bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chimerism Analysis of Cell-Free DNA in Patients Treated with Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation May Predict Early Relapse in Patients with Hematologic Malignancies
Authors: Aljurf Mahmoud , Abalkhail Hala , Alseraihy Amal , Mohamed Said Y. , Ayas Mouhab , Alsharif Fahad , Alzahrani Hazza , Al-Jefri Abdullah , Aldawsari Ghuzayel , Al-Ahmari Ali , Belgaumi Asim F. , Walter Claudia Ulrike , El-Solh Hassan , Rasheed Walid , Albitar Maher
Published: February 2016

Background. We studied DNA chimerism in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in patients treated with HSCT. Methods. Chimerism analysis was performed on CD3+ cells, polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells, and cfDNA using 16 small tandem repeat loci. The resulting labeled PCR-products were size-fractionated and quantified. Results. Analyzing samples from 191 patients treated with HSCT for nonneoplastic hematologic disorders demonstrated that the cfDNA chimerism is comparable to that seen in PMN cells. Analyzing leukemia patients (N = 126) showed that, of 84 patients with 100% donor DNA in PMN, 16 (19%) had evidence of clinical relapse and >10% recipient DNA in the plasma. Additional 16 patients of the 84 (19%) showed >10% recipient DNA in plasma, but without evidence of relapse. Eight patients had mixed chimerism in granulocytes, lymphocytes, and plasma, but three of these patients had >10% recipient DNA in plasma compared to PMN cells and these three patients had clinical evidence of relapse. The remaining 34 patients showed 100% donor DNA in both PMN and lymphocytes, but cfDNA showed various levels of chimerism. Of these patients 14 (41%) showed laboratory or clinical evidence of relapse and all had >10% recipient DNA in cfDNA. Conclusion. Monitoring patients after HSCT using cfDNA might be more reliable than cellular DNA in predicting early relapse.
Urinary Bladder Adenocarcinoma Metastatic to the Abdominal Wall: Report of a Case with Cytohistologic Correlation
Authors: Nath Vikas , Baliga Mithra
Published: February 2016

We report a case of adenocarcinoma metastatic to the abdominal wall in a 71-year-old man with a history of primary bladder adenocarcinoma. CT-guided core biopsy was performed; imprints and histologic sections showed malignant glands lined by tumor cells with hyperchromatic nuclei and prominent nucleoli, infiltrating through skeletal muscle. Immunohistochemistry revealed positivity for CK7, membranous/cytoplasmicβ-catenin, caudal-type homeobox transcription factor 2 (CDX2), andα-methylacyl coenzyme A racemase and negativity for CK20, p63, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and prostate-specific acid phosphatase (PSAP). These findings were interpreted as metastatic adenocarcinoma, consistent with bladder primary. Primary bladder adenocarcinoma is a rare malignancy arising within glandular metaplasia and is associated with cystitis cystica and cystitis glandularis. Predisposing factors include bladder exstrophy, schistosomiasis, and other causes of chronic bladder irritation. This tumor is divided into intestinal, clear cell, and signet ring cell subtypes. Treatment involves radical cystectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection, and prognosis is unfavorable. Primary bladder adenocarcinoma should be differentiated from urachal adenocarcinoma, which arises from urachal remnants near the bladder dome, and secondary adenocarcinoma, or vesical involvement by adenocarcinoma from a different primary. CK7, CK20, CDX2, thrombomodulin, andβ-catenin can help distinguish primary bladder adenocarcinoma from colonic adenocarcinoma; PSA and PSAP can help distinguish primary bladder adenocarcinoma from prostate adenocarcinoma.
Evaluating Spatiotemporal Variation of Groundwater Depth/Level in Beijing Plain, a Groundwater-Fed Area from 2001 to 2010
Authors: Zhou Yuyan , Xiao Weihua , Wang Jianhua , Zhao Yong , Huang Ya , Tian Jiyang , Chen Yan
Published: February 2016

Groundwater has always been a valuable resource in Beijing, facing a great decline of groundwater level during the past decades. However, few previous researches have revealed the spatial variation of groundwater level within Beijing Plain. In this study, spatiotemporal variation of groundwater level from 2001 to 2010 in Beijing Plain has been investigated. Factor analysis has been conducted to identify the primary influencing factor. Results showed that the groundwater level decreased by 8.41 m from 2001 to 2010, with a linear decreasing rate of 0.954 m per year averagely. Significant spatial variation characteristics have been detected. The north area suffered more groundwater depletion than the south part in general. The lowest groundwater level has been identified downstream Miyun Reservoir, central part of the Plain. Nevertheless, the most of the south part witnessed a slight revival between 2001 and 2010. This may be due to the differences of socioeconomic circumstances in the Plain. Three influencing factors, that is, “demand factor,” “supply factor,” and “loss factor,” have been identified in the water balance model. Eigenvalues of these factors are 3.563, 2.910, and 1.632, respectively, indicating that these factors influenced the groundwater system to various extents, with the demand factor being the primary one.
Tamoxifen Promotes Axonal Preservation and Gait Locomotion Recovery after Spinal Cord Injury in Cats
Authors: de la Torre Valdovinos Braniff , Duenas Jimenez Judith Marcela , Estrada Ismael Jimenez , Banuelos Pineda Jacinto , Franco Rodriguez Nancy Elizabeth , Lopez Ruiz Jose Roberto , Osuna Carrasco Laura Paulina , Candanedo Arellano Ahiezer , Duenas Jimenez Sergio Horacio
Published: February 2016

We performed experiments in cats with a spinal cord penetrating hemisection at T13-L1 level, with and without tamoxifen treatment. The results showed that the numbers of the ipsilateral and contralateral ventral horn neurons were reduced to less than half in the nontreated animals compared with the treated ones. Also, axons myelin sheet was preserved to almost normal values in treated cats. On the contrary, in the untreated animals, their myelin sheet was reduced to 28% at 30 days after injury (DAI), in both the ipsilateral and contralateral regions of the spinal cord. Additionally, we made hindlimb kinematics experiments to study the effects of tamoxifen on cat locomotion after the injury: at 4, 16, and 30 DAI. We observed that the ipsilateral hindlimb angular displacement (AD) of the pendulum-like movements (PLM) during gait locomotion was recovered to almost normal values in treated cats. Contralateral PLM acquired similar values to those obtained in intact cats. At 4 DAI, untreated animals showed a compensatory increment of PLM occurring in the contralateral hindlimb, which was partially recovered at 30 DAI. Our findings indicate that tamoxifen exerts a neuroprotective effect and preserves or produces myelinated axons, which could benefit the locomotion recovery in injured cats.
Alopezien infolge von Medikamenten oder von anderen Haut- und systemischen Erkrankungen
Authors: Guzmán-Sánchez Daniela , Asz-Sigall Daniel
Published: February 2016

In diesem Kapitel werden die häufigsten Formen der Alopezie vorgestellt, die durch medikamentöse Therapien oder durch andere Hautkrankheiten und systemische Erkrankungen hervorgerufen werden können. Die folgenden Haarerkrankungen werden analysiert: das Telogeneffluvium (akut und chronisch); das Anageneffluvium; die follikulotrope Mycosis fungoides sowie Follikulitiden infolge von Bakterien, Pilzen, Parasiten, humanem Immundefizienzvirus, Lupus erythematodes und Sarkoidose. Dabei werden die Epidemiologie und Ätiologie, die klinische Manifestation und Diagnose sowie die aktuellen Therapien der einzelnen Krankheiten abgedeckt.
Klinische, histologische und trichoskopische Korrelate bei Erkrankungen der Kopfhaut
Authors: Rossi Alfredo , Fortuna Maria Caterina , Pranteda Giulia , Garelli Valentina , Di Nunno Donato , Mari Elena , Calvieri Stefano , Carlesimo Marta
Published: February 2016

Die dermatoskopische Untersuchung von Kopfhaut und Haar wird als Trichoskopie bezeichnet. Das einfache und nichtinvasive diagnostische Verfahren ist ein praktisches, überall einsetzbares Instrument zur Diagnose und Verlaufsbeobachtung von Haar- und Kopfhaut-Erkrankungen. Die Trichoskopie macht morphologische Strukturen sichtbar, die mit dem bloßen Auge nicht zu erkennen sind, und liefert dem Kliniker eine Reihe dermatoskopischer Befunde, die er für die Differenzialdiagnose benötigt. Die Beobachtungen in der Trichoskopie lassen sich in interfollikuläre und follikuläre Muster unterteilen. Kürzlich wurde zudem als Mischform die Kategorie des follikulär-interfollikulären Musters eingeführt. Einige dieser Muster sind spezifisch für eine einzelne Erkrankung der Kopfhaut, andere kommen bei mehreren vor. Bisherige Studien deuten darauf hin, dass der Einsatz der Trichoskopie die klinische Untersuchung verbessern kann; hierzu sind jedoch weiterführende Untersuchungen erforderlich. Die vorliegende Übersichtsarbeit beschreibt den aktuellen Kenntnisstand zu den trichoskopischen Merkmalen der häufigsten Kopfhaut-Erkrankungen und ihre jeweiligen histopathologischen und klinischen Korrelate.
Respiratory and Systemic Effects of LASSBio596 Plus Surfactant in Experimental Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Authors: Silva Johnatas Dutra , de Oliveira Gisele Pena , Samary Cynthia dos Santos , Araujo Carla Cristina , Padilha Gisele de Araujo , e Silva Filho Fernando Costa , da Silva Rosilane Taveira , Einicker-Lamas Marcelo , Morales Marcelo Marcos , Capelozzi Vera Luiza , da Silva Vanessa Martins , Lima Lídia Moreira , Barreiro Eliezer Jesus , Diaz Bruno Lourenço , Pelosi Paolo , Silva Pedro Leme , Garcia Cristiane Souza Nascimento Baez , Rocco Patricia Rieken Macedo
Published: February 2016

Background/Aims: Exogenous surfactant has been proposed as adjunctive therapy for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), but it is inactivated by different factors present in the alveolar space. We hypothesized that co-administration of LASSBio596, a molecule with significant anti-inflammatory properties, and exogenous surfactant could reduce lung inflammation, thus enabling the surfactant to reduce edema and improve lung function, in experimental ARDS. Methods: ARDS was induced by cecal ligation and puncture surgery in BALB/c mice. A sham-operated group was used as control (CTRL). After surgery (6 hours), CTRL and ARDS animals were assigned to receive: (1) sterile saline solution; (2) LASSBio596; (3) exogenous surfactant or (4) LASSBio596 plus exogenous surfactant (n = 22/group). Results: Regardless of exogenous surfactant administration, LASSBio596 improved survival rate and reduced collagen fiber content, total number of cells and neutrophils in PLF and blood, cell apoptosis, protein content in BALF, and urea and creatinine levels. LASSBio596 plus surfactant yielded all of the aforementioned beneficial effects, as well as increased BALF lipid content and reduced surface tension. Conclusion: LASSBio596 exhibited major anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrogenic effects in experimental sepsis-induced ARDS. Its association with surfactant may provide further advantages, potentially by reducing surface tension.
Upregulation of Long Non-Coding RNA PlncRNA-1 Promotes Metastasis and Induces Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Dong Liyang , Ni Junwei , Hu Wenhao , Yu Chang , Li Haiyan
Published: February 2016

Background/Aims: PlncRNA-1 has been demonstrated to promote malignancy in various cancers. The present study aims to investigate the expression pattern, prognosis value and the function of PlncRNA-1 in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: The expression of PlncRNA-1 in 84 pairs of HCC and their matched normal tissues was examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The correlations of PlncRNA-1 expression and clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis were also analyzed. The biological role of PlncRNA-1 in cell proliferation, migration and invasion was examined in vitro and in vivo. Results: The results showed that the level of PlncRNA-1 expression was significantly increased in HCC tissues and significantly correlated with tumor size, vascular invasion and advanced TNM stage. Moreover, patients with high levels of PlncRNA-1 expression had relatively poor prognostic outcomes, serving as an independent prognostic factor for HCC. In vitro functional assays indicated that knockdown of PlncRNA-1 expression significantly reduced cell proliferation, migration and invasion by inhibiting the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) signaling. Animal model experiments confirmed the ability of PlncRNA-1 to promote tumor growth in vivo. Conclusions: Taken together, our findings suggest that PlncRNA-1 may serve as an oncogene in HCC progression and represent a valuable prognostic marker and potential therapeutic target for HCC.
Signaling Pathways Involved in Mammalian Sex Determination and Gonad Development
Authors: Windley Simon P. , Wilhelm Dagmar
Published: February 2016

The development of any organ system requires a complex interplay of cellular signals to initiate the differentiation and development of the heterogeneous cell and tissue types required to carry out the organs' functions. In this way, an extracellular stimulus is transmitted to an intracellular target through an array of interacting protein intermediaries, ultimately enabling the target cell to elicit a response. Surprisingly, only a small number of signaling pathways are implicated throughout embryogenesis and are used over and over again. Gonadogenesis is a unique process in that 2 morphologically distinct organs, the testes and ovaries, arise from a common precursor, the bipotential genital ridge. Accordingly, most of the signaling pathways observed throughout embryogenesis also have been shown to be important for mammalian sex determination and gonad development. Here, we review the mechanisms of signal transduction within these pathways and the importance of these pathways throughout mammalian gonad development, mainly concentrating on data obtained in mouse but including other species where appropriate.
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome following Rituximab Therapy
Authors: Wardrope Katrina E. , Manson Lynn , Metcalfe Wendy , O Sullivan Eoin D.
Published: February 2016

The anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab is associated with rare but significant adverse events, notably posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We report a case of concomitant ARDS and PRES developing after rituximab therapy for treatment of cryoglobulinaemic vasculitis. There are 7 reported cases of PRES complicating rituximab use. PRES onset varied from immediate to 21 days after administration. All patients recovered completely, and rituximab was reintroduced in half of the cases. The occurrence of ARDS in association with rituximab is rarer. Only 3 confirmed cases exist, and ARDS may occur as a delayed reaction.
Familiarization Effects on Consonant Intelligibility in Dysarthric Speech
Authors: Kim Heejin
Published: February 2016

Background/Aims: This study investigates the effects of familiarization on naïve listeners' ability to identify consonants in dysarthric speech. Methods: A total of 120 listeners (30 listeners/speaker) participated in experiments over a 6-week period. Listeners were randomly assigned to one of the three familiarization conditions: a passive condition in which listeners heard audio recordings of words, an active condition in which listeners heard audio recordings of words while viewing the written material of words, and a control condition in which listeners had no exposure to the audio signal prior to identification tasks. Results: Familiarization improved naïve listeners' ability to identify consonants produced by a speaker with dysarthria. The active familiarization method exhibited an advantage over the other conditions, in terms of the magnitude and rapidness of improvement. One-month delayed test scores were higher than pre-familiarization scores, but the advantage of active familiarization was not present for all speakers. Conclusion: This study supports familiarization benefits in enhancing consonant intelligibility in dysarthria and suggests that perceptual learning mechanisms be harnessed for developing effective listener-oriented intervention techniques in the management of dysarthria. Current findings call for further research on a familiarization protocol that can subserve segmental learning with maximum efficacy.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma with Spontaneous Regression: A Case Report and Immunohistochemical Study
Authors: Terui Hitoshi , Fujimura Taku , Kakizaki Aya , Furudate Sadanori , Aiba Setsuya
Published: February 2016

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive neuroendocrine carcinoma that only rarely regresses spontaneously. Since little is known about the immunological mechanisms involved in the spontaneous regression of MCC, we describe a case of MCC with spontaneous regression and employed immunohistochemical staining for cytotoxic and immunosuppressive molecules to investigate possible mechanisms involved in the spontaneous regression of MCC. Interestingly, compared to conventional MCC, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in MCC with spontaneous regression contained higher numbers of CD8+ cells and granulysin-bearing cells and lower numbers of CD206+ cells. Our present study suggests one of the possible reasons for the spontaneous regression of MCC.
Impaired Cognition and Brain Atrophy Decades After Hypertensive Pregnancy Disorders
Authors: Mielke Michelle M. , Milic Natasa M. , Weissgerber Tracey L. , White Wendy M. , Kantarci Kejal , Mosley Thomas H. , Windham B. Gwen , Simpson Brittany N. , Turner Stephen T. , Garovic Vesna D.
Published: February 2016

Background—

Hypertensive pregnancy disorders have been associated with subjective cognitive complaints or brain white-matter lesions 5 to 10 years after the hypertensive pregnancy. The long-term effects of hypertensive pregnancies on brain structure and cognitive function remain unknown.

Methods and Results—

This study included 1279 women who participated in the Family Blood Pressure Project Genetic Epidemiology Network of Arteriopathy (GENOA) study. As part of the ancillary Genetics of Microangiopathic Brain Injury (GMBI) study, a neurocognitive battery was administered; 1075 also had a brain magnetic resonance imaging. A history of a hypertensive pregnancy disorder was obtained by a self-report using a validated questionnaire. Linear models fit with generalized estimating equations were used to assess the association between hypertensive pregnancy disorders and cognition, adjusting for age, race, education, body mass index, smoking, current hypertension, hypertension duration, and family history of hypertension. Regression models for the brain magnetic resonance imaging outcomes also were adjusted for total intracranial volume. Women with histories of hypertensive pregnancy disorders performed worse on all measures of processing speed (Digital Symbol Substitution Test [mean score, 41.2 versus 43.4;
P
=0.005], Trail Making Test Part A [mean seconds, 45.1 versus 42.2;
P
=0.035], and Stroop [mean score, 173.9 versus 181.0;
P
=0.002]) and had smaller brain volumes compared with women with histories of normotensive pregnancies (286 versus 297;
P
=0.023).

Conclusions—

Hypertensive pregnancy disorders are associated with worse performance on tests of processing speed and smaller brain volumes decades later. Population-based studies are needed to provide critical insight as to the contribution of hypertensive pregnancies to risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
Parity and Components of the Metabolic Syndrome Among US Hispanic/Latina Women
Authors: Vladutiu Catherine J. , Siega-Riz Anna Maria , Sotres-Alvarez Daniela , Stuebe Alison M. , Ni Andy , Tabb Karen M. , Gallo Linda C. , Potter JoNell E. , Heiss Gerardo
Published: February 2016

Background—

Physiological adaptations occurring across successive pregnancies may increase the risk of adverse cardiovascular health outcomes in later life.

Methods and Results—

The association between parity and metabolic syndrome was examined among 7467 Hispanic/Latina women of diverse backgrounds, aged 18 to 74 years, who participated in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) from 2008 to 2011. Metabolic syndrome components were defined according to American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute criteria and included abdominal obesity, elevated triglycerides, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high blood pressure, and elevated fasting glucose. Logistic regression models estimated odds ratios (ORs) adjusting for sociodemographic, behavioral, and reproductive characteristics. At HCHS/SOL baseline, women reported none (21.1%), 1 (19.9%), 2 (25.7%), 3 (18.6%), 4 (8.8%), and ≥5 (5.9%) live births. When compared with women with 1 birth, those with 4 births had the highest odds of abdominal obesity (OR, 2.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.5–2.8) and overall metabolic syndrome (OR, 1.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.0–2.0) and those with ≥5 births had the highest odds of low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR, 1.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.2–2.0) and elevated fasting glucose (OR, 1.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.1–2.4), after adjusting for age, background, education, marital status, income, nativity, smoking, physical activity, menopause, oral contraceptive use, hormone therapy, and field center. Further adjustment for percent body fat attenuated these associations. No associations were observed between parity and elevated triglycerides or high blood pressure.

Conclusions—

Higher parity is associated with an increased prevalence of selected components of the metabolic syndrome among Hispanic/Latina women in the US. High parity among Hispanics/Latinas with a high prevalence of abdominal obesity suggests high risk for metabolic dysregulation.
Field Synopsis of Sex in Clinical Prediction Models for Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Paulus Jessica K. , Wessler Benjamin S. , Lundquist Christine , Lai Lana L.Y. , Raman Gowri , Lutz Jennifer S. , Kent David M.
Published: February 2016

Background—

Several widely used risk scores for cardiovascular disease (CVD) incorporate sex effects, yet there has been no systematic summary of the role of sex in clinical prediction models (CPMs). To better understand the potential of these models to support sex-specific care, we conducted a field synopsis of sex effects in CPMs for CVD.

Methods and Results—

We identified CPMs in the Tufts Predictive Analytics and Comparative Effectiveness CPM Registry, a comprehensive database of CVD CPMs published from January 1990 to May 2012. We report the proportion of models including sex effects on CVD incidence or prognosis, summarize the directionality of the predictive effects of sex, and explore factors influencing the inclusion of sex. Of 592 CVD-related CPMs, 193 (33%) included sex as a predictor or presented sex-stratified models. Sex effects were included in 78% (53/68) of models predicting incidence of CVD in a general population, versus only 35% (59/171), 21% (12/58), and 17% (12/72) of models predicting outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease, stroke, and heart failure, respectively. Among sex-including CPMs, women with heart failure were at lower mortality risk in 8 of 8 models; women undergoing revascularization for coronary artery disease were at higher mortality risk in 10 of 12 models. Factors associated with the inclusion of sex effects included the number of outcome events and using cohorts at-risk for CVD (rather than with established CVD).

Conclusions—

Although CPMs hold promise for supporting sex-specific decision making in CVD clinical care, sex effects are included in only one third of published CPMs.
Vascular Smooth Muscle Mineralocorticoid Receptor Contributes to Coronary and Left Ventricular Dysfunction After Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Gueret Alexandre , Harouki Najah , Favre Julie , Galmiche Guillaume , Nicol Lionel , Henry Jean-Paul , Besnier Marie , Thuillez Christian , Richard Vincent , Kolkhof Peter , Mulder Paul , Jaisser Frédéric , Ouvrard-Pascaud Antoine
Published: February 2016

Mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonists slow down the progression of heart failure after myocardial infarction (MI), but the cell-specific role of MR in these benefits is unclear. In this study, the role of MR expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) was investigated. Two months after coronary artery ligation causing MI, mice with VSMC-specific MR deletion (MI-MR
SMKO
) and mice treated with the MR antagonist finerenone (MI-fine) had improved left ventricular compliance and elastance when compared with infarcted control mice (MI-CTL), as well as reduced interstitial fibrosis. Importantly, the coronary reserve assessed by magnetic resonance imaging was preserved (difference in myocardial perfusion before and after induction of vasodilatation, mL mg
−1
min
−1
: MI-CTL: 1.1±0.5, nonsignificant; MI-MR
SMKO
: 4.6±1.6 [
P
<0.05]; MI-fine: 3.6±0.7 [
P
<0.01]). The endothelial function, tested on isolated septal coronary arteries by analyzing the acetylcholine-induced nitric oxide-dependent relaxation, was also improved by MR deletion in VSMCs or by finerenone treatment (relaxation %: MI-CTL: 36±5, MI-MR
SMKO
: 54±3, and MI-fine: 76±4;
P
<0.05). Such impairment of the coronary endothelial function on MI involved an oxidative stress that was reduced when MR was deleted in VSMCs or by finerenone treatment. Moreover, short-term incubation of coronary arteries isolated from noninfarcted animals with low-dose angiotensin-II (10
−9
mol/L) induced oxidative stress and impaired acetylcholine-induced relaxation in CTL but neither in MR
SMKO
nor in mice pretreated with finerenone. In conclusion, deletion of MR in VSMCs improved left ventricular dysfunction after MI, likely through maintenance of the coronary reserve and improvement of coronary endothelial function. MR blockage by finerenone had similar effects.
Cardiovascular Event Prediction and Risk Reclassification by Coronary, Aortic, and Valvular Calcification in the Framingham Heart Study
Authors: Hoffmann Udo , Massaro Joseph M. , D'Agostino Ralph B. , Kathiresan Sekar , Fox Caroline S. , O'Donnell Christopher J.
Published: February 2016

Background

We determined whether vascular and valvular calcification predicted incident major coronary heart disease, cardiovascular disease (
CVD
), and all‐cause mortality independent of Framingham risk factors in the community‐based Framingham Heart Study.

Methods and Results

Coronary artery calcium (
CAC
), thoracic and abdominal aortic calcium, and mitral or aortic valve calcium were measured by cardiac computed tomography in participants free of
CVD
. Participants were followed for a median of 8 years. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine association of
CAC
, thoracic and abdominal aortic calcium, and mitral and aortic valve calcium with end points. Improvement in discrimination beyond risk factors was tested via the C‐statistic and net reclassification index. In this cohort of 3486 participants (mean age 50±10 years; 51% female),
CAC
was most strongly associated with major coronary heart disease, followed by major
CVD
, and all‐cause mortality independent of Framingham risk factors. Among noncoronary calcifications, mitral valve calcium was associated with major
CVD
and all‐cause mortality independent of Framingham risk factors and
CAC
.
CAC
significantly improved discriminatory value beyond risk factors for coronary heart disease (area under the curve 0.78–0.82; net reclassification index 32%, 95%
CI
11–53) but not for
CVD
.
CAC
accurately reclassified 85% of the 261 patients who were at intermediate (5–10%) 10‐year risk for coronary heart disease based on Framingham risk factors to either low risk (n=172; no events observed) or high risk (n=53; observed event rate 8%).

Conclusions

CAC
improves discrimination and risk reclassification for major coronary heart disease and
CVD
beyond risk factors in asymptomatic community‐dwelling persons and accurately reclassifies two‐thirds of the intermediate‐risk population.
Optimization for Statistical Machine Translation: A Survey
Authors: Neubig Graham , Watanabe Taro
Published: February 2016

In statistical machine translation (SMT), the optimization of the system parameters to maximize translation accuracy is now a fundamental part of virtually all modern systems. In this article, we survey 12 years of research on optimization for SMT, from the seminal work on discriminative models (Och and Ney 2002) and minimum error rate training (Och 2003), to the most recent advances. Starting with a brief introduction to the fundamentals of SMT systems, we follow by covering a wide variety of optimization algorithms for use in both batch and online optimization. Specifically, we discuss losses based on direct error minimization, maximum likelihood, maximum margin, risk minimization, ranking, and more, along with the appropriate methods for minimizing these losses. We also cover recent topics, including large-scale optimization, nonlinear models, domain-dependent optimization, and the effect of MT evaluation measures or search on optimization. Finally, we discuss the current state of affairs in MT optimization, and point out some unresolved problems that will likely be the target of further research in optimization for MT.
Integrating Selectional Constraints and Subcategorization Frames in a Dependency Parser
Authors: Mirroshandel Seyed Abolghasem , Nasr Alexis
Published: February 2016

Statistical parsers are trained on treebanks that are composed of a few thousand sentences. In order to prevent data sparseness and computational complexity, such parsers make strong independence hypotheses on the decisions that are made to build a syntactic tree. These independence hypotheses yield a decomposition of the syntactic structures into small pieces, which in turn prevent the parser from adequately modeling many lexico-syntactic phenomena like selectional constraints and subcategorization frames. Additionally, treebanks are several orders of magnitude too small to observe many lexico-syntactic regularities, such as selectional constraints and subcategorization frames. In this article, we propose a solution to both problems: how to account for patterns that exceed the size of the pieces that are modeled in the parser and how to obtain subcategorization frames and selectional constraints from raw corpora and incorporate them in the parsing process. The method proposed was evaluated on French and on English. The experiments on French showed a decrease of 41.6% of selectional constraint violations and a decrease of 22% of erroneous subcategorization frame assignment. These figures are lower for English: 16.21% in the first case and 8.83% in the second.
Receiving the Mind of Christ
Authors: Burger J.M.
Published: February 2016

In a post-Christian context it is important to nourish the Christian mind. Oliver O’Donovan’s work is an important contribution to understand how we receive the mind of Christ: by participation in Christ, our knowledge is renewed and our understanding of the scriptures is given. O’Donovan develops a coherent conceptual framework closely connected to the narrative of scripture. This framework is like a backbone that gives strength to a perspective. However, reflection on practices of formation is missing in O’Donovan’s work: i.e. practices that invite to share this perspective in Christ, in order that the mind of Christ can be formed in us.
A Summary, Analysis, and Critique of Moltmann’s Understanding of the imago Dei
Authors: Veldman Meine
Published: February 2016

In this article we sequel and deepen the results of the research of the historical development and underpinnings of Moltmann’s Theology of Hope. We will pursue this research by exposing and analyzing Moltmann’s understanding of the imago Dei. Concurring with Moltmann’s critique of Augustinian tradition—that is, his de-ontologizing of the image of God—we will, however, suggest an alternative understanding of the image of God more faithful to the Reformed tradition.
The Effectiveness of eu Law: Insights from the eu Legal Framework on Asset Confiscation
Authors: Fazekas Mihaly , Nanopoulos Eva
Published: February 2016

Based on an institutional and legal mapping of the field across Europe, this article explores the different barriers to the effectiveness of the eu’s regime on the recovery and confiscation of proceeds of crime. The aim is to provide a better understanding of the challenges that arise in this field and suggest possible areas of legal or policy intervention. But it is also — using the example of asset confiscation — to contribute to debates about the effectiveness of the eu’s legal strategy in building a genuine area of freedom, security and justice. The article argues that, despite the adoption of new legislation in this field and the stronger institutional framework introduced by the Treaty of Lisbon, the effectiveness of the eu’s action is unlikely to significantly improve. The legal rules still present a number of deficiencies and the emphasis on formal legal solutions has come at the expense of broader questions of transposition and utilisation, which are however crucial to ensuring effective recovery.
Lessons From a Traffic Light
Authors: Zeno-Zencovich Vincenzo
Published: February 2016

Traffic lights are examined as one of the most common examples of “global administrative law” governed by an international convention (the 1968 Vienna convention on traffic signs). They also bear implications for legal philosophy especially as regards the relations of individuals with norms and normativity and the creation of social norms. Furthermore the traffic light metaphor is widely used in common language and in other fields of law. Finally traffic lights are seen from a comparative law perspective, especially as a test for the effectiveness of uniform (and global) laws, taking into account essential aspects of the law such as sanctions and enforcement. Traffic lights could be used as an elementary model to verify uniformity and compliance in much more complex pieces of the law.
Two new species of Tomocerus ocreatus complex (Collembola, Tomoceridae) from Nanjing, China
Authors: YU DAOYUAN , YAO JIN , HU FENG
Published: February 2016

Two new species of Tomocerus Nicolet, 1842 are described from Nanjing, China. Tomocerus qinae sp. nov. is similar to the Vietnamese species Tomocerus ocreatus, but is different from the latter mainly in the colour pattern, the length of antennae, and the pattern of ungual teeth. Tomocerus qixiaensis sp. nov. is similar to Tomocerus ocreatus and Tomocerus qinae sp. nov., but can be distinguished from them by the short antennae and the blunt prominent macrochaetae on manubrium and dens. DNA barcode sequences of the new species are provided.
A new subspecies of Chlaenius (Chlaeniellus) laeviplaga Chaudoir, 1876 (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Licininae) from South Iran
Authors: AZADBAKHSH SAEED , KIRSCHENHOFER ERICH
Published: February 2016

A new subspecies of Chlaenius (Chlaeniellus) laeviplaga Chaudoir, 1876, namely Chlaenius (Chlaeniellus) laeviplaga gambronicus ssp. n., is described from South Iran, Hormozgan province. A key for the identification of the subspecies of laeviplaga is provided.
Indels ascertain the phylogenetic position of Coleodactylus elizae Gonçalves, Torquato, Skuk & Sena, 2012 (Gekkota: Sphaerodactylidae)
Authors: CORREIA LARISSA LIMA , GAMBLE TONY , LANDELL MELISSA FONTES , MOTT TAMÍ
Published: February 2016

The Neotropical gecko genus Coleodactylus Parker 1926 was, until recently, composed of five species: C. amazonicus (Andersson 1918), C. brachystoma (Amaral 1935), C. meridionalis (Boulenger 1888), C. natalensis Freire 1999, and C. septentrionalis Vanzolini 1980 (Geurgas et al. 2008). However, several phylogenetic analyses recovered a polyphyletic Coleodactylus (Geurgas et al. 2008; Gamble et al. 2011a) leading Gamble et al. (2011b) to recognize a new genus, Chatogekko, for C. amazonicus. Coleodactylus and Chatogekko differ in both morphological and molecular characters. Coleodactylus has smooth dorsal scales and five scales forming the ungual sheath, while Chatogekko has keeled dorsal scales and four scales forming the ungual sheath (Gamble et al. 2011b). Furthermore, all Coleodactylus species have two deletions in the protein coding recombination-activating gene 1 (RAG1), one of six base pairs (bp) and another of 18 bp (Gamble et al. 2008a; Geurgas et al. 2008), while Chatogekko has a unique three bp deletion in the RBMX gene and a three bp deletion in the protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor type 12 gene (PTPN12) (Gamble et al. 2011b). In addition, Chatogekko is differentiated from all others geckos by a unique set of 10 craniofacial features (Gamble et al. 2011b).
The Role of CO2 and Dynamic Vegetation on the Impact of Temperate Land-Use Change in the HadCM3 Coupled Climate Model
Authors: Armstrong Edward , Valdes Paul , House Jo , Singarayer Joy
Published: February 2016

Human-induced land-use change (LUC) alters the biogeophysical characteristics of the land surface influencing the surface energy balance. The level of atmospheric CO2 is expected to increase in the coming century and beyond, modifying temperature and precipitation patterns and altering the distribution and physiology of natural vegetation. It is important to constrain how CO2-induced climate and vegetation change may influence the regional extent to which LUC alters climate. This sensitivity study uses the HadCM3 coupled climate model under a range of equilibrium forcings to show that the impact of LUC declines under increasing atmospheric CO2, specifically in temperate and boreal regions. A surface energy balance analysis is used to diagnose how these changes occur. In Northern Hemisphere winter this pattern is attributed in part to the decline in winter snow cover and in the summer due to a reduction in latent cooling with higher levels of CO2. The CO2-induced change in natural vegetation distribution is also shown to play a significant role. Simulations run at elevated CO2, yet present-day vegetation show a significantly increased sensitivity to LUC, driven in part by an increase in latent cooling. This study shows that modeling the impact of LUC needs to accurately simulate CO2-driven changes in precipitation and snowfall and incorporate accurate, dynamic vegetation distribution.
Two-Meter Temperature and Precipitation from Atmospheric Reanalysis Evaluated for Alaska
Authors: Lader Rick , Bhatt Uma S. , Walsh John E. , Rupp T. Scott , Bieniek Peter A.
Published: February 2016

Alaska is experiencing effects of global climate change that are due, in large part, to the positive feedback mechanisms associated with polar amplification. The major risk factors include loss of sea ice and glaciers, thawing permafrost, increased wildfires, and ocean acidification. Reanalyses, integral to understanding mechanisms of Alaska’s past climate and to helping to calibrate modeling efforts, are based on the output of weather forecast models that assimilate observations. This study evaluates temperature and precipitation from five reanalyses at monthly and daily time scales for the period 1979–2009. Monthly data are evaluated spatially at grid points and for six climate zones in Alaska. In addition, daily maximum temperature, minimum temperature, and precipitation from reanalyses are compared with meteorological-station data at six locations. The reanalyses evaluated in this study include the NCEP–NCAR reanalysis (R1), North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR), Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR), ERA-Interim, and the Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA). Maps of seasonal bias and standard deviation, constructed from monthly data, show how the reanalyses agree with observations spatially. Cross correlations between the monthly gridded and daily station time series are computed to provide a measure of confidence that data users can assume when selecting reanalysis data in a region without many surface observations. A review of natural hazards in Alaska indicates that MERRA is the top reanalysis for wildfire and interior-flooding applications. CFSR is the recommended reanalysis for North Slope coastal erosion issues and, along with ERA-Interim, for heavy precipitation in southeastern Alaska.
Implications of North Atlantic Sea Surface Salinity for Summer Precipitation over the U.S. Midwest: Mechanisms and Predictive Value
Authors: Li Laifang , Schmitt Raymond W. , Ummenhofer Caroline C. , Karnauskas Kristopher B.
Published: February 2016

Moisture originating from the subtropical North Atlantic feeds precipitation throughout the Western Hemisphere. This ocean-to-land moisture transport leaves its imprint on sea surface salinity (SSS), enabling SSS over the subtropical oceans to be used as an indicator of terrestrial precipitation. This study demonstrates that springtime SSS over the northwestern portion of the subtropical North Atlantic significantly correlates with summertime precipitation over the U.S. Midwest. The linkage between springtime SSS and the Midwest summer precipitation is established through ocean-to-land moisture transport followed by a soil moisture feedback over the southern United States. In the spring, high SSS over the northwestern subtropical Atlantic coincides with a local increase in moisture flux divergence. The moisture flux is then directed toward and converges over the southern United States, which experiences increased precipitation and soil moisture. The increased soil moisture influences the regional water cycle both thermodynamically and dynamically, leading to excessive summer precipitation in the Midwest. Thermodynamically, the increased soil moisture tends to moisten the lower troposphere and enhances the meridional humidity gradient north of 36°N. Thus, more moisture will be transported and converged into the Midwest by the climatological low-level wind. Dynamically, the increases in soil moisture over the southern United States enhance the west–east soil moisture gradient eastward of the Rocky Mountains, which can help to intensify the Great Plains low-level jet in the summer, converging more moisture into the Midwest. Owing to these robust physical linkages, the springtime SSS outweighs the leading SST modes in predicting the Midwest summer precipitation and significantly improves rainfall prediction in this region.
BASTA: A 95-GHz FMCW Doppler Radar for Cloud and Fog Studies
Authors: Delanoë Julien , Protat Alain , Vinson Jean-Paul , Brett Williams , Caudoux Christophe , Bertrand Fabrice , Parent du Chatelet Jacques , Hallali Ruben , Barthes Laurent , Haeffelin Martial , Dupont Jean-Charles
Published: February 2016

Doppler cloud radars are amazing tools to characterize cloud and fog properties and to improve their representation in models. However, commercially available cloud radars (35 and 95 GHz) are still very expensive, which hinders their widespread deployment. This study presents the development of a lower-cost semioperational 95-GHz Doppler cloud radar called the Bistatic Radar System for Atmospheric Studies (BASTA). To drastically reduce the cost of the instrument, a different approach is used compared to traditional pulsed radars: instead of transmitting a large amount of energy for a very short time period (as a pulse), a lower amount of energy is transmitted continuously. By using a specific signal processing technique, the radar can challenge expensive radars and provide high-quality measurements of cloud and fog. The latest version of the instrument has a sensitivity of about −50 dBZ at 1 km for 3-s integration and a vertical resolution of 25 m. The BASTA radar currently uses four successive modes for specific applications: the 12.5-m vertical resolution mode is dedicated to fog and low clouds, the 25-m mode is for liquid and ice midtropospheric clouds, and the 100- and 200-m modes are ideal for optically thin high-level ice clouds. The advantages of such a radar for calibration procedures and field operations are also highlighted. The radar comes with a set of products dedicated to cloud and fog studies. For instance, cloud mask, corrected Doppler velocity, and multimode products combining the high-sensitivity mode and high-resolution modes are provided.
The Prognostic Value of Percentage Total Plaque Score Adjusted to Age
Authors: Ayoub Chadi , Yam Yeung , Chen Li , Arasaratnam Punitha , Chow Clara K. , Hillis Graham S. , Kritharides Leonard , Chow Benjamin J.W.
Published: February 2016

Background:

Total plaque score (TPS) on coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) has been validated as a surrogate measure of coronary artery disease (CAD) burden and is prognostic. We propose a novel measure, percentage TPS adjusted to age (%TPS/age), that may reflect vascular age and potentially more rapidly progressive atherosclerosis and evaluate its potential prognostic value.

Methods:

%TPS/age was calculated for consecutive patients prospectively enrolled into our institutional CCTA registry and evaluated for primary composite outcome of cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and late revascularization.

Results:

Of 1896 patients identified (mean age 57.7 ± 11.4 years, 50.1% male, median follow-up 18.6 months [interquartile range: 15.3, 32.4]), 552 (29%) had %TPS/age = 0 (no atherosclerosis), with 1 (0.2%) primary outcome observed (annual event rate [AER] = 0.1%). Two events (0.4%, AER = 0.3%) were observed in %TPS/age < 0.314 category, 22 (5.0%, AER = 2.2%) in %TPS/age 0.314 to 0.699 category, and 54 (12.0%, AER = 5.7%) in %TPS/age ≥ 0.700 category. After adjusting for clinical predictors and obstructive CAD, higher %TPS/age category was associated with hazard ratio 1.95 (1.31-2.88, P < .001) for primary outcome on multivariable analysis, Harrell-C-Statistic 0.87 (confidence interval 95%: 0.84-0.90), and net reclassification improvement of 0.71 ( P < .001).

Conclusion:

%TPS/Age has incremental prognostic value to traditional risk factors and CCTA measures of CAD and improves evaluation of burden of coronary atherosclerosis and clinical risk.
The Impact of Women Legislators on Humanitarian Military Interventions
Authors: Shea Patrick E. , Christian Charlotte
Published: February 2016

In this article, we contend that the current gender and conflict literature ignores the context of military decisions and thus underestimates the support of women for certain types of military interventions. We argue that the issues related to humanitarian crises are likely to provoke support from women. Consequently, as more women enter elected positions in state legislatures, the more likely a state will become involved in a humanitarian military intervention. To test our argument, we compile a data set of humanitarian military interventions and women legislators from 1946 to 2003. A series of estimation approaches and robustness tests support our assertion that more women legislators impact the likelihood that a state will become involved in a humanitarian military intervention. Our research has specific implications on the role of gender in conflict processes and more general implications on the connection between domestic political processes and foreign policy decision making.