bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Simple Three-dimensional Hydrogel Platform Enables Ex Vivo Cell Culture of Patient and PDX Tumors for Assaying Their Response to Clinically Relevant Therapies
Authors: Hribar Kolin C. , Wheeler Christopher J. , Bazarov Alexey , Varshneya Kunal , Yamada Ryosuke , Buckley Padraig , Patil Chirag G.
Published: February 2019

A cell culture platform that enables ex vivo tissue growth from patients or patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models and assesses sensitivity to approved therapies (e.g., temozolomide) in a clinically relevant time frame would be very useful in translational research and personalized medicine. Here, we present a novel three-dimensional (3D) ECM hydrogel system, VersaGel, for assaying ex vivo growth and therapeutic response with standard image microscopy. Specifically, multicellular spheroids deriving from either 5 patients with glioblastoma (GBM) or a renal cell carcinoma (RCC) PDX model were incorporated into VersaGel and treated with temozolomide and several other therapies, guided by the most recent advances in GBM treatment. RCC ex vivo tissue displayed invasive phenotypes in conditioned media. For the GBM patient tumor testing, all five clinical responses were predicted by the results of our 3D-temozolomide assay. In contrast, the MTT assay found no response to temozolomide regardless of the clinical outcome, and moreover, basement membrane extract failed to predict the 2 patient responders. Finally, 1 patient was tested with repurposed drugs currently being administered in GBM clinical trials. Interestingly, IC50s were lower than Cmax for crizotinib and chloroquine, but higher for sorafenib. In conclusion, a novel hydrogel platform, VersaGel, enables ex vivo tumor growth of patient and PDX tissue and offers insight into patient response to clinically relevant therapies. We propose a novel 3D hydrogel platform, VersaGel, to grow ex vivo tissue (patient and PDX) and assay therapeutic response using time-course image analysis.
Patterns in Google Trends Terms Reporting Rhinitis and Ragweed Pollen Season in Ukraine
Authors: Kaidashev Igor , Morokhovets Halyna , Rodinkova Viktoriia , Bousquet Jean
Published: February 2019

Background: Google Trends (GT) may represent a new approach to assessing pollen allergy. However, the development of a pan-European sentinel network has raised a problem of translating terms in different languages. A precise definition of the pollen season onset is crucial for the confirmation of a pollen allergy diagnosis and personalized treatment. Ragweed pollen allergy was investigated due to its high allergenicity and wide expansion in Europe. Objectives: The study aimed to examine translations of “ragweed” and “hay fever” in native Cyrillic languages, especially in Ukrainian and Russian, and to compare the seasonality of queries in Ukraine with ragweed and mugwort pollen counts. Methods: We used GT to search Google queries concerning ragweed allergy: “allergy,” “hay fever,” “running nose,” “ragweed,” “asthma,” and “pollen.” The Cyrillic terms in Ukrainian and Russian were used. Pollen collection for 2013–2015 was conducted using volumetric methods. Average daily temperatures were obtained from the website http://gismeteo.ua. Correlations were studied by using Pearson and Spearman tests. Results: GT queries profile had the “B” pattern according to the classification developed by Bousquet et al. [Allergy. 2017 Aug; 72(8): 1261–6]. A peak of “ragweed” queries was observed after the maximum of average daily temperature. The terms “allergy,” “hay fever,” and “ragweed” in Cyrillic are required in Ukraine to calculate the ragweed pollen exposure by GT. The ragweed pollen season started with a concentration of pollen grains of 12.95 m–3. The Artemisia pollen season started between 19 and 25 days before the beginning of the Ambrosia pollen season. Conclusions: GT may be a useful tool in the differentiation of the pollen seasons, especially when they overlap as in the case of Arte misia/Ambrosia. Three terms, “allergy,” “hay fever,” and “ragweed” (in Cyrillic equivalents), are required in Ukraine to account for ragweed pollen exposure. The combination of GT tools with pollen counts may be used in large-scale epidemiological studies.
Is the Effect of Physical Activity on Quality of Life in Older Adults Mediated by Social Support?
Authors: Niedermeier Martin , Dremetsikas Viviane , Herzog Simone , Kopp-Wilfling Prisca , Burtscher Martin , Kopp Martin
Published: February 2019

Increasing evidence suggests positive associations between physical activity, social support, and quality of life in later life. However, the role of physical activity and social support in the influence on quality of life is unclear. In this viewpoint, definitions of central terms and key research findings on factors influencing quality of life in older adults are provided. We highlight the importance of both a physically active lifestyle and high social support in positively influencing quality of life. However, we question the direct effect of physical activity on quality of life and present data of a cross-sectional study to support the assumption that the effect of physical activity on quality of life might be influenced by perceived social support. In this cross-sectional study, self-reported physical activity, social support, and quality of life were assessed in a nonclinical sample of 100 adults aged between 60 and 80 years. Statistical analyses included correlation analyses and covariate-controlled mediation analyses. The results confirmed the research findings on positive correlations between all domains of quality of life and both physical activity and social support. Mediation analyses indicated that the effect of physical activity on all domains of quality of life was at least partially mediated by social support, when controlled for covariates. Based on the findings of published evidence and this cross-sectional study, a socially and physically active lifestyle is recommended for older adults to positively influence quality of life. However, the well-documented effect of physical activity on quality of might be an at least partially mediated effect by perceived social support. Practical and research-related implications of a potential indirect effect are discussed. Further prospective research is warranted to clarify the relationship between the variables.
Masood’s and Modified Masood’s Scoring Index: An Evaluation of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of Breast Lesions with Histopathological Correlation
Authors: Agarwal Charu , Chauhan Varsha , Pujani Mukta , Singh Kanika , Raychaudhari Sujata , Singh Mitasha
Published: February 2019

Objective: As fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is the primary tool for evaluation of breast lesions, it is essential to segregate lesions with low and high risk of malignancy. To address this, Masood proposed a cytological scoring system for categorization, Masood’s Scoring Index (MSI), which was modified later (Modified Masood’s Scoring Index [MMSI]). This study analyses the effectiveness of MMSI over MSI and assesses the concordance between cytological scoring and histopathology. Study Design: All breast FNACs over a period of 2 years were categorized based on MSI and MMSI by 2 reviewers independently. The agreement rate along with specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy were calculated. Correlation and concordance analyses between cytological and histopathological categories were conducted. Results and Discussion: Out of 415 cases of breast FNACs, histopathology was available for 310 for which MSI and MMSI were evaluated. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy were 95, 100, 100, 97.6 and 98.3%, respectively. The difference between the concordance rate of MSI and of MMSI for various cytological categories was found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: MMSI has a better concordance with histopathological diagnosis than MSI. MMSI can serve as a uniform standardized scoring system for breast cytology for better categorization of proliferative breast diseases.
MMP13 Contributes to Dental Caries Associated with Developmental Defects of Enamel
Authors: Vasconcelos Katia Regina , Arid Juliana , Evangelista Silvane , Oliveira Sara , Dutra André Luiz , Silva Lea Assed Bezerra , Segato Raquel Assed Bezerra , Vieira Alexandre Rezende , Nelson-Filho Paulo , Küchler Erika Calvano
Published: February 2019

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between genetic polymorphisms in MMP8, MMP13, and MMP20 with caries experience and developmental defects of enamel (DDE) in children from the Amazon region of Brazil. Den tal caries and DDE data were collected through clinical examination from 216 children. Genomic DNA was extracted from saliva, and genotyping of selected polymorphisms in MMP8 (rs17099443 and rs3765620), MMP13 (rs478927 and rs2252070), and MMP20 (rs1784418) was performed using TaqMan chemistry and endpoint analysis. χ2 or Fisher’s exact tests were used to compare allele and genotype distributions between children with caries experience and caries-free children and between DDE-affected and -unaffected children with an established alpha of 5%. The polymorphism rs478927 in MMP13 was associated with caries experience and DDE (p < 0.05). The analysis performed comparing children with both conditions (caries experience plus DDE) and children with neither of the conditions (caries-free chil dren without DDE) demonstrated that children carrying the MMP13 rs478927 TT genotype were more likely to have concomitant occurrence of these two conditions (OR = 5.8, 95% CI 2.1–15.8; p = 0.0003). In conclusion, the genetic polymorphism rs478927 in MMP13 was associated with caries experience and DDE.
The Effects of Probiotics on Symptoms of Depression: Protocol for a Double-Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Wallace Caroline J.K. , Foster Jane A. , Soares Claudio N. , Milev Roumen V.
Published: February 2019

Background: A growing body of evidence has linked mental health outcomes to the gut microbiome. This has led to the investigation of the GI tract as a target for novel treatments and interventions for depression, including probiotic supplementation. Our recent pilot study provided the first evidence of probiotics improving symptoms of depression in treatment-naive depressed patients. To further support and expand upon this evidence, data from the pilot study were used to plan a 16-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to assess the effects of probiotics on depression. Here, we report the protocol for this trial. Methods: Participants diagnosed with depression will orally consume a probiotic supplement containing Lactobacillus helveticus and Bifidobacterium longum or placebo once daily. Participants will undergo assessments measuring clinical outcomes using a battery of validated clinical scales and questionnaires. Sleep architecture and quality will be measured using polysomnography. Neuroimaging data will be collected using magnetic resonance imaging to examine functional and structural neurophysiological changes. Molecular data will be collected from blood, stool, and urine samples to examine cytokine levels and explore potential genes and proteins that may predict outcomes in depression. Results: We expect results to replicate and expand on our pilot data demonstrating that probiotics may be effective in alleviating symptoms of depression, and to find biomarkers that will predict these outcomes. Conclusions: The findings from this study will add to the growing body of research in this emerging field, which eventually may provide evidence for probiotics having a role in alleviating symptoms of depression.
Possible Association between Cathepsin V and the Development of Placenta Accreta Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Matsukawa Satoshi , Sumigama Seiji , Kotani Tomomi , Wang Jingwen , Miki Rika , Moriyama Yoshinori , Nakano Tomoko , Mano Yukio , Tsuda Hiroyuki , Tamakoshi Koji , Kikkawa Fumitaka
Published: February 2019

Background/Aims: The study aimed to evaluate molecular changes related to trophoblast adhesion in placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorders. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 10 PAS cases in which both the trophoblast adherent site and the non-adherent site were identified was performed in April 2010 and March 2013. Microarray analysis and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analyses were performed to extract upregulated genes in the adherent site. Gene expression changes were examined by immunohistochemistry. Results: Microarray analysis showed that 157 transcripts were > 3-fold upregulated, including the following: a disintegrin and metalloproteinase-28 (ADAM28), 3.10-fold; cathepsin V (CTSV), 3.73-fold; cathepsin S (CTSS), 3.46-fold; and matrix metalloproteinase-19 (MMP19), 3.41-fold. RT-PCR showed relatively high mRNA expressions. On immunohistochemistry, extravillous trophoblast (EVT) at the non-adherent site showed weak or no CTSV expression, whereas EVT that invaded myometrium at the adherent site showed strong expression (histological score, median [min-max], 115.6 [37.6–153.6] vs. 184.8 [56.4–222.8], p < 0.05). MMP19 showed moderate staining, with no difference between the adherent and non-adherent sites. ADAM28 and CTSS showed weak or no staining. Discussion: This limited study suggests that CTSV may be involved in the pathogenesis of PAS.
A Nondilated Main Pancreatic Duct Predicts Type 2 Autoimmune Pancreatitis: Comparative Study of Resected Pancreatic Head Masses
Authors: Peláez-Luna Mario , Medina-Campos Claudia , Uscanga-Domínuez Luis , Hernandez-Calleros Jorge , Chan-Nuñez Carlos , Negrete Eduardo , Angeles Arturo
Published: February 2019

Background: Chronic pancreatitis (CP), pancreatic cancer (PCa), and autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) often present as a pancreatic mass. Accurate diagnosis is not always possible; up to 8% of surgical procedures are performed in benign pancreatic masses presumed to be malignant. Objectives: We aimed to compare clinical and imaging characteristics of resected focal type 2 AIP, CP, and PCa and identify factors that could improve preoperative differential diagnosis. Methods: Charts from patients that underwent pancreatic resection under suspicion of PCa between 2000 and 2014 were reviewed. Clinical and imaging data were recorded. Subjects were grouped as type 2 AIP, CP, and PCa. Results: We included 79 cases; 41 men, mean age of 57.3 years/old ± 15.6 SD. Pathology report was type 2 AIP (20%), CP (10%), and PCa (70%). According to international consensus criteria for AIP 11 cases were deemed probable type 2 and 5 as unspecific pancreatic mass. A nondilated main pancreatic duct (MPD) was associated with AIP (OR 9.3; 95% CI 3.05–28.7), p < 0.001; obstructive jaundice (OR 28.5; 95% CI 8.18–79.5); and a dilated MPD (OR 5.21; 95% CI 1.9–14.6) suggested malignancy. Conclusions: In the setting of undetermined pancreatic focal mass, a nondilated MPD suggests the diagnosis of type 2 AIP.
Performance Analysis of Translucent Space Division Multiplexing Based Elastic Optical Networks
Authors: Iyer Sridhar , Singh Shree Prakash
Published: February 2019

The required upgradation of the network capacity of the single-mode fiber which is constrained by the non-linear Shannon’s limit, and the capacity provisioning needed by the future diverse Internet traffic can be resolved by the adoption of the Space Division Multiplexing (SDM) based Elastic Optical Networks (EONs) (SDM-b-EONs). In the current work, we focus on the performance analysis of a SDM-b-EON in which translucent lightpaths are routed through the spectral super-channels over the spatial single-mode fiber(s) bundle(s) links. In regard to regeneration, we investigate three scenarios which differ in their regeneration variability level in addition to the adjustment of modulation formats according to transmission route characteristics. We conduct extensive simulations considering an online traffic case and two realistic network topologies with different numbers of (i) fibers in every link, and (ii) transceivers available within SDM-b-EON. The obtained results demonstrate that when regeneration is conducted with complete flexibility and simultaneously the modulation format conversion is also permitted at every SDM-b-EON node both, largest traffic volume amounts can be provisioned, and significant SDM-b-EON performance scaling can be obtained with a corresponding increase in the utilized fibers amount.
Coronary Artery Calcium Progression Among the US and Japanese Men
Authors: Hisamatsu Takashi , Liu Kiang , Chan Cheeling , Krefman Amy E. , Fujiyoshi Akira , Budoff Matthew J. , Miura Katsuyuki , Lloyd-Jones Donald M. , Ueshima Hirotsugu
Published: February 2019

Background

The risk of coronary heart disease remains low in Japan, although distributions of several coronary risk factors have become comparable with those in the United States. We prospectively compared coronary atherosclerosis burden, measured with coronary artery calcium (CAC) progression, between men in the 2 countries.

Methods

In 2 population-based samples of 1712 US White, Black, Hispanic, Chinese men (baseline, 2000–2002) and 697 Japanese men in Japan (2006–2008) aged 45–74 years without clinical cardiovascular disease, we quantified CAC progression by serial computed tomography with medians of 3.4 and 5.2 years between scans, respectively.

Results

Among White, Black, Hispanic, Chinese, and Japanese men free of baseline CAC, CAC incidence was observed in 35.2%, 26.9%, 29.2%, 18.9%, and 29.2%, respectively. After adjustment for times between scans, demographics, behaviors, coronary risk factors, and their changes between scans, White men had significantly higher CAC incidence than Japanese men (relative risk, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.13–2.50). Among those with detectable baseline CAC, after similar adjustments, all the US race/ethnic groups had significantly greater annual changes in CAC score (mean [95% CI]: 39.4 [35.2–43.6] for White, 26.9 [21.4–32.4] for Black, 30.6 [24.7–36.5] for Hispanic, and 30.2 [22.6–37.8] for Chinese men) than Japanese men (15.9 [10.1–21.8]).

Conclusions

We found a higher CAC incidence among US White men and greater increases in existing CAC among all the US race/ethnic groups than among Japanese men in Japan. These differences persisted despite adjustment for differences in coronary risk factors.
Novel Left Heart Catheterization Ramp Protocol to Guide Hemodynamic Optimization in Patients Supported With Left Ventricular Assist Device Therapy
Authors: Rosenbaum Andrew N. , Frantz Robert P. , Kushwaha Sudhir S. , Stulak John M. , Maltais Simon , Behfar Atta
Published: February 2019

Background

Left ventricular (LV) hemodynamic assessment has been sparsely performed in patients supported on continuous‐flow LV assist devices (cf
LVADs
). Insight into dynamic changes of left heart parameters during ramp studies may improve LV assist device optimization and evaluate pathology.

Methods and Results

To complement right heart catheterization, a novel technique for left heart catheterization in patients with a cf
LVAD
was developed. Patients implanted with cf
LVAD
s underwent hemodynamic ramp left heart catheterization and right heart catheterization with transthoracic echocardiography. Continuous aortic and LV pressures were measured along with right atrial, pulmonary artery, and pulmonary capillary wedge pressures. A novel index, the transaortic gradient (
TAG
) was established. Thirty eight patients with cf
LVADs
were evaluated at a median of 446 days (interquartile range, 183–742) after device implant. During left heart catheterization performed for hemodynamic optimization, drop‐in LV end‐diastolic pressure and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure were associated with a rise in
TAG
. A range was identified for
TAG
(20–40 mm Hg) as providing the most optimal level of hemodynamic offloading. Pathologic states deviated from normal responses to ramp. LV assist device thrombosis was associated with an inability to increase in
TAG
during speed ramp. Significant aortic insufficiency was associated with a marked increase in LV end‐diastolic pressure despite a concomitant decrease in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure with increasing LV assist device speeds.

Conclusions

Inclusion of left heart catheterization to a typical right heart catheterization LV assist device ramp protocol imparted unique insights to optimize cf
LVAD
speeds in different clinical scenarios. A novel index, the
TAG
was defined and provided additional resolution to optimized offloading.
Inositol 1,4,5‐Trisphosphate Receptors in Endothelial Cells Play an Essential Role in Vasodilation and Blood Pressure Regulation
Authors: Lin Qingsong , Zhao Lingyun , Jing Ran , Trexler Christa , Wang Hong , Li Yali , Tang Huayuan , Huang Fang , Zhang Fei , Fang Xi , Liu Jie , Jia Nan , Chen Ju , Ouyang Kunfu
Published: February 2019

Background

Endothelial NO synthase plays a central role in regulating vasodilation and blood pressure. Intracellular Ca
2+
mobilization is a critical modulator of endothelial NO synthase function, and increased cytosolic Ca
2+
concentration in endothelial cells is able to induce endothelial NO synthase phosphorylation. Ca
2+
release mediated by 3 subtypes of inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate receptors (
IP
3
Rs) from the endoplasmic reticulum and subsequent Ca
2+
entry after endoplasmic reticulum Ca
2+
store depletion has been proposed to be the major pathway to mobilize Ca
2+
in endothelial cells. However, the physiological role of
IP
3
Rs in regulating blood pressure remains largely unclear.

Methods and Results

To investigate the role of endothelial
IP
3
Rs in blood pressure regulation, we first generated an inducible endothelial cell–specific
IP
3
R1 knockout mouse model and found that deletion of
IP
3
R1 in adult endothelial cells did not affect vasodilation and blood pressure. Considering all 3 subtypes of
IP
3
Rs are expressed in mouse endothelial cells, we further generated inducible endothelial cell–specific
IP
3
R triple knockout mice and found that deletion of all 3
IP
3
R subtypes decreased plasma
NO
concentration and increased basal blood pressure. Furthermore,
IP
3
R deficiency reduced acetylcholine‐induced vasodilation and endothelial NO synthase phosphorylation at Ser1177.

Conclusions

Our results reveal that
IP
3
R‐mediated Ca
2+
release in vascular endothelial cells plays an important role in regulating vasodilation and physiological blood pressure.
Rearticulating the Friend–Enemy Distinction within States: The HCNM’s ‘New Diplomacy’ of Desecuritization
Authors: Jackson-Preece Jennifer
Published: February 2019

This article’s premise is that the practice of representatives of international organizations has something important to tell us about what it means to ‘do desecuritization’. The analysis provides a qualitative process-tracing of diplomacy by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s (OSCE’s) High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM). It finds that ‘new diplomats’ can ‘do desecuritization’ differently. By rearticulating norms, as well as negotiating interests, the HCNM is able to escape the constraints imposed by security grammar and begin to transform the friend–enemy distinction within states. ‘New diplomats’ like the HCNM are capable of initiating such fundamental changes within states because their non-state platforms and institutional cultures transcend traditional international dichotomies of ‘us’ and ‘them’. These findings add nuance to our understanding of desecuritization as practice and suggest a novel methodological approach for studying desecuritization empirically.
Business Diplomacy Strategies and Instruments: Biotechnology Companies Promoting GMOs in Mexico
Authors: Martínez Pantoja Yadira Ixchel
Published: February 2019

Business diplomacy emphasizes engagement with stakeholders to shape the environment to favour business interests. This article recognizes that multinational corporations (MNCs) play a relevant role in the international arena, dealing with governments and other non-state actors by means of business diplomacy. Biotechnology companies, in particular, bargain with government representatives for commercialization, deregulation or intellectual property enforcement. In order to advance their economic and business goals, biotechnology companies have implemented reactive, proactive and relationship-building strategies and instruments. These MNCs have applied reactive instruments to respond to evolving problems and proactive instruments to address more complex issues. MNCs have also employed long-term relationship-building instruments, such as awards and research centres, to establish stronger relationships with multiple stakeholders. This article contributes to the discussion of what business diplomacy is and presents an analysis of strategies and instruments that is scarce in the business diplomacy literature.
Animus of the Underling: Theorizing City Diplomacy in a World Society
Authors: Leffel Benjamin
Published: February 2019

This article explores the nature of city diplomacy using newly available archives chronicling the ‘municipal foreign policy movement’ of the 1980s, in which US city governments intervened directly in late Cold War foreign affairs issues. Cases covered include US city governments’ involvement in the nuclear free zone movement, the Central American crisis and the anti-Apartheid movement throughout the 1980s. A theoretical synthesis of literature in world society theory, diplomatic studies and social movement theory is used to explain the normative, macro-sociological, legal, democratic and sociopolitical dynamics of contentious city-government intervention in foreign affairs. Emphasizing the normative processes at play, this article argues through a world society theoretical interpretation that ‘municipal foreign policy’ efforts represent local-level codification of universal norms that the US federal government either neglected to enforce or directly violated.
The Neogene wood flora of Yuanmou, Yunnan, southwest China
Authors: Cheng Ye-Ming , Wang Yu-Fei , Liu Feng-Xiang , Jin Yue-Gao , Mehrotra R. C. , Jiang Xiao-Mei , Li Cheng-Sen
Published: February 2019

The Pliocene fluvio-lacustrine sediments of the Yuanmou Basin, Yunnan, near the southeastern part of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China, have yielded diverse and abundant assemblages of fossilized mammals and woods. The Yuanmou fossil woods reveal a wood flora with the highest diversity in the Cenozoic wood in China. The woods can play an important role in understanding palaeofloristics and in reconstructing palaeoclimate of southeastern China. In this study, we describe ten angiosperm taxa and three gymnosperm taxa namely: Castanopsis makinoi (Ogura) Suzuki & Terada (Fagaceae), Cedreloxylon cristalliferum Selmeier (Meliaceae), Dalbergioxylon biseriatensis sp. nov. (Fabaceae), Lagerstroemioxylon yuanmouensis Cheng, Li, Jiang & Wang (Lythraceae), Lithocarpoxylon microporosum sp. nov., Lithocarpoxylon sp. (Fagaceae), Paraalbizioxylon sinica sp. nov., P. yunnanensis sp. nov. (Fabaceae), Pterocaryoxylon huxii sp. nov. (Juglandaceae), Zelkova wakimizui (Watari) Watari (Ulmaceae), Abies sp. (Pinaceae), Cephalotaxus sp. (Cephalotaxaceae), and Picea sp. (Pinaceae). Nearest living relative (NLR) comparisons of these taxa, coupled with previously identified taxa, suggest that altitudinal vegetation zones were present in the Yuanmou region during the Pliocene: (i) subtropical evergreen and deciduous mixed broad-leaved forest dominated by Pterocarya/Juglans, Albizia/Acacia, Bischofia and allied taxa at lower elevations, (ii) subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest dominated by Quercus/Lithocarpus and Castanopsis at middle altitudes of mountains around the basin, and (iii) evergreen coniferous forest of Abies, Picea and other genera at the higher elevations of the mountains. Based on the habits of the NLRs, the prevailing climate was probably humid subtropical and thus differed from the present-day hot and dry climate supporting savanna. It is suggested that subtropical forest was predominant in Yunnan, while tropical rainforest occurred in southwest Asia and India during the same period. The uplift of the mountains near the Qinghai-Tibet plateau in western Yunnan presumably acted as a barrier to block warm and humid air from the Indian Ocean, which influenced the dispersal and distribution of plants.
Influence of climatic factors on silver fir xylogenesis along the Italian Peninsula
Authors: Antonucci Serena , Rossi Sergio , Lombardi Fabio , Marchetti Marco , Tognetti Roberto
Published: February 2019

Xylem phenology has been widely recognised as an ecological indicator of the impact of environmental changes on forest ecosystems, especially at the edge of a species distribution. We investigated xylem phenology of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) in three sites in Italy, between the 38th and 46th parallels. The phases of xylem phenology were assessed weekly on wood microcores collected from March to November 2015 to calculate timing and duration of xylem cell production. The effect of temperature and precipitation on xylem phenology were sequentially included in stepwise regressions and used to predict the duration of each phenological phase under three future climatic scenarios at different concentrations of greenhouse gases (RCP 2.6; 4. 5; 8. 5). A growing season of 163 days was detected in the southern site that was longer compared to the central (132 days) and northern (120 days) sites. A longer duration of xylogenesis was mostly related to a delayed completion of xylem differentiation in autumn rather than an earlier onset of cambium reactivation in spring. Overall, 67–76% of the duration of phenological phases was controlled by growing season precipitation, while 24 –33% was influenced by minimum temperature. Inclusion of both the above factors in the modelling exercise simulated a lengthening of the silver fir growing season during the 21st century. A longer duration of xylogenesis was envisaged in the scenario RCP 8. 5, especially in the central site. Population and climate gradients need to be considered when addressing phenological shifts and growth dynamics of silver fir in Mediterranean mountains.
Linking functional traits and climate-growth relationships in Mediterranean species through wood density
Authors: Julio Camarero J.
Published: February 2019

Functional traits are considered to influence the performance of woody plants. However, few field studies have tested this idea by using radial-growth data. Here, I test if five major traits of the leafand wood-economics spectra (height, leaf area, specific leaf area – SLA, wood density – WD and hydraulic diameter) explain climate-growth relationships in 14 Mediterranean trees and shrubs. Traits were measured for both gymnosperm (four Juniperus species plus three Pinus species) and angiosperm species (two Quercus species, two Pistacia species, Arbutus unedo, Celtis australis, and one Tamarix species). Climategrowth relationships were calculated relating ring-width indices (RWIs) and local climate data. Leaf area and SLA were high in broadleaf deciduous species (e.g., C. australis), and low in junipers. WD reached minimum and maximum values in pine and oak species, respectively. WD explained 45 % of the variation of the association observed between RWI and April precipitation, one of the main climatic variables driving radial growth. Therefore, WD is a relevant functional trait useful to predict the performance of Mediterranean woody plant species, specifically concerning their growth responses to climate. Functional traits as WD should be further explored to explain growth variability between and within woody species, and to link this variability with responsiveness to climate and ecosystem productivity.
Seasonal growth responses to climate in wet and dry conifer forests
Authors: Acosta-Hernández Andrea Cecilia , Julio Camarero J. , Pompa-García Marín
Published: February 2019

Warming-amplified drought stress may decrease productivity and growth in both wet and dry conifer forest ecosystems. However, the seasonal radial-growth responses to climate, drought and related climate atmospheric patterns have not been compared in detail in wet and dry sites. We focus on drought-prone northern Mexico conifer forests and compare growth responses in tree species from wet (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and dry sites (Pinus leiophylla). to characterize the responsiveness to interand intra-annual changes in water availability we used dendrochronology and measured tree-ring (TRW), earlywood (EW) and latewood (LW) widths. We calculated adjusted LW (LWadj) by removing the influence of EW on LW. We identified E(narrow tracheids within the earlywood) and L-type (wide tracheids within the latewood) intra-annual density fluctuations (IADFs) and related their frequencies to seasonal climate and drought. We also related growth to atmospheric patterns related to the El NiñoSouthern Oscillation (ENSO) which drives precipitation patterns in the studied region. Wet-cool conditions during the prior winter and current spring linked to El Niño events enhanced TRW and EW, particularly in P. menziesii, whereas wet summer conditions enhanced LWadj. The formation of E(P. leiophylla) and L-type (P. menziesii) IADFs was associated with seasonal fluctuations in precipitation and temperature, suggesting different strategies to withstand drought. the sensitive P. menziesii strongly responded to short spring droughts, whereas the tolerant P. leiophylla responded to longer spring droughts. Seasonal wood measures (EW, LWadj) and IADFs are proxies of intra-annual fluctuations in water availability in similar conifer forests.
The world species of Balcha Walker (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Eupelmidae), parasitoids of wood-boring beetles
Authors: GIBSON GARY A.P.
Published: February 2019

The world species of Balcha Walker (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae) are revised, keyed and illustrated. Sixteen species are recognized, including two that are newly classified in the genus, B. reticulata(Nikol’skaya) n. comb. and B. splendida (Girault) n. comb., and eight that are described as new, B. camptogastra n. sp., B. dictyota n. sp., B. enoptra n. sp., B. eximiassita n. sp., B. laciniosa n. sp., B. punctiscutum n. sp., B. reburra n. sp., and B. reticulifrons n. sp. Evidence for the monophyly of Balcha is discussed and the 16 species are segregated into four species groups based on morphological features. Balcha indica (Mani & Kaul) is newly recorded from the eastern United States (Maryland, Michigan, Virginia) as an accidental introduction from the Oriental region and as an adventitious parasitoid of the emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae).
Isohypsibius taibaiensis sp. nov. (Tardigrada, Hypsibiidae) from China
Authors: LI XIAOCHEN , WANG LIZHI
Published: February 2019

Isohypsibius taibaiensis sp. nov. differs from the other species of Isohypsibius with three macroplacoids and lunule in having eyespots, accessory points on the principal claws, microplacoid, cuticular bar on claws, relatively short claws, the claws of the 4 th pair of legs not much greater than the others, in lacking cuticular sculpture or rogose cuticle and irregular granules of black or brown pigment on dorsal side.
A new genus and eight new species of Phyllocoptini (Acari: Eriophyidae: Phyllocoptinae) from China
Authors: XUE XIAO-FENG , HONG XIAO-YUE
Published: February 2019

A new genus and eight new species of eriophyid mites from China are described: Paraepitrimerus sanguisorbae n. gen. and n. sp. on Sanguisorba officinalis L.; Paraepitrimerus paeoniae n. sp. on Paeonia lactiflora Pall.; Paraepitrimerus erigeronsis n. sp. on Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers.; Epitrimerus sabinae n. sp. on Sabina chinensis (L.) and Sabina chinensis cv. Kaizuca; Epitrimerus gnaphali n. sp. on Gnaphalium luteo-album L.; Epitrimerus amygdali n. sp. on Amygdalus triloba (Lindl.) Ricker.; Phyllocoptruta sanguisorbae n. sp. on Sanguisorba officinalis L. and Phyllocoptes fabris n. sp. on Abies fabri (Masters) Craib. All species described here are vagrants on leaves.
Thraulodes basimaculatus sp. n., a new species of mayfly from Bolivia: (Ephemeroptera: Leptophlebiidae: Atalophlebiinae)
Authors: GIORDANO JOSÉ A. , DOMÍNGUEZ EDUARDO
Published: February 2019

Thraulodes basimaculatus n. sp. is described from male imagos from Alto Beni, Bolivia. The males of this species present the unique characteristic of having most of the basal half of the fore wings and the entire membrane of the hind wings stained with brown. No other Thraulodes species has similar coloration.
A new species of Meteterakis Karve, 1930 (Nematoda: Heterakoidea) from Indotestudo elongata (Blyth) in China with a key to the species of Meteterakis
Authors: ZHANG SHUQIAN , ZHANG LUPING
Published: February 2019

Meteterakis wangi sp. nov. was collected from the intestine of Indotestudo elongata (Blyth) from Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, China by anthelminthic treatment. The new species differs from congeners by the shape and length of spicules, the number and arrangement of caudal papillae, and presence of gubernaculum. The name of M. bufonis Gambhir, Tarnita, Chinglenkhomba, Gyaneswori & Indranich, 2006 was preoccupied and is thus a junior secondary homonym of M. bufonis (Biswas & Charkavarty, 1963) Baker, 1984. We propose to rename the species as M. gambhiri nom. nov. A key to the species of the genus Meteterakis is also given.
Review of the Deltocephalus group of leafhoppers (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae) in China
Authors: ZHANG YALIN , DUAN YANI
Published: February 2019

The Deltocephalus group is revised from China. Deltocephalus Burmeister includes 4 species, Recilia Edwards includes 1 species and Maiestas Distant includes 31 species, of which 12 are new and an additional 13 are newly recorded for China. The new species described are: D. uncinatus, M. crura, M. cultella, M. dinghuensis, M. irisa, M. pararemigia, M. pileiformis, M. remigia, M. rostriformis, M. scalpella, M. webbi and M. yangae spp. nov. The newly recorded species are: D. pulicaris (Fallén), D. vulgaris Dash & Viraktamath, M. bilineata (Dash & Viraktamath), M. brevicula (Dash & Viraktamath), M. heuksandoensis (Kwon & Lee), M. horvathi (Then), M. latifrons (Matsumura), M. obongsanensis (Kwon & Lee), M. samuelsoni (Knight), M. subviridis (Metcalf), M. tareni (Dash & Viraktamath), M. xanthocephala (Dash & Viraktamath) and R. coronifer (Marshall). In addition, one synonym is confirmed: M. prabha (Pruthi) is a junior synonym of M. maculata (Pruthi). The 32 species known from China are illustrated together with keys for their separation.
Fossil Ponerinae (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Early Eocene amber of France
Authors: ARIA CÉDRIC , PERRICHOT VINCENT , NEL ANDRÉ
Published: February 2019

The French Early Eocene (Ypresian, 52–55 million-year-old) amber of Oise contains a rich and well-diversified myrmecofauna, which has remained unstudied until now. A recent survey of these fossil ants revealed 40 different species, among which nine belong to the subfamily Ponerinae. We describe here the two best-preserved morphotypes: a possible ergatoid queen representing the earliest known occurrence of the extant genus Platythyrea Roger, and described as a new species P. dlusskyi sp. n.; and a male morphotype related to the equivocal, paraphyletic genus Pachycondyla Smith, thus described herein but not formally assigned to genus until the male-based taxonomy of Ponerinae is better established. This fauna provides an ecological context to make inferences about the paleoenvironment of northwestern Europe during the PETM and gives new arguments for a radiation of modern ants at that time.
A new species of Criocerinae (Chrysomelidae) from New Caledonia: Oulema (Oulema) taophiloides sp. nov.
Authors: GÓMEZ-ZURITA JESÚS
Published: February 2019

The first New Caledonian record for the genus Oulema Des Gozis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is reported here with the description of a new species: Oulema taophiloides sp. nov.
Two new species of the Mexican genus Ichthyotettix Rehn, 1901 with remarks on the tribe Ichthyotettigini (Orthoptera, Caelifera, Pyrgomorphidae)
Authors: FONTANA PAOLO , BUZZETTI FILIPPO MARIA , MARIÑO-PÉREZ RICARDO , GARCÍA-GARCÍA PATRICIA LUCERO
Published: February 2019

Two new species of Pyrgomorphidae of the Mexican endemic genus Ichthyotettix Rehn, 1901, are described: Ichthyotettix stricticaudatus n. sp. (from Oaxaca) and Ichthyotettix inexpectatus n. sp. (from Morelos and Michoacan). The identity of the genus Ichthyotettix, to date considered monotypic, within the tribe Ichthyotettigini is discussed and the type locality of Ichthyotettix mexicanus (Saussure, 1859) is examined and restricted to Veracruz state. The two new species are well characterised both for their morphological external characters as well for male genitalia.
Two interesting new genera of Kalligrammatidae (Neuroptera) from the Middle Jurassic of Daohugou, China
Authors: YANG QIANG , MAKARKIN VLADIMIR N. , REN DONG
Published: February 2019

Two new genera and species of Kalligrammatidae (Neuroptera) Apochrysogramma rotundum gen. et sp. nov. and Protokalligramma bifasciatum gen. et sp. nov. are described from the Middle Jurassic of Daohugou, Inner Mongolia, China. The forewing of Protokalligramma gen. nov. is characterized by the generalised structure of MP, CuA, CuP and 1A, relatively scarce crossveins, absence of an eye-spot, and dense, long spinules (‘microtrichia’) occurring on its wing membrane. Apochrysogramma gen. nov. is the second genus in the subfamily Kallihemerobiinae, whose forewing easily differs from that of the type genus by the more rounded shape, much more numerous and closely spaced subcostal veinlets, branches of Rs and MP, less dense crossveins, and differently constructed eye-spot.
BioCode: Third time lucky?
Authors: FLANN CHRISTINA
Published: February 2019

Fifteen year ago a draft BioCode was presented to the taxonomic community (Greuter et al. 1996). There is now a new version, published in Taxon (Greuter et al. 2011) and available online on the International Committee on Biological Nomenclature website as well as that of the International Commision for Zoological Nomenclature. Has the BioCode matured since it was last put forward? Was it ahead of its time in the 1990s, particularly in relation to the possibilities of electronic registration? Is it the future yet? As a taxonomist with an active interest in (botanical) nomenclature, I was still a student when this arose the last time and have referred to the literature to see what happened then. Interestingly it turns out that it wasn’t the first time a biocode equivalent was suggested. Minelli (2008) discusses the suggestions drafted by a commission appointed on request of the zoologist Carlo Luciano Bonaparte in regard to the so-called Strickland Code (Strickland et al. 1842), these ideas, like the 1996 BioCode, were not accepted by the taxonomic community. Perhaps third time lucky?
A molecular phylogeny of the “Madascincus polleni species complex”, with description of a new species of scincid lizard from the coastal dune area of northern Madagascar
Authors: MIRALLES AURÉLIEN , KÖHLER JÖRN , GLAW FRANK , VENCES MIGUEL
Published: February 2019

The present paper constitutes a study on a taxonomically confusing group of closely related species belonging to the Malagasy skink genus Madascincus, currently encompassing the nominal species M. polleni, M. intermedius and M. stumpffi. Based on combined analyses of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences (ND1 and RAG2 genes, respectively), and morphological examination, we provide evidence for the existence of at least four distinct evolutionary lineages within this complex: Madascincus stumpffi; Madascincus arenicola sp. nov. from northern Madagascar; and two cryptic species morphologically similar to the name-bearing types of M. polleni and M. intermedius. The two latter species, although genetically distinct, appear to be morphologically indistinguishable and their taxonomic status cannot be resolved until a better sampling will be available.
A new frog of the genus Pristimantis (Amphibia: Strabomantidae) from the high Andes of Southeastern Ecuador, discovered using morphological and molecular data
Authors: ARTEAGA-NAVARRO ALEJANDRO F. , GUAYASAMIN JUAN M.
Published: February 2019

We describe a new small sized (SVL in females ≤ 25.7 mm; in males, ≤ 20.1 mm) Pristimantis, associated with bamboodominated forests in the Reserva Mazar, Andes of Southeastern Ecuador, at elevations between 2876–2989 m. This species is assigned to the P. orestes group, from whose members it differs by the absence of tubercles on heel and outer edge of tarsus, lacking a discoidal fold, presence of slightly expanded finger and toe pads, and bright yellow blotches on groin, axilla and anterior surfaces of thigh. The advertisement call of the new species consists of a series of short, indistinctly pulsed notes, and has a dominant frequency of 2.50–2.56 kHz. A molecular phylogeny based on a fragment of the mitochondrial gene 12S shows that the new species is sister to a clade formed by Pristimantis simonbolivari and an undescribed Pristimantis.
Description of a new species and complementary description of a known species of Iphiseiodes De Leon (Acari: Phytoseiidae)
Authors: DE CARVALHO MINEIRO JEFERSON LUIZ , DE CASTRO TATIANE MARIE MARTINS GOMES , DE MORAES GILBERTO JOSÉ
Published: February 2019

Species of Iphiseiodes De Leon have been reported only from tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. In this paper, a new species of this genus is described from southeastern Brazil and a complementary description is provided for Iphiseiodes saopaulus (Denmark & Muma).
Leptoderma macrophthalmum n.sp., a new species of smooth-head (Otocephala: Alepocephalidae) from the Mid Atlantic Ridge
Authors: BYRKJEDAL INGVAR , POULSEN JAN YDE , GALBRAITH JOHN
Published: February 2019

A new species of Alepocephalidae, Leptoderma macrophthalmum n.sp., is described from one specimen caught in 2004 at about 2100 m depth at the Mid Atlantic Ridge, north of the Azores. Morphological and molecular evidence indicate a relationship closest to the Pacific species Leptoderma lubricum.
Larval development of the freshwater shrimp Atyaephyra desmarestii (Millet, 1831) sensu lato (Decapoda: Caridea: Atyidae) and morphological maturation from juveniles to adults
Authors: ANASTASIADOU CHRYSSA , NTAKIS ALEXANDROS , LEONARDOS IOANNIS D.
Published: February 2019

A complete serial of larval staging of Atyaephyra desmarestii (Millet, 1831) sensu lato from Louros River (north-western Greece) was obtained in the laboratory and described in detail. Thirty berried females were collected and transferred to an aquarium containing water and vegetation from the sampling site. The newly hatched larvae were transferred into small sterile aquaria and mass cultured. After each moult, several larvae were photographed and preserved with their exuviae. The reared larvae of A. desmarestii sensu lato passed through six zoeal stages and one megalopal stage. At the experimental conditions, the durations of each larval stage were as follows: three days for the 1 st larval stage; three to four days for 2 nd larval stage; six to eight days for 3 rd ; seven to nine days for 4 th ; nine to ten days for 5 th , 6 th and megalopal stages. All the obtained stages were described in detail. The larval morphological characters of the described material and the larvae specimens collected from natural populations were compared with the literature data on closely related species. Morphological description of the different phases for juveniles, immature, female and male mature individuals of A. desmarestii sensu lato are also presented in detail.
Two new millipede species of the genus Riukiaria (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Xystodesmidae) endemic to the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan
Authors: KORSÓS ZOLTÁN , NAKAMURA YASUYUKI , TANABE TSUTOMU
Published: February 2019

We describe two new species of the millipede genus Riukiaria from two islands of the Ryukyu Archipelago: R. maculata sp. n. from Tane-ga-shima, northern Ryukyus, and R. mundyi sp. n. from Yonaguni-jima, the southwesternmost member of the Yaeyama Island Group. Both species show the simple forceps-like male gonopod structure typical for the genus, but they are readily distinguishable from other members by their unique color patterns. We have also compiled a list of species in the genus described up to now.