bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Virulence Genotyping ofPasteurella multocidaIsolated from Multiple Hosts from India
Authors: Sarangi Laxmi Narayan , Priyadarshini Adyasha , Kumar Santosh , Thomas Prasad , Gupta Santosh Kumar , Nagaleekar Viswas Konasagara , Singh Vijendra Pal
Published: November 2014

In this study, 108P. multocidaisolates recovered from various host animals such as cattle, buffalo, swine, poultry (chicken, duck, and emu) and rabbits were screened for carriage of 8 virulence associated genes. The results revealed some unique information on the prevalence of virulence associated genes among Indian isolates. With the exception oftoxAgene, all other virulence associated genes were found to be regularly distributed among host species. Association study between capsule type and virulence genes suggested thatpfhA, nanB,andnanHgenes were regularly distributed among all serotypes with the exception of CapD, whereastoxAgene was found to be positively associated with CapD and CapA. The frequency ofhgbAandnanHgenes among swine isolates of Indian origin was found to be less in comparison to its equivalents around the globe. Interestingly, very high prevalence oftbpAgene was observed among poultry, swine, and rabbit isolates. Likewise, very high prevalence ofpfhAgene (95.3%) was observed among Indian isolates, irrespective of host species origin.
Versatility of Pedicled Tensor Fascia Lata Flap: A Useful and Reliable Technique for Reconstruction of Different Anatomical Districts
Authors: Akhtar Md. Sohaib , Khurram Mohd Fahud , Khan Arshad Hafeez
Published: November 2014

Aims and Objectives. The aim of this study was to evaluate the versatility of pedicled tensor fascia lata flap for reconstruction of various anatomical regions.Materials and Methods. In this retrospective study a total of 34 patients with defects over various anatomical regions were included. The defects were located over the trochanter(n=12), groin(n=8), perineum(n=6), lower anterior abdomen(n=6), gluteal region(n=1), and ischial region(n=1). The etiology of defects included trauma(n=12), infection(n=8), pressure sores(n=8), and malignancy(n=6). Reconstruction was performed using pedicled tensor fascia lata flaps. Patients were evaluated in terms of viability of the flap and donor site morbidity. The technical details of the operative procedure have also been outlined.Results. All the flaps survived well except 5 patients in which minor complications were noted and 1 who experienced complete flap loss. Of those with minor complications, 1 patient developed distal marginal necrosis and 1 developed infection which subsided within three days by dressings and antibiotics and in 2 patients partial loss of the skin graft occurred at the donor site out of which 1 required regrafting and another one healed completely with dressing and antibiotics. All the patients were followed up for an average period of 6 months, ranging from 1 to 12 months. Donor site morbidity was minimal.Conclusion. It was concluded that the pedicled tensor fascia lata flap is a versatile, reliable, easy, and less time consuming procedure for the coverage of defects around trochanter, groin, lower anterior abdomen, perineum, and ischial region.
Human Bodies Bequest Program: A Wake-Up Call to Tanzanian Medical Schools
Authors: Mazyala Erick J. , Revocatus Makaranga , Manyama Mange , Msuya Sifael , Rambau Peter , Kimwaga Emmanuel , Magelle Ndulu , Machimu Yanga , Joshua Mathayo , Magori Cassian C.
Published: November 2014

Introduction. Studying anatomy through dissection of human cadavers requires a regular supply of human bodies. Tanzanian medical schools depend entirely on collecting unclaimed bodies in hospital mortuaries. This method is no longer reliable. This study aimed at evaluating sources and profile of cadavers in Tanzanian medical schools and addressing challenges and suggests appropriate lasting solutions. Methods. Seven spreadsheets were sent electronically to seven medical schools in Tanzania to capture data related to sources and profiles of cadavers received. Only 2 out of 7 responded timely. Results. 100% of all cadavers in Tanzanian medical schools are unclaimed bodies of black population. Female cadavers accounted for 0–20%. About 9 days elapse before embalmment of cadavers. Conclusion. It is the time to jump onto body bequest wagon.
Inhibition of CD39 Enzymatic Function at the Surface of Tumor Cells Alleviates Their Immunosuppressive Activity
Authors: Bastid Jeremy , Regairaz Anne , Bonnefoy Nathalie , Déjou Cécile , Giustiniani Jérôme , Laheurte Caroline , Cochaud Stéphanie , Laprevotte Emilie , Funck-Brentano Elisa , Hemon Patrice , Gros Laurent , Bec Nicole , Larroque Christian , Alberici Gilles , Bensussan Armand , Eliaou Jean-François
Published: November 2014

The ectonucleotidases CD39 and CD73 hydrolyze extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) to generate adenosine, which binds to adenosine receptors and inhibits T-cell and natural killer (NK)–cell responses, thereby suppressing the immune system. The generation of adenosine via the CD39/CD73 pathway is recognized as a major mechanism of regulatory T cell (Treg) immunosuppressive function. The number of CD39+ Tregs is increased in some human cancers, and the importance of CD39+ Tregs in promoting tumor growth and metastasis has been demonstrated using several in vivo models. Here, we addressed whether CD39 is expressed by tumor cells and whether CD39+ tumor cells mediate immunosuppression via the adenosine pathway. Immunohistochemical staining of normal and tumor tissues revealed that CD39 expression is significantly higher in several types of human cancer than in normal tissues. In cancer specimens, CD39 is expressed by infiltrating lymphocytes, the tumor stroma, and tumor cells. Furthermore, the expression of CD39 at the cell surface of tumor cells was directly demonstrated via flow cytometry of human cancer cell lines. CD39 in cancer cells displays ATPase activity and, together with CD73, generates adenosine. CD39+CD73+ cancer cells inhibited the proliferation of CD4 and CD8 T cells and the generation of cytotoxic effector CD8 T cells (CTL) in a CD39- and adenosine-dependent manner. Treatment with a CD39 inhibitor or blocking antibody alleviated the tumor-induced inhibition of CD4 and CD8 T-cell proliferation and increased CTL- and NK cell–mediated cytotoxicity. In conclusion, interfering with the CD39–adenosine pathway may represent a novel immunotherapeutic strategy for inhibiting tumor cell–mediated immunosuppression. Cancer Immunol Res; 3(3); 254–65. ©2014 AACR.
Multilevel Modeling in the Context of Growth Modeling
Authors: Moerbeek Mirjam
Published: November 2014

Multilevel modeling is a flexible approach for the analysis of nested data structures, such as those encountered in longitudinal studies with repeated measures of an outcome of interest taken across time and nested within subjects. The baseline score on the outcome and rate of change vary across subjects, and subject level predictor variables may be used to explain part of the between-subject variability. This contribution shows how to formulate linear and logistic models for continuous and binary outcomes. A study of the effect of growth hormone in adolescents with short stature is used as an illustrative example to demonstrate the use of these models and to aid in the interpretation of model parameter estimates. Attention is also paid to sufficient sample sizes, and two methods to explore the relation between sample size and power of statistical tests are discussed.
Chondroitin Sulfate Microparticles Modulate Transforming Growth Factor-β1-Induced Chondrogenesis of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Spheroids
Authors: Goude Melissa C. , McDevitt Todd C. , Temenoff Johnna S.
Published: November 2014

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been previously explored as a part of cell-based therapies for the repair of damaged cartilage. Current MSC chondrogenic differentiation strategies employ large pellets; however, we have developed a technique to form small MSC aggregates (500-1,000 cells) that can reduce transport barriers while maintaining a multicellular structure analogous to cartilaginous condensations. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of incorporating chondroitin sulfate methacrylate (CSMA) microparticles (MPs) within small MSC spheroids cultured in the presence of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 on chondrogenesis. Spheroids with MPs induced earlier increases in collagen II and aggrecan gene expression (chondrogenic markers) than spheroids without MPs, although no large differences in immunostaining for these matrix molecules were observed by day 21 between these groups. Collagen I and X were also detected in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of all spheroids by immunostaining. Interestingly, histology revealed that CSMA MPs clustered together near the center of the MSC spheroids and induced circumferential alignment of cells and ECM around the material core. This study demonstrates the use of CSMA materials to further examine the effects of matrix molecules on MSC phenotype as well as potentially direct differentiation in a more spatially controlled manner that better mimics the architecture of specific musculoskeletal tissues.
Novel TECTA Mutations Identified in Stable Sensorineural Hearing Loss and Their Clinical Implications
Authors: Kim Ah Reum , Chang Mun Young , Koo Ja-Won , Oh Seung Ha , Choi Byung Yoon
Published: November 2014

TECTA is a causative gene of autosomal dominant (DFNA8/A12) and autosomal recessive (DFNB 21) nonsyndromic sensorineural hearing loss (NSHL). Mutations in TECTA account for 4% of all autosomal dominant NSHL cases in some populations and are thus thought to be one of the major causes of autosomal dominant NSHL. A genotype-phenotype correlation for autosomal dominant mutations in the TECTA gene has been proposed. Two families (SB146 and SB149), which segregated moderate NSHL in an autosomal dominant fashion, were included in this study. We performed targeted resequencing of 134 known deafness genes (TRS-134) and bioinformatics analyses to find causative mutations for NSHL in these 2 families. Through TRS-134, we detected 2 novel mutations, i.e. c.3995G>T (p.C1332F) and c.5618C>T (p.T1873I), in the TECTA gene. These mutations cosegregated with NSHL in the studied families and were not detected in normal controls. The mutations c.3995G>T and c.5618C>T reside in the von Willebrand factor type D3-D4 (vWFD3-D4) interdomain of the zonadhesin (ZA) domain and the zona pellucida (ZP) domain, respectively. p.C1332F is the first mutation detected in the vWFD3-D4 interdomain of the ZA domain. The mutations p.C1332F and p.T1873I were associated with stable high-frequency and mid-frequency hearing loss, respectively. Notably, the cysteine residue mutated to phenylalanine in SB146 was not related to progression of sensorineural hearing loss, which argues against the previous hypothesis. Here we confirm a known genotype-phenotype correlation for the ZP domain and propose a hypothetical genotype-phenotype correlation which relates mutations in vWFD3-D4 to stable high-frequency NSHL in Koreans. This clinical feature makes subjects with the missense mutation in the vWFD3-D4 interdomain of TECTA potentially good candidates for middle ear implantation. i 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel
Cardiocirculatory Monitoring during Immediate Fetal-to-Neonatal Transition: A Systematic Qualitative Review of the Literature
Authors: Baik Nariae , Urlesberger Berndt , Schwaberger Bernhard , Freidl Thomas , Schmölzer Georg M. , Pichler Gerhard
Published: November 2014

Background: The fetal-to-neonatal transition is a complex process that includes changes in cardiac and respiratory systems. Objective: The aim of this study is to review the different methods of cardiocirculatory monitoring during the immediate neonatal transition period. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed and Ovid Embase was performed using the following terms: infant, newborn, newborn infant, neonate, neonates, heart, cardiac, blood pressure, haemodynamic, hemodynamics, blood circulation, circulation, echocardiography, ultrasonography, sonography, electrocardiography, ECG, oximetry, pulse, pulse oximetry, monitoring, measurement, acclimatization, adaptation, transition, after birth and delivery room. Additional articles were identified by manual search of cited references. Only human studies describing cardiocirculatory monitoring during the first 15 min after birth were included. Results: Thirteen studies were identified that described heart rate (HR). Additional five studies were identified that measured blood pressure. Four studies performed functional echocardiography during neonatal transition; two in addition to blood pressure monitoring and three in addition to HR monitoring. Conclusion: Routine HR monitoring using electrocardiography or pulse oximetry is used to evaluate adequate hemodynamic transition, and reference ranges have been established. Measuring blood pressure noninvasively though noncontinuously might be of some value in future, considering that the normative data have been established recently. Echocardiographic monitoring during the immediate transition period will improve the knowledge about cardiac function changes, but introduction in clinical routine remains questionable. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel
Autologous Bone-Marrow Stem Cells Stimulation Reverses Post-Ischemic-Reperfusion Kidney Injury in Rats
Authors: Oron Uri , Tuby Hana , Maltz Lidya , Sagi-Assif Orit , Abu-Hamed Ramzia , Yaakobi Tali , Doenyas-Barak Keren , Efrati Shai
Published: November 2014

Background/Aims: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been found to modulate biological activity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible beneficial effects of LLLT application to stem cells in the bone marrow (BM), on the kidneys of rats that had undergone acute ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). Methods: Injury to the kidneys was induced by the excision of the left kidney and 60 min of IRI to the right kidney in each rat. Rats were then divided randomly into 2 groups: non-laser-treated and laser-treated. LLLT was applied to the BM 10 min and 24 h post-IRI and rats were sacrificed 4 days post-IRI. Blood was collected before the sacrifice and the kidney processed for histology. Results: Histological evaluation of kidney sections revealed the restored structural integrity of the renal tubules, and a significant reduction of 66% of pathological score in the laser-treated rats as compared to the non-laser-treated ones. C-kit positive cell density in kidneys post-IRI and laser-treatment was (p = 0.05) 2.4-fold higher compared to that of the non-laser treated group. Creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and cystatin-C levels were significantly 55, 48, and 25% lower respectively in the laser-treated rats as compared to non-treated ones. Conclusion: LLLT application to the BM causes induction of stem cells, which subsequently migrate and home in on the injured kidney. Consequently, a significant reduction in pathological features and improved kidney function post-IRI are evident. The results demonstrate a novel approach in cell-based therapy for acute ischemic injured kidneys. i 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel
Intracoronary Autologous Cardiac Progenitor Cell Transfer in Patients With Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
Authors: Ishigami Shuta , Ohtsuki Shinichi , Tarui Suguru , Ousaka Daiki , Eitoku Takahiro , Kondo Maiko , Okuyama Michihiro , Kobayashi Junko , Baba Kenji , Arai Sadahiko , Kawabata Takuya , Yoshizumi Ko , Tateishi Atsushi , Kuroko Yosuke , Iwasaki Tatsuo , Sato Shuhei , Kasahara Shingo , Sano Shunji , Oh Hidemasa
Published: November 2014

Rationale:

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) remains a lethal congenital cardiac defect. Recent studies have suggested that intracoronary administration of autologous cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs) may improve ventricular function.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to test whether intracoronary delivery of CDCs is feasible and safe in patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

Methods and Results:

Between January 5, 2011, and January 16, 2012, 14 patients (1.8±1.5 years) were prospectively assigned to receive intracoronary infusion of autologous CDCs 33.4±8.1 days after staged procedures (n=7), followed by 7 controls with standard palliation alone. The primary end point was to assess the safety, and the secondary end point included the preliminary efficacy to verify the right ventricular ejection fraction improvements between baseline and 3 months. Manufacturing and intracoronary delivery of CDCs were feasible, and no serious adverse events were reported within the 18-month follow-up. Patients treated with CDCs showed right ventricular ejection fraction improvement from baseline to 3-month follow-up (46.9%±4.6% to 52.1%±2.4%;
P
=0.008). Compared with controls at 18 months, cardiac MRI analysis of CDC-treated patients showed a higher right ventricular ejection fraction (31.5%±6.8% versus 40.4%±7.6%;
P
=0.049), improved somatic growth (
P
=0.0005), reduced heart failure status (
P
=0.003), and lower incidence of coil occlusion for collaterals (
P
=0.007).

Conclusions:

Intracoronary infusion of autologous CDCs seems to be feasible and safe in children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome after staged surgery. Large phase 2 trials are warranted to examine the potential effects of cardiac function improvements and the long-term benefits of clinical outcomes.

Clinical Trial Registration:

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01273857.
Angiotensin Receptor Neprilysin Inhibition Compared With Enalapril on the Risk of Clinical Progression in Surviving Patients With Heart Failure
Authors: Packer Milton , McMurray John J.V. , Desai Akshay S. , Gong Jianjian , Lefkowitz Martin P. , Rizkala Adel R. , Rouleau Jean L. , Shi Victor C. , Solomon Scott D. , Swedberg Karl , Zile Michael , Andersen Karl , Arango Juan Luis , Arnold J. Malcolm , Bělohlávek Jan , Böhm Michael , Boytsov Sergey , Burgess Lesley J. , Cabrera Walter , Calvo Carlos , Chen Chen-Huan , Dukat Andrej , Duarte Yan Carlos , Erglis Andrejs , Fu Michael , Gomez Efrain , Gonzàlez-Medina Angel , Hagège Albert A. , Huang Jun , Katova Tzvetana , Kiatchoosakun Songsak , Kim Kee-Sik , Kozan Ömer , Llamas Edmundo Bayram , Martinez Felipe , Merkely Bela , Mendoza Iván , Mosterd Arend , Negrusz-Kawecka Marta , Peuhkurinen Keijo , Ramires Felix J.A. , Refsgaard Jens , Rosenthal Arvo , Senni Michele , Sibulo Antonio S. , Silva-Cardoso José , Squire Iain B. , Starling Randall C. , Teerlink John R. , Vanhaecke Johan , Vinereanu Dragos , Wong Raymond Ching-Chiew
Published: November 2014

Background—

Clinical trials in heart failure have focused on the improvement in symptoms or decreases in the risk of death and other cardiovascular events. Little is known about the effect of drugs on the risk of clinical deterioration in surviving patients.

Methods and Results—

We compared the angiotensin-neprilysin inhibitor LCZ696 (400 mg daily) with the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor enalapril (20 mg daily) in 8399 patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction in a double-blind trial. The analyses focused on prespecified measures of nonfatal clinical deterioration. In comparison with the enalapril group, fewer LCZ696-treated patients required intensification of medical treatment for heart failure (520 versus 604; hazard ratio, 0.84; 95% confidence interval, 0.74–0.94;
P
=0.003) or an emergency department visit for worsening heart failure (hazard ratio, 0.66; 95% confidence interval, 0.52–0.85;
P
=0.001). The patients in the LCZ696 group had 23% fewer hospitalizations for worsening heart failure (851 versus 1079;
P
<0.001) and were less likely to require intensive care (768 versus 879; 18% rate reduction,
P
=0.005), to receive intravenous positive inotropic agents (31% risk reduction,
P
<0.001), and to have implantation of a heart failure device or cardiac transplantation (22% risk reduction,
P
=0.07). The reduction in heart failure hospitalization with LCZ696 was evident within the first 30 days after randomization. Worsening of symptom scores in surviving patients was consistently more common in the enalapril group. LCZ696 led to an early and sustained reduction in biomarkers of myocardial wall stress and injury (N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide and troponin) versus enalapril.

Conclusions—

Angiotensin-neprilysin inhibition prevents the clinical progression of surviving patients with heart failure more effectively than angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01035255.
Estrogen Inhibits Mast Cell Chymase Release to Prevent Pressure Overload-Induced Adverse Cardiac Remodeling
Authors: Li Jianping , Jubair Shaiban , Janicki Joseph S.
Published: November 2014

Estrogen regulation of myocardial chymase and chymase effects on cardiac remodeling are unknown. To test the hypothesis that estrogen prevents pressure overload–induced adverse cardiac remodeling by inhibiting mast cell (MC) chymase release, transverse aortic constriction or sham surgery was performed in 7-week-old intact and ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Three days before creating the constriction, additional groups of OVX rats began receiving 17β-estradiol, a chymase inhibitor, or a MC stabilizer. Left ventricular function, cardiomyocyte size, collagen volume fraction, MC density and degranulation, and myocardial and plasma chymase levels were assessed 18 days postsurgery. Aortic constriction resulted in ventricular hypertrophy in intact and OVX groups, whereas collagen volume fraction was increased only in OVX rats. Chymase protein content was increased by aortic constriction in the intact and OVX groups, with the magnitude of the increase being greater in OVX rats. MC density and degranulation, plasma chymase levels, and myocardial active transforming growth factor-β1 levels were increased by aortic constriction only in OVX rats. Estrogen replacement markedly attenuated the constriction-increased myocardial chymase, MC density and degranulation, plasma chymase, and myocardial active transforming growth factor-β1, as well as prevented ventricular hypertrophy and increased collagen volume fraction. Chymostatin attenuated the aortic constriction–induced ventricular hypertrophy and collagen volume fraction in the OVX rats similar to that achieved by estrogen replacement. Nedocromil yielded similar effects, except for the reduction of chymase content. We conclude that the estrogen-inhibited release of MC chymase is responsible for the cardioprotection against transverse aortic constriction-induced adverse cardiac remodeling.
Peripheral Arterial Disease and Risk of Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke: The Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis
Authors: O'Neal Wesley T. , Efird Jimmy T. , Nazarian Saman , Alonso Alvaro , Heckbert Susan R. , Soliman Elsayed Z.
Published: November 2014

Background

Peripheral arterial disease (
PAD
) shares several risk factors with atrial fibrillation (
AF
), and persons with
PAD
have an increased risk of stroke. It is unclear if
PAD
is associated with an increased risk for
AF
and whether this potential association explains the increased risk of stroke observed in those with
PAD
.

Methods and Results

We examined the association between
PAD
, measured by ankle‐brachial index (
ABI
), and incident
AF
and incident stroke, separately, in 6568 participants (mean age 62±10 years, 53% women, 62% nonwhite) from the Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (
MESA
).
ABI
values <1.0 or >1.4 defined
PAD
.
AF
was ascertained through review of hospital discharge records and from Medicare claims data until December 31, 2010. An independent adjudication committee ascertained stroke events. Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratios and 95%
CI
s for the association between
PAD
and
AF
and stroke. Over a median follow‐up of 8.5 years, 301 (4.6%) participants developed
AF
and 140 (2.1%) developed stroke. In a model adjusted for sociodemographics, cardiovascular risk factors, and potential confounders,
PAD
was associated with an increased risk of
AF
(hazard ratio 1.5, 95%
CI
1.1 to 2.0). In a similar model,
PAD
was associated with incident stroke (hazard ratio 1.7, 95%
CI
1.1 to 2.5), and the magnitude of risk was not different after inclusion of
AF
as a time‐dependent covariate (hazard ratio 1.7, 95%
CI
1.1 to 2.5).

Conclusions

PAD
is associated with an increased risk of
AF
and stroke in
MESA
. Potentially, the relationship between
PAD
and stroke is not mediated by
AF
.
Effects of Cinacalcet on Atherosclerotic and Nonatherosclerotic Cardiovascular Events in Patients Receiving Hemodialysis: The EValuation Of Cinacalcet HCl Therapy to Lower CardioVascular Events (EVOLVE) Trial
Authors: Wheeler David C. , London Gerard M. , Parfrey Patrick S. , Block Geoffrey A. , Correa‐Rotter Ricardo , Dehmel Bastian , Drüeke Tilman B. , Floege Jürgen , Kubo Yumi , Mahaffey Kenneth W. , Goodman William G. , Moe Sharon M. , Trotman Marie‐Louise , Abdalla Safa , Chertow Glenn M. , Herzog Charles A. ,   the EValuation Of Cinacalcet HCl Therapy to Lower CardioVascular Events (EVOLVE) Trial Investigators
Published: November 2014

Background

Premature cardiovascular disease limits the duration and quality of life on long‐term hemodialysis. The objective of this study was to define the frequency of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events attributable to atherosclerotic and nonatherosclerotic mechanisms, risk factors for these events, and the effects of cinacalcet, using adjudicated data collected during the EValuation of Cinacalcet
HC
l Therapy to Lower CardioVascular Events (
EVOLVE
) Trial.

Methods and Results

EVOLVE
was a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial that randomized 3883 hemodialysis patients with moderate to severe secondary hyperparathyroidism to cinacalcet or matched placebo for up to 64 months. For this post hoc analysis, the outcome measure was fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events reflecting atherosclerotic and nonatherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. During the trial, 1518 patients experienced an adjudicated cardiovascular event, including 958 attributable to nonatherosclerotic disease. Of 1421 deaths during the trial, 768 (54%) were due to cardiovascular disease. Sudden death was the most frequent fatal cardiovascular event, accounting for 24.5% of overall mortality. Combining fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, randomization to cinacalcet reduced the rates of sudden death and heart failure. Patients randomized to cinacalcet experienced fewer nonatherosclerotic cardiovascular events (adjusted relative hazard 0.84, 95%
CI
0.74 to 0.96), while the effect of cinacalcet on atherosclerotic events did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusions

Accepting the limitations of post hoc analysis, any benefits of cinacalcet on cardiovascular disease in the context of hemodialysis may result from attenuation of nonatherosclerotic processes.

Clinical Trials Registration

Unique identifier: NCT00345839. URL:
ClinicalTrials.gov
.
The Swiss Public Initiative against Mass Immigration (‘Masseneinwanderungsinitiave’): Caught between Constitutional Sovereignty and Pacta Sunt Servanda
Authors: Kläser Julian
Published: November 2014

This article seeks to bring some clarity to the publicly held debate on the Swiss federal popular initiative to limit immigration as it was adopted on 9 February 2014 by the Swiss people. It considers the crux of the matter, which is the implementation of the new Swiss constitutional article in the context of public international law. The initiative is stuck in between Swiss constitutional sovereignty and Swiss treaty obligations flowing from the agreement on free movement of persons between the European Union and the Swiss Confederation. Specific attention is paid to the democratic element anchored in the Swiss Constitution which, in contrast to other systems where the judicial element prevails, is of high importance for whole the process of a bilateral contractual relationship between the European Union and the Swiss Confederation.
The Evolution of State Institutions of the Republic of Pskov and the Problem of its Sovereignty from the Thirteenth to Fifteenth Centuries
Authors: Arakcheev Vladimir A.
Published: November 2014

The article analyzes the socio-political organization of the Pskov Veche republic in the 13th–15th centuries, particularly the changes in personnel and in competences of the Pskov princes, the authority and the officials of the princely administration. The article shows the evolution of the sotnia (a hundred unit) organization from the princely one into the republican one. The research reveals Pskov’s considerable differences from Novgorod in terms of regulation of commerce and defines the function of the rank-and-file traders’ elder in the system of the republican power. The author argues that the Pskov veche functioned as a state institution that had been formed in the course of Pskov’s fight for independence in the 13th century. The fact of adopting the documents of taxpaying at the veche assembly reveals the fully institutionalized character of governmental bodies of the Pskov republic. By drawing upon H.J. Berman’s argument of independence within European cities of the 11th – 12th centuries, this article contributes to the discussion of Pskov’s independence by outlining the main criteria of Pskov’s sovereignty. Pskov had a right to issue and supplement laws; the Pskov Judicial Charter arose out of the princes’ local charters and was further edited at the veche assembly. Pskov set its own taxes and the veche was empowered to free separate groups of landowners from taxes. The rights to military mobilization, to the declaration of war and to making peace, which were under the complete jurisdiction of the republic, undoubtedly demonstrates the sovereignty of Pskov. Finally, the sovereignty of Pskov was manifested in the symbols of stamps and coins that were used in the Pskov republic. All these facts taken together demonstrate the feasibility of applying the medieval European cities’ criteria of sovereignty to Pskov’s socio-political realities.
A review of the zumpti species group of the genus Harpyrhynchoides (Acariformes: Harpirhynchidae)—ectoparasites of passerines
Authors: BOCHKOV ANDRE V , KLOMPEN HANS
Published: November 2014

The zumpti species group of the genus Harpyrhynchoides (Harpirhynchidae), parasites of passerines, is revised. A key to the species of this group is provided and data on host associations and geographic distribution of its constituent species are summarized. This group includes six previously recognized species: Harpyrhynchoides alaudinus Bochkov, 2000, H. brevis (Ewing, 1911) comb. nov., H. heatherae Bochkov and Galloway, 2013, H. rubeculinus (Cherny and Sixl, 1971), H. vulgaris Bochkov and Galloway, 2004, and H. zumpti (Fain, 1972). Three species from North American passerines are described as new: H. setophaga sp. nov. from Setophaga ruticilla (Parulidae), H. xanthocephalus sp. nov. from Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus (Icteridae), and H. spizella sp. nov. from Spizella passerina (Emberizidae). Additionally, H. brevis is redescribed based on samples from Coccothraustes vespertinus (type host) and Loxia curvirostra (Passeriformes: Fringillidae) from North America. Harpyrhynchoides kirgizorum Fain et al. 1999 syn. nov. is synonymized with H. zumpti.
A new species of Boca Lowry & Stoddart, 1997 (Amphipoda: Lysianassoidea: Aristiidae) from a mesophotic coral ecosystem off Puerto Rico, Caribbean Sea
Authors: SENNA ANDRÉ R. , SORRENTINO RAYANE , CHATTERJEE TAPAS , SCHIZAS NIKOLAOS V.
Published: November 2014

A new species of the genus Boca Lowry & Stoddart, 1997 is described from a mesophotic coral ecosystem off southwestern Puerto Rico, in the Caribbean Sea. The new species is easily recognized from the others in the genus mainly by the following characters: (1) maxilliped, inner plate with 2 long apical simple setae; palp, articles slender, subequal in length; (2) gnathopod 1, propodus slightly elongate, about 2.5 × longer than wide, and palm extremely acute, quite long and distinctly demarked by a robust seta at the palmar corner; (3) gnathopod 2, carpus slightly elongate, about 3.7 × longer than wide; (4) pereopod 5, basis widely expanded posteriorly, posterior margin rounded and smooth, and posteroventral lobe weakly developed. We also present a key to world species of Boca. This is the fifth species of Boca from world’s oceans and the first record of the genus from Puerto Rico.
A new species of Lissodendoryx (Anomodoryx) Burton, 1934 (Porifera: Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) from deeper waters off the Atlantic coast of Brazil
Authors: CAVALCANTI THAYNÃ , SANTOS GEORGE GARCIA , PINHEIRO ULISSES
Published: November 2014

The members of Lissodendoryx Topsent, 1892a are recognized by a spicule combination of ectosomal tylotes or strongyles, isodictyal reticulate architecture, arcuate isochelae and sigmas (Hofman & Van Soest 1995; Van Soest 2002). Five subgenera of Lissodendoryx, are recognized (Van Soest 2002): Lissodendoryx (Acanthodoryx) Lévi, 1961, L. (Anomodoryx) Burton, 1934, L. (Ectyodoryx) Lundbeck, 1909, L. (Lissodendoryx) Topsent, 1892a, and L. (Waldoschmittia) de Laubenfels, 1936. Lissodendoryx (Anomodoryx) is defined by the presence of a single megasclere type (Van Soest 2002). Currently has six recognized species (Van Soest et al. 2014) including two from Brazil (Muricy et al. 2011): L. (A.) recife (Boury-Esnault, 1973) and L. (A.) tylota (Boury-Esnault, 1973). In this paper, a new species of L. (Anomodoryx) is described from the mesophotic zone off Bacia Potiguar (Rio Grande do Norte State, Northeastern Brazil). The specimen was preserved in ethanol 80% and deposited in the Porifera Collection of the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPEPOR).
Cluster Analysis of Downscaled and Explicitly Simulated North Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Tracks
Authors: Daloz Anne S. , Camargo S. J. , Kossin J. P. , Emanuel K. , Horn M. , Jonas J. A. , Kim D. , LaRow T. , Lim Y.-K. , Patricola C. M. , Roberts M. , Scoccimarro E. , Shaevitz D. , Vidale P. L. , Wang H. , Wehner M. , Zhao M.
Published: November 2014

A realistic representation of the North Atlantic tropical cyclone tracks is crucial as it allows, for example, explaining potential changes in U.S. landfalling systems. Here, the authors present a tentative study that examines the ability of recent climate models to represent North Atlantic tropical cyclone tracks. Tracks from two types of climate models are evaluated: explicit tracks are obtained from tropical cyclones simulated in regional or global climate models with moderate to high horizontal resolution (1°–0.25°), and downscaled tracks are obtained using a downscaling technique with large-scale environmental fields from a subset of these models. For both configurations, tracks are objectively separated into four groups using a cluster technique, leading to a zonal and a meridional separation of the tracks. The meridional separation largely captures the separation between deep tropical and subtropical, hybrid or baroclinic cyclones, while the zonal separation segregates Gulf of Mexico and Cape Verde storms. The properties of the tracks’ seasonality, intensity, and power dissipation index in each cluster are documented for both configurations. The authors’ results show that, except for the seasonality, the downscaled tracks better capture the observed characteristics of the clusters. The authors also use three different idealized scenarios to examine the possible future changes of tropical cyclone tracks under 1) warming sea surface temperature, 2) increasing carbon dioxide, and 3) a combination of the two. The response to each scenario is highly variable depending on the simulation considered. Finally, the authors examine the role of each cluster in these future changes and find no preponderant contribution of any single cluster over the others.
Asian Summer Monsoon in CMIP5 Projections: A Link between the Change in Extreme Precipitation and Monsoon Dynamics
Authors: Freychet Nicolas , Hsu Huang-Hsiung , Chou Chia , Wu Chi-Hua
Published: November 2014

Change in extreme events in climate projections is a major concern. If the frequency of dry events is expected to increase in a warmer climate (thus, the overall number of wet days will decrease), heavy and extreme precipitation are also expected to increase because of a shift of the precipitation spectrum. However, the forecasts exhibit numerous uncertainties.

This study focuses on the Asian region, separated into the following three subregions: the East Asian region, the Indian region, and western North Pacific region, where the summer monsoon can bring heavy rainfall. Particularly emphasized herein is the reliability of the projection, using data from a large ensemble of 30 models from phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project. The scattering of the ensemble enables obtaining an optimal estimate of the uncertainties, and it is used to compute the correlation between projected changes of extreme events and circulation changes.

The results show clear spatial and temporal variations in the confidence of changes, with results being more reliable during the wet season (i.e., the summer monsoon). The ensemble predicts changes in atmospheric circulation with favorable confidence, especially in the low-level moisture flux convergence (MFC). However, the correlation between this mean change and the modification of extreme events is nonsignificant. Also analyzed herein are the correlation and change of MFC exclusively during these events. The horizontal MFC exerts a nonnegligible influence on the change in the intensity of extremes. However, it is mostly the change in vertical circulation and moisture advection that is correlated with the change in frequency and intensity of extreme events.
Surface Water and Energy Budgets for the Mississippi River Basin in Three NCEP Reanalyses
Authors: Yang Rongqian , Ek Michael , Meng Jesse
Published: November 2014

Surface water and energy budgets from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction–U.S. Department of Energy (NCEP–DOE) Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project (AMIP-II) Global Reanalysis 2 (GR2), the North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR), and the NCEP Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR) are compared here with each other and with available observations over the Mississippi River basin. The comparisons in seasonal cycle, interannual variation, and annual mean over a 31-yr period show that there are a number of noticeable differences and similarities in the large-scale basin averages. Warm season precipitation and runoff in the GR2 are too large compared to the observations, and seasonal surface water variation is small. By contrast, the precipitation in both NARR and CFSR is more reasonable and in better agreement with the observation, although the corresponding seasonal runoff is very small. The main causes of the differences in both surface parameterization and approach used in assimilating the observed precipitation datasets and snow analyses are then discussed. Despite the discrepancies in seasonal water budget components, seasonal energy budget terms in the three reanalyses are close to each other and to available observations. The interannual variations in both water and energy budgets are comparable. This study shows that the CFSR achieves a large improvement over the GR2, indicating that the CFSR dataset can be used in climate variability studies. Nonetheless, improved land surface parameterization schemes and data assimilation techniques are needed to depict the surface water and energy climates better, in particular, the variation in seasonal runoff.
Correction of ADCP Compass Errors Resulting from Iron in the Instrument’s Vicinity*
Authors: Appen Wilken-Jon von
Published: November 2014

Iron in the vicinity of compasses results in compass deviations. ADCPs mounted on steel buoyancy devices and deployed on seven moorings on the East Greenland outer shelf and upper slope from 2007 to 2008 suffered from severe compass deviations as large as 90°, rendering the ADCP data useless without a compass correction. The effects on the measured velocities, which may also be present in other oceanic velocity measurements, are explained. On each of the moorings, velocity measurements from a different instrument are overlapping in space and time with the compromised measurements. The iron was not in the vicinity of this second instrument, and the instrument is therefore assumed not to be affected by compass deviations. A method is described to determine the compass deviation from the compromised and uncompromised velocity measurements, and the compromised compass headings. The method depends on the assumptions that at least one instrument per mooring is not compromised and that the change in flow direction over the vertical distance from the compromised to the uncompromised velocity measurement is zero on average. With this method, the compromised headings and the compromised velocity records can be corrected. The method is described in detail and a MATLAB function implementing the method is supplied. The success of the method is demonstrated for a mooring with a minor compass deviation and for one with a large amplitude deviation.
Investigation on thermal inertia of GMAW-P welding on Al alloy
Authors: Wang L. L. , Lu F. G. , Cui H. C. , Tang X. H.
Published: November 2014

Thermal inertia relates to the rate at which the plasma cools and heats, which plays important role in improving the arc stability at base time of pulsed gas metal arc welding (GMAW-P). A three-dimensional (3D) transient model is established to investigate the thermal inertia due to current rapid variation of GMAW-P. The model is validated by comparison of measured and predicted arc profile and voltage. Thermal inertia increases as the current decent rate improves at the same current difference. Two high thermal inertia zones exist in arc region, one locates right under the wire tip, and another is above molten pool surface. The arc region with high temperature is broadened due to thermal inertia compared to constant current, which is more obvious as the current decent rate increases. The results show that thermal inertia remarkably influences the arc temperature and stability while current decent rate is higher than 130 A ms−1.
Investigation of anti-oxidative stress in vitro and water apparent diffusion coefficient in MRI on rat after spinal cord injury in vivo with Tithonia diversifolia ethanolic extracts treatment
Authors: Juang Chi-Long , Yang Fei Shish , Hsieh Ming Shuang , Tseng Hu-Yi , Chen Su-Chiu , Wen Hsiao-Chuan
Published: November 2014

Background

Spinal cord injury (SCI)-induced secondary oxidative stress associates with a clinical complication and high mortality. Treatments to improve the neurological outcome of secondary injury are considered as important issues. The objective of the current study is to evaluate the anti-oxidative effect of Tithonia diversifolia ethanolic extracts (TDE) on cells and apply the pharmacological effect to SCI model using a MRI imaging algorism.

Methods

The anti-oxidation properties were tested in a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. Rat liver cells (clone-9) were treated with various doses of TDE (0 ~ 50 μg/ml) before exposed to 250 μM H2O2 and cell survival was determined by MTT and LDH assays. We performed water apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map in MR techniques to investigate the efficacy of TDE treatment on SCI animal model. We performed T5 laminectomy and compression (50 g, 1 min) to induce SCI. PHILIP 3.0 T MRI was used to image 24 male Sprague–Dawley rats weighing 280–320 g. Rats were randomly divided into three groups: sham group, SCI group, SCI treated with TDE group. The MRI images were taken and ADC were acquired before and after of treatment of TDE (50 mg/kg B. W. orally, 5 days) in SCI model.

Results

TDE protected clone-9 cells against H2O2-induced toxicity through DPPH scavenging mechanism. In addition, SCI induced the increase in ADC after 6 hours. TDE treatment slightly decreased the ADC level after 1-week SCI compared with control animals.

Conclusion

Our studies have proved that the cytoprotection effect of TDE, at least in part, is through scavenging ROS to eliminate intracellular oxidative stress and highlight a potential therapeutic consideration of TDE in alternative and complementary medicine.
Dual active layer a-IGZO TFT via homogeneous conductive layer formation by photochemical H-doping
Authors: Jeong Seung-Ki , Kim Myeong-Ho , Lee Sang-Yeon , Seo Hyungtak , Choi Duck-Kyun
Published: November 2014

In this study, InGaZnO (IGZO) thin film transistors (TFTs) with a dual active layer (DAL) structure are fabricated by inserting a homogeneous embedded conductive layer (HECL) in an amorphous IGZO (a-IGZO) channel with the aim of enhancing the electrical characteristics of conventional bottom-gate-structure TFTs. A highly conductive HECL (carrier concentration at 1.6 × 1013 cm-2, resistivity at 4.6 × 10-3 Ω∙cm, and Hall mobility at 14.6 cm2/Vs at room temperature) is fabricated using photochemical H-doping by irradiating UV light on an a-IGZO film. The electrical properties of the fabricated DAL TFTs are evaluated by varying the HECL length. The results reveal that carrier mobility increased proportionally with the HECL length. Further, a DAL TFT with a 60-μm-long HECL embedded in an 80-μm-long channel exhibits comprehensive and outstanding improvements in its electrical properties: a saturation mobility of 60.2 cm2/Vs, threshold voltage of 2.7 V, and subthreshold slope of 0.25 V/decade against the initial values of 19.9 cm2/Vs, 4.7 V, and 0.45 V/decade, respectively, for a TFT without HECL. This result confirms that the photochemically H-doped HECL significantly improves the electrical properties of DAL IGZO TFTs.
Rice miR172 induces flowering by suppressing OsIDS1 and SNB, two AP2 genes that negatively regulate expression of Ehd1 and florigens
Authors: Lee Yang-Seok , Lee Dong-Yeon , Cho Lae-Hyeon , An Gynheung
Published: November 2014

Background

Rice is a facultative short-day plant that flowers under long days (LD) after a lengthy vegetative phase. Although several inhibitors that delay flowering have been identified, the process by which rice eventually flowers under non-permissive LD conditions is not well understood.

Results

Overexpression of miR172 reduced flowering time significantly, suggesting its role as an inducer. Levels of miR172 increased as plants aged, further supporting our findings. Transcripts of SNB and OsIDS1, two members of the AP2 family that have the miR172 target site, were reduced in older plants as the level of miR172 rose. Overexpression of those AP2 genes delayed flowering; overexpression of miR172-resistant forms of SNB or OsIDS1 further delayed this process. This demonstrated that the AP2 genes function downstream of miR172. Two florigen genes -- Hd3a and RFT1 -- and their immediate upstream regulator Ehd1 were suppressed in the AP2 overexpression plants. This suggested that the AP2 genes are upstream repressors of Ehd1. In phytochrome mutants, miR172d levels were increased whereas those of SNB and OsIDS1 were decreased. Thus, it appears that phytochromes inhibit miR172d, an AP2 suppresser.

Conclusions

We revealed that miR172d developmentally induced flowering via repressing OsIDS1 and SNB, which suppressed Ehd1. We also showed that phytochromes negatively regulated miR172.
Protein in nutritional support: the newborn hero for the critically ill?
Authors: Oshima Taku , Heidegger Claudia P , Pichard Claude
Published: November 2014

In their current review, Weijs and colleagues highlight the importance of protein and amino acid provision for improving clinical outcome in critically ill patients. The interdependence between energy and protein is highlighted. They call for urgent research to develop new methods to evaluate protein and amino acid requirements, accurately and conveniently, in order to optimize nutrition support for critically ill patients.

Appropriate nutrition delivery for critically ill patients remains a highly debated issue. Energy, a critical factor for life, was until now the superstar of nutrition support. It now faces a rival or, more correctly, a partner in function, namely protein. This is a chance to take a close look at protein, the new hero in the field of critical care nutrition, and the struggles it encounters in becoming the true superstar.