bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Therapeutic Response to Paroxetine in Major Depressive Disorder Predicted by DNA Methylation
Authors: Takeuchi Naohiro , Nonen Shinpei , Kato Masaki , Wakeno Masataka , Takekita Yoshiteru , Kinoshita Toshihiko , Kugawa Fumihiko
Published: November 2017

Background: Antidepressants have variable therapeutic effects, depending on genetic and environmental factors. Approximately 30% of major depressive disorder (MDD) patients do not respond significantly to antidepressants such as paroxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). However, the biological mechanisms behind this phenomenon are mostly unknown. Here, we examined the role of patients' epigenetic background in SSRI efficacy. Methods: Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis of the peripheral blood of Japanese MDD patients was performed by using the Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip. Results: We compared the results of the 10 patients who best responded to paroxetine (BR) with the 10 worst responders (WR), and found 623 CpG sites with a >10% difference in DNA methylation level. Among them, 218 sites were nominally significant between BR and WR (p < 0.05), and 2 sites (cg00594917 and cg07260927) were significantly different after false discovery rate (FDR) correction (q < 0.05). The methylation difference was greatest at cg00594917, located in the first exon of the PPFIA4 gene, which codes for liprin-α (p = 0.00012). Hierarchical cluster analysis of 23 CpG sites in the PPFIA4 gene distinguished BR and WR, except for 1 WR patient. The cg07260927 site was located in the 5′UTR of the heparin sulfate-glucosamine 3-sulfotransferase 1 (HS3ST1) gene (p = 0.00013). Hierarchical cluster analysis of 28 CpG sites in HS3ST1 distinguished BR and WR, except for 1 WR and 2 BR patients. Conclusion: Our results suggest that patients' DNA methylation profile at specific genes such as PPFIA4 and HS3ST1 is associated with individual variations in therapeutic responses to paroxetine.
Women Serum Concentrations of the IL-10 Family of Cytokines and IFN-γ Decrease from the Third Trimester of Pregnancy to Active Labor
Authors: Reyes-Lagos José Javier , Peña-Castillo Miguel Ángel , Echeverría Juan Carlos , Pérez-Sánchez Gilberto , Álvarez-Herrera Samantha , Becerril-Villanueva Enrique , Pavón Lenin , Ayala-Yáñez Rodrigo , González-Camarena Ramón , Pacheco-López Gustavo
Published: November 2017

Labor is regarded as increased myometrial activity with a regular contractility pattern. At this final stage of pregnancy, myometrial quiescence is lost, accompanied by altered immune homeostasis. It is well known that the interleukin (IL)-10 family of cytokines modulates immunological responses mainly in epithelial cells, including the endometrium. To investigate their inflammatory profile during labor, we performed a longitudinal study in a group of healthy pregnant women (n = 20) with uncomplicated pregnancies in the third trimester of pregnancy and during active labor. Blood was sampled from pregnant women in the third trimester (gestational age 32-38 weeks, mean 36 ± 2 weeks) and during active labor (39-41 weeks of gestation, mean 40 ± 1 weeks). Serum levels of several cytokines were measured using multiplex immunoassays for both stages, indicating that the concentrations of IL-10, IL-20, IL-22, IL-28A, and interferon (IFN)-γ were significantly decreased during active labor in comparison with third-trimester levels (p < 0.05). Our analysis did not find significant correlations between IL-10, IL-20, IL-22, IL-28A, and IFN-γ levels and gestational age. However, our data suggest that the systemic downregulation of several members of the IL-10 family of cytokines plays an important role in the activation of myometrial smooth cells associated with uterine contractions during active labor. Downregulation of this IL-10 family of cytokines seems to coincide with the well-reported functional progesterone withdrawal during labor. Likewise, lower plasma IFN-γ concentrations may indicate a role for IFN-γ in active labor.
Are Inflammatory Cytokines Associated with Pain during Acute Myocardial Infarction?
Authors: Imholz Laurin , Meister-Langraf Rebecca E. , Princip Mary , Fux Michaela , Schnyder Ulrich , Barth Jürgen , Znoj Hansjörg , Schmid Jean-Paul , von Känel Roland
Published: November 2017

Objective: Pain and inflammation during acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have been associated with the development of posttraumatic stress disorder and may also impact negatively on somatic outcome. We investigated the relationship between pain during AMI and levels of circulating proinflammatory (tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α, interleukin [IL]-6) and anti-inflammatory (IL-33 and tissue growth factor [TGF]-β1) cytokines. Methods: Data were collected as part of the Myocardial Infarction - Stress Prevention Intervention (MI-SPRINT) study. We included 140 patients (mean age 59.6 years, 82.1% male) with high acute psychological distress within 48 h after MI. Fasting blood samples were drawn thereafter to measure cytokine levels. Sociodemographic factors, psychological and medical data, as well as cardiometabolic markers were assessed with questionnaires and patient interviews. Results: Linear regression models showed a significant positive correlation of pain with TGF-β1 (b = 770.91, p = 0.031) and a significant inverse correlation of pain with IL-33 (b = -0.11, p = 0.015) after controlling for age, gender, body mass index, lifetime depression, acute stress disorder symptoms, and the prognostic Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) score. Pain was not associated with IL-6 but with the GRACE score (b = 0.01, p = 0.003). Pain showed no significant association with TNF-α. Conclusion: Pain during MI was associated with anti- but not proinflammatory cytokines. As IL-33 has been shown to be cardioprotective, lower IL-33 levels with more intense pain may suggest a pathway through which increased pain during MI may have an impact on the medical prognosis.
Congenital Orbital Rhabdomyosarcoma
Authors: Eghtedari Masoomeh , Farsiani Amir Reza , Bordbar Mohammad Reza
Published: November 2017

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common malignant tumor of the orbit in children, but it is rarely present at birth. We report a large congenital orbital RMS with intracranial extension in a newborn baby. A newborn baby girl was referred to our hospital due to severe right-eye exophthalmia. Imaging studies showed an orbital mass with intracranial extension. Treatment was started with a course of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by right orbital exenteration and intracranial resection of the tumor. Histologic examination of the mass showed undifferentiated malignant small-cell tumor. Immunohistochemical study proved it to be RMS. The patient was categorized as intermediate-risk RMS and chemotherapy was continued accordingly with VAC regimen. In spite of treatment, the infant developed intracranial recurrence at the age of 6 months and died 1 month later. Congenital orbital RMS has a poor prognosis. Reconstruction surgery should be deferred due to high rate of recurrence and low chance of survival. A multidisciplinary approach might increase the survival of these patients.
Tranexamic Acid Failed to Reverse the Anticoagulant Effect and Bleeding by an Oral Direct Factor Xa Inhibitor Edoxaban
Authors: Honda Yuko , Furugohri Taketoshi , Morishima Yoshiyuki
Published: November 2017

Background/Aims: Agents to reverse the anticoagulant effect of edoxaban, an oral direct factor Xa inhibitor, would be desirable in emergency situations. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of tranexamic acid, an antifibrinolytic agent, on the anticoagulant activity and bleeding by edoxaban in rats. Methods: A supratherapeutic dose of edoxaban (3 mg/kg) was intravenously administered to rats. Three minutes after dosing, tranexamic acid (100 mg/kg) was given intravenously. Bleeding was induced by making an incision with a blade on the planta 8 min after edoxaban injection and bleeding time was measured. Prothrombin time (PT) and clot lysis were examined. Results: A supratherapeutic dose of edoxaban significantly prolonged PT and bleeding time. Tranexamic acid did not affect PT or bleeding time prolonged by edoxaban, although tranexamic acid significantly inhibited clot lysis in rat plasma. Conclusion: An antifibrinolytic agent tranexamic acid failed to reverse the anticoagulant effect and bleeding by edoxaban in rats.
Detection of a Splice Site Variant in a Patient with Glomerulopathy and Fibronectin Deposits
Authors: Tsuji Yurika , Nozu Kandai , Sofue Tadashi , Hara Shigeo , Nakanishi Keita , Yamamura Tomohiko , Minamikawa Shogo , Nozu Yoshimi , Kaito Hiroshi , Fujimura Junya , Horinouchi Tomoko , Morisada Naoya , Morioka Ichiro , Taniguchi-Ikeda Mariko , Matsuo Masafumi , Iijima Kazumoto
Published: November 2017

Background/Aims: Glomerulopathy with fibronectin deposits (GFND; OMIM: 601894) is a very rare inherited kidney disease caused by pathogenic variants in the FN1 gene. Only 9 exonic pathogenic variants in FN1, 9 at the heparin-binding site, and 1 at the integrin-binding site have been reported. No intronic variants in FN1 have been detected. Methods: We found a pathogenic intronic variant in intron 36 (c.5888–2A>G) located at the heparin-binding site. To determine whether this mutation influences splicing processes, we conducted RT-PCR analysis and an in vitro splicing assay using minigene construction. Results: RT-PCR using RNA extracted from leukocytes of the proband failed because of the low expression of FN1 mRNA in leukocytes. We conducted in vitro functional splicing analysis using minigenes and found that c.5888–2A>G caused a 12 bp deletion at exon 37 by the activation of a novel splicing acceptor site within exon 37. We were able to detect the same abnormal transcript in mRNA extracted from the patient’s urinary sediment and confirmed the pathogenicity of c.5888–2A>G by both RT-PCR using the patient sample and an in vitro splicing assay. Conclusion: Intronic variants can cause GFND. Minigene analysis is useful for determining the pathogenicity of the intronic variants and could be used for all inherited kidney diseases.
Neopterin as an Effect Modifier of the Cardiovascular Risk Predicted by Total Homocysteine: A Prospective 2‐Cohort Study
Authors: Bjørnestad Espen Ø. , Borsholm Robert A. , Svingen Gard F. T. , Pedersen Eva R. , Seifert Reinhard , Midttun Øivind , Ueland Per M. , Tell Grethe S. , Bønaa Kaare H. , Nygård Ottar
Published: November 2017

Background

Plasma total homocysteine (
tH
cy) is related to plasma neopterin, an indicator of interferon‐γ‐mediated immune activation, and both biomarkers positively predict cardiovascular risk. We examined whether the association between
tH
cy and subsequent risk of acute myocardial infarction (
AMI
) was modified by systemic concentrations of neopterin and C‐reactive protein among patients with coronary heart disease.

Methods and Results

By Cox modeling, we explored the association between
tH
cy and risk of
AMI
in 4164 patients with suspected stable angina pectoris. Subgroup analyses were performed according to median levels of neopterin and C‐reactive protein. A replication study was performed among 3749 patients with
AMI
at baseline. Median follow‐up was 7.3 and 8.3 years among patients with stable angina pectoris and
AMI
, respectively.
tH
cy and neopterin correlated in both cohorts (
r
s
=0.34 and
r
s
=0.30 among stable angina pectoris and
AMI
patients, respectively, both
P
<0.001).
tH
cy predicted
AMI
in both cohorts, independent of B‐vitamin treatment. However, significant risk associations were confined to patients with plasma neopterin above the median (hazard ratios [95% confidence interval] per 1‐
SD
increment of log‐transformed
tH
cy 1.38 [1.26–1.50] and 1.18 [1.10–1.26] among stable angina pectoris and
AMI
patients, respectively) (
P
int
<0.005 in both cohorts). Further, adding information on the interaction between
tH
cy and neopterin improved model discrimination and reclassification.
tH
cy and C‐reactive protein were weakly related, and no effect modification was found by C‐reactive protein.

Conclusions

Among patients with coronary heart disease,
tH
cy predicted risk of
AMI
only in subjects with concomitantly elevated plasma neopterin. Our results motivate further research on the relationship between homocysteine metabolism, cellular immune activation, and atherothrombosis.
Genetic Variants Associated With Uncontrolled Blood Pressure on Thiazide Diuretic/β‐Blocker Combination Therapy in the PEAR (Pharmacogenomic Evaluation of Antihypertensive Responses) and INVEST (International Verapamil‐SR Trandolapril Study) Trials
Authors: Magvanjav Oyunbileg , Gong Yan , McDonough Caitrin W. , Chapman Arlene B. , Turner Stephen T. , Gums John G. , Bailey Kent R. , Boerwinkle Eric , Beitelshees Amber L. , Tanaka Toshihiro , Kubo Michiaki , Pepine Carl J. , Cooper‐DeHoff Rhonda M. , Johnson Julie A.
Published: November 2017

Background

The majority of hypertensive individuals require combination antihypertensive therapy to achieve adequate blood pressure (
BP
) control. This study aimed to identify genetic variants associated with uncontrolled
BP
on combination therapy with a thiazide diuretic and a β‐blocker.

Methods and Results

A genome‐wide association study of uncontrolled
BP
on combination therapy was conducted among 314 white participants of the
PEAR
(Pharmacogenomic Evaluation of Antihypertensive Responses) trial. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used. Genetic variants meeting a suggestive level of significance (
P
<1.0E‐05) were tested for replication in an external cohort,
INVEST
(International Verapamil‐
SR
Trandolapril study). We also examined genome‐wide variant associations with systolic and diastolic
BP
response on combination therapy and tested for replication. We discovered a single nucleotide polymorphism, the rs261316 major allele, at chromosome 15 in the gene
ALDH1A2
associated with an increased odds of having uncontrolled
BP
on combination therapy (odds ratio: 2.56, 95% confidence interval, 1.69–3.88,
P
=8.64E‐06). This single nucleotide polymorphism replicated (odds ratio: 1.86, 95% confidence interval, 1.35–2.57,
P
=0.001) and approached genome‐wide significance in the meta‐analysis between discovery and replication cohorts (odds ratio: 2.16, 95% confidence interval, 1.63–2.86,
P
=8.60E‐08). Other genes in the region surrounding rs261316 (
ALDH1A2)
include
AQP9
and
LIPC
.

Conclusions

A single nucleotide polymorphism in the gene
ALDH1A2
may be associated with uncontrolled
BP
following treatment with a thiazide diuretic/β‐blocker combination.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier:
NCT
00246519.
Duration of Reproductive Life Span, Age at Menarche, and Age at Menopause Are Associated With Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in Women
Authors: Ley Sylvia H. , Li Yanping , Tobias Deirdre K. , Manson JoAnn E. , Rosner Bernard , Hu Frank B. , Rexrode Kathryn M.
Published: November 2017

Background

Although the timing of menarche and menopause may be associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD), the entire reproductive life span has not been considered comprehensively as risk for
CVD
. We investigate the associations of reproductive life span duration and ages at menarche and menopause, induced by natural means or surgical bilateral oophorectomy, with incident
CVD
in women.

Methods and Results

Prospective cohort study of 73 814 Nurses' Health Study following participants without
CVD
, defined as incident coronary heart disease or stroke, from 1980 through 2012. Duration of reproductive life span was generated by subtracting age at menarche from age at menopause. A shorter reproductive life span was associated with a higher risk of incident
CVD
after multivariable adjustment (relative risk, 1.32 [95% confidence interval, 1.16–1.49] comparing duration <30 with ≥42 years;
P
trend<0.0001). Early age at menopause was associated with higher multivariable‐adjusted
CVD
risk (1.32 [1.16–1.51] comparing age <40 with 50 to <55 years;
P
trend<0.0001), with excess risk for both natural and surgical menopause. Compared with women with menarche at 13 years, the multivariable‐adjusted
CVD
risk for early menarche at ≤10 years was 1.22 (1.09–1.36). The association between reproductive life span and
CVD
remained significant in sensitivity analyses excluding women who experienced extreme early age at menarche or who used hormone therapy.

Conclusions

A shorter duration of reproductive life span is associated with a higher risk of
CVD
, which is likely driven by the timing of menopause induced either naturally or surgically. Extremely early age at menarche is also associated with a higher risk of
CVD
.
Differential Impact of Serial Measurement of Nonplatelet Thromboxane Generation on Long‐Term Outcome After Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Kakouros Nikolaos , Gluckman Tyler J. , Conte John V. , Kickler Thomas S. , Laws Katherine , Barton Bruce A. , Rade Jeffrey J.
Published: November 2017

Background

Systemic thromboxane generation, not suppressible by standard aspirin therapy and likely arising from nonplatelet sources, increases the risk of atherothrombosis and death in patients with cardiovascular disease. In the RIGOR (Reduction in Graft Occlusion Rates) study, greater nonplatelet thromboxane generation occurred early compared with late after coronary artery bypass graft surgery, although only the latter correlated with graft failure. We hypothesize that a similar differential association exists between nonplatelet thromboxane generation and long‐term clinical outcome.

Methods and Results

Five‐year outcome data were analyzed for 290 RIGOR subjects taking aspirin with suppressed platelet thromboxane generation. Multivariable modeling was performed to define the relative predictive value of the urine thromboxane metabolite, 11‐dehydrothromboxane B
2
(11‐dhTXB
2
), measured 3 days versus 6 months after surgery on the composite end point of death, myocardial infarction, revascularization or stroke, and death alone. 11‐dhTXB
2
measured 3 days after surgery did not independently predict outcome, whereas 11‐dhTXB
2
>450 pg/mg creatinine measured 6 months after surgery predicted the composite end point (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.79;
P
=0.02) and death (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.90;
P
=0.01) at 5 years compared with lower values. Additional modeling revealed 11‐dhTXB
2
measured early after surgery associated with several markers of inflammation, in contrast to 11‐dhTXB
2
measured 6 months later, which highly associated with oxidative stress.

Conclusions

Long‐term nonplatelet thromboxane generation after coronary artery bypass graft surgery is a novel risk factor for 5‐year adverse outcome, including death. In contrast, nonplatelet thromboxane generation in the early postoperative period appears to be driven predominantly by inflammation and did not independently predict long‐term clinical outcome.
Impact on Prehospital Delay of a Stroke Preparedness Campaign
Authors: Denti Licia , Caminiti Caterina , Scoditti Umberto , Zini Andrea , Malferrari Giovanni , Zedde Maria Luisa , Guidetti Donata , Baratti Mario , Vaghi Luca , Montanari Enrico , Marcomini Barbara , Riva Silvia , Iezzi Elisa , Castellini Paola , Olivato Silvia , Barbi Filippo , Perticaroli Eva , Monaco Daniela , Iafelice Ilaria , Bigliardi Guido , Vandelli Laura , Guareschi Angelica , Artoni Andrea , Zanferrari Carla , Schulz Peter J.
Published: November 2017

Background and Purpose—

Public campaigns to increase stroke preparedness have been tested in different contexts, showing contradictory results. We evaluated the effectiveness of a stroke campaign, designed specifically for the Italian population in reducing prehospital delay.

Methods—

According to an SW-RCT (Stepped-Wedge Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial) design, the campaign was launched in 4 provinces in the northern part of the region Emilia Romagna at 3-month intervals in randomized sequence. The units of analysis were the patients admitted to hospital, with stroke and transient ischemic attack, over a time period of 15 months, beginning 3 months before the intervention was launched in the first province to allow for baseline data collection. The proportion of early arrivals (within 2 hours of symptom onset) was the primary outcome. Thrombolysis rate and some behavioral end points were the secondary outcomes. Data were analyzed using a fixed-effect model, adjusting for cluster and time trends.

Results—

We enrolled 1622 patients, 912 exposed and 710 nonexposed to the campaign. The proportion of early access was nonsignificantly lower in exposed patients (354 [38.8%] versus 315 [44.4%]; adjusted odds ratio, 0.81; 95% confidence interval, 0.60–1.08;
P
=0.15). As for secondary end points, an increase was found for stroke recognition, which approximated but did not reach statistical significance (
P
=0.07).

Conclusions—

Our campaign was not effective in reducing prehospital delay. Even if some limitations of the intervention, mainly in terms of duration, are taken into account, our study demonstrates that new communication strategies should be tested before large-scale implementation.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01881152.
Das jhwh-Heiligtum am Garizim: ein archäologischer Befund und seine literar- und theologiegeschichtliche Einordnung
Authors: Hensel Benedikt
Published: November 2017

No later than the midst of the 5th century the recently discovered sanctuary on Mt.Gerizim was the cultic center of the SamarianYhwh-worshippers, later known as the Samaritans. The sanctuary was in every way comparable to its counterpart in Jerusalem. The author investigates the question why there is so little mentioning of the sanctuary in the Bible at all; only the location “Mount Gerizim” is mentioned a few times in the Tora. Albeit its obvious absence in the texts, there seem to be several, enciphered mentions of the Samaria sanctuary in the later part of the (Judean) canon (Ketubim and Nebi’im). Altogether they criticize the cult on Mt.Gerizim in this very indirect way. The author explores the texts 2 Kön 17,24-41 and 2 Chr 13 as examples for this enciphering and outlines the character of these polemics and the ideological-theological interest of the Judean authors.
The Strange Use of דגל in Song of Songs 5:10
Authors: Andruska J.L.
Published: November 2017

The use of the word דגל in the Song of Songs 5:10 has caused considerable confusion among commentators. Most occurrences of the word in the Song are thought to be related to an army or host carrying banners, except in 5:10, where this usage is said to make little sense. Scholars therefore interpret the woman’s use of דגל in 5:10 differently from when the man uses it to describe her awe-striking an unnerving appearance in 6:4 and 6:10. This has given some the impression that the lovers view each other differently. This article attempts to show that the description of דגל in 6:4 and 6:10 actually illuminates its meaning in 5:10, so that when the woman uses it to describe the physical appearance of the man, it communicates similar feelings of awe and fear, that is, an awe-striking and unnerving appearance.
Centrality in the Book of Ruth
Authors: Dekker John T. , Dekker Anthony H.
Published: November 2017

The mathematics of social network analysis may be employed to determine the central character in a narrative. In this article, a number of centrality measures are utilised in order to illuminate the issue of the central character in the Book of Ruth. The mathematical analysis surprisingly points to Boaz as being the most central character of the book, but highlights the fact that “centrality” is an elusive concept.
The Notion of God Reflected in the Lion Imagery of the Book of Hosea
Authors: Zimran Yisca
Published: November 2017

This article is concerned with Hosea’s political counsel in 5:12-15, and explores the content and unique meaning of the lion imagery presented in this unit. The prophet’s words and their theological root are clarified through a discussion of the meaning of the lion imagery in the book of Hosea, as well as through comparison with similar imagery found in the book of Isaiah and extra-biblical sources. This analysis illuminates the unique theological perspective that Hosea wishes to impart to the people: Through the image of a lion, Hosea conveys that God exercises full, absolute control over Israel. He emphasizes, however, that God’s power is not extended over other nations. Hosea’s worldview, as will demonstrate in the article, challenges biblical notions of the God of Israel’s universality, as well as certain extra-biblical notions of the power of other deities and authorities.
Description of Bursaphelenchus taphrorychi sp. n. (Nematoda: Parasitaphelenchidae), the second Bursaphelenchus species from larval galleries of the beech bark beetle, Taphrorychus bicolor (Herbst.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), in European beech, Fagus sylvatica L.
Authors: Tomalak Marek , Malewski Tadeusz , Gu Jianfeng , Fa-Qiang Zhan
Published: November 2017

Bursaphelenchus taphrorychi sp. n. is described from the bark of European beech, Fagus sylvatica. All propagative stages of the nematode are numerous in larval galleries of the beech bark beetle, Taphrorychus bicolor, while dauer juveniles are transmitted to new breeding trees under the elytra of adult beetles. The new species is characterised by the body length of 782 (717-858) μm in female and 638 (475-789) μm in male, moderately slender body (a = 35.0 (31.7-36.5) and 35.5 (31.4-37.1) in female and male, respectively), spicules 12.0-16.0 μm long, lateral fields with four incisures (i.e., three bands), and the arrangement of the seven male caudal papillae (i.e., a single precloacal ventromedian papilla (P1), one pair of adcloacal ventrosublateral papillae (P2), one postcloacal pair (P3) located at ca 60% of the tail length, posterior to the cloacal aperture, and one pair (P4) of subventral papillae of a similar size as the previous pair, but with somewhat sunken tips, located near base of bursa). In the number and arrangement of caudal papillae, stout and curved spicules with prominent rostrum and condylus, small vulval flap, body narrowed posterior to vulva, four incisures in the lateral fields, and long post-uterine sac, B. taphrorychi sp. n. shares most of the key morphological characters with members of the sexdentati-group. However, the newly described species is unique amongst Bursaphelenchus species of this group by the combination of shape of female tail, shape of spicules, and some other morphometric characters. The close relation of B. taphrorychi sp. n. with members of the sexdentati-group has been confirmed by DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the 28S rDNA region. The taxonomic separation of the new species is also confirmed by the unique molecular profile of the ITS region (ITS-RFLP). In laboratory rearing, B. taphrorychi sp. n. can develop and reproduce on Botrytis cinerea cultures.
Representing discourse in clausal syntax
Authors: Bağrıaçık Metin
Published: November 2017

In Pharasiot Greek, an Asia Minor Greek dialect, a certain particle copied from Turkish, ki, is employed in a number of seemingly unrelated constructions. Close scrutiny, however, reveals that in each of these constructions, ki is employed as a device geared to influencing the interlocutor’s epistemic vigilance. Based on the Cartographic Approach which defends the syntactization of the interpretive domains, I propose that this unique semantics of ki should be represented in the clause structure. Following recent work which advocates the existence of a pragmatic field—Speech Act Phrase (SAP) in particular—above the CP-layer, where discourse and pragmatic roles are mapped onto syntax, I propose that ki is the overt exponent of SA0 and is further endowed with a [+ sentience] feature indexing the speaker as the sentient mind. The apparent differences between various construction types which involve ki—hence, in which SAP projects—then reduce to whether the [+ sentience] feature on SA0 is checked by an internally or externally merging category in Spec, SAP.
Greek and Romance unagreement in Calabria
Authors: Höhn Georg F.K. , Silvestri Giuseppina , Squillaci M. Olimpia
Published: November 2017

The term ‘unagreement’ describes configurations with an apparent person-mismatch between a typically definite plural subject and non-third person verbal agreement found in several null subject languages. Previous works have suggested that languages which have an obligatory definite article in adnominal pronoun constructions (APCs) allow unagreement (cf. standard modern Greek emeis oi glossologoi “we (the) linguists”), while languages that rule out definite articles in APCs do not allow unagreement constructions (cf. standard Italian noi (*i) linguisti). This article presents new evidence from Calabrian Greek (Greko), which corresponds to the predictions for other varieties of Greek, and two southern Italian Romance varieties (northern and southern Calabrese): these varieties exhibit Italian-type APCs but still allow unagreement, contrary to expectations. We discuss how the Romance data may be accommodated by extending a previous account of unagreement and propose that the hybrid pattern observed in the Italo-Romance varieties is a result of historical contact with local Greek varieties.
Ankle–Brachial Index: An Ubiquitous Marker of Cognitive Impairment—The EPIDEMCA Study
Authors: Desormais Ileana , Aboyans Victor , Guerchet Maëlenn , Ndamba-Bandzouzi Bébène , Mbelesso Pascal , Mohty Dania , Marin Benoît , Dartigues Jean Francois , Preux Pierre-Marie , Lacroix Philippe ,   for the EPIDEMCA Investigators
Published: November 2017

Epidemiological research on the implication of atherosclerosis in the development of cognitive impairment is lacking in low- and middle-income countries, where two-thirds of the individuals affected by dementia live. Individuals aged ≥65 years living in urban and rural areas of 2 countries in Central Africa were invited. Demographic, clinical, and biological data were collected, and the ankle–brachial index (ABI) was measured. Cognitive impairment was defined according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fourth Edition) criteria. Among 1662 participants (age 72.9 years, 59.3% females), the prevalence of cognitive impairment was 13.6%, which is higher in individuals with ABI ≤ 0.90 and ABI ≥ 1.40 than those with 0.90 < ABI < 1.40 (20.1% and 17% vs 12%, P = .0024). Cognitive impairment was significantly associated with the factors such as age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.09; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07-1.12, P < .0001), female gender (OR: 2.36, 95% CI: 1.59-3.49, P < .0001), smoking (OR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.06-2.23, P = .0026), and low ABI (≤0.90; OR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.03-2.25, P = .0359). The ABI, a ubiquitous marker of atherosclerosis, provides independent and incremental information on susceptibility to present with cognitive disorders.
The Relationship Between Supportive Friendships, Conflictual Friendships, and Deviance During Emerging Adulthood
Authors: Mowen Thomas J. , Boman John H.
Published: November 2017

As deviant behavior is increasing during emerging adulthood and friends are a driving force behind deviance, the goal of this study is to explore the relationships between friend support, conflict, and crime. Using a large sample of friendship pairs and developmental interpretations of social control and differential association theories, a series of mixed models are estimated, which investigate the roles of support, conflict, and peer deviance on an individual’s self-reported property crime. Results demonstrate that high levels of support and conflict relate to less offending in both independent and interdependent ways. However, neither social control nor differential association can provide a clear explanation to these findings, even though support and conflict clearly seem important for offending during emerging adulthood.
Settlers, Rhodesians, and Supremacists: White Authors and the Fast Track Land Reform Program in Post-2000 Zimbabwe
Authors: Gwekwerere Tavengwa , Mutasa Davie E. , Chitofiri Kudakwashe
Published: November 2017

Texts written by some white Zimbabweans in the post-2000 dispensation are largely shaped by their authors’ endeavor to contest the loss of lands they held prior to the onset of the Fast Track Land Reform Program (FTLRP). Written as memoirs, these texts are bound by the tendency to fall back on colonial settler values, Rhodesian identities, and Hegelian supremacist ideas in their narration of aspects of a conflict in which tropes such as truth, justice, patriotism, and belonging were not only evoked but also reframed. This article explores manifestations of this tendency in Eric Harrison’s Jambanja (2006) and Jim Barker’s Paradise Plundered: The Story of a Zimbabwean Farm (2007). The discussion unfolds against the backdrop of the realization that much of the literary-critical scholarship on land reform in post-2000 Zimbabwe focuses on texts written by black Zimbabweans and does not attend to the panoply of ways in which some white-authored texts yearn for colonial structures of power and privilege. This article evinces that the reincarnation of colonial settler values, Rhodesian identities, and Hegelian supremacist ideas undermines the discourse of white entitlement more than it promotes it. Values and identities of the colonial yesteryear on which this discourse is premised are not only anachronistic in the 21st century; they also obey the self-other binary at the heart of the patriotic history pedestal that was instrumental in the Zimbabwean regime’s post-2000 populist deployment of the land grievance to reconstruct itself as the only and indispensable champion of African interests in Zimbabwe.
Can explaining less be more? Enhancing vocabulary through explicit versus elaborative storytelling
Authors: Vaahtoranta Enni , Suggate Sebastian , Jachmann Cornelia , Lenhart Jan , Lenhard Wolfgang
Published: November 2017

Shared reading represents an established practice to foster preschool vocabulary development, particularly when coupled with explicit instruction in word meanings. However, a question remains as to whether explicit word definitions detract from story delivery and hence language learning. Accordingly, this study compared explicit versus story-focused, elaborative storytelling in a 2 × 2 pre–posttest randomized and counterbalanced mixed design with 63 preschoolers. Children were told two fairytales daily across three sessions in either explicit or elaborative conditions, whereby target words were accompanied with either an explicit (e.g., definition, question) or elaborative (e.g., gesture, metaphor, rhetorical question) word learning technique. Stories were either read aloud or freely told by experimenters. Both conditions resulted in similarly large gains in target vocabulary and performance on a story retelling. Some differential effects were found, with there being a larger difference between explained versus incidental words in the explicit condition. Furthermore, children in the elaborative condition were less restless during storytelling. The findings suggest that both elaborative as well as explicit approaches promote vocabulary growth and provide some evidence of differential effects for child behavior during storytelling.
Development and Preliminary Testing of the Food Choice Priorities Survey (FCPS): Assessing the Importance of Multiple Factors on College Students’ Food Choices
Authors: Vilaro Melissa J. , Zhou Wenjun , Colby Sarah E. , Byrd-Bredbenner Carol , Riggsbee Kristin , Olfert Melissa D. , Barnett Tracey E. , Mathews Anne E.
Published: November 2017

Understanding factors that influence food choice may help improve diet quality. Factors that commonly affect adults’ food choices have been described, but measures that identify and assess food choice factors specific to college students are lacking. This study developed and tested the Food Choice Priorities Survey (FCPS) among college students. Thirty-seven undergraduates participated in two focus groups ( n = 19; 11 in the male-only group, 8 in the female-only group) and interviews ( n = 18) regarding typical influences on food choice. Qualitative data informed the development of survey items with a 5-point Likert-type scale (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important). An expert panel rated FCPS items for clarity, relevance, representativeness, and coverage using a content validity form. To establish test–retest reliability, 109 first-year college students completed the 14-item FCPS at two time points, 0–48 days apart ( M = 13.99, SD = 7.44). Using Cohen’s weighted κ for responses within 20 days, 11 items demonstrated moderate agreement and 3 items had substantial agreement. Factor analysis revealed a three-factor structure (9 items). The FCPS is designed for college students and provides a way to determine the factors of greatest importance regarding food choices among this population. From a public health perspective, practical applications include using the FCPS to tailor health communications and behavior change interventions to factors most salient for food choices of college students.
Pleiotropic Actions of FGF23
Authors: Erben Reinhold G.
Published: November 2017

Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23) is a bone-derived hormone, mainly produced by osteoblasts and osteocytes in response to increased extracellular phosphate and circulating vitamin D hormone. Endocrine FGF23 signaling requires co-expression of the ubiquitously expressed FGF receptor 1 (FGFR1) and the co-receptor α-Klotho (Klotho). In proximal renal tubules, FGF23 suppresses the membrane expression of the sodium–phosphate cotransporters Npt2a and Npt2c which mediate urinary reabsorption of filtered phosphate. In addition, FGF23 suppresses proximal tubular expression of 1α-hydroxylase, the key enzyme responsible for vitamin D hormone production. In distal renal tubules, FGF23 signaling activates with-no-lysine kinase 4, leading to increased renal tubular reabsorption of calcium and sodium. Therefore, FGF23 is not only a phosphaturic but also a calcium- and sodium-conserving hormone, a finding that may have important implications for the pathophysiology of chronic kidney disease. Besides these endocrine, Klotho-dependent functions of FGF23, FGF23 is also an auto-/paracrine suppressor of tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase transcription via Klotho-independent FGFR3 signaling, leading to local inhibition of mineralization through accumulation of pyrophosphate. In addition, FGF23 may target the heart via an FGFR4-mediated Klotho-independent signaling cascade. Taken together, there is emerging evidence that FGF23 is a pleiotropic hormone, linking bone with several other organ systems.
Impact of Fiscal Decentralization on Private Savings in a Developing Country
Authors: Hanif Imran , Gago-de Santos Pilar
Published: November 2017

In this article, we provide empirical evidence on the long-run relationship between fiscal decentralization and private savings in a developing country. We take into consideration the particular impact of fiscal decentralization on private savings and investment as vehicles for fostering growth in Pakistan over a period of almost four decades (1972–2010). Additionally, we use the same dataset to capture the short-run dynamics between these variables. We find a significant and positive correlation between fiscal decentralization and private savings in Pakistan during the period in question. To test this relationship for the long run, we have resorted to co-integrated variables; by contrast, for analysis of the short run, we used a vector error correction model (ECM). Private savings are positively correlated with the fiscal decentralization process from a revenue perspective. Though previous empirical studies have shown mixed results—in the sense that inconclusive outcomes still prevail when linking growth and fiscal federalism—our findings could be of major interest to other developing countries currently undertaking fiscal decentralization. According to our analysis, fiscal decentralization may indeed play a key role in promoting economic growth in developing countries.
Review: Donna J Haraway, Manifestly Haraway: The Cyborg Manifesto, The Companion Species Manifesto, Companions in Conversation (with Cary Wolfe)
Authors: Latimer Joanna
Published: November 2017

In this review of Donna J Haraway’s book, Manifestly Haraway, that brings together The Cyborg Manifesto, The Companion Species Manifesto and Companions in Conversation (with Cary Wolfe), the author aims to show how Haraway’s work taken together is inspiring and revolutionary, offering us a basis for thinking differently about how we can intervene in dominant power relations in ways that are not simply critical but constructive of new ways of doing and being a social scientist. Like Foucault before her, Haraway offers not just exceptional tropes to think with – the cyborg, the companion species – but practices, ways of thinking and writing and relating, through which to make knowledge, and remake worlds. Making kin, becoming-with – not post-humanism but compost – these are the messages of her manifestos for doing our theorizing and our researching differently.
Review: Stuart Hall with Bill Schwarz, Stuart Hall: Familiar Stranger; Sally Davison, David Featherstone and Bill Schwarz (eds.), Stuart Hall: Selected Political Writings
Authors: Jefferson Tony
Published: November 2017

This is a review of two books, one Stuart Hall’s memoir, the other an edited volume of some of his most significant political writings. The former offers a psychosocial portrait of Hall, from Jamaica’s brown middle class, feeling alienated from the cultural norms and beliefs of his thoroughly colonized family of origin and coming to identify with Jamaica’s black masses and the post-colonial. Crucial to the transition was re-locating to England via a scholarship to Oxford. Despite ongoing disenchantment, this move enabled a new, liberating vantage point for understanding himself, namely, that of the diasporic intellectual. The memoir ends with Hall frenetically engaged politically with the new left and CND, which is where Selected Political Writings begins. Covering key moments and events in a changing political scene over more than 50 years, the essays, conjunctural analyses written contemporaneously, show remarkable consistency in political outlook and analytical approach.
Cerebral metabolism and vascular reactivity during breath-hold and hypoxic challenge in freedivers and healthy controls
Authors: Vestergaard Mark B , Larsson Henrik BW
Published: November 2017

The goal of the present study was to examine the cerebral metabolism and vascular reactivity during extended breath-holds (ranging from 2 min 32 s to 7 min 0 s) and during a hypoxic challenge in freedivers and non-diver controls. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to measure the global cerebral blood flow (CBF) and metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2), and magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to measure the cerebral lactate, glutamate+glutamine, N-acetylaspartate and phosphocreatine+creatine concentrations in the occipital lobe. Fifteen freedivers and seventeen non-diver controls participated. The freedivers showed remarkable increases in CBF (107%) during the breath-holds, compensating for arterial desaturation, and sustained cerebral oxygen delivery (CDO2). CMRO2 was unaffected throughout the breath-holds. During the hypoxic challenge, the freedivers had larger increases in blood flow in the sagittal sinus than the non-divers, and could sustain normal CDO2. No differences were found in lactate production, global CBF or CMRO2. We conclude that the mechanism for sustaining brain function during breath-holding in freedivers involves an extraordinary increase in perfusion, and that freedivers present evidence for higher cerebrovascular reactivity, but not for higher lactate-producing glycolysis during a hypoxic challenge compared to controls.
Assessment of postsurgical outcomes between different implants in patients with empty nose syndrome: A meta-analysis
Authors: Ma Zu-xia , Quan-Zeng  , Jie-Liu  , Hu Guo-hua
Published: November 2017

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of surgery and different implant materials on subjective outcomes in patients with empty nose syndrome (ENS).

Methods

Postsurgical outcomes were assessed in a meta-analysis of patients with ENS who underwent treatment with different implants.

Results

We identified 122 relevant studies, and 6 were included in the meta-analysis (4 prospective trials and 2 randomized controlled trials). A significant difference was found between the preoperative and postoperative Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT) scores for different implants. With respect to implant materials, significant differences were observed between autografts/allografts (AG) and foreign material grafts (FGs). A subgroup analysis of different countries showed that more patients from China underwent surgical implant therapy than patients from other countries.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis suggests that surgery can improve the symptoms and SNOT scores of patients with ENS, AGs are more effective than FGs in patients with ENS, and that more patients from China undergo surgical implant therapy than patients from other countries.
Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation in Osteoarthritic Surroundings: TNFα and Its Inhibition by Adalimumab in a Knee-Specific Bioreactor
Authors: Ossendorff Robert , Grad Sibylle , Stoddart Martin J. , Alini Mauro , Schmal Hagen , Südkamp Norbert , Salzmann Gian M.
Published: November 2017

Background:

Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) fails in up to 20% of cases. Advanced intra-articular degeneration paired with an inflammatory environment may be closely related to implantation failure. Certain cytokines have been identified to play a major role during early osteoarthritis.

Purpose:

To investigate the effects of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and its potential inhibition by adalimumab on cartilage regeneration in an in vitro model of ACI.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

Bovine articular chondrocytes were cultivated and transferred at passage 3 to fibrin-polyurethane scaffolds. Constructs were loaded by compression (10%-20% scaffold height) and shear (±25°) in a fully characterized multiaxial load (L) bioreactor to simulate clinical ACI or were subjected to free swelling (FS) conditions for a duration of 2 weeks. TNFα (20 ng/mL), adalimumab (10 µg/mL), or both were added to the medium. To assess the outcome, DNA, GAG (glycosaminoglycan), and total collagen were quantified, and gene expression of anabolic (collagen 2, aggrecan, cartilage oligomeric protein, proteoglycan 4), catabolic (matrix metalloproteinases [MMP] 3 and 13), dedifferentiation (collagen 1), and hypertrophy (collagen 10) markers and proinflammatory cytokines (TNFα, IL-1β) was analyzed. Histological evaluation was performed with safranin O/fast green, toluidine blue, and immunohistochemistry of collagen 1 and 2. Apoptosis was analyzed by immunolabeling of anti-active caspase 3. For statistical evaluation, nonparametric tests were chosen with a significance level of P < .05.

Results:

A general downregulation of anabolic and upregulation of catabolic markers was detected in the TNFα groups. Collagen 2 was suppressed by TNFα (FS, P = .029; L, P = .006), while MMP 3 was significantly upregulated (FS, P = .035; L, P = .001). Dynamic loading induced a chondrogenic response, which could not fully antagonize the effect of the cytokine. Adalimumab antagonized all effects of TNFα. The histological and immunohistochemical assessments demonstrated less matrix formation in the cytokine-only groups. TNFα induced apoptosis, and this effect was increased by loading.

Conclusion:

TNFα does negatively affect chondrogenesis under simulated ACI conditions. Both dynamic load and, more potentially, adalimumab showed the capability of antagonizing the negative effects.

Clinical Relevance:

Catabolic cytokine suppression (ie, TNFα inhibition) combined with compression and shear load may best meet the conditions for chondrogenesis in an osteoarthritic environment.