bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Radiofrequency-Targeted Vertebral Augmentation: Case Report of a Patient with 7 Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures in a Variant of Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Authors: Westermann Leonard , Eysel Peer , Simons Marvin , Zarghooni Kourosh
Published: October 2017

Introduction. Radiofrequency-targeted vertebral augmentation (RF-TVA) is a recognized treatment for painful compression fractures. RF-TVA in a patient with multiple compression fractures due to type I osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) has not been previously reported.Case Presentation. A 54-year-old patient with type I OI is presented with a segmental thoracic hyperkyphosis and 7 recent vertebral compression fractures. Because of persistent severe thoracolumbar back pain despite conservative therapy, RF-TVA was indicated. Nocturnal back pain was almost completely relieved at all postoperative time points evaluated. However, overall pain relief dropped only slightly from 7 to 5 on the numerical rating scale (NRS) at the 6-week follow-up, and there was only a small decrease in the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) from 72% to 63%. An MRI at the 3-month follow-up revealed hyperintensity at levels T11 and T12, indicating slight recollapsing. At the 6-month follow-up, the ODI improved to 55%, although overall pain had worsened to 6 on the NRS. Pain at rest remained at a very low level.Conclusion. Despite the remaining lumbago, RF-TVA may be a good option for patients with OI who have multiple fractures. However, fractures at multiple levels and segmental thoracic hyperkyphosis may increase the risk for recollapsing and ongoing pain.
Severe Decompression Illness: Case Report, Prehospital Recognition, and Regional Transport Considerations
Authors: Estrada Julie , Meurer David , De Boer Kevin , Huesgen Karl
Published: October 2017

A 46-year-old male presented to our tertiary care emergency department (ED) with shortness of breath and chest pain following an uneventful four-hour SCUBA dive at 100 feet. His prehospital emergency medical services (EMS) assessment revealed transient hypotension and hypoxia. He later developed progressive skin mottling. Serology was significant for acute kidney injury, transaminitis, hemoconcentration, and hypoxia on an arterial blood gas. Computed tomography (CT) angiography demonstrated intravascular gas throughout the mesenteric and pulmonary arteries as well as the portal venous system. No abnormality was seen on head CT and the patient had normal mental status. Prehospital nonrebreather oxygen therapy was changed to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) upon ED arrival, and the patient was intubated prior to transfer to a hyperbaric facility. However, within 24 hours the patient was found to have multiorgan failure, diffuse cerebral edema, and brain death despite no further episodes of hypotension or hypoxia. No intracranial gas was seen on repeat head CT. Our case demonstrates the importance of early recognition of decompression illness by EMS personnel, consideration of ground versus flight transportation of these patients to the nearest hyperbaric center, and the possible use of prehospital CPAP as an alternative to enhance oxygenation.
Doppler Effect-Based Automatic Landing Procedure for UAV in Difficult Access Environments
Authors: Kelner Jan M. , Ziółkowski Cezary
Published: October 2017

Currently, almost unrestricted access to low-lying areas of airspace creates an opportunity to use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), especially those capable of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), in transport services. UAVs become increasingly popular for transporting postal items over small, medium, and large distances. It is forecasted that, in the near future, VTOL UAVs with a high take-off weight will also deliver goods to very distant and hard-to-reach locations. Therefore, UAV navigation plays a very important role in the process of carrying out transport services. At present, during the flight phase, drones make use of the integrated global navigation satellite system (GNSS) and the inertial navigation system (INS). However, the inaccuracy of GNSS + INS makes it unsuitable for landing and take-off, necessitating the guidance of a human UAV operator during those phases. Available navigation systems do not provide sufficiently high positioning accuracy for an UAV. For this reason, full automation of the landing approach is not possible. This paper puts forward a proposal to solve this problem. The authors show the structure of an autonomous system and a Doppler-based navigation procedure that allows for automatic landing approaches. An accuracy evaluation of the developed solution for VTOL is made on the basis of simulation studies.
Euphorbia kansui Attenuates Insulin Resistance in Obese Human Subjects and High‐Fat Diet‐Induced Obese Mice
Authors: Lee Seung-Wook , Na Hyun-Young , Seol Mi Hyeon , Kim Mia , Lee Byung-Cheol
Published: October 2017

Background. Obesity is a main cause of insulin resistance (IR), metabolic syndrome, and fatty liver diseases. This study evaluated Euphorbia kansui radix (Euphorbia) as a potential treatment option for obesity and obesity‐induced IR in obese human and high‐fat diet‐ (HFD‐) induced obese mice. Methods. In the human study, we analyzed the body weight change of 14 patients who took a single dose of 6 g of Euphorbia powder. In the animal study, male mice were divided into three groups: normal chow, HFD, and Euphorbia (high‐fat diet and 100 mg/Kg Euphorbia once per week). Body weight, epididymal fat pad weight, fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA‐IR, and oral glucose tolerance test were measured. Also, macrophage infiltration and expression of CD68, tumor necrosis factor‐ (TNF‐) α, interferon‐ (IFN‐) γ, and interleukin‐ (IL‐) 6 genes in the liver and adipose tissue were analyzed. Results. The human study showed that Euphorbia has a potential effect on body weight loss. In the in vivo study, body weight, epididymal fat weight, glucose level, IR, expression of CD68, TNF‐α, IFN‐r, and IL‐6 genes, and macrophages in liver and adipose tissue were significantly reduced by Euphorbia. Conclusions. These results suggest that Euphorbia attenuates obesity and insulin resistance via anti‐inflammatory effects.
СИНТЕЗ ТА ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ АНТИТРИПАНОСОМНОЇ АКТИВНОСТІ НОВИХ 5-ІЛІДЕН-2-(1,3,4-ТІАДІАЗОЛ-2-ІЛ)ІМІНОТІАЗОЛІДИН-4-ОНІВ
Authors: Lelyukh M. I. , Zimenkovsky B. S. , Demchuk I. L. , Grellier Philippe , Lesyk R. B.
Published: October 2017

Мета роботи. На основі реакцій гетероциклізації та Кньовенагеля здійснити синтез нових тіадіазоло-2-імінотіазолідин-4-онів та їх 5-ариліденпохідних для скринінгу антитрипаносомної активності.Матеріали і методи. Органічний синтез, спектроскопія ЯМР, елементний аналіз, фармакологічний скринінг.Результати й обговорення. Циклізацією N-(1,3,4-тіадіазол-2-іл)заміщених 2-хлороацетамідів під дією амонію тіоціанату в середовищі ацетону синтезовано серію нових похідних 2-імінотіазолідин-4-ону. Наявність метиленактивної групи в положенні 5 тіазолідинового циклу отриманих 2-(1,3,4-тіадіазол-2-іл)імінотіазолідин-4-онів дозволила провести їх подальшу модифікацію в умовах реакції Кньовенагеля з різноманітними арил(гетерил)карбальдегідами, ізатином або похідними коричного альдегіду з утворенням серій відповідних 5-арил(гетерил)іліден- та 5-ізатин(3-фенілпропен)іліденпохідних як потенційних антитрипаносомних агентів. Структуру синтезованих сполук підтверджено елементним аналізом та спектроскопією ПМР.Висновки. Результати скринінгу антитрипаносомної активності in vitro синтезованих сполук на штамі Trypanosoma brucei gambiense (TBG) дозволили ідентифікувати чотири високоактивні сполуки, які зі значеннями IC50 в межах 7,3-12,8 мкМ володіли суттєвим трипаноцидним ефектом.
СУЧАСНИЙ СТАН ЗАКОНОДАВЧОГО ЗАБЕЗПЕЧЕННЯ САМОРЕГУЛЮВАННЯ ГОСПОДАРСЬКОЇ ДІЯЛЬНОСТІ ТА ПЕРСПЕКТИВИ САМОРЕГУЛЮВАННЯ І ДЕРЖАВНОГО РЕГУЛЮВАННЯ ФАРМАЦЕВТИЧНОЇ ДІЯЛЬНОСТІ В УКРАЇНІ
Authors: Hromovyk B. P. , Pankevych O. B.
Published: October 2017

Мета роботи. Аналіз сучасного стану законодавчого забезпечення процесів саморегулювання (СР) господарської діяльності та перспектив СР і державного регулювання (ДР) фармацевтичної діяльності. Матеріали і методи. Матеріалом дослідження були нормативно-правові акти, що стосуються СР. Для вирішення поставленої задачі були застосовані методи дослідження: системний, аналізу, порівняння, формалізації, узагальнення та моделювання.Результати й обговорення. Вивчення нормативно-правової бази у сфері СР господарської діяльності в Україні показало, що дане положення тою чи іншою мірою закріпилося на ринку фінансових послуг та його сегментів, у сфері землеустрою, архітектурної діяльності, діяльності оцінювачів, адвокатів, нотаріусів та аудиторів. При цьому в інших видах господарської діяльності, зокрема у фармацевтичній сфері, СР не знайшло належного законодавчого закріплення. Показано сучасний стан регулювання фармацевтичної діяльності за участю громадських організацій та громадських рад при центральних органах виконавчої влади, а також перспективу її СР.Висновки.  На підставі аналізу нормативно-правової бази досліджено особливості СР різних видів господарської діяльності в Україні. Змодельовано взаємодію інститутів громадянського суспільства з органами ДР та саморегулюючими організаціями щодо фармацевтичної діяльності від стану «як є» до стану «як бути».
ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ АМІНОКИСЛОТНОГО СКЛАДУ АРТИШОКУ СУЦВІТЬ
Authors: Fedosov A. I.
Published: October 2017

Мета роботи. Амінокислоти є одним із важливих компонентів комплексу біологічно активних речовин рослин. Амінокислоти містяться в рослинах у легкозасвоюваних комплексах і в біологічно доступних концентраціях для організму людини, що зумовлює вищу біодоступність і фізіологічну активність порівняно з синтетичними аналогами. Тому метою роботи було дослідження амінокислотного складу артишоку суцвіть.Матеріали і методи. Визначення вільних та зв’язаних амінокислот проводили методом високоефективної рідинної хроматографії (ВЕРХ). Хроматографічне розділення здійснювали на рідинному хроматографі Agilent 1200 (Agilent technologies, USA). Ідентифікацію амінокислот проводили шляхом порівняння часів утримання з сумішшю стандартів амінокислот.Результати й обговорення. Методом високоефективної рідинної хроматографії у артишоку суцвіттях було ідентифіковано та визначено вміст 14 амінокислот, серед яких13 визначено як у вільному стані, так  і зв'язаному, а тирозин виявлено лише у зв’язаному стані. Як показали результати проведених досліджень, серед вільних амінокислот  найбільше міститься проліну – 2,21 % і аспарагінової кислоти – 1,23 %, у зв’язаному стані у великій кількості накопичуються аспарагінова кислота (14,44 %) і глутамінова кислота (5,22 %). Тирозин у вільному стані в артишоку суцвіттях  не виявлено.Висновки. Методом високоефективної рідинної хроматографії досліджено амінокислотний склад артишоку суцвіть.
ОСОБЛИВОСТІ КОРЕКЦІЇ ГЕНІТОУРИНАРНОГО МЕНОПАУЗАЛЬНОГО СИНДРОМУ В ЖІНОК
Authors: Pavlovska O. M.
Published: October 2017

Мета дослідження – визначення клінічної ефективності комплексної медикаментозної терапії для корекції генітоуринарного менопаузального синдрому в жінок.Матеріали та методи. Було обстежено 50 жінок віком 49–57 років із менопаузальними генітоуринарними розладами. Пацієнток було розділено на 2 групи. Жінки основної групи отримували комплексну медикаментозну терапію, яка включала естрогенвмісний препарат, фітоуросептик та гомеопатичний препарат з регулюючим ритмологічні процеси в ЦНС ефектом, група порівняння – тільки естрогенвмісний препарат й фітоуросептик. Для визначення виразності генітоуринарних порушень застосовували індекс вагінального здоров’я за критеріями G. Bachmann, шкалу D. Barlow, добовий Pad-тест за стандартами ICS.Результати дослідження та їх обговорення. При дослідженні індексу вагінального здоров’я у 29 (58 %) пацієнток були зафіксовані ознаки помірної генітоуринарної дисфункції (3 бали), 21 (42 %) – слабкої, середній бал становив 3,42±0,50. Також перед початком лікування 36 (72 %) пацієнток оцінювали свій стан як «значну рецидивуючу проблему, що впливає на повсякденне життя» (3 бали), 14 (28 %) – як «дискомфорт, який періодично впливає на повсякденне життя» (2 бали), в середньому – (2,72±0,45) бала. I стадія нетримання сечі була зафіксована у 47 (94 %) обстежених жінок, II стадія – у 3 (6 %). Після завершення курсу лікування аналіз отриманих фактичних даних дозволив визначити певні відмінності між двома групами пацієнток. Запропонована схема медикаментозної терапії спрямована на корекцію основних патогенетичних ланок формування генітоуринарного менопаузального синдрому, є не довготривалою, проте достатньо ефективною й безпечною для жінок клімактеричного віку.Висновок. Включення в комплексне лікування генітоуринарного менопаузального синдрому препаратів з регулюючим ритмологічні процеси в ЦНС ефектом є патогенетично виправданим та перспективним.
Editorial
Authors: Crippa Giulia
Published: October 2017

InCID: Revista de Ciência da Informação e Documentação, v. 8, n. 2, set. 2017/fev. 2018.
Intelectual orgânico como mediador da informação: algumas considerações acerca de um diálogo possível
Authors: Monteiro Ciro Athayde Barros , Almeida Junior Oswaldo Francisco de
Published: October 2017

A definição do conceito de mediador da informação tem sido de maneira geral, na área de Ciência da Informação, associado ao profissional da informação. No entanto, a informação é mediada por um número amplo de pessoas e de ambientes informacionais que transcendem os ambientes como as bibliotecas, os arquivos e museus, tradicionalmente pensados pela CI. Sem contestar a importância dos ambientes trabalhados no campo, o objetivo aqui posto é tecer algumas considerações acerca do conceito de profissional da informação e refletir, por meio do conceito Gramsciniano de Intelectual Orgânico, acerca da ideia de mediador da informação para que possamos pensar sobre como a informação é mediada em todos os âmbitos da sociedade, ou seja, em seus vários grupos, organizações e veículos de comunicação. Por fim, é apresentado a ideia do mediador como sendo todos aqueles que atuam na sociedade, como o pastor, o padre, o jogador, o representante comunitário, o professor, o profissional da saúde, da computação, o músico, o jornalista, etc., ou seja, um Intelectual Orgânico fundamental para promover transformações sociais.
Update to Practice Standards for Electrocardiographic Monitoring in Hospital Settings: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
Authors: Sandau Kristin E. , Funk Marjorie , Auerbach Andrew , Barsness Gregory W. , Blum Kay , Cvach Maria , Lampert Rachel , May Jeanine L. , McDaniel George M. , Perez Marco V. , Sendelbach Sue , Sommargren Claire E. , Wang Paul J.
Published: October 2017

Background and Purpose:

This scientific statement provides an interprofessional, comprehensive review of evidence and recommendations for indications, duration, and implementation of continuous electro cardiographic monitoring of hospitalized patients. Since the original practice standards were published in 2004, new issues have emerged that need to be addressed: overuse of arrhythmia monitoring among a variety of patient populations, appropriate use of ischemia and QT-interval monitoring among select populations, alarm management, and documentation in electronic health records.

Methods:

Authors were commissioned by the American Heart Association and included experts from general cardiology, electrophysiology (adult and pediatric), and interventional cardiology, as well as a hospitalist and experts in alarm management. Strict adherence to the American Heart Association conflict of interest policy was maintained throughout the consensus process. Authors were assigned topics relevant to their areas of expertise, reviewed the literature with an emphasis on publications since the prior practice standards, and drafted recommendations on indications and duration for electrocardiographic monitoring in accordance with the American Heart Association Level of Evidence grading algorithm that was in place at the time of commissioning.

Results:

The comprehensive document is grouped into 5 sections: (1) Overview of Arrhythmia, Ischemia, and QTc Monitoring; (2) Recommendations for Indication and Duration of Electrocardiographic Monitoring presented by patient population; (3) Organizational Aspects: Alarm Management, Education of Staff, and Documentation; (4) Implementation of Practice Standards; and (5) Call for Research.

Conclusions:

Many of the recommendations are based on limited data, so authors conclude with specific questions for further research.
Improving Assessment of Drug Safety Through Proteomics
Authors: Williams Stephen A. , Murthy Ashwin C. , DeLisle Robert K. , Hyde Craig , Malarstig Anders , Ostroff Rachel , Weiss Sophie J. , Segal Mark R. , Ganz Peter
Published: October 2017

Background:

Early detection of adverse effects of novel therapies and understanding of their mechanisms could improve the safety and efficiency of drug development. We have retrospectively applied large-scale proteomics to blood samples from ILLUMINATE (Investigation of Lipid Level Management to Understand its Impact in Atherosclerotic Events), a trial of torcetrapib (a cholesterol ester transfer protein inhibitor), that involved 15 067 participants at high cardiovascular risk. ILLUMINATE was terminated at a median of 550 days because of significant absolute increases of 1.2% in cardiovascular events and 0.4% in mortality with torcetrapib. The aims of our analysis were to determine whether a proteomic analysis might reveal biological mechanisms responsible for these harmful effects and whether harmful effects of torcetrapib could have been detected early in the ILLUMINATE trial with proteomics.

Methods:

A nested case-control analysis of paired plasma samples at baseline and at 3 months was performed in 249 participants assigned to torcetrapib plus atorvastatin and 223 participants assigned to atorvastatin only. Within each treatment arm, cases with events were matched to controls 1:1. Main outcomes were a survey of 1129 proteins for discovery of biological pathways altered by torcetrapib and a 9-protein risk score validated to predict myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure, or death.

Results:

Plasma concentrations of 200 proteins changed significantly with torcetrapib. Their pathway analysis revealed unexpected and widespread changes in immune and inflammatory functions, as well as changes in endocrine systems, including in aldosterone function and glycemic control. At baseline, 9-protein risk scores were similar in the 2 treatment arms and higher in participants with subsequent events. At 3 months, the absolute 9-protein derived risk increased in the torcetrapib plus atorvastatin arm compared with the atorvastatin-only arm by 1.08% (
P
=0.0004). Thirty-seven proteins changed in the direction of increased risk of 49 proteins previously associated with cardiovascular and mortality risk.

Conclusions:

Heretofore unknown effects of torcetrapib were revealed in immune and inflammatory functions. A protein-based risk score predicted harm from torcetrapib within just 3 months. A protein-based risk assessment embedded within a large proteomic survey may prove to be useful in the evaluation of therapies to prevent harm to patients.

Clinical Trial Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00134264.
Relative and Combined Prognostic Importance of On-Treatment Mean and Visit-to-Visit Blood Pressure Variability in ONTARGET and TRANSCEND Patients
Authors: Mancia Giuseppe , Schumacher Helmut , Böhm Michael , Redon Josep , Schmieder Roland E. , Verdecchia Paolo , Sleight Peter , Teo Koon , Yusuf Salim
Published: October 2017

In 28 790 patients recruited for the ONTARGET (Ongoing Treatment Alone and in Combination With Ramipril Global End Point Trials) and TRANSCEND (Telmisartan Randomized Assessment Study in ACE Intolerant Subjects With Cardiovascular Disease) trials, we investigated the prognostic value for cardiovascular events (primary outcome) of (1)on-treatment visit-to-visit systolic blood pressure (SBP) variability versus mean SBP and (2) the 2 measures together. SBP variability was measured by the coefficient of variation (CV) of mean SBP to which it was unrelated. Confounders such as variable time and number of visits from which to calculate SBP-CV were avoided by using the same number of visits at identical times in all patients. The covariate-adjusted risk of the primary outcome (Cox models) increased as SBP-CV or mean on-treatment quintile SBP increased, but only for mean on-treatment SBP, the relationship achieved statistical significance: global test for trend,
P
=0.12 versus
P
<0.0001. SBP-CV showed a relationship with fatal events, but it was unrelated to the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke, which were predicted by on-treatment mean SBP. Prediction of the primary outcome improved by the combined use of both measures: global test for trend,
P
<0.0001; hazard ratio for combined fifth versus first quintile, 1.42 (1.20–1.68) compared with 1.13 (1.01–1.27) for SBP-CV and 1.24 (1.11–1.40) for mean SBP. Thus, in the present study, on-treatment mean SBP provided an overall better prediction of cardiovascular risk than visit-to-visit SBP-CV. Prediction improved by their combined use, which may thus offer a more precise estimate of the protective effect of treatment.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http//www.clinicaltrial.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT153.101.
Systolic Blood Pressure Visit-to-Visit Variability and Major Adverse Outcomes in Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Proietti Marco , Romiti Giulio Francesco , Olshansky Brian , Lip Gregory Y.H.
Published: October 2017

Hypertension and atrial fibrillation predict major adverse events independently. Visit-to-visit variability (VVV) in systolic blood pressure (SBP) predicts outcomes beyond SBP itself, but risk associated with SBP-VVV in atrial fibrillation remains uncertain. We evaluated relationships between SBP-VVV, quality of oral anticoagulation control, and outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation. Data from the AFFIRM trial (atrial fibrillation follow-up investigation of rhythm management) were analyzed. SBP-VVV was defined according to SD of SBP (SBP-SD) during follow-up. SBP-VVV was categorized by quartiles (1st, <10.09; 2nd, 10.09–13.85; 3rd, 13.86–17.33; and 4th, ≥17.34 mm Hg) and as a continuous variable. Among the original cohort, 3843 (94.7%) patients were eligible. Time in therapeutic range and percentage of international normalized ratio in range were progressively lower by quartiles (both
P
<0.001). An inverse linear association existed between SBP-SD and time in therapeutic range/percentage of international normalized ratio in range (
P
<0.001). After a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 3.6 (2.7–4.6) years, stroke and major bleeding rates progressively increased by SBP-VVV quartile (both
P
<0.001). Patients in the 4th quartile had the highest rate of cardiovascular and all-cause death (
P
=0.005 and
P
<0.001). A Cox multivariate analysis confirmed that 3rd and 4th quartiles were associated independently with a higher risk for stroke (
P
=0.042 and
P
=0.004) and major bleeding (
P
=0.009 and
P
<0.001). Patients in 4th quartile had also a higher risk for all-cause death (
P
=0.048). SBP-SD as a continuous variable was associated with increased risk for all outcomes. In conclusion, SBP-VVV is inversely associated with quality of anticoagulation control and independently predicts major adverse outcomes. Management of blood pressure variability may improve outcomes in atrial fibrillation.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00000556.
Interleukin 22 Promotes Blood Pressure Elevation and Endothelial Dysfunction in Angiotensin II–Treated Mice
Authors: Ye Jing , Ji Qingwei , Liu Jianfang , Liu Ling , Huang Ying , Shi Ying , Shi Lei , Wang Menglong , Liu Mengling , Feng Ying , Jiang Huimin , Xu Yao , Wang Zhen , Song Junlong , Lin Yingzhong , Wan Jun
Published: October 2017

Background

CD
4+ T helper (Th) cells, including Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, play critical roles in angiotensin
II
–induced hypertension. Th22 cells, a novel subset of Th cells, take part in cardiovascular diseases by producing
IL
‐22 (interleukin 22). This study aimed to investigate whether
IL
‐22 is involved in hypertension.

Methods and Results

Th22 cells and
IL
‐22 levels were detected in angiotensin
II
–infused mice, and the results showed that Th22 cells and
IL
‐22 levels significantly increased. To determine the effect of Th22/
IL
‐22 on blood pressure regulation, angiotensin
II
–infused mice were treated with recombinant mouse
IL
‐22, an anti–
IL
‐22 neutralizing monoclonal antibody, or control. Treatment with recombinant
IL
‐22 resulted in increased blood pressure, amplified inflammatory responses, and aggravated endothelial dysfunction, whereas the anti–
IL
‐22 neutralizing monoclonal antibody decreased blood pressure, reduced inflammatory responses, and attenuated endothelial dysfunction. To determine whether the
STAT
3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3) pathway mediates the effect of
IL
‐22 on blood pressure regulation, the special
STAT
3 pathway inhibitor S31‐201 was administered to mice treated with recombinant
IL
‐22. S31‐201 treatment significantly ameliorated the
IL
‐22 effects of increased blood pressure and endothelial dysfunction. In addition, serum
IL
‐22 levels were significantly increased in hypertensive patients compared with healthy persons. Correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between
IL
‐22 levels and blood pressure.

Conclusions

IL
‐22 amplifies the inflammatory response, induces endothelial dysfunction and promotes blood pressure elevation in angiotensin
II
–induced hypertensive mice. The
STAT
3 pathway mediates the effect of
IL
‐22 on hypertension. Blocking
IL
‐22 may be a novel therapeutic strategy to prevent and treat hypertension.
Sex Differences in Circulating Progenitor Cells
Authors: Topel Matthew L. , Hayek Salim S. , Ko Yi‐An , Sandesara Pratik B. , Samman Tahhan Ayman , Hesaroieh Iraj , Mahar Ernestine , Martin Greg S. , Waller Edmund K. , Quyyumi Arshed A.
Published: October 2017

Background

Lower levels of circulating progenitor cells (PCs) reflect impaired endogenous regenerative capacity and are associated with aging, vascular disease, and poor outcomes. Whether biologic sex and sex hormones influence PC numbers remains a subject of controversy. We sought to determine sex differences in circulating PCs in both healthy persons and patients with coronary artery disease, and to determine their association with sex hormone levels.

Methods and Results

In 642 participants (mean age 48 years, 69% women, 23% black) free from cardiovascular disease, we measured circulating PC counts as CD45
med+
mononuclear cells coexpressing CD34 and its subsets expressing CD133, chemokine (C‐X‐C motif) receptor 4, and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 epitopes using flow cytometry. Testosterone and estradiol levels were measured. After adjustment for age, cardiovascular risk factors, and body mass, CD34
+
(β=−23%,
P
<0.001), CD34
+
/CD133
+
(β=−20%,
P
=0.001), CD34
+
/chemokine (C‐X‐C motif) receptor 4–positive (β=−24%,
P
<0.001), and CD34
+
/chemokine (C‐X‐C motif) receptor 4–positive/CD133
+
(β=−21%,
P
=0.001) PC counts, but not vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2‐positive PC counts were lower in women compared with men. Estradiol levels positively correlated with hematopoietic, but not vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2‐ positive PC counts in women (
P
<0.05). Testosterone levels and PC counts were not correlated in men. These findings were replicated in an independent cohort with prevalent coronary artery disease.

Conclusions

Women have lower circulating hematopoietic PC levels compared with men. Estrogen levels are modestly associated with PC levels in women. Since PCs are reflective of endogenous regenerative capacity, these findings may at least partly explain the rise in adverse cardiovascular events in women with aging and menopause.
Prenatal Hypoxia Induced Dysfunction in Cerebral Arteries of Offspring Rats
Authors: Tang Jiaqi , Li Na , Chen Xueyi , Gao Qinqin , Zhou Xiuwen , Zhang Yingying , Liu Bailin , Sun Miao , Xu Zhice
Published: October 2017

Background

Hypoxia during pregnancy could cause abnormal development and lead to increased risks of vascular diseases in adults. This study determined angiotensin
II
(
AII
)‐mediated vascular dysfunction in offspring middle cerebral arteries (
MCA
).

Methods and Results

Pregnant rats were subjected to hypoxia. Vascular tension in offspring
MCA
by
AII
with or without inhibitors, calcium channel activities, and endoplasmic reticulum calcium stores were tested. Whole‐cell patch clamping was used to investigate voltage‐dependent calcium channel currents.
mRNA
expression was tested using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction.
AII
‐mediated
MCA
constriction was greater in male offspring exposed to prenatal hypoxia.
AT
1 and
AT
2 receptors were involved in the altered
AII
‐mediated vasoconstriction. Prenatal hypoxia increased baseline activities of L‐type calcium channel currents in
MCA
smooth muscle cells. However, calcium currents stimulated by
AII
were not significantly changed, whereas nifedipine inhibited
AII
‐mediated vasoconstrictions in the
MCA
. Activities of
IP
3
/ryanodine receptor–operated calcium channels, endoplasmic reticulum calcium stores, and sarcoendoplasmic reticulum membrane Ca
2+
‐
ATP
ase were increased. Prenatal hypoxia also caused dysfunction of vasodilatation via the endothelium
NO
synthase. The
mRNA
expressions of
AT
1A,
AT
1B,
AT
2R, Cav1.2α1C, Cav3.2α1H, and ryanodine receptor RyR2 were increased in the prenatal‐hypoxia group.

Conclusions

Hypoxia in pregnancy could induce dysfunction in both contraction and dilation in the offspring
MCA
.
AII
‐increased constriction in the prenatal‐hypoxia group was not mainly dependent on the L‐type and T‐type calcium channels; it might predominantly rely on the
AII
receptors,
IP
3
/ryanodine receptors, and the endoplasmic reticulum calcium store as well as calcium
ATP
ase.
Thrombectomy in Acute Stroke With Tandem Occlusions From Dissection Versus Atherosclerotic Cause
Authors: Gory Benjamin , Piotin Michel , Haussen Diogo C. , Steglich-Arnholm Henrik , Holtmannspötter Markus , Labreuche Julien , Taschner Christian , Eiden Sebastian , Nogueira Raul G. , Papanagiotou Panagiotis , Boutchakova Maria , Siddiqui Adnan , Lapergue Bertrand , Dorn Franziska , Cognard Christophe , Killer-Oberpfalzer Monika , Mangiafico Salvatore , Ribo Marc , Behme Daniel , Spiotta Alejandro M. , Mazighi Mikael , Turjman Francis ,   on behalf of the TITAN Investigators*
Published: October 2017

Background and Purpose—

Tandem steno-occlusive lesions were poorly represented in randomized trials and represent a major challenge for endovascular thrombectomy in acute anterior circulation strokes. The impact of the cervical carotid lesion cause (ie, atherosclerotic versus dissection) on outcome of tandem patients endovascularly treated remains to be assessed.

Methods—

We retrospectively analyzed individual data of prospectively collected consecutive tandem patients treated with endovascular thrombectomy. The primary outcome was favorable outcome at 90 days (modified Rankin Scale score of 0–2). Secondary efficacy outcomes included successful reperfusion (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebrovascular Infarction scores of 2b-3), time to reperfusion, and safety outcomes encompassed procedural complications, symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage, and 90-day mortality.

Results—

Among the 295 included patients, 65 had cervical carotid dissection and 230 had cervical carotid atherosclerotic cause. The rate of favorable outcome was 56.3% in the dissection group versus 47.6% in the atherosclerotic arm (center-, age-, and admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale–adjusted odds ratio, 1.08; 95% confidence interval, 0.50–2.30;
P
=0.85). No significant differences were observed in secondary outcomes. The rates of successful reperfusion, symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage, and 90-day mortality were 78.5% versus 74.5% (
P
=0.13), 4.6% versus 5.2% (
P
=1.0), and 7.8% versus 15.3% (
P
=0.94) in the dissection versus atherosclerotic groups, respectively. The median procedural time was 76 minutes (interquartile range, 52–95 minutes) in the dissection group and 67 minutes (interquartile range, 45–98 minutes) in the atherosclerotic group (
P
=0.24).

Conclusions—

We found no differences in the outcomes of patients with anterior circulation tandem atherosclerotic and dissection lesions treated with endovascular thrombectomy. Further studies are warranted.
Examination of the ‘Assad Must Go’ Doctrine
Authors: Tzimas Themistoklis
Published: October 2017

The internal conflict in Syria and the legal imperatives of the ‘Assad must go’ doctrine have brought to the fore the issue of government legitimacy. This article examines the ‘de-legitimisation/legitimisation process’, meaning the denial of the legitimacy of a government from the perspective of the international community, in favor of the attribution of legitimacy to another entity. The main argument is that government legitimacy is determined on the basis of a combination of objective and legal criteria at the domestic and international level. When the objective criteria are contested by opposition forces to a significant extent, the international community needs to answer the question: who must be recognised as the legitimate government? Having set out the criteria for such a decision, I then examine the de-legitimisation of the Syrian government and the recognition of the Syrian National Coalition (snc) as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people by regional organisations and by Member States of the un.
Back to the Future? Confronting the Role(s) of Natural Resources in Armed Conflict Through the Lenses of Truth and Reconciliation Commissions
Authors: Cusato Eliana
Published: October 2017

Natural resources are critical factors in the transition from conflict to peace. Whether they contributed to, financed or fuelled armed conflict, failure to integrate natural resources into post-conflict strategies may endanger the chances of a long-lasting and sustainable peace. This article explores how Truth and Reconciliation Commissions (trcs), as transitional justice institutions, can contribute to addressing the multifaceted role of natural resources in armed conflict. Drawing insights from the practice of the Sierra Leonean and Liberian trcs in this area, the article identifies several ways in which truth-seeking bodies may reinforce post-conflict accountability and avoid the future reoccurrence of abuses and conflict by actively engaging with the natural resource-conflict link. As it is often the case with other transitional justice initiatives, trcs’ engagement with the role of natural resources in armed conflict brings along opportunities and challenges, which are contextual and influenced by domestic and international factors.
The Kiev Civil Liability Protocol and the Interaction between Civil and Administrative Liability Regimes
Authors: Dascalopoulou-Livada Phani , Kolliopoulos Alexandros
Published: October 2017

Τhe Kiev Civil Liability Protocol creates a strict liability regime which channels liability towards the operator, providing also that such liability shall be covered by compulsory insurance. The Protocol implements the “polluter-pays” principle and, unlike other similar regimes, it is neither exclusive nor self-contained, allowing in some instances for the application of other international instruments or of relevant rules of domestic law. It is argued that the Kiev Protocol can coexist with eu Directive 2004/35 on environmental liability, given that the latter opts for an administrative approach, and could even provide a mechanism for the recovery of costs incurred by the competent public authority in case of transboundary damage, thus facilitating the implementation of the Directive. It covers both economic and, to an extent, environmental damage and, if in force, will be an important tool in the hands of the victims of transboundary pollution.
First finding of the shrimp genus Harperalpheus Felder & Anker, 2007 in the eastern Pacific, with description of a new species from Bahía Málaga, Colombia (Malacostraca: Decapoda: Alpheidae)
Authors: ANKER ARTHUR , LAZARUS JUAN FELIPE
Published: October 2017

A new infaunal species of the rare alpheid genus Harperalpheus Felder & Anker, 2007 is described from Bahía Málaga,  Pacific coast of Colombia, based on single, incomplete holotype specimen. Harperalpheus leptodactylus sp. nov. may be easily separated from the western Atlantic type species and only other species of the genus, H. pequegnatae Felder & Anker, 2007, by several morphological characters on the first and fifth pereiopod, as well as on the antennular peduncle.
Seasonal and Regional Variations of Long-Term Changes in Upper-Tropospheric Jets from Reanalyses
Authors: Manney Gloria L. , Hegglin Michaela I.
Published: October 2017

Long-term changes in upper-tropospheric jet latitude, altitude, and strength are assessed for 1980–2014 using five modern reanalyses: MERRA, MERRA-2, ERA-Interim, JRA-55, and NCEP CFSR. Changes are computed from jet locations evaluated daily at each longitude to analyze regional and seasonal variations. The changes in subtropical and polar (eddy driven) jets are evaluated separately. Good agreement among the reanalyses in many regions and seasons provides confidence in the robustness of the diagnosed trends. Jet shifts show strong regional and seasonal variations, resulting in changes that are not robust in zonal or annual means. Robust changes in the subtropical jet indicate tropical widening over Africa except during Northern Hemisphere (NH) spring, and tropical narrowing over the eastern Pacific in NH winter. The Southern Hemisphere (SH) polar jet shows a robust poleward shift, while the NH polar jet shifts equatorward in most regions/seasons. Both subtropical and polar jet altitudes typically increase; these changes are more robust in the NH than in the SH. Subtropical jet wind speeds have generally increased in winter and decreased in summer, whereas polar jet wind speeds have weakened (strengthened) over Africa and eastern Asia (elsewhere) during winter in both hemispheres. The Asian monsoon has increased in area and appears to have shifted slightly westward toward Africa. The results herein highlight the importance of understanding regional and seasonal variations when quantifying long-term changes in jet locations, the mechanisms for those changes, and their potential human impacts. Comparison of multiple reanalyses is a valuable tool for assessing the robustness of jet changes.
An Eulerian Framework for Event-Based Pattern Verification
Authors: Nachamkin Jason E. , Jin Yi
Published: October 2017

When consulting a forecast, users often ask some variant of the following questions: Will an event of interest occur? If so, when will it occur? How long will it last? How intense will it be? Standard verification measures often do not directly communicate the ability of a forecast to answer these questions. Instead, quantitative scores typically address them indirectly or in some combined form. A more direct performance measure grew from what started as a project for a high-school intern. The challenge was to evaluate aspects of forecast quality from a set of convection-allowing (1.67 km) precipitation forecasts over Florida. Although the output was highly detailed, evaluation became manageable by simply adding a series of static landmarks with range rings and radials. Using the “targets” as a guide, the student and the two authors successfully obtained quantitative estimates of model tendencies that had heretofore only been reported anecdotally. What follows is a description of the method as well as the results from the analysis. It is hoped that this work will stimulate a broader discussion about how to extract performance information from very complex forecasts and present that information in terms that humans can readily perceive.
Posting and Slotting: How Hiring Processes Shape the Quality of Hire and Compensation in Internal Labor Markets
Authors: Keller JR
Published: October 2017

Recent research highlights the benefits of internal hiring––filling a job by hiring a worker currently employed by the organization––and more than half of jobs are filled that way. Yet we know surprisingly little about the processes that facilitate the movement of workers across jobs within firms. I address this gap by first detailing the portfolio of internal hiring processes employed by large organizations, focusing on posting and slotting. Posting is a predominantly market-based process in which a manager posts an open job and invites interested candidates to apply, whereas slotting is a predominantly relational process in which a manager personally identifies a preferred candidate and “slots” him or her into an open job. I then examine how key differences between posting and slotting shape two outcomes of importance to firms and workers: quality of hire and compensation. My analysis of 8,107 internal hires at a large U.S. health-services firm reveals that outcomes for internal candidates depend, in part, on the nature of the process used to facilitate the movement from one job to the next; compared with slotted employees, workers who enter a job through posting have higher performance ratings, earn higher salaries, and are less likely to exit the firm. My findings suggest that the posting process improves the quality of hires by expanding the pool of potential candidates at the recruiting stage and by disciplining the information managers use to evaluate candidates at the selection stage. As well, internal candidates hired through posting are more likely to initiate salary negotiations and negotiate more competitively, resulting in higher initial salaries.
Sex Logics: Biological Essentialism and Gender-Based Asylum Cases
Authors: Llewellyn Cheryl
Published: October 2017

Female circumcision and domestic violence asylum cases have been treated differently in the asylum system. The main explanation for differential adjudication has rested on racialized and ethnocentric constructions of harm. In this article, I examine differences between these cases by analyzing how gendered claims are constructed in female circumcision compared with domestic violence asylum claims. I identify three key themes (immutability, particularity, and universality) and show how they are linked to underlying gender ideologies in these cases. Findings suggest that gender ideology that relies on the biologically sexed body influences interpretations of gender-based asylum cases. Both female circumcision and domestic violence cases make explicit the underlying sex-based logics that operate in the construction of gender group claims, creating an advantage for women claiming asylum based on female circumcision and invoking the sexed body. Although the strategy of invoking the sexed body may benefit some applicants in the short term, these sex-based politics may hinder the development of gender asylum practice more generally.
Modeling College and Career Readiness for Adolescents With and Without Disabilities: A Bifactor Approach
Authors: Lombardi Allison , Freeman Jennifer , Rifenbark Graham
Published: October 2017

Nonacademic skills related to college and career readiness (CCR) have become more prevalent in the literature as proposed conceptual models and frameworks, yet little empirical research exists in their support. We employed latent variable modeling to empirically test a previously proposed six-domain framework of CCR for adolescents with and without disabilities. Results support four specific factors of CCR: Academic Engagement, Critical Learning Processes, Mind-Set, and Transition Knowledge. Using a bifactor model, we confirmed one general factor (CCR) and one specific factor (Transition Knowledge), established measurement invariance on the basis of disability, and found latent mean differences between these groups; students without disabilities had greater overall CCR and transition knowledge. Findings support the use of a CCR measurement model with two potential factor scores in future research and practice and may inform efforts to measure CCR nonacademic skills.
Three-dimensional thermoelastic properties of general composite laminates
Authors: Rique Orzuri , Goodsell Johnathan E , Yu Wenbin , Pipes R Byron
Published: October 2017

This paper presents a hybrid rule of mixtures for calculating the complete set of effective three-dimensional thermoelastic properties of a composite laminate when it is approximated as an equivalent, homogeneous, anisotropic solid. The laminate can be made of generally anisotropic layers with arbitrary layup sequence. This hybrid rule of mixtures is based on the exact solution obtained using the recently discovered mechanics of structure genome. Since mechanics of structure genome minimizes the loss of accuracy for homogenization, the three-dimensional thermoelastic properties obtained using the mechanics of structure genome-based hybrid rule of mixtures will be the most accurate one could obtain for composite laminates. The results of the hybrid rule of mixtures are compared with several other representative methods for predicting thermoelastic properties of composite laminates.
Pragmatic Belief and Political Agency
Authors: Huber Jakob
Published: October 2017

According to a recent methodological critique, much of contemporary political theory has lost touch with the realities of political life. The aim of this article is to problematise the underlying antagonism between distant ideals and concrete contexts of agency. Drawing on Kant’s notion of pragmatic Belief – the idea that in certain situations we can put full confidence in something we lack sufficient evidence for – I point to the distinctly practical function of political ideals that these disputes pay scant attention to. Particularly in political contexts, action is itself often framed by ‘ideal constructions’ that not only motivate and enable us to pursue uncertain goals but also ultimately feed back onto what is practically possible. The upshot is that especially if we are interested in a kind of theorising that is less detached from political practice, we should be wary of disregarding distant ideals as unduly utopian from the outset.
A Community–Academic Partnership to Reduce Lead Exposure From an Elevated Roadway Demolition, Cincinnati, Ohio, 2012
Authors: Newman Nicholas C. , Elam Sarah , Igoe Carol , Jones Camille , Menrath William , Porter Denisha , Haynes Erin N.
Published: October 2017

Disseminating public health recommendations to community members is an important step in protecting the public’s health. We describe a community–academic partnership comprising health-based organizations, community groups, academia, and government organizations. This partnership undertook an iterative process to develop an outreach plan, educational materials, and activities to bring lead-poisoning prevention recommendations from a health impact assessment of a roadway demolition/construction project to the residents of an affected neighborhood in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 2012. Community partners played a key role in developing outreach and prevention activities. As a result of this project, activities among members of the partnership continue.