Browse publications by year: 2017

  1. Ankathil R
    Pharmgenomics Pers Med, 2017;10:169-181.
    PMID: 28546766 DOI: 10.2147/PGPM.S105208
    Despite improvements in treatment of different types of leukemia, not all patients respond optimally for a particular treatment. Some treatments will work better for some, while being harmful or ineffective for others. This is due to genetic variation in the form of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that affect gene expression or function and cause inherited interindividual differences in the metabolism and disposition of drugs. Drug transporters are one of the determinants governing the pharmacokinetic profile of chemotherapeutic drugs. The ABCB1 transporter gene transports a wide range of drugs, including drugs used in leukemia treatment. Polymorphisms in the ABCB1 gene do affect intrinsic resistance and pharmacokinetics of several drugs used in leukemia treatment protocols and thereby affect the efficacy of treatment and event-free survival. This review focuses on the impact of three commonly occurring SNPs (1236C>T, 2677G>T/A, and 3435C>T) of ABCB1 on treatment response of various types of leukemia. From the literature available, some of the genotypes and haplotypes of these SNPs have been found to be potential determinants of interindividual variability in drug disposition and pharmacologic response in different types of leukemia. However, due to inconsistencies in the results observed across the studies, additional studies, considering novel genomic methodologies, comprehensive definition of clinical phenotypes, adequate sample size, and uniformity in all the confounding factors, are warranted.
  2. Maina S, Edwards OR, de Almeida L, Ximenes A, Jones RAC
    Genome Announc, 2017 Jun 15;5(24).
    PMID: 28619789 DOI: 10.1128/genomeA.00483-17
    We present here the first complete Squash leaf curl China virus (SLCCV) genomic segment DNA-A sequence from East Timor. It was isolated from a pumpkin plant. When compared with 15 complete SLCCV DNA-A genome sequences from other world regions, it most resembled the Malaysian isolate MC1 sequence.
  3. Pangestika NW, Atmowidi T, Kahono S
    Trop Life Sci Res, 2017 Jul;28(2):179-187.
    PMID: 28890769 DOI: 10.21315/tlsr2017.28.2.13
    The genera of stingless bees play an important role as pollinators of plants. These bees are actively involved in the pollination of agricultural crops and known to have preferences in selecting flowers to pollinate. The aims of this study were to analyse the pollen load and flower constancy in Tetragonula laeviceps, Lepidotrigona terminata, and Heterotrigona itama. Each individual of species stingless bees collected and was put in a 1.5 mL micro-tube contain 0.5 mL 70% ethanol:glycerol (4:1). Pollen loads on each individual of stingless bees was counted by hemocytometer. Flower constancy of stingless bees was measured based on percentage of pollen type loaded on the body. Results showed that the pollen loads of H. itama was the highest (31392 pollen grains) followed by L. terminata (23017 pollen grains) and T. laeviceps (8015 pollen grains). These species also demonstrated different flower constancy, T. laeviceps on Poaceae flowers (76.49%), L. terminata on Euphorbiaceae flowers (80.46%), and H. itama on Solanaceae flowers (83.33%).
  4. Marij Z, Aurangzeb Q, Rizwan HR, Haroon R, Pervaiz MH
    Malays Orthop J, 2017 Mar;11(1):52-56.
    PMID: 28435575 DOI: 10.5704/MOJ.1703.021
    INTRODUCTION: Trigger finger is a common cause of pain and disability of the hand. Percutaneous release results in earlier functional recovery and patient satisfaction. This is a rapid and cost-effective method which saves a surgical procedure and results in better functional outcome.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective observational study conducted on fifty-two fingers and thumbs in 52 patients treated from 1st July 2014 till 31st December 2014, in the Orthopaedic Section, Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. All the baseline characteristics of the patients, like demographics, symptoms, Quinell's criteria and functional outcome were recorded. The patients were treated at our hospital with trigger finger, managed with percutaneous release using an 18 gauge needle and followed up for a minimum period of three months. The follow-up information included range of motion scoring, patient satisfaction and overall outcome of the procedure in terms of patient acceptance. The data was analyzed to determine the functional outcome at three months.

    RESULTS: There was complete release of A1 pulleys in 52 out of 52 digits (100%) in the patients undergoing percutaneous release and significant patient satisfaction. No recurrence was observed.

    CONCLUSION: Percutaneous release of trigger finger with needle was not only associated with excellent functional outcome and recovery in terms of patient satisfaction and range of finger motion three months post-procedure but also was found to be cost effective.

  5. Bespyatykh JA, Shitikov EA, Ilina EN
    Acta Naturae, 2017;9(1):15-25.
    PMID: 28461970
    The physiology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis, is being studied with intensity. However, despite the genomic and transcriptomic data available today, the pathogenic potential of these bacteria remains poorly understood. Therefore, proteomic approaches seem relevant in studying mycobacteria. This review covers the main stages in the proteomic analysis methods used to study mycobacteria. The main achievements in the area of M. tuberculosis proteomics are described in general. Special attention is paid to the proteomic features of the Beijing family, which is widespread in Russia. Considering that the proteome is a set of all the proteins in the cell, post-translational modifications of mycobacterium proteins are also described.
  6. Govoni V, Sanders TAB, Reidlinger DP, Darzi J, Berry SEE, Goff LM, et al.
    Eur J Nutr, 2017 Apr;56(3):1037-1044.
    PMID: 26746219 DOI: 10.1007/s00394-015-1151-3
    PURPOSE: Healthy microcirculation is important to maintain the health of tissues and organs, most notably the heart, kidney and retina. Single components of the diet such as salt, lipids and polyphenols may influence microcirculation, but the effects of dietary patterns that are consistent with current dietary guidelines are uncertain. It was hypothesized that compliance to UK dietary guidelines would have a favourable effect on skin capillary density/recruitment compared with a traditional British diet (control diet).

    METHODS: A 12-week randomized controlled trial in men and women aged 40-70 years was used to test whether skin microcirculation, measured by skin video-capillaroscopy on the dorsum of the finger, influenced functional capillary density (number of capillaries perfused under basal conditions), structural capillary density (number of anatomical capillaries perfused during finger cuff inflation) and capillary recruitment (percentage difference between structural and functional capillary density).

    RESULTS: Microvascular measures were available for 137 subjects out of the 165 participants randomized to treatment. There was evidence of compliance to the dietary intervention, and participants randomized to follow dietary guidelines showed significant falls in resting supine systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressure of 3.5, 2.6 and 2.9 mmHg compared to the control diet. There was no evidence of differences in capillary density, but capillary recruitment was 3.5 % (95 % CI 0.2, 6.9) greater (P = 0.04) on dietary guidelines compared with control.

    CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to dietary guidelines may help maintain a healthy microcirculation in middle-aged men and women. This study is registered at www.isrctn.com as ISRCTN92382106.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Capillaries/physiology*; Diet; Female; Humans; Male; Microcirculation*; Middle Aged; Patient Compliance*; Skin/blood supply*; Diet Records; Body Mass Index; Nutrition Policy*; Microscopic Angioscopy; Endpoint Determination
  7. Chow YY, Rahman S, Ting AS
    J Adv Res, 2017 Jan;8(1):13-21.
    PMID: 27895938
    This study aimed to establish the colonization behavior and proliferation potential of three endophytes and one pathogen Ganoderma boninense (Gb) introduced into oil palm ramets (host model). The endophytes selected were Diaporthe phaseolorum (WAA02), Trichoderma asperellum (T2), and Penicillium citrinum (BTF08). Ramets were first inoculated with 100 mL of fungal cells (106 cfu mL-1) via soil drenching. For the next 7 days, ramets were sampled and subjected to three different assays to detect and identify fungal colonization, and establish their proliferation potential in planta. Plate assay revealed the presence of endophytes in root, stem and leaf tissues within 7 days after inoculation. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) detected and identified the isolates from the plant tissues. The ergosterol assay (via high performance liquid chromatography, HPLC) confirmed the presence of endophytes and Gb in planta. The increase in ergosterol levels throughout 49 days was however insignificant, suggesting that proliferation may be absent or may occur very slowly in planta. This study strongly suggests that the selected endophytes could colonize the host upon inoculation, but proliferation occurs at a slower rate, which may subsequently influence the biocontrol expression of endophytes against the pathogen.
  8. Schüz J, Fored M
    Methods Inf Med, 2017 Aug 11;56(4):328-329.
    PMID: 28726979 DOI: 10.3414/ME17-14-0004
    BACKGROUND: This accompanying editorial is an introduction to the focus theme of "chronic disease registries - trends and challenges".

    METHODS: A call for papers was announced on the website of Methods of Information in Medicine in April 2016 with submission deadline in September 2016. A peer review process was established to select the papers for the focus theme, managed by two guest editors.

    RESULTS: Three papers were selected to be included in the focus theme. Topics range from contributions to patient care through implementation of clinical decision support functionality in clinical registries; analysing similar-purposed acute coronary syndrome registries of two countries and their registry-to-SNOMED CT maps; and data extraction for speciality population registries from electronic health record data rather than manual abstraction.

    CONCLUSIONS: The focus theme gives insight into new developments related to disease registration. This applies to technical challenges such as data linkage and data as well as data structure abstraction, but also the utilisation for clinical decision making.

    MeSH terms: Chronic Disease/epidemiology*; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Registries*; Sweden/epidemiology; Tuberculosis/drug therapy; HIV Infections/drug therapy; Decision Support Systems, Clinical; Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine; Electronic Health Records
  9. Eachempati P, Ks KK, Komattil R, Ismail ARH
    MedEdPublish (2016), 2017;6:194.
    PMID: 38406437 DOI: 10.15694/mep.2017.000194
    This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. Millennials are the most prevalent generation of medical learners today. These individuals have a unique outlook on education and have different preferences and expectations than their predecessors. The majority of our learners belong to the Millennial Generation, while most faculty belongs to the Baby Boomer or Generation X cohorts. Millennial learners have distinct perspectives on their learning needs that differ with their faculty's perspectives on teaching and learning. These learning differences may contribute to intergenerational conflict. In order to be successful teachers, it is important to educate ourselves on these generational differences and cater to the needs of the learners. Heutagogy is a self-determined approach of learning, which appears to suit the millennial learners. Derived from the word " Heureskein" which means to discover, the term heutagogy was coined to describe self-learning, independent of formal teaching. This adds yet another learning theory to the established fields of pedagogy (child learning) and andragogy (adult learning). Heutagogy acknowledges that learner do immensely valuable work for themselves by filling in the gaps of their formal education through discovery and reflection. Heutagogy offers models of learning that are (1) self-determined, (2) peer-led, and (3) non-linear. These characteristics map onto social media applications and the democratization of knowledge and information. Heutagogical approach is an extension of the traditional andragogical and adult learning frameworks through its emphasis on meta learning, or learning how to learn. This article presents the paradigm shift of educational strategies from pedagogy to andragogy to heutagogy and focuses on the ground principles governing heutagogy. It also describes an innovative case study where principles of heutagogy were applied to train dental students using Facebook.
  10. Zulkefli MA, Mohamed MA, Siow KS, Yeop Majlis B, Kulothungan J, Muruganathan M, et al.
    Micromachines (Basel), 2017 Jul 31;8(8).
    PMID: 30400428 DOI: 10.3390/mi8080236
    The miniaturization trend leads to the development of a graphene based nanoelectromechanical (NEM) switch to fulfill the high demand in low power device applications. In this article, we highlight the finite element (FEM) simulation of the graphene-based NEM switches of fixed-fixed ends design with beam structures which are perforated and intact. Pull-in and pull-out characteristics are analyzed by using the FEM approach provided by IntelliSuite software, version 8.8.5.1. The FEM results are consistent with the published experimental data. This analysis shows the possibility of achieving a low pull-in voltage that is below 2 V for a ratio below 15:0.03:0.7 value for the graphene beam length, thickness, and air gap thickness, respectively. The introduction of perforation in the graphene beam-based NEM switch further achieved the pull-in voltage as low as 1.5 V for a 250 nm hole length, 100 nm distance between each hole, and 12-number of hole column. Then, a von Mises stress analysis is conducted to investigate the mechanical stability of the intact and perforated graphene-based NEM switch. This analysis shows that a longer and thinner graphene beam reduced the von Mises stress. The introduction of perforation concept further reduced the von Mises stress at the graphene beam end and the beam center by approximately ~20⁻35% and ~10⁻20%, respectively. These theoretical results, performed by FEM simulation, are expected to expedite improvements in the working parameter and dimension for low voltage and better mechanical stability operation of graphene-based NEM switch device fabrication.
  11. Agha RA, Borrelli MR, Vella-Baldacchino M, Thavayogan R, Orgill DP, STROCSS Group
    Int J Surg, 2017 Oct;46:198-202.
    PMID: 28890409 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2017.08.586
    INTRODUCTION: The development of reporting guidelines over the past 20 years represents a major advance in scholarly publishing with recent evidence showing positive impacts. Whilst over 350 reporting guidelines exist, there are few that are specific to surgery. Here we describe the development of the STROCSS guideline (Strengthening the Reporting of Cohort Studies in Surgery).

    METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We published our protocol apriori. Current guidelines for case series (PROCESS), cohort studies (STROBE) and randomised controlled trials (CONSORT) were analysed to compile a list of items which were used as baseline material for developing a suitable checklist for surgical cohort guidelines. These were then put forward in a Delphi consensus exercise to an expert panel of 74 surgeons and academics via Google Forms.

    RESULTS: The Delphi exercise was completed by 62% (46/74) of the participants. All the items were passed in a single round to create a STROCSS guideline consisting of 17 items.

    CONCLUSION: We present the STROCSS guideline for surgical cohort, cross-sectional and case-control studies consisting of a 17-item checklist. We hope its use will increase the transparency and reporting quality of such studies. This guideline is also suitable for cross-sectional and case control studies. We encourage authors, reviewers, journal editors and publishers to adopt these guidelines.

    MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies; Delphi Technique; Humans; General Surgery*; Cohort Studies*; Guidelines as Topic*
  12. Chew BH, Vos RC, Metzendorf MI, Scholten RJ, Rutten GE
    Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2017 Sep 27;9(9):CD011469.
    PMID: 28954185 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD011469.pub2
    BACKGROUND: Many adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) experience a psychosocial burden and mental health problems associated with the disease. Diabetes-related distress (DRD) has distinct effects on self-care behaviours and disease control. Improving DRD in adults with T2DM could enhance psychological well-being, health-related quality of life, self-care abilities and disease control, also reducing depressive symptoms.

    OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of psychological interventions for diabetes-related distress in adults with T2DM.

    SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, BASE, WHO ICTRP Search Portal and ClinicalTrials.gov. The date of the last search was December 2014 for BASE and 21 September 2016 for all other databases.

    SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on the effects of psychological interventions for DRD in adults (18 years and older) with T2DM. We included trials if they compared different psychological interventions or compared a psychological intervention with usual care. Primary outcomes were DRD, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and adverse events. Secondary outcomes were self-efficacy, glycosylated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), blood pressure, diabetes-related complications, all-cause mortality and socioeconomic effects.

    DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently identified publications for inclusion and extracted data. We classified interventions according to their focus on emotion, cognition or emotion-cognition. We performed random-effects meta-analyses to compute overall estimates.

    MAIN RESULTS: We identified 30 RCTs with 9177 participants. Sixteen trials were parallel two-arm RCTs, and seven were three-arm parallel trials. There were also seven cluster-randomised trials: two had four arms, and the remaining five had two arms. The median duration of the intervention was six months (range 1 week to 24 months), and the median follow-up period was 12 months (range 0 to 12 months). The trials included a wide spectrum of interventions and were both individual- and group-based.A meta-analysis of all psychological interventions combined versus usual care showed no firm effect on DRD (standardised mean difference (SMD) -0.07; 95% CI -0.16 to 0.03; P = 0.17; 3315 participants; 12 trials; low-quality evidence), HRQoL (SMD 0.01; 95% CI -0.09 to 0.11; P = 0.87; 1932 participants; 5 trials; low-quality evidence), all-cause mortality (11 per 1000 versus 11 per 1000; risk ratio (RR) 1.01; 95% CI 0.17 to 6.03; P = 0.99; 1376 participants; 3 trials; low-quality evidence) or adverse events (17 per 1000 versus 41 per 1000; RR 2.40; 95% CI 0.78 to 7.39; P = 0.13; 438 participants; 3 trials; low-quality evidence). We saw small beneficial effects on self-efficacy and HbA1c at medium-term follow-up (6 to 12 months): on self-efficacy the SMD was 0.15 (95% CI 0.00 to 0.30; P = 0.05; 2675 participants; 6 trials; low-quality evidence) in favour of psychological interventions; on HbA1c there was a mean difference (MD) of -0.14% (95% CI -0.27 to 0.00; P = 0.05; 3165 participants; 11 trials; low-quality evidence) in favour of psychological interventions. Our included trials did not report diabetes-related complications or socioeconomic effects.Many trials were small and were at high risk of bias for incomplete outcome data as well as possible performance and detection biases in the subjective questionnaire-based outcomes assessment, and some appeared to be at risk of selective reporting. There are four trials awaiting further classification. These are parallel RCTs with cognition-focused and emotion-cognition focused interventions. There are another 18 ongoing trials, likely focusing on emotion-cognition or cognition, assessing interventions such as diabetes self-management support, telephone-based cognitive behavioural therapy, stress management and a web application for problem solving in diabetes management. Most of these trials have a community setting and are based in the USA.

    AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Low-quality evidence showed that none of the psychological interventions would improve DRD more than usual care. Low-quality evidence is available for improved self-efficacy and HbA1c after psychological interventions. This means that we are uncertain about the effects of psychological interventions on these outcomes. However, psychological interventions probably have no substantial adverse events compared to usual care. More high-quality research with emotion-focused programmes, in non-US and non-European settings and in low- and middle-income countries, is needed.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Depression/therapy*; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/blood; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/psychology*; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated/metabolism; Humans; Psychotherapy*; Quality of Life; Self Care/psychology; Stress, Psychological/therapy*; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  13. Dow RA, Stokvis F, Ngiam RWJ
    Zootaxa, 2017 Nov 29;4358(2):201-257.
    PMID: 29245467 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4358.2.1
    The Bornean members of the genus Leptogomphus Selys are revised. Two new species are described: Leptogomphus schieli sp. nov. (holotype ♂, Gunung Penrissen, Kuching Division, Sarawak, Malaysia, to be deposited in BMNH) and Leptogomphus sii sp. nov. (holotype ♂, Sungai Sii, upper Baram, Miri Division, Sarawak, Malaysia, in RMNH). Leptogomphus mariae Lieftinck, 1948 is considered to be a junior synonym of L. coomansi Laidlaw, 1936. The true male of L. pasia van Tol, 1990 is described for the first time; male specimens previously treated as L. pasia or L. cf pasia actually belong to a taxon closely allied to, and possibly merely a form of, L. coomansi. A description is given of the female of another new species, but the species is not named in the absence of the male. Female specimens from south-western Sarawak, similar to L. williamsoni Laidlaw, 1912, are considered likely to also represent a distinct species. The female of L. pendleburyi Laidlaw, 1934 is described for the first time and fresh descriptions of the males of L. coomansi, L. pendleburyi and L. williamsoni, and the female of L. coomansi are given. Keys to both sexes, and distribution maps are given. A molecular analysis of the Bornean species (except L. schieli) using the COI and ITS markers is presented.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Animal Structures; Borneo; Female; Malaysia; Male; Phylogeny; Dipterocarpaceae; Animal Distribution; Odonata*
  14. Łagowska B, Martin JH, Hodgson CJ
    Zootaxa, 2017 Nov 29;4358(2):295-310.
    PMID: 29245470 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4358.2.4
    The adult female, first-instar nymph, second-instar male, third-instar female, pupa and adult male of a new species of Marsipococcus Cockerell & Bueker (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) from Malaysia, M. ulubendulensis Łagowska & Martin sp. n., are described and illustrated, while the second-instar female is only described. Marsipococcus is rediagnosed and a key to the adult females of the four species now placed in this genus is included.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Female; Hemiptera*; Malaysia; Male; Nymph; Pupa
  15. Takaoka H
    Zootaxa, 2017 Nov 24;4353(3):425-446.
    PMID: 29245496 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4353.3.2
    Species of eight species-groups (seven named and one unnamed) of Simulium (Simulium) Latreille are revised chiefly based on the adult female and male genitalia. Four species-groups are each divided into more than two groups. Thus, the S. christophersi species-group is divided into two (S. christophersi and S. nebulicola species-groups), the S. griseifrons species-group into six (S. griseifrons, S. grossifilum, S. chungi, S. crocinum, S. indicum and S. yadongense species-groups), the S. malyschevi species-group into two (S. malyschevi and S. pavlovskii species-groups), and the S. melanopus species-group into three (S. melanopus, S. dumogaense and S. iridescens species-groups). The S. crassifilum species-group is merged with the S. variegatum species-group. Simulium fulvipes (Ono) of the former S. malyschevi species-group and S. dentastylum Yang, Chen & Luo of Simulium s. str. species unplaced to species-group are removed from the subgenus Simulium because their male styles are subequal in length to the coxites. A revised classification of species of the 15 species-groups including eight new species-groups of Simulium (Simulium) is presented. Keys to 20 species-groups of Simulium (Simulium) in the Oriental Region are provided for adult females and males.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Female; Larva; Male; Simuliidae*
  16. Watts CHS, Cooper SJB, Saint KM
    Zootaxa, 2017 Nov 14;4347(3):511-532.
    PMID: 29245582 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4347.3.5
    The phylogenetic relationships of 26 Australian species of Scirtes Illiger, Ora Clark and Exochomoscirtes Pic (Scirtidae) were investigated using adult morphology, particularly male and female genitalia, larval morphology and molecular data from the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene and the nuclear genes elongation factor 1-alpha (EF1- a) and topoisomerase I (TOP1). Four species of Scirtes and one of Ora from Europe, Southeast Asia and Japan were included. The genus Scirtes is shown to be paraphyletic with respect to the genera Ora and Exochomoscirtes. Australian Scirtes were shown to belong to four species groups: Scirtes elegans group (Yoshitomi 2009); S. helmsi group (Watts 2004); S. japonicus group (Nyholm 2002); and S. haemisphaericus group (Yoshitomi 2005). The prehensor and bursal sclerite of 15 species are illustrated as well as habitus illustrations of S. zwicki sp. nov. and S. albamaculatus Watts. Three new species from Australia are described: Scirtes lynnae, S. zwicki and S. serratus spp. nov. Scirtes nehouensis Ruta & Yoshitomi 2010 is synonymised with S. emmaae Watts 2004. Scirtes pygmaeus Watts, 2004 is synonymised with S. pinjarraensis Watts, 2006. Scirtes rutai nom. nov. is proposed as a replacement name for S. beccus Ruta, Kiałka & Yoshitomi, 2014 from Sabah as it is preoccupied by S. beccus Watts, 2004 from Australia.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Australia; Beetles*; Europe; Female; Japan; Malaysia; Male; Phylogeny
  17. Boyd DA, Nithirojpakdee P, Deein G, Vidthayanon C, Grudpan C, Tangjitjaroen W, et al.
    Zootaxa, 2017 Oct 31;4341(2):151-192.
    PMID: 29245684 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4341.2.1
    Acantopsis (Cobitidae) is revised based on analysis of morphological and molecular data. Four of the six available names, A. dialuzona, A. spectabilis, A. octoactinotos, and A. thiemmedhi, are valid, and three new species, A. rungthipae, A. dinema, and A. ioa, are described. All species are described morphologically, distributions are mapped, and relationships are discussed for those for which molecular data (CO1, RAG1) are available. Labial barbels, color pattern, and meristic counts are the most diagnostic features. Although the long snout of Acantopsis is perhaps the most emblematic attribute of the genus, its relative length increases with growth, reducing its taxonomic value. Species can be difficult to identify on the basis of color pattern alone, as habitat and preservation methods appear to strongly influence the color pattern. Despite interspecific overlap of some highly variable traits, each species has a unique set of morphological characteristics that remain observable even when the color pattern is obscured, and some species are restricted to single drainages, greatly simplifying identification. The phylogenetic analyses revealed high molecular divergence between even the most morphologically similar species, with mean uncorrected CO1 p-distances between species ranging from 12.1-15.4%. Species of Acantopsis exhibit significant genetic structuring consistent with recognized freshwater ecoregions. Acanthopsis lachnostoma Rutter 1897, from Swatow, China, is not assignable to Acantopsis.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Asia, Southeastern; China; Cyprinidae; Cypriniformes*; Phylogeny
  18. Ng YF
    Zootaxa, 2017 Oct 31;4341(2):283-286.
    PMID: 29245693 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4341.2.10
    Organothrips stongensis sp. n. is described from Malaysia based on two males. These are sharply bicolored in contrast to other males in this genus, and a key is provided to males of the four known species of this genus. Organothrips was not previously known in Malaysia. Watanabeothrips yasuakii Okajima is also a first record from Malaysia, and differences between these females and the holotype decription are discussed.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Animal Structures; Female; Malaysia; Male; Organ Size; Body Size; Thysanoptera*; Animal Distribution
  19. Nguyen TQ, Pham AV, Ziegler T, Ngo HT, LE MD
    Zootaxa, 2017 Oct 30;4341(1):25-40.
    PMID: 29245698 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4341.1.2
    We describe a new species of Cyrtodactylus on the basis of four specimens collected from the limestone karst forest of Phu Yen District, Son La Province, Vietnam. Cyrtodactylus sonlaensis sp. nov. is distinguished from the remaining Indochinese bent-toed geckos by a combination of the following characters: maximum SVL of 83.2 mm; dorsal tubercles in 13-15 irregular rows; ventral scales in 34-42 rows; ventrolateral folds prominent without interspersed tubercles; enlarged femoral scales 15-17 on each thigh; femoral pores 14-15 on each thigh in males, absent in females; precloacal pores 8, in a continuous row in males, absent in females; postcloacal tubercles 2 or 3; lamellae under toe IV 18-21; dorsal head with dark brown markings, in oval and arched shapes; nuchal loop discontinuous; dorsum with five brown bands between limb insertions, third and fourth bands discontinuous; subcaudal scales distinctly enlarged. In phylogenetic analyses, the new species is nested in a clade consisting of C. huongsonensis and C. soni from northern Vietnam and C. cf. pulchellus from Malaysia based on maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses. In addition, we record Cyrtodactylus otai Nguyen, Le, Pham, Ngo, Hoang, Pham & Ziegler for the first time from Son La Province based on specimens collected from Van Ho District.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Animal Structures; Bayes Theorem; Female; Lizards*; Malaysia; Male; Phylogeny; Vietnam; Ecosystem; Animal Distribution
  20. Dow RA, Choong CY, Ng YF
    Zootaxa, 2017 Oct 24;4338(1):44-50.
    PMID: 29245726 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4338.1.2
    Drepanosticta rahmani sp. nov. (holotype ♂, steep tributary to stream in hills between Baling and Gulai, north west Kedah, Malaysia, 15 xi 2016, leg. R.A. Dow, to be deposited in the Natural History Museum, London) is described from both sexes.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Animal Structures; Female; London; Malaysia; Male; Organ Size; Body Size; Animal Distribution; Odonata*
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