bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Primary Tumour Resection Could Improve the Survival of Unresectable Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients Receiving Bevacizumab-Containing Chemotherapy
Authors: Wang Zhiming , Liang Li , Yu Yiyi , Wang Yan , Zhuang Rongyuan , Chen Yong , Cui Yuehong , Zhou Yuhong , Liu Tianshu
Published: September 2016

Background: The effect of primary tumour resection (PTR) among metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients remains controversial. Combination chemotherapy with bevacizumab could improve the clinical outcomes of these patients, which might change the importance of PTR in the multi-disciplinary treatment pattern. Methods: We performed a non-randomized prospective controlled study of mCRC pts whose performance status (PS) scored ≤2 and who received bevacizumab combination chemotherapy (FOLFOX/XELOX/FOLFIRI) as a first-line therapy. These patients were classified into the PTR group and the IPT (intact primary tumour) group according to whether they underwent PTR before receiving the systemic therapy. The progression free survival (PFS) time and overall survival (OS) time, which were recorded from the start of the primary diagnosis until disease progression and death or last follow-up, were analysed. We also compared severe clinical events (such as emergency surgery, radiation therapy, and stent plantation) between the two groups. Results: One hundred and nighty-one mCRC pts (108 male patients and 93 female patients) were entered in this prospective observational study. The median age was 57.5 years old. The clinical characteristics (age, gender, performance status, primary tumour site, RAS status, and the number of metastatic organs) did not significantly differ between the two groups. The median PFS and OS times of the PTR group were superior than those of the IPT group (10.0 vs 7.8 months, p < 0.01 and 22.5 vs 17.8 months, p < 0.01, respectively). The incidences of adverse events associated with systemic therapy were similar between the two groups. Specifically, sixteen patients (21.9%, 16/73) with IPT developed significant primary tumour-related complications, such as bleeding, obstruction or even perforation. Among these patients, five underwent emergency surgery, three patients received a stent, and eight patients underwent radiation therapy. Conclusions: The mCRC patients who received PTR and bevacizumab combination chemotherapy had better clinical outcomes than patients who did not receive PTR. PTR also decreased the incidence of severe clinical events and improved quality of life.
An Unusual Location of Fibrous Hamartoma of Infancy in the Eyelid
Authors: Zloto Ofira , Aviel-Ronen Sarit , Rosner Mordechai
Published: September 2016

Aim: To describe the clinical, imaging, and histopathological features of fibrous hamartoma of infancy (FHI) in the eyelid, a rare differential diagnosis for eyelid lesions. Methods: We describe the case of a 7-month-old patient with a FHI in the eyelid that was diagnosed after surgical removal. The unique histopathological appearance of the triphasic histologic components provided the diagnosis. Conclusions: FHI is included in the long list of differential diagnosis for eyelid lesions in infancy. Therefore, it is important for the ophthalmologists to be familiar with this entity in order to avoid misdiagnosis of other fibromatosis and malignant tumor as well as unnecessary aggressive treatment.
Comparison of Long-Term Outcome between Apical and Asymmetric Septal Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: An Shuoyan , Fan Chaomei , Yan Lirong , Cai Chi , Yang Yinjian , Zhai Shanshan , Zhao Shihua , Liu Yanling , Duan Fujian , Wang Zhimin , Li Yishi
Published: September 2016

Objectives: As reported, diagnostic age, gender and presence of outflow tract obstruction have an impact on prognosis in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The aim of this study was to compare the long-term outcome between apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (ApHCM) and asymmetric septal hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (ASHCM) after the exclusion of these factors. Methods: A total of 540 patients (270 with ApHCM and 270 with ASHCM) identified in a consecutive single-center cohort were retrospectively studied. The two groups were matched by diagnostic age, gender and the presence of outflow tract obstruction. Clinical characteristics and long-term outcomes were compared. Results: The mean follow-up duration in ASHCM and ApHCM were 6.6 ± 5.5 and 7.6 ± 4.1 years, respectively. During follow-up, 16 patients experienced cardiovascular death in the ASHCM group, while 2 patients experienced cardiovascular death in the ApHCM group (6.3 vs. 0.7%, p < 0.01). Cardiovascular morbidity in the ASHCM and ApHCM groups were 39.9 and 18.5% (p < 0.01). In the multivariate Cox regression analysis late gadolinium enhancement (LGE; HR 4.81, 95% CI 1.28-78.0, p = 0.03) and unexplained syncope (HR 9.68, 95% CI 1.9-17.2, p < 0.01) were independent predictors for cardiovascular mortality. Unexplained syncope was independently associated with a higher risk for sudden cardiac death (HR 4.3, 95% CI 1.2-15.3, p = 0.02). Conclusions: After eliminating the interference of diagnostic age, gender and outflow tract obstruction, ASHCM represented a worse prognosis with a higher incidence of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity than ApHCM. LGE was a strong predictor for cardiovascular death.
Perinatal Asphyxia Reduces the Number of Reelin Neurons in the Prelimbic Cortex and Deteriorates Social Interaction in Rats
Authors: Vázquez-Borsetti Pablo , Peña Elena , Rico Catalina , Noto Mariana , Miller Nathalie , Cohon Diego , Acosta Juan Manuel , Ibarra Mariano , Loidl Fabián C.
Published: September 2016

Obstetrical complications of perinatal asphyxia (PA) can often induce lesions that, in the long-term, manifest as schizophrenia. A deterioration of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and a reduction in the number of GABAergic neurons are commonly observed in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. In this study, we investigated the link between PA, reelin and calbindin diminution and psychiatric diseases that involve social interaction deficits. This was achieved by observing the effect of 19 min of asphyxia on both subpopulations of GABAergic neurons. PA was produced by water immersion of fetus-containing uterus horns removed by cesarean section from ready-to-deliver rats. PA generated a significant and specific decrease in the number of reelin-secreting neurons in mPFC layer VI [F(2, 6) = 8.716, p = 0.016; PA vs. vaginal controls (VC), p = 0.03, and PA vs. cesarean controls (CC), p = 0.022]. This reduction reached approximately 60% on average. Changes in the percentage of reelin neurons including all the cortex layers did not achieve a significant outcome but a trend: CC % 10.61 ± 1.34; PA % 8.64 ± 1.71 [F(2, 6) = 1.299, p = 0.33]. In the case of calbindin, there was a significant decrease in cell density in the PA group [2-way repeated-measures ANOVA, F(1, 4) = 13.03, p = 0.0226]. The multiple-comparisons test showed significant differences in the superficial aspect of layer II (Sidak test for multiple comparisons CC vs. PA at 200 µm: p = 0.003). A small, but significant difference could be seen when the distance from the pia mater to the start of layer VI was analyzed (CC mean ± SEM = 768.9 ± 8.382; PA mean ± SEM = 669.3 ± 17.75; p = 0.036). Rats exposed to PA showed deterioration in social interactions, which manifested as a decrease in play soliciting. In this model, which involved severe/moderate asphyxia, we did not find significant changes in locomotive activity or anxiety indicators in the open field task. The loss of reelin neurons could be conducive to the shrinkage of the prelimbic cortex through the reduction in neuropil and the deterioration of the function of this structure.
A Novel Pain Alternative for Patients with Anorectal Pathologies: The Comparison of Transperineal Prostatic Blockage Technique with Periprostatic Nerve Blockage and Rectal Gel Technique in Initial Transrectal Ultrasound-Guided Prostate Biopsy - A Prospective, Randomized Trial
Authors: Bolat Deniz , Degirmenci Tansu , Gunlusoy Bulent , Aydin Erhan , Aydogdu Ozgu , Ceylan Yasin
Published: September 2016

Introduction: The study aimed to compare the efficiency of periprostatic nerve blockage (PPNB) and intrarectal lidocaine gel (PPNB + gel) with a transperineal prostatic block (TPPB) technique during transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy (TRUS-PBx) in patients with anorectal pathologies. Materials and Methods: A total of 376 patients who underwent TRUS-PBx were randomized into 2 groups. Group-I (n = 198) received TPPB with 10 ml 2% prilocaine, and group-II (n = 178) received intrarectal administration of 10 ml 2% lidocaine gel followed by PPNB with 10 ml 2% prilocaine. A 10-point linear visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess the pain arising from probe insertion (VAS-1) and prostate sampling (VAS-2). Results: VAS-1 scores were significantly lower in group-I than group-II (1.7 ± 1.9 vs. 3.9 ± 1.5; p < 0.001). Combining local anesthesia produced superior pain control to TPPB during sampling (2.0 ± 1.2 vs. 2.5 ± 2.4; p = 0.015). Following subgroup analyses with reference to concomitant anorectal pathologies, VAS-1 scores were significantly lower in group-I than group-II (2.0 ± 1.8 vs. 5.5 ± 1.7; p < 0.001). VAS-2 scores were lower in group-II than group-I; however, the difference was not considered significant (2.4 ± 1.3 vs. 3.1 ± 2.8; p = 0.303). Conclusions: In all patients referred for TRUS-PBx, TPPB is a good alternative to PPNB + gel. TPPB can be particularly useful for patients with anorectal pathologies due to its improved pain reduction during probe insertion.
Electroencephalography Is a Good Complement to Currently Established Dementia Biomarkers
Authors: Ferreira Daniel , Jelic Vesna , Cavallin Lena , Oeksengaard Anne-Rita , Snaedal Jon , Høgh Peter , Andersen Birgitte Bo , Naik Mala , Engedal Knut , Westman Eric , Wahlund Lars-Olof
Published: September 2016

Background/Aims: Dementia biomarkers that are accessible and easily applicable in nonspecialized clinical settings are urgently needed. Quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) is a good candidate, and the statistical pattern recognition (SPR) method has recently provided promising results. We tested the diagnostic value of qEEG-SPR in comparison to cognition, structural imaging, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers. Methods: A total of 511 individuals were recruited from the multicenter NORD EEG study [141 healthy controls, 64 subjective cognitive decline, 124 mild cognitive impairment, 135 Alzheimer's disease (AD), 15 dementia with Lewy bodies/Parkinson's disease with dementia (DLB/PDD), 32 other dementias]. The EEG data were recorded in a standardized way. Structural imaging data were visually rated using scales of atrophy in the medial temporal, frontal, and posterior cortex. Results: qEEG-SPR outperformed structural imaging, cognition, and CSF biomarkers in DLB/PDD diagnosis, outperformed structural imaging in AD diagnosis, and improved the differential diagnosis of AD. In addition, qEEG-SPR allowed differentiation of two clinically different AD subtypes. Conclusion: Adding qEEG to the diagnostic workup substantially increases the detection of AD pathology even in pre-dementia stages and improves differential diagnosis. EEG could serve as a good complement to currently established dementia biomarkers since it is cheap, noninvasive, and extensively applied outside academic centers.
High Diagnostic Value of a New Real-Time Pneumocystis PCR from Bronchoalveolar Lavage in a Real-Life Clinical Setting
Authors: Unnewehr Markus , Friederichs Hendrik , Bartsch Patricia , Schaaf Bernhard
Published: September 2016

Background: To diagnose Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP), PCR testing in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid has recently become an alternative to immunofluorescence testing (IFT); however, its diagnostic accuracy is less clear. Objective: To analyze the diagnostic value of a new semiquantitative real-time PCR (RT-PCR) in BAL in a real-life clinical setting. Methods: Retrospective analysis of all RT-PCR results [semiquantitative: negative, weakly positive, and strongly positive; measured in cycle thresholds (Ct)] in BAL in the period between 2010 and 2014. The diagnosis of PCP was defined by clinical, radiological, and laboratory signs and by treatment initiation. Any positive PCR was compared with subsequent IFT. Results: Of 128 patient samples, 32 had PCP. There is a relevant correlation of high significance between positive PCR Ct and IFT (r = -0.7781, p < 0.001), which amounts to about 60% of the variance. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive values (PPV) of any positive RT-PCR were 100, 80, and 63%, respectively. No patient with negative RT-PCR had PCP. Specificity and PPV are 100% in strongly positive RT-PCR, whereas they decrease to 80 and 21% in weakly positive RT-PCR. Conclusion: A negative RT-PCR (Ct >45) rules out PCP. A strongly positive PCR (Ct <31.5) confirms PCP. In these cases, the diagnostic value of the new method is at least equal to the IFT. A weakly positive PCR probably represents pneumocystis colonization and can occur under PCP treatment.
Age-Related Alterations in Signaling Pathways in Articular Chondrocytes: Implications for the Pathogenesis and Progression of Osteoarthritis - A Mini-Review
Authors: van der Kraan Peter , Matta Csaba , Mobasheri Ali
Published: September 2016

Musculoskeletal conditions are a major burden on individuals, healthcare systems, and social care systems throughout the world, with indirect costs having a predominant economic impact. Aging is a major contributing factor to the development and progression of arthritic and musculoskeletal diseases. Indeed, aging and inflammation (often referred to as ‘inflammaging') are critical risk factors for the development of osteoarthritis (OA), which is one of the most common forms of joint disease. The term ‘chondrosenescence' has recently been introduced to define the age-dependent deterioration of chondrocyte function and how it undermines cartilage function in OA. An important component of chondrosenescence is the age-related deregulation of subcellular signaling pathways in chondrocytes. This mini-review discusses the role of age-related alterations in chondrocyte signaling pathways. We focus our attention on two major areas: age-dependent alterations in transforming growth factor-β signaling and changes in protein kinase and phosphoprotein phosphatase activities in aging chondrocytes. A better understanding of the basic signaling mechanisms underlying aging in chondrocytes is likely to facilitate the development of new therapeutic and preventive strategies for OA and a range of other age-related osteoarticular disorders.
Safety of Bronchoscopy in Patients with Echocardiographic Evidence of Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Diaz-Fuentes Gilda , Bajantri Bharat , Adrish Muhammad
Published: September 2016

Background: Bronchoscopy with transbronchial and endobronchial biopsy and transbronchial needle aspiration is an important diagnostic tool in the pulmonologist's armamentarium. Safety in patients with pulmonary hypertension is controversial and many bronchoscopists consider this as a contraindication for the procedure. Objectives: To evaluate safety of bronchoscopy in patients with echocardiographic pulmonary hypertension and to compare with patients without it. Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients who underwent bronchoscopic transbronchial biopsy, endobronchial biopsy and/or endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration. Patients were divided into two groups based on echocardiographic results: control group with systolic pulmonary artery pressure <36 and a group with elevated systolic pulmonary artery pressure (eSPAP) ≥36. Results: One-hundred and ninety patients met the study criteria. Patients in the control group were younger with a lower incidence of chronic kidney disease. There was no difference in prevalence of congestive heart failure, obstructive airway disease, malignancy, liver disease, coagulopathy, use of antiplatelet agent or anticoagulant drugs. Incidence of minor bleeding due to bronchoscopic biopsies was 4.8% in both groups (p = 1.00). Incidence of major bleeding was similar in the groups (one patient in each group). In the control group, one patient had pneumothorax and another required prolonged mechanical ventilation (>4 h). In the eSPAP group, two patients required prolonged mechanical ventilation. There was no procedure-related mortality or sedation complications in the cohort. Conclusion: Our study provides additional support that in patients with echocardiographic evidence of pulmonary hypertension, transbronchial and endobronchial biopsies and endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration are safe procedures.
Intellectual Disability in a Birth Cohort: Prevalence, Etiology, and Determinants at the Age of 4 Years
Authors: Karam Simone M. , Barros Aluísio J.D. , Matijasevich Alícia , dos Santos Iná S. , Anselmi Luciana , Barros Fernando , Leistner-Segal Sandra , Félix Têmis M. , Riegel Mariluce , Maluf Sharbel W. , Giugliani Roberto , Black Maureen M.
Published: September 2016

Background: Intellectual disability (ID), characterized by impairments in intellectual function and adaptive behavior, affects 1-3% of the population. Many studies investigated its etiology, but few are cohort studies in middle-income countries. Aims: To estimate prevalence, etiology, and factors related to ID among children prospectively followed since birth in a Southern Brazilian city (Pelotas). Methods: In 2004, maternity hospitals were visited daily and births were identified. Live-born infants (n = 4,231) whose family lived in the urban area have been followed for several years. At the age of 2 and 4 years, performances in development and intelligence tests were evaluated using the Battelle Developmental Inventory and Wechsler Intelligence Scale, respectively. Children considered as having developmental delay were invited to attend a genetic evaluation. Results: At 4 years of age, the prevalence of ID was 4.5%, and the etiology was classified into 5 groups: environmental (44.4%), genetic (20.5%), idiopathic (12.6%), neonatal sequelae (13.2%), other diseases (9.3%). Most children presented impairment in two or more areas of adaptive behavior. There was no difference in prenatal care attendance or maternal schooling among the groups. Conclusion: For about 40% of children, ID was attributed to nonbiological factors, suggesting that the rate may be reduced with appropriate interventions early in life.
Raum für Unterhaltung(en): Der frühneuzeitliche Salon
Authors: Arnold Antje
Published: September 2016

‘Entertainment’ in the Early Modern Age is preferably situated in so called literary ‘salons’. The article aims to develop a theory of ‘Unterhaltung’ from a study that traces the spatial conditions and effects of entertainment. It sheds light on the case of Madeleine de Scudéry, who embodied conversational theory and practice and therefore became a role-model for early 18th century Germany. Her “carte de tendre” distributed the popular game of pre-sensitive conversation. This is embedded in Scudérys novel Clélie that influenced both poetics and ‘entertainment’ theories.
Komische Interventionen: Der Hanswurst und das Wiener Spaßtheater des 17. und 18. Jahrhunderts
Authors: Keck Annette
Published: September 2016

During the 17th and 18th century the ‘Hanswurst’ figures as the most prominent fool in plays of travelling theatres in German speaking countries. The following article concentrates on Vienna and its theatrical culture. It conceives the dramatic function of this special fool as an artful intervention that opens up a space of/for cultural and aesthetic negotiations. The author will argue that this ‘playground’ constitutes a culture of popular entertainment, which paradoxically ends at the moment of its instauration.
1624–1697) (Gespräch und Zerstreuung. Mechanismen barocken Unterhaltungswissens am Beispiel Erasmus Franciscis (1624–1697)
Authors: Schock Flemming
Published: September 2016

The article discusses the miscellanies of Erasmus Francisci, one of the most prominent and commercially successful authors of “curious” literature in late 17th century Germany. In particular, it traces the two mutual mechanisms or principles that guide his mediating of knowledge: ‘Unterhaltung’ and conversation. Both contributed to the functionality of Francisci’s textual collections that edited and popularized learned knowledge to a wider audience.
The influence of Bruno Schütt (1876–1956) on Albanian floristic research
Authors: BARINA ZOLTÁN , PIFKÓ DÁNIEL , SOMOGYI GABRIELLA
Published: September 2016

A revision of Bruno Schütt’s herbarium is here discussed, and a reconstruction of the routes of his collecting trips in Albania between 1927 and 1939 is presented. Schütt’s herbarium was not available to the public until recently. However, a manuscript, compiled by him, including the records of collected taxa, was used to outline their distribution of taxa by countries in Flora Europaea and subsequent works. Due to the few original floristic records from Albania, the presence of some taxa in Albania is partly or completely based on Schütt’s material. Some of his records are questionable as there is no voucher specimen for them, or they were originally misidentified. Based on our results, Arabis ciliata, Campanula macrostachya, Carduus carduelis, Crepis froelichiana subsp. dinarica, Crepis pantocsekii, Geranium divaricatum, Orobanche artemisiae-campestris and Potentilla patula were erroneously reported from Albania; and Alchemilla connivens, Knautia dipsacifolia, Linum perenne subsp. alpinum, Soldanella hungarica and Waldsteinia geoides are newly reported. Adonis vernalis is also questionably reported here for the Albanian flora based on Schütt’s material.
Seifertia shangrilaensis sp. nov. (Melanommataceae), a new species from Southwest China
Authors: LI JUNFU , PHOOKAMSAK RUNGTIWA , MAPOOK AUSANA , BOONMEE SARANYAPHAT , BHAT JARAYAMA D. , HYDE KEVIN D. , LUMYONG SAISAMORN
Published: September 2016

A new Seifertia species was isolated from hanging rachides of Rhododendron decorum in Yunnan Province, Southwest China. The new taxon was compared with the type species, S. azalea and differs in having wider conidiophores, with hyaline to subhyaline and smaller conidia, while S. azalea has olive-brown to brown, rarely branched conidiophores, and pale brown or olive-brown, very rarely septate conidia. Phylogenetic analyses of combined LSU, SSU and TEF1-α sequence data show that S. shangrilaensis forms a robust clade with S. azalea nested among the species of Melanommataceae in the order Pleosporales. A new species, S. shangrilaensis is introduced in this study, and Seifertia should be placed in Melanommataceae (Pleosporales, Dothideomycetes) based on phylogenetic analysis. Description and illustration of Seifertia shangrilaensis are provided with notes and its introduction is supported by molecular data.
Schizoglossum austromontanum, a novel new species from South Africa (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae, Asclepiadeae)
Authors: BESTER STOFFEL P. , NICHOLAS ASHLEY
Published: September 2016

A new species from southern Africa namely Schizoglossum austromontanum is described. Line-drawings, scans of the type material, images and a conservation assessment are provided.
Redefinition of Croton macrobothrys (Euphorbiaceae), a tree species from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, with the description of a new subspecies
Authors: CARUZO MARIA BEATRIZ ROSSI , SANTOS RAFAELA FREITAS DOS , FEIO ANA CARLA , MEIRA RENATA MARIA STROZI ALVES , RIINA RICARDA
Published: September 2016

Croton macrobothrys subsp. septentrionalis, a new subspecies of section Cyclostigma from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, is here described and illustrated. It occurs in moist forests between 100–1000 m of elevation in the states of Bahia, Alagoas, and NE Minas Gerais. Given this new finding, we expand the morphological delineation of Croton macrobothrys and update its geographic distribution. We also provide a key to the two subspecies and identify the name C. macrobothrys var. microbothrys as a nomen nudum under Croton echioideus in section Adenophylli.
Two new species of the genus Mallomonas from the Cat Tien National Park (Viet Nam): Mallomonas distinguenda and Mallomonas skvortsovii
Authors: GUSEV EVGENIY S. , DOAN-NHU HAI , NGUYEN-NGOC LAM , KAPUSTIN DMITRY A.
Published: September 2016

Mallomonas distinguenda sp. nov. and Mallomonas skvortsovii sp. nov. are described from Dak Lua swamp, located in Cat Tien National Park (Dong Nai Province, Southeastern Viet Nam). The description is based on silica-scale morphology studied by means of transmission and scanning electron microscopy. These species belong to the section Papillosae based on scale morphology. The most characteristic feature for both taxa is the shield reticulation. In the case of Mallomonas distinguenda, it is an external reticulation. By contrast, Mallomonas skvortsovii has internal reticulation.
Phyllanthus balakrishnanii sp. nov. (Phyllanthaceae), an interesting discovery from the southern Western Ghats, India
Authors: SUNIL CHANDRASSERIL NARAYANAN , PRABHUKUMAR KONICKAL MAMBETTA , KUMAR VANNARATTA VEETTIL NAVEEN , THOMAS VALUKATTIL PONNACHAN , BHAVADAS NARAYANAN , BALACHANDRAN INDIRA
Published: September 2016

A new species of Phyllanthus (Phyllanthaceae), P. balakrishnanii, from the southern part of the Western Ghats, India, is described and illustrated. A detailed description and data on distribution and phenology are provided along with colour photographs, and its affinities with allied taxa are discussed.
Four new species of the subfamily Gryllacridinae (Orthoptera: Gryllacrididae) from China
Authors: LI MIAOMIAO , LIU XIANWEI , LI KAI
Published: September 2016

A taxonomic study of the subfamily Gryllacridinae is presented. Four new species belonging to two genera are described: Larnaca sinica sp. nov., Larnaca hainanica sp. nov.; Prosopogryllacris chinensis sp. nov., Prosopogryllacris incisa sp. nov.. A revised key and distributional data are given.
Two new species of Neocorynura from Guatemala (Hymenoptera: Halictidae: Augochlorini) with a key to the species known from the country
Authors: SMITH-PARDO ALLAN H.
Published: September 2016

This paper describes two new species of bees of the genus Neocorynura Schrottky from Guatemala. A taxonomic key to all five known species of the genus in Guatemala is provided and the male of N. centroamericana is described for the first time.
Colaspis caligula, a new species found in association with Vitis vinifera (L.) crops in Argentina (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
Authors: AGRAIN FEDERICO A. , CABRERA NORA , HOLGADO MIRIAM G. , VICCHI FRANCO R.
Published: September 2016

Some species of Colaspis Fabricius are well-known pests of several crops in Argentina. In this contribution, we describe a new species within this genus: Colaspis caligula n. sp., found in association with Vitis vinifera (Linnaeus) crops. We provide descriptions and illustrations of the mature larva, pupa and adult, as well as notes on its diagnostic characters, life cycle, and the damages produced to the plants.
The extinct river shark Glyphis pagoda from the Miocene of Myanmar and a review of the fossil record of the genus Glyphis (Carcharhiniformes: Carcharhinidae)
Authors: SHIMADA KENSHU , EGI NAOKO , TSUBAMOTO TAKEHISA , MAUNG-MAUNG MAUNG-MAUNG , THAUNG-HTIKE THAUNG-HTIKE , ZIN-MAUNG-MAUNG-THEIN ZIN-MAUNG-MAUNG-THEIN , NISHIOKA YUICHIRO , SONODA TEPPEI , TAKAI MASANARU
Published: September 2016

We redescribe an extinct river shark, Glyphis pagoda (Noetling), on the basis of 20 teeth newly collected from three different Miocene localities in Myanmar. One locality is a nearshore marine deposit (Obogon Formation) whereas the other two localities represent terrestrial freshwater deposits (Irrawaddy sediments), suggesting that G. pagoda from the Irrawaddy sediments was capable of tolerating low salinity like the extant Glyphis. Glyphis pagoda likely reached up to at least 185 cm in total body length and was probably piscivorous. The fossil species occurs in rocks of Myanmar and eastern and western India and stratigraphically ranges at least from the Lower Miocene (Aquitanian) to the lower Upper Miocene (mid-Tortonian). It has been classified under at least eight other genera to date, along with numerous taxonomic synonyms largely stemming from the lack of understanding of the heterodonty in extant Glyphis in the original description. Our literature review suggests that known Miocene shark faunas, particularly those in India, are manifested with unreliable taxonomic identifications and outdated classifications that warrant the need for a comprehensive taxonomic review in order to evaluate the evolutionary history and diversity pattern of Miocene shark faunas. The genus Glyphis has a roughly 23-million-year-long history, and its success may be related to the evolution of its low salinity tolerance. While extant Glyphis spp. are considered to be particularly vulnerable to habitat degradation and overfishing, the fossil record of G. pagoda provides renewed perspective on the natural history of the genus that can be taken into further consideration for conservation biology of the extant forms.
Dangerous lessons
Authors: Linebarger Christopher
Published: September 2016

Contemporary research on the international diffusion of civil conflict privileges physical, proximity-based variables like conflict spillover and refugee flows. I argue that the international diffusion of civil strife can occur through a learning mechanism, and that this phenomenon may occur on a worldwide basis. Individuals most likely to rebel, or proto-rebels, may learn about the utility of rebellion before mobilizing and violently challenging the state. Such international learning therefore occurs during the pre-conflict process. International sources by which proto-rebels learn include active, ongoing civil wars, as well as revolutionary governments that have been founded by rebels victorious in past wars. Revolutionary governments radically shock the international system, teaching proto-rebels about the possible benefits to be gained from violently challenging the state. In order to test these assertions, I undertake empirical analyses using militant organization data that capture the year in which rebel movements first emerge, during the period 1968–2001. I then explore the spatial and temporal relationships between rebel movement emergence, civil conflict, and revolutionary regimes, using the country-year as my unit of analysis. I further examine how these relationships are attenuated by cultural and regime-type similarity. I find, in line with the literature, that active civil conflicts generally inspire rebel mobilization only in directly neighboring states, while revolutionary regimes established after rebel victories are associated with mobilization on a global basis. I conclude that proto-rebels learn and take inspiration from some global sources of information, and that significant analytical utility is to be gained by focusing on revolutionary regimes established as a result of rebel victories, as well as mobilization in the pre-conflict process.
The commander’s dilemma
Authors: Hoover Green Amelia
Published: September 2016

This article proposes a framework for understanding variation in armed groups’ abilities to control wartime violence, including violence against civilians. I argue that patterns (both levels and forms) of violence are shaped by armed group leaders’ attempts to meet two conflicting imperatives. To succeed, commanders must build a fighting force capable of swift, unhesitating violence; they must also maintain some control over the level, form(s), and targeting of violence. I refer to this situation as the Commander’s Dilemma. Drawing on literatures from psychology and sociology, I argue that effective behavioral control cannot be achieved via extrinsic incentives (i.e. pecuniary or non-pecuniary rewards and punishments) alone. Rather, effective control of combatant violence depends upon armed group institutions intended to align combatants’ preferences with those of commanders. I therefore focus analytically on political education, the armed group institution most likely to operate in this way. In particular, I hypothesize that armed groups with strong and consistent institutions for political education should display, on average, narrower repertoires of violence than those without. This argument finds preliminary support in a cross-national analysis of reported rape by rebel forces, as well as a qualitative investigation of armed groups during civil war in El Salvador. More broadly, this approach suggests that the creation of restraint is at least as important to our understandings of wartime violence as the production of violence.
Successful Treatment of a Hepatitis C–Positive Patient Who Received Kidney Transplant From a Hepatitis C–Positive Donor
Authors: Papayannis Ioannis , Patel P.
Published: September 2016

Kidney transplantation from hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive donors to HCV-positive recipients has always been controversial regarding the safety and the outcomes. In the posttransplant period, treatment of hepatitis C with interferon-based regimens could lead to serious side effects. A patient with chronic hepatitis C and nephropathy, on dialysis, underwent renal transplantation from an HCV-positive donor and received direct-acting antiviral (DAA) drugs thereafter. His renal and liver functions, as well as the hepatitis C viral load, were evaluated at predetermined intervals throughout and after his treatment. Patient’s viral load was undetectable 4, 12, and 24 weeks after initiation of his treatment. Renal and liver functions were maintained at baseline, with no evidence of transplant rejection. Our clinical case is one of the few examples in the medical literature that shows successful suppression of replication of HCV in an HCV-infected kidney transplant candidate who received within 2 months of listing a deceased donor kidney transplant from an HCV-infected donor. The recipient was treated with DAAs, and this case illustrates potential safety and efficacy of this approach.
Evaluation of Direct Oral Anticoagulation Therapy in Heart and Lung Transplant Recipients
Authors: Lichvar Alicia B. , Moore Cody A. , Ensor Christopher R. , McDyer John F. , Teuteberg Jeffrey J. , Shullo Michael A.
Published: September 2016

Context:

Anticoagulation therapy is common in thoracic transplant recipients. Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are alternatives to warfarin therapy, but characterization of their use in solid organ transplant is absent.

Objective:

The primary objective of this study was to describe a thoracic transplant patient population initiated on DOAC therapy. Secondary objectives were to assess adverse reactions, venous thromboembolism (VTE) recurrence, and drug–drug interactions during DOAC therapy.

Study Design:

Single-center retrospective cohort study.

Setting:

A tertiary care medical center including inpatient hospitalization and outpatient transplant clinic visits.

Patients:

Thoracic transplant recipients who were initiated on DOACs between May 1, 2011, and March 1, 2015, at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center were included.

Results:

A total of 37 patients were included in the analysis. A majority of the patients were lung transplant recipients (86.4%) with a median age of 60.7 years. Twenty-eight patients had a history of VTE. The primary indication for DOAC initiation was VTE (86.5%). Rivaroxaban (78.4%) was the most commonly utilized agent. Dose reductions for major drug interactions (37.8%), renal insufficiency (10.8%), or both (8.1%) occurred within the study. Two patients had breakthrough VTE during DOAC therapy. Eight bleeding events were reported in the cohort, one of which was considered a major bleed. There was no difference in the incidence of bleeding in patients with drug–drug interactions and without drug–drug interactions during DOAC therapy (26.0% vs 7.1%, P = .154).

Conclusion:

Direct oral anticoagulant therapy was well tolerated by thoracic transplant recipients. Drug interactions and renal dose adjustments were common.
NEAT: an efficient network enrichment analysis test
Authors: Signorelli Mirko , Vinciotti Veronica , Wit Ernst C.
Published: September 2016

Background

Network enrichment analysis is a powerful method, which allows to integrate gene enrichment analysis with the information on relationships between genes that is provided by gene networks. Existing tests for network enrichment analysis deal only with undirected networks, they can be computationally slow and are based on normality assumptions.

Results

We propose NEAT, a test for network enrichment analysis. The test is based on the hypergeometric distribution, which naturally arises as the null distribution in this context. NEAT can be applied not only to undirected, but to directed and partially directed networks as well. Our simulations indicate that NEAT is considerably faster than alternative resampling-based methods, and that its capacity to detect enrichments is at least as good as the one of alternative tests. We discuss applications of NEAT to network analyses in yeast by testing for enrichment of the Environmental Stress Response target gene set with GO Slim and KEGG functional gene sets, and also by inspecting associations between functional sets themselves.

Conclusions

NEAT is a flexible and efficient test for network enrichment analysis that aims to overcome some limitations of existing resampling-based tests. The method is implemented in the package , which can be freely downloaded from CRAN (https://cran.r-project.org/package=neat).
Neural Network Effects in the Global Information Economy
Authors: Дятлов  , Dyatlov Syergyey
Published: September 2016

The article in the framework metadisciplinary approach considers the conditions of formation of hypercompetitive global neural network economy. The author introduces in the scientific circulation and disclosed the concept of «neural network economy», «neural network effects», «global neural networks spillovers». The institutions of the neural network of the economy, the features of assessing and accounting for network effects as a specific object of intellectual-property network are considered.
Theory of Long-Term Technical and Economic Development
Authors: Басовский  , Basovskiy Leonid , Басовская  , Basovskaya Elena
Published: September 2016

The purpose of this study was to summarize theoretical propositions about the

main stages of a long-term technical and economic development. Stages

of modern technical and economic development are the technological orders.

The life cycle of technological order lasts for three Kondratieff cycles. At the same

time in the economy, there are three technological orders. The difference between

orders is in ratio and efficiency of the use of substances, energy and information,

the level of labor productivity, capital intensity and energy intensity of production

of goods. The beginning of the formation of the first order can be attributed to the

1720s years. Industrial economy is the first, second, third and fourth technological

orders. These provide a way of gradual growth of labor productivity by increasing

capital intensity and the energy intensity of the national production. The postindustrial

economy is the fifth, sixth and subsequent order. These provide a way

of gradual growth of labor productivity due to an increase in the volume of the

used information. The capital intensity and energy in stages of national production

reduces at the expense of human capital and new technologies.
The Productivity of Technological Modes in Economy of Greece and Portugal
Authors: Левкина  , Levkina Nataliya
Published: September 2016

The article presents the results of the analysis of technological modes’ productivity in Greece and Portugal. The modeling of Kondratieff waves allowed to determine the dates of the origin, dominance and withering away of technological modes. The modeling of technological modes` productivity allowed determining the productivity of relict and modern technological modes in the economy of Greece and Portugal. The results showed that the productivity of relict modes in Greek economy is 1765 Gehry-Hemis dollars 1990, in Portuguese economy — 1435 Gehry-Hemis dollars 1990. The maximum productivity of the fifth mode in the economy of Greece is 9712 Gehry-Hemis dollars 1990, in Portuguese economy — 8030 Gehry-Hemis dollars 1990. The maximum productivity of the sixth mode in the economy of Greece is 20435 Gehry-Hemis dollars 1990, in Portuguese economy — 13856 Gehry-Hemis dollars 1990. The results of the research may be used in order to evaluate the productivity of modern technological modes in Russian economy.
Strategy Formulation Features in a Changing Techno-Economic Paradigm
Authors: Гераськина  , Geraskina A.
Published: September 2016

The paper proposes approaches to the construction of the organization´s strategy during the change of technological structures. It proposed to assess the risk of the organization during the formation of the new technological order as the sum of the five competitive forces M. Porter and the indicator that takes into account the impact of the macro environment. The necessity to plan the development of the market organization, taking into account proposals from Chan Kim, Renee Moborn division of consumers into three main types is showen. Based on this model, you need to build a market diversification strategy. The advantage of this model is the flexibility to expand the boundaries of the market, taking into account technological changes and changes in consumer preferences.
DEVELOPMENT OF CONSTITUTIONAL LAW REGULATING HEALTH PROTECTION AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE, JUDICIAL PROTECTION AND EXTRAJUDICIAL PROTECTION: COMPARATIVE LAW SURVEYS
Authors: Тимофеев Игорь , Timofeev Igor
Published: September 2016

The article examines from a comparative law pint of view the emergence and development of a constitutional right on health protection and medical care, judicial and extrajudicial protection. The examination is based on the evolution of the legal registration and the content of the subjective rights and ways of its protection. The author offers wider use of extrajudicial mechanisms for the protection of this right in territorial subjects of the Russian Federation, at the federal level, as well as international level. The article stresses the importance of recognition of the principle of availability and quality of medical care at constitutional level.
Executive dysfunction in late-life depression.
Authors: Rajtar-Zembaty Anna , Sałakowski Andrzej , Rajtar-Zembaty Jakub , Starowicz-Filip Anna
Published: September 2016

Cel pracy

Współcześnie istnieje wiele doniesień, które podkreślają występowanie zaburzeń funkcji poznawczych w depresji wieku podeszłego (late- life depression, LLD). Coraz częściej w badaniach podkreśla się na rolę dysfunkcji wykonawczych w LLD. Celem badania była ocena komponentów funkcji wykonawczych w LLD, a także ocena związku między poszczególnymi komponentami funkcji wykonawczych a poziomem depresyjności.

Metoda

Badaniem objęto 87 osób z depresją i 100 osób z grupy kontrolnej. W celu przesiewowej oceny funkcji poznawczych zastosowano Krótką Skalę Oceny Stanu Psychicznego (Mini–Mental State Examination, MMSE). Do oceny poziomu sprawności funkcji wykonawczych wybrano: a) Trail Making Test, TMT, b) Verbal Fluency Tests, VFT oraz c) go/no-go task, GNG.

Wyniki

Stwierdzono istotną różnicę w poziomie sprawności wszystkich komponentów funkcji wykonawczych u chorych z depresją wieku starszego. Pacjenci depresyjni demonstrowali osłabienie szybkości psychomotorycznej oraz gorsze wyniki w testach oceniających elastyczność poznawczą, fluencje semantyczną oraz wygaszanie. Zaobserwowano istotny statystycznie związek wyższego wyniku GDS z gorszym wykonaniem testu GNG.

Wnioski

Pacjenci z depresją prezentowali znaczące osłabienie funkcji wykonawczych. Stwierdzono związek między zaburzeniem kontroli poznawczej a poziomem depresyjności. Dysfunkcje wykonawcze mogą pełnić ważną rolę w utrzymywaniu objawów depresyjnych. Identyfikacja pacjentów z depresją i dysfunkcjami wykonawczymi ma znaczące implikacje terapeutyczne.
Notes on a Luxo world
Authors: Holliday Christopher
Published: September 2016

The impact of digital technologies upon contemporary film-making practice has given rise to a range of fictional film worlds to which the label ‘computer-animated’ might legitimately be applied. But the evident rejuvenation of cinema’s fictional worldhood at the hands of technological advancement are demands that can only be met by a fresh approach to understanding how the digital crafts its unique screen worlds. This article advances the term ‘Luxo’ as a useful descriptor that awards both shape and definition to the specific fictional worlds of the computer-animated feature film. Historically bound to the development of computeranimated film-making within a US context and the release of Pixar Animation Studios’ Luxo Jr. (Lasseter, 1986), this article negotiates the term as a way of examining the intrinsic cause and effect relationship between these worlds’ origins on a computer screen and their arresting, animated activity. By applying the affiliated concept of animatedness to divulge how the animators’ digital thumbprint enunciates the status of Luxo worlds as animation, this article allies the particular industrial considerations with specific textual features involved in the computer-animated film’s fictional world construction.
London 1940-1945, A Europe in Miniature? The Case of Norwegian, Polish and Czechoslovak Exiles
Authors: Jakubec Pavol
Published: September 2016

This paper discusses experience of representatives of three European small powers assembled in the London during WWII - Norway, Czechoslovakia and Poland. A common cause, comparable setting and frequent contacts created a promising framework for a new quality of their mutual relations that could, eventually, endorse the European idea. This proved to be at best a partial success: The exiles acted by-and-large as guardians of national interests and identities. As such, and owing to their strained position, they paid considerable attention to status as a principal asset. They subscribed of internalization of their foreign policies and learned or refined their experience with its practices. Yet their visions remained rather regional, with only occasional reference to the idea of European Integration. Albeit the exiles failed to integrate the nations they spoke for, they established closer and better informed transnational ties bound to affect European politics in the years to come. http://dx.doi.org/10.14195/1647-6336_13_6
The University of Porto in the path of European Science: innovations, exchanges and resistances during World War II
Authors: Araújo Francisco Miguel
Published: September 2016

A worldwide reconfiguration of Science was boosted by II World War. In spite of its neutrality, Portugal has been involved in the advances and obstacles of the creation and transmission of knowledge. This essay takes the University of Porto as a case study and showcases the diversity of paths and efforts deployed towards the assertion of corporate identity and internationalization process: academic exchanges, conferences and events, research units, scientific publishing, etc. All these elements are within a political and ideological framework that defines the Portuguese dictatorial regime, which has created some resistances for innovation of the University and Science in mid-20th century.http://dx.doi.org/10.14195/1647-6336_13_8