bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microenvironment in metastasis: roadblocks and supportive niches
Authors: Pein Maren , Oskarsson Thordur
Published: September 2015

In many cancers, malignant cells can spread from the primary tumor through blood circulation and initiate metastasis in secondary organs. Metastatic colonization may depend not only on inherent properties of cancer cells, but also on suitable microenvironments in distant sites. Increasing evidence suggests that the nature of the microenvironment may determine the fate of disseminated cancer cells, providing either hindrance or support for cancer cell propagation. This can result in strong selective pressure where the vast majority of cancer cells, invading a secondary organ, are either eliminated or maintained in a dormant state. The ability of cancer cells to fend off or circumvent anti-metastatic signals from the stroma and the capacity to manipulate the local microenvironment towards a supporting environment, a metastatic niche, may be essential for metastatic growth. The molecular interactions between cancer cells and the stroma are still enigmatic, but recent studies are beginning to reveal their nature. Here, we discuss the interactive relationship between metastatic cancer cells and host stroma, involving selection and adaptation of metastasis-initiating cells and host tissue remodeling. Understanding the dynamic and continuously evolving cross talk between metastatic cancer cells and the stroma may be crucial when developing cancer treatments.
Prolactin 177, prolactin 188, and extracellular osmolality independently regulate the gene expression of ion transport effectors in gill of Mozambique tilapia
Authors: Inokuchi Mayu , Breves Jason P. , Moriyama Shunsuke , Watanabe Soichi , Kaneko Toyoji , Lerner Darren T. , Grau E. Gordon , Seale Andre P.
Published: September 2015

This study characterized the local effects of extracellular osmolality and prolactin (PRL) on branchial ionoregulatory function of a euryhaline teleost, Mozambique tilapia ( Oreochromis mossambicus). First, gill filaments were dissected from freshwater (FW)-acclimated tilapia and incubated in four different osmolalities, 280, 330, 380, and 450 mosmol/kg H2O. The mRNA expression of Na+/K+-ATPase α1a (NKA α1a) and Na+/Cl−cotransporter (NCC) showed higher expression with decreasing media osmolalities, while Na+/K+/2Cl−cotransporter 1a (NKCC1a) and PRL receptor 2 (PRLR2) mRNA levels were upregulated by increases in media osmolality. We then incubated gill filaments in media containing ovine PRL (oPRL) and native tilapia PRLs (tPRL177and tPRL188). oPRL and the two native tPRLs showed concentration-dependent effects on NCC, NKAα1a, and PRLR1 expression; Na+/H+exchanger 3 (NHE3) expression was increased by 24 h of incubation with tPRLs. Immunohistochemical observation showed that oPRL and both tPRLs maintained a high density of NCC- and NKA-immunoreactive ionocytes in cultured filaments. Furthermore, we found that tPRL177and tPRL188differentially induce expression of these ion transporters, according to incubation time. Together, these results provide evidence that ionocytes of Mozambique tilapia may function as osmoreceptors, as well as directly respond to PRL to modulate branchial ionoregulatory functions.
Muscle metaboreceptors modulate postexercise sweating, but not cutaneous blood flow, independent of baroreceptor loading status
Authors: Paull Gabrielle , Dervis Sheila , McGinn Ryan , Haqani Baies , Flouris Andreas D. , Kondo Narihiko , Kenny Glen P.
Published: September 2015

We examined whether sustained changes in baroreceptor loading status during prolonged postexercise recovery can alter the metaboreceptors' influence on heat loss. Thirteen young males performed a 1-min isometric handgrip exercise (IHG) at 60% maximal voluntary contraction followed by 2 min of forearm ischemia (to activate metaboreceptors) before and 15, 30, 45, and 60 min after a 15-min intense treadmill running exercise (>90% maximal heart rate) in the heat (35°C). This was repeated on three separate days with continuous lower body positive (LBPP, +40 mmHg), negative (LBNP, −20 mmHg), or no pressure (Control) from 13- to 65-min postexercise. Sweat rate (ventilated capsule; forearm, chest, upper back) and cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC; forearm, upper back) were measured. Relative to pre-IHG levels, sweating at all sites increased during IHG and remained elevated during ischemia at baseline and similarly at 30, 45, and 60 min postexercise (site average sweat rate increase during ischemia: Control, 0.13 ± 0.02; LBPP, 0.12 ± 0.02; LBNP, 0.15 ± 0.02 mg·min−1·cm−2; all P < 0.01), but not at 15 min (all P > 0.10). LBPP and LBNP did not modulate the pattern of sweating to IHG and ischemia (all P > 0.05). At 15-min postexercise, forearm CVC was reduced from pre-IHG levels during both IHG and ischemia under LBNP only (ischemia: 3.9 ± 0.8% CVCmax; P < 0.02). Therefore, we show metaboreceptors increase postexercise sweating in the middle to late stages of recovery (30–60 min), independent of baroreceptor loading status and similarly between skin sites. In contrast, metaboreflex modulation of forearm but not upper back CVC occurs only in the early stages of recovery (15 min) and is dependent upon baroreceptor unloading.
Human organic anion transporter 2 is distinct from organic anion transporters 1 and 3 with respect to transport function
Authors: Henjakovic Maja , Hagos Yohannes , Krick Wolfgang , Burckhardt Gerhard , Burckhardt Birgitta C.
Published: September 2015

Phylogentically, organic anion transporter (OAT)1 and OAT3 are closely related, whereas OAT2 is more distant. Experiments with human embryonic kidney-293 cells stably transfected with human OAT1, OAT2, or OAT3 were performed to compare selected transport properties. Common to OAT1, OAT2, and OAT3 is their ability to transport cGMP. OAT2 interacted with prostaglandins, and cGMP uptake was inhibited by PGE2and PGF2αwith IC50values of 40.8 and 12.7 μM, respectively. OAT1 (IC50: 23.7 μM), OAT2 (IC50: 9.5 μM), and OAT3 (IC50: 1.6 μM) were potently inhibited by MK571, an established multidrug resistance protein inhibitor. OAT2-mediated cGMP uptake was not inhibited by short-chain monocarboxylates and, as opposed to OAT1 and OAT3, not by dicarboxylates. Consequently, OAT2 showed no cGMP/glutarate exchange. OAT1 and OAT3 exhibited a pH and a Cl−dependence with higher substrate uptake at acidic pH and lower substrate uptake in the absence of Cl−, respectively. Such pH and Cl−dependencies were not observed with OAT2. Depolarization of membrane potential by high K+concentrations in the presence of the K+ionophore valinomycin left cGMP uptake unaffected. In addition to cGMP, OAT2 transported urate and glutamate, but cGMP/glutamate exchange could not be demonstrated. These experiments suggest that OAT2-mediated cGMP uptake does not occur via exchange with monocarboxylates, dicarboxylates, and hydroxyl ions. The counter anion for electroneutral cGMP uptake remains to be identified.
Transcriptional regulation of NHE3 and SGLT1 by the circadian clock protein Per1 in proximal tubule cells
Authors: Solocinski Kristen , Richards Jacob , All Sean , Cheng Kit-Yan , Khundmiri Syed J. , Gumz Michelle L.
Published: September 2015

We have previously demonstrated that the circadian clock protein period (Per)1 coordinately regulates multiple genes involved in Na+ reabsorption in renal collecting duct cells. Consistent with these results, Per1 knockout mice exhibit dramatically lower blood pressure than wild-type mice. The proximal tubule is responsible for a majority of Na+ reabsorption. Previous work has demonstrated that expression of Na+/H+ exchanger 3 (NHE3) oscillates with a circadian pattern and Na+-glucose cotransporter (SGLT)1 has been demonstrated to be a circadian target in the colon, but whether these target genes are regulated by Per1 has not been investigated in the kidney. The goal of the present study was to determine if Per1 regulates the expression of NHE3, SGLT1, and SGLT2 in the kidney. Pharmacological blockade of nuclear Per1 entry resulted in decreased mRNA expression of SGLT1 and NHE3 but not SGLT2 in the renal cortex of mice. Per1 small interfering RNA and pharmacological blockade of Per1 nuclear entry in human proximal tubule HK-2 cells yielded the same results. Examination of heterogeneous nuclear RNA suggested that the effects of Per1 on NHE3 and SGLT1 expression occurred at the level of transcription. Per1 and the circadian protein CLOCK were detected at promoters of NHE3 and SGLT1. Importantly, both membrane and intracellular protein levels of NHE3 and SGLT1 were decreased after blockade of nuclear Per1 entry. This effect was associated with reduced activity of Na+-K+-ATPase. These data demonstrate a role for Per1 in the transcriptional regulation of NHE3 and SGLT1 in the kidney.
Two types of local interneurons are distinguished by morphology, intrinsic membrane properties, and functional connectivity in the moth antennal lobe
Authors: Tabuchi Masashi , Dong Li , Inoue Shigeki , Namiki Shigehiro , Sakurai Takeshi , Nakatani Kei , Kanzaki Ryohei
Published: September 2015

Neurons in the silkmoth antennal lobe (AL) are well characterized in terms of their morphology and odor-evoked firing activity. However, their intrinsic electrical properties including voltage-gated ionic currents and synaptic connectivity remain unclear. To address this, whole cell current- and voltage-clamp recordings were made from second-order projection neurons (PNs) and two morphological types of local interneurons (LNs) in the silkmoth AL. The two morphological types of LNs exhibited distinct physiological properties. One morphological type of LN showed a spiking response with a voltage-gated sodium channel gene expression, whereas the other type of LN was nonspiking without a voltage-gated sodium channel gene expression. Voltage-clamp experiments also revealed that both of two types of LNs as well as PNs possessed two types of voltage-gated potassium channels and calcium channels. In dual whole cell recordings of spiking LNs and PNs, activation of the PN elicited depolarization responses in the paired spiking LN, whereas activation of the spiking LN induced no substantial responses in the paired PN. However, simultaneous recording of a nonspiking LN and a PN showed that activation of the nonspiking LN induced hyperpolarization responses in the PN. We also observed bidirectional synaptic transmission via both chemical and electrical coupling in the pairs of spiking LNs. Thus our results indicate that there were two distinct types of LNs in the silkmoth AL, and their functional connectivity to PNs was substantially different. We propose distinct functional roles for these two different types of LNs in shaping odor-evoked firing activity in PNs.
Discrete coding of stimulus value, reward expectation, and reward prediction error in the dorsal striatum
Authors: Oyama Kei , Tateyama Yukina , Hernádi István , Tobler Philippe N. , Iijima Toshio , Tsutsui Ken-Ichiro
Published: September 2015

To investigate how the striatum integrates sensory information with reward information for behavioral guidance, we recorded single-unit activity in the dorsal striatum of head-fixed rats participating in a probabilistic Pavlovian conditioning task with auditory conditioned stimuli (CSs) in which reward probability was fixed for each CS but parametrically varied across CSs. We found that the activity of many neurons was linearly correlated with the reward probability indicated by the CSs. The recorded neurons could be classified according to their firing patterns into functional subtypes coding reward probability in different forms such as stimulus value, reward expectation, and reward prediction error. These results suggest that several functional subgroups of dorsal striatal neurons represent different kinds of information formed through extensive prior exposure to CS-reward contingencies.
A neuronal reward inequity signal in primate striatum
Authors: Báez-Mendoza Raymundo , van Coeverden Charlotte R. , Schultz Wolfram
Published: September 2015

Primates are social animals, and their survival depends on social interactions with others. Especially important for social interactions and welfare is the observation of rewards obtained by other individuals and the comparison with own reward. The fundamental social decision variable for the comparison process is reward inequity, defined by an asymmetric reward distribution among individuals. An important brain structure for coding reward inequity may be the striatum, a component of the basal ganglia involved in goal-directed behavior. Two rhesus monkeys were seated opposite each other and contacted a touch-sensitive table placed between them to obtain specific magnitudes of reward that were equally or unequally distributed among them. Response times in one of the animals demonstrated differential behavioral sensitivity to reward inequity. A group of neurons in the striatum showed distinct signals reflecting disadvantageous and advantageous reward inequity. These neuronal signals occurred irrespective of, or in conjunction with, own reward coding. These data demonstrate that striatal neurons of macaque monkeys sense the differences between other's and own reward. The neuronal activities are likely to contribute crucial reward information to neuronal mechanisms involved in social interactions.
Automatic reconstruction of physiological gestures used in a model of birdsong production
Authors: Boari Santiago , Perl Yonatan Sanz , Amador Ana , Margoliash Daniel , Mindlin Gabriel B.
Published: September 2015

Highly coordinated learned behaviors are key to understanding neural processes integrating the body and the environment. Birdsong production is a widely studied example of such behavior in which numerous thoracic muscles control respiratory inspiration and expiration: the muscles of the syrinx control syringeal membrane tension, while upper vocal tract morphology controls resonances that modulate the vocal system output. All these muscles have to be coordinated in precise sequences to generate the elaborate vocalizations that characterize an individual's song. Previously we used a low-dimensional description of the biomechanics of birdsong production to investigate the associated neural codes, an approach that complements traditional spectrographic analysis. The prior study used algorithmic yet manual procedures to model singing behavior. In the present work, we present an automatic procedure to extract low-dimensional motor gestures that could predict vocal behavior. We recorded zebra finch songs and generated synthetic copies automatically, using a biomechanical model for the vocal apparatus and vocal tract. This dynamical model described song as a sequence of physiological parameters the birds control during singing. To validate this procedure, we recorded electrophysiological activity of the telencephalic nucleus HVC. HVC neurons were highly selective to the auditory presentation of the bird's own song (BOS) and gave similar selective responses to the automatically generated synthetic model of song (AUTO). Our results demonstrate meaningful dimensionality reduction in terms of physiological parameters that individual birds could actually control. Furthermore, this methodology can be extended to other vocal systems to study fine motor control.
Layer-specific modulation of entorhinal cortical excitability by presubiculum in a rat model of temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Abbasi Saad , Kumar Sanjay S.
Published: September 2015

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most common form of epilepsy in adults and is often refractory to antiepileptic medications. The medial entorhinal area (MEA) is affected in TLE but mechanisms underlying hyperexcitability of MEA neurons require further elucidation. Previous studies suggest that inputs from the presubiculum (PrS) contribute to MEA pathophysiology. We assessed electrophysiologically how PrS influences MEA excitability using the rat pilocarpine model of TLE. PrS-MEA connectivity was confirmed by electrically stimulating PrS afferents while recording from neurons within superficial layers of MEA. Assessment of alterations in PrS-mediated synaptic drive to MEA neurons was made following focal application of either glutamate or NBQX to the PrS in control and epileptic animals. Here, we report that monosynaptic inputs to MEA from PrS neurons are conserved in epileptic rats, and that PrS modulation of MEA excitability is layer-specific. PrS contributes more to synaptic inhibition of LII stellate cells than excitation. Under epileptic conditions, stellate cell inhibition is significantly reduced while excitatory synaptic drive is maintained at levels similar to control. PrS contributes to both synaptic excitation and inhibition of LIII pyramidal cells in control animals. Under epileptic conditions, overall excitatory synaptic drive to these neurons is enhanced while inhibitory synaptic drive is maintained at control levels. Additionally, neither glutamate nor NBQX applied focally to PrS now affected EPSC and IPSC frequency of LIII pyramidal neurons. These layer-specific changes in PrS-MEA interactions are unexpected and of significance in unraveling pathophysiological mechanisms underlying TLE.
Transformation of Abdominal Wall Endometriosis to Clear Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Ruiz Maria Paula , Wallace Darryl Lewis , Connell Matthew Thomas
Published: September 2015

Clear cell carcinoma is the least common of the malignant transformations reported in nonpelvic sites of endometriosis. Two cases with clear cell carcinoma transformation arising from endometriosis in abdominal wall scars are presented. These patients underwent total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, pelvic washings, and abdominal wall lesion resection. The first case had initial treatment with chemotherapy, while chemotherapy and radiation therapy were given for the second case. A recurrence was noted for the chemotherapy only case for, which she was subsequently given radiation, with further resolution of the lesion.
Trajectories of Depressive Symptoms Following Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Authors: Avis Nancy E. , Levine Beverly J. , Case L. Douglas , Naftalis Elizabeth Z. , Van Zee Kimberly J.
Published: September 2015

Background: This longitudinal study sought to identify groups of breast cancer survivors exhibiting distinct trajectories of depressive symptoms up to 24 months following diagnosis, and to describe characteristics associated with these trajectories.

Methods: A total of 653 women completed baseline questionnaires within 8 months of breast cancer diagnosis on patient characteristics, symptoms, and psychosocial variables. Depressive symptoms were assessed at baseline and 6, 12, and 18 months after baseline. Chart reviews provided cancer and treatment-related data. Finite mixture modeling identified trajectories of depressive symptoms measured with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).

Results: Six distinct trajectories were identified. Just over half of the sample had consistently very low (3.8%) or low (47.3%) BDI scores well below the traditional BDI cutoff point of 10 thought to be indicative of clinically significant depression; 29.2% had consistently borderline scores; 11.3% had initially high scores that declined over time, but remained above the cutoff point; 7.2% showed increased BDI over time; and a small but unique group (1.1%) reported chronically high scores above 25. Women in groups with lower depressive symptom levels were older, had less rigorous chemotherapy, fewer physical symptoms (fatigue and pain), and lower levels of illness intrusiveness.

Conclusions: Approximately 20% of women had levels of depressive symptoms indicative of clinical depression that were maintained 2 years postdiagnosis. Factors related to trajectory membership such as illness intrusiveness, social support, fatigue, pain, and vasomotor symptoms suggest targets for possible intervention.

Impact: Results demonstrate the heterogeneity of depressive symptoms following breast cancer and the need for continued screening posttreatment. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(11); 1789–95. ©2015 AACR.
Differential Inequality Trends Over Time in Survival Among U.S. Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia by Race/Ethnicity, Age at Diagnosis, and Sex
Authors: Wang Linwei , Bhatia Smita , Gomez Scarlett Lin , Yasui Yutaka
Published: September 2015

Background: It is unclear how inequalities in survival among children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have changed over time in different race/ethnicity groups.

Methods: Children diagnosed with a first primary malignant ALL at ages 0 to 19 years in 1975–2010 in the nine Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results cancer registries were included. Cumulative ALL mortalities were compared, and multivariable Cox regression analyses were applied to estimate ALL mortality HRs associated with race/ethnicity, age at diagnosis, and sex, adjusting for each other, within each diagnosis period (1975–1983, 1984–1991, 1992–1999, and 2000–2010).

Results: Compared with non-Hispanic-whites (NH-whites), the HR in non-Hispanic-blacks (NH-blacks) dropped to 1.21 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.74–1.96] in 2000–2010 from the largest inequality in 1984–1991 (HR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.57–2.79); the HR in Hispanics increased, however, from 1.28 (95% CI, 0.98–1.66) in 1975–1983 to 1.95 (95% CI, 1.48–2.58) in 2000–2010. Asian/Pacific Islanders (API) and American Indian/Alaska Natives (AIAN) had HRs of 1.39 (95% CI, 0.92–2.11) and 2.31 (95% CI, 1.13–4.74), respectively, in 2000–2010 with nonstatistically significant increases over time. In 2000–2010, compared with NH-white counterparts, NH-blacks and APIs diagnosed at 1–9 years, Hispanics diagnosed at 1–9 and 10–19 years, and AIANs diagnosed at 10–19 years all had about twice the ALL mortality hazard rates; inequality was observed among API boys (HR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.00–2.60) but not API girls.

Conclusions: Survival inequalities changed differently across subgroups of children with ALL.

Impact: Underlying causes of the differential trends need to be examined, such that targeted interventions can be developed to reduce inequalities. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(11); 1781–8. ©2015 AACR.
Releasing the Brake on Oncolytic Viral Therapy
Authors: Slaney Clare Y. , Darcy Phillip K.
Published: September 2015

Oncolytic virus that selectively targets and eradicates tumor cells and immune checkpoint blockade that unleashes host antitumor immune responses show synergistic effects against cancer. This combination holds great promise for future treatment of a broad range of cancers in patients. Clin Cancer Res; 21(24); 5417–9. ©2015 AACR.

See related article by Rojas et al., p. 5543
A Brief Dementia Test with Subjective and Objective Measures
Authors: Tew Chee-Wee , Ng Tze-Pin , Cheong Chin-Yee , Yap Philip
Published: September 2015

Background: The development of an effective brief dementia test will help in the early identification of dementia. Aim: This study investigates the diagnostic utility of a brief cognitive test for dementia which combines a short subjective informant-rated questionnaire (AD8) with an objective cognitive measure (Mini-Mental State Examination, MMSE) or its subcomponents. Methods: Subjects with mild dementia (Clinical Dementia Rating Scale score ≤1) were matched with community-dwelling, cognitively intact controls. MMSE and Clinical Dementia Rating Scale were administered to all subjects, while AD8 was completed by a reliable informant. Receiver operating characteristics analysis determined the diagnostic accuracies of AD8, MMSE, and AD8 combined with MMSE (AD8+MMSE). Stepwise logistic regression identified the subcomponents of MMSE which, combined with AD8, best discriminated dementia patients from controls. Results: The AD8 (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.92, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.89-0.95) was superior to the MMSE (AUC = 0.87, 95% CI 0.83-0.92) in discriminating mild dementia patients from controls, and AD8+MMSE (AUC = 0.95, 0.92-0.98) increased its superior discrimination over MMSE alone. AD8 combined with three-item recall and intersecting pentagon copy (AUC = 0.95, 95% CI 0.92-0.97) performed as well as AD8 combined with full MMSE. Conclusion: AD8 combined with the MMSE subcomponents three-item recall and intersecting pentagon copy has excellent diagnostic utility and is a promising brief cognitive test for early dementia.
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor Dialyzability and Outcomes in Older Patients Receiving Hemodialysis
Authors: Weir Matthew A. , Fleet Jamie L. , Dixon Stephanie N. , Jain Arsh K. , Oliver Matthew , Wald Ron , McIntyre Chris , Garg Amit X.
Published: September 2015

Background/Aims: Some angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are efficiently removed from circulation by hemodialysis (‘high dialyzability'), whereas others are not (‘low dialyzability'). In patients receiving hemodialysis, this may influence the effectiveness of ACE inhibitors. Methods: Using linked healthcare databases we identified older patients receiving chronic hemodialysis who filled new ACE inhibitor prescriptions. The low dialyzability group (n = 3,369) included fosinopril and ramipril. The high dialyzability group (n = 5,974) included enalapril, lisinopril, and perindopril. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality within 180 days of first ACE inhibitor prescription. Results: There were 361 deaths among 5,974 patients (6.0%) prescribed with low dialyzability ACE inhibitors and 179 deaths among 3,369 patients (5.3%) prescribed with high dialyzability ACE inhibitors (relative risk 1.1, 95% CI 0.9-1.3, p = 0.6). Conclusion: In this study of older patients receiving hemodialysis, the dialyzability of ACE inhibitors was not associated with mortality or cardiovascular outcomes.
Ginkgolide B Reduces the Degradation of Membrane Phospholipids to Prevent Ischemia/Reperfusion Myocardial Injury in Rats
Authors: Pei Hong-Xia , Hua Rong , Guan Cha-Xiang , Fang Xiang
Published: September 2015

Platelet-activating factor (PAF), a bioactive phospholipid, plays an important role in the integrity of the cellular membrane structure, and is involved in the pathogenesis of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injuries. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that blockage of PAF receptor by BN 52021 (Ginkgolide B) can prevent IR-induced degradation of the myocardial membrane phospholipid, and deterioration of the cardiac function. Rat hearts in situ were subjected to 5 min ischemia and followed by 10 min reperfusion. Cardiac performances during periods of ischemia and reperfusion were monitored, and the amount of membrane phospholipids was analyzed. Myocardial total phospholipids, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylethanolamine were decreased significantly in ischemia-reperfusion rat hearts compared with those of sham-operated rat hearts. Degradation of the membrane phospholipid was accompanied by the deterioration of cardiac functions and increase in serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity. BN 52021 (15 mg/kg), given by intravenous infusion 10 min prior to the left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion, reduced IR-related degradation of the myocardial phospholipids, the activity of serum LDH, and was concomitant with improvement of cardiac function. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the production of PAF was increased and BN 52021 decreased cellular damage in cultured anoxic cardiomyocytes. These results indicated that PAF antagonist BN 52021 has a protective effect against IR-induced myocardial dysfunction and degradation of the membrane phospholipids.
Diagnoses of Hidradenitis Suppurativa in the United States, 1979-2012
Authors: McMillan Kathleen
Published: September 2015

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is rarely diagnosed in the United States. Delayed diagnosis is a significant problem in the management of HS. In the past decade, there has been an increase in HS research. To determine whether those efforts have led to an increase in diagnoses, an analysis of visits to physicians in the United States from 1979 to 2012 was performed, using National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) databases. Patient visits to private physician offices, hospital outpatient departments, and emergency rooms were analyzed. An increase in visit rates at outpatient departments from 2003-2007 [6.3/100,000, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.9-9.8] to 2008-2010 (30.4/100,000, 95% CI 13.9-46.9; p = 0.017) was found. Converting the data to estimated numbers of patients, a 7-fold increase in patients from 2002-2007 (2.5/100,000, 95% CI 1.4-3.6) to 2008-2010 (16.9/100,000, 95% CI 7.8-26.1; p = 0.003) was found. No significant increase in patient or patient visit rates were found when analyzing visits in the physician office setting or combined office and hospital settings. Localization of increased diagnosis to outpatient departments may reflect the recent increase in clinical research. NCHS data can be useful in monitoring rates of HS diagnosis as an outcome of increased awareness of the disease.
Reversible Ceftriaxone-Induced Pseudolithiasis in an Adult Patient with Maintenance Hemodialysis
Authors: Shima Aya , Suehiro Takaichi , Takii Misaki , Soeda Hiroyasu , Hirakawa Makoto
Published: September 2015

Ceftriaxone (CTRX) is a third-generation cephalosporin widely used for the treatment of bacterial infections in patients with renal disease because of its excretion by both renal and hepatic mechanisms. Biliary pseudolithiasis is a known CTRX-associated complication; however, there have been no studies of this adverse event in adult patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis. Here we report the case of a 79-year-old Japanese woman with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) receiving maintenance hemodialysis who developed CTRX-induced pseudolithiasis. The patient received CTRX for bronchial pneumonia. Fifteen days following CTRX initiation, the patient presented with stomachache. Because of the presence of one gallstone and increased gallbladder wall thickness on computed tomography scans, not detected at the onset of pneumonia, the patient was diagnosed with CTRX-induced gallbladder pseudolithiasis. CTRX was discontinued immediately. At 48 days following CTRX withdrawal, the gallstone and thickening of the gallbladder wall had completely resolved. ESRD may be a risk factor for CTRX-induced pseudolithiasis as hepatic excretion of CTRX is the predominant clearance mechanism in patients with ESRD. More attention should be paid to CTRX-induced pseudolithiasis following the use of CTRX in ESRD patients.
A preliminary treatment of the Central American species of Octoblepharum (Musci: Calymperaceae)

Authors: Allen Noris Salazar
Published: September 2015

The species of Octoblepharum occurring in Central America have been critically examined. Six are recognized as valid species: O. albidum, O. cocuiense, O. cylindricum, O. erectifolium, O. pulvinatum and O. stramineum. Synonyms are given for these species: O. longifolium = O. albidum; O. mittenii, O. fragillimum, O. pellucidum and =O. pulvinatum var. angustifolium are synonyms of O. cocuiense; O. juruense and O. densum = O. pulvinatum and O. purpureo-brunneum = O. stramineum. All species are widely distributed in the area except for O. cylindricum and O. stramineum that are known only from Belize and Panama respectively.
Taxonomische Notizen zur Gattung Campylopus XV.
Authors: Frahm Jan-Peter
Published: September 2015

88.Campylopus hildebrandtii (C. Müll.) Jaeg. is reported as new to Ethiopia. 89. The combination Campylopus flexuosus (Hedw.) Brid. var. incacorralis (Herz.) J.-P. Frahm is validated. 90. Campylopus sedgwickii Dix., a species hitherto regarded as endemic to Sri Lanka, is recognized as a synonymous with C. recurvus (Mitt.) Jaeg. 91. The Campylopus fragilis complex in SE-.Asia has been revised. It consists of C.. fragilis (Brid.) B.S.G. in southern China, C. goughii (Mitt.) Jaeg. occurring from southern India to Sikkim and Bhutan and C. zollingerianus (C. Müll.) Bosch & Lac. occurring from Indonesia to the Philippines and also in Hawaii. Campylopus zollingerianus has proved to be the legitimate name for C. boswelii (C. Müll.) Par. and C. crispifolius Bartr. and not for C. goughii. All three species are distinguished mainly by the shape of the upper laminal cells only and accordingly, C. goughii and C. zollingerianus are placed as geographical vicariant races as subspecies to C. fragilis.
The Genus Radula (Hepaticae) in the Galapagos Islands

Authors: Yamada Kohsaku , Gradstein S. Rob
Published: September 2015

Seven species of Radula are reported from the Galapagos Islands, including Radula santacruziana spec. nov. The majority of the species are common and widespread in the neotropics; two (including the new species) are endemic to the Galapagos. R. cornucopiae Spruce and R. mollis Lindenb. et Gott. are reduced to synonymy, resp. under R. episcia Spruce and R. quadrata Gott. et al.
Revision of the Palaearctic genus Gonaporus Ashmead, 1902 of spider wasps (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae)
Authors: ZONSTEIN IRINA , WAHIS RAYMOND
Published: September 2015

Twelve species (including six new ones) of the spider wasp genus Gonaporus Ashmead, 1902 are revised. The composition of the genus is discussed. Six new species of Gonaporus are described: G. simulator Wahis & I. Zonstein, sp. nov. (♀ ♂, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Mauritania), G. emiratus I. Zonstein & Wahis, sp. nov. (♀ ♂, United Arab Emirates), G. jaziratensis Wahis & I. Zonstein, sp. nov. (♂, United Arab Emirates), G. mirabilis I. Zonstein & Wahis, sp. nov. (♀ ♂, United Arab Emirates, Pakistan), G. setitarsus I. Zonstein & Wahis, sp. nov. (♀ ♂, Pakistan), and G. spinosissimus Wahis & I. Zonstein, sp. nov. (♀ ♂, Oman). A new synonymy is proposed for G. ecbatanus Wolf, 1990 = G. flamingo S. Zonstein, 2001, syn. nov. Gonaporus israelicus (Wolf, 1990), comb. nov. is transferred from Micraporus Priesner, 1955. An emended diagnosis to genus and a key to species are provided. The Gonaporus species inhabit open arid sandy biotopes of the Mediterranean Region, Africa, Near East and Central Asia. The subgenus Stigmaporus S. Zonstein, 2001 is elevated to full generic rank, stat. nov. A new combination is proposed for S. centralasiaticus (Wolf, 1990), comb. nov., S. lystracantha (Wolf, 1988), comb. nov. and S. wolfi (S. Zonstein, 2001), comb. nov. (all are from genus Gonaporus).
On the Prospects for Observing Spray-Mediated Air–Sea Transfer in Wind–Water Tunnels
Authors: Andreas Edgar L , Mahrt Larry
Published: September 2015

Nature is wild, unconstrained, and often dangerous. In particular, studying air–sea interaction in winds typical of tropical cyclones can place researchers, their instruments, and even their research platforms in jeopardy. As an alternative, laboratory wind–water tunnels can probe 10-m equivalent winds of hurricane strength under conditions that are well constrained and place no personnel or equipment at risk. Wind–water tunnels, however, cannot simulate all aspects of air–sea interaction in high winds. The authors use here the comprehensive data from the Air–Sea Interaction Salt Water Tank (ASIST) wind–water tunnel at the University of Miami that Jeong, Haus, and Donelan published in this journal to demonstrate how spray-mediated processes are different over the open ocean and in wind tunnels. A key result is that, at all high-wind speeds, the ASIST tunnel was able to quantify the so-called interfacial air–sea enthalpy flux—the flux controlled by molecular processes right at the air–water interface. This flux cannot be measured in high winds over the open ocean because the ubiquitous spray-mediated enthalpy transfer confounds the measurements. The resulting parameterization for this interfacial flux has implications for modeling air–sea heat fluxes from moderate winds to winds of hurricane strength.
A Summary of Recent National-Scale Lightning Fatality Studies
Authors: Holle Ronald L.
Published: September 2015

There is a major difference in population-weighted lightning fatality rates between the lower fatality rates in developed countries and the higher fatality rates in developing countries. The large decrease in annual rates of population-weighted lightning fatalities in the United States is described over the last century. A similar large reduction in lightning fatality rates has occurred during recent years in Australia, Canada, Japan, and western Europe, where there has also been a change from a mainly rural agricultural society to a primarily urban society. An important accompanying aspect of the lower casualty rates has been the widespread availability of lightning-safe large buildings and fully enclosed metal-topped vehicles, as well as much greater awareness of the lightning threat, better medical treatment, and availability of real-time lightning information. However, lightning exposure for many people in lesser-developed countries is similar to that of a century ago in developed countries. The number of people living in these areas may be increasing in number, so the number of people killed by lightning may be increasing globally due to these socioeconomic factors. It can be difficult to locate national lightning fatality data because of their mainly obscure publication sources. The present paper synthesizes lightning fatality data from 23 published national-scale studies during periods ending in 1979 and later, and maps these fatality rates per million by continent.
Predictors of psychiatric readmission among patients with bipolar disorder at an academic safety-net hospital
Authors: Hamilton Jane E , Passos Ives C , de Azevedo Cardoso Taiane , Jansen Karen , Allen Melissa , Begley Charles E , Soares Jair C , Kapczinski Flavio
Published: September 2015

Objective:

Even with treatment, approximately one-third of patients with bipolar disorder relapse into depression or mania within 1 year. Unfavorable clinical outcomes for patients with bipolar disorder include increased rates of psychiatric hospitalization and functional impairment. However, only a few studies have examined predictors of psychiatric hospital readmission in a sample of patients with bipolar disorder. The purpose of this study was to examine predictors of psychiatric readmission within 30 days, 90 days and 1 year of discharge among patients with bipolar disorder using a conceptual model adapted from Andersen’s Behavioral Model of Health Service Use.

Methods:

In this retrospective study, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted in a sample of 2443 adult patients with bipolar disorder who were consecutively admitted to a public psychiatric hospital in the United States from 1 January to 31 December 2013.

Results:

In the multivariate models, several enabling and need factors were significantly associated with an increased risk of readmission across all time periods examined, including being uninsured, having ⩾3 psychiatric hospitalizations and having a lower Global Assessment of Functioning score. Additional factors associated with psychiatric readmission within 30 and 90 days of discharge included patient homelessness. Patient race/ethnicity, bipolar disorder type or a current manic episode did not significantly predict readmission across all time periods examined; however, patients who were male were more likely to readmit within 1 year. The 30-day and 1-year multivariate models showed the best model fit.

Conclusion:

Our study found enabling and need factors to be the strongest predictors of psychiatric readmission, suggesting that the prevention of psychiatric readmission for patients with bipolar disorder at safety-net hospitals may be best achieved by developing and implementing innovative transitional care initiatives that address the issues of multiple psychiatric hospitalizations, housing instability, insurance coverage and functional impairment.
Procalcitonin as a Serum Biomarker for Differentiation of Bacterial Meningitis From Viral Meningitis in Children
Authors: Henry Brandon Michael , Roy Joyeeta , Ramakrishnan Piravin Kumar , Vikse Jens , Tomaszewski Krzysztof A. , Walocha Jerzy A.
Published: September 2015

Several studies have explored the use of serum procalcitonin (PCT) in differentiating between bacterial and viral etiologies in children with suspected meningitis. We pooled these studies into a meta-analysis to determine the PCT diagnostic accuracy. All major databases were searched through March 2015. No date or language restrictions were applied. Eight studies (n = 616 pediatric patients) were included. Serum PCT assay was found to be very accurate for differentiating the etiology of pediatric meningitis with pooled sensitivity and specificity of 0.96 (95% CI = 0.92-0.98) and 0.89 (95% CI = 0.86-0.92), respectively. The pooled positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and area under the curve (AUC) for PCT were 7.5 (95% CI = 5.6-10.1), 0.08(95% CI = 0.04-0.14), 142.3 (95% CI = 59.5-340.4), and 0.97 (SE = 0.01), respectively. In 6 studies, PCT was found to be superior than CRP, whose DOR was only 16.7 (95%CI = 8.8-31.7). Our meta-analysis demonstrates that serum PCT assay is a highly accurate and powerful test for rapidly differentiating between bacterial and viral meningitis in children.
Randomized Evaluation of Peer Support Arrangements to Support the Inclusion of High School Students With Severe Disabilities
Authors: Carter Erik W. , Asmus Jennifer , Moss Colleen K. , Biggs Elizabeth E. , Bolt Dan M. , Born Tiffany L. , Brock Matthew E. , Cattey Gillian N. , Chen Rui , Cooney Molly , Fesperman Ethan , Hochman Julia M. , Huber Heartley B. , Lequia Jenna L. , Lyons Gregory , Moyseenko Kerrie A. , Riesch Lindsay M. , Shalev Rebecca A. , Vincent Lori B. , Weir Katie
Published: September 2015

Enhancing the social and learning experiences of students with severe disabilities in inclusive classrooms has been a long-standing focus of research, legislative, and advocacy efforts. The authors used a randomized controlled experimental design to examine the efficacy of peer support arrangements to improve academic and social outcomes for 51 students with severe disabilities in high school general education classrooms. Paraprofessionals or special educators recruited, trained, and supported 106 peers to provide individualized academic and social assistance to students with severe disabilities throughout one semester. Compared to students exclusively receiving adult-delivered support ( n = 48), students participating in peer support arrangements experienced increased interactions with peers, increased academic engagement, more progress on individualized social goals, increased social participation, and a greater number of new friendships. Moreover, an appreciable proportion of relationships lasted one and two semesters later after the intervention had concluded. These findings challenge prevailing practices for supporting inclusive education and establish the efficacy and social validity of peer support arrangements as a promising alternative to individually assigned paraprofessional support.
Interpreting process data of wet pressing process. Part 1: Theoretical approach
Authors: Bergmann Jana , Dörmann Hans , Lange Rüdiger
Published: September 2015

The wet pressing process represents a new production method for carbon fibre-reinforced plastics components. Due to the low cycle times, it is suitable for use in the automotive industry. Therefore, a sufficient degree of industrialisation needs to be achieved, which is characterised by a stable process. The knowledge about relevant process parameters, their interactions, and influence on the part quality builds the basis of an economic process. This is a major challenge, since in the early stage of process development the available amount of recorded process data is small and the data sets are not complete. As the implementation of time-, material-, and cost-intensive experiments represents no acceptable alternative, a theoretical approach is chosen. This article describes a theoretical procedure to define the critical factors of the wet pressing process with significantly less resource input.
Intergenerational Conflict in Arab Families
Authors: Rasmi Sarah , Daly Timothy M.
Published: September 2015

Using a mixed-methods approach, we identified and explored intergenerational conflict issues that are salient to Arab adolescents and emerging adults ( N = 485). We also developed and validated a scale that captures these issues across several studies. A qualitative study of Arab adolescents and emerging adults ( N = 26) was first used to identify and describe unique intergenerational conflict items that are important to Arab families. An exploratory quantitative study ( N = 100) and subsequent validation study ( N = 157) were conducted to refine and validate the list of items. The final Arab Family Conflict Inventory consisted of 35 items that included both culturally specific items and items covering issues commonly found across ethnocultural groups. The scale was found to be psychometrically sound.
Gene-environment Interactions in the Etiology of Dental Caries
Authors: Yildiz G. , Ermis R.B. , Calapoglu N.S. , Celik E.U. , Türel G.Y.
Published: September 2015

Dental caries is a multifactorial disease that can be conceptualized as an interaction between genetic and environmental risk factors. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of AMELX, CA6, DEFB1, and TAS2R38 gene polymorphism and gene-environment interactions on caries etiology and susceptibility in adults. Genomic DNA was extracted from the buccal mucosa, and adults aged 20 to 60 y were placed into 1 of 2 groups: low caries risk (DMFT ≤ 5; n = 77) and high caries risk (DMFT ≥ 14; n = 77). The frequency of AMELX (+522), CA6 (T55M), DEFB1 (G-20A), and TAS2R38 (A49P) single-nucleotide polymorphisms was genotyped with the polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Environmental risk factors examined in the study included plaque amount, toothbrushing frequency, dietary intake between meals, saliva secretion rate, saliva buffer capacity, mutans streptococci counts, and lactobacilli counts. There was no difference between the caries risk groups in relation to AMELX (+522) polymorphism (χ2 test, P > 0.05). The distribution of CA6 genotype and allele frequencies in the low caries risk group did not differ from the high caries risk group (χ2 test, P > 0.05). Polymorphism of DEFB1 (G-20A) was positively associated, and TAS2R38 (A49P) negatively associated, with caries risk (χ2 test, P = 0.000). There were significant differences between caries susceptibility and each environmental risk factor, except for the saliva secretion rate (Mann-Whitney U test, P = 0.000). Based on stepwise multiple linear regression analyses, dental plaque amount, lactobacilli count, age, and saliva buffer capacity, as well as DEFB1 (G-20A), TAS2R38 (A49P), and CA6 (T55M) gene polymorphism, explained a total of 87.8% of the variations in DMFT scores. It can be concluded that variation in CA6 (T55M), DEFB1 (G-20A), and TAS2R38 (A49P) may be associated with caries experience in Turkish adults with a high level of dental plaque, lactobacilli count, and age and when saliva buffer capacity is low.
Learning for Another: From Self-Interest to Altruism
Authors: Snyder Aaron W. , Yanchar Stephen C. , Gantt Edwin E.
Published: September 2015

This qualitative study offers an examination of the learning experiences of six individuals, each of whom initially learned for self-interested purposes, but later experienced a shift in their desire and pursued learning to benefit others. We conducted interviews that described this phenomenon and provided insight into the following question: What is the experience of a learner who transitions from learning out of self-interest to learning for the sake of another? Findings of this study include narrative case summaries for each participant and a cross-case analysis that includes six major themes regarding participants’ transition to altruistic forms of learning: humility as a prerequisite, communal learning, emphasis on the success of others, becoming more self-confident, becoming a more effective learner, and becoming more other centered. Overall, participants in this study found the most meaning by helping recipients achieve their own growth and development rather than by merely accomplishing tasks.