Dancing Again: History, Memory, and Activism at Wounded Knee

This study examines the role history and memory played in the 1973 occupation of Wounded Knee by Oglala protestors. The research demonstrates that a historical and memorial understanding of Lakota culture and relationship with the United States played a critical role in the identity protestors consciously sought to create for themselves. In particular, the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868 and the Wounded Knee Massacre of 1890 were key events legitimizing the struggle of Oglala protestors seeking an improvement in their living conditions. Furthermore, Oglala protestors cultivated the resurrection of a Lakota culture long suppressed within the Pine Ridge Reservation, with memories of Lakota tradition providing the crux of this revived culture. Although unsuccessful in its immediate efforts, the Wounded Knee occupation demonstrates the power associated with historic interpretation and memorial remembrance, particularly when applied towards the creation of a collective identity rooted in the past and directed towards the future

Ceramide remodeling and risk of cardiovascular events and mortality

BackgroundRecent studies suggest that circulating concentrations of specific ceramide species may be associated with coronary risk and mortality. We sought to determine the relations between the most abundant plasma ceramide species of differing acyl chain lengths and the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and mortality in community‐based samples. Methods and ResultsWe developed a liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry assay to quantify plasma C24:0, C22:0, and C16:0 ceramides and ratios of these very–long‐chain/long‐chain ceramides in 2642 FHS (Framingham Heart Study) participants and in 3134 SHIP (Study of Health in Pomerania) participants. Over a mean follow‐up of 6 years in FHS, there were 88 CHD and 90 heart failure (HF) events and 239 deaths. Over a median follow‐up time in SHIP of 5.75 years for CHD and HF and 8.24 years for mortality, there were 209 CHD and 146 HF events and 377 deaths. In meta‐analysis of the 2 cohorts and adjusting for standard CHD risk factors, C24:0/C16:0 ceramide ratios were inversely associated with incident CHD (hazard ratio per average SD increment, 0.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.71–0.89; P<0.0001) and inversely associated with incident HF (hazard ratio, 0.78; 95% confidence interval, 0.61–1.00; P=0.046). Moreover, the C24:0/C16:0 and C22:0/C16:0 ceramide ratios were inversely associated with all‐cause mortality (C24:0/C16:0: hazard ratio, 0.60; 95% confidence interval, 0.56–0.65; P<0.0001; C22:0/C16:0: hazard ratio, 0.65; 95% confidence interval, 0.60–0.70; P<0.0001). ConclusionsThe ratio of C24:0/C16:0 ceramides in blood may be a valuable new biomarker of CHD risk, HF risk, and all‐cause mortality in the community

Chronisch entzündliche und virale Vorerkrankungen sind Risikofaktoren der Streptokokken-induzierten septischen Arthritis

Die septische Arthritis (SA) ist eine infektiöse Gelenkerkrankung, bei der Entzündungsreaktionen zu schweren Schäden des Bewegungsapparats führen. Bis heute ist nicht geklärt, inwieweit Gelenkzellen zur Entstehung der Pathologie der SA beitragen, und ob Verkrankungen das Auftreten und die Schwere der SA beeinflussen. In dieser Studie wurde demonstriert, dass synoviale Fibroblasten in der Lage sind, Entzündungsreaktionen zu initiieren. Des weiteren konnte gezeigt werden, dass sowohl eine chronisch entündliche Vorerkrankung der Gelenke als auch eine Influenza A Virus Infektion die SA exazerbierte.Septic Arthritis (SA) is an infectious disease that leads to synovial inflammation and severe joint damage. Due to the lack of experimental models, it remains elusive how articular cells govern the elicitation of inflammation. Moreover, it is unknown in what way preceding diseases or co-morbidities influence on the occurence and severity of SA. This study demonstrated that synovial fibroblasts are capable of initiating inflammation. It was furthermore shown that preceding chronic inflammatory joint disease as well as influenca A infection significantly exacerbated SA

Chemical fingerprints of cold physical plasmas – an experimental and computational study using cysteine as tracer compound

Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species released by cold physical plasma are being proposed as effectors in various clinical conditions connected to inflammatory processes. As these plasmas can be tailored in a wide range, models to compare and control their biochemical footprint are desired to infer on the molecular mechanisms underlying the observed effects and to enable the discrimination between different plasma sources. Here, an improved model to trace short-lived reactive species is presented. Using FTIR, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and molecular dynamics computational simulation, covalent modifications of cysteine treated with different plasmas were deciphered and the respective product pattern used to generate a fingerprint of each plasma source. Such, our experimental model allows a fast and reliable grading of the chemical potential of plasmas used for medical purposes. Major reaction products were identified to be cysteine sulfonic acid, cystine, and cysteine fragments. Less-abundant products, such as oxidized cystine derivatives or S-nitrosylated cysteines, were unique to different plasma sources or operating conditions. The data collected point at hydroxyl radicals, atomic O, and singlet oxygen as major contributing species that enable an impact on cellular thiol groups when applying cold plasma in vitro or in vivo

Reference values of vessel diameters, stenosis prevalence, and arterial variations of the lower limb arteries in a male population sample using contrast-enhanced MR angiography

Introduction Morphological characterization of leg arteries is of significant importance to detect vascular remodeling triggered by atherosclerotic changes. We determined reference values of vessel diameters and assessed prevalence of stenosis and arterial variations of the lower limb arteries in a healthy male population sample. Methods Gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography at 1.5 Tesla was performed in 756 male participants ( median age = 52 years, range = 21 +/- 82 years) of the population-based Study of Health in Pomerania. Vessel diameters were measured in 9 predefined segments of the pelvic and leg arteries and 95th percentiles were used for upper reference values of means of left and right side arteries. Results Reference values of vascular diameters decreased from proximal to distal arteries: common iliac = 1.18cm;internal iliac = 0.75cm;external iliac = 1.03cm;proximal femoral = 1.02cm;distal femoral = 0.77cm;popliteal = 0.69cm;anterior tibial = 0.42cm;posterior tibial = 0.38cm;fibular = 0.40cm. Body-surface area indexed reference values increased with age in all segments. A number of 53 subjects (7.0%) had at least one stenosis, mainly in the lower leg arteries anterior tibial (n = 28, 3.7%), posterior tibial (n = 18, 2.4%) and fibular (n = 20, 2.6%). The risk of stenosis increased considerably with age (odds ratio = 1.08;p<0.001). The most common arterial variant was type I-A in both legs (n = 620, 82%)

Thyroid function tests in patients taking thyroid medication in Germany: Results from the population-based Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Studies from iodine-sufficient areas have shown that a high proportion of patients taking medication for thyroid diseases have thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels outside the reference range. Next to patient compliance, inadequate dosing adjustment resulting in under- and over-treatment of thyroid disease is a major cause of poor therapy outcomes. Using thyroid function tests, we aim to measure the proportions of subjects, who are under- or over-treated with thyroid medication in a previously iodine-deficient area.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>Data from 266 subjects participating in the population-based Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP) were analysed. All subjects were taking thyroid medication. Serum TSH levels were measured using immunochemiluminescent procedures. TSH levels of < 0.27 or > 2.15 mIU/L in subjects younger than 50 years and < 0.19 or > 2.09 mIU/L in subjects 50 years and older, were defined as decreased or elevated, according to the established reference range for the specific study area. Our analysis revealed that 56 of 190 (29.5%) subjects treated with thyroxine had TSH levels outside the reference range (10.0% elevated, 19.5% decreased). Of the 31 subjects taking antithyroid drugs, 12 (38.7%) had TSH levels outside the reference range (9.7% elevated, 29.0% decreased). These proportions were lower in the 45 subjects receiving iodine supplementation (2.2% elevated, 8.9% decreased). Among the 3,974 SHIP participants not taking thyroid medication, TSH levels outside the reference range (2.8% elevated, 5.9% decreased) were less frequent.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In concordance with previous studies in iodine-sufficient areas, our results indicate that a considerable number of patients taking thyroid medication are either under- or over-treated. Improved monitoring of these patients' TSH levels, compared to the local reference range, is recommended.</p

Imaging in population science: cardiovascular magnetic resonance in 100,000 participants of UK Biobank - rationale, challenges and approaches

PMCID: PMC3668194SEP was directly funded by the National Institute for Health Research Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Unit at Barts. SN acknowledges support from the Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre and from the Oxford British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence. SP and PL are funded by a BHF Senior Clinical Research fellowship. RC is supported by a BHF Research Chair and acknowledges the support of the Oxford BHF Centre for Research Excellence and the MRC and Wellcome Trust. PMM gratefully acknowledges training fellowships supporting his laboratory from the Wellcome Trust, GlaxoSmithKline and the Medical Research Council