bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low Vitamin D and Its Association with Cognitive Impairment and Dementia
Authors: Sultan Sadia , Taimuri Uzma , Basnan Shatha Abdulrzzaq , Ai-Orabi Waad Khalid , Awadallah Afaf , Almowald Fatimah , Hazazi Amira
Published: April 2020

Vitamin D is a neurosteroid hormone that regulates neurotransmitters and neurotrophins. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties. It increases neurotrophic factors such as nerve growth factor which further promotes brain health. Moreover, it is also helpful in the prevention of amyloid accumulation and promotes amyloid clearance. Emerging evidence suggests its role in the reduction of Alzheimer’s disease hallmarks such as amyloid-beta and phosphorylated tau. Many preclinical studies have supported the hypothesis that vitamin D leads to attentional, behavioral problems and cognitive impairment. Cross-sectional studies have consistently found that vitamin D levels are significantly low in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive impairment compared to healthy adults. Longitudinal studies and meta-analysis have also exhibited an association of low vitamin D with cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease. Despite such evidence, the causal association cannot be sufficiently answered. In contrast to observational studies, findings from interventional studies have produced mixed results on the role of vitamin D supplementation in the prevention and treatment of cognitive impairment and dementia. The biggest issue of the existing RCTs is their small sample size, lack of consensus over the dose, and age of initiation of vitamin D supplements to prevent cognitive impairment. Therefore, there is a need for large double-blind randomized control trials to assess the benefits of vitamin D supplementation in the prevention and treatment of cognitive impairment.
PPARG Drives Molecular Networks as an Inhibitor for the Pathologic Development and Progression of Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zhao Min , Li Xiaoyang , Zhang Yunxiang , Zhu Hongming , Han Zhaoqing , Kang Yan
Published: April 2020

Previous studies showed that low PPARG expression was associated with poor prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma (LA) with limited mechanisms identified. We first conducted a large-scale literature-based data mining to identify potential molecular pathways where PPARG could exert influence on the pathological development of LA. Then a mega-analysis using 13 independent LA expression datasets and a Pathway Enrichment Analysis (PEA) was conducted to study the gene expression levels and the functionalities of PPARG and the PPARG-driven triggers within the molecular pathways. Finally, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was established to reveal the functional connection between PPARG and its driven molecules. We identified 25 PPARG-driven molecule triggers forming multiple LA-regulatory pathways. Mega-analysis using 13 LA datasets supported these pathways and confirmed the downregulation of PPARG in the case of LA (p=1.07e−05). Results from the PEA and PPI analysis suggested that PPARG might inhibit the development of LA through the regulation of tumor cell proliferation and transmission-related molecules, including an LA tumor cell suppressor MIR145. Our results suggested that increased expression of PPARG could drive multiple molecular triggers against the pathologic development and prognosis of LA, indicating PPARG as a valuable therapeutic target for LA treatment.
Evolutionary-Based Sparse Regression for the Experimental Identification of Duffing Oscillator
Authors: Khatiry Goharoodi Saeideh , Dekemele Kevin , Loccufier Mia , Dupre Luc , Crevecoeur Guillaume
Published: April 2020

In this paper, an evolutionary-based sparse regression algorithm is proposed and applied onto experimental data collected from a Duffing oscillator setup and numerical simulation data. Our purpose is to identify the Coulomb friction terms as part of the ordinary differential equation of the system. Correct identification of this nonlinear system using sparse identification is hugely dependent on selecting the correct form of nonlinearity included in the function library. Consequently, in this work, the evolutionary-based sparse identification is replacing the need for user knowledge when constructing the library in sparse identification. Constructing the library based on the data-driven evolutionary approach is an effective way to extend the space of nonlinear functions, allowing for the sparse regression to be applied on an extensive space of functions. The results show that the method provides an effective algorithm for the purpose of unveiling the physical nature of the Duffing oscillator. In addition, the robustness of the identification algorithm is investigated for various levels of noise in simulation. The proposed method has possible applications to other nonlinear dynamic systems in mechatronics, robotics, and electronics.
A Novel Method for Matching Reservoir Parameters Based on Particle Swarm Optimization and Support Vector Machine
Authors: Yin Rongwang , Li Qingyu , Li Peichao , Lu Detang
Published: April 2020

When the reservoir physical properties are distributed very dispersedly, the matching precision of these reservoir parameters is not good. We propose a novel method for matching the reservoir physical properties based on particle swarm optimization (PSO) and support vector machine (SVM) algorithm. First, the data structure characteristics of the reservoir physical properties are analyzed. Then, the particle swarm differential perturbation evolution algorithm is used to cluster and characterize the reservoir physical properties. Finally, by using the SVM algorithm for feature reorganization and the least squares matching of the extracted reservoir physical properties, the feature quantity of the reservoir physical properties can be accurately mined and the pressure matching precision is improved. The experimental results show that employing the proposed method to analyze and sample the data characteristics of the physical properties of the reservoir is better. The extracted parameters can effectively reflect the physical characteristics of oil reservoirs. The proposed method has potential applications in guiding the exploration and development of oil reservoirs.
A Laboratory and Numerical Simulation Study on Compression Characteristics of Coal Gangue Particles with Optimal Size Distribution Based on Shape Statistics
Authors: Cheng Lichao , Qin Yiling , Li Xinwang , Zhao Xinyuan
Published: April 2020

Gangue particles (GP) are an important part of solid filling materials in coal mines. The compression characteristics (CC) of gangue determine whether it can effectively control roof subsidence. The particle size distribution (PSD) of GP is the main factor affecting the CC; therefore, it is important to find the optimal size distribution of GP and to investigate the macrodeformation and micromotion characteristics of gangue compression. Here, Talbol theory was used to study the compression resistance of gangue granules. It is concluded that the compression modulus of continuously graded gangue is the largest when the Talbol coefficientnis 0.4. The engineering discrete element method was used to simulate and analyze the optimum PSD (n = 0.4) and to study the stress transfer of GP during compression. The results show that with the increase of stress, the microstructure of gangue particles changes in the support skeleton, the skeleton is destroyed and particles flow, thus forming a more stable support skeleton. The resultant force direction of particles changes from the initial vertical downward to the scattered distribution of the central axis and finally to a generally scattered distribution. The number of strong chains and weak chains increases, and the main conductive stress on strong chains becomes a uniform conductive stress on the weak chains. Most of the particles in the upper and middle parts of the model exhibit linear motion. The trajectories of the middle and lower particles in the model are clustered, undergoing only small displacement.
Small Molecules and Biologics in the Treatment of Nail Psoriasis
Authors: Rigopoulos Dimitrios , Stathopoulou Anna , Gregoriou Stamatios
Published: April 2020

Nail psoriasis (PsO) is a disorder with profound impact on patients’ quality of life. Several challenges and unmet needs remain in the treatment of nail PsO. Introduction of biologics and small molecules in the treatment of nail PsO has allowed for rapid control of the disease and high efficacy. The aim of this review was to present the published studies on nail PsO therapy with biologics and small molecules and illuminate the results in the studies where the design and outcome evaluation had nail PsO in the forefront.
Desenvolvendo um modelo sintético de baixo custo para treinamento de drenagem torácica em ambiente de simulação
Authors: Oliveira Maria Allyce De , Queiroz Erika Feitosa , Mesquita Daniel Araujo Kramer de , Marques Luiza Matias , Maia Fernanda Martins , Correa Rafaela Vieira
Published: April 2020

Objetivo: Descrever a construção de um simulador de baixo custo de drenagem torácica para capacitar a realização deste procedimento. Métodos: A concepção do modelo se deu em 2014 por integrantes do Programa de Educação Tutorial do curso de Medicina da UNIFOR. A seguir, o modelo foi testado por 10 especialistas e posteriormente aprovado para ser aplicado em quatro edições de um curso teórico-prático de procedimentos invasivos com acadêmicos de Medicina de diferentes universidades. Para avaliar o simulador e o desempenho no seu uso, aplicou-se questionários semiestruturados e checklist. Os dados foram analisados pelo Statistical Package for the Social Sciences v. 22 usando estatística descritiva. Resultados: Usou-se um manequim plástico comercial em que foi realizado um corte de 8x8 cm na região lateral do tórax, correspondente ao local da drenagem. Neste local, foram posicionadas folhas de E.V.A. (simulando pele e músculos intercostais), esponja de estofado (subcutâneo) e folha de PVC (pleura). Na parte interna do manequim foi colocada uma estrutura de madeira contendo duas costelas e, entre elas, um copo plástico recoberto por E.V.A. contendo líquido vermelho (simulando um hemotórax). O custo inicial do modelo completo foi de R$ 81,00/US$ 21,00. Quando testado por especialistas, todos concordaram que o modelo pode ser usado para o ensino na graduação. Durante o curso de procedimentos invasivos, 129 acadêmicos realizaram o procedimento, em que 64,3% dos alunos inseriram corretamente o dreno e 79,1% conectaram ao sistema de drenagem. Apesar de um percentual de erros importante visto em passos iniciais básicos, os alunos conseguiram executar a técnica proposta de forma suficiente. Conclusão: O simulador de drenagem de tórax mostrou-se ser de fácil acesso e reprodução nas universidades, o que o torna uma ferramenta útil para o ensino.
Interconexão entre saúde, espiritualidade e religiosidade
Authors: Teixeira Marcus Zulian
Published: April 2020

Introdução: Desde os primórdios da humanidade, todas as populações valorizam a correlação entre a saúde e o binômio espiritualidade-religiosidade (E/R), embora tenham sido separados na prática médica moderna. Nas últimas décadas, têm-se observado um incremento de estudos e pesquisas que endossam a necessidade de se reconsiderar essa abordagem integrativa, com evidente incremento na atenção à saúde. Objetivo: O artigo ressalta a importância e a necessidade do ensino, da pesquisa e da assistência da interconexão entre saúde, espiritualidade e religiosidade na educação médica. Método: Revisão narrativa da literatura realizada em 2018 a partir das publicações existentes nas bases de dados MEDLINE (via PubMed) e LILACS (via BVS). Resultados: Descrevendo o panorama dos estudos que demonstram os efeitos positivos das práticas espirituais e religiosas na saúde física e mental dos indivíduos, o artigo evidencia que sua incorporação às demais terapias poderia incrementar o enfrentamento e a evolução clínica em inúmeras doenças. Conclusão: No entanto, pesquisas com desenhos apropriados devem ser realizadas para diferenciar o efeito terapêutico específico das intervenções espirituais e religiosas do efeito terapêutico não específico ou efeito placebo que o simbolismo espiritual e religioso desperta no psiquismo dos pacientes.
Embolia gordurosa cerebral em politraumatizado
Authors: Lacerda Isadora Dias , Brito Josué da Silva , Sousa Luisa Lobo , Faria Talitha Araújo Veloso , Costa Júnior Wesley Lobo
Published: April 2020

A embolia cerebral gordurosa é uma patologia decorrente da liberação de glóbulos de gordura na circulação sanguínea provenientes, principalmente, de fraturas de ossos longos. A presença de êmbolos significativos de gordura no sangue resulta oclusão vascular e manifestações clínicas dependentes da localização da obstrução. O caso relatado apresenta um paciente jovem, vítima de acidente automobilístico com fratura de acetábulo e diáfise femoral direita, que evoluiu com rebaixamento do sensório. Diante do quadro clínico, foi solicitada ressonância magnética, que apresentou resultado compatível com o diagnóstico de embolia cerebral gordurosa. Realizado os devidos cuidados para tratamento da embolia, o paciente apresentou prognóstico favorável.
Addressing Social Determinants of Health in the Care of Patients With Heart Failure: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
Authors: White-Williams Connie , Rossi Laura P. , Bittner Vera A. , Driscoll Andrea , Durant Raegan W. , Granger Bradi B. , Graven Lucinda J. , Kitko Lisa , Newlin Kim , Shirey Maria ,   On behalf of the American Heart Association Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing; Council on Clinical Cardiology; and Council on Epidemiology and Prevention
Published: April 2020

Heart failure is a clinical syndrome that affects >6.5 million Americans, with an estimated 550 000 new cases diagnosed each year. The complexity of heart failure management is compounded by the number of patients who experience adverse downstream effects of the social determinants of health (SDOH). These patients are less able to access care and more likely to experience poor heart failure outcomes over time. Many patients face additional challenges associated with the cost of complex, chronic illness management and must make difficult decisions about their own health, particularly when the costs of medications and healthcare appointments are at odds with basic food and housing needs. This scientific statement summarizes the SDOH and the current state of knowledge important to understanding their impact on patients with heart failure. Specifically, this document includes a definition of SDOH, provider competencies, and SDOH assessment tools and addresses the following questions: (1) What models or frameworks guide healthcare providers to address SDOH? (2) What are the SDOH affecting the delivery of care and the interventions addressing them that affect the care and outcomes of patients with heart failure? (3) What are the opportunities for healthcare providers to address the SDOH affecting the care of patients with heart failure? We also include a case study (
Data Supplement
) that highlights an interprofessional team effort to address and mitigate the effects of SDOH in an underserved patient with heart failure.
Family Caregiving for Individuals With Heart Failure: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
Authors: Kitko Lisa , McIlvennan Colleen K. , Bidwell Julie T. , Dionne-Odom J. Nicholas , Dunlay Shannon M. , Lewis Lisa M. , Meadows Ginny , Sattler Elisabeth L.P. , Schulz Richard , Strömberg Anna ,   On behalf of the American Heart Association Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing; Council on Quality of Care and Outcomes Research; Council on Clinical Cardiology; and Council on Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health
Published: April 2020

Many individuals living with heart failure (HF) rely on unpaid support from their partners, family members, friends, or neighbors as caregivers to help manage their chronic disease. Given the advancements in treatments and devices for patients with HF, caregiving responsibilities have expanded in recent decades to include more intensive care for increasingly precarious patients with HF—tasks that would previously have been undertaken by healthcare professionals in clinical settings. The specific tasks of caregivers of patients with HF vary widely based on the patient’s symptoms and comorbidities, the relationship between patient and caregiver, and the complexity of the treatment regimen. Effects of caregiving on the caregiver and patient range from physical and psychological to financial. Therefore, it is critically important to understand the needs of caregivers to support the increasingly complex medical care they provide to patients living with HF. This scientific statement synthesizes the evidence pertaining to caregiving of adult individuals with HF in order to (1) characterize the HF caregiving role and how it changes with illness trajectory; (2) describe the financial, health, and well-being implications of caregiving in HF; (3) evaluate HF caregiving interventions to support caregiver and patient outcomes; (4) summarize existing policies and resources that support HF caregivers; and (5) identify knowledge gaps and future directions for providers, investigators, health systems, and policymakers.
Screening Rheumatic Heart Disease in 1530 New Caledonian Adolescents
Authors: Chatard Jean‐Claude , Dubois Thomas , Espinosa Florian , Kamblock Joël , Ledos Pierre‐Henri , Tarpinian Emmanuel , Da Costa Antoine
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND

In New Caledonia, a South Pacific archipelago whose inhabitants comprise Melanesians, Europeans/whites, Wallisians, Futunans, Polynesians, and Asians, the prevalence of rheumatic heart disease (
RHD
) is 0.9% to 1% at ages 9 and 10. It could be higher at the age of 16, but this remains to be verified.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 1530 Melanesian, Métis, white, Wallisian, Futunan, Polynesian, and Asian adolescents benefited from a transthoracic echocardiogram. Definite or borderline
RHD
, nonrheumatic valve lesions, congenital heart defects, family and personal history of acute rheumatic fever, and socioeconomic factors were collected. The prevalence of cardiac abnormalities was 8.1%, made up of 4.1%
RHD
including 2.4% definite and 1.7% borderline
RHD
, 1.7% nonrheumatic valve lesions, and 2.3% congenital anomalies. In whites and Asians, there were no cases of
RHD
.
RHD
was higher in the Wallisian, Futunan, and Polynesian group (7.6%) when compared with Melanesians (5.3%) and Métis (2.9%). The number of nonrheumatic valve lesions was not statistically different in the different ethnicities. The prevalence of
RHD
was higher in adolescents with a personal history of acute rheumatic fever, in those living in overcrowded conditions, and in those whose parents were unemployed or had low‐income occupations, such as the farmers or manual workers.

CONCLUSIONS

RHD
was 4 times higher in adolescents at age 16 than at ages 9 and 10 (4.1% versus 0.9%–1%). No cases of
RHD
were observed in whites and Asians. The determining factors were history of acute rheumatic fever and socioeconomic factors.
Identification of past and present gobies: distinguishing Gobius and Pomatoschistus (Teleostei: Gobioidei) species using characters of otoliths, meristics and body morphometry
Authors: Gut Carolin , Vukić Jasna , Šanda Radek , Moritz Timo , Reichenbacher Bettina
Published: April 2020

Gobies (Gobiidae + Oxudercidae) are among the largest groups of extant marine fishes. Fossils of gobies are abundant since the Miocene, and many species have been reported so far. However, delimitation of fossil goby species is challenging because molecular markers and diagnostic traits such as the disposition of sensory head papillae are lost. This study provides, for the first time, an actualistic framework for the identification of fossil goby species. We focus on characters that can in principle be recognized in fossils, and evaluate their ability to discriminate between extant goby species based on statistical analyses. Using 14 extant species of Gobius and seven species of Pomatoschistus, we conducted otolith morphometry, elliptic Fourier shape analysis of otoliths using the package ‘Momocs’, conventional fish morphometry, and meristic counts. In addition, the otoliths of all species are depicted based on SEM images and briefly described. Otolith Fourier shape analysis proved to be most efficient in discrimination of species within both genera, Gobius and Pomatoschistus. Several characters used in the other approaches also worked well, but the results were variable, and the relative taxonomic significance of particular variables tended to change depending on the species under consideration. We propose otolith shape analysis as a powerful tool to explore ancient goby species diversity when samples with abundant fossil otoliths are present. Overall, the herein presented data will greatly facilitate delimitation of fossil goby species in future studies, and will consequently shed new light on the evolution of goby diversity and biogeography through time.
Uncovering the Late Pleistocene LSA of Mpumalanga Province, South Africa: Early Results from Iron Pig Rock Shelter
Authors: Bader Gregor D. , Linstädter Jörg , Schoeman Maria H.
Published: April 2020

South Africa is one of the best-studied regions in terms of Stone Age research in the last few decades. Considerable progress has been made, especially for the Middle Stone Age (MSA). Recently the late Pleistocene Later Stone Age (LSA) has come back into focus. However, there are still large understudied areas such as northeastern South Africa. Here we present the first data from an archaeological site containing late Pleistocene occupations associated with the Robberg techno-complex in this region. Iron Pig rock shelter provides a well-dated sequence spanning from >16000 cal BP to <9000 cal BP. A lithic analysis of the Robberg occupations of the lowermost layers 5 and 6 provided here implies gradual temporal shifts in technology indicating short-term changing traditions. A comparative review of other LSA sites in the wider region suggests considerable research gaps and the necessity of intensified work in this area.
Between Antiquarianism and Satire: Tertullian’s De Pallio in the Age of Confessions, c. 1590–1630
Authors: Cattaneo Marcello
Published: April 2020

This article analyses the scholarly efforts of two generations of late humanists on a text that became particularly popular in learned circles around the turn of the seventeenth century: Tertullian’s mock oration on the philosophical cloak, known as De Pallio. It focusses on a methodological shift in scholarship from conjectural emendation to antiquarian explication, and it highlights the polemical and literary dynamics at the basis of the text’s reinterpretation as a satire. These insights are in turn linked to the changing circumstances of learned polemics in the Republic of Letters, and to the central place of confessional strife as an organizing principle for scholarship itself. I conclude the article by gesturing towards the seventeenth-century fortune of the ‘pallium’ as a polemical trope.
Gift-Exchange in Diplomatic Practices during the Early Mongol Period
Authors: Yihao Qiu
Published: April 2020

Gift-exchange is the main element of a long-established tradition in Inner Asian diplomatic practice, representing a kind of political discourse. The Mongol Empire, after its rise in the early 13th century, changed the tradition of diplomatic ideology and practice, and established new principles subsequently. This article, according to multi-lingual sources, summarizes the formal and political aspects of gift-exchange during the pre-Mongol period and, furthermore, discusses the innovation and continuity of gift-exchange in the diplomatic practice of the earlier Mongol Empire.
Contacts between the Mongols and the Latin West from the Point of View of the Italian Chronicles in the Second Half of the Thirteenth Century
Authors: Ciocchetti Marco
Published: April 2020

When the news of the Mongol invasions in eastern Europe and western Asia reached the European courts in the first half of the thirteenth century, the papal court was the first to send embassies to the Mongols. The reports of missionaries and papal envoys, alongside the famous account of Marco Polo, provided Europeans with the first accounts on these terrible warriors. Italian chroniclers of the period included the information provided by these accounts in their works, including in their local chronicles the achievements and habits of these mysterious warriors from the east. Other chroniclers were eyewitnesses to the first diplomatic contacts between European and Mongolian sovereigns. Their testimonies offer interesting elements to observe the first rudimentary diplomatic approaches between two worlds so far apart. Comparing various medieval chronicles, this paper investigates a fundamental psychological difference in the way how Italian and Central European authors of the time perceived the Mongols. If on the one hand Central European sources describe the Mongol warriors with terror and fear, the Italian ones are more optimistic, as they consider them as a possible resource to definitively drive out the Muslim infidels from the Holy Land.
Intra-Mongol Diplomacy and Witch-Hunt during the Dissolution of the Empire: the Witchcraft Trial at the Court of Hülegü
Authors: Golev Konstantin
Published: April 2020

The present paper examines the events that led to the establishment of the Ilkhanate under Hülegü as well as the beginning of the war between the Hülegüids and the Jöchids of the Golden Horde. The article discusses the struggle between the two branches of Chinggis Khan’s Golden Lineage during the march of Hülegü through South West Asia. This process reached its apex when Hülegü decided to get rid of the Jöchid contingents in his army together with the princes that headed them. This happened because they were a serious obstacle on the way towards establishing his empire in Iran and the adjacent areas. Hülegü used an accusation in witchcraft as an official pretext to remove fellow Chinggisid prince (or princes).
Viruses and insects

Authors: SZWEDO JACEK
Published: April 2020

Living under severe confinement and global state of war imposed by the emergence and worldwide very rapid spreading of the viral epidemic of zoonotic origin—coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the world is yet again experiencing a weird period. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is the defining global health crisis of our time and the greatest challenge we have faced since World War II, stressing every one of the countries it touches; it is creating devastating social, economic and political crises that will leave deep scars and will undoubtedly change the way we live and interact with each other. The number of known disease-causing viruses have been increasing in the last few decades and this trend is likely to continue. Therefore, it is legitimate to think about the evolutionary effect of viruses and their influence on the processes of organisms.
A new fishfly species (Megaloptera: Corydalidae: Chauliodinae) from Eocene Baltic amber

Authors: LIU XINGYUE , ANSORGE JÖRG
Published: April 2020

The fossil record of Megaloptera (Insecta: Holometabola: Neuropterida) is very limited. Both megalopteran families, i.e., Corydalidae and Sialidae, have been found in the Eocene Baltic amber, comprising two named species in one genus of Corydalidae (Chauliodinae) and four named species in two genera of Sialidae. Here we report a new species of Chauliodinae from the Baltic amber, namely Nigronia prussia sp. nov.. The new species possesses a spotted hind wing with broad band-like marking, a well-developed stem of hind wing MA subdistally with a short crossvein to MP, a single straight RP branch separated between 1ra-rp and 2ra-rp in hind wing, and the hind wing A3 with anterior branch proximally touching A2. A tentative placement of the new species in Nigronia Banks, 1908, which is an extant genus endemic to eastern North America, is discussed in detail. Our finding provides new evidence indicating that the fishflies related to the extant species from eastern North America had occurred in Europe during the Early Tertiary.
Lectotypification of Notonia grandiflora (Asteraceae: Senecioneae)

Authors: WU XING , GUO XIN-QIANG , SHAO YUN-YUN , REN CHEN
Published: April 2020

The controversy over the valid publication of Notonia grandiflora (Asteraceae: Senecioneae) is clarified, and the lectotype is designated for the name.
Scleria parvula subsp. tumanganica (Cyperaceae), a new taxon from the Russian Far East

Authors: CHUBAR ELENA A.
Published: April 2020

Scleria parvula subsp. tumanganica is described as a new subspecies from the Russian Far East. A description and digital images of the whole plants, nutlets, and inflorescence are here presented. The new subspecies differs from the type subspecies by subrounded disc-lobes, distinctly not separated, margin entire, not reflexed, and rounded shallow sinuses. Also, it is characterized by an isolated geographical range. The disjunction of S. parvula subsp. tumanganica range in Primorsky Krai from the finds of S. parvula in the central parts of Honshu Island, Japan, and North Gyeonggi Province, Republic of Korea, constitutes of 700–900 km. This new taxon resembles S. rugosa, S. mikawana, S. novae-hollandiae, S. thwaitesiana, and S. tessellata in habit, structure of inflorescence, nutlet size and shape, and disc form and its lobes. A comparative study of these species has been carried out. We uphold the recognized taxa S. parvula and S. tessellata as species, and provide an identification key.
The parasitic barnacle Peltogaster reticulata Shiino, 1943 (Rhizocephala,
Peltogastridae) from Russian waters of the Sea of Japan: morphological description, molecular identification and complete larval development
Authors: KORN OLGA M. , GOLUBINSKAYA DARYA D. , SHARINA SVETLANA N.
Published: April 2020

A rhizocephalan parasite of the hermit crab Pagurus minutus Hess, 1865 (Decapoda, Paguridae) is described from Russian waters using morphological and molecular methods. Partial sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI) were used as a genetic marker. We refer this species to Peltogaster reticulata Shiino, 1943 (Rhizocephala, Peltogastridae) based on its morphological description, since genetic data for the species from its type locality are lacking. The species can be distinguished from its known congeners by the reticular pattern of the external cuticle. Peltogaster reticulata is the sister taxon to P. postica Yoshida & Osawa, 2011 (in Yoshida et al. 2011), inhabiting the same host in southwestern Japan. The complete larval development of Peltogaster reticulata, including five naupliar and one cypris stage, is described and illustrated using SEM.
A new, peculiar genus of Cossoninae (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) from Oman with description of a new species, larva and notes on biology
Authors: HLAVÁČ PETER , SKUHROVEC JIŘÍ , PELIKÁN JAN
Published: April 2020

A new genus and species of the subfamily Cossoninae, Omanocossonus sabulosus gen. et sp. nov. is described from Oman. All specimens including larvae were found on sand dunes on the seashore in roots of Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T. Aiton. The crucial features, including male and female terminalia, are illustrated, and the taxonomic position of the new genus within Cossoninae is briefly discussed. The generic status of Lindbergius Roudier, 1957 is resurrected. The mature larva of the new species is described, larval morphology is discussed and the current state of knowledge about immature stages of Cossoninae is summarized.
Recent Changes in United States Extreme 3-Day Precipitation Using the R-CAT Scale
Authors: Lamjiri Maryam A. , Ralph F. Martin , Dettinger Michael D.
Published: April 2020

Extraordinary precipitation events have impacted the United States recently, including Hurricanes Harvey (2017) and Florence (2018), with 3-day precipitation totals larger than any others reported in the United States during the past 70 years. The rainfall category (R-CAT) scaling method is used here to document extreme precipitation events and test for trends nationally. The R-CAT scale uses thresholds of 3-day precipitation total in 100-mm increments (starting with 200 mm) that do not vary temporally or geographically, allowing for simple, intuitive comparisons of extremes over space and time. The paper that introduced the scale only required levels 1–4 to represent historical extremes, finding that R-CATs 3–4 strike the conterminous United States about as frequently as EF 4–5 tornadoes or category 3–5 hurricanes. Remarkably, Florence and Harvey require extending the scale to R-CAT 7 and 9, respectively. Trend analyses of annual maximum 3-day totals (1950–2019) here identify significant increases in the eastern United States, along with declines in Northern California and Oregon. Consistent with these results, R-CAT storms have been more frequent in the eastern, and less frequent in western, United States during the past decade compared to 1950–2008. Tropical storms dominate R-CAT events along the southeastern coast and East Coast with surprising contributions from atmospheric rivers, while atmospheric rivers completely dominate along the West Coast.
What if a college major isn’t enough? Cognitive skills and the relationship between US college majors and earnings
Authors: Ford Karly S. , Choi Junghee , Baker David P.
Published: April 2020

Policy discussions in the United States on the link between college majors and earnings have under-appreciated the role of cognitive skills. This study uses the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies, a unique data set that contains information on individual cognitive skills, college majors and earnings to investigate the relationships between them. The authors find that variation in numeracy and literacy skills is significantly associated with earnings for graduates of the same major. Also, there is an interactional effect between majors and cognitive skills to explain earnings. The findings shed light on the importance of considering cognitive skills when assessing the relationship between college majors and labour market outcomes.
Cockroaches and Food-borne Pathogens
Authors: Donkor Eric S
Published: April 2020

Food-borne disease is a widespread and escalating public health problem globally. About a quarter of the microorganisms isolated from cockroaches are food-borne pathogens including Escherichia coli O157:H7, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Shigella dysenteriae, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhi, Rotavirus, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Cryptosporidium parvum. Thus, cockroaches could be an important reservoir and mechanical vector of food-borne pathogens. Generally, the role of cockroaches in human infections is poorly understood and has been an issue of debate for several years. This article aims to elucidate the possible role of cockroaches in food-borne infections by reviewing the relevant research publications.
Severe obstructive sleep apnea is associated with coronary microvascular dysfunction and obstruction in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction
Authors: Ichikawa Yoshitaka , Izumiya Yasuhiro , Tamita Koichi , Hayashi Hiroya , Ishikawa Hirotoshi , Shibata Atsushi , Yamamuro Atsushi , Yoshiyama Minoru
Published: April 2020

Background

Coronary microvascular dysfunction and obstruction (CMVO) is a strong predictor of a poor prognosis in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Although research has suggested that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) exacerbates CMVO after primary percutaneous coronary intervention, data supporting a correlation between OSA and CMVO are limited. This study was performed to investigate whether OSA is associated with CMVO, detected as microvascular obstruction on cardiovascular magnetic resonance images, in patients with STEMI.

Methods

Patients (N = 249) with a first STEMI underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention. CMVO was evaluated on cardiovascular magnetic resonance images based on the presence of microvascular obstruction. OSA was classified into four levels of severity based on the respiratory event index (REI): absent (REI of <5), mild (REI of ≥5 to <15), moderate (REI of ≥15 to <30) and severe (REI of ≥30).

Results

The REI was significantly higher in the presence of microvascular obstruction (n = 139) than in its absence (n = 110) (REI of 12.8 vs. 10.7, respectively; p = 0.023). Microvascular obstruction was observed in 42%, 58%, 57% and 70% of patients in the absent, mild, moderate and severe OSA groups, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that severe OSA was associated with increased odds of microvascular obstruction (odds ratio (OR), 5.10; 95% confidence interval (CI),1.61–16.2; p = 0.006). Mild and moderate OSA were also associated with increased odds of microvascular obstruction (mild OSA: OR, 2.88; 95% CI, 1.19–7.00; p = 0.019 and moderate OSA: OR, 3.79; 95% CI, 1.43–10.1; p = 0.008).

Conclusion

Severe OSA was associated with CMVO after primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with STEMI.
PEDIATRIC AND ADOLESCENT SHOULDER INSTABILITY: DOES INSURANCE STATUS PREDICT THE DEVELOPMENT OF BONY BANKART AND ENGAGING HILL-SACHS LESIONS?
Authors: Hung NJ , Darvesky DM , Pandya NK
Published: April 2020

Background:

Pediatric and adolescent patients who undergo shoulder stabilization surgery have higher rates of failure than their adult counterparts. The impact of insurance status on intra-operative findings and outcomes is largely unknown.

Hypothesis/Purpose:

We hypothesized that patients with public insurance who undergo shoulder stabilization surgery would have greater degrees of bony pathology; leading to poor outcomes after stabilization.

Methods:

This was a retrospective cohort study of pediatric and adolescent patients with public and private insurance who were treated for recurrent shoulder instability from 2011-2017. Patients were treated at a tertiary care children’s hospital by a single orthopaedic surgeon. Patients 10 to 18 years of age were included in the study if they presented with recurrent shoulder instability and underwent surgical intervention for their injury. Time from injury to clinical consultation, imaging, and surgical intervention; incidences of labral pathology and secondary bony injury; and rates of repeat dislocation and repeat surgery were compared between the public and private insurance cohorts

Results:

Thirty-seven patients had public insurance while 18 patients had private insurance. Privately insured patients were evaluated by clinicians nearly five times faster than were publicly insured patients (p < 0.001), and they obtained MRIs over four times faster than did public insurance patients (p < 0.001). Publicly insured patients were twice as likely to have secondary bony injuries (p=0.043). Postoperatively, a significantly greater number (24.3%) of publicly insured patients experienced re-dislocation versus the complete absence of re-dislocation in the privately insured patients (p=0.022).

Conclusion:

Public insurance status impacts access to care and correlates with both the development of secondary bony injury and an increased rate of clinical failure manifested as repeat post-operative dislocations.

[Table: see text] Table 1 shows the summary of results for public and private insurance cohorts for days from injury to clinic, injury to MRI, injury to surgery, clinic to MRI, MRI to surgery as well as number of prior dislocations, incidence of anterior only vs. complex labral pathology, incidence of bony involvement, incidence of repeat dislocations, and incidence of repeat surgery. * denotes that the difference between the two insurance cohorts was not statistically significant.
ADJUVANT TREATMENT OF OCD LESIONS OF THE KNEE WITH BONE STIMULATORS
Authors: Mathew Stephen T. , Coene Ryan P. , Williams Kathryn A. , Micheli Lyle J. , Milewski Matthew D.
Published: April 2020

Background:

Recently, bone stimulators have been increasingly used for fracture care, particularly in the context of delayed healing and nonunions. Bone stimulation provides upregulation of osteogenic factors and stimulation of osteoblasts to create new bone.

Hypothesis/Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to determine if adjuvant use of bone stimulation would improve the rate of healing in the operative management of stable osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the knee. Methods: Forty patients who presented with a stable OCD lesion of the knee were included in the present retrospective study. All patients were managed with operative intervention with anterograde drilling by a single senior surgeon. The patients in the two groups, those with or without the use of bone stimulators post-operatively, were matched for skeletal maturity, lesion location, gender and age at surgery. The primary outcome measure of the rate of healing was determined from 3 month post-operative MRIs and clinical results were also analyzed.

Results:

At two years, 36 patients (90%) in both groups went on to clinical healing without further interventions. Two patients in each group required re-operations. The bone stimulator group had a mean decrease of 0.9 (± 1.8) mm in lesion coronal width and had 12 patients (63%) who had overall improved healing as compared to the non-bone stimulator group which had a 0.8 (± 3.6) mm decrease in coronal width and 14 patients (78%) with improved healing (p=0.272). No statistical differences in imaging or clinical healing were found between the two groups. Male patients were seen to have a clinically important decreased time from surgery to sports clearance (4 versus 5.5 months, p=0.063), discharge (7.8 versus 13.4 months, p=0.057), and increased overall healing (81% versus 55%, p=0.187) as compared to females. Skeletally immature patients had a decreased time from surgery to discharge (7.0 versus 18.3 months, p=0.005), improved overall healing (79% versus 50%, p=0.158), and decreased reoperation rate (3% versus 30%, p=0.042) when compared to the skeletally mature patients.

Conclusion:

In the surgical treatment of stable knee OCD lesions, bone stimulator use did not appear to improve radiographic or clinical healing. However, this study was not powered to examine the clinically important differences between the patients with and without the use of bone stimulators. Further multi-institutional studies will be needed to further elucidate differences. This study did find that skeletally immature patients had improved outcomes both clinically and on imaging as compared to skeletally mature patients.
LIMB SYMMETRY IS NOT ENOUGH: ESTABLISHMENT OF HEIGHT NORMALIZED HOP DISTANCES WITHIN HEALTHY YOUTH ATHLETES
Authors: Greenberg Elliot M. , Karl Michael , Leung Anne , Lawrence J. Todd , Ganley Theodore
Published: April 2020

Background:

Most experts recommend utilizing single leg hop tests to help determine an athlete’s readiness to return to sports after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). A limb symmetry index (LSI =involved limb/uninvolved limb) of ≥90% is typically required by most contemporary protocols. However, limb symmetry may underestimate continued post-operative deficits due to performance declines within the uninvolved limb after ACLR. Additionally, LSI may not accurately identify those at risk of repeat injury, and doesn’t assist in ensuring maximal patient effort. Comparing height normalized hop distances to uninjured controls has been suggested as an additional criteria to better recognize performance deficits after ACLR.

Purpose:

To characterize single leg hop test performance in a large group of healthy youth athletes and determine the relationships of sex or age on hop performance.

Methods:

This was a cross-sectional study of healthy youth athletes aged 8-14 years-old, who were currently participating in organized sports. Using their dominant leg, each subject performed a triple hop (TrH) in which they quickly hopped on one leg three times, achieving maximal linear distance, while holding their balance after the last hop. Distance from starting line to the heel was recorded in centimeters. Each subject’s hop distance was normalized to body height and served as the dependent variable. A two-way ANOVA analyzed any effects of age and sex. A-priori alpha was set at p≤0.05.

Results:

A total of 340 subjects (Male [n=184], mean age 10.9±1.5 years) were included. Across the entire sample, mean TrH distance was 2.2 times body height. ANOVA demonstrated no differences for main effect of sex (mean TrH/height, Males=2.2, Females=2.1, p=0.212). (Figure 1) Main effect of age was significant (p<0.001) with Bonferroni post-hoc analysis indicating 13 year-olds normalized TrH distance (2.6 times body height) was greater than all other age groups (8 yrs=1.9, 9yrs=2.0, 10yrs=2.1, 11yrs=2.2, 12yrs=2.3). (Figure 2) The 12 year-old performance was significantly greater than 8-9 year-olds only (2.3 vs 1.9-2.0).

Conclusions:

When normalized to body height, TrH performance increases around the ages of 12-13 years. Regardless of sex, athletes aged 8-11 can be expected to TrH approximately 2 times body height, while athletes near age 13 should have TrH values of 2.6 times body height. Due to post-operative deconditioning within the healthy limb, the use of age-matched hopping norms in addition to LSI may offer better determination of functional recovery or effort. As performance changes with age, future research should focus on establishing normative performance in older subjects.

Figures/Tables: [Figure: see text][Figure: see text]
EVALUATING THE EFFECT OF SPINAL DEFORMITY ON PEDIATRIC PATIENT ACTIVITY LEVELS
Authors: Yau Annie , Heath Madison R. , Fabricant Peter D.
Published: April 2020

Background:

Idiopathic scoliosis has historically been considered a benign condition without significant functional limitations for the patient. However, as curves progress, patients may experience worsening pain, deformity, and quality of life. Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) help assess functional limitations that may indicate treatment.

Purpose:

The objective of this study was to compare physical activity related PROM scores in three groups of patients with different severities of spinal curvature.

Methods:

Pediatric patients diagnosed with adolescent and juvenile idiopathic scoliosis, kyphoscoliosis, or spinal asymmetry completed the SRS-22R, HSS Pedi-FABS activity scale, and Patient-Reported Outcomes Management Information System (PROMIS) Pediatric Computer Adaptive Tests for Mobility and Physical Activity (PA) at a single institution from July 2018 to February 2019. Radiographic images were reviewed, and patients were grouped as Spinal Asymmetry (SA), Mild Deformity (MD), and Severe Deformity (SD) by major Cobb angle measuring less than 10°, between 10° and 40°, and greater than 40° respectively. One-way ANOVA with a Tukey post-hoc correction was used to determine differences between groups.

Results:

206 pediatric patients (65% female) with a mean age 13.5 ± 2.2 years were included. The mean Cobb angles by group were 7.1° ± 2.1° in SA (n=51), 19.4° ± 7.8° in MD (n=130), and 50.2° ± 9.1° in SD (n=25). Compared to both SA and MD patients, SD patients scored lower on PROMIS Mobility (p<0.005). Compared to SA patients only, SD patients had lower scores on the HSS Pedi-FABS (p<0.01) and SRS-22R Function (p<0.05). PROMIS PA scores decreased with increasing spinal deformity, but these differences were not statistically significant. There was no significant difference between SA and MD for all PROMs administered.

Conclusion:

These findings suggest that mobility, function, and physical activity are affected by increasing severity of spinal curvature. Patients with severe spinal deformity reported lower PROMs compared to patients without clinical spinal deformity. Finally, patients with spinal asymmetry and mild deformity do not report significantly different PROMs.

Tables: [Table: see text]