bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hyperbolic Cosines and Sines Theorems for the Triangle Formed by Arcs of Intersecting Semicircles on Euclidean Plane
Authors: Yamaleev Robert M.
Published: April 2013

The hyperbolic cosines and sines theorems for the curvilinear triangle bounded by circular arcs of three intersecting circles are formulated and proved by using the general complex calculus. The method is based on a key formula establishing a relationship between exponential function and the cross-ratio. The proofs are carried out on Euclidean plane.
Prognostic Factors of Peritoneal Metastases from Colorectal Cancer following Cytoreductive Surgery and Perioperative Chemotherapy
Authors: Yonemura Yutaka , Canbay Emel , Ishibashi Haruaki
Published: April 2013

Background. Prolonged survival of patients affected by peritoneal metastasis (PM) of colorectal origin treated with complete cytoreduction followed by intraoperative hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has been reported. However, two‐thirds of the patients after complete cytoreduction and perioperative chemotherapy (POC) develop recurrence. This study is to analyze the prognostic factors of PM from colorectal cancer following the treatment with cytoreductive surgery (CRS) + POC.
Patients and Methods. During the last 8 years, 142 patients with PM of colorectal origin have been treated with CRS and perioperative chemotherapy. The surgical resections consisted of a combination of peritonectomy procedures.
Results. Complete cytoreduction (CCR‐0) was achieved at a higher rate in patients with peritoneal cancer index (PCI) score less than 10 (94.7%, 71/75) than those of PCI score above 11 (40.2%, 37/67). Regarding the PCI of small bowel (SB‐PCI), 89 of 94 (91.5%) patients with ≤2 and 22 of 48 (45.8%) patients with SB‐PCI ≥ 3 received CCR‐0 resection (P < 0.001). Postoperative Grade 3 and Grade 4 complications occurred in 11 (7.7%) and 14 (9.9%). The overall operative mortality rate was 0.7% (1/142). Cox hazard model showed that CCR‐0, SB‐PCI ≤ 2, differentiated carcinoma, and PCI ≤ 10 were the independent favorite prognostic factors. Conclusions. Complete cytoreduction, PCI, SB‐PCI threshold, and histologic type were the independent prognostic factors.
Notch Signaling Molecules Activate TGF-βin Rat Mesangial Cells under High Glucose Conditions
Authors: Liu Li , Gao Chenlin , Chen Guo , Li Xia , Li Jia , Wan Qin , Xu Yong
Published: April 2013

The involvement of the Notch signaling pathway in the cellular differentiation of the mammalian kidney is established. Recently, the dysregulation of Notch signaling molecules has been identified in acute and chronic renal injuries, fibrosis models, and diabetic kidney biopsies. The canonical Notch ligand , Jagged1, is upregulated in a transforming growth factor-beta- (TGF-β-) dependent manner during chronic kidney disease. TGF-β, a central mediator of renal fibrosis, also is a major contributor to the development of diabetic nephropathy. To explore the roles and possible mechanisms of Notch signaling molecules in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy, we exposed cultured rat mesangial cells to aγ-secretase inhibitor (DAPT) or high glucose and measured the expression of Notch signaling molecules and the fibrosis index. Notch pathway-related molecules, TGF-β, and fibronectin increased with exposure to high glucose and decreased with DAPT treatment. Our results suggest that the Notch signaling pathway may precipitate diabetic nephropathy via TGF-βactivation.
The Role of Epilepsy Surgery in the Treatment of Childhood Epileptic Encephalopathy
Authors: Kayyali Husam R. , Abdelmoity Ahmed , Baeesa Saleh
Published: April 2013

Children with epileptic encephalopathy often have global impairment of brain function and frequent intractable seizures, which contribute further to their developmental disability. Many of these children have identifiable brain lesion on neurological imaging. In such cases, epilepsy surgery may be considered as a treatment option despite the lack of localized epileptic pattern on electroencephalogram (EEG). In this paper, we summarize the clinical features of epileptic encephalopathy syndromes and review the reported literature on the surgical approach to some of these disorders.
Resveratrol Induces Differentiation Markers Expression in Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma via Activation of Notch1 Signaling and Suppresses Cell Growth
Authors: Yu Xiao-Min , Jaskula-Sztul Renata , Ahmed Kamal , Harrison April D. , Kunnimalaiyaan Muthusamy , Chen Herbert
Published: April 2013

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is an extremely aggressive malignancy with undifferentiated features, for which conventional treatments, including radioactive iodine ablation, are usually not effective. Recent evidence suggests that the Notch1 pathway is important in the regulation of thyroid cancer cell growth and expression of thyrocyte differentiation markers. However, drug development targeting Notch1 signaling in ATC remains largely underexplored. Previously, we have identified resveratrol out of over 7,000 compounds as the most potent Notch pathway activator using a high-throughput screening method. In this study, we showed that resveratrol treatment (10–50 μmol/L) suppressed ATC cell growth in a dose-dependent manner for both HTh7 and 8505C cell lines via S-phase cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis. Resveratrol induced functional Notch1 protein expression and activated the pathway by transcriptional regulation. In addition, the expression of thyroid-specific genes including TTF1, TTF2, Pax8, and sodium iodide symporter (NIS) was upregulated in both ATC cell lines with resveratrol treatment. Notch1 siRNA interference totally abrogated the induction of TTF1 and Pax8 but not of TTF2. Moreover, Notch1 silencing by siRNA decreased resveratrol-induced NIS expression. In summary, our data indicate that resveratrol inhibits cell growth and enhances redifferentiation in ATC cells dependent upon the activation of Notch1 signaling. These findings provide the first documentation for the role of resveratrol in ATC redifferentiation, suggesting that activation of Notch1 signaling could be a potential therapeutic strategy for patients with ATC and thus warrants further clinical investigation. Mol Cancer Ther; 12(7); 1276–87. ©2013 AACR.
Interactions between SAP155 and FUSE-Binding Protein-Interacting Repressor Bridges c-Myc and P27Kip1 Expression
Authors: Matsushita Kazuyuki , Tamura Mai , Tanaka Nobuko , Tomonaga Takeshi , Matsubara Hisahiro , Shimada Hideaki , Levens David , He Liusheng , Liu Juhong , Yoshida Minoru , Nomura Fumio
Published: April 2013

Oncogenic c-Myc plays a critical role in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and tumorigenesis, but the precise mechanisms that drive this activity remain largely unknown. P27Kip1 (CDKN1B) arrests cells in G1, and SAP155 (SF3B1), a subunit of the essential splicing factor 3b (SF3b) subcomplex of the spliceosome, is required for proper P27 pre-mRNA splicing. FUSE-binding protein-interacting repressor (FIR), a splicing variant of PUF60 lacking exon5, is a c-Myc transcriptional target that suppresses the DNA helicase p89 (ERCC3) and is alternatively spliced in colorectal cancer lacking the transcriptional repression domain within exon 2 (FIRΔexon2). FIR and FIRΔexon2 form a homo- or hetero-dimer that complexes with SAP155. Our study indicates that the FIR/FIRΔexon2/SAP155 interaction bridges c-Myc and P27 expression. Knockdown of FIR/FIRΔexon2 or SAP155 reduced p27 expression, inhibited its pre-mRNA splicing, and reduced CDK2/Cyclin E expression. Moreover, spliceostatin A, a natural SF3b inhibitor, markedly inhibited P27 expression by disrupting its pre-mRNA splicing and reduced CDK2/Cyclin E expression. The expression of P89, another FIR target, was increased in excised human colorectal cancer tissues. Knockdown of FIR reduced P89; however, the effects on P27 and P89 expression are not simply or directly related to altered FIR expression levels, indicating that the mechanical or physical interaction of the SAP155/FIR/FIRΔexon2 complex is potentially essential for sustained expression of both P89 and P27. Together, the interaction between SAP155 and FIR/FIRΔexon2 not only integrates cell-cycle progression and c-Myc transcription by modifying P27 and P89 expression but also suggests that the interaction is a potential target for cancer screening and treatment. Mol Cancer Res; 11(7); 689–98. ©2013 AACR.
Subcellular Localization and Logistics of Integral Membrane Protein Biogenesis in Escherichia coli
Authors: Bogdanov Mikhail , Aboulwafa Mohammad , Saier Jr. Milton H.
Published: April 2013

Transporters catalyze entry and exit of molecules into and out of cells and organelles, and protein-lipid interactions influence their activities. The bacterial phosphoenolpyruvate: sugar phosphotransferase system (PTS) catalyzes transport-coupled sugar phosphorylation as well as nonvectorial sugar phosphorylation in the cytoplasm. The vectorial process is much more sensitive to the lipid environment than the nonvectorial process. Moreover, cytoplasmic micellar forms of these enzyme-porters have been identified, and non-PTS permeases have similarly been shown to exist in ‘soluble' forms. The latter porters exhibit lipid-dependent activities and can adopt altered topologies by simply changing the lipid composition. Finally, intracellular membranes and vesicles exist in Escherichia coli leading to the following unanswered questions: (1) what determines whether a PTS permease catalyzes vectorial or nonvectorial sugar phosphorylation? (2) How do phospholipids influence relative amounts of the plasma membrane, intracellular membrane, inner membrane-derived vesicles and cytoplasmic micelles? (3) What regulates the route(s) of permease insertion and transfer into and between the different subcellular sites? (4) Do these various membranous forms have distinct physiological functions? (5) What methods should be utilized to study the biogenesis and interconversion of these membranous structures? While research concerning these questions is still in its infancy, answers will greatly enhance our understanding of protein-lipid interactions and how they control the activities, conformations, cellular locations and biogenesis of integral membrane proteins.
The Bacterial Magnetosome: A Unique Prokaryotic Organelle
Authors: Lower Brian H. , Bazylinski Dennis A.
Published: April 2013

The bacterial magnetosome is a unique prokaryotic organelle comprising magnetic mineral crystals surrounded by a phospholipid bilayer. These inclusions are biomineralized by the magnetotactic bacteria which are ubiquitous, aquatic, motile microorganisms. Magnetosomes cause cells of magnetotactic bacteria to passively align and swim along the Earth's magnetic field lines, as miniature motile compass needles. These specialized compartments consist of a phospholipid bilayer membrane surrounding magnetic crystals of magnetite (Fe3O4) or greigite (Fe3S4). The morphology of these membrane-bound crystals varies by species with a nominal magnetic domain size between 35 and 120 nm. Almost all magnetotactic bacteria arrange their magnetosomes in a chain within the cell there by maximizing the magnetic dipole moment of the cell. It is presumed that magnetotactic bacteria use magnetotaxis in conjunction with chemotaxis to locate and maintain an optimum position for growth and survival based on chemistry, redox and physiology in aquatic habitats with vertical chemical concentration and redox gradients. The biosynthesis of magnetosomes is a complex process that involves several distinct steps including cytoplasmic membrane modifications, iron uptake and transport, initiation of crystallization, crystal maturation and magnetosome chain formation. While many mechanistic details remain unresolved, magnetotactic bacteria appear to contain the genetic determinants for magnetosome biomineralization within their genomes in clusters of genes that make up what is referred to as the magnetosome gene island in some species. In addition, magnetosomes contain a unique set of proteins, not present in other cellular fractions, which control the biomineralization process. Through the development of genetic systems, proteomic and genomic work, and the use of molecular and biochemical tools, the functions of a number of magnetosome membrane proteins have been demonstrated and the molecular mechanism for the biomineralization of magnetosomes in these organisms is beginning to be revealed.
The Anammoxosome Organelle Is Crucial for the Energy Metabolism of Anaerobic Ammonium Oxidizing Bacteria
Authors: van Teeseling Muriel C.F. , Neumann Sarah , van Niftrik Laura
Published: April 2013

Anammox bacteria convert ammonium and nitrite to dinitrogen gas under anaerobic conditions to obtain their energy for growth. The anammox reaction was deemed impossible until its discovery in the early 1990s. Now, anammox bacteria are recognized as major players in the global nitrogen cycle and estimated to be responsible for up to 50% of the nitrogen in the air that we breathe. In addition, anammox bacteria are extremely valuable for wastewater treatment where they are applied for the removal of ammonium. Besides their importance in industry and the environment, anammox bacteria defy some basic biological concepts. Whereas most other bacteria have only one cell compartment, the cytoplasm, anammox bacteria have three independent cell compartments bounded by bilayer membranes, from out- to inside; the paryphoplasm, riboplasm and anammoxosome. The anammoxosome is the largest compartment of the anammox cell and is proposed to be dedicated to energy conservation. As such it would be analogous to the mitochondria of eukaryotes. This review will discuss the anammox cell plan in detail, with the main focus on the anammoxosome. The identity of the anammoxosome as a prokaryotic organelle and the importance of this organelle for anammox bacteria are discussed as well as challenges these bacteria face by having three independent cell compartments.
The Role of Membrane Vesicles in Secretion of Lysobacter sp. Bacteriolytic Enzymes
Authors: Vasilyeva Natalia V. , Tsfasman Irina M. , Kudryakova Irina V. , Suzina Natalia E. , Shishkova Nina A. , Kulaev Igor S. , Stepnaya Olga A.
Published: April 2013

Membrane vesicles produced by bacteria have been intensively studied in the recent years. Investigators have noted their roles in essential processes in the bacterial cell including secretion of proteins by the ‘eukaryotic' vesicular mechanism. To date, formation of vesicles is not considered to be a spontaneous event. Many believe it to be a programmed process that can be guided by several mechanisms. Vesicles are derivatives of the cell envelope, which in turn is a supramolecular structure where the functioning and biogenesis of all components are interrelated. Proteins secreted beyond the cell in their translocation are also part of the cell envelope. This also suggests their role in vesicle biogenesis. This review presents the results of vesicle studies in the Gram-negative bacterium Lysobacter sp. This bacterium is of interest as it secretes a number of proteins to the environment, including bacteriolytic enzymes. Bacteriolytic enzymes, on the one hand, are important for studies from a medical point of view as they can form the basis of new generation antimicrobial means. On the other hand, they are a convenient subject for studies of vesicle functions in the vital activities of the bacterial cell.
Treatment for Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Portal Vein Tumor Thrombosis: The Emerging Role for Radioembolization Using Yttrium-90
Authors: Lau Wan-Yee , Sangro Bruno , Chen Pier-Jer , Cheng Shu-Qun , Chow Pierce , Lee Rheun-Chuan , Leung Thomas , Han Kwang-Hyub , Poon Ronnie T.P.
Published: April 2013

Background/Purpose: Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) have an extremely poor prognosis and relatively few treatment options. Method: During a consensus meeting, experts met to examine the published data for HCC treatment strategies in patients with PVTT. Results: Many treatment guidelines consider the presence of PVTT a contraindication to partial hepatectomy or liver transplantation. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is associated with an increased risk of ischemic necrosis of liver and of treatment-related death in patients with PVTT, and is, therefore, limited to a select group of patients with good hepatic function and adequate collateral circulation around the occluded portal vein. Systemic sorafenib results in survival benefit in patients regardless of the presence of PVTT. However, side effects are common, and there are no effects on time-to-symptom progression or quality of life. Transarterial radioembolization (TARE) with yttrium-90 microspheres is emerging as a valuable strategy. A wider range of patients with PVTT are suitable for this procedure compared to TACE. TARE is as effective as TACE in HCC and has quality-of-life advantages. Conclusion: In patients with HCC with PVTT, medical evidence suggests that TARE is a good choice of treatment.
The Use of Amniotic Fluid Discordance in the Early Second Trimester to Predict Severe Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome
Authors: Yamamoto Ryo , Ishii Keisuke , Muto Haruka , Kawaguchi Haruna , Murata Masaharu , Hayashi Shusaku , Matsushita Mitsuru , Murakoshi Takeshi , Mitsuda Nobuaki
Published: April 2013

Introduction: The appropriate effectiveness of inter-twin amniotic fluid discordance (AFD) in the early second trimester for the prediction of severe twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) was evaluated. Materials and Methods: The largest AFD between 16 and 18 weeks' gestation was analyzed in correlation with TTTS development defined by polyhydramnios with a maximum vertical pocket (MVP) ≥8 cm combined with oligohydramnios with a MVP ≤2 cm using the receiver operating characteristics curve. All pregnancies were stratified according to an AFD cutoff, and perinatal outcomes were compared between two groups. Results: A total of 223 twin monochorionic pregnancies met the inclusion criteria and 20 patients (8.9%) developed TTTS. An AFD ≥4 cm was calculated to be the optimal point of demarcation to predict subsequent TTTS. The sensitivity and specificity of this AFD cutoff for the development of TTTS were 70 and 97%, respectively. An AFD ≥4 cm was associated with a significantly increased risk of the development of TTTS (70 vs. 2.9%; p < 0.01). Those pregnancies with AFD tended to deliver at an earlier gestational age and were also significantly associated with intrauterine fetal deaths. Discussion: The AFD between monochorionic diamniotic twins in the early second trimester may be useful for the prediction of severe TTTS development.
Symptomatic Spinal Cord Compression from an Intradural Arachnoid Cyst with Associated Syrinx in a Child: Case Report
Authors: Su David K. , Ebenezer Sudesh , Avellino Anthony M.
Published: April 2013

Symptomatic intradural extramedullary arachnoid cysts in children are rare, and of the previously reported pediatric cases in the current literature, none to our knowledge were associated with a spinal cord syrinx. We describe an 8-year-old child who presented with paraparesis and regression of bowel and bladder control. An intradural extramedullary arachnoid cyst was identified on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging, with an associated spinal cord syrinx. We describe the preoperative imaging, surgical management, and clinical course of this patient, who had improvement in his paraparesis. This paper reviews relevant pediatric literature and the etiology of arachnoid cysts and associated spinal cord syrinx formation.
Anterior Segment OpticalCoherence Tomography: Assisted Topographic Corneal Epithelial Thickness Distribution Imaging of a Keratoconus Patient
Authors: Kanellopoulos A. John , Asimellis George
Published: April 2013

Purpose: To evaluate safety, efficacy and ease of measurement of epithelial thickness in a keratoconic patient based on anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). Methods: A 25-year-old male patient, previously diagnosed with keratoconus, with highly asymmetric manifestation among the two eyes, was subjected to AS-OCT corneal epithelial imaging. We investigated epithelial thickness and epithelial topographic thickness distribution. Results: Mean epithelial thickness was 51.97 ± 0.70 for the less affected right eye (OD), and 55.65 ± 1.22 for the more affected left eye (OS). Topographic epithelial thickness variability for the OD was 1.53 ± 0.21 μm, while for the OS it was 9.80 ± 0.41 μm. Conclusions: This case further supports our previous findings with high-frequency ultrasound measurements of the increase in overall epithelial thickness in keratoconic eyes in comparison with normal eyes. AS-OCT further offers ease of use and possibly higher predictability of measurement. This case report, based on AS-OCT imaging, verifies increased overall epithelial thickness in keratoconic eyes, as introduced by a previous study [Kanellopoulos et al.: Clin Ophthalmol 2012;6:789-800], based on high-frequency scanning ultrasound biomicroscopy imaging.
Diagnosis of Arterial Media Calcification in Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Marinelli Annibale , Pistolesi Valentina , Pasquale Luciano , Di Lullo Luca , Ferrazzano Mariateresa , Baudena Giuseppina , Della Grotta Franco , Di Napoli Anteo
Published: April 2013

Purpose: Arterial media calcification (AMC) is often the only vascular calcification (VC) present in young patients with chronic renal failure and its presence is associated with higher mortality rates. Currently, X-ray imaging (as a standard approach) is able to show AMC in areas without diffuse overlapping arterial intimal calcification (AIC), but X-ray imaging only allows us to identify this lesion when the vessel is widely calcified. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility of using ultrasonography as opposed to X-rays to visualize AMC in patients with chronic renal failure. Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we examined 105 patients (chronic kidney disease stage IV: 19 patients, hemodialysis: 48 patients, renal transplant: 26 patients; mean age: 54 ± 14 years; 65 males and 40 females); B-mode ultrasonography was performed to detect AMC or AIC on the superficial femoral artery (SFA). As a control, plain radiography of the thigh was performed in all patients. Results: Upon ultrasonography investigation, 12 subjects were excluded due to diffuse VC on the SFA that did not permit a distinction between AMC and AIC. In the remaining 93 patients, AMC was detected on the SFA in 43 patients using ultrasonography and in 20 patients using the standard approach. The sensitivity and specificity of the standard approach for the detection of AMC on the SFA were 47 and 100%, respectively. The positive and negative predictive values of the standard approach were 1 and 0.68, respectively. Conclusion: Ultrasonography is able to detect AMC better than the X-ray approach, focusing on individuals at higher risk.
The pro- and anticoagulant role of blood-borne phagocytes in patients with acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Frissen Mick , Huts Mark , Kragten Johannes , Jie Kon-Siong , Leers Math , Keuren Jeffrey
Published: April 2013

This study was performed to gain further insight in pro- and anticoagulant characteristics of leukocytes in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). For this purpose, patients presenting on the emergency department (ED) with anginal chest pain were included in this study. In peripheral blood, procoagulant tissue factor (TF) expression was measured in the different blood-borne phagocytes, i.e. neutrophilic granulocytes and the three different monocyte subsets based on expression of CD14 and CD16. Simultaneously, intracellular presence of platelet-(CD41) and/or endothelial cell-remnants (CD62e) was analysed in these different leukocyte subsets. Neutrophils showed a weak intracellular staining of CD62e and CD41 that increased with severity of ACS. Monocytes, and especially the classical (CD14++CD16-) and intermediate monocytes (CD14++CD16+) showed a clear and significant increase in intracellular CD41-staining after coronary damage. The different monocyte subsets showed an increase in expression of TF in severe ACS. Finally, it appeared that also neutrophils showed a significant increase in expression of TF on their membrane. In conclusion, this study showed an increased intracellular staining in blood-borne phagocytes for CD62e and CD41 in patients with ACS compared to non-cardiac related control patients. This indicates that at least in the acute phase of ACS phagocytosis of platelet and endothelial cell-remnants is increased. These data support the recent hypothesis that neutrophils protect against further thrombotic processes by clearing platelet and endothelial cell-remnants. In addition, this study shows that the different monocyte subsets are also involved in this process. Furthermore, both monocytes and neutrophils show increased TF expression in ACS.
Adipose tissue angiogenesis in obesity
Authors: Lemoine Amal Y. , Ledoux Séverine , Larger Etienne
Published: April 2013

summary

Adipose tissue is the most plastic tissue in all multicellular organisms, being constantly remodelled along with weight gain and weight loss. Expansion of adipose tissue must be accompanied by that of its vascularisation, through processes of angiogenesis, whereas weight loss is associated with the regression of blood vessels. Adipose tissue is thus among the tissues that have the highest angiogenic capacities. These changes of the vascular bed occur through close interactions of adipocytes with blood vessels, and involve several angiogenic factors. This review presents studies that are the basis of our understanding of the regulation of adipose tissue angiogenesis. The growth factors that are involved in the processes of angiogenesis and vascular regression are discussed with a focus on their potential modulation for the treatment of obesity. The hypothesis that inflammation of adipose tissue and insulin resistance could be related to altered angiogenesis in adipose tissue is presented, as well as the beneficial or deleterious effect of inhibition of adipose tissue angiogenesis on metabolic diseases.
Screening to identify unknown atrial fibrillation
Authors: Lowres Nicole , Neubeck Lis , Redfern Julie , Freedman S. Ben
Published: April 2013

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with a significantly increased stroke risk which is highly preventable with appropriate oral anticoagulant therapy (OAC). However, AF may be asymptomatic and unrecognised prior to stroke. We aimed to determine if single time-point screening for AF could identify sufficient numbers with previously undiagnosed AF, to be effective for stroke prevention. This is a systematic review of clinical trials, by searching electronic medical databases, reference lists and grey literature. Studies were included if they evaluated a general ambulant adult population, using electrocardiography or pulse palpation to identify AF. We identified 30 individual studies (n=122,571, mean age 64 years, 54% male) in nine countries. Participants were recruited either from general practitioner and outpatient clinics (12 studies) or population screening/community advertisements (18 studies). Prevalence of AF across all studies was 2.3% (95% CI, 2.2–2.4%), increasing to 4.4% (CI, 4.1–4.6%) in those ≥65 years (16 studies, n= 27,884). Overall incidence of previously unknown AF (14 studies, n=67,772) was 1.0% (CI, 0.89–1.04%), increasing to 1.4% (CI, 1.2–1.6%) in those ≥65 years (8 studies, n= 18,189) in whom screening setting did not influence incidence identified. Of those with previously unknown AF, 67% were at high risk of stroke. Screening can identify 1.4% of the population ≥65 years with previously undiagnosed AF. Many of those identified would be eligible for, and benefit from OAC to prevent stroke. Given this incidence, community AF screening strategies in at risk older age groups could potentially reduce the overall health burden associated with AF.
Intracoronary Injection of Bone Marrow–Derived Mononuclear Cells Early or Late After Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Sürder Daniel , Manka Robert , Lo Cicero Viviana , Moccetti Tiziano , Rufibach Kaspar , Soncin Sabrina , Turchetto Lucia , Radrizzani Marina , Astori Giuseppe , Schwitter Juerg , Erne Paul , Zuber Michel , Auf der Maur Christoph , Jamshidi Peiman , Gaemperli Oliver , Windecker Stephan , Moschovitis Aris , Wahl Andreas , Bühler Ines , Wyss Christophe , Kozerke Sebastian , Landmesser Ulf , Lüscher Thomas F. , Corti Roberto
Published: April 2013

Background—

Intracoronary administration of autologous bone marrow–derived mononuclear cells (BM-MNC) may improve remodeling of the left ventricle (LV) after acute myocardial infarction. The optimal time point of administration of BM-MNC is still uncertain and has rarely been addressed prospectively in randomized clinical trials.

Methods and Results—

In a multicenter study, we randomized 200 patients with large, successfully reperfused ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in a 1:1:1 pattern into an open-labeled control and 2 BM-MNC treatment groups. In the BM-MNC groups, cells were administered either early (ie, 5 to 7 days) or late (ie, 3 to 4 weeks) after acute myocardial infarction. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was performed at baseline and after 4 months. The primary end point was the change from baseline to 4 months in global LV ejection fraction between the 2 treatment groups and the control group. The absolute change in LV ejection fraction from baseline to 4 months was −0.4±8.8% (mean±SD;
P
=0.74 versus baseline) in the control group, 1.8±8.4% (
P
=0.12 versus baseline) in the early group, and 0.8±7.6% (
P
=0.45 versus baseline) in the late group. The treatment effect of BM-MNC as estimated by ANCOVA was 1.25 (95% confidence interval, −1.83 to 4.32;
P
=0.42) for the early therapy group and 0.55 (95% confidence interval, −2.61 to 3.71;
P
=0.73) for the late therapy group.

Conclusions—

Among patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and LV dysfunction after successful reperfusion, intracoronary infusion of BM-MNC at either 5 to 7 days or 3 to 4 weeks after acute myocardial infarction did not improve LV function at 4-month follow-up.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00355186.
Population dynamics of Meloidogyne graminicola and Hirschmanniella oryzae in a double rice-cropping sequence in the lowlands of Myanmar
Authors: Win Pa Pa , Kyi Pyone Pyone , Maung Zin Thu Zar , De Waele Dirk
Published: April 2013

The rice root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne graminicola, and the rice root nematode, Hirschmanniella oryzae, are considered potentially important nematode pathogens in lowland rice. A study was undertaken from December 2009 until December 2010 in the Ayeyarwady River Delta, the major lowland rice-producing area of Myanmar, to monitor the population dynamics of M. graminicola and H. oryzae in a naturally infested field. Root samples of the two rice varieties Yatanartoe and Taungpyan that are commonly cultivated in double rice-cropping sequences in Myanmar and represent irrigated and rainfed lowland rice varieties, respectively, were obtained for nematode analysis. During the summer-irrigated rice-growing season the root population density of second-stage juveniles (J2) of M. graminicola showed two distinct peaks – at the maximum tillering stage of the rice plants in January and at the heading stage of the rice plants in March 2010. With the onset of the monsoon rains, the J2 population densities in the roots of ratoon rice plants gradually decreased in May. During the rainfed monsoon rice-growing season, very low population densities of M. graminicola J2 were detected in the roots of rice plants, while the root population density of H. oryzae juveniles and adults showed two distinct peaks – at the maximum tillering stage of the rice plants in August and at the heading stage of the rice plants in October 2010. With the onset of the dry season, population density of H. oryzae in the roots reached the lowest density at harvest in November. Root galling caused by M. graminicola followed the same trend as the J2 population densities throughout the irrigated season. No root galls were observed during the monsoon season. Our results can be used for practical purposes aimed at a better management of both M. graminicola and H. oryzae.
Using a selective fast turn-around bioassay for population density determination of Heterodera schachtii
Authors: Meinecke Annabell , Hermann Andreas , Westphal Andreas
Published: April 2013

In Central Europe, Heterodera schachtii is kept below threshold levels by cover-cropping with resistant crucifers and crop rotation with non-hosts. Determining population densities of H. schachtii in soil is critical when implementing resistant and tolerant sugar beet cultivars in integrated pest management (IPM) programmes. Soil extraction of the cysts followed by egg counts or extraction of the second-stage juveniles (J2) facilitated by the chemical stimulant acetox can be unsatisfactory in mixed field populations of cyst nematodes. In contrast to H. schachtii, nematodes typically present in sugar beet soils, e.g., Globodera pallida, G. rostochiensis, H. avenae, H. filipjevi, Meloidogyne hapla, M. incognita and Pratylenchus penetrans, rarely penetrated radish roots. In this bioassay, equivalents of 50 g of soil dry weight were adjusted to 10-20% moisture, seeded with Raphanus sativus cv. Saxa 3, and incubated at a day-night (16:8 h) cycle of 28/23°C for 4 days before J2 in radish roots were enumerated. In different soil types, penetration by H. schachtii reflected the inoculation levels. When inoculated with mixes of H. schachtii with H. avenae or H. filipjevi, counts of H. schachtii were similar to those in soils with H. schachtii only. When comparing three methods in three soils spiked with H. schachtii cysts, the bioassay and the extraction method were lightly impacted by the soil texture but results of the acetox method varied with texture. When implemented for field samples from Franconia, the radish bioassay and the acetox method provided results related to cyst and egg extraction data. The radish bioassay provided a quick and easy method for quantifying H. schachtii in the presence of other nematode species in a wide range of soil types. Including this assay in IPM programmes may serve as an alternative to standard methods and will improve the decision making in sustainable production systems.
Colonial Revenue Policies and the Impact of the Transition to Independence in South East Asia
Authors: Booth Anne
Published: April 2013

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is twofold. The first part examines trends in revenue policies across South East Asia in the early decades of the twentieth century. It is argued that, by the 1920s, there were quite striking differences in revenue policies and performance across the region. The paper examines the reasons for these differences, paying particular attention to the conflicting demands placed on the various colonial administrations by conditions within the colonies, as well as by the changing priorities of the metropolitan governments. The second aim of the paper is to examine the impact of the transition to independence on revenue policy and performance. It is often thought that in most parts of Asia, the advent of political independence led to a greatly expanded role for government in the economy. While it is true that many newly independent countries had ambitious plans for government as the lead actor in promoting rapid economic development, in fact in several countries in South East Asia, it proved very difficult to increase revenues in real terms. The reasons for this are explored in the paper.
Roman Infantry Helmets and Commemoration among Soldiers
Authors: Olson Brandon R.
Published: April 2013

It has long been recognized that perceptions of individual posthumous memory and the commemorative devices harnessed to maintain it differ greatly through time. In pre-Christian Rome, the belief that an individual enjoyed an afterlife through the perpetuation of their memory before and after death was central to Roman social identity and encompassed not only the act of reproducing or recalling anindividual or an event, but reflected an individual’s character and virtues. Recent studies demonstrate that the material correlates of commemorative behavior pervaded the Roman visual landscape. Although the majority of evidence bespeaking commemoration represents the elite, the importance of memory was widely recognized. It would, therefore, be difficult to assume that only the upper classes engaged in such rituals. Roman soldiers, as individuals in a profession that took them far from their native land, also practicedsuch behavior. Without the means to engage in traditional commemorative practices, Roman legionaries devised unique methods to fulfill their commemorative needs. This investigation argues that the personalization of infantry helmets did more than denote personal property. It also became a tool created by soldiers to safeguard their memory. As objects that pervaded the visual landscape of the military realm, legionary helmets became an ideal medium for commemorative behavior.
From indignation to occupation: A new wave of global mobilization
Authors: Tejerina Benjamín , Perugorría Ignacia , Benski Tova , Langman Lauren
Published: April 2013

The present monograph issue focuses on the 2011–2012 global wave of protests that began in Tunisia in 2011. This introductory article notes that two streams of mobilization can be distinguished in terms of the specific grievances they express, and the socioeconomic and political contexts in which they have emerged. The article argues, however, that despite these differences both threads find their antecedents in the increasing and widespread social and economic levels of inequality, which requires social movements theories to ‘bring political economy back’ in the analysis of mobilization. It is further argued that the various occupy movements that have emerged since 2011 constitute diverse manifestations of a new international cycle of contention. With its innovative and distinctive traits in terms of diffusion, coordination, action repertoires, frames, and types of activism, this new cycle seeks to both transform the economic system to provide greater equality, opportunities, and personal fulfillment and, simultaneously, to democratize power in more participatory ways.
Mobilizations in a hybrid regime: The 20th February Movement and the Moroccan regime
Authors: Desrues Thierry
Published: April 2013

In the context of the wave of protests that shook the Arab world, Morocco is a particularly interesting case to address the problem of collective action and transformation of hybrid political regimes. This article describes the historical trajectory of recent protests in the country, the emergence and structuring of the 20th February Movement (M20F) and the neutralization strategy pursued by the Moroccan political regime. Taking up the idea that the success of collective action to transform a political regime is related to the ability of its promoters to legitimize their cause beyond their original base, the main argument is that both the nature of the 20th February Movement – marked by a profound heterogeneity and dualism – and the hybrid configuration of the Moroccan political regime – which offers a variety of repertoires of legitimation for the management of the protests – favoured the failure of the protest movement.
‘Direct democracy now!’: The Greek indignados and the present cycle of struggles
Authors: Sotirakopoulos Nikos , Sotiropoulos George
Published: April 2013

This article’s ambition is to critically analyse the resistance of the Greek people to the country’s custody under the Troika that has led to a severe financial and social crisis. Emphasis is given to the ‘Outraged’ of Syntagma Square and their daily protests during the summer of 2011; a movement that has remained underreported in relation to other similar phenomena, despite the huge number of participants, and the intensity of its clash with the state. In addition, besides the empirical investigation of the Greek case, the article argues that it is of particular importance to note the movement’s cultural resources, as well as the inner class and ideological divisions. Also, the study attempts to fit the case of Greece within the global capitalist crisis and the struggles that have arisen as a response.
Geração à Rasca and beyond: Mobilizations in Portugal after 12 March 2011
Authors: Baumgarten Britta
Published: April 2013

This article analyses the Portuguese mobilizations that started with the Geração à Rasca in March 2011. The author argues that international events and the import of ideas from movements abroad had an important impact on the organizational structure and the claims of the Portuguese mobilizations. The nation-state, however, remains a very important factor in activism: organizational structures as well as claims are to a great extent country-specific. The article provides also an overview of the protest events and the field of actors involved in the organization of protest. Data come from 10 months of field research, which included participant observations, in-depth interviews and the analysis of websites and mailing-lists.
The J14 resistance mo(ve)ment: The Israeli mix of Tahrir Square and Puerta del Sol
Authors: Grinberg Lev Luis
Published: April 2013

The article discusses the spontaneous popular movement J14 that erupted into the Israeli public sphere during the summer of 2011. Inspired by the Egyptian and Spanish movements, J14 was ignited by opposition to housing prices, later expanded into protests against neoliberal economic policies and socioeconomic inequalities. The concept of resistance mo(ve)ment is used to comprehend the peculiar intersection between the movement and moment of mass mobilization. The article explores the mo(ve)ment focusing on the political and economic background and context, and analyzing the role of a new generational class who were suffering the effects of a neoliberal political economy. The B Generation in Israel is the product of a double crisis, global and local. The local crisis involves the disintegration of Israeli society after Rabin’s assassination in 1995, and the repression of socioeconomic agendas by fanning hostility to external ‘enemies’. The global crisis is the outcome of a neoliberal economy that weakens middle and lower classes, especially young people living under precarious conditions. The argument is that socioeconomic protests in Israel take place when the external ‘conflict’ is quiet. The calm summer of 2011 was framed in-between Netanyahu’s US campaign against UN recognition of a Palestinian state in May and the scheduled UN discussions in September.
The effects of affects: The place of emotions in the mobilizations of 2011
Authors: Benski Tova , Langman Lauren
Published: April 2013

We have recently seen the proliferation of a variety of progressive, democratic social movements across the globe. In the wake of various contradictions and implosions of capitalism, from the meltdown of the US banks to the euro crisis, vast numbers of people have challenged neoliberal globalization. In this article the authors offer a theoretical frame for the analysis of the most recent challenges posed to neoliberal social and economic policies as they were shaped in late capitalism. The authors first note Habermas’s thesis that legitimation crises take place at both the macro and micro levels, and that they foster various understandings as well as emotional reactions. The authors focus on the emotional aspects that are vital to social mobilizations. To do this they draw on theoretical frames from social movement and the sociology of emotion perspectives. More particularly they see the process of ‘emotional liberation’ coined by Flam, as the equivalent of McAdam’s ‘cognitive liberation’ and both as part of the process of subjectivation as put forward by Touraine. These formulations lead to considerations of the emotions that tie people to authorities and/or withdraw legitimacy from authorities, in order to understand which emotions need be mobilized in order to liberate people from their loyalty to authorities. The authors found a constellation of incongruent emotions such as distrust and disrespect for authorities/elites or their perceived agents, indignation and righteous anger, humiliation, and in turn hope for an alternative future. The value of the authors’ proposed structure of argument lies in the powerful combination of macro and micro processes and the combination of cognition and emotions.
From the streets and squares to social movement studies: What have we learned?
Authors: Benski Tova , Langman Lauren , Perugorría Ignacia , Tejerina Benjamín
Published: April 2013

In the editors’ introduction they noted how the various mobilizations starting in 2011 raised important questions for social movement scholars. The various articles in this issue have explored the emergence, dynamics, and significance of the social mobilizations, contestations, and confrontations that started with the Arab Spring mobilizations and continue to this day. This concluding article is focused on three main aspects that emerge from the editors’ dialogue with the different contributions. The first is the context, beginning with a political-economic account of neoliberalism, the various crises of legitimacy that it has fostered over the last three decades, and the role of new media (ICTs) in engendering these mobilizations, their coordination, and globalization. The second aspect focuses on some of the characteristics of this cycle of contention, mostly the actors and their networks, identities and the new practices of occupying public space. The third and last part represents an attempt to evaluate the general trajectory of these mobilizations over the last two years.
Assuming the burden of memory: The translation of Indian indenture in Peggy Mohan’s Jahajin
Authors: Ward Abigail
Published: April 2013

This paper explores Peggy Mohan’s novel Jahajin (2007), in which she returns imaginatively to the past history of Indian indenture in order to explore its relevance and remembrance in late twentieth-century Trinidad. As Mohan’s unnamed narrator traces her family’s matrilineal involvement in this past, the novel examines the way in which Indian women, in particular, have been edited from official versions of both Trinidadian and Indian migratory histories. Jahajin’s narrator is a translator of Trinidadian Bhojpuri and, despite the difficulties of translation and challenges of accessing the Indian indentured past, this novel attests to the continued importance of oral narratives as counter-histories in facilitating the remembrance of this neglected history. Translation is also used figuratively in Jahajin to think about how Indian indenture could be “translated”, or interpreted, for twenty-first-century readers who otherwise might not have access to stories about this past. In order to examine the relationship between descendants of Indian indentured labourers and the past of indenture, I borrow Marianne Hirsch’s concept of “postmemory”, or the belated “memories” experienced by those who did not directly witness traumatic events. Postmemory is especially useful in thinking about how Mohan, and other contemporary Indian-Caribbean writers sharing an empathetic connection to this past, can explore the remembrance of Indian indenture in the absence of direct experience or its associated trauma.
Do the Drugs, Do the Time? The Effect of Drug Abuse on Sentences Imposed on Drug Offenders in Three U.S. District Courts
Authors: Spohn Cassia , Belenko Steven
Published: April 2013

The purpose of this study is to determine whether offenders’ history of hard drug use and hard drug use at the time of the crime affect case outcomes for offenders in three federal district courts. We focus on three outcomes—whether the offender was in pretrial detention prior to adjudication, whether the offender received a downward departure for providing substantial assistance, and the length of the sentence imposed on offenders who were sentenced to prison—and we hypothesize that the offender’s history of drug use and drug use at the time of the crime will have varying effects on the three outcomes. Our results reveal that use of illegal drugs had multifaceted, but not illogical, effects.