bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Novel Computer-Aided Diagnosis Scheme on Small Annotated Set: G2C-CAD
Authors: Zheng Guangyuan , Han Guanghui , Soomro Nouman Q. , Ma Linjuan , Zhang Fuquan , Zhao Yanfeng , Zhao Xinming , Zhou Chunwu
Published: April 2019

Purpose. Computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) can aid in improving diagnostic level; however, the main problem currently faced by CAD is that it cannot obtain sufficient labeled samples. To solve this problem, in this study, we adopt a generative adversarial network (GAN) approach and design a semisupervised learning algorithm, named G2C-CAD. Methods. From the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Lung Image Database Consortium (LIDC) dataset, we extracted four types of pulmonary nodule sign images closely related to lung cancer: noncentral calcification, lobulation, spiculation, and nonsolid/ground-glass opacity (GGO) texture, obtaining a total of 3,196 samples. In addition, we randomly selected 2,000 non-lesion image blocks as negative samples. We split the data 90% for training and 10% for testing. We designed a DCGAN generative adversarial framework and trained it on the small sample set. We also trained our designed CNN-based fuzzy Co-forest on the labeled small sample set and obtained a preliminary classifier. Then, coupled with the simulated unlabeled samples generated by the trained DCGAN, we conducted iterative semisupervised learning, which continually improved the classification performance of the fuzzy Co-forest until the termination condition was reached. Finally, we tested the fuzzy Co-forest and compared its performance with that of a C4.5 random decision forest and the G2C-CAD system without the fuzzy scheme, using ROC and confusion matrix for evaluation. Results. Four different types of lung cancer-related signs were used in the classification experiment: noncentral calcification, lobulation, spiculation, and nonsolid/ground-glass opacity (GGO) texture, along with negative image samples. For these five classes, the G2C-CAD system obtained AUCs of 0.946, 0.912, 0.908, 0.887, and 0.939, respectively. The average accuracy of G2C-CAD exceeded that of the C4.5 random decision tree by 14%. G2C-CAD also obtained promising test results on the LISS signs dataset; its AUCs for GGO, lobulation, spiculation, pleural indentation, and negative image samples were 0.972, 0.964, 0.941, 0.967, and 0.953, respectively. Conclusion. The experimental results show that G2C-CAD is an appropriate method for addressing the problem of insufficient labeled samples in the medical image analysis field. Moreover, our system can be used to establish a training sample library for CAD classification diagnosis, which is important for future medical image analysis.
Identification of Potential Biomarkers in Glioblastoma through Bioinformatic Analysis and Evaluating Their Prognostic Value
Authors: Zhou Yangmei , Yang Li , Zhang Xiaoxi , Chen Rui , Chen Xiuqiong , Tang Wenhua , Zhang Mengxian
Published: April 2019

Glioblastoma is a common malignant tumor in the central nervous system with an extremely poor outcome; understanding the mechanisms of glioblastoma at the molecular level is essential for clinical treatment. In the present study, we used bioinformatics analysis to identify potential biomarkers associated with prognosis in glioblastoma and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. The result revealed that 552 common genes were differentially expressed between glioblastoma and normal tissues based on TCGA, GSE4290, and GSE 50161 datasets. Gene Oncology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network were carried out to gain insight into the actions of differentially expressed genes (DEGs). As a result, 20 genes (CALB1, CDC20, CDCA8, CDK1, CEP55, DLGAP5, KIF20A, KIF4A, NDC80, PBK, RRM2, SYN1, SYP, SYT1, TPX2, TTK, VEGFA, BDNF, GNG3, and TOP2A) were found as hub genes via CytoHubba in Cytoscape and functioned mainly by participating in cell cycle and p53 signaling pathway; among them, RRM2 and CEP55 were considered to have relationship with the prognosis of glioblastoma, especially RRM2. High expression of RRM2 was consistent with shorter overall survival time. In conclusion, our study displayed the bioinformatic analysis methods in screening potential oncogenes in glioblastoma and underlying mechanisms. What is more is that we successfully identified RRM2 as a novel biomarker linked with prognosis, which might be expected to be a promising target for the therapy of glioblastoma.
Curcumin Provides Hepatoprotection against Amoebic Liver Abscess Induced by Entamoeba histolytica in Hamster: Involvement of Nrf2/HO-1 and NF-κB/IL-1β Signaling Pathways
Authors: Macías-Pérez José Roberto , Aldaba-Muruato Liseth Rubí , Martínez-Hernández Sandra Luz , Muñoz-Ortega Martín Humberto , Pulido-Ortega Julieta , Ventura-Juárez Javier
Published: April 2019

Amoebic liver abscess (ALA) is the most common extraintestinal amoebiasis caused by Entamoeba histolytica (E. histolytica). However, despite current knowledge and scientific advances about this infection, there are no effective treatments to prevent it. Herein, the antiamoebic capacity of curcumin in a hamster model was evaluated. Curcumin (150 mg/kg, p.o., daily during 10 days before infection) considerably prevents liver damage induced at 12 and 48 h post-intrahepatic inoculation of trophozoites and decreases ALT, ALP, and γ-GTP activities, and macroscopic and microscopic observations were consistent with these results. On the other hand, after one week of intraportal inoculation, liver damage was prevented by curcumin (150 mg/kg, p.o., daily, 20 days before amoebic inoculation and during the week of infection); liver/body weight ratios and tissue and histological stains showed normal appearance; in addition, the increases in ALT, ALP, and γ-GTP activities were prevented; the depletion of glycogen content induced by the amoebic damage was partially but significantly prevented, while NF-κB activity was inhibited and the expression of IL-1β was reduced; Nrf2 production showed a tendency to increase it, and HO-1 protein was overexpressed. These results suggest for the first time that curcumin can be a compound with antiamoebic effect in the liver, suggesting that its daily use could help greatly decrease the incidence of this type of infection.
Self-Rated Physical Health and Unmet Healthcare Needs among Swedish Patients in Opioid Substitution Treatment
Authors: Troberg Katja , Håkansson Anders , Dahlman Disa
Published: April 2019

Background. Individuals with opioid dependence are at increased risk of deteriorating health due to the lifestyle connected to heroin use. Barriers surrounding the healthcare system seem to hinder patients to seek help through conventional healthcare, even after entering opioid substitution treatment (OST), resulting in a high level of unmet healthcare needs. However, this field is still unexplored, with only a few studies focusing on general health within this population. The first step, in order to provide suitable and accessible primary healthcare, is to assess the extent of physical symptoms and unmet healthcare needs within the OST population, which, to this point, has been sparsely studied. Aim. To assess OST patients’ self-rated physical health and healthcare seeking behaviour. Methods. Two-hundred and eighteen patients from four different OST sites answered a questionnaire regarding physical health and healthcare seeking. Results. Patients in OST have a high degree of physical symptoms and a high degree of unmet healthcare needs. Sixty-six percent reported suffering from musculoskeletal pain. Fifty-six percent reported gastrointestinal symptoms. Genital problems and airway symptoms were reported by 47%, respectively, and dental problems were reported by 69% of the respondents. General unmet healthcare needs were reported by 82%. Musculoskeletal pain was positively correlated with having an unstable housing situation (AOR 4.26 [95% CI 1.73-10.48]), negatively correlated with male sex (AOR 0.45 [95% CI 0.22-0.91]), and positively correlated with age (AOR 1.04 [95% CI 1.01-1.07]). No statistically significant correlates of respiratory, gastrointestinal, genital, or dental symptoms were found. Conclusion. Patients in OST carry a heavy burden of physical symptoms and unmet healthcare needs, potentially due to societal barriers. Patients’ frequent visits to the OST clinics offer a unique opportunity to build a base for easily accessible on-site primary healthcare.
Study on the Decoupled Charge Effect in Deep‐Hole Cumulative Blasting of Coal Seam
Authors: Song Yanqi , Li Xiangshang , Guo Deyong , Shi Bokang
Published: April 2019

Five models of cumulative blasting are established by using ANSYS/LS‐DYNA to study the effect of decoupling coefficient on cumulative blasting to improve coal seam permeability. The formation and migration process of the shaped energy jets with two kinds of decoupling coefficient are compared and analyzed; also, the propagation of explosive stress waves is represented. The result showed that the air in the blast hole is the key to the formation and migration of the condensing jet. The air in the hole also could reduce the attenuation of stress wave in a certain range. However, if the decoupling coefficient is too large, the air in the hole will consume excessive explosive energy, which is also not conducive to energy transfer. Therefore, there is an optimum decoupling coefficient which can minimize the coal crushing area, increase the coal fissure area, and improve the gas extraction rate. Besides, the cumulative blasting tests were carried out in a coal seam. The test results show that decoupling charge could effectively improve coal seam permeability, and the blasting effect was better when the decoupling coefficient is between 1.67 and 2.
Concurrent Targeting of Glutaminolysis and Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 1 (GRM1) Reduces Glutamate Bioavailability in GRM1+ Melanoma
Authors: Shah Raj , Singh Simar J. , Eddy Kevinn , Filipp Fabian V. , Chen Suzie
Published: April 2019

Aberrant glutamatergic signaling has been implicated in altered metabolic activity in many cancer types, including malignant melanoma. Previously, we have illustrated the role of metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (GRM1) in neoplastic transformation of melanocytes in vitro and spontaneous metastatic melanoma in vivo. In this study, we showed that autocrine stimulation constitutively activates the GRM1 receptor and its downstream mitogenic signaling. GRM1-activated (GRM1+) melanomas exhibited significantly increased expression of glutaminase (GLS), which catalyzes the first step in the conversion of glutamine to glutamate. In cultured GRM1+ melanoma cell lines, CB-839, a potent, selective, and orally bioavailable inhibitor of GLS, suppressed cell proliferation, while riluzole, an inhibitor of glutamate release, promoted apoptotic cell death in vitro and in vivo. Combined treatment with CB-839 and riluzole treatment proved to be superior to single-agent treatment, restricting glutamate bioavailability and leading to effective suppression of tumor cell proliferation in vitro and tumor progression in vivo. Hyperactivation of GRM1 in malignant melanoma is an oncogenic driver, which acts independently of canonical melanoma proto-oncogenes, BRAF or NRAS. Overall, these results indicate that expression of GRM1 promotes a metabolic phenotype that supports increased glutamate production and autocrine glutamatergic signaling, which can be pharmacologically targeted by decreasing glutamate bioavailability and the GLS-dependent glutamine to glutamate conversion.

Significance:

These findings demonstrate that targeting glutaminolytic glutamate bioavailability is an effective therapeutic strategy for GRM1-activated tumors.
Cholesterol Induces Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition of Prostate Cancer Cells by Suppressing Degradation of EGFR through APMAP
Authors: Jiang Siyuan , Wang Xuetong , Song Dalong , Liu XiaoJun , Gu Yinmin , Xu Zhiyuan , Wang Xiaodong , Zhang Xiaolu , Ye Qinong , Tong Zhou , Yan BingXue , Yu Jie , Chen Yunzhao , Sun Minxuan , Wang Yang , Gao Shan
Published: April 2019

Cholesterol increases the risk of aggressive prostate cancer and has emerged as a potential therapeutic target for prostate cancer. The functional roles of cholesterol in prostate cancer metastasis are not fully understood. Here, we found that cholesterol induces the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) through extracellular-regulated protein kinases 1/2 pathway activation, which is mediated by EGFR and adipocyte plasma membrane-associated protein (APMAP) accumulation in cholesterol-induced lipid rafts. Mechanistically, APMAP increases the interaction with EGFR substrate 15-related protein (EPS15R) to inhibit the endocytosis of EGFR by cholesterol, thus promoting cholesterol-induced EMT. Both the mRNA and protein levels of APMAP are upregulated in clinical prostate cancer samples. Together, these findings shed light onto an APMAP/EPS15R/EGFR axis that mediates cholesterol-induced EMT of prostate cancer cells.

Significance:

This study delineates the molecular mechanisms by which cholesterol increases prostate cancer progression and demonstrates that the binding of cholesterol-induced APMAP with EPS15R inhibits EGFR internalization and activates ERK1/2 to promote EMT.
HDAC8 Regulates a Stress Response Pathway in Melanoma to Mediate Escape from BRAF Inhibitor Therapy
Authors: Emmons Michael F. , Faião-Flores Fernanda , Sharma Ritin , Thapa Ram , Messina Jane L. , Becker Jurgen C. , Schadendorf Dirk , Seto Edward , Sondak Vernon K. , Koomen John M. , Chen Yian A. , Lau Eric K. , Wan Lixin , Licht Jonathan D. , Smalley Keiran S.M.
Published: April 2019

Melanoma cells have the ability to switch to a dedifferentiated, invasive phenotype in response to multiple stimuli. Here, we show that exposure of melanomas to multiple stresses including BRAF–MEK inhibitor therapy, hypoxia, and UV irradiation leads to an increase in histone deacetylase 8 (HDAC8) activity and the adoption of a drug-resistant phenotype. Mass spectrometry–based phosphoproteomics implicated HDAC8 in the regulation of MAPK and AP-1 signaling. Introduction of HDAC8 into drug-naïve melanoma cells conveyed resistance both in vitro and in vivo. HDAC8-mediated BRAF inhibitor resistance was mediated via receptor tyrosine kinase activation, leading to MAPK signaling. Although HDACs function at the histone level, they also regulate nonhistone substrates, and introduction of HDAC8 decreased the acetylation of c-Jun, increasing its transcriptional activity and enriching for an AP-1 gene signature. Mutation of the putative c-Jun acetylation site at lysine 273 increased transcriptional activation of c-Jun in melanoma cells and conveyed resistance to BRAF inhibition. In vivo xenograft studies confirmed the key role of HDAC8 in therapeutic adaptation, with both nonselective and HDAC8-specific inhibitors enhancing the durability of BRAF inhibitor therapy. Our studies demonstrate that HDAC8-specific inhibitors limit the adaptation of melanoma cells to multiple stresses including BRAF–MEK inhibition.

Significance:

This study provides evidence that HDAC8 drives transcriptional plasticity in melanoma cells in response to a range of stresses through direct deacetylation of c-Jun.
Identification of Novel Circulating miRNA Biomarkers for the Diagnosis of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Dysplasia
Authors: Shen Yi , Ding Yuanjie , Ma Qing , Zhao Lei , Guo Xudong , Shao Yi , Niu Chen , He Yan , Zhang Feng , Zheng Deqiang , Wei Wenqiang , Liu Fen
Published: April 2019

Background:

Circulating miRNAs have been identified as diagnostic biomarkers for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), but their efficacy in discovering early-stage ESCC is still unsatisfying. Esophageal squamous dysplasia (ESD) is the precursor lesion of ESCC. Notably, little is known about the role(s) of circulating miRNAs in identifying ESD. In this study, we, therefore, aimed to identify serum miRNAs as novel diagnostic markers for detecting ESD and ESCC.

Methods:

The genome-wide miRNA expression was profiled in 104 (52 ESCC and 52 controls) serum samples using microarray. Seven candidate miRNAs from the microarray assay were evaluated for their diagnostic performance in another cohort of 266 participants (96 ESCC, 92 ESD, and 78 healthy controls).

Results:

The serum levels of miR-16-5p, miR-197-5p, miR-451a, and miR-92a-3p were associated with ESCC; the biomarker based on the panel of these four miRNAs could efficiently distinguish patients with ESCC from the controls [AUC = 0.856; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.794–0.905; P < 0.001]. The serum levels of miR-16-5p, miR-320c, miR-638, and miR-92a-3p were significantly higher in patients with ESD than in controls, and this four-miRNA signature could efficiently differentiate patients with ESD from the controls (AUC = 0.842; 95% CI, 0.778–0.893; P < 0.001). In addition, compared with serum carcinoembryonic antigen and carbohydrate antigen 199, miRNA-based panels had a better diagnostic performance in distinguishing patients with ESCC and ESD from healthy controls.

Conclusions:

Our study identified two novel panels of circulating miRNAs with high efficiency in detecting ESCC and ESD, suggesting that circulating miRNAs, in particular the combination of them, might serve as noninvasive biomarkers for the early detection of ESCC.

Impact:

This study suggests the feasibility of using circular miRNA-based blood tests to aid in the detection of ESD and ESCC.
Tumor-Derived α-Fetoprotein Suppresses Fatty Acid Metabolism and Oxidative Phosphorylation in Dendritic Cells
Authors: Santos Patricia M. , Menk Ashley V. , Shi Jian , Tsung Allan , Delgoffe Greg M. , Butterfield Lisa H.
Published: April 2019

Cellular metabolism supports immune cell function. Here, we identify a reduction in fatty acid synthesis and mitochondrial metabolism in dendritic cells (DC) due to α-fetoprotein (AFP), a protein secreted by hepatocellular cancer (HCC). DCs cultured in the presence of AFP show reduced expression of the metabolic regulatory molecules SREBP-1 and PGC1-α. The negative effect of AFP on mitochondrial metabolism and ATP production was confirmed with observation of reduction in basal oxygen consumption rate (OCR) in DCs exposed to AFP derived from cord blood. More severe reduction in basal OCR was observed in tumor-derived DCs exposed to AFP due to downregulation of cytochrome c oxidase. We also showed reduced expression of PGC1-α in circulating myeloid DCs of patients with HCC and impaired capacity to stimulate antigen-specific effector functions. These data show the negative effects of AFP on DC metabolism. These findings elucidate a mechanism of immune suppression in HCC and may help generate therapeutic approaches to reverse such immunosuppression.
Sauerstoff mit hoher Flussrate über Tracheostoma erleichtert Weaning nach Langzeitbeatmung bei Patienten mit restriktiver Lungenfunktionsstörung: zwei Fallberichte
Authors: Mitaka Chieko , Odoh Masahiko , Satoh Daizoh , Hashiguchi Tadasuke , Inada Eiichi
Published: April 2019

Hintergrund: Die Entwöhnung von einer längerfristigen maschinellen Beatmung bei tracheotomierten Patienten mit restriktiver Lungenfunktionsstörung ist extrem schwierig. Eine Sauerstoffgabe mit hoher Flussrate über das Tracheostoma liefert erwärmtes und befeuchtetes Sauerstoffgas mit >10 l/min. Jedoch liegen erst wenige Berichte zur Anwendung von Sauerstoff mit hoher Flussrate über Tracheostoma im Rahmen der Entwöhnung vom Beatmungsgerät bei Patienten mit restriktiver Lungenfunktionsstörung vor. Wir berichten über erfolgreiches Weaning vom Beatmungsgerät bei Patienten mit restriktiver Lungenfunktionsstörung mittels Sauerstoffgabe mit hoher Flussrate über Tracheostoma. Vorstellung der Fälle: Der erste Patient ist ein 78-jähriger Japaner mit schwerer Pneumokokken-Pneumonie, der nach Ösophagektomie wegen eines Ösophaguskarzinoms mehr als einen Monat lang beatmet wurde. Nach einer Tracheotomie wegen der längerfristigen maschinellen Beatmung entwickelte sich eine restriktive Lungenfunktionsstörung mit einem Atemzugvolumen von 230-240 ml und einer statischen Compliance von 14-15 ml/cm H2O mit 10 cm H2O Druckunterstützung. Das Weaning erfolgte unter inspiratorischer Unterstützung mit Sauerstoff mit hoher Flussrate über Tracheostoma über einen Zeitraum von 16 Tagen (Flussrate von 40 l/min und inspiratorische Sauerstofffraktion von 0,25). Der zweite Patient ist ein 69-jähriger Japaner, bei dem nach Ösophagektomie eine Aspirationspneumonie auftrat und der längerfristig über Tracheostoma beatmet wurde. Er entwickelte eine restriktive Lungenfunktionsstörung. Die Sauerstoffgabe mit hoher Flussrate über das Tracheostoma (Flussrate 40 l/min und inspiratorische Sauerstofffraktion von 0,25) erfolgte unter Messung des Atemwegsdrucks am Eingang des Tracheotomietubus. Folgende Werte wurden gemessen: 0,21-0,3 cm H2O, 0,21-0,56 cm H2O, 0,54-0,91 cm H2O, 0,76-2,01 cm H2O, 1,17-2,01 cm H2O und 1,76-2,01 cm H2O bei 10 l/min, 20 l/min, 30 l/min, 40 l/min, 50 l/min bzw. 60 l/min. Der Atemwegsdruck war kontinuierlich positiv und wurde auch während der Inspiration nicht negativ, was darauf hindeutet, dass die Sauerstoffgabe mit hoher Flussrate über Tracheostoma die Inspirationsanstrengung verringert. Das Weaning erfolgte unter inspiratorischer Unterstützung mit Sauerstoff mit hoher Flussrate über Tracheostoma über einen Zeitraum von 12 Tagen. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Sauerstoffgabe mit hoher Flussrate über Tracheostoma kann mit der Sauerstoffzufuhr die Inspirationsanstrengung verringern und das Atemzugvolumen vergrößern und so das Weaning nach Langzeitbeatmung bei Patienten mit restriktiver Lungenfunktionsstörung erleichtern.
A Population-Based Survey of Stroke Knowledge in Argentina: The SIFHON Study
Authors: Dossi Daiana E. , Hawkes Maximiliano A. , Pujol-Lereis Virginia A. , Povedano Guillermo P. , Rodríguez-Lucci Federico , Farez Mauricio F. , Ameriso Sebastián F.
Published: April 2019

Background and Objectives: Information about stroke awareness in Latin America is scant. We conducted a large population survey in Argentina to assess stroke knowledge. Methods: We distributed 110,000 multiple-choice anonymous questionnaires using the house distribution system of a bottled water dispensing company. The survey assessed demographic characteristics and stroke knowledge. Results: A total of 12,710 surveys were returned (12%). Even though 95% of the respondents reported some prior information about stroke, only 37% had adequate knowledge based on prespecified criteria. The Spanish acronym for accidente cerebrovascular, was the most frequently identified name for stroke. Sixty nine percent of respondents were able to identify stroke main risk factors and only 29% knew about transient ischemic attacks. If a hypothetical scenario of stroke was presented, 63% knew the existence of a time-dependent treatment, 25% would call an ambulance, and 50% would go to an emergency room by own means. A lower degree of knowledge was present in young, single, and nonuniversity men. Conclusions: This study represents the largest stroke awareness survey in a Spanish-speaking population. There was good recognition of some basic facts of stroke. However, the population had poor knowledge of prevalence and severity of the disease, transient ischemic attacks, and treatment availability.
Belastung von Patienten und Gesundheitssystem durch Pleuraverweildrainage zur Versorgung chronischer Pleuraergüsse
Authors: Kempa Axel Tobias
Published: April 2019

Background: Indwelling pleural catheters (IPC) offer an alternative to talc pleurodesis in recurrent effusion, especially in patients wishing to avoid hospitalization. Two randomized trials have demonstrated reduced time in hospital using IPCs versus talc pleurodesis in malignant pleural effusion (MPE). However, the impact of IPCs on hospital services and patients has not been well studied. Objectives: To analyze long-term outcomes of IPCs and understand the hospital burden in terms of requirement for hospital visits and contacts with healthcare, while the IPC was in situ. Methods: IPC insertions in a tertiary pleural center were analyzed retrospectively. Reviews of patients with IPCs in situ considered «additional» to routine clinical follow-up were defined pre-hoc. Results: A total of 202 cases were analyzed: 89.6% MPE group (n = 181) and 10.4% non-MPE group (n = 21). There were a median 3.0 (interquartile range [IQR] 3) and 2.0 (IQR 2) ipsilateral pleural procedures prior to each IPC insertion in non-MPE and MPE groups, respectively (p = 0.26), and a mean 1.3 (SD 1.7) planned IPC-related outpatient follow-up visits per patient. There were 2 (9.5%) and 14 (7.7%) IPC-related infections in non-MPE and MPE groups, respectively. Four (19.0%) and 44 (24.3%) patients required additional IPC-related reviews in non-MPE and MPE groups, respectively (p = 0.6), and these occurred within 250 days post IPC insertion. Conclusions: Although IPCs decrease initial length of hospital stay compared to talc pleurodesis via chest drain, IPCs are associated with significant hospital-visit burden, in addition to planned visits and regular home IPC drainages. IPC-using services need to be prepared for this additional work to run an IPC service effectively.
Disability-Adjusted Life-Years Due to Stroke in Kenya
Authors: Kaduka Lydia , Muniu Erastus , Mbui Jane , Oduor Owuor Chrispine , Gakunga Robai , Kwasa Judith , Wabwire Sylvanus , Okerosi Nathan , Korir Anne , Remick Scot C.
Published: April 2019

Background: There is little information on stroke morbidity in Kenya to inform health care planning. The disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) are a time-based measure of health status that incorporates both disability and mortality. Methods: This was a multicenter prospective study in Kenya’s public tertiary hospitals conducted in 2015–2017. Data on sex, age, and global disability outcome were collected and used to calculate the sum of years of life lost prematurely due to stroke (YLL), the years of healthy life lost due to disability (YLD), and the DALYs. Results: Up to 719 adult stroke patients participated in the study. The peak age group for stroke was 60–64 years, with ischemic stroke accounting for 56.1% of the stroke cases. After 1-year follow-up, the YLD were 2,402.50, YLL were 5,335.99, and the DALYs were 7,738.49. YLD contributed 31% of the total DALYs. The DALYs varied by sex (male: 2,835.79; female: 4,902.70 years) and by stroke type (ischemic stroke: 4,652.98; hemorrhagic stroke: 3,085.51). The young age group (< 45 years) bore a greater burden accounting for 35.6% of the total DALYs. Conclusion: The YLD, YLL, and DALYs observed reinforce the need for targeted prevention of risk factors and comprehensive stroke care initiatives in Kenya.
Relation of Blood Pressure in Childhood to Self-Reported Hypertension in Adulthood
Authors: Urbina Elaine M. , Khoury Philip R. , Bazzano Lydia , Burns Trudy L. , Daniels Stephen , Dwyer Terrence , Hu Tian , Jacobs David R. , Juonala Markus , Prineas Ronald , Raitakari Olli , Steinberger Julia , Venn Alison , Woo Jessica G. , Sinaiko Alan
Published: April 2019

Blood pressure (BP) tracking (maintaining a BP percentile) across life is not well defined but is important in predicting which children will become hypertensive adults. We computed BP tracking in subjects with BP measured in childhood and adulthood and performed logistic regression to determine the ability of childhood BP to predict adult hypertension (N=5035, 46.7 years, 74.2% white, 17.7% black; 39.6% male). Prevalence of hypertension was 29%. Correlations between systolic BP for child and adolescent were
r
=0.48; for adolescent and young adult were
r
=0.40, and for child and young adult were
r
=0.24 (all
P
<0.0001). Participants self-reporting adult hypertension were less likely to be white (38.7% black, 27.6% white, 20.9% other;
P
<0.0001) and female (26.4% females, 32.9% male,
P
<0.0001). Participants with adult hypertension were more likely to have higher BP and adiposity by age 10 years and abnormal lipids and glucose by age 16 years. There was a graded increase in the frequency of self-reported adult hypertension across the BP change groups, even within the persistently normotensive group (X
2
<0.0001) from 19% in children with a systolic BP% persistently below the median to 80% for individuals with elevated BP in both childhood and adolescence. Although our precision to predict which individual child is at risk of adult BP-related cardiovascular disease is weak, an increase in systolic BP and body mass index percentile from childhood to adolescence should signal a need for lifestyle intervention to prevent future sustained hypertension-related cardiovascular disease.
Perils of Observational Data Analyses
Authors: Robinson Jennifer G.
Published: April 2019

See Article
Ko et al
The identity of Amomum trilobum and Amomum unifolium (Zingiberaceae: Alpinioideae), and description of four new related species from Vietnam
Authors: LEONG-ŠKORNIČKOVÁ JANA , ĐĂNG TRẦN HỮU , BÌNH NGUYỄN QUỐC , HLAVATÁ KRISTÝNA , TRƯỜNG LƯU HỒNG , ĐẠT NGUYỄN QUỐC , TRUNG NGUYỄN THÀNH , NEWMAN MARK
Published: April 2019

The identities of Amomum trilobum and Amomum unifolium, described from material originating from uncertain location in Indochina, are discussed. A lectotype of Amomum unifolium is designated here and epitypes with complete flowers are designated to ensure unambiguous application of both names. In addition, four new related species are presented in this paper, Amomum cinnamomeum, A. corrugatum, A. lutescens and A. miriflorum. Detailed descriptions, colour plates including flower dissections, notes on habitat and preliminary IUCN assessments are given for all six species.
Paris variabilis (Melanthiaceae), a new species from southwestern China
Authors: YANG ZHENYAN , YANG CHENGJIN , JI YUNHENG
Published: April 2019

Paris variabilis, a new species from the Wumengshan Mountains, southwestern China, is described and illustrated. The new species is placed in Paris section Euthyra. The new taxon was determined to be most morphologically similar to P. vietnamensis but differs in its oblong leaf blades with an acute apex, stamens 2–4 × petal number, greenish yellow filaments and an enlarged, purplish red style base. The phylogenetic placement of this species was assessed based on nuclear ribosomal ITS DNA sequences data. The results of morphological and phylogenetic analyses support the status of the taxon as a new species.
First extinct genus of a flea (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) in Miocene amber from the Dominican Republic
Authors: PERRICHOT VINCENT , BEAUCOURNU JEAN-CLAUDE , VELTEN JÜRGEN
Published: April 2019

A new, extinct genus of flea is described and figured in the tribe Spilopsyllini (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) from a male preserved in Early Miocene Dominican amber. Eospilopsyllus kobberti Beaucournu & Perrichot, n. gen. and n. sp., is characterized by the absence of ctenidia, very small eyes, lanceolate terminal segment of the maxillary palpus, enlarged second abdominal sternite, legs with six notches on dorsal margin of tibiae, five pairs of lateral plantar bristles on distitarsomeres, and ungues with a reduced space between the basal lobe and the tarsal claw. Most of the extant spilopsyllines parasitize lagomorphs and squirrels, but these taxa were seemingly absent from the Greater Antilles until very recently. Instead, the Tertiary record and biogeographical history of land mammals on these islands suggests that early spilopsyllines may have parasitized the endemic solenodon insectivores or echimyid rats.
Two new species of Gabophlias (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Phliantidae) from Australia
Authors: COLEMAN CH. OLIVER , LOWRY JAMES K.
Published: April 2019

Two new species of the genus Gabophlias are described and compared with the only previously known species from thisgenus, Gabophlias olono J.L. Barnard, 1972. Different from this species, the dorsum of Gabophlias gabiae sp. nov. doesnot have a carina. Gabophlias kerstinae sp. nov. has a dorsal carina, but it is very shallow on pereonite 1, whereas G. olonohas a large mid-dorsal process on pereonite 1. All three species can also be distinguished from each other by characteristics on antenna 1.
Revision and phylogenetic analysis of the spider genus Philisca Simon (Araneae: Anyphaenidae, Amaurobioidinae)
Authors: SOTO EDUARDO M. , RAMÍREZ MARTÍN J.
Published: April 2019

We review the spider genus Philisca Simon, an endemic of the southern forests in Chile and Argentina, and present aphylogenetic analysis including 15 species, of which five are newly described (P. atrata, P. robinson, P. viernes, P. pizarroiand P. robusta), together with other 98 representatives of the family Anyphaenidae. Four species names are considerednomina dubia (Clubiona gayi Nicolet, Drassus mirandus Nicolet, Clubiona altiformis Nicolet, P. obscura Simon). Cluiliuschilensis Mello-Leitão is newly synonymized with P. accentifera Simon. The phylogenetic analysis resulted in P.puconensis Ramírez branching off basally in the genus, because of its numerous leg spines and unmodified malechelicerae, all plesiomorphic for the group; the remaining species form two clear groups. The first one, formed by P. hahniSimon, P. tripunctata (Nicolet), P. amoena (Simon), P. hyadesi (Simon) and P. doilu (Ramírez), are grouped by the lossof spines on legs I and II. The second, formed by P. huapi Ramírez, P. ingens Berland, P. ornata Berland, P. accentiferaSimon, P. atrata and four new species endemic to the Robinson Crusoe Island in the Juan Fernández Archipelago, havethe male chelicerae, and in most cases also the endites, modified. In total, six species of Philisca are endemic to JuanFernández, but our dataset is not conclusive for the distinction of alternative colonization scenarios. We analyze theevolution of leg macrosetae, and show two independent instances of reduction of spination, one on the continent and another on the Juan Fernández islands.
A revision of the ant genus Probolomyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Proceratiinae) in Australia and Melanesia
Authors: SHATTUCK S. O. , GUNAWARDENE N. R. , HETERICK B.
Published: April 2019

Five species of the rarely encountered ant genus Probolomyrmex are known from Australia and Papua New Guinea, four of which are described here for the first time. Two species belong to the greavesi species-group (P. greavesi, P. latalongus sp. n.) while three belong to the longinodus species-group (P. aliundus sp. n., P. newguinensis sp. n., P. simplex sp. n.). The genus is now known to occur broadly across northern Australia and P. newguinensis and P. simplex are the first species of the genus described from Papua New Guinea. A key to Australian and Melanesian species is provided.
Validation of four species of Poecilimon Fischer (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Phaneropterinae)
Authors: ÜNAL MUSTAFA
Published: April 2019

Kaya et al. (2012) published a paper on the genus Poecilimon Fischer (Zootaxa, 3225). They synonymized eight species based on morphological characters by bioacoustic data (according to them). They frequently cited my paper (Ünal, 2010) during the text. But, I have seen that some cited informations from my paper and the reflecting my statements need correction, and some mistakes and wrong evaluations which are the bases of their taxonomic decisions should be re-evaluated. Furthermore many related results of Ünal (2010) were overlooked.
A checklist of parasitic nematodes (Nematoda) from birds (Aves) in China
Authors: ZHANG SHUQIAN , BU YANZHEN , HUANG GUANGPING , WEN QIAN , ZHANG LUPING
Published: April 2019

A checklist of parasitic nematodes of birds from China is presented. This fauna is comprised of 280 species, representing fiveorders, two subclasses, 27 families, and 70 genera. Information about their hosts, localities and lodgement of specimens is provided.
Porites fontanesii, a new species of hard coral (Scleractinia, Poritidae) from the southern Red Sea, the Gulf of Tadjoura, and the Gulf of Aden, and its phylogenetic relationships within the genus
Authors: BENZONI FRANCESCA , STEFANI FABRIZIO
Published: April 2019

A new zooxanthellate reef-dwelling scleractinian coral species, Porites fontanesii sp. nov. (Scleractinia, Poritidae), is de-scribed. The examined material was collected from the Southern Red Sea, the Gulf of Tadjoura, and the Gulf of Aden.Porites fontanesii sp. nov. was most frequently observed along the Yemen south Red Sea and the north-western Gulf ofAden coasts. Although a complete molecular phylogeny of Porites is not available yet, the relationships between P. fon-tanesii sp. nov. and twenty other species of the genus were explored through analysis of the available rDNA sequences.Porites fontanesii sp. nov. was seen to be a distinct species basal to, and well divergent from, one of the two main clades so far identified in the genus rDNA phylogeny.
Braconid wasps (Hymenoptera) of Reunion. 1. Euphorinae (including Meteorini): key to species and description of six new species
Authors: ROUSSE PASCAL , BRAET YVES
Published: April 2019

We revised the Euphorinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) collected in Reunion Island (Indian Ocean). To date, only Chrysopophthorus hungaricus (Kiss) was reported there. This catalogue is updated to a total of nine species, six of them being newly described: Centistes caloupile sp. nov., Cosmophorus merdiculus sp. nov., Leiophron sarahae sp. nov., Leiophron yaeli sp. nov., Meteorus comonile sp. nov., and Syntretus massale sp. nov. A key to all euphorine species of Reunion is provided.
Zelentsoviella jugorica gen. nov, sp. nov., a new Orthocladiinae from Russian Arctic (Diptera, Chironomidae)
Authors: KRASHENINNIKOV ANDREY BORISOVICH
Published: April 2019

Zelentsoviella n. gen. is erected based on the male of Z. jugorica n. sp. from Yugorsky Peninsula in Russian Arctic. The genus can be separated from other Orthocladiinae genera on the basis of the combination of the following characters: bare eyes and wings; palp consists of 4 segments; wing with obtuse anal lobe; R4+5 ending distal to end of M3+4; squama with 2 setae; acrostichals 2 on mid-scutum; hind tibial comb is partially reduced and consists of 6 weak setae; pulvilli reduced; virga absent; the long part of the gonostylus is smoothly bent and gradually narrows to the apex, is covered with macrosetae and microsetae; crista dorsalis absent; the additional part of the gonostylus has the shape of a palm with a bent thumb. The K2P sequence divergence between Zelentsoviella jugorica gen. n., sp. n. and some Orthocladiinae was 0,068 – 0,229. Unidentified specimens from Canada (British Columbia) are nearest to Zelentsoviella gen. n.
Variable External Forcing Obscures the Weak Relationship between the NAO and North Atlantic Multidecadal SST Variability
Authors: Klavans Jeremy M. , Clement Amy C. , Cane Mark A.
Published: April 2019

North Atlantic sea surface temperatures (SST) exhibit a lagged response to the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) in both models and observations, which has previously been attributed to changes in ocean heat transport. Here we examine the lagged relationship between the NAO and Atlantic multidecadal variability (AMV) in the context of the two other major components of the AMV: atmospheric noise and external forcing. In preindustrial control runs, we generally find that after accounting for spurious signals introduced by filtering, the SST response to the NAO is only statistically significant in the subpolar gyre. Further, the lagged SST response to the NAO is small in magnitude and offers a limited contribution to the AMV pattern, statistics, or predictability. When climate models include variable external forcing, the relationship between the NAO and AMV is obscured and becomes inconsistent. In these historically forced runs, knowledge of the prior NAO offers reduced predictability. The differences between the preindustrial and the historically forced ensembles suggest that we do not yet have enough observational data to surmise the true NAO–AMV relationship and add evidence that external forcing plays a substantial role in producing the AMV.
Comparison of Convective Boundary Layer Characteristics from Aircraft and Wind Lidar Observations
Authors: Adler Bianca , Kiseleva Olga , Kalthoff Norbert , Wieser Andreas
Published: April 2019

During the Convective Storm Initiation Project experiment, which was conducted in summer 2005 in southern England, vertical velocity in the convective boundary layer (CBL) was measured simultaneously with a research aircraft and a wind lidar. The aircraft performed horizontal flight legs approximately parallel to the prevailing wind direction and centered over the lidar. This measurement setup allows for the comparing of CBL characteristics (CBL depth zi, integral length scale lw, spectral peak wavelength λm, and vertical velocity variance ) from temporal (lidar) and spatial (aircraft) measurements. For this, the lidar time series are transferred into space using the mean wind. While the statistics of the aircraft data are all based on the 34-km flight legs, the averaging interval for the lidar is either 1 h or a longer period that corresponds to the 34-km leg. Although the lw and λm values from aircraft and lidar measurements are in the same range (100–200 and 500–2000 m) and agree well on the average, the correlation for individual legs is very low (R2 < 0.17). One possible explanation is the large uncertainty that arises from the transfer of the lidar time series to space. For , the agreement between aircraft and lidar is better for individual legs (R2 ≥ 0.63), but the mean absolute difference in is about 2.5 times as large as the statistical error. We examine the nonstationarity and heterogeneity for the lidar and aircraft samples and can exclude these as the major sources for the large differences between lidar and aircraft data.
“Just a Habit”: Driving Under the Influence of Cannabis as Ordinary, Convenient, and Controllable Experiences According to Drivers in a Remedial Program
Authors: Watson Tara Marie , Mann Robert E. , Wickens Christine M. , Brands Bruna
Published: April 2019

As numerous jurisdictions worldwide are liberalizing cannabis laws, there is increasing need to understand the social contexts and individual perceptions involved in driving under the influence of cannabis (DUIC). We conducted 20 one-to-one interviews with adult participants recruited from a remedial program for drivers convicted of or suspended for impaired driving. Study eligibility included having driven a motor vehicle within an hour of using cannabis in the last year. Many participants described DUIC as part of ordinary or routine experiences. Despite availability of other transportation options, DUIC was often preferred due to convenience and cost-effectiveness. While most recalled feeling some effects of cannabis use or high while driving, many reported that they did not feel a need to compensate for impairment. Our findings—particularly that of DUIC as a regularly occurring behavior—highlight important challenges for designing effective education and prevention initiatives.
Conflict negotiations and rebel leader selection
Authors: Cunningham Kathleen Gallagher , Sawyer Katherine
Published: April 2019

The international community often calls for negotiations in civil wars. Yet, we have limited understanding of when and why specific rebels enter into negotiations. The emergence of a new leader in a rebel group can provide an opportunity for the state seeking to end war, but this is conditional on how leaders take power. Rebel leaders who come to power through a local selection process (such as an election) provide information to the state about the likely cohesion of the rebel group. This affects state perceptions of the viability of a rebel group as a bargaining partner in civil war negotiations. Using original data on rebel leaders in civil wars, we show that new leaders coming to power through a local selection process are more likely to get to the negotiating table than leaders coming to power in other ways. We find that the election of a rebel group leader has a particularly strong and positive effect on the chance of getting to the table. Rebel leaders that founded their own group or brought together disparate rebels to create a single group are less likely to get to the negotiating table. This article advances our understanding of conflict dynamics by offering a novel argument of rebel leader ascension and its impact on conflict bargaining and has critical implications for parties external to the conflict interested in conflict resolution. External actors seeking to facilitate lasting peace may benefit from observing patterns of rebel leadership.
Who Is the One Being Disrespectful? Understanding and Deconstructing the Criminalization of Elementary School Boys of Color
Authors: Basile Vincent , York Adam , Black Ray
Published: April 2019

This research aims to contribute to understanding what criminalization for boys of color looks like in urban elementary school settings and to offering insights into what we must do to disrupt criminalization in urban schools. Using multiple sources of data from four elementary schools across a 2-year period, we found that boys of color in the study were subjected to criminalization as part of their daily educational experiences. Their bodies and behaviors were hyper-policed, disparately punished, and routinely labeled with criminalizing terms. Furthermore, we found masternarratives framing boys of color as disrespectful and habitually truant to be ambiguous and empirically false.
The defence of sane automatism and non-pathological criminal incapacity in South Africa: an epistemological intersection between psychology and law
Authors: Kramers-Olen Anne
Published: April 2019

Psychologists and psychiatrists are frequently requested to offer expert opinion regarding the defences of non-pathological criminal incapacity and sane automatism – which are increasingly raised in criminal courts in South Africa. This article briefly explores the development of these defences in South African criminal law and highlights some of the conceptual and epistemological difficulties at the intersection between the law and psychology. The changing legal understandings of the concepts of sane automatism and non-pathological criminal incapacity require careful consideration by mental health experts, and, while these experts can undoubtedly assist the courts, they should be cautious of using reductionist methods to conflate psychological concepts with legal concepts.
Design an impedance control strategy for a teleoperation system to perform drilling process during spinal surgery
Authors: Tabatabaei Seyed Hamid , Zaeri Amir Hossein , Vahedi Mohammad
Published: April 2019

This work proposes a novel impedance control strategy for a delayed bilateral tele-surgery system to perform a drilling process during spinal surgery. In the new designed control scheme, regarding a desired impedance model for master and slave robot, an especial dynamic characteristic at the surgeon and master as well as slave and vertebra interface is designed. Two desired impedance models are proposed for the master and slave robots such that: (a) the salve robot that holds the drilling device should track the master path but complies with the reaction force of the vertebra, and (b) the surgeon should receive feedback from the slave-vertebra interaction force via the master robot. These main objectives are attained by proper adjustment in the proposed impedance model, which does not require any direct measurement of vertebra reflections. Then, the impedance model is put into a proper sliding mode controller to cope with the modeling uncertainties in the slave side. Consequently, the absolute stability concept is utilized to investigate closed-loop system stability and transparency. Finally, the control scheme is implemented on one degree of freedom robotic manipulators as master and slave robot. Experimental results demonstrate the efficiency of the designed impedance control scheme in the presence of modeling uncertainties.