bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Arteriovenous conduits for hemodialysis: how to better modulate the pathophysiological vascular response to optimize vascular access durability
Authors: Shiu Yan-Ting , Rotmans Joris I. , Geelhoed Wouter Jan , Pike Daniel B. , Lee Timmy
Published: February 2019

Vascular access is the lifeline for patients on hemodialysis. Arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are the preferred vascular access, but AVF maturation failure remains a significant clinical problem. Currently, there are no effective therapies available to prevent or treat AVF maturation failure. AVF maturation failure frequently results from venous stenosis at the AVF anastomosis, which is secondary to poor outward vascular remodeling and excessive venous intimal hyperplasia that narrows the AVF lumen. Arteriovenous grafts (AVGs) are the next preferred vascular access when an AVF creation is not possible. AVG failure is primarily the result of venous stenosis at the vein-graft anastomosis, which originates from intimal hyperplasia development. Although there has been advancement in our knowledge of the pathophysiology of AVF maturation and AVG failure, this has not translated into effective therapies for these two important clinical problems. Further work will be required to dissect out the mechanisms of AVF maturation failure and AVG failure to develop more specific therapies. This review highlights the major recent advancements in AVF and AVG biology, reviews major clinical trials, and discusses new areas for future research.
IPSE, a parasite-derived host immunomodulatory protein, is a potential therapeutic for hemorrhagic cystitis
Authors: Zee Rebecca S. , Mbanefo Evaristus C. , Le Loc H. , Pennington Luke F. , Odegaard Justin I. , Jardetzky Theodore S. , Alouffi Abdulaziz , Akinwale Jude , Falcone Franco H. , Hsieh Michael H.
Published: February 2019

Chemotherapy-induced hemorrhagic cystitis is characterized by bladder pain and voiding dysfunction caused by hemorrhage and inflammation. Novel therapeutic options to treat hemorrhagic cystitis are needed. We previously reported that systemic administration of the Schistosomiasis hematobium-derived protein H-IPSEH06 (IL-4-inducing principle from Schistosoma mansoni eggs) is superior to three doses of MESNA in alleviating hemorrhagic cystitis (Mbanefo EC, Le L, Pennington LF, Odegaard JI, Jardetzky TS, Alouffi A, Falcone FH, Hsieh MH. FASEB J 32: 4408–4419, 2018). Based on prior reports by others on S. mansoni IPSE (M-IPSE) and additional work by our group, we reasoned that H-IPSE mediates its effects on hemorrhagic cystitis by binding IgE on basophils and inducing IL-4 expression, promoting urothelial proliferation, and translocating to the nucleus to modulate expression of genes implicated in relieving bladder dysfunction. We speculated that local bladder injection of the S. hematobium IPSE ortholog IPSEH03, hereafter called H-IPSEH03, might be more efficacious in preventing hemorrhagic cystitis compared with systemic administration of IPSEH06. We report that H-IPSEH03, like M-IPSE and H-IPSEH06, activates IgE-bearing basophils in a nuclear factor of activated T-cells reporter assay, indicating activation of the cytokine pathway. Furthermore, H-IPSEH03 attenuates ifosfamide-induced increases in bladder wet weight in an IL-4-dependent fashion. H-IPSEH03 relieves hemorrhagic cystitis-associated allodynia and modulates voiding patterns in mice. Finally, H-IPSEH03 drives increased urothelial cell proliferation, suggesting that IPSE induces bladder repair mechanisms. Taken together, H-IPSEH03 may be a potential novel therapeutic to treat hemorrhagic cystitis by basophil activation, attenuation of allodynia, and promotion of urothelial cell proliferation.
Impaired posture, movement preparation, and execution during both paretic and nonparetic reaching following stroke
Authors: Yang Chieh-ling , Creath Robert A. , Magder Laurence , Rogers Mark W. , McCombe Waller Sandy
Published: February 2019

Posture and movement planning, preparation, and execution of a goal-directed reaching movement are impaired in individuals with stroke. No studies have shown whether the deficits are generally impaired or are specific to the lesioned hemisphere/paretic arm. This study utilized StartReact (SR) responses elicited by loud acoustic stimuli (LAS) to investigate the preparation and execution of anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) and reach movement response during both paretic and nonparetic arm reaching in individuals with stroke and in age-matched healthy controls. Subjects were asked to get ready after receiving a warning cue and to reach at a “go” cue. An LAS was delivered at –500, –200, and 0 ms relative to the go cue. Kinetic, kinematic, and electromyographic data were recorded to characterize APA-reach movement responses. Individuals with stroke demonstrated systemwide deficits in posture and in movement planning, preparation, and execution of APA-reach sequence as shown by significant reduction in the incidence of SR response and impaired APA-reach performance, with greater deficits during paretic arm reaching. Use of trunk compensation strategy as characterized by greater involvement of trunk and pelvic rotation was utilized by individuals with stroke during paretic arm reaching compared with nonparetic arm reaching and healthy controls. Our findings have implications for upper extremity and postural control, suggesting that intervention should include training not only for the paretic arm but also for the nonparetic arm with simultaneous postural control requirements to improve the coordination of the APA-reach performance and subsequently reduce instability while functional tasks are performed during standing.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Our study is the first to show that nonparetic arm reaching also demonstrates impairment in posture and movement planning, preparation, and execution when performed during standing by individuals with stroke. In addition, we found compensatory trunk and pelvic rotations were used during a standing reach task for the paretic arms. The findings have clinical implications for upper extremity and postural rehabilitation, suggesting that training should include the nonparetic arms and incorporate simultaneous postural control demands.
Optogenetic and transcriptomic interrogation of enhanced muscle function in the paralyzed mouse whisker pad
Authors: Vajtay Thomas J. , Bandi Akhil , Upadhyay Aman , Swerdel Mavis R. , Hart Ronald P. , Lee Christian R. , Margolis David J.
Published: February 2019

The functional state of denervated muscle is a critical factor in the ability to restore movement after injury- or disease-related paralysis. Here we used peripheral optogenetic stimulation and transcriptome profiling in the mouse whisker system to investigate the time course of changes in neuromuscular function following complete unilateral facial nerve transection. While most skeletal muscles rapidly lose functionality after lower motor neuron denervation, optogenetic muscle stimulation of the paralyzed whisker pad revealed sustained increases in the sensitivity, velocity, and amplitude of whisker movements, and reduced fatigability, starting 48 h after denervation. RNA-seq analysis showed distinct regulation of multiple gene families in denervated whisker pad muscles compared with the atrophy-prone soleus, including prominent changes in ion channels and contractile fibers. Together, our results define the unique functional and transcriptomic landscape of denervated facial muscles and have general implications for restoring movement after neuromuscular injury or disease.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Optogenetic activation of muscle can be used to noninvasively induce movements and probe muscle function. We used this technique in mice to investigate changes in whisker movements following facial nerve transection. We found unexpectedly enhanced functional properties of whisker pad muscle following denervation, accompanied by unique transcriptomic changes. Our findings highlight the utility of the mouse whisker pad for investigating the restoration of movement after paralysis.
Renal Oncocytoma and Retroperitoneal Ancient Schwannoma: A Benign Mimic of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Maiers Tyler J. , Wang Daniel C. , Houjaij Ali H. , Darwish Oussama M.
Published: February 2019

Renal oncocytomas and retroperitoneal schwannomas are rare and typically benign tumors with characteristic histopathologic features. Ideal management of both renal oncocytoma and retroperitoneal schwannoma is surgical resection. We present a rare case of a 63-year-old man with multifocal renal oncocytoma and retroperitoneal ancient schwannoma which, preoperatively, masqueraded as metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Both tumors were successfully resected surgically. Immunochemistry and histopathology confirmed each diagnosis.
Cocaine-Induced Pneumopericardium: Safe for Discharge? A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Galloo Xavier , Stroobants Jan , Yeo David , El-Abdellati Esmael
Published: February 2019

A 29-year-old male presented at the Emergency Department (ED) with chest pain and neck tenderness after intranasal cocaine usage. Physical exam of the patient demonstrated moderate subcutaneous emphysema on the right side of his neck. The ECG did not demonstrate any changes associated with cocaine-induced cardiac ischemia, and blood analysis was normal (negative troponins). A chest X-ray revealed subtle evidence of pneumomediastinum. Subsequent thoracic CT confirmed the presence of subcutaneous emphysema with a pneumopericardium and a large pneumomediastinum along with a small pneumothorax. The patient was managed conservatively and kept overnight for observation. He was discharged from the ED the following day with ambulatory follow-up. A repeat thoracic CT performed two weeks later demonstrated that the findings identified in the first CT had resolved. Pneumopericardium, -mediastinum, and -thorax are rare conditions reported after cocaine abuse. A conservative approach with a period of observation in a suitable ambulatory unit is acceptable, as current literature suggests that the condition is usually self-limiting.
Biomodification of Flax Fibrous Materials for Increase of Sorption to Organic Compounds
Authors: Koksharov S. A. , Aleeva S. V. , Lepilova O. V.
Published: February 2019

This paper was focused on the method to increase of the sorption properties in the flax fibrous material. This method was based on the original approach which includes the application of enzymatic catalysis as a destruction regulator of the polycarbohydrate components in the bast. The formed reaction products were used as reagents for reductive destruction of lignin. The changes in the fiber sorption capacity to the molecular markers were controlled after changing both the polymer composition of the fiber and the size of its pore. It was determined that the flax sorbents increase the adsorption of phenol vapors to 9–12 times and organic dyes from aqueous solutions to 4 times.
Genetic Diversity ofApisspp. in Thailand Inferred from 28S rRNA Nuclear and Cytochrome b Mitochondrial Gene Sequences
Authors: Meemongkolkiat Thitipan , Rattanawannee Atsalek , Chanchao Chanpen
Published: February 2019

Knowledge of the genetic diversity ofApisspp. is important in order to provide a better understanding of breeding strategies that relate to the conservation of wild species and colony survival of farmed species. Here, honeybees of fiveApisspecies were collected from 12 provinces throughout Thailand. After DNA extraction,28S rRNAnuclear (710 bp) and cytochrome b (cytb) mitochondrial (520 bp) gene fragments were sequenced. Homologous sequences (nucleotide identity of over 95%) were obtained from GeneBank using the BLASTn algorithm, aligned, and analysed by maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference phylogenetics. For28S rRNA, a low genetic variation was detected within species (haplotype diversity ranging from 0.212 to 0.394), while 19 polymorphic sites were detected between species. Although the relative haplotype diversity was high, a low nucleotide divergence was found (0.7%), with migratory species. Forcytb, the sequence divergence ranged from 0.24 to 3.88% within species and 7.35 to 13.07% between species. The divergence ofcytbwas higher than that of28S rRNA.A. ceranashowed two distinct clades between Southern Thailand and the other regions. Groups ofA. cerana(Asian cavity-nesting),A. mellifera(European cavity-nesting),A. dorsata(giant open-nesting), andA. floreaandA. andreniformis(dwarf bees) were defined in the28S rRNAandcytbtree topologies.
Kraft Lignin Conversion into Energy Carriers under the Action of Electromagnetic Radiation
Authors: Zharova P. , Arapova O. V. , Konstantinov G. I. , Chistyakov A. V. , Tsodikov M. V.
Published: February 2019

In this work, it was found that the deposition of iron salts (iron acetate) on kraft lignin at extremely low concentrations of 0.1 wt.% leads to a sharp increase in the absorbing capacity of microwave radiation by kraft lignin at its power of 1 kW and the conversion of kraft lignin to a hydrogen-containing gas with the degree of hydrogen extraction, reaching 90% based on the hydrogen contained in the kraft lignin. It has been established that the deposition of metals (Fe and Ni) on kraft lignin allows one to directionally change the selectivity of the process of its destruction under the influence of microwave radiation, which makes it possible to classify the process as plasmacatalytic. The results obtained make it possible to minimize the amount of catalyst used and propose an efficient way of producing hydrogen from kraft lignin waste.
Efficient Conical Area Differential Evolution with Biased Decomposition and Dual Populations for Constrained Optimization
Authors: Ying Weiqin , Wu Bin , Wu Yu , Deng Yali , Huang Hainan , Wang Zhenyu
Published: February 2019

The constraint‐handling methods using multiobjective techniques in evolutionary algorithms have drawn increasing attention from researchers. This paper proposes an efficient conical area differential evolution (CADE) algorithm, which employs biased decomposition and dual populations for constrained optimization by borrowing the idea of cone decomposition for multiobjective optimization. In this approach, a conical subpopulation and a feasible subpopulation are designed to search for the global feasible optimum, along the Pareto front and the feasible segment, respectively, in a cooperative way. In particular, the conical subpopulation aims to efficiently construct and utilize the Pareto front through a biased cone decomposition strategy and conical area indicator. Neighbors in the conical subpopulation are fully exploited to assist each other to find the global feasible optimum. Afterwards, the feasible subpopulation is ranked and updated according to a tolerance‐based rule to heighten its diversity in the early stage of evolution. Experimental results on 24 benchmark test cases reveal that CADE is capable of resolving the constrained optimization problems more efficiently as well as producing solutions that are significantly competitive with other popular approaches.
Apocrine Adenoma of the External Auditory Canal with Pseudoepitheliomatous Hyperplasia
Authors: Ohki Masafumi , Kikuchi Shigeru
Published: February 2019

The tumors derived of the ceruminous gland in the external auditory canal are rare. Here, we report a case of a ceruminous adenoma (apocrine adenoma) with refractory chronic inflammation in the external auditory canal. A 46-year-old man presented with otorrhea, itching, and a foreign body sensation in his right ear. A soft reddish protruding lesion was revealed at the posterosuperior portion of the entry to the right external auditory canal by otoscopy. The skin lesion was endaurally resected; histopathology showed luminal structures in the middle to deep layer of the epidermis and inflammatory granulation below pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia. The walls of the luminal structures consisted of inner luminal secretory cells featuring apical decapitation secretion and outer myoepithelial cells. The patient was diagnosed with an apocrine adenoma. Three years after surgery, there has been no evidence of recurrence. Complete resection, including the deep layer of the epidermis, is necessary.
RIPK3-Induced Inflammation by I-MDSCs Promotes Intestinal Tumors
Authors: Jayakumar Asha , Bothwell Alfred L.M.
Published: February 2019

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) promote colorectal cancer by several mechanisms, including suppression of antitumor T cells and production of tumorigenic factors. We previously showed that an intermediate MDSC subset (I-MDSC) is expanded in an intestinal tumor model (ApcMin/+ mice), but the importance of this subset in promoting tumors is unclear. Here, we show that I-MDSCs are a distinct heterogeneous subset due to differential and reduced expression of the monocytic marker, Ly6C, and granulocytic marker, Ly6G. Besides causing necroptotic cell death, receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) has an alternate function as a signaling component inducing cytokine synthesis. We evaluated whether RIPK3 regulates inflammatory cytokines in I-MDSCs to assess the nonimmunosuppressive function of I-MDSCs in promoting tumors. Inhibition of RIPK3 with the commercially available small-molecule inhibitor GSK 872 showed that RIPK3-mediated inflammation promoted intestinal tumors in two intestinal tumor models, ApcMin/+ mice and an MC38 transplantable tumor model. Mechanistically, RIPK3 signaling in I-MDSC increased tumor size by expanding IL17-producing T cells in MC38 tumors. Collectively, these data suggest RIPK3 signaling as a potential therapeutic target in colorectal cancer.

Significance:

The specific role of RIPK3 in intestinal tumors and MDSC function sheds light on a key inflammatory mechanism driving tumorigenesis and allows for possible therapeutic intervention.
CYR61/CCN1 Regulates dCK and CTGF and Causes Gemcitabine-resistant Phenotype in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Maity Gargi , Ghosh Arnab , Gupta Vijayalaxmi , Haque Inamul , Sarkar Sandipto , Das Amlan , Dhar Kakali , Bhavanasi Sneha , Gunewardena Sumedha S. , Von Hoff Daniel D. , Mallik Sanku , Kambhampati Suman , Banerjee Sushanta K. , Banerjee Snigdha
Published: February 2019

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) develops extrinsic- and intrinsic-resistant phenotypes to prevent chemotherapies from entering into the cells by promoting desmoplastic reactions (DR) and metabolic malfunctions of the drugs. It is well established that these responses are also associated with pancreatic cancer cells' gemcitabine resistance. However, the mechanism by which these resistant pathways function in the pancreatic cancer cells remains poorly understood. In these studies, we show that CYR61/CCN1 signaling plays a vital role in making pancreatic cancer cells resistant to gemcitabine in vitro and also in a tumor xenograft model. We proved that the catastrophic effect of gemcitabine could significantly be increased in gemcitabine-resistant PDAC cells when CYR61/CCN1 is depleted, while this effect can be suppressed in gemcitabine-sensitive neoplastic cells by treating them with CYR61/CCN1 recombinant protein. Ironically, nontransformed pancreatic cells, which are sensitive to gemcitabine, cannot be resistant to gemcitabine by CYR61/CCN1 protein treatment, showing a unique feature of CYR61/CCN signaling that only influences PDAC cells to become resistant. Furthermore, we demonstrated that CYR61/CCN1 suppresses the expression of the gemcitabine-activating enzyme deoxycytidine kinase (dCK) while it induces the expression of a DR-promoting factor CTGF (connective tissue growth factor) in pancreatic cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Thus, the previously described mechanisms (dCK and CTGF pathways) for gemcitabine resistance may be two novel targets for CYR61/CCN1 to protect pancreatic cancer cells from gemcitabine. Collectively, these studies reveal a novel paradigm in which CYR61/CCN1regulates both extrinsic and intrinsic gemcitabine resistance in PDAC cells by employing unique signaling pathways.
Perfusion Magnetic Resonance as a Biomarker for Sorafenib-Treated Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Pilot Study
Authors: Campos Marta , Candelária Isabel , Papanikolaou Nickolas , Simão Adélia , Ferreira Carlos , Manikis Georgios C. , Caseiro-Alves Filipe
Published: February 2019

Background: Sorafenib is the currently recommended therapy in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Among the several biomarkers available for the evaluation of the therapeutic response and prognosis, there is perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (p-MRI) that, through measurement of the vascular permeability unit (ktrans), may retrieve useful information regarding the microvascular properties of focal liver lesions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of sorafenib therapy in patients with advanced HCC using the p-MRI technique. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, 27 patients with the diagnosis of advanced HCC were included for palliative therapy using sorafenib. MRI of the liver was performed before the beginning of the oral therapy (T0), after 3 (T3), and after 6 months (T6). Dynamic acquisitions of the tumor (n = 50, during the first 2 min after contrast injection) were obtained in the coronal plane and were used to compute the parametric perfusion maps, acquiring the ktrans value using the extended Tofts pharmacokinetic model. Results: The value of ktrans obtained at T0 was significantly different from the value of ktrans obtained at T6 (p = 0.028). There were no significant differences between T0 and T3 (p = 0.115) or a correlation between ktrans at T0 and the size of the lesion (p = 0.376). The ktrans value at T0 in patients with progression-free survival (PFS) > 6 months was not significantly different from the ktrans value in patients with PFS ≤6 months (p = 0.113). The ktrans value at T0 was not significantly different between patients who were previously submitted to chemoembolization and those who were not submitted (p = 0.587). Conclusion: In this pilot study, the ktrans value may serve as a biomarker of tumor response to antiangiogenic therapy, but only 6 months after its initiation. Clinical outcomes such as PFS were not predicted before the initiation of treatment.
Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Diseases in Childhood
Authors: Koutri Eleni , Papadopoulou Alexandra
Published: February 2019

Eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases (EGIDs) comprise a group of chronic, inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, that are characterized, clinically, by symptoms related to the dysfunction of the involved segment(s) of the GI tract, and histologically, by dense eosinophilic inflammation, in the absence of an identifiable secondary cause. The group of EGIDs comprises eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), eosinophilic gastritis (EG), eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE), and eosinophilic colitis (EC). EoE is the most common and the best described EGID compared to EG, EGE, and EC. The clinical presentation of the EGIDs differs depending on the location and the extent of the eosinophilic infiltration in the GI tract, as well as its depth through the bowel wall. In the absence of biological markers, the diagnosis is based on the combination of clinical symptoms with the histological features of EGIDs, after the exclusion of secondary causes of eosinophilic inflammation of the GI tract. Treatment is individualized and includes elimination diets (mainly empiric or elemental) and/or drugs, according to the involved GI segment: proton pump inhibitors or local steroids in EoE; local or oral systemic steroids in EG/EGE limited to the duodenum; oral systemic steroids in EGE with lower small intestine and/or colon involvement. In patients with EoE, maintenance treatment with lower doses may be considered following histological remission with the means of drugs. In patients treated with elimination diets, disease food triggers identified during food reintroduction need to be further eliminated. Esophageal stenosis despite medical treatment requires endoscopic dilation, while the use of thiopurines or anti-TNF drugs may be considered in refractory or steroid-dependent EGID (other than EoE). The aim of this review is to provide the available evidence on each of the above disorders, to aid clinicians to interpret the clinical manifestations and the laboratory findings and choose the best available treatment option.
Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome and Proctocolitis
Authors: Dupont Christophe
Published: February 2019

Non-IgE-mediated, also labeled cell-mediated, allergic reactions to foods are more common than usually thought and probably account for approximately more than 40% of cases of cow’s milk allergy during infancy and young childhood. Food allergy is now described in the form of syndromes, among which food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) and food protein-induced allergic proctocolitis (FPIAP) are gaining increased recognition. FPIES occurs in infancy but may also occur in older children and in adults. The dominant symptom is emesis, repetitive in the chronic FPIES form and explosive in the acute form. Acute FPIES begins 1– 4 h following ingestion of the offending food. Diarrhea is frequent, between 5 and 10 h later, and may be accompanied by lethargy and dehydration, which both characterize severity. Cow’s milk is the most frequent food trigger, followed by soy. FPIES may develop up to 1 year of age, but may also occur in the newborn, and is possible in exclusively breastfed infants, in relation with the mother’s consumption of offending foods. FPIES may occur to solid foods (grains like rice or oat, meats, fish, egg, and vegetables). When starting during infancy, FPIES has a good prognosis and disappears grossly at 2 years of age. FPIES to fish or shellfish is more frequent in older children and adults and is long lasting. International consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and management of FPIES have been published recently. FPIAP starts in the first few months of life and is typically manifested with rectal bleeding in well-appearing breastfed infants during the first months of life in reaction to cow’s milk consumed by the mother. The condition is transient but represents one of the major causes of colitis during infancy.
Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity: A Challenging Diagnosis in Children with Abdominal Pain
Authors: Ruemmele Frank M.
Published: February 2019

Several disorders related to the ingestion of gluten are well recognized despite overlapping clinical presentations: celiac disease, an autoimmune enteropathy triggered by gluten ingestions in susceptible individuals, allergy to wheat, and more recently non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS). While celiac disease and wheat allergy are well-known disorders with a clear-cut diagnosis based on clinical tests and biological parameters, NCGS is a more difficult diagnosis, especially in children with functional gastrointestinal (GI) complaints. NCGS is considered a syndrome of intestinal but also extraintestinal symptoms occurring within hours, but sometimes even after several days of gluten ingestion. In children, the leading symptoms of NCGS are abdominal pain and diarrhea, while extraintestinal symptoms are rare, in contrast to adult patients. No precise diagnostic test nor specific biomarkers exist, except a rather cumbersome three-phase gluten-exposure, gluten-free diet, followed by a blinded placebo-controlled gluten challenge with crossover to provoke symptoms elicited by gluten in a reproducible manner that disappear on gluten-free alimentation. Recent data indicate that the peptide part of wheat proteins is not necessarily the sole trigger of clinical symptoms. Mono- or oligosaccharides, such as fructan and other constituents of wheat, were able to provoke GI symptoms in clinical trials. These new findings indicate that the term gluten sensitivity is probably too restrictive. The incidence of NCGS was reported in the range of 1–10% in the general population and to increase steadily; however, most data are based on patients’ self-reported gluten intolerance or avoidance without a medically confirmed diagnosis. Treatment consists of gluten avoidance for at least several weeks or months. Patients with NCGS require regular reassessment for gluten tolerance allowing with time the reintroduction of increasing amounts of gluten.
Burden, Access, and Disparities in Kidney Disease
Authors: Crews Deidra C. , Bello Aminu K. , Saadi Gamal ,   for the World Kidney Day Steering Committee
Published: February 2019

Kidney disease is a global public health problem, affecting over 750 million persons worldwide. The burden of kidney disease varies substantially across the world. In many settings, rates of kidney disease and the provision of its care are defined by socioeconomic, cultural, and political factors leading to significant disparities. World Kidney Day 2019 offers an opportunity to raise awareness of kidney disease and highlight disparities in its burden and current state of global capacity for prevention and management. Here, we highlight the need for strengthening basic infrastructure for kidney care services for early detection and management of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease across all countries and advocate for more pragmatic approaches to providing renal replacement therapies. Achieving universal health coverage worldwide by 2030 is a World Health Organization Sustainable Development Goal. While universal health coverage may not include all elements of kidney care in all countries, understanding what is locally feasible and important with a focus on reducing the burden and consequences of kidney disease would be an important step towards achieving kidney health equity.
Production of Polyhydroxyalkanoates Copolymers by Recombinant Pseudomonas in Plasmid- and Antibiotic-Free Cultures
Authors: Oliveira-Filho Edmar Ramos , Guamán Linda P. , Mendonça Thatiane Teixeira , Long Paul F. , Taciro Marilda Keico , Gomez José Gregório Cabrera , Silva Luiziana F.
Published: February 2019

Three different polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthase genes (Ralstonia eutropha H16, Aeromonas sp. TSM81 or Aeromonas hydrophila ATCC7966 phaC) were introduced into the chromosome of two Pseudomonas strains: a native medium-chain-length 3-polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHAMCL) producer (Pseudomonas sp. LFM046) and a UV-induced mutant strain unable to produce PHA (Pseudomonas sp. LFM461). We reported for the first time the insertion of a chromosomal copy of phaC using the transposon system mini-Tn7. Stable antibiotic marker-free and plasmid-free recombinants were obtained. Subsequently, P(3HB-co-3HAMCL) was produced by these recombinants using glucose as the sole carbon source, without the need for co-substrates and under antibiotic-free conditions. A recombinant harboring A. hydrophila phaC produced a terpolyester composed of 84.2 mol% of 3-hydroxybutyrate, 6.3 mol% of 3-hydroxyhexanoate, and 9.5 mol% of 3-hydroxydecanoate from only glucose. Hence, we were successful in increasing the industrial potential of Pseudomonas sp. LFM461 strain by producing PHA copolymers containing 3HB and 3HAMCL using an unrelated carbon source, for the first time in a plasmid- and antibiotic-free bioprocess.
Prediction of Prognosis of Intermediate-Stage HCC Patients: Validation of the Tumor Marker Score in a Nationwide Database in Japan
Authors: Hiraoka Atsushi , Michitaka Kojiro , Kumada Takashi , Izumi Namiki , Kadoya Masumi , Kokudo Norihiro , Kubo Shoji , Matsuyama Yutaka , Nakashima Osamu , Sakamoto Michiie , Takayama Tadatoshi , Kokudo Takashi , Kashiwabara Kosuke , Eguchi Susumu , Yamashita Tatsuya , Kudo Masatoshi ,   The Liver Cancer Study Group of Japan
Published: February 2019

Background/Aim: Adequate assessment of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE)-refractory status has become more important for switching treatment in intermediate-stage (BCLC-B) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients treated with TACE. The usefulness of a previously proposed tumor marker score for predicting prognosis of BCLC-B HCC patients treated with TACE was investigated. Methods: Using a nationwide database, we examined the records of 1,306 naïve BCLC-B HCC with Child-Pugh A who were treated from 2001 to 2007, after excluding those with missing data (hepatic function or tumor markers) or cases with a single large tumor. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) ≥100 ng/mL, fucosylated AFP (AFP-L3) ≥10%, and des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin ≥100 mAU/mL were markers used to define positive cases. The number of positive tumor markers was used as a prognostic score, and its predictive value was evaluated in a retrospective manner. Results: Median survival time became shorter along with increased score (0, 1, ≥2 = 4.8, 3.8, 3.2 years, respectively; p < 0.01). Tumor marker score (≥2; hazard ratio [HR] 1.675, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.372–2.044, p < 0.001), serum levels of albumin (≥3.5 g/dL; HR 0.726, 95% CI 0.528–0.997, p = 0.048), and up-to-7 criteria (HR 1.673, 95% CI 1.400–2.000, p < 0.001) were significant prognostic factors for death in the Cox hazard multivariate analysis. Conclusion: Tumor marker score had a useful predictive prognostic value in BCLC-B HCC treated with TACE. Especially in patients with a tumor marker score of 2 or greater, a poor therapeutic response should be expected, and appropriate judgement of TACE-refractory status is necessary.
A Trial Integrating Different Methods to Assess Psychosocial Problems in Primary Care
Authors: Piolanti Antonio , Gostoli Sara , Gervasi Jessica , Sonino Nicoletta , Guidi Jenny
Published: February 2019

Background: A number of studies have documented psychosocial problems, psychiatric morbidity and impaired quality of life in primary care patients. Objective: The aim of this trial was to test the usefulness of the joint use of different diagnostic interviews and self-rated questionnaires. Methods: Two hundred consecutive patients in a primary care practice in Italy underwent the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 and the Semi-Structured Interview for the Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research (DCPR) in its recently revised form. As self-rated evaluations, the PsychoSocial Index, the Short-Form Health Survey and the Illness Attitude Scales were administered. Results: There were 46 patients (23%) with at least 1 DSM-5 diagnosis. Eighty-eight patients (44%) had at least 1 DCPR diagnosis, mainly maladaptive illness behavior (26.5%), allostatic overload (15.5%) and demoralization (15%). There were 47 (23.5%) patients who had a DCPR diagnosis only; 5 subjects (2.5%) had a DSM diagnosis only. Patients with DCPR syndromes displayed significantly higher self-rated levels of stress, psychological distress and maladaptive illness behavior and significantly lower levels of quality of life and well-being than patients with no diagnoses. Conclusions: In a busy clinical setting, a simple self-rated questionnaire such as the PsychoSocial Index may afford a useful tool to unveil patient current distress. The DCPR can provide clinical information for a substantial number of patients who do not satisfy DSM-5 classification criteria and yet present with psychosocial problems, as measured by self-rated scales. The DCPR may improve the assessment and treatment plan of primary care psychologists or consulting psychiatrists.
Identification and Assessment of Drug-User Groups Among Nightlife Attendees: Self-Reports, Breathalyzer-Tests and Oral Fluid Drug Tests
Authors: Bretteville-Jensen Anne Line , Burdzovic Andreas Jasmina , Gjersing Linn , Øiestad Elisabeth Leere , Gjerde Hallvard
Published: February 2019

Background and Objectives: Even though nightlife studies with potentially intoxicated participants provide the much needed information on drug use, they face additional methodological challenges. This study aimed to explore the utility of such studies by (i) classifying nightlife attendees based on their self-reported drug use and by (ii) examining whether these classifications were meaningful when assessed against other sources of data, including oral fluid drug tests. Methods: Self-reported questionnaires, oral fluid samples and blood alcohol concentration readings were collected in a sample of 1,085 nightlife patrons recruited outside 12 popular nightclubs in Oslo, Norway, in 2014. Patrons were classified using multiple approaches, including latent class analysis. Group differences were examined by logistic regression models. Results: Participants were classified into 5 mutually exclusive groups: 2 among current non-users (“Never-users”; “Previous users”), 2 among current users (“Multiple drugs”; “Cannabis mainly”) and one “Incomplete information” group. Meaningful differences across these groups were observed. For instance, positive tests for any illicit drug were more common in “Multiple drugs” group than in “Cannabis mainly” (62.7 vs. 29.1%, adjusted OR [aOR] 3.77 [2.42–5.84]) or “Incomplete information” groups (62.7 vs. 34.4%, aOR 2.46 [1.26–4.79]). Despite their self-declared non-use, illicit substances were detected in oral fluids of “Never-users” (13.1%; 95% CI 9.9–17.2) and “Previous users” (7.9%; 95% CI 5.1–12.1). Conclusions: Despite some discrepancies between self-reports and biological tests, self-reports proved both suitable and useful in identification of substantively different drug-user typologies, potentially informing targeted policy responses. Still, methodological challenges associated with onsite studies of illicit drug use should be further explored.
Os animais do Brasil no relato do Jesuíta Gaspar Afonso sobre a viagem da Nau “São Francisco” (1596)
Authors: Teixeira Dante Martins , Papavero Nelson
Published: February 2019

Com o retorno de Vasco da Gama em 1499, Portugal buscaria consolidar o recém-descoberto caminho-marítimo para as Índias lançando ao mar uma segunda esquadra comandada por Pedro Álvares Cabral, a qual retornaria ao reino em julho de 1501 após uma atribulada série de eventos bem conhecidos. Logo em seguida, seria articulada uma conexão marítima entre Lisboa e a Índia sob a forma de viagens anuais, a célebre “Carreira da Índia”, que perduraria por quatrocentos anos e envolveria centenas de embarcações. Entretanto, pouquíssimas dessas naus aportariam em nosso litoral, pois a “Carreira da Índia” foi concebida como uma ligação direta quase sem escalas entre Lisboa e o Oriente. Entre os esparsos testemunhos sobre a fauna exótica encontrados nesse universo documental, o do jesuíta Gaspar Afonso é um dos mais interessantes, relatando viagem da nau “São Francisco” em 1596. Ao todo, seriam mencionadas 19 espécies geralmente atribuídas à fauna brasileira, elenco formado por um inseto, três répteis, três aves, cinco peixes e sete mamíferos. Embora não diga respeito ao nosso país, chama a atenção o fato desse religioso ter registrado uma observação de seu confrade Fulgêncio Freire que pode eventualmente constituir uma das primeiras notícias conhecidas até o momento de um antropóide africano.
Avaliação da cavidade nasal de camundongos submetidos à exposição ao herbicida ácido 2,4-diclorofenoxiacético
Authors: Mello Fabíola De Azevedo , Quinallia Giselle , Marion Ana Carolina , Jorge Fernanda Cardoso , Marinelli Laura Monico , Salge Ana Karina Marques , Fagiani Marcela De Andrade Bernal , Mareco Edson Assunção , Favareto Ana Paula Alves , Silva Renata Calciolari Rossi e
Published: February 2019

No último ano, o Brasil apresentou um aumento de 190% na utilização de agrotóxicos, o que implica em um grave problema de saúde pública. O ácido 2,4-diclorofenoxiacético possui classificação toxicológica I (extremamente tóxico) e por ser muito volátil, favorece a contaminação de solos, águas, animais e seres humanos. Modelo do estudo: Estudo Experimental. Objetivo: Analisar o infiltrado inflamatório de camundongos submetidos à nebulização aguda ao herbicida ácido 2,4-diclorofenoxiacético, em diferentes intervalos de tempo e concentrações. Métodos: Foram utilizados 80 camundongos Swiss machos divididos em quatro grupos (n=20): salina, baixa (3,71 x 10-3 gramas de ingrediente ativo por hectare), média (6,19 x 10-3 gramas de ingrediente ativo por hectare) e alta concentração (9,28 x10-3 gramas de ingrediente ativo por hectare). Todos os animais foram expostos às nebulizações preconizadas para cada grupo por 15 minutos, em diferentes intervalos de tempo: 24, 48, 72 e 192 horas. O protocolo de exposição contou com duas caixas ligadas a um nebulizador ultrassônico e o vestíbulo nasal de cada animal foi retirado após a eutanásia, para a análise histológica. Resultados: A contagem de mastócitos apresentou valores significativamente aumentados no grupo alta concentração, no intervalo de tempo de 48 horas, quando comparado ao de 24 horas. Conclusão: Os resultados mostraram que a exposição aguda ao herbicida ácido 2,4-diclorofenoxiacético aumenta a produção de mastócitos na cavidade nasal de animais expostos a altas concentrações, e que podem estar relacionados ao surgimento de reações alérgicas.
Influence of the duration of antiretroviral use on insulin resistance among people living with HIV with lipodystrophy
Authors: Vitorazzi Thiago Rodrigues Faria , Freitas Taila Santos de , Oliveira Loiane Sartori , Navarro Anderson Marliere
Published: February 2019

Objective: The present study evaluated the influence of the duration of antiretroviral therapy on insulin resistance among people living with HIV with lipodystrophic syndrome. Methods: The study assessed 36 subjects of both sexes between 22 and 60 years old split into three groups: 1) HIV-positive using antiretroviral with lipodystrophy syndrome (HIV+LIPO+); 2) HIV-positive using antiretroviral therapy with no lipodystrophy syndrome (HIV+LIPO-); and 3) HIV-negative and healthy (Control). The data were collected at the Special Unit for the Treatment of Infectious Diseases (Unidade Especial de Tratamento para Doenças Infecciosas - UETDI) of the Dyslipidemia Outpatient Clinic (Ambulatório de Dislipidemia - ADIS) of the General Hospital of the Medical School of Ribeirão Preto (HC-FMRP). The biochemical assessment used laboratory kits when the results were not available in the volunteer's records. Results: Higher HOMA-IR values were observed for the group 1: HIV+LIPO+ (1,61 ± 1,17 ) compared to group 2: HIV+LIPO- (0,79 ± 0,87) and group 3: Control (0,46 ± 0,72 ) and such values were positively correlated with the time of antiretroviral medication use (r=0,41). Conclusions: The time of infection by HIV and the use of antiretrovirals impact the glucose metabolism with changes in serum insulin levels and consequent insulin resistance and increased risk for the development of diabetes and diseases related to carbohydrate metabolism.
Camellia mingii, a new species of yellow camellias from Southeast Yunnan, China
Authors: LIU ZHEN-WEN , FANG WEI , LIU En-DE , ZHAO MING , HE YAO-FENG , YANG SHI-XIONG
Published: February 2019

Camellia mingii S.X.Yang is described and illustrated as a new species from southeast Yunnan Province, China. It is morphologically closest to C. pubipetala, but can be easily distinguished by its spiral arrangement of bracteoles and sepals; its bracteoles and sepals lunate, reniform or broadly ovate, glabrous inside and densely puberulent outside; its petals orbicular to short elliptic, puberulent on both sides; and its inner filaments puberulen to ca. 2/3 from base. Molecular analyses based on GBSSI sequences also support C. mingii as a distinct species of yellow camellia. It is ‘Critically Endangered’ (CR) according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.
A revision of Harpochilus sheds light on new combinations under Justicia (Acanthaceae)
Authors: DA COSTA-LIMA JAMES LUCAS , CHAGAS EARL CELESTINO DE OLIVEIRA
Published: February 2019

Until recently, Harpochilus (Acanthaceae) contained two morphologically distinct species, Harpochilus neesianus and H. phaeocarpus, from northeastern Brazil. During an analysis of herbarium collections, we found an undescribed species of Harpochilus from the Brazilian semiarid region. However, another group of botanists simultaneously discovered the species and described it as H. paraibanus. Harpochilus neesianus and H. paraibanus are similar due to their morphologically complex flowers specialized for bat pollination, nocturnal anthesis, and anthers with non-appendiculate thecae. Unlike H. neesianus and H. paraibanus, the floral morphology of H. phaeocarpus and Cyrtanthera citrina, a name used for several misidentified collections of H. paraibanus, is more similar to that of Justicia. Thus, these species are here combined under Justicia. We also provide additional information on the morphology, geographic distribution and conservation status of H. paraibanus, and propose lectotypes for Harpochilus, H. neesianus, and C. citrina.
A taxonomic study of Praxelinae (Asteraceae—Eupatorieae) in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Authors: CHRIST ANDERSON LUIZ , RITTER MARA REJANE
Published: February 2019

The Praxelinae comprises two genera—Praxelis and Chromolaena—and 19 species in Rio Grande do Sul, the southernmost State of Brazil. This is the first taxonomic treatment of these genera in the state according to their current circumscriptions. Chromolaena squarrosoramosa is formally reported for the first time for the flora of the state. The names C. callilepis and C. paraguariensis are used for the first time to refer to species previously known as Eupatorium polyanthum and E. angusticeps. Eupatorium angusticeps, considered in previous studies endemic to Rio Grande do Sul and probably extinct, is synonymized under C. paraguariensis and has its geographical range extended. Two neglected names, C. elliptica and C. latisquamulosa, are re-established, and C. umbelliformis is synonymized under C. elliptica. Furthermore, C. rhinanthacea is recollected for the first time after 40 years, and C. gentianoides is rediscovered in the state after almost 200 years of the original collection. Identification key and morphological descriptions, as well as distribution maps, field photographs, illustrations and general comments on the biology, ecology and identification of the species are provided.
Monopterus ichthyophoides, a new species of scaled swamp eel (Teleostei: Synbranchiformes: Synbranchidae) from Mizoram, India
Authors: BRITZ RALF , LALREMSANGA HMAR TLAWMTE , _ LALROTLUANGA , _ LALRAMLIANA
Published: February 2019

Monopterus ichthyophoides is described from specimens collected from the Sawleng River and a public well at Luangmual, both in the Barak River drainage in Mizoram, India. The new species differs from all other synbranchids in having only two, instead of five or six branchiostegal rays. It belongs to the Amphipnous species group characterized by possession of scales on the body and can be readily distinguished from all other species of this group by the lower number of vertebrae (114–117 vs 126–188).
Cephalodella acidophila n. sp. (Monogononta: Notommatidae), a new rotifer species from highly acidic mining lakes
Authors: JERSABEK CHRISTIAN D. , WEITHOFF GUNTRAM , WEISSE THOMAS
Published: February 2019

We describe a new species of Cephalodella, C. acidophila n. sp., from the plankton of two extremely acidic mining lakes (pH Cephalodella delicata Wulfert. It shares with the latter an almost identical trophi morphology and anatomical organization, but differs clearly by form and length of its toes, larger body size, and ecology. Laboratory experiments revealed that the species is acidophilic, i.e. it thrives at low pH (Chlamydomonas acidophila. The easily cultured species has previously been used in various experimental studies, but has only now been recognized as an undescribed species.
A new species, new distribution records, and taxonomic notes in Lamiinae (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) from Colombia
Authors: GARCÍA L. KIMBERLY P. , NASCIMENTO FRANCISCOE. DE L. , HERNANDEZ NEIS JOSÉ MARTÍNEZ
Published: February 2019

Psapharochrus auratus sp. nov., from Colombia, is described and illustrated. A new combination, Psapharochrus penrosei (Thomson, 1864) is proposed. The geographical distribution of seven species of Lamiinae is expanded to include them in the Colombian fauna, and eight new department records from Colombia are reported. Moreover, taxonomic notes in Lamiinae are provided.