bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrochemical Properties of PANI as Single Electrode of Electrochemical Capacitors in Acid Electrolytes
Authors: Zhu Haihua , Peng Shunjin , Jiang Weijie
Published: October 2013

The polyaniline (PANI) powder with globular sponge‐like morphology was prepared by chemical solution polymerization, and its morphology and chemical structure were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), respectively. The single electrode of electrochemical capacitor was made using the prepared PANI powder as active material and carbon paper as current collector. Electrochemical properties of PANI as a single electrode in 1 M HCl and 1 M H2SO4 electrolyte solution were tested by galvanostatic charge/discharge (GCD) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) techniques. It has been found that PANI has higher specific capacitance of 302.43 Fg−1, higher specific energy of 54.44 Wh·kg−1 at 0.5 Ag−1, and higher working potential in 1 M HCl than those in 1 M H2SO4.
Local and Systemic Inflammatory Responses to Experimentally Induced Gingivitis
Authors: Leishman Shaneen J. , Seymour Gregory J. , Ford Pauline J.
Published: October 2013

This study profiled the local and systemic inflammatory responses to experimentally induced gingivitis. Eight females participated in a 21-day experimental gingivitis model followed by a 14-day resolution phase. Bleeding on probing and plaque index scores were assessed before, during, and after resolution of gingival inflammation, and samples of saliva, GCF, and plasma were collected. Samples were assessed for biomarkers of inflammation using the BioPlex platform and ELISA. There were no significant changes in GCF levels of cytokines during the experimental phase; however, individual variability in cytokine profiles was noted. During resolution, mean GCF levels of IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-αdecreased and were significantly lower than baseline levels (P=0.003,P=0.025, andP=0.007, resp.). Furthermore, changes in GCF levels of IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-αduring resolution correlated with changes in plaque index scores (r=0.88,P=0.004;r=0.72,P=0.042;r=0.79,P=0.019, resp.). Plasma levels of sICAM-1 increased significantly during the experimental phase (P=0.002) and remained elevated and significantly higher than baseline levels during resolution (P<0.001). These results support the concept that gingivitis adds to the systemic inflammatory burden of an individual.
The Role for Epigenetic Modifications in Pain and Analgesia Response
Authors: Lessans Sherrie , Dorsey Susan G.
Published: October 2013

Pain remains a poorly understood and managed symptom. A limited mechanistic understanding of interindividual differences in pain and analgesia response shapes current approaches to assessment and treatment. Opportunities exist to improve pain care through increased understanding of how dynamic epigenomic remodeling shapes injury, illness, pain, and treatment response. Tightly regulated alterations of the DNA-histone chromatin complex enable cells to control transcription, replication, gene expression, and protein production. Pathological alterations to chromatin shape the ability of the cell to respond to physiologic and environmental cues leading to disease and reduced treatment effectiveness. This review provides an overview of critical epigenetic processes shaping pathology and pain, highlights current research support for the role of epigenomic modification in the development of chronic pain, and summarizes the therapeutic potential to alter epigenetic processes to improve health outcomes.
Deterministic Imputation in Multienvironment Trials
Authors: Arciniegas-Alarcón Sergio , García-Peña Marisol , Krzanowski Wojtek Janusz , dos Santos Dias Carlos Tadeu
Published: October 2013

This paper proposes five new imputation methods for unbalanced experiments with genotype by-environment interaction (G×E). The methods use cross-validation by eigenvector, based on an iterative scheme with the singular value decomposition (SVD) of a matrix. To test the methods, we performed a simulation study using three complete matrices of real data, obtained from G×E interaction trials of peas, cotton, and beans, and introducing lack of balance by randomly deleting in turn 10%, 20%, and 40% of the values in each matrix. The quality of the imputations was evaluated with the additive main effects and multiplicative interaction model (AMMI), using the root mean squared predictive difference (RMSPD) between the genotypes and environmental parameters of the original data set and the set completed by imputation. The proposed methodology does not make any distributional or structural assumptions and does not have any restrictions regarding the pattern or mechanism of missing values.
Dynamics of the Energy Relaxation and Decoherence of a Photon-Atom Bound State in an Anisotropic Photonic Crystal
Authors: Wu Jing-Nuo , Hsieh Wen-Feng , Huang Hsin-Chien , Cheng Szu-Cheng
Published: October 2013

An atom embedded inside photonic crystals can form a photon-atom bound state if the emission frequency of the excited atom is lying inside the photonic-band gap of photonic crystals. We studied the dynamics of the energy relaxation and decoherence of a QPAB, qubit made by a photon-atom bound state in photonic crystals. Dynamics of these measurements are solved analytically through the fractional calculus which has been shown to be appropriate mathematical method for the optical systems with non-Markovian dynamics. From these dynamics, we find that the losses of energy, coherence, and information of a QPAB are inhibited. As compared with those qubits without forming photon-atom bound states, the energy relaxation and decoherence rates of these QPABs are strongly suppressed. Other systems suitable for realizing these properties are discussed.
ALDH1-Positive Cancer Stem Cells Predict Engraftment of Primary Breast Tumors and Are Governed by a Common Stem Cell Program
Authors: Charafe-Jauffret Emmanuelle , Ginestier Christophe , Bertucci François , Cabaud Olivier , Wicinski Julien , Finetti Pascal , Josselin Emmanuelle , Adelaide José , Nguyen Tien-Tuan , Monville Florence , Jacquemier Jocelyne , Thomassin-Piana Jeanne , Pinna Guillaume , Jalaguier Aurélie , Lambaudie Eric , Houvenaeghel Gilles , Xerri Luc , Harel-Bellan Annick , Chaffanet Max , Viens Patrice , Birnbaum Daniel
Published: October 2013

Cancer stem-like cells (CSC) have been widely studied, but their clinical relevance has yet to be established in breast cancer. Here, we report the establishment of primary breast tumor–derived xenografts (PDX) that encompass the main diversity of human breast cancer and retain the major clinicopathologic features of primary tumors. Successful engraftment was correlated with the presence of ALDH1-positive CSCs, which predicted prognosis in patients. The xenografts we developed showed a hierarchical cell organization of breast cancer with the ALDH1-positive CSCs constituting the tumorigenic cell population. Analysis of gene expression from functionally validated CSCs yielded a breast CSC signature and identified a core transcriptional program of 19 genes shared with murine embryonic, hematopoietic, and neural stem cells. This generalized stem cell program allowed the identification of potential CSC regulators, which were related mainly to metabolic processes. Using an siRNA genetic screen designed to target the 19 genes, we validated the functional role of this stem cell program in the regulation of breast CSC biology. Our work offers a proof of the functional importance of CSCs in breast cancer, and it establishes the reliability of PDXs for use in developing personalized CSC therapies for patients with breast cancer. Cancer Res; 73(24); 7290–300. ©2013 AACR.
Use of the Proton Pump Inhibitor Pantoprazole to Modify the Distribution and Activity of Doxorubicin: A Potential Strategy to Improve the Therapy of Solid Tumors
Authors: Patel Krupa J. , Lee Carol , Tan Qian , Tannock Ian F.
Published: October 2013

Purpose: Limited drug distribution within solid tumors is an important cause of drug resistance. Basic drugs (e.g., doxorubicin) may be sequestered in acidic organelles, thereby limiting drug distribution to distal cells and diverting drugs from their target DNA. Here we investigate the effects of pantoprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, on doxorubicin uptake, and doxorubicin distribution and activity using in vitro and murine models.

Experimental Design: Murine EMT-6 and human MCF-7 cells were treated with pantoprazole to evaluate changes in endosomal pH using fluorescence spectroscopy, and uptake of doxorubicin using flow cytometry. Effects of pantoprazole on tissue penetration of doxorubicin were evaluated in multilayered cell cultures (MCC), and in solid tumors using immunohistochemistry. Effects of pantoprazole to influence tumor growth delay and toxicity because of doxorubicin were evaluated in mice.

Results: Pantoprazole (>200 μmol/L) increased endosomal pH in cells, and also increased nuclear uptake of doxorubicin. Pretreatment with pantoprazole increased tissue penetration of doxorubicin in MCCs. Pantoprazole improved doxorubicin distribution from blood vessels in solid tumors. Pantoprazole given before doxorubicin led to increased growth delay when given as single or multiple doses to mice bearing MCF7 xenografts.

Conclusions: Use of pantoprazole to enhance the distribution and cytotoxicity of anticancer drugs in solid tumors might be a novel treatment strategy to improve their therapeutic index. Clin Cancer Res; 19(24); 6766–76. ©2013 AACR.
Evaluation and Clinical Analyses of Downstream Targets of the Akt Inhibitor GDC-0068
Authors: Yan Yibing , Serra Violeta , Prudkin Ludmila , Scaltriti Maurizio , Murli Sumati , Rodríguez Olga , Guzman Marta , Sampath Deepak , Nannini Michelle , Xiao Yuanyuan , Wagle Marie-Claire , Wu Jenny Q. , Wongchenko Matthew , Hampton Garret , Ramakrishnan Vanitha , Lackner Mark R. , Saura Cristina , Roda Desamparados , Cervantes Andrés , Tabernero Josep , Patel Premal , Baselga José
Published: October 2013

Purpose: The oncogenic PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway is an attractive therapeutic target in cancer. However, it is unknown whether the pathway blockade required for tumor growth inhibition is clinically achievable. Therefore, we conducted pharmacodynamic studies with GDC-0068, an ATP competitive, selective Akt1/2/3 inhibitor, in preclinical models and in patients treated with this compound.

Experimental Design: We used a reverse phase protein array (RPPA) platform to identify a biomarker set indicative of Akt inhibition in cell lines and human-tumor xenografts, and correlated the degree of pathway inhibition with antitumor activity. Akt pathway activity was measured using this biomarker set in pre- and post-dose tumor biopsies from patients treated with GDC-0068 in the dose escalation clinical trial.

Results: The set of biomarkers of Akt inhibition is composed of 10 phosphoproteins, including Akt and PRAS40, and is modulated in a dose-dependent fashion, both in vitro and in vivo. In human-tumor xenografts, this dose dependency significantly correlated with tumor growth inhibition. Tumor biopsies from patients treated with GDC-0068 at clinically achievable doses attained a degree of biomarker inhibition that correlated with tumor growth inhibition in preclinical models. In these clinical samples, compensatory feedback activation of ERK and HER3 was observed, consistent with preclinical observations.

Conclusion: This study identified a set of biomarkers of Akt inhibition that can be used in the clinical setting to assess target engagement. Here, it was used to show that robust Akt inhibition in tumors from patients treated with GDC-0068 is achievable, supporting the clinical development of this compound in defined patient populations. Clin Cancer Res; 19(24); 6976–86. ©2013 AACR.
Enzalutamide for Treatment of Patients with Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Who Have Previously Received Docetaxel: U.S. Food and Drug Administration Drug Approval Summary
Authors: Ning Yangmin M. , Pierce William , Maher V. Ellen , Karuri Stella , Tang Sheng-Hui , Chiu Haw-Jyh , Palmby Todd , Zirkelbach Jeanne Fourie , Marathe Dhananjay , Mehrotra Nitin , Liu Qi , Ghosh Debasis , Cottrell Christy L. , Leighton John , Sridhara Rajeshwari , Ibrahim Amna , Justice Robert , Pazdur Richard
Published: October 2013

This article summarizes the regulatory evaluation that led to the full approval of enzalutamide (XTANDI, Medivation Inc.) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on August 31, 2012, for the treatment of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer who have previously received docetaxel. This approval was based on the results of a randomized, placebo-controlled trial which randomly allocated 1,199 patients with mCRPC who had received prior docetaxel to receive either enzalutamide, 160 mg orally once daily (n = 800), or placebo (n = 399). All patients were required to continue androgen deprivation therapy. The primary endpoint was overall survival. At the prespecified interim analysis, a statistically significant improvement in overall survival was demonstrated for the enzalutamide arm compared with the placebo arm [HR = 0.63; 95% confidence interval: 0.53–0.75; P < 0.0001]. The median overall survival durations were 18.4 months and 13.6 months in the enzalutamide and placebo arms, respectively. The most common adverse reactions (≥10%) included asthenia or fatigue, back pain, diarrhea, arthralgia, hot flush, peripheral edema, musculoskeletal pain, headache, and upper respiratory infection. Seizures occurred in 0.9% of patients on enzalutamide compared with no patients on the placebo arm. Overall, the FDA's review and analyses of the submitted data confirmed that enzalutamide had a favorable benefit–risk profile in the study patient population, thus supporting its use for the approved indication. The recommended dose is 160 mg of enzalutamide administered orally once daily. Enzalutamide represents the third product that the FDA has approved in the same disease setting within a period of 2 years. Clin Cancer Res; 19(22); 6067–73. ©2013 AACR.
Reprogramming Metabolism with Metformin Improves Tumor Oxygenation and Radiotherapy Response
Authors: Zannella Vanessa E. , Dal Pra Alan , Muaddi Hala , McKee Trevor D. , Stapleton Shawn , Sykes Jenna , Glicksman Rachel , Chaib Selim , Zamiara Paul , Milosevic Michael , Wouters Bradly G. , Bristow Robert G. , Koritzinsky Marianne
Published: October 2013

Purpose: Tumor hypoxia is a negative prognostic factor in multiple cancers, due in part to its role in causing resistance to radiotherapy. Hypoxia arises in tumor regions distal to blood vessels as oxygen is consumed by more proximal tumor cells. Reducing the rate of oxygen consumption is therefore a potential strategy to reduce tumor hypoxia. We hypothesized that the anti-diabetic drug metformin, which reduces oxygen consumption through inhibition of mitochondrial complex I, would improve radiation response by increasing tumor oxygenation.

Experimental Design: Tumor hypoxia was measured in xenografts before and after metformin treatment using 2-nitroimidazole hypoxia markers quantified by immunohistochemistry (IHC), flow cytometry, and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. Radiation response was determined by tumor growth delay and clonogenic survival in xenografts with and without administration of metformin. The impact of metformin use on outcome was assessed in 504 patients with localized prostate cancer treated with curative-intent, image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) from 1996 to 2012. Three-year biochemical relapse-free rates were assessed using the Kaplan–Meier method.

Results: Metformin treatment significantly improved tumor oxygenation in two xenograft models as measured by IHC, flow cytometry, and PET imaging. Metformin also led to improved radiotherapy responses when mice were administered metformin immediately before irradiation. Clinically, metformin use was associated with an independent and significant decrease in early biochemical relapse rates (P = 0.0106).

Conclusion: Our data demonstrate that metformin can improve tumor oxygenation and response to radiotherapy. Our study suggests that metformin may represent an effective and inexpensive means to improve radiotherapy outcome with an optimal therapeutic ratio. Clin Cancer Res; 19(24); 6741–50. ©2013 AACR.
Prognostic Significance of Pretreatment Serum Cytokines in Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma
Authors: Marri Preethi Reddy , Hodge Lucy S. , Maurer Matthew J. , Ziesmer Steven C. , Slager Susan L. , Habermann Thomas M. , Link Brian K. , Cerhan James R. , Novak Anne J. , Ansell Stephen M.
Published: October 2013

Purpose: Although the International Prognostic Score (IPS) is the gold standard for risk-stratifying patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL), these criteria do not accurately predict outcome. As cytokines are critically involved in driving cHL, we tested whether pretreatment serum cytokine levels could provide additional prognostic information.

Experimental Design: Thirty cytokines were measured in pretreatment serum from 140 patients with cHL and compared with 50 nonlymphoma controls. Patients were followed for event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS), and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to assess the association of individual cytokines and the cytokine profiles with outcome via unadjusted and IPS-adjusted HR.

Results: Twelve cytokines (EGF, bFGF, G-CSF, HGF, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, IL-2R, IP-10, MIG, TNF-α, and VEGF) were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in patients with cHL than controls; elevated levels of HGF, IL-6, IL-2R, IP-10, and MIG were all associated with poorer EFS. Only interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R; P = 0.002) and interleukin (IL)-6 (P < 0.001) were independently prognostic. Patients with increased IL-6 and IL-2R had a significantly higher risk of early relapse and death, a finding that remained significant even after IPS-based risk stratification. Although elevated IL-6 and IL-2R correlated with the IPS, soluble CD30 (sCD30), and thymus and activation-related chemokine (TARC) levels, the two-cytokine model remained independently predictive of prognosis.

Conclusions: Elevated pretreatment serum cytokines are associated with increased disease relapse and inferior survival in cHL. Thus, the pretreatment cytokine profile, particularly serum levels of IL-6 and IL-2R, may be used to identify patients with cHL at high risk for early-disease relapse. Clin Cancer Res; 19(24); 6812–9. ©2013 AACR.
Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in the Development of Lung Cancer
Authors: Ortiz Myrna L. , Lu Lily , Ramachandran Indu , Gabrilovich Dmitry I.
Published: October 2013

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) are widely implicated in immune suppression associated with tumor progression and chronic inflammation. However, very little is known about their possible role in tumor development. Here, we evaluated the role of MDSC in two experimental models of lung cancer: inflammation-associated lung cancer caused by chemical carcinogen urethane in combination with exposure to cigarette smoke; and a transgenic CC10Tg model not associated with inflammation. Exposure of mice to cigarette smoke alone resulted in significant accumulation in various organs of cells with typical MDSC phenotype (Gr-1+CD11b+). However, these cells lacked immunosuppressive activity and could not be defined as MDSC. When cigarette smoke was combined with a single dose of urethane, it led to the development of tumor lesions in lungs within 4 months. By that time, Gr-1+CD11b+ cells accumulated in the spleen and lung and had potent immunosuppressive activity, and thus could be defined as MDSC. In the CC10Tg model, accumulation of immunosuppressive MDSC was observed only at 4 months of age, after the appearance of tumor lesions in the lungs. Accumulation of MDSC in both models was abrogated in S100A9 knockout mice. This resulted in a dramatic improvement in survival of mice in both models. Thus, cigarette smoke results in the expansion of immature myeloid cells lacking suppressive activity. Accumulation of bona fide MDSC in both models was observed only after the development of tumor lesions. However, MDSC played a major role in tumor progression and survival, which suggests that their targeting may provide clinical benefits in lung cancer. Cancer Immunol Res; 2(1); 50–58. ©2013 AACR.
Primary Radiofrequency Ablation of Ventricular Tachycardia Early After Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Hsieh Calvin H.C. , Chia Ee-May , Huang Kaimin , Lu Juntang , Barry Michael , Pouliopoulos Jim , Ross David L. , Thomas Stuart P. , Kovoor Pramesh
Published: October 2013

Background—

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a significant complication of myocardial infarction. Radiofrequency ablation for postinfarct VT is reserved for drug refractory VT or VT storms. Our hypothesis is that radiofrequency ablation in the early postinfarct period could abolish or diminish late recurrences of VT.

Methods and Results—

Myocardial infarct was induced by balloon occlusion of the left anterior descending artery in 35 sheep. The 25 survivors underwent programmed ventricular stimulation and electroanatomical mapping 8 days postinfarct. Animals with inducible VT (12 out of 25 animals) underwent immediate radiofrequency ablation. Further VT inductions were performed 100 and 200 days postinfarct. At day 8, 3.0±0.9 VT morphologies per animal were inducible. All were successfully ablated with 24±6 applications of radiofrequency energy. All had ablations on the left ventricular endocardium, and 67% had ablations on the right ventricular aspect of the interventricular septum. All targeted arrhythmias were successfully ablated acutely. One animal was euthanized because of hypotension from a serious pericardial effusion. The other 11 survived and remained arrhythmia free on subsequent inductions on the 100th and 200th days (
P
<0.001). The 13 animals without inducible VT remained noninducible at the subsequent studies. A historical control arm of 9 animals with inducible VT at day 8 remained inducible at day 100.

Conclusions—

Radiofrequency ablation on the eighth day after infarction abolished inducibility of VT at late induction studies ≤200 days in an ovine model. Early identification and ablation of VT after infarction may prevent or reduce late ventricular arrhythmias but needs to be validated in clinical studies.
Identification of Chemicals Inducing Cardiomyocyte Proliferation in Developmental Stage–Specific Manner With Pluripotent Stem Cells
Authors: Uosaki Hideki , Magadum Ajit , Seo Kinya , Fukushima Hiroyuki , Takeuchi Ayako , Nakagawa Yasuaki , Moyes Kara White , Narazaki Genta , Kuwahara Koichiro , Laflamme Michael , Matsuoka Satoshi , Nakatsuji Norio , Nakao Kazuwa , Kwon Chulan , Kass David A. , Engel Felix B. , Yamashita Jun K.
Published: October 2013

Background—

The proliferation of cardiomyocytes is highly restricted after postnatal maturation, limiting heart regeneration. Elucidation of the regulatory machineries for the proliferation and growth arrest of cardiomyocytes is imperative. Chemical biology is efficient to dissect molecular mechanisms of various cellular events and often provides therapeutic potentials. We have been investigating cardiovascular differentiation with pluripotent stem cells. The combination of stem cell and chemical biology can provide novel approaches to investigate the molecular mechanisms and manipulation of cardiomyocyte proliferation.

Methods and Results—

To identify chemicals that regulate cardiomyocyte proliferation, we performed a screening of a defined chemical library based on proliferation of mouse pluripotent stem cell–derived cardiomyocytes and identified 4 chemical compound groups: inhibitors of glycogen synthase kinase-3, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, and Ca
2+
/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, and activators of extracellular signal–regulated kinase. Several appropriate combinations of chemicals synergistically enhanced proliferation of cardiomyocytes derived from both mouse and human pluripotent stem cells, notably up to a 14-fold increase in mouse cardiomyocytes. We also examined the effects of identified chemicals on cardiomyocytes in various developmental stages and species. Whereas extracellular signal–regulated kinase activators and Ca
2+
/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II inhibitors showed proliferative effects only on cardiomyocytes in early developmental stages, glycogen synthase kinase-3 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitors substantially and synergistically induced re-entry and progression of cell cycle in neonatal but also as well as adult cardiomyocytes.

Conclusions—

Our approach successfully uncovered novel molecular targets and mechanisms controlling cardiomyocyte proliferation in distinct developmental stages and offered pluripotent stem cell–derived cardiomyocytes as a potent tool to explore chemical-based cardiac regenerative strategies.
Selective Activation of Lectin-Like Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor-1 Mediates C-Reactive Protein–Evoked Endothelial Vasodilator Dysfunction in Coronary Arterioles
Authors: Hein Travis W. , Qamirani Erion , Ren Yi , Xu Xin , Thengchaisri Naris , Kuo Lih
Published: October 2013

Rationale
:

Studies in cultured endothelium implicate that lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) or Fcγ receptor II (CD32) contributes to the proatherogenic effects of C-reactive protein (CRP). However, the identity of the receptors linking to deleterious actions of CRP in vasomotor regulation remains unknown.

Objective
:

We tested the hypothesis that LOX-1 contributes to adverse effects of CRP on endothelium-dependent vasomotor function in resistance arterioles.

Methods and Results
:

Porcine coronary arterioles were isolated for vasoreactivity study, dihydroethidium fluorescence staining of superoxide, immunohistochemical localization of receptors, immunoprecipitation of receptor/CRP interaction, and protein blot. Intraluminal treatment of pressurized arterioles with a pathophysiological level of CRP (7 µg/mL; 60 minutes) attenuated endothelium-dependent nitric oxide–mediated and prostacyclin-mediated dilations to serotonin and arachidonic acid, respectively. LOX-1 and CD32 were detected in the endothelium of arterioles. Blockade of LOX-1 with either pharmacological antagonist κ-carrageenan or anti–LOX-1 antibody prevented the detrimental effect of CRP on vasodilator function, whereas anti-CD32 antibody treatment was ineffective. Denudation of endothelium and blockade of LOX-1 but not CD32 prevented CRP-induced elevation of superoxide in the vessel wall. CRP was coimmunoprecipitated with LOX-1 and CD32 from CRP-treated arterioles. Similarly, LOX-1 and CD32 blockade prevented CRP-induced arteriolar expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, a thrombogenic protein.

Conclusions
:

CRP elicits endothelium-dependent oxidative stress and compromises nitric oxide–mediated and prostacyclin-mediated vasomotor function via LOX-1 activation. In contrast, both LOX-1 and CD32 mediate plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 upregulation in arterioles by CRP. Thus, activation of LOX-1 and CD32 may contribute to vasomotor dysfunction and proatherogenic actions of CRP, respectively.
Dynamic Release and Clearance of Circulating Microparticles During Cardiac Stress
Authors: Augustine Daniel , Ayers Lisa V. , Lima Eduardo , Newton Laura , Lewandowski Adam J. , Davis Esther F. , Ferry Berne , Leeson Paul
Published: October 2013

Rationale:

Microparticles are cell-derived membrane vesicles, relevant to a range of biological responses and known to be elevated in cardiovascular disease.

Objective:

To investigate microparticle release during cardiac stress and how this response differs in those with vascular disease.

Methods and Results:

We measured a comprehensive panel of circulating cell-derived microparticles by a standardized flow cytometric protocol in 119 patients referred for stress echocardiography. Procoagulant, platelet, erythrocyte, and endothelial but not leukocyte, granulocyte, or monocyte-derived microparticles were elevated immediately after a standardized dobutamine stress echocardiogram and decreased after 1 hour. Twenty-five patients developed stress-induced wall motion abnormalities suggestive of myocardial ischemia. They had similar baseline microparticle levels to those who did not develop ischemia, but, interestingly, their microparticle levels did not change during stress. Furthermore, no stress-induced increase was observed in those without inducible ischemia but with a history of vascular disease. Fourteen patients subsequently underwent coronary angiography. A microparticle rise during stress echocardiography had occurred only in those with normal coronary arteries.

Conclusions:

Procoagulant, platelet, erythrocyte, and endothelial microparticles are released during cardiac stress and then clear from the circulation during the next hour. This stress-induced rise seems to be a normal physiological response that is diminished in those with vascular disease.
Disturbed Coronary Hemodynamics in Vessels With Intermediate Stenoses Evaluated With Fractional Flow Reserve
Authors: Echavarria-Pinto Mauro , Escaned Javier , Macías Enrico , Medina Miguel , Gonzalo Nieves , Petraco Ricardo , Sen Sayan , Jimenez-Quevedo Pilar , Hernandez Rosana , Mila Rafael , Ibañez Borja , Nuñez-Gil Ivan J. , Fernández Cristina , Alfonso Fernando , Bañuelos Camino , García Eulogio , Davies Justin , Fernández-Ortiz Antonio , Macaya Carlos
Published: October 2013

Background—

In chronic ischemic heart disease, focal stenosis, diffuse atherosclerotic narrowings, and microcirculatory dysfunction (MCD) contribute to limit myocardial flow. The prevalence of these ischemic heart disease levels in fractional flow reserve (FFR) interrogated vessels remains largely unknown.

Methods and Results—

Using intracoronary measurements, 91 coronaries (78 patients) with intermediate stenoses were classified in 4 FFR and coronary flow reserve (CFR) agreement groups, using FFR>0.80 and CFR<2 as cutoffs. Index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) and atherosclerotic burden (Gensini score) were also assessed. MCD was assumed when IMR≥29.1 (75
th
percentile). Fifty-four (59.3%) vessels had normal FFR, from which only 20 (37%) presented both normal CFR and IMR. Among vessels with FFR>0.80, most (63%) presented disturbed hemodynamics: abnormal CFR in 28 (52%) and MCD in 18 (33%). Vessels with FFR>0.80 presented higher IMR [adjusted mean 27.6 (95% confidence interval, 23.4–31.8)] than those with FFR≤0.80 [17.3 (95% confidence interval, 13.0–21.7), p=0.001]. Atherosclerotic burden was inversely correlated with CFR (
r
=−0.207,
P
=0.055), and in vessels with FFR>0.80 and CFR<2 (n=28, 39%), IMR had a wide dispersion (7–72.7 U), suggesting a combination of diffuse atherosclerotic narrowings and MCD. Vessels with FFR≤0.80 and normal CFR presented the lowest IMR, suggesting a preserved microcirculation.

Conclusions—

A substantial number of coronary arteries with stenoses showing an FFR>0.80 present disturbed hemodynamics. Integration of FFR, CFR, and IMR supports the existence of differentiated patterns of ischemic heart disease that combine focal and diffuse coronary narrowings with variable degrees of MCD.
Some Remarks Concerning Night Scenes on the Classical Greek Stage
Authors: Donelan Jasper F.
Published: October 2013

This paper examines ways in which the dramatists of the fifth century staged night scenes in an open-air, daytime theater, as well as how these scenes relate to the rest of their respective plays’ action. For want of archaeological evidence or treatises on dramatic production, the texts of the tragedies and comedies form the basis of the investigation, which aside from its focus on production techniques also has wider implications for the handling of time in Greek drama. A comparison of tragedy and comedy reveals differences in the two genres’ approaches to conveying ‘darkness’ to their audiences. This also holds true for the pseudo-Euripidean Rhesus, whose plot is set almost exclusively at night. Aristophanic comedy often uses props such as lanterns or torches to reinforce a verbally constructed nocturnal setting whereas tragedy, as far as we can tell, relies solely on spoken description.
Theorizing the Impact of Trust on Post-Agreement Negotiations: The Case of Franco-German Security Relations
Authors: Brugger Philipp , Hasenclever Andreas , Kasten Lukas
Published: October 2013

Abstract

In this article we argue that trust is fundamental to post-agreement negotiations in the field of international security. We present our concept of interstate trust and discuss its relation to two core mechanisms of international cooperation: control and policy integration. Our main hypothesis is that growing trust reduces a dyad’s reliance on control and leads to intensified policy integration. To specify how the trust-control nexus and the trust-integration nexus structure post-agreement negotiations, we first assume that post-agreement negotiations are likely to follow interstate crises. Second, we theorize crisis reactions and differentiate between low-trust and high-trust situations. In low-trust situations, a crisis indicates a failure to control the actions of others. As a response, demands for institutional reform will stress new and improved control mechanisms. In high-trust situations, the trusting bias defuses most of the doubts about the other’s cooperative preferences and points to miscommunication as the principal issue. Therefore, negotiations will be about intensifying policy integration. States do so for three purposes: sustaining valuable integration, overcoming the crisis, and building trust. As a first plausibility probe for our argument, we look at post-agreement negotiations between France and Germany.
Finding the Island Mompracem. The Problem of Mapping the Northwest Coast of Borneo from 16th to 20th Century
Authors: Gerlich Bianca
Published: October 2013

Abstract

This article deals with a case concerning the history of cartography of the northwest coast of Borneo. The island Mompracem appears conspicuously marked and continuously on European maps from the 16th century to the 19th century, but in various positions. Curiously, it is no longer shown on maps from the 20th century onwards. This article attempts to understand which map material is reliable in terms of the location of the island and to identify its current name.
The “Orient” in Florence (19th Century). From Oriental Studies to the Collection of Islamic Art, from a Reconstruction of the “Orient” to the Exotic Dream of the Rising Middle Class
Authors: Stasolla Maria Giovanna
Published: October 2013

Abstract

The second half of the 19th Century was in Florence a period of extraordinary and fruitful interest in the oriental world when the philological and oriental studies were promoted. Thanks to the fervour of these studies, in 1878 Florence was designated to host the 4th Congress of the Orientalists. The “Orient” excited curiosity and collecting passion to such an extent that we could argue that the legacy of the magnificent Medicean collecting was inherited by the private middle-classes. Moreover, the new cultural context contributed to transforming the taste, it gave rise to new styles in architecture as well as in decoration and generally in the applied arts. After examining these topics, we will focus our attention on a little known fact that we could describe as the rebuilt “Orient” for entertainment, that is to say the Florentine Carnival in 1886, an event of the “disquieting” exoticism by which Europe represented the Islamic world.
Sainteté et Miracles. Deux Saints Fondateurs en Iran Méridional (XIe et XIVe S.)
Authors: Aigle Denise
Published: October 2013

Abstract

The article analyzes the miracles described in the biographies of two « founder-saints » who were active in Kāzarūn, a small village of Fārs during the 10th and 14th centuries. These miracles happened before the birth of them and anticipate their future sanctity. Their actions are inscribed in the Prophet Muḥammad tradition, they have also a pedagogical worth for the disciples. They anticipate the death of both holy men to immortalize their work as founders of the order. Finally these miracles, happen over the tombs of the saints attracting in this way the pilgrims.
Una codificazione del Kemalismo come ideologia negli anni '30: il movimento “Kadro”
Authors: Bertuccelli Fulvio
Published: October 2013

Abstract

This study is focused on Kadro, a political movement gathered around the monthly review of the same name published between 1932 and 1934 in Turkey. Composed by former communists as Şevket Süreyya Aydemir alongside with prominent nationalist writers such as Yakup Kadri Karaosmanoğlu, the movement aimed to develop Kemalism as a revolutionary ideology. The article analyses some of Kadro’s basic ideas and their impact on the debate within the ranks of Republican People’s Party.
The Urbanisation Issue and the Culture of Gecekondus in Turkey
Authors: Aktaş Sevim
Published: October 2013

Abstract

The article addresses the migration phenomenon occurred towards the big cities in Turkey, starting from the 1940s and continuing up to the present day, thus trying to explain the subsequent housing problems arisen from this, from both a social and cultural point of view. It includes a brief analysis on the urbanisation process in the light of Turkey’s historical, economic and political changes, particularly on the gecekondu classes affected by this process and, in general, on the structure of the Turkish society. The author, on the basis of his own observations and scientific researches, sheds a different light on the phenomenon of internal migration in Turkey.
Islamization and Judicial Activism in Pakistan: What Šarīʿah?
Authors: Giunchi Elisa
Published: October 2013

Abstract

The Islamization of Pakistani law started at the end of the 1970s under the stimulus of the executive and has continued in subsequent decades mainly through the judiciary. Increasingly, Pakistani High courts, and later on Islamic appellate courts, have applied uncodified šarīʿah principles to supplement and, at times, contradict codified law, particularly in the field of family matters and sexual crimes. On the basis of court records, the author reviews first, the religious sources referred to by the judges and, second, the implications of their religiously inspired “judicial activism”, with a focus on the interaction between the Zinā Ordinance and the Muslim Family Law Ordinance. The author argues that the enforcement of Islamic laws has been traversed by two opposite tensions—towards systematization and complexity—and that a traditional discourse based on the nuances of fiqh can either improve or worsen women’s status depending on the sources referred to by the courts.
A Legal Dispute Over the Leadership of the Zayniyyah Sufi Order in Aleppo as Recorded in a Document from the Ottoman Court Records (1098/1687)
Authors: Salati Marco
Published: October 2013

Abstract

This article examines the situation of a not well-known local sufi Order of Ottoman Aleppo, the Zayniyyah, around the end of the 17th century, through the use of a legal document preserved in the Ottoman Court Records of the city. By recording a dispute over the leadership of the order, the document constitutes precious evidence on the history of the Zayniyyah, the importance of organized Sufi brotherhoods in Ottoman Aleppo and the keen interest shown by the Ottoman power system in monitoring the activities and dealings of Sufi orders.
Memorie Sadriddin Ajnī (Italian translation by Evelin Grassi)
Authors: Grassi Evelin
Published: October 2013

Abstract

This is the first Italian translation of some selections from the Ëddoštho* “Reminiscences” of Sadriddin Ajnī (Bukhara 1878—Dushanbe 1954), the author commonly regarded as the leading representative of modern Tajik literature. Ajnī’s Reminiscences, divided into four parts and published between 1948 and 1954, are a collection of lively short-stories where the author described his childhood spent in two villages near Bukhara, as well as his youth and schooldays at the madrasa in the last two decades of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century. Parts I and II were more often translated into many languages, both in the Republics of the former Soviet Union and in other countries. Translations in Russian (parts I-IV), German and French (parts I-II) have appeared in the 1950s. In English, separate chapters from the work have been published in academic journals from the 1950s onward; the most recent English translation (part I) is The sands of Oxus. Boyhood reminiscences of Sadriddin Aini, tr. by J.R. Perry and R. Lehr (Costa Mesa, Mazda Publishers, 1998).
Oriente-Occidente: sull’origine dell’equivoco dell’incompatibilità. Alcune considerazioni
Authors: Ferri Enrico
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Often, as much in the mass media as in scientific circles, one resorts to the categories of “East” and “West,” which are usually recited in a series of variations (for instance ‘western values,’ ‘western civilisation,’ ‘western democracy,’ etc.), that are used to indicate different, if not opposed visions of life, politics or culture.

The article shows how from the start, in Greek and Roman political thought and historiography, an ideologically oriented reading of one’s own past developed; these dynamics then were taken up again and accentuated, especially in the modern era, often to justify and legitimise processes of conquest and domination.
Two new stingrays (Chondrichthyes: Dasyatidae) from the eastern Indonesian Archipelago
Authors: LAST Peter R. , WHITE WILLIAM T.
Published: October 2013

Two new stingrays, Dasyatis longicauda sp. nov. and Himantura javaensis sp. nov., are described from material collected in the eastern Indonesian Archipelago. These species, which are both relatively small stingrays (both probably smaller than 40 cm DW), have been confused with closest relatives in the region. Dasyatis longicauda sp. nov., known from West Papua, differs from its congener, the Australian endemic D. fluviorum, in having a slightly lower vertebral count, lower pectoral-radial count, a longer tail, larger and less numerous thorns along the mid-disc and tail, as well as a different CO1 Barcode. Himantura javaensis sp. nov., known only from southern Java (near Cilacap), belongs to a complex of small whiprays which also includes another Indonesian species, H. walga. Apart from major differences in squamation and a different CO1 Barcode, Himantura javaensis is more brownish in coloration, has more vertebrae, a longer tail, smaller eye and orbit, more posteriorly positioned sting, shorter adult claspers, shorter pelvic fin, and differs in various measurements around the head.
Morphological and molecular description of the late-stage larvae of Alima Leach, 1817 (Crustacea: Stomatopoda) from Lizard Island, Australia
Authors: FELLER KATHRYN D. , CRONIN THOMAS W. , AHYONG SHANE T. , PORTER MEGAN L.
Published: October 2013

Alima pacifica and A. orientalis are stomatopods commonly found at Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia. There are currently no descriptions that link the larvae to the adult morphotype despite the frequent occurrence of the last larval stage of these two species. We used DNA barcoding of the cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene to link the last stage larvae of A. pacifica and A. orientalis to the respective adult morphotype. Detailed morphological descriptions of the late larva of each species are provided and compared to other described last-stage Alima larvae. These data support previous studies that suggest paraphyly of the genus Alima.
Mayflies of the genus Nonnullidens Grant & Peters 1993 (Ephemeroptera: Leptophlebiidae) from New Guinea
Authors: KLUGE NIKITA J.
Published: October 2013

In light of the discovery of four new species of Leptophlebiidae (Ephemeroptera) from the Indonesian part of New Guinea, the generic name Barba Grant & Peters 1993 syn.n. is regarded here to be a junior synonym of Nonnullidens Grant & Peters 1993. Nonnullidens variegatus sp. n., N. niger sp. n. and N. reductus sp. n. are described from larvae, subimagoes and imagoes, with the stages associated by rearing. Nonnullidens depapricus sp. n. is described from an immature male larva of the last instar. Nonnullidens mariae comb.n. formerly known only from eastern New Guinea, is reported from the Baliem Valley.
Description of a new subspecies, Macrobrachium aemulum madhusoodani (Decapoda: Palaemonidae) from Neyyar River, Kerala, S. India
Authors: PILLAI P. M. , UNNIKRISHNAN V.
Published: October 2013

Macrobrachium aemulum madhusoodani, a new subspecies of M. aemulum (Nobili, 1906) is described and illustrated. The distinctive characters of the subspecies are: rostral formula 9–13/2, second pereiopods dissimilar in shape and unequal in size, movable finger of larger second pereiopod with 2 large denticles on the proximal part and 6 weak denticles on distal part. Similar pattern of dentition is present on immovable finger also. In second small pereiopod, fingers stout, equal, unarmed with distinct gap in between when closed. Numerous stiff setae present on cutting edges of fingers. Telson extends beyond the level of the outer lateral spine of the uropodal exopod. Some of the distinctive morphometric and meristic characters of the specimens did not conform to that collected and described from New Caledonia by Nobili (1906) and recorded from India by Jayachandran and Joseph (1988). Since the features cannot be reckoned as mere growth variations, it is described herein as a new subspecies.
A new frog species (Microhylidae: Cophixalus) from boulder-pile habitat of Cape Melville, north-east Australia
Authors: HOSKIN CONRAD J.
Published: October 2013

In Australia, microhylid frogs are found almost exclusively in the tropical north-east, but in this region diversity is high. Sixteen species occur in the Wet Tropics region and a further six species are found further north on Cape York Peninsula. Most Australian microhylid species belong to the genus Cophixalus (18 species). The majority of these have highly localized distributions, with two-thirds being found on single mountain ranges. While most Cophixalus are small (10–29 mm snout to vent length) rainforest species, four differ dramatically in morphology and ecology, being large (30–53 mm) species that inhabit isolated areas of jumbled boulder-pile habitat. Here I describe a new species of Cophixalus from boulder-pile habitat in the Melville Range on Cape Melville, north-east Cape York Peninsula. Cophixalus petrophilus sp. nov. is highly distinct from all congeners in morphology, colour pattern and mating call. This species is restricted to deeply piled granite boulder habitat that is largely devoid of vegetation. As for the other four boulder-pile Cophixalus, C. petrophilus sp. nov. is large and shows other similar morphological adaptations to this unique habitat (e.g., long limbs, large finger discs). However, it is notable in that it is the smallest of the boulder-pile species (26–32 mm) and it has particularly large eyes. I speculate that the latter trait is an adaptation to dimly lit conditions deep within the boulder-field. Cophixalus petrophilus sp. nov. was only found in exposed boulder habitat, whereas the co-occurring boulder species, C. zweifeli, was found using forested areas on and adjacent to the boulder-fields at night. Cape Melville is the only boulder-field with two co-occurring boulder Cophixalus and it appears that there is habitat partitioning between them. Cophixalus petrophilus sp. nov. has a highly localised distribution but appears common within this and is probably secure.
Ancylomenes australis sp. nov. (Crustacea: Decapoda: Pontoniinae) from South Africa
Authors: BRUCE A. J.
Published: October 2013

The holotype specimen of Ancylomenes australis, new species, (Crustacea: Decapoda: Pontoniinae) from Sodwana Bay, South Africa, is described and illustrated. It is the only species of the genus reported from south east Africa. It is an associate of cerianthid anemones and has a species specific colour pattern. Closely similar to A. venustus (Bruce, 1990) it is readily distinguished from it and all other species of the genus by its characteristic rostrum and blunt inferior orbital angle.