bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanistic Studies of Gravity-Assisted Water Flooding in a Thick Heavy Oil Reservoir through Horizontal Injectors Using Three-Dimensional Physical Model
Authors: Kong Debin , Wang Chao , Zhou Fei , Li Yiqiang , Ma Ruicheng , Zhao Qinghui
Published: November 2016

Laboratory experiments were conducted to investigate the mechanism(s) of water flood with horizontal injection wells. The experiment was performed using a three-dimensional (3D) physical model made by artificial sandstone of the dimension of 60 cm × 30 cm × 5 cm. The saturation profile of oil and water phases was monitored by measuring the electrical resistivity using microelectrodes. It is difficult to model a field-scale gravity-assisted water flood process in the laboratory as the gravity force is very small in the physical model. In this paper, similarity criteria, dimensional analysis, andπprinciple were used to design the model parameters. We found that the ratios of gravity force to production pressure differential, capillary force, and viscous force are the three most important similarity criteria. Based on dimensional analysis, both capillary and viscous forces were designed in the physical model to represent the capillary and bond number in the reservoir conditions. Hence, in physical model, rock permeability of 6 darcies was selected to reduce the capillary force and the fluid viscosity of 583 cp was selected to reduce the viscous force based on calculation. The use of horizontal injection well can improve the sweep efficiency by 17.2%, compared with the case of vertical injection well. To determine the optimal driving force, the ratio of gravity force and production pressure differential was varied from 1 : 1 to 1 : 16. The experiment has shown that the ratio of 1 : 8 yields the highest heavy oil recovery (44.04%).
Time-Fractional Heat Conduction in a Half-Line Domain due to Boundary Value of Temperature Varying Harmonically in Time
Authors: Povstenko Yuriy
Published: November 2016

The Dirichlet problem for the time-fractional heat conduction equation in a half-line domain is studied with the boundary value of temperature varying harmonically in time. The Caputo fractional derivative is employed. The Laplace transform with respect to time and the sin-Fourier transform with respect to the spatial coordinate are used. Different formulations of the considered problem for the classical heat conduction equation and for the wave equation describing ballistic heat conduction are discussed.
Breastfeeding among Latino Families in an Urban Pediatric Office Setting
Authors: Sloand Elizabeth , Budhathoki Chakra , Junn Julia , Vo Dolly , Lowe Victoria , Pennington Amy
Published: November 2016

Objective. To determine the breastfeeding rate of Latino infants at an urban pediatric clinic in the first six months of life and to identify factors associated with breastfeeding.Methods. Investigators conducted a retrospective chart review of infants seen at the clinic in 2014 as part of a mixed methods study. Topics reviewed included demographics, infant health data, and feeding methods at 5 points in time. Bivariate correlations and cross-tabulations explored associations between variables.Results. Most of the mothers (75%) fed their newborns with both breastfeeding and formula (las dos). At 6 months, a majority were formula-fed only (55.9%). Approximately 10% of mothers exclusively breastfed their newborns, and the trend of exclusive breastfeeding remained steady through the 6-month visit. Over time, the number of mothers who exclusively bottle-feed their infants steadily rises. There were no statistical differences among the feeding method groups with regard to birth order of child, number of adults or children in the household, vaccination rate, number of sick visits, or infants’ growth.Conclusions. More targeted attention to this population and other immigrant populations with culturally tailored interventions spanning the prenatal to early infancy periods could increase exclusive breastfeeding and ultimately improve child health.
Neural Gas Clustering Adapted for Given Size of Clusters
Authors: Dirgová Luptáková Iveta , Šimon Marek , Huraj Ladislav , Pospíchal Jiří
Published: November 2016

Clustering algorithms belong to major topics in big data analysis. Their main goal is to separate an unlabelled dataset into several subsets, with each subset ideally characterized by some unique characteristic of its data structure. Common clustering approaches cannot impose constraints on sizes of clusters. However, in many applications, sizes of clusters are bounded or known in advance. One of the more recent robust clustering algorithms is called neural gas which is popular, for example, for data compression and vector quantization used in speech recognition and signal processing. In this paper, we have introduced an adapted neural gas algorithm able to accommodate requirements for the size of clusters. The convergence of algorithm towards an optimum is tested on simple illustrative examples. The proposed algorithm provides better statistical results than its direct counterpart, balancedk-means algorithm, and, moreover, unlike the balancedk-means, the quality of results of our proposed algorithm can be straightforwardly controlled by user defined parameters.
Propagation Characteristics of Oblique Incident Terahertz Wave in Nonuniform Dusty Plasma
Authors: Cao Yunhua , Li Haiying , Wang Zhe , Wu Zhensen
Published: November 2016

Propagation characteristics of oblique incident terahertz wave from the nonuniform dusty plasma are studied using the propagation matrix method. Assuming that the electron density distribution of dusty plasma is parabolic model, variations of power reflection, transmission, and absorption coefficients with frequencies of the incident wave are calculated as the wave illuminates the nonuniform dusty plasma from different angles. The effects of incident angles, number density, and radius of the dust particles on propagation characteristics are discussed in detail. Numerical results show that the number density and radius of the dust particles have very little influences on reflection and transmission coefficients and have obvious effects on absorption coefficients. The terahertz wave has good penetrability in dusty plasma.
Evaluating Urbanization and Spatial-Temporal Pattern Using the DMSP/OLS Nighttime Light Data: A Case Study in Zhejiang Province
Authors: Xu Pengfei , Jin Pingbin , Yang Yangfan , Wang Quan
Published: November 2016

The application of DMSP/OLS nighttime light data provides an effective measure for characterizing urbanization and its spatial-temporal changes. Combined with the social economic statistics and calibrated nighttime data, the nighttime light imagery of Zhejiang province was fully intercalibrated during the period 1992–2013. The backgrounds were explained and the model of region light index (RLI) was built to make further research. The methods of mutation detection, regression analysis, and spatial analysis were adopted in this study. The results show that the urbanization progress of Zhejiang experienced a transformation from rapid development to steady improvement and was accompanied by a changing direction of urban expansion from coastal to inland areas from 2000. Further research indicated that Zhejiang province possessed a relative high level of urbanization, where a spatial pattern of urbanization with one center and four axes was initially formed. It is a novel attempt to investigate the urbanization of Zhejiang province on the basis of the DMSP/OLS night-lighting data, which may provide a significant guideline for the urban planning and development.
Modifying the Clinical Research Infrastructure at a Dedicated Clinical Trials Unit: Assessment of Trial Development, Activation, and Participant Accrual
Authors: Tang Chad , Hess Kenneth R. , Sanders Dwana , Davis Suzanne E. , Buzdar Aman U. , Kurzrock Razelle , Lee J. Jack , Meric-Bernstam Funda , Hong David S.
Published: November 2016

Purpose: Information on processes for trials assessing investigational therapeutics is sparse. We assessed the trial development processes within the Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics (ICT) at MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, TX) and analyzed their effects on the trial activation timeline and enrolment.

Experimental Design: Data were from a prospectively maintained registry that tracks all clinical studies at MD Anderson. From this database, we identified 2,261 activated phase I–III trials; 221 were done at the ICT. ICT trials were matched to trials from other MD Anderson departments by phase, sponsorship, and submission year. Trial performance metrics were compared with paired Wilcoxon signed rank tests.

Results: We identified three facets of the ICT research infrastructure: parallel processing of trial approval steps; a physician-led research team; and regular weekly meetings to foster research accountability. Separate analyses were conducted stratified by sponsorship [industry (133 ICT and 133 non-ICT trials) or institutional (68 ICT and 68 non-ICT trials)]. ICT trial development was faster from IRB approval to activation (median difference of 1.1 months for industry-sponsored trials vs. 2.3 months for institutional) and from activation to first enrolment (median difference of 0.3 months for industry vs. 1.2 months for institutional; all matched P < 0.05). ICT trials also accrued more patients (median difference of 8 participants for industry vs. 33.5 for institutional) quicker (median difference 4.8 participants/year for industry vs. 11.1 for institutional; all matched P < 0.05).

Conclusions: Use of a clinical research–focused infrastructure within a large academic cancer center was associated with efficient trial development and participant accrual. Clin Cancer Res; 23(6); 1407–13. ©2016 AACR.
Überleben von Patienten mit fortgeschrittenem NSCLC während der Teilnahme an klinischen Studien
Authors: Reinmuth Niels
Published: November 2016

Hintergrund: Der heutige Stand der onkologischen Therapie ist unter anderem dank der Erkenntnisse erreicht worden, die in klinischen Studien (CT; clinical trials) gewonnen wurden. Wir analysieren in diesem Beitrag das Gesamtüberleben (OS; overall survival) von Patienten mit nicht-kleinzelligem Bronchialkarzinom (NSCLC; non-small cell lung cancer) und dessen Zusammenhang mit der CT-Teilnahme. Methoden: In die Studie wurden 1042 Patienten mit fortgeschrittenem NSCLC eingeschlossen, die am Instituto Nacional de Cancerología in Behandlung waren. Alle Patienten wurden gemäß den einschlägigen nationalen und internationalen Leitlinien behandelt. Die Daten wurden aus den Patientenakten erhoben. Die Patienten wurden je nach ihrem CT-Teilnahmestatus in folgende Untergruppen unterteilt: alle Formen von CT zusammengenommen (ACT), nur interventionelle CT (ICT) oder nur von pharmazeutischen Unternehmen gesponserte CT (PCT). Ergebnisse: Der Effekt der CT-Teilnahme wurde anhand eines multivariaten Cox-Modells für proportionale Hazards beurteilt. 30% der Patienten hatten an einer ACT teilgenommen, 28,3% an einer ICT und 13,7% an einer PCT. Weibliches Geschlecht (p = 0,001), Adenokarzinom-Histologie (p = 0,018), positiver EGFR-Mutationsstatus (p = 0,006) und guter ECOG-Score (< 2) (p ≤ 0,0001) lagen bei den CT-Teilnehmern häufiger vor; positiver Raucherstatus (p ≤ 0,0001) und KRAS-Mutation (p = 0,001) waren hingegen häufiger bei Patienten, die an keiner CT teilgenommen hatten. Schlussfolgerung: Die Teilnahme an einer ACT war mit einem längeren OS assoziiert (Hazard Ratio: 0,47-0,74). Für die NSCLC-Patienten war die CT-Teilnahme ein von anderen Prognosefaktoren unabhängiger Faktor für die Verlängerung des Überlebens. Übersetzung aus Oncology 2016;DOI:10.1159/000447404
Triggering of Erythrocyte Cell Membrane Scrambling by Emodin
Authors: Mischitelli Morena , Jemaà Mohamed , Almasry Mustafa , Faggio Caterina , Lang Florian
Published: November 2016

Background/Aims: The natural anthraquinone derivative emodin (1,3,8-trihydroxy-6-methylanthraquinone) is a component of several Chinese medicinal herbal preparations utilized for more than 2000 years. The substance has been used against diverse disorders including malignancy, inflammation and microbial infection. The substance is effective in part by triggering suicidal death or apoptosis. Similar to apoptosis of nucleated cells erythrocytes may enter suicidal erythrocyte death or eryptosis, characterized by cell shrinkage and cell membrane scrambling with phosphatidylserine translocation to the erythrocyte surface. Signaling involved in the triggering of eryptosis include increase of cytosolic Ca2+ activity ([Ca2+]i), oxidative stress and ceramide. The present study aimed to test, whether emodin induces eryptosis and, if so, to elucidate underlying cellular mechanisms. Methods: Phosphatidylserine abundance at the cell surface was estimated from annexin-V-binding, cell volume from forward scatter, [Ca2+]i from Fluo3-fluorescence, ROS formation from DCFDA dependent fluorescence, and ceramide abundance utilizing specific antibodies. Results: Exposure of human erythrocytes for 48 hours to emodin (≥ 10 µM) significantly increased the percentage of annexin-V-binding cells, and at higher concentrations (≥ 50 µM) significantly increased forward scatter. Emodin significantly increased Fluo3-fluorescence (≥ 10 µM), DCFDA fluorescence (75 µM) and ceramide abundance (75 µM). The effect of emodin on annexin-V-binding was significantly blunted but not abolished by removal of extracellular Ca2+. Conclusions: Emodin triggers phospholipid scrambling of the erythrocyte cell membrane, an effect at least in part due to stimulation of Ca2+ entry and paralleled by oxidative stress and ceramide appearance at the erythroctye surface.
CD47 is a Potential Target for the Treatment of Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Yang ChunPing , Gao ShuFeng , Zhang HaiZhen , Xu Lian , Liu JianGuo , Wang Meiqun , Zhang ShaoRong
Published: November 2016

Background/Aims: This study aims to investigate the effect of CD47 on the development of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) and the therapeutic potential of monoclonal antibody against CD47 and its ligand SIRPα in the treatment of LSCC. Methods: We firstly detected the expressions of CD47 mRNA and protein in LSCC and para-carcinoma tissues, introduced the most efficient CD47siRNA sequence into LSCC cells by lentiviral transfection and employed three monoclonal antibodies to evaluate their anti-LSCC effects in vitro and in vivo. Results: We observed that the mRNA and protein expressions of CD47 in LSCC tissue had significant increase in LSCC tissues compared with those in para-carcinoma tissue (p < 0.05). After the treatments of three monoclonal antibodies, i.e. anti-SIRPα, anti-CD47 BRIC126, anti-CD47 B6H12.2, in rats transfected with Hep-2 cell, it has been showed that the mRNA and protein expressions of CD47 in LSCC tissue decreased, macrophage efficiency was promoted when anti-SIRPα and/or CD47siRNA were used, the amounts, viabilities and expressions of CD47 protein of tumor cell were significantly inhibited. Additionally, combined use of CD47siRNA and anti-SIRPα seemed more efficient than solo use of CD47siRNA/anti-SIRPα. Conclusion: The results suggested a critical role of CD47 in LSCC development and the promising treatment of antiCD47/SIRPα and/or CD47siRNA in LSCC.
Stimulation of Suicidal Erythrocyte Death by Phosphatase Inhibitor Calyculin A
Authors: Almasry Mustafa , Jemaà Mohamed , Mischitelli Morena , Faggio Caterina , Lang Florian
Published: November 2016

Background/Aims: The serine/threonine protein phosphatase 1 and 2a inhibitor Calyculin A may trigger suicidal death or apoptosis of tumor cells. Similar to apoptosis of nucleated cells, erythrocytes may enter eryptosis, the suicidal erythrocyte death characterized by cell shrinkage and cell membrane scrambling with phosphatidylserine translocation to the erythrocyte surface. Triggers of eryptosis include increase of cytosolic Ca2+ activity ([Ca2+] i). Eryptosis is fostered by activation of staurosporine sensitive protein kinase C, SB203580 sensitive p38 kinase, and D4476 sensitive casein kinase. Eryptosis may further involve zVAD sensitive caspases. The present study explored, whether Calyculin A induces eryptosis and, if so, whether its effect requires Ca2+ entry, kinases and/or caspases Methods: Phosphatidylserine exposure at the cell surface was estimated from annexin-V-binding, cell volume from forward scatter, and [Ca2+] i from Fluo-3 fluorescence, as determined by flow cytometry. Results: A 48 hours exposure of human erythrocytes to Calyculin A (≥ 2.5 nM) significantly increased the percentage of annexin-V-binding cells, significantly decreased forward scatter and significantly increased Fluo-3 fluorescence. The effect of Calyculin A on annexin-V-binding was significantly blunted by removal of extracellular Ca2+, by staurosorine (1 µM), SB203580 (2 µM), D4476 (10 µM), and zVAD (10 µM). Conclusions: Calyculin A triggers cell shrinkage and phospholipid scrambling of the erythrocyte cell membrane, an effect at least in part requiring Ca2+ entry, kinase activity and caspase activation.
Effects of Propofol on Several Membrane Characteristics of Cervical Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Zhang Fan , Wang Changsong , Cui Yinghua , Li Shuping , Yao Yuanfei , Ci Yanpeng , Wang Jinghe , Hou Wei , Wu Anqi , Li Enyou
Published: November 2016

Background: Although significant advances have been made toward understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the effect of propofol on tumor cell metastasis, less is known regarding how cell membrane and cytoskeletal ultrastructure are affected in this process. Here, we investigated the relationship between cell morphology and cell size, which are features mainly defined by the cytoskeleton. Methods: To confirm the effects of propofol on the migratory ability of human cervical carcinoma cells, cell migration and invasion were examined through scratch wound healing and transwell membrane assays. Furthermore, HeLa cells cultivated with different concentrations of propofol were examined by confocal microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM), and the mean optical density and migration ability of these cells were also assessed. In addition, cell membrane morphology was inspected using AFM. Results: The results of the wound healing and transwell membrane assays indicated that propofol decreases the migratory ability of cervical carcinoma cells compared to control cells. A comparative analysis of the test results revealed that short-term (3 h) exposure to propofol induced marked changes in cell membrane microstructure and in the cytoskeleton in a dose-dependent manner. These morphological changes in the cell membrane were accompanied by cytoskeleton (F-actin) derangement. The present findings demonstrate a close relationship between changes in cell membrane ultrastructure and cytoskeletal alterations (F-actin) in propofol-treated HeLa cells. AFM scanning analysis showed that cell membrane ultrastructure was significantly changed, including a clear reduction in membrane roughness. Conclusion: The influence of propofol on the HeLa cell cytoskeleton can be directly reflected by changes in cellular morphology, as assessed by AFM. Moreover, the use of AFM is a good method for investigating propofol-mediated changes within cytoskeletal ultrastructure.
Suppression of MicroRNA-219-5p Activates Keratinocyte Growth Factor to Mitigate Severity of Experimental Cirrhosis
Authors: Chen Li , Cui Xiang , Li Peng , Feng Cong , Wang Lili , Wang Hao , Zhou Xuan , Yang Bo , Lv Faqin , Li Tanshi
Published: November 2016

Background/Aims: Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) plays a critical role in prevention of cirrhosis and enhancement of liver regeneration. However, the molecular regulation of KGF in liver is unknown. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) control the pathogenesis of cirrhosis, whereas the exact involved miRNAs and molecular signaling pathways remain ill-defined. Here we addressed these questions. Methods: We examined the correlation of the levels of miR-219-5p and KGF in the liver biopsies from patients with liver diseases. The effects of overexpression or suppression of miR-219-5p on KGF were examined in both human and mouse hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Bioinformatics analysis was applied to examine the binding of human/mouse miR-219-5p to the 3'-UTR of human/mouse KGF mRNA, respectively. Finally, adeno-associated viruses carrying antisense of miR-219-5p were infused into the liver from the mice that had developed cirrhosis by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), and the effects on KGF levels and liver damage and function were examined. Results: The levels of miR-219-5p and KGF in the liver biopsies were inversely correlated. MiR-219-5p inhibited KGF expression in both human and mouse HSCs, through directly binding the 3'-UTR of KGF mRNA. Expression of antisense of miR-219-5p significantly attenuated the levels of liver fibrosis, portal hypertension and sodium retention caused by CCl4. Conclusions: Suppression of miR-219-5p may benefit the liver regeneration and prevent cirrhosis through increasing KGF.
A Case of Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy with HIV Infection in Which HAART Possibly Influenced the Prognosis of Visual Function
Authors: Kitagaki Takakuni , Sato Takaki , Hirai Junko , Kimura Daisaku , Kakurai Keigo , Fukumoto Masanori , Tajiri Kensuke , Kobayashi Takatoshi , Kida Teruyo , Kojima Shota , Ikeda Tsunehiko
Published: November 2016

Background: We report on a patient with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection who exhibited extremely active PDR followed by a rapid onset of blindness in the right eye. The progression of visual disturbance in the patient’s left eye was slowed after starting highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART), and vision in that eye was rescued after vitrectomy. Case Report: A 72-year-old male developed pneumocystis carinii pneumonia stemming from an HIV infection and began HAART at the Department of Hematology, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki City, Japan. Prior to HAART, the patient had shown rapidly progressing retinopathy in the right eye accompanied by vitreous hemorrhage, tractional retinal detachment, and neovascular glaucoma, ultimately leading to early-onset blindness. After starting HAART, the progression of the retinopathy in the left eye became slower compared to the right eye, with corrected visual acuity improving to 0.6 after vitrectomy, despite being accompanied by vitreous hemorrhage. The patient’s overall condition has remained stable following the operation, and the condition of the ocular fundus in the left eye has also settled. Conclusion: Significant differences were found in the progression rate of PDR with HIV infection between before and after starting HAART. Our findings suggest that early administration of HAART to HIV patients with diabetic retinopathy is crucial for maintaining visual function.
Clinical Correlation between Real-Time Endocytoscopy, Confocal Endomicroscopy, and Histopathology in the Central Airways
Authors: Shah Pallav L. , Kemp Samuel V. , Newton Richard C. , Elson Daniel S. , Nicholson Andrew G. , Yang Guang-Zhong
Published: November 2016

Background: Lung cancer is one of the commonest malignancies with a worldwide incidence of 1.6 million cases each year. Although the main aetiological factor has been identified (cigarette smoking), the progression of lung cancer from early changes such as dysplasia through to cancer is still not fully understood. Furthermore, current research techniques are reliant on obtaining tissue biopsies, a process that alters the natural history of the very process under investigation. Hence, there is a need for developing optical biopsy techniques. Objectives: To prospectively evaluate the feasibility of endocytoscopy and confocal endomicroscopy in the detection of malignant and pre-malignant changes in the airways. Methods: Findings with endocytoscopy and endomicroscopy were compared with conventional biopsies obtained from the same areas in 25 patients undergoing bronchoscopy for evaluation of endobronchial abnormalities and in 5 healthy control subjects. Results: Endocytoscopy was technically more difficult, and interpretable images were only obtained in 21 of the patients evaluated, and hence, complete information including histopathological information was available in 21 patients. Endocytoscopy appeared to correlate with the histopathological findings on tissue biopsy, and was able to distinguish normal epithelium from dysplasia and carcinoma. Confocal endomicroscopy was a more reliable technique with adequate visual information obtained in all patients examined but was unable to distinguish between dysplasia and carcinoma. Conclusion: This feasibility study suggests that endocytoscopy may have the potential to fulfil the role of optical biopsy in the evaluation of the pathogenesis of lung cancer.
Cobalt Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Packer Milton
Published: November 2016

Cobalt can cause a distinctive, rapidly progressive and reversible depression of cardiac systolic function, which is readily distinguished from other causes of cardiomyopathy. Patients present with the subacute onset of severe heart failure, which is accompanied by hypotension and cyanosis, pericardial effusion, low voltage on the electrocardiogram, marked elevation of serum enzymes, and lactic acidosis. They typically have a history of lethargy, anorexia, and weight loss in the months preceding the illness and exhibit other evidence of cobalt’s effects on the body (eg, polycythemia and goiter). The course of cobalt-related cardiomyopathy may be progressive and fatal, but those who survive and cease exposure generally demonstrate complete resolution of symptoms and recovery of cardiac function. Patients presenting with rapid onset of cardiomyopathy, who also exhibit polycythemia, pericardial effusion, or goiter should be evaluated for cobalt exposure. Exposure can be confirmed by the measurement of cobalt in the serum, but serum levels of the ion are not reliably predictive of clinical cardiotoxicity. The clinical emergence of cobalt cardiomyopathy seems to require the coexistence of one or more cofactors, particularly a low-protein diet, thiamine deficiency, alcoholism, and hypothyroidism. As the medicinal use of cobalt has waned and measures to reduce industrial exposure have been implemented, subacute cobalt-related cardiomyopathy had become rare. However, reports describing classical features of the disease have recently surged among patients with a malfunctioning cobalt-alloy hip prosthesis.
Effects of the P‐Selectin Antagonist Inclacumab on Myocardial Damage After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention According to Timing of Infusion: Insights From the SELECT‐ACS Trial
Authors: Stähli Barbara E. , Gebhard Catherine , Duchatelle Valérie , Cournoyer Daniel , Petroni Thibaut , Tanguay Jean‐François , Robb Stephen , Mann Jessica , Guertin Marie‐Claude , Wright R. Scott , L. L'Allier Philippe , Tardif Jean‐Claude
Published: November 2016

Background

The Effects of the P‐Selectin Antagonist Inclacumab on Myocardial Damage After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Non‐ST‐Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (
SELECT
‐
ACS
) trial suggested beneficial effects of inclacumab, a monoclonal antibody directed against P‐selectin, on periprocedural myocardial damage. This study evaluated the effect of inclacumab on myocardial damage according to varying time intervals between study drug infusion and percutaneous coronary intervention (
PCI
).

Methods and Results

Patients (n=544) enrolled in the
SELECT
‐
ACS
trial and randomized to receive 1 infusion of placebo or inclacumab (5 or 20 mg/kg, administered between 1 and 24 hours before
PCI
) were divided according to the time interval between study drug infusion and
PCI
. The primary end point was the change in troponin I from baseline at 16 and 24 hours after
PCI
. In patients receiving inclacumab 20 mg/kg with a short (less than median) time interval between infusion and
PCI
, placebo‐adjusted geometric mean percent changes in troponin I, creatine kinase–myocardial band, and peak troponin I at 24 hours were −45.6% (
P
=0.005), −30.7% (
P
=0.01), and −37.3% (
P
=0.02), respectively. No significant changes were observed in patients with a long (greater than median) time interval between infusion and
PCI
. Placebo‐adjusted geometric mean percent changes in troponin I and creatine kinase–myocardial band were −43.5% (
P
=0.02) and −26.0% (
P
=0.07), respectively, when inclacumab 20 mg/kg was administered between 1 and 3 hours before
PCI
, whereas the drug had no effect with longer intervals.

Conclusions

Inclacumab 20 mg/kg significantly reduces myocardial damage after
PCI
in patients with non–
ST
‐segment elevation myocardial infarction, and benefits are larger when the infusion is administered <3 hours before
PCI
.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL
:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier:
NCT
01327183.
Clinical Outcomes of Vasospastic Angina Patients Presenting With Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Cho Sung Woo , Park Taek Kyu , Gwag Hye Bin , Lim A. Young , Oh Min Seok , Lee Da Hyon , Seong Choong Sil , Yang Jeong Hoon , Song Young Bin , Hahn Joo‐Yong , Choi Jin‐Ho , Lee Sang Hoon , Gwon Hyeon‐Cheol , Choi Seung‐Hyuk
Published: November 2016

Background

Coronary vasospasm is an important pathogenesis of acute coronary syndrome (
ACS
). However, the clinical features and prognosis of vasospastic angina (
VA
) patients presenting with
ACS
(
VAACS
) are still unclear. We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and long‐term outcomes of
VAACS
patients without significant coronary artery stenosis.

Methods and Results

A total of 986
VA
patients confirmed by ergonovine provocation test were analyzed.
VAACS
was defined as
VA
patients visiting the emergency room with documented electrocardiographic changes, significant arrhythmias, or elevated cardiac biomarkers.
VA
patients with elevated cardiac biomarkers were further considered to have myocardial infarction (
MI
;
VAMI
). During 4.4 years of median follow‐up, we investigated major adverse cardiac events including cardiac death,
MI
, revascularization, and rehospitalization because of recurrent angina. The
VAACS
group consisted of 149 patients (15.1%), and
VAMI
occurred in 81 patients (8.2%).
VAACS
patients were younger and had a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus,
MI
history, and higher levels of inflammatory markers compared with non‐
VAACS
patients. In multivariable Cox regression analyses,
VAACS
patients were associated with an increased risk of major adverse cardiac events (hazard ratio, 1.65; 95%
CI
1.14–2.37;
P
=0.007) and recurrent
MI
hazard ratio, 2.57; 95%
CI
, 1.35–4.87;
P
=0.004). In addition,
VAMI
patients had an increased risk of major adverse cardiac events (hazard ratio, 1.75; 95%
CI
, 1.11–2.76;
P
=0.016) and recurrent
MI
(hazard ratio, 2.43; 95%
CI
, 1.09–5.40;
P
=0.03).

Conclusion

VAACS
patients showed worse clinical outcomes, driven mainly by recurrent
MI
. Therefore, intensive medical treatment might be required in
VAACS
patients.
A Study of Village Regulation Making Process in the Village of Adat Saibatin Community in Cukuh Balak Sub-district, Tanggamus District, Lampung Province, Indonesia
Authors: Ahmad Noor Sulastry Yurni , Syukur Iskandar
Published: November 2016

This research studied the village regulation making process based on the Law No. 32/2004 and the relationships among head of village, administrators of Village Consultative Board (Badan Permusyawaratan Desa/bpd/bhp), and adat leaders in the village of Adat Saibatin community. The research was conducted in several villages of Cukuh Balak sub-district, Tanggamus district, Lampung province, Indonesia in 2012. The data were collected by employing interview and observation. The results of this study showed that the regulation making process in the village of Adat Saibatin community did not have clear stages to which the regulations were made unilaterally by the head of the village himself/herself. The adat leaders’ participation as community leaders in the villages almost disappeared and unstated in the regulations. Furthermore, Village Consultative Board was also in a weak position due to the absence of deliberation and agreement as the core principle known as the villages’ law in the process of making the regulations.
Election Management Bodies (embs) in Eastern and Southern Africa: Some Reflections on their Legal Framework
Authors: Fombad Charles Manga
Published: November 2016

It is generally recognised that election management bodies (embs) constitute one of the most important institutions needed to sustain Africa’s fledgling transition to democratic and constitutional governance. They are needed to ensure that all political actors adhere to the rules of the electoral contest and that the outcome of elections are not predetermined and are based on free and fair processes that reflect the genuine will of the people. However, frequent incidents of post-election violence in which citizens question the role played by the embs in the last few years have raised many questions about their role, which has not been systematically and thoroughly investigated.

This paper aims to take a critical look at the legal framework relating to the setting up and regulation of embs in a selected number of countries in the Eastern and Southern African region to see whether there is any possible connection between the manner in which they are structured and the effectiveness of their operations. Does the legal framework of an emb have anything to do with the acceptance or non-acceptance of the electoral results of elections organised by the emb? Are there any lessons that can be learnt by comparing the legal framework of the embs of countries where election results are generally accepted with that of countries where the announcement of election results have often provoked violence? The establishment of an emb is supposed to be a clear sign of a firm commitment by a country to constitutionalism and constitutional democracy. This does not always turn out to be so. From the comparative analysis of the experiences of the selected countries, this study will highlight some of the major lessons that can be drawn in designing embs in order to enhance their performance and credibility.
Situating Kant’s Pre-Critical Monadology: Leibnizian Ubeity, Monadic Activity, and Idealist Unity
Authors: Slowik Edward
Published: November 2016

This essay examines the relationship between monads and space in Kant’s early pre-critical work, with special attention devoted to the question of ubeity, a Scholastic doctrine that Leibniz describes as “ways of being somewhere.” By focusing attention on this concept, evidence will be put forward that supports the claim, held by various scholars, that the monad-space relationship in Kant is closer to Leibniz’ original conception than the hypotheses typically offered by the later Leibniz-Wolff school. In addition, Kant’s monadology, in conjunction with God’s role, also helps to shed light on further aspects of his system that are broadly Leibnizian, such as monadic activity and the unity of space.
An Ethos of Deconstruction in Multi-Cultural and Multi-Religious Contexts
Authors: Meylahn Johann-Albrecht
Published: November 2016

The essay will focus on the role of Derrida’s différance in opening a space for an alternative ethos in religious or cultural plural contexts. In postcolonial contexts individual human rights, as the universal norm, is challenged by religious and cultural traditional practices. Some of the traditional practices are incompatible with individual rights and this is aggravated in a postmodern context as there is no universal meta-narrative to arbitrate between the conflicting practices. The result of this conflict is often a stalemate between the universal rights of individuals, often marginal individuals (children, homosexuals and women), over against religious and cultural values and traditions of the particular local context or religious or cultural group. The question this article focuses on is how deconstruction can help to move beyond such ethical conflicts. The article proposes that deconstruction can offer a way of reading, interpreting and understanding these cultural practices within their contexts, by taking the various practices (texts) within their contexts seriously as there is no beyond the text. This reading creates an inter-textual space between the various dominant narratives for the emergence of an alternative ethos. This emerging ethos is not presented as the ethical norm, but rather as an open, expectant attitude towards all the texts involved. This attitude can maybe open the space for alternative practices beyond the stalemate in multi-religious and multi-cultural contexts.
Iryna, Y., Irja, S., Kuulo, K., Shaxob, S., Yusufjon, G. & Kerry, O. (2016) Epitypification of Morchella steppicola (Morchellaceae, Pezizales), a morphologically, phylogenetically and biogeographically distinct member of the Esculenta Clade from central Eurasia. Phytotaxa 284 (1): 31–40.
Authors: YATSIUK IRYNA , SAAR IRJA , KALAMEES KUULO , SULAYMONOV SHAXOB , GAFFOROV YUSUFJON , O’DONNELL KERRY
Published: November 2016

N/A
Contribution to the taxonomy and biology of two Balkan endemic Isoperla Banks, 1906 (Plecoptera: Perlodidae) species
Authors: MURÁNYI DÁVID , KOVÁCS TIBOR , ORCI KIRILL MÁRK
Published: November 2016

We contribute new information on the taxonomy and biology of two recently described Balkan endemic stonefly species of the genus Isoperla Banks, 1906 (Plecoptera: Perlodidae). The hitherto unknown larva of Isoperla pesici Murányi, 2011 can be distinguished from related species on the basis of more laterally positioned abdominal stripes, and the long hairs on the apical half of the cerci. This species has a wide distribution in the Central Balkans, and we add six new localities, including the first record from Albania. It emerges from late spring to mid-summer, and occurs at low to moderately high altitudes. Isoperla pesici seems to be associated with springs, especially karst spring outlets, although it occurs in both small and large springs. The hitherto unknown larva of Isoperla citrina Murányi, 2011 is distinguished by its brown coloration with an indistinct pattern, quadrangular lacinia and lack of long hairs on the apical half of the cerci. The female lacks distinctive terminalia or egg characters and its habitus is similar to the male and sufficient to distinguish it from other known Balkan taxa. The male mating call is a sequence of beat-groups with a total duration of 3–6 s (at 22 °C); each group generally containing 3 beats, while the beat repetition pattern within beat groups is rather simple. This species is restricted to the high mountains of the western-Central Balkans, where we record four new localities, including the first record from Macedonia. It emerges from June to October, and is associated with very small creeks, lined with bushes at high elevations. Amongst the accompanying species, eleven are reported for the first time from Albania: (Brachyptera helenica Aubert, 1956, B. graeca Berthélemy, 1971, Leuctra bronislawi Sowa, 1970a, L. hirsuta Bogoecu & Tabacaru, 1960, L. hippopoides Kaçanski & Zwick, 1970, L. pseudosignifera Aubert, 1954, Protonemura hrabei Raušer, 1956, P. nitida (Pictet, 1836), Nemurella pictetii (Klapálek, 1900), Chloroperla russevi Braasch, 1969 and Siphonoperla neglecta (Rostock, 1881)), while one from Macedonia (Nemoura caligula Zwick, 1978) and Leuctra pseudohippopus Raušer, 1965 is reported from outside the Moesian ranges for the first time.
Species delimitation of Lachlania Hagen (Ephemeroptera: Oligoneuriidae) with description of two new species from Brazil
Authors: MASSARIOL FABIANA CRISTE , PARESQUE ROBERTA , SALLES FREDERICO FALCÃO
Published: November 2016

Based on DNA barcodes (cytochrome oxidase subunit I sequences) of Lachlania specimens from Atlantic Forest and Cerrado of Brazil, eight lineages were delimited through DNA barcoding and imagoes and immature stages were associated. Among these lineages, two new species are described, Lachlania alcidesi sp. nov. and Lachlania aldinae sp. nov., from State of Espírito Santo. The former species based on nymph, male, and female imagoes, and the latter based on nymph and female imagoes. The main characteristics used to distinguish female imagoes of the new species from those of known species of the genus are: 1) body length; 2) head coloration; 3) number of cross veins on forewing; 4) coloration of caudal filaments; 5) relation between length from point of origin of IMP to margin and total length of MA2- MP1 of forewing.
In Memoriam: Uwe H. Humpesch
Authors: BAUERNFEIND ERNST , SCHLETTERER MARTIN
Published: November 2016

Our mutual friend and colleague passed away on July 17th 2014, just a few days after the end of an exclusive tutorial on mayfly identification which we had held together at the Vienna University. The urn containing his ashes was buried in the Central Cemetery of Vienna on the 12th of August.
Larval redescription of Prosopistoma pennigerum (MÜLLER, 1785) from the River Volga near Rzhev, Tver Region, Russia (Insecta: Ephemeroptera)
Authors: SCHLETTERER M. , BAUERNFEIND E. , LECHTHALER W.
Published: November 2016

Prosopistomatidae are a monotypic mayfly family, comprising at present about 25 nominal species, distributed throughout the Palaearctic, Oriental, Australian and Afrotropical Realms, but missing from the Nearctic and Neotropics. Larvae of Prosopistoma pennigerum (the species name ’pennigerum’ relating to the feather-like caudal filaments) had been discovered in 1762 by Étienne Louis Geoffroy in the neighbourhood of Paris and initially considered to represent a taxon related to Triops SCHRANK (Crustacea: Notostraca). Only in 1871, more than 100 years later, Émile Joly realized that the ‘binocle à queue en plumet’ was in fact a mayfly larva. Although recorded from various rivers throughout Europe in the past, nowadays most populations are considered lost or extinct. In 2006 the species was found in the Volga River, which represented the first record from the Russian Federation. On the basis of this material a detailed larval redescription of P. pennigerum is provided and discriminating characters and their variation are compared with previous descriptions and illustrations. The morphological description includes micrographs of relevant features, produced with special image processing software. Presumptive larval habitat requirements of P. pennigerum as observed at the R. Volga are summarized and discussed in comparison with earlier records.
First Amazonian species of Maracaynatum, with comments on the genus (Opiliones: Laniatores: Samoidae)
Authors: COLMENARES PÍO A. , TOURINHO ANA LÚCIA
Published: November 2016

Among Opiliones, the family Samoidae Sørensen, 1886 is a group of small Laniatores with a wide tropical distribution. Neotropical samoids are distributed mainly in the Caribbean subregion, with species recorded from insular localities and the Venezuelan coastal range. Previously, for continental South America only three genera and just a few specimens of unidentified Samoidae have been recorded from Brazil. In this paper we describe Maracaynatum isadorae sp. nov., the first record of the genus for Brazil and the first samoid described for the Amazon biome. We also provide an emended diagnosis for the genus and a map with its distribution.
Reanalysis of the 1954–63 Atlantic Hurricane Seasons
Authors: Delgado Sandy , Landsea Christopher W. , Willoughby Hugh
Published: November 2016

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) “best track” hurricane database (HURDAT2) is the main historical archive of all tropical storms, subtropical storms, and hurricanes from 1851 to the present in the North Atlantic basin, which includes the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. The Atlantic Hurricane Reanalysis Project is an ongoing effort to maintain HURDAT2 and to provide the most accurate database possible based upon on all available data. The work reported here covers hurricane seasons from 1954 to 1963, during the early years of aircraft reconnaissance, but before satellite imagery became available routinely. All available original observations were analyzed from aircraft reconnaissance, ships, land stations, land-based radars, and satellite images. The track and intensity of each existing tropical cyclone have been reassessed, and previously unrecognized tropical cyclones have been discovered, analyzed, and recommended to the Best Track Change Committee for inclusion into HURDAT2. Changes were recommended for every storm analyzed in this 10-yr period.
Bilirubin Levels are Associated With Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Peripheral Artery Disease
Authors: Vuruşkan Ertan , Saraçoğlu Erhan
Published: November 2016

The relationship between contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) and oxidative mechanisms is well documented. Our aim was to demonstrate the possible relationship between CIN and serum bilirubin as an antioxidant molecule. This retrospective study included 359 patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) who underwent peripheral diagnostic angiography; 179 developed CIN after the intervention and another 180 were the control group, matched for age, gender, and cardiovascular risk factors. Baseline, 48- to 72-hour, and 30-day laboratory values, major adverse cardiovascular events, and dialysis requirements were recorded. Patients with CIN had significantly higher levels of uric acid, red cell distribution width, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) but lower total bilirubin compared to the control patients ( P < .05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that diabetes mellitus, left ventricular ejection fraction, uric acid, NLR, and total bilirubin levels were independent predictors of CIN development ( P = .01, P = .001, P = .001, P = .01, and P = .001, respectively). This study demonstrated that decreased total bilirubin was associated with CIN development after the administration of radiocontrast agents in patients with PAD.
Is Bounded Rationality in Entry Decisions Necessarily Bad for Social Welfare?
Authors: Gal Michal S.
Published: November 2016

In the article Boundedly Rational Entrepreneurs and Antitrust, Professor Tor provides an excellent overview of the effects of bounded rationality on the behavior of entrepreneurs in the marketplace. In this short note, I offer some observations on the article. In particular, it suggests several additional parameters that might be worth exploring before we can reach a conclusion about the role that bounded rationality plays in economically irrational entry decisions. It also suggests some factors that should be weighed before determining whether irrational entry is socially harmful. Finally, the note provides several observations with regard to regulation, including the effects of algorithmic applications on bounded rationality decisions by entrepreneurs.
A Vocabulary for Conversing About Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Antitrust
Authors: Foer Albert A.
Published: November 2016

As an introduction to the discussion of entrepreneurship, innovation, and antitrust, this article defines key terms, particularly focusing on the relationship between the concepts of innovation and entrepreneurship. In the process, the author considers ways in which the antitrust laws may apply to each. Nearly all the key words were shown to have multiple meanings and usages, forcing us to be as explicit as possible in assigning varying roles for antitrust to varying meanings of entrepreneurship.
Entrepreneurship and Antitrust
Authors: Gundlach Gregory T. , Moss Diana
Published: November 2016

Despite the importance of entrepreneurship to innovation and economic growth, measures of business startups and other indications of entrepreneurial activity remain below historic norms. Consequently, growing interest resides at the intersection of antitrust and entrepreneurship. This special issue of the Antitrust Bulletin examines the nature and importance of entrepreneurship to the economy, the challenges that entrepreneurial activity poses for antitrust policy and analysis, and solutions intended to address those challenges.