bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Types of Neotropical Mycetophilidae (Diptera) at the Natural History Museum collection, London
Authors: AMORIM DALTON DE SOUZA , OLIVEIRA SARAH SIQUEIRA
Published: October 2013

The primary types, secondary types, and some other identified specimens of 407 Neotropical species of Mycetophilidae at the Natural History Museum, London were examined. Notes were made on the condition of the primary types, their labels, and presence of other specimens in the type series. Additional comments are made about types, secondary types and some few other cases worth of note mistakenly determined to be at the NHM. Lectotypes are designated for syntypes of 17 species: Epicypta insipiens (Williston), Epicypta dolosa (Williston), Leia amabilis Williston, Leia concinna (Williston), Leia nitens (Williston), Megalopelma cellularis Edwards, Megalopelma fraudulenta (Williston), Megalopelma platyura Edwards, Mycetophila borgmeieri Edwards, Mycomya meridionalis Johannsen, Monoclona digitata Edwards, Mycomya peruviana Edwards, Neoempheria maculipennis Williston, Procycloneura paranensis Edwards, Stenophragma nigricauda Edwards, Tetragoneura simplex Edwards, Trizygia nitens Edwards. Three species–Leia biamputata Edwards, Leia fuscicornis Edwards, and Neallodia flavida Edwards–previously considered subjective junior synonyms in the literature were revalidated. Mycetophila rufoides nom. nov. is proposed for Mycetophila rufa Lane (preocc. Macquart 1826). Mycetophila dolosa Williston is transferred to Epicypta, without being assigned to a particular subgenus. The type of Sceptonia paiaguensis Freeman is formally considered lost. Photographs taken of holotypes and lectotypes are included, helping taxonomic documentation and in some extent, species identification. After the nomenclatural acts in this paper, the Natural History Museum, London, now holds holotypes of 292 Neotropical species of the Mycetophilidae, 23 lectotypes, syntypes of 3 species that have syntypes in other collections, paratypes of 81 species that have holotypes in other collections, identified specimens of 5 species with types lost and specimens of three species which fit in other cases.
Taxonomy of the genus Megalinus Mulsant & Rey (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae, Xantholinini) and seven new species from China
Authors: ZHOU YU-LINGZI , BORDONI ARNALDO , ZHOU HONG-ZHANG
Published: October 2013

This paper studies the taxonomy of the genus Megalinus Mulsant & Rey, 1877 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae, Xantholinini) and offers a comprehensive revision of the Chinese fauna. Seven new species are described: Megalinus ailaoshanensis Zhou & Zhou sp. nov. from Yunnan, M. hailuogouensis Bordoni sp. nov. from Sichuan, M. liupanshanensis Zhou & Zhou sp. nov. from Ningxia, M. ningxiaensis Bordoni sp. nov. from Ningxia, M. nonvaricosus Zhou & Zhou sp. nov. from Ningxia, M. solidus Zhou & Zhou sp. nov. from Hainan and Yunnan, and M. tangi Bordoni sp. nov. from Xizang. The taxonomic status of M. leishanensis (Bordoni, 2007) is reinstated and treated as a valid species here. The following new synonym is proposed: M. suffusus (Sharp, 1874) = L. flavoelytratus (Bordoni, 2007) syn. nov. Three species originally described in Chinese are redescribed here: M. cinnamomeus (Zheng, 1994), M. coracinus (Zheng, 1994) and M. zhenyuanensis (Zheng, 1994). Therefore the Chinese fauna of the genus Megalinus is now represented by a total of 33 species. A key to all Chinese species is provided.
Phylogeny of the tribe Archipini (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Tortricinae) and evolutionary correlates of novel secondary sexual structures
Authors: DOMBROSKIE JASON J. , SPERLING FELIX A.H.
Published: October 2013

We reconstructed a preliminary phylogeny for the economically important tribe Archipini (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Tortricinae) based on 135 exemplar species (including four outgroups) and a combined analyses of 28S rDNA and COI DNA using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian analyses. A summary tree was produced as the majority rule consensus tree by first assembling all clades that were present in more than 50% of analyses. Based on the results of the analyses, several taxonomic changes are suggested. After mapping secondary sexual characters (SSCs), host plant breadth, and geographic distribution onto the phylogeny, we examined correspondences among these traits using two-by-two χ2 tests and ancestral character state reconstructions. Absence of SSCs was associated with decreased host plant breadth and colonization of the New World, but was not significantly associated with the presence of other SSCs. There is a strong likelihood of an Australasian origin for Archipini. We propose the synonymy of Archepandemis Mutuura with Pandemis Hübner (new synonymy); the synonymy of Cudonigera Obraztsov & Powell with Choristoneura Lederer (new synonymy); and elevation of Anaphelia Razowski, Sacaphelia Razowski, and Zelotherses Lederer to genera from subgenera of Aphelia Hübner (revised status). Epiphyas Turner, may be subordinate within Clepsis Guenée, but further study is needed to confirm this.
A revision of the Pauropsalta annulata Goding & Froggatt species group (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) based on morphology, calling songs and ecology, with investigations into calling song structure, molecular phylogenetic relationships and a case of hybridisation between two subspecies
Authors: POPPLE L. W.
Published: October 2013

The Pauropsalta annulata Goding & Froggatt species group is distributed (widely) in eastern Australia. This group comprises P. annulata, P. rubristrigata (Goding and Froggatt) and P. ayrensis Ewart, with P. annulata sens. lat. containing the greatest diversity in calling songs, ecology and distribution. Previous studies have revealed that this diversity is due to the presence of several cryptic species, which together make up the Pauropsalta annulata species complex. The present study provides a revision of the Pauropsalta annulata species group and includes redescriptions of P. annulata s.str., P. rubristrigata (Goding & Froggatt) and P. ayrensis Ewart, as well as descriptions of 11 species new to science: P. blackdownensis sp. nov., P. corymbiae sp. nov., P. decora sp. nov., P. granitica sp. nov., P. inversa sp. nov., P. kobongoides sp. nov., P. notialis sp. nov., P. simplex sp. nov., P. subtropica sp. nov., P. torrensis sp. nov. and P. tremula sp. nov. In addition, two new subspecies are also described: P. n. notialis subsp. nov. and P. n. incitata subsp. nov., along with extensive areas of hybridisation, which justifies their subspecific status. Within the P. annulata species group, the P. annulata species complex is redefined to contain P. annulata s. str., P. notialis sp. nov. and P. tremula sp. nov. These species have a number of apomorphies in common and are expected to have had a single point of origin (i.e. represent a monophyletic group). To facilitate the identification of taxa in the P. annulata species group, separate keys are provided for specimens and field recordings based on morphology and calling song structure respectively. Morphological descriptions or diagnoses and descriptions of calling song structure are provided for each species and subspecies (and the hybrids between the subspecies). The descriptions are followed by a comprehensive statistical analysis of calling song specificity in the P. annulata species complex. A preliminary molecular phylogenetic analysis, focusing on species-level relationships and divergence times within the P. annulata species group, is also included.
Snow Studies. Part III: Theoretical Derivations for the Ensemble Retrieval of Snow Microphysics from Dual-Wavelength Vertically Pointing Radars
Authors: Szyrmer Wanda , Zawadzki Isztar
Published: October 2013

As a first step toward retrieval of snow microphysics from two vertically pointing radars operating at X band and W band, a theoretical model of snow microphysics is formulated in which the number of unknown parameters is reduced to snow particle density and to two bulk quantities controlling the particle size distribution. This reduction of parameters is achieved by normalizing not only the size distribution but also the snow particle mass in the mass–size relationship as well as by using a relationship between snow density and snow terminal fall velocity. However, no single snow microphysical model could describe the observed variability in the radar measurements. The uncertainty in the developed deterministic relations that map the microphysical parameters to the observables is shown to be mainly associated with the assumed dependence of particle velocity on its mass and on the particle size distribution (PSD) representation. Hence, various mass–velocity relationships together with different generic functional forms of the PSD reported in literature are described in this paper and then used in the retrieval. The derived relations provide a reasonable range of uncertainty associated with the microphysics when used for the actual retrieval of snow properties from observations in Part IV. The uncertainty in the backscattering computations of an individual particle, performed using Mie theory assuming spherical form with nonuniform density, is not taken into account in this study.
Characteristic Features of Warm-Type Rain Producing Heavy Rainfall over the Korean Peninsula Inferred from TRMM Measurements
Authors: Sohn B. J. , Ryu Geun-Hyeok , Song Hwan-Jin , Ou Mi-Lim
Published: October 2013

In contrast to the view that deep convection causes heavy rainfall, Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) measurements demonstrate that heavy rainfall (ranging from moderate to extreme rain rate) over the Korean peninsula is associated more with low-level clouds (referred to as warm-type clouds in this study) than with conventional deep convective clouds (cold-type clouds). Moreover, it is noted that the low-level warm-type clouds producing heavy rainfall over Korea appear to be closely linked to the atmospheric river, which can form a channel that transports water vapor across the Korean peninsula along the northwestern periphery of the North Pacific high. Much water vapor is transported through the channel and converges on the Korean peninsula when warm-type heavy rain occurs there. It may be possible to produce abundant liquid water owing to the excess of water vapor; this could increase the rate and extent of raindrop growth, primarily below the melting layer, causing heavy rain when these drops fall to the surface. The occurrence of heavy rainfall (also exhibited as medium-depth convection in radar observations over Okinawa, Japan) due to such liquid-water-rich lower warm clouds should induce difficulties in retrieving rainfall from space owing to the lack of scattering-inducing ice crystals over land and the warmer cloud tops. An understanding of the microphysical processes involved in the production of warm-type rain appears to be a prerequisite for better rain retrieval from space and rain forecasting in this wet region.
Ethical Dilemnia of the Therapeutic Decisions in the Care of the Severe Chronic Anorexia Nervosa: About a Case
Authors: Scolan V. , Praline O. , Carlin N. , Noël V.
Published: October 2013

When caring for of patients suffering from severe anorexia, medical teams may feel deprived in the face of the ambivalent behavior of some of these patients who accept medical care but refuse nutrition. We present here the case of a woman suffering from severe chronic anorexia with a state of morbid malnutrition, which presented the ethical question of how to deal with this unreasonable attitude. These extreme cases raise several questions regarding avoiding malfeasance and when to provide palliative care in a management of psychiatric pathology.
Genome-wide methylation analyses of primary human leukocyte subsets identifies functionally important cell-type–specific hypomethylated regions
Authors: Zilbauer Matthias , Rayner Tim F. , Clark Christine , Coffey Alison J. , Joyce Chris J. , Palta Priit , Palotie Aarno , Lyons Paul A. , Smith Kenneth G. C.
Published: October 2013

Key Points

We provide a functional DNA methylation map of human leukocyte subsets and identify cell-type–specific regulatory HMRs. We illustrate use of this data by demonstrating a potential link between gene polymorphisms, DNA methylation, and immune-mediated disease.
A therapeutic barium enema is a practical option to control bleeding from the appendix
Authors: Konno Youkou , Fujiya Mikihiro , Tanaka Kazuyuki , Sakatani Aki , Shimoda Mizue , Hayashi Akihiro , Muto Momotaro , Inoue Mitutaka , Sakamoto Jun , Oikawa Kensuke , Ueno Nobuhiro , Inaba Yuhei , Moriichi Kentaro , Kohgo Yutaka
Published: October 2013

Background

Acute lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage originating from the appendix is rare and often intractable, because it is almost impossible to approach the bleeding point by endoscopy. We herein describe the first case of bleeding from the appendix, which was successively controlled by a therapeutic barium enema administered into the appendix.

Case presentation

A 71-year-old male visited our hospital because of melena. He has been receiving an anti-coagulation drug, ticlopidine hydrochloride, for 10 years. By an emergency colonoscopy, a hemorrhage was detected in the appendix, and the lesion responsible for the bleeding was regarded to exist in the appendix. Two hundred milliliters of 50 W/V% barium was sprayed into the orifice of the appendix using a spraying tube. The bleeding could thus be immediately stopped, and a radiological examination revealed the accumulation of barium at the cecum and the orifice of the appendix. The barium accumulation disappeared by the next day, and no obvious anal bleeding was observed. Two weeks after stopping the bleeding from the appendix, an appendectomy was performed to prevent any further refractory hemorrhaging. The patient has had no complaints of any abdominal symptoms or anal bleeding for 10 months.

Conclusions

A therapeutic barium enema is a useful procedure to control bleeding from the appendix and to avoid emergency surgery, such as partial cecectomy and hemicolectomy.
Annular pancreas concurrent with pancreaticobiliary maljunction presented with symptoms until adult age: case report with comparative data on pediatric cases
Authors: Cheng Long , Tian Fuzhou , Zhao Tiejun , Pang Yong , Luo Zhulin , Ren Jiandong
Published: October 2013

Background

Annular pancreas (AP) concurrent with pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBMJ), an unusual coexisted congenital anomaly, often presented symptoms and subjected surgical treatment at the early age of life. We reported the first adult case of concurrent AP with PBMJ presented with symptoms until his twenties, and performed a literature review to analyze the clinicopathological features of such cases comparing with its pediatric counterpart.

Case presentation

The main clinical features of this case were abdominal pain and increased levels of plasma amylase as well as liver function test. A complete type of annular pancreas with duodenal stenosis was found, and dilated common bile duct with high confluence of pancreaticobiliary ducts was also observed. Meanwhile, extremely high levels of bile amylase were detected both in common bile duct and gallbladder. The patient received duodenojejunostomy (side-to-side anastomosis) as well as choledochojejunostomy (Roux-en-Y anastomosis), adnd was discharged in a good condition.

Conclusion

AP concurrent with PBMJ usually presents as duodenal obstruction in infancy, while manifests as pancreatitis in adulthood. Careful long-term follow-up is required for children with AP considering its association with PBMJ which would induce various intractable pathologic conditions in the biliary tract and pancreas.
A novel carboxyl-terminal protease derived from Paenibacillus lautusCHN26 exhibiting high activities at multiple sites of substrates
Authors: Li Yunxia , Pan Yingjie , She Qunxin , Chen Lanming
Published: October 2013

Background

Carboxyl-terminal protease (CtpA) plays essential functions in posttranslational protein processing in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. To date, only a few bacterial ctpA genes have been characterized. Here we cloned and characterized a novel CtpA. The encoding gene, ctpAp (ctpA of Paenibacillus lautus), was derived from P. lautus CHN26, a Gram-positive bacterium isolated by functional screening. Recombinant protein was obtained from protein over-expression in Escherichia coli and the biochemical properties of the enzyme were investigated.

Results

Screening of environmental sediment samples with a skim milk-containing medium led to the isolation of a P. lautus CHN26 strain that exhibited a high proteolytic activity. A gene encoding a carboxyl-terminal protease (ctpAp) was cloned from the isolate and characterized. The deduced mature protein contains 466 aa with a calculated molecular mass of 51.94 kDa, displaying 29-38% amino acid sequence identity to characterized bacterial CtpA enzymes. CtpAp contains an unusual catalytic dyad (Ser309-Lys334) and a PDZ substrate-binding motif, characteristic for carboxyl-terminal proteases. CtpAp was expressed as a recombinant protein and characterized. The purified enzyme showed an endopeptidase activity, which effectively cleaved α S1- and β- casein substrates at carboxyl-terminus as well as at multiple internal sites. Furthermore, CtpAp exhibited a high activity at room temperature and strong tolerance to conventional protease inhibitors, demonstrating that CtpAp is a novel endopeptidase.

Conclusions

Our work on CtpA represents the first investigation of a member of Family II CtpA enzymes. The gene was derived from a newly isolated P. lautus CHN26 strain exhibiting a high protease activity in the skim milk assay. We have demonstrated that CtpAp is a novel endopeptidase with distinct cleavage specificities, showing a strong potential in biotechnology and industry applications.
Survey of causative agents for acute respiratory infections among patients in Khartoum- State, Sudan, 2010–2011
Authors: Enan Khalid A , Nabeshima Takeshi , Kubo Toru , Buerano Corazon C , El Hussein Abdel Rahim M , Elkhidir Isam M , Khalil Eltahir AG , Morita Kouichi
Published: October 2013

Background

This study was carried out to determine causative agents of acute respiratory illness of patients in Khartoum State, Sudan.

Methods

Four hundred patients experiencing respiratory infections within January-March 2010 and January-March 2011 were admitted at Khartoum Hospital and had their throat swab samples subjected to multiplex real-time RT-PCR to detect influenza viruses (including subtypes) and other viral agents. Isolation, nucleotide sequence and phylogenetic analysis on some influenza viruses based on the HA gene were done.

Results

Out of 400 patients, 66 were found to have influenza viruses (35, 27, 2, and 2 with types A, B, C, and A and B co-infections, respectively). Influenza viruses were detected in 28, 33 and 5 patients in the age groups <1, 1–10, and 11–30 years old, respectively but none in the 31–50 years old group. Out of 334 patients negative for influenza viruses, 27, 14, and 2 were positive for human respiratory syncytial virus, rhinovirus and adenovirus, respectively. Phylogenetic tree on influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 subtype shows that Sudan strains belong to the same clade and are related to those strains from several countries such as USA, Japan, Italy, United Kingdom, Germany, Russia, Greece, Denmark, Taiwan, Turkey and Kenya. Seasonal A H3 subtypes have close similarity to strains from Singapore, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, USA and Nicaragua. For influenza B, Sudan strains belong to two different clades, and just like influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 and A H3 subtypes, seem to be part of worldwide endemic population (Kenya, USA, Brazil, Russia, Taiwan and Singapore).

Conclusions

In Sudan, the existence of respiratory viruses in patients with acute respiratory infection was confirmed and characterized for the first time by using molecular techniques.
The eNOS 894G/T gene polymorphism and its influence on early and long-term mortality after on-pump cardiac surgery
Authors: Hinz José , Schöndorf Daniel , Bireta Christian , Lipke Christina , Moerer Onnen , Bergmann Ingo , Wiese Christoph Herman , Mansur Ashham , Schotola Hanna , Sabashnikov Anton , Quintel Michael , Schoendube Friedrich Albert , Popov Aron Frederik
Published: October 2013

Background

The eNOS 894G/T polymorphism (GG, GT, and TT) is associated with cardiovascular mortality and may influence cardiovascular diseases as a genetic risk factor. Moreover, this polymorphism has an impact on intraoperative hemodynamics during cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). In this study, we analyzed the influence of this gene polymorphism on early clinical outcome in patients who underwent cardiac surgery with CPB. Also, we performed a 5-year follow-up, assessing the impact of this polymorphism on long-term mortality.

Method

500 patients who underwent cardiac surgery with CPB between 2006 and 2007 were included in this prospective single centre study. Genotyping for the eNOS gene polymorphism was performed by polymerase chain reaction amplification.

Results

Genotype distribution of 894G/T was: GG 50.2%; GT 42.2%; TT 7.8%. Cardiovascular risk factors were equally distributed between the different genotypes of the eNOS 894G/T polymorphism. No significant difference among the groups was shown regarding Euroscore, SAPS II and APACHE II. Perioperative characteristics were also not affected by the genotypes, except for the consumption of norepinephrine (p = 0.03) and amiodarone (p = 0.01) which was higher in the GT allele carrier. The early postoperative course was quite uniform across the genotypes, except for mean intensive care unit length of stay which was significantly prolonged in GT carriers (p = 0.001). The five-year follow-up was 100% complete and showed no significant differences regarding mortality between the groups.

Conclusion

Our results show that the eNOS 894G /T polymorphism is not associated with early and late clinical outcome after cardiac surgery. Thus, this polymorphism can actually not help to identify high risk groups in the heterogeneous population of individuals who undergo cardiac surgery with CPB.
A phase Ib multiple ascending dose study evaluating safety, pharmacokinetics, and early clinical response of brodalumab, a human anti-IL-17R antibody, in methotrexate-resistant rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Martin David A , Churchill Melvin , Flores-Suarez Luis Felipe , Cardiel Mario H , Wallace Daniel , Martin Richard , Phillips Kristine , Kaine Jeffrey L , Dong Hua , Salinger David , Stevens Erin , Russell Chris B , Chung James B
Published: October 2013

Introduction

The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, and clinical response of brodalumab (AMG 827), a human, anti-IL-17 receptor A (IL-17RA) monoclonal antibody in subjects with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

This phase Ib, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind multiple ascending dose study enrolled subjects with moderate to severe RA (≥6/66 swollen and ≥8/68 tender joints). Subjects were randomized 3:1 to receive brodalumab (50 mg, 140 mg, or 210 mg subcutaneously every two weeks for 6 doses per group; or 420 mg or 700 mg intravenously every 4 weeks for two doses per group) or placebo. Endpoints included incidence of adverse events (AEs) and pharmacokinetics. Exploratory endpoints included pharmacodynamics, and improvements in RA clinical metrics.

Results

Forty subjects were randomized to investigational product; one subject discontinued due to worsening of RA (placebo). The study was not designed to assess efficacy. AEs were reported by 70% (7/10) of placebo subjects and 77% (22/30) of brodalumab subjects. Three serious AEs were reported in two subjects; there were no opportunistic infections. Brodalumab treatment resulted in inhibition of IL-17 receptor signaling and receptor occupancy on circulating leukocytes. No treatment effects were observed with individual measures of RA disease activity. On day 85 (week 13) 37% (11/30) of brodalumab subjects and 22% (2/9) of placebo subjects achieved ACR20; 7% (2/30) brodalumab subjects and 11% (1/9) of placebo subjects achieved ACR50; and 0% (0/30) brodalumab subjects and 0% (0/9) of placebo subjects achieved ACR70.

Conclusions

Multiple dose administration of brodalumab was tolerated in subjects with active RA. There was no evidence of a clinical response to brodalumab in subjects with RA.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00771030
Decreased expression of the endothelial cell-derived factor EGFL7 in systemic sclerosis: potential contribution to impaired angiogenesis and vasculogenesis
Authors: Manetti Mirko , Guiducci Serena , Romano Eloisa , Avouac Jérôme , Rosa Irene , Ruiz Barbara , Lepri Gemma , Bellando-Randone Silvia , Ibba-Manneschi Lidia , Allanore Yannick , Matucci-Cerinic Marco
Published: October 2013

Introduction

Microvascular damage and defective angiogenesis and vasculogenesis have a major role in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc). Epidermal growth factor-like domain 7 (EGFL7) is a proangiogenic molecule which is predominantly expressed and secreted by endothelial cells and their progenitors and controls vascular development and integrity. In this study, we investigated the possible involvement of EGFL7 in SSc.

Methods

Serum EGFL7 levels from 60 patients with SSc and 35 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were examined by colorimetric sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression of EGFL7 in forearm skin biopsies (n = 16 SSc, n = 10 controls), cultured dermal microvascular endothelial cells (MVECs) (n = 3 SSc, n = 3 controls) and late-outgrowth peripheral blood endothelial progenitor cell (EPC)-derived endothelial cells (n = 15 SSc, n = 8 controls) was investigated by immunofluorescence and Western blotting.

Results

Serum EGFL7 levels were detectable in 68.6% of healthy controls and 45% of SSc cases (P < 0.05). Circulating levels of EGFL7 were significantly decreased in SSc patients compared with healthy controls (P = 0.01). Serum levels of EGFL7 were significantly lower in both limited cutaneous SSc and diffuse cutaneous SSc patients than in controls (P = 0.02 and P = 0.04, respectively). In SSc, decreased serum EGFL7 levels were significantly correlated with the severity of nailfold capillary abnormalities. Patients with the most severe capillary changes and digital ulcers had serum EGFL7 levels significantly lower than healthy controls, while the EGFL7 levels did not differ significantly between controls and SSc patients with less capillary damage and lack of digital ulcers. Endothelial EGFL7 expression was strongly downregulated or even almost completely undetectable in SSc-affected dermis compared with controls (P < 0.001). In cultured SSc dermal MVECs and late-outgrowth peripheral blood EPC-derived endothelial cells, EGFL7 was significantly downregulated compared with cells obtained from healthy subjects (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the loss of EGFL7 expression in endothelial cells and their progenitors might play a role in the development and progression of peripheral microvascular damage and the defective vascular repair process characteristic of SSc.
Long-term incidence of depression and predictors of depressive symptoms in older stroke survivors
Authors: Allan Louise M. , Rowan Elise N. , Thomas Alan J. , Polvikoski Tuomo M. , O'Brien John T. , Kalaria Raj N.
Published: October 2013

Background

Depression is common and an important consequence of stroke but there is limited information on the longer-term relationship between these conditions.

Aims

To identify the prevalence, incidence and predictors of depression in a secondary-care-based cohort of stroke survivors aged over 75 years, from 3 months to up to 10 years post-stroke.

Method

Depression was assessed annually by three methods: major depression by DSM-IV criteria, the self-rated Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and the observer-rated Cornell scale.

Results

We found the highest rates, 31.7% baseline prevalence, of depressive symptoms with the GDS compared with 9.7% using the Cornell scale and 1.2% using DSM-IV criteria. Incidence rates were 36.9, 5.90 and 4.18 episodes per 100 person years respectively. Baseline GDS score was the most consistent predictor of depressive symptoms at all time points in both univariate and multivariate analyses. Other predictors included cognitive impairment, impaired activities of daily living and in the early period, vascular risk factor burden and dementia.

Conclusions

Our results emphasise the importance of psychiatric follow-up for those with early-onset post-stroke depression and long-term monitoring of mood in people who have had a stroke and remain at high risk of depression.
Adsorption of Trimethylphosphine Oxide on Silicalite Studied by Solid-State NMR
Authors: Hayashi Shigenobu , Jimura Keiko , Kojima Natsuko
Published: October 2013

The adsorption state of trimethylphosphine oxide (TMPO) on siliceous MFI-type zeolite, silicalite, has been studied by solid-state NMR. TMPO was loaded by vapor as well as the solvent methods, and 31P and 1H magic-angle-spinning (MAS) NMR spectra were measured. Most of the 31P signals are located at lower frequency than that of crystalline TMPO, among which the 30-ppm signal is the largest. This is the first case of which the signal at about 30 ppm is dominant. The observation of the 30-ppm signal is independent of the TMPO introduction method, vapor or solvent. The dominant signal at about 30 ppm in the sample prepared by vapor shifts to about 37 ppm for ten months, being accompanied by increase in the spinning sideband intensities. This fact indicates that TMPO molecules move to a more stable site with a smaller space, resulting in suppression of the molecular motion. The temperature increase leads to increase in the fraction of mobile TMPO molecules giving a 31P signal at 33.0 ppm. Comparison with the results of silica nanoparticle and mesoporous silica leads to the conclusion that the signals in the frequency range lower than crystalline TMPO are attributed to TMPO molecules confined in the micropores of the MFI-type framework and not interacting with Brønsted acid sites.
An Efficient Way to Synthesize Hiroshima University Silicate-1 (HUS-1) and the Selective Adsorption Property of Ni2+ from Seawater
Authors: Honda Koutaro , Ide Yusuke , Tsunoji Nao , Torii Masato , Sadakane Masahiro , Sano Tsuneji
Published: October 2013

An alternative and efficient way to synthesize HUS-1 (Hiroshima University Silicate-1, Si10O24H8·2[(CH3)4N]), and a new notable function of HUS-1 are reported. HUS-1, which is an ast-type layered silicate, was originally synthesized through a complicated process from two kinds of dealuminated zeolites, FAU and *BEA, with tetramethylammonium (TMA) and benzyltrimethylammonium hydroxides, respectively. In this article, the synthesis of HUS-1 by using only amorphous silica and TMA as a silica source and a structure directing reagent, respectively, with varied temperature, time, and composition of a starting mixture containing water, TMA hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, and amorphous silica, in the presence or the absence of a seed crystal was examined to find that HUS-1 successfully formed for a wide range of NaOH/SiO2 (0.2–0.6) and TMA/SiO2 (0.2–0.8) ratios and reaction time (3–21 days) at a H2O/SiO2 ratio of 5.5 and reaction temperature of 140 °C in the presence and the absence of a seed crystal. The particle size and crystallinity of HUS-1 varied depending on the synthetic conditions. The obtained HUS-1 selectively adsorbed Ni2+ from a mixed electrolytes solution mimicking seawater. The maximum amount of the adsorbed Ni2+ on HUS-1 was dependent on the synthetic conditions.
Synthesis of HOMSi Reagents by Pd/Cu-Catalyzed Silylation of Bromoarenes with Disilanes
Authors: Minami Yasunori , Shimizu Kenta , Tsuruoka Chisato , Komiyama Takeshi , Hiyama Tamejiro
Published: October 2013

Silylation of aryl bromides with disilanes of type {[2-(PGOCH2)C6H4]Me2Si}2 (PG: protecting group) successfully takes place in the presence of a Pd/Ruphos or Davephos/CuI catalytic system to afford HOMSi reagents containing various functional groups in good yields. BisHOMSi reagents were also prepared directly from the corresponding arylene dibromides.
Multimelting Behavior and Glass Transition of Monotropic Polymorphs of 3,5-Diphenyl-4-hydroxyphenyl-substituted Galvinol
Authors: Takahashi Mai , Ogino Hiroki , Kobayashi Keiji
Published: October 2013

A galvinol derivative bearing the 3,5-diphenyl-4-hydroxyphenyl substituent exists in three polymorphic forms, i.e., I (melting point, 208 °C), II (203 °C), and III (138 °C), which are interrelated as monotropic polymorphs. Of these forms, III exhibits multiple melting behavior. The relative thermodynamic stability of the three forms was determined and is represented in a semischematic energy/temperature diagram. All three forms, once melted and cooled, solidify to form glass with a glass-transition temperature of 109 °C.
Kinetic mechanism of nick sealing by T4 RNA ligase 2 and effects of 3′-OH base mispairs and damaged base lesions
Authors: Chauleau Mathieu , Shuman Stewart
Published: October 2013

T4 RNA ligase 2 (Rnl2) repairs 3′-OH/5′-PO4 nicks in duplex nucleic acids in which the broken 3′-OH strand is RNA. Ligation entails three chemical steps: reaction of Rnl2 with ATP to form a covalent Rnl2–(lysyl-Nζ)–AMP intermediate (step 1); transfer of AMP to the 5′-PO4 of the nick to form an activated AppN– intermediate (step 2); and attack by the nick 3′-OH on the AppN– strand to form a 3′–5′ phosphodiester (step 3). Here we used rapid mix-quench methods to analyze the kinetic mechanism and fidelity of single-turnover nick sealing by Rnl2–AMP. For substrates with correctly base-paired 3′-OH nick termini, kstep2 was fast (9.5 to 17.9 sec−1) and similar in magnitude to kstep3 (7.9 to 32 sec−1). Rnl2 fidelity was enforced mainly at the level of step 2 catalysis, whereby 3′-OH base mispairs and oxoguanine, oxoadenine, or abasic lesions opposite the nick 3′-OH elicited severe decrements in the rate of 5′-adenylylation and relatively modest slowing of the rate of phosphodiester synthesis. The exception was the noncanonical A:oxoG base pair, which Rnl2 accepted as a correctly paired end for rapid sealing. These results underscore (1) how Rnl2 requires proper positioning of the 3′-terminal ribonucleoside at the nick for optimal 5′-adenylylation and (2) the potential for nick-sealing ligases to embed mutations during the repair of oxidative damage.
miR-139-5p is a regulator of metastatic pathways in breast cancer
Authors: Krishnan Keerthana , Steptoe Anita L. , Martin Hilary C. , Pattabiraman Diwakar R. , Nones Katia , Waddell Nic , Mariasegaram Mythily , Simpson Peter T. , Lakhani Sunil R. , Vlassov Alexander , Grimmond Sean M. , Cloonan Nicole
Published: October 2013

Metastasis is a complex, multistep process involved in the progression of cancer from a localized primary tissue to distant sites, often characteristic of the more aggressive forms of this disease. Despite being studied in great detail in recent years, the mechanisms that govern this process remain poorly understood. In this study, we identify a novel role for miR-139-5p in the inhibition of breast cancer progression. We highlight its clinical relevance by reviewing miR-139-5p expression across a wide variety of breast cancer subtypes using in-house generated and online data sets to show that it is most frequently lost in invasive tumors. A biotin pull-down approach was then used to identify the mRNA targets of miR-139-5p in the breast cancer cell line MCF7. Functional enrichment analysis of the pulled-down targets showed significant enrichment of genes in pathways previously implicated in breast cancer metastasis (P< 0.05). Further bioinformatic analysis revealed a predicted disruption to the TGFβ, Wnt, Rho, and MAPK/PI3K signaling cascades, implying a potential role for miR-139-5p in regulating the ability of cells to invade and migrate. To corroborate this finding, using the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line, we show that overexpression of miR-139-5p results in suppression of these cellular phenotypes. Furthermore, we validate the interaction between miR-139-5p and predicted targets involved in these pathways. Collectively, these results suggest a significant functional role for miR-139-5p in breast cancer cell motility and invasion and its potential to be used as a prognostic marker for the aggressive forms of breast cancer.
Intercultural dialogue as basis of fruitful co-operation in the system of international partnership
Authors: Силантьева  , Silanteva Margarita
Published: October 2013

The article is devoted to the study of the role of intercultural dialogue in the international cooperation. Communicative component of this dialogue — the subject of special attention of contemporary theorists and practitioners.
Can phraseologisms be classified as dead metaphors?
Authors: Казакова  , Kazakova Elena
Published: October 2013

The article sets out to describe methods of metaphor classification according to degrees of transparency. The author analyses modern linguists’ views on the “dead metaphor” concept against the background of the theory of the life cycle of a metaphor. The author comes to a conclusion that most phraseologisms retain a certain degree of transparency and can be successfully decoded. Therefore the communicative value of such fixed expressions should not be underrated as these type of metaphor never fail to produce a desired effect on the reader/listener.
Speed–Quality Trade-Offs in a Dynamic Model
Authors: Kostami Vasiliki , Rajagopalan Sampath
Published: October 2013

An important trade-off organizations face in many environments is one between quality and speed. Working faster may result in greater output and less delay, but may result in lower quality and dissatisfied customers. In this work, we consider dynamic models in a monopoly setting to explore the optimal balance among the multiple dimensions of speed, price, and wait time. The impact of quality is captured via the market demand potential, which is a function of the speed (quality) in the previous period. We obtain several results and insights. First, in scenarios where speed may be difficult to change over time (e.g., some automated production lines) but price can be changed, we show that the optimal price charged is such that the demand rate remains constant over time, even though the price and market potential are changing. Furthermore, we identify conditions when the firm will work at a speed that is higher or lower than a benchmark speed and characterize the behavior of prices over time. Second, in scenarios where a firm may not be able to change prices but can adjust the speed each period, the firm starts at a speed that may be faster or slower than a benchmark speed but converges to it over time. In this constant price case, as the benchmark speed increases, the initial speed adopted by the firm is actually lower but increases more quickly thereafter. We also characterize the behavior of price and speed in settings where both can be changed over time. Interestingly, a firm typically starts at a slow speed and increases the speed, price, and demand over time. Although our main model assumes that the firm internalizes the congestion cost, several of our results extend to a scenario where the demand rate is impacted by the congestion level.
Enzymatic spectrophotometric determination of soluble oxalate content in some multiherbal functional products reducing stress related health disorders
Authors: Sperkowska Beata , Bazylak Grzegorz
Published: October 2013

The aim of the study was to determine, with a highly selective and specific enzyme-spectrophotometric procedure, the unknown and not recognized soluble oxalate (SO) content in the aqueous infusions prepared from the randomly chosen series of 15 multiherbal functional products (MFP) commercially available in Poland and recommended for treatment of depression, mood relief and reducing of chronic stress induced by gastric lesions, secondary hypertension or hypercholesterolemia. The mean content of soluble oxalate in the all set of 15 studied MFP products was 1.34 mg/100 mL of the freshly prepared infusion. However, the highest mean content of soluble oxalate (above 2.0 mg/100mL infusion) was determined only in the studied five MFP containing mainly green tea, rooibos, peppermint and ginger rhizome. This highest amount of SO was comparable with previously reported levels of this antinutrient substance determined in case of the commonly drunk green tea infusions. The results of principal components analysis (PCA) revealed a significant relation between unique herbal composition of analyzed dry MFP and the variables characterizing their fresh aqueous infusions as pH, total acidity and level of soluble oxalates.
Comparison of fluconazole release from hydrogels with Syntalen MP and Syntalen KP and from hydrophilic cream
Authors: Wojciechowska Katarzyna , Zuń Maria , Dwornicka Dorota , Kowalczuk Dorota , Poleszak Ewa
Published: October 2013

Fluconazole is popular antifungal medicine, usually used per os in Candida spp. infections of the skin and mucous membranes, pityriasis versicolor, candidiasis organs, and also in the prophylaxis of fungal infections in patients with cancer and AIDS. There are attempts of formulation of the different forms of drug because of many side effects of fluconazole in oral administration. These are eye drops, injections and semisolid skin preparations. Thus, the aim of the study was preparing two hydrogels with Syntalen MP and Syntalen KP and hydrophilic cream, containing 1% of fluconazole and comparing the release of the substance from obtained preparations. At the beginning, gels and hydrophilic cream have been subjected to physical tests such as: slip and spreadability. Further, their rheological properties were evaluated. In the slip and spreadability tests, the cream had the best parameters, the rheological tests showed pseudoplastic character of flowing of gels and plastic flowing of the cream. All these three preparations showed the thixotropy. The release studies, conducted using the extracting chamber (according to FP IX) in Paddle Apparatus showed that the amount of released substance from gels is about two times bigger than from the cream, but the releasing from the gel with Syntalen MP is slightly better than from the gel with Syntalen KP.
How Electronic Clinical Data Can Improve Health Technology Assessment
Authors: Treadwell Jonathan R. , Erinoff Eileen , Coates Vivian
Published: October 2013

Health technology assessments represent comprehensive summaries of available
evidence and information on a technology. They are used by medical decision makers in a
variety of ways, including diagnostic testing, treatment selection, care management,
patient perspectives, patient safety, insurance coverage, pharmaceutical innovation,
equipment planning, device purchasing, and total cost-of-care. Electronic clinical data,
which are captured routinely by clinicians and hospitals, are only rarely incorporated
into formal health technology assessments. This disconnect reveals a key opportunity. In
this paper, we discuss current uses of electronic clinical data, several benefits of
including it in health technology assessments, potential pitfalls of that inclusion, and
the implications for better medical decisions.
In whose interest? The dynamics of debt in poor households
Authors: Flaherty Jan , Banks Sarah
Published: October 2013

This article examines the dynamics of credit and debt in low income households, drawing on an action research project with 24 households in the Teesside area of North East England. Despite crippling interest rates, high-cost credit sources (for example, doorstep lending, catalogue, rent-to-own and payday loan companies) are increasingly used by households that are excluded from mainstream financial services. The article discusses the range of credit sources used, reasons for reliance on high-cost credit and the exploitative practices of loan companies. It explores possible actions at household level through financial mentoring; the potential for developing alternative low-cost sources of credit; and campaigns for regulation of loan companies.
100 Questions: identifying research priorities for poverty prevention and reduction
Authors: Sutherland William J. , Goulden Chris , Bell Kate , Bennett Fran , Burall Simon , Bush Marc , Callan Samantha , Catcheside Kim , Corner Julian , D'Arcy Conor T. , Dickson Matt , Dolan James A. , Doubleday Robert , Eckley Bethany J. , Foreman Esther T. , Foster Rowan , Gilhooly Louisa , Gray Ann Marie , Hall Amanda C. , Harmer Mike , Hastings Annette , Johnes Chris , Johnstone Martin , Kelly Peter , Kenway Peter , Lee Neil , Moore Rhys , Ouchikh Jackie , Plunkett James , Rowlingson Karen , Paul Abigail Scott , Sefton Tom A.J. , Shaheen Faiza , Sodha Sonia , Stearn Jonathan , Stewart Kitty , Stone Emma , Tinsley Matthew , Tomsett Richard J. , Tyrer Paul , Unwin Julia , Wall David G. , Wollner Patrick K.A.
Published: October 2013

Reducing poverty is important for those affected, for society and the economy. Poverty remains entrenched in the UK, despite considerable research efforts to understand its causes and possible solutions. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation, with the Centre for Science and Policy at the University of Cambridge, ran a democratic, transparent, consensual exercise involving 45 participants from government, non-governmental organisations, academia and research to identify 100 important research questions that, if answered, would help to reduce or prevent poverty. The list includes questions across a number of important themes, including attitudes, education, family, employment, heath, wellbeing, inclusion, markets, housing, taxes, inequality and power.
Newborn Blood Spot Screening for Sickle Cell Disease by Using Tandem Mass Spectrometry: Implementation of a Protocol to Identify Only the Disease States of Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: Moat Stuart J , Rees Derek , King Lawrence , Ifederu Adeboye , Harvey Katie , Hall Kate , Lloyd Geoff , Morrell Christine , Hillier Sharon
Published: October 2013

BACKGROUND

The currently recommended technologies of HPLC and isoelectric focusing for newborn blood spot screening for sickle cell disease (SCD) identify both the disease and carrier states, resulting in large numbers of infants being followed up unnecessarily. Analysis of blood spot tryptic peptides performed by using tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) is an alternative technology to detect hemoglobin (Hb) variant disorders.

METHODS

We analyzed 2154 residual newborn blood spots and 675 newborn blood spots from infants with Hb variants by using MS/MS after trypsin digestion. Screening cutoffs were developed by using the ratio between the variant peptide–to–wild-type peptide abundance for HbS, C, DPunjab, OArab, Lepore, and E peptides. A postanalytical data analysis protocol was developed using these cutoffs to detect only the disease states of SCD and not to identify carrier states. A parallel study of 13 249 newborn blood spots from a high-prevalence SCD area were analyzed by both MS/MS and HPLC.

RESULTS

Screening cutoffs developed distinguished the infants with the disease states of SCD, infants who were carriers of SCD, and infants with normal Hb. In the parallel study no false-negative results were identified, and all clinically relevant cases were correctly identified using the MS/MS protocol. Unblinding the data revealed a total of 328 carrier infants that were successfully excluded by the protocol.

CONCLUSIONS

The screening protocol developed correctly identified infants with the disease states of SCD. Furthermore, large numbers of sickle cell carrier infants were successfully not identified, thereby avoiding unnecessary follow-up testing and referral for genetic counseling.