bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Postischemic microvasculopathy and endothelial progenitor cell-based therapy in ischemic AKI: update and perspectives
Authors: Patschan D. , Kribben A. , Müller G. A.
Published: May 2016

Acute kidney injury (AKI) dramatically increases mortality of hospitalized patients. Incidences have been increased in recent years. The most frequent cause is transient renal hypoperfusion or ischemia which induces significant tubular cell dysfunction/damage. In addition, two further events take place: interstitial inflammation and microvasculopathy (MV). The latter evolves within minutes to hours postischemia and may result in permanent deterioration of the peritubular capillary network, ultimately increasing the risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the long term. In recent years, our understanding of the molecular/cellular processes responsible for acute and sustained microvasculopathy has increasingly been expanded. The methodical approaches for visualizing impaired peritubular blood flow and increased vascular permeability have been optimized, even allowing the depiction of tissue abnormalities in a three-dimensional manner. In addition, endothelial dysfunction, a hallmark of MV, has increasingly been recognized as an inductor of both vascular malfunction and interstitial inflammation. In this regard, so-called regulated necrosis of the endothelium could potentially play a role in postischemic inflammation. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), represented by at least two major subpopulations, have been shown to promote vascular repair in experimental AKI, not only in the short but also in the long term. The discussion about the true biology of the cells continues. It has been proposed that early EPCs are most likely myelomonocytic in nature, and thus they may simply be termed proangiogenic cells (PACs). Nevertheless, they reliably protect certain types of tissues/organs from ischemia-induced damage, mostly by modulating the perivascular microenvironment in an indirect manner. The aim of the present review is to summarize the current knowledge on postischemic MV and EPC-mediated renal repair.
Prefrontal and anterior cingulate cortex neurons encode attentional targets even when they do not apparently bias behavior
Authors: Westendorff Stephanie , Kaping Daniel , Everling Stefan , Womelsdorf Thilo
Published: May 2016

Neurons in anterior cingulate and prefrontal cortex (ACC/PFC) carry information about behaviorally relevant target stimuli. This information is believed to affect behavior by exerting a top-down attentional bias on stimulus selection. However, attention information may not necessarily be a biasing signal but could be a corollary signal that is not directly related to ongoing behavioral success, or it could reflect the monitoring of targets similar to an eligibility trace useful for later attentional adjustment. To test this suggestion we quantified how attention information relates to behavioral success in neurons recorded in multiple subfields in macaque ACC/PFC during a cued attention task. We found that attention cues activated three separable neuronal groups that encoded spatial attention information but were differently linked to behavioral success. A first group encoded attention targets on correct and error trials. This group spread across ACC/PFC and represented targets transiently after cue onset, irrespective of behavior. A second group encoded attention targets on correct trials only, closely predicting behavior. These neurons were not only prevalent in lateral prefrontal but also in anterior cingulate cortex. A third group encoded target locations only on error trials. This group was evident in ACC and PFC and was activated in error trials “as if” attention was shifted to the target location but without evidence for such behavior. These results show that only a portion of neuronaly available information about attention targets biases behavior. We speculate that additionally a unique neural subnetwork encodes counterfactual attention information.
Cancer Therapy Directed by Comprehensive Genomic Profiling: A Single Center Study
Authors: Wheler Jennifer J. , Janku Filip , Naing Aung , Li Yali , Stephen Bettzy , Zinner Ralph , Subbiah Vivek , Fu Siqing , Karp Daniel , Falchook Gerald S. , Tsimberidou Apostolia M. , Piha-Paul Sarina , Anderson Roosevelt , Ke Danxia , Miller Vincent , Yelensky Roman , Lee J. Jack , Hong David S. , Kurzrock Razelle
Published: May 2016

Innovative molecular diagnostics deployed in the clinic enable new ways to stratify patients into appropriate treatment regimens. These approaches may resolve a major challenge for early-phase clinical trials, which is to recruit patients who, while having failed previous treatments, may nevertheless respond to molecularly targeted drugs. We report the findings of a prospective, single-center study conducted in patients with diverse refractory cancers who underwent comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP; next-generation sequencing, 236 genes). Of the 500 patients enrolled, 188 (37.6%) received either matched (N = 122/188, 65%) or unmatched therapy (N = 66/188, 35%). The most common reasons that patients were not evaluable for treatment included insufficient tissue, death, or hospice transfer. The median number of molecular alterations per patient was five (range, 1–14); median number of prior therapies, four. The most common diagnoses were ovarian cancer (18%), breast cancer (16%), sarcoma (13%), and renal cancer (7%). Of the 339 successfully profiled patients, 317 (93.5%) had at least one potentially actionable alteration. By calculating matching scores, based on the number of drug matches and genomic aberrations per patient, we found that high scores were independently associated with a greater frequency of stable disease ≥6 months/partial/complete remission [22% (high scores) vs. 9% (low scores), P = 0.024], longer time-to-treatment failure [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.52; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.36–0.74; P = 0.0003], and survival (HR = 0.65; 95% CI = 0.43–1.0; P = 0.05). Collectively, this study offers a clinical proof of concept for the utility of CGP in assigning therapy to patients with refractory malignancies, especially in those patients with multiple genomic aberrations for whom combination therapies could be implemented. Cancer Res; 76(13); 3690–701. ©2016 AACR.
Burden of Nonsynonymous Mutations among TCGA Cancers and Candidate Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Responses
Authors: Colli Leandro M. , Machiela Mitchell J. , Myers Timothy A. , Jessop Lea , Yu Kai , Chanock Stephen J.
Published: May 2016

Immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment represents a promising approach toward treating cancer and has been shown to be effective in a subset of melanoma, non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and kidney cancers. Recent studies have suggested that the number of nonsynonymous mutations (NsM) can be used to select melanoma and NSCLC patients most likely to benefit from checkpoint inhibitor treatment. It is hypothesized that a higher burden of NsM generates novel epitopes and gene products, detected by the immune system as foreign. We conducted an assessment of NsM across 7,757 tumor samples drawn from 26 cancers sequenced in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Project to estimate the subset of cancers (both types and fractions thereof) that fit the profile suggested for melanoma and NSCLC. An additional independent set of 613 tumors drawn from 5 cancers were analyzed for replication. An analysis of the receiver operating characteristic curves of published data on checkpoint inhibitor response in melanoma and NSCLC data estimates a cutoff of 192 NsM with 74% sensitivity and 59.3% specificity to discriminate potential clinical benefit. Across the 7,757 samples of TCGA, 16.2% displayed an NsM count that exceeded the threshold of 192. It is notable that more than 30% of bladder, colon, gastric, and endometrial cancers have NsM counts above 192, which was also confirmed in melanoma and NSCLC. Our data could inform the prioritization of tumor types (and subtypes) for possible clinical trials to investigate further indications for effective use of immune checkpoint inhibitors, particularly in adult cancers. Cancer Res; 76(13); 3767–72. ©2016 AACR.
Emodin Inhibits Breast Cancer Growth by Blocking the Tumor-Promoting Feedforward Loop between Cancer Cells and Macrophages
Authors: Iwanowycz Stephen , Wang Junfeng , Hodge Johnie , Wang Yuzhen , Yu Fang , Fan Daping
Published: May 2016

Macrophage infiltration correlates with severity in many types of cancer. Tumor cells recruit macrophages and educate them to adopt an M2-like phenotype through the secretion of chemokines and growth factors, such as MCP1 and CSF1. Macrophages in turn promote tumor growth through supporting angiogenesis, suppressing antitumor immunity, modulating extracellular matrix remodeling, and promoting tumor cell migration. Thus, tumor cells and macrophages interact to create a feedforward loop supporting tumor growth and metastasis. In this study, we tested the ability of emodin, a Chinese herb–derived compound, to inhibit breast cancer growth in mice and examined the underlying mechanisms. Emodin was used to treat mice bearing EO771 or 4T1 breast tumors. It was shown that emodin attenuated tumor growth by inhibiting macrophage infiltration and M2-like polarization, accompanied by increased T-cell activation and reduced angiogenesis in tumors. The tumor inhibitory effects of emodin were lost in tumor-bearing mice with macrophage depletion. Emodin inhibited IRF4, STAT6, and C/EBPβ signaling and increased inhibitory histone H3 lysine 27 tri-methylation (H3K27m3) on the promoters of M2-related genes in tumor-associated macrophages. In addition, emodin inhibited tumor cell secretion of MCP1 and CSF1, as well as expression of surface anchoring molecule Thy-1, thus suppressing macrophage migration toward and adhesion to tumor cells. These results suggest that emodin acts on both breast cancer cells and macrophages and effectively blocks the tumor-promoting feedforward loop between the two cell types, thereby inhibiting breast cancer growth and metastasis. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(8); 1931–42. ©2016 AACR.
The Effects of Information on Public Attitudes Toward Renewable Energy
Authors: Bidwell David
Published: May 2016

The information-deficit model is a common framework for explaining public attitudes toward new technologies, including renewable energy technology. This model assumes that public opposition to technology is based on a lack of quality information. The siting of facilities, such as commercial wind farms, frequently face opposition from residents of local communities, despite broad public support for renewable energy. Although social science has been critical of the information-deficit model, providing information to the public can influence both the substance and quality of attitudes. In this study, residents of coastal communities in Michigan, supportive of wind energy on average, were provided in-depth information about wind energy. Compared with a control group, participants who attended information sessions exhibited greater change in both their general support for wind energy and the strength of those attitudes. Possible implications for the siting of wind farms and other renewable projects are discussed.
Three-dimensional temperature field compensation technology for large-scale ultrasonic positioning system
Authors: Wu Jun , Zhu Jigui , Yu Zhijing , Zhuge Jingchang
Published: May 2016

Large-scale ultrasonic positioning systems have recently shown substantial improvement, according to the current great interest concerning large-scale metrology applications in many different fields of manufacturing industry. However, the sound velocity is greatly influenced by the ambient temperature especially in large-scale applications. The traditional sound velocity compensation method mainly uses the average temperature in measurement space based on an assumption that the temperature field is uniform and stable. As the assumption is invalid in most cases, especially in industrial measurement environments, the traditional compensation method will bring obvious errors. To reduce these errors caused by sound velocity, this article proposes a novel compensation method by constructing a three-dimensional temperature field of measurement space through heat transfer theory as well as the finite element method, and then estimating the distance accurately using a couple iterating algorithm. Verification experiments demonstrate that the ranging deviation estimated through the proposed method may keep within 0.5 mm in 5.4×2 m measurement space, whereas the average distance measurement uncertainty is about 0.25 mm.
Justices ‘en Garde’: Ideological determinants of the dissolution of anti-establishment parties
Authors: Moral Mert , Tokdemir Efe
Published: May 2016

Examining justice-level determinants of party dissolution decisions can reveal how high Courts may influence the public choice by constraining the representation of political ideologies. We argue that Constitutional Court justices strategically engage in politics through party dissolution cases, and justices ‘en garde’ act to guard the regime against anti-establishment ideologies. As a graveyard of political parties, Turkey is an appropriate case to study this claim. By introducing a unique dataset, we demonstrate that communist, religious and ethnic parties in Turkey with considerable public support are more likely to be dissolved by justices having an activist and pro-status quo ideological stance.
What Is the Place of Clozapine in the Treatment of Early Psychosis in Canada?
Authors: Williams Richard , Malla Ashok , Roy Marc-Andre , Joober Ridha , Manchanda Rahul , Tibbo Phil , Banks Nicola , Agid Ofer
Published: May 2016

Research and development of early intervention (EI) services for first-episode psychosis have brought much-needed transformation of service delivery for this serious mental disorder to many jurisdictions. The effectiveness of the EI model of service delivery is contingent on timely access to all evidence-informed treatment interventions, including a rational approach to pharmacotherapy. In this perspective paper, we present a brief review of the well-established effectiveness of clozapine in patients who clearly show lack of response to regular antipsychotic therapy. We concentrate, in particular, on the need to identify eligibility for clozapine therapy very early on following failure of treatment on 2 antipsychotic medications. We suggest that attention to the low use of clozapine in the very early phase of treatment of psychosis may be of particular value, as the response to clozapine at this stage is likely to produce larger benefits in other domains of outcomes because of the greater retention of patients’ personal and social agency.
Fabrication and mechanical properties of composite pyramidal truss core sandwich panels with novel reinforced frames
Authors: Li Xiaodong , Wu Linzhi , Ma Li , Yan Xiangqiao
Published: May 2016

The novel composite pyramidal truss core sandwich panels with reinforced joints are manufactured by the water jet cut and interlocking assembly method. Here, the relative density [Formula: see text] of the carbon fiber composite pyramidal truss cores varies in the range 0.88–4.4%. The out-of-plane compression and shear performance of sandwich structures are investigated. Analytical estimates for sandwich panel strength are presented for possible competing failure modes. In general, the measured failure loads show good agreement with the analytical predictions. The measured quasi-static uniaxial compressive strength increases from 0.53 to 8.9 MPa with increasing [Formula: see text] over the relative density range investigated here. The shear strength of lattice cores is improved by eliminating core-to-face sheet bond failures. The measured quasi-static shear strength varies between 0.78 and 1.75 MPa. Compared with node non-reinforced composite pyramidal truss sandwich panels, under the relative density of 1.8%, the shear strength of node reinforced sandwich panels increases by 120%, and its shear modulus increases by 26.5%.
Developing Digital Wisdom by Students and Teachers
Authors: Shamir-Inbal Tamar , Blau Ina
Published: May 2016

This article investigates a pilot of integrating tablet computers in the elementary education. The research questions address the impact of tablet integration on learning and pedagogy. This qualitative case study crosschecks non-participated observations on students who work with tablet PCs, the school staff reflection on the integration as presented on the school blog, a focus group of fifth graders, interviews with the school principal and four teachers who are involved in the implementation, and three parents who assisted in a tablet-based extracurriculum project. The findings revealed that the most significant added value of tablet use is in mobile learning in out-of-class setting, while in in-class learning teacher would prefer using laptops because of tablet technical limitations. The findings are discussed in terms of technological pedagogical and content knowledge TPACK framework and “digital wisdom” of teachers and students. Pedagogical potential of tablet in developing digital wisdom is analyzed based on five metaphors of mobile learning: using a device as a “toolbox,” “creative mind,” “participation activator,” “shared mobile desktop,” and “connected world.” For massive implementation in the education system, we recommend that decision makers should integrate tablets only if mobile learning is a significant component in the instructional design.
Dopamine-loaded liposome and its application in electrochemical DNA biosensor
Authors: Mahmoudi-Badiki Tohid , Alipour Esmaeel , Hamishehkar Hamed , Golabi Seyed Mahdi
Published: May 2016

In this study, disruption and lyophilization–rehydration of dopamine-loaded liposome and its application in electrochemical DNA biosensor was investigated. The liposomes containing soyphosphatidylcholine and cholesterol were prepared through thin-layer hydration. First, an investigation was carried out to find an appropriate lysing agent for disruption of prepared liposomes. Differential pulse voltammetry, as a high sensitive electrochemical technique, was used along with a multi-walled carbon nanotubes modified glassy carbon electrode for sensitive electrochemical detection of released dopamine from disrupted liposomes. Various lysing agents were investigated and finally, the disruption of liposomes using methanol was selected without any surfactant, because of its least fouling effect. Then, lyophilization of dopamine-loaded liposomes was carried out using sucrose as cryoprotectant. The electrochemical studies of lyophilized liposomes showed that the remained dopamine in sucrose-protected liposomes was higher than sucrose-free liposomes. Furthermore, sucrose has no interference in electrochemical studies. Then, with the addition of biotin-X-DHPE to liposome formulation, the lyophilized sucrose protected dopamine-loaded biotin-tagged liposomes were prepared and the feasibility of application of them in electrochemical DNA biosensor was investigated as signal enhancer and verified for detection of oligonucleotides.
Neural network based dynamic model and gust identification system for the Jetstream G-NFLA
Authors: Antonakis Aristeidis , Lone Mudassir , Cooke Alastair
Published: May 2016

Artificial neural networks are an established technique for constructing non-linear models of multi-input-multi-output systems based on sets of observations. In terms of aerospace vehicle modelling, however, these are currently restricted to either unmanned applications or simulations, despite the fact that large amounts of flight data are typically recorded and kept for reasons of safety and maintenance. In this paper, a methodology for constructing practical models of aerospace vehicles based on available flight data recordings from the vehicles’ operational use is proposed and applied on the Jetstream G-NFLA aircraft. This includes a data analysis procedure to assess the suitability of the available flight databases and a neural network based approach for modelling. In this context, a database of recorded landings of the Jetstream G-NFLA, normally kept as part of a routine maintenance procedure, is used to form training datasets for two separate applications. A neural network based longitudinal dynamic model and gust identification system are constructed and tested against real flight data. Results indicate that in both cases, the resulting models’ predictions achieve a level of accuracy that allows them to be used as a basis for practical real-world applications.
Are HIV-positive young black MSM having safer sex than those who are HIV-negative?
Authors: Crosby Richard A , Mena Leandro , Geter Angelica
Published: May 2016

In the United States, young Black men who have sex with men (YBMSM) bear the single largest burden of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Whether HIV-positive men in this population practice relatively safer sex than their HIV negative counterparts has not been recently investigated. The purpose of this study was to compare selected sexual risk behaviors between YBMSM who are HIV-positive to their HIV-negative counterparts of the same geographic location in the southern US. A convenience sample of 600 YBMSM completed a computer-assisted self-interview in a private area of a clinic dedicated to sexual health. Frequency/prevalence of 16 sexual risk behaviors was compared between men who were HIV-positive and those who were HIV-negative at the time. Bivariate associations were tested in regression models adjusted for age and having a main male sex partner. One-quarter of the sample (25.5%) was HIV-positive at study enrollment. Remarkably few differences in sexual risk behaviors were observed. HIV-positive men were less likely to report recent sex with a woman ( P = .003), and they were more likely to report recent sex with persons known to be HIV-positive ( P < .001). Of 16 assessed outcome measures, these two significant findings represented the only significant differences in the adjusted analyses. YBMSM residing in the southern US may experience high levels of HIV exposure risk or risk of exposing others to HIV. A particularly urgent need exists to improve post-diagnostic HIV prevention efforts for HIV-positive YBMSM.
Plumbing, philosophy and psychiatry
Authors: Rosenman Stephen
Published: May 2016

Objectives:

To briefly examine shortcomings in the foundation concepts that underlie theory and thought in contemporary psychiatry and to argue that these shortcomings mislead research and practice.

Conclusions:

Psychiatry stands on a complex of ideas and concepts that cannot be reduced to a satisfying or unifying underlying conceptual system or idea. The ideas and concepts have been patched together ad hoc and function until things go wrong. Growing professional dispute and public disquiet indicates that things are going wrong. I suggest that professional philosophers need to be engaged in the necessary infrastructure repairs.
Water Intoxication and Death Associated with the Use of Posterior Pituitary Injection for Surgical Hemostasis
Authors: Fiser Debra H. , Kearns Gregory L.
Published: May 2016

Posterior pituitary injection is an extract prepared from the dried posterior lobe of the pituitary gland from domestic animals containing two octapeptide hormones, oxytocin and vasopressin. Posterior pituitary injection carries an approved therapeutic indication as an adjunct measure for achieving surgical hemostasis. We report a case of cerebral edema and death attributed to water intoxication in a child who had received a large volume of free water concurrent with posterior pituitary injection to control bleeding after tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy.
‘Shot Pakistani girl’: The limitations of girls education discourses in UK newspaper coverage of Malala Yousafzai
Authors: Walters Rosie
Published: May 2016

This article analyses the extensive coverage in UK newspapers of the shooting, recovery and activism of Malala Yousafzai, the prominent campaigner for girls’ rights from the Swat Valley in Pakistan. The study uses discourse analysis and a poststructuralist, feminist and postcolonial approach to analyse 223 newspaper articles, identifying the dominant discourses about Yousfzai in the context of the United Kingdom’s colonial history and perceptions of its current role in global politics. The article demonstrates that the UK media’s representation of Yousafzai’s story embraces and reproduces seemingly emancipatory discourses around girls’ education, yet is ultimately limited by enduring gendered and orientalist discourses that underlie these new initiatives, which are simultaneously produced by, and productive of, unequal power relations. Despite Yousafzai’s courageous campaigning, these discourses still make it easier for UK journalists to label her the ‘shot Pakistani girl’ than to call her powerful, a survivor or indeed a feminist.
Effect of D/TP ratio on stir zone characteristics of friction stir-welded high-strength low-alloy steel plates
Authors: Ragu Nathan S , Balasubramanian V , Malarvizhi S , Rao AG
Published: May 2016

In this study, the effect of tool shoulder diameter (D) to the plate thickness (Tp) ratio on tensile and impact toughness properties of friction stir-welded naval grade high-strength low-alloy steel was investigated. A naval grade high-strength low-alloy steel of 5 mm thick plates was welded with tool rotational speed of 600 r/min and welding speed of 30 mm/min using tungsten-based alloy tools having D/Tp ratio varying from 4 to 6. Microstructural characteristics of the weld joints were analyzed using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy along with the evaluation of tensile properties. From this investigation, it was found that the joint fabricated using a D/Tp ratio of 5 (25 mm shoulder diameter) exhibited superior mechanical properties compared to other joints.
Book review: Gedde, M. 2015: Working in International Development and Humanitarian Assistance: A Career Guide
Authors: Naude Laura Samira
Published: May 2016

Gedde, M. 2015: Working in International Development and Humanitarian Assistance: A Career Guide. Oxon: Routledge. xxv + 368 pp. £85.00 cloth, £31.99 paper. ISBN 978–0–415–69834–4 (cloth), 978–0–415–69835–1 (paper).
Book review: Fountain, P., Bush, R. and Feener, R. M., editors, 2015: Religion and the Politics of Development
Authors: Wood Peter D. A.
Published: May 2016

Fountain, P., Bush, R. and Feener, R. M., editors, 2015: Religion and the Politics of Development. London: Palgrave Macmillan. xiii + 253 pp. £65.00 hardback; £61.75 ebk. ISBN: 978 0 333 71708 0 (hardback).
Political attention in the Council of the European Union: A new dataset of working party meetings, 1995–2014
Authors: Häge Frank M
Published: May 2016

Little firm knowledge exists about the allocation of the Council's political attention across policy areas and over time. This article presents a new dataset of the date, duration, and policy coding of more than 70,000 meetings of Council working parties, covering all areas of the Council's policy activities between 1995 and 2014. In terms of both scope and resolution, the data allow for the generation of unprecedented insights into what issues occupy the Council's agenda, how that varies between and within policy areas, and how that changes over time. After discussing conceptual issues and explaining the construction of the dataset, the article demonstrates its usefulness and versatility through analyses of the Council's political attention at various levels of aggregation.
Twelve-Month Results From the MAJESTIC Trial of the Eluvia Paclitaxel-Eluting Stent for Treatment of Obstructive Femoropopliteal Disease
Authors: Müller-Hülsbeck Stefan , Keirse Koen , Zeller Thomas , Schroë Herman , Diaz-Cartelle Juan
Published: May 2016

Purpose: To report the 12-month results of the MAJESTIC clinical study of the self-expanding Eluvia paclitaxel-eluting stent in the treatment of femoropopliteal lesions. Methods: The prospective, single-arm, multicenter trial ( clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT01820637) enrolled 57 patients (mean age 69±9 years; 47 men) with chronic lower limb ischemia referable to de novo or restenotic lesions in the native superficial femoral and/or proximal popliteal arteries. A third of the patients had diabetes. Mean lesion length was 70.8±28.1 mm, and diameter stenosis was 86.3%±16.2%; 26 (46%) lesions were occluded. Primary patency was defined as duplex ultrasound peak systolic velocity ratio ≤2.5 and the absence of target lesion revascularization (TLR) or bypass. Major adverse events (MAEs) included all-cause death through 1 month and target limb major amputation and TLR through 12 months. Results: All 57 patients had a single Eluvia stent implanted, employing pre- and postdilation in 93% (53/57) and 95% (54/57) of cases, respectively. Technical success was 97% (55/57; 2 failures due to residual stenosis >30%). At 12 months, primary patency was 96% (49/51) and the MAE rate was 4% (2/53); both MAEs were TLRs. No stent fractures were identified. There were no major amputations. One death occurred 368 days postprocedure, unrelated to the device or procedure. Improvements in the Rutherford category were sustained through 1 year, with 81% (43/53) exhibiting no symptoms (category 0) and 13% (7/53) presenting with mild claudication (category 1). Mean ABI improved from 0.73±0.22 at baseline to 1.02±0.20 at 12 months. Conclusion: MAJESTIC results showed that patients whose femoropopliteal arteries were treated with the Eluvia drug-eluting stent sustained high patency and low MAE rates through 12 months.
Cognitive Psychophysiological Substrates of Affective Temperaments
Authors: Poyraz Burç Çağrı , Sakallı Kani Ayşe , Aksoy Poyraz Cana , Öcek Baş Tuba , Arıkan Mehmet Kemal
Published: May 2016

Affective temperaments are the subclinical manifestations or phenotypes of mood states and hypothetically represent one healthy end of the mood disorder spectrum. However, there is a scarcity of studies investigating the neurobiological basis of affective temperaments. One fundamental aspect of temperament is the behavioral reactivity to environmental stimuli, which can be effectively evaluated by use of cognitive event-related potentials (ERPs) reflecting the diversity of information processing. The aim of the present study is to explore the associations between P300 and the affective temperamental traits in healthy individuals. We recorded the P300 ERP waves using an auditory oddball paradigm in 50 medical student volunteers (23 females, 27 males). Participants’ affective temperaments were evaluated using the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego–auto questionnaire version (TEMPS-A). In bivariate analyses, depressive temperament score was significantly correlated with P300 latency ( rs = 0.37, P < .01). In a multiple linear regression analysis, P300 latency showed a significant positive correlation with scores of depressive temperament (β = 0.40, P < .01) and a significant negative one with scores of cyclothymic temperament (β = −0.29, P = .03). Affective temperament scores were not associated with P300 amplitude and reaction times. These results indicate that affective temperaments are related to information processing in the brain. Depressive temperament may be characterized by decreased physiological arousal and slower information processing, while the opposite was observed for cyclothymic temperament.
An analysis of the stakeholder model of public boards and the case of school governing bodies in England and Wales
Authors: Connolly Michael , Farrell Catherine , James Christopher
Published: May 2016

This article analyses the stakeholder model of boards that is widely used in public and third sector institutions in England and Wales. The central tenet of this model is that such institutions should be strategically led by individuals who are representative of and from the groups that have an interest in them. The article focuses in particular on the operation of the stakeholder model of governing bodies of schools in England and Wales where a range of stakeholders including teachers, parents and the community are represented. The issues that arise from this stakeholder model of governing are analysed and the alternatives to it are considered. A significant alternative is the skills-based model, where boards are constituted on the basis of their expertise and not their interest in the institution. This skills-based model is becoming more prominent in the way governing bodies of academy schools in England are constituted and this is certainly the direction of travel outlined in the 2015 regulations. The article reviews the stakeholder model for the governance of schools at a time when there is much interest in the skills-based approach. The wider implications of shifting from a stakeholder to a skills-based model of public board membership are considered.
The future of post-reproductive health – The role of the Internet, the Web, information provision and access
Authors: Cumming Grant P , Morris Edward , Simpson Paul , French Tara , Kahana Eva , Luciano Joanne S , Molik David
Published: May 2016

The World Wide Web celebrated its 25th birthday in 2014. In those 25 years, the Web has evolved from static websites (Web 1.0) to a highly complex dynamic system (Web 3.0) with health information processing one of the primary uses. Until now, the western biomedical paradigm has been effective in delivering healthcare, but this model is not positioned to tackle the complex challenges facing healthcare today. These challenges have arisen by increasing healthcare demands across the world, exacerbated by an ageing population, increased lifespan and chronic conditions. To meet these needs, a ‘biopsychosocial’ shift from reactive to proactive health is necessary with a patient-centric emphasis (personalised, preventative, participatory and predictive) that includes ‘gender-specific medicine’. The management of the menopause, part of post-reproductive health, requires a life-course approach as it provides a framework for achieving a women’s preferred health outcome. Surveys from www.menopausematters.co.uk have consistently shown that women do not feel informed enough to make decisions regarding Hormone Replacement Therapy and alternative therapies. Health professionals must meet this challenge. The recently published National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance on the diagnosis and management of the menopause highlights the need for tailored information provision. The Internet underpinned by the academic disciplines of Health Web Science and Medicine 2.0 has potential to facilitate this shift to biopsychosocial medicine and tailored information within a life-course framework. The concept of Health Web Observatories and their potential benefit to a life-course approach using tools such as www.managemymenopause.co.uk is discussed.
Practices and Perspectives of College Instructors on Addressing Religious Beliefs When Teaching Evolution
Authors: Barnes M. Elizabeth , Brownell Sara E.
Published: May 2016

Evolution is a core concept of biology, and yet many college biology students do not accept evolution because of their religious beliefs. However, we do not currently know how instructors perceive their role in helping students accept evolution or how they address the perceived conflict between religion and evolution when they teach evolution. This study explores instructor practices and beliefs related to mitigating students’ perceived conflict between religion and evolution. Interviews with 32 instructors revealed that many instructors do not believe it is their goal to help students accept evolution and that most instructors do not address the perceived conflict between religion and evolution. Instructors cited many barriers to discussing religion in the context of evolution in their classes, most notably the instructors’ own personal beliefs that religion and evolution may be incompatible. These data are exploratory and are intended to stimulate a series of questions about how we as college biology instructors teach evolution.
Big insights from small volumes: deciphering complex leukocyte behaviors using microfluidics
Authors: Irimia Daniel , Ellett Felix
Published: May 2016

Inflammation is an indispensable component of the immune response, and leukocytes provide the first line of defense against infection. Although the major stereotypic leukocyte behaviors in response to infection are well known, the complexities and idiosyncrasies of these phenotypes in conditions of disease are still emerging. Novel tools are indispensable for gaining insights into leukocyte behavior, and in the past decade, microfluidic technologies have emerged as an exciting development in the field. Microfluidic devices are readily customizable, provide tight control of experimental conditions, enable high precision of ex vivo measurements of individual as well as integrated leukocyte functions, and have facilitated the discovery of novel leukocyte phenotypes. Here, we review some of the most interesting insights resulting from the application of microfluidic approaches to the study of the inflammatory response. The aim is to encourage leukocyte biologists to integrate these new tools into increasingly more sophisticated experimental designs for probing complex leukocyte functions.
The adaptive meaning of insulin resistance
Authors: Макишева  , Makisheva R.
Published: May 2016

In the overview of author´s own works and of the literature discussed the accumulated facts of the adaptive significance of insulin resistance. Application of system analysis methods has allowed developing the hypothesis of limiting excessive action of insulin in the form of a functional system that logically explains the increase of tissue insulin resistance from a position of adaptation. System-forming factor is the capacitive parameters of the cytoplasm of the cell. The effect of hyperinsulinemia on cells with high sensitivity to insulin makes the action of the hormone excess resulting in an increase in income of water and food inside cells. The sensitivity of the cells determined the type of tissue; its functional activity; its share in the total integrated activity of the organism; the functional capacity reserve and the degree deficit of energy and plastic substrates. Excess insulin leads to swelling and damage to the cells of vital tissues. The status of homeostasis to starts mechanisms for limit excessive action of insulin, decreasing insulin sensitivity in a variety of ways. These include insulin resistance of tissue, decreased sensitivity to stimulants and inhibition of hormone secretion. At receptor level, there are immunological, genetic, biochemical mechanisms, and internalization. Decreased tissue sensitivity may occur after saturation of the needs of cells for energy and substrates for the synthesis. Insulin resistance no may affect all body cells. In article provides a critique of methods for diagnosis of insulin resistance. Facts about the prevalence of insulin resistance in various pathologies indicate adaptive significance of insulin resistance not only to the pathology of carbohydrate metabolism, but also metabolism in the body as a whole.
Pollen morphology of rare species of Linum L. (Linaceae) from Poland
Authors: Kluza-Wieloch Magdalena , Maciejewska-Rutkowska Irmina , Wójtowicz Wanda , Wiland-Szymańska Justyna
Published: May 2016

The aim of the study was to describe pollen morphology and its variability of four Linum species: L. perenne subsp. extraaxillare, L. hirsutum, L. flavum and L. austriacum, all derived from Poland, but occurring in few natural sites within the country. Light and scanning electron microscopy was used and statistical analyses of quantitative pollen traits were performed. All taxa shared pollen grains which were 3-zonocolpate, isopolar, radiosymmetric, spheroidal and medium to large in size. Grains were semitectate, with the sculptural elements of the exine as gemmae or clavae. Additionally, upper parts of gemmae and clavae had a microstriate pattern. Despite great similarity among the investigated Linum species in pollen morphology, distinguishing features were determined.
Guidelines for standardization of bioprinting: a systematic study of process parameters and their effect on bioprinted structures
Authors: Kesti Matti , Fisch Philipp , Pensalfini Marco , Mazza Edoardo , Zenobi-Wong Marcy
Published: May 2016

Biofabrication techniques including three-dimensional bioprinting could be used one day to fabricate living, patient-specific tissues and organs for use in regenerative medicine. Compared to traditional casting and molding methods, bioprinted structures can be much more complex, containing for example multiple materials and cell types in controlled spatial arrangement, engineered porosity, reinforcement structures and gradients in mechanical properties. With this complexity and increased function, however, comes the necessity to develop guidelines to standardize the bioprinting process, so printed grafts can safely enter the clinics. The bioink material must firstly fulfil requirements for biocompatibility and flow. Secondly, it is important to understand how process parameters affect the final mechanical properties of the printed graft. Using a gellan-alginate physically crosslinked bioink as an example, we show shear thinning and shear recovery properties which allow good printing resolution. Printed tensile specimens were used to systematically assess effect of line spacing, printing direction and crosslinking conditions. This standardized testing allowed direct comparison between this bioink and three commercially-available products. Bioprinting is a promising, yet complex fabrication method whose outcome is sensitive to a range of process parameters. This study provides the foundation for highly needed best practice guidelines for reproducible and safe bioprinted grafts.
Novel Intronic RNA Structures Contribute to Maintenance of Phenotype in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Hooks Katarzyna B , Naseeb Samina , Parker Steven , Griffiths-Jones Sam , Delneri Daniela
Published: May 2016

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome has undergone extensive intron loss during its evolutionary history. It has been suggested that the few remaining introns (in only 5% of protein-coding genes) are retained because of their impact on function under stress conditions. Here, we explore the possibility that novel noncoding RNA structures (ncRNAs) are embedded within intronic sequences and are contributing to phenotype and intron retention in yeast. We employed de novo RNA structure prediction tools to screen intronic sequences in S. cerevisiae and 36 other fungi. We identified and validated 19 new intronic RNAs via RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and RT-PCR. Contrary to the common belief that excised introns are rapidly degraded, we found that, in six cases, the excised introns were maintained intact in the cells. In another two cases we showed that the ncRNAs were further processed from their introns. RNA-seq analysis confirmed that introns in ribosomal protein genes are more highly expressed when they contain predicted RNA structures. We deleted the novel intronic RNA structure within the GLC7 intron and showed that this region, rather than the intron itself, is responsible for the cell’s ability to respond to salt stress. We also showed a direct association between the in cis presence of the intronic RNA and GLC7 expression. Overall, these data support the notion that some introns may have been maintained in the genome because they harbor functional RNA structures.
Retinal Axon Guidance Requires Integration of Eya and the Jak/Stat Pathway into Phosphotyrosine-Based Signaling Circuitries in Drosophila
Authors: Hoi Charlene S L , Xiong Wenjun , Rebay Ilaria
Published: May 2016

The transcriptional coactivator and phosphatase eyes absent (Eya) is dynamically compartmentalized between the nucleus and cytoplasm. Although the nuclear transcriptional circuits within which Eya operates have been extensively characterized, understanding of its cytoplasmic functions and interactions remains limited. Our previous work showed that phosphorylation of Drosophila Eya by the Abelson tyrosine kinase can recruit Eya to the cytoplasm and that eya–abelson interactions are required for photoreceptor axons to project to correct layers in the brain. Based on these observations, we postulated that photoreceptor axon targeting might provide a suitable context for identifying the cytoplasmic signaling cascades with which Eya interacts. Using a dose-sensitive eya misexpression background, we performed an RNA interference-based genetic screen to identify suppressors. Included among the top 10 hits were nonreceptor tyrosine kinases and multiple members of the Jak/Stat signaling network (hop, Stat92E, Socs36E, and Socs44A), a pathway not previously implicated in axon targeting. Individual loss-of-function phenotypes combined with analysis of axonal projections in Stat92E null clones confirmed the importance of photoreceptor autonomous Jak/Stat signaling. Experiments in cultured cells detected cytoplasmic complexes between Eya and Hop, Socs36E and Socs44A; the latter interaction required both the Src homology 2 motif in Socs44A and tyrosine phosphorylated Eya, suggesting direct binding and validating the premise of the screen. Taken together, our data provide new insight into the cytoplasmic phosphotyrosine signaling networks that operate during photoreceptor axon guidance and suggest specific points of interaction with Eya.
Effect of probiotics in the treatment of gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with scleroderma
Authors: Enteshari-Moghaddam Afsaneh , Movassaghi Shafieh , Rostamian Abdolrahman
Published: May 2016

Background: Treatment of gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with systemic sclerosis has been a challenge for years. Drugs, immunosuppressive or anti-fibrotic have always been associated with complications. The effectiveness of probiotics as live microorganisms of nonpathogenic always was to treat the symptoms.

Methods:In this clinical trial, 37 patients with systemic sclerosis with mild to severe symptoms in the intervention and control groups were studied. Inventory (UCLA SCTC GIT 2.0) was used for rating the severity of the gastrointestinal tract. Collected data was analysed by statistical methods using SPSS.19.

Results: Improvement was seen in total score after the use of probiotics in gastrointestinal reflux condition ((P=0.001), gastric distention (P =0.001), emotional function ((P=0.001), social.

Conclusions:This study showed that probiotics were significantly effective in treatment of gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with systemic sclerosis.
Older People and Mobile Communication in Two European Contexts
Authors: Fernández-Ardèvol Mireia , Ivan Loredana
Published: May 2016

We analyze the relationships seniors have with mobile communications in two different European contexts, Romania and Catalonia. By means of a qualitative approach, we describe the ways older individuals incorporate mobile phones in everyday life communication practices, and the motivations supporting these decisions. To understand motivations for using a given communication device –as the mobile phone– we took into account the channels individual has access to; individual’s personal interest on using available devices in everyday communications; the location of the members of the individual’s personal network; and the pricing system that determines the cost of mediated communication.

The empirical analysis is based on two case studies conducted in Romania and in the metropolitan area of Barcelona (Catalonia) in different moments, between 2010 and 2012. Participants were 60 years old or over. Information was gathered by means of semi-structured interviews that were recorded and transcribed, while a common methodological design allows an enriched insight. Besides gender, we take into account heterogeneity of ageing for a more nuanced analysis.

This paper constitutes the first step in the exploration of common trends in the relationship seniors have with mobile communication in different European countries.