bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Catastrophic health expenditure: a comparative analysis of empty-nest and non-empty-nest households with seniors in Shandong, China
Authors: Yang Tingting , Chu Jie , Zhou Chengchao , Medina Alexis , Li Cuicui , Jiang Shan , Zheng Wengui , Sun Liyuan , Liu Jing
Published: July 2016

Objective

The aim of this study was to compare the catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) prevalence and its determinants between empty-nest and non-empty-nest elderly households.

Setting

Shandong province of China.

Participants

A total of 2761 elderly households are included in the analysis.

Results

CHE incidence among elderly households was 44.9%. The CHE incidence of empty-nest singles (59.3%, p=0.000, OR=3.19) and empty-nest couples (52.9%, p=0.000, OR=2.45) are both statistically higher than that of non-empty-nest elderly households (31.4%). An inverse association was observed between CHE incidence and income level in all elderly household types. Factors including 1 or more household elderly members with non-communicable chronic diseases in the past 6 months, 1 or more elderly household members being hospitalised in the past year and lower household income, are significant risk factors for CHE in all 3 household types (p<0.05). Health insurance status was found to be a significant determinant of CHE among empty-nest singles and non-empty-nest households (p<0.05).

Conclusions

CHE incidence among elderly households is high in China. Empty-nest households are at higher risk for CHE than non-empty-nest households. Based on these findings, we suggest that special insurance be developed to broaden the coverage of health services and heighten the reimbursement rate for empty-nest elderly in the existing health insurance schemes. Financial and social protection interventions are also essential for identified at-risk subgroups among different types of elderly households.
Incidence and outcomes of emergency self-harm among adolescents: a descriptive epidemiological study in Osaka City, Japan
Authors: Matsuyama Tasuku , Kitamura Tetsuhisa , Kiyohara Kosuke , Hayashida Sumito , Nitta Masahiko , Kawamura Takashi , Iwami Taku , Ohta Bon
Published: July 2016

Objectives

To evaluate the incidence and outcomes of self-harm from ambulance records.

Design

A retrospective, observational study.

Setting

Osaka City, Japan.

Participants

A total of 365 adolescents aged 10–19 years with emergency self-harm such as poisoning by drugs or gas, cutting skin, jumping from heights, hanging and drowning and treated by emergency medical service personnel from January 2010 through December 2012.

Primary outcome measurements

Incidence per 100 000 persons and outcome at the scene or hospital arrival by age and gender. Poisson regression models for incidence evaluation were used; reporting relative risks (RRs) and their 95% CIs.

Results

During the study period, a total of 425 self-harm events were documented in 365 adolescents. The incidence of self-harm increased significantly between the ages of 11 and 19 years, from 6.3 to 81.0 among boys and the ages of 12 and 19 years from 6.3 to 228.3 among girls, respectively (both p<0.001). Although there was no incidence difference between girls and boys in the group aged 11–14 years (RR 1.20; 95% CI 0.59 to 2.47), the incidence was significantly higher among girls than boys in the group aged 15–19 years (RR 4.18; 95% CI 3.20 to 5.45). The overall proportion of death by self-harm was 4.9%. The proportion of hospital admission and death by self-harm was higher among boys than among girls (38.6% vs 25.2%, p=0.016 and 14.8% vs 2.4%, p<0.001).

Conclusions

The incidence of emergency treatment for self-harm by adolescents increased with age and our findings also demonstrated the gender paradox. It would be necessary to establish active, gender-specific and comprehensive prevention strategies for adolescent self-harm, based on our findings showing the age and gender differences of self-harm among adolescents.
Evaluation of the use of oseltamivir prophylaxis in the control of influenza outbreaks in long-term care facilities in Alberta, Canada: a retrospective provincial database analysis
Authors: Ye Ming , Jacobs Angela , Khan Muhammad Naeem , Jaipaul Joy , Oda Joanna , Johnson Marcia , Doroshenko Alexander
Published: July 2016

Objectives

To evaluate the impact of oseltamivir prophylaxis in the management and control of influenza outbreaks in long-term care facilities in Alberta, Canada.

Setting and participants

Long-term care facilities where 127 influenza outbreaks were reported to public health authorities in Alberta, Canada, during two influenza seasons from 2013 to 2015.

Design and outcome measures

Using routinely collected surveillance and administrative data, we examined the association between decision-making time for oseltamivir recommendation as prophylaxis strategy for influenza outbreaks in long-term care facilities (explanatory variable) and the duration of an influenza outbreak, the postprophylaxis risk of influenza-like illness and hospitalisation among residents of long-term care facilities in Alberta (outcome variables) using multivariable linear and Poisson regression models.

Results

Oseltamivir prophylaxis decision-making time was positively associated with the postintervention duration of an outbreak, with a 1-day delay in making decision on oseltamivir prophylaxis associated with 2.22 (95% CI 1.37 to 3.06) more days of the duration of an outbreak after controlling for potential confounding effect of the number of residents at risk at intervention, outbreak progression time, prevalence of influenza-like illness during outbreak progression, facility location, presence of mixed strain and based on optimal timing of oseltamivir prophylaxis. Although not statistically significant, a 1-day delay in making decision on oseltamivir prophylaxis was associated with a 5% (95% CI −1% to 11%) increase in the postintervention risk of influenza-like illness, and a 6% (95% CI −8% to 22%) increase in the postintervention risk of hospitalisation after controlling for the same potential confounders.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrated benefits of using oseltamivir prophylaxis to shorten the duration of influenza outbreaks; however, there were no significant differences in the influenza-like illness and hospitalisation risk occurring after the intervention. Surveillance data may offer means of rapid evaluation of oseltamivir prophylaxis in long-term care facilities as a public health measure.
Late‐onset wedge‐shaped thoracic vertebrae in a six‐month‐old pug
Authors: De Rycke Lieve Marie , Crijns Casper , Chiers Koen , van Bree Henri JJ , Gielen Ingrid
Published: July 2016

A six‐month‐old pug was presented with kyphosis and pelvic limb lameness. During a routine neurological and radiographic screening of the vertebral column at two months of age, no congenital abnormalities were noted. Four months later, radiography showed marked kyphosis of the thoracic vertebral column with wedge‐shaped T8 and T9. After euthanasia, gross examination and CT revealed the same findings as on radiology. Histopathology of the wedge‐shaped vertebrae T8 and T9 showed abnormal caudal growth plates possibly due to necrosis or premature partial fusion. It can be concluded that the vertebral malformation of the spine in this pug was latent at birth and became visible during a growth spurt due to growth plate deficiency. The results of this case can be of clinical importance for veterinarians and breeders of brachycephalic breeds as it would be better to perform radiological screening for wedge vertebrae when the vertebral length growth is more advanced.
Mass spectrometric characterization of oligomeric phosphaalkenes
Authors: Gillon Bronwyn H. , Gates Derek P. , Henderson Matthew A. , Janusson Eric , McIndoe J. Scott
Published: July 2016

Oligomeric phosphaalkenes are readily characterized using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The high affinity of phosphines for silver ions permits the detection of the unadulterated polymer as [M + xAg]x+ions (x = 2–3). When the oligomers are oxidized using H2O2, the resulting phosphine oxide polymer may be treated with sodium ions to produce [M + xNa]x+ions (x = 2–3). Both methods predict a similar distribution of oligomers: Mnvalues of 3450 ± 100 Da and a PDI of 1.09 ± 0.01 cover both analyses. This distribution represents oligomers of the general formula Me(PMesCPh2)nH from n = 4–20, maximizing at ∼n = 10.
Age and growth of bluespine unicornfish (Naso unicornis): a half-century life-span for a keystone browser, with a novel approach to bomb radiocarbon dating in the Hawaiian Islands
Authors: Andrews Allen H. , DeMartini Edward E. , Eble Jeff A. , Taylor Brett M. , Lou Dong Chun , Humphreys Robert L.
Published: July 2016

Bluespine unicornfish (Naso unicornis) from Hawaii were aged to >50 years using cross-sectioned sagittal otoliths. Fish length was a poor indicator of age because of rapid and variable early growth, exemplified by fish aged to be 4 years near maximum length. Growth was deterministic with adult ages decoupled from body length. Otolith mass and thickness were evaluated as proxies for age and both were encouraging; thickness explained more variance but mass was easier to measure. An age estimation protocol was validated through ontogeny using bomb radiocarbon (14C) dating. Use of the postbomb 14C decline period from a regional reference chronology enabled age validation of young fish — a novel approach for the Pacific Ocean. A probabilistic procedure for assigning bomb 14C dates (CALIBomb) was used for the first time to determine fish birth years. The age-reading protocol was generally validated, and it was possible to describe length-at-age despite difficulties in counting otolith annuli beyond 30–40 years. Growth curves differed between the sexes, and a four-parameter generalized von Bertalanffy growth function provided the best fit.
Rellich’s theorem and N-body Schrödinger operators
Authors: Ito K. , Skibsted E.
Published: July 2016

We show an optimal version of Rellich’s theorem for generalized [Formula: see text]-body Schrödinger operators. It applies to singular potentials, in particular, to a model for atoms and molecules with infinite mass and finite extent nuclei. Our proof relies on a Mourre estimate [10] and a functional calculus localization technique.
Extending the ΛCDM model through shear-free anisotropies
Authors: Pereira Thiago S. , Pabon Davincy T.
Published: July 2016

If the spacetime metric has anisotropic spatial curvature, one can still expand the universe as if it were isotropic, provided that the energy–momentum tensor satisfies a certain constraint. This leads to the so-called shear-free (SF) metrics, which have the interesting property of violating the cosmological principle while still preserving the isotropy of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation. In this work, we show that SF cosmologies correspond to an attractor solution in the space of models with anisotropic spatial curvature. Through a rigorous definition of linear perturbation theory in these spacetimes, we show that SF models represent a viable alternative to explain the large-scale evolution of the universe, leading, in particular to a kinematically equivalent Sachs–Wolfe (SW) effect. Alternatively, we discuss some specific signatures that SF models would imprint on the temperature spectrum of CMB.
Reheating the Universe at Criticality
Authors: Lee Hyun Min
Published: July 2016

We present the general discussion on the inflection point inflation with small or large inflaton fields and show the effects of reheating dynamics on the inflationary predictions. In order to compare the model predictions with precisely measured CMB anisotropies and constrain the inflation models, the knowledge of the reheating dynamics is required. Inflection point inflation extended to the trans-Planckian regime can accommodate a sizable tensor-to-scalar ratio at the detectable level in the future CMB experiments.
Bladder urine oxygen tension for assessing renal medullary oxygenation in rabbits: experimental and modeling studies
Authors: Sgouralis Ioannis , Kett Michelle M. , Ow Connie P. C. , Abdelkader Amany , Layton Anita T. , Gardiner Bruce S. , Smith David W. , Lankadeva Yugeesh R. , Evans Roger G.
Published: July 2016

Oxygen tension (Po2) of urine in the bladder could be used to monitor risk of acute kidney injury if it varies with medullary Po2. Therefore, we examined this relationship and characterized oxygen diffusion across walls of the ureter and bladder in anesthetized rabbits. A computational model was then developed to predict medullary Po2 from bladder urine Po2. Both intravenous infusion of [Phe2,Ile3,Orn8]-vasopressin and infusion of NG-nitro-l-arginine reduced urinary Po2 and medullary Po2 (8–17%), yet had opposite effects on renal blood flow and urine flow. Changes in bladder urine Po2 during these stimuli correlated strongly with changes in medullary Po2 (within-rabbit r2 = 0.87–0.90). Differences in the Po2 of saline infused into the ureter close to the kidney could be detected in the bladder, although this was diminished at lesser ureteric flow. Diffusion of oxygen across the wall of the bladder was very slow, so it was not considered in the computational model. The model predicts Po2 in the pelvic ureter (presumed to reflect medullary Po2) from known values of bladder urine Po2, urine flow, and arterial Po2. Simulations suggest that, across a physiological range of urine flow in anesthetized rabbits (0.1–0.5 ml/min for a single kidney), a change in bladder urine Po2 explains 10–50% of the change in pelvic urine/medullary Po2. Thus, it is possible to infer changes in medullary Po2 from changes in urinary Po2, so urinary Po2 may have utility as a real-time biomarker of risk of acute kidney injury.
SREBP inhibition ameliorates renal injury after unilateral ureteral obstruction
Authors: Mustafa Maria , Wang Tony N. , Chen Xing , Gao Bo , Krepinsky Joan C.
Published: July 2016

Tubulointerstitial fibrosis is a major feature associated with declining kidney function in chronic kidney disease of diverse etiology. No effective means as yet exists to prevent the progression of fibrosis. We have shown that the transcription factor sterol-regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP-1) is an important mediator of the profibrotic response to transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and angiotensin II, both key cytokines in the fibrotic process. Here, we examined the role of SREBP in renal interstitial fibrosis in the unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) model. The two isoforms of SREBP (-1 and -2) were activated by 3 days after UUO, with SREBP-1 showing a more sustained activation to 21 days. We then examined whether SREBP1/2 inhibition with the small-molecule inhibitor fatostatin could attenuate fibrosis after 14 days of UUO. SREBP activation was confirmed to be inhibited by fatostatin. Treatment decreased interstitial fibrosis, TGF-β signaling, and upregulation of α-smooth muscle actin (SMA), a marker of fibroblast activation. Fatostatin also attenuated inflammatory cell infiltrate and apoptosis. Associated with this, fatostatin preserved proximal tubular mass. The significant increase in atubular glomeruli observed after UUO, known to correlate with irreversible renal functional decline, was also decreased by treatment. In cultured primary fibroblasts, TGF-β1 induced the activation of SREBP-1 and -2. Fatostatin blocked TGF-β1-induced α-SMA and matrix protein upregulation. The inhibition of SREBP is thus a potential novel therapeutic target in the treatment of fibrosis in chronic kidney disease.
Representing multiple object weights: competing priors and sensorimotor memories
Authors: Baugh Lee A. , Yak Amelie , Johansson Roland S. , Flanagan J. Randall
Published: July 2016

When lifting an object, individuals scale lifting forces based on long-term priors relating external object properties (such as material and size) to object weight. When experiencing objects that are poorly predicted by priors, people rapidly form and update sensorimotor memories that can be used to predict an object's atypical size-weight relation in support of predictively scaling lift forces. With extensive experience in lifting such objects, long-term priors, assessed with weight judgments, are gradually updated. The aim of the present study was to understand the formation and updating of these memory processes. Participants lifted, over multiple days, a set of black cubes with a normal size-weight mapping and green cubes with an inverse size-weight mapping. Sensorimotor memory was assessed with lifting forces, and priors associated with the black and green cubes were assessed with the size-weight illusion (SWI). Interference was observed in terms of adaptation of the SWI, indicating that priors were not independently adjusted. Half of the participants rapidly learned to scale lift forces appropriately, whereas reduced learning was observed in the others, suggesting that individual differences may be affecting sensorimotor memory abilities. A follow-up experiment showed that lifting forces are not accurately scaled to objects when concurrently performing a visuomotor association task, suggesting that sensorimotor memory formation involves cognitive resources to instantiate the mapping between object identity and weight, potentially explaining the results of experiment 1. These results provide novel insight into the formation and updating of sensorimotor memories and provide support for the independent adjustment of sensorimotor memory and priors.
The compensatory interaction between motor unit firing behavior and muscle force during fatigue
Authors: Contessa Paola , De Luca Carlo J. , Kline Joshua C.
Published: July 2016

Throughout the literature, different observations of motor unit firing behavior during muscle fatigue have been reported and explained with varieties of conjectures. The disagreement amongst previous studies has resulted, in part, from the limited number of available motor units and from the misleading practice of grouping motor unit data across different subjects, contractions, and force levels. To establish a more clear understanding of motor unit control during fatigue, we investigated the firing behavior of motor units from the vastus lateralis muscle of individual subjects during a fatigue protocol of repeated voluntary constant force isometric contractions. Surface electromyographic decomposition technology provided the firings of 1,890 motor unit firing trains. These data revealed that to sustain the contraction force as the muscle fatigued, the following occurred: 1) motor unit firing rates increased; 2) new motor units were recruited; and 3) motor unit recruitment thresholds decreased. Although the degree of these adaptations was subject specific, the behavior was consistent in all subjects. When we compared our empirical observations with those obtained from simulation, we found that the fatigue-induced changes in motor unit firing behavior can be explained by increasing excitation to the motoneuron pool that compensates for the fatigue-induced decrease in muscle force twitch reported in empirical studies. Yet, the fundamental motor unit control scheme remains invariant throughout the development of fatigue. These findings indicate that the central nervous system regulates motor unit firing behavior by adjusting the operating point of the excitation to the motoneuron pool to sustain the contraction force as the muscle fatigues.
Efficacy and Mechanisms of Aerobic Exercise on Cancer Initiation, Progression, and Metastasis: A Critical Systematic Review ofIn VivoPreclinical Data
Authors: Ashcraft Kathleen A. , Peace Ralph M. , Betof Allison S. , Dewhirst Mark W. , Jones Lee W.
Published: July 2016

A major objective of the emerging field of exercise–oncology research is to determine the efficacy of, and biological mechanisms by which, aerobic exercise affects cancer incidence, progression, and/or metastasis. There is a strong inverse association between self-reported exercise and the primary incidence of several forms of cancer; similarly, emerging data suggest that exercise exposure after a cancer diagnosis may improve outcomes for early-stage breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer. Arguably, critical next steps in the development of exercise as a candidate treatment in cancer control require preclinical studies to validate the biological efficacy of exercise, identify the optimal “dose”, and pinpoint mechanisms of action. To evaluate the current evidence base, we conducted a critical systematic review of in vivo studies investigating the effects of exercise in cancer prevention and progression. Studies were evaluated on the basis of tumor outcomes (e.g., incidence, growth, latency, metastasis), dose–response, and mechanisms of action, when available. A total of 53 studies were identified and evaluated on tumor incidence (n = 24), tumor growth (n = 33), or metastasis (n = 10). We report that the current evidence base is plagued by considerable methodologic heterogeneity in all aspects of study design, endpoints, and efficacy. Such heterogeneity precludes meaningful comparisons and conclusions at present. To this end, we provide a framework of methodologic and data reporting standards to strengthen the field to guide the conduct of high-quality studies required to inform translational, mechanism-driven clinical trials. Cancer Res; 76(14); 4032–50. ©2016 AACR.
The Early Mother-to-Child Bond and Its Unique Prospective Contribution to Child Behavior Evaluated by Mothers and Teachers
Authors: Fuchs Anna , Möhler Eva , Reck Corinna , Resch Franz , Kaess Michael
Published: July 2016

Maternal bonding has been described as the quality of the affective tie from a mother to her infant. This early bond's mental components and its longitudinal impact on child outcome have been markedly understudied. Although most researchers assume impaired maternal bonding to have a negative impact on child development, there is a lack of prospective studies evaluating this hypothesis. Since maternal mental health problems may negatively affect both bonding quality and child development, it is still to be determined whether there is a unique contribution of bonding quality to child behavior problems over and above maternal psychopathology. We examined a community sample of 101 mother-child dyads at the child's age of 2 weeks (t1) and 6 weeks (t2), 4 months (t3), 14 months (t4), and 5.5 years (t5). Maternal bonding and psychopathology were assessed at time points t1-t4 using the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ-16) and the Symptom Checklist Revised (SCL 90-R). Child behavior problems were rated in a multi-informant design by mothers and teachers at t5 using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). In the case of maternal judgment of child behavior problems, bonding at 14 months (t4) proved to be a significant predictor (β = 0.30; p = 0.011). Teacher-rated child behavior problems were significantly predicted by maternal bonding at 2 weeks (t1; β = 0.48; p = 0.025). Our results indicate a prospective influence of the early mother-infant bond on child development and underline the unique contribution of bonding quality to child behavior problems over and above the impact of maternal psychopathology in a community sample.
Extracranial Venous Drainage Pattern in Multiple Sclerosis and Healthy Controls: Application of the 2011 Diagnostic Criteria for Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency
Authors: Cardaioli Gabriela , Di Filippo Massimiliano , Bianchi Alessia , Eusebi Paolo , Di Gregorio Maria , Gaetani Lorenzo , Gallina Antongiulio , Calabresi Paolo , Sarchielli Paola
Published: July 2016

The etiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) is still largely unknown and it has been proposed that an impaired venous drainage from the central nervous system, defined as chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI), may play a role in this. We investigated the prevalence of extracranial venous drainage pattern alterations in a cohort of MS patients based on the 2011 revised diagnostic criteria for CCSVI. Thirty-nine MS patients and 18 healthy subjects underwent blinded extra-cranial venous echo-color Doppler sonography to reveal the presence of CCSVI. There was no statistically significant difference between MS patients and healthy controls regarding CCSVI prevalence (p value = 0.53). The results challenge the hypothesis that CCSVI plays a primary role in the pathogenesis of MS.
Role of Myoendothelial Gap Junctions in the Regulation of Human Coronary Artery Smooth Muscle Cell Differentiation by Laminar Shear Stress
Authors: Zhang Zongqi , Chen Yizhu , Zhang Tiantian , Guo Lingyu , Yang Wenlong , Zhang Junfeng , Wang Changqian
Published: July 2016

Background/Aims: Smooth muscle cells may dedifferentiate into the synthetic phenotype and promote atherosclerosis. Here, we explored the role of myoendothelial gap junctions in phenotypic switching of human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (HCASMCs) co-cultured with human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs) exposed to shear stress. Methods: HCASMCs and HCAECs were seeded on opposite sides of Transwell inserts, and HCAECs were exposed to laminar shear stress of 12 dyn/cm2 or 5 dyn/cm2. The myoendothelial gap junctions were evaluated by using a multi-photon microscope. Results: In co-culture with HCAECs, HCASMCs exhibited a contractile phenotype, and maintained the expression of differentiation markers MHC and H1-calponin. HCASMCs and HCAECs formed functional intercellular junctions, as evidenced by colocalization of connexin(Cx)40 and Cx43 on cellular projections inside the Transwell membrane and biocytin transfer from HCAECs to HCASMCs. Cx40 siRNA and 18-α-GA attenuated protein expression of MHC and H1-calponin in HCASMCs. Shear stress of 5 dyn/cm2 increased Cx43 and decreased Cx40 expression in HCAECs, and partly inhibited biocytin transfer from HCAECs to HCASMCs, which could be completely blocked by Cx43 siRNA or restored by Cx40 DNA transfected into HCAECs. The exposure of HCAECs to shear stress of 5 dyn/cm2 promoted HCASMC phenotypic switching, manifested by morphological changes, decrease in MHC and H1-calponin expression, and increase in platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB release, which was partly rescued by Cx43 siRNA or Cx40 DNA or PDGF receptor signaling inhibitor. Conclusions: The exposure of HCAECs to shear stress of 5 dyn/cm2 caused the dysfunction of Cx40/Cx43 heterotypic myoendothelial gap junctions, which may be replaced by homotypic Cx43/Cx43 channels, and induced HCASMC transition to the synthetic phenotype associated with the activation of PDGF receptor signaling, which may contribute to shear stress-associated arteriosclerosis.
Alterations in Caveolin-1 Expression and Receptor-Operated Ca2+ Entry in the Aortas of Rats with Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Mu Yun-Ping , Lin Da-Cen , Yan Fu-Rong , Jiao Hai-Xia , Gui Long-Xin , Lin Mo-Jun
Published: July 2016

Background/Aims: Alterations in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) underlie the pathogenesis of various cardiovascular diseases. Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) is the primary functional protein associated with caveolae, which are invaginations in the plasma membrane, and is a regulator of [Ca2+]i signaling. Caveolae and Cav-1 increase the activity of store-operated Ca2+ channels (SOCC) in rat pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), and these enhancing effects were more pronounced in rats with pulmonary hypertension (PH). Classical transient receptor potential (TRPC) proteins are highly expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells, and these proteins form functional receptor-operated Ca2+ channels (ROCC) and SOCC in PASMCs. Previous studies suggested that functional and structural changes in aortas might occur during the pathological process of PH. Our data demonstrated that Cav-1 and TRPC were also abundant in the aorta smooth muscle cells (AoSMCs) of PH rats. However, previous PH research primarily focused on Ca2+ channels in pulmonary arteries, but not functional changes in Ca2+ channels in aortas. The contribution of Cav-1 of AoSMCs to alterations of Ca2+ signaling in aortic functions during the pathological process of PH has not been fully characterized. Therefore, this study investigated alterations in Cav-1 expression and the relationship of these changes to Ca2+ channels in AoSMCs of PH rats. Methods: The present study examined physiological caveolae and Cav-1 expression and characterized the function of altered Cav-1 expression in rat aortas with PH. Results: The appearance of caveolae with Cav-1 expression increased significantly in the aortas of rats with PH, but TRPC1 and TRPC6 expression was not altered. In vitro experiments demonstrated that caveolae contributed to phenylephrine, endothelin-1, and 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (OAG)-induced aortic vasoreactivity, but KCl and cyclopiazonic acid had no effect, which suggests the vital ability of Cav-1 to regulate ROCC activity. The introduction of Cav-1 scaffolding domain peptide enhanced OAG-induced ROCC function in primary AoSMCs. Conclusion: Cav-1 is specifically associated with ROCC in aortas and plays a vital role in altering vasoreactivity, which affects cardiovascular diseases pathology. Caveolae and Cav-1 up-regulation may affect the function of ROCC in rat models of PH.
Influence of Four Radiotracers in PET/CT on Diagnostic Accuracy for Prostate Cancer: A Bivariate Random-Effects Meta-Analysis
Authors: Liu Junzhong , Chen Zhongfeng , Wang Tianyu , Liu Li , Zhao Lei , Guo Guangtao , Wang Dongqing
Published: July 2016

Background/Aims: To date, several positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) radiotracers including fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG), carbon-11 labeled choline (11C-choline), 18-F fluorocholine (18F-FCH) and carbon-11 acetate (11C-acetate) have already been assessed in the application of prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis to some extent, the diagnostic efficiency of these radiotracers still remain controversial. As a result of this, we carried out this meta-analysis for the purpose of comparing the diagnostic accuracy among four PET/CT radiotracers. Methods: A systematical literature search for articles was performed until July 3, 2015. We implemented all analysis using the statistical software of STATA12 and quality assessment was performed using QUADAS-2. Results: A total of 56 studies containing 3,586 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Parameter estimates of the overall analysis are as follows: sensitivity, 0.80 (95% CI: 0.74-0.85); specificity, 0.84 (95% CI: 0.77-0.89) and area under roc curve-AUC of SROC, 0.89 (95% CI: 0.86-0.91), indicating a relatively high level of accuracy in diagnosis of PCa. When different radiotracers of PET/CT were compared, 18F-FCH-PET/CT was ranked as the most favorable with the highest value of AUC (AUC = 0.94; 95% CI: 0.92-0.96) whereas 18F-FDG was the least favorable (AUC = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.69-0.77). Conclusion: This study suggested that PET/CT imaging plays an invaluable role in the diagnosis of PCa and 18F-FCH-PET/CT was considered as a superior diagnostic tool over other radiotracers. More attention should be paid to the diagnostic efficiency of the four radiotracers particularly for PCa patients with different clinical stages.
Tyrosine Mutation in AAV9 Capsid Improves Gene Transfer to the Mouse Lung
Authors: Martini Sabrina V. , Silva Adriana L. , Ferreira Debora , Rabelo Rafael , Ornellas Felipe M. , Gomes Karina , Rocco Patricia R.M. , Petrs-Silva Hilda , Morales Marcelo M.
Published: July 2016

Background/Aims: Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors are being increasingly used as the vector of choice for in vivo gene delivery and gene therapy for many pulmonary diseases. Recently, it was shown that phosphorylation of surface-exposed tyrosine residues from AAV capsid targets the viral particles for ubiquitination and proteasome-mediated degradation, and mutations of these tyrosine residues lead to highly efficient vector transduction in vitro and in vivo in different organs. In this study, we evaluated the pulmonary transgene expression efficacy of AAV9 vectors containing point mutations in surface-exposed capsid tyrosine residues. Methods: Eighteen C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned into three groups: (1) a control group (CTRL) animals underwent intratracheal (i.t.) instillation of saline, (2) the wild-type AAV9 group (WT-AAV9, 1010 vg), and (3) the tyrosine-mutant Y731F AAV9 group (M-AAV9, 1010 vg), which received (i.t.) self-complementary AAV9 vectors containing the DNA sequence of enhanced green fluorescence protein (eGFP). Four weeks after instillation, lung mechanics, morphometry, tissue cellularity, gene expression, inflammatory cytokines, and growth factor expression were analyzed. Results: No significant differences were observed in lung mechanics and morphometry among the experimental groups. However, the number of polymorphonuclear cells was higher in the WT-AAV9 group than in the CTRL and M-AAV9 groups, suggesting that the administration of tyrosine-mutant AAV9 vectors was better tolerated. Tyrosine-mutant AAV9 vectors significantly improved transgene delivery to the lung (30%) compared with their wild-type counterparts, without eliciting an inflammatory response. Conclusion: Our results provide the impetus for further studies to exploit the use of AAV9 vectors as a tool for pulmonary gene therapy.
Differentiating Simple Hepatic Cysts from Mucinous Cystic Neoplasms: Radiological Features, Cyst Fluid Tumour Marker Analysis and Multidisciplinary Team Outcomes
Authors: Labib Peter Lawrence Zaki , Aroori Somaiah , Bowles Matthew , Stell David , Briggs Christopher
Published: July 2016

Background: Differentiating hepatic mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs) from simple hepatic cysts (SCs) preoperatively is a challenging task. Our aim was to determine whether radiological features on ultrasound scan (USS), CT or MRI, cyst fluid tumour markers, or multidisciplinary team (MDT) outcomes could differentiate MCN from SC. Methods: A retrospective review of radiological features, cyst fluid tumour marker levels and MDT outcomes in 52 patients was performed. Results: There were 13 patients with MCN, 38 with SC and one ciliated foregut cyst. MCNs were more often solitary (p = 0.006). Although no other individual radiological characteristic on USS, CT or MRI was predictive of MCN, MDT outcomes stating that a cyst was complex in nature were highly predictive (p = 0.0007). Cyst fluid carbohydrate antigen 19-9, carcino-embryonic antigen and cancer antigen 125 were unable to differentiate MCN from SC (p = 0.45, p = 0.49, and p = 0.73, respectively). Conclusions: MDT outcomes are of greatest value when trying to differentiate MCN from SC, as well as having a solitary cyst on imaging. Conventional cyst fluid tumour markers are unhelpful. All suspicious cystic liver lesions should be discussed pre-operatively by a hepatobiliary MDT to determine the most appropriate surgical approach.
Management of Abnormal Placenta Implantation with Methotrexate: A Review of Published Data
Authors: Farasatinasab Maryam , Moghaddas Azadeh , Dashti-Khadivaki Simin , Raoofi Zahra , Nasiripour Somayyeh
Published: July 2016

Abnormally invasive placenta is characterized by direct attachment of chorionic villi to the uterine wall. This adherent placenta traditionally has been managed by peripartum hysterectomy. Nowadays, there is a lot of interest toward gradual shift from traditional management of invasive placentation to conservative ones leaving the placenta in situ to avoid the surgical morbidity of hysterectomy and loss of future fertility. Administration of methotrexate (MTX), as an adjunctive antimetabolite drug, resulted in conflicting data during conservative management of abnormal placentation. This review assessed all published data on efficacy and safety of MTX therapy as conservative management of invasive placentation. Fifty-three articles including one prospective cohort study, 2 retrospective cohort studies, 10 case series and 40 case reports were identified. Conservative management has beneficial effects on the avoidance of major surgery with the consequent morbidity and the preservation of future fertility. Infection and vaginal bleeding were main complications of MTX therapy. Although MTX therapy may result in accelerated involution or expulsion of placenta and has some beneficial effects on hemorrhagic events, but there is not enough evidence on its efficacy and safety to recommend its routine uses in all cases of invasive placenta.
Expression of Angiotensin II Types 1 and 2 Receptors in Endometriotic Lesions
Authors: Nakao Takehiro , Chishima Fumihisa , Sugitani Masahiko , Tsujimura Ryusuke , Hayashi Chuyu , Yamamoto Tatsuo
Published: July 2016

Background/Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the gene and protein expression of angiotensin type (AT) 1, AT2 receptors in endometriotic lesions and its relation to prostaglandin (PG) synthases. Materials and Methods: Endometriosis samples were obtained from 32 patients with endometriotic cysts. Endometrial tissues were obtained during operations for benign gynecological conditions. The expression of the AT1 and AT2 receptor mRNA and that of PG-endoperoxide synthase 2 and microsomal PGE2 synthase-1 (mPGES-1) was examined by quantitative RT-PCR. Immunohistochemical staining was performed for these receptors. Results: AT1 and AT2 receptor proteins were mostly located in endometrial glandular epithelium and some stromal cells. Immunoreactivity of the receptor proteins was observed in both the eutopic endometrium and endometriotic lesions. The AT1/AT2 ratio in endometriotic cysts (median 7.29, range 1.88-187.60) was significantly increased compared with that in the eutopic endometrium in the proliferative-phase in controls (median 1.01, range 0.37-2.09, p < 0.001). There was a relationship between the AT1 mRNA expression and that of mPGES-1 mRNA in the endometriotic cysts (r = 0.394089, p < 0.05). There was a significant relationship between the mRNA expression of the AT2 receptor and that of mPGES-1 in eutopic endometrium of non-endometriotic control (r = 0.610714, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Renin-angiotensin system may play an important role in the pathophysiology of endometriosis.
Projetos temáticos no ensino dialógico-discursivo da língua portuguesa
Authors: Caretta Álvaro Antônio
Published: July 2016

Este artigo tem como objetivo demonstrar a contribuição dos projetos temáticos para o ensino dialógico-discursivo de língua portuguesa. Tendo em vista a teoria dialógica do discurso e o interacionismo sociodiscursivo, enfatizamos a importância do trabalho com os gêneros discursivos em diferentes eixos didáticos no ensino de língua portuguesa no ensino básico. Para isso, em consonância com as propostas apresentadas nos PCNs, observamos que a elaboração de projetos temáticos é uma estratégia eficiente e produtiva.
Coesão, coerência e construção de objetos de discurso: vislumbrando uma perspectiva sociocognitiva e interacional para o ensino da produção escrita
Authors: Bachur Silvia Augusta Albert
Published: July 2016

: Este artigo tem por objetivo mostrar como os atuais estudos teóricos da Linguística Textual, de perspectiva sociocognitiva e interacional, ao abordar as noções de coesão, coerência e referenciação, podem colaborar para a prática pedagógica no que tange o ensino e aprendizagem da escrita, tendo em vista o desenvolvimento da proficiência escritora. Consideramos a coesão e a coerência como critérios de textualização, admitindo não só a interdependência entre eles, mas também a sua codeterminação ao processo de referenciação. Dessa perspectiva, a construção da coesão e da coerência é dinâmica, processual e ocorre por meio de inferências e estratégias cognitivas para os quais concorrem as marcas linguísticas, os conhecimentos prévios, a interação entre os interlocutores e o contexto. Destacamos a seleção das formas nominais, na construção da representação de objetos de discurso, relacionando-as ao projeto de dizer do locutor em redações de vestibular. Defendemos, assim, que a referenciação, ao construir representações para objetos de discurso, constitui uma base para a estruturação do texto e providencia pistas para a produção de sentidos na escrita. Respaldamo-nos, neste trabalho, principalmente, nos estudos de Koch (2006), Marcuschi (2006; 2007; 2008), Cavalcante et al. (2010) e Bentes (2012).
Discurso sobre ensino de língua portuguesa na universidade: as (des)construções do imaginário de ensino de língua em graduação de Direito
Authors: Luz Mary Neiva Surdi da , Lorenset Rossaly Beatriz Chioquetta
Published: July 2016

Este artigo investiga as (des) construções do imaginário de ensino de Língua Portuguesa no Ensino Superior em gradua- ção de Direito, olhando para as vertentes de ensino e os saberes linguísticos mobilizados, à luz da Análise de Discurso (AD) da escola francesa, em diálogo com a História das Ideias Linguísticas (HIL). A partir de arquivo documental-institucional do Curso de Direito da Universidade do Oeste de Santa Catarina – Unoesc – Xanxerê, em 2000, ano da criação do curso, até 2013, abarcando as alterações do Projeto Pedagógico deste curso, analisam-se os ementários dos componentes curriculares de Língua Portuguesa e nomenclaturas congêneres de Português Aplicado ao Direito e Produção de Textos. A materialidade linguística que emergiu do corpus trouxe indícios de que há ecos e ressonâncias do imaginário de língua da historicidade do ensino de língua e da constituição do Ensino Superior no Brasil, de mais de dois séculos. Consideramos relevante que professores de Língua Portuguesa conheçam as práticas pedagógicas norteadas pela legislação, em distintos momentos históricos, bem como a ideologia que as sustentam, de forma a contribuir acerca das reflexões em torno do discurso sobre (MARIANI, 1998; ORLANDI, 2008; VENTURINI, 2009) o ensino de Língua Portuguesa na Educação Superior e seus modos de disciplinarização.
A cantiga medieval como memória histórica da construção social do gênero feminino: reflexões para o ensino de literatura
Authors: Sodré Paulo Roberto , Tomazi Micheline Mattedi
Published: July 2016

Este artigo tem como objetivo demonstrar como a representação social da mulher foi construída historicamente para a consolidação de uma memória social estereotipada, sexista e patriarcal do gênero feminino na sociedade ocidental cristã e como, a partir de uma perspectiva multidisciplinar e crítica, com aporte teórico da proposta sociocognitiva dos Estudos Críticos do Discurso e da Crítica Literária, é possível propor discussões para essa questão no ensino do texto literário medieval e recuperar o diálogo com questões sociais que, ainda hoje, representam motivo de preocupação para nossa sociedade. A partir do estudo de uma cantiga medieval de Afonso X (século XIII), procuramos apresentar as estratégias discursivas que revelam a construção polarizada da representação social medieval de um grupo duplamente minoritário: a mulher (gênero) e a soldadeira (atividade profissional). Os resultados deste artigo, ao delinear as formas pelas quais alguns conceitos produzidos nos Estudos Críticos do Discurso podem contribuir para uma consciência dialógica do aluno no ensino do texto literário, apontam para a necessidade de se considerar questões sociais no ensino, que não só propiciem aos alunos a percepção das relações dialógicas entre épocas distintas, mas também recuperem a discussão de uma memória histórica, cultural e social sobre o tema da mulher.
Dois aspectos de linguagem e um poema: um estudo estilístico de "Água-forte"
Authors: Teixeira Isabel Cristina Ferreira
Published: July 2016

Este estudo organiza-se em torno de uma experiência desenvolvida em sala de aula, mais especificamente em Estudos Linguísticos, disciplina cursada por estudantes dos primeiros semestres do curso de Licenciatura em Letras. Nela começamos a reflexão sobre a constituição disciplinar da linguística pelas ideias estruturalistas. Jakobson logo aparece com seus artigos fundadores sobre os eixos da organização da linguagem associados à afasia e sobre as funções da linguagem, caracterizando a função poética como aquela que “projeta o princípio da equivalência do eixo da seleção sobre eixo da combinação” (1985, p. 130). Mas como compreender esses conceitos que descrevem a expressividade dos elementos linguísticos? A ideia é aplicá-los à linguagem em seus diferentes usos. O poema é uma dessas possibilidades. Apresentamos então o estudo feito para os estudantes e com os estudantes que analisa o funcionamento das duas figuras polares de estilo – a metáfora e a metonímia – aplicadas ao poema “Água-forte” de Manuel Bandeira (1986). Baseados nos princípios estruturalistas de Saussure (1974) e Jakobson (1985), aproximamos os eixos de organização da linguagem a essas figuras. Essa análise favorece a descoberta do sentido, produz possibilidades de leitura e, principalmente, permite a observação de efeitos discursivos relacionados ao conhecimento da expressividade dos elementos linguísticos.
Prognosis of Ischemic Stroke With Newly Diagnosed Diabetes Mellitus According to Hemoglobin A1c Criteria in Chinese Population
Authors: Jing Jing , Pan Yuesong , Zhao Xingquan , Zheng Huaguang , Jia Qian , Li Hao , Guan Ling , Liu Liping , Wang Chunxue , Meng Xia , He Yan , Wang Yilong , Wang Yongjun
Published: July 2016

Background and Purpose—

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was recommended to diagnose diabetes mellitus, but whether newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus (NDDM) according to the new criteria was associated with stroke prognosis was unclear. We aimed to investigate the prognosis of ischemic stroke with NDDM according to the new criteria.

Methods—

Ischemic stroke without a diabetes mellitus history in the survey on Abnormal Glucose Regulation in Patients With Acute Stroke Across China were included in the analysis. NDDM was defined as fasting plasma glucose ≥7.0 mmol/L, 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test ≥11.1 mmol/L, or HbA1c ≥6.5%, and NDDM was divided into group 1, diagnosed by glucose criteria (fasting plasma glucose ≥7.0 mmol/L or 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test ≥11.1 mmol/L with/without HbA1c ≥6.5%), or group 2, diagnosed by single high HbA1c (fasting plasma glucose <7.0 mmol/L, 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test <11.1 mmol/L, and HbA1c ≥6.5%). The association between NDDM and 1-year prognosis (mortality, stroke recurrence, and poor functional outcome [modified Rankin scale score 3–6]) was estimated.

Results—

Among 1251 ischemic stroke patients, 539 were NDDM and 141 of NDDM with single high HbA1c. NDDM was an independent risk factor for 1-year mortality (hazard ratio, 1.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.001–1.26), stroke recurrence (hazard ratio, 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.01–1.28), and poor functional outcome (odds ratio, 2.58; 95% confidence interval, 1.95–3.43) compared with non–diabetes mellitus. Nevertheless, NDDM with single high HbA1c was not significantly associated with 1-year prognosis for all end points (
P
>0.05 for all).

Conclusions—

NDDM by new criteria was associated with poor prognosis at 1 year after ischemic stroke; however, NDDM with single high HbA1c did not predict a poor prognosis.