bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Review of Pre-Intervention Prognostic Scores for Early Prognostication and Patient Selection in Endovascular Management of Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke
Authors: Raza Syed Ali , Rangaraju Srikant
Published: February 2018

Background: Endovascular therapy (ET) has emerged as a highly effective treatment for acute large vessel occlusion stroke (LVOS). Tools that facilitate optimal patient selection of patients for ET are needed in order to maximize therapeutic benefit in a cost-effective manner. Several pre-intervention prognostic scores for prediction of outcomes in LVOS patients and patient selection for ET have been developed and validated, but their clinical use has been limited. Here, we review existing pre-intervention prognostic scores, compare their prognostic accuracies and levels of validation and identify gaps in current knowledge. Summary: We have reviewed published literature pertinent to development, validation, and implementation of pre-intervention prognostic scores for LVOS. Using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the prognostic accuracies of validated pre-interventional scores (Pittsburgh Response to Endovascular therapy [PRE], Totaled Health Risks in Vascular Events [THRIVE], Houston Intra-Arterial Therapy-2 (HIAT-2), Stroke Prognostication using Age and NIHSS [SPAN-100]) were compared in published work. Pre-intervention scores predicted functional out comes at 3 months with moderate prognostic accuracies (area under the receiver operator characteristic curve range 0.68–0.73). Using successful reperfusion (mTICI 2B/3) as the therapeutic objective of ET and 3-month modified Rankin Score 0–2 as good clinical outcome, patients most likely to clinically benefit from endovascular reperfusion can be identified using the PRE and HIAT-2 scores. Scores that incorporate collateral imaging or perfusion-based estimation of core and penumbra have not been published. Existing scores are predominantly limited to anterior circulation LVOS, and implementation studies of pre-interventional scores are lacking. Key Messages: Pre-intervention prognostic scores can serve as useful adjuncts for patient selection in ET for acute LVOS. Pre-intervention scores including HIAT-2, THRIVE, SPAN-100, and PRE have comparable moderate prognostic accuracies for good 3-month outcomes and can identify patients who derive maximal benefit from successful reperfusion. Improvements in prognostic accuracy may be achieved by incorporating variables such as collateral status and perfusion imaging data. Implementation and impact studies using pre-intervention scores are needed to guide clinical application.
Ultramorphological Characteristics of Podocyte Development in the Human Fetal Metanephros
Authors: Dakovic Bjelakovic Marija , Vlajkovic Slobodan , Bjelakovic Milica
Published: February 2018

The aim of this study was to determine the developmental characteristics of podocytes in the human fetal metanephros using scanning electron microscopy, light microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Kidney samples of 15 human fetuses of both sexes (gestational age 10–22 weeks) were analyzed. At the S-shaped body stage, primitive podocytes were arranged in a layer of cuboidal cells beneath the vascular cleft. When observed from Bowman’s space, the demarcation between adjacent podocytes was not clear, but mild depressions indicated cell boundaries. At the more advanced S-shaped body stage, podocytes were polygonal, with a flat apical surface. They were in close contact, but boundaries between adjacent cells were distinct. After initial separation of their apical parts, podocytes continued to separate from each other along their lateral sides. Their shape changed from polygonal to spherical, resembling clusters of grapes. Cytoplasmic buds could be seen at the base of some podocytes initially, when all podocytes were spherical. Parallel with the development of the first capillary loops, wider intercellular spaces were noted between elliptical-shaped podocytes. Podocytes then developed cytoplasmic processes and became flattened and star shaped. Their cell bodies separated from the glomerular basement membrane through the insertion of thick processes under the cell body. Thick primary processes ramified to form the foot processes, which interdigitated on the surface of capillary loops. During the capillary loop stage, the degree of differentiation of the podocytes varied among various glomerular regions, as well as within the same capillary loop.
Attitudes towards Personal Genomics and Sharing of Genetic Data among Older Swiss Adults: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Mählmann Laura  , Schee gen. Halfmann Sebastian , von Wyl Agnes , Brand Angela
Published: February 2018

Objective: To assess the willingness of older Swiss adults to share genetic data for research purposes and to investigate factors that might impact their willingness to share data. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted among 40 participants (19 male and 21 female) aged between 67 and 92 years, between December 2013 and April 2014 attending the Seniorenuniversität Zürich, Switzerland. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and anonymized. For the analysis of the interviews, an initial coding scheme was developed, refined over time, and applied afterwards to all interviews. Results: The majority of participants were in favor of placing genetic data to research’s disposal. Participant’s motivations to share data were mainly driven by altruistic reasons and by contributing to the greater good. Furthermore, several factors which might impact the willingness to share data such as sharing data with private companies, generational differences, differences between sharing genetic data or health data, and sharing due to financial incentives were highlighted. Last, some participants indicated concerns regarding data sharing such as misuse of data, the fear of becoming a transparent citizen, and data safety. However, 20% of the participants express confidence in data protection. Even participants who were skeptical in the beginning of the interviews admitted the benefits of data sharing. Discussion: Overall, this study suggests older citizens are willing to share their data for research purposes. However, most of them will only contribute if their data is appropriately protected and if they trust the research institution to use the shared data responsibly. More transparency and detailed information regarding the data usage are urgently needed. There is a great need to increase the engagement of older adults in research since they present a large segment of our society – one which is often underexamined in research. Conclusion: Increased focus on general public engagement, especially of older adults, in scientific research activities known as “citizen science” is needed to further strengthen the uptake of personalized medicine.
COPD- und ILD-Patienten profitieren von pneumologischer Rehabilitation nach Lungentransplantation
Authors: Spielmanns Marc
Published: February 2018

Background: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) following lung transplantation (LTx) has been shown to be effective with regard to exercise capacity and health-related quality of life (HRQL). However, outcome data is limited with respect to LTx as a population. Differences concerning the effects of PR in patients with single LTx (SLTx) or double LTx (DLTx) have not been studied yet. Objectives: The aim was to compare possible differences concerning PR outcomes between SLTx and DLTx. Methods: In a retrospective analysis (period: 1997-2016), data from 722 patients with either chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; SLTx: n = 129, FEV1 51 ± 17% pred.; DLTx: n = 204, FEV1 74 ± 20% pred.) or interstitial lung disease (ILD; SLTx: n = 135, FVC 58 ± 18% pred.; DLTx: n = 254, FVC 63 ± 18% pred.) after LTx were included. All patients underwent a specialized inpatient PR program. The data of the 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) and HRQL (physical [PCS] and mental [MCS] component summary of the SF- 36 questionnaire) were analyzed. Results: Independently from the procedure and pretransplant diagnosis, patients significantly (p < 0.05) improved the 6MWD without any differences between SLTx and DLTx (COPD: SLTx: +109 ± 68 m, DLTx: +117 ± 82 m; ILD: SLTx: +115 ± 80 m, DLTx: +132 ± 77 m). The PCS (COPD: SLTx: +9 ± 9 points, DLTx: +7 ± 9 points; ILD: SLTx: +6 ± 9 points, DLTx: +9 ± 9 points) and MCS (COPD: SLTx: +8 ± 15 points, DLTx: +7 ± 15 points; ILD: SLTx: +10 ± 13 points, DLTx: +8 ± 12 points) also improved significantly without any group differences. Conclusions: LTx patients with a pretransplant diagnosis of COPD or ILD all benefitted significantly and with clinical relevance with regard to exercise capacity and HRQL from an inpatient PR performed within 1 year postoperatively. PR outcomes were similar regardless of SLTx or DLTx.
Tumor Heterogeneity in Colorectal Cancer: What Do We Know So Far?
Authors: Sagaert Xavier , Vanstapel Arno , Verbeek Sanne
Published: February 2018

Colorectal cancer is not one disease but rather a collection of neoplastic diseases. Due to heterogeneity in the disease biology, therapy response, and prognosis, extensive disease stratification is required. Therefore, TNM stage, microsatellite status, tumor grade, lymphovascular invasion, and other parameters are assessed in the pathology report to indicate the extent and prognosis of the disease. The mutation status of KRAS, BRAF, and NRAS is also investigated in a metastatic context to predict the response to anti-EGFR therapy. Recently, 4 distinct molecular subtypes of colorectal cancer have been described that have both prognostic and therapeutic relevance. In addition, characterization of the inflammatory infiltrate revealed major differences in the amount and location of inflammatory cells in distinct colorectal tumor types. Together, all of these parameters help to stratify patients into different therapeutic and prognostic subgroups. However, this stratification is not unambiguous since tumors often display intratumoral heterogeneity, whereby several subpopulations within one tumor show differences in morphology, inflammatory infiltrate, mutational status, or gene expression profile. This article gives an overview of all of the current known data with regard to tumor heterogeneity at both inter- and intratumoral levels.
Wilms’ Tumor 1 Overexpression in Granulosa Cells Is Associated with Polycystic Ovaries in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Patients
Authors: Wang Qun , Huang Tao , Shu Xin , Zhao Shi-Gang , Liang Yu , Muhammad Tahir , Gao Fei , Zhao Han , Liu Hong-Bin
Published: February 2018

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous disorder characterized by chronic ovulatory dysfunction, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries. Wilms’ tumor 1 (WT1) encoding a transcription factor involved in the differentiation of granulosa cells (GCs) regulates androgen receptor in the development of male genitalia. However, the expression pattern and possible role of WT1 in ovaries of PCOS patients are still unknown. Methods: GCs from 95 PCOS patients (PCOS group) and 62 healthy controls (control group) were isolated. The expression of WT1 in GCs was quantified using the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The correlation between WT1 expression and clinical characteristics was evaluated in PCOS patients. Results: WT1 expression was increased in PCOS patients compared with the normal controls. The expression of WT1 was moderately correlated with testosterone (r = 0.334, p = 0.001) and luteinizing hormone (r = 0.357, p = 0.001) levels and the antral follicle counts (r = 0.337, p = 0.001). Conclusions: Our study provided novel insights into the relationship between hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovaries of PCOS and WT1.
The Association of Weekly pre-Hemodialysis Systolic Blood Pressure and Following Week Mortality
Authors: Maddux Dugan , Usvyat Len A. , Xu Danqing , Wang Yuedong , Kotanko Peter , van der Sande Frank M. , Kooman Jeroen P. , Maddux Franklin W.
Published: February 2018

Background/Aims: Few studies examine the impact of systolic blood pressure (SBP) on mortality in the incident hemodialysis (HD) period, and throughout the first HD year. This large retrospective observational study analyzes the impact of “current” and cumulative low preSBP <110 mmHg (L), and variations in preSBP on short-term (1 week) mortality over the first HD year. Methods: Weekly mean preSBP for HD weeks 1 to 51 was categorized into L or high preSBP>=110 mmHg (H) for each patient. A generalized linear model (GLM) was used to compute the probability of death in the following week. The model includes age, gender, race and three preSBP-related parameters: (a) percent of prior weeks with L preSBP; (b) percent of prior weeks with switching between L to H; (c) “current” week’s preSBP as a binary variable. Separate models were constructed that include demographics and BP-related parameters (a), (b), and (c) separately. Results: In a model combining (a), (b), and (c) above, “current” week L preSBP is associated with increased odds ratio for following week mortality throughout the first HD year. The percent of prior week’s L and more switching between L and H are less significantly associated with short-term mortality. In models including (a), (b), and (c) separately, “current” L preSBP is associated with higher mortality. Conclusion: This study confirms an association of L preSBP with increased short-term mortality which is maintained over the first HD year. Percent of L preSBP in prior weeks, switching between L and H, and “current” week L are all associated with short-term mortality risk, but “current” week L preSBP is most significant.
Phosphate Removal During Conventional Hemodialysis: a Decades-Old Misconception
Authors: Elias Rosilene M. , Alvares Valeria R.C. , Moysés Rosa M.A.
Published: February 2018

Background/Aims: Hyperphosphatemia is associated with high mortality rate in patients on dialysis. Conventional hemodialysis (HD) is a limit technique in removing phosphate (P). There is a widespread belief that P is removed mainly in the first hour of HD. The aim of this study was to certify the percentage of 1-hour removal of P as compared to the entire procedure. Methods: data from the first dialysis of the week of 21 patients (13 men, age 44±15 years), for 3 consecutive dialysis sessions were evaluated. Fresh dialysate samples were collected at 1 hour and at the end of the session from a partial spent dialysate collection method. Results: Pre dialysis serum P was 4.7±1.7 mg/dl. Reduction rate of serum P was 47.4 ± 14.3 and 45.1 ± 10.8% in 1- and 4-hour of HD, respectively (p=0.322). P removal was 194 (145, 242) mg in 1-hour (p<0.0001), which represents 25.0 ± 0.2% of the total removed during the entire HD. Patients with pre dialysis P ≥ 5.5mg/dl had higher P removal during HD than those with P < 5.5mg/dl [975 (587, 1354) vs. 776 (580, 784) mg, p=0.025], although the percentage of removal in 1 hour was not different from those with P < 5.5mg/d (24.9 ± 0.3 vs. 25.0 ± 0.1%, p=0.918). P removal during dialysis correlated with pre dialysis serum P (r=0.455, p=0.001), parathormone (r=0.264, p=0.037) and ultrafiltration volume (r=0.343, p=0.019). Conclusion: despite the P serum concentration normalizing in the first hour of hemodialysis, the removal in the same period reaches only 25% of the entire session.
Hypoxia-Induced TPM2 Methylation is Associated with Chemoresistance and Poor Prognosis in Breast Cancer
Authors: Zhang Jinfeng , Zhang Jian , Xu Shouping , Zhang Xianyu , Wang Peiyuan , Wu Hao , Xia Bingshu , Zhang Guangwen , Lei Bo , Wan Lin , Zhang Dekai , Pang Da
Published: February 2018

Background/Aims: Tropomyosin-2 (TPM2) plays important roles in functions of the cytoskeleton, such as cytokinesis, vesicle transport, cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis,and these functions imply that TPM2 also plays a role in cancer development. Indeed, it has been shown that TPM2 plays a critical role in some cancers. However, the role of TPM2 in breast cancer is still poorly characterized. Thus, we explored the role of TPM2 in breast cancer. Methods: We analysed TPM2 expression and its correlation with the clinicopathological features in breast cancer. Then, we examined the influence of hypoxia on TPM2 expression and methylation status using bisulfite sequencing PCR. Furthermore, we performed TPM2-mediated migration and invasion assays in the context of hypoxia and examined changes in matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) expression. Finally, we detected the influence of TPM2 on survival and chemotherapy drug sensitivity. Results: We found that TPM2 expression is down-regulated in breast cancer cells compared to that in normal breast cells. The data from TCGA supported these results. Promoter methylation of TPM2, which could be induced by hypoxia, was responsible for its low expression. Hypoxia might regulate cell invasiveness partly by TPM2 down-regulation-mediated changes of MMP2 expression. Importantly, low TPM2 expression was correlated with lymph node metastasis (P=0.031), tumour node metastasis stage (P=0.01), histological grade (P=0.037), and shorter overall survival (P=0.028). Univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that TPM2 was an independent predictor in breast cancer patients. Paclitaxel chemotherapy did not benefit patients with low TPM2 expression (P<0.0001). TPM2 knockdown significantly reduced cell sensitivity to paclitaxel. Conclusion: TPM2 is a potential novel tumour suppressor gene in breast cancer. TPM2 is associated with poor survival and chemoresistance to paclitaxel in breast cancer, and TPM2 may represent a promising therapeutic gene target for breast cancer patients with chemoresistance.
Berberine Suppresses Cell Motility Through Downregulation of TGF-β1 in Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Kim Sangmin , Lee Jeongmin , You Daeun , Jeong Yisun , Jeon Myeongjin , Yu Jonghan , Kim Seok Won , Nam Seok Jin , Lee Jeong Eon 
Published: February 2018

Background/Aims: Transforming growth factor-beta proteins (TGF-βs) are multifunctional growth factors and powerful modulators of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in a variety of cancer types including breast and lung cancer cells. Here, we demonstrated the inhibitory effect of berberine (BBR) on tumor growth and metastasis of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells via suppression of TGF-β1 expression. Methods: The levels of mRNA expression were analyzed by real-time PCR. The levels of MMP-2, MMP-9 and TGF-β1 protein expression were analyzed by zymography and confocal microscopy, respectively. Cell migration was analyzed by wound healing assay. Tumorigenicity of TNBC cells such as tumor growth and metastasis was analyzed using xenograft models. Results: In a clinical data set, aberrant TGF-β1 expression was associated with poor prognosis of breast cancer patients. Our in vitro results using TNBC cells showed that the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 and the capacity for cell migration were increased by TGF-β1 treatment. In contrast, basal levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were suppressed by a specific TGF-β receptor I inhibitor, SB431542. In addition, TGF-β1–induced MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression and cell migration were decreased by SB431542. Interestingly, we showed for the first time that BBR decreased the level of TGF-β1, but not TGF-β2, in TNBC cells. Furthermore, BBR significantly decreased the level of MMP-2 expression as well as the capacity for cell migration in TNBC cells. Finally, we examined the effect of BBR on in vivo tumor growth and lung metastasis in MDA-MB231 and 4T1 breast cancer xenograft models and showed that both were significantly decreased following BBR treatment. Conclusion: BBR suppresses tumorigenicity of TNBC cells through inhibition of TGF-β1 expression. Therefore, we demonstrate that BBR could be a promising drug for treatment of TNBC.
Serine/Threonine Kinase 35, a Target Gene of STAT3, Regulates the Proliferation and Apoptosis of Osteosarcoma Cells
Authors: Wu Zhong , Liu Jie , Hu Siyuan , Zhu Yuchang , Li Shaohua
Published: February 2018

Background/Aims: Serine/threonine kinase 35 (STK35) may be associated with Parkinson disease and human colorectal cancer, but there have been no reports on the expression levels or roles of STK35 in osteosarcoma. Methods: STK35 mRNA expression was determined in osteosarcoma and bone cyst tissues by real-time PCR. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and flow cytometry analysis, respectively. Results: STK35 was up-regulated in osteosarcoma tissues as indicated by analyzing publicly available expression data (GEO dataset E-MEXP-3628) and real-time PCR analysis on our own cohort. We subsequently investigated the effects of STK35 knockdown on two osteosarcoma cell lines, MG63 and U2OS. STK35 knockdown inhibited the growth of osteosarcoma cells in vitro and in xenograft tumors. Meanwhile, STK35 knockdown enhanced apoptosis. Expression of the active forms and the activity of two major executioner caspases, caspase 3 and caspase 7, were also increased in osteosarcoma cells with STK35 silenced. Additionally, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) identified that the JAK/STAT signaling pathway was positively correlated with STK35 expression. The mRNA expression of STK35 was repressed by STAT3 small interfering RNA (siRNA), but not by siRNA of STAT4, STAT5A or STAT6. A luciferase reporter assay further demonstrated that STAT3 transcriptionally regulated STK35 expression. A chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay confirmed the direct recruitment of STAT3 to the STK35 promoter. The promotion effects of STAT3 knockdown on cell apoptosis were partially abolished by STK35 overexpression. Furthermore, STK35 mRNA expression was positively correlated with STAT3 mRNA expression in osteosarcoma tissues by Pearson correlation analysis. Conclusions: These results collectively reveal that STAT3 regulates the transcription of STK35 in osteosarcoma. STK35 may exert an oncogenic role in osteosarcoma.
MicroRNA-223 Targeting STIM1 Inhibits the Biological Behavior of Breast Cancer
Authors: Yang Yanfang , Jiang Zhansheng , Ma Ning , Wang Bin , Liu Jun , Zhang Lina , Gu Lin
Published: February 2018

Background/Aims: To investigate the cellular effects and clinical significance of microRNA-223 (miR-223) in breast cancer by targeting stromal interaction molecule1 (STIM1). Methods: Breast cancer cell lines (T47D, MCF-7, SKB-R3, MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-435) and a normal breast epithelial cell line (MCF-10A) were prepared for this study. MiR-223 mimics, anti-miR-223 and pcDNA 3.1-STIM1 were transiently transfected into cancer cells independently or together, and then RT-qPCR was performed to detect the expressions of miR-223 and STIM1 mRNA, dual-luciferase reporter assay was conducted to examine the effects of miR-223 on STIM1, Western blotting was used to measure the expressions of the STIM1 proteins, MTT and Trans-well assays were performed to detect cell proliferation and invasion. Finally, the correlation of miR-223 and STIM1 was investigated by detecting with ISH and IHC in breast cancer specimens or the corresponding adjacent normal tissues. Results: Compared with normal cells and tissues, breast cancer tissues and cells exhibited significantly lower expression of miR-223, but higher expression of STIM1. MiR-223 could inhibit the proliferation and invasiveness of breast cancer cells by negatively regulating the expressions of STIM1. Reimplantation with STIM1 partially rescued the miRNA-223-induced inhibition of breast cancer cells. Clinical data revealed that high expression of STIM1 and miR-223 was respectively detrimental and beneficial factor impacting patient’s disease-free survival (DFS) rather than overall survival (OS). Moreover, Pearson correlation analysis also confirmed that STIM1 was inversely correlated with miR-223. Conclusion: MiR-223 inhibits the proliferation and invasion of breast cancer by targeting STIM1. The miR-223/STIM1 axis could possibly be a potential therapeutic target for treating breast cancer patients.
ОЦІНКА РІВНЯ ТА СТРУКТУРИ ЗАХВОРЮВАНОСТІ СТУДЕНТІВ ЗАКАРПАТСЬКОГО БАЗОВОГО ДЕРЖАВНОГО МЕДИЧНОГО КОЛЕДЖУ
Authors: Tomyshyn T. , Reha N. , Yastremska S.
Published: February 2018

У статті розкрито структуру та частоту захворюваності студентів медичного коледжу, приведено аналіз і класифікацію захворювань. Встановлено, що головною причиною великої кількості захворювань є низький рівень рухової активності студентської молоді, а також фізичного розвитку та фізичної підготовленості. Представлено заходи для активізації навчального процесу в медичному коледжі. Розкрито перспективи впровадження подальших просвітницько-навчальних та охоронних технологій навчання.
The Right to be Human: How Do Muslim Women Talk about Human Rights and Religious Freedoms in Britain?
Authors: Cheruvallil-Contractor Sariya
Published: February 2018

This article examines existing literature and data from qualitative fieldwork with Muslim women in Britain to analyse their narratives of human rights and freedom, as they live within plural European contexts. In scared, securitised and polarised Europe, Muslim women have become visible markers of otherness. Each Muslim woman becomes a fulcrum upon which Western values and morality are measured against the “other”, its values, its beliefs and its choices. In exploring the implications of societal othering on Muslim women’s experiences of their human rights, this article concludes that in social contexts that are polemical, becoming the other dehumanises Muslim women who thus become ineligible for “human” rights. In such contexts, a human rights-based approach alone is insufficient to achieve “dignity and fairness” in society. In addition to human rights, societies need robust and rigorous dialogue so that societal differences become part of a new mediated plural reality.
Symbolic Insult in Diplomacy
Authors: Faizullaev Alisher
Published: February 2018

This paper approaches symbolic insult in diplomacy as the use of symbolic means by states to oppress the opponent’s sense of Self, to hurt its self-esteem and social status in order to achieve their foreign policy objectives, or as a reaction to a threat from Other. The paper posits that diplomatic actors are extremely sensitive to Self related matters, and may use such sensitivity for influencing each other, bargaining over the issues of importance, and simply defending their sense of Self while they confront the opponent. The enormous importance of collective Self in diplomacy may instigate a variety of social strategic games, including tacit and deceptive ones. The diplomatic actor’s acute sensitivity to recognition, honor and social status sharpens its sense of Self, which makes any humiliation painful. Therefore, protection of self-regard, dignity and public face becomes a critical issue in diplomatic practice. At the same time, that makes the diplomatic actor’s Self vulnerable, and provides the opposing Other opportunities for manipulation and symbolic abuse.

The paper argues that symbolic insult in diplomacy occurs in a highly normative environment, and depends on political objectives, shared knowledge, social perception and practices, and can negatively affect relationships between diplomatic actors, the opponent’s self-perception, self-feeling and security of Self—ontological security. I distinguish three forms of symbolic insult used in diplomacy: by misrecognition (“diplomatic bypassing”), direct confrontation (“diplomatic punch”) and concealed verbal or nonverbal actions (“diplomatic slap”). The paper focuses on the third, indirect form, or “diplomatic slap” which employs obscure symbolic insults as a means of tacit manipulation for influencing the opponent, or as an instrument of restoring social status.

By highlighting interest-based (political), value-based (moral), relationship-based (social) and right-based (legal) imperatives of international diplomacy, this paper shows that diplomatic actors can use symbolically expressed but subtle “slap” for balancing their interests and relationships in dealing with the opponent: Tacit or implicit symbolic insult usually appears ambiguous which may allow the offender to promote its interests but also to stay engaged with the victim.
Flapper Valve and Hayfork: Functional anatomy and taxonomic potential of the Gastric Mill of Bairdioidea (Ostracoda, Podocopida)
Authors: MADDOCKS ROSALIE F.
Published: February 2018

The chewing apparatus of the Bairdioidea has been described just once and is rarely illustrated, but it might have more taxonomic significance than commonly supposed. It is constructed as a flapper valve (hinged check valve), which is unique among Ostracoda and unusual among animals. It projects into the midgut and is substantially enveloped by it. It serves three functions: to move bites of food into the stomach, to close the esophagus against back-flow, and to pack strands of food and mucus onto the rotating food ball. It is probably less effective for macerating the food to reduce particle size. Two braces anchor this structure to the lateral wall of the forehead. It is lined by cuticle that is shed at each molt, and the formation of food balls is interrupted during molting. In its construction and action, this apparatus is quite unlike the gastric mill of decapod crustaceans, and it shows only distant homology to the dorsal Wulst of Cypridoidea. Some architectural details differ among families and genera. The well-sclerotized plate has some potential for fossil preservation in exceptional circumstances. A revised anatomical analysis is presented, together with an annotated glossary of terms.
A review of Garra (Teleostei: Cypriniformes) from two rivers in West Yunnan, China with description of a new species
Authors: SUN CHAO , LI XU , ZHOU WEI , LI FENGLIAN
Published: February 2018

Species of the genus Garra from the Irrawaddy and Salween River basins in west Yunnan, China are difficult to identify and their taxonomy remains problematic. We conducted a systematic review of the genus using a combination of molecular and morphological approaches to address these issues and describe a new species, G. surgifrons. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that 15 species of Garra do not form a monophyletic group. Garra imberba and G. nujiangensis form a distinct clade that is not sister to the remaining species of Garra. According to the combination of morphological characters of the proboscis and rostrum, Garra from western Yunnan Province can be divided into 4 groups: (1) smooth snout; (2) unilobed proboscis; (3) bi-lobed proboscis; and (4) tri-lobed proboscis. The types of snout shapes in Garra are consistent with the topological structure of the phylogenetic tree. Garra surgifrons can be distinguished from all other congeners occurring in China and Southeast Asia by a combination of the following characters: presence of a transverse lobe and a tri-lobed proboscis; both dorsal and caudal fins without black markings; the proboscis short and broad, a roughly quadrate shape from the dorsal view with a poorly developed and slightly protuberant middle lobe, with the front tip not suspended from the lateral view and the width almost equal to the width of the lateral lobes; the posterior margin of mental adhesive disc extending close to or reaching the vertical through the central line of the eye and never reaching the posterior margin of the eye; two pairs of barbels; 16 circumpeduncular scales; and 32–34 lateral line scales.
External morphology of immature of Tynacantha marginata Dallas, 1851 (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Pentatomidae)
Authors: BRUGNERA RICARDO , GRAZIA JOCÉLIA
Published: February 2018

Immature stages of Neotropical Asopinae have been poorly studied. Here, the external morphology of eggs and nymphs of Tynacantha marginata Dallas are described using light and scanning electron microscopy. The egg is barrel-shaped with smooth surface, and long aero-micropylar processes. In the first instar, the color of abdomen varies along the development from yellow to red, the dorsal plates are pale, and the surface of evaporatorium bears spiked projections. From the second, the evaporatorium surface is reticulated. From third instar, the pronotum is orange with black lateral margins. The eggs and nymphs of T. marginata are unique among Neotropical Asopinae species of which the morphology is known, allowing the early identification of the species.
A new species of Anheteromeyenia (Porifera, Demospongiae) with an emended diagnosis of the genus
Authors: CALHEIRA LUDIMILA , PINHEIRO ULISSES
Published: February 2018

Anheteromeyenia Schröder, 1927 (Spongillidae) was erected to comprise species of Heteromeyenia Potts, 1881 without microscleres. Until now, only four species of Anheteromeyenia are known, three from the Neotropical Region (A. cheguevarai, A. ornata and A. vitrea) and A. argyrosperma from the Nearctic Region. In the present study, we describe a new species of Anheteromeyenia from the Neotropical Region, which differs from other congeners in having only one category of megascleres, exclusively smooth oxeas. An identification key to species of Anheteromeyenia and an emended diagnosis of the genus are provided.
Weakening of Northwest Pacific Anticyclone Anomalies during Post–El Niño Summers under Global Warming
Authors: Jiang Wenping , Huang Gang , Huang Ping , Hu Kaiming
Published: February 2018

The northwest Pacific anticyclone (NWPAC) anomalies during post–El Niño summers are a key predictor of the summer climate in East Asia and the northwestern Pacific (NWP). Understanding how this will change under global warming is crucial to project the changes in the variability of the northwest Pacific summer monsoon. Outputs from 18 selected coupled models from phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project show that the anomalous NWPAC response to El Niño will likely be weakened under global warming, which is attributed to the decreased zonal contrast between the tropical Indian Ocean (TIO) warming and the NWP cooling during post–El Niño summers. Under global warming, the NWPAC anomalies during the El Niño mature winter are weakened because of decreased atmospheric circulation in response to El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), which leads to the weakening of local air–sea interaction and then decreases the cold NWP SST anomalies. Furthermore, the decreased surface heat flux anomalies, the weakened anticyclone anomalies over the southeastern Indian Ocean, and the slackened anomalous easterlies over the north Indian Ocean weaken the warm TIO SST anomalies. However, the strengthened tropospheric temperature anomalies could enhance the anomalous TIO warming. Although the changes in TIO SST anomalies are indistinctive, the weakening of the SST anomaly gradient between the TIO and the NWP is robust to weaken the NWPAC anomalies during post–El Niño summers. Moreover, the positive feedback between the TIO–NWP SST anomalies and the NWPAC anomalies will enhance the weakening of NWPAC under global warming.
Aluminum carbide hydrolysis induced degradation of thermal conductivity and tensile strength in diamond/aluminum composite
Authors: Lu Yufei , Wang Xitao , Zhang Yang , Wang Jinguo , Kim Moon J , Zhang Hailong
Published: February 2018

Diamond particles reinforced aluminum matrix (diamond/Al) composite is receiving great interests as a thermal management material due to its superior thermal conductivity and light weight. The diamond/Al composite is, however, incurring a problem of aluminum carbide (Al4C3) hydrolysis in the applications. Here we propose an accelerated hydrolytic ageing method to assess the reliability of diamond/Al composite in water environment. The diamond/Al composite specimens have been immersed in distilled water at room temperature up to 115 days. The microstructural characterization shows that water diffuses into the composite and reacts with the interfacial Al4C3 phase to generate Al(OH)3 and CH4. The concentration of the collected methane gas was measured by using a gas chromatograph technique to monitor the hydrolysis reaction. With prolonging soaking time from 5 to 115 days, the normalized methane concentration increases from 4 × 10−4 to 2 × 10−3, the thermal conductivity decreases from 467 to 347 W/mK, and the tensile strength decreases from 105 to 61 MPa. The property degradation is ascribed to the hydrolysis of Al4C3, which is harmful to the structural integrity of the diamond/Al composite. The finding provides guideline for the protection of diamond/Al composite components in service environments.
Bridging Art and Bureaucracy: Marginalization, State-Society Relations, and Cultural Policy in Brazil
Authors: Gillman Anne
Published: February 2018

Even under many formally democratic regimes, large swaths of the citizenry experience alienation from states with uneven presence throughout the national territory. Addressing a gap in scholarship that has examined why rather than how states establish new modes of engagement with subaltern groups, this article documents concrete mechanisms by which the Brazilian state built new state-society relations through a particular cultural policy. By recognizing and funding artistic initiatives in underserved communities, the program aimed to expand their access to the state and validate their role in the polity. On the basis of in-depth fieldwork in three Brazilian states, the article argues that new relations actually were forged through state-society encounters around the program’s administrative procedures. The surprising twist—that paperwork, as much as art, played a transformative role—sheds new light on bureaucracy as a point of contact with the state and offers new insights into the ways that cultural politics can shift.
Measurement of the dynamic moisture buffering potential of fabrics
Authors: Naylor Geoffrey RS
Published: February 2018

In non-stationary wear conditions, characterized by intermittent pulses of moderate or heavy sweating, a garment with a good moisture buffering action can improve comfort. This is consistent with the common consumer belief that clothing manufactured from hygroscopic natural fibers (e.g., wool or cotton) provides better breathability. The current work describes a new approach for measuring dynamic moisture buffering potential using the sweating guarded hotplate instrument in a novel mode of operation. A fabric test sample is placed on the hotplate following the normal procedure for dry mode testing but with the relative humidity of the surrounding environment set to a low value (45%). After equilibration, the relative humidity is rapidly increased to a high value (85%). In the case of hygroscopic samples, a transient reduction in the heat required to maintain the hotplate at its fixed temperature is observed. It is demonstrated that the area of this transient peak is a measure of the water vapor absorbed during this transition, that is, the moisture buffering potential of the test specimen. A key to this new approach is that the heat of sorption per gram of water vapor absorbed is approximately the same for a wide range of natural and synthetic fibers commonly used in clothing. Using matched knitted fabrics manufactured from wool, cotton or polyester, the technique detected the heat released from light weight fabrics and the performance of the different fiber types is clearly distinguished.
The rise of ‘Gangnam style’: Manufacturing the urban middle class in Seoul, 1976–1996
Authors: Yang Myungji
Published: February 2018

Focusing on the case of urban development in Gangnam, this article explores how middle-class identity based on residence in apartment complexes was created in South Korea beginning in the late 1970s. I argue that state policy, speculation, and exclusion were key ingredients in the making of the middle class in Gangnam. Many white-collar families became apartment owners through a government-subsidised apartment lottery programme, and subsequently climbed the economic ladder more rapidly than others because of skyrocketing housing prices. Their rise to middle-class status, facilitated by chance and furthered by their willingness to engage in real estate speculation, was seen by many as illegitimate. In the face of scepticism about their status, Gangnam residents strived to cultivate cultured, modernised, and Westernised middle-class lifestyles so as to distinguish themselves from non-Gangnam residents and justify their economic success. This paper emphasises the dialectical process – both top-down and bottom-up – of middle class formation during the Gangnam boom. Based on a year of field research conducted in Korea, I analyse the lives and experiences of the middle class and their strategies for upward social mobility in the housing market.
Addressing the determinants of built-up expansion and densification processes at the regional scale
Authors: Mustafa Ahmed , Van Rompaey Anton , Cools Mario , Saadi Ismaïl , Teller Jacques
Published: February 2018

An in-depth understanding of the main factors behind built-up development is a key prerequisite for designing policies dedicated to a more efficient land use. Infill development policies are essential to curb sprawl and allow a progressive recycling of low-density areas inherited from the past. This paper examines the controlling factors of built-up expansion and densification processes in Wallonia (Belgium). Unlike the usual urban/built-up expansion studies, our approach considers various levels of built-up densities to distinguish between different types of developments, ranging from low-density extensions (or sprawl) to high-density infill development. Belgian cadastral data for 1990, 2000 and 2010 were used to generate four classes of built-up areas, namely, non-, low-, medium- and high-density areas. A number of socioeconomic, geographic and political factors related to built-up development were operationalised following the literature. We then used a multinomial logistic regression model to analyse the effects of these factors on the transitions between different densities in the two decades between 1990 and 2010. The findings indicate that all the controlling factors show distinctive variations based on density. More specifically, the centrality of zoning policies in explaining expansion processes is highlighted. This is especially the case for high-density expansions. In contrast, physical and neighbourhood factors play a larger role in infill development, especially for dense infill development.
Geochemistry of the No. 6 coal seam of the Guanzigou Mine, Inner Mongolia, Northern China
Authors: Wang Jinxi , Yang Zhen , Bai Guanlei , Blokhin Maxim G
Published: February 2018

To study the geochemical characteristics of the No. 6 Coal of the Guanzigou Mine, the contents of major and trace elements were determined by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Results showed that the contents of SiO2, Al2O3, TiO2, Li, Ga, In, and Pb in the No. 6 Coal are higher than the common contents of the average values in Chinese coal, whereas those of other elements, such as Co, Ni, Rb, Cs, and Ba, are lower. The SiO2/Al2O3 ratio (1.22) is close to the ratio in pure kaolinite (1.18) because of the lower proportion of quartz or boehmite in the coal. In the vertical section, all major and most trace elements in the samples are enriched near the parting and floor. The contents of Al2O3, Li, and Ga have reached their minimum mining grade, supporting their recovery as by-products. The high content of Pb should be paid attention to during coal mining and utilizing. The geochemical associations of the elements were assessed according to correlation and cluster analyses. It was found that Al2O3, SiO2, Li, Na2O, Bi, MgO, K2O, Rb, Cs, and Ga are associated with clay minerals. Cd, Pb, TiO2, and Cu are associated with unidentiﬁed traces of sulﬁde minerals or organic matter. In, Tl, MnO, Co, Std, Fe2O3, and CaO are associated with sulﬁdes, carbonates, or organic matter. P2O5, Sr, Be, Ba, Ni, and U are associated with gorceixite or goyazite. These results not only provide fundamental information on coal seam formation, but also favor the comprehensive utilization of the coal and the assessment of environmental and health-related effects of the coal during mining and utilizing processes.
The Gridiron and the Gray Flannel Suit: NFL Football and the Modern U.S. Workplace
Authors: Gilbert Daniel A.
Published: February 2018

Examining three critical periods of transformation in the history of professional football in the United States, this article demonstrates the centrality of the workplace to the development of the National Football League (NFL). The article argues that the NFL originated in the welfare capitalism of the early 1920s; that mass-mediated narratives about corporate management drove pro football’s coming-of-age in the 1950s and 1960s; and that fantasy football—the NFL’s most distinctive new form of spectatorship in the age of digital capitalism—positioned fans as imaginary managers of human capital. Taken together, these three pivotal moments demonstrate the inextricable links between changes in professional sports and transformations in the organization of work.
Undifferentiated thymic carcinoma with intracranial metastasis in a two-year-old
Authors: Kumar Nuthan , Chaudhary Narendra , Prabhu Anne Jennifer , Robinson Vimala Leena , Boddu Deepthi , Mathew Leni Grace
Published: February 2018

Thymic carcinoma with central nervous system involvement is very rare in children. A 27-month-old girl presented with a unilateral squint, vomiting, and behavioral changes. Imaging studies showed a silent anterior mediastinal mass and a large metastatic mass at the base of the skull. Biopsy of the anterior mediastinal mass confirmed an undifferentiated tumor consistent with thymic carcinoma. The child died within 3 months of the onset of symptoms, due to progression of the disease. These lethal tumors of unknown histogeneses and etiology are aggressive in nature, resistant to therapy, and have a rapidly fatal course.
Harlequin syndrome following upper lobectomy
Authors: Hussein Nabil , Haqzad Yama , Lodhia Joshil , Begum Sofina , Cowen Michael
Published: February 2018

A 58-year-old women developed unilateral facial flushing and sweating on the left side of her face immediately after a right thoracotomy upper lobectomy and paravertebral block. She was diagnosed with Harlequin syndrome in the absence of any other neurological signs or symptoms. She had recovered completely from this episode on follow-up.
Cut-down outperforms complete percutaneous transcatheter valve implantation
Authors: Mach Markus , Wilbring Manuel , Winkler Bernhard , Alexiou Konstantin , Kappert Utz , Delle-Karth Georg , Grabenwöger Martin , Matschke Klaus
Published: February 2018

Background

The ideal approach for transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation is still widely debated. The objective of this study was to compare access and bleeding complications of complete percutaneous versus the surgical cut-down approach for transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Methods

The study included 667 consecutive patients from November 2008 to December 2016, 466 in the percutaneous group and 201 in the cut-down group. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the 2 groups. Primary study endpoints were vascular access site and bleeding complications according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium II criteria.

Results

Mean procedure time was shorter in the cut-down group: 93.5 ± 22.0 (percutaneous) vs. 69 ± 19 min (cut-down), p < 0.001. The rate of access complications was higher in the percutaneous group: 20.4% (95/466) vs. 8.5% (17/201), p = 0.037; with predominantly minor complications in the percutaneous cohort: 14.4% (67/466) vs. 2.5% (5/201), p = 0.04. Bleeding complications were more frequent in the percutaneous group: 21.9% (102/466) vs. 4.5% (9/201), p = 0.01. Hospital mortality was 5.2% in the percutaneous group and 1.9% in the cut-down group ( p = 0.075).

Conclusions

Surgical cut-down provided controlled access and resulted in fewer access site and bleeding complications. Nonetheless, major access complications were not significantly different between the two cohorts. The two approaches must be seen as complementary techniques. A portfolio containing both techniques is the only way to provide a tailor-made and patient-orientated approach ensuring the safest access based on the individual vessel condition.