Phylogeny of the orb-weaving spider family Araneidae (Araneae: Araneoidea).

We present a new phylogeny of the spider family Araneidae based on five genes (28S, 18S, COI, H3 and 16S) for 158 taxa, identified and mainly sequenced by us. This includes 25 outgroups and 133 araneid ingroups representing the subfamilies Zygiellinae Simon, 1929, Nephilinae Simon, 1894, and the typical araneids, here informally named the "ARA Clade". The araneid genera analysed here include roughly 90% of all currently named araneid species. The ARA Clade is the primary focus of this analysis. In taxonomic terms, outgroups comprise 22 genera and 11 families, and the ingroup comprises three Zygiellinae and four Nephilinae genera, and 85 ARA Clade genera (ten new). Within the ARA Clade, we recognize ten informal groups that contain at least three genera each and are supported under Bayesian posterior probabilities (≥ 0.95): "Caerostrines" (Caerostris, Gnolus and Testudinaria), "Micrathenines" (Acacesia, Micrathena, Ocrepeira, Scoloderus and Verrucosa), "Eriophorines" (Acanthepeira, Alpaida, Eriophora, Parawixia and Wagneriana), "Backobourkiines" (Acroaspis, Backobourkia, Carepalxis, Novakiella, Parawixia, Plebs, Singa and three new genera), "Argiopines" (Arachnura, Acusilas, Argiope, Cyrtophora, Gea, Lariniaria and Mecynogea), "Cyrtarachnines" (Aranoethra, Cyrtarachne, Paraplectana, Pasilobus and Poecilopachys), "Mastophorines" (Celaenia, Exechocentrus and Mastophora,), "Nuctenines" (Larinia, Larinioides and Nuctenea), "Zealaraneines" (Colaranea, Cryptaranea, Paralarinia, Zealaranea and two new genera) and "Gasteracanthines" (Augusta, Acrosomoides, Austracantha, Gasteracantha, Isoxya, Macracantha, Madacantha, Parmatergus and Thelacantha). Few of these groups are currently corroborated by morphology, behaviour, natural history or biogeography. We also include the large genus Araneus, along with Aculepeira, Agalenatea, Anepsion, Araniella, Cercidia, Chorizopes, Cyclosa, Dolophones, Eriovixia, Eustala, Gibbaranea, Hingstepeira, Hypognatha, Kaira, Larinia, Mangora, Metazygia, Metepeira, Neoscona, Paraplectanoides, Perilla, Poltys, Pycnacantha, Spilasma and Telaprocera, but the placement of these genera was generally ambiguous, except for Paraplectanoides, which is strongly supported as sister to traditional Nephilinae. Araneus, Argiope, Eriophora and Larinia are polyphyletic, Araneus implying nine new taxa of genus rank, and Eriophora and Larinia two each. In Araneus and Eriophora, polyphyly was usually due to north temperate generic concepts being used as dumping grounds for species from southern hemisphere regions, e.g. South-East Asia, Australia or New Zealand. Although Araneidae is one of the better studied spider families, too little natural history and/or morphological data are available across these terminals to draw any strong evolutionary conclusions. However, the classical orb web is reconstructed as plesiomorphic for Araneidae, with a single loss in "cyrtarachnines"-"mastophorines". Web decorations (collectively known as stabilimenta) evolved perhaps five times. Sexual dimorphism generally results from female body size increase with few exceptions; dimorphic taxa are not monophyletic and revert to monomorphism in a few cases.

A multicomponent intervention to decrease sedentary time during hospitalization: a quasi-experimental pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effects of a multicomponent intervention to decrease sedentary time during and shortly after hospitalization. DESIGN: This is a quasi-experimental pilot study comparing outcomes in patients admitted before and after the implementation of the intervention. SETTING: The study was conducted in a university hospital. SUBJECTS: Participants were adult patients undergoing elective organ transplantation or vascular surgery. INTERVENTIONS: In the control phase, patients received usual care, whereas in the intervention phase, patients also received a multicomponent intervention to decrease sedentary time. The intervention comprised eight elements: paper and digital information, an exercise movie, an activity planner, a pedometer and Fitbit Flex™, a personal activity coach and an individualized digital training program. MEASURES: Measures of feasiblity were the self-reported use of the intervention components (yes/no) and satisfaction (low-high = 0-10). Main outcome measure was the median % of sedentary time measured by an accelerometer worn during hospitalization and 7-14 days thereafter. RESULTS: A total of 42 controls (mean age = 59 years, 62% male) and 52 intervention patients (58 years, 52%) were included. The exercise movie, paper information and Fitbit Flex were the three most frequently used components, with highest satisfaction scores for the fitbit, paper information, exercise movie and digital training. Median sedentary time decreased from 99.6% to 95.7% and 99.3% to 91.0% between Days 1 and 6 in patients admitted in the control and intervention phases, respectively. The difference at Day 6 reached statistical significance (difference = 41 min/day, P = 0.01). No differences were seen after discharge. CONCLUSION: Implementing a multicomponent intervention to reduce sedentary time appeared feasible and may be effective during but not directly after hospitalization.

Thermodynamically accessible titanium clusters TiN, N = 2-32.

We have performed a genetic algorithm search on the tight-binding interatomic potential energy surface (PES) for small TiN (N = 2-32) clusters. The low energy candidate clusters were further refined using density functional theory (DFT) calculations with the PBEsol exchange-correlation functional and evaluated with the PBEsol0 hybrid functional. The resulting clusters were analysed in terms of their structural features, growth mechanism and surface area. The results suggest a growth mechanism that is based on forming coordination centres by interpenetrating icosahedra, icositetrahedra and Frank-Kasper polyhedra. We identify centres of coordination, which act as centres of bulk nucleation in medium sized clusters and determine the morphological features of the cluster.

Safety and efficacy of Cerebrolysin in early post-stroke recovery: a meta-analysis of nine randomized clinical trials.

This meta-analysis combines the results of nine ischemic stroke trials, assessing efficacy of Cerebrolysin on global neurological improvement during early post-stroke period. Cerebrolysin is a parenterally administered neuropeptide preparation approved for treatment of stroke. All included studies had a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design. The patients were treated with 30-50 ml Cerebrolysin once daily for 10-21 days, with treatment initiation within 72 h after onset of ischemic stroke. For five studies, original analysis data were available for meta-analysis (individual patient data analysis); for four studies, aggregate data were used. The combination by meta-analytic procedures was pre-planned and the methods of synthesis were pre-defined under blinded conditions. Search deadline for the present meta-analysis was December 31, 2016. The nonparametric Mann-Whitney (MW) effect size for National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) on day 30 (or 21), combining the results of nine randomized, controlled trials by means of the robust Wei-Lachin pooling procedure (maximin-efficient robust test), indicated superiority of Cerebrolysin as compared with placebo (MW 0.60, P < 0.0001, N = 1879). The combined number needed to treat for clinically relevant changes in early NIHSS was 7.7 (95% CI 5.2 to 15.0). The additional full-scale ordinal analysis of modified Rankin Scale at day 90 in moderate to severe patients resulted in MW 0.61 with statistical significance in favor of Cerebrolysin (95% CI 0.52 to 0.69, P = 0.0118, N = 314). Safety aspects were comparable to placebo. Our meta-analysis confirms previous evidence that Cerebrolysin has a beneficial effect on early global neurological deficits in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

A randomized trial of bevacizumab for newly diagnosed glioblastoma.

BACKGROUND: Concurrent treatment with temozolomide and radiotherapy followed by maintenance temozolomide is the standard of care for patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma. Bevacizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor A, is currently approved for recurrent glioblastoma. Whether the addition of bevacizumab would improve survival among patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma is not known. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we treated adults who had centrally confirmed glioblastoma with radiotherapy (60 Gy) and daily temozolomide. Treatment with bevacizumab or placebo began during week 4 of radiotherapy and was continued for up to 12 cycles of maintenance chemotherapy. At disease progression, the assigned treatment was revealed, and bevacizumab therapy could be initiated or continued. The trial was designed to detect a 25% reduction in the risk of death and a 30% reduction in the risk of progression or death, the two coprimary end points, with the addition of bevacizumab. RESULTS: A total of 978 patients were registered, and 637 underwent randomization. There was no significant difference in the duration of overall survival between the bevacizumab group and the placebo group (median, 15.7 and 16.1 months, respectively; hazard ratio for death in the bevacizumab group, 1.13). Progression-free survival was longer in the bevacizumab group (10.7 months vs. 7.3 months; hazard ratio for progression or death, 0.79). There were modest increases in rates of hypertension, thromboembolic events, intestinal perforation, and neutropenia in the bevacizumab group. Over time, an increased symptom burden, a worse quality of life, and a decline in neurocognitive function were more frequent in the bevacizumab group. CONCLUSIONS: First-line use of bevacizumab did not improve overall survival in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma. Progression-free survival was prolonged but did not reach the prespecified improvement target. (Funded by the National Cancer Institute; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00884741.).

Safety and efficacy of Cerebrolysin in motor function recovery after stroke: a meta-analysis of the CARS trials.

This meta-analysis combines the results of two identical stroke studies (CARS-1 and CARS-2) assessing efficacy of Cerebrolysin on motor recovery during early rehabilitation. Cerebrolysin is a parenterally administered neuropeptide preparation approved for the treatment of stroke. Both studies had a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design. Treatment with 30 ml Cerebrolysin once daily for 3 weeks was started 24-72 h after stroke onset. In addition, patients participated in a standardized rehabilitation program for 21 days that was initiated within 72 h after stroke onset. For both studies, the original analysis data were used for meta-analysis (individual patient data analysis). The combination of these two studies by meta-analytic procedures was pre-planned, and the methods were pre-defined under blinded conditions. The nonparametric Mann-Whitney (MW) effect size of the two studies on the ARAT score on day 90 indicated superiority of Cerebrolysin compared with placebo (MW 0.62, P < 0.0001, Wei-Lachin pooling procedure, day 90, last observation carried forward; N = 442). Also, analysis of early benefit at day 14 and day 21 by means of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, which is regarded as most sensitive to early improvements, showed statistical significance (MW 0.59, P < 0.002). The corresponding number-needed-to-treat (NNT) for clinically relevant changes in early NIHSS was 7.1 (95% CI: 4 to 22). Cerebrolysin had a beneficial effect on motor function and neurological status in early rehabilitation patients after acute ischemic stroke. Safety aspects were comparable to placebo, showing a favourable benefit/risk ratio.

Cerebrolysin and Recovery After Stroke (CARS): A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Multicenter Trial.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aim of this trial was to investigate whether stroke patients who receive Cerebrolysin show improved motor function in the upper extremities at day 90 compared with patients who receive a placebo. METHODS: This study was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter, parallel-group study. Patients were treated with Cerebrolysin (30 mL/d) or a placebo (saline) once daily for 21 days, beginning at 24 to 72 hours after stroke onset. The patients also participated in a standardized rehabilitation program for 21 days that was initiated within 72 hours after stroke onset. The primary end point was the Action Research Arm Test score on day 90. RESULTS: The nonparametric effect size on the Action Research Arm Test score on day 90 indicated a large superiority of Cerebrolysin compared with the placebo (Mann-Whitney estimator, 0.71; 95% confidence interval, 0.63-0.79; P<0.0001). The multivariate effect size on global status, as assessed using 12 different outcome scales, indicated a small-to-medium superiority of Cerebrolysin (Mann-Whitney estimator, 0.62; 95% confidence interval, 0.58-0.65; P<0.0001). The rate of premature discontinuation was <5% (3.8%). Cerebrolysin was safe and well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Cerebrolysin had a beneficial effect on function and global outcome in early rehabilitation patients after stroke. Its safety was comparable with that of the placebo, suggesting a favorable benefit/risk ratio. Because this study was exploratory and had a relatively small sample size, the results should be confirmed in a large-scale, randomized clinical trial. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu. Unique identifier: 2007-000870-21.

Effect of Radiosurgery Alone vs Radiosurgery With Whole Brain Radiation Therapy on Cognitive Function in Patients With 1 to 3 Brain Metastases: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

IMPORTANCE: Whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) significantly improves tumor control in the brain after stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), yet because of its association with cognitive decline, its role in the treatment of patients with brain metastases remains controversial. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there is less cognitive deterioration at 3 months after SRS alone vs SRS plus WBRT. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: At 34 institutions in North America, patients with 1 to 3 brain metastases were randomized to receive SRS or SRS plus WBRT between February 2002 and December 2013. INTERVENTIONS: The WBRT dose schedule was 30 Gy in 12 fractions; the SRS dose was 18 to 22 Gy in the SRS plus WBRT group and 20 to 24 Gy for SRS alone. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary end point was cognitive deterioration (decline >1 SD from baseline on at least 1 cognitive test at 3 months) in participants who completed the baseline and 3-month assessments. Secondary end points included time to intracranial failure, quality of life, functional independence, long-term cognitive status, and overall survival. RESULTS: There were 213 randomized participants (SRS alone, n = 111; SRS plus WBRT, n = 102) with a mean age of 60.6 years (SD, 10.5 years); 103 (48%) were women. There was less cognitive deterioration at 3 months after SRS alone (40/63 patients [63.5%]) than when combined with WBRT (44/48 patients [91.7%]; difference, -28.2%; 90% CI, -41.9% to -14.4%; P < .001). Quality of life was higher at 3 months with SRS alone, including overall quality of life (mean change from baseline, -0.1 vs -12.0 points; mean difference, 11.9; 95% CI, 4.8-19.0 points; P = .001). Time to intracranial failure was significantly shorter for SRS alone compared with SRS plus WBRT (hazard ratio, 3.6; 95% CI, 2.2-5.9; P < .001). There was no significant difference in functional independence at 3 months between the treatment groups (mean change from baseline, -1.5 points for SRS alone vs -4.2 points for SRS plus WBRT; mean difference, 2.7 points; 95% CI, -2.0 to 7.4 points; P = .26). Median overall survival was 10.4 months for SRS alone and 7.4 months for SRS plus WBRT (hazard ratio, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.75-1.38; P = .92). For long-term survivors, the incidence of cognitive deterioration was less after SRS alone at 3 months (5/11 [45.5%] vs 16/17 [94.1%]; difference, -48.7%; 95% CI, -87.6% to -9.7%; P = .007) and at 12 months (6/10 [60%] vs 17/18 [94.4%]; difference, -34.4%; 95% CI, -74.4% to 5.5%; P = .04). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Among patients with 1 to 3 brain metastases, the use of SRS alone, compared with SRS combined with WBRT, resulted in less cognitive deterioration at 3 months. In the absence of a difference in overall survival, these findings suggest that for patients with 1 to 3 brain metastases amenable to radiosurgery, SRS alone may be a preferred strategy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00377156.

Effects of Novel Supramaximal Interval Training Versus Continuous Training on Performance in Preconditioned Collegiate, National, and International Class Rowers.

This investigation compared supramaximal oxygen uptake interval training with continuous training in collegiate, national, and international class rowers. It was hypothesized that 6 supramaximal intensity sessions over 11 days would increase power on selected power measures. After 8 weeks of training for a new season, 10 heavyweight and 6 lightweight rowers were randomized into 2 groups. A ramp test to limit of tolerance to determine peak aerobic power (6 females: 25 W·min; 10 males: 30 W·min) and an all-out 3-minute test to determine peak power, 60-second power, critical power, and work above critical power (W') were performed before and after training. A supramaximal training session consisted of 10 cycles of 10-second work (140% peak aerobic power):5-second recovery followed by 8 minutes of active recovery, and repeated 6 times. The continuous group performed predominantly moderate intensity (below lactate threshold) training. All training was performed on rowing ergometers. Critical power increased pre-to-post supramaximal (Δ7%) and continuous training (Δ9%), respectively (336 ± 59W to 360 ± 59W; 290 ± 73W to 316 ± 74W; p ≤ 0.05), whereas the mean power output from all performance measures increased only after supramaximal training (Δ7%) (464 ± 158W to 496 ± 184W; p ≤ 0.05). Testing also revealed decreased W' (Δ21%) and 60-second power (Δ4%) pre-to-post continuous training only (p ≤ 0.05). No differences (p > 0.05) in peak aerobic power or peak power were observed pre-to-post training in either group. In conclusion, after an 8-week preconditioning period, supramaximal interval training preserved anaerobic capacity compared with predominantly continuous training and elicited similar increases in critical power in rowers.

The importance of maximal leg strength for female athletes when performing drop jumps.

A common suggestion is that a predetermined level of maximal leg strength is required before drop jump (DJ) training can begin. This study sought to examine the relationship between maximal squat strength (1 repetition maximum [RM]) and DJ performance in 15 female rugby players (n = 15). The subjects were tested for 1RM, countermovement jump, squat jump, and DJs from 0.24, 0.36, 0.48, 0.60, 0.72, and 0.84 m. Jump height (JH) was calculated for all jumps and relative peak eccentric force, relative peak concentric force, ground contact time (GCT), and reactive strength index were also calculated for DJs. Pearson correlations were used to examine the relationship between 1RM relative to body mass (BM) (1RM/BM) and JHs, reactive strength index, and GCT during DJs. The subjects were placed in a high strength (HS) or low strength (LS) group depending on whether or not their 1RM/BM was >1 or <1. The T-tests and 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to compare the groups. A Fishers post hoc test was used for the ANOVA with significance set at p < 0.05. A large correlation between JH and 1RM/BM was shown at the 0.84-m dropping height (r = 0.56). A significant overall difference was found between the HS and LS groups for DJ JH with a post hoc analysis revealing a significant difference at the 0.84-m drop height (p = 0.029). It is likely beneficial for female athletes to achieve high levels of maximal leg strength if they are going to use high (>0.8-m) drop heights when performing DJs.

New species of mouse spiders (Araneae: Mygalomorphae: Actinopodidae: Missulena) from the Pilbara region, Western Australia.

Two new species of Mouse Spiders, genus Missulena, from the Pilbara region in Western Australia are described based on morphological features of males. Missulena faulderi sp. nov. and Missulena langlandsi sp. nov. are currently known from a small area in the southern Pilbara only. Mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequence divergence failed in clearly delimiting species in Missulena, but provided a useful, independent line of evidence for taxonomic work in addition to morphology.

The artoriine wolf spiders of Australia: the new genus Kochosa and a key to genera (Araneae: Lycosidae).

A key to the six Australian genera of the wolf spider (Lycosidae Sundevall, 1833) subfamily Artoriinae Framenau, 2007 is provided, now including Artoria Thorell, 1877, Artoriopsis Framenau, 2007, Diahogna Roewer, 1960, Kangarosa Framenau, 2010, Kochosa gen. nov. and Tetralycosa Roewer, 1960. Kochosa gen. nov. is described to include 16 species: K. australia sp. nov. (type species; from New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia), K. aero sp. nov. (Western Australia), K. asterix sp. nov. (New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania and Victoria), K. confusa sp. nov. (Queensland), K. erratum sp. nov. (Queensland), K. fleurae sp. nov. (Victoria), K. mendum sp. nov. (Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland), K. nigra sp. nov. (Queensland), K. obelix sp. nov. (Western Australia), K. queenslandica sp. nov. (Queensland), K. sharae sp. nov. (South Australia), K. tanakai sp. nov. (New South Wales, Queensland), K. tasmaniensis sp. nov. (Tasmania), K. timwintoni sp. nov. (Western Australia), K. tongiorgii sp. nov., (Queensland), and K. westralia sp. nov. (Western Australia). Kochosa gen. nov. differs distinctly from all other genera within the Artoriinae by somatic and genitalic morphology. Most conspicuous is a distinct off-white or yellowish-white cardiac mark on an otherwise generally uniformly dark abdomen. The cardiac mark is rendered by thick black setae, which are particularly dense posteriorly. The tegular apophysis of the male pedipalp is heavily reduced, generally forming a semi-transparent small lobe. In turn, the embolic division is often complex with a variety of apophyses. Kochosa gen. nov. generally inhabit mesic habitats such as temperate and tropical shrubs and forests along the eastern and south-eastern coast and in the south-western parts of Australia.

NRG/RTOG 0837: Randomized, phase II, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of chemoradiation with or without cediranib in newly diagnosed glioblastoma.

Background: A randomized, phase II, placebo-controlled, and blinded clinical trial (NCT01062425) was conducted to determine the efficacy of cediranib, an oral pan-vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, versus placebo in combination with radiation and temozolomide in newly diagnosed glioblastoma. Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma were randomly assigned 2:1 to receive (1) cediranib (20 mg) in combination with radiation and temozolomide; (2) placebo in combination with radiation and temozolomide. The primary endpoint was 6-month progression-free survival (PFS) based on blinded, independent radiographic assessment of postcontrast T1-weighted and noncontrast T2-weighted MRI brain scans and was tested using a 1-sided Z test for 2 proportions. Adverse events (AEs) were evaluated per CTCAE version 4. Results: One hundred and fifty-eight patients were randomized, out of which 9 were ineligible and 12 were not evaluable for the primary endpoint, leaving 137 eligible and evaluable. 6-month PFS was 46.6% in the cediranib arm versus 24.5% in the placebo arm (P = .005). There was no significant difference in overall survival between the 2 arms. There was more grade ≥ 3 AEs in the cediranib arm than in the placebo arm (P = .02). Conclusions: This study met its primary endpoint of prolongation of 6-month PFS with cediranib in combination with radiation and temozolomide versus placebo in combination with radiation and temozolomide. There was no difference in overall survival between the 2 arms.

A simple, assumption-free, and clinically interpretable approach for analysis of modified Rankin outcomes.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There is debate regarding the approach for analysis of modified Rankin scale scores, the most common functional outcome scale used in acute stroke trials. METHODS: We propose to use tests to assess treatment differences addressing the metric, "if a patient is chosen at random from each treatment group and if they have different outcomes, what is the chance the patient who received the investigational treatment will have a better outcome than will the patient receiving the standard treatment?" This approach has an associated statement of treatment efficacy easily understood by patients and clinicians, and leads to statistical testing of treatment differences by tests closely related to the Mann-Whitney U test (Wilcoxon Rank-Sum test), which can be tested precisely by permutation tests (randomization tests). RESULTS: We show that a permutation test is as powerful as are other approaches assessing ordinal outcomes of the modified Rankin scores, and we provide data from several examples contrasting alternative approaches. DISCUSSION: Whereas many approaches to analysis of modified Rankin scores outcomes have generally similar statistical performance, this proposed approach: captures information from the ordinal scale, provides a powerful clinical interpretation understood by both patients and clinicians, has power at least equivalent to other ordinal approaches, avoids assumptions in the parameterization, and provides an interpretable parameter based on the same foundation as the calculation of the probability value.

A phase II trial of thalidomide and procarbazine in adult patients with recurrent or progressive malignant gliomas.

Thalidomide and procarbazine have demonstrated single agent activity against malignant gliomas (MG). We evaluated the combination of thalidomide and procarbazine with a single arm phase II trial in adults with recurrent or progressive MG. Procarbazine was given at a dose of 250 mg/m(2)/d × 5day q 28 days. Thalidomide was administered at a dose of 200 mg/day continuously. Intrapatient dose escalation of thalidomide was attempted (increase by 100 mg/day weekly as tolerated) to a maximum of 800 mg/day. The primary outcome was tumor response, assessed by MRI and CT. Secondary outcomes were progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and toxicity. In addition, quality of life questionnaires were performed at baseline and prior to each odd cycle in all treated patients. Eighteen patients (median age of 50) were accrued and received a total of 36 cycles (median 2) of therapy. The median maximum thalidomide dose achieved was 400 mg (range 0-800). No complete or partial responses were seen. One patient (6%) experienced stable disease, fourteen (78%) progressed as best response and three (17%) were not evaluable for response. Median time to progression was 2.1 months (95% CI, 1.5-2.5). Seventeen patients have died (one patient lost to follow-up after progression); median survival from enrollment was 7.6 months (95% CI, 3.5-9.4). Grade 3/4 drug related toxicity was minimal. Quality of life diminished over time. The combination of thalidomide and procarbazine demonstrated no efficacy in this trial.

The effect of drag suit training on 50-m freestyle performance.

Little research has evaluated the effects of drag suit training in swimming; these effects need to be explored further to optimize their use in training. For this 5-week training study, 18 subjects were divided evenly into 2 groups: control group and drag suit-trained group. Both groups performed weekly training routines that included 3 sprint sets. These sprint sets were performed by both the groups; however, the drag suit training group wore the drag suit, and the control group wore their typical training attire. We evaluated the swimmers' 50-m performance using a test set of six 50-m sprints on a 10-minute interval before and after the training program. The test set was performed twice (on 2 different days) where the swimmers were tested once in the drag suit and once in their regular training attire; the order of testing was randomized. Final time, stroke rate, and distance per stroke were collected. We observed that the drag suit-trained group exhibited a statistically significant decrease in distance per stoke while wearing the drag suit and the control group showed a significant increase in stroke rate and decrease in distance per stroke (in both suits). It is suggested to include some amounts of drag suit training in periods where swimming volume may decrease. Sets that are short in distance and performed at high intensity with sufficient rest to allow swimmers to maintain high stroke integrity should help athletes maintain techniques. We suggest incorporating the drag suit into the training regimen and should be considered a valuable resistive training device for swimming.

[Segmental arterial mediolysis: pathogenesis of aneurysms and dissections in patients younger than 60 years]. / Segmental mediolytische Arteriopathie - Ursachenforschung bei unter 60-jährigen Patienten mit Aneurysmen und Dissektionen.

BACKGROUND: Complications deriving from arterial aneurysm and dissection without signs of atherosclerosis are rare clinical entities. In recent literature case reports show a descriptive similarity of pathological findings summarized as segmental arterial mediolysis (SAM). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to answer the question whether, among 16 patients suffering from SAM histological findings corresponded and assess causality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a prospective prognostic trial sixteen patients were enrolled between 1st January 2008 and 31st October 2011. Inclusion criteria were a lack of atherosclerosis, age under 60 and clinical findings. Most of these sixteen patients were treated as emergency cases of life-threatening blood loss or organ system ischemia. Thirteen of the patients were male, 3 female and their average age was 44 (28-59) years. Localisation of the segmental aneurysm or dissection showed a broad variability from central to renovisceral and peripheral lesions. Imaging diagnostics (e.g., US and CT-A) were complemented by exclusion of positive family history, connective tissue diseases and autoimmune or inflammative disorders. In 8 patients with open vascular reconstructions, it was possible to obtain a biopsy from the target lesion to analyse morphological and immunochemical expression levels (e.g., MMP1-12, vWF, vSMC or CD 68). RESULTS: None of the patients died nor had described familiar associations. Even the examination of twins with sCAD showed no coincidence. Differential diagnostic findings were excluded. All patients agreed to undergo human genetic screening. The 8 biopsy tissues showed homogeneously mediolysis with focal and increasingly confluent lesions. Main findings were that the vessel wall layering was destroyed and that capillarisation was initiated from the adventitial layer. Furthermore, all patients suffered from hypertension associated to the SAM, or developed it during surveillance. CONCLUSION: SAM is a rare, life-threatening diagnosis and has to be taken into consideration in young patients with aneurysm and dissection of unusual locations. Rare vascular diseases should have a forum in future investigations which might highlight molecular genetic triggers and associated diseases, e.g., hypertension and aortic type B dissection.

Revision of the new Australasian orb-weaving spider genus Salsa (Araneae, Araneidae).

A new Australasian genus in the orb-weaving spider family Araneidae Clerck, 1757 is described to include seven species: Salsafuliginata (L. Koch, 1871) comb. nov. (type species; = Epeirarubicundula Keyserling, 1887) syn. nov.) (Australia, introduced to New Zealand); S.brisbanae (L. Koch, 1867) comb. nov. (Australia); S.canalae (Berland, 1924) comb. nov. (New Caledonia); S.neneba sp. nov. (Papua New Guinea); S.recherchensis (Main, 1954) comb. nov. (Australia); S.rueda sp. nov. (Australia); and S.tartara sp. nov. (Australia; Lord Howe Island endemic). Salsa gen. nov. belongs to the Australasian informal backobourkiine clade and differs from other genera of this clade by a distinct abdominal shape (single posterior abdominal tubercle) and ventral colouration (pale lateral spindle-shaped bands), male pedipalp morphology (C-shaped median apophysis that has teeth-like tubercles inside the basal arch) and the shape of the female epigyne scape (partially translucent and generally shorter than the epigyne plate). Based mainly on male pedipalp morphology within the backobourkiines, Salsa gen. nov. has closest morphological affinities with Acroaspis Karsch, 1878 and Socca Framenau, Castanheira & Vink, 2022.

Two new species in the orb-weaving spider genus Larinia Simon, 1874 (Araneae, Araneidae) from Western Australia.

Two new species in the orb-weaving spider genus Larinia Simon, 1874 are described, L. sexta n. sp. and L. tumulus n. sp. This elevates the Australian number of described species in the genus to seven. With the exception of two females of L. sexta n. sp. recorded from mainland Western Australia, both species have so far exclusively been found on Barrow Island, 50 km off the north-western Western Australian coast where a third species, L. montagui Hogg, 1914, also occurs. Both new species appear to favour spinifex (Triodia spp.) grassland, but specimen numbers in collections are too low to accurately characterize life history patterns and habitat preferences.

A taxonomic revision of the tube-web spiders of the genus Ariadna (Araneae: Segestriidae) in Tasmania.

The genus Ariadna Audouin, 1826 is revised for Tasmania to include 13 species, ten of which are described as new: Ariadna abbreviata sp. nov., A. alta sp. nov., A. amabilia sp. nov., A. crypticola sp. nov., A. ferrogrisea sp. nov., A. fragilis sp. nov., A. gonzo sp. nov., A. muscosa Hickman, 1929, A. segmentata Simon, 1893, A. subnubilum sp. nov., A. thylacinus sp. nov. and A. tigrina sp. nov.. The species described in this manuscript exhibit high levels of sympatry.