bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Marinobacter
bacteria associated with a massive sulphide ore deposit affect metal mobility in the deep subsurface
Authors: Leslie Karla , Sturm Arne , Stotler Randy , Oates Christopher J. , Kyser T. Kurt , Fowle David A.
Published: May 2015

A microorganism of the
Marinobacter
genus capable of Fe-oxidation at near-neutral pH, both in the presence and absence of oxygen, was found at a depth of 1.4 km in proximity to a Cu-Zn Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide (VMS) deposit, within the Triple 7 mine, Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada. The microorganism was isolated from saline groundwater emanating from boreholes at that depth, which contained a small microbial community consisting of only two organisms.

To examine biogeochemical trace metal cycling in this deep subsurface setting, incubation experiments were carried out with the
Marinobacter
isolate and mineralized (metal-containing ore) material in batch and column flow-through settings. The activity of the
Marinobacter
isolate resulted in an increase in the mobilization of major elements (Fe, S) and trace metals (Cu, Zn) from the solid ore material. These results indicate that Fe-oxidation may be an important biogeochemical process in the deep subsurface, which affects the mobilization of Fe and trace elements from buried mineralization.
Reduced vascular responses to soluble guanylyl cyclase but increased sensitivity to sildenafil in female rats with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Goulopoulou Styliani , Hannan Johanna L. , Matsumoto Takayuki , Ogbi Safia , Ergul Adviye , Webb R. Clinton
Published: May 2015

Impaired nitric oxide (NO), soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC), and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) signaling (NO-sGC-cGMP) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular dysfunction. Efforts to directly target this signaling have led to the development of sGC agonists that activate the heme group of sGC (stimulators) or preferentially activate sGC when the heme is oxidized (activators). In this study, we hypothesized that resistance arteries from female rats with spontaneous type 2 diabetes (Goto-Kakizaki rats, GK) would have reduced vasodilatory responses to heme-dependent sGC activation and increased responses to heme-independent sGC activation compared with control rats (Wistar). Endothelium-dependent and -independent relaxation was assessed in isolated segments from mesenteric resistance arteries (MA) mounted in a wire myograph. GK MA had reduced responses to acetylcholine (pEC50: 7.96 ± 0.06 vs. 7.66 ± 0.05, P < 0.05) and sodium nitroprusside (pEC50: 8.34 ± 0.05 vs. 7.77 ± 0.04, P < 0.05). There were no group differences in 8-bromoguanosine cGMP-induced relaxation and protein kinase G1 expression ( P > 0.05). GK MA had attenuated responses to BAY 41–2272 (heme-dependent sGC stimulator; pEC50: 7.56 ± 0.05 vs. 6.93 ± 0.06, P < 0.05) and BAY 58–2667 (heme-independent sGC activator; pEC50: 10.82 ± 0.07 vs. 10.27 ± 0.08, P < 0.05) and increased sensitivity to sildenafil [phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor; pEC50: 7.89 ± 0.14 vs. 8.25 ± 0.13, P < 0.05]. Isolated resistance arteries from female rats of reproductive age that spontaneously develop type 2 diabetes have increased sensitivity to PDE5 inhibition and reduced responsiveness to sGC activators and stimulators.
(In)activity-related neuroplasticity in brainstem control of sympathetic outflow: unraveling underlying molecular, cellular, and anatomical mechanisms
Authors: Mischel Nicholas A. , Subramanian Madhan , Dombrowski Maryetta D. , Llewellyn-Smith Ida J. , Mueller Patrick J.
Published: May 2015

More people die as a result of physical inactivity than any other preventable risk factor including smoking, high cholesterol, and obesity. Cardiovascular disease, the number one cause of death in the United States, tops the list of inactivity-related diseases. Nevertheless, the vast majority of Americans continue to make lifestyle choices that are creating a rapidly growing burden of epidemic size and impact on the United States healthcare system. It is imperative that we improve our understanding of the mechanisms by which physical inactivity increases the incidence of cardiovascular disease and how exercise can prevent or rescue the inactivity phenotype. The current review summarizes research on changes in the brain that contribute to inactivity-related cardiovascular disease. Specifically, we focus on changes in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), a critical brain region for basal and reflex control of sympathetic activity. The RVLM is implicated in elevated sympathetic outflow associated with several cardiovascular diseases including hypertension and heart failure. We hypothesize that changes in the RVLM contribute to chronic cardiovascular disease related to physical inactivity. Data obtained from our translational rodent models of chronic, voluntary exercise and inactivity suggest that functional, anatomical, and molecular neuroplasticity enhances glutamatergic neurotransmission in the RVLM of sedentary animals. Collectively, the evidence presented here suggests that changes in the RVLM resulting from sedentary conditions are deleterious and contribute to cardiovascular diseases that have an increased prevalence in sedentary individuals. The mechanisms by which these changes occur over time and their impact are important areas for future study.
Alterations of lung microbiota in a mouse model of LPS-induced lung injury
Authors: Poroyko Valeriy , Meng Fanyong , Meliton Angelo , Afonyushkin Taras , Ulanov Alexander , Semenyuk Ekaterina , Latif Omar , Tesic Vera , Birukova Anna A. , Birukov Konstantin G.
Published: May 2015

Acute lung injury (ALI) and the more severe acute respiratory distress syndrome are common responses to a variety of infectious and noninfectious insults. We used a mouse model of ALI induced by intratracheal administration of sterile bacterial wall lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to investigate the changes in innate lung microbiota and study microbial community reaction to lung inflammation and barrier dysfunction induced by endotoxin insult. One group of C57BL/6J mice received LPS via intratracheal injection ( n = 6), and another received sterile water ( n = 7). Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed at 72 h after treatment. Bacterial DNA was extracted and used for qPCR and 16S rRNA gene-tag (V3–V4) sequencing (Illumina). The bacterial load in BAL from ALI mice was increased fivefold ( P = 0.03). The community complexity remained unchanged (Simpson index, P = 0.7); the Shannon diversity index indicated the increase of community evenness in response to ALI ( P = 0.07). Principal coordinate analysis and analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) test ( P = 0.005) revealed a significant difference between microbiota of control and ALI groups. Bacteria from families Xanthomonadaceae and Brucellaceae increased their abundance in the ALI group as determined by Metastats test ( P < 0.02). In concordance with the 16s-tag data, Stenotrohomonas maltophilia ( Xanthomonadaceae) and Ochrobactrum anthropi ( Brucellaceae) were isolated from lungs of mice from both groups. Metabolic profiling of BAL detected the presence of bacterial substrates suitable for both isolates. Additionally, microbiota from LPS-treated mice intensified IL-6-induced lung inflammation in naive mice. We conclude that the morbid transformation of ALI microbiota was attributed to the set of inborn opportunistic pathogens thriving in the environment of inflamed lung, rather than the external infectious agents.
Plasma gelsolin improves lung host defense against pneumonia by enhancing macrophage NOS3 function
Authors: Yang Zhiping , Chiou Terry Ting-Yu , Stossel Thomas P. , Kobzik Lester
Published: May 2015

Plasma gelsolin (pGSN) functions as part of the “extracellular actin-scavenging system,” but its potential to improve host defense against infection has not been studied. In a mouse model of primary pneumococcal pneumonia, recombinant human pGSN (rhu-pGSN) caused enhanced bacterial clearance, reduced acute inflammation, and improved survival. In vitro, rhu-pGSN rapidly improved lung macrophage uptake and killing of bacteria ( Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Francisella tularensis). pGSN triggers activating phosphorylation (Ser1177) of macrophage nitric oxide synthase type III (NOS3), an enzyme with important bactericidal functions in lung macrophages. rhu-pGSN failed to enhance bacterial killing by NOS3−/− macrophages in vitro or bacterial clearance in NOS3−/− mice in vivo. Prophylaxis with immunomodulators may be especially relevant for patients at risk for secondary bacterial pneumonia, e.g., after influenza. Treatment of mice with pGSN challenged with pneumococci on postinfluenza day 7 (the peak of enhanced susceptibility to secondary infection) caused a ∼15-fold improvement in bacterial clearance, reduced acute neutrophilic inflammation, and markedly improved survival, even without antibiotic therapy. pGSN is a potential immunomodulator for improving lung host defense against primary and secondary bacterial pneumonia.
Linking progression of fibrotic lung remodeling and ultrastructural alterations of alveolar epithelial type II cells in the amiodarone mouse model
Authors: Birkelbach Bastian , Lutz Dennis , Ruppert Clemens , Henneke Ingrid , Lopez-Rodriguez Elena , Günther Andreas , Ochs Matthias , Mahavadi Poornima , Knudsen Lars
Published: May 2015

Chronic injury of alveolar epithelial type II cells (AE2 cells) represents a key event in the development of lung fibrosis in animal models and in humans, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Intratracheal delivery of amiodarone to mice results in a profound injury and macroautophagy-dependent apoptosis of AE2 cells. Increased autophagy manifested in AE2 cells by disturbances of the intracellular surfactant. Hence, we hypothesized that ultrastructural alterations of the intracellular surfactant pool are signs of epithelial stress correlating with the severity of fibrotic remodeling. With the use of design-based stereology, the amiodarone model of pulmonary fibrosis in mice was characterized at the light and ultrastructural level during progression. Mean volume of AE2 cells, volume of lamellar bodies per AE2 cell, and mean size of lamellar bodies were correlated to structural parameters reflecting severity of fibrosis like collagen content. Within 2 wk amiodarone leads to an increase in septal wall thickness and a decrease in alveolar numbers due to irreversible alveolar collapse associated with alveolar surfactant dysfunction. Progressive hypertrophy of AE2 cells and increase in mean individual size and total volume of lamellar bodies per AE2 cell were observed. A high positive correlation of these AE2 cell-related ultrastructural changes and the deposition of collagen fibrils within septal walls were established. Qualitatively, similar alterations could be found in IPF samples with mild to moderate fibrosis. We conclude that ultrastructural alterations of AE2 cells including the surfactant system are tightly correlated with the progression of fibrotic remodeling.
Contribution of Demographic and Behavioral Factors on the Changing Incidence Rates of Oropharyngeal and Oral Cavity Cancers in Northern California
Authors: Katzel Jed A. , Merchant Maqdooda , Chaturvedi Anil K. , Silverberg Michael J.
Published: May 2015

Background: It is unknown to what extent patient demographics, smoking, and alcohol use have contributed to changes in oropharyngeal and oral cavity cancer incidence rates.

Methods: We performed a cohort study of Kaiser Permanente healthplan members, ages 20 to 89, for years 1995–2010 (n = 2.2 million annual members). Poisson Regression models estimated calendar trends in cancer rates both adjusted for and stratified by age, sex, smoking, and alcohol abuse history.

Results: We identified 1,383 human papillomavirus (HPV)–related and 1,344 HPV-unrelated oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer cases. With adjustment for age and sex, HPV-related cancer incidence rates increased 3.8% per year (P < 0.001) between 1995 and 2010, whereas rates for HPV-unrelated cancers decreased 2.4% per year (P < 0.001). For years 2007 to 2010, with additional adjustment for smoking and alcohol abuse, results were nonsignificant, but similar in magnitude. The increasing rates for HPV-related cancers were more prominent among nonsmokers (+14.5%) compared with smokers (−2.5%; P-interaction = 0.058). The decreased rates for HPV-unrelated sites were more prominent among those ≥60 years (−11.0%) compared with those <60 years (+16.8%; P-interaction = 0.006), among smokers (−9.7%) compared with nonsmokers (+8.4%; P-interaction = 0.055), and among those with an alcohol abuse history (−20.4%) compared with those without a history (+5.8%; P-interaction = 0.009).

Conclusions: The observed increasing HPV-related cancer rates are most evident among nonsmokers, whereas the decreasing HPV-unrelated cancer rates are least evident among younger individuals, nonsmokers, and those without an alcohol abuse history.

Impact: Continued vigilance for oropharyngeal and oral cavity cancer is warranted, including among those without traditional risk factors such as smoking and alcohol abuse. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(6); 978–84. ©2015 AACR.
Spinal Myxopapillary Ependymomas Demonstrate a Warburg Phenotype
Authors: Mack Stephen C. , Agnihotri Sameer , Bertrand Kelsey C. , Wang Xin , Shih David J. , Witt Hendrik , Hill Nadia , Zayne Kory , Barszczyk Mark , Ramaswamy Vijay , Remke Marc , Thompson Yuan , Ryzhova Marina , Massimi Luca , Grajkowska Wieslawa , Lach Boleslaw , Gupta Nalin , Weiss William A. , Guha Abhijit , Hawkins Cynthia , Croul Sidney , Rutka James T. , Pfister Stefan M. , Korshunov Andrey , Pekmezci Melike , Tihan Tarik , Philips Joanna J. , Jabado Nada , Zadeh Gelareh , Taylor Michael D.
Published: May 2015

Purpose: Myxopapillary ependymoma (MPE) is a distinct histologic variant of ependymoma arising commonly in the spinal cord. Despite an overall favorable prognosis, distant metastases, subarachnoid dissemination, and late recurrences have been reported. Currently, the only effective treatment for MPE is gross-total resection. We characterized the genomic and transcriptional landscape of spinal ependymomas in an effort to delineate the genetic basis of this disease and identify new leads for therapy.

Experimental Design: Gene expression profiling was performed on 35 spinal ependymomas, and copy number profiling was done on an overlapping cohort of 46 spinal ependymomas. Functional validation experiments were performed on tumor lysates consisting of assays measuring pyruvate kinase M activity (PKM), hexokinase activity (HK), and lactate production.

Results: At a gene expression level, we demonstrate that spinal grade II and MPE are molecularly and biologically distinct. These are supported by specific copy number alterations occurring in each histologic variant. Pathway analysis revealed that MPE are characterized by increased cellular metabolism, associated with upregulation of HIF1α. These findings were validated by Western blot analysis demonstrating increased protein expression of HIF1α, HK2, PDK1, and phosphorylation of PDHE1A. Functional assays were performed on MPE lysates, which demonstrated decreased PKM activity, increased HK activity, and elevated lactate production.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that MPE may be driven by a Warburg metabolic phenotype. The key enzymes promoting the Warburg phenotype: HK2, PKM2, and PDK are targetable by small-molecule inhibitors/activators, and should be considered for evaluation in future clinical trials for MPE. Clin Cancer Res; 21(16); 3750–8. ©2015 AACR.
A Leukemia-Associated CD34/CD123/CD25/CD99+ Immunophenotype IdentifiesFLT3-Mutated Clones in Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Angelini Daniela F. , Ottone Tiziana , Guerrera Gisella , Lavorgna Serena , Cittadini Michela , Buccisano Francesco , De Bardi Marco , Gargano Francesca , Maurillo Luca , Divona Mariadomenica , Noguera Nélida I. , Consalvo Maria Irno , Borsellino Giovanna , Bernardi Giorgio , Amadori Sergio , Venditti Adriano , Battistini Luca , Lo-Coco Francesco
Published: May 2015

Purpose: We evaluated leukemia-associated immunophenotypes (LAIP) and their correlation with fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) and nucleophosmin (NPM1) gene mutational status in order to contribute a better identification of patients at highest risk of relapse in acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Experimental Design: Bone marrow samples from 132 patients with AML were analyzed by nine-color multiparametric flow cytometry. We confirmed the presence of the mutation in diagnostic samples and in sorted cells by conventional RT-PCR and by patient-specific RQ-PCR.

Results: Within the CD34+ cell fraction, we identified a discrete population expressing high levels of the IL3 receptor α-chain (CD123) and MIC-2 (CD99) in combination with the IL2 receptor α-chain (CD25). The presence of this population positively correlated with the internal tandem duplications (ITD) mutation in the FLT3 gene (r = 0.71). Receiver operating characteristics showed that, within the CD34+ cell fraction a percentage of CD123/CD99/CD25+ cells ≥11.7% predicted FLT3–ITD mutations with a specificity and sensitivity of >90%. CD34/CD123/CD99/CD25+ clones were also detectable at presentation in 3 patients with FLT3 wild-type/NPM1+ AML who relapsed with FLT3-ITD/NPM1+ AML. Quantitative real-time PCR designed at relapse for each FLT3-ITD in these three cases confirmed the presence of low copy numbers of the mutation in diagnostic samples.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that the CD34/CD25/CD123/CD99+ LAIP is strictly associated with FLT3-ITD–positive cells. Clin Cancer Res; 21(17); 3977–85. ©2015 AACR.
Dynamic Phenotypes of Degenerative Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease
Authors: Clavel Marie-Annick , Mantovani Francesca , Malouf Joseph , Michelena Hector I. , Vatury Ori , Jain Mothilal Sonia , Mankad Sunil V. , Suri Rakesh M. , Enriquez-Sarano Maurice
Published: May 2015

Background—

Fibro-elastic deficiency (FED) and diffuse myxomatous degeneration (DMD) are phenotypes of degenerative mitral valve disease defined morphologically. Whether physiological differences in annular and valvular dynamics exist between these phenotypes remains unknown.

Methods and Results—

We performed triple quantitation of cardiac remodeling and of mitral regurgitation severity and of annular and valvular dimensions by real-time 3-dimensional-transesophageal-echocardiography. Forty-nine patients with degenerative mitral valve disease classified as FED (n=31) and DMD (n=18) by surgical observation showed no difference in age (65±10 versus 59±13;
P
=0.5), body surface area (2.0±0.2 versus 2.0±0.2 m
2
;
P
=0.5), left ventricular and atrial dimensions (all
P
>0.55), and mitral regurgitation regurgitant orifice (
P
=0.62). On average, annular dimensions were larger in DMD versus FED, but height was similar resulting in lower saddle shape. Dynamically, annular DMD versus FED display poorer contraction and saddle-shape accentuation in early systole and abnormal enlargement, particularly intercommissural, in late-systole (all
P
<0.05). Valvular dynamics showed stable valvular area in systole in FED versus considerable systolic increased area in DMD (
P
<0.001). Prolapse height and volume increased little throughout systole in FED versus marked increase in DMD (
P
<0.001).

Conclusions—

Our novel observations show that FED and DMD, although both labeled myxomatous, display considerable physiological phenotypic differences. In DMD, the annular increased size and profoundly abnormal dynamics demonstrate DMD-specific annular degeneration compared with the enlarged but relatively normal FED annulus. DMD does not incur more severe mitral regurgitation, despite larger prolapse and valve redundancy, underscoring potential compensatory role of tissue redundancy of DMD (or aggravating role of tissue paucity of FED) on mitral regurgitation severity.
Impact of Intravenous Lysine Acetylsalicylate Versus Oral Aspirin on Prasugrel-Inhibited Platelets
Authors: Vivas David , Martín Agustín , Bernardo Esther , Ortega-Pozzi María Aranzazu , Tirado Gabriela , Fernández Cristina , Vilacosta Isidre , Núñez-Gil Iván , Macaya Carlos , Fernández-Ortiz Antonio
Published: May 2015

Background—

Prasugrel and ticagrelor, new P2Y
12
-adenosine diphosphate receptor antagonists, are associated with greater pharmacodynamic inhibition and reduction of cardiovascular events compared with clopidogrel in patients with an acute coronary syndrome. However, evidence is lacking about the effects of achieving faster and stronger cyclooxygenase inhibition with intravenous lysine acetylsalicylate (LA) compared with oral aspirin on prasugrel-inhibited platelets.

Methods and Results—

This was a prospective, randomized, single-center, open, 2-period crossover platelet function study conducted in 30 healthy volunteers. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive a loading dose of intravenous LA 450 mg plus oral prasugrel 60 mg or loading dose of aspirin 300 mg plus prasugrel 60 mg orally in a crossover fashion after a 2-week washout period between treatments. Platelet function was evaluated at baseline, 30 minutes, 1 h, 4 h, and 24 h using light transmission aggregometry and vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein phosphorylation. The primary end point of the study, inhibition of platelet aggregation after arachidonic acid 1.5 mmol/L at 30 minutes, was significantly higher in subjects treated with LA compared with aspirin: 85.3% versus 44.3%, respectively,
P
=0.003. This differential effect was observed at 1 hour (
P
=0.002) and 4 hours (
P
=0.048), but not at 24 hours. Subjects treated with LA presented less variability and faster and greater inhibition of platelet aggregation with arachidonic acid compared with aspirin.

Conclusions—

The administration of intravenous LA resulted in a significant reduction of platelet reactivity compared with oral aspirin on prasugrel-inhibited platelets. Loading dose of LA achieves an earlier platelet inhibition and with less variability than aspirin.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT02243137.
Clopidogrel With Aspirin in Acute Minor Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (CHANCE) Trial
Authors: Wang Yilong , Pan Yuesong , Zhao Xingquan , Li Hao , Wang David , Johnston S. Claiborne , Liu Liping , Meng Xia , Wang Anxin , Wang Chunxue , Wang Yongjun
Published: May 2015

Background—

The Clopidogrel in High-risk patients with Acute Non-disabling Cerebrovascular Events (CHANCE) trial showed that the combined treatment of clopidogrel and aspirin decreases the 90-day risk of stroke without increasing hemorrhage in comparison with aspirin alone, but provided insufficient data to establish whether the benefit persisted over a longer period of time beyond the trial termination. We report the 1-year follow-up outcomes of this trial.

Methods and Results—

The trial was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted at 114 centers in China. We randomly assigned 5170 patients within 24 hours after onset of minor stroke or high-risk transient ischemic attack to clopidogrel-aspirin therapy (loading dose of 300 mg of clopidogrel on day 1, followed by 75 mg of clopidogrel per day for 90 days, plus 75 mg of aspirin per day for the first 21 days) or to the aspirin-alone group (75 mg/d for 90 days). The primary outcome was stroke event (ischemic or hemorrhagic) during 1-year follow-up. Differences in outcomes between groups were assessed by using the Cox proportional hazards model. Stroke occurred in 275 (10.6%) patients in the clopidogrel-aspirin group, in comparison with 362 (14.0%) patients in the aspirin group (hazard ratio, 0.78; 95% confidence interval, 0.65–0.93;
P
=0.006). Moderate or severe hemorrhage occurred in 7 (0.3%) patients in the clopidogrel-aspirin group and in 9 (0.4%) patients in the aspirin group (
P
=0.44).

Conclusions—

The early benefit of clopidogrel-aspirin treatment in reducing the risk of subsequent stroke persisted for the duration of 1-year of follow-up.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00979589.
CD11c
+
Dendritic Cells Accelerate the Rejection of Older Cardiac Transplants via Interleukin-17A
Authors: Oberhuber Rupert , Heinbokel Timm , Cetina Biefer Hector Rodriguez , Boenisch Olaf , Hock Karin , Bronson Roderick T. , Wilhelm Markus J. , Iwakura Yoichiro , Edtinger Karoline , Uehara Hirofumi , Quante Markus , Voskuil Floris , Krenzien Felix , Slegtenhorst Bendix , Abdi Reza , Pratschke Johann , Elkhal Abdallah , Tullius Stefan G.
Published: May 2015

Background—

Organ transplantation has seen an increased use of organs from older donors over the past decades in an attempt to meet the globally growing shortage of donor organs. However, inferior transplantation outcomes when older donor organs are used represent a growing challenge.

Methods and Results—

Here, we characterize the impact of donor age on solid-organ transplantation using a murine cardiac transplantation model. We found a compromised graft survival when older hearts were used. Shorter graft survival of older hearts was independent of organ age per se, because chimeric young or old organs repopulated with young passenger leukocytes showed comparable survival times. Transplantation of older organs triggered more potent alloimmune responses via intragraft CD11c
+
dendritic cells augmenting CD4
+
and CD8
+
T-cell proliferation and proinflammatory cytokine production, particularly that of interleukin-17A. Of note, depletion of donor CD11c
+
dendritic cells before engraftment, neutralization of interleukin-17A, or transplantation of older hearts into
IL-17A
−/−
mice delayed rejection and reduced alloimmune responses to levels observed when young hearts were transplanted.

Conclusions—

These results demonstrate a critical role of old donor CD11c
+
dendritic cells in mounting age-dependent alloimmune responses with an augmented interleukin-17A response in recipient animals. Targeting interleukin-17A may serve as a novel therapeutic approach when older organs are transplanted.
Corporate or Governmental Duties? Corporate Citizenship From a Governmental Perspective
Authors: Aßländer Michael S. , Curbach Janina
Published: May 2015

Recent discussions on corporate citizenship (CC) highlight the new political role of corporations in society by arguing that corporations increasingly act as quasi-governmental actors and take on what hitherto had originally been governmental tasks. By examining political and sociological citizenship theories, the authors show that such a corporate engagement can be explained by a changing (self-)conception of corporate citizens from corporate bourgeois to corporate citoyen. As an intermediate actor in society, the corporate citoyen assumes co-responsibilities for social and civic affairs and actively collaborates with fellow citizens beyond governmental regulation. This change raises the question of how such corporate civic engagement can be aligned with public policy regulations and how corporate activities can be integrated into the democratic regime. To clarify the mode of CC contributions to society, the authors will apply the tenet of subsidiarity as a governing principle which allows for specifying corporations’ tasks as intermediate actors in society. By referring to the renewed European Union strategy for Corporate Social Responsibility, the authors show how such a subsidiary corporate-governmental task-sharing can be organized.
International professors in China: Prestige maintenance and making sense of teaching abroad
Authors: Kim Esther Chihye
Published: May 2015

A new pattern of global migration is that of skilled or educated people moving from developed to developing countries in search of work. In this qualitative research study, 41 non-Chinese university instructors teaching in Beijing were asked about their decisions to migrate to the mainland. Foreign professors moved to China for various reasons: it had been their last resort, for research purposes and career advancement, or for adventure. The instructors collectively maintained that teaching at Chinese universities did not have the same level of prestige or respect as teaching at universities in western countries. To combat perceived lower social status, international professors in China rationalized their new temporary positions by creating a positive sense of self and situation. This article describes the ways in which prestige is maintained by professors dealing with perceived social downgrade.
Da una terra che ci odia a un’altra che non ci vuole: Le migrazioni nella canzone d’autore
Authors: Martellini Amoreno
Published: May 2015

Il sorgere di una sensibilità verso i fenomeni migratori da parte della canzone italiana è più o meno contestuale alla nascita della canzone d’autore, databile dunque negli anni del miracolo economico, quando i flussi migratori verso l’estero iniziavano a contrarsi, prima di chiudersi definitivamente nel quindicennio successivo, mentre le migrazioni interne subivano un deciso incremento. Da allora in avanti il tema è diventato elemento ricorrente nei repertori di tutti i cantautori (e in parte anche della canzone popolare e commerciale) che hanno seguito e narrato con versi e musica l’evolversi del fenomeno per tutti gli anni seguenti. A partire dagli anni settanta, quando nel nostro paese i flussi in uscita si spensero definitivamente, la canzone d’autore ha iniziato anche a trattare l’emigrazione come fenomeno storico, a narrare cioè l’epopea della grande migrazione tra fine Ottocento e inizio Novecento, divenendo così veicolo di diffusione di senso comune storico sul fenomeno e in definitiva operando un deciso uso pubblico della storia. Questa prospettiva è andata a sommarsi al racconto in presa diretta dei fenomeni migratori contemporanei: cosicché a cavallo del nuovo millennio i testi di molti cantautori e di molte rock band più o meno impegnate hanno continuato a essere popolati da emigranti italiani di inizio Novecento e di immigrati provenienti dall’Est europeo e dal Sud del mondo con le ultime ondate migratorie.
Examining the Usability of Touch Screen Gestures for Older and Younger Adults
Authors: Gao Qin , Sun Qiqi
Published: May 2015

Objective:

We examined the usability issues associated with four touch screen gestures (clicking, dragging, zooming, and rotating) among older and younger users.

Background:

It is especially important to accommodate older users’ characteristics to ensure the accessibility of information and services that are important to their quality of life.

Method:

Forty older and 40 younger participants completed four experiments, each of which focused on one gesture. The effects of age, type of touch screen (surface acoustic wave vs. optical), inclination angle (30°, 45°, 60°, and 75°), and user interface factors (clicking: button size and spacing; dragging: dragging direction and distance; zooming: design of zooming gesture; rotating: design of rotating gesture) on user performance and satisfaction were examined.

Results:

Button sizes that are larger than 15.9 × 9.0 mm led to better performance and higher satisfaction. The effect of spacing was significant only when the button size was notably small or large. Rightward and downward dragging were preferred to leftward and upward dragging, respectively. The younger participants favored direct manipulation gestures using multiple fingers, whereas the older participants preferred the click-to design. The older participants working with large inclination angles of 60° to 75° reported a higher level of satisfaction than the older participants working with smaller angles.

Conclusion:

We proposed a set of design guidelines for touch screen user interfaces and discussed implications for the selection of appropriate technology and the configuration of the workspace.

Application:

The implications are useful for the design of large touch screen applications, such as desktop computers, information kiosks, and health care support systems.
Comparing the Effectiveness of Alerts and Dynamically Annotated Visualizations (DAVs) in Improving Clinical Decision Making
Authors: Rayo Michael F. , Kowalczyk Nina , Liston Beth W. , Sanders Elizabeth B.-N. , White Susan , Patterson Emily S.
Published: May 2015

Objective:

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two types of real-time decision support, an interrupting pop-up alert and a noninterrupting dynamically annotated visualization (DAV), in reducing clinically inappropriate diagnostic imaging orders.

Background:

Alerts in electronic health record software are frequently disregarded due to high false-alarm rates, interruptions, and uncertainty about what triggered the alert. In other settings, providing visualizations and improving understandability of the guidance has been shown to improve overall decision making.

Method:

Using a between-subject design, we examined the effect of two forms of decision support, alerts and DAVs, on reducing the proportion of inappropriate diagnostic imaging orders for 11 patients in a simulated environment. Nine attending and 11 resident physicians with experience using an electronic health record were randomly assigned to the form of decision support. Secondary measures were self-reported understandability, algorithm transparency, and clinical relevance.

Results:

Fewer inappropriate diagnostic imaging tests were ordered with DAVs than with alerts (18% vs. 34%, p < .001). The DAV was rated higher for all three secondary measures ( p < .001) for all participants.

Conclusion:

DAVs were more effective than alerts in reducing inappropriate imaging orders and were preferred for all patient scenarios, especially scenarios where guidance was ambiguous or based on inaccurate information.

Application:

Creating visualizations that are permanently displayed and vary in the strength of their guidance can mitigate the risk of system performance degradation due to incomplete or incorrect data. This interaction paradigm may be applicable for other settings with high false-alarm rates or where there is a need to reduce interruptions during decision making.
Ageing in anomie: Later life migration and its implications for anti-anomic social work practice
Authors: Park Hong-Jae
Published: May 2015

Reflecting on studies with Korean migrants in New Zealand, this article aims to identify the issues associated with later life migration and transnational family life among older Korean people who have immigrated in their old age. The discussion in this reflection highlights that older migrants often face challenges in ageing in a place where their norms and values are eroded, although later life migration can also allow them to enrich their life experience overseas. Their intergenerational relationships are influenced by transnational family contexts. Implications for social work practice are discussed, focusing on ‘anti-anomic’ practice in working with migrant populations and their communities.
Defect characterisation in laminar composite structures using ultrasonic techniques and artificial neural networks
Authors: Barry TJ , Kesharaju M , Nagarajah CR , Palanisamy S
Published: May 2015

This paper presents an approach to defect detection and characterisation in ultrasonic inspection of laminate composite panels. A set of features coupled with gates was identified along with a method for sub-dividing and thresholding the ultrasonic data, which removes most of the location specific information from the defect data thus increasing the generalisation capabilities of the defect classifier. Validation results obtained from independent defect data indicate that the performance of the presented data description tools coupled with an artificial neural network classifier was able to correctly locate and classify defects at different depths. It was concluded that a structured approach to the pre-processing of ultrasonic testing data, combined with the selective feature extraction for artificial neural network classification, greatly reduces the requirement for artificial neural network training data. Furthermore, it allows for improved performance across a variety of panel geometries.
Differences in Career Decision-Making Profiles Between American and Chinese University Students
Authors: Guan Yanjun , Chen Sylvia Xiaohua , Levin Nimrod , Bond Michael Harris , Luo Nanfeng , Xu Jingwen , Zhou Xiang , Chen Pei , Li Chendi , Fu Ruchunyi , Zhang Jiawei , Ji Yueting , Mo Zichuan , Li Yumeng , Fang Zheng , Jiang Dongqian , Han Xue
Published: May 2015

The current research examined differences in career decision-making profiles (CDMP) between American and Chinese university students, as well as the mediating mechanisms possibly underlying these cultural differences. The results of a survey among American ( n = 929) and Chinese ( n = 945) undergraduates showed that Chinese participants scored significantly higher on consulting with others, desire to please others, willingness to compromise, dependence on others, and procrastination, but lower on aspiration for an ideal occupation, internal locus of control, and effort invested in career decision-making than did the American participants. Using a model based on self-construals and subjective cultural norms, we established that interdependent self-construal, independent self-construal, and the perceived individualism-collectivism norm operative in the respondents’ nation served as important mediators of the relationship between culture and endorsement of the dimensions of the CDMP. Moreover, based on the model of cultural tightness-looseness, the results provided partial support for the prediction that individuals’ personal cultural orientations (e.g., self-construals) served as stronger predictors for CDMP among the American participants than among the Chinese, whereas the perceived cultural norm served as a stronger predictor for CDMP among the Chinese participants than the Americans. The current research provides implications for career decision-making in different cultural groups and suggests the operation of differential mechanisms involved in reaching career decisions across societies varying in individualism-collectivism.
Volunteering to serve
Authors: Pepper Ian K. , Wolf Ross
Published: May 2015

Volunteers within the police service are an understudied but invaluable area of policing, both in the UK and the USA. Although across England and Wales there are standardised policies governing the recruitment, training and deployment of volunteer police officers, across the United States there is no national standard for their use. As a result, research comparing and contrasting across these national boundaries is of value. This current study examines similarities and differences of two policing agencies, Cleveland Police in the North East of England, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) in Florida, USA. Results show that while the agencies have similarities in employment status, gender and experience as a volunteer, OCSO volunteer deputies were older than their Cleveland counterparts, and were much more inclined to participate in volunteer policing because of their past experience as full-time regular police officers.
Blood Standards and Failed Fluids: Clinic, Lab, and Transfusion Solutions in London, 1868–1916
Authors: Pelis Kim
Published: May 2015

It seems obvious that blood itself is the most appropriate fluid to replace blood, and there is no doubt as to its efficacy. On the other hand, to my surprise, it has not shown itself, experimentally, to be so much superior to certain artificial solutions, such as gum arabic, as I expected.
“Imitations of God's Own Works”: Making Trustworthy the Ocean Steamship
Authors: Smith Crosbie , Higginson Ian , Wolstenholme Phillip
Published: May 2015

“?… may we not say in the words of Bacon? — ‘The introduction of new inventions seemeth to be the very chief of all human actions. The benefits of new inventions may extend to all mankind universally, but the good of political achievements can respect but some particular cantons of men; these latter do not endure above a few ages, the former for ever. Inventions make all men happy without either injury or damage to any one single person. Furthermore, new inventions are, as it were, new erections and imitations of God's own works.’”
Nature's Palace: Constructing the Swedish Museum of Natural History
Authors: Beckman Jenny
Published: May 2015

Nature's palace, which is truly glorious in its sophistication, its splendour, and its firm construction, has attracted the eyes of all who are thirsty for knowledge to such an extent that they can scarcely turn away. But to penetrate into this shrine has been granted only to a few. Those, who have proved themselves worthy through much experience, are let into the anteroom, but the most sacred objects are kept as costly treasures in the inner chambers.1
Committed History and Philosophy of the Social Sciences in the Two Germanies
Authors: Woodward William R.
Published: May 2015

The question of the social commitment of the sociologist, and the scientist in general, has become a burning issue facing the sociology of East and West alike, — though it may take different forms. (P. C. Ludz, “Sociology”, in C. D Kernig (ed.), Marxism, communism, and Western society (New York, 1973), vol. viii, p. 46.)
Newton on a Horse: A Critique of the Historiographies of ‘Technology’ and ‘Modernity’
Authors: Fores Michael
Published: May 2015

“In the absence of a guiding theory, problems of technology, like those of the most primitive fields of science, had to be solved empirically” ( The new Cambridge modern history, concerning 1688–1751).

“The striking fact is not merely that mathematical aptitude was diffused amongst large numbers of dons, divines, physicians, antiquaries and gentry …; but that it had become with many of them a passion, a supposed key to the knowledge of man, society and the universe … in the unspecialized imagination of the seventeenth century, the key that unlocked the secrets of the universe was essentially the same as that which might unlock the vaults of social wealth” (C. Wilson on England's apprenticeship 1603–1763).
Reason in the ZEITGEIST
Authors: Stokes T. D.
Published: May 2015

The pages of the history of science record thousands of instances of similar discoveries having been made by scientists working independently of one another. Sometimes the discoveries are simultaneous or almost so; sometimes a scientist will make anew a discovery which, unknown to him, somebody else had made years before.
The Classification of Birds, in Aristotle and Early Modern Naturalists (I)
Authors: Hall J. J.
Published: May 2015

Part I. Aristotle proposed a method of defining an entity, e.g. an animal species, by successive subdivisions of the broader class ( genos) to which it belongs; if fully implemented, this would have resulted in a classification of animals. Definition of bird-species by subdivision of the class Birds would require the description of sub-classes intermediate between the major class and individual species. Examination of Aristotle's main discussions of birds shows that he had no complete system of such sub-classes, but four groups of bird species are repeatedly mentioned and are described in some detail: Hook-taloned birds, terrestrial birds which fly weakly (i.e. Gallinaceous birds), web-footed birds, and fissipede waterside birds. Aristotle must have thought of these groups as, at least, likely to be usable in the definition of bird-species, but made little progress towards formulating such definitions.

Part II. Pliny offers a hint of a different approach to avian classification; but in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries Edward Wotton, Belon, Gesner and Aldrovandi were most strongly influenced by Aristotle, and so, to a much lesser extent, were Willughby and Ray. Linnaeus and Yarrell are examples of eighteenth and nineteenth century authors who still made use in their classifications of the four groups, of hook-taloned birds etc., described in Part 1.
Homo ET Machina: Of Divided Labour, Revolutions and a History of Marvels
Authors: Fores Michael
Published: May 2015

We have but one simple method of delivering our sentiments, namely, we must bring men to particulars and their regular series and order, and they must for a while renounce their notions, and begin to form an acquaintance with things. [Translated from Francis Bacon, Novum organum, 1620]1

Truth, he [Bacon] wrote, was not the daughter of Authority, but of Time. [ The Cambridge modern history, 1902]2
German Physics Textbooks in the Goethezeit, Part 1
Authors: Clark William
Published: May 2015

A rather cheeky philosopher, I think it was Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, said that there were a lot of things in heaven and on earth that were not in our textbooks. If this simpleminded man, who as known was out of his mind, so sneered at our textbooks, then one might answer him, consoled: Good, but there are also a lot of things in our textbooks that are neither in heaven nor on earth.
Pakistan, Military Coup, and Concordance
Authors: Ali Zulfiqar
Published: May 2015

In 2014, Armed Forces & Society published Ali’s work, “Contradiction of Concordance Theory: Failure to Understand Military intervention in Pakistan.” Shortly thereafter in 2015, Schiff, the author of concordance theory, responded with “Concordance Theory in Pakistan: Response to Zulfiqar Ali.”

Schiff, in the Disputatio Sine Fine (DSF) section of Armed Forces & Society, defends concordance theory and puts forward four challenges to Ali’s article. Here, this reply explains again why concordance theory not only fails to generate an adequate account of military intervention in Pakistan but also unintentionally imposes a Western style of governance.
Commentary
Authors: Bachevalier Jocelyne
Published: May 2015

Studies investigating the development of memory processes and their neural substrates have flourished over the past two decades. The review by Jabès and Nelson (2015) adds an important piece to our understanding of the maturation of different elements and circuits within the hippocampal system and their association with the progressive development of hippocampal-dependent memory processes in humans. In this accompanying commentary, we explore some additional connections between the nonhuman primate work and the human data, and take the opportunity to highlight some common and additional interpretations of the results. This commentary makes three points: (1) the recognition processes present in the first few days of life may be linked to the early maturation of the medial temporal cortical areas instead of, or in addition to, the early maturation of the subiculum; (2) recent findings on the differential protracted maturation of spatial relational memory processes in monkeys further support the notion proposed by Jabès and Nelson that this protracted development may reflect progressive maturation of the CA1 field of the hippocampus followed by further maturation of CA3/dentate gyrus; (3) finally, further considerations of the differential maturation of the longitudinal hippocampal axis and of the diencephalon are proposed as additional contributors to the refinement of episodic memory functions during development.
20 years after “The ontogeny of human memory: A cognitive neuroscience perspective,” where are we?
Authors: Jabès Adeline , Nelson Charles A
Published: May 2015

In 1995, Nelson published a paper describing a model of memory development during the first years of life. The current article seeks to provide an update on the original work published 20 years ago. Specifically, we review our current knowledge on the relation between the emergence of explicit memory functions throughout development and the maturation of associated brain regions. It is now well established that the brain regions subserving explicit memory functions (i.e. the hippocampal formation) are far from mature at birth, and exhibit important and gradual structural changes during childhood and beyond. Accordingly, explicit memory functions develop progressively. While some functions are present shortly after birth (formerly proposed as pre-explicit memory), others exhibit protracted developmental profiles during the first years of life. We examine the link between the emergence of different memory functions and the maturation of specific hippocampal circuits.