de uma amostra de adolescentes selecionados em grupos especficos, em que se descobriu que para o consumo de lcool alguma vez na vida e no ltimo ano, a criao parental e as dificuldades interpessoais so capazes de predizer o consumo desta droga. Quando existe uma percepo negativa da criao parental, existe o consumo de lcool; quanto maior  o nmero de dificuldades interpessoais, maior  o consumo de lcool pelos adolescentes.
Risk Stratification for Arrhythmic Events in Patients With Asymptomatic Pre-Excitation: A Systematic Review for the 2015 ACC/AHA/HRS Guideline for the Management of Adult Patients With Supraventricular Tachycardia
Authors: Al-Khatib Sana M. , Arshad Aysha , Balk Ethan M. , Das Sandeep R. , Hsu Jonathan C. , Joglar Josè A. , Page Richard L.
Published: September 2015

Objective—

To review the literature systematically to determine whether noninvasive or invasive risk stratification, such as with an electrophysiological study of patients with asymptomatic pre-excitation, reduces the risk of arrhythmic events and improves patient outcomes.

Methods—

PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (all January 1, 1970, through August 31, 2014) were searched for randomized controlled trials and cohort studies examining noninvasive or invasive risk stratification in patients with asymptomatic pre-excitation. Studies were rejected for low-quality design or the lack of an outcome, population, intervention, or comparator of interest or if they were written in a language other than English.

Results—

Of 778 citations found, 9 studies met all the eligibility criteria and were included in this paper. Of the 9 studies, 1 had a dual design—a randomized controlled trial of ablation versus no ablation in 76 patients and an uncontrolled prospective cohort of 148 additional patients—and 8 were uncontrolled prospective cohort studies (n=1594). In studies reporting a mean age, the range was 32 to 50 years, and in studies reporting a median age, the range was 19 to 36 years. The majority of patients were male (range, 50% to 74%), and <10% had structural heart disease. In the randomized controlled trial component of the dual-design study, the 5-year Kaplan-Meier estimates of the incidence of arrhythmic events were 7% among patients who underwent ablation and 77% among patients who did not undergo ablation (relative risk reduction: 0.08; 95% confidence interval: 0.02 to 0.33;
P
<0.001). In the observational cohorts of asymptomatic patients who did not undergo catheter ablation (n=883, with follow-up ranging from 8 to 96 months), regular supraventricular tachycardia or benign atrial fibrillation (shortest RR interval >250 ms) developed in 0% to 16%, malignant atrial fibrillation (shortest RR interval ≤250 ms) in 0% to 9%, and ventricular fibrillation in 0% to 2%, most of whom were children in the last case.

Conclusions—

The existing evidence suggests risk stratification with an electrophysiological study of patients with asymptomatic pre-excitation may be beneficial, along with consideration of accessory-pathway ablation in those deemed to be at high risk of future arrhythmias. Given the limitations of the existing data, well-designed and well-conducted studies are needed.
Cardiac Stem Cell Hybrids Enhance Myocardial Repair
Authors: Quijada Pearl , Salunga Hazel T. , Hariharan Nirmala , Cubillo Jonathan D. , El-Sayed Farid G. , Moshref Maryam , Bala Kristin M. , Emathinger Jacqueline M. , De La Torre Andrea , Ormachea Lucia , Alvarez Roberto , Gude Natalie A. , Sussman Mark A.
Published: September 2015

Rationale:

Dual cell transplantation of cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) after infarction improves myocardial repair and performance in large animal models relative to delivery of either cell population.

Objective:

To demonstrate that CardioChimeras (CCs) formed by fusion between CPCs and MSCs have enhanced reparative potential in a mouse model of myocardial infarction relative to individual stem cells or combined cell delivery.

Methods and Results:

Two distinct and clonally derived CCs, CC1 and CC2, were used for this study. CCs improved left ventricular anterior wall thickness at 4 weeks post injury, but only CC1 treatment preserved anterior wall thickness at 18 weeks. Ejection fraction was enhanced at 6 weeks in CCs, and functional improvements were maintained in CCs and CPC+MSC groups at 18 weeks. Infarct size was decreased in CCs, whereas CPC+MSC and CPC parent groups remained unchanged at 12 weeks. CCs exhibited increased persistence, engraftment, and expression of early commitment markers within the border zone relative to combinatorial and individual cell population–injected groups. CCs increased capillary density and preserved cardiomyocyte size in the infarcted regions suggesting CCs role in protective paracrine secretion.

Conclusions:

CCs merge the application of distinct cells into a single entity for cellular therapeutic intervention in the progression of heart failure. CCs are a novel cell therapy that improves on combinatorial cell approaches to support myocardial regeneration.
Interferon-γ–Mediated Allograft Rejection Exacerbates Cardiovascular Disease of Hyperlipidemic Murine Transplant Recipients
Authors: Zhou Jing , Qin Lingfeng , Yi Tai , Ali Rahmat , Li Qingle , Jiao Yang , Li Guangxin , Tobiasova Zuzana , Huang Yan , Zhang Jiasheng , Yun James J. , Sadeghi Mehran M. , Giordano Frank J. , Pober Jordan S. , Tellides George
Published: September 2015

Rationale:

Transplantation, the most effective therapy for end-stage organ failure, is markedly limited by early-onset cardiovascular disease (CVD) and premature death of the host. The mechanistic basis of this increased CVD is not fully explained by known risk factors.

Objective:

To investigate the role of alloimmune responses in promoting CVD of organ transplant recipients.

Methods and Results:

We established an animal model of graft-exacerbated host CVD by combining murine models of atherosclerosis (apolipoprotein E–deficient recipients on standard diet) and of intra-abdominal graft rejection (heterotopic cardiac transplantation without immunosuppression). CVD was absent in normolipidemic hosts receiving allogeneic grafts and varied in severity among hyperlipidemic grafted hosts according to recipient–donor genetic disparities, most strikingly across an isolated major histocompatibility complex class II antigen barrier. Host disease manifested as increased atherosclerosis of the aorta that also involved the native coronary arteries and new findings of decreased cardiac contractility, ventricular dilatation, and diminished aortic compliance. Exacerbated CVD was accompanied by greater levels of circulating cytokines, especially interferon-γ and other Th1-type cytokines, and showed both systemic and intralesional activation of leukocytes, particularly T-helper cells. Serological neutralization of interferon-γ after allotransplantation prevented graft-related atherosclerosis, cardiomyopathy, and aortic stiffening in the host.

Conclusions:

Our study reveals that sustained activation of the immune system because of chronic allorecognition exacerbates the atherogenic diathesis of hyperlipidemia and results in de novo cardiovascular dysfunction in organ transplant recipients.
Patent Foramen Ovale Closure in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Improves Blood Pressure and Cardiovascular Function
Authors: Rimoldi Stefano F. , Ott Sebastian , Rexhaj Emrush , de Marchi Stefano F. , Allemann Yves , Gugger Matthias , Scherrer Urs , Seiler Christian
Published: September 2015

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a frequent syndrome characterized by intermittent hypoxemia and increased prevalence of arterial hypertension and cardiovascular morbidity. In OSA, the presence of patent foramen ovale (PFO) is associated with increased number of apneas and more severe oxygen desaturation. We hypothesized that PFO closure improves sleep-disordered breathing and, in turn, has favorable effects on vascular function and arterial blood pressure. In 40 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed OSA, we searched for PFO. After initial cardiovascular assessment, the 14 patients with PFO underwent initial device closure and the 26 without PFO served as control group. Conventional treatment for OSA was postponed for 3 months in both groups, and polysomnographic and cardiovascular examinations were repeated at the end of the follow-up period. PFO closure significantly improved the apnea–hypopnea index (ΔAHI −7.9±10.4 versus +4.7±13.1 events/h,
P
=0.0009, PFO closure versus control), the oxygen desaturation index (ΔODI −7.6±16.6 versus +7.6±17.0 events/h,
P
=0.01), and the number of patients with severe OSA decreased significantly after PFO closure (79% versus 21%,
P
=0.007). The following cardiovascular parameters improved significantly in the PFO closure group, although remained unchanged in controls: brachial artery flow–mediated vasodilation, carotid artery stiffness, nocturnal systolic and diastolic blood pressure (−7 mm Hg,
P
=0.009 and −3 mm Hg,
P
=0.04, respectively), blood pressure dipping, and left ventricular diastolic function. In conclusion, PFO closure in OSA patients improves sleep-disordered breathing and nocturnal oxygenation. This translates into an improvement of endothelial function and vascular stiffening, a decrease of nighttime blood pressure, restoration of the dipping pattern, and improvement of left ventricular diastolic function.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01780207.
Identifying Individuals at Risk for Cardiovascular Events Across the Spectrum of Blood Pressure Levels
Authors: Karmali Kunal N. , Ning Hongyan , Goff David C. , Lloyd‐Jones Donald M.
Published: September 2015

Background

We determined the proportion of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events that occur across the spectrum of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and assessed whether multivariable risk assessment can identify persons who experience ASCVD events at all levels of SBP, including those with goal levels.

Methods and Results

Participants aged 45 to 64 years from the Framingham Offspring and Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities studies were stratified based on treated and untreated SBP levels (<120, 120 to 129, 130 to 139, 140 to 149, 150 to 159, ≥160 mm Hg). We determined the number of excess ASCVD events in each SBP stratum by calculating the difference between observed and expected events (ASCVD event rate in untreated SBP <120 mm Hg was used as the reference). We categorized participants into 10‐year ASCVD risk groups using the Pooled Cohort risk equations. There were 18 898 participants (78% white; 22% black) who were followed for 10 years. We estimated 427 excess ASCVD events, of which 56% (109 of 197) and 50% (115 of 230), respectively, occurred among untreated and treated participants with elevated SBP who were not recommended for antihypertensive therapy. Among untreated participants, 10‐year ASCVD risk ≥7.5% identified 64% of those who experienced an ASCVD at 10 years and 30% of those who did not. Multivariable risk assessment was less useful in baseline‐treated participants.

Conclusions

Half of excess ASCVD events occurred in persons with elevated SBP who were not currently recommended for antihypertensive therapy. Multivariable risk assessment may help identify those likely to benefit from further risk‐reducing therapies. These findings support consideration of multivariable risk in guiding prevention across the spectrum of SBP.
State Legislators’ Roll-Call Votes on Farm Animal Protection Bills: The Agricultural Connection
Authors: Tauber Steven
Published: September 2015

Abstract

Nonhuman animal studies scholars have extensively investigated attitudes on animal welfare in general and farm animal welfare in particular. Thus far, this research has focused mainly on public opinion, but there has been minimal research seeking to explain the influences on actual policymakers when they vote on farm animal welfare legislation. This paper contributes to this literature by quantitatively analyzing 216 state legislators’ votes on two farm animal welfare bills. It hypothesizes that the representatives’ personal and representational connections with agriculture best explain their votes on these farm animal protection bills. This research also includes three control variables: each legislator’s gender, race/ethnicity, and political party. Logistic regression revealed that the legislators’ personal and representational connections with agriculture are significant, but political party is the strongest independent variable explaining state legislators’ farm animal welfare votes. An interaction model revealed mixed evidence that political party moderates the influence of agriculture.
Near Eastern Precedents of the “Orphic” Gold Tablets: The Phoenician Missing Link
Authors: López-Ruiz Carolina
Published: September 2015

The Greek Gold Tablets (also called “Orphic Gold Tablets”), have often been compared with Egyptian funerary texts, especially those comprising theBook of the Dead. At the same time, North-West Semitic gold and silver leaves (Phoenician-Punic and Hebrew) with protective formulae offer a close parallel to them in aspects of their function and form. Although this group of funerary amulets are also said to follow Egyptian models, the three corpora have never been discussed together. Egyptian afterlife motifs and magical technologies may have indirectly influenced Greek Orphic funerary ideas and practices. I suggest, however, that this transmission happened through adaptations of Egyptian materials in the Phoenician-Punic realm, with evidence pointing to southern Italy and Sicily (Magna Graecia) as likely scenarios for this exchange. Intersections between Orphic and Phoenician cosmogony and the selective use of Egyptian iconography in Phoenician funerary amulets reinforce this hypothesis.
Myth and Ritual: An Empirical Approach
Authors: Weeks Noel K.
Published: September 2015

Examples where a ritual has a clear connection to a myth are actually rare in the ane, with the exception of Egypt, yet they provide the best evidence for the connection between the two. Comparison of examples does not support some previous generalisations about the connection of myth and ritual but rather raises the possibility that the connection varies with culture and period. Further the myths involved are often different to the myths known from the literary tradition, raising the likelihood of separate functions for the literary tradition and whatever tradition lay behind these texts. That in turn leads to a need to conjecture a reason for the difference in attestation of myths in the literary traditions of Mesopotamia and Egypt.
The Sokol Movement from Yugoslav Origins to King Aleksandar’s 1930 All-Sokol Rally in Belgrade
Authors: Zec Dejan
Published: September 2015

The Yugoslav Sokol movement was one of the most influential non-governmental organizations in the interwar Yugoslav Kingdom. In the course of the 1920s, it moved from an independent and idealistic organization which celebrated brotherhood between the South Slavs to being a still independent but Serb-centered organization whose version of Yugoslav integration pushed away Croats in particular. But it was only from 1929, when King Aleksandar’s royal dictatorship brought a reconstituted organization under direct state control, that it became a vehicle for official propaganda and an exponent of assimilating Serbs as well as non-Serbs under the banner of integral Yugoslavism. These efforts by the royal dictatorship in Belgrade from 1929 did not survive the king’s assassination in 1934. Helping to widen the political divide, particularly between Serbs and Croats, this official Sokol became a well-known focal point for Serb confrontation with non-Serb majorities in western and southern Yugoslavia. This article moves from the often neglected initial promise of the movement to concentrate on its role as a centerpiece in Aleksandar’s campaign to impose a Serbian-inspired Yugoslavism from Belgrade. And the centerpiece of that campaign was the all-Sokol rally organized at great expense and with great fanfare in Belgrade in 1930. This single event usefully illustrates the ambitions of the royal dictatorship to use Belgrade as a focal point for drawing the country together under a single authority.
Impatiens matthewiana, a new scapigerous balsam from Western Ghats, India
Authors: Raju Dr Ramasubbu , Dhanraj FELIX  IRUDHYARAJ , Arumugam Mohanraj , AG Pandurangan
Published: September 2015

Impatiens matthewiana, a new species of scapigerous balsam collected from Kerala, India is described and illustrated. This species is closely allied to I. scapiflora and I. pseudo-acualis, but differs from these two species by having moniliform tubers, rounded leaves, prominently tri-nerved lateral sepals, right basal lobe overlapping or clasping on left one, prominently two-spurred lower sepal and 4-aperturate with radial pollen. This combination of characters makes determining the relationships of I. matthewiana difficult.
Influence of the Decadal Variability of the Kuroshio Extension on the Atmospheric Circulation in the Cold Season
Authors: Révelard Adèle , Frankignoul Claude , Sennéchael Nathalie , Kwon Young-Oh , Qiu Bo
Published: September 2015

The atmospheric response to the Kuroshio Extension (KE) variability during 1979–2012 is investigated using a KE index derived from sea surface height measurements and an eddy-resolving ocean general circulation model hindcast. When the index is positive, the KE is in the stable state, strengthened and shifted northward, with lower eddy kinetic energy, and the Kuroshio–Oyashio Extension (KOE) region is anomalously warm. The reverse holds when the index is negative. Regression analysis shows that there is a coherent atmospheric response to the decadal KE fluctuations between October and January. The KOE warming generates an upward surface heat flux that leads to local ascending motions and a northeastward shift of the zones of maximum baroclinicity, eddy heat and moisture fluxes, and the storm track. The atmospheric response consists of an equivalent barotropic large-scale signal, with a downstream high and a low over the Arctic. The heating and transient eddy anomalies excite stationary Rossby waves that propagate the signal poleward and eastward. There is a warming typically exceeding 0.6 K at 900 hPa over eastern Asia and western United States, which reduces the snow cover by 4%–6%. One month later, in November–February, a high appears over northwestern Europe, and the hemispheric teleconnection bears some similarity with the Arctic Oscillation. Composite analysis shows that the atmospheric response primarily occurs during the stable state of the KE, while no evidence of a significant large-scale atmospheric response is found in the unstable state. Arguments are given to explain this strong asymmetry.
Native American Environmental Justice as Decolonization
Authors: Cantzler Julia Miller , Huynh Megan
Published: September 2015

In the Pacific Northwest, control over lucrative and dwindling salmon fisheries have served as the primary source of contention between Native Americans and non-Indians for nearly 200 years. Despite the lopsided power dynamics favoring the states, and the commercial and recreational stakeholders whose interests are championed by State authority, fishing tribes have successfully infiltrated prevailing decision-making bodies and have taken a leading role in efforts to save the salmon from the perils of overfishing and habitat destruction utilizing a combination of scientific methods and traditional knowledge. This study examines the efforts of fishing tribes in Washington State to protect their customary and commercial fishing rights as a key project in a broader process of decolonizing state institutions that have historically controlled Indigenous resources as well as the entrenched ideological foundations that have historically devalued Native American culture. Examined through the lenses of racial formation, state-building and environmental justice theories, this case provides broader lessons for how scholars of social inequality can investigate the mechanisms through which racial inequality is both produced and resisted. Our findings contribute to undertheorized areas in the social inequality literature by taking history seriously, while paying particular attention to the ways that legal, political, and cultural mechanisms interact to reinforce systems of stratification or to reveal opportunities for meaningful resistance. Our analyses also foreground the role of human agency in successfully challenging long-standing legal and cultural foundations of racial inequality.
Clinically Relevant Cardiovascular Findings Detected on Staging Computed Tomography in Patients with Several Malignancies
Authors: Surov Alexey , Bach Andreas Gunter , Schramm Dominik
Published: September 2015

We evaluated the frequency and subtypes of clinically relevant cardiovascular (CV) findings identified on staging computed tomography (CT) in a large sample. Patients (n = 5026) with different malignant diseases were staged by CT. Clinically relevant CV findings (CRCFs) were included into the study. The CRCFs were defined as cardiac aneurysm, cardiac thrombus, venous thrombosis, arterial thrombosis, arterial dissection, pulmonary thromboembolism, arterial dissection, and dislocation of venous ports/central venous catheters. The CRCFs were identified in 342 patients (6.8% of all patients). Overall, 491 CRCFs were identified in the patients (1.4 per patient). In 203 (59.4%) patients, 1 CRCF; in 129, 2 (37.7%) CRCFs; and in 10 (2.9%) cases, 3 CRCFs were detected. There were incidental venous thrombosis (n = 298, 60.7% of all CRCFs), pulmonary thromboembolism (n = 84, 17.1%), arterial aneurysms (n = 44, 8.9%), arterial thrombosis (n = 43, 8.8%), heart thrombus (n = 15, 3.1%), arterial dissection (n = 3, 0.6%), heart aneurysms (n = 2, 0.4%), and port catheter dislocation (n = 2, 0.4%). The identified CRCF can be associated with potential hazardous complications. The CV system should be carefully evaluated in staging CT investigations.