bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Heme Oxygenase‐1 May Affect Cell Signalling via Modulation of Ganglioside Composition
Authors: Šmíd Václav , Šuk Jakub , Kachamakova-Trojanowska Neli , Jašprová Jana , Valášková Petra , Józkowicz Alicja , Dulak Józef , Šmíd František , Vítek Libor , Muchová Lucie
Published: September 2018

Heme oxygenase 1 (Hmox1), a ubiquitous enzyme degrading heme to carbon monoxide, iron, and biliverdin, is one of the cytoprotective enzymes induced in response to a variety of stimuli, including cellular oxidative stress. Gangliosides, sialic acid‐containing glycosphingolipids expressed in all cells, are involved in cell recognition, signalling, and membrane stabilization. Their expression is often altered under many pathological and physiological conditions including cell death, proliferation, and differentiation. The aim of this study was to assess the possible role of Hmox1 in ganglioside metabolism in relation to oxidative stress. The content of liver and brain gangliosides, their cellular distribution, and mRNA as well as protein expression of key glycosyltransferases were determined in Hmox1 knockout mice as well as their wild‐type littermates. To elucidate the possible underlying mechanisms between Hmox1 and ganglioside metabolism, hepatoblastoma HepG2 and neuroblastoma SH‐SY5Y cell lines were used for in vitro experiments. Mice lacking Hmox1 exhibited a significant increase in concentrations of liver and brain gangliosides and in mRNA expression of the key enzymes of ganglioside metabolism. A marked shift of GM1 ganglioside from the subsinusoidal part of the intracellular compartment into sinusoidal membranes of hepatocytes was shown in Hmox1 knockout mice. Induction of oxidative stress by chenodeoxycholic acid in vitro resulted in a significant increase in GM3, GM2, and GD1a gangliosides in SH‐SY5Y cells and GM3 and GM2 in the HepG2 cell line. These changes were abolished with administration of bilirubin, a potent antioxidant agent. These observations were closely related to oxidative stress‐mediated changes in sialyltransferase expression regulated at least partially through the protein kinase C pathway. We conclude that oxidative stress is an important factor modulating synthesis and distribution of gangliosides in vivo and in vitro which might affect ganglioside signalling in higher organisms.
Five-Year Predictors of Insulin Initiation in People with Type 2 Diabetes under Real-Life Conditions
Authors: Gentile Sandro , Strollo Felice , Viazzi Francesca , Russo Giuseppina , Piscitelli Pamela , Ceriello Antonio , Giorda Carlo , Guida Piero , Fioretto Paola , Pontremoli Roberto , De Cosmo Salvatore , the AMD-Annals Study Group
Published: September 2018

We performed a real-life analysis of clinical and laboratory parameters, in orally treated T2DM patients aiming at identifying predictors of insulin treatment initiation. Overall, 366955 patients (55.8% males, age 65 ± 11 years, diabetes duration 7 ± 8 years) were followed up between 2004 and 2011. Each patient was analyzed step-by-step until either eventually starting insulin treatment or getting to the end of the follow-up period. Patients switching to insulin showed a worse global risk profile, longer disease duration (10 ± 9 years vs. 6 ± 7 years, respectively;p<0.001), higher HbA1c (8.0 ± 1.6% vs. 7.2 ± 1.5%, respectively;p<0.001), higher triglycerides, a greater prevalence of arterial hypertension, antihypertensive, lipid-lowering and aspirin treatment, a higher rate of nonproliferative/proliferative retinopathy, and a nearly 4 times lower prevalence of the “diet alone.” They also showed a higher prevalence of subjects with eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2(24.0% vs. 16.2%, respectively;p<0.001). Multivariate analysis identified diabetes duration, HbA1c, triglyceride and low HDL-C values, presence of retinopathy or renal dysfunction, and sulphonylurea utilization (the risk being approximately 3 times greater in the latter case) as independent predictors of insulin treatment initiation. LDL-C, lipid-lowering treatment, and overweight/obese seem to be protective. Results of tree analysis showed that patients on sulphonylurea, with high HbA1c, eGFR below 50 ml/min/1.73 m2, and at least 5-year disease duration, are at very high risk to start insulin treatment. We have to stick to this real-life picture, of course, until enough data are collected on patients treated with innovative medications which are expected to improve beta cell survival and further delay treatment-related insulin requirement.
Utility of [18F] Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography Scan in Inflammatory Myopathies: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Rivas-de Noriega Juan Pablo , Galnares-Olalde Javier Andrés , Zúñiga-Varga Javier , Herrera-Félix Juan Pablo , Alegría-Loyola Marco Antonio , Turrent-Carriles Alonso
Published: September 2018

Introduction. Inflammatory myopathies are a rare group of diseases characterized by proximal weakness. Incidence ranges from 7.98/million/year and prevalence at 14/100,000. The utility of [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) scan is increasing for the complementary diagnosis of myopathies. Case Report. An 84-year-old male was admitted with a history of difficulty rising from a chair and a fall. Laboratory results showed increased creatine kinase levels of more than 50 times the normal reference values. Electromyography (EMG) showed myopathic changes, and FDG-PET/CT scan showed increased FDG uptake in bilateral quadriceps. A biopsy was performed revealing lymphocytic predominant infiltrates and myonecrosis. Prednisone and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) were administered with strength improvement. The patient was discharged for further follow-up. Discussion. FDG-PET/CT in inflammatory diseases has proven useful as muscle fibers have increased FDG uptake. In some cases, FDG-PET/CT is also useful in determining associated neoplastic diseases.
Asymptomatic Bacteriuria in Pregnancy Complicated by Pyelonephritis Requiring Nephrectomy
Authors: Kim Sharon J. , Parikh Pavan , King Amanda N. , Marnach Mary L.
Published: September 2018

Routine prenatal care in the United States includes screening for asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB), which occurs in 2 to 7 percent of pregnant women and can cause urinary tract infection and pyelonephritis. We present the case of a pregnant woman affected by multidrug resistant Klebsiella induced ASB during her prenatal screen, which was untreated due to a repeat urine culture showing mixed flora; subsequently, the patient’s postpartum course was complicated by pyelonephritis and perinephric abscess, concluding in a radical nephrectomy. Current recommendations are to treat ASB after two consecutive voided urine cultures showing the same bacterial strain in quantitative counts of =/> 10(5) colony forming units (cfu)/mL or a single-catheterized specimen with quantitative count of =/> 10(2) cfu/mL. For women with ASB in their prenatal screen or other high risk factors, consideration should be given to testing urine cultures every trimester until the completion of pregnancy to prevent the complications of persistent bacteriuria.
Histological and Mechanical Assessment of Decellularized Porcine Biografts, and Its Biological Evaluation following Aortic Implantation during Mid-Term Follow-Up
Authors: Fazekas Gábor , Benkő László , Kasza Gábor , Arató Endre , Sínay László , Jávor Szaniszló , Nagy Tibor , Hardi Péter , Kollár Lajos , Jancsó Gábor , Menyhei Gábor
Published: September 2018

Aims: Prosthetic graft infection frequently requires graft replacement. Among other options, a biological graft could serve as an alternative choice. Decellularization reduces tissue immunogenicity. Our aim was to determine an efficient decellularization method and to evaluate the decellularized porcine biografts’ adaptability. Methods: Four different protocols were implemented to decellularize porcine aortic segments (n = 4). Cell removal effectiveness and matrix structure preservation were histologically examined. Mechanical tests were performed. Decellularized porcine grafts were interpositioned in a porcine aorta. After a 6-month period, implanted samples were removed and evaluated using light and electron microscopy. Results: Histological results showed complete removal of cells and preserved connective tissue fiber structure following decellularization, using sodium dodecyl sulfate and sodium azide. Pressure tests demonstrated similar compliance to fresh vessels. In 9 out of 10 cases, pigs survived the follow-up period. Graft rejection, intimal hyperplasia, reocclusion and/or aneurysm formation were not observed. Presence of host cells and neoendothelialization were microscopically confirmed. Conclusions: This decellularization protocol enables a cost-effective preparation of biological grafts featuring reduced immunogenicity. The implanted grafts did not degenerate during the 6-month follow-up period, the lack of graft rejection suggests acceptable immunological tolerance, while recipient cells migrate into, proliferate and differentiate, thus creating the possibility for further use as an optional vascular graft.
Recovery Time after Hemodialysis Is Inversely Associated with the Ultrafiltration Rate
Authors: Bossola Maurizio , Di Stasio Enrico , Monteburini Tania , Parodi Emanuele , Ippoliti Fabio , Cenerelli Stefano , Santarelli Stefano , Nebiolo Pier Eugenio , Sirolli Vittorio , Bonomini Mario , Antocicco Manuela , Zuccalà Giuseppe , Laudisio Alice
Published: September 2018

Introduction: The present study aimed to determine the variables that are associated with a longer dialysis recovery time (DRT) and to define the relationship that exists between DRT and the ultrafiltration rate (UFR) in prevalent chronic hemodialysis (CHD) patients. Methods: We studied 210 prevalent CHD of 5 hemodialysis units in Central Italy. Patients were invited to answer to the question: “How long does it take you to recover from a dialysis session?” Answers to this question were subsequently converted into minutes. Demographic, clinical and laboratory parameters were recorded for each patient as well as the UFR (mL/kg/h), the dialysate sodium concentration and temperature. Results: Median DRT was 180 min (60–420). Ninety five (45%) patients had a DRT ≥ the median value. Mean UFR was 9.2 ± 3.0 mL/kg/h. Patients with a lower DRT had a less prevalent disability in the instrumental activities daily living, had a higher UFR, and a lower dialysate temperature, as compared with subjects with higher DRT. According to the logistic regression model, UFR was associated with a DRT below the median (i.e., 180) in the unadjusted model (OR 1.12; 95% CI 1.02–1.23; p = 0.019), after adjusting for age and sex (OR 1.11; 95% CI 1.01–1.22; p = 0.025), and in the fully adjusted model (OR 1.11; 95% CI 1.04–1.22; p = 0.040). UFR increase was associated with increasing probability of DRT below the median (p for trend = 0.035). The highest tertile of DRT was associated with UFR below the mean value (i.e., 9.2 mL/kg/h) in multinomial logistic regression having the lowest DRT tertile as reference. DRT was significantly lower in patients with UFR > 13 mL/kg/h than in patients with UFR 10–13 or < 10 mL/kg/h. Conclusion: DRT is inversely associated with UFR in CHD patients. Whether a high UFR should be recommended to reduce the DRT needs to be elucidated through an adequate prospective randomized study.
Diagnostic Difficulties in Primary Pauci-Melanotic Leptomeningeal Melanomatosis
Authors: Koziorowska-Gawron Ewa , Kaczorowski Maciej , Bladowska Joanna , Budrewicz Sławomir , Koszewicz Magdalena , Hałoń Agnieszka
Published: September 2018

We present a rare case of primary malignant melanoma of the central nervous system. We underline the difficulties we faced during diagnostic procedures. Finally, postmortem examination revealed the diagnosis of primary pauci-­melanotic leptomeningeal melanomatosis.
Sphingosine 1-Phosphate (S1P)/S1P Receptor2/3 Axis Promotes Inflammatory M1 Polarization of Bone Marrow-Derived Monocyte/Macrophage via G(α)i/o/PI3K/JNK Pathway
Authors: Yang Jingjing , Yang Le , Tian Lei , Ji Xiaofang , Yang Lin , Li Liying
Published: September 2018

Background/Aims: Macrophages, the most plastic cells in the haematopoietic system, are found in all tissues and show great functional heterogeneity. Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P)/ S1P receptors (S1PRs) system is widely involved in the process of inflammatory disease, whereas little evidence concerning its role in functional macrophage polarization is available. Thus, the present study was designed to evaluate the effects of S1P/S1PRs on functional polarization of macrophage in mouse bone marrow (BM)-derived monocyte/macrophages (BMMs). Methods: For the detection of M1 macrophage markers, such as CD86, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1/ chemokine (C-C motif) ligand (CCL) 2, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) 2, and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1β, RT-qPCR and cytometric bead array (CBA) were performed in cultured primary BMMs after the treatment with selective S1PR2/3 antagonists or specific S1PRs siRNA. Western blotting and immunofluorescence were used for the detection of phosphorylation of JNK1/2. Results: BMMs expressed S1PR1-3 and interestingly, S1PR2/3, but not S1PR1, mediates S1P-induced M1 macrophage polarization of BMMs as their siRNA or antagonists reduced M1 genes’ expression. We found that PTX (inhibitor of G(α)i/o), LY294002 (inhibitor of PI3K) or SP600125 (inhibitor of JNK1/2) prevented up-regulation of M1 genes expression mediated by S1P/S1PR2/3 signal, and S1P-induced JNK phosphorylation was inhibited by antagonists of S1PR2/3, PTX or LY294002. Conclusion: Collectively, our results demonstrate that S1P/S1PR2/3 plays a key role in regulating M1 type polarization of BMMs and acts by activating G(α)i/o/PI3K/JNK signaling pathway, with potential implications for new approaches to inflammatory liver disease therapy.
Oxysophocarpine Retards the Growth and Metastasis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Targeting the Nrf2/HO-1 Axis
Authors: Liu Rui , Peng Jia , Wang Huili , Li Lei , Wen Xiujie , Tan Yan , Zhang Lin , Wan Haoyuan , Chen Faming , Nie Xie
Published: September 2018

Background/Aims: Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is an oncogene in various types of cancers, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Oxysophocarpine (OSC) is a natural alkaloid that has multiple pharmacological activities. However, the biological functions and molecular mechanism underlying the effects of OSC on the growth and metastasis of OSCC are unclear. Methods: Nrf2 levels were determined in OSCC tissues and non-cancerous specimens by quantitative real-time PCR, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays. The effects of OSC on OSCC cell growth and metastasis were explored (1) using 5-ethynyl-20-deoxyuridine staining and Cell Counting Kit-8, colony formation, flow cytometry, wound-healing, Transwell, and tube formation assays in vitro; and (2) by establishing a xenograft nude mouse model in vivo. The molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of OSC on the growth and metastasis of OSCC were investigated in vitro by western blotting, caspase-3 activity, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and in vivo by western blotting and IHC assays. Results: The expression levels of Nrf2 in OSCC tissues and in cell lines were much higher than in non-cancerous tissues and normal oral keratinocytes. The upregulation of Nrf2 was positively correlated with a high incidence of lymph node metastasis and advanced histological grade and TNM stage, but inversely associated with differentiation and survival of OSCC patients. OSC reduced the expression of Nrf2 and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) in OSCC cells. OSC also inhibited proliferation, migration, invasion, and pro-angiogenesis of OSCC cells. Moreover, OSC induced cell cycle arrest, enhanced apoptosis of OSCC cells in vitro, and decreased OSCC tumor growth in vivo. Mechanically, OSC reduced the aggressive behavior of OSCC cells by inactivation of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. Conclusion: Our findings provide evidence that OSC inhibits the growth and metastasis of OSCC by targeting the Nrf2/ HO-1 axis, suggesting that OSC may be a potential therapeutic agent for OSCC.
Transient High-Glucose Stimulation Induces Persistent Inflammatory Factor Secretion from Rat Glomerular Mesangial Cells via an Epigenetic Mechanism
Authors: Yunlei Deng , Qiuling Fan  , Xu Wang , Qianwen Zhao , Xu Cao , Li Xu , Lining Wang
Published: September 2018

Background/Aims: Diabetic nephropathy is the one of the most serious microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus, and “metabolic memory” plays a vital role in the development of diabetic complications. To investigate the effect of epigenetics on metabolic memory, we analyzed the impact of transient high-glucose stimulation on the secretion of inflammatory factors from rat glomerular mesangial cells. Methods: Rat glomerular mesangial cells (HBZY-1) were divided into three groups: high-glucose group (25 mM glucose), hypertonic group (5.5 mM glucose+19.5 mM mannitol), and normal-glucose control group (5.5 mM glucose). Mesangial cells were cultured in high-glucose, hypertonic, and normal-glucose media for 24 h and transitioned to normal-glucose culture for 24, 48, and 72 h. Then, protein, mRNA, and supernatants were harvested. The expression of monomethylated H3K4 was determined by western blot analysis, and the expression of the NF-κB subunit p65 and histone methyltransferase set7/9 was determined by quantitative real-time PCR. The expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) was detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Compared with the control group, H3K4me1 expression was upregulated after transient high-glucose stimulation, gradually downregulated in the following 48 h (P < 0.05), and reached the level of the control group at 72 h (P > 0.05). The expression of set7/9 was increased after 24 h of high-glucose stimulation and the following 24 h and 48 h (P < 0.05); it then returned to the level of the control group at 72 h. Compared with the control group, the increased expression of p65, VCAM-1, and MCP-1 was sustained for at least 72 h in the high-glucose group. Conclusion: Transient high-glucose stimulation can induce the persistent secretion of inflammatory factors from rat glomerular mesangial cells via histone modification.
TRPV1 is a Responding Channel for Acupuncture Manipulation in Mice Peripheral and Central Nerve System
Authors: Chen Hsiao-Chun , Chen Ming-Yen , Hsieh Ching-Liang , Wu Shu-Yih , Hsu Hsin-Cheng , Lin Yi-Wen
Published: September 2018

Background/Aims: Acupuncture involves inserting a fine needle into a specific point, often called an acupoint, thereby initiating a therapeutic effect accompanied by phenomena such as soreness, heaviness, fullness, and numbness. Acupoints are characterized as points located in deep tissues with abundant sensory nerve terminals, which suggests that there is a strong relationship between acupoints and peripheral sensory afferents. In this study, we determined whether manual acupuncture (MA) or different frequencies of electroacupuncture (EA) share similar mechanisms for activating excitatory neurotransmission. Methods: We performed MA or EA at acupoint ST36 and we also used western blot and immunostaining techniques to determine neural changes at the peripheral dorsal root ganglion (DRG), spinal cord (SC), and somatosensory cortex (SSC) levels. Results: Our results show that either MA or EA at the ST36 acupoint significantly increased components of the TRPV1-related signaling pathway, such as pPKA, pPI3K, pPKC-pERK, and pAKT (but not pp38 or pJNK) at the peripheral DRG and central SC-SSC levels. Furthermore, excitatory phosphorylated N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (pNMDA) and pCaMKIIα (but not pNR2B, pCaMKIIδ, or pCaMKIIγ) also increased. These molecules could not increase in the DRG and SC-SSC of TRPV1–/–mice. Conclusion: Our data demonstrates that both MA and EA can activate excitatory signals in either peripheral or central levels. We also define that TRPV1 is crucial for an acupuncture effect and then initiate excitatory pNR1-pCaMKII pathway, at peripheral DRG and central SC-SSC level. We suggest that the TRPV1 signaling pathway is highly correlated to Acupuncture effect that implies the real clinical significance.
A Comissão da Verdade na Imprensa: justiça de transição, memória e jornalismo de reconhecimento
Authors: Basso Tamy Tormin , Blotta Vitor
Published: September 2018

Neste artigo analisamos coberturas jornalísticas da Comissão Nacional da Verdade (CNV) por meio de um estudo quantitativo e qualitativo dos jornais Folha de São Paulo e o Estado de São Paulo entre o 01 de janeiro de 2010 à 31 de dezembro de 2015. A metodologia combina os conceitos de memória coletiva, reconhecimento e razão comunicativa com normas éticas do jornalismo, de modo a permitir uma análise empírica crítica de como esses jornais cobriram os trabalhos da CNV. Os resultados indicam que apesar do potencial para contribuir para a formação de uma memória coletiva sobre a ditatura e o período transicional, promovendo o que podemos chamar de “jornalismo de reconhecimento”, as coberturas foram predominantemente reativas aos marcos estatais, pecando na contextualização e reproduzindo fatos já conhecidos, além de memórias hegemônicas e subjetividades dicotômicas.
Emigrants in the Historical Population Register of Norway
Authors: Thorvaldsen Gunnar
Published: September 2018

Both the completed transcription of our emigration protocols and the construction of the Norwegian national Historical Population Register, among other developments, make an article about methods for studying emigration from Norway through the last couple of centuries topical. This article starts by discussing the Norwegian and American sources through which we can identify the emigrants’ absence from Norway. In particular, it focuses attention on groups that are difficult to follow because of international migration, and the consequences this has for emigration statistics. A key issue for further research is the degree to which emigration and return migration are reflected in the population registry.
Mapping and Analysing Remigration Based upon Norwegian Farm- and Genealogical History Projects
Authors: Kjelland Arnfinn
Published: September 2018

In this article I attempt to utilise the vast efforts invested in a particularly Norwegian genre of local history, namely the farm and genealogy books (bygdebok, plural bygdebøker), to analyse aspects of migration, especially remigration from North America, in a micro-historical perspective. Such books, of which a rather large corpus exists, contain detailed longitudinal data on people and holdings within a limited region, usually a rural municipality or parish. Consulting two works from this bygdebok genre as primary sources, I identify and analyse those people who re-migrated to Norway after having been in North America prior to the commission of the 1910 census.
“To Renew the Covenant”
Authors: Kershner Jon R.
Published: September 2018

In“To Renew the Covenant”: Religious Themes in Eighteenth-Century Quaker Abolitionism, Jon R. Kershner argues that Quakers adhered to a providential view of history, which motivated their desire to take a corporate position against slavery. Antislavery Quakers believed God’s dealings with them, for good or ill, were contingent on their faithfulness. Their history of deliverance from persecution, the liberty of conscience they experienced in the British colonies, and the ethics of the Golden Rule formed a covenantal relationship with God that challenged notions of human bondage. Kershner traces the history of abolitionist theologies from George Fox and William Edmundson in the late seventeenth century to Paul Cuffe and Benjamin Banneker in the early nineteenth century. It covers the Germantown Protest, Benjamin Lay, John Woolman, Anthony Benezet, William Dillwyn, Warner Mifflin, and others who offered religious arguments against slavery. It also surveys recent developments in Quaker antislavery studies.
Studies on Parmulariaceae I. A phylogeny based on available sequence data; introducing Parmulariales ord. nov., and Hemigraphaceae, Melaspileellaceae and Stictographaceae fam. nov.
Authors: DAI DONG-QIN , TANG LI-ZHOU , LIU CHAO , WANG HAI-BO , HYDE KEVIN D.
Published: September 2018

The family Parmulariaceae comprises three polyphyletic genera, but with very little data in GenBank and is presently placed in the order Asterinales. In this study, we re-analyze the available sequence data for taxa of the family and re-examine the type species of Hemigrapha, Inocyclus and Parmularia. The phylogenetic tree generated from maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses of combined LSU-SSU sequence data demonstrate the relationships among Hemigrapha, Inocyclus and Parmularia species, and the relations of Buelliella, Karschia, Labrocarpon, Lembosia, Melaspileella, Melaspileopsis and Stictographa. We introduce Parmulariales ord. nov. to accommodate Parmulariaceae and the order Asterinales accommodates Asterinaceae, Asterotexaceae, Hemigraphaceae fam. nov., Melaspileellaceae fam. nov. and Stictographaceae fam. nov. Notes for each new order and families are provided. We confirm that Asterinaceae sensu lato is distant from Asterinaceae sensu stricto in the phylogenic analysis. The classification presented here is provisional, as more species are needed to re-collected and sequenced. We expect further support for our ordinal and familial lineages, as well as further novel lineages.
Diversity and phylogeny of Sargassum (Fucales, Phaeophyceae) in Singapore
Authors: YIP ZHI TING , QUEK RANDOLPH Z. B. , LOW JEFFREY K. Y. , WILSON BRYAN , BAUMAN ANDREW G. , CHOU LOKE MING , TODD PETER A. , HUANG DANWEI
Published: September 2018

Sargassum species play key ecological roles on coral reefs, yet their diversity remains poorly known. Precise identification of Sargassum species, however, is improving with molecular genetic tools, though these have yet to be applied rigorously in Singapore. Historical records list 41 species, but no more than ten were verified based on herbarium vouchers, and even fewer (five species) were confirmed in the field based on a single nuclear gene marker in a previous study. Here, we revised the diversity of Sargassum in Singapore by examining all the morphologically distinct forms collected from the local coral reef environment. A total of six morphotypes, Sargassum aquifolium (Turner) C.Argardh (1820), S. cf. granuliferum C.Argardh (1820), S. ilicifolium (Turner) C.Argardh (1820), S. swartzii C.Argardh (1820), S. polycystum C.Argardh (1824), and an undescribed taxon ‘Sargassum sp.’ (Mattio and Payri 2009), were delineated based on morphological characteristics. The morphotypes were placed in five molecular clades based on phylogenetic analyses of the nuclear ITS-2, chloroplastic partial RuBisCO operon rbcLS, and mitochondrial cox3. Sargassum cf. granuliferum, though morphologically distinct from all other species, is not phylogenetically distinct from S. polycystum. Our results provide a species list for Singapore that will be valuable for future studies on macroalgal biogeography and species-specific ecological relationships with other reef organisms, particularly corals.
Frailea erythracantha (Cactaceae): a new species from Pampa Grasslands, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil
Authors: PONTES RODRIGO CORRÊA , DEBLE ANABELA SILVEIRA DE OLIVEIRA , DEBLE LEONARDO PAZ
Published: September 2018

The South American genus Frailea includes taxa which are no sufficiently known from the taxonomical point of view. Based on field surveys, nomenclatural types and other specimens and review of literature we found an interesting population of a Frailea species from western region of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil which was described as Frailea erythracantha sp. nov. Data regarding its geographic distribution, phenology, habitat, conservation, and morphological affinities with related species are provided.
Taxonomic revisions within Embiotocidae (Teleostei, Perciformes) based on molecular phylogenetics
Authors: LONGO GARY C. , BERNARDI GIACOMO , LEA ROBERT N.
Published: September 2018

Embiotocidae, a unique family within the Perciformes that has evolved a complex viviparous natural history, has lacked full resolution and strong support in several interspecific relationships until recently. Here we propose three taxonomic revisions within embiotocid surfperches based on recent molecular phylogenetic analyses that robustly resolve all interspecific relationship in the Eastern Pacific species: Hypsurus caryi (Agassiz, 1853) resurrected to its original name Embiotoca caryi Agassiz, 1853, Rhacochilus vacca (Girard, 1855) shifted into the genus Phanerodon Girard, 1854, and Hyperprosopon anale Agassiz, 1861 separated into the available genus Hypocritichthys Gill, 1862. The proposed changes would leave three previously paraphyletic groups monophyletic (Embiotoca, Hyperprosopon, and Phanerodon) and would maintain the current number of genera at 13.
The subspecies concept in Geocorinae: an integrated taxonomic case study on Geocoris (Piocoris) erythrocephalus (Lepeletier & Serville, 1825) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Geocoridae)
Authors: KÓBOR P. , TÓBIÁS I. , ROCA-CUSACHS M. , KONDOROSY E.
Published: September 2018

The validity and necessity of subspecies as a taxonomic category and the implications of the subspecies concept in various taxa of animals is subject of debates since its very existence. In case of the species of the lygaeoid subfamily Geocorinae there are multiple examples of species consisting of up to nine subspecies which were mostly described as varieties or forms before the middle of 20th century, but upgraded to valid subspecies subsequently, usually without providing any arguments. As part of an integrated taxonomic study on the Palaearctic representatives of Geocorinae, the status of the subspecies of Geocoris (Piocoris) erythrocephalus (Lepeletier & Serville, 1825) was revisited. A critical review of the literature available and our studies, involving analysis of COI sequences, morphological examination and distribution data processing with the use of Geographic Information System, concluded that two of the three subspecies, G. e. erythrocephalus and G. e. marginellus Horváth, 1907, can be considered valid, while G. e. litoreus Horváth, 1895, is merely a phenotypically manifested infrasubspecific genetic variety of G. e. erythrocephalus, with no taxonomic value as it was suggested by earlier study of another author. Besides the interpretation of evidence, the applicability of the subspecies concept in Geocorinae is discussed as well.
Two new species of Atlantoscia Ferrara & Taiti, 1981 (Isopoda: Oniscidea: Philosciidae) from southern Brazil described in the light of integrative taxonomy
Authors: ZIMMERMANN BIANCA LAÍS , CAMPOS-FILHO IVANKLIN SOARES , CARDOSO GIOVANNA MONTICELLI , SANTOS SANDRO , AGUIAR JOSÉ OTÁVIO , ARAUJO PAULA BEATRIZ
Published: September 2018

The use of molecular data in association with classical taxonomy has helped to alleviate the taxonomic impediment through the discovery, delimitation and description of new species. Terrestrial isopods are the largest suborder of Isopoda; however, there are very few active taxonomists in this group and a representative part of the terrestrial isopods world diversity remains unexplored. The genus Atlantoscia comprises five species in which diagnostic characters are few and show subtle differences among the species. The objective of this study was to delimit and describe two new species of the genus Atlantoscia from southern Brazil by using traditional taxonomy coupled with genetic information. Specimens were analyzed morphologically and by the aid of two molecular markers, mitochondrial COI and nuclear 18S rRNA. The validity of the new species Atlantoscia antennamaculata sp. nov. and Atlantoscia australis sp. nov. was corroborated, unambiguously, by morphological approach, phylogenetic analysis and species delimitation methods. Our study reinforces the fact that, despite the undeniable importance of comparative morphology in species discovery, new methods and data, particularly molecular ones, are becoming prominent and an integrative part of the taxonomy practice.
Integrative taxonomy of the red-finned barb, Enteromius apleurogramma (Cyprininae: Smiliogastrini) from Kenya, supports recognition of E. amboseli as a valid species
Authors: SCHMIDT RAY C. , BART HENRY L. JR. , NYINGI WANJA DOROTHY
Published: September 2018

Research on freshwater ecosystems in East Africa is providing a better understanding of the biodiversity in the region. Recent studies of the Kenyan barbs (Cyprininae: Smiliogastrini) revealed diversity within several nominal species from the region. In this study, we examine the molecular and morphological variation in the red-finned barb (Enteromius apleurogramma). The results of this study support the recognition of E. amboseli as a valid species that is endemic to the middle Athi River drainage in southern Kenya. Enteromius amboseli is geographically isolated and distinguished from E. apleurogramma in having longer posterior barbels, a shorter dorsal fin, and generally fewer scales in the longitudinal series. Genetic divergence between E. apleurogramma populations in Lake Victoria and Lake Kanyaboli, provide novel estimates for rates of molecular evolution in the group. Additionally, the biogeography of these barbs and the conservation status of E. amboseli are discussed.
Thinking about Thinking about Comparative Political Economy: From Macro to Micro and Back
Authors: Schwartz Herman Mark , Tranøy Bent Sofus
Published: September 2018

How and why did comparative political economy (CPE) lose sight of the sources of growing macroeconomic and political instability, a problem that encompassed a growing financial bubble and then a crash in the housing market, a period of sluggish growth that plausibly constitutes secular stagnation, and a crisis of political legitimacy manifesting itself in the rise of antisystem “populist” parties? A gradual shift in CPE’s research agenda from macroeconomic to microeconomic concerns, and from demand-side to supply-side explanations, diminished its ability to analyze adequately the central economic and political problems of the past twenty years. This article traces CPE’s evolution through successive “supermodels” that constituted its core research foci. To understand the current crisis, CPE needs to revisit and update its original roots in Keynes, macroeconomics, and the demand side. This shift is already happening at the margins, as CPE scholars struggle to understand the current crisis.
Confirmatory factor analyses of the Parent Attributions Questionnaire among Asian immigrant mothers
Authors: Ren Huiguang , Sun Shuyan , Cheah Charissa S. L. , Sang Biao , Liu Junsheng
Published: September 2018

The present study examined the factor structure of maternal attributions regarding their caregiving experiences, measured by the Parent Attributions Questionnaire, among Asian immigrant mothers. Chinese and Korean immigrant mothers ( N = 333, mean age ( Mage) = 36.79 years, standard deviation ( SD) = 4.79) with preschool children ( Mage = 4.43 years, SD = 1.31) reported their attributions regarding the reasons for their success and failure at seven daily caregiving tasks, and demographic information. Three structure models were tested: the unidimensional structure model; the internal–external structure model; and the controllable–uncontrollable structure model. Results revealed that the controllability-based structure fitted the data better than the unidimensional or locus-based structure of parental attributions. Metric and partial scalar invariance of the controllability-based model were established between Chinese and Korean immigrant mothers. Asian immigrant mothers focused on whether the causes for the parenting outcomes were controllable or uncontrollable when attributing the causes of their caregiving experiences. The superiority of the controllable–uncontrollable over the internal–external structure model in this sample may reflect Asian immigrant mothers’ Confucian-based heritage cultural emphasis on their responsibility for creating optimal childrearing for their children.
Words Apart: A Study of Attitudes Toward Varieties of South African English Accents in a United States Employment Scenario
Authors: Goatley-Soan Sean , Baldwin John R.
Published: September 2018

This study investigates Americans’ attitudes toward the four major accents of South African English (SAfE) and several of their subvarieties in a hypothetical U.S. employment scenario. Participants perceived that SAfE accents possess positive language personality traits in comparison with standard American English; however, respondents identify SAfE speakers as foreign and perceive specific SAfE-accented varieties to be superior and more dynamic (e.g., General/Cultivated White SAfE and Indian SAfE) in relation to other SAfE-accented speakers (e.g., Mesolect Black SAfE and Cape Flats SAfE), even when they do not correctly identify the speaker’s country of origin.
Need for adjunctive procedures following cyanoacrylate closure of incompetent great, small and accessory saphenous veins without the use of postprocedure compression: Three-month data from a postmarket evaluation of the VenaSeal System (the WAVES Study)
Authors: Gibson Kathleen , Minjarez Renee , Gunderson Krissa , Ferris Brian
Published: September 2018

Purpose

Studies examining cyanoacrylate closure of saphenous veins with the VenaSeal™ System have not allowed concomitant procedures for tributaries at the time of the index procedure. Outside of clinical trials, however, concomitant procedures are frequently performed in conjunction with endovenous ablation. We report on the frequency of need for saphenous tributary treatment three months after cyanoacrylate closure of the treatment of great saphenous vein, small saphenous vein, and/or accessory saphenous vein.

Methods

Fifty subjects with symptomatic great saphenous vein, small saphenous vein, and/or accessory saphenous vein incompetence were treated with no postprocedure compression stockings. Concomitant procedures were not allowed. Treating physicians predicted the type and nature of any concomitant procedures that they would usually perform at the time of ablation, if not limited by the constraints of the study. Evaluations were performed at one week, one and three months and included duplex ultrasound, numeric pain rating scale, revised venous clinical severity score, the Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire, and time to return to work and normal activities. At the three-month visit, the need for and type of adjunctive procedures were recorded.

Results

Complete closure at three months was achieved in 70 (99%) of the treated veins (48 great saphenous veins, 14 accessory saphenous veins, eight small saphenous veins). Revised venous clinical severity score improved from 6.4 ± 2.2 to 1.8 ± 1.5 (P < .001) and Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire from 17.3 ± 7.9 to 6.5 ± 7.2 (P < .0001). Sixty-six percent of patients underwent tributary treatment at three months. The percentage of patients who required adjunctive treatments at three months was lower than had been predicted by the treating physicians (65% versus 96%, p=.0002).

Conclusions

Closure rates were high in the absence of the use of compression stockings or side branch treatment. Improvement in quality of life was significant, and the need for and extent of concomitant procedures was significantly less than had been predicted by the treating physicians.
The ‘safe death’: An ethnographic study exploring the perspectives of rural palliative care patients and family caregivers
Authors: Rainsford Suzanne , Phillips Christine B , Glasgow Nicholas J , MacLeod Roderick D , Wiles Robert B
Published: September 2018

Background:

In rural settings, relationships between place and self are often stronger than for urban residents, so one may expect that rural people would view dying at home as a major feature of the ‘good death’.

Aim:

To explore the concept of the ‘good death’ articulated by rural patients with life-limiting illnesses, and their family caregivers.

Design:

Ethnography, utilising open-ended interviews, observations and field-notes.

Participants:

In total, 12 rural (town and farm) patients with life-limiting illnesses, 18 family caregivers and 6 clinicians, in the Snowy Monaro region of New South Wales, Australia, participated in this study over the course of the deaths of the patients. Interviews were transcribed and analysed with observational data using an emergent thematic process.

Results:

A ‘safe death’ was central to a ‘good death’ and was described as a death in which one could maintain (1) a connection with one’s previous identity; (2) autonomy and control over decisions regarding management of end-of-life care and (3) not being overwhelmed by the physical management of the dying process. For all participants, the preferred place of death was the ‘safe place’, regardless of its physical location.

Conclusion:

Safety, in this study, is related to a familiar place for death. A home death is not essential for and does not ensure a ‘good death’. We all have a responsibility to ensure all places for dying can deliver the ‘safe death’. Future research could explore the inter-relationships between safety and preference for home or home-like places of death.
Revisiting singing proficiency in three-year-olds
Authors: Gudmundsdottir Helga R.
Published: September 2018

The present study employed a protocol specially developed for testing toddlers’ singing competence. The protocol was designed to increase responsivity of toddlers during testing. The singing ranges and singing accuracy of three-year-old children were measured using the protocol ( N = 39). A large proportion of the three-year-olds participated in at least one item (89.7%), which is a high rate of participation for this age group, validating the appropriateness of the protocol applied.

The most successful test item was the Self-selected song as it elicited the highest response rate of all items (87%). Furthermore, the Self-selected song resulted in more accurate renditions in terms of preservation of melodic contour (85%) and intervals (24%) than another item consisting of a familiar standard song phrase. In ascending pitch glides, 73% of the toddlers lifted their voice above C5 and the highest produced pitch was C6 (two octaves above middle C). Pitch matching accuracy was highly pitch dependent, with middle C as the most accurately matched pitch (53%) and C above middle C the least accurately matched pitch (11%). The findings support previous research that describes three-year-olds as capable singers while contradicting more widely accepted views of three-year-olds having poorly developed singing skills.
Multi-Thread Optimization for the Calibration of Microscopic Traffic Simulation Model
Authors: Hou Zenghao , Lee Joyoung
Published: September 2018

This paper proposes an innovative multi-thread stochastic optimization approach for the calibration of microscopic traffic simulation models. Combining Quasi-Monte Carlo (QMC) sampling and the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm, the proposed approach, namely the Quasi-Monte Carlo Particle Swarm (QPS) calibration method, is designed to boost the searching process without prejudice to the calibration accuracy. Given the search space constructed by the combinations of simulation parameters, the QMC sampling technique filters the searching space, followed by the multi-thread optimization through the PSO algorithm. A systematic framework for the implementation of the QPS QMC-initialized PSO method is developed and applied for a case study dealing with a large-scale simulation model covering a 6-mile stretch of Interstate Highway 66 (I-66) in Fairfax, Virginia. The case study results prove that the proposed QPS method outperforms other methods utilizing Genetic Algorithm and Latin Hypercube Sampling in achieving faster convergence to obtain an optimal calibration parameter set.
An Integrated, Validated, and Applied Activity-Based Dynamic Traffic Assignment Model for the Baltimore-Washington Region
Authors: Zhang Lei , Yang Di , Ghader Sepehr , Carrion Carlos , Xiong Chenfeng , Rossi Thomas F. , Milkovits Martin , Mahapatra Subrat , Barber Charles
Published: September 2018

The paper discusses the integration process and initial applications of a new model for the Baltimore-Washington region that integrates an activity-based travel demand model (ABM) with a dynamic traffic assignment (DTA) model. Specifically, the integrated model includes InSITE, an ABM developed for the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, and DTALite, a mesoscopic DTA model. The integrated model simulates the complete daily activity choices of individuals residing in the model region, including long-term choices, such as workplace location; daily activity patterns, including joint household activities and school escorting; activity location choices; time-of-day choices; mode choices; and route choices. The paper describes the model development and integration approach, including modeling challenges, such as the need to maintain consistency between the ABM and DTA models in terms of temporal and spatial resolution, and practical implementation issues, such as managing model run time and ensuring sufficient convergence of the model. The integrated model results have been validated against observed daily traffic volumes and vehicle-miles traveled (VMT) for various functional classes. A land-use change scenario that analyzes the redevelopment of the Port Covington area in Baltimore is applied and compared with the baseline scenario. The validation and application results suggest that the integrated model outperforms a static assignment-based ABM and could capture behavioral changes at much finer time resolutions.
Septicemia in Long-Term Jugular Hemodialysis Catheters; Eradicating Infection by Changing the Catheter over a Guidewire
Authors: Carlisle E.J.F. , Blake P. , McCarthy F. , Vas S. , Uldall R.
Published: September 2018

By convention, septicemia occurring from an infected vascular catheter is treated with antibiotics and removal of the catheter. This approach, used with surgically implanted long-term catheters would be expected to result in loss of the vascular access site. During a 57 month period, we treated 21 episodes of septicemia secondary to infection of long term indwelling double lumen jugular venous catheters in our hemodialysis unit. Seventeen of 21 episodes were managed successfully by changing the catheter over a guidewire, thus preserving the access site. No relapse was observed after the antibiotic therapy was stopped. Only four patients required complete removal of the catheter and subsequent use of another site.
Renal Hemodynamics, Plasma Amino Acids and Hormones after a Meat Meal in Progressive Nephron Loss
Authors: De Santo N.G. , Anastasio P. , Coppola S. , Capasso G. , Bellini L. , Spagnuolo G. , Alfieri R. , Massimo L. , De Mercato R. , Lombardi A. , Siciliano A. , Esposito R.
Published: September 2018

Ten patients with chronic renal failure (GFR 29–97 ml/min), on free diets providing 1 g/kg B.W. of proteins, ingested an oral protein load (meat meal, 2 g/kg B.W.). GFR and RPF increased significantly over baseline with no change in filtration fraction. Within 30 min of the meal and for the next 3 h a statistically significant increase was observed in the plasma concentrations of the following amino acid groups: essential, nonessential, total, branched-chain, ketogenic, glycogenic, glycogenic and ketogenic, basic, acid, polar and non-polar. At 30 min the smallest increase was seen in acid and polar amino acids (6.7% and 7.6%, respectively). At 180 min the largest increase (78.8%) was seen for glycogenic and ketogenic amino acids and total plasma amino acids were 1.58 times baseline. After the meat meal plasma glucagon and insulin rose significantly, while growth hormone, plasma renin activity and aldosterone did not vary.