bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differential expression of proteins involved in energy production along the crypt-villus axis in early-weaning pig small intestine
Authors: Xiong Xia , Yang Huansheng , Tan Bie , Yang Chengbo , Wu Miaomiao , Liu Gang , Kim Sung Woo , Li Tiejun , Li Lili , Wang Junjun , Wu Guoyao , Yin Yulong
Published: June 2015

Weaning of piglets reflects intestinal dysfunction and atrophy and affected the physiological state of enterocytes. However, few studies have defined physiological state of enterocytes along the crypt-villus axis in early-weaning piglets. A total of 16 piglets from 8 litters were used in the experiment. One group of piglets was nursed by sows until age 21 days, and another group was weaned at age 14 days and then fed creep feed instead of breast milk for 7 days. Piglets were killed at 21 days, and the jejunum segments were dissected. After sequential isolation of jejunum epithelial cells along the crypt-villus axis, their proteins were analyzed through the isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification, and proteins involved in the mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway and proliferating cell nuclear antigen abundances in jejunal epithelial cells of weaning or suckling group were determined by Western blotting. The differential proteins in three cell fractions were identified and analyzed. The results showed that proteins involved in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, β-oxidation, and the glycolysis pathway were significantly downregulated in the upper and middle villus of the early-weaned group. However, proteins involved in glycolysis were significantly upregulated in crypt cells. In addition, Western blot analysis showed that the expression of mammalian target of rapamycin pathway-related proteins was decreased ( P < 0.05) in the early-weaned group. The present results showed that early-weaning differentially affect the expression of proteins involved in energy production of enterocytes along the jejunal crypt-villus axis.
Neuroenteric axis modulates the balance of regulatory T cells and T-helper 17 cells in the mesenteric lymph node following trauma/hemorrhagic shock
Authors: Morishita Koji , Coimbra Raul , Langness Simone , Eliceiri Brian P. , Costantini Todd W.
Published: June 2015

CD103+dendritic cells (DCs) continuously migrate from the intestine to the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) and maintain tolerance by driving the development of regulatory T cells (Treg) in the gut. The relative expression of Treg and T-helper 17 (Th17) cells determines the balance between tolerance and immunity in the gut. We hypothesized that trauma/hemorrhagic shock (T/HS) would decrease the CD103+DC population in the mesenteric lymph and alter the Treg-to-Th17 ratio in the MLN. We further hypothesized that vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) would promote tolerance to inflammation by increasing the Treg-to-Th17 ratio in the MLN after injury. Male rats were assigned to sham shock (SS), trauma/sham shock (T/SS), or T/HS. T/HS was induced by laparotomy and 60 min of HS (blood pressure 35 mmHg) followed by fluid resuscitation. A separate cohort of animals underwent cervical VNS after the HS phase. MLN samples were collected 24 h after resuscitation. The CD103+DC population and Treg-to-Th17 cell ratio in the MLN were decreased after T/HS compared with SS and T/SS, suggesting a shift to an inflammatory response. VNS prevented the T/HS-induced decrease in the CD103+DC population and increased the Treg-to-Th17 ratio compared with T/HS alone. VNS alters the gut inflammatory response to injury by modulating the Treg-Th17 cell balance in the MLN. VNS promotes tolerance to inflammation in the gut, further supporting its ability to modulate the inflammatory set point and alter the response to injury.
A gamma variate model that includes stretched exponential is a better fit for gastric emptying data from mice
Authors: Bajzer Željko , Gibbons Simon J. , Coleman Heidi D. , Linden David R. , Farrugia Gianrico
Published: June 2015

Noninvasive breath tests for gastric emptying are important techniques for understanding the changes in gastric motility that occur in disease or in response to drugs. Mice are often used as an animal model; however, the gamma variate model currently used for data analysis does not always fit the data appropriately. The aim of this study was to determine appropriate mathematical models to better fit mouse gastric emptying data including when two peaks are present in the gastric emptying curve. We fitted 175 gastric emptying data sets with two standard models (gamma variate and power exponential), with a gamma variate model that includes stretched exponential and with a proposed two-component model. The appropriateness of the fit was assessed by the Akaike Information Criterion. We found that extension of the gamma variate model to include a stretched exponential improves the fit, which allows for a better estimation of T1/2and Tlag. When two distinct peaks in gastric emptying are present, a two-component model is required for the most appropriate fit. We conclude that use of a stretched exponential gamma variate model and when appropriate a two-component model will result in a better estimate of physiologically relevant parameters when analyzing mouse gastric emptying data.
Metformin attenuates hyperoxia-induced lung injury in neonatal rats by reducing the inflammatory response
Authors: Chen Xueyu , Walther Frans J. , Sengers Rozemarijn M. A. , Laghmani El Houari , Salam Asma , Folkerts Gert , Pera Tonio , Wagenaar Gerry T. M.
Published: June 2015

Because therapeutic options are lacking for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), there is an urgent medical need to discover novel targets/drugs to treat this neonatal chronic lung disease. Metformin, a drug commonly used to lower blood glucose in type 2 diabetes patients, may be a novel therapeutic option for BPD by reducing pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis and improving vascularization. We investigated the therapeutic potential of daily treatment with 25 and 100 mg/kg metformin, injected subcutaneously in neonatal Wistar rats with severe experimental BPD, induced by continuous exposure to 100% oxygen for 10 days. Parameters investigated included survival, lung and heart histopathology, pulmonary fibrin and collagen deposition, vascular leakage, right ventricular hypertrophy, and differential mRNA expression in the lungs of key genes involved in BPD pathogenesis, including inflammation, coagulation, and alveolar development. After daily metformin treatment rat pups with experimental BPD had reduced mortality, alveolar septum thickness, lung inflammation, and fibrosis, demonstrated by a reduced influx of macrophages and neutrophils and hyperoxia-induced collagen III and fibrin deposition (25 mg/kg), as well as improved vascularization (100 mg/kg) compared with control treatment. However, metformin did not ameliorate alveolar enlargement, small arteriole wall thickening, vascular alveolar leakage, and right ventricular hypertrophy. In conclusion metformin prolongs survival and attenuates pulmonary injury by reducing pulmonary inflammation, coagulation, and fibrosis but does not affect alveolar development or prevent pulmonary arterial hypertension and right ventricular hypertrophy in neonatal rats with severe hyperoxia-induced experimental BPD.
The effect of increased lung volume in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on upper airway obstruction during sleep
Authors: Biselli Paolo , Grossman Peter R. , Kirkness Jason P. , Patil Susheel P. , Smith Philip L. , Schwartz Alan R. , Schneider Hartmut
Published: June 2015

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exhibit increases in lung volume due to expiratory airflow limitation. Increases in lung volumes may affect upper airway patency and compensatory responses to inspiratory flow limitation (IFL) during sleep. We hypothesized that COPD patients have less collapsible airways inversely proportional to their lung volumes, and that the presence of expiratory airflow limitation limits duty cycle responses to defend ventilation in the presence of IFL. We enrolled 18 COPD patients and 18 controls, matched by age, body mass index, sex, and obstructive sleep apnea disease severity. Sleep studies, including quantitative assessment of airflow at various nasal pressure levels, were conducted to determine upper airway mechanical properties [passive critical closing pressure (Pcrit)] and for quantifying respiratory timing responses to experimentally induced IFL. COPD patients had lower passive Pcrit than their matched controls (COPD: −2.8 ± 0.9 cmH2O; controls: −0.5 ± 0.5 cmH2O, P = 0.03), and there was an inverse relationship of subject's functional residual capacity and passive Pcrit (−1.7 cmH2O/l increase in functional residual capacity, r2 = 0.27, P = 0.002). In response to IFL, inspiratory duty cycle increased more ( P = 0.03) in COPD patients (0.40 to 0.54) than in controls (0.41 to 0.51) and led to a marked reduction in expiratory time from 2.5 to 1.5 s ( P < 0.01). COPD patients have a less collapsible airway and a greater, not reduced, compensatory timing response during upper airway obstruction. While these timing responses may reduce hypoventilation, it may also increase the risk for developing dynamic hyperinflation due to a marked reduction in expiratory time.
A Phase II Study of the Central European Society of Anticancer-Drug Research (CESAR) Group: Results of an Open-Label Study of Gemcitabine plus Cisplatin with or without Concomitant or Sequential Gefitinib in Patients with Advanced or Metastatic Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Urothelium
Authors: Miller Kurt , Morant Rudolf , Stenzl Arnulf , Zuna Ivan , Wirth Manfred
Published: June 2015

Introduction: This phase II trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor, gefitinib, in combination with first-line chemotherapy in advanced urothelial cancer. Methods: Chemotherapy-naïve patients with advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma were randomized 1:1:1 to receive six cycles of chemotherapy (gemcitabine 1,250 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8, and cisplatin 70 mg/m2 on day 1 of every cycle) concomitantly with gefitinib 250 mg/day (arm A); or with sequential gefitinib (arm B); or alone (arm C). The primary endpoint was the time to progression (TTP). Results: A total of 105 patients received study treatment. Median TTP for arms A, B, and C were 6.1, 6.3, and 7.8 months, respectively. There were no significant differences between treatment arms for any outcomes measured. The most common adverse events were nausea and vomiting. Conclusion: Gefitinib in combination with chemotherapy did not improve efficacy in advanced urothelial cancer.
Lynch Syndrome Patients with Limited Family History Identified in a Laboratory Setting: A Descriptive Study
Authors: Landon Michelle , Saam Jennifer , Brown Krystal L. , Moyes Kelsey , Evans Brent , Wenstrup Richard
Published: June 2015

Objective: Patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer before the age of 50 years are recommended for Lynch syndrome (LS) testing according to current clinical guidelines. However, many patients are not identified because of the stringent guidelines on existing diagnostic criteria. The aim of this analysis was to evaluate the ability of existing criteria to adequately ascertain patients appropriate for LS genetic testing. Method: To determine whether existing clinical diagnostic criteria underascertain individuals who would be appropriate candidates for hereditary cancer risk assessment, we stratified the detection rate of deleterious mismatch repair (MMR) mutations in 9,109 patients with a personal history of colorectal cancer who were diagnosed between the ages of 30 and 74 years with little or no family history suggestive of LS by 5-year age-at-detection intervals. Results: There was little difference in the aggregate positive mutation rate in individuals diagnosed between the ages of 50 and 59 years compared to the positive mutation rate in patients diagnosed before the age of 50 years. Conclusion: These results suggest that cancer diagnosis under the age of 50 years is an insufficiently sensitive predictor of hereditary cancer susceptibility.
ABO Blood Group as a Model for Platelet Glycan Modification in Arterial Thrombosis
Authors: Zhong Ming , Zhang Hanrui , Reilly John P. , Chrisitie Jason D. , Ishihara Mayumi , Kumagai Tadahiro , Azadi Parastoo , Reilly Muredach P.
Published: June 2015

ABO blood groups have long been associated with cardiovascular disease, thrombosis, and acute coronary syndromes. Many studies over the years have shown type O blood group to be associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease than non–type O blood groups. However, the mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear. Although ABO blood group is associated with variations in concentrations of circulating von Willebrand Factor and other endothelial cell adhesion molecules, ABO antigens are also present on several platelet surface glycoproteins and glycosphingolipids. As we highlight in this platelet-centric review, these glycomic modifications may affect platelet function in arterial thrombosis. More broadly, improving our understanding of the role of platelet glycan modifications in acute coronary syndromes may inform future diagnostics and therapeutics for cardiovascular diseases.
Ticagrelor Protects the Heart Against Reperfusion Injury and Improves Remodeling After Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Ye Yumei , Birnbaum Gilad D. , Perez-Polo Jose R. , Nanhwan Manjyot K. , Nylander Sven , Birnbaum Yochai
Published: June 2015

Objective—

In addition to P2Y
12
receptor antagonism, ticagrelor inhibits adenosine cell uptake. Prior data show that 7-day pretreatment with ticagrelor limits infarct size. We explored the acute effects of ticagrelor and clopidogrel on infarct size and potential long-term effects on heart function.

Approach and Results—

Rats underwent 30-minute ischemia per 24-hour reperfusion. (1) Ticagrelor (10 or 30 mg/kg) or clopidogrel (12.5 mg/kg) was given via intraperitoneal injection 5 minutes before reperfusion. (2) Rats received ticagrelor acute (intraperitoneal; 30 mg/kg), chronic (oral; 300 mg/kg per day) for 4 weeks starting 1 day after reperfusion or the combination (acute+chronic). Another group received clopidogrel (intraperitoneal [12.5 mg/kg]+oral [62.5 mg/kg per day]) for 4 weeks. (1) Ticagrelor dose-dependently reduced infarct size, 10 mg/kg (31.5%±1.8%;
P
<0.001) and 30 mg/kg (21.4%±2.6%;
P
<0.001) versus control (45.3±1.7%), whereas clopidogrel had no effect (42.4%±2.6%). Ticagrelor, but not clopidogrel, increased myocardial adenosine levels, increased phosphorylation of Akt, endothelial NO synthase, and extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 1/2 4 hours after reperfusion and decreased apoptosis. (2) After 4 weeks, left ventricular ejection fraction was reduced in the vehicle-treated group (44.8%±3.5%) versus sham (77.6%±0.9%). All ticagrelor treatments improved left ventricular ejection fraction, acute (69.5%±1.6%), chronic (69.2%±1.0%), and acute+chronic (76.3%±1.2%), whereas clopidogrel had no effect (37.4%±3.7%). Ticagrelor, but not clopidogrel, attenuated fibrosis and decreased collagen-III mRNA levels 4 weeks after ischemia/reperfusion. Ticagrelor, but not clopidogrel, attenuated the increase in proinflammatory tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-18, and increased anti-inflammatory 15-epi-lipoxin-A
4
levels.

Conclusions—

Ticagrelor, but not clopidogrel, administered just before reperfusion protects against reperfusion injury. This acute treatment or chronic ticagrelor for 4 weeks or their combination improved heart function, whereas clopidogrel, despite achieving a similar degree of platelet inhibition, had no effect.
Effect of Bile Acid Sequestrants on the Risk of Cardiovascular Events
Authors: Ross Stephanie , D’Mello Matthew , Anand Sonia S. , Eikelboom John ,   CARDIoGRAMplusC4D Consortium*, Stewart Alexandre F.R. , Samani Nilesh J. , Roberts Robert , Paré Guillaume
Published: June 2015

Background—

Statins lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), but they may be ineffective or not tolerated. Bile acid sequestrants (BAS) reduce LDL-C, yet their clinical efficacy on CAD remains controversial.

Methods and Results—

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to assess the effect of cholestyramine and colesevelam. We then used Mendelian randomization to estimate the effect of BAS on reducing the risk of CAD. First, we quantified the effect of rs4299376 (
ABCG5/ABCG8
), which affects the intestinal cholesterol absorption pathway targeted by BAS and then we used these estimates to predict the effect of BAS on CAD. Nineteen randomized controlled trials with a total of 7021 study participants were included. Cholestyramine 24 g/d was associated with a reduction in LDL-C of 23.5 mg/dL (95% confidence interval [CI] −26.8,−20.2; N=3806) and a trend toward reduced risk of CAD (odds ratio 0.81, 95% CI 0.70–1.02;
P
=0.07; N=3806), whereas colesevelam 3.75 g/d was associated with a reduction in LDL-C of 22.7 mg/dL (95% CI −28.3, −17.2; N=759). Based on the findings that rs4299376 was associated with a 2.75 mg/dL decrease in LDL-C and a 5% decrease in risk of CAD outcomes, we estimated that cholestyramine was associated with an odds ratio for CAD of 0.63 (95% CI 0.52–0.77;
P
=6.3×10
−6
) and colesevelam with an odds ratio of 0.64 (95% CI 0.52–0.79,
P
=4.3×10
−5
), which were not statistically different from BAS clinical trials (
P
>0.05).

Conclusions—

The cholesterol lowering effect of BAS may translate into a clinically relevant reduction in CAD.
Long-Term Excess Mortality After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Authors: Huhtakangas Justiina , Lehto Hanna , Seppä Karri , Kivisaari Riku , Niemelä Mika , Hernesniemi Juha , Lehecka Martin
Published: June 2015

Background and Purpose—

There is high case-fatality rate and loss of productive life-years related to aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) but data on long-term survival of patients with aSAH are scarce. We aim to evaluate long-term excess mortality and related risk factors after an aSAH event.

Methods—

Survivors (n=3078) of aSAH who had survived for ≥1 year were reviewed for this retrospective follow-up study, which was conducted in the Department of Neurosurgery in Helsinki between 1980 and 2007. Follow-up started 1 year after the aSAH and continued until death or the end of 2012 (48 918 patient-years). Mortality and relative survival ratios were derived using a matched general population.

Results—

Survivors of aSAH after 20 years showed 17% excess mortality compared with the general population. Even young patients and patients with good recovery showed excess mortality. The highest excess mortality was among patients with multiple aneurysms, old age, poor preoperative clinical condition, conservative aneurysm treatment, and unfavorable clinical outcome at 1 year.

Conclusions—

Even after initially favorable recovery from an aSAH, survivors experience excess mortality in the long run in comparison to a matched general population. Cardiovascular disease at younger age and cerebrovascular events were overrepresented as causes of death, which indicates the importance of treatment of vascular risk factors. Young patients and patients with multiple aneurysms who are recovering from an aSAH should be followed-up and treated most actively.
Population dynamics of two sympatric sandhoppers (Trinorchestia species) (Amphipoda, Talitridae) on the Pacific coast of northern Tohoku after the 2011 Tohoku-oki tsunami
Authors: Ishida T. , Sawahata T. , Kanaya G. , Hayasaka D.
Published: June 2015

As part of a clarification of the response mechanisms of beach ground arthropods to the 2011 Tohoku-oki tsunami, a pit-fall trap survey was conducted in August and September 2012 and 2013 on four relatively flat sandy beaches in northern Tohoku region (i.e., northern Iwate to southern Aomori Prefecture) in Japan. At each beach surveyed, eight clean plastic cups with no baits were put for two days on each of the five beach zones (i.e., wrack, non-vegetated, short-herbaceous, tall-grass, and shrub zones). Among the ground arthropods in this study, we report the differences in susceptibility of two sandhoppers (TrinorchestiatrinitatisandT. longiramus), which dominate on the beaches and play an important role as prey for beach predators, to the tsunami, through monitoring their population dynamics. Although the abundance of the two species increased with time after the disturbance,T. trinitatishad a higher population growth rate thanT. longiramus. In 2012, these two talitrid amphipods were collected mostly in the wrack zone, where the seaweed and driftwood accumulated, and on the non-vegetated zone near the shoreline, whereas they occurred in all beach zones in 2013. SinceT. trinitatisburrows near the beach surface during its reproductive period in spring, this species might have suffered a large impact from the tsunami’s coastal erosion. On the other hand, our findings suggest thatTrinorchestiaspecies rapidly recolonize coastal regions in a short period of time (within a year), due to their reproductive ability and the accumulation of sea wrack, which provides food and habitat to these sandhoppers.
A new species of freshwater prawn of the genus Macrobrachium (Decapoda, Palaemonidae) from Guatemala
Authors: Tejeda-Mazariegos Juan C. , Mejía-Ortíz Luis M.
Published: June 2015

There are three main drainage slopes in Guatemala; from these around eightMacrobrachiumspecies with extended larval development have been reported. In this paper, we describe the first species with abbreviated larval development for Guatemala,Macrobrachium cemainov. sp. This is a freshwater prawn of medium size, with large second pereiopods in relation to body size, compared to related species in Mexico and South America.Macrobrachium vicconiRomán, Ortega & Mejía, 2000, reported from Chiapas, Mexico, is the closest species geographically. However,M. vicconiis different fromMacrobrachium cemainov. sp. in the scaphocerite proportion, length of the first pereiopods and in the proportions of the second pereiopod, i.e., ratios of carpus/merus, carpus/propodus, palm/dactylus, propodus/dactylus and the rostrum ornamentation.
Bursaphelenchus sakishimanus n. sp. (Tylenchomorpha: Aphelenchoididae) isolated from a stag beetle, Dorcus titanus sakishimanus Nomura (Coleoptera: Lucanidae), on Ishigaki Island, Japan
Authors: Kanzaki Natsumi , Okabe Kimiko , Kobori Youichi
Published: June 2015

An undescribedBursaphelenchusspecies was isolated and cultured fromDorcus titanus sakishimanuscollected during a field survey of the insect-associated nematodes in subtropical Japan. The stag beetles were collected from Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan, and dissected to examine their nematode associates. Then the dissected bodies were individually transferred to 2.0% agar plates, and nematode propagation on the plates was periodically examined. Nematodes were first recovered from the agar plate,i.e., the number of nematodes carried by the beetle was low, and infection was not confirmed during dissection. The new species was morphologically and phylogenetically (on a molecular basis) close toB. gerberae, which was isolated from the palm weevil,Rhynchophorus palmarum(Curculionidae), from tropical America, and to other weevil-associatedBursaphelenchusspecies. However, the new species can be distinguished from its close relatives by its typological characters,e.g., long and slender female tail and male spicule morphology as well as phylogenetic status inferred from the near-full-length of the small subunit (SSU) of the ribosomal RNA gene. The new species is described and illustrated herein asB. sakishimanusn. sp. and its molecular profiles, near-full-length SSU, and D2-D3 expansion segments of the large subunit of ribosomal RNA are described. This is the secondBursaphelenchusspecies associated with stag beetles (Lucanidae).
The effect of endobacteria on the development and virulence of the pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus
Authors: Tian Xiao-Jing , Wu Xiao-Qin , Xiang Yang , Fang Xin , Ye Jian-Ren
Published: June 2015

Pine wilt disease (PWD) caused by the pine wood nematode (PWN),Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, is a destructive forest disease. Recent studies showed that bacteria associated with PWN might play important roles in PWD. In this study, the effects of endobacteria isolated from PWN on the development and virulence of PWN were evaluated. The results revealed that endobacteria isolated from high virulence PWN could partially promote the development of the nematode, while endobacteria from PWN with low virulence could inhibit the development of nematode. Both bacteria-free and non-sterilised nematodes were able to infect microcuttings ofPinus densiflora. The endobacterial isolates,Stenotrophomonas maltophiliaNSBx.14 andAchromobacter xylosoxidansssp.xylosoxidansNSBx.22, enhanced the virulence of low virulence PWN but reduced the virulence of high virulence PWN. The results suggest the pathogenicity of PWN is not affected by loss of bacteria and endobacteria might play a role in the development and virulence of PWN.
Description of Rotylenchus urmiaensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Hoplolaimidae) from North-western Iran with a molecular phylogeny of the genus
Authors: Noruzi Elmira , Asghari Ramezan , Atighi Mohammad Reza , Eskandari Ali , Cantalapiedra-Navarrete Carolina , Archidona-Yuste Antonio , Liébanas Gracia , Castillo Pablo , Palomares-Rius Juan E.
Published: June 2015

A new bisexual species ofRotylenchusfrom North-western Iran is described and illustrated based on morphological, morphometric and molecular studies.Rotylenchus urmiaensisn. sp. is characterised by having a truncate lip region with irregular longitudinal striation, lateral field areolated only in pharynx region, stylet length 34-40 μm, vulva positioned at 53-61%, and female tail conoid-rounded to dorsally convex-conoid with 5-10 annuli.Rotylenchus urmiaensisn. sp. appears to be similar toR. striaticeps, from which it may be differentiated morphologically by a slightly shorter body length (870-1269vs1000-1723 μm), shorter stylet (34-40vs39-50 μm), female tail shape (conoid-rounded to dorsally convex-conoidvsrounded), frequency of males (rarevscommon as abundant as females), shorter spicules (39-43vs41-50 μm) and phasmid position (varying from three annuli anterior or three annuli posterior to anusvsat level to seven annuli anterior to anus), and molecularly. The results of phylogenetic analyses based on sequences of D2-D3 expansion region of 28S, ITS-rDNA, 18S rDNA, and the partial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (coxI) mtDNA, confirmed the species differentiation and the close molecular relationship betweenR. urmiaensisn. sp. andR. striaticeps.
Lawful State Responses to Low-Level Cyber-Attacks
Authors: Henriksen Anders
Published: June 2015

The article discusses the sources of international law that may justify a state to respond to harmful interferences in cyberspace that occur outside times of armed conflict and that are not sufficiently serious to merit a rersort to self-defence under the un Charter. The focus is primarily aimed at the more immediate measures a targeted state may adopt in order to bring on-going harmful cyber-activities to a halt. The article opens with a discussion of the application of the traditional principles of sovereignty to activities in cyberspace and subsequently analyses how the principles of countermeasures may be applied to various forms of harmful cyber-incidents that fall below the threshold for triggering a right to self-defence. The article also examines the extent to which a plea of necessity may be invoked in order to justify the use of immediate defensive measures against cyber-attacks that may have an effect on other states.
Access to Justice Mechanisms for Individuals and Groups under the African Regional Human Rights System: An Appraisal
Authors: Ezennia Celestine Nchekwube
Published: June 2015

Under the African regional human rights system, relevant legal instruments confer substantive human and peoples’ rights on African individuals and groups. There are also some justice mechanisms (judicial and quasi-judicial) for their enforcement at the regional level when local remedies fail or are non-existent. However, due to factors like political influence and the nature of some provisions of some of the instruments, access to the mechanisms and, therefore, to justice, eludes most individuals and groups. This article, inter alia, examines the extent of access guaranteed individuals and groups to the mechanisms available at the African regional level for enforcing their rights against violator African states. It discusses different impediments to this access and the consequent injustice. It suggests reforms, such as amendment of the access-impeding provisions of the relevant instruments.
Transnational Corruption, Violations of Human Rights and States’ Extraterritorial Responsibility: A Case for International Action Strategies
Authors: Wabwile Nyongesa Michael
Published: June 2015

Although transnational corruption in Failing States is evidence of bad governance, its reconstruction as a gross violation of human rights – especially economic and social rights – is fairly recent. The present study argues that violation of economic and social rights through transnational corruption is linked to State failure, which in turn has transnational spill-over repercussions that threaten the common interests of international peace and security. The international community has extraterritorial human rights obligations to devise appropriate responses to current destruction of the economic foundations of Failing States and stop the economic crimes perpetrated by corrupt regimes against their own people. This paper argues that domestic anti-corruption institutions are inadequate to contain this problem and this inadequacy necessarily requires coordinated international or regional action. Such international action may include managerial strategies to reengineer and manage political culture change in Failing States, and legal strategies to confront the impunity of Failing States, individual perpetrators and their associates.
A new species of dwarf crayfish (Decapoda: Cambaridae) from central México, as supported by morphological and genetic evidence
Authors: PEDRAZA-LARA CARLOS , DOADRIO IGNACIO
Published: June 2015

Dwarf crayfish are a subfamily of freshwater decapods distributed along the southeastern coast of United States and the Central Plateau of México. Recent phylogenetic studies have found that diversity of dwarf crayfish in México could be currently underestimated, and suggested the existence of possible new species for a number of clades for which taxonomic identity was uncertain, including one from Zacapu, a small lake in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. Here, a congruence criterion between morphological and molecular evidence is used to test if this previously detected clade should be considered as a new species. A set of morphometric variables was taken to characterize variation from this population (including some newly proposed traits possibly valuable for species discrimination) and to compare it statistically to its closest relative, C. chapalanus. Also, additional individuals to those previously sequenced were included using a set of molecular characters, including 5 molecular markers (three mitochondrial and two nuclear fragments) and all extant species described to date from México. Principal Component Analysis, Mann-Whitney paired test and Discriminant Factor Analysis support morphological differentiation of the Zacapu population. Phylogenetic analyses are congruent with morphology and confirm that this population constitutes an exclusive monophyletic clade with high support values. Additionally, genetic Cytochrome Oxidase subunit I (cox1) distance between Zacapu and the closest related species is above the average between species distance in crayfish (ML=3.6%). Congruence between morphology and molecular evidence support the hypothesis that the population from lake Zacapu should be considered a new species, to which the name C. zacapuensis sp. nov. is given and its description provided. With respect to its closest relatives, C. zacapuensis sp. nov. is diagnosed according to the following set of morphological characters: a wider cephalotorax (5.10–5.70 vs. 4.40–4.70), wider abdomen (4.52–4.84 vs. 3.94–4.35) a more robust chela (2.12–2.48 vs. 1.72–1.96) and a shorter merus (3.04–4.20 vs. 4.26–4.71) and mesial process of first pleopod of the form I male reaching distally well beyond the other elements. This study emphasizes the utility of using an integrative framework for species recognition in crayfish.
A review of Chilean chiggers (Acari: Trombiculidae), with the description of a new genus and ten new species
Authors: Stekolnikov Alexandr A. , González-Acuña Daniel
Published: June 2015

A new genus and species of chigger mites, Diaguitacarus choapensis gen. et sp. nov., is described from four lizard species of the genus Liolaemus in Choapa Province of Chile. Eight new chigger species are described from lizards of the genera Liolaemus, Phymaturus (Squamata: Liolaemidae), and Microlophus (Squamata: Tropiduridae), in Arica and Parinacota, Atacama, Coquimbo, Valparaíso, and Biobío Regions: Eutrombicula nerudai sp. nov., Eutrombicula mistrali sp. nov., Eutrombicula picunche sp. nov., Microtrombicula mapuche sp. nov., Parasecia molini sp. nov., Paratrombicula philippii sp. nov., Morelacarus jorgei sp. nov., and Morelacarus camanchaca sp. nov. A new species Proschoengastia antarctica sp. nov., which is described from American mink Neovison vison on Navarino Island (Region of Magallanes and Antártica Chilena), is the most southerly chigger species, found at the distance of about 1000 km from the continent of Antarctica. Whartonacarus chaetosus (Brennan and Jones, 1961) comb. nov., which was described from Peru, is for the first time recorded in Chile (Atacama Region) and on Microlophus atacamensis. A new combination Proschoengastia macrochaeta (Brennan and Jones, 1961) comb. nov. is established. The genus Morelacarus Vercammen-Grandjean, 1973 previously known from Mexico and southwestern USA is for the first time recorded in Chile. A review of all previously described Chilean chiggers and a key to Eutrombicula species from Chile are provided. In all, 22 species from 13 genera were recorded in Chile, of which only one species (Whartonacarus chaetosus) is known outside the country.
Ticks (Acarina: Ixodida) infesting five reptile species in Sri Lanka with sixteen new host records
Authors: LIYANAARACHCHI DILRUKSHI R. , RAJAKARUNA RUPIKA S. , DIKKUMBURA ANIL W. , SILVA ANSLEM DE , RAJAPAKSE R.P.V. JAYANTHA
Published: June 2015

The first study on ticks on reptiles of Sri Lanka dates back to Seneviratna (1965) who reported ticks from five reptiles. Later studies were either limited to one reptile (Fernando & Fernando 2012), or captive animals in zoos (Fernando & Randeniaya 2009) and household pets (Nathanael et al. 2004). According to the current classification (Guglielmone et al. 2010), all the tick species previously recorded on reptiles belong to five species of Amblyomma: A. clypeolatum Neumann, A. gervaisi (Lucas), A. pattoni (Neumann), A. trimaculatum (Lucas) and A. varanense (Supino). Some of the species listed by Seneviratna (1965) were either synonyms or invalid in respect to the present classification. For example Amblyomma laeve sensu Warburton (1910) is a junior synonym of A. pattoni and A. gervaisii var. lucasi is considered a junior synonym of A. varanense (Guglielmone et al. 2010; D. Apanaskevich pers. comm.).
Complete mitochondrial genomes of two Oriental dobsonflies, Neoneuromus tonkinensis (van der Weele) and Nevromus exterior (Navás) (Megaloptera: Corydalidae), and phylogenetic implications of Corydalinae
Authors: Jiang Yunlan , Zhou Yajun , Wang Yiran , Yue Lu , Yan Yan , WANG MENGQING , Liu Xingyue
Published: June 2015

The complete mitochondrial (mt) genomes of two Oriental endemic dobsonfly species, Neoneuromus tonkinensis (van der Weele) and Nevromus exterior (Navás), were determined and analyzed, which represent the first mt genomes of the genera Neoneuromus van der Weele, 1909 and Nevromus Rambur, 1842. The mt genome of N. tonkinensis is a typical circular DNA of 15776 bp with A+T content being 76.3%, while that of N. exterior is 15763 bp with A+T content being 77.5%. Both mt genomes are composed of 37 genes with an ancestral gene arrangement of the insect mt genome. Eleven of the 13 protein coding genes (PCGs) start with codon ATT and ATG, except for cox1 and nad1 respectively having ATC and ATA as the start codons in the mt genome of N. tonkinensis. Complete termination codons TAG and TAA were found in nine PCGs, while the remaining four genes are supposed to end with a single T. Most tRNAs are folded into the typical clover-leaf structure except for the trnS1 whose dihydrouridine arm is a simple loop. The secondary structure of rrnL consists of five structural domains and 50 helices, while the rrnS includes three domains and 34 helices. In the phylogenomic analysis, both Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML) approaches, based on sequence data of all 13 PCGs and two rRNA genes of the mt genomes, suggested that Neoneuromus and Nevromus form a monophyletic group, which is the sister group of the lineage including Corydalus and Acanthacorydalis but not the sister group of Acanthacorydalis van der Weele, 1907 as previously reported based on morphological data.
Contribution to the taxonomy of Poecilimon bosphoricus species group (Orthoptera: Phaneropteridae): two new species from its core range
Authors: CHOBANOV DRAGAN P. , KAYA SARP , ÇIPLAK BATTAL
Published: June 2015

The Poecilimon bosphoricus species group, representing the most diverse lineage of the bushcricket genus Poecilimon, has been studied in the Basin of Marmara Sea. Two new species, P. warchalowskae sp. n. and P. canakkale sp. n., are described morphologically and acoustically in comparison to their related taxa of the P. bosphoricus species group. Song type and morphology of the new species suggests that they are related to P. turcicus, P. turciae and P. athos and each of these five species can be distinguished by their specific male cerci. The diagnoses are supplemented with comparative figures of morphology and song. Additionally, a short account is given on the synonymy of P. anatolicus with P. sureyanus.
New species and revisions of Pediciidae (Diptera) from the Middle Jurassic of northeastern China and Russia
Authors: GAO JIAQI , SHIH CHUNGKUN , KOPEĆ KATARZYNA , KRZEMIŃSKI WIESŁAW , REN DONG
Published: June 2015

Two new species of Praearchitipula Kalugina, 1985, P. apprima sp. nov. and P. mirabilis sp. nov., are described and illustrated from the late Middle Jurassic Jiulongshan Formation of Daohugou in eastern Inner Mongolia, China. In addition, we propose to transfer Architipula abnormis Hao & Ren, 2009 (which is from the same locality of Daohugou) from Architipula of Limoniidae to Praearchitipula of Pediciidae: Praearchitipula abnormis (Hao & Ren, 2009) comb. nov. In addition, we propose to transfer Praearchitipula spasskia Kalugina, 1985 to the genus Mesotipula (Limoniidae, Architipulinae). We also suggest treating Praearchitipula lata Kalugina, 1985 as a junior synonym of Praearchitipula notabilis Kalugina, 1985. An emended generic diagnosis of Praearchitipula is provided.
Two new species of the genus Luzonomyza from CHINA (Diptera, Lauxaniidae)
Authors: SHI LI , YANG DING
Published: June 2015

Two species Luzonomyza gaimarii sp. nov. and Luzonomyza hirsuta sp. nov. are described as new to science. A key to separate species of the genus is provided.
Endemics and adventives: Thysanoptera (Insecta) biodiversity of Norfolk, a tiny Pacific Island
Authors: MOUND LAURENCE A. , WELLS ALICE
Published: June 2015

The thrips fauna of Norfolk Island is a curious mix of endemics and adventives, with notable absences that include one major trophic group. A brief introduction is provided to the history of human settlement and its ecological impact on this tiny land mass in the western Pacific Ocean. The Thysanoptera fauna comprises about 20% endemic and almost 50% widespread invasive species, and shows limited faunal relationships to the nearest territories, Australia, New Caledonia and New Zealand. This fauna, comprising 66 species, includes among named species 29 Terebrantia and 33 Tubulifera, with four Tubulifera remaining undescribed. At least 12 species are endemics, of which 10 are mycophagous, and up to 10 further species are possibly native to the island. As with the thrips fauna of most Pacific islands, many species are widespread invasives. However, most of the common thrips of eastern Australia have not been found on Norfolk Island, and the complete absence of leaf-feeding Phlaeothripinae is notable. The following new taxa are described: in the Phlaeothripidae, Buffettithrips rauti gen. et sp. n. and Priesneria akestra sp. n.; and in the Thripidae, Scirtothrips araucariae sp. n. and Thrips merae sp. n.
A new species and ten new records of bdelloid rotifers from Korea
Authors: SONG MIN OK , MIN GI-SIK
Published: June 2015

We conducted a taxonomic study of bdelloid rotifers collected from various terrestrial habitats, such as mosses, lichens, mushrooms on tree trunks, and leaf litter, at six different locations in Korea. The study yielded 10 new Korean records and a new species, Bradyscela hoonsooi n. sp. Among the 10 new Korean records, nine species are new to Asia, and seven of these are rare species with poorly known distributions. Our study is the first to record Habrotrocha fuscochlaena De Koning outside its type locality. Macrotrachela sonorensis Örstan and Habrotrocha acornis Murray have previously been reported from only two countries. Habrotrocha longula Bryce and Habrotrocha visa Donner are recorded outside Europe for the first time. Habrotrocha flaviformis De Koning has previously been reported from Europe, Brazil and New Zealand. Finally, Philodina grandis Milne has been reported from Eastern and Southern Africa and New Zealand before the present study. Here, we provide a description of the new species and discuss the taxonomy and distribution of the seven rare species.
Two new species of Leptobatopsis Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Banchinae) from South Korea and gynandromorphy in L. nigricapitis
Authors: CHOI JIN-KYUNG , KANG GYU-WON , LEE JONG-WOOK
Published: June 2015

Four species of Leptobatopsis Ashmead are recorded for the first time from South Korea. Among them, L. koreana sp. nov. and L. daedeokensis sp. nov. are newly described. We also report two newly recorded species, L. nigricapitis Chandra & Gupta and L. appendiculata Momoi, from South Korea. In addition, we describe a case of gynandromorphy of L. nigricapitis in a single specimen from South Korea. This specimen presents bilateral asymmetry, with the left half of its habitus displaying male characters and the right half displaying female characters. We also provide a key to Eastern Palaearctic species of Leptobatopsis.
The Giant Pill-Millipedes of Nepal (Diplopoda, Sphaerotheriida, Zephroniidae)
Authors: WESENER THOMAS
Published: June 2015

The type of the only species of the order Sphaerotheriida with a record in Nepal, Kophosphaera excavata (Butler, 1874), originally described from Sikkim, is redescribed. The subspecies K. excavata mammifera Attems, 1936 from Sureil, Darjeeling, India, is elevated to species rank, K. mammifera stat. nov.. A species of unclear country of origin ('Himalaya'), Sphaeropoeus montanus Karsch, 1881, is briefly redescribed and transferred to the genus Zephronia, Z. montana (Karsch, 1881) n. comb.. Z. tumida Butler, 1882, an apparently widespread north Indian Zephronia species, is redescribed. Sphaerotheriida specimens collected during several expeditions to Nepal undertaken by Prof. J. Martens in the 1970s and 1980s were examined. The material contained 10 specimens (7 males, 3 females) from seven localities, including three undescribed species, Zephronia nepalensis n. sp., Kophosphaera shivapuri n. sp., and Kophosphaera martensi n. sp., as well as a specimen of Kophosphaera politissima Attems, 1935, type species of the genus and described previously from India. A key to all (now seven) species of Kophosphaera is presented. A brief diagnosis of the Kophosphaera excavata group is provided. While Zephronia seems to be restricted to the eastern part of Nepal, two endemic and two more widespread Kophosphaera species occur also in its central and mid-western part, representing the western-most records of the family Zephroniidae in Asia. The current distribution of the family in Nepal clearly indicates the Zephroniidae as a family adapted to tropical environments.
Five species under Dicranomyia (Dicranomyia) mitis (Meigen, 1830) (Diptera, Limoniidae)
Authors: STARÝ JAROSLAV , STUBBS ALAN E.
Published: June 2015

Five species previously usually treated as Dicranomyia (Dicranomyia) mitis (Meigen, 1830) are redescribed and named with already existing names, viz. D. (D.) mitis [s. str.], D. (D.) affinis (Schummel, 1829), D. (D.) quadra (Meigen, 1838), sp. restit., D. (D.) lutea (Meigen, 1804), and D. (D.) imbecilla Lackschewitz in Lackschewitz & Pagast, 1941, stat. n. All important characters of the wing, male tarsi and male and female terminalia are illustrated. A key to D. (D.) mitis and allies is appended.
The assamiids harvestmen (Opiliones: Laniatores: Assamiidae) from Champasak Province, Laos
Authors: ZHANG CHAO , ZHANG FENG
Published: June 2015

Three assamiids species are recorded from southern Laos, two of which are new: Paramaracandus dolabratus sp. nov. (male) and Simalurius suzukii sp. nov. (male and female). Mysorea thaiensis Suzuki, 1985, that was previously known only from the type locality in northern Thailand is redescribed here. The family Assamiidae was first recorded from Laos.
A new species of the palaemonid shrimp genus Palaemonella Dana, 1852 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Caridea) from Okinawa Island, Ryukyu Islands, Japan
Authors: KOMAI TOMOYUKI , YAMADA YUSUKE
Published: June 2015

The palaemonid shrimp genus Palaemonella Dana, 1852 is currently represented by 21 formally described species worldwide, of which 17 species are known from the Indo-West Pacific. In this study, a new species, P. okunoi, is described and illustrated on the basis of two ovigerous female specimens collected from coastal waters in Okinawa Island, Ryukyu Islands, Japan, at depths of 5–30 m. The new species closely resembles P. hachijo Okuno, 1999, but the shorter rostrum, more anteriorly located postrostral teeth on the carapace, the presence of a pair of submedian teeth on the fourth thoracic sternite and the less slender pereopods distinguish P. okunoi n. sp. from P. hachijo. The discovery of the present new species raises the number of Japanese species of Palaemonella to eight. An updated key to the Indo-West Pacific species of the genus is presented.
Review of the millipede genus Yasudatyla Shear & Tsurusaki, 1995 new to the fauna of Russia, with description of new species from the Kurile Islands (Diplopoda, Chordeumatida, Conotylidae)
Authors: MIKHALJOVA ELENA V.
Published: June 2015

The diplopod genus Yasudatyla Shear & Tsurusaki, 1995 is new to the fauna of Russia, due to the discovery of Y. kurilensis sp. nov. from Kurile Islands. The genus is currently represented by four species, i.e. Y. yasudai Shear & Tsurusaki, 1995, Y. hidakaensis Shear & Tsurusaki, 1995, Y. shariensis Shear & Tsurusaki, 1995, all from Japan, and Y. kurilensis sp. nov. from the Kurile Islands, Russia, described here. All known species of the genus are keyed, including the new species.