bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sphingomyelinase Activity ofTrichomonas vaginalisExtract and Subfractions
Authors: González-Salazar Francisco , Garza-González Jesús N. , Hernandez-Luna Carlos E. , Mata-Cárdenas Benito David , Carranza-Rosales Pilar , Castro-Garza Jorge Enrique , Hernández-García Magda Elizabeth , Vargas-Villarreal Javier
Published: August 2013

Trichomoniasis is one of the most common acute sexually transmitted curable diseases, and it is disseminated worldwide generating more than 170 million cases annually.Trichomonas vaginalisis the parasite that causes trichomoniasis and has the ability to destroy cell monolayers of the vaginal mucosain vitro. Sphingomyelinases (SMase) are enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of sphingomyelin into ceramide and phosphorylcholine. Ceramide appears to be a second messenger lipid in programmed apoptosis, cell differentiation, and cell proliferation. Sphingomyelinase is probably a major source of ceramide in cells. Signal transduction mediated by ceramide leads cells to produce cytokine induced apoptosis during several inflammatory responses. SMase are also relevant toxins in several microorganisms. The main objective of this research is to identify SMase activity ofT. vaginalisin the total extract (TE), P30, and S30 subfractions from brooked trophozoites. It was found that these fractions ofT. vaginalishave SMase activity, which comes principally from P30 subfraction and was mainly type C. Enzymatic activity of SMase increased linearly with time and is pH dependent with two peaks by pH 5.5 and pH 7.5. The addition of manganese to the reaction mixture increased the SMase activity by 1.97.
Obesity in American Indian and Mexican American Men and Women: Associations with Blood Pressure and Cardiovascular Autonomic Control
Authors: Criado José R. , Gilder David A. , Kalafut Mary A. , Ehlers Cindy L.
Published: August 2013

Obesity is a serious public health problem, especially in some minority communities, and it has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. While obesity is a serious health concern in both American Indian and Mexican American populations, the relationship between obesity and cardiac autonomic control in these two populations is not well understood. The present study in a selected sample of American Indians and Mexican Americans assessed associations between obesity, blood pressure (BP), and cardiovascular autonomic control. Cardiovascular autonomic control, systolic and diastolic mean BP, and body mass index were obtained from one hundred thirty-two American Indian and Mexican American men and women who are literate in English and are residing legally in San Diego County. Men had a significant greater systolic and diastolic BP and were more likely to develop systolic prehypertension and hypertension than women. Obese participants showed greater mean heart rate (HR) and systolic and diastolic BP than nonobese participants. Obese men also exhibited greater cardiac sympathetic activity and lower cardiovagal control than obese women. These results suggest that obesity and gender differences in cardiovascular autonomic control may contribute to risk for cardiovascular disorders in this sample of American Indians and Mexican Americans.
A Rare Occurrence of Primary Hepatic Leiomyosarcoma Associated with Epstein Barr Virus Infection in an AIDs Patient
Authors: Chelimilla Haritha , Badipatla Kanthi , Ihimoyan Ariyo , Niazi Masooma
Published: August 2013

Primary hepatic leiomyosarcoma is exceedingly rare accounting for less than 1% of the hepatic tumors. Close to 45 cases have been reported in the English literature. Presentation is usually nonspecific and diagnosis is often delayed until tumors reach a large size. This leads to a dismal prognosis. The tumors are not yet fully understood, hence the standard of care is not well defined. Curative resection remains the mainstay of management. Close association of Epstein Barr virus (EBV) induced soft tissue sarcomas is proven, especially in the presence of immunosuppression encountered in HIV/AIDS patients and in posttransplant patients. We herein present a case report of a 54-year-old man diagnosed to have HIV/AIDS and EBV infection admitted to our hospital with complaints of intractable hiccups for more than a week. Extensive workup revealed primary leiomyosarcoma of the liver.
Studies on Chromatographic Fingerprint and Fingerprinting Profile-Efficacy Relationship of Polygoni Perfoliati Herba
Authors: Tian Li , Zhao Yang , Zhou Xin , Chen Hua-Guo , Zhao Chao , Gong Xiao-Jian
Published: August 2013

Polygoni Perfoliati Herba is widely used in China with antibacterium, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, antitumor, and antivirus activities. To reveal the mechanisms of the activities of Polygoni Perfoliati Herba, the relationship between the fingerprinting profile and its bioactivities was investigated. In the present study, high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) fingerprinting method was developed. The established method was applied to analyze 51 batches of Polygoni Perfoliati Herba samples collected from different locations or in different harvesting times in China. Chemometrics, including similarity analysis, hierarchical clustering analysis, and principal component analysis, were used to express their similarities. It was found that similarity values of the samples were in the range of 0.432–0.998. The results of analgesic tests indicated that Polygoni Perfoliati Herba could significantly inhibit pain induced by hot plate and acetic acid in mice. The results of anti-inflammatory tests showed that Polygoni Perfoliati Herba had good anti-inflammatory effects (P< 0.01) in two models including dimethyl benzene-induced ear edema and acetic acid-induced peritoneal permeability in mice. Combining the results from chromatographic fingerprints with those from bioactivities, we found that seven peaks from Polygoni Perfoliati Herba were mainly responsible for analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities.
Coronary Artery Fistula Presenting as Unstable Angina Pectoris in Patients with Antiphospholipid Syndrome
Authors: Demir Şerafettin , Yucel Ceyhun , Tufenk Mucahit , Tosu Aydin Rodi , Selcuk Murat , Bozkurt Abdi
Published: August 2013

The cardiovascular system is one of the primary targets in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome. The valves are the most frequently affected. Atherosclerosis and coronary thrombosis are also seen. The risk of acute coronary syndrome is 10 times higher in patients with APS. We present an APS patient case who was hospitalized with acute coronary syndrome and who was later found to have coronary artery fistula.
Low-Resistivity p-Type Doping in Wurtzite ZnS Using Codoping Method
Authors: Li Deng-Feng , Luo Min , Li Bo-Lin , Wu Cheng-Bing , Deng Bo , Dong Hui-Ning
Published: August 2013

By using first principles calculations, we propose a codoping method of using acceptors and donors simultaneously to realize low-resistivity and high carrier concentration p-type ZnS with wurtzite structure. The ionization energy of singleNScan be lowered by introducing theIIIZn-NS(III = Al, Ga, In) passivation system. Codoping method in ZnS (2N, III) has lower formation energy comparing with single doping of N since III elements act as reactive codopants.
Electroencephalogram of Age-Dependent Epileptic Encephalopathies in Infancy and Early Childhood
Authors: Wong-Kisiel Lily C. , Nickels Katherine
Published: August 2013

Epileptic encephalopathy syndromes are disorders in which the epileptiform abnormalities are thought to contribute to a progressive cerebral dysfunction. Characteristic electroencephalogram findings have an important diagnostic value in classification of epileptic encephalopathy syndromes. In this paper, we focus on electroencephalogram findings of childhood epileptic encephalopathy syndromes and provide sample illustrations.
Prognostic Value of Inflammatory Mediators in 1-Year Outcome of Acute Ischemic Stroke with Middle Cerebral Artery Stenosis
Authors: Gong Xiping , Zou Xinying , Liu Liping , Pu Yuehua , Wang Yilong , Pan Yuesong , Soo Yannie O. Y. , Leung Thomas W. H. , Zhao Xingquan , Wang Yongjun , Wong Ka Sing
Published: August 2013

Background and Purpose. Inflammation exists in inception, progression, and reperfusion of acute ischemic stroke. Insightful understanding of correlation in inflammatory mediators and stroke severity with intracranial artery stenosis may improve rational stroke therapy.Methods. We prospectively recruited 977 patients with acute noncardioembolic ischemic stroke with MCA stenosis by MRA as none to mild (<50%), moderate (50–69%), severe (70–99%), or occlusive (100%). The peripheral levels of WBC, homocysteine (HCY), and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were recorded. All patients were assessed of 1-year outcome by mRS as favorable (0–2) or poor (3–6).Results. The levels of WBC, HCY, and hs-CRP had no significant differences in patients with categorized MCA stenosis (all . Higher levels of WBC, HCY, and hs-CRP were found in patients with 1-year poor outcome (all , but only hs-CRP is an independent predictor (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.027–1.093, . The combination of any two of increased hs-CRP (>3 mg/L), WBC (>6.91 × 109/L), and HCY (>15 μmol/L) had higher power in predicting 1-year poor outcome than the single elevated mediator.Conclusions. Elevated hs-CRP independently predicts 1-year poor outcome in acute stroke. The combination of increased hs-CRP, WBC, or HCY had a stronger predictive value in poor outcome than individual elevated mediator.
Initiating a Mathematical Model for Prediction of 6-DOF Motion of Planing Crafts in Regular Waves
Authors: Ghadimi Parviz , Dashtimanesh Abbas , Faghfoor Maghrebi Yaser
Published: August 2013

Nowadays, most of the dynamic research on planing ships has been directed towards analyzing the ships motions in either 3-DOF (degrees of freedom) mode in the longitudinal vertical plane or in 3-DOF or 4-DOF mode in the lateral vertical plane. For this reason, the current authors have started a research program of describing the dynamic behavior of planing ships in a 6-DOF mathematical model. This program includes the developing of a 6-DOF computer simulation program in the time domain. This type of simulation can be used for predicting the response of these planing vessels to the environmental disturbances during high-speed sailing. In this paper, the development of the mathematical model will be presented. Furthermore, a discussion will be offered about the use of these static contributions in a time domain simulation for modeling the behavior of planing crafts in regular waves.
Equilibrium, Kinetics, and Thermodynamics of the Biosorption of Zn(II) from Aqueous Solution Using Powdered Cow Hooves
Authors: Osasona Ilesanmi , Ajayi Olubode O. , Adebayo Albert O.
Published: August 2013

The capability of cow hoof (CH) to remove Zn(II) from aqueous solution under the influence of sorbent size, solution pH, contact time, and sorbent dosage was investigated through batch studies. Equilibrium studies were conducted at three different temperatures (298, 308, and 318 K) by contacting different concentrations of Zn(II) solution with a known weight of cow hoof. The biosorption of Zn onto cow hoof was found to increase with increase in the mass of sorbent used while the biosorption efficiency was found to decrease with increase in sorbent particle size. The optimum conditions of pH 4 and contact time of 60 minutes were required for maximum removal of Zn(II) by cow hoof (mesh size 212 µm). The equilibrium data were modelled using Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherm models. The data were best fitted by Langmuir model. The kinetic data were analysed using Lagergren kinetic equations and these were well fitted by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The thermodynamic parameters showed that the biosorption process was feasible, spontaneous, and endothermic.
Etiologies and Outcomes of Acute Liver Failure in a Spanish Community
Authors: Fábrega Emilio , Mieses Miguel Ángel , Terán Alvaro , Moraleja Irene , Casafont Fernando , Crespo Javier , Pons-Romero Fernando
Published: August 2013

Previous retrospective study (1992 to 2000) performed in Spain showed that drug toxicity, viral hepatitis, and indeterminate etiology were the most prevalent causes of acute liver failure (ALF). In the last decade, there is no information about ALF in our country. For these reasons we analyze retrospectively, in a ten-year period (2000 to 2010), the presumed causes, clinical characteristics, course, and outcome of ALF in a Spanish community. Causes of ALF were indeterminate in 4 patients (24%), acute hepatitis B infection in 4 patients (24%), drug or toxic reactions in 4 patients (24%), including one case of acetaminophen overdose, followed by miscellaneous causes. The overall short-term survival (6 weeks after admission) was 65%. Liver transplantation was performed in 11 patients with a survival of 82%. Despite fulfilling criteria, 2 patients were not transplanted because of contraindications; they both died. In summary, acute hepatitis B and indeterminate cause are still being the most frequent causes of ALF in our region, and patients with ALF have an excellent chance of survival after emergency liver transplantation. Acetaminophen overdose still represents a very rare cause of ALF in our community.
Risk Factors for Falls and Fragility Fractures in Community-Dwelling Seniors: A One-Year Prospective Study
Authors: Song Sacha , MacDermid Joy C. , Grewal Ruby
Published: August 2013

Objective. To evaluate risk factors for falls and fragility fractures in healthy seniors.
Methods. Assessing 50 ambulatory community-dwelling volunteers ≥65 for demographics, BMI, bone mineral density (BMD) (DEXA), fracture risk (FRAX), balance (Biodex), fear of falling (Modified Falls Efficacy Scale (MFES)), and activity level (RAPA). One-year followup was done through phone interviews. Results. Most participants (17 males, 33 females; mean age 72.0±5.5 years) had normal BMD and were active with little to no fear of falling. Balance did not correlate with FRAX or fear of falling. Activity level did not correlate with FRAX, but the active group had less fear of falling. Most scored below age specific norms on balance testing. Fear of falling was not significantly different between genders but did correlate with FRAX, indicating that patients with higher fracture risk were also more afraid of falling. Individuals who fell after one year had increased fear of falling and decreased activity levels. Conclusions. Community-dwelling seniors with higher risk of future fractures were more afraid of falling. Although healthy and active, this cohort had poor balance compared to age matched norms. Further research on how to best assess fall risk and improve balance to prevent fractures is needed.
Beneficial Effects of Fresh and Fermented Kimchi in Prediabetic Individuals
Authors: An So-Yeon , Lee Min Suk , Jeon Ja Young , Ha Eun Suk , Kim Tae Ho , Yoon Ja Young , Ok Chang-Ok , Lee Hye-Kyoung , Hwang Won-Sun , Choe Sun Jung , Han Seung Jin , Kim Hae Jin , Kim Dae Jung , Lee Kwan-Woo
Published: August 2013

Background: With the increased incidence of diabetes mellitus, the importance of early intervention in prediabetes has been emphasized. We previously reported that fermented kimchi, a traditional Korean food, reduced body weight and improved metabolic factors in overweight participants. We hypothesized that kimchi and its fermented form would have beneficial effects on glucose metabolism in patients with prediabetes. Methods: A total of 21 participants with prediabetes were enrolled. During the first 8 weeks, they consumed either fresh (1-day-old) or fermented (10-day-old) kimchi. After a 4-week washout period, they switched to the other type of kimchi for the next 8 weeks. Results: Consumption of both types of kimchi significantly decreased body weight, body mass index, and waist circumference. Fermented kimchi decreased insulin resistance, and increased insulin sensitivity, QUICKI and disposition index values (p = 0.004 and 0.028, respectively). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) decreased significantly in the fermented kimchi group. The percentages of participants who showed improved glucose tolerance were 9.5 and 33.3% in the fresh and fermented kimchi groups, respectively. Conclusions: Consumption of kimchi had beneficial effects on glucose metabolism-related and anthropometric factors in participants with prediabetes. Fermented kimchi had additional effects on BP and insulin resistance/sensitivity. The percentage of participants who showed improvement in glucose tolerance was high in the fermented kimchi group.
Presenting Neuropsychological Testing Profile of Autopsy-Confirmed Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration
Authors: Yoshizawa Hiroshi , Vonsattel Jean Paul G. , Honig Lawrence S.
Published: August 2013

Aims: We aimed to investigate how neuropsychological test measures at presentation might differentiate frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) from Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods: We compared autopsy-confirmed FTLD and definite AD with Clinical Dementia Rating ≤1. Factor scores and t values of each neuropsychological test measure were compared between FTLD and AD patients. Logistic regression analyses were applied to identify independent predictors within test measures for the differentiation of FTLD from AD. Results: Factor analyses showed that the memory domain was more severely impaired in AD than in FTLD, whereas the language and attention domains were more severely impaired in FTLD than in AD. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that Letter Fluency, Boston Naming Test and delayed memory recall remained independent predictors of FTLD compared to AD. However, test measures did not discriminate between FTLD-tau and FTLD-ubiquitin. Conclusion: We confirm that memory and language function tests discriminate between FTLD and AD.
Six-Minute Walking Distance Correlated with Memory and Brain Volume in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Voxel-Based Morphometry Study
Authors: Makizako Hyuma , Shimada Hiroyuki , Doi Takehiko , Park Hyuntae , Yoshida Daisuke , Suzuki Takao
Published: August 2013

Background/Aims: High fitness levels play an important role in maintaining memory function and delaying the progression of structural brain changes in older people at risk of developing dementia. However, it is unclear which specific regions of the brain volume are associated with exercise capacity. We investigated whether exercise capacity, determined by a 6-min walking distance (6MWD), is associated with measures of logical and visual memory and where gray matter regions correlate with exercise capacity in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods: Ninety-one community-dwelling older adults with MCI completed a 6-min walking test, structural magnetic resonance imaging scanning, and memory tests. The Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised Logical Memory and Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Tests were used to assess logical and visual memory, respectively. Results: The logical and visual memory tests were positively correlated with the 6MWD (p < 0.01). Poor performance in the 6MWD was correlated with a reduced cerebral gray matter volume in the left middle temporal gyrus, middle occipital gyrus, and hippocampus in older adults with MCI. Conclusions: These results suggest that a better 6MWD performance may be related to better memory function and the maintenance of gray matter volume in older adults with MCI.
A Phrygian Cap
Authors: van Kamp Marie-Janne S. , Bouman Donald E. , Steenvoorde Pascal , Klaase Joost M.
Published: August 2013

A Phrygian cap is a congenital anomaly of the gallbladder with an incidence of 4%. It can simulate a mass in the liver during hepatobiliary imaging and is sometimes mistaken for pathology. A Phrygian cap, however, has no pathological significance and normally causes no symptoms. A case will be presented where a Phrygian cap was found by coincidence during surgery. The patient was operated for colon cancer with liver metastasis in segment V. He underwent a simultaneous right hemicolectomy and wedge resection of the liver lesion. During perioperative inspection, a gallbladder with a folded fundus was seen. This deformity was, in retrospective, detected on the preoperative MRI scan. The patient underwent cholecystectomy to make the wedge resection easier to perform. Otherwise, cholecystectomy for a Phrygian cap is only indicated in case of symptoms. Radiographic imaging can be helpful in narrowing the differential diagnosis. To our knowledge, there is no recent literature about the Phrygian cap and its imaging aspects. Nowadays, multiphase MRI, or multiphase CT in case of MRI contraindication, are the first choices of hepatobiliary imaging.
Multiple Liver Lesions in an Immunosuppressed Patient: Is Infection Always the Answer
Authors: Hamouda Nihal M. , Grothe Rayna M. , Ibrahim Samar H.
Published: August 2013

Pylephlebitis with associated liver abscesses is a rare complication of Crohn's disease that usually presents in the setting of active disease and recent escalation of the immunosuppressive regimen. Here we describe a 17-year-old female patient with active Crohn's disease who presented with a clinical picture and hepatic radiographic findings concerning for pylephlebitis and associated liver abscesses but subsequently confirmed to be an atypical form of focal fatty liver infiltration. We describe the diagnostic difficulty this unique distribution of hepatic fatty infiltration can present and highlight the importance of the different imaging studies to differentiate between atypical focal fatty infiltration and pylephlebitis.
The sexuales of Thelaxes suberi (Hemiptera, Aphidoidea: Thelaxinae)
Authors: WIECZOREK KARINA , KANTURSKI MARIUSZ , JUNKIERT ŁUKASZ
Published: August 2013

The oviparous female and male of Thelaxes suberi (del Guercio) are described and illustrated in detail for the first time. Notes on distribution, biology and host plants are presented, and keys are provided to the known sexuales of European Thelaxes species.
A new species of Leptodactylus Fitzinger (Anura, Leptodactylidae, Leptodactylinae) from montane rock fields of the Chapada Diamantina, northeastern Brazil
Authors: CARVALHO THIAGO RIBEIRO DE , LEITE FELIFE SÁ FORTES , PEZZUTI TIAGO LEITE
Published: August 2013

In this paper, we describe a new species of the Leptodactylus fuscus group on the basis of adult morphology and advertisement call, occurring restricted to montane rock fields of the Chapada Diamantina, northern portion of the Espinhaço Range, central State of Bahia, northeastern Brazil. In addition, we re-describe the advertisement call of L. camaquara from its type locality. Leptodactylus oreomantis sp. nov. represents the first species of the genus occurring restricted to montane rock fields of the Chapada Diamantina, northeastern Brazil, whereas the other three species of the L. fuscus group assumed to be restricted to montane field environments (L. camaquara, L. cunicularius, and L. tapiti) occur in association with mountain ranges of southeastern or central Brazil.
Three new species of reared parasitic wasps (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Microgastrinae) from India
Authors: GUPTA ANKITA
Published: August 2013

Three new species of parasitic wasps (Braconidae: Microgastrinae) from southern India are described and illustrated. Glyptapanteles clanisae sp. nov., a remarkable gregarious endoparasitoid, was bred from the caterpillar of Clanis phalaris Cramer (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) on the host plant Pongamia pinnata (L.) (Leguminosae) along with a hyperparasitoid, Eurytoma sp. (Eurytomidae). Glyptapanteles trilochae sp. nov., was reared from parasitized caterpillar of Trilocha varians (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) on the host plant Ficus racemosa L. (Moraceae) along with a hyperparasitoid, Paraphylax sp. (Ichneumonidae: Cryptinae). Buluka horni sp. nov. was collected from solitary cocoons of an indeterminate caterpillar feeding on Mangifera indica L. leaves. This study also confirms a host range extension of Indian species of Glyptapanteles to Bombycidae and Sphingidae in addition to the earlier documented families viz., Papilionidae, Nymphalidae, Arctiidae, and Noctuidae.
Baiu Rainband Termination in Atmospheric and Coupled Atmosphere–Ocean Models
Authors: Kuwano-Yoshida Akira , Taguchi Bunmei , Xie Shang-Ping
Published: August 2013

The baiu rainband is a summer rainband stretching from eastern China through Japan toward the northwestern Pacific. The climatological termination of the baiu rainband is investigated using the Japanese 25-yr Reanalysis (JRA-25), a stand-alone atmospheric general circulation model (GCM) forced with observed sea surface temperature (SST) and an atmosphere–ocean GCM (AOGCM). The baiu rainband over the North Pacific abruptly shifts northward and weakens substantially in early July in the atmospheric GCM (AGCM), too early compared to observations (late July). The midtroposphere westerly jet and its thermal advection explain this meridional shift of the baiu rainband, but the ocean surface evaporation modulates the precipitation intensity. In AGCM, deep convection in the subtropical northwestern Pacific sets in prematurely, displacing the westerly jet northward over the cold ocean surface earlier than in observations. The suppressed surface evaporation over the cold ocean suppresses precipitation even though the midtropospheric warm advection and vertically integrated moisture convergence are similar to those before the westerly jet's northward shift. As a result, the baiu rainband abruptly weakens after the northward shift in JRA-25 and AGCM. In AOGCM, cold SST biases in the subtropics inhibit deep convection, delaying the poleward excursion of the westerly jet. As a result, the upward motion induced by both the strong westerly jet and the rainband persist over the northwestern Pacific through summer in the AOGCM. The results indicate that the westerly jet and the ocean evaporation underneath are important for the baiu rainband, the latter suggesting an oceanic effect on this important phenomenon.
A systematic review of plate versus intramedullary fixation in the treatment of midshaft clavicle fractures
Authors: Barlow T , Beazley J , Barlow D
Published: August 2013

The best method of fixation for clavicle fractures is not known. The purpose of this review was to examine the evidence comparing plate and intramedullary fixation for midshaft clavicle fractures. A search of MEDLINE in September 2011 identified five papers that compared plate and intramedullary fixation, and fulfilled our eligibility criteria, consisting of; one randomised controlled trial, two quasi-randomised controlled trials, and two retrospective studies. Level of evidence was assessed using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network guidance and the Cochrane Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma Group’s quality assessment tool. No attempt at meta-analysis was made due to the heterogeneity of the study populations and interventions. We found no difference between intramedullary fixation and plate fixation. There was a trend towards a lower complication rate with intramedullary fixation. On the basis of the available evidence, we would advocate both techniques for the treatment of midshaft clavicle fractures.
Against the Pursuit of the Snazzy Life: A Feminist Theology of Failure and Loss
Authors: Clack Beverley
Published: August 2013

Consumer economies of late capitalist societies have come to be dominated by a powerful cultural narrative of the successful life. Success has increasingly been defined in terms of material attainment, the achievement of status and what might be described, in popular language, as the pursuit of the ‘snazzy life’. This model of what constitutes ‘the good life’ avoids recognizing the shadow that haunts such narratives; namely the possibility that one may not succeed and as a result be deemed a failure. This paper suggests that engaging with the often neglected theme of failure enables a contemporary feminist theology of loss to emerge; a theology that helps, moreover, to shape richer understandings of what it might mean to live a ‘good’ life.
Troubled Bodies: Metaxu, Suffering and the Encounter With the Divine
Authors: Hamilton Charity K.M.
Published: August 2013

The body is the canvas on which the female experience is painted and through which female identity is often understood. The female body is a slate on which a patriarchal story has been written, scarred onto the flesh. For Simone Weil metaxu was simultaneously that which separated and connected, so for instance the wall between two prison cells cuts off the prisoners but was also the means by which they communicated by knocking on that wall. Could the body be that metaxu all at once separating us and connecting us to the Divine? The nature of metaxu is that it offers a route not just for the individual soul but for the souls of others to travel. If all peoples renounce their outer shell – and by this I do not mean their bodies but rather the bodies or clothes or ideals written upon those people by patriarchy or capitalism or colonialism – if those real bodies come to the broken body of Christ [which is stripped and scarred] standing in solidarity with and mimicking this broken body, without the things which have been put upon their bodies but with scarred flesh showing, then this is where metaxu is possible for here we see a renouncing of ‘self’ as created by patriarchy and all that is left is a space that is the place where we are authentically self and God dwells.
‘Let the Rain Fall Relentlessly’: Singing the Song of Survival
Authors: Newell Christopher
Published: August 2013

This paper, a version of which was presented at the ‘Feminist Futures’ twentieth Anniversary conference of the British and Irish Feminist Theology Summer School in July 2012, is, in one sense, a misnomer. Through the lived experience of one remarkable woman with whom I have the privilege of working as a mental health chaplain and companion, I recount her past of pervasive patriarchal abuse, pain, and psychic ‘storms’ but also her present that contains her songs of survival and her language of liberation. It is one woman’s life, a life that could be replicated in many women’s lives, not only in the past, but in the present and throughout the world. But it is only by being acutely reminded of the unique, personal narratives of women, and men, whose past continues to invade our presents by their unbearable witness to the actual violence of the patriarchal landscapes in which their ‘voices’ have been seemingly silenced and their language pathologized, that we shall be able together to conceive of futures. These are futures where, whilst, acknowledging the continuing severe and enduring psychological damage to the abused and the violated and enabling appropriate treatment to be available, we shall also empower the bearing of the witness, the resolute and hard won language of the remaining, the bursting forth from the deadness of tombs of terror, of resurrected lives in the dance of the garden. This will require a sea-change in the way we imagine and establish mental health services and it will require an applied feminist theological methodology to be at the heart, not only of the theoretical models, but of the witnessing to the theology-making that such hidden, ‘anonymous’ lives intrinsically reveal. To imagine such mental health services is a subject for another paper. For now I want to introduce one such life I have been describing and with whom I have the privilege of travelling, consciously and shamefully aware of my gender in a way which seems OK, which seems re-imagined through the eyes of a woman who has absolutely no reason to love men but who has invited me to tread tenderly towards the sights and seasons of her pain and abuse.
Anopheles culicifacies breeding in polluted water bodies in Trincomalee District of Sri Lanka
Authors: Gunathilaka Nayana , Fernando Thilan , Hapugoda Menaka , Wickremasinghe Rajitha , Wijeyerathne Panduka , Abeyewickreme Wimaladharma
Published: August 2013

Background

Anopheles culicifacies, the major vector of malaria in Sri Lanka, is known to breed in clean and clear water. The main objective of the study was to detect the breeding habitat diversity of An. culicifacies.

Methods

Potential larval habitats for Anopheles mosquitoes were surveyed on a monthly basis for 17 months (January 2011–June 2012) in four different selected sampling sites (Murthankulam, Kommnaimottai, Paranamadawachchiya and Kokmotawewa) in Trincomalee District of Sri Lanka.

Results

A total of 2,996 larval specimens representing 13 Anopheles species were reported from 16 different breeding habitats. According to density criterion, An. culicifacies, Anopheles subpictus, Anopheles barbirostris, Anopheles peditaeniatus and Anopheles nigerrimus were dominant. Anopheles nigerrimus, An. subpictus and An. peditaeniatus were observed as constant in relation to their distribution. The most productive breeding site for An. culicifacies was drains filled with waste water in remote areas; the second highest productivity was found in built wells.

Conclusions

These results indicate that An. culicifacies has adapted to breed in a wide range of water bodies including waste water collections although they were earlier considered to breed only in clean and clear water.
Effect of dietary sphingomyelin on absorption and fractional synthetic rate of cholesterol and serum lipid profile in humans
Authors: Ramprasath Vanu R. , Jones Peter J. H. , Buckley Donna D. , Woollett Laura A. , Heubi James E.
Published: August 2013

Background

Diets enriched with sphingolipids may improve blood lipid profiles. Studies in animals have shown reductions in cholesterol absorption and alterations in blood lipids after treatment with sphingomyelin (SM). However, minimal information exists on effect of SM on cholesterol absorption and metabolism in humans. The objective was to assess the effect of SM consumption on serum lipid concentrations and cholesterol metabolism in healthy humans.

Methods

Ten healthy adult males and females completed a randomized crossover study. Subjects consumed controlled diets with or without 1 g/day SM for 14 days separated by at least 4 week washout period. Serum lipid profile and markers of cholesterol metabolism including cholesterol absorption and synthesis were analyzed.

Results

Serum triglycerides, total, LDL- and VLDL- cholesterol were not affected while HDL cholesterol concentrations were increased (p = 0.043) by SM diet consumption. No change in cholesterol absorption and cholesterol fractional synthesis rate was observed with supplementation of SM compared to control. Intraluminal cholesterol solubilization was also not affected by consumption of SM enriched diet.

Conclusions

In humans, 1 g/day of dietary SM does not alter the blood lipid profile except for an increased HDL-cholesterol concentration and has no effect on cholesterol absorption, synthesis and intraluminal solubilization compared to control.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov # NCT00328211
Bioenergetic failure correlates with autophagy and apoptosis in rat liver following silver nanoparticle intraperitoneal administration
Authors: Lee Tzu-Ying , Liu Maw-Shung , Huang Li-Ju , Lue Sheng-I , Lin Lung-Chang , Kwan Aij-Lie , Yang Rei-Cheng
Published: August 2013

Background

Deposition and accumulation of silver nanoparticles (Ag-nps) in the liver have been shown to induce hepatotoxicity in animal studies. The hepatotoxicity may include oxidative stress, abnormalities in energy metabolism, and cell death. Studies have indicated that autophagy is an intracellular event involving balance of energy, nutrients, and turnover of subcellular organelles. The present study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that autophagy plays a role in mediating hepatotoxicity in animal after exposure to Ag-nps. Focus was placed on interrelationship between energy metabolism, autophagy, apoptosis and hepatic dysfunction.

Methods

Sprague Dawley rats were intraperitoneally injected with Ag-nps (10–30 nm in diameter) at concentration of 500 mg kg-1. All animals were sacrificed on days 1, 4, 7, 10 and 30 after exposure and blood and liver tissues were collected for further studies.

Results

Uptake of Ag-nps was quite prompt and not proportional to the blood Ag concentration. Declination of ATP (-64% in days 1) and autophagy (determined by LC3-II protein expression and morphological evaluation) increased and peaked on the first day. The ATP content remained at low level even though the autophagy has been activated. Apoptosis (based on caspase-3 protein expression and TUNEL-positive cells staining) began to rise sigmoidally at days 1 and 4, reached a peak level at day 7, and remained at the same levels during days 7–30 post exposure. Meanwhile, autophagy exhibited a gradual decrease from days 1–10 and the decrease at day 30 was statistically significant as compared to day 0 (sham group). Inflammatory reaction (histopathological evaluation) was found at day 10 and preceded to an advanced degree at day 30 when liver function was impaired.

Conclusions

These results indicate that following Ag-nps administration, autophagy was induced; however, failure to preserve autophagy compounded with energy reduction led to apoptosis and the eventual impairment of liver function. The study provides an in-vivo evidence of hepatotoxicity by continuous exposure of Ag-nps in rats.
Enhanced levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine in a serum of middle age patients with myelodysplastic syndrome
Authors: Štikarová Jana , Suttnar Jiří , Pimková Kristýna , Chrastinová-Mášová Leona , Čermák Jaroslav , Dyr Jan E
Published: August 2013

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are hematological malignancies of unclear etiology where oxidative stress may contribute to the pathogenesis. Methylarginines, naturally occurring inhibitors of NO synthase, can increase superoxide generation from uncoupled NO synthase. We found significant increase in concentrations of asymmetric dimethylarginine (0.84 ± 0.32 μmol/L, p = 0.0022) and malondialdehyde (0.77 ± 0.11 μmol/L, p < 0.001) in sera of MDS patients vs controls (asymmetric dimethylarginine: 0.56 ± 0.16 μmol/L, malondialdehyde: 0.52 ± 0.07 μmol/L). On the contrary, nitrites concentrations were significantly decreased in MDS patients (1.71 ± 0.46 μmol/L, p = 0.0028) vs controls (2.16 ± 0.38 μmol/L). We suppose that the oxidative stress in MDS is enhanced due to methylated arginines influence on NO synthase activity impairment.
Residual rates of mortality in patients with severe sepsis: a fatality or a new challenge?
Authors: Asfar Pierre , Claessens Yann-Erick , Duranteau Jacques , Kipnis Eric , Leone Marc , Lévy Bruno , Mira Jean-Paul
Published: August 2013

Phase III clinical trials on severe sepsis and septic shock published during the past decade have failed to reveal the superiority of any therapeutic intervention on mortality compared with evolving standards of care, with the exception of the Early-Goal Directed Therapy reported in 2001. This viewpoint paper presents an analysis of these studies in order to understand what lessons can be learned and proposes perspectives for future study designs. A total of 102 studies were selected among clinical trials published in the field of severe sepsis and septic shock from 2001 to 2013, based on the assessment of a therapeutic intervention and mortality as an outcome. Studies were further selected according to randomized, controlled trial (RCT) quality criteria and analysed according to reported data. Most (n = 61) were excluded because they did not comply with RCT quality criteria or did not report inclusion criteria or patient severity (n = 22). The 19 remaining studies were categorized into three groups depending on whether the intervention assessed led to better, worse, or equivalent outcomes. It appears that the mortality rate in the control arm, ranging from 17% to 61%, impacted the results, with a benefit reported in the studies with the highest rates. Both heterogeneous studied populations and uncontrolled diversity of care among participating centres probably contributed to discrepancies between studies assessing the same intervention. The new challenge to enhance the probability of decreasing mortality rates should include a more appropriate definition of sepsis based on more specific criteria involving biomarker use and accurate patient phenotypes.
Motivation in the age of genomics: why genetic findings of disease susceptibility might not motivate behavior change
Authors: Webster Tinsley HG , Beal Sarah J , Brothers Kyle B
Published: August 2013

There is a growing consensus that results generated through multiplex genetic tests, even those produced as a part of research, should be reported to providers and patients when they are considered “actionable,” that is, when they could be used to inform some potentially beneficial clinical action. However, there remains controversy over the precise criterion that should be used in identifying when a result meets this standard. In this paper, we seek to refine the concept of “actionability” by exploring one proposed use for genetic test results. We argue that genetic test results indicating that a patient is at risk for developing a chronic health condition should not be considered actionable if the only potential value of that result is to motivate patients to make changes in their health behaviors. Since the empirical research currently available on this question is equivocal, we explore relevant psychological theories of human motivation to demonstrate that current theory does not support the assumption that information about genetic risk will be motivating to most patients in their attempts to make changes in health behaviors.
The phenotype and genotype of rheumatoid arthritis in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Malemba JJ , Mbuyi-Muamba JM , Mukaya J , Bossuyt X , Emonds MP , Deiteren K , Westhovens R , Verschueren P
Published: August 2013

Introduction

Little is known about rheumatoid arthritis in the black, particularly in Congolese, populations. Our objective was to describe the phenotype and genotype of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Congolese.

Methods

All consecutive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients attending Kinshasa University Hospital in a three-year time period were included. Demographics, clinical features and tobacco consumption were noted. Disease Activity Score (DAS)-28 based on the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies (CCP) antibodies and rheumatoid factor (RF) were determined. Radiographs were scored according to Sharp-van der Heijde. On a subset of patients and controls HLA-DRB1 typing was performed.

Results

A total of 114 females and 14 males aged 51.2 ± 14.9 were included. Mean duration of symptoms was four years. Moderate tobacco consumption was reported in a minority of patients. DAS-28 at first visit was >5.1 and HAQ ≥0.5 in all patients. X-rays showed joint erosions and/or joint space narrowing, mostly of a moderate grade in 55.8% of patients. Anti-CCP and/or RF were present in 48.6% of patients with available data (n = 72) and in 3.0% of controls (n = 67). Radiographic changes and nodules were more frequent in RF or anti-CCP positive patients. One copy of the shared epitope was found in 13 patients (35.1%) and 3 controls (12.5%). Two copies were found in one patient (2.7%) and in one control (4.2%).

Conclusion

Congolese patients with RA consult long after disease onset. Despite this delay, the majority presents without major damage and is RF, anti-CCP and SE negative. We put forward the hypothesis that besides different environmental factors there is probably also a particular genetic risk profile in Congolese patients, different from the HLA-DRB1 shared epitope.
Lossless compression method for acoustic waveform data based on wavelet transform and bit-recombination mark coding
Authors: Cai Ming , Qiao Wenxiao , Ju Xiaodong , Che Xiaohua , Zhao Yuhong
Published: August 2013

In well logging, large amounts of data need to be sent from downhole to the surface by means of a very band-limited telemetry system. The limited bandwidth usually results in prolonging of expensive rig time and/or the sacrifice of borehole information. Data compression techniques, to some extent, may relieve this problem. We deduced the adaptive (4, 4) lifting integer-to-integer wavelet transform formula and its inverse transform formula based on the basic principle of wavelet transform, and we explored an appropriate bit-recombination mark coding approach according to the characteristics of wavelet transform coefficients. Then a new lossless compression method for acoustic waveform data based on wavelet transform and bit-recombination mark coding was discovered. The compression method mainly consists of wavelet transform, data type conversion, bit-recombination, and mark coding, whereas the decompression method consists of mark decoding, bit-recovery, data type conversion, and inverse wavelet transform. The compression and decompression programs were developed according to the proposed method. Compression and decompression tests were then applied to field and synthetic acoustic logging waveform data, and the compression performance of our method and several other lossless compression methods were compared and analyzed. Test results validated the correctness of our method and demonstrated its advantages. The new method is potentially applicable to acoustic waveform data compression.
A seismic passive imaging step beyond SPAC and ReMi
Authors: Mulargia Francesco , Castellaro Silvia
Published: August 2013

The basic property of passive imaging is that, given any two points, one of them can be taken as the source of the waves and the other as the recording station. This property can be derived from the statistical self-alignment of the rays along the vector joining the two points, and applies also to nondiffuse wavefields like seismic tremor. It provides a statistical basis for the use of the stationary phase integral, allowing passive interferometry under the mild constraint of mechanical homogeneity at a local scale. Combined with the tremor’s large spectral bandwidth, it allows one to recover the local Green’s function from spatial correlation. Furthermore, combining this property also with the azimuthal isotropy of either the wavefield or the array, and using the statistical mode as the estimator, provides a new technique to measure the local velocity dispersion in the subsoil. This technique exploits the potential of spatial autocorrelation (SPAC) and refraction microtremor (ReMi), allowing one (1) to use sparse small-aperture arrays with simple geometry, (2) to dispense with the fitting of Bessel functions, and (3) to measure, in a few minutes, the local (phase and group) wave velocity as a function of frequency of potentially all the wave-propagation modes — body and surface — and not just of the one prevailing at each frequency.
On the use of a seismic sensor as a seismic source
Authors: Halliday David F. , Fawumi Taiwo , Robertsson Johan O. A. , Kragh Ed
Published: August 2013

We investigated the use of seismic sensors as small seismic sources. A voltage signal is applied to a geophone that forces the mass within the geophone to move. The movement of the mass generates a seismic wavefield that was recorded with an array of geophones operating in the conventional sense. We observed higher-frequency (25 Hz and above) surface and body waves propagating from the geophone source at offsets of 10 s of meters. We further found that the surface waves emitted from geophone sources can be used to generate a surface-wave group velocity map. We discuss potential developments and future applications.