bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leptospirosis acquisition following the reintroduction of wildlife
Authors: Gelling M. , Zochowski W. , Macdonald D. W. , Johnson A. , Palmer M. , Mathews F.
Published: October 2015

Potential risks posed to domestic animals and human beings by zoonotic diseases in reintroduced animals can reduce the acceptability of reintroductions. The authors investigated the role of endangered water voles, Arvicola amphibius, as a host for leptospirosis, a waterborne zoonosis affecting a range of mammals. Based on samples from 112 individuals from across the UK, a 6.2 per cent exposure rate was found (7 animals were microscopic agglutination test (MAT) positive for serum antibodies), with 4 of 11 sites having positive animals. No individual was actively excreting leptospires in urine (PCR urine test, 0 per cent positive). The acquisition of Leptospira species by a cohort of ‘clean’ captive‐bred voles reintroduced to one site in the wild was then examined. By four months postrelease the maximum exposure prevalence (by either MAT or culture) was 42.9 per cent. Thirty‐five per cent were actively excreting leptospires. The rapidity of leptospire acquisition and comparatively high prevalence of infectious individuals is notable, exceeding expectation based on wild voles. One possible explanation is a lack of immunocompetence in reintroduced voles. Analyses of haematological parameters from reintroduced voles suggest a link between prior condition and disease acquisition. There may be potential to select the fittest animals before release to maximise reintroduction success.
Inflation with non-minimally derivative coupling
Authors: Yang Nan , Gao Qing , Gong Yungui
Published: October 2015

We derive the second order correction to the scalar and tensor spectral tilts for the inflationary models with non-minimally derivative coupling. In the high friction limit, the quartic power law potential is consistent with the observational constraint at 95% CL because the amplitude of the primordial gravitational waves is smaller, and the inflaton excursion is sub-Planckian.
Recent progress on the positive energy theorem
Authors: Zhang Xiao
Published: October 2015

We give a short review of recent progress on the positive energy theorem in general relativity, especially for spacetimes with nonzero cosmological constant.
Induced gravitational collapse in FeCO Core–Neutron star binaries and Neutron star–Neutron star binary mergers
Authors: Ruffini R. , Aimuratov Y. , Bianco C. L. , Enderli M. , Kovacevic M. , Moradi R. , Muccino M. , Penacchioni A. V. , Pisani G. B. , Rueda J. A. , Wang Y.
Published: October 2015

We review the recent progress in understanding the nature of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). The occurrence of GRB is explained by the Induced Gravitational Collapse (IGC) in FeCO Core–Neutron star binaries and Neutron star–Neutron star binary mergers, both processes occur within binary system progenitors. Making use of this most unexpected new paradigm, with the fundamental implications by the neutron star (NS) critical mass, we find that different initial configurations of binary systems lead to different GRB families with specific new physical predictions confirmed by observations.
Scottish Middle Devonian fishes in Estonia
Authors: Newman Michael J. , Mark-Kurik Elga , Den Blaauwen Jan L. , Zupiņš Ivars
Published: October 2015

A number of Estonian Devonian fishes are shown to be junior synonyms of Scottish species. The Estonian sarcopterygian osteolepid
Gyroptychius pauli
was originally thought to be closely related to the Scottish species
Gyroptychius milleri
being differentiated by minor morphological differences of the skull roof. However, here we show that the only skull roof available of
G. pauli
to the original description (the holotype) was badly damaged in places. This and the fact that skull roofs of osteolepid fishes are morphologically highly variable has allowed us to compare the Estonian and Scottish species and show that
G. pauli
is a junior synonym of
G. milleri
. It has also been known for some time that Estonian coccosteid arthrodire
Coccosteus orvikui
was a junior synonym of the Scottish species
Coccosteus cuspidatus
. Here we present the evidence for this assumption and also show that the Scottish coccosteid arthrodire
Millerosteus minor
is almost certainly present in Estonia. Finally, it is shown that the three species have the same stratigraphical distribution in the two regions, strongly indicating a close faunal connection between the Middle Devonian of Estonia and the Middle Devonian Orcadian Basin of Scotland.
Petrographic characteristics of intrusive rocks as an evaluation tool of their technical properties
Authors: Johansson Eva , Miškovský Karel , Bergknut Magnus , Šachlová Šárka
Published: October 2015

The main petrographic variables of intrusive rocks that influence the technical test methods common used within the aggregate industry were identified and evaluated, the aim being to investigate whether petrographic description could be used as a tool for the preliminary quality evaluation of different rock groups. Evaluation of the dependence of the technical test methods on petrographic variables covered 26 intrusive rocks, including some of their altered varieties (orthogneisses), divided into two groups: 17 granitoids and 9 gabbroids. The selective designated samples were analysed to determine their petrographic characteristics and resistance to fragmentation, wear and wear by abrasion from studded tyres. In order to identify the complicated associations between the petrographic and technical properties, multivariate statistical evaluation was performed. The results of statistical evaluation highlighted that mean grain size of mica minerals, grain size distribution, content of mica minerals and mean grain size were the main variables influencing the technical properties of granitoid rocks, while for gabbroid rocks, the main influences were the frequency of microcracks, mica content, grain size distribution and mean grain size.
The Third Wave: The internet of things
Authors: Delic Kemal A.
Published: October 2015

We are witnessing these days the rise of always-on, connected devices, systems and environments. This might well represent the basis for the emerging digital economy. This symposium brings in diverse points of views trying to synthesize the most likely future of Internet of Things (IoT).
MPEG column
Authors: Timmerer Christian
Published: October 2015

The 112th MPEG meeting in Warsaw, Poland was a special meeting for me. It was my 50th MPEG meeting which roughly accumulates to one year of MPEG meetings (i.e., one year of my life I've spend in MPEG meetings incl. traveling --- scary, isn't it? … more on this in another blog post).
Selective Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibitor 7-Nitroindazole Protects against Cocaine-Induced Oxidative Stress in Rat Brain
Authors: Vitcheva Vessela , Simeonova Rumyana , Kondeva-Burdina Magdalena , Mitcheva Mitka
Published: October 2015

One of the mechanisms involved in the development of addiction, as well as in brain toxicity, is the oxidative stress. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of 7-nitroindazole (7-NI), a selective inhibitor of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), on cocaine withdrawal and neurotoxicity in male Wistar rats. The animals were divided into four groups: control; group treated with cocaine (15 mg/kg−1, i.p., 7 days); group treated with 7-NI (25 mg/kg−1, i.p., 7 days); and a combination group (7-NI + cocaine). Cocaine repeated treatment resulted in development of physical dependence, judged by withdrawal symptoms (decreased locomotion, increased salivation and breathing rate), accompanied by an increased nNOS activity and oxidative stress. The latter was discerned by an increased formation of malondialdehyde (MDA), depletion of reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, and impairment of the enzymatic antioxidant defense system measured in whole brain. In synaptosomes, isolated from cocaine-treated rats, mitochondrial activity and GSH levels were also decreased. 7-NI administered along with cocaine not only attenuated the withdrawal, due to its nNOS inhibition, but also reversed both the GSH levels and antioxidant enzyme activities near control levels.
Numerical Study on Effects of the Embedded Monopile Foundation on Local Wave-Induced Porous Seabed Response
Authors: Zhang Chi , Zhang Qingyang , Wu Zaitian , Zhang Jisheng , Sui Titi , Wen Yuncheng
Published: October 2015

Effects of the embedded monopile foundation on the local distributions of pore water pressure, soil stresses, and liquefaction are investigated in this study using a three-dimensional integrated numerical model. The model is based on a Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes wave module and a fully dynamic poroelastic seabed module and has been validated with the analytical solution and experimental data. Results show that, compared to the situation without an embedded foundation, the embedded monopile foundation increases and decreases the maximum pore water pressure in the seabed around and below the foundation, respectively. The embedded monopile foundation also significantly modifies the distributions of the maximum effective soil stress around the foundation and causes a local concentration of soil stress below the two lower corners of foundation. A parametric study reveals that the effects of embedded monopile foundation on pore water pressure increase as the degrees of saturation and soil permeability decrease. The embedded monopile foundation tends to decrease the liquefaction depth around the structure, and this effect is relatively more obvious for greater degrees of saturation, greater soil permeabilities, and smaller wave heights.
Ocular Blood Flow and Normal Tension Glaucoma
Authors: Fan Ning , Wang Pei , Tang Li , Liu Xuyang
Published: October 2015

Normal tension glaucoma (NTG) is known as a multifactorial optic neuropathy characterized by progressive retinal ganglion cell death and glaucomatous visual field loss, even though the intraocular pressure (IOP) does not exceed the normal range. The pathophysiology of NTG remains largely undetermined. It is hypothesized that the abnormal ocular blood flow is involved in the pathogenesis of this disease. A number of evidences suggested that the vascular factors played a significant role in the development of NTG. In recent years, the new imaging techniques, fluorescein angiography, color Doppler imaging (CDI), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG), have been used to evaluate the ocular blood flow and blood vessels, and the impaired vascular autoregulation was found in patients with NTG. Previous studies showed that NTG was associated with a variety of systemic diseases, including migraine, Alzheimer’s disease, primary vascular dysregulation, and Flammer syndrome. The vascular factors were involved in these diseases. The mechanisms underlying the abnormal ocular blood flow in NTG are still not clear, but the risk factors for glaucomatous optic neuropathy likely included oxidative stress, vasospasm, and endothelial dysfunction.
The Stationary Distribution and Extinction of Generalized Multispecies Stochastic Lotka-Volterra Predator-Prey System
Authors: Yin Fancheng , Yu Xiaoyan
Published: October 2015

This paper is concerned with the existence of stationary distribution and extinction for multispecies stochastic Lotka-Volterra predator-prey system. The contributions of this paper are as follows. (a) By using Lyapunov methods, the sufficient conditions on existence of stationary distribution and extinction are established. (b) By using the space decomposition technique and the continuity of probability, weaker conditions on extinction of the system are obtained. Finally, a numerical experiment is conducted to validate the theoretical findings.
Circulating Irisin Levels Are Not Regulated by Nutritional Status, Obesity, or Leptin Levels in Rodents
Authors: Quiñones Mar , Folgueira Cintia , Sánchez-Rebordelo Estrella , Al-Massadi Omar
Published: October 2015

Irisin is a cleaved and secreted fragment of fibronectin type III domain containing 5 (FNDC5) that is mainly released by skeletal muscle and was proposed to mediate the beneficial effects of exercise on metabolism. In the present study we aim to investigate the regulation of the circulating levels of irisin in obese animal models (diet‐induced obese (DIO) rats and leptin‐deficient (ob/ob) mice), as well as the influence of nutritional status and leptin. Irisin levels were measured by Enzyme‐Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and Radioimmunoassay (RIA). Serum irisin levels remained unaltered in DIO rats and ob/ob mice. Moreover, its circulating levels were also unaffected by fasting, leptin deficiency, and exogenous leptin administration in rodents. In spite of these negative results we find a negative correlation between irisin and insulin in DIO animals and a positive correlation between irisin and glucose under short‐term changes in nutritional status. Our findings indicate that serum irisin levels are not modulated by different physiological settings associated to alterations in energy homeostasis. These results suggest that in rodents circulating levels of irisin are not involved in the pathophysiology of obesity and could be unrelated to metabolic status; however, further studies should clarify its precise role in states of glucose homeostasis imbalance.
Leukocytes: The Double‐Edged Sword in Fibrosis
Authors: Kryczka Jakub , Boncela Joanna
Published: October 2015

Skin tissue scar formation and fibrosis are often characterized by the increased production and deposition of extracellular matrix components, accompanied by the accumulation of a vast number of myofibroblasts. Scaring is strongly associated with inflammation and wound healing to regain tissue integrity in response to skin tissue injury. However, increased and uncontrolled inflammation, repetitive injury, and individual predisposition might lead to fibrosis, a severe disorder resulting in the formation of dense and stiff tissue that loses the physical properties and physiological functions of normal tissue. Fibrosis is an extremely complicated and multistage process in which bone marrow‐derived leukocytes act as both pro‐ and antifibrotic agents, and therefore, few, if any, effective therapies are available for the most severe and lethal forms of fibrosis. Herein, we discuss the current knowledge on the multidimensional impact of leukocytes on the induction of fibrosis, focusing on skin fibrosis.
Concession Period Decision Models for Public Infrastructure Projects Based on Option Games
Authors: Wang Zhi , Tan Huan , Wang Jing , Hu Chunyan
Published: October 2015

Concession period is an important decision-making variable for the investment and construction of public infrastructure projects. However, we currently have few scientific methods to exactly determine the concession period. This paper managed to seek out concession period decision models for public infrastructure with option game theory, studied the influence of minimum government income guarantee and government investment on concession period, and demonstrated those models in the formulas mentioned in the paper. The research results showed that the increase of minimum government income guarantee value would shorten the concession period, while the increase of income volatility, that is, the uncertainty, would lengthen the concession period. In terms of government investment, optimal concession period would lengthen to some extent with the increase of government investment ratio and the income and the decrease of its guarantee value. Yet, optimal concession period would shorten in case of extreme highness of the government investment ratio due to its high guarantee value. And the government would accordingly shorten the concession period in case of the unchanged government investment ratio with the increased income volatility and risks. Still, the paper put forward the argument that the government would apply various guarantee methods and implement flexible concession period in accordance with the specific circumstances of public infrastructure projects.
Traffic Management as a Service: The Traffic Flow Pattern Classification Problem
Authors: Calafate Carlos T. , Soler David , Cano Juan-Carlos , Manzoni Pietro
Published: October 2015

Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) technologies can be implemented to reduce both fuel consumption and the associated emission of greenhouse gases. However, such systems require intelligent and effective route planning solutions to reduce travel time and promote stable traveling speeds. To achieve such goal these systems should account for both estimated and real-time traffic congestion states, but obtaining reliable traffic congestion estimations for all the streets/avenues in a city for the different times of the day, for every day in a year, is a complex task. Modeling such a tremendous amount of data can be time-consuming and, additionally, centralized computation of optimal routes based on such time-dependencies has very high data processing requirements. In this paper we approach this problem through a heuristic to considerably reduce the modeling effort while maintaining the benefits of time-dependent traffic congestion modeling. In particular, we propose grouping streets by taking into account real traces describing the daily traffic pattern. The effectiveness of this heuristic is assessed for the city of Valencia, Spain, and the results obtained show that it is possible to reduce the required number of daily traffic flow patterns by a factor of 4210 while maintaining the essence of time-dependent modeling requirements.
Insulin Therapy of Nondiabetic Septic Patients Is Predicted bypara-Tyrosine/Phenylalanine Ratio and by Hydroxyl Radical-Derived Products of Phenylalanine
Authors: Kun Szilárd , Molnár Gergő A. , Sélley Eszter , Szélig Lívia , Bogár Lajos , Csontos Csaba , Miseta Attila , Wittmann István
Published: October 2015

Hydroxyl radical converts Phe topara-,meta-, andortho-Tyr (p-Tyr,m-Tyr,o-Tyr), while Phe is converted enzymatically top-Tyr in the kidney and could serve as substrate for gluconeogenesis. Pathological isoformsm- ando-Tyr are supposed to be involved in development of hormone resistances. Role of Phe and the three Tyr isoforms in influencing insulin need was examined in 25 nondiabetic septic patients. Daily insulin dose (DID) and insulin-glucose product (IGP) were calculated. Serum and urinary levels of Phe and Tyr isoforms were determined using a rpHPLC-method. Urinarym-Tyr/p-Tyr ratio was higher in patients with DID and IGP over median compared to those below median (P=0.005andP=0.01, resp.). Urinarym-Tyr andm-Tyr/p-Tyr ratio showed positive correlation with DID (P=0.009andP=0.023, resp.) and with IGP (P=0.004andP=0.008, resp.). Serum Phe was a negative predictor, while serump-Tyr/Phe ratio was positive predictor of both DID and IGP. Urinarym-Tyr and urinarym-Tyr/p-Tyr,o-Tyr/p-Tyr, and (m-Tyr+o-Tyr)/p-Tyr ratios were positive predictors of both DID and IGP. Phe and Tyr isoforms have a predictive role in carbohydrate metabolism of nondiabetic septic patients. Phe may serve as substrate for renal gluconeogenesis via enzymatically producedp-Tyr, while hydroxyl radical derived Phe products may interfere with insulin action.
Rapid Convergence of Solution for Hybrid System with Causal Operators
Authors: Wang Peiguang , Li Zhifang , Wu Yonghong
Published: October 2015

We investigated the convergence of iterative sequences of approximate solutions to a class of periodic boundary value problem of hybrid system with causal operators and established two sequences of approximate solutions that converge to the solution of the problem with rate of orderk≥2.
Precipitation Behavior and Magnetic Properties of Cu-Fe-Co Alloys Containing Nanogranular Ferromagnetic-Element Particles
Authors: Wada N. , Kuwada K. , Kim J. S. , Takeguchi M. , Takeda M.
Published: October 2015

This work investigates the evolution of microstructures and magnetic properties during isothermal annealing of Cu-Fe-Co alloys, using electron microscopy and superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometry. Small coherent granular precipitates composed of iron and cobalt formed in the copper matrix in the early stage of precipitation. As annealing proceeded, the precipitates lost coherency to the matrix after reaching a size of 15–20 nm and twin-like structures were consecutively introduced in the particles. The SQUID measurements revealed that the magnetic properties of the specimens correlated with the microstructural evolution. The coercive force initially increased with annealing time but decreased after reaching a peak. Lorentz Microscopy suggested that the initial large increase of magnetization was invoked by a structural transition from fcc to B2 in the precipitates.
Do Three Different Passive Assessments of Quadriceps Spasticity Relate to the Functional Activity of Walking for Children Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy?
Authors: White Hank , Uhl Tim L. , Augsburger Sam
Published: October 2015

A stiff-knee gait pattern is frequently associated with several impairments including quadriceps spasticity in children diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP). The relationship of clinical measures of quadriceps spasticity and the stiff-knee gait pattern in children diagnosed with CP has not been well established. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the ability of clinical measures of quadriceps spasticity (modified Ashworth scale [MAS], Ely tests, and pendulum test) to categorize a stiff-knee gait pattern in children with CP. Children were categorized as having a stiff-knee gait pattern based on kinematic and EMG gait data. Results of a logistic regression model revealed that the only significant measure was A1 of the pendulum test. Discriminant analysis functions were used to predict group membership (stiff-knee, not stiff-knee gait pattern) for each measure. The A1 of the pendulum test demonstrated the highest classification accuracy and the highest sensitivity compared to the other measures. Therefore, a negative pendulum test (indicated by an A1 value of 45 degrees or more) is more useful for ruling out a stiff-knee gait pattern compared to the other clinical measures.
Unexpected Diversity of Magnetococci in Intertidal Sediments of Xiaoshi Island in the North Yellow Sea
Authors: Chen Haitao , Li Jinhua , Xing Xiang , Du Zongjun , Chen Guanjun
Published: October 2015

Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) are a group of prokaryotes that, despite their high morphological, phylogenetic, and ecological diversity, share a common capability of forming intracellular nanocrystals of magnetite (Fe3O4) or greigite (Fe3S4), called magnetosomes, and swimming along geomagnetic field lines in a process called magnetotaxis. In this study, we investigated the MTB diversity within the intertidal sediments near Xiaoshi Island (Weihai) in the North Yellow Sea using a combination of molecular ecology techniques and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The combination of restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis and 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed seven new MTB genera affiliated with the Alphaproteobacteria class. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analyses suggested that one magnetotactic coccus (designated as WHI‐2) is the dominant species. TEM observations and energy dispersive X‐ray analyses revealed that MTB cells mainly form magnetite magnetosomes that are organized into two chains of magnetosomes composed of e‐prismatic magnetite crystals. This finding suggests the adaptation of a magnetotactic bacterial population to the marine tide. This is the first report of magnetotactic bacteria near Xiaoshi Island, which should be useful for studies of biogeochemical cycling and the geohistory of this area.
Yiqihuoxuejiedu Formula Restrains Vascular Remodeling by Reducing the Inflammation Reaction and Cx43 Expression in the Adventitia after Balloon Injury
Authors: Chang Hong , Lei Huan , Zhao Yizhou , Yang Ruixue , Wu Aiming , Mao Yingqiu , Huang Youliang , Lv Xiying , Zhao Jiuli , Lou Lixia , Zhang Dongmei , He Yingkun , Xu Ying , Yang Tao , Zhao Mingjing
Published: October 2015

Vascular remodeling is closely related to hypertension, atherosclerosis, and restenosis after PCI. Considerable evidence indicates that the activation and proliferation of adventitial fibroblasts play key roles in vessel injury. The inflammatory response and high expression of connexins contribute to adventitial remodeling. Therefore, reducing inflammation reaction and connexins expression in adventitia may become a new target to prevent vascular remodeling. Yiqihuoxuejiedu formula, composed of TCM therapeutic principle of supplementing qi, activating blood and detoxification, can inhibit restenosis after intimal injury. To further investigate the effect of Yiqihuoxuejiedu formula on inflammation and connexins, we established a carotid artery injury model. In model rats, hyperplasia in the intima was mild but obvious in the adventitia; CRP heightened; expressions of MCP-1, CD68, and Cx43 increased. Yiqihuoxuejiedu formula relieved intimal hyperplasia and adventitial area, obviously diminished the expressions of CD68 and Cx43 in the adventitia, and reduced CRP but did not lower MCP-1. These results indicated that Yiqihuoxuejiedu formula inhibited vascular remodeling especially adventitial hyperplasia by reducing the inflammation reaction including lowering macrophages infiltration and systemic nonspecific inflammatory response and also restraining gap junction connexins leading to less communication among cells. This study provides new ideas and methods for the prevention and treatment of vascular remodeling.
Robust Linear Quadratic Regulator via Sliding Mode Guidance for Spacecraft Orbiting a Tumbling Asteroid
Authors: Zhang Peng , Ma Tianhao , Zhao Bo , Dong Bo , Li Yuanchun
Published: October 2015

Aiming to ensure the stability of the spacecraft with multiuncertainties and mitigate the threat of the initial actuator saturation, a Robust Linear Quadratic Regulator (RLQR) via sliding mode guidance (SMG) for orbiting a tumbling asteroid is proposed in this paper. The orbital motion of the spacecraft near a tumbling asteroid is modelled in the body-fixed frame considering the sun-relative effects, and the orbiting control problem is formulated as a stabilization of a nonlinear time-varying system. RLQR based on the adaptive feedback linearization is proposed to stabilize the spacecraft orbiting with the uncertainties of the asteroid’s rotation and gravitational field. In order to avoid the initial actuator saturation, SMG is applied to generate the transition process trajectory of the closed-loop system. The effectiveness of the proposed control scheme is verified by the simulations of orbiting the asteroid Toutatis 4179.
c-Myc Alterations Confer Therapeutic Response and Acquired Resistance to c-Met Inhibitors in MET-Addicted Cancers
Authors: Shen Aijun , Wang Lu , Huang Min , Sun Jingya , Chen Yi , Shen Yan-Yan , Yang Xinying , Wang Xin , Ding Jian , Geng Meiyu
Published: October 2015

Use of kinase inhibitors in cancer therapy leads invariably to acquired resistance stemming from kinase reprogramming. To overcome the dynamic nature of kinase adaptation, we asked whether a signal-integrating downstream effector might exist that provides a more applicable therapeutic target. In this study, we reported that the transcriptional factor c-Myc functions as a downstream effector to dictate the therapeutic response to c-Met inhibitors in c-Met–addicted cancer and derived resistance. Dissociation of c-Myc from c-Met control, likely overtaken by a variety of reprogrammed kinases, led to acquisition of drug resistance. Notably, c-Myc blockade by RNA interference or pharmacologic inhibition circumvented the acquired resistance to c-Met inhibition. Combining c-Myc blockade and c-Met inhibition in MET-amplified patient-derived xenograft mouse models heightened therapeutic activity. Our findings offer a preclinical proof of concept for the application of c-Myc–blocking agents as a tactic to thwart resistance to kinase inhibitors. Cancer Res; 75(21); 4548–59. ©2015 AACR.
Trends in Invasive Prenatal Diagnosis: Effect of Sequential Screening and Noninvasive Prenatal Testing
Authors: Khalifeh Adeeb , Weiner Stuart , Berghella Vincenzo , Donnenfeld Alan
Published: October 2015

Objective: To examine trends in the incidence and method of invasive prenatal diagnosis due to the impact of sequential screening and noninvasive prenatal testing. Methods: This is a retrospective review of all pregnancies that have undergone invasive prenatal diagnostic testing between June 2002 and June 2014, divided in 3 periods: period 1 from June 2002 to October 2006, period 2 from November 2006 to December 2011, and period 3 from January 2012 to June 2014. The main outcome measures were trends in the incidence and method of each procedure. Results: There were 88,135 deliveries and 6,080 invasive procedures during the study period. In period 1, 2,755 (8.8%) procedures were carried out, in period 2 2,820 (7.3%), and in period 3 505 (2.5%; p < 0.01). In period 1, there were 1,990 (6.3%) cases of amniocentesis, 1,646 (4.3%) in period 2, and 254 (1.2%) in period 3 (p < 0.01). In addition, in 765 (2.5%) cases, chorionic villus sampling (CVS) was performed in period 1, compared to 1,174 (3.0%) cases in period 2 and 251 (1.3%) cases in period 3 (p < 0.01). Advanced maternal age as the sole indication for invasive procedures decreased significantly over time, while the indication of abnormal serum screening and abnormal ultrasound findings increased (p < 0.01). Conclusion: There was a significant decline in the incidence of invasive prenatal testing over the 12 years of the study. The decrease in amniocentesis was more marked than that in CVS.
Oxidant-Antioxidant Capacity of Dietary Guanidinoacetic Acid
Authors: Ostojic Sergej M. , Stojanovic Marko D. , Olcina Guillermo
Published: October 2015

Background/Aims: Guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) is an experimental nutritional additive under the functional group amino acids and derivatives, yet its use in human nutrition is hindered by limited data on GAA safety. In this double blind, placebo-controlled pilot study, we evaluated the effects of dietary GAA (3 g/day) administered for 2 weeks on the oxidant-antioxidant system in healthy men. Methods: Twelve healthy men (age 22.3 ± 2.1 years) were recruited for blood sampling at baseline (day 0) and at the end of the intervention period (day 14). Fasting venous blood samples were assessed for plasma total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase, total oxidant status and malondialdehyde. Results: Fasting plasma SOD increased significantly from before to after administration in GAA-supplemented participants (91.4 ± 19.6 vs. 122.8 ± 25.9 ng/ml; p = 0.04). Other markers of oxidant-antioxidant system were not affected by the placebo or GAA intervention (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Oral GAA did not impact the cumulative action of antioxidants present in plasma, yet its SOD-boosting capacity might be considered beneficial when GAA is used as a dietary supplement. Further studies are needed to reveal the direct effects of GAA ingestion on markers of lipid and protein oxidation and on DNA damage.
Effect of Rectal Levodopa Administration: A Case Report
Authors: Vogelzang Jolanda M.J. , Luinstra Marianne , Rutgers A. Wijnand F.
Published: October 2015

Objective: The aim of this report is to discuss whether or not rectal levodopa administration is useful in some situations. Background: In situations where oral intake of levodopa formulations is not possible, the treatment options of Parkinson's disease patients are limited. The literature describes no or low rectal absorption of levodopa. Case Description: A patient with an ileus was unable to take oral medication. After consulting the neurologist and pharmacist, the surgeon decided to describe a rectal formulation of levodopa/carbidopa (100/25 mg) once daily. On day 3 of the therapy, 1 h after administration of the rectal formulation of levodopa/carbidopa, a blood sample was drawn. The patient was unable to take his other Parkinson medication; therefore the dose of the rectal levodopa/carbidopa was increased to 5 times a day. Results: Full control of the symptoms was not achieved, but alleviation of the most severe tremor and rigidity was seen, which was confirmed by the neurologist, nurses and patient. The levodopa concentration detected was 17 nmol/l. Compared to levodopa concentrations described in the literature (1,400-12,000 nmol/l), the concentration is very low. There are some possible explanations for the low concentration detected. The presence of a specific amino acid transport system in the rectum is not known, which could lead to no or reduced absorption. The poor rectal absorption of carbidopa leads to a higher conversion of levodopa to dopamine peripherally. Conclusions: In situations where patients are unable to take oral medication, rectal administration of levodopa/carbidopa is worth considering.
ST-Segment Elevation and Fractionated Electrograms in Brugada Syndrome Patients Arise From the Same Structurally Abnormal Subepicardial RVOT Area but Have a Different Mechanism
Authors: ten Sande Judith N. , Coronel Ruben , Conrath Chantal E. , Driessen Antoine H.G. , de Groot Joris R. , Tan Hanno L. , Nademanee Koonlawee , Wilde Arthur A.M. , de Bakker Jacques M.T. , van Dessel Pascal F.H.M.
Published: October 2015

Background—

Brugada syndrome (BrS) is characterized by a typical ECG pattern. We aimed to determine the pathophysiologic basis of the ST-segment in the BrS-ECG with data from various epicardial and endocardial right ventricular activation mapping procedures in 6 BrS patients and in 5 non-BrS controls.

Methods and Results—

In 7 patients (2 BrS and 5 controls) with atrial fibrillation, an epicardial 8×6 electrode grid (interelectrode distance 1 mm) was placed epicardially on the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) before video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical pulmonary vein isolation. In 2 other BrS patients, endocardial, epicardial RV (CARTO), and body surface mapping was performed. In 2 additional BrS patients, we performed decremental preexcitation of the RVOT before endocardial RV mapping. During video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical pulmonary vein isolation and CARTO mapping, BrS patients (n=4) showed greater activation delay and more fractionated electrograms in the RVOT region than controls. Ajmaline administration increased the region with fractionated electrograms, as well as ST-segment elevation. Preexcitation of the RVOT (n=2) resulted in ECGs that supported the current-to-load mismatch hypothesis for ST-segment elevation. Body surface mapping showed that the area with ST-segment elevation anatomically correlated with the area of fractionated electrograms and activation delay at the RVOT epicardium.

Conclusions—

ST-segment elevation and epicardial fractionation/conduction delay in BrS patients are most likely related to the same structural subepicardial abnormalities, but the mechanism is different. ST-segment elevation may be caused by current-to-load mismatch, whereas fractionated electrograms and conduction delay are expected to be caused by discontinuous conduction in the same area with abnormal myocardium.
Adjusting for Risk Associated With Pediatric and Congenital Cardiac Catheterization
Authors: Jayaram Natalie , Beekman Robert H. , Benson Lee , Holzer Ralf , Jenkins Kathy , Kennedy Kevin F. , Martin Gerard R. , Moore John W. , Ringel Richard , Rome Jonathan , Spertus John A. , Vincent Robert , Bergersen Lisa
Published: October 2015

Background—

As US health care increasingly focuses on outcomes as a means for quantifying quality, there is a growing demand for risk models that can account for the variability of patients treated at different hospitals so that equitable comparisons between institutions can be made. We sought to apply aspects of prior risk-standardization methodology to begin development of a risk-standardization tool for the National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR) IMPACT (Improving Pediatric and Adult Congenital Treatment) Registry.

Methods and Results—

Using IMPACT, we identified all patients undergoing diagnostic or interventional cardiac catheterization between January 2011 and March 2013. Multivariable hierarchical logistic regression was used to identify patient and procedural characteristics predictive of experiencing a major adverse event after cardiac catheterization. A total of 19 608 cardiac catheterizations were performed between January 2011 and March 2013. Among all cases, a major adverse event occurred in 378 of all cases (1.9%). After multivariable adjustment, 8 variables were identified as critical for risk standardization: patient age, renal insufficiency, single-ventricle physiology, procedure-type risk group, low systemic saturation, low mixed venous saturation, elevated systemic ventricular end-diastolic pressure, and elevated main pulmonary artery pressures. The model had good discrimination (C statistic, 0.70), confirmed by bootstrap validation (validation C statistic, 0.69).

Conclusions—

Using prior risk-standardization efforts as a foundation, we developed and internally validated a model to predict the occurrence of a major adverse event after cardiac catheterization for congenital heart disease. Future efforts should be directed toward further refinement of the model variables within this large, multicenter data set.
Theorizing a More-than-Human Diplomacy: Assembling the British Foreign Office, 1839-1874
Authors: Dittmer Jason
Published: October 2015

This article emphasizes the more-than-human nature of foreign policy formation and diplomatic practice, as found in an examination of nineteenth-century Parliament Select Committee testimony regarding the intersection of everyday bureaucratic practice and the material context of the British Foreign Office. These records indicate both how the changing world of diplomacy at this time (including new states and communication technologies) materially impacted the Foreign Office, as well as the affective atmosphere experienced by its employees, through an excess of paper. Debates over how the new Foreign Office ought to be built reveal concerns about the circulation of paper, bodies, light and air in a drive for efficiency. These historical materialities speak to our understanding of contemporary changes occurring within the world of diplomacy, including the rise of digital technologies and the new skills needed among diplomats, as well as inform our understanding of the exercise of power within assemblages.
Neotypification of Delphinium dasycaulon (Ranunculaceae)
Authors: Jabbour Florian , Dressler Stefan
Published: October 2015

The afromontane species Delphinium dasycaulon Fresenius (1837: 272) is one of the three species of Delphinium Linnaeus (1753: 530) (Ranunculaceae) distributed in tropical Africa. This perennial plant has a disjunct distribution, with isolated populations in East Africa (from Djibouti and Eritrea in the North to Malawi and Zambia in the South) and West Africa (Cameroon and Nigeria) (Milne-Redhead & Turrill 1952). Interestingly, no specimen has ever been collected in the central part of the East African Rift region (Kenya and Uganda), where the two other afromontane species of the genus occur: D. macrocentrum Oliver (1886: 397) which is endemic on Mt. Elgon and in the Kenyan Highlands, and D. leroyi Franchet ex Huth (1895: 474), which has a broader distribution in tropical East Africa ranging from Ethiopia in the North to Tanzania in the South (Milne-Redhead & Turrill 1952).
Notes on Carex (Cyperaceae) from China (III): the description of four new species
Authors: Jin Xiao-Feng , CHEN WEI-JIE , CEN JIA-MENG
Published: October 2015

Carex scopulus, C. bamaensis, C. pararadicalis and C. tingnungii, four new species from China, are described with illustrations in the present paper. Carex scopulus is similar to C. chungii (sect. Mitratae) in having achenes with angles constricted at the middle, but differs by having pistillate scales pale reddish brown and acuminate at apex, staminate scales reddish brown, and perigynia glabrous. Carex bamaensis is similar to C. lancifolia (sect. Clandestinae) in having culms lateral and leaf blades 2.5–6 mm wide, but differs in having culms, leaves and bracts all pilose, and pistillate spikes fairly densely flowered. Carex pararadicalis resembles C. handelii (sect. Chlorostachyae) in having rhizomes long and creeping, but differs by having the terminal spike gynecandrous, lateral spikes pistillate, and pistillate scales obtuse at apex and shorter than the perigynia. Carex tingnungii resembles C. plectobasis (subsect. Ferrugineae) in having 3 stigmas  and perigynia that are compressed trigonous and densely whitish hispidulous, but differs in having a solitary staminate spike with 1–4 pistillate flowers at the base, achenes oblong-ellipsoid, and styles that are densely crisped-pilose.
Coreopsis bakeri (Asteraceae; Coreopsideae), a new species from Florida, USA
Authors: Schilling Edward E. , Johnson Ann F. , Iacona Gwenllian D.
Published: October 2015

Coreopsis bakeri (Asteraceae; Coreopsideae), an early blooming and very narrow-leaved perennial restricted to rare limestone glade habitats in northern Florida, is described as new.  The plants most closely resemble Coreopsis lanceolata, a common species of the southeastern U.S., but have narrower, glabrous, and infolded leaves.  In addition to phenotypic differences, the two species show divergence at two nuclear genes, the nuclear ITS and ETS regions, and for two chloroplast intergenic spacers (psbA-trnH and rpl32-trnL).  Because of the rarity of C. bakeri and the very limited extent of its distinctive habitat, this species is in urgent need of protection.  In addition, C. lanceolata is found in open areas near the limestone glades, and poses a potential threat through competition or hybridization.
A taxonomic revision of the neotropical termite genus Ruptitermes (Isoptera, Termitidae, Apicotermitinae)
Authors: ACIOLI AGNO NONATO SERRÃO , CONSTANTINO REGINALDO
Published: October 2015

The taxonomy of Ruptitermes Mathews 1977 is revised. Nine new species are described: R. araujoi, sp. n. (from Brazil), R. atyra, sp. n. (from Brazil, Peru, and Panama), R. bandeirai, sp. n. (from Brazil), R. cangua, sp. n. (from Brazil), R. kaapora, sp. n. (from Paraguay and Brazil), R. krishnai, sp. n. (from Trinidad), R. maraca, sp. n. (from Brazil), R. piliceps, sp. n. (from Brazil), and R. pitan, sp. n. (from Brazil). Ruptitermes franciscoi (Snyder 1959), new combination, is transferred from Anoplotermes Fr. Müller to Ruptitermes. Ruptitermes proratus Emerson 1949 is placed under the synonymy of R. reconditus (Silvestri, 1901). The genus is redescribed to accommodate all the species included. Ruptitermes arboreus, R. reconditus and R. xanthochiton are redescribed based on the examination of large series. A key to the 13 species of the genus based on the external morphology of workers is provided. The enteric valve armature is described and illustrated for all species except R. kaapora. Distribution maps are presented for all species.
A review of the Silba admirabilis McAlpine species group (Diptera: Lonchaeidae) with descriptions of thirteen new species from the Afrotropical region
Authors: MACGOWAN IAIN
Published: October 2015

The Silba admirabilis species group is diagnosed within the genus Silba Macquart by the combination of partly yellow tarsomeres and the distinctive features of the male genitalia. Thirteen new species within this species group are described from the Afrotropical region; namely Silba bakongo MacGowan sp. nov., Silba boulangi MacGowan sp. nov., Silba bredoi MacGowan sp. nov., Silba garamba MacGowan sp. nov., Silba hambai MacGowan sp. nov., Silba inimvua MacGowan sp. nov., Silba lubumbashi MacGowan sp. nov., Silba mbuti MacGowan sp. nov., Silba saegeri MacGowan sp. nov., Silba spiculata MacGowan sp. nov., Silba tekei MacGowan sp. nov., Silba upemba MacGowan sp. nov., and Silba wittei MacGowan sp. nov. Ten previously described species within the genus Silba are also identified as belonging to the S. admirabilis species group. One species of the genus Lonchaea also belonging to this group is re-assigned to Silba. The synonymies Silba displata McAlpine, 1964 = Silba hilli (Malloch, 1928) and Silba fragranti MacGowan, 2007 = Silba chalkei McAlpine, 1956 are established. A key and illustrations of male genitalia are provided to all species. Further information is presented relating to the taxonomy and distribution of previously described members of this species group whose range extends from the Afrotropical to Australasian regions.
Silversides of the genus Labidesthes (Atheriniformes: Atherinopsidae)
Authors: WERNEKE DAVID C. , ARMBRUSTER JONATHAN W.
Published: October 2015

The two species of Labidesthes, L. sicculus and L. vanhyningi, are herein redescribed. Labidesthes sicculus is separated from L. vanhyningi by the presence of an anterolateral process of the post temporal that is longer than it is wide (versus wider than long), a ratio of thoracic length to abdominal length greater than two (versus less than two), and a midlateral stripe that is narrows in front of first dorsal fin (versus expanding in front of first dorsal fin). Labidesthes sicculus is found in Gulf of Mexico drainages from the Brazos River East to the Pascagoula River, Mississippi River (absent in middle and upper Missouri River), and Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River (absent in Lake Superior). Labidesthes vanhyningi is found in Gulf Mexico drainages from the Neches River East around peninsular Florida North on the Atlantic Coast to the Pee Dee River, in the Mississippi River it is confined to lowland areas of the Lower Mississippi River.
A new species of Anilios (Scolecophidia: Typhlopidae) from Central Australia
Authors: SHEA GLENN M.
Published: October 2015

Anilios fossor sp. nov. is described from a single specimen collected in 1989 from Ruby Gap Nature Park, Northern Territory. The species differs from all other Anilios species in the combination of 20 midbody scales, 514 dorsal scales, a rounded, non-angulate snout in lateral and dorsal profile, a nasal cleft contacting the second supralabial and not extending to the head dorsum, and a large round rostral shield in dorsal view. It is unclear whether the paucity of material of this species represents a limited distribution, or poor sampling in a remote, sparsely settled part of the continent. Evidence for the recognition of the Australian typhlopid fauna as a distinct genus Anilios is critically reviewed, and the genus is found to be recognizable only on genetic evidence. Some other recent nomenclatural and taxonomic changes in the Australian typhlopid fauna are considered and rejected.