bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
β-Cell Dedifferentiation in Patients With T2D With Adequate Glucose Control and Nondiabetic Chronic Pancreatitis
Authors: Sun Jiajun , Ni Qicheng , Xie Jing , Xu Min , Zhang Jun , Kuang Jie , Wang Yanqiu , Ning Guang , Wang Qidi
Published: August 2018

Context

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and pancreatogenic diabetes are both associated with loss of functional β-cell mass. Previous studies have proposed β-cell dedifferentiation as a mechanism of islet β-cell failure, but its significance in humans is still controversial.

Objective

To determine whether β-cell dedifferentiation occurs in human T2D with adequate glucose control and in nondiabetic chronic pancreatitis (NDCP), we examined pancreatic islets from nine nondiabetic controls, 10 patients with diabetes with well-controlled fasting glycemia, and four individuals with NDCP.

Design

We calculated the percentage of hormone-negative endocrine cells and multihormone endocrine cells and scored the pathological characteristics; that is, inflammatory cell infiltration, fibrosis, atrophy, and steatosis, in each case.

Results

We found a nearly threefold increase in dedifferentiated cells in T2D with adequate glucose control compared with nondiabetic controls (10.0% vs 3.6%, T2D vs nondiabetic controls, P < 0.0001). The dedifferentiation rate was positively correlated with the duration of diabetes. Moreover, we detected a considerable proportion of dedifferentiated cells in NDCP (10.4%), which correlated well with the grade of inflammatory cell infiltration, fibrosis, and atrophy.

Conclusions

The data support the view that pancreatic β-cells are dedifferentiated in patients with T2D with adequate glucose control. Furthermore, the existence of abundant dedifferentiated cells in NDCP suggests that inflammation-induced β-cell dedifferentiation can be a cause of pancreatogenic diabetes during disease progress.
Cluster Headache and Other Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalalgias
Authors: Burish Mark
Published: August 2018

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article covers the clinical features, differential diagnosis, and management of the trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (TACs). The TACs are composed of five diseases: cluster headache, paroxysmal hemicrania, short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing (SUNCT), short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with cranial autonomic symptoms (SUNA), and hemicrania continua.

RECENT FINDINGS

New classifications for the TACs have two important updates; chronic cluster headache is now defined as remission periods lasting less than 3 months (formerly less than 1 month), and hemicrania continua is now classified as a TAC (formerly classified as other primary headache). The first-line treatments of TACs have not changed in recent years: cluster headache is managed with oxygen, triptans, and verapamil; paroxysmal hemicrania and hemicrania continua are managed with indomethacin; and SUNCT and SUNA are managed with lamotrigine. However, advancements in neuromodulation have recently provided additional options for patients with cluster headache, which include noninvasive devices for abortive therapy and invasive devices for refractory cluster headache. Patient selection for these devices is key.

The TACs are a group of diseases that appear similar to each other and to other headache disorders but have important differences. Proper diagnosis is crucial for proper treatment. This article reviews the pathophysiology, epidemiology, differential diagnosis, and treatment of the TACs.
Cranial Neuralgias
Authors: Tepper Stewart J.
Published: August 2018

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article describes the clinical features and diagnostic criteria, pathophysiology (when known), and treatment strategies of the major cranial neuralgias.

RECENT FINDINGS

Abnormal vascular loops compressing cranial nerves are the most common known pathogenesis associated with the primary neuralgias.

The most frequently encountered primary neuralgias are trigeminal neuralgia, occipital neuralgia, and, rarely, glossopharyngeal neuralgia. Nervus intermedius neuralgia is even more rare. All neuralgias merit a careful workup for secondary causes. Drug treatment generally relies on antiepileptic drugs, antidepressants, and baclofen. OnabotulinumtoxinA can be useful in treating some cranial neuralgias. Surgical and invasive treatments include ablation, gamma knife treatment, and microvascular decompression.
Pediatric and Adolescent Headache
Authors: Gelfand Amy A.
Published: August 2018

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article provides the practicing neurologist with a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to the diagnosis and management of headache in children and adolescents, with a focus on migraine.

RECENT FINDINGS

Four triptans are now labeled by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for acute migraine treatment in adolescents, and rizatriptan is labeled for use in children age 6 and older. For preventive migraine treatment, the Childhood and Adolescent Migraine Prevention trial demonstrated that approximately 60% of children and adolescents with migraine will improve with a three-pronged treatment approach that includes: (1) lifestyle management counseling (on sleep, exercise, hydration, caffeine, and avoidance of meal skipping); (2) optimally dosed acute therapy, specifically nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and triptans; and (3) a preventive treatment that has some evidence for efficacy. For the remaining 40% of children and adolescents, and for those who would not have qualified for the Childhood and Adolescent Migraine Prevention trial because of having continuous headache or medication-overuse headache, the clinician’s judgment remains the best guide to preventive therapy selection.

Randomized placebo-controlled trials have been conducted to guide first-line acute and preventive migraine treatments in children and adolescents. Future research is needed to guide treatment for those with more refractory migraine, as well as for children and adolescents who have other primary headache disorders.
Secondary Headache Syndromes
Authors: Chou Denise E.
Published: August 2018

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article is intended to assist clinicians in distinguishing benign primary headache syndromes from serious headache presentations that arise from exogenous causes.

RECENT FINDINGS

Although most cases of severe headache are benign, it is essential to recognize the signs and symptoms of potentially life-threatening conditions. Patients with primary headache disorders can also acquire secondary conditions that may present as a change in their baseline headache patterns and characteristics. Clinical clues in the history and examination can help guide the diagnosis and management of secondary headache disorders. Furthermore, advances in the understanding of basic mechanisms of headache may offer insight into the proposed pathophysiology of secondary headaches.

Several structural, vascular, infectious, inflammatory, and traumatic causes of headache are highlighted. Careful history taking and examination can enable prompt identification and treatment of underlying serious medical disorders causing secondary headache syndromes.
Headache in Pregnancy
Authors: Robbins Matthew S.
Published: August 2018

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Headache disorders are extraordinarily common and disproportionately impact women of childbearing age. This article reviews the importance of proper diagnosis, natural history, and management of headache disorders in pregnant and postpartum women.

RECENT FINDINGS

Red flags for secondary headache specifically among pregnant women include elevated blood pressure and lack of a previous headache history, as well as a prolonged duration of the headache attack in those with a prior history of migraine. Migraine improvement is typical for most pregnant women, but the prognosis for women who have migraine with aura or chronic migraine is less predictable. Migraine is now an established risk factor for the development of preeclampsia. Recent data suggest hazards for compounds containing butalbital and possibly a better safety profile for triptans than previously believed during pregnancy. Peripheral nerve blocks and noninvasive neurostimulation devices are procedural and emerging therapies that have promising safety profiles for pregnant women with headache disorders.

Acute headache occurring in pregnancy and the postpartum period is a red flag requiring diagnostic vigilance. Migraine frequency in women typically improves during pregnancy, although this trend is less certain when aura is present and after delivery. Acute and preventive treatment plans during pregnancy and lactation are plausible but may require shifts in therapeutic hierarchy. Relatively safe oral, parenteral, and procedural therapies are available for pregnant women. Noninvasive neuromodulation devices are already available and will likely play a greater role in the coming years. Migraine is associated with medical and obstetrical complications during pregnancy, and women with frequent migraine attacks may need to be considered high risk.
Donald Trump, Globalization, and the Russia Connection in Election 2016
Authors: Kellner Douglas
Published: August 2018

Donald Trump can best be understood in the context of the rise of authoritarian populist, nationalist, and antiglobalist movements throughout the world. In this article, I focus on the assault on globalization in the Trump campaign, look at his administration and actions as president, and raise questions about whether he has betrayed his antiglobalist followers and is pursuing business-as-usual for global, corporate capitalism—or something else. This investigation also leads us into engaging the Trump campaign/administration connections with Russia and the role of Russia, cyberwar, and global computer networks in Election 2016.
Race, Gender, Giants
Authors: Hartman Joseph R.
Published: August 2018

This article reconnoiters a set of repeating images of “cubanness” in state-sponsored art, particularly seen in works created by and appropriated under the patronage of the dictator Gerardo Machado y Morales, in power 1925–33. The primary object of study is Havana’s Statue of the Republic, a colossal gold and bronze woman nearly fifty feet tall and weighing forty-nine tons. Telescoping back to the colonial plantation and forecasting ahead to Cuba’s revolutionary future in 2018, the article argues that La República embodied a tension between ethical consensus and political dissensus in a much broader history of cultural politics, race, and gender in Cuba. With the face of a white Cuban aristocrat and a body based on a mixed-race mulata model, the statue activated—and still galvanizes—a range of memories, myths, and meanings related to aesthetic constructs of the nation. Those repeating images, born from the plantation and projecting forward to the Revolution, give shape to a relationship between politics, ethics, and aesthetics that is particular to Cuba and its history.
The Return of the Art and Technology Lab
Authors: Beck John , Bishop Ryan
Published: August 2018

In North America, there are over one hundred programs and labs committed to collaborative experimentation in art and technology. This article examines the current prominence of art and technology labs in the context of the resurgence of collaborative practice in the arts, not only between artists, but also among a wide range of cross-disciplinary groupings of designers, scientists, engineers, scholars, and others. The push for collaboration in the arts is part of a recalibration of the meaning of “research” as it is understood by arts practitioners, and among the legacies of institutional critique has been the expanded engagement of artists in contexts that move beyond galleries and museums and into, among other places, universities, businesses, science and tech labs, and research facilities. At the same time, the massive growth of the tech sector has given rise to a new generation of speculative research enterprise, from Google to SpaceX, which shares, to some degree, the expansive research and development horizons of advanced art. Some of the most prominent current art and tech projects explicitly draw on the legacy of precursor programs from the 1960s to establish a lineage and to confer art historical legitimacy on the new versions. This article examines two art and tech projects, at MIT and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), and their strategic deployment of their 1960s antecedents: György Kepes’s Center for Advanced Visual Studies (CAVS) and Maurice Tuchman’s Art & Technology program (A&T), respectively. This examination argues that the loss of a radical vision that preceded the 1960s labs rendered them untenable and explores how the art and technology labs furthered a larger shift from progressive liberalism to neoliberalism. While these earlier projects were short-lived and the targets of considerable criticism, not least because of their connections with military and corporate clients, in the twenty-first century the legacies of CAVS and A&T have been unproblematically reclaimed. Contemporary art and tech projects, we argue, are in danger of succumbing to the same techno-utopianism as their 1960s iterations, and the same military-industrial allegiances that tainted the earlier projects continue to underpin twenty-first-century collaborations.
The interplay between exosomes and autophagy – partners in crime
Authors: Xu Jing , Camfield Robert , Gorski Sharon M.
Published: August 2018

The eukaryotic endomembrane system is a complex series of interconnected membranous organelles that play important roles in responding to stress and maintaining cell homeostasis during health and disease. Two components of this system, exosome biogenesis and autophagy, are linked by the endolysosomal pathway. Exosomes are cargo-laden extracellular vesicles that arise from endosome-derived multivesicular bodies, and autophagy is a lysosomal-dependent degradation and recycling pathway. Recent studies have revealed shared molecular machinery between exosome biogenesis and autophagy, as well as substantial crosstalk between these two processes. In this Review, we first describe the classic view of exosome biogenesis and autophagy, including their links to the endolysosomal pathway. We then present the evidence for autophagy-related proteins in exosome biogenesis, the emerging roles of amphisomes and the evolving models of exosome-autophagy pathway interactions. Finally, we discuss the implications of exosome and autophagy interplay in the context of neurodegeneration and cancer.
Cardiac CT in prosthetic aortic valve complications
Authors: Andrews Jack Patrick Morrell , Cartlidge Timothy RG , Dweck Marc Robert , Moss Alastair J
Published: August 2018

In the current era of transcatheter device therapy, the prevalence of prosthetic aortic valves and their associated complications is increasing. Echocardiography remains the first-line imaging investigation for the assessment of prosthetic valve complications, however, this often fails to identify the underlying mechanism of prosthesis failure. Recently, cardiac CT has emerged as an imaging technique capable of providing high isotropic spatial resolution of the prosthetic valve and its utility can provide important complementary diagnostic information. In this pictorial review, we present a series of common prosthetic aortic valve complications imaged with cardiac CT and demonstrate how use of this modality can enhance diagnostic accuracy.
Automation in intensity modulated radiotherapy treatment planning—a review of recent innovations
Authors: Hussein Mohammad , Heijmen Ben J M , Verellen Dirk , Nisbet Andrew
Published: August 2018

Radiotherapy treatment planning of complex radiotherapy techniques, such as intensity modulated radiotherapy and volumetric modulated arc therapy, is a resource-intensive process requiring a high level of treatment planner intervention to ensure high plan quality. This can lead to variability in the quality of treatment plans and the efficiency in which plans are produced, depending on the skills and experience of the operator and available planning time. Within the last few years, there has been significant progress in the research and development of intensity modulated radiotherapy treatment planning approaches with automation support, with most commercial manufacturers now offering some form of solution. There is a rapidly growing number of research articles published in the scientific literature on the topic. This paper critically reviews the body of publications up to April 2018. The review describes the different types of automation algorithms, including the advantages and current limitations. Also included is a discussion on the potential issues with routine clinical implementation of such software, and highlights areas for future research.
Reconstitution of 30S ribosomal subunits in vitro using ribosome biogenesis factors
Authors: Tamaru Daichi , Amikura Kazuaki , Shimizu Yoshihiro , Nierhaus Knud H. , Ueda Takuya
Published: August 2018

Reconstitution of ribosomes in vitro from individual ribosomal proteins provides a powerful tool for understanding the ribosome assembly process including the sequential incorporation of ribosomal proteins. However, conventional assembly methods require high-salt conditions for efficient ribosome assembly. In this study, we reconstituted 30S ribosomal subunits from individually purified ribosomal proteins in the presence of ribosome biogenesis factors. In this system, two GTPases (Era and YjeQ) facilitated assembly of a 30S subunit exhibiting poly(U)-directed polyphenylalanine synthesis and native protein synthesis under physiological conditions. This in vitro system permits a study of the assembly process and function of ribosome biogenesis factors, and it will facilitate the generation of ribosomes from DNA without using cells.
The so called "triassic breccias" of the Ionian zone in Greece and Albania: Their stratigraphie position and the ensuing tectonic implications
Authors: GUZZETTA G. , REPOLA I.
Published: August 2018

Field observations are reported which show that: 1) at least part of the so called "Triassic breccias" of the Ionian isopic zone actually represent a local variant of the basal breccias of a Middle-Upper Miocene marine terrigenous sequence; 2) other portions of the same Miocenic basal breccias have been often mistaken in the past for some other looking-like terrane of different age (from Jurassic to Quaternary!). Since some currently accepted inferences on the time-sequence of both sedimentary and tectonic events ensuing from the above misunderstandings become questionable, new field investigation should be extended to the entire Ionian zone with due regard to the above terranes.
Φαινόμενα συνιζηματογενούς τεκτονισμού κατά τη μετάβαση από την ανθρακική στην κλαστική ιζηματογένεση στην Ιόνια ενότητα (περιοχή Μεσολόγγι)
Authors: ΠΑΠΑΝΙΚΟΛΑΟΥ Ι. Δ. , ΛΕΚΚΑΣ Ε. Λ.
Published: August 2018

It is well-known that the sedimentation in the Ionian Unit between the limestones and the flysch succession continued without interruption leading to the formation of relatively thick transitional beds. In this paper, phenomena of syn-sedimentary tectonism are reported for the first time during this grading up from the limestones into the flysch, near the village of Kato Retsina in Mesolongi area. Although, a gradual progression from the limestones to the flysch is also observed, in certain locations there is an abrupt change in the sedimentation. Transitional marly beds are missing and faulting is present. Field evidence indicates that faulting in the area took place during the onset of the flysch deposition. These faults are related to the formation of the graben within the flysch basin and form a characteristic angular shape in the limestone-flysch boundary. As a result, there is a change of dip in the strata towards the boundary involving significant disturbance in the lower members of the flysch succession, where also olistoliths are observed. Similar phenomena have been reported from other geotectonic Units such as Tripoli and Parnassos Units. The latter phenomena are characterized by the transition from neritic carbonate to pelagic clastic sedimentation and partly resulted in immersion, erosion, karstification and emergence so as to receive the flysch sediments. However, the Ionian Unit experienced a pelagic carbonate sedimentation that did not lead to erosion and karstification processes. In that case, the theory of non-deposition is proposed, in a paleoenvironment of steep slopes and strong sea currents. These phenomena depict the influence of the neighboring neritic Gavrovo-Tripolis unit. Overall, the study area is located in tectonic blocks that represent the transition from the neritic platform of Gavrovo to the pelagic Ionian Unit.
Paleoseismological investigation of the eastern "segment" of the Heliki fault, Gulf of Corinth, Greece
Authors: ΠΑΥΛΙΔΗΣ Σ. , ΚΟΥΚΟΥΒΕΛΑΣ Ι. , ΣΤΑΜΑΤΟΠΟΥΛΟΣ Λ. , ΑΓΡΑΦΙΩΤΗΣ Δ. , ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΗΣ Γ. Α. , ΖΥΓΟΥΡΗ Β. , ΣΜΠΟΡΑΣ Σ.
Published: August 2018

Paleoseismological analysis based on geological data enable us to understand the recent seismic history of the Eliki fault. Along the eastern "segment (or strand)" scarp 5 trenches have been excavated (8x5x2m), their walls were mapped in scale 1:20 and further analyzed by precise tectono-stratigraphic methodology. The Kerynitis river, which crosses the Eliki fault from S to Ν and supplies the alluvial plain, has subsided at a rate of 1.4 mm/ yr. The river was running from west to east, resulting the fluvial conglomerates in the trenches, which have buried under the colluvial sediments. Based on colluvium stratigraphy, displacement of distinct horizons, deposition of sedimentary layers and C14 dating, faulting events have been identified affecting unconsolidated sediments in the trench. The penultimate 373 BC event and the two younger events with a throw of 0.93 m and 1.37 m respectively, the third event, with a throw of 0.44 m, suggest a variable seismic history.
Neotectonic movements, sedimentation and water-level fluctuation of the Lake Vegoritis in Upper Quaternary
Authors: ΣΑΚΕΛΛΑΡΙΟΥ Δ. , ΡΟΥΣΑΚΗΣ Γ. , ΚΡΑΝΗΣ Χ. , ΚΑΜΠΕΡΗ Ε. , ΓΕΩΡΓΙΟΥ Π. , ΣΚΟΥΛΙΚΙΔΗΣ Ν.
Published: August 2018

Lake Vegoritis is a 20km long lake located within the NE-SW oriented, Late Pliocene - Quaternary Vegoritis neotectonic depression. More than 200km of high resolution Boomer profiles provided valuable data on the recent evolution of the area. Two main seismic units separated from each other by an erosional surface (Reflector "W") were recognized in the upper 50-60m below the lakebed. The upper seismic unit is an onlapping basin fill characterized by parallel, sub-horizontal internal reflectors. The thickness of the unit reaches 15-20m in the deeper part of the lake. The lower seismic unit is a parallel-stratified unit with continuous internal reflections, slightly folded or inclined. We interpret Reflector "W" as the peri-lake land-surface during the last lake-level low stand, i.e. during the last glacial maximum. The lake has amassed on average 15-20m of sediments since the end of Wurm Glacial Period with a mean sedimentation rate of about lm/kyr. 210Pb geochronology applied on a sediment core recovered in front of the main water stream outflow yielded maximum sedimentation rate of 0.4cm/y for the time before 1956 and 0.6cm/y since 1956. The later is attributed to the dramatic man-induced lowering of the lake level by more than 30m between 1956-1990. Both the lakebed and the sediments below dip gently westwards, towards the SW-NE trending Vegoritis marginal fault. Slope failure phenomena occur in various stratigraphie levels along the fault-controlled western steep slope. The newly discovered E-W trending Ag Panteleimon fault divides Vegoritis fault into a northern active segment and a southern less effective one. On the seismic profiles the southern fault block subsides forming a 2m high morphological step on the lakebed, while the lake sediments are slightly folded. Further to the west Ag. Panteleimon fault separates Jurassic marbles to the north from Pleistocene conglomerates to the south and divides the NE-SW trending Petron-lake fault into two segments. We interpret Ag. Panteleimon fault as a dextral strike slip fault with minor normal component. In conclusion, strike slip movements have significantly influenced the formation and evolution of the Late Pliocene-Quaternary Vegoritis asymmetric graben and possibly of other basins in NW Greece. Despite the "suspicious" very low seismicity of the area, both normal and strike slip faults remain presently active with high seismic potential
Structural cross sections through the Corinth-Patras detachment fault-system in Northern Peloponnesus (Aegean Arc, Greece)
Authors: FLOTTÉ N. , SOREL D.
Published: August 2018

Structural mapping in northern Peloponnesus reveals the emergence of an E-W striking, more than 70km long, low angle detachment fault dipping to the north beneath the Gulf of Corinth. This paper describes four north-south structural cross-sections in northern Peloponnesus. Structural and sedimentological field observations show that in the studied area the normal faults of northern Peloponnesus branch at depth on this major low angle north-dipping brittle detachment. The southern part of the detachment and the related normal faults are now inactive. To the north, the active Helike and Aigion normal faults are connected at depth with the seismically active northern part of the detachment beneath the Gulf of Corinth.
Tectonic evolution and stress field of the Kymi-Aliveri basin, Evia island, Greece
Authors: KOKKALAS S.
Published: August 2018

Stress and strain analysis has been used to reconstruct the post-Oligocene geodynamics of the Kymi-Aliveri basin: The Kymi-Aliveri basin occupies the footwall of the Kymi-Thrust, which formed during the Middle Miocene as a large transpressional structure in the late orogenic stages of the Hellenides. Subsequently, in the Upper Miocene the shape of the basin was strongly modified by an orthogonal system of NE and NW trending normal faults as a result of post orogenic collapse. In the Pliocene and Pleistocene time the basin is a part of the back arc basin, which developed behind the Hellenic Arc. WNW trending normal faults and reactivated faults characterized this tectonic phase.
Deep tectonic structure of Northwestern Attica, Greece: Geodynamic pattern of Athens earthquake
Authors: METAXAS C. , ANGELOPOULOS A. , LALECHOS S. , FOUNDOULIS D.
Published: August 2018

The study of Athens 09.07.1999 earthquake (Ms =5.9), which occurred in the area of the NW Attica peninsula within the Thriasio neotectonic basin, shed light to the complicated active tectonic structure of Attica. The geological, gravity and magnetic data, as well as the results of InSAR analysis were jointly considered for a better understanding of the block tectonics and kinematics of the meisoseismal area, as well as block geodynamic related to the seismic event. The deep tectonic structure is characterized by existence of small (up to 20km) dimensions uplifted and subsided blocks of Paleozoic basement that defined the characteristic tectonic pattern of the area. The largest values of co-seismic subsidence, derived from InSAR analysis, are observed within the subsided blocks of epicentral area. This evidence, together with the results of field microtectonic observations, implies that this ensemble of blocks, during the seismic event, moved in accordance with block kinematics and under the approximately N-S tension, which is characteristic for Attica on its neotectonic history ranging from Mid Pleistocene to date
Stress control of frictional hangingwall accommodation above thrust ramps
Authors: MULUGETA G. , SOKOUTIS D. , BONINI Μ.
Published: August 2018

Experimental models are used to study the stress control of frictional hangingwall accomodation above rigid flat-ramp-flat footwalls. Hangingwall accommodation involves shear or kink-band nucleation above the lower fault bend and migration of these as the hangingwalls climb over the underthrusting footwall. The kinkbands change shape and localise to thrusts as they migrate over the flat-ramp-flat footwall. When the shear stress to gravity stress ratio is low the thrusts reactivate to normal faults. With increase in the shear stress to gravity stress ratio reactivation of the kink bands was by tensile failure, at the upper fault bend. The models show that by changing the strength of materials deforming under otherwise similar conditions it is possible to study the geometry of frictional hangingwall accommodation, at different scales. In nature, hangingwall accommodation by thrust nucleation above thrust ramps and their subsequent normal reactivation may be anticipated in frictional sediments at shallow crustal levels, where temperatures and pressures are low.
Neotectonic structure of the Lakonikos gulf
Authors: PAPANIKOLAOU D. , METAXAS C. , CHRONIS G.
Published: August 2018

Detailed single-channel seismic reflection survey has been carried out in the Lakonikos Gulf, Southern Péloponnèse, aiming to a better understanding of the neotectonic structure of the Lakonikos Basin. Our survey showed that, contrary to the model of a simple N-S asymmetric graben previously considered, a tectonic horst occurs within the tectonic graben of Lakonikos. A subsidence of more than 1000m is produced by the N-S marginal faults, whereas, the N-S faults creating the central horst structure within the Lakonikos graben are high-angle reverse faults, which have uplifted the sea bottom together with the Pleistocene and Holocene sediments by about 100m. Several E-W vertical transcurrent faults, with strike-slip motion deform the N-S structures. The central tectonic horst structure is very recent as the observed deformation of the Upper Pleistocene and Holocene sediments indicated and a transtensional geodynamic regime is suggested.
Tectonic relationship between the Druja (Gavrovo) and the Ionian zones of the Albania thrust belt
Authors: PRENJASI E. , SINA M. , AVDULAJ F. , SULAJ Y.
Published: August 2018

The Kruja zone and the Ionian one are integral parts of the Albanian Thrust Belt, which lie directly in the northern continuation of the Western Hellenic Nappes up to their interruption against the thrust front. Flysch of the Oligocene and rarely carbonate deposits of Cretaceous-Eocene age consist the area along the boundary between the tow zones in question. Deposits of both tectonic zones are similar. But, despite the lithological similarities, presence of conglomerates in the Oligocene flysch and dolomites in the Cretaceous carbonates are the main characteristics of the Kruja zone. Whereas, pelagic carbonates in the Cretaceous section, as well as presence of detritic foraminifer limestone in the Oligocene flysch typify the Ionian zone.
The rheological properties of rocks in a compressional ductile shear zone, pyllite-quartzite series, Péloponnèse
Authors: XYPOLIAS P.
Published: August 2018

The magnitudes of differential stress, strain rate and viscosity during the formation of an extruding crustalscale shear zone (Phyllite-Quartzite Series, PQS) were estimated providing new insights on the mechanical behavior of the middle continental crust of the External Hellenides during compression. The differential flow stress during ductile deformation of PQS, in the Taygetos and Chelmos tectonic windows, has been analyzed using grain-size piezometer. Quartz tectonites from the Taygetos and Chelmos areas have mean grain sizes of 42 μπι and 51 μπι, respectively. Extrapolation of quartzite flow-laws indicates that tectonic extrusion of the PQS occurred at strain rates slightly faster than 10"13s '. These estimates suggest that the extruding zone had a relatively low-viscosity of the order of 1019 to 1020 Pas. Finally, the combination of the obtained strain rate values with published quantitative analyses for the deformation path in the PQS implies that during the initial stage of the tectonic extrusion process the displacement rates parallel to the Taygetos-Parnon and Chelmos Thrusts, were ~6mm/year and 3mm/year, respectively.
Α 3-D Model the morphological evolution of a mountain, as a result of fluvial processes
Authors: ΒΑΪΟΠΟΥΛΟΣ Δ. , ΣΚΙΑΝΗΣ Γ. Α. , ΤΣΑΡΜΠΟΣ Β. , ΣΑΜΠΩ Β.
Published: August 2018

In the present paper, we study the morphological evolution of a hill or mountain, caused by erosion. The mountain, in its initial state, is simulated by a vertical cylinder, with basis radius r0 and the erosion is assumed to be caused by a thin water layer flow. Firstly, the differential equation of the erosion process is formulated, assuming that the eroded mass flow is proportional to the hill slope. The differential equation is of the diffusion type and contains a coefficient d, which may be called "erosion coefficient" and its magnitude depends on the type and cohesion of the soil, as well as the friction between soil carrying water flow and the ground. The solution of the differential equation is expressed as an integral, which gives the height y for a distance r from the origin at time t. The integral is numerically calculated and various profiles of the mountainous relief for different time instants are plotted. As expected, the height of the top of the mountain and the slope are reduced with time. Compared to the two-dimensional model of a rectangular hill, the reduction rate is higher in the three-dimensional case. This means that the evolution of a hill or a mountain, with limited horizontal dimensions, is quicker than that of a mountain range of a much greater length. A closed analytical expression for the variation of the height of the top of the hill with time is then deduced and compared with an empirical formula proposed by Strahler 1952. The theoretical predictions agree with this formula in qualitative terms only, since the former gives a slower time variation than the latter. Finally, it is pointed out that the rate of morphological evolution depends on the ratio r^d, increasing when τ Ja decreases. A graphical plot of the speed of time variation of the height of the hill against r^d is made, to show this dependence. The results and conclusions of this paper may help in understanding certain aspects of the process by which the relief of an area changes with time. They may also orient field and laboratory investigations towards testing the theoretical predictions and to the study of the influence of certain factors on the morphological evolution of a mountainous region
Brittle tectonic and morphological alteration of Almyros basin
Authors: ΓΑΛΑΝΑΚΗΣ Δ.
Published: August 2018

Two crossed fault systems with NW-SE and E-W directions affect on the central and southern part of the Almyros basin. The uplift movement in the western part of the basin, with importance vertical displacement (up to 200m) of the lignite layers and the formation river terraces are related with the activity of the first fault NWSE direction. The second fault with E-W direction, located along Xerias river, affect on drainage system with hydrographie network from the south to the north development. In the southern part of the basin and on the Orthrys mountain a fault system with E-W trending affects on alpine basement and neogene deposits. This fault system forms the southern boundary of the Almyros basin. The recent brittle tectonic during Neogene-Quaternary is connected with the evolution and the configuration of the Almyros basin as well as volcanic activity of the area. The morphological differentiations of Almyros basin, the drainage system and the recent landforms with morphogenic activity are controlled by the recent brittle tectonics. The normal fault systems in the studied area caused by the extensional stress field (σ3), trending N-S to NNW-SSE, which controls the geodynamic regime since Lower Pleistocene. This geodynamic regime has defined the recent morphological and morphotectonic evolution of the studied area.
Geomorphological observation in karst landforms in the mountains of Parnassos - Helikon - Giona (Greece)
Authors: ΠΑΠΑΔΟΠΟΥΛΟΥ ΒΡΥΝΙΩΤΗ Κ. , ΜΠΕΛΛΟΣ Θ.
Published: August 2018

Various karst landforms, on the surface or underground, of different ages and sizes were formed on the mountains of Parnassos, Helikon and Giona because of suitable lithological, tectonic and climate conditions. The landforms of Trummerkarren have big extension and they are connected by the microtectonic and the climate. Dolines exist on high elevations and their main direction is NW-SE. The number of poljes is smaller than the other landforms and they are a result of the geological, tectonic and geomorphological conditions on the three mountains. On the west side of mountain Giona were observed karst basins with directions NW-SE. the main of them were Taratsa, Gardenitsa,and Kampos. The geological base of them is limestone of zone of Parnassos with parts of flysch. On the basins exist karst peripheral levels which show the way which they were created (tectonic). After the comparison between poljes of Giona and poljes of Parnassos - Helikon the deduction is that all of them are polygenetic poljes with age of Mio-Pliocene which were created by calm tectonic conditions and hot and humid climate. The development of karst forms was determined by tectonic action. The landforms on the three mountains have direction of NW-SE and the type of that karst is called "Gerichtete karst". The bottom of all the poljes is level and it is consist of alluvial deposits. On the margins of the poljes exist unconnected talus. During the winter time flood appears at all the small drainage through ponors (lake polje).
Erosion of orogenic wedges - a sandbox view
Authors: PERSSON K. S. , SOKOUTIS D.
Published: August 2018

Sandbox models give insights into the progressive development of two-sided orogenic wedges. Effective indenters, that develop in models without erosion for rigid indenter face-dips of 75 ° or 15 °, are strongly affected by erosion. No effective indenters develop in models with moderate and total erosion when the rigid indenter face-dip is 75°. In models with rigid indenter face-dips of 15° effective indenters develop but are smaller in size when erosion is applied. If the effective indenter is smaller, strain partitioning by compaction decreases in favor of strain partitioning by imbricate shear. Models with rigid indenter face-dips of 15° and 30° and without redeposition favor strain partitioning by development of new shears.
De novo whole-genome assembly of a wild type yeast isolate using nanopore sequencing
Authors: Liem Michael , Jansen Hans J. , Dirks Ron P. , Henkel Christiaan V. , van Heusden G. Paul H. , Lemmers Richard J.L.F. , Omer Trifa , Shao Shuai , Punt Peter J. , Spaink Herman P.
Published: August 2018

Background: The introduction of the MinION sequencing device by Oxford Nanopore Technologies may greatly accelerate whole genome sequencing. Nanopore sequence data offers great potential for de novo assembly of complex genomes without using other technologies. Furthermore, Nanopore data combined with other sequencing technologies is highly useful for accurate annotation of all genes in the genome. In this manuscript we used nanopore sequencing as a tool to classify yeast strains.

Methods: We compared various technical and software developments for the nanopore sequencing protocol, showing that the R9 chemistry is, as predicted, higher in quality than R7.3 chemistry. The R9 chemistry is an essential improvement for assembly of the extremely AT-rich mitochondrial genome. We double corrected assemblies from four different assemblers with PILON and assessed sequence correctness before and after PILON correction with a set of 290 Fungi genes using BUSCO.

Results: In this study, we used this new technology to sequence and de novo assemble the genome of a recently isolated ethanologenic yeast strain, and compared the results with those obtained by classical Illumina short read sequencing. This strain was originally named Candida vartiovaarae (Torulopsis vartiovaarae) based on ribosomal RNA sequencing. We show that the assembly using nanopore data is much more contiguous than the assembly using short read data. We also compared various technical and software developments for the nanopore sequencing protocol, showing that nanopore-derived assemblies provide the highest contiguity.

Conclusions: The mitochondrial and chromosomal genome sequences showed that our strain is clearly distinct from other yeast taxons and most closely related to published Cyberlindnera species. In conclusion, MinION-mediated long read sequencing can be used for high quality de novo assembly of new eukaryotic microbial genomes.
The Congress Impact Factor: A proposal from board members of the World Society of Emergency Surgeons.it (WSES) and Academy of Emergency Medicine and Care (AcEMC)
Authors: De Simone Belinda , Ansaloni Luca , Kelly Micheal Denis , Coccolini Federico , Sartelli Massimo , Di Saverio Salomone , Pisano Michele , Cervellin Gianfranco , Baiocchi Gianluca , Catena Fausto
Published: August 2018

Many scientific congresses and conferences are held every year around the world. The aim of the World Society of Emergency Surgeons.it (WSES) and Academy of Emergency Medicine and Care (AcEMC) was to develop a simple mathematical parameter as an indicator of academic quality and scientific validity of a congress. In this opinion article, a new metric, the Congress Impact Factor (IFc), is proposed taking into consideration the widely used Impact Factor as an indicator of journals’ prestige and using H-index analysis.

The IFc is derived from the mathematical ratio between the mean H-index of invited lecturers normalized for lecture topic and number of lectures in the conference. In case of multiple sessions, the mean of all IFc is calculated along with its standard deviation.  We conclude that the IFc can be a useful measure for evaluating and comparing congress prestige, and may also represent a potentially useful parameter for improving academic curriculum and helping participants to choose the more prestigious meetings for their education.
Androgen-dependent alternative mRNA isoform expression in prostate cancer cells
Authors: Munkley Jennifer , Maia Teresa M. , Ibarluzea Nekane , Livermore Karen E. , Vodak Daniel , Ehrmann Ingrid , James Katherine , Rajan Prabhakar , Barbosa-Morais Nuno L. , Elliott David J.
Published: August 2018

Background: Androgen steroid hormones are key drivers of prostate cancer. Previous work has shown that androgens can drive the expression of alternative mRNA isoforms as well as transcriptional changes in prostate cancer cells. Yet to what extent androgens control alternative mRNA isoforms and how these are expressed and differentially regulated in prostate tumours is unknown.

Methods: Here we have used RNA-Seq data to globally identify alternative mRNA isoform expression under androgen control in prostate cancer cells, and profiled the expression of these mRNA isoforms in clinical tissue.

Results: Our data indicate androgens primarily switch mRNA isoforms through alternative promoter selection. We detected 73 androgen regulated alternative transcription events, including utilisation of 56 androgen-dependent alternative promoters, 13 androgen-regulated alternative splicing events, and selection of 4 androgen-regulated alternative 3′ mRNA ends. 64 of these events are novel to this study, and 26 involve previously unannotated isoforms. We validated androgen dependent regulation of 17 alternative isoforms by quantitative PCR in an independent sample set. Some of the identified mRNA isoforms are in genes already implicated in prostate cancer (including LIG4, FDFT1 and RELAXIN), or in genes important in other cancers (e.g. NUP93 and MAT2A). Importantly, analysis of transcriptome data from 497 tumour samples in the TGCA prostate adenocarcinoma (PRAD) cohort identified 13 mRNA isoforms (including TPD52, TACC2 and NDUFV3) that are differentially regulated in localised prostate cancer relative to normal tissue, and 3 (OSBPL1A, CLK3 and TSC22D3) which change significantly with Gleason grade and  tumour stage.

Conclusions: Our findings dramatically increase the number of known androgen regulated isoforms in prostate cancer, and indicate a highly complex response to androgens in prostate cancer cells that could be clinically important.
A pilot study on assessing the role of intra-operative Flow 800 vascular map model in predicting onset of vasospasm following micro vascular clipping of ruptured intracranial aneurysms
Authors: Munakomi Sunil , Poudel Deepak
Published: August 2018

Objective

To ascertain the predictive value of intra-operative FLOW 800 vascular map model in predicting onset of post-operative clinical vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia among patients undergoing micro-vascular clipping of ruptured intracranial aneurysms. 

Material and methods

A total of 40 patients were enrolled in the study and their variables such as age, World Federation of Neurological Surgeons (WFNS) grade at presentation, Computerized Tomography (CT) Fisher grading, location of the aneurysms, and Indocyanine Green (ICG) flow status were compared and statistically analyzed along with differences in Absorption Intensities (AI) and difference in time lag values obtained from the FLOW 800 vascular map studies for predicting onset of vasospasm. 

Results

The Receiver Operating curve (ROC) of the model for predicting post-operative vasospasm was highest (.892) for difference in the AI followed by CT Fisher grading (.778), difference in time lag (.700) and WFNS grading (.699).Analysis of variance for different variables studied in our model for predicting vasospasm was significant for all except for age (.991) and the ICG flow through the parent vessel (.079).Multivariate analysis done for predicting the vasospasm was significant for all variables except for age (.869) and ICG main flow (.196)

Conclusion

Our study confirmed the role of FLOW 800 study model in predicting clinical vasospasm. Inclusion of this entity would therefore help in taking timely and correct therapeutics measures to ensure better patient outcomes.
Clinical characteristics and outcomes of extremity soft tissue sarcomas at Thailand’s national tertiary referral center
Authors: Chantharasamee Jomjit , Tanapathomsinchai Nichanan , Niyomnaitham Suvimol , Anekpurithanang Tauangtham
Published: August 2018

Background: Due to the heterogeneity of soft tissue sarcomas, conflicting data have been reported regarding treatment outcomes. Moreover, factors such as histologic subtype, treatment compliance, and treatment tolerability may influence outcomes of treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics, prognostic factors, survival outcomes, and outcomes of treatment in patients with extremity soft tissue sarcoma who underwent complete tumor resection at Siriraj Hospital.

Methods: Medical records of patients with extremity soft tissue sarcoma underwent total tumor resection at Siriraj Hospital during the January 2007 to December 2016 study period were included. Data collected included demographic data, tumor characteristics, type of surgery, and postsurgical intervention. Regimen, dose, cycle, and treatment compliance data were collected in patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy.

Results: A total of 58 patients with a median age of 53.5 years were included. In total, 13 patients received adjuvant chemotherapy. Tumor grade 3 with size >10 cm was a baseline factor found to be a significant predictor of unfavorable disease-free survival (DFS) (p<0.001). Median DFS was 56.2 months in the chemotherapy group and 20.5 months in the non-chemotherapy group (p=0.29). Median OS was 77.2 months in the chemotherapy group and 66.6 months in the non-chemotherapy group (p=0.24). A total of 20% of patients in chemotherapy group developed grade 3-4 hematologic toxicity.

Conclusion: Tumor grade 3 >10 cm was the only baseline characteristic found to be a significant predictor of unfavorable DFS in univariate analysis. No conclusive benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy in term of DFS and OS.