bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preventive Effects of a Kampo Medicine, Kakkonto, on Inflammatory Responses via the Suppression of Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Phosphorylation in Lipopolysaccharide-Treated Human Gingival Fibroblasts
Authors: Kitamura Hiroyuki , Urano Hiroko , Ara Toshiaki
Published: February 2014

Periodontal disease is accompanied by inflammation of the gingiva and destruction of periodontal tissues, leading to alveolar bone loss in severe clinical cases. The chemical mediator prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and cytokines such as interleukin- (IL-)6 and IL-8 have been known to play important roles in inflammatory responses and tissue degradation. In the present study, we investigated the effects of a kampo medicine, kakkonto (TJ-1), on the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), IL-6, and IL-8 by human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Porphyromonas gingivalis. Kakkonto concentration dependently suppressed LPS-induced PGE2 production but did not alter basal PGE2 levels. In contrast, kakkonto significantly increased LPS-induced IL-6 and IL-8 production. Kakkonto decreased cyclooxygenase- (COX-)1 activity to approximately 70% at 1 mg/mL but did not affect COX-2 activity. Kakkonto did not affect cytoplasmic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2), annexin1, or LPS-induced COX-2 expression. Kakkonto suppressed LPS-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation, which is known to lead to ERK activation and cPLA2 phosphorylation. These results suggest that kakkonto decreased PGE2 production by inhibition of ERK phosphorylation which leads to inhibition of cPLA2 phosphorylation and its activation. Therefore, kakkonto may be useful to improve gingival inflammation in periodontal disease.
Modified Homotopy Perturbation Technique for the Approximate Solution of Nonlinear Equations
Authors: Shah Farooq Ahmed
Published: February 2014

We use a new modified homotopy perturbation method to suggest and analyze some new iterative methods for solving nonlinear equations. This new modification of the homotopy method is quite flexible. Various numerical examples are given to illustrate the efficiency and performance of the new methods. These new iterative methods may be viewed as an addition and generalization of the existing methods for solving nonlinear equations.
Novel Point Mutations and A8027G Polymorphism in Mitochondrial-DNA-Encoded Cytochrome c Oxidase II Gene in Mexican Patients with Probable Alzheimer Disease
Authors: Loera-Castañeda Verónica , Sandoval-Ramírez Lucila , Pacheco Moisés Fermín Paul , Macías-Islas Miguel Ángel , Alatorre Jiménez Moisés Alejandro , González-Renovato Erika Daniela , Cortés-Enríquez Fernando , Célis de la Rosa Alfredo , Velázquez-Brizuela Irma E. , Ortiz Genaro Gabriel
Published: February 2014

Mitochondrial dysfunction has been thought to contribute to Alzheimer disease (AD) pathogenesis through the accumulation of mitochondrial DNA mutations and net production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Mitochondrial cytochrome c-oxidase plays a key role in the regulation of aerobic production of energy and is composed of 13 subunits. The 3 largest subunits (I, II, and III) forming the catalytic core are encoded by mitochondrial DNA. The aim of this work was to look for mutations in mitochondrial cytochrome c-oxidase gene II (MTCO II) in blood samples from probable AD Mexican patients.MTCO IIgene was sequenced in 33 patients with diagnosis of probable AD. Four patients (12%) harbored the A8027G polymorphism and three of them were early onset (EO) AD cases with familial history of the disease. In addition, other four patients with EOAD had only one of the following point mutations: A8003C, T8082C, C8201T, or G7603A. Neither of the point mutations found in this work has been described previously for AD patients, and the A8027G polymorphism has been described previously; however, it hasn’t been related to AD. We will need further investigation to demonstrate the role of the point mutations of mitochondrial DNA in the pathogenesis of AD.
Direct and Inverse Problems for Sturm-Liouville Operator Which Has Discontinuity Conditions and Coulomb Potential
Authors: Güldü Yalçın , Arslantaş Merve
Published: February 2014

We give a derivation of the main equation for Sturm-Liouville operator with Coulomb potential and prove its unique solvability.
Using the solution of the main equation, we get an algorithm for the solution of the inverse problem.
Formulation Development and Evaluation of Fast Disintegrating Tablet of Cetirizine Hydrochloride: A Novel Drug Delivery for Pediatrics and Geriatrics
Authors: Sharma Deepak , Singh Mankaran , Kumar Dinesh , Singh Gurmeet
Published: February 2014

Recent developments in fast disintegrating tablets have brought convenience in dosing to pediatric and elderly patients who have trouble in swallowing tablets. The objective of the present study was to prepare the fast disintegrating tablet of Cetirizine Hydrochloride for allergic and respiratory disorders. As precision of dosing and patient's compliance become important prerequisite for a long-term treatment, there is a need to develop a formulation for this drug which overcomes problems such as difficulty in swallowing, inconvenience in administration while travelling, and patient’s acceptability. Hence, the present investigation was undertaken with a view to develop a fast disintegrating tablet of Cetirizine Hydrochloride which offers a new range of products having desired characteristics and intended benefits. Superdisintegrants such as Sodium Starch Glycolate were optimized. Different binders were optimized along with optimized superdisintegrant concentration. The tablets were prepared by direct compression technique. The tablets were evaluated for hardness, friability, weight variation, wetting time, disintegration time and uniformity of content. Optimized formulation was evaluated by in vitro dissolution test, drug excipient compatibility and accelerated stability study. It was concluded that fast disintegrating tablets of Cetirizine Hydrochloride were formulated successfully with desired characteristics which disintegrated rapidly, provide rapid onset of action, and enhance the patient convenience and compliance.
A New Approach to the Identification of Distillation Column Based on Hammerstein Model
Authors: Kanthasamy Ramesh , Anwaruddin Hisyam , Sinnadurai Suriya Kumar
Published: February 2014

Developing a suitable nonlinear model is the most challenging problem in the application of nonlinear model based controllers to distillation column. Hammerstein model consists of a nonlinear static element described by wavenet based nonlinear function, followed by a linear dynamic element described by the Output Error(OE) model was used in this study to represent the nonlinear dynamics of the distillation column. The model parameters were identified using iterative prediction-error minimization method. The model validation results proved that the Hammerstein model was capable of capturing the nonlinear dynamics of distillation column.
Identifying Vulnerable Populations in Subtropical Brisbane, Australia: A Guide for Heatwave Preparedness and Health Promotion
Authors: Loughnan Margaret , Tapper Nigel , Phan Thu
Published: February 2014

Building healthy societies is a key step towards climate resilient communities. Ill health is related to increased risk during heat events and is disproportionally distributed within and between communities. To understand the differences in the spatial distribution of climate related health risks and how this will change in the future we have undertaken a spatiotemporal analysis of heatwave risks in urban populations in Brisbane, Australia. The aim of this was to advise emergency managers and public health authorities of high-risk areas during extreme heat events (EHEs). The spatial distribution of heat related morbidity identified areas of high healthcare service demand during EHEs. An index of risk was developed based on social and environmental determinants of vulnerability. Regression analysis was used to determine the key drivers of heat related morbidity from the index. A weighted map of population vulnerability was produced which identified the high risk areas and provided key information to target public health interventions and heat stress prevention policy. The predicted changes in high risk populations such as the proportion of elderly people living in urban areas were also mapped to support longer term adaptation and develop health care infrastructure and health promotion strategies.
Intermittent Alien Hand Syndrome and Callosal Apraxia in Multiple Sclerosis: Implications for Interhemispheric Communication
Authors: Lunardelli A. , Sartori A. , Mengotti P. , Rumiati R. I. , Pesavento V.
Published: February 2014

We report a case of a 47-year-old woman with 35-year history of multiple sclerosis, who showed alien hand signs, a rare behavioural disorder that involves unilateral goal-directed movements that are contrary to the individual's intention. Alien hand syndrome has been described in multiple sclerosis (MS) only occasionally and is generally suggestive of callosal disconnection. The patient presented also with bilateral limb apraxia and left hand agraphia, raising the possibility of cortical dysfunction or disconnection, in addition to corpus callosum and white matter involvement. Her specific pattern of symptoms supports the role of the corpus callosum in interhemispheric communication for complex as well as fine motor activities and may indicate that it can serve as both an inhibitory and excitatory function depending on task demands.
A Miniaturize Bandpass Filter with Harmonic Suppression Using Meandered Quarter-Wavelength Resonators
Authors: Lu Yun-Long , Wang Shun , Gu Tingting , Cao Ping , Li Kai
Published: February 2014

A miniaturized bandpass filter with harmonics suppression is presented. The proposed filter consists of two quarter-wavelength microstrip resonators, which are meandered for circuit size reduction. An interdigital capacitor, loading at zero-voltage point, is employed to provide the desired coupling between the resonators at operating frequency, whereas the coupling coefficient at the third harmonic is realized to be zero. Besides, the second and fourth harmonics are suppressed sinceλ/4 resonators are adopted. Benefiting from these properties, a miniaturized bandpass filter with the second, third, and fourth harmonics suppression was designed and implemented. The final measured and simulated results show good consistence with the theoretical counterparts.
A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Management of Atypical Osseous Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma
Authors: Ma J. K. , Barr J. , Vijayakumar S.
Published: February 2014

Hemangioendothelioma is a rare vascular tumor of intermediate malignant potential. Though epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EH) is commonly found in soft tissues, it has been known to be present in skeletal tissues. The authors present a case of a 50-year-old woman diagnosed with EH of the iliac bone and acetabulum, who experienced pathological fracture at presentation. This report describes a multidisciplinary approach to the management that includes initial incisional biopsy, curettage, and bone grafting, followed by Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy. The patient finally underwent hemipelvic resection with allograft reconstruction after recurrence. Histopathological study revealed osseous EH of low mitotic activity that stained positively for CD31, CD34, vimentin, and Factor VIII. Herein, the authors discuss the imaging characteristics, histopathological aspects, cytogenetic findings, and the radiobiological behavior of osseous EH. After an aggressive multidisciplinary intervention, the patient is able to achieve local control with no evidence of distal metastatic disease.
Clicked Cinnamic/Caffeic Esters and Amides as Radical Scavengers and 5-Lipoxygenase Inhibitors
Authors: Doiron Jérémie A. , Métayer Benoît , Richard Ryan R. , Desjardins Dany , Boudreau Luc H. , Levesque Natalie A. , Jean-François Jacques , Poirier Samuel J. , Surette Marc E. , Touaibia Mohamed
Published: February 2014

5-Lipoxygenase (5-LO) is the key enzyme responsible for the conversion of arachidonic acid to leukotrienes, a class of lipid mediators implicated in inflammatory disorders. In this paper, we describe the design, synthesis, and preliminary activity studies of novel clicked caffeic esters and amides as radical scavengers and 5-LO inhibitors. From known 5-LO inhibitor 3 as a lead, cinnamic esters 8a–h and amides 9a–h as well as caffeic esters 15a–h and amides 16a–h were synthesized by Cu(I)-catalyzed [1,3]-dipolar cycloaddition with the appropriate azide precursors and terminal alkynes. All caffeic analogs are proved to be good radical scavengers (IC50: 10–20 μM). Esters 15g and 15f possessed excellent 5-LO inhibition activity in HEK293 cells and were equipotent with the known 5-LO inhibitor CAPE and more potent than Zileuton. Several synthesized esters possess activities rivaling Zileuton in stimulated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.
Aspirin Resistance and Promoting Blood Circulation and Removing Blood Stasis: Current Situation and Prospectives
Authors: Wang Jie , Xiong Xingjiang , Feng Bo
Published: February 2014

Aspirin plays a crucial physiological and pathophysiological role in cardiovascular diseases and cerebrovascular diseases by irreversibly inhibiting thromboxane A2. However, some patients may be “resistant” to its effect. The resistance has close association with adverse cardiovascular outcomes and increased mortality, so that resolving the problem of aspirin resistance (AR) is widely concerned. By studying the correlation between AR and blood stasis syndrome (BSS), it is demonstrated that BSS may be one of the pathogenesis of AR in traditional Chinese medicine. Chinese herb and formulas definitely possess the advantage of whole body regulation by many ways and many targets. It is a new direction for treatment of AR to combine TCM and modern medicine to study the mechanism and prevention of AR.
Effects of Different Mineral Admixtures on the Properties of Fresh Concrete
Authors: Khan Sadaqat Ullah , Nuruddin Muhammad Fadhil , Ayub Tehmina , Shafiq Nasir
Published: February 2014

This paper presents a review of the properties of fresh concrete including workability, heat of hydration, setting time, bleeding, and reactivity by using mineral admixtures fly ash (FA), silica fume (SF), ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), metakaolin (MK), and rice husk ash (RHA). Comparison of normal and high-strength concrete in which cement has been partially supplemented by mineral admixture has been considered. It has been concluded that mineral admixtures may be categorized into two groups: chemically active mineral admixtures and microfiller mineral admixtures. Chemically active mineral admixtures decrease workability and setting time of concrete but increase the heat of hydration and reactivity. On the other hand, microfiller mineral admixtures increase workability and setting time of concrete but decrease the heat of hydration and reactivity. In general, small particle size and higher specific surface area of mineral admixture are favourable to produce highly dense and impermeable concrete; however, they cause low workability and demand more water which may be offset by adding effective superplasticizer.
Molecular Pathways: Emerging Roles of Mammalian Sirtuin SIRT7 in Cancer
Authors: Paredes Silvana , Villanova Lidia , Chua Katrin F.
Published: February 2014

SIRT7 belongs to the Sirtuin family of NAD-dependent enzymes, the members of which play diverse roles in aging, metabolism, and disease biology. Increased SIRT7 expression is observed in human cancers and growing evidence suggests important SIRT7 functions in fundamental cellular programs with an impact on oncogenic transformation and tumor biology. SIRT7 associates with chromatin, where it catalyzes selective deacetylation of lysine 18 on histone H3 (H3K18), an emerging epigenetic biomarker of aggressive tumors and poor clinical outcome in patients with cancer. Through H3K18 deacetylation at specific promoters, SIRT7 controls a tumor-suppressive gene expression program that stabilizes the transformed state of cancer cells. SIRT7 also orchestrates several molecular processes, including rRNA and tRNA synthesis, which ultimately promote the increased ribosome biogenesis necessary for tumor cell growth and proliferation. Remarkably, inactivation of SIRT7 can reverse the transformed phenotype of cancer cells and reduce their tumorigenicity in vivo. These findings place SIRT7 at the crossroads of chromatin signaling, metabolic, and tumor-regulatory pathways. Thus, SIRT7 is a promising pharmacologic target for epigenetic cancer therapy. The development of SIRT7 modulators may allow new therapeutic strategies that control tumor progression by reprogramming the chromatin landscape and biosynthetic machinery of cancer cells. Clin Cancer Res; 20(7); 1741–6. ©2014 AACR.
Molecular Precision Chemotherapy: Overcoming Resistance to Targeted Therapies?
Authors: Burdach Stefan
Published: February 2014

Cytotoxic drugs may have specific effects on oncogenes and their downstream targets. Increase of cancer cell sensitivity due to repression of an oncogene downstream target can be specifically addressed by combined precision chemotherapy, increasing the therapeutic index of chemotherapy and overcoming resistance to highly selective targeted therapies. Clin Cancer Res; 20(5); 1064–6. ©2014 AACR.
Diagnostic Validity of the Alzheimer's Disease Functional Assessment and Change Scale in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Manero R.M. , Casals-Coll M. , Sánchez-Benavides G. , Rodríguez-de los Reyes O.N. , Aguilar M. , Badenes D. , Molinuevo J.L. , Robles A. , Barquero M.S. , Antúnez C. , Martínez-Parra C. , Frank-García A. , Fernández M. , Blesa R. , Peña-Casanova J. ,   for the NEURONORMA Study Team
Published: February 2014

Background: The Alzheimer's Disease Functional Assessment and Change Scale (ADFACS) is a functional assessment instrument widely used in clinical research. Aims: To test the diagnostic and concurrent validity of the Spanish version of this scale and to describe the functional deficit pattern for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia. Methods: The ADFACS, the Interview for Deterioration in Daily Living Activities in Dementia (IDDD), and the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) were administered to 146 control subjects (CS) and 165 patients (67 MCI and 98 AD). Nonparametric tests were used to compare the diagnostic groups. Cronbach's α and correlations with the MMSE and the IDDD were calculated. Sensitivity, specificity and predictive values were studied. Results: The ADFACS had a high internal consistency (α = 0.95). Three cutoff points of 1, 4, and 17 were provided to separate CS and MCI patients, MCI and mild AD patients, and mild AD and moderate AD patients, respectively. The ADFACS strongly correlated with functional (IDDD, 0.927) and cognitive (MMSE, 0.747) measures. A similar pattern of dysfunction, but in different grades, was found for the MCI and AD groups. Conclusion: The ADFACS is a reliable, valid, and sensitive instrument to assess functional abilities; it is useful in dementia assessment for elderly populations.
Multifunctional Use of an Operating Theatre: Is Floor Drainage Posing an Increased Risk of Infection?
Authors: Borgmann Hendrik , Wagenlehner Florian , Borgmann Stefan , Thon Walter
Published: February 2014

Introduction: For transurethral urologic surgery floor drainage is necessary for disposal of large amounts of fluid; for skin incision surgery floor drainage is unnecessary. The presence of floor drainage in an operating theatre may have a negative impact on the surgical site infection (SSI) rate after skin incision surgery due to aerosol contamination. We examined whether multifunctional use of an operating theatre would increase the SSI rate after skin incision surgery. Patients and Methods: Patients undergoing skin incision surgery on the kidney or prostate were prospectively divided into two groups with regard to operating theatre equipment. 272 patients were operated on in a theatre with floor drainage and 755 patients were operated on in a theatre without floor drainage. SSIs were categorized using the CDC classification and SSI rates in the two different theatres were determined. Results: No statistically significant difference (p = 0.86) in SSI rates after kidney and prostate surgery was found for operations in theatres with (2.6%) and without floor drainage (2.8%). Conclusions: Multifunctional use of an operating theatre with floor drainage for transurethral and skin incision surgery does not increase SSI rates. Thus, multifunctional use of theatres with floor drainage might lead to a gain in flexibility in the use of operating theatre capacity.
Changes in the Morphological and Functional Patterns of the Ocular Surface in Patients Treated with Prostaglandin Analogues after the Use of TSP 0.5%® Preservative-Free Eyedrops: A Prospective, Multicenter Study
Authors: Iester Michele , Oddone Francesco , Fogagnolo Paolo , Frezzotti Paolo , Figus Michele ,   and the Confocal Microscopy Study Group
Published: February 2014

Aim: To investigate and compare the effects of topical benzalkonium chloride-preserved prostaglandins (PGAs) on the ocular surface in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma before and after 3 months of treatment with additional 0.5% preservative-free tamarind seed polysaccharide single-dose eyedrops (TSP®, Oftagen, Pisa, Italy). Methods: This was a prospective, longitudinal, multicenter study. From 5 different Italian glaucoma centers, 10 glaucomatous patients were recruited in each center. All the patients were treated with a PGA with preservative for at least 1 year. Preservative-free artificial tears 3 times per day were prescribed. The participants were subjected to clinical and instrumental evaluation at baseline, after 1 month and after 3 months of treatment. All patients were examined with a digital corneal confocal laser scanning microscope (HRT II Rostock Cornea Module). Results: After 3 months of TSP 0.5% treatment, an improvement of some ocular signs and symptoms was found. The percentage of conjunctival hyperemia decreased from 67 to 13%. Schirmer's test and breakup time significantly changed from the baseline after 3 months. Confocal microscopy showed a significant increase in conjunctival goblet cells. Conclusion: Artificial substitutes, in particular TSP 0.5%, might protect the ocular surface hence giving higher compliance, adherence and quality of life to the patients.
Antiangiogenic Therapy Inhibits the Recruitment of Vascular Accessory Cells to the Perivascular Niche in Glioma Angiogenesis
Authors: Parmaksız G. , Czabanka M. , Vinci M. , Vajkoczy P.
Published: February 2014

Objective: Antiangiogenic therapies could be limited by various escape mechanisms including bone marrow-derived myeloid cell-induced vasculogenesis. The recruitment of vascular accessory cells (VACs) to the tumor neovasculature is as a multistep process. However, the recruitment process of these cells during antiangiogenic treatment remains unknown. The aim of our study was to characterize the recruitment of VACs during antiangiogenic therapy using sunitinib. Methods: C6 glioma cells were implanted into dorsal skinfold chambers. Animals received antiangiogenic therapy intraperitoneally for 5 days prior to VAC application intra-arterially. Intravital microscopy was performed during VAC injection and 1 and 48 h after injection. Analyses included total (TVD) and functional vessel densities (FVD), the perfusion index (PI), microvascular permeability, blood flow rate (Q), microvascular diameter (D), red blood cell velocity (RBCV), wall shear rate (γ), wall shear stress (τ), first and firm adhesions of VACs, and accumulation in the perivascular niche. Results: Antiangiogenic therapy resulted in a significant reduction in TVD (365 ± 47 cm/cm2 vs. 183 ± 37 cm/cm2) and FVD (227 ± 65 cm/cm2 vs. 147 ± 25 cm/cm2) and an increase in PI, Q, D, and RBCV. γ and τ remained unaltered. Initial adhesion and firm adhesion were unaffected by antiangiogenic therapy; however, the accumulation in the perivascular niche was significantly diminished in treated tumors (53.7 ± 8% vs. 24.0 ± 17%). Conclusions: Antiangiogenic treatment inhibits the accumulation of VACs in the perivascular niche and therefore interferes with consecutive neovascularization.
Autoantibodies to Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein in Patients with Aortic Regurgitation: Association with Aortic Diameter Size
Authors: Shimoni Sara , Bar Iris , Zilberman Liaz , George Jacob
Published: February 2014

Background: Aortic regurgitation (AR) is a condition associated with volume overload, causing left-ventricular (LV) remodeling, eccentric LV hypertrophy and eventually heart failure. LV remodeling associated with AR is regulated by mechanical stress, neurohormonal activation, inflammation and oxidative stress. Since anti-oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) antibodies (Abs) are a measurable marker of oxidative stress, we hypothesized that an increased level of circulating oxidized LDL (oxLDL) Abs may be related to remodeling of the left ventricle in patients with significant AR. Methods: We assessed IgG anti-oxLDL Abs in 31 patients with significant AR and compared them to 30 patients with similar risk factors and no valvular disease. Abs to oxLDL were determined by ELISA. Results: The 2 groups had similar clinical characteristics. There was no difference between patients with AR and patients with no AR in the level of anti-oxLDL Abs. However, in all patients and controls, anti-oxLDL Abs correlated positively with the diameter of the ascending aorta (AA; r = 0.32, p = 0.016) and the level of oxLDL Abs was significantly higher in patients with an AA diameter ≥39 mm. On multivariate analysis, only white blood cell count and AA diameter were related to anti-oxLDL Abs in all patients. Conclusions: We did not find a difference in the level of anti-oxLDL Abs between patients with AR and controls; however, there was a strong correlation between anti-oxLDL Abs and AA diameter.
Daily Administration of Atorvastatin and Simvastatin for One Week Improves Cardiac Function in Type 1 Diabetic Rats
Authors: Crespo Maria J. , Cruz Nildris , Quidgley Jose , Torres Hector , Hernandez Cesar , Casiano Hector , Rivera Karines
Published: February 2014

Short-term administration of statins during the perioperative period has been suggested to improve cardiovascular (CV) outcomes in patients undergoing cardiac and vascular surgery. The effectiveness of this therapy, the optimal administration time and the statin best suited to improve cardiac performance under hyperglycemic conditions, however, are unknown. In this study, we compared the effects of 10 mg/kg/day simvastatin (SV), pravastatin (PV) and atorvastatin (AV), on the CV status of fully anesthetized streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats 4 weeks following diabetes induction. At this stage, cardiac function is compromised. The rats were anesthetized to mimic presurgical conditions. Cardiac status was evaluated twice by echocardiography, first 24 h after statin administration, and then after daily statin administration for 1 week. After 24 h of statin administration, CV parameters were not improved. Continued daily administration of SV and AV over a 1-week period, by contrast, significantly improved ejection fraction from 52.20 ± 2.33% before treatment to 64.89 ± 1.12% with AV and to 69.71 ± 2.30% with SV (n = 9, p < 0.05). The cardiac output index was also significantly improved from 51.13 ± 6.86 ml/min × 100 g body weight (BW) before treatment to 98.74 ± 13.78 ml/min × 100 g BW with AV and to 84.94 ± 8.64 ml/min × 100 g BW with SV. Only AV increased stroke volume from 0.50 ± 0.08 to 0.83 ± 0.13 ml (n = 9, p < 0.05). Unlike the other statins tested, PV provided no beneficial effects, regardless of the regimen of administration. Our results indicate that daily administration of AV and SV for 1 week enhances cardiac performance in fully anesthetized diabetic rats. This study of short-term statin administration may have strong clinical implications for improving perioperative outcomes in diabetic patients.
In vivo Effect of Apomorphine and Haloperidol on MPP+ Neurotoxicity
Authors: Espinosa-Oliva Ana María , de Pablos Rocío M. , Santiago Marti
Published: February 2014

The involvement of dopaminergic (DAergic) receptor drugs in the neuroprotection against the neurotoxic action of 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) in the DAergic terminals in striatum was studied using an intracerebral microdialysis technique. Twenty-four hours after surgery (day 1), apomorphine and haloperidol, alone or with 1 mmol/l of MPP+ perfusion through the microdialysis probe, were systemically administered. Forty-eight hours after surgery (day 2), 1 mmol/l of MPP+ was perfused for 15 min in all groups of animals and the output of dopamine was measured. The amount of dopamine was directly proportional to the remaining striatal DAergic terminals. The results show that: (1) subcutaneous administration of apomorphine before MPP+ perfusion prevented MPP+-induced neurotoxicity, and (2) intraperitoneal administration of haloperidol before MPP+ perfusion did not prevent MPP+-induced neurotoxicity.
Impact of Age and Body Position on the Contribution of Nitric Oxide to Femoral Artery Shear Rate
Authors: Trinity Joel D. , Groot H. Jonathan , Layec Gwenael , Rossman Matthew J. , Ives Stephen J. , Richardson Russell S.
Published: February 2014

Reduced shear stress and augmented oscillatory shear rate are associated with the proatherogenic phenotype observed with aging. To date, mechanisms contributing to the age-related alterations in shear rate in humans have only been examined in the conduit vessels of the arm. Therefore, this study sought to examine the contribution of nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability to age-related alterations in shear rate and the impact of common body positions (supine and seated) in the atherosclerotic-prone conduit artery of the leg. Inhibition of NO synthase (NOS) was accomplished by intra-arterial infusion of
N

G

-monomethyl-
l
-arginine (L-NMMA), and common femoral artery diameter and blood velocity were measured by Doppler ultrasound in healthy young (n=8, 24±1 years) and old (n=8, 75±3 years) men. Old subjects exhibited reduced mean shear rate in the supine (18±3 s
−1
) and seated positions (17±3 s
−1
) compared with young subjects (supine: 42±6 s
−1
; seated: 32±4 s
−1
). This reduced mean shear in the old was driven by attenuated antegrade shear as there were no differences in retrograde shear. Inhibition of NOS reduced antegrade shear in the young such that age-related differences were abolished. In contrast, NOS-induced reductions in retrograde shear rate were similar between groups. The seated position reduced mean shear rate in the young to that normally observed in old. Overall, this study reveals that age-related reductions in mean shear rate, assessed in the atherosclerotic-prone vasculature of the leg, are largely explained by reductions in antegrade shear as a result of reduced NO bioavailability in the elderly.
At the Dawn of ‘Practice’ or Re-thinking the Nature and Role of Theology and Doctrine in the Church
Authors: Awad Najib G.
Published: February 2014

‭Are theology and doctrine the names of the church’s life of worship and proclamation, or are they their foundations? Is it acceptable theologically to develop an understanding of theology and doctrine that would completely subordinate beliefs to practices to the point of completely functionalizing beliefs and turn theology and doctrine to mere way of life? In this paper, I address these important questions by displaying two attempts at understanding the nature and role of theology and doctrine. The first approach is exemplified in Kevin Vanhoozer’s proposal in The Drama of Doctrine, and Anthony Thiselton’s proposal in The Hermeneutics of Doctrine, while, the second approach is exemplified in Reinhard Hütter’s proposal in his valuable book Suffering Divine Things. By critiquing Vanhoozer’s and Thiselton’s approaches and siding with Hütter’s, I hope to stress that the accuracy of our understanding of the nature and role of theology and doctrine depends to a great and substantial extent on 1) how one understands theology’s relation to its primary subject matter, God, and 2) on the extent of the theologian’s belief that God, not just human talk about God, is the proper object of theology.‬
Everybody’s Happy Nowadays? A Critical Engagement with Key Events and Contemporary Quests for the Historical Jesus
Authors: Crossley James G.
Published: February 2014

Key Events is clearly a major contribution to historical Jesus studies from a broadly evangelical perspective. While there is much to commend and a number of strong essays, there are, inevitably criticisms to be made. A number of arguments appear to be repeating debates from the 1980s and 1990s with a familiar cast of good (e.g. N.T. Wright), bad (e.g. Burton Mack, Jesus Seminar) and ambivalent (e.g. E.P. Sanders) characters. This nostalgic feel means that alternative understandings of the historical Jesus and wider issues of history and historical change are not properly discussed, although clearly the opportunities were present among the contributors of Key Events. There is a sustained discussion of historical change in the chapter on resurrection but this repeats problematic arguments in favour of the historicity of the resurrection in what is effectively an attempt to prove what is historically unprovable. Finally, to lesser or greater extent, a number of essays in Key Events continue to perpetuate the idea of a ‘Jewish … but not that Jewish’ Jesus through monolithic constructions of Jews and Judaism and through the discredited criterion of dissimilarity in disguise: double dissimilarity. It is not always clear that the problematic criterion of double dissimilarity is applied consistently, with some evidence of contributors forgetting aspects of dissimilarity from Christianity while never forgetting dissimilarity from Judaism (even when similar Jewish evidence is, in fact, available). These criticisms should not take away from a number of positive contributions made to historical Jesus studies and it may be that Key Events represents a vision of what most historical Jesus scholars see as the future of the sub-field.
‘The Duty of Discontent’: Some Remarks on Pieter F. Craffert’s The Life of a Galilean Shaman: Jesus of Nazareth in Anthropological-Historical Perspective
Authors: Strecker Christian
Published: February 2014

This essay commends Pieter Craffert’s book “The Life of a Galilean shaman” as an important contribution in the field of Jesus studies. At the same time it reveals that Crafferts attempt to identify Jesus as a Galilean shaman is problematic, particularly considering the enigmatic nature of the category “shaman.” Western discourse on shamanism tends to contain an unwelcome mix of exoticism, alienation, and fascination; transferring this model to the life of Jesus is in danger of applying anachronistic and ethnocentric notions to the historical Jesus, not to mention the difficulties involved in verifying the supposed treatment of shamanic ASC-experiences in the New Testament texts. Although Crafferts new methodological approach of “anthropological historiography”, independent of the shamanism thesis, deserves scholarly attention, his employment of it shows an all too rigid, and ultimately counterproductive, rejection of classic historical-critical scholarship.
From Miko to Spiritual Therapist
Authors: Gaitanidis Ioannis , Murakami Aki
Published: February 2014

Studies of Japanese shamanism are on the decline while neo-shamanistic practitioners thrive in Japan’s large cities. Based on this observation, the authors of this paper put forward two arguments. First, we claim that a rhetorical approach to the development of scholarly interest in Japanese shamanism reveals the existence of a rigid definitional framework that either ignores or undervalues new types of shamanistic practitioners. Nevertheless, certain theories stemming out of ethnographic work by Japanese researchers, such as the classifications of shamanistic initiations, could be adapted to the analysis of today’s Japanese neo-shamanism. We demonstrate our first argument by dividing a sample of “spiritual therapists” according to the most commonly used Japanese scholarly typology of “hereditary” (seshūgata 世襲型), “calling” (shōmeigata 召命型), and “quest (training)” (tankyū 探求 [shugyō 修行] gata 型) types of shamanistic initiations, and by comparing their experiences with those of ‘traditional’ shamans. Our second argument concerns the basis for such comparison. In this respect, we join recent debates that put classic explanatory models of New Age individualized eclectism in doubt, and argue that, like ‘traditional’ shamans, contemporary Japanese spiritual therapists choose their profession and legitimize their role in constant interaction with, and often under the pressure of their environment. We conclude that, despite differences in content, forms of older and newer practices of shamanism resemble to such a degree that a revival of the academic field of Japanese shamanism may be in order.
Japan’s Ritsuryō System and Shintō Shrines Arose as Twins
Authors: Inoue Hiroshi
Published: February 2014

This article takes up the fundamental question of when in Shintō history structures that could be called Shintō shrines first appeared. Inoue begins with a consideration of problems with the traditional view, here associated most closely with Fukuyama Toshio, who drew on the research of Tsuda Sōkichi, Yanagita Kunio and Ōba Iwao. Fukuyama had held that Shintō shrines emerged naturally out of the animism of Japan’s early agricultural society. Against this view, Inoue argues that the establishment of Shintō shrines must be seen as intimately connected with the establishment of the Ritsuryō state in the late seventh century, the state based on the criminal and administrative law system introduced from China. Further Inoue asserts that in the background of that development must be seen the influence of the Chinese Sui and Tang Empires and the introduction and spread of Buddhism into Japan. Inoue argues that, far from being a natural development, the appearance of Shintō shrines was the result of deliberate governmental action inspired by Chinese models as they were adapted to the Japanese situation.
A new endemic Ramalina species from the Canary Islands (Ascomycota, Lecanorales)
Authors: PÉREZ-VARGAS ISRAEL
Published: February 2014

Ramalina alisiosae (Ramalinaceae), found on trees in the laurel forests of the Canary Islands is described as new to science. A description of the species is given together with notes on its chemistry, distribution, ecology, and taxonomy. Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood analyses of ITS sequences showed a close relation of the new species with R. implectens and R. farinacea. Morphological and anatomical differences with these related lichen taxa are discussed.
Buddleja jinsixiaensis (Scrophulariaceae), a new species from Shaanxi, China
Authors: Zhu Renbin , KANG BING , CHENG JIMIN , ZHANG BAOQUAN , ZHAO XINYU
Published: February 2014

Buddleja Linnaeus (1753: 112) is a medium-sized genus within Scrophulariaceae comprising about 100 species, distributed in tropics and subtropics of America, Africa, and Asia, with 21 species and 5 hybrids known to occur in China (Li & Leeuwenberg 1996, Liu & Peng 2004, 2006).
Megalastrum oppositum and Ctenitis canacae (Dryopteridaceae): A new combination and a new synonym, respectively, for Mascarene fern flora
Authors: Duan Yi-Fan , Zhang Libing
Published: February 2014

We synonymized Ctenitis canacae with C. opposita (basionym: Aspidium oppositum) and proposed a new combination, Megalastrum oppositum. We also lectotypified Aspidium oppositum.
Two new species of Nyctelia Latreille (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from Argentinean Patagonia with zoogeographical and ecological remarks
Authors: FLORES GUSTAVO E. , CHELI GERMÁN H.
Published: February 2014

Two new species of the genus Nyctelia Latreille (Pimeliinae: Nycteliini) from Argentinean Patagonia, N. sulcogranata sp. nov. and N. recteplicata sp. nov., are described. Distributional maps, habitus, photographs and illustrations of genitalic features for these two new species are included, with comparisons to other known species of the genus. A discussion is presented on distributional habitat records and biogeography.
Mean Platelet Volume in Relation to Carotid Atherosclerosis in Normotensive, Euglycemic, and Normolipidemic Chinese Middle-Aged and Elderly Adults
Authors: Ma Hui , Lin Huandong , Hu Yu , Li Xiaoming , He Wanyuan , Jin Xuejuan , Gao Jian , Zhao Naiqing , Gao Xin
Published: February 2014

We investigated whether mean platelet volume (MPV) is independently associated with the carotid intima–media thickness (cIMT) in normotensive, euglycemic, and normolipidemic middle-aged and elderly adults. A total of 256 males and 398 females were enrolled from the Changfeng Study. Compared to male patients with MPV in the first quintile, male patients with MPV in the fifth quintile had greater cIMTs and higher prevalence of carotid plaque. After adjusting for conventional cardiovascular disease risk factors, male participants with MPV in the fifth quintile had a 1.669-fold increased risk of carotid plaques relative to those in the lowest quintiles. In female patients, the cIMTs and prevalence of carotid plaque were not significantly different among the groups. These results suggest that MPV is independently associated with carotid atherosclerosis in normotensive, euglycemic, and normolipidemic males. The MPV could be an easily measured marker of atherosclerosis for males.
Talking Like a Generation: The ‘Documentary’ Meaning of Ethnicity for Aging Minority Britons
Authors: Elrick Jennifer , Schneiderhan Erik , Khan Shamus
Published: February 2014

This article contributes to the ‘cognitive turn’ in the study of ethnicity and national identity, which focuses on how individuals construct ethnic identity categories pertinent to social cohesion. Using Mannheim as a methodological and analytical guide, we show how examining ethnicity as a relational enactment devoid of a priori categorisations allows situational identities that intersect with classical sociological concepts other than ethnicity – namely generation, class, and citizenship – to emerge within and across typical ethnic categorisations. We draw on an analysis of micro-level interactions among 40 aging ‘black and minority ethnics’ (BMEs) engaging in small-group discussions and a large deliberative assembly held in London in 2011.
Redo mitral valve replacement using the valve-on-valve method
Authors: Miyairi Satoshi , Koide Masaaki , Kunii Yoshifumi , Tsuda Kazumasa , Ohashi Yuko , Harada Takashi
Published: February 2014

Despite improvements in bioprosthetic valve function, increased human life-expectancy has led to a growing number of bioprosthetic valve deterioration cases requiring reoperation. We report 2 cases of primary tissue failure of a bioprosthetic valve, which were treated by mitral valve replacement using the valve-on-valve method. The reasons for the reoperations were a severely calcified valve annulus, and severe adhesion of a previous bioprosthetic valve. We removed only the leaflets of the bioprosthetic valve and sutured a Carbomedics OptiForm valve onto the sewing cuff of the previous bioprosthesis. No complications, including major cardiac events, were noted during the follow-up.
Voices of women in commuter marriages
Authors: McBride M. Chad , Bergen Karla Mason
Published: February 2014

The goal of the present study was to examine the sites of discursive struggle in the talk of commuter wives and how the interpenetration of discourses construct meaning for those in the commuter marriage. Fifty individual interviews were analyzed using contrapuntal analysis to examine competing discourses. From our analysis, two sites of discursive struggle emerged from the talk of commuter wives about their marital relationships: (a) discursive struggles of integration and (b) discursive struggles of conventionality. The voices of these participants responded to and anticipated both distal (cultural) and proximal (relational) discourses along the utterance chain constructing meaning around what it meant to be in a commuter marriage. Additionally, these data provided theoretical expansion in highlighting the understudied aspects of the distal not-yet-spoken in meaning construction surrounding relationships.
Using oxidant and antioxidant levels to predict the duration of both acute peripheral and mesenteric ischemia
Authors: Yazici S , Demirtas S , Guclu O , Karahan O , Yavuz C , Caliskan A , Mavitas B
Published: February 2014

Objective:

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between oxidative stress markers and the duration of ischemia in rat mesenteric and peripheral ischemia models.

Methods:

Forty rats were divided into five equal groups, as follows: rats in Group I (control group) were sacrificed to determine the baseline characteristics of the serum markers; the superior mesenteric artery was clamped via a simple laparotomy to induce mesenteric ischemia in Groups II and III; the right common femoral artery was clamped to induce peripheral ischemia in Groups IV and V. Blood samples were taken at 2 (Groups II and IV) and 6 (Groups III and V) hours after these procedures. The serum total oxidative status (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), oxidative stress index (OSI) and paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) enzyme activities were evaluated in the samples obtained from each group.

Results:

The OSI level of the control group was 91.00±5.46 (mean ± SD). The OSI levels taken 2 hours after the induction of mesenteric ischemia and peripheral ischemia were significantly higher (194.50±11.16 and 301.75±19.98, respectively (p<0.05)). However, these levels decreased to 151.88±17.02 (mesenteric ischemia) and 108.88±9.46 (peripheral ischemia) after 6 hours. The PON-1 levels of Group III (mesenteric ischemia at 6 hours) (99.75±7.26), Group IV (peripheral ischemia at 2 hours) (96.88±4.09), and Group V (peripheral ischemia at 6 hours) (111.25±10.33) were slightly elevated over that of the control group (87.38±5.31). However, the PON-1 level of Group II (mesenteric ischemia at 2 hours) (42.88±3.14) was lower than that of the other groups (p<0.05).

Conclusion:

Despite the increment of oxidative markers in early periods of ischemia (2nd hour), which was a hypoxic response of ischemic cells, they have decreased markedly in prolonged ischemia. This might have been caused by the opening of some collateral circulation or the destruction of the ischemic cells.