bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Subject Age, Gender, and Arch Length on Attitudes of Syrian Dentists towards Shortened Dental Arches
Authors: Nassani Mohammad Zakaria , Al-Nahhal Tammam Ibrahim , Kujan Omar , Tarakji Bassel , Kay Elizabeth Jane
Published: July 2015

Objective. This study aimed to investigate the impact of subject age, gender, and arch length on dentists’ attitudes towards unrestored shortened dental arches.Materials and Methods. 93 Syrian dentists were interviewed and presented with 24 scenarios for male and female subjects of different ages and shortened dental arches of varying length. Participants were asked to indicate on a standardized visual analogue scale how they would value the health of the mouth if the posterior space was left unrestored.Results. A value of 0.0 represented the worst possible health state for a mouth and 1.0 represented the best. The highest mean value (0.73) was assigned to a shortened dental arch with missing second molar teeth in the mouth of a 70-year-old subject. A 35-year-old female subject with an extremely shortened dental arch (all molar and premolar teeth are missing) attracted the lowest mean value (0.26). The statistical analysis indicated a significant decrease in the value placed on unrestored shortened dental arches as the number of remaining teeth decreased (p<0.008). While subject gender had almost no impact on dentists’ attitudes towards shortened dental arches, the scenarios for the older shortened dental arch subjects attracted significantly higher values compared to the scenarios for the younger subjects (p<0.017).Conclusion. Subject age and arch length affect dentists’ attitudes towards shortened dental arches, but subject gender does not.
“Nodal Gap” Induced by the Incommensurate Diagonal Spin Density Modulation in Underdoped High-TcSuperconductors
Authors: Zhou Tao , Gao Yi , Zhu Jian-Xin
Published: July 2015

Recently it was revealed that the whole Fermi surface is fully gapped for several families of underdoped cuprates. The existence of the finite energy gap along thed-wave nodal lines (nodal gap) contrasts the common understanding of thed-wave pairing symmetry, which challenges the present theories for the high-Tcsuperconductors. Here we propose that the incommensurate diagonal spin-density-wave order can account for the above experimental observation. The Fermi surface and the local density of states are also studied. Our results are in good agreement with many important experiments in high-Tcsuperconductors.
Comparison of Volatile Components between Raw and Vinegar Baked Radix Bupleuri by GC-MS Based Metabolic Fingerprinting Approach
Authors: Xing Jie , Sun Hui-Min , Li Zhen-Yu , Qin Xue-Mei
Published: July 2015

Radix Bupleuri (RB), also named Chaihu in Chinese, is a commonly used herbal drug in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and the processing of RB with vinegar to prepare vinegar-baked Radix Bupleuri (VBRB) has a long history in the clinic of TCM. In the present study, GC-MS coupled with multivariate data analysis was applied to compare the volatile components between crude and two vinegar processed RBs. After vinegar baking, the oil yields were decreased significantly, and the chemical compositions were also changed greatly. The chemical changes included the disappearance or appearance, as well as the content increase or decrease of some volatile compounds. The oil yields of two different VBRBs showed no significant difference but differed markedly in their chemical compositions, suggesting that the type of vinegar exerted great impacts on the vinegar-baking process. Thus, the effect of different vinegars on processing should be further investigated to ensure the therapeutic effect and safety of VBRB in clinic.
Intake of Novel Red Clover Supplementation for 12 Weeks Improves Bone Status in Healthy Menopausal Women
Authors: Thorup Anne Cathrine , Lambert Max Norman , Kahr Henriette Strøm , Bjerre Mette , Jeppesen Per Bendix
Published: July 2015

Objective. To investigate the effect by which daily consumption of a novel red clover (RC) extract influences bone health, inflammatory status, and cardiovascular health in healthy menopausal women.Design. A 12-week randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial involving 60 menopausal women receiving a daily dose of 150 mL RC extract containing 37.1 mg isoflavones (33.8 mg as aglycones) or placebo.Methods. Bone parameters were changes in bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), andT-score at the lumbar spine and femoral neck. Bone turnover (CTx) and inflammatory markers were measured in plasma and finally blood pressure (BP) was evaluated.Results. RC extract had positive effect on bone health, and only the women receiving the placebo experienced a decline in BMD (p<0.01) at the lumbar spine.T-score at the lumbar spine only decreased in the placebo group (p<0.01). CTx decreased in the RC group with −9.94 (±4.93)%, although not significant.Conclusion. Daily consumption of RC extract over a 12-week period was found to have a beneficial effect on bone health in menopausal women based on BMD andT-score at the lumbar spine and plasma CTx levels. No changes in BP or inflammation markers were found and no side effects were observed.
16 Y/O Female with “Watermelon Stomach”?
Authors: Singh Amandeep , Khan Anwaar A. , Krall Robert , Mirza Zafar K.
Published: July 2015

Background.Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) also known as “watermelon stomach” (WS) is an uncommon cause of gastrointestinal (GI) blood loss. It typically presents in middle aged females. We are presenting a case of GAVE at an unusually early age with atypical symptoms.Case.A previously healthy 16 y/o Caucasian female presented to the ER with a one-month history of upper abdominal pain. Physical examination was benign except tenderness in the epigastric region. There were no significant findings on laboratory data. Upper endoscopy showed incidental findings of linear striae in the antrum indicative of GAVE but histology was equivocal.Discussion.GAVE is a poorly understood but treatable entity and an increasingly identifiable cause of chronic iron deficiency anemia or acute or occult upper GI bleeding. The pathophysiology of GAVE remains unclear. It is an endoscopic finding characterized by longitudinal columns of tortuous red ectatic vessels (watermelon stripes), pathognomonic for WS. Treatment options include endoscopic, pharmacologic, and surgical approaches. Failure to recognize GAVE can result in delayed treatment for years. Our patient with GAVE was unusually young and was diagnosed incidentally. Due to lack of anemia on laboratory examination we elected to monitor her clinically for any future development of anemia.
Canine Gouging: A Taboo Resurfacing in Migrant Urban Population
Authors: Noman Anila Virani , Wong Ferranti , Pawar Ravikiran Ramakrishna
Published: July 2015

Cosmopolitan cities have become a pool of migrants from different parts of the world, who carry their cultural beliefs and superstitions with them around the globe. Canine gouging is a kind of infant oral mutilation (IOM) which is widely practiced among rural population of Africa where the primary tooth bud of the deciduous canine is enucleated. The belief is that the life threatening illnesses in children like vomiting, diarrhoea, and fevers are caused by worms which infest on tooth buds. This case report is of a 15-year-old Somalian born boy, who presented at the dental institute with intermittent pain in his lower right permanent canine which was associated with a discharging intra oral buccal sinus. The tooth was endodontically treated and then restored with composite. General dental practitioners need to be vigilant when encountered with tooth presenting unusual morphology, unilateral missing tooth, and shift in the midline due to early loss of deciduous/permanent canines. Identification of any such dental mutilation practice will need further counselling of the individual and family members. It is the duty of every dental professional to educate and safeguard the oral and dental health of general public.
Chaotic Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm for System Identification of a Small-Scale Unmanned Helicopter
Authors: Ding Li , Wu Hongtao , Yao Yu
Published: July 2015

The purpose of this paper is devoted to developing a chaotic artificial bee colony algorithm (CABC) for the system identification of a small-scale unmanned helicopter state-space model in hover condition. In order to avoid the premature of traditional artificial bee colony algorithm (ABC), which is stuck in local optimum and can not reach the global optimum, a novel chaotic operator with the characteristics of ergodicity and irregularity was introduced to enhance its performance. With input-output data collected from actual flight experiments, the identification results showed the superiority of CABC over the ABC and the genetic algorithm (GA). Simulations are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed algorithm and the accuracy of the identified helicopter model.
Serum GRP78 as a Tumor Marker and Its Prognostic Significance in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancers: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Ma Xiao , Guo Wei , Yang Su , Zhu Xiaoli , Xiang Jiaqing , Li Hecheng
Published: July 2015

Introduction. Glucose-regulated protein 78 (78 kDa, GRP78), which is also known as immunoglobulin heavy chain binding protein (BIP), is a major chaperone in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The expression and clinical significance of GRP78 in the serum of non-small cell lung cancer patients have not yet been clearly described. The aims of the present study were to investigate the expression of GRP78 in the serum of non-small cell lung cancer patients, the relationships with clinicopathological parameters, and the potential implications for survival.Patients and Methods. A total of 163 peripheral blood samples from non-small cell lung cancer patients were prospectively collected at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer, China. Clinical characteristics data, including age, gender, stage, overall survival (OS) time, and relapse-free survival (RFS) time, were also collected. Serum GRP78 levels were measured using a commercially available ELISA kit. The associations between GRP78 levels and clinicopathological characteristics and survival were examined using Student’st-test, Kaplan-Meier, or Cox regression analyses.Results. The mean ± standard error (SE) value of GRP78 was 326.5 ± 49.77 pg/mL. This level was significantly lower compared with the level in late-stage non-small cell lung cancer patients (1227 ± 223.6,p=0.0001). There were no significant correlations with the clinicopathological parameters. No significant difference was found between high GRP78 expression and low GRP78 expression with regard to RFS(p=0.1585). However, the OS of patients with higher GRP78 expression was significantly poorer(p=0.0334).Conclusions. GRP78 was expressed in non-small cell lung cancer patients and was highly enriched in late-stage lung cancer. GRP78 may have an important role in the carcinogenesis of non-small cell lung cancer and may be a prognostic marker for non-small cell lung cancer.
Distributed Box Particle Filtering for Target Tracking in Sensor Networks
Authors: Liu Ying , Liu Hao
Published: July 2015

Distributed target tracking is a significant technique and is widely used in many applications. Combined with the interval analysis, box particle filtering (BPF) has been proposed to solve the problem of Bayesian filtering when the uncertainties in the measurements are intervals; that is, the measurements are interval-based vectors. This paper is targeted for extending the existing BPF based on a single sensor to a distributed sensor network. We propose a distributed BPF (d-BPF) that each sensor communicates with its direct neighbors to collaboratively estimate the states of the target. The feasibility of the proposed distributed BPF is justified, and some numerical simulations are presented to show its effectiveness in target tracking.
Local Prediction of Chaotic Time Series Based on Polynomial Coefficient Autoregressive Model
Authors: Su Liyun , Li Chenlong
Published: July 2015

We apply the polynomial function to approximate the functional coefficients of the state-dependent autoregressive model for chaotic time series prediction. We present a novel local nonlinear model called local polynomial coefficient autoregressive prediction (LPP) model based on the phase space reconstruction. The LPP model can effectively fit nonlinear characteristics of chaotic time series with simple structure and have excellent one-step forecasting performance. We have also proposed a kernel LPP (KLPP) model which applies the kernel technique for the LPP model to obtain better multistep forecasting performance. The proposed models are flexible to analyze complex and multivariate nonlinear structures. Both simulated and real data examples are used for illustration.
Detection of Outliers in Panel Data of Intervention Effects Model Based on Variance of Remainder Disturbance
Authors: Lyu Yanfang
Published: July 2015

The presence of outliers can result in seriously biased parameter estimates. In order to detect outliers in panel data models, this paper presents a modeling method to assess the intervention effects based on the variance of remainder disturbance using an arbitrary strictly positive twice continuously differentiable function. This paper also provides a Lagrange Multiplier (LM) approach to detect and identify a general type of outlier. Furthermore, fixed effects models and random effects models are discussed to identify outliers and the corresponding LM test statistics are given. The LM test statistics for an individual-based model to detect outliers are given as a particular case. Finally, this paper performs an application using panel data and explains the advantages of the proposed method.
Staffing to Maximize Profit for Call Centers with Impatient and Repeat-Calling Customers
Authors: Gong Jun , Yu Miao , Tang Jiafu , Li Manru
Published: July 2015

Motivated by call center practice, we study the optimal staffing of many-server queues with impatient and repeat-calling customers. A call center is modeled as an M/M/s+M queue, which is developed to a behavioral queuing model in which customers come and go based on their satisfaction with waiting time. We explicitly take into account customer repeat behavior, which implies that satisfied customers might return and have an impact on the arrival rate. Optimality is defined as the number of agents that maximize revenues net of staffing costs, and we account for the characteristic that revenues are a direct function of staffing. Finally, we use numerical experiments to make certain comparisons with traditional models that do not consider customer repeat behavior. Furthermore, we indicate how managers might allocate staffing optimally with various customer behavior mechanisms.
Effect of the Interindividual Variability on Computational Modeling of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
Authors: Parazzini Marta , Fiocchi Serena , Liorni Ilaria , Ravazzani Paolo
Published: July 2015

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a neuromodulatory technique that delivers low intensity, direct current to cortical areas facilitating or inhibiting spontaneous neuronal activity. This paper investigates how normal variations in anatomy may affect the current flow through the brain. This was done by applying electromagnetic computational methods to human models of different age and gender and by comparing the electric field and current density amplitude distributions within the tissues. Results of this study showed that the general trend of the spatial distributions of the field amplitude shares some gross characteristics among the different human models for the same electrode montages. However, the physical dimension of the subject and his/her morphological and anatomical characteristics somehow influence the detailed field distributions such as the field values.
The Insulator to Superconductor Transition in Ga-Doped Semiconductor Ge Single Crystal Induced by the Annealing Temperature
Authors: Sun Y. B. , Di Z. F. , Hu T. , Xie X. M.
Published: July 2015

We have fabricated the heavily Ga-doped layer in Ge single crystal by the implantation and rapid thermal annealing method. The samples show a crossover from the insulating to the superconducting behavior as the annealing temperature increases. Transport measurements suggest that the superconductivity is from the heavily Ga-doped layer in Ge.
A Critical Review of Models of Perinatal Infection
Authors: Dean Justin M. , Shi Zhongjie , Fleiss Bobbi , Gunn Katherine C. , Groenendaal Floris , van Bel Frank , Derrick Matthew , Juul Sandra E. , Tan Sidhartha , Gressens Pierre , Mallard Carina , Bennet Laura , Gunn Alistair J.
Published: July 2015

One of the central, unanswered questions in perinatology is why preterm infants continue to have such poor long-term neurodevelopmental, cognitive and learning outcomes, even though severe brain injury is now rare. There is now strong clinical evidence that one factor underlying disability may be infection, as well as nonspecific inflammation, during fetal and early postnatal life. In this review, we examine the experimental evidence linking both acute and chronic infection/inflammation with perinatal brain injury and consider key experimental determinants, including the microglia response, relative brain and immune maturity and the pattern of exposure to infection. We highlight the importance of the origin and derivation of the bacterial cell wall component lipopolysaccharide. Such experimental paradigms are essential to determine the precise time course of the inflammatory reaction and to design targeted neuroprotective strategies to protect the perinatal brain from infection and inflammation.
Framework for the Integration of Genomics, Epigenomics and Transcriptomics in Complex Diseases
Authors: Pineda Silvia , Gomez-Rubio Paulina , Picornell Antonio , Bessonov Kyrylo , Márquez Mirari , Kogevinas Manolis , Real Francisco X. , Van Steen Kristel , Malats Nuria
Published: July 2015

Objectives: Different types of ‘-omics' data are becoming available in the post-genome era; still a single -omics assessment provides limited insights to understand the biological mechanism of complex diseases. Genomics, epigenomics and transcriptomics data provide insight into the molecular dysregulation of neoplastic diseases, among them urothelial bladder cancer (UBC). Here, we propose a detailed analytical framework necessary to achieve an adequate integration of the three sets of -omics data to ultimately identify previously hidden genetic mechanisms in UBC. Methods: We built a multi-staged framework to study possible pair-wise combinations and integrated the data in three-way relationships. SNP genotypes, CpG methylation levels and gene expression levels were determined for a total of 70 individuals with UBC and with fresh tumour tissue available. Results: We suggest two main hypothesis-based scenarios for gene regulation based on the -omics integration analysis, where DNA methylation affects gene expression and genetic variants co-regulate gene expression and DNA methylation. We identified several three-way trans-association ‘hotspots' that are found at the molecular level and that deserve further studies. Conclusions: The proposed integrative framework allowed us to identify relationships at the whole-genome level providing some new biological insights and highlighting the importance of integrating -omics data.
Leveraging Epidemiologic and Clinical Collections for Genomic Studies of Complex Traits
Authors: Crawford Dana C. , Goodloe Robert , Farber-Eger Eric , Boston Jonathan , Pendergrass Sarah A. , Haines Jonathan L. , Ritchie Marylyn D. , Bush William S.
Published: July 2015

Background/Aims: Present-day limited resources demand DNA and phenotyping alternatives to the traditional prospective population-based epidemiologic collections. Methods: To accelerate genomic discovery with an emphasis on diverse populations, we - as part of the Epidemiologic Architecture for Genes Linked to Environment (EAGLE) study - accessed all non-European American samples (n = 15,863) available in BioVU, the Vanderbilt University biorepository linked to de-identified electronic medical records, for genomic studies as part of the larger Population Architecture using Genomics and Epidemiology (PAGE) I study. Given previous studies have cautioned against the secondary use of clinically collected data compared with epidemiologically collected data, we present here a characterization of EAGLE BioVU, including the billing and diagnostic (ICD-9) code distributions for adult and pediatric patients as well as comparisons made for select health metrics (body mass index, glucose, HbA1c, HDL-C, LDL-C, and triglycerides) with the population-based National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) linked to DNA samples (NHANES III, n = 7,159; NHANES 1999-2002, n = 7,839). Results: Overall, the distributions of billing and diagnostic codes suggest this clinical sample is a mixture of healthy and sick patients like that expected for a contemporary American population. Conclusion: Little bias is observed among health metrics, suggesting this clinical collection is suitable for genomic studies along with traditional epidemiologic cohorts.
Development of Protective Immunity against Inactivated Iranian Isolate of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Type O/IRN/2007 Using Gamma Ray-Irradiated Vaccine on BALB/c Mice and Guinea Pigs
Authors: Motamedi-Sedeh Farahnaz , Soleimanjahi Hoorieh , Jalilian Amir Reza , Mahravani Homayoon , Shafaee Kamalodin , Sotoodeh Masood , Taherkarami Hamdolah , Jairani Faramarz
Published: July 2015

Objectives: Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) causes a highly contagious disease in cloven-hoofed animals and is the most damaging disease of livestock worldwide, leading to great economic losses. The aim of this research was the inactivation of FMDV type O/IRN/1/2007 to produce a gamma ray-irradiated (GRI) vaccine in order to immunize mice and guinea pigs. Methods: In this research, the Iranian isolated FMDV type O/IRN/1/2007 was irradiated by gamma ray to prepare an inactivated whole virus antigen and formulated as a GRI vaccine with unaltered antigenic characteristics. Immune responses against this vaccine were evaluated on mice and guinea pigs. Results: The comparison of the immune responses between the GRI vaccine and conventional vaccine did not show any significant difference in neutralizing antibody titer, memory spleen T lymphocytes or IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-2 and IL-10 concentrations (p > 0.05). In contrast, there were significant differences in all of the evaluated immune factors between the two vaccinated groups of mice and negative control mice (p < 0.05). The protective dose 50 for the conventional and GRI vaccines obtained were 6.28 and 7.07, respectively, which indicated the high potency of both vaccines. Conclusion: GRI vaccine is suitable for both routine vaccination and control of FMDV in emergency outbreaks.
A Study of a Geographical Cluster of Huntington's Disease in a Brazilian Town of Zona da Mata, Minas Gerais State
Authors: Agostinho Luciana de Andrade , da Silva Iane dos Santos , Maia Lorena Agostini , Azevedo Mariana de Almeida , Faria Távia Muniz Ribeiro de Oliveira , Apolinario Thays Andrade , Pereira Simão Pedro , Reis Rafael de Lima , dos Santos Suely Rodrigues , Paiva Carmen Lúcia Antão
Published: July 2015

Background/Aims: Our aim was to investigate a geographical cluster of Huntington's disease (HD) in Ervalia, a Brazilian town of Minas Gerais state (MG). Therefore, we calculated the minimum prevalence of HD in Ervalia, known to have many HD affected families. We also determined the genetic profile of the polymorphic CAG region of the HTT gene in 32 subjects of these affected families. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed, starting in January 2011 until June 2013. Individuals who participated in the survey were all from Ervalia town, MG. Results: The minimum prevalence rate found was 7.2/10,000 people, higher than the worldwide prevalence. Conclusion: The minimum prevalence of HD in Ervalia was at least 10.3- to 14.4-fold greater than that of the world population, although it does not represent the overall prevalence of the disease in Brazil. Certainly an expanded survey in the country will lead to a lower prevalence estimate than Ervalia's.
Identification of Allergens in the Box Jellyfish Chironex yamaguchii That Cause Sting Dermatitis
Authors: Horiike Takumi , Nagai Hiroshi , Kitani Seiichi
Published: July 2015

Background: Jellyfish stings cause painful, papular-urticarial eruptions due to the immediate allergic, acute toxic and persistent inflammatory responses. In spite of many marine accidents and their economic impact, modes of first-aid treatment remain conventional and specific allergen and medical treatment are not yet available. The purpose of this study was to define the specific allergen of the box jellyfish Chironex yamaguchii and to study the precise mechanism of the resulting dermatitis. Methods: We comprehensively studied the immunoglobulin-binding molecules from the box jellyfish C. yamaguchii with a purification procedure and Western blotting, using sera from 1 patient and from several controls. Results: From the nematocyst wall and spine, we detected IgG-binding acidic glycoprotein (of 66 and 30 kDa) as determined by Western blot and ion-exchange chromatography. In addition, the 66-kDa protein was found to be an asparagine residue-coupled N-linked glycoprotein and the epitope resided in the protein fraction. We found that CqTX-A, the major toxic protein of the nematocyst, is also a heat-stable IgE-binding allergen. This was confirmed as a 45-kDa protein by Western blot from both nematocyst extracts and purified CqTX-A. Conclusions: The detection of these proteins may, in part, explain the combined immediate allergic-toxic and persistent allergic responses. Hopefully, our findings will lead to the development of specific venom immunotherapy for marine professional workers and tourists for jellyfish-sting dermatitis and anaphylaxis.
Stethoscope Hygiene: Practice and Attitude of Medical Students
Authors: Gazibara Tatjana , Radovanovic Sanja , Maric Gorica , Rancic Biljana , Kisic-Tepavcevic Darija , Pekmezovic Tatjana
Published: July 2015

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the frequency and attitude of medical students towards cleaning their stethoscopes. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in the first week of December 2013. The study included 771 students (397 in their fourth and 374 in their sixth year) from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Serbia. An anonymous questionnaire was distributed to students before the start of compulsory lessons in classrooms. Results: 317 of the 397 fourth-year students (79.8%) and 306 of the 374 sixth-year students (81.9%) cleaned their stethoscope. The stethoscope diaphragm was most commonly cleaned, while the flexible tubing was the least commonly cleaned area, mainly using ethyl alcohol-based agents. The strongest positive attitude was observed for the statement ‘It is important that my stethoscope is clean' (4.3 out of 5.0). A positive correlation (Spearman's ρ = 0.105) was observed between a higher frequency of cleaning and the stronger positive notion that a stethoscope should be cleaned. Conclusion: A considerably high proportion of the students studied had ever cleaned their stethoscopes. Based on the students' responses, it would be useful to implement instructions on stethoscope hygiene in the regular practical curriculum with the aim of applying stethoscope disinfection in daily work.
Delineating the Mosaic Trisomy 15 Phenotype Using a Serendipitous Mechanism as a Clue
Authors: Natacci Federica , Melloni Giulia , Motta Francesca , Silipigni Rosamaria , Doniselli Fabio , Rizzuti Tommaso , Frigerio Marcello , Guerneri Silvana
Published: July 2015

Parental balanced translocation is one of the traditional indications for invasive prenatal diagnosis. Usually, the diagnostic process is straightforward. Sometimes, however, results are not entirely clear and may reveal unexpected biological processes. We performed chorionic villi sampling for a paternal 8;15 reciprocal translocation in the sixth pregnancy of a Caucasian woman. Cytogenetic analysis of chorionic villi, after both short- and long-term cultures, revealed the presence of the same rearrangement found in the father as well as a trisomy 15. Surprisingly, the trisomy, which was initially expected to derive from aberrant segregation during paternal meiosis, resulted instead from maternal nondisjunction. Although a sonogram of the fetus appeared to be normal, follow-up amniocentesis demonstrated a low-level mosaic trisomy 15 in cells extracted from the amniotic fluid, while 10% of cells from fetal tissues sampled after termination of the pregnancy were also found to be trisomic. Fetal autopsy showed dysmorphic features, confirming the diagnosis of mosaic trisomy 15 and enabled deeper insight into the prenatal phenotype of this rare condition.
Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension in the Northwest of Northern Ireland: Epidemiology and Clinical Management
Authors: McCluskey Gavin , Mulholland David A. , McCarron Peter , McCarron Mark O.
Published: July 2015

Background: There is limited literature on the epidemiology of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). The diagnosis and management of IIH require a multidisciplinary approach. We sought to study the incidence as well as prevalence of IIH and to evaluate the current management of IIH in the northwest of Northern Ireland. Methods: Medical records of patients diagnosed with IIH between 2007 and 2014 in a general hospital in Northern Ireland were reviewed. Clinical and outcome data were retrieved. Results: There were 45 patients with IIH, 44 women: 1 man. The mean age at presentation was 29.4 (SD 9.8) years and mean body mass index (BMI) 39.8 (SD 9.5) kg/ m2. All patients had neuroimaging, 44 (98%) had CT/MR venogram and 41 (91%) had visual perimetry. The crude incidence of IIH was 2.36 per 100,000 (95% CI 1.65-3.37). For women, the incidence was 4.65 per 100,000/year (95% CI 3.25-6.66). The prevalence was 14.3 per 100,000 overall (95% CI 9.72-20.9) but 28.1 per 100,000 in women (95% CI 19.2-41.2). Visual field defects were identified in 25 of 41 (61%); 4 patients (9%) required shunting procedures. At follow-up, the mean BMI decreased by 1.6 kg/m2 (p = 0.024). Conclusions: The incidence of IIH in the northwest of Northern Ireland is among the highest ever reported and probably reflects the known increase in obesity.
Distinctive Clinical Profile of Blacks Versus Whites Presenting With Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Authors: Reinier Kyndaron , Nichols Gregory A. , Huertas-Vazquez Adriana , Uy-Evanado Audrey , Teodorescu Carmen , Stecker Eric C. , Gunson Karen , Jui Jonathan , Chugh Sumeet S.
Published: July 2015

Background—

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a major contributor to mortality, but data are limited among nonwhites. Identification of differences in clinical profile based on race may provide opportunities for improved SCA prevention.

Methods and Results—

In the ongoing Oregon Sudden Unexpected Death Study (SUDS), individuals experiencing SCA in the Portland, OR, metropolitan area were identified prospectively. Patient demographics, arrest circumstances, and pre-SCA clinical profile were compared by race among cases from 2002 to 2012 (for clinical history, n=126 blacks, n=1262 whites). Incidence rates were calculated for cases from the burden assessment phase (2002–2005; n=1077). Age-adjusted rates were 2-fold higher among black men and women (175 and 90 per 100 000, respectively) compared with white men and women (84 and 40 per 100 000, respectively). Compared with whites, blacks were >6 years younger at the time of SCA and had a higher prearrest prevalence of diabetes mellitus (52% versus 33%;
P
<0.0001), hypertension (77% versus 65%;
P
=0.006), and chronic renal insufficiency (34% versus 19%;
P
<0.0001). There were no racial differences in previously documented coronary artery disease or left ventricular dysfunction, but blacks had more prevalent congestive heart failure (43% versus 34%;
P
=0.04) and left ventricular hypertrophy (77% versus 58%;
P
=0.02) and a longer QTc interval (466±36 versus 453±41 milliseconds;
P
=0.03).

Conclusions—

In this US community, the burden of SCA was significantly higher in blacks compared with whites. Blacks with SCA had a higher prearrest prevalence of risk factors beyond established coronary artery disease, providing potential targets for race-specific prevention.
Role of Chemoreceptor Activation in Hemodynamic Responses to Electrical Stimulation of the Carotid Sinus in Conscious Rats
Authors: Katayama Pedro L. , Castania Jaci A. , Dias Daniel P.M. , Patel Kaushik P. , Fazan Rubens , Salgado Helio C.
Published: July 2015

Electric carotid baroreflex activation has been used to treat patients with resistant hypertension. It is hypothesized that, in conscious rats, combined activation of carotid baro- and chemoreceptors afferences attenuates the reflex hypotension. Rats were divided into 4 groups: (1) control group, with unilateral denervation of the right carotid chemoreceptors; (2) chemoreceptor denervation group, with bilateral ligation of the carotid body artery; (3) baroreceptor denervation group, with unilateral denervation of the left carotid baroreceptors and right carotid chemoreceptors; and (4) carotid bifurcation denervation group, with denervation of the left carotid baroreceptors and chemoreceptors, plus denervation of the right carotid chemoreceptors. Animals were subjected to 4 rounds of electric stimulation (5 V, 1 ms), with 15, 30, 60, and 90 Hz applied randomly for 20 s. Electric stimulation caused greater hypotensive responses in the chemoreceptor denervation group than in the control group, at 60 Hz (−37 versus −19 mm Hg) and 90 Hz (−33 versus −19 mm Hg). The baroreceptor denervation group showed hypertensive responses at all frequencies of stimulation. In contrast, the carotid sinus denervation group showed no hemodynamic responses. The control group presented no changes in heart rate, whereas the chemoreceptor denervation group and the baroreceptor denervation group showed bradycardic responses. These data demonstrate that carotid chemoreceptor activation attenuates the reflex hypotension caused by combined electric stimulation of the carotid sinus and the carotid sinus nerve in conscious rats. These findings may provide useful insight for clinical studies using baroreflex activation therapy in resistant hypertension and heart failure.
Plasma 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D and the Risk of Developing Hypertension
Authors: van Ballegooijen Adriana J. , Gansevoort Ron T. , Lambers-Heerspink Hiddo J. , de Zeeuw Dick , Visser Marjolein , Brouwer Ingeborg A. , Kema Ido P. , de Borst Martin H. , Bakker Stephan J.L. , Joosten Michel M.
Published: July 2015

Previous observational studies on the vascular effects of vitamin D have predominantly relied on measurement of its inactive precursor, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, whereas the active metabolite 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D may be of more physiological relevance. We prospectively studied the associations of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and 25-hydroxyvitamin D with hypertension risk (blood pressure ≥140/90 mm Hg or initiation of blood pressure–lowering drugs) in 5066 participants aged 28 to 75 years, free of hypertension at baseline from the Prevention of Renal and Vascular End-Stage Disease Study, a well-defined cohort with serial follow-up. We measured plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and 25-hydroxyvitamin D using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Mean±SD plasma concentration of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D was 145±47.0 pmol/L and 25-hydroxyvitamin D was 58.6±23.8 nmol/L. During a median follow-up of 6.4 years, 1036 participants (20.5%) developed hypertension. As expected, low 25-hydroxyvitamin D was associated with a higher hypertension risk; each 1-SD decrement in 25-hydroxyvitamin D was associated with a 8% higher hypertension risk (hazard ratio, 1.08; 95% confidence interval, 1.01–1.16) after adjustment for potential confounders. However, the association of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D was in the opposite direction; each 1-SD decrement of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D was associated with a 10% lower hypertension risk (hazard ratio, 0.90; 95% confidence interval, 0.84–0.96), independent of potential confounders. In contrast to the inverse association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and hypertension risk, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D was positively associated with risk of hypertension. Thus, higher circulating concentrations of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D are associated with a higher risk of hypertension.
Longitudinal and Secular Trends in Blood Pressure Among Women and Men in Birth Cohorts Born Between 1905 and 1977
Authors: Hopstock Laila Arnesdatter , Bønaa Kaare Harald , Eggen Anne Elise , Grimsgaard Sameline , Jacobsen Bjarne K. , Løchen Maja-Lisa , Mathiesen Ellisiv B. , Njølstad Inger , Wilsgaard Tom
Published: July 2015

High blood pressure is a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Previous studies showing a blood pressure decline in recent decades lack data to follow individuals born in different decades from early and middle adulthood to older age. We investigated changes in age-specific blood pressure by repeated measurements in 37973 women and men born 1905 to 1977 (aged 20–89 years) examined ≤5× between 1979 and 2008 in the population-based Tromsø Study. Mixed models were used to estimate time trends. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased from 1979 to 2008 in both genders in the age groups 30 to 89 years. The decrease was similar in the 80th percentile and the 20th percentile of the population blood pressure distribution. The decrease in systolic blood pressure in age group 40 to 49 years was 10.6 mm Hg in women and 4.5 mm Hg in men. Systolic blood pressure increased with age in women and men born 1920 to 1949, whereas a decrease or flattening of curve was observed in the younger birth cohorts. Thus, we found both time periodic and cohort effects, and trends were more pronounced in women than in men. The findings suggest changes in blood pressure in the population rather than an effect of treatment of high-risk individuals.
Considering Companion Animals
Authors: Komorosky Dawna , Woods Dianne Rush , Empie Kristine
Published: July 2015

A growing body of literature has shown the link between domestic violence and animal cruelty, resulting in a shift in the way family violence and those who are victims of abuse are considered. There are approximately 700 shelters across the nation protecting women and their children from domestic abuse, but not companion animals. National trends indicate that most domestic violence shelters do not accommodate companion animals on site. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses were used to examine companion animal policies in California domestic violence shelters. Results indicated that shelter administrators are aware of the link between domestic violence and animal cruelty; however, they lack the resources to fully support clients with companion animals. Current best practices and recommendations highlight methods that can be used to develop broader community support for victims of domestic violence and their companion animals.
The Two Standards
Authors: Prosperi Adriano
Published: July 2015

The Ignatian meditation on the two standards introduces the moment of “elección” in the itinerary established by the Spiritual Exercises. This was a key passage for Jesuit vocations, which very often flourished as a result of the experience of the Exercises. From the earliest years of the Society, the great success of the Spiritual Exercises stimulated historical research into the origins of the text. According to Jerónimo Nadal, the inspiration came to Ignatius in 1525, during a mystical experience at Manresa. Nevertheless, the genealogy of the Spiritual Exercises remains obscure, mainly because of the disappearance of the early versions of the text prior to the Paris period. In particular, one leading open question concerns Ignatius’s sources: among many possible contenders, for example, Erasmus’s Enchiridion often is identified as a source. This essay further investigates the question and, in doing so, draws some analogies between the Exercises and a number of Italian texts from the early sixteenth century, such as works by Antonio da Atri and Battista da Crema.
Cosas y cartas: Scribal Production and Material Pathways in Jesuit Global Communication (1547–1573)
Authors: Nelles Paul
Published: July 2015

This article analyzes some of the social mechanisms and material processes involved in Jesuit global communication in the first decades of the Society’s history. The exchange of administrative correspondence, news-sheets (quadrimestres), and edifying letters from the overseas missions was coordinated by the Society’s Roman secretary, Juan Alfonso de Polanco. Communication made significant material demands on both Rome and key transmission nodes on the Jesuit network. In 1560, a decentralized system of scribal production of news and letters was established. Particular pressure was placed on Lisbon, a crucial communications hub for exchanges between Jesuits in Europe and the overseas missions. The last part of the article examines the experience of the Jesuit procurator in Lisbon, charged with managing the exchange of documents between Europe and Jesuits in Asia, Africa, and Brazil. The case of Lisbon, though exceptional, reflects many of the everyday realities of Jesuit communication during the Society’s formative period. Several documents are published in an appendix.
The Intellectual Pedigree of the Virtue of Magnanimity in the Jesuit Constitutions
Authors: Spinale Kevin
Published: July 2015

The article traces the development of the virtue of magnanimity in Aristotle, Cicero, and Thomas Aquinas in order to assess John O’Malley’s claim that Section 728 of the Constitutions of the Society of Jesus represents a paraphrase of section i.66 of Cicero’s On Duties. For Aristotle, the virtue represents individual’s striving for greater virtue and honor. In Cicero, the virtue takes on Stoic characteristics and is tempered with justice and concern for the common good. Thomas Aquinas links the virtue to hope in initiating great enterprises and accomplishing great virtue in accord with God’s will. Ignatius uses magnanimity to indicate a virtue that synthesizes Cicero’s attention to the common good and Aquinas’s notion of hope in God’s providence. Ignatius combines this synthesis with his own inclination to take that which is excellent in others and generously incorporate it into the Society’s work in magnifying God’s glory.
Leleshusia, a new replacement name for Granulina Leleshus, 1975 (Anthozoa: Heliolitoidea) nec Jousseaume, 1888 (Gastropoda: Neogastropoda: Marginellidae)
Authors: DOWELD ALEXANDER B.
Published: July 2015

The genus Granulina (type species Plasmoporella granulosa Bondarenko, 1958, by original designation) was established by Leleshus (1975: 7) for a distinctive heliolitoid genus from the Upper Ordovician of Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. However, the name Granulina Jousseaume, 1888 (p. 191), which designates a genus of a living molluscs (Gastropoda: Neogastropoda: Marginellidae: Granulininae), has priority over the fossil generic name, which is its junior homonym.
Neotype designations and nomenclatural actions for Apionidae described by Johann Ludwig Christian Carl Gravenhorst in 1807 (Coleoptera, Curculionoidea)
Authors: GIUSTO CARLO
Published: July 2015

In accordance with the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature with the express purpose of clarifying the systematic status of some species, neotypes are designated for Apion atratum Gravenhorst, 1807, Apion chloris Gravenhorst, 1807, Apion longirostre Gravenhorst, 1807 and Apion pilosellum Gravenhorst, 1807. Three new synonymies are proposed: Perapion hydrolapathi (Marsham, 1802) = Apion atratum Gravenhorst, 1807, syn. n., Ischnopterapion virens (Herbst, 1797) = Apion chloris Gravenhorst, 1807, syn. n. and Eutrichapion vorax (Herbst, 1797) = Apion longirostre Gravenhorst, 1807, syn. n. The junior primary homonym Apion atratum Wagner, 1908 (non Gravenhorst, 1807) is replaced by Pseudopiezotrachelus gravenhorsti nom. n.
Calibration and Validation of the Hybrid-Maize Crop Model for Regional Analysis and Application over the U.S. Corn Belt
Authors: Liu Xing , Andresen Jeff , Yang Haishun , Niyogi Dev
Published: July 2015

Detailed parameter sensitivity, model validation, and regional calibration of the Hybrid-Maize crop model were undertaken for the purpose of regional agroclimatic assessments. The model was run at both field scale and county scale. The county-scale study was based on 30-yr daily weather data and corn yield data from the National Agricultural Statistics Service survey for 24 locations across the Corn Belt of the United States. The field-scale study was based on AmeriFlux sites at Bondville, Illinois, and Mead, Nebraska. By using the one-at-a-time and interaction-explicit factorial design approaches for sensitivity analysis, the study found that the five most sensitive parameters of the model were potential number of kernels per ear, potential kernel filling rate, initial light use efficiency, upper temperature cutoff for growing degree-days’ accumulation, and the grain growth respiration coefficient. Model validation results show that the Hybrid-Maize model performed satisfactorily for field-scale simulations with a mean absolute error (MAE) of 10 bu acre−1 despite the difficulties of obtaining hybrid-specific information. At the county scale, the simulated results, assuming optimal crop management, overpredicted the yields but captured the variability well. A simple regional adjustment factor of 0.6 rescaled the potential yield to actual yield well. These results highlight the uncertainties that exist in applying crop models at regional scales because of the limitations in accessing crop-specific information. This study also provides confidence that uncertainties can potentially be eliminated via simple adjustment factor and that a simple crop model can be adequately useful for regional-scale agroclimatic studies.
Applications of a Moist Nonhydrostatic Formulation of the Spectral Energy Budget to Baroclinic Waves. Part II: The Upper-Tropospheric Energy Spectra
Authors: Peng Jun , Zhang Lifeng , Guan Jiping
Published: July 2015

In this second part of a two-part study, a newly developed moist nonhydrostatic formulation of the spectral energy budget of both kinetic energy (KE) and available potential energy (APE) is employed to investigate the dynamics underlying the mesoscale upper-tropospheric energy spectra in idealized moist baroclinic waves. By calculating the conservative nonlinear spectral fluxes, it is shown that the inclusion of moist processes significantly enhances downscale cascades of both horizontal KE and APE. Moist processes act not only as a source of latent heat but also as an “atmospheric dehumidifier.” The latent heating, mainly because of the depositional growth of cloud ice, has a significant positive contribution to mesoscale APE. However, the dehumidifying reduces the diabatic contribution of the latent heating by 15% at all scales. Including moist processes also changes the direction of the mesoscale conversion between APE and horizontal KE and adds a secondary conversion of APE to gravitational energy of moist species. With or without moisture, the vertically propagating inertia–gravity waves (IGWs) produced in the lower troposphere result in a significant positive contribution to the upper-tropospheric horizontal KE spectra at the large-scale end of the mesoscale. However, including moist processes generates additional sources of IGWs located in the upper troposphere; the upward propagation of the convectively generated IGWs removes much of the horizontal KE there. Because of the restriction of the anelastic approximation, the three-dimensional divergence has no significant contribution. In view of conflicting contributions of various direct forcings, finally, an explicit comparison between the net direct forcing and energy cascade is made.