bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aromatase Acetylation Patterns and Altered Activity in Response to Sirtuin Inhibition
Authors: Molehin Deborah , Castro-Piedras Isabel , Sharma Monica , Sennoune Souad R. , Arena Daphne , Manna Pulak R. , Pruitt Kevin
Published: June 2018

Aromatase, a cytochrome P450 member, is a key enzyme involved in estrogen biosynthesis and is dysregulated in the majority of breast cancers. Studies have shown that lysine deacetylase inhibitors (KDI) decrease aromatase expression in cancer cells, yet many unknowns remain regarding the mechanism by which this occurs. However, advances have been made to clarify factors involved in the transcriptional regulation of the aromatase gene (CYP19A1). Yet, despite aromatase being a primary target for breast cancer therapy, its posttranslational regulation has been virtually unexplored. Acetylation is a posttranslational modification (PTM) known to alter the activity and stability of many oncoproteins, and given the role of KDIs in regulating aromatase expression, we postulate that aromatase acetylation acts as a novel posttranslational regulatory mechanism that impacts aromatase expression and/or activity in breast cancer. Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis revealed that aromatase is basally acetylated on several lysine residues (108, 169, 242, 262, 334, 352, and 354) in MCF-7 cells, and treatment with a SIRT-1 inhibitor induced additional acetylation (376, 390, 440, and 448). These acetylated lysine residues are in regions critical for aromatase activity. Site-directed mutagenesis and overexpression studies demonstrated that K108R/Q or K440R/Q mutations significantly altered aromatase activity in breast cancer cells without altering its subcellular localization.

Implications: These findings demonstrate a novel posttranslational regulation of aromatase and uncover novel anticancer effects of deacetylase inhibitors, thus providing new insight for ongoing development of deacetylase inhibitors as cancer therapeutics. Mol Cancer Res; 16(10); 1530–42. ©2018 AACR.
Mild Cognitive Impairment Reversion and Progression: Rates and Predictors in Community-Living Older Persons in the Singapore Longitudinal Ageing Studies Cohort
Authors: Gao Qi , Gwee Xinyi , Feng Liang , Nyunt Ma Shwe Zin , Feng Lei , Collinson Simon L. , Chong Mei Sian , Lim Wee Shiong , Lee Tih-Shih , Yap Philip , Yap Keng Bee , Ng Tze Pin
Published: June 2018

Background: Studies report varying rates and predictors of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) progression and reversion. Methods: We determined MCI reversion and progression among 473 community-living adults aged ≥55 years in the Singapore Longitudinal Ageing Study with an average of 6 years of follow-up and estimated association with baseline variables. Results: A total of 208 MCI participants reverted to normal cognition (44.0%) and 19 progressed to dementia (4.0%). In a model adjusted for age, gender, education, ethnicity, cardiovascular risk factors/diseases, APOE ε4 status, depressive symptoms, leisure-time activities (LTA), and baseline Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), we found that LTA score (OR = 1.07, 95% CI 1.02–1.13), MMSE score (OR = 1.21, 95% CI 1.11–1.31), and subjective memory complaint (OR = 1.83, 95% CI 1.16–2.90) significantly predicted MCI reversion. Controlling for all variables, age (OR = 1.09, 95% CI 1.02–1.17), lower education (OR = 3.26, 95% CI 1.01–10.49), and the metabolic syndrome (OR = 3.13, 95% CI 1.12–8.77) significantly predicted MCI progression. Controlling for age, sex, ethnicity, and education, diabetes significantly predicted MCI progression (OR = 3.19, 95% CI 1.23–8.26), but the presence of other cardiometabolic factors reduced this association to an OR of 2.18 (95% CI 0.72–6.60). Conclusion: In this relatively younger population, there were higher rates of MCI reversion and lower rates of MCI progression which were predicted by the positive effects of LTA and a higher MMSE score as well as by the deleterious effect of the metabolic syndrome and diabetes.
Comparison of Bevacizumab and Ranibizumab in the Treatment of Type 1 Retinopathy of Prematurity Affecting Zone 1
Authors: Kimyon Sabit , Mete Alper
Published: June 2018

Purpose: To investigate the effects of bevacizumab and ranibizumab in the treatment of type 1 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) affecting zone 1. Methods: Files of the patients who received intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) or ranibizumab (IVR) treatment for ROP affecting zone 1 were evaluated retrospectively. Spherical equivalent (SE) and axial length (AXL) measurements were performed at 1 year of adjusted age. Results: Sixty-eight eyes of 37 patients were included in the study. All patients had initial disease regression but 6 patients (4 in the IVB, 2 in the IVR group) showed reactivation (p = 0.679). The number of eyes with incomplete vascularization were 15 and 12 in the IVB and IVR groups, respectively (p = 0.725). Mean AXL was 20.50 ± 0.99 mm in the IVB group and 19.30 ± 0.48 mm in the IVR group (p < 0.001). Mean SE was –1.49 ± 2.38 dpt in the IVB group and 0.98 ± 2.18 dpt in the IVR group (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Bevacizumab and ranibizumab showed similar effectiveness in the treatment of type 1 ROP affecting zone 1. The AXL was longer and SE was more myopic in eyes treated with IVB. This difference might be caused by the longer intravitreal half-life of bevacizumab than ranibizumab.
Species-Specific Auditory Forebrain Responses to Non-Learned Vocalizations in Juvenile Blackbirds
Authors: Lynch Kathleen S. , Louder Matthew I.M. , Hauber Mark E.
Published: June 2018

Species recognition mediates the association of individuals with conspecifics. Learned cues often facilitate species recognition via early social experience with parents and siblings. Yet, in some songbirds, the production of species-typical vocalizations develops in the absence of early social experiences. Here, we investigate the auditory-evoked neural responses of juvenile red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus), a nonparasitic (parental) species within the Icterid family and contrast these results with a closely related Icterid parasitic species that lacks parental care, the brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater). We demonstrate that immediate early gene (IEG) activity in the caudomedial mesopallium (CMM) is selectively evoked in response to conspecific non-learned vocalizations in comparison to 2 types of heterospecific non-learned vocalizations, independent of the acoustic similarity patterns between the playback stimuli. This pattern, however, was not detected in the caudomedial nidopallium (NCM). Because the red-winged blackbird is a parental species, the conspecific non-learned vocalization is presumably a familiar sound to the juvenile red-winged blackbird, whereas the heterospecific non-learned vocalizations are novel. We contrast results reported here with our recent demonstration of selective IEG induction in response to non-learned conspecific vocalizations in juvenile parasitic brown-headed cowbirds, in which conspecific non-learned vocalizations are presumably novel. In this case, selective IEG induction from conspecific non-learned vocalization occurred within NCM but not within CMM. By comparing closely related species with stark differences in the early exposure to conspecifics, we demonstrate that CMM and NCM respond to familiar vs. novel non-learned vocalizations in a manner that parallel previously reported regional responses to learned vocalizations such as conspecific songs.
Tobacco Cessation in Oncology Care
Authors: Kaiser Emily G. , Prochaska Judith J. , Kendra Matthew S.
Published: June 2018

Globally, tobacco use is a major modifiable risk factor and leading cause of many forms of cancer and cancer death. Tobacco use contributes to poorer prognosis in cancer care. This article reviews the current state of tobacco cessation treatment in oncology. Effective behavioral and pharmacological treatments exist for tobacco cessation, but are not being widely used in oncology treatment settings. Comprehensive tobacco treatment increases success with quitting smoking and can improve oncological and overall health outcomes. This article describes the components of a model treatment program, which includes automatic referrals for all current tobacco users and recent quitters, motivational interviewing during initial and follow-up contacts, combined behavioral and pharmacological interventions for cessation, and systematic follow-up phone calls for relapse prevention.
The Incidence of Binocular Visual Impairment and Blindness in Children with Bilateral Retinoblastoma
Authors: Stacey Andrew W. , Clarke Bronagh , Moraitis Christos , Fabian Ido Didi , Smith Vicki , Sagoo Mandeep S. , Reddy M. Ashwin
Published: June 2018

Purpose: The study aimed to assess the incidence of and risk factors leading to visual impairment and legal blindness in children with retinoblastoma. Procedures: This is a single-center, retrospective case series of all patients with bilateral retinoblastoma presenting from 2010 to 2014. Results: A total of 44 patients were included in the study. Visual impairment was present in 14 (38%) children, legal blindness was present in 7 (19%) children. Bilateral macular tumors (BMT) were associated with visual impairment (12 of 18 patients with BMT, 2 of 19 patients without BMT, p = 0.0006) and legal blindness (7 of 18 patients with BMT, 0 of 19 patients without BMT, p = 0.003).The International Intraocular Retinoblastoma Classification (IIRC) of the better eye also predicted visual impairment (16% in IIRC Group A–C, 75% in IIRC Group D, E, p = 0.004) and blindness (3% eye in IIRC Group A–C, 50% in Group D, E, p = 0.005). Various non-Snellen visual acuity measures were able to predict visual impairment in pre-verbal children, providing them with early assistance. Conclusions: The rates of visual impairment and blindness reported in this paper can be used to counsel families regarding the risk of binocular visual impairment. Early detection and support for visually impaired infants are essential as development can be affected by severe visual impairment.
Building Bridges between Gerontology and Elder Law
Authors: Kohn Nina , Brown Maria , Doron Israel
Published: June 2018

Background: Academics have long called for greater interaction between gerontologists and legal scholars. However, prior studies have suggested that disciplinary borders remain a barrier to such interaction, hampering gerontology’s ability to function as a truly multi- or interdisciplinary field. Objective: This study was designed to understand the nature of current interactions between legal scholars and gerontologists, and to identify opportunities to advance scientific dialogue and cooperation between the two. Methods: Semi-structured, open-ended interviews with 27 participants (12 elder law scholars, 15 gerontologists) were conducted by phone, recorded, and analyzed by an interdisciplinary team. Results: Both elder law scholars and gerontologists indicate that their field would benefit from research collaboration and cross-disciplinary teaching with the other field, but the fields remain distinct with little cross-disciplinary learning. Participants identified a series of opportunities, however, for increasing such learning and collaboration. Conclusions: The authors identify ways gerontologists can be encouraged to integrate elder law into their teaching and research, and suggest how this integration could enhance understanding of the aging experience.
The Lymph Node Ratio Optimizes Staging in Patients with Small Intestinal Neuroendocrine Tumors
Authors: Wu Lunpo , Chen Fei , Chen Shujie , Wang Liangjing
Published: June 2018

Background: The effectiveness of the current Tumor, Lymph node, Metastases (TNM) staging system in small intestinal neuroendocrine tumors (SiNETs) is unsatisfactory. Current N classification only distinguishes between node-negative and node-positive status. We aim to refine the N classification for updated TNM stage. Methods: During the period from 1988 to 2012, patients with non-metastatic ­SiNETs were enrolled in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Using the X-tile program, we calculated an optimal cutoff value for lymph node ratio (LNR) and proposed a novel Nr category. Survival outcomes were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression model. Adjusted hazard ratio (HR) and cluster analysis were performed to differentiate TNrM stages. Results: Patients with existing TNM stage I and II had equivalent survival prognosis (p = 0.214). Current N classification was not a significant predictor of patient survival (p = 0.372). Multivariate analyses identified the revised Nr classification, based on LNR of 0.6 optimal cutoff value, as an independent prognostic factor (p = 0.020). By incorporating the Nr classification, a revised TNrM, which categorized patients into 3 new stages was proposed: stage I (T1–2Nr0–1), stage II (T3Nr0–1), and stage III (TxNr2 or T4Nrx). TNrM stage had better stratification according to the survival outcome (primary cohort: stage I: reference, II: HR 3.852, 95% CI 1.731–8.575; III: HR 7.169, 95% CI 3.220–15.963, p < 0.001; validation cohort: stage I: reference, II: HR 2.034; III: HR 3.815; p < 0.001). Conclusions: The Nr classification more accurately stratifies SiNET patients than current N classification. The new TNrM staging system could improve the ability to predict survival outcome of SiNET patients.
Exploração de rochas metacarbonáticas na região centro-sul do estado do Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Parente Marcelo Lyra , Almeida Cícera Neysi de , Nunes Rodrigo Peternel Machado
Published: June 2018

A atividade mineral no estado do Rio de Janeiro tem, essencialmente, importância local, pois, de maneira geral, não produz bens minerais que sejam cotados em bolsas de valores como commodities (excluindo os hidrocarbonetos). De tal modo, o presente artigo teve por objetivo avaliar se ainda existe potencial para o aproveitamento econômico das rochas metacarbonáticas no centro-sul do estado do Rio de Janeiro. Para tanto, a metodologia utilizada para o desenvolvimento do presente estudo incluiu revisão bibliográfica; compilação de dados inventariados juntamente com os dados dos trabalhos de campo, das análises químicas e mineralógicas; e confecção de um mapa temático, cujo principal objetivo foi indicar áreas potenciais para pesquisas geológicas. O resultado desta pesquisa indicou uma anomalia bastante moderada para a ocorrência de mármores impuros no centro-sul do Rio de Janeiro. No entanto, as características dos corpos, no que diz respeito às suas dimensões e enquadramento geológico, não são favoráveis para a existência de um grande depósito de rocha metacarbonática na área de estudo.
Geoquímica e geocronologia da Suíte Paciência: implicações para o fim da evolução riaciana do Bloco Itacambira-Monte Azu
Authors: Bersan Samuel Moreira , Danderfer Filho André , Abreu Francisco , Lana Cristiano
Published: June 2018

Diversos corpos plutônicos alcalinos de alto potássio paleoproterozoicos ocorrem no embasamento do cráton São Francisco, bem como no embasamento dos orógenos que o bordejam. Localizado no bordo oeste do cráton São Francisco, o bloco Itacambira-Monte Azul integra o embasamento do orógeno Araçuaí, em partes retrabalhado pelo evento tectonometamórfico Brasiliano. Nesse bloco, os plutonitos Paciência, Morro do Quilombo e Serra Branca, constituídos de rochas alcalinas, são englobados na Suíte Paciência. Os resultados petrográficos para a Suíte Paciência mostram o predomínio de monzonitos e sienitos, equigranulares a porfiríticos, com ocorrência de enclaves máficos. As análises químicas indicam altas concentrações de álcalis, bem como o enriquecimento de óxidos ferromagnesianos e alto Mg# (número de magnésio). Essas rochas são dominantemente metaluminosas, alcalinas a alcalino-cálcicas e magnesianas, enriquecidas em Ba, Sr e Rb e depletadas em Nb, P, Ti e em elementos incompatíveis. Mostram altos conteúdos em elementos terras raras (ETR) com fracionamento dos ETR leves sobre os pesados e anomalias de Eu que variam de negativas a fracamente positivas. As características geoquímicas dessas rochas são similares às de granitoides potássicos originados tardiamente em eventos orogênicos associados à subducção, com fonte mantélica metassomatizada e enriquecida em elementos incompatíveis e participação de crosta arqueana na geração desse magma. A idade de cristalização em 2053 ± 6.3 Ma indica que as rochas da Suíte Paciência se relacionam aos estágios tardios da orogênese Transamazônica, possivelmente associados com a evolução de um extenso arco magmático desenvolvido ao final do Riaciano. Dessa forma, a Suíte Paciência e também as demais suítes alcalinas paleoproterozoicas presentes no embasamento do orógeno Araçuaí registram um período de estabilização do paleocontinente São Francisco-Congo na transição Riaciano-Orosiriano.
Small GTP-Binding Protein GDP Dissociation Stimulator Prevents Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Formation and Rupture by Phenotypic Preservation of Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells
Authors: Nogi Masamichi , Satoh Kimio , Sunamura Shinichiro , Kikuchi Nobuhiro , Satoh Taijyu , Kurosawa Ryo , Omura Junichi , Elias-Al-Mamun Md. , Abdul Hai Siddique Mohammad , Numano Kazuhiko , Kudo Shun , Miyata Satoshi , Akiyama Masatoshi , Kumagai Kiichiro , Kawamoto Shunsuke , Saiki Yoshikatsu , Shimokawa Hiroaki
Published: June 2018

Background:

Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) and dissection are fatal diseases that cause aortic rupture and sudden death. The small GTP-binding protein GDP dissociation stimulator (SmgGDS) is a crucial mediator of the pleiotropic effects of statins. Previous studies revealed that reduced force generation in aortic smooth muscle cells (AoSMCs) causes TAA and thoracic aortic dissection.

Methods:

To examine the role of SmgGDS in TAA formation, we used an angiotensin II (1000 ng·min
−1
·kg
−1
, 4 weeks)–induced TAA model.

Results:

We found that 33% of
Apoe
−/−
SmgGDS
+/−
mice died suddenly as a result of TAA rupture, whereas there was no TAA rupture in
Apoe
−/−
control mice. In contrast, there was no significant difference in the ratio of abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture between the 2 genotypes. We performed ultrasound imaging every week to follow up the serial changes in aortic diameters. The diameter of the ascending aorta progressively increased in
Apoe
−/−
SmgGDS
+/−
mice compared with
Apoe
−/−
mice, whereas that of the abdominal aorta remained comparable between the 2 genotypes. Histological analysis of
Apoe
−/−
SmgGDS
+/−
mice showed dissections of major thoracic aorta in the early phase of angiotensin II infusion (day 3 to 5) and more severe elastin degradation compared with
Apoe
−/−
mice. Mechanistically,
Apoe
−/−
SmgGDS
+/−
mice showed significantly higher levels of oxidative stress, matrix metalloproteinases, and inflammatory cell migration in the ascending aorta compared with
Apoe
−/−
mice. For mechanistic analyses, we primary cultured AoSMCs from the 2 genotypes. After angiotensin II (100 nmol/L) treatment for 24 hours,
Apoe
−/−
SmgGDS
+/−
AoSMCs showed significantly increased matrix metalloproteinase activity and oxidative stress levels compared with Apoe
−/−
AoSMCs. In addition, SmgGDS deficiency increased cytokines/chemokines and growth factors in AoSMCs. Moreover, expressions of fibrillin-1 (
FBN1
), α-smooth muscle actin (
ACTA2
), myosin-11 (
MYH11
),
MYLLK
, and
PRKG1
, which are force generation genes, were significantly reduced in
Apoe
−/−
SmgGDS
+/−
AoSMCs compared with Apoe
−/−
AoSMCs. A similar tendency was noted in AoSMCs from patients with TAA compared with those from control subjects. Finally, local delivery of the SmgGDS gene construct reversed the dilation of the ascending aorta in
Apoe
−/−
SmgGDS
+/−
mice.

Conclusions:

These results suggest that SmgGDS is a novel therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of TAA.
Cortical Tracking of Global and Local Variations of Speech Rhythm during Connected Natural Speech Perception
Authors: Alexandrou Anna Maria , Saarinen Timo , Kujala Jan , Salmelin Riitta
Published: June 2018

During natural speech perception, listeners must track the global speaking rate, that is, the overall rate of incoming linguistic information, as well as transient, local speaking rate variations occurring within the global speaking rate. Here, we address the hypothesis that this tracking mechanism is achieved through coupling of cortical signals to the amplitude envelope of the perceived acoustic speech signals. Cortical signals were recorded with magnetoencephalography (MEG) while participants perceived spontaneously produced speech stimuli at three global speaking rates (slow, normal/habitual, and fast). Inherently to spontaneously produced speech, these stimuli also featured local variations in speaking rate. The coupling between cortical and acoustic speech signals was evaluated using audio–MEG coherence. Modulations in audio–MEG coherence spatially differentiated between tracking of global speaking rate, highlighting the temporal cortex bilaterally and the right parietal cortex, and sensitivity to local speaking rate variations, emphasizing the left parietal cortex. Cortical tuning to the temporal structure of natural connected speech thus seems to require the joint contribution of both auditory and parietal regions. These findings suggest that cortical tuning to speech rhythm operates on two functionally distinct levels: one encoding the global rhythmic structure of speech and the other associated with online, rapidly evolving temporal predictions. Thus, it may be proposed that speech perception is shaped by evolutionary tuning, a preference for certain speaking rates, and predictive tuning, associated with cortical tracking of the constantly changing-rate of linguistic information in a speech stream.
Hippocampal-targeted Theta-burst Stimulation Enhances Associative Memory Formation
Authors: Tambini Arielle , Nee Derek Evan , D'Esposito Mark
Published: June 2018

The hippocampus plays a critical role in episodic memory, among other cognitive functions. However, few tools exist to causally manipulate hippocampal function in healthy human participants. Recent work has targeted hippocampal–cortical networks by performing TMS to a region interconnected with the hippocampus, posterior inferior parietal cortex (pIPC). Such hippocampal-targeted TMS enhances associative memory and influences hippocampal functional connectivity. However, it is currently unknown which stages of mnemonic processing (encoding or retrieval) are affected by hippocampal-targeted TMS. Here, we examined whether hippocampal-targeted TMS influences the initial encoding of associations (vs. items) into memory. To selectively influence encoding and not retrieval, we performed continuous theta-burst TMS before participants encoded object–location associations and assessed memory after the direct effect of stimulation dissipated. Relative to control TMS and baseline memory, pIPC TMS enhanced associative memory success and confidence. Item memory was unaffected, demonstrating a selective influence on associative versus item memory. The strength of hippocampal–pIPC functional connectivity predicted TMS-related memory benefits, which was mediated by parahippocampal and retrosplenial cortices. Our findings indicate that hippocampal-targeted TMS can specifically modulate the encoding of new associations into memory without directly influencing retrieval processes and suggest that the ability to influence associative memory may be related to the fidelity of hippocampal TMS targeting. These results support the notion that pIPC TMS may serve as a potential tool for manipulating hippocampal function in healthy participants. Nonetheless, future work combining hippocampal-targeted continuous theta-burst TMS with neuroimaging is needed to better understand the neural basis of TMS-induced memory changes.
Are We Ready for Real-world Neuroscience?
Authors: Matusz Pawel J. , Dikker Suzanne , Huth Alexander G. , Perrodin Catherine
Published: June 2018

Real-world environments are typically dynamic, complex, and multisensory in nature and require the support of top–down attention and memory mechanisms for us to be able to drive a car, make a shopping list, or pour a cup of coffee. Fundamental principles of perception and functional brain organization have been established by research utilizing well-controlled but simplified paradigms with basic stimuli. The last 30 years ushered a revolution in computational power, brain mapping, and signal processing techniques. Drawing on those theoretical and methodological advances, over the years, research has departed more and more from traditional, rigorous, and well-understood paradigms to directly investigate cognitive functions and their underlying brain mechanisms in real-world environments. These investigations typically address the role of one or, more recently, multiple attributes of real-world environments. Fundamental assumptions about perception, attention, or brain functional organization have been challenged—by studies adapting the traditional paradigms to emulate, for example, the multisensory nature or varying relevance of stimulation or dynamically changing task demands. Here, we present the state of the field within the emerging heterogeneous domain of real-world neuroscience. To be precise, the aim of this Special Focus is to bring together a variety of the emerging “real-world neuroscientific” approaches. These approaches differ in their principal aims, assumptions, or even definitions of “real-world neuroscience” research. Here, we showcase the commonalities and distinctive features of the different “real-world neuroscience” approaches. To do so, four early-career researchers and the speakers of the Cognitive Neuroscience Society 2017 Meeting symposium under the same title answer questions pertaining to the added value of such approaches in bringing us closer to accurate models of functional brain organization and cognitive functions.
Scholarly Frameworks for Reading Irenaeus: The Question of Theophanies
Authors: Bucur Bogdan G.
Published: June 2018

Irenaeus’ understanding of Old Testament theophanies and their exegesis is one of the loci of marked disagreement in scholarship. After a detailed survey of the various scholarly positions, this article argues against the oft-repeated judgment that Irenaeus’ treatment of theophanies would set forth a theological corrective to, or even an explicit rebuttal of, Justin of Neapolis’ Logos-theology, and shows that Irenaeus’ exesis of theophanies is also consistent with that of authors who have read Adv. haer. (Tertullian, Clement of Alexandria, and Origen). If the bishop of Lyons participated fully in the tradition of interpreting Old Testament theophanies as “Christophanies,” it follows that some strands of scholarship are severe misreadings of Irenaeus.
The Monastic Paradox: Desert Ascetics as Founders, Fathers, and Benefactors in Early Christian Historiography
Authors: Westergren Andreas
Published: June 2018

This is a study of three literary sources from the late fourth and early fifth centuries CE that depict the rise of monasticism, the anonymous History of the Monks of Egypt, the History of the Monks of Syria by Theodoret of Cyrrhus, and Sozomen’s Church History. Although each of these texts conveys what Peter Brown has termed the “myth of the desert,” i.e. a portrayal of monks as being part of another world, I argue that the same texts also reflect a “myth of the city,” in which the monastic movement is depicted as a civic institution with regard to its foundation, regulation, and influence in the world. What these texts reflect is an attempt from the side of Christian authors to make sense of the multifaceted phenomenon that was monasticism, creating a conceptual space where different ascetic expressions come together as one, as ‘monasticism’ or as a desert city.
The Human Spirit and Its Appropriation
Authors: Giddy Patrick
Published: June 2018

The reductionist conclusions of some evolutionary theorists are countered by appealing to the transformation of feeling-traces from our evolutionary origins. Presupposed to the science of evolutionary biology is the capacity to get at the truth of things, and to live by values, which Rahner terms “spirit”; its appropriation comes about through the process of moral and intellectual “conversion” (Lonergan), extended into the realm of feelings and the psyche (Doran). This allows a non-supernaturalistic way of understanding the saving interpersonal transaction at the heart of Christian belief; framed as a personal journey, it implies a less conceptual and more imaginal approach to faith.
The laevigata-group of the genus Dolichogenidea Mason, 1981 from China, with descriptions of 26 new species
Authors: LIU ZHEN , HE JUN-HUA , CHEN XUE-XIN
Published: June 2018

The laevigata-group of the genus Dolichogenidea from China is revised, with 26 new species described and illustrated, i.e., D. aberrantenna Liu & Chen, sp. n.; D. aegeriphagous Liu & Chen, sp. n.; D. ancylotergita Liu & Chen, sp. n.; D. anteruga Liu & Chen, sp. n.; D. biconcava Liu & Chen, sp. n.; D. brevifacialis Liu & Chen, sp. n.; D. changbaiensis Liu & Chen, sp. n.; D. concentricus Liu & Chen, sp. n.; D. dioryctriphagous Liu & Chen, sp. n.; D. fumeus Liu & Chen, sp. n.; D. funalicauda Liu & Chen, sp. n.; D. gansuensis Liu & Chen, sp. n.; D. indicaphagous Liu & Chen, sp. n.; D. longivena Liu & Chen, sp. n.; D. mesocanalis Liu & Chen, sp. n.; D. obscurugosus Liu & Chen, sp. n.; D. paracostulae Liu & Chen, sp. n.; D. parametacarp Liu & Chen, sp. n.; D. partergita Liu & Chen, sp. n.; D. poliobrevis Liu & Chen, sp. n.; D. polystinelliphagous Liu & Chen, sp. n.; D. sandwico Liu & Chen, sp. n.; D. spinulicula Liu & Chen, sp. n.; D. stictoscutella Liu & Chen, sp. n.; D. testacea Liu & Chen, sp. n., and D. unicarina Liu & Chen, sp. n. Seven species, namely D. breviventris (Ratzeburg, 1848), D. litae (Nixon,1972), D. mycale (Nixon, 1972), D. nixosiris (Papp,1976), D. sicarius (Marshall,1885), D. sophiae (Papp, 1972), and D. turkmenus (Telenga,1955), are newly recorded in China. One species, D. jilinensis Chen et Song, 2004, is synonymized with D. purdus Papp, 1977. Three new combinations, i.e., D. sugae (Watanabe, 1932), D. hamakii (Watanabe, 1932) and D. absonus (Muesebeck, 1965) are proposed. Phalonia epilinana Linne (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is newly recorded as a host of D. sicarius (Marshall). A key to the Chinese species of this species-group is provided.
Nearly Synchronous Multidecadal Oscillations of Surface Air Temperature in Punta Arenas and the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation Index
Authors: Kayano Mary Toshie , Setzer Alberto W.
Published: June 2018

The Atlantic multidecadal oscillation (AMO) signature in southern South America (SA) is examined using the surface air temperature (T-air) of Punta Arenas, Chile (53.0°S, 70.85°W), during the 1888–2016 period. The T-air shows multidecadal oscillations with a significant positive correlation of 0.77 to the AMO index. The relations of the Punta Arenas T-air time series with the AMO-related global sea surface temperature (SST) and regional circulation anomaly patterns are discussed. During the warm (cold) AMO phase, a cold (warm) center in southwestern Atlantic waters induces low-level anticyclonic (cyclonic) anomalies in the region, which together with the cyclonic (anticyclonic) anomalies in the southeastern Pacific channel the northerly (southerly) flow over southern SA. This meridional flow transports warm (cold) air from lower (higher) latitudes into the Punta Arenas region. Therefore, the temperature horizontal advection at the low level is the main thermodynamic process that alters the Punta Arenas T-air in a multidecadal time scale. The use of a relation between a long T-air surface sensor series in southern SA with the AMO presents a novel approach in climate monitoring and modeling.
Adjoint-Based Observation Impact Estimation with Direct Verification Using Forward Calculation
Authors: Ishibashi Toshiyuki
Published: June 2018

The adjoint-based observation impact estimation method has been providing essential information to improve data assimilation systems (DASs) in numerical weather prediction (NWP). This paper has two purposes. The first is to verify the four approximations used in the method: iterative construction of the Kalman gain adjoint operator, the tangent linear (TL) approximation of a forecast model, ignoring cross terms of observation impacts, and approximations for incremental DASs. The second is to add new information to our knowledge of observation impacts. For the verification of the adjoint-based method, we use the TL-based observation impact estimation method that can calculate the same quantity as the adjoint-based method without adjoint calculations. Results of these verifications and observation impact estimations performed on the global NWP system of the Japan Meteorological Agency are as follows. First, observation impacts calculated using the adjoint-based method agree well with those from the TL-based method, with the correlation coefficient between them exceeding 0.97. Second, estimated observation impacts are consistent with previous studies in many aspects. There are also system-dependent properties, such as relatively small impacts from GPS radio occultation data above 13 km. Furthermore, new aspects of observation impacts are found: 1) the probability density function of the observation impact agrees well with the scalar theory when giving the experimental value of the observation and the forecast error standard deviations; 2) later observations in the data assimilation window have larger positive impacts; and 3) impacts of AMSU-A in the Southern Hemisphere are more than double those in the Northern Hemisphere.
Suboptimal rise in awakening-induced cortisol is an accurate marker of cortisol insufficiency in patients with normal renal function (eGFR >60 mL/min)
Authors: Ramachandran Radha , Alaghband-Zadeh Jamshid , Sankaralingam Arun , Khan Shahid A , Tavabie Marianne , Fernyhough Catrin , Sabry Mustafa , Maghsoodi Negar , McGowan Barbara , Carroll Paul V , Wierzbicki Anthony S
Published: June 2018

Background

The insulin tolerance test is the gold standard for diagnosis of cortisol insufficiency. However, it is cumbersome, invasive, requires supervised hospital facilities and has unpleasant side-effects. A non-invasive outpatient-based test will be useful. We hypothesized that free cortisol concentrations in multiple spot urine samples can be used to diagnose cortisol insufficiency in patients with normal renal function (eGFR > 60 mL/min).

Method

Patients and controls provided urine samples at bedtime (S1), and first (S2) and second (S3) void the next day. Cortisol and creatinine were measured in all three samples, and cortisol:creatinine ratio (S1, S2 and S3) was used for further analysis. The sum of S1 + S2 + S3 was used to calculate total cortisol secretion (T). Variation (V) in cortisol secretion in response to circadian rhythm was calculated as the modulus of the difference between S1 and S2 and S2 and S3.

Results

Samples were collected from 96 controls and 11 patients. S1 was significantly lower vs . S2 and S3 in controls ( P < 0.0001) but not in patients. S2, S3, T and V were significantly lower in patients vs . controls ( P < 0.0001). ROC curve analysis using insulin tolerance test as gold standard showed that S2, S3, T and V were all equally accurate diagnostic markers for cortisol insufficiency (AUC: 0.87, NPV: 100%). The best balance of sensitivity and specificity was achieved using T (sensitivity: 100%, specificity: 58%).

Conclusion

Multiple spot urine samples test is an accurate, relatively inexpensive, non-invasive, convenient outpatient-based screening test for exclusion of cortisol insufficiency.
Increased serum concentrations of Nɛ-carboxymethyllysine are related to the presence and the severity of rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Knani Ines , Bouzidi Hassan , Zrour Saoussen , Bergaoui Naceur , Hammami Mohamed , Kerkeni Mohsen
Published: June 2018

Background

There are limited data regarding the contribution of advanced glycation end products in the presence of rheumatoid arthritis. We investigated whether serum Nɛ-carboxymethyllysine and pentosidine were related to the presence and the severity of rheumatoid arthritis.

Methods

Eighty patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 30 control subjects were included in a cross-sectional study. The severity of rheumatoid arthritis was assessed using the disease activity score for 28 joints. Serum Nɛ-carboxymethyllysine and pentosidine were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

Serum Nɛ-carboxymethyllysine and pentosidine concentrations were significantly higher in patients with rheumatoid arthritis vs. control subjects ( P < 0.001). Serum Nɛ-carboxymethyllysine and pentosidine concentrations were significantly higher in rheumatoid arthritis patients with high disease activity vs. rheumatoid arthritis patients with moderate disease activity ( P < 0.001, P = 0.019, respectively). A multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that Nɛ-carboxymethyllysine was independently associated with the presence of rheumatoid arthritis (OR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.05–1.39, P = 0.006). Furthermore, in a multivariate stepwise regression analysis, Nɛ-carboxymethyllysine was independently correlated with disease activity score for 28 joints (standardized β = 0.43, P = 0.001).

Conclusion

Serum Nɛ-carboxymethyllysine and pentosidine were increased during rheumatoid arthritis, and Nɛ-carboxymethyllysine was independently associated with the presence and the severity of rheumatoid arthritis.
Development of a simple indocyanine green measurement method using an automated biochemical analyser
Authors: Sato Yuka , Seimiya Masanori , Yoshida Toshihiko , Sawabe Yuji , Hokazono Eisaku , Osawa Susumu , Matsushita Kazuyuki
Published: June 2018

Background

The indocyanine green retention rate is important for assessing the severity of liver disorders. In the conventional method, blood needs to be collected twice. In the present study, we developed an automated indocyanine green method that does not require blood sampling before intravenous indocyanine green injections and is applicable to an automated biochemical analyser.

Methods

The serum samples of 471 patients collected before and after intravenous indocyanine green injections and submitted to the clinical laboratory of our hospital were used as samples. The standard procedure established by the Japan Society of Hepatology was used as the standard method. In the automated indocyanine green method, serum collected after an intravenous indocyanine green injection was mixed with the saline reagent containing a surfactant, and the indocyanine green concentration was measured at a dominant wavelength of 805 nm and a complementary wavelength of 884 nm.

Results

The coefficient of variations of the within- and between-run reproducibilities of this method were 2% or lower, and dilution linearity passing the origin was noted up to 10 mg/L indocyanine green. The reagent was stable for four weeks or longer. Haemoglobin, bilirubin and chyle had no impact on the results obtained. The correlation coefficient between the standard method (x) and this method (y) was r=0.995; however, slight divergence was noted in turbid samples.

Conclusion

Divergence in turbid samples may have corresponded to false negativity with the standard procedure. Our method may be highly practical because blood sampling before indocyanine green loading is unnecessary and measurements are simple.
Italo Calvino come fonte di Ascanio Celestini: Alcuni percorsi della fiaba tra oralità e scrittura
Authors: Filice Natale
Published: June 2018

Fin dai suoi primi esperimenti letterario-drammaturgici, Ascanio Celestini ha mostrato una spiccata tendenza ad inglobare e ri-scrivere nei propri lavori testi di altri autori, rivolgendosi a tradizioni e generi diversi. Questo studio si propone di esplorare tale tendenza, con particolare riferimento al repertorio della fiaba, che è sicuramente una delle fonti da cui l’autore- performer romano ha attinto maggiormente. Il tentativo è quello di problematizzare il rapporto tra le fonti e i testi celestiniani, allo scopo di individuare le modalità attraverso cui l’autore ri-utilizza la tradizione folclorica. Nel far questo, cerchiamo di sgomberare il campo da preconcetti e assunti aprioristici ingenerati sia dall’autore stesso che dalla critica, in primis quelli relativi alle troppo sbrigative attribuzioni del sigillo di oralità. L’analisi dimostra che Celestini assorbe il repertorio fiabistico per mezzo di fonti scritte (in particolare, le Fiabe italiane di Italo Calvino) che vengono manipolate e adattate a una varietà di contesti narrativi. La componente dell’oralità, intesa con Zumthor come l’atto del parlare (“il detto”), si manifesta non nella ricezione, ma nell’atto performativo attraverso cui l’attore-narratore ripropone al pubblico teatrale “tipi” e “motivi” della tradizione fiabistica.
Current Wellness Practices among Otolaryngology Residencies
Authors: O'Brien Daniel C. , Carr Michele M.
Published: June 2018

Objectives

To determine if and how resident emotional health is monitored among otolaryngology training programs and to determine what wellness resources are available to otolaryngology residents.

Study Design

Survey.

Setting

Tertiary academic medical centers.

Subjects and Methods

An anonymous 50‐item survey sent via REDCap to the 107 allopathic American otolaryngology program directors (PDs).

Results

The response rate was 44%, of whom 47.7% regularly surveyed emotional health among their residents. A total of 33.3% used the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and 61.9% used another scale or did not know. Eighty‐one percent of surveys were anonymous, and 45% surveyed yearly, which was mandatory in only 33.3% of programs. Whether surveys took place was not related to PD or program demographics. In total, 72.7% of programs utilized faculty mentors for their residents; 88.6% had a wellness lecture within the last year; and 74.5% had no‐cost mental health resources with extended hours as required by the American Council of Graduate Medical Education. Within the last year, 31.8% had provided seminars in mindfulness or meditation. Seventy‐five percent had financially supported social events for their residents; <15% supported athletic or mental wellness activities. Healthy foods were provided by 36.4%, and 67.4% of programs gave their residents days off in addition to vacation days for medical or dental appointments. Residents were allowed a mean 18.76 vacation days and 3.73 additional wellness days.

Conclusion

There is no standard practice for measuring and monitoring emotional health by otolaryngology programs. Programs struggle to offer interventions to prevent burnout, with 25% noncompliant with the wellness requirements mandated by the American Council of Graduate Medical Education.
Speaking in turns and sequences: Interactional competence as a target construct in testing speaking
Authors: Roever Carsten , Kasper Gabriele
Published: June 2018

In the assessment of speaking, a psycholinguistically based speaking construct has predominated. In this paper, we argue for the integration of the construct of interactional competence (IC) in speaking assessments to broaden the range of defensible inferences from speaking tests. IC emphasizes the co-constructed nature of interaction and enables the rating of L2 users’ ability to deploy interactional tools that lead to shared understandings. Recent work on IC shows that levels of development can be distinguished, for example, in the sequential organization of social actions such as requests and refusals. This can in turn inform interactionally specific ratings. Furthermore, an IC perspective allows a fine-grained analysis of interactions between examiners and test takers to detect effects of examiner talk. Apparent misunderstandings or disfluencies by test takers can be examiner-induced with the test taker’s response actually demonstrating interactional ability rather than lack of proficiency. We argue that inclusion of IC as a construct in testing speaking opens new perspectives on oral proficiency and enhances the validity of speaking assessments.
Interactional competence: Genie out of the bottle
Authors: Plough India , Banerjee Jayanti , Iwashita Noriko
Published: June 2018

The papers in this special issue provide support for continued scrutiny of interactional competence (IC) as an important component of the speaking construct. The contributions underscore the complex nature of IC and remind us of the multiple factors that affect any construct definition. At the same time, each study offers insights into those factors through their explorations of IC. In this final paper, we first briefly review key findings from the papers that confirm what is already known about IC and that provide new information to our understanding of the construct of IC. After summarizing points of convergence and of divergence, we turn to a discussion of areas that require additional targeted attention and offer four generalizations as starting points for research. In the final section, we take a critical look at the challenges associated with including IC in the speaking construct and the implications of the studies in this special issue for the relationship between IC and proficiency.
Chinese medicine ulcer oil promotes the healing of diabetic foot ulcers
Authors: Jia Hui , Yang Bohua , Li Youshan , Liang Chen , Lu Haibin , Lin Dongyang , Ju Shang
Published: June 2018

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the mechanism by which Chinese herbal medicine ulcer oil (UO) accelerates ulcer healing in a diabetic ulcer rat model.

Methods

Sprague Dawley rats were allocated at random into four groups: a control group, a positive control group (PC), a UO treatment group and an ethacridine lactate solution treatment group. Subcutaneous tissue was surgically removed from the rats on days 3, 7 and 14. The levels of protein phosphotyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) were detected using western blot analysis.

Results

PTP1B protein expression was significantly lower in the UO group compared with the PC group. VEGF protein expression was significantly higher in the UO group than in the control group on day 3. PDGF protein expression in the UO group was significantly higher than in the PC group on day 3. AGE expression was significantly lower in the UO group than in the PC group.

Conclusions

UO may downregulate PTP1B and AGEs and upregulate VEGF and PDGF, which may contribute to the inhibition of the inflammatory response and promote the healing of diabetic foot ulcers.
Cross-finger subdermal pocketplasty as a salvage procedure for thumb tip replantation without vascular anastomosis: a case report
Authors: Li Yi-Syuan , Chen Chun-Yu , Yang Shan-Wei , Tarng Yih-Wen
Published: June 2018

Objectives

Fingertip amputation is often encountered in emergency departments, especially in hospitals located near industrial areas. Replantation of the fingertip can be considered when the normal architecture is preserved in cases of sharp amputation. The goal of replantation is to preserve cosmesis and function, especially for the thumb because of its involvement in grasping and the key pinch. Even when microsurgical vascular anastomosis is applied, the absence of venous anastomosis along with the high rate of failure of arterial anastomosis in zone 1A fingertip amputation may lead to replantation failure.

Methods

We herein present a case report of thumb tip amputation salvaged via a modified cross-finger technique. The recipient site was on the ipsilateral radial side of the intermediate phalanx of the middle finger.

Results

The thumb tip was successfully replanted with no vascular anastomosis, and this new technique prevented stiffness in the metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints of the thumb and middle finger.

Conclusions

This procedure can be performed in local clinics and emergency departments without the need for arterial and venous anastomoses.