bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrodifferential Equations of the Vector Problem of Electromagnetic Wave Diffraction by a System of Nonintersecting Screens and Inhomogeneous Bodies
Authors: Smirnov Y. G. , Tsupak A. A.
Published: May 2015

The vector problem of electromagnetic wave diffraction by a system of bodies and infinitely thin screens is considered in a quasi-classical formulation. The solution is sought in the classical sense but is defined not in the entire spaceR3but rather everywhere except for the screen edges. The original boundary value problem for Maxwell’s equations system is reduced to a system of integrodifferential equations in the regions occupied by the bodies and on the screen surfaces. The integrodifferential operator is treated as a pseudodifferential operator in Sobolev spaces and is shown to be zero-index Fredholm operator.
Gender-Specific Differences in Clinical Profile and Biochemical Parameters in Patients with Cushing’s Disease: A Single Center Experience
Authors: Liu Xiaoxia , Zhu Xiaoming , Zeng Meifang , Zhuang Yan , Zhou Yiting , Zhang Zhaoyun , Yang Yehong , Wang Yongfei , Ye Hongying , Li Yiming
Published: May 2015

Cushing’s disease (CD) is remarkably prevalent among females; however, more severe clinical presentation and adverse outcomes have been found in males. The purpose of this study was to investigate the overall clinical profile and biochemical parameters in patients with CD to identify the gender differences. Here we describe our series of CD patients referred to our medical center during 2012-2013. Among 73 cases, females presented a marked preponderance compared to males. Males had significantly higher ACTH, BMI, HbA1c, systolic blood pressure, and hemoglobin than females. For the first time, the incidence of fatty liver and hepatic function was also shown to be elevated in males. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to further investigate the correlation of risk factors with hypokalemia, HbA1c, and systolic blood pressure. Gender and serum cortisol were associated with hypokalemia. Age, gender, and serum cortisol were significantly associated with HbA1c. Additionally, only gender was significantly associated with systolic blood pressure. Regarding clinical presentation, purple striae seemed to occur more frequently in males than in females. Thus, more severe clinical presentation, biochemical parameters, and complications were found in males than in females. Clinical professionals should pay more attention to the diagnosis and management of males with CD.
Coexistence of Gait Disturbances and Chorea in Experimental Huntington’s Disease
Authors: Casaca-Carreira João , Temel Yasin , van Zelst Marloes , Jahanshahi Ali
Published: May 2015

Huntington’s disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease caused by an expanded CAG repeat. The clinical features are progressive motor dysfunction, cognitive deterioration, and psychiatric disturbances. Unpredictable choreic movements, among the most characteristic hallmarks, may contribute to gait disturbances and loss of balance in HD individuals. In this study, we aimed to investigate and characterize the gait abnormalities and choreic movements in a transgenic rat model of HD (tgHD). TgHD presents typical neuropathological, neurophysiological, and behavioral aspects mimicking some of the key features of human HD and is the only described experimental model for HD that exhibits choreiform movements. We used the Catwalk, with emphasis on static and dynamic gait parameters, to test the hypothesis that at symptomatic age (9 months) the dynamic measures of gait in HD are altered and coexist with choreiform movements. Our results showed that the dynamic parameters seem to be more affected than static parameters at this age in tgHD rats. The number of steps and step cycles and swing speed of the paws were increased in tgHD rat in comparison to wild-type controls. Our study demonstrates that gait abnormalities coexist with chorea rather than being caused by it. These symptoms may originate from distinct networks in the basal ganglia and downstream connections.
Effect of Alginate Lyase on Biofilm-GrownHelicobacter pyloriProbed by Atomic Force Microscopy
Authors: Maiorana Alessandro , Bugli Francesca , Papi Massimiliano , Torelli Riccardo , Ciasca Gabriele , Maulucci Giuseppe , Palmieri Valentina , Cacaci Margherita , Paroni Sterbini Francesco , Posteraro Brunella , Sanguinetti Maurizio , De Spirito Marco
Published: May 2015

Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) is a microorganism with a pronounced capability of adaptation under environmental stress solicitations. Its persistence and antimicrobial resistance to the drugs commonly used in the anti-H. pyloritherapy are associated with the development of a biofilm mainly composed of DNA, proteins, and polysaccharides. A fundamental step to increase the success of clinical treatments is the development of new strategies and molecules able to interfere with the biofilm architecture and thus able to enhance the effects of antibiotics. By using Atomic Force Microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy we analyzed the effects of the alginate lyase (AlgL), an enzyme able to degrade a wide class of polysaccharides, on theH. pylorishape, surface morphology, and biofilm adhesion properties. We demonstrated that AlgL generates a noticeable loss ofH. pyloricoccoid form in favor of the bacillary form and reduces theH. pyloriextracellular polymeric substances (EPS).
Optimization of T-cell Reactivity by Exploiting TCR Chain Centricity for the Purpose of Safe and Effective Antitumor TCR Gene Therapy
Authors: Ochi Toshiki , Nakatsugawa Munehide , Chamoto Kenji , Tanaka Shinya , Yamashita Yuki , Guo Tingxi , Fujiwara Hiroshi , Yasukawa Masaki , Butler Marcus O. , Hirano Naoto
Published: May 2015

Adoptive transfer of T cells redirected by a high-affinity antitumor T-cell receptor (TCR) is a promising treatment modality for cancer patients. Safety and efficacy depend on the selection of a TCR that induces minimal toxicity and elicits sufficient antitumor reactivity. Many, if not all, TCRs possess cross-reactivity to unrelated MHC molecules in addition to reactivity to target self-MHC/peptide complexes. Some TCRs display chain centricity, in which recognition of MHC/peptide complexes is dominated by one of the TCR hemi-chains. In this study, we comprehensively studied how TCR chain centricity affects reactivity to target self-MHC/peptide complexes and alloreactivity using the TCR, clone TAK1, which is specific for human leukocyte antigen-A*24:02/Wilms tumor 1235–243 (A24/WT1235) and cross-reactive with B*57:01 (B57). The TAK1β, but not the TAK1α, hemi-chain possessed chain centricity. When paired with multiple clonotypic TCRα counter-chains encoding TRAV12-2, 20, 36, or 38-2, the de novo TAK1β-containing TCRs showed enhanced, weakened, or absent reactivity to A24/WT1235 and/or to B57. T cells reconstituted with these TCRα genes along with TAK1β possessed a very broad range (>3 log orders) of functional and structural avidities. These results suggest that TCR chain centricity can be exploited to enhance desired antitumor TCR reactivity and eliminate unwanted TCR cross-reactivity. TCR reactivity to target MHC/peptide complexes and cross-reactivity to unrelated MHC molecules are not inextricably linked and are separable at the TCR sequence level. However, it is still mandatory to carefully monitor for possible harmful toxicities caused by adoptive transfer of T cells redirected by thymically unselected TCRs. Cancer Immunol Res; 3(9); 1070–81. ©2015 AACR.
Survival Outcomes of Sipuleucel-T Phase III Studies: Impact of Control-Arm Cross-Over to Salvage Immunotherapy
Authors: George Daniel J. , Nabhan Chadi , DeVries Todd , Whitmore James B. , Gomella Leonard G.
Published: May 2015

Sipuleucel-T is an autologous cellular immunotherapy for asymptomatic/minimally symptomatic metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). After disease progression, control-arm patients on three double-blind, randomized phase III sipuleucel-T trials were offered, in nonrandomized open-label protocols, APC8015F, an autologous immunotherapy made from cells cryopreserved at the time of control manufacture. These exploratory analyses evaluated potential effects on survival outcomes associated with such treatment. Of 249 control-treated patients, 165 (66.3%) received APC8015F. We explored the effects of APC8015F on the overall survival (OS; Cox regression) of control-arm patients and treatment effects of sipuleucel-T versus control adjusted for APC8015F treatment [iterative parameter estimation model (IPE)]. The median time to first APC8015F infusion was 5.2 months (range, 1.8–33.1) after randomization and 2.2 months (0.5–14.6) after progression. After disease progression, median survival was longer for APC8015F-treated versus control-only treated patients [20.0 vs. 9.8 months; HR, 0.53; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.38–0.74; P < 0.001]; however, baseline characteristics were more favorable for APC8015F-treated patients. Multivariate regression analyses identified lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, hemoglobin, ECOG status, age, and number of bone metastases as potential (P < 0.1) independent predictors of postprogression survival. After adjusting for these predictors, APC8015F (HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.54–1.11; P = 0.17) treatment trended toward improved survival. Estimated median OS benefit for sipuleucel-T versus control adjusted for APC8015F treatment was 3.9 months if APC8015F had no effect and was 8.1 months if APC8015F was equally as effective as sipuleucel-T. Exploratory analyses indicate that APC8015F treatment may have extended patient survival, suggesting the sipuleucel-T OS advantage in CRPC may be more robust than previously estimated. Cancer Immunol Res; 3(9); 1063–9. ©2015 AACR.
Potential Role of Aspirin in the Prevention of Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Authors: Starke Robert M. , Chalouhi Nohra , Ding Dale , Hasan David M.
Published: May 2015

Background: Inflammation is a key element behind the pathophysiology of cerebral aneurysm formation and rupture. Aspirin is a potent inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX), which plays a critical role in the expression of immune modulators known to contribute to cerebral aneurysm formation and rupture. Currently, there are no pharmacological therapies for patients with cerebral aneurysms. Both endovascular and microsurgical interventions may be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Potentially, a medical alternative that prevents aneurysm progression and rupture may be a beneficial therapy for a significant number of patients. Summary: In animal models, treatment with aspirin and genetic inactivation of COX-2 decreases aneurysm formation and rupture. Selective inhibition of COX-1 did not decrease aneurysm rupture, suggesting that selection inhibition of COX-2 may be critical in thwarting aneurysm progression. Walls of ruptured human intracranial aneurysms have higher levels of COX-2 and microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase 1 (mPGES-1), both of which are known to be inhibited by aspirin. In a pilot study, patients undergoing microsurgical clipping had attenuated expression of COX-2, mPGES-1, and macrophages in aneurysm walls after 3 months of aspirin therapy versus those that did not receive aspirin. Additionally, in patients undergoing endovascular therapy, local circulating expression of chemokines and COX-2 were increased in blood samples taken from within aneurysm domes as compared to peripheral blood sample controls. Treatment with aspirin also resulted in decreased expression of COX-2 within leukocytes within aneurysms as compared to peripheral blood samples. Novel molecular imaging with ferumoxytol-enhanced MRI may help in the identification of patients at increased risk for aneurysm rupture and assessment of a response to aspirin therapy. Key Messages: Aspirin has been found to be a safe in patients harboring cerebral aneurysms and clinical studies provide evidence that it may decrease the overall rate of rupture. Furthermore, aspirin is an accessible and inexpensive medicine for patients who may not have access to endovascular or microsurgical treatment or for patients who are deemed low risk of aneurysm rupture, high risk for intervention, or both. Future clinical trials are indicated to determine the overall effect of aspirin on aneurysm progression and rupture. This review provides an update on the potential mechanisms and benefits of aspirin in the treatment of cerebral aneurysms.
The EnvIMS Study: Design and Methodology of an International Case-Control Study of Environmental Risk Factors in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Magalhaes Sandra , Pugliatti Maura , Casetta Ilaria , Drulovic Jelena , Granieri Enrico , Holmøy Trygve , Kampman Margitta T. , Landtblom Anne-Marie , Lauer Klaus , Myhr Kjell-Morten , Parpinel Maria , Pekmezovic Tatjana , Riise Trond , Wolfson David , Zhu Bin , Wolfson Christina
Published: May 2015

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the central nervous system, often resulting in significant neurological disability. The causes of MS are not known; however, the incidence of MS is increasing, thereby suggesting that changes in lifestyle and/or environmental factors may be responsible. On this background, the Environmental Risk Factors in MS Study or EnvIMS study was designed to further explore the etiology of MS. The design and methodology are described, providing details to enable investigators to (i) use our experiences to design their own studies; (ii) take advantage of, and build on the methodological work completed for, the EnvIMS study; (iii) become aware of this data source that is available for use by the research community. Methods: EnvIMS is a multinational case-control study, enrolling 2,800 cases with MS and 5,012 population-based controls in Canada, Italy, Norway, Serbia and Sweden. The study was designed to investigate the most commonly implicated risk factors for MS etiology using a self-report questionnaire. Results/Conclusions: The use of a common methodology to study MS etiology across several countries enhances the comparability of results in different geographic regions and research settings, reduces the resources required for study design and enhances the opportunity for data harmonization.
Long-Term Cost-Effectiveness of Providing Full Coverage for Preventive Medications After Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Ito Kouta , Avorn Jerry , Shrank William H. , Toscano Michele , Spettel Claire , Brennan Troyen , Choudhry Niteesh K.
Published: May 2015

Background—

Adherence to drugs that are prescribed after myocardial infarction remains suboptimal. Although eliminating patient cost sharing for secondary prevention increases adherence and reduces rates of major cardiovascular events, the long-term clinical and economic implications of this approach have not been adequately evaluated.

Methods and Results—

We developed a Markov model simulating a hypothetical cohort of commercially insured patients who were discharged from the hospital after myocardial infarction. Patients received β-blockers, renin–angiotensin system antagonists, and statins without cost sharing (full coverage) or at the current level of insurance coverage (usual coverage). Model inputs were extracted from the Post Myocardial Infarction Free Rx Event and Economic Evaluation trial and other published literature. The main outcome was an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio as measured by cost per quality-adjusted life year gained. Patients receiving usual coverage lived an average of 9.46 quality-adjusted life years after their event and incurred costs of $171 412. Patients receiving full coverage lived an average of 9.60 quality-adjusted life years and incurred costs of $167 401. Compared with usual coverage, full coverage would result in greater quality-adjusted survival (0.14 quality-adjusted life years) and less resource use ($4011) per patient. Our results were sensitive to alterations in the risk reduction for post-myocardial infarction events from full coverage.

Conclusions—

Providing full prescription drug coverage for evidence-based pharmacotherapy to commercially insured post-myocardial infarction patients has the potential to improve health outcomes and save money from the societal perspective over the long-term.

Clinical Trial Registration Information—

https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00566774.
Insulin Resistance and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Schmiegelow Michelle D. , Hedlin Haley , Stefanick Marcia L. , Mackey Rachel H. , Allison Matthew , Martin Lisa W. , Robinson Jennifer G. , Hlatky Mark A.
Published: May 2015

Background—

Insulin resistance is associated with diabetes mellitus, but it is uncertain whether it improves cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk prediction beyond traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods and Results—

We identified 15 288 women from the Women’s Health Initiative Biomarkers studies with no history of CVD, atrial fibrillation, or diabetes mellitus at baseline (1993–1998). We assessed the prognostic value of adding fasting serum insulin, HOMA-IR (homeostasis model assessment–insulin resistance), serum-triglyceride-to-serum-high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol ratio TG/HDL-C, or impaired fasting glucose (serum glucose ≥110 mg/dL) to traditional risk factors in separate Cox multivariable analyses and assessed risk discrimination and reclassification. The study end point was major CVD events (nonfatal and fatal coronary heart disease and ischemic stroke) within 10 years, which occurred in 894 (5.8%) women. Insulin resistance was associated with CVD risk after adjusting for age and race/ethnicity with hazard ratios (95% confidence interval [CI]) per doubling in insulin of 1.21 (CI, 1.12–1.31), in HOMA-IR of 1.19 (CI, 1.11–1.28), in TG/HDL-C of 1.35 (CI, 1.26–1.45), and for impaired fasting glucose of 1.31 (CI, 1.05–1.64). Although insulin, HOMA-IR, and TG/HDL-C remained associated with increased CVD risk after adjusting for most CVD risk factors, none remained significant after adjusting for HDL-C: hazard ratios for insulin, 1.06 (CI, 0.98–1.16); for HOMA-IR, 1.06 (CI, 0.98–1.15); for TG/HDL-C, 1.11 (CI, 0.99–1.25); and for glucose, 1.20 (CI, 0.96–1.50). Insulin resistance measures did not improve CVD risk discrimination and reclassification.

Conclusions—

Measures of insulin resistance were no longer associated with CVD risk after adjustment for high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and did not provide independent prognostic information in postmenopausal women without diabetes mellitus.

Clinical Trial Registration Information—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrial.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00000611.
Dicer Cleavage by Calpain Determines Platelet microRNA Levels and Function in Diabetes
Authors: Elgheznawy Amro , Shi Lei , Hu Jiong , Wittig Ilka , Laban Hebatullah , Pircher Joachim , Mann Alexander , Provost Patrick , Randriamboavonjy Voahanginirina , Fleming Ingrid
Published: May 2015

Rationale:

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNA species generated by the processing of longer precursors by the ribonucleases Drosha and Dicer. Platelets contain large amounts of miRNA that are altered by disease, in particular diabetes mellitus.

Objective:

This study determined why platelet miRNA levels are attenuated in diabetic individuals and how decreased levels of the platelet-enriched miRNA, miR-223, affect platelet function.

Methods and Results:

Dicer levels were altered in platelets from diabetic mice and patients, a change that could be attributed to the cleavage of the enzyme by calpain, resulting in loss of function. Diabetes mellitus in human subjects as well as in mice resulted in decreased levels of platelet miR-142, miR-143, miR-155, and miR-223. Focusing on only 1 of these miRNAs, miR-223 deletion in mice resulted in modestly enhanced platelet aggregation, the formation of large thrombi and delayed clot retraction compared with wild-type littermates. A similar dysregulation was detected in platelets from diabetic patients. Proteomic analysis of platelets from miR-223 knockout mice revealed increased levels of several proteins, including kindlin-3 and coagulation factor XIII-A. Whereas, kindlin-3 was indirectly regulated by miR-223, factor XIII was a direct target and both proteins were also altered in diabetic platelets. Treating diabetic mice with a calpain inhibitor prevented loss of platelet dicer as well as the diabetes mellitus–induced decrease in platelet miRNA levels and the upregulation of miR-223 target proteins.

Conclusions:

Thus, calpain inhibition may be one means of normalizing platelet miRNA processing as well as platelet function in diabetes mellitus.
Clinical and Hemodynamic Outcomes up to 7 Years After Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Replacement in the US Melody Valve Investigational Device Exemption Trial
Authors: Cheatham John P. , Hellenbrand William E. , Zahn Evan M. , Jones Thomas K. , Berman Darren P. , Vincent Julie A. , McElhinney Doff B.
Published: May 2015

Background—

Studies of transcatheter pulmonary valve (TPV) replacement with the Melody valve have demonstrated good short-term outcomes, but there are no published long-term follow-up data.

Methods and Results—

The US Investigational Device Exemption trial prospectively enrolled 171 pediatric and adult patients (median age, 19 years) with right ventricular outflow tract conduit obstruction or regurgitation. The 148 patients who received and were discharged with a TPV were followed up annually according to a standardized protocol. During a median follow-up of 4.5 years (range, 0.4–7 years), 32 patients underwent right ventricular outflow tract reintervention for obstruction (n=27, with stent fracture in 22), endocarditis (n=3, 2 with stenosis and 1 with pulmonary regurgitation), or right ventricular dysfunction (n=2). Eleven patients had the TPV explanted as an initial or second reintervention. Five-year freedom from reintervention and explantation was 76±4% and 92±3%, respectively. A conduit prestent and lower discharge right ventricular outflow tract gradient were associated with longer freedom from reintervention. In the 113 patients who were alive and reintervention free, the follow-up gradient (median, 4.5 years after implantation) was unchanged from early post-TPV replacement, and all but 1 patient had mild or less pulmonary regurgitation. Almost all patients were in New York Heart Association class I or II. More severely impaired baseline spirometry was associated with a lower likelihood of improvement in exercise function after TPV replacement.

Conclusions—

TPV replacement with the Melody valve provided good hemodynamic and clinical outcomes up to 7 years after implantation. Primary valve failure was rare. The main cause of TPV dysfunction was stenosis related to stent fracture, which was uncommon once prestenting became more widely adopted.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00740870.
Interventionalist Perspective on the New Endovascular Trials
Authors: Pierot Laurent , Derdeyn Colin
Published: May 2015

Three recently published trials have conclusively proven the benefit of mechanical endovascular thrombectomy over best medical therapy for patients with acute ischemic stroke and large vessel occlusion. These trials shared some features and differed in others. These similarities and differences in trial design and execution affect the conclusions and recommendations that can be made from the data. We will examine the implications of these studies for neurointerventionists, both for current practice and for future studies. In particular, we will focus on procedural details such as patient selection, devices, adjunctive therapies, treatment time windows, and performance metrics.
Minocycline Reduces Spontaneous Hemorrhage in Mouse Models of Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy
Authors: Yan Ping , Zhu Alec , Liao Fan , Xiao Qingli , Kraft Andrew W. , Gonzales Ernie , Perez Ron , Greenberg Steven M. , Holtzman David M. , Lee Jin-Moo
Published: May 2015

Background and Purpose—

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a common cause of recurrent intracerebral hemorrhage in the elderly. Previous studies have shown that CAA induces inflammation and expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (gelatinases) in amyloid-laden vessels. Here, we inhibited both using minocycline in CAA mouse models to determine whether spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage could be reduced.

Methods—

Tg2576 (n=16) and 5xFAD/ApoE4 knockin mice (n=16), aged 17 and 12 months, respectively, were treated with minocycline (50 mg/kg, IP) or saline every other day for 2 months. Brains were extracted and stained with X-34 (to quantify amyloid), Perls’ blue (to quantify hemorrhage), and immunostained to examined β-amyloid peptide load, gliosis (glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP], Iba-1), and vascular markers of blood–brain barrier integrity (zonula occludins-1 [ZO-1] and collagen IV). Brain extracts were used to quantify mRNA for a variety of inflammatory genes.

Results—

Minocycline treatment significantly reduced hemorrhage frequency in the brains of Tg2576 and 5xFAD/ApoE4 mice relative to the saline-treated mice, without affecting CAA load. Gliosis (GFAP and Iba-1 immunostaining), gelatinase activity, and expression of a variety of inflammatory genes (matrix metalloproteinase-9, NOX4, CD45, S-100b, and Iba-1) were also significantly reduced. Higher levels of microvascular tight junction and basal lamina proteins were found in the brains of minocycline-treated Tg2576 mice relative to saline-treated controls.

Conclusions—

Minocycline reduced gliosis, inflammatory gene expression, gelatinase activity, and spontaneous hemorrhage in 2 different mouse models of CAA, supporting the importance of matrix metalloproteinase–related and inflammatory pathways in intracerebral hemorrhage pathogenesis. As a Food and Drug Administration–approved drug, minocycline might be considered for clinical trials to test efficacy in preventing CAA-related intracerebral hemorrhage.
Acute Reperfusion Therapy and Stroke Care in Asia After Successful Endovascular Trials
Authors: Toyoda Kazunori , Koga Masatoshi , Hayakawa Mikito , Yamagami Hiroshi
Published: May 2015

The current status of and prospects for acute stroke care in Asia in the situation where both intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular therapies have been recognized as established strategies for acute stroke are reviewed. Of 15 million people annually having stroke worldwide, ≈9 million are Asians. The burdens of both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes are severe in Asia. The unique features of stroke in Asia include susceptibility to intracranial atherosclerosis, high prevalence of intracerebral hemorrhage, effects of dietary and lifestyle habits, and several disorders with genetic causes. These features affect acute stroke care, such as the dosage of alteplase for thrombolysis and consideration of bleeding complications during antithrombotic therapy. Acute endovascular thrombectomy, as well as intravenous thrombolysis, is relatively prevalent in East Asia, but most of the other Asian countries need to develop their human resources and fundamental medical infrastructure for stroke care. A limitation of endovascular therapy in East Asia is the high prevalence of intracranial atherosclerosis that can cause recanalization failure and require additional angioplasty or permanent stent insertion although intracranial stenting is not an established strategy. Multinational collaboration on stroke research among Asian countries is infrequent. Asians should collaborate to perform their own thrombolytic and endovascular trials and seek the optimal strategy for stroke care specific to Asia.
Obesity Increases Risk of Ischemic Stroke in Young Adults
Authors: Mitchell Andrew B. , Cole John W. , McArdle Patrick. F. , Cheng Yu-Ching , Ryan Kathleen A. , Sparks Mary J. , Mitchell Braxton D. , Kittner Steven J.
Published: May 2015

Background and Purpose—

Body mass index has been associated with ischemic stroke in older populations, but its association with stroke in younger populations is not known. In light of the current obesity epidemic in the United States, the potential impact of obesity on stroke risk in young adults deserves attention.

Methods—

A population-based case–control study design with 1201 cases and 1154 controls was used to investigate the relationship of obesity and young onset ischemic stroke. Stroke cases were between the ages of 15 and 49 years. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between body mass index and ischemic stroke with and without adjustment for comorbid conditions associated with stroke.

Results—

In analyses adjusted for age, sex, and ethnicity, obesity (body mass index >30 kg/m
2
) was associated with an increased stroke risk (odds ratio, 1.57; 95% confidence interval, 1.28–1.94) although this increased risk was highly attenuated and not statistically significant after adjustment for smoking, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus.

Conclusions—

These results indicate that obesity is a risk factor for young onset ischemic stroke and suggest that this association may be partially mediated through hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or other variables associated with these conditions.
Weather, Harvests, and Taxes: A Chinese Revolt in Colonial Taiwan
Authors: Koo Hui-wen
Published: May 2015

New sources reveal that the catalyst for a once-mysterious revolt by Chinese farmers in Dutch colonial Taiwan was an unusually dry year, which caused a disappointing sugar harvest. The resulting lower income within the farming community, in conjunction with an obligatory poll tax, placed the Chinese sugar producers indebted to the Dutch in an unbearable situation. Forced to default on their loans, the farmers viewed revolt as their sole recourse.
When Good Little Debts Went Bad: Civil Litigation on the Virginia Frontier, 1745–1755
Authors: Sen Tinni , McCleskey Turk , Basuchoudhary Atin
Published: May 2015

The use of a multinomial logit model to analyze a hitherto unavailable dataset of 1,376 small-claims lawsuits in colonial Augusta County, Virginia, for information about debts, litigants, and procedures f inds no evidence of prejudice in the legal system. The magistrates’ consistently fair enforcement of legitimate contracts may have induced both plaintiffs and defendants to settle their disputes in court rather than in private. The evidence corroborates the view that by the mid-eighteenth century, Virginia’s frontier judicial system was sufficiently impartial to encourage creditors to draw up efficient contracts even for small debts.
Moral Legitimacy, Creedal Narratives, and National Identity
Authors: Margulies Joseph
Published: May 2015

Scholars sometimes misunderstand the role that law plays in achieving social change. Law in the United States represents the codification of normative ideologies, or creedal narratives. New ideologies can take hold in society only as the result of deep and wide structural changes that cause the gradual erosion of others. Lawmakers—whether judicial or political—eventually give these new ideologies legitimacy. Contrary to Bruce Ackerman’s contention in We the People, the law follows social change, not vice versa.
Comparative Sociology of Examinations: An Introduction
Authors: Onaka Fumiya
Published: May 2015

This introduction clarifies the importance of the subject: comparative sociology of examinations, on the basis that stimulating insights on examinations have been offered by prominent sociologists, and that this subject will encourage self-reflection of sociology. It also explains how this special issue arises from a joint session in ISA World Congress of Sociology Yokohama 2014, and introduces briefly the series of five papers selected from thirteen papers and their implications.
Teacher’s Council in a Top Rated School
Authors: Mandelert Diana
Published: May 2015

This research aimed to understand the judgments made about students during the teacher’s council in a top rated school at Rio de Janeiro. These meeting is a collective assessment place, exceptionally adequate to perceive through the speeches of the agents how the school classification system is produced and reproduced (Bourdieu). The school attends middle to upper class students. It was observed that the evaluation criteria have academic origin, but are not strictly academic. Cutting class will operate in the kind of attitudes towards school (docility and academic aptitude). The desired profile is middle class students which families adhere more easily to the values and school who have the necessary cultural goodwill. The social selectivity at the school is distinctive selectivity.
Questions, Answers and Pleas in Portuguese Exams During Seven Decades
Authors: Silva M. C. , Teodoro V. D.
Published: May 2015

Keeping in mind the central part national exams have been performing in the design and implementation of learning and curricula, the analysis of the evolution of national exams shows the dynamic implications between the exams and the curricula, in the realm of the curricular reforms that happened in Portugal.

As it is never too much to highlight, it is not possible to reflect on the exams focusing exclusively around the students and the technical concern of measuring their performance without keeping in mind the factors in play regarding learning, such as curriculum, Portuguese cultural characteristics, the organization of the School Community, and the educational legislation driven by several national and international historical factors.
The Authenticity and Authority of Islam
Authors: Womack Deanna Ferree
Published: May 2015

This paper examines the concept of Islamic authority in relation to early twentieth-century Protestant missionary writings on Islam and Muhammad Rashid Rida’s commentaries on mission publications in his Cairo-based journal, al-Manar. While Rida’s Salafi reformism has been the subject of much discussion, scholars have given little attention to the content of the missionary writings Rida engaged. Treatments of Rida’s work have also neglected to address the vision of Islamic authority that emerges from his responses to Christian polemics. This paper gives both subjects further consideration as it discusses Protestant missionary approaches to Islam, examines Rida’s writings on Christianity, and assesses his response to a widely circulated article on Islam by Temple Gairdner, a prominent British missionary with the Church Missionary Society in Egypt.
Portuguese Education under Indonesian Rule
Authors: Grainger Alex
Published: May 2015

This essay suggests that the East Timorese experience of Indonesian occupation and its aftermath may be more fully understood by exploring the influence of missionary education in the late-colonial Portuguese period. Tracing this influence through the Indonesian period, it examines the case of a Jesuit-established school in which the language of instruction was Portuguese. In this setting, ‘comportment’ was a part of elite formation, taught and assimilated by association. The significance and problems of ‘comportment’ are addressed through this case by discussing its relation to a colonial idea of ‘civilisation’, and in the broader social context of colonial educational reforms and changes in East Timor’s society across the twentieth century.
‘Citizens of the World’
Authors: Lenz Darin D.
Published: May 2015

This essay analyzes Christian laypeople and church leaders who hoped for a new age of political, racial, social, and religious cooperation at the beginning of the twentieth century. This new age was centered on a belief that the global rise of nationalism combined with the transformational qualities of Christian missions and ecumenical cooperation would spur a new camaraderie among diverse peoples and nations that would lead to peace and prosperity for the world. The essay explores how this pre-First World War idea for a new oikoumene arose out of a desire for reconciliation among Christian denominations and the call for the “evangelization of the world in this generation.”
1598
Authors: Enenkel Karl A.E.
Published: May 2015

Der Beitrag analysiert Justus Lipsius’ bahnbrechendes Werk über die römische Kultur, Admiranda sive de magnitudine Romana (1598), im Rahmen humanistischer Altertumsstudien (etwa Flavio Biondos De roma triumphante oder Johannes Rosinus’ Romanae antiquitates) und vor dem Hintergrund der politischen Situation im letzten Jahrzehnt des 16. Jahrhunderts. Er zeigt auf, auf welche Weise bestimmte Eigenheiten der Abhandlung von Lipsius bestimmt sind von der aktuellen wissenschaftlichen Debatte und andererseits den Geist der spanischen Reconquista in den Niederlanden der neunziger Jahre widerspiegeln. Der Aufsatz sucht darzulegen, daß die der Admiranda zugrundeliegende Konstruktion der römischen Kultur kaum anders denn als ideologische Stütze für den zeitgenössischen spanischen Machtanspruch verstanden werden kann. Dies läßt sich gerade dort aufweisen, wo Lipsius die römische Religion, Staatskunst, Ökonomie und Mentalität beschreibt.
FORMEN UND FUNKTIONEN POLITISCHER RHETORIK IM LALEBUCH VON 1597
Authors: Dröse Albrecht
Published: May 2015

Thema des Aufsatzes sind Formen und Funktionen politischer Rhetorik im Lalebuch von 1597. Ausgangspunkt ist die Beobachtung, daß die Lalen weniger als Individuen töricht sind, als vielmehr in ihrem Handeln als politischer Verband. Der Begriff der ‘politischen Rhetorik’ hat dabei sowohl rhetorikgeschichtliche als auch politikgeschichtliche Aspekte, die Untersuchung nimmt dabei unterschiedliche historische Funktionszusammenhänge von Sprache und Politik in den Blick. Als bedeutsam erweist sich die Kategorie des Deliberativen: das Lalebuch entwirft im Anfangsteil das Ideal eines Gemeinwesens, das sich in der Beratung konstituiert. Im Hauptteil wird dieses Ideal in sein Gegenbild verkehrt, die deliberatio ist also auch der Modus der lalischen Narrheit. Im Kontrast dazu demonstriert das Lalebuch im Brief der Frauen und im Freiheitsbrief die Zweckmäßigkeit einer petitiven Kommunikation.
JOSEPH GÖRRES’ TEUTSCHE VOLKSBÜCHER UND GEORG FRIEDRICH REBMANNS EMPFINDSAME REISE NACH SCHILDA
Authors: Röcke Werner
Published: May 2015

Die längst als untauglich erwiesene Gattungsbezeichnung ‘Volksbuch’ ist nach wie vor im Gebrauch. Der Beitrag sucht die jeweils implizierte Vorstellung von ‘Volk’ nach und vor dem romantischen Paradigmenwechsel herauszuarbeiten. Der explizit unpolitischen Deutung von Joseph Görres (1807) und anderen romantischen Volkserziehern wird Georg Friedrich Rebmanns Aktualisierung des Schiltbürgerbuchs, als Buch ‘fürs Volk’, als schneidende Satire gegen Kleinstaaterei und Unterdrückung des Volkes gegenübergestellt. Der produktive Umgang Rebmanns mit dem Schiltbürgerbuch in dessen Empfindsamer Reise nach Schilda (1793) läßt einen politischen und sozialkritischen Volksbegriff klar zu Tage treten.
“JA DAN WÜRDE ER AN MIR VIEL EINEN ANDERN FINDEN, ALS ICH JHM BESCHRIEBEN WORDEN”
Authors: Laufhütte Hartmut
Published: May 2015

In Sigmund von Birkens Briefarchiv haben sich die Schreiben Philipp von Zesens erhalten, in welchen dieser, von Martin Kempe ermutigt, um des Nürnbergers Freundschaft wirbt. Birken blieb auf Distanz zu dem Vielgeschmähten. Der erste der drei Briefe Zesens zeigt überdies, daß die riesige ‘Deutschgesinnete Genossenschaft’ ein weitgehend virtuelles Gebilde war: Erst 1670 erfuhr Birken, daß er ihr seit 1644 angehörte, noch vor seiner Aufnahme in den ‘Pegnesischen Blumenorden’ 1645. Mit anderen Mitgliedschaften dürfte es ähnlich gewesen sein.
SCHULPFORTA UND DIE BIBELEPIK DES 18. JAHRHUNDERTS
Authors: Czapla Ralf Georg
Published: May 2015

Als Pädagoge, Prediger und Dichter gehörte Johann Joachim Gottlob am Ende (1704-1777) zu den profiliertesten Gestalten des sächsischen Kirchen- und Bildungswesens des 18. Jahrhunderts. Er wirkte als Klopstocks Lehrer in Schulpforta, stand in Kontakt zu den Dichtern (u.a. Hagedorn) und Gelehrten seiner Zeit und erwarb sich als Superintendent zu Dresden die Wertschätzung des Preußenkönigs Friedrich II. Mit der Christeis, einer epischen Paraphrase der Apostelgeschichte, gelang ihm eine dichterische Leistung, die sogar noch seine Übersetzungen von LaBruyères Les caractères de Théophraste und Popes Essay on Man übertraf. Ihre Bedeutung erlangte sie vor allem als Adhortationsschrift für die Dresdner Bürger während des Siebenjährigen Krieges.
DAS HAUSBUCH ALS LITERARISCHE GATTUNG
Authors: Schmid Barbara
Published: May 2015

Am Beispiel der bisher kaum bekannten Zürcher Überlieferung untersucht die Studie Formen und Funktionen des frühneuzeitlichen Hausbuchs. Hausbücher sind Schriften, in denen die Verfasser die Geschichte ihres Geschlechts, ihres Lebens und Berufs, Familienereignisse sowie Abschriften von Dokumenten aufzeichneten. Im 17. Jahrhundert wurden sie in Zürich von Angehörigen der städtischen Führungsgruppe verfasst. Besonders aufschlussreich sind die Hausbücher des Zürcher Bürgermeisters und Nachfahrs Huldrych Zwinglis, Johann Heinrich Waser (1600–1669). Seine seit 1627 erstellten Bände der Oeconomica waren an nahe Verwandte gerichtet. 1662/63 während eines Gerichtsverfahrens wegen Landesverrats entstanden, hatte der rhetorisch ausgeschmückte und mit gezeichneten Stammbäumen versehene erste Band von De vita sua die Rechtfertigung des Schreibenden als vornehmstes Mitglied der Zürcher Elite zum Ziel.
ZUFLUCHTSORTE UND FLIEßENDE RÄUME
Authors: Doms Misia Sophia
Published: May 2015

Wo in Czepkos Werken die Stellung des Menschen zwischen Zeit und Ewigkeit zum Ausdruck kommt, wird die Diagnose menschlicher (Un)Beständigkeit oft erst über die Betrachtung der räumlichen Strukturen im Leib-Seele-Kompositum möglich. Besonders die dabei häufig zu beobachtende (metaphorische) Räumlichkeit des Psychischen ist bisher von der Forschung weitgehend vernachlässigt worden. Czepkos ein-, zwei- und dreidimensionale psychische Gebilde sind oft zumindest partiell dynamisch organisiert, d.h. in ihrer Ausdehnung, ihren Außenbegrenzungen und Inhalten mehr oder weniger variabel. Dass Czepkos Seelenraum kein Raum wie jeder andere ist, folgt aber nicht allein aus seiner teilweise radikalen Verwandlungsfähigkeit, sondern auch aus seinem beständigen
Oszillieren zwischen Omnipräsenz und Ortlosigkeit. Die Paradoxien und Antithesen, die Czepkos Anthropologie auf vielerlei Weise prägen, sind somit auch für seine Seelenraum-Darstellung charakteristisch.
“MICH HÄLT DEIN WORT, DICH MEIN GEMÜTHE” ZU DANIEL CZEPKOS BUßPSALMEN
Authors: van Ingen Ferdinand
Published: May 2015

Daniel Czepkos Bußpsalmen finden erstmals eine eingehende Analyse. Sie sucht — auch im kontextuellen Vergleich — Eigenart und Stellenwert der Texte zu bestimmen. Durch den aufgewiesenen lutherischen Akzent stellt sich die Frage nach dem Verhältnis von Druckfassung und (abweichender) Abschrift neu.
ANTONIUS VON PFORR UND DIE HERREN VON SCHÖNAU
Authors: Bärmann Michael
Published: May 2015

Im Mittelpunkt des vorliegenden Beitrags steht eine Gruppe von archivalischen Zeugnissen, die über mehrere Jahrzehnte hinweg die Besitzgeschichte einer Reihe von elsässischen Lehensgütern dokumentieren. Unter diesen amtlichen Dokumenten findet sich auch eine 1460 erfolgte Berufung gegen ein Urteil, die Antonius von Pforr, den späteren Autor des Buches der Beispiele, als kaiserlichen Notar aufführt und darüber hinaus erstmals dessen Notarszeichen überliefert.
“RUDIMENTA REUCHLINIANA”
Authors: Roth Ulli
Published: May 2015

Dieser Aufsatz untersucht, wie stark der franz�sische Humanist Faber Stapulensis auf die hebraistischen Schriften Johannes Reuchlins zur�ckgreift, und gew�hrt damit einen Einblick in die Werkst�tten der Philologie der Renaissancezeit. Dazu wird vor allem die Rezeption des bedeutenden Hebr�ischlehrbuches De rudimentis hebraicis (1506) in Fabers Psalmenkommentar Quincuplex Psalterium (1509/1513) verfolgt. Dabei zeigt sich, da� Faber viel st�rker als bisher angenommen Reuchlins Werk benutzt und in Fragen zum hebr�ischen Psalmentext von ihm abh�ngt. Zugleich wird die Eigenart der Denk- und Arbeitsweise der beiden Renaissancephilologen herausgearbeitet, denn Faber bleibt im Umgang mit den theologischen Autorit�ten und der traditionellen Auslegung der Heiligen Schrift viel bed�chtiger und vorsichtiger als Reuchlin.
AKKUMULATION VON ANSEHENSKAPITAL
Authors: Koloch Sabine , von Mitarbeit , Böhling Frank , Ehmer Hermann
Published: May 2015

Nach dem Tod Johann Valentin Andreaes (1586-1654) stellte sein Sohn Gottlieb (1622-1683) eine einzigartige Gedenkschrift zusammen: den Bonus odor suave olens nominis Andreani (�Duftender Wohlgeruch des Andreaeschen Namens�). Die Texte der Sammelschrift stammen u.a. von Mitgliedern der H�fe von Braunschweig- Wolfenb�ttel (darunter Herzog August) und W�rttemberg, von den Verlegern Stern aus L�neburg, von Freunden aus drei s�ddeutschen Reichsst�dten und � ein bemerkenswertes Faktum � von drei gelehrten Frauen: Herzogin Antonia von W�rttemberg, Herzogin Sibylla Ursula von Braunschweig-L�neburg und Freifr�ulein Margareta Maria Bouwinghausen von Wallmerode. Der Band gew�hrt Einblicke in Teile des noch verbleibenden ausgedehnten Netzwerkes, das J. V. Andreae im Laufe seines Lebens aufgebaut hatte. Die Beitr�ger/innen werden unter Ber�cksichtigung ihrer jeweiligen Beziehung zu J. V. Andreae in der Einleitung (I) zu der kritischen, annotierten Edition der Gedenkschrift (II) vorgestellt. Beigegeben ist (III) eine Bibliographie der Werke Gottlieb Andreaes.
“FÜRBILD ALLER TUGENDEN”. RHETORIK UND MORAL IN DER BAROCKEN TRAUERSPIELPOETIK
Authors: Martinec Thomas
Published: May 2015

Der vorliegende Aufsatz untersucht die Frage, weshalb die barocke Trag�dienpoetik unter Berufung auf Aristoteles eine Vorstellung entwickelt, die bei Aristoteles in dieser Weise nicht zu finden ist: die Vorstellung n�mlich, da� die Trag�die den Zuschauer moralisch zu bessern habe. Hierzu werden zun�chst die zentralen Z�ge des aristotelischen Trag�dienmodells als Rezeptionsgrundlage skizziert (I), wobei deutlich wird, da� Aristoteles s�mtliche Gattungselemente in den Dienst der Trag�dienwirkung stellt, die allerdings keine moralische ist. Im n�chsten Schritt wird dann die Rhetorisierung des aristotelischen Modells im Humanismus nachgewiesen (II): Die Trag�dienwirkung ger�t in das Bezugsfeld der officia oratoris (die Katharsis wird als docere aufgefa�t), und andere Trag�dienelemente (Personal, Ereignis, Verh�ltnis der Trag�die zur Geschichte) erfahren eine neuartige Ausrichtung durch die rhetorische Stillehre. Schlie�lich wird gezeigt, da� sich die barocke Poetik zwar auf Aristoteles bezieht, sie dabei jedoch dessen Trag�dienmodell auf der Grundlage der humanistischen Rhetorisierung moralisch nutzbar macht (III): Die Wirkung besteht nun in der Besserung des Zuschauers, und vom tragischen Helden wird moralische Vollkommenheit gefordert.
RELIGIÖSE DIMENSION, GESCHLECHTLICHKEIT UND POLITISCHES MOMENT
Authors: Bremer Kai
Published: May 2015

Sixt Birck unterscheidet in seiner Judith fast bis zum Schlu� zwischen weiblicher T�terin und m�nnlicher Tat. Er ebnet den daraus resultierenden latenten Geschlechterkonflikt nicht ein, sondern l�st ihn durch religi�se �berh�hung. Das hat Konsequenzen f�r die bisher g�ngige Deutung des Dramas als �erasmisches Manifest� (Jean Lebeau). Es ist nicht nur auf die T�rkenkriege zu perspektivieren, sondern auch auf die Religionsstreitigkeiten des 16. Jahrhunderts. Vor diesem Hintergrund ist Bircks Judith als �irenisches Manifest� zu verstehen.
RHETORIK ALS KONSTITUIERENDES MOMENT DER TEXTKOMPOSITION IN LUTHERS SCHRIFT AN DEN CHRISTLICHEN ADEL DEUTSCHER NATION VON DES CHRISTLICHEN STANDES BESSERUNG
Authors: Dickhut Johannes
Published: May 2015

Das Verhältnis Luthers zur Rhetorik ist seit längerer Zeit Gegenstand der Luther-Philologie. Diese Untersuchung will anhand der Adelsschrift die Frage beantworten, inwieweit die ars rhetorica bestimmend für den Aufbau der Schrift ist. Hierbei steht die dispositio als eine der partes artis im Vordergrund. In einem zweiten Schritt wendet sich die Untersuchung den zahlreichen Schriftverweisen in der Adelsschrift zu, welche innerhalb der argumentatio als exempla in Form von auctoritates dienen. Diese Schriftverweise werden mit den entsprechenden Passagen aus Luthers Bibelübersetzungen verglichen, um ein tieferes Verständnis für Luthers Umgang mit dem Bibelwort innerhalb seines reformatorischen Schrifttums zu gewinnen.