bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and outcome of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease in adolescents and young adults undergoing weight loss surgery
Authors: Corey K. E. , Stanley T. L. , Misdraji J. , Scirica C. , Pratt J. , Hoppin A. , Misra M.
Published: March 2014

Background/Objective

We evaluated the prevalence of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in 27 adolescents referred for weight loss surgery (WLS).

Results

On biopsy, 18 patients (66.7%) had NAFLD, and of those, 10 (37.0%) had NASH and 11 (40.7%) had fibrosis. Insulin, HbA1C and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) were significantly higher in patients with NASH than those without NASH. Following WLS, 40% of patients with NASH had persistently elevated aminotransferase levels despite weight loss.

Conclusion

We found that NASH is underdiagnosed in adolescents referred for WLS, and that hyperinsulinaemia, HOMA‐IR and HbA1c can aid in identifying high‐risk patients.
Long‐Run Stock Performance and Its Determinants for Asset Buyers
Authors: Chen Sheng‐Syan , Liu Yong‐Chin , Chen I‐Ju
Published: March 2014

This paper examines the long‐term stock performance of asset purchasers and the determinants of cross‐sectional differences in performance. Our findings show that buyers’ stocks, on average, underperform following purchases. Buy‐and‐hold abnormal returns of buyers acquiring related assets are significantly higher than those acquiring unrelated assets, consistent with the focus hypothesis. Asset buyers with superior prior stock performance experience poorer long‐run performance than buyers with inferior prior stock performance, consistent with the prior performance hypothesis. Asset buyers that manage earnings upward, experience poorer long‐term abnormal stock performance than acquirers with downward earnings management, consistent with the earnings management hypothesis. The long‐term return evidence is to some degree consistent with the governance hypothesis but we find little support for the free cash flow hypothesis.
Median neuropathy at the wrist as an early manifestation of diabetic neuropathy
Authors: Horinouchi Shuji , Deguchi Takahisa , Arimura Kimiyoshi , Arimura Aiko , Dochi Yukari , Uto Tadashi , Nakamura Tomonori , Arimura Yumiko , Nishio Yoshihiko , Takashima Hiroshi
Published: March 2014

Aims/Introduction

To elucidate the clinical significance of median neuropathy at the wrist (MN) in patients with diabetes.

Materials and Methods

In total, 340 patients with diabetes who were hospitalized for glycemic control were enrolled in the present study. The diagnoses of MN and diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) were based on electrophysiological criteria. A total of 187 patients were divided into four subgroups: patients without MN or DPN; patients with MN without DPN; patients with MN and DPN; and patients with DPN without MN. Intergroup comparisons of clinical characteristics and results of nerve conduction studies were carried out.

Results

A total of 71 patients had neither MN nor DPN; 25 had MN, but no DPN; 55 had MN and DPN; and 36 had DPN, but no MN. In comparison with the MN and DPN group, the MN without DPN group included more patients in the early phase of diabetes (diagnosed within the past 5 years) and fewer patients with diabetic microangiopathy. Comparative median nerve conduction studies showed significantly lower motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities, longer F‐wave latencies, and smaller sensory nerve action potentials in patients with MN and DPN than in those without DPN.

Conclusions

MN in patients with diabetes could be attributed to an impairment in axonal function at common entrapment sites, and could be used to identify an early manifestation of diabetic neuropathy.
Morphological and Physiological Changes on Rhizopus stolonifer by Effect of Chitosan, Oligochitosan or Essential Oils
Authors: Alfaro‐Gutiérrez Ivonne C. , Guerra‐Sánchez María G. , Hernández‐Lauzardo Ana N. , Velázquez‐del Valle Miguel G.
Published: March 2014

Effects of chitosan, oligochitosan and the essential oils of clove and cinnamon were evaluated on hyphal morphology, cell wall thickness, minimum medium pH changes and respiration of Rhizopus stolonifer. Changes in hyphal morphology were observed due to chitosan or oligochitosan treatment in this fungus. Mycelial branching, abnormal shapes and swelling were showed on hyphae of R. stolonifer treated with chitosan, whereas the development of hyphae was markedly inhibited by the effect of oligochitosan. Clove and cinnamon oils caused few morphological changes in the hyphae of R. stolonifer. Cell wall thickness was increased approximately 2‐ to 3‐fold by effect of chitosan, oligochitosan and the essential oil of clove. R. stolonifer grown in minimum medium generated a decrease in the medium's pH. However, the addition of chitosan or oligochitosan caused increases in pH of medium culture. The highest pH value (5.4) was observed in the presence of chitosan. The respiration of R. stolonifer was stimulated at low concentrations of chitosan, oligochitosan or essential oils. Significant changes in morphology and physiology of this fungus were demonstrated by the effect of all evaluated compounds. The most important changes were induced on cells of R. stolonifer treated with chitosan and oligochitosan.
An update to depression case management by practice nurses in primary care: a service evaluation
Authors: Murphy R. , Ekers D. , Webster L.
Published: March 2014

Accessible summary

There is a recognized need to enhance non‐pharmaceutical interventions in a way that is more accessible to the primary care population.

Collaborative care has been shown to have a positive impact upon depression symptoms and a core element of the collaborative care approach is the case manager.

This paper is a service evaluation of a collaborative care intervention that uses primary care nurses as the depression case manager and is a follow‐up to the service audit carried out by Ekers and Wilson.

The results support the notion that primary care nurses are ideally placed for delivering care to depressed patients; especially in cases were a patient also has a comorbid long‐term medical condition.

There is a recognized need to enhance non‐pharmaceutical interventions for depression in the primary care. This service evaluation of collaborative care for depression by primary care practice nurses is an update of Ekers and Wilson (2008), reporting outcomes 5 years following initial training. From an initial 13 trained practice nurses, three provided anonymized data. Mean post‐treatment Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 (PHQ9) score was 8 [standard deviation (SD) 6.53, n = 185], indicating a mean positive change in depression symptom level of 8.9 [SD 7.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) 7.89–9.93, P < 0.001]. Subgroup analysis for patients identified with a comorbid long‐term conditions (LTC) mean post‐treatment PHQ9 score was 9 (SD 7.72, n = 33), indicating a mean positive change in depression symptom level of 8.1 (SD 5.79, 95% CI 6.04–10.41, P < 0.001). Nurses provided feedback on the intervention showing potential areas that would benefit from further detailed qualitative review. It was concluded that primary care practice nurses would be ideally placed to deliver collaborative care to depression patients with comorbid LTCs.
Induced resistance to periwinkle grazing in the brown seaweed Fucus vesiculosus (Phaeophyceae): molecular insights and seaweed‐mediated effects on herbivore interactions
Authors: Flöthe Carla R. , Molis Markus , John Uwe
Published: March 2014

Herbivory is a key factor for controlling seaweed biomass and community structure. To cope with grazers, constitutive and inducible defenses have evolved in macroalgae. Inducible chemical defenses show grazer‐specificity and, at the same time, have the potential to mediate interactions among different herbivores. Furthermore, temporal variations in defense patterns, which may adjust antiherbivory responses to grazing pressure, were reported in two brown seaweeds. However, underlying cellular processes are only rudimentarily characterized. To investigate the response of Fucus vesiculosus (L.) to periwinkle (Littorina obtusata) grazing, feeding assays were conducted at several times during a 33 d induction experiment. Underlying cellular processes were analyzed through gene expression profiling. Furthermore, direct processes driving the antiherbivory response to periwinkle grazing and indirect effects on another herbivore, the isopod Idotea baltica, were elucidated. F. vesiculosus showed multiple defense pulses in response to periwinkle grazing, suggesting a high level of temporal variability in antiherbivory traits. Defense induction was accompanied by extensive transcriptome changes. Approximately 400 genes were significantly up‐/down‐regulated relative to controls, including genes relevant for translation and the cytoskeleton. Genes involved in photosynthesis were mostly down‐regulated, while genes related to the respiratory chain were up‐regulated, indicating alterations in resource allocation. The comparison of genes regulated in response to isopod (previous study) and periwinkle grazing suggests specific induction of several genes by each herbivore. However, grazing by both herbivores induced similar metabolic processes in F. vesiculosus. These common defense‐related processes reflected in strong indirect effects as isopods were also repelled after previous grazing by L. obtusata.
Adaptive response in hepatitis B virus infection
Authors: Loggi E. , Gamal N. , Bihl F. , Bernardi M. , Andreone P.
Published: March 2014

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major cause of acute and chronic liver inflammation worldwide. The immune response against the virus represents a key factor in determining infection outcome, in terms of both viral clearance and the perpetuation of liver damage. Significant advances have recently been achieved regarding the functions of antiviral CD8+ T cells, leading to a better understanding of their abnormalities during chronic infection as well as the pathways to be manipulated to reverse the immune impairment of chronic infection. In this review, we aimed to analyse the patterns of adaptive immunity that develop during acute infection and the profiles in chronic infection. In addition to CD8+ T cells, which are the best‐described subset to date, we reviewed and commented on the direct and indirect roles of CD4+ T cells and B cells.
Peer Salaries and Gender Differences in Job Satisfaction in the Workplace
Authors: Mumford Karen , Smith Peter N.
Published: March 2014

A substantial and persistent earnings gap exists between male and female employees in Britain. Despite this gap, British women typically report higher levels of job satisfaction than men. We consider this apparent contradiction by asking whether the higher job satisfaction reported by female employees is associated with their being less concerned by the level of co‐worker wages. We explore the relationship between reported job satisfaction and own, relative and comparison‐group wage; allowing for asymmetry in responses across genders. We find that choice of relevant comparison group is affected by gender; men display behaviour characteristic of competitiveness while women do not.
Perceptual properties of feedback stimuli influence the feedback‐related negativity in the flanker gambling task
Authors: Liu Yanni , Nelson Lindsay D. , Bernat Edward M. , Gehring William J.
Published: March 2014

A negative deflection in the event‐related potential is enhanced following error‐ and loss‐related feedback in decision‐making and simple gambling tasks. Researchers have assumed that the perceptual properties of the feedback stimuli are unimportant in explaining these effects. This assumption was tested in the present study through a flanker gambling task, in which the perceptual properties of the feedback were manipulated. Consistent with previous studies, loss elicited a larger feedback‐related negativity (FRN) than gain feedback. However, this FRN reward effect was modulated by the perceptual properties of the feedback stimuli. When gain and loss feedback were perceptually similar to each other, the enhancement of the FRN following the loss feedback was smaller compared to when the gain and loss feedback were different from each other. In addition, incongruent feedback elicited a larger FRN than congruent feedback; this FRN congruency effect was larger following gain than loss feedback. These results suggested that perceptual properties of the feedback stimuli play a role in the elicitation of the FRN.
Genetic variation of the wholeICAM4gene inCaucasians andAfricanAmericans
Authors: Srivastava Kshitij , Almarry Noorah Salman , Flegel Willy A.
Published: March 2014

Background

Landsteiner‐Wiener (LW) is the human blood group system Number 16, which comprises two antithetical antigens,LWaandLWband the high‐prevalence antigenLWab.LWis encoded by the intracellular adhesion molecule 4 (ICAM4) gene. TheICAM4 protein is part of theRhesus complex in the red cell membrane and is involved in cell–cell adhesion.

Study Design and Methods

We developed a method to sequence the whole 1.9‐kbICAM4gene from genomicDNAin one amplicon. We determined the nucleotide sequence ofExons 1 to 3, the two introns, and 402‐bp 5′‐untranslated region (UTR) and 347‐bp 3′‐UTRin 97Caucasian and 91AfricanAmerican individuals.

Results

Seven variantICAM4alleles were found, distinct from the wild‐typeICAM4allele (GenBankKF712272), known asLW*05and encodingLWa. An effect of theLWa/LWbamino acid substitution on the protein structure was predicted by two of the three computational modeling programs used.

Conclusions

We describe a practical approach for sequencing and determining theICAM4alleles using genomicDNA.LW*05is the ancestral allele, which had also been observed in aNeanderthal sample. All seven variant alleles are immediate derivatives of the prevalentLW*05and caused by one single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in each allele. Our data were consistent with theNHLBI GO ExomeSequencingProject (ESP) and thedbSNPdatabases, as allSNPs had been observed previously. Our study has the advantage over the other databases in that it adds haplotype (allele) information for theICAM4gene, clinically relevant in the field of transfusion medicine.
Transfusion‐related acute lung injury and potential risk factors among the inpatient US elderly as recorded in Medicare claims data, during 2007 through 2011
Authors: Menis Mikhail , Anderson Steven A. , Forshee Richard A. , McKean Stephen , Johnson Chris , Warnock Rob , Gondalia Rahul , Mintz Paul D. , Holness Leslie , Worrall Christopher M. , Kelman Jeffrey A. , Izurieta Hector S.
Published: March 2014

Background

Transfusion‐related acute lung injury (TRALI) is a serious complication leading to pulmonary edema and respiratory failure. This study's objective was to assess TRALI occurrence and potential risk factors among inpatient US elderly Medicare beneficiaries, ages 65 and older, during 2007 through 2011.

Study Design and Methods

This retrospective claims‐based study utilized large Medicare administrative databases. Transfusions were identified by recorded procedure and revenue center codes. TRALI was ascertained via ICD‐9‐CM diagnosis code. The study evaluated TRALI rates among the inpatient elderly overall and by calendar year, age, sex, race, blood components, and units transfused. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess potential risk factors.

Results

Of 11,378,264 inpatient transfusion stays for elderly Medicare beneficiaries, 2556 had a recorded TRALI diagnosis code, an overall rate of 22.46 per 100,000 stays. TRALI rates were higher for platelet (PLT)‐ and plasma‐containing transfusions and increased by year and number of units transfused (p < 0.0001). Significantly higher odds of TRALI were also found for persons ages 65 to 79 years versus more than 79 years (OR, 1.19; 95% confidence interval CI, 1.09‐1.29), females versus males (OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.16‐1.38), white versus nonwhite (OR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.27‐1.66), and with 6‐month histories of postinflammatory pulmonary fibrosis (OR, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.52‐2.20), tobacco use (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.00‐1.26), and other diseases.

Conclusion

Our study among the elderly suggests TRALI to be a severe event and identifies a substantially increased TRALI occurrence with greater number of units and with PLT‐ or plasma‐containing transfusions. The study also suggests importance of underlying health conditions, prior recipient alloimmunization, and nonimmune mechanism in TRALI development among the elderly.
Semaphorin 3A alters endothelial cell immunogenicity by regulating Class II transactivator activity circuits
Authors: Schlahsa Laura , Zhang HaiJiao , Battermann Anja , Verboom Murielle , Immenschuh Stephan , Eiz‐Vesper Britta , Stripecke Renata , Engelmann Katrin , Blasczyk Rainer , Figueiredo Constança
Published: March 2014

Background

Endothelial cells (ECs) play a pivotal role in the allogeneic immune response upon transplantation. Semaphorin 3A (Sema3A) was implicated in the modulation of EC growth, but its effects on immunogenicity were not previously investigated.

Study Design and Methods

ECs were transduced with a lentiviral vector encoding for the green fluorescence protein (GFP) sequence under the control of a Class II transactivator (CIITA)‐dependent promoter. Upon stimulation of nonmodified ECs with recombinant Sema3A protein, mRNA and protein levels of CIITA, HLA‐DR, and Sema3A receptors were evaluated. An enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was developed to quantify Sema3A levels in the sera of kidney‐transplanted patients.

Results

Sema3A stimulation of lentiviral vector encoding for the GFP sequence ECs caused a significant up regulation of the transgene expression, indicating an increase in CIITA levels. Stimulation of nonmodified ECs with Sema3A resulted in an up regulation of CIITA expression, which was associated with enhanced HLA‐DR levels and an increase in alloreactive CD4+ T‐cell proliferation. Sema3A receptor expression was enhanced by CIITA, establishing a positive feedback loop. Higher levels of Sema3A were observed in sera of patients presenting with organ rejection.

Conclusion

This study links Sema3A signaling in ECs with increased CIITA levels and higher HLA‐DR expression, resulting in CD4+ T‐cell activation, which might have important implications for tissue and organ transplantation.
Therapeutic plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin as primary therapy for D alloimmunization in pregnancy precludes the need for intrauterine transfusion
Authors: Bellone Michael , Boctor Fouad N.
Published: March 2014

Background

Maternal D alloimmunization detected in early gestation requires aggressive intervention to prevent severe fetal anemia. An intrauterine transfusion (IUT) is indicated to prevent fetal death once severe fetal anemia has been detected, but is not without risk. Protocols combining therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) have been described, but they usually bridge to IUT.

Study Design and Methods

We describe a 27‐year‐old G4, P0‐1‐2‐0 Caucasian female with a history of ruptured ectopic pregnancy presented at 12 weeks' gestation with a very high anti‐D titer (2048). TPE was performed on that week and twice more in the following week, with a fourth final exchange during Week 14. A loading dose of IVIG (2 g/kg) was administered over 2 days after the third TPE and then 1 g/kg per week until Week 28 (total, 14 doses).

Results

The antibody titer decreased to 256 by the beginning of 15 weeks' gestation and remained stable at that level for the remainder of the pregnancy. Doppler ultrasonographic measurements of the fetal middle cerebral artery peak flow velocity performed throughout gestation showed no evidence of fetal anemia. A healthy male infant was delivered at 37 weeks' gestation with mild immune‐mediated hemolysis. The infant underwent successful treatment with an IVIG dose of 750 mg/kg and a red blood cell exchange.

Conclusion

Our unique TPE‐IVIG protocol was successful at preventing the onset of severe fetal anemia in a patient with high titer anti‐D. Since IUT may be fatal, our approach offers a safer and less‐invasive treatment regime that can adequately sustain a fetus until term.
Extended storage of buffy coat platelet concentrates in plasma or a platelet additive solution
Authors: Slichter Sherrill J. , Bolgiano Doug , Corson Jill , Jones Mary Kay , Christoffel Todd , Bailey S. Lawrence , Pellham Esther
Published: March 2014

Background

Platelet (PLT) concentrates (PCs) prepared from whole blood in the United States are made using the PLT‐rich plasma method. The PCs must be made within 8 hours of blood collection and stored for only 5 days. In Europe and Canada, PCs are made using the buffy coat (BC) method from whole blood held overnight at 22°C and storage times may be up to 7 days. Our studies were designed to determine how long BC PLTs can be stored in plasma or Plasmalyte while meeting the FDA's poststorage viability criteria.

Study Design and Methods

Normal subjects donated whole blood that was stored at 22°C for 22 ± 2 hours before preparation of BC PLTs. PLTs were stored for 5 to 8 days in either plasma or Plasmalyte concentrations of 65 or 80%. Radiolabeled autologous stored versus fresh PLT recoveries and survivals were assessed as well as poststorage in vitro assays.

Results

BC PLTs stored in either plasma or 65% Plasmalyte met FDA poststorage PLT recovery criteria for 7 days but survivals for only 6 days, while storage in 80% Plasmalyte gave very poor results. Both stored PLT recoveries and survivals correlated with the same donor's fresh results, but the correlation was much stronger between recoveries than survivals. In vitro measures of extent of shape change, morphology score, and pH best predicted poststorage PLT recoveries, while annexin V binding best predicted PLT survivals.

Conclusion

BC PLTs stored in either plasma or 65% Plasmalyte meet FDA's poststorage viability criteria for 6 days.
Synthetic Biologists Design 'Living Materials' That Build Themselves
Authors: Service Robert F.
Published: March 2014

Synthetic biologists reprogram the genetic circuitry of bacteria to create "living materials" that assemble themselves.
Draft Genome Sequence of Bacillus subtilis QH-1, a Chromium-Reducing Bacterial Strain Isolated in Qinghai Province, China
Authors: Feng Liang , Ma Teng , Zhang Junwen , Xu Fen , Shi Liu
Published: March 2014

Bacillus subtilis
strain QH-1, a chromium-reducing bacterial strain, was isolated from a soil sample from a chromium-containing slag heap. The draft genome sequence of this bacterium is 4,034,036 bp in length, with a G+C content of 43.71%, and it is predicted to contain 4,082 protein-coding genes.
Comparison of Pulsed-Gel Electrophoresis and a Commercial Repetitive-Element PCR Method for Assessment of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Clustering in Different Health Care Facilities
Authors: Crnich Christopher J. , Duster Megan , Warrack Simone , Maki Dennis , Safdar Nasia
Published: March 2014

Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) is a common method used to type methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) in nosocomial investigations and epidemiological studies but is time-consuming and methodologically challenging. We compared typing results obtained using a commercial repetitive-element PCR (rep-PCR) system with PFGE in a sample of 86 unique MRSA isolates recovered from subjects in an academic referral hospital and two nursing homes in the same geographic region. Both methods reliably assigned isolates to the same Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) pulsotype. PFGE was significantly more discriminatory (Simpson's index of diversity, 0.92 at the 95% strain similarity threshold) than the commercial rep-PCR system (Simpson's index of diversity, 0.58). The global (adjusted Rand coefficient, 0.10) and directional congruence (adjusted Wallace coefficient
repPCR→PFGE
= 0.06; adjusted Wallace coefficient
PFGE→repPCR
= 0.52) between the two methods was low. MRSA strains recovered from study nursing homes that were clonal when typed by the commercial rep-PCR method were frequently noted to be genetically distinct when typed using PFGE. These data suggest that the commercial rep-PCR has less utility than PFGE in small-scale epidemiological assessments of MRSA in health care settings.
Midgut malrotation presenting with left-sided acute appendicitis and CT inversion sign
Authors: Çağlar Emrah , Arıbaş Bilgin , Tiken Ramazan , Keskin Suat
Published: March 2014

In patients presenting with abdominal pain, appendicitis is the most common surgical disorder. Appendicitis causing pain in the left lower quadrant is extremely rare and can occur with congenital abnormalities that include true left-sided appendix or as an atypical presentation of right-sided long appendix, which projects into the left lower quadrant. We report a case of a 69-year-old man showing midgut malrotation with acute appendicitis presenting as left lower quadrant abdominal pain.
Management of digital vasculopathy in systemic sclerosis: benefits of multiple courses of endothelin-1 receptor antagonists
Authors: Ngcozana Tanaka , Ong Voon , Denton Christopher Paul
Published: March 2014

Two patients with scleroderma and recurrent digital ulcers (DUs) were treated with bosentan for 6 months. Treatment was associated with a reduction in the number of new DUs; however, DUs recurred on treatment discontinuation. This case report illustrates the positive response of digital vasculopathy to bosentan and describes the benefits of multiple bosentan treatment courses in these patients.
Detection of peptidic erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in sport
Authors: Reichel Christian
Published: March 2014

Detection methods for erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in sport can be classified into direct and indirect approaches. Direct methods comprise electrophoretic techniques (isoelectric focusing (IEF-), sodium-dodecylsulfate (SDS-), sarcosyl (SAR-) polyacrylamide gel-electrophoreses (-PAGE)), ELISAs and mass spectrometric methods. The haematological module of the Athlete Biological Passport is currently the only applied indirect approach. Newer developments include a mass spectrometric test for peginesatide, sequential exoglycosidase digestion of ertythropoietin (EPO) combined with electrophoresis (SDS/SAR-PAGE), a dipstick method (MAIIA), and a study on the differences in sialic acidO-acetylation of tryptic EPOO-glycopeptides. The focus of this article is on direct detection methods.
Parallel Implementation of Fast Randomized Algorithms for Low Rank Matrix Decomposition
Authors: Lucas Andrew , Stalzer Mark , Feo John
Published: March 2014

We analyze the parallel performance of randomized interpolative decomposition by decomposing low rank complex-valued Gaussian random matrices of about 100 GB. We chose a Cray XMT supercomputer as it provides an almost ideal PRAM model permitting quick investigation of parallel algorithms without obfuscation from hardware idiosyncrasies. We obtain that on non-square matrices performance scales almost linearly with runtime about 100 times faster on 128 processors. We also verify that numerically discovered error bounds still hold on matrices two orders of magnitude larger than those previously tested.
Upregulation of KCa3.1 K+ channel in mesenteric lymph node CD4+ T lymphocytes from a mouse model of dextran sodium sulfate-induced inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Ohya Susumu , Fukuyo Yuka , Kito Hiroaki , Shibaoka Rina , Matsui Miki , Niguma Hiroki , Maeda Yasuhiro , Yamamura Hisao , Fujii Masanori , Kimura Kazunori , Imaizumi Yuji
Published: March 2014

The intermediate-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel KCa3.1/KCNN4 plays an important role in the modulation of Ca2+ signaling through the control of the membrane potential in T lymphocytes. Here, we study the involvement of KCa3.1 in the enlargement of the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) in a mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The mouse model of IBD was prepared by exposing male C57BL/6J mice to 5% dextran sulfate sodium for 7 days. Inflammation-induced changes in KCa3.1 activity and the expressions of KCa3.1 and its regulators in MLN CD4+ T lymphocytes were monitored by real-time PCR, Western blot, voltage-sensitive dye imaging, patch-clamp, and flow cytometric analyses. Concomitant with an upregulation of KCa3.1a and nucleoside diphosphate kinase B (NDPK-B), a positive KCa3.1 regulator, an increase in KCa3.1 activity was observed in MLN CD4+ T lymphocytes in the IBD model. Pharmacological blockade of KCa3.1 elicited the following results: 1) a significant decrease in IBD disease severity, as assessed by diarrhea, visible fecal blood, inflammation, and crypt damage of the colon and MLN enlargement compared with control mice, and 2) the restoration of the expression levels of KCa3.1a, NDPK-B, and Th1 cytokines in IBD model MLN CD4+ T lymphocytes. These findings suggest that the increase in KCa3.1 activity induced by the upregulation of KCa3.1a and NDPK-B may be involved in the pathogenesis of IBD by mediating the enhancement of the proliferative response in MLN CD4+ T lymphocyte and, therefore, that the pharmacological blockade of KCa3.1 may decrease the risk of IBD.
The role of muscle mass in exercise-induced hyperemia
Authors: Garten Ryan S. , Groot H. Jonathan , Rossman Matthew J. , Gifford Jayson R. , Richardson Russell S.
Published: March 2014

Exercise-induced hyperemia is often normalized for muscle mass, and this value is sometimes evaluated at relative exercise intensities to take muscle recruitment into account. Therefore, this study sought to better understand the impact of muscle mass on leg blood flow (LBF) during exercise. LBF was assessed by Doppler ultrasound in 27 young healthy male subjects performing knee-extensor (KE) exercise at three absolute (5, 15, and 25 W) and three relative [20, 40, and 60% of maximum KE (KEmax)] workloads. Thigh muscle mass (5.2–8.1 kg) and LBF were significantly correlated at rest ( r = 0.54; P = 0.004). Exercise-induced hyperemia was linearly related to absolute workload, but revealed substantial between-subject variability, documented by the coefficient of variation (5 W: 17%; 15 W: 16%; 25 W: 16%). Quadriceps muscle mass (1.5–2.7 kg) and LBF were not correlated at 5, 15, or 25 W ( r = 0.09–0.01; P = 0.7–0.9). Normalizing blood flow for quadriceps muscle mass did not improve the coefficient of variation at each absolute workload (5 W: 21%; 15 W: 21%; 25 W: 22%), while the additional evaluation at relative exercise intensities resulted in even greater variance (20% KEmax: 29%; 40% KEmax: 29%; 60% KEmax: 27%). Similar findings were documented when subjects were parsed into high and low aerobic capacity. Thus, in contrast to rest, blood flow during exercise is unrelated to muscle mass, and simply normalizing for muscle mass or comparing normalized blood flow at a given relative exercise intensity has no effect on the inherent blood flow variability. Therefore, during exercise, muscle mass does not appear to be a determinant of the hyperemic response.
Failure to Induce Apoptosis via BCL-2 Family Proteins Underlies Lack of Efficacy of Combined MEK and PI3K Inhibitors for KRAS-Mutant Lung Cancers
Authors: Hata Aaron N. , Yeo Alan , Faber Anthony C. , Lifshits Eugene , Chen Zhao , Cheng Katherine A. , Walton Zandra , Sarosiek Kristopher A. , Letai Anthony , Heist Rebecca S. , Mino-Kenudson Mari , Wong Kwok-Kin , Engelman Jeffrey A.
Published: March 2014

Although several groups have demonstrated that concomitant use of MEK and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors (MEKi/PI3Ki) can induce dramatic tumor regressions in mouse models of KRAS-mutant non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), ongoing clinical trials investigating this strategy have been underwhelming to date. While efficacy may be hampered by a narrow therapeutic index, the contribution of biologic heterogeneity in the response of KRAS-mutant NSCLCs to MEKi/PI3Ki has been largely unexplored. In this study, we find that most human KRAS-mutant NSCLC cell lines fail to undergo marked apoptosis in response to MEKi/PI3Ki, which is key for tumor responsiveness in vivo. This heterogeneity of apoptotic response occurs despite relatively uniform induction of growth arrest. Using a targeted short hairpin RNA screen of BCL-2 family members, we identify BIM, PUMA, and BCL-XL as key regulators of the apoptotic response induced by MEKi/PI3Ki, with decreased expression of BIM and PUMA relative to BCL-XL in cell lines with intrinsic resistance. In addition, by modeling adaptive resistance to MEKi/PI3Ki both in vitro and in vivo, we find that, upon the development of resistance, tumors have a diminished apoptotic response due to downregulation of BIM and PUMA. These results suggest that the inability to induce apoptosis may limit the effectiveness of MEKi/PI3Ki for KRAS-mutant NSCLCs by contributing to intrinsic and adaptive resistance to this therapy. Cancer Res; 74(11); 3146–56. ©2014 AACR.
Alcoolismo parental e suas repercussões sobre crianças e adolescentes
Authors: Zanoti-Jeronymo Daniela Viganó , Carvalho Ana Maria Pimenta
Published: March 2014

Um dos fatores de risco para o alcoolismo na vida adulta é ser filho de alcoolista. Com esse tema em foco, o presente trabalho objetivou revisar a literatura dos últimos 5 anos nas bases de dados Medline, Psyclit e Lilacs, que abordavam crianças e ou adolescentes filhos de alcoolistas. De 300 pesquisas, foram selecionados 27 trabalhos. A análise dos trabalhos resultou em 3 áreas temáticas: alcoolismo parental associado com características afetivas e comportamentais da criança ou do adolescente; em co-ocorrência com outro distúrbio e características da criança ou do adolescente; e fatores de proteção à saúde mental da criança ou do adolescente.
Práticas desinstitucionalizadoras em uma unidade de internação psiquiátrica
Authors: Rossato Verginia Medianeira Dallago , Mello Teresinha Aparecida Pereira de , Pires Fábio Becker , Cunha Ronei Washington Pinheiro , Silva Adão Ademir da , Freitas Fernanda Franceschi de
Published: March 2014

O projeto iniciado em 2004, na Unidade Psiquiátrica do HUSM-Hospital Universitário de Santa Maria-RS, objetiva a construção de um novo modelo de cuidado para a população internada em surto psicótico. A idéia de proporcionar condições para que os usuários do serviço possam transitar por diversos espaços da comunidade e da Instituição fortalece os princípios da Reforma Psiquiátrica que preconiza a desinstitucionalização e a inserção social dos portadores de sofrimento psíquico. Nessa trajetória, evidenciou-se a importância do envolvimento de diversos atores para ampliar o olhar e provocar diferentes discussões em um movimento dialético em direção a uma nova prática em Saúde Mental.
uso de álcool entre gestantes e o seus conhecimentos sobre os efeitos do álcool no feto
Authors: Fiorentin Cássia Fernanda , Vargas Divane de
Published: March 2014

Estudo exploratório de abordagem qualitativa que objetivou verificar o conhecimento de gestantes sobre os efeitos do álcool no feto, bem como identificar o consumo de álcool e tabaco pelas mesmas. Os dados foram coletados junto à população de 20 gestantes que faziam acompanhamento pré-natal em uma Unidade Básica Distrital de Saúde de Ribeirão Preto,SP. Os resultados mostram que 35% das gestantes faziam uso de álcool e tabaco, concomitantemente, e que as mesmas possuíam pouco conhecimento sobre a temática, sendo que o mesmo estava mais relacionado às crenças do senso comum da população do que ao preparo formal por parte da equipe de saúde.
Coenzyme Q10 Promotes Macrophage Cholesterol Efflux by Regulation of the Activator Protein-1/miR-378/ATP-Binding Cassette Transporter G1–Signaling Pathway
Authors: Wang Dongliang , Yan Xiao , Xia Min , Yang Yan , Li Dan , Li Xinrui , Song Fenglin , Ling Wenhua
Published: March 2014

Objective—

Recent studies have shown the role of miRNAs in macrophage reverse cholesterol transport and atherogenesis. We hypothesized that coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) may increase macrophage reverse cholesterol transport by regulating miRNA expression that contributes to the prevention of atherosclerosis.

Approach and Results—

CoQ10 treatment suppressed oxidized low-density lipoprotein–induced macrophage foam cell formation by ameliorating the binding of activator protein-1 to the putative promoter region of miR-378 primary transcript, thus decreasing the miR-378 level and enhancing the ATP-binding cassette transporter G1–mediated macrophage cholesterol efflux to high-density lipoprotein. Subsequently, the axis of activator protein-1/miR-378/ATP-binding cassette transporter G1 cholesterol efflux was confirmed in peritoneal macrophages isolated from CoQ10-treated apolipoprotein E–deficient mice. Finally, CoQ10 consumption promoted macrophage reverse cholesterol transport and inhibited the progression of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E–deficient mice.

Conclusions—

This study identified activator protein-1/miR-378/ATP-binding cassette transporter G1 as a novel cascade for CoQ10 in facilitating macrophage cholesterol efflux in vitro and in vivo. Our data thus imply that both CoQ10 and miR-378 are promising candidates for atherosclerosis prevention and treatment.
Diabetes Mellitus and Ischemic Diseases
Authors: Howangyin Kiave Yune , Silvestre Jean-Sébastien
Published: March 2014

In patients with diabetes mellitus, the ability of ischemic tissue to synchronize the molecular and cellular events leading to restoration of tissue perfusion in response to the atherosclerotic occlusion of a patent artery is markedly impaired. As a consequence, adverse tissue remodeling and the extent of ischemic injury are intensified, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Growing evidence from preclinical and clinical studies has implicated alterations in hypoxia-inducible factor 1 levels in the abrogation of proangiogenic pathways, including vascular endothelial growth factor A/phosphoinositide 3′ kinase/AKT/endothelial nitric oxide synthase and in the activation of antiangiogenic signals characterized by accumulation of advanced glycation end products, reactive oxygen species overproduction, and endoplasmic reticulum stress. In addition, the diabetic milieu shows a switch toward proinflammatory antiregenerative pathways. Finally, the mobilization, subsequent recruitment, and the proangiogenic potential of the different subsets of angiogenesis-promoting bone marrow–derived cells are markedly impaired in the diabetic environment. In this review, we will give an overview of the current understanding on the signaling molecules contributing to the diabetes mellitus–induced impairment of postischemic revascularization mainly in the setting of myocardial infarction or critical limb ischemia.
Mechanistic Insights and Characterization of Sickle Cell Disease–Associated Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Desai Ankit A. , Patel Amit R. , Ahmad Homaa , Groth John V. , Thiruvoipati Thejasvi , Turner Kristen , Yodwut Chattanong , Czobor Peter , Artz Nicole , Machado Roberto F. , Garcia Joe G.N. , Lang Roberto M.
Published: March 2014

Background—

Cardiovascular disease is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in sickle cell disease (SCD). We sought to characterize sickle cell cardiomyopathy using multimodality noninvasive cardiovascular testing and identify potential causative mechanisms.

Methods and Results—

Stable adults with SCD (n=38) and healthy controls (n=13) prospectively underwent same day multiparametric cardiovascular magnetic resonance (cine, T2* iron, vasodilator first pass myocardial perfusion, and late gadolinium enhancement imaging), transthoracic echocardiography, and applanation tonometry. Compared with controls, patients with SCD had severe dilation of the left ventricle (124±27 vs 79±12 mL/m
2
), right ventricle (127±28 vs 83±14 mL/m
2
), left atrium (65±16 vs 41±9 mL/m
2
), and right atrium (78±17 vs 56±17 mL/m
2
;
P
<0.01 for all). Patients with SCD also had a 21% lower myocardial perfusion reserve index than control subjects (1.47±0.34 vs 1.87±0.37;
P
=0.034). A significant subset of patients with SCD (25%) had evidence of late gadolinium enhancement, whereas only 1 patient had evidence of myocardial iron overload. Diastolic dysfunction was present in 26% of patients with SCD compared with 8% in controls. Estimated filling pressures (E/e′, 9.3±2.7 vs 7.3±2.0;
P
=0.0288) were higher in patients with SCD. Left ventricular dilation and the presence of late gadolinium enhancement were inversely correlated to hepatic T2* times (ie, hepatic iron overload because of frequent blood transfusions;
P
<0.05 for both), whereas diastolic dysfunction and increased filling pressures were correlated to aortic stiffness (augmentation pressure and index,
P
<0.05 for all).

Conclusions—

Sickle cell cardiomyopathy is characterized by 4-chamber dilation and in some patients myocardial fibrosis, abnormal perfusion reserve, diastolic dysfunction, and only rarely myocardial iron overload. Left ventricular dilation and myocardial fibrosis are associated with increased blood transfusion requirements, whereas left ventricular diastolic dysfunction is predominantly correlated with increased aortic stiffness.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01044901.
Gift, Sale, and Theft: Juan de Ribera and the Sacred Economy of Relics in the Early Modern Mediterranean
Authors: Harris A. Katie
Published: March 2014

Abstract

In 1599 Valencia celebrated the arrival of an ancient Christian martyr whose remains were the latest addition to the collection of the city’s archbishop, Juan de Ribera (1532-1611). Through an examination of some of Archbishop Ribera’s relic acquisitions, I explore the inner workings of the early modern sacred economy of relics. Ribera’s collection strategies blended distinct modes of exchange and linked him to a clandestine economy of relic theft. These transactions reflected the relic’s own uncertain ontological status as both person and object. This ambivalence became a factor that fostered an atmosphere of anxiety around the early modern relic economy, as did Protestant reformers’ critiques and their upending of the traditional Christian symbolic order. The reaffirmations of the cult of relics by the Tridentine Church stabilized the value of the sacred commodities. The economy of relics illustrates how the sacred constitutes a heretofore underexamined area of inquiry for commodity studies.
Essentially Contested Concepts and Semantic Externalism
Authors: Evnine Simon J.
Published: March 2014

Abstract

In 1956, W.B. Gallie introduced his idea of essentially contested concepts. In my paper, I offer a novel interpretation of his theory and argue that his theory, thus interpreted, is correct. The key to my interpretation lies in a condition Gallie places on essentially contested concepts that other interpreters downplay or dismiss: that the use of an essentially contested concept must be derived “from an original exemplar whose authority is acknowledged by all the contestant users of the concept.” This reveals a similarity between Gallie’s views and the semantic externalist views of Hilary Putnam, and others, about natural kind terms like “water” and “tiger.” I argue that natural kind terms and terms for essentially contested concepts are two species of a single semantic genus. In the case of natural kind terms, a term refers to a natural kind, the exemplars are instances of that kind, and the relation between the exemplars and anything to which the term applies is co-membership of the kind. In the case of terms for essentially contested concepts, a term refers to an historical tradition, the exemplar is a stage or temporal part of that tradition, and the relation between the exemplar and anything to which the term refers is being the heir of. This allows me to understand the contests that alerted Gallie to the phenomenon of essentially contested concepts as contests over the ownership of historical traditions.
A checklist of the barnacles (Crustacea: Cirripedia: Thoracica) of the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman with nine new records
Authors: SHAHDADI ADNAN , SARI ALIREZA , NADERLOO REZA
Published: March 2014

The present annotated checklist contains 43 species of thoracican barnacles known to date from the area, 33 and 26 from the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, respectively. Nine species are new records for the area including Amphibalunus subalbidus (Henry, 1973), Armatobalanus allium (Darwin, 1854), Chelonibia patula (Ranzani, 1818), Conchoderma hunteri (Owen, 1830), Lepas anserifera Linnaeus, 1767, Lithotrya valentiana Reinhardt, 1850, Megabalanus coccopoma (Darwin, 1854), Megabalanus occator (Darwin, 1854) and Platylepas hexastylos (Fabricius, 1798), of which A. subalbidus and M. coccopoma are reported as alien species from the region.
A new species of Anacanthoroides and redescription of Apedunculata discoidea (Monogenoidea) parasitizing Prochilodus argenteus (Actinopterygii) from the São Francisco River, Brazil
Authors: MONTEIRO CASSANDRA MORAES , BRASIL-SATO MARILIA CARVALHO
Published: March 2014

Anacanthoroides sanctifrancisci n. sp. from the gills of ‘curimatã-pacú’, Prochilodus argenteus from the São Francisco River, Brazil, is described and illustrated. Anacanthoroides, monotypic, is represented by Anacanthoroides mizellei. The new species can be distinguished from A. mizellei by the presence of a pair of muscular pseudosuckers in the anterior region of the body, an accessory piece not articulated to the male copulatory organ and the number of rings in the male copulaty complex. Apedunculata discoidea is redescribed and recorded in the gills of P. argenteus. The generic diagnosis of Apedunculata is amended. Both genera are recorded for the first time in the São Francisco River basin.
Ruthmuelleria, a new genus of Carinodulini (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae: Microweiseinae) from South Africa
Authors: JAŁOSZYŃSKI PAWEŁ , ŚLIPIŃSKI ADAM
Published: March 2014

A new genus of ladybird beetles, Ruthmuelleria, belonging to the pantropical tribe Carinodulini, is described based on a new species R. grootdrifensis from South Africa. The genus is diagnosed by the unique 8-segmented antennae and posteriorly-directed metaventral postcoxal lines. A key to the genera and discussion of diagnostic characters of Carinodulini are also included.
Brides and young couples
Authors: Prichard Ivanka , Polivy Janet , Provencher Véronique , Herman C. Peter , Tiggemann Marika , Cloutier Kathleen
Published: March 2014

Mate selection seems to be based to some extent on appearance and physique. Assortative mating suggests that romantic partners select each other based on their similarity in important characteristics. Two studies examined the similarity in physiques of members of romantic couples. Study 1 found that the physical measurements of brides-to-be were positively correlated with those of their fiancés, although the brides were lighter and shorter than their partners. The exception was that brides who lost weight before their wedding initially had body mass indexes (BMIs) very similar to their partners. Study 2 also found similarity in weight and BMI between university couple partners. Partners’ ratings of the participants’ physical attractiveness were higher than participants’ own self-ratings, particularly for females. Romantic couples were thus similar in physique and share the same (inaccurate) view of their partners’ height and weight. These findings support assortative mating and highlight the importance of weight in the partner selection process.