bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PMMA Sandwiched Bi2Te3 Layer as a Saturable Absorber in Mode-Locked Fiber Laser
Authors: Jiang Guobao , Zhou Yuan , Wang Lulu , Chen Ying
Published: December 2018

In this paper, we fabricated a PMMA sandwiched Bi2Te3 self-assembly layer as a saturable absorber device, which was used as a passive mode locker for ultrafast pulse generation at the telecommunication band. Nanosheets of Bi2Te3 as a bulk topological insulator were successfully synthesized through a solvothermal treatment and self-assemble method to form a thin film at a water-air interface. In order to transfer the Bi2Te3 self-assembly layer to the optical fiber end, we design a construction of two PMMA layers sandwiched self-assembly layer. By incorporating this saturable absorber into an erbium-doped fiber laser, femtosecond mode-locking operation was experimentally demonstrated. The output pulse width is about 505 fs. Our results indicate that PMMA sandwiched topological insulator layer structure could be an improvement technology in traditional PMMA transfer method and could be used as a long-term stable saturable absorber for the passively mode locking lasers.
Assessments of Antibacterial Effects of Aqueous-Ethanolic Extracts of Sida rhombifolia’s Aerial Part
Authors: Debalke Demeke , Birhan Mastewal , Kinubeh Amebaye , Yayeh Muluken
Published: December 2018

Infectious diseases are the critical problems of the world as a result of the emergence of different antimicrobial resistant microorganisms due to several reasons like misuses and repeating uses of antibiotics. Because of this, searching of new treatment method is important from natural substances to against those infectious diseases in both human and animals’ aspects. Among those plants, Sida rhombifolia has various roles against those infectious diseases through its different phytochemical components. The objectives of this study were assessing the antibacterial activity of the aqueous-methanol extract of the plant’s aerial part and knowing the phytochemical constituents of the plant. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed that the extract of S. rhombifolia’s aerial part possesses flavonoids, alkaloids, polyphenols, and quinines. In addition to this, the antibacterial activity of the plant extract was evaluated on five pathogenic bacteria species using agar well diffusion method at different concentrations of plant extracts. Minimum inhibition concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration determinations were done by tetrazolium chloride microtiter dilution assay. The inhibition zone of mean diameters ranging from 0.00 to 7.67mm against all test bacteria was significantly (p<0.05) much less than that of the positive control Chloroamphinicole (30μg/disc) with the range of 14.33mm-15mm of inhibition zone of diameters. The inhibition zones of the tested bacteria at the concentration of 62.5mg/ml were much less than the higher concentration (500mg/ml) and significantly different (p<0.05), whereas the MIC value ranges from 4.62 to 97.22mg/ml and the MBC value ranges from 4.62 to 125.00mg/ml. Even if the plant extract showed antibacterial activity, it was lower than that of other solvent extraction methods; so other solvent extraction methods and fractionates must be conducted to investigate the antibacterial activities of the plant extract on different bacterial strains and species that cause different diseases.
Fluid Evolution of Fuzishan Skarn Cu-Mo Deposit from the Edong District in the Middle-Lower Yangtze River Metallogenic Belt of China: Evidence from Petrography, Mineral Assemblages, and Fluid Inclusions
Authors: Zhang Lu , Jiang Shao-Yong , Xiong Suo-Fei , Duan Deng-Fei
Published: December 2018

The Fuzishan Cu-Mo deposit is located in the Edong district of the Middle-Lower Yangtze River Metallogenic Belt, China. The orebodies mainly occurred as lenticular and bedded shapes in the skarn zone between the Lower Permian Qixia Formation carbonate rocks and the quartz diorite. Four paragenetic stages have been recognized based on petrographic observations: (1) prograde skarn stage, (2) retrograde skarn stage, (3) quartz-sulfide stage, and (4) carbonate stage. Six fluid inclusion types were recognized: S1(vapor + liquid + halite ± other daughter minerals), S2(vapor + liquid + daughter minerals except halite), LV(rich liquid + vapor), VL(rich vapor + liquid), V (vapor), and L (liquid) types. Fluid inclusion studies show distinct variations in composition, final homogenization temperature, and salinity in four stages. Daughter minerals of the primary fluid inclusions include chalcopyrite, molybdenite, hematite, anhydrite, calcite, and halite in the prograde skarn stage and hematite, calcite, and sulfide (?) in the retrograde skarn stage. No daughter minerals occurred in the quartz-sulfide and carbonate stages. Final homogenization temperatures recorded in these stages are from 405 to >550°C, from 212 to 498°C, from 150 to 485°C, and from 89 to 223°C, respectively, while salinities are from 3.7 to 42.5, from 2.6 to 18.5, from 2.2 to 17.9, and from 0.2 to 11.5 wt.% NaCl equivalent, respectively. The coexisting VLand S1type fluid inclusions show similar homogenization temperature of 550 to about 650°C in the prograde skarn stage, indicating that immiscibility occurred at lithostatic pressure of 700 bars to perhaps 1000 bars, corresponding to a depth of 2.6 km to about 3.7 km. The coeval VLand LVtypes fluid inclusions with homogenization temperature of 350 to 400°C in the late retrograde skarn and quartz-sulfide stages suggest that boiling occurred under hydrostatic pressure of 150 to 280 bars, equivalent to a depth of 1.5 to 2.8 km. Mo mineralization in the retrograde stage predated Cu mineralization which mainly occurred in the quartz-sulfide stage. Fluid compositions indicate that ore-forming fluid has highfO2and rich Cu and Mo concentration in the early stage, while relatively lowerfO2and poor Cu and Mo concentration in the middle to late stages. Microthermometric data show a decreasing trend in temperature and salinity in the fluid evolution process. Decreasing temperature and boiling event may be the main factors that control the ore precipitation.
esiCancer: Evolutionary In Silico Cancer Simulator
Authors: Minussi Darlan Conterno , Henz Bernardo , dos Santos Oliveira Mariana , Filippi-Chiela Eduardo C. , Oliveira Manuel M. , Lenz Guido
Published: December 2018

The evolution of cancer is inferred mainly from samples taken at discrete points that represent glimpses of the complete process. In this study, we present esiCancer as a cancer-evolution simulator. It uses a branching process, randomly applying events to a diploid oncogenome, altering probabilities of proliferation and death of the affected cells. Multiple events that occur over hundreds of generations may lead to a gradual change in cell fitness and the establishment of a fast-growing population. esiCancer provides a platform to study the impact of several factors on tumor evolution, including dominance, fitness, event rate, and interactions among genes as well as factors affecting the tumor microenvironment. The output of esiCancer can be used to reconstruct clonal composition and Kaplan-Meier–like survival curves of multiple evolutionary stories. esiCancer is an open-source, standalone software to model evolutionary aspects of cancer biology.

Significance:

This study provides a customizable and hands-on simulation tool to model the effect of diverse types of genomic alterations on the fate of tumor cells.
Characterization of a DNA Aptamer for Ovarian Cancer Clinical Tissue Recognition and in Vivo Imaging
Authors: Li Fengjie , Wang Qian , Zhang Hui , Deng Tanggang , Feng Peifu , Hu Bin , Jiang Yanping , Cao Lanqin 
Published: December 2018

Backgrounds/Aims: Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynaecologic malignancy and is difficult to detect early. The inefficient early diagnosis of ovarian cancer is the main contributor to its high mortality rate. Aptamers, as chemical antibodies, are single-stranded DNA or RNA oligonucleotides that target cells or molecules with high affinity. Methods: Binding ability of R13 was measured by flow cytometry analysis. Stability of R13 was tested in blood serum of an ovarian cancer patient. Internalization of R13 was verified by confocal microscope imaging. 80 cases ovarian cancer tissues, 10 cases normal ovary tissues in a microarray and 6 fallopian tube tissues were prepared for this study. R13’s target ability was further confirmed in vivo tumor models in NOD/SCID mice. Results: In this study, we found aptamer R13 bound to ovarian cancer cells with dissociation constants in the nanomolar range. Moreover, these results were further confirmed by tissue imaging. Next we demonstrated that the targets of R13 are membrane proteins and that its internalization occurs in a caveolae-mediated and clathrin-mediated manner. The target function of R13 was determined by imaging A2780 tumours in mouse models. Conclusion: These findings suggest that R13 is a promising novel tool to diagnose and deliver drugs to treat ovarian cancer.
Plasma Exosomal Long Non-Coding RNAs Serve as Biomarkers for Early Detection of Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Hu Dongzhi , Zhan Yang , Zhu Kegan , Bai Ming , Han Jiayi , Si Yiran , Zhang Haiyang , Kong Dalu 
Published: December 2018

Background/Aims: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Thus, methods for early diagnosis of CRC are urgently needed. We aimed to identify potential long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in circulatory exosomes that may serve as biomarkers for the detection of early-stage CRC. Methods: Exosomes from the plasma of CRC patients (n = 50) and healthy individuals (n = 50) were isolated by ultracentrifugation, followed by extraction of total exosomal RNAs using TRIzol reagent. Microarray analysis was used for exosomal lncRNA profiling in the two groups, and real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to determine the expression level of lncRNAs in all patients and healthy subjects. Results: The expression of six lncRNAs (LNCV6_116109, LNCV6_98390, LNCV6_38772, LNCV_108266, LNCV6_84003, and LNCV6_98602) was found to be significantly up-regulated in CRC patients compared with that in healthy individuals by qRT-PCR. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to verify their diagnostic accuracy. The values of the area under the curve for these lncRNAs were 0.770 (LNCV6_116109), 0.7500 (LNCV6_98390), 0.6500 (LNCV6_38772), 0.6900 (LNCV_108266), 0.7500 (LNCV6_84003), and 0.7200 (LNCV6_98602). Conclusion: Our study suggested that the expression of these six exosomal lncRNAs (LNCV6_116109, LNCV6_98390, LNCV6_38772, LNCV_108266, LNCV6_84003, and LNCV6_98602) was significantly up-regulated in the plasma of CRC patients, and that they may serve as potential non-invasive biomarkers for early diagnosis of CRC.
miR-486-3p Influences the Neurotoxicity of a-Synuclein by Targeting the SIRT2 Gene and the Polymorphisms at Target Sites Contributing to Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Wang Yan , Cai YuJie , Huang Haili , Chen Xiongjin , Chen Xiaoyi , Chen Xiaoting , Mai Hui , Li Xiaohui , Zhao Jianghao , Yang Jingqi , Fan Weihao , Tang Pei , Chen Yusen , Li Keshen , Cui Lili 
Published: December 2018

Background/Aims: Increasing evidence suggests the important role of sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) in the pathology of Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, the association between potential functional polymorphisms in the SIRT2 gene and PD still needs to be identified. Exploring the molecular mechanism underlying this potential association could also provide novel insights into the pathogenesis of this disorder. Methods: Bioinformatics analysis and screening were first performed to find potential microRNAs (miRNAs) that could target the SIRT2 gene, and molecular biology experiments were carried out to further identify the regulation between miRNA and SIRT2 and characterize the pivotal role of miRNA in PD models. Moreover, a clinical case-control study was performed with 304 PD patients and 312 healthy controls from the Chinese Han population to identify the possible association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the miRNA binding sites of SIRT2 with the risk of PD. Results: Here, we demonstrate that miR-486-3p binds to the 3’ UTR of SIRT2 and influences the translation of SIRT2. MiR-486-3p mimics can decrease the level of SIRT2 and reduce a-synuclein (α-syn)-induced aggregation and toxicity, which may contribute to the progression of PD. Interestingly, we find that a SNP, rs2241703, may disrupt miR-486-3p binding sites in the 3’ UTR of SIRT2, subsequently influencing the translation of SIRT2. Through the clinical case-control study, we further verify that rs2241703 is associated with PD risk in the Chinese Han population. Conclusion: The present study confirms that the rs2241703 polymorphism in the SIRT2 gene is associated with PD in the Chinese Han population, provides the potential mechanism of the susceptibility locus in determining PD risk and reveals a potential target of miRNA for the treatment and prevention of PD.
The Prognostic Significance of NEK2 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Evidence from a Meta-Analysis and Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Cheng YuSheng , Chen XiaoLong , Ye LinSen , Zhang YinCai , Liang Jing , Liu Wei , Zhou BoXuan , Zheng ShiYang , Huang Yiming , Chen GuiHua , Deng YiNan , Zhang Qi , Yang Yang 
Published: December 2018

Background/Aims: Numerous studies have shown that NIMA-related kinase 2 (NEK2) expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissue is associated with survival and clinicopathological features; however, the evidence remains inconclusive. Thus, we aimed to further explore the prognostic and clinicopathological significance of NEK2 expression in HCC using a two-part study consisting of a retrospective cohort study and a meta-analysis. Methods: In the cohort study, NEK2 expression in 206 HCC samples and adjacent normal liver tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Patients were divided into a high NEK2 expression group and a low NEK2 expression group by the median value of the immunohistochemical scores. The Kaplan–Meier method with the log-rank test was used to analyze survival outcomes in the two groups, and multivariate analysis based on Cox proportional hazard regression models was applied to identify independent prognostic factors. In the meta-analysis, eligible studies were searched in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and CNKI databases. STATA version 12.0 (Stata Corporation, College Station, TX) was used for statistical analyses. Results: The IHC results of our cohort study showed higher NEK2 expression in HCC tissues compared with adjacent normal liver tissues. Multivariate analysis revealed that high NEK2 expression was an independent risk factor for poor overall survival (OS) [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.763; 95% CI, 1.060–2.935; P = 0.029] and disease-free survival (DFS) [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.687; 95% CI, 1.102–2.584; P = 0.016] in HCC patients. A total of 11 studies with 1,698 patients were enrolled in the meta-analysis, consisting of 10 studies from the database search and our cohort study. The pooled results revealed that high NEK2 expression correlated closely with poor OS among HCC patients (HR = 1.47; 95% CI, 1.21–1.80; P < 0.01), and DFS/recurrence-free survival (RFS) (HR = 1.92; 95% CI, 1.41–2.63; P < 0.01). Additionally, our meta-analysis also showed that the proportion of HCC patients with high NEK2 expression was greater in the group with larger tumors (> 5 cm) than in the group with smaller tumors (≤ 5 cm) [odds ratio (OR) = 2.02; 95% CI, 1.13–3.64; P < 0.01). Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that high NEK2 expression is a risk factor for poor survival in HCC patients. More prospective, homogeneous, and multiethnic studies are required to validate our findings.
Astragalus Inhibits Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition of Peritoneal Mesothelial Cells by Down-Regulating β-Catenin
Authors: Yu Manshu , Shi Jun , Sheng Meixiao , Gao Kun , Zhang Lu , Liu Li , Zhu Yilin
Published: December 2018

Background/Aims: The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of peritoneal mesothelial cells (PMCs) is a crucial event in the induction of peritoneal fibrosis (PF), in which canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling participates. Smads signaling is reported to interact with β-catenin and synergistically regulates EMT. This study was aimed to reveal the effect of Astragalus on β-catenin in EMT of PMCs. Methods: To obtain the role of β-catenin in EMT, gene transfer into HMrSV5 cell line and rats has been achieved. After Astragalus treatment, EMT markers and signaling pathway-related indicators were detected by western blotting, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, immunoprecipitation and real time-PCR. Results: β-catenin knockdown suppressed EMT of HMrSV5 cells. Astragalus alleviated EMT of PMCs characterized by increased E-cadherin and decreased α-SMA and Vimentin. In rat model of peritoneal dialysis (PD), Astragalus attenuated peritoneal thickening and fibrosis. Astragalus down-regulated β-catenin by stabilizing the Glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β)/β-catenin complex and further inhibited the nuclear translocation of β-catenin. Meanwhile, Astragalus down-regulated β-catenin by enhancing Smad7 expression. Silencing Smad7 antagonized the EMT-inhibitory effect of Astragalus. Conclusion: Astragalus inhibits EMT of PMCs by down-regulating β-catenin. The modulation of β-catenin in peritoneum can be a novel tool to prevent PF.
Characterization and Beige Adipogenic Potential of Human Embryo White Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells
Authors: Zhang Chuanhai , Wang Jing Jing , He Xiaoyun , Wang Chao , Zhang Boyang , Xu Jia , Xu Wentao , Luo Yunbo , Huang Kunlun
Published: December 2018

Background/Aims: Brown and beige adipocytes are widely recognized as potential therapeutic targets to treat obesity and related metabolic disorders, and the recruitment of brown and beige adipocytes is an essential aspect that requires attention. Although many methods of activating brown adipocytes or generating beige adipocytes have been reported, the limited number and sources are the biggest challenges. The number of white adipocytes is much greater than the number of brown adipocytes, both in human adults and fetuses. Unfortunately, human adult white adipose tissue-derived stem cell (aWAsc) has little beige adipogenic potential. However, the characteristics and beige adipogenic potential of human embryo-derived white adipose stem cells (eWAsc) still need to be investigated. Methods: To analyze the characteristics and functionality of eWAsc, we analyzed the markers of adipose precursor cells by flow cytometry. Then, differentiation and browning/beiging were induced, and the identifying markers were analyzed by real-time PCR and immunoblot. In addition, more in-depth exploration was performed using RNA-SEQ on eWAsc and aWAsc. Results: eWAsc was isolated from human embryonic white adipose tissue, and aWAsc was isolated from adult white adipose tissue by collagenase treatment. eWAsc has extreme advantages in adipogenesis capacity and browning/beiging ability in comparison to aWAsc, indicating that eWAsc may possess some special regulatory factors to promote the generation of functional brown/beige adipocytes. Greater exploration was enabled by RNA-SEQ, revealing a large number of differences at the transcriptional levels, including 1263 differentially expressed genes, 657 down- and 605 upregulated, in eWAsc compared to aWAsc. Pathway analysis revealed enrichment in cell cycle, TGF-β signaling pathway, DNA replication, and Hippo signaling pathways. Interestingly, the expression levels of C/EBPα, FGF1 and FST gene, which are related to the maturation of adipocytes, Hippo signaling pathway and TGF-β signaling pathway, were significantly higher in eWAsc than in aWAsc. These may be potential candidates and possible regulatory targets for recruiting beige adipocytes in human adipose tissue. Conclusion: Overall, we have demonstrated the molecular characteristics and excellent beige adipogenic potential of eWAsc, providing a new reference for studying human adipocytes.
Sinoporphyrin Sodium-Mediated Sonodynamic Therapy Inhibits RIP3 Expression and Induces Apoptosis in the H446 Small Cell Lung Cancer Cell Line
Authors: Shen Jing , Cao Shoubo , Sun Xin , Pan Bo , Cao Jingyan , Che Dehai , Jin Shi , Cao Yingyue , Tian Ye , Yu Yan 
Published: December 2018

Background/Aims: Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is expected to be a new method to solve the clinical problems caused by advanced metastasis in patients with lung cancer. The use of ultrasound has the advantage of being noninvasive, with deep-penetration properties. This study explored the anti-tumor effect of SDT with a new sonosensitizer, sinoporphyrin sodium (DVDMS), on the human small cell lung cancer H446 cell line in vitro and in vivo. Methods: Absorption of DVDMS was detected by a fluorescence spectrophotometer, and DVDMS toxicity was determined using a Cell Counting Kit-8. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was assessed using the JC-1 fluorescent probe. Cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry, and apoptosis-related proteins were detected by western blotting. The expression of cytokines was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and quantitative real-time PCR. To verify the in vitro results, we detected tumor volumes and weight changes in a xenograft nude mouse model after DVDMS-SDT. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to observe changes to the tumor, heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney of the mice, and immunohistochemistry was used to examine changes in the expression of tumor CD34 and receptor-interacting protein kinase-3 (RIP3), while terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling was used to observe apoptosis in tumor tissues. Results: DVDMS-SDT-treated H446 cells increased the rate of cellular apoptosis and the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-8, cleaved caspase-9, and caspase-10, and decreased the levels of MMP, RIP3, B-cell lymphoma 2, vascular endothelial growth factor, and tumor necrosis factor-α. The sonotoxic effect was mediated by ROS and was reduced by a ROS scavenger (N-acetyl-L-cysteine). In the in vivo mouse xenograft model, DVDMS-SDT showed efficient anti-cancer effects with no visible side effects. Conclusion: DVDMS-SDT induced apoptosis in H446 cells, in part by targeting mitochondria through the mitochondria-mediated apoptosis signaling pathway, and the extrinsic apoptosis pathway was also shown to be involved. Both apoptosis and changes in RIP3 expression were closely related to the generation of ROS. DVDMS-SDT will be advantageous for the management of small cell lung cancer due to its noninvasive characteristics.
Current Status of Patient Radiation Exposure of Cardiac Positron Emission Tomography and Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomographic Myocardial Perfusion Imaging
Authors: Desiderio Michael C. , Lundbye Justin B. , Baker William L. , Farrell Mary Beth , Jerome Scott D. , Heller Gary V.
Published: December 2018

Background:

Radiation exposure during nuclear cardiology procedures has received much attention and has prompted citations for radiation reduction. In 2010, the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology recommended reducing the average patient study radiation exposure to <9 mSv in 50% of studies by 2014. Cardiac positron emission tomography (PET) for myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) has emerged within recent years, but current radiation exposure in cardiac nuclear PET laboratories is unknown. This study evaluated current reported patient radiation exposure from nuclear laboratories in the United States applying for Intersocietal Accreditation Commission accreditation for MPI using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) or PET.

Methods and Results:

This was an analysis of nuclear cardiology studies submitted to the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission for either or both cardiac PET and SPECT accreditation. Cardiac SPECT data represented year 2015 while PET data combined years 2013 to 2015. Data was analyzed with χ
2
and Mann-Whitney
U
tests (reported as median, 25th percentile, and 75th percentile). Reported PET MPI radiation exposure for 111 laboratories (532 patient cases) was 3.7 (3.2–4.1) mSv per study with no geographic variation. Reported SPECT MPI radiation exposure for 665 laboratories (3067 patient studies) was 12.8 (12.2–14.3) mSv. Highest radiation exposure was found in the South region. Technetium-only studies resulted in a median of 12.2 mSv per study.

Conclusions:

Radiation exposure from cardiac PET MPI in US laboratories applying for Intersocietal Accreditation Commission accreditation is low (111 laboratories, 3.7 mSv) and substantially lower than cardiac SPECT (665 laboratories, 12.8 mSv).
High Variability in Neuronal Loss
Authors: Desai Shashvat M. , Rocha Marcelo , Jovin Tudor G. , Jadhav Ashutosh P.
Published: December 2018

Background and Purpose—

In the setting of acute ischemic stroke because of large-vessel occlusion (LVO) there is progressive loss of brain tissue which occurs in a time-dependent fashion previously quantified to be ≈1.9 million neurons per minute. However, this number represents an average and accumulating evidence suggests large individual variation. In this study, we aim to quantify the distribution and range in the rate of loss brain tissue across the entire spectrum of clinical phenotypes of anterior circulation LVO strokes encountered in clinical practice.

Methods—

Retrospective review of a prospectively acquired database of consecutive patients with anterior circulation stroke because of proximal LVO and appropriate ischemic core imaging was performed. Ischemic core volume was measured using automated software processing and time from last known well to imaging was recorded. Applying previously published methodology for brain loss quantification, we computed rate of brain tissue elements loss in proximal LVO stroke patients.

Results—

We studied 415 patients with internal carotid artery or middle cerebral artery (M1 segment) occlusion. Mean ischemic core volume was 50.4 mL and mean time to imaging from time from last known well (TLKW) was 8.7 hours, which is similar to previously published data, translates into a mean loss per minute of 2.03 million neurons, 14.8 billion synapses, and 12.8 km of myelinated fibers. However, the distribution of neuron loss was highly variable, ranging from <35 000 to >27 million cells per minute.

Conclusions—

Widely spread rates of infarct growth are observed in acute ischemic stroke because of proximal LVO with rate of neuron loss per minute ranging from <35 000 per minute in slow progressors to >27 million per minute in fast progressors, with a mean and median of 2 million and 0.9 million, respectively.
Two new species of the oribatid mite genus Phyllochthonius Travé, 1967 (Acari: Oribatida: Phyllochthoniidae) from Thailand
Authors: FUANGARWORN MARUT
Published: December 2018

The enarthronote oribatid mite genus Phyllochthonius Travé, 1967 (Acari: Oribatida: Phyllochthoniidae) is recorded from Thailand for the first time. Two new species, Phyllochthonius ovatosetosus n. sp. collected from sandy soil in a riparian habitat and Phyllochthonius peniculus n. sp. collected from leaf-litter on the forest floor, are described based on adults and all immature instars, and on only the adult specimen respectively. The genus is rediagnosed and a key to the three currently known species is provided.
A new species of Hypsiboas Wagler (Anura: Hylidae) closely related to H. multifasciatus Günther from southeastern Brazil
Authors: DE CARVALHO THIAGO RIBEIRO , GIARETTA ARIOVALDO ANTONIO , FACURE KÁTIA GOMES
Published: December 2018

We describe a new species based on two populations, from the State of Minas Gerais, using advertisement call and morphological data as diagnostic characters. Hypsiboas paranaiba sp. n. is distinguished from the large-sized species of the group by the absence of a white stripe on upper (H. lanciformis) or upper and lower lips (H. leucocheilus); from H. albopunctatus by the absence of distinct light spots on outer thighs and inguinal region; and from H. multifasciatus by reaching a smaller maximum size and presenting a head as long as wide. The new species occurs in the Cerrado biome of southeastern Brazil in the State of Minas Gerais, and central Brazil in the State of Goiás, whereas H. multifasciatus is restricted to the Amazon Forest domain, and possibly to forest domains in northeastern Brazil.
A revision of the genus Zatypota Förster of Japan, with descriptions of nine new species and notes on their hosts (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Pimplinae)
Authors: MATSUMOTO RIKIO , TAKASUKA KEIZO
Published: December 2018

Japanese species of the genus Zatypota are revised and a total of twelve species are recognized. Nine of them, Z. baragi sp. nov., Z. brachycera sp. nov., Z. chryssophaga sp. nov., Z. dendrobia sp. nov., Z. elegans sp. nov., Z. maculata sp. nov., Z. sulcata sp. nov., Z. takayu sp. nov. and Z. yambar sp. nov., are new to science and one, Z. percontatoria, is newly recorded from Japan. Host records are given for ten species including seven new and one newly recorded species based on reared materials. Each species utilizes different spider species as hosts. All host spiders belong to Theridiidae (nine species) and Linyphiidae (Z. sulcata). A key to Japanese species is provided and notes on their biology are given.
The Pachyprotasis formosana group (Hymenoptera, Tenthredinidae) in China: identification and new species
Authors: ZHONG YIHAI , WEI MEICAI
Published: December 2018

A key to the species groups of Pachyprotasis from China is presented and the known species are associated with each of the groups. The species of the formosana group are reviewed and keyed. Four new species are described in this group, P. fopingensis sp. nov. (Shaanxi), P. maculoannulata sp. nov. (Hubei), P. nigricoxis sp. nov. (Yunnan) and P. altantennata sp. nov. (Hubei). The diagnostic characters of the previously known species of the group in China are revised.
Eight new species of Empoasca (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae: Empoascini) from Peru and Bolivia
Authors: SOUTHERN PHILLIP STERLING , DIETRICH C. H.
Published: December 2018

Eight new species in the leafhopper genus Empoasca Walsh 1862 are described and illustrated (Empoasca acanthafera n. sp., Empoasca affinipeba n. sp., Empoasca apatapeba n. sp., Empoasca daggyi n. sp., Empoasca davidi n. sp., Empoasca nella n. sp., Empoasca peba n. sp., Empoasca pexa n. sp.). Relationships to previously described species are discussed. Solanasca Ghauri 1974 is treated as a junior synonym of Empoasca (new synonymy) and a revised generic diagnosis is provided.
Descriptions of three new species of Psychodidae (Diptera) from the southeastern United States
Authors: CURLER GREGORY R. , MOULTON JOHN K.
Published: December 2018

Adult males and females of Trichomyia styloryncha sp. nov. and Australopericoma delta sp. nov., and all life stages of Threticus thelyceratus sp. nov. were collected during various biodiversity surveys in the southeastern United States. Descriptions of these three new species are given.
Marine fish diversity: history of knowledge and discovery (Pisces)
Authors: ESCHMEYER WILLIAM N. , FRICKE RONALD , FONG JON D. , POLACK DENNIS A.
Published: December 2018

A new monotypic genus, Bloszykiella africana gen. nov., sp. nov. (Mesostigmata: Uropodina: Uropodidae) is described on the basis of two females and one deutonymph found in soil samples from Tanzania. The new genus is unusual among Uropodina in having large strongly dentate chelicerae.
The Argasidae, Ixodidae and Nuttalliellidae (Acari: Ixodida) of the world: a list of valid species names
Authors: GUGLIELMONE ALBERTO A. , ROBBINS RICHARD G. , APANASKEVICH DMITRY A. , PETNEY TREVOR N. , ESTRADA-PEÑA AGUSTÍN , HORAK IVAN G. , SHAO RENFU , BARKER STEPHEN C.
Published: December 2018

This work is intended as a consensus list of valid tick names, following recent revisionary studies, wherein we recognize 896 species of ticks in 3 families. The Nuttalliellidae is monotypic, containing the single entity Nuttalliella namaqua. The Argasidae consists of 193 species, but there is widespread disagreement concerning the genera in this family, and fully 133 argasids will have to be further studied before any consensus can be reached on the issue of genus-level classification. The Ixodidae comprises 702 species in 14 genera: Amblyomma (130 species, of which 17 were formerly included in Aponomma, a genus that is still considered valid by some authors), Anomalohimalaya (3), Bothriocroton (7, all previously included in Aponomma), Cosmiomma (1), Cornupalpatum (1), Compluriscutula (1), Dermacentor (34, including the single member of the former genus Anocentor, which is still considered valid by some authors), Haemaphysalis (166), Hyalomma (27), Ixodes (243), Margaropus (3), Nosomma (2), Rhipicentor (2) and Rhipicephalus (82, including 5 species from the former genus Boophilus, which is still considered valid by some authors). We regard six names as invalid: Amblyomma laticaudae Warburton, 1933 is a synonym of Amblyomma nitidum Hirst & Hirst, 1910; Bothriocroton decorosum (Koch, 1867) is a synonym of B. undatum (Fabricius, 1775); Haemaphysalis vietnamensis Hoogstraal & Wilson, 1966 is a synonym of H. colasbelcouri (Santos Dias, 1958); Haemaphysalis xinjiangensis Teng, 1980 is a synonym of H. danieli Č erný & Hoogstraal, 1977; Hyalomma erythraeum Tonelli-Rondelli, 1932 is a synonym of H. impeltatum Schulze and Schlottke, 1930 and Rhipicephalus hoogstraali Kolonin, 2009 was not described according to the rules of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature.
New species of Psolus Oken from Antarctica (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea: Psolidae)
Authors: O’LOUGHLIN P. MARK , WHITFIELD EMILY
Published: December 2018

Three new species of Psolus Oken from Antarctica are described: Psolus byrdae sp. nov. from the Marie Byrd Seamount; Psolus carolineae sp. nov. from South Georgia; Psolus lockhartae sp. nov. from the South Orkney Islands.
Aquatica gen. nov. from mainland China with a description of Aquatica wuhana sp. nov. (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Luciolinae)
Authors: FU XINHUA , BALLANTYNE LESLEY , LAMBKIN CHRISTINE L.
Published: December 2018

Aquatica, a new genus of aquatic fireflies from mainland China, is described and keyed from males of A. leii (Fu et Ballantyne 2006), A. ficta (Olivier 1909), A. hydrophila (Jeng et al. 2003) and A. lateralis (Motsch. 1860), all transferred from Luciola, and A. wuhana sp. n. from Hubei Province, which is described from adult males and females and larvae. Adult females and larvae are associated for all species. Five species of aquatic fireflies are now recorded from China.
Notes on Yangiella Hsiao (Hemiptera: Aradidae: Mezirinae), with description of a new species from China
Authors: ZHANG WENJIE , BAI XIAOSHUAN , HEISS ERNST , CAI WANZHI
Published: December 2018

The aradid genus Yangiella Hsiao is reviewed. Two species are recognized. The type-species, Y. mimetica Hsiao, is redescribed and the new species, Y. montana Zhang, Bai, Heiss & Cai, is described. A key to species is given and the diagnostic morphological features of the two species are illustrated.
The adults of Harpagobaetis Mol and Tomedontus Lugo-Ortiz and McCafferty (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) with notes on the nymphal stage
Authors: FALCÃO J. N. , SALLES F. F. , HAMADA N.
Published: December 2018

In the present study the imagos of Harpagobaetis Mol and Tomedontus Lugo-Ortiz & McCafferty are described for the first time. They can be differentiated from other genera of Baetidae by the following combination of characteristics: Harpagobaetis, forewing with paired marginal intercalary veins; hind wing present with two complete longitudinal veins; costal projection of hind wing pointed, placed in the basal third of anterior margin, cross veins absent; forceps three-segmented, segment I with bulbous base, segment III long, about 3 × as long as wide; Tomedontus, dorsal portion of turbinate eye circular; forewing with paired marginal intercalary veins; hind wing absent; forceps three-segmented, segment II with strong medial projection; subgenital plate without projection.
Vietnamaptera, a new genus of apterous Carventinae (Hemiptera: Aradidae) from Vietnam
Authors: ZHANG WENJIE , BAI XIAOSHUAN , HEISS ERNST , CAI WANZHI
Published: December 2018

A new apterous aradid, Vietnamaptera bogiessa Zhang, Bai, Heiss & Cai, gen. & sp. n. from Vietnam, is described. A key to related genera is given and the diagnostic morphological features of new genus are illustrated.
A Radar-Based Climatology of Mesoscale Convective Systems in the United States
Authors: Haberlie Alex M. , Ashley Walker S.
Published: December 2018

This research applies an automated mesoscale convective system (MCS) segmentation, classification, and tracking approach to composite radar reflectivity mosaic images that cover the contiguous United States (CONUS) and span a relatively long study period of 22 years (1996–2017). These data afford a novel assessment of the seasonal and interannual variability of MCSs. Additionally, hourly precipitation data from 16 of those years (2002–17) are used to systematically examine rainfall associated with radar-derived MCS events. The attributes and occurrence of MCSs that pass over portions of the CONUS east of the Continental Divide (ECONUS), as well as five author-defined subregions—North Plains, High Plains, Corn Belt, Northeast, and Mid-South—are also examined. The results illustrate two preferred regions for MCS activity in the ECONUS: 1) the Mid-South and Gulf Coast and 2) the Central Plains and Midwest. MCS occurrence and MCS rainfall display a marked seasonal cycle, with most of the regions experiencing these events primarily during the warm season (May–August). Additionally, MCS rainfall was responsible for over 50% of annual and seasonal rainfall for many locations in the ECONUS. Of particular importance, the majority of warm-season rainfall for regions with high agricultural land use (Corn Belt) and important aquifer recharge properties (High Plains) is attributable to MCSs. These results reaffirm that MCSs are a significant aspect of the ECONUS hydroclimate.
Talk Bursts: The Role of Spikes in Prerelease Word-of-Mouth Dynamics
Authors: Gelper Sarah , Peres Renana , Eliashberg Jehoshua
Published: December 2018

Before their launch, many new products generate word of mouth (WOM) on social media. Such WOM typically increases toward the release date and contains sudden spikes. These spikes capture manifestations of peak consumer attention and are therefore of managerial importance, yet they have not received research attention. This article is the first to provide a comprehensive descriptive treatment of WOM spikes. The authors propose a conceptual framework to present spikes as a standalone WOM dimension and explain their emergence. They employ a robust filtering procedure to detect spikes and apply it in a data set of 90,000 prerelease online WOM messages on 157 Hollywood movies. The results indicate that prerelease spikes are widely prevalent: While some of them are event-driven, emerging in response to firm-created communications (e.g., trailer release), they are far more likely to emerge spontaneously. Content analysis reveals that WOM in spikes is more positive in sentiment and is more likely to deal with factual details than is WOM outside spikes. Prerelease WOM spikes also contribute significantly to the predictability of future product sales.
Australian Heterosexual Men’s Experiences of Pregnancy Loss: The Relationships Between Grief, Psychological Distress, Stigma, Help-Seeking, and Support
Authors: Riggs Damien W. , Due Clemence , Tape Nicole
Published: December 2018

This study explores experiences of pregnancy loss via a questionnaire completed by a convenience sample of 48 Australian cisgender heterosexual men. The questionnaire included measures of support following pregnancy loss, recognition of loss, perceived utility of help-seeking, perceived stigma attached to help-seeking, perinatal grief, and depression and anxiety. The questionnaire also included open-ended questions focused on help-seeking and support. Higher levels of grief were related to higher levels of both depression and anxiety. Perceptions about stigma were related to the perceived utility of help-seeking. While a majority of participants had accessed formal support services, feeling supported was unrelated to either grief or depression. Participants emphasized the utility of men’s groups where members have experienced pregnancy loss, though barriers to support were also identified in terms of the unavailability of support or the perceived need to focus on a partner’s loss.
Menstruation as a Weapon of War: The Politics of the Bleeding Body for Women on Political Protest at Armagh Prison, Northern Ireland
Authors: Wahidin Azrini
Published: December 2018

This article draws on the voices of women political prisoners who were detained at Armagh Prison during the period of the Troubles or the Conflict in Northern Ireland. It focuses on women who undertook an extraordinary form of protest against the prison authorities during the 1980s, known as the No Wash Protest. As the prisoners were prevented from leaving their cells by prison officer either to wash or to use the toilet, the women, living in the midst of their own dirt and body waste, added menstrual blood as a form of protest.
Training, skill-upgrading and settlement intention of migrants: Evidence from China
Authors: Wang Qing , Ren Ting , Liu Ti
Published: December 2018

The massive rural-to-urban migration has been one of the most important features of China’s labour market in recent decades. The recent pattern of return migration and migrant wages has increased the costs of firms in urban areas and has negatively affected urbanisation. Therefore, it is important to understand the determinants of settlement intention of migrants. Using data from Rural Urban Migration in China (RUMiC), we find that migrants express higher settlement intention in a city after receiving training that is provided by firms. The effect is larger for females, high school graduates and dropouts, and wage earners. These findings suggest that training may complement migrants’ human capital and upgrade their skills. Therefore, training in cities may act as an instrument that facilitates the migration decisions and transforms a temporary migrant to a permanent resident in an urban area.
Revisiting environmental inequity in Southern California: Does environmental risk increase in ethnically homogeneous or mixed communities?
Authors: Kim Yushim , Chun Yongwan
Published: December 2018

This study revisits the concept of environmental inequity in Southern California using the California Environmental Protection Agency’s most recent data and spatial models. Empirical studies in the late 1990s documented the existence of environmental inequity among disadvantaged populations in the area, and we still found evidence of environmental inequity. However, our findings were more nuanced and subtler than previous results. The risk of being exposed to pollutants (e.g. ozone, PM2.5 and others) increases with a corresponding increase in Hispanic or Asian populations in a census tract. The risk of living near adverse environmental conditions (e.g. hazardous facilities, ground water threats and more) was less clear according to minority status. As the percentage of Hispanics in a census tract increases, the environmental risk increases only to a point, and then decreases. This finding suggests that, at present, some Hispanic communities enjoy better environmental conditions than do ethnically mixed communities, but the risk of being exposed to pollutants still increases with an increase in the percentage of Hispanics in a census tract. If policy needs to be developed and updated accordingly to reflect changing environments, this new evidence directs urban environmental inequity research to pay attention to ethnically mixed communities as well.
Homonormative aesthetics: AIDS and ‘de-generational unremembering’ in 1990s London
Authors: Andersson Johan
Published: December 2018

This article historically contextualises the origins of a transnational gay male aesthetic many now think of as homonormative. While typically understood as a depoliticisation that ‘recodes freedom and liberation in terms of privacy, domesticity, and consumption’ (Manalansan, 2005: 142), homonormativity also has an associated look defined by a set of slick surface appearances relating both to the body and design. Recognisable in various locations across the globe and in multiple settings including cruise ships, resorts, and gyms, this aesthetic is, above all, associated with gaybourhoods and gay villages. Using Soho’s gay village in London as a case-study of the emergence of this generic style in the 1990s, its branded emphasis on ‘affluence’, minimalist interior design and idealised gym bodies is contextualised with references to yuppification and AIDS. Constituting a ‘clean break’ with earlier forms of urban gay culture now stigmatised as ‘dirty’ and ‘unhealthy’, the homonormative aesthetic can be viewed as an example of ‘de-generational unremembering’ following the first traumatic phase of the AIDS crisis in the 1980s (Castiglia C and Reed C (2011) If Memory Serves: Gay Men, AIDS, and the Promise of the Queer Past. Minneapolis, MN, and London: University of Minnesota Press, p. 9). By placing AIDS at the centre of a discussion of homonormativity, some of the assumptions about its privilege can be queried while at the same time maintaining a critique of how class-specific ‘aspirational’ imagery was deployed to detract from the stigma of the health crisis.
Genitourinary melioidosis: a descriptive study
Authors: Koshy Maria , Sadanshiv Prashansa , Sathyendra Sowmya
Published: December 2018

Melioidosis is the disease caused by the soil and water bacterium, Burkholderia pseudomallei. Our study aimed to delineate its genitourinary manifestations. Over a 10-year period (2006–2016), 20 adults with culture-confirmed genitourinary melioidosis were identified. The patients were all men with a mean age of 45.3 ± 12.3 years. The common risk factors were diabetes mellitus (65%) and alcoholism (25%); a majority of patients (90%) had chronic melioidosis. Most had disseminated disease (n = 17) and 55% were bacteraemic. The prostate was the organ most frequently involved (60%, n = 12), followed by the kidney, bladder and seminal vesicles. Diagnosis was established by blood and urine cultures and imaging. Patients were successfully treated with ceftazidime intensive therapy followed by eradicative therapy, with surgical debridement and guided aspiration, when deemed necessary. There was one case fatality and no relapses. Melioidosis is an important differential to be considered in chronic genitourinary infections in the appropriate setting.