bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antiretroviral Therapy Initiation Alters the Redox System of Asymptomatic HIV‐Infected Individuals: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Tasca Karen Ingrid , Caleffi Juliana Trindade , Correa Camila Renata , Gatto Mariana , Tavares Francilene Capel , Camargo Caio Cavassan , Sartori Alexandrina , Biasin Mara , de Souza Lenice do Rosário
Published: March 2017

Background. The combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) increases the oxidative stress in HIV‐infected people, which in turn favors the onset and aggravation of non‐AIDS comorbidities, a common situation affecting these individuals. We aimed to evaluate the influence of cART initiation on oxidative stress parameters. This is a longitudinal study including 30 asymptomatic patients divided according to their CD4+ T cell count (G1: <500 cell/mL; G2: >500 cell/mL) before (M0) and after (M1) cART initiation. We analyzed total antioxidant capacity (TAC), fat‐soluble vitamins, malondialdehyde, 8‐isoprostane, and DNA damage. Results. Results showed a decrease in TAC, retinol, α‐tocopherol, and some carotenoids, in addition to a significant increase in DNA damage at M1. These changes were more evident in G2 subjects. Moreover, there was a significant 8‐isoprostane increase at M1 in individuals belonging to G1. Conclusion. The results indicate that cART interfered in the redox system, mainly by reducing the antioxidant defenses. In addition, patients who had CD4+ T counts higher than 500 cells/mm3 showed more susceptibility to genotoxicity, while patients with less CD4+ T counts displayed more damage triggered by lipoperoxidation. Considering the early beginning of cART, its chronic use, and its capacity to alter the redox status, further long‐term studies on larger cohorts are needed to define the best time to initiate therapy and to investigate new strategies to delay the development of non‐AIDS diseases.
Electrophysiological, Morphological, and Ultrastructural Features of the Injured Spinal Cord Tissue after Transplantation of Human Umbilical Cord Blood Mononuclear Cells Genetically Modified with the VEGF and GDNF Genes
Authors: Mukhamedshina Y. O. , Gilazieva Z. E. , Arkhipova S. S. , Galieva L. R. , Garanina E. E. , Shulman A. A. , Yafarova G. G. , Chelyshev Y. A. , Shamsutdinova N. V. , Rizvanov A. A.
Published: March 2017

In this study, we examined the efficacy of human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (hUCB-MCs), genetically modified with the VEGF and GDNF genes using adenoviral vectors, on posttraumatic regeneration after transplantation into the site of spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. Thirty days after SCI, followed by transplantation of nontransduced hUCB-MCs, we observed an improvement inH(latency period, LP) andM(Amax)waves, compared to the group without therapy after SCI. For genetically modified hUCB-MCs, there was improvement inAmaxofMwave and LP of both theMandHwaves. The ratio betweenAmaxof theHandMwaves (Hmax/Mmax) demonstrated that transplantation into the area of SCI of genetically modified hUCB-MCs was more effective than nontransduced hUCB-MCs. Spared tissue and myelinated fibers were increased at day 30 after SCI and transplantation of hUCB-MCs in the lateral and ventral funiculi 2.5 mm from the lesion epicenter. Transplantation of hUCB-MCs genetically modified with the VEGF and GNDF genes significantly increased the number of spared myelinated fibers (22-fold,P>0.01) in the main corticospinal tract compared to the nontransduced ones. HNA+cells with the morphology of phagocytes and microglia-like cells were found as compact clusters or cell bridges within the traumatic cavities that were lined by GFAP+host astrocytes. Our results show that hUCB-MCs transplanted into the site of SCI improved regeneration and that hUCB-MCs genetically modified with the VEGF and GNDF genes were more effective than nontransduced hUCB-MCs.
Tumor Cell–Free DNA Copy Number Instability Predicts Therapeutic Response to Immunotherapy
Authors: Weiss Glen J. , Beck Julia , Braun Donald P. , Bornemann-Kolatzki Kristen , Barilla Heather , Cubello Rhiannon , Quan Walter , Sangal Ashish , Khemka Vivek , Waypa Jordan , Mitchell William M. , Urnovitz Howard , Schütz Ekkehard
Published: March 2017

Purpose: Chromosomal instability is a fundamental property of cancer, which can be quantified by next-generation sequencing (NGS) from plasma/serum–derived cell-free DNA (cfDNA). We hypothesized that cfDNA could be used as a real-time surrogate for imaging analysis of disease status as a function of response to immunotherapy and as a more reliable tool than tumor biomarkers.

Experimental Design: Plasma cfDNA sequences from 56 patients with diverse advanced cancers were prospectively collected and analyzed in a single-blind study for copy number variations, expressed as a quantitative chromosomal number instability (CNI) score versus 126 noncancer controls in a training set of 23 and a blinded validation set of 33. Tumor biomarker concentrations and a surrogate marker for T regulatory cells (Tregs) were comparatively analyzed.

Results: Elevated CNI scores were observed in 51 of 56 patients prior to therapy. The blinded validation cohort provided an overall prediction accuracy of 83% (25/30) and a positive predictive value of CNI score for progression of 92% (11/12). The combination of CNI score before cycle (Cy) 2 and 3 yielded a correct prediction for progression in all 13 patients. The CNI score also correctly identified cases of pseudo-tumor progression from hyperprogression. Before Cy2 and Cy3, there was no significant correlation for protein tumor markers, total cfDNA, or surrogate Tregs.

Conclusions: Chromosomal instability quantification in plasma cfDNA can serve as an early indicator of response to immunotherapy. The method has the potential to reduce health care costs and disease burden for cancer patients following further validation. Clin Cancer Res; 23(17); 5074–81. ©2017 AACR.
The Epitranscriptome of Noncoding RNAs in Cancer
Authors: Esteller Manel , Pandolfi Pier Paolo
Published: March 2017

The activity of RNA is controlled by different types of post-transcriptional modifications, such as the addition of methyl groups and other chemical and structural changes, that have been recently described in human cells by high-throughput sequencing. Herein, we will discuss how the so-called epitranscriptome is disrupted in cancer and what the contribution of its writers, readers, and erasers to the process of cellular transformation is, particularly focusing on the epigenetic modifications of ncRNAs.

Significance: Chemical modifications of RNA play a central role in the control of messenger and ncRNA activity and, thus, are tightly regulated in cells. In this review, we provide insight into how these marks are altered in cancer cells and how this knowledge can be translated to the clinical setting. Cancer Discov; 7(4); 359–68. ©2017 AACR.
The Use of Thiol/Disulfide as a Novel Marker in Premature Ovarian Failure
Authors: Isik Hatice , Sahbaz Ahmet , Timur Hakan , Aynioglu Oner , Atalay Mert Sule , Balık Ahmet Rıfat , Erel Ozcan , Harma Muge
Published: March 2017

The study aimed to compare the dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis between patients with premature ovarian failure (POF) and healthy women. A total of 77 women, 40 POF and 37 healthy controls, were recruited from a university hospital between December 2013 and June 2015. Blood samples were taken from patients to evaluate follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone, estradiol and thiol/disulfide levels. A new, fully automated method was used to measure plasma thiol, total thiol and disulfide levels. Disulfide levels, disulfide/native thiol and disulfide/total thiol ratios were significantly increased, native thiol/total thiol levels were significantly decreased in POF patients compared to controls (p < 0.001). FSH was negatively correlated with native thiol and native thiol/total thiol levels and positively with disulfide, disulfide/native thiol, and disulfide/total thiol levels. This is the first study demonstrating the thiol/disulfide homeostasis in women with POF and may help us understanding the pathophysiology.
Unilateral Postoperative Deep Cerebral Venous Thrombosis with Complete Recovery: A Report of 2 Cases
Authors: Benifla Mony , Laughlin Suzzanne , Tovar-Spinoza Zulma S. , Rutka James T. , Dirks Peter B.
Published: March 2017

Postsurgical deep brain venous thrombosis has not been well described in children before. When approaching thalamic or intraventricular lesions, extra care should be taken to prevent injury to the internal cerebral veins (ICVs) and the vein of Galen. However, even when they are well preserved during surgery, postoperative hemodynamic changes, mainly in the first 24 h, or surgical manipulation can cause thrombosis of these veins. We report 2 children with unilateral postoperative ICV thrombosis; in 1 of the patients the vein of Galen was also thrombosed. Although both patients had altered sensorium initially, no anticoagulation therapy was given, and they both recovered well. When approaching thalamic or intraventricular lesions, extra care should be taken to prevent injury to the ICV and the vein of Galen. The surgeon should respect the deep brain venous system when approaching midline structures. Both the neurosurgeon and the neuroradiologist should be aware of this possible complication in order to make a prompt diagnosis and to offer proper treatment if needed.
Comparison of the 12-Month Outcomes of Intravitreal Ranibizumab between Two Angiographic Subtypes of Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy
Authors: Nakai Shunichiro , Honda Shigeru , Miki Akiko , Matsumiya Wataru , Nakamura Makoto
Published: March 2017

Background: To compare the 12-month outcomes of intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) between two angiographic subtypes of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of 38 treatment-naïve PCV cases. Three consecutive IVR and retreatments as needed were performed. Subsequently, the PCV cases were classified into two phenotypes (18 type 1 and 20 type 2) according to the status of branching vascular network. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was evaluated in each PCV subtype up to 12 months after the initial IVR. Results: The mean BCVA was significantly improved from baseline in type 1 PCV while not in type 2 PCV. In type 2 PCV, 3 cases showed severe visual loss after 6 months from the initial IVR. The mean retreatment number was 1.9 ± 1.7 in type 1 PCV and 1.2 ± 1.3 in type 2 PCV. Conclusions: The outcomes of IVR may be different between two angiographic subtypes of PCV.
Bacterial Ulcerative Esophagitis in an Immunocompetent Patient
Authors: Shin Jung A. , Lee Young Bae , Yoon In Cheol , Jeong Hyeon Ju , Kwon Taejung , Lee Hong Sub
Published: March 2017

Bacterial esophagitis is a very rare condition usually occurring in patients with immunosuppression. To our best knowledge, bacterial esophagitis without underlying immunosuppressive disease has not been reported. We report an immunocompetent patient with bacterial esophagitis caused by B-hemolytic Streptococcus which resulted in an esophageal stricture. A 68-year-old female was admitted for odynophagia which had developed several days before. Upper endoscopy revealed extensive ulceration covered by whitish exudates with submucosal edema at the proximal esophagus. She was treated with steroids and empirical broad-spectrum antibiotics. Within 14 days the symptoms improved. Since growth of B-hemolytic Streptococcus was detected in nasal smear culture, bacterial esophagitis was suspected. Gram staining was carried out on the already obtained tissue that had been fixed with formalin. There was heavy infiltration with gram-positive cocci morphologically consistent with Streptococcus. Since the bacterial colony was demonstrated histologically, the diagnosis of bacterial esophagitis caused by B-hemolytic Streptococcus was confirmed. In addition, complete resolution of the inflammation following antibiotics therapy was further evidence of the bacterial cause of the esophagitis.
Correlation of Caveolin-1 Expression with Prognosis in Patients with Gastric Cancer after Gastrectomy
Authors: Seker Mesut , Aydin Dincer , Bilici Ahmet , Yavuzer Dilek , Ozgun Melin G. , Ozcelik Melike , Aydin Ozhan , Aliustaoglu Mehmet
Published: March 2017

Background: Upregulation of caveolin-1 (Cav-1) expression is correlated with histopathological grade and poor prognosis in several human cancers. However, in gastric cancer, its clinical utility as a useful prognostic molecular marker remains unclear. Methods: The prognostic importance of Cav-1 expression was retrospectively analyzed by immunohistochemistry in 148 patients with gastric cancer who had undergone radical gastrectomy. Results: Cav-1 expression was positive in 23 (15.5%) patients and negative in 125 (84.5%) patients. Tumor location, tumor grade, lymph node involvement, pT stage, pTNM stage, and the presence of recurrence were found to be significantly associated with Cav-1 expression. The median disease-free survival (DFS) of patients with negative Cav-1 expression was significantly better than that of patients with positive Cav-1 expression (not reached vs. 10.2 months, p < 0.001). Moreover, patients with positive Cav-1 expression had a worse median overall survival (OS) compared to patients with negative Cav-1 expression (14.2 vs. 40.3 months, p = 0.004). In the multivariate analysis, Cav-1 expression (positive vs. negative) was an independent prognostic factor for DFS (p < 0.001, hazard ratio (HR) 2.58) and OS (p = 0.031, HR 1.87), as was lymph node metastasis. Conclusion: Our results suggest that positive Cav-1 expression is associated with progression and poor prognosis in gastric cancer patients after radical gastrectomy. Targeting Cav-1 would be a potential option for future gastric cancer treatment.
Corneal Myofibroma (Keloid) in a Young Patient with Neurofibromatosis Type 2
Authors: Zimmermann Lisa , Reinhard Thomas , Lange Clemens , Heegaard Steffen , Auw-Haedrich Claudia
Published: March 2017

We present a 27-year-old male patient with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), facial palsy, and lagophthalmos following acoustic neuroma removal and an impressing vascularized corneal tumor, which was excised. Histology showed a fibrous tumor with small vessels, and immunohistochemistry was positive for vimentin and negative for smooth muscle actin, S100, and GFAP. We assume a corneal myofibroma (keloid), which in this case rather represents a reactive lesion. This entity has not been described before in NF2 or in facial palsy-associated lagophthalmos in general.
Angioimmunoblastic T-Cell Lymphoma Mimicking Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS Syndrome)
Authors: Mangana Joanna , Guenova Emmanuella , Kerl Katrin , Urosevic-Maiwald Mirjana , Amann Valerie C. , Bayard Cornelia , Dummer Reinhard , French Lars E.
Published: March 2017

Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITCL) is a rare, aggressive lymphoma which derives from follicular helper T cells, commonly affecting the elderly population. It accounts for 2% of all non-Hodgkin lymphomas, with a reported 5-year overall survival rate of less than 30%. Very often, the clinical picture of AITCL encompasses systemic symptoms such as generalized lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, skin rash, anemia, and polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia. Here we report on the case of a female patient who presented with clinical features resembling drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS syndrome) prior to the definitive diagnosis of AITCL. The index of suspicion for cutaneous manifestations of lymphoma, and especially AITCL, must be high, particularly in atypical clinical courses of drug eruptions or if skin lesions relapse and are refractory to standard high-dose systemic corticosteroids.
Strategies and Outcomes of Repeat Mitral Valve Interventions after Failed MitraClip Therapy
Authors: Grasso Carmelo , Buccheri Sergio , Capodanno Davide , Popolo Rubbio Antonio , Di Salvo Maria Elena , Scandura Salvatore , Mangiafico Sarah , Salerno Tatiana , Cannata Stefano , Dezio Veronica , Castania Giuseppe , Barbanti Marco , Capranzano Piera , Tamburino Corrado
Published: March 2017

Percutaneous mitral valve repair (PMVR) with the MitraClip system (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, CA, USA) is a valid therapeutic option for patients with severe mitral regurgitation (MR) deemed to be at high or prohibitive surgical risk. Despite the reassuring data on efficacy and long-term durability of the procedure, the proportion of patients with residual or relapsing severe MR after MitraClip therapy is not negligible. In light of the detrimental prognostic impact of severe MR, repeat interventions are increasingly performed in clinical practice using different techniques. In high-risk settings, percutaneous procedures have proven to be effective and safe at reducing MR. Building on this, we sought to summarize the current landscape and clinical experience of reinterventions after failed MitraClip therapy, so as to assist physicians facing the clinical hurdle of proper treatment management after failed PMVR.
Two Anomalies in One: A Rare Case of an Intrahepatic Gallbladder with a Cholecystogastric Fistula
Authors: Ali Mohammad F. , Friedel David , Levin Galina
Published: March 2017

The gallbladder can be situated in a variety of anomalous positions. An intrahepatic gallbladder – the second most common ectopic location of the gallbladder – is one that is completely embedded within the liver parenchyma. Described in the literature as early as 1935, intrahepatic gallbladders predominantly result from a developmental anomaly but in some instances have been reported to be secondary to chronic inflammation. The significance of an intrahepatic gallbladder lies in the fact that 60% of the cases are associated with gallstones and may present a challenge for the general surgeon during cholecystectomy and other biliary operations in addition to causing misdiagnosis on imaging. Intrahepatic gallbladders are unusual, but the incidence of an intrahepatic gallbladder with a cholecystogastric fistula is rare. Cholecystogastric fistulas commonly are a complication of long-term cholelithiasis or chronic cholecystitis with subsequent gallstone ileus. Herein, we present the case of an 80-year-old man who presented with 2 months of progressive weakness, fatigue, decreased appetite, and intermittent right-sided abdominal pain, and was found to have a markedly distended and irregular intrahepatic gallbladder measuring 12.2 × 11.5 × 13.4 cm on CT, as well as a cholecystogastric fistula on esophagogastroduodenoscopy. During esophagogastroduodenoscopy, the gallbladder was entered directly via the fistulous tract. The patient was on i.v. antibiotics with tube feeds via a nasojejunal tube initially, followed by p.o. which he tolerated. He was eventually discharged with referral for surgical evaluation. Given the potential for cholelithiasis and fistulation, physicians should have a high index of suspicion and recommend timely endoscopic and/or surgical management to avoid future complications.
Endobronchial Ultrasound Elastography for Evaluation of Intrathoracic Lymph Nodes: A Pilot Study
Authors: Sun Jiayuan , Zheng Xiaoxuan , Mao Xiaowei , Wang Lei , Xiong Hongkai , Herth Felix J.F. , Han Baohui
Published: March 2017

Background: Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) elastography is a new imaging procedure for describing the elasticity of intrathoracic lesions and providing important additional diagnostic information. Objectives: The aim of this study was to utilize the feasibility of qualitative and quantitative methods to evaluate the ability of EBUS elastography to differentiate between benign and malignant mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes (LNs) during EBUS-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA). Methods: Patients with enlarged intrathoracic LNs required for EBUS-TBNA examination at a clinical center for thoracic medicine from January 2014 to April 2014 were prospectively enrolled. EBUS sonographic characteristics on B-mode, vascular patterns and elastography, EBUS-TBNA procedures, pathological findings, and microbiological results were recorded. Furthermore, elastographic patterns (qualitative method) and the mean gray value inside the region of interest (quantitative method) were analyzed. Both methods were compared with a definitive diagnosis of the involved LNs. Results: Fifty-six patients including 68 LNs (33 benign and 35 malignant nodes) were prospectively enrolled into this study and retrospectively analyzed. Using qualitative and quantitative methods, we were able to differentiate between benign and malignant LNs with high sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy (85.71, 81.82, 83.33, 84.38, and 83.82% vs. 91.43, 72.73, 78.05, 88.89, and 82.35%, respectively). Conclusions: EBUS elastography is potentially capable of further differentiating between benign and malignant LNs. These proposed qualitative and quantitative methods might be useful tools for describing EBUS elastography during EBUS-TBNA.
FPGA-Based Implementation Direct Torque Control of Induction Motor
Authors: Krim Saber , Gdaim Soufien , Mtibaa Abdellatif , Mimouni Mohamed Faouzi
Published: March 2017

This paper proposes a digital implementation of the direct torque control (DTC) of an Induction Motor (IM) with an observation strategy on the Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). The hardware solution based on the FPGA is caracterised by fast processing speed due to the parallel processing. In this study the FPGA is used to overcome the limitation of the software solutions (Digital Signal Processor (DSP) and Microcontroller). Also, the DTC of IM has many drawbacks such as for example; The open loop pure integration has from the problems of integration especially at the low speed and the variation of the stator resistance due to the temperature. To tackle these problems we use the Sliding Mode Observer (SMO). This observer is used estimate the stator flux, the stator current and the stator resistance. The hardware implementation method is based on Xilinx System Generator (XSG) which a modeling tool developed by Xilinx for the design of implemented systems on FPGA; from the design of the DTC with SMO from XSG we can automatically generate the VHDL code. The model of the DTC with SMO has been designed and simulated using XSG blocks, synthesized with Xilinx ISE 12.4 tool and implemented on Xilinx Virtex-V FPGA.
A High Gain Observer Based Sensorless Nonlinear Control of Induction Machine
Authors: Abdelhak Benheniche , Bachir Bensaker
Published: March 2017

In this paper a sensorless Backstepping control scheme for rotor speed and flux control of induction motor drive is proposed. The most interesting feature of this technique is to deal with non-linearity of high-order system by using a virtual control variable to render the system simple. In this technique, the control outputs can be derived step by step through appropriate Lyapunov functions. A high gain observer is performed to estimate non available rotor speed and flux measurements to design the full control scheme of the considered induction motor drive. Simulation results are presented to validate the effectiveness of the proposed sensorless Backstepping control of the considered induction motor.
Infertility diagnosis in jaguar (Panthera onca): case report
Authors: Barros Caroline Vieira de , Galvão Natália Martins , Croce Silvia Laís , Teles Talyta Finoti Ferreira , Souza Thalita Amorim de , Araújo Valéria Dias de , Moreno Vitor Hugo , Rocha Victor Luiz , Godoy Guilherme Sellera , Ferreira Sandra Peres , Carvalho Tatiana Paula Alvarenga de , Angrimani Daniel De Souza Ramos
Published: March 2017

O presente trabalho relata um caso de infertilidade em uma onça-pintada (Panthera onca), macho, de 21 anos e 125 kg. São ressaltadas as alterações ocorridas nos espermatozoides, devido a estresse crônico, manejo alimentar inadequado e senescência reprodutiva.
Additional Candidate Genes for Human Atherosclerotic Disease Identified Through Annotation Based on Chromatin Organization
Authors: Haitjema Saskia , Meddens Claartje A. , van der Laan Sander W. , Kofink Daniel , Harakalova Magdalena , Tragante Vinicius , Foroughi Asl Hassan , van Setten Jessica , Brandt Maarten M. , Bis Joshua C. , O’Donnell Christopher , Cheng Caroline , Hoefer Imo E. , Waltenberger Johannes , Biessen Erik , Jukema J. Wouter , Doevendans Pieter A.F.M. , Nieuwenhuis Edward E.S. , Erdmann Jeanette , Björkegren Johan L.M. , Pasterkamp Gerard , Asselbergs Folkert W. , den Ruijter Hester M. , Mokry Michal
Published: March 2017

Background—

As genome-wide association efforts, such as CARDIoGRAM and METASTROKE, are ongoing to reveal susceptibility loci for their underlying disease—atherosclerotic disease—identification of candidate genes explaining the associations of these loci has proven the main challenge. Many disease susceptibility loci colocalize with DNA regulatory elements, which influence gene expression through chromatin interactions. Therefore, the target genes of these regulatory elements can be considered candidate genes. Applying these biological principles, we used an alternative approach to annotate susceptibility loci and identify candidate genes for human atherosclerotic disease based on circular chromosome conformation capture followed by sequencing.

Methods and Results—

In human monocytes and coronary endothelial cells, we generated 63 chromatin interaction data sets for 37 active DNA regulatory elements that colocalize with known susceptibility loci for coronary artery disease (CARDIoGRAMplusC4D) and large artery stroke (METASTROKE). By circular chromosome conformation capture followed by sequencing, we identified a physical 3-dimensional interaction with 326 candidate genes expressed in at least 1 of these cell types, of which 294 have not been reported before. We highlight 16 genes based on expression quantitative trait loci.

Conclusions—

Our findings provide additional candidate-gene annotation for 37 disease susceptibility loci for human atherosclerotic disease that are of potential interest to better understand the complex pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases.
Nonsteroidal Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonist Finerenone Protects Against Acute Kidney Injury–Mediated Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Lattenist Lionel , Lechner Sebastian M. , Messaoudi Smail , Le Mercier Alan , El Moghrabi Soumaya , Prince Sonia , Bobadilla Norma A. , Kolkhof Peter , Jaisser Frédéric , Barrera-Chimal Jonatan
Published: March 2017

Acute kidney injury induced by ischemia/reperfusion (IR) is a frequent complication in hospitalized patients. Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonism has shown to be helpful against renal IR consequences; however, the potential benefit of novel nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists such as finerenone has to be further explored. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of finerenone to prevent the acute and chronic consequences of ischemic acute kidney injury. For the acute study (24 hours), 18 rats were divided into sham, bilateral renal ischemia of 25 minutes, and rats that received 3 doses of finerenone at 48, 24, and 1 hour before the ischemia. For the chronic study (4 months), 23 rats were divided into sham, rats that underwent 45 minutes of bilateral ischemia, and rats treated with finerenone at days 2 and 1 and 1 hour before IR. We found that after 24 hours of reperfusion, the untreated IR rats presented kidney dysfunction and tubular injury. Kidney injury molecule-1 and neutrophil gelatinase associated to lipolacin mRNA levels were increased. In contrast, the rats treated with finerenone displayed normal kidney function and significantly lesser tubular injury and kidney injury molecule-1 and neutrophil gelatinase associated to lipolacin levels. After 4 months, the IR rats developed chronic kidney disease, evidenced by kidney dysfunction, increased proteinuria and renal vascular resistance, tubular dilation, extensive tubule-interstitial fibrosis, and an increase in kidney transforming growth factor-β and collagen-I mRNA. The transition from acute kidney injury to chronic kidney disease was fully prevented by finerenone. Altogether, our data show that in the rat, finerenone is able to prevent acute kidney injury induced by IR and the chronic and progressive deterioration of kidney function and structure.
Association of Cardiovascular Health With Subclinical Disease and Incident Events: The Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Polonsky Tamar S. , Ning Hongyan , Daviglus Martha L. , Liu Kiang , Burke Gregory L. , Cushman Mary , Eng John , Folsom Aaron R. , Lutsey Pamela L. , Nettleton Jennifer A. , Post Wendy S. , Sacco Ralph L. , Szklo Moyses , Lloyd‐Jones Donald M.
Published: March 2017

Background

Few adults have ideal cardiovascular health (
CVH
). We studied associations of an overall
CVH
score with subclinical cardiovascular disease and events. We assessed whether associations varied by race/ethnicity.

Methods and Results

Among 5961 participants in the Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, components of
CVH
were measured at baseline, 2000‐2002: systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, fasting glucose, smoking, physical activity, diet, and body mass index. Levels were classified as ideal (2 points), intermediate (1 point), and poor (0 points) according to American Heart Association definitions. Points were summed to produce a
CVH
score (0‐7 low, 8‐11 moderate, 12‐14 high). Coronary artery calcium, carotid intima‐media thickness, and left ventricular mass were measured at baseline. Cardiovascular disease was defined as myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease death, resuscitated cardiac arrest, stroke, heart failure, or peripheral artery disease. Follow‐up was 10.3 years. Regression models were used to examine associations of the
CVH
score with subclinical disease and events, adjusting for age, sex, and education. Analyses were stratified by race/ethnicity. Adults with high or moderate
CVH
scores had significantly lower odds of coronary artery calcium and lower carotid intima‐media thickness and left ventricular mass than adults with low
CVH
scores. Adults with high or moderate
CVH
scores were 67% (95%
CI
41% to 82%) and 37% (95%
CI
22% to 49%) less likely, respectively, to experience a cardiovascular disease event than adults with low scores. There was no interaction with race/ethnicity.

Conclusions

There is a graded inverse association between
CVH
scores and measures of subclinical and overt cardiovascular disease that is similar across race/ethnic groups.
Association of Husband Smoking With Wife's Hypertension Status in Over 5 Million Chinese Females Aged 20 to 49 Years
Authors: Yang Ying , Liu Fangchao , Wang Long , Li Qian , Wang Xingyu , Chen Julia C. , Wang Qiaomei , Shen Haiping , Zhang Yiping , Yan Donghai , Zhang Man , He Yuan , Peng Zuoqi , Wang Yuanyuan , Xu Jihong , Zhao Jun , Zhang Ya , Zhang Hongguang , Xin Xiaona , Wang Yan , Liu Dujia , Guo Tongjun , Dai Qiaoyun , Ma Xu
Published: March 2017

Background

The effect of second‐hand smoking, especially husband smoking, on wife's hypertension has not been well studied. The current study was aimed to assess the association of husband smoking with wife's hypertension among females aged 20 to 49 years.

Methods and Results

This study included 5 027 731 females along with their husbands from the National Free Pre‐pregnancy Checkup Projects conducted across 31 provinces in China in 2014. Smoking/passive smoking status was collected by a standard questionnaire and blood pressure was measured by an electronic device after 10 minutes rest. Odds ratios and their corresponding 95%
CI
s for female hypertension were estimated according to smoking status of husband and wife, husbands' smoking amount, and cumulative exposure to husband smoking. Compared with neither‐smoker group, the multivariable‐adjusted odds ratio for female hypertension was 1.28 (1.27–1.30), 1.53 (1.30–1.79), and 1.50 (1.36–1.67) in husband‐only, wife‐only, and mixed group, respectively. Furthermore, a higher risk of having hypertension was associated with amount and cumulative exposure of husband smoking. For example, compared with neither‐smoker, the multivariate‐adjusted odds ratio was 1.22 (1.19–1.25), 1.24 (1.21–1.26), 1.32 (1.26–1.37), 1.37 (1.34–1.41), and 1.75 (1.64–1.87) for females whose husband smoked 1 to 5, 6 to 10, 11 to 15, 16 to 20, and ≥21 cigarettes per day, respectively (
P
for trend
<0.001). Subgroup analyses identified similar results.

Conclusions

There were associations of husband smoking with female hypertension prevalence. A family‐based smoking restriction strategy may reduce smoking in males and improve hypertension control in females.
Angiotensin‐Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers Are Associated With Improved Outcome but Do Not Prevent New‐Onset Atrial Fibrillation After Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Batra Gorav , Lindhagen Lars , Andell Pontus , Erlinge David , James Stefan , Spaak Jonas , Oldgren Jonas
Published: March 2017

Background

Treatment with renin‐angiotensin system (
RAS
) inhibitors might restrain the structural/electrical remodeling associated with atrial fibrillation (AF). Limited evidence exists regarding the potential benefits of
RAS
inhibition post‐acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients with AF. This study sought to assess the association between
RAS
inhibition and all‐cause mortality and new‐onset AF in patients with/without congestive heart failure (
CHF
) post‐AMI.

Methods and Results

Patients hospitalized for AMI between 2006 and 2012 were identified in Swedish registries. Patients were stratified in 4 subgroups; patients with
CHF
and AF (n=11 489); patients with
CHF
without AF (n=31 676); patients with AF without
CHF
(n=10 066); and patients without both
CHF
and AF (n=59 417). Patients exposed to
RAS
inhibition were compared to nontreated. Three‐year risk of all‐cause mortality and new‐onset AF was assessed using adjusted Cox regression analyses. At discharge, 83 291 (73.9%) patients received
RAS
inhibition.
RAS
inhibition was associated with lower 3‐year risk of all‐cause mortality in
CHF
patients with AF, adjusted hazard ratio (
HR
) with 95% CI 0.75 (0.70–0.81),
CHF
patients without AF,
HR
0.65 (0.60–0.69), AF patients without
CHF
,
HR
0.82 (0.75–0.90), and in patients without
CHF
and AF,
HR
0.76 (0.72–0.81), respectively.
RAS
inhibition was not associated with lower 3‐year risk of new‐onset AF in patients without AF but with/without
CHF
;
HR
0.96 (0.84–1.10) and 1.12 (1.02–1.22), respectively.

Conclusions

RAS
inhibition post‐AMI was associated with lower risk of all‐cause mortality. In patients with/without
CHF
,
RAS
inhibition was not associated with lower incidence of new‐onset AF.
Erasmus’ Apophthegmata in Henrician England
Authors: Juhász-Ormsby Ágnes
Published: March 2017

The sudden surge in English translations of Erasmus’ Apophthegmata during the later years of Henry VIII’s reign can be partly attributed to the gradual introduction of the new standards set by the humanist educational agenda and partly to the profound political and religious changes brought about by the English Reformation that was codified in the Act of Supremacy in 1534. Richard Taverner’s The garden of wysdom and The second booke of the Garden of wysedome (1539) and Nicholas Udall’s Apophthegmes (1542) reveal a pronounced shift towards a more widely conceived education of the English public. While Taverner’s translation, with its overt political commentary, provided a morally instructive commonplace book, marked by a Protestant overtone and influenced by Luther’s and Melanchthon’s views, Udall’s extensive pedagogical notes were meant to disseminate new methods of instruction modelled on Erasmus’ De ratione studii. Albeit in notably different ways, Udall’s and Taverner’s promotion of classical culture through apophthegms reflected their humanist zeal to reshape existing moral and cultural ideals and to expand the codes of conduct of the reformed Christian commonwealth in England.
Erasmus Birthday Lecture 2015
Authors: Traninger Anita
Published: March 2017

Erasmus’ famous elusiveness can be linked to a marked preference for media and genres that allowed for a persona, a mask, behind which the ‘real’ Erasmus could disappear at will. This article seeks to identify the literary, rhetorical and above all dialectical patterns Erasmus made use of in order to separate man and argument and to distance speaker and enunciation. This does not only refer to Erasmus’ familiarity with satirical and rhetorical devices, but also to his ingenious emulation of debating techniques that were common practice among the schoolmen he attacked so fervently. Erasmus’ famous ambiguity and eel-like quality is, at least in some high-profile cases, owed to his ambition of establishing declamation as an equivalent to scholastic controversial formats. Some of his most famous texts are testimony to the attempt of constructing a debating arena in print.
Clinoconidium globosum, nom. nov. (Cryptobasidiaceae) producing galls on fruits of Cinnamomum daphnoides in Japan
Authors: KAKISHIMA MAKOTO , JI JING-XIN , NAGAO HIDEYUKI , WANG QI , DENCHEV CVETOMIR M.
Published: March 2017

A new name, Clinoconidium globosum, is proposed to accommodate Sphacelotheca cinnamomi from Japan, producing galls on fruits of Cinnamomum daphnoides (Lauraceae). This decision is based on observations of gastroid sporulation in peripheral lacunae of the host galls and basidiospore morphology. This species is characterized by small, globose basidiospores. Its morphological features are described based on newly collected specimens. Results of recently published phylogenetic analyses also support this new name.
Contribution to the pathogenic fungi on woody plants in North Korea
Authors: PASTIRČÁKOVÁ KATARÍNA , SHIN HYEON-DONG
Published: March 2017

This paper presents the first checklist of pathogenic fungi on woody plants in North Korea. The checklist enumerates 146 species of fungi belonging to 79 genera, growing on 108 host plants belonging to 58 genera and 35 families. Two hosts and 57 fungal species represent first records in North Korea.
Etmopterus samadiae n. sp., a new lanternshark (Squaliformes: Etmopteridae) from Papua New Guinea
Authors: WHITE WILLIAM T. , EBERT DAVID A. , MANA RALPH R. , CORRIGAN SHANNON
Published: March 2017

A new species of lanternshark, Etmopterus samadiae (Squaliformes: Etmopteridae), is described from off northern Papua New Guinea, in the western Central Pacific Ocean. The new species resembles other members of the “Etmopterus lucifer” clade in having linear rows of dermal denticles and most closely resembles E. brachyurus from the western North Pacific. The new species occurs along insular slopes between 340 and 785 m depth. The new species can be distinguished from other members of the E. lucifer clade by a combination of characteristics, including length of anterior flank branch markings being slightly shorter than its posterior branch, a longer caudal base marking, and irregular and variable number of black, horizontal, dash-like marks on sides of body. Molecular analysis based on the NADH2 marker further supports the distinction of E. samadiae from other members of the E. lucifer clade.
A new species of Rhigognostis (Lepidoptera, Plutellidae) from the Canary Islands
Authors: BARANIAK EDWARD , LARSEN KNUD , KUBASIK WOJCIECH , GRZEGORCZYK TOMASZ
Published: March 2017

Rhigognostis canariella sp. nov. is described from the Canary Islands on the basis of five females. The morphological micro structures of the female genitalia are figured. An illustrative diagnostic summary for three allied congeners, R. annulatella(Curtis, 1832), R. kovacsi (Gozmány, 1952) and R. schmaltzella (Zetterstedt, 1839) is provided.
Garra clavirostris, a new cyprinid fish (Teleostei: Cyprinidae: Labeoninae) from the Brahmaputra drainage, India
Authors: RONI NARENGBAM , SARBOJIT THAOSEN , VISHWANATH WAIKHOM
Published: March 2017

Garra clavirostris, a new cyprinid fish, is described from the Dilaima River, a tributary of the Brahmaputra in the Dima Hasao district, Assam. The new species is distinguished from all its congeners in northeast India in having a combination of the following characters: a prominent unilobed club-shaped proboscis overhanging the depressed rostral surface, with 5–9 medium to large uni- to multi-cuspid tubercles on the anterior margin and 5–6 uni- to multi-cuspid tubercles on the anteroventral marginal aspect; a prominent transverse lobe on the snout, with 17−25 small- to large-sized multicuspid tubercles; and presence of a black spot at the upper angle of the gill opening.
The weevil genera Nyphaeba Pascoe and Pantiala Pascoe and the problems of an unstable nomenclature in orphaned taxa
Authors: RIEDEL ALEXANDER
Published: March 2017

The genera Nyphaeba Pascoe and Pantiala Pascoe of Cryptorhynchinae are redescribed and revised. Lectotypes are designated for the names Nyphaeba monommoides Pascoe and Pantiala illusa Pascoe. This facilitates the description of Nyphaeba mimica sp. n. represented by two paralectotypes of Pantiala illusa. Both genera are excluded from the subtribe Tylodina Lacordaire based on their possession of wings and a distinct metanepisternum. The following new combination for a species originally described in Pantiala is proposed: Nyphaeba germari (Faust). A femora-abdominal stridulatory mechanism is observed for Nyphaeba. This case illustrates how nomenclatural problems evident from type material can persist in an understudied taxon for more than a century. Such problems severely affect modern research and databasing.
Revision of the genus Angaracris Bey-Bienko, 1930 (Orthoptera: Acrididae, Oedipodinae) with notes on the tribe Bryodemini
Authors: STOROZHENKO SERGEY YU. , BENEDIKTOV ALEXANDER A. , HUANG JIANHUA
Published: March 2017

Anagaracris is considered as a monotypic genus in the tribe Bryodemini (Acrididae: Oedipodinae). New synonymy is proposed: Angaracris barabensis (Pallas, 1773) = Angaracris morulimarginis Huang, 1981, syn. nov.; = Angaracris ulashanicus Li, 1981, syn. nov.; Angaracris acrohylina Bi, 1986, syn. nov.; = Angaracris nigrimarginis Zheng et Ren, 1993, syn. nov.; = Angaracris morulipennis Zheng et Ren, 1994, syn. nov.; = Angaracris neimongolensis Zeng et Han, 1998, syn. nov. The diagnosis of the tribe Bryodemini is clarified and a key to the genera and subgenera is provided.
On the Climatological Use of Radar Data Mosaics: Possibilities and Challenges
Authors: Fabry Frédéric , Meunier Véronique , Treserras Bernat Puigdomènech , Cournoyer Alexandra , Nelson Brian
Published: March 2017

Continental mosaics of radar data have now been generated for more than 20 years. They offer information on precipitation climatology that is simply not available or archived elsewhere: How often does it rain at any particular location? At what time? And with what intensity distribution? What are the geographical and temporal patterns of precipitation occurrence, formation, and decay? What is the climatology of severe weather? Answers to these questions have value on their own and invariably trigger more questions about the processes causing these patterns but also suggest some answers. They also have considerable pedagogical value in illustrating in the classroom the impacts of different processes—such as sea–land breezes, topography, and seasons—on precipitation.

In this work, U.S. mosaics of radar data from 1996 to 2015 are used to demonstrate the possibilities offered by such a dataset. Three topics are discussed: (i) climatologies and daily cycles of precipitation and convection, and what they can teach us about precipitation mechanisms; (ii) the spatial and temporal distribution of the appearance and occurrence of convection, and what it reveals about the importance of surface terrain properties for these events; and (iii) the power and challenges of looking for a small signal in such a large dataset using the influence of weekly activity cycles and cities on precipitation as an illustration.
Impacts of Instrument Limitations on Estimated Raindrop Size Distribution, Radar Parameters, and Model Microphysics during Mei-Yu Season in East China
Authors: Wen Long , Zhao Kun , Zhang Guifu , Liu Su , Chen Gang
Published: March 2017

Instrumentation limitations on measured raindrop size distributions (DSDs) and their derived relations and physical parameters are studied through a comparison of the DSD measurements during mei-yu season in east China by four collocated instruments, that is, a two-dimensional video disdrometer (2DVD), a vertically pointing Micro Rain Radar (MRR), and two laser-optical OTT Particle Size Velocity (PARSIVEL) disdrometers (first generation: OTT-1; second generation: OTT-2). Among the four instruments, the 2DVD provides the most accurate DSD and drop velocity measurements, so its measured rainfall amount has the best agreement with the reference rain gauge. Other instruments tend to miss more small drops (D < 1 mm), leading to inaccurate DSDs and a lower rainfall amount. The low rainfall estimation becomes significant during heavy rainfall. The impacts of instrument limitations on the microphysical processes (e.g., evaporation and accretion rates) and convective storm morphology are evaluated. This is important especially for mei-yu precipitation, which is dominated by a high concentration of small drops. Hence, the instrument limitations need to be taken into account in both QPE and microphysics parameterization.
Upper-Tropospheric Jet Axis Detection and Application to the Boreal Winter 2013/14
Authors: Spensberger Clemens , Spengler Thomas , Li Camille
Published: March 2017

This study presents a detection scheme for upper-tropospheric jets. The scheme identifies locations on the dynamical tropopause where the wind shear perpendicular to the wind direction vanishes, and subsequently uses a masking criterion to filter out zero-shear locations that do not belong to jets. The scheme reliably detects jet axes in ERA-Interim data with instantaneous, weekly, or monthly averaged wind fields. The dynamical implications of the detected jet axes and their relation to objectively detected wave breaking and blocking are demonstrated for the synoptic evolution during the boreal winter 2013/14. This winter featured a remarkable episode with a stationary ridge–trough couplet over the American continent leading to anomalously cold conditions from central Canada to the eastern United States. The mean synoptic situation during this episode resembles the climatological winter mean, but featured a more spatially focused jet axis distribution in the northeastern Pacific. The tight distribution suggests that a sequence of similar weather events lead to the mean synoptic conditions. Although the distribution of jet axes and wave breaking events together with the persistence of the anomalous ridge over the northeastern Pacific indicate a blocked situation, the block is not detected with common conventional methods due to the lack of a persistent gradient reversal of potential temperature on the dynamical tropopause. In addition, the importance of subseasonal variations in this winter is demonstrated by pointing out a period in which the jet configuration deviated considerably from the seasonal mean.