bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantitative Determination of 18-β-Glycyrrhetinic Acid in HepG2 Cell Line by High Performance Liquid Chromatography Method
Authors: Nocca Giuseppina , Callà Cinzia , Santini Stefano Angelo , Amalfitano Adriana , Marigo Luca , Rossetti Diana Valeria , Spagnuolo Gianrico , Cordaro Massimo
Published: November 2018

A reverse phase high performance liquid chromatographic (RP-HPLC) method was developed for identification and estimation of 18-β-glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) in HepG2 cell line. The analysis was carried out using a JASCO HPLC system with a C-18 (3 μm) Supelco reversed phase column (150 x 4.7 mm) using a mobile phase of 80% CH3OH and 20% of CH3CN: tetrahydrofuran: water (10:80:10, v/v/v). The method was linear in the concentration range of 1.5–120 μg /mL (n = 5). The LOD and LOQ were determined based on standard deviation of the y-intercept and the slope of the calibration curve. The LOD and LOQ values were found to be 11.46 μg/mL and 34.72 μg/mL, respectively. The mean percentage recovery by standard addition experiments of GA is 92.4 % ± 5.2%. The intracellular GA concentration value, obtained as mean of five different determinations, was 45.8 ± 7.45 μg/mL. We have developed a HPLC-UV method for quantitative determination of GA inside cells, with advantages in the cost reduction and economy of the analytical process.
Ability of Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography to Detect Retinal and Choroidal Changes in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Garcia-Martin Elena , Jarauta Laura , Vilades Elisa , Ara Jose Ramon , Martin Jesus , Polo Vicente , Larrosa Jose Manuel , Pablo Luis Emilio , Satue Maria
Published: November 2018

Purpose. To evaluate the ability of new swept-source (SS) optical coherence tomography (OCT) technology to detect changes in retinal and choroidal thickness in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods. A total of 101 healthy and 97 MS eyes underwent retinal and choroidal assessment using SS Triton OCT (Topcon). Macular thickness and peripapillary data (retinal, ganglion cell layer (GCL+, GCL++) and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness) were analyzed, including choroidal thickness evaluation. Results. Significant macular thinning was observed in all ETDRS areas (p<0.001) in MS patients. Peripapillary retinal, RNFL, and GCL ++ thickness showed a significant reduction in patients in all sectors (p<0.001) except in the nasal quadrant/sector (p>0.05). GCL+ measurements were found to be reduced in the nasal (p=0.003), inferonasal (p=0.045), and temporal (p=0.001) sectors and total thickness (p<0.001). Choroidal thickness was reduced in the outer macular ring in MS patients compared with controls (p=0.038). Conclusion. New swept-source technology for OCT devices detects retinal thinning in MS patients, providing increased depth analysis of the choroid in these patients. MS patients present reduced retinal and choroidal thickness in the macular area and reduced peripapillary retinal, RNFL, and GCL thickness.
Study on Load Parameters Estimation during AMT Startup
Authors: Li Yunxia , Lu Yufeng , Sun Huilai , Yan Peng
Published: November 2018

The identification problem of the load parameters is the basis of researching the clutch control strategy and the shift schedule for heavy-duty AMT (Automated Mechanical Transmission). AMT is proposed as the soft starter for the belt conveyor which expands AMT application areas. In order to accomplish the goal of AMT as the soft starter, the load parameters estimation methods including the load resistance torque and the load inertia are firstly studied to accommodate the actual control for AMT startup as the soft starter for belt conveyor. In the paper, the estimation models of the load resistance torque and the load inertia are established during AMT startup for belt conveyor. On the basis of the recursion least squares method, the on-line estimations for the load parameters are recognized according to the test data during AMT startup. The estimation results of these two parameters prove that the load parameters estimation models and the estimation methods during AMT startup are valid.
Hypertension Is an Independent Predictor of Multivessel Coronary Artery Disease in Young Adults with Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Ge Junhua , Li Jian , Yu Haichu , Hou Bo
Published: November 2018

Background. Risk factors of multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD) among young acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients remain elusive now. Methods. This retrospective study analyzed data from 187 consecutive young (age ≤45 years) ACS patients (75 STEMI, 30 NSTEMI, and 72 unstable angina) hospitalized in our hospital from January 2012 to December 2016. Thirty-six young male patients with normal coronary angiography (CAG) findings (no-CAD), who underwent CAG due to suspected chest pain in this period, served as control group. There were 83 patients with single-vessel disease (SVD) and 104 patients with multiple-vessel disease (MVD) among ACS patients. Patients were followed up for a mean of 267±124 days by clinical visit or telephone calls. Results. All included patients were male. Prevalence of hypertension (57.2% vs. 30.6%, p=0.002) and smoking (70.6% vs. 52.8%, p=0.049) was significantly higher in ACS patients than in no-CAD patients. Prevalence of hypertension (72.1% vs. 38.6%, p<0.001) and body mass index (BMI) were significantly higher in MVD group than in SVD group. Multivariable analysis revealed that hypertension was an independent risk factor for MVD after adjustment for age, gender, BMI, smoking, family history of premature CAD, hyperlipidemia, left ventricular ejection fraction, and brain natriuretic peptide (odds ratio=3.71, 95% confidence interval=1.84-7.46, p<0.001). Rate of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) during follow-up (20.2% vs. 4.8%) was significantly higher in MVD group compared with SVD group. Conclusions. Hypertension is an independent predictor of MVD and MVD is associated with increased MACE rate compared to SVD in young ACS patients during the short-term follow-up.
15q23 Gain in a Neonate with a Giant Omphalocele and Multiple Co-Occurring Anomalies
Authors: Zhou Hui-Fang , O’Conor Christopher J. , Gangahar Chiraag , Dehner Louis P.
Published: November 2018

Background. Omphalocele is a rare congenital abdominal wall defect. It is frequently associated with genetic abnormality and other congenital anomalies, although isolated omphalocele cases do exist. Data have shown that omphalocele with co-occurring genetic abnormality has worse prognosis than isolated omphalocele. Chromosomal analysis by a conventional technique such as karyotyping can only detect aneuploidy and large segmental duplication or deletion. Newer techniques such as high-resolution microarray analysis allow for the study of alterations in chromosomal segments that are less than 5 Mb in length; this has led to identification of critical region and genes in the pathogenesis of omphalocele. Case Presentation. The current study is the initial report of a newborn male with a 15q23 gain and a giant omphalocele. High-resolution chromosomal microarray analysis identified this gain of copy number spanned 676 kb, involving almost the entire NOX5 gene (except for exon 1 of the longer transcript), the entirety of the EWSAT1, GLCE, PAQR5, KIF23, RPLP1, and DRAIC genes and exons 1–3 of the PCAT29 gene. Conclusion. To date, this is the first report of an associated 15q23 gain in a case with omphalocele. Interestingly, Giancarlo Ghiselli and Steven A Farber have reported that GLCE knockdown impairs abdominal wall closure in zebrafish. We also identified GLCE gene alteration in our case. This highlights the importance of GLCE in abdominal wall development. Further study of the function of GLCE and other genes might lead to a better understanding of the molecular mechanism of omphalocele.
Label-Free Detection of Human Serum Using Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Based on Highly Branched Gold Nanoparticle Substrates for Discrimination of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Cao Xiaowei , Wang Zhenyu , Bi Liyan , Zheng Jie
Published: November 2018

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a good candidate for the development of fast and easy-to-use diagnostic tools, possibly used on serum in screening tests. In this study, a potential label-free serum test based on SERS spectroscopy was developed to analyze human serum for the diagnosis of the non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We firstly synthesized novel highly branched gold nanoparticles (HGNPs) at high yield through a one-step reduction of HAuCl4 with dopamine hydrochloride at 60°C. Then, HGNP substrates with good reproducibility, uniformity, and high SERS effect were fabricated by the electrostatically assisted (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane-(APTES-) functionalized silicon wafer surface-sedimentary self-assembly method. Using as-prepared HGNP substrates as a high-performance sensing platform, SERS spectral data of serum obtained from healthy subjects, lung adenocarcinoma patients, lung squamous carcinoma patients, and large cell lung cancer patients were collected. The difference spectra among different types of NSCLC were compared, and analysis result revealed their intrinsic difference in types and contents of nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, amino acids, and lipids. SERS spectra were analyzed by principal component analysis (PCA), which was able to distinguish different types of NSCLC. Considering its time efficiency, being label-free, and sensitivity, SERS based on HGNP substrates is very promising for mass screening NSCLC and plays an important role in the detection and prevention of other diseases.
Aberrant Activation of β-Catenin Signaling Drives Glioma Tumorigenesis via USP1-Mediated Stabilization of EZH2
Authors: Ma Li , Lin Kangyu , Chang Guoqiang , Chen Yiwen , Yue Chen , Guo Qing , Zhang Sicong , Jia Zhiliang , Huang Tony T. , Zhou Aidong , Huang Suyun
Published: November 2018

Aberrant activation of β-catenin signaling is a critical driver for tumorigenesis, but the mechanism underlying this activation is not completely understood. In this study, we demonstrate a critical role of β-catenin signaling in stabilization of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) and control of EZH2-mediated gene repression in oncogenesis. β-Catenin/TCF4 activated the transcription of the deubiquitinase USP1, which then interacted with and deubiquitinated EZH2 directly. USP1-mediated stabilization of EZH2 promoted its recruitment to the promoters of CDKN1B, RUNX3, and HOXA5, resulting in enhanced enrichment of histone H3K27me3 and repression of target gene expression. In human glioma specimens, expression levels of nuclear β-catenin, USP1, and EZH2 correlated with one another. Depletion of β-catenin/USP1/EZH2 repressed glioma cell proliferation in vitro and tumor formation in vivo. Our findings indicate that a β-catenin–USP1-EZH2 axis orchestrates the interplay between dysregulated β-catenin signaling and EZH2-mediated gene epigenetic silencing during glioma tumorigenesis.

Significance:

These findings identify the β-catenin-USP1-EZH2 signaling axis as a critical mechanism for glioma tumorigenesis that may serve as a new therapeutic target in glioblastoma.
Rare, Pathogenic Germline Variants in Fanconi Anemia Genes Increase Risk for Squamous Lung Cancer
Authors: Esai Selvan Myvizhi , Klein Robert J. , Gümüş Zeynep H.
Published: November 2018

Purpose:

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, with substantially better prognosis in early-stage as opposed to late-stage disease. Identifying genetic factors for lung squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC) risk will enable their use in risk stratification, and personalized intensive surveillance, early detection, and prevention strategies for high-risk individuals.

Experimental Design:

We analyzed whole-exome sequencing datasets of 318 cases and 814 controls (discovery cohort) and then validated our findings in an independent cohort of 444 patients and 3,479 controls (validation cohort), all of European descent. We also combined all the samples from both cohorts, which, after principal component analysis (PCA) and population stratification, included 765 cases and 4,344 controls (combined cohort). We focused on rare, pathogenic variants found in the ClinVar database and used penalized logistic regression to identify genes in which such variants are enriched in cases. All statistical tests were two-sided.

Results:

We observed an overall enrichment of rare, deleterious germline variants in Fanconi anemia genes in cases with SqCC [joint analysis odds ratio (OR) = 3.08; P = 1.4e−09; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.2–4.3]. Consistent with previous studies, BRCA2 in particular exhibited an increased overall burden of rare, deleterious variants (joint OR = 3.2; P = 8.7e−08; 95% CI, 2.1–4.7). More importantly, rare, deleterious germline variants were enriched in Fanconi anemia genes even without the BRCA2 rs11571833 variant that is strongly enriched in lung SqCC cases (joint OR = 2.76; P = 7.0e−04; 95% CI, 1.6–4.7).

Conclusions:

These findings can be used toward the development of a genetic diagnostic test in the clinic to identify SqCC high-risk individuals, who can benefit from personalized programs, improving prognosis.
MTORC1/2 Inhibition as a Therapeutic Strategy forPIK3CAMutant Cancers
Authors: Fricke Stephanie L. , Payne Susan N. , Favreau Peter F. , Kratz Jeremy D. , Pasch Cheri A. , Foley Tyler M. , Yueh Alexander E. , Van De Hey Dana R. , Depke Mitchell G. , Korkos Demetra P. , Sha Gioia Chengcheng , DeStefanis Rebecca A. , Clipson Linda , Burkard Mark E. , Lemmon Kayla K. , Parsons Benjamin M. , Kenny Paraic A. , Matkowskyj Kristina A. , Newton Michael A. , Skala Melissa C. , Deming Dustin A.
Published: November 2018

PIK3CA mutations are common in clinical molecular profiling, yet an effective means to target these cancers has yet to be developed. MTORC1 inhibitors are often used off-label for patients with PIK3CA mutant cancers with only limited data to support this approach. Here we describe a cohort of patients treated with cancers possessing mutations activating the PI3K signaling cascade with minimal benefit to treatment with the MTORC1 inhibitor everolimus. Previously, we demonstrated that dual PI3K/mTOR inhibition could decrease proliferation, induce differentiation, and result in a treatment response in APC and PIK3CA mutant colorectal cancer. However, reactivation of AKT was identified, indicating that the majority of the benefit may be secondary to MTORC1/2 inhibition. TAK-228, an MTORC1/2 inhibitor, was compared with dual PI3K/mTOR inhibition using BEZ235 in murine colorectal cancer spheroids. A reduction in spheroid size was observed with TAK-228 and BEZ235 (−13% and −14%, respectively) compared with an increase of >200% in control (P < 0.001). These spheroids were resistant to MTORC1 inhibition. In transgenic mice possessing Pik3ca and Apc mutations, BEZ235 and TAK-228 resulted in a median reduction in colon tumor size of 19% and 20%, respectively, with control tumors having a median increase of 18% (P = 0.02 and 0.004, respectively). This response correlated with a decrease in the phosphorylation of 4EBP1 and RPS6. MTORC1/2 inhibition is sufficient to overcome resistance to everolimus and induce a treatment response in PIK3CA mutant colorectal cancers and deserves investigation in clinical trials and in future combination regimens.
BRCA Reversion Mutations in Circulating Tumor DNA Predict Primary and Acquired Resistance to the PARP Inhibitor Rucaparib in High-Grade Ovarian Carcinoma
Authors: Lin Kevin K. , Harrell Maria I. , Oza Amit M. , Oaknin Ana , Ray-Coquard Isabelle , Tinker Anna V. , Helman Elena , Radke Marc R. , Say Carmen , Vo Lan-Thanh , Mann Elaina , Isaacson Jeffrey D. , Maloney Lara , O'Malley David M. , Chambers Setsuko K. , Kaufmann Scott H. , Scott Clare L. , Konecny Gottfried E. , Coleman Robert L. , Sun James X. , Giordano Heidi , Brenton James D. , Harding Thomas C. , McNeish Iain A. , Swisher Elizabeth M.
Published: November 2018

A key resistance mechanism to platinum-based chemotherapies and PARP inhibitors in BRCA-mutant cancers is the acquisition of BRCA reversion mutations that restore protein function. To estimate the prevalence of BRCA reversion mutations in high-grade ovarian carcinoma (HGOC), we performed targeted next-generation sequencing of circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) extracted from pretreatment and postprogression plasma in patients with deleterious germline or somatic BRCA mutations treated with the PARP inhibitor rucaparib. BRCA reversion mutations were identified in pretreatment cfDNA from 18% (2/11) of platinum-refractory and 13% (5/38) of platinum-resistant cancers, compared with 2% (1/48) of platinum-sensitive cancers (P = 0.049). Patients without BRCA reversion mutations detected in pretreatment cfDNA had significantly longer rucaparib progression-free survival than those with reversion mutations (median, 9.0 vs. 1.8 months; HR, 0.12; P < 0.0001). To study acquired resistance, we sequenced 78 postprogression cfDNA, identifying eight additional patients with BRCA reversion mutations not found in pretreatment cfDNA.

Significance:

BRCA reversion mutations are detected in cfDNA from platinum-resistant or platinum-refractory HGOC and are associated with decreased clinical benefit from rucaparib treatment. Sequencing of cfDNA can detect multiple BRCA reversion mutations, highlighting the ability to capture multiclonal heterogeneity.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 151
Low Bone Mineral Density Is Not Associated with Subclinical Atherosclerosis: A Population-Based Study in Rural China
Authors: Jiang Yanfeng , Fan Zehan , Wang Yingzhe , Suo Chen , Cui Mei , Yuan Ziyu , Tian Weizhong , Fan Min , Zhang Dekun , Wang Xiaofeng , Jin Li , Ye Weimin , Li Shuyuan , Chen Xingdong
Published: November 2018

Objectives: Loss of bone mass may affect the progression of atherosclerosis. We investigated the relationship between low bone mineral density (BMD) and subclinical atherosclerosis in rural China. Methods: In total, 333 men and 421 postmenopausal women aged 55–65 years were enrolled. BMD was measured in the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total hip using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Subclinical atherosclerosis was defined as increased carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT ≥0.9 mm), the presence of carotid plaques, high brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV ≥1,400 cm/s), and low ankle-brachial index (ABI ≤1). Binary logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the association between low BMD and subclinical atherosclerosis. Results: There was no significant difference in BMD between the normal group and the subclinical atherosclerosis group. After full adjustment for the relevant covariates, a boundary significant association was found between low BMD in the femoral neck and baPWV in postmenopausal women (odds ratio = 1.77, p = 0.049). After full adjustment, neither BMD nor low BMD were significantly associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in men or postmenopausal women. Conclusions: Low BMD is not associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in Chinese individuals aged 55–65 years resident in rural China.
Altered Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness and Choroid Thickness in Patients with Migraine
Authors: Ao Ran , Wang Rongfei , Yang Mo , Wei Shihui , Shi Xuehui , Yu Shengyuan
Published: November 2018

Background: Migraine is a chronic neurological disorder. However, its pathogenesis is still unclear. This study aimed to measure the posterior ocular structure in patients with migraine using enhanced depth imaging (EDI)-optical coherence tomography (OCT) and explore the probable pathogenesis of migraine. Methods: A total of 115 patients diagnosed with migraine and 50 healthy volunteers were recruited. These participants underwent an ocular examination to exclude the ocular diseases. Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, macular thickness, and choroid thickness were assessed using EDI-OCT. Results: The nasal peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) was significantly thinner in the migraine with aura group (p = 0.001) than that in the control group. The inferior inner macular layer was thinner in the migraine with aura group (p = 0.005). The 3 subfields of choroid were significantly thinner in the migraine with aura group (p = 0.044, 0.008, and 0.029). However, there was no difference between the migraine without aura group and the control group. The nasal pRNFL in migraine with aura was negatively correlated with the product of duration (months) and number of attacks/month (p = 0.039). Conclusion: The changes in the ocular posterior structure may serve as evidence of the trigeminovascular system mechanism underlying migraine and transneuronal retrograde degeneration of the primary visual cortex, which reflects the cortical spreading depression.
Microarray Profiling of TGF-β1-Induced Long Non-Coding RNA Expression Patterns in Human Lung Bronchial Epithelial BEAS-2B Cells
Authors: Hu Wentao , Pei Weiwei , Zhu Lin , Nie Jing , Pei Hailong , Zhang Jian , Li Bingyan , Hei Tom K. , Zhou Guangming
Published: November 2018

Background/Aims: TGF-β1 mediated radiation-induced bystander effects (RIBE) have been linked with malignant transformation and tumorigenesis. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Methods: To reveal new molecules of regulatory functions in this process, lncRNA microarray was performed to profile both lncRNA and mRNA expression patterns in human lung bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells treated with TGF-β1 at a concentration measured in the medium conditioned by directly irradiated BEAS-2B cells. The potential functions of the differentially expressed lncRNAs were predicted by GO and KEGG pathway analyses of their co-expressed mRNAs. Cis- and trans-regulation of the lncRNAs were analyzed and the interaction networks were constructed using Cytoscape. qRT-PCR was conducted to validate the results of microarray profiling. CCK-8 assay was employed for functional validation of 3 identified lncRNAs. Results: 224 lncRNAs were found to be dysregulated, among which 6 lncRNAs were chosen for expression validation by qRT-PCR assay. Pathway analyses showed that differentially expressed lncRNAs are highly correlated with cell proliferation, transformation, migration, etc. Trans-regulation analyses showed that the differentially expressed lncRNAs most likely participate in the pathways regulated by four transcriptional factors, FOS, STAT3, RAD21 and E2F1, which have been identified to be involved in the modulation of oncogenic transformation, cell cycle progression, genomic instability, etc. lnc-THEMIS-2 and lnc-ITGB6-4, predicted to be regulated by STAT3 and E2F1 respectively, were found to rescue the decrease of cell viability induced by TGF-β1 treatment. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the differentially expressed lncRNAs induced by TGF-β1 play crucial roles in the oncogenic transformation and tumorigenesis, which provide a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms related to tumorigensis induced by LD/LDR radiations.
Long-Noncoding RNA Colorectal Neoplasia Differentially Expressed Gene as a Potential Target to Upregulate the Expression of IRX5 by miR-136-5P to Promote Oncogenic Properties in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Zhu Liying , Liu Yuyang , Chen Qiuxu , Yu Gangfeng , Chen Juan , Chen Ke , Yang Nenghong , Zeng Tao , Yan Shaoying , Huang Ailong , Tang Hua
Published: November 2018

Background/Aims: The long-noncoding RNA colorectal neoplasia differentially expressed (CRNDE) gene was first found to be activated in colorectal neoplasia. Now, it also has been found to be upregulated in many other solid tumors. Whether CRNDE affects tumorigenesis remains unknown. Methods: We conducted bioinformatics, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Western blot analysis, cell proliferation assay, colony formation assay, wound healing assay, cell migration and invasion assays, RNA immunoprecipitation, and reporter vector construction and luciferase assays. Results: CRNDE was upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The overexpression of CRNDE promoted HCC cellular proliferation, migration, and invasion in intro and in vivo, and acted as an oncogene in HCC progression. Furthermore, CRNDE impaired miR-136-5P expression in a RISC manner, and a reciprocal repression feedback loop was possible between CRNDE and miR-136-5P. We found that the neighboring mRNA of CRNDE was IRX5, and IRX5 increased the tumorigenicity of HCC cells. IRX5 was a potential downstream target gene of miR-136-5P. MiR-136 regulated IRX5 by interacting with its 3’UTR. In addition, miR-136-5P was involved in the CRNDE-regulated expression of IRX5. Conclusion: CRNDE acted as a tumor oncogene by exhibiting oncogenic properties of human HCC and revealed a novel CRNDE-miR-136-5P-IRX5 regulatory network in HCC. CRNDE may be considered to be a potential target for HCC therapies based on its ability to upregulate IRX5, and it deserves further investigation.
Stimulation of Eryptosis, the Suicidal Erythrocyte Death, by Costunolide
Authors: Fink Madeline , Al Mamun Bhuyan Abdulla , Zacharopoulou Nefeli , Lang Florian
Published: November 2018

Background/Aims: The sesquiterpene lactone Costunolide is effective against various disorders including inflammation and malignancy. The substance is effective in part by triggering suicidal death or apoptosis of tumor cells. Mechanisms involved include altered function of transcription factors and mitochondria. Erythrocytes lack nuclei and mitochondria but are – in analogy to apoptosis of nucleated cells – able to enter suicidal erythrocyte death or eryptosis, characterized by cell shrinkage and cell membrane scrambling with phosphatidylserine translocation to the erythrocyte surface. Triggers of eryptosis include increase of cytosolic Ca2+ activity ([Ca2+]i), oxidative stress and ceramide. The present study explored, whether Costunolide induces eryptosis and, if so, to shed light on the mechanisms involved. Methods: Phosphatidylserine exposure at the cell surface was estimated from annexin-V-binding, cell volume from forward scatter, [Ca2+]i from Fluo3-fluorescence, reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation from 2’,7’-dichlorodihydrofluorescein (DCF)-dependent fluorescence, and ceramide abundance utilizing specific antibodies. Results: A 48 hours exposure of human erythrocytes to Costunolide (15 µg/ml) significantly enhanced the percentage of annexin-V-binding cells, significantly decreased forward scatter and significantly increased Fluo3-fluorescence, DCF-fluorescence, and ceramide abundance. The effect of Costunolide on annexin-V-binding was significantly blunted by removal of extracellular Ca2+. Conclusion: Costunolide triggers cell shrinkage and phospholipid scrambling of the erythrocyte cell membrane, an effect at least in part due to Ca2+ entry and paralleled by oxidative stress and ceramide formation.
ТРУДНОСТИ ДИФФЕРЕНЦИАЛЬНОЙ ДИАГНОСТИКИ СКЛЕРОДЕРМОПОДОБНОГО ПАРАНЕОПЛАСТИЧЕСКОГО СИНДРОМА И СИСТЕМНОЙ СКЛЕРОДЕРМИИ КАК ФАКТОРА ОНКОЛОГИЧЕСКОГО РИСКА
Authors: Holovach I. Yu. , Yehudina Ye. D.
Published: November 2018

Системная склеродермия (ССД) – аутоиммунное заболевание соединительной ткани, характеризующееся прогрессирующим фиброзом кожи и внутренних органов. Характерные клинические признаки ССД могут маскировать онкологические заболевания, а паранеопластический процесс, в свою очередь, маскируется симптомами ССД.

Цель исследования – показать необходимость дифференциальной диагностики склеродермоподобного паранеопластического синдрома и ССД как фактора онкологического риска.

Материалы и методы. Проведен обзор и анализ данных научно-медицинской литературы.

Результаты исследований и их обсуждения. Иммунные реакции, участвующие в патогенезе ССД, могут способствовать развитию онкологической патологии; поэтому пациенты с факторами риска развития заболевания требуют наблюдения за возможным развитием неопластического процесса. Пациенты с ССД и аутоантителами к РНК-полимеразе III имеют значительный риск развития рака. Риск канцерогенеза наиболее высокий в первый год после постановки диагноза ССД. С другой стороны, симптомы ССД могут быть маской различных видов рака. Паранеопластический склеродермоподобный синдром, непосредственно не связан с первичной опухолью и ее метастазами, а обусловлен сложными вторичными воспалительно-дегенеративными изменениями системного, локального либо дистантного характера, зачастую протекающими в виде проявлений “перекреста” (overlap) ревматического и опухолевого заболеваний. Предполагается, что раковые клетки могут индуцировать синтез вещества, инициирующего фиброз кожи и внутренних органов. Дифференциация между идиопатической формой ССД, склеродермоподобным паранеопластическим синдромом и развитием рака на фоне ССД вызывает множество трудностей. В статье представлен анализ дифференциально-диагностических мероприятий, предлагается схема скрининга для ведения пациентов с диагнозом ССД, находящихся в группе риска развития малигнизации.

Выводы. Результаты анализа источников литературы доказывают актуальность углубленного изучения пациента с впервые выявленным склеродермоподобным синдромом, особенно в пожилом возрасте.
АКТИВНІСТЬ ПРОЦЕСІВ ПЕРОКСИДАЦІЇ ЛІПІДІВ У ХВОРИХ НА ХРОНІЧНИЙ ГЕНЕРАЛІЗОВАНИЙ ПАРОДОНТИТ І ЦУКРОВИЙ ДІАБЕТ 2 ТИПУ
Authors: Balitska O. Yu. , Bondarenko Yu. I. , Habor G. G.
Published: November 2018

З патогенетичної точки зору, діабет асоціюється із порушенням захисних систем організму, включаючи імунний та антиоксидантний захист, а також із розвитком оксидативного стресу.

Мета дослідження – встановити особливості процесів пероксидації ліпідів у плазмі крові хворих на хронічний генералізований пародонтит у поєднанні з цукровим діабетом 2 типу.

Матеріали і методи. Проведено обстеження 20 практично здорових осіб (контрольна група), 36 хворих із клінічно встановленим діагнозом цукрового діабету 2 типу (ЦД) (друга група), 32 пацієнтів із підтвердженим діагнозом хронічного генералізованого пародонтиту (ХГП) (третя група) і 32 хворих із поєднанням ЦД і ХГП (четверта група).

Результати досліджень та їх обговорення. Встановлено підвищений вміст ТБК-АП у плазмі крові пацієнтів четвертої групи з ХГП на тлі ЦД 2 типу, які перевищували на 23,4 % результати другої і на 53,7 % − третьої груп (р<0,05). Рівень активних форм оксигену, показників дієнових і трієнових кон’югатів також був найвищим у хворих на ЦД 2 типу з поєднаною патологію тканин пародонта. Отримані дані вказують на надмірну активацію вільнорадикальних процесів за рахунок гіперпродукції АФК в усіх дослідних групах, що зумовлювало розвиток досліджуваних патологій.

Висновки. У пацієнтів із хронічним генералізованим пародонтитом встановлено інтенсифікацію процесів вільнорадикального окиснення, що характеризувалася зростанням АФК та концентрації дієнових, трієнових кон’югатів та ТБК-активних продуктів.
The tadpole of Physalaemus jordanensis Bokermann, 1967 (Anura, Leiuperidae) from Campos do Jordão, Serra da Mantiqueira, Southeastern Brazil
Authors: GOMES FELIPE BITTIOLI R. , PROVETE2 DIOGO B. , MARTINS ITAMAR A.
Published: November 2018

Physalaemus jordanensis was described by Bokermann (1967), based on specimens from “Lagoinha da Serra” (1500 m a.s.l.), Campos do Jordão, Serra da Mantiqueira, State of São Paulo, Brazil. Like other members of P. gracilis species group, presents a restricted geographical distribution (Nascimento et al. 2005), and after the 1980s, this species was no longer registered in the type locality. The species is assigned as "Data Deficient" in the Brazilian list of endangered species and the IUCN Red List (Nascimento & Verdade, 2004). Here we describe the tadpole of Physalaemus jordanensis from Campos do Jordão, State of São Paulo, Brazil, and compare it with the published morphological descriptions of the tadpoles belonging to the P. gracilis species group and sympatric species.
Eulepida niveata, a new species from Zimbabwe and Mozambique (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae)
Authors: SEHNAL RICHARD
Published: November 2018

The genus Eulepida Kolbe, 1894 presently contains 22 species (Lacroix 2017, Sehnal 2018) divided on the base of external and aedeagal morphology into three groups (see Lacroix 2010, 2013 for details). Group II is defined by the combination of the following characters: protibia bidentate; antennal club distinctly longer than antennal shaft; pygidium narrow, longer than wide, with a pronounced elongate terminal invagination; and parameres symmetrical, long, evenly curved in ventral aspect (Lacroix 2010). Until recently this group contained three species, E. anatina Brenske, 1896, E. tschindeana Péringuey, 1904 and E. werneri Lacroix, 2010, to which Lacroix & Montreuil (2017) added E. delgadoensis from Mozambique and Sehnal (2018) added E. mbala from Zambia. Shortly after the description of E. mbala I received large series of melolonthines from Zimbabwe and Mozambique, which included another markedly different group II species of Eulepida described below.
Ultrastructures of Epibiotic Suctorian, Tokophrya huangmeiensis
Authors: TAHIR URFA BIN , QIONG DENG , ZHE WANG , SEN LI , YANG LIU , ZEMAO GU
Published: November 2018

Tokophrya species are either free-living or facultative ectosymbiotic suctorians associated with copepods, isopods, mysids, decapods and amphipods. Tokophrya huangmeiensis in particular is found to be epizoic with the redclaw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus Von Martens, 1868, which has been observed as part of an ongoing investigation of freshwater ciliates biodiversity in Huanggang, Hubei, China (Tahir et al. 2017). This first study on T. huangmeiensis based on morphological features using light microscopy and small subunit ribosomal DNA sequence (Tahir et al. 2017), suggested that more detailed descriptions on the physiological and structural changes of this species should be done. Thus, in this study, we looked at the ultrastructures of T. huangmeiensis using electron microscopy, including both scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
A new Vietnamese species of Euconnus (Napochus) with modified antennal club (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Scydmaeninae)
Authors: JAŁOSZYŃSKI PAWEŁ , NOMURA SHÛHEI
Published: November 2018

Napochus Thomson, 1859 is the largest subgenus of Euconnus Thomson, 1859, currently comprising over 300 nominal species (Newton & Franz 1998; Jałoszyński 2015, 2016, 2017a, b). The subgenus was recently redefined and its adult morphological structures were illustrated and described in detail (Jałoszyński 2015). Moreover, the subgenera Neonapochus Machulka, 1929, Paranapochus Franz, 1986, Smicrophus Casey, 1897, Cephaloconnus Franz, 1998 and Cerviconnus Franz, 1962, and a genus Protoscydmus Franz, 1992 were placed as junior synonyms of Napochus (Jałoszyński 2015, 2016, 2017a, b). Currently Napochus is defined mainly by the subtrapezoidal pronotum, which is always broadest behind middle (typically at base or shortly in front of base) and strongly narrowed anterad, so that its anterior margin is much shorter than the posterior margin; and by the tetramerous antennal club. The latter, however, may be indistinctly tetramerous in some species, with the antennomere VIII only slightly larger than VII; antennae in such beetles may appear gradually broadened or even trimerous. The problem of antennal variability within Napochus requires further studies, and it is possible that the number of antennomeres forming the club should be excluded from the diagnosis, as too variable. Until recently, species of Euconnus similar to the type species of Napochus and with unmodified antennomeres were placed in Napochus, and one species, in which males have the antennal club modified, in a subgenus Neonapochus. Also beetles resembling Napochus but showing a sexual dimorphism in the head capsule (with cavities, impressions or unusual concavities in males) were placed not in Napochus, but in Cephaloconnus. Jałoszyński (2016, 2017b) demonstrated that beetles showing such modifications do not differ from Napochus in any important characters, and synonymized Neonapochus and Cephaloconnus with Napochus.
A new leafhopper genus of subtribe Paraboloponina (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae: Drabescini), with description of two new species from Papua New Guinea
Authors: LU LIN , WEBB M.D. , ZHANG YALIN
Published: November 2018

A new leafhopper genus Papuakutara gen. nov. is described from Papua New Guinea, with two new species, P. ficus sp. nov. and P. robustipenis sp. nov. Kutara lucidicosta (Walker, 1870) is transferred to Papuakutara comb. nov. A checklist of the genera in the subtribe Paraboloponina from Papua New Guinea and West Papua and a key for their separation are provided.
The Sensitivity of Land–Atmosphere Coupling to Modern Agriculture in the Northern Midlatitudes
Authors: McDermid Sonali Shukla , Montes Carlo , Cook Benjamin I. , Puma Michael J. , Kiang Nancy Y. , Aleinov Igor
Published: November 2018

Modern agricultural land cover and management are important as regional climate forcings. Previous work has shown that land cover change can significantly impact key climate variables, including turbulent fluxes, precipitation, and surface temperature. However, fewer studies have investigated how intensive crop management can impact background climate conditions, such as the strength of land–atmosphere coupling and evaporative regime. We conduct sensitivity experiments using a state-of-the-art climate model with modified vegetation characteristics to represent modern crop cover and management, using observed crop-specific leaf area indexes and calendars. We quantify changes in land–atmosphere interactions and climate over intensively cultivated regions situated at transitions between moisture- and energy-limited conditions. Results show that modern intensive agriculture has significant and geographically varying impacts on regional evaporative regimes and background climate conditions. Over the northern Great Plains, modern crop intensity increases the model simulated precipitation and soil moisture, weakening hydrologic coupling by increasing surface water availability and reducing moisture limits on evapotranspiration. In the U.S. Midwest, higher growing season evapotranspiration, coupled with winter and spring rainfall declines, reduces regional soil moisture, while crop albedo changes also reduce net surface radiation. This results overall in reduced dependency of regional surface temperature on latent heat fluxes. In central Asia, a combination of reduced net surface energy and enhanced pre–growing season precipitation amplify the energy-limited evaporative regime. These results highlight the need for improved representations of agriculture in global climate models to better account for regional climate impacts and interactions with other anthropogenic forcings.
Measurement of Laser-Induced Plasma: Stark Broadening Parameters of Pb(II) 2203.5 and 4386.5 Å Spectral Lines
Authors: Alonso-Medina Aurelia
Published: November 2018

In this work, the Stark broadening parameters (widths and shifts) of the 2203.5 Å and 4386.5 Å Pb(II) spectral lines have been investigated and measured in laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), using a lead sample (99.999% purity). A Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser operating at its fundamental wavelength (10 640 Å), generating pulses of 290 mJ, 7 ns of duration, and a repeat frequency of 20 Hz, has been used for the ablation of said lead sample in vacuum and in a controlled argon atmosphere. A study to understand the expansion dynamics of the lead produced plasma was performed. The spectra have been obtained and measured at different time delays of the plasma evolution in the range of 0.15–9 μs, at which the temperature and electron number density are in the ranges of 28 200–8000 K and 1.3 × 1017 to 3 × 1015 cm−3, respectively. A graphical representation of the evolution of temperature and electron number density versus 0.3 to 6.5 μs delay from the laser pulse is presented. The important effect of the different environment where the plasma expands has been pointed out. Local thermodynamic equilibrium conditions have been checked. The obtained results of the Stark widths and shifts at the different temperatures and densities of electrons have been compared with the limited data available in the literature. This study aims to obtain more accurate values for these parameters and also to establish regularities and similarities for said parameters.
Discovering a double murder through skeletal remains: A case report
Authors: Manzoni Samuele , Ossoli Andrea , Cortellini Venusia , Verzeletti Andrea
Published: November 2018

Forensic examination of human remains is a complex process that relies on the contribution of multidisciplinary forensic medicine specialties. Here we present a complex forensic case regarding a double murder whose victims were found almost completely skeletonized. Post-mortem investigations allowed us to define the biological profile of the two bodies (ancestry, sex, age and stature), to discover their identity through forensic DNA analysis, and to detect peri-mortem injuries caused by firearms and stabbing weapons. Three men were recognized as involved in the crime and two of them were condemned to life imprisonment for homicide. The judges accepted the reconstruction of the crime promoted by the Prosecutor (double firearm murder).
Beyond Justice: Pufendorf and Locke on the Desire for Esteem
Authors: Haara Heikki , Stuart-Buttle Tim
Published: November 2018

It is widely accepted that the seventeenth-century natural lawyers constructed the minimal requirement for social coordination between self-seeking individuals animated by the desire for self-preservation. On most interpretations, Grotius and his successors focused on the “perfect” duties (rules of justice) and had little to say about the “imperfect” duties of love and civility. This essay provides an alternative reading of post-Grotian natural law by reconstructing Pufendorf’s and Locke’s understanding of how the duties of civility and love might be realised in civil society. The essay argues that, for Pufendorf and Locke, the desire for esteem offers an explanation of how people recognize the content of the reciprocal duties of social morality and motivate themselves to act accordingly. The reconstruction of their views on the beneficial effects of esteem-seeking points towards a new interpretation of how, and why, philosophical interest in an economy of esteem and the social nature of the self emerged, prior to their treatment by eighteenth-century authors such as Hume and Smith.
Anatomy of an informal institution: The ‘Gentlemen’s Pact’ and judicial selection in Mexico, 1917–1994
Authors: Pozas-Loyo Andrea , Ríos-Figueroa Julio
Published: November 2018

The Mexican Constitution of 1917 granted the Supreme Court the power to handpick lower court judges and oversee their careers. For almost eight decades this capacity was not regulated. To fill this void, the justices began to take turns filling vacancies which developed into an informal institution – the so-called ‘Gentlemen’s Pact’. Using original archival data, we document and describe the birth and development of this practice and argue that it consolidated into an informal institution as the judiciary increased in size. We uncover the workings of this social norm that established a patronage model of judicial selection. Our analysis period ends in 1994, when a constitutional reform created a judicial council with the explicit aim of ending patronage and corruption within the judiciary.
Sustaining and jeopardising a credible arbiter: Judicial networks in Benin’s consolidating democracy
Authors: Stroh Alexander
Published: November 2018

Democracy greatly benefits from credible courts. If context conditions make democratic consolidation unlikely, as in many African countries, credible arbitration between political actors can be essential for democracy. This article argues that informal judicial networks can critically affect a court’s credibility. Network analysis of Benin’s Constitutional Court using original data on major politicians and all 25 judges who have served between 1993 and 2018 provides evidence that biased judicial networks can jeopardize the crucial role of courts for democratic consolidation. In Benin, the loss of credibility under the Yayi presidency correlates with a clear political representation bias on the constitutional bench whereas socio-cultural representation remained balanced. Since executive and legislative appointment practices account for the network balance or bias, the political creation and privation of informal judicial relations emerges as an interesting avenue for studies of democratic consolidation.
Courts and informal networks: Towards a relational perspective on judicial politics outside Western democracies
Authors: Dressel Björn , Sanchez-Urribarri Raul , Stroh Alexander
Published: November 2018

This special issue proposes a relational approach to the study of judicial politics outside of Western democracies. The articles illuminate how common political interests, ideas, social identity, family and professional ties and even patron–client obligations between judges and other actors shape a variety of phenomena of interest to the study of judicial institutions, in terms of how the judiciary is organised and administered, how judges are appointed and make decisions, and the prospects for judicial reform. Collectively, the articles explore the informal dimension of judicial politics in a systematic fashion, through rich empirical case studies in very different contexts. Thus, they help structure a new comparative agenda for research on informal judicial politics outside of the West.
Fueled by desire: Sexual activation facilitates the enactment of relationship-initiating behaviors
Authors: Birnbaum Gurit E. , Mizrahi Moran , Reis Harry T.
Published: November 2018

Sexual desire has long been theorized to serve a relationship-initiation function by bringing partners together. Four studies addressed this possibility, examining whether activation of the sexual system encouraged the enactment of nonsexual behaviors that signal warmth and contact readiness. In Study 1, participants mimed together with an opposite-sex confederate to prerecorded music. Participant’s desire for the confederate was associated with coded immediacy behaviors toward the confederate (e.g., proximity seeking, synchronization). Study 2 extended these findings, showing that participants, who slow danced with a confederate perceived to be more desirable, were more synchronized with the confederate. Synchronization, in turn, was associated with greater interest in future interactions with the confederate. Studies 3 and 4 established a causal connection between sexual activation and engagement in relationship-promoting behaviors (provision of responsiveness and help, respectively). These findings suggest that intense desire, which attracts new partners to each other, elicits behaviors that support the attachment-bonding process.