bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Formal Inverse Integrating Factor and the Nilpotent Center Problem
Authors: García Isaac A.
Published: February 2016

We are interested in deepening the knowledge of methods based on formal power series applied to the nilpotent center problem of planar local analytic monodromic vector fields [Formula: see text]. As formal integrability is not enough to characterize such a center we use a more general object, namely, formal inverse integrating factors [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text]. Although by the existence of [Formula: see text] it is not possible to describe all nilpotent centers strata, we simplify, improve and also extend previous results on the relationship between these concepts. We use in the performed analysis the so-called Andreev number [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] associated to [Formula: see text] which is invariant under orbital equivalency of [Formula: see text]. Besides the leading terms in the [Formula: see text]-quasihomogeneous expansions that [Formula: see text] can have, we also prove the following: (i) If [Formula: see text] is even and there exists [Formula: see text] then [Formula: see text] has a center; (ii) if [Formula: see text], the existence of [Formula: see text] characterizes all the centers; (iii) if there is a [Formula: see text] with minimum “vanishing multiplicity” at the singularity then, generically, [Formula: see text] has a center.
The normalizer property for integral group rings of holomorphs of finite nilpotent groups and the symmetric groups
Authors: Hai Jinke , Ge Shengbo , He Weiping
Published: February 2016

Let [Formula: see text] be a finite group and let [Formula: see text] be the holomorph of [Formula: see text]. If [Formula: see text] is a finite nilpotent group or a symmetric group [Formula: see text] of degree [Formula: see text], then the normalizer property holds for [Formula: see text].
Deformation of oceanic crust in the eastern Gulf of Guinea: role in the evolution of the Cameroon Volcanic Line and influence on the petroleum endowment of the Douala-Rio Muni Basin
Authors: Lawrence Steve R. , Beach Alastair , Jackson Owain , Jackson Andrew
Published: February 2016

Evidence is presented from the interpretation of seismic data for the compressional deformation of intra-plate oceanic crust in the eastern Gulf of Guinea, a region occupied by the Douala-Rio Muni Basin and the Cameroon Volcanic Line. The deformation has taken the form of the reactivation of syn-kinematic structures in the fabric of the oceanic crust. The origin of the Cameroon Volcanic Line is usually attributed to a mantle hotspot, but interpretation of the seismic data indicates that strike-slip and/or compressional tectonics and reactivation of the fabric of the oceanic crust have all played an important role in its evolution. A regional tectonic model is presented that associates deformation in the eastern Gulf of Guinea with regional alpine-related far-field compressive stress. In this way, a causal link is invoked between deformation of the oceanic crust and strike-slip movement on the Central African Shear Zone, establishing a continent–ocean tectonic link. The evolution of the Cameroon Volcanic Line and the continent–ocean tectonic link has imparted a unique tectonostratigraphic history to the Douala-Rio Muni Basin and has influenced its petroleum endowment. The structural and combination trapping potential has been greatly enhanced in this environment and the structural architecture of the basin has influenced the depositional patterns of the deep water reservoir sands.
Prucalopride exerts neuroprotection in human enteric neurons
Authors: Bianco Francesca , Bonora Elena , Natarajan Dipa , Vargiolu Manuela , Thapar Nikhil , Torresan Francesco , Giancola Fiorella , Boschetti Elisa , Volta Umberto , Bazzoli Franco , Mazzoni Maurizio , Seri Marco , Clavenzani Paolo , Stanghellini Vincenzo , Sternini Catia , De Giorgio Roberto
Published: February 2016

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) and its transporters and receptors are involved in a wide array of digestive functions. In particular, 5-HT4receptors are known to mediate intestinal peristalsis and recent data in experimental animals have shown their role in neuronal maintenance and neurogenesis. This study has been designed to test whether prucalopride, a well-known full 5-HT4agonist, exerts protective effects on neurons, including enteric neurons, exposed to oxidative stress challenge. Sulforhodamine B assay was used to determine the survival of SH-SY5Y cells, human enteric neurospheres, and ex vivo submucosal neurons following H2O2exposure in the presence or absence of prucalopride (1 nM). Specificity of 5-HT4-mediated neuroprotection was established by experiments performed in the presence of GR113808, a 5-HT4antagonist. Prucalopride exhibited a significant neuroprotective effect. SH-SY5Y cells pretreated with prucalopride were protected from the injury elicited by H2O2as shown by increased survival (73.5 ± 0.1% of neuronal survival vs. 33.3 ± 0.1%, respectively; P < 0.0001) and a significant reduction of proapoptotic caspase-3 and caspase-9 activation in all neurons tested. The protective effect of prucalopride was reversed by the specific 5-HT4antagonist GR113808. Prucalopride promotes a significant neuroprotection against oxidative-mediated proapoptotic mechanisms. Our data pave the way for novel therapeutic implications of full 5-HT4agonists in gut dysmotility characterized by neuronal degeneration, which go beyond the well-known enterokinetic effect.
Chemoprevention in gastrointestinal physiology and disease. Targeting the progression of cancer with natural products: a focus on gastrointestinal cancer
Authors: Khoogar Roxane , Kim Byung-Chang , Morris Jay , Wargovich Michael J.
Published: February 2016

The last decade has witnessed remarkable progress in the utilization of natural products for the prevention and treatment of human cancer. Many agents now in the pipeline for clinical trial testing have evolved from our understanding of how human nutritional patterns account for widespread differences in cancer risk. In this review, we have focused on many of these promising agents arguing that they may provide a new strategy for cancer control: natural products once thought to be only preventive in their mode of action now are being explored for efficacy in tandem with cancer therapeutics. Natural products may reduce off-target toxicity of therapeutics while making cancers more amenable to therapy. On the horizon is the use of certain natural products, in their own right, as mitigants of late-stage cancer, a new frontier for small-molecule natural product drug discovery.
Selective portal vein injection for the design of syngeneic models of liver malignancy
Authors: Limani Perparim , Borgeaud Nathalie , Linecker Michael , Tschuor Christoph , Kachaylo Ekaterina , Schlegel Andrea , Jang Jae-Hwi , Ungethüm Udo , Montani Matteo , Graf Rolf , Humar Bostjan , Clavien Pierre-Alain
Published: February 2016

Liver metastases are the most frequent cause of death due to colorectal cancer (CRC). Syngeneic orthotopic animal models, based on the grafting of cancer cells or tissue in host liver, are efficient systems for studying liver tumors and their (patho)physiological environment. Here we describe selective portal vein injection as a novel tool to generate syngeneic orthotopic models of liver tumors that avoid most of the weaknesses of existing syngeneic models. By combining portal vein injection of cancer cells with the selective clamping of distal liver lobes, tumor growth is limited to specific lobes. When applied on MC-38 CRC cells and their mouse host C57BL6, selective portal vein injection leads with 100% penetrance to MRI-detectable tumors within 1 wk, followed by a steady growth until the time of death (survival ∼7 wk) in the absence of extrahepatic disease. Similar results were obtained using CT-26 cells and their syngeneic Balb/c hosts. As a proof of principle, lobe-restricted liver tumors were also generated using Hepa1-6 (C57BL6-syngeneic) and TIB-75 (Balb/c-syngeneic) hepatocellular cancer cells, demonstrating the general applicability of selective portal vein injection for the induction of malignant liver tumors. Selective portal vein injection is technically straightforward, enables liver invasion via anatomical routes, preserves liver function, and provides unaffected liver tissue. The tumor models are reproducible and highly penetrant, with survival mainly dependent on the growth of lobe-restricted liver malignancy. These models enable biological studies and preclinical testing within short periods of time.
Long-Term Efficacy of Laparoscopic or Robotic Adenomyomectomy with or without Medical Treatment for Severely Symptomatic Adenomyosis
Authors: Chong Gun Oh , Lee Yoon Hee , Hong Dae Gy , Cho Young Lae , Lee Yoon Soon
Published: February 2016

Background/Aims: To determine the long-term efficacy of laparoscopic or robotic adenomyomectomy with or without gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) for the treatment of severely symptomatic adenomyosis. Methods: Between August 2008 and May 2011, we prospectively observed 33 patients who underwent laparoscopic or robotic adenomyomectomy with uterine artery ligation for the treatment of symptomatic adenomyosis. Seventeen patients (52%) received 3-course GnRH agonist treatment after the adenomyomectomy. Results: The mean operating time was 147.4 ± 52.0 min, and the mean blood loss was 36.1 ± 37.4 ml. Postoperative complications occurred in 5 patients, including 4 cases of febrile morbidity, 1 case of ileus and 1 case of pelvic abscess. Patients had statistically significant symptom relief during the 3-year follow-up period. Four of the 33 patients (12%) showed symptom relapse; 3 patients showed a relapse with dysmenorrhea and 1 patient showed a relapse with menorrhagia. There were no significant differences in terms of therapeutic outcomes between surgical-only and surgical-medical treatment. Conclusion: Laparoscopic or robotic adenomyomectomy was feasible and safe for women with severely symptomatic adenomyosis who requested uterine preservation. Moreover, this procedure provided long-term symptom control, regardless of postoperative GnRH agonist administration.
Evaluation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Its Receptors in Human Neointima
Authors: Bruczko Marta , Wolańska Małgorzata , Małkowski Andrzej , Sobolewski Krzysztof , Kowalewski Radosław
Published: February 2016

Objective: The potential contribution of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in neointima development has been evaluated in numerous animal studies. However, its role remains controversial. Moreover, little is known about neointima formation in humans. In this study we assessed the expression of VEGF-A and its receptors in the human neointima formed within vascular anastomosis. Methods: The studied material comprised neointima samples harvested during secondary vascular operations from patients with chronic limb ischemia after aorto-/iliofemoral bypass grafting who developed vascular graft occlusion at 6-18 months after the initial surgical treatment. The control material consisted of segments of femoral arteries without visible macroscopic lesions collected from organ donors. The expression and content of VEGF-A, VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 were analyzed with PCR and ELISA methods, respectively. Results: We observed a significantly increased expression of VEGF-A and VEGFR-2 mRNA in neointima compared to the normal aorta. A significantly higher protein content of VEGF-A and VEGFR-2 in neointima samples compared to the controls was also observed. No significant difference of VEGFR-1 content and VEGFR-1 mRNA expression was found in the studied material. Conclusion: These results indicate a possible involvement of the VEGF-A and VEGFR-2 system in the pathologic process of human neointima formation after vascular interventions.
Determinants of Mortality in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Papachristidis Alexandros , Lim Wei Yao , Voukalis Christos , Ayis Salma , Laing Christopher , Rakhit Roby D.
Published: February 2016

Background: Renal impairment is a known predictor of mortality in both the general population and in patients with cardiac disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate factors that determine mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: In this study we included 293 consecutive patients with CKD who underwent PCI between 1st January 2007 and 30th September 2012. The primary outcome that we studied was all-cause mortality in a follow-up period of 12-69 months (mean 38.8 ± 21.7). Results: Age (p < 0.001), PCI indication (p = 0.035), CKD stage (p < 0.001) and left ventricular ejection fraction (p < 0.001) were significantly related to mortality. CKD stage 5 [hazard ratio (HR) = 6.39, 95% CI: 1.51-27.12) and severely impaired left ventricular function (HR = 4.04, 95% CI: 2.15-7.59) were the strongest predictors of mortality. Other factors tested (gender, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia, established peripheral vascular disease/stroke, coronary arteries intervened, number of vessels treated, number of stents implanted and length of lesion treated) did not show any correlation with mortality. Conclusions: The mortality of patients with CKD undergoing PCI increases with age, worsening CKD stage and deteriorating left ventricular systolic function, and it is also higher in patients with acute coronary syndromes compared to those with stable coronary artery disease.
Digitally Analyzed Conjunctival Redness: Does Repeated Conjunctival Provocation Intrinsically Cause Local Desensitization of the Eye?
Authors: Gloistein Claas , Astvatsatourov Anatoli , Allekotte Silke , Mösges Ralph
Published: February 2016

Background: Allergic reactions in patients with seasonal or perennial rhinoconjunctivitis mediated by airborne allergens can be effectively assessed with the conjunctival provocation test (CPT). The CPT is a fast and easy diagnostic procedure that challenges the ocular mucosa with instillations of allergen solutions into the conjunctival region. This paper aimed to investigate the possible influence of repeated diagnostic CPT procedures on the patient's clinical presentation, i.e. to analyze desensitization effects caused by diagnostic solutions and to show the reproducibility of CPT results. Methods: Treatment progress in 120 placebo-treated patients from 2 immunotherapeutic dose-finding studies was estimated and documented, as based on the CPT which was applied at 4 visits with intervals of 4, 8 and 16 weeks. High-resolution digital photos collected as part of the CPT documentation were analyzed by an external observer and by digital analysis software to determine conjunctival redness, completely independent of the subjectivity of investigators and patients. Results: Two extremal scenarios of the redness changes were considered after provocation with 10,000 standard quality units/ml. A maximal decrease of about 3% (t test: p = 0.0002; U test: p = 0.001) and a minimal decrease of about 1% (t test: p = 0.254; U test: p = 0.431) were found. Conclusions: The observed decrease in conjunctival hyperemia can be explained by local desensitization or by placebo effect. Due to the setup of both studies considered, we could not ascertain how these factors influence the decrease in redness. In order to attribute the observed effects to local conjunctival desensitization with certainty, further pilot studies are needed.
Role of Histamine Release Test for the Evaluation of Patients with Immediate Hypersensitivity Reactions to Clavulanic Acid
Authors: Pineda Fernando , Ariza Adriana , Mayorga Cristobalina , Arribas Francisca , González-Mendiola Rosario , Blanca-López Natalia , Davila Galicia , Cabañes Nieves , Canto Gabriela , Laguna José Julio , Senent Carlos , Stahl-Skov Per , Palacios Ricardo , Blanca Miguel , Torres María José
Published: February 2016

Background: Immediate hypersensitivity reactions to clavulanic acid (CLV) seem to be on the increase. Diagnosis is mainly based on skin testing and the drug provocation test (DPT), procedures that are not risk free. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the histamine release test (HRT) could help evaluate patients with selective hypersensitivity to CLV. Methods: Eighteen patients with immediate selective hypersensitivity reactions to CLV (positive skin tests to CLV but negative to the major and minor determinants of benzylpenicillin and amoxicillin; negative DPT to benzylpenicillin and amoxicillin) and 21 controls with tolerance to CLV were included. Direct and passive HRT, using patient whole blood or ‘IgE-stripped' donor blood sensitized by patient serum, respectively, were performed by stimulating the blood with CLV, and basophil histamine release was detected by fluorometric determination. Results: The clinical symptoms were anaphylaxis (n = 6), urticaria (n = 9) and urticaria-angioedema (n = 3). The median time interval between the reaction and the study was 225 days (interquartile range, IQR: 120-387.5) and between drug intake and the development of symptoms 30 min (IQR: 6.25-30). We obtained similar data for both the direct and passive HRT, with a sensitivity and specificity of 55 and 85%, respectively, a positive predictive value of 76% and a negative predictive value of 69%. Conclusions: The sensitivity of both the direct and passive HRT for diagnosing patients with immediate allergy to CLV is less than 60%. However, the passive HRT has the advantage that it is based on the testing of serum samples that can be handled more easily than fresh blood samples.
Mesenchymal Stromal Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Protect Against Acute Kidney Injury Through Anti-Oxidation by Enhancing Nrf2/ARE Activation in Rats
Authors: Zhang Guangyuan , Zou Xiangyu , Huang Yeqing , Wang Feng , Miao Shuai , Liu Guohua , Chen Ming , Zhu Yingjian
Published: February 2016

Background/Aims: Anti-oxidation is an effective strategy for curing acute kidney injury (AKI). Herein, we suggest that extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) might play an anti-oxidative role by enhancing Nrf2/ARE activation in AKI. Methods: EVs isolated from the conditioned medium of human Wharton's Jelly mesenchymal stromal cells and human foreskin fibroblast were intravenously injected in rats immediately after 45 min of unilateral kidney ischemia. Animals were sacrificed 24 h after injury. Results: Results showed that renal tubular injury was alleviated and renal function was improved by MSC-EVs. Cell apoptosis and sNGAL levels, which reflect kidney cell injury, were reduced. Moreover, MSC-EVs decreased oxidative stress in injured kidney tissues and NRK-52E cells under hypoxia injury. Nrf2/antioxidant response element (ARE) enhancement and HO-1 up-regulation were further observed after MSC-EV treatment both in vivo and in vitro. Conclusions: MSC-EVs may protect against AKI possibly through anti-oxidation by enhancing Nrf2/ARE activation.
Protective Effect of Tempol on Acute Kidney Injury Through PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Zhang Gensheng , Wang Qiaoling , Zhou Qin , Wang Renjun , Xu Minze , Wang Huiping , Wang Lei , Wilcox Christopher S. , Liu Ruisheng , Lai En Yin
Published: February 2016

Background/Aims: Tempol is a protective antioxidant against ischemic injury in many animal models. The molecular mechanisms are not well understood. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) is a master transcription factor during oxidative stress, which is enhanced by activation of protein kinase C (PKC) pathway. Another factor, tubular epithelial apoptosis, is mediated by activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (PKB, Akt) signaling pathway during renal ischemic injury. We tested the hypothesis that tempol activates PKC or PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 pathways to transcribe many genes that coordinate endogenous antioxidant defense. Methods: The right renal pedicle was clamped for 45 minutes and the left kidney was removed to study renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in C57BL/6 mice. The response was assessed from serum parameters, renal morphology and renal expression of PKC, phosphorylated-PKC (p-PKC), Nrf2, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), Akt, phosphorylated-Akt (p-Akt), pro-caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-3 in groups of sham and I/R mice given vehicle, or tempol (50 or 100 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection). Results: The serum malondialdehyde (MDA, marker of reactive oxygen species) doubled and the BUN and creatinine increased 5- to 10-fold after I/R injury. Tempol (50 or 100 mg/kg) prevented the increases in MDA but only tempol (50 mg/kg) lessened the increases in BUN and creatinine and moderated the acute tubular necrosis. I/R did not change expression of PKC or p-PKC but reduced renal expression of Nrf2, p-Akt, HO-1 and pro-caspase-3 and increased cleaved caspase-3. Tempol (50 mg/kg) prevented these changes produced by I/R whereas tempol (100 mg/kg) had lesser or inconsistent effects. Conclusion: Tempol (50 mg/kg) prevents lipid peroxidation and attenuates renal damage after I/R injury. The beneficial pathway apparently is not dependent on upregulation or phosphorylation of PKC, at lower tempol doses, does implicate upregulation of Akt with expression of Nrf2 that could account for the increase in the antioxidant gene HO-1 and a reduction in the cleavage of the cellular damage marker pro-caspase-3.
Prognostic Value of the 24-Hour Neurological Examination in Anterior Circulation Ischemic Stroke: A post hoc Analysis of Two Randomized Controlled Stroke Trials
Authors: Rangaraju Srikant , Frankel Michael , Jovin Tudor G.
Published: February 2016

Background: Early prognostication of long-term outcomes following ischemic stroke can facilitate medical decision-making. We hypothesized that the 24-hour National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) predicts 3-month clinical outcomes in anterior circulation stroke. Methods: Secondary analyses of the Interventional Management of Stroke 3 (IMS3) and intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV tPA) for acute ischemic stroke [National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NINDS) IV tPA] trials were performed. In participants with documented 24-hour NIHSS and 3-month Modified Rankin Scale (mRS), the predictive power of the 24-hour NIHSS and 24-hour NIHSS improvement for 3-month outcomes [mRS 0-2 and Barthel Index (BI) ≥95] was assessed. Percentages of good outcome (mRS 0-2 or BI ≥95) at 3, 6, and 12 months and mean quality of life (EQ5D™) index at 3 months across 24-hour NIHSS quartiles were compared. Results: The majority of the study participants were included (IMS3 n = 587/656, NINDS IV tPA n = 619/624). The 24-hour NIHSS was correlated with 3-month mRS (R = 0.73) with excellent predictive power for mRS 0-2 [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.91] and BI ≥95 (AUC = 0.9) in both cohorts. A model with the 24-hour NIHSS alone correctly classified 82-84% of patients in both cohorts. The percentages of good outcomes at 3-12 months across 24-hour NIHSS quartiles were similar in both cohorts. mRS 0-2 was achieved by 75.6-77.7% of patients with 24-hour NIHSS ≤11 but by only 1.4-3.6% with 24-hour NIHSS ≥20. The EQ5D index at 3 months varied among NIHSS 0-4 (mean 0.86 ± 0.16), 5-11 (0.77 ± 0.18), and 12-19 (0.59 ± 0.26) quartiles. Conclusions: The 24-hour NIHSS strongly predicts long-term stroke outcomes and is associated with quality of life. Its easy availability, reliability, and validity support its use as an early prognostic marker and surrogate of clinical outcome in ischemic stroke.
Hypermethylated Chromosome Regions in Nine Fish Species with Heteromorphic Sex Chromosomes
Authors: Schmid Michael , Steinlein Claus , Yano Cassia F. , Cioffi Marcelo B.
Published: February 2016

Sites and amounts of 5-methylcytosine (5-MeC)-rich chromosome regions were detected in the karyotypes of 9 Brazilian species of Characiformes fishes by indirect immunofluorescence using a monoclonal anti-5-MeC antibody. These species, belonging to the genera Leporinus, Triportheus and Hoplias, are characterized by highly differentiated and heteromorphic ZW and XY sex chromosomes. In all species, the hypermethylated regions are confined to constitutive heterochromatin. The number and chromosome locations of hypermethylated heterochromatic regions in the karyotypes are constant and species-specific. Generally, heterochromatic regions that are darkly stained by the C-banding technique are distinctly hypermethylated, but several of the brightly fluorescing hypermethylated regions merely exhibit moderate or faint C-banding. The ZW and XY sex chromosomes of all 9 analyzed species also show species-specific heterochromatin hypermethylation patterns. The analysis of 5-MeC-rich chromosome regions contributes valuable data for comparative cytogenetics of closely related species and highlights the dynamic process of differentiation operating in the repetitive DNA fraction of sex chromosomes.
Exudative Retinal Detachment Treatment in a Patient with Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
Authors: Sampo Magali , Ho Wang Yin Gaëlle , Hoffart Louis , Denis Danièle , Soler Vincent , Matonti Frédéric
Published: February 2016

Purpose: We report a case of unilateral exudative retinal detachment in a patient with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), without associated hypertension, successfully treated with plasmapheresis. Case Report: A 46-year-old woman with a medical history of TTP presented with unilateral exudative retinal detachment. Biological and radiological assessment eliminated other causes of exudative retinal detachment, including hypertension. Plasma exchange was performed, followed by a rapid improvement in visual acuity and total disappearance of serous detachment. Conclusion: Exudative unilateral retinal detachment is a rare complication of TTP and can be successfully treated by plasma exchange.
Nephron Sparing Surgery for Renal Mass: Is There Any Difference between Oncocytoma and Malignant Lesions
Authors: Bahouth Zaher , Halachmi Sarel , Masarwa Ismael , Avitan Ofir , Nativ Ofer
Published: February 2016

Introduction: A relatively high proportion of patients who undergo partial or radical nephrectomy for enhancing renal mass actually have oncocytoma, a benign renal tumor. Several parameters have been shown to be typical for oncocytoma, but only a small number of patients present with these parameters. The aim of our study was to report the clinical, operative and postoperative characteristics of patients who underwent nephron-sparing surgery in our center with a histopathological diagnosis of oncocytoma compared to patients with malignant renal tumor. Patients and Methods: Sixty-three out of 530 patients who underwent nephron-sparing surgery for enhancing renal mass were diagnosed with oncocytoma. Clinical and radiological features and operational data of these patients were compared with patients who had malignant renal tumors. Results: Mean age of patients with histologically proven non-malignant oncocytoma was significantly higher than that in patients with malignant renal cell carcinoma (66.7 vs. 61.4 years). All other analyzed variables showed no significant difference between the 2 groups. Conclusions: No reliable clinical, operative or radiological parameters can differentiate preoperatively between oncocytoma and malignant renal neoplasms.
Averting the Legacy of Kidney Disease - Focus on Childhood
Authors: Ingelfinger Julie R. , Kalantar-Zadeh Kamyar , Schaefer Franz ,   on behalf of the World Kidney Day Steering Committee
Published: February 2016

World Kidney Day 2016 focuses on kidney disease in childhood and the antecedents of adult kidney disease that can begin in earliest childhood. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) in childhood differs from that in adults, as the largest diagnostic group among children includes congenital anomalies and inherited disorders, with glomerulopathies and kidney disease in the setting of diabetes being relatively uncommon. In addition, many children with acute kidney injury will ultimately develop sequelae that may lead to hypertension and CKD in later childhood or in adult life. Children born early or who are small-for date newborns have relatively increased risk for the development of CKD later in life. Persons with a high-risk birth and early childhood history should be watched closely in order to help detect early signs of kidney disease in time to provide effective prevention or treatment. Successful therapy is feasible for advanced CKD in childhood; there is evidence that children fare better than adults, if they receive kidney replacement therapy including dialysis and transplantation, while only a minority of children may require this ultimate intervention. Because there are disparities in access to care, effort is needed so that those children with kidney disease, wherever they live, may be treated effectively, irrespective of their geographic or economic circumstances. Our hope is that World Kidney Day will inform the general public, policy makers and caregivers about the needs and possibilities surrounding kidney disease in childhood.
Catecholamine Metabolism Induces Mitochondrial DNA Deletions and Leads to Severe Adrenal Degeneration during Aging
Authors: Neuhaus Johannes Friedrich Georg , Baris Olivier Richard , Kittelmann Anne , Becker Katrin , Rothschild Markus Alexander , Wiesner Rudolf Josef
Published: February 2016

Background: Aging is a multifactorial process characterized by organ loss of function and degeneration, but the mechanisms involved remain elusive. We have shown recently that catecholamine metabolism drives the accumulation of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletions in dopaminergic cells, which likely contribute to their degeneration during aging. Here we investigated whether the well-documented degeneration and altered function of adrenals during aging is linked to catecholamine production in the medulla followed by accumulation of mtDNA deletions. Material and Methods: We analyzed adrenal medullary and cortical samples of both murine and human origin covering a wide range of ages for mtDNA deletion content, mtDNA copy number, mitochondrial and cellular integrity as well as aging-related tissue changes such as fibrosis. Results: Indeed, we demonstrate in mice and humans that the adrenal medulla accumulates a strikingly high amount of mtDNA deletions with age, causing mitochondrial dysfunction in the adrenal medulla, but also in the cortex, accompanied by apoptosis and, more importantly, by severe inflammation and remarkable fibrosis. Additionally, a concomitant and dramatic loss of medullary and cortical cells is observed in old animals. Conclusion: Our results show that accumulation of mtDNA deletions, and the ensuing mitochondrial dysfunction, is a hallmark of adrenal aging, further strengthening the hypothesis that catecholamine metabolism is detrimental to mtDNA integrity, mitochondrial function and cell survival. Moreover, the cell loss potentially induced by mitochondrial dysfunction could explain the decline in adrenal hormonal and steroidal secretion during aging.
Cerebrovascular Events After No‐Touch Off‐Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting, Conventional Side‐Clamp Off‐Pump Coronary Artery Bypass, and Proximal Anastomotic Devices: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Pawliszak Wojciech , Kowalewski Mariusz , Raffa Giuseppe Maria , Malvindi Pietro Giorgio , Kowalkowska Magdalena Ewa , Szwed Krzysztof Aleksander , Borkowska Alina , Kowalewski Janusz , Anisimowicz Lech
Published: February 2016

Background

Off‐pump coronary artery bypass (
OPCAB
) has been shown to reduce the risk of neurologic complications as compared to coronary artery bypass grafting performed with cardiopulmonary bypass. Side‐clamping of the aorta while constructing proximal anastomoses, however, still carries substantial risk of cerebral embolization. We aimed to perform a comprehensive meta‐analysis of studies assessing 2 clampless techniques: aortic “no‐touch” and proximal anastomosis devices (
PAD
) for
OPCAB
.

Methods and Results

PubMed,
CINAHL
,
CENTRAL
, and Google Scholar databases were screened for randomized controlled trials and observational studies comparing “no‐touch” and/or
PAD
with side‐clamp
OPCAB
and reporting short‐term (≤30 days) outcomes: cerebrovascular accident and all‐cause mortality. A total of 18 studies (3 randomized controlled trials) enrolling 25 163 patients were included. Aortic “no‐touch” was associated with statistically lower risk of cerebrovascular accident as compared to side‐clamp
OPCAB
: risk ratio 95%
CI
: 0.41 (0.27–0.61);
P
<0.01; I
2
=0%. Event rates were 0.36% and 1.28% for “no‐touch” and side‐clamp
OPCAB
, respectively. No difference was seen between
PAD
and side‐clamp
OPCAB
: 0.71 (0.33–1.55);
P
=0.39; I
2
=39%. A trend towards increased 30‐day all‐cause mortality with
PAD
and no difference with “no‐touch” were observed when compared to side‐clamp
OPCAB
. In a subset analysis, “no‐touch” consistently reduced the risk of cerebrovascular accident regardless of patients’ baseline risk characteristics. A benefit with
PAD
was observed in low‐risk patients.

Conclusions

Aortic “no‐touch” technique was associated with nearly 60% lower risk of postoperative cerebrovascular events as compared to conventional side‐clamp
OPCAB
with effect consistent across patients at different risk.
Stroke in Commercial Flights
Authors: Álvarez-Velasco Rodrigo , Masjuan Jaime , DeFelipe Alicia , Corral Iñigo , Estévez-Fraga Carlos , Crespo Leticia , Alonso-Cánovas Araceli
Published: February 2016

Background and Purpose—

Stroke on board aircraft has been reported in retrospective case series, mainly focusing on economy class stroke syndrome. Data on the actual incidence, pathogenesis, and prognosis of stroke in commercial flights are lacking.

Methods—

A prospective registry was designed to include all consecutive patients referred from an international airport (40 million passengers a year) to our hospital with a diagnosis of ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack and onset of symptoms during a flight or immediately after landing.

Results—

Forty-four patients (32 ischemic strokes and 12 transient ischemic attacks) were included over a 76-month period (January 2008 to April 2014). The estimated incidence of stroke was 1 stroke in 35 000 flights. Pathogeneses of stroke or transient ischemic attack were atherothrombotic in 16 (36%), economy class stroke syndrome in 8 (18%), cardioembolic in 7 (16%), arterial dissection in 4 (9%), lacunar stroke in 4 (9%), and undetermined in 5 (12%) patients. Carotid stenosis >70% was found in 12 (27%) of the patients. Overall prognosis was good, and thrombolysis was applied in 44% of the cases. The most common reason for not treating patients who had experienced stroke onset midflight was the delay in reaching the hospital. Only 1 patient with symptom onset during the flight prompted a flight diversion.

Conclusions—

We found a low incidence of stroke in the setting of air travel. Economy class stroke syndrome and arterial dissection were well represented in our sample. However, the main pathogenesis was atherothrombosis with a high proportion of patients with high carotid stenosis.
Aguas Calientes
Authors: Ibarra Xandra
Published: February 2016

Xandra Ibarra is an Oakland-based performance artist from the El Paso/Juarez border who performs under the alias of La Chica Boom. She uses hyperbolized modes of racialization and sexualization to test the boundaries between her own body and coloniality, compulsory whiteness, and Mexicanidad. Her practice integrates performance, sex acts, and burlesque with video, photography, and objects. Her work has been featured at El Museo de Arte Contemporañeo (Bogotá, Colombia), Popa Gallery (Buenos Aires, Argentina), Joe’s Pub (NYC), PPOW Gallery (NYC), Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (San Francisco), and The Burlesque Hall of Fame (Las Vegas), to name a few. She was awarded the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Award, ReGen Artist Fund, Theater Bay Area Grant, and the Franklin Furnace Performance and Variable Media Award.
White-Skinned Gods: Thor Heyerdahl, the Kon-Tiki Museum, and the Racial Theory of Polynesian Origins
Authors: Magelssen Scott
Published: February 2016

Thor Heyerdahl’s 1947 performative experiment, to sail a raft from Peru to Polynesia, was lauded as a feat of ingenuity and endurance. Largely undertreated is the racially motivated theory undergirding Heyerdahl’s Kon-Tiki project—that the first settlers in Polynesia were a race of bearded, white-skinned supermen who remained deities in both South American and Polynesian mythology. Contemporary commemorations, however, emphasize feel-good stories of human achievement over Heyerdahl’s racist performance.
A Mathematical Motivation for Complex-Valued Convolutional Networks
Authors: Tygert Mark , Bruna Joan , Chintala Soumith , LeCun Yann , Piantino Serkan , Szlam Arthur
Published: February 2016

A complex-valued convolutional network (convnet) implements the repeated application of the following composition of three operations, recursively applying the composition to an input vector of nonnegative real numbers: (1) convolution with complex-valued vectors, followed by (2) taking the absolute value of every entry of the resulting vectors, followed by (3) local averaging. For processing real-valued random vectors, complex-valued convnets can be viewed as data-driven multiscale windowed power spectra, data-driven multiscale windowed absolute spectra, data-driven multiwavelet absolute values, or (in their most general configuration) data-driven nonlinear multiwavelet packets. Indeed, complex-valued convnets can calculate multiscale windowed spectra when the convnet filters are windowed complex-valued exponentials. Standard real-valued convnets, using rectified linear units (ReLUs), sigmoidal (e.g., logistic or tanh) nonlinearities, or max pooling, for example, do not obviously exhibit the same exact correspondence with data-driven wavelets (whereas for complex-valued convnets, the correspondence is much more than just a vague analogy). Courtesy of the exact correspondence, the remarkably rich and rigorous body of mathematical analysis for wavelets applies directly to (complex-valued) convnets.
Long-term consequences of early nutritional conditions on the behaviour and growth of fire salamanders
Authors: Krause E. Tobias , Caspers Barbara A.
Published: February 2016

Early developmental conditions can have a strong influence on the life history. Fire salamanders represent an interesting system due to their biphasic life cycle consisting of an aquatic larval stage and a subsequent terrestrial stage. The environment experienced as larvae affects growth, age at metamorphosis and behaviour. In particular, diet restrictions can cause developmental stress. However, the impact of such developmental stress on the growth and behaviour in a long-lived amphibian are not yet well studied. We manipulated the early diet of sibling pairs of fire salamander larvae. One sibling was raised under food-restriction and the other was raised under conditions of abundant food. We report long-term effects on growth and exploratory behaviour; exploratory behaviour was tested in two sessions, first as young juveniles and later as sub-adults. We found that food-restricted conditions during early development affected exploratory behaviour. Early deficits in body mass and body size were compensated later in life, by approximately 18 months of age. When morphological differences were compensated, the initial differences in exploratory behaviour also disappeared. Thus, compensation not only led to an alignment of body parameters but was also accompanied by an adjustment in exploratory behaviour. No cost of compensation was detected, but future research will need to verify whether the potential costs of compensation are negligible in slow-growing salamanders or whether they are shifted to later life stages. Our study provides novel insights into the life history of fire salamanders and reveals that early larval conditions have effects on individuals long after metamorphosis.
Perceptual Foundations of English Temporal and Aspectual Constructions
Authors: Drożdż Grzegorz
Published: February 2016

The paper argues that selected English temporal and aspectual constructions, despite their seeming disparities of use, are motivated by perceptual experience. The analysis indicates close parallels between certain types of perceptual experience of seeing an object in space and the uses of three grammatical constructions: Present Simple, Past Simple, and Present Continuous. The analysis is based on the insights derived from two cognitive theories: the theory of image schemas (Johnson 1987) and Cognitive Grammar (Langacker 1987). More specifically, it is argued that time is not the ultimate domain of extension for the constructions—similarities and differences between the constructions are best seen when one more type of domain is assumed—epistemic. It is also claimed that Present Continuous encodes a specific dimension derived from spatial relations, namely distance, and this is a dimension that the construction shares with the two temporal constructions.
A new species of Leiothrix (Eriocaulaceae) from the Espinhaço Range, Bahia, Brazil
Authors: GIULIETTI ANA MARIA , SILVA DANIELE MENDES DA
Published: February 2016

A new species of Leiothrix (Eriocaulaceae) from Brazil is described and illustrated. Leiothrix raymondii is a restricted endemic living under the shelter of rocks, in large rocky outcrops, occurring in the Northern part of the Espinhaço range in Bahia state, Brazil. The species is here assessed as endangered.
Cheirostylis acuminata (Orchidaceae; Cranichideae; Goodyerinae): a new species from Yunnan Province, China
Authors: LIU ZHI-LONG , LIU QIANG , GAO JIANG-YUN
Published: February 2016

Cheirostylis Blume (1825: 413) is characterized by a column with two stelids, two well-separated stigma lobes and connate sepals that form a tube. There are about 55 species, mainly distributed in tropical Africa, through Southeast Asia, Japan, Indonesia and Pacific islands to Australia (Pridgeon et al. 2003, Chen et al. 2009, Bhattacharjee 2012, Govaerts et al. 2012). There are 18 species reported from China, of which 8 species are believed to be endemic (Averyanov et al. 2009, Chen et al. 2009, Lin & Lin 2009, Yang et al. 2013).
New combinations in Craterostigma and Torenia (Linderniaceae) from Asia with key to allied species
Authors: LIANG YI-SHUO , WANG JENN-CHE
Published: February 2016

Traditionally, Lindernia s.l. Allioni (1766: 178) was the largest genus within Linderniaceae, with about 100 species, including members of Bonnaya Link & Otto (1820: 25), Ilysanthes Rafinesque (1820: 13), and Vandellia Linnaeus (1767: 384) (Pennell 1935, Rahmanzadeh et al. 2005). This concept (Pennell 1935) was adopted by subsequent taxonomists (e.g., Philcox 1968, Tsoong & Ku 1979, Yamazaki 1981, Fischer 1992, Lewis 2000, Liang et al. 2012) until Fischer et al. (2013), based on molecular and morphological evidence, proposed a more restrict circumscription of Lindernia s.str., separated from Bonnaya, Vandellia, Craterostigma Hochstetter (1841: 668), Crepidorhopalon Fischer (1989: 443), Torenia Linnaeus (1753: 619), and the new genus Linderniella Fischer et al. (2013: 227).
Revision of the Oriental genus Holophris Mocsáry, 1890 and description of the genus Leptopareia Rosa & Xu, gen. nov. (Hymenoptera, Chrysididae)
Authors: ROSA Paolo , WEI NA-SEN , NOTTON DAVID , XU ZAI-FU
Published: February 2016

Two Oriental genera of the tribe Elampini (Chrysidinae) are here discussed. The genus Holophris Mocsáry, 1890 is redescribed, and the genus Leptopareia Rosa & Xu, gen. nov. (type species Hedychrum borneanum Cameron, 1908) is established. Two new species are described: Holophris thailandica Rosa, Wei, Notton & Xu, sp. nov. (Thailand), and Leptopareia luzonensis Rosa, Wei, Notton & Xu, sp. nov. (Philippines, Luzon). The lectotype of Hedychrum borneanum Cameron, 1908 is designated. New combinations are proposed for L. borneana (Cameron, 1908), comb. nov., L. purpurea (Smith, 1860), comb. nov., L. abyssinica (Mocsáry, 1914), comb. nov., L. confusa (Kimsey, 1988), comb. nov., L. congoensis (du Buysson, 1900), comb. nov., and L. kalliopsis (Zimmermann, 1961), comb. nov. (all are from Holophris Mocsáry). Holophris marginella (Mocsáry, 1890) is newly recorded from China and Thailand; H. taiwana (Tsuneki, 1970) from India, Indonesia and Laos; and Leptopareia borneana (Cameron, 1908) from Thailand. Keys to Oriental genera of the tribe Elampini and to Oriental species of the two genera are provided.
Minooa Yamanaka, 1996, a genus newly recorded to China with description of a new species (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae, Pyralinae)
Authors: QI MUJIE
Published: February 2016

The genus Minooa Yamanaka, 1996 was monobasic with Minooa yamamotoi Yamanaka, 1996 as the type species. Previously, the genus was only recorded from Japan (Yamanaka 1996; Yamanaka & Yoshiyasu 2013). The diagnostic characters of this genus are as follows: antenna of male ciliated ventrally, simple in female; forewing M1 stalked with R3+4+5 for short distance, M2 and M3 stalked for 1/4 length; hindwing with Rs and M1 stalked, M2 and M3 stalked for 1/4 length; male genitalia with a long process arising from base of sacculus; aedeagus with several thorn-shaped cornuti; female genitalia with ductus bursae broadened and wrinkled posteriorly; signum formed by minute sclerites.
The Relationship between the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) and Southeastern New England Snowfall
Authors: Klotzbach Philip J. , Oliver Eric C. J. , Leeper Ronald D. , Schreck Carl J.
Published: February 2016

The winter of 2014/15 brought record snow totals to portions of southeastern New England. Additionally, over 90% of Boston Logan Airport snowfall during the winter fell during phases 7 and 8 of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) index. This motivated the authors to investigate potential connections between intense southeastern New England snowstorms and the MJO in the historical record. It was found that southeastern New England snowfall, measured since the 1930s at several stations in the region, recorded higher than average winter snowfalls when enhanced MJO convection was located over the western Pacific and the Western Hemisphere (phases 7–8). Similarly, snowfall was suppressed when enhanced MJO convection was located over the Maritime Continent (phases 4–5). The MJO also modulates the frequency of nor’easters, which contribute the majority of New England’s snowfall, as measured by reanalysis-derived cyclone tracks. These tracks were more numerous during the same MJO phases that lead to enhanced snowfall, and they were less common during phases with less snowfall.
Are All Politics Local? A Case Study of Local Conditions in a Period of “Law and Order” Politics
Authors: Campbell Michael C.
Published: February 2016

This article explores how voters in Contra Costa County, California, came to support aggressive criminal justice policies that helped to drive prison growth. As this case study shows, the antitax movement’s successes in the latter 1970s had important implications for local and state politics and government that ultimately shaped support for the law and order movement. Institutional structures, especially the state’s easily accessible proposition process and the considerable political power of homeowners, facilitated the antitax movement’s successes. This reflected and reinforced deep tensions between state and local government and created new problems and dilemmas for state and local lawmakers. Politically, the antitax movement’s successes helped to mobilize a powerful constituency of affluent property owners receptive to tough anticrime measures and provided a blueprint for the law and order movement’s political success. While state and local lawmakers struggled to manage new challenges, increasingly active and well-organized law and order campaigns thrived in state and local environments.