bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Photothermal Therapy Using Gold Nanorods and Near‐Infrared Light in a Murine Melanoma Model Increases Survival and Decreases Tumor Volume
Authors: Popp Mary K. , Oubou Imane , Shepherd Colin , Nager Zachary , Anderson Courtney , Pagliaro Len
Published: August 2014

Photothermal therapy (PTT) treatments have shown strong potential in treating tumors through their ability to target destructive heat preferentially to tumor regions. In this paper we demonstrate that PTT in a murine melanoma model using gold nanorods (GNRs) and near‐infrared (NIR) light decreases tumor volume and increases animal survival to an extent that is comparable to the current generation of melanoma drugs. GNRs, in particular, have shown a strong ability to reach ablative temperatures quickly in tumors when exposed to NIR light. The current research tests the efficacy of GNRs PTT in a difficult and fast growing murine melanoma model using a NIR light‐emitting diode (LED) light source. LED light sources in the NIR spectrum could provide a safer and more practical approach to photothermal therapy than lasers. We also show that the LED light source can effectively and quickly heat in vitro and in vivo models to ablative temperatures when combined with GNRs. We anticipate that this approach could have significant implications for human cancer therapy.
Expansions of Functions Based on Rational Orthogonal Basis with Nonnegative Instantaneous Frequencies
Authors: Cui Xiaona , Yao Suxia
Published: August 2014

We consider in this paper expansions of functions based on the rational orthogonal basis for the space of square integrable functions. The basis functions have nonnegative instantaneous frequencies so that the expansions make physical sense. We discuss the almost everywhere convergence of the expansions and develop a fast algorithm for computing the coefficients arising in the expansions by combining the characterization of the coefficients with the fast Fourier transform.
Intracranial Complication of Rhinosinusitis from Actinomycosis of the Paranasal Sinuses: A Rare Case of Abducens Nerve Palsy
Authors: Fadda G. L. , Gisolo M. , Crosetti E. , Fulcheri A. , Succo G.
Published: August 2014

Sinonasal actinomycosis should be suspected when a patient with chronic sinusitis does not respond to medical therapy or has a history of facial trauma, dental disease, cancer, immunodeficiency, long-term steroid therapy, diabetes, or malnutrition. Radiological evaluation with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are important in differential diagnosis, evaluating the extent of disease, and understanding clinical symptoms. Endoscopic sinus surgery associated with long-term intravenous antibiotic therapy is the gold standard for treatment of sinonasal actinomycosis. We report an unusual case of abducens nerve palsy resulting from invasive sinonasal actinomycosis in a patient with an abnormally enlarged sphenoid sinus. A review of the current literature highlighting clinical presentation, radiological findings, and treatment of this uncommon complication is also presented.
Laparoscopic Incidental Finding of Pneumatosis Intestinalis in Acute Appendicitis
Authors: Mayooran N. , Olu Shola A. , Iqbal N.
Published: August 2014

Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) is a rare condition where the gas trapped inside the bowel wall. It is commonly found as an incidental finding on routine abdominal imaging or scans. We present a case of incidental laparoscopic finding of pneumatosis intestinalis on a 32-year-old male, who underwent a laparoscopic appendectomy for an acute appendicitis. Laparoscopic appendectomy was performed and pneumatosis intestinalis managed conservatively. Patient did well and was discharged home. Management of PI depends on clinical presentation; asymptomatic PI can be managed adequately by treating underlying causes. We report a case of incidental laparoscopic finding of Pneumatosis intestinalis, which was adequately managed by treating underlying appendicitis.
Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles by Marine Invertebrate (Polychaete) and Assessment of Its Efficacy against Human Pathogens
Authors: Singh Reena , Sahu Sunil Kumar , Thangaraj Muthusamy
Published: August 2014

Synthesis of metallic nanoparticles by chemical and physical method makes the process often cumbersome due the usage of toxic and expensive chemicals. The present study reports the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using marine invertebrate (polychaete) extract at room temperature. The ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy revealed the formation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by exhibiting the typical surface plasmon absorption maximum at 418–420 nm. Structure and composition of AgNPs were analyzed by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Average particle size of AgNPs ranged from 40 to 90 nm, confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. The energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) of the nanoparticles dispersion confirmed the presence of elemental silver signal, whereas X-ray diffraction (XRD) substantiated the crystalline nature of synthesized nanoparticle. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectral analysis showed the presence of amides phenols, ethers, and fatty acids as major biomolecules responsible for the reduction of silver ions. The possible mechanism responsible for the synthesis of AgNPs by these biomolecules was also illustrated by chemical reactions. The synthesized AgNPs showed comparatively good antibacterial activity against the tested human pathogens. This study advocates that not only plants and microbes but also marine invertebrates do have potential for synthesizing nanoparticles by a cost-effective and eco-friendly approach.
Atmospheric Volatile Organic Compounds and Ozone Creation Potential in an Urban Center of Southern Nigeria
Authors: Olumayede Emmanuel Gbenga
Published: August 2014

The relative contribution of individual volatile organic compounds (VOC) species to photochemical ozone formation depends on their atmospheric concentrations and their oxidation mechanism. In an attempt to evaluate the ozone creation potential of ambient VOCs captured in an urban settlement of Benin City, Nigeria, the VOCs concentrations data collected in field studies at nine measurement sites of different air quality in the city and a background site were analysed. Air samples were collected at human breathing height of 1.5 meters from ground level at each site. Active sampling method using the low volume sampling pump (Acuro, Drager, Lubeck, Germany) was used to drawn the air into the tube; the absorbent was Chromosorb 106. The sampling periods were between May 2010 and June 2011; the period covered both dry and wet seasons. The adsorbed gases were desorbed using solvent extraction method with carbon disulphide as solvent. The extracted solutions were analyzed with gas chromatography and mass spectrometer. The observed concentrations of individual VOCs were determined and maximum incremental reactivity (MIR) coefficient along with rate constants of VOC-OH reactions were applied to assess the ozone formation potential of individual VOC in the ambient atmosphere. Sixteen VOC species were observed at various sites with mixing height in decreasing order: toluene (5.82), mp-xylene (3.58), ethylbenzene (3.46), benzene (2.29), and n-butane (0.84). The ozone formation potential study revealed that, ranking by propyl-equivalent, the alkanes included in this study account for 58% of the total propyl-equivalent concentration. The total ozone creation potential in the atmosphere of the Benin City was calculated to be 281.1 µg/m3. A comparison of total ozone formation potential (OFP) in our study with results obtained from other cities of the world revealed that the total concentration of ozone production in our study is threefold lower than the values reported in China city of Foshan. It is suggested that the sources of this pollutant need to be monitored in the area as a way of curtailing the impact of ozone in this city.
Classification of Microarray Data Using Kernel Fuzzy Inference System
Authors: Kumar Mukesh , Kumar Rath Santanu
Published: August 2014

The DNA microarray classification technique has gained more popularity in both research and practice. In real data analysis, such as microarray data, the dataset contains a huge number of insignificant and irrelevant features that tend to lose useful information. Classes with high relevance and feature sets with high significance are generally referred for the selected features, which determine the samples classification into their respective classes. In this paper, kernel fuzzy inference system (K-FIS) algorithm is applied to classify the microarray data (leukemia) using t-test as a feature selection method. Kernel functions are used to map original data points into a higher-dimensional (possibly infinite-dimensional) feature space defined by a (usually nonlinear) function ϕ through a mathematical process called the kernel trick. This paper also presents a comparative study for classification using K-FIS along with support vector machine (SVM) for different set of features (genes). Performance parameters available in the literature such as precision, recall, specificity, F-measure, ROC curve, and accuracy are considered to analyze the efficiency of the classification model. From the proposed approach, it is apparent that K-FIS model obtains similar results when compared with SVM model. This is an indication that the proposed approach relies on kernel function.
Stump Cholecystitis: Laparoscopic Completion Cholecystectomy with Basic Laparoscopic Equipment in a Resource Poor Setting
Authors: Cawich Shamir O. , Wilson Carlos , Simpson Lindberg K. , Baker Akil J.
Published: August 2014

Introduction. Stump cholecystitis is a recognised condition in which a large gallbladder remnant becomes inflamed after subtotal cholecystectomy. When this occurs, a completion cholecystectomy is indicated. Traditionally, these patients were subjected to open surgery because the laparoscopic approach was anticipated to be technically difficult. We present a case of completion cholecystectomy using basic laparoscopic equipment in a resource poor setting to demonstrate that the laparoscopic approach is feasible.Case Description. A 57-year-old woman presented with right upper quadrant pain and vomiting. She had an elective open cholecystectomy seven years before but reported remarkably similar symptoms. Abdominal ultrasound suggested calculous acute cholecystitis. MRCP confirmed the presence of a large gallbladder remnant with stones. Gastroduodenoscopy excluded other differentials. She had an uneventful laparoscopic completion cholecystectomy performed.Discussion. Although traditional dogma suggested that a completion cholecystectomy should be performed through the open approach, several small studies have demonstrated that laparoscopic completion cholecystectomy is feasible and safe. This report adds to the existing data in support of the laparoscopic approach.
Lossless Join Decomposition for Extended Possibility-Based Fuzzy Relational Databases
Authors: Liu Julie Yu-Chih
Published: August 2014

Functional dependency is the basis of database normalization. Various types of fuzzy functional dependencies have been proposed for fuzzy relational database and applied to the process of database normalization. However, the problem of achieving lossless join decomposition occurs when employing the fuzzy functional dependencies to database normalization in an extended possibility-based fuzzy data models. To resolve the problem, this study defined fuzzy functional dependency based on a notion of approximate equality for extended possibility-based fuzzy relational databases. Examples show that the notion is more applicable than other similarity concept to the research related to the extended possibility-based data model. We provide a decomposition method of using the proposed fuzzy functional dependency for database normalization and prove the lossless join property of the decomposition method.
Multicriteria Decision Making Method Based on the Higher Order Hesitant Fuzzy Soft Set
Authors: Farhadinia B.
Published: August 2014

The main goal of this contribution is to introduce the concept of higher order hesitant fuzzy soft set as an extension of fuzzy soft set that encompasses most of the existing extensions of fuzzy soft set as special cases. Furthermore, this new concept provides us with a method for dealing with multicriteria fuzzy decision making problems which are difficult to explain in other
existing extensions of fuzzy soft set theory, especially when problems involve parameters with different-dimensional levels.
Community Mapping and Theory of Planned Behavior as Study Tools for Solid Waste Management
Authors: Apinhapath Chainarong
Published: August 2014

Many cities have encountered problems with uncollected solid waste. Separate disposal of recyclable waste is viewed as the most effective procedure in waste management. However, this requires the cooperation of the people in the community. Community mapping is the most effective tool for understanding a community but it does not address possible ways to change people’s behavior. The Theory of Planned Behavior was the basis for this study of recycling behavior as it offers methods for changing people’s habits. However, the theory does not provide guidance on how to facilitate the use of recycling bins in the community. Many recycling projects have been unsuccessfully implemented due to the fact that most people do not want waste bins placed near their houses. Therefore, both of these effective tools were combined in this study, which propose an effective implementation method for community solid waste management.
Energy Losses and Voltage Stability Study in Distribution Network with Distributed Generation
Authors: Ren Hongwei , Han Congying , Guo Tiande , Pei Wei
Published: August 2014

With the distributed generation technology widely applied, some system problems such as overvoltages and undervoltages are gradually remarkable, which are caused by distributed generations like wind energy system (WES) and photovoltaic system (PVS) because of their probabilistic output power which relied on natural conditions. Since the impacts of WES and PVS are important in the distribution system voltage quality, we study these in this paper using new models with the probability density function of node voltage and the cumulative distribution function of total losses. We apply these models to solve the IEEE33 distribution system to be chosen in IEEE standard database. We compare our method with the Monte Carlo simulation method in three different cases, respectively. In the three cases, these results not only can provide the important reference information for the next stage optimization design, system reliability, and safety analysis but also can reduce amount of calculation.
Evaluation of Concrete Durability Performance with Sodium Silicate Impregnants
Authors: Park Sang-Soon , Kim Yun Yong , Lee Byung Jae , Kwon Seung-Jun
Published: August 2014

This paper presents an enhanced performance in concrete impregnated with silicate compound. Two different types of impregnant materials (inorganic and combined type) are applied to concrete samples with different strength grade (21 MPa and 34 MPa). Through lab-scale test, improved performances in impregnated concrete are evaluated regarding porosity, strength, chloride diffusion coefficient, permeability of air/water, and absorption. Long-term exposure tests including strength, chloride penetration depth and contents, and electrical potential for steel corrosion are performed for different marine conditions. While the surface-impregnated concrete shows marginal increase in strength, significant improvements of porosity, absorption, and permeability are evaluated. The resistance to chloride attack reasonably improved through simply spraying the inorganic silicate in atmospheric-salt spraying condition.
SIX1 Promotes Tumor Lymphangiogenesis by Coordinating TGFβ Signals That Increase Expression of VEGF-C
Authors: Liu Dan , Li Li , Zhang Xiao-Xue , Wan Dong-Yi , Xi Bi-Xin , Hu Zheng , Ding Wen-Cheng , Zhu Da , Wang Xiao-Li , Wang Wei , Feng Zuo-Hua , Wang Hui , Ma Ding , Gao Qing-Lei
Published: August 2014

Lymphatic vessels are one of the major routes for the dissemination of cancer cells. Malignant tumors release growth factors such as VEGF-C to induce lymphangiogenesis, thereby promoting lymph node metastasis. Here, we report that sine oculis homeobox homolog 1 (SIX1), expressed in tumor cells, can promote tumor lymphangiogenesis and lymph node metastasis by coordinating with TGFβ to increase the expression of VEGF-C. Lymphangiogenesis and lymph node metastasis in cervical cancer were closely correlated with higher expression of SIX1 in tumor cells. By enhancing VEGF-C expression in tumor cells, SIX1 could augment the promoting effect of tumor cells on the migration and tube formation of lymphatic endothelial cells (LEC) in vitro and lymphangiogenesis in vivo. SIX1 enhanced TGFβ-induced activation of SMAD2/3 and coordinated with the SMAD pathway to modulate VEGF-C expression. Together, SIX1 and TGFβ induced much higher expression of VEGF-C in tumor cells than each of them alone. Despite its effect in promoting VEGF-C expression, TGFβ could inhibit lymphangiogenesis by directly inhibiting tube formation by LECs. However, the increased production of VEGF-C not only directly promoted migration and tube formation of LECs but also thwarted the inhibitory effect of TGFβ on LECs. That is, tumor cells that expressed high levels of SIX1 could promote lymphangiogenesis and counteract the negative effects of TGFβ on lymphangiogenesis by increasing the expression of VEGF-C. These findings provide new insights into tumor lymphangiogenesis and the various roles of TGFβ signaling in tumor regulation. Our results also suggest that SIX1/TGFβ might be a potential therapeutic target for preventing lymph node metastasis of tumor. Cancer Res; 74(19); 5597–607. ©2014 AACR.
Prolactin Determinants in Healthy Women: A Large Cross-Sectional Study within the EPIC Cohort
Authors: Tikk Kaja , Sookthai Disorn , Johnson Theron , Dossus Laure , Clavel-Chapelon Françoise , Tjønneland Anne , Olsen Anja , Overvad Kim , Baglietto Laura , Rinaldi Sabina , Romieu Isabelle , Boeing Heiner , Trichopoulou Antonia , Lagiou Pagona , Trichopoulos Dimitrios , Masala Giovanna , Agnoli Claudia , Tumino Rosario , Sacerdote Carlotta , Mattiello Amalia , Buckland Genevieve , Sánchez Soledad , Molina-Montes Esther , Amiano Pilar , Castaño José María Huerta , Barricarte Aurelio , Bueno-de-Mesquita H. Bas , Monninkhof Evelyn M. , Onland-Moret N. Charlotte , Idahl Annika , Lundin Eva , Weiderpass Elisabete , Lund Eiliv , Waaseth Marit , Khaw Kay-Tee , Key Timothy J. , Travis Ruth C. , Gunter Marc J. , Riboli Elio , Kaaks Rudolf
Published: August 2014

Background: Experimental and epidemiologic data suggest that higher circulating prolactin is associated with breast cancer risk; however, how various risk factors for breast cancer influence prolactin levels in healthy women is not clear.

Methods: We analyzed cross-sectional associations between several suggested reproductive and lifestyle risk factors for breast cancer and circulating prolactin among pre- and postmenopausal women, taking into account the use of current postmenopausal hormone therapy, among 2,560 controls from a breast cancer nested case–control study within the EPIC cohort.

Results: Adjusted geometric mean prolactin levels were significantly higher among premenopausal women, and among postmenopausal women using hormone therapy compared with nonusers (8.2, 7.0, and 6.3 ng/mL, respectively; Pcat = <0.0001). Furthermore, prolactin levels were significantly higher among users of combined estrogen–progestin hormone therapy compared with users of estrogen-alone hormone therapy (6.66 vs. 5.90 ng/mL; Pcat = 0.001). Prolactin levels were lower among parous women compared with nulliparous women (8.61 vs. 10.95 ng/mL; Pcat = 0.0002, premenopausal women); the magnitude of this difference depended on the number of full-term pregnancies (22.1% lower, ≥3 vs. 1 pregnancy, Ptrend = 0.01). Results for parity were similar but lower in magnitude among postmenopausal women. Prolactin did not vary by other studied factors, with the exception of lower levels among postmenopausal smokers compared with never smokers.

Conclusions: Our study shows that current hormone therapy use, especially the use of combined hormone therapy, is associated with higher circulating prolactin levels in postmenopausal women, and confirms prior findings of lower circulating prolactin in parous women.

Impact: Our study extends the knowledge linking various breast cancer risk factors with circulating prolactin. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 23(11); 2532–42. ©2014 AACR.
Anti-MET ImmunoPET for Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Using Novel Fully Human Antibody Fragments
Authors: Li Keyu , Tavaré Richard , Zettlitz Kirstin A. , Mumenthaler Shannon M. , Mallick Parag , Zhou Yu , Marks James D. , Wu Anna M.
Published: August 2014

MET, the receptor of hepatocyte growth factor, plays important roles in tumorigenesis and drug resistance in numerous cancers, including non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). As increasing numbers of MET inhibitors are being developed for clinical applications, antibody fragment–based immunopositron emission tomography (immunoPET) has the potential to rapidly quantify in vivo MET expression levels for drug response evaluation and patient stratification for these targeted therapies. Here, fully human single-chain variable fragments (scFvs) isolated from a phage display library were reformatted into bivalent cys-diabodies (scFv-cys dimers) with affinities to MET ranging from 0.7 to 5.1 nmol/L. The candidate with the highest affinity, H2, was radiolabeled with 89Zr for immunoPET studies targeting NSCLC xenografts: low MET-expressing Hcc827 and the gefitinib-resistant Hcc827-GR6 with 4-fold MET overexpression. ImmunoPET at as early as 4 hours after injection produced high-contrast images, and ex vivo biodistribution analysis at 20 hours after injection showed about 2-fold difference in tracer uptake levels between the parental and resistant tumors (P < 0.01). Further immunoPET studies using a larger fragment, the H2 minibody (scFv-CH3 dimer), produced similar results at later time points. Two of the antibody clones (H2 and H5) showed in vitro growth inhibitory effects on MET-dependent gefitinib-resistant cell lines, whereas no effects were observed on resistant lines lacking MET activation. In conclusion, these fully human antibody fragments inhibit MET-dependent cancer cells and enable rapid immunoPET imaging to assess MET expression levels, showing potential for both therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Mol Cancer Ther; 13(11); 2607–17. ©2014 AACR.
Comparative field study: impact of laboratory assay variability on the assessment of recombinant factor IX Fc fusion protein (rFIXFc) activity
Authors: Buyue Yang , Bardan Sara , Peters Robert , Jiang Haiyan , Kamphaus George , Gray Elaine , Pierce Glenn , Sommer Jurg
Published: August 2014

Due to variability in the one-stage clotting assay, the performance of new factor IX (FIX) products should be assessed in this assay. The objective of this field study was to evaluate the accuracy of measuring recombinant FIX Fc fusion protein (rFIXFc) activity in clinical haemostasis laboratories using the one-stage clotting assay. Human haemophilic donor plasma was spiked with rFIXFc or BeneFIX® at 0.80, 0.20, or 0.05 IU/ml based on label potency. Laboratories tested blinded samples using their routine one-stage assay and in-house FIX plasma standard. The mean spike recoveries for BeneFIX (n=30 laboratories) were 121 %, 144 %, and 168 % of expected at nominal 0.80, 0.20, and 0.05 IU/ml concentrations, respectively. Corresponding rFIXFc spike recoveries were 88 %, 107 %, and 132 % of expected, respectively. All BeneFIX concentrations were consistently overestimated by most laboratories. rFIXFc activity was reagent-dependent; ellagic acid and silica gave higher values than kaolin, which underestimated rFIXFc. BeneFIX demonstrated significantly reduced chromogenic assay activity relative to one-stage assay results and nominal activity, while rFIXFc activity was close to nominal activity at three concentrations with better dilution linearity than the typical one-stage assay. In conclusion, laboratory- and reagent-specific assay variabilities were revealed, with progressively higher variability at lower FIX concentrations. Non-parallelism against the FIX plasma standard was observed in all one-stage assays with rFIXFc and BeneFIX, leading to significant overestimation of FIX activity at lower levels and generally high inter-laboratory variability. Compared to the accuracy currently achieved in clinical laboratories when measuring other rFIX products, most laboratories measured rFIXFc activity with acceptable accuracy and reliability using routine one-stage assay methods and commercially available plasma standards.
Polymerisation of fibrin αC-domains promotes endothelial cell migration and proliferation
Authors: Yakovlev Sergiy , Mikhailenko Irina , Tsurupa Galina , Belkin Alexey , Medved Leonid
Published: August 2014

Upon conversion of fibrinogen into fibrin, fibrinogen αC-domains containing the RGD recognition motif form ordered αC polymers. Our previous study revealed that polymerisation of these domains promotes integrin-dependent adhesion and spreading of endothelial cells, as well as integrin-mediated activation of the FAK and ERK1/2 signalling pathways. The major goal of this study was to test the impact of αC-domain polymerisation on endothelial cell migration and proliferation during wound healing, and to clarify the mechanism underlying superior activity of αC polymers toward endothelial cells. In an in vitro wound healing assay, confluent endothelial cell monolayers on tissue culture plates coated with the αC monomer or αC polymers were wounded by scratching and wound closure was monitored by timelapse videomicroscopy. Although the plates were coated with equal amounts of αC species, as confirmed by ELISA, wound closure by the cells occurred much faster on αC polymers, indicating that αC-domain polymerisation promotes cell migration and proliferation. In agreement, endothelial cell proliferation was also more efficient on αC polymers, as revealed by cell proliferation assay. Wound closure on both types of substrates was equally inhibited by the integrin-blocking GRGDSP peptide and a specific antagonist of the ERK1/2 signalling pathway. In contrast, blocking the FAK signaling pathway by a specific antagonist decreased wound closure only on αC polymers. These results indicate that polymerisation of the αC-domains enhances integrin-dependent endothelial cell migration and proliferation mainly through the FAK signalling pathway. Furthermore, clustering of integrin-binding RGD motifs in αC polymers is the major mechanism triggering these events.
Safety and Efficacy of Ixmyelocel-T
Authors: Henry Timothy D. , Traverse Jay H. , Hammon Baron L. , East Cara A. , Bruckner Brian , Remmers Ann E. , Recker David , Bull David A. , Patel Amit N.
Published: August 2014

Rationale:

Ixmyelocel-T is associated with a wide range of biological activities relevant to tissue repair and regeneration.

Objective:

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of ixmyelocel-T in 2 prospective randomized phase 2A Trials administered via minithoracotomy or intramyocardial catheter injections in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) stratified by ischemic or nonischemic status.

Methods and Results:

In IMPACT-DCM, patients were randomized to either ixmyelocel-T or standard-of-care control in a 3:1 ratio (n=39); ixmyelocel-T was administered intramyocardially via minithoracotomy. In Catheter-DCM, patients were randomized to either ixmyelocel-T or standard of care control in a 2:1 ratio (n=22); ixmyelocel-T was administered intramyocardially using the NOGA Myostar catheter. Only patients randomized to ixmyelocel-T underwent bone marrow aspiration and injections. In the 2 studies, a total of 61 patients were randomized, and 59 were treated or received standard of care. Fewer ischemic patients treated with ixmyelocel-T experienced a major adverse cardiovascular event during follow-up when compared with control patients. A similar benefit was not seen in the nonischemic patients. Heart failure exacerbation was the most common major adverse cardiovascular event. Ixmyelocel-T treatment was associated with improved New York Heart Association class, 6-minute walk distance, and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire scores in the ischemic population relative to control; a similar trend was not observed in the nonischemic population.

Conclusions:

Intramyocardial injection with ixmyelocel-T reduces major adverse cardiovascular event and improves symptoms in patients with ischemic DCM but not in patients with nonischemic DCM.
Activation of Endothelial Transient Receptor Potential C3 Channel Is Required for Small Conductance Calcium‐Activated Potassium Channel Activation and Sustained Endothelial Hyperpolarization and Vasodilation of Cerebral Artery
Authors: Kochukov Mikhail Y. , Balasubramanian Adithya , Abramowitz Joel , Birnbaumer Lutz , Marrelli Sean P.
Published: August 2014

Background

Transient receptor potential C3 (
TRPC
3) has been demonstrated to be involved in the regulation of vascular tone through endothelial cell (
EC
) hyperpolarization and endothelium‐dependent hyperpolarization–mediated vasodilation. However, the mechanism by which
TRPC
3 regulates these processes remains unresolved. We tested the hypothesis that endothelial receptor stimulation triggers rapid
TRPC
3 trafficking to the plasma membrane, where it provides the source of Ca
2+
influx for small conductance calcium‐activated K
+
(SK
Ca
) channel activation and sustained
EC
hyperpolarization.

Methods and Results

Pressurized artery studies were performed with isolated mouse posterior cerebral artery. Treatment with a selective
TRPC
3 blocker (Pyr3) produced significant attenuation of endothelium‐dependent hyperpolarization–mediated vasodilation and endothelial Ca
2+
response (
EC
‐specific Ca
2+
biosensor) to intraluminal
ATP
. Pyr3 treatment also resulted in a reduced
ATP
‐stimulated global Ca
2+
and Ca
2+
influx in primary cultures of cerebral endothelial cells. Patch‐clamp studies with freshly isolated cerebral
EC
s demonstrated 2 components of
EC
hyperpolarization and K
+
current activation in response to
ATP
. The early phase was dependent on intermediate conductance calcium‐activated K
+
channel activation, whereas the later sustained phase relied on

SK
C

a
channel activation. The

SK
C

a
channel–dependent phase was completely blocked with
TRPC
3 channel inhibition or in
ECs
of
TRPC
3 knockout mice and correlated with increased trafficking of
TRPC
3 (but not

SK
C

a
channel) to the plasma membrane.

Conclusions

We propose that
TRPC
3 dynamically regulates

SK
C

a
channel activation through receptor‐dependent trafficking to the plasma membrane, where it provides the source of Ca
2+
influx for sustained

SK
C

a
channel activation,
EC
hyperpolarization, and endothelium‐dependent hyperpolarization–mediated vasodilation.
Socioeconomic Status and the Incidence of Atrial Fibrillation in Whites and Blacks: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study
Authors: Misialek Jeffrey R. , Rose Kathryn M. , Everson‐Rose Susan A. , Soliman Elsayed Z. , Clark Cari J. , Lopez Faye L. , Alonso Alvaro
Published: August 2014

Background

No previous studies have examined the interplay among socioeconomic status, sex, and race with the risk of atrial fibrillation (
AF
).

Methods and Results

We prospectively followed 14 352 persons (25% black, 75% white, 55% women, mean age 54 years) who were free of
AF
and participating in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (
ARIC
) study. S
ocioeconomic status
was assessed at baseline (1987–1989) through educational level and total family income. Incident
AF
through 2009 was ascertained from electrocardiograms, hospitalizations, and death certificates. Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratios and 95% CIs of
AF
for education and family income. Interactions were tested between
socioeconomic status
and age, race, or sex. Over a median follow‐up of 20.6 years, 1794
AF
cases occurred. Lower family income was associated with higher
AF
risk (
hazard ratio
1.45, 95%
CI
1.27 to 1.67 in those with income less than $25 000 per year compared with those with $50 000 or more per year). The association between education and
AF
risk varied by sex (
P
=0.01), with the lowest education group associated with higher
AF
risk in women (
hazard ratio
1.88, 95%
CI
1.55 to 2.28) but not in men (
hazard ratio
1.15, 95%
CI
0.97 to 1.36) compared with the highest education group. Adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors attenuated the associations. There were no interactions with race or age. Blacks had lower
AF
risk than whites in all income and education groups.

Conclusions

Lower family income was associated with a higher
AF
risk overall, whereas the impact of education on
AF
risk was present only in women. Differences in socioeconomic status do not explain the lower risk of
AF
in blacks compared with whites.
Mapping the Word, Reading the World: Biocartography and the “Historical” Jesus
Authors: Thomas John D.
Published: August 2014

In the early nineteenth century, the study of “sacred” geography gained traction in American Sunday schools, buoyed by the popular belief that students needed to familiarize themselves with the Holy Land in order to understand the Bible. As religious educators designed geographic curricula, they turned to cartography for assistance and developed map-based lesson plans that would, they hoped, enliven the study of scripture by making visible the spatial layout of ancient Palestine. This article tracks the emergence and widespread use of a particular type of thematic map that featured the life of Jesus superimposed onto the Holy Land, a form of biographical mapmaking that I call “biocartography.” To help students visualize scripture, mapmakers translated the gospel narratives into vectors that crisscrossed Palestine, which meant that they had to overlook the New Testament’s textual discontinuities in order to create a seemingly authentic mosaic of biblical history. Paying close attention to the semiotics of cartography, I explain how biographical circuits that were largely (if not entirely) speculative were regarded as historical fact and how educators who used such maps invented a wide range of cartographic activities to help students comprehend and internalize the Bible’s most salient passages.
Musical Icons: A Theological Reflection on Dmitri Shostakovich’s “Leningrad” Symphony
Authors: Davis Anna
Published: August 2014

This article provides a theological reflection on Shostakovich’s Seventh, or “Leningrad,” Symphony. Investigating the historical context and composer intentions that lie behind the work, together with the now famous story of its premier, performed by starving musicians in the besieged city of Leningrad, the article asks how this secular piece of music might be understood from a perspective of theology. Drawing upon the Russian Orthodox theology mediated by the novels of another Russian artist, Fyodor Dostoevsky, it argues that the symphony takes on the qualities of an icon to embody a kenotic emptying that signifies both suffering and transformation. In so doing, the article aims to further theological engagement with music by pushing the question of how we might think theologically about “secular” music, and also by exploring how we might relate to music’s expressivity and meaning—that is to say, its value as part of human life—within a theological framework.
The Sleep of Christ: Incarnation and the Queerness of Heresy in W. H. Auden’s “For the Time Being”
Authors: Soni Raji Singh
Published: August 2014

This article explores the circuitry between queerness, heresy, and materialist theology in a major literary work by W. H. Auden from the 1940s. Rather than banking on flights of erotic or ecstatic transcendence, Auden’s “For the Time Being: A Christmas Oratorio” (1944) intimates queer sexuality as a heretical form of immanence bound to theologies of the creaturely body. For Auden in the early 1940s, queerness is corporeal enough to organize a theological materialism—or, more spiritedly, a theo-corporeal-ism—whose roots lie in his considerable exposure to Søren Kierkegaard’s religious existentialism. This article reads Auden’s persistent elisions of Christ’s body in “For the Time Being” vis-à-vis the oratorio’s implicit investment in queer sexuality as theologically corporeal (i.e. theo-corporeal). Notwithstanding the paradox this implicitness poses for Auden’s queer exegetes, the article maintains that “For the Time Being” is hermeneutically compatible with Marcella Althaus-Reid’s key work on queer theology.
The Secret of Jewish Existence: A Metaphysical Analysis of Gershom Scholem’s Idea of Jewish Historical Continuity
Authors: Miron Ronny
Published: August 2014

The issue of historical continuity has been of great interest to Jewish historians and intellectuals from the establishing of the Wissenschaft des Judentums at the beginning of the nineteenth century until our time. In the era of secularization, religious practice and the very identification as a Jew turned out to be a volitional choice of individuals. Therefore, the modern coping with the question “to be or not to be a Jew” necessitated a radical scrutinizing of the essence of Jewish existence, of its shaping power, and of the possibilities of realization of historical continuity vis-à-vis past generations. This study exposes a metaphysical perspective on the issue of historical continuity through a critical view of the writings of Gershom Scholem (1897–1982), who proposed a complicated understanding of the secret of Jewish existence.
The Secret of the Popularity of Rashi’s Commentary on the Torah
Authors: Viezel Eran
Published: August 2014

How can we account for the popularity of Rashi’s commentary on Torah? Scholars have suggested that Rashi’s personality and his public and literary activities, on the one hand, and the special style of his commentary, on the other, account for the popularity of the commentary. The author proposes that in addition to these factors, it was a unique methodology that caused Rashi’s Torah commentary to become so universally loved: Rashi explained the Torah, above all, by means of aggadot meyashevot, i.e., aggadot that fill gaps in the text but preserve the sequence and meaning of the narrative plot. As far as can be determined, there is no other exegete who invented similar criteria for selecting rabbinic aggadot. The aggada meyashevet has a unique effect upon the Torah, which can be called “thickening:” the reader enjoys the benefit of following the narrative plot, as well as interwoven and integrated subplots. Rashi’s Torah commentary creates an expanded Torah which is loved by its readers far more than the Torah itself, without the aggadot that thicken it.
Action, Intention, and the Search for the Good: Diana Lobel on Judah Ha-Levi, Baḥya ibn Paquda, and the Search for the Good
Authors: Jospe Raphael
Published: August 2014

Because of their religious and existential appeal, Judah Ha-Levi and Baḥya ibn Paquda are studied in circles otherwise opposed to the study of philosophy. Ha-Levi emphasizes correct actions, whereas Baḥya emphasizes intention and internalization. Diana Lobel shows how both thinkers adopted Islamic, especially Sufi, terms and ideas, but adapted them to their Jewish context, thus exemplifying Wolfson’s notion of “repercussions” rather than one-way “influences.” Her Quest for God and the Good contains broad scholarship but goes beyond it to the multi-cultural philosophical search over the ages for the truth and the good life.
Philosophy of Law and International Criminal Law: Between Peace and Morality
Authors: Bongiovanni Giorgio , Sartor Giovanni , Valentini Chiara
Published: August 2014

The legal philosophy of the 20th century has contributed to the development of international criminal law by rethinking fundamental legal concepts and theories concerning the nature of international law, its relation with national laws, the connection between the law and the State, and the very idea of responsibility. This was achieved, in the first place, through the reflection of Hans Kelsen, who put forward the idea of a system of enforceable criminal norms at the international level, directed at individuals and having a positive legal foundation. In the years immediately following the Second World War, a number of legal theorists and, in particular, Gustav Radbruch, argued in favour of a necessary connection between law and morality, on whose basis it could be claimed that the worst atrocities were punishable even when allowed by state norms, and even in the absence of positive international norms. In the last decade, the practice of international criminal law, through ad hoc tribunals and the International Criminal Court, has stimulated theoretical reflections on a variety of further fundamental issues, like impartiality, judicial truth, justification of punishment, side-effects of prosecution and transitional justice.
Between Peace and War: The Moral Justification of State-Sanctioned Killing of Another State’s Civilian Officials
Authors: Davis Michael
Published: August 2014

The subject of this article is not (primarily) state-sanctioned assassination of high officials but of lower officials, such as scientists or engineers working for Iran's nuclear program. The following seem to be the main arguments that might be offered as moral justification of such killing of another state's civilian officials: policing, execution, war, self-defense, defense of the innocent, necessity, fairness, retribution, reasons of state, best option, and mutual consent. From a survey of these arguments, we may conclude that no state-sanctioned killing of civilian officials of another state can be justified under international law as it is or, at least, as it should be—except when, however imprudently, two or more states enter a convention specifically allowing such killings among the parties. Insofar as this conclusion differs from international law today, international law should change.
Contemporary Approaches to the Philosophy of Crimes against Humanity
Authors: Chehtman Alejandro
Published: August 2014

Crimes against humanity have recently been the object of significant examination in contemporary analytical philosophy. Yet several theoretical issues are still up for grabs. What exactly is a crime against humanity? How are crimes against humanity different from domestic offences? What does humanity stand for in this notion? And who is entitled to define and prosecute these crimes? This article provides a concise, critical overview of the main positions available in the literature. It seeks to isolate the key conceptual and normative issues that surround this debate, and to assess the different answers currently available. It concludes that although all the answers available face significant objections and difficulties, they have made increasingly clear what the philosophical questions surrounding the notion of crimes against humanity are.
Responsibility, Authority, and the Community of Moral Agents in Domestic and International Criminal Law
Authors: Long Ryan
Published: August 2014

Antony Duff argues that the criminal law’s characteristic function is to hold people responsible. It only has the authority to do this when the person who is called to account, and those who call her to account, share some prior relationship. In systems of domestic criminal law, this relationship is co-citizenship. The polity is the relevant community. In international criminal law, the relevant community is simply the moral community of humanity. I am sympathetic to his community-based analysis, but argue that the moral community must play a greater role in the domestic case and that the collection of individual political communities must play a greater role in the international case.
Judith Shklar on the Philosophy of International Criminal Law
Authors: Moyn Samuel
Published: August 2014

This article revives Judith N. Shklar’s Legalism (Harvard University Press, 1964) with an eye to its relevance to international criminal law today. It examines her general jurisprudential outlook, and critique of various prominent mid-century positions, before turning to her account of the Nuremberg Trials. Showing that her defense of those trials may fail, the article concludes by suggesting that the book’s failure may make it more relevant to the contemporary enterprise of international criminal law rather than less.
Purges and Forced Retirements of Soviet Party Elites as Power Tools of Social Mobility
Authors: Vladimirov Katya
Published: August 2014

The article presents a tumulus seventy-year history of the top party élite, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CC CPSU), by profiling the anatomy of historical generations that embodied it. Five district generations in power and various political “teams” had been locked in ferocious battle for access to political capital, high social status, coveted positions, ranks, and privileges. Their survival and advancement demanded perseverance, bargaining skills, and ruthless elimination of competitors. Purges and forced retirement were essential power tools used in their generational struggle for power and status. The article discusses these methods of compulsory “exclusion” and offers innovative and revealing perspective on the nature of the Soviet political structure as well as on the techniques of its internal combat.
Relict populations of Diaphanosoma (Cladocera: Ctenopoda) in the Chadian Sahara, with the description of a new species
Authors: GUO FEI-FEI , DUMONT HENRI J.
Published: August 2014

We record two species of Diaphanosoma from Ounianga and Tibesti in Northern Chad, the first ctenopods to be found in the Sahara desert. One species, from a freshwater guelta on the south flanks of the Tibesti (D. excisum) is tropical; the second species, found in a freshwater lake in a largely saline environment (the Ounianga plateau) is new to science (D. bopingi sp.nov.) and is here described, with special attention to some previously unnoticed structures on the postabdomen. Its relatives are northern species that may transgress into the tropics but largely live outside of them. They are also more salt-tolerant than the tropical D. excisum. The latter is considered a relict of Megachad times, while the new species is considered a relict of more humid but also cooler times in the desert.
A new species of Bryophila Treitschke, 1825 from Mongolia
(Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Bryophilinae)
Authors: PEKARSKY OLEG , VOLYNKIN ANTON V. , MATOV ALEXEI YU.
Published: August 2014

A new species of the Bryophila (Scythobrya) salomonis species-group, B. kaszabi sp. n. is described. A diagnostic comparison is made with B. miltophaea Hampson, 1908 and B. plumbeola Staudinger, 1881. Adults, male and female genitalia of the new and related species are illustrated.
Nomenclatural changes for the genus Discophorellus Tsaur & Hsu, 1991 and new replacement name for Numata Matsumura, 1935 (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha)
Authors: XING JI-CHUN , CHEN XIANG-SHENG
Published: August 2014

The genus Discophorellus belonging to the family Cixiidae (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha), was established by Tsaur & Hsu (see Tsaur et al., 1991) with Discophorellus major Tsaur & Hsu, 1991 from China (Taiwan) as its type species. Later, Koçak & Kemal (2009) proposed a new replacement name Tsauria to Discophorellus Tsaur & Hsu, 1991 because the latter is a junior homonym of Discophorellus Wibmer & O’Brien, 1986 (Coleoptera). But, Discophorellus Tsaur & Hsu, 1991 is still used as valid generic name, Zhang & Chen (2011) described two new species of this genus from Guizhou Province, China, and they did not recognize homonym about Discophorellus. Here, two species described by Zhang & Chen (2011) designated under the genus Discophorellus are transferred to Tsauria, considering the fact that Discophorellus Tsaur & Hsu, 1991 preoccupied by Wibmer & O’Brien, 1986. So far, the genus Tsauria includes three species: T. major (Tsaur & Hsu, 1991), T. cehengensis (Zhang & Chen, 2011) and T. transspinus (Zhang & Chen, 2011).