bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Programming and regulation of metabolic homeostasis
Authors: Wilson David F.
Published: January 2015

Evidence is presented that the rate and equilibrium constants in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation set and maintain metabolic homeostasis in eukaryotic cells. These internal constants determine the energy state ([ATP]/[ADP][Pi]), and the energy state maintains homeostasis through a bidirectional sensory/signaling control network that reaches every aspect of cellular metabolism. The energy state is maintained with high precision (to ∼1 part in 1010), and the control system can respond to transient changes in energy demand (ATP utilization) of more than 100 times the resting rate. Epigenetic and environmental factors are able to “fine-tune” the programmed set point over a narrow range to meet the special needs associated with cell differentiation and chronic changes in metabolic requirements. The result is robust across-platform control of metabolism, which is essential to cellular differentiation and the evolution of complex organisms. A model of oxidative phosphorylation is presented, for which the steady-state rate expression has been derived and computer programmed. The behavior of oxidative phosphorylation predicted by the model is shown to fit the experimental data available for isolated mitochondria as well as for cells and tissues. This includes measurements from several different mammalian tissues as well as from insect flight muscle and plants. The respiratory chain and oxidative phosphorylation is remarkably similar for all higher plants and animals. This is consistent with the efficient synthesis of ATP and precise control of metabolic homeostasis provided by oxidative phosphorylation being a key to cellular differentiation and the evolution of structures with specialized function.
Female rats selectively bred for high intrinsic aerobic fitness are protected from ovariectomy-associated metabolic dysfunction
Authors: Vieira-Potter Victoria J. , Padilla Jaume , Park Young-Min , Welly Rebecca J. , Scroggins Rebecca J. , Britton Steven L. , Koch Lauren G. , Jenkins Nathan T. , Crissey Jacqueline M. , Zidon Terese , Morris E. Matthew , Meers Grace M. E. , Thyfault John P.
Published: January 2015

Ovariectomized rodents model human menopause in that they rapidly gain weight, reduce spontaneous physical activity (SPA), and develop metabolic dysfunction, including insulin resistance. How contrasting aerobic fitness levels impacts ovariectomy (OVX)-associated metabolic dysfunction is not known. Female rats selectively bred for high and low intrinsic aerobic fitness [high-capacity runners (HCR) and low-capacity runners (LCR), respectively] were maintained under sedentary conditions for 39 wk. Midway through the observation period, OVX or sham (SHM) operations were performed providing HCR-SHM, HCR-OVX, LCR-SHM, and LCR-OVX groups. Glucose tolerance, energy expenditure, and SPA were measured before and 4 wk after surgery, while body composition via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and adipose tissue distribution, brown adipose tissue (BAT), and skeletal muscle phenotype, hepatic lipid content, insulin resistance via homeostatic assessment model of insulin resistance and AdipoIR, and blood lipids were assessed at death. Remarkably, HCR were protected from OVX-associated increases in adiposity and insulin resistance, observed only in LCR. HCR rats were ∼30% smaller, had ∼70% greater spontaneous physical activity (SPA), consumed ∼10% more relative energy, had greater skeletal muscle proliferator-activated receptor coactivator 1-alpha, and ∼40% more BAT. OVX did not increase energy intake and reduced SPA to the same extent in both HCR and LCR. LCR were particularly affected by an OVX-associated reduction in resting energy expenditure and experienced a reduction in relative BAT; resting energy expenditure correlated positively with BAT across all animals ( r = 0.6; P < 0.001). In conclusion, despite reduced SPA following OVX, high intrinsic aerobic fitness protects against OVX-associated increases in adiposity and insulin resistance. The mechanism may involve preservation of resting energy expenditure.
Research on P System with Chain Structure and Application and Simulation in Arithmetic Operation
Authors: Luan Jing , Yao Zhong
Published: January 2015

Considering the advantages of distribution and maximum parallelism of membrane computing and availability of discrete Morse theory to deal with discrete structure, in this paper, combining discrete Morse theory and membrane computing, a novel membrane structure—P system with chain structure, is proposed, which is constructed on the basis of discrete gradient vector path of the discrete Morse theory. At the theoretical level, due to its unique chain structure, compared with traditional P system, its structure, object, and rule are described in details. In the practical aspect, a specific application example, P chain system for arithmetic operation, is presented to demonstrate the superiority, computational efficiency, and ability of P system with chain structure. Moreover, a simulation system of arithmetic operations based on P chain system is designed, giving a visual display of the implementation of P chain system for arithmetic operation, and verifying the feasibility and effectiveness of P chain system.
Immunohistochemical Expression of Dual-Specificity Protein Phosphatase 4 in Patients with Colorectal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Sim Jongmin , Yi Kijong , Kim Hyunsung , Ahn Hyein , Chung Yumin , Rehman Abdul , Jang Se Min , Lee Kang Hong , Jang Kiseok , Paik Seung Sam
Published: January 2015

The role of dual-specificity protein phosphatase 4 (DUSP4) appears to vary with the type of malignant tumors and is still controversial. The purpose of our study was to clarify the exact role of DUSP4 expression in colorectal adenocarcinoma. We constructed tissue microarrays and investigated DUSP4 expression by immunohistochemistry. DUSP4 was more frequently expressed in adenocarcinomas and lymph node/distant metastases compared to that in normal colorectal tissues and tubular adenomas (P<0.001). Mean DUSP4 expression score was significantly higher in malignant tumors than in benign lesions (P<0.001). DUSP4 expression was significantly correlated with older age (P=0.017), male gender (P=0.036), larger tumor size (P=0.014), nonmucinous tumor type (P=0.023), and higher T stage (P=0.040). Kaplan-Meier survival curves revealed a significant effect of DUSP4 expression on both overall survival and disease-free survival in AJCC stage I (P=0.008andP=0.003, resp., log-rank test) and male gender (P=0.017andP=0.049, resp., log-rank test). DUSP4 protein is frequently upregulated in colorectal adenocarcinoma and may play an important role in carcinogenesis and cancer progression and may be a marker of adverse prognosis.
Design and Synthesis of Novel Antileishmanial Compounds
Authors: Loedige Melanie
Published: January 2015

According to the WHO, infectious diseases, and in particular neglected tropical diseases in poor developing countries, still play a significant role in a vast number of deaths reported worldwide. Among them, leishmaniasis occurs as a complex and clinically diverse illness caused by protozoan Leishmania species which are transmitted through the bite of sandflies. They develop through a complex life cycle, from promastigotes in sandflies to amastigotes in humans. The severity of disease is determined by the type of infecting Leishmania species and also depends strongly on whether the parasite infection leads to a systemic involvement or not. Since the sensitivity towards diverse medicaments highly differs among the Leishmania species, it is advantageous to treat leishmaniasis with species-specific drugs. Towards this goal we report a synthetic methodology and characterization of novel small molecular agents active against both forms of L. major. This synthetic approach allows for rapid access to new active antileishmanial drug templates and their first derivatives in moderate to very good yields. Although the compounds reported here are bioactive, the detailed biological results are part of a more comprehensive study and will be reported separately by our collaborators.
Experimental and Numerical Study on the Resistance Performance of an Axial Flow Cyclone Separator
Authors: Luan Yigang , Sun Haiou
Published: January 2015

The purpose of this paper is to study the pressure drop of an axial flow cyclone separator as a function of inlet velocities using experimental and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods. First, the resistance performance of the separator was acquired under ambient pressure and temperature with little change by wind tunnel experiments. Then, numerical simulations were carried out in CFD code Fluent 6.3 under standard operating conditions. A comparison between the experimental and CFD data demonstrates that the CFD method can predict the pressure drop of the axial cyclone separator excellently. Additionally, the results show that the axial flow cyclone separators have a pressure drop coefficient of approximately 7.5. To study the effect of ambient pressure and temperature on pressure drops, the same CFD method was employed to predict the resistance performance under various operating conditions. Then the numerical results were compared with the data of a normalization process method of pressure drops raised in this paper. Their comparison demonstrated that the normalization method had a high precision in predicting the influence of ambient operating parameters on pressure drops of an axial flow cyclone separator.
In VitroGender-Dependent Inhibition of Porcine Cytochrome P450 Activity by Selected Flavonoids and Phenolic Acids
Authors: Ekstrand Bo , Rasmussen Martin Krøyer , Woll Felicia , Zlabek Vladimir , Zamaratskaia Galia
Published: January 2015

We investigated gender-related differences in the ability of selected flavonoids and phenolic compounds to modify porcine hepatic CYP450-dependent activity. Using pools of microsomes from male and female pigs, the inhibition of the CYP families 1A, 2A, 2E1, and 3A was determined. The specific CYP activities were measured in the presence of the following selected compounds: rutin, myricetin, quercetin, isorhamnetin,p-coumaric acid, gallic acid, and caffeic acid. We determined that myricetin and isorhamnetin competitively inhibited porcine CYP1A activity in the microsomes from both male and female pigs but did not affect the CYP2A and CYP2E1. Additionally, isorhamnetin competitively inhibited CYP3A in both genders. Noncompetitive inhibition of CYP3A activity by myricetin was observed only in the microsomes from male pigs, whereas CYP3A in female pigs was not affected. Quercetin competitively inhibited CYP2E1 and CYP1A activity in the microsomes from male pigs and irreversibly CY3A in female pigs. No effect of quercetin on CYP2E1 was observed in the microsomes from female pigs. Neither phenolic acids nor rutin affected CYP450 activities. Taken together, our results suggest that the flavonoids myricetin, isorhamnetin, and quercetin may affect the activities of porcine CYP1A, CYP3A, and CYP2E1 in a gender-dependent manner.
Preliminary Investigation of Bioactive Compounds and Bioautographic Studies of Whole Plant Extract of Euphorbia pulcherrima on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Sharif H. B. , Mukhtar M. D. , Mustapha Y. , Lawal A. O.
Published: January 2015

The aim of this study is to carry out preliminary investigation of bioactive compounds and bioautographic studies of whole plant extract of Euphorbia pulcherrima on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Tukey HSD test of hierarchy for the effect of different solvents crude extract on bacterial isolates indicates the methanol extract as the most bioactive. The Tukey HSD analysis also showed that the bioactivities of the crude extracts of the various parts of Euphorbia pulcherrima were part dependent and the whole plant was the most bioactive. The ethyl acetate fraction of the methanol extract of the whole plant of Euphorbia pulcherrima has been shown in this work to contain phytochemicals which have shown remarkable activities against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The bioactivities against the test organisms were due to the combined effects of the compounds separated on TLC plates. Families of terpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponin, and steroids that were detected in the extracts were identified by GC-MS. The various classes of phytochemicals in the E. pulcherrima plant provided the antimicrobial potency of the plant.
Effectiveness of Moxibustion Treatment in Quality of Life in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Ren Xiumei , Yao Chang , Wu Fan , Li Zhao , Xing Jinyun , Zhang Haimeng
Published: January 2015

Objective.To observe the effects of traditional Chinese moxibustion, compared with sham moxibustion, on the quality of life (QOL) in patients with chronic knee osteoarthritis (KOA).Methods.This is a randomized double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. 150 patients with KOA were randomly allocated to either a true moxibustion treatment (n= 77) or a sham moxibustion treatment (n= 73) three times a week for six weeks. The QOL of patients was evaluated with SF-36 at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 weeks after baseline.Results.136 patients were available for analysis. Participants in the true moxibustion group experienced statistically significantly greater improvement in GH (general health) scores than the sham group at week 6 (P= 0.015) and week 12 (P= 0.029). Participants in the true moxibustion group experienced statistically significantly greater improvement in VT (vitality) scores than the sham group at week 12 (P= 0.042). No significant adverse effects were found during the trial.Conclusion.A 6-week moxibustion treatment seems to improve general health and vitality, which are associated with physical and mental quality of life, in patients with KOA up to 12 weeks, relative to credible sham moxibustion. This trial is registered with Clinicaltrials.govISRCTN68475405.
Aneurysmal Rupture of a Mesodiverticular Band to a Meckel’s Diverticulum
Authors: Sommerhalder Christian , Fretwell Kenneth R. , Salzler Gregory G. , Creasy John M. , Robitsek R. Jonathan , Schubl Sebastian D.
Published: January 2015

Aneurysmal rupture of a mesodiverticular band has not previously been reported in the clinical literature. We are reporting a case of hemoperitoneum in a 51-year-old male after an aneurysmal rupture of a mesodiverticular band. This case demonstrates that in rare instances, a rupture of the mesodiverticular band leading to Meckel’s diverticulum can lead to significant hemoperitoneum. This is usually caused by a traumatic injury but in our case was apparently caused by an aneurysm of the mesodiverticular artery. Patients with known Meckel’s diverticula should be aware of the possibility of rupture, as should clinicians treating those with a history of this usually benign congenital abnormality. Rapid surgical intervention is necessary to repair the source of bleeding, as massive blood loss was encountered in this case.
Fat Tail Model for Simulating Test Systems in Multiperiod Unit Commitment
Authors: Marmolejo J. A. , Rodriguez R.
Published: January 2015

This paper describes the use of Chambers-Mallows-Stuck method for simulating stable random variables in the generation of test systems for economic analysis in power systems. A study that focused on generating test electrical systems through fat tail model for unit commitment problem in electrical power systems is presented. Usually, the instances of test systems in Unit Commitment are generated using normal distribution, but in this work, simulations data are based on a new method. For simulating, we used three original systems to obtain the demand behavior and thermal production costs. The estimation of stable parameters for the simulation of stable random variables was based on three generally accepted methods: (a) regression, (b) quantiles, and (c) maximum likelihood, choosing one that has the best fit of the tails of the distribution. Numerical results illustrate the applicability of the proposed method by solving several unit commitment problems.
Dynamic Control Applied to a Laboratory Antilock Braking System
Authors: Acosta Lúa Cuauhtémoc , Castillo Toledo Bernardino , Di Gennaro Stefano , Martinez-Gardea Marcela
Published: January 2015

The control of an antilock braking system is a difficult problem due to the existence of nonlinear dynamics and uncertainties of its characteristics. To overcome these issues, in this work, a dynamic nonlinear controller is proposed, based on a nonlinear observer. To evaluate its performance, this controller has been implemented on an ABS Laboratory setup, representing a quarter car model. The nonlinear observer reconstructs some of the state variables of the setup, assumed not measurable, to establish a fair benchmark for an ABS system of a real automobile. The dynamic controller ensures exponential convergence of the state estimation, as well as robustness with respect to parameter variations.
A Phase IIa Randomized, Double-Blind Trial of Erlotinib in Inhibiting Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Signaling in Aberrant Crypt Foci of the Colorectum
Authors: Gillen Daniel L. , Meyskens Frank L. , Morgan Timothy R. , Zell Jason A. , Carroll Robert , Benya Richard , Chen Wen-Pin , Mo Allen , Tucker Chris , Bhattacharya Asmita , Huang Zhiliang , Arcilla Myra , Wong Vanessa , Chung Jinah , Gonzalez Rachel , Rodriguez Luz Maria , Szabo Eva , Rosenberg Daniel W. , Lipkin Steven M.
Published: January 2015

Colorectal cancer progresses through multiple distinct stages that are potentially amenable to chemopreventative intervention. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors are efficacious in advanced tumors including colorectal cancer. There is significant evidence that EGFR also plays important roles in colorectal cancer initiation, and that EGFR inhibitors block tumorigenesis. We performed a double-blind randomized clinical trial to test whether the EGFR inhibitor erlotinib given for up to 30 days had an acceptable safety and efficacy profile to reduce EGFR signaling biomarkers in colorectal aberrant crypt foci (ACF), a subset of which progress to colorectal cancer, and normal rectal tissue. A total of 45 patients were randomized to one of three erlotinib doses (25, 50, and 100 mg) with randomization stratified by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use. There were no unanticipated adverse events with erlotinib therapy. Erlotinib was detected in both normal rectal mucosa and ACFs. Colorectal ACF phosphorylated ERK (pERK), phosphorylated EGFR (pEGFR), and total EGFR signaling changes from baseline were modest and there was no dose response. Overall, this trial did not meet is primary efficacy endpoint. Colorectal EGFR signaling inhibition by erlotinib is therefore likely insufficient to merit further studies without additional prescreening stratification or potentially longer duration of use. Cancer Prev Res; 8(3); 222–30. ©2015 AACR.
Laser Ablation of Posterior Urethral Valves by Fetal Cystoscopy
Authors: Martínez José María , Masoller Narcis , Devlieger Roland , Passchyn Esther , Gómez Olga , Rodo Joan , Deprest Jan A. , Gratacós Eduard
Published: January 2015

Objective: To report the results of fetal cystoscopic laser ablation of posterior urethral valves (PUV) in a consecutive series in two referral centers. Methods: Twenty pregnant women with a presumptive isolated PUV were treated with fetal cystoscopy under local anesthesia. Identification and fulguration of the PUV by one or several firing-contacts with diode laser were attempted. Perinatal and long-term outcomes were prospectively recorded. Results: The median gestational age at procedure was 18.1 weeks (range 15.0-25.6), and median operation time was 24 min (range 15-40). Access to the urethra was achieved in 19/20 (95%) cases, and postoperative, normalization of bladder size and amniotic fluid was observed in 16/20 (80%). Overall, there were 9 (45%) terminations of pregnancy and 11 women (55%) delivered a liveborn baby at a mean gestational age of 37.3 (29.1-40.2) weeks. No infants developed pulmonary hypoplasia and all were alive at 15-110 months. Eight (40% of all fetuses, 72.7% of newborns) had normal renal function and 3 (27.3%) had renal failure awaiting renal transplantation. Conclusion: Fetoscopic laser ablation for PUV can achieve bladder decompression and amniotic fluid normalization with a single procedure in selected cases with anyhydramnios. There is still a significant risk of progression to renal failure pre or postnatally.
Feasibility and Safety of an Early Discharge Strategy after Low-Risk Acute Myocardial Infarction Treated with Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: The EDAMI Pilot Trial
Authors: Azzalini Lorenzo , Solé Eduard , Sans Jordi , Vila Montserrat , Durán Albert , Gil-Alonso Dolores , Santaló Miquel , Garcia-Moll Xavier , Sionis Alessandro
Published: January 2015

Objectives: This pilot trial evaluated the feasibility and safety of an early discharge strategy (EDS: ≤72 h, followed by outpatient lifestyle interventions), in comparison with a conventional discharge strategy (CDS) for low-risk (Zwolle risk score ≤3) ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients treated with primary angioplasty. Methods: One hundred patients were randomized to an EDS (n = 54) or a CDS (n = 46). The primary end point was the feasibility of the EDS: (1) ≥70% of EDS patients discharged ≤72 h, (2) ≥70% visited by a nurse ≤7 days after discharge, (3) ≥70% with ≥3 visits by the nurse and (4) ≥70% visited by a cardiologist ≤3 months. Results: The mean age was 59.2 ± 12.2 years and ejection fraction 54.0 ± 7.1%. Eighty-six percent were male (12% diabetics). Vascular access was radial in 91%. Ischemic time was ≤4 h in 75%. Length of stay was shorter in EDS as compared with CDS (70.1 ± 8.1 vs. 111.8 ± 28.3 h, p < 0.001). EDS feasibility was: (1) 72.2%; (2) 81.5%; (3) 76.9%; (4) 72.2%. There were no adverse events or differences in intervention goals and quality of life between groups. Conclusions: An EDS in low-risk STEMI patients is feasible and seems to be safe. A shorter hospital stay could benefit patients and health care systems.
A One-Page Summary Report of Genome Sequencing for the Healthy Adult
Authors: Vassy Jason L. , McLaughlin Heather L. , MacRae Calum A. , Seidman Christine E. , Lautenbach Denise , Krier Joel B. , Lane William J. , Kohane Isaac S. , Murray Michael F. , McGuire Amy L. , Rehm Heidi L. , Green Robert C. ,   for the MedSeq Project
Published: January 2015

As genome sequencing technologies increasingly enter medical practice, genetics laboratories must communicate sequencing results effectively to nongeneticist physicians. We describe the design and delivery of a clinical genome sequencing report, including a one-page summary suitable for interpretation by primary care physicians. To illustrate our preliminary experience with this report, we summarize the genomic findings from 10 healthy participants in a study of genome sequencing in primary care.
Mesh-Covered Embolic Protection Stent Implantation in ST-Segment–Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Dudek Dariusz , Dziewierz Artur , Brener Sorin J. , Abizaid Alexandre , Merkely Béla , Costa Ricardo A. , Bar Eli , Rakowski Tomasz , Kornowski Ran , Dressler Ovidiu , Abizaid Andrea , Silber Sigmund , Stone Gregg W.
Published: January 2015

Background—

The MGuard, a bare metal stent covered with a polymer mesh, was designed to reduce distal embolization during percutaneous coronary intervention in ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction. In the MGUARD for Acute ST Elevation Reperfusion trial, the primary end point of complete ST-segment resolution was significantly improved with the MGuard compared with control. We evaluated 1-year clinical and angiographic results.

Methods and Results—

Patients with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction ≤12 hours undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention of a single de novo native lesion were randomized to the MGuard versus any commercially available metallic stent (39.8% drug-eluting). Clinical follow-up was performed through 1 year, and angiography at 13 months was planned in 50 MGuard patients. There was no difference in major adverse cardiac events (1.8% versus 2.3%;
P
=0.75) at 30 days between the groups. Major adverse cardiac events at 1 year were higher with the MGuard, driven by greater ischemia-driven target lesion revascularization (8.6% versus 0.9%;
P
=0.0003). Conversely, mortality tended to be lower with the MGuard at 30 days (0% versus 1.9%;
P
=0.04) and at 1 year (1.0% versus 3.3%;
P
=0.09). Late lumen loss at 13 months in the MGuard was 0.99±0.80 mm, and binary restenosis was 31.6%.

Conclusions—

In patients with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention, a trend toward reduced 1-year mortality was present in patients treated with the MGuard stent. Target lesion revascularization and major adverse cardiac events rates during follow-up were higher in the MGuard group than in the control stent group, and angiographic late loss of the MGuard was consistent with that expected from bare metal stents.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01368471.
CXCL10/IP-10 Is a Biomarker and Mediator for Kawasaki Disease
Authors: Ko Tai-Ming , Kuo Ho-Chang , Chang Jeng-Sheng , Chen Shih-Ping , Liu Yi-Min , Chen Hui-Wen , Tsai Fuu-Jen , Lee Yi-Ching , Chen Chien-Hsiun , Wu Jer-Yuarn , Chen Yuan-Tsong
Published: January 2015

Rationale:

Kawasaki disease (KD), an acute febrile vasculitis, is the most common cause of acquired heart disease in childhood; however, diagnosing KD can be difficult.

Objective:

To identify unique proteomic biomarkers that can be used to facilitate earlier diagnosis of KD.

Methods and Results:

We enrolled 214 children with fever and clinical features suggestive of KD. Of those, only 100 were diagnosed with KD. Their plasma samples were globally analyzed for cytokines, chemokines, and cell adhesion molecules using an unbiased, large-scale, quantitative protein array. This study was conducted in 3 stages: discovery, replication, and blinded validation. During the discovery phase (n [KD]=37; n [control]=20), the expression of interleukin-17F, sCD40L, E-selectin, CCL23 (myeloid progenitor inhibitory factor 1), and CXCL10 (IFN-γ-inducible protein 10 [IP-10]) were upregulated during the acute phase in patients with KD when compared with that in the controls. A notable increase was observed in the IP-10 levels (KD, 3037±226.7 pg/mL; control, 672±130.4 pg/mL;
P
=4.1×10
–11
). Receiver-operating characteristic analysis of the combined discovery and replication data (n [KD]=77; n [control]=77) showed that the IP-10 level had high area under the curve values (0.94 [95% confidence interval, 0.9055–0.9778]; sensitivity, 100%; and specificity, 77%). With 1318 pg/mL as the optimal cutoff, the blinded validation study confirmed that the IP-10 levels were a good predictor of KD. With intravenous immunoglobulin treatment, the IP-10 levels returned to normal. The downstream receptor of IP-10, CXCR3, was activated in the T cells of patients with acute KD.

Conclusions:

IP-10 may be used as a biomarker to facilitate KD diagnosis, and it may provide clues about the pathogenesis of KD.
Metabolic Syndrome From Adolescence to Early Adulthood
Authors: Nupponen Mari , Pahkala Katja , Juonala Markus , Magnussen Costan G. , Niinikoski Harri , Rönnemaa Tapani , Viikari Jorma S.A. , Saarinen Maiju , Lagström Hanna , Jula Antti , Simell Olli , Raitakari Olli T.
Published: January 2015

Background—

Adolescent metabolic syndrome (MetS) predicts type 2 diabetes mellitus and subclinical atherosclerosis in adulthood. Our aim was to establish the relationship between an infancy-onset dietary intervention and risk of having MetS between 15 and 20 years of age.

Methods and Results—

The Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project for Children (STRIP) study is a longitudinal, randomized atherosclerosis prevention trial in which repeated dietary counseling aiming at reducing intake of saturated fat took place from infancy to early adulthood. Participants who had complete data on the MetS components (waist circumference, blood pressure, triglycerides, glucose, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) at 15 (n=512), 16 (n=485), 17 (n=475), 18 (n=459), 19 (n=439), and 20 (n=407) years of age were included in the study. Modified International Diabetes Foundation criteria with 80th/20th percentile cutoff points for the components were primarily applied in statistical analyses, and the results were replicated with the use of other pediatric MetS definitions. Between the ages of 15 and 20 years, the prevalence of MetS varied between 6.0% and 7.5% in participants in the intervention group and between 10% and 14% in the control group. The long-term relative risk of MetS was significantly lower in the intervention group (relative risk, 0.59; 95% confidence interval, 0.40–0.88;
P
=0.009). Of the individual MetS components, the intervention decreased risk of high blood pressure in both sexes (relative risk, 0.83; 95% confidence interval, 0.70–0.99) and high triglycerides in male subjects (relative risk, 0.71; 95% confidence interval, 0.52–0.98). A statistically nonsignificant reduction was seen in the risk of high waist circumference in the intervention individuals (relative risk, 0.78; 95% confidence interval, 0.59–1.03).

Conclusion—

Repeated infancy-onset dietary intervention is effective in the prevention of MetS in adolescence.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00223600.
Shapiro’s Legality
Authors: Brand Jeffrey
Published: January 2015

Scott Shapiro’s Legality provides at once a defense of analytical jurisprudence, an accessible introduction to it, and an important new positivist theory of law. Shapiro seeks to answer the main traditional questions of jurisprudence: “what is it about law that makes it law and not something else?” and “what necessarily follows from the fact that something is law?” His major innovation, building on Michael Bratman’s work, is to re-imagine H. L. A. Hart’s secondary rules, including his ultimate rule of recognition, as plans of a sort. Shapiro’s overarching goal, however, is to show that analytical jurisprudence has practical relevance for lawyers. I argue that his success is limited by his failure to present a coherent theory of how judges are morally permitted to rule, particularly in cases in which the law requires them to reach results that they consider to be unjust.
Between Domestic and Global Justice
Authors: Nili Shmuel
Published: January 2015

What kind of normative constraints do domestic political theories generate at the global level? While much attention has been given to the global implications of specific domestic theories, little if any attention has been dedicated to the more general question - in what ways can a domestic theory of justice generate normative constraints for a global theory of justice? My aim here is to take first steps in addressing this meta-theoretical question. The main reason why global justice theorists have been ignoring this question is the implicit assumption that a domestic political theory can generate normative constraints for global theory only if its conclusions need to be replicated at the global level. While intuitive, I argue that this replication framework misses the possibility that domestic theories can have global implications by directly modifying, through their design process and output, the starting point of global theory. I elaborate this alternative modification framework in two main stages. The first introduces in detail the distinction between the replication and modification frameworks. The second stage demonstrates the distinctive value of the modification framework by applying it to two specific themes central to global political philosophy: the normative constraints that domestic egalitarianism generates for thinking about global distributive justice, and the nature of individual moral duties concerning global institutions. Understanding these issues through the modification framework will allow us to render coherent global theories that might seem incoherent with their domestic origins. More generally, this understanding might yield surprising normative conclusions about global affairs.
Atlas and Hercules in the Garden
Authors: Ribouillault Denis
Published: January 2015

This essay explores the interplay in early modern Roman gardens between the iconography of instruments and fountains and scientific culture, especially astronomy. Examining the sundials that adorned the garden at the Villa Aldobrandini at Frascati, it suggests a new reading of the garden and its iconographic programme, centred on the iconography of Atlas and Hercules holding the celestial sphere. It stresses the importance of scientific culture for both the conception and the subsequent reception of the programme. Several themes are developed: the relevance of wonder and curiosity in the process of understanding nature, the multiple links between nature and artefacts in the space of the garden, and the scientific interests of the patron, Cardinal Pietro Aldobrandini, and his main adviser, the letterato Giovanni Battista Agucchi.
The Palermo Merz Equatorial Telescope
Authors: Chinnici Ileana , Brenni Paolo
Published: January 2015

A manuscript by Georg and Sigmund Merz dated 1862 and containing instructions for assembling the equatorial telescope acquired by the Palermo Observatory is conserved in the archives of the Museo Astronomico e Copernicano in Rome. It is a rare document that reveals “tricks of the trade” and technical knowledge not usually included in textbooks or treatises. It was sent to the Palermo Observatory as an aid to the installation of the telescope, which made a signal contribution to the development of solar physics in Italy in the 19th century. Based on the study of unpublished sources (consisting of texts and drawings), the history of the instrument has been retraced. This paper presents a detailed description of the Merz manuscript (including a complete transcript) and some technical drawings recently discovered in the archives of the Palermo Observatory.
Aspidistra lingchuanensis (Asparagaceae), a new species from Guangxi, China
Authors: Guo Lun-fa , Han Meng-qi , Bin Zhu-fang , Lin Chun-rui
Published: January 2015

The genus Aspidistra Ker-Gawler (1822: 628) (Asparagaceae) has its main centre of diversity in China and Vietnam. In recent years, many new species were discovered and described from that region, increasing the total number of species to over 120. In China, Aspidistra includes over 80 species and is mainly distributed in the southwest part of the country, especially in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (60 species) (Liang & Tamura 2000, Li 2004, Tillich 2005, 2008, Liu et al. 2011, Tillich et al. 2013, He et al. 2013, Lin et al. 2013a–b, 2014, Meng et al. 2014). When investigating medicinal plants in Qingshitan Natural Reserve, Lantian town, Lingchuan County, northeastern Guangxi in 2013, we collected an unusual Aspidistra specimen with linear leaves and urceolar perigone. In March 2014, we returned to the place for further observations of the species, the plant flowered regularly. After consulting herbarium specimens and relevant literature on Aspidistra, it became apparent that we had a new species at hand.
A review of the cicada genus Kosemia Matsumura (Hemiptera: Cicadidae)
Authors: QI SHENGPING , HAYASHI MASAMI , WEI CONG
Published: January 2015

The genus Kosemia Matsumura is reviewed based on investigation of the described species and the descriptions of two new species, Kosemia castanea sp. n. and Kosemia guanzhongensis sp. n., from Shaanxi Province, China. Two species formerly belonging to the genus Cicadetta Kolenati, C. chinensis (Distant) and C. mogannia (Distant), are transferred to Kosemia Matsumura to become K. chinensis (Distant), comb. n. and K. mogannia (Distant), comb. n.. The male of K. chinensis (Distant), comb. n. is discovered and described for the first time. Melampsalta bifuscata Liu, 1940 is recognized to be a junior synonym of K. chinensis. Leptopsalta rubicosta Chou & Lei, 1997 and Lycurgus sinensis Jacobi, 1944 are recognized to be junior synonyms of K. mogannia. Kosemia radiator (Uhler, 1896) is removed from the Chinese cicada fauna. A key to species of Kosemia is provided.
The creeping water bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Naucoridae) of China, with description of a new species
Authors: XIE TONG-YIN , LIU GUO-QING
Published: January 2015

This paper provides description of a new species, Cheirochela grossa sp. nov. from Yunnan Province. Cheirochela tonkina Polhemus, Polhemus & Sites, 2008, Heleocoris bengalensis montandoni Lundblad, 1933 and Thurselinus scutellaris (Stål, 1860) are reported from China for the first time. The checklist and a key to the species of Naucoridae of China are given. Dorsal habitus photographs of the species are provided, accompanied by illustrations of male genitalic structures and female ventral aspect of posterior abdominal segments (new species).
Impacts of Cloud Droplet–Nucleating Aerosols on Shallow Tropical Convection
Authors: Saleeby Stephen M. , Herbener Stephen R. , van den Heever Susan C. , L’Ecuyer Tristan
Published: January 2015

Low-level warm-phase clouds cover a substantial portion of Earth’s oceans and play an important role in the global water and energy budgets. The characteristics of these clouds are controlled by the large-scale environment, boundary layer conditions, and cloud microphysics. Variability in the concentration of aerosols can alter cloud microphysical and precipitation processes that subsequently impact the system dynamics and thermodynamics and thereby create aerosol–cloud dynamic–thermodynamic feedback effects. In this study, three distinct cloud regimes were simulated, including stratocumulus, low-level cumulus (cumulus under stratocumulus), and deeper cumulus clouds. The simulations were conducted without environmental large-scale forcing, thereby allowing all three cloud types to freely interact with the environmental state in an undamped fashion. Increases in aerosol concentration in these unforced, warm-phase, tropical cloud simulations lead to the production of fewer low-level cumuli; thinning and erosion of the widespread stratocumulus layer; and the development of deeper, inversion-penetrating cumuli. The mechanisms for these changes are explored. Despite the development of deeper, more heavily precipitating cumuli, the reduction of the widespread moderately precipitating stratocumulus clouds leads to an overall reduction in domainwide accumulated precipitation when aerosol concentrations are enhanced.
Surface Wave Measurements from Subsurface Floats
Authors: D’Asaro Eric
Published: January 2015

Pressure gradient measurements on a subsurface Lagrangian float are used to measure the spectrum of surface waves for 100 days of measurements at Ocean Weather Station Papa. Along Lagrangian trajectories of surface waves, the pressure is constant and the vertical pressure gradient fluctuations equal the Eulerian fluctuations at the mean float depth to second order in wave height. Measurement of the pressure difference between the top and the bottom of the float can thus be used to measure the waves. Corrections for the wave decay with depth, for the vertical motion of the float, for the finite sampling interval, and for the sampling noise (among others) are necessary to obtain accurate results. With these corrections, scalar spectra accurately match those from a nearby Waverider buoy for significant wave heights greater than about 3 m. For smaller wave heights, noise in the pressure measurements biases the float spectral measurements. Significant wave height is measured with an rms error of 0.37 m over the measured range of 1–9 m. This demonstrates that Lagrangian floats accurately follow the Lagrangian trajectories of surface waves. More detailed and quieter measurements of float motion could likely measure directional wave spectra from below the surface. Similar methods could be used to infer surface wave properties from other subsurface vehicles.
Teaching Generalized Pretend Play and Related Behaviors to Young Children With Disabilities
Authors: Barton Erin E.
Published: January 2015

Children with disabilities play less often and demonstrate fewer varied pretend play behaviors than children with typical development. A multiple-probe design was used to examine the relation between teachers’ use of the system of least prompts and contingent imitation and the acquisition, maintenance, and generalization of pretend play and related behaviors by four children with disabilities. Results indicated the teachers’ use of the intervention package was functionally related to increases in the children’s frequency and diversity of pretend play and related behaviors. Children also maintained responses in sessions without prompts and generalized across toys and contexts. The findings replicate previous studies on adult prompting of pretend play and extend the literature by assessing generalization of children’s pretend play across contexts and measuring intervention and implementation fidelity. Overall, this study provides a strong argument for engaging in systematic instruction of play, including pretend play, for children who do not display such behaviors.
Characterizing Early Childhood Disabilities in a Nationally Representative Sample Using Functional Profiles
Authors: McLaughlin Tara W. , Snyder Patricia A. , Algina James
Published: January 2015

The present study combined a functional abilities approach to characterizing childhood disability with person-oriented analytic techniques to identify and describe functional profiles of young children with disabilities. Nationally representative data from the Pre-Elementary Education Longitudinal Study was used, which included nearly 3,000 preschool children with disabilities. Exploratory analyses using latent class analysis were conducted to determine if distinct and interpretable subgroups of children based on shared profiles of functional ability would emerge. Five distinct latent subgroups were identified, and functional profiles for these subgroups are described. The authors examined classification accuracy and describe demographic characteristics, activity participation levels, and environmental conditions for each subgroup. The utility of a functional approach to examining childhood disability in special education and related fields is discussed.
Observational Learning of Academic and Social Behaviors During Small-Group Direct Instruction
Authors: Ledford Jennifer R. , Wolery Mark
Published: January 2015

Many studies have shown that small-group direct instruction is effective and efficient for teaching students with and without disabilities, although relatively few studies have been conducted with heterogeneous groups of preschool participants. In addition, previous studies have primarily assessed whether observational learning occurred for academic behaviors directly taught to peers. In this study, we assessed target and observational learning of both academic and sharing behaviors. Results show that children with and without disabilities learned all of their own target academic behaviors and at least some of their peers’ target academic behaviors, that children without disabilities learned to share by observing their typically developing peers do so, and that most participants generalized sharing to contexts similar to classroom activities.
An Integrative Review of Self-Report Instruments for Measuring Physical Activity Among African American Women
Authors: Paguntalan John , Gregoski Mathew
Published: January 2015

Lack of physical activity is associated with increased risk for coronary heart disease, the main cause of death in African American women. This integrative review aims to evaluate self-report instruments to assess physical activity in African American women, within the context of coronary heart disease. A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and PubMed Central databases. Only peer-reviewed studies (a) that included African American women and (b) that assessed the psychometric properties of physical activity instruments in the context of heart disease were included in the search. Initial search located 691 articles but only 7 studies were included in the final review. Of the 7 studies, 6 utilized a combination of self-report and objective measures. While most self-report instruments yielded modest validity and reliability, results were inconsistent and modest at best for African American women. Further studies are needed to identify psychometrically and culturally competent instruments for African American women.
Progressive Participation and Transnational Activism in the Catholic Church after Vatican II: The Dutch and West German Examples
Authors: Dols Chris , Ziemann Benjamin
Published: January 2015

This article examines transnational connections, perceptions and imaginations of bottom-up contention in the Dutch and West German Catholic Church. It not only analyses how the Second Vatican Council fuelled participatory practises launched by the bishops of both countries in order to keep their institute viable, such as opinion polling, but also focuses on the ways in which the Dutch Pastoral Council influenced Church reform in West Germany. Furthermore, it highlights Latin American liberation theology as a powerful new intellectual and spiritual framework. Especially from 1968 onwards, figureheads of the priestly activist groups Septuagint and the Freckenhorster Kreis tapped into the neo-Marxist notions of institutionalised violence and oppression in their quest for participation. The transfer of these notions took place in both a north-south and south-north direction. Special attention goes to the 1970 international ‘Church in Our Society’ conference in Amsterdam.
Intergroup neighbouring in urban China: Implications for the social integration of migrants
Authors: Wang Zheng , Zhang Fangzhu , Wu Fulong
Published: January 2015

There is an emerging literature on social interaction and neighbourhood attachment of various social groups in China. However, few have directly addressed the interaction between the locals and migrants at the neighbourhood level. This paper examines the variation of intergroup neighbouring in the city of Nanjing and how housing characteristics and hukou status may affect this process. Measured by intergroup communication and mutual support, this study reveals that migrants are more likely to interact with their urban neighbours, which suggests that migrants might not only interact with each other but also are willing to interact and help with local neighbours. Furthermore, compared with modern commodity housing neighbourhoods developed through the real estate market, older and physically more deprived neighbourhoods characterised by courtyard housing and provisional shelters have higher levels of this intergroup bridging social interaction. This implies that the government’s extensive redevelopment schemes of older neighbourhoods will likely impede on the social integration of migrants and reduce the habitat of intergroup social ties.
New Bedford Resurgent
Authors: Dempsey Anna M.
Published: January 2015

This essay analyzes the influence higher education has had on the “creative economy” of New Bedford, Massachusetts, once one of the leading textile centers in the United States. In my analysis, I assess how New Bedford’s cultural and historical legacy informed artistic education in the city. In addition, I explore the impact that a single institution of higher education (the Swain School of Design) has had on New Bedford’s current cultural and economic revitalization.