bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immunization with a SyntheticHelicobacter pyloriPeptide Induces Secretory IgA Antibodies and Protects Mice against Infection
Authors: Espinosa-Ramos David , Caballero-Hernández Diana , Gomez-Flores Ricardo , Trejo-Chávez Armando , Pérez-Limón Luis Jerónimo , de la Garza-Ramos Myriam Angélica , Tamez-Guerra Reyes , Tamez-Guerra Patricia , Rodriguez-Padilla Cristina
Published: April 2019

Helicobacter pyloriis a spiral Gram-negative bacterium associated with inflammation of the gastric mucosa, peptic ulcer, and gastric adenocarcinoma, whose treatment has failed due to antibiotic resistance and side effects. Furthermore, because there are no vaccines effective againstH. pylori, an appropriate vaccine design targeting conserved/essential genes must be identified. In the present study, aH. pylori50–52 kDa immunogen-derived peptide antigen with the sequence Met-Val-Thr-Leu-Ile-Asn-Asn-Glu (MVTLINNE) was used to immunize againstH. pyloriinfection. For this, mice received an intraperitoneal injection of 100 μg ofH. pyloripeptide on the first week, followed by two weekly subcutaneous reinforcements and further 109bacteria administration in the drinking water for 3 weeks. Thymic cells proliferative responses to concanavalin A, serum levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, IFN-γ, and TNF-αcytokines, and IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, IgG3 IgM, and IgA immunoglobulins were evaluated. Significant (p<0.05) increases on lymphoproliferation and spleen weights after immunization were observed. In contrast, infection significantly (p<0.05) decreased lymphoproliferation, which was recovered in immunized mice. In addition, levels of serum TH1 and TH2 cytokines were not altered after immunization, except for the significant increase in IL-6 production in immunized and/or infected animals. Moreover, immunization correlated with plasma secretory IgA and IgG, whereas infection alone only elicited IgM antibodies. Peptide immunization protected 100% of mice against virulentH. pylori. MVTLINNE peptide deserves further research as an approach to the prophylaxis ofH. pyloriinfection.
Method Improvement and Effect Analysis of Triaxial Compression Acoustic Emission Test for Coal and Rock
Authors: Zhou Yan , Liu Chuanxiao , Ma Depeng
Published: April 2019

In the study of the acoustic emission (AE) characteristics of rock samples or coal samples under triaxial compression conditions, most scholars carry out relevant experiments by placing the AE detector on the outer wall of the triaxial chamber of the rock mechanics test system. Owing to the continuous obstruction of AE signals by hydraulic oil in the triaxial chamber and the frequent interference of external noises, the final experimental data cannot objectively and truly reflect the essential characteristics of AE of rock or coal under triaxial compression conditions. It is difficult to scientifically guide and accurately predict precursory information of rock’s or coal’s rupture and instability. Based on this, a series of improvements and optimizations were made to the original triaxial compression AE test method, which is based on the modification of the communication interface of the rock mechanics test system, a test head which can put the AE detector into the triaxial chamber and withstands high confining pressure, in order to obtain the true, comprehensive, and reliable AE signals. It is of considerable significance to the scientific determination of the precursory characteristics of rock’s or coal’s rupture and instability.
Gradual Optimization of Headspace Solid-Phase Microextraction Conditions of Volatiles in Pepper Chicken Soup Combined with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and Principal Component Analysis
Authors: Geng Qiuyue , Zhan Ping , Tian Honglei , Wang Peng , Chen Haitao
Published: April 2019

A single-factor gradual optimization method was developed in this experiment in order to improve the headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) effect of volatile compounds in pepper chicken soup. The different extraction conditions included fibers with different coating materials, sample volume, extraction temperature, and extraction time. The total peak areas and the numbers of valid peaks were compared and analyzed as the indicators of condition optimization. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) results showed that the four factors all have significant impact on the extraction effect of volatiles in pepper chicken soup. Using the principal component analysis (PCA), the optimal conditions of HS-SPME were inferred below: an extraction fiber of 50/30μm DVB/CAR/PDMS, a sample volume of 7 g, an extraction temperature of 65°C, and an extraction time of 30 min. Compared to the original extraction conditions, the optimized conditions were especially advantageous for the comprehensive analysis of volatiles, which could be potentially used in further study of soup.
Extracting Vehicle Trajectories Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Congested Traffic Conditions
Authors: Kim Eui-Jin , Park Ho-Chul , Ham Seung-Woo , Kho Seung-Young , Kim Dong-Kyu
Published: April 2019

Obtaining the trajectories of all vehicles in congested traffic is essential for analyzing traffic dynamics. To conduct an effective analysis using trajectory data, a framework is needed to efficiently and accurately extract the data. Unfortunately, obtaining accurate trajectories in congested traffic is challenging due to false detections and tracking errors caused by factors in the road environment, such as adjacent vehicles, shadows, road signs, and road facilities. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), with incorporating machine learning and image processing, can mitigate these difficulties by their ability to hover above the traffic. However, research is lacking regarding the extraction and evaluation of vehicle trajectories in congested traffic. In this study, we propose and compare two learning-based frameworks for detecting vehicles: the aggregated channel feature (ACF), which is based on human-made features, and the faster region-based convolutional neural network (Faster R-CNN), which is based on data-driven features. We extend the detection results to extract vehicle trajectories in congested traffic conditions from UAV images. To remove the errors associated with tracking vehicles, we also develop a postprocessing method based on motion constraints. Then, we conduct detailed performance analyses to confirm the feasibility of the proposed framework on a congested expressway in Korea. The results show that Faster R-CNN outperforms the ACF in images with large objects and in those with small objects if sufficient data are provided. This framework extracts the vehicle trajectories with high precision, making them available for analyzing traffic dynamics based on the training of just a small number of positive samples. The results of this study provide a practical guideline for building a framework to extract vehicles trajectories based on given conditions.
Combating Donor Organ Shortage: Organ Care System Prolonging Organ Storage Time and Improving the Outcome of Heart Transplantations
Authors: Sunjaya Angela Felicia , Sunjaya Anthony Paulo
Published: April 2019

Introduction. Cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of death globally contributing to 37% of all global deaths. A common complication of cardiovascular disease is heart failure, where, in such cases, the only solution would be to conduct a heart transplant. Every 10 minutes a new patient is added to the transplant waiting list. However, a shortage of human donors and the short window of time available to find a correct match and transplant the donors’ heart to the recipient means that numerous challenges are faced by the patient even before the operation could be done, reducing their chances of living even further. Methods. This review aims to evaluate the application of the Organ Care System (OCSTM) in improving the efficiency of heart storage based on journal articles obtained from PubMed, Elsevier Clinical Key, and Science Direct. Results. Studies have shown that OCS is capable of extending the ischemic time 120 minutes longer than conventional methods without any detrimental effect on the recipient nor donor’s safety. Based on the PROTECT I and PROCEED II study, 93% of transplantation recipients using the OCS system passed through the 30-day mortality period. Discussion. OCS is able to prolong the ischemic time of donors’ hearts by perfusing the organ at 34°C in a beating state, potentially reducing the detrimental effect of cold storage and providing additional assessment options. Another clear advantage is the implanting surgeon can assess the quality of the donor heart before surgery as well as providing a time safety buffer in unanticipated circumstances that will reduce the mortality risk of transplant recipients.
IL18 Polymorphism and Periodontitis Susceptibility, Regardless of IL12B, MMP9, and Smoking Habits
Authors: Tsuneto Patrícia Yumeko , Souza Victor Hugo de , de Alencar Josiane Bazzo , Zacarias Joana Maira Valentini , Silva Cléverson O. , Visentainer Jeane Eliete Laguila , Sell Ana Maria
Published: April 2019

Genetic variations contribute to the susceptibility in the development of periodontitis. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of IL18, IL12, and MMP9 polymorphisms in the chronic periodontitis. This case-control study involved 381 individuals matched by gender and age. Genotyping of IL18 (rs187238 and rs1946518) and IL12B (rs3212227) was performed by PCR-SSP and PCR-RFLP was used for MMP9 (rs3918242). IL-18 and MMP-9 were quantified in the serum by ELISA. SNPStats and OpenEpi software were used for statistical analysis and, in order to eliminate smoking as a confounding factor, the analyses were also performed in nonsmoking subjects. The IL18-137G/C genotype was associated with the risk of chronic periodontitis in nonsmokers (Pc=0.03; OR=1.99; overdominant inherence model). In the multivariate analyses, homozygous IL18-137G/G and IL18-607C/C were more frequent in males compared to women with these same genotypes (OR=2.51 and OR=3.30, respectively). The serum levels of the IL-18 in patients were higher than those in healthy controls (P=0.005). IL12B and MMP9 polymorphisms and MMP-9 serum concentration were similar in patients and controls. In this study, IL18 was associated with chronic periodontitis susceptibility. Men had greater risk than women for developing the disease when IL18 polymorphism was considered and the susceptibility was independent of the smoking status.
Factors Associated with Postoperative Pain among Patients after Cardiac Surgery in the Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital of Karachi, Pakistan
Authors: Micah Sineer , Barolia Rubina , Parpio Yasmin , Kumar Santosh , Sharif Hasnat
Published: April 2019

Background. Pain is the subjective feeling of an individual, which affects the overall recovery of patients after cardiac surgery. Postoperative pain is the most inadequately managed symptom of cardiac surgery. Subsequently, there are many factors that can either hinder or facilitate pain management, including patients' beliefs, cultural values, physiological features, hospital policies, and healthcare providers' knowledge and beliefs. The purpose of this research was to identify factors associated with postoperative pain and its management, after cardiac surgery, among patients in a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. Methods. Quantitative correlational study design was employed to attain the study purpose. Data were collected from 136 adult cardiac surgery patients admitted in the Cardiothoracic Surgery (CTS) Department, of tertiary care hospital. A self-developed questionnaire tool was used to gather information from patients. Data was then analyzed on SPSS version 19. Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal Wallis, and Spearman tests were applied to find the associations between the pain levels and of the independent variables. Results. The mean pain scores of the first, second, and third postoperative days were found to be 2.98, 2.96, and 2.98, respectively. The findings also showed that BMI and the types of surgery were significantly associated with postoperative pain. Patients' beliefs regarding drug dependency, fear of adverse effects, and postoperative physical activities were also associated with pain. Furthermore, the nurses’ education level and reluctance in medication administration due to fear of adverse effects were found to be significant too. Conclusion. The study identified some of the important factors that were associated with postoperative pain. The results suggest the need for the enhancement of patients' education on drug dependency, adverse effects, and physical activity, before cardiac surgery. The nurses should be educated on pain management keeping the patients’ culture and other perceptions of pain in mind.
Real-Life State of Anti-Hepatitis B Virus Drug Choice in Child-Bearing Age Male Patients and Effect on Fertility and Fetal Safety
Authors: Hu Zhao X. , Ye Yi N. , Wu Wei G. , Liang Xu J. , Wu Qi W. , Zhang Ao , Zheng Xing R. , Gao Zhi L. , Peng Liang , Xie Chan
Published: April 2019

Research on effects of anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) nucleoside analogs on male fertility and birth defects is limited and safety of nucleoside analogs in pregnancy is still a concern. Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients in Guangdong province were surveyed using a structured questionnaire. We collected data including medication type, fertility, and birth defects. Moreover, a survey of the knowledge of antiviral nucleoside analogs safety in fertility of male patients was conducted among physicians nationwide. Semen samples of 30 patients were collected. We screened 1050 HBV-positive male patients. Reasons for not receiving antivirals in 150 patients were “did not meet criteria for antiviral therapy,” fertility, and financial. Furthermore, 900 participants received antivirals (85.71%, 900/1050), including 792 patients with children and 15.15% (120/792) took anti-HBV treatment when preparing for pregnancy. Based on whether they received antiviral therapy during conception or not, we divided patients into two groups. In the child-bearing age group, 88.33% (106/120) of patients received telbivudine (LDT), whereas the other group mainly received entecavir (ETV) (87.20%, 586/672). No significant difference occurred in birth defect incidence rates between both groups. Furthermore, 558 physicians completed questionnaires. Reasons that influenced drug selection were “patient’s condition,” “fertility demand,” “financial condition,” and “compliance.” Telbivudine was the first-choice drug (32.80%, 183/558) while tenofovir (TDF) was the second (2.69%, 15/558). Additionally, 61.47% of physicians considered telbivudine or tenofovir as the first choice for male patients who met antiviral criteria, whereas 19% suggested delayed therapy and follow-up until childbirth. No significant changes occurred in semen volume, concentration, mobility, and percentage before and after administration of anti-HBV nucleoside analogs, which did not affect male fertility and birth defect incidence while the desire for pregnancy influenced drug selection and timing of administration. Further research on the effects of analogs on male fertility and fetal safety is required.
A Nodulation-Proficient Nonrhizobial Inhabitant of Pueraria phaseoloides
Authors: Wedage W. M. M. , Aberathne A. H. M. N. R. , Harischandra I. N. , Gunawardana D.
Published: April 2019

Pueraria phaseoloides is a legume cover crop, found chiefly in the wet zone of Sri Lanka. Nitrogen fixation is performed by nodular inhabitants of this cover crop, comparable to the nodule-dwelling bacteria of most other legume plants. We isolated a bacterium (Sub1) from Pueraria phaseoloides, of coccobacillus cell shape, that showed nodulation, when assessed by hydroponics, showing nodules as early as 3 weeks after reinfection. When a nifH fragment from the genome of this bacterium was amplified using a pair of nifH primers, it yielded an amplicon of 360 bp that, when sequenced, helped us identify the bacterium, as belonging to a species of Pseudacidovorax intermedius, at 99% sequence identity. When we constructed a phylogenetic tree with neighboring sequences, we encountered nifH sequences of Pseudacidovorax, forming a monophyletic cluster, which too contained a single Azospirillum species. The genus Pseudacidovorax is a bacterium that, so far, has not been associated with legume nodules. Sub1 secreted a pair of enzymes to the extracellular medium to degrade cellulose and milk proteins. The Sub1 bacterium showed biofilm formation and secreted into the extracellular medium, indole acetic acid. Sub1 also showed a “bulls eye” swarming pattern for the chemoattractant proline, while showing no significant chemotaxis movement, for naringenin, quercetin, and glutamate. Sub1 too possesses the basic genetic foundation (nifH and nifD) to produce a molybdenum-dependent nitrogenase enzyme. We finally show that this rare nonrhizobial bacterium is able to impact, positively, nodulation and shoot length of Pueraria plants, demonstrating that this beta-proteobacterium can abet the biological vigor of this legume cover crop.
Genome-Wide Mapping of Bivalent Histone Modifications in Hepatic Stem/Progenitor Cells
Authors: Kanayama Kengo , Chiba Tetsuhiro , Oshima Motohiko , Kanzaki Hiroaki , Koide Shuhei , Saraya Atsunori , Miyagi Satoru , Mimura Naoya , Kusakabe Yuko , Saito Tomoko , Ogasawara Sadahisa , Suzuki Eiichiro , Ooka Yoshihiko , Maruyama Hitoshi , Iwama Atsushi , Kato Naoya
Published: April 2019

The “bivalent domain,” a distinctive histone modification signature, is characterized by repressive trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 27 (H3K27me3) and active trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 4 (H3K4me3) marks. Maintenance and dynamic resolution of these histone marks play important roles in regulating differentiation processes in various stem cell systems. However, little is known regarding their roles in hepatic stem/progenitor cells. In the present study, we conducted the chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay followed by high-throughput DNA sequencing (ChIP-seq) analyses in purified delta-like 1 protein (Dlk+) hepatic stem/progenitor cells and successfully identified 562 genes exhibiting bivalent domains within 2 kb of the transcription start site. Gene ontology analysis revealed that these genes were enriched in developmental functions and differentiation processes. Microarray analyses indicated that many of these genes exhibited derepression after differentiation toward hepatocyte and cholangiocyte lineages. Among these, 72 genes, including Cdkn2a and Sox4, were significantly upregulated after differentiation toward hepatocyte or cholangiocyte lineages. Knockdown of Sox4 in Dlk+ cells suppressed colony propagation and resulted in increased numbers of albumin+/cytokeratin 7+ progenitor cells in colonies. These findings implicate that derepression of Sox4 expression is required to induce normal differentiation processes. In conclusion, combined ChIP-seq and microarray analyses successfully identified bivalent genes. Functional analyses of these genes will help elucidate the epigenetic machinery underlying the terminal differentiation of hepatic stem/progenitor cells.
Linear Correlation of Ba and Eu Contents by Hydrothermal Activities: A Case Study in the Hetang Formation, South China
Authors: Chang Chao , Fu Qi , Wang Xiaolin
Published: April 2019

A significant linear correlation between Ba and Eu contents has been observed in a set of mudrock formations in the lower Cambrian Hetang Formation in South China. Combined with petrographic features and reinvestigation of published data obtained from the same laboratory, the analytical interference of Ba can be excluded as a main factor of this correlation. Electron microprobe analyses (EMPA) have indicated that Ba-rich minerals (hyalophane and cymrite) precipitated from hydrothermal fluids account for the total Ba content. It is evident that significant contribution of both Ba and Eu from hydrothermal fluids is the cause of this linear relationship, while this coexistence is ultimately controlled by their similar chemical properties and abundances in rock sequences along the fluid path. This interpretation was supported by similar linear Ba-Eu correlations retrieved from barite-bearing chert in another area of the Yangtze platform during the same geological period. Therefore, linear Ba-Eu correlations may be more common than previously thought in this area, where hydrothermal activities were active during the specific time interval.
Exosomal miRNA Cargo as Mediator of Immune Escape Mechanisms in Neuroblastoma
Authors: Schmittgen Thomas D.
Published: April 2019

Both natural killer (NK) cells and exosomes released from these cells induce tumor cell cytotoxicity by way of the cell killing proteins perforin and granzyme. TGFβ1 protein in the tumor microenvironment generates an immune escape mechanism rendering NK cells inactive. The tumor-suppressive miR-186 that is downregulated in neuroblastoma and in TGFβ-treated NK cells represses oncogenic proteins in neuroblastoma (MYCN and AURKA) and components of the TGFβ pathway. Restoration of miR-186 levels in neuroblastoma through NK cell–derived exosomes or by nanoparticle delivery reduces tumor burden, promotes survival, and restores the cell-killing abilities of NK cells, demonstrating the therapeutic potential of tumor-suppressive miRNAs in neuroblastoma.

See related article by Neviani and colleagues; Cancer Res 79(6):1151–64
Several Faces of Glutaminase Regulation in Cells
Authors: Mafra Ana C.P. , Dias Sandra M.G.
Published: April 2019

The cancer target glutaminase (GLS) has proven to be a fascinating protein. Since it was first described to be regulated by the oncogene Myc 10 years ago, several other transcriptional, posttranscriptional, and posttranslational regulatory mechanisms have emerged, and the list is growing. A recent study by Deng and colleagues revealed that an antisense (AS) long noncoding RNA named GLS-AS, which is negatively regulated by Myc, downregulates GLS in pancreatic cancer. The Myc/GLS-AS/GLS regulatory axis is activated by nutrient stress, which is important for the often hypovascular pancreatic cancer, displaying the significance of GLS for the progression of this highly lethal type of cancer.

See related article by Deng et al., p. 1398
Wishing on a CAR: Understanding the Scope of Intrinsic T-cell Deficits in Patients with Cancer
Authors: Leick Mark , Maus Marcela V.
Published: April 2019

Treatment with chimeric antigen receptor T cells has led to impressive and durable responses in adult and pediatric malignancies refractory to conventional therapy; however, only patients with a handful of cancers have responded thus far and significant disparities exist between the response rates of pediatric and adult patients. A new extensive analysis of pediatric patient T-cell subsets at diagnosis and throughout the patients' chemotherapy courses in a variety of solid and hematologic malignancies sheds new light on the intrinsic T-cell deficits that may be partly to blame.

See related article by Das et al., p. 492.
Da Libra ao Real
Authors: Puntoni Pedro
Published: April 2019

A proposta deste texto é estudar a formação do sistema monetário em Portugal, entre 1185 e 1580, no processo de sua contínua transformação e manipulação. Atividade de incessante engenharia e fabricação da moeda, a criação de um sistema monetário está diretamente articulada com a própria emergência do poder exclusivo, do seu monopólio pelos interesses cristalizados em um centro do poder, isto é, a monarquia. Neste sentido, o fio narrativo deste artigo será a produção deste sistema hierárquico e consistente de símbolos de conta, instrumentos de troca e de pagamento, pela ação continuada da manipulação da moeda: sua mutação, ajuste, fábrica e refábrica... pelo seu principal protagonista, que é a monarquia, mas também por seus sócios interessados como a nobreza, o comerciante, enfim, os donos de todos e senhores da riqueza.
Patriotismo de Frei Bartolomeu dos Mártires?
Authors: Pereira Juliana Torres Rodrigues
Published: April 2019

O arcebispo de Braga, d. frei Bartolomeu dos Mártires, um dos mais importantes clérigos do Reino, foi uma personagem relevante na estratégia diplomática para a anexação de Portugal à monarquia hispânica. Sua adesão a Felipe II foi muito debatida por séculos, primeiro sob a ótica católica e hagiográfica do arquétipo episcopal tridentino e, depois, sob a ótica do nacionalismo português que o acusou de falta de patriotismo e traição. Questão controversa em sua biografia, especialmente considerando as tentativas da Ordem dos Pregadores de canonizá-lo, a opção do arcebispo de aderir aos Habsburgo, no entanto, deve considerar outros fatores.
Libertos africanos, comércio atlântico e candomblé
Authors: Parés Luis Nicolau
Published: April 2019

Este artigo apresenta uma análise pormenorizada de uma carta enviada da Bahia ao porto negreiro de Ajudá em 1839 pela africana Roza Maria da Conceição à também africana Francisca da Silva, a legendária Iyá Nassô, fundadora do candomblé da Casa Branca em Salvador. A trajetória dessas duas libertas e de seus maridos, no contexto da passagem da Colônia para o Império, permite identificar processos de cooperação intergeracional entre os libertos africanos e de ascensão econômica associada ao comércio atlântico e ao tráfico ilegal. Postula-se que a propriedade escrava era uma forma de investimento político na organização da “casa” ou da coletividade doméstica, por sua vez a base do “terreiro”, formas de associativismo através das quais esses casais adquiriam poder e reforçavam sua liderança na comunidade negra. Em última instância, a conexão entre Roza e Francisca permite vislumbrar como o sucesso comercial, o controle social e a autoridade religiosa se emaranhavam de forma indissociável.
Impaired Retinal Vessel Dilation Predicts Mortality in End-Stage Renal Disease
Authors: Günthner Roman , Hanssen Henner , Hauser Christine , Angermann Susanne , Lorenz Georg , Kemmner Stephan , Matschkal Julia , Braunisch Matthias C. , Küchle Claudius , Renders Lutz , Moog Philipp , Wassertheurer Siegfried , Baumann Marcus , Hammes Hans-Peter , Mayer Christopher C. , Haller Bernhard , Stryeck Sarah , Madl Tobias , Carbajo-Lozoya Javier , Heemann Uwe , Kotliar Konstantin , Schmaderer Christoph
Published: April 2019

Rationale
:

Patients with end-stage renal disease are characterized by increased cardiovascular and all-cause mortality because of advanced remodeling of the macrovascular and microvascular beds.

Objective
:

The aim of this study was to determine whether retinal microvascular function can predict all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Methods and Results
:

In the multicenter prospective observational ISAR study (Risk Stratification in End-Stage Renal Disease), data on dynamic retinal vessel analysis were available in a subcohort of 214 dialysis patients (mean age, 62.6±15.0; 32% women). Microvascular dysfunction was quantified by measuring maximum arteriolar dilation and maximum venular dilation (vMax) of retinal vessels in response to flicker light stimulation. During a mean follow-up of 44 months, 55 patients died, including 25 cardiovascular and 30 noncardiovascular fatal events. vMax emerged as a strong independent predictor for all-cause mortality. In the Kaplan-Meier analysis, individuals within the lowest tertile of vMax showed significantly shorter 3-year survival rates than those within the highest tertile (66.9±5.8% versus 92.4±3.3%). Univariate and multivariate hazard ratios for all-cause mortality per SD increase of vMax were 0.62 (0.47–0.82) and 0.65 (0.47–0.91), respectively. Maximum arteriolar dilation and vMax were able to significantly predict nonfatal and fatal cardiovascular events (hazard ratio, 0.74 [0.57–0.97] and 0.78 [0.61–0.99], respectively).

Conclusions
:

Our results provide the first evidence that impaired retinal venular dilation is a strong and independent predictor of all-cause mortality in hemodialyzed end-stage renal disease patients. Dynamic retinal vessel analysis provides added value for prediction of all-cause mortality and may be a novel diagnostic tool to optimize cardiovascular risk stratification in end-stage renal disease and other high-risk cardiovascular cohorts.

Clinical Trial Registration
:

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01152892.
Catheter Ablation of Refractory Ventricular Fibrillation Storm After Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Komatsu Yuki , Hocini Mélèze , Nogami Akihiko , Maury Philippe , Peichl Petr , Iwasaki Yu-ki , Masuda Keita , Denis Arnaud , Voglimacci-Stephanopoli Quentin , Wichterle Dan , Kawamura Mitsuharu , Fukamizu Seiji , Yokoyama Yasuhiro , Mukai Yasushi , Harada Tomoo , Yoshida Kentaro , Yasuoka Ryobun , Igawa Masayuki , Ohira Koji , Shimizu Wataru , Aonuma Kazutaka , Kautzner Josef , Haïssaguerre Michel , Ieda Masaki
Published: April 2019

Background:

Ventricular fibrillation (VF) storm after myocardial infarction (MI) is a life-threatening condition that necessitates multiple defibrillations. Catheter ablation is a potentially effective treatment strategy for VF storm refractory to optimal medical treatment. However, its impact on patient survival has not been verified in a large population.

Methods:

We conducted a multicenter, retrospective observational study involving consecutive patients who underwent catheter ablation of post-MI refractory VF storm without preceding monomorphic ventricular tachycardia. The target of ablation was the Purkinje-related ventricular extrasystoles triggering VF. The primary outcome was in-hospital and long-term mortalities. Univariate logistic regression and Cox proportional-hazards analysis were used to evaluate clinical characteristics associated with in-hospital and long-term mortalities, respectively.

Results:

One hundred ten patients were enrolled (age, 65±11years; 92 men; left ventricular ejection fraction, 31±10%). VF storm occurred at the acute phase of MI (4.5±2.5 days after the onset of MI during the index hospitalization for MI) in 43 patients (39%), the subacute phase (>1 week) in 48 (44%), and the remote phase (>6 months) in 19 (17%). The focal triggers were found to originate from the scar border zone in 88 patients (80%). During in-hospital stay after ablation, VF storm subsided in 92 patients (84%). Overall, 30 (27%) in-hospital deaths occurred. The duration from the VF occurrence to the ablation procedure was associated with in-hospital mortality (odds ratio for each 1-day increase, 1.11 [95% CI, 1.03–1.20];
P
=0.008). During follow-up after discharge from hospital, only 1 patient developed recurrent VF storm. However, 29 patients (36%) died, with a median survival time of 2.2 years (interquartile range, 1.2–5.5 years). Long-term mortality was associated with left ventricular ejection fraction <30% (hazard ratio, 2.54 [95% CI, 1.21–5.32];
P
=0.014), New York Heart Association class ≥III (hazard ratio, 2.68 [95% CI, 1.16–6.19];
P
=0.021), a history of atrial fibrillation (hazard ratio, 3.89 [95% CI, 1.42–10.67];
P
=0.008), and chronic kidney disease (hazard ratio, 2.74 [95% CI, 1.15–6.49];
P
=0.023).

Conclusions:

In patients with MI presenting with focally triggered VF storm, catheter ablation of culprit triggers is lifesaving and appears to be associated with short- and long-term freedom from recurrent VF storm. Mortality over the long-term follow-up is associated with the severity of underlying cardiovascular disease and comorbidities in this specific patient population.
Survival in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest After Standard Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation or Chest Compressions Only Before Arrival of Emergency Medical Services
Authors: Riva Gabriel , Ringh Mattias , Jonsson Martin , Svensson Leif , Herlitz Johan , Claesson Andreas , Djärv Therese , Nordberg Per , Forsberg Sune , Rubertsson Sten , Nord Anette , Rosenqvist Mårten , Hollenberg Jacob
Published: April 2019

Background:

In out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, chest compression–only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CO-CPR) has emerged as an alternative to standard CPR (S-CPR), using both chest compressions and rescue breaths. Since 2010, CPR guidelines recommend CO-CPR for both untrained bystanders and trained bystanders unwilling to perform rescue breaths. The aim of this study was to describe changes in the rate and type of CPR performed before the arrival of emergency medical services (EMS) during 3 consecutive guideline periods in correlation to 30-day survival.

Methods:

All bystander-witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrests reported to the Swedish register for cardiopulmonary resuscitation in 2000 to 2017 were included. Nonwitnessed, EMS-witnessed, and rescue breath–only CPR cases were excluded. Patients were categorized as receivers of no CPR (NO-CPR), S-CPR, or CO-CPR before EMS arrival. Guideline periods 2000 to 2005, 2006 to 2010, and 2011 to 2017 were used for comparisons over time. The primary outcome was 30-day survival.

Results:

A total of 30 445 patients were included. The proportions of patients receiving CPR before EMS arrival changed from 40.8% in the first time period to 58.8% in the second period, and to 68.2% in the last period. S-CPR changed from 35.4% to 44.8% to 38.1%, and CO-CPR changed from 5.4% to 14.0% to 30.1%, respectively. Thirty-day survival changed from 3.9% to 6.0% to 7.1% in the NO-CPR group, from 9.4% to 12.5% to 16.2% in the S-CPR group, and from 8.0% to 11.5% to 14.3% in the CO-CPR group. For all time periods combined, the adjusted odds ratio for 30-day survival was 2.6 (95% CI, 2.4–2.9) for S-CPR and 2.0 (95% CI, 1.8–2.3) for CO-CPR, in comparison with NO-CPR. S-CPR was superior to CO-CPR (adjusted odds ratio, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.1–1.4).

Conclusions:

In this nationwide study of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest during 3 periods of different CPR guidelines, there was an almost a 2-fold higher rate of CPR before EMS arrival and a concomitant 6-fold higher rate of CO-CPR over time. Any type of CPR was associated with doubled survival rates in comparison with NO-CPR. These findings support continuous endorsement of CO-CPR as an option in future CPR guidelines because it is associated with higher CPR rates and overall survival in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
Placental Syncytiotrophoblast-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Carry Active NEP (Neprilysin) and Are Increased in Preeclampsia
Authors: Gill Manjot , Motta-Mejia Carolina , Kandzija Neva , Cooke William , Zhang Wei , Cerdeira Ana Sofia , Bastie Claire , Redman Christopher , Vatish Manu
Published: April 2019

NEP (neprilysin) is a widely expressed membrane-bound metalloprotease, which binds and cleaves a variety of peptides including vasodilators, natriuretics, and diuretics. Higher levels of NEP result in hypertension—a cardinal feature of the placental disease preeclampsia. Syncytiotrophoblast-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs), comprising microvesicles and exosomes, are released into the peripheral circulation in pregnancy and are postulated as a key mechanism coupling placental dysfunction and maternal phenotype in preeclampsia. We aimed to determine whether higher levels of active NEP are found in syncytiotrophoblast-derived EVs in preeclampsia compared with normal pregnancy. Using immunostaining and Western blotting, we first demonstrated that NEP levels are greater not only in preeclampsia placental tissue but also in syncytiotrophoblast-derived microvesicles and exosomes isolated from preeclampsia placentas (
P
<0.05, n=5). We confirmed placental origin using antibody-coated magnetic beads to isolate NEP-bound vesicles, finding that they stain for placental alkaline phosphatase. NEP on syncytiotrophoblast-derived EVs is active and inhibited by thiorphan (
P
<0.01, n=3; specific inhibitor). Syncytiotrophoblast-derived microvesicles, isolated from peripheral plasma, demonstrated higher NEP expression in preeclampsia using flow cytometry (
P
<0.05, n=8). We isolated plasma exosomes using size-exclusion chromatography and showed greater NEP activity in preeclampsia (
P
<0.05, n=8). These findings show that the placenta releases active NEP into the maternal circulation on syncytiotrophoblast-derived EVs, at significantly greater levels in preeclampsia. NEP has pathological roles in hypertension, heart failure, and amyloid deposition, all of which are features of preeclampsia. Circulating syncytiotrophoblast-derived EV-bound NEP thus may contribute to the pathogenesis of this disease.
Surgical Decision Making in Brain Hemorrhage
Authors: Gregson Barbara A. , Mitchell Patrick , Mendelow A. David
Published: April 2019

Background and Purpose—

The STICH (Surgical Trial in Lobar Intracerebral Haemorrhage) I and II trials randomized patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) to early surgery or initial conservative treatment. Both were nonsignificant; possibly because surgery has minimal effect on recovery, or because surgery benefits some and harms others. We introduce a new nonparametric method of analysis. The method is then applied to data from a third trial, STITCH(Trauma) (Surgical Trial in Traumatic Intracerebral Haemorrhage), which addressed a similar surgical question in head-injured patients.

Methods—

Data from 1541 patients from the STICH trials were analyzed using (1) standard meta-analysis of prognosis-based dichotomized outcome and prespecified standard subgroups of Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS): 3–8, 9–12, and 13–15; (2) new nonparametric regression of ranked Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale against ranked GCS and ranked volume; and (3) analysis (1) repeated using categories identified by analysis (2).

Results—

Standard meta-analysis showed more favorable outcomes, although nonsignificant, with surgery if presenting GCS was 9–12 (spontaneous ICH odds ratio, 0.70 [95% CI, 0.48–1.03;
P
=0.07]; traumatic odds ratio, 0.48 [95% CI, 0.18–1.26;
P
=0.14]). Ranked analysis showed a similar pattern of results for both spontaneous and traumatic ICH. Surgery was harmful for small lesions with increasing benefit for larger volumes. With GCS, surgery had little effect at either ends of the spectrum but suggested a beneficial effect in the range 10 to 13 (identified graphically). Repeating the meta-analysis with this categorization showed significant benefit for surgery (spontaneous odds ratio, 0.71 [95% CI, 0.51–1.00;
P
=0.05]; traumatic odds ratio, 0.16 [95% CI, 0.05–0.51;
P
=0.002]).

Conclusions—

The nonsignificant results observed in the STICH trials are because of mixing patients who benefit from surgery with those who are harmed. Patients with a GCS 10–13 or a large ICH are likely to benefit from surgery. Our analysis showed a similar effect on traumatic ICH/contusion data and promises to be a valuable tool.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.isrctn.com/
. Unique identifiers: ISRCTN19976990 (STITCH), ISRCTN22153967 (STICH II), and ISRCTN19321911 (STITCH[Trauma]).
Evolving Complexity in Prediction Games
Authors: Moran Nick , Pollack Jordan
Published: April 2019

To study open-ended coevolution, we define a complexity metric over interacting finite state machines playing formal language prediction games, and study the dynamics of populations under competitive and cooperative interactions. In the past purely competitive and purely cooperative interactions have been studied extensively, but neither can successfully and continuously drive an arms race. We present quantitative results using this complexity metric and analyze the causes of varying rates of complexity growth across different types of interactions. We find that while both purely competitive and purely cooperative coevolution are able to drive complexity growth above the rate of genetic drift, mixed systems with both competitive and cooperative interactions achieve significantly higher evolved complexity.
Zoanthids of the Cape Verde Islands and their symbionts: previously unexamined diversity in the Northeastern Atlantic
Authors: Reimer James D. , Hirose Mamiko , Wirtz Peter
Published: April 2019

The marine invertebrate fauna of the Cape Verde Islands contains many endemic species due to their isolated location in the eastern Atlantic, yet research has not been conducted on most taxa here. One such group are the zoanthids or mat anemones, an order of benthic cnidarians (Hexacorallia: Zoantharia) common in many marine environments. In this study, the diversity of zoanthids in the Cape Verde Islands is specifically examined for the first time. Field images and sampling are combined with molecular phylogenetic analyses utilizing two mitochondrial DNA markers (cytochrome oxidase subunit I and 16S ribosomal DNA) to determine the number of species present. Specimens from eight species (Palythoa caribaeorum, Palythoa sp. 265, Zoanthus aff. pulchellus, Isaurus tuberculatus, Parazoanthus sp. 269, Parazoanthus sp. 1401, Antipathozoanthus macaronesicus, Terrazoanthus sp. 276) were identified, including two to four species that are likely new to science. Additional examinations of Symbiodinium endosymbionts in zooxanthellate species showed that clades A, B, and C were present; this is the first report of clade B associating with a zoanthid species. An appendix describing the eight zoanthid species found in the Cape Verde Islands is included to provide a base for future zoanthid research in this region.
A revision of the genus Mycale (Poecilosclerida: Mycalidae) from the Mexican Pacific Ocean
Authors: Carballo José L. , Cruz-Barraza José A.
Published: April 2019

Knowledge about the sponge fauna from the Mexican Pacific Ocean has increased substantially in recent years, but most of these modern taxonomic studies have been focused on hadromerids. The aim of this study was to contribute to the knowledge of the order Poecilosclerida. At present, seven species of Mycale have been described or recorded from the Pacific coast of Mexico, but only three of them are considered valid: M. contax, M. cecilia and M. aff. magnirhaphidifera. After a revision of the material collected during the last eight years throughout the East Pacific coast of Mexico, along with the type material, and the literature available, eight species of Mycale are considered valid, three of them; M. magnitoxa sp. nov., M. dickinsoni sp. nov., and M. ramulosa sp. nov., are proposed as new to science. In addition, M. adhaerens is reported for the first time from the Mexican Pacific Ocean. Another Mycale-species that was identified was M. psila, which constitutes its seconLamberd record for the Mexican Pacific Ocean. The systematic, distribution and detailed species descriptions are based on newly collected material and previous descriptions from the literature.
Community ecology of tropical forest snails: 30 years after Solem
Authors: Schilthuizen Menno
Published: April 2019

Since Solem’s provocative claim in the early 1980s that land snails in tropical forests are neither abundant nor diverse, at least 30 quantitative-ecological papers on tropical land snail communities have appeared. Jointly, these papers have shown that site diversity is, in fact, high in tropical forests; often more than 100 species have been recorded per site, which is somewhat more than normally found at sites in higher latitudes. At the same time, however, point diversities (which usually range between 10 and 30 species per quadrat) appear to be no different from the ones recorded for temperate localities, which suggests that the number of ways in which syntopic resource space can be subdivided among different land snail species has an upper limit that is no higher under tropical conditions. The available data do not allow much analysis of the ecological structuring processes of communities besides very coarse ones, e.g. the proportions of carnivores versus herbivores and Pulmonata versus non-pulmonates. Also, these first 30 years of research have shown that a number of serious methodological and conceptual issues need to be resolved for the field to move ahead; in particular whether empty shells from the forest floor may be used as a proxy for the contemporaneous communities. I make a number of suggestions for ways in which these obstacles may be removed. First, studies should be preceded by exploratory nested sampling in contiguous quadrats of increasing size, spanning several orders of magnitude. The shape of the triphasic species-area curve and nonlinear regression of the small-area end of the curve will help identify the quadrat and site areas that allow ecologically more meaningful studies. Second, researchers should be more aware of the trophic levels of species and restrict their analyses within guilds and within body size classes as much as possible. Testing species abundance distributions against ecologically explicit theoretical models may be a fruitful avenue for research. Finally, I argue that studies of this nature require species abundances that may only be found in tropical land snail communities that live on calcareous substrate, and therefore I suggest that malacologists aiming to understand community structure focus on limestone sites initially.
Genetic variability of the Amazon River prawn Macrobrachium amazonicum (Decapoda, Caridea, Palaemonidae)
Authors: Vergamini Fernanda G. , Pileggi Leonardo G. , Mantelatto Fernando L.
Published: April 2019

The freshwater prawn Macrobrachium amazonicum is widely distributed in South America, and occupies habitats with a wide range of salinities. Several investigations have revealed the existence of wide intraspecific variability among different populations, although the understanding of this variability is still fragmentary and incomplete. We compared and characterized inland and coastal populations of M. amazonicum from Brazil, using molecular data (16S and COI mtDNA) to describe the degree of variability, structure, and relationships among them. Genetic divergence rates among populations showed variability at the intraspecific level. All the analyses evidenced significant genetic divergence among populations, structuring them in three groups: I- inland waters of the Amazonian Hydrographic Region (HR); II- Paraná/Paraguay HR; and III- coastal systems of northern and northeastern Brazil. Phylogenetic reconstructions revealed that the populations form a single monophyletic clade, which supports their characterization as a single species. Clade I was a sister clade of that formed by clades II and III, which were themselves sister clades. Populations from Sertãozinho/ Miguelópolis and Avaré, introduced into the state of São Paulo, may have originated from natural populations in the states of Mato Grosso do Sul and Pará, respectively. Geographical isolation probably contributed to the observed variation, and if this isolation continues, M. amazonicum may undergo speciation within its broad geographical distribution. The sequences obtained here can be used as name-tags for population identification, and the DNA barcodes are useful to identify the origin of specimens used in different freshwater-prawn cultures or introduced populations of unknown origin.