bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification and Characterization of Conjugative Plasmids That Encode Ciprofloxacin Resistance in Salmonella
Authors: Chen Kaichao , Dong Ning , Zhao Shaohua , Liu Lizhang , Li Ruichao , Xie Miaomiao , Lin Dachuan , Wai-Chi Chan Edward , Meng Jianghong , McDermott Patrick F. , Chen Sheng
Published: May 2018

This study aimed to characterize novel conjugative plasmids that encode transferable ciprofloxacin resistance in
Salmonella
. In this study, 157 nonduplicated
Salmonella
isolates were recovered from food products, of which 55 were found to be resistant to ciprofloxacin.
Comparative Evaluation of Four Phenotypic Methods for Detection of Class A and B Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae in China
Authors: Zhou Menglan , Wang Danchen , Kudinha Timothy , Yang Qiwen , Yu Shuying , Xu Ying-Chun
Published: May 2018

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of four phenotypic methods in the detection of carbapenemase-producing
Enterobacteriaceae
(CPE) in China. We evaluated the performance of four carbapenemase detection methods, the modified Hodge test (MHT), the Carba NP test, the meropenem hydrolysis assay (MHA) with 1- and 2-h incubation, and the modified carbapenem inactivation method (mCIM) with meropenem, imipenem, and ertapenem, on 342 carbapenem-resistant
Enterobacteriaceae
isolates (CRE) in China.
Identification of Plant Virus Receptor Candidates in the Stylets of Their Aphid Vectors
Authors: Webster Craig G. , Pichon Elodie , van Munster Manuella , Monsion Baptiste , Deshoux Maëlle , Gargani Daniel , Calevro Federica , Jimenez Jaime , Moreno Aranzazu , Krenz Björn , Thompson Jeremy R. , Perry Keith L. , Fereres Alberto , Blanc Stéphane , Uzest Marilyne
Published: May 2018

Most noncirculative plant viruses transmitted by insect vectors bind to their mouthparts. They are acquired and inoculated within seconds when insects hop from plant to plant. The receptors involved remain totally elusive due to a long-standing technical bottleneck in working with insect cuticle. Here we characterize the role of the two first cuticular proteins ever identified in arthropod mouthparts. A domain of these proteins is directly accessible at the surface of the cuticle of the acrostyle, an organ at the tip of aphid stylets. The acrostyle has been shown to bind a plant virus, and we consistently demonstrated that one of the identified proteins is involved in viral transmission. Our findings provide an approach to identify proteins in insect mouthparts and point at an unprecedented gene candidate for a plant virus receptor.
Rates of asthma exacerbations and mortality and associated factors in Uganda: a 2-year prospective cohort study
Authors: Kirenga Bruce J , de Jong Corina , Mugenyi Levicatus , Katagira Winceslaus , Muhofa Abdallah , Kamya Moses R , Boezen H Marike , van der Molen Thys
Published: May 2018

Data on asthma treatment outcomes in Africa are limited. 449 patients with asthma (age 5–93 years) in Uganda were followed up for 2 years to determine rates of exacerbations and mortality and associated factors. During follow-up the median number of exacerbations per patient was 1 (IQR 0–5) and 17 patients died (3.7%, 27.3 deaths per 1000 person years). Considering only the first year of follow-up, 59.6% of the patients experienced at least one exacerbation, 32.4% experienced three or more exacerbations. A multivariable model showed that the likelihood of experiencing at least one exacerbation in the first year of follow-up was lower with better baseline asthma control (higher asthma control test (ACT) score), with OR 0.87 (95% CI: 0.82 to 0.93, P=0.000), and was higher with more exacerbations in the year prior to enrolment (OR for log number of exacerbations 1.28, 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.57, P=0.018). Better asthma control (OR 0.93, 95% CI: 0.88 to 0.99, P=0.021) and number of baseline exacerbations (OR 1.35,95% CI: 1.11 to 1.66, P=0.005) were also the only factors that were independently associated with experiencing three or more exacerbations during the first year of follow-up. The only factor found to be associated with all-cause mortality was FEV1, with higher recent FEV1 associated with lower all-cause mortality (OR 0.30, 95% CI: 0.14 to 0.65; P=0.002). Rates of asthma exacerbations and mortality are high in Uganda and are associated with poor asthma control. Health systems should be strengthened to care for asthma patients.
Performance Prediction for a Near-Infrared Spectroscopy-Brain–Computer Interface Using Resting-State Functional Connectivity of the Prefrontal Cortex
Authors: Shin Jaeyoung , Im Chang-Hwan
Published: May 2018

One of the most important issues in current brain–computer interface (BCI) research is the prediction of a user’s BCI performance prior to the main BCI session because it would be useful to reduce the time required to determine the BCI paradigm best suited to that user. In electroencephalography (EEG)-BCI research, whether a user has low BCI performance toward a specific BCI paradigm has been estimated using a variety of resting-state EEG features. However, no previous study has attempted to predict the performance of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)-BCI using resting-state NIRS data recorded before the main BCI experiment. In this study, we investigated whether the performance of an NIRS-BCI discriminating a mental arithmetic task from the baseline state could be predicted using resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) of the prefrontal cortex. The investigation of NIRS signals recorded from 29 participants revealed that the RSFC between bilateral channels in the prefrontal area was negatively correlated with subsequent BCI performance (e.g. a fitted line for the RSFC between L2 and R2 channels explains 41% of BCI performance variation). We expect that our indicator can be used to predict BCI performance of an individual user prior to the main NIRS-BCI experiments, thereby facilitating implementation of more efficient NIRS-BCI systems.
A new perspective for the numerical solutions of the cmKdV equation via modified cubic B-spline differential quadrature method
Authors: Başhan Ali , Yağmurlu N. Murat , Uçar Yusuf , Esen Alaattin
Published: May 2018

In the present paper, a novel perspective fundamentally focused on the differential quadrature method using modified cubic B-spline basis functions are going to be applied for obtaining the numerical solutions of the complex modified Korteweg–de Vries (cmKdV) equation. In order to test the effectiveness and efficiency of the present approach, three test problems, that is single solitary wave, interaction of two solitary waves and interaction of three solitary waves will be handled. Furthermore, the maximum error norm [Formula: see text] will be calculated for single solitary wave solutions to measure the efficiency and the accuracy of the present approach. Meanwhile, the three lowest conservation quantities will be calculated and also used to test the efficiency of the method. In addition to these test tools, relative changes of the invariants will be calculated and presented. In the end of these processes, those newly obtained numerical results will be compared with those of some of the published papers. As a conclusion, it can be said that the present approach is an effective and efficient one for solving the cmKdV equation and can also be used for numerical solutions of other problems.
Casimir forces on a bi-anisotropic absorbing magneto-dielectric slab between two parallel conducting plates
Authors: Amooshahi Majid , Shoughi Ali
Published: May 2018

A fully canonical quantization of electromagnetic field in the presence of a bi-anisotropic absorbing magneto-dielectric slab is demonstrated. The electric and the magnetic polarization densities of the magneto-dielectric slab are defined in terms of the dynamical variables modeling the slab and the coupling tensors that couple the electromagnetic field to the slab. The four susceptibility tensors of the bi-anisotropic magneto-dielectric slab are expressed in terms of the coupling tensors that couple an electromagnetic field to the slab. It is shown that the four susceptibility tensors of the bi-anisotropic magneto-dielectric slab satisfy Kramers–Kronig relations. The Maxwell’s equations are exactly solved in the presence of the bi-anisotropic magneto-dielectric slab. The tangential and the normal components of the Casimir forces exerted on the bi-anisotropic magnet-dielectric slab exactly are calculated in the vacuum state and thermal state of the total system. It is shown that the tangential components of the Casimir forces vanish when the bi-anisotropic slab is converted to an isotropic slab.
Comparison of different hadron production models for the study of π±, K±, protons and antiprotons production in proton–carbon interactions at 90 GeV/c
Authors: Ajaz M. , Ali Y. , Ullah S. , Ali Q. , Tabassam U.
Published: May 2018

In this research paper, comprehensive results on the double differential yield of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] mesons, protons and antiprotons as a function of laboratory momentum in several polar angle ranges from 0–420 mrad for pions, 0–360 mrad for kaons, proton and antiproton are reported. EPOS 1.99, EPOS-LHC and QGSJETII-04 models are used to perform simulations. The predictions of these models at 90 GeV/c are plotted for comparison, which shows that QGSJETII-04 model gives overall higher yield for [Formula: see text] mesons in the polar angle interval of 0–40 mrad but for the [Formula: see text] the yield is higher only up to 20 mrad. For [Formula: see text] mesons after 40 mrad, EPOS-LHC predicts higher yield as compared to EPOS 1.99 and QGSJETII-04 while EPOS-LHC and EPOS 1.99 give similar behavior in these two intervals. However, for [Formula: see text] mesons EPOS-LHC and EPOS 1.99 give similar behavior in these two intervals. For of [Formula: see text] mesons, QGSJETII-04 model gives higher predictions in all cases from 0–300 mrad, while EPOS 1.99 and EPOS-LHC show similar distributions. In case of protons, all models give similar distribution but this is not true for antiproton. All models are in good agreement for p [Formula: see text] 20 GeV/c. EPOS 1.99 produce lower yield compared to the other two models from 60–360 mrad polar angle interval.
Role of constant value of surface diffuseness in alpha decay half-lives of superheavy nuclei
Authors: Dehghani V. , Alavi S. A. , Benam Kh.
Published: May 2018

By using WKB method and considering deformed Woods–Saxon nuclear potential, deformed Coulomb potential, and centrifugal potential, the alpha decay half-lives of 68 superheavy alpha emitters have been calculated. The effect of the constant value of surface diffuseness parameter in the range of 0.1 [Formula: see text]a [Formula: see text] 0.9 (fm) on the potential barrier, tunneling probability, assault frequency, and alpha decay half-lives has been investigated. Significant differences were observed for alpha decay half-lives and decay quantities in this range of surface diffuseness. Good agreement between calculated half-lives with fitted surface diffuseness parameter a = 0.54 (fm) and experiment was observed.
Uniqueness and local properties of positive solutions to a semilinear elliptic equation with singular potentials
Authors: Wei Lei , Du Zengji
Published: May 2018

In this paper, we study the uniqueness and local behavior at the origin of positive solutions to [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]) is a bounded smooth domain and [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] is a nonnegative continuous function over [Formula: see text]. In the two cases: (i) [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] on [Formula: see text]; (ii) [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] on [Formula: see text], we establish the uniqueness of positive solutions and the exact blow-up rate of positive solutions at the origin. This paper seems to be the first one to deal with the latter case.
Weighted inequalities for the fractional Laplacian and the existence of extremals
Authors: De Nápoli Pablo , Drelichman Irene , Salort Ariel
Published: May 2018

In this paper, we obtain improved versions of Stein–Weiss and Caffarelli–Kohn–Nirenberg inequalities, involving Besov norms of negative smoothness. As an application of the former, we derive the existence of extremals of the Stein–Weiss inequality in certain cases, some of which are not contained in the celebrated theorem of Lieb [Sharp constants in the Hardy–Littlewood–Sobolev and related inequalities, Ann. of Math. (2) 118(2) (1983) 101–116].
Weighted energy estimates for wave equation with space-dependent damping term for slowly decaying initial data
Authors: Sobajima Motohiro , Wakasugi Yuta
Published: May 2018

This paper is concerned with weighted energy estimates for solutions to wave equation [Formula: see text] with space-dependent damping term [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] in an exterior domain [Formula: see text] having a smooth boundary. The main result asserts that the weighted energy estimates with weight function like polynomials are given and these decay rates are almost sharp, even when the initial data do not have compact support in [Formula: see text]. The crucial idea is to use special solution of [Formula: see text] including Kummer’s confluent hypergeometric functions.
Threshold phenomena for high-dimensional random polytopes
Authors: Bonnet Gilles , Chasapis Giorgos , Grote Julian , Temesvari Daniel , Turchi Nicola
Published: May 2018

Let [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] be independent random points in [Formula: see text], distributed according to the so-called beta or beta-prime distribution, respectively. We establish threshold phenomena for the volume, intrinsic volumes, or more general measures of the convex hulls of these random point sets, as the space dimension [Formula: see text] tends to infinity. The dual setting of polytopes generated by random halfspaces is also investigated.
Business Models and Transactions in C2C Social Commerce: Practices of Selected Social Commerce Practitioners in Thailand
Authors: Leeraphong Atchara , Papasratorn Borworn
Published: May 2018

There has been an increase in the popularity of using social media for commercial purposes, and this is commonly known as consumer-to-consumer (C2C) social commerce (s-commerce). Thailand is among one of the world’s largest C2C s-commerce markets; however, its C2C s-commerce has different characteristics from traditional e-commerce. This study investigated the patterns of various C2C s-commerce business models and purchasing processes being used in Thailand, based on data collection from interviews and direct observations. The findings revealed the patterns of the transaction process, including advertising, searching, negotiation and ordering, payment, and delivery. It also been found that there are six business models in C2C s-commerce: S-retailing, S-specific market, S-preorder, S-auction, S-reverse auction, and S-portal. The activities in C2C s-commerce were presented by using the logical process diagram to show differences in user interaction patterns and business arrangements. A solid understanding of business models and purchasing processes will help sellers to improve process effectiveness, as well as helping buyers reduce the risk when making purchases using C2C s-commerce in Thailand.
Chirality in gravitational and electromagnetic interactions with matter
Authors: Tucker Robin W. , Walton Timothy J.
Published: May 2018

It has been suggested that single and double jets observed emanating from certain astrophysical objects may have a purely gravitational origin. We discuss new classes of pulsed gravitational wave solutions to the equation for perturbations of Ricci-flat spacetimes around Minkowski metrics, as models for the genesis of such phenomena. We discuss how these solutions are motivated by the analytic structure of spatially compact finite energy pulse solutions of the source-free Maxwell equations generated from complex chiral eigen-modes of a chirality operator. Complex gravitational pulse solutions to the linearized source-free Einstein equations are classified in terms of their chirality and generate a family of non-stationary real spacetime metrics. Particular members of these families are used as backgrounds in analyzing time-like solutions to the geodesic equation for test particles. They are found numerically to exhibit both single and double jet-like features with dimensionless aspect ratios suggesting that it may be profitable to include such backgrounds in simulations of astrophysical jet dynamics from rotating accretion discs involving electromagnetic fields.
Shale gas resources of the Bowland Basin, NW England: a holistic study
Authors: Clarke Huw , Turner Peter , Bustin Robert Marc , Riley Nick , Besly Bernard
Published: May 2018

New data from three shale gas exploration wells in the Bowland Basin of NW England contribute to the understanding of the stratigraphy, tectonic history and unconventional hydrocarbon resource potential of Lower Carboniferous strata. Three main prospective shales dominate the identified unconventional reservoirs: the Upper Bowland and Lower Bowland shales and the Hodder Mudstone, which are recognized by their distinctive lithology, corresponding log signatures and key zonal ammonoids. With a combined thickness of over 5000 ft (
c.
1500 m), this sequence of shales is one of thickest known potential self-sourced, unconventional hydrocarbon resources. The strata are organic rich with total organic carbon (TOC) values of between 1 and 7%, with an average of 2.65%, and organic maturity that ranges from the upper oil window (pyrolysis
T
max
c
. 450°C) in the higher part of the section to dry gas (R
o
 = 2.4%; pyrolysis
T
max
>470°C) in the Lower Bowland Shale. The sequence is strongly heterolithic, and up to 60% free gas is stored in thinly bedded carbonate and clastic silty turbidites. Adsorbed gas is concentrated in more organic-rich, hemipelagic shales which are distributed throughout the sequence. Near maximum burial temperatures of
c.
130°C are inferred from vitrinite reflectance (R
o
) and are consistent with fluid-inclusion microthermometry of carbonate-filled fractures. This indicates oil generation in the Late Carboniferous, prior to Variscan uplift. Renewed subsidence through the early Mesozoic resulted in increased maturity and gas generation. In the Bowland Shale the gas per unit volume of rock ranges from about 0.6 to 1.5 Bcf (billion cubic ft) per metre per square mile. The thick interval of gas-charged strata provides the opportunity to exploit these major hydrocarbon resources by using stacked multilateral wells from a common, strategically located and environmentally optimized surface pad.
The influence of periglacial action on road construction: a case study from the A21 Tonbridge to Pembury dualling
Authors: George Owen , Grainger Richard , Conie Paul
Published: May 2018

Periglacial processes have resulted in the formation of features including relict shear surfaces on failed slopes and gulls where valley cambering has occurred. This paper presents field observations of periglacial features encountered during construction of a dual carriageway between Tonbridge and Pembury in Kent. Methods to manage the risks presented by the features are included and the difficulty of identifying gull features is also discussed.
Phase relations in metabasic rocks: constraints from the results of experiments, phase modelling and ACF analysis
Authors: Wei C. J. , Duan Z. Z.
Published: May 2018

Phase relations in metabasic rocks are documented from the results of phase modelling, experiments and ACF analysis. A
P–T
pseudosection for a mid-ocean-ridge basalt (MORB) composition was calculated in the
P–T
range of 1–32 kbar and 400–1100°C using THERMOCALC 3.45. Phase relations in this pseudosection are mostly consistent with the results from experiments but complicated. ACF analyses suggest that the complicated phase relations can be simplified into 10 invariant assemblages involving orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, hornblende, glaucophane, actinolite, garnet, chlorite, epidote, lawsonite, kyanite and plagioclase, assuming quartz, NaAlO
2
and H
2
O/melt being are excess. Phase relation analyses in the
P–T
projections that are constructed according to Schreinemakers’ rules and qualitative
P–T
pseudosections that are obtained for a MORB composition indicate that 22 subfacies assemblages are recognized for metabasic rocks. A four-fold classification of metamorphism is proposed on the basis of the phase relations for metabasic rocks, including low-, medium-, high- and very-high-
P
/
T
types, with apparent geothermal gradients >110°C/kbar, between 110 and 55°C/kbar, between 55 and 28°C/kbar, and <28°C/kbar, respectively. This four-fold classification of metamorphism is better able to match various tectonic settings.
Garnet Lu–Hf and Sm–Nd geochronology: a time capsule of the metamorphic evolution of orogenic belts
Authors: Cheng Hao
Published: May 2018

Garnet has played a crucially important part in our understanding of metamorphic and tectonic processes and conditions. Technological advances in chemical procedures and mass spectrometry have allowed precise determinations of the Nd–Hf isotope composition of small samples, which has boosted the growth of Lu–Hf and Sm–Nd geochronology over the last two decades. When combined with petrographic and chemical observations, Lu–Hf and Sm–Nd ages in garnets are able to give unprecedented resolution of the timing and processes of metamorphism, although there are many potential pitfalls in the acquisition and interpretation of these data. This paper provides a brief review of the basic science and development of the garnet Lu–Hf and Sm–Nd systems, highlights the potential of garnet Lu–Hf and Sm–Nd geochronology, and reviews several crucial issues related to the complexities of interpretation of the radiometric ages. A case study using combined garnet Lu–Hf and Sm–Nd dates for a garnet-bearing granitic gneiss from the Dabie orogenic belt is presented.
Syntax-Preserving Belief Change Operators for Logic Programs
Authors: Binnewies Sebastian , Zhuang Zhiqiang , Wang Kewen , Stantic Bela
Published: May 2018

Recent methods have adapted the well-established AGM and belief base frameworks for belief change to cover belief revision in logic programs. In this study here, we present two new sets of belief change operators for logic programs. They focus on preserving the explicit relationships expressed in the rules of a program, a feature that is missing in purely semantic approaches that consider programs only in their entirety. In particular, operators of the latter class fail to satisfy preservation and support, two important properties for belief change in logic programs required to ensure intuitive results.

We address this shortcoming of existing approaches by introducing partial meet and ensconcement constructions for logic program belief change, which allow us to define syntax-preserving operators for satisfying preservation and support. Our work is novel in that our constructions not only preserve more information from a logic program during a change operation than existing ones, but they also facilitate natural definitions of contraction operators, the first in the field to the best of our knowledge.

To evaluate the rationality of our operators, we translate the revision and contraction postulates from the AGM and belief base frameworks to the logic programming setting. We show that our operators fully comply with the belief base framework and formally state the interdefinability between our operators. We further compare our approach to two state-of-the-art logic program revision methods and demonstrate that our operators address the shortcomings of one and generalise the other method.
Justice and Future Generations
Authors: Caney Simon
Published: May 2018

The question of what responsibilities members of one generation have to later generations raises complex theoretical questions and is also of considerable practical importance. In this article, I introduce the practical issues at stake (Section 1), then explore the methodological issues surrounding how to think about intergenerational justice (Section 2), before evaluating competing normative frameworks (Sections 3–7). I conclude with a discussion of the practical challenges facing the realization of justice to future generations (Section 8).
Political Theories of Migration
Authors: Song Sarah
Published: May 2018

The topic of migration raises important and challenging normative questions about the legitimacy of state power, the boundaries of political membership, and justice within and across state borders. States exercise power over borders, but what, if anything, justifies this power? Is it morally permissible for liberal democratic states to prevent their citizens from exiting the country and exclude prospective migrants from entering? If liberal democratic states are justified in excluding some and accepting others, how should they decide whom to admit? This review examines how contemporary political theorists and philosophers have answered these questions. First, I examine the conventional view that says states have the right to control immigration; second, I discuss arguments for open borders. The third section examines critique of open borders, and the fourth section considers more recent arguments that have been advanced in favor of the conventional view. I conclude with some suggestions for future research.
Pregnancy late in rodent life has detrimental effects on the heart
Authors: Chung Eunhee , Haizlip Kaylan M. , Leinwand Leslie A.
Published: May 2018

During pregnancy, the heart undergoes significant and numerous changes, including hypertrophy, that are usually described as physiological and reversible. Two aspects of the cardiac response to pregnancy are relatively understudied: advanced maternal age and multiple pregnancies (multiparity). Repeated breeder (RB) mice that have undergone five to seven consecutive pregnancies were euthanized 21 days after the weaning of their last pups and compared with age-matched primiparous, one-time pregnant (O1P) mice. The ages of the older mouse groups were similar (12 ± 1 mo). Pregnancy at a later age resulted in reduced fertility (40%); resorption was 29%, maternal mortality was 10%, and mortality of the pups was 17%. Contractile function as indicated by percent fractional shortening was significantly decreased in O1P and RB groups compared with the old nonpregnant control (ONP) group. There was no pathological induction of the fetal program of gene expression, with the exception of β-myosin heavy chain mRNA, which was induced in O1P compared with ONP mice ( P < 0.05) but not in RB mice. MicroRNA-208a was significantly increased in O1P compared with ONP mice ( P < 0.05) but significantly decreased in RB compared with ONP mice ( P < 0.05). mRNA of genes regulating angiogenesis (i.e., vascular endothelial growth factor-A) were significantly downregulated, whereas proinflammatory genes [i.e., interleukin-6, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2, and Cd36] were significantly upregulated in O1P ( P < 0.05) but not in RB mice. Overall, our results suggest that rather than multiparity, pregnancy in advanced age is a much more stressful event in both pregnant dams and fetuses, as evidenced by increased mortality, lower fertility, downregulation of angiogenesis, upregulation of inflammation, and cardiac dysfunction.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Pregnancy in older mice significantly decreases cardiac function, although repeated breeder mice demonstrated increased wall hypertrophy and dilated chamber size compared with one-time pregnant mice. Interestingly, many of the molecular changes were altered in one-time pregnant mice but not in repeated breeder mice, which may contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes in a first pregnancy at a later age.
Cellular senescence links aging and diabetes in cardiovascular disease
Authors: Shakeri Hadis , Lemmens Katrien , Gevaert Andreas B. , De Meyer Guido R. Y. , Segers Vincent F. M.
Published: May 2018

Aging is a powerful independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and heart failure. Concomitant diabetes mellitus strongly reinforces this effect of aging on cardiovascular disease. Cellular senescence is a fundamental mechanism of aging and appears to play a crucial role in the onset and prognosis of cardiovascular disease in the context of both aging and diabetes. Senescent cells are in a state of cell cycle arrest but remain metabolically active by secreting inflammatory factors. This senescence-associated secretory phenotype is a trigger of chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and decreased nitric oxide bioavailability. A complex interplay between these three mechanisms results in age- and diabetes-associated cardiovascular damage. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on cellular senescence and its secretory phenotype, which might be the missing link between aging and diabetes contributing to cardiovascular disease.
NK-cell Editing Mediates Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition via Phenotypic and Proteomic Changes in Melanoma Cell Lines
Authors: Huergo-Zapico Leticía , Parodi Monica , Cantoni Claudia , Lavarello Chiara , Fernández-Martínez Juan L. , Petretto Andrea , DeAndrés-Galiana Enrique J. , Balsamo Mirna , López-Soto Alejandro , Pietra Gabriella , Bugatti Mattia , Munari Enrico , Marconi Marcella , Mingari Maria Cristina , Vermi William , Moretta Lorenzo , González Segundo , Vitale Massimo
Published: May 2018

Tumor cell plasticity is a major obstacle for the cure of malignancies as it makes tumor cells highly adaptable to microenvironmental changes, enables their phenotype switching among different forms, and favors the generation of prometastatic tumor cell subsets. Phenotype switching toward more aggressive forms involves different functional, phenotypic, and morphologic changes, which are often related to the process known as epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). In this study, we report natural killer (NK) cells may increase the malignancy of melanoma cells by inducing changes relevant to EMT and, more broadly, to phenotype switching from proliferative to invasive forms. In coculture, NK cells induced effects on tumor cells similar to those induced by EMT-promoting cytokines, including upregulation of stemness and EMT markers, morphologic transition, inhibition of proliferation, and increased capacity for Matrigel invasion. Most changes were dependent on the engagement of NKp30 or NKG2D and the release of cytokines including IFNγ and TNFα. Moreover, EMT induction also favored escape from NK-cell attack. Melanoma cells undergoing EMT either increased NK-protective HLA-I expression on their surface or downregulated several tumor-recognizing activating receptors on NK cells. Mass spectrometry–based proteomic analysis revealed in two different melanoma cell lines a partial overlap between proteomic profiles induced by NK cells or by EMT cytokines, indicating that various processes or pathways related to tumor progression are induced by exposure to NK cells.

Significance: NK cells can induce prometastatic properties on melanoma cells that escape from killing, providing important clues to improve the efficacy of NK cells in innovative antitumor therapies. Cancer Res; 78(14); 3913–25. ©2018 AACR.
Classification of Pancreatic Cancer: Ready for Practical Application?
Authors: Khalil Danny N. , O'Reilly Eileen M.
Published: May 2018

There is great interest in an ability to categorize pancreatic cancer, and understand and classify the significant heterogeneity that exists in this disease. Such classifications based on morphologic, genetic, and immunologic features are emerging, and the application of this information to provide both prognostic and predictive information is highly desired. Clin Cancer Res; 24(18); 4355–6. ©2018 AACR.

See related article by Wartenberg et al., p. 4444
Reconciliar com o passado: articulações entre literatura e história em Por quem vibram os tambores do além (2013) de Paulina Chiziane e Rasta Pita
Authors: Folador Thiago de Araujo
Published: May 2018

O presente trabalho propõe um diálogo entre literatura e história em Por quem vibram os tambores do além?, de Paulina Chiziane e Rasta Pita. Pretende-se a partir discussão dos usos das personagens históricas do rei Mataka e da rainha Achivánjila para a pensar a relação entre a tradição e Moçambique atual na obra.
Mulheres negras escritoras
Authors: Souza Florentina da Silva
Published: May 2018

O artigo se debruça sobre o importante papel da literatura produzida por mulheres negras como espaço de resistência ao epistemicídio que nega a elas o lugar de sujeitos de conhecimento. A expressão de força e atuação dessas mulheres é registrada de formas diversificadas, em livros, sites, blogs, no facebook, em revistas e jornais e também declamando nos saraus e slams.
Functional Invalidation of Putative Sudden Infant Death Syndrome–Associated Variants in the
KCNH2
-Encoded Kv11.1 Channel
Authors: Smith Jennifer L. , Tester David J. , Hall Allison R. , Burgess Don E. , Hsu Chun-Chun , Claude Elayi Samy , Anderson Corey L. , January Craig T. , Luo Jonathan Z. , Hartzel Dustin N. , Mirshahi Uyenlinh L. , Murray Michael F. , Mirshahi Tooraj , Ackerman Michael J. , Delisle Brian P.
Published: May 2018

Background:

Heterologous functional validation studies of putative long-QT syndrome subtype 2–associated variants clarify their pathological potential and identify disease mechanism(s) for most variants studied. The purpose of this study is to clarify the pathological potential for rare nonsynonymous
KCNH2
variants seemingly associated with sudden infant death syndrome.

Methods:

Genetic testing of 292 sudden infant death syndrome cases identified 9
KCNH2
variants: E90K, R181Q, A190T, G294V, R791W, P967L, R1005W, R1047L, and Q1068R. Previous studies show R181Q-, P967L-, and R1047L-Kv11.1 channels function similar to wild-type Kv11.1 channels, whereas Q1068R-Kv11.1 channels accelerate inactivation gating. We studied the biochemical and biophysical properties for E90K-, G294V-, R791W-, and R1005W-Kv11.1 channels expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells; examined the electronic health records of patients who were genotype positive for the sudden infant death syndrome–linked
KCNH2
variants; and simulated their functional impact using computational models of the human ventricular action potential.

RESULTS:

Western blot and voltage-clamping analyses of cells expressing E90K-, G294V-, R791W-, and R1005W-Kv11.1 channels demonstrated these variants express and generate peak Kv11.1 current levels similar to cells expressing wild-type-Kv11.1 channels, but R791W- and R1005W-Kv11.1 channels accelerated deactivation and activation gating, respectively. Electronic health records of patients with the sudden infant death syndrome–linked
KCNH2
variants showed that the patients had median heart rate–corrected QT intervals <480 ms and none had been diagnosed with long-QT syndrome or experienced cardiac arrest. Simulating the impact of dysfunctional gating variants predicted that they have little impact on ventricular action potential duration.

Conclusions:

We conclude that these rare Kv11.1 missense variants are not long-QT syndrome subtype 2–causative variants and therefore do not represent the pathogenic substrate for sudden infant death syndrome in the variant-positive infants.
Predicting the Benefits of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention on 1-Year Angina and Quality of Life in Stable Ischemic Heart Disease
Authors: Zhang Zugui , Jones Philip , Weintraub William S. , Mancini G.B. John , Sedlis Steven , Maron David J. , Teo Koon , Hartigan Pamela , Kostuk William , Berman Daniel , Boden William E. , Spertus John A.
Published: May 2018

Background:

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a therapy to reduce angina and improve quality of life in patients with stable ischemic heart disease. However, it is unclear whether the quality of life after PCI is more dependent on the PCI or other patient-related factors. To address this question, we created models to predict angina and quality of life 1 year after PCI and medical therapy.

Methods and Results:

Using data from the 2287 stable ischemic heart disease patients randomized in the COURAGE trial (Clinical Outcomes Utilizing Revascularization and Aggressive Drug Evaluation) to PCI plus optimal medical therapy (OMT) versus OMT alone, we built prediction models for 1-year Seattle Angina Questionnaire angina frequency, physical limitation, and quality of life scores, both as continuous outcomes and categorized by clinically desirable states, using multivariable techniques. Although most patients improved regardless of treatment, marked variability was observed in Seattle Angina Questionnaire scores 1 year after randomization. Adding PCI conferred a greater mean improvement (about 2 points) in Seattle Angina Questionnaire scores that were not affected by patient characteristics (
P
values for all interactions >0.05). The proportion of patients free of angina or having very good/excellent physical limitation (physical function) or quality of life at 1 year was 57%, 58%, 66% with PCI+OMT and 50%, 55%, 59% with OMT alone group, respectively. However, other characteristics, such as baseline symptoms, age, diabetes mellitus, and the magnitude of myocardium subtended by narrowed coronary arteries were as, or more, important than revascularization in predicting symptoms (partial
R
2
=0.07 versus 0.29, 0.03 versus 0.22, and 0.05 versus 0.24 in the domain of angina frequency, physical limitation, and quality of life, respectively). There was modest/good discrimination of the models (C statistic=0.72–0.82) and excellent calibration (coefficients of determination for predicted versus observed deciles=0.83–0.97).

Conclusions:

The health status outcomes of stable ischemic heart disease patients treated by OMT+PCI versus OMT alone can be predicted with modest accuracy. Angina and quality of life at 1 year is improved by PCI but is more strongly associated with other patient characteristics.

Clinical Trial Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00007657.
Pregnancy in Women With a Fontan Circulation
Authors: Garcia Ropero Alvaro , Baskar Shankar , Roos Hesselink Jolien W. , Girnius Andrea , Zentner Dominica , Swan Lorna , Ladouceur Magalie , Brown Nicole , Veldtman Gruschen R.
Published: May 2018

Background:

The Fontan operation has provided life-saving palliation and adult survival for individuals born with single ventricle physiology. Many now seek advice about safe pregnancy. Little data are, however, available, consisting mainly of anecdotal experience and small series. This article seeks to review the published literature and identify lessons learnt from this collective experience.

Methods and Results:

We conducted a systematic review to evaluate maternal and fetal outcomes of pregnancy in women with a Fontan circulation. Among 1150 studies that were screened, 6 studies had sufficient longitudinal data points to qualify for meaningful inclusion, yielding 255 pregnancies in 133 women after Fontan procedure resulting in 115 live births (45%; including reports from 1986 to 2015). There was a total of 137 pregnancy losses (69%), with 115 miscarriages (45%), 19 elective terminations of pregnancy (7%), 2 stillbirths (1%), and 1 ectopic pregnancy (1%).The most common cardiovascular adverse events were supraventricular arrhythmia affecting 8.4% (range, 3%–37%) and heart failure affecting 3.9% (range, 3%–11%) of pregnancies. These complications were successfully managed with conventional approaches. No maternal deaths were reported. Postpartum hemorrhage was the predominant obstetric complication affecting 14% of the patients. Most patients were on antiplatelet agents (27%) or anticoagulants (50%) whereas only a minority (11%) were on neither. Among the 115 live births, 68 were premature (59%), 17 were small for gestational age (20%), and neonatal death occurred in 6 patients (5%).

Conclusions:

The most commonly reported cardiovascular complications in patients with Fontan physiology–associated pregnancy were arrhythmia and heart failure. Miscarriages were highly prevalent as was prematurity and intrauterine growth restriction. Postpartum hemorrhage seems to be the most common obstetric complication. Large-scale data sets are needed to confirm these early observations and address the late sequelae of pregnancy in women with a Fontan circulation.
Device-Related Thrombus After Left Atrial Appendage Closure
Authors: Dukkipati Srinivas R. , Kar Saibal , Holmes David R. , Doshi Shephal K. , Swarup Vijendra , Gibson Douglas N. , Maini Brijeshwar , Gordon Nicole T. , Main Michael L. , Reddy Vivek Y.
Published: May 2018

Background:

In patients with atrial fibrillation, left atrial appendage closure with the Watchman device prevents thromboembolism from the left atrial appendage; however, thrombus may form on the left atrial face of the device, and then potentially embolize. Herein, we studied the incidence, predictors, and clinical outcome of device-related thrombus (DRT) using a large series of clinical trial cohorts of patients undergoing Watchman implantation.

Methods:

We studied the device arms of 4 prospective Food and Drug Administration trials: PROTECT-AF (Watchman Left Atrial Appendage System for Embolic Protection in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation) (n=463); PREVAIL (Evaluation of the Watchman LAA Closure Device in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Versus Long Term Warfarin Therapy) (n=269); CAP (Continued Access to PROTECT AF registry) (n=566); and CAP2 (Continued Access to PREVAIL registry) (n=578). Surveillance transesophageal echocardiographs were performed at 45 days and 12 months in all patients, and also at 6 months in the randomized control trials. We assessed both the incidence of DRT during these transesophageal echocardiographs (and other unscheduled transesophageal echocardiographs), and clinical outcomes of postprocedure stroke or systemic embolism (SSE) and adjusted for CHA
2
DS
2
-VASC and HAS-BLED scores.

Results:

Of 1739 patients who received an implant (7159 patient-years follow-up; CHA
2
DS
2
-VASc=4.0), DRT was seen in 65 patients (3.74%). The rates of SSE with and without DRT were 7.46 and 1.78 per 100 patient-years (adjusted rate ratio, 3.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.18–5.79;
P
<0.001), and ischemic SSE rates were 6.28 and 1.65 per 100 patient-years (adjusted rate ratio, 3.22; 95% CI, 1.90–5.45,
P
<0.001). On multivariable modeling analysis, the predictors of DRT were as follows: history of transient ischemic attack or stroke (odds ratio [OR], 2.31; 95% CI, 1.26–4.25;
P
=0.007), permanent atrial fibrillation (OR, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.19–4.20;
P
=0.012); vascular disease (OR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.08–3.91;
P
=0.028); left atrial appendage diameter (OR, 1.06 per mm increase; 95% CI, 1.01–1.12;
P
=0.019); left ventricular ejection fraction (OR, 0.96 per 1% increase; 95% CI, 0.94–0.99;
P
=0.009). DRT and SSE both occurred in 17 of 65 patients (26.2%). Of the 19 SSE events in these patients with DRT, 9 of 19 (47.4%) and 12 of 19 (63.2%) occurred within 1 and 6 months of DRT detection. Conversely, after left atrial appendage closure, most SSEs (123/142, 86.62%) occurred in patients without DRT.

Conclusions:

After left atrial appendage closure with Watchman, DRT (≈3.7%) is not frequent but, when present, is associated with a higher rate of stroke and systemic embolism.
Gastrodia elatoides (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae: Gastrodieae), a new holomycoheterotrophic orchid from Madagascar
Authors: HUANG WEI-CHANG , WANG ZHEN-WEI , WEI NENG , ZHU JIAO , LAN SI-REN , HU GUANG-WAN , WANG QING-FENG
Published: May 2018

Gastrodia Brown (1810: 330; Gastrodieae, Epidendroideae) is a genus of holomycoheterotrophic orchids distributed from India and eastern Asia through Malaysia to Australia, as well as in tropical Afro-Madagascar (Pearce & Cribb 2002, Kores & Molvray 2005, Chen et al. 2009, Cribb et al. 2010). In this genus, 85 species have been accepted based on the combined information from Govaerts et al. (2018) and recently published new records of Gastrodia species (Jin & Kyaw 2017, Metusala & Supriatna 2017, Suetsugu 2017, Aung & Jin 2018). Consequently, it is now the largest holomycoheterotrophic genus among vascular plants (Hsu et al. 2016, Suetsugu 2017). Gastrodia is characterised by a fleshy tuber or coralloid rhizome, fusion of sepals and petals, a spurless lip and two sectile pollinia (Pearce & Cribb 2002, Kores & Molvray 2005, Chen et al. 2009). One species, G. elata Blume (1856: 174), is a highly valued plant in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the treatment of convulsive disorders such as epilepsy (Cribb et al. 2010, Chen et al. 2009).
A new species of subgenus Homoneura from Northern China, with information of 12 species newly recorded (Diptera: Lauxaniidae: Homoneura)
Authors: SHEN RONGRONG , SHI LI , LI WENLIANG , WANG JUNCHAO
Published: May 2018

Homoneura (Homoneura) hanmaensis sp. nov. is described as new to science and 12 species are recorded from China for the first time: Homoneura (Homoneura) albomarginata Czerny, 1932, Homoneura (H.) biumbrata (Loew, 1847), Homoneura (H.) cerina Shatalkin, 2000, Homoneura (H.) euaresta (Coquillett, 1898), Homoneura (H.) filiola Czerny, 1932, Homoneura (H.) kaszabi Shewell, 1971, Homoneura (H.) lamellata (Becker, 1895), Homoneura (H.) mediospinosa Merz, 2003, Homoneura (H.) patella Shewell, 1971, Homoneura (H.) shewelliana Papp, 1978, Homoneura (H.) spinicauda Sasakawa and Ikeuchi, 1982, Homoneura (H.) tenera (Loew, 1846). A few of photographs and illustrations are provided for eight species. Keys are provided to separate eight species groups and Chinese species of eight species groups of subgenus Homoneura.
The Rhyacophila fasciata Group in Western Europe: Confirmation of Rhyacophila denticulata McLachlan 1879 (stat. prom.) and Rhyacophila sociata Navás 1916 (stat. res.), based on morphological and molecular genetic evidence (Trichoptera: Rhyacophilidae)
Authors: VALLADOLID MARÍA , ARAUZO MERCEDES , BASAGUREN ANA , DORDA BEATRIZ A. , REY ISABEL
Published: May 2018

In order to check the presence and distribution of Rhyacophila fasciata fasciata Hagen 1859 (species described from Austria) and R. fasciata denticulata McLachlan 1879 in the Iberian Peninsula, we studied the morphology of Spanish, French, and Austrian specimens, together with their mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase (mtCOI). We observed that the individuals considered to date as R. fasciata denticulata are in fact two different species: R. denticulata, presently known from France and possibly in some rivers of the Basque Country (Spain), and R. sociata Navás 1916 distributed in Spain and France. These two species are also different from the reference species (R. fasciata) from Austria, so we propose a change in the taxonomic status of R. fasciata denticulata to R. denticulata (stat. prom.) and the restoration of R. sociata (stat. res.), with the designation of a neotype, due to the loss of the holotype.
Cirrhilabrus cyanogularis, a new species of fairy wrasse from the Philippines and Indonesia (Teleostei: Labridae)
Authors: TEA YI-KAI , FRABLE BENJAMIN W. , GILL ANTHONY C.
Published: May 2018

Cirrhilabrus cyanogularis, sp. nov., is described on the basis of the holotype and three paratypes from Banguingui Island, Sulu Archipelago, Philippines, and a paratype from Sulawesi, Indonesia. The new species belongs to a complex consisting of C. filamentosus (Klausewitz), C. rubripinnis Randall & Carpenter, and C. tonozukai Allen & Kuiter. Aside from similar nuptial male coloration, the four species share the following character combination: a single row of cheek scales; dorsal-fin spines taller than dorsal-fin rays (slightly incised between spinuous and soft dorsal fin in C. rubripinnis and C. cyanogularis; last three dorsal-fin spines converging to form a single filament in C. tonozukai and C. filamentosus); relatively long pelvic fins (reaching past anal-fin origin); and isthmus and breast blue. The new species differs from the other members of the complex in lacking a dorsal filament, as well as possessing six predorsal scales, more extensive blue coloration on the isthmus, lower head and breast, and a soft dorsal fin with narrow black, medial stripe. The status of Klausewitz’s Cirrhilabrichthys is briefly discussed.