bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic editing of colonic organoids provides a molecularly distinct and orthotopic preclinical model of serrated carcinogenesis
Authors: Lannagan Tamsin R M , Lee Young K , Wang Tongtong , Roper Jatin , Bettington Mark L , Fennell Lochlan , Vrbanac Laura , Jonavicius Lisa , Somashekar Roshini , Gieniec Krystyna , Yang Miao , Ng Jia Q , Suzuki Nobumi , Ichinose Mari , Wright Josephine A , Kobayashi Hiroki , Putoczki Tracey L , Hayakawa Yoku , Leedham Simon J , Abud Helen E , Yilmaz Ömer H , Marker Julie , Klebe Sonja , Wirapati Pratyaksha , Mukherjee Siddhartha , Tejpar Sabine , Leggett Barbara A , Whitehall Vicki L J , Worthley Daniel L , Woods Susan L
Published: April 2018

Objective

Serrated colorectal cancer (CRC) accounts for approximately 25% of cases and includes tumours that are among the most treatment resistant and with worst outcomes. This CRC subtype is associated with activating mutations in the mitogen-activated kinase pathway gene, BRAF, and epigenetic modifications termed the CpG Island Methylator Phenotype, leading to epigenetic silencing of key tumour suppressor genes. It is still not clear which (epi-)genetic changes are most important in neoplastic progression and we begin to address this knowledge gap herein.

Design

We use organoid culture combined with CRISPR/Cas9 genome engineering to sequentially introduce genetic alterations associated with serrated CRC and which regulate the stem cell niche, senescence and DNA mismatch repair.

Results

Targeted biallelic gene alterations were verified by DNA sequencing. Organoid growth in the absence of niche factors was assessed, as well as analysis of downstream molecular pathway activity. Orthotopic engraftment of complex organoid lines, but not BrafV600E alone, quickly generated adenocarcinoma in vivo with serrated features consistent with human disease. Loss of the essential DNA mismatch repair enzyme, Mlh1, led to microsatellite instability. Sphingolipid metabolism genes are differentially regulated in both our mouse models of serrated CRC and human CRC, with key members of this pathway having prognostic significance in the human setting.

Conclusion

We generate rapid, complex models of serrated CRC to determine the contribution of specific genetic alterations to carcinogenesis. Analysis of our models alongside patient data has led to the identification of a potential susceptibility for this tumour type.
Mapping the contribution and strategic distribution patterns of neuroimaging features of small vessel disease in poststroke cognitive impairment
Authors: Shi Lin , Zhao Lei , Yeung Fu Ki , Wong Shun Yiu , Chan Ronald K T , Tse Ming Fai , Chan Sze Chun , Kwong Yee Ching , Li Ka Chun , Liu Kai , Abrigo Jill M , Lau Alexander Y L , Wong Adrian , Lam Bonnie Y K , Leung Thomas W H , Fu Jianhui , Chu Winnie C W , Mok Vincent C T
Published: April 2018

Objectives

Individual neuroimaging features of small vessel disease (SVD) have been reported to influence poststroke cognition. This study aimed to investigate the joint contribution and strategic distribution patterns of multiple types of SVD imaging features in poststroke cognitive impairment.

Methods

We studied 145 first-ever ischaemic stroke patients with MRI and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) examined at baseline. The local burdens of acute ischaemic lesion (AIL), white matter hyperintensity, lacune, enlarged perivascular space and cross-sectional atrophy were quantified and entered into support vector regression (SVR) models to associate with the global and domain scores of MoCA. The SVR models were optimised with feature selection through 10-fold cross-validations. The contribution of SVD features to MoCA scores was measured by the prediction accuracy in the corresponding SVR model after optimisation.

Results

The combination of the neuroimaging features of SVD contributed much more to the MoCA deficits on top of AILs compared with individual SVD features, and the cognitive impact of different individual SVD features was generally similar. As identified by the optimal SVR models, the important SVD-affected regions were mainly located in the basal ganglia and white matter around it, although the specific regions varied for MoCA and its domains.

Conclusions

Multiple types of SVD neuroimaging features jointly had a significant impact on global and domain cognitive functionings after stroke on top of AILs. The map of strategic cognitive-relevant regions of SVD features may help clinicians to understand their complementary impact on poststroke cognition.
Adjacency to a harvest trail increases drought resistance of interior Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca) in partially harvested stands in central British Columbia
Authors: Thompson Neil P. , Lewis Kathy J. , Poirier Lisa M.
Published: April 2018

Drought tolerance of trees may be affected by competition, but most studies quantifying the relationship do not consider the effect of stem clustering. Trees are often clustered in interior Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca (Mayr) Franco) forests near the grassland interface in central British Columbia due to past harvesting practices or habitat management for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus hemionus (Rafinesque, 1817)). Climate change projections indicate continued increases in temperature, an outcome that would stress trees growing in dry environments. Trees placed in different states of competition by mechanical harvesting in the 1970s were sampled to provide a 40-year comparison of three levels of competition during 1–2 year droughts. Tree-ring analysis was used to assess the reduction in growth during drought years and resumption of growth in subsequent years. A clear separation of growth rates was evident between open-growing trees, trees on the edge of harvesting trails, and trees within the unharvested interior. Edge trees had intermediate growth rates but no differences were found in the long-term climate–growth relationship compared with open-growing trees. Both Edge and Open classes showed less relative growth reduction during droughts than Interior trees growing between harvest trails. Precipitation throughfall rates and competition for resources are likely driving short-term drought tolerance in combination with other factors.
Synthesis of a porphyrin-hexaarylbenzene-hexabenzocoronene triad
Authors: Martin Max M. , Jux Norbert
Published: April 2018

The synthesis of a triad consisting of porphyrin and hexabenzocoronene (HBC) units, which are connected via a central hexaarylbenzene (HAB) core, is presented. The ortho substitution pattern at the core results in a close proximity of the two chromophores, which influences their properties such as the intensity ratio of UV-vis absorption bands.
Role of Inflammasomes in Neuroimmune and Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Systematic Review
Authors: Lang Yue , Chu Fengna , Shen Donghui , Zhang Weiguanliu , Zheng Chao , Zhu Jie , Cui Li
Published: April 2018

Inflammasomes are multiprotein complexes that can sense pathogen-associated molecular patterns and damage-associated molecular signals. They are involved in the initiation and development of inflammation via activation of IL-1β and IL-18. Many recent studies suggest a strong correlation between inflammasomes and neurological diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and Parkinson’s disease (PD). Several components of inflammasomes, such as nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain- (NOD-) like receptor, absent in melanoma 2- (AIM2-) like receptors (ALRs), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC), and caspase-1, as well as the upstream factors and downstream effectors, are associated with the initiation and development of MS and its animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Additionally, inflammasomes affect the efficacy of interferon-β therapy in patients with MS. Finally, the strong association of inflammasomes with AD and PD needs to be further studied. In this review of latest literatures, we comprehensively tease out diverse roles of different kinds of inflammasomes in neuroimmune and neurodegenerative diseases, especially in the perspective of double roles involved in pathogenesis, and identify future research priorities.
AppFA: A Novel Approach to Detect Malicious Android Applications on the Network
Authors: He Gaofeng , Xu Bingfeng , Zhu Haiting
Published: April 2018

We propose AppFA, an Application Flow Analysis approach, to detect malicious Android applications (simply apps) on the network. Unlike most of the existing work, AppFA does not need to install programs on mobile devices or modify mobile operating systems to extract detection features. Besides, it is able to handle encrypted network traffic. Specifically, we propose a constrained clustering algorithm to classify apps network traffic, and use Kernel Principal Component Analysis to build their network behavior profiles. After that, peer group analysis is explored to detect malicious apps by comparing apps’ network behavior profiles with the historical data and the profiles of their selected peer groups. These steps can be repeated every several minutes to meet the requirement of online detection. We have implemented AppFA and tested it with a public dataset. The experimental results show that AppFA can cluster apps network traffic efficiently and detect malicious Android apps with high accuracy and low false positive rate. We have also tested the performance of AppFA from the computational time standpoint.
Solubility Optimal System for Supercritical Fluid Extraction Based on a New Nonlinear Temperature-Pressure Decoupling Model Constructed with Unequal-Interval Grey Optimal Models and Peng-Robinson Models
Authors: Li Binglin , You Wen
Published: April 2018

This paper presents a new solubility optimal system to improve the efficiency of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). The major contribution is a nonlinear temperature-pressure decoupling model constructed with unequal-interval grey optimal models (UEIGOMs) and Peng-Robinson models (PRMs). The linear parts of temperature and pressure process can be constructed with UEIGOM, respectively. The nonlinear parts of temperature and pressure process can be described by PRMs, respectively. The whole nonlinear model cannot be input-output decoupled resulting from the singularity of decoupling matrix for PRM. This problem on input-output nondecoupling can be transformed to the problem on disturbance decoupling for a class of MIMO nonlinear systems. Therefore, the whole nonlinear coupling model can be disturbance decoupled. Furthermore, solubility optimal method is presented in the paper; it can calculate the optimal pressure according to the given temperature, namely, optimal working points, to maximize solubility for SFE process. The feasibility, effectiveness, and practicality of the proposed nonlinear temperature-pressure decoupling model constructed with UEIGOMs and PRMs are verified by SFE experiments in biphenyl. Experiments using the designed solubility optimal system are carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness in control scheme, simplicity in structure, and flexibility in implementation for the proposed solubility optimal system based on a new nonlinear temperature-pressure coupling model constructed with UEIGOMs and PRMs.
A Study on the Mechanisms of Interaction between Deep Foundation Pits and the Pile Foundations of Adjacent Skewed Arches as well as Methods for Deformation Control
Authors: Cui Kai , Feng Jun , Zhu Chengyong
Published: April 2018

The construction of deep foundation pits is characterized by heavy loads on pile foundations, complex interactions between the foundation pit and pile foundations, and stringent requirements for deformation control. In this work, FLAC3D was used to perform computational analyses on the displacement responses of pile caps and the retaining walls of foundation pits in a variety of cases and reinforcement schemes. The computational results indicate that the piles of skewed arches interact with the retaining walls of the foundation pits through soil masses. We also revealed the mechanism by which deep foundation pits interacted with the pile foundations of adjacent skewed arches. Based on the mechanisms of interaction between foundation pit excavations and the piles of skewed arches, we proposed three reinforcement schemes for controlling the deformations associated with these interactions. The arched wall reinforcement scheme could provide a satisfactory result in terms of the control of horizontal displacements in the pile foundations and project costs.
Optimal Control Strategies Depending on Interest Level for the Spread of Rumor
Authors: Jeong Yong Dam , Kim Kwang Su , Jung Il Hyo
Published: April 2018

Many media channels such as broadcast, newspaper, and social networks diffuse a variety of information which can cause spread of many rumors. There are social damage and economic damage due to the spread of rumors. Thus one needs to establish strategies for controlling the rumors. We first propose rumor model with three control strategies for preventing the spread of rumor, (1) announcing the truth before ignorant receives rumor, (2) punishing spreaders, and (3) deleting information of the rumor in media, and consider optimal control problems to minimize the number of spreaders while minimizing the cost of three control strategies for preventing the spread of rumors. The analysis of optimal control problems is conducted as Pontryagin’s Maximum Principle. Furthermore, adapted optimal control is performed to investigate the effect of three controls under isoperimetric constraints. By using numerical simulations, we compare the number of spreaders before and after applying the three controls and confirm when and how each control should be applied with respect to the interest level of rumor. The lower the interest level of rumor is, the greater the number of spreaders drops after the three controls are applied. In terms of timing of three controls, control (1) should be applied in the early stage of rumor spreading and control (2) is required when the rumors spread the most. After the rumors spread the most, control (3) is needed. Commonly the higher the interest level is, the more controls (1) and (2) are required. On the other hand, control (3) is needed a lot when the interest level is low.
Fratricide of NK Cells in Daratumumab Therapy for Multiple Myeloma Overcome by Ex Vivo–Expanded Autologous NK Cells
Authors: Wang Yufeng , Zhang Yibo , Hughes Tiffany , Zhang Jianying , Caligiuri Michael A. , Benson Don M. , Yu Jianhua
Published: April 2018

Purpose: Daratumumab and its use in combination with other agents is becoming a new standard of care for the treatment of multiple myeloma. We mechanistically studied how daratumumab acts on natural killer (NK) cells.

Experimental Design: Quantities of NK cells in peripheral blood and/or bone marrow of patients with multiple myeloma or healthy donors were examined by flow cytometry. NK-cell apoptosis and the associated mechanism were assessed by flow cytometry and immunoblotting. Patients' NK cells were expanded in vitro using feeder cells. Combination treatment of daratumumab and expanded NK cells was performed using an MM.1S xenograft animal model.

Results: CD38−/low NK cells survived, whereas CD38+ NK cells were almost completely eliminated, in peripheral blood and bone marrow of daratumumab-treated multiple myeloma patients. NK-cell depletion occurred due to daratumumab-induced NK-cell fratricide via antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. Consequently, CD38−/low NK cells were more effective for eradicating multiple myeloma cells than were CD38+ NK cells in the presence of daratumumab. Blockade of CD38 with the F(ab)2 fragments of daratumumab inhibited the antibody-mediated NK-cell fratricide. CD38−/low NK cells displayed a significantly better potential for expansion than CD38+ NK cells, and the expanded NK cells derived from the former population were more cytotoxic than those derived from the latter against multiple myeloma cells. Therefore, infusion of ex vivo–expanded autologous NK cells from daratumumab-treated patients may improve the antibody therapy.

Conclusions: We unravel a fratricide mechanism for daratumumab-mediated NK-cell depletion and provide a potential therapeutic strategy to overcome this side effect in daratumumab-treated patients with multiple myeloma. Clin Cancer Res; 24(16); 4006–17. ©2018 AACR.
Slow Loris Trade in Vietnam: Exploring Diverse Knowledge and Values
Authors: Thạch Hoàng Mai , Le Minh D. , Vũ Ngọc B. , Panariello Anna , Sethi Gautam , Sterling Eleanor J. , Blair Mary E.
Published: April 2018

Wildlife trade can present a major threat to primate populations. In Vietnam, slow lorises (genus Nycticebus) are subject to local, regional and international demand for diverse uses including as medicine, as meat and for pets. Ethnographic approaches explore the nuances of human-primate interactions in complex sociocultural contexts. We combined ethnographic interviews of key informants with information from questionnaires, focus groups and a movie broadcast on Vietnamese television to explore diverse knowledge and values related to slow lorises and their use in trade in Vietnam. We infer prices, uses and networks for expanding targeted regional and international markets as compared to the opportunistic local one. We highlight key findings related to gendered knowledge about slow lorises and more-than-human ontologies of slow lorises as active participants in human-slow loris interactions. We suggest that conservation efforts should pay attention to the clarification of vernacular names, and use names that highlight ecological or behavioural qualities of slow lorises, rather than other names that could be confused with medicinal remedies. Our results confirm the dynamic complexity of trade in Vietnam, highlighting the importance of ethnographic methods to explore diverse knowledge and values for place-based or site-appropriate conservation management of primates and other highly traded taxa.
National Trend in Laparoscopic Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer: Analysis of the National Register in Chile
Authors: Norero Enrique , Funke Ricardo , Garcia Carlos , Fernandez Jose Ignacio , Lanzarini Enrique , Rodriguez Jorge , Ceroni Marco , Crovari Fernando , Pinto Gerardo , Musleh Maher , Gonzalez Paulina ,   Chilean Laparoscopic Gastrectomy Study Group. (CHILAGAS)
Published: April 2018

Introduction: The laparoscopic approach for the treatment of gastric cancer has many advantages. However, outside Asia there are few large case series. Aim: To evaluate postoperative morbidity, long-term survival, changes in indication, and the results of laparoscopic gastrectomy. Methods: We included all patients treated with a laparoscopic gastrectomy from 2005 to 2014. We compared results across 2 time periods: 2005–2011 and 2012–2014. Median follow-up was 39 months. Results: Two hundred and eleven patients underwent a laparoscopic gastrectomy (median age 64 years, 55% male patients). In 135 (64%) patients, a total gastrectomy was performed. Postoperative morbidity occurred in 29%. A significant increase in the indication of laparoscopic surgery for stages II–III (32 vs. 45%; p = 0.04) and higher lymph node count (27 vs. 33; p = 0.002) were observed between the 2 periods. The 5-year overall survival was 72%. According to the stage, the 5-year overall survival was 85, 63, and 54% for stage I, II, and III respectively (p < 0.001). Conclusions: There was an acceptable rate of postoperative complications and the long-term survival was in accordance with the disease stage. There was a higher indication of laparoscopic surgery in stages II–III disease, and higher lymph node count in the latter period of this study.
Ethnographic Approaches in Primatology
Authors: Dore Kerry M. , Radford Lucy , Alexander Sherrie , Waters Siân
Published: April 2018

The shared evolutionary histories and anatomical similarities between humans and non-human primates create dynamic interconnections between these alloprimates. In this foreword to Folia Primatologica's special issue on “Ethnographic Approaches in Primatology,” we review the ethnographic method and existing literature at the intersection of primatology and ethnography. We summarize, compare and contrast the 5 contributions to this special issue to highlight why the human-non-human primate interface is a compelling area to investigate via ethnographic approaches and to encourage increased incorporation of ethnography into the discipline of primatology. Ethnography is a valuable and increasingly popular tool with its use no longer limited to anthropological practitioners investigating traditional, non-Western peoples. Scholars from many disciplines now use ethnographic methods to investigate all members of our globalised world, including non-humans. As our closest living relatives, non-human primates (hereafter “primates”) are compelling subjects and thus appear in a range of contexts within ethnographic investigations. The goal of this special issue is to highlight the trajectory of research at the intersection of primatology and ethnography and to illustrate the importance of ethnographic methods for the advancement of primatology as a discipline.
Low CT Attenuation Values of Sinonasal Benign Tumours Relative to the Brainstem Identify Schwannomas
Authors: Nakada Tomoaki , Kikuta Shu , Mori Harushi , Shimizu Yuya , Nishijima Hironobu , Kondo Kenji , Yamasoba Tatsuya
Published: April 2018

Objectives: On computed tomography (CT), sinonasal schwannoma displays as a soft-tissue mass without any distinctive features. Our aim was to define the radiological criteria for distinguishing schwannoma from other sinonasal benign tumours. Methods: We retrospectively identified consecutive patients who were pathologically diagnosed with benign sinonasal tumours between 2007 and 2016. CT attenuation values were compared between benign tumours and the brainstem. The utilities of demographic factors, clinical factors, and CT parameters for predicting the CT attenuation values of the brainstem were analysed by univariate and multivariate regression. Results: Of the 111 identified cases of benign tumours, the CT attenuation values of tumours and the brainstem were analysed in 36 cases (schwannoma, 4 cases; inverted papilloma, 26; juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma, 3; cavernous haemangioma, 3). The CT attenuation values of the schwannomas were significantly lower than in the brainstem, while those of the other tumours were significantly higher than in the brainstem. No factors affected the CT attenuation values of the brainstem. Conclusion: Low CT attenuation values of sinonasal benign tumours relative to the brainstem could distinguish schwannomas from other benign tumours.
Long-Term Outcome of Adalimumab in a Young Girl with Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Authors: Oranges Teresa , Chiricozzi Andrea , Iannone Michela , Romanelli Marco , Dini Valentina
Published: April 2018

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, burdensome inflammatory skin disorder mainly affecting adults with an infrequent onset during childhood or adolescence. Guidelines regarding the therapeutic drugs in pediatric HS patients are lacking. We describe the case of a 16-year-old girl affected by HS with a massive impact of the disease on her daily activities. She underwent antibiotics, estroprogestinics, isotretinoin, and drainage procedures with partial and short-term improvement. We treated the patient with adalimumab and assessed disease severity using BMI, pain VAS, Hurley, m-Sartorius, and HS-PGA. The treatment has been continued for 4 years with a strong improvement of clinical and psychological outcome. No side effects were recorded throughout the treatment period.
Sulforaphane Augments Glutathione and Influences Brain Metabolites in Human Subjects: A Clinical Pilot Study
Authors: Sedlak Thomas W. , Nucifora Leslie G. , Koga Minori , Shaffer Lindsay S. , Higgs Cecilia , Tanaka Teppei , Wang Anna M. , Coughlin Jennifer M. , Barker Peter B. , Fahey Jed W. , Sawa Akira
Published: April 2018

Schizophrenia and other neuropsychiatric disorders await mechanism-associated interventions. Excess oxidative stress is increasingly appreciated to participate in the pathophysiology of brain disorders, and decreases in the major antioxidant, glutathione (GSH), have been reported in multiple studies. Technical cautions regarding the estimation of oxidative stress-related changes in the brain via imaging techniques have led investigators to explore peripheral GSH as a possible pathological signature of oxidative stress-associated brain changes. In a preclinical model of GSH deficiency, we found a correlation between whole brain and peripheral GSH levels. We found that the naturally occurring isothiocyanate sulforaphane increased blood GSH levels in healthy human subjects following 7 days of daily oral administration. In parallel, we explored the potential influence of sulforaphane on brain GSH levels in the anterior cingulate cortex, hippocampus, and thalamus via 7-T magnetic resonance spectroscopy. A significant positive correlation between blood and thalamic GSH post- and pre-sulforaphane treatment ratios was observed, in addition to a consistent increase in brain GSH levels in response to treatment. This clinical pilot study suggests the value of exploring relationships between peripheral GSH and clinical/neuropsychological measures, as well as the influences sulforaphane has on functional measures that are altered in neuropsychiatric disorders.
Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for the Treatment of Superficial Epithelial Gastric Neoplasia in a Portuguese Centre
Authors: Costa Rita Seara , Ferreira Aníbal , Leal Tiago , Costa Dalila , Rolanda Carla , Gonçalves Raquel
Published: April 2018

Background: The emergence of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) made possible en bloc resection of neoplastic gastric lesions, regardless of lesion size, with reduced rates of complications and recurrence. This technique has become the preferred method for curative resection, instead of conventional endoscopic mucosal resection and surgery, when distant metastases have negligible risk. In Western countries experience with this technique has evolved quickly, with an increasing number of case series reported in the literature. This study aims to report the short- and long-term outcomes of ESD in gastric epithelial neoplastic lesions by a single operator in a Portuguese centre. Methods: A retrospective analysis of all gastric ESDs in a tertiary specialised unit during a 5-year period, between May 2012 and September 2017, was performed. Results: A total of 114 ESDs of gastric epithelial lesions were performed during this period; 96.5% of them were removed en bloc and 87.6% with R0 resection. A curative treatment was achieved in 83.2% of the cases. Complications occurred in 13.2% of the procedures, including early and delayed bleeding in 12 patients (10.5%) and one perforation (0.9%). With a median follow-up period of 12 months (interquartile range [IQR] = 18), 6 cases of recurrence at the previous ESD site were diagnosed: 4 residual lesions and 2 local recurrences in previous R0 resections. Residual lesions occurred more often in patients with larger lesions (median = 40.0 mm, IQR = 26 vs. median = 20.0 mm, IQR = 15, p = 0.008) and with positive horizontal margins (HMs) after resection (50.0 vs. 0.0%, Fisher exact test, p < 0.001). The cumulative incidence of metachronous gastric lesions at 34 months was 16.1%. All new lesions were effectively treated using an endoscopic technique. The disease-specific survival at 12 months was 100%. Conclusion: This study showed that ESD is an effective resection technique for gastric lesions with a good safety profile, confirming other European series. Regardless, high en bloc resection positive HM is still a problem in some specimens resected by ESD. Endoscopic surveillance can detect local recurrence and new lesions during early stages, potentially treatable by endoscopy.
Prazosin but Not Tamsulosin Sensitises PC-3 and LNCaP Prostate Cancer Cells to Docetaxel
Authors: Spencer Briohny H. , McDermott Catherine M. , Chess-Williams Russ , Christie David , Anoopkumar-Dukie Shailendra
Published: April 2018

Background/Aims: Docetaxel is currently the first-line chemotherapeutic agent available for the treatment of patients with advanced prostate cancer (PCa). While docetaxel has been shown to modestly improve survival times for patients; they also experience significant docetaxel-induced toxicities. If treatment failure occurs, there are currently limited alternatives that show survival benefits for patients and therefore there is an urgent need for adjunct therapies. Some quinazoline-based alpha1-adrenoceptor (ADR) antagonists have previously been shown to have cytotoxic actions in PCa cells, but there is no research into their effects on docetaxel-induced toxicity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine if the quinazoline ADR, prazosin influenced the sensitivity of PCa cells to docetaxel in vitro. We hypothesised that prazosin, but not tamsulosin, in combination with docetaxel would possess synergistic cytotoxic actions on PC-3 and LNCaP PCa cells. Methods: PC-3 and ­LNCaP cells were pre-treated (1 h) with prazosin (30 µmol/L) or tamsulosin (30 µmol/L), followed by docetaxel (12.5–100 μmol/L) for 24 h. Docetaxel-induced toxicity was measured in terms of changes in cell proliferation, autophagy, apoptosis and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Results: Prazosin sensitised both cell lines (PC-3 and LNCaP) to docetaxel-induced toxicity. This effect appears to be mediated by autophagy and may also involve apoptosis. These sensitising effects of prazosin appear to be largely independent of ROS production. In contrast, tamsulosin did not affect docetaxel-induced toxicity. Conclusion: We have shown for the first time that prazosin increases docetaxel-induced toxicity in PC-3 and LNCaP cells. Prazosin may therefore offer a viable treatment option in combination with docetaxel in metastatic PCa.
Predicting 30‐Day Hospital Readmissions in Acute Myocardial Infarction: The AMI “READMITS” (Renal Function, Elevated Brain Natriuretic Peptide, Age, Diabetes Mellitus
,
Nonmale Sex
,
Intervention with Timely Percutaneous Coronary Intervention, and Low Systolic Blood Pressure) Score
Authors: Nguyen Oanh Kieu , Makam Anil N. , Clark Christopher , Zhang Song , Das Sandeep R. , Halm Ethan A.
Published: April 2018

Background

Readmissions after hospitalization for acute myocardial infarction (
AMI
) are common. However, the few currently available
AMI
readmission risk prediction models have poor‐to‐modest predictive ability and are not readily actionable in real time. We sought to develop an actionable and accurate
AMI
readmission risk prediction model to identify high‐risk patients as early as possible during hospitalization.

Methods and Results

We used electronic health record data from consecutive
AMI
hospitalizations from 6 hospitals in north Texas from 2009 to 2010 to derive and validate models predicting all‐cause nonelective 30‐day readmissions, using stepwise backward selection and 5‐fold cross‐validation. Of 826 patients hospitalized with
AMI
, 13% had a 30‐day readmission. The first‐day
AMI
model (the
AMI
“
READMITS
” score) included 7 predictors: renal function, elevated brain natriuretic peptide, age, diabetes mellitus, nonmale sex, intervention with timely percutaneous coronary intervention, and low systolic blood pressure, had an optimism‐corrected C‐statistic of 0.73 (95% confidence interval, 0.71–0.74) and was well calibrated. The full‐stay
AMI
model, which included 3 additional predictors (use of intravenous diuretics, anemia on discharge, and discharge to postacute care), had an optimism‐corrected C‐statistic of 0.75 (95% confidence interval, 0.74–0.76) with minimally improved net reclassification and calibration. Both
AMI
models outperformed corresponding multicondition readmission models.

Conclusions

The parsimonious
AMI READMITS
score enables early prospective identification of high‐risk
AMI
patients for targeted readmissions reduction interventions within the first 24 hours of hospitalization. A full‐stay
AMI
readmission model only modestly outperformed the
AMI READMITS
score in terms of discrimination, but surprisingly did
not
meaningfully improve reclassification.
An Agent-Based Model for the Role of Short-Term Memory Enhancement in the Emergence of Grammatical Agreement
Authors: Vera Javier
Published: April 2018

What is the influence of short-term memory enhancement on the emergence of grammatical agreement systems in multi-agent language games? Agreement systems suppose that at least two words share some features with each other, such as gender, number, or case. Previous work, within the multi-agent language-game framework, has recently proposed models stressing the hypothesis that the emergence of a grammatical agreement system arises from the minimization of semantic ambiguity. On the other hand, neurobiological evidence argues for the hypothesis that language evolution has mainly related to an increasing of short-term memory capacity, which has allowed the online manipulation of words and meanings participating particularly in grammatical agreement systems. Here, the main aim is to propose a multi-agent language game for the emergence of a grammatical agreement system, under measurable long-range relations depending on the short-term memory capacity. Computer simulations, based on a parameter that measures the amount of short-term memory capacity, suggest that agreement marker systems arise in a population of agents equipped at least with a critical short-term memory capacity.
Expediting the ICC Criminal Process: Striking the Right Balance between the ICC and States Parties
Authors: Abtahi Hirad , Charania Shehzad
Published: April 2018

When establishing the ICC, the sole permanent international criminal court, States ensured that they would play a legislative role larger and more direct than the ad hoc and hybrid courts and tribunals. States Parties have, however, acknowledged that, given the time they spend interpreting and applying the ICC legal framework, the judges are uniquely placed to identify and propose measures designed to expedite the criminal process. Accordingly, the ICC has followed a dual track. First, it has pursued an amendment track, which requires States Parties’ direct approval of ICC proposed amendments to the Rules of Procedure and Evidence. Second, it has implemented practices changes that do not require State involvement. This interactive process between the Court and States Parties reflects their common goal to expedite the criminal proceedings. The future of this process will rely on striking the right equilibrium between the respective roles of States Parties and the Court.
Leucangium carthusianum var. purpureum, a new purple truffle from China
Authors: CHEN MENG , FAN LI
Published: April 2018

Leucangium carthusianum var. purpureum var. nov. is described and illustrated in this paper. The new variety is distinguished from L. carthusianum var. carthusianum by its small, purple and smooth ascomata. Molecular analyses based on nrDNA-ITS, nrDNA-LSU and EF1-α are provided to confirm the status of the new taxon.
Epitypification of Gastrodia pubilabiata (Gastrodieae, Epidendroideae, Orchidaceae)
Authors: SUETSUGU KENJI , FUKUNAGA HIROKAZU , SAWA SHINICHIRO
Published: April 2018

The genus Gastrodia Brown (1810: 330; Gastrodieae, Epidendroideae) is distributed throughout the temperate and tropical regions of Asia, Oceania, Madagascar, and Africa (Cribb et al. 2010; Govaerts et al. 2016). The genus is characterized by its fleshy tubers, lack of leaves, united sepals and petals, and the production of two mealy pollinia that lack caudicles. Several recent studies have re-examined the diversity of Gastrodia species in various Asian countries (Ong & O’Byrne 2012; Suetsugu 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017; Hu et al. 2014; Huang et al. 2015; Ong 2015; Hsu et al. 2016; Pelser et al. 2016; Tsukaya & Hidayat 2016), and as a result, the genus has been updated to include more than 90 accepted species, thereby making it the most species-rich genus among mycoheterotrophic plants.
Nomenclatural novelties and typifications in Spinopalmoxylon, Sapindoidea and Carpolithes (fossil Magnoliidae) from central European Paleogene and Neogene
Authors: WINTERSCHEID HEINRICH
Published: April 2018

The fossil species Spinopalmoxylon teutonicum (Arecaceae), Sapindoidea margaritifera, S. globosa (Sapindaceae), and Carpolithes mettenii (Magnoliidae inc. sed.) from the central European Paleogene and Neogene are typified. Furthermore, the names Spinopalmoxylon teutonicum (basionym: Chamaerops teutonica) and Carpolithes mettenii (basionym: Pistacia mettenii) are here proposed as new combinations.
Coleopuccinia in China and its relationship to Gymnosporangium
Authors: CAO BIN , TAO SIQI , TIAN CHENGMING , LIANG YINGMEI
Published: April 2018

The rust species Coleopuccinia sinensis was collected during an investigation of rust fungi in Tibet, a region in south-western China. Through morphological examination, we clarified that C. kunmingensis is a synonym of C. sinensis. Phylogenetic analyses using the combined loci of the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) and the partial large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene revealed that Coleopuccinia should be treated as a separate genus from Gymnosporangium.
Callianassa ehsani, a new species of Callianassidae (Crustacea, Decapoda, Axiidea) from Gulf of Oman, Iran
Authors: SEPAHVAND VAHID , TUDGE CHRISTOPHER , MOMTAZI FARZANEH
Published: April 2018

Callianassa ehsani sp. nov. is described as a new species from the Gulf of Oman, Iran. It differs from all other members of the subfamily Callianassinae in having a well-developed meral hook on the merus and 6 or 7 acute spines on the ischium of the large cheliped and characters of the small cheliped and telson. This new species is most similar to Callianassa thailandica Sakai, 2005 and Callianassa persica, Sakai, 2005. The generic assignment of the new species is provisional, reflecting the unstable state of the taxonomy of this family.
Changes in the nomenclature of three Australian crickets
Authors: RENTZ D.C.F , SU YOU NING
Published: April 2018

During the course of preparation of the Guidebook to Australian Crickets, we have become aware of the incorrect identification and subsequent placement of Apterogryllus kimberleyanus Baehr. In addition, we make two changes in the tribal placement of two other genera.
Barriers to Employment Participation of Individuals With Disabilities: Addressing the Impact of Employer (Mis)Perception and Policy
Authors: Baker Paul M. A. , Linden Maureen A. , LaForce Salimah S. , Rutledge Jennifer , Goughnour Kenneth P.
Published: April 2018

Although progress has been made toward the objective of increased employment for people with disabilities, the 17.2% employment rate of people with disabilities stands in distressing contrast to the 65% rate of those without disabilities. This article summarizes the results of a comparative survey of representative academic literature and industry publications related to employer policies and practices that can affect workforce participation of individuals with disabilities. Emergent themes include variance in employer perspectives on hiring of individuals with disabilities, impact of perceived versus actual cost as a hiring barrier, and the perceived mismatch of education and/or skills to job qualifications among applicants with disabilities. These themes represent key areas to probe in subsequent research. The research objective is to identify focal points in the industry literature, representative of employer and industry (demand side) points of view that differ from those generally portrayed in the academic literature (more generally, supply side). Findings from a thematic analysis of industry publications can provide (1) evidenced based background to assist in crafting targeted policy to address employer awareness, (2) informed development of industry guidance on topics that may assist employers to achieve a more inclusive workplace, and (3) insights applicable to addressing barriers to broadening participation by technical, scientific, and engineering trained individuals with disabilities.
A Social Network Analysis of International Collaboration in Counseling Psychology
Authors: Kivlighan D. Martin , Adams Marie C. , Deng Kuo , Ye Xiaomeng , Menninga Elizabeth J.
Published: April 2018

Over the past two decades, counseling psychology has emerged as an international discipline. Despite efforts to internationalize counseling psychology and increase cross-cultural relationships, few studies have considered international collaboration on scientific scholarship as a metric or factor of internationalization. Therefore, using social network analyses, we tested the occurrence and patterns of collaborations between authors from different countries on published studies in the Journal of Counseling Psychology and The Counseling Psychologist from 2005 to 2015. Results indicated that a small proportion of possible international collaborations existed, as measured by network density, and the majority of collaborations involved authors affiliated with institutions in the United States. However, international collaboration significantly increased over time, as measured by the density of the network. Our findings are consistent with previous research suggesting a lack of cross-national scholarship in counseling psychology and identify global areas for further cross-cultural development.
Steering Control in a Low-Cost Driving Simulator: A Case for the Role of Virtual Vehicle Cab
Authors: Mecheri Sami , Lobjois Régis
Published: April 2018

Objective:

The aim of this study was to investigate steering control in a low-cost driving simulator with and without a virtual vehicle cab.

Background:

In low-cost simulators, the lack of a vehicle cab denies driver access to vehicle width, which could affect steering control, insofar as locomotor adjustments are known to be based on action-scaled visual judgments of the environment.

Method:

Two experiments were conducted in which steering control with and without a virtual vehicle cab was investigated in a within-subject design, using cornering and straight-lane-keeping tasks.

Results:

Driving around curves without vehicle cab information made drivers deviate more from the lane center toward the inner edge in right (virtual cab = 4 ± 19 cm; no cab = 42 ± 28 cm; at the apex of the curve, p < .001) but not in left curves. More lateral deviation from the lane center toward the edge line was also found in driving without the virtual cab on straight roads (virtual cab = 21 ± 28 cm; no cab = 36 ± 27 cm; p < .001), whereas driving stability and presence ratings were not affected. In both experiments, the greater lateral deviation in the no-cab condition led to significantly more time driving off the lane.

Conclusion:

The findings strongly suggest that without cab information, participants underestimate the distance to the right edge of the car (in contrast to the left edge) and thus vehicle width. This produces considerable differences in the steering trajectory.

Application:

Providing a virtual vehicle cab must be encouraged for more effectively capturing drivers’ steering control in low-cost simulators.
Girl soldiering in rebel groups, 1989–2013
Authors: Haer Roos , Böhmelt Tobias
Published: April 2018

Most existing work assumes that child soldiers are under-aged males. Girl soldiers have largely been neglected so far, although they frequently have important roles in rebel groups. One reason for this shortcoming has been the lack of comprehensive and systematic data on female child soldiers over a larger time period. To address this gap, the following article introduces the Girl Child Soldier Dataset (G-CSDS), which provides – based on academic, IGO, NGO, government, and media sources – information on the number of girl soldiers and their functions (supporters or combatants) in rebel groups between 1989 and 2013. The dataset can be easily combined with other data based on the Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP), and we demonstrate its usefulness with descriptive statistics and a regression analysis that is informed by previous research on women’s participation in armed groups. Among other interesting findings, the corresponding results suggest that there are crucial differences between girl combatants and those active in more supportive roles. We conclude that the G-CSDS provides a central platform of easily accessible information that will be useful to scholars and practitioners working on civil conflict, human rights, armed groups, or demobilization, disarmament, and reintegration (DDR) programs.
Preparation and properties of bottle-recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) filaments
Authors: Jiang Zhaohui , Guo Zengge , Zhang Zhanqi , Qi Yuanzhang , Pu Congcong , Wang Qicai , Jia Zhao , Xiao Changfa
Published: April 2018

Bottle-recycled polyethylene terephthalate (R-PET) fibers were fabricated by the melt spinning method. Based on characteristics of R-PET chips, this study involved a primary exploration of the spinning parameters, including spinning temperature, spinning speed and spinneret plate. The properties of R-PET and original PET (O-PET) fibers were compared using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), tensile testing, sonic orientation, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Apparent morphological observation displays an irregular cross-sectional shape and a scattered diameter distribution for R-PET fibers. Compared with O-PET fibers, R-PET fibers demonstrate a greater breaking strength and smaller elongation at break, resulting from the lower crystallinity and higher degree of orientation. Furthermore, the R-PET fibers have the same chemical structure as that of O-PET fibers demonstrated by FTIR spectroscopy, but TGA results show that thermal stability of R-PET fibers is significantly inferior to that of O-PET fibers, as a result of too many impurities and oligomers during the recycling process.
The Power of Interactive Whiteboards for Secondary Mathematics Teaching: Two Case Studies
Authors: De Vita Mauro , Verschaffel Lieven , Elen Jan
Published: April 2018

Interactive whiteboard offers a high-potential innovative tool in mathematical educational environments, in which teachers’ modeling processes and students’ exploring activities can easily be executed. Nevertheless, these affordances are not self-evident. There is a gap between the potential claims of the tool and its actual use in the classrooms. This study investigated, through two parallel case studies, the interactive whiteboard potential in view of optimizing the exploitation of the interactive whiteboard, improving conceptual understanding, and fostering interactivity in secondary mathematics classrooms. Two main patterns for a productive interactive whiteboard use emerged: (a) a problem-solving pattern consisting of interactive whiteboard supporting problem-solving activities and (b) an organizer pattern consisting of using interactive whiteboard as a kind of advanced organizer and stimulating students’ reflection and mathematical contributions. The two patterns were used to design and teach lessons that were analyzed through the instrumental orchestration framework elaborated by Drijvers, Tacoma, Besamusca, Doorman, and Boon. Analysis showed how the interactive whiteboard acted as a useful instrument for students’ discussion and collective construction of mathematical knowledge.
A Law Unto Itself: Chinese Communist Party Leadership and Yifa zhiguo in the Xi Era
Authors: Trevaskes Susan
Published: April 2018

This article explores the political significance of “governing the nation in accordance with the law” 依法治国 ( yifa zhiguo) in the Xi Jinping era. It examines party statements and propaganda about the necessity of exercising party leadership over all key aspects of law-based governance, particularly the politico-legal system. The aim is to understand the strategic need for yifa zhiguo as part of the ideological repertoire of the Xi leadership. The argument is that yifa zhiguo is essentially an ideological and strategic message about power relations under Xi and the capacity of the party to withstand various threats to its credibility and thus ultimately to bring about the nation’s and party’s rejuvenation.