bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cervical diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) causing oropharyngeal dysphagia
Authors: Candelario Nellowe , Lo Kevin Bryan , Naranjo Mario
Published: March 2017

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) is a non-inflammatory condition characterised by calcification and ossification of the vertebral ligaments. It is most commonly seen to affect the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae and is usually seen among elderly men. The cause of this condition is unknown. Risk factors include male gender, obesity, diabetes and advancing age. The majority of these cases are found incidentally on imaging and patients are generally asymptomatic. Cervical DISH is less common than its thoracic and lumbar counterparts. When symptomatic, it can cause dysphagia or sometimes airway compromise. If this happens, surgical intervention should be performed. Although a rare cause of dysphagia, DISH is easily diagnosed with imaging. When identified, surgical decompression produces very good clinical outcomes.
Financial modelling of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery within the National Health Service using a ‘hub and spoke’ model for the delivery of high-volume cataract surgery
Authors: Roberts H W , Ni M Z , O'Brart D P S
Published: March 2017

Aims

To develop financial models which offset additional costs associated with femtosecond laser (FL)-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) against improvements in productivity and to determine important factors relating to its implementation into the National Health Service (NHS).

Methods

FL platforms are expensive, in initial purchase and running costs. The additional costs associated with FL technology might be offset by an increase in surgical efficiency. Using a ‘hub and spoke’ model to provide high-volume cataract surgery, we designed a financial model, comparing FLACS against conventional phacoemulsification surgery (CPS). The model was populated with averaged financial data from 4 NHS foundation trusts and 4 commercial organisations manufacturing FL platforms. We tested our model with sensitivity and threshold analyses to allow for variations or uncertainties.

Results

The averaged weekly workload for cataract surgery using our hub and spoke model required either 8 or 5.4 theatre sessions with CPS or FLACS, respectively. Despite reduced theatre utilisation, CPS (average £433/case) was still found to be 8.7% cheaper than FLACS (average £502/case). The greatest associated cost of FLACS was the patient interface (PI) (average £135/case). Sensitivity analyses demonstrated that FLACS could be less expensive than CPS, but only if increased efficiency, in terms of cataract procedures per theatre list, increased by over 100%, or if the cost of the PI was reduced by almost 70%.

Conclusions

The financial viability of FLACS within the NHS is currently precluded by the cost of the PI and the lack of knowledge regarding any gains in operational efficiency.
Introduction of a Microsoft Excel-based unified electronic weekend handover document in Acute and General Medicine in a DGH: aims, outcomes and challenges
Authors: Kostelec Pablo , Emanuele Garbelli Pietro , Emanuele Garbelli Pietro
Published: March 2017

On-call weekends in medicine can be a busy and stressful time for junior doctors, as they are responsible for a larger pool of patients, most of whom they would have never met.

Clinical handover to the weekend team is extremely important and any communication errors may have a profound impact on patient care, potentially even resulting in avoidable harm or death.

Several senior clinical bodies have issued guidelines on best practice in written and verbal handover. These include: standardisation, use of pro forma documents prompting doctors to document vital information (such as ceiling of care/resuscitation status) and prioritisation according to clinical urgency.

These guidelines were not consistently followed in our hospital site at the onset of 2014 and junior doctors were becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the handover processes.

An initial audit of handover documents used across the medical division on two separate weekends in January 2014, revealed high variability in compliance with documentation of key information. For example, ceiling of care was documented for only 14-42% of patients and resuscitation status in 26-72% of patients respectively. Additionally, each ward used their own self-designed pro forma and patients were not prioritised by clinical urgency.

Within six months from the introduction of a standardised, hospital-wide weekend handover pro forma across the medical division and following initial improvements to its layout, ceiling of therapy and resuscitation status were documented in approximately 80% of patients (with some minor variability). Moreover, 100% of patients in acute medicine and 75% of those in general medicine were prioritised by clinical urgency and all wards used the same handover pro forma.
What is an ROC curve?
Authors: Hoo Zhe Hui , Candlish Jane , Teare Dawn
Published: March 2017

The paper by Bodyet alis concerned with the evaluation of decision aids, which can be used to identify potential acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in the ED. The authors previously developed the Manchester Acute Coronary Syndromes model (MACS) decision aid, which uses several clinical variables and two biomarkers to ‘rule in’ and ‘rule out’ ACS. However, one of the two biomarkers (heart-type fatty acid bindingprotein, H-FABP) is not widely used so a revised decision aid has been developed (Troponin-only Manchester Acute Coronary Syndromes, T-MACS), which include a single biomarker hs-cTnT. In this issue, the authors show how they derive a revised decision aid and describe its performance in a number of independent diagnostic cohort studies. Decision aids (as well as other types of ‘diagnostic tests’) are often evaluated in terms of diagnostic testing parameters such as the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, sensitivity and specificity. In this article, we explain how the ROC analysis is conducted and why it is an essential step towards developing a test with the desirable levels of sensitivity and specificity.
Predicting intraprocedural rupture and thrombus formation during coiling of ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysms
Authors: Fan Lianghao , Lin Boli , Xu Ting , Xia Nengzhi , Shao Xiaotong , Tan Xianxi , Zhong Ming , Yang Yunjun , Zhao Bing
Published: March 2017

Background

Intraprocedural rupture and thrombus formation are serious complications during coiling of ruptured intracranial aneurysms, and they more often occur in patients with anterior communicating artery (ACoA) aneurysms.

Objective

To identify independent predictors of intraprocedural rupture and thrombus formation during coiling of ruptured ACoA aneurysms.

Methods

Between January 2008 and February 2015, 254 consecutive patients with 255 ACoA aneurysms were treated with coiling. We retrospectively reviewed intraoperative angiograms and medical records to identify intraprocedural rupture and thrombus formation, and re-measured aneurysm morphologies using CT angiography images. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to determine independent predictors of intraprocedural rupture and thrombus formation.

Results

Of the 231 patients included, intraprocedural rupture occurred in 10 (4.3%) patients, and thrombus formation occurred in 15 (6.5%) patients. Patients with smaller aneurysms more often experienced intraprocedural rupture than those with larger aneurysms (3.5±1.3 mm vs 5.7±2.3 mm). Multivariate analysis showed that smaller ruptured aneurysms (p=0.003) were independently associated with intraprocedural rupture. The threshold of aneurysm size separating rupture and non-rupture groups was 3.5 mm. Multivariate analysis showed that a history of hypertension (p=0.033), aneurysm neck size (p=0.004), and parent vessel angle (p=0.023) were independent predictors of thrombus formation. The threshold of parent vessel angle separating thrombus and non-thrombus groups was 60.0°.

Conclusions

Ruptured aneurysms <3.5 mm were associated with an increased risk of intraprocedural rupture, and parent vessel angle <60.0°, wider-neck aneurysms, and a history of hypertension were associated with increased risk of thrombus formation during coiling of ruptured ACoA aneurysms.
Tobacco cessation and household spending on non-tobacco goods: results from the US Consumer Expenditure Surveys
Authors: Rogers Erin S , Dave Dhaval M , Pozen Alexis , Fahs Marianne , Gallo William T
Published: March 2017

Objectives

To estimate the impact of tobacco cessation on household spending on non-tobacco goods in the USA.

Methods

Using 2006–2015 Consumer Expenditure Survey data, 9130 tobacco-consuming households were followed for four quarters. Households were categorised during the fourth quarter as having: (1) recent tobacco cessation, (2) long-term cessation, (3) relapsed cessation or (4) no cessation. Generalised linear models were used to compare fourth quarter expenditures on alcohol, food at home, food away from home, housing, healthcare, transportation, entertainment and other goods between the no-cessation households and those with recent, long-term or relapsed cessation. The full sample was analysed, and then analysed by income quartile.

Results

In the full sample, households with long-term and recent cessation had lower spending on alcohol, food, entertainment and transportation (p<0.001). Recent cessation was further associated with reduced spending on food at home (p<0.001), whereas relapsed cessation was associated with higher spending on healthcare and food away from home (p<0.001). In the highest income quartile, long-term and recent cessations were associated with reduced alcohol spending only (p<0.001), whereas in the lowest income quartile, long-term and recent cessations were associated with lower spending on alcohol, food at home, transportation and entertainment (p<0.001).

Conclusions

Households that quit tobacco spend less in areas that enable or complement their tobacco cessation, most of which may be motivated by financial strain. The most robust association between tobacco cessation and spending was the significantly lower spending on alcohol.
A relativistic two-fluid model of compact stars
Authors: Chakraborty Koushik , Rahaman Farook , Mallick Arkopriya
Published: March 2017

We propose a relativistic model of compact star admitting conformal symmetry. Quark matter and baryonic matter which are considered as two different fluids, constitute the star. We define interaction equations between the normal baryonic matter and the quark matter and study the physical situations for repulsive, attractive and zero interaction between the constituent matters. The measured value of the Bag constant is used to explore the spacetime geometry inside the star. From the observed values of the masses of some compact objects, we have obtained theoretical values of the radii. Theoretical values of the radii match well with the previous predictions for such compact objects.
Quark–gluon plasma and topological quantum field theory
Authors: Luo M. J.
Published: March 2017

Based on an analogy with topologically ordered new state of matter in condensed matter systems, we propose a low energy effective field theory for a parity conserving liquid-like quark–gluon plasma (QGP) around critical temperature in quantum chromodynamics (QCD) system. It shows that below a QCD gap which is expected several times of the critical temperature, the QGP behaves like topological fluid. Many exotic phenomena of QGP near the critical temperature discovered at Relativistic Heavy Ion Collision (RHIC) are more readily understood by the suggestion that QGP is a topologically ordered state.
Thin-shell wormholes in (2 + 1)-dimensional Einstein-scalar theory
Authors: Mazharimousavi S. Habib , Amirabi Z. , Halilsoy M.
Published: March 2017

We present an infinite class of one-parameter scalar field extensions to the Bañados, Teitelboim and Zanelli (BTZ) black hole in 2 + 1 dimensions. By virtue of the scalar charge, the thin-shell wormhole supported by a linear fluid at the throat becomes stable against linear perturbations. More interestingly, we provide an example of thin-shell wormhole which is strictly stable in the sense that it is confined in between two classically intransmissible potential barriers.
Sensitivity to High Frequency Communication Sounds in the Inner Ear Enhanced by Selective Attention: Preliminary Findings in Mongolian Gerbils
Authors: Nakayama Ayako , Riquimaroux Hiroshi
Published: March 2017

Audible range for Mongolian gerbils overlaps well with one for humans. This is one of the reasons why they have been used for auditory studies. So, most of studies on gerbils have been in human audible frequency range. They live in a group and use a variety of vocalizations for their conspecific communication. Roughly 80% of the fundamental frequencies of their communication calls are found in the frequency range above 20[Formula: see text]kHz. However, thresholds for frequencies above 20[Formula: see text]kHz have been reported higher than those for low frequencies (from 1[Formula: see text]kHz to 16[Formula: see text]kHz) by as much as 20[Formula: see text]dB. We examined how gerbils utilize ultrasonic frequency range for their important vocal communication. Findings from alert animals with paired condition showed the cochlear microphonics (CM) were amplified by 2–4[Formula: see text]dB with ultrasonic communication calls of low sound pressure levels (from 45[Formula: see text]dB to 60[Formula: see text]dB p.e. SPL), while no enhancement was observed with the same calls higher than 65[Formula: see text]dB p.e. SPL. Findings also suggested that CM responses to tone burst higher than 25[Formula: see text]kHz demonstrated magnified amplitude under the paired condition. Data strongly imply that attention to conspecifics would increase sensitivity to ultrasonic frequency range.
Unsupervised Acoustic Analysis of the Vocal Repertoire of the Gray-Shanked Douc Langur (Pygathrix cinerea)
Authors: Riondato Isidoro , Cissello Emanuele , Papale Elena , Friard Olivier , Gamba Marco , Giacoma Cristina
Published: March 2017

Unsupervised analyses of nonhuman vocal repertoires are important not only because they allow decoding species-specific displays, but also to understand the evolution of communication signals, which need objective quantitative investigations. We recorded more than 1000 vocalizations emitted by captive gray-shanked douc langur (Pygathrix cinerea). Putative vocal categories were first identified by their overall acoustic structure, considering duration and spectral properties. We processed each call using an automatic pairwise Dynamic Time Warping comparison, limiting the use of a priori assumptions. We then performed a cluster analysis that indicated the presence of 25 clusters, which we then labeled to seven vocal types according to spectrographic information.
The Research of the Characteristics of the Ocean Ambient Noise Under Varying Environment
Authors: Zhang Qianchu , Guo Xinyi , Ma Li
Published: March 2017

The parabolic equation approximation method is applied to build the model of the vertical spatial correlation and vertical directivity characteristics of ocean ambient noise under varying environment. The random noise sources which have the same intensity are represented by uncorrelated monopoles distributed uniformly over an infinite plane located a certain depth below the sea surface. The spatial properties of noise field are analyzed under the varying ocean environments which are the slope, seamount and varying sound speed profiles. According to the results of simulation, the varying environment changes the propagating paths of noise, so the spatial properties (correlation and directionality) of the noise field change. When the remote noise intensity increases, the noise intensity in low grazing angle and the vertical correlations of nose field become stronger. At last, the experiment’s results support the results of simulation.
Martingale-coboundary representation for stationary random fields
Authors: Volný Dalibor
Published: March 2017

We prove a martingale-coboundary representation for random fields with a completely commuting filtration. For random variables in [Formula: see text], we present a necessary and sufficient condition which is a generalization of Heyde’s condition for one-dimensional processes from 1975. For [Formula: see text] spaces with [Formula: see text] we give a necessary and sufficient condition which extends Volný’s result from 1993 to random fields and improves condition of El Machkouri and Giraudo from 2016. A new sufficient condition is presented which for dimension one improves Gordin’s condition from 1969. In application, new weak invariance principle and estimates of large deviations are found.
Photophysical and nonlinear optical study of benzothiazole substituted phthalocyanines in solution and thin films
Authors: Nwaji Njemuwa , Bankole Owolabi M. , Britton Jonathan , Nyokong Tebello
Published: March 2017

In this study, the photophysical, nonlinear absorption and nonlinear optical limiting properties of zinc and gallium phthalocyanine complexes: tetrakis[(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl phenoxy)phthalocyaninato]zinc(II) (3), tetrakis[(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl phenoxy)phthalocyaninato] gallium(III) chloride (4), tetrakis[(benzo[d]thiazol-2-ylthio)phthalocyaninato] zinc(II) (5), tetrakis[(benzo[d]thiazol-2-ylthio)phthalocyaninato] gallium(III) chloride (6), were investigated both in solution and when embedded in polystyrene thin films using 532 nm laser excitation at 10 ns pulses. It was also observed that complexes that have higher triplet state absorption also possessed enhanced nonlinear and optical limiting behavior. Superior optical performance was observed when the complexes were embedded in thin films compared to when they are in solution. Complex 6 in thin films gave the highest imaginary third-order susceptibility (I[Formula: see text][X[Formula: see text]]) and hyperpolarizability ([Formula: see text] at 4.61 × 10[Formula: see text] esu and 3.44 × 10[Formula: see text] esu, respectively, with a low I[Formula: see text] value of 0.06 J.cm[Formula: see text]
Charged and confused: Meso-tetrakis(p-methoxycarbonyl-phenyl) N-confused porphyrin as a precursor to water soluble variants
Authors: Shaw Janet L. , Doble Samantha J. , Stewart James , Nemykin Victor N.
Published: March 2017

A metal-free meso-tetrakis([Formula: see text]-methoxycarbonylphenyl) N-confused porphyrin (1) was prepared as the precursor for water-soluble derivatives by the reaction between pyrrole, methyl-4-formylbenzoate, and MSA. Tautomeric behavior of the porphyrin 1 in polar and non-polar solvents was probed by [Formula: see text]H NMR, UV-vis, MCD, steady-state fluorescence, and high-resolution ESI methods and was found to be similar to the previously reported metal-free N-confused porphyrins. The electronic structure and the nature of the excited states in 1 were correlated with the results obtained by density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TDDFT) calculations.
Assistive Robot, RGB-D Sensor and Graphical User Interface to Encourage Communication Skills in ASD Population
Authors: Palestra Giuseppe , Cazzato Dario , Adamo Francesco , Bortone Ilaria , Distante Cosimo
Published: March 2017

The main feature of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) is the difficulty in communicating with others and struggling to maintain a functional contact with the environment. This work presents the implementation of a Graphical User Interface (GUI) for Digital PECS Therapy that will enable ASD population to overcome their impairments. The GUI was integrated with a depth sensor, to recognize hand gestures of autistic subjects, a monitor, where specific tools have been displayed, and a humanoid robot (Aldebaran Robotics NAO), used as a medium that will allow people with ASD to communicate their needs. Subjects can select the displayed pictures they want with hand movements, and the robot pronounces the represented objects. The system has been validated during therapeutic sessions with autistic subjects and the results are here reported and discussed supporting the idea that the presence of the robot helps to elicit triadic interactions in ASD.
Trading in the Twenty-First Century: Is There a Role for the World Trade Organization?
Authors: Goldstein Judith
Published: March 2017

As the World Trade Organization (WTO) begins its third decade, its future is uncertain. The initial expectation that the WTO would be the fulcrum for future international trade agreements has not been met. At best, its tenure has had mixed results. This review addresses the political consequences of WTO membership, focusing on the rules and norms of the regime and why they have become less functional over time; looks at the effectiveness of the WTO and the dispute settlement system in encouraging trade and compliance with agreements; and offers some general thoughts on the impact of shifting mass opinion on the virtue of trade agreements and other stumbling blocks the WTO faces.
Inhibition of Smooth Muscle β-Catenin Hinders Neointima Formation After Vascular Injury
Authors: Riascos-Bernal Dario F. , Chinnasamy Prameladevi , Gross Jordana N. , Almonte Vanessa , Egaña-Gorroño Lander , Parikh Dippal , Jayakumar Smitha , Guo Liang , Sibinga Nicholas E.S.
Published: March 2017

Objective—

Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) contribute to neointima formation after vascular injury. Although β-catenin expression is induced after injury, whether its function is essential in SMCs for neointimal growth is unknown. Moreover, although inhibitors of β-catenin have been developed, their effects on SMC growth have not been tested. We assessed the requirement for SMC β-catenin in short-term vascular homeostasis and in response to arterial injury and investigated the effects of β-catenin inhibitors on vascular SMC growth.

Approach and Results—

We used an inducible, conditional genetic deletion of β-catenin in SMCs of adult mice. Uninjured arteries from adult mice lacking SMC β-catenin were indistinguishable from controls in terms of structure and SMC marker gene expression. After carotid artery ligation, however, vessels from mice lacking SMC β-catenin developed smaller neointimas, with lower neointimal cell proliferation and increased apoptosis. SMCs lacking β-catenin showed decreased mRNA expression of
Mmp2
,
Mmp9
,
Sphk1
, and
S1pr1
(genes that promote neointima formation), higher levels of
Jag1
and
Gja1
(genes that inhibit neointima formation), decreased Mmp2 protein expression and secretion, and reduced cell invasion in vitro. Moreover, β-catenin inhibitors PKF118-310 and ICG-001 limited growth of mouse and human vascular SMCs in a dose-dependent manner.

Conclusions—

SMC β-catenin is dispensable for maintenance of the structure and state of differentiation of uninjured adult arteries, but is required for neointima formation after vascular injury. Pharmacological β-catenin inhibitors hinder growth of human vascular SMCs. Thus, inhibiting β-catenin has potential as a therapy to limit SMC accumulation and vascular obstruction.
STING–IRF3 Triggers Endothelial Inflammation in Response to Free Fatty Acid-Induced Mitochondrial Damage in Diet-Induced Obesity
Authors: Mao Yun , Luo Wei , Zhang Lin , Wu Weiwei , Yuan Liangshuai , Xu Hao , Song Juhee , Fujiwara Keigi , Abe Jun-ichi , LeMaire Scott A. , Wang Xing Li , Shen Ying H.
Published: March 2017

Objective—

Metabolic stress in obesity induces endothelial inflammation and activation, which initiates adipose tissue inflammation, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular diseases. However, the mechanisms underlying endothelial inflammation induction are not completely understood. Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is an important molecule in immunity and inflammation. In the present study, we sought to determine the role of STING in palmitic acid–induced endothelial activation/inflammation.

Approach and Results—

In cultured endothelial cells, palmitic acid treatment activated STING, as indicated by its perinuclear translocation and binding to interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), leading to IRF3 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation. The activated IRF3 bound to the promoter of ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule 1) and induced ICAM-1 expression and monocyte–endothelial cell adhesion. When analyzing the upstream signaling, we found that palmitic acid activated STING by inducing mitochondrial damage. Palmitic acid treatment caused mitochondrial damage and leakage of mitochondrial DNA into the cytosol. Through the cytosolic DNA sensor cGAS (cyclic GMP-AMP synthase), the mitochondrial damage and leaked cytosolic mitochondrial DNA activated the STING–IRF3 pathway and increased ICAM-1 expression. In mice with diet-induced obesity, the STING–IRF3 pathway was activated in adipose tissue. However, STING deficiency (
Sting

gt/gt

) partially prevented diet-induced adipose tissue inflammation, obesity, insulin resistance, and glucose intolerance.

Conclusions—

The mitochondrial damage-cGAS–STING–IRF3 pathway is critically involved in metabolic stress–induced endothelial inflammation. STING may be a potential therapeutic target for preventing cardiovascular diseases and insulin resistance in obese individuals.
Pregnancy and the Risk of Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection
Authors: Havakuk Ofer , Goland Sorel , Mehra Anil , Elkayam Uri
Published: March 2017

Background—

Because of the rarity of this condition, information on pregnancy-associated spontaneous coronary artery dissection is limited. We reviewed a large number of contemporary pregnancy-associated spontaneous coronary artery dissection cases in an attempt to define the clinical characteristics and provide management recommendations.

Methods and Results—

A literature search for cases of pregnancy-associated spontaneous coronary artery dissection reported between 2000 and 2015 included 120 cases; 75% presented with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction, and 80% had anterior myocardial infarction. Left anterior descending coronary artery was involved in 72% of cases, left main segment in 36%, and 40% had multivessel spontaneous coronary artery dissection. Ejection fraction was reduced to <40% in 44% of cases. Percutaneous coronary intervention was successful in only 50% of cases. Coronary artery bypass surgery was performed in 44 cases because of complex anatomy, hemodynamic instability, or failed percutaneous coronary intervention. Maternal complications included cardiogenic shock (24%), mechanical support (28%), urgent percutaneous coronary intervention (28%), urgent coronary artery bypass surgery (27.5%), maternal mortality (4%), and fetal mortality (2.5%). During follow-up for 305±111 days, there was a high incidence of symptoms because of persistent or new spontaneous coronary artery dissections, and 5 women needed heart transplantation or ventricular assist device implantation.

Conclusions—

Pregnancy-associated spontaneous coronary artery dissection is commonly associated with left anterior descending, left main, and multivessel involvement, which leads to a high incidence of reduced ejection fraction, and life-threatening maternal and fetal complications. Percutaneous coronary intervention is associated with low success rate and high likelihood of complications, and coronary artery bypass surgery is often required. Recurrent ischemic events because of persistent or new spontaneous coronary artery dissection are common during long-term follow-up.
Lower Circulating Folate Induced by a Fidgetin Intronic Variant Is Associated With Reduced Congenital Heart Disease Susceptibility
Authors: Wang Dan , Wang Feng , Shi Kai-Hu , Tao Hui , Li Yang , Zhao Rui , Lu Han , Duan Wenyuan , Qiao Bin , Zhao Shi-Min , Wang Hongyan , Zhao Jian-Yuan
Published: March 2017

Background:

Folate deficiency is an independent risk factor for congenital heart disease (CHD); however, the maternal plasma folate level is paradoxically not a good diagnostic marker. Genome-wide surveys have identified variants of nonfolate metabolic genes associated with the plasma folate level, suggesting that these genetic polymorphisms are potential risk factors for CHD.

Methods:

To examine the effects of folate concentration-related variations on CHD risk in the Han Chinese population, we performed 3 independent case-control studies including a total of 1489 patients with CHD and 1745 control subjects. The expression of the Fidgetin (FIGN) was detected in human cardiovascular and decidua tissue specimens with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. The molecular mechanisms were investigated by luciferase reporter assays, surface plasmon resonance, and chromatin immunoprecipitation. FIGN-interacting proteins were confirmed by tandem affinity purification and coimmunoprecipitation. Proteasome activity and metabolite concentrations in the folate pathway were quantified with a commercial proteasome activity assay and immunoassays, respectively.

Results:

The +94762G>C (rs2119289) variant in intron 4 of the
FIGN
gene was associated with significant reduction in CHD susceptibility (
P
=5.1×10
−14
for the allele,
P
=8.5×10
–−13
for the genotype). Analysis of combined samples indicated that CHD risks in individuals carrying heterozygous (GC) or homozygous (CC) genotypes were reduced by 44% (odds ratio [OR]=0.56; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.47–0.67) and 66% (OR=0.34; 95% CI=0.23–0.50), respectively, compared with those with the major GG genotype. Minor C allele carriers who had decreased plasma folate levels exhibited significantly increased
FIGN
expression because the transcription suppressor CREB1 did not bind the alternative promoter of
FIGN
isoform X3. Mechanistically, increased FIGN expression led to the accumulation of both reduced folate carrier 1 and dihydrofolate reductase via inhibition of their proteasomal degradation, which promoted folate absorption and metabolism.

Conclusions:

We report a previously undocumented finding that decreased circulating folate levels induced by increased folate transmembrane transport and utilization, as determined by the
FIGN
intronic variant, serves as a protective mechanism against CHD. Our results may explain why circulating folate levels do not have a good diagnostic value.
Pope Francis and Degrowth: A Possible Dialogue for a Post-Capitalist Alternative
Authors: Puggioni Roberto
Published: March 2017

The recent social encyclical Laudato Si’ (2015) by Pope Francis, contains insightful considerations regarding the present ecological and economic crisis and it calls for an urgent and radical change in people’s lifestyles. Degrowth is an emergent social, political, and economic movement that praises the end of a growth-based society. Somehow, it seems that the ideas of degrowth have been not enough seriously considered by political and economic circles, and by religiously inspired social doctrines. This paper argues that the two, Francis’ text and degrowth’s principles, share some relevant points and they can be allied in prospecting and making effective a paradigmatic change in today’s socio-economic setting. After presenting degrowth’s main ideas, Francis’ text will be analyzed, for then summarizing the results of the analyses in the concluding part.
The Points and Tasks of Public Theology
Authors: Youn Chul Ho
Published: March 2017

The subject of this study is the points and tasks of public theology. First, this study makes an introduction about the definitions of public theology. Second, it clarifies that the theological ground of public theology is offered by the Kingdom of God proclaimed and practiced by Jesus Christ and the universality of divine reality. Third, it explains how public theology is distinguished from civil religion, political theology, and liberation theology. Fourth, it discusses the methodology of public theology. Fifth, it argues that the publicness of public theology is to be found between privatization and politicization. Sixth, it introduces Volf’s concepts of ‘internal difference’ and ‘religious political pluralism’ which he proposes as an alternative strategy against both secularist exclusion and totalitarian intervention. Seventh, it envisions the way toward which public theology is to be directed in the contemporary context of globalization. And finally, as a conclusion, it suggests the points and tasks of public theology in terms of four points of view, especially including the one reflecting Korean context.
Placing Business Ethics in Contextual Theological Education
Authors: Wijaya Yahya
Published: March 2017

This study focuses on the relevance of business ethics for contextual theological education in Asia particularly with the background of Protestant traditions. There are professional reasons why business ethics could be worth offering to students who are in preparation to become pastors and prospective church leaders as well as those who are already in those positions. With an area of theological study, such as biblical studies, systematic theology, practical theology, or contextual theology and religious studies, selected as entry point, business ethics learning could be fittingly placed in theological education. Ethical issues which have been widely discussed both in the theological forum and that of business studies are worth developing as key topics of theological business ethics.
Hrakʿotperož and Spandaranperož: Armenian Gawaṙs and Sasanian Šahrs
Authors: Jam Pedram
Published: March 2017

This paper tries to add more geographical details about two cantons of the Armenian Pʿaytakaran region as described in Ašxarhacʿoycʿ: Hrakʿotperož and Spandaranperož. These two cantons find their original Middle Persian names in sigillographic or literary (Middle and New Persian, and occasionally Arabic) sources. Pʿaytakaran, regarded as a region once belonging to the greater Armenia, was already under Iranian dominion and subject to Sasanian policy and its administrative reforms.
Recent Studies on Pashto
Authors: De Chiara Matteo
Published: March 2017

The article examines the three recent publications on Pashto—a Pashto-French dictionary, a manual of Pashto, and a descriptive grammar of this language. The author tries to analyse in detail many aspects of phonology and grammar of Pashto when presenting these works.
An Early European Critic of Hobbes’s De Corpore
Authors: Clucas Stephen
Published: March 2017

The Animadversiones in Elementorum Philosophiae by a little known Flemish scholar G. Moranus, published in Brussels in 1655 was an early European response to Hobbes’s De Corpore. Although it is has been referred to by various Hobbes scholars, such as Noel Malcolm, Doug Jesseph, and Alexander Bird it has been little studied. Previous scholarship has tended to focus on the mathematical criticisms of André Tacquet which Moranus included in the form of a letter in his volume. Moranus’s philosophical objections to Hobbes’s natural philosophy offer a fascinating picture of the critical reception of Hobbes’s work by a religious writer trained in the late Scholastic tradition. Moranus’s opening criticism clearly shows that he is unhappy with Hobbes’s exclusion of the divine and the immaterial from natural philosophy. He asks what authority Hobbes has for breaking with the common understanding of philosophy, as defined by Cicero ‘the knowledge of things human and divine’. He also offers natural philosophical and theological criticisms of Hobbes for overlooking the generation of things involved in the Creation. He also attacks the natural philosophical underpinning of Hobbes’s civil philosophy. In this paper I look at a number of philosophical topics which Moranus criticised in Hobbes’s work, including his mechanical psychology, his theory of imaginary space, his use of the concept of accidents, his blurring of the distinction between the human being and the animal, and his theories of motion. Moranus’s criticisms, which are a mixture of philosophical and theological objections, gives us some clear indications of what made Hobbes’ natural philosophy controversial amongst his contemporaries, and sheds new light on the early continental reception of Hobbes’s work.
Natural Philosophy, Deduction, and Geometry in the Hobbes-Boyle Debate
Authors: Adams Marcus P.
Published: March 2017

This paper examines Hobbes’s criticisms of Robert Boyle’s air-pump experiments in light of Hobbes’s account in De Corpore and De Homine of the relationship of natural philosophy to geometry. I argue that Hobbes’s criticisms rely upon his understanding of what counts as “true physics.” Instead of seeing Hobbes as defending natural philosophy as “a causal enterprise … [that] as such, secured total and irrevocable assent,”
1
I argue that, in his disagreement with Boyle, Hobbes relied upon his understanding of natural philosophy as a mixed mathematical science. In a mixed mathematical science one can mix facts from experience (the ‘that’) with causal principles borrowed from geometry (the ‘why’). Hobbes’s harsh criticisms of Boyle’s philosophy, especially in the Dialogus Physicus, sive De natura aeris (1661; hereafter Dialogus Physicus), should thus be understood as Hobbes advancing his view of the proper relationship of natural philosophy to geometry in terms of mixing principles from geometry with facts from experience. Understood in this light, Hobbes need not be taken to reject or diminish the importance of experiment/experience; nor should Hobbes’s criticisms in Dialogus Physicus be understood as rejecting experimenting as ignoble and not befitting a philosopher. Instead, Hobbes’s viewpoint is that experiment/experience must be understood within its proper place – it establishes the ‘that’ for a mixed mathematical science explanation.
Typification of Hyobanche sanguinea (Orobanchaceae) and the identity of Hyobanche calvescens and Hyobanche glabrata
Authors: WOLFE ANDREA D.
Published: March 2017

Hyobanche sanguinea (Orobanchaceae) is a member of a small genus of holoparasitic plants endemic to southern Africa. The description by Linnaeus in 1771 did not include a designated holotype, and no such material has been located in the Linnaean herbaria housed in London or Uppsala. After studying the Linnaean collection of Hyobanche specimens, and researching the history of botany in South Africa, a lectotype is here designated, and an epitype from the Cape Peninsula assigned. In addition, a study of type specimens for H. calvescens, H. glabrata, and H. rubra reveals that the type specimens for H. calvescens and H. glabrata fall within the circumscription of H. rubra, resulting in synonymization of both names.
A new nomenclatural combination in Schoenoplectiella (Cyperaceae)
Authors: DANYLYK IVAN M. , OLSHANSKYI IGOR G. , ZHYGALOVA SVITLANA L.
Published: March 2017

The genus Schoenoplectiella Lye (2003: 20) (Cyperaceae) was recently established to accommodate species earlier usually placed in Schoenoplectus (Reichenbach, 1846: 40) Palla (1888: 49) or Scirpus Linnaeus (1753: 47). As currently circumscribed, this genus contains about 50 species (Lye 2003, Kim et al. 2012, Govaerts et al. 2016). Recent molecular phylogenetic studies (Jung & Choi 2011a, 2011b, Shiels et al. 2014) demonstrated that Schoenoplectiella is a sister group to Schoenoplectus sensu stricto.
Micromorphological studies of leaf epidermal features in populations of maples (Acer L.) from Iran
Authors: MOHTASHAMIAN MOJGANSADAT , ATTAR FARIDEH , KAVOUSI KAVEH , MASOUDI-NEJAD ALI
Published: March 2017

As the largest genus of broad leaved deciduous trees, Acer L. contains about 126 species distributed in the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. With eight native species in Iran, maples are among the most important tree species in the country. Micromorphological traits of 39 populations of Iranian native species indicated the value of leaf epidermal characteristics in identification and classification of maples. A number of epidermal morphological features of the abaxial surface were investigated using LM and SEM images. The occurrence of stomata in clusters is reported for the first time in Acer. The shape of the epidermal cells, anticlinal cell wall patterns, type of indumentum, and epicuticular waxes were the most significant variables in this study. The ability of quantitative and qualitative variables in segregating the studied taxa was evaluated by statistical methods, including PCA, MCA and Non-parametric analyses.
Rediscovery and reinstatement of Heracleum amanum (Apiaceae) based on morphological and carpological data
Authors: GUZEL YELDA , KAYIKÇI SAMIM
Published: March 2017

Heracleum amanum was only known so far from the material collected in the Amanos Mountains, near Belen (southern Turkey) in 1862 by C.G.T. Kotschy, which was referred to in the protologue. This taxon was considered a mere variant of H. crenatifolium in Flora of Turkey, and apparently it had never been collected again. In the present contribution, the rediscovery of H. amanum is reported about 150 years after the first publication of the name, and recent gatherings are compared to samples of H. crenatifolium on the basis of carpological and morphological data. As a result of the investigations carried out, H. amanum and H. crenatifolium are suggested here to be treated as separate species, both endemic to Turkey. Distribution and habitat data, as well as their conservation status, are assessed for each one.
Aubrieta alshehbazii (Brassicaceae), a new species from Central Turkey
Authors: DÖNMEZ ALİ A. , AYDIN ZÜBEYDE UĞURLU , KOCH MARCUS A.
Published: March 2017

Aubrieta alshehbazii is described as a new species that was collected from rocky steppe of Central Turkey. The new species is sympatric and most similar to A. pinardii, but differs by leaf shape, leaf margin, petiole, indumentum and inflorescence. A detailed morphological description, figures and comparisons with potentially closely allied species are provided herein. The new species is assigned to CR threat category of the IUCN. Beside this, due to further studies on type material of various Aubrieta taxa, A. anamasica is proposed as a new synonym of A. pinardii
Taxonomic re-evaluation of some Gelidocalamus (Poaceae: Bambusoideae) taxa from Southeast China
Authors: LIU YUGUANG , LI WEIJIAN , TANG MING , YANG GUANGYAO , ZHANG WENGEN
Published: March 2017

In the present study, we employed a classical taxonomic analysis of micromorphological characters of the leaf epidermis to reassess the taxonomy of four Gelidocalamus taxa, a genus of woody bamboos endemic to China. We propose that G. subsolidus is distinct from G. tessellatus, and G. albopubescens should be placed in synonymy under G. subsolidus. A formal taxonomic treatment is presented, including description, comments, illustrations, a distribution map, and SEM images of the abaxial leaf epidermis.
Random Forest-Based Evaluation of Raman Spectroscopy for Dengue Fever Analysis
Authors: Khan Saranjam , Ullah Rahat , Khan Asifullah , Sohail Anabia , Wahab Noorul , Bilal Muhammad , Ahmed Mushtaq
Published: March 2017

This work presents the evaluation of Raman spectroscopy using random forest (RF) for the analysis of dengue fever in the infected human sera. A total of 100 dengue suspected blood samples, collected from Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, have been used in this study. Out of these samples, 45 were dengue-positive based on immunoglobulin M (IgM) capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests. For highlighting the spectral differences between normal and infected samples, an effective machine learning system is developed that automatically learns the pattern of the shift in spectrum for the dengue compared to normal cases and thus is able to predict the unknown class based on the known example. In this connection, dimensionality reduction has been performed with the principal component analysis (PCA), while RF is used for automatic classification of dengue samples. For the determination of diagnostic capabilities of Raman spectroscopy based on RF, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy have been calculated in comparison to normally performed IgM capture ELISA. According to the experiment, accuracy of 91%, sensitivity of 91%, and specificity of 91% were achieved for the proposed RF-based model.
The Gut Microbiome, Obesity, and Weight Control in Women’s Reproductive Health
Authors: Greathouse K. Leigh , Faucher Mary Ann , Hastings-Tolsma Marie
Published: March 2017

The microbes residing in the human gut, referred to as the microbiome, are intricately linked to energy homeostasis and subsequently obesity. Integral to the origins of obesity, the microbiome is believed to affect not only health of the human gut but also overall health. This microbiome–obesity association is mediated through the process of energy extraction, metabolism, and cross talk between the brain and the gut microbiome. Host exposures, including diet, that potentially modify genetic predisposition to obesity and affect weight management are reviewed. The higher prevalence of obesity among women and recent evidence linking obesity during pregnancy with offspring health make this topic particularly relevant. Current limitations in microbiome research to address obesity and future advances in this field are described. Applications of this science with respect to applied nursing and overall health care in general are included, with emphasis on the reproductive health of women and their offspring.
Neural stem cell transplantation in ischemic stroke: A role for preconditioning and cellular engineering
Authors: Bernstock Joshua D , Peruzzotti-Jametti Luca , Ye Daniel , Gessler Florian A , Maric Dragan , Vicario Nunzio , Lee Yang-Ja , Pluchino Stefano , Hallenbeck John M
Published: March 2017

Ischemic stroke continues to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. To protect and/or repair the ischemic brain, a multitiered approach may be centered on neural stem cell (NSC) transplantation. Transplanted NSCs exert beneficial effects not only via structural replacement, but also via immunomodulatory and/or neurotrophic actions. Unfortunately, the clinical translation of such promising therapies remains elusive, in part due to their limited persistence/survivability within the hostile ischemic microenvironment. Herein, we discuss current approaches for the development of NSCs more amenable to survival within the ischemic brain as a tool for future cellular therapies in stroke.