bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decreased Serum Thrombospondin-1 Levels in Pancreatic Cancer Patients Up to 24 Months Prior to Clinical Diagnosis: Association with Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Jenkinson Claire , Elliott Victoria L. , Evans Anthony , Oldfield Lucy , Jenkins Rosalind E. , O'Brien Darragh P. , Apostolidou Sophia , Gentry-Maharaj Aleksandra , Fourkala Evangelia-O , Jacobs Ian J. , Menon Usha , Cox Trevor , Campbell Fiona , Pereira Stephen P. , Tuveson David A. , Park B. Kevin , Greenhalf William , Sutton Robert , Timms John F. , Neoptolemos John P. , Costello Eithne
Published: November 2015

Purpose: Identification of serum biomarkers enabling earlier diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) could improve outcome. Serum protein profiles in patients with preclinical disease and at diagnosis were investigated.

Experimental Design: Serum from cases up to 4 years prior to PDAC diagnosis and controls (UKCTOCS, n = 174) were studied, alongside samples from patients diagnosed with PDAC, chronic pancreatitis, benign biliary disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and healthy subjects (n = 298). Isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) enabled comparisons of pooled serum from a test set (n = 150). Validation was undertaken using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) and/or Western blotting in all 472 human samples and samples from a KPC mouse model.

Results: iTRAQ identified thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) as reduced preclinically and in diagnosed samples. MRM confirmed significant reduction in levels of TSP-1 up to 24 months prior to diagnosis. A combination of TSP-1 and CA19-9 gave an AUC of 0.86, significantly outperforming both markers alone (0.69 and 0.77, respectively; P < 0.01). TSP-1 was also decreased in PDAC patients compared with healthy controls (P < 0.05) and patients with benign biliary obstruction (P < 0.01). Low levels of TSP-1 correlated with poorer survival, preclinically (P < 0.05) and at clinical diagnosis (P < 0.02). In PDAC patients, reduced TSP-1 levels were more frequently observed in those with confirmed diabetes mellitus (P < 0.01). Significantly lower levels were also observed in PDAC patients with diabetes compared with individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (P = 0.01).

Conclusions: Circulating TSP-1 levels decrease up to 24 months prior to diagnosis of PDAC and significantly enhance the diagnostic performance of CA19-9. The influence of diabetes mellitus on biomarker behavior should be considered in future studies. Clin Cancer Res; 22(7); 1734–43. ©2015 AACR.
Promoter Methylation Analysis Reveals That KCNA5 Ion Channel Silencing Supports Ewing Sarcoma Cell Proliferation
Authors: Ryland Katherine E. , Hawkins Allegra G. , Weisenberger Daniel J. , Punj Vasu , Borinstein Scott C. , Laird Peter W. , Martens Jeffrey R. , Lawlor Elizabeth R.
Published: November 2015

Polycomb proteins are essential regulators of gene expression in stem cells and development. They function to reversibly repress gene transcription via posttranslational modification of histones and chromatin compaction. In many human cancers, genes that are repressed by polycomb in stem cells are subject to more stable silencing via DNA methylation of promoter CpG islands. Ewing sarcoma is an aggressive bone and soft-tissue tumor that is characterized by overexpression of polycomb proteins. This study investigates the DNA methylation status of polycomb target gene promoters in Ewing sarcoma tumors and cell lines and observes that the promoters of differentiation genes are frequent targets of CpG-island DNA methylation. In addition, the promoters of ion channel genes are highly differentially methylated in Ewing sarcoma compared with nonmalignant adult tissues. Ion channels regulate a variety of biologic processes, including proliferation, and dysfunction of these channels contributes to tumor pathogenesis. In particular, reduced expression of the voltage-gated Kv1.5 channel has been implicated in tumor progression. These data show that DNA methylation of the KCNA5 promoter contributes to stable epigenetic silencing of the Kv1.5 channel. This epigenetic repression is reversed by exposure to the DNA methylation inhibitor decitabine, which inhibits Ewing sarcoma cell proliferation through mechanisms that include restoration of the Kv1.5 channel function.

Implications: This study demonstrates that promoters of ion channels are aberrantly methylated in Ewing sarcoma and that epigenetic silencing of KCNA5 contributes to tumor cell proliferation, thus providing further evidence of the importance of ion channel dysregulation to tumorigenesis. Mol Cancer Res; 14(1); 26–34. ©2015 AACR.
Dermoscopic Features of Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus in the Setting of a Prospective Cohort of Patients: New Observations
Authors: Borghi Alessandro , Corazza Monica , Minghetti Sara , Bianchini Enzo , Virgili Annarosa
Published: November 2015

Objective: Dermoscopic features of vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) were investigated in order to determine both vascular and non-vascular features of this disease. Materials and Methods: Dermoscopic images of 35 patients affected with histopathologically confirmed VLS were evaluated for the presence of predefined morphological criteria. Results: On dermoscopy, VLS lesions exhibited very sparse vessels, mainly linear, without a specific arrangement. Dotted vessels were observed mostly in the early stage of the disease. Patchy, structureless areas, whitish to white-yellowish to pink-whitish in colour over a diffuse whitish background, were a distinctive and constant dermoscopic feature. Grey-blue dots, usually with a characteristic peppered arrangement, corresponding to dermal melanophages, were also frequently seen. Comedo-like openings and scales were observed, as well as peculiar structures like ice slivers, not identified by histological examination. Conclusion: Our findings show that VLS exhibits characteristic dermoscopic patterns that can aid in its clinical diagnosis.
Paediatric Intravenous Splint: A Cause of Pressure Injury during Neurosurgery in Prone Position
Authors: Haldar Rudrashish , Kaushal Ashutosh , Srivastava Shashi , Singh Prabhat K.
Published: November 2015

Splint application avoids unwanted movement of limbs and kinking of intravenous catheters in infants, allowing free flow of intravenous fluids. However, if placed in contact with dependent surfaces during prone surgeries, they have the propensity to cause inadvertent pressure injuries. This occurs due to the weight of the limb and continuous friction and is augmented by a rise in the local temperature and perspiration. We wish to share our experience of such an unintentional injury caused by a paediatric intravenous splint.
Androgen Deprivation Therapy in Prostate Cancer - Current Status in M1 Patients
Authors: Habchi Hocine , Mottet Nicolas
Published: November 2015

Androgen deprivation therapy is the cornerstone treatment for metastatic prostate cancer. It can be done either surgically or medically. Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists and antagonist are the most effective drugs, with different side effects and modes of action, but no clear efficacy differences. Adding a non-steroidal antiandrogen adds a marginal benefit but also significant side effects and costs. Non-steroidal antiandrogens should not be used as monotherapy. In most patients with metastases, immediate castration is the standard of care. The intermittent modality is apparently non-inferior to the continuous one, with some other benefits. Upfront chemotherapy added to castration should be considered as the new standard of care in many metastatic patients. Castration leads to many adverse effects, some potentially life-threatening such as cardiovascular side effects.
High-Risk Prostate Cancer: Role of Radical Prostatectomy and Radiation Therapy
Authors: Qi Robert , Moul Judd
Published: November 2015

Up to 12% of European men aged 55-69 years diagnosed with prostate cancer have high-risk disease and thus are at increased risk of mortality. There remains a lack of consensus on definitive treatment for prostate cancer, although both radiation therapy and radical prostatectomy are frequently utilized. Furthermore, the different types of radiation and surgical options also increase the complexity of deciding on a single treatment, as does the use of multimodal treatment plans. Here, we provide an overview of radiation therapy and radical prostatectomy in treating high-risk prostate cancer.
Nutrition and Hepatocellular Cancer
Authors: Schütte Kerstin , Schulz Christian , Malfertheiner Peter
Published: November 2015

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) significantly contributes to the global burden of cancer. Liver cancer is the third most frequent cause of cancer-related death with HCC representing more than 90% of primary liver cancers. The majority of patients are not only affected by the malignant disease but do also suffer from chronic liver disease. Therefore, several factors impact on the prognosis of patients with HCC, including tumor-related factors, liver function and patient-related factors such as performance status and other comorbidities. The nutritional status is of high significance for the patients' performance status, the tolerance of tumor-targeting therapy and the prognosis of cancer of any type and is specially referenced in HCC. This overview is on current concepts on the role of nutritional factors in hepatocarcinogenesis and the role of nutrition in patients affected by HCC. Summary: Nutritional status and composition of diet are relevant factors related to the risk of HCC. They also have an important role concerning the prognosis of patients with HCC. Besides risk factors, several macro- and micronutrient components have been found to be inversely correlated with the risk of HCC. To prevent disease progression to liver cirrhosis or HCC in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, it is crucial to optimize the metabolic state. Key Message and Practical Implication: Evidence from well-designed prospective interventional trials with the aim to reduce the HCC incidence or to prolong survival in patients with HCC based on nutritional modification is still to be generated.
Integrating Real Time Data to Improve Outcomes in Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Hirsch Jamie S. , Mohan Sumit
Published: November 2015

Critically ill patients with acute kidney injury requiring renal replacement therapy have a poor prognosis. Despite well-known factors, which contribute to outcomes, including dose delivery, patients frequently miss the target dose and volume removal. One major barrier to effective care of these patients is the traditional dissociation of dialysis device data from other clinical information systems, notably the electronic health record (EHR). This lack of integration and the resulting manual documentation leads to errors and biases in documentation and missed opportunities to intervene in a timely fashion. This review summarizes the technological advancements facilitating direct connection of dialysis devices to EHRs. This connection facilitates automated data capture of many variables - including delivered dose, ultrafiltration rate and pressure measurements - which in turn can be leveraged for data mining, quality improvement and real-time targeted therapy adjustments. These interventions hold the promise to significantly improve outcomes for this patient population.
Formação do bibliotecário escolar: estudo de caso sobre o curso de Biblioteconomia e Ciência da Informação da UFSCar
Authors: Andrade Tiago Fernandes
Published: November 2015

A educação do Século XXI apresenta novas perspectivas de aprendizado para alunos, professores e familiares dentro do ambiente escolar, mudanças no ritmo de aprendizado, na busca por tornar o aluno autônomo, participativo e consciente de sua responsabilidade no processo educacional é um dos desafios da escola neste século. Preparar este aluno para ser um cidadão crítico, ativo diante dos desafios de sua vida e da comunidade a qual convive, vivencia, socializa e modifica, também é tarefa para essa ‘nova escola’. Para solidificação dessa educação é preciso a utilização de diversos ambientes escolares, entre eles a biblioteca escolar que se apresenta como parte integrante do processo educacional e o trabalho em conjunto com o professor neste ambiente dará o aluno a literácia informacional, a autonomia na leitura e escrita. Ao profissional bibliotecário cabe sua atuação pedagógica dentro desse novo espaço que se modificou junto com os processos de aprendizagem e a necessidade de nova formulação das escolas de Biblioteconomia, para garantir que o processo, integração do educando e educador se concretize e o bibliotecário cumpra seu papel de informar educando. A metodologia de pesquisa do trabalho procurou conhecer a realidade das bibliotecas escolares e da grade curricular do curso de Biblioteconomia e Ciência da Informação da UFSCar, para identificar se o mesmo está preparado para atuar na área de educação básica. Os resultados apresentam que mudanças devem ser realizadas para aproximar a prática pedagógica do profissional bibliotecário.
Bibliotecário escolar: um mediador de leitura.
Authors: Bicheri Ana Lúcia Antunes de Oliveira , Almeida Júnior Oswaldo Francisco
Published: November 2015

Discorre sobre a biblioteca e o bibliotecário escolar. Apresenta a biblioteca escolar como um espaço propício ao desenvolvimento de atividades promotoras de leitura. Elenca o perfil e as características do bibliotecário escolar, destacando a importância de seu envolvimento com a comunidade escolar; sua necessária educação continuada e imprescindível atuação como bibliotecário-leitor na formação de leitores.
A atividade de “Indicação de leitura” realizada no IFSP: promoção de práticas de incentivo à leitura
Authors: Santos Cintia Almeida da Silva , Santos Marcel Pereira
Published: November 2015

A promoção de práticas de incentivo à leitura é frequentemente realizada pelos bibliotecários e demais profissionais da informação na tentativa de apresentar aos usuários das bibliotecas e demais unidades de informação a leitura como um evento social, prazeroso e não obrigatório, que pode permear diversas vertentes do mundo real ao mundo imaginário. O ato da leitura nada custa ao leitor ao mesmo tempo em que o enriquece e o engrandece à medida que propicia a construção de novos conhecimentos. Este artigo abarca a importância da realização das práticas de incentivo à leitura na contribuição da formação do aluno leitor e também apresenta o relato de uma simples experiência pensada, organizada e realizada pela Biblioteca do Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de São Paulo – Campus Araraquara chamada “Indicação de Leitura” esta atividade objetiva apresentar aos usuários da biblioteca o fantástico mundo literário ali disponível. A atividade que é realizada mensalmente gerou um aumento significativo no empréstimo das obras literárias indicadas para leitura, fator que demonstrou a participação e o envolvimento dos usuários da biblioteca com esta atividade.
Biblioteca Escolar de Instituição Particular de Ensino: relato de experiência
Authors: Julio Andreia Das Dores Silva
Published: November 2015

Relata a experiência de organização de uma biblioteca escolar de uma instituição particular de ensino, descrevendo o processo de automatização e o desenvolvimento de projetos de incentivo a leitura, fazendo dela um recurso didático-pedagógico a ser utilizado para a integração e dinamização do processo ensinoaprendizagem. Para tanto, valeu-se de estratégias inovadoras e projetos de literatura infantil e juvenil. Dessa maneira, a biblioteca escolar assume seu papel educacional e cultural de acordo com os novos paradigmas da sociedade da informação.
Entrevista – Ross Todd: Os bibliotecários brasileiros têm responsabilidades em mostrar o impacto da biblioteca escolar na aprendizagem.
Authors: Santos Lília Virgínia Martins
Published: November 2015

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Uma intervenção pedagógica no contexto de uma biblioteca escolar: delineando caminhos para transformar um ambiente estático em espaço dinâmico
Authors: Andrade Lucas Veras de , Machado Michel De Oliveira
Published: November 2015

Relata-se uma intervenção no contexto de uma biblioteca escolar de uma escola municipal de Teresina (PI) que teve o intuito de torná-la um espaço de ação ativa. No percurso interventivo a análise teve como parâmetros os aspectos: arquitetônicos que no decorrer do processo foi denominado de organizacional, biblioteconômicos e pedagógico. Destes apenas o primeiro se mostrou satisfatório para o desenvolvimento de atividades fins do ambiente do qual discutimos. O segundo pela ausência de um profissional no espaço apresentou fragilidade na recuperação da informação devido à inexistência de um sistema de classificação e sinalização. O pedagógico a nosso ver é o que mais inviabilizava o desenvolvimento de atividades, uma vez que a biblioteca nesse sentido não se configurava articulada com o projeto educacional da instituição em análise. Com a intervenção os aspectos mencionados foram reconfigurados e ações nesse sentido foram sugeridas, no entanto não estaremos certo dos resultados, pois para consolidar estes a escola precisa concretizar as ações pensadas e descritas no relato. A dúvida restará, no entanto, demos o passo inicial delineando estratégias para ressignificar um ambiente estático como demonstrado no diagnóstico, tranformando-o em um espaço atrativo para as crianças a partir da classificação em cores e uma nova reconfiguração espacial do ambiente. Dessa forma, esperamos que o processo interventivo contribua para a melhoria educacional da escola na medida em que possibilitamos condições mínimas para a formação de leitores.
As bibliotecas infantis e os bibliotecários: afinando competências
Authors: Fusatto Melissa Pedroso , Silva Márcia Regina
Published: November 2015

Este trabalho buscou identificar o perfil do bibliotecário que atua em bibliotecas infantis no que se refere à formação do leitor. Para alcançar este objetivo foram levantadas as atividades direcionadas ao público infantil, disponíveis em sites de 19 bibliotecas brasileiras e norte-americanas. Além disso, foram realizadas entrevistas com cinco profissionais que atuam e/ou atuaram no desenvolvimento de ações voltadas ao público infantil. O resultado do levantamento de dados e das entrevistas foi comparado à literatura científica da área, tornando possível a construção de um quadro contendo qualidades consideradas imprescindíveis para atuação do bibliotecário no processo de formação do leitor. A análise das atividades executadas em bibliotecas brasileiras e norte-americanas permitiu também uma percepção sobre o foco das ações desenvolvidas nos dois países: enquanto nos Estados Unidos da América as bibliotecas desenvolvem atividades voltadas à formação educacional das crianças, ou seja, ao apoio à escola. No Brasil o foco dessas ações é a formação cultural e as atividades que ainda buscam consolidar o papel da Biblioteca na sociedade.
Histórico das bibliotecas escolares no Estado do Paraná
Authors: Lima Leda Maria Araújo , Silva Rovilson José
Published: November 2015

O presente artigo tem por objetivo apresentar o histórico das bibliotecas escolares no Estado do Paraná, sua evolução desde o século XVII ao século XXI. É uma pesquisa de cunho bibliográfico, alicerçada na investigação, identificação, leitura e análise de escritas, documentos, leis e decretos, que ocorreram ao longo do tempo neste Estado. A pesquisa buscou descrever e analisar o processo de surgimento das bibliotecas escolares dentro do sistema de ensino e a estruturação de bibliotecas nesses espaços, evolução, conquistas e avanços. Esta Instituição, embora atualmente esteja garantida em lei, ainda requer reflexões mais profundas e amadurecimento. Pretende-se com este trabalho apresentar a historiografia e suscitar discussões e contribuições para futuros estudos acerca dessa temática.
As disciplinas de didática em cursos de pedagogia no Brasil e a ocorrência da temática biblioteca escolar: um estudo bibliométrico das influências bibliográficas
Authors: Maricato João Melo , Santos Andrea Pereira , Silveira Raidan Cruz
Published: November 2015

Objetiva-se conhecer as influências bibliográficas nas disciplinas de didática em cursos de Pedagogia no Brasil e a ocorrência da temática biblioteca escolar. Trata-se de um estudo bibliométrico das referências/citações aplicado aos planos de ensino. Na metodologia selecionamos um Corpus composto por 29 universidades: (6) da região norte, (8) da região nordeste, (4) da região centro-oeste (7) da região sudeste e (4) da região sul. Com a caracterização das disciplinas de didática foram identificados publicações e autores mais citados. Constatou-se, por meio da análise dos sumários e índices das publicações e pela leitura técnica dos 19 livros mais influentes, que nenhuma apresenta ou discute a temática biblioteca escolar de maneira substancial. Pode-se afirmar que a compreensão da biblioteca escolar como instrumento pedagógico não está concreta para os estudiosos da área de didática. Porém, é relevante reafirmar o potencial pedagógico da biblioteca escolar na trajetória escolar do aluno, principalmente àqueles inseridos nas séries iniciais.
Sex Differences in Dabigatran Use, Safety, And Effectiveness In a Population-Based Cohort of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Avgil Tsadok Meytal , Jackevicius Cynthia A. , Rahme Elham , Humphries Karin H. , Pilote Louise
Published: November 2015

Background—

Sex differences were observed with regard to warfarin treatment in patients with atrial fibrillation, with women having a higher risk of stroke compared with men. We aimed to compare sex differences in use, safety, and effectiveness of dabigatran.

Methods and Results—

We conducted a population-based cohort study of patients with atrial fibrillation using administrative data in Quebec, Canada, 1999 to 2013. Men and women who filled a prescription for dabigatran (110 and 150 mg bid) were compared with matched warfarin users with respect to their rates of stroke, bleeding, and myocardial infarction events, using propensity score analysis. The cohort comprised 31 786 women (50.4%) and 31 324 men (49.6%). Women had a higher baseline stroke risk and lower baseline bleeding risk compared with men. Women filled more prescriptions for the lower dabigatran dose compared with men (adjusted OR, 1.35; 95% confidence interval, 1.24–1.48). In multivariable analyses adjusted for propensity scores, dabigatran use was associated with a lower risk of bleeding compared with warfarin in men (
P
for interaction=0.008). Dabigatran was associated with a trend toward lower risk of stroke in women treated with the 150-mg dose (HR, 0.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.56–1.04), but was not associated with a difference in the risk of myocardial infarction compared with warfarin in either sex.

Conclusions—

In real-life practice, women are more frequently treated with low-dose dabigatran, yet a trend toward lower stroke rates in women taking high-dose dabigatran was observed. Men benefit from lower bleeding rates with dabigatran compared with warfarin.
Growth Arrest–Specific 6 Exacerbates Pressure Overload–Induced Cardiac Hypertrophy
Authors: Zhao Yi-fan , Xu Da-chun , Zhu Guo-fu , Zhu Meng-yun , Tang Kai , Li Wei-ming , Xu Ya-wei
Published: November 2015

Growth arrest–specific 6 (GAS6) is a member of the vitamin K–dependent protein family that is involved in the regulation of the cardiovascular system, including vascular remodeling, homeostasis, and atherosclerosis. However, there is still no study that systemically elucidates the role of GAS6 in cardiac hypertrophy. Here, we found that GAS6 was upregulated in human dilated cardiomyopathic hearts, hypertrophic murine hearts, and angiotensin II–treated cardiomyocytes. Next, we examined the influence of GAS6 expression in response to a cardiac stress by inducing chronic pressure overload with aortic banding in wild-type and GAS6-knockout mice or cardiac-specific GAS6 overexpressing mice. Under basal conditions, the GAS6-knockout mice had normal left ventricular structure and function but after aortic banding, the mice demonstrated less hypertrophy, fibrosis, and contractile dysfunction when compared with wild-type mice. Conversely, cardiac-specific overexpression of GAS6 exacerbated aortic banding–induced cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and dysfunction. Furthermore, we demonstrated that GAS6 activated the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2–extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 pathway during pressure overload–induced cardiac hypertrophy, and the pharmacological mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 inhibitor U0126 almost completely reversed GAS6 overexpression–induced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis, resulting in improved cardiac function. Collectively, our data support the notion that GAS6 impairs ventricular adaptation to chronic pressure overload by activating mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2–extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 signaling. Our findings suggest that strategies to reduce GAS6 activity in cardiac tissue may be a novel approach to attenuate the development of congestive heart failure.
Inhibition of Brain Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling Reduces Central Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Inflammation and Sympathetic Nerve Activity in Heart Failure Rats
Authors: Wei Shun-Guang , Yu Yang , Weiss Robert M. , Felder Robert B.
Published: November 2015

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the brain have been implicated in the pathophysiology of hypertension. This study determined whether ER stress occurs in subfornical organ and hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus in heart failure (HF) and how MAPK signaling interacts with ER stress and other inflammatory mediators. HF rats had significantly higher levels of the ER stress biomarkers (glucose-regulated protein 78, activating transcription factor 6, activating transcription factor 4, X-box binding protein 1, P58
IPK
, and C/EBP homologous protein) in subfornical organ and paraventricular nucleus, which were attenuated by a 4-week intracerebroventricular infusion of inhibitors selective for p44/42 MAPK (PD98059), p38 MAPK (SB203580), or c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SP600125). HF rats also had higher mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, cyclooxygenase-2, and nuclear factor-κB p65, and a lower mRNA level of IκB-α, in subfornical organ and paraventricular nucleus, compared with SHAM rats, and these indicators of increased inflammation were attenuated in the HF rats treated with the MAPK inhibitors. Plasma norepinephrine level was higher in HF rats than in SHAM rats but was reduced in the HF rats treated with PD98059 and SB203580. A 4-week intracerebroventricular infusion of PD98059 also improved some hemodynamic and anatomic indicators of left ventricular function in HF rats. These data demonstrate that ER stress increases in the subfornical organ and paraventricular nucleus of rats with ischemia-induced HF and that inhibition of brain MAPK signaling reduces brain ER stress and inflammation and decreases sympathetic excitation in HF. An interaction between MAPK signaling and ER stress in cardiovascular regions of the brain may contribute to the development of HF.
Tumor Necrosis Factor–Related Apoptosis‐Inducing Ligand (TRAIL) Promotes Angiogenesis and Ischemia‐Induced Neovascularization Via NADPH Oxidase 4 (NOX4) and Nitric Oxide–Dependent Mechanisms
Authors: Di Bartolo Belinda Ann , Cartland Siân Peta , Prado‐Lourenco Leonel , Griffith Thomas Scott , Gentile Carmine , Ravindran Jayant , Azahri Nor Saadah Muhammad , Thai Thuan , Yeung Amanda Wing Shee , Thomas Shane Ross , Kavurma Mary Meltem
Published: November 2015

Background

Tumor necrosis factor–related apoptosis‐inducing ligand (
TRAIL
) has the ability to inhibit angiogenesis by inducing endothelial cell death, as well as being able to promote pro‐angiogenic activity in vitro. These seemingly opposite effects make its role in ischemic disease unclear. Using
Trail

−/−

and wildtype mice, we sought to determine the role of
TRAIL
in angiogenesis and neovascularization following hindlimb ischemia.

Methods and Results

Reduced vascularization assessed by real‐time 3‐dimensional Vevo ultrasound imaging and
CD
31 staining was evident in
Trail

−/−

mice after ischemia, and associated with reduced capillary formation and increased apoptosis. Notably, adenoviral
TRAIL
administration significantly improved limb perfusion, capillary density, and vascular smooth‐muscle cell content in both
Trail

−/−

and wildtype mice. Fibroblast growth factor‐2, a potent angiogenic factor, increased
TRAIL
expression in human microvascular endothelial cell‐1, with fibroblast growth factor‐2‐mediated proliferation, migration, and tubule formation inhibited with
TRAIL
si
RNA
. Both fibroblast growth factor‐2 and
TRAIL
significantly increased NADPH oxidase 4 (
NOX
4) expression.
TRAIL
‐inducible angiogenic activity in vitro was inhibited with si
RNA
s targeting
NOX
4, and consistent with this,
NOX
4
mRNA
was reduced in 3‐day ischemic hindlimbs of
Trail

−/−

mice. Furthermore,
TRAIL
‐induced proliferation, migration, and tubule formation was blocked by scavenging H
2
O
2
, or by inhibiting nitric oxide synthase activity. Importantly,
TRAIL
‐inducible endothelial nitric oxide synthase phosphorylation at Ser‐1177 and intracellular human microvascular endothelial cell‐1 cell nitric oxide levels were
NOX
4 dependent.

Conclusions

This is the first report demonstrating that
TRAIL
can promote angiogenesis following hindlimb ischemia in vivo. The angiogenic effect of
TRAIL
on human microvascular endothelial cell‐1 cells is downstream of fibroblast growth factor‐2, involving
NOX
4 and nitric oxide signaling. These data have significant therapeutic implications, such that
TRAIL
may improve the angiogenic response to ischemia and increase perfusion recovery in patients with cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Male Obstetric Competence in Ancient Israel
Authors: Makujina John
Published: November 2015

According to two recent sociological studies on childbirth in the OT, the (androcentric) OT displays both insensitivity to the parturient and ignorance of the basics of parturition. One of the studies specifies that the biblical authors were unaware of the normally presenting fetal member, the head. The present article, however, comes to decidedly different conclusions: 1) the position that the Israelite male was insensitive to women experiencing childbirth either goes beyond the available evidence or is a distortion thereof; 2) both studies overlook information that undermines their conclusions; and 3) the OT authors were sufficiently aware of the fundamentals of childbirth.
Janus Parallelism in Job 1:20
Authors: Carasik Michael
Published: November 2015

In Job 1:20, Job performs four actions:

1) he rends his garment; 2) he shears his head; 3) he falls to the ground; and 4) he prostrates himself.

The third of these can be read either (with the first two) as an act of mourning or (with the last) as an act of worship. I suggest that this is a deliberate literary choice: the poetic technique of Janus parallelism. Since Janus parallelism has already been demonstrated to be both frequent in the book of Job and significant for its meaning, this unexpected Janus parallelism in the prose portion of the book confirms that those chapters are not an early survival but a creation of the author of the book as a whole.
Religious Redaction in Qohelet in Light of Mesopotamian Vanity Literature
Authors: Samet Nili
Published: November 2015

A popular critical theory suggests that the epilogue of Qohelet, which recommends discipline and piety, is a later addition aimed at reconciling the unorthodox ideas of the book with conservative views. While this hypothesis is well-established on the basis of the text’s style and content, no external evidence to support it has ever been suggested. This paper seeks to present an empirical model for this redactional theory from a comparative point of view. It examines the development of the vanity theme in Mesopotamian literature, and shows that the subversive ideas of vanity literature gave rise, from the very beginning, to redactional activity focused on re-interpreting it in light of traditional values. Several examples of this process of conservative redaction are discussed, including Sumerian, Akkadian, and Akkadian-Biblical cases. The theory that the final verses of Qohelet are a later interpolation thus gains credibility in light of similar phenomena in Mesopotamian literature.
Maritime Boundary Delimitation Beyond 200 Nautical Miles: The International Judiciary and the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf
Authors: Jensen Øystein
Published: November 2015

This article examines the legal significance of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf in third-party dispute settlement regarding delimitation of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles from the territorial sea baselines. Recent international jurisprudence indicates that the relationship between the procedures of the 1982 un Convention on the Law of the Sea involving the Commission and third-party dispute settlement is marked by lack of clarity, bringing procedural and substantive legal challenges in the view of the international judiciary. The procedures involving the Commission may influence a dispute settlement body’s decision to exercise its jurisdiction to delimit continental shelf areas beyond 200 nautical miles. Also in terms of continental shelf entitlement—determining what is legally a “continental shelf” and what is not—the Commission plays a crucial role.
The State of Publishing in West Africa
Authors: Ofori-Mensah Akoss
Published: November 2015

The conditions of publishing in Nigeria and Ghana are examined in the general context of African publishing in recent decades. In both countries, school textbooks dominate the economics of publishing, attracting profit-hungry multinationals and marginalising home-grown trade publishing. Problems such as the lack of bookselling infrastructure, the underdevelopment of reading habits, and the economic necessity for African authors to secure a readership outside Africa have prompted a number of initiatives to advance the fortunes of African publishers seeking to publish African authored-books serving the needs of African readers. An effective pan-African book fair remains an important need if African publishing is to prosper.
Difficulties with Decentralization and Due Process
Authors: Losari Junianto James , Ewing-Chow Michael
Published: November 2015

As a rapidly developing country, Indonesia realizes that foreign direct investment (FDI) remains necessary to fuel growth in the capital-scarce country. Yet, along with its development, Indonesia is facing more complex challenges both because of domestic issues and its problematic bilateral investment treaties (BITs) which do not provide explicit policy space for the government. The problematic implementation of the desentralisasi system, a limited rule of law and difficulties in dealing with corruption continue to reduce Indonesia’s attractiveness to foreign investors. Indonesia has decided to discontinue its old BITs and has expressed an interest in designing a new BIT model. This article attempts to suggest ways in which Indonesia can deal with its domestic challenges and to improve its new international investment agreements to create a more conducive investment climate.
Regulatory Freedom and Control in the New ASEAN Regional Investment Treaties
Authors: Desierto Diane A.
Published: November 2015

The expanding universe of regional investment agreements of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) illustrates the difficulties of accepting host States’ expansive regulatory freedoms, while neglecting to design durable institutional controls for regionally-coordinated investment treaty compliance and regionally-harmonized investment treaty interpretation. Since its transformation from a loose economic cooperation into a rules-based organization discharging binding executive-legislative functions under its 2008 Charter, ASEAN has already entered into regional investment treaties applicable within the ten ASEAN Member States (2009), as well as with China (2010), India (2014), Australia and New Zealand (2009), Korea (2009), and Japan (2008). Negotiations are pending with the United States, the European Union, and Canada. Institutional deficits in the monitoring and implementation of ASEAN regional investment treaties could be addressed by strengthening the mandate and capacity of the ASEAN Investment Area (AIA) Council. An intergovernmental centralized appellate mechanism could help facilitate harmonized interpretation of these regional treaties.
Re-Conceptualizing the Right to Seek and Obtain Asylum in International Law
Authors: Nicolosi Salvatore Fabio
Published: November 2015

Over the past few years the issue of asylum has progressively become interrelated with human rights. Asylum-related stresses, including refugee flows and mass displacements, have mitigated the traditional idea of asylum as an absolute state right, in so far as international human rights standards of protection require that states may have the responsibility to provide asylum seekers with protection. Following this premise, the article argues that the triggering factor of such overturning is significantly represented by the judicial approach to the institution of asylum by regional human rights courts. After setting the background on the interrelation of asylum with human rights, this article conceptualises the right to asylum as derived from the principle of non-refoulement and to this extent it delves into the role of the two regional human rights courts, notably the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACtHR), in order to explore whether an emerging judicial cross-fertilisation may contribute to re-conceptualisation of the right to asylum from a human rights perspective.
Implementation of International Law in Japanese Courts
Authors: Ishibashi Kanami
Published: November 2015

The Constitution has supremacy in the Japanese legal system and describes its relationship with international law as follows: “The treaties concluded by Japan and established laws of nations shall be faithfully observed.” (Art. 98(2)) It has been construed that treaty provisions should be treated respectfully – under the Constitution but superior to domestic laws – and can be invoked in the same way as laws, although courts have been reluctant to apply them. Recently, some innovative changes have occurred in the attitude of Japanese courts, especially in human rights issues concerning children, women, disabled peoples, minorities, and foreigners. We can now expect Japanese courts to invoke or use international human rights law directly or indirectly to interpret the less-elaborated parts of the Constitution and other domestic laws since human rights obligations should be internationalized to the same standard, and since the Japanese Constitution cannot be a “self-contained” law separate from international society.
Four new species of Eugenia (Myrtaceae) from the Caatinga and Atlantic Forest of northeastern Brazil
Authors: Coutinho Karoline , Oliveira Marla Ibrahim Uehbe de , Funch Ligia Silveira
Published: November 2015

There are described, illustrated and compared to similar taxa Eugenia caatingicola, E. funchiana, E. coccinea and E. potiraguensis. The first three species occur in areas of caatinga (dryland) vegetation (Bahia and Piauí states),while E. potiraguensis is encountered in the Atlantic Forest (Bahia), Brazil.  Eugenia caatingicola can be distinguished from Eugenia subreticula by the texture of the periderm of the older branches, leaf apices retuse, and hypanthium sericeous. Eugenia funchiana is similar to E.dentata, but have undulate leaves, smaller petioles and pedicels, and hypanthium not costate. Eugenia coccinea differs from E. duarteana by having membranaceous leaves, calyx lobes with reddish trichomes at apex, and hypanthium glabrous. Eugenia potiraguensis differs from E. plicata by having central veins glabrous, larger petioles, and calyx lobes equal between them. Additionally, each species is evaluated in its conservation status.
A new species of Ptychochromis from southeastern Madagascar (Teleostei: Cichlidae)
Authors: MARTINEZ CHRISTOPHER M. , ARROYAVE JAIRO , SPARKS JOHN S.
Published: November 2015

We describe a new species in the endemic Malagasy cichlid genus Ptychochromis. Ptychochromis mainty, new species, is known from four individuals, all collected in the Fort Dauphin region of southeastern Madagascar, and shares a palatine morphology (eastern-type palatine) with other eastern congeners. Ptychochromis mainty is distinguished from all congeners by a nearly uniform dark brown to black pigmentation pattern in preservation and by the presence of a relatively continuous and expansive black longitudinal midlateral blotch in life, extending from the posterior margin of the opercle to the caudal peduncle. The new species is further distinguished from other eastern Ptychochromis species by having minimal or no overlap of the first supraneural with the dorsoposterior region of the supraoccipital crest (vs. marked overlap). We present a molecular-based phylogeny for all available Ptychochromis species, which supports the hypothesis that P. mainty is a distinct taxon. The new species is recovered as the sister taxon to P. grandidieri within a clade comprising species with an eastern-type palatine morphology. We present a geometric morphometric analysis that provides additional evidence to distinguish P. mainty from congeners.
Egg morphology, laying behavior and record of the host plants of Ricania speculum (Walker, 1851), a new alien species for Europe (Hemiptera: Ricaniidae)
Authors: Rossi Elisabetta , StroiŃski Adam , Lucchi Andrea
Published: November 2015

The exotic planthopper, Ricania speculum (Ricaniidae) was recently detected in Liguria, in northern Italy, and recorded as a first alert for Europe. The first morphological description of eggs and laying behavior are given. Eggs are inserted into the woody tissue of a wide range of different host plants in such a unique manner among native and alien planthoppers of Italy that it can be used to describe the prevalence and diffusion of the species in new environments, though in the absence of juveniles and/or adults. In addition, the paper lists the host plants utilized for egg laying and describes the eggs.
Three new species of the pill millipede genus Hyleoglomeris Verhoeff, 1910, from northern Thailand (Diplopoda, Glomerida, Glomeridae)
Authors: LIKHITRAKARN NATDANAI , GOLOVATCH SERGEI I. , PANHA SOMSAK
Published: November 2015

Seven species of the basically warm temperate to tropical Eurasian genus Hyleoglomeris are currently known from Thailand, including three new ones: H. hongkhraiensis sp. n. and H. aurea sp. n. from Chiang Mai Province, and H. cavicola sp. n. from Sukhothai Province. A new distribution map and a key to all Hyleoglomeris species presently known to occur in Thailand are given.
Feeling the Pulse of the Stratosphere: An Emerging Opportunity for Predicting Continental-Scale Cold-Air Outbreaks 1 Month in Advance
Authors: Cai Ming , Yu Yueyue , Deng Yi , van den Dool Huug M. , Ren Rongcai , Saha Suru , Wu Xingren , Huang Jin
Published: November 2015

Extreme weather events such as cold-air outbreaks (CAOs) pose great threats to human life and the socioeconomic well-being of modern society. In the past, our capability to predict their occurrences has been constrained by the 2-week predictability limit for weather. We demonstrate here for the first time that a rapid increase of air mass transported into the polar stratosphere, referred to as the pulse of the stratosphere (PULSE), can often be predicted with a useful degree of skill 4–6 weeks in advance by operational forecast models. We further show that the probability of the occurrence of continental-scale CAOs in midlatitudes increases substantially above normal conditions within a short time period from 1 week before to 1–2 weeks after the peak day of a PULSE event. In particular, we reveal that the three massive CAOs over North America in January and February of 2014 were preceded by three episodes of extreme mass transport into the polar stratosphere with peak intensities reaching a trillion tons per day, twice that on an average winter day. Therefore, our capability to predict the PULSEs with operational forecast models, in conjunction with its linkage to continental-scale CAOs, opens up a new opportunity for 30-day forecasts of continental-scale CAOs, such as those occurring over North America during the 2013/14 winter. A real-time forecast experiment inaugurated in the winter of 2014/15 has given support to the idea that it is feasible to forecast CAOs 1 month in advance.
Impact of Intraseasonal Oscillations on the Activity of Tropical Cyclones in Summer over the South China Sea. Part I: Local Tropical Cyclones
Authors: Ling Zheng , Wang Yuqing , Wang Guihua
Published: November 2015

The South China Sea (SCS) is affected by two intraseasonal components in summer: the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) and the quasi-biweekly oscillation (QBWO). In the present study, the impacts of the MJO and QBWO on tropical cyclones (TCs) locally formed in the SCS (local TCs) in summer are investigated. The results show that both the MJO and QBWO can affect the genesis frequency, location, and motion of the local TCs. More TCs form in the convectively active phases of the MJO and QBWO in the northern SCS. With the northward propagation of the MJO and QBWO convective signals, the major TC genesis location also shifts northward. Since the western Pacific subtropical high shifts eastward (westward) when convection associated with the MJO and QBWO in the northern SCS is enhanced (suppressed), the steering flow in the major TC genesis region is favorable for the eastward (westward) movement of TCs. Results from the composite analysis of the steering flow indicate that both the MJO and QBWO play an important role in controlling the motion of the eastward-moving TCs.
An Empirical Model for Estimating Soil Thermal Conductivity from Soil Water Content and Porosity
Authors: Tong Bing , Gao Zhiqiu , Horton Robert , Li Yubin , Wang Linlin
Published: November 2015

Soil thermal conductivity λ is a vital parameter for soil temperature and soil heat flux forecasting in hydrological models. In this study, an empirical model is developed to relate λ only to soil volumetric water content θ and soil porosity θs. Measured λ values for eight soils are used to establish the empirical model, and data from four other soils are used to evaluate the model. The new model is also evaluated by its performance in the Simple Biosphere Model 2 (SiB2). Results show that the root-mean-square errors (RMSEs; ranging from 0.097 to 0.266 W m−1 K−1) of the new model estimates of λ are lower than those (ranging from 0.416 to 1.006 W m−1 K−1) for an empirical model of similar complexity reported in the literature earlier. Further, with simple inputs and equations, the new model almost has the accuracy of other more complex models (RMSE of λ ranging from 0.040 to 0.354 W m−1 K−1) that require additional detailed soil information. The new model can be readily incorporated in large-scale models because of its simplicity as compared to the more complex models. The new model is tested for its effectiveness by incorporating it into SiB2. Compared to the original SiB2 λ model, the new λ model provides better estimates of surface effective radiative temperature and soil wetness. Owing to the newly presented empirical model’s requirement for simple, available inputs and its accuracy, its usage is recommended within large-scale models for applications where detailed information about soil composition is lacking.