bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MnOx-CeOx Nanoparticles Supported on Graphene Aerogel for Selective Catalytic Reduction of Nitric Oxides
Authors: Yao Zhuo , Guo Yuxiang , Yang Yujing , Huang Hong , Qu Dianli
Published: January 2019

Removal of nitric oxides (NOx) from stationary and transportation sources has been desired for environmental benefits. Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NOx by NH3 is attractive for its cost effectiveness and high efficiency but still technically challenging in consideration of operable temperatures. In this research, MnOx-CeOx hybrid nanoparticles supported on graphene aerogel (MnOx-CeOx/GA) are fabricated as the monolithic catalysts for potential applications to low-temperature SCR. The impacts of the particle size along with the amount and valency of catalytic elements in the nanocomposite on the catalytic activities are studied with the help of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The catalyst crystallites are a few tens of nanometers and uniformly disperse on the surface of three-dimensional (3D) directionally aligned hierarchical porous graphene aerogel (GA) networks. The novel nanocomposite catalysts exhibit over 90% NOx conversion rate in a broad temperature range (200–300°C). Addition of CeOx into the MnOx-GA catalysts significantly reduces the operational temperature at the same conversion rate. In addition to Mn4+ ions in the catalysts, the adsorbed oxygen species which can be increased by the presence of low-valence cerium contribute to high catalytic activities in the MnOx-CeOx/GA catalysts.
Lung Cancer Detection Using Image Segmentation by means of Various Evolutionary Algorithms
Authors: Senthil Kumar K. , Venkatalakshmi K. , Karthikeyan K.
Published: January 2019

The objective of this paper is to explore an expedient image segmentation algorithm for medical images to curtail the physicians’ interpretation of computer tomography (CT) scan images. Modern medical imaging modalities generate large images that are extremely grim to analyze manually. The consequences of segmentation algorithms rely on the exactitude and convergence time. At this moment, there is a compelling necessity to explore and implement new evolutionary algorithms to solve the problems associated with medical image segmentation. Lung cancer is the frequently diagnosed cancer across the world among men. Early detection of lung cancer navigates towards apposite treatment to save human lives. CT is one of the modest medical imaging methods to diagnose the lung cancer. In the present study, the performance of five optimization algorithms, namely, k-means clustering, k-median clustering, particle swarm optimization, inertia-weighted particle swarm optimization, and guaranteed convergence particle swarm optimization (GCPSO), to extract the tumor from the lung image has been implemented and analyzed. The performance of median, adaptive median, and average filters in the preprocessing stage was compared, and it was proved that the adaptive median filter is most suitable for medical CT images. Furthermore, the image contrast is enhanced by using adaptive histogram equalization. The preprocessed image with improved quality is subject to four algorithms. The practical results are verified for 20 sample images of the lung using MATLAB, and it was observed that the GCPSO has the highest accuracy of 95.89%.
Estrogenic Effect of the Extract of QingYan Formula on Reproductive Tissues in Immature Mice
Authors: Zhao Yuan , Zheng Hong-Xia , Xu Ying , Lin Na
Published: January 2019

A Chinese herbal preparation, QingYan formula (QYF), has been used clinically for kidney-invigorating. However, no evidence base links QYF to estrogen replacement therapy. In this study, the estrogenic effects of QingYan formula 70% ethanol extract (QYFE) were investigated in immature mice. Immature mice were treated with QYFE at doses of 1, 2, and 4g/kg for 7 days. QYFE treatments promoted vaginal cornification and prolonged the estrus status of the immature mice, promoted the growth and development of uterus and vagina, upregulated ERα and ERβ expression at protein level in uterus and vagina, increased the level of estradiol (E2), and decreased concentration of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in serum. This study demonstrated that QYFE exerts estrogenic effects by stimulating biosynthesis of estrogen and increasing estrogen receptors (ERs) in target tissues and provided an evidence base for QYFE treatment instead of estrogen replacement therapy.
The Effects of Safflower Yellow on Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Li Xiao-jin , Kang Yan , Wang Ru-rong , Liao Xue-lian , Ou Xiao-feng , Liu Jin , Zuo Yun-xia
Published: January 2019

Objectives. To evaluate the efficacy of safflower yellow in the acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). Methods. In a prospective, randomized, controlled trial, 127 patients who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled and were randomly divided into two groups. The control group included 64 patients treated according to the global strategy for diagnosis, management, and prevention of COPD (www.goldcopd.org, updated 2011). The intervention group included 63 patients who received intravenous infusions of safflower yellow (100 mg of safflower yellow dissolved in 250 ml 0.9% saline) once daily for 14 consecutive days in addition to standard diagnosis and treatment. The difference in the average length of the hospital stay between the two groups of patients was determined. The follow-up period was 28 days; the differences in symptoms, clinical indicators, and 28-day mortality in the two groups were compared. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 22.0 software to determine whether there were statistically significant differences (P <0.05) between groups. Results. There were no statistically significant differences between the intervention group and the control group in changes in secondary indicators. There were no statistically significant differences in the 28-day mortality or in the survival curves of the two groups (P=0.496 and P=0.075, respectively). Safflower yellow treatment of AECOPD may relieve the patient’s clinical symptoms, such as dyspnoea, shorten the average length of hospital stay (P=0.006, respectively), and decrease the duration of mechanical ventilation. Conclusion. Safflower yellow in the treatment of AECOPD has a degree of clinical value. This trial is registered under the identifier ChiCTR-IPR-17014176.
Cellular MRI Reveals Altered Brain Arrest of Genetically Engineered Metastatic Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Parkins Katie M. , Hamilton Amanda M. , Dubois Veronica P. , Wong Suzanne M. , Foster Paula J. , Ronald John A.
Published: January 2019

Purpose. The combined use of anatomical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cellular MRI, and bioluminescence imaging (BLI) allows for sensitive and improved monitoring of brain metastasis in preclinical cancer models. By using these complementary technologies, we can acquire measurements of viable single cell arrest in the brain after systemic administration, the clearance and/or retention of these cells thereafter, the growth into overt tumours, and quantification of tumour volume and relative cancer cell viability over time. While BLI is very useful in measuring cell viability, some considerations have been reported using cells engineered with luciferase such as increased tumour volume variation, changes in pattern of metastatic disease, and inhibition of in vivo tumour growth. Procedures. Here, we apply cellular and anatomical MRI to evaluate in vivo growth differences between iron oxide labeled naïve (4T1BR5) and luciferase-expressing (4T1BR5-FLuc-GFP) murine brain-seeking breast cancer cells. Balb/C mice received an intracardiac injection of 20,000 cells and were imaged with MRI on days 0 and 14. Mice that received 4T1BR5-FLuc-GFP cells were also imaged with BLI on days 0 and 14. Results. The number of signal voids in the brain (representing iron-labeled cancer cells) on day 0 was significantly higher in mice receiving 4T1BR5 cells compared to mice receiving 4T1BR5-FLuc-GFP cells (p<0.0001). Mice that received 4T1BR5 cells also had significantly higher total brain tumour burden and number of brain metastases than mice that received 4T1BR5-FLuc-GFP cells (p<0.0001). Conclusions. By employing highly sensitive cellular MRI tools, we demonstrate that engineered cells did not form tumours as well as their naïve counterparts, which appear to primarily be due to a reduction in cell arrest. These results indicate that engineering cancer cells with reporter genes may alter their tropism towards particular organs and highlight another important consideration for research groups that use reporter gene imaging to track metastatic cancer cell fate in vivo.
Antioxidants: Scientific Literature Landscape Analysis
Authors: Yeung Andy Wai Kan , Tzvetkov Nikolay T. , El-Tawil Osama S. , Bungǎu Simona G. , Abdel-Daim Mohamed M. , Atanasov Atanas G.
Published: January 2019

Antioxidants are abundant in natural dietary sources, and the consumption of antioxidants has a lot of potential health benefits. However, there has been no literature analysis on this topic to evaluate its scientific impact in terms of citations. This study is aimed at identifying and analysing the antioxidant publications in the existing scientific literature. In this context, a literature search was performed with the Web of Science database. Full records and cited references of the 299,602 identified manuscripts were imported into VOSviewer for bibliometric analysis. Most of the manuscripts were published since 1991. The publications were mainly related to the categories biochemistry/molecular biology, food science technology, and pharmacology/pharmacy. These topics have been prolific since 1990 and before. Polymer science was prolific before, but its publication share declined in the recent two decades. Brazil, China, India, and South Korea have emerged as upcoming major contributors besides USA. Most prolific journals were Food Chemistry, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, Free Radical Biology and Medicine, and PLOS One. Clinical conditions with high citations included Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and Parkinson’s disease. Chemical terms and structures with high citations included alpha-tocopherol, anthocyanin, ascorbate, beta-carotene, carotenoid, curcumin, cysteine, flavonoid, flavonol, hydrogen peroxide, kaempferol, N-acetylcysteine, nitric oxide, phenolic acid, uric acid, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, and resveratrol. Citation patterns temporal analysis revealed a transition of the scientific interest from research focused on antioxidant vitamins and minerals into stronger attention focus on antioxidant phytochemicals (plant secondary metabolites).
CD38-Driven Mitochondrial Trafficking Promotes Bioenergetic Plasticity in Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Marlein Christopher R. , Piddock Rachel E. , Mistry Jayna J. , Zaitseva Lyubov , Hellmich Charlotte , Horton Rebecca H. , Zhou Zhigang , Auger Martin J. , Bowles Kristian M. , Rushworth Stuart A.
Published: January 2019

Metabolic adjustments are necessary for the initiation, proliferation, and spread of cancer cells. Although mitochondria have been shown to move to cancer cells from their microenvironment, the metabolic consequences of this phenomenon have yet to be fully elucidated. Here, we report that multiple myeloma cells use mitochondrial-based metabolism as well as glycolysis when located within the bone marrow microenvironment. The reliance of multiple myeloma cells on oxidative phosphorylation was caused by intercellular mitochondrial transfer to multiple myeloma cells from neighboring nonmalignant bone marrow stromal cells. This mitochondrial transfer occurred through tumor-derived tunneling nanotubes (TNT). Moreover, shRNA-mediated knockdown of CD38 inhibits mitochondrial transfer and TNT formation in vitro and blocks mitochondrial transfer and improves animal survival in vivo. This study describes a potential treatment strategy to inhibit mitochondrial transfer for clinical benefit and scientifically expands the understanding of the functional effects of mitochondrial transfer on tumor metabolism.

Significance:

Multiple myeloma relies on both oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis following acquisition of mitochondria from its bone marrow microenvironment.

See related commentary by Boise and Shanmugam, p. 2102
p53-Suppressed Oncogene TET1 Prevents Cellular Aging in Lung Cancer
Authors: Filipczak Piotr T. , Leng Shuguang , Tellez Carmen S. , Do Kieu C. , Grimes Marcie J. , Thomas Cynthia L. , Walton-Filipczak Stephanie R. , Picchi Maria A. , Belinsky Steven A.
Published: January 2019

The role of transcriptional regulator ten-eleven translocation methylcytosine dioxygenease 1 (TET1) has not been well characterized in lung cancer. Here we show that TET1 is overexpressed in adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinomas. TET1 knockdown reduced cell growth in vitro and in vivo and induced transcriptome reprogramming independent of its demethylating activity to affect key cancer signaling pathways. Wild-type p53 bound the TET1 promoter to suppress transcription, while p53 transversion mutations were most strongly associated with high TET1 expression. Knockdown of TET1 in p53-mutant cell lines induced senescence through a program involving generalized genomic instability manifested by DNA single- and double-strand breaks and induction of p21 that was synergistic with cisplatin and doxorubicin. These data identify TET1 as an oncogene in lung cancer whose gain of function via loss of p53 may be exploited through targeted therapy–induced senescence.

Significance:

These studies identify TET1 as an oncogene in lung cancer whose gain of function following loss of p53 may be exploited by targeted therapy–induced senescence.

See related commentary by Kondo, p. 1751
HER2 CAR-T Cells Eradicate Uveal Melanoma and T-cell Therapy–Resistant Human Melanoma in IL2 Transgenic NOD/SCID IL2 Receptor Knockout Mice
Authors: Forsberg Elin M.V. , Lindberg Mattias F. , Jespersen Henrik , Alsén Samuel , Bagge Roger Olofsson , Donia Marco , Svane Inge Marie , Nilsson Ola , Ny Lars , Nilsson Lisa M. , Nilsson Jonas A.
Published: January 2019

Chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) can transmit signals akin to those from activated T-cell receptors when bound to a cell surface target. CAR-expressing T cells against CD19 can cause curative effects in leukemia and lymphoma and is approved for clinical use. However, no CAR-T therapy is currently approved for use in solid tumors. We hypothesize that the resistance of solid tumors to CAR-T can be overcome by similar means as those used to reactivate tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes (TIL), for example, by cytokines or immune checkpoint blockade. Here we demonstrate that CAR-T cells directed against HER2 can kill uveal and cutaneous melanoma cells in vitro and in vivo. Curative effects in vivo were only observed in xenografts grown in a NOD/SCID IL2 receptor gamma (NOG) knockout mouse strain transgenic for human IL2. The effect was target-specific, as CRISPR/Cas9-mediated disruption of HER2 in the melanoma cells abrogated the killing effect of the CAR-T cells. The CAR–T cells were also able to kill melanoma cells from patients resistant to adoptive T-cell transfer (ACT) of autologous TILs. Thus, CAR-T therapy represents an option for patients that do not respond to immunotherapy with ACT of TIL or immune checkpoint blockade. In addition, our data highlight the use of IL2 transgenic NOG mice as models to prove efficacy of CAR-T-cell products, possibly even in a personalized manner.

Significance:

These findings demonstrate that a novel humanized mouse model can help clinical translation of CAR-T cells against uveal and cutaneous melanoma that do not respond to TIL therapy or immune checkpoint blockade.
Developing Allogeneic Double-Negative T Cells as a Novel Off-the-Shelf Adoptive Cellular Therapy for Cancer
Authors: Lee Jong Bok , Kang Hyeonjeong , Fang Linan , D'Souza Cheryl , Adeyi Oyedele , Zhang Li
Published: January 2019

Purpose:

To expand clinical-grade healthy donor-derived double-negative T cells (DNT) to a therapeutically relevant number and characterize their potential to be used as an “off-the-shelf” adoptive cellular therapy (ACT) against cancers.

Experimental Design:

We developed methods to expand DNTs under GMP conditions and characterized their surface molecule expression pattern using flow cytometry–based high-throughput screening. We investigated the off-the-shelf potential of clinical-grade DNTs by assessing their cytotoxicity against various cancer types and their off-tumor toxicity in vitro and in xenograft models and determining the effect of cryopreservation under GMP conditions on cell viability and cytotoxicity. Further, we determined the susceptibility of DNTs to conventional allogeneic T cells in vitro and in vivo.

Results:

Clinical-grade DNTs expanded 1,558 ± 795.5-fold in 17 days with >90% purity. Expanded DNTs showed potent in vitro cytotoxic activity against various cancer types in a donor-unrestricted manner. DNTs enhanced the survival of mice infused with a lethal dose of EBV-LCL and significantly reduced leukemia engraftment in xenograft models. Expanded DNTs cryopreserved using GMP-compliant reagents maintained viability and anticancer functions for at least 600 days. Live allogeneic DNTs did not induce cytotoxicity of alloreactive CD8+ T cells in vitro, and coinfusion of DNTs with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from a different donor into mice resulted in coengraftment of DNTs and PBMC-derived allogeneic conventional T cells in the absence of cytotoxicity toward DNTs, suggesting the lack of host-versus-graft reaction.

Conclusions:

We have established a method to generate therapeutic numbers of clinical-grade DNTs that fulfill the requirements of an off-the-shelf ACT.
Brentuximab Vedotin plus Chemotherapy in North American Subjects with Newly Diagnosed Stage III or IV Hodgkin Lymphoma
Authors: Ramchandren Radhakrishnan , Advani Ranjana H. , Ansell Stephen M. , Bartlett Nancy L. , Chen Robert , Connors Joseph M. , Feldman Tatyana , Forero-Torres Andres , Friedberg Jonathan W. , Gopal Ajay K. , Gordon Leo I. , Kuruvilla John , Savage Kerry J. , Younes Anas , Engley Gerald , Manley Thomas J. , Fenton Keenan , Straus David J.
Published: January 2019

Purpose:

To evaluate safety and efficacy outcomes for subjects on the ECHELON-1 study treated in North America (NA).

Patients and Methods:

ECHELON-1 is a global, open-label, randomized phase III study comparing doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine in combination with brentuximab vedotin (A+AVD) versus ABVD (AVD + bleomycin) as first-line therapy in subjects with stage III or IV classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL; NCT01712490). Subjects were randomized 1:1 to receive A+AVD or ABVD intravenously on days 1 and 15 of each 28-day cycle for up to 6 cycles.

Results:

The NA subgroup consisted of 497 subjects in the A+AVD (n = 250) and ABVD (n = 247) arms. Similar to the primary analysis based on the intent-to-treat population, the primary endpoint [modified progression-free survival (PFS) per independent review] demonstrated an improvement among subjects who received A+AVD compared with ABVD (HR = 0.60; P = 0.012). For PFS, the risk of progression or death was also reduced (HR = 0.50; P = 0.002). Subsequent anticancer therapies were lower in the A+AVD arm. Grade 3 or 4 adverse events (AEs) were more common, but there were fewer study discontinuations due to AEs in the A+AVD arm as compared with ABVD. Noted differences between arms included higher rates of febrile neutropenia (20% vs. 9%) and peripheral neuropathy (80% vs. 56%), but lower rates of pulmonary toxicity (3% vs. 10%) in subjects treated with A+AVD versus ABVD.

Conclusions:

The efficacy benefit and manageable toxicity profile observed in the NA subgroup of ECHELON-1 support A+AVD as a frontline treatment option for patients with stage III or IV cHL.
Multiplex Quantitative Analysis of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes and Immunotherapy Outcome in Metastatic Melanoma
Authors: Wong Pok Fai , Wei Wei , Smithy James W. , Acs Balazs , Toki Maria I. , Blenman Kim R.M. , Zelterman Daniel , Kluger Harriet M. , Rimm David L.
Published: January 2019

Purpose:

Because durable response to programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) inhibition is limited to a subset of melanoma patients, new predictive biomarkers could have clinical utility. We hypothesize that pretreatment tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) profiles could be associated with response.

Experimental Design:

Pretreatment whole tissue sections from 94 melanoma patients treated with anti–PD-1 therapy were profiled by multiplex immunofluorescence to perform TIL quantification (CD4, CD8, CD20) and assess TIL activation (CD3, GZMB, Ki67). Two independent image analysis technologies were used: inForm (PerkinElmer) to determine cell counts, and AQUA to measure protein by quantitative immunofluorescence (QIF). TIL parameters by both methodologies were correlated with objective response or disease control rate (ORR/DCR) by RECIST 1.1 and survival outcome.

Results:

Pretreatment lymphocytic infiltration, by cell counts or QIF, was significantly higher in complete or partial response than in stable or progressive disease, particularly for CD8 (P < 0.0001). Neither TIL activation nor dormancy was associated with outcome. CD8 associations with progression-free survival (HR > 3) were independently significant in multivariable analyses and accounted for similar CD3 associations in anti–PD-1-treated patients. CD8 was not associated with melanoma prognosis in the absence of immunotherapy. Predictive performance of CD8 cell count (and QIF) had an area under the ROC curve above 0.75 (ORR/DCR), which reached 0.83 for ipilimumab plus nivolumab.

Conclusions:

Pretreatment lymphocytic infiltration is associated with anti–PD-1 response in metastatic melanoma. Quantitative TIL analysis has potential for application in digital precision immuno-oncology as an “indicative” companion diagnostic.
Integrated Molecular Analysis of Undifferentiated Uterine Sarcomas Reveals Clinically Relevant Molecular Subtypes
Authors: Binzer-Panchal Amrei , Hardell Elin , Viklund Björn , Ghaderi Mehran , Bosse Tjalling , Nucci Marisa R. , Lee Cheng-Han , Hollfelder Nina , Corcoran Pádraic , Gonzalez-Molina Jordi , Moyano-Galceran Lidia , Bell Debra A. , Schoolmeester John K. , Måsbäck Anna , Kristensen Gunnar B. , Davidson Ben , Lehti Kaisa , Isaksson Anders , Carlson Joseph W.
Published: January 2019

Purpose:

Undifferentiated uterine sarcomas (UUS) are rare, extremely deadly, sarcomas with no effective treatment. The goal of this study was to identify novel intrinsic molecular UUS subtypes using integrated clinical, histopathologic, and molecular evaluation of a large, fully annotated, patient cohort.

Experimental Design:

Fifty cases of UUS with full clinicopathologic annotation were analyzed for gene expression (n = 50), copy-number variation (CNV, n = 40), cell morphometry (n = 39), and protein expression (n = 22). Gene ontology and network enrichment analysis were used to relate over- and underexpressed genes to pathways and further to clinicopathologic and phenotypic findings.

Results:

Gene expression identified four distinct groups of tumors, which varied in their clinicopathologic parameters. Gene ontology analysis revealed differential activation of pathways related to genital tract development, extracellular matrix (ECM), muscle function, and proliferation. A multivariable, adjusted Cox proportional hazard model demonstrated that RNA group, mitotic index, and hormone receptor expression influence patient overall survival (OS). CNV arrays revealed characteristic chromosomal changes for each group. Morphometry demonstrated that the ECM group, the most aggressive, exhibited a decreased cell density and increased nuclear area. A cell density cutoff of 4,300 tumor cells per mm2 could separate ECM tumors from the remaining cases with a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 94%. IHC staining of MMP-14, Collagens 1 and 6, and Fibronectin proteins revealed differential expression of these ECM-related proteins, identifying potential new biomarkers for this aggressive sarcoma subgroup.

Conclusions:

Molecular evaluation of UUS provides novel insights into the biology, prognosis, phenotype, and possible treatment of these tumors.
Reserve of Right Ventricular-Arterial Coupling in the Setting of Chronic Overload
Authors: Tello Khodr , Dalmer Antonia , Axmann Jens , Vanderpool Rebecca , Ghofrani Hossein A. , Naeije Robert , Roller Fritz , Seeger Werner , Sommer Natascha , Wilhelm Jochen , Gall Henning , Richter Manuel J.
Published: January 2019

Background:

Right ventricular (RV) maladaptation and failure determine outcome in pulmonary hypertension. The adaptation of RV function to loading (RV-pulmonary arterial coupling) is defined by a ratio of end-systolic to arterial elastances (Ees/Ea). How RV-pulmonary arterial coupling relates to pulmonary hypertension severity and onset of RV failure (defined by excessive volume increase and ejection fraction [EF] decrease) is not exactly known.

Methods and Results:

We performed cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging within 24 hours of a diagnostic right heart catheterization and invasive measurement of RV pressure-volume loops in 42 patients with pulmonary hypertension. Median (interquartile range) Ees and Ea were 0.49 (0.35–0.74) and 0.74 (0.45–1.04) mm Hg/mL, respectively; Ees/Ea was 0.73 (0.47–1.07). End-diastolic elastance (Eed) was 0.14 (0.06–0.24) mm Hg/mL. RV EF was 39±13%. End-systolic volume and end-diastolic volume/body surface area (BSA) were 62 (45–101) and 104 (83–143) mL/m
2
, respectively. Ees/Ea decreased with increasing RV end-diastolic volume/BSA, mass/BSA, and pulmonary arterial stiffness, and with decreasing EF, from 0.89 to 1.09 in the least impaired tertiles to 0.55 to 0.61 in the most impaired tertiles. Eed increased with increasing RV mass/BSA, end-diastolic volume/BSA, and T1 mapping and with decreasing EF. Receiver operating characteristic analysis identified an Ees/Ea cutoff of 0.805 associated with onset of RV failure defined by increased RV volumes with EF <35%.

Conclusions:

RV-pulmonary arterial coupling (Ees/Ea) has considerable reserve, from normal values of 1.5–2 to <0.8, and has the ability to detect pending RV failure in patients with pulmonary hypertension.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT03403868.
Cymbidium yunnanensis: a new orchid species (Orchidaceae; Epidendroideae) from China based on morphological and molecular evidence

Authors: ZHANG GUO-QIANG , CHEN GUI-ZHEN , CHEN LI-JUN , LAN SI-REN
Published: January 2019

A new orchid species, Cymbidium yunnanensis (Orchidaceae; Epidendroideae; Cymbidieae), from Yunnan Province, China, is described and illustrated. Based on morphological and molecular analyses, we demonstrate that this new species is similar to C. floribundum, but it differs in its smaller size, leaves 5–15 cm, shorter scape, white flowers with pale purplish markings on its sepals and petals, lip with purplish red blotch, petals narrowly falcate oblong and lip midlobe nearly round with column foot 1.5–2.0 mm long. Phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear ribosomal ITS and plastid (matK, rbcL) DNA sequence data support C. yunnanensis as a new species.
Tomicus armandii Li & Zhang (Curculionidae, Scolytinae), a new pine shoot borer from China
Authors: LI XIA , ZHANG ZHEN , WANG HONGBIN , WU WEI , CAO PENG , ZHANG PEIYI
Published: January 2019

We describe a new species of forest bark beetle, Tomicus armandii Li & Zhang, collected from Pinus armandii in Yunnan, China. We used the D2 fragment of 28S rDNA to improve the taxonomy of Tomicus. The new species can easily be distinguished from the other Tomicus species using the following two morphological characters: punctures of interstria 2 on declivity appearing evenly biseriate or triseriate; erect interstrial setae on the declivity short, about 0.5× as long as distance between striae. The genetic distances of 28S rDNA measured between T. armandii and other species of Tomicus are similar to the distances between other Tomicus species, and these are much higher than intraspecific distances. The phylogenetic analysis of 28S rDNA agrees with the groupings obtained from morphological identification. DNA analysis has commonly been used in Tomicus taxonomy and is helpful for resolving taxon identification problems.
A revision of the rugulosus group of Otostigmus subgenus Otostigmus Porat, 1876 (Chilopoda: Scolopendromorpha: Scolopendridae)
Authors: LEWIS JOHN G. E.
Published: January 2019

To facilitate a revision of Otostigmus (Otostigmus) which currently comprises 61 species, the subgenus is here subdivided into nine species groups based on Attems’ (1930a) monograph. The largest, the rugulosus group, is the subject of this paper. In most cases, the type material is redescribed and variation discussed. The following species are valid: Otostigmus rugulosus Porat, 1876, O. spinosus Porat, 1876, O. astenus (Kohlrausch, 1881), O. punctiventer (Tömösváry, 1885) (lectotype designated), O. olivaceus Attems, 1934, O. noduliger Verhoeff, 1937 (lectotype designated), O. angusticeps schindleri Würmli, 1972, O. martensi Lewis, 1992, and O. beroni Lewis, 2001. O. feae Pocock, 1891, O. fossuliger Verhoeff, 1937 and O. rugulosus striaturatus Verhoeff, 1937 are retained as valid but more data are required to establish their true status. Reasons for previous confusion between O. rugulosus and O. scaber Porat, 1876 are discussed as are reasons for specimens of O. astenus being identified as O. punctiventer and some O. punctiventer as O. spinosus. A lectotype is designated for Otostigmus armatus Attems, 1958 which is a junior subjective synonym of O. multidens Haase, 1887. Otostigmus owenii Pocock, 1892, is a junior subjective synonym of O. rugulosus and O. lewisi Song et al., 2005 a junior subjective synonym of O. beroni. Otostigmus rugulosus var. mertoni Ribaut, 1912, O. celebensis Attems, 1934, and O. dammermani Chamberlin, 1944, are nomina dubia. A key to the species is provided.
Larval development of the shrimp Hippolyte sapphica d’Udekem d’Acoz, 1993 forma A and B (Decapoda: Caridea: Hippolytidae) reared in the laboratory, confirmation of the conspecific status of the two forms
Authors: NTAKIS ALEXANDROS , ANASTASIADOU CHRYSSA , LIASKO ROMAN , LEONARDOS IOANNIS D.
Published: January 2019

The complete series of larval staging of Hippolyte sapphica d’Udekem d’Acoz, 1993 forma A and B from Louros estuary was studied in the laboratory and described in detail for the first time. The reared larvae of H. sapphica passed through six zoeal stages and one megalopal stage. The larval monitoring completed when the individuals could be assigned clearly to form A and B via rostra formation. Under the experimental conditions, the average durations of the larval stages were as follows: three days for 1 st and 2 nd stages, three to four days for 3 rd , 4 th , 5 th and 6 th stages, four days for the megalopal stage and 19 to 30 days for immature form A and B individuals. Comparison of the larval morphological characters among the described material and the bibliographic data of closely related species was made and discussed. The offspring of females of the forma A includes forma A and B and the same can be said of the offspring of the forma B. This confirms that the formae A and B are indeed conspecific.
Casuarinicola, a new genus of jumping plant lice (Hemiptera: Triozidae) from Casuarina (Casuarinaceae)
Authors: TAYLOR GARY S. , AUSTIN ANDY D. , JENNINGS JOHN T. , PURCELL MATTHEW F. , WHEELER GREGORY S.
Published: January 2019

A new genus, Casuarinicola Taylor gen. nov., comprising five new species of jumping plant lice (Hemiptera: Triozidae) from Casuarina s.s. (Casuarinaceae) from Australia and New Caledonia, is described. New species are: C. australis Taylor sp. nov., C. nigrimaculatus Taylor sp. nov., C. mucronalatus Taylor sp. nov., C. novacaledonica Taylor sp. nov. and C. warrigalensis Taylor sp. nov. The genus is characterised by the following combination of characters: antenna short, 1.1–1.5 times width of head, genal processes short, conical, 0.2–0.5 times length of vertex, fore wing with broadly rounded to subangular apex, mottled with dark markings (in females of most species) or clear (in males of most species), male proctiger short, with broad lateral expansions, parameres simple, and female proctiger short, broadly rounded, pointed apically and with a pair of broad, flange-shaped lateral lobes. A key to species is provided, together with notes on host associations and distribution.
Description of a new species of Pikelinia (Araneae: Filistatidae) from Brazil, with notes on its ecology
Authors: LISE ARNO A. , FERREIRA ANA CARLA K. , DA SILVA ESTEVAM L. CRUZ
Published: January 2019

Pikelinia arenicola sp. n. is described from a "restinga" ecosystem near Lagoa dos Patos, Rio Grande do Sul. It is the first member of the genus recorded from Brasil. Males of P. arenicola sp. n. resemble those of P. tambilloi but differ in having a larger palpal tibia, a differently shaped bulbus apex and a projection on the ventral face of the tarsus. Females can be distinguished from congeners by the shape of the epigastric flap. Ecological notes on the new species are provided.
Asthma Medication Prescribing Practices in Pediatric Office Visits
Authors: Rege Sanika , Kavati Abhishek , Ortiz Benjamin , Mosnaim Giselle , Cabana Michael D. , Murphy Kevin , Aparasu Rajender R.
Published: January 2019

This cross-sectional study examined how asthma control, demographic, and clinical characteristics are associated with the use of asthma medications in pediatric office visits in the United States. Data from the 2012-2015 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey included patients aged 6 to 17 years, with asthma as a primary diagnosis (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification, code 493.xx). Descriptive weighted analysis evaluated asthma medication use. Multivariable logistic regression examined characteristics associated with asthma prescribing practices. An estimated 2.5 million pediatric office visits were made annually for asthma. The majority of asthma visits involved males (59.3%), children aged 6 to 11 years (54.8%), and whites (73.6%). Several clinical and demographic characteristics contributed to the variations in overall asthma medication use as well as specific drug classes. Lack of documentation of asthma control and uncontrolled asthma were associated with oral corticosteroid and inhaled corticosteroid use in pediatric asthma patients, but not with overall asthma medication use.
Culturally Relevant Leadership: Advancing Critical Consciousness in American Muslim Students
Authors: Ezzani Miriam , Brooks Melanie
Published: January 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore how leaders in an Islamic school in the United States engaged in culturally relevant leadership (CRL) within a diverse school community to develop students’ critical social consciousness. Research Design: Data were collected over 4 years at an Islamic K-8 school in the United States and included the following: 12 in-depth semistructured interviews with school and community leaders; 4 phone interviews; 7 focus group interviews with teachers, students, and parents; 5 observations of classroom and school events; and documents from the Islamic center, school, and classrooms. Data specific to the school leaders were analyzed using tenets of CRL. Findings and Conclusions: This article describes how Muslim and non-Muslim leaders in an Islamic school engaged in the tenets of CRL. This study suggests that the tenets of CRL, in this context, were grounded in inter and intrafaith dialogue, cultural syncretism, and a unique focus on the development of an American Muslim identity.
Predicting the Effect of a Predictor When Controlling for Baseline
Authors: Sorjonen Kimmo , Melin Bo , Ingre Michael
Published: January 2019

The present simulation study indicates that a method where the regression effect of a predictor (X) on an outcome at follow-up (Y1) is calculated while adjusting for the outcome at baseline (Y0) can give spurious findings, especially when there is a strong correlation between X and Y0 and when the test–retest correlation between Y0 and Y1 is relatively weak. Researchers wishing to avoid spurious findings and Type 1 errors should be aware of this phenomenon and are recommended to verify found effects by an unadjusted effect of X on the Y1–Y0 difference.
Revisiting the Income Inequality Hypothesis With 292 OECD Regional Units
Authors: Kim Ki-tae
Published: January 2019

The income inequality hypothesis on the relationship between income inequality and population health has been debated for decades Disagreement exists on the hypothesis because empirical findings have reached inconsistent conclusions. At the cross-national level, the limited number of industrialized nations has created a chronic small-N problem for statistical analyses of the hypothesis. The OECD regional database containing statistics of hundreds of regional units can provide a breakthrough and is used for the first time for multiple regression in this article. It is found that income inequality is a statistically significant determinant of all the health indicators analysed. The findings support the income inequality hypothesis. In addition, the impact of income inequality seems to be stronger on infant mortality than on old-age mortality. GDP per capita also statistically significantly influences both life expectancy and old-age mortality but not infant mortality.
Technology Change or Resistance to Changing Institutional Logics: The Rise and Fall of Digital Equipment Corporation
Authors: Lewis Michael S.
Published: January 2019

This article uses an institutional lens to analyze organizational failure. It does this through a historical case study of Digital Equipment Corporation, an innovator and market leader of minicomputers who faltered and eventually failed during the period of technological change brought on by the emergence of the personal computer. The failure of Digital Equipment Corporation is interesting because it occurred despite its ability to adapt to changing technological forces. An institutional analysis shows that while Digital Equipment Corporation was able to develop personal computers widely considered technologically superior to its competitors, it resisted broader changes occurring in its institutional context. This study suggests that responding to external forces of change, such as technology, may not be enough. An organization must determine if and how such change might lead to a shift in its institutional context and then develop strategies to address such change.
Some Animals of the Northern Hemisphere—(VI)
Authors: Gilman Clarabrl
Published: January 2019

Since the elk's antlers may fairly be considered typical, a fine pair are shown in the accompanying figure, to illustrate the different terms used in books on the chase. The browtine is the lowest branch, springing from the beam, or main stem of the antler, just above the burr, and curving gently downward toward the face. Next is the bez-tine, about the same size, but pointing to one side. Some distance above this is a third tine called the royal; while towering over all are the sur-royals.
Case study research and critical IR: the case for the extended case methodology
Authors: Lai Daniela , Roccu Roberto
Published: January 2019

Discussions on case study methodology in International Relations (IR) have historically been dominated by positivist and neopositivist approaches. However, these are problematic for critical IR research, pointing to the need for a non-positivist case study methodology. To address this issue, this article introduces and adapts the extended case methodology as a critical, reflexivist approach to case study research, whereby the case is constructed through a dynamic interaction with theory, rather than selected, and knowledge is produced through extensions rather than generalisation. Insofar as it seeks to study the world in complex and non-linear terms, take context and positionality seriously, and generate explicitly political and emancipatory knowledge, the extended case methodology is consistent with the ontological and epistemological commitments of several critical IR approaches. Its potential is illustrated in the final part of the article with reference to researching the socioeconomic dimension of transitional justice in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Human-in-the-loop energy flexibility integration on a neighbourhood level: Small and Big Data management
Authors: Zeiler Wim , Labeodan Timi
Published: January 2019

Modern buildings provide an enormous amount of data available from various sources ranging from modular wireless sensors to smart meters. As well as enhancing energy management and building performance, the analysis of these datasets can enhance the management of decentralized energy systems (electrical storage, PV generation, heat storage, etc.). To optimize the interaction between the building and the grid, it is essential to determine the total energy flexibility of the user and the building. A building has different possibilities for demand side management, energy storage and energy exchange for which a functional-layered approach is proposed from the user up to building and its interaction with the energy infrastructure. Central is the principle of the human-in-the-loop, where a bottom-up approach places the human needs as a central starting point for the energy interaction optimisation. The combination of Big Data with deep learning techniques offers new possibilities in the prediction of energy use and decentralized renewable energy production (e.g. from local weather data taking into account local phenomena such as urban heat islands). This combined with a more bottom-up approach of multi-agent systems with a gossip-based cooperative approach using Small Data offers decentralized control and monitoring autonomy to reduce the complexity of the energy system integration and transition. This makes it possible to relate the outcomes of the urban energy system integration on a neighbourhood level. The approach is being applied to a typically medium-sized office building. A first application of the human-in-the-loop controlling the lighting systems in the open-plan workplace of the test-bed office building showed some estimated annual energy saving of around 24%.

Practical application: Analysis of a large database containing so called Big Data of clusters of buildings seems promising. Therefor there is the need to study the potential impact of utilization of big building operational data in building services industry. Besides this there is also a need for a data mining-based method for analyzing massive building operational data of a specific building, Small Data. This work sets out a general framework and method for doing both and to combine the strength of both approaches. The presented combined approach and results will be of interest to engineers and facility managers wondering what the key constraints to optimal use data to optimize low energy/carbon control strategies might have within their work.
Creating epistemic access through a scaffold approach: Academic literacy skills development for South African first-year public administration students
Authors: van Dijk Gerda HG , Vivian Brenda A , Malan Lianne P
Published: January 2019

For higher education institutions to produce graduates capable of contributing to society and the economy in a productive manner, educational emphasis is placed on the development of critical thinking. The above necessitates that higher education institutions are able to engage in responsive curriculum design and delivery for enhanced student success and access. Public Administration programmes focus on equipping students to work within the broader government sector, able and capable of delivering public functions responsive to the needs of society. Literature suggests that there are a number of factors which influence the success ratio of any undergraduate programme in the South African context, including, inter alia, increased enrolments, student–staff ratios and the overall decline of professional and intellectual life in the country. Further complicating matters are classes too big to be participatory and crammed syllabi preventing in-depth discussions. The notion of embedding academic literacy development in curriculum design through a scaffolded approach aims to influence the academic performance of students through engaged and active learning in order to attain a higher level of achievement as well as benefit from the process of scaffolding. The research comprises a mixed method approach using a case study of the first-year students enrolled for a Public Administration degree. Data collected included an analysis of 2015, 2016 and 2017 student cohorts in: determining their academic literacy level upon registration (set as a baseline before any academic literacy intervention); tracking their academic performance through their formative and summative assessments (through a scaffolded approach); and reflecting upon their learning through their completion of a semi-structured survey. The research intends to argue that the use of a scaffolded approach to learning enhances epistemic access, which sees students moving beyond propositional, or foundation knowledge to epistemic or reflexive knowledge.
The Social Life and Emotional State of Adolescent Children of Parents who are Blind and Sighted: A Pilot Study
Authors: Duvdevany Ilana , Moin Victor , Yahav Rivka
Published: January 2019

This pilot study compared the development of two groups of adolescents—those whose parents were blind and those whose parents were sighted. It found that there were no essential differences between the groups. Moreover, the friendship relationships, feelings toward parents, and some essential characteristics of the adolescents’ emotional state were more positive among the adolescents whose parents were blind.
E-Learning and Blindness: A Comparative Study of the Quality of an E-Learning Experience
Authors: Evans Shirley , Douglas Graeme
Published: January 2019

This study compared the experiences of 10 participants who were blind and 10 participants who were sighted in working through an online learning task and explores the application of cognitive load theory. It considered the quality of the learning experience and the implications for practitioners.
The Development of Phonological Awareness by Braille Users: A Review of the Research
Authors: Monson Martin R. , Bowen Sandy K.
Published: January 2019

This article presents a review of research on the development of phonological awareness by braille readers. The review determined that the relationship between phonological awareness and braille is uncertain because of the lack of commonality among the studies, the extent of contradictory findings, and the small number of studies involving beginning braille readers.
Examining the Accessibility of a Computerized Adapted Test Using Assistive Technology
Authors: Kamei-Hannan Cheryl
Published: January 2019

This study examined the accessibility barriers of a computerized adapted test called the Measure of Academic Performance. The results showed that as magnification increased, time on the test increased and students required visual efficiency skills. Students who used refreshable braille displays were faced with several obstacles.
Acceptance of Dog Guides and Daily Stress Levels of Dog Guide Users and Nonusers
Authors: Matsunaka Kumiko , Koda Naoko
Published: January 2019

The degree of acceptance of dog guides at public facilities, which is required by law in Japan, was investigated, and evidence of rejection was found. Japanese people with visual impairments who used dog guides reported higher daily stress levels than did those who did not use dog guides.