374 research outputs found

    Previously unpublished Odonata records from Sarawak, Borneo : part 1, Kuching Division excluding Kubah National Park, and Samarahan Division

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    Records of Odonata from Kuching and Samarahan, the western administrative divisions of Sarawak in Malaysian Borneo, are presented. Forty-two species are listed from Bako National Park, and eighty-nine species are listed from various other locations. Notable records, not yet publishedin detail elsewhere, include Aciagrion ?fasiculare, Bornargiolestes species, Pericnemis species cf triangularis, Coeliccia new species and Tetrathemis flavescens

    Previously unpublished Odonata records from Sarawak, Borneo : part 2, Kubah National Park

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    Records of Odonata from Kubah National Park, near Kuching in west Sarawak, are presented. Eighty-five species are known from the national park. Notable records include Drepanosticta drusilla, Rhinocypha species cf spinifer, Bornagriolestes species, Anaciaeschna species and Macromidia genialis erratica

    Mapping of serotype-specific, immunodominant epitopes in the NS-4 region of hepatitis C virus (HCV):use of type-specific peptides to serologically differentiate infections with HCV types 1, 2, and 3

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    The effect of sequence variability between different types of hepatitis C virus (HCV) on the antigenicity of the NS-4 protein was investigated by epitope mapping and by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with branched oligopeptides. Epitope mapping of the region between amino acid residues 1679 and 1768 in the HCV polyprotein revealed two major antigenic regions (1961 to 1708 and 1710 to 1728) that were recognized by antibody elicited upon natural infection of HCV. The antigenic regions were highly variable between variants of HCV, with only 50 to 60% amino acid sequence similarity between types 1, 2, and 3. Although limited serological cross-reactivity between HCV types was detected between peptides, particularly in the first antigenic region of NS-4, type-specific reactivity formed the principal component of the natural humoral immune response to NS-4. Type-specific antibody to particular HCV types was detected in 89% of the samples from anti-HCV-positive blood donors and correlated almost exactly with genotypic analysis of HCV sequences amplified from the samples by polymerase chain reaction. Whereas almost all blood donors appeared to be infected with a single virus type (97%), a higher proportion of samples (40%) from hemophiliacs infected from transfusion of non-heat-inactivated clotting factor contained antibody to two or even all three HCV types, providing evidence that long-term exposure may lead to multiple infection with different variants of HCV

    An Explanation for Terson Syndrome at Last: the Glymphatic Reflux Theory

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    Terson Syndrome (TS) describes the presence of intraocular hemorrhage in patients with intracranial hemorrhage, typically subarachnoid hemorrhage. Despite TS being a well-defined and frequently occurring phenomenon, its pathophysiology remains controversial. This review will present the current understanding of TS, with view to describing a contemporary and more plausible pathomechanism of TS, given recent advances in ophthalmic science and neurobiology. Previously proposed theories include a sudden rise in intracranial pressure (ICP) transmitted to the optic nerve sheath leading to rupture of retinal vessels; or intracranial blood extending to the orbit via the optic nerve sheath. The origin of blood in TS is uncertain, but retinal vessels appear to be an unlikely source. In addition, an anatomical pathway for blood to enter the eye from the intracranial space remains poorly defined. An ocular glymphatic system has recently been described, drainage of which from the globe into intracranial glymphatics is reliant on the pressure gradient between intraocular pressure and intracranial pressure. The glymphatic pathway is the only extravascular anatomical conduit between the subarachnoid space and the retina. We propose that subarachnoid blood in skull base cisterns near the optic nerve is the substrate of blood in TS. Raised ICP causes it to be refluxed through glymphatic channels into the globe, resulting in intraocular hemorrhage. We herewith present glymphatic reflux as an alternative theory to explain the phenomenon of Terson Syndrome

    The efficacy of interventions to improve psychosocial outcomes following surgical treatment for breast cancer:A systematic review and meta-analysis

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    Objective Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women across the world. The majority of women diagnosed with the disease undergo surgery, which is often associated with significant psychosocial morbidity. The aim of this meta-analysis was to identify the efficacy of psychosocial interventions for women following breast cancer surgery. Method A comprehensive literature search was undertaken using keyword and subject headings within 7 databases. Included studies employed a quantitative methodology presenting empirical findings focusing on interventions for female breast cancer patients following surgery. Results Thirty-two studies were included and based on conventional values of effect sizes. Small effects emerged for the efficacy of psychosocial interventions in relation to anxiety (Hedges g = 0.31), depression (0.38), quality of life (0.40), mood disturbance (0.31), distress (0.27), body image (0.40), self-esteem (0.35), and sexual functioning (0.22). A moderate to large effect emerged for the efficacy of interventions in promoting improvements in sleep disturbance (0.67). Clear evidence emerged for the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy in promoting improvements in anxiety, depression, and quality of life. Conclusion This is the first meta-analysis to demonstrate the efficacy of interventions on a range of psychosocial outcomes following breast cancer surgery. The meta-analysis highlighted that cognitive behavioral therapy was consistently the most effective psychosocial intervention promoting improvements in anxiety, depression, and quality of life. However, there are shortcomings in existing studies; the length of the follow-up period is typically short and the generalizability of findings was limited by small samples, both of which should be addressed in future studies

    Previously unpublished Odonata records from Sarawak, Borneo, part VI: Miri Division including checklists for Niah, Lambir Hills, Loagan Bunut and Pulong Tau National Parks

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    Recods of Odonata made from 2005 to 2020 in Miri Division in Sarawak are presented, including records from Lambir Hills, Loagan Bunut, Niah and Pulong Tau National Parks. Primary types of Odonata originating from Miri Division are listed. Surveys of more than one day duration in Miri Division and covered here are tabulated with the funding source where appropriate; four of the surveys covered here were funded by the International Dragonfly Fund. One hundred and eighty-eight species are listed based on surveys made by the authors, of which Macromia jucunda Lieftinck, 1955, had not been recorded from Borneo before, Burmagomphus arthuri Lieftinck, 1953 is a new record for Miri Division and Camacinia gigantea (Brauer, 1867) has only been recorded from the Division re-cently with the only published record in a difficult to access publication (Choong (2020)). At least 48 more of the species listed were recorded from Miri Division for the first time in surveys covered in this report, although the records have been published (in most cases with no details beyond division and district in Dow (2021)) before. Two forms of Xiphi-agrion cyanomelas Selys, 1876 are recorded and the likelihood that they represent different species is discussed. A possibly new, large sized, species of Macromia allied to M. westwoodii Selys, 1874 is recorded and discussed. Other notable records not published with details before include Rhinocypha stygia Förster, 1897, Rhinoneura caerulea Kimmins, 1936, Dysphaea lugens (Selys, 1873), Euphaea ameeka van Tol & Norma-Rashid, 1995, Euphaea basalis (Laidlaw, 1915), Amphicnemis new sp. cf mariae Lieftinck, 1940 (previously recorded from Usun Apau National Park), Anaciaeschna jaspidea (Burmeister, 1839), Heliaeschna uninervulata Martin, 1909, Borneogomphus sp., Heliogomphus borneensis Lieftinck, 1964, Ictinogomphus acutus (Laidlaw, 1914), Chlorogomphus sp., Macromia corycia Laidlaw, 1922, Idionyx montana Karsch, 1891, Hylaeothemis clementia Ris, 1909, Orchithemis xanthosoma Laidlaw, 1911, Rhyothemis fulgens Kirby, 1889, Rhyothemis regia (Brauer, 1867), Tetrathemis sp. cf platyptera Selys, 1878, Tramea phaeoneura Lieftinck, 1953 and Tramea sp. cf virginia (Rambur, 1842). The habitat preferences of Dysphaea lugens are discussed. A male-male tandem of Coeliccia nigrohamata Laidlaw, 1918 is reported. The somewhat peculiar distribution of Argiocnemis rubescens rubeola Selys, 1877 and Pseudothemis jorina Förster, 1904 in Sarawak is discussed. Activity of the apparently normally crepuscular Heliaeschna uninervulata in the middle of the day is reported. An interesting morphological detail of some female Chlorogomphus from Sarawak is discussed. The likelihood that Macromia corycia is a junior synonym of M. gerstaeckeri Krüger, 1899 is discussed. The possibility that the range of Rhyothemis regia is expanding in Sarawak is remarked upon. The identity of Tramea sp. cf virginia is discussed. With the records presented here at least 222 species of Odonata are known from Miri Division and with the addition of Macromia jucunda to the known fauna, 309 species have now been recorded from Sarawak. More detailed specimen records are given in Appendix 1 and a revised checklist of Odonata from Lambir Hills National Park and the first checklis from Loagan Bunut, Niah and Pulong Tau National Parks are given in Appendix 2

    Previously unpublished Odonata records from Sarawak, Borneo, part VI: Miri Division including checklists for Niah, Lambir Hills, Loagan Bunut and Pulong Tau National Parks.

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    Recods of Odonata made from 2005 to 2020 in Miri Division in Sarawak are presented, including records from Lambir Hills, Loagan Bunut, Niah and Pulong Tau National Parks. Primary types of Odonata originating from Miri Division are listed. Surveys of more than one day duration in Miri Division and covered here are tabulated with the funding source where appropriate; four of the surveys covered here were funded by the International Dragonfly Fund. One hundred and eighty-eight species are listed based on surveys made by the authors, of which Macromia jucunda Lieftinck, 1955, had not been recorded from Borneo before, Burmagomphus arthuri Lieftinck, 1953 is a new record for Miri Division and Camacinia gigantea (Brauer, 1867) has only been recorded from the Division re-cently with the only published record in a difficult to access publication (Choong (2020)). At least 48 more of the species listed were recorded from Miri Division for the first time in surveys covered in this report, although the records have been published (in most cases with no details beyond division and district in Dow (2021)) before. Two forms of Xiphi-agrion cyanomelas Selys, 1876 are recorded and the likelihood that they represent different species is discussed. A possibly new, large sized, species of Macromia allied to M. westwoodii Selys, 1874 is recorded and discussed. Other notable records not published with details before include Rhinocypha stygia Förster, 1897, Rhinoneura caerulea Kimmins, 1936, Dysphaea lugens (Selys, 1873), Euphaea ameeka van Tol & Norma-Rashid, 1995, Euphaea basalis (Laidlaw, 1915), Amphicnemis new sp. cf mariae Lieftinck, 1940 (previously recorded from Usun Apau National Park), Anaciaeschna jaspidea (Burmeister, 1839), Heliaeschna uninervulata Martin, 1909, Borneogomphus sp., Heliogomphus borneensis Lieftinck, 1964, Ictinogomphus acutus (Laidlaw, 1914), Chlorogomphus sp., Macromia corycia Laidlaw, 1922, Idionyx montana Karsch, 1891, Hylaeothemis clementia Ris, 1909, Orchithemis xanthosoma Laidlaw, 1911, Rhyothemis fulgens Kirby, 1889, Rhyothemis regia (Brauer, 1867), Tetrathemis sp. cf platyptera Selys, 1878, Tramea phaeoneura Lieftinck, 1953 and Tramea sp. cf virginia (Rambur, 1842). The habitat preferences of Dysphaea lugens are discussed. A male-male tandem of Coeliccia nigrohamata Laidlaw, 1918 is reported. The somewhat peculiar distribution of Argiocnemis rubescens rubeola Selys, 1877 and Pseudothemis jorina Förster, 1904 in Sarawak is discussed. Activity of the apparently normally crepuscular Heliaeschna uninervulata in the middle of the day is reported. An interesting morphological detail of some female Chlorogomphus from Sarawak is discussed. The likelihood that Macromia corycia is a junior synonym of M. gerstaeckeri Krüger, 1899 is discussed. The possibility that the range of Rhyothemis regia is expanding in Sarawak is remarked upon. The identity of Tramea sp. cf virginia is discussed. With the records presented here at least 222 species of Odonata are known from Miri Division and with the addition of Macromia jucunda to the known fauna, 309 species have now been recorded from Sarawak. More detailed specimen records are given in Appendix 1 and a revised checklist of Odonata from Lambir Hills National Park and the first checklis from Loagan Bunut, Niah and Pulong Tau National Parks are given in Appendix 2
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