bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship between blood pressure and cerebral blood flow during supine cycling: influence of aging
Authors: Smirl Jonathan D. , Hoffman Keegan , Tzeng Yu-Chieh , Hansen Alex , Ainslie Philip N.
Published: December 2015

The cerebral pressure-flow relationship can be quantified as a high-pass filter, where slow oscillations are buffered (<0.20 Hz) and faster oscillations are passed through relatively unimpeded. During moderate intensity exercise, previous studies have reported paradoxical transfer function analysis (TFA) findings (altered phase or intact gain). This study aimed to determine whether these previous findings accurately represent this relationship. Both younger (20–30 yr; n = 10) and older (62–72 yr; n = 9) adults were examined. To enhance the signal-to-noise ratio, large oscillations in blood pressure (via oscillatory lower body negative pressure; OLBNP) were induced during steady-state moderate intensity supine exercise (∼45–50% of heart rate reserve). Beat-to-beat blood pressure, cerebral blood velocity, and end-tidal Pco2 were monitored. Very low frequency (0.02–0.07 Hz) and low frequency (0.07–0.20 Hz) range spontaneous data were quantified. Driven OLBNP point estimates were sampled at 0.05 and 0.10 Hz. The OLBNP maneuvers augmented coherence to >0.97 at 0.05 Hz and >0.98 at 0.10 Hz in both age groups. The OLBNP protocol conclusively revealed the cerebrovascular system functions as a high-pass filter during exercise throughout aging. It was also discovered that the older adults had elevations (+71%) in normalized gain (+0.46 ± 0.36%/%: 0.05 Hz) and reductions (−34%) in phase (−0.24 ± 0.22 radian: 0.10 Hz). There were also age-related phase differences between resting and exercise conditions. It is speculated that these age-related changes in the TFA metrics are mediated by alterations in vasoactive factors, sympathetic tone, or the mechanical buffering of the compliance vessels.
Numerical Solution of Pantograph-Type Delay Differential Equations Using Perturbation-Iteration Algorithms
Authors: Bahşi M. Mustafa , Çevik Mehmet
Published: December 2015

The pantograph equation is a special type of functional differential equations with proportional delay. The present study introduces a compound technique incorporating the perturbation method with an iteration algorithm to solve numerically the delay differential equations of pantograph type. We put forward two types of algorithms, depending upon the order of derivatives in the Taylor series expansion. The crucial convenience of this method when compared with other perturbation methods is that this method does not require a small perturbation parameter. Furthermore, a relatively fast convergence of the iterations to the exact solutions and more accurate results can be achieved. Several illustrative examples are given to demonstrate the efficiency and reliability of the technique, even for nonlinear cases.
Game Theory Based Security in Wireless Body Area Network with Stackelberg Security Equilibrium
Authors: Somasundaram M. , Sivakumar R.
Published: December 2015

Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN) is effectively used in healthcare to increase the value of the patient’s life and also the value of healthcare services. The biosensor based approach in medical care system makes it difficult to respond to the patients with minimal response time. The medical care unit does not deploy the accessing of ubiquitous broadband connections full time and hence the level of security will not be high always. The security issue also arises in monitoring the user body function records. Most of the systems on the Wireless Body Area Network are not effective in facing the security deployment issues. To access the patient’s information with higher security on WBAN, Game Theory with Stackelberg Security Equilibrium (GTSSE) is proposed in this paper. GTSSE mechanism takes all the players into account. The patients are monitored by placing the power position authority initially. The position authority in GTSSE is the organizer and all the other players react to the organizer decision. Based on our proposed approach, experiment has been conducted on factors such as security ratio based on patient’s health information, system flexibility level, energy consumption rate, and information loss rate. Stackelberg Security considerably improves the strength of solution with higher security.
Colorectal Adenocarcinoma Metastasis to the Tongue
Authors: Gill Kurren S. , Frattali Mark A.
Published: December 2015

This case presentation examines a rare clinical entity: colorectal adenocarcinoma (CRC) metastasis to the tongue. CRC is among the least common tumors to metastasize to the oral cavity. Objectives for this case report are to (1) maintain a high index of suspicion for oral cavity tumors representing metastatic disease, (2) consider appropriate surgical and adjunctive interventions, and (3) recognize the significance of identifying the primary tumor via immunohistochemical staining. We present a case of a 57-year-old male with a history of stage IV rectal adenocarcinoma metastatic to the lung who presented to our clinic with a painful mass of the right lateral tongue that he noticed one month before. MRI of the neck revealed a mass involving the anterior two-thirds of the right tongue with irregular margins and an ipsilateral enlarged right jugulodigastric lymph node. The patient underwent right partial glossectomy with primary reconstruction and right modified radical neck dissection. Pathology confirmed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma consistent with a colorectal primary with lymphovascular and perineural invasion. The tumor was staged as T2N1, and the patient was referred for chemoradiation. In this report, we discuss the presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of this uncommon disease, with a thorough review of the world literature.
Existence of Solutions for Degenerate Elliptic Problems in Weighted Sobolev Space
Authors: Dai Lili , Gao Wenjie , Li Zhongqing
Published: December 2015

This paper is devoted to the study of the existence of solutions to a general elliptic problemAu+g(x,u,∇u)=f-div⁡F, withf∈L1(Ω)andF∈∏i=1NLp'(Ω,ωi*), whereAis a Leray-Lions operator from a weighted Sobolev space into its dual andg(x,s,ξ)is a nonlinear term satisfyinggx,s,ξsgn⁡(s)≥ρ∑i=1Nωi|ξi|p,|s|≥h>0, and a growth condition with respect toξ. Here,ωi,ωi*are weight functions that will be defined in the Preliminaries.
Ru-Sn-B/Al2O3Catalysts for Selective Hydrogenation of Methyl Oleate: Influence of the Ru/Sn Ratio
Authors: Sánchez María A. , Mazzieri Vanina A. , Vicerich María A. , Vera Carlos R. , Pieck Carlos L.
Published: December 2015

This study focuses on the influence of the Ru/Sn ratio on the catalytic hydrogenation of methyl oleate to oleyl alcohol using Ru-Sn-B catalysts, notably on the catalytic activity and selectivity. Sn addition acts positively over the oleyl selectivity by reducing the rates of C=O and C=C saturation but also decreases the global activity. The catalyst with the highest activity and selectivity towards oleyl alcohol is Ru(1%)-Sn(2%)-B/Al2O3. At a low Sn loading (0.5%) the catalyst has high activity for hydrogenation of the carbonyl group and the carbon-carbon double bond. As a consequence stearyl alcohol is produced with high yield. At a high Sn content (4%) the catalyst has lower selectivity to oleyl alcohol due to its low capacity for hydrogenating the carbonyl group. However it has enough activity for hydrogenating the C=C double bonds to produce the saturated methyl ester.
Riboflavin Arrests Cisplatin-Induced Neurotoxicity by Ameliorating Cellular Damage in Dorsal Root Ganglion Cells
Authors: Salman Maria , Naseem Imrana , Hassan Iftekhar , Khan Aijaz A. , Alhazza Ibrahim M.
Published: December 2015

Cis-Diamminedichloroplatinum II- (CP-) induced neurotoxicity is one of the least explored aspects of this drug. Dorsal root ganglia (DRG) cells are considered as the primary target, and their damage plays a vital role in pathogenesis and etiology of CP-induced neurotoxicity. The present study is aimed at confirming if riboflavin (RF) has any protective role in shielding the DRG from CP-induced toxicity. After conducting the established treatment strategy on mice under photoillumination, it was observed that, despite the fact that RF alone is partially toxic, its combination with CP significantly ameliorated the drug-induced damage in DRG cells as evidenced by histological analysis. In addition, it was interesting to observe that the combination group (RF + CP) was able to induce apoptosis in the target cells up to a significant extent which is considered as the most preferred way of countering cancer cells. Therefore, RF can act as an effective adjuvant compound in CP-based chemoradiotherapy to improve clinical outcomes in the contemporary anticancer treatment regimes.
Investigation of Equivalent Unsprung Mass and Nonlinear Features of Electromagnetic Actuated Active Suspension
Authors: Yin Jun , Chen Xinbo , Li Jianqin , Wu Lixin
Published: December 2015

Electromagnetic actuated active suspension benefits active control and energy harvesting from vibration at the same time. However, the rotary type electromagnetic actuated active suspension introduces a significant extra mass on the unsprung mass due to the inertia of the rotating components of the actuator. The magnitude of the introduced unsprung mass is studied based on a gearbox type actuator and a ball screw type actuator. The geometry of the suspension and the actuator also influence the equivalent unsprung mass significantly. The suspension performance simulation or control logic derived should take this equivalent unsprung mass into account. Besides, an extra force should be compensated due to the nonlinear features of the suspension structure and it is studied. The active force of the actuator should compensate this extra force. The discovery of this paper provides a fundamental for evaluating the rotary type electromagnetic actuated active suspension performance and control strategy derived as well as controlling the electromagnetic actuated active suspension more precisely.
Adjuvant Iodine131Lipiodol after Resection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Furtado Ruelan V. , Ha Leo , Clarke Stephen , Sandroussi Charbel
Published: December 2015

Background. Survival after liver resection for HCC is compromised by a high rate of intrahepatic recurrence. Adjuvant treatment with a single, postoperative dose of intra-arterial I131lipiodol has shown promise, as a means of prolonging disease-free survival (DFS).Methodology. DFS and overall survival (OS) after a single dose of postoperative I131lipiodol were compared to liver resection alone, for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Data were collected retrospectively for patients who had a curative resection for HCC between December 1993 and September 2011. Seventy-two patients were given I131lipiodol after surgery and 70 patients had surgery alone.Results. The DFS at 1, 3, and 5 years was 72%, 43%, and 26% in the surgery group and 70%, 39%, and 29% in the adjuvant I131lipiodol group(p=0.75). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS was 83%, 64%, and 52% in the surgery group and 96%, 72%, and 61% in the adjuvant I131lipiodol group(p=0.16).Conclusion. This retrospective study has found no significant benefit to survival, after adjuvant treatment with I131lipiodol.
Recent Research Trends and Future Prospects in Nanozymes
Authors: Shin Ho Yun , Park Tae Jung , Kim Moon Il
Published: December 2015

Recently, nanomaterial‐based enzyme mimetics (nanozymes) have attracted enormous interest. They exhibit unique advantages such as excellent robustness, stability, and low‐cost production with easy scale‐up, which are critically needed as an alternative to natural enzymes. These nanozymes exhibit natural enzyme‐like activity and have been applied to various kinds of detection and treatment methods for biomolecules such as DNA, proteins, cells, and small molecules including glucose. To highlight progress in the field of nanozymes, this review discusses recent nanozyme‐based research results and their applications for the development of novel biosensor, immunoassay, cancer diagnostics, therapeutics, and environmental engineering technologies. Current challenges and future prospects of nanozymes for widespread use in biotechnology are also discussed.
Newborn Care Practices among Mother-Infant Dyads in Urban Uganda
Authors: Kayom Violet Okaba , Kakuru Abel , Kiguli Sarah
Published: December 2015

Background. Most information on newborn care practices in Uganda is from rural communities which may not be generalized to urban settings.Methods. A community based cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in the capital city of Uganda from February to May 2012. Quantitative and qualitative data on the newborn care practices of eligible mothers were collected.Results. Over 99% of the mothers attended antenatal care at least once and the majority delivered in a health facility. Over 50% of the mothers applied various substances to the cord of their babies to quicken the healing. Although most of the mothers did not bathe their babies within the first 24 hours of birth, the majority had no knowledge of skin to skin care as a thermoprotective method. The practice of bathing babies in herbal medicine was common (65%). Most of the mothers breastfed exclusively (93.2%) but only 60.7% initiated breastfeeding within the first hour of life, while a significant number (29%) used prelacteal feeds.Conclusion. The inadequate newborn care practices in this urban community point to the need to intensify the promotion of universal coverage of the newborn care practices irrespective of rural or urban communities and irrespective of health care seeking indicators.
Experimental Investigation of Ultrasonic Vibration Assisted Turning of 304 Austenitic Stainless Steel
Authors: Zou Ping , Xu Yingshuai , He Yu , Chen Mingfang , Wu Hao
Published: December 2015

This research study focuses on the experimental analysis of the three-dimensional (3D) surface topography and surface roughness of the workpiece machined with ultrasonic vibration assisted turning (UAT) in comparison to conventional turning (CT). For the challenge that machining difficulties of 304 austenitic stainless steel (ASS 304) and high demands for the machined surface quality and machining precision represent, starting with cutting principle and processing technology, the ultrasonic vibration method is employed to scheme out a machining system of ultrasonic vibration assisted turning (MS-UAT). The experiments for turning the workpiece of ASS 304 are conducted with and without ultrasonic vibration using the designed MS-UAT, and then the 3D morphology evaluation parametersSaandSqare applied to characterize and analyse the machined surface. The experimental results obtained demonstrate that the process parameters in UAT of ASS 304 have obvious effect on the 3D surface topography and surface roughness of machined workpiece, and the appropriate choice of various process parameters, including ultrasonic amplitude, feed rate, depth of cut, and cutting speed, can enhance the machined surface quality efficiently to make the machining effect of UAT much better than that of CT.
Arthroscopic Treatment of Septic Arthritis of the Elbow in a 4-Year-Old Girl
Authors: Koide Masashi , Tojo Yuichi , Hagiwara Yoshihiro , Nakajima Souichi , Tanaka Minoru , Honda Masahito , Itoi Eiji
Published: December 2015

Pediatric septic arthritis is uncommon and has been traditionally treated by joint aspiration or open arthrotomy. There are some reports about arthroscopic surgery in pediatric septic arthritis of the knee, hip, and shoulder. However, there is no report for the case of elbow. We report a case of pediatric septic arthritis of elbow treated with arthroscopically with good clinical condition at 3-year follow-up. This paper is based on a report first published in Japanese (Tojo (2012)).
Combining Different Tools for EEG Analysis to Study the Distributed Character of Language Processing
Authors: da Rocha Armando Freitas , Foz Flávia Benevides , Pereira Alfredo
Published: December 2015

Recent studies on language processing indicate that language cognition is better understood if assumed to be supported by a distributed intelligent processing system enrolling neurons located all over the cortex, in contrast to reductionism that proposes to localize cognitive functions to specific cortical structures. Here, brain activity was recorded using electroencephalogram while volunteers were listening or reading small texts and had to select pictures that translate meaning of these texts. Several techniques for EEG analysis were used to show this distributed character of neuronal enrollment associated with the comprehension of oral and written descriptive texts. Low Resolution Tomography identified the many different sets (si) of neurons activated in several distinct cortical areas by text understanding. Linear correlation was used to calculate the informationH(ei)provided by each electrode of the 10/20 system about the identifiedsi.H(ei)Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to study the temporal and spatial activation of these sourcessi. This analysis evidenced 4 different patterns ofH(ei)covariation that are generated by neurons located at different cortical locations. These results clearly show that the distributed character of language processing is clearly evidenced by combining available EEG technologies.
The Drinkers Degree: Risk Taking Behaviours amongst Undergraduate Student Drinkers
Authors: O’Neill Gillian , Martin Neil , Birch Jennifer , Oldam Alison , Newbury-Birch Dorothy
Published: December 2015

Objective. To examine risk taking behaviours associated with alcohol consumption amongst UK undergraduate students. Design and Methods. A cross-sectional web survey was used to assess attitudes and health behaviours. The survey included the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Students were also asked about why they drank alcohol; about their preferred alcoholic beverage; and if they had experienced any consequences associated with drinking alcohol as well as questions relating to sexual risk taking, drug use, and smoking.Results. 2779 (65% female; 84% White British) students completed some part of the survey. Of these, 98% (n=2711) completed the AUDIT. Of the 92% that drank 66% (n=1,643) were categorised as being AUDIT positive. 8% (n=224) were categorised as probably alcohol dependent. Higher AUDIT scores were significantly associated with negative consequences such as unplanned sexual activity, physical injuries, and arguments. Other risk taking behaviours such as drug use and smoking were also found to be positively correlated with higher AUDIT scores; drug use; and smoking.Conclusions. The results from this study provide insight into students’ alcohol consumption and associated risk taking. University policies need to protect students’ overall health and wellbeing to ensure academic potential is maximised.
How to Perfuse: Concepts of Cerebral Protection during Arch Replacement
Authors: Habertheuer Andreas , Wiedemann Dominik , Kocher Alfred , Laufer Guenther , Vallabhajosyula Prashanth
Published: December 2015

Arch surgery remains undoubtedly among the most technically and strategically challenging endeavors in cardiovascular surgery. Surgical interventions of thoracic aneurysms involving the aortic arch require complete circulatory arrest in deep hypothermia (DHCA) or elaborate cerebral perfusion strategies with varying degrees of hypothermia to achieve satisfactory protection of the brain from ischemic insults, that is, unilateral/bilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion (ACP) and retrograde cerebral perfusion (RCP). Despite sophisticated and increasingly individualized surgical approaches for complex aortic pathologies, there remains a lack of consensus regarding the optimal method of cerebral protection and circulatory management during the time of arch exclusion. Many recent studies argue in favor of ACP with various degrees of hypothermic arrest during arch reconstruction and its advantages have been widely demonstrated. In fact ACP with more moderate degrees of hypothermia represents a paradigm shift in the cardiac surgery community and is widely adopted as an emergent strategy; however, many centers continue to report good results using other perfusion strategies. Amidst this important discussion we review currently available surgical strategies of cerebral protection management and compare the results of recent European multicenter and single-center data.
The Importance of the Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio in Patients with Idiopathic Peripheral Facial Palsy
Authors: Kiliçkaya M. Mustafa , Tuz Mustafa , Yariktaş Murat , Yasan Hasan , Aynalı Giray , Bagci Özkan
Published: December 2015

Objective. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether or not there was a correlation between the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) value and the severity of idiopathic peripheral facial palsy (IPFP) and to determine whether or not NLR could be used as an early predictive parameter in the prognosis of IPFP patients.Material and Method. This retrospective study was conducted on 146 patients who were diagnosed with IPFP. The control group comprised 140 patients. Patients with IPFP were categorized according to the House-Brackmann grading system (HBS). The NLR value was obtained by dividing the neutrophil value by the lymphocyte value.Results. In the IPFP group, the mean NLR value was 3.63 ± 2.74 and, in the control group, 1.84 ± 0.78. The mean NLR value was significantly higher in IPFP patients than in the control subjects (p<0.0001). The mean NLR value in group A (Grades I-II ) was 2.61 ± 2.28, in group B (Grades III-IV) 3.22 ± 2.65, and in group C (Grades V-VI) 10.69 ± 6.30.Conclusion. We determined that as the severity of IPFP increased, the NLR value increased. The NLR value can be used as a prognostic factor in the early prediction of IPFP prognosis.
p53‐Dependent Senescence in Mesenchymal Stem Cells under Chronic Normoxia Is Potentiated by Low‐Dose γ‐Irradiation
Authors: Höfig Ines , Ingawale Yashodhara , Atkinson Michael J. , Hertlein Heidi , Nelson Peter J. , Rosemann Michael
Published: December 2015

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a source of adult multipotent cells important in tissue regeneration. Murine MSCs are known to proliferate poorly in vitro under normoxia. The aim of this study is to analyze the interaction of nonphysiological high oxygen and low‐dose γ‐irradiation onto growth, senescence, and DNA damage. Tri‐potent bone marrow‐derived MSCs from p53 wildtype and p53−/− mice were cultured under either 21% or 2% O2. Long‐term observations revealed a decreasing ability of wildtype mMSCs to proliferate and form colonies under extended culture in normoxia. This was accompanied by increased senescence under normoxia but not associated with telomere shortening. After low‐dose γ‐irradiation, the normoxic wildtype cells further increased the level of senescence. The number of radiation‐induced γH2AX DNA repair foci was higher in mMSCs kept under normoxia but not in p53−/− cells. P53‐deficient MSCs additionally showed higher clonogeneity, lower senescence levels, and fewer γH2AX repair foci per cell as compared to their p53 wildtype counterparts irrespective of oxygen levels. These results reveal that oxygen levels together with γ‐irradiation and p53 status are interconnected factors modulating growth capacity of BM MSCs in long‐term culture. These efforts help to better understand and optimize handling of MSCs prior to their therapeutic use.
UV-Associated Mutations Underlie the Etiology of MCV-Negative Merkel Cell Carcinomas
Authors: Wong Stephen Q. , Waldeck Kelly , Vergara Ismael A. , Schröder Jan , Madore Jason , Wilmott James S. , Colebatch Andrew J. , De Paoli-Iseppi Ricardo , Li Jason , Lupat Richard , Semple Timothy , Arnau Gisela Mir , Fellowes Andrew , Leonard J. Helen , Hruby George , Mann Graham J. , Thompson John F. , Cullinane Carleen , Johnston Meredith , Shackleton Mark , Sandhu Shahneen , Bowtell David D.L. , Johnstone Ricky W. , Fox Stephen B. , McArthur Grant A. , Papenfuss Anthony T. , Scolyer Richard A. , Gill Anthony J. , Hicks Rodney J. , Tothill Richard W.
Published: December 2015

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an uncommon, but highly malignant, cutaneous tumor. Merkel cell polyoma virus (MCV) has been implicated in a majority of MCC tumors; however, viral-negative tumors have been reported to be more prevalent in some geographic regions subject to high sun exposure. While the impact of MCV and viral T-antigens on MCC development has been extensively investigated, little is known about the etiology of viral-negative tumors. We performed targeted capture and massively parallel DNA sequencing of 619 cancer genes to compare the gene mutations and copy number alterations in MCV-positive (n = 13) and -negative (n = 21) MCC tumors and cell lines. We found that MCV-positive tumors displayed very low mutation rates, but MCV-negative tumors exhibited a high mutation burden associated with a UV-induced DNA damage signature. All viral-negative tumors harbored mutations in RB1, TP53, and a high frequency of mutations in NOTCH1 and FAT1. Additional mutated or amplified cancer genes of potential clinical importance included PI3K (PIK3CA, AKT1, PIK3CG) and MAPK (HRAS, NF1) pathway members and the receptor tyrosine kinase FGFR2. Furthermore, looking ahead to potential therapeutic strategies encompassing immune checkpoint inhibitors such as anti-PD-L1, we also assessed the status of T-cell–infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) and PD-L1 in MCC tumors. A subset of viral-negative tumors exhibited high TILs and PD-L1 expression, corresponding with the higher mutation load within these cancers. Taken together, this study provides new insights into the underlying biology of viral-negative MCC and paves the road for further investigation into new treatment opportunities. Cancer Res; 75(24); 5228–34. ©2015 AACR.
Clostridium thermocellum Nitrilase Expression and Surface Display on Bacillus subtilis Spores
Authors: Chen Huayou , Zhang Tianxi , Sun Tengyun , Ni Zhong , Le Yilin , Tian Rui , Chen Zhi , Zhang Chunxia
Published: December 2015

Nitrilases are an important class of industrial enzymes. They require mild reaction conditions and are highly efficient and environmentally friendly, so they are used to catalyze the synthesis of carboxylic acid from nitrile, a process considered superior to conventional chemical syntheses. Nitrilases should be immobilized to overcome difficulties in recovery after the reaction and to stabilize the free enzyme. The nitrilase from Clostridium thermocellum was expressed, identified and displayed on the surface of Bacillus subtilis spores by using the spore coat protein G of B. subtilis as an anchoring motif. In a free state, the recombinant nitrilase catalyzed the conversion of 3-cyanopyridine to niacin and displayed maximum catalytic activity (8.22 units/mg protein) at 40°C and pH 7.4. SDS-PAGE and Western blot were used to confirm nitrilase display. Compared with the free enzyme, the spore-immobilized nitrilase showed a higher tolerance for adverse environmental conditions. After the reaction, recombinant spores were recovered via centrifugation and reused 3 times to catalyze the conversion of 3-cyanopyridine with 75.3% nitrilase activity. This study demonstrates an effective means of nitrilase immobilization via spore surface display, which can be applied in biological processes or conversion.
Principles of Differentiation and Prescription for Vitiligo in Traditional Chinese Medicine Based on a Literature Investigation
Authors: Gao Chunjie , Yang Lili , Chen Mengjiao , Zhang Huimin
Published: December 2015

Background/Aims: Vitiligo is a common disorder of depigmented skin. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been proved to be effective for the treatment of vitiligo, but the standard differential syndromes and effective formulas and herbs are still controversial. The aim of this study is to analyze the principles of differentiation and prescription in treating vitiligo in TCM based on a large-scale literature investigation. Methods: Articles about vitiligo treatment using TCM were searched in three databases, including China National Knowledge Infrastructure (1979-2014), China Science Periodical Database (1990-2014) and PubMed (1984-2014). The frequency of differential syndromes, formulas and herbs was analyzed using a metrological method and logistic multiple regression analysis. Results: Five syndromes account for the major differential categories in vitiligo: liver and kidney deficiency, Qi stagnation and blood stasis, liver depression and Qi stagnation, disharmony between Qi and blood, and blood conflicting with wind. The common formula prescriptions most frequently used were Tong-Qiao-Huo-Xue decoction, Xiao-Yao powder and Si-Wu decoction. The most frequently prescribed herbs were Angelica sinensis, Ligusticum wallichii, Tribulus terrestris, Polygonum multiflorum, Fructus psoraleae, Radix Paeoniae Rubra, Rehmannia glutinosa, Glossy Privet Fruit, Eclipta alba, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Liquorice, and Angelica dahurica, which shows that the treatment principles of vitiligo are tonifying the liver and kidney, activating blood and expelling wind. Conclusion: The most frequent syndromes of vitiligo are liver and kidney deficiency, Qi stagnation and blood stasis. Most TCM doctors prefer prescribing herbs with efficacy in tonifying the liver and kidney, activating blood and expelling wind in treating vitiligo.
A Case of Acute Generalized Pustular Psoriasis of von Zumbusch Triggered by Hypocalcemia
Authors: Guerreiro de Moura Carlos Antônio Gusmão , de Assis Luiz Henrique , Góes Paulo , Rosa Fabiana , Nunes Victor , Gusmão Ítalo Magalhães , Cruz Constança Margarida Sampaio
Published: December 2015

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease triggered by different conditions in genetically susceptible people. It is characterized by variable cutaneous manifestations including localized or disseminated pustules. Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) has two main clinical forms: von Zumbusch psoriasis, characterized by severe erythrodermia and scaling skin after the resolution of pustules, and the annular form. GPP may also present severe extracutaneous manifestations including pneumonitis, heart failure and hepatitis. Old reports showed a relationship between hypoparathyroidism and hypocalcemia as triggers for GPP highlighting the importance of adequate workup of the patient and possible therapeutic changes in acute situations. Here, we present a case of severe von Zumbusch psoriasis with life-threatening complications triggered by severe hypocalcemia secondary to hypoparathyroidism successfully treated with aggressive calcium reposition.
O substantivismo polanyiano e os novos modelos do mercado na Mesopotâmia
Authors: Carvalho Alexandre G.
Published: December 2015

A reflexão sobre o mercado é um tema caro do substantivismo polanyiano. Em seu modelo da economia antiga, Karl Polanyi defendeu a preponderância da reciprocidade e redistribuição em detrimento do mercado autorregulável no mundo antigo. Os assiriólogos, sejam os defensores fervorosos do modelo polanyiano, como Johannes Renger, ou os críticos ferozes a tal modelo, como Morris Silver, têm debatido o papel do mercado no antigo Oriente próximo em meio a outras interpretações que procuram reinterpretar as mais diversas fontes textuais e arqueológicas da sociedade mesopotâmia em diversos períodos, como, por exemplo, o trabalho de Mario Liverani. Ao analisar os argumentos desses autores paradigmáticos, pretende-se, neste artigo, por meio da apresentação e repercussão do modelo polanyiano, apresentar um amplo painel crítico do debate sobre a economia e a sociedade na Mesopotâmia.
Resenha da obra 'O ódio à democracia'
Authors: Gavião Leandro
Published: December 2015

RANCIÈRE, Jacques. O ódio à democracia. São Paulo: Boitempo Editorial, 2014
Resenha da obra 'Sobre o Estado'
Authors: Bezerra Marcos Otavio
Published: December 2015

BOURDIEU, Pierre. Sobre o Estado. São Paulo: Companhia das Letras, 2014
Improving Appropriateness and Quality in Cardiovascular Imaging
Authors: Bhattacharyya Sanjeev , Lloyd Guy
Published: December 2015

High-quality cardiovascular imaging requires a structured process to ensure appropriate patient selection, accurate and reproducible data acquisition, and timely reporting which answers clinical questions and improves patient outcomes. Several guidelines provide frameworks to assess quality. This article reviews interventions to improve quality in cardiovascular imaging, including methods to reduce inappropriate testing, improve accuracy, reduce interobserver variability, and reduce diagnostic and reporting errors.
Critical Roles of STAT3 in β-Adrenergic Functions in the Heart
Authors: Zhang Wenjun , Qu Xiuxia , Chen Biyi , Snyder Marylynn , Wang Meijing , Li Baiyan , Tang Yue , Chen Hanying , Zhu Wuqiang , Zhan Li , Yin Ni , Li Deqiang , Xie Li , Liu Ying , Zhang J. Jillian , Fu Xin-Yuan , Rubart Michael , Song Long-Sheng , Huang Xin-Yun , Shou Weinian
Published: December 2015

Background—

β-Adrenergic receptors (βARs) play paradoxical roles in the heart. On one hand, βARs augment cardiac performance to fulfill the physiological demands, but on the other hand, prolonged activations of βARs exert deleterious effects that result in heart failure. The signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) plays a dynamic role in integrating multiple cytokine signaling pathways in a number of tissues. Altered activation of STAT3 has been observed in failing hearts in both human patients and animal models. Our objective is to determine the potential regulatory roles of STAT3 in cardiac βAR-mediated signaling and function.

Methods and Results—

We observed that STAT3 can be directly activated in cardiomyocytes by β-adrenergic agonists. To follow up this finding, we analyzed βAR function in cardiomyocyte-restricted STAT3 knockouts and discovered that the conditional loss of STAT3 in cardiomyocytes markedly reduced the cardiac contractile response to acute βAR stimulation, and caused disengagement of calcium coupling and muscle contraction. Under chronic β-adrenergic stimulation,
Stat3cKO
hearts exhibited pronounced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, cell death, and subsequent cardiac fibrosis. Biochemical and genetic data supported that Gα
s
and Src kinases are required for βAR-mediated activation of STAT3. Finally, we demonstrated that STAT3 transcriptionally regulates several key components of βAR pathway, including β
1
AR, protein kinase A, and T-type Ca
2+
channels.

Conclusions—

Our data demonstrate for the first time that STAT3 has a fundamental role in βAR signaling and functions in the heart. STAT3 serves as a critical transcriptional regulator for βAR-mediated cardiac stress adaption, pathological remodeling, and heart failure.
Blood Pressure Control and Risk of Stroke or Systemic Embolism in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: Results From the Apixaban for Reduction in Stroke and Other Thromboembolic Events in Atrial Fibrillation (ARISTOTLE) Trial
Authors: Rao Meena P. , Halvorsen Sigrun , Wojdyla Daniel , Thomas Laine , Alexander John H. , Hylek Elaine M. , Hanna Michael , Bahit M. Cecilia , Lopes Renato D. , De Caterina Raffaele , Erol Cetin , Goto Shinya , Lanas Fernando , Lewis Basil S. , Husted Steen , Gersh Bernard J. , Wallentin Lars , Granger Christopher B. ,   the Apixaban for Reduction in Stroke and Other Thromboembolic Events in Atrial Fibrillation (ARISTOTLE) Steering Committee and Investigators
Published: December 2015

Background

Patients with atrial fibrillation (
AF
) and hypertension are at high risk for stroke. Previous studies have shown elevated risk of stroke in patients with
AF
who have a history of hypertension (regardless of blood pressure [
BP
] control) and in patients with elevated
BP
. We assessed the association of hypertension and
BP
control on clinical outcomes.

Methods and Results

In
ARISTOTLE
(n=18 201),
BP
was evaluated as history of hypertension requiring treatment and elevated
BP
(systolic ≥140 and/or diastolic ≥90 mm Hg) at study entry and any point during the trial. Hazard ratios (
HR
s) were derived from Cox proportional hazards models including
BP
as a time‐dependent covariate. A total of 15 916 (87.5%) patients had a history of hypertension requiring treatment. In patients with elevated
BP
measurement at any point during the trial, the rate of stroke or systemic embolism was significantly higher (
HR
, 1.53; 95% confidence interval [
CI
], 1.25–1.86), as was hemorrhagic stroke (
HR
1.85; 95%
CI
, 1.26–2.72) and ischemic stroke (
HR
, 1.50; 95%
CI
, 1.18–1.90). Rates of major bleeding were lower in patients with a history of hypertension (
HR
, 0.80; 95%
CI
, 0.66–0.98) and nonsignificantly lower in patients with elevated
BP
at study entry (
HR
, 0.89; 95%
CI
, 0.77–1.03). The benefit of apixaban versus warfarin on preventing stroke or systemic embolism was consistent among patients with and without a history of hypertension (
P
interaction=0.27),
BP
control at baseline (
P
interaction=0.43), and
BP
control during the trial (
P
interaction=0.97).

Conclusions

High
BP
measurement at any point during the trial was independently associated with a substantially higher risk of stroke or systemic embolism. These results strongly support efforts to treat elevated
BP
as an important strategy to optimally lower risk of stroke in patients with
AF
.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL
:
https://ClinicalTrials.gov/
. Unique identifier:
NCT
00412984.
Seladin-1/DHCR24 Is Neuroprotective by Associating EAAT2 Glutamate Transporter to Lipid Rafts in Experimental Stroke
Authors: Hernández-Jiménez Macarena , Martínez-López Diego , Gabandé-Rodríguez Enrique , Martín-Segura Adrian , Lizasoain Ignacio , Ledesma María D. , Dotti Carlos G. , Moro María A.
Published: December 2015

Background and Purpose—

3β-Hydroxysteroid-Δ24 reductase (DHCR24) or selective alzheimer disease indicator 1 (seladin-1), an enzyme of cholesterol biosynthetic pathway, has been implicated in neuroprotection, oxidative stress, and inflammation. However, its role in ischemic stroke remains unexplored. The aim of this study was to characterize the effect of seladin-1/DHCR24 using an experimental stroke model in mice.

Methods—

Dhcr24
+/−
and wild-type (WT) mice were subjected to permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion. In another set of experiments, WT mice were treated intraperitoneally either with vehicle or U18666A (seladin-1/DHCR24 inhibitor, 10 mg/kg) 30 minutes after middle cerebral artery occlusion. Brains were removed 48 h after middle cerebral artery occlusion for infarct volume determination. For protein expression determination, peri-infarct region was obtained 24 h after ischemia, and Western blot or cytometric bead array was performed.

Results—

Dhcr24

+/
−

mice displayed larger infarct volumes after middle cerebral artery occlusion than their WT littermates. Treatment of WT mice with the seladin-1/DHCR24 inhibitor U18666A also increased ischemic lesion. Inflammation-related mediators were increased after ischemia in
Dhcr24

+/
−

mice compared with WT counterparts. Consistent with a role of cholesterol in proper function of glutamate transporter EAAT2 in membrane lipid rafts, we found a decreased association of EAAT2 with lipid rafts after ischemia when DHCR24 is genetically deleted or pharmacologically inhibited. Accordingly, treatment with U18666A decreases [
3
H]-glutamate uptake in cultured astrocytes.

Conclusions—

These results support the idea that lipid raft integrity, ensured by seladin-1/DHCR24, plays a crucial protective role in the ischemic brain by guaranteeing EAAT2-mediated uptake of glutamate excess.
In Vitro Assessment of Histology Verified Intracranial Atherosclerotic Disease by 1.5T Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Yang Wen-Jie , Chen Xiang-Yan , Zhao Hai-Lu , Niu Chun-Bo , Xu Yun , Wong Ka-Sing , Ng Ho-Keung
Published: December 2015

Background and Purpose—

Clinical trial studies show that plaque eccentricity (symmetry) is among the plaque features that have been associated with more frequent cerebrovascular events. Plaque eccentricity of intracranial atherosclerotic disease is unclear because of lacking of cerebral artery specimens.

Methods—

1.5T magnetic resonance imaging was performed in the postmortem brains to scan the cross sections of middle cerebral artery. Plaque eccentricity of histology-verified middle cerebral artery atherosclerosis was calculated on T1-weighted fat-suppressed sequence.

Results—

Validated by histology, concentric atherosclerotic plaques were identified in 46 middle cerebral arteries (63.9%) on magnetic resonance imaging and eccentric plaques in 26 arteries (26.1%). Eccentric plaques showed higher maximum wall thickness and lower minimum wall thickness than concentric plaques (both
P
<0.001). Plaque burden and brain infarctions were similar between concentric and eccentric plaques.

Conclusions—

Intracranial atherosclerosis presents as eccentric or concentric in geometry, which may be not linked to intracranial plaque risk. Further in vivo imaging studies are needed to identify morphological features of intracranial plaques and to verify its association with brain infarctions.
Peroxisome Proliferator–Activated Receptor β/δ Alleviates Early Brain Injury After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Rats
Authors: Teng Zhipeng , Jiang Li , Hu Qin , He Yue , Guo Zhenni , Wu Yue , Huang Zhijian , Cao Fang , Cheng Chongjie , Sun Xiaochuan , Guo Zongduo
Published: December 2015

Background and Purpose—

Early brain injury is proposed to be the primary cause of the poor outcome after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), which is closely related to the neural apoptosis. To date, the relationship between peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor β/δ (PPARβ/δ) and nuclear factor-κB/matrix metalloproteinase-9 (NF-κB/MMP-9) pathway, both of which are closely related to apoptotic effects, has been poorly studied in SAH. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of PPARβ/δ on early brain injury and NF-κB/MMP-9 pathway after SAH in rats.

Methods—

SAH model was established by injecting nonheparinized autologous arterial blood into the prechiasmatic cistern in male Sprague–Dawley rats. Adenoviruses or small interfering RNAs were injected into the right lateral cerebral ventricle to, respectively, up- or downregulate PPARβ/δ expression before SAH. All animals were assessed with a neurological score and then killed at 24 hours after SAH surgery. The indexes of brain water content, blood–brain barrier permeability, and apoptosis were used to detect brain injury. The expression of PPARβ/δ, NF-κB, and MMP-9 were measured by immunohistochemistry, gelatin zymography, and Western Blot methods, respectively. In addition, GW0742, a specific agonist of PPARβ/δ, was used to treat SAH in rats, the effects of which were evaluated by neurological scoring and Evans blue extravasation.

Results—

Overexpression of PPARβ/δ by adenoviruses treatment significantly ameliorated brain injury with improvement in neurological deficits, brain edema, blood–brain barrier impairment, and neural cell apoptosis at 24 hours after SAH in rats, whereas downregulation of PPARβ/δ by small interfering RNAs administration resulted in the reverse effects of the above. The expression levels of NF-κB and MMP-9 were markedly downregulated when PPARβ/δ increased after PPARβ/δ adenovirus transfection and upregulated when PPARβ/δ decreased by PPARβ/δ small interfering RNAs treatment. Moreover, GW0742 improved neurological deficits and reduced Evans blue extravasation at 24 hours after SAH.

Conclusions—

PPARβ/δ’s overexpression may attenuate early brain injury after rats’ SAH administration, which reduces neural apoptosis possibly through blocking NF-κB/MMP-9 pathway.
A Typology of Fatwas
Authors: Skovgaard-Petersen Jakob
Published: December 2015

This paper seeks to shed light on the nature of fatwas as sources for the study of Islamic legal and ethical thought by drawing some distinctions between various basic types of fatwas and the information we may expect to derive from them. It identifies and provides an account of what are here termed as the ephemeral, the school, the court and the public fatwa. In each case it discusses the type of authority they involve and, in the context of this special issue on Islamic bioethics, their particular relevance to issues of health and medicine today.
Biomedical Scientists as Co-Muftis: Their Contribution to Contemporary Islamic Bioethics
Authors: Ghaly Mohammed
Published: December 2015

By the beginning of the 1980s, deliberations on Islam and biomedical ethics started to assume a systematised and collective form through combining contributions from Muslim religious scholars and (Muslim) biomedical scientists. The original idea was that biomedical scientists would inform and educate Muslim religious scholars about the scientific and biomedical aspects of specific bioethical issues. After being equipped with sufficient information about these technical aspects, religious scholars would embark upon their normative role by construing the religio-ethical Islamic standpoint. This proposed strict division between the tasks of biomedical scientists and those of religious scholars did not prove to be viable during the gatherings which hosted both groups. Instead of confining themselves to the informative role, biomedical scientists infringed upon the normative role which is typically assigned to Muslim religious scholars alone. Besides presenting technical information, they also presented their own perspectives on how Islamic scriptures should be employed in order to develop the Islamic religio-ethical standpoints. This article explains how biomedical scientists moved from being just “informants” for the religious scholars to becoming eventually “co-muftis”.
The Iranian Embryo Donation Law and Surrogacy Regulations: The Intersection of Religion, Law and Ethics
Authors: Garmaroudi Naef Shirin
Published: December 2015

This article examines the Iranian approach to the regulation of reproductive technologies, through which medical, Islamic juridical and civil legal authorities come together in forming bioethical legislation and regulations in the national context. It focuses in particular on the legislation and regulations for embryo donation and surrogacy arrangements, both morally permissible according to the majority of Shiʿi religious authorities. It traces the development of these legislations and which institutions and actors were involved, and examines in particular the dynamics of religion, law, and medicine in the formation of these bioethical regulations. I argue that the Iranian approach towards bioethical issues involves all stakeholders – religious and secular, state and private – and reflects a combination of elements from both secular and religious principles. This approach (bottom-up rather than top-down), I conclude, reflects the efforts and ability of Iranian scholars to examine the impact and challenges of global modern biomedicine and thereby give internal answers within their own religious and cultural values and tradition.
Two Concepts of State in the Tanzimat Period: the Hatt-ı Şerif of Gülhane and the Hatt-ı Hümayun
Authors: Abu-Manneh Butrus
Published: December 2015

This article suggests dividing the Tanzimat period into two phases each run by a different elite. Phase one extended from 1839 to 1854 and phase two between 1855 and 1871 after which the Sublime Porte entered a few years of instability. The traditional ruling class left over from the period of Sultan Mahmud Ii controlled the state after him. Its major contribution was the promulgation of the Hatt-ı Şerif of Gülhane, the aim of which was to end absolute rule and restore justice in the government system. However failing to check the drift into the Crimean War this traditional ruling class lost power in favour of a new ruling elite whose members belonged to a lower-middle or lower classes, and who as such represented social mobility within Ottoman Turkish society.