bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of a Non-Functional Thyroid Receptor Beta upon Triiodotironine-Induced Cardiac Hypertrophy in Mice
Authors: Império Güínever Eustáquio do , Ramos Isalira Peroba , Santiago Letícia Aragão , Pereira Guilherme Faria , dos Santos Almeida Norma Aparecida , Fuziwara Cesar Seigi , Pazos-Moura Carmen C. , Kimura Edna Teruko , Olivares Emerson Lopes , Ortiga-Carvalho Tania Maria
Published: August 2015

Background/Aims: Thyroid hormone (TH) signalling is critical for heart function. The heart expresses thyroid hormone receptors (THRs); THRα1 and THRβ1. We aimed to investigate the regulation mechanisms of the THRβ isoform, its association with gene expression changes and implications for cardiac function. Methods: The experiments were performed using adult male mice expressing TRβΔ337T, which contains the Δ337T mutation of the human THRB gene and impairs ligand binding. Cardiac function and RNA expression were studied after hypo-or hyperthyroidism inductions. T3-induced cardiac hypertrophy was not observed in TRβΔ337T mice, showing the fundamental role of THRβ in cardiac hypertrophy. Results: We identified a group of independently regulated THRβ genes, which includes Adrb2, Myh7 and Hcn2 that were normally regulated by T3 in the TRβΔ337T group. However, Adrb1, Myh6 and Atp2a2 were regulated via THRβ. The TRβΔ337T mice exhibited a contractile deficit, decreased ejection fraction and stroke volume, as assessed by echocardiography. In our model, miR-208a and miR-199a may contribute to THRβ-mediated cardiac hypertrophy, as indicated by the absence of T3-regulated ventricular expression in TRβΔ337T mice. Conclusion: THRβ has important role in the regulation of specific mRNA and miRNA in T3-induced cardiac hypertrophic growth and in the alteration of heart functions.
Isoliquiritigenin Inhibits Interferon-γ-Inducible Genes Expression in Hepatocytes through Down-Regulating Activation of JAK1/STAT1, IRF3/MyD88, ERK/MAPK, JNK/MAPK and PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathways
Authors: Wu Shanshan , Xue Jihua , Yang Ying , Zhu Haihong , Chen Feng , Wang Jing , Lou Guohua , Liu Yanning , Shi Yixian , Yu Ye , Xia Caixia , Hu Ying , Chen Zhi
Published: August 2015

Background & Aims: The high expression levels of interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-inducible genes correlate positively with liver diseases. The present study aimed to explore the effect of isoliquiritigenin (ISL) on the expression of genes induced by IFN-γ in vitro, and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods: HepG2 and L02 cells were divided into control, ISL, IFN-γ, and IFN-γ plus ISL groups. The cytotoxicity of compounds to cells was evaluated by Cell Counting Kit 8 (CCK8) assay; the expression levels of chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 9 (CXCL9), CXCL10, CXCL11, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in cells and supernatant were measured by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and ELISA, respectively. Moreover, western blot was used to examine the phosphorylated levels of janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), nuclear factor (NF)-γB, interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3)/myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Protein Kinase B (Akt) in HepG2 and L02 cells exposed to ISL, IFN-γ and IFN-γ plus ISL. Results: The results showed that IFN-γ treatment induced the expression of CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, and IL-6 in HepG2 and LO2 cells, which could be significantly and dose-dependently inhibited by ISL treatment (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), but the inhibitory effect of ISL on IL-6 expression was not so good as on CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11 expression. Furthermore, ISL treatment dose-dependently inhibited the activation of JAK1/STAT1, IRF3/MyD88, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/MAPK, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)/MAPK, and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways (P < 0.05), but had no effect on the activation of JAK2/STAT1, NF-γB and p38/MAPK signaling pathways. Conclusion: We demonstrate that ISL inhibits IFN-γ-induced inflammation in hepatocytes via influencing the activation of JAK1/STAT1, IRF3/MyD88, ERK/MAPK, JNK/MAPK, and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways.
Efficacy of Medications Approved for the Treatment of Alcohol Dependence and Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome in Female Patients: A Descriptive Review
Authors: Agabio Roberta , Pani Pier Paolo , Preti Antonio , Gessa Gian Luigi , Franconi Flavia
Published: August 2015

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the number of women recruited for studies to establish the efficacy of medications approved for treatment of alcohol dependence (AD) and of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is sufficient to reveal possible gender differences in the response to these medications and in suggesting the use of different doses in female patients. Our results show that the rates of women recruited for studies evaluating the efficacy of disulfiram (1%), benzodiazepines (3%), and anticonvulsants (13%) were too low to establish possible gender differences. The rates of women recruited for studies evaluating the efficacy of acamprosate (22%), naltrexone (23%), and nalmefene (30%) were higher and allowed evaluation of data obtained for female patients. Women receive medications for treatment of AD and/or AWS for which efficacy has been demonstrated in studies in which men were more largely represented.
Brief in Person Interventions for Adolescents and Young Adults Following Alcohol-Related Events in Emergency Care: A Systematic Review and European Evidence Synthesis
Authors: Diestelkamp Silke , Drechsel Magdalena , Baldus Christiane , Wartberg Lutz , Arnaud Nicolas , Thomasius Rainer
Published: August 2015

Background: Increasing numbers of youth in need of emergency medical treatment following alcohol intoxication have been a major public health concern in Europe in recent years. Brief interventions (BIs) in the emergency department (ED) could prevent future risky drinking. However, effectiveness and feasibility of this approach are currently unclear. Method: A systematic literature search on controlled trials including participants aged 12-25 years treated in an ED following an alcohol-related event was conducted. Additionally, a grey literature search was conducted to support findings from the systematic review with evidence from practice projects and uncontrolled trials. Data on effectiveness, acceptance, implementation and reach were extracted. Results: Seven randomised controlled trials (RCT), 6 practice projects, 1 non-randomised pilot study and 1 observational study were identified. Six RCTs found reductions of alcohol use for all participants. Four RCTs found effects on alcohol consumption, alcohol-related risk-behaviour or referral to treatment. Participation and referral rates varied strongly, whereas data on acceptance and implementation were rarely assessed. Conclusion: Heterogeneity of study designs and effects limit conclusions on effectiveness of BIs for young ED patients following an alcohol-related event. However, the number of practice projects in Europe indicates a need perceived by practitioners to address this population.
Epidemiology of Malignant and Non-Malignant Primary Brain Tumors in Jordan
Authors: Tamimi Ahmad F. , Tamimi Iskandar , Abdelaziz Mohamad , Saleh Qusai , Obeidat Fatimah , Al-Husseini Maisa , Haddadin William , Tamimi Faleh
Published: August 2015

Background: There is lack of knowledge on the epidemiological characteristics of brain tumors in Middle Eastern countries. The objective of this study was to study the epidemiological features of primary brain tumors in Jordan. Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study incorporating data from 16 hospitals in Jordan during a 1 year period (May 1, 2011-April 30, 2012). All primary brain tumors diagnosed in Jordan during the study period were identified. The following parameters were retrieved from patients' files: age, gender, histological type, and location. The demographic data of the country was obtained from the National Department of Statistics. Results: A total of 313 primary brain tumors were identified during the study period. The incidence of primary brain tumors in Jordan among the general population was 5.01 per 100,000 person-years (5.38 in females and 4.65 in males). The incidence in pediatric, adult, and elderly patients was 2.09, 7.29, and 14.38 per 100,000 person-years, respectively. The most common histological types were meningioma (26.2%), glioblastoma (18.9%), astrocytoma (14.1%), and pituitary adenoma (9.3%). Conclusions: The incidence of primary brain tumors in the Jordanian population is relatively low, in part due to the young age of the general population.
Different Phenotypes of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Hypersensitivity during Childhood
Authors: Cavkaytar Ozlem , Arik Yilmaz Ebru , Karaatmaca Betul , Buyuktiryaki Betul , Sackesen Cansın , Sekerel Bulent E. , Soyer Ozge
Published: August 2015

Background: Although non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug hypersensitivity (NSAID-H) has been widely studied in adults, there is still a lack of data regarding the features and phenotypes of NSAID-H in children. Our aim was to define risk factors and different phenotypes according to clinical patterns. Methods: Patients with a history of reaction to any NSAIDs referred between January 2012 and October 2014 were included. After completing a European Network for Drug Allergy (ENDA) questionnaire, initial skin and/or oral provocation tests (OPTs) were performed for the offending drug. Additional OPTs were done with aspirin in case of NSAID-H to determine cross-reactivity. NSAID-hypersensitive patients were defined as being either a selective responder (SR) or cross-intolerant (CI) and further categorized according to either the ENDA/GA2LEN classification or an alternative scheme by Caimmi et al. [Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2012;159:306-312]. Results: Among 121 patients [58.7% male, average age 7.8 years (4.7-10.8)] with 161 NSAID-related reactions, 110 patients with 148 reactions were assessed. NSAID-H was diagnosed in 30 (27%) patients with 37 (25%) reactions. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that an immediate-type reaction and respiratory symptoms during the reaction increased the risk of a reproducible NSAID-related reaction (OR 3.508, 95% CI 1.42-8.7, p = 0.007; OR 3.951, 95% CI 1.33-11.77, p = 0.014, respectively). Additional OPTs revealed 13 SRs and 14 CIs. A family history of allergic disease was more frequent in CIs compared to SRs (57.1 vs. 15.4%, p = 0.031). Reactions belonging to CIs were more frequently characterized by angioedema compared to those of SRs (81.3 vs. 46.2%, p = 0.019). SRs and CIs were further classified as single NSAID-induced urticaria/angioedema and/or anaphylaxis (n = 13), NSAID-induced urticaria/angioedema (n = 7), NSAID-exacerbated cutaneous disease (n = 2) and NSAID-exacerbated respiratory disease (n = 1). Four CIs could not be categorized according to either classification system. One SR could not be categorized according to ENDA/GA2LEN. Conclusion: During childhood, NSAID-H exhibits different phenotypes and the majority of them can be categorized with current classification systems; however, classifications based on adult data may not exactly fit NSAID-H in paediatric patients.
Two Cases of Occupational Contact Urticaria Caused by Percutaneous Sensitization to Parvalbumin
Authors: Sano Akiyo , Yagami Akiko , Suzuki Kayoko , Iwata Yohei , Kobayashi Tsukane , Arima Masaru , Kondo Yasuto , Yoshikawa Tetsushi , Matsunaga Kayoko
Published: August 2015

Background: In recent years, it has been proposed that the primary mechanism for the development of food allergies is percutaneous sensitization. Since 2010, in Japan, the number of immediate-type wheat allergy due to hydrolyzed wheat protein has dramatically increased among those who have been using soap containing hydrolyzed wheat. This incidence supports the hypothesis that food allergens arise through percutaneous sensitization. Clinical Summary: A 25-year-old man (case 1) and an 18-year-old girl (case 2) with atopic dermatitis visited our Department because of food allergy and hand eczema. After starting their work with fish, severe itchy eczema appeared on their hands. They subsequently started to experience oral allergic symptoms, intraoral itchiness and dyspnea after eating fish. Specific IgE antibodies were detected for many fishes, and skin prick tests showed positive reactions for a variety of fishes in both cases. Furthermore, the fluorescence intensities of specific IgE antibodies against parvalbumin from various types of fish in microarray immunoassay analysis showed positive reactions. We diagnosed them as contact urticaria caused by percutaneous sensitization to parvalbumin through job-related physical contact with fish. Conclusion: The patients' histories and findings indicate the possibility of percutaneous sensitization through occupational exposure to parvalbumin, leading to food allergy.
Cytomorphologic and Flow Cytometric Analysis of Cerebrospinal Fluid with T-Cell Lymphoma Involvement: A Retrospective Study of Rare Cases
Authors: Onur Irem , Crane Genevieve M. , Maleki Zahra
Published: August 2015

Objective: To compare the efficacy of conventional cytomorphologic analysis and flow cytometry (FC) in the diagnosis of T-cell lymphoma in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Study Design: We performed a retrospective review of CSF samples from 2002 to 2012 that showed involvement of a T-cell lymphoma, either by cytomorphologic analysis and/or FC. Patients' demographics, clinical history and follow-up were assessed. Results: Thirty-nine CSF samples were identified from 9 patients. A definitive diagnosis of T-cell lymphoma involvement was made by cytomorphologic analysis and FC in 6 (15.4%) and 39 (100.0%) specimens, respectively. In specimens with definitive cytopathologic diagnoses, the cytomorphologic features included increased cellularity, a monotonous lymphoid population and large, atypical lymphoid cells. Considering cytomorphologic features only, 9 specimens demonstrated atypical lymphocytes not fulfilling the criteria for malignancy, and 24 specimens were negative for malignancy. Conclusions: CSF with T-cell lymphoma involvement may yield paucicellular or acellular specimens depending on the volume of the CSF, the time interval between specimen collection and specimen processing and the application of preservative to CSF. The rate of detection of T-cell lymphoma in the CSF by FC is unequivocally higher than by cytomorphologic analysis. Careful attention to clinical history is crucial, as FC testing may be tailored to evaluate for T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders in limited samples.
Conjunctival Microangiopathy in a Patient with Neovascular Glaucoma
Authors: Abdul-Rahman Anmar M. , Molteno Anthony
Published: August 2015

Purpose: To report a case of conjunctival microangiopathy secondary to diabetes presenting as a red eye 5 years after glaucoma implant surgery for neovascular glaucoma. Materials and Methods: A 52-year-old Tongan male with a past history of neovascular glaucoma secondary to proliferative diabetic retinopathy underwent slitlamp examination and color photography of the anterior and posterior segment, in addition to anterior segment fluorescein angiography. Results: The conjunctival venules perilimbally demonstrated tortuosity and dilation (saccular, fusiform and tricornuate). Capillaries were tortuous, with sparse microaneurysm formation, and arterioles were attenuated. Anterior segment fluorescein angiography showed generalized iris ischemia, extensive perilimbal microvascular degenerative changes and leakage of fluorescein into the anterior chamber. We are unaware of previous reports in the literature on conjunctival microangiopathy secondary to diabetes presenting as a red eye. Conclusions: We hypothesized that the clinical features in our case may have been modified by a combination of postoperative wound healing and degenerative vascular remodeling, in addition to microvascular alterations secondary to both diabetes and consequent ocular ischemia, which may have played a role.
Aplicação do modelo Shalstab para mapeamento da suscetilidade a escorregamentos rasos em Caraguatatuba, Serra do Mar (SP)
Authors: Vieira Bianca Carvalho , Ramos Henrique
Published: August 2015

Embora a previsão de áreas instáveis a escorregamentos rasos seja essencial para a redução dos danos sociais, econômicos e ambientais, a mesma não é considerada uma tarefa simples em função da complexidade dos fatores que controlam a estabilidade das encostas. O modelo Shalstab calcula a suscetibilidade a escorregamentos rasos considerando parâmetros topográficos e do solo. Desta forma, o objetivo deste artigo consistiu na avaliação da suscetibilidade a escorregamentos rasos a partir do uso do modelo matemático Shalstab em uma bacia hidrográfica no município de Caraguatatuba (SP). Foi elaborado o Modelo Digital de Terreno (MDT) com resolução de 5 metros e utilizados valores geotécnicos de trabalhos realizados na região. Como resultados, foram mapeadas 131 cicatrizes (2,3% da área da bacia) distribuídas por todas as classes de instabilidade. Cerca de 55% das cicatrizes dos escorregamentos se concentraram nas classes mais instáveis: 16,2% (incondicionalmente instável), 12,7% (log Q/T <-3,1), 11,7% (log Q/T -3,1 à -2,8) e 14,4 (log Q/T -2.8 à -2,5). Para mapas de suscetibilidade futuros recomenda-se o uso de parâmetros do solo espacializados (profundidade, coesão e ângulo de atrito interno), podendo com isso gerar resultados mais precisos.
Diálogo entre Geografia e Teologia: Construção de um novo lugar, a experiência de Vigolo (Nova Trento)
Authors: Loro Tarcísio Justino
Published: August 2015

Este trabalho surgiu de uma reflexão interdisciplinar. De um lado a reflexão teológica e do outro a geografia humana. Desejamos a partir de uma visão cultural do espaço e da reflexão teológica mostrar o quanto estas duas ciências, teologia e geografia, podem se associar na organização do espaço social. Partimos do pressuposto suficientemente explorado de que o espaço geográfico é produzido a partir de diversos interesses, dentre eles, econômico, político, esportivo, educacional, cultural e o religioso. Neste encontramos também, sem dúvida, além dos mesmos interesses, o específico da religiosidade. Geografia e teologia dialogam na reorganização do novo espaço em Vigolo, Nova Trento. A cultura religiosa, tendo como cenário a vida de Madre Paulina, foi se firmando e abrindo espaço para uma nova função espacial. A fim de acolher as novas exigências do despertar da fé em Santa Paulina, muitas transformações ocorreram nos lugares onde viveu, trabalhou e fundou sua comunidade religiosa. A religiosidade popular de Vigolo passa a ter como centro a vida e obra de Madre Paulina, e sua santificação lhe garante o estatuto para realizar no espaço da Vila Vigolo tudo o que for necessário para despertar ainda mais a devoção à primeira Santa Brasileira. Novas formas com novos conteúdos para receber os peregrinos e também os turistas, um novo espaço com outras funções.
O Discurso dos livros didáticos de Geografia: As diferenças entre o período militar e a primeira quinzena do século XXI
Authors: Oliveira Mariana Xavier de , Cordenonsi Andre Zanki
Published: August 2015

A presente pesquisa objetiva comparar o discurso e a apresentação dos conteúdos de geografia física dos livros didáticos de geografia utilizados nas escolas públicas do Brasil no Período Militar com os atuais, tomando como base o ano de 2014. Especificamente objetiva-se: analisar a distribuição dos conteúdos e capítulos referentes à geografia física presentes nos livros didáticos; e comparar como era e é realizada a redação destes conteúdos frente à linguagem utilizada. Para desenvolver a pesquisa foi adotada uma metodologia qualitativa, a partir da análise descritiva de livros didáticos e do conteúdo analisado dos referidos períodos, levando, desta maneira, à compreensão do tema proposto. Os livros didáticos escolhidos para a análise foram: AZEVEDO, Aroldo de. Terra brasileira. 42. ed. São Paulo: Companhia Editora Nacional, 196; e MARTINS, Dadá; BIGOTTO, Francisco; VITIELLO, Márcio. Geografia: Sociedade e cotidiano. 4. ed. São Paulo: Escala Educacional, 2012. Desta forma, conclui-se que: há diferenças e semelhanças entre os livros trabalhados. Apesar de claras diferenças de discurso, os dois cumprem seu papel como fornecedor de conhecimento e recurso de auxílio ao professor em sala de aula. Sendo assim, não se notou nenhum erro conceitual em nenhuma das obras, sugerindo assim, que ambas são indicadas para cumprir sua função. Desta forma, nota-se que diversos aspectos influenciam no discurso apresentado nos livros didáticos: como esperado, a questão política está mais explícita no livro didático do Período Militar que o do atual, já as questões voltadas à preservação do meio ambiente são mais evidentes no livro atual que no do ano 1968. Portanto, independente do período histórico e do que se evidencia neste tempo, desenvolver e preservar o criticidade dos educandos através da indagação do conteúdo presente em qualquer mídia é uma das inúmeras funções intrínseca a profissão de professor.
Impairment of Macrophage Cholesterol Efflux by Cholesterol Hydroperoxide Trafficking
Authors: Korytowski Witold , Wawak Katarzyna , Pabisz Pawel , Schmitt Jared C. , Chadwick Alexandra C. , Sahoo Daisy , Girotti Albert W.
Published: August 2015

Objective—

Oxidative stress associated with cardiovascular disease can produce various oxidized lipids, including cholesterol oxides, such as 7-hydroperoxide (7-OOH), 7-hydroxide (7-OH), and 7-ketone (7=O). Unlike 7=O and 7-OH, 7-OOH is redox active, giving rise to the others via potentially toxic-free radical reactions. We tested the novel hypothesis that under oxidative stress conditions, steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) family proteins not only deliver cholesterol to/into mitochondria of vascular macrophages, but also 7-OOH, which induces peroxidative damage that impairs early stage reverse cholesterol transport.

Approach and Results—

Stimulation of human monocyte-derived THP-1 macrophages with dibutyryl-cAMP resulted in substantial upregulation of StarD1 and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter, ABCA1. Small interfering RNA–induced StarD1 knockdown before stimulation had no effect on StarD4, but reduced ABCA1 upregulation, linking the latter to StarD1 functionality. Mitochondria in stimulated StarD1-knockdown cells internalized 7-OOH slower than nonstimulated controls and underwent less 7-OOH–induced lipid peroxidation and membrane depolarization, as probed with C11-BODIPY (4,4-difluoro-5-(4-phenyl-1,3-butadienyl)-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-inda-cene-3-undecanoic acid) and JC-1 (5,5′,6,6′-tetrachloro-1,1′,3,3′-tetraethyl-benzimidazolylcarbocyanine iodide), respectively. Major functional consequences of 7-OOH exposure were (1) loss of mitochondrial CYP27A1 activity, (2) reduced 27-hydroxycholesterol (27-OH) output, and (3) downregulation of cholesterol-exporting ABCA1 and ABCG1. Consistently, 7-OOH–challenged macrophages exported less cholesterol to apoA-I or high-density lipoprotein than did nonchallenged controls. StarD1-mediated 7-OOH transport was also found to be highly cytotoxic, whereas 7=O and 7-OH were minimally toxic.

Conclusions—

This study describes a previously unrecognized mechanism by which macrophage cholesterol efflux can be incapacitated under oxidative stress–linked disorders, such as chronic obesity and hypertension. Our findings provide new insights into the role of macrophage redox damage/dysfunction in atherogenesis.
Medication Initiation Burden Required to Comply With Heart Failure Guideline Recommendations and Hospital Quality Measures
Authors: Allen Larry A. , Fonarow Gregg C. , Liang Li , Schulte Phillip J. , Masoudi Frederick A. , Rumsfeld John S. , Ho P. Michael , Eapen Zubin J. , Hernandez Adrian F. , Heidenreich Paul A. , Bhatt Deepak L. , Peterson Eric D. , Krumholz Harlan M.
Published: August 2015

Background—

Guidelines for heart failure (HF) recommend prescription of guideline-directed medical therapy before hospital discharge; some of these therapies are included in publicly reported performance measures. The burden of new medications for individual patients has not been described.

Methods and Results—

We used Get With The Guidelines–HF registry data from 2008 to 2013 to characterize prescribing, indications, and contraindications for angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers, β-blockers, aldosterone antagonists, hydralazine/isosorbide dinitrate, and anticoagulants. The difference between a patient’s medication regimen at hospital admission and that recommended by HF quality measures at discharge was calculated. Among 158 922 patients from 271 hospitals with a primary discharge diagnosis of HF, initiation of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers was indicated in 18.1% of all patients (55.5% of those eligible at discharge were not receiving angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers at admission), β-blockers in 20.3% (50.5% of eligible), aldosterone antagonists in 24.1% (87.4% of eligible), hydralazine/isosorbide dinitrate in 8.6% (93.1% of eligible), and anticoagulants in 18.0% (58.0% of eligible). Cumulatively, 0.4% of patients were eligible for 5 new medication groups, 4.1% for 4 new medication groups, 9.4% for 3 new medication groups, 10.1% for 2 new medication groups, and 22.7% for 1 new medication group; 15.0% were not eligible for new medications because of adequate prescribing at admission; and 38.4% were not eligible for any medications recommended by HF quality measures. Compared with newly indicated medications (mean, 1.45±1.23), actual new prescriptions were lower (mean, 1.16±1.00).

Conclusions—

A quarter of patients hospitalized with HF need to start >1 medication to meet HF quality measures. Systems for addressing medication initiation and managing polypharmacy are central to HF transitional care.
Use of the Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator in High-Risk Cardiac Patients
Authors: Kutyifa Valentina , Moss Arthur J. , Klein Helmut , Biton Yitschak , McNitt Scott , MacKecknie Bonnie , Zareba Wojciech , Goldenberg Ilan
Published: August 2015

Background—

Prospective data on the safety and efficacy of the wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) in a real-world setting are lacking. The Prospective Registry of Patients Using the Wearable Defibrillator (WEARIT-II) Registry was designed to provide real-world data on the WCD as a strategy during a period of risk stratification.

Methods and Results—

The WEARIT-II Registry enrolled 2000 patients with ischemic (n=805, 40%), or nonischemic cardiomyopathy (n=927, 46%), or congenital/inherited heart disease (n=268) prescribed WCD between August 2011 and February 2014. Clinical data, arrhythmia events, implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation, and improvement in ejection fraction were captured. The median age was 62 years; the median ejection fraction was 25%. The median WCD wear time was 90 days, with median daily use of 22.5 hours. There was a total of 120 sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmias in 41 patients, of whom 54% received appropriate WCD shock. Only 10 patients (0.5%) received inappropriate WCD therapy. The rate of sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmias by 3 months was 3% among patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and congenital/inherited heart disease, and 1% among nonischemic patients (
P
=0.02). At the end of WCD use, 840 patients (42%) were implanted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. The most frequent reason not to implant an implantable cardioverter defibrillator following WCD use was improvement in ejection fraction.

Conclusions—

The WEARIT-II Registry demonstrates a high rate of sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmias at 3 months in at-risk patients who are not eligible for an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, and suggests that the WCD can be safely used to protect patients during this period of risk assessment.
Systemic Atherosclerotic Inflammation Following Acute Myocardial Infarction: Myocardial Infarction Begets Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Joshi Nikhil V. , Toor Iqbal , Shah Anoop S. V. , Carruthers Kathryn , Vesey Alex T. , Alam Shirjel R. , Sills Andrew , Hoo Teng Y. , Melville Adam J. , Langlands Sarah P. , Jenkins William S. A. , Uren Neal G. , Mills Nicholas L. , Fletcher Alison M. , van Beek Edwin J. R. , Rudd James H. F. , Fox Keith A. A. , Dweck Marc R. , Newby David E.
Published: August 2015

Background

Preclinical data suggest that an acute inflammatory response following myocardial infarction (MI) accelerates systemic atherosclerosis. Using combined positron emission and computed tomography, we investigated whether this phenomenon occurs in humans.

Methods and Results

Overall, 40 patients with MI and 40 with stable angina underwent thoracic 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose combined positron emission and computed tomography scan. Radiotracer uptake was measured in aortic atheroma and nonvascular tissue (paraspinal muscle). In 1003 patients enrolled in the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events, we assessed whether infarct size predicted early (≤30 days) and late (>30 days) recurrent coronary events. Compared with patients with stable angina, patients with MI had higher aortic 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose uptake (tissue‐to‐background ratio 2.15±0.30 versus 1.84±0.18,
P
<0.0001) and plasma C‐reactive protein concentrations (6.50 [2.00 to 12.75] versus 2.00 [0.50 to 4.00] mg/dL,
P
=0.0005) despite having similar aortic (
P
=0.12) and less coronary (
P
=0.006) atherosclerotic burden and similar paraspinal muscular 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose uptake (
P
=0.52). Patients with
ST
‐segment elevation MI had larger infarcts (peak plasma troponin 32 300 [10 200 to >50 000] versus 3800 [1000 to 9200] ng/L,
P
<0.0001) and greater aortic 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose uptake (2.24±0.32 versus 2.02±0.21,
P
=0.03) than those with non–
ST
‐segment elevation MI. Peak plasma troponin concentrations correlated with aortic 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose uptake (
r
=0.43,
P
=0.01) and, on multivariate analysis, independently predicted early (tertile 3 versus tertile 1: relative risk 4.40 [95% CI 1.90 to 10.19],
P
=0.001), but not late, recurrent MI.

Conclusions

The presence and extent of MI is associated with increased aortic atherosclerotic inflammation and early recurrent MI. This finding supports the hypothesis that acute MI exacerbates systemic atherosclerotic inflammation and remote plaque destabilization: MI begets MI.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01749254.
Explaining Vampirism: Two Divergent Attractors of Dead Human Concepts
Authors: Bahna Vladimír
Published: August 2015

This paper explores the cognitive foundations of vampirism beliefs. The occurrence of beliefs of the dead rising from graves and returning to harm the living across many cultures indicates that this concept has features that make it successful in the process of cultural transmission. Comparing ghost- and vampire-like beliefs, it is argued that bodiless agents and animated but dead bodies represent two divergent cognitive attractors concerning concepts of dead humans. The inferential potential of the classic idea of a bodiless ghost is based on intuitions produced by the mental system of Theory of Mind, while the traditional concepts of a vampire attribute to the dead only minimal intentionality. The inferential potential of a vampire is based on the system of disease avoidance and the emotion of disgust related to the dead body. Vampirism beliefs represent a cognitively attractive combination of a hazard and relevant actions to eliminate it: they postulate a threat of an animated corpse and relevant behavioral reaction, namely fatal interventions on vampire’s body.
Religious-Commitment Signaling and Impression Management amongst Pentecostals: Relationships to Salivary Cortisol and Alpha-Amylase
Authors: Lynn Christopher Dana , Paris Jason Joseph , Frye Cheryl Anne , Schell Lawrence M.
Published: August 2015

Religious-commitment signaling is thought to indicate willingness to cooperate with a religious group. It follows that a desire to signal affiliation and reap concomitant benefits would lend itself to acting in socially desirable ways. Success or failure in such areas, especially where there is conscious intent, should correspond to proximal indicators of well-being, such as psychosocial or biological stress. To test this model, we assessed religious-commitment signaling and socially desirable responding among a sample of Pentecostals with respect to salivary biomarkers of stress and arousal. Results indicate that cortisol levels on worship and non-worship days were significantly influenced by religious-commitment signaling when moderated by impression management, a conscious form of socially desirable responding. No significant influences on salivary alpha-amylase were detected. These findings are important for understanding how religious-commitment signaling mechanisms may influence stress response when moderated by socially desirable responding and the role of communal orientation to psychosocial health.
Revisiting the Effect of Population Size on Cumulative Cultural Evolution
Authors: Baldini Ryan
Published: August 2015

Previous models of cultural evolution found that larger populations can better maintain complex technologies because they contain more highly skilled people whom others can imitate. These models, however, do not distinguish the effects of population size from population density or network size; a learner’s social network includes the entire population. Does population size remain important when populations are subdivided and networks are realistically small? I use a mathematical model to show that population size has little effect on equilibrium levels of mean skill under a wide range of conditions. The effects of network size and transmission error rate usually overshadow that of population size. Population size can, however, affect the rate at which a population approaches equilibrium, by increasing the rate at which innovations arise. This effect is small unless innovation is very rare. Population size should predict technological complexity in the real world, then, only if technological evolution is a slow, innovation-limited process. Population density and “connectedness” have similar affects to population size, though density can also affect equilibrium skill. I discuss the results of this analysis in light of the current empirical debate.
Duru Calculations and the Understanding of Mancala Expertise
Authors: de Voogt Alex , Epstein Nathan , Linders Laurie
Published: August 2015

Duruor rounds are a central aspect of calculating moves in a group of mancala games. It is shown that the ability to calculate multiple duru is a prerequisite to mancala (bao) expertise in Zanzibar, while duru-related optimization strategies explain the accomplishments of Maldivian mancala (ohvalhu) players. Since bao masters define duru calculation skills as part of bao expertise, their performance on duru calculation tasks is contrasted with that of novice players. The results show that only game-specific duru calculation skills distinguish novices from master players. Maldivian players of ohvalhu solved their mancala game by identifying a winning opening. Their optimization strategy includes a minimization of the number of duru for a move choice. Duru calculations have a central role in our understanding of mancala expertise and both game-specific and general aspects of duru inform us about problem-solving and decision-making processes of mancala experts.
The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Scribal Culture of Second Temple Judaism
Authors: Zahn Molly M.
Published: August 2015

The Samaritan Pentateuch (sp), along with its Qumran forebears, has deservedly been regarded as a key source of information for understanding the scribal culture of early Judaism. Yet studies have tended to emphasize the relative uniformity of the characteristic pre-sp readings as evidence of a scribal approach distinct within Second Temple Judaism. This article argues that both the uniformity and the distinctiveness of these readings have been overstated: there is more internal diversity within pre-sp than is usually recognized, and similar or identical readings are also preserved in other manuscript traditions. Rather than representing a distinctive scribal approach or school, the readings of pre-sp are better taken as a particularly concentrated example of scribal attitudes and techniques that appear to have been widespread in early Judaism.
Did Elijah Show Respect to Royalty?
Authors: Kadari Adiel
Published: August 2015

At the end of the description of the dramatic event at Mount Carmel, Kings relates that after the heavy downpour began Elijah ran before the king to Jezreel. Elijah’s running was already understood in the Tannaitic sources as a gesture meant to show respect to royalty. This interpretation, which is not consistent with the characterization of Elijah as zealous that emerges from the biblical narrative, was accepted by both medieval and modern biblical commentators. The article discusses this interpretive tradition in its textual and historical contexts and reveals the conceptual stance that it expresses. At the center of the discussion is a passage from Mekilta de-Rabbi Ishmael, in which this interpretive tradition first appears. The article indicates a number of strata in the Mekilta text, each of which expresses a different ideological approach to the question of the proper attitude to “royalty.” The article proposes that Mekilta reflects different positions on the question of the proper attitude to the Roman authorities, and reveals an ideological-educational conflict over the image and heritage of biblical characters as part of the struggle over the fashioning of the collective Jewish historical and political memory.
The Bishop’s Role in Two Non-Catholic States
Authors: Ó hAnnracháin Tadhg
Published: August 2015

This paper contrasts the very different roles played by the Catholic hierarchy in Ireland, on the one hand, and Turkish-occupied Hungary, on the other, in the movement of early modern religious reform. It suggests that the decision of Propaganda Fide to adopt an episcopal model of organisation in Ireland after 1618, despite the obvious difficulties posed by the Protestant nature of the state, was a crucial aspect of the consolidation of a Catholic confessional identity within the island. The importance of the hierarchy in leadership terms was subsequently demonstrated in the short-lived period of de facto independence during the 1640s and after the repression of the Cromwellian period the episcopal model was successfully revived in the later seventeenth century. The paper also offers a parallel examination of the case of Turkish Hungary, where an effective episcopal model of reform could not be adopted, principally because of the jurisdictional jealousy of the Habsburg Kings of Hungary, who continued to claim rights of nomination to Turkish controlled dioceses but whose nominees were unable to reside in their sees. Consequently, the hierarchy of Turkish-occupied Hungary played little or no role in the movement of Catholic reform, prior to the Habsburg reconquest.
The House of God in Exile
Authors: Woo Kenneth J.
Published: August 2015

John Calvin’s unrelenting literary assault on French Nicodemism over three decades has long been recognized for its deep consistency and harsh negativity. Yet scholars have tended to neglect the ways in which Calvin’s polemic against religious dissimulation could exhibit significant flexibility according to the needs of his context. An outstanding example is 1552’s Quatre sermons … traictans des matières fort utiles pour nostre temps, a work containing the only sermons Calvin himself selected, revised, and prepared for publication. Whereas the reformer’s preface promises simply to revisit his previous argument that any participation in the Mass is idolatry, the present study argues that Calvin’s approach to Nicodemism in Quatre sermons was actually adapted to accomplish goals beyond decrying false worship, offering a carefully crafted apology for Calvin’s pastoral authority directed at his political situation. By repeatedly emphasizing God’s intent to bless his children through the ministry of a rightly ordered church, Quatre sermons marks a clear rhetorical shift in Calvin’s approach to Nicodemism away from a uniformly negative polemic against idolatry, stressing instead God’s provision of spiritual nurture via political exile. Unfolding its argument over four sermons, the publication ostensibly directs its plea for exile toward French Nicodemites, but in a manner that seems designed especially to silence Calvin’s foes in Geneva.
Irenaeus on Natural Knowledge
Authors: Briggman Anthony
Published: August 2015

Over a century of research has produced little agreement on the question of whether Irenaeus of Lyons recognized a natural knowledge of God. This article raises the question anew by considering the interpretive issues surrounding the passage at the center of the debate, Against Heresies 2.6.1. It challenges past readings and offers one of its own. I contend that an affirmation of natural knowledge plays the leading role in the argument of AH 2.6.1. This being the case, this text does not undermine references to natural knowledge that appear elsewhere in Irenaeus’s corpus, as Th.-André Audet would have us believe, but supports them. Irenaeus, then, does indeed recognize a natural knowledge of God, the product of discursive reasoning about the creation and providence of God.
Morphological variability within the Achnanthidium minutissimum species complex (Bacillariophyta): comparison between the type material of Achnanthes minutissima and related taxa, and new freshwater Achnanthidium species from Portugal
Authors: Novais Maria Helena , JÜTTNER INGRID , VIJVER BART VAN DE , MORAIS MARIA MANUELA , HOFFMANN LUCIEN , ECTOR LUC
Published: August 2015

Two new taxa similar to Achnanthidium minutissimum were common and abundant in samples collected during a survey of benthic diatoms in watercourses from mainland Portugal. They are described here as A. duriense, sp. nov. and A. lusitanicum, sp. nov. In addition, the recently described A. pseudolineare is reported from various localities and its ecology is described in detail. The new Achnanthidium species from Portugal were compared with the type material of morphologically similar taxa: Achnanthidium microcephalum, Achnanthes minutissima, A. minutissima var. cryptocephala, A. minutissima var. inconspicua and A. nana. The analysis of this type material confirmed that Achnanthes minutissima var. cryptocephala should be regarded as a different taxon, and a new combination is proposed, Achnanthidium neocryptocephalum, stat., comb. et nom. nov. Achnanthes minutissima var. inconspicua is now considered as a younger synonym of Achnanthidium lineare. Based on a detailed morphological study of specimens of Achnanthes nana from Scotland, Nepal and Portugal, this taxon is transferred to the genus Achnanthidium as Achnanthidium nanum, comb. nov.
A new genus of the mantispid-like Paraberothinae (Neuroptera: Berothidae) from Burmese amber, with special consideration of its probasitarsus spine-like setation
Authors: MAKARKIN VLADIMIR N.
Published: August 2015

Creagroparaberotha groehni gen. et sp. nov. (Neuroptera: Berothidae: Paraberothinae) is described from the earliest Cenomanian Burmese amber. The revised diagnosis of Paraberothinae is provided. The specialized probasitarsi in Paraberothinae, Rhachiberothinae (Berothidae) and Symphrasinae (Mantispidae) are considered as a homoiology (parallelism), i.e., convergent modifications of a homologous structure. The genus Berothone Khramov, 2015 is considered to belong to the subfamily Mesithoninae (Berothidae).
Automated Retrieval of Cloud and Aerosol Properties from the ARM Raman Lidar. Part II: Extinction
Authors: Thorsen Tyler J. , Fu Qiang
Published: August 2015

A feature detection and extinction retrieval (FEX) algorithm for the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program’s (ARM) Raman lidar (RL) has been developed. Presented here is Part II of the FEX algorithm: the retrieval of cloud and aerosol extinction profiles. The directly retrieved extinction profiles using the Raman method are supplemented by other retrieval methods developed for elastic backscatter lidars. Portions of features where the extinction-to-backscatter ratios (i.e., lidar ratios) can be obtained are used to infer the lidar ratios for the regions where no such estimate can be made. When neither directly retrieved nor an inferred value can be determined, a climatological lidar ratio is used. This best-estimate approach results in the need to use climatological lidar ratios for less than about 5% of features, except for thin cirrus at the ARM tropical western Pacific Darwin site, where above 12 km, about 20% of clouds use a climatological lidar ratio. A classification of feature type is made, guided by the atmosphere’s thermodynamic state and the feature’s scattering properties: lidar ratio, backscatter, and depolarization. The contribution of multiple scattering is explicitly considered for each of the ARM RL channels. A comparison between aerosol optical depth from FEX and that from collocated sun photometers over multiple years at two ARM sites shows an agreement (in terms of bias error) of about −0.3% to −4.3% (relative to the sun photometer).
Insight into the Kinematic and Microphysical Processes that Control Lightning Jumps
Authors: Schultz Christopher J. , Carey Lawrence D. , Schultz Elise V. , Blakeslee Richard J.
Published: August 2015

A detailed case study analysis of four thunderstorms is performed using polarimetric and multi-Doppler capabilities to provide specificity on the physical and dynamical drivers behind lightning jumps. The main differences between small increases in the total flash rate and a lightning jump are the increases in graupel mass and updraft volumes ≥10 m s−1 between the −10° and −40°C isotherms. Updraft volumes ≥10 m s−1 increased in magnitude at least 3–5 min in advance of the increase in both graupel mass and total flash rate. Updraft volumes ≥10 m s−1 are more robustly correlated to total flash rate than maximum updraft speed over a thunderstorm’s entire life cycle. However, peak updraft speeds increase prior to 8 of the 12 lightning jumps examined. Decreases in mean and median flash footprint size during increases in total lightning are observed in all four thunderstorms and are most notable during development stages within the most intense storms. However, this inverse relationship breaks down on larger storm scales as storms mature and anvils and stratiform regions developed with time. Promisingly, smaller flash sizes are still collocated with the strongest updraft speeds, while larger flash sizes are observed within weaker updraft regions. The results herein emphasize the following for lightning jump applications: both the lightning jump sigma level and the resultant magnitude of the total flash rate must be employed in conjunction to assess storm intensity using lightning data. The sigma-level magnitude of the lightning jump is the early warning that indicates that rapid intensification is occurring, while the magnitude of the total flash rate provides insight into the size and maintenance of the updraft volume and graupel mass. These cases serve as conceptual models for future applications of the lightning jump algorithm for hazardous weather monitoring.