bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cohort Records Study of 19,655 Women Who Received Postabortion Care in a Tertiary Hospital 2010–2013 in China: What Trends Can Be Observed?
Authors: Luo Zhen-Yu , Quan Song , Chai Dong-Ning , Zhang Wei-Hong
Published: February 2016

The retrospective cohort epidemiological study was to investigate the characteristics of women who underwent induced abortion. Data were retrospectively collected from women who underwent induced abortions (n=19,655) at the Xiamen Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital (2010–2013). The characteristics of women who underwent induced abortions included mean age, unmarried status, no previous deliveries, first pregnancy, ≥2 abortions including the current one, and a history of caesarian section. From 2010 to 2013, mean age increased and declines were observed in the ratio of induced abortions to live births, the proportion of induced abortions among women of 15–24 years, those who were unmarried, had their first pregnancy, or had no history of delivery. However, the rates of induced abortions increased among women who were lactating, had a history of caesarian section, or had an interpregnancy interval of <6 months. This snapshot of induced abortions in China might suggest that the numbers are increasing but the ratio to live births has fallen. Methods should be improved to prevent unwanted pregnancies and reduce the number of induced abortions in China. It must be emphasized that differences in mentality and culture between countries might limit the representativeness of these results.
Effect of Chitosan on the Performance of NiMoP-Supported Catalysts for the Hydrodesulfurization of Dibenzothiophene
Authors: Ríos-Caloch Guillermina , Santes Víctor , Escobar José , Pérez-Romo Patricia , Díaz Leonardo , Lartundo-Rojas Luis
Published: February 2016

Chitosan-added NiMoP catalysts supported on alumina and alumina-titania were studied in the hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of dibenzothiophene (DBT). The preparation of catalysts containing Mo (12 wt%), Ni (3 wt%), P (1.6 wt%), and chitosan/nickel = 2 (mol ratio) was accomplished by sequential pore-filling impregnation varying the order of chitosan integration. Materials were characterized by DRIFTS, TPR, TG-DTA, and XPS techniques. The TG-DTA study showed that the nature of the support influences the degradation of chitosan onto the catalytic materials and also influences the HDS of DBT and the product distribution as well. The series of catalysts supported on alumina presented the most remarkable effect of chitosan, in which the OH and NH groups of the organic molecule interact with acid sites of the support weakening the interaction between alumina and deposited metal phases. In all cases, DBT was converted mainly through direct sulfur removal. The catalysts ChP3/A (alumina support impregnated with chitosan in phosphoric acid solution, prior to NiMoP deposition) and ChP4/AT (alumina-titania support impregnated with NiMoP solution, prior to contacting with a solution comprising chitosan and phosphorus) exhibited the best performance in HDS reactions and also showed the highest selectivity in biphenyl formation. Presence of carbonaceous residua on the catalyst’s surface, as shown by XPS, could enhance the HDS activity over the ChP4/AT sample.
Development of Flexible Polyurethane Nanostructured Biocomposite Foams Derived from Palm Olein-Based Polyol
Authors: Adnan Srihanum , Tuan Ismail Tuan Noor Maznee , Mohd Noor Norhayati , Nek Mat Din Nik Siti Mariam , Hanzah Nurul ‘Ain , Shoot Kian Yeong , Abu Hassan Hazimah
Published: February 2016

This study examined the effect of organoclay montmorillonite (OMMT) on the mechanical properties and morphology of flexible polyurethane/OMMT nanocomposite (PU/OMMT) foams prepared from petroleum- and palm olein-based polyols. Palm-based PU foams exhibited inferior mechanical strength as compared to neat petroleum PU foams. However, addition of OMMT significantly improved the foams strength of flexible polyurethane/OMMT nanocomposite foams prepared from palm olein-based polyol (PU bionanocomposite foam). The morphology analysed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the cell size of the foam decreased with increasing OMMT content. PU bionanocomposite foam with 5 wt% of OMMT had the most improved tensile (63%) and tear (48%) strengths compared to its neat counterpart. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed the exfoliated structure of the respective foam. It was concluded that OMMT improved mechanical properties and morphology of PU foams.
Terrestrial Water Storage Changes of Permafrost in the Three-River Source Region of the Tibetan Plateau, China
Authors: Xu Min , Kang Shichang , Zhao Qiudong , Li Jiazhen
Published: February 2016

Changes in permafrost influence water balance exchanges in watersheds of cryosphere. Water storage change (WSC) is an important factor in water cycle. We used Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellite data to retrieve WSC in the Three-River Source Region and subregions. WSC in four types of permafrost (continuous, seasonal, island, and patchy permafrost) was analyzed during 2003–2010. The result showed that WSC had significant change; it increased by9.06±0.01 mm/a (21.89±0.02×109 m3) over the Three-River Source Region during the study period. The most significant changes of WSC were in continuous permafrost zone, with a total amount of about13.94±0.48×109 m3. The spatial distribution of WSC was in state of gain in the continuous permafrost zone, whereas it was in a state of loss in the other permafrost zones. Little changes of precipitation and runoff occurred in study area, but the WSC increased significantly, according to water balance equation, the changes of runoff and water storage were subtracted from changes of precipitation, and the result showed that changes of evaporation is minus which means the evaporation decreased in the Three-River Source Region during 2003–2010.
Monitoring Aclonifen Remediation in Soil with a Laboratory-Scale Research
Authors: Erguven G. Onder , Bayhan Hurrem , Demir Goksel , Ikizoglu Bahar , Kanat Gurdal
Published: February 2016

Aclonifen was used as the most preferable type of herbicide which is used in sunflower farming in the Thrace Region. Bacteria and fungi were isolated from the soil samples taken from the Thrace Region, and a mixed culture was prepared from equal volumes (108 CFU/mL) of liquid cultures of microorganisms. Including the witness sample, five different setups were prepared, to which Aclonifen, with a concentration of 1900 μg/L, was added. Each unit was diluted with distilled water for six weeks. The water filtered at this stage was measured for chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand, total organic carbon (TOC), and Aclonifen. Additionally, pH and dissolved oxygen measurement was performed. According to the results of the study, the highest bioremediation was observed in the soil sample to which 10 mL of mixed culture of microorganisms was added and Aclonifen, COD, BOD5, and TOC remediation was observed as 93.2%, 97.8%, 98.8%, and 98.7%, respectively.
Alternatively Spliced Methionine Synthase in SH‐SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells: Cobalamin and GSH Dependence and Inhibitory Effects of Neurotoxic Metals and Thimerosal
Authors: Waly Mostafa , Power-Charnitsky Verna-Ann , Hodgson Nathaniel , Sharma Alok , Audhya Tapan , Zhang Yiting , Deth Richard
Published: February 2016

The folate and cobalamin (Cbl‐) dependent enzyme methionine synthase (MS) is highly sensitive to oxidation and its activity affects all methylation reactions. Recent studies have revealed alternative splicing of MS mRNA in human brain and patient‐derived fibroblasts. Here we show that MS mRNA in SH‐SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells is alternatively spliced, resulting in three primary protein species, thus providing a useful model to examine cofactor dependence of these variant enzymes. MS activity was dependent upon methylcobalamin (MeCbl) or the combination of hydroxocobalamin (OHCbl) and S‐adenosylmethionine (SAM). OHCbl‐based activity was eliminated by depletion of the antioxidant glutathione (GSH) but could be rescued by provision of either glutathionylcobalamin (GSCbl) or MeCbl. Pretreatment of cells with lead, arsenic, aluminum, mercury, or the ethylmercury‐containing preservative thimerosal lowered GSH levels and inhibited MS activity in association with decreased uptake of cysteine, which is rate‐limiting for GSH synthesis. Thimerosal treatment decreased cellular levels of GSCbl and MeCbl. These findings indicate that the alternatively spliced form of MS expressed in SH‐SY5Y human neuronal cells is sensitive to inhibition by thimerosal and neurotoxic metals, and lower GSH levels contribute to their inhibitory action.
Spinal Epidural Hematoma after Thoracolumbar Posterior Fusion Surgery without Decompression for Thoracic Vertebral Fracture
Authors: Minato Tsuyoki , Miyagi Masayuki , Saito Wataru , Shoji Shintaro , Nakazawa Toshiyuki , Inoue Gen , Imura Takayuki , Minehara Hiroaki , Matsuura Terumasa , Kawamura Tadashi , Namba Takanori , Takahira Naonobu , Takaso Masashi
Published: February 2016

We present a rare case of spinal epidural hematoma (SEH) after thoracolumbar posterior fusion without decompression surgery for a thoracic vertebral fracture. A 42-year-old man was hospitalized for a thoracic vertebral fracture caused by being sandwiched against his back on broken concrete block. Computed tomography revealed a T12 dislocation fracture of AO type B2, multiple bilateral rib fractures, and a right hemopneumothorax. Four days after the injury, in order to promote early orthostasis and to improve respiratory status, we performed thoracolumbar posterior fusion surgery without decompression; the patient had back pain but no neurological deficits. Three hours after surgery, he complained of acute pain and severe weakness of his bilateral lower extremities; with allodynia below the level of his umbilicus, postoperative SEH was diagnosed. We performed immediate revision surgery. After removal of the hematoma, his symptoms improved gradually, and he was discharged ambulatory one month after revision surgery. Through experience of this case, we should strongly consider the possibility of preexisting SEH before surgery, even in patients with no neurological deficits. We should also consider perioperative coagulopathy in patients with multiple trauma, as in this case.
Nonparaxial Propagation of Vectorial Elliptical Gaussian Beams
Authors: Xun Wang , Kelin Huang , Zhirong Liu , Kangyi Zhao
Published: February 2016

Based on the vectorial Rayleigh-Sommerfeld diffraction integral formulae, analytical expressions for a vectorial elliptical Gaussian beam’s nonparaxial propagating in free space are derived and used to investigate target beam’s propagation properties. As a special case of nonparaxial propagation, the target beam’s paraxial propagation has also been examined. The relationship of vectorial elliptical Gaussian beam’s intensity distribution and nonparaxial effect with elliptic coefficientαand waist width related parameterfωhas been analyzed. Results show that no matter what value of elliptic coefficientαis, when parameterfωis large, nonparaxial conclusions of elliptical Gaussian beam should be adopted; while parameterfωis small, the paraxial approximation of elliptical Gaussian beam is effective. In addition, the peak intensity value of elliptical Gaussian beam decreases with increasing the propagation distance whether parameterfωis large or small, and the larger the elliptic coefficientαis, the faster the peak intensity value decreases. These characteristics of vectorial elliptical Gaussian beam might find applications in modern optics.
A 54-Year-Old Woman with Donor Cell Origin of Multiple Myeloma after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for the Treatment of CML
Authors: Maestas Erika , Jain Shikha , Stiff Patrick
Published: February 2016

Chronic myeloid leukemia is a myeloproliferative disorder that may be treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). While posttransplantation relapse of disease resulting from a failure to eradicate the patient’s original leukemia could occur, patients may also rarely develop a secondary malignancy or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) of donor origin termed donor cell leukemia (DCL). Cases of donor-derived acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or MDS after HSCT or solid tumor transplantation have been published. However, very few cases of donor-derived multiple myeloma (MM) exist. We describe a patient who developed a donor-derived MM following allogeneic HSCT from a sibling donor.
Management of Anesthesia under Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Support in an Infant with Severe Subglottic Stenosis
Authors: Soeda Rie , Taniguchi Fumika , Sawada Maiko , Hamaoka Saeko , Shibasaki Masayuki , Nakajima Yasufumi , Hashimoto Satoru , Sawa Teiji , Nakayama Yoshinobu
Published: February 2016

A 4-month-old female infant who weighed 3.57 kg with severe subglottic stenosis underwent tracheostomy under extracorporeal cardiopulmonary support. First, we set up extracorporeal cardiopulmonary support to the infant and then successfully intubated an endotracheal tube with a 2.5 mm inner diameter before tracheostomy by otolaryngologists. Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary support is an alternative for maintenance of oxygenation in difficult airway management in infants.
Optimum Power Output Control of a Wind Turbine Rotor
Authors: Wijewardana S. , Shaheed M. H. , Vepa R.
Published: February 2016

An active and optimum controller is applied to regulate the power output from a wind turbine rotor. The controller is synthesized in two steps. The first step defines the equilibrium operation point and ensures that the desired equilibrium point is stable. The stability of the equilibrium point is guaranteed by a control law that is synthesized by applying the methodology of model predictive control (MPC). The method of controlling the turbine involves pitching the turbine blades. In the second step the blade pitch angle demand is defined. This involves minimizing the mean square error between the actual and desired power coefficient. The actual power coefficient of the wind turbine rotor is evaluated assuming that the blade is capable of stalling, using blade element momentum theory. This ensures that the power output of the rotor can be reduced to any desired value which is generally not possible unless a nonlinear stall model is introduced to evaluate the blade profile coefficients of lift and drag. The relatively simple and systematic nonlinear modelling and MPC controller synthesis approach adopted in this paper clearly highlights the main features on the controller that is capable of regulating the power output of the wind turbine rotor.
Spontaneous Arachnoid Cyst Rupture with Subdural Hygroma in a Child
Authors: Khilji Muhammad Faisal , Jeswani Niranjan Lal , Hamid Rana Shoaib , Al Azri Faisal
Published: February 2016

Arachnoid cyst of the brain is common in children but its association with spontaneous subdural hygroma is rare. A case of a nine-year-old boy, without any preceding history of trauma, is presented here who came to the emergency department of a tertiary care hospital with complaints of headache, nausea, and vomiting for the last two weeks but more for the last two days. Examination showed a young, fully conscious oriented boy with positive Cushing’s reflex and papilledema of left eye. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the brain showed left temporal extra-axial cystic lesion of 5.40 × 4.10 cm in size, representing arachnoid cyst, with bilateral frontoparietal subdural hygromas. Cyst was partially drained through left temporal craniectomy and subdural hygromas were drained through bilateral frontal burr holes. Postoperatively the child recovered uneventfully and was discharged on the seventh postoperative day. Histopathology proves it to be arachnoid cyst of the brain with subdural CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) collection or hygroma.
Active Player Modeling in the Iterated Prisoner’s Dilemma
Authors: Park Hyunsoo , Kim Kyung-Joong
Published: February 2016

The iterated prisoner’s dilemma (IPD) is well known within the domain of game theory. Although it is relatively simple, it can also elucidate important problems related to cooperation and trust. Generally, players can predict their opponents’ actions when they are able to build a precise model of their behavior based on their game playing experience. However, it is difficult to make such predictions based on a limited number of games. The creation of a precise model requires the use of not only an appropriate learning algorithm and framework but also a good dataset. Active learning approaches have recently been introduced to machine learning communities. The approach can usually produce informative datasets with relatively little effort. Therefore, we have proposed an active modeling technique to predict the behavior of IPD players. The proposed method can model the opponent player’s behavior while taking advantage of interactive game environments. This experiment used twelve representative types of players as opponents, and an observer used an active modeling algorithm to model these opponents. This observer actively collected data and modeled the opponent’s behavior online. Most of our data showed that the observer was able to build, through direct actions, a more accurate model of an opponent’s behavior than when the data were collected through random actions.
Genetics of Nonsyndromic Congenital Hearing Loss
Authors: Egilmez Oguz Kadir , Kalcioglu M. Tayyar
Published: February 2016

Congenital hearing impairment affects nearly 1 in every 1000 live births and is the most frequent birth defect in developed societies. Hereditary types of hearing loss account for more than 50% of all congenital sensorineural hearing loss cases and are caused by genetic mutations. HL can be either nonsyndromic, which is restricted to the inner ear, or syndromic, a part of multiple anomalies affecting the body. Nonsyndromic HL can be categorised by mode of inheritance, such as autosomal dominant (called DFNA), autosomal recessive (DFNB), mitochondrial, and X-linked (DFN). To date, 125 deafness loci have been reported in the literature: 58 DFNA loci, 63 DFNB loci, and 4 X-linked loci. Mutations in genes that control the adhesion of hair cells, intracellular transport, neurotransmitter release, ionic hemeostasis, and cytoskeleton of hair cells can lead to malfunctions of the cochlea and inner ear. In recent years, with the increase in studies about genes involved in congenital hearing loss, genetic counselling and treatment options have emerged and increased in availability. This paper presents an overview of the currently known genes associated with nonsyndromic congenital hearing loss and mutations in the inner ear.
Treating Small Bowel Obstruction with a Manual Physical Therapy: A Prospective Efficacy Study
Authors: Rice Amanda D. , Patterson Kimberley , Reed Evette D. , Wurn Belinda F. , Klingenberg Bernhard , King C. Richard , Wurn Lawrence J.
Published: February 2016

Small bowel obstructions (SBOs) caused by adhesions are a common, often life-threatening postsurgical complication with few treatment options available for patients. This study examines the efficacy of a manual physical therapy treatment regimen on the pain and quality of life of subjects with a history of bowel obstructions due to adhesions in a prospective, controlled survey based study. Changes in six domains of quality of life were measured via ratings reported before and after treatment using the validated Small Bowel Obstruction Questionnaire (SBO-Q). Improvements in the domains for pain (p=0.0087), overall quality of life (p=0.0016), and pain severity (p=0.0006) were significant when average scores before treatment were compared with scores after treatment. The gastrointestinal symptoms (p=0.0258) domain was marginally significant. There was no statistically significant improvement identified in the diet or medication domains in the SBO-Q for this population. Significant improvements in range of motion in the trunk (p≤0.001), often limited by adhesions, were also observed for all measures. This study demonstrates in a small number of subjects that this manual physical therapy protocol is an effective treatment option for patients with adhesive small bowel obstructions as measured by subject reported symptoms and quality of life.
VOCs-Mediated Location of Olive Fly Larvae by the Braconid ParasitoidPsyttalia concolor: A Multivariate Comparison among VOC Bouquets from Three Olive Cultivars
Authors: Giunti Giulia , Benelli Giovanni , Conte Giuseppe , Mele Marcello , Caruso Giovanni , Gucci Riccardo , Flamini Guido , Canale Angelo
Published: February 2016

Herbivorous activity induces plant indirect defenses, as the emission of herbivorous-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs), which could be used by parasitoids for host location.Psyttalia concoloris a larval pupal endoparasitoid, attacking a number of tephritid flies includingB. oleae.In this research, we investigated the olfactory cues routing host location behavior ofP. concolortowardsB. oleaelarvae infesting three different olive cultivars. VOCs from infested and healthy fruits were identified using GC-MS analyses. In two-choice behavioral assays,P. concolorfemales preferred infested olive cues, which also evoked ovipositional probing by female wasps. GC-MS analysis showed qualitative and quantitative differences among volatiles emitted by infested and healthy olives. Volatile emissions were peculiar for each cultivar analyzed. Two putative HIPVs were detected in infested fruits, regardless of the cultivar, the monoterpene (E)-β-ocimene, and the sesquiterpene (E-E)-α-farnesene. Our study adds basic knowledge to the behavioral ecology ofP. concolor. From an applied point of view, the field application of the above-mentioned VOCs may help to enhance effectiveness of biological control programs and parasitoid mass-rearing techniques.
Adapted Lethality: What We Can Learn from Guinea Pig-Adapted Ebola Virus Infection Model
Authors: Cheresiz S. V. , Semenova E. A. , Chepurnov A. A.
Published: February 2016

Establishment of small animal models of Ebola virus (EBOV) infection is important both for the study of genetic determinants involved in the complex pathology of EBOV disease and for the preliminary screening of antivirals, production of therapeutic heterologic immunoglobulins, and experimental vaccine development. Since the wild-type EBOV is avirulent in rodents, the adaptation series of passages in these animals are required for the virulence/lethality to emerge in these models. Here, we provide an overview of our several adaptation series in guinea pigs, which resulted in the establishment of guinea pig-adapted EBOV (GPA-EBOV) variants different in their characteristics, while uniformly lethal for the infected animals, and compare the virologic, genetic, pathomorphologic, and immunologic findings with those obtained in the adaptation experiments of the other research groups.
Melatonin Attenuates Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Diabetic Rats: The Role of Interleukin-33 and Oxidative Stress
Authors: Onk Didem , Onk Oruc Alper , Turkmen Kultigin , Erol Huseyin Serkan , Ayazoglu Tulin Akarsu , Keles Osman Nuri , Halici Mesut , Topal Ergun
Published: February 2016

Background.Inflammation and oxidative stress (OxS) contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). Patients with DKD were found to be more prone to CIN. Interleukin-33 (IL-33) is a proinflammatory cytokine, but its role in DKD and CIN is unknown.Methods.Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were enrolled. The first group was comprised of healthy rats (HRs), whereas the other four groups were made up of diabetic rats (DRs), diabetic rats with contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN + DRs), melatonin-treated diabetic rats (MTDRs), and melatonin-treated CIN + DRs (MTCIN + DRs). All groups except the HRs received 50 mg/kg/day streptozotocin (STZ). CIN + DRs were constituted by administrating 1.5 mg/kg of intravenous radiocontrast dye on the 35th day. MTDRs and MTCIN + DRs were given 20 mg/kg/day of intraperitoneal injection of melatonin (MT) from the 28th day for the constitutive seven days.Results.We observed increased IL-33 in the kidney tissue following induction of CIN in DRs. To determine whether MT is effective in preventing CIN, we administered MT in CIN + DRs and demonstrated that kidney tissue levels of OxS markers, inflammatory cytokines, and IL-33 were significantly diminished in MTCIN + DRs compared with other groups without MT treatment (p<0.05).Conclusion.Inhibition of IL-33 with MT provides therapeutic potential in DKD with CIN.
Assessment of Cognitive Functioning after Pallidotomy in Patients with Primary Dystonia
Authors: Birska Julita , Zieliński Piotr , Birski Marcin , Harat Marek
Published: February 2016

Background: Stereotactic pallidotomy in the treatment of primary dystonia results in permanent damage to the posteroventral region of the internal globus pallidus. Lesions within the basal ganglia may change cognitive functioning. Subcortical structures interact with the frontal cortex, which plays an important role in cognition. Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of stereotactic pallidotomy on cognitive function in patients with primary dystonia. Methods: Thirty patients with primary dystonia who qualified for pallidotomy were tested 1-2 days before surgery, 2 days after surgery and a third time after about 6 months from the date of surgery. Cognitive functioning was assessed by the following tests: Benton visual short-term memory, auditory verbal learning test, trail making test, Stroop color word interference test and Wisconsin card sorting test. Results: Statistical analysis showed the deterioration of the auditory verbal learning process in the early postoperative period of patients with primary dystonia, but after 6 months there was a significant improvement. After pallidotomy there were no significant differences in the efficiency of short-term visual memory, verbal and visual-spatial working memory, psychomotor speed and executive functions. Conclusions: Stereotactic pallidotomy used in the treatment of primary dystonia is a safe treatment for the cognitive functioning of patients.
Vorapaxar and diplopia: Possible off-target PAR-receptor mismodulation
Authors: Fortmann Seth D. , Rao Sunil V. , Tanguay Jean-Francois , Lordkipanidze Marie , Hanley Daniel F. , Can Mehmet , Kim Moo Hyun , Marciniak Thomas A. , Serebruany Victor L.
Published: February 2016

Vorapaxar, a novel antiplatelet thrombin PAR-1 inhibitor, has been evaluated in the successful TRA2P trial and the failed TRACER trial. The drug is currently approved for post myocardial infarction and peripheral artery disease indications with concomitant use of clopidogrel and/or aspirin. The FDA ruled that the vorapaxar safety profile is acceptable. However, both trials revealed excess diplopia (double vision) usually reversible after vorapaxar. The diplopia risk appears to be small (about 1 extra case per 1,000 treated subjects), but real. Overall, there were 10 placebo and 34 vorapaxar diplopia cases (p=0.018) consistent for TRACER (2 vs 13 cases; p=0.010) and for TRA2P (8 vs 21 cases; p=0.018). Hence, we review the FDA-confirmed evidence and discuss potential causes and implications of such a surprising adverse association, which may be related to off-target PAR receptor mismodulation in the eye.
Macrophage Phenotype and Function in Different Stages of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Tabas Ira , Bornfeldt Karin E.
Published: February 2016

The remarkable plasticity and plethora of biological functions performed by macrophages have enticed scientists to study these cells in relation to atherosclerosis for >50 years, and major discoveries continue to be made today. It is now understood that macrophages play important roles in all stages of atherosclerosis, from initiation of lesions and lesion expansion, to necrosis leading to rupture and the clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis, to resolution and regression of atherosclerotic lesions. Lesional macrophages are derived primarily from blood monocytes, although recent research has shown that lesional macrophage-like cells can also be derived from smooth muscle cells. Lesional macrophages take on different phenotypes depending on their environment and which intracellular signaling pathways are activated. Rather than a few distinct populations of macrophages, the phenotype of the lesional macrophage is more complex and likely changes during the different phases of atherosclerosis and with the extent of lipid and cholesterol loading, activation by a plethora of receptors, and metabolic state of the cells. These different phenotypes allow the macrophage to engulf lipids, dead cells, and other substances perceived as danger signals; efflux cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein; proliferate and migrate; undergo apoptosis and death; and secrete a large number of inflammatory and proresolving molecules. This review article, part of the
Compendium on Atherosclerosis
, discusses recent advances in our understanding of lesional macrophage phenotype and function in different stages of atherosclerosis. With the increasing understanding of the roles of lesional macrophages, new research areas and treatment strategies are beginning to emerge.
MicroRNA Regulation of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Feinberg Mark W. , Moore Kathryn J.
Published: February 2016

Atherosclerosis and its attendant clinical complications, such as myocardial infarction, stroke, and peripheral artery disease, are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Western societies. In response to biochemical and biomechanical stimuli, atherosclerotic lesion formation occurs from the participation of a range of cell types, inflammatory mediators, and shear stress. Over the past decade, microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as evolutionarily conserved, noncoding small RNAs that serve as important regulators and fine-tuners of a range of pathophysiological cellular effects and molecular signaling pathways involved in atherosclerosis. Accumulating studies reveal the importance of miRNAs in regulating key signaling and lipid homeostasis pathways that alter the balance of atherosclerotic plaque progression and regression. In this review, we highlight current paradigms of miRNA-mediated effects in atherosclerosis progression and regression. We provide an update on the potential use of miRNAs diagnostically for detecting increasing severity of coronary disease and clinical events. Finally, we provide a perspective on therapeutic opportunities and challenges for miRNA delivery in the field.
Endothelial Cell Dysfunction and the Pathobiology of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Gimbrone Michael A. , García-Cardeña Guillermo
Published: February 2016

Dysfunction of the endothelial lining of lesion-prone areas of the arterial vasculature is an important contributor to the pathobiology of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Endothelial cell dysfunction, in its broadest sense, encompasses a constellation of various nonadaptive alterations in functional phenotype, which have important implications for the regulation of hemostasis and thrombosis, local vascular tone and redox balance, and the orchestration of acute and chronic inflammatory reactions within the arterial wall. In this review, we trace the evolution of the concept of endothelial cell dysfunction, focusing on recent insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie its pivotal roles in atherosclerotic lesion initiation and progression; explore its relationship to classic, as well as more recently defined, clinical risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease; consider current approaches to the clinical assessment of endothelial cell dysfunction; and outline some promising new directions for its early detection and treatment.
Ndufc2 Gene Inhibition Is Associated With Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Increased Stroke Susceptibility in an Animal Model of Complex Human Disease
Authors: Rubattu Speranza , Di Castro Sara , Schulz Herbert , Geurts Aron M. , Cotugno Maria , Bianchi Franca , Maatz Henrike , Hummel Oliver , Falak Samreen , Stanzione Rosita , Marchitti Simona , Scarpino Stefania , Giusti Betti , Kura Ada , Gensini Gian Franco , Peyvandi Flora , Mannucci Pier Mannuccio , Rasura Maurizia , Sciarretta Sebastiano , Dwinell Melinda R. , Hubner Norbert , Volpe Massimo
Published: February 2016

Background

The genetic basis of stroke susceptibility remains to be elucidated.
STR
1 quantitative trait locus (
STR
1/
QTL
) was identified on rat chromosome 1 of stroke‐prone spontaneously hypertensive rat (
SHRSP
) upon Japanese‐style stroke‐permissive diet (
JD
), and it contributes to 20% of the stroke phenotype variance.

Methods and Results

Nine hundred eighty‐six probe sets mapping on
STR
1 were selected from the Rat
RAE
230A array and screened through a microarray differential expression analysis in brains of
SHRSP
and stroke‐resistant
SHR
(
SHRSR
) fed with either regular diet or
JD
. The gene encoding Ndufc2 (
NADH
dehydrogenase [ubiquinone] 1 subunit), mapping 8 Mb apart from
STR
1/
QTL
Lod score peak, was found significantly down‐regulated under
JD
in
SHRSP
compared to
SHRSR
.
Ndufc2
disruption altered complex I assembly and activity, reduced mitochondrial membrane potential and
ATP
levels, and increased reactive oxygen species production and inflammation both in vitro and in vivo.
SHRSR
carrying heterozygous
Ndufc2
deletion showed renal abnormalities and stroke occurrence under
JD
, similarly to
SHRSP
. In humans, T allele variant at
NDUFC
2/rs11237379 was associated with significant reduction in gene expression and with increased occurrence of early‐onset ischemic stroke by recessive mode of transmission (odds ratio [
OR
], 1.39;
CI,
1.07–1.80;
P
=0.012). Subjects carrying
TT
/rs11237379 and A allele variant at
NDUFC
2/rs641836 had further increased risk of stroke (
OR
=1.56;
CI
, 1.14–2.13;
P
=0.006).

Conclusions

A significant reduction of
Ndufc2
expression causes complex I dysfunction and contributes to stroke susceptibility in
SHRSP
. Moreover, our current evidence may suggest that Ndufc2 can contribute to an increased occurrence of early‐onset ischemic stroke in humans.
Pediatric Cortical Vein Thrombosis
Authors: Ritchey Zak , Hollatz Amanda L. , Weitzenkamp David , Fenton Laura Z. , Maxwell Emily C. , Bernard Timothy J. , Stence Nicholas V.
Published: February 2016

Background and Purpose—

Cortical vein thrombosis (CVT) is an uncommon site of involvement in cerebral sinovenous thrombosis. Few reports have described pediatric CVT, and none has differentiated its unique attributes. This study assessed the clinical features and radiographic outcome of a cohort of children with cerebral sinovenous thrombosis, comparing those with CVT to those without CVT.

Methods—

Children diagnosed with cerebral sinovenous thrombosis were retrospectively reviewed and separated into 2 groups based on the presence or absence of cortical vein involvement.

Results—

Fifty patients met inclusion criteria, including 12 with CVT. The CVT group was more likely to present with seizure (
P
=0.0271), altered mental status (
P
=0.0271), and a family history of clotting disorder (
P
=0.0477). Acute imaging of the CVT group more commonly demonstrated concurrent superior sagittal sinus thrombosis (
P
=0.0024), parenchymal hemorrhage (
P
=0.0141), and restricted diffusion (
P
<0.0001). At follow-up, the CVT group more commonly showed headache, seizure, and focal neurological deficit (
P
=0.0449), and venous infarction (
P
=0.0007).

Conclusions—

In our cohort, CVT was significantly associated with seizures at presentation, hemorrhage and restricted diffusion on acute imaging, as well as neurological disability and venous infarction at follow-up. Involvement of cortical veins in cerebral sinovenous thrombosis is associated with an increased risk of infarction and adverse outcome in children.
Inflammatory Markers and Outcomes After Lacunar Stroke
Authors: Boehme Amelia K. , McClure Leslie A. , Zhang Yu , Luna Jorge M. , Del Brutto Oscar H. , Benavente Oscar R. , Elkind Mitchell S.V.
Published: February 2016

Background and Purpose—

We hypothesized that concentrations of interleukin 6 (IL-6), serum amyloid A, tumor necrosis factor-α receptor 1, CD40 ligand, and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 would predict recurrent ischemic stroke and major vascular events after recent lacunar stroke.

Methods—

Levels of Inflammatory Markers in the Treatment of Stroke (LIMITS) was an international, multicenter, prospective ancillary biomarker study nested within the Secondary Prevention of Small Subcortical Strokes (SPS3) study, a Phase III trial in patients with recent lacunar stroke. Crude and Adjusted Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for recurrence risks.

Results—

Among 1244 patients with lacunar stroke (mean age, 63.3±10.8 years), there were 115 major vascular events (stroke, myocardial infarction, and vascular death). The risk of major vascular events increased with elevated concentrations of both tumor necrosis factor-α receptor 1 (adjusted HR per SD, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.05–1.41;
P
=0.01) and IL-6 (adjusted HR per SD, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.02–1.19;
P
=0.008). Compared with the bottom quartile (tumor necrosis factor-α receptor 1 <2.24 ng/L), those in the top quartile of tumor necrosis factor-α receptor 1 (>3.63 ng/L) were at twice the risk of major vascular events after adjusting for demographics (partially adjusted HR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.11–3.52), though the effect attenuated after adjusting for other risk factors and statin use (adjusted HR, 1.68; 95% CI, 0.93–3.04). Serum amyloid A, CD40 ligand, and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 were not associated with prognosis.

Conclusions—

Among recent lacunar stroke patients, IL-6 and TNF receptor concentrations predict risk of recurrent vascular events, and they are associated with the effect of antiplatelet therapies.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00059306.
Safety and Efficacy of Solitaire Stent Thrombectomy
Authors: Campbell Bruce C.V. , Hill Michael D. , Rubiera Marta , Menon Bijoy K. , Demchuk Andrew , Donnan Geoffrey A. , Roy Daniel , Thornton John , Dorado Laura , Bonafe Alain , Levy Elad I. , Diener Hans-Christoph , Hernández-Pérez María , Pereira Vitor Mendes , Blasco Jordi , Quesada Helena , Rempel Jeremy , Jahan Reza , Davis Stephen M. , Stouch Bruce C. , Mitchell Peter J. , Jovin Tudor G. , Saver Jeffrey L. , Goyal Mayank
Published: February 2016

Background and Purpose—

Recent positive randomized trials of endovascular therapy for ischemic stroke used predominantly stent retrievers. We pooled data to investigate the efficacy and safety of stent thrombectomy using the Solitaire device in anterior circulation ischemic stroke.

Methods—

Patient-level data were pooled from trials in which the Solitaire was the only or the predominant device used in a prespecified meta-analysis (SEER Collaboration): Solitaire FR With the Intention for Thrombectomy as Primary Endovascular Treatment (SWIFT PRIME), Endovascular Treatment for Small Core and Anterior Circulation Proximal Occlusion With Emphasis on Minimizing CT to Recanalization Times (ESCAPE), Extending the Time for Thrombolysis in Emergency Neurological Deficits—Intra-Arterial (EXTEND-IA), and Randomized Trial of Revascularization With Solitaire FR Device Versus Best Medical Therapy in the Treatment of Acute Stroke Due to Anterior Circulation Large Vessel Occlusion Presenting Within Eight Hours of Symptom Onset (REVASCAT). The primary outcome was ordinal analysis of modified Rankin Score at 90 days. The primary analysis included all patients in the 4 trials with 2 sensitivity analyses: (1) excluding patients in whom Solitaire was not the first device used and (2) including the 3 Solitaire-only trials (excluding ESCAPE). Secondary outcomes included functional independence (modified Rankin Score 0–2), symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage, and mortality.

Results—

The primary analysis included 787 patients: 401 randomized to endovascular thrombectomy and 386 to standard care, and 82.6% received intravenous thrombolysis. The common odds ratio for modified Rankin Score improvement was 2.7 (2.0–3.5) with no heterogeneity in effect by age, sex, baseline stroke severity, extent of computed tomography changes, site of occlusion, or pretreatment with alteplase. The number needed to treat to reduce disability was 2.5 and for an extra patient to achieve independent outcome was 4.25 (3.29–5.99). Successful revascularization occurred in 77% treated with Solitaire device. The rate of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage and overall mortality did not differ between treatment groups.

Conclusions—

Solitaire thrombectomy for large vessel ischemic stroke was safe and highly effective with substantially reduced disability. Benefits were consistent in all prespecified subgroups.
Conflict between morphological and molecular data: A case study of Ficus krishnae (Moraceae)
Authors: ANAND KUMAR K. , JENA SATYA N. , CHAUDHARY LAL B. , SINGH MUNNA
Published: February 2016

Ficus krishnae, considered as highly sacred plant species in India, is well known for its peculiar nature of cup-shaped leaves. The species distinctly differs from its allied species F. benghalensis not only in the cup formation in leaves but also in the height of plants, aerial roots, stipules, petiole and its leafy appendages, ostiolar bracts of the receptacle and pollinator wasps, in addition to slight differences in the karyotype, DNA contents, stomatal and parenchymatous cells and nodal anatomy. In spite of having several morphological differences, F. krishnae is considered by some authors as a synonym of F. benghalensis, which does not seem to be convincing. Contrary to the morphological differences, the sequence analysis of nuclear and plastid regions of both the species conducted in the present study does not reveal any significant variations and thus infers no differentiation between the species at molecular level. This may be due to mutations at one or few coding loci or differences in gene expression associated with morphogenesis with significant phenotypic appearance.
A 100 kHz Time-Resolved Multiple-Probe Femtosecond to Second Infrared Absorption Spectrometer
Authors: Greetham Gregory M. , Donaldson Paul M. , Nation Charlie , Sazanovich Igor V. , Clark Ian P. , Shaw Daniel J. , Parker Anthony W. , Towrie Michael
Published: February 2016

We present a dual-amplifier laser system for time-resolved multiple-probe infrared (IR) spectroscopy based on the ytterbium potassium gadolinium tungstate (Yb:KGW) laser medium. Comparisons are made between the ytterbium-based technology and titanium sapphire laser systems for time-resolved IR spectroscopy measurements. The 100 kHz probing system provides new capability in time-resolved multiple-probe experiments, as more information is obtained from samples in a single experiment through multiple-probing. This method uses the high repetition-rate probe pulses to repeatedly measure spectra at 10 µs intervals following excitation allowing extended timescales to be measured routinely along with ultrafast data. Results are presented showing the measurement of molecular dynamics over >10 orders of magnitude in timescale, out to 20 ms, with an experimental time response of <200 fs. The power of multiple-probing is explored through principal component analysis of repeating probe measurements as a novel method for removing noise and measurement artifacts.
Spatially Multiplexed Imaging: Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy for Efficient Measurement of Molecular Diffusion at Solid–Liquid Interfaces
Authors: Cooper Justin T. , Harris Joel M.
Published: February 2016

Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) has become an important technique for the characterization of molecular dynamics, especially at interfaces. Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy provides both temporal and spatial resolution for measuring fast processes at equilibrium through analysis of noise in fluorescence intensities from the statistical fluctuations in a small number of molecules. The small molecular populations produce very low-level fluorescence signals, where time-averaging the fluorescence autocorrelation function is needed to generate reasonable signal-to-noise (S/N) ratios. Recently imaging cameras have been adapted to FCS measurements of molecular dynamics at interfaces (membranes and surfaces) through the use of electron-multiplying charge-coupled device (EM-CCD) detectors for acquisition of fluorescence from addressable areas on the detector. This approach provides a major advantage over traditional focused-spot FCS by allowing electronic control over the location and area of the acquired region on the sample surface. Imaging-FCS can also provide a spatial multiplexing advantage through its ability to measure intensity data from larger areas in parallel with no loss of time resolution. In this work, this multiplexing advantage is exploited to determine molecular diffusion rates from the simultaneous measurement of multiple areas on a surface, the autocorrelation traces from which are averaged to improve the S/N ratio. As proof of concept, the diffusion of 1,1′-dioctadecyl-3,3,3′3′-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (DiI) on a C18-modified interface was measured using this multiplexed method and compared to autocorrelation data acquired from a single spot. Due to the slow thermal recovery of the EM-CCD that inhibits fast time-averaging, spatial multiplexing in imaging-FCS provides an eightyfold time savings to reach the same S/N ratio as multiple (time-averaged) measurements from a single spot.
Disproportionality in School Discipline in Massachusetts
Authors: Gastic Billie
Published: February 2016

The racial discipline gap—the finding that Black and Latino students are more likely to be disciplined at school than White students, and often more harshly—has implications for students’ academic success. This study concluded that differences in students’ behavior do not fully explain the disproportionate likelihood that Black students are disciplined for fighting at school. Black students were found to be significantly more likely than White students to be cited for physical fights in schools.
Teacher Educators’ and Student Teachers’ Beliefs About Preparation for Working With Families Including Those From Diverse Socioeconomic and Cultural Backgrounds
Authors: D’Haem Jeanne , Griswold Peter
Published: February 2016

This mixed-methods study examined teacher preparation for developing family partnerships. The attitudes and practices of teacher educators and the attitudes and experiences of student teachers were explored in focus groups, documents, and a survey instrument. Results indicated that although partnerships were considered important by faculty and students, both groups were concerned with the difficulties teachers may experience with parents. The subject university is committed to diversity and requires a field experience in a multi-cultural community. Although teacher educators expressed strong concerns about teaching candidates to work with parents from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, they voiced doubts regarding their own ability to educate students regarding families from different cultures. The teacher candidates seemed relatively unaware of the importance of engaging diverse families in a partnership. There was evidence that, in the minds of student teachers, whatever problems existed were attributable to the parents. On an item about the beliefs of parent involvement, student teachers appear to have less positive views of diverse parents than do teacher candidates surveyed at the beginning of their preparation. Basically, candidates were focused on giving information to parents and not on creating reciprocal relationships. Results suggest that field experiences in culturally diverse settings are not enough and must be accompanied by class discussion. Graded assignments, and authentic experiences with opportunities to examine beliefs and attitudes toward families from diverse backgrounds in courses and field experiences are needed.