bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Real-Time Tissue Elastography as Promising Diagnostic Tool for Diagnosis of Lymph Node Metastases in Patients with Malignant Melanoma: A Prospective Single-Center Experience
Authors: Hinz Torsten , Hoeller Tobias , Wenzel Joerg , Bieber Thomas , Schmid-Wendtner Monika-H.
Published: March 2013

Background: Real-time tissue elastography is a new, noninvasive method in ultrasonography, differentiating tissues according to their stiffness. Earlier studies have highlighted this technique as a useful diagnostic tool for the detection of noncutaneous malignancies like breast, prostate and thyroid cancer based on the principle that tumor cells present a higher stiffness compared to the adjacent normal tissue. Objective: The purpose of our study was to investigate the value of real-time tissue elastography for the differentiation of benign and metastatic peripheral lymph nodes (LN) in patients with cutaneous melanoma by comparing this technique with conventional B-mode sonography combined with power Doppler sonography (PDS). Methods: In this prospective study, 36 melanoma patients (23 females and 13 males, mean age 62.7 ± 11.1 years) undergoing LN excision at the Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University of Bonn, were included between July 2011 and July 2012. Real-time tissue elastography was planned prior to surgery and histopathological examination. Elasticity images had been qualitatively scored for the proportion of stiff areas from pattern 1-5 (soft to stiff) on the basis of a newly defined system for LNs. Results: A total of 42 LNs have been removed in 36 patients. Of these 42 LNs, 21 carried melanoma cells and 21 were benign LNs. Significant differences in elastographic patterns were found between metastatic and nonmetastatic LNs. In real-time tissue elastography, 19 (90.5%) of 21 metastatic LNs showed a pattern of 3, 4 or 5. Of all benign LNs, 76.2% had a pattern of 1 or 2 in their elastogram. Sensitivity and specificity of B-mode sonography combined with PDS were 80.9 and 76.2%, respectively, 90.5 and 76.2% for elastography and 95.2 and 76.2% for the combined evaluation. Conclusion: An elastography pattern ≥3 was identified as an independent significant factor, predicting a metastatic LN involvement. The combination of elastography with conventional B-mode sonography has the potential to further improve the differentiation between benign and metastatic peripheral LNs in melanoma patients.
Small Interfering RNA Targeting Toll-Like Receptor 9 Protects Mice against Polymicrobial Septic Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Liu Lixia , Li Yong , Hu Zhenjie , Su Jie , Huo Yan , Tan Bibo , Wang Xiaoling , Liu Yueping
Published: March 2013

Background/Aims: Although recent reports suggest that Toll-like receptor (TLR) 9 is associated with the pathogenesis of polymicrobial septic acute kidney injury (AKI), it is still unclear whether and how renal TLR9 is involved in the development of polymicrobial septic AKI. This study aimed to determine whether the expression of TLR9 in mouse renal cells is related to the development of polymicrobial septic AKI. Methods: The efficacy of small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting TLR9 was tested in a cultured murine macrophage cell line (RAW264.7 cells). The most potent siRNA was transfected into mice using the hydrodynamic method prior to the induction of polymicrobial septic AKI being induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). TLR9 knockdown was determined by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting in RAW264.7 cells and kidney tissues. The levels of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and the renal histopathology assessment were determined at 6-, 12-, and 24-hour time points after CLP, and renal cell apoptosis was studied at 24 h. The 4- and 7-day survival rates of mice were also observed. Results: We found that mice developed AKI in our model of polymicrobial sepsis, despite fluid and antibiotic resuscitation, which resembles human sepsis. siRNA to TLR9 successfully silenced the induction of renal TLR9 gene and protein expression following CLP. Effective silencing of renal TLR9 expression decreased renal cell apoptosis, mitigated the severity of AKI, and increased the survival of mice. Conclusions: Our data demonstrates the induction of TLR9 expression in mouse kidney tissue following CLP. Renal cell apoptosis and AKI in our model of polymicrobial sepsis are dependent on TLR9. Thus, TLR9 may play a critical role in the pathophysiology of polymicrobial septic AKI.
Is Hepcidin a New Cardiovascular Risk Marker in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome?
Authors: Gözdemir Elif , Kaygusuz Ikbal , Kafalı Hasan
Published: March 2013

Background/Aims: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with reproductive and metabolic abnormalities and carries a number of cardiovascular risk factors. Low-grade chronic inflammation has been thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and PCOS patients have an increased rate of subclinical inflammation. In the present study, considering the major role that hepcidin plays in the regulation of iron metabolism and as an inflammatory marker, we investigated hepcidin in PCOS patients and its role in predicting cardiovascular disease (CVD) development. Methods: Forty patients with PCOS and 40 age- and body mass index-matched healthy controls were included in the study. Iron metabolites, insulin resistance (IR), inflammatory markers and hepcidin levels were analyzed. Results: IR parameters, inflammatory markers, iron parameters and hepcidin levels were similar between the PCOS and control groups. While the inflammatory markers were significantly high in the overweight and obese PCOS subgroup, the hepcidin levels were also high but this elevation was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Obesity is the principle mechanism of chronic inflammation and IR in PCOS patients. C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 should be used to predict and follow the risk of CVD development in PCOS cases. Hepcidin may be used as an additional marker in the follow-up of PCOS patients in the future.
Serum Levels of Visfatin and Possible Interaction with Iron Parameters in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Kaygusuz Ikbal , Gumus Ilknur Inegol , Yılmaz Saynur , Simavlı Serap , Uysal Sema , Derbent Aysel Uysal , Gözdemir Elif , Kafalı Hasan
Published: March 2013

Background/Aims: Visfatin is a novel adipokine with insulinomimetic properties that increases in diabetes. However, for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) there are conflicting reports. Recent studies have reported a positive association of serum ferritin concentrations with insulin resistance. Thus, we assessed serum levels of visfatin in pregnant women with varying degrees of glucose tolerance and investigated the possible interaction of visfatin with parameters of iron metabolism. Methods: Visfatin levels were measured at 24-28 weeks of gestation in 88 women who were divided into three groups according to their response to a 50-gram glucose challenge test and a 100-gram oral glucose tolerance test: control group (n = 28), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) group (n = 30) and GDM group (n = 30). Results: Visfatin levels were significantly higher in the GDM and IGT group than in control (p < 0.001 for GDM vs. control, and p = 0.004 for IGT vs. control). Serum visfatin was significantly associated with serum ferritin, insulin, age, gravidity, and body mass index. In a linear regression model, the covariates explained only 17% of variability of serum visfatin concentration. Body mass index (p < 0.001) contributed independently to visfatin variance. Conclusion: Serum visfatin concentration is significantly higher in GDM and is correlated with ferritin levels.
15-Lipoxygenase Promotes Chronic Hypoxia–Induced Pulmonary Artery Inflammation via Positive Interaction With Nuclear Factor-κB
Authors: Li Jing , Rao Jingjing , Liu Yun , Cao Yonggang , Zhang Yueming , Zhang Qianlong , Zhu Daling
Published: March 2013

Objective—

Our laboratory has previously demonstrated that 15-lipoxygenase (15-LO)/15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) is involved in hypoxic pulmonary arterial hypertension. Chronic hypoxia–induced vascular inflammation has been considered as an important stage in the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Here, we determined the contribution of 15-HETE in the hypoxia–induced pulmonary vascular inflammation.

Approach and Results—

Chronic hypoxia–induced monocyte/macrophage infiltration and the expressions of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 were analyzed in hypoxic rat model and cultured pulmonary arterial endothelium cells using immunochemistry methods. We found that monocyte/macrophage infiltration and the expressions of intercellular adhesion molecules under hypoxia were markedly inhibited by 15-HETE inhibitors or 15-LO1/2 small interfering RNA. In addition, exogenous 15-HETE enhanced the expression of both adhesion molecules in pulmonary arterial endothelium cells in a time-dependent manner. Hypoxia–induced 15-LO1/2 expression in rat pulmonary arterial endothelium cells was significantly abolished by nuclear factor-κB inhibitors. Meanwhile, nuclear factor-κB activity was enhanced prominently by the 15-LO1/2 product, 15-HETE, suggesting a positive feedback mechanism.

Conclusions—

Taken together, our results suggest that chronic hypoxia promotes monocyte infiltration into the vasculature and adhesion molecules upregulation in pulmonary arterial endothelium cells via a positive interaction between 15-LO/15-HETE and nuclear factor-κB. Our study revealed a novel mechanism underlying hypoxia–induced pulmonary arterial inflammation and suggested new therapeutic strategies targeting 15-LO/15-HETE and nuclear factor-κB in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Natriuretic Peptide Receptor-3 Gene (
NPR3
)
Authors: Pereira Naveen L. , Lin Dong , Pelleymounter Linda , Moon Irene , Stilling Gail , Eckloff Bruce W. , Wieben Eric D. , Redfield Margaret M. , Burnett John C. , Yee Vivien C. , Weinshilboum Richard M.
Published: March 2013

Background—

The primary role of natriuretic peptide receptor-3 (NPR3) or NPR-C is in the clearance of natriuretic peptides that play an important role in modulating intravascular volume and vascular tone. Genetic variation in
NPR3
has been associated with variation in blood pressure and obesity. Despite the importance of NPR3, sequence variation in the gene has not been addressed using DNA from different ethnic populations. We set out to identify and functionally characterize genetic variation in
NPR3
in 3 ethnic groups.

Methods and Results—

DNA samples from 96 European American, 96 African American, and 96 Han Chinese American healthy subjects were used to resequence
NPR3
exons, splice junctions, and flanking regions. We identified 105 polymorphisms, 50 of which were novel, including 8 nonsynonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms, 7 were novel. Expression constructs were created for the nonsynonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms. HEK293 cells were transfected with constructs for wild type and variant allozymes; and recombinant proteins were measured by quantitative Western blot analysis. The most significant change in NPR3 protein was observed for the Arg146 variant allozyme, with 20% of wild-type protein, primarily because of autophagy-dependent degradation. NPR3 structural modeling confirmed that the Arg146 variant protein was not compatible with wild-type conformation and could result in protein misfolding or instability.

Conclusions—

Multiple novel
NPR3
genetic polymorphisms were identified in 3 ethnic groups. The Arg146 allozyme displayed a significant decrease in protein quantity because of degradation mediated predominantly by autophagy. This genetic variation could have a significant effect on the metabolism of natriuretic peptides with potential clinical implications.
Pulmonary Hyperinflation and Left Ventricular Mass
Authors: Smith Benjamin M. , Kawut Steven M. , Bluemke David A. , Basner Robert C. , Gomes Antoinette S. , Hoffman Eric , Kalhan Ravi , Lima João A.C. , Liu Chia-Ying , Michos Erin D. , Prince Martin R. , Rabbani LeRoy , Rabinowitz Daniel , Shimbo Daichi , Shea Steven , Barr R. Graham
Published: March 2013

Background—

Left ventricular (LV) mass is an important predictor of heart failure and cardiovascular mortality, yet determinants of LV mass are incompletely understood. Pulmonary hyperinflation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may contribute to changes in intrathoracic pressure that increase LV wall stress. We therefore hypothesized that residual lung volume in COPD would be associated with greater LV mass.

Methods and Results—

The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) COPD Study recruited smokers 50 to 79 years of age who were free of clinical cardiovascular disease. LV mass was measured by cardiac magnetic resonance. Pulmonary function testing was performed according to guidelines. Regression models were used to adjust for age, sex, body size, blood pressure, and other cardiac risk factors. Among 119 MESA COPD Study participants, the mean age was 69±6 years, 55% were male, and 65% had COPD, mostly of mild or moderate severity. Mean LV mass was 128±34 g. Residual lung volume was independently associated with greater LV mass (7.2 g per 1-SD increase in residual volume; 95% confidence interval, 2.2–12;
P
=0.004) and was similar in magnitude to that of systolic blood pressure (7.6 g per 1-SD increase in systolic blood pressure; 95% confidence interval, 4.3–11;
P
<0.001). Similar results were observed for the ratio of LV mass to end-diastolic volume (
P
=0.02) and with hyperinflation measured as residual volume to total lung capacity ratio (
P
=0.009).

Conclusions—

Pulmonary hyperinflation, as measured by residual lung volume or residual lung volume to total lung capacity ratio, is associated with greater LV mass.
Lipid Profile, Lipid-lowering Medications, and Intracerebral Hemorrhage After tPA in Get With The Guidelines–Stroke
Authors: Messé Steven R. , Pervez Muhammad A. , Smith Eric E. , Siddique Khawaja A. , Hellkamp Anne S. , Saver Jeffrey L. , Bhatt Deepak L. , Fonarow Gregg C. , Peterson Eric D. , Schwamm Lee H.
Published: March 2013

Background and Purpose—

Symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) after tissue plasminogen activator for acute ischemic stroke is associated with poor outcome. There are conflicting data on sICH risk related to lipid levels and use of lipid-lowering medications. We evaluated whether there are associations between lipid levels, lipid-lowering medications, and sICH in Get With the Guidelines-Stroke.

Methods—

We identified acute ischemic stroke patients in the Get With the Guidelines-Stroke data set who were treated with IV tissue plasminogen activator between April 2003 and September 2009 and had complete data on lipid profiles and complications. Potential predictors of sICH were tested in univariate and multivariate analysis.

Results—

The analysis included 22 216 IV tissue plasminogen activator–treated acute ischemic stroke patients. Overall, 1104 (4.97%) experienced sICH (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke definition). In univariate analysis, patients with sICH were more often taking antihypertensive, lipid-lowering, and diabetes mellitus medications. There was no relationship between low density lipoprotein or total cholesterol and sICH in univariate analysis. However, the risk of sICH increased with higher high density lipoprotein, 6.1% in Q4 versus 4.7% in Q1,
P
=0.0013; and lower triglyceride levels, 5.9% in Q1 versus 4.2% in Q4,
P
<0.0001. In multivariable models, although the high density lipoprotein and triglyceride levels were modestly associated with sICH, low density lipoprotein and total cholesterol were not. Lipid-lowering medications were not independently associated with sICH.

Conclusions—

We found that low density lipoprotein and total cholesterol levels are not associated with risk of sICH after tissue plasminogen activator, although higher high density lipoprotein and lower triglyceride levels were modest risk factors. Lipid-lowering medications are not associated with risk of sICH.
External Validation of the ASTRAL Score to Predict 3- and 12-Month Functional Outcome in the China National Stroke Registry
Authors: Liu Gaifen , Ntaios George , Zheng Huaguang , Wang Yilong , Michel Patrik , Wang David Zheng , Fang Jiming , Papavasileiou Vasileios , Liu Liping , Dong Kehui , Wang Chunxue , Zhao Xingquan , Wang Yongjun
Published: March 2013

Background and Purpose—

The ASTRAL score was recently introduced as a prognostic tool for acute ischemic stroke. It predicts 3-month outcome reliably in both the derivation and the validation European cohorts. We aimed to validate the ASTRAL score in a Chinese stroke population and moreover to explore its prognostic value to predict 12-month outcome.

Methods—

We applied the ASTRAL score to acute ischemic stroke patients admitted to 132 study sites of the China National Stroke Registry. Unfavorable outcome was assessed as a modified Rankin Scale score >2 at 3 and 12 months. Areas under the curve were calculated to quantify the prognostic value. Calibration was assessed by comparing predicted and observed probability of unfavorable outcome using Pearson correlation coefficient.

Results—

Among 3755 patients, 1473 (39.7%) had 3-month unfavorable outcome. Areas under the curve for 3 and 12 months were 0.82 and 0.81, respectively. There was high correlation between observed and expected probability of unfavorable 3- and 12-month outcome (Pearson correlation coefficient: 0.964 and 0.963, respectively).

Conclusions—

ASTRAL score is a reliable tool to predict unfavorable outcome at 3 and 12 months after acute ischemic stroke in the Chinese population. It is a useful tool that can be readily applied in clinical practice to risk-stratify acute stroke patients.
Axonchoides smokyensis sp. n. (Dorylaimida: Belondiridae) from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park: the second species of a very rare genus
Authors: Peña-Santiago Reyes , Peña-Santiago Reyes , Abolafia Joaquín , Peña-Santiago Reyes , Abolafia Joaquín , Álvarez-Ortega Sergio , Peña-Santiago Reyes , Abolafia Joaquín , Álvarez-Ortega Sergio , Ye Weimin , Peña-Santiago Reyes , Abolafia Joaquín , Álvarez-Ortega Sergio , Ye Weimin , Robbins Robert T.
Published: March 2013

Axonchoides smokyensis sp. n., collected from a natural forest area in Tennessee, USA, is described and illustrated, including LM and SEM pictures as well as molecular (rRNA SSU-ITS1 and LSU D2/D3) sequences. The new species is characterised by its body length of 2.56-3.18 mm, lip region continuous and 10-12 μm wide, odontostyle 10-13 μm long, neck 662-789 μm long, anterior portion of pharynx enlarging gradually, pharyngeal expansion 407-548 μm long or 60-70% of the total neck length and surrounded by a strong muscular sheath with nearly longitudinal bands, female genital system pseudodidelphic-monodelphic with anterior branch lacking a functional ovary and posterior one bearing a long and tripartite uterus, V = 42-46, female tail slightly clavate (27-34 μm, c = 84-105, c′ = 0.8-1.0), male tail short and rounded (34-38 μm, c = 87-113, c′ = 0.7-0.9), spicules 49-53 μm long, and five or six widely spaced ventromedian supplements outside the range of the spicules. The taxonomy of Axonchoides is discussed on the base of morphological and molecular evidence, and an emended diagnosis proposed. It was easily differentiated from other sequenced dorylaimid taxa, but phylogenetic analysis from SSU and LSU failed satisfactorily to resolve its placement in Dorylaimina.
Development of a species-specific PCR to detect the cereal cyst nematode, Heterodera latipons
Authors: Toumi Fateh , Toumi Fateh , Waeyenberge Lieven , Toumi Fateh , Waeyenberge Lieven , Viaene Nicole , Toumi Fateh , Waeyenberge Lieven , Viaene Nicole , Dababat Amer , Toumi Fateh , Waeyenberge Lieven , Viaene Nicole , Dababat Amer , Nicol Julie M. , Toumi Fateh , Waeyenberge Lieven , Viaene Nicole , Dababat Amer , Nicol Julie M. , Ogbonnaya Francis , Toumi Fateh , Waeyenberge Lieven , Viaene Nicole , Dababat Amer , Nicol Julie M. , Ogbonnaya Francis , Moens Maurice
Published: March 2013

Several Heterodera species can reduce the yield of wheat and barley, among which H. avenae, H. filipjevi and H. latipons are economically the most important. Their identification, based on morphological characteristics, is not straightforward but can be made easier using molecular techniques. In this study, we developed species-specific primers for the detection of H. latipons. The actin gene of eight Heterodera species was partially sequenced and, after purifying and sequencing the PCR products, all sequences were aligned to find unique sites. The alignment showed moderate to very high similarities between the species. However, a small fragment of the actin gene was suitable for the construction of a potentially useful species-specific primer for H. latipons. The optimised PCR was subsequently tested with several populations of 14 Heterodera species and a single population of Punctodera punctata. Heterodera latipons was represented by 16 populations originating from six different countries. The primer set (Hlat-act), designed using AlleleID 7.73, was shown to be very specific. To test its sensitivity further, the PCR was conducted on DNA extracted from five second-stage juveniles (J2) of H. latipons mixed with five or 100 J2 belonging to H. avenae. The PCR was able to detect up to 1:10 dilution of the DNA obtained from five J2. The results showed that a specific and sensitive H. latipons species-specific PCR was constructed.
Integrated approach for the management of the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, on eggplant under field conditions
Authors: Singh Satyandra
Published: March 2013

A 2-year field study was conducted to develop an eco-friendly field application method for controlling root-knot disease of eggplant (Solanum melongena). The test sites were heavily infested with the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita. The efficacy of neem cake (1.5 t ha−1), talc-based preparations of Pseudomonas fluorescens (10 kg ha−1) and Trichoderma harzianum (10 kg ha−1) as soil application and seed treatment (10 g (kg seed)−1) were tested to develop an integrated nematode management module against M. incognita infecting eggplant. Neem cake, P. fluorescens and T. harzianum alone and in combinations significantly reduced the incidence of root-knot disease of eggplant. Fresh and dry weight of shoots were higher in the plant where neem cake, P. fluorescens and T. harzianum had been applied, than in both M. incognita-infected plants and other treatments. The best protection of disease, in terms of reduction in number of galls (81%) and reproductive factor (Pf∕Pi < 0.5) of the nematode, was achieved through this treatment. It also enhanced yield of eggplant by up to 70%. It is suggested that integrated approach using organic amendment with bio-control agents to manage root-knot disease of eggplant under natural infestation is not only environmentally friendly but also more beneficial to growers. This approach also has potential for overcoming some of the efficacy problems that occur with application of individual biological control agent.
Acronema crassifolium sp. nov. (Apiaceae), a distinct new species from Yunnan, southwest China
Authors: WANG HUAN-CHONG , ZHOU XIN-MAO , SUN HANG , WANG YUE-HUA
Published: March 2013

Acronema crassifolium, a distinct new species endemic to Yunnan province, China, is described and illustrated. It is characterized by its thickly papery, ternate, abaxially dark purple leaves, terminal umbels with 8–13 rays, and absent calyx teeth. The pollen morphology of the new species is also described in this study.
A new species of Euphorbia (Euphorbiaceae) from Guangxi, China
Authors: MA JIN-SHUANG , LIU YAN , WEI FA-NAN
Published: March 2013

A new species of Euphorbia, Euphorbia maoershanensis, is described and illustrated according to specimens collected from Mt. Mao-er-shan, Xing’an County, Guangxi, China. The new species is a narrow endemic, known only from a single mountaintop in Mao-er-shan, and is of urgent conservation concern.
Trimelopter craibii (Hyacinthaceae, Ornithogaloideae), a new species from the North West Province of South Africa
Authors: MARTÍNEZ-AZORÍN MARIO , CRESPO MANUEL B. , DOLD ANTHONY P.
Published: March 2013

The genus Trimelopter has been recently reinstated to include Ornithogalum unifolium and other closely related species from Southern Africa, comprising up to 10 species. Within the context of a revision of Trimelopter, a new species, T. craibii, is here formally described to name plants discovered by the late Charles Craib in the North West Province of South Africa. This taxon is closely related to T. dyeri and T. unifolium, but it can be clearly differentiated by floral and vegetative characters. Data on morphology, ecology, and distribution are reported for this new species, and affinities and divergences with other closely related taxa are also discussed. The new combination T. unifolium var. vestitum is also proposed.
Charmon ramagei sp. nov., a new Charmontinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from Reunion, with a synopsis of world species
Authors: ROUSSE PASCAL
Published: March 2013

Charmon ramagei sp. nov. is described from Reunion. The small subfamily Charmontinae now comprises nine extant and one fossil species. This new species is readily distinguishable from other Charmon spp. due to the presence of a Y-shaped mid-longitudinal propodeal carina. The key to the world species of the subfamily is updated, and a synoptic table provided to compare their critical morphological features.
Biodiversity of oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) along an altitudinal gradient in the Central Alps
Authors: FISCHER BARBARA M. , SCHATZ HEINRICH
Published: March 2013

Oribatid mite communities were studied in the Central Alps(Obergurgl, Tyrol, Austria). Samples were taken on four sites along an altitudinal gradient from 2050 m a.s.l to 2900 m a.s.l., in different vegetation units (pine forest, Nardetum, Caricetum, Androsacetum). A total of 86 species were found, most of them occurred only at one altitude, four species were found in all four study sites. Three taxa could not be ascribed to a certain species (Carabodes sp. Mycobates sp., Tectocepheus sp.). Species richness and density of oribatid mites decrease with increasing altitude. The results are compared with previous studies in the same region and show remarkable shifts in species composition.
Morphology and terminology of dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) male genitalia
Authors: MEDINA CLAUDIA A. , MOLANO FREDY , SCHOLTZ CLARKE H.
Published: March 2013

The external and internal male genitalia of 327 species of 11 tribes of the subfamily Scarabaeinae, including species of Deltochilini, Scarabaeini, Gymnopleurini, Ateuchini, and Coprini, among others, were examined. Descriptions of the variations in the genital segment, the aedeagus, the internal sac, and its sclerites and raspules are presented. An exhaustive comparison of structures, names, and terminology used in literature for Scarabaeinae male genitalia are discussed. The internal sac of the aedeagus is divided in areas for an easer comparison of its internal structures; basal, submedial, medial, and apical areas are described in detail and compared. The variation of apical and medial sclerites, as well as the raspules of the submedial area, are described and compared in detail among all the taxa studied.
The milliped family Platyrhacidae (Polydesmida: Leptodesmidea) in the West Indies: Proposal of Hoffmanorhacus n. gen.; description and illustrations of males of Proaspis aitia Loomis, 1941; redescription of Nannorrhacus luciae (Pocock, 1894); hypotheses on origins and affinities; and an updated New World familial distribution
Authors: SHELLEY ROWLAND M. , MARTINEZ-TORRES DANIELA
Published: March 2013

In the New World, the milliped family Platyrhacidae (Polydesmida) is known or projected for Central Americasouth of southeastern Nicaraguaand the northern ¼ of South America, with disjunct, insular populations on Hispaniola(Haiti), Guadeloupe(Basse-Terre), and St. Lucia. Male near-topotypes enable redescription of Proaspis aitia Loomis, 1941, possibly endemic to the western end of the southern Haitian peninsula. The tibiotarsus of its biramous gonopodal telopodite bends strongly laterad, and the medially directed solenomere arises at midlength proximal to the bend. With a uniramous telopodite, P. sahlii Jeekel, 1980, on Guadeloupe, is not congeneric, and Hoffmanorhacus, n. gen., is erected to accommodate it. Nannorrhacus luciae (Pocock, 1894), onSt. Lucia, is redescribed; also with a biramous telopodite, its tibiotarsus arises distad and diverges from the coaxial solenomere. The Antillean species do not comprise a clade and are only distantly related; rather than introductions, they plausibly reflect ancestral occurrences on the “proto-Antillean” terrain before it rifted from “proto-SouthAmerica” in the Cretaceous/Paleocene, with fragmentation isolating modern forms on their present islands. Existing platyrhacid tribes are formally elevated to subfamilies as this category was omitted from recent taxonomies. Without unequivocal evidence to the contrary, geographically anomalous species should initially be regarded as indigenous rather than anthropochoric.
Preliminary report on the living non-marine Ostracoda (Crustacea) from Tunisia with the description of a new Psychrodromus species
Authors: ZAIBI CHAHIRA , SCHARF BURKHARD , VIEHBERG FINN ANDREAS , KEYSER DIETMAR , KAMOUN FEKRI
Published: March 2013

Since 1928, Henri Gauthier has been the only zoologist to describe the extant non-marine ostracod fauna of Tunisia. In 2010, new samples of living non-marine ostracods were collected from central and southern Tunisia. A complete list of the 41 non-marine ostracods of Tunisiais presented, including the species of Gauthier’s work, published Holocene records, and new results from our field study. Historical faunal variations (El Melah Lagoon, Lac de Tunis, Sebkhas El- Guettiate and Dreîaa, and Lac Ichkeul) are briefly discussed and related to recent environmental changes. In 2006, El Melah Lagoon contained a freshwater, brackish, and a marine ostracod assemblage. In the future, this lagoon will probably dry up and become a sebkha. Lac de Tunis has developed from a marine bay over a lagoon connected to the Mediterranean Seato a brackish/freshwater environment. Sebkhas El-Guettiate and Dreîaa have developed from marine bays to dry salt flats. Lac Ichkeul is eutrophied and has become brackish since the time of Gauthier. We also describe a new species, Psychrodromus tunisicus n. sp., and present a determination key for the genus. The finding of a species of the genus Psychrodromus is the first report of this genus inNorth Africa.
A taxonomic review of the Golden-green Woodpecker, Piculus chrysochloros (Aves: Picidae) reveals the existence of six valid taxa
Authors: DEL-RIO GLAUCIA , SILVEIRA LUÍS FÁBIO , CAVARZERE VAGNER , RÊGO MARCO ANTONIO
Published: March 2013

Piculus chrysochloros (Vieillot 1818) is a species of woodpecker that ranges from Argentina to Panama, occurring in lowland forests as well as Cerrado, Caatinga and Chaco vegetation. Currently, nine subspecies are accepted, but no study has evaluated individual variation within populations, so the status of these taxa remains uncertain. Here we review the taxonomy and distribution of this species, based on morphological and morphometric data from 267 specimens deposited in ornithological collections. Our results suggest the existence of six unambiguous taxonomic units that can be treated as phylogenetic species: Piculus xanthochloros (Sclater & Salvin 1875), from northwestern South America; Piculus capistratus (Malherbe 1862), from northern Amazonia west to the Branco River; Piculus laemostictus Todd 1937, from southern Amazonia; Piculus chrysochloros (Vieillot 1818), from the Cerrado, Caatinga and Chaco; Piculus paraensis (Snethlage 1907) from the Belém Center of Endemism; and Piculus polyzonus (Valenciennes 1826) from the Atlantic Forest. Both Brazilian endemics (P. polyzonus and P. paraensis) are threatened due to habitat loss. In addition, we found one undescribed form from the Tapajós-Tocantins interfluve, now under study, that may prove to be a valid species once more specimens and other data become available.
Xenoschesis Förster (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) parasitizing webspinning and leafrolling sawflies with descriptions of four new species and a key to Chinese species
Authors: SHENG MAO-LING , SUN SHU-PING , WANG TAO
Published: March 2013

Seven species of Xenoschesis Förster, 1869, are reported from China. Four species, X. (Polycinetis) inareolata Sheng & Sun, sp. n. from Liaoning Province, X. (Polycinetis) truncata Sheng & Sun, sp. n. from Liaoning, Jilin and Henan Prov-inces, X. (Xenoschesis) tianzhuensis Sheng & Sun, sp. n. and X. (Xenoschesis) weii Sheng & Sun, sp. n. collected in Anhui Province are new to science. One, X. (Xenoschesis) fulvipes (Gravenhorst) was reared from Acantholyda parki Shinohara & Byun and A. posticalis Matsumura, is new record for China. Xenoschesis (Xenoschesis) crassicornis Uchida was reared from A. erythrocephala (L.) and A. parki Shinohara & Byun. A key to species of Xenoschesis Förster known inChina is provided.
Control of Decadal and Bidecadal Climate Variability in the Tropical Pacific by the Off-Equatorial South Pacific Ocean
Authors: Tatebe Hiroaki , Imada Yukiko , Mori Masato , Kimoto Masahide , Hasumi Hiroyasu
Published: March 2013

Delayed negative feedback processes determining intrinsic decadal and bidecadal time scales for the tropical variability in the Pacific are investigated based on climate model experiments. By comparing a control run driven by preindustrial forcing and partial blocking runs driven by the same forcing but with ocean temperature and salinity restored to climatology in selected regions, subsurface oceanic signals of South Pacific origin are shown to precede SST variability in the Niño-3.4 region. Using a linear reduced-gravity ocean model driven only by wind stress changes and an offline tracer model, oceanic wave adjustment triggered by changes of wind stress curl in the South Pacific extratropics is suggested to be essential for the decadal component of the equatorial SST, while slower isopycnal advection of subsurface temperature anomalies from the formation region of South Pacific Eastern Subtropical Mode Water controls the bidecadal component. The intrinsic time scales of the tropical variability are regulated by simple linear ocean dynamics.
ENSO Contribution to Aerosol Variations over the Maritime Continent and the Western North Pacific during 2000–10
Authors: Wu Renguang , Wen Zhiping , He Zhuoqi
Published: March 2013

This study investigates interannual aerosol variations over the Maritime Continent and the western North Pacific Ocean and aerosol–cloud–precipitation relationship during the period 2000–10 based on monthly-mean anomalies. The local aerosol–cloud–precipitation relationship displays strong regional characteristics. The aerosol variation is negatively correlated with cloud and precipitation variation over the Maritime Continent, but is positively correlated with cloud and precipitation variation over the region southeast of Japan. Over broad subtropical oceanic regions, the aerosol variation is positively correlated with cloud variation, but has a weak correlation with precipitation variation. Aerosol variations over the Maritime Continent and over the region southeast of Japan display a biennial feature with an obvious phase lag of about 8 months in the latter region during 2001–07. This biennial feature is attributed to the impacts of El Niño events on aerosol variations in these regions through large-scale circulation and precipitation changes. Around October of El Niño–developing years, the suppressed precipitation over the Maritime Continent favors an aerosol increase by reducing the wet deposition and setting up dry conditions favorable for fire burning. During early summer of El Niño–decaying years, suppressed heating around the Philippines as a delayed response to El Niño warming induces an anomalous lower-level cyclone over the region to the southeast of Japan through an atmospheric teleconnection, leading to an accumulation of aerosol and increase of precipitation. The aerosol–precipitation relationship shows an obvious change with time over eastern China, leading to an overall weak correlation.
What do 1000 smokers with mental illness say about their tobacco use?
Authors: Ashton Maxie , Rigby Ashlee , Galletly Cherrie
Published: March 2013

Objective:

To determine what motivates smokers with mental illness to participate in a smoking cessation or reduction programme and to report their attendance and cessation rates.

Method:

A group programme was provided to assist smokers with mental illness to cease or reduce their use of tobacco. People who registered to address their tobacco use completed a questionnaire which included information about their mental health, tobacco use, and what they wanted to achieve by attending the programme.

Results:

A total of 1043 smokers living with mental illness contacted the programme and asked for help to address their tobacco use between 2000 and 2011. At the first contact they were smoking an average of 27.4 cigarettes per day and had been smoking for 23.8 years, and 87% said they wanted to quit tobacco and a further 10% wanted to smoke less: 85% said they were concerned about the effect that smoking tobacco was having on their health, 56% were concerned for financial reasons, and nearly half (47.6%) said that they were concerned about both their physical health and their financial situation. In Adelaide, 148 Tobacco Free programmes were provided by mental health services. Of those who attended at least one session and completed an evaluation at the end of the programme, 22.5% reported not smoking. Most remained motivated to continue to address their tobacco use and many registered for a further programme.

Conclusions:

Many smokers living with serious mental illness are concerned about the impact of tobacco use on their health and finances and are motivated to address it. Group treatment programmes specifically designed for these people can achieve good cessation rates and should be readily accessible to all smokers with mental illness.
A General Cognitive Diagnosis Model for Expert-Defined Polytomous Attributes
Authors: Chen Jinsong , de la Torre Jimmy
Published: March 2013

Polytomous attributes, particularly those defined as part of the test development process, can provide additional diagnostic information. The present research proposes the polytomous generalized deterministic inputs, noisy, “and” gate (pG-DINA) model to accommodate such attributes. The pG-DINA model allows input from substantive experts to specify attribute levels and is a general model that subsumes various reduced models. In addition to model formulation, the authors evaluate the viability of the proposed model by examining how well the model parameters can be estimated under various conditions, and compare its classification accuracy against that of the conventional G-DINA model with a modified classification rule. A real-data example is used to illustrate the application of the model in practice.
What Factors Affect Information Technology Firm Location Choices in Middle America? An Examination of Regional and Industrial Variation in Kansas
Authors: Cader Hanas A. , Crespi John M. , Leatherman John C.
Published: March 2013

The importance of information technologies in regional economic performance is widely accepted but only widely studied in more populous regions in the United States. Local and state development practitioners and policy makers actively court and promote Information Technology (IT)—intensive industries in rural areas. Despite various promotional efforts, relatively little is known about the specific location requirements of such industries, however, especially in lower population areas of the United States such as the mostly rural Midwest. In this article, the authors examine the location choice preferences of firms in three IT industry sectors in metro, metro-adjacent, and nonmetro regions using a highly detailed data set of Kansas industries. The modeling framework combines both conditional logit and Poisson regression models. The results indicate that average establishment size, industry clustering, labor intensity, and county employment growth explain variations in industry location choice preferences across regions.
City Air and City Markets
Authors: Krupka Douglas J. , Noonan Douglas S.
Published: March 2013

Higher nominal wages in urban areas are well-documented phenomena which imply higher productivity of urban workers. Yankow and Wheeler show that these gains come through a variety of sources including static agglomeration economies and dynamic learning and matching efficiencies in cities. Yet, earlier articles offer little evidence of how the effects of learning and matching on urban wage differentials vary by city size. This article allows for the relative importance of these productivity advantages to differ according to the size of the city and finds significant differences between small, medium, and large cities. We find that learning efficiencies are most important in medium-sized cities, while a mix of learning and matching efficiencies are important in the largest and smallest cities.
The Impact of Welfare States on the Division of Housework in the Family
Authors: Tamilina Larysa , Tamilina Natalya
Published: March 2013

This study reviews the relationship between social policy and the division of domestic chores in the family by providing a new theoretical framework for housework reallocation. We argue that if presented as a dual process composed of modern values formation and behavioral compliance with such values, the reallocation of unpaid labor can be affected by a wide set of welfare state policies. In particular, education or labor market policies contribute to the emergence of modern values, while child care provision or poverty alleviation practices facilitate behavioral compliance with them. We suggest that the level of symmetry in the distribution of domestic chores in families is a function of whether or not policies promoting both stages of the reallocation are introduced. In addition, we demonstrate what may result if only one of them becomes a key target of welfare state activities. This theoretical framework is tested on data from the European Social Survey (2004) for 25 countries, using a variety of statistical techniques.
Motivators and Barriers to Participating in Health Promotion Behaviors in Black Men
Authors: Calvert Wilma J. , Isaac-Savage E. Paulette
Published: March 2013

There is limited research examining the health promotion behaviors (HPBs) of low-income Black men. This study examined the relationship between HPBs, and motivators and barriers to participating in these behaviors in Black men ( N = 107), aged 21 to 56. Using descriptive statistics, more than 96% of the participants reported they were motivated because of the desire to be healthy. Canonical correlation analysis and conditional random forest were used to determine the importance of individual motivators and barriers. Canonical correlation analysis yielded one interpretable canonical variate that explained 39.5% of the variance in sets of motivators and barriers, and health promotion lifestyle variables. Men with fewer motivators and more barriers took less responsibility for their health, participated in less physical activity, and reported less spiritual growth. Having too many things to do and not knowing what to do best predicted participation in HPBs.
The Expert Witness in Medical Malpractice Litigation
Authors: Johnston James C. , Sartwelle Thomas P.
Published: March 2013

Neurologists have professional, ethical, and social obligations to ensure that expert witness testimony is reliable, objective, and truthful. In the past, an absence of professional regulatory oversight combined with immunity from civil litigation allowed the partisan expert to flourish. This is no longer the case. The expert witness unquestionably faces an increasingly perilous liability climate, and must be cognizant of the legal rules and procedures. The authors provide guidelines with risk management strategies for the neurologist serving as an expert witness.
Longitudinal Changes in Suck-Swallow-Breathe, Oxygen Saturation, and Heart Rate Patterns in Term Breastfeeding Infants
Authors: Sakalidis Vanessa S. , Kent Jacqueline C. , Garbin Catherine P. , Hepworth Anna R. , Hartmann Peter E. , Geddes Donna T.
Published: March 2013

Background:

Despite the differences in breastfeeding and bottle-feeding, our understanding of how suck-swallow-breathe (SSwB), oxygenation, and heart rate patterns change as the infant ages is based predominantly on bottle-feeding studies. Therefore, this study aimed to measure how SSwB, oxygenation, and heart rate patterns changed during the first 4 months of lactation in term breastfeeding infants.

Methods:

Infants less than 1 month postpartum (n = 15) were monitored early in lactation and again later in lactation (2-4 months postpartum). Simultaneous recordings of vacuum, tongue movement, respiration, swallowing, oxygen saturation, and heart rate were made during both nutritive sucking and non-nutritive sucking during breastfeeding.

Results:

Infants transferred a similar amount of milk ( P = .15) over a shorter duration later in lactation ( P = .04). Compared to early lactation, suck bursts became longer ( P < .001), pauses became shorter ( P < .001), vacuum levels decreased (all P < .05), oxygen saturation increased ( P < .001), and heart rate decreased ( P < .001) later in lactation.

Conclusion:

This study confirmed that term infants become more efficient at breastfeeding as they age, primarily by extending their suck bursts and pausing less. Although infants demonstrated satisfactory SSwB coordination during early lactation, they showed a level of adaption or conditioning at later lactation by applying weaker vacuum levels and demonstrating improved cardiorespiratory responses.
Introducing Solids and Water to Australian Infants
Authors: Brodribb Wendy , Miller Yvette
Published: March 2013

Background:

Recommendations for the introduction of solids and fluids to an infant’s diet have changed over the past decade. Since these changes, there has been minimal research to determine patterns in the introduction of foods and fluids to infants.

Methods:

This retrospective cohort study surveyed mothers who birthed in Queensland, Australia, from February 1 to May 31, 2010, around 4 months postpartum. Frequencies of foods and fluids given to infants at 4, 8, 13, and 17 weeks were described. Logistic regression determined associations between infant feeding practices, the introduction of other foods and fluids at 17 weeks, and sociodemographic characteristics.

Results:

Response rate was 35.8%. At 17 weeks, 68% of infants were breastfed and 33% exclusively breastfed. Solids and water had been introduced in 8.6% and 35.0% of infants, respectively. The introduction of solids by 17 weeks was associated with younger maternal age and the infant being given water and infant formula at 4 weeks. The infant being given water at 17 weeks was associated with younger maternal age, the infant being given infant formula at 4 weeks, level of education, relative socioeconomic disadvantage, parity, and birth facility.

Conclusion:

Over the past decade, there has been a significant reduction in the proportion of infants in Australia who have been given solids by 17 weeks. Sociodemographic characteristics and formula feeding practices at 4 weeks were associated with the introduction of solids and water by 17 weeks. Further research should examine these barriers to improve compliance with current infant feeding recommendations.