bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A 30-Year-Old Carrier of Gaucher Disease with Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Chadha Juskaran , Sahai Tanmay , Schwimmer Joshua , Shani Dana
Published: February 2019

We are reporting a case of a 30-year-old male with no past medical history who presented with new onset of renal failure, anemia, and splenomegaly and was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Given the splenomegaly and the patient’s Jewish heritage, blood tests were done and the patient was found to be a Gaucher disease carrier. The association of Gaucher disease and multiple myeloma has previously been reported; however, we want to describe the case of a young Gaucher disease carrier who developed multiple myeloma and provide a review of the literature.
Brain Complete Response to Cabozantinib prior to Radiation Therapy in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Uche An , Sila Chad , Tanoura Tad , Yeh James , Bhowmick Neil , Posadas Edwin , Figlin Robert , Gong Jun
Published: February 2019

Cabozantinib represents an established vascular endothelial growth factor- (VEGF-) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) in the treatment paradigm of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Its activity in mRCC patients with brain metastases (BMs) has been largely underreported in prospective clinical trials. We present the unique case of a heavily pretreated mRCC patient with BMs who achieved a brain complete response to cabozantinib prior to receiving radiation therapy. We end with a literature review and discussion of the biologic rationale and growing evidence supporting the intracranial activity of cabozantinib.
Experimental Evaluation of MIMO-OFDM System with Rateless Space-Time Block Code
Authors: Alqahtani Ali H. , Humadi Khaled , Sulyman Ahmed Iyanda , Alsanie Abdulhameed
Published: February 2019

Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) wireless technology in combination with orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (MIMO-OFDM) is an attractive technique for next-generation wireless systems. However, the performance of wireless links is severely degraded due to various channel impairments which cause a decoding failure and lead to packet loss at the receiver. One technique to cope with this problem is the rateless space-time block code (RSTBC). This paper presents experimental results on the performance of a 2×2 MIMO-OFDM system with RSTBC as measured in a testbed implemented with field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The average bit error rate (BER) performance of the proposed scheme is evaluated experimentally, and the results agree closely with simulation and analytical upper bound. It has been shown that RSTBC can be implemented in real-world scenarios and guarantee the reliability of loss-prone wireless channels.
Pachychoroid Pigment Epitheliopathy and Choroidal Thickness Changes in Coeliac Disease
Authors: Bolukbasi Selim , Erden Burak , Cakir Akin , Bayat Alper Halil , Elcioglu Mustafa Nuri , Yurttaser Ocak Serap , Gokden Yasemin , Adas Mine , Asik Zekiye Nur
Published: February 2019

Purpose. To evaluate choroidal thickness in patients with coeliac disease (CD) using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and to compare the results to normal eyes. Methods. Seventy patients with CD and 70 healthy controls were included in this prospective, comparative study. All participants underwent a complete ophthalmologic evaluation and SD-OCT. Subfoveal, nasal (nasal distance to fovea 500 μm, 1000 μm, and 1500 μm), and temporal (temporal distance to fovea 500 μm, 1000 μm, and 1500 μm) choroidal thickness measurements were performed using SD-OCT. Results. There were no significant differences in sex, ages, and axial lengths between the groups (p=1.0, p=0.601, p=0.314, respectively). The mean choroidal thickness measurements at all predefined measurement point areas were higher in the coeliac group than in the healthy controls (p<0.001). Of all patients with coeliac disease (70 eyes of 70 patients), 64 eyes (84.2%) had uncomplicated pachychoroid (UCP), one eye had pachychoroid pigment epitheliopathy (PPE), and five eyes in the UCP group had PPE in fellow eyes. Conclusion. It is probable that systemic inflammation in coeliac patients causes the enlargement of choroidal vessels and increasing choroidal thickness. PPE, which is believed to be the precursor of central serous chorioretinopathy, can be observed in coeliac patients.
A Novel Mutation of the Calcium-Sensing Receptor Gene Causing Familial Hypocalciuric Hypercalcemia Complicates Medical Followup after Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: A Case Report and a Summary of Mutations Found in the Same Hospital Laboratory
Authors: Carlsson Elin Rebecka , Toft Nielsen Mai-Britt , Høgh Anne Mette , Veggerby Grønlund Rikke , Fenger Mogens , Ambye Louise
Published: February 2019

Heterozygous inactivating mutations in the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) gene are known to cause familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FHH), usually a benign form of hypercalcemia without symptoms of a disrupted calcium homeostasis. FHH can be mistaken for the more common primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), for which surgical treatment may be needed. We describe a case of a 36-year-old woman with hypercalcemia and elevated PTH, initially suspected of having PHPT. Sequencing of the CaSR-gene revealed a mutation in nucleotide 437, changing the amino acid in position 146 from Glycine to Aspartate. The mutation was previously undescribed in the literature, but a very low calcium:creatinine clearance ratio supported the diagnosis FHH. A few years later, the patient’s two daughters were tested and the association between mutation and hypercalcemia could be confirmed. The patient was gastric bypass-operated and therefore, due to malabsorption and increased risk of fracture, was in need of adequate calcium supplementation. The chronically elevated calcium levels challenged medical followup, as calcium sufficiency could not be monitored in a traditional manner. Eventually the patient developed elevated alkaline phosphatase, a further increased PTH and a decreased DXA T-score indicating calcium deficiency and bone resorption. As a supplement, all CaSR-mutations found at our hospital, 2005-2018.
A miRNA Expression Signature in Breast Tumor Tissue Is Associated with Risk of Distant Metastasis
Authors: Rohan Thomas E. , Wang Tao , Weinmann Sheila , Wang Yihong , Lin Juan , Ginsberg Mindy , Loudig Olivier
Published: February 2019

Dysregulation of miRNA expression may influence breast cancer progression, and experimental evidence suggests that miRNA silencing might suppress breast cancer metastasis. However, the relationship between miRNA and metastasis must be confirmed before this approach can be applied in the clinic. To this end, we conducted a two-stage study in a cohort of 3,760 patients with breast cancer to first identify and then validate the association between miRNA expression and risk of distant metastasis. The first stage (discovery) entailed miRNA sequencing of 126 case–control pairs; qPCR was used to validate the findings in a separate set of 80 case–control pairs. The 13 miRNAs most differentially expressed between cases and controls were combined into an miRNA score that was significantly associated with risk of distant metastasis in a logistic regression model that also included clinical variables (tumor size and number of positive lymph nodes) (ORper unit increase in score = 1.30; 95% confidence interval, 1.03–1.66). The results of this study suggest that in women with invasive breast cancer, a miRNA score that incorporates both clinical variables and miRNA expression levels in breast tumor tissue is moderately predictive of risk of subsequent distant metastasis.

Significance:

A novel predictive scoring system for patients with breast cancer includes clinical variables and the expression levels of 13 miRNAs and may help to identify those at increased risk of distant metastasis.
Transcriptomics Associates Molecular Features with 18F-Fluorocholine PET/CT Imaging Phenotype and Its Potential Relationship to Survival in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Kwee Sandi A. , Tiirikainen Maarit , Sato Miles M. , Acoba Jared D. , Wei Runmin , Jia Wei , Le Marchand Loic , Wong Linda L.
Published: February 2019

Studies involving transcriptomics have revealed multiple molecular subtypes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) has also identified distinct molecular imaging subtypes, including those with increased and decreased choline metabolism as measured by the tissue uptake of the radiopharmaceutical 18F-fluorocholine. Gene signatures reflecting the molecular heterogeneity of HCC may identify the biological and clinical significance of these imaging subtypes. In this study, 41 patients underwent 18F-fluorocholine PET/CT, followed by tumor resection and gene expression profiling. Over- and underexpressed components of previously published gene signatures were evaluated for enrichment between tumors with high and low 18F-fluorocholine uptake using gene set analysis. Significant gene sets were enumerated by FDR based on phenotype permutation. Associations with overall survival were analyzed by univariate and multivariate proportional hazards regression. Ten gene sets related to HCC were significantly associated with high tumor 18F-fluorocholine uptake at FDR q < 0.05, including those from three different clinical molecular classification systems and two prognostic signatures for HCC that showed predictive value in the study cohort. Tumor avidity for 18F-fluorocholine was associated with favorable characteristics based on these signatures with lower mortality based on survival analysis (HR 0.36; 95% confidence interval, 0.14–0.95). Tumors demonstrating high 18F-fluorocholine uptake were also enriched for genes involved in oxidative phosphorylation, fatty acid metabolism, peroxisome, bile acid metabolism, xenobiotic metabolism, and adipogenesis. These results provide a pathobiological framework to further evaluate 18F-fluorocholine PET/CT as a molecular and prognostic classifier in HCC.

Significance:

A pathobiological framework for HCC brings together multiple prognostically relevant gene signatures via convergence with 18F-fluorocholine PET/CT imaging phenotype.
PARP Inhibitors: Extending Benefit Beyond BRCA-Mutant Cancers
Authors: Pilié Patrick G. , Gay Carl M. , Byers Lauren A. , O'Connor Mark J. , Yap Timothy A.
Published: February 2019

A mounting body of evidence now indicates that PARP inhibitors have the potential to be used as a foundation for both monotherapy and combination strategies across a wide spectrum of molecular backgrounds and tumor types. Although PARP inhibitors as a class display many similarities, critical differences in structure can translate into differences in tolerability and antitumor activity that have important implications for the clinic. Furthermore, while PARP inhibitors have demonstrated a clear role in treating tumors with underlying homologous recombination deficiencies, there is now biological and early clinical evidence to support their use in other molecular subsets of cancer, including tumors associated with high levels of replication stress such as small-cell lung cancer. In this article, we highlight the key similarities and differences between individual PARP inhibitors and their implications for the clinic. We discuss data that currently support clinical strategies for extending the benefit of PARP inhibitors beyond BRCA-mutant cancers, toward broader populations of patients through the use of novel biomarkers of homologous recombination repair deficiency (HRD), as well as predictive biomarkers rooted in mechanisms of sensitivity outside of HRD. We also explore the potential application of PARP inhibitors in earlier treatment settings, including neoadjuvant, adjuvant, and even chemoprevention approaches. Finally, we focus on promising combination therapeutic strategies, such as those with other DNA damage response (DDR) inhibitors such as ATR inhibitors, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and non–DDR-targeted agents that induce “chemical BRCAness.”
LSD1 Inhibition Attenuates Tumor Growth by Disrupting PLK1 Mitotic Pathway
Authors: Dalvi Priya S. , Macheleidt Iris F. , Lim So-Young , Meemboor Sonja , Müller Marion , Eischeid-Scholz Hannah , Schaefer Stephan C. , Buettner Reinhard , Klein Sebastian , Odenthal Margarete
Published: February 2019

Lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) is a histone modifier that is highly overexpressed in lung adenocarcinoma, which results in aggressive tumor biology. Tumor cell proliferation and migration analysis after LSD1 inhibition in the lung adenocarcinoma cell line PC9, using the LSD1 inhibitor HCI-2509 and siRNA, demonstrated that LSD1 activity was essential for proliferation and migration capacities of tumor cells. Moreover, reduced proliferation rates after LSD1 inhibition were shown to be associated with a cell-cycle arrest of the tumor cells in the G2–M-phase. Expression profiling followed by functional classification and pathway analysis indicated prominent repression of the polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) pathway upon LSD1 inhibition. In contrast, transient overexpression of exogenous PLK1 plasmid rescued the LSD1 inhibition–mediated downregulation of PLK1 pathway genes. Mechanistically, LSD1 directly regulates expression of PLK1 by binding to its promoter region that subsequently affects expression of its downstream target genes. Notably, using lung adenocarcinoma TCGA datasets a significant correlation between LSD1 and PLK1 along with its downstream targets was observed. Furthermore, the LSD1/PLK1 linkage was confirmed by IHC analysis in a clinical lung adenocarcinoma cohort (n = 43). Conclusively, this is the first study showing a direct transcriptional link between LSD1 and PLK1.

Implications:

These findings point to a role of LSD1 in regulating PLK1 and thus efficient G2–M-transition–mediating proliferation of tumor cells and suggest targeting the LSD1/PLK1 axis as a novel therapeutic approach for lung adenocarcinoma treatment.
Calcium Intake and Risk of Colorectal Cancer According to Tumor-infiltrating T Cells
Authors: Yang Wanshui , Liu Li , Keum NaNa , Qian Zhi Rong , Nowak Jonathan A. , Hamada Tsuyoshi , Song Mingyang , Cao Yin , Nosho Katsuhiko , Smith-Warner Stephanie A. , Zhang Sui , Masugi Yohei , Ng Kimmie , Kosumi Keisuke , Ma Yanan , Garrett Wendy S. , Wang Molin , Nan Hongmei , Giannakis Marios , Meyerhardt Jeffrey A. , Chan Andrew T. , Fuchs Charles S. , Nishihara Reiko , Wu Kana , Giovannucci Edward L. , Ogino Shuji , Zhang Xuehong
Published: February 2019

Calcium intake has been associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer. Calcium signaling may enhance T-cell proliferation and differentiation, and contribute to T-cell–mediated antitumor immunity. In this prospective cohort study, we investigated the association between calcium intake and colorectal cancer risk according to tumor immunity status to provide additional insights into the role of calcium in colorectal carcinogenesis. The densities of tumor-infiltrating T-cell subsets [CD3+, CD8+, CD45RO (PTPRC)+, or FOXP3+ cell] were assessed using IHC and computer-assisted image analysis in 736 cancer cases that developed among 136,249 individuals in two cohorts. HRs and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using Cox proportional hazards regression. Total calcium intake was associated with a multivariable HR of 0.55 (comparing ≥1,200 vs. <600 mg/day; 95% CI, 0.36–0.84; Ptrend = 0.002) for CD8+ T-cell–low but not for CD8+ T-cell–high tumors (HR = 1.02; 95% CI, 0.67–1.55; Ptrend = 0.47). Similarly, the corresponding HRs (95% CIs) for calcium for low versus high T-cell–infiltrated tumors were 0.63 (0.42–0.94; Ptrend = 0.01) and 0.89 (0.58–1.35; Ptrend = 0.20) for CD3+; 0.58 (0.39–0.87; Ptrend = 0.006) and 1.04 (0.69–1.58; Ptrend = 0.54) for CD45RO+; and 0.56 (0.36–0.85; Ptrend = 0.006) and 1.10 (0.72–1.67; Ptrend = 0.47) for FOXP3+, although the differences by subtypes defined by T-cell density were not statistically significant. These potential differential associations generally appeared consistent regardless of sex, source of calcium intake, tumor location, and tumor microsatellite instability status. Our findings suggest a possible role of calcium in cancer immunoprevention via modulation of T-cell function.
Testing Novel Pyrimidinyl Rexinoids: A New Paradigm for Evaluating Rexinoids for Cancer Prevention
Authors: Zhang Di , Leal Ana S. , Carapellucci Sarah , Shahani Pritika H. , Bhogal Jaskaran S. , Ibrahim Samir , Raban San , Jurutka Peter W. , Marshall Pamela A. , Sporn Michael B. , Wagner Carl E. , Liby Karen T.
Published: February 2019

Rexinoids, selective ligands for retinoid X receptors (RXR), have shown promise in preventing many types of cancer. However, the limited efficacy and undesirable lipidemic side-effects of the only clinically approved rexinoid, bexarotene, drive the search for new and better rexinoids. Here we report the evaluation of novel pyrimidinyl (Py) analogues of two known chemopreventive rexinoids, bexarotene (Bex) and LG100268 (LG268) in a new paradigm. We show that these novel derivatives were more effective agents than bexarotene for preventing lung carcinogenesis induced by a carcinogen. In addition, these new analogues have an improved safety profile. PyBex caused less elevation of plasma triglyceride levels than bexarotene, while PyLG268 reduced plasma cholesterol levels and hepatomegaly compared with LG100268. Notably, this new paradigm mechanistically emphasizes the immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activities of rexinoids. We reveal new immunomodulatory actions of the above rexinoids, especially their ability to diminish the percentage of macrophages and myeloid-derived suppressor cells in the lung and to redirect activation of M2 macrophages. The rexinoids also potently inhibit critical inflammatory mediators including IL6, IL1β, CCL9, and nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) induced by lipopolysaccharide. Moreover, in vitro iNOS and SREBP (sterol regulatory element-binding protein) induction assays correlate with in vivo efficacy and toxicity, respectively. Our results not only report novel pyrimidine derivatives of existing rexinoids, but also describe a series of biological screening assays that will guide the synthesis of additional rexinoids. Further progress in rexinoid synthesis, potency, and safety should eventually lead to a clinically acceptable and useful new drug for patients with cancer.
Preclinical Brown Norway Rat Models for the Assessment of Infant Formulas in the Prevention and Treatment of Cow’s Milk Allergy
Authors: Jensen Louise Heydenreich , Larsen Jeppe Madura , Madsen Charlotte Bernhard , Laursen Rune Rønhave , Jacobsen Lotte Neergaard , Bøgh Katrine Lindholm
Published: February 2019

Background: Infant formulas (IFs) based on hydrolysed cow’s milk proteins are central in the management of cow’s milk allergy (CMA) in infants and small children. New IF compositions with improved prevention and treatment properties are needed, along with appropriate preclinical animal models, to evaluate these properties before introduction into humans. Objectives: We aimed to develop preclinical models for the assessment of the primary preventive and desensitising capacity of cow’s milk IF in allergy-prone, high-IgE responder Brown Norway rats. Method: Preventive capacity was assessed in cow’s milk-naïve rats given a 2- or 4-week regimen of whey-based extensively hydrolysed IF (eHF), partially hydrolysed IF (pHF), or intact β-lactoglobulin (BLG) ad libitum in drinking bottles, followed by intraperitoneal (i.p.) immunisation with BLG. Desensitising capacity was assessed in orally BLG-sensitised rats after a 3- or 6-week regimen of eHF, pHF, or intact BLG administration in drinking bottles, followed by i.p. challenge with BLG. Primary preventive and desensitising capacity were analysed by serum BLG-specific IgG1 and IgE. Results: The preventive regimens did not induce detectable BLG-specific IgG1 or IgE in cow’s milk-naïve rats. A preventive regimen consisting of pHF or BLG, but not eHF, induced complete tolerance to BLG, as demonstrated by the absence of BLG-specific IgE following i.p. immunisation. Desensitising regimens had a limited effect on BLG-specific IgG1 or IgE when comparing sensitised rats before and after treatment. Challenge with BLG (i.p.) increased BLG-specific IgE in all treatment regimens except for in the BLG group, suggesting a limited desensitising capacity of IF based on hydrolysates and a need for the presence of intact allergen for desensitisation. Conclusions: The presented models highlight that different mechanisms are at play in the induction of de novo tolerance to cow’s milk proteins and the desensitisation of CMA. Different IF products may be needed for the primary prevention and treatment of CMA.
The Origins of Human Functional Stereotaxis: A Reappraisal
Authors: Rzesnitzek Lara , Hariz Marwan , Krauss Joachim K.
Published: February 2019

In order to shed light on the first application of human functional stereotactic neurosurgery, whether it was in the realm of movement disorders, as has been claimed repeatedly, or in the realm of psychiatry, a review of the original scholarly literature was conducted. Tracking and scrutinising original publications by Spiegel and Wycis, the pioneers of human stereotactic neurosurgery, it was found that its origin and the very incentive for its development and first clinical use were to avoid the side effects of frontal leucotomy. The first applications of functional stereotactic neurosurgery were in performing dorsomedial thalamotomies in psychiatric patients; it was only later that the stereotactic technique was applied in patients with chronic pain, movement disorders and epilepsy. Spiegel and Wycis’ first functional stereotactic operations were for obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, and other psychiatric conditions.
Surgical Laparotomy for Repeated Delayed Arterial Hemorrhage after Pancreaticoduodenectomy
Authors: Mimatsu Kenji , Fukino Nobutada , Kano Hisao , Kawasaki Atsushi , Oida Takatsugu
Published: February 2019

Postpancreatectomy hemorrhage is one of the major life-threatening complications of pancreatic surgery. Radiological intervention is used as a first-line approach for the initial treatment of late arterial hemorrhage. However, rehemorrhage has a high risk for mortality, and it is undecided which urgent intervention provides optimal management for rehemorrhage. We experienced a successful surgical laparotomy for the repeated delayed arterial hemorrhage caused by a pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for chronic pancreatitis. A 57-year-old man had undergone PD with pancreaticogastrostomy for tumor-forming pancreatitis with possible pancreatic cancer. A delayed massive hemorrhage from the drain developed 11 days after surgery. Although angiography was done, the bleeding site was not clearly detected. Therefore, urgent surgical laparotomy was performed. Arterial bleeding was detected from the stump of the gastroduodenal artery. Surgical ligation, using the suture technique, was performed for hemostasis, and a closed drain was placed in the area due to drainage of pancreatic juice and an abscess. However, rehemorrhage from the drain developed 7 days after the initial hemorrhage. Relaparotomy was performed immediately. The surgical ligation and compression hemostasis with absorbable hemostatic cotton was done. After relaparotomy for rehemorrhage, there was no hemorrhage or fatal hepatic failure. He left our hospital 64 days after initial surgery. Surgical laparotomy is one of the feasible procedures for hemostasis of a massive arterial hemorrhage. Proper blood vessel ligation is necessary for reliable hemostasis and proper drainage of pancreatic juice and abscesses to prevent hemorrhage.
Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis Manifesting as Recurrent Nasal Polyps and Hemorrhagic Necrotic Bullae: A Rare Disease Successfully Treated with Azathioprine
Authors: Alotaibi Abdulaziz , Schneider Stefan W.
Published: February 2019

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a rare multisystemic vasculitis which was previously called Churg-Strauss syndrome or allergic granulomatosis. It has an unknown pathogenesis, possibly autoimmune in nature. As it has a low incidence, there is only scant published literature. This case report is valuable to dermatologists, since skin involvement is one of the most common features of the vasculitic phase. This report represents one of the possible presentations of EGPA according to the antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody status – which in our case was negative, with a low prognostic Five-Factor Score – that was successfully treated with oral steroids and azathioprine as a steroid-sparing agent. Our objective was to add a case report to the scarce existing literature in order to learn more about therapeutic options for EGPA. This case report demonstrates that oral steroids, as induction treatment, and azathioprine, as maintenance treatment, are effective in elderly patients with EGPA without involvement of any other organs. Nevertheless, additional studies are necessary to achieve appropriate management.
Health-Related Quality of Life at 30 Days Among Indian Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Huffman Mark D. , Mohanan Padinhare P. , Devarajan Raji , Baldridge Abigail S. , Kondal Dimple , Zhao Lihui , Ali Mumtaj , Spertus John A. , Chan Paul S. , Natesan Syam , Abdullakutty Jabir , Krishnan Mangalath N. , TP Abhilash , Renga Sujay , Punnoose Eapen , Unni Govindan , Prabhakaran Dorairaj , Lloyd-Jones Donald M. ,   on behalf of the ACS QUIK Investigators
Published: February 2019

Background:

Despite a high cardiovascular disease burden, data on patient-reported health status outcomes among individuals with cardiovascular disease in India are limited.

Methods and Results:

Between November 2014 and November 2016, we collected health-related quality of life data among 1261 participants in the ACS QUIK trial (Acute Coronary Syndrome Quality Improvement in Kerala). We used a translated, validated version of the Seattle Angina Questionnaire administered 30 days after discharge for acute myocardial infarction, wherein higher scores represent better health status. We compared results across sex, myocardial infarction type, and randomization status using regression models that account for clustering and temporal trends. Mean (SD) age was 60.8 (13.7) years, 62% were men, and 63% presented with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction. More than 2 out of 5 respondents (44%) experienced angina 30 days after hospitalization, but most (68% of respondents with angina; 27% of the total sample) experienced it less than once per week (Seattle Angina Questionnaire angina frequency score 60). Respondents rated high median (interquartile range [IQR]) scores for angina frequency (100.0 [80.0–100.0]) overall with similar unadjusted scores by sex, but between-hospitality variability was high. Median (IQR) physical limitation scale response was 58.3 (41.7–77.8), which is consistent with limitations in moderate- and high-intensity activities at 30-day follow-up. Older respondents had more angina frequency and physical limitations and lower treatment satisfaction and quality of life. Women had greater physical limitations (median [IQR], 52.8 [38.9–72.2] for women versus median [IQR], 61.1 [44.4–80.6] for men;
P
<0.01). Overall treatment satisfaction was high with median (IQR) score, 81.3 (75.0–93.8), but overall quality of life was lower with median (IQR) score, 66.7 (50.0–83.3). Allocation to the quality improvement intervention group had the strongest direct association with higher quality of life (difference, 4.2;
P
=0.03), but overall effects were modest.

Conclusions:

This study represents the largest report of quality of life among myocardial infarction survivors in India with variability across age, sex, and quality improvement intervention status. Wide variability demonstrated across hospitals warrants further study.

Clinical Trial Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT02256657.
β‐Blockers and 1‐Year Postdischarge Mortality for Heart Failure and Reduced Ejection Fraction and Slow Discharge Heart Rate
Authors: Park Jin Joo , Park Hyun‐Ah , Cho Hyun‐Jai , Lee Hae‐Young , Kim Kye Hun , Yoo Byung‐Su , Kang Seok‐Min , Baek Sang Hong , Jeon Eun‐Seok , Kim Jae‐Joong , Cho Myeong‐Chan , Chae Shung Chull , Oh Byung‐Hee , Choi Dong‐Ju
Published: February 2019

Background

Many hospitalized patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (
HF
r
EF
) have a slow heart rate at discharge, and the effect of β‐blockers may be reduced in those patients. We sought to examine the variable effect of β‐blockers on clinical outcomes according to the discharge heart rate of hospitalized
HF
r
EF
patients.

Methods and Results

The KorAHF (Korean Acute Heart Failure) registry consecutively enrolled 5625 patients hospitalized for acute heart failure. In this analysis, we included patients with
HF
r
EF
(left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40%).
Slow heart rate
was defined as <70 beats per minute regardless of the use of β‐blockers. The primary outcome was 1‐year all‐cause postdischarge death according to heart rate. Among 2932 patients with
HF
r
EF
, 840 (29%) had a slow heart rate and 56% received β‐blockers at discharge. Patients with slow heart rates were older and had lower 1‐year mortality than those with high heart rates (
P
<0.001). A significant interaction between discharge heart rate and β‐blocker use was observed (
P
<0.001 for interaction). When stratified, only patients without a β‐blocker prescription and with a high heart rate showed higher 1‐year mortality. In a Cox‐proportional hazards regression analysis, β‐blocker prescription at discharge was associated with 24% reduced risk for 1‐year mortality in patients with high heart rates (hazard ratio: 0.76; 95% CI, 0.61–0.95) but not in those with slow heart rates (hazard ratio: 1.02; 95% CI, 0.68–1.55).

Conclusions

Many patients with acute heart failure have slow discharge heart rates, and β‐blockers may have a limited effect on
HF
r
EF
and slow discharge heart rate.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL
:
http://www.clinicaltrial.gov
. Unique identifier:
NCT
01389843.
The occurrence and development of intraxylary phloem in young Aquilaria sinensis shoots
Authors: Luo Bei , Imai Tomoya , Sugiyama Junji , Qiu Jian
Published: February 2019

Agarwoods such as Aquilaria spp. and Gyrinops spp. (Thymelaeaceae) produce interxylary phloem in their secondary xylem and intraxylary phloem at the periphery of the pith, facing the primary xylem. We studied young shoots of Aquilaria sinensis and characterized the development of its intraxylary phloem. It was initiated by the division of parenchyma cells localized in the outer parts of the ground meristem immediately following the maturation of first-formed primary xylem. Its nascent sieve plates bore donut-like structures, the individual pores of which were so small (less than 0.1 μm) that they were hardly visible under FE-SEM. Intraxylary phloem developed into mature tissue by means of the division and proliferation of parenchyma cells. During the shoots’ active growth period, the sieve pore sizes were 0.1–0.5 μm, with tubular elements passing through them. In the maturation stage, large clusters of sieve tubes continued to be differentiated in the intraxylary phloem. In the partial senescence stage observed in a three-centimeter-diameter branch, intraxylary phloem cells in the adaxial part became crushed, and sieve plates had pores over 1–2 μm in diameter without any callose deposition. Before and after the differentiation of interxylary phloem in the first and second internodes, callose staining detected more than twice as many sieve tubes in intraxylary phloem than in external phloem. However, after differentiation of interxylary phloem in the eleventh internode, more sieve tubes were found in interxylary phloem than in intraxylary and external phloem. This suggests that prior to the initiation of interxylary phloem intraxylary phloem acts as the principal phloem. After its differentiation, however, interxylary phloem takes over the role of principal phloem. Interxylary phloem thus acts as the predominant phloem in the translocation of photosynthates in Aquilaria sinensis.
Laccaria violaceotincta: a new species from tropical India based on morphology and molecular phylogeny
Authors: DEEPNA LATHA K. P. , ANIL RAJ K. N. , MANIMOHAN PATINJAREVEETTIL
Published: February 2019

Laccaria violaceotincta sp. nov. is described from Kerala State, India based on morphology and molecular phylogeny. All the collections of the species were made from a freshwater swamp forest predominantly composed of species of Myristica. The Maximum Likelihood (ML) analysis of sequence of the internal transcribed spacer (nrITS) of the ribosomal RNA gene clearly revealed its novelty as well as its position within the genus Laccaria. A taxonomic description, photographs of the basidiocarps and the micro-structures, comparisons with phenetically similar and phylogenetically related species and a phylogram depicting the placement of the new species are provided.
New species of Clavicornaltica Scherer (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) from continental Asia
Authors: KONSTANTINOV ALEXANDER S. , DUCKETT CATHERINE N.
Published: February 2019

Four new species of Clavicornaltica Scherer are described and illustrated, of which two are from China (C. dali new species and C. longsheng new species) and two are from Vietnam (C. tamdao new species and C. vietnamensis new species). The wing and metathorax are described and illustrated for the genus for the first time. A key to the newly described species is presented. Male genitalia of Clavicornaltica australis Konstantinov are illustrated for the first time.
Campinasuchus dinizi gen. et sp. nov., a new Late Cretaceous baurusuchid (Crocodyliformes) from the Bauru Basin, Brazil
Authors: DE SOUZA CARVALHO ISMAR , DE PAULA ANTUNES TEIXEIRA VICENTE , DA FONSECA FERRAZ MARA LÚCIA , RIBEIRO LUIZ CARLOS BORGES , MARTINELLI AGUSTÍN GUILLERMO , NETO FRANCISCO MACEDO , SERTICH JOSEPH J. W. , CUNHA GABRIEL CARDOSO , CUNHA ISABELLA CARDOSO , FERRAZ PATRÍCIA FONSECA
Published: February 2019

A remarkably diverse terrestrial mesoeucrocodylian fauna has been recovered from the continental Cretaceous of the Bauru Basin in fluvial and lacustrine deposits. Members of at least six distinct groups are now recognized, including notosuchids, sphagesaurids, candidodontids, peirosaurids, trematochampsids, and baurusuchids. These mostly terrestrial crocodyliforms potentially developed ecological strategies that allowed them to live in a hot and arid climate during the Cretaceous. A new genus and species of Baurusuchidae, Campinasuchus dinizi gen. et sp. nov., is established on the basis of several partial skulls and skeletons from the Turonian-Santonian Adamantina Formation. This taxon is notable for its relatively short, anteriorly tapering snout, marked maxillary heterodonty with third maxillary and fourth dentary teeth extremely enlarged relative to other teeth, and the presence of a large anteroposterior depression on each palatine between the palatal fenestrae. The presence of yet another crocodyliform from the Adamantina Formation reinforces the idea that aridity, or maybe a seasonally warm and dry climate alternating with periods of higher rainfall, drove the diversification of terrestrial crocodyliforms throughout the Late Cretaceous.
New records of Serpulidae (Annelida, Polychaeta) collected by R/V "Vityaz" from bathyal and abyssal depths of the Pacific Ocean
Authors: KUPRIYANOVA ELENA K. , BAILEY-BROCK JULIE , NISHI EIJIROH
Published: February 2019

The diversity of bathyal and abyssal marine organisms is still poorly known and this is especially true for tubicolous polychaetes of the family Serpulidae, the common inhabitants of subtidal and shelf locations. We report herein new records of poorly known deep-sea (mostly below 2000 m) serpulids collected in the Pacific Ocean by early Soviet Oceanographic expeditions onboard R/V “Vityaz”. The following species were found: Bathyditrupa hovei, Bathyvermilia challengeri, B eliasoni, B. zibrowiusi, Filogranula stellata, Hyalopomatus jirkovi, and H. sikorski at the depths of 1600–6330 m. Many samples collected by R/V “Vityaz” and other Russian research vessels are still unstudied and apparently many bathyal and abyssal serpulid species new to science remain undescribed. The diversity of abyssal marine organisms remains poorly known not only because of the obvious logistical difficulties in collecting at abyssal localities, but also in part due to the lack of taxonomic effort directed towards existing research collections.
A nine-family classification of caecilians (Amphibia: Gymnophiona)
Authors: WILKINSON MARK , SAN MAURO DIEGO , SHERRATT EMMA , GOWER DAVID J.
Published: February 2019

We propose a new family-level classification of caecilians that is based on current understanding of phylogenetic relationships and diversity. The 34 currently recognised genera of caecilians are diagnosed and partitioned into nine family-level taxa. Each family is an hypothesised monophylum, that, subject to limitations of taxon sampling, is well-supported by phylogenetic analyses and is of ancient (Mesozoic) origin. Each family is diagnosed and also defined phylogenetically. The proposed classification provides an alternative to an exclusive reliance upon synonymy in solving the longstanding problem of paraphyly of the Caeciliidae.
Neither molecular nor morphological data have all the answers; with an example from Macrobrachium (Decapoda: Palaemonidae) from Australia
Authors: PAGE TIMOTHY J. , HUGHES JANE M.
Published: February 2019

Much controversy still seems to surround the role of molecular data in general, and DNA barcoding in particular, within the taxonomic community. This has lead to numerous “call and response” pairs of papers, most recently Ebach (2011) and Mitchell (2011), but preceded by many other pairs, such as Packer et al. (2009) and Hołyński (2010). There have been numerous calls for a more “integrative” approach to taxonomy (Mitchell 2011; Stevens et al. 2011), which itself has generated point and counterpoint papers (Dayrat 2005; Valdecasas et al. 2008). This of course is how science progresses (although Max Planck suggested that science advances “one funeral at a time”, en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Max_Planck, accessed 20 March 2011).
Cymothoa hermani sp. nov. (Isopoda, Cymothoidae, Crustacea), a parasitic isopod, collected off the Zanzibar coast, Tanzania from the mouth of a parrotfish (Scaridae)
Authors: HADFIELD KERRY A. , BRUCE NIEL L. , SMIT NICO J.
Published: February 2019

Cymothoa hermani sp. nov., a buccal fish-parasitic isopod is described from off Unguja Island, Zanzibar, from the buccal cavity of the marbled parrotfish, Leptoscarus vaigiensis. Cymothoa hermani sp. nov. is characterised by the unique bulbous ornamentation on pereonite 1, anterolateral angles on pereonite 1 rounded and produced past frontal margin of cephalon, and pereopods with long and slender dactyli. There are no other species of Cymothoa known from parrotfishes. This description increases the number of known Cymothoa from the southwestern Indian Ocean to four.
Notes on the tribe Nygmiini (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Lymantriinae) from Nanling National Nature Reserve, with description of a new species
Authors: WANG HOUSHUAI , WANG MIN , FAN XIAOLING
Published: February 2019

Thirteen species belonging to seven genera of the tribe Nygmiini are recognized from Nanling National Nature Reserve, Guangdong province, China. A new species, Arna bicostata sp. nov., is described, and two species are transferred as new combinations: Artaxa angulata comb. nov. and Toxoproctis croceola comb. nov.. Adults and their genitalia are illustrated.
Two new species of aphid parasitoids (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae) from the Balkan Peninsula
Authors: PETROVIĆ ANDJELJKO , ŽIKIĆ VLADIMIR , PETROVIĆ-OBRADOVIĆ OLIVERA , BOGDANOVIĆ ANA MITROVSKI , KAVALLIERATOS NICKOLAS G. , STARÝ PETR , TOMANOVIĆ ŽELJKO
Published: February 2019

Two new species of aphid parasitoids from the Balkan Peninsula are described. Aphidius chaetosiphonis sp. n. was reared from Chaetosiphon sp./ Potentilla clusiana, while Aphidius balcanicus sp. n. was reared from Acyrthosiphon malvae / Geranium spp. associations. The taxonomic position of both species has been discussed.
Two new enigmatic species of the genus Merodon Meigen (Diptera: Syrphidae) from the north-eastern Middle East
Authors: VUJIĆ ANTE , RADENKOVIĆ SNEŽANA , LIKOV LAURA , ANDRIĆ ANDRIJANA , GILASIAN EBRAHIM , BARKALOV ANATOLIJ
Published: February 2019

Two new remarkable species of the genus Merodon Meigen (Diptera: Syrphidae) are described from biodiversity hotspots in the Middle East: Merodon eumerusi Vujić, Radenković et Likov sp. n. and Merodon mixtum Vujić, Radenković et Likov sp. n. Although M. eumerusi, from the Mountains of Central Asia, belongs clearly to the lineage of M. avidus-nigritarsis, it possesses some unique features within the genus that are also present in other Merodontini genera. M. mixtum, from the Irano-Anatolian mountains, has typical characters of different species groups within the M. albifrons lineage. Here, we discuss the unusual apomorphic characters of these newly discovered taxa and highlight the need for further analyses to ascertain the phylogenetic relationships within the tribe Merodontini and the genus Merodon.
An Analytical Derivation of Ice-Shelf Basal Melt Based on the Dynamics of Meltwater Plumes
Authors: Lazeroms Werner M. J. , Jenkins Adrian , Rienstra Sjoerd W. , van de Wal Roderik S. W.
Published: February 2019

The interaction between ice shelves and the ocean is an important process for the development of marine ice sheets. However, it is difficult to model in full detail due to the high computational cost of coupled ice–ocean simulations, so that simplified basal-melt parameterizations are required. In this work, a new analytical expression for basal melt is derived from the theory of buoyant meltwater plumes moving upward under the ice shelf and driving the overturning circulation within the ice-shelf cavity. The governing equations are nondimensionalized in the case of an ice shelf with constant basal slope and uniform ambient ocean conditions. An asymptotic analysis of these equations in terms of small slopes and small thermal driving, assumed typical for Antarctic ice shelves, leads to an equation that can be solved analytically for the dimensionless melt rate. This analytical expression describes a universal melt-rate curve onto which the scaled results of the original plume model collapse. Its key features are a positive melt peak close to the grounding line and a transition to refreezing further away. Comparing the analytical expression with numerical solutions of the plume model generally shows a close agreement between the two, even for more general cases than the idealized geometry considered in the derivation. The results show how the melt rates adapt naturally to changes in the geometry and ambient ocean temperature. The new expression can readily be used for improving ice-sheet models that currently still lack a sufficiently realistic description of basal melt.
Tackling the Challenges Raised by the Digitalization of the Economy: Recent Experiences of the French Competition Authority
Authors: de Silva Isabelle
Published: February 2019

The digitalization of the economy has brought about new challenges that the French Competition Authority is determined to tackle, both through its enforcement activities and its advocacy tools. These past years the Authority has examined discriminatory practices and the use of price-parity clauses by digital platforms. It has also addressed the specifics of two-sided markets and looked into the competitive pressure exerted by online retailing. Recently, it examined a merger between two online platforms. To develop a better understanding of the particularities of the digital world, the Authority thoroughly examined the workings of the French online advertising market. It works closely with other European competition authorities to develop a shared doctrine on various issues such as open and closed ecosystems, data, or algorithms.
Sociodemographic, environmental characteristics and comorbidities of older adults with schizophrenia who access community health service support: A national cross-sectional study
Authors: Lacey Cameron , Manuel Jenni , Schluter Philip J , Porter Richard J , Pitama Suzanne , Jamieson Hamish A
Published: February 2019

Objectives:

Schizophrenia is a serious and chronic mental illness known to have broad ranging impacts for individuals across the lifespan, yet research on the disease in older adults is sparse. This study provides a profile of the sociodemographic, environmental and diagnostic characteristics of older community residents with schizophrenia using a national database.

Methods:

A cross-sectional sample of individuals who underwent community needs assessment using the standardised Home Care International Residential Assessment Instrument between 1 September 2012 and 31 January 2016 was utilised. Sociodemographic, diagnostic, and social and environmental variables were measured for individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and compared to those without a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Statistical investigations employed bivariable and multivariable logistic regression models.

Results:

A total sample of 71,859 was eligible and 517 (0.7%) had a diagnosis of schizophrenia. The majority of the sociodemographic variables were statistically associated with schizophrenia in the adjusted analysis, except for ethnicity ( p = 0.35). Nearly all the measured social and environmental variables were adversely associated with having a diagnosis of schizophrenia, such as living in squalid conditions (adjusted odds ratio = 2.16; 95% confidence interval = [1.42, 3.28]). Participants with schizophrenia were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with all assessed psychiatric comorbidities ( p < 0.001) and diabetes mellitus ( p  = 0.002), whereas coronary heart disease ( p = 0.001) and other physical comorbidities ( p = 0.001) were found at significantly lower rates.

Conclusion:

The profile of schizophrenia found here suggests some subtle differences in the demographic profile and distribution of medical comorbidities in the older population with schizophrenia. The results also suggest that this group continues to experience social disadvantage into old age. This requires the attention of policy-makers to ensure that services are tailored to the high social needs of these individuals.