bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abstract IA13: Recurrent SPOP mutations define a distinct molecular subclass of prostate cancer
Authors: Barbieri Christopher E. , Baca Sylvan C. , Lawrence Michael S. , Getz Gad , Rubin Mark A. , Garraway Levi A. ,   On the behalf of the Broad Institute and Weill Cornell Medical College Prostate Cancer Sequencing Group
Published: May 2013

Prostate cancer is a clinically heterogeneous disease with marked variability in outcomes. To identify somatic mutations that may drive prostate cancer and aid in molecular characterization, we sequenced the exomes of 112 tumor/normal pairs obtained from men with localized disease. SPOP (Speckled Type POZ) was the most frequently mutated gene, with mutations involving the SPOP substrate binding cleft in 6-15% of tumors from multiple independent cohorts. SPOP-mutant prostate cancers lacked ETS rearrangements and exhibited a distinct pattern of genomic alterations. Thus, SPOP mutations may define a new molecular subtype of prostate cancer.

Citation Format: Christopher E. Barbieri, Sylvan C. Baca, Michael S. Lawrence, Gad Getz, Mark A. Rubin, Levi A. Garraway, On the behalf of the Broad Institute and Weill Cornell Medical College Prostate Cancer Sequencing Group. Recurrent SPOP mutations define a distinct molecular subclass of prostate cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Prostate Cancer Research; 2012 Feb 6-9; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(4 Suppl):Abstract nr IA13.
Abstract IA22: Molecular Imaging of androgen receptor signalling in CRPC
Authors: Larson Steven M. , Fox Joe , Morris Michael , Evans Michael , Lewis Jason , Humm John , Sawyers Charles L. , Scher Howard I.
Published: May 2013

Androgen receptor (AR) plays a key role in development of castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), the lethal form of the disease. For this reason we have developed Molecular Imaging (MI) methods to study AR, both in laboratory and clinic. For this work we have used a radiotracer that is highly specific for AR, a flourine-18 analog of dihydrotestoterone, (FDHT) the most abundant androgen at the tissue level in human cancers. In the laboratory for example, we have used FDHT to document AR binding of novel drugs and to determine their relative affinity and the number of AR receptor sites in human prostate cancer cell lines and xenografts. In the clinic we have imaged patients with CRPC to determine the impact of therapies on AR expression. During the course of this work we have developed quantitative kinetic models based on PET imaging and have shown the FDHT binding and uptake into cancers is AR dependent, and that the metabolites of FDHT do not bind appreciably to AR. We have compared FDHT and FDG in CRPC patients and have determined that there are an average of 17 tumors per patient (n=107), and the 90% of metabolically active tumors for FDG or FDHT express AR, but that there is a group of lesions that do not but are detected by metabolism of FDG. We have shown that drugs which target AR displace FDHT completely when used in full pharmacologic doses. So far the data is consistent with the view that this type of displacement is a necessary condition for tumor response, but clearly some patients whose AR binding is completely blocked have lesions which continue to progress through unknown mechanisms. We believe that molecular imaging using antibodies labeled with PET emitters will add greatly to our knowledge about CRPC, and studies in man with 89Zr-DFO J591, and antibody targeting PSMA are just beginning. The impact of AR signaling on PSMA expression has been shown in the laboratory to be down regulation, and we intend to explore the use of antibodies to provide a pharmacodynamic biomarker of AR signaling in man during therapy with AR blockers in the clinic.

Citation Format: Steven M. Larson, Joe Fox, Michael Morris, Michael Evans, Jason Lewis, John Humm, Charles L. Sawyers, Howard I. Scher. Molecular Imaging of androgen receptor signaling in CRPC [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Prostate Cancer Research; 2012 Feb 6-9; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(4 Suppl):Abstract nr IA22.
Abstract IA25: Inflammation as the trigger of somatic epigenome defects in prostate cancer
Authors: Nelson William G.
Published: May 2013

Prostate cancer has achieved epidemic proportions among men in the United States (US) and developed world; inflammation of the peripheral zone of the prostate, where the cancers arise, is just as ubiquitous (1). Accumulating insights from studies of prostatic carcinogenesis, using either human biospecimens or rodent models, indicate that stressors which cause prostate inflammation, including infections, estrogens, and the diet, also cause prostate cancer (1). Chronic inflammation in the prostate peripheral zone leads to the appearance of focal atrophy lesions of the prostate epithelium, replete with corpora amylacea, cellular and nuclear atypia, and a prostate stroma infiltrated by inflammatory cells (2). These proliferative inflammatory atrophy (PIA) lesions serve as the earliest precursors to prostate cancers, where epigenetic gene silencing, telomere shortening, and activation of c-Myc expression drive neoplastic transformation (3). Gene translocations/deletions that generate fusion transcripts between androgen-regulated genes (such as TMPRSS2) and genes encoding ETS family transcription factors (such as ERG1), typically arise later, during progression to invasive prostate cancer (4). The end consequence of these acquired defects in genes and in gene function is life-threatening prostate cancer, which when lethal exhibits widespread genome and epigenome corruption. Epigenetic silencing of GSTP1, encoding an oxidant and carcinogen detoxifying enzyme, is emblematic of the earliest steps in prostatic carcinogenesis, triggered in some way by prostate hypermethylation of the GSTP1 CpG island. This acquired epigenome alteration is present in nearly all prostate cancer cases, appearing at the very initiation of transformation, with some 5–10% of proliferative inflammatory atrophy (PIA) lesions and > 70% of prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) lesions affected, and persisting throughout prostate cancer progression (3). In mouse models of prostate cancer, the mouse homologs of GSTP1, Gstp1 and Gstp2, serve as tumor suppressors, limiting progression of PIN to prostate cancer. Hopefully, such models can be used to ascertain how de novo GSTP1 methylation occurs during the pathogenesis of prostate cancer. Chronic or recurrent inflammatory processes leading to PIA appear to be the major driver of the prostate cancer epidemic in the developed world, raising the possibility that attenuation or prevention of inflammation, or of inflammatory damage to the prostate, might serve to prevent disease morbidity and mortality.

Citation Format: William G. Nelson. Inflammation as the trigger of somatic epigenome defects in prostate cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Prostate Cancer Research; 2012 Feb 6-9; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(4 Suppl):Abstract nr IA25.
G34, Another Connection between MYCN and a Pediatric Tumor
Authors: Huang Miller , Weiss William A.
Published: May 2013

Summary: Recurrent mutations in H3F3A at K27 and G34 are frequent in pediatric glioblastoma, but it is unclear how these mutations promote tumorigenesis. In this issue of Cancer Discovery, Bjerke and colleagues identify mutations at G34 in H3F3A that result in elevated expression of MYCN as a potential mechanism in gliomagenesis. Cancer Discov; 3(5); 484–6. ©2013 AACR.

See related article by Bjerke et al., p. 512
Impact of Diabetes on Treatment Outcomes and Long-Term Survival in Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis
Authors: Kang Young Ae , Kim Song Yee , Jo Kyung-Wook , Kim Hee Jin , Park Seung-Kyu , Kim Tae-Hyung , Kim Eun Kyung , Lee Ki Man , Lee Sung Soon , Park Jae Seuk , Koh Won-Jung , Kim Dae Yun , Shim Tae Sun
Published: May 2013

Background: Few studies have investigated the impact of diabetes mellitus (DM), a globally increasing metabolic disease, on treatment outcomes and long-term survival in patients with multidrug-resistant forms of tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Objectives: We analyzed outcomes in a large cohort to assess the impact of DM on treatment outcomes of patients with MDR-TB. Methods: MDR-TB patients newly diagnosed or retreated between 2000 and 2002 and followed for 8-11 years were retrospectively analyzed with respect to the effect of DM as a comorbidity on their treatment outcome and long-term survival. Results: Of 1,407 patients with MDR-TB, 239 (17.0%) had coexisting DM. The mean age and body mass index were higher in MDR-TB patients with DM [MDR-TBDM(+)] than in those without DM [MDR-TBDM(-)]. Patients with MDR-TB and a comorbidity of DM had a significantly lower treatment success rate than those without a history of DM (36.0 vs. 47.2%, p = 0.002). In addition, DM was the negative predictor for MDR-TB treatment success in multivariate analyses [odds ratio 0.51, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.26-0.99]. Mean survival times were also lower in MDR-TBDM(+) than in MDR-TBDM(-) patients (102 vs. 114 months, p = 0.001), with DM as a significant predictor of poor long-term survival in multivariate analyses (hazard ratio 1.59, 95% CI 1.01-2.50). Conclusions: Among MDR-TB patients, DM was a relatively common comorbidity. In patients undergoing treatment for MDR-TB and followed for 8-11 years, it was found to be independently associated with an increased risk of both treatment failure and death.
Impact of Low- or High-Flux Haemodialysis and Online Haemodiafiltration on Inflammatory Markers and Lipid Profile in Chronic Haemodialysis Patients
Authors: Akoglu Hadim , Dede Fatih , Piskinpasa Serhan , Falay Mesude Y. , Odabas Ali Riza
Published: May 2013

Background/Aims: We aimed to evaluate the impact of low- or high-flux haemodialysis (HD) and online haemodiafiltration (OL-HDF) on inflammation and the lipid profile in HD patients. Methods: 50 HD patients were assigned to two groups for HD with low-flux (n = 25) or high-flux (n = 25) polysulphone dialysers for 6 weeks. Subsequently, all patients were haemodialysed with a low-flux polysulphone dialyser for 6 weeks, then transferred to OL-HDF for another 6 weeks. Blood samples for lipids and inflammatory markers (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, hs-CRP) were obtained at baseline and every 6 weeks. Results: Changes in inflammatory markers and lipids from baseline to the 6-week dialysis period did not differ between low- and high-flux groups. When patients were transferred from low-flux HD to OL-HDF, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α levels significantly decreased whereas HDL and LDL cholesterol significantly increased. Conclusion: Low- and high-flux polysulphone membranes had similar effects on lipids and inflammatory markers, whereas OL-HDF potently reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines.
A Zebrafish Model for Uremic Toxicity: Role of the Complement Pathway
Authors: Berman Nathaniel , Lectura Melisa , Thurman Joshua M. , Reinecke James , Raff Amanda C. , Melamed Michal L. , Quan Zhe , Evans Todd , Meyer Timothy W. , Hostetter Thomas H.
Published: May 2013

Many organic solutes accumulate in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and some are poorly removed with urea-based prescriptions for hemodialysis. However, their toxicities have been difficult to assess. We have employed an animal model, the zebrafish embryo, to test the toxicity of uremic serum compared to control. Serum was obtained from stable ESRD patients predialysis or from normal subjects. Zebrafish embryos 24 h postfertilization were exposed to experimental media at a water:human serum ratio of 3:1. Those exposed to serum from uremic subjects had significantly reduced survival at 8 h (19 ± 18 vs. 94 ± 6%, p < 0.05, uremic serum vs. control, respectively). Embryos exposed to serum from ESRD subjects fractionated at 50 kDa showed significantly greater toxicity with the larger molecular weight fraction (83 ± 11 vs. 7 ± 17% survival, p < 0.05, <50 vs. >50 kDa, respectively). Heating serum abrogated its toxicity. EDTA, a potent inhibitor of complement by virtue of calcium chelation, reduced the toxicity of uremic serum compared to untreated uremic serum (96 ± 5 vs. 28 ± 20% survival, p < 0.016, chelated vs. nonchelated serum, respectively). Anti-factor B, a specific inhibitor of the alternative complement pathway, reduced the toxicity of uremic serum, compared to untreated uremic serum (98 ± 6 vs. 3 ± 9% survival, p < 0.016, anti-factor B treated vs. nontreated, respectively). Uremic serum is thus more toxic to zebrafish embryos than normal serum. Furthermore, this toxicity is associated with a fraction of large size, is inactivated by heat, and is reduced by both specific and nonspecific inhibitors of complement activation. Together these data lend support to the hypothesis that at least some uremic toxicities may be mediated by complement.
Antimicrobial Autophagy: A Conserved Innate Immune Response in Drosophila
Authors: Moy Ryan H. , Cherry Sara
Published: May 2013

Autophagy is a highly conserved degradative pathway that has rapidly emerged as a critical component of immunity and host defense. Studies have implicated autophagy genes in restricting the replication of a diverse array of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses and protozoans. However, in most cases, the in vivo role of antimicrobial autophagy against pathogens has been undefined. Drosophila provides a genetically tractable model system that can be easily adapted to study autophagy in innate immunity, and recent studies in flies have demonstrated that autophagy is an essential antimicrobial response against bacteria and viruses in vivo. These findings reveal striking conservation of antimicrobial autophagy between flies and mammals, and in particular, the role of pathogen-associated pattern recognition in triggering this response. This review discusses our current understanding of antimicrobial autophagy in Drosophila and its potential relevance to human immunity.
Relationship Between ST-Segment Recovery and Clinical Outcomes After Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Farkouh Michael E. , Reiffel James , Dressler Ovidiu , Nikolsky Eugenia , Parise Helen , Cristea Ecatarina , Baran David A. , Dizon Jose , Merab Jacques P. , Lansky Alexandra J. , Mehran Roxana , Stone Gregg W.
Published: May 2013

Background—

In patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing thrombolytic therapy, the degree of ST-segment resolution (STR) correlates with long-term cardiovascular mortality. The long-term predictive value of STR after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is less well understood. We sought to determine the long-term prognostic value of STR after primary PCI in ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction.

Methods and Results—

In a formal substudy from the Harmonizing Outcomes with Revascularization and Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction (HORIZONS-AMI) trial, 2484 patients with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary PCI with interpretable baseline and 60-minute post-PCI electrocardiograms had at least 1 mm of baseline ST-segment elevation in ≥2 contiguous leads. Patients were categorized by the degree of STR at 60 minutes: (1) complete (>70%); (2) partial (30%–70%); and (3) absent (<30%). Absent, incomplete, and complete STR were achieved in 514 (20.7%), 712 (28.7%), and 1258 (50.5%) patients, respectively. STR <30% was associated with a greater likelihood of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, longer symptom onset to balloon time, lower left ventricular ejection fraction, and final thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow <3. At 3 years, patients with STR<30% experienced a higher rate of major adverse cardiovascular events (death, reinfarction, ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization or stroke; 29.9% versus 20.1% versus 19.6%;
P
<0.0001), ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization (20.4% versus 14.0% versus 11.7%;
P
<0.001), and mortality (8.4% versus 5.0% versus 5.6%;
P
=0.03) than those with partial and complete STR, respectively. By multivariable analysis, STR<30% was an independent predictor of 3-year major adverse cardiovascular events (hazard ratio, 1.58; 95% confidence interval, 1.24–2.00;
P
=0.0002) and 3-year ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization (hazard ratio, 1.87; 95% confidence interval, 1.41–2.48;
P
<0.0001).

Conclusions—

In this large international study, absent STR 60 minutes after primary PCI was present in ≈1 in 5 patients with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction and was a significant independent predictor of major adverse cardiovascular events and target vessel revascularization at 3 years.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00433966
Perceived Risk of Ischemic and Bleeding Events in Acute Coronary Syndromes
Authors: Chew Derek P. , Junbo Ge , Parsonage William , Kerkar Prafulla , Sulimov Vitaly A. , Horsfall Matthew , Mattchoss Sue ,   for the Perceived Risk of Ischemic and Bleeding Events in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients (PREDICT) Study Investigators
Published: May 2013

Background—

Acute coronary syndrome registries report the use of incomplete guideline therapies, especially among the highest risk patients. Whether this treatment gap results from misperceptions of risk by physicians is uncertain.

Methods and Results—

The Perceived Risk of Ischemic and Bleeding Events in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients (PREDICT) study was a prospective acute coronary syndrome registry in Australia, China, India, and Russia, involving 58 hospitals between May 2009 and February 2011. In-hospital care and events up to 6 months were assessed. At least 2 clinicians involved in patient care estimated the untreated risk and change in risk with each therapy. Physician risk assessment and objective risk measures (eg, Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events [GRACE] score) for death, death/myocardial infarction, and bleeding events were compared using the c statistic and integrated discrimination improvement. In total, 1542 patients and 4230 patient-specific physician estimates were obtained. Of responding clinicians, 81.9% were cardiovascular specialists (years of practice: mean [SD], 11.5 [7.7] years). The median physician-perceived risk of 6-month death was 25% (interquartile range, 14%–35%). The GRACE score was superior to physician estimation (c statistic: GRACE score, 0.812 [95% confidence interval, 0.772–0.851] versus physician, 0.652 [95% confidence interval, 0.596–0.708];
P
<0.0001). The GRACE score added to clinician intuition improved discrimination (integrated discrimination improvement, 0.0632 [SE, 0.012];
P
<0.0001). Invasive management correlated with physician-estimated risk but not with GRACE risk. Among patients not at high risk by physician estimation, increased risk by GRACE score was associated with higher mortality (3.7% versus 0.8%;
P
<0.001).

Conclusions—

Objective risk assessment provides superior risk discrimination when compared with physician-estimated risk. Whether systematic use of objective risk stratification improves clinical outcomes should be studied in appropriately designed clinical trials.
Moyamoya Disease in a Primarily White, Midwestern US Population
Authors: Bower Regina S. , Mallory Grant W. , Nwojo Macaulay , Kudva Yogish C. , Flemming Kelly D. , Meyer Fredric B.
Published: May 2013

Background and Purpose—

Moyamoya disease is an uncommon, cerebrovascular occlusive disease of unknown pathogenesis. Previously described Moyamoya cohorts include predominantly Asian populations or ethnically diverse North American cohorts. To gain further insight into the pathogenesis of moyamoya, we examined clinical characteristics of a primarily white, Midwestern US population

Methods—

Retrospective analysis of patients with angiographically confirmed moyamoya disease evaluated at our institution was performed. Prevalence of comorbidities, cerebrovascular risk factors, and autoimmune diseases were compared with the general population.

Results—

Ninety-four patients with moyamoya were evaluated; 72.3% were female. Ethnic composition was primarily white (85%). A significantly higher prevalence of autoimmune disease was seen, particularly type 1 diabetes mellitus (8.5% versus 0.4% in the general population) and thyroid disease (17.0% versus 8.0% in the institutional general patient population). Hyperlipidemia was also increased (27.7% versus 16.3% in the general population).

Conclusions—

This study of a unique, primarily white, Midwestern population of moyamoya patients demonstrates a significantly higher prevalence of autoimmune disease than in the general population. This supports a possible autoimmune component to the pathogenesis of moyamoya disease.
Decreased Corticospinal Tract Fractional Anisotropy Predicts Long-term Motor Outcome After Stroke
Authors: Puig Josep , Blasco Gerard , Daunis-I-Estadella Josep , Thomalla Götz , Castellanos Mar , Figueras Jaume , Remollo Sebastián , van Eendenburg Cecile , Sánchez-González Javier , Serena Joaquín , Pedraza Salvador
Published: May 2013

Background and Purpose—

Nearly 50% of patients have residual motor deficits after stroke, and long-term motor outcome is difficult to predict. We assessed the predictive value of axonal damage to the corticospinal tract indexed by diffusion tensor imaging fractional anisotropy for long-term motor outcome.

Methods—

Consecutive patients with middle cerebral artery stroke underwent multimodal MRI, including diffusion tensor imaging ≤12 hours, 3 days, and 30 days after onset. Clinical severity, infarct volume, location of corticospinal tract damage on diffusion tensor tractography, and ratios of fractional anisotropy (rFA) between affected and unaffected sides of the corticospinal tract at the pons were evaluated. Severity of motor deficit at 2 years was categorized using the Motricity Index as no deficit (Motricity Index, 100), slight-moderate deficit (Motricity Index, 99–50), or severe deficit (Motricity Index, <50).

Results—

We evaluated 70 patients (28 women; 72±12 years). rFA values at day 30 correlated with the degree of motor deficit at 2 years (
P
<0.001). rFA at day 30 was the only independent predictor of long-term motor outcome (odds ratio, 1.60; 95% confidence interval, 1.26–2.03;
P
<0.001). The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the cutoffs rFA<0.982 for predicting slight-moderate deficit and rFA<0.689 for severe deficit were 94.4%, 84.6%, 73.9%, and 97.1%, respectively, and 100%, 83.3%, 81.3%, and 100%, respectively.

Conclusions—

rFA at day 30 is an independent predictor of long-term motor outcome after stroke.
Clinical Significance of Fluid-Attenuated Inversion Recovery Vascular Hyperintensities in Transient Ischemic Attack
Authors: Kobayashi Junpei , Uehara Toshiyuki , Toyoda Kazunori , Endo Kaoru , Ohara Tomoyuki , Fujinami Jun , Nagatsuka Kazuyuki , Minematsu Kazuo
Published: May 2013

Background and Purpose—

Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery vascular hyperintensity (FVH) is often identified in patients with acute ischemic stroke. The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical significance of FVH in patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA).

Methods—

Consecutive inpatients with TIA who underwent MRI within 24 hours of symptom onset were studied. The frequency, relative factors, and time course of FVH were determined.

Results—

Of the 202 patients who were enrolled (76 women, mean age, 69.0±13.2 years), FVH was identified in 41 patients (20%). Multivariate analysis showed that atrial fibrillation (odds ratio, 7.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.69–18.1), arterial occlusive lesion (odds ratio, 4.89; 95% CI, 3.03–12.2), and hemiparesis (odds ratio, 2.81; 95% CI, 1.17–7.48) was independently associated with FVH. Of 23 recurrence-free patients with FVH positive undergoing follow-up MRI at a median of 7 days after the onset, FVH was no longer positive in 15 patients (65%). Atrial fibrillation was more common (
P
=0.027) and arterial occlusive lesion was less common (
P
<0.001) in patients with transient FVH compared with those with persistent FVH. Within 90 days after the onset, 13 patients developed recurrent TIA or ischemic stroke. After Cox proportional hazard analysis, FVH (hazard ratio, 3.65; 95% CI, 1.09–12.7), arterial occlusive lesion (hazard ratio, 4.15; 95% CI, 1.18–17.1), and coexistence of FVH and arterial occlusive lesion (hazard ratio, 13.9; 95% CI, 3.36–71.0) were significantly associated with recurrent TIA or ischemic stroke.

Conclusions—

The presence of FVH early after symptom onset may help to diagnosis TIA, to identify the potential mechanisms of TIA and to predict recurrence risk after a TIA.
Impact of Completeness of Ascertainment of Minor Stroke on Stroke Incidence
Authors: Béjot Yannick , Mehta Ziyah , Giroud Maurice , Rothwell Peter M.
Published: May 2013

Background and Purpose—

Reliable comparisons of stroke incidence are important. To determine the impact of systematic assessment of patients referred with transient ischemic attack on the measured incidence and severity of stroke, we compared 2 population-based studies.

Methods—

Patients with first-ever stroke ascertained during 2006 through 2010 from the Dijon Stroke Registry and the Oxford Vascular (OXVASC) Study were studied. Both studies comply with the criteria for ideal incidence studies, but the OXVASC Study also systematically assessed all patients referred with transient ischemic attack. Stroke severity was measured by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale.

Results—

Among 902 incident strokes in Dijon and 748 cases in the OXVASC Study, age and gender distribution were comparable, but severity was lower in the OXVASC Study (median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, 2 versus 6;
P
<0.001). Although overall incidence of ischemic stroke was higher in the OXVASC Study (157 versus 98 of 100 000/y; incidence rate ratio, 1.59; 95% confidence interval, 1.24–2.05;
P
<0.001), this was accounted for by a 3-fold excess incidence of stroke with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale ≤2 in the OXVASC Study (90 versus 29/100 000/y;
P
<0.001), with no difference in incidence of more severe ischemic stroke (incidence rate ratio, 0.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.68–1.33). Of all 660 incident ischemic strokes in the OXVASC Study, 375 (56.8%) cases had an National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale ≤2, of which 232 had been ascertained in the transient ischemic attack clinic. Of these 232 minor strokes, only 71 cases had a diagnosis of definite stroke documented in the medical records by the referring physician.

Conclusions—

Reliance on routine clinical coding underestimates the incidence of minor stroke. To improve comparability of incidence studies, researchers should assess patients referred with transient ischemic attack, and all studies should stratify incidence rates by stroke severity.
Connectivity and Communication in the Achaemenid Empire
Authors: Colburn Henry P.
Published: May 2013

Abstract

The vast territorial extent of the Achaemenid Empire is often assumed to have impeded connectivity and communication within the empire. This paper challenges the validity of this assumption. Two factors in particular favor this conclusion—the presence of an extensive road network and the high communication speed in the empire, made possible by the pirradazish service. Together, they demonstrate the enormous potential for movement and interaction throughout the empire.
Pyramidal Lead Objects: Scale Weights, Loom Weights, or Sinkers?
Authors: Kletter Raz
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Ancient scale weights are a key to understanding weight systems and types of economy, but their definition is notoriously difficult, and scholars tend to classify as weights a wide variety of objects. The present paper reassesses a series of pyramidal lead objects from Phoenicia, dated mostly to the Hellenistic period. In the last twenty years these objects have been regarded as scale weights—in fact, forming the largest category of assumed Phoenician scale weights. In this paper it is suggested that these are not scale weights but sinkers (weights for fishing lines or nets).
Bullying: an analysis from the perspective of human rights, target groups and interventions
Authors: Kolstrein Abraham Magendzo , Jofré María Isabel Toledo
Published: May 2013

This article takes a human rights approach to analysing the phenomenon of school bullying and specifies which international human rights instruments are applicable to this violent problem. The article then moves to a discussion of groups targeted by bullying, focusing on homophobic-, gender- and xenophobic-based bullying as well as bullying linked to special educational needs (disabilities) and socioeconomic status. The second part of the article presents the principles behind bullying interventions through a human rights perspective. Anti-bullying interventions are analysed along with the necessary curricular considerations, including pedagogy, didactic principles and evaluation.
The Suppression of Leonard Howell in Late Colonial Jamaica, 1932-1954
Authors: Dunkley D.A.
Published: May 2013

Abstract

This article is about Leonard Percival Howell, the man who is widely regarded as the founder of the Rastafari movement, which started in Jamaica in 1932. The article focuses on the attempts to suppress Howell during the foundational phase of the Rastafari movement from 1932 to 1954. This was the period in which Howell began preaching the divinity of Haile Selassie I, who was crowned the emperor of Ethiopia in 1930. In 1937, Howell established the friendly organization known as the Ethiopian Salvation Society, and in 1940 started the first Rastafari community in the hills of the parish of St. Catherine, Jamaica. These and his other religio-political activities made Howell the target of one of the longest and most aggressive campaigns to suppress an anticolonial activist during the late colonial period in Jamaica. However, one of the main points of this article is that the attempts to suppress Howell, who was seen by the colonial government as seditious, implicated not just the colonial regime, but also a number of other opponents within the society. This article is an attempt to show that Howell’s suppression was not exclusively a colonial endeavor, but a society-wide campaign to undermine his leadership in order to disband the Rastafari movement. Howell advocated an anticolonialism that was seen as too revolutionary by every participant in the campaign to suppress him and his movement, and particularly aggravating was the notion that a black monarch was the fulfillment of biblical prophecy, and whose ascension signaled the start of black nationalism as a global liberation movement to end white rule over Africans and people of African descent.
Description of a new species and record of Bactrocera Macquart (Diptera,Tephritidae) from China
Authors: ZHOU LI-BING , CHEN XIAO-LIN , DENG YU-LIANG , WANG SHAO-JUN
Published: May 2013

One new species, Bactrocera (Zeugodacus) anala Chen et Zhou, sp.nov, and one newly recorded species, B. (Z.) armillata (Hering, 1938), from China are described and illustrated. The male of B. (Z.) armillata (Hering) was discovered for the first time and as a result the species is moved from subgenus Bactrocera to subgenus Zeugodacus. In addition, the mor-phological differences and comparing illustrations of B. (Z.) adusta (Wang et Zhao) and B. (Z.) biguttata (Bezzi), are pro-vided.
Two new fish species of the subfamily Anthiinae (Perciformes, Serranidae) from the Marquesas
Authors: WILLIAMS JEFFREY T. , DELRIEU-TROTTIN ERWAN , PLANES SERGE
Published: May 2013

Two new species of anthiine fishes are described from the Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia. Plectranthias flammeus was found at depths from 20–45 m and is characterized by dorsal rays X, 14 or 15, with spines 1–6 bearing fleshy white tabs at their tips, longest fleshy tab on spine 4; 14 unbranched pectoral rays; lateral line incomplete with 16–17 tubed scales; preopercle with 8–10 small spines along posterior margin and 2 antrorse spines on ventral margin; broad, fiery red-orange streak across lower cheek; head and body with irregularly spaced maroon-ringed yellow blotches on a white back-ground; pair of small dark oblong spots (red with black centers in life) on the bases of the middle rays of the caudal fin. Pseudanthias oumati was found on the outer reef slope of Fatu Hiva at a depth of 50–55 m and is characterized by 3rd dorsal spine elongate and tipped with fleshy yellow filament extending beyond tip of spine; lateral-line scales 43; gill rak-ers 10 + 28; no papillae on posterior edge of orbit; front of upper lip not thickened (male condition unknown); caudal fin lunate; color of female yellow, all fins yellow with narrow magenta margin (except pectoral fin, which lacks magenta); no stripe from snout to pectoral base; small scales located on basal quarter of soft-dorsal fin from segmented rays 1–12; dorsal profile of head slightly concave.
Two new species of Heterophrynus Pocock, 1894 from Colombia with distribution notes and a new synonymy (Arachnida: Amblypygi: Phrynidae)
Authors: GIUPPONI ALESSANDRO P. L. , KURY ADRIANO B.
Published: May 2013

The genus Heterophrynus is for the first time recorded from Transandean areas. Heterophrynus boterorum sp. nov. and Heterophrynus silviae sp. nov. are described respectively from Tolima and Valle del Cauca departments, Colombia, based on material from the 2006 Arachnological Expedition of Museu Nacional to Colombia. Heterophrynus nicefori Amado & Morales, 1986, from Meta department is newly considered a junior subjective synonym of Phrynus batesii Butler, 1873 (currently in Heterophrynus). Heterophrynus is currently known from Amazon forest, Brazilian Cerrado, Littoral Ridge of Venezuela and Andean forests. A revised terminology is proposed for the constituent parts of male and female gonopods of Heterophrynus.
paNTICA: A Fast 3D Radiative Transfer Scheme to Calculate Surface Solar Irradiance for NWP and LES Models
Authors: Wissmeier Ulrike , Buras Robert , Mayer Bernhard
Published: May 2013

The resolution of numerical weather prediction models is constantly increasing, making it necessary to consider three-dimensional radiative transfer effects such as cloud shadows cast into neighboring grid cells and thus affecting radiative heating. For that purpose, fast approximations are needed since three-dimensional radiative transfer solvers are computationally far too expensive. For the solar spectral range, different approaches of how to consider three-dimensional effects were presented in the past—in particular, the tilted independent column approximation (TICA), which aims at improving the calculation of the direct radiation, and the nonlocal tilted independent column approximation (NTICA), which is used to additionally correct the diffuse radiation. Here a new version of NTICA is presented that—in contrast to earlier approaches—is applicable for a variety of cloud scenes and grid resolutions and for arbitrary solar zenith angles. This new parameterization for the diffuse irradiance is then applied to the two different TICA approaches and the results are compared with a full 3D Monte Carlo calculation. It is shown that both approaches strongly improve the calculation of radiation fluxes if the new parameterization for the diffuse irradiance—what the authors call “parameterized NTICA (paNTICA)”—is applied. It is found that the method in which TICA is only applied to direct radiation yields the better results. The studies show that consideration of three-dimensional effects is inevitable if higher model resolutions are used in the future. This paper proposes ways to consider these effects and, thus, to substantially reduce the errors made with one-dimensional radiative transfer solvers.
Wave Extremes in the Northeast Atlantic from Ensemble Forecasts
Authors: Breivik Øyvind , Aarnes Ole Johan , Bidlot Jean-Raymond , Carrasco Ana , Saetra Øyvind
Published: May 2013

A method for estimating return values from ensembles of forecasts at advanced lead times is presented. Return values of significant wave height in the northeast Atlantic, the Norwegian Sea, and the North Sea are computed from archived +240-h forecasts of the ECMWF Ensemble Prediction System (EPS) from 1999 to 2009. Three assumptions are made: First, each forecast is representative of a 6-h interval and collectively the dataset is then comparable to a time period of 226 years. Second, the model climate matches the observed distribution, which is confirmed by comparing with buoy data. Third, the ensemble members are sufficiently uncorrelated to be considered independent realizations of the model climate. Anomaly correlations of 0.20 are found, but peak events (>P97) are entirely uncorrelated. By comparing return values from individual members with return values of subsamples of the dataset it is also found that the estimates follow the same distribution and appear unaffected by correlations in the ensemble. The annual mean and variance over the 11-yr archived period exhibit no significant departures from stationarity compared with a recent reforecast; that is, there is no spurious trend because of model upgrades. The EPS yields significantly higher return values than the 40-yr ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-40) and ECMWF Interim Re-Analysis (ERA-Interim) and is in good agreement with the high-resolution 10-km Norwegian Reanalyses (NORA10) hindcast, except in the lee of unresolved islands where EPS overestimates and in enclosed seas where it has low bias. Confidence intervals are half the width of those found for ERA-Interim because of the magnitude of the dataset.
Dynamic and Thermodynamic Relations of Distinctive Stratus Clouds on the Lee Side of the Tibetan Plateau in the Cold Season
Authors: Zhang Yi , Yu Rucong , Li Jian , Yuan Weihua , Zhang Minghua
Published: May 2013

Given the large discrepancies that exist in climate models for shortwave cloud forcing over eastern China (EC), the dynamic (vertical motion and horizontal circulation) and thermodynamic (stability) relations of stratus clouds and the associated cloud radiative forcing in the cold season are examined. Unlike the stratus clouds over the southeastern Pacific Ocean (as a representative of marine boundary stratus), where thermodynamic forcing plays a primary role, the stratus clouds over EC are affected by both dynamic and thermodynamic factors. The Tibetan Plateau (TP)-forced low-level large-scale lifting and high stability over EC favor the accumulation of abundant saturated moist air, which contributes to the formation of stratus clouds. The TP slows down the westerly overflow through a frictional effect, resulting in midlevel divergence, and forces the low-level surrounding flows, resulting in convergence. Both midlevel divergence and low-level convergence sustain a rising motion and vertical water vapor transport over EC. The surface cold air is advected from the Siberian high by the surrounding northerly flow, causing low-level cooling. The cooling effect is enhanced by the blocking of the YunGui Plateau. The southwesterly wind carrying warm, moist air from the east Bay of Bengal is uplifted by the HengDuan Mountains via topographical forcing; the midtropospheric westerly flow further advects the warm air downstream of the TP, moistening and warming the middle troposphere on the lee side of the TP. The low-level cooling and midlevel warming together increase the stability. The favorable dynamic and thermodynamic large-scale environment allows for the formation of stratus clouds over EC during the cold season.
Comparing Idealized and Complex Topographies in Quasigeostrophic Simulations of an Antarctic Circumpolar Current
Authors: Nadeau Louis-Philippe , Straub David N. , Holland David M.
Published: May 2013

The circumpolar transport of a wind-driven quasigeostrophic Antarctic Circumpolar Current is considered. Simple theory suggests transport in a strongly forced regime—the focus of this study—is largely determined by a partitioning of the southward Sverdrup flux into Drake Passage latitudes: some streamlines feed a “basin contribution” to the circumpolar transport and others feed a large-scale recirculation gyre. Simulations assuming an idealized Scotia Ridge topography are considered to test for sensitivity to resolution. Considerable sensitivity to both vertical and horizontal resolution is found, and associated with this is a tight stationary eddy trapped on the western flank of the ridge. That is, this eddy is sensitive to resolution and exerts an influence that acts to reduce the circumpolar transport. Simulations using the Scotia Ridge–like topography are also compared to others using more realistic topography. In the idealized (ridge) topography experiments, there is only a single ridge against which topographic form drag can act to remove eastward momentum from the system; in the complex topography experiments, there are many. It is found that the experiments assuming realistic topography do not develop an analog to the single topographically trapped eddy prevalent in the Scotia Ridge topography simulations. Additionally, circumpolar transport in these simulations agrees better with the theory. Whether this agreement is simply fortuitous, however, is unclear. To address this, a series of simulations assumes topography that varies smoothly between the idealized ridge and realistic configurations.
Pedal Errors Among Younger and Older Individuals During Different Pedal Operating Conditions
Authors: Wu Jinglong , Yang Jiajia , Yoshitake Masayuki
Published: May 2013

Objective:

The objective of this study was to investigate the characteristics of pedal errors by younger and older drivers that relate to sudden unintended acceleration (SUA) accidents.

Background:

SUA during an accident is a serious issue that causes numerous critical injuries and deaths every year. Previous studies have indicated that the major factor in these accidents is pedal error; however, the characteristics that relate to SUA accidents in older drivers remain unclear.

Method:

Twenty younger drivers (YDs; 23.1 ± 0.22 years) and 20 older drivers (ODs; 68.9 ± 1.16 years) used either one or both feet to participate in six tasks that involved pressing accelerator or brake pedals in response to various visual stimuli.

Results:

Both the reaction times (RTs) and the pedal error rates of the YD and OD groups significantly increased with the difficulty of the task. Other than the simple reaction condition, we found that the pedal error rates were significantly higher for the OD group than for the YD group; the OD group also demonstrated longer RTs. Moreover, the rates of accelerator error were consistently two or three times higher than the rates of brake error in both the YD and OD groups.

Conclusion:

For the older population, the use of the left foot to operate the brake pedal and the right foot to operate the accelerator could decrease the accelerator error rate and may reduce the rate of SUA-related accidents that are caused by pedal error.
Romantic Relationships and Health among African American Young Adults
Authors: Barr Ashley B. , Culatta Elizabeth , Simons Ronald L.
Published: May 2013

With trends in delayed marriage, scholars have begun to explore how a wide range of romantic relationships contribute to health. Although a welcome shift, this largely cross-sectional work ignores potential (in)stability in relationship supports and stressors thought to affect health. Using Family and Community Health Study data on 634 African American young adults, we extend this work by demonstrating the value of a holistic, multidimensional assessment of relationship quality for understanding the link between relationships and health. In addition, however, we also show that there is substantial instability in both the presence and quality of romantic relationships during the transition to adulthood. Importantly, particular patterns of instability are uniquely associated with changes in mental and physical health. Given persistent racial inequalities across both relationships and health, such findings prove theoretically and practically important. In particular, they highlight the need for more contextualized, life course–sensitive approaches in future work.
Reluctant Cities, Colonias and Municipal Underbounding in the US: Can Cities Be Convinced to Annex Poor Enclaves?
Authors: Mukhija Vinit , Mason David R.
Published: May 2013

Scholars typically study affluent neighbourhoods resisting annexation by poorer adjacent cities. This paper focuses on the mirror image of this problem: municipal underbounding—the unwillingness of cities to annex poor neighbouring areas. In the paper, such local governments are called reluctant cities and it is suggested that urban studies scholars need to reach a better understanding of the practice. Here, a seemingly counter-intuitive case from California is documented where adjacent cities were convinced to annex poor neighbourhoods, designated as colonias. It is suggested that there may be opportunities for local co-operation leading to annexation. The important role of federal infrastructure funding is noted and the need for deeper involvement of residents of annexed neighbourhoods in decision-making is emphasised. Although race was not an issue in this case study, it is likely to be an important concern in annexations and the literature’s call for regional approaches and institutional reforms is supported.
Decisions to Renovate: Identifying Key Determinants in Central and Eastern European Post-socialist Countries
Authors: Cirman Andreja , Mandič Srna , Zorić Jelena
Published: May 2013

Housing renovation is a topical issue in CEE countries facing the need to tackle their troubled post-war housing estates and improve their energy efficiency. In this paper the renovation decisions of households living in multidwelling buildings are modelled to identify the key determinants of such decisions and to gain a better insight into the reasons for the insufficient extent of renovation in CEE. Considering general factors as well as CEE specific factors, and specifically adding variables of social capital, renovation decision-making is modelled by applying a discrete choice framework of analysis. The results clearly show that, next to the physical characteristics of the stock, such as its age, an important role in the renovation process is played by residents and particularly their relations in terms of social capital. The results thus identify some of the key missing pre-conditions for renovating multidwelling buildings across CEE.
Indigenous Rough Sleeping in Darwin, Australia: ‘Out of Place’ in an Urban Setting
Authors: Parsell Cameron , Phillips Rhonda
Published: May 2013

Much of what is known of street homelessness is informed by accounts from urban centres throughout North America and the UK. The nature of the problem and the ways in which it is addressed are implicitly assumed to be similar across diverse major cities. The street homeless are thought to be highly marginalised and vulnerable. In turn, contemporary policy aims to provide housing/accommodation and welfare to address this form of homelessness as deep exclusion. Based on empirical research in Australia’s northernmost capital city, Darwin, this article demonstrates the role of culture in how homelessness is experienced and addressed. It argues that cultural mobility and modes of behaviour that normalise rough sleeping are embedded within condoned poverty and discriminatory legislation directed towards Indigenous people. Indigenous people are constructed as out of place in urban environments and rather than housing and welfare, the focus is directed towards moving the problem.