bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Lymphocyte Transformation Test Results in Patients with Delayed Hypersensitivity Reactions following the Use of Anticonvulsant Drugs
Authors: Karami Zahra , Mesdaghi Mehrnaz , Karimzadeh Parvaneh , Mansouri Mahboubeh , Taghdiri Mohammad Mehdi , Kayhanidoost Zarrintaj , Jebelli Bita , Shekarriz Foumani Reza , Babaie Delara , Chavoshzadeh Zahra
Published: August 2016

Background/Aim: Administration of the anticonvulsant drugs phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine and lamotrigine can be associated with severe hypersensitivity reactions. The lymphocyte transformation test (LTT) is a method to determine which drug has caused the hypersensitivity reaction. This study was done to evaluate the results of LTT in patients with delayed hypersensitivity reactions following the administration of anticonvulsants. Methods: Twenty-four patients with hypersensitivity reactions, e.g. drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome/drug rash and eosinophilia with systemic symptoms (DIHS/DRESS), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrosis (TEN), following the administration of anticonvulsant drugs, and 24 patients who had used anticonvulsant drugs but did not have hypersensitivity reactions (the control group) were included in this study. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated. The cells were stimulated with the drugs, phytohemagglutinin as a mitogen and Candida as an antigen (positive controls). Lymphocyte proliferation was measured using the BrdU proliferation assay kit (Roche, Germany). The stimulation index was calculated as the mean ratio of the OD of stimulated cells divided by the OD of unstimulated cells. The results in the case and control groups were compared. Results: Of 24 patients in the test group, 14 (58.3%) had positive LTT results and 10 (41.7%) had negative results. Among patients in the control group, 1 (4.2%) had a positive LTT result and 23 (95.8%) had negative results. Among the patients who had received carbamazepine and phenytoin, there was a significant difference between the results of LTT in the case and control groups (p = 0.002 and p = 0.028, respectively). Although patients receiving lamotrigine and phenobarbital had more positive LTT results in the case group than in the control group, these differences were not statistically significant. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of LTT were 58.4, 95.8, 93.3 and 69.9%, respectively. Conclusions: Considering the significant difference in LTT results between the case and control groups in patients receiving carbamazepine and phenytoin, and not observing such a difference in patients receiving phenobarbital and lamotrigine, LTT results are more valuable for the diagnosis of hypersensitivity reactions following the administration of carbamazepine and phenytoin. The LTT has good specificity but low sensitivity for the diagnosis of drug hypersensitivity reactions.
Comparison of the Accuracy of Thermography and Mammography in the Detection of Breast Cancer
Authors: Omranipour Ramesh , Kazemian Ali , Alipour Sadaf , Najafi Masoume , Alidoosti Mansour , Navid Mitra , Alikhassi Afsaneh , Ahmadinejad Nasrin , Bagheri Khojasteh , Izadi Shahrzad
Published: August 2016

Background: Benefits and harms of screening mammography have been disputed in recent years. This fact, along with the limitations of mammography as well as its unavailability in all our medical centers, tempted us to evaluate the accuracy of thermography in detecting breast abnormalities. Patients and Methods: All patients who were candidates for breast biopsy were examined by both mammography and thermography before tissue sampling in a referral center between January 2013 and January 2014. We defined sensitivities and specificities, and positive predictive values (PPVs) and negative predictive values (NPVs), of the 2 modalities in comparison with histologic results as the gold standard. Results: 132 patients were included. The median age of all patients was 49.5 ± 10.3 years (range 24-75 years). The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy for mammography were 80.5%, 73.3%, 85.4%, 66.0%, and 76.9%, respectively, whereas for thermography the figures were 81.6%, 57.8%, 78.9%, 61.9%, and 69.7%, respectively. Conclusion: Our study confirms that, at the present time, thermography cannot substitute for mammography for the early diagnosis of breast cancer.
Body Composition within the First 3 Months: Optimized Correction for Length and Correlation with BMI at 2 Years
Authors: Hawkes Colin P. , Zemel Babette S. , Kiely Mairead , Irvine Alan D. , Kenny Louise C. , O'B Hourihane Jonathan , Murray Deirdre M.
Published: August 2016

Background/Aims: Although early infant growth has implications for future health, body composition reference data in infancy are limited. The aim of this study was to describe reference data for fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) corrected for length (L) within the first 3 months and to evaluate if these measures predict the body mass index (BMI) at 2 years. Methods: Term infants had air displacement plethysmography performed at birth (n = 1,063) and approximately 2 months later (n = 922, between 49 and 86 days). Age- and sex-specific reference data were generated for FM, FFM, FM/L3 and FFM/L2 and compared with BMI at 2 years. Results: FM/L3 and FFM/L2 were the optimal indices independent of length. In the first 3 months, mean FM/L3 increased (males, from 2.7 to 5.9 kg/m3; females, from 3.2 to 6.1 kg/m3), whereas FFM/L2 remained relatively stable (males, from 11.8 to 12.7 kg/m2; females, from 12.8 to 12.1 kg/m2). The odds of a BMI Z-score ≥2 at 2 years increased with increasing FM (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.97-3.7) and weight (OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.64-3.13) Z-scores at 2 months. Conclusions: FM/L3 and FFM/L2 provide length-independent measures of FM and FFM in infancy. During the first 3 months, there is an increase in FM/L3, but not in FFM/L2. The weight Z-score at 2 months is as good at predicting BMI at 2 years as body composition parameters.
Argon Preconditioning Protects Airway Epithelial Cells against Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Oxidative Stress
Authors: Hafner Christina , Qi Hong , Soto-Gonzalez Lourdes , Doerr Katharina , Ullrich Roman , Tretter Eva Verena , Markstaller Klaus , Klein Klaus Ulrich
Published: August 2016

Background: Oxidative stress is the predominant pathogenic mechanism of ischaemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. The noble gas argon has been shown to alleviate oxidative stress-related myocardial and cerebral injury. The risk of lung IR injury is increased in some major surgeries, reducing clinical outcome. However, no study has examined the lung-protective efficacy of argon preconditioning. The present study investigated the protective effects of argon preconditioning on airway epithelial cells exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to induce oxidative stress. Methods: A549 airway epithelial cells were treated with a cytotoxic concentration of H2O2 after exposure to standard air or 30 or 50% argon/21% oxygen/5% carbon dioxide/rest nitrogen for 30, 45 or 180 min. Cells were stained with annexin V/propidium iodide, and apoptosis was evaluated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Protective signalling pathways activated by argon exposure were identified by Western blot analysis for phosphorylated candidate molecules of the mitogen-activated protein kinase and protein kinase B (Akt) pathways. Results: Preconditioning with 50% argon for 30, 45 and 180 min and 30% argon for 180 min caused significant protection of A549 cells against H2O2-induced apoptosis, with increases in cellular viability of 5-47% (p < 0.0001). A small adverse effect was also observed, which presented as a 12-15% increase in cellular necrosis in argon-treated groups. Argon exposure resulted in early activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38, peaking 10- 30 min after the start of preconditioning, and delayed activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) pathway, peaking after 60-90 min. Conclusions: Argon preconditioning protects airway epithelial cells from H2O2-induced apoptotic cell death. Argon activates the JNK, p38, and ERK1/2 pathways, but not the Akt pathway. The cytoprotective properties of argon suggest possible prophylactic applications in surgery-related IR injury of the lungs.
Multiple Cardiac Rhabdomyomas Visualised Using Micro-CT in a Case of Tuberous Sclerosis
Authors: Hutchinson J. Ciaran , Ashworth Michael T. , Sebire Neil J. , Arthurs Owen J.
Published: August 2016

Cardiac rhabdomyoma is the most common tumour of the heart in infancy and childhood, representing approximately 60% of all primary cardiac tumours in these age groups. Though they have a tendency to regress with advancing age and are histologically benign, rhabdomyomas may cause mechanical obstruction to blood flow, arrhythmia, congestive cardiac failure and death and may be associated with underlying genetic syndromes such as tuberous sclerosis. We present the case of a primigravida in her early 20s with no significant medical history who was referred to the Fetal Medicine Unit at 34 weeks' gestation following the detection of an irregular fetal heartbeat. An anomaly scan at 20 weeks had been reported as normal.
Pleural Nodules and Mediastinal Lymphadenopathy in a Smoker: An Unusual Case Report
Authors: Desbuquoit Damien , Van Hecke Stijn  , Even Pjotr , Parizel Paul M. , van Meerbeeck Jan P. , Snoeckx Annemie
Published: August 2016

The authors report a case of thoracic splenosis, which is the autotransplantation of splenic tissue into the pleural cavity. Splenosis in the chest is a rare entity and most often an incidental finding on chest computed tomography, typically showing solitary or multiple well-defined, noncalcified pleural nodules of variable size in the left hemithorax. It is important to include this benign pathology in the differential diagnosis among other, generally malignant, pleural lesions. Imaging clues to the diagnosis are absence of the spleen and/or associated rib fractures. Early identification of thoracic splenosis as a cause of pleural nodules can prevent unnecessary and risky invasive procedures, such as biopsy or surgery.
Nanomedicine Meets microRNA
Authors: Gadde Suresh , Rayner Katey J.
Published: August 2016

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) accounts for almost half of all deaths worldwide and has now surpassed infectious disease as the leading cause of death and disability in developing countries. At present, therapies such as low-density lipoprotein–lowering statins and antihypertensive drugs have begun to bend the morality curve for coronary artery disease (CAD); yet, as we come to appreciate the more complex pathophysiological processes in the vessel wall, there is an opportunity to fine-tune therapies to more directly target mechanisms that drive CAD. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified that control vascular cell homeostasis,

1
–
3

lipoprotein metabolism,

4
–
9

and inflammatory cell function.

10

Despite the importance of these miRNAs in driving atherosclerosis and vascular dysfunction, therapeutic modulation of miRNAs in a cell- and context-specific manner has been a challenge. In this review, we summarize the emergence of miRNA-based therapies as an approach to treat CAD by specifically targeting the pathways leading to the disease. We focus on the latest development of nanoparticles (NPs) as a means to specifically target the vessel wall and what the future of these nanomedicines may hold for the treatment of CAD.
Glycemic Control for Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Our Evolving Faith in the Face of Evidence
Authors: Rodríguez-Gutiérrez René , Montori Victor M.
Published: August 2016

Background—

We sought to determine the concordance between the accumulating evidence about the impact of tight versus less tight glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus since the publication of UKPDS (UK Prospective Diabetes Study) in 1998 until 2015 with the views about that evidence published in journal articles and practice guidelines.

Methods and Results—

We searched in top general medicine and specialty journals for articles referring to glycemic control appearing between 2006 and 2015 and identified the latest practice guidelines. To summarize the evidence, we included all published systematic reviews and meta-analyses of contemporary randomized trials of glycemic control measuring patient-important microvascular and macrovascular outcomes, and completed a meta-analysis of their follow-up extensions. We identified 16 guidelines and 328 statements. The body of evidence produced estimates warranting moderate confidence. This evidence reported no significant impact of tight glycemic control on the risk of dialysis/transplantation/renal death, blindness, or neuropathy. In the past decade, however, most published statements (77%–100%) and guidelines (95%) unequivocally endorsed benefit. There is also no significant effect on all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, or stroke; however, there is a consistent 15% relative-risk reduction of nonfatal myocardial infarction. Between 2006 and 2008, most statements (47%–83%) endorsed the benefit; after 2008 (ACCORD), only a minority (21%–36%) did.

Conclusions—

Discordance exists between the research evidence and academic and clinical policy statements about the value of tight glycemic control to reduce micro- and macrovascular complications. This discordance may distort priorities in the research and practice agendas designed to improve the lives of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Sex Disparities in Ischemic Stroke Care
Authors: Asdaghi Negar , Romano Jose G. , Wang Kefeng , Ciliberti-Vargas Maria A. , Koch Sebastian , Gardener Hannah , Dong Chuanhui , Rose David Z. , Waddy Salina P. , Robichaux Mary , Garcia Enid J. , Gonzalez-Sanchez Juan A. , Burgin W. Scott , Sacco Ralph L. , Rundek Tatjana
Published: August 2016

Background and Purpose—

Sex-specific disparities in stroke care including thrombolytic therapy and early hospital admission are reported. In a large registry of Florida and Puerto Rico hospitals participating in the Get With The Guidelines—Stroke program, we sought to determine sex-specific differences in ischemic stroke performance metrics and overall thrombolytic treatment.

Methods—

Around 51 317 (49% women) patients were included from 73 sites from 2010 to 2014. Multivariable logistic regression with generalized estimating equations evaluated sex-specific differences in the prespecified Get With The Guidelines—Stroke metrics for defect-free care in ischemic stroke, adjusting for age, race-ethnicity, insurance status, hospital characteristics, individual risk factors, and the presenting stroke severity.

Results—

As compared with men, women were older (73±15 versus 69±14 years;
P
<0.0001), more hypertensive (67% versus 63%,
P
<0.0001), and had more atrial fibrillation (19% versus 16%;
P
<0.0001). Defect-free care was slightly lower in women than in men (odds ratio, 0.96; 95% confidence interval, 0.93–1.00). Temporal trends in defect-free care improved substantially and similarly for men and women, with a 29% absolute improvement in women (
P
<0.0001) and 28% in men (
P
<0.0001), with
P
value of 0.13 for time-by-sex interaction. Women were less likely to receive thrombolysis (odds ratio, 0.92; 95% confidence interval, 0.86–0.99;
P
=0.02) and less likely to have a door-to-needle time <1 hour (odds ratio, 0.83; 95% confidence interval, 0.71–0.97;
P
=0.02) as compared with men.

Conclusions—

Women received comparable stroke care to men in this registry as measured by prespecified Get With The Guidelines metrics. However, women less likely received thrombolysis and had door-to-needle time <1 hour, an observation that calls for the implementation of interventions to reduce sex disparity in these measures.
Invisibility and Oscillation: The Processes of Looking in Eszter Salamon’s Nvsbl
Authors: Royo Victoria Pérez
Published: August 2016

The question of the body’s role in the creation of images poses a problem central to visual studies. Eszter Salamon’s 2006 dance Nvsbl displays the complex process of looking at images with singular clarity. This process, here called “oscillating gaze,” features a movement of attention which, in the case of Nvsbl, favors a productive understanding of invisibility, conceived not as the negative limit of vision, but rather as an element capable of fostering unaccustomed ways of seeing.
Simulation Neurotechnologies for Advancing Brain Research: Parallelizing Large Networks in NEURON
Authors: Lytton William W. , Seidenstein Alexandra H. , Dura-Bernal Salvador , McDougal Robert A. , Schürmann Felix , Hines Michael L.
Published: August 2016

Large multiscale neuronal network simulations are of increasing value as more big data are gathered about brain wiring and organization under the auspices of a current major research initiative, such as Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies. The development of these models requires new simulation technologies. We describe here the current use of the NEURON simulator with message passing interface (MPI) for simulation in the domain of moderately large networks on commonly available high-performance computers (HPCs). We discuss the basic layout of such simulations, including the methods of simulation setup, the run-time spike-passing paradigm, and postsimulation data storage and data management approaches. Using the Neuroscience Gateway, a portal for computational neuroscience that provides access to large HPCs, we benchmark simulations of neuronal networks of different sizes (500–100,000 cells), and using different numbers of nodes (1–256). We compare three types of networks, composed of either Izhikevich integrate-and-fire neurons (I&F), single-compartment Hodgkin-Huxley (HH) cells, or a hybrid network with half of each. Results show simulation run time increased approximately linearly with network size and decreased almost linearly with the number of nodes. Networks with I&F neurons were faster than HH networks, although differences were small since all tested cells were point neurons with a single compartment.
The Space-Clamped Hodgkin-Huxley System with Random Synaptic Input: Inhibition of Spiking by Weak Noise and Analysis with Moment Equations
Authors: Tuckwell Henry C. , Ditlevsen Susanne
Published: August 2016

We consider a classical space-clamped Hodgkin-Huxley model neuron stimulated by synaptic excitation and inhibition with conductances represented by Ornstein-Uhlenbeck processes. Using numerical solutions of the stochastic model system obtained by an Euler method, it is found that with excitation only, there is a critical value of the steady-state excitatory conductance for repetitive spiking without noise, and for values of the conductance near the critical value, small noise has a powerfully inhibitory effect. For a given level of inhibition, there is also a critical value of the steady-state excitatory conductance for repetitive firing, and it is demonstrated that noise in either the excitatory or inhibitory processes or both can powerfully inhibit spiking. Furthermore, near the critical value, inverse stochastic resonance was observed when noise was present only in the inhibitory input process. The system of deterministic differential equations for the approximate first- and second-order moments of the model is derived. They are solved using Runge-Kutta methods, and the solutions are compared with the results obtained by simulation for various sets of parameters, including some with conductances obtained by experiment on pyramidal cells of rat prefrontal cortex. The mean and variance obtained from simulation are in good agreement when there is spiking induced by strong stimulation and relatively small noise or when the voltage is fluctuating at subthreshold levels. In the occasional spike mode sometimes exhibited by spinal motoneurons and cortical pyramidal cells, the assumptions underlying the moment equation approach are not satisfied. The simulation results show that noisy synaptic input of either an excitatory or inhibitory character or both may lead to the suppression of firing in neurons operating near a critical point and this has possible implications for cortical networks. Although suppression of firing is corroborated for the system of moment equations, there seem to be substantial differences between the dynamical properties of the original system of stochastic differential equations and the much larger system of moment equations.
Energy-Efficient Neuromorphic Classifiers
Authors: Martí Daniel , Rigotti Mattia , Seok Mingoo , Fusi Stefano
Published: August 2016

Neuromorphic engineering combines the architectural and computational principles of systems neuroscience with semiconductor electronics, with the aim of building efficient and compact devices that mimic the synaptic and neural machinery of the brain. The energy consumptions promised by neuromorphic engineering are extremely low, comparable to those of the nervous system. Until now, however, the neuromorphic approach has been restricted to relatively simple circuits and specialized functions, thereby obfuscating a direct comparison of their energy consumption to that used by conventional von Neumann digital machines solving real-world tasks. Here we show that a recent technology developed by IBM can be leveraged to realize neuromorphic circuits that operate as classifiers of complex real-world stimuli. Specifically, we provide a set of general prescriptions to enable the practical implementation of neural architectures that compete with state-of-the-art classifiers. We also show that the energy consumption of these architectures, realized on the IBM chip, is typically two or more orders of magnitude lower than that of conventional digital machines implementing classifiers with comparable performance. Moreover, the spike-based dynamics display a trade-off between integration time and accuracy, which naturally translates into algorithms that can be flexibly deployed for either fast and approximate classifications, or more accurate classifications at the mere expense of longer running times and higher energy costs. This work finally proves that the neuromorphic approach can be efficiently used in real-world applications and has significant advantages over conventional digital devices when energy consumption is considered.
Identification of Stable Spike-Timing-Dependent Plasticity from Spiking Activity with Generalized Multilinear Modeling
Authors: Robinson Brian S. , Berger Theodore W. , Song Dong
Published: August 2016

Characterization of long-term activity-dependent plasticity from behaviorally driven spiking activity is important for understanding the underlying mechanisms of learning and memory. In this letter, we present a computational framework for quantifying spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) during behavior by identifying a functional plasticity rule solely from spiking activity. First, we formulate a flexible point-process spiking neuron model structure with STDP, which includes functions that characterize the stationary and plastic properties of the neuron. The STDP model includes a novel function for prolonged plasticity induction, as well as a more typical function for synaptic weight change based on the relative timing of input-output spike pairs. Consideration for system stability is incorporated with weight-dependent synaptic modification. Next, we formalize an estimation technique using a generalized multilinear model (GMLM) structure with basis function expansion. The weight-dependent synaptic modification adds a nonlinearity to the model, which is addressed with an iterative unconstrained optimization approach. Finally, we demonstrate successful model estimation on simulated spiking data and show that all model functions can be estimated accurately with this method across a variety of simulation parameters, such as number of inputs, output firing rate, input firing type, and simulation time. Since this approach requires only naturally generated spikes, it can be readily applied to behaving animal studies to characterize the underlying mechanisms of learning and memory.
South Korean Attitude towards China: Threat Perception, Economic Interest, and National Identity
Authors: Jung Heon Joo , Jeong Han Wool
Published: August 2016

In the context of growing tensions in East Asia over territorial disputes and history issues, one can observe the rise of anti-Chinese sentiments among South Koreans in the early 2010s although many South Koreans had positive views on China a decade earlier. What affects South Korean attitude toward China? Despite China’s significance to South Korea, there have been surprisingly few scholarly works attempting to answer this question. Based on an empirical analysis of survey data, this paper finds that Koreans’ favorable attitude towards China is negatively affected by threat perception of China’s military buildup, opposition to an fta with China, and exclusive national identity but not by whether or not one feels threatened by the American unilateralism and Japan’s remilitarization. This finding suggests that South Koreans’ feeling toward China is primarily affected by bilateral relationship rather than by balancing behaviors in consideration of broader security environments.
Development of Orphan Drugs under European Regulatory Incentives and Patent Protection
Authors: Minn Mari
Published: August 2016

This article analyses how the regulatory incentives provided by Regulation 141/2000 affect orphan drug development and generic market entry. It seeks to find out how the regulatory incentives work in combination with patent protection, and whether in combination they foster orphan drug innovation and overall patient access, or rather hinder the latter. The article argues that even though the regulatory incentives are targeted to fostering innovation and early generic market access, when combined with patent protection, the generic entry is likely blocked or delayed.
A new xerophytic species of Mimosa (Mimosoideae, Leguminosae) from Madagascar
Authors: MORALES MATÍAS , FORTUNATO RENÉE H.
Published: August 2016

A new Malagasy species, Mimosa dupuyana, is described and illustrated. This species is closely related to M. delicatula, but they can be distinguished by the leaf formula, leaf morphology and pods. M. dupuyana has leaves with broad, flattened, and dorsiventrally compressed petioles and only 2–3 leaflet pairs, while M. delicatula has narrow, terete to subteretepetioles and 5–9 leaflet pairs. In addition, the pods of Mimosa dupuyana are constricted between seeds, coriaceous, reddish and elevated on each seeds. The latter species is quite different to the remainder known Malagasy species of Mimosa, by combination of some or all of these characters: leaf-formula, habit, form of petioles, and form and armament of pods. Together, M. delicatula and M. dupuyana resemble some lineages of South American section Batoucalon series Farinosae, which occur in seasonally dry subtropical formations, and this could be an interesting example of convergent evolution. Illustrations, keys for identification and taxonomical, distribution and ecological comments are included.
A new species of Dimeria (Poaceae) from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
Authors: GOSAVI K.V.C. , KAMBLE M.Y. , CHANDORE A.N. , YADAV S.R.
Published: August 2016

Dimeria andamanica (Poaceae) is herein described and illustrated as a new species. It is known from relict region of Chidiya Tapu, South Andaman of the Andaman Islands, India. The new species belongs to the Dimeria sect. Loriformes and is closely related to D. fischeri, but differs by the characters of raceme-rachis 1.5–2 mm wide, spikelets 6–7 mm long, lower glume 5–5.5 mm long, upper glume 5–6 mm long, lower lemma 3.5–4 mm long, upper lemma 4–5 mm long, upper floret palea present and anthers 1.5–2 mm long.
The Peacock Spiders (Araneae: Salticidae: Maratus) of the Queensland Museum, including six new species
Authors: BAEHR BARBARA C. , WHYTE ROBERT
Published: August 2016

Six new species of the peacock spider genus Maratus Karsch, 1878 are described from Australia: M. eliasi sp. nov., M. julianneae sp. nov., M. licunxini sp. nov., M. michaelorum sp. nov. and M. ottoi sp. nov. from Queensland, and M. kiwirrkurra sp. nov. from Western  Australia. Five species groups are further documented within the genus and new records, detailed SEM and automontage images are provided for six previously described species: M. anomalus Karsch, 1878, M. chrysomelas (Simon, 1909), M. digitatus Otto & Hill, 2012, M. pavonis (Dunn, 1947), M. speciosus (O.P.-Cambridge, 1874) and M. volans (O.P.-Cambridge, 1874).
New taxonomic, stratigraphic, and geographic information on the genus Faksephyllia Floris, 1972 (Scleractinia; Caryophylliidae); first records from the Oligocene of Austria, Germany, and Italy
Authors: BARON-SZABO ROSEMARIE C.
Published: August 2016

The scleractinian genus Faksephyllia Floris, 1972, is revised based on the study of original and topotypic material as well as original descriptions. Representatives of this genus have been reported from only a small number of lower Paleogene localities, including the Danian of Azerbaijan, Denmark (Greenland), Kazakhstan, and Sweden, as well as the Paleocene of Austria and Denmark (Fakse). New material belonging to the type species of Faksephyllia (F. faxoensis) is described from the Lower Oligocene of Austria (Northern Calcareous Alps, Tyrol). In addition, material from the Oligocene of Germany and the Lower Oligocene of Italy, formerly grouped with the genera Calamophyllia and Rhabdophyllia, are here re-assigned and transferred to Faksephyllia. The genus Faksephyllia remains a monospecific taxon, including only the type species, Faksephyllia faxoensis (Beck, in Lyell). In addition, Faksephyllia represents the earliest colonial genus among the caryophylliids.
Record of a new species of the genus Viridopromontorius Luna de Carvalho (Strepsiptera: Corioxenidae) from India with a revised key to Corioxenidae
Authors: ROY SUKHENDU , HAZRA NILADRI
Published: August 2016

A new species of the genus Viridopromontorius Luna de Carvalho is described from West Bengal, India. The new species V. aequus differs from the other member of Viridopromontorius by having approximately equal size of antennomeres IV and V, maxillary palp nearly twice the length of base, vein R4 curved towards R2, very small distal process on tarsomeres II–III, tarsomere IV almost trapezoidal and acumen to some extent upwardly bent (in lateral view). A revised key of the family Corioxenidae is also provided.
A new record of the genus Discoelius Latreille, 1809 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae) from Northern Vietnam with description of two new species
Authors: NGUYEN LIEN THI PHUONG
Published: August 2016

The genus Discoelius Latreille, 1809, is newly recorded from Vietnam. Discoelius aurantiacus Nguyen, sp. nov. and D. nigerrimus Nguyen, sp. nov. are described and figured from Northern Vietnam (Lao Cai).
Topographic Influence on the Motion of Tropical Cyclones Landfalling on the Coast of China
Authors: Chen Xiaoyu , Wu Liguang
Published: August 2016

A few recent numerical studies investigated the influence of a continent, which is much larger in size than islands, on the track of a landfalling tropical cyclone. It has been found that land surface roughness and temperature tend to make a tropical cyclone move toward the continent. In this study, the effect of the elevated terrain on the western part of mainland China on landfall tracks is examined through idealized numerical experiments, in which an initially axisymmetric vortex is embedded into a monsoon trough and takes a landfall track across China’s mainland. It is found that the effect of the elevated terrain on the western part of mainland China can enhance the southerly environmental flows in the low and midtroposphere, leading to an additional landward component of tropical cyclone motion, suggesting that forecasts for tropical cyclone tracks over land should take into consideration the change in thermal condition over the continent. The study suggests that the increased duration of tropical cyclone overland tracks observed in China may be associated with the reduction of the thermal forcing over the Tibetan Plateau.
Climate Change Education and Knowledge among Nigerian University Graduates
Authors: Ayanlade Ayansina , Jegede Margaret Olusolape
Published: August 2016

The introduction of climate change studies in universities has a fundamental role in helping the general public, especially the next generations, to recognize the global challenges of climate change and to find ways of adapting to the changing climate. This study examined the level of climate change education and perception of Nigerian university graduates. A mixed method approach was used to obtain data relating to perceptions, understanding, and level at which climate change has been taught in Nigerian universities. The results from this study revealed that about 70.7% of university graduates received brief lectures in some special elective courses during their university education, while only 4.1% were taught more than three semesters/terms in some special elective courses. It was also revealed that graduates from departments of environmental sciences have more class experience on climate change than students in the humanities and other faculties. The major finding of this study is that students appear far more informed about climate change, usually from the Internet and international media, than the level of climate change education they were taught in university. These results show the need for the introduction of climate change studies in Nigerian universities, with over 71% of participants believing that climate change studies should be included as a required course in both undergraduate and postgraduate studies.
Very Long-Term Follow-Up After Coronary Rotational Atherectomy: A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Tohamy Aly , Klomp Margo , Putter Hein , Youssef Amr , Shams-Eddin Hamdy , Abdelsabour Mahmoud , Schalij M. J. , Jukema J. Wouter
Published: August 2016

We assessed the very long-term follow-up of a large cohort of unselected patients treated with coronary rotational atherectomy (RA). All 143 patients who underwent RA at our institution from 2000 to 2013 and with complete baseline and follow-up information were analyzed in a retrospective manner. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were defined as the composite of target vessel revascularization (TVR), acute myocardial infarction, and all-cause mortality. The mean follow-up was 8.2 years. The 10-year cumulative incidence of MACE for all patients was 57.9% (standard error [SE]: 5.0%). When comparing patients who received a drug-eluting stent (DES; n = 68) versus patients who did not (balloon only, bare-metal stent, or none of the aforementioned; n = 75), the RA + DES demonstrated very long-term MACE of 49.2% (SE: 7.5%) versus 62.7% (SE: 6.1%), P = .160 with TVR as the most discriminating factor, 10.7% (SE: 4.0%) versus 29.2% (SE: 6.0%), P = .016. Our results point to RA having reasonable long-term clinical results, especially in combined treatment with DES. To date, our study has the longest follow-up after RA.
Unified Theory for Decoding the Signals from X-Ray Florescence and X-Ray Diffraction of Mixtures
Authors: Chung Frank H.
Published: August 2016

For research and development or for solving technical problems, we often need to know the chemical composition of an unknown mixture, which is coded and stored in the signals of its X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). X-ray fluorescence gives chemical elements, whereas XRD gives chemical compounds. The major problem in XRF and XRD analyses is the complex matrix effect. The conventional technique to deal with the matrix effect is to construct empirical calibration lines with standards for each element or compound sought, which is tedious and time-consuming. A unified theory of quantitative XRF analysis is presented here. The idea is to cancel the matrix effect mathematically. It turns out that the decoding equation for quantitative XRF analysis is identical to that for quantitative XRD analysis although the physics of XRD and XRF are fundamentally different. The XRD work has been published and practiced worldwide. The unified theory derives a new intensity–concentration equation of XRF, which is free from the matrix effect and valid for a wide range of concentrations. The linear decoding equation establishes a constant slope for each element sought, hence eliminating the work on calibration lines. The simple linear decoding equation has been verified by 18 experiments.
Elevated fasting and postprandial C-terminal telopeptide after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
Authors: Maghsoodi Negar , Alaghband-Zadeh Jamshid , Cross Gemma F , Werling Malin , Fändriks Lars , Docherty Neil G , Olbers Torsten , Dew Tracy , Sherwood Roy A , Vincent Royce P , le Roux Carel W
Published: August 2016

Background

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass increases circulating bile acid concentrations, known mediators of postprandial suppression of markers of bone resorption. Long-term data, however, indicate that Roux-en-Y gastric bypass confers an increased risk of bone loss on recipients.

Methods

Thirty-six obese individuals, median age 44 (26–64) with median body mass index at baseline of 42.5 (40.4–46) were studied before and 15 months after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. After an overnight fast, patients received a 400 kcal mixed meal. Blood samples were collected premeal then at 30-min periods for 120 min. Pre and postmeal samples were analysed for total bile acids, parathyroid hormone and C-terminal telopeptide.

Results

Body weight loss post Roux-en-Y gastric bypass was associated with a median 4.9-fold increase in peak postprandial total bile acid concentration, and a median 2.4-fold increase in cumulative food evoked bile acid response. Median fasting parathyroid hormone, postprandial reduction in parathyroid hormone and total parathyroid hormone release over 120 min remained unchanged after surgery. After surgery, median fasting C-terminal telopeptide increased 2.3-fold, peak postprandial concentrations increased 3.8-fold and total release was increased 1.9-fold.

Conclusions

Fasting and postprandial total bile acids and C-terminal telopeptide are increased above reference range after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. These changes occur in spite of improved vitamin D status with supplementation. These results suggest that post-Roux-en-Y gastric bypass increases in total bile acids do not effectively oppose an ongoing resorptive signal operative along the gut–bone axis. Serial measurement of C-terminal telopeptide may be of value as a risk marker for long-term skeletal pathology in patients post Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.
Best practice guidelines on first-line laboratory testing for porphyria
Authors: Woolf Jacqueline , Marsden Joanne T , Degg Timothy , Whatley Sharon , Reed Paul , Brazil Nadia , Stewart M Felicity , Badminton Michael
Published: August 2016

The porphyrias are disorders of haem biosynthesis which present with acute neurovisceral attacks or disorders of sun-exposed skin. Acute attacks occur mainly in adults and comprise severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, autonomic disturbance, central nervous system involvement and peripheral motor neuropathy. Cutaneous porphyrias can be acute or chronic presenting at various ages. Timely diagnosis depends on clinical suspicion leading to referral of appropriate samples for screening by reliable biochemical methods. All samples should be protected from light.

Investigation for an acute attack:

• Porphobilinogen (PBG) quantitation in a random urine sample collected during symptoms. Urine concentration must be assessed by measuring creatinine, and a repeat requested if urine creatinine <2 mmol/L.

• Urgent porphobilinogen testing should be available within 24 h of sample receipt at the local laboratory. Urine porphyrin excretion (TUP) should subsequently be measured on this urine.

• Urine porphobilinogen should be measured using a validated quantitative ion-exchange resin-based method or LC-MS.

• Increased urine porphobilinogen excretion requires confirmatory testing and clinical advice from the National Acute Porphyria Service.

• Identification of individual acute porphyrias requires analysis of urine, plasma and faecal porphyrins.

Investigation for cutaneous porphyria:

• An EDTA blood sample for plasma porphyrin fluorescence emission spectroscopy and random urine sample for TUP.

• Whole blood for porphyrin analysis is essential to identify protoporphyria.

• Faeces need only be collected, if first-line tests are positive or if clinical symptoms persist.

Investigation for latent porphyria or family history:

• Contact a specialist porphyria laboratory for advice. Clinical, family details are usually required.
Socioeconomic disparities in psychological distress in a nationally representative sample of Japanese adolescents: A time trend study
Authors: Kachi Yuko , Abe Aya , Ando Emiko , Kawada Tomoyuki
Published: August 2016

Objective:

Socioeconomic status as a determinant of mental health problems has received scant attention in Japan, which has long been considered an egalitarian society. This study examined the association between socioeconomic status and psychological distress and its trends over 6 years among Japanese adolescents.

Methods:

We used data from a nationally representative sample of 9491 adolescents aged 12–18 years who participated in three repeated cross-sectional surveys between 2007 and 2013. The K6 scale was used to assess psychological distress. Socioeconomic status indicators included household income, parental education, parental working status and household structure.

Results:

Psychological distress prevalence decreased significantly from 2007 (10.7%) to 2013 (7.6%). However, the socioeconomic status patterns of psychological distress were consistent through the study period. Adolescents living in both lower (odds ratio = 1.61; 95% confidence interval = [1.27, 2.05]) and higher income households (odds ratio = 1.30; 95% confidence interval = [1.03, 1.62]) were more likely to report psychological distress than their middle-income counterparts. Adolescents with low household income were more likely to feel stress from interpersonal relationships and less likely to have help-seeking behaviors, while those with high household income were more likely to feel stress about school achievement. Psychological distress was also associated with parental poor education and single parenthood.

Conclusions:

Socioeconomic status disparities in adolescent psychological distress were evident and consistent during the 6-year period. There is a unique U-shaped relationship between household income and psychological distress among adolescents in Japan, unlike those from other countries. However, the underlying mechanisms may differ by income status. Future prevention efforts should consider socioeconomic status as a determinant of adolescent mental health problems.
Mechanical properties and micromechanical analysis of nonwoven kenaf fibre/epoxy composites produced by resin transfer moulding
Authors: Andre NG , Ariawan Dody , Mohd Ishak ZA
Published: August 2016

In this paper, the mechanical performance of resin transfer moulded nonwoven kenaf fibre/epoxy composites in the fibre volume fraction ( V f) range of 0–0.42 was investigated. The effect of the needle-punching direction on the tensile properties of the composites was also investigated. The highest tensile, flexural and fracture properties were attained at a V f of 0.42. The nonwoven kenaf fibre/epoxy composites were proven to exhibit tensile isotropy. The typical load versus displacement graph and scanning electron microscopy micrographs of the epoxy and nonwoven kenaf fibre/epoxy composites revealed that the energy absorbing events caused by the fibres led to improvements in the fracture toughness. Meanwhile, the micromechanical parameters of the composites were determined by a micromechanics analysis using the Cox–Krenchel model. The analysis proved the applicability of the model for nonwoven kenaf fibre/epoxy composites as the calculated efficiency factors were comparable to the values from previous literatures.
High-Velocity Microsprays Enhance Antimicrobial Activity in Streptococcus mutans Biofilms
Authors: Fabbri S. , Johnston D.A. , Rmaile A. , Gottenbos B. , De Jager M. , Aspiras M. , Starke E.M. , Ward M.T. , Stoodley P.
Published: August 2016

Streptococcus mutans in dental plaque biofilms play a role in caries development. The biofilm’s complex structure enhances the resistance to antimicrobial agents by limiting the transport of active agents inside the biofilm. The authors assessed the ability of high-velocity water microsprays to enhance delivery of antimicrobials into 3-d-old S. mutans biofilms. Biofilms were exposed to a 90° or 30° impact, first using a 1-µm tracer bead solution (109 beads/mL) and, second, a 0.2% chlorhexidine (CHX) or 0.085% cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) solution. For comparison, a 30-s diffusive transport and simulated mouthwash were also performed. Confocal microscopy was used to determine number and relative bead penetration depth into the biofilm. Assessment of antimicrobial penetration was determined by calculating the killing depth detected by live/dead viability staining. The authors first demonstrated that the microspray was able to deliver significantly more microbeads deeper in the biofilm compared with diffusion and mouthwashing exposures. Next, these experiments revealed that the microspray yielded better antimicrobial penetration evidenced by deeper killing inside the biofilm and a wider killing zone around the zone of clearance than diffusion alone. Interestingly the 30° impact in the distal position delivered approximately 16 times more microbeads and yielded approximately 20% more bacteria killing (for both CHX and CPC) than the 90° impact. These data suggest that high-velocity water microsprays can be used as an effective mechanism to deliver microparticles and antimicrobials inside S. mutans biofilms. High shear stresses generated at the biofilm-burst interface might have enhanced bead and antimicrobial delivery inside the remaining biofilm by combining forced advection into the biofilm matrix and physical restructuring of the biofilm itself. Further, the impact angle has potential to be optimized both for biofilm removal and active agents’ delivery inside biofilm in those protected areas where some biofilm might remain.
Predictive Validity of Curriculum-Embedded Measures on Outcomes of Kindergarteners Identified as At Risk for Reading Difficulty
Authors: Oslund Eric L. , Hagan-Burke Shanna , Simmons Deborah C. , Clemens Nathan H. , Simmons Leslie E. , Taylor Aaron B. , Kwok Oi-man , Coyne Michael D.
Published: August 2016

This study examined the predictive validity of formative assessments embedded in a Tier 2 intervention curriculum for kindergarten students identified as at risk for reading difficulty. We examined when (i.e., months during the school year) measures could predict reading outcomes gathered at the end of kindergarten and whether the predictive validity of measures changed across the kindergarten year. Participants consisted of 137 kindergarten students whose reading development was assessed four times from October to February. Measures aligned with content taught in the curriculum and assessed a range of phonologic, alphabetic, and word-reading skills. Results from structural equation modeling indicate that 36.3% to 65.2% of the variance was explained on the latent decoding outcome and 62.0% to 86.8% on the latent phonological outcome across the four time points. Furthermore, the predictive validity of specific skills increased over the kindergarten year, with more complicated tasks (e.g., word segmentation) becoming more predictive at subsequent measurement occasions. Results suggest that curriculum-embedded measures may be viable tools for assessing and predicting reading performance.