bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Periosteal desmoid tumour: a rare finding in the oral cavity
Authors: Shruti Singh , Bavle Radhika M , Konda Paremala , Venugopal Reshma
Published: December 2017

A 55-year-old female patient reported with an intraoral well-localised asymptomatic swelling on the right side of the mandible in relation to the right mandibular first molar along with a history of trauma 6 months back. Panoramic radiograph revealed normal trabecular bone pattern in relation to the lesion. The lesion was excised along with the associated buccal cortical plate and tooth. The microscopic examination revealed a well-circumscribed lesion consisting of spindle cells arranged in storiform pattern associated with the buccal cortical plate. The key feature to note was presence of reactive periosteum, which was in continuum with the lesion. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) revealed faint nuclear positivity for β-catenin. The above findings led to our diagnosis of periosteal desmoid, which is rarely reported in the head-and-neck region. The major challenge in the diagnosis of such lesions is good clinicopathological correlation as the differential diagnosis of spindle-cell lesions is vast and needs IHC confirmation.
Corneal perforation from peripheral ulcerative keratopathy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: epidemiological findings of the British Ophthalmological Surveillance Unit
Authors: Timlin Hannah Mary , Hall Hildegard Nikki , Foot Barny , Koay Peter
Published: December 2017

Background/Aims

This study quantifies the threat to vision and the survival in patients presenting with peripheral ulcerative keratopathy (PUK) corneal perforation associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the UK.

Methods

New cases of corneal perforation from PUK in patients with RA were prospectively collected from the UK via the British Ophthalmological Surveillance Unit from July 2012 to June 2014. An initial questionnaire collected data on presentation and the first 2 weeks’ management, and a follow-up questionnaire collected 1-year data on ocular morbidity and mortality.

Results

30 eyes of 28 patients were identified over 2 years, estimating a UK incidence of 0.234/million/year. 20/27 (74%) were female, with a median age of 68 years (range 41–84). The most common initial management was cyanoacrylate glue with a bandage contact lens, oral steroids, topical and oral antibiotics, and lubricants. Long-term management included corneal grafting in 12/20 (60%) eyes of patients living at 1 year. The 1-year all-cause mortality was 6/25 (24%), which increased to 1/2 (50%) if both eyes had perforated. In the remaining patients alive at 1-year follow-up, there was a 13/20 (65%) poor visual outcome of less than or equal to counting fingers. 8/25 (40%) patients had bilateral PUK, with 2/25 (8%) having bilateral perforation. 5/19 (26%) patients alive at 1-year follow-up were eligible for sight impairment registration.

Conclusion

This study highlights the serious ocular morbidity and high mortality associated with corneal perforation from PUK in patients with RA despite treatment. The mortality doubled if both eyes perforated, which should serve as a harbinger of impending serious medical problems.
Fish egg predation by Baltic sprat and herring: do species characteristics and development stage matter?
Authors: Neumann Viola , Köster Friedrich W. , Eero Margit
Published: December 2017

Predation of eggs by clupeids has been identified as a major factor contributing to early life stage mortality of Baltic cod (Gadus morhua). We used data from ichthyoplankton sampling and clupeid stomach analyses to investigate whether eggs of other fish species are to a similar extent subject to predation and how predation pressure differs between egg development stages. Cod, sprat (Sprattus sprattus), and rockling (Enchelyopus cimbrius) eggs dominated in the ichthyoplankton fraction in herring (Clupea harengus) and sprat diet, whereas flounder (Platichthys flesus) and dab (Limanda limanda) eggs occurred only occasionally. In spring, cod eggs at advanced development stages were positively selected and sprat eggs generally negatively selected by both predators, while fish eggs were nonselectively consumed in summer. Predation is suggested to account for a large fraction of mortality of cod eggs at older stages, i.e., those eggs that have survived the often detrimentally low oxygen concentration in and below the permanent halocline. The consumption rates of sprat eggs at all development stages relative to production rates were considerably lower compared with cod eggs, suggesting that egg predation is of lesser importance for sprat recruitment.
Reduced-density-matrix description of decoherence and relaxation processes for electron-spin systems: Applications to trapped atomic systems in optical lattices, semiconductor quantum dots, and vacancy defect centers in solids
Authors: Jacobs V.L.
Published: December 2017

The quantum dynamics of many-electron spin systems is investigated using a reduced-density-matrix description. Applications of interest include trapped atomic systems in optical lattices, semiconductor quantum dots, and vacancy defect centers in solids. Complimentary time-domain (equation-of-motion) and frequency-domain (resolvent-operator) formulations are self-consistently developed. The general non-perturbative and non-Markovian formulations provide a fundamental framework for systematic evaluations of corrections to the standard Born (lowest-order-perturbation) and Markov (short-memory-time) approximations. Particular attention is given to decoherence and relaxation processes, together with spectral-line broadening phenomena, that are induced by interactions of many-electron spin systems with photons, phonons, nuclear spins, external electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields. Within the framework of a quantum-open-systems (reduced-density-operator) approach, these processes are treated either as coherent interactions or as environmental interactions. The environmental interactions are incorporated by means of the general expressions that are derived for the time-domain and frequency-domain Liouville-space self-energy operators, for which the tetradic-matrix elements are explicitly evaluated in the diagonal-resolvent, lowest-order, and Markov (short-memory time) approximations.
Computing the Expected Edit Distance from a String to a Probabilistic Finite-State Automaton
Authors: Calvo-Zaragoza Jorge , Oncina Jose , de la Higuera Colin
Published: December 2017

In a number of fields, it is necessary to compare a witness string with a distribution. One possibility is to compute the probability of the string for that distribution. Another, giving a more global view, is to compute the expected edit distance from a string randomly drawn to the witness string. This number is often used to measure the performance of a prediction, the goal then being to return the median string, or the string with smallest expected distance. To be able to measure this, computing the distance between a hypothesis and that distribution is necessary. This paper proposes two solutions for computing this value, when the distribution is defined with a probabilistic finite state automaton. The first is exact but has a cost which can be exponential in the length of the input string, whereas the second is a fully polynomial-time randomized schema.
Intelligent Modeling for Nuclear Power Plant Accident Management
Authors: Darling Michael C. , Luger George F. , Jones Thomas B. , Denman Matthew R. , Groth Katrina M.
Published: December 2017

This paper explores the viability of using counterfactual reasoning for impact analyses when understanding and responding to “beyond-design-basis” nuclear power plant accidents. Currently, when a severe nuclear power plant accident occurs, plant operators rely on Severe Accident Management Guidelines. However, the current guidelines are limited in scope and depth: for certain types of accidents, plant operators would have to work to mitigate the damage with limited experience and guidance for the particular situation. We aim to fill the need for comprehensive accident support by using a dynamic Bayesian network to aid in the diagnosis of a nuclear reactor's state and to analyze the impact of possible response measures.

The dynamic Bayesian network, DBN, offers an expressive representation of the components and relationships that make up a complex causal system. For this reason, and for its tractable reasoning, the DBN supports a functional model for the intricate operations of nuclear power plants. In this domain, it is also pertinent that a Bayesian network can be composed of both probabilistic and knowledge-based components. Though probabilities can be calculated from simulated models, the structure of the network, as well as the value of some parameters, must be assigned by human experts. Since dynamic Bayesian network-based systems are capable of running better-than-real-time situation analyses, they can support both current event and alternate scenario impact analyses.
The Unique Mixed Almost Moore Graph with Parameters k = 2, r = 2 and z = 1
Authors: BUSET DOMINIQUE , LÓPEZ NACHO , MIRET JOSEP M.
Published: December 2017

A natural upper bound for the maximum number of vertices in a mixed graph with maximum undirected degree r, maximum directed out-degree z and diameter k is given by the mixed Moore bound. Graphs with order attaining the Moore bound are known as Moore graphs, and they are very rare. Besides, graphs with prescribed parameters and order one less than the corresponding Moore bound are known as almost Moore graphs. In this paper we prove that there is a unique mixed almost Moore graph of diameter k = 2 and parameters r = 2 and z = 1.
Mixed Moore Cayley Graphs
Authors: ERSKINE GRAHAME
Published: December 2017

The degree-diameter problem seeks to find the largest possible number of vertices in a graph having given diameter and given maximum degree. There has been much recent interest in the problem for mixed graphs, where we allow both undirected edges and directed arcs in the graph. For a diameter 2 graph with maximum undirected degree r and directed out-degree z, a straightforward counting argument yields an upper bound M(z, r, 2) = (z+r)2+z+1 for the order of the graph. Apart from the case r = 1, the only three known examples of mixed graphs attaining this bound are Cayley graphs, and there are an infinite number of feasible pairs (r, z) where the existence of mixed Moore graphs with these parameters is unknown. We use a combination of elementary group-theoretical arguments and computational techniques to rule out the existence of further examples of mixed Cayley graphs attaining the Moore bound for all orders up to 485.
CASE REPORT: AN INFECTIOUS KERATOCONJUNCTIVITIS OUTBREAK CAUSED BYMYCOPLASMA CONJUNCTIVAEIN A DAIRY GOAT FARM
Authors: Chao Wei-Hsun , Lai Jyh-Mirn , He Xiao-Xuan , Lin Yu-Hung , Chang Geng-Ruei
Published: December 2017

Although infectious keratoconjunctivitis (IKC) has occurred worldwide, no report has mentioned an IKC case in a dairy goat farm in an indoor management system. Moreover, few clinicians follow the IKC syndrome development throughout the clinical course. The aim of the present study was to report an IKC outbreak caused by Mycoplasma conjunctivae (MC) in indoor dairy goat barns. Severe IKC breakouts had been found consecutively in two nearby goat barns in a cooperated farm. To confirm the etiology, samples were collected from the infected goats to perform hematological, biochemical, bacterial examinations and polymerase chain reactions. A treatment of 4% boric acid and 0.5% povidone iodine solution, and a preventive spray of quaternary ammonium at 09:00 AM and 1% Virkon-S[Formula: see text] solution at 17:00 PM were useful to control disease in the adult goat barn, wherein 60% (31/55) animals showed different IKC signs. A total of 12 (14%) goat kids, died, without treatment, showed variable degrees of bronchointerstitial pneumonia. In all cases, only the DNA fragments of MC, but not other pathogens implicated in IKC, were detected. Goats began to recover after 30 days in an episodic duration of 81 days resulting in an estimated 240,000 New Taiwan dollars loss. In conclusion, this is the first goat MC report in an indoor system. The treatment and the preventive measure described in the current study were useful to control the event.
H3B-6527 Is a Potent and Selective Inhibitor of FGFR4 in FGF19-Driven Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Joshi Jaya Julie , Coffey Heather , Corcoran Erik , Tsai Jennifer , Huang Chia-Ling , Ichikawa Kana , Prajapati Sudeep , Hao Ming-Hong , Bailey Suzanna , Wu Jeremy , Rimkunas Victoria , Karr Craig , Subramanian Vanitha , Kumar Pavan , MacKenzie Crystal , Hurley Raelene , Satoh Takashi , Yu Kun , Park Eunice , Rioux Nathalie , Kim Amy , Lai Weidong G. , Yu Lihua , Zhu Ping , Buonamici Silvia , Larsen Nicholas , Fekkes Peter , Wang John , Warmuth Markus , Reynolds Dominic J. , Smith Peter G. , Selvaraj Anand
Published: December 2017

Activation of the fibroblast growth factor receptor FGFR4 by FGF19 drives hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a disease with few, if any, effective treatment options. While a number of pan-FGFR inhibitors are being clinically evaluated, their application to FGF19-driven HCC may be limited by dose-limiting toxicities mediated by FGFR1–3 receptors. To evade the potential limitations of pan-FGFR inhibitors, we generated H3B-6527, a highly selective covalent FGFR4 inhibitor, through structure-guided drug design. Studies in a panel of 40 HCC cell lines and 30 HCC PDX models showed that FGF19 expression is a predictive biomarker for H3B-6527 response. Moreover, coadministration of the CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib in combination with H3B-6527 could effectively trigger tumor regression in a xenograft model of HCC. Overall, our results offer preclinical proof of concept for H3B-6527 as a candidate therapeutic agent for HCC cases that exhibit increased expression of FGF19. Cancer Res; 77(24); 6999–7013. ©2017 AACR.
HSP27-Mediated Extracellular and Intracellular Signaling Pathways Synergistically Confer Chemoresistance in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Tongue
Authors: Zheng Guopei , Zhang Zhijie , Liu Hao , Xiong Yan , Luo Liyun , Jia Xiaoting , Peng Cong , Zhang Qiong , Li Nan , Gu Yixue , Lu Minying , Song Ying , Pan Hao , Liu Jinbao , Liu Wanqing , He Zhimin
Published: December 2017

Purpose: Squamous cell carcinoma of tongue (SCCT) is the most common type of oral cavity carcinoma. Chemoresistance in SCCT is common, and the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. We aimed to identify key molecules and signaling pathways mediating chemoresistance in SCCT.

Experimental Design: Using a proteomic approach, we found that the HSP27 was a potential mediator for chemoresistance in SCCT cells. To further validate this role of HSP27, we performed various mechanistic studies using in vitro and in vivo models as well as serum and tissue samples from SCCT patients.

Results: The HSP27 protein level was significantly increased in the multidrug-resistant SCCT cells and cell culture medium. Both HSP27 knockdown and anti-HSP27 antibody treatment reversed chemoresistance. Inversely, both HSP27 overexpression and recombinant human HSP27 protein treatment enhanced chemoresistance. Moreover, chemotherapy significantly induced HSP27 protein expression in both SCCT cells and their culture medium, as well as in tumor tissues and serum of SCCT patients. HSP27 overexpression predicts a poor outcome for SCCT patients receiving chemotherapy. Mechanically, extracellular HSP27 binds to TLR5 and then activates NF-κB signaling to maintain SCCT cell survival. TLR5 knockdown or restored IκBα protein level disrupts extracellular HSP27-induced NF-κB transactivation and chemoresistance. Moreover, intracellular HSP27 binds to BAX and BIM to repress their translocation to mitochondrion and subsequent cytochrome C release upon chemotherapy, resulting in inhibition of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.

Conclusions: HSP27 plays a pivotal role in chemoresistance of SCCT cells via a synergistic extracellular and intracellular signaling. HSP27 may represent a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for precision SCCT treatment. Clin Cancer Res; 24(5); 1163–75. ©2017 AACR.
Mitochondrial Inhibition Augments the Efficacy of Imatinib by Resetting the Metabolic Phenotype of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor
Authors: Vitiello Gerardo A. , Medina Benjamin D. , Zeng Shan , Bowler Timothy G. , Zhang Jennifer Q. , Loo Jennifer K. , Param Nesteene J. , Liu Mengyuan , Moral Alec J. , Zhao Julia N. , Rossi Ferdinand , Antonescu Cristina R. , Balachandran Vinod P. , Cross Justin R. , DeMatteo Ronald P.
Published: December 2017

Purpose: Imatinib dramatically reduces gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) 18F-FDG uptake, providing an early indicator of treatment response. Despite decreased glucose internalization, many GIST cells persist, suggesting that alternative metabolic pathways are used for survival. The role of mitochondria in imatinib-treated GIST is largely unknown.

Experimental Design: We quantified the metabolic activity of several human GIST cell lines. We treated human GIST xenografts and genetically engineered KitV558del/+ mice with the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation inhibitor VLX600 in combination with imatinib and analyzed tumor volume, weight, histology, molecular signaling, and cell cycle activity. In vitro assays on human GIST cell lines were also performed.

Results: Imatinib therapy decreased glucose uptake and downstream glycolytic activity in GIST-T1 and HG129 cells by approximately half and upregulated mitochondrial enzymes and improved mitochondrial respiratory capacity. Mitochondrial inhibition with VLX600 had a direct antitumor effect in vitro while appearing to promote glycolysis through increased AKT signaling and glucose transporter expression. When combined with imatinib, VLX600 prevented imatinib-induced cell cycle escape and reduced p27 expression, leading to increased apoptosis when compared to imatinib alone. In KitV558del/+ mice, VLX600 alone did not induce tumor cell death, but had a profound antitumor effect when combined with imatinib.

Conclusions: Our findings show that imatinib alters the metabolic phenotype of GIST, and this may contribute to imatinib resistance. Our work offers preclinical proof of concept of metabolic targeting as an effective strategy for the treatment of GIST. Clin Cancer Res; 24(4); 972–84. ©2017 AACR.
Expressed Gene Fusions as Frequent Drivers of Poor Outcomes in Hormone Receptor–Positive Breast Cancer
Authors: Matissek Karina J. , Onozato Maristela L. , Sun Sheng , Zheng Zongli , Schultz Andrew , Lee Jesse , Patel Kristofer , Jerevall Piiha-Lotta , Saladi Srinivas Vinod , Macleay Allison , Tavallai Mehrad , Badovinac-Crnjevic Tanja , Barrios Carlos , Beşe Nuran , Chan Arlene , Chavarri-Guerra Yanin , Debiasi Marcio , Demirdögen Elif , Egeli Ünal , Gökgöz Sahsuvar , Gomez Henry , Liedke Pedro , Tasdelen Ismet , Tolunay Sahsine , Werutsky Gustavo , St. Louis Jessica , Horick Nora , Finkelstein Dianne M. , Le Long Phi , Bardia Aditya , Goss Paul E. , Sgroi Dennis C. , Iafrate A. John , Ellisen Leif W.
Published: December 2017

We sought to uncover genetic drivers of hormone receptor–positive (HR+) breast cancer, using a targeted next-generation sequencing approach for detecting expressed gene rearrangements without prior knowledge of the fusion partners. We identified intergenic fusions involving driver genes, including PIK3CA, AKT3, RAF1, and ESR1, in 14% (24/173) of unselected patients with advanced HR+ breast cancer. FISH confirmed the corresponding chromosomal rearrangements in both primary and metastatic tumors. Expression of novel kinase fusions in nontransformed cells deregulates phosphoprotein signaling, cell proliferation, and survival in three-dimensional culture, whereas expression in HR+ breast cancer models modulates estrogen-dependent growth and confers hormonal therapy resistance in vitro and in vivo. Strikingly, shorter overall survival was observed in patients with rearrangement-positive versus rearrangement-negative tumors. Correspondingly, fusions were uncommon (<5%) among 300 patients presenting with primary HR+ breast cancer. Collectively, our findings identify expressed gene fusions as frequent and potentially actionable drivers in HR+ breast cancer.

Significance: By using a powerful clinical molecular diagnostic assay, we identified expressed intergenic fusions as frequent contributors to treatment resistance and poor survival in advanced HR+ breast cancer. The prevalence and biological and prognostic significance of these alterations suggests that their detection may alter clinical management and bring to light new therapeutic opportunities. Cancer Discov; 8(3); 336–53. ©2017 AACR.

See related commentary by Natrajan et al., p. 272.

See related article by Liu et al., p. 354.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 253
Comprehension of “Narrow Focus” by Adolescents in the Autism Spectrum
Authors: Segal Osnat , Kaplan Dafna , Patael Smadar , Kishon-Rabin Liat
Published: December 2017

Objective: The study compared the performance of adolescents with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) to that of age-matched peers with typical development (TD) and cognitive language-matched peers with TD on measures of identification and comprehension of “narrow focus.” Participants: Forty-nine participants, 17 autistic, 17 TD peers matched for age and sex, and 15 TD children matched for expressive vocabulary participated in the study. Method: The Hebrew Narrow Focus Test (HNFT) was used. The HNFT includes 3 subtests. The first subtest (A) required identification of the stressed word in the sentence based on psychoacoustic abilities alone. The second (B) and third (C) subtests required understanding the meaning of focused stress in different contexts. In subtest B, the meaning of “narrow focus” was to contrast other possibilities related to the lexical-grammatical role of the stressed word in the sentence, whereas in subtest C, the meaning was to indicate a mistake. Results: ASD participants showed reduced performance compared to peers across all the subtests of the HNFT, but similar performance compared to TD children in subtests A and B and better performance on subtest C. A significant correlation was found between the Raven test for assessing nonverbal intelligence and subtests B and C of the HNFT in the group of adolescents with ASD. Conclusions: Comprehension of narrow focus in adolescents with ASD who study in a special educational system is related to their cognitive-linguistic abilities and not to the autistic condition by itself or to its severity.
Differentiating Autism from Typical Development: Preliminary Findings of Greek Versions of a Pragmatic Language and Social Communication Questionnaire
Authors: Hyter Yvette , Vogindroukas Ioannis , Chelas Evripidis-Nikolaos , Paparizos Konstantinos , Kivrakidou Eleni , Kaloudi Vasiliki
Published: December 2017

Objective: A social pragmatic communication disorder is one of the primary characteristics of children with autism. Although several measures of pragmatics and social communication exist, many are not comprehensive, do not examine the quality of interactions across contexts and interlocutors, and cannot be easily administered and interpreted. The aim of this article is to report on preliminary data collected using the Greek version of comprehensive social communication and pragmatic language questionnaires completed by parents and teachers interacting with young children in different contexts. Methods: A Greek translation of the social communication and pragmatic language questionnaires was administered to parents and teachers of 31 children diagnosed with autism and of 51 typically developing children aged 3.0–6.0 years. Analysis and Results: The performance on the Greek versions of the social communication and pragmatic language questionnaires of typically developing children was compared with the performance of the children with autism using a series of independent t tests. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participant characteristics and performances on the measure. Preliminary results showed that significant differences with moderate effect sizes were found between groups on 63% of the 30 test items. Conclusions: The performance of children on questionnaires may lead to the development of easily administered and interpretable assessments for differentiating children with pragmatics and social communication impairments, such as children with autism, from typically developing children.
Is There More to Zika? Complex Cardiac Disease in a Case of Congenital Zika Syndrome
Authors: Angelidou Asimenia , Michael Zoe , Hotz Arda , Friedman Kevin , Emani Sitaram , LaRovere Kerri , Christou Helen
Published: December 2017

The epidemic of Zika virus (ZIKV) has resulted in a surge of newborns with microcephaly and brain abnormalities. In this report, we describe the first case, to our knowledge, of congenital Zika syndrome with concomitant critical congenital heart disease. The mother had a confirmed ZIKV infection in the first trimester of pregnancy. Fetal ultrasonography at 31 weeks of gestation revealed cerebral cortical calcifications and hypoplastic left heart syndrome. The severity of brain involvement was assessed by postnatal magnetic resonance imaging and echocardiogram, and palliative surgery was performed. The ethical dimensions of this infant's clinical management are discussed. ZIKV is known to affect neural progenitor cells, but whether it could have a tropism for other tissues remains unclear.
Factors Associated with Chronic Kidney Disease and Their Clinical Utility in Primary Care Clinics in a Multi-Ethnic Southeast Asian Population
Authors: Lew Quan Lan J. , Allen John C. , Nguyen Francis , Tan Ngiap Chuan , Jafar Tazeen H.
Published: December 2017

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major global public health challenge. We investigated determinants of CKD and their clinical utility in an ethnically diverse Southeast Asian population. Methods: Electronic health records (EHR) of adults ≥40 years who visited any one of 4 government polyclinics in Singapore from January 1, 2012 to ­December 31, 2015 were analyzed. CKD was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or 1+ dipstick proteinuria excretion, based on 2 measurements ≥3 months apart. CKD-associated factors and their clinical utility for predicting odds of CKD were investigated using multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: Based on the study criteria, 25.9% (95% CI 25.6–26.2) of the 88,765 eligible study individuals had CKD. The factors (OR and 95% CI) independently associated with CKD were older age ≥65 years (2.54 [2.44–2.64] vs. ≤65 years), respectively; men (1.13 [1.09–1.18]); Malay (1.27 [1.20–1.33]) and Indian (0.77 [0.71–0.83]) vs. Chinese ethnicity; overweight (body mass index [BMI] ≥27.5 kg/m2; 1.10 [1.04–1.16]) vs. normal weight (BMI 18 to <23 kg/m2); government (1.22 [1.15–1.31]) vs. private housing; and with hypertension (3.32 [3.09–3.56]), diabetes (6.93 [6.67–7.20]) or stroke (1.46 [1.36–1.56]) vs. without each co-morbidity, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (95% CI) for the model to predict the probability of CKD using hypertension, diabetes, and age was 0.808 (0.805–0.811). Only 28.5% (27.9–29.1%) of individuals with CKD had physician documentation of their CKD status. However, documentation of CKD status was associated with age ≥65 years (1.11 [1.04–1.20] vs. <65 years), men (1.35 [1.26–1.44]) vs. women, with vs. without hypertension (1.24 [1.07–1.44]), Indian (0.80 [0.69–0.92]) compared to Chinese ethnicity, ever smokers (0.89 [0.81–0.99]) vs. non-smokers, and those with vs. without stroke (0.83 [0.75–0.93]). Conclusions: CKD prevalence in our Southeast Asian population is high and under-documented even in high-risk patients. Our findings highlight factors associated with CKD, and the predictive value of hypertension, diabetes, and advancing age as EHR-based screening targets for CKD. Our results also suggest that complementary educational efforts will be needed to increase physician detection and optimize the management of CKD, especially in high risk and marginalized groups across all clinics in Singapore, and possibly in the region.
Irisin and Volume Overload are Associated with Protein Energy Wasting in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients
Authors: Zhou Si-Jia , Han Qing-Feng , Zhang Ai-Hua , Tang Wen , Sun Ling-Hua
Published: December 2017

Background/Aims: Protein energy wasting (PEW) is a common medical phenomenon that is observed in maintenance dialysis patients. PEW also increases morbidity and mortality of these patients. Its pathogenesis is unclear. We hypothesize that serum irisin levels and volume overload may induce PEW in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. The aim of this study is to measure serum irisin levels, evaluate volume status of PD patients, and study their correlations with PEW in PD patients. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study with 160 PD patients from the PD center of Peking University Third Hospital and 35 healthy control subjects. PD patients were divided into PEW group and non-PEW group according to PEW diagnosis criteria. Serum irisin concentrations were measured by ELISA. Volume overload status (volume overload is defined as overhydration value ≥2 liters) of PD patients was analyzed by bioelectrical impedance. Results: The serum irisin levels were significantly lower in PD patients compared with those of the controls (113.2±11.8 ng/ml vs. 464.2±37.4 ng/ml, P<0.01). The serum irisin levels were lower in PD patients with PEW than those of the patients without PEW (106.5±15.2 ng/ml vs. 117.4±17.6 ng/ml, P<0.01). PEW is more prevalent in patients with volume overload than patients without volume overload (62.5% vs. 43.1%, x2=5.756, P=0.016); however, no direct relationship was found between irisin levels and volume overload status. The independent influencing factors of PEW were serum irisin, serum albumin, and volume overload. Conclusion: Our results are the first to provide clinical evidence of the association between serum irisin, volume overload, and PEW in PD patients. PEW may inhibit the release or synthesis of irisin from skeletal muscles, and volume overload may aggravate PEW in PD patients.
Mass Society and the Challenge to Reason: Sigmund Freud, Hannah Arendt, and the Twentieth Century Man
Authors: Novaes Adriana Carvalho
Published: December 2017

Este texto destaca algumas concepções de Sigmund Freud e de Hannah Arendt sobre o indivíduo e a história na época moderna, na sociedade de massa. Seus pensamentos são relacionados para mostrar o desafi o posto à razão pelos acontecimentos dramáticos do século XX
Tupiguarani painted ceramics vessels
Authors: Prous André
Published: December 2017

Analisamos o código decorativo de vários grupos regionais portadores de cerâmica tupiguarani. Verificamos a utilização das cores, as fórmulas de decoração das diversas partes das vasilhas. Identificamos padrões figurativos em desenhos até então considerados geométricos. A pintura em cerâmica evidencia a existência de estilos regionais e a participação feminina nos rituais da sua sociedade
Survey at Amanã Sustainable Development Reserve (RDSA) - Amazon State
Authors: Lacale Bernardo
Published: December 2017

Este trabalho apresenta brevemente a Reserva de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Amanã (RDSA), assim como os procedimentos metodológicos empregados na primeira etapa de levantamento arqueológico que envolve a implantação de um programa de arqueologia local. Serão apresentados também os resultados preliminares desse levantamento para em seguida propor trabalhos futuros que dialoguem tanto com as teorias já tradicionais da arqueologia amazônica quanto com as novas perspectivas teóricas e metodológicas desenvolvidas pelo Projeto Amazônia Central. Buscamos ainda, com esse trabalho, elaborar e fornecer subsídios para o desenvolvimento de um programa de Educação Patrimonial que possa atuar não apenas na RDSA, mas também em outros locais da Amazônia
Métodos analíticos não destrutivos para análise de obras de arte
Authors: Rizzutto Márcia De Almeida , Added Nemitala , Tabacniks Manfredo Harri , Curado Jéssica Fleury , Pascholati Paulo Reginaldo
Published: December 2017

A caracterização de objetos de arte e, ou, arqueológicos, por meio de métodos de análise elementar não destrutiva com feixes iônicos busca a identificação de elementos químicos presentes nas amostras por técnicas nucleares. Os métodos físicos e químicos estão na interface entre a ciência pura e as aplicações diretas para caracterização de bens culturais e é uma área interdisciplinar que demanda uma forte interação, que cresce a cada dia, entre especialistas. Nas pesquisas internacionais o uso destes métodos físicos e químicos, em especial as técnicas atômico-nucleares não destrutivas para o estudo de objetos arqueológicos, de arte e do patrimônio cultural está estabelecido há algumas décadas, mas na América Latina a utilização destas técnicas é relativamente recente, iniciada a partir da década de 1990 [M l]. As técnicas físicas atômico-nucleares podem ser utilizadas em diferentes aplicações como, por exemplo, caracterizar as modificações introduzidas na morfologia e composição elementar pelos processos de corrosão de metais expostos aos efeitos do meio ambiente, bem como para o exame de pinturas, pois a identificação dos elementos presentes nas camadas pictóricas por estas técnicas pode dar indicação dos pigmentos utilizados nas tintas. A aplicação destas técnicas ao estudo de materiais cerâmicos permite identificar elementos traço que podem contribuir para indicar a origem do material utilizado e características dos processos de fabricação de uma obra de arte, e, ou, os elementos presentes nas tintas de uma determinada pintura
Music and cosmovision in the Andean Early Intermediate Period: representations of the panpipe player social role on moche ceramic iconography
Authors: Villalva Daniela La Chioma Silvestre
Published: December 2017

Visa-se elucidar o papel social do músico no período Intermediário Inicial Andino (100 a.C - 600 d.C ) com base em estudos iconográficos da cerâmica ritual mochica. São essenciais as relações dos dados com os estudos das cosmovisões ameríndias e as estruturas de poder político-religioso. As padronizações conceituais e estilísticas da cerâmica ritual nos permitem identificar unidades de significação que, possivelmente, normatizavam a semântica visual fundamentada na cosmovisão. Apresentaremos breve análise de um par de vasos em que aparecem personagens tocando antaras, classificados com o oficiantes (Makowski 1994) nos estudos iconográficos recentes
Relocation of population and Tyranny: a case study - Syracuse in the sixth and fifth centuries B.C
Authors: Hora Juliana F. da
Published: December 2017

A proposta deste texto é compartilhar os resultados obtidos na pesquisa de Iniciação Científica, realizada entre os anos de 2007 e 2009. Seu objetivo foi estudar o papel das tiranias na configuração dos espaços na colônia grega de Siracusa, em razão da política de deslocamentos compulsórios de população, efetivados especialmente entre os séculos VI e V a.C pelos tiranos Gélon e Hiéron
Names, Natures and Things: The Alchemist Jabir Ibn Hayyan and his Kitab al-Ahjar (Book of Stones)
Authors: Alfonso-Goldfarb Ana Maria
Published: December 2017

Haq, Syed Nomanul. Names, Natures and Things: The Alchemist Jabir Ibn Hayyan and his Kitab al-Ahjar (Book of Stones), Dordrecht/Boston/Londres: Kluwer Ac. Publ., 1994, 284 p.
O Empréstimo linguístico entre o purismo e o antipurismo do Lexicógrafo Árabe
Authors: Benelazmia Nadia , Yunis Leandra
Published: December 2017

O artigo passa em revista a história do empréstimo linguístico na língua árabe. Serão vistas as características desse fenômeno cultural nos dicionários que seguem três tendências dos lexicógrafos: a religiosa, a humanista e a nacionalista
O Orientalismo na Origem da Fotografia e do Cinema
Authors: Matos Sylvia Carolina Cruxen de
Published: December 2017

O presente artigo explora as relações entre o orientalismo, a fotografia e o cinema, do final do século XIX ao início do século XX. O fato da origem do cinema coincidir com o auge do projeto imperialista no Oriente Médio, marcou a nova forma artística e de produção de imagens e narrativas. Mostraremos como um dos gêneros mais populares dos primórdios do cinema – o gênero de viagem ou travelogues – esteve relacionado ao projeto colonialista, à popularização da ideia do viajante e do turismo a locais ditos exóticos e sagrados. Embora as imagens fotográficas e cinematográficas carregassem uma tradição orientalista de representação que já vinha de outras formas de arte, essas novas mídias inauguraram uma espécie de orientalismo contemporâneo que estará presente em toda uma produção imagética
Pesquisando o complexo ato de ler em Língua Estrangeira - Instrumentos de pesquisa
Authors: Langer Eliana Rosa
Published: December 2017

Neste artigo a questão da pesquisa sobre leitura em língua estrangeira é abordada. Considerando-se que a leitura de um texto é um ato que se dá através de operações mentalísticas, os instrumentos para sua pesquisa devem ser adequados. Analisamos, portanto, os instrumentos disponíveis para tais pesquisas, concluindo que o método de introspecção é o mais adequado destes instrumentos
Texto como enunciação. A abordagem de Mikhail Bakhtin
Authors: Machado Irene A.
Published: December 2017

Guiando-se pela noção de que no texto estão constituídos aspectos do mundo verbal e do contexto sócio-cultural, o presente estudo discute como a abordagem dialógica de Mikhail Bakhtin trata dessas relações. Privilegia-se a noção de gênero como síntese da dimensão cronotópica do texto como enunciação
Reflexões sobre os estudos do texto e do discurso
Authors: Barros Diana Luz Pessoa de
Published: December 2017

Nesta conferência apresenta-se uma reflexão sobre os estudos do texto e do discurso, em geral. A conferência organiza-se em três partes: a primeira, sobre o lugar dos estudos do texto e do discurso entre as teorias da linguagem, as diferentes perspectivas existentes nos estudos do texto e do discurso e o denominador comum delas, a posição “frágil” desses estudos e as críticas mais freqüentes que sofrem; a segunda, sobre o debate já desgastado e sempre retomado entre análises “internas” e “externas” do texto, e sobre a necessidade de gramáticas textuais e discursivas; a última, sobre os papéis e funções dos estudos do texto e do discurso, em geral, e no Brasil, em particular
Poesia "popular" e poesia "douta": o tema da contemplação da morte em algumas traduções do português e do árabe e nas aulas brasileiras de literatura de Giuseppe Ungaretti
Authors: Wataghin Lucia
Published: December 2017

No artigo são discutidas algumas analogias temáticas entre uma lenda carajá, uma canção árabe (ambas traduzidas para o italiano por Ungaretti) e a Lauda XXV de Jacopone da Todi, que foi amplamente comentada pelo poeta/professor Ungaretti durante suas lições brasileiras de literatura.
Por uma "arqueologia" dos discursos científicos: a reformulação de livros nas ciências humanas
Authors: Silva Adriana Pozzani de La Vielle e
Published: December 2017

O presente artigo baseia-se em minha Dissertação de Mestrado e toma o processo discursivo de reformulação de livros como objeto de análise. Inscrevendo-se na linha franco-brasileira de Análise do Discurso, este texto procura a “gênese” do referido processo, examinando, para tanto, o funcionamento da autoria. A reflexão permite explicitar as relações entre a reformulação de livros – responsável por fomentar a continuidade das ciências – e as condições sócio-históricas em que é produzida tal reformulação. Toma-se por pressuposto a indissociabilidade entre prática de linguagem (discurso) e sociedade.
Uma relação conturbada: interpretações da natureza americana
Authors: Cordiviola Alfredo
Published: December 2017

Há determinadas palavras que modulam as relações entre o homem e o mundo natural; palavras, conceitos, sentidos que surgem como consequência de determinados modos históricos e sucessivos de interpretar a natureza, m as que também fornecem as ferramentas simbólicas para entender, imaginar e transformar aquilo que compreendemos como “natureza” verbos como preservar, explorar, classificar, categorias estéticas como o sublime ou o pitoresco, conceitos como biopolítica ou biodiversidade, entre muitos outros. Neste ensaio, tentaremos analisar as percepções da natureza latino-americana, desde a chegada dos primeiros europeus até o momento atual, procurando m apear a conturbada relação entre os elementos que conformam o mundo natural e as palavras, que inventam, definem e hierarquizam o reino do visível
Memórias de rios e de lagos na ficção amazônica
Authors: Vidal Elizabete De Lemos
Published: December 2017

A pesquisa sobre memórias de rios e lagos amazônicos possibilitou um encontro entre dois escritores - Dalcídio Jurandir e Benedicto   Monteiro - traduzindo, do universo literário criado por esses dois autores, vivências do mundo amazônico. Nesse sentido, é possível afirmar que no romance Marajó, de Dalcídio Jurandir e no conto O peixe, de Benedicto   Monteiro, há uma representação do “médico popular“ que atua nos espaços da Amazônia ribeirinha. As especificidades e funções atribuídas a esse personagem, no plano do enunciado e da enunciação, auxiliam na reconstituição das memórias amazônicas traduzidas no plano da ficção. O tom de oralidade presente no conto O peixe, enriquece o convencional papel do narrador, refletindo as vivências e experiências do autor em prestadas à angústia de um homem dividido entre as coisas de Deus e as tentações do Diabo: águas, peixes, plantas, musgos, cores, cheiros e sabores, elementos de um mundo particular, se agregam à geografia dos rios, lagos, furos, igarapés, que materializam constelação de signos amazônicos
Um conto exemplar
Authors: Vidal Ariovaldo
Published: December 2017

O artigo empreende uma leitura analítica do conto “Caso de mentira”, de Marques Rebelo (1907-73), que faz parte do seu livro de estréia – Oscarina (1931). Narrado pelo irmão mais velho, o conto fala de uma dupla travessura: a do irmão mais novo, que termina bem, e a do mais velho, castigado pelo pai autoritário, o que implica a presença de um tema machadiano no conto – o sentimento de um destino equivocado – ao mesmo tempo configurando uma cena da tradição patriarcal da família brasileira.
Cardiac-Specific Bdh1 Overexpression Ameliorates Oxidative Stress and Cardiac Remodeling in Pressure Overload–Induced Heart Failure
Authors: Uchihashi Motoki , Hoshino Atsushi , Okawa Yoshifumi , Ariyoshi Makoto , Kaimoto Satoshi , Tateishi Shuhei , Ono Kazunori , Yamanaka Ryoetsu , Hato Daichi , Fushimura Yohei , Honda Sakiko , Fukai Kuniyoshi , Higuchi Yusuke , Ogata Takehiro , Iwai-Kanai Eri , Matoba Satoaki
Published: December 2017

Background

Energy starvation and the shift of energy substrate from fatty acids to glucose is the hallmark of metabolic remodeling during heart failure progression. However, ketone body metabolism in the failing heart has not been fully investigated.

Methods and Results

Microarray data analysis and mitochondrial isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification proteomics revealed that the expression of D-β-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase I (Bdh1), an enzyme that catalyzes the NAD
+
/NADH coupled interconversion of acetoacetate and β-hydroxybutyrate, was increased 2.5- and 2.8-fold, respectively, in the heart after transverse aortic constriction. In addition, ketone body oxidation was upregulated 2.2-fold in transverse aortic constriction hearts, as determined by the amount of
14
CO
2
released from the metabolism of [1-
14
C] β-hydroxybutyrate in isolated perfused hearts. To investigate the significance of this augmented ketone body oxidation, we generated heart-specific Bdh1-overexpressing transgenic mice to recapitulate the observed increase in basal ketone body oxidation. Bdh1 transgenic mice showed a 1.7-fold increase in ketone body oxidation but did not exhibit any differences in other baseline characteristics. When subjected to transverse aortic constriction, Bdh1 transgenic mice were resistant to fibrosis, contractile dysfunction, and oxidative damage, as determined by the immunochemical detection of carbonylated proteins and histone acetylation. Upregulation of Bdh1 enhanced antioxidant enzyme expression. In our in vitro study, flow cytometry revealed that rotenone-induced reactive oxygen species production was decreased by adenovirus-mediated Bdh1 overexpression. Furthermore, hydrogen peroxide–induced apoptosis was attenuated by Bdh1 overexpression.

Conclusions

We demonstrated that ketone body oxidation increased in failing hearts, and increased ketone body utilization decreased oxidative stress and protected against heart failure.
Oscillatory Mechanisms of Response Conflict Elicited by Color and Motion Direction: An Individual Differences Approach
Authors: Vissers Marlies E. , Ridderinkhof K. Richard , Cohen Michael X. , Slagter Heleen A.
Published: December 2017

Goal-directed behavior requires control over automatic behavior, for example, when goal-irrelevant information from the environment captures an inappropriate response and conflicts with the correct, goal-relevant action. Neural oscillations in the theta band (∼6 Hz) measured at midfrontal electrodes are thought to form an important substrate of the detection and subsequent resolution of response conflict. Here, we examined the extent to which response conflict and associated theta-band activity depend on the visual stimulus feature dimension that triggers the conflict. We used a feature-based Simon task to manipulate conflict by motion direction and stimulus color. Analyses were focused on individual differences in behavioral response conflict elicited across different stimulus dimensions and their relationship to conflict-related midfrontal theta. We first confirmed the presence of response conflict elicited by task-irrelevant motion and stimulus color, demonstrating the usefulness of our modified version of the Simon task to assess different sensory origins of response conflict. Despite titrating overall task performance, we observed large individual differences in the behavioral manifestations of response conflict elicited by the different visual dimensions. These behavioral conflict effects were mirrored in a dimension-specific relationship with conflict-related midfrontal theta power, such that, for each dimension, individual midfrontal theta power was generally higher when experienced response conflict was high. Finally, exploratory analyses of interregional functional connectivity suggested a role for phase synchronization between frontal and parietal scalp sites in modulating experienced conflict when color was the task-relevant visual dimension. Highlighting the importance of an individual differences approach in cognitive neuroscience, these results reveal large individual differences in experienced response conflict depending on the source of visual interference, which are predicted by conflict-related midfrontal theta power.