bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Rare Case of Aeromonas Hydrophila Catheter Related Sepsis in a Patient with Chronic Kidney Disease Receiving Steroids and Dialysis: A Case Report and Review of Aeromonas Infections in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients
Authors: Khalil Muhammad Abdul Mabood , Rehman Abdur , Kashif Waqar Uddin , Rangasami Manickam , Tan Jackson
Published: August 2013

Aeromonas hydrophila (AH) is an aquatic bacterium. We present a case of fifty-five-year-old gentleman with chronic kidney disease (CKD) due to crescentic IgA nephropathy who presented to us with fever. He was recently pulsed with methyl prednisolone followed by oral prednisolone and discharged on maintenance dialysis through a double lumen dialysis catheter. Blood culture from peripheral vein and double lumen dialysis catheter grew AH. We speculate low immunity due to steroids and uremia along with touch contamination of dialysis catheter by the patient or dialysis nurse could have led to this rare infection. Dialysis catheter related infection by AH is rare. We present our case here and take the opportunity to give a brief review of AH infections in CKD patients.
A Rare Prostatic Diagnosis of an Old Man: A Pure Prostatic Leiomyoma
Authors: van Ulden-Bleumink W. M. , Dom P. G. B. , Ramakers B. P. M. , van Adrichem N. P. H.
Published: August 2013

A pure leiomyoma of the prostate is a rare benign tumor. An 82-year-old man was referred to our urology department with gross hematuria and complete urinary retention. Examination revealed a benign prostatic hyperplasia. Transrectal ultrasound showed a prostate of 125 mL. Serum PSA was 1.9 µg/L. A simple retropubic prostatectomy was performed. Histopathological examination showed a pure leiomyoma of the prostate, without the presence of glandular prostate tissue. The diagnosis, characteristics, and treatment of this tumor are described.
Solid Lipid Nanoparticles of Guggul Lipid as Drug Carrier for Transdermal Drug Delivery
Authors: Gaur Praveen Kumar , Mishra Shikha , Purohit Suresh
Published: August 2013

Diclofenac sodium loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) were formulated using guggul lipid as major lipid component and analyzed for physical parameters, permeation profile, and anti-inflammatory activity. The SLNs were prepared using melt-emulsion sonication/low temperature-solidification method and characterized for physical parameters, in vitro drug release, and accelerated stability studies, and formulated into gel. Respective gels were compared with a commercial emulgel (CEG) and plain carbopol gel containing drug (CG) for ex vivo and in vivo drug permeation and anti-inflammatory activity. The SLNs were stable with optimum physical parameters. GMS nanoparticle 1 (GMN-1) and stearic acid nanoparticle 1 (SAN-1) gave the highest in vitro drug release. Guggul lipid nanoparticle gel 3 (GLNG-3) showed 104.68 times higher drug content than CEG in receptor fluid. The enhancement ratio of GLNG-3 was 39.43 with respect to CG. GLNG-3 showed almost 8.12 times higherCmaxthan CEG at 4 hours. The AUC value of GLNG-3 was 15.28 times higher than the AUC of CEG. GLNG-3 showed edema inhibition up to 69.47% in the first hour. Physicochemical properties of major lipid component govern the properties of SLN. SLN made up of guggul lipid showed good physical properties with acceptable stability. Furthermore, it showed a controlled drug release profile along with a promising permeation profile.
Korean American Women's Experiences with Smoking and Factors Associated with Their Quit Intentions
Authors: Kim Sun S. , Kim Seongho , Seward Gregory , Fortuna Lisa , McKee Sherry A.
Published: August 2013

This study explored Korean American women’s experiences with smoking and tested the theory of planned behavior to identify factors associated with their intentions to quit smoking. It employed a mixed-methods research design, using qualitative and quantitative data. Participants were recruited via a combination of random (N = 49) and convenience (N = 45) sampling techniques. Women in this study initiated smoking at age of 23 on average, and nearly half smoked at indoor houses. They initiated smoking out of curiosity about the effect and belief that smoking would relieve their stress. Reasons for continued smoking were (a) to avoid nicotine withdrawal symptoms, (b) to cope with life stressors, including acculturative stress, and (c) to fulfill one’s destiny as a lifetime smoker. Many attempted to quit due to health issues and pregnancy. Fear of disclosure and limited English proficiency were found to be major barriers to seeking help for quitting. Past-year quit attempt(s), attitudes toward quitting, and perceived family norm favoring quitting explained 25% of the variance in intentions to quit smoking (F[3,90]=11.58, P<0.001). Findings suggest that gender- and culture-specific intervention strategies are needed to assist Korean American women in smoking cessation.
Room-Temperature Hysteresis in a Hole-Based Quantum Dot Memory Structure
Authors: Nowozin Tobias , Narodovitch Michael , Bonato Leo , Bimberg Dieter , Ajour Mohammed N. , Daqrouq Khaled , Balamash Abdullah
Published: August 2013

We demonstrate a memory effect in self-assembled InAs/Al0.9Ga0.1As quantum dots (QDs) near room temperature. The QD layer is embedded into a modulation-doped field-effect transistor (MODFET) which allows to charge and discharge the QDs and read out the logic state of the QDs. The hole storage times in the QDs decrease from seconds at 200 K down to milliseconds at room temperature.
Film Cooling Optimization Using Numerical Computation of the Compressible Viscous Flow Equations and Simplex Algorithm
Authors: Elsayed Ahmed M. , Owis Farouk M. , Abdel Rahman M. Madbouli
Published: August 2013

Film cooling is vital to gas turbine blades to protect them from high temperatures and hence high thermal stresses. In the current work, optimization of film cooling parameters on a flat plate is investigated numerically. The effect of film cooling parameters such as inlet velocity direction, lateral and forward diffusion angles, blowing ratio, and streamwise angle on the cooling effectiveness is studied, and optimum cooling parameters are selected. The numerical simulation of the coolant flow through flat plate hole system is carried out using the “CFDRC package” coupled with the optimization algorithm “simplex” to maximize overall film cooling effectiveness. Unstructured finite volume technique is used to solve the steady, three-dimensional and compressible Navier-Stokes equations. The results are compared with the published numerical and experimental data of a cylindrically round-simple hole, and the results show good agreement. In addition, the results indicate that the average overall film cooling effectiveness is enhanced by decreasing the streamwise angle for high blowing ratio and by increasing the lateral and forward diffusion angles. Optimum geometry of the cooling hole on a flat plate is determined. In addition, numerical simulations of film cooling on actual turbine blade are performed using the flat plate optimal hole geometry.
Undiagnosed Chronic Granulomatous Disease,Burkholderia cepacia complexPneumonia, and Acquired Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis: A Deadly Association
Authors: Maignan Maxime , Verdant Colin , Bouvet Guillaume F. , Van Spall Michael , Berthiaume Yves
Published: August 2013

Background. Chronic granulomatous disease is a rare inherited disorder of the phagocyte nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase. The clinical course of the disease is marked by recurrent infections, includingBurkholderia cepacia complexinfection.Case Report. Here we report the case of a 21-year-old male hospitalized for aBurkholderia cepacia complexpneumonia. Despite the broad spectrum antibiotic treatment, fever continued and patient’s condition worsened. Anemia and thrombocytopenia developed together with hypofibrinogenemia. The patient died of multiple organ dysfunction 17 days after his admission. Autopsy revealed hemophagocytosis, suggesting the diagnosis of acquired hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. DNA analysis showed a deletion in the p47phox gene, confirming the diagnosis of autosomal recessive chronic granulomatous disease.Discussion. In addition to chronic granulomatous disease, recent findings have demonstrated thatBurkholderia cepacia complexcan decrease activity of the NADPH oxidase. Interestingly, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is characterized by an impaired function of the T-cell mediated inflammation which is partly regulated by the NADPH oxidase. Physicians should therefore pay particular attention to this deadly association.
Erectogenic and Aphrodisiac Effects ofButea frondosaKoenig ex Roxb. in Rats: Involvement of Enzyme Inhibition
Authors: Goswami Sumanta Kumar , Inamdar Mohammed Naseeruddin , Pandre Manoj Kumar , Jamwal Rohitash , Dethe Shekhar
Published: August 2013

Butea frondosaKoenig ex Roxb. (BF) is traditionally used to manage male sexual disorders including erectile dysfunction (ED). Methanol extract of BF (bark) inhibited Rho-kinase 2 (ROCK-II) enzyme activityin vitrowith an IC50of20.29±1.83 μg/mL. The relaxant effect of methanol extract of BF (MEBF) was studied on phenylephrine precontracted corpus cavernosum smooth muscle (CCSM) isolated from young rats. The effect of MEBF treatment on sexual behaviour of both young (5 month) and aged (24 month) rats was also studied in addition to the influence on smooth muscle, collagen (collagen-I and -III) level in penis, and sperm characteristics of young and aged rats. MEBF relaxed CCSM up to21.77±2.57% and increased sexual behavior of young and aged rats. This increase in sexual function could be attributed to ROCK-II inhibition and increase in ratio of smooth muscle to collagen level in rat penile tissue. Increased sperm production and decreased defective sperms in young and aged rats corroborate the usefulness ofButea frondosain male infertility in addition to ED.
Playing with Fire: Internal Devaluation for the GIPSI Countries
Authors: Peón David , Rey Fernando
Published: August 2013

European authorities are encouraging internal devaluation by GIPSI countries in order to improve their competitiveness and reduce current account deficits. However, this option introduces an additional source of risk, as it may generate deflation, making fiscal consolidation for these countries even harder to achieve. Several authors have suggested that an enhanced coordination of national fiscal policies would be preferable. This paper contributes to the debate in two instances. First, we analyze the main drivers of debt dynamics for peripheral versus core countries in the Eurozone in the last decade, to evidence that GIPSI countries should focus on a fiscal consolidation that does not damage growth, while deflation should be avoided. Second, we implement a scenario analysis to analyze the effectiveness of a coordinated policy among Eurozone members, where core countries accept a 3% target for inflation and reduce the pace of their fiscal consolidation, while GIPSI countries focus on fiscal consolidation with a low (but positive) level of inflation. This coordinated policy might be a better option as it (i) increases the competitiveness of GIPSI countries while avoiding the risks of deflation, (ii) ensures stability of debt for both groups of countries without imposing an excessive inflation target from EU core countries, and (iii) introduces the possibility of a fiscal stimulus.
Rapid Purification and Procoagulant and Platelet Aggregating Activities of Rhombeobin: A Thrombin-Like/Gyroxin-Like Enzyme fromLachesis muta rhombeataSnake Venom
Authors: Torres-Huaco Frank Denis , Werneck Cláudio C. , Vicente Cristina Pontes , Vassequi-Silva Talita , Nery-Diez Ana Cláudia Coelho , Mendes Camila B. , Antunes Edson , Marangoni Sérgio , Damico Daniela C. S.
Published: August 2013

We report a rapid purification method using one-step chromatography of SVSP Rhombeobin (LMR-47) fromLachesis muta rhombeatavenom and its procoagulant activities and effects on platelet aggregation. The venom was fractionated by a single chromatographic step in RP-HPLC on a C8 Discovery BIO Wide Pore, showing high degree of molecular homogeneity with molecular mass of 47035.49 Da. Rhombeobin showed amidolytic activity upon BAρNA, with a broad optimum pH (7–10) and was stable in solution up to 60°C. The amidolytic activity was inhibited by serine proteinase inhibitors and reducing agents, but not chelating agents. Rhombeobin showed high coagulant activity on mice plasma and bovine fibrinogen. The deduced amino acid sequence of Rhombeobin showed homology with other SVSPs, especially with LM-TL (L. m. muta) and Gyroxin (C. d. terrificus). Rhombeobin acts,in vitro, as a strong procoagulant enzyme on mice citrated plasma, shortening the APTT and PT tests in adose-dependent manner. The protein showed, “ex vivo”, a strong defibrinogenating effect with 1 µg/animal. Lower doses activated the intrinsic and extrinsic coagulation pathways and impaired the platelet aggregation induced by ADP. Thus, this is the first report of a venom component that produces a venom-induced consumptive coagulopathy (VICC).
Advanced Composite of Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Case Report of Uterine Cervical Cancer in a Virgin Woman
Authors: Murakami Ryusuke , Kou Iemasa , Date Kenjiro , Nakayama Hirofumi
Published: August 2013

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) of the uterine cervix is very rare and aggressive. The prognosis is very poor despite multimodal treatment. We report a virgin woman with FIGO stage 4b LCNEC of uterine cervix coexisting with squamous cell carcinoma. An early thirties virgin woman presented with 2-month history of abdominal pain. A chest X-ray showed multiple lung metastatic tumors. A vaginal smear showed malignant cells, and a biopsy specimen had features of LCNEC. The tumor showed trabecular patterns. Tumor cells possessed a moderate amount of cytoplasm, prominent nucleoli, and large nuclei. The tumor cells are stained positive for synaptophysin, chromogranin A, and neuron specific enolase (NSE). The invasive tumor cells in connection with cervical squamous epithelium were focally positive for 34bE12. We made a diagnosis of composite LCNEC and nonkeratinizing squamous cell carcinoma. High-risk HPV test was negative with hybridized captured method 2.
H∞Filter Design for Large-Scale Systems with Missing Measurements
Authors: Zhou Ying , Yang Shuming , Zang Qiang
Published: August 2013

This paper is concerned withH∞filter design problem for large-scale systems with missing measurements. The occurrence of missing measurements is assumed to be a Bernoulli distributed sequence with known probability. The new full-dimensional filter is designed to make the filter error system exponentially mean-square stable and achieve a prescribedH∞performance. Sufficient conditions are derived in terms of linear matrix inequality (LMI) for the existence of the filter, and the parameters of filter are obtained by solving the LMI. Finally, the numerical simulation results illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
Schwannoma of the Median Nerve at the Wrist and Palmar Regions of the Hand: A Rare Case Report
Authors: Kütahya Harun , Güleç Ali , Güzel Yunus , Kacira Burkay , Toker Serdar
Published: August 2013

Schwannomas are also known as neurolemmas that are usually originated from Schwann cells located in the peripheric nerve sheaths. They are the most common tumours of the hand (0.8–2%). They usually present solitary swelling along the course of the nerve however multiple lesions may be present in cases of NF type 1, familial neurofibromatosis, and sporadic schwannomatosis. Schwannomas are generally represented as an asymptomatic mass; however pain, numbness and fatigue may take place with the increasing size of the tumour. EMG (electromyelography), MRI (magnetic resonance imagination), and USG (ultrasound) are helpful in the diagnosis. Surgical removal is usually curative. In this paper, we present a 24-year-old male referred to our clinic for a lump located at the volar side of the left wrist and a lump located in his left palm and numbness at his 3rd and 4th fingers. Total excision was performed for both lesions. Histopathological examination of the masses revealed typical features of schwannoma. At the 6th-month followup the patient was symptom-free except for slight paresthesia of the 3rd and the 4th fingers. For our knowledge, this is the second case in the literature presenting wrist and palm involvement of the median nerve schwannoma.
Effects of an Alpha7 Nicotinic Receptor Agonist and Stress on Spatial Memory in an Animal Model of Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Vicens Paloma , Ribes Diana , Heredia Luis , Torrente Margarita , Domingo José L.
Published: August 2013

The aim of the present study was to test the effects of PNU-282987 on spatial learning and memory and hippocampal neurogenesis in both intact and chronically stressed transgenic mice. Transgenic mice with susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease (AD) under immobilization stress and not-stressed animals receiving 0 and 1 mg/kg of PNU-282987 (PNU) were evaluated in a water maze task. The effects of PNU and stress on proliferation of new cells in the hippocampus of these animals were also assessed. The latency to escape the platform was significantly higher in transgenic stressed mice compared to those in the wild stressed group, as well as in transgenic animals without PNU compared to control wild group. On retention of the task, differences emerged on stressed wild animals, PNU wild group, and stressed wild mice receiving PNU. However, no significant differences were detected on new cell proliferation. The results of the present study did not show any impact of stress in acquisition of a spatial task both in wild and transgenic mice. No clear effects of PNU on acquisition of a spatial task in transgenic mice with susceptibility to AD were detected. Although PNU and stress effects were detected on retention of the task in wild animals, no changes were noted in transgenic mice.
Prospective Analysis of Association between Statin Use and Breast Cancer Risk in the Women's Health Initiative
Authors: Desai Pinkal , Chlebowski Rowan , Cauley Jane A. , Manson JoAnn E. , Wu Chunyuan , Martin Lisa W. , Jay Allison , Bock Cathryn , Cote Michele , Petrucelli Nancie , Rosenberg Carol A. , Peters Ulrike , Agalliu Ilir , Budrys Nicole , Abdul-Hussein Mustafa , Lane Dorothy , Luo Juhua , Park Hannah Lui , Thomas Fridtjof , Wactawski-Wende Jean , Simon Michael S.
Published: August 2013

Background: Statins are a class of cholesterol-lowering drugs that affect many intracellular pathways that may have implications for chemoprevention against cancer. Epidemiologic data on statins and breast cancer are conflicting. We analyzed updated data from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) to assess the relationship between statins and breast cancer risk.

Methods: The population included 154,587 postmenopausal women ages 50 to 79 years, with 7,430 pathologically confirmed cases of breast cancer identified over an average of 10.8 (SD, 3.3) years. Information on statins was collected at baseline and years one, three, six, and nine. Self- and interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to collect information on risk factors. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to calculate HRs with 95% confidence intervals (CI) to evaluate the relationship between statin use and cancer risk. Statistical tests were two-sided.

Results: Statins were used by 11,584 (7.5%) women at baseline. The annualized rate of breast cancer was 0.42% among statin users and 0.42% among nonusers. The multivariable adjusted HR of breast cancer for users versus nonusers was 0.94 (95% CI, 0.83–1.06). In the multivariable-adjusted, time-dependent model, the HR for simvastatin was 0.87 (95% CI, 0.71–1.07). There was no significant trend by overall duration of use (P value for trend 0.68). There was no effect of tumor stage, grade, or hormone receptor status.

Conclusion: Overall, statins were not associated with breast cancer risk.

Impact: Our study is one of the largest prospective observational studies on this topic, and substantially adds to the literature suggesting no relationship between statins and breast cancer risk. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 22(10); 1868–76. ©2013 AACR.
RG7212 Anti-TWEAK mAb Inhibits Tumor Growth through Inhibition of Tumor Cell Proliferation and Survival Signaling and by Enhancing the Host Antitumor Immune Response
Authors: Yin Xuefeng , Luistro Leopoldo , Zhong Hua , Smith Melissa , Nevins Tom , Schostack Kathleen , Hilton Holly , Lin Tai-An , Truitt Theresa , Biondi Denise , Wang Xiaoqian , Packman Kathryn , Rosinski Jim , Berkofsky-Fessler Windy , Tang Jian-Ping , Pant Saumya , Geho David , Vega-Harring Suzana , DeMario Mark , Levitsky Hy , Simcox Mary
Published: August 2013

Purpose: To explore the role of TWEAK in tumor growth and antitumor immune response and the activity and mechanism of RG7212, an antagonistic anti-TWEAK antibody, in tumor models.

Experimental Design: TWEAK-induced signaling and gene expression were explored in tumor cell lines and inhibition of these effects and antitumor efficacy with RG7212 treatment was assessed in human tumor xenograft-, patient-derived xenograft, and syngeneic tumor models and phase I patients. Genetic features correlated with antitumor activity were characterized.

Results: In tumor cell lines, TWEAK induces proliferation, survival, and NF-κB signaling and gene expression that promote tumor growth and suppress antitumor immune responses. TWEAK-inducible CD274, CCL2, CXCL-10 and -11 modulate T-cell and monocyte recruitment, T-cell activation, and macrophage differentiation. These factors and TWEAK-induced signaling were decreased, and tumor, blood, and spleen immune cell composition was altered with RG7212 treatment in mice. RG7212 inhibits tumor growth in vivo in models with TWEAK receptor, Fn14, expression, and markers of pathway activation. In phase I testing, signs of tumor shrinkage and stable disease were observed without dose-limiting toxicity. In a patient with advanced, Fn14-positive, malignant melanoma with evidence of tumor regression, proliferation markers were dramatically reduced, tumor T-cell infiltration increased, and tumor macrophage content decreased. Antitumor activity, a lack of toxicity in humans and animals and no evidence of antagonism with standard of care or targeted agents in mice, suggests that RG7212 is a promising agent for use in combination therapies in patients with Fn14-positive tumors. Clin Cancer Res; 19(20); 5686–98. ©2013 AACR.
BH3 Mimetics: Status of the Field and New Developments
Authors: Billard Christian
Published: August 2013

Targeting apoptosis is an attractive approach in cancer therapy. The BH3-only proteins of the BCL-2 family (having only the BCL-2 homology domain BH3) can trigger apoptosis by binding to the prosurvival members of this family and neutralizing their functional activity (sequestration of the proapoptotic Bcl-2 family members). The “BH3 mimetic” concept has prompted the development of small molecules capable of mimicking BH3-only proteins and thus inducing apoptosis. The prototype BH3 mimetic ABT-737 selectively targets the three prosurvival proteins BCL-XL, BCL-2, and BCL-W (but not MCL-1 or A1) and its oral derivative ABT-263 has proved promising in clinical trials. Some putative BH3 mimetics are also tested clinically while others are still being characterized. This article recapitulates the various known BH3 mimetics and presents the recent developments in the field. The latter include (i) the identification of molecular determinants responsible for the specific interactions between BH3 motifs and the binding grooves of prosurvival proteins and (ii) the characterization of new compounds and particularly BH3 mimetics that antagonize either selectively MCL-1 or BCL-2 or a broad range of prosurvival proteins. These data are critical advances toward the discovery of novel anticancer agents. Mol Cancer Ther; 12(9); 1691–700. ©2013 AACR.
Targeting Aberrant Sialylation in Cancer Cells Using a Fluorinated Sialic Acid Analog Impairs Adhesion, Migration, and In Vivo Tumor Growth
Authors: Büll Christian , Boltje Thomas J. , Wassink Melissa , de Graaf Annemarie M.A. , van Delft Floris L. , den Brok Martijn H. , Adema Gosse J.
Published: August 2013

Cancer cells decorate their surface with a dense layer of sialylated glycans by upregulating the expression of sialyltransferases and other glycogenes. Although sialic acids play a vital role in many biologic processes, hypersialylation in particular has been shown to contribute to cancer cell progression and metastasis. Accordingly, selective strategies to interfere with sialic acid synthesis might offer a powerful approach in cancer therapy. In the present study, we assessed the potential of a recently developed fluorinated sialic acid analogue (P-3Fax-Neu5Ac) to block the synthesis of sialoglycans in murine melanoma cells and the consequences on cell adhesion, migration, and in vivo growth. The results showed that P-3Fax-Neu5Ac readily caused depletion of α2,3-/α2,6-linked sialic acids in B16F10 cells for several days. Long-term inhibition of sialylation for 28 days was feasible without affecting cell viability or proliferation. Moreover, P-3Fax-Neu5Ac proved to be a highly potent inhibitor of sialylation even at high concentrations of competing sialyltransferase substrates. P-3Fax-Neu5Ac–treated cancer cells exhibited impaired binding to poly-l-lysine, type I collagen, and fibronectin and diminished migratory capacity. Finally, blocking sialylation of B16F10 tumor cells with this novel sialic acid analogue reduced their growth in vivo. These results indicate that P-3Fax-Neu5Ac is a powerful glycomimetic capable of inhibiting aberrant sialylation that can potentially be used for anticancer therapy. Mol Cancer Ther; 12(10); 1935–46. ©2013 AACR.
Prognostic Relevance of Papillary Muscle Infarction in Reperfused Infarction as Visualized by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance
Authors: Eitel Ingo , Gehmlich Dörthe , Amer Omran , Wöhrle Jochen , Kerber Sebastian , Lauer Bernward , Pauschinger Matthias , Schwab Johannes , Birkemeyer Ralf , Zimmermann Rainer , Mende Meinhard , de Waha Suzanne , Desch Steffen , Gutberlet Matthias , Schuler Gerhard , Thiele Holger
Published: August 2013

Background—

The prognostic significance of papillary muscle infarction (PapMI) on hard clinical outcomes has not been investigated in patients with reperfused ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction. Noninvasive investigation by gadolinium-enhanced cardiac MRI enables the detection of PapMI with high spatial resolution. The aim of our study was (1) to assess the incidence, determinants, and clinical characteristics of PapMI in a large multicenter cohort of patients with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction and (2) to assess the prognostic significance of PapMI at 1-year follow-up.

Methods and Results—

We enrolled 738 patients with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction reperfused by primary angioplasty (<12 hours after symptom onset) in this cardiac MRI study at 8 centers. Cardiac MRI was completed within 1 week after infarction using a standardized protocol. Central core laboratory–masked analyses for the presence of PapMI were performed. The primary clinical end point of the study was the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events. PapMIs were detected in 104 patients (14%). The presence of PapMI was associated with larger infarcts (
P
<0.001), less myocardial salvage (
P
<0.001), impaired left ventricular function (
P
<0.001), and more pronounced reperfusion injury (
P
=0.02). Patients with PapMI had a significantly higher mortality (8 [7.7%] versus 12 [1.9%]) and major adverse cardiac events (21 [20.2%] versus 31 [4.9%]) rate at 12-month follow-up (
P
<0.001, respectively). PapMI was identified as a significant independent predictor of major adverse cardiac events (hazard ratio, 4.41 [confidence interval, 2.54–7.68];
P
<0.001).

Conclusions—

The presence of PapMI is associated with decreased myocardial salvage, larger infarcts, and more pronounced reperfusion injury with subsequent significantly increased major adverse cardiac event rates. Consequently, our data underscore the importance of PapMI as a marker of poor outcome in patients with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00712101.
Long‐Term Renal Denervation Normalizes Disrupted Blood Pressure Circadian Rhythm and Ameliorates Cardiovascular Injury in a Rat Model of Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Katayama Tetsuji , Sueta Daisuke , Kataoka Keiichiro , Hasegawa Yu , Koibuchi Nobutaka , Toyama Kensuke , Uekawa Ken , MingJie Ma , Nakagawa Takashi , Maeda Masanobu , Ogawa Hisao , Kim‐Mitsuyama Shokei
Published: August 2013

Background

Although renal denervation significantly reduces blood pressure in patients with resistant hypertension, the role of the renal nerve in hypertension with metabolic syndrome is unknown. We investigated the impact of long‐term renal denervation on
SHR
/
ND
mcr‐cp(+/+) (
SHR
cp) rats, a useful rat model of metabolic syndrome, to determine the role of the renal nerve in hypertension with metabolic syndrome.

Methods and Results

SHR
cp rats were divided into (1) a renal denervation (
RD
) group and (2) a sham operation group (control) to examine the effects of long‐term
RD
on blood pressure circadian rhythm, renal sodium retention‐related molecules, the renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system, metabolic disorders, and organ injury.
RD
in
SHR
cp rats not only significantly reduced blood pressure but also normalized blood pressure circadian rhythm from the nondipper to the dipper type, and this improvement was associated with an increase in urinary sodium excretion and the suppression of renal Na
+
‐Cl
−
cotransporter upregulation.
RD
significantly reduced plasma renin activity.
RD
significantly prevented cardiovascular remodeling and impairment of vascular endothelial function and attenuated cardiovascular oxidative stress. However,
RD
failed to ameliorate obesity, metabolic disorders, and renal injury and failed to reduce systemic sympathetic activity in
SHR
cp rats.

Conclusions

By including the upregulation of the Na
+
‐Cl
−
cotransporter, the renal sympathetic nerve is involved in the disruption of blood pressure circadian rhythm as well as hypertension in metabolic syndrome. Thus,
RD
seems to be a useful therapeutic strategy for hypertension with metabolic syndrome.
Hypotension Due to Kir6.1 Gain‐of‐Function in Vascular Smooth Muscle
Authors: Li Anlong , Knutsen Russell H. , Zhang Haixia , Osei‐Owusu Patrick , Moreno‐Dominguez Alex , Harter Theresa M. , Uchida Keita , Remedi Maria S. , Dietrich Hans H. , Bernal‐Mizrachi Carlos , Blumer Kendall J. , Mecham Robert P. , Koster Joseph C. , Nichols Colin G.
Published: August 2013

Background

K
ATP

channels, assembled from pore‐forming (Kir6.1 or Kir6.2) and regulatory (
SUR
1 or
SUR
2) subunits, link metabolism to excitability. Loss of Kir6.2 results in hypoglycemia and hyperinsulinemia, whereas loss of Kir6.1 causes Prinzmetal angina–like symptoms in mice. Conversely, overactivity of Kir6.2 induces neonatal diabetes in mice and humans, but consequences of Kir6.1 overactivity are unknown.

Methods and Results

We generated transgenic mice expressing wild‐type (
WT
),
ATP
‐insensitive Kir6.1 [Gly343Asp] (
GD
), and
ATP
‐insensitive Kir6.1 [Gly343Asp,Gln53Arg] (
GD
‐
QR
) subunits, under Cre‐recombinase control. Expression was induced in smooth muscle cells by crossing with
smooth muscle myosin heavy chain promoter–driven tamoxifen‐inducible Cre‐recombinase (SMMHC
‐Cre‐
ER
) mice. Three weeks after tamoxifen induction, we assessed blood pressure in anesthetized and conscious animals, as well as contractility of mesenteric artery smooth muscle and

K
ATP

currents in isolated mesenteric artery myocytes. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly reduced in
GD
and
GD
‐
QR
mice but normal in mice expressing the
WT
transgene and elevated in Kir6.1 knockout mice as well as in mice expressing dominant‐negative Kir6.1 [
AAA
] in smooth muscle. Contractile response of isolated
GD
‐QR mesenteric arteries was blunted relative to
WT
controls, but nitroprusside relaxation was unaffected. Basal

K
ATP

conductance and pinacidil‐activated conductance were elevated in
GD
but not in
WT
myocytes.

Conclusions

K
ATP

overactivity in vascular muscle can lead directly to reduced vascular contractility and lower blood pressure. We predict that gain of vascular

K
ATP

function in humans would lead to a chronic vasodilatory phenotype, as indeed has recently been demonstrated in Cantu syndrome.
Conflict over Abkhazia: To be continued?
Authors: Matsaberidze David
Published: August 2013

This paper analyzes the potential for maintaining the post-August War 2008 status quo in Abkhazia and explores possible transformation scenarios of the existing situation. The present study will attempt to investigate the remaining seeds of prospective conflict, as the current reality might contain some potential for the eruption of violence; namely: the construction of the Sochi Olympic complex which irritates Georgians and Circassians as well as portion of Abkhazians; the North Caucasian new policy line, initiated and followed by the central Georgian authorities: and Georgia's recognition of the Russian Genocide of Circassians in the 19th century, which should become leverage against the Russian Federation in the wider Caucasus region. All of these aspects make up the present security dilemma in the region. It is interesting to see whether changes in the Abkhazian-Georgian and Abkhazian-Russian relations could be expected in the foreseeable future.
Counter-piracy, communities of practice and new security alignments
Authors: Bueger Christian
Published: August 2013

Contemporary global and regional security relations are no longer predominantly characterized by formal organizational structures, but increasingly made up of informal and often diffused problem centered alignments. Following the hypothesis that new security problems produce new forms of security alignment, I scrutinize in this paper how one problem, maritime piracy, is addressed by different forms of alignments. I outline a perspective of how to study the range of new forms of security alignments which have risen to counter piracy. Investigating the United Nations contact group, the military mechanism SHADE and two regional agreements I argue, firstly, that these new forms of security alignments are glued together by notions (or better boundary objects) of best practices, information sharing and training. Rather than formal institutions, the alignments are best understood as organized around practical activities which revolve around projects of creating a common repertoire of knowledge, a joint epistemic infrastructure and shared practices. Secondly, the cases indicate that new alignments produce new (cognitive) regions which can be observed through the spatial practices underlying them.
Regional security community in the Western Balkans: A cross-comparative analysis
Authors: Cruise Rebecca , Grillot Suzette
Published: August 2013

Many have observed the early phases of regional security community development in the Western Balkans over the past decade. Much of this research has focuses on elite-level, government to government and government to International Organization cooperation. Yet, for security community to become a reality, it must also develop at the public-level. In the Western Balkans, it remains to be seen just how deep this new sense of community reaches. Based on fieldwork and surveys conducted in 2007 and 2008, a crucial moment for the region, we argue that public-level security community is inconsistent and in some areas is all together lacking. It is our position that programs advanced in the Western Balkans must concentrate not just on elite institution building, but also on community building within and between the individual countries of the region.
The post-cold war regionalisms of Turkish foreign policy
Authors: Kaliber Alper
Published: August 2013

This study argues that the post-Cold War changes in Turkish foreign and security policy (FSP) can best be understood as the regionalization of strategic and security outlook in Turkey. Here regionalization refers to two interrelated processes: first, the process whereby security interest definitions and threat perceptions in Turkey have gained an increasingly regional character, and second the process whereby Turkey has increasingly defined itself as an activist regional power. Yet, the current study takes issue with the widespread assumption that regionalist activism of Turkish FSP can only be appropriated to the recent Justice and Development Party governments. Rather, it argues that the regionalist activism observed in the 2000s should be conceived as the second regionalist turn in Turkish FSP. The first wave of regionalization began soon after the end of the Cold War and developed in parallel to the rise of the 'region' as a new unit of security in global politics. This study compares and contrasts these two regionalist eras with a view to exploring the post-Cold War regionalization of FSP in Turkey.
Correlates of persisting posttraumatic symptoms in children and adolescents 18 months after a cyclone disaster
Authors: McDermott Brett , Cobham Vanessa , Berry Helen , Kim Bungnyun
Published: August 2013

Objective:

To describe PTSD symptom persistence and resolution, including the potential phenomenon of late-onset PTSD, in children and adolescents 18 months after a cyclone disaster; and to investigate factors that predict longer-term symptom outcome.

Method:

71 children and 191 adolescents who were screened three months after a Category 5 Cyclone were re-screened 18 months post-disaster. Child-report measures included the PTSD Reaction Index, measures of event exposure and social connectedness.

Results:

Approximately 1-in-5 children and 1-in-12 adolescents endorsed cyclone-related PTSD symptoms at the moderate to severe level 18 months post-disaster. Of these approximately one-half (44.8%) of children were in the ‘high-persister’ group at 18-month follow-up. Persistence of low symptoms was very common (97.6%) and late-onset PTSD was a rare phenomenon. This pattern was similar in adolescents: 25.0% were in the ‘high-persister’ group and few students experienced late-onset PTSD. In multivariate analysis, only initial severe to very severe PTSD category made a significant independent contribution to explaining persisting moderate to severe PTSD symptoms in primary school students (ORadj=8.33, 95% CI=1.45-47.84). There was a trend for a similar result in secondary students.

Conclusion:

A child or adolescent with few PTSD symptoms three months post-disaster is likely to remain so unless a further traumatic event occurs. However, if symptomatic at three months, there is approximately a 30-45% chance that the child or adolescent will still be symptomatic 18 months after the disaster. Given the high rate of students in the ‘resolver’ group, initial posttraumatic symptoms are a necessary but not sufficient condition for predicting chronic symptomatology. Other targets for predictive modelling include initial threat perception and high and low social connectedness.
Firearm Violence Directed at Police
Authors: Bierie David M. , Detar Paul J. , Craun Sarah W.
Published: August 2013

Firearm violence directed at law enforcement officers has become an increasingly prominent topic among policy makers, the press, and academics. This prominence is driven in part by recent growth in the number of officers killed or injured by gunfire. Although researchers have studied less serious forms of resisting arrest, little is known about risk factors for firearm violence directed at police. This study drew on the National Incident-Based Reporting System to compare all incidents in which police officers were the victim of firearm violence with a random sample of police encounters without this form of aggression. A variety of offender and situational factors identified in prior literature on resisting arrest, as well as new constructs introduced here, were compared between these two groups within a multivariate logistic regression framework. The data showed several important patterns regarding risk to officers, some of which reverse or refine earlier work produced from studies of less serious forms of resistance.
Classrooms With Nature Views
Authors: Benfield Jacob A. , Rainbolt Gretchen Nurse , Bell Paul A. , Donovan Geoffrey H.
Published: August 2013

Viewing peaceful natural environments has been shown to restore cognitive abilities and reduce physiological arousal. As such, visual access to the natural environment is becoming more commonplace in built environments. One exception to that trend is in educational settings where windowless classrooms are used to reduce outside distractions. The current study examines differences across multiple sections of a college writing course in two types of identically designed classrooms—those with a view of a natural setting and those with a view of a concrete retaining wall. Results showed that students in the natural view classrooms were generally more positive when rating the course. Students in the natural view condition also had higher end of semester grades, but no differences in attendance were observed between conditions. Such findings suggest that classrooms with natural views offer advantages and also suggest that the inclusion of natural elements in courses could facilitate positive perceptions and better grades.
Restorative Elements at the Computer Workstation
Authors: Evensen Katinka H. , Raanaas Ruth K. , Hagerhall Caroline M. , Johansson Maria , Patil Grete G.
Published: August 2013

The objective of the study was to test whether live plants on computer workstations with and without window view had restorative effects. Guided by Stress Recovery Theory and Attention Restoration Theory a mixed randomized experiment was conducted exploring restorative effects of plants, including mediating effects of perceived fascination. Eighty-five participants carried out a 1-hr work session with repeated tasks demanding directed attention in an office with one of three interior conditions: live plants, inanimate objects and control, all with and without a window view. Plant presence led to greater perceived fascination, but perceived fascination was not related to either self-reported restoration or directed attention capacity. The presence of plants during work did not have superior restorative effects compared with inanimate objects, neither with nor without access to a window view. However, environmental enrichment with either plants or inanimate objects at the computer workstation seemed to provide a restorative potential, which should be investigated further.
Mismatch and the Paternalistic Justification for Selective College Admissions
Authors: Kurlaender Michal , Grodsky Eric
Published: August 2013

Although some scholars report that all students are better served by attending more prestigious postsecondary institutions, others have argued that students are better off attending colleges where they are about average in terms of academic ability and suffer worse outcomes if they attend schools that are “out of their league” at which they are “overmatched.” The latter argument is most frequently deployed as a paternalistic justification for ending affirmative action. We take advantage of a natural admissions experiment at the University of California to test the effect of being overmatched for students on the margin of admission to elite universities. Consistent with the mismatch hypothesis, we find that students accumulate more credits when they attend less demanding institutions. However, students do not earn higher grades and are no more or less likely to drop out of schools where they are overmatched and are less likely to drop out than they would have been had they attended less demanding institutions.
Accessibility and Residential Land Value Uplift: Identifying Spatial Variations in the Accessibility Impacts of a Bus Transitway
Authors: Mulley Corinne
Published: August 2013

New public transport investment can improve accessibility for existing and new users of the urban transport network and this can lead to land value uplift with uplift benefits being distributed in relation to the proximity of the location of the property to the infrastructure. This paper quantifies land value uplift and its spatial distribution for accessibility to different destinations for residential properties around a new-build Liverpool Parramatta transitway for buses in a suburban area of south-west Sydney, Australia. Geographically weighted regression (GWR) is used to take account of spatial dependency in the estimation process with the results being presented in map form. Results indicate that property prices are mainly determined by the property’s internal features and the neighbourhood effects, but accessibility by car and accessibility to employment along the transitway also contribute non-marginally. The GWR local model shows that accessibility varies significantly over geographical space demonstrating the advantages of this approach.
The Relationship between Self-reported Definitions of Urban Neighbourhood and Respondent Characteristics: A Study of Cardiff, UK
Authors: Orford Scott , Leigh Charlotte
Published: August 2013

During the past few years, there has been renewed interest in the issues and problems over using administrative and statistical spatial units as proxies for residential and workplace neighbourhoods in academic and policy research. This paper investigates the relationships between neighbourhoods defined by 693 people living or working in Cardiff. Differences between resident- and workplace-defined neighbourhoods were identified and the degree to which these varied was analysed with respect to personal characteristics such as gender, age, ethnic group and time spent in the neighbourhood. Young and retired people both have the largest neighbourhoods, possibly because both have more time to spend in their local area than other age groups. Gender differences were evident in the neighbourhoods of respondents who both live and work in an area, with females having larger neighbourhoods than males; this may reflect the types of employment undertaken by females who live and work in the same place. People living or working in close spatial proximity did not necessarily share the same neighbourhood definitions despite having similar personal characteristics.
Measuring the Impact of Agglomeration on Productivity: Evidence from Chilean Retailers
Authors: Garate Sergio , Pennington-Cross Anthony
Published: August 2013

This research extends the agglomeration literature to a country that has not been studied and a market sector that has received little attention. The majority of research that examines how density affects productivity has indirectly measured productivity through worker wages or property prices. The research uses individual supermarkets’ store productivity, proxied by 10 years of annual sales per square foot. Studying supermarkets permits the examination of the effect consumers might have on productivity. Agglomerations (density) could increase or decrease productivity depending on the relative extent of increased competition versus productivity gains, as consumers choose where to shop based on their interests in reducing shopping time (transport costs) and comparison shopping (product quality and pricing). Stores are described by who operates the store, the brand of the store and the size of the store. Results indicate that density has a differential impact depending on the store itself and the mix of stores nearby.