bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Safety Verification of Interconnected Hybrid Systems Using Barrier Certificates
Authors: Wang Guobin , He Jifeng , Liu Jing , Sun Haiying , Ding Zuohua , Zhang Miaomiao
Published: March 2016

Safety verification determines whether any trajectory starting from admissible initial states would intersect with a set of unsafe states. In this paper, we propose a numerical method for verifying safety of a network of interconnected hybrid dynamical systems with a state constraint based on bilinear sum-of-squares programming. The safety verification is conducted by the construction of a function of states called barrier certificate. We consider a finite number of interconnected hybrid systems satisfying the input-to-state property and the networked interconnections satisfying a dissipativity property. Through constructing a barrier certificate for each subsystem and imposing dissipation-inequality-like constraints on the interconnections, safety verification is formulated as a bilinear sum-of-squares feasibility problem. As a result, safety of the interconnected hybrid systems could be determined by solving an optimization problem, rather than solving differential equations. The proposed method makes it possible to verify the safety of interconnected hybrid systems, which is demonstrated by a numerical example.
Polyphenol-Rich Extract from Propolis Reduces the Expression and Activity ofStreptococcus mutansGlucosyltransferases at Subinhibitory Concentrations
Authors: Veloz Jorge Jesús , Saavedra Nicolás , Alvear Marysol , Zambrano Tomás , Barrientos Leticia , Salazar Luis A.
Published: March 2016

Tooth decay is an infectious disease, whose main causative agent identified isStreptococcus mutans(S. mutans). Diverse treatments have been used to eradicate this microorganism, including propolis. To date, it has been shown that polyphenols from Chilean propolis inhibitS. mutansgrowth and biofilm formation. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this process are unclear. In the present study, we assessed the effect of Chilean propolis on the expression and activity of the glycosyltransferases enzymes and their related genes. Polyphenol-rich extract from propolis inhibited gene expression of glycosyltransferases (GtfB, GtfC, and GtfD) and their related regulatory genes, for example,VicK,VicR, andCcpA. Moreover, the treatment inhibited glucosyltransferases activity measured by the formation of sucrose-derived glucans. Additionally, an inhibitory effect was observed in the expression of SpaP involved in sucrose-independent virulence ofS. mutans. In summary, our results suggest that Chilean propolis has a dose-dependent effect on the inhibition of genes involved inS. mutansvirulence and adherence through the inhibition of glucosyltransferases, showing an anticariogenic potential of polyphenols from propolis beyondS. mutansgrowth inhibition.
Structural and Magnetic Properties of Mn Doped BiFeO3 Nanomaterials
Authors: Srinivas V. , Raghavender A. T. , Kumar K. Vijaya
Published: March 2016

Nanocrystalline Bi1-xMnxFeO3  (0≤x≤0.3) materials were synthesized using sol-gel technique. The structural and magnetic properties were investigated in detail. Rietveld analysis from XRD revealed the structural formation of BiFeO3. As the Mn doping concentration was increased, the structure of BiFeO3 changed from rhombohedral to tetragonal. All the M-H loops showed the ferromagnetic behavior in the prepared samples. Magnetization was observed to enhance as the Mn doping concentration was increased. The enhanced magnetization may be due to the collapse of the space modulated spin structure as observed from the structural changes.
Adaptive Sensor Node Sleep Scheduling for Quality-of-Experience Enhancement
Authors: Mathew Mini , Weng Ning
Published: March 2016

Focusing on a user's quality-of-experience (QoE) has become important, because of the growing space of sensor-dependent applications and low-cost sensor design. QoE is typically affected by two quantities: the quality-of-information (QoI) received and the lifetime-of-service. Therefore, QoE is defined as a sensor network's ability to consistently offer assured QoI for an expected lifetime when operating on a limited energy resource, such as a battery. However, dynamic factors, such as varying user requirements, unpredictable sensor environment, unreliable network conditions, and limited energy resource, affecting both QoI and lifetime-of-service, make it challenging to achieve a good QoE. In our previous work, we presented a SNR-based QoI metric which addresses the impact of several of these factors on QoI. In this paper, we design a QoE metric that quantifies the relationship between energy conservation, QoI received by a user, and an application's quality expectation. Further, we develop an adaptive sleep schedule mechanism to demonstrate the usefulness of this metric. Finally, simulation results presented show the effectiveness of our mechanism in achieving QoE improvement.
Food Insecurity Is Associated with Undernutrition but Not Overnutrition in Ecuadorian Women from Low-Income Urban Neighborhoods
Authors: Weigel M. Margaret , Armijos Rodrigo X. , Racines Marcia , Cevallos William
Published: March 2016

Household food insecurity (HFI) is becoming an increasingly important issue in Latin America and other regions undergoing rapid urbanization and nutrition transition. The survey investigated the association of HFI with the nutritional status of 794 adult women living in households with children in low-income neighborhoods in Quito, Ecuador. Data were collected on sociodemographic characteristics, household food security status, and nutritional status indicators (dietary intake, anthropometry, and blood hemoglobin). Data were analyzed using multivariate methods. The findings identified revealed a high HFI prevalence (81%) among the urban households that was associated with lowerper capitaincome and maternal education; long-term neighborhood residency appeared protective. HFI was associated with lower dietary quality and diversity and an increased likelihood of anemia and short stature but not increased high-calorie food intake or generalized or abdominal obesity. Although significant progress has been made in recent years, low dietary diversity, anemia, and growth stunting/short stature in the Ecuadorian maternal-child population continue to be major public health challenges. The study findings suggest that improving urban food security may help to improve these nutritional outcomes. They also underscore the need for food security policies and targeted interventions for urban households and systematic surveillance to assess their impact.
Quick Decline Disease Disturbs the Levels of Important Phytochemicals and Minerals in the Stem Bark of Mango (Mangifera indica)
Authors: Saeed Abdul , Shad Muhammad Aslam , Nawaz Haq , Shafqat Mustafa Nawaz , Muneer Zahid , Shaheen Aqeela , Shah Syed Tahir Abbas
Published: March 2016

Quick decline is one of the deadly diseases of mango (Mangifera indica) which causes a serious damage to the tree and its production. In the current study, we examined the levels of important phytochemicals and minerals in the stem bark of healthy and infected mango tree. Infected stem bark showed 12.5% lower levels of total sugars and 51.1% higher levels of proteins as compared to healthy parts, whereas no variation was observed in reducing sugar, free amino acid, and ascorbic acid. Among micronutrients, the levels of Zn, Na, Cr, and Cl were lowered by 25%, 54.3%, 25%, and 75.4%, respectively, whereas the level of Ni was 62.5% higher in the infected stem bark when compared with the healthy stem bark. However, other micronutrients did not show significant differences between healthy and infected parts. Among macronutrients, the quantity of N, P, and Mg showed an increase of 51.2%, 34.7%, and 27.6%, respectively, whereas the quantity of Ca and K was decreased by 25.2% and 7.66% in the infected stem barks as compared to healthy ones. The results of this study provide some basic but important information that may ultimately be helpful in managing the quick decline disease in the mango trees.
Laparoscopic Cystectomy In-a-Bag of an Intact Cyst: Is It Feasible and Spillage-Free After All?
Authors: Detorakis Stelios , Vlachos Dimitrios , Athanasiou Stavros , Grigoriadis Themistoklis , Domali Aikaterini , Chatzipapas Ioannis , Stamatakis Emmanuel , Mousiolis Athanasios , Patrikios Apostolos , Antsaklis Aris , Loutradis Dimitrios , Protopapas Athanasios
Published: March 2016

This prospective study was conducted to assess the feasibility of laparoscopic cystectomy of an intact adnexal cyst performed inside a water proof endoscopic bag, aiming to avoid intraperitoneal spillage in case of cyst rupture. 102 patients were recruited. Two of them were pregnant. In 8 of the patients the lesions were bilateral, adding up to a total of 110 cysts involved in our study. The endoscopic sac did not rupture in any case. Mean diameter of the cysts was 5.7 cm (range: 2.3–10.5 cm). In 75/110 (68.2%) cases, cystectomy was completed without rupture, whereas in the remaining 35/110 (31.8%) cases the cyst ruptured. Minimal small spillage occurred despite every effort only in 8/110 (7.2%) cases with large (>8 cm) cystic teratomas. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. We concluded that laparoscopic cystectomy in-a-bag of an intact cyst is feasible and oncologically safe for cystic tumors with a diameter < 8 cm. Manipulation of larger tumors with the adnexa into the sac may be more difficult, and in such cases previous puncture and evacuation of the cyst contents should be considered.
Arginine Relieves the Inflammatory Response and Enhances the Casein Expression in Bovine Mammary Epithelial Cells Induced by Lipopolysaccharide
Authors: Wu Tianyou , Wang Chao , Ding Luoyang , Shen Yizhao , Cui Huihui , Wang Mengzhi , Wang Hongrong
Published: March 2016

As one of functional active amino acids, L-arginine holds a key position in immunity. However, the mechanism that arginine modulates cow mammary inflammatory response in ruminant is unclear. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effects of L-arginine on inflammatory response and casein expression after challenging the bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs) with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The cells were divided into four groups, stimulated with or without LPS (10 μg/mL) and treated with or without arginine (100 μg/mL) for 12 h. The concentration of proinflammatory cytokines, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathways as well as the casein was determined. The results showed that arginine reduced the LPS-induced production like IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and iNOS. Though the expression of NF-κB was attenuated and the mTOR signaling pathway was upregulated, arginine had no effect on TLR4 expression. In addition, our results show that the content ofβ-casein and the total casein were enhanced after arginine was supplemented in LPS-induced BMECs. In conclusion, arginine could relieve the inflammatory reaction induced by LPS and enhance the concentration ofβ-casein and the total casein in bovine mammary epithelial cells.
Disulfiram when Combined with Copper Enhances the Therapeutic Effects of Temozolomide for the Treatment of Glioblastoma
Authors: Lun Xueqing , Wells J. Connor , Grinshtein Natalie , King Jennifer C. , Hao Xiaoguang , Dang Ngoc-Ha , Wang Xiuling , Aman Ahmed , Uehling David , Datti Alessandro , Wrana Jeffrey L. , Easaw Jacob C. , Luchman Artee , Weiss Samuel , Cairncross J. Gregory , Kaplan David R. , Robbins Stephen M. , Senger Donna L.
Published: March 2016

Purpose: Glioblastoma is one of the most lethal cancers in humans, and with existing therapy, survival remains at 14.6 months. Current barriers to successful treatment include their infiltrative behavior, extensive tumor heterogeneity, and the presence of a stem-like population of cells, termed brain tumor–initiating cells (BTIC) that confer resistance to conventional therapies.

Experimental Design: To develop therapeutic strategies that target BTICs, we focused on a repurposing approach that explored already-marketed (clinically approved) drugs for therapeutic potential against patient-derived BTICs that encompass the genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity of glioblastoma observed clinically.

Results: Using a high-throughput in vitro drug screen, we found that montelukast, clioquinol, and disulfiram (DSF) were cytotoxic against a large panel of patient-derived BTICs. Of these compounds, disulfiram, an off-patent drug previously used to treat alcoholism, in the presence of a copper supplement, showed low nanomolar efficacy in BTICs including those resistant to temozolomide and the highly infiltrative quiescent stem-like population. Low dose DSF-Cu significantly augmented temozolomide activity in vitro, and importantly, prolonged in vivo survival in patient-derived BTIC models established from both newly diagnosed and recurrent tumors. Moreover, we found that in addition to acting as a potent proteasome inhibitor, DSF-Cu functionally impairs DNA repair pathways and enhances the effects of DNA alkylating agents and radiation. These observations suggest that DSF-Cu inhibits proteasome activity and augments the therapeutic effects of DNA-damaging agents (temozolomide and radiation).

Conclusions: DSF-Cu should be considered as an adjuvant therapy for the treatment of patients with glioblastoma in both newly diagnosed and recurrent settings. Clin Cancer Res; 22(15); 3860–75. ©2016 AACR.
Early Events in the Molecular Pathogenesis of Lung Cancer
Authors: Kadara Humam , Scheet Paul , Wistuba Ignacio I. , Spira Avrum E.
Published: March 2016

The majority of cancer-related deaths in the United States and worldwide are attributed to lung cancer. There are more than 90 million smokers in the United States who represent a significant population at elevated risk for lung malignancy. In other epithelial tumors, it has been shown that if neoplastic lesions can be detected and treated at their intraepithelial stage, patient prognosis is significantly improved. Thus, new strategies to detect and treat lung preinvasive lesions are urgently needed in order to decrease the overwhelming public health burden of lung cancer. Limiting these advances is a poor knowledge of the earliest events that underlie lung cancer development and that would constitute markers and targets for early detection and prevention. This review summarizes the state of knowledge of human lung cancer pathogenesis and the molecular pathology of premalignant lung lesions, with a focus on the molecular premalignant field that associates with lung cancer development. Lastly, we highlight new approaches and models to study genome-wide alterations in human lung premalignancy in order to facilitate the discovery of new markers for early detection and prevention of this fatal disease. Cancer Prev Res; 9(7); 518–27. ©2016 AACR.
Phosphatidylserine Exposure in Human Red Blood Cells Depending on Cell Age
Authors: Wesseling Mauro C. , Wagner-Britz Lisa , Huppert Henri , Hanf Benjamin , Hertz Laura , Nguyen Duc Bach , Bernhardt Ingolf
Published: March 2016

Background/Aims: The exposure of phosphatidylserine (PS) on the outer membrane leaflet of red blood cells (RBCs) serves as a signal for suicidal erythrocyte death or eryptosis, which may be of importance for cell clearance from blood circulation. PS externalisation is realised by the scramblase activated by an increase of intracellular Ca2+ content. It has been described in literature that RBCs show an increased intracellular Ca2+ content as well as PS exposure when becoming aged up to 120 days (which is their life span). However, these investigations were carried out after incubation of the RBCs for 48 h. The aim of this study was to investigate this effect after short-time incubation using a variety of stimulating substances for Ca2+ uptake and PS exposure. Methods: We separated RBCs by age in five different fractions by centrifugation using Percoll density gradient. The intracellular Ca2+ content and the PS exposure of RBCs with different age has been investigated after treatment with lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) as well as after activation of protein kinase C (PKC) using phorbol-12 myristate-13 acetate (PMA). For positive control RBCs were treated with 4-bromo-A23187. Measurement techniques included flow cytometry and live cell imaging (fluorescence microscopy). Results: The percentage of RBCs showing increased Ca2+ content as well as the PS exposure did not change significantly in dependence on cell age after short-time incubation in control experiments (without stimulating substances) or using LPA or PMA. However, we confirm findings reported that Ca2+ content and the PS exposure of RBCs increased after 48 h incubation. Conclusion: No significant differences of intracellular Ca2+ content and PS exposure can be seen for RBCs of different age in resting state or after stimulation of Ca2+ uptake at short-time incubation.
Mismatch Amplification Mutation Assay Real-Time PCR Analysis of the Leptin Gene G2548A and A19G Polymorphisms and Serum Leptin in Infancy: A Preliminary Investigation
Authors: Savino Francesco , Rossi Lorenza , Di Stasio Liliana , Galliano Ilaria , Montanari Paola , Bergallo Massimiliano
Published: March 2016

Leptin is a hormone that regulates food intake and energy metabolism. Its coding gene (LEP) is one of the most promising candidates for obesity. Although some studies have detected associations of different single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the LEP gene with serum leptin levels and obesity-related traits, the results are still conflicting. We investigated two SNPs to find relationships with leptin concentrations. Thirty healthy Caucasian infants younger than 6 months were genotyped for the SNPs G2548A and A19G with polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and amplification refractory mutation system-mismatch amplification mutation assay (ARMS- MAMA) real-time PCR, and serum leptin concentrations were measured with a radioimmunoassay method. Considering the significant linkage disequilibrium observed between the two SNPs, we divided the sample according to the number of GG haplotypes and observed that individuals homozygous for the GG haplotype had higher serum leptin levels in early infancy than the others. Although these preliminary results are based on a limited sample, they suggest that the genetic background seems to play a role in modulating leptin levels in infancy, but changes in leptin levels over infancy and their correlation with obesity need to be further explored. We describe an ARMS-MAMA real-time PCR procedure which could be profitably applied in routine genetic screening.
Cytochrome P450 17A1 Inhibitor Abiraterone Acetate Counteracts the Heat Shock Protein 27's Cell Survival Properties in Prostate Cancer Cells
Authors: Weiss Martin , Ahrend Hannes , Grossebrummel Hannah , Ziegler Patrick , Brandenburg Lars-Ove , Walther Reinhard , Zimmermann Uwe , Burchardt Martin , Stope Matthias B.
Published: March 2016

Introduction: Inhibition of androgen synthesis by abiraterone acetate (AA) entails enhanced overall survival rates and clinical benefit for patients with locally advanced and metastasized prostate cancer (PC). The expression of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) is generally associated with cytoprotection and was demonstrated to mediate chemoresistance under cytostatic therapy, for instance, docetaxel treatment. In this study, we investigated the impact of AA treatment on HSP27 expression and PC cell growth. Materials and Methods: HSP27 expression levels in docetaxel and AA-treated PC cell lines LNCaP and PC-3 were determined by SDS PAGE and Western blot analysis. Proliferation assays were performed using a CASY Cell Counter and Analyzer Model TT (Roche Applied Science). Results: Despite significantly increased HSP27 expression in PC cells incubated with docetaxel, Western blot analysis implicated a significant reduction of the cytoprotective HSP27 in AA-treated PC cells. Notably, HSP27 stably overexpressed in PC-3-HSP27 cells did not appear as an HSP27-mediated proliferation benefit in the presence of AA as shown in docetaxel incubation studies. Conclusion: In contrast to repeatedly demonstrated HSP27-driven chemoresistance related to chemotherapeutics, our results may constitute a broader molecular mode of action of AA chemotherapy. AA efficacy may exert an HSP27 suppressive role that goes beyond the primarily assumed inhibition of androgen biosynthesis.
Caspase-1 Inflammasome Activation Mediates Homocysteine-Induced Pyrop-Apoptosis in Endothelial Cells
Authors: Xi Hang , Zhang Yuling , Xu Yanjie , Yang William Y. , Jiang Xiaohua , Sha Xiaojin , Cheng Xiaoshu , Wang Jingfeng , Qin Xuebin , Yu Jun , Ji Yong , Yang Xiaofeng , Wang Hong
Published: March 2016

Rationale:

Endothelial injury is an initial mechanism mediating cardiovascular disease.

Objective:

Here, we investigated the effect of hyperhomocysteinemia on programed cell death in endothelial cells (EC).

Methods and Results:

We established a novel flow-cytometric gating method to define pyrotosis (Annexin V
−
/Propidium iodide
+
). In cultured human EC, we found that: (1) homocysteine and lipopolysaccharide individually and synergistically induced inflammatory pyroptotic and noninflammatory apoptotic cell death; (2) homocysteine/lipopolysaccharide induced caspase-1 activation before caspase-8, caspase-9, and caspase-3 activations; (3) caspase-1/caspase-3 inhibitors rescued homocysteine/lipopolysaccharide-induced pyroptosis/apoptosis, but caspase-8/caspase-9 inhibitors had differential rescue effect; (4) homocysteine/lipopolysaccharide-induced nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, and leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain containing protein 3 (NLRP3) protein caused NLRP3-containing inflammasome assembly, caspase-1 activation, and interleukin (IL)-1β cleavage/activation; (5) homocysteine/lipopolysaccharide elevated intracellular reactive oxygen species, (6) intracellular oxidative gradient determined cell death destiny as intermediate intracellular reactive oxygen species levels are associated with pyroptosis, whereas high reactive oxygen species corresponded to apoptosis; (7) homocysteine/lipopolysaccharide induced mitochondrial membrane potential collapse and cytochrome-
c
release, and increased B-cell lymphoma 2–associated X protein/B-cell lymphoma 2 ratio which were attenuated by antioxidants and caspase-1 inhibitor; and (8) antioxidants extracellular superoxide dismutase and catalase prevented homocysteine/lipopolysaccharide -induced caspase-1 activation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and pyroptosis/apoptosis. In cystathionine β-synthase–deficient (
Cbs
−/−
) mice, severe hyperhomocysteinemia-induced caspase-1 activation in isolated lung EC and caspase-1 expression in aortic endothelium, and elevated aortic caspase-1, caspase-9 protein/activity and B-cell lymphoma 2–associated X protein/B-cell lymphoma 2 ratio in
Cbs
−/−
aorta and human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Finally, homocysteine-induced DNA fragmentation was reversed in caspase-1
−/−
EC. Hyperhomocysteinemia-induced aortic endothelial dysfunction was rescued in
caspase-1
−/−
and
NLRP3
−/−
mice.

Conclusions:

Hyperhomocysteinemia preferentially induces EC pyroptosis via caspase-1–dependent inflammasome activation leading to endothelial dysfunction. We termed caspase-1 responsive pyroptosis and apoptosis as pyrop-apoptosis.
Circulating Biomarkers of Dairy Fat and Risk of Incident Diabetes Mellitus Among Men and Women in the United States in Two Large Prospective Cohorts
Authors: Yakoob Mohammad Y. , Shi Peilin , Willett Walter C. , Rexrode Kathryn M. , Campos Hannia , Orav E. John , Hu Frank B. , Mozaffarian Dariush
Published: March 2016

Background—

In prospective studies, the relationship of self-reported consumption of dairy foods with risk of diabetes mellitus is inconsistent. Few studies have assessed dairy fat, using circulating biomarkers, and incident diabetes mellitus. We tested the hypothesis that circulating fatty acid biomarkers of dairy fat, 15:0, 17:0, and t-16:1n-7, are associated with lower incident diabetes mellitus.

Methods and Results—

Among 3333 adults aged 30 to 75 years and free of prevalent diabetes mellitus at baseline, total plasma and erythrocyte fatty acids were measured in blood collected in 1989 to 1990 (Nurses’ Health Study) and 1993 to 1994 (Health Professionals Follow-Up Study). Incident diabetes mellitus through 2010 was confirmed by a validated supplementary questionnaire based on symptoms, diagnostic tests, and medications. Risk was assessed by using Cox proportional hazards, with cohort findings combined by meta-analysis. During mean±standard deviation follow-up of 15.2±5.6 years, 277 new cases of diabetes mellitus were diagnosed. In pooled multivariate analyses adjusting for demographics, metabolic risk factors, lifestyle, diet, and other circulating fatty acids, individuals with higher plasma 15:0 had a 44% lower risk of diabetes mellitus (quartiles 4 versus 1, hazard ratio, 0.56; 95% confidence interval, 0.37–0.86;
P
-trend=0.01); higher plasma 17:0, 43% lower risk (hazard ratio, 0.57; 95% confidence interval, 0.39–0.83;
P
-trend=0.01); and higher t-16:1n-7, 52% lower risk (hazard ratio, 0.48; 95% confidence interval, 0.33–0.70;
P
-trend <0.001). Findings were similar for erythrocyte 15:0, 17:0, and t-16:1n-7, although with broader confidence intervals that only achieved statistical significance for 17:0.

Conclusions—

In 2 prospective cohorts, higher plasma dairy fatty acid concentrations were associated with lower incident diabetes mellitus. Results were similar for erythrocyte 17:0. Our findings highlight the need to better understand the potential health effects of dairy fat, and the dietary and metabolic determinants of these fatty acids.
Trends in Mortality From Ischemic Heart Disease and Cerebrovascular Disease in Europe
Authors: Hartley Adam , Marshall Dominic C. , Salciccioli Justin D. , Sikkel Markus B. , Maruthappu Mahiben , Shalhoub Joseph
Published: March 2016

Background—

Trends in cardiovascular mortality across Europe demonstrate significant geographical variation, and an understanding of these trends has a central role in global public health.

Methods and Results—

Ischemic heart disease and cerebrovascular disease age-standardized death rates (as per
International Classification of Diseases
, ninth and tenth revisions) were collated from the World Health Organization mortality database for member states of the European Union. Trends were characterized by using Joinpoint regression analysis. An overall trend for reduction in ischemic heart disease mortality was observed, most pronounced in Western Europe (>60% for the Netherlands, United Kingdom, and Ireland) for both sexes from 1980 to 2009. Eastern European states, Romania, Croatia, and Slovakia, had modest mortality reductions. Most recently (2009), Lithuania had the highest mortality for males and females (318.1/100 000 and 166.1/100 000, respectively), followed by Latvia and Slovakia. France had the lowest mortality: 39.8/100 000 for males and 14.7/100 000 for females. Analysis of cerebrovascular disease mortality revealed that Austria had the largest reduction for both sexes (76.8% males, 76.5% females) from 1980 to 2009. The smallest improvement over this period was seen in Lithuania, Poland, and Cyprus (–5% to +20% approximately). France has the lowest present-day cerebrovascular disease mortality for both males and females (23.9/100 000 and 17.3/100 000, respectively).

Conclusions—

There is a growing disparity in cardiovascular mortality between Western and Eastern Europe, for which diverse explanations are discussed. The need for population-wide health promotion and primary prevention policies is emphasized.
Fatty Acid Metabolic Defects and Right Ventricular Lipotoxicity in Human Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Brittain Evan L. , Talati Megha , Fessel Joshua P. , Zhu He , Penner Niki , Calcutt M. Wade , West James D. , Funke Mitch , Lewis Gregory D. , Gerszten Robert E. , Hamid Rizwan , Pugh Meredith E. , Austin Eric D. , Newman John H. , Hemnes Anna R.
Published: March 2016

Background—

The mechanisms of right ventricular (RV) failure in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) are poorly understood. Abnormalities in fatty acid (FA) metabolism have been described in experimental models of PAH, but systemic and myocardial FA metabolism has not been studied in human PAH.

Methods and Results—

We used human blood, RV tissue, and noninvasive imaging to characterize multiple steps in the FA metabolic pathway in PAH subjects and controls. Circulating free FAs and long-chain acylcarnitines were elevated in PAH patients versus controls. Human RV long-chain FAs were increased and long-chain acylcarnitines were markedly reduced in PAH versus controls. With the use of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy, in vivo myocardial triglyceride content was elevated in human PAH versus controls (1.4±1.3% triglyceride versus 0.22±0.11% triglyceride,
P
=0.02). Ceramide, a mediator of lipotoxicity, was increased in PAH RVs versus controls. Using an animal model of heritable PAH, we demonstrated reduced FA oxidation via failure of palmitoylcarnitine to stimulate oxygen consumption in the PAH RV.

Conclusions—

Abnormalities in FA metabolism can be detected in the blood and myocardium in human PAH and are associated with in vivo cardiac steatosis and lipotoxicity. Murine data suggest that lipotoxicity may arise from reduction in FA oxidation.
An Approach to Working Up Cases of Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source
Authors: Ryoo Sookyung , Chung Jong‐Won , Lee Mi Ji , Kim Suk Jae , Lee Jin Soo , Kim Gyeong‐Moon , Chung Chin‐Sang , Lee Kwang Ho , Hong Ji Man , Bang Oh Young
Published: March 2016

Background

From a therapeutic viewpoint, it is important to differentiate the underlying causes of embolism in patients with cryptogenic stroke, such as aortic arch atheroma, patent foramen ovale, and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. We investigated the clinical and radiological characteristics of these 3 common causes of cryptogenic embolism to develop models for decision making in etiologic workups.

Methods and Results

A total of 321 consecutive patients with acute infarcts from cryptogenic embolism were included. Patients were divided into 3 groups—aortic arch atheroma (n=40), patent foramen ovale (n=153), and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (n=128)—based on extensive cardiologic workups. We used a multinomial logistic regression analysis to detect the clinical and diffusion‐weighted imaging factors associated with the probability of aortic arch atheroma, patent foramen ovale, and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Clinical and radiological features differed among the groups. The patent foramen ovale group had a healthy vascular risk factor profile and showed posterior circulation involvement compared with other groups (
P
<0.01). In contrast, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation–related strokes had higher initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores and larger lesions than the other groups (
P
<0.001). The aortic arch atheroma group had clinical features similar to those of the paroxysmal atrial fibrillation group but showed small lesions scattered in multiple vascular territories (
P
<0.001). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that age, initial
NIHSS
score, lesion size (≥20 mm), multiple (≥3) lesions, and involvement of posterior circulation or multiple vascular territories differentiated the 3 groups (pseudo,
R
2
=0.656). The prediction ability of this model was validated in the external validation cohort (n=117, area under the curve 0.78).

Conclusions

Our data indicate that patients with cryptogenic embolic stroke show distinct clinical and radiological features depending on the underlying causes.
Efficacy of Upper Extremity Robotic Therapy in Subacute Poststroke Hemiplegia
Authors: Takahashi Kayoko , Domen Kazuhisa , Sakamoto Tomosaburo , Toshima Masahiko , Otaka Yohei , Seto Makiko , Irie Katsumi , Haga Bin , Takebayashi Takashi , Hachisuka Kenji
Published: March 2016

Background and Purpose—

Our aim was to study the efficacy of robotic therapy as an adjuvant to standard therapy during poststroke rehabilitation.

Methods—

Prospective, open, blinded end point, randomized, multicenter exploratory clinical trial in Japan of 60 individuals with mild to moderate hemiplegia 4 to 8 weeks post stroke randomized to receive standard therapy plus 40 minutes of either robotic or self-guided therapy for 6 weeks (7 days/week). Upper extremity impairment before and after intervention was measured using the Fugl–Meyer assessment, Wolf Motor Function Test, and Motor Activity Log.

Results—

Robotic therapy significantly improved Fugl–Meyer assessment flexor synergy (2.1±2.7 versus −0.1±2.4;
P
<0.01) and proximal upper extremity (4.8±5.0 versus 1.9±5.5;
P
<0.05) compared with self-guided therapy. No significant changes in Wolf Motor Function Test or Motor Activity Log were observed. Robotic therapy also significantly improved Fugl–Meyer assessment proximal upper extremity among low-functioning patients (baseline Fugl–Meyer assessment score <30) and among patients with Wolf Motor Function Test ≥120 at baseline compared with self-guided therapy (
P
<0.05 for both).

Conclusions—

Robotic therapy as an adjuvant to standard rehabilitation may improve upper extremity recovery in moderately impaired poststroke patients. Results of this exploratory study should be interpreted with caution.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.umin.ac.jp/
. Unique identifier: UMIN000001619.
The Concept of Multilayered Statehood in the System of Russian Federalism
Authors: Küpper Herbert
Published: March 2016

The Russian state has a long tradition of top-to-bottom centralism. Nevertheless, Russia’s 1993 Constitution is based on both federalism and local autonomy, principles that create and require multilayered sovereignty, distributed over a larger number of political power centers, which is alien to the Russian tradition of centralized sovereignty. During the Boris El’tsin era, state power was decentralized to a certain extent, and regions, local governments, economies, and civil society were given room to act independently from the Kremlin’s tutelage. Nonetheless, many felt that this was chaotic. Vladimir Putin’s ‘consolidation of vertical power’ reduced federalism and local autonomy to a facade behind which traditional top-to-bottom centralism has been re-established. In reducing federalism to a mere show, Putin has been able to rely on Soviet traditions. Furthermore, central power instrumentalizes local autonomy in order to further reduce the powers of federal entities, i.e., subjects of the Russian Federation. Thus, political reality has returned to Russian traditions, whereas the text of the Constitution preserves the ‘outdated’ institutions of federalism and local autonomy.
Changes of Administrative Accountability in Russian Transitions
Authors: Heusala Anna-Liisa
Published: March 2016

This article discusses the dynamics of transitions and security within the framework of the development of administrative accountability in Russia. It considers both the legal and administrative culture in Russia on the basis of the formation of administrative accountability and challenges found in this process. During the three periods of Russian transitions under study in this article, administrative accountability has developed as a result of attempts to institutionalize new ideals in an old administrative culture. The article shows that, during these transitions, uncertainties and unintended effects of administrative changes have intensified traditional security concerns that have exceeded other considerations in the implementation of reforms. As a result, the institutionalization of new professional practices and ways of thinking has been diffuse and administrative accountability remains legalistic.
Russian Early Modern Criminal Procedure and Culture of Appeal
Authors: Muravyeva Marianna
Published: March 2016

This article explores early modern criminal procedure and the emergence of a culture of appeal in the Russian system of criminal justice. It raises several important questions: Why did the appeal procedure not function as an ultimate guarantee of justice? How did Russian procedural law make appeals nothing more than the last stop on an ‘assembly line’, as a confirmation of a verdict rather than another court instance? How was criminal procedure connected with the political regime and a broader understanding of justice in early modern Russia? And what was then the ultimate goal of appeals that encouraged litigants to proceed with their cases to the highest court authorities? The author argues that Russia developed a so-called ‘appeal culture’, i.e., a situation in which individuals were willing to proceed with an appeal despite the quality of judicial decisions. Coupled with selective justice and a subjective understanding of fair trial, the appeal became one of the main means of acquiring a desirable verdict or, at least, of preventing an adversary from receiving such a verdict.
Foreign Court Decisions, Arbitral Awards and Sovereignty in Russia
Authors: Antonov Mikhail
Published: March 2016

This chapter examines a number of theoretical difficulties related to the implementation, in Russia, of the decisions and awards of foreign courts and arbitral tribunals. Along with the normative conditions for recognizing and enforcing foreign decisions, the author draws attention to the educational background of legal professionals— especially judges—in Russia. It is suggested that the statist conception of law inherited from Soviet legal scholarship implicitly leads to the contemporary Russian legal doctrine of negating the obligatory force of decisions from foreign courts. In the opinion of the author, the core of this conception resides in the traditional concept of sovereignty, which excludes the direct effect of legal acts made by foreign states, private arbitration tribunals, and international organizations. Nevertheless, there have been signs of a change in the attitude of the Russian judiciary in several key rulings by commercial courts. The author concludes that one now can observe seeing tendencies indicative of the development of a different concept of law in the mentality of legal professionals in Russia.
Are Russian Courts Capable of Creating Precedents? Overcoming Inconsistency in Case Law
Authors: Koroteev Kirill
Published: March 2016

This article discusses the issue of the consistency of judicial decisions in two of Russia’s highest courts: the Supreme Court and the Higher Arbitrazh Court. The President of the latter has been especially vocal in advocating for the “introduction of the doctrine of precedent into Russian law”. This idea, understood as the power to bind lower courts by judgments in individual cases, has even received support from the RF Constitutional Court. However, this article stresses that before discussing whether there may—or may not—be a place for judicial precedent in Russia, the judgments of the two highest courts must be consistent. We examine one particular issue that lends itself to a number of possible solutions: the judicial review of internal circulars from federal bodies of executive power. The case law of the two courts has been marked by U-turns in dealing with this matter. They sometimes have issued completely different judgments in similar cases over a short period of time, while failing to explain why their rulings differ from earlier judgments. The author of the present article argues that this inconsistency gives witness to a number of fundamental flaws in judicial decisionmaking in Russia and undermines any discourse in support of precedent in Russia.
The Second-Look Doctrine in Russian Arbitrazh Courts
Authors: Gurkov Alexander
Published: March 2016

This article provides a brief description of the second-look doctrine and an analysis of its implications for the Russian legal system in terms of legislation, case law, and doctrine. It contains a review of existing judgments by Russian Arbitrazh courts on the issue, with an analysis of the courts’ reasoning with regard to the effects of the secondlook doctrine. The article ends by noting that Russian law allows for two different interpretations—minimalist and the mixed—of the doctrine. These approaches require a different standard for court review of arbitral awards involving antitrust matters.
Practices of Displacement: Forced Migration of Mixed-Race Children from Colonial Ruanda-Urundi to Belgium
Authors: Heynssens Sarah
Published: March 2016

During colonial times, the Belgian metropolitan government removed mixed-race children from their indigenous African families and placed them in specialised institutions. On the eve of independence about 300 of these children were ‘evacuated’ to Belgium. This article elaborates on Belgian policy towards mixed-race children during the colonial era and on the forced displacement of mixed-race children from the Ruanda-Urundi region upon independence. It reflects on the ways in which indigenous parents reacted to and protested against the displacement of their children and investigates how the colonial government tried to neutralise objections. The article confronts the factual practices of displacement with the perceptions of the various actors involved, which allows discerning notions about race, citizenship, motherhood and child rearing.
The ‘Great War’ in Il Plata: Italian Immigrants in Buenos Aires and Montevideo During the First World War
Authors: Galante John Starosta
Published: March 2016

This paper examines the actions of Italian immigrants in Buenos Aires and Montevideo to support Italy’s mobilisation during the First World War. It focuses on immigrant institutions that participated in activities including military recruitment and welfare collections to assist the Italian side. It also investigates ways Italian immigrants collaborated across the Río de la Plata to mobilise war-related resources. Through its analysis, this article narrows in on a neglected period of time in Italian immigration historiography and uncovers ways events in Italy might have affected immigrant behaviours. It explores the degree of integration that existed between these two communities and within a transnational immigrant network built around ‘Italian’ notions of belonging. More broadly, this paper illustrates the value of scholarly focus on periods of crisis in immigrant homelands. The study of such periods helps advance understandings of social relations within immigrant communities and the transnational networks in which immigrants are situated.
The Thread of Migration: A Scottish-French Linen and Jute Works and its Workers in France, c. 1845–c. 1870
Authors: Bensimon Fabrice , Whatley Christopher A.
Published: March 2016

After 1815, European manufacturers in several sectors sought to reap the benefits of British technical superiority through the acquisition of British machinery and workers who could operate it. France was one of the beneficiaries of this transfer process. Along with iron, engineering, and tulle making, another British industry that established a French presence was linen and jute textile manufacturing. The authors present the results of joint research carried out in Scotland and France, focusing on a spinning mill established by a Dundee-Paris partnership in Ailly-sur-Somme in 1845. Much of the technical, managerial, and worker input came from Dundee, then becoming Britain’s – and for a time, the world’s – leading coarse textile manufacturing centre: ‘Juteopolis’. But the flow of expertise was not always unidirectional and there was cultural interchange too, in a process that by the 1870s had resulted in Ailly becoming one of the most important industrial establishments in France.
Swartzia hilaireana (Leguminosae), an “old” new species from the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil
Authors: MANSANO VIDAL DE FREITAS , FALCÃO JUNIOR MARCUS JOSÉ DE AZEVEDO , TORKE BENJAMIN M.
Published: March 2016

Swartzia hilaireana, a new species of Swartzia sect. Swartzia from seasonal forests of the transition zone between cerrado and Altantic forest in Minas Gerais, Brazil, is described and illustrated. Although it was first collected nearly two centuries ago, only in recent decades has sufficient material of the species become available to make a confident taxonomic assessment. The species is closely related to S. pilulifera with which it may occur sympatrically, but it differs from that species in multiple aspects of its morphology.
On the nomenclature of fossil Potamogeton (Potamogetonaceae)
Authors: DOWELD ALEXANDER B.
Published: March 2016

12 fossil species names of Potamogeton described from the Miocene to Pleistocene sediments of Eurasia based on fruit endocarp findings were found to be later homonyms of some extant and fossil species of Potamogeton and are here replaced by new names: Potamogeton baluevae (replacement name for fossil P. decipiens), P. borsukiae (replacement name for fossil P. carinatus), P. gorbunovii (replacement name for fossil P. pseudofriesii), P. jakubovskajae (replacement name for fossil P. praenatans), P. kasakorum (replacement name for fossil P. pliocenicus), P. kolesnikovae (replacement name for fossil P. stylatus), P. kondinskajae (replacement name for fossil P. obtusus), P. novorossicus (replacement name for fossil P. corniculatus), P. pashkovii (replacement name for fossil P. striatus), P. rutiloides (replacement name for fossil P. palaeorutilus), P. snigirevskajae (replacement name for fossil P. microcarpus), P. volgensis (replacement name for fossil P. tataricus). Nomenclature and typification of names are given along with their palaeogeographic and stratigraphic data.
Revision of Thisiomorphus Pic (Coleoptera: Mycteridae: Eurypinae) with descriptions of eleven new species from Central and South America
and a key to genera of Neotropical Eurypinae
Authors: POLLOCK DARREN A.
Published: March 2016

The Neotropical eurypine genus Thisiomorphus is revised, based on external structural features of adults. Twelve species are recognized, including the following eleven new species (type areas in parentheses): T. festivus (Panama, Colón Prov.), T. osaensis (Costa Rica, Puntarenas Prov.), T. davidsoni (Brazil, Chapada), T. inaequalis (Ecuador, Napo Prov.), T. caeruleus (Panama, Panamá Prov.), T. brasiliensis (Brazil, Amazonas), T. solisi (Costa Rica, Guanacaste Prov.), T. andrewsi (Panama, Chiriquí Prov.), T. bolivianus (Bolivia, Santa Cruz Dept.), T. curticornis (Ecuador, Sucumbíos Prov.), and T. convergens (Brazil, Pará). A key to the 13 described eurypine genera of Central and South American is provided, along with a key to species of Thisiomorphus. The keys are supplemented with images of habitus and selected structural features, and maps of known distributions are provided.
Spinacopia dietkeyseri, a new species of Marine Ostracoda (Sarsiellidae: Myodocopina) from the Southern ocean
Authors: CHAVTUR VLADIMIR G.
Published: March 2016

Spinacopia dietkeyseri, a new species of the family Sarsiellidae is described from the Southern Ocean (61°48.70’ S–47°28.04’ W to 61°48.57’ S–47°28.19 W) from the depth of 1993–1999 m. It very close to S. mastix Kornicker, 1975, but differs in the ornamentation on the surface of the carapace and in the number of setae on the maxilla, 5th, 6th and 7th limbs.