bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Descending antinociception induced by secondary somatosensory cortex stimulation in experimental neuropathy: role of the medullospinal serotonergic pathway
Authors: Sagalajev Boriss , Viisanen Hanna , Wei Hong , Pertovaara Antti
Published: January 2017

Stimulation of the secondary somatosensory cortex (S2) has attenuated pain in humans and inflammatory nociception in animals. Here we studied S2 stimulation-induced antinociception and its underlying mechanisms in an experimental animal model of neuropathy induced by spinal nerve ligation (SNL). Effect of S2 stimulation on heat-evoked limb withdrawal latency was assessed in lightly anesthetized rats that were divided into three groups based on prior surgery and monofilament testing before induction of anesthesia: 1) sham-operated group and 2) hypersensitive and 3) nonhypersensitive (mechanically) SNL groups. In a group of hypersensitive SNL animals, a 5-HT1Areceptor agonist was microinjected into the rostroventromedial medulla (RVM) to assess whether autoinhibition of serotonergic cell bodies blocks antinociception. Additionally, effect of S2 stimulation on pronociceptive ON-cells and antinociceptive OFF-cells in the RVM or nociceptive spinal wide dynamic range (WDR) neurons were assessed in anesthetized hypersensitive SNL animals. S2 stimulation induced antinociception in hypersensitive but not in nonhypersensitive SNL or sham-operated animals. Antinociception was prevented by a 5-HT1Areceptor agonist in the RVM. Antinociception was associated with decreased duration of heat-evoked response in RVM ON-cells. In spinal WDR neurons, heat-evoked discharge was delayed by S2 stimulation, and this antinociceptive effect was prevented by blocking spinal 5-HT1Areceptors. The results indicate that S2 stimulation suppresses nociception in SNL animals if SNL is associated with tactile allodynia-like hypersensitivity. In hypersensitive SNL animals, S2 stimulation induces antinociception mediated by medullospinal serotonergic pathways acting on the spinal 5-HT1Areceptor, and partly through reduction of the RVM ON-cell discharge.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Stimulation of S2 cortex, but not that of an adjacent cortical area, induced descending heat antinociception in rats with the spinal nerve ligation-induced model of neuropathy. Antinociception was bilateral, and it involved suppression of pronociceptive medullary cells and activation of serotonergic pathways that act on the spinal 5-HT1Areceptor. S2 stimulation failed to induce descending antinociceptive effect in sham-operated controls or in nerve-ligated animals that had not developed mechanical hypersensitivity.
Dynamic Analysis of Multilayers Based MEMS Resonators
Authors: Ouakad Hassen M. , Alofi Abdulrahman M. , Nayfeh Ali H.
Published: January 2017

The dynamic behavior of a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) parallel and electrically coupled double‐layers (microbeams) based resonator is investigated. Two numerical methods were used to solve the dynamical problem: the reduced‐order modeling (ROM) and the perturbation method. The ROM was derived using the so‐called Galerkin expansion with considering the linear undamped mode shapes of straight beam as the basis functions. The perturbation method was generated using the method of multiple scales by direct attack of the equations of motion. Dynamic analyses, assuming the above two numerical methods were performed, and a comparison of the results showed good agreement. Finally, a parametric study was performed using the perturbation on different parameters and the results revealed different interesting features, which hopefully can be useful for some MEMS based applications.
Reverse Methanogenesis and Respiration in Methanotrophic Archaea
Authors: Timmers Peer H. A. , Welte Cornelia U. , Koehorst Jasper J. , Plugge Caroline M. , Jetten Mike S. M. , Stams Alfons J. M.
Published: January 2017

Anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) is catalyzed by anaerobic methane-oxidizing archaea (ANME) via a reverse and modified methanogenesis pathway. Methanogens can also reverse the methanogenesis pathway to oxidize methane, but only during net methane production (i.e., “trace methane oxidation”). In turn, ANME can produce methane, but only during net methane oxidation (i.e., enzymatic back flux). Net AOM is exergonic when coupled to an external electron acceptor such as sulfate (ANME-1, ANME-2abc, and ANME-3), nitrate (ANME-2d), or metal (oxides). In this review, the reversibility of the methanogenesis pathway and essential differences between ANME and methanogens are described by combining published information with domain based (meta)genome comparison of archaeal methanotrophs and selected archaea. These differences include abundances and special structure of methyl coenzyme M reductase and of multiheme cytochromes and the presence of menaquinones or methanophenazines. ANME-2a and ANME-2d can use electron acceptors other than sulfate or nitrate for AOM, respectively. Environmental studies suggest that ANME-2d are also involved in sulfate-dependent AOM. ANME-1 seem to use a different mechanism for disposal of electrons and possibly are less versatile in electron acceptors use than ANME-2. Future research will shed light on the molecular basis of reversal of the methanogenic pathway and electron transfer in different ANME types.
Profile of a Faceted Macrostep Caused by Anomalous Surface Tension
Authors: Akutsu Noriko
Published: January 2017

The height profile of a macrostep on a vicinal surface near equilibrium is studied numerically using a restricted solid-on-solid model with a point-contact-type step-step attraction (p-RSOS model). We calculate the surface tension of vicinal surfaces around the (001) surface inclined towards the111direction using the density-matrix-renormalization group method. We also calculate the height profiles of vicinal surfaces using the Monte Carlo method and study the connection between the height profile of the macrostep near equilibrium and the discontinuous surface tension. We find that the height profile of a macrostep on a vicinal surface near equilibrium can be classified depending on the zone in the faceting diagram where the system exists. We also find finite size effects both for the height profile and for the inhibition of the macrostep motion in the relaxation process to the equilibrium state.
Pharmacological Basis for Use of Selaginella moellendorffii in Gouty Arthritis: Antihyperuricemic, Anti‐Inflammatory, and Xanthine Oxidase Inhibition
Authors: Zhao Ping , Chen Ke-li , Zhang Guo-li , Deng Guang-rui , Li Juan
Published: January 2017

This study was aimed at evaluating the effects of Selaginella moellendorffii Hieron. (SM) on gouty arthritis and getting an insight of the possible mechanisms. HPLC method was developed for chemical analysis. The paw oedema, the neutrophil accumulation, inflammatory mediators, lipid peroxidation, and histopathological changes of the joints were analyzed in gouty arthritis rat model, and the kidney injury and serum urate were detected in hyperuricemic mice. Pharmacokinetic result demonstrated that the main apigenin glycosides might be quantitatively transformed into apigenin in the mammalian body. Among these compounds, the apigenin exhibited the strongest effect on xanthine oxidase (XOD). SM aqueous extract has proved to be active in reducing hyperuricemia in dose‐dependent manner, and the levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) in high dose group were decreased significantly as compared with hyperuricemic control group (P < 0.01). The high dose of SM extract could significantly prevent the paw swelling, reduce gouty joint inflammatory features, reduce the release of IL‐1β and TNF‐α, lower malondialdehyde (MDA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels, and increase superoxide dismutase (SOD) level (P < 0.01). For the first time, this study provides a rational basis for the traditional use of SM aqueous extract against gout in folk medicine.
Pilocarpine-Induced Status Epilepticus Is Associated with Changes in the Actin-Modulating Protein Synaptopodin and Alterations in Long-Term Potentiation in the Mouse Hippocampus
Authors: Lenz Maximilian , Ben Shimon Marina , Deller Thomas , Vlachos Andreas , Maggio Nicola
Published: January 2017

Epilepsy is a complex neurological disorder which can severely affect neuronal function. Some patients may experience status epilepticus, a life-threatening state of ongoing seizure activity associated with postictal cognitive dysfunction. However, the molecular mechanisms by which status epilepticus influences brain function beyond seizure activity remain not well understood. Here, we addressed the question of whether pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus affects synaptopodin (SP), an actin-binding protein, which regulates the ability of neurons to express synaptic plasticity. This makes SP an interesting marker for epilepsy-associated alterations in synaptic function. Indeed, single dose intraperitoneal pilocarpine injection (250 mg/kg) in three-month-old male C57BL/6J mice leads to a rapid reduction in hippocampal SP-cluster sizes and numbers (in CA1 stratum radiatum of the dorsal hippocampus; 90 min after injection). In line with this observation (and previous work using SP-deficient mice), a defect in the ability to induce long-term potentiation (LTP) of Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses is observed. Based on these findings we propose that status epilepticus could exert its aftereffects on cognition at least in part by perturbing SP-dependent mechanisms of synaptic plasticity.
Rare Presentation of Left Lower Lobe Pulmonary Artery Dissection
Authors: Hako René , Fedačko Ján , Tóth Štefan , Morochovič Radoslav , Kristian Pavol , Pekárová Tímea , Tuomainen Petri , Pella Daniel
Published: January 2017

Background. Pulmonary arterial dissection with chronic pulmonary arterial hypertension as its major cause is a very rare but life-threatening condition. In most cases the main pulmonary trunk is the affected site usually without involvement of its branches. Segmental or lobar pulmonary artery dissection is extremely rare. Case Presentation. We report a unique case of left lower lobe pulmonary artery dissection in a 70-year-old male, with confirmed chronic pulmonary hypertension. To confirm dissection MDCT pulmonary angiography was used. Multiplanar reformation (MPR) images in sagittal, coronal, oblique sagittal, and curved projections were generated. This case report presents morphologic CT features of rare chronic left lobar pulmonary artery dissection associated with chronic pulmonary hypertension at a place of localised pulmonary artery calcification. CT pulmonary angiography excluded signs of thromboembolism and potential motion or flow artefacts. Conclusion. To the best of our knowledge, no case of lower lobe pulmonary artery dissection with flap calcification has been reported yet. CT imaging of the chest is a key diagnostic tool that is able to detect an intimal flap and a false lumen within the pulmonary arterial tree and is preferred in differential diagnosis of rare complications of sustained pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Systemic Inflammatory Response and Severe Thrombocytopenia after Endovascular Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Repair
Authors: Silvestrin Valentina , Bonvini Stefano , Antonello Michele , Grego Franco , Vettor Roberto , Rossato Marco
Published: January 2017

After Endovascular repair of thoracic aortic aneurysm, a systemic inflammatory response, named postimplantation syndrome, can develop. This syndrome is characterized by fever, leukocytosis, and elevated CRP plasma levels and its pathogenetic mechanisms are still unknown. Although this syndrome generally resolves within few days, some patients develop a persisting severe inflammatory reaction leading to mild or severe complications. Here we describe the case of a male patient who developed postimplantation inflammatory syndrome and severe thrombocytopenia after endovascular repair of thoracic aortic aneurysm. Treatment with prednisone (50 mg/bid) for two weeks did not improve the clinical and laboratory findings. We utilized danazol, a weak androgen that has been shown to be effective in the treatment of immune and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, and after 12 days of treatment with danazol (200 mg/bid), the patient improved progressively and platelet number increased up to 53,000/μL. Patients undergoing endovascular repair of thoracic aortic aneurysm should be carefully monitored for the development of postimplantation syndrome. This clinical condition is relatively common after the endovascular repair of aortic aneurysm but is rarely observed after endovascular repair of thoracic aortic aneurysms. The different known therapeutical approaches are still empiric, with reported beneficial effects with the use of NSAID, corticosteroids, and danazol.
Size Effect on Acoustic Emission Characteristics of Coal-Rock Damage Evolution
Authors: Wen Zhijie , Wang Xiao , Chen Lianjun , Lin Guan , Zhang Hualei
Published: January 2017

Coal-gas outburst, rock burst, and other mine dynamic disasters are closely related to the instability and failure of coal-rock. Coal-rock is the assemblies of mineral particles of varying sizes and shapes bonded together by cementing materials. The damage and rupture process of coal-rock is accompanied by acoustic emission (AE), which can be used as an effective means to monitor and predict the instability of coal-rock body. In this manuscript, considering the size effect of coal-rock, the influence of different height to diameter ratio on the acoustic emission characteristics of coal-rock damage evolution was discussed by microparticle flow PFC2D software platform. The results show that coal-rock size influences the uniaxial compressive strength, peak strain, and elastic modulus of itself; the size effect has little effect on the acoustic emission law of coal-rock damage and the effects of the size of coal-rock samples on acoustic emission characteristics are mainly reflected in three aspects: the triggering time of acoustic emission, the strain range of strong acoustic emission, and the intensity of acoustic emission; the damage evolution of coal-rock specimen can be divided into 4 stages: initial damage, stable development, accelerated development, and damage.
Lavandula angustifolia Mill. Oil and Its Active Constituent Linalyl Acetate Alleviate Pain and Urinary Residual Sense after Colorectal Cancer Surgery: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Yu So Hyun , Seol Geun Hee
Published: January 2017

Pain and urinary symptoms following colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery are frequent and carry a poor recovery. This study tested the effects of inhalation of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. (lavender) oil or linalyl acetate on pain relief and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) following the removal of indwelling urinary catheters from patients after CRC surgery. This randomised control study recruited 66 subjects with indwelling urinary catheters after undergoing CRC surgery who later underwent catheter removal. Patients inhaled 1% lavender, 1% linalyl acetate, or vehicle (control group) for 20 minutes. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), heart rate, LUTS, and visual analog scales of pain magnitude and quality of life (QoL) regarding urinary symptoms were measured before and after inhalation. Systolic BP, diastolic BP, heart rate, LUTS, and QoL satisfaction with urinary symptoms were similar in the three groups. Significant differences in pain magnitude and urinary residual sense of indwelling catheters were observed among the three groups, with inhalation of linalyl acetate being significantly more effective than inhalation of lavender or vehicle. Inhalation of linalyl acetate is an effective nursing intervention to relieve pain and urinary residual sense of indwelling urinary catheters following their removal from patients who underwent CRC surgery.
Electric Vehicle Routing Problem with Charging Time and Variable Travel Time
Authors: Shao Sai , Guan Wei , Ran Bin , He Zhengbing , Bi Jun
Published: January 2017

An electric vehicle routing problem with charging time and variable travel time is developed to address some operational issues such as range limitation and charging demand. The model is solved by using genetic algorithm to obtain the routes, the vehicle departure time at the depot, and the charging plan. Meanwhile, a dynamic Dijkstra algorithm is applied to find the shortest path between any two adjacent nodes along the routes. To prevent the depletion of all battery power and ensure safe operation in transit, electric vehicles with insufficient battery power can be repeatedly recharged at charging stations. The fluctuations in travel time are implemented to reflect a dynamic traffic environment. In conclusion, a large and realistic case study with a road network in the Beijing urban area is conducted to evaluate the model performance and the solution technology and analyze the results.
Sol-Gel Syntheses of Zinc Oxide and Hydrogenated Zinc Oxide (ZnO:H) Phases
Authors: Konne Joshua Lelesi , Christopher Bright Obum
Published: January 2017

ZnO synthesized by chemical precipitation with varying starch concentrations (0.00, 0.01, 0.02, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20%) as stabilizing agent was used in making ZnO:H when placed in a glass tube under mild heat and hydrogen (H2) gas flow for 2 mins. Observations showed that the sample colour changed from white to light brown and finally to dark brown during the process particularly for the ZnO-starch samples. XRD data of ZnO (0.02%) and ZnO:H (0.02%) showed ZnO as the major phase with Zn(OH)2 impurity phase and a new ZnO:H peak at 2θ, 29.60° for ZnO and ZnO:H, respectively. The estimated particle sizes determined from XRD were 47 and 30 nm, respectively. The SEM of the 0.02% ZnO appeared more microporous and needle-like than those of 0.01%, while the EDX of both confirmed Zn and O as the main components. Different conductivities of 30.90 and 27.50 μS/cm were obtained for ZnO and ZnO:H samples in ethanol, respectively. Also, the UV-Vis absorption for both showed n-type and p-type material absorption bands at 310 cm−1, while the intensities of all the characteristic ZnO IR bands at 430–552 (ZnO vibrations) and 1500–1640 cm−1 (Zn-O stretching) increased for the corresponding ZnO:H samples.
Enriching Genomic Resources and Marker Development from Transcript Sequences ofJatropha curcasfor Microgravity Studies
Authors: Tian Wenlan , Paudel Dev , Vendrame Wagner , Wang Jianping
Published: January 2017

Jatropha (Jatropha curcasL.) is an economically important species with a great potential for biodiesel production. To enrich the jatropha genomic databases and resources for microgravity studies, we sequenced and annotated the transcriptome of jatropha and developed SSR and SNP markers from the transcriptome sequences. In total 1,714,433 raw reads with an average length of 441.2 nucleotides were generated. De novo assembling and clustering resulted in 115,611 uniquely assembled sequences (UASs) including 21,418 full-length cDNAs and 23,264 new jatropha transcript sequences. The whole set of UASs were fully annotated, out of which 59,903 (51.81%) were assigned with gene ontology (GO) term, 12,584 (10.88%) had orthologs in Eukaryotic Orthologous Groups (KOG), and 8,822 (7.63%) were mapped to 317 pathways in six different categories in Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome (KEGG) database, and it contained 3,588 putative transcription factors. From the UASs, 9,798 SSRs were discovered with AG/CT as the most frequent (45.8%) SSR motif type. Further 38,693 SNPs were detected and 7,584 remained after filtering. This UAS set has enriched the current jatropha genomic databases and provided a large number of genetic markers, which can facilitate jatropha genetic improvement and many other genetic and biological studies.
Blood Transfusions and Tumor Biopsy May Increase HCC Recurrence Rates after Liver Transplantation
Authors: Seehofer Daniel , Öllinger Robert , Denecke Timm , Schmelzle Moritz , Andreou Andreas , Schott Eckart , Pratschke Johann
Published: January 2017

Introduction. Beneath tumor grading and vascular invasion, nontumor related risk factors for HCC recurrence after liver transplantation (LT) have been postulated. Potential factors were analyzed in a large single center experience. Material and Methods. This retrospective analysis included 336 consecutive patients transplanted for HCC. The following factors were analyzed stratified for vascular invasion: immunosuppression, rejection therapy, underlying liver disease, age, gender, blood transfusions, tumor biopsy, caval replacement, waiting time, Child Pugh status, and postoperative complications. Variables with a potential prognostic impact were included in a multivariate analysis. Results. The 5- and 10-year patient survival rates were 70 and 54%. The overall 5-year recurrence rate was 48% with vascular invasion compared to 10% without (p<0.001). Univariate analysis stratified for vascular invasion revealed age over 60, pretransplant tumor biopsy, and the application of blood transfusions as significant risk factors for tumor recurrence. Blood transfusions remained the only significant risk factor in the multivariate analysis. Recurrence occurred earlier and more frequently in correlation with the number of applied transfusions. Conclusion. Tumor related risk factors are most important and can be influenced by patient selection. However, it might be helpful to consider nontumor related risk factors, identified in the present study for further optimization of the perioperative management.
Reconstruction of Intima and Adventitia Models into a State Undeformed by a Catheter by Using CT, IVUS, and Biplane X-Ray Angiogram Images
Authors: Son Jinwon , Choi Young
Published: January 2017

The number of studies on blood flow analysis using fluid-structure interaction (FSI) analysis is increasing. Though a 3D blood vessel model that includes intima and adventitia is required for FSI analysis, there are difficulties in generating it using only one type of medical imaging. In this paper, we propose a 3D modeling method for accurate FSI analysis. An intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) image is used with biplane X-ray angiogram images to calculate the position and orientation of the blood vessel. However, these images show that the blood vessel is deformed by the catheter inserted into the blood vessel for IVUS imaging. To eliminate such deformation, a CT image was added and the two models were registered. First, a 3D model of the undeformed intima was generated using a CT image. In the second stage, a model of intima and adventitia deformed by the catheter was generated by combining the IVUS image and the X-ray angiogram images. A 3D model of intima and adventitia with the deformation caused by insertion of the catheter eliminated was generated by matching these 3D blood vessel models in different states. In addition, a 3D blood vessel model including bifurcation was generated using the proposed method.
Case Finding and Medical Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes among Different Ethnic Minority Groups: The HELIUS Study
Authors: Snijder Marieke B. , Agyemang Charles , Peters Ron J. , Stronks Karien , Ujcic-Voortman Joanna K. , van Valkengoed Irene G. M.
Published: January 2017

Aims. Prevention of diabetes complications depends on the level of case finding and successful treatment of diabetes, which may differ between ethnicities. Therefore, we studied the prevalence by age, awareness, treatment, and control of type 2 diabetes, among a multiethnic population.Methods. We included 4,541 Dutch, 3,032 South-Asian Surinamese, 4,109 African Surinamese, 2,323 Ghanaian, 3,591 Turkish, and 3,887 Moroccan participants (aged 18–70 y) from the HELIUS study. The prevalence of diabetes was analysed by sex, ethnicity, and 10-year age groups. Ethnic differences in the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of diabetes were studied by logistic regression.Results. From the age of 31–40 years and older, the prevalence of diabetes was 3 to 12 times higher among ethnic minority groups than that among the Dutch host population. Awareness and medical treatment of diabetes were 2 to 5 times higher among ethnic minorities than that among Dutch. Among those medically treated, only 37–53% had HbA1c levels on target (≤7.0%); only Dutch men had HbA1c levels on target more often (67%).Conclusions. Our results suggest that the age limit for case finding among ethnic minority groups should be lower than that for the general population. Importantly, despite higher awareness and treatment among ethnic minorities, glycemic control was low, suggesting a need for increased efforts to improve the effectiveness of treatment in these groups.
Endometrial Cancer Risk Factors, Hormone Receptors, and Mortality Prediction
Authors: Busch Evan L. , Crous-Bou Marta , Prescott Jennifer , Chen Maxine M. , Downing Michael J. , Rosner Bernard A. , Mutter George L. , De Vivo Immaculata
Published: January 2017

Background: Endometrial tumors arise from a hormonally responsive tissue. Defining subtypes by hormone receptor expression might better inform etiology and prediction of patient outcomes. We evaluated the potential role of tumor estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) expression to define endometrial cancer subtypes.

Methods: We measured semi-continuous ER and PR protein expression in tissue specimens from 360 endometrial primary tumors from the Nurses' Health Study. To explore the impact of different definitions of marker positivity, we dichotomized ER and PR expression at different cut points in increments of 5% positive cells. Logistic regression was used to estimate associations between endometrial cancer risk factors, such as body mass index, with dichotomous ER or PR status. Reclassification statistics were used to assess whether adding dichotomous ER or PR status to standard prognostic factors of stage, grade, and histologic type would improve endometrial cancer-specific mortality prediction.

Results: Compared with not being obese, obesity increased the odds of having an ER-positive tumor at cut points of 0% to 20% [maximum OR, 2.92; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.34–6.33] as well as the odds of having a PR-positive tumor at cut points of 70% to 90% (maximum OR, 2.53; 95% CI, 1.36–4.68). Adding dichotomous tumor ER or PR status to the panel of standard predictors did not improve both model discrimination and calibration.

Conclusions: Obesity may be associated with greater endometrial tumor expression of ER and PR. Adding either marker does not appear to improve mortality prediction beyond the standard predictors.

Impact: Body mass index might explain some of the biological variation among endometrial tumors. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 26(5); 727–35. ©2017 AACR.
Fixed-Dose Combinations of Pioglitazone and Metformin for Lung Cancer Prevention
Authors: Seabloom Donna E. , Galbraith Arthur R. , Haynes Anna M. , Antonides Jennifer D. , Wuertz Beverly R. , Miller Wendy A. , Miller Kimberly A. , Steele Vernon E. , Miller Mark Steven , Clapper Margie L. , O'Sullivan M. Gerard , Ondrey Frank G.
Published: January 2017

Combination treatment with pioglitazone and metformin is utilized clinically in the treatment of type II diabetes. Treatment with this drug combination reduced the development of aerodigestive cancers in this patient population. Our goal is to expand this treatment into clinical lung cancer chemoprevention. We hypothesized that dietary delivery of metformin/pioglitazone would prevent lung adenoma formation in A/J mice in a benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P)-induced carcinogenesis model while modulating chemoprevention and anti-inflammatory biomarkers in residual adenomas. We found that metformin (500 and 850 mg/kg/d) and pioglitazone (15 mg/kg/d) produced statistically significant decreases in lung adenoma formation both as single-agent treatments and in combination, compared with untreated controls, after 15 weeks. Treatment with metformin alone and in combination with pioglitazone resulted in statistically significant decreases in lung adenoma formation at both early- and late-stage interventions. Pioglitazone alone resulted in significant decreases in adenoma formation only at early treatment intervention. We conclude that oral metformin is a viable chemopreventive treatment at doses ranging from 500 to 1,000 mg/kg/d. Pioglitazone at 15 mg/kg/d is a viable chemopreventive agent at early-stage interventions. Combination metformin and pioglitazone performed equal to metformin alone and better than pioglitazone at 15 mg/kg/d. Because the drugs are already FDA-approved, rapid movement to human clinical studies is possible. Cancer Prev Res; 10(2); 116–23. ©2017 AACR.
Influence of Liver Inflammation on Liver Stiffness Measurement in Patients with Autoimmune Hepatitis Evaluation by Combinational Elastography
Authors: Yada Norihisa , Sakurai Toshiharu , Minami Tomohiro , Arizumi Tadaaki , Takita Masahiro , Hagiwara Satoru , Ida Hiroshi , Ueshima Kazuomi , Nishida Naoshi , Kudo Masatoshi
Published: January 2017

Objective: In order to evaluate the influence of liver inflammation on liver stiffness measurement (LSM) by the simultaneous use of shear wave and strain imaging (combinational elastography), shear wave and strain imaging were compared before and after initial therapy for autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). Methods: Nine AIH patients initially treated with steroid were enrolled. Transient elastography and real-time tissue elastography were performed just before and 1 month after the start of initial steroid treatment. Blood samples, LSM, and the liver fibrosis index (LFI) were compared. Results: Aspartate aminotransferase (p = 0.002) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (p = 0.015) were significantly decreased after initial treatment. The LSM was 15.5 ± 9.6 kPa at baseline, decreasing to 7.2 ± 2.3 kPa after initial treatment p = 0.034). The LFI was 1.67 ± 0.67 at baseline and 1.61 ± 0.66 after initial treatment; no significant change in LFI was recognized (p = 0.842). Between ΔALT and ΔLSM, a significant regression equation could be calculated as follows: ΔALT = -0.55 + 0.654 × ΔLSM. Conclusions: Combinational elastography was useful in evaluating not only the degree of liver fibrosis, but also the degree of liver inflammation in AIH.
Selective M2 Macrophage Depletion Leads to Prolonged Inflammation in Surgical Wounds
Authors: Klinkert Kerstin , Whelan Derek , Clover Anthony J.P. , Leblond Anne-Laure , Kumar Arun H.S. , Caplice Noel M.
Published: January 2017

Background: A prolonged inflammatory phase is seen in aberrant wound healing and in chronic wounds. Macrophages are central to wound healing. Distinct macrophage subtypes have differing roles both in initial inflammation and in later tissue repair. Broadly, these cells can be divided into M1 and M2 macrophages. M2 macrophage proliferation and differentiation is regulated by colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF-1) signalling and can be blocked by GW2580, a competitive cFMS kinase inhibitor, thereby allowing for analysis of the effect of M2 blockade on progression of surgical wounds. Materials and Methods: Macrophage Fas-induced apoptosis (MaFIA) transgenic mice with a macrophage-specific promoter used to express green fluorescent protein (GFP) were used to allow for cell tracking. The animals were treated by oral gavage with GW2580. Surgical wounds were created and harvested after 2 weeks for analysis. Results: GW2580-treated mice had significantly more GFP+ cells in the surgical scar than vehicle-treated animals (GW2580, 68.0 ± 3.1%; vehicle, 42.8 ± 1.7%; p < 0.001), and GW2580 treatment depleted CD206+ M2 macrophages in the scar (GW2580, 1.4%; vehicle, 19.3%; p < 0.001). Treated animals showed significantly higher numbers of neutrophils (vehicle, 18.0%; GW2580, 51.3%; p < 0.01) and M1 macrophages (vehicle, 3.8%; GW2580, 12.8%; p < 0.01) in the scar compared to vehicle-treated animals. The total collagen content in the area of the scar was decreased in animals treated with GW2580 as compared to those treated with vehicle alone (GW2580, 67.1%; vehicle, 79.9%; p < 0.005). Conclusions: Depletion of M2 macrophages in surgical wounds via CSF-1 signalling blockade leads to persistent inflammation, with an increase in neutrophils and M1 macrophages and attenuated collagen deposition.
Predicting Post-Transplant Recurrence of IgA Nephropathy: The Importance of Crescents
Authors: Avasare Rupali S. , Rosenstiel Paul E. , Zaky Ziad S. , Tsapepas Demetra S. , Appel Gerald B. , Markowitz Glen S. , Bomback Andrew S. , Canetta Pietro A.
Published: January 2017

Background: Most studies that have assessed the predictors of recurrent IgA nephropathy (IgAN) in the renal allograft have focused on post-transplant features. Identifying high-risk pre-transplant features of IgAN is useful for counseling patients and may help in tailoring post-transplant immunosuppression. Methods: We investigated the pre-transplant clinical and biopsy features of 62 patients with IgAN who received transplants at Columbia University Medical Center from 2001 to 2012 and compared the characteristics and outcomes of patients with IgAN recurrence to those without recurrence. The primary outcome was time to recurrent IgAN. Secondary outcomes were a composite of doubling of creatinine or allograft failure, and recurrent IgAN as a cause of allograft dysfunction. Results: Of the 62 patients, 14 had recurrent IgAN in the allograft. Mean time to recurrence was 2.75 years. Those with recurrent disease were younger at the time of native kidney biopsy (29 vs. 41 years, p < 0.0009). Black race and Hispanic ethnicity composed a higher proportion of the recurrent disease group. On multivariable analysis, significant predictors of recurrent IgAN included age at diagnosis (hazards ratio (HR) 0.911, 95% CI 0.85-0.98), burden of crescents on native biopsy (HR 1.21 per 10% increase in crescents, 95% CI 1.00-1.47) and allograft rejection (HR 3.59, 95% CI 1.10-11.7). Conclusions: Features of native IgAN can help predict the risk of recurrent disease in the renal allograft. In particular, immunologically active disease represented by earlier age of onset and greater burden of crescents on native biopsy is more likely to recur after transplant.
The Association of Musculoskeletal Pain with Bone Mineral Density in Patients with Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Choi Seong-Min , Kim Byeong C. , Jung Hyun-Jung , Yoon Geum-Jin , Kang Kyung Wook , Choi Kang-Ho , Lee Seung-Han , Park Man-Seok , Kim Myeong-Kyu , Cho Ki-Hyun
Published: January 2017

Background: Pain and osteoporosis are common in Parkinson's disease (PD), and lower bone mineral density (BMD) or osteoporosis may be associated with an increased risk of reporting to have pain in the general population. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is an association between the pain subtypes and the BMD in patients with PD. Methods: We included 162 PD patients. Pain was assessed using the patients' descriptions, a structured interview, a detailed neurologic examination, and the Visual Analogue Scale. BMD was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry scans. Results: Of the 162 PD patients, 120 had chronic pain, while 42 reported no pain. The most prevalent type of pain was musculoskeletal, followed by radicular/neuropathic, dystonic, and central. PD patients with musculoskeletal pain had a lower BMD than PD patients without pain. Multivariate regression analysis showed that the low BMD of the lumbar spine, hip, and femoral neck were related to old age, female gender, low MBI, and the presence of musculoskeletal pain. Conclusion: PD patients with musculoskeletal pain have low BMD and are at risk for developing osteoporosis. If a PD patient has musculoskeletal pain and other risk factors related to low BMD, clinicians should consider screening for osteoporosis.
A cidade de Bauru e a estrada de ferro Noroeste do Brasil: comparações internacionais e a busca pela valorização e requalificação do patrimônio ferroviário e industrial no Brasil
Authors: Schiavon Taís
Published: January 2017

A construção da Estrada de Ferro Noroeste do Brasil, localizada na região Oeste do Estado de São Paulo, pode ser caracterizada como um exemplo da internacionalização de empresas europeias e brasileiras, a partir de investimentos mistos, nacionais e franco-belgas num território ainda pouco urbanizado, uma vez que a ocupação e o povoamento de cerca de 65% do território do estado de São Paulo ocorre em parceria com a atuação de companhias de Estrada de Ferro, a partir do avanço da Frente Pioneira. A estratégia inicial da companhia procurava comunicar os estados de São Paulo e Mato Grosso (atualmente Mato Grosso do Sul), entretanto, o projeto sofre frequentes alterações, adquirindo características internacionais que permitiriam a comunicação entre os Oceanos Atlântico e Pacífico. Esta estratégia de internacionalização demonstra a difusão do progresso técnico e científico impulsionado a partir da criação de companhias estradas de ferro no país, um meio de locomoção e transporte de mercadorias capaz de modificar hábitos e fisionomias territoriais. A análise destes e de outros fatos possibilitaram a criação de uma rede de estudos estruturados a partir dos núcleos urbanos inicialmente desenvolvidos pela ferrovia e os impactos decorrentes da transição para o modelo rodoviário de transportes intensificado a partir de 1960 na região. Um cenário dinâmico, capaz de descrever o patrimônio da mobilidade como um museu aberto.
Representações e apropriações nas sagas fantásticas
Authors: Barth Pedro Afonso
Published: January 2017

In this article , we intend to relate the studies of Chartier with the concept of fantastic saga. We relate the fantastic sagas with representation of concepts and ownership developed by Chartier . At the end of the work we proved that the fantastic sagas and its popularity may be related to the studies of Roger Chartier and assist in better understanding of the phenomenon.
Da censura e da sobrevivência pela literatura
Authors: Cruz Mariana Andrade da
Published: January 2017

From censorship and survival through literature John Maxwell Coetzee - better known by J. M. Coetzee - is a South African writer, awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2003. His first work published by a Brazilian publisher was Desonra, by Companhia das Letras (2000). Since then, the author's other books have been brought to the national public, such as Childhood (2010), Waiting for the Barbarians (2006) and Bad Yearbook (2008). Born in the 1940s and having started his literary activity in the 1970s, Coetzee experienced the bitter years of apartheid and made material from many of his novels and essays. In his writing, whether fictional or essayistic, one inevitably sees criticisms of oppression, censorship, and every form of man's domination by man.
Espaços de isolamento nos romances de Mia Couto
Authors: Micheletti Everton Fernando
Published: January 2017

This paper aims to analyze the isolation as a recurrent theme in the works of Mia Couto, both related to the characters, individually, through the towns and villages, often in contrast to the large urban centers. Among the reasons for the isolation are the consequences of colonialism and the war after Independence of Mozambique, in which are implicated the issues between country and city, local and global, tradition and modernity.
"Não vou mais lavar os pratos”: um breve ensaio sobre a "insubordinação" da Literatura Negra
Authors: Silva Claudia Rocha da
Published: January 2017

The present text proposes a dialogue about the absence of Black Literature on literary events, focusing political and conceptual aspects, and the literary insubordination of the black writers, as a analysis category for this literature. Theoreticians (and some also poets and novelists) as Conceição Evaristo, Cuti, Eduardo de Assis Duarte, Maria Nazareth Fonseca, Mário Medeiros and Cuti, substantiate the theorical discussion. The poetry of Cristiane Sobral and José Carlos Limeira ilustrate the theorical discussion.
Crônicas
Authors: Souza Jonas Tavares de
Published: January 2017

Crônicas.
Hervé Guibert: autoficção e o corpo teatralizado
Authors: Fernandes Guilherme
Published: January 2017

Com base em quatro textos curtos de Hervé Guibert, todos inseridos no volume La mort Propagande, de 1977, este artigo tem como objetivo analisar a dramatização que o autor faz de seu próprio corpo. Produzido e publicado em um contexto de forte debate acerca do estatuto autoral, o texto de Guibert aviva a discussão em torno do conceito de autoficção, chamando a atenção para um processo de ficcionalização de si que, nos textos em questão, passa necessariamente por um esforço de elaboração estética do corpo.
Entrevista com Aharon Appelfeld
Authors: Krausz Luis , Forner Naamá Silverman
Published: January 2017

Entrevista com o escritor Aharon Appelfeld.
Árabe, fale hebraico: a língua como último reduto da batalha identitária do árabe israelense
Authors: Schlesinger Juliana Portenoy
Published: January 2017

A língua é um componente importante quando abordamos a questão da identidade. No caso das crônicas do escritor árabe israelense Sayed Kashua, a temática da língua de escrita aparece quase que de maneira obsessiva. A maneira como Kashua trata o tema da língua não é convencional e nem poderia ser. Sayed Kashua é um árabe israelense que escreve toda a sua obra ficcional e jornalística em hebraico. Baseando-se na análise de diversas crônicas do autor publicadas no jornal israelense Haaretz, este artigo analisa como Kashua lida com a língua como uma ferramenta de identidade. Por meio do humor e da autoironia, este árabe israelense transita entre culturas, fidelidades e infidelidades e coloca a língua, tanto o hebraico quanto o árabe, no centro da batalha identitária e último reduto do árabe em contato com o ethos judaico israelense.
O cinema haredi em ação - corpos em movimento
Authors: Szlak Bruno
Published: January 2017

O artigo se baseia na tese de doutoramento do autor a ser defendida e aborda uma categoria muito especial de cinema produzido por minorias: o cinema realizado por judeus ortodoxos, especialmente em Israel. Aborda-se aqui como o cinema haredi, feito por homens, para homens e comercializado apenas através de DVDs para consumo doméstico, apropriou-se do gênero hollywoodiano dos filmes de ação. Nesse contexto, analisa-se como o corpo masculino é apresentado em comparação com a construção que o sionismo fez do corpo judaico, em seu esforço para se diferenciar do judaísmo europeu do século XIX e início do século XX. Na sequência, analisam-se aspectos estéticos e a narrativos propriamente ditos desses tipos de filmes.
Imaginação Musical, Melancolia e Gota na Filosofia de Girolamo Cardano
Authors: Prins Jacomien
Published: January 2017

Girolamo Cardano (1501-1576) ainda não atraiu a atenção acadêmica merecida por sua teoria sobre a coincidência entre a música, a medicina e a matemática. Como teórico musical e médico, Cardano frequentemente se concentra em fenômenos que considera ser os mais sutis e difíceis de entender. Entre estes, encontra-se a doutrina platônica sobre o poder da música ao influenciar o corpo e a alma humanos. Este artigo explora a interpretação desta doutrina específica, aprofundando-se em sua recepção da medicina galênica, da tradição da musica humana e especialmente da teoria da mágica musical de Marsilio Ficino. Além disto, trata da crítica de Julius Caesar Escalígero (1484-1558) a respeito da concepção de Cardano acerca da relação entre música e a alma. A despeito das diferenças de opinião, Ficino, Cardano e Escalígero pertencem ao mesmo universo discursivo, cujos contornos podem ser entendidos através da análise desta polêmica.
Revolução na Música - As Vanguardas de 1200 e 2000 - Relação entre Vanguarda Política e Musical
Authors: Mayer Günter
Published: January 2017

Devido à grande abrangência do tema deste artigo, faz-se necessária a reflexão sobre profundas transformações em música e sociedade apenas em grandes dimensões, de modo que a elaboração do presente trabalho será feita na forma abreviada de teses. Argumentação diferenciada tanto histórica como teoricamente foi omitida, possibilitando, no entanto, que nos concentrássemos sobre o essencial, buscando uma compreensão genérica do fenômeno exposto.
György Ligeti: Concerto de Câmara para 13 Instrumentos
Authors: Gubernikoff Carole
Published: January 2017

O Concerto de câmara para treze instrumentos de György Ligeti foi composto em 1969/1970. Foi criado num momento que significa a maturação de seu estilo anterior, caracterizado por uma grande densidade de textura e harmônica, e precursor de alguns aspectos que ele virá a desenvolver posteriormente, como uma maior transparência e melodismo. O estilo de Ligeti é absolutamente pessoal, com marcas muito características e alguns dados de sua biografia podem ajudar a esclarecer esta sua independência e sua trajetória composicional.
Celibidache e o Fim da História da Regência
Authors: Giron Luís Antônio
Published: January 2017

O maestro romeno Sergiu Celibidache, nascido em 1912 e falecido em 15 de agosto de 1996, em Paris, representa a mais eloqüente reação ao aprisionamento da música pelos meios de reprodução. Crítico virulento da contemporaneidade, ele procurou manter viva a idéia da música como momento único, tributária do romantismo. Este ensaio busca demonstrar como as teses do artista romeno ainda são capazes de produzir frisson, mesmo que impraticáveis em seu fundamento. Celibidache foi a capitulação ad absurdum da arte como objeto único e a realização completa desta arte, por meio de um método exemplar e a leitura crítica da árvore genealógica da regência. Ao pregar o avesso do cânone observado pelos músicos, e pelo mundo, Celibidache representou igualmente a impossibilidade da dissidência, da rejeição ao microfone e ao canhão de laser que tudo capturam e convertem em produto. Sua atitude artística retrucava a tecnologia e, de certa maneira, foi mais afetada por ela do que qualquer outro maestro de sua geração. Dimensionar sua importância e descrever seus procedimentos básicos é o objetivo do presente texto.
Connecting the Dots: Pre-existing Patterns of Gender Inequality and the Likelihood of Widespread and Systematic Sexual Violence
Authors: Davies Sara E. , True Jacqui
Published: January 2017

In this article we explore the relationship between pre-existing patterns of gender inequality and the occurrence of widespread and systematic sexual and gender based violence (sgbv). We ask three questions: What do we know about the status of gender inequality in high-risk situations prior to the outbreak of atrocities (which include sgbv)? What can be done to understand the relationship between systemic gender inequality and the use of sexual violence in the particular high-risk situations? And what long-term approaches are necessary to prevent sgbv?
Descriptions of skate egg cases (Chondrichthyes: Rajiformes: Rajoidei) from the eastern North Pacific
Authors: EBERT DAVID A. , DAVIS CHANTE D.
Published: January 2017

Egg cases for 10 of 11 valid skate species known to occur in the eastern North Pacific (ENP) were identified and are here described. In addition, egg cases of two unidentified skate species were collected from very deep water off central and southern California, USA. Examples of egg cases for all species, except for two, were removed in utero in order to confirm their species specific identification. The egg cases of seven skate species, including egg cases from the two unidentified species, have not previously been described or illustrated from this region. Previous attempts to identify skate egg cases with their associated species have been inadequate. The ENP skate egg cases can broadly be classified into two main groups: those with broad lateral keels (> 10% maximum egg case width) and those with narrow lateral keels (< 10% maximum egg case width). Egg cases in the former group (with broad lateral keels) generally have a finely striated surface texture that is smooth to the touch. Those in the latter group (with narrow lateral keels), with one exception, tend to have a coarse surface texture, often with prickles, and are rough to the touch. A revised key to the skate egg cases from the ENP is provided.