bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acetone Extract fromRhodomyrtus tomentosa: A Potent Natural Antioxidant
Authors: Lavanya Goodla , Voravuthikunchai Supayang Piyawan , Towatana Nongporn Hutadilok
Published: October 2012

Rhodomyrtus tomentosa(Myrtaceae) has been employed in traditional Thai medicine to treat colic diarrhoea, dysentery, abscesses, haemorrhage, and gynaecopathy. In addition, it has been used to formulate skin-whitening, anti-aging and skin beautifying agents. Ethnomedical activities of this plant may be due its antioxidant property. Hence, the aim of this study was to evaluate bothin vitroandin vivoantioxidant activities ofR. tomentosaleaf extract.In vitroantioxidant activity of the extract was assessed by lipid peroxidation inhibition capacity, ferric reducing antioxidant power, and metal chelating activity.R. tomentosaextract demonstrated its free radical scavenging effects in concentration dependent manner.In vivoantioxidant activity of the extract was conducted in SwissAlbinomice. Levels of thio-barbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), glutathione (GSH), and the activities of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in blood, liver, and kidney were analyzed using microtitre plate photometer. Administration of CCl4caused significant increase in TBARS and decrease in GSH, SOD, CAT and GPx levels. In contrast,R. tomentosaextract (0.8 g/kg) effectively prevented these alterations and maintained the antioxidant status. The results suggest thatR. tomentosaextract can serve as a potent antioxidant.
A Dynamic Analysis of the Role of the Planetary- and Synoptic-Scale in the Summer of 2010 Blocking Episodes over the European Part of Russia
Authors: Lupo Anthony R. , Mokhov Igor I. , Akperov Merseid G. , Chernokulsky Alexander V. , Athar H.
Published: October 2012

During the summer of 2010, an unusually persistent blocking episode resulted in anomalously warm dry weather over the European part of Russia. The excessive heat resulted in forest and peat fires, impacted terrestrial ecosystems, greatly increased pollution in urban areas, and increased mortality rates in the region. Using the National Centers for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) reanalysis datasets, the climatological and dynamic character of blocking events for summer 2010 and a precursor May blocking event were examined. We found that these events were stronger and longer lived than typical warm season events. Using dynamic methods, we demonstrate that the July 2010 event was a synoptic-scale dominant blocking event; unusual in the summer season. An analysis of phase diagrams demonstrated that the planetary-scale did not become stable until almost one week after block onset. For all other blocking events studied here and previously, the planetary-scale became stable around onset. Analysis using area integrated regional enstrophy (IRE) demonstrated that for the July 2010 event, synoptic-scale IRE increased at block onset. This was similar for the May 2010 event, but different from case studies examined previously that demonstrated the planetary-scale IRE was prominent at block onset.
Berberine in the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Dong Hui , Wang Nan , Zhao Li , Lu Fuer
Published: October 2012

Objectives.To assess the efficacy and safety of berberine in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Methods.Randomized trials of berberine compared with lifestyle modification, placebo, and/or oral hypoglycaemics intervention on treating T2DM were included. Study population characteristics and outcome results were extracted independently by two reviewers. Meta-analyses were performed for data available.Results.Fourteen randomized trials, involving 1068 participants, were included in this study. Methodological quality was generally low. Compared with lifestyle modification with or without placebo, the cointervention of berberine and lifestyle modification showed significantly hypoglycaemic and antidyslipidemic response. Compared with oral hypoglycaemics including metformin, glipizide, or rosiglitazone, berberine did not demonstrate a significantly better glycaemic control but showed a mild antidyslipidemic effect. Compared with oral hypoglycaemic drugs, cointerventions with berberine and the same oral hypoglycaemics showed a better glycaemic control. No serious adverse effects from berberine were reported.Conclusions.Berberine appeared to be efficacious for treating hyperglycaemia and dyslipidemia in T2DM. However, the evidence of berberine for treating T2DM should be carefully interpreted due to the low methodological quality, small sample size, limited number of trials, and unidentified risks of bias.
Left Atrial Appendage Exclusion for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Patel Taral K. , Yancy Clyde W. , Knight Bradley P.
Published: October 2012

The public health burden of atrial fibrillation (AF) and associated thromboembolic stroke continues to grow at alarming rates. AF leads to a fivefold increase in the risk of stroke. Therefore, stroke prevention remains the most critical aspect of AF management. Current standard of care focuses on oral systemic anticoagulation, most commonly with warfarin and now with newer agents such as dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban. However, the challenges and limitations of oral anticoagulation have been well documented. Given the critical role of the left atrial appendage (LAA) in the genesis of AF-related thromboembolism, recent efforts have targeted removal or occlusion of the LAA as an alternative strategy for stroke prevention, particularly in patients deemed unsuitable for oral anticoagulation. This paper highlights recent advances in mechanical exclusion of the LAA. The problem of AF and stroke is briefly summarized, followed by an explanation for the rationale behind LAA exclusion for stroke prevention. After briefly reviewing the history of LAA exclusion, we highlight the most promising LAA exclusion devices currently available. Finally, we discuss future challenges and opportunities in this growing field.
On Elliptic Equations in Orlicz Spaces Involving Natural Growth Term and Measure Data
Authors: Kbiri Alaoui Mohammed
Published: October 2012

The paper deals with the existence of solutions of elliptic equations in the framework of Orlicz spaces with right‐hand side measure and natural growth term.
Selenium in the Prevention of Anthracycline-Induced Cardiac Toxicity in Children with Cancer
Authors: Tacyildiz Nurdan , Ozyoruk Derya , Ozelci Kavas Guzin , Yavuz Gulsan , Unal Emel , Dincaslan Handan , Atalay Semra , Ucar Tayfun , Ikinciogullari Aydan , Doganay Beyza , Oktay Gulsah , Cavdar Ayhan , Kucuk Omer
Published: October 2012

High cumulative doses of anthracyclines (300–500 mg/m2) used in the treatment of children with cancer may result in cardiotoxicity, a major long-term adverse effect that limits clinical usefulness of this class of chemotherapeutic agents. We assessed anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity by measuring Pro-BNP levels and echocardiographic (ECHO) findings and investigated potential protective effect of selenium (Se) supplementation in a group of pediatric cancer patients. Plasma level of Pro-BNP was measured, and ECHO was performed in 67 patients (45 boys, 22 girls; ages 2–18 years; median age 12 years) after they completed anthracycline-containing chemotherapy. Serum Se level was measured in 37 patients. Eleven patients had high Pro-BNP levels and/or cardiac failure with Pro-BNP levels of 10–8,022 pg/mL (median 226.3 pg/mL; laboratory normal level is less than 120 pg/mL). Serum Se levels were low (20–129 mcg/L, median 62 mcg/L) in ten of these eleven patients. Eight of 10 patients with low Se and high Pro-BNP levels were supplemented with Se 100 mcg/day for a period of 4–33 months (median 6 months) which resulted in improvement in Pro-BNP and/or ECHO findings. These results suggest that Se supplementation may have a role in protection against anthracycline-induced cardiac toxicity.
Turcot Syndrome: A Synchronous Clinical Presentation of Glioblastoma Multiforme and Adenocarcinoma of the Colon
Authors: Dipro Sabiq , Al-Otaibi Faisal , Alzahrani Adel , Ulhaq Anwar , Al Shail Essam
Published: October 2012

Turcot syndrome (TS) is a rare hereditary disorder clinically characterized by the occurrence of primary tumors of the colon and the central nervous system (CNS). Here we present the case of an 11-year-old boy with a synchronous clinical presentation of both glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and colonic adenocarcinoma. A molecular genetic study revealed microsatellite instability in the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) gene. This patient ultimately survived for 13 months after clinical presentation. Based on this case study, the synchronous presentation of glioblastoma multiforme and adenocarcinoma of the colon might suggest a shorter survival rate for patients with Turcot syndrome. A literature review complements this paper.
Pathogenicity ofTrichobilharziaspp. for Vertebrates
Authors: Lucie Lichtenbergová , Petr Horák
Published: October 2012

Bird schistosomes, besides being responsible for bird schistosomiasis, are known as causative agents of cercarial dermatitis. Cercarial dermatitis develops after repeated contact with cercariae, mainly of the genusTrichobilharzia, and was described as a type I, immediate hypersensitivity response, followed by a late phase reaction. The immune response is Th2 polarized. Primary infection leads to an inflammatory reaction that is insufficient to eliminate the schistosomes and schistosomula may continue its migration through the body of avian as well as mammalian hosts. However, reinfections of experimental mice revealed an immune reaction leading to destruction of the majority of schistosomula in the skin. Infection with the nasal schistosomeTrichobilharzia regentiprobably represents a higher health risk than infections with visceral schistosomes. After the skin penetration by the cercariae, parasites migrate via the peripheral nerves, spinal cord to the brain, and terminate their life cycle in the nasal mucosa of waterfowl where they lay eggs.T. regentican also get over skin barrier and migrate to CNS of experimental mice. During heavy infections, neuroinfections of both birds and mammals lead to the development of a cellular immune response and axonal damage in the vicinity of the schistosomulum. Such infections are manifest by neuromotor disorders.
Salvianolic Acid B Reducing Portal Hypertension Depends on Macrophages in Isolated Portal Perfused Rat Livers with Chronic Hepatitis
Authors: Zhao Xin , Jia Hongmei , Yang Shijun , Liu Yuetao , Deng Bo , Xu Xueyan , Zhang Tao , Zhou Hang , Zu Chengzhe , Yin He , Li Ting , Song Yijun , Wang Yueqi , Li Pengtao , Zou Zhongmei , Cai Dayong
Published: October 2012

This study is aimed to investigate the effects of Sal B on portal hypertension (PH). PH with chronic hepatitis was induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats. The model was confirmed with elevated portal pressures and increased serum CD163 levels. The inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) or heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in portal triads was assessed. The isolated portal perfused rat liver (IPPRL) was performed atd0,d28,d56, andd84in the progression of chronic hepatitis. After constricting with phenylephrine, the portal veins were relaxed with Sal B. The EC50of Sal B for relaxing portal veins was−2.04×10−9,7.28×10−11,1.52×10−11, and8.44×10−11 mol/L atd0,d28,d56, andd84, respectively. More macrophages infiltrated in portal triads and expressed more iNOS or HO-1 as PH advanced. The areas under the curve (AUCs) of Sal B for reducing PH were positively correlated with the levels of iNOS or HO-1 in portal triads, and so did with serum CD163 levels. Sal B reduces PH in IPPRL with chronic hepatitis, via promoting portal relaxation due to macrophage-originated NO or CO in portal triads, partly at least.
Beliefs and Attitudes about Childhood Epilepsy among School Teachers in Two Cities of Southeast Brazil
Authors: Zanni Karina Piccin , Matsukura Thelma Simões , Maia Filho Heber de Souza
Published: October 2012

Childhood epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder associated with profound psychosocial limitations epileptic children's routine. Lack of information and inappropriate beliefs are still the factors that most contribute to the stigma and discrimination. This study aimed at characterizing teacher's beliefs and attitudes at regular and special schools in two cities of southeastern Brazil where students with epilepsy studied. Fifty-six teachers of public regular schools and specialized educational institutions for children with disabilities from two cities of Southeast Brazil who had epileptic children in their classroom completed the Brazilian version of The Epilepsy Beliefs and Attitudes Scale: Adult Version and answered a data sheet about sociodemographic characteristics. The results showed that no significant differences (P≤0.05) have been found between the beliefs and attitudes of teachers in mainstream and special schools but both schoolteachers had more inappropriate beliefs and attitudes than appropriate ones against childhood epilepsy. These findings raise an important issue, providing us with the knowledge that epilepsy is still a condition which is surrounded by wrong beliefs. Also, educational programs could help reduce the gaps in knowledge about how such disease has been perceived worldwide.
An Unusual Case of Suspected Microvascular Angina in a Newborn
Authors: Cataldo Stefania , Annoni Giuseppe Alberto , Fiocchi Stefano , Mauri Luigi Daniele , Corato Alessandra , Vignati Gabriele
Published: October 2012

Myocardial ischemia in pediatric population is uncommon and usually due to congenital heart disease or extracardiac conditions leading to poor coronary perfusion. A 6-day-old newborn presented with respiratory distress and signs of heart failure. ECG, echocardiography, and laboratory results were consistent with myocardial ischemia. Coronary angiography was performed to exclude anomalous origin of coronary arteries, showing normal coronary artery origin and course. Thrombophilia and extra-cardiac causes were ruled out. Clinical conditions improved with mechanical ventilation and diuretics, enzyme levels lowered, repolarisation and systolic function abnormalities regressed, but ischemic electrocardiographic and echocardiographic signs still presented during intense crying. Becaues of suspicion of microvascular angina, therapy with ASA and beta-blocker was started. At 5 month followup, the baby was in good clinical condition and no more episodes were recorded. We believe it is an interesting case, as no similar cases have been recorded till now.
Delay‐Dependent Stability Analysis for Recurrent Neural Networks with Time‐Varying Delays
Authors: Lv Shu , Tian Junkang , Zhong Shouming
Published: October 2012

This paper concerns the problem of delay‐dependent stability criteria for recurrent neural networks with time varying delays. By taking more information of states and activation functions as augmented vectors, a new class of the Lyapunov functional is proposed. Then, some less conservative stability criteria are obtained in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Finally, two numerical examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
A Fully Coupled Model for Electromechanics of the Heart
Authors: Xia Henian , Wong Kwai , Zhao Xiaopeng
Published: October 2012

We present a fully coupled electromechanical model of the heart. The model integrates cardiac electrophysiology and cardiac mechanics through excitation-induced contraction and deformation-induced current. Numerical schemes based on finite element were implemented in a supercomputer. Numerical examples were presented using a thin cardiac tissue and a dog ventricle with realistic geometry. Performance of the parallel simulation scheme was studied. The model provides a useful tool to understand cardiovascular dynamics.
Dendritic Cells, Viruses, and the Development of Atopic Disease
Authors: Tam Jonathan S. , Grayson Mitchell H.
Published: October 2012

Dendritic cells are important residents of the lung environment. They have been associated with asthma and other inflammatory diseases of the airways. In addition to their antigen-presenting functions, dendritic cells have the ability to modulate the lung environment to promote atopic disease. While it has long been known that respiratory viral infections associate with the development and exacerbation of atopic diseases, the exact mechanisms have been unclear. Recent studies have begun to show the critical importance of the dendritic cell in this process. This paper focuses on these data demonstrating how different populations of dendritic cells are capable of bridging the adaptive and innate immune systems, ultimately leading to the translation of viral illness into atopic disease.
Karyotype and DNA-Methylation Responses in Myelodysplastic Syndromes following Treatment with Traditional Chinese Formula Containing Arsenic
Authors: Shuzhen Sun , Rou Ma , Xiaomei Hu , Xiao-hong Yang , Yong-gang Xu , Hongzhi Wang , Xiu-Peng Yang
Published: October 2012

We have previously shown that arsenic-containing Chinese herbal formula, Qing-Huang powder capsule (containing tetraarsenic tetrasulfide, As4S4), is effective in the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS); yet the underlined mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, using standard cytogenetic analysis (G-banded) and global DNA methylation method (ChIP-on-chip assays), we aimed to determine the effect of arsenic-containing Chinese herbal formula on karyotype status and the genomic methylation level in primarily diagnosed MDS patients. Correlation of aberrant DNA methylation and chromosome aberrations in MDS was also investigated. We found that the number of genes with aberrant DNA methylation was highest in MDS patients with normal karyotype, followed by trisomy 8 karyotype, and relatively low in patients with cytogenetic abnormalities other than trisomy 8. Treatment with arsenic-containing Chinese herbal formula had no effects on karyotype status, but resulted in a significant genome-wide demethylation. Our research uncovered a DNA demethylating activity of arsenic-containing Chinese herbal formula in the treatment of MDS.
Development of Chromium(III) Selective Potentiometric Sensor by Using Synthesized Triazole Derivative as an Ionophore
Authors: Kumar Pankaj , Sharma Harish Kumar , Shalaan Kamaal G.
Published: October 2012

A new poly(vinyl chloride) membrane based electrochemical sensor containing synthesized triazole compound, that is, bis‐(4‐N‐amino‐5‐mercapto‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐yl)alkane (BAMTA) as an electroactive material was prepared and investigated as a chromium(III) selective sensor. The optimum composition of the best performing membrane contained triazole, sodium tetraphenylborate (NaTPB), nitrophenyl octyl‐ether (NPOE), and polyvinyl‐chloride (PVC) in the ratio 10 : 2 : 50 : 38 w/w. The sensor exhibited near Nernstian slope of 19.8 ± 0.2 mV/decade of activity in the working concentration range of 1.0 × 10−5−1.0 × 10−1 M. It displayed a stable potential response in the pH range 3.4–5.2. The sensor exhibited a fast response time of less than 10 s and could be used for at least 6 weeks without any considerable divergence in potentials. The proposed sensor showed very good selectivity over most of the common cations including Li+, K+, Na+, Ni2+, Co2+, Cu2+, Sr2+, Ba2+, Cs+, Pb2+, Zn2+, Mg2+, Cd2+, Al3+, Fe3+, and La3+. It could be employed successfully for the determination of Cr(III) ion activity in electroplating and leather tanning industry wastes.
Dragon Fruit Foliage Plant‐Based Coagulant for Treatment of Concentrated Latex Effluent: Comparison of Treatment with Ferric Sulfate
Authors: Idris Juferi , Md Som Ayub , Musa Mohibah , Ku Hamid Ku Halim , Husen Rafidah , Muhd Rodhi Miradatul Najwa
Published: October 2012

The effectiveness of dragon fruit foliage as a natural coagulant for treatment of concentrated latex effluent was investigated and compared with ferric sulfate, a chemical coagulant. Dragon fruit is a round and often red‐colored fruit with scales‐like texture and is native to south American countries which is also cultivated and heavily marketed in southeast Asian countries. Its foliage represents a part of its overall plant system. Latex effluent is one of the main byproduct from rubber processing factories in Malaysia. Three main parameters investigated were chemical oxygen demand (COD), suspended solids (SS), and turbidity of effluent. Coagulation experiments using jar test were performed with a flocculation system where the effects of latex effluent pH as well as coagulation dosage on coagulation effectiveness were examined. The highest recorded COD, SS, and turbidity removal percentages for foliage were observed for effluent pH 10 at 94.7, 88.9, and 99.7%, respectively. It is concluded that the foliage showed tremendous potential as a natural coagulant for water treatment purposes. The foliage could be used in the pretreatment stage of Malaysian latex effluent prior to secondary treatment.
Protected Geographical Indication Identification of a Chinese Green Tea (Anji-White) by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Chemometric Class Modeling Techniques
Authors: Xu Lu , Shi Peng-Tao , Fu Xian-Shu , Cui Hai-Feng , Ye Zi-Hong , Cai Chen-Bo , Yu Xiao-Ping
Published: October 2012

This paper reports a rapid identification method for a Chinese green tea with PGI, Anji-white tea, by class modeling techniques and NIR spectroscopy. 167 real and representative Anji-white tea samples were collected from 8 tea plantations in their original producing areas for model training. Another 81 non-Anji-white tea samples of similar appearance were collected from 7 important tea producing areas and used for validation of model specificity. Diffuse NIR spectra were measured with finely ground tea powders. OCPLS and SIMCA were used to describe the distribution of representative Anji-white tea objects and predict the authenticity of new objects. For data preprocessing, smoothing, derivatives, and SNV were applied to improve the raw spectra and classification performance. It is demonstrated that taking derivatives and SNV can improve classification accuracy and reduce the complexity of class models by removing spectral background and baseline. For the best models, the sensitivity and specificity were 0.886 and 0.951 for OCPLS, 0.886 and 0.938 for SIMCA with SNV spectra, respectively. Although it is difficult to perform an exhaustive analysis of all types of potential false objects, the proposed method can detect most of the important non-Anji-white teas in the Chinese market.
The Estimation of Corrosion Behavior of NiTi and NiTiNb Alloys Using Dynamic Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy
Authors: Bolat Georgiana , Mareci Daniel , Iacoban Sorin , Cimpoesu Nicanor , Munteanu Corneliu
Published: October 2012

Linear anodic potentiodynamic polarization and dynamic electrochemical impedance spectroscopic (DEIS) measurements were carried out for NiTi and NiTiNb alloys in physiological 0.9 wt% NaCl solution in order to assess their corrosion resistance. DEIS measurements were performed from open circuit potential to dissolution potential. It was shown that the impedance measurements in potentiodynamic conditions allow simultaneous investigation of changes in passive layer structure. The impedance spectra of various potential regions were fitted and also discussed. The surface morphology of the alloys after linear anodic polarization test was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) technique.
Genetically Mediated Nf1 Loss in Mice Promotes Diverse Radiation-Induced Tumors Modeling Second Malignant Neoplasms
Authors: Choi Grace , Huang Brian , Pinarbasi Emile , Braunstein Steve E. , Horvai Andrew E. , Kogan Scott , Bhatia Smita , Faddegon Bruce , Nakamura Jean L.
Published: October 2012

Second malignant neoplasms (SMN) are therapy-induced malignancies and a growing problem in cancer survivors, particularly survivors of childhood cancers. The lack of experimental models of SMNs has limited understanding of their pathogenesis. It is currently not possible to predict or prevent this devastating late complication. Individuals with neurofibromatosis I (NF1) are at increased risk of developing therapy-induced cancers for unclear reasons. To model SMNs, we replicated clinical radiotherapy and delivered fractionated abdominal irradiation to Nf1+/− and wild-type mice. Similar to irradiated cancer survivors, irradiated wild-type and Nf1+/− mice developed diverse in-field malignancies. In Nf1+/− mice, fractionated irradiation promoted both classical NF1-associated malignancies and malignancies unassociated with the NF1 syndrome but typical of SMNs. Nf1 heterozygosity potentiated the mutagenic effects of irradiation, as evidenced by the significantly reduced survival after irradiation and tumor development that was often characterized by synchronous primary tumors. Interestingly, diverse radiation-induced tumors arising in wild-type and Nf1+/− mice shared a genetic signature characterized by monoallelic loss of Nf1 and the adjacent Trp53 allele. These findings implicate Nf1 loss as mediating tumorigenesis in a broad range of cell types and organs extending beyond the classical NF1 tumor histologies. Examining clinical SMN samples, we found LOH of NF1 in SMNs from non-NF1 patients. Nf1 heterozygosity confers broad susceptibility to genotoxin-induced tumorigenesis, and this paradigm serves as an experimental platform for future studies of SMNs. Cancer Res; 72(24); 6425–34. ©2012 AACR.
Identification and Acute Targeting of Gaps in Atrial Ablation Lesion Sets Using a Real-Time Magnetic Resonance Imaging System
Authors: Ranjan Ravi , Kholmovski Eugene G , Blauer Joshua , Vijayakumar Sathya , Volland Nelly A. , Salama Mohamed E. , Parker Dennis L. , MacLeod Rob , Marrouche Nassir F.
Published: October 2012

Background—

Radiofrequency ablation is routinely used to treat cardiac arrhythmias, but gaps remain in ablation lesion sets because there is no direct visualization of ablation-related changes. In this study, we acutely identify and target gaps using a real-time magnetic resonance imaging (RT-MRI) system, leading to a complete and transmural ablation in the atrium.

Methods and Results—

A swine model was used for these studies (n=12). Ablation lesions with a gap were created in the atrium using fluoroscopy and an electroanatomic system in the first group (n=5). The animal was then moved to a 3-tesla MRI system where high-resolution late gadolinium enhancement MRI was used to identify the gap. Using an RT-MRI catheter navigation and visualization system, the gap area was ablated in the MR scanner. In a second group (n=7), ablation lesions with varying gaps in between were created under RT-MRI guidance, and gap lengths determined using late gadolinium enhancement MR images were correlated with gap length measured from gross pathology. Gaps up to 1.0 mm were identified using gross pathology, and gaps up to 1.4 mm were identified using late gadolinium enhancement MRI. Using an RT-MRI system with active catheter navigation gaps can be targeted acutely, leading to lesion sets with no gaps. The correlation coefficient (
R
2
) between the gap length was identified using MRI, and the gross pathology was 0.95.

Conclusions—

RT-MRI system can be used to identify and acutely target gaps in atrial ablation lesion sets. Acute targeting of gaps in ablation lesion sets can potentially lead to significant improvement in clinical outcomes.
Comorbidity and Ventricular and Vascular Structure and Function in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Mohammed Selma F. , Borlaug Barry A. , Roger Véronique L. , Mirzoyev Sultan A. , Rodeheffer Richard J. , Chirinos Julio A. , Redfield Margaret M.
Published: October 2012

Background—

Patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) display increased adiposity and multiple comorbidities, factors that in themselves may influence cardiovascular structure and function. This has sparked debate as to whether HFpEF represents a distinct disease or an amalgamation of comorbidities. We hypothesized that fundamental cardiovascular structural and functional alterations are characteristic of HFpEF, even after accounting for body size and comorbidities.

Methods and Results—

Comorbidity-adjusted cardiovascular structural and functional parameters scaled to independently generated and age-appropriate allometric powers were compared in community-based cohorts of HFpEF patients (n=386) and age/sex-matched healthy n=193 and hypertensive, n=386 controls. Within HFpEF patients, body size and concomitant comorbidity-adjusted cardiovascular structural and functional parameters and survival were compared in those with and without individual comorbidities. Among HFpEF patients, comorbidities (obesity, anemia, diabetes mellitus, and renal dysfunction) were each associated with unique clinical, structural, functional, and prognostic profiles. However, after accounting for age, sex, body size, and comorbidities, greater concentric hypertrophy, atrial enlargement and systolic, diastolic, and vascular dysfunction were consistently observed in HFpEF compared with age/sex-matched normotensive and hypertensive.

Conclusions—

Comorbidities influence ventricular-vascular properties and outcomes in HFpEF, yet fundamental disease-specific changes in cardiovascular structure and function underlie this disorder. These data support the search for mechanistically targeted therapies in this disease.
Subintimal Dissection/Reentry Strategies in Coronary Chronic Total Occlusion Interventions
Authors: Michael Tesfaldet T. , Papayannis Aristotelis C. , Banerjee Subhash , Brilakis Emmanouil S.
Published: October 2012

Subintimal dissection/reentry techniques are increasingly being used for crossing coronary chronic total occlusions both antegradely (using a knucle wire or the Bridgepoint system) or retrogradely (using the controlled antegrade and retrograde tracking and dissection, and reverse controlled antegrade and retrograde tracking and dissection technique). Subintimal dissection/reentry techniques can increase procedural success rates, but their subsequent clinical outcomes are poorly studied, and they appear to be associated with high rates of in-stent restenosis and repeat target lesion revascularization. In the present review, we describe in detail the chronic total occlusions subintimal dissection/reentry techniques, clarify the related terminology and summarize the published studies in this area and the current gaps of knowledge.
Functional Role of Matrix Metalloproteinase-8 in Stem/Progenitor Cell Migration and Their Recruitment Into Atherosclerotic Lesions
Authors: Xiao Qingzhong , Zhang Feng , Lin Luyang , Fang Changcun , Wen Guanmei , Tsai Tsung-Neng , Pu Xiangyuan , Sims David , Zhang Zhongyi , Yin Xiaoke , Thomaszewski Binia , Schmidt Boris , Mayr Manuel , Suzuki Ken , Xu Qingbo , Ye Shu
Published: October 2012

Rationale:

Accumulating evidence indicates that stem/progenitor cells (SPCs) represent an important source of cells in atheromas and contribute to lesion formation and progression.

Objective:

We investigated whether matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP8) played a role in SPC migration and their recruitment into atheromas.

Methods and Results:

We found that SPCs in atheromas expressed MMP8 and that MMP8 knockout significantly reduced SPC numbers in atherosclerotic lesions in apolipoprotein E (ApoE)–deficient mice fed a Western diet. Further in vivo experiments showed that ApoE
−/−
/MMP8
−/−
mice injected with stem cells isolated from bone marrows of ApoE
−/−
/MMP8
−/−
mice had fewer SPCs in atheromas and smaller lesions than ApoE
−/−
/MMP8
−/−
mice injected with stem cells isolated from bone marrows of ApoE
−/−
/MMP8
+/+
mice. Ex vivo experiments showed that MMP8 deficiency inhibited the ability of SPCs to migrate from the arterial lumen and the adventitia into atherosclerotic lesions. In vitro assays indicated that MMP8 facilitated SPC migration across endothelial cells and through Matrigel or collagen I. We also found that MMP8 cleaved a-disintegrin-and-metalloproteinase-domain-10 and that MMP8 deficiency reduced mature a-disintegrin-and-metalloproteinase-domain-10 on SPCs. Knockdown of MMP8 or incubation with the a-disintegrin-and-metalloproteinase-domain-10 inhibitor GI254023X decreased E-cadherin shedding on SPCs. The decrease in migratory ability of SPCs with MMP8 knockdown was reduced by incubation of such cells with culture supernatant from SPCs without MMP8 knockdown, and this compensatory effect was abolished by an antibody against soluble E-cadherin.

Conclusions:

MMP8 plays an important role in SPC migration and their recruitment into atherosclerotic lesions.
Engagement of Platelet Toll-Like Receptor 9 by Novel Endogenous Ligands Promotes Platelet Hyperreactivity and Thrombosis
Authors: Panigrahi Soumya , Ma Yi , Hong Li , Gao Detao , West Xiaoxia Z. , Salomon Robert G. , Byzova Tatiana V. , Podrez Eugene A.
Published: October 2012

Rationale:

A prothrombotic state and increased platelet reactivity are common in pathophysiological conditions associated with oxidative stress and infections. Such conditions are associated with an appearance of altered-self ligands in circulation that can be recognized by Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Platelets express a number of TLRs, including TLR9; however, the role of TLR in platelet function and thrombosis is poorly understood.

Objective:

To investigate the biological activities of carboxy(alkylpyrrole) protein adducts, an altered-self ligand generated in oxidative stress, on platelet function and thrombosis.

Methods and Results:

In this study we show that carboxy(alkylpyrrole) protein adducts represent novel unconventional ligands for TLR9. Furthermore, using human and murine platelets, we demonstrate that carboxy(alkylpyrrole) protein adducts promote platelet activation, granule secretion, and aggregation in vitro and thrombosis in vivo via the TLR9/MyD88 pathway. Platelet activation by TLR9 ligands induces IRAK1 and AKT phosphorylation, and it is Src kinase—dependent. Physiological platelet agonists act synergistically with TLR9 ligands by inducing TLR9 expression on the platelet surface.

Conclusions:

Our study demonstrates that platelet TLR9 is a functional platelet receptor that links oxidative stress, innate immunity, and thrombosis.
NT-ProBNP Independently Predicts Long-Term Mortality in Patients Admitted for Coronary Angiography
Authors: Ruwald Martin Huth , Goetze Jens Peter , Bech Jan , Nielsen Olav Wendelboe , Madsen Bente Kühn , Nielsen Lars Bo , Mouridsen Mette , Ruwald Anne-Christine Huth , Madsen Jan Kyst , Pedersen Sune
Published: October 2012

Recently, research interests are focussed on biomarkers to predict the outcome in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). We examined whether the levels of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) could predict outcome in patients who underwent elective or acute coronary angiography (CAG). A total of 337 patients with suspected CAD who underwent elective or acute CAG were followed up for a mean period of 6.7 years. Primary end points were all-cause mortality (ACM) and the combined end point of ACM, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and revascularization. In all, 53 (16%) patients died and 88 (26%) patients reached the combined end point. Preprocedural NT-proBNP above 32 pmol/L independently predicted ACM (hazard ratio [HR] 3.11; confidence interval [CI]: 1.60-6.07; P = .001) and the combined end point (HR 2.44 [CI: 1.50-3.97]; P < .001). This study indicates that high NT-proBNP is an independent predictor of ACM on long-term follow-up. N-terminal-proBNP is a reliable predictive marker of mortality in the setting of stable or unstable angina.
Which Parties Can Lead Opinion? Experimental Evidence on Partisan Cue Taking in Multiparty Democracies
Authors: Brader Ted , Tucker Joshua A. , Duell Dominik
Published: October 2012

Political parties not only aggregate the policy preferences of their supporters, but also have the ability to shape those preferences. Experimental evidence demonstrates that, when parties stake out positions on policy issues, partisans become more likely to adopt these positions, whether out of blind loyalty or because they infer that party endorsements signal options consistent with their interests or values. It is equally clear, however, that partisans do not always follow their party’s lead. The authors investigate the impact of three party-level traits on partisan cue taking: longevity, incumbency, and ideological clarity. As parties age, voters may become more certain of both the party’s reputation and their own allegiance. Governing parties must take action and respond to events, increasing the likelihood of compromise and failure, and therefore may dilute their reputation and disappoint followers. Incumbency aside, some parties exhibit greater ambiguity in their ideological position than other parties, undermining voter certainty about the meaning of cues. The authors test these hypotheses with experiments conducted in three multiparty democracies (Poland, Hungary, and Great Britain). They find that partisans more strongly follow their party’s lead when that party is older, in the opposition, or has developed a more consistent ideological image. However, the impact of longevity vanishes when the other factors are taken into account. Underscoring the importance of voter (un)certainty, ideologically coherent opposition parties have the greatest capacity to shape the policy views of followers.
Improving Teaching Does Improve Teachers
Authors: Lewis Catherine C. , Perry Rebecca R. , Friedkin Shelley , Roth Jillian R.
Published: October 2012

The authors comment on the article by Morris and Hiebert in three ways. First, they add thoughts about why improvement efforts often focus on teachers, rather than teaching. Second, they offer evidence from U.S. lesson study research that focus on teaching can improve both students’ learning and teachers’ learning. Finally, they suggest that the instructional products and common assessments advocated by Hiebert and Morris are not sufficient, and that they need to be accompanied by practice-based, collegial learning in which teachers build shared knowledge and commitments for the hard work of improvement. Their research indicates that lesson study focuses on teaching, but improves teachers as well, increasing mathematical knowledge and beliefs that support instructional improvement, as well as improving student learning.
Analysis of water sorption and thermal conductivity of expanded polystyrene insulation materials
Authors: Lakatos Ákos , Kalmár Ferenc
Published: October 2012

This article presents the results of water sorption properties investigation and thermal conductivity measurements of expanded polystyrene thermal insulation materials with different mass densities. The sorption behaviour of the expanded polystyrene materials was achieved in a Climacell 111 type climatic chamber, after drying in a Venticell 111 type desiccator apparatus. The relative humidity varied from 25% to 90% at 293 K for 240 min. The thermal conductivity of each sample was determined using a Holometrix 2000 (HLS) heat flow meter. In this article, the sorption isotherms, sorption kinetics, thermal conductivities and the prediction of changes in function of water content of four pure expanded polystyrene (30, 100, 150, 200 and grey) slabs with different densities (14, 17.5, 23.7 and 27.5 kg/m3) and one expanded polystyrene mixed with graphite are given (grey expanded polystyrene).

Practical application: The thermal conductivity as well as the moisture content are key thermal transport properties of building materials. The role of insulating materials in the building energy and moisture balance is more significant when compared with the other materials of the building structures. The laboratory measurements of these values of the insulating materials are very important either for the manufacturers or the contractors. The available bibliographic data for these materials are strongly incomplete and somewhere out of date.
Anemia and Leukopenia in a Long‐Term Parenteral Nutrition Patient During a Shortage of Parenteral Trace Element Products in the United States
Authors: Pramyothin Pornpoj , Kim Dong Wook , Young Lorraine S. , Wichansawakun Sanit , Apovian Caroline M.
Published: October 2012

Recently, drug shortages in the United States have affected multiple components of the parenteral nutrition (PN) solution. A 62‐year‐old patient with systemic sclerosis who was dependent on home PN due to intestinal dysmotility developed anemia and leukopenia approximately 4 months after parenteral copper was withheld from her PN solution due to drug shortages. The patient was not able to tolerate a sufficient amount of oral multivitamins with trace elements due to severe dysphagia. Her serum copper and ceruloplasmin concentrations were undetectable, confirming the diagnosis of severe copper deficiency. The hematological abnormalities promptly resolved with copper supplementation. This report emphasizes the importance of close monitoring for nutrient deficiencies during drug shortages and supplementing with oral or enteral nutrition when feasible, particularly in high‐risk patients such as those with intestinal malabsorption or short bowel syndrome who are dependent on long‐term PN.
Extended information inference model for unsupervised categorization of web short texts
Authors: Xu Tao , Peng Qinke
Published: October 2012

Traditional text-processing methods encounter significant performance degradation when they are applied to web short texts, with their inherent characteristics including feature sparseness, lack of sufficient hand-labelled training examples, domain dependence, and asyntactic expression. In this paper we propose a modified information inference model that can mimic human cognitive behaviour to categorize various web short texts in an unsupervised manner. The model is based on the conceptual space theory and hyperspace analogue to language (HAL) model, and it is a novel development in that it combines domain-specific knowledge and universal knowledge via a fusion mechanism for multiple HAL spaces. Moreover, in the realization of conceptual space, a concept is represented geometrically by a two-tuple of property sets, which can effectively improve the representation accuracy of the information contained in combined concepts. Two measurements of the relationship between concepts are used to implement the information inference for web short texts. The experimental evaluation of our model is conducted via three different tasks on web short text categorization, and the results indicate the applicability and usefulness of the proposed method.
Duplicate bibliographic record detection with an OCR-converted source of information
Authors: Taniguchi Shoichi
Published: October 2012

Duplicate record detection has been an important issue in the fields of data and records management and various detection methods have been proposed. A new method, which uses an optical character recognition (OCR)-converted source of information for record matching to detect duplicates, is proposed and examined in this paper. First, the design of an experiment for examining the performance of such a duplicate detection method is discussed. The base record set with an OCR-converted title page and its verso were prepared along with two test record sets from different union catalogues, and duplicate records between the base record set and the test sets were manually identified. A duplicate detection system was developed to execute matching (1) between records, (2) between a record and an OCR-converted source of information and (3) using a combination of these. Second, matching performance at the individual data element level is examined. Third, the performance of duplicate record detection based on matching at the element level is examined through rule-based detection and machine learning-based detection. The results of the experiment show the usefulness of incorporating source of information into duplicate detection to a certain extent.
Causes and contexts of tax morale: Rational considerations, community orientations, and communist rule
Authors: Trüdinger Eva-Maria , Hildebrandt Achim
Published: October 2012

In political theory, the subject of tax morale is closely linked to issues of citizenship and civic duties. Research on tax morale, however, is still rather underdeveloped in political science. In this article, we systematically compare a rational considerations approach with an approach focusing on the influence of community orientations on an individual’s tax morale. We expect that contexts varying with the existence and duration of communist rule have caused systematic differences in terms of the motivation for tax morale. Multilevel analyses based on data taken from the fourth wave of the World Values/European Values Survey (1999/2000) confirm our expectations that socialization under communist rule strengthens the relevance of community orientations in explaining an individual’s tax morale and reduces the impact of rational considerations.
Different but equally plausible narratives of policy transformation: A plea for theoretical pluralism
Authors: van der Heijden Jeroen
Published: October 2012

Theories of institutional change help us to understand policy transformation, and provide us with a framework for presenting transformation narratives retrospectively. By telling the transformation narrative of a single case through the lenses of three different institutional change theories, this article highlights the potential shortcomings of a single lens, and the value of using complementary lenses. It argues for a pluralist approach to provide a richer understanding of policy transformation.
Glycemic Control with Insulin Prevents Progression of Dental Caries and Caries-related Periodontitis in Diabetic WBN/KobSlc Rats
Authors: Nakahara Yutaka , Sano Tomoya , Kodama Yasushi , Ozaki Kiyokazu , Matsuura Tetsuro
Published: October 2012

We have previously reported that dental caries progress in spontaneously and chemically induced diabetic rodent models. The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between hyperglycemia and dental caries by evaluating the preventive effect of glycemic control with insulin on the progression of the lesions in diabetic rats. Male WBN/KobSlc rats aged 15 weeks were divided into groups of spontaneously diabetic rats (intact group), spontaneously diabetic rats with insulin treatment (INS group), alloxan-induced prolonged diabetic rats (AL group), and alloxan-induced prolonged diabetic rats with insulin treatment (AL + INS group). The animals were killed at 90 weeks of age, and their oral tissue was examined. Dental caries and periodontitis were frequently detected in the intact group, and the lesions were enhanced in the AL group (in which there was an increased duration of diabetes). Meanwhile, glycemic control with insulin reduced the incidence and severity of dental caries and periodontitis in the INS group, and the effects became more pronounced in the AL + INS group. In conclusion, glycemic control by insulin prevented the progression of dental caries and caries-related periodontitis in the diabetic rats.