bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hyaluronic Acid (800 kDa) Supplementation of University of Wisconsin Solution Improves Viability of Osteochondral Grafts and Reduces Matrix Metalloproteinase Expression during Cold Preservation
Authors: Yamada Takuya , Uchida Kentaro , Onuma Kenji , Inoue Gen , Aikawa Jun , Takano Shotaro , Sekiguchi Hiroyuki , Fujimaki Hisako , Miyagi Masayuki , Takaso Masashi
Published: June 2015

Osteochondral allografting is a promising option for the treatment of large cartilage defects. However, because the cell viability of osteochondral tissues (OCTs) gradually reduces during storage at 4°C, methods for maintaining the cell viability of fresh OCTs are needed to improve transplantation outcomes. Here, we evaluated whether the supplementation of preservation solution with one of three different molecular weight forms of hyaluronic acid (HA) improved the viability of rat OCTs during long‐term cold storage. The supplementation of University of Wisconsin (UW) solution with 800 kDa significantly improved the cell viability of OCT after 14 days at 4°C compared to nonsupplemented UW solution. In contrast, UW solution supplemented with either 1900 or 6000 kDa HA did not markedly improve the cell viability of the OCT. Real‐time PCR analysis revealed that the levels of matrix metalloproteinases 2, 3, and 9 were significantly decreased in OCT stored in UW solution supplemented with 800 kDa HA. Although further studies in human OCT are warranted, these findings demonstrate that the use of 800 kDa HA in place of serum may be a suitable approach for the long‐term preservation of osteochondral allografts designated for the repair of large cartilage defects in the clinical setting.
GESearch: An Interactive GUI Tool for Identifying Gene Expression Signature
Authors: Ye Ning , Yin Hengfu , Liu Jingjing , Dai Xiaogang , Yin Tongming
Published: June 2015

The huge amount of gene expression data generated by microarray and next-generation sequencing technologies present challenges to exploit their biological meanings. When searching for the coexpression genes, the data mining process is largely affected by selection of algorithms. Thus, it is highly desirable to provide multiple options of algorithms in the user-friendly analytical toolkit to explore the gene expression signatures. For this purpose, we developed GESearch, an interactive graphical user interface (GUI) toolkit, which is written in MATLAB and supports a variety of gene expression data files. This analytical toolkit provides four models, including the mean, the regression, the delegate, and the ensemble models, to identify the coexpression genes, and enables the users to filter data and to select gene expression patterns by browsing the display window or by importing knowledge-based genes. Subsequently, the utility of this analytical toolkit is demonstrated by analyzing two sets of real-life microarray datasets from cell-cycle experiments. Overall, we have developed an interactive GUI toolkit that allows for choosing multiple algorithms for analyzing the gene expression signatures.
Surgical Management of Compound Odontoma Associated with Unerupted Tooth
Authors: Pacifici Andrea , Carbone Daniele , Marini Roberta , Pacifici Luciano
Published: June 2015

Odontomas represent the most common type of odontogenic benign jaws tumors among patients younger than 20 years of age. These tumors are composed of enamel, dentine, cementum, and pulp tissue. According to the World Health Organization classification, two distinct types of odontomas are acknowledged: complex and compound odontoma. In complex odontomas, all dental tissues are formed, but appeared without an organized structure. In compound odontomas, all dental tissues are arranged in numerous tooth-like structures known as denticles. Compound odontomas are often associated with impacted adjacent permanent teeth and their surgical removal represents the best therapeutic option. A case of a 20-year-old male patient with a compound odontoma-associated of impacted maxillary canine is presented. A minimally invasive surgical technique is adopted to remove the least amount of bone tissue as far as possible.
Stabilisation of Laryngeal AL Amyloidosis with Long Term Curcumin Therapy
Authors: Golombick Terry , Diamond Terrence H. , Manoharan Arumugam , Ramakrishna Rajeev
Published: June 2015

Multiple myeloma (MM), smoldering myeloma (SMM), and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) represent a spectrum of plasma cell dyscrasias (PCDs). Immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis (AL) falls within the spectrum of these diseases and has a mortality rate of more than 80% within 2 years of diagnosis. Curcumin, derived from turmeric, has been shown to have a clinical benefit in some patients with PCDs. In addition to a clinical benefit in these patients, curcumin has been found to have a strong affinity for fibrillar amyloid proteins. We thus administered curcumin to a patient with laryngeal amyloidosis and smoldering myeloma and found that the patient has shown a lack of progression of his disease for a period of five years. This is in keeping with our previous findings of clinical benefits of curcumin in patients with plasma cell dyscrasias. We recommend further evaluation of curcumin in patients with primary AL amyloidosis.
Oncogenic G Protein GNAQ Induces Uveal Melanoma and Intravasation in Mice
Authors: Huang Jenny Li-Ying , Urtatiz Oscar , Van Raamsdonk Catherine D.
Published: June 2015

GNAQ and GNA11 are heterotrimeric G protein alpha subunits, which are mutated in a mutually exclusive pattern in most cases of uveal melanoma, one of the most aggressive cancers. Here we introduce the first transgenic mouse model of uveal melanoma, which develops cancers induced by expression of oncogenic GNAQQ209L under control of the Rosa26 promoter. Disease penetrance is 100% by 3 months of age, with 94% of mice also developing lung tumors. In this model, the Yap protein of the Hippo pathway is activated in the eyes, and blood vessels near the lesions in the head and lungs exhibit melanocytic invasion. While full transcription levels are not necessary for GNAQQ209L to transform mouse melanocytes, we obtained suggestive evidence of a selective advantage for increased GNAQQ209L expression in human tumors. Intriguingly, enforced expression of GNAQQ209L progressively eliminated melanocytes from the interfollicular epidermis in adults, possibly explaining the near absence of GNAQQ209 mutations in human epithelial melanomas. The mouse model also exhibited dermal nevi and melanocytic neoplasms of the central nervous system, accompanied by impaired hearing and balance, identifying a novel role for GNAQ in melanocyte-like cells of the inner ear. Overall, this model offers a new tool to dissect signaling by oncogenic GNAQ and to test potential therapeutics in an in vivo setting where GNAQQ209L mutations contribute to both the initiation and metastatic progression of uveal melanoma. Cancer Res; 75(16); 3384–97. ©2015 AACR.
Myocardial Infarction after Ozone Therapy: Is Ozone Therapy Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde?
Authors: Üreyen Çağın Mustafa , Baş Cem Yunus , Arslan Şakir
Published: June 2015

We discuss the case of a 46-year-old male patient presenting to the emergency department with acute inferior myocardial infarction. Coronary angiography demonstrated a vasospasm of the left main coronary artery and proximal segment of the left anterior descending artery. Furthermore, a thrombotic total occlusion was ascertained in the right coronary artery. The vasospasm in the left main and left anterior descending artery disappeared after nitrate administration. We successfully implanted a stent to the thrombotic occlusion in the right coronary artery after predilatation. On detailed questioning, the patient stated that ozonated autohemotherapy had been applied that morning in a private clinic for the revitalization and regeneration of tissues. The patient did not have any traditional atherosclerotic risk factors. He denied any history of cardiac complaint. Factor V Leiden, prothrombin 20210 and MTHFR a1298c and c677t mutations were investigated and found to be negative except for MTHFR a1298c, which was a heterozygote. The levels of antithrombin III, homocysteine and protein C and S were all within normal ranges. Ozone as a medical therapy has been used in many medical conditions; unfortunately, however, like every other therapy, ozone therapy has side effects. The literature concerning ozone therapy supports possible strong vasoconstrictor and prothrombotic effects of ozone therapy, further supporting our suggestion that ozone can lead to acute coronary syndromes in human beings. In conclusion, to our knowledge, our case report reveals a possible complication of ozone therapy that has never been reported before. We think that this article will raise the awareness of the possibility of thrombotic complications after ozonated autohemotherapy.
Investigation of Lung Involvement in Connective Tissue Disorders
Authors: Papiris Spyros A. , Manali Effrosyni D. , Kolilekas Likurgos , Kagouridis Konstantinos , Maniati Maria , Borie Raphael , Pradere Pauline , Crestani Bruno , Bouros Demosthenes
Published: June 2015

Lung involvement in connective tissue disorders (CTDs) may present as pleomorphic since any lung compartment may be involved such as airways, exocrine secretory and alveolar epithelia, interstitial lung structure, pulmonary vasculature and pleura as well as, in specific disorders, several tissues of the thoracoabdominal ventilator pump. Any combination of the above anatomic structures may be involved concomitantly although some specific combinations may include a determinant of rheumatic disorders. The diagnosis of a specific CTD requires the fulfilment of clearly defined clinical and laboratory criteria including in most cases positivity for autoantibodies, mostly specific serologic combinations. In this setting, serologic investigation targets mainly, although not exclusively, the detection of antinuclear antibodies. A specific serologic positivity or a combination of autoantibodies constitutes not only a diagnostic criterion for a specific CTD, but may also characterize the pattern of respiratory manifestation in a determinant rheumatic disorder. Therefore, the investigation of lung involvement in CTDs requires adequate skills in the ambit of a multidisciplinary approach and an extended spectrum of diagnostic tools and modalities able to detect both early clinical clues and serologic conversion as well as any pathophysiologic alteration that regards the complexity of respiratory functional status. Although many patients with CTDs suffer from a ‘vicious' combination of lung involvement, lung drug toxicity and infections related to the above two as well as to the ‘mater' disease, for space reasons this review will focus on the established lung manifestations that regard the 7 major CTDs.
Carotid Arterial Stiffness and Risk of Incident Cerebral Microbleeds in Older People
Authors: Ding Jie , Mitchell Gary F. , Bots Michiel L. , Sigurdsson Sigurdur , Harris Tamara B. , Garcia Melissa , Eiriksdottir Gudny , van Buchem Mark A. , Gudnason Vilmundur , Launer Lenore J.
Published: June 2015

Objective—

Age and high blood pressure are major risk factors for cerebral microbleeds (CMBs). However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear and arterial stiffness may be important. We investigated whether carotid arterial stiffness is associated with incidence and location of CMBs.

Approach and Results—

In the prospective, population-based Age, Gene/Environment Susceptibility (AGES)-Reykjavik study, 2512 participants aged 66 to 93 years underwent a baseline brain MRI examination and carotid ultrasound in 2002 to 2006 and returned for a repeat brain MRI in 2007 to 2011. Common carotid arterial stiffness was assessed using a standardized protocol and expressed as carotid arterial strain, distensibility coefficient, and Young elastic modulus. Modified Poisson regression was applied to relate carotid arterial stiffness parameters to CMB incidence. During a mean follow-up of 5.2 years, 463 people (18.4%) developed new CMBs, of whom 292 had CMBs restricted to lobar regions and 171 had CMBs in a deep or infratentorial region. After adjusting for age, sex, and follow-up interval, arterial stiffness measures were associated with incident CMBs (risk ratio per SD decrease in carotid arterial strain, 1.11 [95% confidence interval, 1.01–1.21]; per SD decrease in natural log-transformed distensibility coefficient, 1.14 [1.05–1.24]; and per SD increase in natural log-transformed Young elastic modulus, 1.13 [1.04–1.23]). These measures were also significantly associated with incident deep CMBs (1.18 [1.02–1.37]; 1.24 [1.08–1.42]; and 1.23 [1.07–1.42]) but not with lobar CMBs. When further adjusted for blood pressure and other baseline vascular risk factors, carotid plaque, prevalent CMBs, subcortical infarcts, and white matter hyperintensities, the associations persisted.

Conclusions—

Our findings support the hypothesis that localized increases in carotid arterial stiffness may contribute to the development of CMBs, especially in a deep location attributable to hypertension.
Segmental Aortic Stiffness in Children and Young Adults With Connective Tissue Disorders
Authors: Prakash Ashwin , Adlakha Himanshu , Rabideau Nicole , Hass Cara J. , Morris Shaine A. , Geva Tal , Gauvreau Kimberlee , Singh Michael N. , Lacro Ronald V.
Published: June 2015

Background—

Aortic diameter is an imperfect predictor of aortic complications in connective tissue disorders (CTDs). Novel indicators of vascular phenotype severity such as aortic stiffness and vertebral tortuosity index have been proposed. We assessed the relation between aortic stiffness by cardiac MRI, surgical root replacement, and rates of aortic root dilation in children and young adults with CTDs.

Methods and Results—

Retrospective analysis of cardiac MRI data on children and young adults with a CTD was performed to derive aortic stiffness measures (strain, distensibility, and β-stiffness index) at the aortic root, ascending aorta, and descending aorta. Vertebral tortuosity index was calculated as previously described. Rate of aortic root dilation before cardiac MRI was calculated as change in echocardiographic aortic root diameter
z
score per year. In 83 CTD patients (median age, 24 years; range, 1–55; 17% <18 years of age; 60% male), ascending aorta distensibility was reduced in comparison with published normative values: median
z
score, –1.93 (range, –8.7 to 1.3;
P
<0.0001 versus normals). Over a median follow-up period of 2.7 years, there were no aortic dissections or deaths, but 16 of 83 (19%) patients underwent surgical aortic root replacement. In multivariable analysis, lower aortic root strain (
P
=0.05) and higher vertebral tortuosity index (
P
=0.01) were independently associated with aortic root replacement. Lower ascending aorta strain (
P
=0.02) was associated with a higher rate of aortic root dilation.

Conclusions—

Higher aortic stiffness is associated with higher rates of surgical aortic replacement and aortic root dilation in children and young adults with CTDs.
Prevalence, Clinical Features, and Prognosis of Acute Myocardial Infarction Attributable to Coronary Artery Embolism
Authors: Shibata Tatsuhiro , Kawakami Shoji , Noguchi Teruo , Tanaka Tomotaka , Asaumi Yasuhide , Kanaya Tomoaki , Nagai Toshiyuki , Nakao Kazuhiro , Fujino Masashi , Nagatsuka Kazuyuki , Ishibashi-Ueda Hatsue , Nishimura Kunihiro , Miyamoto Yoshihiro , Kusano Kengo , Anzai Toshihisa , Goto Yoichi , Ogawa Hisao , Yasuda Satoshi
Published: June 2015

Background—

Coronary artery embolism (CE) is recognized as an important nonatherosclerotic cause of acute myocardial infarction. Its prevalence, clinical features, and prognosis remain insufficiently characterized.

Methods and Results—

We screened 1776 consecutive patients who presented with de novo acute myocardial infarction between 2001 and 2013. CE was diagnosed based on criteria encompassing histological, angiographic, and other diagnostic imaging findings. The prevalence, clinical characteristics, treatment strategies, in-hospital outcomes, and long-term risk of CE recurrence or major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (cardiac death, fatal arrhythmia, or recurrent thromboembolism) were evaluated. The prevalence of CE was 2.9% (n=52), including 8 (15%) patients with multivessel CE. Atrial fibrillation was the most common cause (n=38, 73%). Only 39% of patients with CE were treated with vitamin K antagonists, and the median international normalized ratio was 1.42 (range, 0.95–1.80). Eighteen of the 30 CE patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation had a CHADS
2
score of 0 or 1. When those patients were reevaluated using CHA
2
DS
2
-VASc, 61% were reassigned to a higher risk category. During a median follow-up of 49 months, CE and thromboembolism recurred in 5 atrial fibrillation patients. The 5-year rate of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events was 27.1%. In the propensity score–matched cohorts (n=45 each), Kaplan–Meier analysis showed a significantly higher incidence of cardiac death in the CE group than in the non-CE group (hazard ratio, 9.29; 95% confidence interval, 1.13–76.5;
P
<0.001).

Conclusions—

Atrial fibrillation is the most frequent cause of CE. Patients with CE represent a high-risk subgroup of patients with acute myocardial infarction and require close follow-up.
White Matter Lesions Double the Risk of Post-Thrombolytic Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Curtze Sami , Haapaniemi Elena , Melkas Susanna , Mustanoja Satu , Putaala Jukka , Sairanen Tiina , Sibolt Gerli , Tiainen Marjaana , Tatlisumak Turgut , Strbian Daniel
Published: June 2015

Background and Purpose—

Cerebral white matter lesions (WMLs), a surrogate for small-vessel disease, are common in patients with stroke and may be related to an increased intracranial bleeding risk after intravenous thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke. We aimed to investigate the risk of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) in the presence of WMLs in a large cohort of ischemic stroke patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis.

Methods—

We included 2485 consecutive patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis at the Helsinki University Central Hospital. WMLs were scored according to 4 previously published computed tomography visual rating scales from all baseline head scans. A sICH was classified according to the European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study II criteria. The associations of sICH with nominal, ordinal, and continuous variables were analyzed in a univariate binary regression model and adjusted in multivariate binary regression models.

Results—

In univariate and multivariate regression analyses, all 4 tested visual WML rating scales (as continuous variables or dichotomized at different cutoff points) were associated with increased risk of sICH. In binary analyses, WML doubled the bleeding risk: the odds ratios of all 4 visual rating scales ranged from 2.22 (95% confidence interval, 1.49–3.30) to 2.70 (1.87–3.90) in univariable and from 2.00 (1.26–3.16) to 2.62 (1.71–4.02) in multivariable analyses. The multivariable-adjusted odds ratio for the association of high load of WMLs with remote parenchymal hemorrhage was 4.11 (2.38–7.10).

Conclusions—

WMLs visible on computed tomography are associated with a more than doubled risk of sICH in patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke.
Rare Coding Variation and Risk of Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Radmanesh Farid , Falcone Guido J. , Anderson Christopher D. , McWilliams David , Devan William J. , Brown W. Mark , Battey Thomas W.K. , Ayres Alison M. , Raffeld Miriam R. , Schwab Kristin , Sun Guangyun , Deka Ranjan , Viswanathan Anand , Goldstein Joshua N. , Greenberg Steven M. , Tirschwell David L. , Silliman Scott L. , Selim Magdy , Meschia James F. , Brown Devin L. , Worrall Bradford B. , Langefeld Carl D. , Woo Daniel , Rosand Jonathan
Published: June 2015

Background and Purpose—

Intracerebral hemorrhage has a substantial genetic component. We performed a preliminary search for rare coding variants associated with intracerebral hemorrhage.

Methods—

A total of 757 cases and 795 controls were genotyped using the Illumina HumanExome Beadchip (Illumina, Inc, San Diego, CA). Meta-analyses of single-variant and gene-based association were computed.

Results—

No rare coding variants were associated with intracerebral hemorrhage. Three common variants on chromosome 19q13 at an established susceptibility locus, encompassing
TOMM40, APOE
, and
APOC1
, met genome-wide significance (
P
<5e−08). After adjusting for the
APOE
epsilon alleles, this locus was no longer convincingly associated with intracerebral hemorrhage. No gene reached genome-wide significance level in gene-based association testing.

Conclusions—

Although no coding variants of large effect were detected, this study further underscores a major challenge for the study of genetic susceptibility loci; large sample sizes are required for sufficient power except for loci with large effects.
Typifications and nomenclatural notes on Indian Myrtaceae
Authors: Byng James , Wilson Peter , Snow Neil
Published: June 2015

We discuss typification and present other nomenclatural notes for 44 taxa of Indian Myrtaceae. Lectotypes are designated for 28 species plus 6 synonyms in Syzygium and 6 species in Eugenia. A new combination, Syzygium coarctatum, and new synonyms of Syzygium bifarium and Syzygium stocksii are also recognised.
Notes on Carex (Cyperaceae) from China (II): a taxonomic revision of sect. Radicales (Kük.) Nelmes
Authors: Jin Xiao-Feng , Cen Jia-Meng , Hahn Marlene , Lu Yi-Fei , He Jin-Jing
Published: June 2015

Section Radicales (Kük.) Nelmes comprises nearly 15 species in Carex subg. Carex (Cyperaceae) and is mainly distributed in the Pan-Himalaya region, with a few species extending to the Guangxi and Hainan provinces of China and Burma. A taxonomic revision of sect. Radicales in China is proposed and 12 species with two varieties are recognized. Carex pseudomitrata X. F. Jin & Cen is described as a new species and C. caudispicata var. longiutriculata X. F. Jin is described as a new variety. Carex anningensis is reduced to synonym of C. caudispicata, and C. chuiana to C. radicalis. Carex funhuangshanica and C. speciosa subsp. dilatata are respectively reduced to synonyms of C. speciosa and C. speciosa var. courtallensis.
Ulota larrainii (Orthotrichoideae, Orthotrichaceae, Bryophyta) a new species from Chile, with comments on the worldwide diversification of the genus
Authors: Garilleti Ricardo , Mazimpaka Vicente , Lara Francisco
Published: June 2015

A new species of Ulota D. Mohr, U. larrainii, is described from the Aysén Region, southern Chile. The characters that discriminate the new moss are the prostrate habit, leaves not crisped, marginal cells of the leaf base differentiated in 1(2) rows, vaginula hairy, exostome of 8 pairs of orange, recurved teeth, endostome of 16 broad and hyaline segments, and large, multicellular spores. The new moss is illustrated and compared with similar taxa. In addition, the presence of multicellular spores in the genus Ulota is summarized and evaluated from an updated list of currently accepted species. Finally, the distribution, species richness and levels of endemism in the different regions where Ulota taxa occur are summarised and discussed with the help of a world map.
Pimpinella ibradiensis (Apiaceae), an unusual new species from Turkey
Authors: Çinbilgel İlker , Eren özkan , Duman Hayri , Gökceoğlu Mustafa
Published: June 2015

Pimpinella ibradiensis, an unusual new species found in the Toka Yayla (İbradı, Antalya) in southern Anatolia, is described and illustrated. Site conditions, synecology and conservation status of P. ibradiensis are considered. In light of the comparison with the other closely related four species, namely P. nephrophylla, P. flabellifolia, P. sintenisii and P. paucidentata, its similarity within the genus are discussed. P. ibradiensis is easly distinguished from its relatives by its white petals, presence of bracts and bracteoles, larger fruits (4–5.5 × 1–2 mm), and having serrulate basal leaves with 60–95 strongly cartilaginous teeth along margins. The geographical distribution of P. ibradiensis and closely related species are mapped and the identification key of those species is updated.
The genus Diploneis Ehrenberg ex Cleve (Bacillariophyta) from Lake Hövsgöl, Mongolia
Authors: JOVANOVSKA ELENA , LEVKOV ZLATKO , EDLUND MARK B.
Published: June 2015

Lake Hövsgöl is an ancient lake situated in north-central Mongolia at the southern end of the Baikal Rift Zone. Throughout its limnological history, Lake Hövsgöl has developed an extraordinary diversity in different groups of organisms, such as fish and invertebrates. However, the one group that presumably holds the largest taxonomic diversity in the lake—the diatoms—has been largely overlooked.         This study presents a detailed taxonomic overview of the genus Diploneis from Lake Hövsgöl as well as a few localities from the neighboring Arkhangai province. A total of 25 taxa were identified, five of which are new and potentially endemic. Alongside the endemic species, this study confirms the presence of several taxa recently described from other Mongolian lakes (e.g., Diploneis linearielliptica, Diploneis aff. heteromorphiforma and Diploneis cf. eximia), presumably peculiar for this mid-Asian region. A relatively high number of widespread species were identified in Lake Hövsgöl, commonly reported from Europe and elsewhere. Interestingly, a population of Diploneis praeclara that is morphologically closely related to populations from Neogene fossil deposits in Romania was also observed in Lake Hövsgöl. Detailed LM and SEM observations are provided, together with species descriptions and comparisons to morphologically related species.                Greater knowledge of the genus Diploneis opens and guides the way towards better and more comprehensive approaches of uncovering biological diversity and biogeographical patterns on the Eurasian continent and among the ancient lakes.
Three new species of Campylocentrum (Vandeae, Orchidaceae) from Brazil
Authors: Pessoa Edlley M. , Alves Marccus
Published: June 2015

Campylocentrum comprises about 70 species, half of which are cited from Brazil. In recent studies for the taxonomical review of the genus, three new species belonging to C. sect. Campylocentrum were found and are here described. Two of these species are from the Atlantic Forest, C. itatiaiae and C. schlechterianum, and one from Cerrado vegetation, C. carvalhoi. We provide illustrations, distribution map and a discussion about their affinities with allied species.
Hoya tamdaoensis (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae), a new species from Vietnam
Authors: Rodda Michele , Tran The Bach , Nguyen Quoc Binh
Published: June 2015

A new species of Hoya R.Br. from Tam Đảo National Park (Vĩnh Phúc Province, Vietnam), Hoya tamdaoensis Rodda & T.B.Tran,is described and illustrated. It is distinguished from the morphologically similar Hoya siamica Craib by corolla size, lamina shape, coloration, and orientation of the petioles.
Key to the Ophiodes (Squamata: Sauria: Diploglossidae) of Paraguay with the description of a new species
Authors: Cacciali PIER , Scott Norman J.
Published: June 2015

Ophiodes is a South American genus of legless diploglossid lizards. Four species have been formally described: O. intermedius, O. vertebralis, O. striatus, and O. fragilis; three additional species were described but not officially named in an unpublished dissertation. These species are referred to as Ophiodes sp. “1”, Ophiodes sp. “2”, and Ophiodes sp. “3”. We recognize five species of Ophiodes in Paraguay, one widespread (O. intermedius) and four known from only one or two localities (O. fragilis, O. striatus, O. sp. “3”, and an undescribed species, described herein). The new species described represents the fifth Paraguayan species and the eighth member of the genus. It is distinguished by a combination of the following characters: a high number of middorsal scales between occipital and cloacal opening (>165), 29 scale rows around midbody, the posterior limbs 4 scales long, and vertical black bars on the face absent.
Fourteen new species, one new genus, and eleven new country or state records for New World Lamiinae (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae)
Authors: MARTINS UBIRAJARA R. , SANTOS-SILVA ANTONIO , GALILEO MARIA HELENA M.
Published: June 2015

Fourteen new species and one new genus are described from the New World in Lamiinae (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae): Bisaltes (Bisaltes) lingafelteri sp. nov., Trestonia skelleyi sp. nov. and Psapharochrus langeri sp. nov. from Bolivia; Eupogonius azteca sp. nov., Aegomorphus mexicanus sp. nov., Lamacoscylus albatus sp. nov., Lamacoscylus obscurus sp. nov. and Piruanycha wappesi sp. nov. from Mexico; Dolichestola egeri sp. nov. and Wappesellus cavus gen. nov., sp. nov. from Brazil (Rondônia); Scleronotus virgatus sp. nov. from Venezuela; Oreodera casariae sp. nov. from Panama; Alampyris bicolor sp. nov. from Costa Rica; and Emphytoeciosoma flava sp. nov. from Peru. Additionally, eleven new country/state records are established in Lamiinae: three for Peru; three for Bolivia; one for Mexico; one for Uruguay; and two for Brazil (Rondônia) (state records). Bisaltes (Bisaltes) lingafelteri, Eupogonius azteca, Aegomorphus mexicanus, Lamacoscylus albatus, Lamacoscylus obscurus, Piruanycha wappesi, Scleronotus virgatus, Alampyris bicolor, Emphytoeciosoma flava and Wappesellus are included in new or known keys.
Rhopalomma stefaniae gen. et sp. n., the first ommatid beetle from the Upper Jurassic in Australia (Coleoptera: Archostemata: Ommatidae)
Authors: ASHMAN LAUREN G. , OBERPRIELER ROLF G. , ŚLIPIŃSKI ADAM
Published: June 2015

The first Upper Jurassic fossil of the family Ommatidae (Coleoptera: Archostemata) from Australia is described and illustrated from a single specimen discovered at the Talbragar Fish Bed. Rhopalomma stefaniae gen. et sp. n. is classified in Ommatidae based on the length and insertion of the antennae, the tuberculate cuticle, the pattern of elytral striae, the complete epipleura and the presence of scutellary strioles. Due to the lack of preservation of crucial characters, Rhopalomma cannot be assigned to a subfamily and is therefore classified as Ommatidae incertae sedis. Rhopalomma fills an important gap in the fossil record of the family, indicating that Ommatidae occurred in Australia from the Lower Jurassic to the present day. Australia is the only place in the world where this family is found in both the fossil record and the living fauna.
The Response of the Tropical Atlantic and West African Climate to Saharan Dust in a Fully Coupled GCM
Authors: Strong Jeffrey D. O. , Vecchi Gabriel A. , Ginoux Paul
Published: June 2015

This study examines the climate response in West Africa and the tropical Atlantic to an idealized aerosol radiative forcing from Saharan mineral dust, comparable to the observed changes between the 1960s and 1990s, using simulations with the fully coupled GFDL Climate Model, version 2.1 (CM2.1), for two optical property regimes: more absorbing (ABS) and more scattering (SCT) dust. For both regimes dust induces significant regional reductions in radiative flux at the surface (approximately −30 W m−2). At the top of the atmosphere (TOA) dust in the two simulations produces a radiative flux anomaly of opposite sign (+30 W m−2 in the ABS case and −20 W m−2 in the SCT case). These differences result in opposing regional hydrologic and thermodynamic effects of dust. The ABS-forced simulations show an increase in the West African monsoon resulting from dust, whereas in the SCT-forced simulations dust causes a decrease in the monsoon. This is due to moist enthalpy changes throughout the atmospheric column over West Africa creating either horizontal divergence or convergence near the surface, respectively. In the tropical North Atlantic, dust acts to cool the ocean surface. However, in the subsurface the ABS-forced simulations show a decrease in upper-ocean heat content, while the SCT-forced simulations show an increase in upper-ocean heat content. The peak differences primarily arise from the wind stress curl response to a shift in the Atlantic ITCZ and associated mixed layer depth anomalies. Changes to upper-ocean currents are also found to be important in transporting energy across the equator.
An Overlooked Issue of Variational Data Assimilation
Authors: Ménétrier Benjamin , Auligné Thomas
Published: June 2015

The control variable transform (CVT) is a keystone of variational data assimilation. In publications using such a technique, the background term of the transformed cost function is defined as a canonical inner product of the transformed control variable with itself. However, it is shown in this paper that this practical definition of the cost function is not correct if the CVT uses a square root of the background error covariance matrix that is not square. Fortunately, it is then shown that there is a manifold of the control space for which this flaw has no impact, and that most minimizers used in practice precisely work in this manifold. It is also shown that both correct and practical transformed cost functions have the same minimum. This explains more rigorously why the CVT is working in practice. The case of a singular is finally detailed, showing that the practical cost function still reaches the best linear unbiased estimate (BLUE).
New Orleans’ Remarkably (Un)Predictable Recovery
Authors: Hobor George
Published: June 2015

In this article, I use New Orleans’ experiences pre- and post-Katrina, as well as information on other cities exposed to shocks, to develop and advance an original explanation for urban resiliency. The explanation suggests that economic origins influence elite commitment to and participation within cities, thereby influencing the city’s ability to redefine itself after experiencing an exogenous shock, whether it be a natural disaster, economic crisis, or any other threat. I show that New Orleans’ economic origins were incompatible with the production of an elite that showed place commitment, which was needed for leadership and resources to recreate the city after Katrina. New Orleans’ development mirrors that of other cities that have proven not to be durable. As a result, the city “came back” from Katrina as a smaller and more socially challenged version of its old self—a city still split by racial inequality. Thus, despite its climb out of the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina and the levee failures, New Orleans is not resilient. I conclude by reiterating the importance of leadership in building resiliency, especially in a place that is more likely than most others to experience a disaster.
The motivation of Russian Federation social work students for pursuing a social work degree
Authors: Stoltzfus Kenneth M
Published: June 2015

This study examined Russian Federation social work students’ motivation for pursuing a degree in social work. The study’s sample included 176 students from two universities in the Russian Federation. The study found that motivation for studying social work was complex. Over half of the sample (54.9%) indicated that altruistic motivation was among their top two reasons for studying social work, and a desire to help others was the most common response to an open-ended item that asked students to explain their reasons for deciding to study social work. However, careerist motivation also clearly played a strong role in participants’ decisions to pursue social work education; 80.8 percent of the sample indicated that a careerist motivation was their first choice reason for pursuing social work education. The study found that sex, family of origin’s income level, and religious observance were not significantly related to motivation for pursuing social work education. Contrary to previous research that reported high attrition rates, the majority of respondents indicated that they planned to work in the social work field following completion of their education. The implications of this study for the continued development of the social work profession in the Russian Federation are discussed, as are the limitations of the study.
Sepsis: Medical errors in Poland
Authors: Rorat Marta , Jurek Tomasz
Published: June 2015

Health, safety and medical errors are currently the subject of worldwide discussion. The authors analysed medico-legal opinions trying to determine types of medical errors and their impact on the course of sepsis. The authors carried out a retrospective analysis of 66 medico-legal opinions issued by the Wroclaw Department of Forensic Medicine between 2004 and 2013 (at the request of the prosecutor or court) in cases examined for medical errors. Medical errors were confirmed in 55 of the 66 medico-legal opinions. The age of victims varied from 2 weeks to 68 years; 49 patients died. The analysis revealed medical errors committed by 113 health-care workers: 98 physicians, 8 nurses and 8 emergency medical dispatchers. In 33 cases, an error was made before hospitalisation. Hospital errors occurred in 35 victims. Diagnostic errors were discovered in 50 patients, including 46 cases of sepsis being incorrectly recognised and insufficient diagnoses in 37 cases. Therapeutic errors occurred in 37 victims, organisational errors in 9 and technical errors in 2. In addition to sepsis, 8 patients also had a severe concomitant disease and 8 had a chronic disease. In 45 cases, the authors observed glaring errors, which could incur criminal liability. There is an urgent need to introduce a system for reporting and analysing medical errors in Poland. The development and popularisation of standards for identifying and treating sepsis across basic medical professions is essential to improve patient safety and survival rates. Procedures should be introduced to prevent health-care workers from administering incorrect treatment in cases.
No Taxation of Elites, No Representation
Authors: Boucoyannis Deborah
Published: June 2015

Does state weakness lead to representation via taxation? A distinguished body of scholarship assumes that fiscal need forced weak(ened) states to grant rights and build institutions. The logic is traced to pre-modern Europe. However, the literature has misunderstood the link between state strength and the origins of representation. Representation emerged where the state was already strong. In pre-modern Europe, representation originally was a legal obligation, not a right. It became the organizing principle of central institutions where rulers could oblige communities to send representatives authorized to commit to decisions taken at the center. Representation thus presupposed strong state capacity, especially to tax. The revision amends our understanding of the historical paradigms guiding the literature, as well as the application of these paradigms to policies in the developing world. It suggests that societal demands for accountability and better governance (the assumed aims of representation) are more likely to emerge in response to taxation already effectively applied.
The Dan Young Neonatal Surgical Unit audit: an audit of admissions and mortality rates pre- and post-amalgamation
Authors: O’Gorman J , Milne S , Arthur F , Carachi R
Published: June 2015

Background and aims

(1) To record the number of Index Surgical Cases (ISCs) admitted to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children (RHSC) Yorkill in 2012–2014. (2) To investigate if the amalgamation of the neonatal intensive care unit with the Dan Young Neonatal Surgical Unit in 2008 has impacted on the number of admissions and deaths.

Method and results

Data were collected from the ward admission books and the BadgerNet UK database. Reason for admission and outcome was recorded. Nonsurgical cases were categorised as ‘miscellaneous’. The total number of admissions per year and the number of miscellaneous cases have been increasing since the amalgamation. There were no clinically significant differences in the number of babies with each ISC. The death rate was 1.8% in 2012, 2.9% in 2013 and 2.6% 2014.

Conclusions

The unit now admits more miscellaneous babies and this has caused an increase in total admissions. Although the total number of deaths has increased, the death rates as a percentage of total admissions have now plateaued after an initial rise at the time of union. There has been no significant increase in the number of ISC deaths. Thus, it appears that the amalgamation has affected survival outcomes in the short term only.
The Academic as Public Intellectual: Examining Public Engagement in the Professionalised Academy
Authors: Dallyn Sam , Marinetto Mike , Cederström Carl
Published: June 2015

In this article we critically consider the widely held conception that the public intellectual is in decline. We present a more sanguine fate of this figure, arguing that today we observe a flourishing of intellectuals. One such figure is the academic intellectual who has often been looked at with suspicion as a technical specialist. This conception suggests that university intellectuals are diluted versions of the historical conception of the ‘true’ public intellectual – that is, an ‘independent spirit’ that fearlessly challenges unjust power. In this article, we contest this view, arguing that this historical conception, idealised as it may be, nevertheless can inform scholastic activities. By resituating the public intellectual as a kind of temperament rather than a title, we examine its pressing – but at the same time uneasy – relevance to contemporary academic life. Counterposing this with contemporary instrumental conceptions of research impact, we suggest that where possible the intellectual academic should aspire to go beyond academic institutional norms and requirements. Hence, the academic public intellectual refers to a temperament, which is in but not of the academic profession.
A biomechanically optimized knitted stent using a bio-inspired design approach
Authors: Singh Charanpreet , Wang Xungai
Published: June 2015

Vascular implants have always been a key area of research in medical textiles. Knitted structures have been proven to be suitable for stent applications on the basis of their looped mesh geometry, structural flexibility and ease of manufacturing. However, there are biomechanical constraints of plain knit constructions that can result in clinical complications after implantation and hence cannot be ignored. This study reports a new segmented knit design inspired by structural metamerism observed in the body design of some invertebrate animals. Metamerism is the phenomenon of having a linear series of body segments fundamentally similar in structure, but assigned to perform different functions. It was hypothesized that utilization of this simple and yet effective biological design approach in stent construction could improve the degree of control for optimizing stent biomechanical properties. The proposed segmented stent was constructed by incorporating an elastic filament component into a polyethylene terephthalate knitted stent at specific intervals along its length, also known as the ‘Plating Technique’. This technique generates a structure with alternately arranged stiff and elastic knitted sections which equip the stent with vital structural support and volumetric compliance properties, respectively. The stent design parameters (filament diameter, loop length, segmentation plan) were optimized to achieve significantly better biomechanical performance (bending flexibility, compression resistance, volumetric expansion, longitudinal extensibility) than a plain knit stent.
Employment Programmes for the Poor and Female Empowerment: The Effect of NREGS on Gender-based Violence in India
Authors: Amaral Sofia , Bandyopadhyay Siddhartha , Sensarma Rudra
Published: June 2015

The introduction of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) in India increased employment opportunities for the poor and even more so for poor women. In this article, we analyze the relationship between female labour participation and violence against women. Using district–time variation in the implementation of this anti-poverty programme, we estimate the effect of improved participation and access to the employment of women on gender-based violence. We find evidence that increased female labour participation following the NREGS has increased total gender-based violence. There have been increases in kidnappings, sexual harassments and domestic violence, while dowry deaths have decreased.

JEL: J12, J24, J71
The Political Economy of Domestic Violence in a Mumbai Slum: An Ethnographic Analysis
Authors: Ghosh Sreeparna
Published: June 2015

Nationally, more than a third of women report some form of domestic violence in India. This study set in a Mumbai slum shows that structural violence contributes to domestic violence and also systematically disadvantages women by forcing them to drop out of school, reduces labour force participation and prevents women from leaving abusive marriages. We find that birth order, age at marriage and the support of the natal family, all play a critical role in shaping women’s life trajectories. Although natal families and women’s social networks under certain conditions can help mitigate violence, these are limited. Using six case studies, this study proposes a framework that encompasses multiple dimensions and forms of insecurity, categorised into material, physical, sociocultural or sexual constraints. By doing so, it delineates mechanisms by which institutional and normative contexts gender vulnerabilities. Methodologically, this article uses an ethnographic approach and, including two pairs of mothers and daughters as case studies, offers an intergenerational perspective that underscores the transmission of violent life trajectories, highlighting the limited possibilities for mitigation. Thus, programmes that aim to reduce domestic violence need to go beyond the family as a site of intervention, to account for the role that systemic violence plays in the production of domestic violence in marginal spaces, such as slums.

JEL: I12, I3, J16
Trans-diaphragmatic left ventricular venting during peripheral venous-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Authors: Eudailey Kyle W , Yi Soo Youn , Mongero Linda Bodnar , Wagener Gebhard , Guarrera James V , George Isaac
Published: June 2015

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has proven to be an invaluable method of cardiopulmonary support in cases of severe cardiogenic shock. In an emergency, femoral artery and vein cannulation is the easiest and quickest access to initiate support. Often, with peripheral venous-arterial ECMO (VA ECMO), an inadequate reduction in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) is present secondary to increased afterload from retrograde flow, inadequate RV drainage or persistent bronchial circulation. Elevated LVEDP has been known to be associated with poor myocardial recovery, LV thrombus formation and significant pulmonary edema. A cannulation strategy to achieve partial ventricular unloading is of paramount importance when considering ECMO support following cardiogenic shock to increase the potential for myocardial recovery. We present a novel case of emergent peripheral VA ECMO cannulation with a trans-diaphragmatic left ventricular (LV) vent in a 61-year-old, 79kg male with end-stage liver disease and hepatitis B cirrhosis who suffered cardiac arrest during orthotopic liver transplantation.