bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Chinese Prescription Chuanxiong Chatiao San for Migraine: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Wang Yu , Shi Yajun , Zhang Xiaofei , Zou Junbo , Liang Yulin , Tai Jia , Wang Mei , Cui Chunli , Guo Dongyan
Published: July 2019

Backgrounds. Chuanxiong Chatiao san (CXCT) is a famous Chinese classical prescription. It has a favorable effect in treating migraine. It is reported that CXCT combined with Western conventional medicine (WCM) could increase the therapeutic efficacy on migraine. The purpose of this paper is to systematically assess the clinical efficacy, safety, and some indexes of CXCT for migraine. Methods. PubMed, Embase Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, the Cochrane Library, and the CBM were searched from January 2000 to February 2019. We made a detailed record of outcome measurements. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software. Results. A total of 3307 patients were included in the 37 articles. Meta-analysis showed that CXCT significantly increased the total efficiency rate (TER), compared with Western medicine treatment (WMC) (P < 0.00001). When CXCT is combined with WMC, the result showed that P < 0.00001. CXCT was significantly reduced the adverse events (AEs) compared with WMC (P < 0.00001). The levels of VAS, number of migraine episodes (NE), and time of headache duration (TD) were significantly reduced (P < 0.00001). Platelet function and blood rheology level were improved via a significantly decrease in 5-HT and β-EP (P < 0.00001). Other indicators such as substance P, CGRP high-cut viscosity, low-cut viscosity, plasma viscosity, and fibrinogen were significantly reduced (P < 0.00001). Conclusion. Our findings provide evidence that CXCT and CXCT combined with WMC have higher efficacy in the treatment of migraine compared with WCM alone. Methodological quality was generally low, so the conclusion of this paper has some limitations and it has to be carefully evaluated.
Local Application of Semaphorin 3A Combined with Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Sheet and Anorganic Bovine Bone Granules Enhances Bone Regeneration in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Rats
Authors: Xu Xiaoru , Fang Kaixiu , Wang Lifeng , Liu Xiangwei , Zhou Yuchao , Song Yingliang
Published: July 2019

Bone tissue regeneration is considered to be the optimal solution for bone loss. However, diabetic patients have a greater risk of poor bone healing or bone grafting failure than nondiabetics. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of the complexes of an adipose-derived stem cell sheet (ASC sheet) and Bio-Oss® bone granules on bone healing in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rats with the addition of semaphorin 3A (Sema3A). The rat ASC sheets showed stronger osteogenic ability than ASCs in vitro, as indicated by the extracellular matrix mineralization and the expression of osteogenesis-related genes at mRNA level. An ASC sheet combined with Bio-Oss® bone granules promoted bone formation in T2DM rats as indicated by microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) and histological analysis. In addition, Sema3A promoted the osteogenic differentiation of ASC sheets in vitro and local injection of Sema3A promoted T2DM rats’ calvarial bone regeneration based on ASC sheet and Bio-Oss® bone granule complex treatment. In conclusion, the local injection of Sema3A and the complexes of ASC sheet and Bio-Oss® bone granules could promote osseous healing and are potentially useful to improve bone healing for T2DM patients.
Glycopatterns and Glycoproteins Changes in MCN and SCN: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Wang Ying , Sun Yufa , Feng Jia , Li Zheng , Yu Hanjie , Ding Xiang , Yang Fuquan , Linghu Enqiang
Published: July 2019

Background. Advances in imaging improve the detection of malignant pancreatic cystic including mucinous cystic neoplasm (MCN), intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN), and mucinous cystic adenocarcinoma (MCA), but the distinction between benign and malignant lesions remains a problem. In an effort to establish glycopatterns as potential biomarkers for differential diagnosis between MCN and SCN, we systematically investigated the alterations of glycopatterns in cystic fluids for both SCN and MCN. Methods. Among the 75 patients enrolled, 37 were diagnosed as MCN and 38 as SCN based on histology. Lectin microarray analysis was performed on each sample, and the fluorescence intensity was used to obtain the fold-change. Then, mixed cyst fluids of MCN group and SCN group were cross bonded with magnetic particles coupled by Lectin STL and WGA, respectively. Hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) enrichment was performed, liquid chromatography (LC)/mass spectrometry (MS) analysis and bioinformatical analysis was conducted to find the differential glycoproteins between MCNs and SCNs. Results. Through analysis of lectin microarray between MCNs and SCNs, stronger lectin signal patterns were assigned to Lectin WFA, DBA, STL, WGA, and BPL; and weaker signal patterns were assigned to Lectin PTL-I, Con A, ACA, and MAL-I. The glycoproteins were enriched by STL or WGA-coupled magnetic particles. Furthermore, the 10 identified correspondding genes were found to be significantly elevated in the mucinous cystadenoma: CLU, A2M, FGA, FGB, FGG, PLG, SERPINA1, SERPING1, C5, C8A, and C9. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that the above genes may activate the KEGG pathway: immune complement system. Conclusion. This study shows changes in glycopatterns and glycoproteins are associated with MCNs and SCNs.
A Fast Simulation Model Based on Lindley’s Recursion for the G/G/1/K Queue
Authors: Vazquez-Avila J. L. , Sandoval-Arechiga R. , Perez-Ramirez Agustin , Sanchez-Lara R. , Toral-Cruz Homero , El Hamzaoui Y.
Published: July 2019

There are many applications where it is necessary to model queuing systems that involve finite queue size. Most of the models consider traffic with Poisson arrivals and exponentially distributed service times. Unfortunately, when the traffic behavior does not consider Poisson arrivals and exponentially distributed service times, closed‐form solutions are not always available or have high mathematical complexity. Based on Lindley’s recursion, this paper presents a fast simulation model for an accurate estimation of the performance metrics of G/G/1/K queues. One of the main characteristics of this approach is the support for long‐range dependence traffic models. The model can be used to model queuing systems in the same way that a discrete event simulator would do it. This model has a speedup of at least two orders of magnitude concerning implementations in conventional discrete event simulators.
Plasma Inter-Alpha-Trypsin Inhibitor Heavy Chains H3 and H4 Serve as Novel Diagnostic Biomarkers in Human Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Jiang Xiao , Bai Xiao-Yan , Li Bowen , Li Yanan , Xia Kangkai , Wang Miao , Li Shujing , Wu Huijian
Published: July 2019

Objective. Inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H3 (ITIH3) and inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H4 (ITIH4) are heavy chains of protein members belonging to the ITI family, which was associated with inflammation and carcinogenesis. However, the diagnostic value of ITIH3and ITIH4in human colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unknown.Methods. In total, 101 CRC patients and 156 healthy controls were enrolled. The concentrations of ITIH3and ITIH4proteins in plasma samples of participants were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. ITIH3and ITIH4expressions in human CRC tissues were additionally assessed via immunohistochemical staining (IHC). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) was applied to estimate the diagnostic power of the two proteins, and the net reclassification improvement (NRI) was adopted to evaluate the incremental predictive ability of ITIH3/ITIH4when added to the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1).Results. The plasma concentration of ITIH3in CRC patients (median: 4.370μg/mL; range: 2.152–8.170 μg/mL) was significantly lower than that in healthy subjects (median: 4.715μg/mL; range: 2.665–10.257 μg/mL;p<0.001), while the ITIH4plasma level in subjects with CRC (median: 0.211μg/mL; range: 0.099–0.592 μg/mL) was markedly increased relative to that in the control group (median: 0.134μg/mL; range: 0.094–0.460 μg/mL,p<0.001). Consistently, IHC score assessment showed a dramatic reduction in ITIH3expression and, conversely, upregulation of ITIH4in colorectal carcinoma specimens relative to adjacent normal colorectal tissues (p<0.001in both cases). The area under the curve (AUC) of the ROC for ITIH4(AUC=0.801, 95% CI: 0.745–0.857) was higher than that for ITIH3(AUC=0.638, 95% CI: 0.571–0.704, bothpvalues < 0.001). The AUC of the ROC for combined ITIH3and ITIH4was even higher than that for carcinoembryonic antigen. NRI results showed that combining ITIH3and ITIH4with TIMP-1 significantly improved diagnostic accuracy (NRI=17.12%,p=0.002) for CRC patients compared to TIMP-1 alone.Conclusions. Circulating ITIH3and ITIH4levels are associated with carcinogenesis in CRC, supporting their potential diagnostic utility as surrogate biomarkers for colorectal cancer detection.
A Case of Aggressive Multiple Myeloma with Extramedullary Involvement of the Female Reproductive System, Thyroid and Breasts
Authors: Khan Abdul Moiz , Azar Ibrahim , Najjar Saleh , Bevington Travis , Mehdi Syed
Published: July 2019

Extramedullary disease at the time of diagnosis of multiple myeloma is a rare finding that portends poor prognosis and necessitates aggressive treatment strategies. We present a case of multiple myeloma with extramedullary plasmacytomas of the female reproductive system, thyroid and breasts. The patient was treated with lenalidomide, bortezomib, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone. Follow-up PET-CT scans confirmed clinical complete response, and the patient underwent autologous stem cell transplantation. The patient will be continued on lenalidomide and bortezomib maintenance therapy. To the best of our knowledge, simultaneous involvement of these sites has never been reported. The case highlights that there are no established guidelines on the treatment of multiple myeloma with extramedullary disease leading to great variability based on clinician preference. We will also discuss the treatment options and prognosis of multiple myeloma with extramedullary disease.
Imagery Ability and Imagery Perspective Preference: A Study of Their Relationship and Age- and Gender-Related Changes
Authors: Liu Karen P. Y. , Lai Monica , Fong Shirley S. M. , Bissett Michelle
Published: July 2019

This study examined if imagery ability (i.e., vividness and temporal congruence between imagined and executed knee extensions) and imagery perspective preference were affected by ageing and gender. Ninety-four participants, 31 young, 43 intermediate, and 20 older adults completed the Vividness of Movement Imagery Questionnaire-2 and a knee extension temporal congruence test to reflect on their imagery ability and an imagery perspective preference test. Male participants had a better imagery ability than the female participants (F 4,85=2.84, p=.029, η2=.118). However, significant age-related changes in imagery ability were not found in the three age groups. Change in imagery perspective preference with a trend towards an external imagery perspective was observed with ageing (F 3,89=3.16, p=.028, η2=.096) but not between male and female. The results suggest that imagery ability may be preserved with ageing. As individuals age, their preference for using an imagery perspective shifts from a more internal to a more external perspective. This understanding is important when designing future imagery research and real-life application or clinical intervention.
Hydrogen Sulfide Gas Exposure Induces Necroptosis and Promotes Inflammation through the MAPK/NF-κB Pathway in Broiler Spleen
Authors: Chi Qianru , Wang Dongxu , Hu Xueyuan , Li Shiping , Li Shu
Published: July 2019

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is one of the main pollutants in the atmosphere, which is a serious threat to human health. The decomposition of sulfur-containing organics in chicken houses could produce a large amount of H2S, thereby damaging poultry health. In this study, one-day-old broilers were selected and exposed to 4 or 20 ppm of H2S gas (0-3 weeks: 4±0.5 ppm, 4-6 weeks: 20±0.5 ppm). The spleen samples were collected immediately after the chickens were euthanized at 2, 4, and 6 weeks. The histopathological and ultrastructural observations showed obvious necrosis characteristics of H2S-exposed spleens. H2S exposure suppressed GSH, CAT, T-AOC, and SOD activities; increased NO, H2O2, and MDA content and iNOS activity; and induced oxidative stress. ATPase activities and the expressions of energy metabolism-related genes were significantly decreased. Also, the expressions of related necroptosis (RIPK1, RIPK3, MLKL, TAK1, TAB2, and TAB3) were significantly increased, and the MAPK pathway was activated. Besides, H2S exposure activated the NF-κB classical pathway and induced TNF-α and IL-1β release. Taken together, we conclude that H2S exposure induces oxidative stress and energy metabolism dysfunction; evokes necroptosis; activates the MAPK pathway, eventually triggering the NF-κB pathway; and promotes inflammatory response in chicken spleens.
FDA Approval Summary: Mogamulizumab-kpkc for Mycosis Fungoides and Sézary Syndrome
Authors: Kasamon Yvette L. , Chen Haiyan , de Claro R. Angelo , Nie Lei , Ye Jingjing , Blumenthal Gideon M. , Farrell Ann T. , Pazdur Richard
Published: July 2019

The FDA-approved mogamulizumab-kpkc, a CC chemokine receptor type 4 (CCR4)-directed mAb, in August 2018 for treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory mycosis fungoides or Sézary syndrome after at least one prior systemic therapy. Regular approval was based on a randomized, open-label trial that randomized 372 such patients, with a median of 3 prior systemic therapies, to either mogamulizumab-kpkc or vorinostat. Investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS) was statistically significantly longer in the mogamulizumab-kpkc arm, which had an estimated median PFS of 7.6 months [95% confidence interval (CI), 5.6–10.2] compared with 3.1 months (95% CI, 2.8–4.0) in the vorinostat arm (HR = 0.53; 95% CI, 0.41–0.69). The confirmed overall response rate was 28% and 5%, respectively (P < 0.001), based on global composite response criteria. Adverse reactions occurring in at least 20% of mogamulizumab-kpkc recipients included rash, infusion-related reactions, fatigue, diarrhea, musculoskeletal pain, and upper respiratory tract infection. Serious adverse reactions occurred in 36% of patients, most often from infection. The prescribing information includes warnings for dermatologic toxicity, infusion reactions, infections, autoimmune complications, and complications of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, including severe and steroid-refractory graft-versus-host disease.

See related commentary by Larocca et al., p. 7272
A Complex Role for Calcium Signaling in Colorectal Cancer Development and Progression
Authors: Wang Wei , Yu Suyun , Huang Shuai , Deng Rui , Ding Yushi , Wu Yuanyuan , Li Xiaoman , Wang Aiyun , Wang Shijun , Chen Wenxing , Lu Yin
Published: July 2019

Clinical data suggest that many malignant cancers are associated with hypercalcemia. Hypercalcemia can facilitate the proliferation and metastasis of gastric and colon tumors, and has been considered a hallmark of end-stage disease. However, it has also been reported that dietary calcium or vitamin D supplementation could reduce the risk of many types of cancers. In particular, the intestines can absorb considerable amounts of calcium via Ca2+-permeable ion channels, and hypercalcemia is common in patients with colorectal cancer. Thus, this review considers the role of calcium signaling in the context of colorectal cancer and summarizes the functions of specific regulators of cellular calcium levels in the proliferation, invasion, metastasis, cell death, and drug resistance of colorectal cancer cells. The data reveal that even a slight upregulation of intracellular Ca2+ signaling can facilitate the onset and progression of colorectal cancer, while continuous Ca2+ influx and Ca2+ overload may cause tumor cell death. This dual function of Ca2+ signaling adds nuance to the debate over the hallmarks of colorectal cancer, and may even provide new directions and strategies for clinical interventions.
Invasive Versus Medical Management in Patients With Prior Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery With a Non-ST Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Lee Matthew M.Y. , Petrie Mark C. , Rocchiccioli Paul , Simpson Joanne , Jackson Colette E. , Corcoran David S. , Mangion Kenneth , Brown Ammani , Cialdella Pio , Sidik Novalia P. , McEntegart Margaret B. , Shaukat Aadil , Rae Alan P. , Hood Stuart H.M. , Peat Eileen E. , Findlay Iain N. , Murphy Clare L. , Cormack Alistair J. , Bukov Nikolay B. , Balachandran Kanarath P. , Oldroyd Keith G. , Ford Ian , Wu Olivia , McConnachie Alex , Barry Sarah J.E. , Berry Colin ,   on behalf of the CABG-ACS Investigators
Published: July 2019

Background:

The benefits of routine invasive management in patients with prior coronary artery bypass grafts presenting with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes are uncertain because these patients were excluded from pivotal trials.

Methods:

In a multicenter trial, non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes patients with prior coronary artery bypass graft were prospectively screened in 4 acute hospitals. Medically stabilized patients were randomized to invasive management (invasive group) or noninvasive management (medical group). The primary outcome was adherence with the randomized strategy by 30 days. A blinded, independent Clinical Event Committee adjudicated predefined composite outcomes for efficacy (all-cause mortality, rehospitalization for refractory ischemia/angina, myocardial infarction, hospitalization because of heart failure) and safety (major bleeding, stroke, procedure-related myocardial infarction, and worsening renal function).

Results:

Two hundred seventeen patients were screened and 60 (mean±SD age, 71±9 years, 72% male) were randomized (invasive group, n=31; medical group, n=29). One-third (n=10) of the participants in the invasive group initially received percutaneous coronary intervention. In the medical group, 1 participant crossed over to invasive management on day 30 but percutaneous coronary intervention was not performed. During 2-years’ follow-up (median [interquartile range], 744 [570–853] days), the composite outcome for efficacy occurred in 13 (42%) subjects in the invasive group and 13 (45%) subjects in the medical group. The composite safety outcome occurred in 8 (26%) subjects in the invasive group and 9 (31%) subjects in the medical group. An efficacy or safety outcome occurred in 17 (55%) subjects in the invasive group and 16 (55%) subjects in the medical group. Health status (EuroQol 5 Dimensions) and angina class in each group were similar at 12 months.

Conclusions:

More than half of the population experienced a serious adverse event. An initial noninvasive management strategy is feasible. A substantive health outcomes trial of invasive versus noninvasive management in non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes patients with prior coronary artery bypass grafts appears warranted.

Clinical Trial Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01895751.
Metformin Use and Clinical Outcomes Among Patients With Diabetes Mellitus With or Without Heart Failure or Kidney Dysfunction
Authors: Bergmark Brian A. , Bhatt Deepak L. , McGuire Darren K. , Cahn Avivit , Mosenzon Ofri , Steg Ph. Gabriel , Im KyungAh , Kanevsky Estella , Gurmu Yared , Raz Itamar , Braunwald Eugene , Scirica Benjamin M. ,   On behalf of the SAVOR-TIMI 53 Steering Committee and Investigators
Published: July 2019

Background:

Metformin is first-line therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus, although its effects on the cardiovascular system are unproved.

Methods:

In this post hoc analysis, patients in SAVOR-TIMI 53 (Saxagliptin and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus) with baseline biomarker samples (n=12 156) were classified as ever versus never taking metformin during the trial period. Associations between metformin exposure and outcomes were estimated with inverse probability of treatment weighting Cox modeling for the composite end point of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or ischemic stroke, as well as cardiovascular death and all-cause mortality, with biomarkers included as covariates. Additional sensitivity analyses included propensity score matching and Cox multivariable models.

Results:

Of the 12 156 patients with baseline biomarker samples, 8971 (74%) had metformin exposure, 1611 (13%) had prior heart failure, and 1332 (11%) had at least moderate chronic kidney disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate ≤45 mL·min
−1
·1.73 m
−2
). Metformin use was associated with no difference in risk for the composite end point (hazard ratio for inverse probability of treatment weighting, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.76–1.11]) but lower risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio for inverse probability of treatment weighting, 0.75 [95% CI, 0.59–0.95]). There was no significant relationship between metformin use and these end points in patients with prior heart failure or moderate to severe chronic kidney disease.

Conclusions:

In a cohort of 12 156 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and high cardiovascular risk, metformin use was associated with lower rates of all-cause mortality, including after adjustment for clinical variables and biomarkers, but not lower rates of the composite end point of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or ischemic stroke. This association was most apparent in patients without prior heart failure or moderate to severe chronic kidney disease.

Clinical Trial Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01107886.
Patterns of Sedentary Behavior in the First Month After Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Duran Andrea T. , Ewing Garber Carol , Cornelius Talea , Schwartz Joseph E. , Diaz Keith M.
Published: July 2019

Background

Sedentary behavior is a key contributor to cardiovascular disease. Few data exist on the sedentary behavior patterns of patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Methods and Results

We characterized patterns of sedentary time and their correlates in 149 patients with acute coronary syndrome over the first month postdischarge, a critical period when lifestyle behaviors are formed. Sedentary time was measured by accelerometry for 28 days postdischarge. Group‐based modeling at the day level was used to characterize sedentary patterns. Participants spent a mean of 9.7±2.0 hours per day sedentary during the 28 days postdischarge, with significant decreases in sedentary time observed in each consecutive week (
P
<0.01 for all). Three distinct sedentary patterns were identified: high (20.6% of participants), moderate (47.9%), and low (31.5%). The high and moderate sedentary groups spent a mean of 12.6±0.8 and 10.0±0.7 hours per day sedentary, respectively, and had only minimal decreases in their sedentary time (<3 minutes per day) over the 28 days. The low sedentary group spent a mean of 7.3±0.8 hours per day sedentary, with a rapid decrease in sedentary time (14 minutes per day) observed during the first week postdischarge followed by a relatively smaller decrease (≈5 minutes per day) that persisted until day 21 postdischarge. Non‐Hispanic ethnicity, left ventricular ejection fraction <40%, lower physical health–related quality of life, and not having a partner were associated with an increased likelihood of being in the high sedentary group.

Conclusions

Survivors of acute coronary syndrome accrued high volumes of sedentary time during the first month postdischarge, with most showing little change over time. Interventions targeting reductions in sedentary time among survivors of acute coronary syndrome may be warranted, particularly for those with poor physical health and greater disease severity.
The Marjuman trilobite Cedarina Lochman: thoracic morphology, systematics, and new species from western Utah and eastern Nevada, USA
Authors: ADRAIN JONATHAN M. , PETERS SHANAN E. , WESTROP STEPHEN R.
Published: July 2019

Cedarina schachti n. sp. from the Marjuman (Cedaria Zone) Weeks Formation of western Utah, USA, provides the first information on thoracic morphology within the genus. Its thorax is radically different from those of species of Cedaria Walcott, with which Cedarina Lochman has been classified in Cedariidae Raymond, but strikingly similar to those of plesiomorphic remopleuridoideans grouped in the paraphyletic Richardsonellinae Raymond. If Cedarina and the remopleuridoideans are genuinely related it follows that 1) Cedariidae as traditionally conceived is paraphyletic; 2) Cedarina is a plesiomorphic sister taxon of the remopleuridoideans; and 3) the remopleuridoideans are not a component of the Order Asaphida. Silicified material of a second new species, C. clevensis from the Marjuman (Crepicephalus Zone) Lincoln Peak Formation of eastern Nevada, confirms the presence of a long thoracic axial spine and provides the first information on ontogenetic development and ventral morphology within the genus.
A new species of chimaera, Hydrolagus melanophasma sp. nov. (Chondrichthyes: Chimaeriformes: Chimaeridae), from the eastern North Pacific
Authors: JAMES KELSEY C. , EBERT DAVID A. , LONG DOUGLAS J. , DIDIER DOMINIQUE A.
Published: July 2019

A new species of chimaera, Hydrolagus melanophasma sp. nov. (Chimaeridae), is described from the eastern North Pacific. It is distinct from other eastern Pacific chimaeroids by the following characteristics: a large slightly curved dorsal fin spine extending beyond dorsal fin apex, a long second dorsal fin of uniform height throughout, large pectoral fins extending beyond the pelvic fin insertion when laid flat, trifid claspers forked for approximately one-quarter the total clasper length and a uniform black coloration throughout. The new species is compared to other eastern Pacific members of the genus Hydrolagus including H. alphus, H. colliei, H. macrophthalmus, and H. mccoskeri. Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) video footage has identified and documented Hydrolagus melanophasma from the Gulf of California. ROV observations suggest that individuals typically occur over soft-bottom habitats or cobble patches with minimal vertical relief. This is in contrast to other eastern Pacific Hydrolagus species that tend to occur in areas of high rocky relief. The known distribution of this new species at present extends from southern California, U.S.A., along the Pacific coast of Baja California, Mexico, and into the Gulf of California.
Description of a new species, Anopheles pseudosundaicus (Diptera: Culicidae) from Kerala, India
Authors: TYAGI B. K. , HIRIYAN J. , TEWARI S. C. , AYANAR K. , SAMUEL P. PHILIP , ARUNACHALAM N. , PARAMASIVAN R. , KRISHNAMOORTHY R. , DHANANJEYAN K. J. , LEO S. VICTORJERALD , RAJENDRAN R.
Published: July 2019

Specimens of Anopheles pseudosundaicus, new species, belonging to the Pyretophorus Series of Anopheles (Cellia), were collected from the coastal areas of Alleppey and Kollam districts in Krerala, southwest India. Female (holotype), male (allotype), pupa and fourth-stage larva of this species are described and illustrated to distinguish it from An. subpictus Grassi and An. sundaicus. (Rodenwaldt). It differs from An. sundaicus by the absence of speckling on legs and from An. subpictus in having a complete prehumeral dark spot on costa in wings. A partial sequence of Cytochrome oxidase C subunit 1 (CO1) of mt DNA places An. pseudosundaicus phylogenetically distant from An. sundaicus and closer to An. subpictus.
Nomenclatural Changes in Australian Tettigoniidae
Authors: RENTZ D. C. F.
Published: July 2019

During the course of preparing a Guidebook to Australian Tettigoniidae, a number of name changes became necessary as follows. The combinations and the type relevant specimens can be viewed soon on the Orthoptera Species File, Eades & Otte (2009).
Barrosasaurus casamiquelai gen. et sp. nov., a new titanosaur (Dinosauria, Sauropoda) from the Anacleto Formation (Late Cretaceous: early Campanian) of Sierra Barrosa (Neuquén, Argentina)
Authors: SALGADO LEONARDO , CORIA RODOLFO A.
Published: July 2019

A new Late Cretaceous titanosaurian sauropod from the Sierra Barrosa locality (Anacleto Formation, Late Cretaceous, early Campanian) of Neuquén Province, Argentina, Barrosasaurus casamiquelai gen. et sp. nov., is described. The holotype of this species consists of three large and incomplete, although well-preserved, dorsal vertebrae (one probably the third, the next the seventh or eighth, and the last the ninth or tenth). The arrangement of neural arch laminae in the dorsal vertebrae of this titanosaur differs from that present in other genera in the following ways: the spinoprezygapophyseal laminae are well developed in the third vertebra, and relictual in the seventh or eighth vertebra; two spinodiapophyseal laminae are present in the seventh or eighth and in the ninth or tenth vertebrae, the anterior spinodiapophyseal lamina being more strongly developed than the posterior spinodiapophyseal lamina in the ninth or tenth vertebra. These characters, among others, allow the recognition of this individual as a new species of Titanosauria, which increases knowledge of the diversity of titanosaurs in the Late Cretaceous of Patagonia.
A shallow water population of Pronotogrammus martinicensis (Guichenot, 1868) (Teleostei: Serranidae: Anthiinae) from South-western Atlantic, Brazil
Authors: CARVALHO-FILHO ALFREDO , FERREIRA CARLOS E. L. , CRAIG MATTHEW
Published: July 2019

A population of Pronotogrammus martinicensis (Guichenot, 1868) is described and recognized as a unique shallowwater variation of the species from the Brazilian South-Eastern coast, based on genetic, morphologic and ecological data. It is distinguished from the deep water population by its smaller eye, longer snout, shorter pectoral-fin, color of the adults, and habitat depth.
Ompok brevirictus, a new catfish (Teleostei: Siluridae) from Sumatra
Authors: NG HEOK HEE , HADIATY RENNY K.
Published: July 2019

Ompok brevirictus, a new species of silurid catfish is described from the short coastal rivers draining the western face of the Leuser Mountain Range and debouching into the Indian Ocean in Nangroe Aceh Darussalam province, northern Sumatra. Ompok brevirictus can be distinguished from Ompok siluroides and O. miostomus, the Southeast Asian congeners that it most resembles, in having an evenly convex predorsal profile (vs. with a concavity posterior to orbit) and a more prominent lower jaw that is more broadly curving. Ompok brevirictus additionally differs from O. siluroides in having the mouth rictus separated from the anterior orbital margin by a distance of one-third (vs. less than one-third) eye diameter (4.2–5.2% HL vs. 3.2–3.7) and lacking (vs. with) a distinct dark wedge-shaped spot on the base of the caudal fin. The identity of the Southeast Asian material usually identified as O. bimaculatus is also clarified. Ompok bimaculatus is restricted to the Indian subcontinent and Myanmar in this study; the Southeast Asian material previously identified as conspecific is hereby referred to either O. siluroides or O. miostomus.
Strict(er) Scrutiny: The Impact of Failed Divestitures on U.S. Merger Remedies
Authors: Wetzel Christopher A.
Published: July 2019

Antitrust review of mergers and merger remedies, in particular, have been the topic of much recent conversation both in the legal world and popular political discourse. A recent string of failed divestitures has driven the U.S. antitrust agencies to analyze proposed remedies and proposed divestiture buyers with increasing scrutiny as they seek to avoid similar outcomes. This article details the history of recent divestiture failures and explores how the agencies have adapted their remedy vetting process in response through longer investigations, enhanced focus on particular aspects of buyers’ qualifications, and an increased insistence on up-front buyers, as well as the agencies’ success in persuading courts that proposed divestitures and/or buyers were inadequate in a series of recent litigated merger challenges. Against this backdrop, this article offers practical guidance for merger parties and would-be buyers to navigate the approval process amid the agencies’ heightened sensitivities to the qualifications of divestiture buyers. Finally, it suggests that there is little empirical support for the notion that the most concrete, observable agency responses will reduce the risk of divestiture failures in the future.
Using Fit Statistic Differences to Determine the Optimal Number of Factors to Retain in an Exploratory Factor Analysis
Authors: Finch W. Holmes
Published: July 2019

Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) is widely used by researchers in the social sciences to characterize the latent structure underlying a set of observed indicator variables. One of the primary issues that must be resolved when conducting an EFA is determination of the number of factors to retain. There exist a large number of statistical tools designed to address this question, with none being universally optimal across applications. Recently, researchers have investigated the use of model fit indices that are commonly used in the conduct of confirmatory factor analysis to determine the number of factors to retain in EFA. These results have yielded mixed results, appearing to be effective when used in conjunction with normally distributed indicators, but not being as effective for categorical indicators. The purpose of this simulation study was to compare the performance of difference values for several fit indices as a method for identifying the optimal number of factors to retain in an EFA, with parallel analysis, which is one of the most reliable such extant methods. Results of the simulation demonstrated that the use of fit index difference values outperformed parallel analysis for categorical indicators, and for normally distributed indicators when factor loadings were small. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Rural-Urban Population Growth, Economic Growth and Urban Agglomeration in Sub-Saharan Africa: What Does Williamson-Kuznets Hypothesis Say?
Authors: Nkalu Chigozie Nelson , Edeme Richardson Kojo , Nchege Johnson , Arazu Ogochukwu Winnie
Published: July 2019

The study analyses the dynamic effect of rural-urban relationship, economic growth and urban agglomeration in sub-Saharan Africa with a view of testing the validity of the Williamson-Kuznets hypothesis. The study utilized panel data analysis with pooled ordinary least squares with secondary annual time series data ranging from 1970 to 2017 and sourced from the World Bank database. The study equally employed both homogeneous and heterogeneous panel unit root tests to verify the stationarity of the panel data variables before estimating the model. However, the estimation result revealed that both rural and urban population growth has a negative impact as well as a statistically significant result on urban agglomeration in sub-Saharan Africa. The result equally showed a negative impact but statistically insignificant relationship between urban agglomeration and foreign direct investment. Also, a statistically significant and positive relationship was recorded between economic growth and urban agglomeration, thereby validating the Williamson-Kuznets hypothesis in sub-Saharan Africa. Based on the findings, the study among other numerous policy recommendations calls for a critical review of policies in the economies of sub-Saharan Africa to ensure effective utilization of the foreign direct investment net inflows towards initiating more and robust development projects both in the cities and rural areas, as well as expand the provisions of the basic infrastructural facilities and development projects. This would aim to curtail any perceived and unwarranted influx to the urban areas by the rural dwellers, hence they do not contribute significantly to growth in urban agglomeration.
Intentions and influencing factors regarding natural childbirth among urban pregnant women in China, based on the theory of reasoned action and structural equation modeling
Authors: He Jingjing , Wan Li , Luo Biru
Published: July 2019

Objectives

In the present study, we aimed to analyze the status of natural childbirth and factors influencing delivery behaviors among pregnant women in urban areas based on the theory of reasoned action, to provide a basis for health education on natural childbirth.

Methods

We recruited 658 pregnant women at West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University. Using a literature review, expert consultation, and self-report questionnaires based on the theory of reasoned action, we investigated delivery behaviors and influencing factors among the included pregnant women. The questionnaires primarily comprised general situations and behavioral intentions regarding natural childbirth among pregnant women. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS 21.0 software.

Results

According to structural equation modeling, participants’ behavioral intentions regarding natural childbirth were influenced by normative beliefs (standardized regression coefficient 0.402), outcome evaluation (standardized regression coefficient 0.123), and behavioral beliefs (standardized regression coefficient 0.316). Conformity motivation and knowledge about childbirth affected the choice of natural childbirth via normative beliefs (standardized regression coefficients 0.431 and 0.338, respectively).

Conclusions

We found that the behavioral intentions of urban pregnant women with respect to natural childbirth were affected by normative beliefs, outcome evaluations, behavioral beliefs, conformity motivation, and knowledge about childbirth.
Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis for the treatment of sternal fracture in the lower chest: a case report
Authors: Xie Ze-Xin , Zhou Xue-Tao , Zhang Dong-Sheng , Yang Yang , Zhang Guo-Liang , Chen Meng-Hui , Liang Zheng
Published: July 2019

Sternal fracture is a common complication of chest trauma but has a low incidence. Various treatments have been developed to reconstruct sternal fractures. Among these approaches, analgesia, corset fixation, and open reduction with plate internal fixation have been suggested. The use of newly developed minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis is a feasible method. In this study, we report a case involving a 54-year-old man with a sternal fracture accompanied by bilateral pleural effusion and a small amount of right-sided pneumothorax. The patient was treated with minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis. The operation was successful and the postoperative recovery was good. No pneumothorax or complications such as chest pain, paresthesia, or wound infection were observed at the 1-year follow-up visit. Additionally, the bilateral pleural effusion had been completely absorbed. The incision in the lower chest was aesthetic and minimally traumatic. This case describes a novel method for internal fixation of sternal fractures.
Vision-Based Navigation of Autonomous Vehicles in Roadway Environments with Unexpected Hazards
Authors: Islam Mhafuzul , Chowdhury Mashrur , Li Hongda , Hu Hongxin
Published: July 2019

Vision-based navigation of autonomous vehicles primarily depends on the deep neural network (DNN) based systems in which the controller obtains input from sensors/detectors, such as cameras, and produces a vehicle control output, such as a steering wheel angle to navigate the vehicle safely in a roadway traffic environment. Typically, these DNN-based systems in the autonomous vehicle are trained through supervised learning; however, recent studies show that a trained DNN-based system can be compromised by perturbation or adverse inputs. Similarly, this perturbation can be introduced into the DNN-based systems of autonomous vehicles by unexpected roadway hazards, such as debris or roadblocks. In this study, we first introduce a hazardous roadway environment that can compromise the DNN-based navigational system of an autonomous vehicle, and produce an incorrect steering wheel angle, which could cause crashes resulting in fatality or injury. Then, we develop a DNN-based autonomous vehicle driving system using object detection and semantic segmentation to mitigate the adverse effect of this type of hazard, which helps the autonomous vehicle to navigate safely around such hazards. We find that our developed DNN-based autonomous vehicle driving system, including hazardous object detection and semantic segmentation, improves the navigational ability of an autonomous vehicle to avoid a potential hazard by 21% compared with the traditional DNN-based autonomous vehicle driving system.
Walter Bagehot’s Lombard Street: An Interpretation
Authors: Krause Laurence Alan
Published: July 2019

Walter Bagehot’s contribution to macroeconomics in Lombard Street is misunderstood and underappreciated. To remedy this, I reinterpret his work, including his famous policy “rules,” by piecing together his larger theoretical framework. That framework incorporates: (1) a “Lombard Street” economy, consisting of a permissive lending system, capitalists in need of credit, and a financial center which attracts large inflows of foreign capital; (2) a rigid policy regime built on a gold standard; and (3) a central bank with a dual objective of keeping the nation’s currency convertible into gold and backstopping a crisis-prone economy. Bagehot argues that an economy with this structure is vulnerable to two distinct crises. The first is a speculative attack on the gold standard by foreigners, as they seek to convert their money into gold. And the second is a run on the credit system by nervous participants. Guided by the “right principles,” Bagehot insists that an active central bank can both preserve the gold standard and prevent recurrent financial panics.

JEL Classifications: B31, E58, N23
Sunscreen-induced expression and identification of photosensitive marker proteins in human keratinocytes under UV radiation
Authors: Amar Saroj Kumar , Srivastav Ajeet K , Dubey Divya , Chopra Deepti , Singh Jyoti , Mujtaba Syed Faiz
Published: July 2019

Solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the main factor of photocarcinogenesis, photoaging, and photosensitivity; thus protection from biological damaging UV radiation is a concern. Sunscreens containing UV filters are the most preferred means of photoprotection but the safety and efficacy of UV filters are in question. Benzophenone (BP) and its derivatives, namely, benzophenone 1 (BP1), is commonly used in sunscreens as a UV blocker. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of BP and BP1 on the differential expression of proteins in human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) under exposure to ultraviolet A radiation. Photosensitive proteins were screened from HaCaT cells by two-dimensional (2-D) gel electrophoresis, and identification of these differentially expressed proteins was performed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF)/TOF mass spectrometry. Protein identification was performed using the search program MASCOT and a database made of SUMO and GhJMJ12 amino acid sequences. Our results showed that the proteins involved directly or indirectly in apoptosis are 70 kDa heat shock protein, long-chain specific acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, serine/threonine-protein kinase, and FAM78A protein, which were upregulated in comparison to control HaCaT cells. The expressions of binding immunoglobulin protein, podocalyxin-like protein, actin, cytoplasmic, and calreticulin precursors were downregulated. The altered protein expression indicated that cell growth arrest and apoptosis were potential mechanisms of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of BPs. The results of 2-D gel electrophoresis followed by mass spectrometry showed expression of novel proteins involved in promoting or initiating apoptotic pathways. Hence, we conclude that BPs should be avoided as a UV blocker from sunscreens because of its potential to promote apoptotic proteins in human skin keratinocytes.
Climate variability of the last ~2700 years in the Southern Adriatic Sea: Coccolithophore evidences
Authors: Cascella Antonio , Bonomo Sergio , Jalali Bassem , Sicre Marie-Alexandrine , Pelosi Nicola , Schmidt Sabine , Lirer Fabrizio
Published: July 2019

New information on palaeoenvironmental conditions over the past ~2700 years in the Central Mediterranean Sea have been acquired through the high-resolution study of calcareous nannofossils preserved in the sediment core SW104-ND14Q recovered in the Southern Adriatic Sea (SAS) at 1013-m water depth. The surface water properties at this open SAS site are sensitive to atmospheric forcing (acting both at local and regional scale) and the North Ionian Sea driven inflowing waters. Our data show a relationship between reworked coccolith abundances, flood frequency across the Southern Alps and the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) confirming their value as indicator of runoff/precipitation. Changes in the abundance of the opportunistic (r-strategist) species Emiliania huxleyi and deep dweller taxa Florisphaera profunda were used to reconstruct the upper water column stratification and associated changes in coccolithophorid productivity. The negative correlation between reworked coccoliths and the N-Ratio ( r = −0.44; p = 6−7) suggest that fresh water induced stratification is a controlling factor of the SAS coccolithophorid production. High coccolithophorid productivity levels occurred during dry periods and/or time intervals of inflowing salty and nutrient-rich Levantine Intermediate Waters favouring convection while lower levels took place during high freshwater discharge, mainly during the ‘Little Ice Age’ and two centennial scale intervals of weakest NAO around 200 BCE and 500 CE.
Cultural Production of ‘Invisible Privilege’: Critical Reflections on the Figure of Pratima Barua Pandey in Goalpariya Folk Music of Assam
Authors: Sarma Simona , Monteiro Anjali
Published: July 2019

This article will look at the figure of Pratima Barua Pandey, one of the icons of Goalpariya folk music in Assam, through a critical feminist lens. Basing the study on the qualitative method of interviews, especially with musicians, singers and other stakeholders associated with the folk form in question, we will try to locate her persona within a framework of contradictions, as someone who had transgressed the constricting spaces of caste/class/gender to be where she was, with deep and caring relationships with local practitioners of the folk form, and also as someone who co-opted and sanitized the form at the same time, given her social location and the larger politics of culture within which she was located. By including the first-hand narratives of our research participants throughout the article, we attempt to arrive at a ‘thick description’ of the concerned theme of study. Such an understanding will help to critically interrogate the conventional image of Pratima Pandey as the ‘hero’ of Goalpariya folk music.