bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endoscopic Nasogallbladder Drainage Combined with Laparoscopic Surgery for Type I Mirizzi Syndrome with Acute Cholecystitis: A Case Series Report
Authors: Han Wei , Yue Qing , Liu Kai , Ke Jian-ji , Meng Ling-yu , Liu Ya-hui
Published: April 2020

Objective. To investigate the safety and feasibility of endoscopic nasogallbladder drainage (ENGBD) combined with laparoscopic surgery for Mirizzi syndrome type I with acute cholecystitis. Methods. An analysis of 4 patients with type I Mirizzi syndrome with acute cholecystitis admitted to the First Hospital of Jilin University. Results. The patients underwent ENGBD, and laparoscopic surgery was evaluated postoperatively. All four patients successfully recovered from this combined surgical approach. Conclusion. The combination of ENGBD and laparoscopic surgery is safe and feasible for the treatment of patients with type I Mirizzi syndrome accompanied by acute cholecystitis. This approach may reduce the traumatic stress on patients and is worthy of widespread implementation.
Effects of the Bone/Bone Marrow Microenvironments on Prostate Cancer Cells and CD59 Expression
Authors: Yan Bo , Li Yan , Min Shaoju , Zhang Peng , Xu Bin , Wang Zhen , Zhang Wei , Chen Jiasheng , Luo Guangheng , Liu Chunxiao
Published: April 2020

Objective. To evaluate the effects of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) and osteoblasts (hFOB1.19) on PC3 prostate cancer cells. Methods. To simulate the in vivo interaction between the bone/bone marrow microenvironments and prostate cancer cells, we established cocultures of PC3 cells with hBMSC or hFOB1.19 cells and evaluated their effects on the proliferation, cell cycle distribution, cell migration, and invasion of PC3 cells. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to detect CD59 mRNA expression in PC3 cells. The expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor‐ (NF‐) κB (RANK), RANK ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), CD59, NF‐κB (p50 subunit), and cyclin D1 in PC3 cells was analyzed by immunofluorescence and western blotting. Results. hBMSCs and hFOB1.19 cells enhanced the proliferation, migration, and invasion of PC3 cells; increased the proportion of PC3 cells in the S and G2/M phases of the cell cycle; and upregulated RANK, RANKL, OPG, CD59, cyclin D1, and NF‐κB (p50 subunit) expression by PC3 cells. The RANKL inhibitor, scutellarin, inhibited these effects in PC3‐hFOB1.19 cocultures. Conclusion. hBMSCs and hFOB1.19 cells modulate the phenotype of PC3 prostate cancer cells and the expression of CD59 by activating the RANK/RANKL/OPG signaling pathway.
Study on the Optimization Method of Point Merge Procedure Based on Benefit in the Terminal Area
Authors: Tian Yong , Xing Dawei , Wan Lili , Ye Bojia
Published: April 2020

With the rapid development of the air transport industry, the problem of airspace congestion and flight delay in the terminal area (TMA) becomes more and more serious. In order to improve the efficiency of flight operations in TMA, point merge procedure had been devised. This paper takes the approach routes in TMA as the research object, taking into account such conditions as obstacle clearance, flight interval, and procedure area. Based on the flight time, fuel consumption, pollutant emission, and noise impact, an optimization model of point merge procedure is constructed. Genetic algorithm is used to optimize the structure of procedure. The Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport is selected for simulation verification, and the actual flow distribution of the airport is analyzed as an example. The results show that the average flight time was reduced by 0.26 min, the average fuel consumption was reduced by 1,240.64 kg, the average NOx emissions were reduced by 1.09 kg, and the noise impact range was contracted by 55 km2 after optimization. The point merge procedure optimization method can be expected to reduce the flight time, fuel consumption, and environmental impact of flights in TMA, so as to optimize the aircraft approach trajectory.
The Changes in Blood Flow Seen in the Eye after Foot Acupuncture Treatment in Mice
Authors: Nishinaka Anri , Nitta Koki , Seki Takashi , Hara Hideaki , Shimazawa Masamitsu
Published: April 2020

Acupuncture is used to treat a wide variety of eye diseases, although there is little evidence about the effects of acupuncture treatment and the mechanisms responsible for them. Foot acupuncture treatment has effects in both mice and humans. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of acupuncture treatment on ocular blood flow in mice. We evaluated ocular blood flow in C57BL/6J mice after foot acupuncture treatment using laser speckle flowgraphy. The mean blur rate, which is an index of blood flow velocity, was increased in the foot acupuncture group. Our results showed that, after 3 minutes’ foot acupuncture, ocular blood flow was significantly increased in both the blood vessels and tissue of the eye in C57BL/6J mice. Thus, performing acupuncture in mice might help to determine its effects. Furthermore, acupuncture is considered to be a possible treatment for ocular disease.
Improved Laplacian Biogeography-Based Optimization Algorithm and Its Application to QAP
Authors: Zhang Xinming , Wang Doudou , Chen Haiyan , Mao Wentao , Liu Shangwang , Liu Guoqi , Dou Zhi
Published: April 2020

Laplacian Biogeography-Based Optimization (LxBBO) is a BBO variant which improves BBO’s performance largely. When it solves some complex problems, however, it has some drawbacks such as poor performance, weak operability, and high complexity, so an improved LxBBO (ILxBBO) is proposed. First, a two-global-best guiding operator is created for guiding the worst habitat mainly to enhance the exploitation of LxBBO. Second, a dynamic two-differential perturbing operator is proposed for the first two best habitats’ updating to improve the global search ability in the early search phase and the local one in the late search one, respectively. Third, an improved Laplace migration operator is formulated for other habitats’ updating to improve the search ability and the operability. Finally, some measures such as example learning, mutation operation removing, and greedy selection are adopted mostly to reduce the computation complexity of LxBBO. A lot of experimental results on the complex functions from the CEC-2013 test set show ILxBBO obtains better performance than LxBBO and quite a few state-of-the-art algorithms do. Also, the results on Quadratic Assignment Problems (QAPs) show that ILxBBO is more competitive compared with LxBBO, Improved Particle Swarm Optimization (IPSO), and Improved Firefly Algorithm (IFA).
Improvements in Clinical Outcomes for BRAFV600E-Mutant Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Morris Van K. , Bekaii-Saab Tanios
Published: April 2020

Although the last two decades have seen a broad improvement in overall survival, colorectal cancer is still the second leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Patient populations continue to face poor disease prognoses due to the challenges of early detection and the molecular subtypes driving their colorectal cancer. Consequently, many patients present with metastatic colorectal cancer, which often limits options and shifts treatment focus away from curative interventions. BRAFV600E mutations are present in approximately 10% of colorectal cancer tumors and are associated with uninhibited cell proliferation, reduced apoptosis, and resistance to standard therapeutic options. In colorectal cancer, BRAFV600E mutations are associated with decreased overall survival, poor treatment responses, and different patterns of metastatic spread compared with tumors with wild-type BRAF. Success in treating other BRAFV600E-mutant cancers with BRAF inhibitors as monotherapy has not translated into efficacious treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. Consequently, combination therapy with inhibitors of BRAF, MEK, and EGFR, which overcomes the innate treatment-resistant characteristics of BRAFV600E-mutant colorectal cancer, is now recommended by treatment guidelines.
Radiomics, Tumor Volume, and Blood Biomarkers for Early Prediction of Pseudoprogression in Patients with Metastatic Melanoma Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibition
Authors: Basler Lucas , Gabryś Hubert S. , Hogan Sabrina A. , Pavic Matea , Bogowicz Marta , Vuong Diem , Tanadini-Lang Stephanie , Förster Robert , Kudura Ken , Huellner Martin W. , Dummer Reinhard , Guckenberger Matthias , Levesque Mitchell P.
Published: April 2020

Purpose:

We assessed the predictive potential of positron emission tomography (PET)/CT-based radiomics, lesion volume, and routine blood markers for early differentiation of pseudoprogression from true progression at 3 months.

Experimental Design:

112 patients with metastatic melanoma treated with immune checkpoint inhibition were included in our study. Median follow-up duration was 22 months. 716 metastases were segmented individually on CT and 2[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG)-PET imaging at three timepoints: baseline (TP0), 3 months (TP1), and 6 months (TP2). Response was defined on a lesion-individual level (RECIST 1.1) and retrospectively correlated with FDG-PET/CT radiomic features and the blood markers LDH/S100. Seven multivariate prediction model classes were generated.

Results:

Two-year (median) overall survival, progression-free survival, and immune progression–free survival were 69% (not reached), 24% (6 months), and 42% (16 months), respectively. At 3 months, 106 (16%) lesions had progressed, of which 30 (5%) were identified as pseudoprogression at 6 months. Patients with pseudoprogressive lesions and without true progressive lesions had a similar outcome to responding patients and a significantly better 2-year overall survival of 100% (30 months), compared with 15% (10 months) in patients with true progressions/without pseudoprogression (P = 0.002). Patients with mixed progressive/pseudoprogressive lesions were in between at 53% (25 months). The blood prediction model (LDH+S100) achieved an AUC = 0.71. Higher LDH/S100 values indicated a low chance of pseudoprogression. Volume-based models: AUC = 0.72 (TP1) and AUC = 0.80 (delta-volume between TP0/TP1). Radiomics models (including/excluding volume-related features): AUC = 0.79/0.78. Combined blood/volume model: AUC = 0.79. Combined blood/radiomics model (including volume-related features): AUC = 0.78. The combined blood/radiomics model (excluding volume-related features) performed best: AUC = 0.82.

Conclusions:

Noninvasive PET/CT-based radiomics, especially in combination with blood parameters, are promising biomarkers for early differentiation of pseudoprogression, potentially avoiding added toxicity or delayed treatment switch.
Biomarkers Associated with Beneficial PD-1 Checkpoint Blockade in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Identified Using High-Plex Digital Spatial Profiling
Authors: Zugazagoitia Jon , Gupta Swati , Liu Yuting , Fuhrman Kit , Gettinger Scott , Herbst Roy S. , Schalper Kurt A. , Rimm David L.
Published: April 2020

Purpose:

Only a minority of patients with advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) truly benefits from single-agent PD-1 checkpoint blockade, and more robust predictive biomarkers are needed.

Experimental Design:

We assessed tumor samples from 67 immunotherapy-treated NSCLC cases represented in a tissue microarray, 53 of whom had pretreatment samples and received monotherapy. Using GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiling System (NanoString Technologies), we quantified 39 immune parameters simultaneously in four tissue compartments defined by fluorescence colocalization [tumor (panCK+), leucocytes (CD45+), macrophages (CD68+), and nonimmune stroma].

Results:

A total of 156 protein variables were generated per case. In the univariate unadjusted analysis, we found 18 markers associated with outcome in spatial context, five of which remained significant after multiplicity adjustment. In the multivariate analysis, high levels of CD56 and CD4 measured in the CD45 compartment were the only markers that were predictive for all clinical outcomes, including progression-free survival (PFS, HR: 0.24, P = 0.006; and HR: 0.31, P = 0.011, respectively), and overall survival (OS, HR: 0.26, P = 0.014; and HR: 0.23, P = 0.007, respectively). Then, using an orthogonal method based on multiplex immunofluorescence and cell counting (inForm), we validated that high CD56+ immune cell counts in the stroma were associated with PFS and OS in the same cohort.

Conclusions:

This pilot scale discovery study shows the potential of the digital spatial profiling technology in the identification of spatially informed biomarkers of response to PD-1 checkpoint blockade in NSCLC. We identified a number of relevant candidate immune predictors in spatial context that deserve validation in larger independent cohorts.
Epigallocatechin Gallate Induces Hepatic Stellate Cell Senescence and Attenuates Development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Sojoodi Mozhdeh , Wei Lan , Erstad Derek J. , Yamada Suguru , Fujii Tsutomu , Hirschfield Hadassa , Kim Rosa S. , Lauwers Gregory Y. , Lanuti Michael , Hoshida Yujin , Tanabe Kenneth K. , Fuchs Bryan C.
Published: April 2020

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly morbid condition with lack of effective treatment options. HCC arises from chronically inflamed and damaged liver tissue; therefore, chemoprevention may be a useful strategy to reduce HCC incidence. Several reports suggest that epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), extracted from green tea, can suppress liver inflammation and fibrosis in animal models, but its role in HCC chemoprevention is not well established. In this study, male Wistar rats were injected with diethylnitrosamine at 50 mg/kg for 18 weeks to induce cirrhosis and HCC, and EGCG was given in drinking water at a concentration of 0.02%. Clinically achievable dosing of EGCG was well-tolerated in diethylnitrosamine-injured rats and was associated with improved serum liver markers including alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and total bilirubin, and reduced HCC tumor formation. Transcriptomic analysis of diethylnitrosamine-injured hepatic tissue was notable for increased expression of genes associated with the Hoshida high risk HCC gene signature, which was prevented with EGCG treatment. EGCG treatment also inhibited fibrosis progression, which was associated with inactivation of hepatic stellate cells and induction of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype. In conclusion, EGCG administered at clinically safe doses exhibited both chemopreventive and antifibrotic effects in a rat diethylnitrosamine liver injury model.
Primary Rectal Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Treated with Urgent Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Rahman Md Arifur , Chowdhury Qamruzzaman , Begum Ferdous Ara , Hassan Arup Muhammad Masudul , Habib Saequa
Published: April 2020

Rectal malignancy is usually symptomatic due to its location, and most of the time presents with pain and bleeding due to its growth and ulceration. It is difficult to identify the primary as carcinoma or lymphoma based on symptoms only, as both have a similar presentation. As it presents the rarest form of histology, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in the rectum is still difficult to diagnose initially, and its treatment is debatable. We describe the case of a 49-year-old male from Bangladesh with the same presentation. His treatment was delayed for more than a month as immunohistochemistry and staging delayed the final diagnosis. The disease was diagnosed as stage IE with the help of a positron emission tomography (PET)-CT scan, and due to the local progression the patient had a massive rectal bleeding that needed an urgent intervention. Radiotherapy was applied to stop the bleeding. Hypofraction followed by a conventional fraction of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) with a total of 40 Gy was applied. Post-EBRT digital rectal examination showed no residual except scaring, and a PET scan was also negative for residual disease. Due to uncertainties and lack of any precious guideline, 6 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy with the R-CHOP schedule were also completed. Without surgery, the combination of EBRT and chemotherapy helped to preserve the organ, and the patient has been disease free for more than 2.5 years since his treatment.
Deficits in Bone Geometry in Growth Hormone-Deficient Prepubertal Boys Revealed by High-Resolution Peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography
Authors: Baer Tamar G. , Agarwal Sanchita , Chen Shaoxuan , Chiuzan Codruta , Sopher Aviva B. , Tao Rachel , Hassoun Abeer , Shane Elizabeth , Fennoy Ilene , Oberfield Sharon E. , Vuguin Patricia M.
Published: April 2020

Introduction: Although growth hormone (GH) is essential for attainment of peak bone mass, bone health in prepubertal children with GH deficiency is not routinely evaluated. The objective of this study was to evaluate bone microarchitecture in GH-deficient (GHD) boys using high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT). Methods: Fifteen control and fifteen GHD, GH naïve pre-pubertal boys were recruited for a case-control study at a major academic center. Subjects with panhypopituitarism, chromosomal pathology, chronic steroids, or stimulant use were excluded. Volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD; total, cortical, and trabecular), bone geometry (total, cortical and trabecular cross-sectional area, cortical perimeter), bone microarchitecture, and estimated bone strength of the distal radius and tibia were assessed by HR-pQCT. Areal BMD and body composition were assessed by DXA. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), osteocalcin, C telopeptide, and P1NP levels were measured. Results: GHD subjects had a signiﬁcantly smaller cortical perimeter of the distal radius compared to controls (p < 0.001), with the difference in cortical perimeter persisting after adjusting for height z score, age, lean mass, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D level (p < 0.05).No significant differences were found in vBMD. No significant differences were found in microarchitecture, estimated strength, areal BMD, body composition, or bone turnover markers. Analysis showed significant positive correlations between IGF-1 levels and cortical parameters. Discussion/Conclusions: Prepubertal GHD boys had deficits in bone geometry not evident with DXA. Larger prospective/longitudinal HR-pQCT studies are needed to determine the extent of these deficits, the need for routine bone evaluation, and the timing of GH replacement for prevention or restoration of these deficits.
Diagnostic Stability of Mild Cognitive Impairment, and Predictors of Reversion to Normal Cognitive Functioning
Authors: Overton Marieclaire , Pihlsgård Mats , Elmståhl Sölve
Published: April 2020

Objective: Studies that investigate predictive factors for spontaneous recovery (reversion) from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are only beginning to emerge, and the long-term course of MCI is not properly understood. We aimed to investigate stability of the MCI diagnosis, predictors for reversion, as well as the trajectory of MCI over the course of 12 years. Materials and Methods: Data were drawn from the Swedish population study: Good Aging in Skåne with MCI defined according to the expanded Mayo Clinic criteria. A total of 331 participants, aged 60–95 years with MCI, were used to investigate 6-year MCI stability and reversion, and 410 participants were used to inspect 12-year MCI trajectory. Predictors for reversion included demographical factors, psychological status, and factors tied to the cognitive testing session and the operationalization of the MCI criteria. Results: Over half (58%, 95% CI 52.7–63.3) of the participants reverted back to normal cognitive functioning at 6-year follow-up. Of those with stable MCI, 56.5% (95% CI 48.2–64.8) changed subtype. A total of 23.9% (95% CI 13.7–34.1) of the 6-year follow-up reverters re-transitioned back to MCI at 12-year follow-up. ORs for reversion were significantly higher in participants with lower age (60-year-olds: OR 2.19, 95% CI 1.08–4.43, 70-year-olds: OR 3.11, 95% CI 1.27–7.62), better global cognitive functioning (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.03–1.29), good concentration (OR 2.53, 95% CI 1.06–6.05), and single-domain subtype (OR 2.68, 95% CI 1.51–4.75). Conclusion: Our findings provide further support that MCI reversion to normal cognitive functioning as well as re-transitioning to MCI is fairly common, suggesting that the MCI trajectory does not necessarily lead straight to dementia. Additionally, assessment of factors associated with reversion can aid clinicians to make accurate MCI progression prognosis.
A 1-Year Prospective Comparative Study of Sutureless Flanged Intraocular Lens Fixation and Conventional Sutured Scleral Fixation in Intraocular Lens Dislocation
Authors: Do Jae Rock , Park Su Jin , Mukai Ryo , Kim Hong Kyun , Shin Jae Pil , Park Dong Ho
Published: April 2020

Purpose: To compare surgical outcomes of sutureless flanged intraocular lens (IOL) fixation and conventional sutured scleral fixation (SF) for secondary IOL implantation in patients with IOL dislocation. Methods: This is a prospective, comparative cohort study on 103 consecutive patients (103 eyes) with IOL dislocation who underwent vitrectomy with IOL removal and sutured SF (53 eyes) or flanged IOL fixation (50 eyes). Operating time, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), refractive difference, IOL tilt and decentration using swept-source anterior segment OCT, and postoperative complications were measured for 12 months. Results: Operating time was significantly shorter for the flanged IOL fixation than for sutured SF (19.4 ± 4.6 vs. 48.9 ± 5.2 min, p < 0.001). BCVA in both groups improved at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively (p < 0.05). BCVA in the 2 groups was similar during the 12 months of observation. The refractive difference, IOL tilt, IOL decentration, and incidence of postoperative complications were also not different in the 2 groups. Conclusion: Sutured SF and flanged IOL fixation had similar visual outcomes and IOL stability in patients with IOL dislocation. However, the operating time for flanged IOL fixation was less than half that of the sutured SF. This technique is an efficient alternative for treating IOL dislocation.
Identification of Functional Variant Enhancers Associated With Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: van Ouwerkerk Antoinette F. , Bosada Fernanda M. , Liu Jia , Zhang Juan , van Duijvenboden Karel , Chaffin Mark , Tucker Nathan R. , Pijnappels Daniel , Ellinor Patrick T. , Barnett Phil , de Vries Antoine A.F. , Christoffels Vincent M.
Published: April 2020

Rationale:

Genome-wide association studies have identified a large number of common variants (single-nucleotide polymorphisms) associated with atrial fibrillation (AF). These variants are located mainly in noncoding regions of the genome and likely include variants that modulate the function of transcriptional regulatory elements (REs) such as enhancers. However, the actual REs modulated by variants and the target genes of such REs remain to be identified. Thus, the biological mechanisms by which genetic variation promotes AF has thus far remained largely unexplored.

Objective:

To identify REs in genome-wide association study loci that are influenced by AF-associated variants.

Methods and Results:

We screened 2.45 Mbp of human genomic DNA containing 12 strongly AF-associated loci for RE activity using self-transcribing active regulatory region sequencing and a recently generated monoclonal line of conditionally immortalized rat atrial myocytes. We identified 444 potential REs, 55 of which contain AF-associated variants (
P
<10
−8
). Subsequently, using an adaptation of the self-transcribing active regulatory region sequencing approach, we identified 24 variant REs with allele-specific regulatory activity. By mining available chromatin conformation data, the possible target genes of these REs were mapped. To define the physiological function and target genes of such REs, we deleted the orthologue of an RE containing noncoding variants in the
Hcn4
(potassium/sodium hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel 4) locus of the mouse genome. Mice heterozygous for the RE deletion showed bradycardia, sinus node dysfunction, and selective loss of
Hcn4
expression.

Conclusions:

We have identified REs at multiple genetic loci for AF and found that loss of an RE at the
HCN4
locus results in sinus node dysfunction and reduced gene expression. Our approach can be broadly applied to facilitate the identification of human disease-relevant REs and target genes at cardiovascular genome-wide association studies loci.
Fatty Acid Binding Protein‐4 and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: The Cardiovascular Health Study
Authors: Egbuche Obiora , Biggs Mary L. , Ix Joachim H. , Kizer Jorge R. , Lyles Mary F. , Siscovick David S. , Djoussé Luc , Mukamal Kenneth J.
Published: April 2020

Background

FABP‐4 (fatty acid binding protein‐4) is a lipid chaperone in adipocytes and has been associated with prognosis in selected clinical populations. We investigated the associations between circulating
FABP
‐4, risk of incident cardiovascular disease (
CVD
), and risk of
CVD
mortality among older adults with and without established
CVD
.

Methods and Results

In the Cardiovascular Health Study, we measured
FABP
4 levels in stored specimens from the 1992–993 visit and followed participants for incident
CVD
if they were free of prevalent
CVD
at baseline and for
CVD
mortality through June 2015. We used Cox regression to estimate hazard ratios for incident
CVD
and
CVD
mortality per doubling in serum
FABP
‐4 adjusted for age, sex, race, field center, waist circumference, blood pressure, lipids, fasting glucose, and C‐reactive protein. Among 4026 participants free of
CVD
and 681 with prevalent
CVD
, we documented 1878 cases of incident
CVD
and 331
CVD
deaths, respectively. In adjusted analyses,
FABP
‐4 was modestly associated with risk of incident
CVD
(mean, 34.24;
SD
, 18.90;
HR
, 1.10 per doubling in
FABP
‐4, 95%
CI
, 1.00–1.21). In contrast,
FABP
‐4 was more clearly associated with risk of
CVD
mortality among participants without (
HR
hazard ratio 1.24, 95%
CI
, 1.10–1.40) or with prevalent
CVD
(
HR
hazard ratio 1.57, 95%
CI
, 1.24–1.98). These associations were not significantly modified by sex, age, and waist circumference.

Conclusions

Serum
FABP
‐4 is modestly associated with risk of incident
CVD
even after adjustment for standard risk factors, but more strongly associated with
CVD
mortality among older adults with and without established
CVD
.
Morphological and molecular identification of Alternaria hedjaroudei sp. nov., a new species in section Panax from Iran

Authors: HASHEMLOU ESMAEIL , GHOSTA YOUBERT , POURSAFAR ALIREZA , AZIZI RAZMIG
Published: April 2020

Alternaria section Panax currently includes seven species which are characterized by simple or branched and short to moderately long primary conidiophores as well as by solitary to short simple or branched chains of conidia with moderate to relatively long secondary conidiophores. Two species within the section have been reported to have sexual morphs. During the study of fungi on overwintered stems of Serratula coriacea Fisch. & C.A.Mey. (Asteraceae) from different regions of Urmia, West Azarbaijan Province, Iran, 26 isolates (16 from conidia and 10 from single ascospores) representing Alternaria characteristics were isolated and studied taxonomically. All the studied isolates formed sexual morph on PDA, PCA, V8–A, and HA media after 2 months incubation in the dark at 4 ºC and fully matured after 3 months. Based on morphological characteristics of sexual and asexual morphs and multiple gene sequences analyses (ITS-rDNA, GAPDH, RPB2 and TEF), the newly studied isolates represented a new species in Alternaria section Panax, which is described and illustrated here as Alternaria hedjaroudei. Alternaria hedjaroudei is phylogenetically close to A. avenicola, A. calycipyricola and A. photistica but it can be distinguished morphologically based on the formation of short chains of conidia (2–3 in a chain), absence of chlamydospores, smaller conidia size, relatively short secondary conidiophores, and fewer transverse septa in mature ascospores. Detailed morphological comparisons with other species in the section Panax are provided.
Taxonomy and lectotypification of Lepidagathis barberi (Acanthaceae), a steno-endemic species from Tamil Nadu, India

Authors: GNANASEKARAN GUNADAYALAN , JOY KING ANISHKAR FEROSHWA , ARISDASON WILSON
Published: April 2020

The taxonomy and lectotypification of Lepidagathis barberi, a steno-endemic species of Tamil Nadu, are discussed in detail here along with colour photograph of habit and close-up of a flowering-twig and a digital image of lectotype specimen.
Torenia maculata, a new combination in Asian Linderniaceae

Authors: DENG YUNFEI
Published: April 2020

Traditionally, Lindernia Allioni (1766: 178) in a broad sense was the largest genus within Linderniaceae with about 100 species and widely distributed in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world (Fischer 2004, Rahmanzadeh et al. 2005). The generic circumscription was controversially discussed resulting in a complex taxonomic history with united several satellite genera into Lindernia, i.e., Bonnaya Link & Otto (1820: 25), Ilysanthes Rafinesque (1820: 13), Tittmannia Rchb. (1824: 26), Strigina Engler (1897: 516), and Vandellia Linnaeus (1767: 384).
Replacement name for the cicada genus Pycnoides Sanborn, 2020
(Hemiptera: Cicadidae: Cicadinae: Platypleurini) and sixteen new combinations
Authors: SANBORN ALLEN F.
Published: April 2020

Dyticopycna nom. nov. pro Pycnoides Sanborn, 2020 nec Handianus (Pycnoides) Emelijanov, 1964 (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae: Athysanini) is proposed. The species of Pycnoides Sanborn are transferred to Dyticopycna nom. nov. to become Dyticopycna antinorii (Lethierry, 1881) n. comb., Dyticopycna baxteri (Distant, 1914) n. comb., Dyticopycna becarrii (Lethierry, 1881) n. comb., Dyticopycna dolosa (Boulard, 1975a) n. comb., Dyticopycna hecuba (Distant, 1904) n. comb., Dyticopycna moniquae (Boulard, 2012) n. comb., Dyticopycna natalensis (Distant, 1905) n. comb., Dyticopycna neavei (Distant, 1912) n. comb., Dyticopycna passosdecarvalhoi (Boulard, 1975b) n. comb., Dyticopycna quanza (Distant, 1899a) n. comb., Dyticopycna semiclara (Germar, 1834) n. comb., Dyticopycna sylvia (Distant, 1899b) n. comb., Dyticopycna umbelinae (Boulard, 1975b) n. comb., Dyticopycna vitrea (Schumacher, 1913) n. comb., Dyticopycna vitticollis (Jacobi, 1904) n. comb., and Dyticopycna zambiaensis (Sanborn, 2020) n. comb.
Scissurella nesbittae, new species, from the Gries Ranch Formation, Lewis County, Washington State (Gastropoda: Vetigastropoda: Scissurellidae)
Authors: GEIGER DANIEL L. , GOEDERT JAMES L.
Published: April 2020

Recent and fossil global scissurellids were monographed by Geiger (2012) and additional species were recently described from Brazil (Pimenta & Geiger 2015). Here, we describe an additional fossil species from shallow water strata of the late Eocene Gries Ranch Formation in Lewis County, Washington State, USA.
The valid nomen for the tree frog (genus Hyla) of Tunisia and Eastern Algeria
Authors: DUFRESNES CHRISTOPHE , CROCHET PIERRE-ANDRÉ
Published: April 2020

Mediterranean tree frogs, Hyla gr. meridionalis Boettger, 1874 (Anura: Hylidae) are widespread around the Western Mediterranean Basin, where they naturally occur across the Maghreb (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia). Individuals of diverse Moroccan origins have been introduced and have expanded throughout the Iberian Peninsula, southern France and northern Italy (Liguria), but also on the Canary and Balearic archipelagos (Recuero et al. 2007; Dufresnes et al. 2019). Early molecular studies uncovered several mitochondrial lineages and suggested a major cryptic diversification within this taxon, with Tunisian and eastern Algerian (Numidia) populations carrying deeply divergent haplotypes compared with the rest of the range (Recuero et al. 2007; Stöck et al. 2008; Stöck et al. 2012). While intron markers showed little differentiation (Stöck et al. 2008; Stöck et al. 2012), genome-wide data obtained from RAD-sequencing have supported the deep split suspected from mtDNA (Dufresnes et al. 2018).
Soil-inhabiting mites of the family Laelapidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) from Assiut Governorate, Egypt
Authors: JOHARCHI OMID , NEGM MOHAMED W.
Published: April 2020

This paper reports on ten species, in six enera, of soil-inhabiting mites of the family Laelapidae from Assiut Governorate, Egypt. The species Androlaelaps projecta Furman, 1972, Gaeolaelaps mirzakhaniae Kazemi & Khalesi, 2018, G. nolli (Karg, 1962), Hypoaspisella asperatus (Berlese, 1904a) comb. nov., Laelaspis calidus Berlese, 1924 and Ololaelaps tasmanicus (Womersely, 1956) are recorded for the first time from Egypt. Supplementary descriptions of some species are presented to facilitate species delimitation. The males of Cosmolaelaps longus (Hafez, Elbadry & Nasr, 1982) and O. tasmanicus are described for the first time.
Two new species of the genus Microlysias (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Tryphosidae) from Korean Waters
Authors: HEO JUN-HAENG , HENDRYCKS ED A. , KIM YOUNG-HYO
Published: April 2020

Two new species of the genus Microlysias Stebbing, 1918 belonging to the family Tryphosidae Lowry & Stoddard, 1997 were collected from shallow Korean waters. The two new species are described as Microlysias rectangulatus and M. triangulus. The new species M. rectangulatus sp. nov. is similar to M. xenokeras, M. soela, and Orchomenella japonica. However, the new species can be distinguished from these species by having a subrectangular peduncular article 5 of antenna 2 and an elongated article 1 of the mandibular palp, nearly equal to palp article 3. M. triangulus sp. nov. is similar to M. xenokeras and M. soela. However, this species is characterized by the triangular shaped peduncular article 5 of antenna 2 and the slender propodus of gnathopod 1. These species are illustrated and compared to related species.
Bifaciomiris gen. nov., a new genus of the subfamily Mirinae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Miridae), with description of two new species
Authors: KIM JUNGGON , PARK HAECHUL , JUNG SUNGHOON
Published: April 2020

A new genus, Bifaciomiris gen. nov. is described to accommodate two new species, B. koreanus sp. nov. and B. vietnamensis sp. nov. Morphological information of the new genus and new species is presented with photographs and illustrations. The need of further study on the related groups is also discussed.
Two new species of the spider genus Wanniyala Huber & Benjamin, 2005 (Araneae: Pholcidae) from Sri Lanka
Authors: XIN YAFEI , YAO ZHIYUAN , LI SHUQIANG
Published: April 2020

Two new species of the spider genus Wanniyala Huber & Benjamin, 2005 are described from Sri Lanka: W. badulla sp. nov. (Uva Province; male and female) and W. batatota sp. nov. (Sabaragamuwa Province; male and female). In addition, new records of W. mudita Huber, 2019 (Western Province; male) and W. viharekele Huber, 2019 (Southern Province; male and female) are provided.
A Global Probabilistic Dataset for Monitoring Meteorological Droughts
Authors: Turco Marco , Jerez Sonia , Donat Markus G. , Toreti Andrea , Vicente-Serrano Sergio M. , Doblas-Reyes Francisco J.
Published: April 2020

Accurate and timely drought information is essential to move from postcrisis to preimpact drought-risk management. A number of drought datasets are already available. They cover the last three decades and provide data in near–real time (using different sources), but they are all “deterministic” (i.e., single realization), and input and output data partly differ between them. Here we first evaluate the quality of long-term and continuous climate data for timely meteorological drought monitoring considering the standardized precipitation index. Then, by applying an ensemble approach, mimicking weather/climate prediction studies, we develop Drought Probabilistic (DROP), a new global land gridded dataset, in which an ensemble of observation-based datasets is used to obtain the best near-real-time estimate together with its associated uncertainty. This approach makes the most of the available information and brings it to the end users. The high-quality and probabilistic information provided by DROP is useful for monitoring applications, and may help to develop global policy decisions on adaptation priorities in alleviating drought impacts, especially in countries where meteorological monitoring is still challenging.
Climate Impact of Cloud Water Inhomogeneity through Microphysical Processes in a Global Climate Model
Authors: Hotta Haruka , Suzuki Kentaroh , Goto Daisuke , Lebsock Matthew
Published: April 2020

This study investigates how subgrid cloud water inhomogeneity within a grid spacing of a general circulation model (GCM) links to the global climate through precipitation processes. The effect of the cloud inhomogeneity on autoconversion rate is incorporated into the GCM as an enhancement factor using a prognostic cloud water probability density function (PDF), which is assumed to be a truncated skewed-triangle distribution based on the total water PDF originally implemented. The PDF assumption and the factor are evaluated against those obtained by global satellite observations and simulated by a global cloud-system-resolving model (GCRM). Results show that the factor implemented exerts latitudinal variations, with higher values at low latitudes, qualitatively consistent with satellite observations and the GCRM. The GCM thus validated for the subgrid cloud inhomogeneity is then used to investigate how the characteristics of the enhancement factor affect global climate through sensitivity experiments with and without the factor incorporated. The latitudinal variation of the factor is found to have a systematic impact that reduces the cloud water and the solar reflection at low latitudes in the manner that helps mitigate the too-reflective cloud bias common among GCMs over the tropical oceans. Due to the limitation of the factor arising from the PDF assumption, however, no significant impact is found in the warm rain formation process. Finally, it is shown that the functional form for the PDF in a GCM is crucial to properly characterize the observed cloud water inhomogeneity and its relationship with precipitation.
Impact of Trade Openness on Nigerian Economic Growth: An Empirical Investigation, 1970–2011
Authors: Nwadike Gerald C. , Johnmary Ani Kelechi , Alamba Chukwuma Samuel
Published: April 2020

Geopolitical territories have often engaged in one form of trade or another with their neighbours. That is because no nation in the world can survive without one form of trade with other sovereign states. This study examines the nature of trade openness and economic growth in Nigeria from 1970–2011. The emphasis of this empirical study is to ascertain the impact of trade openness on Nigeria’s economic growth. Causal comparative or ex-post facto research design was adopted in the study. Econometric time series analyses like ADF unit root test, co-integration test and the ordinary least squared (OLS) were employed in the study. The result obtained was used to test the hypotheses, and it was revealed that (i) Trade Openness has positive significant impact on Nigeria’s economic growth; while (ii) Gross Domestic Product (GDP) responds to the shock of Trade Openness value as a proxy of total import and total export divided by GDP as well as change in Exchange Rate (DEXR) within Nigeria’s economy during the period of study. Thus, the co-integration results indicate that there exists long-run relationship among the variables used; hence; the researchers then recommended that there is urgent need for the government to create enabling environment for good trade policy that would attract both foreign and domestic private sector investment in the country.

JEL Codes: F13, B27
Informal care of older adults with chronic life-limiting illness in Africa: An integrative review
Authors: Adonteng-Kissi Barbara , Moyle Wendy , Grealish Laurie
Published: April 2020

Informal care is recognised as a significant resource in the care of older adults living with a chronic life-limiting illness. This review aims to assess the existing literature on how informal care can support older people living with chronic life-limiting illness in Africa. An integrative review framework was used. Three themes emerged to focus on chronic illness management as a social and clinical matter; cultural obligations contingent on the availability of people and resources; and burden of care relieved by connection with the church. Social policies should be structured to support caregivers and older adults to strengthen the ties between community social organisations and their families.
Turning a Classroom into the United Nations: Supporting Social Justice through International Collaboration
Authors: Moore Matt , Mann Ana
Published: April 2020

Students from six countries collaborated on projects promoting social justice and aimed at international diplomacy. The collaboration included social work students in policy courses and international students in English courses. Students explored topics such as human trafficking and poverty. They identified global strategies for addressing these social inequalities through Sen’s and Estes’ models of social justice. In addition, faculty members used inquiry-, team-, and problem-based learning to engage students in this educational process and their exploration of global social justice. The collaboration was possible because of learner engagement tools available in an Interactive Learning Space. This article will outline the lessons learned from faculty members and students who participated in this international collaboration, as well as the impact of this collaboration on course outcomes.
Capitalism, Rents and the Transformation of Violence
Authors: Warnecke-Berger Hannes
Published: April 2020

Violence seems on the rise. After centuries of declining homicide rates in the Global North, violence has been transforming since the 1960s and even increased in some parts. In the Global South, in contrast, levels of violence have remained constantly high. The article questions both the liberal peace theory lately highlighted by Steven Pinker as well as Marxist accounts on the relationship between capitalism and increasing violence, lately dubbed accumulation by dispossession. This article elaborates a heterodox Keynesian model of capitalist growth in which growth ultimately depends on rising real wages. Following this Kaleckian model of capitalism, money plays a pivotal role regarding the low propensity for violence in capitalist societies: capitalist credit money tends to alter the matter of dispute from non-divisible to divisible and thus functions as a general denominator for social conflicts. Conflicts in capitalism are about ‘more or less’ instead of ‘either/or’. In the Global South, in contrast, capitalism is too weak to structure the economic sphere as economic rents predominate. Rents tend to favour social closure and social verticalization. They are particularly prone to violence. Inasmuch as economic rents penetrate capitalist societies, violence will be increasing in the Global North as well.
Menstrual hygiene management among visually impaired women
Authors: Dündar Tuğba , Özsoy Sevgi
Published: April 2020

This descriptive study aimed to determine the menstrual hygiene management among visually impaired women. The study sample included 187 visually impaired women. Data were evaluated using descriptive statistics. Of the visually impaired women, 61.5% had knowledge of menstrual hygiene management. They obtained this information mostly from their mothers (49.5%). Of them, 95.7% used sanitary pads, 52.4% changed their sanitary pads less than four times a day. Only 52.9% of the women managed their menstrual hygiene dependently. Most of the women determined the start date of their menstrual cycle noticing the smell of blood and determined the end date monitoring the duration of their normal cycle. In conclusion, visually impaired women had difficulty in managing their menstrual periods independently, their menstrual hygiene practices were not at a desired level, almost half of them received support in menstrual hygiene management, most of them used some indicators to determine the start/end of their menstrual period.
CBCT Evaluation of Condylar Changes in Class II Hyperdivergent Adult Patients Following Posterior Maxillary Intrusion Using Miniscrews/Miniplates—A Prospective Study
Authors: Bajaj Kamal , Rathee Pooja , Goyal Deepak
Published: April 2020

Aim & Objectives: To evaluate using CBCT, the condylar changes taking place in retrognathic, hyperdivergent Class II adult patients following maxillary intrusion using miniscrew assembly. Materials and methods: In this prospective study design, 20 class II div I high angle cases in the age group of 20-25 years with Class II molar and canine relationship; Overjet > 5mm; ANB angle > 4°; FMA angle >25°; SNGoGn > 35°; Jaraback ratio< 60° and Lower Gonial angle>75° were taken. Each patient had a miniscrew assembly in the maxilla through which intrusive force was applied to the maxilla. Two additional miniscrews were placed between the first mandibular molars and second premolars to prevent extrusion of lower molars. CBCT images were taken at the beginning of the treatment (T1) and at the end of 6-9 months of molar intrusion (T2). Statistical analysis was carried out using student T- test. Results: Prior to treatment, the patients showed significant mandibular retrusion associated with increased maxillary posterior heights. Following maxillary intrusion with miniscrew assembly, CBCT evaluation revealed that the distance from the centre of condyle to the posterior border of the external auditory meatus was 19.2±1.67 mm on right side and 18.1±1.54mm on left side in T1 which increased to 19.6±1.45mm on right side and 18.5±1.36mm on left side in T2. The average forward displacement of condyle was .5mm which was statistically significant. The distance from the centre of condyle to superior border of external acoustic meatus was 3.1±1.7 mm on right side and 3.5 ±1.8 mm on left side in T 1 which increased to 3.8±1.9 mm on right side and 4.1 ±1.3mm on left side in T 2. The average downward displacement was .7mm which was statistically significant. Conclusion: Significant Maxillary intrusion can be achieved using miniscrews/ miniplate in adult hyperdivergent skeletal class II patients.
Analysis on the influential factors of transformation resistance of small and medium enterprise managers
Authors: Huang Jia-Yen , Lin Shih-Jhe
Published: April 2020

The majority of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Taiwan are original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) or original design manufacturers (ODMs). Given the growing intensity of global competition, transformation from OEM or ODM to a branded enterprise is a key concern for SMEs. SMEs’ branding processes are subject to numerous problems and among them, resistance by organization members is considered the most critical. Previous studies have largely focused on factors contributing to branding success or resistance by an organization’s employees, and few have addressed the implications of SMEs managers’ resistance to branding. To address the research gap, this study constructs a cognitive model for managers’ resistant behavior while drawing on the theory of planned behavior. Then, applying structural equation modeling, this study confirms that four exogenous variables, perceived belief, changes in job characteristics, organizational inertia, and social factors, directly influence two endogenous variables, managers’ attitude toward resistant behavior and the subjective norms of resistant behavior. Using demographic variables as independent variables, this study conducts a logistic regression analysis to predict companies resistant to branding on the basis of their background characteristics. The results highlight that the three factors with the highest predictive powers are organizational inertia, job position, and capitalization.