bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stromal EGF and IGF-I Together Modulate Plasticity of Disseminated Triple-Negative Breast Tumors
Authors: Castaño Zafira , Marsh Timothy , Tadipatri Ramya , Kuznetsov Hanna S. , Al-Shahrour Fatima , Paktinat Mahnaz , Greene-Colozzi April , Nilsson Björn , Richardson Andrea L. , McAllister Sandra S.
Published: May 2013

The causes for malignant progression of disseminated tumors and the reasons recurrence rates differ in women with different breast cancer subtypes are unknown. Here, we report novel mechanisms of tumor plasticity that are mandated by microenvironmental factors and show that recurrence rates are not strictly due to cell-intrinsic properties. Specifically, outgrowth of the same population of incipient tumors is accelerated in mice with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) relative to those with luminal breast cancer. Systemic signals provided by overt TNBCs cause the formation of a tumor-supportive microenvironment enriched for EGF and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) at distant indolent tumor sites. Bioavailability of EGF and IGF-I enhances the expression of transcription factors associated with pluripotency, proliferation, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition. Combinatorial therapy with EGF receptor and IGF-I receptor inhibitors prevents malignant progression. These results suggest that plasticity and recurrence rates can be dictated by host systemic factors and offer novel therapeutic potential for patients with TNBC.

Significance: Currently, processes that mediate progression of otherwise indolent tumors are not well understood, making it difficult to accurately predict which patients with cancer are likely to relapse. Our findings reveal novel mechanisms of tumor phenotypic and gene expression plasticity that are mandated by microenvironmental factors, identifying novel therapeutic targets for patients with TNBC. Cancer Discov; 3(8); 922–35. ©2013 AACR.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 826
Interleukin-33-Activated Dendritic Cells Induce the Production of Thymus and Activation-Regulated Chemokine and Macrophage-Derived Chemokine
Authors: Kurokawa Masatsugu , Matsukura Satoshi , Kawaguchi Mio , Ieki Koushi , Suzuki Shintaro , Watanabe Shin , Homma Tetsuya , Yamaguchi Munehiro , Takeuchi Hiroko , Adachi Mitsuru
Published: May 2013

Background: Interleukin (IL)-33, a new member of the IL-1 cytokine family, is involved in T helper (Th)2-type responses in a wide range of diseases and is mediated by expression of the ST2 receptor in many immune cells. As the effects of IL-33 on dendritic cells (DCs) remain controversial, we investigated the ability of IL-33 to modulate the functions of these cells. Methods: DCs were derived from mouse bone marrow, and the expression of the IL-33 receptor ST2 was examined by fluorescence-activated cell sorting and RT-PCR. The responses of the DCs to IL-33 were examined by RT-PCR and ELISA, and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) was determined by Western blotting. Results: ST2 ligand mRNA and protein were detectable in DCs. IL-33 induced the production of thymus and activation-regulated chemokine/CCL17 and macrophage-derived chemokine/CCL22 and the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, c-Jun N-terminal kinase and p38 MAPK. Conclusions: DCs respond directly to IL-33 through ST2. The interaction between IL-33 and DCs may represent a new pathway to initiate Th2-type immune responses. IL-33 and ST2 may play important roles in allergic inflammation.
Basic Research on Virus-Induced Asthma Exacerbation: Inhibition of Inflammatory Chemokine Expression by Fluticasone Propionate
Authors: Matsukura Satoshi , Kurokawa Masatsugu , Homma Tetsuya , Watanabe Shin , Suzuki Shintaro , Ieki Koushi , Takeuchi Hiroko , Notomi Kyoko , Schleimer Robert P. , Kawaguchi Mio , Kokubu Fumio
Published: May 2013

Background: Viral infection can exacerbate asthma by inducing the accumulation of inflammatory cells in the airway. We have previously reported that double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), a viral product and ligand of the Toll-like receptor-3 (TLR3), activates the transcription factors NF-κB and IRF-3 and upregulates the expression of inflammatory chemokines in airway epithelial cells. Here, we examined the effects of the glucocorticoid fluticasone propionate (FP) on the expression of the inflammatory chemokines CCL5, CXCL8 and CXCL10. Methods: The airway epithelial cell line BEAS-2B was used for this study. Expression of CCL5, CXCL8 and CXCL10 mRNA and protein was quantified by real-time PCR and ELISA assay, respectively. To examine the association of FP with the physiology of chemokine production, we included several methods. Nuclear translocation of transcription factors was determined by performing Western blot analysis. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity in nuclear extracts was measured using a colorimetric assay. Stability of the chemokine mRNAs was examined in cells incubated with actinomycin D. The activities of the CCL5 promoter and the transcription factors NF-κB and IRF-3 were assessed using luciferase reporter assays. Results: Treatment of BEAS-2B cells with FP significantly and dose-dependently (10-9 to 10-6M) inhibited dsRNA-induced expression of CCL5, CXCL8 and CXCL10 protein and mRNA, but did not affect mRNA stability. FP also significantly inhibited dsRNA-stimulated CCL5 promoter activity. However, FP had no effect on the activity of HDAC or the nuclear translocation of NF-κB and IRF-3. Conclusions: FP inhibits the dsRNA-stimulated expression of inflammatory chemokines in airway epithelial cells. FP may act by inhibiting chemokine transcription through an as yet unidentified mechanism.
Omalizumab Attenuates Airway Inflammation and Interleukin-5 Production by Mononuclear Cells in Patients with Severe Allergic Asthma
Authors: Takaku Yotaro , Soma Tomoyuki , Nishihara Fuyumi , Nakagome Kazuyuki , Kobayashi Takehito , Hagiwara Koichi , Kanazawa Minoru , Nagata Makoto
Published: May 2013

Background: Omalizumab, an anti-immunoglobulin E monoclonal antibody, has shown an inhibitory effect on airway inflammation, which may be associated with clinical improvement of severe asthma. This study evaluated changes in airway inflammation and cytokine release by the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of Japanese patients with severe asthma after administration of omalizumab. Methods: Sixteen Japanese patients with severe asthma who were allergic to house-dust mites were enrolled in this study. Eight received omalizumab every 2 or 4 weeks for 16 weeks, and 8 control subjects were treated with conventional drug treatment. Changes in clinical scores for sputum eosinophils and levels of fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) were measured at the time of enrollment and at week 16. Cytokines from PBMCs stimulated by house-dust mite (Dermatophagoides farinae) or ionomycin/phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) were measured at baseline and at week 16. Results: In the omalizumab-treated group, decreases in sputum eosinophils and FeNO were observed following treatment. Furthermore, the ex vivo production of interleukin (IL)-5 by PBMCs in response to both mite allergen and ionomycin/PMA decreased significantly. In contrast, interferon (IFN)-γ production was unchanged. There were no changes in any of the parameters observed in the control group. Conclusion: Omalizumab exerts inhibitory effects on airway inflammation in Japanese patients with severe allergic asthma. This treatment attenuates production of IL-5 by PBMCs stimulated with both a specific allergen and a nonspecific activator. Reduction of the Th2 inflammatory cascade likely contributes to clinical benefits; however, further studies are required to clarify these results due to the small sample size in this study.
Three-Dimensional Architecture of Scar and Conducting Channels Based on High Resolution ce-CMR
Authors: Fernández-Armenta Juan , Berruezo Antonio , Andreu David , Camara Oscar , Silva Etelvino , Serra Luis , Barbarito Valeria , Carotenutto Luigi , Evertz Reinder , Ortiz-Pérez José T. , De Caralt Teresa María , Perea Rosario Jesús , Sitges Marta , Mont Lluis , Frangi Alejandro , Brugada Josep
Published: May 2013

Background—

Conducting channels are the target for ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation. Conducting channels could be identified with contrast enhanced–cardiac magnetic resonance (ce-CMR) as border zone (BZ) corridors. A 3-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the ce-CMR could allow visualization of the 3D structure of these BZ channels.

Methods and Results—

We included 21 patients with healed myocardial infarction and VT. A 3D high-resolution 3T ce-CMR was performed before CARTO-guided VT ablation. The left ventricular wall was segmented and characterized using a pixel signal intensity algorithm at 5 layers (endocardium, 25%, 50%, 75%, epicardium). A 3D color-coded shell map was obtained for each layer to depict the scar core and BZ distribution. The presence/characteristics of BZ channels were registered for each layer. Scar area decreased progressively from endocardium to epicardium (scar area/left ventricular area: 34.0±17.4% at endocardium, 24.1±14.7% at 25%, 16.3±12.1% at 50%, 13.1±10.4 at 75%, 12.1±9.3% at epicardium;
P
<0.01). Forty-five BZ channels (2.1±1.0 per patient, 23.7±12.0 mm length, mean minimum width 2.5±1.5 mm) were identified, 85% between the endocardium and 50% shell and 76% present in ≥1 layer. The ce-CMR–defined BZ channels identified 74% of the critical isthmus of clinical VTs and 50% of all the conducting channels identified in electroanatomic maps.

Conclusions—

Scar area in patients with healed myocardial infarction decreases from the endocardium to the epicardium. BZ channels, more commonly seen in the endocardium, display a 3D structure within the myocardial wall that can be depicted with ce-CMR. The use of ce-CMR–derived maps to guide VT ablation warrants further investigation.
Clinical Impact of Adenosine Triphosphate Injection on Arrhythmogenic Superior Vena Cava in the Context of Atrial Fibrillation Ablation
Authors: Miyazaki Shinsuke , Taniguchi Hiroshi , Komatsu Yuki , Uchiyama Takashi , Kusa Shigeki , Nakamura Hiroaki , Hachiya Hitoshi , Hirao Kenzo , Iesaka Yoshito
Published: May 2013

Background—

Superior vena cava (SVC) is an infrequent yet an important source of atrial fibrillation. The clinical impact of ATP injection on arrhythmogenic SVC has not been evaluated.

Methods and Results—

A total of 43 patients (59±11 years; men, 32) who underwent ATP test for arrhythmogenic SVC after the electric isolation at either initial procedure or repeat procedure were included. Pulmonary vein antrum isolation was performed at index procedure in all patients. SVC was isolated after identifying the arrhythmogenicity at index and repeat atrial fibrillation ablation procedure in 34 (79.1%) and 9 (20.9%) patients, respectively. Atrial fibrillation originated from the SVC spontaneously and under isoproterenol infusion in 30 (75.0%) patients, and immediately after ATP injection in 10 (25.0%) patients. Tachycardia persistently confined to SVC was recorded after electric isolation in 13 (30.2%) patients. SVC reconnection was provoked by ATP test in 7 of 36 (19.4%) patients at acute phase. At median 4.0 (2.25–7.5) months after SVC isolation, reconnection was observed in 12 of 15 (80.0%) patients at repeat procedure. Among 12 patients with reconnection at baseline, SVC reconnection was provoked by ATP test after reisolation in 1 (8.3%) patient. Among 3 patients without SVC reconnection at baseline, reconnection was provoked by ATP test at chronic phase in 1 patient.

Conclusions—

Dormant conduction between an arrhythmogenic SVC and the right atrium can be exposed by ATP administration both immediately and late after isolation, potentially facilitating detection and ablation for isolation.
Impact of International Normalized Ratio and Activated Clotting Time on Unfractionated Heparin Dosing During Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Hamam Ismail , Daoud Emile G. , Zhang Jianying , Kalbfleisch Steven J. , Augostini Ralph , Winner Marshall , Tsai Shane , Rhodes Troy E. , Houmsse Mahmoud , Liu Zhenguo , Love Charles J. , Tyler Jaret , Sachdev Molly , Weiss Raul , Hummel John D.
Published: May 2013

Background—

For ablation of atrial fibrillation, it is unclear how baseline international normalized ratio (INR) affects the dosing of unfractionated heparin (UFH).

Methods and Results—

A retrospective review of 170 consecutive patients undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation with baseline activated clotting time (ACT) and INR values was performed. Patients were grouped according to INR <2.0 (G<2; n=129) and INR ≥2.0 (G≥2; n=41). Clinical variables, UFH doses, and ACT values were recorded. An equation was derived to calculate the first bolus of UFH required to achieve an ACT ≥300 seconds, and this was subsequently assessed in 168 patients. For the initial 170 patients, the baseline INR (2.47±0.31 versus 1.53±0.31) and ACT (185±26 versus 153±30 seconds) were significantly greater in G≥2 (
P
<0.001). The amount of UFH to achieve the first ACT ≥300 seconds was significantly higher for G<2 versus G≥2 (9701±2390 versus 8268±2366 U;
P
=0.0001). Baseline INR, ACT, and weight were predictors of the UFH dosage to achieve an ACT ≥300 seconds. An equation derived to achieve an ACT ≥300 seconds after a single bolus of UFH met this end point in 160 of 168 patients (95%).

Conclusions—

Baseline INR and ACT, in addition to weight, are the only predictors of UFH dosage needed to achieve an ACT ≥300 seconds. A derived equation predicted the UFH dosage to achieve an ACT ≥300 seconds.
Sex Differences in the Effectiveness of Early Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography Compared With Standard Emergency Department Evaluation for Acute Chest Pain
Authors: Truong Quynh A. , Hayden Douglas , Woodard Pamela K. , Kirby Ruth , Chou Eric T. , Nagurney John T. , Wiviott Stephen D. , Fleg Jerome L. , Schoenfeld David A. , Udelson James E. , Hoffmann Udo
Published: May 2013

Background—

We evaluate sex-based differences in the effectiveness of early cardiac computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) and standard emergency department (ED) evaluation in patients with acute chest pain.

Methods and Results—

In the Rule-Out Myocardial Infarction With Computer-Assisted Tomography (ROMICAT)-II multicenter, controlled trial, we randomized 1000 patients (47% women) 40 to 74 years of age with symptoms suggestive of acute coronary syndrome to an early CCTA or standard ED evaluation. In this prespecified analysis, women in the CCTA arm had a greater reduction in length of stay, lower hospital admission rates, and lesser increased cumulative radiation dose than men in a comparison of ED strategies (
P
for interaction ≤0.02). Although women had lower acute coronary syndrome rates than men (3% versus 12%;
P
<0.0001), sex differences in length of stay persisted after adjustment for baseline differences, including acute coronary syndrome rate (
P
for interaction <0.03). Length of stay was similar between sexes with normal CCTA findings (
P
=0.11). There was no missed acute coronary syndrome for either sex. No difference was observed in major adverse cardiac events between sexes and ED strategies (
P
for interaction =0.39). Women had more normal CCTA examinations than men (58% versus 37%;
P
<0.0001), less obstructive coronary disease by CCTA (5% versus 17%;
P
=0.0001), but similar normalcy rates for functional testing (
P
=0.65). Men in the CCTA arm had the highest rate of invasive coronary angiography (18%), whereas women had comparable low 5% rates regardless of ED strategy.

Conclusions—

This trial provides data supporting an early CCTA strategy as an attractive option in women presenting to the ED with symptoms suggestive of acute coronary syndrome. The findings may be explained by lower CAD prevalence and severity in women than men.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01084239.
Arterial Stiffness From Monitoring of Timing of Korotkoff Sounds Predicts the Occurrence of Cardiovascular Events Independently of Left Ventricular Mass in Hypertensive Patients
Authors: Gosse Philippe , Cremer Antoine , Papaioannou Georgios , Yeim Sunthareth
Published: May 2013

Several studies have established that the increase in arterial stiffness (AS) is a cardiovascular risk factor but to date no studies have evaluated in hypertensive patients its prognostic value in comparison with another powerful risk factor, left ventricular mass (LVM) as measured by echocardiography. We prospectively evaluated the prognostic value of AS and LVM in patients with essential hypertension. The population studied comprised 793 patients (56% men) aged 54±14 years. For 519 patients, baseline measurements were made before any antihypertensive treatment, for 274 patients, the measurement were obtained during the follow-up period under antihypertensive treatment. AS was assessed from ambulatory monitoring of blood pressure and timing of Korottkoff sounds. Left ventricular mass was measured in 523 patients. After a mean follow-up of 97 months, 122 cardiovascular events were recorded in the whole population and 74 in the group with LVM determination. AS as continuous or discontinuous variable was independently related to cardiovascular events. The existence or not of antihypertensive treatment at the time of its measurement did not affect its prognostic value. When LVM was forced in the model, AS remained significantly related to cardiovascular events. Thus, AS has an independent prognostic value in the hypertensive, whether measured before or after the administration of antihypertensive treatment. This prognostic value persists after taking LVM into account.
The Least of My Brethren: Mining, Indigenous Peoples, and the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines
Authors: Holden William N.
Published: May 2013

Political ecology shows how environmental issues can be reframed towards addressing the problems of the socially vulnerable. The environmental identity and social movement thesis of political ecology asserts that environmental issues can generate cross-class and inter-ethnic linkages in an effort to blunt powerful forces. Liberation ecology, a variant of political ecology combined with a counter hegemonic discourse, provides another dimension of political ecology. In the Philippines, mining on indigenous lands has generated opposition from indigenous peoples. By examining how the Roman Catholic Church has aided indigenous peoples in their opposition to mining, examples of the environmental identity and social movement thesis of political ecology and liberation ecology can be gleaned. Liberation theology, an impetus to the church’s commitment to the poor, may be the consummate counter hegemonic discourse.
The Interfaces between the National and International Rule of Law: The Case of UN Targeted Sanctions
Authors: Kanetake Machiko
Published: May 2013

The interfaces between national and international law have significantly evolved due to subject-matter overlap between national and international law. The restriction of governmental authority by the ‘rule of law’ is no exception in this regard. International scholarship has so far largely examined the national reception of the international rule of law. Much less recognised is the international perspective: namely, as to how the international rule of law understands, accepts, or resists the national rule of law. This paper examines the international reception of national rule of law practices within a specific regulatory context of UN targeted sanctions. Member states’ exercise of authority and the UN Security Council’s listing decisions bear resemblance to each other, which creates the conditions for the interfaces between the national and international rule of law. A series of judicial contestations formally based on the national rule of law were translated into normative, theoretical, and political forces at the international level, leading to the generation and materialisation of the principles of fairness and transparency as one of the elements of the international rule of law.
A review of the genus Pelenomus Thomson (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Ceutorhynchinae) from China
Authors: YANG LUJING , HUANG JUNHAO , ZHANG RUNZHI , WU HONG
Published: May 2013

The genus Pelenomus Thomson from China is revised and six species are found occurring in China. Among them, P. curvatus, sp. nov. is described from Yunnan province, and four species are newly recorded from China: P. waltoni (Boheman, 1843), P. canaliculatus (Fåhraeus, 1843), P. quadricorniger (Colonnelli, 1986) and P. roelofsi (Hustache, 1916). Taxonomic diagnosis, habitus photos, detailed illustrations and distribution map of each species are provided, as well as a key to all the Chinese species. This study raised the number of Chinese Pelenomus from one to six species.
Two new paralcyoniid octocorals from Japan (Anthozoa: Alcyonacea)
Authors: IMAHARA YUKIMITSU
Published: May 2013

Two new species of paralcyoniid octocorals are described from Japan. One of them, Ceeceenus retractus n. sp., is the fifth species of the genus, and the other, Nanalcyon sagamiense n. gen. n. sp., is proposed as a new genus. Nanalcyon is similar to the Mediterranean and Atlantic genera Maasella Poche, 1914 and Paralcyonium Milne Edwards and Haime, 1850, but the new genus clearly differs from these in having independent colonies not joined by stolons. The ultrastructure of the sclerites is compared among the new genus, Ceeceenus and Paralcyonium by means of SEM. All three genera display the same three main types of sclerites, flat platelets, rods and spindles, the ultrastructure of all consisting of non-branching fibrous crystals. In addition to these, two genera, Ceeceenus and Paralcyonium, have flat oval platelets with the ultrastruc-ture showing branching dendritic crystals, lacking in Nanalcyon.
Description of Alpheus buckupi spec. nov., a new amphi-Atlantic snapping shrimp (Caridea: Alpheidae), based on morphological and molecular data
Authors: ALMEIDA ALEXANDRE O. , TEROSSI MARIANA , ARAÚJO-SILVA CATARINA L. , MANTELATTO FERNANDO L.
Published: May 2013

A new amphi-Atlantic snapping shrimp of the genus Alpheus Fabricius, 1798, Alpheus buckupi spec. nov., is described and illustrated based on material collected from the western (Orinoco Delta, Venezuela to São Paulo, Brazil) and east-ern Atlantic (São Tomé and Príncipe). The new species is morphologically similar to members of the A. lobidens De Haan, 1850 species complex, from the Indo-Pacific, including A. inopinatus Holthuis & Gottlieb, 1958 from the eastern Mediterranean, and the Red Sea to Pakistan, especially based on major and minor chelae configuration. We also char-acterized this new species in terms of DNA sequences of a ribosomal 16S subunit and compared it in a phylogenetic context. These analyses showed a clear separation of the specimens of A. buckupi spec. nov. from similar species of the A. edwardsii (Audouin, 1826) species group, including some morphologically close species such as A. cf. lobidens, A. heterochaelis Say, 1818, A. pontederiae de Rochebrune, 1883, A. sp. aff. euphrosyne De Man, 1897, and A. micro-rhynchus De Man, 1897.
A new semi-subterranean diving beetle of the Hydroporus normandi-complex from south-eastern France, with notes on other taxa of the complex (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae)
Authors: MANUEL MICHAEL
Published: May 2013

Hydroporus galloprovincialis sp. n. is described from Jouques, north-east of Aix-en-Provence in south-eastern France (Provence). The new species belongs to the Hydroporus memnonius-group, within which it is the only ascertained nor-mandi-complex species of the French fauna. The habitat (small springs) and morphological features of the species suggest a semi-subterranean life style. It can be separated from the other species of the complex notably by its more elongated and parallel-sided habitus, by its wider pronotum and flatter dorsal surface, and furthermore differs from H. normandi Régim-bart, 1903 by a different shape of the gonocoxa. Illustrations are provided for other described normandi-complex species and subspecies for comparison. Analyses of partial cox1 sequences indicate that the three sampled H. normandi-complex species (H. galloprovincialis sp. n., H. normandi and H. lluci Fery, 1999) diverged recently; their relationships are unre-solved. H. galloprovincialis sp. n. is for the moment the only species of the genus Hydroporus Clairville, 1806 endemic to continental France.
Redescription of Astyanax guaporensis Eigenmann, 1911 (Characiformes: Characidae), a small characid from the rio Madeira basin
Authors: MARINHO MANOELA M. F. , OHARA WILLIAN M.
Published: May 2013

During recent expeditions to several localities in the rio Madeira basin, a poorly known species of Characidae described more than a century ago, Astyanax guaporensis Eigenmann, was collected. The species is herein redescribed based on the type material and many recently collected specimens. The species seems to occur only in the rio Madeira basin, rio Am-azonas drainage. The species is mainly recognized among its congeners by having five to nine maxillary teeth, a series of V-shaped marks on the midlateral line of body, and the absence of a black mark on the caudal peduncle.
Subterranean species of Acipes Attems, 1937 (Diplopoda, Julida, Blaniulidae)
Authors: ENGHOFF HENRIK , REBOLEIRA ANA SOFIA P. S.
Published: May 2013

Two new blind, cave-dwelling species of the genus Acipes Attems, 1937, are described from the Algarve, southern Por-tugal: A. machadoi n. sp. and A. bifilum n. sp. Acipes andalusius Enghoff & Mauriès, 1999, is reported from the mesovoid shallow substratum in Alicante (Spain), 250 km from the type locality in Andalusia.
The identity of the enigmatic genus Stenocolletes Schrottky (Hymenoptera: Tiphiidae)
Authors: LUCIA MARIANO , ALVAREZ LEOPOLDO J. , GONZALEZ VICTOR H. , ABRAHAMOVICH ALBERTO H.
Published: May 2013

The identity of Stenocolletes Schrottky and its single species, Stenocolletes pictus Schrottky, has remained a mystery since their description in 1909. Stenocolletes was originally placed in the bee family Colletidae but no known American colletid matches the original description. The type of S. pictus is likely lost as are large portions of Schrottky’s collection. Herein, we describe and designate as neotype a historic specimen that closely matches Schrottky’s description and place it in the current classification. Stenocolletes pictus is conspecific with the South American thiipid wasp Calchaquila albinervis (Brèthes, 1913). Both generic and specific names are new synonymous of Stenocolletes and pictus, respectively (new ju-nior synonym). Stenocolletes pictus is also recorded for the first time from Córdoba, Argentina.
CLARK W. BEASLEY (1942–2012)
Authors: MCINNES SANDRA J.
Published: May 2013

Clark Wayne Beasley was born in Pittsburg, Kansas, USA on 6 June 1942. He graduated from Kansas State College of Pittsburg in 1964 and went on to successfully defend his PhD on the tardigrades of Oklahoma in 1968 at the University of Oklahoma. Clark moved to McMurray College in 1969 to become an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology, accepting the chair in 1973 as an Associate Professor, became a full Professor in 1977 and Distinguished Professor in 1999. He was awarded the McMurray College “Gordon and Lola Bennett Scholar Award” in 2009 in recognition of his continuing contributions to outstanding teaching, scholarship, and service to the university. Clark retired in 2010.
A revision of the species of the pseudoscorpion subgenus Chthonius (Ephippiochthonius) (Arachnida, Pseudoscorpiones, Chthoniidae) from Italy and neighbouring areas
Authors: GARDINI GIULIO
Published: May 2013

A taxonomic revision and a key to the species of the subgenus Chthonius (Ephippiochthonius) Beier, 1930 from Italy, Cor-sica and the Swiss Canton of Ticino are provided. The species are arranged in two species-groups (tetrachelatus group and fuscimanus group) on the basis of the shape of pedipalpal hand and of the type of dentition of the fixed and movable chelal fingers. The following new species are described: i) in the tetrachelatus group: Chthonius (E.) altamurae n. sp. (♀, loc. typ.: Apulia, Bari Prov., Altamura, Grotta Lamalunga 1295 Pu/BA), C. (E.) elymus n. sp. (♂, loc. typ.: Sicily, Trapani Prov., Custonaci, Abisso del Purgatorio 8064 Si/TP), Chthonius (E.) messapicus n. sp. (♂, loc. typ.: Apulia, Brindisi Prov., San Pietro Vernotico, Cerano); ii) in the fuscimanus group: C. (E.) aeneae n. sp. (♂♀, loc. typ.: Liguria, Genoa Prov., Sestri Levante, Punta Manara), C. (E.) etruscus n. sp. (♂♀, loc. typ.: Tuscany, Grosseto Prov., Semproniano, Grotta di Montecchio 254 To/GR), C. (E.) gallii n. sp. (♂♀, loc. typ.: Liguria, Savona Prov., Bergeggi), C. (E.) intemelius n. sp. (♂♀, loc. typ.: Liguria, Imperia Prov., Apricale, Mt Cianela), C. (E.) latellai n. sp. (♂♀, loc. typ.: Latium, Latina Prov., Bassiano, Grotta di Fiume Coperto 1361 La/LT), C. (E.) ligur n. sp. (♂♀, loc. typ.: Liguria, Imperia Prov., near Baiardo), C. (E.) magrinii n. sp. (♂, loc. typ.: Latium, Frosinone Prov., San Giovanni Incarico, Grotta sulla strada per il Santuario della Madonna della Guardia n. c. La/FR), C. (E.) monguzzii n. sp. (♂♀, loc. typ.: Lombardia, Brescia Prov., Sulzano, Oricina de la Pofa del Giardì 438 Lo/BS), C. (E.) sulphureus n. sp. (♂♀, loc. typ.: Marche, Ancona Prov., Genga, Grotta di Frasassi 1 Ma/AN), C. (E.) tyrrhenicus n. sp. (♂♀, loc. typ.: Liguria, Genoa Prov., Genoa, Quinto al Mare, Mt Moro). The following new synonymies are proposed: Chthonius (E.) bauneensis Callaini, 1983 is a junior subjective synonym of C. (E.) berninii Callaini, 1983 (n. syn.), C. (E.) aegatensis Callaini, 1989 is a junior subjective synonym of C. (E.) berninii Callaini, 1983 (n. syn.), Chthonius (E.) maltensis Mahnert, 1975 is a junior subjective synonym of Chthonius (E.) concii Beier, 1953 (n. syn.), Chthonius (E.) bartolii Gardini, 1976 is a junior subjective synonym of Chthonius (E.) concii Beier, 1953 (n. syn.), Chthonius (E.) elbanus Beier, 1963 is a junior subjective synonym of Chthonius (E.) nanus Beier, 1953 (n. syn.), Chthonius (E.) cavicola Gardini, 1990 is a junior subjective synonym of Chthonius (E.) troglophilus Beier, 1930 (n. syn.). Thirty-nine species of Ephippiochthonius are known at present from the above-mentioned areas, of which one is presumably endemic to Sicily, four to Sardinia and four to Corsica. C. (E.) gibbus Beier, 1953 is excluded from the Ital-ian fauna and C. (E.) vachoni Heurtault-Rossi, 1963 is newly recorded from Italy. Chthonius (E.) poeninus Mahnert, 1979 is transferred to the subgenus Globochthonius Beier, 1931.
Physical activity, body mass index, alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking among East Asian college students
Authors: Seo Dong-Chul , Torabi Mohammad R , Chin Ming-Kai , Lee Chung Gun , Kim Nayoung , Huang Sen-Fang , Chen Chee Keong , Mok Magdalena Mo Ching , Wong Patricia , Chia Michael , Park Bock-Hee
Published: May 2013

Objective:

To identify levels of moderate-intensity physical activity (MPA) and vigorous-intensity physical activity (VPA) in a representative sample of college students in six East Asian economies and examine their relationship with weight, alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking.

Design:

Cross-sectional survey.

Setting:

College students recruited from 21 different colleges in six East Asian economies.

Method:

Self-reported physical activity, weight, height, alcohol consumption, and smoking were assessed using already-validated instruments. Multiple logistic regression models of MPA and VPA were separately performed for each economy, controlling for age, gender, living area before college, military experience, paid employment, and religion. All the analyses were performed using SAS 9.2 with clustering effects accounted for.

Results:

Being a heavy drinker increased the odds of engaging in VPA in five economies (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.56 to 2.65). Cigarette smoking was not associated with MPA in any economy and was only associated with VPA in China (AOR = 1.54) and Taiwan (AOR = 1.48), indicating that smokers are more likely to engage in VPA than non-smokers.

Conclusions:

The relationship between college students’ VPA and alcohol consumption and between MPA and cigarette smoking is similar across the East Asian economies, whereas the relationship between VPA and smoking varies substantially.
Mapping the Matrix of Corruption: Tracking the Empirical Evidences and Tailoring Responses
Authors: Oberoi Roopinder
Published: May 2013

The literature on corruption is extensive as the topic is multifaceted, testifying to the intractable and stubborn nature of a problem that societies have been struggling to tackle with for centuries. Lack of improvement in eradicating corruption is the result of misguided and misplaced strategies based on weak analytical underpinnings and still weaker appreciation of the institutional milieu of individual countries. This paper attempts to introduce and unpack key concepts associated with the idea of corruption. The paper attempts to punctuate that corruption needs analysis as an indicator of ‘failed governance’. It presents empirical substantiation from various studies undertaken and offers a comprehensive study of the extent and effect of corruption on the Indian economy and the perception of a cross-section of people on various facets and the impact of corruption on diverse sectors.
Social Rhetoric and the Construction of Black Motherhood
Authors: Rousseau Nicole
Published: May 2013

In this article, historical womanist theory, which situates Black women as a unique racialized and gendered laboring class in the United States, is empirically validated through testing of several key fundamental assumptions of the theory. This research identifies ways in which images of Black women’s reproduction and parenting are manipulated in order to justify ongoing regulation and dominance of Black labor: biological, reproductive, and productive through an analysis of popular film and policies that disproportionately impact Black women in the United States.
Processability, morphology and thermal behavior of poly(lactic acid)/synthetic mica nanocomposites obtained by melt blending
Authors: Borges Soraia V , Dias Marcos L , Pita Victor JRR , Azuma Chiaki , Dias Marali V
Published: May 2013

Poly(lactic acid)/synthetic mica nanocomposites were obtained by melt blending in an internal mixer in an investigation designed by experimental factorial planning. The results indicated that low speeds and temperatures favoured intercalation. In the range of concentrations tested (3–7 wt%), the added mica did not act as a nucleating agent, and it produced no significant change in the thermal properties of the poly(lactic acid). The thermogravimetric analyses suggested that temperatures below 190℃ and short mixing times (<10 min) promoted better dispersion of the synthetic mica in the matrix nanocomposite.
Effect of matrix cracking on hysteresis behavior of cross-ply ceramic matrix composites
Authors: Li Longbiao , Song Yingdong , Sun Youchao
Published: May 2013

The effect of matrix cracking on hysteresis behavior of cross-ply ceramic matrix composites is investigated in the present analysis. The cracking of cross-ply ceramic composites was classified into five modes, where cracking mode 3 and mode 5 involve matrix cracking and fiber/matrix interface debonding in 0° ply. The matrix crack space and interface debonded length are obtained by matrix statistical cracking model and fracture mechanics interface debonding criterion. Based on the damage mechanisms of fiber sliding relative to matrix in the interface debonded region, the unloading interface reverse slip length and reloading interface new slip length of cracking mode 3 and mode 5 are determined by the fracture mechanics approach. The hysteresis loops of four different cases for cracking mode 3 and mode 5 are derived respectively. The hysteresis loss energy as a function of interface shear stress of mode 3 and mode 5 are analyzed. The theoretical results have been compared with experimental data of two different cross-ply ceramic composites.
Analysis of a Payments Database Reveals Trends in Dental Treatment Provision
Authors: Guiney H. , Felicia P. , Whelton H. , Woods N.
Published: May 2013

Use of fluoride has led to dramatic improvements in oral health; however, the impact of these improvements on the volume and mix of treatment provided in dental systems is largely unknown. The use of administrative data to analyze trends in treatment provision gives ‘real-life’ insight into the impact of changing levels of oral health on oral health services. The first aim of this study was to determine the extent to which useful data on temporal treatment patterns could be extracted from a public insurance database. The second aim, contingent on the first, was to investigate whether increased tooth retention and decreases in caries were reflected in the volume and types of treatment provided to adults within a public social insurance scheme between 1997 and 2008. Data were retrieved from the Dental Treatment Benefit Scheme databases, and new datasets were generated to analyze the distribution of treatments and mean treatments provided to 1,271,937 adults over the 12-year period. Provision of restorations, extractions, and dentures decreased, and the ratio of preventive/diagnostic to invasive treatments per dentist increased, which supports reported improvements in oral health. In conclusion, this paper illustrates the decline in invasive treatments, and increase in preventive treatments that accompanied improvements in oral health.
Fluoride Concentration from Dental Sealants
Authors: Campus G. , Carta G. , Cagetti M.G. , Bossù M. , Sale S. , Cocco F. , Conti G. , Nardone M. , Sanna G. , Strohmenger L. , Lingström P. ,   Italian Experimental Group on Oral Health, Bossù M. , Campus G. , Cagetti M.G. , Caria G.P. , Carta G. , Cocco F. , Congiu G. , Conti G. , Corridone D. , Lingström P. , Mastrobernardino S. , Mura A. , Polimeni A. , Sale S. , Sanna G. , Strohmenger L.
Published: May 2013

A randomized clinical trial was performed in schoolchildren (6-7 yrs) to evaluate fluoride concentration in interproximal fluid after the placement of 3 different sealants. The sample consisted of 2,776 children randomly divided: 926 in the high-viscosity Glass-ionomer Cement group (GIC group), 923 in the fluoride Resin-based group (fluoride-RB group), and 927 in the no-fluoride Resin-based group (RB group). In total, 2,640 children completed the trial. Sealants were applied following manufacturer’s instructions. Interproximal fluid samples were collected at baseline and 2, 7, and 21 days after application of sealants, by insertion of a standardized paperpoint into the interproximal mesial space of the sealed tooth for 15 seconds. Fluoride concentration was evaluated by means of a fluoride ion-selective electrode. At 2 days after sealant application, fluoride concentration was significantly higher in GIC and fluoride-RB groups compared with that in the RB group ( p < .01). Mean fluoride concentrations after 7 days were 2.54 (SE 0.68) ppm, 0.85 (SE 0.26) ppm, and 0.53 (SE 0.11) ppm for the three groups, respectively. After 21 days, fluoride concentration in the GIC group remained higher than that in the other two groups. High-viscosity GIC sealants increased the fluoride concentrations in interproximal fluid more than did a Resin-based sealant containing fluoride (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01588210).
Safety and Efficacy of a Novel Nasal Spray for Maxillary Dental Anesthesia
Authors: Ciancio S.G. , Hutcheson M.C. , Ayoub F. , Pantera E.A. , Pantera C.T. , Garlapo D.A. , Sobieraj B.D. , Almubarak S.A.
Published: May 2013

This study examines the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of a nasal spray to induce anesthesia of maxillary teeth. Forty-five healthy adults requiring restoration of one maxillary tooth were randomized in a 1:2 ratio to receive (1) an intra-oral lidocaine-epinephrine injection with buffered saline nasal spray bilaterally, or (2) a tetracaine hydrochloride-oxymetazoline hydrochloride nasal spray bilaterally with sham injection. Primary endpoints were use of rescue anesthesia and patient global pain assessment. Secondary outcomes included vital sign changes, soft-tissue anesthesia, and treatment-emergent adverse events. In intent-to-treat analysis, 25 of 30 patients given nasal spray (83.3%) did not require rescue anesthesia. Proportion of anesthesia successes for nasal spray was significantly different from the hypothesized placebo anesthesia success of 30% (one-sided p value < .0001 by exact binomial test). Mean duration of soft-tissue anesthesia did not differ significantly by treatment for 3 of 4 sites assessed. No serious adverse events or systemic effects were observed. Tetracaine hydrochloride-oxymetazoline nasal spray appears to provide adequate and safe anesthesia for the majority of maxillary dental procedures. Based on the results from this Phase 2 study, pivotal trials are warranted to validate these findings in an expanded patient population (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01302483).
Stability of Surgically Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion
Authors: Ribeiro Prado G.P. , Pereira M.D. , Rocha Biló J.P. , Furtado F. , Ferreira L.M.
Published: May 2013

The aim of this study was to evaluate the orthodontic retention of maxillary skeletal stability after surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion (SARPE). Ninety digitized plaster casts from 30 adult patients who underwent SARPE were assessed. Thirty patients were divided equally into two groups: the No Retention Group (n = 15) and the Retention Group (n = 15) with a Transpalatal Arch [TPA]). After the end of expansion, the expander appliance was stabilized and remained in place for 4 months. The additional retention period began in the Retention Group as soon as the expander was removed and replaced by a TPA. During the same period, the No Retention Group remained without retention. The casts were created pre-operatively, at 4 months and 10 months post-expansion. The models were digitized by means of a 3D Vivid 9i laser scanner. The palatal area and volume were assessed. Both variables increased after 4 months compared with pre-operative values ( p < .05). At 10 months, patients’ palatal areas and volumes were stable in both groups ( p > .05). In conclusion, no retention other than the expander appliance is needed after SARPE (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01770782).
The Spatial Distribution and Social Context of Homicide in Toronto’s Neighborhoods
Authors: Thompson Sara K. , Gartner Rosemary
Published: May 2013

Objectives:

To examine the social ecology of homicide in Toronto, Canada.

Method:

Using both ordinary least squares regression and negative binomial models, we analyze the structural correlates of 965 homicides occurring in 140 neighborhoods in Toronto between 1988 and 2003.

Results:

Similar to research in U.S. cities, Toronto neighborhoods with higher levels of economic disadvantage, higher proportions of young and Black residents, and greater residential instability have higher homicide rates. In contrast to U.S. studies, Toronto neighborhoods with higher proportions of residents who are recent immigrants also have higher homicide rates. In multivariate models, only two of these characteristics—economic disadvantage and the proportion of residents aged 15 to 24—are significantly associated with homicide in Toronto’s neighborhoods. Despite low levels of both lethal violence and spatial inequality in Toronto, the correlates of homicide in its neighborhoods are similar in some respects to those in U.S. cities.

Conclusion:

Our findings lend support to the notion of invariance in some ecological covariates of homicide but also highlight the need to be cautious about generalizing from U.S.-based research on the relationship between immigration and homicide.
Recruitment or Preparation? Investigating the Effects of Teacher Characteristics and Student Teaching
Authors: Ronfeldt Matthew , Reininger Michelle , Kwok Andrew
Published: May 2013

Some believe the solution to improving instructional quality in K-12 schools lies in identifying and recruiting certain kinds of individuals to the profession (e.g., academically talented, stronger commitment). Others believe that talented or committed individuals cannot become effective or enduring teachers without adequate preparation. Most prior literature examines either recruitment or preparation, rather than weighing evidence for both simultaneously. In addition, most prior research investigates the effects of either approach on only a single outcome, rather than considering multiple outcomes at once. Drawing on pre- and poststudent teaching surveys of more than 1,000 prospective teachers in a large, urban district, this study uses a unique strategy to disentangle the effects of one dimension of preparation (student teaching) from the effects of teacher characteristics on a number of measures for teachers’ self-perceived instructional quality and career plans. The findings indicate that career plans are more often related to teacher characteristics, whereas self-perceived instructional quality is more often related to features of clinical preparation. Implications for recruitment and preparation are discussed.
The effect of biological age on the metabolic responsiveness of mice fed a high-fat diet
Authors: Korou Laskarina-Maria A , Doulamis Ilias P , Tzanetakou Irene P , Mikhailidis Dimitri P , Perrea Despina N
Published: May 2013

Mice are widely used in studies investigating the effect of diet on metabolic risk factors, such as lipid profiles and plasma glucose levels. An important factor that is usually not taken into account is the biological age of the experimental models. The up-to-date identified experimental confounders do not cover all the parameters that may affect the results of animal studies. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a high-fat diet on the metabolic profile, hepatic and renal function in mice of differing ages. For this purpose two groups of male C57BL/6J mice were used, consisting of 10-week-old mice and 54-week-old mice in each group. Both groups followed identical high-fat diets for 12 weeks. The younger mice showed smaller increases in body weight, serum total cholesterol, glucose and urea levels while they had higher increases in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels than the older mice. Our results indicate the necessity to consider an experimental animal’s age as a confounding factor when researching or interpreting metabolic studies. Age adjustment is warranted in all animal research while a uniform approach regarding the age of the animal models should be applied in experimental studies.
An optimal distributed trigger counting algorithm for large-scale networked systems
Authors: Kim Seokhyun , Lee Jaeheung , Park Yongsu , Cho Yookun
Published: May 2013

Distributed trigger counting (DTC) is a problem related to the detection of [Formula: see text] triggers with [Formula: see text] nodes in large-scale distributed systems that have general characteristics of complex adaptive systems. The triggers come from an external source, and no a priori information about the triggers is given. DTC algorithms can be used for distributed monitoring and global snapshots. When designing an efficient DTC algorithm, the following goals should be considered: minimizing the overall message complexity and distributing the loads for detecting triggers among nodes. In this paper, we propose a randomized algorithm called TreeFill, which satisfies the message complexity of [Formula: see text] with high probability. The maximum number of received messages to detect [Formula: see text] triggers in each node is [Formula: see text] with high probability. These results satisfy the lower bounds of DTC problems. We prove the upper bounds of TreeFill. The performance of TreeFill is also evaluated by means of an agent-based simulation using NetLogo. The simulation results show that TreeFill uses about 54–69% of the messages used in a previous work called CoinRand. The maximum number of received messages in each node of TreeFill is also smaller than that in the previous work.