bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abstract 15015: Clinical Outcomes of Patients With Heart Failure With Improved Ejection Fraction After Acute MI: A Multicenter Prospective Study From the COREA-AMI Registry
Authors: kim yeo reum , Shin Sang Hoon , Shin Chang Yong , lee junghyuck , Kim Do Young , Lee Hyun Ki , Roh Kyung Hoon , KIM YONGHEE , Seung Jaeho , Jung Moon Kyung , Kim Kyung An , Lee Kwan Yong , Hwang Byung-Hee , Chang Kiyuk
Published: December 2023

Background:
The 2021 Universal Definition of Heart Failure introduce a new classification, heart failure with improved ejection fraction (HFimpEF). As yet, little is known about the long-term clinical outcomes of patients with HFimpEF after acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods:
From a multicenter, prospective cohort of AMI patients undergoing PCI, patients with an initial TTE at the time of PCI and at least one follow-up TTE 1 month to 2 years after the initial event were considered for analysis. HFimpEF was defined as initial left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)≤40% and at least one follow-up LVEF>40% with an increase of ≥10% from baseline. Persistent HFrEF was defined as LVEF ≤40% without interval improvement. Patients with LVEF>40% were defined as having preserved LVEF. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality.

Results:
In total, 3038 patients with repeated TTE measurements were selected for initial analysis. 187 patients were identified as having HFimpEF, 190 patients had persistent HFrEF, 631 patients had HFmrEF, and 2030 patients had preserved EF. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that HFimpEF was associated with improved survival compared to chronic HFrEF, but inferior to preserved LVEF (log-rank p<0.001). Even after multivariate Cox regression analysis was done to account for confounding variables, HFimpEF was associated with reduced mortality compared to persistent HFrEF (HR 0.49, 95% CI 0.31-0.78). Compared to patients with preserved LVEF, HFimpEF patients had a tendency toward higher mortality, but did not reach statistical significance (HR 1.18, 95% CI 0.80-1.76).

Conclusion:
HFimpEF is associated with decreased all-cause mortality compared to persistent HFrEF in patients with AMI.

Figure 1.
Kaplan-Meier Survival Analysis According to Changes in LVEF
Long-Term Follow-Up of Patients With Elevated Aldosterone-to-Renin Ratio but Negative Confirmatory Test: The Progression of Primary Aldosteronism Phenotypes
Authors: Buffolo Fabrizio , Pecori Alessio , Reincke Martin , Outland Merve , Veglio Franco , Schwarzlmüller Paul , Bidlingmaier Martin , Kunz Sonja , Stremmel Christopher , Mengozzi Giulio , Priolo Gabriella , Mulatero Paolo , Adolf Christian , Monticone Silvia
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND:

About 10% of patients with arterial hypertension have a positive screening test for primary aldosteronism (PA) and 50% to 70% of them have a negative confirmatory test: the appropriate follow-up of these patients is currently unknown. We investigated the incidence of PA in patients with previous negative confirmatory testing, after at least a 2-year follow-up.

METHODS:

One hundred eighty-four patients with a previously elevated aldosterone-to-renin ratio followed by a negative confirmatory test were recruited in 2 hypertension centers (Torino and Munich). We repeated the screening test for PA and, if positive, the confirmatory test (seated saline infusion test or captopril challenge test). Primary end point of the study was the incidence of newly diagnosed overt PA, as defined by a positive confirmatory test.

RESULTS:

After a mean follow-up of 5 years, 20% of patients developed overt PA. When subtype diagnosis was offered systematically, one-third of patients displayed unilateral PA. Patients who developed PA showed worsening of blood pressure control and a higher rate of cardiac organ damage, despite similar implementation of antihypertensive therapy, compared with patients without PA. A mild progression of autonomous aldosterone secretion was evident even in patients without confirmed PA but with relatively stable control of blood pressure levels over time.

CONCLUSIONS:

About one-fifth of patients with a negative confirmatory test develop overt PA over time. A clinical follow-up of patients with a negative confirmatory test is advisable, along with the repetition of PA investigation, primarily in patients with worsening of blood pressure control.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Office Blood Pressure Measurement and Home Blood Pressure Monitoring for Hypertension Screening Among Adults: Results From the IDH Study
Authors: Mizuno Hiroyuki , Choi Eunhee , Kario Kazuomi , Muntner Paul , Fang Chloe L. , Liu Justin , Sangapalaarachchi Dona N. , Lam Michael , Yano Yuichiro , Schwartz Joseph E. , Shimbo Daichi
Published: December 2023

Background

Using high awake blood pressure (BP; ≥130/80 mm Hg) on ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) as a reference, the purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of high office BP (≥130/80 mm Hg) at an initial visit and high confirmatory office BP (≥130/80 mm Hg), and separately, high home BP (≥130/80 mm Hg) among participants with high office BP (≥130/80 mm Hg) at an initial office visit.

Methods and Results

The accuracy of office BP measurements using the oscillometric method for detecting high BP on ABPM was determined among 379 participants with complete office BP and ABPM data in the IDH (Improving the Detection of Hypertension) study. For detecting high BP on ABPM, the accuracy of high confirmatory office BP using the oscillometric method and, separately, high home BP was also determined among the subgroup of 122 participants with high office BP at an initial visit and complete home BP monitoring data. High office BP had moderate sensitivity (0.61 [95% CI, 0.53–0.68]) and high specificity (0.85 [95% CI, 0.80–0.90]) for high awake BP. High confirmatory office BP and high home BP had moderate sensitivity (0.69 [95% CI, 0.59–0.79] and 0.79 [95% CI, 0.71–0.87], respectively) and low and moderate specificity (0.44 [95% CI, 0.27–0.61] and 0.72 [95% CI, 0.56–0.88], respectively).

Conclusions

Many individuals with high BP on ABPM do not have high office BP. Confirmatory office BP and home blood pressure monitoring also had limited ability to identify individuals with high BP on ABPM.
APOL1
Risk Variants Associate With the Prevalence of Stroke in African American Current and Past Smokers
Authors: Rakic Jelena Mustra , Pullinger Clive R. , Van Blarigan Erin L. , Movsesyan Irina , Stock Eveline Oestreicher , Malloy Mary J. , Kane John P.
Published: December 2023

Background

African American smokers have 2.5 times higher risk for stroke compared with nonsmokers (higher than other races). About 50% of the African American population carry 1 or 2 genetic variants (G1 and G2; rare in other races) of the apolipoprotein L1 gene (
APOL1
). Studies showed these variants may be associated with stroke. However, the role of the
APOL1
risk variants in tobacco‐related stroke is unknown.

Methods and Results

In a cross‐sectional study, we examined whether
APOL1
risk variants modified the relationship between tobacco smoking and stroke prevalence in 513 African American adults recruited at University of California, San Francisco. Using DNA, plasma, and questionnaires we determined
APOL1
variants, smoking status, and stroke prevalence. Using logistic regression models, we examined the association between smoking (
ever
versus
never
smokers) and stroke overall, and among carriers of
APOL1
risk variants (1 or 2 risk alleles), and noncarriers, separately. Among participants, 41% were
ever
(
current
and
past
) smokers, 54% were carriers of the
APOL1
risk variants, and 41 had a history of stroke. The association between smoking and stroke differed by
APOL1
genotype (
P
interaction term
=0.014). Among carriers,
ever
versus
never
smokers had odds ratio (OR) 2.46 (95% CI, 1.08–5.59) for stroke (
P
=0.034); OR 2.00 (95% CI, 0.81–4.96) among carriers of 1 risk allele, and OR 4.72 (95% CI, 0.62–36.02) for 2 risk alleles. Among noncarriers, smoking was not associated with a stroke.

Conclusions

Current and past smokers who carry
APOL1
G1 and/or G2 risk variants may be more susceptible to stroke among the African American population.
Risk of Ischemic Heart Disease in Patients With Postpancreatectomy Diabetes and Pancreatic Cancer: A Population‐Based Study
Authors: Yoo Daegwang , Kang Minsun , Jung Jaehun
Published: December 2023

Background

Postpancreatectomy diabetes can be caused by resection of functioning pancreatic tissue and is associated with postoperative pancreatic islet cell mass loss and subsequent endocrine dysfunction. Diabetes is a well‐known risk factor for ischemic heart disease. However, no previous studies have investigated ischemic heart disease in patients with postpancreatectomy diabetes and pancreatic cancer.

Methods and Results

Rates of patients with diabetes diagnosed with pancreatic cancer who underwent pancreatectomy between 2002 and 2019 in South Korea were obtained from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. Patient‐level propensity score matching was conducted to reduce the possibility of selection bias, and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine the association between postpancreatectomy diabetes and ischemic heart disease. In total, 30 242 patients were initially enrolled in the study. After applying exclusion criteria and propensity score matching, 2952 patients were included in the comparative analysis between the postpancreatectomy group with diabetes and the group without diabetes. Patients in the postpancreatectomy group with diabetes had significantly higher rates of ischemic heart disease than those in the group without diabetes. In total, 3432 patients were included in the comparison between the postpancreatectomy and prepancreatectomy groups with diabetes. There was no significant difference in the risk of ischemic heart disease between the postpancreatectomy and prepancreatectomy groups with diabetes.

Conclusions

Patients who developed diabetes after pancreatectomy had a higher risk of ischemic heart disease than patients who did not develop diabetes after pancreatectomy, and the rate of ischemic heart disease in these patients was similar to that in patients preoperatively diagnosed with diabetes.
One‐Year Outcomes According to Mitral Regurgitation Etiology Following Transcatheter Edge‐to‐Edge Repair With the PASCAL System: Results From a Multicenter Registry
Authors: von Stein Philipp , Besler Christian , Riebisch Matthias , Al‐Hammadi Osamah , Ruf Tobias , Gerçek Muhammed , Grothusen Christina , Mehr Michael , Becher Marc Ulrich , Friedrichs Kai , Öztürk Can , Baldus Stephan , Guthoff Henning , Rassaf Tienush , Thiele Holger , Nickenig Georg , Hausleiter Jörg , Möllmann Helge , Horn Patrick , Kelm Malte , Rudolph Volker , von Bardeleben Ralph‐Stephan , Nef Holger M. , Luedike Peter , Lurz Philipp , Pfister Roman , Mauri Victor
Published: December 2023

Background

We previously reported procedural and 30‐day outcomes of a German early multicenter experience with the PASCAL system for severe mitral regurgitation (MR). This study reports 1‐year outcomes of mitral valve transcatheter edge‐to‐edge repair with the PASCAL system according to MR etiology in a large all‐comer cohort.

Methods and Results

Clinical and echocardiographic outcomes up to 1‐year were investigated according to MR etiology (degenerative [DMR], functional [FMR], or mixed [MMR]) in the first 282 patients with symptomatic MR 3+/4+ treated with the PASCAL implant at 9 centers in 2019. A total of 282 patients were included (33% DMR, 50% FMR, 17% MMR). At discharge, MR reduction to ≤1+/2+ was achieved in 58%/87% of DMR, in 75%/97% of FMR, and in 78%/98% of patients with MMR (
P
=0.004). MR reduction to ≤1+/2+ was sustained at 30 days (50%/83% DMR, 67%/97% FMR, 74%/100% MMR) and at 1 year (53%/78% DMR, 75%/97% FMR, 67%/91% MMR) with significant differences between etiologies. DMR patients with residual MR 3+/4+ at 1‐year had at least complex valve morphology in 91.7%. Valve‐related reintervention was performed in 7.4% DMR, 0.7% FMR, and 0.0% MMR (
P
=0.010). At 1‐year, New York Heart Association Functional Class was significantly improved irrespective of MR etiology (
P
<0.001).

Conclusions

In this large all‐comer cohort, mitral valve transcatheter edge‐to‐edge repair with the PASCAL system was associated with an acute and sustained MR reduction at 1‐year in all causes. However, in patients with DMR, MR reduction was less pronounced, reflecting the high incidence of complex or very complex anatomies being referred for mitral valve transcatheter edge‐to‐edge repair.
Stance Detection with Explanations
Authors: Saha Rudra Ranajee , Lakshmanan Laks V. S. , Ng Raymond T.
Published: December 2023

Identification of stance has recently gained a lot of attention with the extreme growth of fake news and filter bubbles. Over the last decade, many feature-based and deep-learning approaches have been proposed to solve stance detection. However, almost none of the existing works focus on providing a meaningful explanation for their prediction. In this work, we study stance detection with an emphasis on generating explanations for the predicted stance by capturing the pivotal argumentative structure embedded in a document. We propose to build a stance tree that utilizes rhetorical parsing to construct an evidence tree and to use Dempster Shafer Theory to aggregate the evidence. Human studies show that our unsupervised technique of generating stance explanations outperforms the SOTA extractive summarization method in terms of informativeness, non-redundancy, coverage, and overall quality. Furthermore, experiments show that our explanation-based stance prediction excels or matches the performance of the SOTA model on various benchmark datasets.
The Construction of Global Hierarchies through Disarmament Law
Authors: Hood Anna
Published: December 2023

This article explores how the Great Powers have employed different forms of disarmament law as tools of governance for constructing and reinforcing global hierarchies since the end of the nineteenth century. I argue that some of the laws have affected entities’ statehood, some have impacted states’ sovereignty, some have worked to symbolically lower the status of states in the eyes of the international community, and some have been infused with civilisational rhetoric that has portrayed the Great Powers as civilised entities while casting others as uncivilised. The article then turns to consider what impact the handful of disarmament law initiatives that have not been spearheaded by the Great Powers have had on global hierarchies. I contend that these treaties have done little to challenge the hierarchies entrenched by the Great Powers’ disarmament practices but that a few of them can, in limited ways, be understood as attempting to create alternative hierarchies in the international system.
Protecting Children’s Rights to Development and Culture by Re-Imagining “Ocean Literacies”
Authors: Strand Mia , Shields Sophie , Morgera Elisa , McGarry Dylan , Lancaster Alana Malinde S.N. , Brown Lindy , Snow Bernadette
Published: December 2023

This paper explores the relevance of existing international legal standards on children’s human rights to a healthy ocean. In particular, we reflect on the still underestimated importance of a healthy ocean for children’s human right to development and cultural rights. Focusing on environmental education, we argue that the concept of ocean literacy should rather be conceptualised as a plurality of “ocean literacies”, better to account for multiple ocean knowledges. Ocean literacies in environmental education should be re-imagined to emphasise a systems approach to the ocean, integrating aspects of environmental justice and avoiding the psychological pressure on children to be responsible for the future of the environment. The paper concludes by providing specific recommendations for contextualising and re-imagining ocean literacies in a time where there is an increased global focus on ocean literacy through the UN Ocean Decade.
A gutsy performance: the potential for supplementation of short-chain fatty acids to benefit athletic health, exercise performance, and recovery
Authors: Ong M.L.Y. , Green C.G. , Bongiovanni T. , Heaney L.M.
Published: December 2023

The gut microbiome is known to play an important role in the day-to-day physiology and health of the human host. It is, therefore, not surprising that there is interest surrounding the gut microbiome and its potential to benefit athletic health and performance. This has, in part, been driven by the consideration that gut bacterial by-products (i.e. metabolic waste) could be harnessed by the host and utilised for a beneficial outcome. The concept of harnessing bacterial metabolites as beneficial health modulators has developed the theory of leveraging short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) as novel supplements for enhancing athletic performance. This review discusses the current literature investigating SCFA administration in cellular, animal, and human models, with the aim of linking the demonstrated physiological/biochemical mechanisms to potential exercise/athletic benefit. In addition, practical implications and factors relating to SCFA-supplementation in athletic populations are considered. The literature demonstrates a tangible rationale that SCFAs can have a positive impact on human physiology to afford benefits to the athletic population. These advantages include the capacity to improve respiratory immunity to combat elevated levels/severity of upper respiratory tract infections often reported in athletes; the blunting of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic pathways to aid in exercise recovery; and the role of SCFAs as usable energy sources and metabolism modulators to fuel exercise and improve performance and/or endurance capacity. However, there is currently minimal research completed in human participants and thus further investigations into the direct benefit of SCFAs in exercise performance and/or recovery-based studies are required.
Genetic differentiation among three species of mud snails (Cerithioidea: Gastropoda) from South Sulawesi, Indonesia by means of isozymes
Authors: LATAMA GUNARTO , SIMONSEN VIBEKE
Published: December 2023

A total of 137 mud snails collected along the southern part of Sulawesi, Indonesia were analysed for 12 enzymes encoded by 14 loci. Two species, Cerithium coralium and Cerithidea microptera, were only found at one of four localities sampled whereas Cerithidea cingulata was present at all four localities. Deficiencies of heterozygotes were seen for several of the loci, mainly for C. coralium and C. microptera. The enzyme phosphoglucomutase was species-specific for C. coralium and revealed a unique allele for C. cingulata from the western part of South Sulawesi. The total sample was assigned to four groups; two of the groups corresponded to the species C. coralium and C. microptera, but C. cingulata divided into two groups, one consisting of the sample from the western part of South Sulawesi and the other of three samples representing the southern and eastern coastline. Determination of the significance of the differentiation among the C. cingulata samples requires further study.
Unio zelebori Dunker in Dunker amp; Zelebor, 1866, a form of Cafferia caffra (Krauss, 1848) (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Unionidae)
Authors: MARSHALL BRUCE A. , FENWICK MARK C.
Published: December 2023

Unio zelebori Dunker in Dunker Zelebor, 1866, long accepted as being of New Zealand origin and a synonym of Hyridella (Echyridella) menziesii (Gray, 1843), is based on mislocalised specimens of the southern African fresh-water mussel Cafferia caffra (Krauss, 1848). A syntype of U. zelebori is illustrated.
Patterns of occurrence of grazing molluscs on sandstone and concrete seawalls inSydney Harbour (Australia)
Authors: MOREIRA J.
Published: December 2023

Proliferation of artificial structures is a common feature in urbanized environments. In Sydney Harbour (NSW, Australia), much of the coastline is composed of seawalls that have replaced natural habitats, such as rocky shores. Many of these seawalls are made of sandstone blocks or concrete, but the effects of the type of substratum on assemblages living on seawalls has not been documented. Nevertheless, differences in characteristics of substratum have been shown to affect composition and development of intertidal assemblages. Grazing molluscs are important agents in the structuring of intertidal assemblages affecting numbers and distribution of other organisms. This study compares species and numbers of grazing molluscs at midshore levels between concrete and sandstone seawalls across Sydney Harbour. The two habitats supported a similar suite of species, although in different numbers and frequencies of occurrence, particularly higher on the shore. Therefore, concrete and sandstone seawalls provide different habitat for intertidal molluscs depending on tidal height. Experimental work is needed to assess properly the impact of construction of seawalls with different materials on intertidal biodiversity.
The occurrence ofEctinochilusCossmann, 1889 (Gastropoda; Strombidae) in NewZealand, with the description of two new Eocene species
Authors: BURGER ADRI W.
Published: December 2023

Two new species of the Tethyan gastropod genus Ectinochilus from the Bortonian (Middle Eocene) of south Canterbury, South Island, New Zealand are described: E. trisfragmentum n. sp. and E. antipodarum n. sp. The possible modes of dispersal of this genus are briefly discussed in relation to the known occurrence of species of the genus.
Anatomy and relationships of SuterillaThiele (Caenogastropoda: Assimineidae) with descriptions of four new species
Authors: FUKUDA HIROSHI , PONDER WINSTON F. , MARSHALL BRUCE A.
Published: December 2023

The assimineid genus Suterilla, previously known only from New Zealand, including the Kermadec Islands, is revised using shell, radular and anatomical characters. In addition to the type species S. neozelanica (Murdoch, 1899), four new species are described, S. climoi and S. imperforata from northern New Zealand, S. julieae from northwestern Tasmania and S. fluviatilis from Norfolk Island. All species except the last are found in marine high tidal and supratidal locations, while the Norfolk Island species lives amphibiously in a freshwater stream. These five species are distinguishable chiefly by the characters of the penis and pallial oviduct. A morphology-based cladistic analysis places Suterilla as a primitive member of the subfamily Omphalotropidinae. New information is provided for the amphibious freshwater Tutuilana striata Hubendick, from Samoa, the sister taxon of Suterilla.
A review of feeding specificity in the sponge-feeding Chromodorididae<br (Nudibranchia: Mollusca)
Authors: RUDMAN W.B. , BERGQUIST P.R.
Published: December 2023

New feeding information on 108 species of the sponge-feeding chromodorid nudibranchs is presented, and published information for 63 species re-evaluated. The combined information for 137 species shows a clear pattern of food specificity, at both species and genus levels. New feeding information on the related Actinocyclidae is also presented. Species of Chromodoris and related genera prefer darwinellids; Hypselodoris and its relatives feed on dysideids, and Glossodoris feed exclusively on thorectids. The ‘basal’ genera, Cadlina, Cadlinella are less specialised but both they and species of the anatomically similar family Actinocyclidae seem linked by their common choice of Halisarca. Exceptions to the pattern suggest the genus Chromodoris is polyphyletic. The evolution of feeding in the Chromodorididae is discussed, and the patterns of food specificity are shown to strongly support prevailing hypotheses on chromodorid evolution. Recent taxonomic studies within the sponge orders Dictyoceratida and Dendroceratida have been essential to this study, enabling the re-identification of many of the food sponges, and the use of marker secondary metabolites in both the nudibranchs and their sponge prey.
A new genus and species of land snail of the family Camaenidae from New SouthWales
Authors: ZHANG WEIHONG , SHEA MICHAEL
Published: December 2023

Sauroconcha caperteeana n.gen., n.sp. is described from the southern Capertee Valley in the Great Dividing Range of mid eastern New South Wales, Australia. Sauroconcha is evidently related to Meridolum, which is widely distributed in eastern New South Wales and south eastern Queensland, and to Glyptorhagada of South Australia but distinguished from both on shell and reproductive characters. The relationships and conservation status of Sauroconcha are discussed.
Polyploidy in three sphaeriids (Bivalvia: Veneroida) from Korea
Authors: PARK G. M.
Published: December 2023

In this paper, polyploidy is reported to occur in three species of Korean Sphaeriidae, Musculium cf. lacustre, Sphaerium cf. corneum and Sphaerium sp. The mitotic chromosome numbers of M. cf. lacustre and S. cf. corneum are both 190, and Sphaerium sp. has a mitotic chromosome number of 171. The basic chromosome number of these Sphaeriidae is probably x=19. Because of the large number of chromosomes present it is difficult to determine ploidy, but M. cf. lacustre and S. cf. corneum may be decaploid and Sphaerium sp. may be nonaploid.
Heleobia dobrogica (Grossu amp; Negrea, 1989)(Gastropoda: Rissooidea: Cochliopidae) and the estimated time of its isolation in a continental analogue of hydrothermal vents
Authors: FALNIOWSKI ANDRZEJ , SZAROWSKA MAGDALENA , SIRBU IOAN , HILLEBRAND ALEXANDRA , BACIU MIHAI
Published: December 2023

Heleobia dobrogica is the only gastropod species living in the Movile Cave in Dobrogea, Romania. In the cave there is little oxygen but large amounts of carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere, and a large amount of hydrogen sulphide in the water. All the non-predatory animals feed on the chemoautotrophic microorganisms that draw energy from the sulphide hot springs beneath the cave. Five COI mtDNA sequences were used for maximum likelihood phylogeny reconstruction together with eight sequences of cochliopids and two outgroup rissooids from GenBank., Salenthydrobia ferrerii and Peringia ulvae were used as an outgroup for the calibration of the molecular clock. The estimated time of divergence between the two species was 2.172±0.171 Mya. This coincides with the period marking the beginning of the fall in temperature and precipitation that initiated the glacial period in Europe, predating the Pleistocene. Most probably at that time Heleobia dobrogica found a safe shelter within a warm cave. Our results suggest that H. dobrogica is closely related to H. dalmatica, and both species may be congeneric with Heleobops docimus.
New Scissurellidae and Anatomidae from Manazuru, Sagami Bay, and Okinawa, Japan (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Vetigastropoda)
Authors: GEIGER DANIEL L. , SASAKI TAKENORI
Published: December 2023

Three new Scissurellidae and one new Anatoma (Anatomidae) are described from Cape Manazuru, Sagami Bay, and Okinawa, Japan. Sinezona costulata n. sp. from Sagami Bay has a protoconch with strong axial cords, the apertural varix is not connected to the embryonic cap, and the teleoconch sculpture is initially of strong axials, which are replaced on the shoulder at the apertural margin by fine spiral lines. Sinezona milleri n. sp. from Okinawa has a similar protoconch to S. costulata, and the teleoconch sculpture gives rise to a reticulate pattern at the apertural margin. The seven described and two new Japanese species of slit-bearing Scissurellidae are compared. Coronadoa hasegawai n. sp. from Sagami Bay is the second species in the genus and is characterised by distinct sculpture on the embryonic cap of the protoconch. Anatoma parageia n. sp. from Sagami Bay is a rare example of a shallow water anatomid. The shell is covered with numerous very fine axial cords that form minute, spirallyarranged points giving the impression of spiral sculpture (pseudospirals), and has undulating axial cords on the base. Depth preferences of Scissurellidae and Anatomidae are examined on a world-wide scale, but no change in turnover depth with latitude could be detected. The depth preferences of the two families are most likely explained by the extent to which variable food sources can be utilised.
Index of authors and new taxa in volume 29 (2009)
Authors: Anonymous
Published: December 2023

Index
On the shell and radular morphology of two endangered species of the genus Margarya Nevill, 1877 (Gastropoda: Viviparidae) from lakes of the Yunnan Plateau, Southwest China
Authors: SHU FENGYUE , KÖHLER FRANK , WANG HONGZHU
Published: December 2023

The viviparid genus Margarya Nevill, 1877 is endemic to China and has only been recorded from the lakes of the Yunnan Plateau. Currently, all recognized species of this genus have become threatened or even extinct due to water pollution and overharvesting. In the current paper, Margarya melanioides Nevill, 1877 and Margarya mansuyi Dautzenberg Fischer, 1905 are re-described based on newly collected material from Lake Dianchi and Lake Xingyun respectively. Intraspecific morphological variability of the shell, especially with respect to the development of the spiral keel, was found to be great. M. melanioides and M. mansuyi can be easily distinguished from each other as well as from other congeners by their relative size, as well as the number and development of the spiral keels. Radulae of the two species are relatively uniform with little differentiation in the number and shape of the teeth.
Patterns of abundance, growth and size of the tropical intertidal chiton Acanthopleura gemmata
Authors: BARBOSA S.S. , KELAHER B. P. , BYRNE M.
Published: December 2023

The population density and size-frequency distribution of Acanthopleura gemmata, a pan-tropical intertidal chiton and conspicuous bioeroder of carbonate substrates were investigated over two years at One Tree Reef, southern Great Barrier Reef. The population on a beachrock platform was dominated by medium to large adults. The size-frequency distribution showed little variation over time, with no evidence of recruitment. A study of individually tagged chitons indicated that growth in A. gemmata is greatest in small chitons and declines with increasing size and age. A. gemmata exhibited temporally variable movement and behaviour. The abundance of A. gemmata on the platform surface decreased significantly during the colder months. We suggest that this is because of behavioural change due to the chitons residing in the platform infrastructure during winter. Some tagged chitons remained in their original home-scar throughout the study, while others moved to other homescars. Our study shows that the abundance and behaviour of A. gemmata fluctuates through time and therefore its ecological impact is also likely to exhibit temporal variation.
Austrofusus Kobelt, 1879 replaced by Aethocola Iredale, 1915 in New Zealand (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Buccinulidae)
Authors: BEU ALAN G. , MARSHALL BRUCE A.
Published: December 2023

The designation of Drupa glans Röding, 1798 as type species for Austrofusus Kobelt, 1879 that has been accepted up until now in New Zealand is invalid, because that species was not an originally included species. Cossmann (1901) validly designated Fusus alternatus Philippi, 1847 (= Fusus fontainei d’Orbigny, 1841) as the type species of Austrofusus, so Austrofusus should be used for the South American buccinulid gastropods usually classified in Aeneator. Austrofusus must be replaced in New Zealand usage by Aethocola Iredale, 1915.
Differentiation according to body region and interspecific variation in the morphology of integumentary spicules of nudibranchs
Authors: CHANG CHING-HUNG , MOK HIN-KIU , HUANG LI-GIN , CHANG YEN-WEI
Published: December 2023

Based on an examination of 41 dorid nudibranch species (Gastropoda: Opisthobranchia: Anthobranchia: Doridina) we report the existence of intra-individual variation in the distribution of different spicule types in various parts of the integument of nudibranchs. Interspecific variation in spicule morphology is also described and compared. Twelve species of the family Phyl-lidiidae were examined and all possessed spicules. Phyllidiid spicules showed considerable morphological diversity, and par-ticular spicule types were localised in specific parts of the body, in contrast to all the other families. Of the 19 species of the Chromodorididae examined, only Cadlinella ornatissima (Risbec, 1928) contained spicules. Of the remaining species from other families, only the discodorids Halgerda rubicunda Baba, 1949 and Platydoris formosa (Alder Hancock, 1864), the dorid Aldisa albatrossae Elwood et. al., 2000, and the hexabranchid Hexabranchus sanguineus (Rüppell Leuckart, 1830) possessed spicules.
Multiple paternity in the common octopus Octopus vulgaris (Cuvier, 1797), as revealed by microsatellite DNA analysis
Authors: QUINTEIRO JAVIER , BAIBAI TARIK , OUKHATTAR LAILA , SOUKRI ABDELAZIZ , SEIXAS PABLO , REY-MÉNDEZ MANUEL
Published: December 2023

Two microsatellite DNA markers developed for the common octopus, Octopus vulgaris, were used to determine genotypes of four brooding female octopuses and 11 embryos sampled from their respective clutches, in order to confirm the multiple pater-nity hypothesis within this species. Two well-known reproductive behavioural patterns are apparently conflicting in mating outcome: the often-observed multiple mating and the role of the male’s hectocotylus in removing stored spermatophores left by other males inside the female’s oviducal gland. Genotyping data suggest that at least two males have been successful in fertiliz-ing eggs sampled from each clutch, an evidence of multiple paternity in the common octopus.
Re-establishment of life orientations in five infaunal bivalve species in soft substrata
Authors: UJINO SUGURU , MATSUKUMA AKIHIKO
Published: December 2023

In this study, we investigated the response of five infaunal bivalve species to changes in their life positions (life orientations) by tilting the aquariums in which they were placed. The results show that the bivalves returned their orientations to normal when they were inclined ventrally or dorsally, but not when they were inclined to the left or right side. The conditions were not changed in any other respect except for tilting the aquarium. The only difference in conditions of all the aquaria was the degree of inclination. That the animals readjusted to their normal position in such circumstances indicates that they control their orien-tation, presumably in response to gravity. The different responses to dorsal-ventral right-left tilting may be due to their style of movement which is in turn related to their shell, musculature and external body form. This and previous studies indicate that antero-posterior life orientations of bivalves have functional or ecological significance. It is proposed that bivalve antero-poste-rior orientation can be interpreted to be intermediate between the burrowing orientation and the orientation with the siphons extended upright most efficiently.
Haemolymph plasma constituents of the invasive snail Pomacea canaliculata (Caenogastropoda, Architaenioglossa, Ampullariidae)
Authors: CUETO JUAN A. , GIRAUD-BILLOUD MAXIMILIANO , VEGA ISRAEL A. , CASTRO-VAZQUEZ ALFREDO
Published: December 2023

Haemolymph plasma constituents were studied in Pomacea canaliculata. Osmolality, pH, electrolytes, two metals, monosac-charides, total proteins, free amino acids and other nitrogen compounds were measured. Glucose, but not galactose, was detected in plasma. Cations found (in decreasing order) were sodium, calcium, potassium and magnesium. Chloride was the main inorganic anion, followed by bicarbonate and phosphate. Total plasma copper (the metal constituent of haemocyanin) was in a much higher concentration than that of total iron. Ammonia was the main nitrogen-excretory compound. Uric acid showed a lower concentration in plasma, while urea was undetectable (<0.08 mmol/L). Seventeen proteinogenic amino acids were investigated: two-digit mM concentrations were found for glutamine, alanine, valine, methionine, threonine and leucine, while one-digit mM concentrations were found for proline, phenylalanine, isoleucine, serine, glycine and glutamic acid; histidine, tyrosine, tryptophan, lysine and aspartic acid were undetectable (<0.2 mmol/L). This is the most comprehensive report on hae-molymph plasma constituents in a gastropod species, and results are discussed in the context of what is known for other gastro-pods.
Genus-specific commensalism of the galeommatoid bivalve Koreamya arcuata (A. Adams, 1856) associated with lingulid brachiopods
Authors: SATO SHIN'ICHI , OWADA MASATO , HAGA TAKUMA , HONG JAE-SANG , LÜTZEN JØRGEN , YAMASHITA HIROYOSHI
Published: December 2023

We compared shell morphology and DNA sequences of the ectosymbiotic bivalves Koreamya (Montacutidae) attached to two different species of inarticulate brachiopods Lingula collected from South Korea. There are some differences in shell morphology between K. arcuata (A. Adams, 1856) attached to Lingula anatina and K. sp. attached to L. adamsi, such as shell outline, periostracum and hinge teeth. However, there are very few differences in DNA sequences of COI and ITS1 suggesting that the two forms of Koreamya are genetically conspecific. While many ectosymbiotic Galeommatoidea species have been reported to live commensally with only one host species, this study suggested that K. arcuata lives commensally with at least two species of Lingula and that its shell morphology may vary according to the host species.
Relative growth of the broadclub cuttlefish Sepia latimanus (Quoy amp; Gaimard, 1832): Implications for somatic size reconstruction, sex discrimination, and age class identification from the cuttlebone
Authors: DAN SHIGEKI , HAMASAKI KATSUYUKI , YAMASHITA TAKASHI , OKA MASAKAZU , KITADA SHUICHI
Published: December 2023

As a basis for improving our knowledge about the growth and age of the broadclub cuttlefish Sepia latimanus, we used cuttle-bones to determine the somatic size, sex and age classes of this species. We collected 663 individuals and measured their dorsal mantle length, body weight, and cuttlebone dimensions. The age classes were inferred from the relationship between the number of lamellae and the length of the cuttlebones. Sexually dimorphic growth was characterised by faster thinning and wid-ening of the cuttlebone in females than in males; no differences were found in the weight of the cuttlebone between the sexes. The gonado-somatic index was higher in females than in males. Thus, the morphology of female cuttlebone adapted to ovarian maturity. Sex discriminant equations based on cuttlebone measurements assigned 76% of the individuals to their own sexes, and the accuracy increased when the shell length was greater than 270 mm. Two distinct groups were found in the relationship between the number of lamellae and the length of the cuttlebones, suggesting that the cuttlebones of S. latimanus provide infor-mation on age classes and can assist in reconstructing the somatic size of each sex.
A new genus and new species of valvatiform hydrobiid (Rissooidea; Caenogastropoda) from Greece
Authors: FALNIOWSKI ANDRZEJ , SZAROWSKA MAGDALENA
Published: December 2023

A new genus and new species of valvatiform rissooid from continental Greece are described. The snail has a combination of anatomical characters not previously found in any known rissooid genus. It can be differentiated from Daphniola and Pseudoislamia, the other valvatiform hydrobiid genera known from Greece, by microsculpture of transition between protoconch and teleoconch, mantle and head pigmentation, lack of ctenidium, overall shape and pigmentation of penis, number and position of penial lobes, and the relative size of the seminal receptacles; and by shell aperture contour and number and position of penial lobes, respectively. Analysis of partial sequences of COI and 18S place it in Hydrobiidae, Sadlerianinae, with Radomaniola/Anagastina as sister clade, but well removed from the other valvatiform genera.
Shell colouration and antioxidant defence capacity in Theba pisana (O.F. Müller, 1774)
Authors: SCHEIL ALEXANDRA E. , SCHEIL VOLKER , TRIEBSKORN RITA , CAPOWIEZ YVAN , MAZZIA CHRISTOPHE , SCHEIL ALEXANDRA E.
Published: December 2023

Theba pisana (Müller, 1774), a Mediterranean snail, is known for its heat tolerance and its remarkable shell colour polymorphism ranging from pale white to darkly striped, although darker morphs are considered less vital in hot habitats due to presumably stronger absorption of radiation. Melanin, the black pigment of these snails, is known as an effective antioxidant, and elevated temperatures can increase oxidative stress. By analysing oxidative waste products via the ferrous oxidation xylenol orange (FOX) assay as a marker for the lipid peroxidation level, we aimed at investigating possible links between heat stress, colouration and antioxidant defence capacity in T. pisana. Although we found increasing levels of peroxidation products with increasing heat exposure duration, there was no difference in antioxidant defence capacity observable between different morphs of T. pisana. Hence the avoidance of lipid peroxidation as an environmentally relevant factor for the maintenance of melanistic morphs in strongly illuminated habitats can be considered improbable.
A new species of Callochiton (Mollusca: Polyplacophora) from southern Madagascar
Authors: DELL’ANGELO BRUNO , PRELLE GIOVANNI , SOSSO MAURIZIO , BONFITTO ANTONIO
Published: December 2023

Callochiton cupreus n. sp. is described from Lavanono, southern Madagascar. The new species is compared with the three Callochiton species known from Madagascar, C. vanninii Ferreira, 1983, C. clausadeae Kaas Van Belle, 1985, and C. levatus Kaas Van Belle, 1998, and all others known from the Indian Ocean.
7. From Crisis to Crisis, Can Europe Count on National Promotional Banks as Silver Bullets?
Authors: Zylberberg Laurent
Published: December 2023

The great financial crisis of 2008–2009 was a game changer for National Promotional Banks (NPBIs) in Europe, with the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine crisis reinforcing this shift. The ‘Juncker Plan’ shed a light on the investment gap and demonstrated that a dynamic European policy was possible. Thanks to the InvestEU programme, actors at the European level, such as the EIB Group, and the national level (via NPBIs and Financial Institutions) thrived in their specific role of fostering essential long-term investment throughout our continent. With this in mind, we need to have a different look at certain tools within practical accounting rules by integrating both positive and negative externalities.
Autonomic Dysreflexia in Spinal Cord Injury: Mechanisms and Prospective Therapeutic Targets
Authors: Trueblood Cameron T. , Singh Anurag , Cusimano Marissa A. , Hou Shaoping
Published: December 2023

High-level spinal cord injury (SCI) often results in cardiovascular dysfunction, especially the development of autonomic dysreflexia. This disorder, characterized as an episode of hypertension accompanied by bradycardia in response to visceral or somatic stimuli, causes substantial discomfort and potentially life-threatening symptoms. The neural mechanisms underlying this dysautonomia include a loss of supraspinal control to spinal sympathetic neurons, maladaptive plasticity of sensory inputs and propriospinal interneurons, and excessive discharge of sympathetic preganglionic neurons. While neural control of cardiovascular function is largely disrupted after SCI, the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), which mediates blood pressure through hormonal mechanisms, is up-regulated after injury. Whether the RAS engages in autonomic dysreflexia, however, is still controversial. Regarding therapeutics, transplantation of embryonic presympathetic neurons, collected from the brainstem or more specific raphe regions, into the injured spinal cord may reestablish supraspinal regulation of sympathetic activity for cardiovascular improvement. This treatment reduces the occurrence of spontaneous autonomic dysreflexia and the severity of artificially triggered dysreflexic responses in rodent SCI models. Though transplanting early-stage neurons improves neural regulation of blood pressure, hormonal regulation remains high and baroreflex dysfunction persists. Therefore, cell transplantation combined with selected RAS inhibition may enhance neuroendocrine homeostasis for cardiovascular recovery after SCI.
‘Punch up, punch down o! All I know is there is punch’: Jokes about Africa(ns) in cross-cultural contexts
Authors: Nwankwọ Izuu
Published: December 2023

Jokes concurrently produce humour and offence owing to differences in cultural considerations of funniness and taboo. With growing audience diversity and online dissemination of live events, stand-up comics are exposed to increased scrutiny for irreverent anecdotes. Yet, ‘punching up’ has become an acceptable form of benign transgression. This is more so in cross-cultural contexts where differences heighten offence, because jokes do not just make us laugh but also create discomfort, especially when the joke-teller is different from us; whether it is ‘up’ or ‘down’, a punch is still a punch. Using the stand-up acts of four African diaspora comedians – Andi Osho, Dave Davis, Urzila Carlson and Trevor Noah – this essay interrogates cross-cultural joke presentation mechanics, themes and performer–audience relations to determine how and why these jokesters variously utilize punch-up jokes. Queries guiding the study include, what performance specificities do humourists enact to mitigate offence while dealing with sensitive/volatile subjects and a more diverse, political correctness-conscious audience? What is/are the relationship(s) between identity, cultural representations and jokes? In answering these questions, the emphasis is on discussing how the selected comedians craftily erect pre-determined sets of values that establish the context(s) within which the offensiveness of their ‘punch(es)’ is/are mitigated.
Insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 2 is a therapeutic target in ovarian cancer
Authors: Yuan Jia , Li Xin , Wang Fanchen , Liu Huiqiang , Guan Wencai , Xu Guoxiong
Published: December 2023

Ovarian cancer (OC) is a fatal gynecologic disease. The most common treatment for OC patients is surgery combined with chemotherapy but most patients at advanced stages eventually develop relapse due to chemoresistance. This study examined the role and function of insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2) in OC. We observed that the expression of IGF2BP2 mRNA and protein was up-regulated in OC cells and tissues using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot, respectively. An increase in IGF2BP2 expression at mRNA and protein levels was verified by the analyses of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC), respectively. Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) databases were applied to analyze the expression and clinical value of IGF2BP2. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and Gene Ontology (GO) analyses explored biological functions and the involvement of IGF2BP2 in cell growth. Indeed, the knockdown of IGF2BP2 resulted in the inhibition of OC cell proliferation evaluated by the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. Genomic amplification of IGF2BP2 partly accounted for its overexpression. High expression of IGF2BP2 was associated with signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) and drug sensitivity and was correlated with an unfavorable survival outcome in OC patients. Furthermore, the responsiveness of chemotherapy and immunotherapy were analyzed using the “pRRophetic” R package and The Cancer Immune Atlas (TCIA) database, respectively. The low expression of IGF2BP2 was associated with chemoresistance but with high tumor microenvironment scores and tumor-infiltrating immune cells, suggesting that immunotherapy may apply in chemoresistant patients. The alteration of IGF2BP2 expression may respond to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Thus, IGF2BP2 shows potential as a therapeutic target and diagnostic biomarker for OC.