bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Activity of Peptides of the Calcitonin Family in Bone
Authors: Naot Dorit , Musson David S. , Cornish Jillian
Published: December 2018

Calcitonin was discovered over 50 yr ago as a new hormone that rapidly lowers circulating calcium levels. This effect is caused by the inhibition of calcium efflux from bone, as calcitonin is a potent inhibitor of bone resorption. Calcitonin has been in clinical use for conditions of accelerated bone turnover, including Paget’s disease and osteoporosis; although in recent years, with the development of drugs that are more potent inhibitors of bone resorption, its use has declined. A number of peptides that are structurally similar to calcitonin form the calcitonin family, which currently includes calcitonin gene–related peptides (αCGRP and βCGRP), amylin, adrenomedullin, and intermedin. Apart from being structurally similar, the peptides signal through related receptors and have some overlapping biological activities, although other activities are peptide specific. In bone, in vitro studies and administration of the peptides to animals generally found inhibitory effects on osteoclasts and bone resorption and positive effects on osteoblasts and bone formation. Surprisingly, studies in genetically modified mice have demonstrated that the physiological role of calcitonin appears to be the inhibition of osteoblast activity and bone turnover, whereas amylin inhibits osteoclast activity. The review article focuses on the activities of peptides of the calcitonin family in bone and the challenges in understanding the relationship between the pharmacological effects and the physiological roles of these peptides.
Lipometabolism and Glycometabolism in Liver Diseases
Authors: Ding Hao-ran , Wang Jing-lin , Ren Hao-zhen , Shi Xiao-lei
Published: December 2018

The liver is the main metabolic organ in the body especially in lipometabolism and glycometabolism. Carbohydrates and fats disorders can result in insulin resistance in the liver. Metabolic imbalance can even lead to life-threatening conditions. Therefore, it is essential to maintain the normal metabolic function of the liver. When the liver is in a pathological state, liver metabolism homeostasis is damaged, and metabolic disorders will further aggravate liver disease. Consequently, it is essential to determine the relationship between liver diseases and metabolic disorders. Here we review a lot of evidence that liver diseases are closely related to lipometabolism and glycometabolism. Although the disorder of the liver metabolism is caused by different liver diseases, the break of metabolic balance is determined by changes in the state of the liver. We discuss the relationship between liver disease and metabolic changes, outline the process of how metabolic changes are regulated by liver diseases, and describe the role which metabolic changes play in the process and prognosis of liver disease.
The Single Nucleotide PolymorphismPPARG2Pro12Ala Affects Body Mass Index, Fat Mass, and Blood Pressure in Severely Obese Patients
Authors: Rodrigues Ana Paula dos Santos , Rosa Lorena Pereira Souza , Silva Hugo Delleon da , Silveira-Lacerda Elisângela de Paula , Silveira Erika Aparecida
Published: December 2018

Background. ThePPARG2Pro12Ala (rs1801282) andIL6-174G >C (rs1800795) have important function in body weight regulation and a potential role in obesity risk. We aimed to investigate the association betweenPPARG2Pro12Ala andIL6-174G >C variants and the genotypes interaction with body composition, metabolic markers, food consumption, and physical activity in severely obese patients.Methods. 150 severely obese patients (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 35 kg/m2) from Central Brazil were recruited. Body composition, metabolic parameters, physical activity, and dietary intake were measured. The genotype was determined by the qPCR TaqMan Assays System. Multiple linear regression and multiple logistic regression models were fitted adjusting for confounders.Results. Ala carriers of the Pro12Ala polymorphism had higher adiposity measures (BMI:p=0.031, and fat mass:p=0.049) and systolic blood pressure (p=0.026) compared to Pro homozygotes. We found no important associations between the -174G >C polymorphism and obesity phenotypes. When genotypes were combined, individuals with genotypes ProAla + AlaAla and GC + CC presented higher BMI (p=0.029) and higher polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) consumption (p=0.045) compared to the ones with genotypes ProPro and GG, and individuals carriers of thePPARG2Ala allele only (genotype ProAla + AlaAla and GG) had higher fat mass and systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to the ones with genotypes ProPro and GG.Conclusions. Severely obese individuals carrying the Ala allele of thePPARG2Pro12Ala polymorphism had higher measures of adiposity and blood pressure, while no important associations were found for theIL6-174G >C polymorphism.
Ship Tracking Based on Underwater Electric Potential
Authors: Sun Baoquan , Yan Bing , Zhang Jiawei , Hu Shouwei
Published: December 2018

Underwater Electric Potential is an important signal characteristic of a ship. The signal contains location information which can be used to track the ship. This research tries to study the possibility of ship tracking using Underwater Electric Potential. Aiming at the problems existing in the traditional Kalman filters under large initial errors, a new nonlinear filter is proposed. State space model of ship tracking is established; the problem existing in the ordinary Kalman filters is analyzed from the perspective of Kullbeck-Leibler Divergence; the new algorithm is proposed based on progressive Bayesian; simulations are designed. Simulation results show: it is feasible to use underwater electric potential to track the ship; the new method can effectively improve filter performance under large initial error and can effectively track the ship with preferable precision and convergence, which has great practical value.
Low Diagnostic Accuracy of Body Mass Index-Based and Waist Circumference-Based References of Childhood Overweight and Obesity in Identifying Overfat among Chinese Children and Adolescents
Authors: Chen Yiyang , Zhang Yu , Wang Lin
Published: December 2018

This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of body mass index- (BMI-) based and waist circumference- (WC-) based references for childhood overweight and obesity in screening overfat individuals among 2134 Chinese children and adolescents. In this study, overfat status was defined as over 25% body fat for boys and over 30% for girls. Childhood obesity or overweight was defined by four BMI-based references and two WC-based references. All BMI-based references for obesity showed low sensitivity (SE) (0.128–0.473) but high specificity (SP) (0.971–0.998) in detecting overfat individuals in the current population. SE values increased from 0.493 to 0.881 when BMI- and WC-based references for overweight were used to detect overfat individuals. All references for overweight showed high SP rates (0.816–0.966). To improve diagnostic accuracy for childhood obesity, further studies may define a cut-off value for childhood obesity specific for a local population and ethnicity by using health-related overfat data.
Shi’s Daoyin Therapy for Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Wang Huihao , Jiang Enyu , Wang Kuan , Deng Zhen , Zhan Hongsheng , Shen Zhibi , Niu Wenxin
Published: December 2018

Objective. To compare the immediate and short term effectiveness of Shi’s Daoyin therapy (DT) rather than the Melbourne Protocol (MP) in terms of pain, mobility, and isometric strength of cervical muscles in nonacute nonspecific neck pain patients. Material and Methods. A total of 114 nonacute nonspecific neck pain patients aged 20~50 years were recruited and randomly assigned to be treated by either Shi’s DT or the MP. 56 cases and 54 cases received treatment for 3 weeks and were evaluated before and after intervention and at 3‐week follow‐up in Shi’s DT group and MP group, respectively. The outcome measures were Chinese version of the Neck Disability Index (NDI), cervical range of motion (ROM), maximal voluntary isometric force (MVIF), and pain intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale, NPRS). Results. All outcomes of both groups showed statistically significant improvements after the intervention and at 3‐week follow‐up (P < 0.05), while no statistically significant difference was found in NDI between groups. When followed up after 3 weeks, the ROM in axial rotation was significantly greater in the Shi’s DT group (P < 0.05), and the NPRS in the Shi’s DT group was significantly lower than the MP group (P < 0.05). At the end of the treatment period, the MVIF in lateral bending in the Shi’s DT group had a lower value (P = 0.044) than in the MP group, but there was no significant difference in flexion and extension between the two groups. Conclusions. Both Shi’s DT and MP groups demonstrated an obvious reduction in pain intensity and improvements in neck mobility after a short term follow‐up period. The improvement of Shi’s DT in disability and pain during functional activities is generally similar to that of the MP for the treatment of nonacute nonspecific neck pain.
Silver Nanoparticles Potentiates Cytotoxicity and Apoptotic Potential of Camptothecin in Human Cervical Cancer Cells
Authors: Yuan Yu-Guo , Zhang Shimin , Hwang Ji-Yoon , Kong Il-Keun
Published: December 2018

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely used metal nanoparticles in health care industries, particularly due to its unique physical, chemical, optical, and biological properties. It is used as an antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and anticancer agent. Camptothecin (CPT) and its derivatives function as inhibitors of topoisomerase and as potent anticancer agents against a variety of cancers. Nevertheless, the combined actions of CPT and AgNPs in apoptosis in human cervical cancer cells (HeLa) have not been elucidated. Hence, we investigated the synergistic combinatorial effect of CPT and AgNPs in human cervical cancer cells. We synthesized AgNPs using sinigrin as a reducing and stabilizing agent. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized using various analytical techniques. The anticancer effects of a combined treatment with CPT and AgNPs were evaluated using a series of cellular and biochemical assays. The expression of pro‐ and antiapoptotic genes was measured using real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The findings from this study revealed that the combination of CPT and AgNPs treatment significantly inhibited cell viability and proliferation of HeLa cells. Moreover, the combination effect significantly increases the levels of oxidative stress markers and decreases antioxidative stress markers compared to single treatment. Further, the combined treatment upregulate various proapoptotic gene expression and downregulate antiapoptotic gene expression. Interestingly, the combined treatment modulates various cellular signaling molecules involved in cell survival, cytotoxicity, and apoptosis. Overall, these results suggest that CPT and AgNPs cause cell death by inducing the mitochondrial membrane permeability change and activation of caspase 9, 6, and 3. The synergistic cytotoxicity and apoptosis effect seems to be associated with increased ROS formation and depletion of antioxidant. Certainly, a combination of CPT and AgNPs could provide a beneficial effect in the treatment of cervical cancer compared with monotherapy.
Vibration Isolation Mechanism of Concrete Piles for Rayleigh Waves on Sand Foundations
Authors: Liu Jinglei , Feng Guishuai , Zhang Jian , Zhao Xiaoyu , Yu Chuanqing , Zhao Min
Published: December 2018

To study the propagation characteristics of Rayleigh waves and the isolation mechanism of a single‐row of piles by isolation effects, in this paper we draw a two‐dimensional contour map of ζ (normalized acceleration amplitude relative to a measure close at the vibration source) using a vibration test carried out on a sand foundation. In this experiment, we study, in addition to the free field and the single pile cases, settings with two and three piles. The result shows that the vibration caused by the point source in the free field excites Rayleigh waves in a radial direction along the surface of the foundation. Meanwhile, the vibrations of the points along the propagation path on the surface of the foundation are gradually weakened. There is a steady transition when the ζ drops to 0.6 and a placid decline when ζ decreases to less than 0.25. The vibration‐shielded region, the strengthened region, and the strengthened strips will appear on the surface of the foundation. The vibration‐shielded region is located behind the piles, and the region presents a trumpet‐shaped area that takes the pile as the vertex. Increasing the quantity of piles contributes to increasing the vibration isolation effect, not only that involving the degree of isolation but also for the area of the shielded area. The vibration‐strengthened regions include the diffraction regions at the pile corners on both sides of the single‐row of piles and the scattering region at the gaps of the piles. In addition, the composite regions are located among the vibration source and the scattering and diffraction‐strengthened regions. Increasing the number of piles has little influence on the scattering and diffraction‐strengthened regions but can significantly enhance the vibrations of the composite regions. In general, the vibration‐strengthened strips are connected with the scattering‐strengthened regions. However, in the test of a single pile, the pile is connected to the diffraction‐strengthened regions near its two anterior angles.
Dynamic Responses of a Twin-Tunnel Subjected to Moving Loads in a Saturated Half-Space
Authors: Sun Hong-lei , Chen An-hua , Shi Li , Geng Xue-yu , Wang Yu
Published: December 2018

With the fast development of rail transit, the environmental vibration problems caused by subways have received increasing attention. A 3D finite element model was built in this study to investigate the ground vibrations induced by the moving load operating in the parallel twin tunnels. Compared to the model consisting of a single tunnel that was commonly adopted in the past studies, a pair of tunnels is considered and the surrounding medium of the tunnels is taken as a saturated porous medium. The governing equations of the 3D finite element method modeling of the saturated poroelastic soil have been derived according to Biot’s theory. Computed results showed that the dynamic response of the twin-tunnel model is greater than that of the single tunnel model. And the spacing between two tunnels, tunnel buried depth, and load moving speed are the essential parameters to determine the dynamic response of the tunnel and soil.
Comparative Efficacy of Medical Treatments for Thyroid Eye Disease: A Network Meta-Analysis
Authors: Xu Nuo , Cui Yi , Xie Tianlu , Zheng Mi
Published: December 2018

Purpose. Numerous medical strategies have been proposed for the treatment of thyroid eye disease (TED); however, the best methods for standard treatment are still a matter of controversy. The purpose of this network meta-analysis was to integrate previous evidence to create hierarchies of comparative efficacy of eleven commonly used medical treatments for TED. Methods. A comprehensive search of electronic scientific literature databases was performed and the data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing treatment outcomes for patients with active TED were selected. Treatment strategies included in this network meta-analysis were intravenous glucocorticoids (IVGC), oral glucocorticoids (OGC), orbital injection of glucocorticoids (OIGC), orbital radiotherapy (OR), intravenous glucocorticoids combined with orbital radiotherapy (IVGC + OR), oral glucocorticoids combined with orbital radiotherapy (OGC + OR), rituximab (RTX), somatostatin analogs, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), teprotumumab, and cyclosporine. The outcomes were response rate, mean difference in proptosis reduction, and reduction in disease activity. A random-effects network meta-analysis using a frequent method was conducted in STATA. Results. Twenty-three studies comprising a total of 1047 patients were included in the analysis. Inconsistency plots showed heterogeneity in the IVGC-Placebo-RTX loop to some extent (RoR = 8.029, P=0.075). Rankings of response rates were as follows: IVGC + OR, teprotumumab, IVGC, OGC + OR, RTX, OIGC, OR, IVIG, OGC, somatostatin, placebo, and cyclosporine. The rank probability analysis of proptosis reduction showed that teprotumumab was the most effective, followed by IVGC, IVGC + OR, OIGC, OGC, OGC + OR, OR, somatostatin, cyclosporine, and placebo. Conclusions. IVGC, alone or combination with OR, and teprotumumab should be preferred as the most effective strategies for active moderate to severe TED. Teprotumumab showed profound effect on proptosis reduction. OIGC, OR, and somatostatin analogs showed some statistical benefit and can be employed as second-line treatment strategies. RTX is a promising biologic agent, but more RCTs are required to define its appropriate role in treating TED.
A Real‐World Evidence Study for Distribution of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome and Its Elements on Respiratory Disease
Authors: Xu Fei , Cui Wengqiang , Kong Qing , Tang Zihui , Dong Jingcheng
Published: December 2018

Background. This study aimed to investigate the distribution and characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome and its elements on respiratory diseases (RDs) based on real‐world data (RWD). Methods. A real‐world study was performed to explore the relationships among TCM syndrome and RDs based on electronic medical information. A total of 26,074 medical records with complete data were available for data analysis. Factor analyses were used to reduce dimensions of TCM syndrome elements and detect common factors. Additionally, cluster analyses were employed to assess combinations of TCM syndrome elements. Finally, association rule analyses were performed to investigate the structures of TCM syndrome elements to estimate the patterns of TCM syndrome. Results. A total of 27 TCM syndromes were extracted from RWD in this work. There were four TCM syndromes with >5.0% frequency based on the distribution frequency. The top five pathogenesis TCM syndrome elements were Tan, Huo, Feng, Qi_Xu, and Han. Factor analysis, cluster analysis, and association rule analysis demonstrated that Tan, Huo, Feng, Qi_Xu, Shen, and Fei were the core TCM syndrome elements. Conclusion. Four common Shi TCM syndromes on RDs were identified: Tan_Re_Yong_Fei, Tan_Zhuo_Zu_Fei, Feng_Re_Fan_Fei, and Feng_Han_Xi_Fei; two core common Xu TCM syndromes (Fei_Shen_Qi_Xu and Fei_Yin_Xu) and two core common Mix TCM syndromes (Fei_Pi_Qi_Xu‐Tan_Shi_Yun_Fei and Fei_Shen_Qi_Xu‐Tan_Yu_Zu_Fei) were also determined. The core TCM syndrome elements of Tan, Huo, Feng, Qi_Xu, Shen, and Fei were identified in this work.
Efficacy of a Chinese Herbal Medicine Compound Zhangpi Ointment against Hydroxyurea‐Induced Leg Ulcers: A Prospective, Randomized, Open‐Label, Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Pang Yu-yang , Li Yan , Kui Gang , Tang Yong , Liao Ming-juan , Wang Yong-ling , Cao Zhen-dong , Zhu Qi
Published: December 2018

Objective. The randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the efficacy of topical Chinese herbal Zhangpi Ointment for hydroxyurea‐induced leg ulcers in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms. Patients and Methods. This single‐center, prospective, randomized, open‐label, controlled clinical trial conducted at Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital enrolled 54 patients with hydroxyurea‐induced leg ulcers. Patients were randomly assigned to the control group (n = 27) treated with chlorhexidine dressing or the intervention group (n = 27) treated with the Zhangpi Ointment. Finally, 26 patients in the control group and 23 patients in the intervention group completed 8 weeks of observation. Results. The rate of complete healing was 100% for the intervention group, which was significantly higher than that of the control group (96.15%) (P<0.05). Furthermore, the intervention group achieved a significantly higher rate of wound healing (95.56%) than the control group (69.02%) at week 4 (P<0.01). The intervention group took 34 ± 5 days to achieve complete healing while the control group took 41 ± 7 days (P < 0.01). Moreover, grade 3/4 side effects were observed in neither group. Conclusion. The Zhangpi Ointment is effective in promoting the healing of hydroxyurea‐induced leg ulcers in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms, providing a therapeutic option for a condition that is recalcitrant to conventional therapy.
Comparative Experimental Study of Tribo-Mechanical Performance of Low-Temperature PVD Based TiN Coated PRCL Systems for Diesel Engine
Authors: Uddin Ghulam Moeen , Sajid Kamran Muhammad , Ahmad Jawad , Ghufran Muhammad , Asim Muhammad , Qasim Zafar Muhammad , Irfan Muhammad , Waseem Bilal , Khan Awais Ahmad , Jawad Muhammad , Zeid Ibrahim , Kamarthi Sagar
Published: December 2018

Piston ring and cylinder liner (PRCL) interface is a major contributor to the overall frictional and wear losses in an IC engine. Physical vapor deposition (PVD) based ceramic coatings on liners and rings are being investigated to address these issues. High temperature requirements for applications of conventional coating systems compromise the mechanical properties of the substrate materials. In the current study, experimental investigation of tribo-mechanical properties is conducted for various titanium nitride (TiN) coated PRCL interfaces in comparison with a commercial PRCL system. Low-temperature PVD based TiN coating is successfully achieved on the grey cast iron cylinder liner samples. Surface roughness of the grey cast iron cylinder liner substrates and the thickness of TiN coating are varied. A comprehensive comparative analysis of various PRCL interfaces is presented and all the trade-offs between various mechanical and tribological performance parameters are summarized. Coating thickness between 5 and 6 micrometres reports best tribo-mechanical behaviour. Adhesion and hardness are found to be superior for the TiN coatings deposited on cylinder liner samples with higher roughness, i.e., ~ 5-micron Ra. Maximum 62 % savings on the COF is reported for a particular PRCL system. Maximum 97% saving in cylinder liner wear rate is reported for another PRCL system.
An Examination of Vocal Tract Acoustics following Wendler’s Glottoplasty
Authors: Paltura Ceki , Yelken Kürşat
Published: December 2018

Purpose: To investigate the formant frequency (FF) features of transgender females’ (TFs) voice after Wendler’s glottoplasty surgery and compare these levels with age-matched healthy males and females. Study Design: Controlled prospective. Methods: 20 TFs and 20 genetically male and female age-matched healthy controls were enrolled in the study. The fundamental frequency (F0) and FFs F1–F4 were obtained from TF speakers 6 months after surgery. These levels were compared with those of healthy controls. Results: Statistical analysis showed that the median F0 values were similar between TFs and females. The median F1 levels of TFs were different from females but similar to males. The F2 levels of TFs were similar to females but different from males. The F3 and F4 levels were significantly different from both male and female controls. Conclusion: Wendler’s glottoplasty technique is an effective method to increase F0 levels among TF patients; however, these individuals report their voice does not sufficiently project femininity. The results obtained with regard to FF levels may be the reason for this problem. Voice therapy is recommended as a possible approach to assist TF patients achieve a satisfactory feminine voice.
Association of Circulating Adipsin, Visfatin, and Adiponectin with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Adults: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Qiu Yun , Wang Su-Fan , Yu Chao , Chen Qian , Jiang Rui , Pei Lei , Huang Yuan-Ling , Pang Neng-Zhi , Zhang Zhenfeng , Ling Wenhua , Yang Lili
Published: December 2018

Background/Aims: Some adipokines, such as adiponectin and leptin, have been reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), while the association of adipsin and visfatin with NAFLD still remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the association of circulating adipsin, visfatin, and adiponectin with NAFLD in Chinese adults. Methods: We recruited a total of 211 eligible subjects, including 100 NAFLD cases and 111 age and sex frequency-matched controls. Circulating adipsin, visfatin, and adiponection concentrations were measured by enzymatic immunoassay. Unconditional logistic regression was conducted to assess the associations between quartiles of adipokines and NAFLD. Results: Compared with the controls, NAFLD cases had higher levels of adipsin and lower levels of visfatin and adiponectin. By multivariate logistic analysis, adjusting for potential confounders, circulating adipsin levels were found to be positively associated with NAFLD risk, and circulating levels of visfatin and adiponectin were inversely associated with the risk of NAFLD (all p-trend < 0.05). The ORs were 3.76 (95% CI 1.27–11.08) for adipsin, 0.30 (95% CI 0.10–0.91) for visfatin, and 0.30 (95% CI 0.10–0.88) for adiponectin comparing subjects in the highest quartile with those in the lowest. After stratified by obesity status, the association of higher adipsin with increased risk of NAFLD was only observed in nonobese group. Additionally, the inverse association between adiponectin and NAFLD was found in both groups. Conclusions: These results indicated that increased circulating levels of adipsin and decreased circulating levels of visfatin and adiponectin were independently associated with the increased risk of NAFLD.
Aprendizagem e fracasso do jovem Alfredo: Dalcídio Jurandir e o romance moderno de formação na Amazônia oriental
Authors: Pressler Gunter Karl
Published: December 2018

O artigo discorre sobre o Romance de Formação de origem alemã, considerando nesta trilha, no início do século 20, um tipo de “romance moderno de formação/educação” na literatura brasileira. Os romances de D. Jurandir cumprem o que R. Selbmann (1994) considera a “instância obrigatória” de um romance de formação (Bildungsroman), a presença da formação (escolar e/ou profissional). O termo “romance moderno de formação” indica que se trata de uma narrativa de desenvolvimento, aprendizagem e educação, sob as condições da primeira metade de século 20 e da barbárie da Segunda Guerra Mundial, de uma esperança política e humanista fracassada, mas presente.
Thirty-Day Readmissions After Hospitalization for Hypertensive Emergency
Authors: Kumar Nilay , Simek Shawn , Garg Neetika , Vaduganathan Muthiah , Kaiksow Farah , Stein James H. , Fonarow Gregg C. , Pandey Ambarish , Bhatt Deepak L.
Published: December 2018

Hypertensive emergency is a clinical entity with potentially serious health implications and high healthcare utilization. There is a lack of nationally representative data on incidence, causes, and predictors of 30-day readmission after hospitalization for hypertensive emergency. We used the 2013 to 2014 Nationwide Readmissions Database to identify index hospitalizations for hypertensive emergency. Primary outcome was all-cause unplanned 30-day readmission. Multivariable hierarchical logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of readmission. There were 166 531 index hospitalizations for hypertensive emergency representative of 355 627 (SE, 9401) hospitalizations nationwide in 2013 to 2014. Mean age was 66.0 (SE, 0.14) years, and 53.7% were women. The overall incidence of unplanned 30-day readmissions was 17.8%. The most common causes of readmission were heart failure (14.2%), hypertension with complications (10.2%), sepsis (5.9%), acute kidney injury (5.1%), and cerebrovascular accident (5.1%). Noncardiovascular causes accounted for 57.9% of readmissions. We found age <65 years (odds ratio, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.17–1.25;
P
<0.001), female sex (odds ratio, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.07–1.12;
P
<0.001), comorbid disease burden, substance use disorders, and socioeconomic risk factors to be significant predictors of readmission. One out of 6 patients hospitalized for hypertensive emergency had an unplanned 30-day readmission. Heart failure, uncontrolled hypertension, and stroke were among the most frequent causes of readmission; however, over half of all readmissions were because of noncardiovascular causes.
Long-Term Burden of Higher Body Mass Index and Adult Arterial Stiffness Are Linked Predominantly Through Elevated Blood Pressure
Authors: Liu Yang , Yan Yinkun , Yang Xiangjun , Li Shengxu , Bazzano Lydia , He Jiang , Chen Wei
Published: December 2018

Obesity and hypertension are important risk factors of arterial stiffness. However, the complex relationship between increased body mass index (BMI), elevated blood pressure (BP), and arterial stiffness is largely unknown. We aim to examine the mediation effect of elevated BP on the association of early life BMI, long-term burden, and trend of BMI with arterial stiffness in midlife. The longitudinal study cohort consisted of 1190 participants (829 whites and 361 blacks, 518 males, mean age=40.0 years at follow-up) who had been examined for BMI and BP 4 to 15 times from childhood and aortic-femoral pulse wave velocity (afPWV) in adulthood, with a mean follow-up period of 30.3 years. Total area under the curve (AUC
t
) and incremental AUC (AUC
i
) were calculated in random-effects models and used as long-term measures of BMI and BP. Total effects of BMI measures on adult afPWV, adjusted for covariates were all significant without adult BMI and systolic BP (SBP) measures included in the models. The mediation effects of adult SBP (20.2%) and SBP AUC
i
(16.9%) were significant on the childhood BMI-afPWV association. Adult SBP showed significant mediation effects of 36.7% on the BMI AUC
i
-afPWV association and 36.4% on the BMI AUC
t
-afPWV association. The mediation effect of SBP AUC
i
was estimated at 63.3% (
P
<0.01) on the BMI AUC
i
-afPWV association. Diastolic BP had similar total and mediation effects. These findings suggest that the association of increased childhood BMI and its cumulative burden with adult arterial stiffness measured as afPWV is predominantly mediated through the long-term and increasing trend of BP.
The genus Scobura Elwes & Edwards, 1897 from China, with descriptions of two new species (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae)
Authors: FAN XIAOLING , CHIBA HIDEYUKI , WANG MIN
Published: December 2018

The skipper genus Scobura Elwes & Edwards, 1897 is reviewed as it occurs in China. Polytremis flavinerva hainana Gu & Wang is transferred to the genus Scobura and raised to the species level, i.e., S. hainana (Gu & Wang, 1997), comb. nov. Zographetus hainanus Gu & Wang, 1997, syn. nov. and Scobura youngi Devyatkin, 2004, syn. nov. are considered to be synonyms of Scobura cephaloides kinka Evans, 1949, and S. hainana (Gu & Wang, 1997) respectively. Two new species from South China, S. stellata sp. nov. and S. parawoolletti, sp. nov. are described and illustrated. The female genitalia of S. cephaloides kinka, S. coniata and S. hainana are described for the first time. A key to the 14 species of the genus is provided. Adults and genitalia of eight Chinese species and S. woolletti (Riley, 1923) from Borneo are illustrated and a brief description of each Chinese species is given.
Review of Chinese species of genus Xenovarta Viraktamath (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae: Scaphytopiini) with description of a new species
Authors: DUAN YANI , ZHANG YALIN
Published: December 2018

The Chinese leafhopper species of the genus Xenovarta Viraktamath are reviewed, one new species Xenovarta longicornis sp. n. is described and a key is provided for the six Oriental species of the genus.
Godzilliognomus schrami, a new species of Remipedia (Crustacea) from Eleuthera, Bahamas
Authors: ILIFFE THOMAS M. , OTTEN TINA , KOENEMANN STEFAN
Published: December 2018

Godzilliognomus schrami, a new species of the crustacean class Remipedia, Yager, 1981 is the second species assigned to the genus. The new species, with an average body length of 6.8 mm, was collected from an anchialine cave on the Bahamian island of Eleuthera. Godzilliognomus schrami can be distinguished from the other species in the genus, Godzilliognomus frondosus Yager, 1989 by narrower and less trapezoidal tergites, frontal filaments that differ regarding the shape and insertion of the medial process, and dorsal antennular rami composed of only ten segments.
A tentative species list of the European herpetofauna (Amphibia and Reptilia) — an update
Authors: SPEYBROECK JEROEN , BEUKEMA WOUTER , CROCHET PIERRE-ANDRÉ
Published: December 2018

Research on the taxonomy of European amphibians and reptiles has increased noticeably over the last few decades, indicating the need for recognition of new species and the cancellation of others. This paper provides a critical review of recent changes and draws up a tentative species list.
Redescription of Prosaetes rhinodontis (Wright, 1876) (Crustacea: Copepoda: Siphonostomatoida), an enigmatic parasite of the whale shark, Rhincodon typus Smith (Elasmobranchii: Orectolobiformes: Rhincodontidae)
Authors: TANG DANNY , YANAGISAWA MAKIO , NAGASAWA KAZUYA
Published: December 2018

The siphonostomatoid copepod Prosaetes rhinodontis (Wright, 1876) is redescribed in detail based on adult female specimens recently collected from the sieve-like gill rakers of a whale shark, Rhincodon typus Smith, held in captivity off the coast of Motobu-cho, Okinawa-jima Island, Japan. Comparisons with other caligiform copepod species previously identified as Dysgamus atlanticus Steenstrup & Lütken, 1861 and described as Echthrogaleus pectinatus Kirtisinghe, 1964 from a whale shark revealed that these two taxa are conspecific with P. rhinodontis. The latter is transferred herein from the Pandaridae to the Cecropidae based on the relatively slim shape of its maxilliped corpus, and an amended diagnosis of Prosaetes C. B. Wilson, 1907 is provided. Neotype material of P. rhinodontis was selected from a previous collection of 173 specimens removed from a whale shark caught alive off the coast of Yonabaru-cho, Okinawa-jima Island, Japan, and subsequently held in captivity, albeit briefly, in the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, Motobu-cho, Okinawa-jima Island, Japan. Asymmetrical clusters of P. rhinodontis females on the host’s gill rakers were observed in this study, which suggest that this aggregative behavior most likely does not facilitate their attachment to the host but rather is a strategy used to augment their reproductive fitness. We also postulate that P. rhinodontis grazes on the epithelium of the host’s gill rakers and is, in contrast to other cecropids, a relatively vagile species.
The nomenclatural status of some generic nomina of Megophryidae (Amphibia, Anura)
Authors: DUBOIS ALAIN , GROSJEAN STÉPHANE , OHLER ANNEMARIE , ADLER KRAIG , ZHAO ERMI
Published: December 2018

The use of scientific names or nomina (Dubois 2000) in the scientific literature requires attention to the international nomenclatural rules of the Code (Anonymous 1999). Articles 7 to 20 of this Code put precise conditions for the availability of nomina, which must be respected if these are to be used as valid in taxonomy. Similarly, Articles 52 to 60 concern the situation of homonynous nomina. Lack of attention to these rules may create nomenclatural instability and confusion and should be avoided, or corrected when discovered.
On a new Antarctic species of Symplectoscyphus Marktanner-Turneretscher, 1890 (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa, Sertulariidae), with an annotated checklist of the Antarctic species of the genus
Authors: CANTERO ÁLVARO L. PEÑA
Published: December 2018

A new Antarctic species of the genus Symplectoscyphus Marktanner-Turneretscher is described and figured, and its position amongst the allied Antarctic species of the genus is discussed. The material was collected from the Ross Sea area (Antarctica) during the BioRoss survey to the western Ross Sea and Balleny Islands in 2004. Symplectoscyphus frondosus, sp. nov., is unique amongst the Antarctic known species of the genus in having large, erect, rigid, muchbranched, bottlebrush-shaped stems. An annotated checklist of the Antarctic species of the genus is also included. Sixteen of the 19 known Antarctic species are endemic to the Antarctic Region (84%), two are also present in subAntarctic waters and only one has a wider distribution.
A new species of newt of the genus Paramesotriton (Salamandridae) from southwestern Guangdong, China, with a new northern record of P. longliensis from western Hubei
Authors: WU YUNKE , JIANG KE , HANKEN JAMES
Published: December 2018

We report two previously unknown populations of Asian warty newts (Salamandridae: Paramesotriton) in China. The first population, from southwestern Guangdong, is described as a new species, which is closely related to P. guangxiensis based on morphological and molecular data. The second new population, from western Hubei, is assigned to P. longliensis, which extends the known range of this species 400 km northwards. Limited genetic differentiation between P. longliensis and P. zhijinensis suggests that these two names may refer to the same (single) species.
The Iberian spider checklist (Araneae)
Authors: CARDOSO PEDRO , MORANO EDUARDO
Published: December 2018

We compiled all the available information regarding spider species distribution in the Iberian Peninsula (including the Balearic Islands). At present, 1335 species are known from the region, of which 236 are Iberian endemics, in 373 genera and 55 families. Portugal presents 768 species and Spain (including Andorra and Gibraltar), 1213 species. Although the work developed during recent decades has allowed a major increase in our knowledge of this group, there are certainly many species yet to be found and, for those already listed, the distribution is largely unknown. Although linyphiids present the highest number of known species (267), dysderids present the highest endemic richness (46 species). Information regarding the provinces from where each species was referenced is also presented and reveals large differences in the knowledge about each province, with most presenting very few known records and species. This checklist is accompanied by an online catalogue where all the information here presented is exhaustively listed and regularly updated.
Description of a new species of Pseudopaludicola Miranda-Ribeiro, 1926 from the state of São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil (Anura, Leiuperidae)
Authors: TOLEDO LUÍS FELIPE , SIQUEIRA SÉRGIO , DUARTE THIAGO C. , VEIGA-MENONCELLO ANA CRISTINA P. , RECCO-PIMENTEL SHIRLEI M. , HADDAD CÉLIO F. B.
Published: December 2018

We describe here a new species of Pseudopaludicola (P. murundu sp. nov.) that is found in the central portion of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. This new species is related to P. saltica, from which it distinguishes by the presence of a single, dark, and subgular vocal sac with dark longitudinal folds in males, immaculate to light brown nuptial pads in males that cover the external part of the finger I, from the wrist to the second phalanx, and 11 pairs of chromosomes without heteromorphic sex chromosomes. From all other species of the genus it distinguishes by presenting very long hindlimbs, with tibio-tarsal articulation reaching beyond the end of the snout, and absence of T-shaped terminal phalanges. Tadpoles, advertisement call, and the karyotype are described as well.
The problems with Polypedilum Kieffer (Diptera: Chironomidae), with the description of Probolum subgen. n.
Authors: SÆTHER OLE A. , ANDERSEN TROND , PINHO LUIZ C. , MENDES HUMBERTO F.
Published: December 2018

A phylogenetic analysis of the genus Polypedilum Kieffer utilizing only species with known larvae, and including one additional species presumed to belong to a new subgenus was performed. The subgenera Tripodura Townes, 1945, Pentapedilum Kieffer, 1913 and Cerobregma Sæther et Sundal, 1999, were all monophyletic, while Uresipedilum Oyewo et Sæther, 1998 was monophyletic when the new subgenus Probolum was excluded. Polypedilum s. str. was never monophyletic even when excluding the atypical P. nubifer (Skuse, 1889), but if the relationships between subgenera were unresolved a cladogram as short as the shortest trees could be erected with Polypedilum s. str. as monophyletic. It is proposed to reestablish the genus Tripedilum Kieffer, 1921a as a subgenus with the type species P. (T.) fuscipenne (Kieffer, 1921a) and including P. (T.) nubifer (Skuse); treat Polypedilum Kieffer, 1913 as valid (pending an application to the ICZN to supress Polypedilum Kieffer, 1912); reestablish the subgenus Kribionympha Kieffer, 1921a with the type species Polypedilum (Kribionympha) declivis Kieffer, 1922; give priority to Tripodura Townes, 1945 over senior synonyms; and erect the new subgenus Probolum Andersen et Sæther with Polypedilum (Probolum) marcondesi Pinho et Mendes sp. n. as type species and including at least P. (Probolum) pedatum excelsius Townes sensu Grodhaus et Rotramel, 1980, P. (Probolum) simantokeleum Sasa, Suzuki et Sakai, 1998 and P. (Probolum) bullum Zhang et Wang, 2004. Short diagnoses for the subgenera of Polypedilum are presented. Polypedilum (Probolum) marcondesi subgen. n., sp. n. is described and figured as male, female, pupa and larva. The two subspecies of P. (Uresipedilum) pedatum Townes, 1945 are regarded as full species. The male imago of P. (Uresipedilum) excelsius Townes, 1945 and the male and female of P. (Uresipedilum) pedatum Townes are redescribed.
Notes on the genus Korinchocoris Miller (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Reduviinae), with the description of a new species from Laos
Authors: ZHANG WENJIE , ZHAO PING , ISHIKAWA TADASHI , CAI WANZHI
Published: December 2018

Korinchocoris venulus Zhang, Zhao, Ishikawa & Cai, sp. nov. in the subfamily Reduviinae is described and illustrated from Laos. A modified diagnosis is given for the genus, recorded for the first time from Laos, along with a key to the six known species.
Additions and corrections to Borowski and Węgrzynowicz’s world catalogue of Bostrichidae (Coleoptera)
Authors: IVIE MICHAEL A.
Published: December 2018

Nomenclatural additions to, and corrections necessitated by the publication of, Borowski and Węgrzynowicz’ (2007) recently published “World Catalogue of [the] Bostrichidae” are presented. The type species of Bostrychopsis Lesne, 1899 is designated under ICZN Art. 70.3 as Bostrychopsis villosula Lesne, 1905, which is the replacement name for the misidentified type species designation by Chûjô (1937) of Bostrychopsis cephalotes sensu Lesne 1899, not Olivier, 1790. Bostrychopsis Lesne, 1905 is removed from synonymy with Apate Fabricius. A neotype is designated for Bostrichus cephalotes Olivier, 1790 and Bostrichus cephalotes is made a junior synonym of Bostrichus cornutus Olivier 1790, removing it from synonymy with Apate congener Gerstäcker 1855, which is again considered a valid name. Dominikia Borowski and Węgrzynowicz, 2007 is synonymized with Bostrychopsis Lesne new synonymy. Lesne’s 1938b nomen nudum was validated as Amintinus Anonymous, 1939: 240 [type species Amintinus tenuis Lesne 1938b, by original designation]. Amintinus Borowski and Węgrzynowicz’ 2007: 16 (not Anonymous, 1939) [type species Amintinus aethiopicus Lesne 1938b, by original designation] is a new synonymy and junior homonym. Borowski and Węgrzynowicz’ 2007 invalid designation of Sinoxylon sericans LeConte as the type species of Dendrobiella Casey is corrected to Sinoxylon asperum LeConte under ICZN Art. 69.2. Neotypes are designated for Ligniperda tenebrans Pallas, 1772 and Apate hamatus Fabricius, 1787, based on male and female respectively of what is now known as Apate tenebrans (Pallas) new synonymy. Apate bicaudatus Say, 1824 is designated a nomen protectum relative to Apate aspericollis Germar, 1824 (nomen oblitum) and Apate serricollis Germar, 1824 (nomen oblitum), and recognized as the species also known as Amphicerus hamatus auctorum (not Fabricius) under the combination Amphicerus bicaudatus (Say). Schistoceros Lesne, 1899 is shown to be an unjustified replacement name for Amphicerus LeConte (not Amphiceras Gray) and therefore an objective synonym with the same type species. Its recognition as the name of a second subgenus of Amphicerus is invalid. Amphicerus is recognized with no valid subgenera. Dermestes muricatus Linnaeus, 1767 is declared a nomen oblitum relative to its synonym Bostrichus sexdentatus Olivier, 1790, which is likewise declared a nomen protectum, and recognized as Sinoxylon sexdentatum (Olivier). A neotype is designated for Dermestes muricatus Linnaeus, 1767, based on a specimen of what is now known as Sinoxylon sexdentatum (Olivier). Several additional minor corrections regarding first synonymization, type species designations, and correct type repositories are identified.
Aphid parasitoids (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae) from Thailand
Authors: STARÝ PETR , RAKHSHANI EHSAN , TOMANOVIĆ ŽELJKO , KAVALLIERATOS NICKOLAS G. , SHARKEY MICHAEL
Published: December 2018

Original information on aphidiine braconids from Thailand is presented. Collections of specimens from 2006 through 2008 using Malaise traps and yellow pan traps yielded 7 new species records for the country, i.e., Binodoxys indicus Subba Rao et Sharma, Bioxys japonicus Starý et Schlinger, Diaeretus leucopterus (Haliday), Ephedrus lacertosus (Haliday), Fissicaudus thailandicus Starý et Rakshshani, Indaphidius curvicaudatus Starý and Parabioxys songbaiensis Shi et Chen. The new records demonstrate faunal connections with India, Vietnam, the eastern Palaearctic, and more interestingly disjunct connections with the western Palaearctic, i.e. Ephedrus lacertosus (Haliday), Diaeretus leucopterus (Haliday), Lipolexis gracilis Förster, and afrotropical regions, i.e. Aphidius autriquei Starý. In all, 11 species belonging to 10 genera are presented.
Systematics of the Podarcis hispanicus-complex (Sauria, Lacertidae) II: the valid name of the north-eastern Spanish form
Authors: RENOULT JULIEN P. , GENIEZ PHILIPPE , BACQUET PAUL , GUILLAUME CLAUDE P. , CROCHET PIERRE-ANDRE
Published: December 2018

Recent genetic works have suggested that the Iberian wall lizard Podarcis hispanicus (Steindachner, 1870) sensu lato is in fact a species complex. Several forms have already been elevated to species rank, including the north-eastern Spanish form alternatively named Podarcis atratus (Boscá, 1916) or P. liolepis (Boulenger, 1905) in different works. However, a recent study has demonstrated that the province of Valencia, where most individuals of the type series of Lacerta muralis var. liolepis Boulenger, 1905 originate from, is inhabited by populations that are conspecific with the north-eastern Spanish form. Consequently the nomen liolepis has precedence over atratus to designate the north-eastern species of the P. hispanicus complex which should thus bear the name Podarcis liolepis.
New species of reed frog from the Congo basin with discussion of paraphyly in Cinnamon-belly reed frogs
Authors: SCHICK SUSANNE , KIELGAST JOS , RÖDDER DENNIS , MUCHAI VINCENT , BURGER MARIUS , LÖTTERS STEFAN
Published: December 2018

We describe a new species of Afrotropical reed frog, genus Hyperolius (Hyperoliidae), from Salonga National Park in the central Congo basin, Democratic Republic of Congo. Males and females have similar colour and pattern and are easily distinguished from other taxa by a relatively short and broad, bright yellow (in life), dorsolateral line ending in the sacral region and the presence of a light spot on the heel. In a 16S mitochondrial rRNA phylogeny, it clusters with samples allocable to the Cinnamon-belly reed frog, H. cinnamomeoventris. The new species, along with other morphologically well distinguished taxa, splits H. cinnamomeoventris into different non-sister clades. We discuss paraphyly of this reed frog in a taxonomic framework.