bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Biomechanical Analysis of Lower Limb Movement on the Backcourt Forehand Clear Stroke among Badminton Players of Different Levels
Authors: Zhao Xiaoxue , Li Shudong
Published: January 2019

Most of the previous studies have been focused on the upper limb biomechanical characteristic in the clear stroke among different level badminton players, but research on the lower limb is limited. The aim of this study is to explore the lower limb kinematics and foot pressure in the backcourt forehand clear stroke among badminton players to give theoretical reference in teaching and answer the questions occurring in the process of learning the actions. Ten professional badminton players (PP) and ten amateur players (AP) were recruited in this study. Plantar pressure analyses indicated that both the PP and the AP were in contact with the ground over the forefoot without the midfoot and heel. The work suggests that when designing professional badminton sports shoes, the designers should focus on strengthening footwear resistance in the metatarsal and forefoot area, especially the first metatarsal area, to meet the requirement of the movement demand and take the badminton movement characteristics in different regions of the design. The peak ankle dorsiflexion, eversion, and internal rotation angle levels of the AP are lower than those of the PP. It is important for the AP group to enhance their ankle strength to prevent injury and improve performance.
A Roadheader-Assisted Coal Cutter Based on Tensile Failure Mechanism of Coal
Authors: Liu Bo , Wang Zhiliu , Xu Wei , Yu Zhiwei , Yan Zhendong , Yao Biao
Published: January 2019

This paper proposes a new roadheader-assisted coal cutter (RACC) based on the tensile failure mechanism of coal. An innovative mining method, called the cutting inside and spalling outside mining (CISOM) method, is developed based on this new RACC. The mechanical model is established, and the working mechanism of the new CISOM method is illustrated using a column model and a beam model. The mechanical models reveal that the tensile stress causes greater deflection than compressive stress. The deflection and mining width demonstrates a quadratic relationship. To understand the stratum behaviors and improve mining efficiency, the stability of a working face owned by Jincheng Coal Mining Group in Shanxi is analyzed using UDEC numerical simulation. Numerical results indicate that the optimal values of the parameter are 0.8 m width for the inside cutting and 0.4 m width for the outside spalling at #1305 working face. The newly developed RACC was successfully applied at #1305 working face. The field results showed that the recovery rate of CISOM method is over 90%; i.e., it is improved by 20% in comparison with the traditional method.
Biomarkers in Adult Dermatomyositis: Tools to Help the Diagnosis and Predict the Clinical Outcome
Authors: Cassius Charles , Le Buanec Hélène , Bouaziz Jean-David , Amode Reyhan
Published: January 2019

Dermatomyositis pathophysiology is complex. In recent years, medical research has identified molecules associated with disease activity. Besides providing insights into the driving mechanisms of dermatomyositis, these findings could provide potential biomarkers. Activity markers can be used to monitor disease activity in clinical trials and may also be useful in daily practice. This article reviews molecules that could be used as biomarkers for diagnosis and monitoring dermatomyositis disease activity.
Corin Is Downregulated in Renal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury and Is Associated with Delayed Graft Function after Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Hu Xinyi , Su Ming , Lin Jun , Zhang Lei , Sun Wen , Zhang Jian , Tian Ye , Qiu Wei
Published: January 2019

Renal ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury is one of the most important risk factors for the occurrence of delayed graft function (DGF) after kidney transplantation; however, its mechanism remains not fully understood. In the present study, we screened differentially expressed genes in a murine model of renal IR injury by using high-throughput assays. We identified Corin as one of the most significantly downregulated genes among 2218 differentially expressed genes (≥2-fold, P<0.05). By using a real-time qPCR assay, we observed that the expression of renal Corin in IR-injured mice was reduced to 11.5% of the sham-operated mice and that the protein level of renal Corin in IR-injured mice was also downregulated. Interestingly, renal IR injury in mice induced the downregulation of Corin in heart tissues, suggesting that the overall synthesis of Corin may be suppressed. We recruited 11 recipients complicated with DGF and 16 without DGF, and plasma Corin concentrations were determined by ELISA. We observed that the plasma Corin levels were indeed reduced in recipients complicated with DGF (0.98 vs. 1.95 ng/ml, P<0.05). These findings demonstrate that Corin may be a potential biomarker of DGF after kidney transplantation and may participate in the regulation of renal IR injury.
Quantitative Imaging Markers of Lung Function in a Smoking Population Distinguish COPD Subgroups with Differential Lung Cancer Risk
Authors: Lusk Christine M. , Wenzlaff Angela S. , Watza Donovan , Sieren Jessica C. , Robinette Natasha , Walworth Garrett , Petrich Michael , Neslund-Dudas Christine , Flynn Michael J. , Song Thomas , Spizarny David , Simoff Michael J. , Soubani Ayman O. , Gadgeel Shirish , Schwartz Ann G.
Published: January 2019

Background:

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous condition with respect to onset, progression, and response to therapy. Incorporating clinical- and imaging-based features to refine COPD phenotypes provides valuable information beyond that obtained from traditional clinical evaluations. We characterized the spectrum of COPD-related phenotypes in a sample of former and current smokers and evaluated how these subgroups differ with respect to sociodemographic characteristics, COPD-related comorbidities, and subsequent risk of lung cancer.

Methods:

White (N = 659) and African American (N = 520) male and female participants without lung cancer (controls) in the INHALE study who completed a chest CT scan, interview, and spirometry test were used to define distinct COPD-related subgroups based on hierarchical clustering. Seven variables were used to define clusters: pack years, quit years, FEV1/FVC, % predicted FEV1, and from quantitative CT (qCT) imaging, % emphysema, % air trapping, and mean lung density ratio. Cluster definitions were then applied to INHALE lung cancer cases (N = 576) to evaluate lung cancer risk.

Results:

Five clusters were identified that differed significantly with respect to sociodemographic (e.g., race, age) and clinical (e.g., BMI, limitations due to breathing difficulties) characteristics. Increased risk of lung cancer was associated with increasingly detrimental lung function clusters (when ordered from most detrimental to least detrimental).

Conclusions:

Measures of lung function vary considerably among smokers and are not fully explained by smoking intensity.

Impact:

Combining clinical (spirometry) and radiologic (qCT) measures of COPD defines a spectrum of lung disease that predicts lung cancer risk differentially among patient clusters.
Immunologic Correlates of the Abscopal Effect in a SMARCB1/INI1-negative Poorly Differentiated Chordoma after EZH2 Inhibition and Radiotherapy
Authors: Gounder Mrinal M. , Zhu Guo , Roshal Lev , Lis Eric , Daigle Scott R. , Blakemore Steven J. , Michaud Neil R. , Hameed Meera , Hollmann Travis J.
Published: January 2019

Purpose:

We sought to determine the mechanism of an exceptional response in a patient diagnosed with a SMARCB1/INI1-negative chordoma treated with tazemetostat, an EZH2 inhibitor, and followed by radiotherapy.

Patient and Methods: In an attempt to investigate the mechanism behind this apparent abscopal effect, we interrogated tumor tissues obtained over the clinical course. We utilized next-generation sequencing, standard IHC, and employed a novel methodology of multiplex immunofluorescence analysis.

Results:

We report an exceptional and durable response (2+ years) in a patient with SMARCB1-deleted, metastatic, poorly differentiated chordoma, a lethal disease with an overall survival of 6 months. The patient was treated for 4 weeks with tazemetostat, an EZH2 inhibitor, in a phase II clinical trial. At the time of progression she underwent radiation to the primary site and unexpectedly had a complete response at distant metastatic sites. We evaluated baseline and on-treatment tumor biopsies and demonstrate that tazemetostat resulted in pharmacodynamic inhibition of EZH2 as seen by decrease in histone trimethylation at H3K27. Tazemetostat resulted in a significant increase in intratumoral and stromal infiltration by proliferative (high Ki-67), CD8+ T cells, FoxP3+ regulatory T cells, and immune cells expressing checkpoint regulators PD-1 and LAG-3. These changes were pronounced in the stroma.

Conclusions:

These observations are the first demonstration in patient samples confirming that EZH2 inhibition can promote a sustained antitumor response that ultimately leads to T-cell exhaustion and checkpoint activation. This suggests that targeted alteration of the epigenetic landscape may sensitize some tumors to checkpoint inhibitors.
An Integrated Stress Response Agent that Modulates DR5-Dependent TRAIL Synergy Reduces Patient-Derived Glioma Stem Cell Viability
Authors: Sheikh Saad , Saxena Deeksha , Tian Xiaobing , Amirshaghaghi Ahmad , Tsourkas Andrew , Brem Steven , Dorsey Jay F.
Published: January 2019

The high incidence of glioblastoma recurrence necessitates additional therapeutic strategies. Heterogeneous populations of cells, including glioma stem cells (GSC) have been implicated in disease recurrence. GSCs are able to survive irradiation and temozolomide (TMZ) treatment due to upregulation of DNA damage pathways. One potential strategy to target treatment-resistant tumor populations may be via the integrated stress response (ISR). Modulation of the ISR pathway also allows for sensitization of treatment-resistant cells to TRAIL. We generated a novel cell-based death receptor assay to identify potent inducers of ISR-dependent DR5 expression. We used this assay to screen compounds from three commercially available libraries, and identified 1-benzyl-3-cetyl-2-methylimidazolium iodide (NH125) as a potent inducer of DR5 expression. NH125 engages the EIF2α–ATF4–CHOP axis culminating in DR5 expression at low micromolar doses. Expression of CHOP plays a critical role in NH125-mediated TRAIL synergy. Treatment of GSC with NH125 produces a marked reduction in viability when compared with other cell lines. NH125-treated GSC also synergize with lower doses of TRAIL when compared with all other cell lines tested. Transcriptional analysis of NH125-treated GSC uncovers a unique profile that involves activation of ISR and GADD45 pathways. Treatment of GSC xenografts with encapsulated PEG–PCL–NH125 leads to a sustained decrease in tumor volume.

Implications:

Taken together, these data suggest that engaging the ISR pathway represents a promising strategy to target treatment refractory GSC that have been implicated in glioblastoma recurrence.
A CD40 Agonist and PD-1 Antagonist Antibody Reprogram the Microenvironment of Nonimmunogenic Tumors to Allow T-cell–Mediated Anticancer Activity
Authors: Ma Hayley S. , Poudel Bibhav , Torres Evanthia Roussos , Sidhom John-William , Robinson Tara M. , Christmas Brian , Scott Blake , Cruz Kayla , Woolman Skylar , Wall Valerie Z. , Armstrong Todd , Jaffee Elizabeth M.
Published: January 2019

In cancers with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that block immune checkpoints such as CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L1 promote antitumor T-cell immunity. Unfortunately, most cancers fail to respond to single-agent immunotherapies. T regulatory cells, myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), and extensive stromal networks within the tumor microenvironment (TME) dampen antitumor immune responses by preventing T-cell infiltration and/or activation. Few studies have explored combinations of immune-checkpoint antibodies that target multiple suppressive cell populations within the TME, and fewer have studied the combinations of both agonist and antagonist mAbs on changes within the TME. Here, we test the hypothesis that combining a T-cell–inducing vaccine with both a PD-1 antagonist and CD40 agonist mAbs (triple therapy) will induce T-cell priming and TIL activation in mouse models of nonimmunogenic solid malignancies. In an orthotopic breast cancer model and both subcutaneous and metastatic pancreatic cancer mouse models, only triple therapy was able to eradicate most tumors. The survival benefit was accompanied by significant tumor infiltration of IFNγ-, Granzyme B-, and TNFα-secreting effector T cells. Further characterization of immune populations was carried out by high-dimensional flow-cytometric clustering analysis and visualized by t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE). Triple therapy also resulted in increased infiltration of dendritic cells, maturation of antigen-presenting cells, and a significant decrease in granulocytic MDSCs. These studies reveal that combination CD40 agonist and PD-1 antagonist mAbs reprogram immune resistant tumors in favor of antitumor immunity.
Os velhos marinheiros, de Jorge Amado e o velho e o mar, de Hemingway: narrativas simbólicas do mar
Authors: Luna Jairo Nogueira
Published: January 2019

Neste artigo, buscamos apresentar um trabalho de literatura comparada entre as obras Os Velhos Marinheiros, de Jorge Amado (1961 – traduzido para o inglês por Harriet de Onis, Home is the Sailor) e O Velho e o Mar, de Ernest Hemingway (1951 – do original em inglês, The Old Man and the Sea, traduzido por Jorge de Sena). Destacamos na obra de Hemingway a questão das dicotomias e as interpretações simbólicas que envolvem Santiago e o peixe. Em Os Velhos Marinheiros demonstramos os aspectos relativos às narrativas fantasiosas de Vasco Moscoso. Em ambas as obras buscamos demonstrar a importância da hipérbole como recurso que define aspectos importantes dos dois enredos. Ainda, tentamos definir alguns aspectos relativos ao uso da ironia e do sentido trágico em Hemingway e tragicômico em Jorge Amado.
O ensino de literatura sob o viés da licenciatura
Authors: Rezende Neide Luzia de
Published: January 2019

O artigo busca aproximar, para problematizar, perspectivas diversas de ensino da literatura: a do curso de Letras e a do curso de Licenciatura da USP, tradicionalmente distanciados em relação às teorias e metodologias de ensino desse campo de saber. O curso de Letras forma especialistas de textos enquanto há décadas professores da Educação têm insistido na dimensão da recepção e do leitor.
O discurso do espaço e a representação do tribunal: as relações entre the Children Act e Bleak House
Authors: Escoza Cássia
Published: January 2019

Este artigo propõe uma análise comparativa entre as obras Bleak House (1853), de Charles Dickens e The Children Act (2014), de Ian McEwan, com base nos estudos semióticos da figuratividade. A observação das semelhanças e diferenças do discurso do espaço nos dois romances viabiliza a compreensão dos aspectos estilísticos e formais utilizados pelos autores, bem como do contexto histórico-cultural em que as obras surgiram. Mais especificamente, esta análise revela a estreita conexão das narrativas sobre a relação entre a literatura e os processos jurídicos na sociedade inglesa, em meados do século XIX e início do século XXI.
A Montanha Mágica: formação e fortuna de Hans Castorp
Authors: Ramires Francisco José
Published: January 2019

O objetivo deste ensaio é refletir sobre o livro A Montanha Mágica, de Thomas Mann, como romance de formação. Se, por um lado, ele se tornou um clássico literário que vai além das fronteiras e do tempo, por outro, em sua concepção, pode ser interpretado no passo a passo de diálogos graças aos quais as escolhas do autor podem ser apreendidas. No recorte analítico aqui feito, destacam-se Schopenhauer e Nietzsche como interlocutores importantes para a construção e a concepção de formação subjacente ao livro, num momento crítico da história alemã e europeia.
Grande Sertão: Veredas, a formação pelo amor
Authors: Lima Débora Domke Ribeiro
Published: January 2019

O trabalho propõe ao leitor acompanhar o percurso de formação do protagonista de Grande sertão: Veredas mediante a experiência do amor. Com o objetivo de analisar como esse sentimento promove em Riobaldo o aprendizado, o estudo descortina, por meio da constatação do pacto e pela busca do sentido da vida, seu constante processo de transformação interior.
integração do Plano Diretor de Iluminação com o e o Plano Diretor
Authors: Lima Mariana
Published: January 2019

A paisagem da cidade e sua silhueta devem ressaltar sua identidade noturna. O plano diretor de iluminação urbano deve ser pensado em conjunto com a elaboração conceitual do plano diretor, de modo a manter uma relação entre a paisagem noturna e a paisagem diurna, formulando uma leitura conjunta e não de elementos independentes. Este trabalho visa demonstrar que os Planos Diretores de Iluminação devem acompanhar os Planos Diretores. Em um primeiro momento discorre-se sobre os novos conceitos de iluminação urbana segundo as teorias do L’Urbanisme Lumiére e o City Beautification. Como estudo de caso são apresentados os Planos Diretores de Iluminação de Putrajaya e Singapura evidenciando como estes estão em conformidade com seus respectivos Planos Diretores. Ambas usam a iluminação como ferramenta para hierarquização de vias e edifícios, evidenciam suas formas orgânicas e frentes marítimas, priorizam a iluminação para o pedestre, além de emprega-la como ferramenta de marketing urbano pautado nos interesses de reprodução da lógica de mercado.
Diagnóstico da arborização urbana do município de Guarabira-Paraíba
Authors: Silva Suelen Thaís da , Sousa Breno Henrique de
Published: January 2019

Este trabalho teve como objetivo analisar qualitativamente a atual situação da arborização município de Guarabira na Paraíba, Nordeste do Brasil, bem como servir como base para futuras melhorias na arborização da cidade. A pesquisa contemplou a arborização em cinco pontos amostrais diferentes, que foram distribuídos de forma aleatória. Dentre os diversos métodos de avaliação de impacto ambiental, além da observação de mapas e imagens de satélite, optou-se pelo uso da matriz de Leopold, muito comum para estudos de impacto ambiental da agricultura e que permite uma interação entre as ações provenientes do projeto – neste caso, o estado da arte da arborização municipal – sobre os fatores do meio. Entre os diversos problemas observados, pode-se destacar a baixa diversidade de plantas e a predominância de espécies exóticas que são decorrentes da falta de planejamento que resultam em uma arborização desordenada, inapropriada e descontínua.
Planejamento urbano
Authors: Almeida Juscidalva Rodrigues de
Published: January 2019

O planejamento, que é um conjunto de ações e de construção do desenvolvimento urbanístico, constitui uma ferramenta alternativa para minimizar os efeitos da interferência do homem no meio ambiente. Neste sentido, o planejamento urbano é indispensável para as implantações de ações delineadoras para os municípios o qual desencadearia melhor controle sobre o uso e ocupação do solo, podendo estabelecer medidas de preservação das áreas verdes. Com objetivo de analisar a questão do planejamento urbano, tendo como procedimento metodológico a Revisão Integrativa Sistemática-RIS, que se trata de uma revisão de artigos utilizando os critérios de seleção: temática, escala de tempo, idioma, resumos completos, a credibilidade dos periódicos (qualis de A2 a B2) com fator de impacto relevante, foram obtidos 20 registros de estudos sobre o tema em questão, publicados entre os anos de 2010 e 2015. Na análise, pode-se constatar que os principais problemas que interferem na redução das áreas verdes são a falta de planejamento e as falhas nas implantações de projetos e de infra-estruturas urbanas (construção de moradias, indústria, arruamentos, rede de esgotamento e drenagem), principalmente nas cidades grandes, interferindo na conservação dos ecossistemas, elevando a perda da biodiversidade urbana e, consequentemente, comprometendo a qualidade de vida.
Forma e função no projeto da praça urbana
Authors: Oliveira Luciana Monzillo de
Published: January 2019

O binômio forma e função e o consequente equilíbrio ou a predominância de um ou de outro, nos diferentes campos de atuação dos arquitetos, designers, paisagistas e urbanistas, tem sido tema explorado e vinculado às definições do moderno e do pós-moderno. No projeto dos espaços livres de edificações, a questão está diretamente relacionada com a apreensão e leitura da paisagem urbana e sua apropriação pelo usuário. O objeto de pesquisa é o processo de transformação da paisagem urbana decorrente dos projetos implantados na Jacob Javits Plaza, em Nova York, em diferentes intervenções desde 1967. A pesquisa utiliza dos conceitos de Rosalind Krauss, Anthony Vidler e Silvio Macedo para identificar e analisar as referências projetuais das intervenções na praça e traçar um paralelo entre a arquitetura paisagística e o campo da arte escultórica, e a relação forma e função no projeto do espaço livre de edificações para uso público.
Lin28a Regulates Pathological Cardiac Hypertrophic Growth Through Pck2-Mediated Enhancement of Anabolic Synthesis
Authors: Ma Hong , Yu Shuo , Liu Xiaojing , Zhang Yingao , Fakadej Thomas , Liu Ziqing , Yin Chaoying , Shen Weining , Locasale Jason W. , Taylor Joan M. , Qian Li , Liu Jiandong
Published: January 2019

Background:

Hypertrophic response to pathological stimuli is a complex biological process that involves transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of the cardiac transcriptome. Although previous studies have implicated transcriptional factors and signaling molecules in pathological hypertrophy, the role of RNA-binding protein in this process has received little attention.

Methods:

Here we used transverse aortic constriction and in vitro cardiac hypertrophy models to characterize the role of an evolutionary conserved RNA-binding protein Lin28a in pathological cardiac hypertrophy. Next-generation sequencing, RNA immunoprecipitation, and gene expression analyses were applied to identify the downstream targets of Lin28a. Epistatic analysis, metabolic assays, and flux analysis were further used to characterize the effects of Lin28a and its downstream mediator in cardiomyocyte hypertrophic growth and metabolic remodeling.

Results:

Cardiac-specific deletion of
Lin28a
attenuated pressure overload–induced hypertrophic growth, cardiac dysfunction, and alterations in cardiac transcriptome. Mechanistically, Lin28a directly bound to mitochondrial phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 2 (
Pck2
) mRNA and increased its transcript level. Increasing
Pck2
was sufficient to promote hypertrophic growth similar to that caused by increasing Lin28a, whereas knocking down
Pck2
attenuated norepinephrine-induced cardiac hypertrophy. Epistatic analysis demonstrated that Pck2 mediated, at least in part, the role of Lin28a in cardiac hypertrophic growth. Furthermore, metabolomic analyses highlighted the role for Lin28a and Pck2 in promoting cardiac biosynthesis required for cell growth.

Conclusions:

Our study demonstrates that Lin28a promotes pathological cardiac hypertrophy and glycolytic reprograming, at least in part, by binding to and stabilizing
Pck2
mRNA.
Unloading the Left Ventricle Before Reperfusion in Patients With Anterior ST-Segment–Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Kapur Navin K. , Alkhouli Mohamad A. , DeMartini Tony J. , Faraz Haroon , George Zachary H. , Goodwin Mark J. , Hernandez-Montfort Jaime A. , Iyer Vijay S. , Josephy Noam , Kalra Sanjog , Kaki Amir , Karas Richard H. , Kimmelstiel Carey D. , Koenig Gerald C. , Lau Evan , Lotun Kapildeo , Madder Ryan D. , Mannino Salvatore F. , Meraj Perwaiz M. , Moreland Jason A. , Moses Jeffrey W. , Kim Raymond L. , Schreiber Theodore L. , Udelson James E. , Witzke Christian , Wohns David H.W. , O’Neill William W.
Published: January 2019

Background:

In ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), infarct size correlates directly with heart failure and mortality. Preclinical testing has shown that, in comparison with reperfusion alone, mechanically unloading the left ventricle (LV) before reperfusion reduces infarct size and that 30 minutes of unloading activates a cardioprotective program that limits reperfusion injury. The DTU-STEMI pilot trial (Door-To-Unload in STEMI Pilot Trial) represents the first exploratory study testing whether LV unloading and delayed reperfusion in patients with STEMI without cardiogenic shock is safe and feasible.

Methods:

In a multicenter, prospective, randomized exploratory safety and feasibility trial, we assigned 50 patients with anterior STEMI to LV unloading by using the Impella CP followed by immediate reperfusion (U-IR) versus delayed reperfusion after 30 minutes of unloading (U-DR). The primary safety outcome was a composite of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events at 30 days. Efficacy parameters included the assessment of infarct size by using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

Results:

All patients completed the U-IR (n=25) or U-DR (n=25) protocols with respective mean door-to-balloon times of 72 versus 97 minutes. Major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event rates were not statistically different between the U-IR versus U-DR groups (8% versus 12%, respectively,
P
=0.99). In comparison with the U-IR group, delaying reperfusion in the U-DR group did not affect 30-day mean infarct size measured as a percentage of LV mass (15±12% versus 13±11%, U-IR versus U-DR,
P
=0.53).

Conclusions:

We report that LV unloading using the Impella CP device with a 30-minute delay before reperfusion is feasible within a relatively short time period in anterior STEMI. The DTU-STEMI pilot trial did not identify prohibitive safety signals that would preclude proceeding to a larger pivotal study of LV unloading before reperfusion. An appropriately powered pivotal trial comparing LV unloading before reperfusion to the current standard of care is required.

Clinical Trial Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT03000270.
EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) Signaling and the Mitochondria Regulate sFlt-1 (Soluble FMS-Like Tyrosine Kinase-1) Secretion
Authors: Hastie Roxanne , Brownfoot Fiona C. , Pritchard Natasha , Hannan Natalie J. , Cannon Ping , Nguyen Vi , Palmer Kirsten , Beard Sally , Tong Stephen , Kaitu’u-Lino Tu’uhevaha J.
Published: January 2019

Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy characterized by maternal endothelial dysfunction and end-organ damage. The antiangiogenic factor, sFlt-1 (soluble FMS-like tyrosine kinase-1) has been strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. sFlt-1 is secreted into the maternal circulation where it antagonizes VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) and ultimately disrupts vascular homeostasis. However, the upstream mechanisms regulating release of sFlt-1 are poorly characterized. We investigated the roles of key prosurvival pathways, EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) signaling, and the mitochondria, in regulating sFlt-1 production. We initially found that the mRNA and protein of EGFR and downstream adaptor molecules were significantly increased in preeclamptic placental tissue relative to normotensive controls. Inhibiting the EGFR signaling cascade using siRNA (small interfering ribonucleic acid) or small molecule inhibitors significantly reduced sFlt-1 release from primary cytotrophoblast (placental cells). Additionally, inhibiting the mitochondrial electron transport chain or activating downstream energy-sensing molecules (AMPK [AMP-activated kinase], SIRT1 [sirtuin 1 ], and PGC1α [PPAR-γ co-activator 1]) also significantly reduced sFlt-1 secretion from cytotrophoblast cells, without affecting EGFR signaling. In vivo, treating pregnant mice with gefitinib (an EGFR inhibitor) or resveratrol (perturbs mitochondrial function) significantly reduced circulating murine sFlt-1 compared with vehicle control. Furthermore, treating primary cytotrophoblasts with therapeutics which have been previously found to reduce sFlt-1 secretion, either reduced EGFR signaling (esomeprazole and statins) or perturbed mitochondrial function (esomeprazole, resveratrol, and metformin). Additionally, targeting both pathways simultaneously produced additive reductions in sFlt-1 secretion. Thus, we have identified 2 key survival pathways that seem to be overactive in preeclampsia and involved in the regulation of placental sFlt-1 secretion.
“No Such Thing as a Free Lunch”: Personalized P2Y
12
Inhibition to Optimize Patient Outcomes
Authors: Kinnaird Tim
Published: January 2019

See Article by
Crimi et al
Cladosporium omanense, a new endophytic species from Zygophyllum coccineum in Oman
Authors: HALO BOSHRA A. , MAHARACHCHIKUMBURA SAJEEWA S.N. , AL-YAHYAI RASHID A. , AL-SADI ABDULLAH M.
Published: January 2019

The genus Cladosporium is cosmopolitan in distribution and can be isolated from various sources including plants as endophytes. A strain of Cladosporium was isolated from living leaves of Zygophyllum coccineum in a desert habitat in Oman. Phylogenetic analysis based on the combined internal transcribed spacer (ITS), partial translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF) and partial actin (ACT) sequence data shows that this is a novel species, which groups with Cladosporium sphaerospermum complex. The new species is introduced as Cladosporium omanense and is described, illustrated and compared with other known species in the genus. Cladosporium omanense differs from its phylogenetically related species C. endophyticum by its fast growing colonies, longer macronematous and micronematous conidiophores, thickened-walled conidia with conspicuously protuberant shrivelling surface ornamentations.
New names for Ilex and Ilexpollenites (Aquifoliaceae), extant and fossil. Notulae Systematicae ad Palaeofloram Europaeam spectantes II. Aquifoliaceae
Authors: DOWELD ALEXANDER B.
Published: January 2019

New names are proposed for the fossil European Tertiary species of Ilex (The Palaeoflora Europaea Project): Ilex angustifolioides nom. nov., Ilex boulayi nom. nov., Ilex friedrichii nom. nov., Ilex latifolioides nom. nov., and Ilex opacina nom. nov. Ilex integrifolia Baikovskaja from Central Asia is renamed Ilex aschutassica nom. nov. (non extant Ilex integrifolia Hort. ex Vilmorin and Ilex integrifolia Chapman ex Knowlton). Ilex mormonica nom. nov. of North America is proposed in place of Ilex acuminata Becker (fossil) non Ilex acuminata Willdenow (extant). Ilex polarica nom. nov. from Greenland is validated in place of Ilex macrophylla Heer (fossil) non Ilex macrophylla Blume (extant). Ilex fortunensis Hahn (extant) is renamed Ilex hahnii nom. nov. (not fossil Ilex fortunensis van der Burgh). Ilex subrotunda sp. nov. is validated instead of the previously invalidly published I. ohashii, lacking holotype designation when published. Fossil-species of Ilex, based on the dispersed pollen, Ilex major, I. colchiciformis, I. hyrcaniformis, I. macroclavata, I. tener, are transferred to the pollen fossil-genus Ilexpollenites. Fossil-species based on leaves, Ilex artocarpidioides and Ilex ovata are segregated into a separate genus Celastrilex gen. nov. Fossil-species Ilex pseudostenophylla, based on leaf remains, is excluded from Ilex and placed into a new fossil-genus Frangulops gen. nov. The following new combinations are proposed: Ilex ulmacea comb. nov., Ilexpollenites: Ilexpollenites major comb. nov., I. colchiciformis comb. nov., I. hyrcaniformis comb. nov., I. macroclavata comb. nov., I. tener comb. nov.; Celastrilex artocarpidioides, C. populifolia; Frangulops pseudostenophylla. Furthermore, Celastrus ulmaceus is neotypified; Ilex acuminata Saporta, I. berberidifolia, I. mougeotii and I. rueminiana are lectotypified.
A new species of four-eyed frog genus Pleurodema Tschudi, 1838 (Anura: Leiuperidae) from the rock meadows of Espinhaço range, Brazil
Authors: MACIEL DANIEL BASTOS , NUNES IVAN
Published: January 2019

A new Brazilian species of Pleurodema, closer to Pleurodema diplolister (Peters), from the Brazilian rock meadows (Campos Rupestres) is described. This new species is characterized by the following combination of traits: medium size (males 32.3–36.1 mm SVL); lumbar gland absent; tarsal fold absent; presence of a tarsal tubercle near the heel; inner metacarpal tubercle rounded and well developed in males; supernumerary tubercles on hand absent or vestigial; annulus tympanicus distinct; absence or vestigial presence of fringes in fingers; and absence of flash coloration in the hidden portions of the thighs and groin.
The tadpole of Leptodactylus cupreus Caramaschi, Feio & São Pedro, 2008 (Anura, Leptodactylidae)
Authors: MOTTA ANA PAULA , DA SILVA EMANUEL TEIXEIRA , FEIO RENATO NEVES , DERGAM JORGE ABDALA
Published: January 2019

Leptodactylus cupreus Caramaschi, Feio & São Pedro is allocated in the L. fuscus species group, within the L. mystaceus species complex (sensu Heyer 1978 and Heyer et al. 1996; Caramaschi et al. 2008), that is formed by medium sized frogs distributed throughout the Amazon Basin, Atlantic Forest, Gran Chaco and Cerrados of South America (de Sá et al. 2005). This species complex includes L. mystaceus (Spix), L. elenae Heyer, L. notoaktites Heyer, L. spixi Heyer, and L. didymus Heyer, García-Lopez & Cardoso. The tadpoles of L. didymus and L. cupreus are still unknown. Herein we describe the tadpole of L. cupreus and compare it with other species of the L. mystaceus complex for which tadpole descriptions are available.
Kempella nom. nov., a replacement name for Kempina Manning, 1978 (Crustacea: Stomatopoda: Squillidae), preoccupied by Kempina Roewer, 1911, a junior synonym of Zaleptus Thorell, 1877 (Arachnida: Opiliones: Sclerosomatidae)
Authors: LOW MARTYN E. Y. , AHYONG SHANE T.
Published: January 2019

Manning (1978) proposed the generic name Kempina to accommodate three species of Indo-West Pacific stomatopod crustaceans: Squilla mikado Kemp & Chopra, 1921 (type species), Squilla stridulans Wood-Mason, in Alcock, 1894, and Squilla zanzibarica Chopra, 1939 (a junior synonym of Squilla mikado; see Ahyong, 2001).
An assessment of morphometric and molecular variation in Monodelphis dimidiata (Wagner, 1847) (Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae)
Authors: VILELA JÚLIO FERNANDO , RUSSO CLAUDIA AUGUSTA DE MORAES , DE OLIVEIRA JOÃO ALVES
Published: January 2019

This study aims to clarify the taxonomic status of Monodelphis dimidiata and M. sorex, using molecular and morphometric data. Cytochrome-b sequences were obtained from specimens morphologically assignable to those taxa from the vicinity of type localities, but also representing their presumptive area of sympatry and extremes in their known distributions. These sequences were compared to GenBank downloaded sequences of select Monodelphis spp. and also of Marmosa lepida, Micoureus demerarae, and Didelphis albiventris, used as outgroups. Genetic distances and maximum likelihood analyses were performed to recover phylogenetic affinities among taxa. To access morphometric variation, univariate and multivariate statistical methods (Principal Component Analysis and Canonical Variate Analysis) were applied to the covariance matrix of 25 craniometric measurements obtained from a total of 108 specimens sampled across the geographic ranges of the species. The molecular analyses revealed a clade composed by haplotypes assignable to Monodelphis dimidiata and M. sorex (sensu Pine and Handley 2007) as distinct from the remaining Monodelphis species sampled to date, with 100% bootstrap support. Within this clade, one haplotype from Itatiaia was the sister clade to the remaining 11 specimens from Montevideo (Uruguay), Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina states (Brazil), which formed an assemblage without clear geographic arrangement. In the morphometric analyses, the first two principal components of morphometric data separated variables associated with general latent size comparably expressed in all samples, and a group of variables including molars widths, molar toothrow length, and postorbital constriction breadth, which separates the geographic samples in a sequence coincident, to a large extent, with their latitudinal distributions. The sample from Itatiaia, Rio de Janeiro State, was again revealed as clearly distinct from the remaining samples, suggesting that it may represent a peripheral isolated population. With the study of original descriptions and published information on the type material of M. sorex, including photographs of syntypes, our analyses point to the recognition of M. sorex as a subjective junior synonym of M. dimidiata, which is then regarded as a widespread taxon ranging from the latitudes of southern Buenos Aires Province and Córdoba in Argentina to at least Minas Gerais State in southeastern Brazil, through the Pampas and the Atlantic Forest domains.
The nominal species of rays (Chondrichthyes) described by Stephan (1779)
Authors: KOTTELAT MAURICE
Published: January 2019

Stephan's doctoral dissertation (1779) often appears in bibliographies but it does not seem to have been examined in the last 200 years. Ten names are available from it. Six are junior homonyms and three are junior subjective synonyms and do not present major nomenclatural problems. Raia sloani Stephan, 1779 is a potential senior synonym of Raja ajereba Walbaum, 1795. Both names are based on several species. A common lectotype is designated and Raja ajereba is declared nomen protectum and R. sloani is declared nomen oblitum.
Revised systematics of Fabricia oregonica Banse, 1956 (Polychaeta: Sabellidae: Fabriciinae): an example of the need for a uninomial nomenclatural system
Authors: FITZHUGH KIRK
Published: January 2019

Previous descriptions of members of Fabricia oregonica Banse, 1956, have distinguished it by the presence of only narrowly hooded inferior thoracic notochaetae, in contrast to the presence of pseudospatulate chaetae in median chaetigers of the type species, F. stellaris (Müller, 1774). In other respects, past descriptions of specimens to which F. oregonica refers have lacked the necessary detail to clearly determine generic placement, and the type material is in poor condition. Recently collected specimens matching earlier descriptions are used to redescribe members of the species. An exclusive sister-group relationship does not exist between F. stellaris and F. oregonica, precluding the latter species being assigned to Fabricia. Fabricia oregonica is therefore placed in a new genus, Bansella. Under the view that all taxa, whether phylogenetic or specific, are explanatory hypotheses, it is pointed out that the monotypic Bansella cannot be defined as such a hypothesis. While the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature requires that names be defined by way of ‘differentiating characters,’ this approach is at odds with the scientific endeavor of biological systematics to infer explanatory hypotheses, colloquially known as taxa. In addition to only having narrowly hooded inferior notochaetae, members of B. oregonica differ from F. stellaris specimens in having abdominal uncini with a much shorter manubrium. The ventral, lobe-like collar in B. oregonica specimens is also distinctly rectangular as opposed to triangular. Members of the two species are similar in that females have pigmented spermathecae in the bases of branchial lobes and spermiogenesis occurs in males in chaetigers 3–8.
Taxonomic redefinition and natural history of the endemic silphid beetle Silpha longicornis (Coleoptera: Silphidae) of Japan, with an analysis of its geographic variation
Authors: NISHIKAWA MASAAKI , IKEDA HIROSHI , KUBOTA KOHEI , SOTA TEIJI
Published: January 2019

A taxonomic redefinition of Silpha longicornis Portevin, 1926 is presented and the lectotype of S. longicornis is designated. Silpha yamatona Kôno, 1929 and Silpha imitator Shibata, 1969 are synonymized with S. longicornis based on examination of their type specimens and the geographic pattern of mtDNA CO1 region collected from representative localities in Japan, including their type localities. A key for the northeast Asian members of the Silpha carinata group is presented, and the geographic distribution, life cycle, microhabitat, and feeding biology of S. longicornis are summarized. Body size and elytral colors and sculptures are influenced by climatic conditions, and this morphological variation conformed to Gloger’s rule and the converse of Bergmann’s rule.
New species of Crotonia (Acari: Oribatida: Crotoniidae) from Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands: further evidence of long-distance dispersal events in the biogeography of a genus of Gondwanan relict oribatid mites
Authors: COLLOFF MATTHEW J.
Published: January 2019

Three new species of oribatid mite belonging to the genus Crotonia are described: one from Lord Howe Island (C. gorgonia sp. nov.) and two (C. norfolkensis sp. nov. and C. utricularia sp. nov.) from Norfolk Island, South-west Pacific. Crotonia gorgonia sp. nov. belongs to the Capistrata species group which reaches its highest diversity in Australia but is absent from New Zealand. Crotonia norfolkensis sp. nov. is a member of the Cophinaria group, recorded from Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia, but with closest morphological similarity to C. brachyrostrum (Hammer, 1966) from New Zealand. Crotonia utricularia sp. nov. belongs to the Unguifera group, which reaches its highest diversity in New Zealand, is absent from Australia, and is present on Vanuatu and the Marquesas. The distribution of members of the species-groups of Crotonia in the south-western Pacific indicates that the species from Lord Howe Island has affinities with species from Australia, while the species from Norfolk Island are both most similar to species from New Zealand, and represents further evidence of the capacity of Crotonia spp. for long-distance dispersal to oceanic islands.
Review of the Old World leafhopper genus Mimotettix Matsumura (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae) with description of new species
Authors: DAI WU , ZHANG YALIN , WEBB M. D.
Published: January 2019

The species of the Old World leafhopper genus Mimotettix Matsumura are treated in the present paper. Among them, four species, M. distiflangentus sp. nov., M. robustistylus sp. nov., M. dorsocavatus sp. nov., and M. tibetensis sp. nov. are described as new from China, M. brevicornis sp. nov. and M. dietrichi sp. nov. are described as new from Thailand, and M. rectatus sp. nov. is described as new from Zambia. One new combination, Mimotettix alboguttulatus (Melichar) comb. nov. (from Thamnotettix) is proposed and five new synonyms are revealed, Mimotettix albomaculatus (Distant, 1908), Mimotettix kawamurae Matsumura, 1914, Mimotettix lefroyi (Distant, 1918) and Mimotettix apicalis Li & Wang, 2005 are junior synonyms of Mimotettix alboguttulatus (Melichar, 1903) syn. nov. and Mimotettix albiguttatis Li & Wang, 2005 is a junior synonym of Mimotettix curticeps Kwon & Lee, 1979 syn. nov. A key to the species of the genus based on males is given and their male genital structures are illustrated. The biogeography of the genus is discussed.
Review of the Australian Cyllodini (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae: Nitidulinae), with descriptions of new taxa, and notes on the genus Macleayania (Nitidulini)
Authors: LAWRENCE JOHN F. , KIREJTSHUK ALEXANDER G.
Published: January 2019

The genera of the nitiduline tribe Cyllodini occurring in Australia are reviewed and a key is provided for their separation. Each genus is discussed, with an emphasis on the Australian fauna, and an hypothesis is given concerning the source of the introduced Camptodes species and its connection with the program for biological control of Opuntia cacti. The specimens identified by Kirejtshuk (2003) as Macleayania amphotiformis (Reitter, 1880b) were found to represent two widely overlapping species later named by Olliff (1886) in the trogossitid genus Ancyrona. The following new genus and species are included: Cyllopallodes, gen. nov., Gymnocychramus bicolor, sp. nov., Pallodes nigroapicalis, sp. nov. The following new combinations and synonymies are also included: Coxollodes loriai (Grouvelle, 1906) (Pallodes) (= Pallodes opacus Grouvelle, 1906, syn. nov.); Cyllodes ruficeps (Reitter, 1880a) (Strongylus) (= Pseudocamptodes blackburni Grouvelle, 1902, syn. nov.; Pseudocamptodes fulviceps Grouvelle, 1906, syn. nov.); Cyllopallodes limbicollis (Reitter, 1880b) (Pallodes), comb. nov.; Pallodes beccarii Grouvelle, 1906 (= Pallodes gestroi Grouvelle, 1906, syn. nov.); Macleayania amphotiformis (Reitter, 1880b) (= Ancyrona amica Olliff, 1886, syn. nov.); Macleayania vesca (Olliff, 1886) (Ancyrona) comb. nov. The lectotypes of Camptodes humeralis (Brullé, 1842), Coxollodes loriai (Grouvelle, 1906), C. opacus (Grouvelle, 1906), Cyllodes fulvipes (Grouvelle, 1906), Pallodes beccarii Grouvelle, 1906, P. gestroi Grouvelle, 1906, and P. misellus Grouvelle, 1906 are designated. Information on and syntype information from Macleayania amica (Olliff, 1886), M. vesca (Olliff, 1886), Cyllodes blackburni (Grouvelle, 1906) and C. rufipes (Reitter, 1880a) are given.
First occurrence of Anacroneuria singularis Righi-Cavallaro & Lecci, 2010 (Plecoptera: Perlidae) in Rondônia, western Amazonia, Brazil
Authors: FIRMINO VIVIANE CAETANO , RIBEIRO JOSÉ MOACIR FERREIRA , SANTOS EMERSON MONTEIRO DOS , JUEN LEANDRO
Published: January 2019

Anacroneuria singularis is newly reported from the northern Brazilian state of Rondônia in the western Amazonia. Records for this species are also reported for the central-western and southeastern regions of Brazil. Knowledge of the distribution of a species is fundamental for allowing better conservation planning, especially the identification of nymphs which can be used to evaluate water quality of Amazonian streams.
Description of the second- and third instar larvae of Platynectes (s. str.) decemnotatus (Aubé, 1838) (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae: Agabinae: Platynectini)
Authors: BENETTI CESAR J. , MICHAT MARIANO C. , ALARIE YVES , HAMADA NEUSA
Published: January 2019

The second- and third instar larvae of Platynectes (s. str.) decemnotatus (Aubé, 1838) are described and illustrated in detail for the first time, with special emphasis on morphometry and chaetotaxy. Larvae of P. decemnotatus can be distinguished from most other Agabinae by having secondary setae on the urogomphus and share with the other known species described in detail the presence of a ventroapical spinula on antennomere 3 and the absence of an occipital suture, natatory dorsal setae on tibia and tarsus and natatory setae on urogomphus. Platynectes decemnotatus larvae differ from larvae of Agabus Leach, 1817, Hydrotrupes Sharp, 1882 (currently in Hydrotrupini), Ilybiosoma Crotch, 1873, Ilybius Erichson, 1832 and the previously described Platynectes species in having a one-segmented urogomphus, a character previously observed only in larvae of Agabinus Crotch, 1873. The second- and third instar larvae of P. decemnotatus differ from those of P. (Agametrus) curtulus (Régimbart, 1899) in having the apical lateroventral process of antennomere 3 protruding (not protruding in P. curtulus). The third-instar larva of P. decemnotatus can also be distinguished from that of P. (Gueorguievtes) decempunctatus (Fabricius, 1775) by the absence of secondary dorsal setae on the tibia.