bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anemia and Blood Transfusion in Patients with Isolated Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Al-Dorzi Hasan M. , Al-Humaid Waleed , Tamim Hani M. , Haddad Samir , Aljabbary Ahmad , Arifi Abdulaziz , Arabi Yaseen M.
Published: October 2015

Rationale. By reducing cerebral oxygen delivery, anemia may aggravate traumatic brain injury (TBI) secondary insult. This study evaluated the impact of anemia and blood transfusion on TBI outcomes.Methods. This was a retrospective cohort study of adult patients with isolated TBI at a tertiary-care intensive care unit from 1/1/2000 to 31/12/2011. Daily hemoglobin level and packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusion were recorded. Patients with hemoglobin < 10 g/dL during ICU stay (anemic group) were compared with other patients.Results. Anemia was present on admission in two (2%) patients and developed in 48% during the first week with hemoglobin < 7 g/dL occurring in 3.0%. Anemic patients had higher admission Injury Severity Score and underwent more craniotomy (50% versus 13%,p<0.001). Forty percent of them received PRBC transfusion (2.8 ± 1.5 units per patient, median pretransfusion hemoglobin = 8.8 g/dL). Higher hospital mortality was associated with anemia (25% versus 6% for nonanemic patients,p=0.01) and PRBC transfusion (38% versus 9% for nontransfused patients,p=0.003). On multivariate analysis, only PRBC transfusion independently predicted hospital mortality (odds ratio: 6.8; 95% confidence interval: 1.1–42.3).Conclusions. Anemia occurred frequently after isolated TBI, but only PRBC transfusion independently predicted mortality.
Implementation of Virtual Crack Closure Technique for Damaged Composite Plates Using Higher-Order Layerwise Model
Authors: Woo Kwang S. , Ahn Jae S.
Published: October 2015

A higher-order layerwise model is proposed to determine stress intensity factors using virtual crack closure technique for single-edge-crack aluminum plates with patch repairs. The present method is based onp-convergent approach and adopts the concept of subparametric elements. In assumed displacement fields, strain-displacement relations and three-dimensional constitutive equations of layers are obtained by combination of two- and one-dimensional shape functions. Thus, it allows independent implementation ofp-refinement for in-plane and transversal displacements. In the proposed elements, the integrals of Legendre polynomials and Gauss-Lobatto technique are employed to interpolate displacement fields and to implement numerical quadrature, respectively. For verification of the present model, not only single-edge-crack plates but also V-notch aluminum plates are first analyzed. For patched aluminum plate with behavior of complexity, the accuracy and simplicity of the present model are shown with comparison of the results with previously published papers using the conventional three-dimensional finite elements based onh-refinement.
EPIPOX: Immunoinformatic Characterization of the Shared T-Cell Epitome between Variola Virus and Related Pathogenic Orthopoxviruses
Authors: Molero-Abraham Magdalena , Glutting John-Paul , Flower Darren R. , Lafuente Esther M. , Reche Pedro A.
Published: October 2015

Concerns that variola viruses might be used as bioweapons have renewed the interest in developing new and safer smallpox vaccines. Variola virus genomes are now widely available, allowing computational characterization of the entire T-cell epitome and the use of such information to develop safe and yet effective vaccines. To this end, we identified 124 proteins shared between various species of pathogenic orthopoxviruses including variola minor and major, monkeypox, cowpox, and vaccinia viruses, and we targeted them for T-cell epitope prediction. We recognized 8,106, and 8,483 unique class I and class II MHC-restricted T-cell epitopes that are shared by all mentioned orthopoxviruses. Subsequently, we developed an immunological resource, EPIPOX, upon the predicted T-cell epitome. EPIPOX is freely available online and it has been designed to facilitate reverse vaccinology. Thus, EPIPOX includes key epitope-focused protein annotations: time point expression, presence of leader and transmembrane signals, and known location on outer membrane structures of the infective viruses. These features can be used to select specific T-cell epitopes suitable for experimental validation restricted by single MHC alleles, as combinations thereof, or by MHC supertypes.
Multiobjective Synthesis of Steerable UWB Circular Antenna Array considering Energy Patterns
Authors: Garza Leopoldo A. , Panduro Marco A. , Covarrubias David H. , Reyna Alberto
Published: October 2015

True-time delay antenna arrays have gained a prominent attention in ultrawideband (UWB) applications such as directional communications and radar. This paper presents the design of steerable UWB circular array by using a multiobjective time-domain synthesis of energy pattern for circular antenna arrays. By this way we avoid individual beamforming for each frequency in UWB spectrum if the problem was addressed from the frequency domain. In order to obtain an energy pattern with low side lobe level and a desired main beam, the synthesis presented is performed by optimizing the true-time delays and amplitude coefficients for the antenna elements in a circular geometry. The method of Differential Evolution for Multiobjective Optimization (DEMO) is used as the optimization algorithm in this work. This design of steerable UWB circular arrays considers the optimization of the true-time exciting delays and the amplitude coefficients across the antenna elements to operate with optimal performance in the whole azimuth plane (360°). A comparative analysis of the performance of the optimized design with the case of conventional progressive delay excitations is achieved. The provided results show a good performance for energy patterns and for their respective power patterns in the UWB spectrum.
Gene Expression Profile of Dendritic Cell-Tumor Cell Hybrids Determined by Microarrays and Its Implications for Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Dannull Jens , Tan Chunrui , Farrell Christine , Wang Cynthia , Pruitt Scott , Nair Smita K. , Lee Walter T.
Published: October 2015

Background. Dendritic cell- (DC-) tumor fusion cells stimulate effectivein vivoantitumor responses. However, therapeutic approaches are dependent upon the coadministration of exogenous 3rd signals. The purpose of this study was to determine the mechanisms for inadequate 3rd signaling by electrofused DC-tumor cell hybrids.Methods. Murine melanoma cells were fused with DCs derived from C57BL/6 mice. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) was used to determine relative changes in Th (T helper) 1 and Th2 cytokine gene expression. In addition, changes in gene expression of fusion cells were determined by microarray. Last, cytokine secretion by fusion cells upon inhibition of signaling pathways was analyzed by ELISA.Results. qPCR analyses revealed that fusion cells exhibited a downregulation of Th1 associated cytokines IL-12 and IL-15 and an upregulation of the Th2 cytokine IL-4. Microarray studies further showed that the expression of chemokines, costimulatory molecules, and matrix-metalloproteinases was deregulated in fusion cells. Lastly, inhibitor studies demonstrate that inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway could restore the secretion of bioactive IL-12p70 by fusion cells.Conclusion. Our results suggest that combining fusion cell-based vaccination with administration of inhibitors of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway may enhance antitumor responses in patients.
Nine Tiles Model Construction and Cache of CGML in Mobile
Authors: Zhang Aiguo , Deng Jian , Luan Haijun , Wu Qunyong
Published: October 2015

Document management is a usual way to organize spatial data in mobile terminals. And the compressed CGML spatial data has been widely used in location based services. Referring to the thoughts of map set in cartography, nine closely connected and equal sized rectangles are used as the scope for requesting mobile map data, and these nine closely connected rectangles are built to be nine tiles model. Therefore, in view of the method of block requesting and storing on mobile spatial data following nine tiles model, as well as the large quantity of mobile spatial data and its complex geometry relation, this paper puts forward the construction mechanism of nine tiles model and cache organization of CGML spatial data in mobile terminals that abide by nine tiles model. This way of organization and management of mobile spatial data is good to increase the efficiency of heavy spatial data accessing in the low band and reliability of wireless network environment.
Polychaete Annelid Biomass Size Spectra: The Effects of Hypoxia Stress
Authors: Qu Fangyuan , Nunnally Clifton , Rowe Gilbert T.
Published: October 2015

Quantitative benthic samples were taken during spring and summer at three locations on the Louisiana continental shelf from 2004 to 2012 to assess the influence of hypoxia on the mean sizes (wet weight) of polychaete annelid worms. While the mean body size over the entire study of 64 samples was 3.99 ± 4.66 mg wet weight per individual, the mean ranged from 2.97 ± 2.87 mg during consistently hypoxic conditions (<2 mg/L) to a high of 7.13 ± 7.60 mg (p<0.01) under oxic conditions (>2 mg/L). The variations in size within assemblages were estimated from conventional biomass size spectra (BSS) and normalized biomass size spectra (NBSS) across a broad range of oxygen concentrations. The decline in size was due to the elimination of large species under hypoxic conditions (<2 mg/L), not a reduction in size within species. At “severe” levels of hypoxia (<1 mg/L), the smallest species also declined in abundance, whereas the ubiquitous “medium-sized”Paraprionospio pinnataflourished. These results suggest that there will be enhanced selection for small sizes and species with enlarged branchial palps such as those inP. pinnataif, as predicted, hypoxia becomes more commonplace in time and space worldwide.
Tumor Cell-Derived Periostin Regulates Cytokines That Maintain Breast Cancer Stem Cells
Authors: Lambert Arthur W. , Wong Chen Khuan , Ozturk Sait , Papageorgis Panagiotis , Raghunathan Rekha , Alekseyev Yuriy , Gower Adam C. , Reinhard Björn M. , Abdolmaleky Hamid M. , Thiagalingam Sam
Published: October 2015

Basal-like breast cancer (BLBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer which is often enriched with cancer stem cells (CSC), but the underlying molecular basis for this connection remains elusive. We hypothesized that BLBC cells are able to establish a niche permissive to the maintenance of CSCs and found that tumor cell-derived periostin (POSTN), a component of the extracellular matrix, as well as a corresponding cognate receptor, integrin αvβ3, are highly expressed in a subset of BLBC cell lines as well as in CSC-enriched populations. Furthermore, we demonstrated that an intact periostin–integrin β3 signaling axis is required for the maintenance of breast CSCs. POSTN activates the ERK signaling pathway and regulates NF-κB–mediated transcription of key cytokines, namely IL6 and IL8, which in turn control downstream activation of STAT3. In summary, these findings suggest that BLBC cells have an innate ability to establish a microenvironmental niche supportive of CSCs.

Implications: The findings reported here indicate that POSTN produced by CSCs acts to reinforce the stem cell state through the activation of integrin receptors and the production of key cytokines. Mol Cancer Res; 14(1); 103–13. ©2015 AACR.
Social Function and Frontopolar Activation during a Cognitive Task in Patients with Bipolar Disorder
Authors: Nishimura Yukika , Takahashi Katsuyoshi , Ohtani Toshiyuki , Ikeda-Sugita Reina , Okada Naohiro , Kasai Kiyoto , Okazaki Yuji
Published: October 2015

Background: It is important to understand the neural basis of functional impairments in patients with bipolar disorder (BD) in order to be able to address the recovery. Recently, neurocognitive impairment emerged as a predictor of psychosocial function. A number of functional brain imaging studies have shown that social function is associated with activation of the prefrontal cortex during a cognitive task in healthy adults, and in patients with major depressive disorder and schizophrenia. However, few studies have been conducted in patients with BD. Methods: We performed multichannel near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) imaging to investigate the activation of the prefrontal cortex during a verbal fluency task (VFT). We also used the Social Adaptation Self-Evaluation Scale (SASS) to assess social functioning in patients with BD. Thirty-three depressed patients with BD and 65 age-, gender- and task performance-matched healthy controls (HCs) participated in this study. Results: Depressed patients with BD showed reduced activation in the broader bilateral prefrontal cortex during the VFT compared to HCs. Moreover, a significant positive correlation was observed between the total SASS scores and right prefrontal activation in patients with BD. In the SASS subscores, the interest and motivation factor was also positively correlated with frontopolar activation. Conclusions: These results suggest an association between social function and prefrontal activation in depressed patients with BD. The present study provides evidence that NIRS imaging could be helpful in understanding the neural basis of social function.
Higher Serum Ferritin Levels Correlate with an Increased Risk of Cutaneous Morbidity in Adult Patients with β-Thalassemia: A Single-Center Retrospective Study
Authors: Skandalis Konstantinos , Vlachos Christoforos , Pliakou Xanthi , Gaitanis Georgios , Kapsali Eleni , Bassukas Ioannis D.
Published: October 2015

Disturbed iron homeostasis characterizes β-thalassemia and increases its morbidity. Our aim was to retrospectively associate β-thalassemia disease characteristics with treatment-requiring skin conditions. The files of adult β-thalassemia (including sickle β-thalassemia) patients were screened over a 10-year period for treatment-requiring skin disease episodes and their correlation with hematologic diagnoses and epidemiological and serological characteristics. Seventy-eight patients were identified, and 7 (9%) developed at least one relevant episode including cutaneous small-vessel vasculitis (CSVV), urticaria, and leg ulcers. Average ferritin serum level correlated significantly with development of a dermatosis (2,034 ± 799 μg/l in cases vs. 920 ± 907 μg/l in the overall population; p = 0.001, ANOVA). This difference relied exclusively on the high ferritin levels observed in patients with ‘generalized' dermatoses (urticaria and CSVV: 3,860 ± 1,220 μg/l) as opposed to values within the normal range in the case of ‘localized' ones (leg ulcers: 662 ± 167 μg/l). The employed iron chelation treatment influenced ferritin levels (p = 0.002, Kruskal-Wallis test) since chelation with a single agent seems to increase the risk of a skin disease (p = 0.013, likelihood ratio method). Conclusively, serum ferritin can be evaluated as risk factor for generalized dermatoses, but not for leg ulcers, in patients with the β-thalassemia genotype. This risk can be efficiently controlled with adequate chelation.
Bone Marrow Aspiration: A Randomized Controlled Trial Assessing the Quality of Bone Marrow Specimens Using Slow and Rapid Aspiration Techniques and Evaluating Pain Intensity
Authors: Grønkjær Mette , Hasselgren Connie F. , Østergaard Anne Sofie L. , Johansen Preben , Korup June , Bøgsted Martin , Bilgrau Anders E. , Jensen Paw
Published: October 2015

Background/Aims: Bone marrow aspiration (BMA) is an essential procedure in the examination of hematological disorders, but there is limited evidence as to whether the aspiration rate affects specimen quality. We aimed to assess the specimen quality and pain intensity using slow (S-technique) or rapid (R-technique) aspiration. Methods: This was a single-center, prospective, randomized patient- and assessor-blinded study of 482 patients scheduled for BMA. Specimen quality was evaluated by grading bone marrow (BM) cellularity and counting the number of marrow particles. Pain was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS). Results: We found a significant difference between the 2 groups with regard to the quality of specimens. For cellularity, the odds ratio (OR) for having a poor quality aspirate using the S-technique versus the R-technique was 3.05 [confidence interval (CI) 1.79-5.31]. For BM particles, the quality of specimens with the S-technique proved to be poor compared with the R-technique (OR 2.52; CI 1.51-4.28). We found a statistically significant difference of 1 VAS point (p < 0.001) of the median pain intensity in favor of the S-technique. Conclusion: Even though the pain intensity is significantly higher with the R-technique, the median difference is relatively small. We propose that the R-technique is preferable to the S-technique due to better specimen quality.
Evaluation of a Flow-Cytometric Osmotic Fragility Test for Hereditary Spherocytosis in Chinese Patients
Authors: Tao Yi-Feng , Deng Zeng-Fu , Liao Lin , Qiu Yu-Ling , Deng Xue-Lian , Chen Wen-Qiang , Lin Fa-Quan
Published: October 2015

Background: Osmotic fragility testing based on flow cytometry was recently introduced for the screening of hereditary spherocytosis (HS). This study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical diagnostic value of a flow-cytometric osmotic fragility test for HS. Methods: Peripheral blood was collected from 237 subjects at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, including 56 HS patients, 86 thalassemia patients and 95 healthy controls. The samples were examined by flow-cytometric osmotic fragility test and the percentage of residual red blood cells was used to determine HS. Peripheral blood smears were performed to examine the red blood cell morphology. Results: With clinical diagnosis of HS as the gold standard and the percentage of residual red blood cells <23.6% as the diagnostic threshold in the flow-cytometric osmotic fragility test, the sensitivity of the flow-cytometric osmotic fragility test for HS was 85.71% and the specificity was 97.24%. Conclusion: The flow-cytometric osmotic fragility test combined with a red blood cell morphology test by peripheral blood smear could be a simple, practical and accurate laboratory screening method for HS.
Zebrafish Olfacto-Retinal Centrifugal Axon Projection and Distribution: Effects of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone and Dopaminergic Signaling
Authors: Pfister Delaney , Yu Chuanjiang , Kim Da Som , Li Jingling , Drewing Audrey , Li Lei
Published: October 2015

The terminalis neurons (TNs) have been described in teleost species. In zebrafish, the TNs are located in the olfactory bulb. The TNs synthesize and release gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) as one of the major neurotransmitters. The TNs project axons to many brain areas, which include the neural retina. In the retina, the TN axons synapse with dopaminergic interplexiform cells (DA-IPCs) and retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). In this research, we examine the role of GnRH and dopaminergic signaling in TN axon projection to the retina using the transgenic zebrafish Tg(GnRH-3::GFP). While the TNs developed at 34 h postfertilization (hpf), the first TN axons were not detected in the retina until 48-50 hpf, when the first DA-IPCs were differentiated. In developing embryos, inhibition of retinal GnRH signaling pathways severely interrupted the projection of TN axons to the retina. However, inhibition of retinal dopaminergic signaling produced little effect on TN axon projection. In adult retinas, inactivation of GnRH receptors disrupted the patterns of TN axon distribution, and depletion of DA-IPCs abolished the TN axons. When DA-IPCs regenerated, the TN axons reappeared. Together, the data suggest that in developing zebrafish retinas GnRH signaling is required for TN axon projection, whereas in adult retinas activation of GnRH and dopaminergic signaling transduction is required for normal distribution of the TN axons.
From Right to Sin: Laws on Infanticide in Antiquity
Authors: Obladen Michael
Published: October 2015

This is the first of three papers investigating changes in infanticide legislation as indicators of the attitude of states towards the neonate. In ancient East Asian societies in which the bride's family had to pay an excessive dowry, selective female infanticide was the rule, despite formal interdiction by the law. In Greece and Rome children's lives had little value, and the father's rights included killing his own children. The proportion of men greatly exceeding that of women found in many cultures and epochs suggests that girls suffered infanticide more often than boys. A kind of social birth, the ritual right to survive, rested on the procedure of name giving in the Roman culture and on the start of oral feeding in the Germanic tradition. Legislative efforts to protect the newborn began with Trajan's ‘alimentaria' laws in 103 CE and Constantine's laws following his conversion to Christianity in 313 CE. Malformed newborns were not regarded as human infants and were usually killed immediately after birth. Infanticide was formally outlawed in 374 CE by Emperor Valentinian.
Lymphatic Malformation in Newborns as the First Sign of Diffuse Lymphangiomatosis: Successful Treatment with Sirolimus
Authors: Laforgia Nicola , Schettini Federico , De Mattia Delia , Martinelli Domenico , Ladisa Grazia , Favia Veronica
Published: October 2015

Cystic hygroma and lymphangioma, currently defined as ‘lymphatic malformations', are developmental abnormalities of the lymphoid system with potential for rapid expansion. The management of these abnormalities depends on the site and extent of the lesion. A different disease is diffuse lymphangiomatosis. It is very rare at birth and its treatment remains controversial. A lymphatic malformation (cystic hygroma) of the neck of a newborn girl as the first sign of diffuse lymphangiomatosis and treatment of the latter condition with sirolimus are presented. A newborn girl with a presumed isolated lymphatic malformation of the neck and significant respiratory involvement was diagnosed via total-body nuclear magnetic resonance imaging to be affected by diffuse lymphangiomatosis; she was treated with sirolimus. The treatment with sirolimus was found to be very effective, with complete resolution of the disease, good tolerability, and no side effects. This report suggests the need to explore the possibility of diffuse lymphangiomatosis in neonates with apparently isolated lymphatic malformations. In the presence of clinical deterioration, sirolimus treatment may achieve excellent results with no adverse events.
Behavioural and Glucocorticoid Responses of a Captive Group of Spider Monkeys to Short-Term Variation in Food Presentation
Authors: Rangel-Negrín Ariadna , Flores-Escobar Elizabeth , Coyohua-Fuentes Alejandro , Chavira-Ramírez David Roberto , Canales-Espinosa Domingo , Dias Pedro Américo D.
Published: October 2015

The presentation of food may affect feeding competition and the well-being of captive social species. We hypothesized that feeding competition in a captive group of 5 black-handed spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) should increase in response to certain food presentations in terms of size, distribution and quality of food, and that higher feeding competition should lead to an increase in agonism and physiological stress (measured by faecal glucocorticoid metabolites, FGCM) as well as to a decrease in affiliation, proximity among individuals and feeding activity. We used 5 experimental treatments representing different combinations of size, distribution and quality of food. We observed social interactions for 100 h, collected 6,500 proximity and feeding activity records, and gathered 226 faecal samples. When food was clumped, individuals spent less time feeding, and there was also significant individual variation in feeding activity within treatments. FGCM levels were higher when food was clumped. These results are probably linked to an increase in feeding competition when food is concentrated. At least in small groups of spider monkeys, dispersing food in two feeding stations may be sufficient to decrease differences among individuals in priority of access to food resources, hence reducing physiological stress and interindividual differences in feeding activity.
Retrospective Consent to Hemicraniectomy after Malignant Stroke among the Elderly, Despite Impaired Functional Outcome
Authors: Ragoschke-Schumm Andreas , Junk Christina , Lesmeister Martin , Walter Silke , Behnke Stefanie , Schumm Julia , Fassbender Klaus
Published: October 2015

Background: Decompressive hemicraniectomy (DHC) after space-occupying strokes among patients older than 60 years has been shown to reduce mortality rates but at the cost of severe disability. There is an ongoing debate about what could be considered an acceptable outcome for these patients. Data about retrospective consent to the procedure after lengthy time periods are lacking. Methods: This study included 79 consecutive patients who underwent DHC during a 7.75-year period. Surviving patients were assessed for functional and psychological outcome, quality of life (QoL) and retrospective consent for the procedure. Patients younger than 60 years were compared with older patients. Results: Of our 79 patients, 44 were younger than 60 years (median 50 years, interquartile range (IQR) 19-59 years) and 35 were older (median 68 years, interquartile range 60-87 years). The 30-day mortality rate was higher for the older group, but the difference was not statistically significant. Functional outcome was significantly better in the younger group: 31% of the patients in this group vs. 10% in the older group had a modified Rankin Scale score of 0-3 (p = 0.046). The mean National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 17 ± 14 for the younger group and 29 ± 15 for the older group (p = 0.002). On the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey, with the exception of the item ‘General health', the older group reported higher values for all items, with statistically significant differences between the 2 groups on the items ‘Role limitation emotional' (p = 0.0007) and ‘Vitality' (p = 0.02). In the younger group, 29% of patients retrospectively declined consent for DHC opposed to 0% of patients in the older group (p = 0.07). Conclusions: Despite impaired functional outcome after DHC, indicators of QoL and retrospective consent are higher for patients older than 60 years over the long term. This finding should be taken into account by those who counsel patients and caregivers with regard to this serious procedure.
Evidence of Mitochondrial Dysfunction within the Complex Genetic Etiology of Schizophrenia
Authors: Hjelm Brooke E. , Rollins Brandi , Mamdani Firoza , Lauterborn Julie C. , Kirov George , Lynch Gary , Gall Christine M. , Sequeira Adolfo , Vawter Marquis P.
Published: October 2015

Genetic evidence has supported the hypothesis that schizophrenia (SZ) is a polygenic disorder caused by the disruption in function of several or many genes. The most common and reproducible cellular phenotype associated with SZ is a reduction in dendritic spines within the neocortex, suggesting alterations in dendritic architecture may cause aberrant cortical circuitry and SZ symptoms. Here, we review evidence supporting a multifactorial model of mitochondrial dysfunction in SZ etiology and discuss how these multiple paths to mitochondrial dysfunction may contribute to dendritic spine loss and/or underdevelopment in some SZ subjects. The pathophysiological role of mitochondrial dysfunction in SZ is based upon genomic analyses of both the mitochondrial genome and nuclear genes involved in mitochondrial function. Previous studies and preliminary data suggest SZ is associated with specific alleles and haplogroups of the mitochondrial genome, and also correlates with a reduction in mitochondrial copy number and an increase in synonymous and nonsynonymous substitutions of mitochondrial DNA. Mitochondrial dysfunction has also been widely implicated in SZ by genome-wide association, exome sequencing, altered gene expression, proteomics, microscopy analyses, and induced pluripotent stem cell studies. Together, these data support the hypothesis that SZ is a polygenic disorder with an enrichment of mitochondrial targets.
Molecular Characterization and Pathogenesis of Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms of the Pancreas
Authors: Benzel Julia , Fendrich Volker
Published: October 2015

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) of the pancreas are noninvasive neoplasms which occur in the main pancreatic duct or its major branches. IPMNs have an important meaning in the clinic and in research since they represent around 20% of all resected pancreatic neoplasms. Morphologically, branch duct, main duct and mixed-type IPMNs can be distinguished. Histologically, they can be divided into gastric, intestinal, pancreatobiliary and oncocytic type. There are different mutations in genes such as KRAS, GNAS, RNF43 and p53. The expression of miRNAs is specific to IPMNs; altogether, 14 miRNAs have been identified so far which are differently expressed in all IPMNs in contrast to normal pancreatic tissue. It has also been observed that methylation levels can be altered in IPMNs. This review summarizes the molecular characteristics of IPMNs of the pancreas and presents currently known markers.
ABO-Mismatched Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: Worel Nina
Published: October 2015

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a curative option for a variety of malignant and non-malignant hematological and congenital diseases. Due to the fact that the human leukocyte antigen system is inherited independently of the blood group system, approximately 40-50% of all HSCTs are performed across the ABO blood group barrier. The expected immune-hematological consequences after transplantation of an ABO-mismatched stem cell graft are immediate and delayed hemolytic complications due to presence of isohemagglutinins or passenger lymphocyte syndrome. The risks of these complications can partially be prevented by graft manipulation and appropriate transfusion support. Dependent on the kind of ABO mismatch, different effects on engraftment have been observed, e.g. delayed red blood cell recovery and pure red cell aplasia. Data on incidence of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), non-relapse mortality, relapse, and overall survival are inconsistent as most studies include limited patient numbers, various graft sources, and different conditioning and GVHD prophylaxis regimens. This makes it difficult to detect a consistent effect of ABO-mismatched transplantation in the literature. However, knowledge of expectable complications and close monitoring of patients helps to detect problems early and to treat patients efficiently, thus reducing the number of fatal or life-threatening events caused by ABO-mismatched HSCT.
The CXCR2 Gene Polymorphism Is Associated with Stroke in Patients with Essential Hypertension
Authors: Timasheva Yanina R. , Nasibullin Timur R. , Mustafina Olga E.
Published: October 2015

Hypertension is the major risk factor for stroke, and genetic factors contribute to its development. Inflammation has been hypothesized to be the key link between blood pressure elevation and stroke. We performed an analysis of the association between inflammatory mediator gene polymorphisms and the incidence of stroke in patients with essential hypertension (EH). The study group consisted of 625 individuals (296 patients with noncomplicated EH, 71 hypertensive patients with ischemic stroke, and 258 control subjects). Both patients and controls were ethnic Tatars originating from the Republic of Bashkortostan (Russian Federation). The analysis has shown that the risk of ischemic stroke was associated with the CXCR2 rs1126579 polymorphism. Our results indicate that among patients with EH, the heterozygous genotype carriers had a higher risk of stroke (OR = 1.72, 95% CI 1.01-2.92), whereas the CXCR2*C/C genotype was protective against stroke (OR = 0.32, 95% CI 0.12-0.83). As shown by the gene-gene interaction analysis, the CXCR2 rs1126579 polymorphism was also present in all genotype/allele combinations associated with the risk of stroke. Genetic patterns associated with stroke also included polymorphisms in the CCL2, CCL18, CX3CR1, CCR5, and CXCL8(IL8) genes, although no association between these loci and stroke was detected by individual analysis.
Bilateral Tinea Nigra Plantaris with Good Response to Isoconazole Cream: A Case Report
Authors: Falcão Eduardo Mastrangelo Marinho , Trope Beatriz Moritz , Martins Natália Regina Pinto Guedes , Barreiros Maria da Glória Carvalho , Ramos-e-Silva Marcia
Published: October 2015

Tinea nigra is a superficial fungal infection caused by Hortaea werneckii. It typically affects young individuals as an asymptomatic unilateral macule, from light brown to black on the palms and soles, mainly in tropical and subtropical regions. In 1997, Gupta et al. [Br J Dermatol 1997;137:483-484] described the dermoscopic characteristics of tinea nigra. Topical antifungals with or without keratolytic agents can be used for the treatment. The authors report a case of a 47-year-old man with asymptomatic light brown macules bilaterally on the plantar regions. Dermoscopic examination revealed brownish spicules consistent with the pattern described in the literature. Treatment with isoconazole cream was effective with complete resolution.
Transfusion Support for ABO-Incompatible Progenitor Cell Transplantation
Authors: Kopko Patricia M.
Published: October 2015

ABO-incompatible transplants comprise up to 50% of allogeneic progenitor cell transplants. Major, minor and bidirectional ABO-incompatible transplants each have unique complications that can occur, including hemolysis at the time of progenitor cell infusion, hemolysis during donor engraftment, passenger lymphocyte syndrome, delayed red blood cell engraftment, and pure red cell aplasia. Appropriate transfusion support during the different phases of the allogeneic progenitor cell transplant process is an important part of ABO-incompatible transplantation.
Development of Aortic Valve Disease in Familial Hypercholesterolemic Swine: Implications for Elucidating Disease Etiology
Authors: Porras Ana M. , Shanmuganayagam Dhanansayan , Meudt Jennifer J. , Krueger Christian G. , Hacker Timothy A. , Rahko Peter S. , Reed Jess D. , Masters Kristyn S.
Published: October 2015

Background

Familial hypercholesterolemia (
FH
) is a prevalent hereditary disease associated with increased atherosclerosis and calcific aortic valve disease (
CAVD
). However, in both
FH
and non‐
FH
individuals, the role of hypercholesterolemia in the development of
CAVD
is poorly understood. This study used Rapacz
FH
(
RFH
) swine, an established model of human
FH
, to investigate the role of hypercholesterolemia alone in the initiation and progression of
CAVD
. The valves of
RFH
swine have not previously been examined.

Methods and Results

Aortic valve leaflets were isolated from wild‐type (0.25‐ and 1‐year‐old) and
RFH
(0.25‐, 1‐, 2‐, and 3‐year‐old) swine. Adult
RFH
animals exhibited numerous hallmarks of early
CAVD
. Significant leaflet thickening was found in adult
RFH
swine, accompanied by extensive extracellular matrix remodeling, including proteoglycan enrichment, collagen disorganization, and elastin fragmentation. Increased lipid oxidation and infiltration of macrophages were also evident in adult
RFH
swine. Intracardiac echocardiography revealed mild aortic valve sclerosis in some of the adult
RFH
animals, but unimpaired valve function. Microarray analysis of valves from adult versus juvenile
RFH
animals revealed significant upregulation of inflammation‐related genes, as well as several commonalities with atherosclerosis and overlap with human
CAVD
.

Conclusions

Adult
RFH
swine exhibited several hallmarks of early human
CAVD
, suggesting potential for these animals to help elucidate
CAVD
etiology in both
FH
and non‐
FH
individuals. The development of advanced atherosclerotic lesions, but only early‐stage
CAVD
, in
RFH
swine supports the hypothesis of an initial shared disease process, with additional stimulation necessary for further progression of
CAVD
.
Reducing the Blood Pressure–Related Burden of Cardiovascular Disease: Impact of Achievable Improvements in Blood Pressure Prevention and Control
Authors: Hardy Shakia T. , Loehr Laura R. , Butler Kenneth R. , Chakladar Sujatro , Chang Patricia P. , Folsom Aaron R. , Heiss Gerardo , MacLehose Richard F. , Matsushita Kunihiro , Avery Christy L.
Published: October 2015

Background

US
blood pressure reduction policies are largely restricted to hypertensive populations and associated benefits are often estimated based on unrealistic interventions.

Methods and Results

We used multivariable linear regression to estimate incidence rate differences contrasting the impact of 2 pragmatic hypothetical interventions to reduce coronary heart disease, stroke, and heart failure (
HF
) incidence: (1) a population‐wide intervention that reduced systolic blood pressure by 1 mm Hg and (2) targeted interventions that reduced the prevalence of unaware, untreated, or uncontrolled blood pressure above goal (per Eighth Joint National Committee treatment thresholds) by 10%. In the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (n=15 744; 45 to 64 years at baseline, 1987–1989), incident coronary heart disease and stroke were adjudicated by physician panels. Incident
HF
was defined as the first hospitalization with discharge diagnosis code of “428.” A 10% proportional reduction in unaware, untreated, or uncontrolled blood pressure above goal resulted in ≈4.61, 3.55, and 11.01 fewer
HF
events per 100 000 person‐years in African Americans, and 3.77, 1.63, and 4.44 fewer
HF
events per 100 000 person‐years, respectively, in whites. In contrast, a 1 mm Hg population‐wide systolic blood pressure reduction was associated with 20.3 and 13.3 fewer
HF
events per 100 000 person‐years in African Americans and whites, respectively. Estimated event reductions for coronary heart disease and stroke were smaller than for
HF
, but followed a similar pattern for both population‐wide and targeted interventions.

Conclusions

Modest population‐wide shifts in systolic blood pressure could have a substantial impact on cardiovascular disease incidence and should be developed in parallel with interventions targeting populations with blood pressure above goal.
Examination of the Legal Ambiguities of Remedies for Shareholders under the Saudi Company Law No. 1965
Authors: al-Zahrani Youseif al-Qassam
Published: October 2015

Saudi Company Law No. 1965 (scl1965) grants minority shareholders of listed public companies a range of statutory remedies, which aim to promote their investment and interests. This article examines how minority shareholders can enforce their rights in- and outside the company and argues that the statutory remedies and means under scl1956 are not sufficiently effective in defending and protecting minority shareholders in listed companies. Consequently, herein reforms to those provisions are suggested.
Speedy Enforcement of Domestic Arbitral Awards: Analytical Study under the Emirate Civil Procedures Law
Authors: Al-Serhan Bakr A.F.
Published: October 2015

In arbitration, an arbitrator delivers a decision that needs to be enforced in order to be of value to the parties. Emirate law regulates two types of judgment enforcement: normal and speedy. Normal enforcement pertains to judgments that can be enforced if deemed non-appealable before the Court of Appeal. Speedy enforcement refers to judgments that can be enforced even when still appealable. Emirate law states that arbitral awards are subjected to ‘speedy’ or rapid enforcement rules. This article concludes that a clearer regulation regarding this issue will be highly welcomed.
Hobbes and Sexual Desire
Authors: Malcolm Noel
Published: October 2015

Hobbes has long been associated with the sexual ‘libertinism’ of the Restoration period. The connections that are commonly made are crude, misrepresenting his philosophy; moreover, the attitude to sexual matters expressed in many of his published works was quite puritanical. Yet there are elements of his thought that could be taken to support a libertine agenda: hostility to Augustinian teaching on lust and chastity; the idea that marriage laws are merely human; a recognition of self-regarding elements in sexual psychology; and the idea that desires in themselves are not sins. On this last point, however, Hobbes’s distinction between desires and intentions to act, combined with his account of the role of imagination in desire, does make it possible to attribute to him a distinctly non-libertine theory of how sexual behaviour is modified in civil society.
Human Beings and Human Becomings
Authors: Ellis Wesley W.
Published: October 2015

The dominant approach to youth ministry in the United States is a developmental model wherein outcomes of maturity are granted normative authority. Preoccupation with development has made our attention to young people’s experience of divine action problematic if not impossible. Offering an interpretive corrective, by introducing childhood studies as an interdisciplinary partner alternative to developmental psychology, and a theological corrective by drawing on the eschatological theology of Jürgen Moltmann, I provide rationale for youth workers to recognise and participate in God’s action in the lives of young people, even those who will not progress according to standards of spiritual maturity.1
Six new species of Microdon Meigen from Madagascar (Diptera: Syrphidae)
Authors: REEMER MENNO , BOT SANDER
Published: October 2015

Six new species of the myrmecophilous hoverfly genus Microdon Meigen (Diptera: Syrphidae) are described from Madagascar. Redescriptions are given for the three other Madagascan species of this genus. Keys are presented to the Madagascan genera of the subfamily Microdontinae and to the Madagascan species of Microdon.
Two new species of Hexactinellida (Porifera) from the South China Sea
Authors: GONG LIN , LI XINZHENG , QIU JIAN-WEN
Published: October 2015

In this paper, two new sponge species, Semperella jiaolongae sp. nov. (Amphidiscosida, Pheronematidae) and Saccocalyx microhexactin sp. nov. (Lyssacinosida, Euplectellidae) are described based on materials from the South China Sea. Semperella jiaolongae sp. nov. is diagnosed mainly by the dermal areas present on both sides of the body, occurring together with atrial areas randomly distributed on one side, and the distinctive shape of micropentactins. Saccocalyx microhexactin sp. nov. is characterized by possession of two types of drepanocomes and one of microhexactins. An analysis based on partial sequence of the 16S rRNA gene was undertaken to show the congruence between morphological identification and phylogenetic classification of the two new species.
The Offshore Coalition, Its Tactics and Strategies
Authors: Ötsch Silke
Published: October 2015

Tax havens are the legal framework for today’s Potemkin villages, like letterbox companies and virtual residences. Despite the relevance of the issue it has widely been ignored by academics, and political regulation lacks behind the announcements. Drawing on literature studies on the rise of tax havens and a case study on the tightening and softening of Austrian banking secrecy, this article concludes that besides globalization, and “marketization,” there is a permanent tendency of “offshorization” due to the offshore coalition, consisting of economic elites building coalitions with wider parts of society, besides tactical interventions through lobbies.
Electronic Health Record Mid-Parental Height Auto-Calculator for Growth Assessment in Primary Care
Authors: Lipman Terri H. , Cousounis Pamela , Grundmeier Robert W. , Massey James , Cucchiara Andrew J. , Stallings Virginia A. , Grimberg Adda
Published: October 2015

Primary care providers are charged with distinguishing children with an underlying growth problem from those with healthy variant short stature. Knowing the heights of the biological parents aids in making that decision. This study sought to determine the feasibility and functionality of an electronic mid-parental height (MPH) auto-calculator in the clinical assessment of child growth in a pediatric primary care setting. Clinicians completed surveys for 62% of 6803 children (mean height 13 ± 7 percentile) with recorded parent heights. Collecting parent height data required <30 seconds in 91% of encounters. The MPH tool confirmed clinicians’ initial growth assessment in 79% of cases and changed it in 4%; the remainder did not use the tool. Clinicians who changed assessment were more likely ( P < .0001) to pursue more comprehensive evaluation. The MPH tool was a quick, functional resource as a component of an electronic health record system in actual, busy, pediatric primary care practices.
Finding a Peace that Lasts
Authors: Reid Lindsay
Published: October 2015

How does leverage vary across different mediators? What influence does this variation have on mediation outcomes? Extant literature has equated mediation leverage with material power. Leverage, however, is context dependent and comprised of two dimensions: capability and credibility. Capability leverage is a function of economic resources and power, while credibility leverage derives influence from historical and cultural ties that bolster a mediator’s contextual knowledge of a conflict. I hypothesize that mediators with capability leverage are more likely to achieve short-term success, whereas mediators with credibility leverage generate more durable settlements. I quantitatively test the hypotheses using civil war mediation attempts from 1989 to 2006. I find that capability leverage does indeed contribute to the achievement of short-term success; credibility leverage, however, generates a more durable peace. The results demonstrate the importance of understanding mediation leverage as a context-dependent concept and highlight the potential long-term benefits of softer forms of mediation.
Police levels and crime
Authors: Carriaga Michael L , Worrall John L
Published: October 2015

Researchers have long examined the relationship between police levels (officers or spending per capita) and crime, yet consistent findings remain elusive due to the variety of methodological approaches employed. We present the results of a systematic review and meta-analysis of published and unpublished longitudinal macro-level police levels-crime research in order to ascertain the empirical status of this relationship. Twenty-four studies met the criteria for systematic review; 12 met the criteria for meta-analysis. Findings from a vote-counting procedure reveal mixed evidence of policing’s effect on crime; however, results from the meta-analysis suggest there is a small, inverse association between police levels and crime at the macro-level.
Impulsivity
Authors: Hollander E. , Rosen J.
Published: October 2015

Disorders characterized by impulsivity include disorders of impulse control (intermittent explosive disorder, pyromania, kleptomania, pathological gambling and trichotillomania), paraphilias, sexual impulsions and sexual addictions and impulsive aggression personality disorders (borderline, antisocial, histrionic and narcissistic personality disorders). Impulsivity has a substantial impact on both individuals and society. Impulse control disorders may be conceptualized as a subset of the obsessive-compulsive spectrum. In this article, we examine the genetic and neurobiological aetiology of these disorders and possible treatment options. The link between serotonergic dysfunction and the pathophysiology of impulsivity is discussed, and studies that examine the efficacy of various selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and other alternatives in the treatment of impulsive disorders such as pathological gambling, sexual addictions and borderline personality disorder are presented.