bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Metabolomic Study on the Intervention of Traditional Chinese Medicine Qushi Huayu Decoction on Rat Model of Fatty Liver Induced by High-Fat Diet
Authors: Gou Xiao-jun , Gao Shanshan , Chen Liang , Feng Qin , Hu Yi-yang
Published: February 2019

Qushi Huayu Decoction (QHD), an important clinically proved herbal formula, has been reported to be effective in treating fatty liver induced by high-fat diet in rats. However, the mechanism of action has not been clarified at the metabolic level. In this study, a urinary metabolomic method based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) coupled with pattern recognition analysis was performed in three groups (control, model, and QHD group), to explore the effect of QHD on fatty liver and its mechanism of action. There was obvious separation between the model group and control group, and the QHD group showed a tendency of recovering to the control group in metabolic profiles. Twelve candidate biomarkers were identified and used to explore the possible mechanism. Then, a pathway analysis was performed using MetaboAnalyst 3.0 to illustrate the pathways of therapeutic action of QHD. QHD reversed the urinary metabolite abnormalities (tryptophan, uridine, and phenylalanine, etc.). Fatty liver might be prevented by QHD through regulating the dysfunctions of phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis, phenylalanine metabolism, and tryptophan metabolism. This work demonstrated that metabolomics might be helpful for understanding the mechanism of action of traditional Chinese medicine for future clinical evaluation.
Mechanism for Regulation of Melanoma Cell Death via Activation of Thermo-TRPV4 and TRPV2
Authors: Zheng Jiaojiao , Liu Fangyuan , Du Sha , Li Mei , Wu Tian , Tan Xuejing , Cheng Wei
Published: February 2019

Background. Thermo-TRPs (temperature-sensitive transient receptor potential channels) belong to the TRP (transient receptor potential) channel superfamily. Emerging evidence implied that thermo-TRPs have been involved in regulation of cell fate in certain tumors. However, their distribution profiles and roles in melanoma remain incompletely understood.Methods. Western blot and digital PCR approaches were performed to identify the distribution profiles of six thermo-TRPs. MTT assessment was employed to detect cell viability. Flow cytometry was applied to test cell cycle and apoptosis. Calcium imaging was used to determine the function of channels. Five cell lines, including one normal human primary epidermal melanocytes and two human malignant melanoma (A375, G361) and two human metastatic melanoma (A2058, SK-MEL-3) cell lines, were chosen for this research.Results. In the present study, six thermo-TRPs including TRPV1/2/3/4, TRPA1, and TRPM8 were examined in human primary melanocytes and melanoma cells. We found that TRPV2/4, TRPA1, and TRPM8 exhibited ectopic distribution both in melanocytes and melanoma cells. Moreover, activation of TRPV2 and TRPV4 could lead to the decline of cell viability for melanoma A2058 and A375 cells. Subsequently, activation of TRPV2 by 2-APB (IC50= 150μM) induced cell necrosis in A2058 cells, while activation of TRPV4 by GSK1016790A (IC50= 10 nM) enhanced apoptosis of A375 cells. Furthermore, TRPV4 mediated cell apoptosis of melanoma via phosphorylation of AKT and was involved in calcium regulation.Conclusion. Overall, our studies revealed that TRPV4 and TRPV2 mediated melanoma cell death via channel activation and characterized the mechanism of functional TRPV4 ion channel in regulating AKT pathway driven antitumor process. Thus, they may serve as potential biomarkers for the prognosis and are targeted for the therapeutic use in human melanoma.
Spinal Cord Glycine Transporter 2 Mediates Bilateral ST35 Acupoints Sensitization in Rats with Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Bai Fuhai , Ma Yongyuan , Guo Haiyun , Li Yuheng , Xu Feifei , Zhang Ming , Dong Hailong , Deng Jiao , Xiong Lize
Published: February 2019

The concept of “acupoint sensitization” refers to the functional status of acupoint switches from silent to active under pathological conditions. In clinic, acupoint sensitization provides important guidance for acupoints selection in different diseases. However, the mechanism behind this phenomenon remains unclear. We generated a model of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) by intra-articular injection of monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) into the left knee of rats. The paw withdrawal mechanical threshold (PWMT) and the total number of mast cells as well as mast cell degranulation rate (MCDR) of acupoint tissue were used to test whether the acupoints were sensitized. The results showed that KOA resulted in a reduced mechanical threshold and elevated total number of mast cell as well as mast cell degranulation rate at bilateral ST35 (Dubi) but not GB37 (Guangming) or nonacupoint area. The acupoint sensitization was accompanied by upregulation of glycine transporter 2 (GlyT2) and reduction of extracellular glycine levels in the bilateral dorsal horns of the spinal cord at L3-5. Selective inhibition of GlyT2 or intrathecal administration of glycine attenuated ST35 acupoint sensitization. The sensitization of bilateral ST35 was blocked after intraspinal GlyT2 short hairpin (sh) RNA (GlyT2-shRNA) microinjection to specifically downregulate GlyT2 expression in the left side (ipsilateral) L3-5 spinal cord dorsal horn before MIA injection. Moreover, electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation at ST35 ameliorated articular pathological lesions and improved KOA-related pain behaviors. GlyT2-shRNA injection reversed EA-induced pain relief but not EA-induced reduction of joint lesions. Overall, this study demonstrated that spinal GlyT2, especially elevated GlyT2 expression in the ipsilateral dorsal horn of the spinal cord, is a crucial mediator of ST35 acupoint sensitization in KOA rats.
Shape Tuning of Magnetite Nanoparticles Obtained by Hydrothermal Synthesis: Effect of Temperature
Authors: Torres-Gómez Nayely , Nava Osvaldo , Argueta-Figueroa Liliana , García-Contreras René , Baeza-Barrera Armando , Vilchis-Nestor Alfredo R.
Published: February 2019

In this work, we present a simple and efficient method for pure phase magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticle synthesis. The phase structure, particle shape, and size of the samples were characterized by Raman spectroscopy (Rm), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The morphology tuning was controlled by the temperature of the reaction; the nanoparticles were synthesized via the hydrothermal method at 120°C, 140°C, and 160°C, respectively. The Rm and XRD spectra showed that all the nanoparticles were Fe3O4in a pure magnetite phase. The obtained nanoparticles exhibited a high level of crystallinity with uniform morphology at each temperature, as can be observed through TEM and SEM. These magnetic nanoparticles exhibited good saturation magnetization and the resulting shapes were quasi-spheres, octahedrons, and cubes. The samples showed striking magnetic properties, which were examined by a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). It has been possible to obtain a good morphological control of nanostructured magnetite in a simple, economical, and scalable method by adjusting the temperature, without the modification of any other synthesis parameter.
Antioxidants as Renoprotective Agents for Ischemia during Partial Nephrectomy
Authors: Buys-Gonçalves Gabriela F. , Abreu Leonardo A. S. , Gregorio Bianca M. , Sampaio Francisco J. B. , Pereira-Sampaio Marco A. , de Souza Diogo B.
Published: February 2019

Small renal masses have been diagnosed increasingly in recent decades, allowing surgical treatment by partial nephrectomy. This treatment option is associated with better renal function preservation, in comparison with radical nephrectomy. However, for obtaining a bloodless field during surgery, occlusion of renal artery and veins is often required, which results in transitory ischemia. The renal ischemia-reperfusion injury is associated with increased reactive oxygen species production leading to renal tissue damage. Thus, the use of antioxidants has been advocated in the partial nephrectomy perioperative period. Several antioxidants were investigated in regard to renal ischemia-reperfusion injury. The present manuscript aims to present the literature on the most commonly studied antioxidants used during partial nephrectomy. The results of experimental and clinical studies using antioxidants during partial nephrectomy are reported. Further, alimentary sources of some antioxidants are presented, stimulating future studies focusing on perioperative antioxidant-rich diets.
Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Imatinib Mesylate Alters DMBA-Induced Early Onco/Suppressor Gene Expression with Tissue-Specificity in Mice
Authors: Gergely Péter Attila , Murnyák Balázs , Bencze János , Kurucz Andrea , Varjas Timea , Gombos Katalin , Hortobágyi Tibor
Published: February 2019

Tyrosine kinases play crucial roles in cellular development and tumorigenesis. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are effective and widely used drug molecules in targeted cancer therapies. Altered expressions of protooncogenes and tumor suppressor genes after DMBA (7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene) treatment have been described as early markers of tumor induction; however their tissue-specific effects remain still unclear. Our study was aimed at examining the short-term possible antineoplastic and chemopreventive effects of a TKI compound (imatinib mesylate) on a DMBA-induced mouse tumor model. In addition, we also investigated the tissue-specific expressions ofHras, Kras, Myc,andTrp53genes in the brain, bone marrow, spleen, liver, abdominal lymph nodes, thymus, lungs, and kidneys, respectively. 24 hours after the imatinib mesylate injection, we observed significantKrasdownregulation in the bone marrow and lung of the DMBA-treated mice. Moreover, the mRNA expression ofMycwas also found to be decreased significantly in the spleen. Interestingly, whileTrp53expression was significantly increased in the lung, it was decreased in the other tissues. However, there was also a tendency in the decreasedMyclevel in the bone marrow, brain, kidneys, lungs, and lymph nodes and in the decreasedHraslevel in the bone marrow, kidneys, and lungs, although no significant differences were observed. Our findings indicate rapid tissue-specific impact of imatinib mesylate on DMBA-induced gene expressionin vivo,supporting the chemopreventive potential of imatinib mesylate in cancer.
Biomarkers of Exposure among U.S. Adult Cigar Smokers: Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study Wave 1 (2013–2014)
Authors: Chang Cindy M. , Rostron Brian L. , Chang Joanne T. , Corey Catherine G. , Kimmel Heather L. , Sosnoff Connie S. , Goniewicz Maciej L. , Edwards Kathryn C. , Hatsukami Dorothy K. , Wang Yuesong , Del Valle-Pinero Arseima Y. , Yang Maocheng , Travers Mark J. , Arnstein Stephen , Taylor Kristie , Conway Kevin , Ambrose Bridget K. , Borek Nicolette , Hyland Andrew , Wang Lanqing , Blount Benjamin C. , van Bemmel Dana M.
Published: February 2019

Background:

Given the diverse cigar market and limited data on biomarker patterns by cigar type, we compared biomarkers of nicotine and tobacco toxicants among cigar smokers and other groups.

Methods:

Using Wave 1 urinary biomarker data from 5,604 adults in the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study, we compared geometric mean concentrations among cigar-only smokers (all cigars and separately for traditional, cigarillo, and filtered cigars), cigarette-only smokers, dual cigar/cigarette smokers, and never users of tobacco. We calculated geometric mean ratios comparing groups with never users adjusting for sex, age, race/ethnicity, education and creatinine.

Results:

Some day cigar-only smokers had lower biomarker concentrations than every day cigar-only smokers, but higher than never users. Every day cigar-only smokers (n = 61) had lower TNE-2 (cotinine+trans-3′-hydroxycotinine) compared to every day cigarette-only (n = 2217; P < 0.0001) and dual cigar/cigarette smokers (n = 601; P < 0.0001). Several biomarkers, including NNAL (NNK metabolite) and CYMA (metabolite of acrylonitrile), were comparable in these groups. In exploratory analyses, every day filtered cigar-only (n = 7) smokers had higher biomarker concentrations compared with every day traditional cigar-only smokers (n = 12) and cigarillo-only smokers (n = 24). Every day smokers of each cigar type were similar to exclusive cigarette smokers. For some biomarkers, particularly for every day filtered cigar-only smokers, concentrations were higher.

Conclusions:

For some biomarkers, every day cigar-only smokers were comparable with every day cigarette-only smokers. Exploratory analyses suggest that biomarkers vary by cigar type with every day filtered cigar-only smokers having the highest concentrations.

Impact:

High exposure to harmful constituents among cigar smokers is a continuing health issue.
Ligand-binding Domain–activating Mutations of ESR1 Rewire Cellular Metabolism of Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Zinger Lotem , Merenbakh-Lamin Keren , Klein Anat , Elazar Adi , Journo Shani , Boldes Tomer , Pasmanik-Chor Metsada , Spitzer Avishay , Rubinek Tami , Wolf Ido
Published: February 2019

Purpose:

Mutations in the ligand-binding domain (LBD) of estrogen receptor α (ER) confer constitutive transcriptional activity and resistance to endocrine therapies in patients with breast cancer. Accumulating clinical data suggest adverse outcome for patients harboring tumors expressing these mutations. We aimed to elucidate mechanisms conferring this aggressive phenotype.

Experimental Design:

Cells constitutively expressing physiologic levels of ER-harboring activating LBD mutations were generated and characterized for viability, invasiveness, and tumor formation in vivo. Gene expression profile was studied using microarray and RNAseq technologies. Metabolic properties of the cells were assessed using global metabolite screen and direct measurement of metabolic activity.

Results:

Cells expressing mutated ER showed increased proliferation, migration, and in vivo tumorigenicity compared with cells expressing the wild-type ER (WT-ER), even in the presence of estrogen. Expression of the mutated ER was associated with upregulation of genes involved in invasion and metastases, as well as elevation of genes associated with tumor cell metabolism. Indeed, a metabolic examination revealed four distinct metabolic profiles: WT-ER–expressing cells either untreated or estrogen treated and mutated ER–expressing cells either untreated or estrogen treated. Pathway analyses indicated elevated tricarboxylic acid cycle activity of 537S-ER–expressing cells. Thus, while WT-ER cells were mostly glucose-dependent, 537S-ER were not addicted to glucose and were able to utilize glutamine as an alternative carbon source.

Conclusions:

Taken together, these data indicate estrogen-independent rewiring of breast cancer cell metabolism by LBD-activating mutations. These unique metabolic activities may serve as a potential vulnerability and aid in the development of novel treatment strategies to overcome endocrine resistance.
Establishment and Characterization of Four Novel Thyroid Cancer Cell Lines and PDX Models Expressing the RET/PTC1 Rearrangement, BRAFV600E, or RASQ61R as Drivers
Authors: Schweppe Rebecca E. , Pozdeyev Nikita , Pike Laura A. , Korch Christopher , Zhou Qiong , Sams Sharon B. , Sharma Vibha , Pugazhenthi Umarani , Raeburn Christopher , Albuja-Cruz Maria B. , Reigan Philip , LaBarbera Daniel V. , Landa Iñigo , Knauf Jeffrey A. , Fagin James A. , Haugen Bryan R.
Published: February 2019

Cancer cell lines are critical models to study tumor progression and response to therapy. In 2008, we showed that approximately 50% of thyroid cancer cell lines were redundant or not of thyroid cancer origin. We therefore generated new authenticated thyroid cancer cell lines and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models using in vitro and feeder cell approaches, and characterized these models in vitro and in vivo. We developed four thyroid cancer cell lines, two derived from 2 different patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) pleural effusions, CUTC5, and CUTC48; one derived from a patient with anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC), CUTC60; and one derived from a patient with follicular thyroid cancer (FTC), CUTC61. One PDX model (CUTC60-PDX) was also developed. Short tandem repeat (STR) genotyping showed that each cell line and PDX is unique and match the original patient tissue. The CUTC5 and CUTC60 cells harbor the BRAF (V600E) mutation, the CUTC48 cell line expresses the RET/PTC1 rearrangement, and the CUTC61 cells have the HRAS (Q61R) mutation. Moderate to high levels of PAX8 and variable levels of NKX2-1 were detected in each cell line and PDX. The CUTC5 and CUTC60 cell lines form tumors in orthotopic and flank xenograft mouse models.

Implications:

We have developed the second RET/PTC1-expressing PTC-derived cell line in existence, which is a major advance in studying RET signaling. We have further linked all cell lines to the originating patients, providing a set of novel, authenticated thyroid cancer cell lines and PDX models to study advanced thyroid cancer.
High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Infection and the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in Korean Women
Authors: Joo Eun-Jeong , Chang Yoosoo , Kwon Min-Jung , Cho Ara , Cheong Hae Suk , Ryu Seungho
Published: February 2019

Rationale:

Until now, no cohort studies have evaluated the relationship between high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and new-onset cardiovascular diseases (CVD).

Objective:

We investigated an association between high-risk HPV infection and the development of CVD.

Methods and Results:

We conducted a cohort study of 63 411 women aged 30 or older without CVD at baseline who underwent a high-risk HPV test and were followed annually or biennially from 2011 to 2016. CVD was ascertained through the linkage to the Health Insurance and Review Agency database. A Cox-proportional hazards regression model was used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% CIs of incident CVD. The prevalence of high-risk HPV infection was 7.6%. During 261 598.9 person-years of follow-up, 1122 cases of new-onset CVD were identified (incidence rate of 4.3 per 10
3
person-years). High-risk HPV infection was significantly associated with incident CVD. After adjustment for possible confounders, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein, a significant association between high-risk HPV infection and incident CVD was still observed, with a corresponding HR (95% CI) of 1.25 (1.03–1.52). This association was stronger among individuals with obesity and those with metabolic syndrome. Multivariable-adjusted HR (95% CI) for incident CVD comparing high-risk HPV-positive- to high-risk HPV-negative participants was 1.10 (0.87–1.39) in the nonobese, whereas corresponding HR (95% CI) was 1.73 (1.19–2.51) in those with obesity (
P
for interaction by obesity=0.02). Similarly, multivariable-adjusted HR (95% CI) for incident CVD comparing high-risk HPV-positive- to high-risk HPV-negative participants was 1.09 (0.87–1.36) in those without metabolic syndrome and 1.99 (1.28–3.08) in those with MetS (
P
for interaction=0.05).

Conclusion:

In this large cohort, high-risk HPV infection was significantly associated with an increased risk of developing CVD, especially in obese individuals and those with MetS, indicating that high-risk HPV might affect CVD risk with possible effect modification by obesity and MetS.
Inflammation and Aortic Pulse Wave Velocity: A Multicenter Longitudinal Study in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Zanoli Luca , Ozturk Kadir , Cappello Maria , Inserra Gaetano , Geraci Giulio , Tuttolomondo Antonio , Torres Daniele , Pinto Antonio , Duminuco Andrea , Riguccio Gaia , Aykan Musa B. , Mulé Giuseppe , Cottone Santina , Perna Alessandra F. , Laurent Stephane , Fatuzzo Pasquale , Castellino Pietro , Boutouyrie Pierre
Published: February 2019

Background

Inflammatory bowel disease (
IBD
) is characterized by a low prevalence of traditional risk factors, an increased aortic pulse‐wave velocity (
aPWV
), and an excess of cardiovascular events. We have previously hypothesized that the cardiovascular risk excess reported in these patients could be explained by chronic inflammation. Here, we tested the hypothesis that chronic inflammation is responsible for the increased
aPWV
previously reported in
IBD
patients and that anti‐TNFa (anti‐tumor necrosis factor‐alpha) therapy reduce
aPWV
in these patients.

Methods and Results

This was a multicenter longitudinal study. We enrolled 334 patients: 82 patients with ulcerative colitis, 85 patients with Crohn disease, and 167 healthy control subjects matched for age, sex, and mean blood pressure, from 3 centers in Europe, and followed them for 4 years (range, 2.5–5.7 years). At baseline,
IBD
patients had higher
aPWV
than controls.
IBD
patients in remission and those treated with anti–TNFa during follow‐up experienced an aortic destiffening, whereas
aPWV
increased in those with active disease and those treated with salicylates (
P
=0.01). Disease duration (
P
=0.02) was associated with aortic stiffening as was, in patients with ulcerative colitis, high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein during follow‐up (
P
=0.02). All these results were confirmed after adjustment for major confounders. Finally, the duration of anti–TNFa therapy was not associated with the magnitude of the reduction in
aPWV
at the end of follow‐up (
P
=0.85).

Conclusions

Long‐term anti–TNFa therapy reduces
aPWV
, an established surrogate measure of cardiovascular risk, in patients with
IBD
. This suggests that effective control of inflammation may reduce cardiovascular risk in these patients.
Association of Diabetes Mellitus Status and Glycemic Control With Secondary Prevention Medication Adherence After Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Adamek Kylie E. , Ramadurai Deepa , Gunzburger Elise , Plomondon Mary E. , Ho P. Michael , Raghavan Sridharan
Published: February 2019

Background

Cardioprotective medication adherence can mitigate the risk of recurrent cardiovascular events and mortality after acute myocardial infarction (
AMI
). We examined the associations of diabetes mellitus status and glycemic control with cardioprotective medication adherence after
AMI
.

Methods and Results

We performed a retrospective observational cohort study of 14 517
US
veterans who were hospitalized for their first
AMI
between 2011 and 2014 and prescribed a beta‐blocker, 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methyl‐glutaryl‐CoA‐reductase inhibitor, and angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker. The primary exposure was a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus; in diabetes mellitus patients, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was a secondary exposure. The primary outcome was 1‐year adherence to all 3 medication classes, defined as proportion of days covered ≥0.8, assessed using adjusted risk differences and multivariable Poisson regression. Of 14 517 patients (mean age, 66.3 years; 98% male), 52% had diabetes mellitus; 9%, 31%, 24%, 15%, and 21% had HbA1c <6%, 6% to 6.9%, 7% to 7.9%, 8% to 8.9%, and ≥9%, respectively. Diabetes mellitus patients were more likely to be adherent to all 3 drug classes than those without diabetes mellitus (adjusted difference in adherence, 2.1% [0.5, 3.7]). Relative to those with HbA1c 6% to 6.9%, medication adherence declined with increasing HbA1c (risk ratio of achieving proportion of days covered ≥0.8, 0.99 [0.94, 1.04], 0.93 [0.87, 0.99], 0.82 [0.77, 0.88] for HbA1c 7–7.9%, 8–8.9%, and ≥9%, respectively).

Conclusions

Although diabetes mellitus status had a minor positive impact on cardioprotective medication adherence after
AMI
, glycemic control at the time of
AMI
may help identify diabetes mellitus patients at risk of medication nonadherence who may benefit from adherence interventions after
AMI
.
How Should Very Severe Aortic Stenosis Be Defined in Asymptomatic Individuals?
Authors: Tribouilloy Christophe , Rusinaru Dan , Bohbot Yohann , Maréchaux Sylvestre , Vanoverschelde Jean‐Louis , Enriquez‐Sarano Maurice
Published: February 2019

See Article by
Kanamori et al
Molecular phylogeny of the Sceloporus torquatus species-group (Squamata: Phrynosomatidae)
Authors: MARTÍNEZ-MÉNDEZ NORBERTO , LA CRUZ FAUSTO R. MÉNDEZ-DE
Published: February 2019

The genus Sceloporus is one of the largest genus of lizards in North and Central America, with 22 species groups. Among these, the torquatus group has a notably wide geographic distribution with populations occurring from southern United States to Guatemala. In spite of the taxonomical work done with the group, some problems remain unsolved. We therefore obtained the phylogeny of the torquatus group, based on 925 bp of the ribosomal 16S gene, 912 bp of the ribosomal 12S gene, and 893 bp of the ND4 gene, for a total of 54 specimens of 25 taxa. The genes were analyzed, both separately and combined, by means of maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference analyses. The subspecies of S. serrifer did not form a monophyletic group. The sequence data refuted the morphological evidence that suggested that S. s. plioporus and S. cyanogenys are closely related to S. s. serrifer and to S. s. prezygus. Regardless, these last two were recovered as sister taxa. Moreover, evidence was found that S. ornatus does not form a monophyletic group, and that S. ornatus ornatus and S. oberon are a single species, despite their marked differences in coloration and scutelation. In addition, the non-monophyly of S. mucronatus was confirmed and the phylogenetic relationships of its different species were determined. At the same time, the subspecies of S. dugesii were recovered as a monophyletic group, refuting the nonmonophyly of this taxon suggested in the phylogenetic hypothesis of the entire genus.
Coeliccia southwelli sp. nov. (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platycnemididae) from Mount Dulit, Sarawak
Authors: DOW RORY A. , REELS GRAHAM T.
Published: February 2019

Coeliccia southwelli sp. nov. is described from Mount Dulit, Miri and Kapit Divisions, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. It belongs to the borneensis-group of species, and is the sixth species from this group to be described from Borneo. New material of other borneensis-group species is put on record.
New Mysida (Crustacea) in the genus Pseudomma from the Bellingshausen Sea (Southern Ocean)
Authors: SAN VICENTE CARLOS
Published: February 2019

Two new Erythropinae mysids, Pseudomma bellingshausensis and P. melandi are described from specimens sampled with a suprabenthic sled in the Bellingshausen Sea (Southern Ocean). P. bellingshausensis and P. melandi are distinguishable from its closest congeners, P. antarcticum Zimmer, 1914, P. jasi Meland & Brattegard, 1995 and P. islandicum Meland & Brattegard, 2007 by ocular plate sculpturing and telson armature. A key for the Antarctic and Subantarctic Pseudomma species is also included.
Review of Acanthocephala (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Coreidae) of America north of Mexico with a key to species
Authors: McPHERSON J. E. , PACKAUSKAS RICHARD J. , SITES ROBERT W. , TAYLOR STEVEN J. , BUNDY C. SCOTT , BRADSHAW JEFFREY D. , MITCHELL PAULA LEVIN
Published: February 2019

A review of Acanthocephala of America north of Mexico is presented with an updated key to species. A. confraterna is considered a junior synonym of A. terminalis, thus reducing the number of known species in this region from five to four. New state and country records are presented.
Democracy as a Limiting Factor for Politicised Cultural Populism in Malawi
Authors: Chirambo Reuben Makayiko
Published: February 2019

Though Malawian democracy could still be described as in transition from authoritarianism, it has enabled an atmosphere for critical debate of and dissent against seemingly popular opinions, which was not possible during the authoritarian rule of former life president, Dr. H. K. Banda, 1964–1994. This article examines politicised cultural populism in Malawi under the dictatorship and democracy in comparative terms. President Banda, as a political populist, appropriated culture to legitimate and validate his political power as well as to cultivate popular support from the majority of ordinary people. Following reforms towards democracy since 1992, his successors have also tended towards populist politics by similarly appropriating culture and cultural activities, among other means, to cultivate popular support from mostly ordinary people for their regimes. Such politicised cultural populism involves adopting traditional roles, cultural symbols and images of power such as praise-titles, and participating in cultural activities such as traditional dances. This article examines the efforts of President Bingu wa Mutharika in the democratic dispensation to appropriate cultural artefacts used by Banda during a dictatorship in order to cultivate popular support for his regime. The article argues that Bingu's efforts at politicised cultural populism are constrained, among other factors, by the nature and climate of democratic politics mainly because democracy, unlike a dictatorship, enables critical debate and the questioning of political leader's behaviour and their motives.
KONY 2012, Military Humanitarianism, and the Magic of Occult Economies
Authors: Finnström Sverker
Published: February 2019

The global success of the film KONY 2012 by Invisible Children, Inc., manifests far greater magical powers than those of Joseph Kony and his ruthless Lord's Resistance Army, which it portrays. The most prominent feature of the Invisible Children lobby is the making and constant remaking of a master narrative that depoliticizes and dehistoricizes a murky reality of globalized war into an essentialized black-and-white story. The magic of such a digestible storyline, with Ugandan rebel leader Joseph Kony as a global poster boy for evil personified, not only plays into the hands of the oppressive Ugandan government but has also become handy for the US armed forces as they seek to increase their presence on the African continent. As the US-led war on terror is renewed and expanded, Invisible Children's humanitarian slogan, “Stop at nothing”, has proven to be exceptionally selective, manifesting the occult economy of global activism that calls for military interventions.
Hegemonic Struggles of the African National Congress: From Cacophony of Morbid Symptoms to Strained Renewal
Authors: Booysen Susan
Published: February 2019

The contemporary condition of the African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa, viewed through the lens of hegemony and by means of four sets of correlates of decline and potential renewal, reveals an organisation that has turned away from lethal decline, yet by 2018 was battling to reconstitute a powerful, united historical bloc to underpin a new hegemony. The assessment is executed across the outward fronts of the ANC in relation to the people, the state, and elections, and on the inward side, the ANC organisationally. The ANC, up to late 2017, had undergone a process of hegemonic decline that appeared irreversible. Manifold morbid symptoms of hegemonic decline were evident. In late 2017 the ANC secured a leadership change that held the potential to reverse the decline and reinvigorate the ANC's prospects for hegemonic hold, even if at best it would be a long-term, incremental process. Yet, at the centre, the organisation remained riven with factionalism that pivoted around power and control over public resources; those entrenched in the status quo ante were fighting back, and the new order was struggling to emerge. By drawing together these symptoms (correlates) of decline and possible reversals, the article synthesises the state of ANC hegemony as the movement approaches 25 years in political power.
The optimization of color-prediction models for colored cotton fiber yarns
Authors: Yang Liu , Bai Jing , Zhang Ruiyun , Ding Yi , Ji Feng , Ma Yanxue , Yu Jianyong , Zhang Yi
Published: February 2019

Color matching is necessary in the manufacture of colored fiber yarns, and its accuracy is one of the main goals in computer-aided color matching. A limited number of pre-colored fibers are blended to match the target color through predicted recipes. Of the color-prediction models applied in computer-aided color matching, two common ones, Stearns-Noechel and Friele, were selected to be modified to improve the color-prediction accuracy in this paper. The models were modified in three ways, in which the pending parameters in the models were determined through statistical analysis depending on median, wavelength, and components; thus, the Stearns-Noechel model was modified to Stearns-Noechel 1, Stearns-Noechel 2, and Stearns-Noechel 3, and the Friele model was modified to Friele 1, Friele 2, and Friele 3. The six modified models were affirmed through 261 colored fiber yarns prepared from five primary cotton fibers, including two-, three-, four-, and five-primary blends. The prediction results of 261 samples showed that Stearns-Noechel 3 had the highest accuracy among the modified Stearns-Noechel models, especially for four-primary blends with an average color difference of 0.50 Color Measurement Committee (CMC) (2:1) units, whereas Friele 1 had the highest accuracy among the modified Friele models, especially for five-primary blends with an average color difference of 0.46 CMC (2:1) units. These results indicate the modified model Stearns-Noechel 3 can be used in color prediction when there are fewer than five yarn components, and Friele 1 can be used for five components with lower color differences that better meet color-matching requirements in practical production.
Three consecutive cases of fatal intraoperative intracardiac thrombosis associated with the initiation of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in the presence of aprotinin
Authors: Oscier Chris , Patvardhan Chinmay , Falter Florian , Tosh Will , Dunning John , Catarino Pedro , DeSilva Ravi , Besser Martin , Valchanov Kamen
Published: February 2019

Central venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation has been used since the 1970s to support patients with cardiogenic shock following cardiac surgery. Despite this, in-hospital mortality is still high, and although rare, thrombus within the cardiac chambers or within the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation circuit is often fatal. Aprotinin is an antifibrinolytic available in Europe and Canada, though not currently in the United States. Due to historical safety concerns, use of aprotinin is generally limited and is commonly reserved for patients with the highest bleeding risk. Given the limited availability of aprotinin over the last decade, it is not surprising to find a complete absence of literature describing the use of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in the presence of aprotinin. We present three consecutive cases of rapid fatal intraoperative intracardiac thrombosis associated with post-cardiotomy central venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in patients receiving aprotinin.
Towards a Balance between Privacy and Safety: Microsimulation Framework for Assessing Silence-Based Pseudonym-Change Schemes
Authors: Xin Wuping , Moonam Hasan M. , Petit Jonathan , Whyte William
Published: February 2019

High-frequency awareness messages, such as basic safety messages, in a network of connected vehicles render a continuous stream of location data susceptible to tracking attacks. As a countermeasure, each vehicle transmits the messages under a regularly changing pseudonym. The pseudonym-change approach is most effective when multiple vehicles change their respective pseudonyms during a collective period of radio silence; this helps obfuscate locations. However, it may compromise safety owing to the missing messages, when silent, defeating the primary goal of connected vehicles enhancing road safety. It is essential to fully understand the safety impact of silence-based privacy schemes to achieve a reasonable balance between safety and privacy. To that end, a microscopic traffic simulation framework was developed, built on an industry-standard microscopic simulator of roadway traffic. Importantly, a unique field-tested collision-inclusive driver behavioral model was incorporated into the simulator for generating rigorous network-wide crash measures. A new Adaptive Silent Period Strategy was formulated synthesizing several silence-based location privacy schemes. This strategy permits entry and exit of the silent period adaptively based on the driving context or preconfigured rules. A network-wide privacy measure was designed around traffic flow conditions and roadway topologies. Two test sites were selected: a central business district arterial in Manhattan, New York City, and an urban grid network in Arcadia, California. The results present the network-wide safety impacts and privacy protection effectiveness of the Adaptive Silent Period Strategy, while demonstrating the value of the simulation framework in the design, optimization, and evaluation of silence-based location privacy schemes.
Horizontal and Vertical Curvature and its Effects on Driver Passing Choice
Authors: Hansen Regan , Chang Kevin
Published: February 2019

Passing maneuvers on rural two-lane highways require drivers to enter the opposing traffic lane to overtake an impeding vehicle. A successful maneuver requires the driver to correctly judge the time it will take to complete the pass, and the distance to and speed of the oncoming vehicle. Previous studies have shown that the type and speed of impeding vehicle, traffic volume, roadway cross-section, and driver characteristics influence gap-acceptance behavior, but have not considered vertical curvature or specified directionality in the horizontal curvature. This paper describes a driving simulation experiment in which these geometric, situational, and driver characteristic variables were collected for 643 passing attempts. A logistic regression model was developed to infer the effects of horizontal and vertical curvature on driver passing decisions. This study uniquely quantified that drivers were: more likely to pass if the road curved to the left than if it was straight and less likely to pass if the road curved to the right; more likely to pass if there was a sag curve than if the road was flat and less likely to pass if there was a crest curve; and less likely to pass when traveling uphill than if the road was level. As the influence of roadway geometry on gap-acceptance decisions is not currently implemented in overtaking models, the results of this study have practical implications for microsimulation of rural two-lane highways, highway design, and highway safety, and the inclusion of roadway geometry variables may improve future modeling of roadway capacity and passing locations along two-lane highways.
Cyclic torque imbalance detection in gasoline engines using a uniform second-order sliding mode observer
Authors: Anjum Raheel , Bhatti Aamer Iqbal , Yar Ahmed , Ahmed Qadeer
Published: February 2019

Engine torque imbalance is a wide-ranging problem which is caused due to variance of the combustion mixture in the engine cylinder. In this research work, cyclic torque imbalance detection is carried out by formulating a uniform second-order sliding mode observer using the First Principle–based Engine Model. Oscillations in the crankshaft angular speed were modeled in the novel First Principle–based Engine Model, which were suppressed in the Mean Value Engine Models. Cyclic torque imbalance is simulated at multiple instances by varying the injected fuel mass. Estimation of the net piston force is carried out for cyclic torque imbalance detection using rotational dynamics of the engine model. This force is treated as unknown input to the torque production subsystem of the model. Cyclic torque imbalance detection is validated using the GT-Power engine model. Variations in the cyclic torque were detected proximate to actual values which demonstrated validity of the proposed technique.
A direct method-based strength evaluation of the cast aluminum beam used in a high-speed train
Authors: Huang Songhua , Xu Yugong , Bezold Alexander , Zhang Lele , Chen Geng , Broeckmann Christoph
Published: February 2019

In this paper, the authors elaborate how numerical techniques developed from the direct method can be used to predict the load-bearing capacity of the aluminum casting beam structure which is presently used in the Chinese high-speed train CRH5A. The numerical method introduced in this paper is formulated based on the Melan's static theorem; thus, it determines the strength of the cast aluminum beam under both monotonic and cyclic loads without following the entire load profile. In addition to constructing the plastic and shakedown limits of the component, the proposed approach is also employed to study how stiffeners' thickness on the key areas influences the feasible load domains. Based on the intensive sensitivity analysis, an optimal thickness has been determined which gives the highest strength-to-weight ratio. To this end, the paper confirms that the direct method is a viable means for designing structures used in the rolling stock.
Experimental study of the vibration characteristics of the floating slab track in metro turnout zones
Authors: Jiang Bolong , Ma Meng , Li Minghang , Liu Weining , Li Teng
Published: February 2019

In railway turnout areas, vertical and horizontal structure irregularities, including geometry and stiffness, result in vibration amplification during the passage of trains. These vibrations can then spread to the surrounding environment. A steel spring floating slab track may be used to control such vibrations, especially in metro-type urban railways. An experimental study was conducted to investigate the vibration-mitigating effects of the floating slab track in turnout areas, and the results were compared with the performance of a regular slab track. Four test cases (consisting of six test sections) were selected: a floating slab track in the turnout zone (consisting of a switch rail section and a nose rail section), a floating slab track in the plain line, a slab track in the turnout zone (consisting of a switch rail section and a nose rail section), and a slab track in the plain line. The vibration characteristics of the floating slab track in the plain line and in the turnout were calculated to explain the test results. The test results indicate that when trains pass across the floating slab track in the turnout zone, the vertical vibration response is close to the horizontal response on the switch rail sections. The use of floating slab track can effectively reduce this vertical vibration. However, the vertical vibration response is much larger than the horizontal response on the nose rail sections of the turnout zone. When the floating slab track is used in these turnout zones, the vertical vibration of the rail decreases while the horizontal vibration increases. Compared to sections using the regular slab track in the turnout zone, the vibration of the floating slab track segments in the turnout zone is shown to be exacerbated, although the vibration level at the adjacent tunnel wall is effectively reduced.
Drag reduction by various micro-grooves in a rotating disk system
Authors: Wen Suping , Wang Wenbo , Wu Shuhuai
Published: February 2019

To study the effects of micro-groove cross section asymmetry on the flow characteristic and drag reduction efficiency under rotation, numerical simulations of various rotating disks with micro-grooves were performed. Experiments of two representative disks were conducted for comparison and validation. Both numerical results and experimental results show that micro-grooves are effective in drag reduction. The fluid flow is promoted at one micro-groove sidewall and suppressed on the other side. There is an extended low-pressure area between the micro-grooves and the disk clearance, which demonstrates the interaction phenomenon exists, could be discovered. The interaction phenomenon makes the micro-groove fluid suppress the clearance fluid. When the disks rotate, the micro-groove fluids are suppressed, and the extended low-pressure areas are intensified overall. Positive asymmetry coefficient micro-grooves have larger high-pressure areas, and negative asymmetry coefficient micro-grooves have larger low-pressure areas. A higher asymmetry coefficient micro-groove has a greater asymmetrical pressure distribution. In contrast, the extended low-pressure areas are slightly affected by micro-groove geometries. Positive asymmetry coefficient micro-grooves, including zero asymmetry coefficient micro-grooves, have higher drag reduction efficiencies, whereas negative asymmetry coefficient micro-grooves have lower drag reduction efficiencies. The optimal micro-groove asymmetry coefficient is 0.25–0.5 within the rotating Reynolds number limits of 0.703 × 106–1.406 × 106.
Force ripple compensation of the directly-driven linear motors via iterative tuning feed-forward controller
Authors: Wu Jianhua , Liu Chao , Liu YongJiang , Xiong Zhenhua , Ding Han
Published: February 2019

Linear motors are promising in improving the manufacturing equipments’ performance because of eliminating the flexible coupling component. However, the force ripple produced by the linear motors directly causes the feed fluctuation and thus degrades the motion precision. This article utilizes a feed-forward controller added to the feedback one to compensate its effect for the sake of simplicity and robustness. Considering that the force ripple is periodic to the position, a position-dependent multi-order harmonic model is built and used as the feed-forward controller. In order to obtain the controller parameters for various applications, an iterative tuning method is proposed. This method has the advantage that both the high performance for different trajectories tracking and the robustness to disturbances are guaranteed. Experiments on a linear motor illustrate that the parameters converge rapidly. The results show that the tracking performance is improved greatly and the tracking errors are reduced by 60% at least.
Urinary biomarkers for lupus nephritis: the role of the vascular cell adhesion molecule-1
Authors: Gasparin A A , Pamplona Bueno de Andrade N , Hax V , Tres G Leví , Veronese F V , Monticielo O A
Published: February 2019

Renal involvement is one of the main complications of systemic lupus erythematosus, causing a significant impact on patients' morbidity and mortality. Renal biopsy is still the gold standard of diagnosis, but it has many limitations. In this sense, several recent studies aim to identify biomarkers that not only predict disease activity and renal histology, but also lead to earlier treatment. In previous studies, the soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 measured in urine showed a strong association with the presence of lupus nephritis, with clinical and histological activity indexes of the disease and with more severe renal lesions. This paper reviews the main urinary biomarkers of lupus nephritis that have been studied, with special emphasis on vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 results.