bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physical Activity and Risk of Diagnosed and Undiagnosed Prediabetes among Males and Females in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007-2014
Authors: Velez Mabeline , Chasan-Taber Lisa , Goldwater Eva , VanKim Nicole
Published: June 2020

Aims. The purpose of the study was to assess the effect of leisure and occupational physical activity on the risk of diagnosed and undiagnosed prediabetes among females and males. Methods. A sample of 17,871 non-pregnant adults was drawn from the 2007-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Multinomial logistic regression tested associations between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and risk of diagnosed prediabetes and undiagnosed prediabetes, compared to no prediabetes. Results. Females and males who met guidelines for total MVPA (i.e., ≥10 MET-hrs/week) had a statistically significant lower risk of undiagnosed prediabetes (OR range: 0.50-0.65) as compared to those with no MVPA, however findings were no longer statistically significant after adjustment for diabetes risk factors. In terms of diagnosed prediabetes, females meeting guidelines had lower risk (OR range: 0.65-0.76), while only males engaging in the most MVPA had lower risk; findings were no longer significant after adjustment. Patterns were similar for leisure-time MVPA, but conflicting for occupational PA; females with 10-20 MET-hrs/week had a higher risk of diagnosed prediabetes (OR =1.71, 95% CI 1.11-2.61) and males with >20 MET-hrs/week had a higher risk for undiagnosed prediabetes (OR =1.17, 95% CI 1.02-1.35) after adjustment. Conclusions. This study adds to the sparse body of literature on physical activity and prediabetes, particularly with its inclusion of occupational MVPA.
The Effect and Mechanism of Emodin on the NO Secretion of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs) Induced by High Glucose
Authors: Li Yajia , Li Qiangxiang , Xie Chunyan , Huang Yanfei , Jia Limin
Published: June 2020

Objective. To investigate the effects of emodin on nitric oxide (NO) secretion induced by high glucose in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) through the p-Akt signaling pathway. Methods. Sensitivity of cells to emodin was determined by MTT assay to establish the experimental concentrations; then, HUVECs were treated with high-dose (33.3 mmol/L) glucose (HG), HG + emodin (HG + E), HG + the Akt phosphorylation inhibitor LY294002 (HG + LY), or HG + E + LY. The p-Akt (Ser 473) expression in 48 h was analyzed using Western blot. NO effect on the secretion of HUVECs was analyzed using nitrate reductase assay. Results. The sensitive emodin concentration for HUVECs growth was 10 mol/L (P<0.05). Compared with the HG group, NO secretion was significantly higher in the HG + E group (P<0.05), whereas it was lowest in the HG + LY group (P<0.05). Compared with the HG + LY group, NO secretion was increased in the HG + E + LY group (P<0.05). The p-Akt protein expression was decreased in the HG + LY group when compared to the HG group (P<0.05), while it significantly increased in the HG + E group (P<0.05). Compared with HG + LY group, p-Akt protein expression was significantly higher in the HG + E + LY group (P<0.05). Conclusion. Emodin could improve the NO secretion of HUVECs by high glucose through the p-Akt signaling pathway.
Green Coffea arabica Extract Ameliorates Testicular Injury in High-Fat Diet/Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes in Rats
Authors: AL-Megrin Wafa A. , El-Khadragy Manal F. , Hussein Manal H. , Mahgoub Shahenda , Abdel-Mohsen Doaa M. , Taha Heba , Bakkar Ashraf A. A. , Abdel Moneim Ahmed E. , Amin Hatem K.
Published: June 2020

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic endocrine disease characterized by persistent hyperglycemia. Oxidative damage, inflammatory cytokines, and apoptotic cell death play a major role in the induction and progression of male testicular damage. Plant-derived phytochemicals such as green coffee (Coffea arabica) can possess antidiabetic effects with little toxicity. The current study is aimed at investigating the therapeutic roles of green coffee in diabetic testicular injury stimulated by high-fat diet/streptozotocin administration. Diabetes mellitus was induced by a high-fat diet and a single dose of streptozotocin (STZ) (35 mg kg-1) in male albino rats. Diabetic animals were orally given two different concentrations of green coffee (50 mg kg-1 and 100 mg kg-1) for 28 days. The levels of testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone and parameters of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis were measured. mRNAs and protein levels were detected quantitatively by real-time PCR and ELISA, respectively. In the diabetic group, the levels of testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone showed a significant reduction while they increased significantly after green coffee treatment. A significant increase of antioxidant markers glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase along with decreased levels of lipid peroxides and nitric oxide was observed after green coffee treatment in the diabetic group. Finally, the levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, Bax, and caspase-3 were also decreased in both treated groups (metformin and green coffee) when compared to the diabetic group. We conclude that testicular oxidative impairment induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) and STZ can be reversed by green coffee. Administration of green coffee could represent a promising therapeutic agent which can help the treatment of type 2 DM-induced testicular dysfunction.
Allylmethylsulfide, a Sulfur Compound Derived from Garlic, Attenuates Isoproterenol-Induced Cardiac Hypertrophy in Rats
Authors: Mohammed Soheb Anwar , Paramesha Bugga , Kumar Yashwant , Tariq Ubaid , Arava Sudheer Kumar , Banerjee Sanjay Kumar
Published: June 2020

Allylmethylsulfide (AMS) is a novel sulfur metabolite found in the garlic-fed serum of humans and animals. In the present study, we have observed that AMS is safe on chronic administration and has a potential antihypertrophic effect. Chronic administration of AMS for 30 days did not cause any significant differences in the body weight, electrocardiogram, food intake, serum biochemical parameters, and histopathology of vital organs. Single-dose pharmacokinetics of AMS suggests that AMS is rapidly metabolized into Allylmethylsulfoxide (AMSO) and Allylmethylsulfone (AMSO2). To evaluate the efficacy of AMS, cardiac hypertrophy was induced by subcutaneous implantation of ALZET® osmotic minipump containing isoproterenol (~5 mg/kg/day), cotreated with AMS (25 and 50 mg/kg/day) and enalapril (10 mg/kg/day) for 2 weeks. AMS and enalapril significantly reduced cardiac hypertrophy as studied by the heart weight to body weight ratio and mRNA expression of fetal genes (ANP and β-MHC). We have observed that TBARS, a parameter of lipid peroxidation, was reduced and the antioxidant enzymes (glutathione, catalase, and superoxide dismutase) were improved in the AMS and enalapril-cotreated hypertrophic hearts. The extracellular matrix (ECM) components such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMP2 and MMP9) were significantly upregulated in the diseased hearts; however, with the AMS and enalapril, it was preserved. Similarly, caspases 3, 7, and 9 were upregulated in hypertrophic hearts, and with the AMS and enalapril treatment, they were reduced. Further to corroborate this finding with in vitro data, we have checked the nuclear expression of caspase 3/7 in the H9c2 cells treated with isoproterenol and observed that AMS cotreatment reduced it significantly. Histopathological investigation of myocardium suggests AMS and enalapril treatment reduced fibrosis in hypertrophied hearts. Based on our experimental results, we conclude that AMS, an active metabolite of garlic, could reduce isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy by reducing oxidative stress, apoptosis, and stabilizing ECM components.
Thrombospondin-1: A Key Protein That Induces Fibrosis in Diabetic Complications
Authors: Xu Linhao , Zhang Yong , Chen Jian , Xu Yizhou
Published: June 2020

Fibrosis accompanies most common pathophysiological features of diabetes complications in different organs. It is characterized by an excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, the response to which contributes to inevitable organ injury. The extracellular protein thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), a kind of extracellular glycoprotein, is upregulated by the increased activity of some transcription factors and results in fibrosis by activating multiple pathways in diabetes. The results of studies from our team and other colleagues indicate that TSP-1 is associated with the pathological process leading to diabetic complications and is considered to be the most important factor in fibrosis. This review summarizes the molecular mechanism of increased TSP-1 induced by hyperglycemia and the role of TSP-1 in fibrosis during the development of diabetes complications.
Tryptophan Metabolism, Regulatory T Cells, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Mini Review
Authors: Ding Xueyan , Bin Peng , Wu Wenwen , Chang Yajie , Zhu Guoqiang
Published: June 2020

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract resulting from the homeostasis imbalance of intestinal microenvironment, immune dysfunction, environmental and genetic factors, and so on. This disease is associated with multiple immune cells including regulatory T cells (Tregs). Tregs are a subset of T cells regulating the function of various immune cells to induce immune tolerance and maintain intestinal immune homeostasis. Tregs are correlated with the initiation and progression of IBD; therefore, strategies that affect the differentiation and function of Tregs may be promising for the prevention of IBD-associated pathology. It is worth noting that tryptophan (Trp) metabolism is effective in inducing the differentiation of Tregs through microbiota-mediated degradation and kynurenine pathway (KP), which is important for maintaining the function of Tregs. Interestingly, patients with IBD show Trp metabolism disorder in the pathological process, including changes in the concentrations of Trp and its metabolites and alteration in the activities of related catalytic enzymes. Thus, manipulation of Treg differentiation through Trp metabolism may provide a potential target for prevention of IBD. The purpose of this review is to highlight the relationship between Trp metabolism and Treg differentiation and the role of this interaction in the pathogenesis of IBD.
Immunotargeting of the xCT Cystine/Glutamate Antiporter Potentiates the Efficacy of HER2-Targeted Immunotherapies in Breast Cancer
Authors: Conti Laura , Bolli Elisabetta , Di Lorenzo Antonino , Franceschi Valentina , Macchi Francesca , Riccardo Federica , Ruiu Roberto , Russo Luca , Quaglino Elena , Donofrio Gaetano , Cavallo Federica
Published: June 2020

Despite HER2-targeted therapies improving the outcome of HER2+ breast cancer, many patients experience resistance and metastatic progression. Cancer stem cells (CSC) play a role in this resistance and progression, thus combining HER2 targeting with CSC inhibition could improve the management of HER2+ breast cancer. The cystine–glutamate antiporter, xCT, is overexpressed in mammary CSCs and is crucial for their redox balance, self-renewal, and resistance to therapies, representing a potential target for breast cancer immunotherapy. We developed a combined immunotherapy targeting HER2 and xCT using the Bovine Herpes virus-4 vector, a safe vaccine that can confer immunogenicity to tumor antigens. Mammary cancer–prone BALB-neuT mice, transgenic for rat Her2, were immunized with the single or combined vaccines. Anti-HER2 vaccination slowed primary tumor growth, whereas anti-xCT vaccination primarily prevented metastasis formation. The combination of the two vaccines exerted a complementary effect by mediating the induction of cytotoxic T cells and of HER2 and xCT antibodies that induce antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity and hinder cancer cell proliferation. Antibodies targeting xCT, but not those targeting HER2, directly affected CSC viability, self-renewal, and migration, inducing the antimetastatic effect of xCT vaccination. Our findings present a new therapy for HER2+ breast cancer, demonstrating that CSC immunotargeting via anti-xCT vaccination synergizes with HER2-directed immunotherapy.
Drug Checking and Its Potential Impact on Substance Use
Authors: Betzler Felix , Helbig Jonas , Viohl Leonard , Ernst Felicitas , Roediger Lukas , Gutwinski Stefan , Ströhle Andreas , Köhler Stephan
Published: June 2020

Objectives: Drug checking as a tool for harm reduction is offered in certain cities throughout Europe, the USA, and Australia, but in general, it is internationally still scarcely available and controversially discussed. This study aimed at investigating the potential impact of a drug-checking offer on Berlin nightlife attendees’ illicit drug use and at identifying the encouraging and discouraging factors for using or refraining from such an offer. Methods: Using an online questionnaire, we conducted a cross-sectional survey in a Berlin party scene. A total of 719 people participated in the survey that took part in 2019. Results: The vast majority of participants (92%) stated that they would use drug checking, if existent. If the test revealed the sample to contain a high amount of active ingredient, 91% indicated to take less of the substance than usual. Two-thirds (66%) would discharge the sample if it contained an unexpected/unwanted agent along with the intended substance. If the sample contained only unexpected/unwanted substances and not the intended substance at all, 93% stated to discharge the sample. Additional brief counseling was stated to be useful. Participants showed a comparatively high substance use. Conclusions: Drug checking as a harm reduction tool was highly accepted in the scene, and the majority of participants stated to align their consumption behavior accordingly, in a reasonable manner. A concomitant consultation would be appreciated, which may be used to direct educational information about harms and risks to users.
Umsetzbarkeit und Erleben: Erste Erfahrungen mit einer Kurzform der anwendungsorientierten Parcoursprüfung im MSc-Studiengang Psychologie
Authors: Brakemeier Eva-Lotta , Pilz Kristin , Richter Jan , Kaiser Tim
Published: June 2020

Einleitung: Voraussetzung für die Approbation im Rahmen der neuen Psychotherapeutenausbildung ist u.a. das Bestehen einer anwendungsorientierten Parcoursprüfung. Da diese Prüfung von Lehrenden und Studierenden als Herausforderung angesehen wird, wurde eine Kurzform der Parcoursprüfung im Rahmen einer Modulprüfung des MSc-Studiengangs Psychologie eingeführt und evaluiert. Methode: Für die 15-minütige Parcoursprüfung wurden 9 Kompe­tenzbereiche basierend auf praxisorientierten Psychotherapieseminaren entwickelt, von denen 2 jeweils geprüft wurden. Zur Standardisierung der Benotung wurde ein Bewertungsbogen konzipiert. Eine Mitarbeiterin erhielt ein Training als Simulationspatientin. Für die Evaluation wurde ein Fragebogen entwickelt, welcher u.a. die Umsetzbarkeit und das subjektive Erleben dieses Prüfungsformats aus der Sicht der an der Prüfung beteiligten Personen erfasst. Ergebnisse: 14 Prüfungskandidierende ließen sich durch 3 Prüfende prüfen. Die Gesamtdurchschnittsnote betrug 1,19 (Bereich: 1,0–2,3). Die Auswertung der Fragebögen zeigte, dass alle drei Gruppen die Prüfung als geeignet, die praktischen Fertigkeiten abzubilden, objektiv und praxisnah empfanden. Von den Prüfungskandidierenden gaben 50% an, dass die Prüfung sie gestresst habe, während die Simulationspatientin sich nie und die Prüfenden sich gar nicht (78%) oder kaum (22%) gestresst fühlten. Diskussion: Die Ergebnisse dieser Pilotstudie weisen auf eine gute Umsetzbarkeit der Parcoursprüfung hin, wenngleich sie auch mit Stress für die Prüfungskandidierenden verbunden war. Die Pilotstudie wird limitiert durch eine kleine und wahrscheinlich verzerrte Stichprobe (motivierte Studierende) ohne Vergleichsgruppe. Abschließend werden die Vor- und Nachteile dieses Prüfungsmodells kritisch diskutiert.
Comparison of ThinPrep Integrated Imager-Assisted Screening versus Manual Screening of ThinPrep Liquid-Based Cytology Specimens
Authors: Tanaka Kyoko , Aoki Daisuke , Tozawa-Ono Akiko , Suzuki Nao , Takamatsu Kiyoshi , Nakamura Masaru , Tsunoda Hajime , Seino Shigeo , Kobayashi Noriko , Shirayama Takefumi , Takahashi Fumiaki
Published: June 2020

Objective: The aim of this study was to find out whether ThinPrep Integrated Imager (Hologic Inc.) screening is non-inferior to manual screening in the detection of cervical lesion. Study Design: For a total of 4,011 ThinPrep Pap test specimens stained by ThinPrep staining, manual screening (Manual arm) and ThinPrep Integrated Imager screening (Imager arm) were performed so as not to be screened by the same cytotechnologist, and the sensitivity and specificity in the detection of cervical lesion were compared using McNemar’s test. Results: The sensitivity to detect CIN1 or more squamous cell abnormalities or glandular abnormalities was 91.67% (= 374/408, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 88.44–94.08%) for the Manual arm and 92.40% (= 377/408, 95% CI: 89.28–94.70%) for the Imager arm, and the specificity was 88.87% (= 3,113/3,503, 95% CI: 87.77–89.88%) for the Manual arm and 89.55% (= 3,137/3,503, 95% CI: 88.48–90.54%) for the Imager arm. The differences in sensitivity and in specificity, respectively, were 0.74% (95% CI: −3.14–4.61%, McNemar’s test, p = 0.8041) and 0.69% (95% CI: −0.13–1.50%, McNemar’s test, p = 0.1125). About the equality of sensitivity and specificity between the 2 methods, 95% CIs of the difference between sensitivity and specificity are in the clinical equivalence range of ±5%, so the Imager arm is non-inferior to the Manual arm. Conclusion: The Imager arm was confirmed to have an equivalent and non-inferior capacity in the detection of cervical lesions compared with the Manual arm, suggesting that its practical application in cervical cytology tests is highly possible.
Comparison of Therapeutic Results with/without Additional Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Randomized Prospective Study
Authors: Tong Busheng , Niu Kai , Ku Wei , Xie Wen , Dai Qingqing , Hellström Sten , Duan Maoli
Published: June 2020

Objective: To assess the efficacy of the combination of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) and pharmacological treatment in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) and define patients amenable for HBO therapy. Methods: Prospective, randomized, trial involving 136 cases with unilateral ISSNHL that were randomly divided into 2 groups: the pharmacological treatment (P) group and HBO + pharmacological treatment (HBO+P) group, which received additional HBO for 14 days besides the pharmacological treatments. Pure tone audiometry gain larger than 15 dBHL was defined as success, and the success rate of each group was calculated. Results: The overall success rate of the HBO+P group and the P group is 60.6% (40/66) and 42.9% (30/70), respectively (p < 0.05). Furthermore, patients with mild-moderate baseline hearing loss, aged ≤50 years, receiving treatment in ≤14 days, or without accompanied dizziness/vertigo in the HBO+P group had higher success rate than the P group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: HBO combined with pharmacological treatments leads to better hearing recovery than pharmacological treatments alone.
Cytogenetic Spectrum of Ovotesticular Difference of Sex Development (OT DSD) among a Large Cohort of DSD Patients and Literature Review
Authors: Mekkawy Mona K. , Kamel Alaa K. , Dessouky Nabil , Elgharbawy Mohamed , Mazen Inas
Published: June 2020

Ovotesticular difference of sex development (OT DSD) is a rare genetic disorder with an incidence of about 1/100,000 live births. The majority of OT DSD patients show a 46,XX karyotype, others may have 46,XX/46,XY chimerism or exhibit various mosaic sex chromosome combinations, and less commonly they may have a 46,XY karyotype. The aim of this work is to report the clinical, pathological, and karyotypic variations in OT DSD patients diagnosed among a large cohort of DSD patients. The study included 10 patients thoroughly evaluated for clinical, genital, and hormonal abnormalities and subjected to imaging studies, laparoscopy with gonadal biopsy, karyotype, and FISH analysis. The current study revealed a greater percentage of mosaic cell line combinations than previously reported and showed variable cytogenetic abnormalities, including the rare isodicentric (Y)(p11.32) abnormality and X;Y translocation. The study also revealed a unique pattern of gonadal type and combination frequencies. To our knowledge, this is the first study on OT DSD patients among a large cohort of DSD patients in Egypt and the Middle East.
Event-Free Survival Following Successful Percutaneous Intervention in Acute Myocardial Infarction Depends on Microvascular Perfusion
Authors: Xie Feng , Qian Lijun , Goldsweig Andrew , Xu Di , Porter Thomas R.
Published: June 2020

Background:

Although small trials have detected microvascular obstruction (MVO) with variable frequency following restoration of epicardial blood flow, the independent impact of abnormal microvascular perfusion (MVP) in predicting patient outcome following emergent percutaneous coronary intervention in acute ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction is unknown. The study aims to determine the impact of abnormal MVP following successful epicardial recanalization in ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction.

Methods:

MVP was analyzed by low mechanical index ultrasound imaging within 48 hours of emergent percutaneous coronary intervention in 297 patients with acute ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction who had restoration of Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction grade 3 flow in the infarct vessel. Patients were divided into normal segmental replenishment (normal MVP) after high mechanical index impulses versus delayed replenishment but normal plateau intensity (delayed MVP) and both delayed replenishment and reduced plateau intensity (MVO by definition). Demographic variables, left ventricular ejection fraction change, and 5-year follow-up of death, recurrent myocardial infarction, and congestive heart failure were analyzed.

Results:

MVO was seen in 115 patients (39%), delayed MVP in 124 (42%), and normal MVP in 58 patients (19%). Patients with MVO had significant lower left ventricular ejection fraction change (39±12%) at hospital discharge compared with delayed MVP (50±10%;
P
=0.003) and normal MVP (57±8%;
P
<0.0001) groups. The MVO group also did not have an improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction change at 3-month follow-up (36±12% versus 37±13%;
P
=0.18). Both delayed MVP and MVO were independent predictors of adverse events at follow-up (hazard ratio, 21 [CI, 4–116];
P
=0.001 and hazard ratio, 30 [CI, 5–183];
P
<0.0001, respectively).

Conclusions:

Reduced or absent MVP following successful percutaneous coronary intervention in acute ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction is common and associated with significantly worse outcome even with Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 3 flow in the infarct vessel.
Decrease in Hospital Admissions for Transient Ischemic Attack, Mild, and Moderate Stroke During the COVID-19 Era
Authors: Diegoli Henrique , Magalhães Pedro S.C. , Martins Sheila C.O. , Moro Carla H.C. , França Paulo H.C. , Safanelli Juliana , Nagel Vivian , Venancio Vanessa G. , Liberato Rafaela B. , Longo Alexandre L.
Published: June 2020

Background and Purpose:

Since the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, doctors and public authorities have demonstrated concern about the reduction in quality of care for other health conditions due to social restrictions and lack of resources. Using a population-based stroke registry, we investigated the impact of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in stroke admissions in Joinville, Brazil.

Methods:

Patients admitted after the onset of COVID-19 restrictions in the city (defined as March 17, 2020) were compared with those admitted in 2019. We analyzed differences between stroke incidence, types, severity, reperfusion therapies, and time from stroke onset to admission. Statistical tests were also performed to compare the 30 days before and after COVID-19 to the same period in 2019.

Results:

We observed a decrease in total stroke admissions from an average of 12.9/100 000 per month in 2019 to 8.3 after COVID-19 (
P
=0.0029). When compared with the same period in 2019, there was a 36.4% reduction in stroke admissions. There was no difference in admissions for severe stroke (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score >8), intraparenchymal hemorrhage, and subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Conclusions:

The onset of COVID-19 was correlated with a reduction in admissions for transient, mild, and moderate strokes. Given the need to prevent the worsening of symptoms and the occurrence of medical complications in these groups, a reorganization of the stroke-care networks is necessary to reduce collateral damage caused by COVID-19.
Examining the Neural Basis of Congruent and Incongruent Configural Contexts during Associative Retrieval
Authors: Gerver Courtney R. , Overman Amy A. , Babu Harini J. , Hultman Chloe E. , Dennis Nancy A.
Published: June 2020

Disrupting the configural context, or relative organization and orientation of paired stimuli, between encoding and retrieval negatively impacts memory. Using univariate and multivariate fMRI analyses, we examined the effect of retaining and manipulating the configural context on neural mechanisms supporting associative retrieval. Behavioral results showed participants had significantly higher hit rates for recollecting pairs in a contextually congruent, versus incongruent, configuration. In addition, contextual congruency between memory phases was a critical determinant to characterizing both the magnitude and patterns of neural activation within visual and parietal cortices. Regions within visual cortices also exhibited higher correlations between patterns of activity at encoding and retrieval when configural context was congruent across memory phases than incongruent. Collectively, these findings shed light on how manipulating configural context between encoding and retrieval affects associative recognition, with changes in the configural context leading to reductions in information transfer and increases in task difficulty.
European Lepidocyrtus lignorum-group, new findings and redescritpion of Lepidocyrtus pulchellus Denis, 1926 (Collembola, Entomobryidae)
Authors: MATEOS EDUARDO
Published: June 2020

Some European species of the genus Lepidocyrtus were described almost a century ago and are only known from the type locality. This is the case of the Italian species L. pulchellus Denis, 1926, whose original description is very brief and does not allow its proper identification according to the current standards of the genus taxonomy. The study of the specimens of the type series, as well as other fresh specimens collected in several Italian locations, has allowed us to redescribe the species and expand its distributional range.
New species, a new name, and new synonyms for Chimarra spp. (Insecta: Trichoptera: Philopotamidae) of India
Authors: PANDHER MANPREET SINGH , KAUR SIMARJIT , GARIMA DEEPTI
Published: June 2020

Chimarra oliveri sp. nov. is added as a new species from Arunachal Pradesh (India). Additionally, a new name Chimarra subpositio nomen novum is proposed for junior secondary homonym Chimarra bicolor Navás 1932 and the following synonyms are proposed: Chimarra larmol Malicky 2017 is considered a synonym of C. bidenta Pandher et al. 2014 and C. saddiel Malicky 2014 is considered a synonym of C. lakhwinderae Pandher & Saini 2012b, based on the similarity of the male genitalic appendages. With these changes, the genus is represented by 55 species from India.
Taxonomic study on the genus Pseudozumia de Saussure (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae) from Vietnam, with description of a new species
Authors: NGUYEN LIEN THI PHUONG
Published: June 2020

A taxonomic study on the genus Pseudozumia de Saussure from Vietnam is presented. One species previously identified as Pseudozumia indica indica (de Saussure, 1855) is described as new, namely P. cucphuongensis Nguyen, sp. nov. The second species, P. indica (de Saussure) has two subspecies occurring in Vietnam, P. indica indica (de Saussure) from northern part and P. indica borneana Giordani Soika from southern part which is newly recorded from Vietnam. A key to the Oriental species of the genus is also given.
Description a new species of the genus Orphnebius Motschulsky, 1858 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) from Xizang, China
Authors: JIANG RI-XIN , LI BO-YAN , WANG SHUO
Published: June 2020

A new species of the genus Orphnebius Motschulsky: Orphnebius lilizheni sp. nov. is described from Xizang, China. All specimens examined in this study were collected from the nest of an ant species Myrmica sp. (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). The adults and larvae of the new species are described, figured and compared with its congeners.
The type specimens of Papilionoidea in the collection of the National Museum of Natural History, Sofia (Lepidoptera)
Authors: ABADJIEV STANISLAV , LANGOUROV MARIO
Published: June 2020

This paper comprises a catalogue of the type material of true butterflies (Papilionoidea) kept in the National Museum of Natural History at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in Sofia. The collection contains types of nine nominal species group taxa, described by S. Abadjiev, S. Beshkov, I. Buresch, H. Rebel, and K. Tuleschkow. Lectotypes have been designated for Colias myrmidone balcanica Rebel, 1901, Erebia tyndarus macedonica Buresch, 1919, E. gorge pirinica Buresch, 1919, Euchloe gruneri macedonica Buresch, 1921, Sathyrus [sic] arethusa strumata Buresch, 1919, and Doritis apollinus var. thracica Buresch, 1915. One new synonym has been established: Papilio arethusa arethusa [Denis et Schiffermüller], 1775 = Sathyrus [sic] arethusa strumata Buresch, 1919, syn. nov.
A new species and two new records of the Neoperla diehli subgroup of the N. montivaga group (Plecoptera: Perlidae) from China
Authors: MO RAORAO , WANG GUOQUAN , LI WEIHAI
Published: June 2020

A new species of the Neoperla diehli subgroup of the montivaga group, N. curvilobata sp. nov., is described from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of southern China. The first country records for N. diehli Sivec, 1985 and N. hubleyi Stark & Sivec, 2008 from China are given. Neoperla wui Yang & Yang, 1990 is reported again from the type locality. Neoperla mesostyla Li & Wang, 2013 (in Wang et al. 2013b) is placed as a synonym of N. wui. Illustrations and color images are provided for each species and the new species is compared with related congeners of the N. diehli subgroup. A provisional key to the known species of the N. diehli subgroup is also presented.
Description of Chelisoches chongqingensis sp. nov. (Dermaptera: Chelisochidae) and redescription of Platylabia major Dohrn, 1867 from China
Authors: YE XIAO-HAN , GU JUN , ZHANG MEI , CHEN ZHI-TENG
Published: June 2020

A new earwig species of Chelisoches Scudder, 1876, C. chongqingensis Ye & Chen sp. nov. is reported from Chongqin City of China. The new species is characterized by the distinct metallic luster on the elytra and by the pygidium shape of the female. Descriptions and illustrations of both the male and female of the new species are provided. Another species, Platylabia major Dohrn, 1867, is redescribed based on material collected from Guangdong and Fujian provinces.
5. Trends and Patterns in Public Investment in Spain
Authors: Villaverde José , Maza Adolfo
Published: June 2020

In chapter 5, José Villaverde and Adolfo Maza discuss the case of Spain, which, like Italy, has experienced the most acute economic crisis since the end of the Second World War. Because of that, the country had to face some important constraints in its public finances and public investment experienced a severe blow after the outbreak of the crisis. Before the 2008 Global Financial Crisis – namely during the period 2000–2007 – Spain was the country that registered the second highest increase in public gross fixed capital formation among the five biggest European countries (France, Germany, Spain, Italy and the UK), a rate (6.8% per year) that was also much higher than that of the EU (2.3%) and the euro area (2.6%). However, over the next period, 2008–2013, the situation changed completely: public investment dropped on an annual basis at a rate close to 11%; thus, Spain suffered the most acute decline in public investment by far among the among the big five. It also emerges that public investment in Spain has been very volatile and pro-cyclical over time (with large increase periods during boom times and huge falls during recessions); investment in infrastructures always represents the main component of public investment. This implies a policy agenda towards a more anti-cyclical stance and a rebalancing of types of investments, for instance the necessity to increase the share devoted to information and communications technology (ICT).
Indirect Effect of Economic, Social, and Cultural Status on Immigrant Students’ Science Performance Through Science Dispositions: A Multilevel Analysis
Authors: Bilican Demir Safiye , Yildirim Ozen
Published: June 2020

Determining the ethnic differences in academic performance among immigrant students is important in terms of adapting them into the system they live in. Examining the variables related to students’ performance will be a guide in overcoming the issue. The purpose of this study is to examine the direct effect of economic, social, and cultural status (ESCS) on science performance and the indirect effect of ESCS on the relationship between science dispositions and science literacy in Canadian immigrant students using hierarchical linear modeling. Data were obtained from Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2015 science literacy test and student questionnaire and data sets were provided from the official website of PISA. The results of the research show that ESCS had a direct and indirect effect through science dispositions with medium to large on science performance of immigrant students. The impacts of significant variables were discussed and implications for further research were provided.
Robust adaptive control for continuous wheel slip rate tracking of vehicle with state observer
Authors: Zhang Jiaxu , Shi Zhengtang , Yang Xiong , Zhao Jian
Published: June 2020

This article proposes a novel robust adaptive wheel slip rate tracking control method with state observer. First, a modified tracking differentiator is proposed based on a combination of tangent sigmoid function with terminal attraction factor and linear function to improve convergence speed and avoid chattering phenomenon, and then, the modified tracking differentiator is used as state observer to smooth and estimate the states of the system. Second, a robust adaptive wheel slip rate tracking control law with fuzzy uncertainty observer and modified adaptive laws is derived based on Lyapunov-based method. The fuzzy uncertainty observer is used for estimating and compensating the additive uncertainty, and the modified adaptive laws are used for estimating the unknown optimal weight vector of the fuzzy uncertainty observer and the multiplicative uncertainty. Finally, the performance of the robust adaptive wheel slip rate tracking control method is verified based on the model-in-the-loop simulation system.
Will medically-assisted suicide mean the rebirth of (clinical) ethics committees in Italy?
Authors: Petrini Carlo
Published: June 2020

The Italian Constitutional Court has held that, in certain specific circumstances, prosecution for assisted suicide, regulated by Article 580 of the Criminal Code, is not compatible with the Constitution. The circumstances in question relate to individuals who are being kept alive by life-sustaining treatments, who are fully capable of taking free, informed decisions and are suffering from irreversible conditions that are a source of intolerable physical or mental suffering. The Court has held that the Ethics Committees must assess a request for assisted suicide made by an individual meeting these conditions. The decision requires the identification of the Ethics Committee authorised to issue authorisation in such cases and a guarantee that these Ethics Committees are able to deal with this type of issue. The Court’s decision is an important opportunity to establish and promote clinical Ethics Committees, which are not nationally regulated in Italy and exist in very small numbers in only a few parts of the country.
Covid-19: Refracting decision-making through the prism of resource allocation
Authors: Law Richard WM , Choong Kartina A
Published: June 2020

Medical decision-making has, across the history of the NHS, made a transitional journey from a model characterised by paternalism to one which places emphasis on partnership and patient autonomy. This article assesses the extent to which the circumstances generated by the Covid-19 pandemic affect the mode of critical care decision-making. It observes that clinical judgment influenced by protocols, algorithms and resource constraints do not lend themselves to full identification with either of the two frameworks familiar to the NHS. The unique mode of decision-making engendered can only be understood on its own terms.
Strategies of public intellectual engagement
Authors: Brahimi Mohamed Amine , Hernando Marcos Gonzalez , Morgan Marcus , Pérez Amín
Published: June 2020

This introduction to the Special Section on public intellectual engagement has three objectives. First, to explore the different meanings that the polysemic term ‘strategy’ can hold in relation to intellectuals. In the process, we showcase both this concept’s potential theoretical yield and its capacity to bridge the ‘performative’ and event-oriented study of intellectuals more common in English-speaking sociology with longue durée career-oriented analyses more associated with French sociology. The second objective is to reassess some of the main contributions to the sociology of intellectuals by reference to this notion of ‘strategy’, especially concerning issues of political allegiance and group membership. The final objective is to illustrate the potential of this approach in empirical work on intellectual engagement and introduce the articles that comprise the Special Section.
Labour power and bossing: Local leadership formation and the party-state in ‘middle’ Bangladesh
Authors: Kuttig Julian
Published: June 2020

Based on long-term ethnographic fieldwork, this article focuses on how public order and authority is produced in ‘middle Bangladesh’ by investigating the political emergence and political persona of a bus labour federation (BLF) leader in Rajshahi city. The BLF is an important source for ‘muscle’ and ‘money’ power and is commonly denoted as ‘labour mafia’. Its leaders, often referred to as mastan (gangster, enforcer) or neta (leader, career politician), hold considerable power, especially where buses are the most important mode of transport. Having the capacity to bring the city to a standstill makes leaders conspicuous actors in the political power structure across the country. I examine how such leaders manoeuvre in a political system referred to as a ‘party-state’. Unlike most other labour unions, the BLF is not an organisational wing of political parties or the state, but an ‘autonomous’ and rather capricious power base that is nonetheless inextricably linked with local politics, crime, and ‘the state’.
Book review: Dolly Kikon. 2019. Living with Coal and Oil: Resource Politics and Militarization in Northeast India
Authors: Gohain Swargajyoti
Published: June 2020

Dolly Kikon. 2019. Living with Coal and Oil: Resource Politics and Militarization in Northeast India. Seattle: University of Washington Press. xiv + 189 pp. Maps, figures, notes, bibliography, Index. US$30 (paperback).
Does longitudinal or transverse orientation of the ultrasound probe improve cannulation success in minimally invasive venous surgery: A multicentre randomised controlled trial
Authors: Aherne Thomas M , Zafar Adeel S , Gourlay Daniel , O'Neill Damien C , Bashar Khalid , Yap Charyl JQ , Tang Tjun Y , Walsh Stewart R
Published: June 2020

Objective

This study evaluates the effect of transverse and longitudinal ultrasound transducer orientation on saphenous vein cannulation during endovenous ablation.

Methods

A single-blinded, multicentre, randomised controlled trial was performed in patients undergoing ultrasound-guided venous cannulation for saphenous ablation. The primary outcomes were overall cannulation success and time to successful cannulation.

Results

In total, 100 patients were assigned to parallel longitudinal orientation and transverse orientation groups. Cannulation success was 100%. There was no significant variation in time to cannulation detected between the transverse orientation and longitudinal orientation (85 s vs. 71 s, p = 0.314). Longitudinal orientation was associated with significantly fewer needle passes [median 3 (interquartile range 1–5) vs. 2 (interquartile range 1–3), p = 0.026] and less pain (median visual analogue scale score 1 vs. 2.5, p = 0.039) than those in the transverse orientation group.

Conclusion

This trial has shown that while longitudinal orientation is associated with less procedural pain it has no significant effect on time to target vein cannulation during endovenous ablation.
Resistance training in stroke rehabilitation: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Veldema Jitka , Jansen Petra
Published: June 2020

Objective:

This systematic review and meta-analysis investigates the effects of resistance training in supporting the recovery in stroke patients.

Data sources:

PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and the PEDro databases were reviewed up to 30 April 2020.

Review methods:

Randomized controlled trials were included, who compared: (i) resistance training with no intervention, (ii) resistance training with other interventions and (iii) different resistance training protocols in stroke rehabilitation.

Results:

Overall 30 trials ( n = 1051) were enrolled. The parameters evaluated were: (1) gait, (2) muscular force and motor function, (3) mobility, balance and postural control, (4) health related quality of life, independence and reintegration, (5) spasticity and hypertonia, (6) cardiorespiratory fitness, (7) cognitive abilities and emotional state and (8) other health-relevant physiological indicators. The data indicates that: (i) resistance training is beneficial for the majority of parameters observed, (ii) resistance training is superior to other therapies on muscular force and motor function of lower and upper limbs, health related quality of life, independence and reintegration and other health-relevant physiological indicators, not significantly different from other therapies on walking ability, mobility balance and postural control and spasticity and hypertonia, and inferior to ergometer training on cardiorespiratory fitness and (iii) the type of resistance training protocol significantly impacts its effect; leg press is more efficient than knee extension and high intensity training is superior than low intensity training.

Conclusion:

Current data indicates that resistance training may be beneficial in supporting the recovery of stroke patients. However, the current evidence is insufficient for evidence-based rehabilitation.
The switch from Gd-DTPA to Gd-DOTA is not associated with decrease of the T1 signal intensity of the pallidus and dentate in a pediatric population
Authors: Gulino Pietro , Bianchi Andrea , Diciotti Stefano , Scionti Alessandra , Sali Lapo , Papadopulos Paulo , Mascalchi Mario
Published: June 2020

Background

The switch from the linear gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) gadopentate dimeglumine (Gd_DTPA) to the macrocyclic GBCA gadobutrol is associated with a decrease of the T1 signal intensity (SI) in brain gray matter nuclei. The effects of the switch to other macrocyclic GBCAs are not yet established.

Purpose

To explore the effects of switching from Gd-DTPA to the macrocyclic GBCA gadoterate meglumine (Gd-DOTA) in pediatric patients.

Material and Methods

We measured the pallidus/middle cerebellar peduncle (MCP) SI ratio and the dentate/MCP SI ratio in pre-contrast sagittal T1-weighted spin-echo images in nine patients who had received ≥6 administrations of Gd-DTPA and then of Gd-DOTA, in 18 patients who had received ≥6 administrations of Gd-DOTA alone, and in nine age-matched controls without prior GBCA administrations. Serial assessment was performed in patients who switched from Gd-DTPA to Gd-DOTA. Finally, the rate of change of pallidal/MCP and dentate/MCP SI ratios between the first and last Gd-DOTA administrations was compared.

Results

The pallidal/MCP and dentate/MCP SI ratios were ( P < 0.05) higher in patients with prior Gd-DTPA and Gd-DOTA administrations compared to the controls. After the switch, the pallidal/MCP SI ratio increased in nine patients and the dentate/MCP ratio in seven patients. The rate of change of pallidal/MCP SI ratio after Gd-DOTA was higher ( P < 0.01) in patients who had previously received Gd-DTPA (mean 2.89 ± 2.6%) than in patients who had received Gd-DOTA alone (mean 0.53 ± 0.89%).

Conclusion

T1 SI in gray matter nuclei does not decrease after switching from Gd-DTPA to Gd-DOTA. The switch effects from Gd-DTPA to each macrocyclic GBCA should be individually evaluated.
Usefulness of postoperative serum translocator protein as a predictive marker for delirium after breast cancer surgery in elderly women
Authors: Lu Guo-Wen , Chou Yi-Er , Jin Wan-Ling , Su Xiao-Bao
Published: June 2020

Objective

Postoperative delirium (POD) has rarely been investigated in breast cancer patients. Herein, we assessed the association between serum levels of the inflammatory biomarker translocator protein (TP) and the occurrence of POD in breast cancer patients.

Methods

In this prospective, observational study, TP levels were detected in preoperative and postoperative serum samples from 152 elderly breast cancer patients, samples from 152 healthy elderly women, and samples from 152 elderly women with benign breast diseases. The relationship between serum TP levels and POD was investigated using multivariate analysis.

Results

TP levels in postoperative patient serum samples were significantly higher than in preoperative patient serum samples and serum from women in the two control groups. Postoperative serum TP levels were independently correlated with serum C-reactive protein levels and the occurrence of POD. Postoperative serum TP levels had a high discriminatory ability for POD under the receiver operating characteristic curve.

Conclusions

Increased postoperative serum TP levels are independently associated with the degree of inflammatory response and the risk of POD in elderly breast cancer patients, substantializing TP as an inflammatory biomarker that can efficiently discriminate POD after breast cancer surgery.
Research progress on advanced renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Song Xin-da , Tian Yi-nong , Li Hao , Liu Bin , Zhang Ai-li , Hong Yang
Published: June 2020

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a malignant tumor and the third most common urinary disease. It was estimated that RCC affected over 350,000 individuals in 2013, and there are nearly 140,000 deaths annually due to this disease. The initial masses in RCC patients are mostly confined to a single organ. However, due to the metastatic spread of cancer cells through the circulatory system, more than 30% of RCC patients relapse after surgery. The appearance of distant metastases often means that patients enter the advanced stage of cancer with low quality of life and a short expected survival time. This review aims to describe the extant research on advanced RCC, including its pathophysiology, heterogeneity, diagnosis, treatment, and prospects. We try to highlight the most suitable means of treating advanced RCC patients, focusing on comprehensive personalized treatments.