bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antioxidant Capacity of “Mexican Arnica”Heterotheca inuloidesCass Natural Products and Some Derivatives: Their Anti-Inflammatory Evaluation and Effect onC. elegansLife Span
Authors: Rodríguez-Chávez José Luis , Coballase-Urrutia Elvia , Nieto-Camacho Antonio , Delgado-Lamas Guillermo
Published: March 2015

It has been suggested that the accumulation of biomolecular damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) contributes to aging. The antioxidant activity is related to the ability of certain compounds to protect against the potentially harmful effect of processes or reactions involving ROS. This ability is associated with the termination of free radical propagation in biological systems. FromHeterotheca inuloidesvarious compounds which have shown to possess antioxidant capacity and scavenging ROS. The aim of this study was to determine the antioxidant capacity of additional natural components isolated fromH. inuloidesand some semisynthetic derivatives, their anti-inflammatory activity and the effect onCaenorhabditis elegansnematode life span. Compounds showed ability to inhibit various biological processes such as lipid peroxidation, scavenge nonbiological important oxidants such as1O2,OH∙, H2O2, and HOCl and scavenge non biological stable free radicals (DPPH). Some cadinane type compounds showed possess antioxidant, ROS scavenging capacity, anti-inflammatory activity, and effect on theC. eleganslife span. Flavonoid type compounds increased the life of the nematode and quercetin was identified as the compound with the greatest activity. The modification of chemical structure led to a change in the antioxidant capacity, the anti-inflammatory activity, and the survival of the worm.
Topical Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Isorhamnetin Glycosides Isolated fromOpuntia ficus-indica
Authors: Antunes-Ricardo Marilena , Gutiérrez-Uribe Janet A. , Martínez-Vitela Carlos , Serna-Saldívar Sergio O.
Published: March 2015

Opuntia ficus-indica(OFI) has been widely used in Mexico as a food and for the treatment of different health disorders such as inflammation and skin aging. Its biological properties have been attributed to different phytochemicals such as the isorhamnetin glycosides which are the most abundant flavonoids. Moreover, these compounds are considered a chemotaxonomic characteristic of OFI species. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of OFI extract and its isorhamnetin glycosides on different inflammatory markersin vitroandin vivo. OFI extract was obtained by alkaline hydrolysis of OFI cladodes powder and pure compounds were obtained by preparative chromatography. Nitric oxide (NO), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-)α, and interleukin- (IL-) 6 production were measured. NO production was tested in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells whilein vivostudies were carried on croton oil-induced ear edema model. OFI extract and diglycoside isorhamnetin-glucosyl-rhamnoside (IGR) at 125 ng/mL suppressed the NO productionin vitro(73.5 ± 4.8% and68.7±5.0%, resp.) without affecting cell viability. Likewise, IGR inhibited the ear edema (77.4±5.7%) equating the indomethacin effects (69.5±5.3%). Both IGR and OFI extract significantly inhibited the COX-2, TNF-α, and IL-6 production. IGR seems to be a suitable natural compound for development of new anti-inflammatory ingredient.
High Level Synthesis FPGA Implementation of the Jacobi Algorithm to Solve the Eigen Problem
Authors: Bravo Ignacio , Vázquez César , Gardel Alfredo , Lázaro José L. , Palomar Esther
Published: March 2015

We present a hardware implementation of the Jacobi algorithm to compute the eigenvalue decomposition (EVD). The computation of eigenvalues and eigenvectors has many applications where real time processing is required, and thus hardware implementations are often mandatory. Some of these implementations have been carried out with field programmable gate array (FPGA) devices using low level register transfer level (RTL) languages. In the present study, we used the Xilinx Vivado HLS tool to develop a high level synthesis (HLS) design and evaluated different hardware architectures. After analyzing the design for different input matrix sizes and various hardware configurations, we compared it with the results of other studies reported in the literature, concluding that although resource usage may be higher when HLS tools are used, the design performance is equal to or better than low level hardware designs.
The Effect of Essential Oils and Bioactive Fractions onStreptococcus mutansandCandida albicansBiofilms: A Confocal Analysis
Authors: Freires Irlan Almeida , Bueno-Silva Bruno , Galvão Lívia Câmara de Carvalho , Duarte Marta Cristina Teixeira , Sartoratto Adilson , Figueira Glyn Mara , Alencar Severino Matias de , Rosalen Pedro Luiz
Published: March 2015

The essential oils (EO) and bioactive fractions (BF) fromAloysia gratissima, Baccharis dracunculifolia, Coriandrum sativum, Cyperus articulatus,andLippia sidoideswere proven to have strong antimicrobial activity on planktonic microorganisms; however, little is known about their effects on the morphology or viability of oral biofilms. Previously, we determined the EO/fractions with the best antimicrobial activity againstStreptococcus mutansandCandidaspp. In this report, we used a confocal analysis to investigate the effect of these EO and BF on the morphology ofS. mutansbiofilms (thickness, biovolume, and architecture) and on the metabolic viability ofC. albicansbiofilms. The analysis of intact treatedS. mutansbiofilms showed no statistical difference for thickness in all groups compared to the control. However, a significant reduction in the biovolume of extracellular polysaccharides and bacteria was observed forA. gratissimaandL. sidoidesgroups, indicating that these BF disrupt biofilm integrity and may have created porosity in the biofilm. This phenomenon could potentially result in a weakened structure and affect biofilm dynamics. Finally,C. sativumEO drastically affectedC. albicansviability when compared to the control. These results highlight the promising antimicrobial activity of these plant species and support future translational research on the treatment of dental caries and oral candidiasis.
Morphological Study of the Lingula in Adult Human Mandibles of Brazilians Individuals and Clinical Implications
Authors: Alves Nilton , Deana Naira Figueiredo
Published: March 2015

Objectives. The purpose of this research was to study, in macerated adult human mandibles, the height of the lingula and provide morphometric data for its location considering aspects such as shape of the lingula, gender, and race.Material and Methods. 132 macerated mandibles of Brazilian adult individuals, both sexes, Amerindian and Caucasian, were used. The distances: from mandibular notch to lingula; from anterior margin of ramus of mandible to lingula; from posterior margin of ramus of mandible to lingula; from mandibular base to lingula, and the height of lingula were obtained. To perform these measurements we used a digital caliper. The variables such as gender and race were analyzed.Results. The mean values found for the height of lingula and its location were determined according to the gender, race, and the lingula shape.Conclusion. This research provides additional data on height of the lingula and morphometric data for its location considering aspects such as shape of the lingula, gender, and race, information that had not been reported in the literature to date. We emphasize that a careful study considering gender and ethnic group makes procedures involving the region of lingula safer.
Robust H-Infinity Stabilization and Resilient Filtering for Discrete-Time Constrained Singular Piecewise-Affine Systems
Authors: Zhou Zhenhua , Wang Mao , Yin Qitian
Published: March 2015

This paper is concerned with the problem of designing robust H-infinity output feedback controller and resilient filtering for a class of discrete-time singular piecewise-affine systems with input saturation and state constraints. Based on a singular piecewise Lyapunov function combined with S-procedure and some matrix inequality convexifying techniques, the H-infinity stabilization condition is established and the resilient H-infinity filtering error dynamic system is investigated, and, meanwhile, the domain of attraction is well estimated. Under energy bounded disturbance, the input saturation disturbance tolerance condition is proposed; then, the resilient H-infinity filter is designed in some restricted region. It is shown that the controller gains and filter design parameters can be obtained by solving a family of LMIs parameterized by one or two scalar variables. Meanwhile, by using the corresponding optimization methods, the domain of attraction and the disturbance tolerance level is maximized, and the H-infinity performanceγis minimized. Numerical examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed design methods.
Effect of Da-Cheng-Qi Decoction on Pancreatitis-Associated Intestinal Dysmotility in Patients and in Rat Models
Authors: Zhao Jianlei , Zhong Cejun , He Zhiyu , Chen Guangyuan , Tang Wenfu
Published: March 2015

The impairment of intestinal motility and related infectious complications are the predominant clinical phenomenon in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). We aimed to investigate the effects of Da-Cheng-Qi decoction (DCQD) on the gastrointestinal injury in SAP patients and the potential mechanism involved in rats. DCQD was enema administered to 70 patients for 7 days in West China Hospital. Mortality and organ failure during admission were observed and blood samples for laboratory analysis were collected. We also experimentally examined plasma inflammatory cytokines in rat serum and carried the morphometric studies of the gut. Intestinal propulsion index and serum and tissue vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) were also detected. Though DCQD did not affect the overall incidence of organ failure, it shortened the average time of paralytic intestinal obstruction and decreased the morbidity of infectious complications in patients with SAP. Compared with untreated rats, the DCQD lowered the levels of proinflammatory cytokine and decreased the mean pathological intestinal lesion scores. The VIP level in intestinal tissue or serum in DCQD group was obviously lowered and intestinal propulsion index was significantly improved. In conclusion, DCQD has good effect on pancreatitis-associated intestinal dysmotility in patients and in rat models.
Sleep as a Mediator in the Pathway Linking Environmental Factors to Hypertension: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Akinseye Oluwaseun A. , Williams Stephen K. , Seixas Azizi , Pandi-Perumal Seithikurippu R. , Vallon Julian , Zizi Ferdinand , Jean-Louis Girardin
Published: March 2015

Environmental factors, such as noise exposure and air pollution, are associated with hypertension. These environmental factors also affect sleep quality. Given the growing evidence linking sleep quality with hypertension, the purpose of this review is to investigate the role of sleep as a key mediator in the association between hypertension and environmental factors. Through this narrative review of the extant literature, we highlight that poor sleep quality mediates the relationship between environmental factors and hypertension. The conceptual model proposed in this review offers opportunities to address healthcare disparities in hypertension among African Americans by highlighting the disparate impact that the predictors (environmental factors) and mediator (sleep) have on the African-American community. Understanding the impact of these factors is crucial since the main outcome variable (hypertension) severely burdens the African-American community.
Detecting Communities in 2-Mode Networks via Fast Nonnegative Matrix Trifactorization
Authors: Yang Liu , Tao Wang , Xin-sheng Ji , Caixia Liu , Mingyan Xu
Published: March 2015

With the rapid development of the Internet and communication technologies, a large number of multitype relational networks widely emerge in real world applications. The bipartite network is one representative and important kind of complex networks. Detecting community structure in bipartite networks is crucial to obtain a better understanding of the network structures and functions. Traditional nonnegative matrix factorization methods usually focus on homogeneous networks, and they are subject to several problems such as slow convergence and large computation. It is challenging to effectively integrate the network information of multiple dimensions in order to discover the hidden community structure underlying heterogeneous interactions. In this work, we present a novel fast nonnegative matrix trifactorization (F-NMTF) method to cocluster the 2-mode nodes in bipartite networks. By constructing the affinity matrices of 2-mode nodes as manifold regularizations of NMTF, we manage to incorporate the intratype and intratype information of 2-mode nodes to reveal the latent community structure in bipartite networks. Moreover, we decompose the NMTF problem into two subproblems, which are involved with much less matrix multiplications and achieve faster convergence. Experimental results on synthetic and real bipartite networks show that the proposed method improves the slow convergence of NMTF and achieves high accuracy and stability on the results of community detection.
Assessing Static Performance of the Dashengguan Yangtze Bridge by Monitoring the Correlation between Temperature Field and Its Static Strains
Authors: Wang Gao-Xin , Ding You-Liang , Sun Peng , Wu Lai-Li , Yue Qing
Published: March 2015

Taking advantage of the structural health monitoring system installed on the steel truss arch girder of Dashengguan Yangtze Bridge, the temperature field data and static strain data are collected and analyzed for the static performance assessment of the bridge. Through analysis, it is found that the static strain changes are mainly caused by temperature field (temperature and temperature difference) and train. After the train-induced static strains are removed, the correlation between the remaining static strains and the temperature field shows apparent linear characteristics, which can be mathematically modeled for the description of static performance. Therefore, multivariate linear regression function combined with principal component analysis is introduced to mathematically model the correlation. Furthermore, the residual static strains of mathematical model are adopted as assessment indicator and three kinds of degradation regulations of static performance are obtained after simulation of the residual static strains. Finally, it is concluded that the static performance of Dashengguan Yangtze Bridge was in a good condition during that period.
Royal Jelly and Its Dual Role in TNBS Colitis in Mice
Authors: Manzo Luis Paulo , de-Faria Felipe Meira , Dunder Ricardo José , Rabelo-Socca Eduardo Augusto , Consonni Silvio Roberto , de Almeida Ana Cristina Alves , Souza-Brito Alba Regina Monteiro , Luiz-Ferreira Anderson
Published: March 2015

Royal Jelly (RJ) is widely consumed in diets throughout the world due to its beneficial effects: antioxidant, antitumor and anti‐inflammatory. We have investigated the role of RJ in the development of TNBS colitis in mice. Colitis was induced by a rectal instillation of TNBS at 0.1 mL per mouse. Intestine samples of the animals orally treated with RJ (100, 150, and 200 mg/kg) were collected for antioxidant assays (GSH and GSH‐Px), proinflammatory protein quantification (COX‐2 and NF‐κB), and histological analyses. RJ 100 mg/kg maintained GSH levels and increased the activity of GSH‐Px, downregulated key inflammatory mediators (COX‐2 and NF‐κB), and decreased the lesions caused by TNBS as shown by the histological analyses. In conclusion, RJ showed anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant properties in experimental colitis, resulting in the amelioration of the macroscopic and histological analyses. These results corroborate with the RJ supplementation in diets.
A Note about Certain Arbitrariness in the Solution of the Homological Equation in Deprit’s Method
Authors: San-Juan Juan Félix , López Rosario , Pérez Iván , San-Martín Montserrat
Published: March 2015

Deprit’s method has been revisited in order to take advantage of certain arbitrariness arising when the inverse of the Lie operator is applied to obtain the generating function of the Lie transform. This arbitrariness is intrinsic to all perturbation techniques and can be used to demonstrate the equivalence among different perturbation methods, to remove terms from the generating function of the Lie transform, or to eliminate several angles simultaneously in the case of having a degenerate Hamiltonian.
Handling Diagnosis of Schizophrenia by a Hybrid Method
Authors: Comin Nunes Luciano , Pinheiro Plácido Rogério , Cavalcante Tarcísio Pequeno , Pinheiro Mirian Calíope Dantas
Published: March 2015

Psychotics disorders, most commonly known as schizophrenia, have incapacitated professionals in different sectors of activities. Those disorders have caused damage in a microlevel to the individual and his/her family and in a macrolevel to the economic and production system of the country. The lack of early and sometimes very late diagnosis has provided reactive measures, when the professional is already showing psychological signs of incapacity to work. This study aims to help the early diagnosis of psychotics’ disorders with a hybrid proposal of an expert system that is integrated to structured methodologies in decision support (multicriteria decision analysis: MCDA) and knowledge structured representations into production rules and probabilities (artificial intelligence: AI).
Cancer Immunotherapy: A Future Paradigm Shift in the Treatment of Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Anagnostou Valsamo K. , Brahmer Julie R.
Published: March 2015

Emerging evidence on the role of the antitumor activity of the immune system has generated great interest in immunotherapy even for tumors that were historically considered as nonimmunogenic. Immunotherapy is emerging as a major modality in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment focusing on vaccine approaches to elicit specific immune responses and development of inhibitors of the molecular mediators of cancer-induced immunosuppression (immune checkpoints) to boost antitumor immune responses. Amplification of the host response against evolving tumors through vaccination is being investigated in ongoing clinical trials with tumor cell vaccines; however, the clinical efficacy of these agents has been limited. Blocking inhibitory pathways such as the CTL antigen 4 (CTLA-4) and programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) checkpoint pathways with mAbs has generated antitumor immune responses that are transforming cancer therapeutics. PD-1 and programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibodies have shown durable responses in NSCLC, with a favorable safety profile and manageable side effects. The activity of immune checkpoint inhibitors is currently been assessed in treatment-naïve patients with PD-L1–positive advanced NSCLC. Combinatorial approaches with other immune checkpoint inhibitors, chemotherapy, or targeted agents are being explored in ongoing clinical trials, and may improve outcome in NSCLC. Clin Cancer Res; 21(5); 976–84. ©2015 AACR.
Electroencephalographic Finding in Idiopathic REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
Authors: Inoue Yuichi , Sasai Taeko , Hirata Koichi
Published: March 2015

The REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is a type of parasomnia manifested by vivid, often frightening dreams associated with motor behaviors during REM sleep, sometimes causing injuries to patients themselves or to their bed partners. The polysomnographic features of RBD include increased muscle activity during REM sleep (REM sleep without atonia). The majority of RBD-affected persons are older men. The disorder might be idiopathic (iRBD) or secondary to neurological disorders of various kinds. iRBD management with pharmaceutical measures is usually straightforward and effective. Several longitudinal studies have revealed that a high proportion of iRBD patients convert to α-synucleinopathies such as Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy body disease (DLB). Considering this, many studies have been conducted to identify common clinical markers between α-synucleinopathies and iRBD or indicators for the future development of α-synucleinopathies in iRBD patients. In this context, electroencephalographic (EEG) slowing occurring while awake and asleep, which is frequently observed in DLB, has received much attention. Clarification of the association between EEG slowing and the presence of mild cognitive impairment, which is also commonly seen in early stages of DLB, has been particularly expected to offer a breakthrough for the identification of cases which might convert to α-synucleinopathies. In this article, we introduce the progress in quantitative EEG research in iRBD during the past decade. We also discuss the relationship between EEG findings and cognitive decline as well as the mechanisms of EEG changes or cognitive abnormalities in patients with the disorder.
Emotion Regulation of Neuroticism: Emotional Information Processing Related to Psychosomatic State Evaluated by Electroencephalography and Exact Low-Resolution Brain Electromagnetic Tomography
Authors: Ikeda Shunichiro , Mizuno-Matsumoto Yuko , Canuet Leonides , Ishii Ryouhei , Aoki Yasunori , Hata Masahiro , Katsimichas Themistoklis , Pascual-Marqui Roberto D. , Hayashi Takuto , Okamoto Eika , Asakawa Tetsuya , Iwase Masao , Takeda Masatoshi
Published: March 2015

Emotion regulation is the process that adjusts the type or amount of emotion when we experience an emotional situation. The aim of this study was to reveal quantitative changes in brain activity during emotional information processing related to psychosomatic states and to determine electrophysiological features of neuroticism. Twenty-two healthy subjects (mean age 25 years, 14 males and 8 females) were registered. Electroencephalography (EEG) was measured during an emotional audiovisual memory task under three conditions (neutral, pleasant and unpleasant sessions). We divided the subjects into two groups using the Cornell Medical Index (CMI): (CMI-I: control group, n = 10: CMI-II, III or IV: neuroticism group, n = 12). We analyzed the digital EEG data using exact low-resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (eLORETA) current source density (CSD) and functional connectivity analysis in several frequency bands (δ, θ, α, β, γ and whole band). In all subjects, bilateral frontal α CSD in the unpleasant session increased compared to the pleasant session, especially in the control group (p < 0.05). CSD of the neuroticism group was significantly higher than that of the control group in the full band at the amygdala and inferior temporal gyrus, and in the α band at the right temporal lobe (p < 0.05). Additionally, we found an increase in functional connectivity between the left insular cortex and right superior temporal gyrus in all subjects during the unpleasant session compared to the pleasant session (p < 0.05). In this study, using EEG analysis, we could find a novel cortical network related to brain mechanisms underlying emotion regulation. Overall findings indicate that it is possible to characterize neuroticism electrophysiologically, which may serve as a neurophysiological marker of this personality trait.
Restoring SIRT6 Expression in Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome Cells Impedes Premature Senescence and Formation of Dysmorphic Nuclei
Authors: Endisha Helal , Merrill-Schools Jacqueline , Zhao Min , Bristol Molly , Wang Xu , Kubben Nard , Elmore Lynne W.
Published: March 2015

Objectives: Mice overexpressing SIRT6 live longer than wild-type mice while SIRT6 knockout mice exhibit similar degenerative phenotypes as individuals with Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS). Thus, we sought to test whether levels of SIRT6 are reduced in cells from individuals with HGPS and whether restored SIRT6 expression may impede premature aging phenotypes. Methods: Levels of endogenous SIRT6 and progerin in HGPS and normal fibroblasts were assessed by Western blotting and immunofluorescence. A tetracycline-inducible system was utilized to test whether progerin causes a rapid reduction in SIRT6 protein. SIRT6 was overexpressed in HGPS cells via lentiviral infection with biological endpoints including senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) positivity, frequency of nuclear atypia, the number of 53BP1-positive DNA damage foci and growth rates. Results: Typical HGPS fibroblasts express lower levels of SIRT6 than fibroblasts from normal and atypical HGPS donors. Experimental induction of progerin did not cause a detectable reduction of SIRT6 protein. However, overexpression of SIRT6 in HGPS cells was associated with a reduced frequency of SA-β-gal positivity, fewer misshapen nuclei, fewer DNA damage foci, and increased growth rates. Conclusions: Typical HGPS fibroblasts exhibit reduced levels of SIRT6 protein via a mechanism that remains to be elucidated. Our findings suggest that restoring SIRT6 expression in HGPS cells may partially impede senescence and the formation of dysmorphic nuclei.
Amyloid Spells and High Blood Pressure: Imminent Danger
Authors: Caetano Andre , Pinto Miguel , Calado Sofia , Viana-Baptista Miguel
Published: March 2015

We present the case of a 71-year-old male, admitted after a generalized tonic-clonic seizure, with a history of recurrent left arm and face paresthesias, associated with sulcal cortical subarachnoid hemorrhages. During the next 48 h, he remained agitated with a high blood pressure profile; he also suffered a cardiac arrest in relation to a severe left fronto-parietal and a smaller right parietal parenchymal hemorrhage that developed over the subarachnoid hemorrhage locations. There were no intracranial vascular abnormalities. Three months later, an MRI revealed disseminated superficial siderosis. He was discharged with a modified Rankin scale of 4. He died 1 month later of unknown cause. A diagnosis of probable cerebral amyloid angiopathy was assumed. Patients with pathologically proven cerebral amyloid angiopathy that present with transient focal neurological symptoms in relation to cortical bleeds, the so-called ‘myloid spells' seem to be at an increased risk of future parenchymal hemorrhages. Avoiding antiplatelet agents in these cases has been proposed. Our case suggests that these patients should be monitored closely in the hyperacute phase , and tight blood pressure control should be considered as the immediate risk of bleeding may be high, even without a definitive diagnosis of cerebral amyloid angiopathy.
Improved Survival of Incident Patients with High-Volume Haemodiafiltration: A Propensity-Matched Cohort Study with Inverse Probability of Censoring Weighting
Authors: Canaud Bernard , Bayh Inga , Marcelli Daniele , Ponce Pedro , Merello José Ignacio , Gurevich Konstantin , Ladanyi Erzsebet , Ok Ercan , Imamovic Goran , Grassmann Aileen , Scatizzi Laura , Gatti Emanuele
Published: March 2015

Background: Haemodiafiltration (HDF) is the preferred dialysis modality in many countries. The aim of the study was to compare the survival of incident patients on high-volume HDF (HV-HDF) with high-flux haemodialysis (HD) in a large-scale European dialysis population. Methods: The study population was extracted from 47,979 patients in 369 NephroCare centres throughout 12 countries. Baseline was six months after dialysis initiation; maximum follow-up was 5 years. Patients were either on HV-HDF (defined as with ≥21 litres substitution fluid volume per session) or on HD if on that treatment for ≥75% of the 3 months before baseline. The main predictor was treatment modality. Other parameters included country, age, gender, BMI, haemoglobin, albumin and Charlson comorbidity index. Propensity score matching and Inverse Probability of Censoring Weighting (IPCW) were applied to reduce bias by indication and consider modality crossover, respectively. Results: After propensity score matching, 1,590 incident patients remained. Kaplan-Meier and proportional Cox regression analyses revealed no significant survival advantage of HV-HDF. Results were biased by modality crossover: during the 5-year study period, 7% of HV-HDF patients switched to HD, and 55% of HD patients switched to HV-HDF. IPCW uncovered a statistically significant survival advantage of HV-HDF (OR 0.501; CI 0.366-0.684; p < 0.001). A higher benefit of HV-HDF for some subgroups was revealed, for example, non-diabetics, patients 65-74 years, patients with obesity or high blood pressure. Conclusions: This large-scale study supports the generalizability of previous RCT findings regarding the survival benefit of HV-HDF. Sub-group analysis showed that some sub-cohorts appear to benefit more from HV-HDF than others.
Effect of Ultrafiltration versus Intravenous Furosemide for Decompensated Heart Failure in Cardiorenal Syndrome: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Chen Hsin-Yu , Chou Kang-Ju , Fang Hua-Chang , Chen Chien-Liang , Hsu Chih-Yang , Huang Wei-Chieh , Huang Chien-Wei , Huang Chun Kai , Lee Po-Tsang
Published: March 2015

Background: Ultrafiltration is an adjunctive treatment for decompensated heart failure patients with cardiorenal syndrome. The efficacy and safety of ultrafiltration in the patient cohort are still unknown. Methods: We systematically reviewed and evaluated randomized controlled trials, comparing diuretics with ultrafiltration in adult patients with decompensated heart failure and cardiorenal syndrome through January 2014. The primary outcomes were body weight loss and total fluid removal. Results: We identified 8 trials including 608 patients. In a random-effects model, the pooled difference of body weight loss was 1.44 kg between patients receiving ultrafiltration and diuretics (95% CI, 0.29-2.59; p = 0.01). The difference of fluid removal was 1.28 l between groups (95% CI, 0.43-2.12; p = 0.003). The RR for mortality was 0.90 for ultrafiltration compared with diuretics (95% CI, 0.61-1.33; p = 0.60) and the RR for renal function deterioration was 1.29 (95% CI, 0.90-1.85; p = 0.17). There is a trend toward reducing readmission rate in ultrafiltration group. Conclusions: Ultrafiltration is a safe and effective strategy in the treatment of cardiorenal syndrome without increasing the risk of renal deterioration.
Beyond Guidelines: Effectiveness of a Programme in Achieving Operative Laparoscopy for all Women Requiring Surgical Management of Ectopic Pregnancy
Authors: Odejinmi Funlayo , Rizzuto Ivana , Oliver Reeba , Alalade Aderemi , Agarwal Nilesh , Olowu Oladimeji
Published: March 2015

Background/Aims: Operative laparoscopy (OL) is considered the gold standard surgical treatment of ectopic pregnancy (EP). We questioned whether a training programme to foster OL treatment is able to ensure that all women needing surgical management are treated by OL irrespective of the site of EP, haemodynamic status and clinical complexity. Methods: A 13-year cohort study of 963 women who underwent surgical management was conducted. We instituted a ‘universal OL' programme in 2003 for the management of all the types of EP irrespective of the haemodynamic status. Results: There were 802 women in the prospective (2003-2013) and 161 in the retrospective arm (2000-2002). The rate of OL before 2003 was 34%. During the year of programme implementation, the OL rate rose from 89% in 2003 to 96% in 2004. It took 4 years to achieve a 100% OL rate in haemodynamically stable patients. In 2013, we were able to achieve OL treatment for all patients irrespective of haemodynamic status, the complexity of surgery or the location of EP. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that a dedicated team with special training in minimal invasive surgery can improve surgical management of all categories of EPs, and this goal should be achievable across most units.
Association of Mild Kidney Dysfunction with Silent Brain Lesions in Neurologically Normal Subjects
Authors: Toyoda Genya , Bokura Hirokazu , Mitaki Shingo , Onoda Keiichi , Oguro Hiroaki , Nagai Atsushi , Yamaguchi Shuhei
Published: March 2015

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been closely associated with stroke. Although a large number of studies reported the relationship between CKD and different types of asymptomatic brain lesions, few comprehensive analyses have been performed for all types of silent brain lesions. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study involving 1,937 neurologically normal subjects (mean age 59.4 years). Mild CKD was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate between 30 and 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 or positive proteinuria. Results: The prevalence of mild CKD was 8.7%. Univariate analysis revealed an association between CKD and all silent brain lesions, including silent brain infarction, periventricular hyperintensity, subcortical white matter lesion, and microbleeds, in addition to hypertension and diabetes mellitus after adjusting for age and sex. In binary logistic regression analysis, the presence of CKD was a significant risk factor for all types of silent brain lesions, independent of other risk factors. Conclusions: These results suggest that mild CKD is independently associated with all types of silent brain lesions, even in neurologically normal subjects.
Ultrasound Assessment of Umbilical Cord Morphology in the First Trimester: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Narayan Rajit , Saaid Rahmah , Pedersen Lars , Hyett Jon
Published: March 2015

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether morphology and measurement of the umbilical cord could be accurately assessed at the time of the 11- to 13+6-week scan. Methods: We conducted a prospective study of 100 consecutive women with singleton pregnancies at 11-13+6 weeks' gestation who were seen for routine aneuploidy screening. Transabdominal ultrasound scans were performed, and the distance between two adjacent coils of the umbilical artery was measured in a free loop of umbilical cord. The antenatal umbilical coiling index (aUCI) was calculated as the inverse of this measurement (aUCI = 1/intercoil distance in cm). The maximum diameter of the umbilical vein was measured. Umbilical venous blood flow velocity was obtained using standard Doppler technique. Interobserver variability was assessed. A subjective assessment of the cord was performed using the Sepulveda system of classification to compare the reproducibility of the observations between two observers. Results: The intended measurements could be obtained in all cases. The aUCI was found to decrease with advancing gestation, while the umbilical venous diameter increased with gestation. The umbilical venous blood flow velocity also increased with gestation. Interobserver consistency in the objective measurement of the aUCI was poor (kappa 0.146). However, the Sepulveda classification system was found to be applicable and reproducible at this period of gestation (kappa 0.601). Conclusions: Umbilical cord morphology can be consistently studied in the first trimester. A subjective method of evaluation of the morphology may be a more reproducible technique until measurement strategies are refined and operator experience developed.
Prognostic Factors of Patients with Gastric Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor after Curative Resection: A Retrospective Analysis of 406 Consecutive Cases in a Multicenter Study
Authors: Kim In-Hwan , Kwak Sang-Gyu , Chae Hyun-Dong
Published: March 2015

Background/Purpose: Gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) have a highly variable clinical course, and recurrent disease sometimes develops despite curative surgery. This study was undertaken to investigate the surgical role in treating gastric GISTs and evaluate the clinicopathological features of a large series of patients who underwent curative resection for gastric GISTs to clarify which features were independent prognostic factors. Methods: The clinicopathological data of 406 patients with gastric GISTs who underwent curative resection at 4 university hospitals in Daegu, South Korea, from March 1998 to March 2012 were reviewed. All cases were confirmed as gastric GISTs by immunohistochemical staining, in which CD117 or CD34 was positive. Clinical follow-up was performed periodically, and disease-free survival rates were retrospectively investigated using the medical records. Results: The mean follow-up period was 42.9 months (range: 2-166). There were 11 recurrent patients (2.7%). Due to the small number of recurrences, age, sex and location were controlled using propensity score matching before performing any statistical analysis. Tumor size, mitotic count, NIH classification, and cellularity were judged to be independent prognostic factors for recurrence by univariate analysis. In a multivariate analysis, tumor size and mitotic count were significantly and independently related to recurrence, and tumor size was determined to be the most important prognostic factor for recurrence after curative resection (hazard ratio: 1.204; p < 0.01). Conclusions: The results of this multicenter study demonstrate that disease-free survival rates are good. Tumor size was disclosed as the most important factor for recurrence in gastric GIST patients who underwent radical resection.
Valsalva-Like Retinopathy Spontaneously Occurred after Ocular Massage
Authors: Uchida Keiko , Takeyama Masayuki , Zako Masahiro
Published: March 2015

Purpose: The aim of this study is to describe a case of Valsalva-like retinopathy that occurred after ocular massage. Case Presentation: A healthy 44-year-old Japanese female had massaged her eye with strong pressure several times. Subsequently, she noticed a loss in the left central vision. A left-eye fundus examination showed a dense preretinal hemorrhage located under the internal limiting membrane at the posterior pole and a mild vitreous hemorrhage. We performed a neodymium-doped yttrium-aluminium-garnet laser membranotomy to perforate the internal limiting membrane. Her best-corrected visual acuity improved from 0.01 to 1.0. No retinal vascular abnormalities in the macular area were found. Conclusion: Ocular massage can cause Valsalva-like retinopathy.
Expression of Somatostatin Receptors 1-5 and Dopamine Receptor 2 in Lung Carcinoids: Implications for a Therapeutic Role
Authors: Kanakis George , Grimelius Lars , Spathis Athanasios , Tringidou Rodoula , Rassidakis George Z. , Öberg Kjell , Kaltsas Gregory , Tsolakis Apostolos V.
Published: March 2015

Objective: The expression of somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) and dopamine receptor 2 (DR2) in neuroendocrine tumors is of clinical importance as somatostatin analogues and dopamine agonists can be used for their localization and/or treatment. The objective of this study is to examine the expression of the five SSTR subtypes and DR2 in lung carcinoids (LCs). Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 119 LCs from 106 patients [typical carcinoids (TCs): n = 100, and atypical carcinoids (ACs): n = 19]. The expression of all five SSTR subtypes and DR2 was evaluated immunohistochemically and correlated to clinicopathological data. In a subgroup of cases, receptor expression was further analyzed using semiquantitative RT-PCR. Results: SSTR2A was the SSTR subtype most frequently expressed immunohistochemically (72%), followed by SSTR1 (63%), SSTR5 (40%), and SSTR3 (20%), whereas SSTR4 was negative. DR2 was expressed in 74% and co-expressed with SSTR1 in 56%, with SSTR2A in 59%, with SSTR3 in 19%, and with SSTR5 in 37% of the tumors. Receptor expression was not related to the histological subtype, tumor aggressiveness (disease extent/grading) or functionality; however, DR2 was expressed more frequently in ACs than TCs (95 vs. 70%, p = 0.017). In a subset of patients, RT-PCR findings highly suggested that the expression of SSTR2A, SSTR3, DR2, and to a lesser extent that of SSTR1 and SSTR5 is the outcome of increased gene transcription. Conclusions: The high and variable immunohistochemical expression of the majority of SSTRs along with their co-expression with DR2 in LCs provides a rationale for their possible treatment with agents that target these receptors.
Effects of Age and Estradiol on Gene Expression in the Rhesus Macaque Hypothalamus
Authors: Eghlidi Dominique H. , Urbanski Henryk F.
Published: March 2015

Background: The hypothalamus plays a key role in mediating the effects of estrogen on many physiological functions, including reproduction, metabolism, and thermoregulation. We have previously observed marked estrogen-dependent gene expression changes within the hypothalamus of rhesus macaques during aging, especially in the KNDy neurons of the arcuate-median eminence (ARC-ME) that produce kisspeptin, neurokinin B, and dynorphin A. Little is known, however, about the mechanisms involved in mediating the feedback from estrogen onto these neurons. Methods: We used quantitative real-time PCR to profile age- and estrogen-dependent gene expression changes in the rhesus macaque hypothalamus. Our focus was on genes that encode steroid receptors (ESR1, ESR2, PGR, and AR) and on enzymes that contribute to the local synthesis of 17β-estradiol (E2; STS, HSD3B1/2, HSD17B5, and CYP19A). In addition, we used RT2 Profiler™ PCR Arrays to profile a larger set of genes that are integral to hypothalamic function. Results: KISS1, KISS1R, TAC3, and NPY2R mRNA levels increased in surgically menopausal (ovariectomized) old females relative to age-matched ovariectomized animals that received E2 hormone therapy. In contrast, PGR, HSD17B, GNRH2, SLC6A3, KISS1, TAC3, and NPY2R mRNA levels increased after E2 supplementation. Conclusion: The rhesus macaque ARC-ME expresses many genes that are responsive to changes in circulating estrogen levels, even during old age, and these may contribute to causing the normal and pathophysiological changes that occur during menopause.
Phylogenetic relationships among the Iranian Triticum diploid gene pool as inferred from the loci Acc1 and Pgk1
Authors: Nasernakhaei Fatemeh , Rahiminejad Mohammad Reza , Saeidi Hojjatollah , Tavassoli Manoochehr
Published: March 2015

In this study, 129 individuals belonging to the Iranian wild diploid Triticum gene pool were screened using PCR-SSCP based on Acc1 and Pgk1 loci. Sequencing of the representatives of different SSCP patterns allowed for detection of three haplotypes for each of the loci. The phylogenetic relationships among the Iranian wild diploid Triticum haplotypes and related genera were analyzed using DNA sequences from these two single copy loci. Despite previous reports that recommended the usefulness of nuclear single copy genes for phylogenetic inference, the Bayesian and parsimony analyses carried out in this study showed that these two loci were not applicable tools in the phylogeny reconstruction of diploid Triticum gene pool. Thus, our findings confirm that phylogenetic relationships among recently diverged species are often difficult to resolve due to insufficient phylogenetic signal in available markers and/or conflict among gene trees.
Nomenclature and taxonomy of Salix floccosa, S. opsimantha and S. austrotibetica
Authors: Li He , Liao Shuai , Zhang Zhixiang
Published: March 2015

Salix floccosa Burkill was originally described based on a mixed collection of two different taxa. Chinese authors in many cases identified S. floccosa, although the species should correctly be named S. austrotibetica N. Chao. The name S. floccosa is lectotypified. S. spodiophylla Handel-Mazzetti, S. dolia var. lineariloba N. Chao, S. eriostachya var. lineariloba (N. Chao) G.H. Zhu, S. spodiophylla f. liocarpa K.S. Hao ex C.F. Fang & A.K. Skvortsov and S. spodiophylla var. liocarpa (K.S. Hao ex C.F. Fang & A.K. Skvortsov) G.H. Zhu are recognized as S. floccosa; S. annulifera var. glabra P.Y. Mao & W.Z. Li and S. floccosa (pro parte) are synonymised with S. opsimantha C.K. Schneider; S. floccosa var. leiogyna P.Y. Mao & W.Z. Li is treated as a synonym of S. austrotibetica. Furthermore, the circumscription of S. austrotibetica is emended to include partly downy to densely downy ovary.
Orobanche zajaciorum (Orobanchaceae): a new species from the Caucasus
Authors: Piwowarczyk Renata
Published: March 2015

A new, probably endemic, species, Orobanche zajaciorum (Orobanchaceae) is described from Georgia, in the Lesser Caucasus. The species grows on rocky slopes and is a parasite Scutellaria sosnowskyi. It is a small pale pink-yellowish plant, characterised by strongly curved, geniculate, white-pink flowers. A detailed description, diagnosis, and illustrations are provided.
Demonopolisation and dislocation: (Re-)negotiating the place and role of religion in Spanish prisons
Authors: Martínez-Ariño Julia , García-Romeral Gloria , Ubasart-González Gemma , Griera Mar
Published: March 2015

The aim of this paper is to analyse the reformulation of the place and role of religion in Spanish public institutions after the constitutional disestablishment of the Catholic Church and religious diversification of society. Drawing upon qualitative fieldwork in six Spanish prisons, we argue that there is a process of the realignment of forces between the religious groups that provide services in such institutions, the Catholic Church adopting an attitude in between adaptation and subtle resistance to the loss of a number of its previous prerogatives. This incomplete demonopolisation of public organisations can be explained as the result of two opposing forces: (a) convergence towards the European standards of accommodation of religious diversity; and (b) Catholic resistance to the loss of established advantages.
Disenchantment revisited: Formations of the ‘secular’ and ‘religious’ in the technological discourse of modernity
Authors: Han Sam
Published: March 2015

This article problematizes sociologist Max Weber’s famed notion of ‘disenchantment’ in order to explore the ways in which ‘technology’ and ‘religion’ operate in the discourse of ‘secular modernity’. It suggests that disenchantment is not simply epistemological, that is, synonymous with rationalization and intellectualization, but also ontological, and a description of the overhauling of what Bruno Latour calls the ‘modernist settlement’. It proceeds in following manner: (1) it presents an ‘interpretive genealogy’ of technological rationality in discourses about modernity, demonstrating an internal conflict, especially in how ‘religion’, ‘the secular,’ and ‘technology’ are conceptualized. It posits that the lack of consistency in the invocation of these terms is a symptom of a deeper unresolved ontological (or, onto-cosmological) tension. (2) After establishing this ontological aporia, the article proceeds to offer a rereading of Weber’s original concept of disenchantment. (3) Finally, the author teases out some of the implications of reading disenchantment ontologically for the understanding of religion and technology.
Disengaged and indistinct: The subcultural identity of the Emerging Church Movement
Authors: Wollschleger Jason
Published: March 2015

Drawing on participant observation, pastor interviews, congregant focus groups, and the website content of an emerging congregation in Seattle, this article explores the ECM (Emerging Church Movement) as a religious subcultural movement utilizing Smith et al.’s (1998) subcultural identity theory. The study views the ECM movement as a unique religious subculture and locates it along the two dimensions of distinctiveness and engagement. The results of the field research indicate that the ECM as a subcultural religious movement is both disengaged from the dominant society and indistinct from other religious subcultures. The implications of these findings for the future directions of the movement are discussed.