bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Total endovenous recanalization and stent reconstruction for naïve non-inferior vena cava filter-associated chronic iliocaval occlusive disease: Placement of 352 venous stents in 69 debilitated patients
Authors: McDevitt Joseph L , Srinivasa Ravi N , Hage Anthony N , Bundy Jacob J , Gemmete Joseph J , Srinivasa Rajiv N , Chick Jeffrey Forris Beecham
Published: March 2019

The aim of this study was to report the technical success, adverse events, clinical outcomes, and long-term stent patency of iliocaval stent reconstruction for naïve, non-inferior vena cava (IVC) filter-related, chronic iliocaval thrombosis. A total of 69 patients, including 47 (68%) men, with a mean age of 36 years (range: 8–71 years), underwent first-time iliocaval stent reconstruction for non-IVC filter-associated iliocaval thrombosis. The mean number of prothrombotic risk factors was 2.2 (range: 0–5), including 30 (43%) patients with IVC atresia. Upon initial presentation, the Clinical, Etiology, Anatomy, and Pathophysiology (CEAP) classification was C3 in 55 (80%) patients, C4 in four (5.8%) patients, C5 in one (1.4%) patient, and C6 in seven (10%) patients. Technical aspects of stent reconstruction, technical success, adverse events, 2-week and 6, 12, and 24-month clinical response, and 6, 12, and 24-month primary, primary-assisted, and secondary stent patency rates were recorded. Technical success was defined as recanalization and stent deployment. Adverse events were reported according to the Society of Interventional Radiology classification system. Clinical success was defined as a 1-point decrease in CEAP classification and stent patency was defined by the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society guidelines. The technical success rate was 100%. There were 352 venous stents deployed during stent reconstructions. One (1.4%) severe, four (5.8%) moderate, and four (5.8%) minor adverse events occurred and median post-procedure hospitalization was 1 day (range: 1–45 days). Clinical success at 2 weeks and 6, 12, and 24 months was 76%, 85%, 87%, and 100%, respectively. The estimated 6, 12, and 24-month primary patency rates were 91%, 88%, and 62%, respectively. The estimated 6, 12, and 24-month primary-assisted patency rates were 98%, 95%, and 81%, respectively. The estimated 6, 12, and 24-month secondary-assisted patency rates were all 100%. In conclusion, iliocaval stent reconstruction is an effective treatment for non-IVC filter-associated chronic iliocaval thrombosis with high rates of technical success, clinical responses, and stent patency.
Vocational education, transitions, marginalisation and social justice in the Nordic countries
Authors: Nylund Mattias , Rosvall Per-Åke
Published: March 2019

The five articles in this special issue present studies focusing on two key aspects of vocational education and transitions in the Nordic countries in relation to social justice: (a) impacts of policies and reforms on transitions and (b) content, practices, curriculum and equality. Collectively, the articles outline important similarities and differences between the countries and contribute, inter alia, to our understanding of the ‘academic–vocational divide’, the impact of neo-liberal steering on vocational education and transitions. They also develop bridges between different empirical contexts and theoretical ‘languages’ that may help efforts to understand and contextualise the current development of vocational education and transitions in the Nordic countries.
Effect of daylight LED on visual comfort, melatonin, mood, waking performance and sleep
Authors: Cajochen C , Freyburger M , Basishvili T , Garbazza C , Rudzik F , Renz C , Kobayashi K , Shirakawa Y , Stefani O , Weibel J
Published: March 2019

LED *Shared senior authors. light sources have a discontinuous light spectrum with a prominent ‘blue’ peak between 450 and 470 nm that influences non-image forming responses in humans. We tested an LED lighting solution mimicking a daylight spectrum on visual comfort, circadian physiology, daytime alertness, mood, cognitive performance and sleep. Fifteen young males twice spent 49 hours in the laboratory under a conventional-LED and under a daylight-LED condition in a balanced cross over design flanked by a baseline and a post-light exposure night. Despite different light spectra, the photopic lux and the correlated colour temperature of the lighting were the same for both LEDs. The colour rendering index and the melanopic strength were 25.3% and 21%, respectively, higher for the daylight LED than the conventional LED. The volunteers had better visual comfort, felt more alert and happier in the morning and evening under daylight LED than conventional LED, while the diurnal melatonin profile, psychomotor vigilance and working memory performance were not significantly different. Delta EEG activity (0.75–4.5 Hz) was significantly higher after daylight-LED than conventional-LED exposure during the post-light exposure night. We have evidence that a daylight-LED solution has beneficial effects on visual comfort, daytime alertness, mood and sleep intensity in healthy volunteers.
Rotational Atherectomy Plus Drug-Coated Balloon Angioplasty for the Treatment of Total In-Stent Occlusions in Iliac and Infrainguinal Arteries
Authors: Milnerowicz Artur , Milnerowicz Aleksandra , Kuliczkowski Wiktor , Protasiewicz Marcin
Published: March 2019

Purpose: To analyze the long-term outcomes of a hybrid treatment method combining rotational atherectomy with drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty in patients with total in-stent occlusion in the iliac and/or infrainguinal arteries. Materials and Methods: Between April 2014 and June 2017, 74 consecutive patients (mean age 66.7±9.7 years; 49 men) with total occlusion of a previously implanted stent underwent endovascular recanalization using the Rotarex system and DCB angioplasty. Half (37, 50%) of the patients had critical limb ischemia (CLI), and 30 (41%) of the procedures were performed in emergency. Mean lesion length was 22±15 cm. Results: Overall procedure success was achieved in 73 (98.6%) patients. Six (8.1%) CLI patients developed distal embolism that responded to thrombolysis. Three (4.1%) dissections did not require treatment, while 1 (1.4%) perforation necessitated stent-graft implantation. In all, 33 (44.6%) patients had an additional stent implanted, mainly due to a suboptimal outcome (n=28) or complications (n=5 including the stent-graft). The restenosis rate assessed by duplex ultrasound at 12 months was 20.5% (15/73); 4 (5.5%) patients underwent target lesion revascularization. Recurrent restenosis was more frequent in patients with Rutherford category 5 ischemia (p=0.005), in emergency procedures (p=0.021), after extensive procedures involving 3 independent vessel segments (p=0.016), and if a complication arose during the procedure (p<0.001). In multivariate analysis, only occurrence of a procedural complication was an independent predictor of recurrent restenosis at 1 year (OR 63.3, 95% CI 5.7 to 701.5). Conclusion: These findings imply that rotational atherectomy and DCB angioplasty may provide satisfactory outcomes in the treatment of total in-stent occlusion, with a satisfactory recurrent restenosis rate at 12 months.
Sustainability of Individual EndoAnchor Implants in Therapeutic Use to Treat Type Ia Endoleak After Endovascular Aneurysm Repair
Authors: van Noort Kim , Vermeulen Jenske J. M. , Goudeketting Seline R. , Ouriel Kenneth , Jordan William D. , Panneton Jean M. , Slump Cornelis H. , de Vries Jean-Paul P.M.
Published: March 2019

Purpose: To investigate changes in penetration depths and angles of EndoAnchor implants with initially good penetration after therapeutic use in endovascular aneurysm repair. Materials and Methods: Patients were selected from the Aneurysm Treatment Using the Heli-FX Aortic Securement System Global Registry (ANCHOR; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01534819). Inclusion criteria were (1) EndoAnchor implantation to treat intraoperative or late type Ia endoleak and (2) at least 2 postoperative computed tomography angiography (CTA) scans. Exclusion criteria were the use of adjunct procedures. Based on these criteria, 54 patients (44 men) with 360 EndoAnchor implants were eligible for this analysis. Penetration depth of each EndoAnchor implant into the aortic wall was judged as (1) good (≥2-mm penetration), (2) borderline (<2 mm or when there was a gap between the endograft and the aortic wall), or (3) no penetration. The penetration depth and longitudinal angles of EndoAnchors with good penetration were investigated on the last available postprocedure CTA scan. Endoleaks were also analyzed. Results: EndoAnchor penetration on the first postprocedure CTA scan was good in 187 (51.9%), borderline in 69 (19.2%), and missing in 104 (28.9%). On the last CTA scan, 182 (97.4%) of the 187 initially well-positioned EndoAnchors remained good. Five (2.6%) EndoAnchors in 4 patients changed configuration over time (4 became borderline and 1 became nonpenetrating), all without any clinical sequelae. The median orthogonal angles of the EndoAnchor implants with good penetration on the first and last CTA scans were 92° [interquartile range (IQR) 85, 98] and 90° (IQR 84, 97), respectively (p=0.822); for longitudinal angles, medians of 85° (IQR 71, 96) and 84° (IQR 70, 96) were found (p=0.043). Of the 18 (33%) patients who had a type Ia endoleak on the first postprocedure CTA, 6 resolved over time. Median follow-up was 13 months, during which no new type Ia endoleak was found. Conclusion: Despite the small number of EndoAnchors analyzed, this study showed that the sustainability of EndoAnchor implants with initially good penetration is satisfactory at 1-year follow-up. The vast majority of EndoAnchor implants with good penetration initially remained in good position; <3% of implants became borderline or nonpenetrating, without any clinical consequence.
Visual Attention Cut Points for Driver Fitness in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Classen Sherrilene , Brumback Babette , Crawford Karla , Jenniex Sara
Published: March 2019

This study determined whether the Useful Field of View™ Risk Index (UFOV RI) adds value as a predictor of on-road outcomes in drivers with Parkinson’s disease (PD) when considered with age, gender, and disease severity and compared with community-dwelling older drivers (Controls). A total of 101 PD drivers and 138 Controls underwent a comprehensive driving evaluation, including an on-road assessment. Logistic regression analyses determined the associations of age, gender, visual attention, and disease severity to on-road outcomes. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses determined the optimal UFOV RI cut points to predict on-road outcomes. Above adding age and gender, the UFOV RI alone predicted on-road outcomes in PD, while the UFOV RI and age predicted on-road outcomes in Controls. Regardless of disease severity, visual attention was more impaired in PD than in Controls. The UFOV RI cut point of 3 provided the fewest misclassifications ( n = 25) in PD. The UFOV RI is a valid screening predictor of on-road outcomes across PD drivers of different disease severity, but has moderate sensitivity and specificity.
Novel Approach for 2-Port Laparoscopic Hysterectomy
Authors: Tyan Paul , Robinson James , Dandapani Monica , Li Jessica , Gu Alex , Moawad Gaby N.
Published: March 2019

Background and Objectives. To describe a novel technique for a port-reducing laparoscopic hysterectomy. The 2-port laparoscopic hysterectomy (TPH) is performed through two 5-mm ports without the use of any multiport channels. We demonstrate outcomes via a large case series. We also describe and provide a video showing the TPH technique. Methods. Retrospective comparative study between the newly developed TPH and the conventional 4-port hysterectomy techniques. Variables of patients who underwent a TPH with fellowship-trained gynecologic surgeons at a single academic university hospital were collected through electronic medical records chart review. Results. Forty-five patients underwent a TPH. Mean age was 39.4, body mass index was 28.5 kg/m2, and uterine weight was 170.0 g. Our outcomes of interest were operative time (98.4 minutes, mean), estimated blood loss (65.6 mL, mean), conversion to 3-port (1/45), and intraoperative (0/45) and postoperative (5/45) complications. By comparing the TPH to the conventional 4-port laparoscopic hysterectomy within a similar setting, we provide insight into variables that prompt the minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon to perform a port-reducing procedure. Patients were more likely to be allocated for a TPH if they were younger (37.8 vs 44.7, P = .005), had a lower body mass index (29.0 vs 32.5, P = .07), smaller uterus (143.1 vs 672.3 g, P < .001), and were white (56.8% and 22.4%, P < .001). Conclusions. The TPH is a novel port-reducing hysterectomy that is safe in a subset of patients with small uteri and limited surgical history who require no other surgical interventions at the time of hysterectomy.
Intradermal Growing Hair: Two Case Reports
Authors: Liu Juan-Hua , Zhao Yu-Kun , Wu Hui-Hui , Wang Fang , Luo Di-Qing , Huang Ying-Biao
Published: March 2019

Hair growing inside the skin and burrowing in the uppermost dermis, previously termed as “ingrowing hair,” is a rarely reported cutaneous disorder. Up to July 31, 2018, only five cases have been reported, all were male. The authors report two Chinese Han men, 26-year-old and 31-year-old respectively, presenting with progressive extending black lines inside the skin on the right mandibular angle and the neck respectively. The black lines were finally demonstrated as growing beard hairs. The 26-year-old man was cured after the hair was pulled out, whereas the 31-year-old patient had re-occurrence after the initial hair was extracted and was cured finally by destroying the individual beard follicle. The authors would prefer the term of “intradermal growing hair” to “ingrowing hair” when describing the condition of hair growing inside the skin and extending in the uppermost dermis. Pulling out the growing hair, and sometimes destroying the beard follicle, may be of choice for its treatment.
Erectile Dysfunction in Men With Gallbladder Stone Disease: A Nationwide Population-Based Study
Authors: Chen Chien-Hua , Lin Cheng-Li , Kao Chia-Hung
Published: March 2019

We assessed the risk of erectile dysfunction after the diagnosis of gallbladder stone disease. We identified 9,362 men aged ≥20 years diagnosed with gallbladder stone disease between 2000 and 2011 from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database as the study cohort, and we randomly selected 9,362 men from the nongallbladder stone disease population by 1:1 frequency-matching with the case cohort based on age, the index date for the diagnosis of gallbladder stone disease, and comorbidities as the control cohort. All subjects were followed until December 31, 2011, for measuring the erectile dysfunction incidence. The risk of organic erectile dysfunction was higher in the gallbladder stone disease cohort than the nongallbladder stone disease cohort (4.01 vs. 2.69 per 1,000 person-years, adjusted hazard ratio = 1.41, 97.5% confidence interval [1.12, 1.78]), but the risk of psychogenic erectile dysfunction was comparable between the gallbladder stone disease cohort and the nongallbladder stone disease cohort (0.40 vs. 0.28 per 1,000 person-years, adjusted hazard ratio = 1.37, 97.5% confidence interval [0.67, 2.79]). Moreover, gallbladder stone disease men with cholecystectomy exhibited a lower risk of developing organic erectile dysfunction than gallbladder stone disease men without cholecystectomy (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.58, 97.5% confidence interval [0.41, 0.80]). The risk of organic erectile dysfunction contributed by gallbladder stone disease was only significantly higher in men aged ≥65 years (adjusted hazard ratio = 2.21, 97.5% confidence interval [1.34, 3.63]) and in men with comorbidities (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.42, 97.5% confidence interval [1.09, 1.85]). The risk of psychogenic erectile dysfunction contributed by gallbladder stone disease was nonsignificant in each age group and in men with or without comorbidities. Gallbladder stone disease is associated with an increased risk of organic erectile dysfunction, but it has no association with psychogenic erectile dysfunction. History of cholecystectomy for gallbladder stone disease may ameliorate the risk of organic erectile dysfunction; it requires more studies to ascertain the protective mechanism and to clarify whether the existence of gallbladder stone disease is an epiphenomenon or independent risk factor of erectile dysfunction.
Students Teaching Students: Bringing Lifestyle Medicine Education to Middle and High Schools Through Student-Led Community Outreach Programs
Authors: Wolferz Richard , Arjani Simran , Bolze Andrew , Frates Elizabeth Pegg
Published: March 2019

Lifestyle medicine has the power to reverse the growing burden of chronic disease that now plagues our health care system. The World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American College of Lifestyle Medicine have all independently recognized the need for community-centered lifestyle medicine education as a means of empowering individuals to take charge of their own health. Students in undergraduate, medical, and allied health schools may serve as mediators for these conversations. With guidance from faculty lifestyle medicine mentors, these students can operate as peer educators in primary and secondary schools to supplement current health teaching with the core tenants of lifestyle medicine: nutrition, exercise, sleep, mental and social well-being, and substance avoidance as strategies to prevent and treat chronic disease. We present models of two such student-led programs working with middle and high school students in Massachusetts and New Jersey. Both programs have found success by engaging middle and high school students in interactive workshops and by responding to their individual interests and community needs. We share our currently available resources and, moving forward, hope to publish a tested curriculum that students around the country can implement in their communities to promote lifestyle medicine.
Antiplatelet vs. R-tPA for acute mild ischemic stroke: A prospective, random, and open label multi-center study
Authors: Wang Xin-Hong , Tao Lin , Zhou Zhong-He , Li Xiao-Qiu , Chen Hui-Sheng
Published: March 2019

Rationale

The evidence of intravenous thrombolysis in patients with not clearly disabling minor stroke (low National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale of 0–5) is still insufficient. Recent early terminated PRISMS trial could not provide definitive conclusion, although suggesting the similar functional outcome between alteplase and aspirin groups. Recent two clinical trials provide a definitive evidence for the superiority of dual antiplatelet to mono-antiplatelet in minor stroke. However, the efficacy and safety of dual antiplatelet vs. alteplase in the treatment of acute minor stroke are not known.

Aim

To explore the efficacy and safety of dual antiplatelet with aspirin and clopidogrel vs. alteplase in the treatment of acute minor stroke.

Sample size estimates

A maximum of 760 subjects are required to test the non-inferiority hypothesis with 80% power according to a one-sided 0.025 level of significance, stratified by age, diabetes, time from onset to treatment, stroke etiology, degree of vascular stenosis, location of index vessel.

Methods and design

ARAMIS is a prospective, randomized, open label, blinded assessment of endpoints (PROBE) and multicenter clinical trial in China. The subjects are randomized to the control arm (intravenous alteplase with standard dose of 0.9 mg/kg, followed by guideline-based treatment 24 h after thrombolysis) or the experiment arm (clopidogrel: loading dose of 300 mg on the first day, followed by 75 mg daily for 10–14 days; aspirin: 100 mg on the first day, followed by 100 mg daily for 10–14 days; after the combination, antiplatelet will be given based on guideline till 90 days).

Study outcome

The primary efficacy endpoint is favorable functional outcome, defined as a mRS 0–1 assessed at 90-day post-randomization.
IER-START nomogram for prediction of three-month unfavorable outcome after thrombectomy for stroke
Authors: Cappellari Manuel , Mangiafico Salvatore , Saia Valentina , Pracucci Giovanni , Nappini Sergio , Nencini Patrizia , Konda Daniel , Sallustio Fabrizio , Vallone Stefano , Zini Andrea , Bracco Sandra , Tassi Rossana , Bergui Mauro , Cerrato Paolo , Pitrone Antonio , Grillo Francesco , Saletti Andrea , De Vito Alessandro , Gasparotti Roberto , Magoni Mauro , Puglielli Edoardo , Casalena Alfonsina , Causin Francesco , Baracchini Claudio , Castellan Lucio , Malfatto Laura , Menozzi Roberto , Scoditti Umberto , Comelli Chiara , Duc Enrica , Comai Alessio , Franchini Enrica , Cosottini Mirco , Mancuso Michelangelo , Peschillo Simone , De Michele Manuela , Giorgianni Andrea , Luisa Delodovici Maria , Lafe Elvis , Denaro Maria F , Burdi Nicola , Internò Saverio , Cavasin Nicola , Critelli Adriana , Chiumarulo Luigi , Petruzzellis Marco , Doddi Marco , Carolei Antonio , Auteri William , Petrone Alfredo , Padolecchia Riccardo , Tassinari Tiziana , Pavia Marco , Invernizzi Paolo , Turcato Gianni , Forlivesi Stefano , Francesca Maria Ciceri Elisa , Bonetti Bruno , Inzitari Domenico , Toni Danilo
Published: March 2019

Background

The applicability of the current models for predicting functional outcome after thrombectomy in strokes with large vessel occlusion (LVO) is affected by a moderate predictive performance.

Aims

We aimed to develop and validate a nomogram with pre- and post-treatment factors for prediction of the probability of unfavorable outcome in patients with anterior and posterior LVO who received bridging therapy or direct thrombectomy <6 h of stroke onset.

Methods

We conducted a cohort study on patients data collected prospectively in the Italian Endovascular Registry (IER). Unfavorable outcome was defined as three-month modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score 3–6. Six predictors, including NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, age, pre-stroke mRS score, bridging therapy or direct thrombectomy, grade of recanalization according to the thrombolysis in cerebral ischemia (TICI) grading system, and onset-to-end procedure time were identified a priori by three stroke experts. To generate the IER-START, the pre-established predictors were entered into a logistic regression model. The discriminative performance of the model was assessed by using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC).

Results

A total of 1802 patients with complete data for generating the IER-START was randomly dichotomized into training ( n = 1219) and test ( n = 583) sets. The AUC-ROC of IER-START was 0.838 (95% confidence interval [CI]): 0.816–0.869) in the training set, and 0.820 (95% CI: 0.786–0.854) in the test set.

Conclusions

The IER-START nomogram is the first prognostic model developed and validated in the largest population of stroke patients currently candidates to thrombectomy which reliably calculates the probability of three-month unfavorable outcome.
A Good Fooling: Journalism’s Narrative of Surprise Military Homecomings
Authors: Bishop Ronald , Fedorocsko Maggie
Published: March 2019

A narrative analysis was performed on recent media texts regarding the return of members of the US military and staged reunions with their family members. The USA’s current state of permanent war means that it needs more instances of closure. The narrative that emerged from news coverage is a reminder that reunions, while providing closure, are also one of the last bastions of war coverage, even as journalists have ceded control of it to event organizers. War has been made perfectly safe for public consumption at long last. It is argued that such coverage causes us to disassociate from war and its cost, and to recognize, but not truly understand, the hardships endured by military families. We see only their tears of joy upon the return of their loved ones. The media contribute to this misunderstanding by crafting purportedly more personal connections to military personnel by portraying their experiences through a human-interest lens. We recognize – for a scripted moment – the hardships endured by military families. We see only their tears of joy upon the return of their loved ones. The narrative analyzed here is operationalized by officials to encourage us to think about the military, not the wars.
Malaysia's 14th General Election (GE14) -The Contest for the Malay Electorate
Authors: Funston John
Published: March 2019

The United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) and its allies in the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, known as the Alliance until 1974, dominated Malaysian elections for more than six decades. UMNO's winning formula was based on massive support for the politically dominant Malay community, and mobilising government institutions in support of the party. This was undermined towards the end of the 1990s by UMNO disunity, a strengthened civil society, and arrival of a digital media. Demands for comprehensive political and economic reforms ( reformasi) emerged following the controversial sacking of Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in 1998. UMNO had its worst result ever in the 1999 election, a trend that continued in 2008 and 2013 when BN lost its popular and two-thirds majority. Najib's attempt to reverse this by strengthening the call for Malay dominance and tightening coercion failed. His deep implication in multiple corruption cases, tactical campaign errors, and a united opposition, Pakatan Harapan, led to the BN's stunning defeat.
“Saviour” Politics and Malaysia's 2018 Electoral Democratic Breakthrough: Rethinking Explanatory Narratives and Implications
Authors: Welsh Bridget
Published: March 2019

In understanding Malaysia's surprise 14th General Election, this article argues for the need to rethink how we understand elections. We need to bring together macro socio-political forces with more micro-level evolving phenomena in the campaign, within political institutions, and in voting behaviour. Rather than buck international trends, Malaysia's sociopolitical conditions before the election – political polarisation, a rise of anger, increasing economic vulnerabilities, as well as increased nationalist and populist sentiments – echoed global trends and served as fertile ground for political change. It was however three sufficient conditions that brought about the political breakthrough: the impact of emotional campaigning through social media, the deinstitutionalisation of the dominant Malay party, United Malays National Organisation, and the failure to win over young voters – all factors that tie closely with the macro forces shaping the country. Given the factors that shaped the electoral outcome and Malaysia's “saviour politics,” it is suggested that the government turnover was more about breaking with the past than embracing democracy. As such, there will be constraints placed on expanding democracy going forward.
Democratic Breakthrough in Malaysia – Political Opportunities and the Role of Bersih
Authors: Chong Chan Tsu
Published: March 2019

The 14th general election (GE14) in Malaysia saw a democratic breakthrough as the Barisan Nasional's uninterrupted rule since independence finally came to an end. This article seeks to analyse the role and impact of the Bersih movement in GE14 by examining the political context of GE14 via three key political opportunities: the 1MDB scandal; electoral fraud and manipulation; and the re-delineation of electoral boundaries. Bersih's core campaigns, actions, and strategies in response to these political opportunities will be analysed based on information and insights generated from the author's involvement as a member of Bersih's secretariat. The political opportunity resulting from the 1MDB scandal gave room for civil society and the opposition to go on the offensive; Bersih took the lead and continued the tradition of coalition-building between civil society and opposition forces, and brought focus to cross-ethnic issues. At the same time, Bersih held firm in its agenda for electoral reform by continuing to consistently monitor and mobilise against electoral fraud and manipulation leading up to GE14. Via the re-delineation exercise, it mobilised and coordinated resistance by increasing civic participation in the constitutional process and created new areas of contestation via the judiciary. In parallel, Bersih's efforts and strategies towards these political opportunities had created conditions that contributed towards Pakatan Harapan's victory in GE14.
Sabah and Sarawak in the 14th General Election 2018 (GE14): Local Factors and State Nationalism
Authors: Chin James
Published: March 2019

Many would argue that the main factors in Pakatan Harapan's victory were the 1MDB scandal, anti-Najib and anti-UMNO sentiments, and Mahathir's ability to penetrate the rural Malay constituencies so as to split the UMNO/PAS vote. In the East Malaysia states of Sabah and Sarawak, however, it was local factors and state nationalism that largely decided the outcome of GE14. In this article, I will argue that the rise of state nationalism means that the most potent political issue in contemporary East Malaysia is MA63 – or the 1963 Malaysia Agreement. MA63 gives Sabah and Sarawak autonomy in a wide range of areas. For the past half-century, the East Malaysia polity has felt that it has lost its autonomy in many areas stipulated in the MA63 agreement, due to the centralisation of bureaucratic powers by the federal government. This has created a strong sense of historical grievance among Sabahans and Sarawakians, especially the non-Muslim native communities. The MA63 issue combined with local factors such as the selection of candidates and internal party disputes as well as sabotage together better reflect the on-the-ground experience of GE14 in Sabah and Sarawak.
Lignans from the Stem of Cinnamomum camphora
Authors: Hsieh TJ , Chen CH , Lo WL , Chen CY
Published: March 2019

(+)-Diasesamin (1), (+)-sesamin (2), (+)-episesamin, stearic acid, palmitic acid, a mixture of β-sitosterol and stigmasterol, and a mixture of β-sitosterol-D-glucoside and stigmasterol-D-glucoside were isolated from the stems of Cinnamomum camphora (L.) Presl.. Among these compounds, 1 is obtained for the first time from a natural source. The cytotoxicity of 2 on Hep G2 and HeLa cell cancer lines was also investigated. The flow cytometric assay results indicated that 2 elicited a decrease in the percentage of the S phase of the cell cycle in Hep G2 cells after incubation for 24 h. These results reflect that 2 inhibited the DNA synthetic event in Hep G2 cells.
1,3,5-Trimethoxybenzene and 2,4,6-Trimethoxystyrene are the Major Components in the Leaf Oil of Eugenia confusa from Abaco Island, Bahamas
Authors: Setzer William N. , Noletto Joseph A. , Vincent Michael A.
Published: March 2019

The leaf oil of Eugenia confusa was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC-MS. The most abundant components were 1,3,5-trimethoxybenzene (74.0%) and 2,4,6-trimethoxystyrene (20.7%).
First Synthesis of (±)-Monotesone B and New Syntheses of (±)-Lonchocarpol A and (±)-Bavachin
Authors: Kenéz Ágnes , Antus Sándor
Published: March 2019

The first synthesis of (±)-monotesone B and new syntheses of (±)-lonchocarpol A and (±)-bavachin have been achieved starting from the corresponding MOM-protected C-prenylated acetophenone derivatives. Their antifungal activity was tested against Candida albicans.
Automatic Structure Elucidation through Data Base Search and 2D NMR Spectral Analysis
Authors: Nuzillard Jean-Marc , de Paulo Emerenciano Vicente
Published: March 2019

This work shows how two expert systems, LSD and SISTEMAT, can be used together to solve structure elucidation problems that were selected from recent literature articles. The LSD system is a structure generator that mainly relies on homo- and heteronuclear 2D NMR data. It lacks the knowledge of chemical shift values and of natural product chemistry. Conversely, the SISTEMAT data base contains about 20000 natural compounds and refers to both their 13C NMR chemical shifts and their botanical origin. When exploited by dedicated computer programs it yields structural constraints such as skeletal types and ring systems. The botanical and spectroscopic data in SISTEMAT proved to be very complementary in the constraints extraction process. Several application examples of the proposed methodology are described in detail.
Pharmacological Properties of Crocetin and Crocin (Digentiobiosyl Ester of Crocetin) from Saffron
Authors: Xi Liang , Qian Zhiyu
Published: March 2019

Functional plant foods and medicinal herbs provide a wide variety of natural products for new drug research and development. Crocetin and crocin (digentiobiosyl ester of crocetin) are the major bioactive ingredients of saffron which is used as a costly spice, food colorant and traditional herbal medicine. These particular carotenoids have gained much research attention for their extensive pharmacological activities. Following oral administration, crocetin is rapidly absorbed into the blood circulation and widely distributed into the extra-vascular tissues of the body, whereas the water-soluble compound crocin is hardly absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract. Crocetin and crocin have been shown to be effective in the prevention and/or treatment of several diseases such as atherosclerosis, myocardial ischemia, hemorrhagic shock, cancer and cerebral injury. The compounds exert their biological and pharmacological effects largely through their strong antioxidant activity. However, there seems to be substantial variation in the effectiveness of both phytochemicals when used in different diseases. The aim of this review is to discuss the pharmacokinetic and medicinal properties of crocetin and crocin based on related literature and our research results.
C-Prenylflavonoids from Derris heyneana
Authors: Ganapaty Seru , Thomas Pannakal S. , Josaphine Jangam S. , Than Ni Ni , Laatsch Hartmut
Published: March 2019

2′,4′-Dihydroxy-3′-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-4-methoxychalcone (1) and three known C-prenylflavonoids, namely, lupinifolin (flemichin B), hiravanone, and derrubone were isolated from the leaves of Derris heyneana (Febaceae). The structures were established by 2D NMR analysis.
Growth Inhibitory Polyacetylenes from Galls of Hedera rhombea Bean
Authors: Yamazoe Sayumi , Hasegawa Koji , Suenaga Kiyotake , Shigemori Hideyuki
Published: March 2019

Plant growth inhibitory polyacetylenes have been isolated from the insect galls on flower buds of Hedera rhombea Bean (Araliaceae) formed by the ivy flower bud gall midge, Asphondylia sp. (Cecidomyiidae), and their structures elucidated by spectroscopic and chemical means. The EC50 values for roots/hypocotyls growth of cress ( Lepidium sativum L.) seedlings were 7.0×10−5/8.0×10−5 M for ( Z)-8-acetoxy-1,2-epoxy-3-oxoheptadeca-9-ene-4,6-diyne, 9.5×10−5/9.0×10−5 M for ( Z)-8-acetoxy-3-oxoheptadeca-1,9-diene-4,6-diyne, 2.5×10−5/5.5×10−6 M for ( Z)-8-acetoxy-1-methoxy-3-oxoheptadeca-9-ene-4,6-diyne, and 7.5×10−5/2.0×10−6 M for falcarindiol, respectively. On the other hand, 8-acetoxyfalcarinol exhibited lower inhibition on roots and hypocotyls growth. Among these compounds, ( Z)-8-acetoxy-1-methoxy-3-oxoheptadeca-9-ene-4,6-diyne exhibited the strongest inhibitiory effect on root growth of cress seedlings, whereas against hypocotyl growth of cress seedlings, falcarindiol showed the strongest inhibition.
A New Colchicinoid from Colchicum tauri, an Unexplored Meadow Saffron Native to Jordan
Authors: Alali Feras Q. , Ma'aya'h Amani S. , Alkofahi Ahmad , Qandil Amjad , Li Chen , Burgess Jason , Wani Mansukh C. , Oberlies Nicholas H.
Published: March 2019

This study reports the isolation, characterization, and biological evaluation of constituents of Colchicum tauri Siehe ex Stef. (Colchicaceae), an unexplored Colchicum species native to Jordan. Methanolic extraction, crude alkaloid fractionation, and separation using several different chromatographic techniques (open columns, preparative TLC, and semi-preparative HPLC), as directed by the brine shrimp lethality test (BST), resulted in the isolation and identification of nine compounds: (-)-colchicine (1), (-)-2-demethylcolchicine (2), (-)-3-demethylcolchicine (3), (-)-demecolcine (4), (-)- N-methyldemecolcine (5), (-)-3-demethyl- N-methyldemecolcine (6), β-lumicolchicine (7), 3-demethyl-β-lumicolchicine (8), and apigenin (9). Compounds 1–5 and 7–8 were isolated for the first time from this species, while compound (6) represents a new colchicinoid. The structure elucidations were achieved using a series of spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques, principally 1D-NMR (1H, and 13C), 2D-NMR (COSY, ROESY, HMBC, and HSQC), and low resolution EI-MS. All compounds were tested for general toxicity using the BST, and compounds 1 and 4 were found to be the most potent, with LC50 values of 2.5 and 8.1 μg/mL, respectively.
Constituents of Erythrina lysistemon: Their Brine Shrimp Lethality, Antimicrobial and Radical Scavenging Activities
Authors: Juma Benard F. , Majinda Runner R. T.
Published: March 2019

Three new compounds, 4′,7-dihydroxy-2″,2″-dimethylpyrano [5″,6″: 5,6]-isoflavone (1), (7 E) (8,2′)-3,7,9,5′,9′-pentahydroxy-4,4′-dimethoxyneolign-7-ene (2) and (9 E,11 Z) 14-hydroxyoctadecan-9,11-dienoic acid (3), along with other known flavonoids, benzenoids, alkaloids and phenylpropanoids were isolated from the twigs, leaves, stem bark, stem wood and flowers of Erythrina lysistemon. Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. Some of these compounds have shown high lethality against brine shrimps ( Artemia salina), moderate radical scavenging ability in the DPPH assay, moderate antifungal activity against Candida mycoderma, moderate activity against the Gram-positive ( Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus) and weak activity against Gram-negative bacteria ( Escherichia coli).
Distribution and Chemotaxonomic Significance of N-Methylprolines in Selected Plant Families
Authors: Blunden Gerald , Patel Asmita V. , Armstrong Nigel , Romero Maricela Adrian
Published: March 2019

N-Methylprolines were detected in all fourteen species of Rhamnaceae tested, representing eleven genera and it is probable that these compounds are a chemotaxonomic feature of the family. Various species in different genera of other families previously reported to contain N-methylprolines were examined for their presence, but these were found as constituents of only a limited number of the tested species, although they were a feature of particular genera, for example Annona, Berberis, Phoradendron, Laurus and Trichilia. In most of the species found to contain N-methylprolines, their content was high, the yield from the majority of species being in excess of 0.5 % of the dry weight. In the limited number of N-methylproline-containing species in which both the aerial parts and roots of the same plant were tested separately, these compounds were detected in both, with the yields from the aerial parts being higher than those from the roots. The level of hydroxylation of the compounds in the aerial parts was higher than that in the roots.
Biogenic Iodine and Iodine-Containing Metabolites
Authors: Dembitsky Valery M
Published: March 2019

This review is intended as a comprehensive survey of iodinated metabolites possessing carbon–iodine covalent bond, which have been obtained from living organisms. Generally thought to be minor components produced by many different organisms these interesting compounds now number more than 110. Many from isolated and identified iodine-containing metabolites showed high biological activities. Recent research, especially in the marine area, indicates this number will increase in the future. Sources of iodinated metabolites include microorganisms, algae, marine invertebrates, and some animals. Their origin and possible biological significance have also been discussed.
Two New Lanostanoid Triterpenes from the Fruit Body of Ganoderma lucidum-the Major Component of SunRecome®
Authors: Guan Shu-hong , Yang Min , Liu Xuan , Xia Jia-meng , Wang Xiao-ming , Jin Hui , Guo De-an
Published: March 2019

Two new lanostanoid triterpenes named 3β-hydroxy-4,4,14-trimethyl-7,11,15-trioxochol-8-en-24-oic acid (1) and 3β-hydroxy-7,11,12,15,23-pentaoxo-lanost-8-en-26-oic acid (2) were isolated from the fruit bodies of Ganoderma lucidum, which is the major component of the antitumor product SunRecome®. Their cytotoxic activities were assayed in vitro against HeLa, p388, SGC-7901, BEL-7402 cell lines, and the results showed that 1 had IC50 values of 18.00 μM against p388 cell, 12.70 μM against Hela cell, 22.00 μM against BEL-7402 cell, 1.50 μM against SGC-7901 cell and 2 had IC50 values of 9.85 μM against p388 cell, 17.10 μM against Hela cell, 51.00 μM against BEL-7402 cell, 42.00 μM against SGC-7901 cell.
Isolation and Identification of Neo-Clerodane Diterpenes from Ajuga Nipponensis Makino
Authors: Coll Josep , Tandrón Yudelsy A.
Published: March 2019

An extract of the aerial parts of Ajuga nipponensis Makino was examined by HPLC for neo-clerodane diterpenes. The suitability of reversed-phase HPLC for the semi-preparative fractionation of this extract was explored, resulting in the isolation of two new neo-clerodane diterpenes, which we have named ajuganipponin A, (12S)-1β,6α,19-triacetoxy-4α,18-epoxy-12-tigloyl-neo-clerod-13-en-15,16-olide (AJNP A, 1), and ajuganipponin B, (12S)-6α,19-diacetoxy-4α,18-epoxy-12-tigloyl-neo-clerod-13-en-15,16-olide (AJNP B, 6). In addition, ajugamarins A2 and F4, ajugamacrin B, ajugacumbin A and ajugatakasin A, were newly isolated compounds from A. nipponensis, along with the previously reported ajugamarins A1, B2 and L2 (ajugacumbin B). The structures of all the isolated compounds were unambiguously elucidated based on extensive NMR spectral studies (one and two-dimensional experiments) and their reversed-phase chromatographic behavior was established. The antifeedant activity of the isolated diterpenes against Spodoptera littoralis is also reported here.
Comparative Study of the Chemical Composition of the Essential Oil of Lippia oreganoides Collected in Two Different Seasons in Venezuela
Authors: Rojas Janne , Morales Antonio , Pasquale Sara , Márquez Alejandro , Rondón María , Veres Katalin , Máthé Imre
Published: March 2019

The essential oils from the leaves of Lippia oreganoides collected in June 2003 (rainy season) and February 2004 (dry season) were analyzed by GC/MS. Thymol (61.9% and 44.7%, respectively) and carvacrol (7.9% and 16.8%, respectively) proved to be the major constituents of both collections. Linalool (0.4%) was present only in the collection made in June 2003, while carvacryl acetate (0.6% and caryophyllene oxide (1.6%) were only detected in the February 2004 collection.
A Theoretical Elucidation of the Radical-Scavenging Power of Cyanidin
Authors: Ji Hong-Fang , Zhang Hong-Yu , Shen Liang
Published: March 2019

Cyanidin (CY), one of the most common anthocyanins, has a high radical-scavenging efficiency that can be compared with that of the flavone, quercetin (QU). Owing to the oxonium ion, CY exhibits diverse structures (isomers) in different (pH) environments. In this paper, to elucidate the high potency of CY as a radical scavenger, a combined density functional theory (DFT) method, labeled as (RO)B3LYP/6-311+G(2d,2p)//AM1/AM1, was employed to calculate the O-H bond dissociation enthalpies (BDEs), proton dissociation enthalpies (PDEs) and ionization potentials (IPs) of various CY isomers in acetonitrile and then the parameters were compared with those of QU. The comparable BDEs, PDEs and IPs of CY (in various forms) and QU account well for CY's high radical-scavenging activity in different environments. In addition, through estimating the contribution of each group to the BDEs and IP of the CY cation, some deeper insights into the antioxidant power of CY were obtained.
Structures and Biological Activities of Plant Glycosides: Cholestane Glycosides from Ornithogalum Saundersiae, O. Thyrsoides and Galtonia Candicans, and Their Cytotoxic and Antitumor Activities
Authors: Mimaki Yoshihiro
Published: March 2019

Systematic phytochemical screening of higher pants using a cytotoxicity-guided fractionation procedure resulted in the isolation from the bulbs of Ornithogalum saundersiae (Liliaceae) an acylated cholestane diglycoside, 17α-hydroxy-16β-[(O-(2-O-p-methoxybenzoyl-β-D-xylopyranosyl)-(1→3)-2-O-acetyl-α-L-arabinopyranosyl)oxy]cholest-5-en-22-one, tentatively named OSW-1. In vitro cytotoxic and in vivo antitumor screening of OSW-1 revealed that it is a possible candidate as a novel anticancer agent. Furthermore, more than 20 OSW-1-related compounds were isolated, not only from the bulbs of O. saundersiae, but also from those of O. thyrsoides and Galtonia candicans, which are taxonomically related to O. saundersiae. In vitro cytotoxic evaluation of all the isolated compounds and their semi-synthetic analogues allowed the structure-activity relationships of the OSW-1 derivatives to be established. In addition, these three plants were found to produce a series of novel cholestane glycosides with a new rearranged side-chain moiety, 24(23→22)abeo-cholestane, some of which showed potent cytotoxic activity against HL-60 leukemia cells.
Radical Scavenging-Flavonoids from Erythrina abyssinica
Authors: Machumi Francis , Bojase-Moleta Gomotsang , Mapitse Renameditswe , Masesane Ishmael , Majinda Runner R. T.
Published: March 2019

Phytochemical analysis of twigs and roots of Erythrina abyssinica, a traditionally used medicinal plant, gave a new radical scavenging flavanone, 7,3′,4′-trihydroxy-5′-prenylflavanone (abyssinone VII; 1), along with twenty-one known compounds, whose radical scavenging and antimicrobial activities were also assessed.
Triterpenoids and Sterols from the Stem of Alnus Formosana Burk
Authors: Chen Chien-Kuang , Tuh Shiou-Ling , Chen Chung-Hsiung , Kuo Chen-Meng , Lee Shoei-Sheng
Published: March 2019

The chemical constituents of the stem of Alnus formosana Burk. were investigated and sixteen known compounds, composed of eleven triterpenoids and five sterols, were isolated and characterized from the n-hexane- and chloroform-soluble fractions of the methanol extract. Of these, seven triterpenoids, lupeol, lupenone, betulinic acid, 3-O-acetylbetulinic acid, 3-O-acetylerythrodiol, 3-O-acetyloleanolic aldehyde, and taraxerone, were isolated for the first time from an Alnus species. The isolation of the five sterols, stigmastanone, stigmast-4-en-3-one, β-sitosterol, β-sitosteryl-β-D-glucoside, and stigmasta-3,6-dione, is also the first time that the presence of such natural products has been recorded for an Alnus species. Taraxerone and betulinic acid were the major non-polar constituents of the stem of A. formosana.
3,3-Diisopentenyl-N-Methyl-2,4-Quinoldione from Esenbeckia Almawillia: The Antitumor Activity of this Alkaloid and its Derivatives
Authors: Nunes Fátima M. , Barros-Filho Bartholomeu A. , de Oliveira Maria C. F. , de Mattos Marcos C. , Andrade-Neto Manoel , Barbosa Francisco G. , Mafezoli Jair , Montenegro Raquel C. , Pessoa Cláudia , de Moraes Manoel O. , Costa-Lotufo Letícia V. , Galetti Fabio C. S. , Silva Celio L. , De Souza Ana O.
Published: March 2019

n-Hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions obtained from methanol extracts of the wood and roots of Esenbeckia almawillia (Rutaceae) were tested against five tumor cells lines (HL-60, CEM, B-16, HCT-8 and MCF-7). The most active fractions were the less polar ones (IC50 from 1.7 to 5.3 μg/mL) and these were subjected to column chromatography, allowing the isolation of the alkaloid 3,3-diisopentenyl-N-methyl-2, 4-quinoldione (1) in high yields. Alkaloid 1 was bioassayed and gave an IC50 value in the range 9.2 to >25 μg/mL. Derivatives 2–12, obtained by chemical modifications of 1, were tested and lower IC50 values were found for compounds 4 (IC50 from 2.8 to 17.0 μg/mL), 10 (IC50 from 5.9 to 15.8 μg/mL) and 11 (IC50 from 6.7 to 14.8 μg/mL).