bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Ticking Bomb”: The Impact of Climate Change on the Incidence of Lyme Disease
Authors: Dumic Igor , Severnini Edson
Published: October 2018

Lyme disease (LD) is the most common tick-borne disease in North America. It is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted to humans by blacklegged ticks, Ixodes scapularis. The life cycle of the LD vector, I. scapularis, usually takes two to three years to complete and goes through three stages, all of which are dependent on environmental factors. Increases in daily average temperatures, a manifestation of climate change, might have contributed to an increase in tick abundance via higher rates of tick survival. Additionally, these environmental changes might have contributed to better host availability, which is necessary for tick feeding and life cycle completion. In fact, it has been shown that both tick activity and survival depend on temperature and humidity. In this study, we have examined the relationship between those climatic variables and the reported incidence of LD in 15 states that contribute to more than 95% of reported cases within the Unites States. Using fixed effects analysis for a panel of 468 U.S. counties from those high-incidence states with annual data available for the period 2000–2016, we have found sizable impacts of temperature on the incidence of LD. Those impacts can be described approximately by an inverted U-shaped relationship, consistent with patterns of tick survival and host-seeking behavior. Assuming a 2°C increase in annual average temperature—in line with mid-century (2036–2065) projections from the latest U.S. National Climate Assessment (NCA4)—we have predicted that the number of LD cases in the United States will increase by over 20 percent in the coming decades. These findings may help improving preparedness and response by clinicians, public health professionals, and policy makers, as well as raising public awareness of the importance of being cautious when engaging in outdoor activities.
Examining Student Performance and Attitudes on Distributed Pair Programming
Authors: Satratzemi Maya , Xinogalos Stelios , Tsompanoudi Despina , Karamitopoulos Leonidas
Published: October 2018

Pair programming (PP) has become popular in the research and software industry as well as being studied for a number of years in computer science courses with positive findings on student performance and attitudes. Advantages of PP reported in the literature are satisfaction, design quality, code productivity, team building, and communication. More recently, distributed pair programming (DPP), which enables two programmers to work remotely, has also attracted the interest of researchers and instructors. The difference between DPP and PP is that the former allows geographically distributed teams to collaborate and share program code. Such collaboration is, thus, only feasible if an underlying infrastructure supports all necessary interactions. The integrated development environments (IDEs) for DPP should cover the basic requirements for remote software development as well as address common PP problems, such as unequal contributions from each member of a pair, feedback during DPP sessions, and communication problems. This paper presents the findings of a study on student performance and attitudes towards DPP in an object-oriented programming (OOP) course. The factors examined were student performance, in terms of assignment grade, exam grade and implementation time in relation to students’ programming experience, and confidence, as well as student attitudes towards DPP, i.e., the feelgood factor, working alone or with a partner, and the perception of their partner’s technical competence. The results suggest that a students’ performance is associated with their programming experience and confidence in programming but not with how comfortable they feel during DPP sessions. Students evaluate the DPP sessions positively regardless of their confidence on programming or their perception of their partners’ technical competence. Students who consider themselves to have about the same programming competence as their partners tend to be more satisfied with DPP sessions. Overall, students prefer working with a partner regardless of their confidence on programming.
Exome Sequencing Identifies a Novel Sorting Nexin 14 Gene Mutation Causing Cerebellar Atrophy and Intellectual Disability
Authors: Al-Hashmi Nadia , Mohammed Mohammed , Al-Kathir Salim , Al-Yarubi Naeema , Scott Patrick
Published: October 2018

The autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxias (ARCA) affect both the central and the peripheral nervous systems. They are also characterized by a relatively high level of genetic heterogeneity with well over 40 genes already implicated. The present study aimed to identify the gene mutation responsible for a complex phenotype comprising cerebellar ataxia and intellectual disability segregating in an Omani consanguineous family. Homozygosity-guided exome data analysis identified a novel frameshift mutation (c.2319_2322del) within the sorting nexin 14 gene (SNX14), which predicts complete absence of the SNX14 encoded protein. Segregation within the family of the sequence variation is consistent with its pathogenic role. Importantly, loss-of-function mutations in SNX14 have recently been described as a cause of a clinically distinguishable recessive syndrome consisting of cerebellar atrophy, ataxia, coarsened facial features, and intellectual disability. This study expands the genetic diversity of ataxia genes in the Omani population and have important implications for the clinical and molecular diagnosis of this condition in affected individuals.
Morphophysiological Traits of Gray Mangrove (Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh.) at Different Levels of Soil Salinity
Authors: Abou Seedo Kholoud , Abido Mohammad S. , Salih Ahmed , Abahussain Asma
Published: October 2018

The traits of gray mangrove (Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh.) at different levels of soil salinity were assessed at three sites along the Tubli Bay coastline of Bahrain. Morphophysiological traits include rates of photosynthesis and transpiration, leaf morphology, and leaf pigment content. Results showed that the rates of photosynthesis and transpiration, the intercellular CO2 concentration, and stomatal conductance were significantly lower (p ≤ 0.05) in the trees of a low salinity site compared to those of high salinity sites. Pairwise correlation between soil electrical conductivity levels and photosynthesis and transpiration rates was very low, implying an adverse effect of low salinity on both processes. However, the dimensions of leaf area and the sclerophylly index were significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) in the trees grown in low salinity site compared to those in more saline conditions. On the other hand, pigments were significantly lower in leaves of trees grown in low salinity site compared to the other two sites. The pairwise correlation between electrical conductivity values and chlorophyll a, b, and carotenoid was 0.51, 0.52, and 0.57 consecutively at (p <0.0001), implying moderate effect of salinity on leaf pigments. This study illustrates the adverse and positive effects of soil salinity on some traits of gray mangrove in Bahrain, which might be considered in ecosystem rehabilitation along other coastlines of the country.
The Effect of Canertinib on Sensitivity of Cytotoxic Drugs in Tamoxifen-Resistant Breast Cancer Cells In Vitro
Authors: Gomaa Hesham A. M. , Ali Asmaa T. , Gabbar M. Abdel , Kandeil M. A.
Published: October 2018

Aims and Objectives.To investigate and examine the reversal effects of canertinib on the activity of EGFR and tamoxifen resistance in drug-resistant human breast carcinoma cells (MCF-7/TamR).Materials and Methods. The antiproliferative activity of canertinib alone or in combination with a conventional EGFR-targeting chemotherapies cytotoxic drugs differing in the mechanism(s) of action, such as paclitaxel, carboplatin, etoposide, vinorelbine, and daunorubicin as well as resistance mechanisms of EGFR targeting, have been investigated.Results. With an elevated dosage of canertinib, a significant decrease in proliferation and increase in apoptosis was observed. The treatment with higher doses of canertinib resulted in a 2-3-fold increase in apoptosis. In the combined treatment, it had been noticed a significant developed apoptotic cell death rather induced by single agent treatment. A significant downregulation of the antiapoptotic protein bcl-2 was exposed by immunocytochemistry investigation. Sensitivity to paclitaxel was also measured and was found to inversely correlate to bcl-2 status.Conclusion. Proliferation inhibition and apoptosis in MCF-7/TAM-R cells increase with increasing dosage of canertinib. This suggests that canertinib can reverse tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer cells. The antitumor effect of this EGFR-irreversible tyrosine kinase inhibitor provides a rationale for its clinical evaluation in combination with other cytotoxic drugs.
Improving TIGGE Precipitation Forecasts Using an SVR Ensemble Approach in the Huaihe River Basin
Authors: Cai Chenkai , Wang Jianqun , Li Zhijia
Published: October 2018

Recently, the use of the numerical rainfall forecast has become a common approach to improve the lead time of streamflow forecasts for flood control and reservoir regulation. The control forecasts of five operational global prediction systems from different centers were evaluated against the observed data by a series of area-weighted verification and classification metrics during May to September 2015–2017 in six subcatchments of the Xixian Catchment in the Huaihe River Basin. According to the demand of flood control safety, four different ensemble methods were adopted to reduce the forecast errors of the datasets, especially the errors of missing alarm (MA), which may be detrimental to reservoir regulation and flood control. The results indicate that the raw forecast datasets have large missing alarm errors (MEs) and cannot be directly applied to the extension of flood forecasting lead time. Although the ensemble methods can improve the performance of rainfall forecasts, the missing alarm error is still large, leading to a huge hazard in flood control. To improve the lead time of the flood forecast, as well as avert the risk from rainfall prediction, a new ensemble method was proposed on the basis of support vector regression (SVR). Compared to the other methods, the new method has a better ability in reducing the ME of the forecasts. More specifically, with the use of the new method, the lead time of flood forecasts can be prolonged to at least 3 d without great risk in flood control, which corresponds to the aim of flood prevention and disaster reduction.
Another Case of Multilevel Cervical Disconnection Syndrome Presenting as Neonatal Encephalopathy
Authors: Brady Kaylan M. , Blau Jonathan A. , Serras Spencer J. , Neuman Jeremy T. , Sidlow Richard
Published: October 2018

Multilevel cervical disconnection syndrome (MCDS) is a rare malformation of the cervical spine previously documented in two toddlers. We present a case of a newborn first thought to have hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy who was subsequently diagnosed with MCDS. The possibility of in utero presentation of the syndrome in this patient and the categorization of this syndrome in the spectrum of basilar skull/upper cervical malformation syndromes is discussed.
Bipartite Consensus for Multiagent Systems via Event-Based Control
Authors: Ma Cui-Qin , Sun Wei-Guo
Published: October 2018

This paper studies bipartite consensus for first-order multiagent systems. To improve resource utilization, event-based protocols are considered for bipartite consensus. A new type of control gain is designed in the proposed protocols. By appropriate selection of control gains, the convergence rate of the closed-loop system can be adjusted. Firstly, for structural balance case, necessary and sufficient conditions are given on communication relations and consensus gains to achieve bipartite consensus. Secondly, for structural unbalance case, necessary and sufficient conditions are proposed to ensure the stabilizing of the system. It can be found that the system will not show Zeno behavior. Numerical simulations are used to demonstrate the theoretical results.
A Comparison of Gender Differences in Smoking Behaviors, Intention to Quit, and Nicotine Dependence among Thai University Students
Authors: Chinwong Dujrudee , Mookmanee Ngamtip , Chongpornchai Jongkonnee , Chinwong Surarong
Published: October 2018

Background. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death. In Thailand, the prevalence of smoking is about 15-20 times higher among men than women. This study aimed to investigate gender differences among university students concerning smoking behaviors, nicotine dependence, and intention to quit smoking. Methods. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information from participants who were current smokers studying at a university in northern Thailand. Snowball sampling was used to recruit participants. Results. Of 364 participants, there were 321 males and 43 females. This study showed higher smoking behaviors among males than females; males were more likely to smoke every day than females (67.0 and 41.9%, respectively, p value=0.002), and the average number of cigarettes daily was higher among males than females (8.4 and 5.5, respectively, p value=0.006). The sources of cigarettes differed between males and females. The nicotine dependence level, as measured by the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence, was quite low in both male and female smokers and did not differ significantly (mean score of 2.3±2.2 for males, 1.8±1.8 for females; p value=0.123). Females were more likely than males toward intention to quit in the next 30 days (51.2 and 34.0%, respectively, p value=0.041). The most common reason for intention to quit was awareness of harm to health, for which females were more concerned than males. Conclusion. Male and female university students who smoked differed in smoking behaviors and intention to quit, but not in nicotine dependence level. The university should provide health promotion to help students quit smoking.
Malondialdehyde Assay in the Evaluation of Aspirin Antiplatelet Effects
Authors: Polzin Amin , Dannenberg Lisa , Schneider Theresa , Knoop Betül , Naguib David , Helten Carolin , Pöhl Martin , Kelm Malte , Zeus Tobias , Hohlfeld Thomas
Published: October 2018

Aspirin is essential in secondary prevention of patients after myocardial infarction and with coronary artery disease. However, impaired pharmacodynamic response to aspirin is frequent (high on-treatment platelet reactivity [HTPR]). This leads to an enhanced prevalence of cardiovascular events and to an impaired clinical outcome. The current specific assays to evaluate aspirin antiplatelet effects are complex, time-consuming and demand for a high laboratory expertise. Therefore, we developed a potentially bedside assay based on the determination of malondialdehyde (MDA). MDA is a by-product of the thromboxane (TX) formation, which is synthesized in equimolar concentrations. In this study, we compared this MDA assay to the conventional assays in determination of pharmacodynamic aspirin response. For this, aspirin antiplatelet effects were measured in 22 healthy individuals and 63 aspirin treated patients using TX B2 formation enzyme-linked antibody assay, arachidonic acid induced light transmission aggregometry (LTA) and the new fluorometric MDA assay. In patients, MDA levels correlated well with TX formation (R = 0.81; 95% CI 0.69–0.88; p < 0.001) and LTA (R = 0.84; CI 0.74–0.91; p < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic analyses revealed that the MDA assay does detect HTPR to aspirin sufficiently (area under the curve: 0.965; p < 0.001). The optimal cut-off was > 128 nmol/L (sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 91%). The new MDA assay is reliable in detecting HTPR. It is highly specific in the evaluation of antiplatelet effects by aspirin. This promising and potential bedside assay needs to be evaluated in clinical practice.
Human Chronic Necrotizing Granulomatous Meningoencephalitis: A Novel Case Report
Authors: Taddonio Alexus P. , Veloso Eric J. , Baldwin Kelly J.
Published: October 2018

Necrotizing and granulomatous meningoencephalitis are common central nervous system diseases known to affect canines. To date, necrotizing granulomatous meningoencephalitis has yet to be described in humans. Current studies of presumed pathogenesis and possible treatment options have only been described in canines. This is a case report of a 55-year-old female patient who was diagnosed with necrotizing granulomatous meningoencephalitis in the setting of new-onset neurological symptoms without any infectious or malignant source.
High Glucose-Mediated Cytokine Regulation in Gingival Fibroblasts and THP-1 Macrophage: a Possible Mechanism of Severe Periodontitis with Diabetes
Authors: Lew Jung-Hwan , Naruishi Koji , Kajiura Yukari , Nishikawa Yasufumi , Ikuta Takahisa , Kido Jun-ichi , Nagata Toshihiko
Published: October 2018

Background/Aims: Diabetic patients are susceptible to severe periodontitis, but the precise mechanism is not fully understood. Aim of this study was to explore the biological pathogenesis of severe periodontitis in diabetic patients focusing on the crosstalk of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) and macrophages. Methods: A total of 70 periodontitis patients with or without diabetes mellitus (DM) were enrolled, and the statistical relationships of diabetic conditions to the periodontal inflammatory parameters were examined by cross-sectional study. In in vitro study, HGFs cell line CRL-2014® (ATCC) and differentiated THP-1 macrophages were cultured with normal glucose (NG: 5.5 mM) or high glucose (HG: 25 mM) condition, and treated with indicated inflammatory factors such as calprotectin (CPT), interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6. To examine the effects of HG on soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R) production in THP-1 macrophages, the supernatants were collected and the sIL-6R levels were measured by ELISA. To examine the effects of HG on IL-1β or IL-6-induced matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) production in HGFs, the supernatants were collected. Levels of MMP-1 and tissue inhibitor of MMP-1 (TIMP-1) were measured by ELISA. Finally, after conditioned medium (CM) from THP-1 macrophages cultured with NG or HG conditions was collected, HGFs were treated with the CM. The supernatants were collected 24 hours later and the levels of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 were measured. To examine the specific effects of IL-1β contained in CM on MMP-1 and TIMP-1 production in HGFs, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) was used. Results: There were statistical correlation between IL-1β and sIL-6R levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and HbA1c in periodontitis patients with DM (IL-1β: P=0.035, sIL-6R: P=0.040). HG and CPT significantly induced sIL-6R production in THP-1 macrophages. HG significantly enhanced IL-1β or IL-6/sIL-6R-induced MMP-1 production in HGFs. The increase of MMP-1 by both IL-1β and IL-6/sIL-6R was significantly inhibited by specific ERK or IκB inhibitors. Corresponding to the regulation of MMP-1 production, HG condition increased the phosphorylation of p44/42 MAPK and IκBα in HGFs treated with IL-1β or IL-6/sIL-6R. Finally, MMP-1 production in HGFs cultured with HG increased significantly by CM from THP-1 macrophages cultured with HG. The induction of MMP-1 by the CM from THP-1 macrophages cultured with HG was significantly inhibited by dose dependent of IL-1ra in HGFs cultured with HG. Conclusion: Diabetic conditions such as HG induce IL-1β and sIL-6R production from macrophages in inflammatory periodontal tissues and may exacerbate the periodontitis synergistically via MMP-1 production from HGFs.
Periodic Mechanical Stress Stimulates GIT1-Dependent Mitogenic Signals in Rat Chondrocytes Through ERK1/2 Activity
Authors: Ren Kewei , Tang Jilei , Jiang Xuefeng , Sun Huiqing , Nong Luming , Shen Nan , Gu Yanqing
Published: October 2018

Background/Aims: The mitogenic effects of periodic mechanical stress on chondrocytes have been studied extensively, but the mechanisms whereby chondrocytes sense and respond to mechanical stimuli remain to be determined. We explored the question and verified the key role of G protein coupled receptor kinase interacting protein 1 (GIT1) signaling in periodic mechanical stress-induced chondrocyte proliferation. Methods: Two steps were undertaken in the experiment. In the first step, the cells were maintained under non-pressure conditions or periodic mechanical stress for 1 h prior to Western blot analysis. In the second step, the cells were pretreated with short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeted to GIT1 or Src or control scrambled shRNA, or transfected with GIT1 wild-type or GIT1 mutant Y321F, or focal adhesion kinase (FAK) wild-type or FAK mutants Y397F or Y576F/Y577, respectively. Moreover, the cells were pretreated with blocking antibody against integrin β1 or PP2. Then the cells were maintained under non-pressure conditions or periodic mechanical stress for 1 h prior to Western blot analysis, and for 3 days, 8 h per day, prior to direct cell counting and CCK-8 assay, respectively. Results: Periodic mechanical stress significantly induced sustained phosphorylation of GIT1 at Tyr321. Reduction of GIT1 with shRNA targeted to GIT1 and GIT1 mutant Y321F inhibited periodic mechanical stress-promoted chondrocyte proliferation, accompanied by attenuated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 and FAK phosphorylation at Tyr576/577. However, activation of Src and FAK-Tyr397 was not prevented upon GIT1 suppression. Furthermore, pretreatment with blocking antibody against integrin β1, Src-selective inhibitor, PP2, and shRNA targeted to Src blocked GIT1 activation under periodic mechanical stress. In addition, GIT1 phosphorylation at Tyr321 was not reduced upon pretreatment with FAK mutants Y397F or Y576F/Y577 under conditions of periodic mechanical stress. Conclusion: These findings collectively suggested that periodic mechanical stress promoted chondrocyte proliferation through at least two separate pathways, integrin β1-Src-GIT1-FAK(Tyr576/577)-ERK1/2, and the other parallel GIT1-independent integrin β1-FAK(Tyr397)-ERK1/2.
Myocardial Ischemia Reperfusion Injury: Apoptotic, Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Role of Galectin-3
Authors: Al-Salam Suhail , Hashmi Satwat
Published: October 2018

Background/Aims: Myocardial reperfusion has the potential to salvage the ischemic myocardium after a period of coronary occlusion. Reperfusion, however, can cause a wide spectrum of deleterious effects. Galectin-3 (GAL-3), a beta galactoside binding lectin, is closely associated with myocardial infarction (MI), myocardial fibrosis and heart failure. In our study, we investigated its role in ischemia-reperfusion injuries (IR) as this phenomenon is extremely relevant to the early intervention after acute MI. Methods: C57B6/J wild type (WT) mice and GAL-3 knockout (KO) mice were used for murine model of IR injury in the heart where a period of 30 minutes ischemia was followed by 24 hours of reperfusion. Heart samples were processed for immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent labeling, morphometric analysis, western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to identify the apoptotic, inflammatory and oxidative stress role of GAL-3. Results: Our results show that there was a significant increase in GAL-3 levels in the heart which shows GAL-3 is playing a role in the ischemia reperfusion injury. Troponin I was also significantly higher in GAL-3-KO group than wild type. Our study shows that GAL-3 is associated with an increase in the antioxidant activity in the IR injured myocardium. Antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, glutathione and catalase were found to be significantly raised in the GAL-3 wild type IR as compared to the GAL-3 KO IR group. A significant increase in apoptotic activity is seen in GAL-3 KO IR group as compared with GAL-3 wild IR group. Conclusion: Our study shows that GAL-3 can affect the redox pathways, controlling cell survival and death, and plays a protective role on the myocardium following IR injury.
Lower-Molecular-Weight Chitosan-Treated Polyethyleneimine: a Practical Strategy For Gene Delivery to Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Liu Minchen , Zhang Lu , Zhao Qingqing , Jiang Xinchi , Wu Luyao , Hu Yulan
Published: October 2018

Background/Aims: Genetic modification of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is an essential requirement for their use as a delivery vehicle. To achieve higher transfection efficiency and better reproducibility than previously synthesized chitosan (100 kDa)-polyethylenimine (PEI; 1200 Da), we synthesized a low molecular weight PEI (1200 Da)-grafted chitosan (50 kDa) (CP). Methods: Safety of CP/DNA or PEI (25 kDa)/DNA was evaluated by an MTT assay using A549 cells or MSCs and a zebrafish embryo model. Effects of CP/DNA on the characteristics of MSCs were evaluated using flow cytometry. Additionally, a pGL3 plasmid was used to investigate the transfection efficiency of PEI (25 kDa), chitosan (100 kDa)-PEI (1200 Da), and CP with different N/P mass ratios on A549 cells and MSCs. Furthermore, CP/pGL3 was used to investigate the effect of serum on transfection, and intracellular transport was assessed by observing the intracellular location of DNA using laser scanning confocal microscopy. In addition, the effect of endocytosis on transfection efficiency was evaluated using A549 cells pre-treated with different inhibitors. Investigations related to analysis of transfection efficiency were all performed using the BCA protein assay to standardize the data. Furthermore, TGF-β1-and CXCR4-expressing plasmids were applied to evaluate the gene transfer efficiency of CP, including its effects on the osteogenic differentiation and migratory ability of MSCs. Results: The safety evaluation demonstrated that CP/DNA had significantly lower toxicity than PEI (25 kDa)/DNA. Additionally, DNA entered MSCs transfected by CP without changing their properties, while the examination of intracellular transport demonstrated that CP/pGL3 was internalized rapidly into MSCs. Furthermore, studies of the internalization mechanism showed that CP/pGL3 complexes entered the cells through caveolae-mediated endocytosis, thereby suggesting that the CP coating helped DNA enter A549 cells without the requirement for receptors. Compared to PEI (25 kDa), the interference of serum on transfection was reduced significantly with the use of CP in both A549 cells and MSCs. To evaluate the effects of gene delivery using the constructed CP complex and the possibility of obtaining gene-engineered MSCs, TGF-β1- and CXCR4-expressing plasmids were successfully delivered into MSCs, confirming their ability to induce osteogenesis and change the migratory ability of MSCs, respectively. Conclusion: These results demonstrated that CP could be used to deliver genes into MSCs and could potentially be used in gene therapy based on MSCs.
FGFR2 Promotes Gastric Cancer Progression by Inhibiting the Expression of Thrombospondin4 via PI3K-Akt-Mtor Pathway
Authors: Huang Tingting , Liu Dian , Wang Yihua , Li Piao , Sun Li , Xiong Huihua , Dai Yuhong , Zou Man , Yuan Xianglin , Qiu Hong 
Published: October 2018

Background/Aims: Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) has attracted considerable interest as a therapeutic target in gastric cancer (GC). There is growing evidence to suggest that the bioavailability of the potent pro-tumor function of FGFR2 is associated with thrombospondins (TSPs). As a follow-on from our previous study, here we evaluated the potential clinical significance and mechanism of the relationship between FGFR2 and TSP4 in GC. Methods: Expression levels of FGFR2 and TSP4 were detected by immunohistochemistry in GC tissue microarray slides. SGC7901 and MKN28 cell lines were used to confirm the relationship between FGFR2 and TSP4. In vitro cell viability, colony formation, and invasion and migration assays were performed to evaluate the effect of FGFR2-TSP4 axis on tumor cell activities. The mechanism of TSP4 regulated by FGFG2 was explored via small molecular inhibitors in vitro and a xenograft model. Results: FGFR2 was shown to be markedly overexpressed in GC tissues and was correlated with a high risk of lymph node metastasis, late clinical stage, and poor prognosis. Low TSP4 expression was associated with shorter overall survival (OS) and advanced stage in GC patients. Interestingly, correlation analysis indicated that FGFR2 was negatively associated with TSP4. Indeed, in vitro and in vivo experiments suggested FGFR2 activation could downregulate TSP4 expression, which played an important role in the proliferation, invasion and migration of GC cells. We also found involvement of the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway in the FGFR2-TSP4 axis. Conclusion: The FGFR2 signal promotes human GC progression through the downregulation of TSP4 via PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway. Our findings provide a foundation for further investigating promising therapeutic strategies for GC overexpressing FGFR2.
Low‐Level Cumulative Lead and Resistant Hypertension: A Prospective Study of Men Participating in the Veterans Affairs Normative Aging Study
Authors: Zheutlin Alexander R. , Hu Howard , Weisskopf Marc G. , Sparrow David , Vokonas Pantel S. , Park Sung Kyun
Published: October 2018

Background

Bone lead offers a better method over blood lead measurement to discern long‐term lead exposure and accumulation. We examined the risk of resistant hypertension based on bone lead levels in a prospective cohort study of NAS (Normative Aging Study).

Methods and Results

Participants had clinic data on hypertension (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and antihypertension medication), lead (blood, bone‐patella, bone‐tibia), and demographic and confounding variables. Cases of resistant hypertension were identified by meeting criteria for: (1) inadequate systolic blood pressure (>140 mm Hg) or diastolic blood pressure (>90 mm Hg) while taking 3 medications or (2) requiring >4 medications for blood pressure control. A modified Poisson regression was used for model analysis. Of the 475 participants, 97 cases of resistant hypertension (20.4%) were identified. Among the cases of resistant hypertension, the median tibia and patella lead levels were 20 μg/g and 25 μg/g, respectively, while median tibia and patella lead levels were 20 μg/g and 27.5 μg/g, respectively, in participants without resistant hypertension. Tibia lead demonstrated a significant association with resistant hypertension (relative risk, 1.19; 95% confidence interval, 1.01–1.41 [
P
=0.04]) per interquartile range increase in tibia lead (13–28.5 μg/g). Patella lead was not associated with resistant hypertension (relative risk, 1.10; 95% confidence interval, 0.92–1.31 [
P
=0.31]) per interquartile range increase in patella lead (18–40 μg/g). Blood lead levels were not significantly associated with resistant hypertension (relative risk, 1.11; 95% confidence interval, 0.88–1.40 [
P
=0.38]).

Conclusions

Tibia lead represents a novel risk factor for resistant hypertension. Our study demonstrates an increased association between tibia lead and resistant hypertension status, with an increased risk of 19% per 1 interquartile range increase in tibia lead.
Two macaw species can learn to solve an optimised two-trap problem, but without functional causal understanding
Authors: O’Neill Laurie , Picaud Anthony , Maehner Jana , Gahr Manfred , von Bayern Auguste M.P.
Published: October 2018

The trap-tube paradigm is a useful reference for judging whether a species is likely to use advanced physical causal cognition, however it does not have a standardised format. In this study, the design of an optimised two trap-table is described and is then tested on two species of macaw: Ara ambiguus and Ara glaucogularis. Multiple subjects of both species learned a successful method to solve an initial trap-problem and some transferred this success to other apparatus presented. However this transfer was likely achieved without a functional physical understanding of the task. The macaws probably have a preference to use learned rules based on arbitrary properties to solve the trap-problem. We conclude that this setup of the two-trap-problem is a viable benchmark that could be administered to a variety of species with very little modification, thus paving the way for more directly comparative studies.
Moving from modern toward post-modern science: comment on “An integrated assessment of the vascular plants of the Americas”
Authors: MAVRODIEV EVGENY V. , SUN MIAO , SCHRODER LAURA , STEADMAN DAVID W. , EBACH MALTE C.
Published: October 2018

Recently Ulloa Ulloa et al. (2017) published a 2600-page online checklist of the New World vascular plants (the Checklist hereafter) that includes 124,993 species, 6227 genera, and 355 families associated with incomplete elementary taxonomy as well as with the distributional data provided for every species (Ulloa Ulloa et al., 2017). Givnish (2017) heralds their publically searchable database as “… a monumental achievement that will be of enormous interest to conservation biologists, ecologists, evolutionary biologists, biogeographers, land managers, and governmental officials around the world” (Givnish, 2017: 1535). Although land managers and governmental officials may indeed find the massive new Checklist useful, its utility for scientific pursuits so far is less obvious.
Two new species of Anthurium (Araceae) from Caparaó National Park, southeastern Brazil
Authors: CAMELO MEL C. , COELHO MARCUS A. N. , TEMPONI LÍVIA G.
Published: October 2018

Two new species of the genus Anthurium are described from Caparaó National Park in the Atlantic Forest region of southeastern Brazil. Presently known collections indicate that the two species occur in distinct elevation zones. A. caparaoense occurs in the semideciduous seasonal montane forest at 1400−1970 m, and A. erythrospadix in both semideciduous seasonal montane forest and dense ombrophilous forest, at 890−1280 m. Descriptions, illustrations, photographs and comparison with other similar species of Anthurium sect. Urospadix are provided, together with commentaries on geographical distribution, ecology and phenology.
Two new species of the genus Narcotica Sugi, 1982 (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Acronictinae)
Authors: KISS ÁDÁM , CHOI SEI-WOONG , HAN HUI-LIN
Published: October 2018

This paper deals with the taxonomy of the genus Narcotica Sugi, 1982, known from China, Japan and the Korean Peninsula. Two species, Narcotica cryptica sp. n. from China and South Korea and Narcotica hoenei sp. n. from China are described as new to science. Images of adults, genitalia and, for the first time, abdominal segments of both sexes are presented.
Five new species of the tribe Gyrophaenina Kraatz 1830 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) from the southern part of the United States
Authors: ENUSHCHENKO ILYA V.
Published: October 2018

Four new species of Gyrophaena Mannerheim, 1830 and one of Phanerota Casey, 1906 from southern states of the USA are described and illustrated: G. affinifera Enushchenko, sp.n. (Alabama), G. fontanedai Enushchenko, sp.n. (Alabama, Florida), G. marjakata Enushchenko, sp.n. (Arizona), G. velada Enushchenko, sp.n. (Arizona), and Ph. paradissimilis Enushchenko, sp.n. (Florida). A new species group is erected, the nitidula-group, containing G. nitidula (Gyllenhal 1810), G. pseudonitidula Semenov 2015 and G. fontanedai Enushchenko, sp.n., and a key for the species of this group is given.
Quantification of Lipid Phase Order of In Vivo Human Skin Using Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR FT-IR) Spectroscopy and Multivariate Curve Resolution Analysis
Authors: Yarovoy Yury , Drutis Dane M. , Hancewicz Thomas M. , Garczarek Ursula , Ananthapadmanabhan K.P. , Misra Manoj
Published: October 2018

A new analysis methodology utilizing multivariate curve resolution (MCR) has been successfully combined with Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) measurement of in vivo human skin to resolve lipid phase constituents in the spectra relative to high and low chain ordering. A clinical study was performed to measure lipid order through different depths of stratum corneum of human subjects. Fourier transform IR spectra were collected through the top 10 layers of the skin on four sites on the left and right forearm of 12 individuals. Depth profiling was achieved by tape stripping to remove layers of skin with 10 successive tapes from each site. In vivo ATR FT-IR spectra were collected after removing each tape. Three isolated spectral regions were analyzed, centered around 2850 cm−1, 1460–1480 cm−1, and 730 cm−1, corresponding to stretching, scissoring, and rocking –CH2 vibrational modes, respectively. Both traditional lipid conformation analysis and MCR analysis were performed on the same spectral data. The lipid order ratio, expressed as the fraction of highly ordered orthorhombic (OR) lipids to the total lipids content (orthorhombic + hexagonal [HEX] + liquid crystal [LC]), was assessed as function of depth. Lipid order depth profiles (LODP) show an increase in order with the stratum corneum depth which can be adequately described by an exponential function for the data obtained in this study. The LODP derived from the three vibrational modes show very similar trends, although the absolute order ratios are somewhat different. The variance of the skin LODP across individuals is much greater than between sites within the same individual. The higher arm sites closer to the elbow on the left and right arm show no statistically significant difference and are recommended for use in comparative studies. The scissoring mode shows the highest sensitivity for determination of LODP value.
Spoilers of peace: Pro-government militias as risk factors for conflict recurrence
Authors: Steinert Christoph V , Steinert Janina I , Carey Sabine C
Published: October 2018

This study investigates how deployment of pro-government militias (PGMs) as counterinsurgents affects the risk of conflict recurrence. Militiamen derive material and non-material benefits from fighting in armed conflicts. Since these will likely have diminished after the conflict’s termination, militiamen develop a strong incentive to spoil post-conflict peace. Members of pro-government militias are particularly disadvantaged in post-conflict contexts compared to their role in the government’s counterinsurgency campaign. First, PGMs are usually not present in peace negotiations between rebels and governments. This reduces their commitment to peace agreements. Second, disarmament and reintegration programs tend to exclude PGMs, which lowers their expected and real benefits from peace. Third, PGMs might lose their advantage of pursuing personal interests while being protected by the government, as they become less essential during peacetimes. To empirically test whether conflicts with PGMs as counterinsurgents are more likely to break out again, we identify PGM counterinsurgent activities in conflict episodes between 1981 and 2007. We code whether the same PGM was active in a subsequent conflict between the same actors. Controlling for conflict types, which is associated with both the likelihood of deploying PGMs and the risk of conflict recurrence, we investigate our claims with propensity score matching, statistical simulation, and logistic regression models. The results support our expectation that conflicts in which pro-government militias were used as counterinsurgents are more likely to recur. Our study contributes to an improved understanding of the long-term consequences of employing PGMs as counterinsurgents and highlights the importance of considering non-state actors when crafting peace and evaluating the risk of renewed violence.
The Role of Content Knowledge in Mathematics Teacher Preparation: A Study of Traditional and Alternative Teacher Preparation in Texas
Authors: Schmidt William H. , Burroughs Nathan A. , Houang Richard T. , Cogan Leland S.
Published: October 2018

Employing data from a stratified random survey of newly certified teachers in Texas, we compare the mathematical content preparation of traditional teacher program graduates with graduates of alternative programs. We find that graduates of traditional programs have statistically significantly higher content preparation even when taking precollege preparation into account. These findings were consistent across different types of alternative programs. Alternatively certified teachers reported higher college entrance exam scores in mathematics, but this was statistically significant only for Grades 4 to 8. After merging survey results with NCES (National Center for Education Statistics) data about the schools at which teachers were employed, we found similar demographic characteristics between the two types of teachers—alternatively certified teachers were not more likely to teach in disadvantaged schools. Finally, while the content preparation of teachers was consistent across types of schools, teachers in disadvantaged schools tended to have lower SAT and ACT scores for both alternatively and traditionally prepared teachers.
Practical Strategies for Navigating Toxicologic Pathology in One’s Early Career…and Beyond!
Authors: Carreira Vinicius , Palanisamy Gopinath , Quist Erin , Nelson Keith , Fossey Stacey , Zimmerman Bevin , Ramaiah Lila , Schafer Kenneth A.
Published: October 2018

The toxicologic pathologist plays a vital role in the scientific community, using their unique blend of diagnostic and investigative skills to advance biomedical research, public health, drug discovery, or regulatory practices. But what exactly do toxicologic pathologists contribute? Where do these specialized professionals work? How can toxicologic pathologists maximize their efficiency and potential? To enlighten students and trainees, as well as early- or mid-career toxicologic pathologists, or even those approaching retirement, the Career Development and Outreach Committee of the Society of Toxicologic Pathology (STP) sponsored a career development workshop entitled “Practical Strategies for Navigating Toxicologic Pathology in One’s Early Career…and Beyond!” in conjunction with the STP 37th annual symposium. The workshop featured toxicologic pathologists from contract research organizations and the pharmaceutical industry, who provided their perspectives on career preparation, evolving veterinary pathologist roles within various sectors of toxicologic pathology, the fundamentals of safety assessment, logistics of projects involving good laboratory practices, tools for effective interpretation and communication of anatomic and clinical pathology results, and a recap of scientific resources available to support the toxicologic pathologist in his or her journey. This article provides brief summaries of the talks presented during this career development workshop.
Dynamic cerebral autoregulation estimates derived from near infrared spectroscopy and transcranial Doppler are similar after correction for transit time and blood flow and blood volume oscillations
Authors: Elting Jan Willem J , Tas Jeanette , Aries Marcel JH , Czosnyka Marek , Maurits Natasha M
Published: October 2018

We analysed mean arterial blood pressure, cerebral blood flow velocity, oxygenated haemoglobin and deoxygenated haemoglobin signals to estimate dynamic cerebral autoregulation. We compared macrovascular (mean arterial blood pressure-cerebral blood flow velocity) and microvascular (oxygenated haemoglobin-deoxygenated haemoglobin) dynamic cerebral autoregulation estimates during three different conditions: rest, mild hypocapnia and hypercapnia. Microvascular dynamic cerebral autoregulation estimates were created by introducing the constant time lag plus constant phase shift model, which enables correction for transit time, blood flow and blood volume oscillations (TT-BF/BV correction). After TT-BF/BV correction, a significant agreement between mean arterial blood pressure-cerebral blood flow velocity and oxygenated haemoglobin-deoxygenated haemoglobin phase differences in the low frequency band was found during rest (left: intraclass correlation=0.6, median phase difference 29.5° vs. 30.7°, right: intraclass correlation=0.56, median phase difference 32.6° vs. 39.8°) and mild hypocapnia (left: intraclass correlation=0.73, median phase difference 48.6° vs. 43.3°, right: intraclass correlation=0.70, median phase difference 52.1° vs. 61.8°). During hypercapnia, the mean transit time decreased and blood volume oscillations became much more prominent, except for very low frequencies. The transit time related to blood flow oscillations was remarkably stable during all conditions. We conclude that non-invasive microvascular dynamic cerebral autoregulation estimates are similar to macrovascular dynamic cerebral autoregulation estimates, after TT-BF/BV correction is applied. These findings may increase the feasibility of non-invasive continuous autoregulation monitoring and guided therapy in clinical situations.
Barriers to the Use of Management Information System (MIS) in the Health Insurance Organizations: A Case Study of Iran
Authors: Raadabadi Mehdi , Bahadori Mohammadkarim , Ravangard Ramin , Alimohammadzadeh Khalil
Published: October 2018

The use of information technology (IT) is essential in the insurance industry for reducing the risks and managing the affairs, and this industry needs to be equipped with IT in order to stay competitive. In this regard, identifying the barriers to the use of IT in the insurance industry can provide great opportunities for improving its performance and help to develop appropriate strategies. This study aimed to investigate the barriers to the use of the management information system in the health insurance organizations in Ilam. This was an applied, cross-sectional and analytical-descriptive study conducted in the health insurance organizations in Ilam, Iran, in 2015, in which all managers and employees of health insurance organizations were studied using census method ( n = 200). The required data were collected using a questionnaire to investigate six dimensions, including environmental, human, cultural, organizational, technological and managerial barriers. The collected data were analysed using SPSS 19.0. Moreover, the method used to examine the barriers in this study was structural equation modeling which was performed using AMOS. The results showed that among the six dimensions of barriers to the use of IT, the highest and lowest means were related to the cultural factors (3.94 ± 0.53) and the environmental factors (2.8 ± 0.94), respectively. Also, the cultural barriers (regression weight = 0.11) and environmental barriers (regression weight = 0.94) had the highest and lowest effects, respectively. According to the results of the present study, the cultural barriers were the most important ones to the use and implementation of IT. Notifying the use and development of IT in the insurance organizations, holding conferences aimed at presenting the latest achievements and using qualified persons for providing practical IT training are a few effective ways of overcoming the cultural barriers.