bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A System-Level Approach to Improve the Uptake of Antiestrogen Preventive Therapy among Women with Atypical Hyperplasia and Lobular Cancer In Situ
Authors: Brewster Abenaa M. , Thomas Priya , Brown Powel , Coyne Robin , Yan Yuanqing , Checka Cristina , Middleton Lavinia , Do Kim-anh , Bevers Therese
Published: April 2018

Background: The low uptake of antiestrogen preventive therapy among women at high risk of developing breast cancer remains a challenge. We implemented a performance improvement program to increase the uptake of preventive therapy among women with atypical hyperplasia (AH) and lobular cancer in situ (LCIS).

Methods: A performance improvement program was implemented at the MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, TX), November 2015 to February 2017, for patients with a new (<6 months) or existing (≥6 months) diagnosis of AH/LCIS. The program consisted of an audit of eligible women who were recommended and prescribed preventive therapy and the provision of clinical performance feedback to providers. The baseline uptake of preventive therapy was estimated from patients enrolled in a high-risk breast cohort.

Results: Baseline uptake of preventive therapy was 44%. The program registered 408 patients with a new (n = 87) or existing diagnosis (n = 321) of AH/LCIS; mean age was 57 and 71% were non-Hispanic white. Ninety-eight percent of patients received a recommendation for preventive therapy. The overall prescribing of preventive therapy to patients with a new or existing diagnosis was 82% (monthly range, 40%–100%; Ptrend = 0.76) and 48% (monthly range, 27%–57%; Ptrend < 0.01), respectively. Adherence among patients with a new or existing diagnosis was 76% and 48% (P < 0.01) at 6 months, respectively.

Conclusion: A system-level approach improved the uptake of preventive therapy. Identifying women at the time of diagnosis of AH/LCIS and offering a strong recommendation are key components for improving acceptance and adherence with preventive therapy. Cancer Prev Res; 11(5); 295–302. ©2018 AACR.
Proteomic Profiling of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphomas
Authors: Kwiecińska Anna , Porwit Anna , Souchelnytskyi Nazariy , Kaufeldt Ann , Larsson Catharina , Bajalica-Lagercrantz Svetlana , Souchelnytskyi Serhiy 
Published: April 2018

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify differences in proteome profiles of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) of nongerminal center (non-GC) versus GC type in the search for new markers and drug targets. Methods: Six DLBCL, with 3 repeats for each, were used for the initial study by proteomics: 3 non-GC and 3 GC DLBCL cases. For immunohistochemistry, tissue microarrays were made from 31 DLBCL samples: 16 non-GC de novo lymphomas and 15 GC cases (11 transformed from follicular lymphomas and 4 de novo GC lymphomas). Proteome profiling was performed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Results: Ninety-one proteins were found differentially expressed in non-GC compared to GC type. The Cytoscape tool was used for systemic analysis of proteomics data, revealing 19 subnetworks representing functions affected in non-GC versus GC types of DLBCL. Conclusion: A validation study of 3 selected proteins (BiP/Grp78, Hsp90, and cyclin B2) showed the enhanced expression in non-GC DLBCL, supporting the proteomics data.
Expression and Clinical Implication of Autophagy-Associated Protein p62 in Osteosarcoma
Authors: Ma Hangzhan , Li Xiaoyang , Wang Jinglu , Hornicek Francis J. , Garbutt Cassandra C. , Chang Xu , Duan Zhenfeng
Published: April 2018

Purpose: Recent studies highlight the role of autophagy in cancer tumorigenesis, recurrence, metastasis, and chemoresistance. p62 is an adapter protein that is crucial for the autophagy pathway. In this study, we will describe the expression of p62 and its correlation with clinic prognosis in osteosarcoma. Methods: Western blot was used to test the expression of p62 in osteosarcoma cell lines (U2OS, KHOS, MG63, Saos-2, U2OSR2, KHOSR2, and 143B). A tissue microarray (TMA) was analyzed by immunohistochemistry to determine the expression levels of p62 in osteosarcoma patients and evaluate any correlation between p62 and clinical characteristics in osteosarcoma patients. Results: p62 was expressed differently in all cell lines. The TMA also showed differential expression in osteosarcoma tissues. Seventy-five of 79 (94.9%) patient tissues exhibited p62 immunostaining, ranging from no staining (4 of 97, 5.1%) to 1+ staining (40 of 79, 50.6%), 2+ staining (17 of 79, 21.5%), and 3+ staining (18 of 79, 22.8%). The low staining (1+) was classified as the p62 weak group (50.6%), the medium staining (2+) and intense staining (3+) were classified as the p62 strong group (44.3%). Analyzing the clinical data of the osteosarcoma TMA, we found that the 5-year survival rate of patients with weak p62 expression was significantly lower than that of the patients with strong p62 expression (p = 0.0165). Furthermore, the decreased p62 expression may be associated with higher metastatic and chemoresistant rates in osteosarcoma patients. Conclusion: Our results suggest that p62 may be an effective predictor of prognosis and a potential target for therapy in osteosarcoma.
Epidemiology of Intracranial Hemorrhage Associated with Oral Anticoagulants in Spain: Trends in Anticoagulation Complications Registry – The TAC 2 Study
Authors: Zapata-Wainberg Gustavo , Quintas Sonia , Ximénez-Carrillo Rico Álvaro , Masjuán Vallejo Jaime , Cardona Pere , Castellanos Rodrigo Mar , Benavente Fernández Lorena , García Pastor Andrés , Egido José , Maciñeiras José , Serena Joaquín , Freijo Guerrero María del Mar , Moniche Francisco , Vivancos José ,   TAC 2 Study Investigators
Published: April 2018

Objective: Patients receiving treatment with oral anticoagulants (OACs) are at risk of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). In this study, we describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients receiving OACs who experience ICH and compare those receiving vitamin K antagonists (ICH-VKAs) with those receiving direct OACs (ICH-DOACs). Methods: We performed a national, multicenter, descriptive, observational, retrospective study of all adult patients receiving OACs who were admitted to the neurology department with ICH over a 1-year period. The study population was divided into 2 groups (ICH-VKAs and ICH-DOACs). Epidemiological, clinical, radiological, and therapy-related variables, as well as functional outcome, were compared at 3 months. A total of 366 cases were included (331 ICH-VKAs, 35 ICH- DOACs). Results: The crude annual incidence of OAC-induced ICH was 3.8 (95% CI, 2.78–3.41) per 100,000 inhabitants/year. The mean (± SD) age was greater for ICH-DOACs (81.5 ± 8.3 vs. 77.7 ± 8.3 years; p = 0.012). The median (IQR) volume of the hemorrhage was lower for ICH-DOACs (11 [30.8] vs. 25 [50.7] mL; p = 0.03). The functional independence rate at 3 months (modified Rankin Scale, mRS < 3) was similar in both groups, although stroke-related mortality was greater in ICH-VKAs (40 vs. 72.7%; p = 0.02). The most frequently indicated poststroke antithrombotic therapy was DOACs (38.7%). Conclusion: We found that the incidence of OAC-induced ICH was greater than in previous studies. Hemorrhage volume and mortality were lower in ICH-DOACs than in ICH-VKAs. After stroke, DOACs were the most frequently indicated antithrombotic treatment.
The Role of Crush Cytology in the Diagnosis of Large-Intestine Lesions with Correlation on Histopathology
Authors: GV Chaithra , Saha Debarshi , Yadav Richa , Adiga Deepa S. , Lobo Flore D. , Ghosh Apurv , Kini Jyoti
Published: April 2018

Objective: To study the efficacy of colonoscopic crush cytology as a convenient and near-accurate method to evaluate colonic neoplasms. Study Design: Retrospective and cross-sectional. The original cytologic diagnoses were correlated with a histology report on 100 cases sent to the cytology laboratory over 2 years. Results: Of the 100 cases, 25 were nonmalignant. Of the 75 malignant lesions, 72 could be identified as positive for malignancy on cytology. The false-positives consisted of 6 adenomas and 1 case of ulcerative colitis. Thus, sensitivity and specificity of cytology are 96 and 63.2%, respectively. Of the 6 adenomas diagnosed as malignant, 4 showed high-grade dysplasia, and the other 2 showed superficial ulceration with low-grade dysplasia on histopathology. The ulcerative colitis case showed widespread ulcers and regenerative/reparative features on biopsy. The 3 adenocarcinomas diagnosed s benign on cytology showed an occasional malignant cell with thickened nuclear borders and prominent central nucleoli. Conclusions: With careful attention to the cytomorphology, coupled with good clinical and endoscopic correlation, crush cytology of the large intestine is a reliable diagnostic tool. It categorizes lesions as malignant and benign with a high sensitivity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value. Adenomas and reparative/regenerative changes seen in inflammatory bowel disease are major pitfalls in the cytology diagnosis of malignancy that may be averted by informing the endoscopic findings and clinical history. Cytology diagnosis saves time and gives proper feedback to the gastroenterologist.
Soluble Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products (sRAGE) is Up-Regulated in Multiple Sclerosis Patients Treated with Interferon β-1a
Authors: Rahimi Mahnoosh , Aghabozorg Afjeh Sarah Saadat , Omrani Mir Davood , Arsang-Jang Shahram , Ganji Maziar , Noroozi Rezvan , Taheri Mohammad , Ghafouri-Fard Soudeh
Published: April 2018

Background/Aims: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system. Considering the role of immune system in its pathogenesis, researchers have focused on evaluation of the expression of immune-related genes or proteins in MS patients. Among proteins whose participation in inflammatory process has been documented is the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE). Methods: In the present study, we compared RAGE transcript levels by means of quantitative real-time PCR as well as the serum level of soluble RAGE (sRAGE) by means of enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 50 IFNβ-1a responsive relapsing-remitting MS patients when compared with age and sex-matched healthy subjects. Results: Elevated expression of RAGE as well as higher levels of sRAGE were detected in IFN-β responsive MS patients compared with the controls. A significant inverse correlation between sRAGE plasma concentrations and the expanded disability status scale (EDSS) was also detected in which each unit of increase in sRAGE level resulted in a 0.308 unit decrease in EDSS. Conclusion: Considering the stable clinical state of the MS patients in this study and their response to IFNβ-1a, the elevated levels of sRAGE in patients compared with healthy subjects could be related to the effects of this kind of treatment.
Hemeoxygenase-1 Suppresses IL-1β-Induced Apoptosis Through the NF-κB Pathway in Human Degenerative Nucleus Pulposus Cells
Authors: Zhu Chaoying , Jiang Wei , Cheng Qiang , Hu Zhenming , Hao Jie
Published: April 2018

Background/Aims: Nucleus pulposus cell (NPC) apoptosis is the main factor in intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD); thus, inhibiting the excessive apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cells may be a potential way to alleviate IDD. The effect of Hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1) on human NPC apoptosis has never been reported. Our study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of HO-1 on apoptosis in human degenerative NPCs. Methods: Nucleus pulposus tissues were collected from patients with lumbar vertebral fracture (LVF) and IDD. The expression of HO-1 and P65 in intervertebral discs was determined using immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. Apoptosis of human nucleus pulposus cells was quantified by flow cytometric analysis. A recombinant lentiviral vector overexpressing HO-1 and HO-1-siRNA was used to promote or silence the expression of HO-1 in nucleus pulposus cells. The NF-κB inhibitor PDTC was used to inhibit the NF-κB pathway. Results: Our study demonstrated that compared with normal samples, IDD samples showed down-regulation of HO-1 expression and up-regulation of P65 expression. Overexpression of HO-1 inhibited the increase in nucleus pulposus cell apoptosis after IL-1β treatment and simultaneously inhibited the expression of p-P65. Furthermore, after treatment with PDTC, the number of apoptotic cells was significantly decreased with or without overexpression of HO-1. Conclusion: HO-1 might play a significant role in IDD, and HO-1 protected degenerative human NPCs against apoptosis induced by IL-1β through the NF-κB pathway. These findings would aid in the development of novel therapeutic approaches for IDD treatment.
Detection of canine anti-DEA 1 antibodies using flow cytometry in dogs following DEA 1-positive blood transfusion
Authors: Santos Suzana Claudia Spinola dos , Moroz Ludmila Rodrigues , Santos Mariane Melo dos , Santos Allan Souza dos , Trindade Soraya Castro , Meyer Roberto , Costa Maria de Fátima Dias
Published: April 2018

The shortage of dog blood donors in veterinary emergencies can lead to blood transfusions between animals whose blood type has not been identified. The antibody profile serves as a warning sign for animals that require a second blood transfusion, which is only advisable from compatible donor dogs. This article focuses on determination of anti-DEA 1 antibodies using the flow cytometry technique in dogs that have undergone a transfusion using DEA 1-positive blood, compared to results obtained from crossmatching. Blood from 18 DEA 1-positive donors ranked according to the chromatographic technique was used to transfuse thirty-three animals with unknown blood types and which demonstrated negative crossmatching to donors. On post-transfusion days 7, 14, 21 and 28, 45% and 27% of the animals tested positive for the anti-DEA 1 antibody, through crossmatching and flow cytometry, respectively. Detecting antibodies using the flow cytometric technique has high specificity and sensitivity, while crossmatching methods are highly sensitive but manifest low specificity. Following blood transfusion, animals that did not present as positive through crossmatching or flow cytometry were considered different from all other DEA 1-positive blood groups.
Induced aerocystitis and hemato-immunological parameters in Nile tilapia fed supplemented diet with essential oil of Lippia alba
Authors: Rodrigues-Soares Jorge Pedro , Jesus Gabriel Fernandes Alves , Gonçalves Eduardo Luiz Tavares , Moraes Klayton Natan , Chagas Edsandra Campos , Chaves Francisco Célio Maia , Belo Marco Antonio de Andrade , Jatobá Adolfo , Mouriño José Luiz Pedreira , Martins Maurício Laterça
Published: April 2018

The present study evaluated the dietary supplementation with essential oil of Lippia alba on the hemato-immunological parameters of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) submitted to acute inflammation induced by carrageenin injection in the swim bladder. For a period of 45 days, 96 fish were divided in four treatments in triplicate, as follows: fish fed supplemented diet with essential oil of L. alba (4 mL kg-1 dry ration) injected with carrageenin; fish fed supplemented diet with cereal alcohol injected with carrageenin; fish fed unsupplemented diet with essential oil injected with carrageenin; fish fed unsupplemented diet and noninjected. Cortisol levels, erythrogram, leukogram and the inflammatory infiltrate were analyzed 6 h after inflammatory stimulus. Carrageenin-injected fish showed acute inflammatory reaction in the swim bladder characterized by higher infiltrate of neutrophils and monocytes. The circulating neutrophils number was significantly higher in fish fed L. alba when compared to other treatments. No difference in cortisol levels was found. For dose, time and administration form tested, supplementation with essential oil of L. alba did not present anti-inflammatory activity. On the other hand, influence of dietary supplementation was observed on the neutrophils number after induced aerocystitis highlighting its immunomodulatory characteristic.
Effect of dental pain and caries on the quality of life of Brazilian preschool children
Authors: Freire Maria do Carmo Matias , Corrêa-Faria Patrícia , Costa Luciane Rezende
Published: April 2018

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of dental pain on daily performances among five-year-old Brazilian children. METHODS: The study used data of 7,280 five-year-old children participating in the 2010 Brazilian Oral Health Survey (SBBrasil 2010 Project). Children were clinically examined and their parents or carers were interviewed at their homes. The outcome was the prevalence of the oral impacts on daily performance, and the explanatory variable was dental pain in the last six months. Other independent variables were children’s gender and skin color/race, family income, household overcrowding, and caries experience (dmft). Rao-Scott test and Poisson regression for complex samples were carried out. RESULTS: The prevalence of impacts on daily performances was 26.1% (95%CI 22.3–30.2). Significant associations were found between the outcome and pain, caries experience, and sociodemographic variables. After adjusting for the independent variables, only pain and caries remained significant. Impacts on daily performances were more frequent among children with pain (PR  =  1.14, 95%CI 1.06–1.23) compared to those without pain. Children with low dmft (PR = 1.90, 95%CI 1.39–2.60) and those with high dmft (PR = 3.53, 95%CI 2.78–4.49) had a higher prevalence of impact than those with no caries experience. CONCLUSIONS: Dental pain and caries had strong negative impacts on the five-year-old children’s daily performances regardless of their demographic and socioeconomic characteristics.
Adherence to physical activity in adults with chronic diseases: ELSA-Brasil
Authors: Forechi Ludimila , Mill José Geraldo , Griep Rosane Härter , Santos Itamar , Pitanga Francisco , Molina Maria del Carmen Bisi
Published: April 2018

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to investigate the adherence and the factors that influence adherence to physical activity in adults with dyslipidemia, hypertension, or diabetes. METHODS: The analyses were based on data collected at the baseline of the 14,521 participants from the study ELSA-Brasil aged between 35 and 74 years. The level of leisure time physical activity was determined using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the influence of the demographic data, socioeconomic conditions, perceived health status, and access to exercise facilities in the neighborhood on adherence to physical activity. RESULTS: Men with hypertension and dyslipidemia were more active than women. The results show that 17.8%, 15.1%, and 13.9% of the subjects who reported dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes, respectively, adhere to the physical activity recommendations. The factors positively associated with adherence were higher education and income. Older individuals who reported poor perceived health, were overweight and obese, regularly smoked, and had fewer opportunities to exercise in the neighborhood presented lower adherence. CONCLUSIONS: The number of adults with dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes who adhere to the physical activity recommendations is very low. Higher education and income are positively associated with adherence, while age, excess body weight, negative perceived health, regular smoking, and lack of opportunity to exercise in the neighborhood were considered barriers to physical activity.
Hospitalizations for cancer in international migrants versus local population in Chile
Authors: Oyarte Marcela , Delgado Iris , Pedrero Víctor , Agar Lorenzo , Cabieses Báltica
Published: April 2018

OBJECTIVE: To compare cancer hospital morbidity among the local population and the immigrant population in Chile. METHODS: This is a prevalence study based on the analysis of hospital discharges of all the health centers of Chile. Cancer hospital discharges were characterized in 2012 according to the migratory status. The crude and specific rates of hospital morbidity for this cause were estimated for the analysis of their association with migratory status using zero-inflated negative binomial regression, adjusted for sociodemographic variables. RESULTS: The neoplasms were the third cause of hospital discharges for immigrants and the seventh one for Chileans. The adjusted rate of cancer hospital discharges was higher for Chileans than immigrants, and the latter had fewer days of hospitalization and greater proportion of surgical interventions. In the group of immigrants, cancer hospital discharges mainly corresponded to patients belonging to the private system (46%), and in the group of Chileans they mainly corresponded to patients in the public system (71.1%). We observed a large difference in the proportion of cancer hospital discharges for patients with no health insurance between the two populations (22.6%: immigrants, 1.0%: Chileans). In both populations, the three most frequent types of cancer were: (i) lymphoid tissue, hematopoietic organs, and related tissues, (ii) digestive organs, and (iii) breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Models of differentiated care should be considered for immigrants, with the creation of specific programs of information, coverage, and protection against cancer. More information on this problem must be generated at the local and international level.
Differentiating Ventricular From Supraventricular Arrhythmias Using the Postpacing Interval After Failed Antitachycardia Pacing
Authors: Bennett Matthew T. , Leader Nathan , Sapp John , Parkash Ratika , Gardner Martin , Healey Jeffrey S. , Thibault Bernard , Sterns Larry , Essebag Vidal , Birnie David , Sivakumaran Soori , Nery Pablo , Andrade Jason G. , Krahn Andrew D. , Tang Anthony
Published: April 2018

Background:

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator arrhythmia discrimination algorithms often are unable to discriminate ventricular from supraventricular arrhythmias. We sought to evaluate whether the response to antitachycardia pacing (ATP) in patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator could further discriminate ventricular from supraventricular arrhythmias in patients receiving ATP.

Methods and Results:

All episodes of ventricular or supraventricular tachycardia where ATP was delivered in patients enrolled in RAFT (Cardiac-Resynchronization Therapy for Mild-to-Moderate Heart Failure Trial) were included. RAFT randomized 1798 patients with New York Heart Association class II/III heart failure, left ventricular ejection fraction ≤30%, and QRS duration of ≥120 ms to a implantable cardioverter defibrillator±cardiac resynchronization therapy. The tachycardia cycle lengths (TCLs) before and after the delivery of ATP and the postpacing intervals were assessed. Overall, 10 916 ATP attempts were reviewed for 8150 tachycardia episodes in 924 patients. After excluding tachycardias where ATP terminated the episode or where the specific mechanism of the tachycardia was uncertain, we analyzed 3676 ATP attempts delivered for 2046 tachycardia episodes in 541 patients. A shorter difference between postpacing interval and TCL (PPI−TCL) was more likely to be associated with ventricular tachycardia than with supraventricular tachyarrhythmia (138.1±104.2 versus 277.4±126.9 ms;
p
<0.001). Analysis of the receiver operator curve for the PPI−TCL revealed an area under the curve of 0.803 (
p
<0.001; 95% confidence interval, 0.784–0.822). The majority of tachycardias with a PPI−TCL >360 ms were supraventricular with a PPI−TCL value of ≤360 ms having a sensitivity of 97.4% and specificity of 28.3% for ventricular tachycardia.

Conclusions:

The ATP response, specifically the PPI−TCL, can further discriminate ventricular from supraventricular arrhythmias in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators when the currently available discriminators fail.

Clinical Trial Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00251251.
Geographic Variations in In‐Hospital Mortality and Use of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Following Acute Myocardial Infarction in China: A Nationwide Cross‐Sectional Analysis
Authors: Chen Hui , Shi Lizheng , Xue Ming , Wang Ni , Dong Xiao , Cai Yue , Chen Jieqing , Zhu Weiguo , Xu Hua , Meng Qun
Published: April 2018

Background

Prevalence of acute myocardial infarction (
AMI
) is increasing in China, and AMI has become a major cause of mortality; however, information is very limited about the nationwide geographic and hospital variation in in‐hospital mortality (
IHM
) and the use of percutaneous coronary intervention (
PCI
) after
AMI
.

Methods and Results

From the Nationwide Hospital Discharge Database of China, we identified 242 866 adult admissions with
AMI
in 2015 from 1055 tertiary hospitals. We used multivariable logistic regressions to analyze the associations between geographic or hospital characteristics with
IHM
or
PCI
use. The national
IHM
rate was 4.71% (95% confidence interval, 4.62–4.79%). There was a greater risk of mortality in the Northeast (odds ratio [
OR
]: 1.86), West (
OR
: 1.73), South (
OR
: 1.32), and North (
OR
: 1.14) regions than in the East region of China. Non–teaching hospitals (
OR
: 1.18) and tertiary level B hospitals (
OR
: 1.06) were associated with higher
IHM
rates. The national
PCI
use rate was 45.3% (95% confidence interval, 45.1–45.5%). Compared with the East region of China,
PCI
use was lower in the Northeast (
OR
: 0.50), West (
OR
: 0.64), North (
OR
: 0.84), and South (
OR
: 0.88) regions. Non–teaching hospitals (
OR
: 0.83) and tertiary level B hospitals (
OR
: 0.55) were also associated with lower usage rates. There was a significant negative correlation between
IHM
and
PCI
use (
r
=−0.955), and
IHM
rates for patients with and without
PCI
both differed by geographic regions.

Conclusions

There were significant differences in
IHM
and
PCI
use among China's tertiary hospitals, linked to both geographic and hospital characteristics. More targeted intervention at national and regional levels is needed to improve access to effective health technologies and, eventually, outcomes following
AMI
.
IL‐23R Deficiency Does Not Impact Atherosclerotic Plaque Development in Mice
Authors: Engelbertsen Daniel , Depuydt Marie A. C. , Verwilligen Robin A. F. , Rattik Sara , Levinsohn Erik , Edsfeldt Andreas , Kuperwaser Felicia , Jarolim Petr , Lichtman Andrew H.
Published: April 2018

Background

Interleukin‐23 (
IL
‐23) has been implicated in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases by skewing
CD
4
+
T helper cells towards a pathogenic Th17 phenotype. In this study we investigated the presence of
IL
‐23 receptor (
IL
‐23R)‐expressing cells in the atherosclerotic aorta and evaluated the effect of
IL
‐23R deficiency on atherosclerosis development in mice.

Methods and Results

We used heterozygous
Ldlr

−/−

Il23r

e

GFP

/

WT

knock‐in mice to identify
IL
‐23R‐expressing cells by flow cytometry and homozygous
Ldlr

−/−

Il23r

e

GFP

/

eGFP

(
Ldlr

−/−

Il23r

−/−

) mice to investigate the effect of lack of
IL
‐23R in atherosclerosis. We demonstrate the presence of relatively rare
IL
‐23R‐expressing cells in lymphoid tissue and aorta (≈0.1–1%
IL
23R
+
cells of all
CD
45
+
leukocytes). After 10 weeks on a high‐fat diet, production of
IL
‐17, but not interferon‐γ, by
CD
4
+
T cells and other lymphocytes was reduced in
Ldlr

−/−

Il23r

−/−

compared with
Ldlr

−/−

controls. However,
Ldlr

−/−

and
Ldlr

−/−

Il23r

−/−

mice had equivalent amounts of aortic sinus and descending aorta lesions. Adoptive transfer of
IL
‐23R‐deficient
CD
4
+
T cells to lymphopenic
Ldlr

−/−

Rag1

−/−

resulted in dramatically reduced
IL
‐17‐producing T cells but did not reduce atherosclerosis, compared with transfer of
IL
‐23R‐sufficient
CD
4
+
T cells.

Conclusions

These data demonstrate that loss of
IL
‐23R does not affect development of experimental atherosclerosis in
LDL
r‐deficient mice, despite a role for
IL
‐23 in differentiation of
IL
‐17‐producing T cells.
Spurious Ambiguity and Focalization
Authors: Morrill Glyn , Valentín Oriol
Published: April 2018

Spurious ambiguity is the phenomenon whereby distinct derivations in grammar may assign the same structural reading, resulting in redundancy in the parse search space and inefficiency in parsing. Understanding the problem depends on identifying the essential mathematical structure of derivations. This is trivial in the case of context free grammar, where the parse structures are ordered trees; in the case of type logical categorial grammar, the parse structures are proof nets. However, with respect to multiplicatives, intrinsic proof nets have not yet been given for displacement calculus, and proof nets for additives, which have applications to polymorphism, are not easy to characterize. In this context we approach here multiplicative-additive spurious ambiguity by means of the proof-theoretic technique of focalization.
Generating New Musical Works in the Style of Milton Babbitt
Authors: Bemman Brian , Meredith David
Published: April 2018

Milton Babbitt is noted for composing twelve-tone and serial music that is both complex and highly constrained. He has written extensively on a variety of topics in music and his writings have had a profound and lasting impact on musical composition. In this article, we first review in detail his compositional process and the techniques he developed, focusing in particular on the all-partition array, time-point system, and equal-note-value strings used in his later works. Next, we describe our proposed procedure for automating his compositional process using these techniques. We conclude by using our procedure to automatically generate an entirely new musical work that we argue is in the style of Babbitt.
Toward Multipurpose Agriculture: Food, Fuels, Flex Crops, and Prospects for a Bioeconomy
Authors: Bastos Lima Mairon G.
Published: April 2018

Each day, agriculture becomes more highly integrated into an increasing number of industries. Agriculture has never been only about food; cotton, tobacco, and other nonfood agricultural commodities (not to speak of spices and luxury foods, such as sugar and coffee) have for centuries been important to livelihoods and the economy. Yet, thanks to developments in biotechnology, the scope of agriculture is broadening quickly, and it may expand significantly in the coming years.
Sustainably Sourced Junk Food? Big Food and the Challenge of Sustainable Diets
Authors: Scott Caitlin
Published: April 2018

Sustainable diets are an increasingly debated policy concept to address many of the environmental, social, and economic issues in the food system. The role of ultraprocessed foods in sustainable diets has received less attention than meat, dairy, and eggs but is deserving of examination given the high environmental impacts and negative health outcomes resulting from consumption of these foods. Big Food companies that make ultraprocessed foods have focused their attention on sustainable sourcing as a significant sustainability strategy. This article argues that sustainable sourcing as a central strategy for Big Food firms has implications for the achievement of sustainable diets. First, sustainable sourcing lends legitimacy to specific discourses of sustainability that align with a growth imperative. Second, it perpetuates weak and fragmented governance, which can enhance the legitimacy of Big Food when participating in coordination efforts. These dynamics of sustainable sourcing are important for consideration given the legitimacy claims of these companies, which situate them as a key part of the solution in working toward food security and sustainability.
Prosodic Smothering in Macedonian and Kaqchikel
Authors: Bennett Ryan , Harizanov Boris , Henderson Robert
Published: April 2018

This article deals with a so-far unnoticed phenomenon in prosodic phonology, which we dub prosodic smothering. Prosodic smothering arises when the prosodic status of a clitic or affix varies with the presence or absence of some outer morpheme. We first illustrate prosodic smothering with novel data from two genetically unrelated languages, Macedonian (Slavic) and Kaqchikel (Mayan). We then provide a unified account of prosodic smothering based on a principled extension of the theory of prosodic subcategorization (e.g., Inkelas 1990 , Peperkamp 1997 , Chung 2003 , Yu 2003 , Paster 2006 , Bye 2007 ). Prosodic subcategorization typically involves requirements placed on items to the left or the right of the selecting morpheme. We show that prosodic smothering naturally emerges in a theory that also allows for subcategorization in the vertical dimension, such that morphemes may select for the prosodic category that immediately dominates them in surface prosodic structure. This extension successfully reduces two apparent cases of nonlocal prosodic conditioning to the effects of strictly local prosodic selection.
On Movement out of Moved Elements, Labels, and Phases
Authors: Bošković Željko
Published: April 2018

The article deduces a modified version of the traditional ban on movement out of moved elements that provides a new perspective on it. Under the proposed analysis, the problem with the movement of YP out of moved XP does not arise at the point where YP moves out of XP, as in previous accounts. Instead, it arises already with the movement of XP: XP itself cannot undergo movement in this case. Any later movement out of XP is then trivially blocked. The proposed analysis leaves room for movement out of moved elements to take place in well-defined contexts. Several constructions bear this out, including German/Dutch r-pronoun constructions, Slavic left-branch extraction, and quantifier float more generally. What the proposed analysis deduces is then not the traditional ban on movement out of moved elements, but a ban on movement of phases with nonagreeing specifiers, which the article argues should replace the former ban. As a result, the analysis also extends to the immobility of verb-second clauses in German. The article also provides a new perspective on the Adjunct Condition (the ban on movement out of adjuncts). It shows that movement out of adjuncts is possible in the same configuration as movement out of moved elements. The proposed account of the latter is then extended to the Adjunct Condition. The article also proposes a labeling-based account of the Coordinate Structure Constraint, which also captures the across-the-board-movement exception.
Anatomy of a Counterexample: Extraction from Relative Clauses
Authors: Sichel Ivy
Published: April 2018

Relative clauses (RCs) are considered islands for extraction, yet acceptable cases of overt extraction from RCs have been attested over the years in a variety of languages: Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Japanese, Hebrew, English, Italian, Spanish, French, and also in Lebanese Arabic and Mandarin Chinese, where covert extraction from an RC is observed. The possibility for extraction has often been presented as evidence against a syntactic theory of locality, and in favor of constraints defined in terms of information structure, or processing limitations and constraints on working memory. Another possibility, still hardly explored, is that locality is determined syntactically, combined with a more fine-grained structure for RCs and a theory of how extraction from this structure interacts with the theory of locality. I argue in favor of the latter approach. I assume the structural ambiguity of RCs and argue that while externally headed RCs do block extraction, extraction is possible, under certain conditions, from a raising RC, and is formally similar to extraction from an embedded interrogative.
Particles and Deletion
Authors: Ott Dennis , Struckmeier Volker
Published: April 2018

Much current theorizing analyzes ellipsis as a PF operation silencing designated syntactic domains from which focal constituents are extracted prior to deletion.1In many cases, this requires exceptional evacuation movements that are not observed—and often altogether illicit—in corresponding nonelliptical forms. We introduce a novel set of data involving modal particles in German that militates strongly against obligatory movement of ellipsis remnants, suggesting that deletion instead applies to independently generated surface forms, in a manner analogous to deaccenting. The discussion will focus on clausal ellipsis only, ignoring other, crosslinguistically less common types of incompleteness such as VP-ellipsis and pseudogapping.
Accidental Environmentalists
Authors: Kent Eliza F. , Orlowska Izabela
Published: April 2018

In the highlands of Ethiopia, the only remaining stands of native forest are around churches of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church. Though hailed as community-conserved areas by environmentalists, we argue that the conservation of such forest is not intentional, but rather an indirect result of the religious norms, beliefs and practices surrounding the sites. In actuality, the religiosity surrounding church forests maintains the purity of the most holy space in the center of the shrine, the tabot, a replica of the Ark of the Covenant, which ensures that the church is a legitimate and effective portal to the divine. An underlying cultural logic of purity and pollution structures the spatial organization of the site outward into a series of concentric circles of diminishing purity and shapes the social order into an elegant hierarchy. This article seeks to understand the norms, beliefs and practices of this sacred geography in its social and religious context, arguing that ignorance of or inattention to these can undermine the conservation goals that have brought these forests, along with so many other sacred natural sites, to the attention of environmentalists around the world.
Amino acid permease 6 modulates host response to cyst nematodes in wheat and Arabidopsis
Authors: Pariyar Shree R. , Nakarmi Jenish , Anwer Muhammad Arslan , Siddique Shahid , Ilyas Muhammad , Elashry Abdelnaser , Dababat Abdelfattah A. , Leon Jens , Grundler Florian M.W.
Published: April 2018

Cyst nematodes are plant parasites that cause significant crop loss in wheat and other crops. Infective juveniles invade roots and induce syncytial feeding structures as the only source of nutrients throughout their life. A previous genome-wide association study in wheat identified amino acid permease 6 (TaAAP6) to be linked to susceptibility to the cereal cyst nematode Heterodera filipjevi. To characterise the role of AAP6 during nematode parasitism, we analysed the expression of TaAAP6 and the Arabidopsis orthologue AtAAP6. TaAAP6 was found to be highly expressed in nematode-infected roots of susceptible wheat, whereas it was not upregulated in nematode-infected roots of resistant accessions. AtAAP6 was also found to be highly upregulated in nematode-induced syncytia compared with non-infected roots. Infection assays with an AtAAP6 knock-out mutant revealed reduction in developing females, female size, and size of female-associated syncytia, thus indicating the importance of AAP6 in cyst nematode parasitism.
The Pahlavi Literature of the 9th Century and Greek Philosophy
Authors: König Götz
Published: April 2018

Since the Hellenistic times (if not earlier) Iran participates in the philosophical development of classical Greece. In the times of the Sasanians some knowledge of Aristotelian and Neo-Platonic thinking is detectable, and treatises were written for Xosrō I by philosophers who were well acquainted with the writings of Aristotle. It was always maintained that also Sasanian Zoroastrianism was affected through these Greek-Iranian contacts. But it is remarkable that among the Zoroastrian writings of the 9th-10th centuries only two books–Dēnkard 3 and Škand Gumānīg Wīzār–seem to be substantially influenced by Aristotelian/Neo-Platonic terms and concepts. The paper deals with the question whether the Greek elements within these texts should not better be understood as the fruit of a Zoroastrian participation in the general interest of the Islamic world in Greek thinking in Abbasid Baghdad.
‘Kill Me but Make Me Beautiful’: Harm and Agency in Female Beauty Practices in Contemporary Iran
Authors: Rahbari Ladan , Dierickx Susan , Longman Chia , Coene Gily
Published: April 2018

In this paper, drawing on notions, such as harmful cultural practices and beauty, and based on semi-structured interviews with young female university students in Iran, perceptions and experiences on beauty practices and cosmetic surgery are studied. We show how despite existing criticism of the gendered aspects of beauty practices among Iranian women who practice them, they are still practiced on a large scale. In contemporary Iran, the female body as a contested space for expression of social capital is under influence by the globalized beauty standards that predominantly rely on Western beauty ideals. This article explores beauty practices and positions them in the religious and political discourses of body and corporality in contemporary Iran. This empirical study reveal that despite the popularity of particular practices in Iran, especially nose jobs, beauty is not perceived as a common good but as a necessary evil by young Iranian women. We discuss how beauty is perceived, articulated, practiced and potentially resisted by young women in Iran.
“Zoroaster was a Kurd!”: Neo-Zoroastrianism among the Iraqi Kurds
Authors: Szanto Edith
Published: April 2018

Disgusted with ISIS, some Kurds turned away from Islam following the fall of Mosul in 2014. Many became atheists, while others sought comfort in Zoroastrianism. Zoroastrianism, according to converts, was the “original” religion of the Kurds before they embraced Islam. In 2015, two Zoroastrian centers opened in Sulaimani, both of which are recognized by the Kurdish Regional Government in northern Iraq. Notably, neither has tried to recreate Zoroastrianism the way it is currently and has been historically practiced in Iran and South Asia. Instead, they have created their own versions of Zoroastrianism, which is nationalist, postmodern, and liberal. Kurdish Zoroastrians argue that the reason Kurds are “backward” is Islam. They seek to rectify the present situation through a Kurdish “authenticated” and “original” form of Zoroastrianism. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork at these two centers, the present article examines this new religious movement in Sulaimani, an important city in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq. It analyses the rise and distinctiveness of Kurdish Zoroastrianism looking at how Zoroastrian Kurds articulate their views on Islam, women’s rights, human rights, and Kurdish independence.
Rapture and Horror: A Phenomenology of Theatrical Invisibility in Macbeth
Authors: Tassi Marguerite A.
Published: April 2018

Macbeth is arguably Shakespeare’s greatest experiment in the phenomenology of horrible imaginings. For all of its visible supernatural trappings, Macbeth is a play radically steeped in the invisible, which exerts a gravitational force on all aspects of performance. The phantom dagger, King Duncan’s slain body, Lady Macbeth’s murky hell—these unseen supernatural sights are as phenomenologically palpable and horrifying in the theater as the weïrd sisters are. Invisible elements of the play’s world permeate the visible, producing a pervasive sense of unease, dread, and horror in the theater. The experience of horror co-exists with another strongly felt experience, that of rapture, which arises especially in moments when the Macbeths are fascinated with invisible phenomena and enter into trance-like states of deep absorption, ecstasy, and madness.
Thalictrum argyi (Ranunculaceae) is conspecific with T. fortunei, not T. javanicum
Authors: YUAN QIONG , REN CHEN , YANG QIN-ER
Published: April 2018

Thalictrum argyi (Ranunculaceae) had been previously placed in synonymy with T. javanicum. We demonstrate that T. argyi is actually conspecific with T. fortunei. We therefore reduce T. argyi, a later name, to the synonymy of T. fortunei. Lectotypification is proposed for T. fortunei.
Taxonomic status of two populations of Bent-toed Geckos of the Cyrtodactylus irregularis complex (Squamata: Gekkonidae) with description of a new species from Nui Chua National Park, southern Vietnam
Authors: PAUWELS OLIVIER S. G. , NAZAROV ROMAN A. , BOBROV VLADIMIR V. , POYARKOV NIKOLAY A.
Published: April 2018

Based on genetic, morphological and chromatical comparisons we evaluate the taxonomic status of two southern Vietnamese forest-dwelling populations of the Cyrtodactylus irregularis species complex. We confirm the allocation of the population from Binh Chau—Phuoc Buu Nature Reserve (Ba Ria—Vung Tau Province) to C. cattienensis and we describe the population of Nui Chua National Park (Ninh Thuan Province) as Cyrtodactylus sangi sp. nov. This brings to 18 the number of species within the C. irregularis complex and to 41 the number of described Cyrtodactylus species recorded from Vietnam.
Morphological description and DNA barcoding of Chaetocladius (Chaetocladius) elisabethae sp. nov. (Diptera: Chironomidae: Orthocladiinae) from the Moscow Region
Authors: MAKARCHENKO EUGENYI A. , MAKARCHENKO MARINA A. , SEMENCHENKO ALEXANDER A. , PALATOV DMITRY M.
Published: April 2018

Illustrated descriptions of the adult male, pupa and fourth instar larva, as well as DNA barcoding results of Chaetocladius (Chaetocladius) elisabethae sp. nov. in comparison with closely related species of Chaetocladius s. str. from the Moscow Region are provided. A reference 658 bp barcode sequence from a fragment of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase I (COI) was used as a tool for species delimitation. Comparisons with corresponding regions of COI between C. (s. str.) elisabethae sp. nov. and other species of the subgenus produced K2P genetic distances of 0.11–0.16, values well associated with interspecific variation. The barcodes of the new species were identical to the Chaetocladius sp. 2ES in BOLD systems. Molecular data were also used for the reconstruction of the phylogenetic relationships within the subgenus Chaetocladius s. str.
The Indian Summer Monsoon Intraseasonal Oscillations in CFSv2 Forecasts: Biases and Importance of Improving Air–Sea Interaction Processes
Authors: Li Yuanlong , Han Weiqing , Wang Wanqiu , Zhang Lei , Ravichandran M.
Published: April 2018

Northward-propagating Indian summer monsoon intraseasonal oscillations (MISOs) are a major origin of the active–break spells of the monsoon rainfall. Forecast results for 28 active and 27 break spells from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Climate Forecast System, version 2 (CFSv2), during 1999–2010 are analyzed. CFSv2 forecasts are able to represent the propagation of MISOs from the equator to central India, showing improvements in many aspects compared to its previous version. Systematic biases for MISOs, however, still exist, exhibiting apparently weaker amplitude and slower northward propagation compared to observations. The eastern Arabian Sea (EAS)–western Bay of Bengal (WBB) region (EAS–WBB region; 12°–20°N, 65°–85°E) is found to be critical for the MISO prediction. In that region, the forecast and observed MISO trajectories begin to bifurcate from each other, and forecast errors grow rapidly. Further diagnosis reveals that local air–sea interaction in that region is severely underrepresented in CFSv2. Sea surface temperature (SST) response to surface heat flux forcing and convection response to SST forcing are both too weak, leading to the underestimated MISO amplitude. The relationship between precipitation and SST in CFSv2 is much more chaotic than in observation. The misrepresentation of air–sea coupling results in longer MISO periods in the EAS–WBB region, manifesting as slower propagation and delayed arrival of MISOs in central India. Refining the air–sea coupling processes is crucial for improving the CFSv2 forecast. This includes taking into account the ocean skin layer, better resolving the diurnal cycle, and improving the ocean model physics.