bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Choices in the climate commons
Authors: Barrett Scott
Published: December 2018

Climate change is a tragedy of the commons of existential importance. At the annual United Nations climate summit that concludes this week, parties will affirm the necessity to avoid dangerous climate change. But between now and next year's summit, these same countries will in many ways act so as to hasten the outcome that they say must be avoided. This disjunction between what countries say and what they do has been repeated every year since the first summit in 1995. It is a pattern of behavior that seems irrational, but that can be explained. American ecologist Garrett Hardin's classic article, “The Tragedy of the Commons,” published in
Science
50 years ago this week, vividly describes the dilemma that causes this behavior (see page 1236).
Response to comment on “ALK is a therapeutic target for lethal sepsis”
Authors: Tang Daolin , Kang Rui
Published: December 2018

ALK inhibitors may exhibit STING-independent anti-inflammatory activity in macrophages and monocytes.
Trade-offs in the adaptation towards hatchery and natural conditions drive survival, migration, and angling vulnerability in a territorial fish in the wild
Authors: Tsuboi Jun-ichi , Kaji Kohichi , Baba Shinya , Arlinghaus Robert
Published: December 2018

Hatchery fish that support capture fisheries need to thrive in both hatchery and natural environments. We conducted joint experiments in both environments with individuals stemming from multiple generations held in captivity to test the performance of hatchery-reared ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis). Ayu is an annual, herbivorous, territorial, and amphidromous riverine fish native to Japan of high importance to recreational fisheries. Hatchery fish of the first hatchery generation exhibited poor growth and highest malformation rates relative to the second and following hatchery generations. The first generation offspring stocked into a natural stream also showed low survival and poor vulnerability to angling, suggesting that maladaptation to the hatchery environment explained the performance in the wild. By contrast, offspring of the seventh to ninth generations exhibited high growth in the hatchery environment, but when stocked into the wild they also exhibited low survival, maladapted migratory behaviour, and again poor vulnerability to angling. Consequently, intermediate generations held in captivity were found to offer the best fisheries performance and can thus be recommended for enhancements to support recreational fisheries.
Assessing responses of Betula papyrifera to climate variability in a remnant population along the Niobrara River Valley in Nebraska, U.S.A., through dendroecological and remote-sensing techniques
Authors: Bumann E. , Awada T. , Wardlow B. , Hayes M. , Okalebo J. , Helzer C. , Mazis A. , Hiller J. , Cherubini P.
Published: December 2018

Remnant populations of Betula papyrifera Marshall have persisted in the Great Plains after the Wisconsin Glaciation along the Niobrara River Valley, Nebraska. Population health has declined in recent years, which has been hypothesized to be due to climate change. We used dendrochronological techniques to assess the response of B. papyrifera to microclimate (1950–2014) and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) derived from satellite imagery (Landsat 5 TM (1985–2011) and MODIS (2000–2014)) as a proxy for population health. Growing-season streamflow and precipitation were positively correlated with raw and standardized tree-ring widths and basal area increment increase. Increasing winter and spring temperatures were unfavorable for tree growth, while increasing summer temperatures were favorable in the absence of drought. The strongest predictor for standardized tree rings was the Palmer Drought Severity Index, suggesting that B. papyrifera is highly responsive to a combination of temperature and water availability. The NDVI from the vegetation community was positively correlated with standardized tree-ring growth, indicating the potential of these techniques to be used as a proxy for ex situ monitoring of B. papyrifera. These results aid in forecasting the dynamics of the species in the face of climate variability and change in both remnant populations and across its current distribution in northern latitudes of North America.
Conformal transformations and curvature
Authors: Ligo Richard G. , Durumeric Oguz C.
Published: December 2018

In this paper, we discuss the relationship between conformal transformations of [Formula: see text] and the curvature of curves. First, for any non-circular closed curve, there exists a length-preserving inversion such that the maximum pointwise absolute curvature can be made arbitrarily large. In contrast, we show that the total absolute curvatures of a family of curves conformally equivalent to a given simple or simple closed curve are uniformly bounded. Furthermore, we show that the total absolute curvature of an inverted regular [Formula: see text] simple closed curve as a function of inversion center and radius is removably discontinuous along the curve with exactly a [Formula: see text] drop, and continuous elsewhere.
Caribbean Reconstruction and Climate Justice: Transnational Insurgent Intellectual Networks and Post-Hurricane Transformation
Authors: Sheller Mimi
Published: December 2018

The devastating impacts of Hurricanes Irma and Maria across the northeastern Caribbean not only bring closer a world of immediate climate disaster and halting recovery, but also cast a long shadow of slow disasters and impossible futures for small island states in the face of significantly unstable and unpredictable climate patterns. In contrast to the mainstream idea of just “building back better” the paper underscores the need to also better account for the root causes of disaster risk and violent histories that still influence recovery processes at present. The paper draws on the recent debates over Caribbean reconstruction in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, but sets this immediate crisis in the context of longer debates over Caribbean reconstruction, reparations and climate justice. Revisiting arguments in W.E.B. DuBois’s classic sociological study of “Black Reconstruction in America”, this commentary also foregrounds Aldon Morris’s concept of “insurgent intellectual networks” to analyze the emergence of transnational “liberation capital” in the Caribbean region. These approaches help not only to ask how should we recover from or adapt to such storms, but how should major contributors to global warming pay for rebuilding, reparations, and restitution? What forms of deliberation, participation, procedural processes, and capabilities are necessary to make these determinations? Should restorative justice be linked to the Caricom demand for the European Union to pay reparations for slavery? And finally, what forms of epistemic justice are needed to recognize and support the work of insurgent intellectual networks?
How to untie your tongue
Authors: Yaffe Philip
Published: December 2018

Each "Communication Corner" essay is self-contained; however, they build on each other. For best results, before reading this essay and doing the exercise, go to the first essay "How an Ugly Duckling Became a Swan," then read each succeeding essay.

Communication is not only the written word. In this installment, Philip Yaffe shares tips and exercises that will help improve your skills in both writing and speaking.
Opinion column
Authors: Alameda-Pineda Xavier , Redi Miriam
Published: December 2018

This quarter, our Community column is dedicated to the review process of ACM Multimedia (MM). We report the summary of discussions arisen at various points in time, after the first round of reviews were returned to authors.
Opens source column
Authors: Spiteri Kevin
Published: December 2018

Sabre is an open source framework for simulating adaptive bitrate (ABR) video-player algorithms. ABR is used when delivering online video to different devices with different connectivity characteristics. The delivery bitrate is adapted dynamically to match the network connection, with the design of the ABR algorithms being a very active research area. Sabre is a useful tool for researchers to simulate performance of their ABR algorithms and to fairly compare performance of different algorithms.
Step frequency patterns of elite ultramarathon runners during a 100-km road race
Authors: Burns Geoffrey T. , Zendler Jessica M. , Zernicke Ronald F.
Published: December 2018

Step frequency (SF) in running has received substantial interest from researchers, coaches, therapists, and runners. It has been widely studied in controlled settings, but no published study has measured it continuously in elite-level competition. The present study used wrist-based accelerometers in consumer-grade watches to monitor SF and SF variability of competitors in the 2016 100-km World Championship road race. Using linear mixed-model regression, SF and SF variability were assessed across the race. The average SF (steps-per-minute) of competitors ( n = 20) was 182.0 spm (range: 155.4–203.1 spm). Race fluctuations in SF were influenced only by the speed the competitors were running, with faster speeds being associated with greater SF (5.6 spm/m·s−1, P < 0.001). Independently of this speed relation, SF did not significantly change over the course of the race. SF was further linked to the runner's stature (−123.1 spm/m, P = 0.01) but not significantly related to sex, weight, age, or years of experience. The SF coefficient-of-variation was inversely associated with running speed and distance covered, with runners demonstrating decreasing variability both at faster speeds and as the race progressed. Together, these results add ecological evidence to observations of a speed dependency of SF in a highly trained, elite population of runners and suggest that in road race conditions, SF changes only with speed and not fatigue. Furthermore, it presents evidence that the variability of an elite runner's SF is linked to both speed and fatigue but not to any other characteristics of the runner. The current findings are important for runners, clinicians, and coaches as they seek to monitor or manipulate SF.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Stride frequency (SF; or the synonymous “cadence”) has become a popular point of monitoring and manipulation in runners. Advances in wearable technology have enabled continuous monitoring of SF. This study is the first to examine SF and SF variability patterns throughout an entire road race in elite ultramarathon runners. This adds ecological, normative data to the field's understanding of SF and demonstrates how it relates to running speed, fatigue, and individual characteristics.
Numerical Simulation of Shear Behavior and Permeability Evolution of Rock Joints with Variable Roughness and Infilling Thickness
Authors: Cheng Jingyi , Zhang Hongwei , Wan Zhijun
Published: December 2018

The mechanical properties and permeability evolution of sand-infilled rock joints during the shear process is an important issue in rock engineering, such as it pertains to hydraulic fractures filled with proppant. Shear can disrupt the preexisting hydraulic and mechanical equilibrium conditions, thus affecting fluid flow. In this study, we simulate the shear behavior of rock joints with variable roughness and sand infilling thickness using the discrete element code PFC2D. Rock joint roughness is evaluated by the joint roughness coefficient (JRC), and sand infilling thickness is evaluated by a thickness ratio (i.e., ratio of infill thickness to rock height) ranging from 0.02 to 0.20. The results show that peak shear strength decreases with the thickness ratio in a relation that can be expressed by a hyperbolic function. We also measure the permeability evolution during shearing and find that the permeability of infilled rock joints increases with both the thickness ratio and JRC.
Comparison of Survival in Patients with Isolated Peritoneal Carcinomatosis from Colorectal Cancer Treated with Cytoreduction and Melphalan or Mitomycin-C as Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy Agent
Authors: Sipok Arkadii , Sardi Armando , Nieroda Carol , King Mary Caitlin , Sittig Michelle , Gushchin Vadim
Published: December 2018

Background. The role of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) from colorectal cancer (CRC) is debated. Melphalan as a perfusion agent has also demonstrated survival benefit in other recurrent and chemoresistant malignancies. Thus, we hypothesize that melphalan as a HIPEC agent may improve overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with PC from CRC. Methods. A retrospective review of a prospective database of 48 patients who underwent optimal CRS (CC-0/1) and HIPEC from 2001-2016 was performed. Nineteen had CRS/HIPEC with melphalan (group I) and 29 with mitomycin-C (group II). Survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox regression was used for multivariate analysis. Perioperative variables were compared. Results. Mean age at CRS/HIPEC was 53±10 years. Median peritoneal cancer index (PCI) was 17 vs 13 in groups I and II, respectively (p=0.86). PCI≥20 occurred in 9 (47%) and 13 (45%) patients in groups I and II, respectively. Positive lymph nodes were identified in 8/19 (42%) vs 12/29 (41%) in groups I and II, respectively (p=0.73). Multivariate analysis identified PCI≥20 as a predictive factor of survival (HR: 7.5). Median OS in groups I and II was 36 and 28 months, respectively (p=0.54). Median PFS in groups I and II was 10 and 20 months, respectively (p=0.05). Conclusions. CRS/HIPEC with MMC had longer median PFS in PC from CRC. PCI≥20 was the only independent predictive factor for survival. Until longer follow-up is available, we recommend using MMC in CRS/HIPEC for PC from CRC. Further prospective randomized studies are necessary.
IL-13 Contributes to Drug Resistance of NK/T-Cell Lymphoma Cells by Regulating ABCC4
Authors: Ni Mingli , Qin Beibei , Xie Ling , Zhang Xudong , Yang Jiezhi , Lv Hongqiong , Yang Mingyue , Zhang Mingzhi
Published: December 2018

Background.Extranodal natural killer/T (NK/T) cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKTL), represents a rare subtype of T-cell lymphomas with aggressive clinical behavior and is relatively resistant to chemotherapy. However, there is relatively poor understanding of molecular pathogenesis of multidrug resistance in ENKTL. Here, we aimed to explore the biological roles and potential mechanism of IL-13 and ABCC4 in multidrug resistance of NK/T-cell lymphoma.Methods.ELISA analysis was used to determine the level of serum IL-13 and immunohistochemical analysis was applied to detect the ABCC4 expression level in patients with human NK/T-cell lymphoma. Western blot assay was employed to measure the expression of ABCC4 in cells. Lenti-sh-ABCC4 viruses were constructed to knock down ABCC4 in YTS cells. CCK-8 assay and flow cytometric analysis were performed to detect the effects of IL-13 and ABCC4 on cell proliferation and apoptosis. CCK-8 assay was conducted to detect the effect of IL-13 and ABCC4 on cell sensitivity to adriamycin (ADM) in YTS cells.Results. Levels of serum IL-13 and ABCC4 expression were observed to be upregulated in patients with human NK/T-cell lymphoma. Moreover, ABCC4 protein expression was also increased in NK/T-cell lymphoma YTS cells compared to the normal NK cells. Interestingly, IL-13 promoted ABCC4 expression in YTS cells. IL-13 promoted proliferation and suppressed apoptosis of YTS cells and reversed the effects of ABCC4 knockdown on promotive proliferation and inhibitory apoptosis. In addition, IL-13 enhanced YTS cell chemotherapy resistance to ADM by promoting ABCC4 expression.Conclusion.Our findings concluded that IL-13 inhibited chemotherapy sensitivity of NK/T-cell lymphoma cells by regulating ABCC4, disrupting which may effectively improve the therapy protocols against resistant NK/T-cell lymphoma.
A Meta-Analysis of Efficacy and Safety of Infliximab for Prevention of Postoperative Recurrence in Patients with Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Huang He , Xu Su , Huang Fubin , Wang Xia , Chen Yong , Xu Zhaoshan
Published: December 2018

Objective. We sought to investigate the efficacy and safety of Infliximab for prevention of postoperative recurrence in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD), in a meta-analysis of clinical trial results. Methods. The Medline, Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science databases were systematically searched for suitable studies. A meta-analysis of enrolled studies was performed to analyze the efficacy of Infliximab on outcomes regarding the prevention of postoperative recurrence of CD. A Galbraith radial plot was used to quantify the heterogeneity. Funnel plot and Egger test were performed to describe the bias of publication. A Forest plot was prepared to indicate the efficacy outcomes. Results. A total of 7 prospective trials were included in our meta-analysis (N=455). The Funnel plot and Egger test showed there was no significant bias in the included publications. The Cochrane collaboration tool indicated that all 7 prospective trials were of high quality. The results of Galbraith radial plot showed that no study was the source of heterogeneity. Compared with the placebo group, Infliximab decreased the rates of endoscopic recurrence (RR =0.421; 95% CI 0.328 to 0.539; p<0.001), and there was a significant reduction in rates of clinical recurrence in the Infliximab-treated group (RR =0.519; 95% CI 0.349 to 0.774; p=0.001). Furthermore, Infliximab treatment did not show adverse effects as other systematic therapeutic drugs, indicating that Infliximab treatment is effective and well tolerated. Conclusion. Compared with the controls, Infliximab is a promising therapeutic agent for the management of CD patients.
Adsorption of Anionic Surfactants onto Alumina: Characteristics, Mechanisms, and Application for Heavy Metal Removal
Authors: Nguyen Thi Minh Thu , Do Thi Phuong Thao , Hoang Thi Sim , Nguyen Ngoc Viet , Pham Huy Dong , Nguyen Trung Dung , Pham Thi Ngoc Mai , Le Thanh Son , Pham Tien Duc
Published: December 2018

We investigated adsorption of anionic surfactants, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and sodium tetradecyl sulfate (STS), onto alumina (Al2O3) with large size in the present study. The effective conditions for SDS and STS adsorption onto Al2O3 were systematically studied. The conditions for SDS and STS adsorption onto γ-Al2O3 were optimized and found to be contact time 180 min, pH 4, and 1 mM NaCl. Adsorption of both SDS and STS onto large Al2O3 beads increased with an increase of ionic strength, demonstrating that the adsorption is controlled by electrostatic attraction between anionic sulfate groups and positively charged Al2O3 surface, as well as hydrophobic interactions between long alkyl chains of surfactant molecules. Nevertheless, the hydrophobic interaction in terms of STS adsorption is much higher than that of SDS adsorption. The obtained SDS and STS adsorption isotherms in different NaCl concentrations onto Al2O3 beads were fitted well by two-step adsorption. Adsorption mechanisms were disused in detail on the basis of adsorption isotherm, the change in surface charge, and the change in functional surface groups by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The application of surfactant adsorption onto Al2O3 to remove cadmium ion (Cd2+) was also studied. The optimum conditions for Cd2+ removal using surfactant-modified alumina (SMA) are pH 6, contact time 120 min, and ionic strength 0.1 mM NaCl. Under optimum conditions, the removal efficiency of Cd2+ using SMA increased significantly. We demonstrate that SMA is a novel adsorbent for removal of Cd2+ from aqueous solution.
Isolation of Extended-Spectrum β-lactamase- (ESBL-) Producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae from Patients with Community-Onset Urinary Tract Infections in Jimma University Specialized Hospital, Southwest Ethiopia
Authors: Abayneh Mengistu , Tesfaw Getnet , Abdissa Alemseged
Published: December 2018

Background. Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli are the major extended-spectrum β-lactamase- (ESBL-) producing organisms increasingly isolated as causes of complicated urinary tract infections and remain an important cause of failure of therapy with cephalosporins and have serious infection control consequence. Objective. To assess the prevalence and antibiotics resistance patterns of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae from community-onset urinary tract infections in Jimma University Specialized hospital, Southwest Ethiopia, 2016. Methodology. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted, and a total of 342 urine samples were cultured on MacConkey agar for the detection of etiologic agents. Double-disk synergy (DDS) methods were used for detection of ESBL-producing strains. A disc of amoxicillin + clavulanic acid (20/10 µg) was placed in the center of the Mueller–Hinton agar plate, and cefotaxime (30 µg) and ceftazidime (30 µg) were placed at a distance of 20 mm (center to center) from the amoxicillin + clavulanic acid disc. Enhanced inhibition zone of any of the cephalosporin discs on the side facing amoxicillin + clavulanic acid was considered as ESBL producer. Results. In the current study, ESBL-producing phenotypes were detected in 23% (n = 17) of urinary isolates, of which Escherichia coli accounts for 76.5% (n = 13) and K. pneumoniae for 23.5% (n = 4). ESBL-producing phenotypes showed high resistance to cefotaxime (100%), ceftriaxone (100%), and ceftazidime (70.6%), while both ESBL-producing and non-ESBL-producing isolates showed low resistance to amikacin (9.5%), and no resistance was seen with imipenem. In the risk factors analysis, previous antibiotic use more than two cycles in the previous year (odds ratio (OR), 6.238; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.257–30.957; p = 0.025) and recurrent UTI more than two cycles in the last 6 months or more than three cycles in the last year (OR, 7.356; 95% CI, 1.429–37.867; p = 0.017) were found to be significantly associated with the ESBL-producing groups. Conclusion. Extended-spectrum β-lactamases- (ESBL-)producing strain was detected in urinary tract isolates. The occurrence of multidrug resistance to the third-generation cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and tetracyclines is more common among ESBL producers. Thus, detecting and reporting of ESBL-producing organisms have paramount importance in the clinical decision-making.
Low-Concentration Oxygen/Ozone Treatment Attenuated Radiculitis and Mechanical Allodynia via PDE2A-cAMP/cGMP-NF-κB/p65 Signaling in Chronic Radiculitis Rats
Authors: Wang Junnan , Wu Mingyi , Lin Xiaowen , Li Yun , Fu Zhijian
Published: December 2018

Background. Oxygen/ozone therapy is a minimally invasive technique for the treatment of radiculitis from lumbar disc herniation. This study aimed at investigating whether intrathecal administration of low-concentration oxygen/ozone could attenuate chronic radiculitis and mechanical allodynia after noncompressive lumbar disc herniation and at elucidating the underlying mechanisms. Methods. First, we transplanted autologous nucleus pulposus into dorsal root ganglions to establish chronic radiculitis in rats. Then, filtered oxygen or oxygen/ozone (10, 20, or 30 μg/mL) was intrathecally injected on day 1 after surgery. The ipsilateral paw withdrawal thresholds (PWTs) to mechanical stimuli were tested daily with von Frey filaments. The expression of the tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) α, interleukin- (IL-) 1β, IL-6, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), phosphodiesterase 2A (PDE2A), and nuclear factor- (NF-) κB/p65 in spinal dorsal horns was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, polymerase chain reaction, and western blot on day 7 after surgery. Results. Chronic radiculitis was established in rats. Intrathecal administration of 10 μg/mL, 20 μg/mL, or 30 μg/mL oxygen/ozone significantly attenuated the decreased mechanical PWTs, downregulated the overexpression of spinal TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, and increased the expression of cGMP and cAMP in chronic radiculitis rats. In addition, the effects of treatment with 20 μg/mL oxygen/ozone were greater than the effects of the 10 μg/mL or 30 μg/mL doses. Moreover, intrathecal administration of 20 μg/mL oxygen/ozone reversed the increased levels of spinal PDE2A and NF-κB/p65 mRNA and protein expressions in rats with chronic radiculitis. Conclusion. Intrathecal administration of low-concentration oxygen/ozone alleviated mechanical allodynia and attenuated radiculitis, likely by a PDE2A-cGMP/cAMP-NF-κB/p65 signaling pathway in chronic radiculitis rats.
Unusual Sequence of Events in a Case of Takotsubo Syndrome
Authors: Henriquez C. , Landau R. , Sabharwal N. , Rodriguez D. , Virparia V. , Sadiq A. , Shani J.
Published: December 2018

A 73-year-old female with multiple comorbidities including coronary artery disease was admitted for an elective PCI of a lesion detected in the RCA. On the day of the planned PCI, shortly after right femoral artery cannulation, the patient developed a sudden complete heart block requiring the administration atropine and insertion of a temporary pacemaker. Concomitantly, the patient developed acute pulmonary edema, hypotension, and hypoxia requiring intubation for mechanical ventilation. Vasopressors were administered. A coronary angiogram showed patent left and right coronary arteries, unchanged when compared to the previous angiogram. An echocardiogram performed in the cardiac catheterization lab revealed global hypokinesis of the left and right ventricles, with severe LV systolic dysfunction (EF<20%). Following an insertion of an intra-aortic balloon pump, the patient was transferred to the CICU. A repeat echocardiogram in the CICU two hours later revealed a classical echocardiographic presentation of Takotsubo syndrome, apical hypokinesis. By the next morning the patient’s hemodynamic status significantly improved, the balloon pump was removed, and vasopressors were discontinued. Another echocardiogram was performed 24 hours after the event occurred and revealed a marked improvement in LV systolic function (EF 60%), with complete resolution of apical and septal wall motion abnormalities. Three days after the event, the patient was successfully discharged and asymptomatic at two-month follow-up. This case illustrates an atypical presentation of Takotsubo syndrome that was witnessed from onset to its complete resolution during the patient’s hospital stay.
Superposed Incremental Deformations of an Elastic Solid Reinforced with Fibers Resistant to Extension and Flexure
Authors: Kim Chun IL
Published: December 2018

A comprehensive linear model for an elastic solid reinforced with fibers resistant to extension and flexure is presented. This includes the analysis of both unidirectional and bidirectional fiber‐reinforced composites subjected to in‐plane deformations. Within the prescription of the superposed incremental deformations, the fiber kinematics are approximated and used to determine the Euler equilibrium equations. The constraints of bulk incompressibility and admissible boundary conditions are also discussed for completeness. In particular, the complete systems of differential equations are obtained for the cases of Neo‐Hookean and Mooney–Rivlin types of materials from which analytical solutions can be obtained.
Systematic Assessment of Clinical Methods to Diagnose and Monitor Diabetic Retinal Neuropathy
Authors: Jenkins K. Sean , Steel Jason C. , Layton Christopher J.
Published: December 2018

Purpose. Diabetic retinal neuropathy refers to retinal neural tissue damage occurring before the structural retinal changes of diabetic retinopathy and fulfils many of the criteria for causality for the subsequent vasculopathy. Developing reliable means of measuring neuronal damage in diabetes may be important in efforts to prevent retinopathy of a clinically significant and irreversible stage. This study aimed at systematically assessing current clinical measurements of diabetic retinal neuropathy so that future studies may utilise a consensual battery of tests in studying this poorly understood disease state between a healthy retina and one that is retinopathic. Methods. A systematic search of the medical literature since 1984 was performed on PUBMED and EMBASE, and the evidence supporting each identified method as an indicator for clinically important diabetic retinal neuropathy was graded relatively as compelling, medium, or weak according to criteria assessing its relationship to subsequent diabetic retinopathy, quality of supporting studies, and published reproducibility. Results. The systematic search yielded 6432 results. Subsequent assessment by two independent investigators identified 601 multiple subject studies in humans assessing clinical aspects of the retinal structure, function, or psychophysics in the prediabetic retina. The 933 separate instances of clinical methods assessed as being supported by relatively “compelling” evidence included colour vision changes, flash ERG b-wave latency, flash multifocal b-wave latency, scotopic b-wave and oscillatory potentials in ERG, and contrast sensitivity. Conclusion. The results showed moderately poor quality of extant evidence and indicate the best clinical methods for assessing diabetic retinal neuropathy that remain to be confirmed. This is the first systematic assessment of the medical literature aiming at assessing the breadth and validity of these methods and represents an early step in identifying and developing clinical endpoints for use in trials designed to identify at-risk patients or prevent diabetic retinopathy.
Association of IGF-1 CA(n) and IGFBP3 rs2854746 Polymorphisms with Endometrial Polyp Risk
Authors: Doria Pedro Leopoldo Silva , Moscovitz Thomas , Tcherniakovsky Marcos , Fernandes Cesar Eduardo , Pompei Luciano Melo , Wajman Milton , Nimwegen Angela Van , Haimovich Sergio
Published: December 2018

Introduction. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is a peptide growth factor that promotes cell proliferation and inhibits apoptosis. The bioavailability of IGF-1 is regulated by the insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP3). Genetic variations influence the levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP3. The purpose of this study was to examine the association of polymorphisms IGF-1 CA(n) and IGFBP3 rs2854746 with risk of endometrial polyps. Materials and Methods. Case control observational study, composed of 104 women with antecedent of endometrial polyp (case group) and 81 postmenopausal women without antecedent of endometrial diseases (control group). Genotyping of IGF-1 CA(n) was performed by PCR and fragment analysis by capillary electrophoresis, and genotyping of IGFBP3 rs2854746 was performed by PCR-HRM. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by logistic regression. Results. The genotype IGF-1 CA(19)/CA(19) was associated with an increased endometrial polyp risk (OR=2,57; IC 95%= 1,09 - 6,01); this was also found when combining it with CA(>19)/CA(n) genotypes (OR=2,18; IC 95%= 1,06-4,47). The IGFBP3 rs2854746 analyses showed the CG genotype having a protective effect for endometrial polyp (OR=0,37; IC 95%= 0,19-0,73), fact also observed when grouping CG and GG carriers (OR=0,51; IC 95%= 0,28-0,93). Conclusion. The genotypes CA(19)/CA(19) and CA(19)/CA(19) + CA(>19)/CA(n) of the IGF-1 CA(n) may be considered a risk for endometrial polyp, whereas the genotypes CG and CG + GG of IGFBP3 rs2854746 polymorphism have an inverse effect of endometrial polyp risk.
Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Migrate and Rescue RPE in the Setting of Oxidative Stress
Authors: Barzelay Aya , Weisthal Algor Shira , Niztan Anat , Katz Sebastian , Benhamou Moshe , Nakdimon Itay , Azmon Noam , Gozlan Sandy , Mezad-Koursh Daphna , Neudorfer Meira , Goldstein Michaella , Meilik Benjamin , Loewenstein Anat , Barak Adiel
Published: December 2018

Oxidative stress leads to the degeneration of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) and photoreceptor cells. We evaluated the potential of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) as a therapeutic tool by studying the migration capacity of ASCs in vitro and their protective effect against RPE cell death under oxidative stress in vitro and in vivo. ASCs exhibited enhanced migration when exposed to conditioned medium of oxidative stressed RPE cells obtained by hydrogen peroxide. Migration-related axis SDF-1/CXCR4 was studied, and upregulation of SDF-1 in stressed RPE and of CXCR4 in ASCs was detected. Moreover, ASCs’ conditioned medium prevented H2O2-induced cell death of RPE cells. Early passage ASCs had high expression level of HGF, low VEGF levels, and unmodulated IL-1β levels, compared to late passage ASCs. Thus, early passage ASCs show the potential to migrate towards damaged RPE cells and protect them in a paracrine manner from cell death induced by oxidative stress. In vivo, mice received systemic injection of NaIO3, and 72 h later, ASCs were transplanted in the subretinal space. Seven days after ASC transplantation, the eyes were enucleated fixed and frozen for immunohistochemical analysis. Under such conditions, ASC-treated mice showed preservation of nuclear layers in the outer nuclear layer and stronger staining of RPE and photoreceptor layer, compared to PBS-treated mice. Taken together, our results indicate that ASCs are able to home in on damaged RPE cells and protect against damage to the RPE and PR layers caused by oxidative stress. These data imply the potential that ASCs have in regenerating RPE under oxidative stress, providing the basis for a therapeutic approach to retinal degeneration diseases related to oxidative stress that could help save the eyesight of millions of people worldwide.
Clinical Usefulness and Prognostic Value of Red Cell Distribution Width in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Song Yanfang , Huang Zhengyuan , Kang Yanli , Lin Zhen , Lu Pingxia , Lin Qing , Cai Zhaolian , Cao Yingping , Zhu Xianjin
Published: December 2018

Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) indicates the heterogeneity in the size of circulating red blood cells. Increasing studies showed that RDW may be a diagnostic and prognostic marker in various tumors. To investigate the value of RDW as a biomarker in the diagnosis and prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC), we evaluated 783 newly diagnosed CRC patients, 463 colorectal adenomas (CA) patients, and 331 healthy controls from June 2015 to October 2017 at Fujian Medical University Union Hospital. We found that RDW levels were significantly higher in CRC groups compared with both the CA and healthy control groups (P<0.001). Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve (AUC) for RDW, CEA, and CA19-9 was 0.643, 0.742, and 0.629 in discriminating CRC patients from healthy controls, respectively. When RDW cut-off value of 13.95 was applied, we distinguished CRC patients from healthy controls with a sensitivity of 41% and a specificity of 94%. Moreover, combined detection of RDW, CEA, and CA19-9 appeared to be a better diagnostic performance with a sensitivity of 56% and a specificity of 99%. However, RDW had little diagnostic value in the differential diagnosis between CRC patients and CA patients. More importantly, RDW levels were significantly associated with TNM stage, pT stage, pM stage, and tumor size among CRC patients. Overall, our study suggested that RDW might be an auxiliary biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis of CRC.
QRS Area Is a Strong Determinant of Outcome in Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
Authors: van Stipdonk Antonius M.W. , ter Horst Iris , Kloosterman Marielle , Engels Elien B. , Rienstra Michiel , Crijns Harry J.G.M. , Vos Marc A. , van Gelder Isabelle C. , Prinzen Frits W. , Meine Mathias , Maass Alexander H. , Vernooy Kevin
Published: December 2018

Background:

The combination of left bundle branch block (LBBB) morphology and QRS duration is currently used to select patients for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). These parameters, however, have limitations. This study evaluates the value of QRS area compared with that of QRS duration and morphology in the association with clinical and echocardiographic outcomes in a large cohort of CRT patients.

Methods:

A retrospective multicentre study was conducted in 1492 CRT patients. LBBB morphology, QRS duration, and QRS area in the baseline 12-lead ECG were evaluated for their association with the occurrence of the combined primary end point of all-cause mortality, cardiac transplantation, and left ventricular assist device implantation. Secondary end points were heart failure hospitalization within the first year after implantation and echocardiographic reduction in left ventricular end-systolic volume.

Results:

During a mean follow-up period of 3.4 years, 32% of patients reached the primary end point. The association of QRS area with all outcomes was stronger than that of LBBB morphology and QRS duration separately and at least as strong as their combination. QRS area identified patients who did not experience the primary end point better than QRS morphology and QRS duration (area under the curve, 0.61 versus 0.55 and 0.51, respectively;
P
<0.001). Furthermore, QRS area identifies patients with echocardiographic remodeling in response to CRT better than QRS morphology and duration (area under the curve, 0.69 versus 0.58 and 0.58, respectively;
P
<0.001). QRS area was the only independent electrocardiographic determinant associated with the primary end point; hazard ratio, 0.50 (0.35–0.71). Furthermore, QRS area showed significant association with outcomes in both patients with and without LBBB and QRS ≥150 ms.

Conclusions:

QRS area has a strong association to clinical and echocardiographic response to CRT, at least as strong as current patient selection parameters. QRS area may be particularly useful to predict CRT response in patients without a wide LBBB.
The genus Mycena (Basidiomycota, Agaricales, Mycenaceae) and allied genera from Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, West Africa
Authors: COOPER ALEXANDRA C. , DESJARDIN DENNIS E. , PERRY BRIAN A.
Published: December 2018

Limited research has been published on the mushroom-forming basidiomycetous fungi of the oceanic islands São Tomé and Príncipe, West Africa. Based on field work in April 2006 and 2008, which generated 24 specimens of mycenoid fungi, we recognize 14 species of Mycena, and 5 species belonging to the allied genera Clitocybula, Filoboletus, Hydropus and “Trogia”. Of these, 9 species are recognized herein as new to science, viz., Mycena antennae, M. brunneoviolacea, M. longinqua, M. oboensis, M. phaeonox, M. solis, Clitocybula intervenosa, Hydropus globosporus, and H. murinus; an additional 10 species are new distribution reports for São Tomé and Príncipe. Species delimitations are based on comprehensive morphological descriptions and molecular sequence (nLSU, ITS) data. Line drawings of salient micromorphological features, colour photographs of basidiomata, comparisons with allied taxa, a key to aid in identification, and phylogenetic inferences are provided.
Taxonomic remarks on Pseudosempervivum (Brassicaceae)
Authors: ÖZÜDOĞRU BARIŞ , GERMAN DMITRY A.
Published: December 2018

The status of three names related to the genus Pseudosempervivum is reconsidered. As a result, Noccaea crassiuscula and Pseudosempervivum amanum are reduced to synonymy of P. sempervivum while P. gurulkanii is found conspecific with N. venusta. Problems in delimitation of P. sempervivum and P. aucheri are also briefly considered. The name Cochlearia sempervivum is lectotypified.
Gyrodactylus jarocho sp. nov. and Gyrodactylus xalapensis sp. nov. (Platyhelminthes: Monogenea) from Mexican poeciliids (Teleostei: Cyprinodontiformes), with comments on the known gyrodactylid fauna infecting poeciliid fish
Authors: RUBIO-GODOY MIGUEL , PALADINI GIUSEPPE , GARCÍA-VÁSQUEZ ADRIANA , SHINN ANDREW P.
Published: December 2018

Poeciliid fish have been dispersed worldwide with the ornamental fish trade and as part of mosquito control programmes, and with them their gyrodactylid parasites. Due to the easy maintenance and reproduction in aquaria of both poeciliid fish hosts and gyrodactylid parasites, several ecological, epidemiological and parasitological studies have been made with them. To date, nine species of Gyrodactylus are known to infect poeciliid fish: Gyrodactylus bullatarudis Turnbull, 1956, Gyrodactylus costaricensis Kritsky & Fritts, 1970, Gyrodactylus cytophagus Paperna, 1968, Gyrodactylus gambusiae Rogers & Wellborn, 1965, Gyrodactylus milleri Harris & Cable, 2000, Gyrodactylus pictae Cable, van Oosterhout, Barson & Harris, 2005, Gyrodactylus poeciliae Harris & Cable, 2000, Gyrodactylus rasini Lucký, 1973, and Gyrodactylus turnbulli Harris, 1986. We describe two new gyrodactylid species from wild Mexican poeciliid fish collected within their native distribution ranges: Gyrodactylus jarocho sp. nov. from Xiphophorus hellerii Heckel and Gyrodactylus xalapensis sp. nov. from Heterandria bimaculata Heckel, the first gyrodactylid to be described from this host. We also present a new host and locality record for G. bullatarudis, which was found on Poecilia mexicana Steindachner. Mexican samples were compared with museum specimens of all known gyrodactylids from poeciliid hosts, which were subjected to morphometric analysis. Both new species were clearly separated from all other known gyrodactylids infecting poeciliid fish in principal components analyses (PCA). Marginal hook sickle morphology is the key to the separation and discrimination of all the gyrodactylids parasitizing poeciliids, and we provide graphical and morphological data to distinguish between the eleven described gyrodactylid species from poeciliid hosts; we hope this proves a practical tool to discriminate between these otherwise morphologically similar parasites. Finally, we present a re-description of the marginal hooks of G. milleri, because re-examination of the holotype demonstrated the presence of three differently-shaped marginal hook sickles. This is the second known species of Gyrodactylus to have noticeably differently-shaped and sized marginal hooks.
The cicada fauna of Pakistan including the description of four new species (Hemiptera: Cicadoidea: Cicadidae)
Authors: AHMED ZUBAIR , SANBORN ALLEN F.
Published: December 2018

The first faunal analysis of the cicadas of Pakistan is provided. Field work and museum study has added significantly to the known cicada fauna of Pakistan. Literature records provide evidence for 18 species inhabiting what is currently Pakistan. The first records of Platypleura basialba (Walker), Platypleura mackinnoni Distant, Cicadatra persica Kirkaldy, Cicadatra xantes (Walker), Meimuna velitaris (Distant), Haphsa nicomache (Walker), and Paharia putoni (Distant) are provided. Psalmocharias balochii sp. n., Psalmocharias chitralensis sp. n., Psalmocharias gizarensis sp. n. and Psalmocharias japokensis sp. n. are described as new. These are the first records of members of the genera Meimuna Distant and Haphsa Distant in Pakistan. The new records and new species represent a 61% increase in faunal diversity. The cicada fauna of Pakistan now comprises of a total of 29 species from 13 genera, five tribes and three subfamilies. These data provide a more accurate understanding of cicada diversity at the junction of the Oriental and Palaearctic regions.
Paralivatiella serrata, a new genus and new species of Eodelphacini from China, with a redescription of Prolivatis Emeljanov (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Delphacidae)
Authors: QIN DAO-ZHENG , ZHANG YA-LIN
Published: December 2018

Paralivatiella gen. nov., is described from China with P. serrata sp. nov. as the type species. It is placed in the delphacid tribe Eodelphacini of the subfamily Ugyopinae. Prolivatis gorochovi Emeljanov is recorded for the first time from China. The latter species is redescribed and illustrated. A checklist of Eodelphacini of the world and a key to all genera of this tribe is also provided.
Revision of Benedeniella Johnston, 1929 (Monogenea: Capsalidae), its assignment to Entobdellinae Bychowsky, 1957 and comments on subfamilial composition
Authors: WHITTINGTON IAN D.
Published: December 2018

Benedeniella macrocolpa (Lühe, 1906) Yamaguti, 1963 is redescribed from new material collected from ventral skin surfaces of the Australian cownose ray, Rhinoptera neglecta Ogilby (Elasmobranchii: Myliobatidae) from waters in Moreton Bay and from captive rays in a public display aquarium in Townsville, from R. cf. neglecta and Rhinoptera sp. from Weipa, Queensland, Australia and from R. javanica Müller & Henle caught in the Arabian Gulf north of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Benedeniella posterocolpa (Hargis, 1955) Yamaguti, 1963 is redescribed from new specimens collected from the cownose ray, R. bonasus (Mitchill) (Myliobatidae) from several localities in the Gulf of Mexico and in the Chesapeake Bay region of the south-eastern and eastern USA, respectively. Detailed anatomical redescriptions demonstrate that each Benedeniella species share several dorsal structures (paired anterior horns, excretory papillae and posterior conical structures at the junction of the body with the haptor), anterolateral grooves on the ventral surface of each anterior attachment organ, a similar route for tendons associated mostly with the accessory sclerites and the anterior hamuli and a long vagina. The different path of the vagina and the position of the vaginal pore are the simplest characters to discriminate the two species. Benedeniella unnithani Gupta & Chanana, 1976 from the gills of a Caranx sp. (Teleostei: Perciformes: Carangidae) off Kavaratti, Laccadive Islands, Arabian Sea, India is considered a species incertae sedis. Morphological parallels are identified, in particular concerning the anterior attachment organs of species in Benedeniella, Branchobdella Kearn, Whittington & Evans-Gowing, 2007, Entobdella Blainville in Lamarck, 1818, Neoentobdella Kearn & Whittington, 2005 and Pseudoentobdella Yamaguti, 1963. Of these entobdelline genera, species in three of them parasitise principally the skin of elasmobranch rays (Dasyatidae; Myliobatidae; Rhinobatidae); only species in Branchobdella and Entobdella parasitise flatfish teleosts (Paralichthyidae; Pleuronectidae; Soleidae). On the basis of the redescriptions presented here plus morphological similarities, host associations and recently published molecular genetic data, Benedeniella is moved from the Benedeniinae Johnston, 1931 and the diagnosis for the Entobdellinae Bychowsky, 1957 is amended to unite Benedeniella, Branchobdella, Entobdella, Listrocephalos Bullard, Payne & Braswell, 2004, Neoentobdella and Pseudoentobdella. The affinities of species in a seventh capsalid genus, Trimusculotrema Whittington & Barton, 1990 (currently in Benedeniinae), are considered briefly based on morphology and host association and reassigned to the Entobdellinae.
Betadevario ramachandrani, a new danionine genus and species from the Western Ghats of India (Teleostei: Cyprinidae: Danioninae)
Authors: PRAMOD P. K. , FANG FANG , DEVI K. REMA , LIAO TE-YU , INDRA T. J. , BEEVI K. S. JAMEELA , KULLANDER SVEN O.
Published: December 2018

Betadevario, new genus, with the single species B. ramachandrani, new species, from Karnataka, southwestern India, is closely related to Devario but differs from it in having two pairs of long barbels (vs. two pairs of short or rudimentary barbels, or barbels absent), wider cleithral spot which extends to cover three scales horizontally (vs. covering only one scale in width), long and low laminar preorbital process (vs. absent or a slender pointed spine-like process) along the anterior margin of the orbit, a unique flank colour pattern with a wide dark band along the lower side, bordered dorsally by a wide light stripe (vs. vertical bars, or stripes narrow and usually in greater number).