bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Free fatty acid flux measured using [1-11C]palmitate positron emission tomography and [U-13C]palmitate in humans
Authors: Han Qiaojun , Cao Yanli , Gathaiya Nicola , Kemp Bradley J. , Jensen Michael D.
Published: October 2017

PET radiopharmaceuticals can noninvasively measure free fatty acid (FFA) tissue uptake. Investigators often use PET scan-derived data to calculate FFA flux. We tested whether the [1-11C]palmitate PET measures of palmitate flux provide results equivalent to a continuous infusion of [U-13C]palmitate. Nine volunteers participated in study 1 to evaluate whether a rapidly (10–20 s) given bolus of [1-11C]palmitate affects calculated flux results. Thirty volunteers participated in study 2, which was identical to study 1 except that the [1-11C]palmitate bolus was given over 1 min. Volunteers in both studies also received a continuous intravenous infusion of [U-13C]palmitate. Plasma palmitate concentrations and enrichment were measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The PET/CT images were analyzed on a workstation running PMOD. Palmitate flux was estimated using PET time-activity curve (TAC) data from regions of interest in the left ventricle (LV) and aorta both with and without hybrid TACs that employed the11CO2-corrected data for the first 5 min and the11CO2-corrected blood radioactivity for the remainder of the PET scan. Palmitate flux in study 1 measured with PET [1-11C]palmitate and [U-13C]palmitate were not correlated, and the PET [1-11C]palmitate flux was significantly less than the [U-13C]palmitate measured flux. In study 2, the palmitate flux using PET [1-11C]palmitate hybrid LV models provided closer mean estimates of [U-13C]palmitate measured flux. The best PET calculation approaches predicted 64% of the interindividual variance in [U-13C]palmitate measured flux. Palmitate kinetics measured using [1-11C]palmitate/PET do not provide the same palmitate kinetic results as the continuous infusion [U-13C]palmitate approach.
Activity of muscle sympathetic neurons during normotensive pregnancy
Authors: Schmidt Sydney M. L. , Usselman Charlotte W. , Martinek Eric , Stickland Michael K. , Julian Colleen G. , Chari Radha , Khurana Rshmi , Davidge Sandra T. , Davenport Margie H. , Steinback Craig D.
Published: October 2017

In pathological populations, elevated sympathetic activity is associated with increased activity of individual sympathetic neurons. We used custom action potential detection software to analyze multiunit sympathetic activity in 18 normotensive pregnant women (third trimester; 33 ± 5 wk) and 19 nonpregnant women at rest and a subset (10 and 13, respectively) during a cold pressor challenge. Although the number of action potentials per burst and number of active amplitude-based “clusters” were not different between groups, the total number of sympathetic action potentials per minute was higher in pregnant women at rest. Individual clusters were active predominately once per burst, suggesting they represent single neurons. Action potentials occurred in closer succession in normotensive pregnant (interspike interval 36 ± 10 ms) versus nonpregnant women (50 ± 27 ms; P < 0.001) at rest. Pregnant women had a lower total peripheral resistance (11.7 ± 3.0 mmHg·l−1·min) than nonpregnant women (15.1 ± 2.7 mmHg·l−1·min; P < 0.001), indicating a blunted neurovascular transduction. The cold pressor reduced the number of action potentials per burst in both groups due to shortening of the R-R interval in conjunction with increased burst frequency; total neural firing per minute was unchanged. Thus elevated sympathetic activity during normotensive pregnancy is specific to increased incidence of multiunit bursts. This is likely due to decreased central gating of burst output as opposed to generalized increases in central drive. These data also reinforce the concept that pregnancy appears to be the only healthy state of chronic sympathetic hyperactivity of which we are aware.
Sex differences in maternal gestational hypertension-induced sensitization of angiotensin II hypertension in rat offspring: the protective effect of estrogen
Authors: Xue Baojian , Beltz Terry G. , Guo Fang , Johnson Alan Kim
Published: October 2017

Recent studies demonstrate that maternal hypertension during pregnancy sensitizes an angiotensin (ANG) II-induced increase in blood pressure (BP) in adult male offspring that was associated with upregulation of mRNA expression of several renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) components and NADPH oxidase in the lamina terminalis (LT) and paraventricular nucleus (PVN). The purpose of the present study was to test whether there are sex differences in the maternal hypertension-induced sensitization of ANG II hypertension, and whether sex hormones are involved in the sensitization process. Male offspring of hypertensive dams showed an enhanced hypertensive response to systemic ANG II when compared with male offspring of normotensive dams and to female offspring of either normotensive or hypertensive dams. Castration did not alter the hypertensive response to ANG II in male offspring. Intact female offspring had no upregulation of RAAS components and NADPH oxidase in the LT and PVN, whereas ovariectomy (OVX) upregulated mRNA expression of several RAAS components and NADPH oxidase in these nuclei and induced a greater increase in the pressor response to ANG II in female offspring of hypertensive dams compared with female offspring of normotensive dams. This enhanced increase in BP was partially attenuated by 17β-estradiol replacement in the OVX offspring of hypertensive dams. The results suggest that maternal hypertension induces a sex-specific sensitization of ANG II-induced hypertension and mRNA expression of brain RAAS and NADPH oxidase in offspring. Female offspring are protected from maternal hypertension-induced sensitization of ANG II hypertension, and female sex hormones are partially responsible for this protective effect.
Geraniin is a diuretic by inhibiting the Na+-K+-2Cl−cotransporter NKCC2
Authors: Moreno Erika , Gayosso Juan A. , Montejano José R. , Almaguer Georgina , Vázquez Norma , Cruz Cristino , Mercado Adriana , Bobadilla Norma A. , Gamba Gerardo , Sierra Alfredo , Ramírez Victoria
Published: October 2017

Geranium seemannii Peyr is a perennial plant endemic to central Mexico that has been widely used for its diuretic effect, but the responsible compound of this effect is unknown as well as the mechanism by which the diuretic effect is achieved. Geraniin is one of the compounds isolated from this kind of geranium. This study was designed to determinate whether geraniin possesses diuretic activity and to elucidate the mechanism of action. Geraniin was extracted and purified from Geranium seemannii Peyr. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: 1) Control, 2) 75 mg/kg of geraniin, 3) 20 mg/kg of furosemide, and 4) 10 mg/kg of hydrochlorothiazide. Each treatment was administered by gavage every 24 h for 7 days. The urinary excretion of electrolytes and the fractional excretion of sodium (FENa) were determined. To uncover the molecular target of geraniin, Xenopus laevis oocytes were microinjected with cRNAs encoding the Na+-Cl−cotransporter (NCC) and the Na+-K+-2Cl−cotransporter NKCC2 to functionally express these cotransporters. Geraniin significantly increased diuresis, natriuresis, and calciuresis to a similar extent as was observed in the furosemide-treated rats. Consistent with the furosemide-like effect, in X. laevis oocytes, geraniin significantly reduced the activity of NKCC2, with no effect on NCC activity. In contrast to furosemide, the effect of geraniin on NKCC2 was irreversible, apparently due to its inhibitory effect on heat shock protein 90. Our observations suggest that geraniin could have a potential role in the treatment of hypertension or edematous states.
Renal and colonic potassium transporters in the pregnant rat
Authors: West Crystal A. , Welling Paul A. , West David A. , Coleman Richard A. , Cheng Kit-Yan , Chen Chao , DuBose Thomas D. , Verlander Jill W. , Baylis Chris , Gumz Michelle L.
Published: October 2017

Gestational potassium retention, most of which occurs during late pregnancy, is essential for fetal development. The purpose of this study was to examine mechanisms underlying changes in potassium handling by the kidney and colon in pregnancy. We found that potassium intake and renal excretion increased in late pregnancy while fecal potassium excretion remained unchanged and that pregnant rats exhibited net potassium retention. By quantitative PCR we found markedly increased H+-K+-ATPase type 2 (HKA2) mRNA expression in the cortex and outer medullary of late pregnant vs. virgin. Renal outer medullary potassium channel (ROMK) mRNA was unchanged in the cortex, but apical ROMK abundance (by immunofluorescence) was decreased in pregnant vs. virgin in the distal convoluted tubule (DCT) and connecting tubule (CNT). Big potassium-α (BKα) channel-α protein abundance in intercalated cells in the cortex and outer medullary collecting ducts (by immunohistochemistry) fell in late pregnancy. In the distal colon we found increased HKA2 mRNA and protein abundance (Western blot) and decreased BKα protein with no observed changes in mRNA. Therefore, the potassium retention of pregnancy is likely to be due to increased collecting duct potassium reabsorption (via increased HKA2), decreased potassium secretion (via decreased ROMK and BK), as well as increased colonic reabsorption via HKA2.
The fate of nonselected activity in saccadic decisions: distinct goal-related and history-related modulation
Authors: Mégardon Geoffrey , Sumner Petroc
Published: October 2017

The global effect (GE) traditionally refers to the tendency of effectors (e.g., hand, eyes) to first land in between two nearby stimuli, forming a unimodal distribution. By measuring a shift of this distribution, recent studies used the GE to assess the presence of decision-related inputs on the motor map for eye movements. However, this method cannot distinguish whether one stimulus is inhibited or the other is facilitated and could not detect situations where both stimuli are inhibited or facilitated. Here, we detect deviations in the bimodal distribution of landing positions for remote stimuli and find that this bimodal GE reveals the presence, location, and polarity (facilitation or inhibition) of history-related and goal-related modulation of the nonselected activity (e.g., the distractor activity in correct trials, and the target activity in error trials). We tested, for different interstimulus distances, the effect of the rarity of double-stimulus trials and the difference between performing a discrimination task compared with free choice. Our work shows that the effect of rarity is symmetric and decreases with interstimulus distances, while the effect of goal-directed discrimination is asymmetric — occurring only when the distractor is selected for the saccade — and maintained across interstimulus distances. These results suggest that the former effect changes the response property of the motor map, while the latter specifically facilitates the target location.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Deviations in landing positions for saccades to targets and distractors reveal the presence, location and polarity of history-related or goal-related signals. Goal-directed discrimination appears to facilitate the target location, rather than inhibiting the distractor location, Rare occurrence of a choice appears to indiscriminately increase the neural response for both locations.
Intrinsic physiology of inhibitory neurons changes over auditory development
Authors: Carroll Briana J. , Bertram Richard , Hyson Richard L.
Published: October 2017

During auditory development, changes in membrane properties promote the ability of excitatory neurons in the brain stem to code aspects of sound, including the level and timing of a stimulus. Some of these changes coincide with hearing onset, suggesting that sound-driven neural activity produces developmental plasticity of ion channel expression. While it is known that the coding properties of excitatory neurons are modulated by inhibition in the mature system, it is unknown whether there are also developmental changes in the membrane properties of brain stem inhibitory neurons. We investigated the primary source of inhibition in the avian auditory brain stem, the superior olivary nucleus (SON). The present studies test the hypothesis that, as in excitatory neurons, the membrane properties of these inhibitory neurons change after hearing onset. We examined SON neurons at different stages of auditory development: embryonic days 14–16 (E14–E16), a time at which cochlear ganglion neurons are just beginning to respond to sound; later embryonic stages (E18–E19); and after hatching (P0–P2). We used in vitro whole cell patch electrophysiology to explore physiological changes in SON. Age-related changes were observed at the level of a single spike and in multispiking behavior. In particular, tonic behavior, measured as a neuron’s ability to sustain tonic firing over a range of current steps, became more common later in development. Voltage-clamp recordings and biophysical models were employed to examine how age-related increases in ion currents enhance excitability in SON. Our findings suggest that concurrent increases in sodium and potassium currents underlie the emergence of tonic behavior.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This article is the first to examine heterogeneity of neuronal physiology in the inhibitory nucleus of the avian auditory system and demonstrate that tonic firing here emerges over development. By pairing computer simulations with physiological data, we show that increases in both sodium and potassium channels over development are necessary for the emergence of tonic firing.
Spatiotemporal characteristics of retinal response to network-mediated photovoltaic stimulation
Authors: Ho Elton , Smith Richard , Goetz Georges , Lei Xin , Galambos Ludwig , Kamins Theodore I. , Harris James , Mathieson Keith , Palanker Daniel , Sher Alexander
Published: October 2017

Subretinal prostheses aim at restoring sight to patients blinded by photoreceptor degeneration using electrical activation of the surviving inner retinal neurons. Today, such implants deliver visual information with low-frequency stimulation, resulting in discontinuous visual percepts. We measured retinal responses to complex visual stimuli delivered at video rate via a photovoltaic subretinal implant and by visible light. Using a multielectrode array to record from retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in the healthy and degenerated rat retina ex vivo, we estimated their spatiotemporal properties from the spike-triggered average responses to photovoltaic binary white noise stimulus with 70-μm pixel size at 20-Hz frame rate. The average photovoltaic receptive field size was 194 ± 3 μm (mean ± SE), similar to that of visual responses (221 ± 4 μm), but response latency was significantly shorter with photovoltaic stimulation. Both visual and photovoltaic receptive fields had an opposing center-surround structure. In the healthy retina, ON RGCs had photovoltaic OFF responses, and vice versa. This reversal is consistent with depolarization of photoreceptors by electrical pulses, as opposed to their hyperpolarization under increasing light, although alternative mechanisms cannot be excluded. In degenerate retina, both ON and OFF photovoltaic responses were observed, but in the absence of visual responses, it is not clear what functional RGC types they correspond to. Degenerate retina maintained the antagonistic center-surround organization of receptive fields. These fast and spatially localized network-mediated ON and OFF responses to subretinal stimulation via photovoltaic pixels with local return electrodes raise confidence in the possibility of providing more functional prosthetic vision.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Retinal prostheses currently in clinical use have struggled to deliver visual information at naturalistic frequencies, resulting in discontinuous percepts. We demonstrate modulation of the retinal ganglion cells (RGC) activity using complex spatiotemporal stimuli delivered via subretinal photovoltaic implant at 20 Hz in healthy and in degenerate retina. RGCs exhibit fast and localized ON and OFF network-mediated responses, with antagonistic center-surround organization of their receptive fields.
Path perturbation detection tasks reduce MSTd neuronal self-movement heading responses
Authors: Page William K. , Duffy Charles J.
Published: October 2017

We presented optic flow and real movement heading stimuli while recording MSTd neuronal activity. Monkeys were alternately engaged in three tasks: visual detection of optic flow heading perturbations, vestibular detection of real movement heading perturbations, and auditory detection of brief tones. Push-button RTs were fastest for tones and slower for visual and vestibular heading perturbations, suggesting that the tone detection task was easier. Neuronal heading selectivity was strongest during the tone detection task, and weaker during the visual and vestibular heading perturbation detection tasks. Heading selectivity was weaker during visual and vestibular path perturbation detection, despite our presented heading cues only in the visual and vestibular modalities. We conclude that focusing on the self-movement transients of path perturbation distracted the monkeys from their heading and reduced neuronal responsiveness to heading direction.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Heading analysis is critical for steering and navigation. We recorded the activity of monkey cortical heading neurons during naturalistic self-movement. When the monkeys were required to respond to transient changes in their path, neuronal responses to heading direction were diminished. This suggests that the need to respond to momentary path perturbations reduces your ability to process your heading direction.
Ginger Oleoresin Alleviated γ‐Ray Irradiation‐Induced Reactive Oxygen Species via the Nrf2 Protective Response in Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Ji Kaihua , Fang Lianying , Zhao Hui , Li Qing , Shi Yang , Xu Chang , Wang Yan , Du Liqing , Wang Jinhan , Liu Qiang
Published: October 2017

Unplanned exposure to radiation can cause side effects on high‐risk individuals; meanwhile, radiotherapies can also cause injury on normal cells and tissues surrounding the tumor. Besides the direct radiation damage, most of the ionizing radiation‐ (IR‐) induced injuries were caused by generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), which possess self‐renew and multilineage differentiation capabilities, are a critical population of cells to participate in the regeneration of IR‐damaged tissues. Therefore, it is imperative to search effective radioprotectors for hMSCs. This study was to demonstrate whether natural source ginger oleoresin would mitigate IR‐induced injuries in human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). We demonstrated that ginger oleoresin could significantly reduce IR‐induced cytotoxicity, ROS generation, and DNA strand breaks. In addition, the ROS‐scavenging mechanism of ginger oleoresin was also investigated. The results showed that ginger oleoresin could induce the translocation of Nrf2 to cell nucleus and activate the expression of cytoprotective genes encoding for HO‐1 and NQO‐1. It suggests that ginger oleoresin has a potential role of being an effective antioxidant and radioprotective agent.
Categorization of Chinese Dry-Cured Ham Based on Three Sticks’ Method by Multiple Sensory Technologies
Authors: Xia Dong , Zhang Dan Ni , Gao Shao Ting , Chen Le , Li Nan , Zheng Fu Ping , Liu Yuan
Published: October 2017

Odor profiles of three grades of Jinhua, Xuanwei, and Rugao dry-cured hams were analyzed and distinguished by both the electronic nose and the sensory evaluation. The odor was absorbed by bamboo sticks, which is the most traditional absorption method to classify different ham grades. Then data from electronic nose was analyzed by discriminant function analysis (DFA) and cluster analysis (CA), compared with that from sensory evaluation by principal component analysis (PCA). Results showed that different grades of Jinhua, Xuanwei, and Rugao dry-cured hams could be distinguished effectively by the DFA results of electronic nose. However, sensory evaluation could not perform as well as electronic nose. It was demonstrated that intelligent sensory technology has higher sensitivity and reliability in classifying producing regions and grades of dry-cured ham.
Carlina vulgaris L. as a Source of Phytochemicals with Antioxidant Activity
Authors: Strzemski Maciej , Wójciak-Kosior Magdalena , Sowa Ireneusz , Załuski Daniel , Szwerc Wojciech , Sawicki Jan , Kocjan Ryszard , Feldo Marcin , Dresler Sławomir
Published: October 2017

The methanol extracts from three populations of Carlina vulgaris L. were examined for the chlorogenic acid content, mineral content, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activity. Two populations originated from natural nonmetallicolous habitats (NN (populations from Nasiłów) and NP (populations from Pińczów)), and one metallicolous population (MB) was collected from Bolesław waste heap localized at the place of former open‐cast mining of Ag‐Pb and Zn‐Pb ores dating back to the 13th century and 18th century, respectively. The level of Zn, Pb, Cd, Fe, Ni, and Mn was significantly higher in the root and leaves of MB plants as a result of soil contaminations compared to those of the NN and NP ones. The highest antioxidant potency has been showed by the plants growing in a nonmetallicolous habitat. The flower head extracts obtained from the nonmetallicolous populations also contained the largest amount of chlorogenic acid, whereas the lowest was determined in the roots (ca. 2–3.5 mg/g and 0.2–0.4 mg/g of air‐dry weight, resp.). These studies provide important information on the influence of a habitat on the quality of herbal materials and the content of the biologically active primary and secondary metabolites.
99mTc-Sestamibi/123I Subtraction SPECT/CT in Parathyroid Scintigraphy: Is Additional Pinhole Imaging Useful?
Authors: Tunninen Virpi , Varjo Pekka , Kauppinen Tomi , Holm Anu , Eskola Hannu , Seppänen Marko
Published: October 2017

Objectives. This retrospective study evaluated whether the use of additional anterior Tc99m-sestamibi/123I pinhole imaging improves the outcome of Tc99m-sestamibi/123I subtraction SPECT/CT in parathyroid scintigraphy (PS). Materials and Methods. PS using simultaneous dual-isotope subtraction methods and an acquisition protocol combining SPECT/CT and planar pinhole imaging was performed for 175 patients with primary or secondary hyperparathyroidism. All patients who proceeded to surgery with complete postsurgery laboratory findings were included in this study (n=94). SPECT/CT images alone and combined with pinhole images were evaluated. Results. There were 111 enlarged parathyroid glands of which 104 and 108 glands were correctly visualized by SPECT/CT (seven false positives) or SPECT/CT with pinhole (three false positives), respectively. Both sensitivity and specificity were higher with combined SPECT/CT with pinhole than with SPECT/CT alone (97% versus 94% and 99% versus 98%, resp., not significant). The false-positive rate was 6% with SPECT/CT and decreased to 3% using combined SPECT/CT with pinhole. Conclusion. Tc99m-sestamibi/123I subtraction SPECT/CT is a highly sensitive and specific protocol for PS. The use of additional anterior pinhole imaging increases both sensitivity and specificity of PS, although this increase is not statistically significant.
Compression of the Fourth Ventricle Using a Craniosacral Osteopathic Technique: A Systematic Review of the Clinical Evidence
Authors: Żurowska Anna , Malak Roksana , Kołcz-Trzęsicka Anna , Samborski Włodzimierz , Paprocka-Borowicz Małgorzata
Published: October 2017

Compression of the fourth ventricle (CV4) is a well‐known osteopathic procedure, utilized by osteopaths, osteopathic physicians, craniosacral therapists, physical therapists, and manual therapists as part of their healthcare practice based on some evidence suggesting impact on nervous system functions. The main objective of the study was to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the clinical benefits of CV4 and to show the evidence supporting clinical prescriptions, guides, and advice in treating. A computerized search of the PubMed, CINAHL Complete, Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect databases was performed. Two filters were used (article type: RCTs; species: humans). The methodological quality of the trials was assessed using the Downs and Black quality checklist for healthcare intervention studies. Only six studies met the inclusion criteria, of which four were RCTs and two were observational studies. The Downs and Black score ranged from 17 to 24 points out of a maximum of 27 points. The present review revealed the paucity of CV4 research in patients with different clinical problems, as five out of six included studies investigated healthy adults. According to the results of the included studies, CV4 may be beneficial for patients with different functional problems.
The Burden and Trend of Blood-Borne Pathogens among Asymptomatic Adult Population in Akwatia: A Retrospective Study at the St. Dominic Hospital, Ghana
Authors: Lokpo Sylvester Yao , Dakorah Mavis Popuelle , Norgbe Gameli Kwame , Osei-Yeboah James , Adzakpah Godwin , Sarsah Isaac , Gameli Deku John , Afeke Innocent , Akomanin Asiamah Emmanuel , Manaphraim Nana Yaw Barimah , Asare Isaac , Ayidzoe Bright Justice , Alote Allotey Emmanuel , Nani Emmanuel Agbeko , Amoah Paul
Published: October 2017

Background. This study was aimed at evaluating the seroprevalence and trend of blood-borne pathogens (HIV, HCV, HBV, and Syphilis) among asymptomatic adults at Akwatia during a four-year period (2013–2016). Materials and Methods. The study was a retrospective analysis of secondary data of blood donors who visited the hospital from January 2013 to December 2016. Archival data from 11,436 prospective donors was extracted. Data included age, sex, and place of residence as well as results of infectious markers (HIV, HBV, HCV, and Syphilis). Results. The prevalence of blood-borne pathogens in the donor population was 4.06%, 7.23%, 5.81%, and 10.42% for HIV, HBV, HCV, and Syphilis infections, respectively. A significant decline in HBV and HCV infections was observed in the general donor population and across genders. HIV infection rate remained steady while Syphilis infections recorded a significantly increasing trend, peaking in the year 2015 (14.20%). Age stratification in HBV infection was significant, peaking among age group 40–49 years (8.82%). Conclusion. Asymptomatic blood-borne pathogen burden was high among the adult population in Akwatia. Gender variations in HBV, HCV, and Syphilis infections in the cumulative four-year burden were observed. Awareness needs to be created, especially in the older generation.
Seismic Vulnerability Evaluation of a Three‐Span Continuous Beam Railway Bridge
Authors: Jiang Chongwen , Wei Biao , Wang Dianbin , Jiang Lizhong , He Xuhui
Published: October 2017

In order to evaluate the seismic vulnerability of a railway bridge, a nonlinear finite element model of typical three‐span continuous beam bridge on the Sichuan‐Tibet railway in China was built. It further aimed at performing a probabilistic seismic demand analysis based on the seismic performance of the above‐mentioned bridge. Firstly, the uncertainties of bridge parameters were analyzed while a set of finite element model samples were formulated with Latin hypercube sampling method. Secondly, under Wenchuan earthquake ground motions, an incremental dynamic method (IDA) analysis was performed, and the seismic peak responses of bridge components were recorded. Thirdly, the probabilistic seismic demand model for the bridge principal components under the prerequisite of two different kinds of bearing, with and without seismic isolation, was generated. Finally, comparison was drawn to further ascertain the effect of two different kinds of bearings on the fragility components. Based on the reliability theory, results were presented concerning the seismic fragility curves.
Predictors of Traditional Medical Practices in Illness Behavior in Northwestern Ethiopia: An Integrated Model of Behavioral Prediction Based Logistic Regression Analysis
Authors: Yared Abenezer
Published: October 2017

This study aimed at investigating traditional medical beliefs and practices in illness behavior as well as predictors of the practices in Gondar city, northwestern Ethiopia, by using the integrated model of behavioral prediction. A cross‐sectional quantitative survey was conducted to collect data through interviewer administered structured questionnaires from 496 individuals selected by probability proportional to size sampling technique. Unadjusted bivariate and adjusted multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed, and the results indicated that sociocultural predictors of normative response and attitude as well as psychosocial individual difference variables of traditional understanding of illness causation and perceived efficacy had statistically significant associations with traditional medical practices. Due to the influence of these factors, majority of the study population (85%) thus relied on both herbal and spiritual varieties of traditional medicine to respond to their perceived illnesses, supporting the conclusion that characterized the illness behavior of the people as mainly involving traditional medical practices. The results implied two‐way medicine needs to be developed with ongoing research, and health educations must take the traditional customs into consideration, for integrating interventions in the health care system in ways that the general public accepts yielding a better health outcome.
Synthesis and Cytotoxic Evaluation of Steroidal Copper (Cu (II)) Complexes
Authors: Huang Yanmin , Kong Erbin , Zhan Junyan , Chen Shuang , Gan Chunfang , Liu Zhiping , Pang Liping , Cui Jianguo
Published: October 2017

Using estrone and pregnenolone as starting materials, some steroidal copper complexes were synthesized by the condensation of steroidal ketones with thiosemicarbazide or diazanyl pyridine and then complexation of steroidal thiosemicarbazones or steroidal diazanyl pyridines with Cu (II). The complexes were characterized by IR, NMR, and HRMS. The synthesized compounds were screened for their cytotoxicity against HeLa, Bel-7404, and 293T cell lines in vitro. The results show that all steroidal copper (II) complexes display obvious antiproliferative activity against the tested cancer cells. The IC50values of complexes5and12against Bel-7404 (human liver carcinoma) are 5.0 and 7.0 μM.
Skin Immune Landscape: Inside and Outside the Organism
Authors: Abdallah Florence , Mijouin Lily , Pichon Chantal
Published: October 2017

The skin is an essential organ to the human body protecting it from external aggressions and pathogens. Over the years, the skin was proven to have a crucial immunological role, not only being a passive protective barrier but a network of effector cells and molecular mediators that constitute a highly sophisticated compound known as the “skin immune system” (SIS). Studies of skin immune sentinels provided essential insights of a complex and dynamic immunity, which was achieved through interaction between the external and internal cutaneous compartments. In fact, the skin surface is cohabited by microorganisms recognized as skin microbiota that live in complete harmony with the immune sentinels and contribute to the epithelial barrier reinforcement. However, under stress, the symbiotic relationship changes into a dysbiotic one resulting in skin disorders. Hence, the skin microbiota may have either positive or negative influence on the immune system. This review aims at providing basic background information on the cutaneous immune system from major cellular and molecular players and the impact of its microbiota on the well-coordinated immune responses in host defense.
Back Analysis of Rock Hydraulic Fracturing by Coupling Numerical Model and Computational Intelligent Technology
Authors: Li Shaojun , Zhao Hongbo , Feng Xiating , Jiang Quan , Sun Qiancheng
Published: October 2017

Hydraulic fracturing is widely used to determine in situ stress of rock engineering. In this paper we propose a new method for simultaneously determining the in situ stress and elastic parameters of rock. The method utilizing the hydraulic fracturing numerical model and a computational intelligent method is proposed and verified. The hydraulic fracturing numerical model provides the samples which include borehole pressure, in situ stress, and elastic parameters. A computational intelligent method is applied in back analysis. A multioutput support vector machine is used to map the complex, nonlinear relationship between the in situ stress, elastic parameters, and borehole pressure. The artificial bee colony algorithm is applied in back analysis to find the optimal in situ stress and elastic parameters. The in situ stress is determined using the proposed method and the results are compared with those of the classic breakdown formula. The proposed method provides a good estimate of the relationship between the in situ stress and borehole pressure and predicts the maximum horizontal in situ stress with high precision while considering the influence of pore pressure without the need to estimate Biot’s coefficient and other parameters.
Influence of 1-Methylcyclopropene Treatment on Postharvest Quality of Four Scab (Venturia inaequalis)-Resistant Apple Cultivars
Authors: Zucoloto Moises , Ku Kang-Mo , Kim Moo Jung , Kushad Mosbah M.
Published: October 2017

Scab (Venturia inaequalis) is a very serious disease for apples causing up to 80% of loss in yield but there are only a few studies on postharvest quality of scab-resistant cultivars. In this study we evaluated the effect of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on fruit quality, total phenolic content, and antioxidant capacity after storage of four scab-resistant cultivars and compared to a standard cultivar, “Golden Delicious.” In general, ethylene production and respiration rates significantly differed among cultivars, between control and 1-MCP-treated fruits, and between storage duration regimes. 1-MCP treatment retarded fruit softening and lowered juice pH but storage effect on soluble solids and acidity depended on cultivar and 1-MCP treatment. Total phenolic content was significantly affected by storage duration and 1-MCP treatment. Antioxidant capacity of the four scab-resistant cultivars was either similar to or significantly higher than that of “Golden Delicious” with the 1-MCP-treated fruits having significantly higher antioxidant capacity than the nontreated fruits after storage. Our results clearly show that the quality of four scab-resistant cultivars was comparable to that of “Golden Delicious” and 1-MCP effect differed among cultivars. These differences need to be considered in developing storage regime to minimize quality deterioration during long-term storage.
Placenta Percreta in First Trimester after Multiple Rounds of Failed Medical Management for a Missed Abortion
Authors: Shah Jaimin , Matta Eduardo , Acosta Fernando , Golardi Natalia , Wallace-Huff Cristina
Published: October 2017

Background. The detection of a morbidly adherent placenta (MAP) in the first trimester is rare. Risk factors such as multiparity, advanced maternal age, prior cesarean delivery, prior myomectomy, placenta previa, or previous uterine evacuation place patients at a higher risk for having abnormal placental implantation. If these patients have a first trimester missed abortion and fail medical management, it is important that providers have a heightened suspicion for a MAP. Case. A 24-year-old G4P3003 with 3 prior cesarean deliveries underwent multiple rounds of failed medical management for a missed abortion. She had a dilation and curettage that was complicated by a significant hemorrhage and ultimately required an urgent hysterectomy. Conclusion. When patients fail medical management for a missed abortion, providers need to assess the patient’s risk factors for a MAP. If risk factors are present, a series of specific evaluations should be triggered to rule out a MAP and help further guide management. Early diagnosis of a MAP allows providers to coordinate a multidisciplinary treatment approach and thoroughly counsel patients. Ensuring adequate resources and personnel at a tertiary hospital is essential to provide the highest quality of care and improve outcomes.
Physiological Roles of DNA Double-Strand Breaks
Authors: Khan Farhaan A. , Ali Syed O.
Published: October 2017

Genomic integrity is constantly threatened by sources of DNA damage, internal and external alike. Among the most cytotoxic lesions is the DNA double-strand break (DSB) which arises from the cleavage of both strands of the double helix. Cells boast a considerable set of defences to both prevent and repair these breaks and drugs which derail these processes represent an important category of anticancer therapeutics. And yet, bizarrely, cells deploy this very machinery for the intentional and calculated disruption of genomic integrity, harnessing potentially destructive DSBs in delicate genetic transactions. Under tight spatiotemporal regulation, DSBs serve as a tool for genetic modification, widely used across cellular biology to generate diverse functionalities, ranging from the fundamental upkeep of DNA replication, transcription, and the chromatin landscape to the diversification of immunity and the germline. Growing evidence points to a role of aberrant DSB physiology in human disease and an understanding of these processes may both inform the design of new therapeutic strategies and reduce off-target effects of existing drugs. Here, we review the wide-ranging roles of physiological DSBs and the emerging network of their multilateral regulation to consider how the cell is able to harness DNA breaks as a critical biochemical tool.
Recent Progress on the Description of Relativistic Spin: Vector Model of Spinning Particle and Rotating Body with Gravimagnetic Moment in General Relativity
Authors: Deriglazov Alexei A. , Ramírez Walberto Guzmán
Published: October 2017

We review the recent results on development of vector models of spin and apply them to study the influence of spin-field interaction on the trajectory and precession of a spinning particle in external gravitational and electromagnetic fields. The formalism is developed starting from the Lagrangian variational problem, which implies both equations of motion and constraints which should be presented in a model of spinning particle. We present a detailed analysis of the resulting theory and show that it has reasonable properties on both classical and quantum level. We describe a number of applications and show how the vector model clarifies some issues presented in theoretical description of a relativistic spin: (A) one-particle relativistic quantum mechanics with positive energies and its relation with the Dirac equation and with relativistic Zitterbewegung; (B) spin-induced noncommutativity and the problem of covariant formalism; (C) three-dimensional acceleration consistent with coordinate-independence of the speed of light in general relativity and rainbow geometry seen by spinning particle; (D) paradoxical behavior of the Mathisson-Papapetrou-Tulczyjew-Dixon equations of a rotating body in ultrarelativistic limit, and equations with improved behavior.
Irreversible Thermodynamic Description of Dark Matter and Radiation Creation during Inflationary Reheating
Authors: Su Juntong , Harko Tiberiu , Liang Shi-Dong
Published: October 2017

We investigate matter creation processes during the reheating period of the early Universe, by using the thermodynamic of open systems. The Universe is assumed to consist of the inflationary scalar field, which, through its decay, generates relativistic matter and pressureless dark matter. The inflationary scalar field transfers its energy to the newly created matter particles, with the field energy decreasing to near zero. The equations governing the irreversible matter creation are obtained by combining the thermodynamics description of the matter creation and the gravitational field equations. The role of the different inflationary scalar field potentials is analyzed by using analytical and numerical methods. The values of the energy densities of relativistic matter and dark matter reach their maximum when the Universe is reheated up to the reheating temperature, which is obtained as a function of the scalar field decay width, the scalar field particle mass, and the cosmological parameters. Particle production leads to the acceleration of the Universe during the reheating phase, with the deceleration parameter showing complex dynamics. Once the energy density of the scalar field becomes negligible with respect to the matter densities, the expansion of the Universe decelerates, and inflation has a graceful exit.
Atypical Presentation of Sjögren-Larsson Syndrome
Authors: Papathemeli D. , Mataftsi A. , Patsatsi A. , Sotiriadis D. , Samouilidou M. , Chondromatidou S. , Evangeliou A.
Published: October 2017

Sjögren-Larsson syndrome is a rare neurocutaneous disorder characterized by ichthyosis, spastic diplegia or tetraplegia, and intellectual disability. Herein, we describe a case of a Greek patient with ichthyosis and spasticity of the legs but with normal intelligence (IQ 95). This syndrome should be suspected when a child presents with ichthyosis and spastic diplegia or tetraplegia, even if intelligence is normal.
Dispersive Solid Phase Extraction for the Analysis of Veterinary Drugs Applied to Food Samples: A Review
Authors: Islas Gabriela , Ibarra Israel S. , Hernandez Prisciliano , Miranda Jose M. , Cepeda Alberto
Published: October 2017

To achieve analytical success, it is necessary to develop thorough clean-up procedures to extract analytes from the matrix. Dispersive solid phase extraction (DSPE) has been used as a pretreatment technique for the analysis of several compounds. This technique is based on the dispersion of a solid sorbent in liquid samples in the extraction isolation and clean-up of different analytes from complex matrices. DSPE has found a wide range of applications in several fields, and it is considered to be a selective, robust, and versatile technique. The applications of dispersive techniques in the analysis of veterinary drugs in different matrices involve magnetic sorbents, molecularly imprinted polymers, carbon-based nanomaterials, and the Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe (QuEChERS) method. Techniques based on DSPE permit minimization of additional steps such as precipitation, centrifugation, and filtration, which decreases the manipulation of the sample. In this review, we describe the main procedures used for synthesis, characterization, and application of this pretreatment technique and how it has been applied to food analysis.
A Simple Hybrid Synchronization for a Class of Chaotic Financial Systems
Authors: Zheng Jiming , Li Xiaoshuang , Qiu Yang
Published: October 2017

It is an important to achieve the hybrid synchronization of the chaotic financial system. Chaos synchronization is equivalent to the error system which is asymptotically stable. The hybrid synchronization for a class of finance chaotic systems is discussed. First, a simple single variable controller is obtained to synchronize two identical chaotic financial systems with different initial conditions. Second, a novel algorithm is proposed to determine the variables of the master system that should antisynchronize with corresponding variables of the slave system and use this algorithm to determine the corresponding variables in the chaotic financial systems. The hybrid synchronization of the chaotic financial systems is realized by a simple controller. At the same time, different controllers can implement the chaotic financial system hybrid synchronization. In comparison with the existing results, the obtained controllers in this paper are simpler than those of the existing results. Finally, numerical simulations show the effectiveness of the proposed results.
Hybrid Adaptive Bionic Fuzzy Control Method
Authors: Li Yan , Li Yimin , Zhang Faxiang
Published: October 2017

The bionic fuzzy system embeds the biologically active adaptive strategy into the traditional T‐S fuzzy system, which increases the active adaptability. On the basis of the researches, an identification model is added to the system, and a hybrid bionic adaptive fuzzy control method is proposed in this paper, which makes the system have biological adaptability and strong anti‐interference ability. The adaptive law contains two items: the first one is the general term for adjusting system parameters by using the current state and the second one is a compensation item for the adjustment of system parameters based on the development trend. Lyapunov synthesis method is used to analyze the stability and convergence of system. The design method of fuzzy controller, adaptive laws, and parameter constraints are given. Finally, the effectiveness of the method is verified by simulation of inverted pendulum model.
Crosstalk between the Androgen Receptor and PPAR Gamma Signaling Pathways in the Prostate
Authors: Olokpa Emuejevoke , Moss Patrice E. , Stewart LaMonica V.
Published: October 2017

Nuclear receptors are a superfamily of ligand-activated transcription factors that play critical roles in the regulation of normal biological processes and several disease states. Of the nuclear receptors expressed within the prostate, the androgen receptor (AR) promotes the differentiation of prostatic epithelial cells and stimulates production of enzymes needed for liquefaction of semen. Multiple forms of AR also promote the growth of both early and late stage prostate cancers. As a result, drugs that target the AR signaling pathway are routinely used to treat patients with advanced forms of prostate cancer. Data also suggest that a second member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), is a tumor suppressor that regulates growth of normal prostate and prostate cancers. Recent studies indicate there is a bidirectional interaction between AR and PPARγ, with each receptor influencing the expression and/or activity of the other within prostatic tissues. In this review, we examine how AR and PPARγeach regulate the growth and development of normal prostatic epithelial cells and prostate cancers. We also discuss interactions between the AR and PPARγsignaling pathways and how those interactions may influence prostate biology.
Linear Kalman Filter for Attitude Estimation from Angular Rate and a Single Vector Measurement
Authors: Shan Shangqiu , Hou Zhongxi , Wu Jin
Published: October 2017

In this paper, a new Kalman filtering scheme is designed in order to give the optimal attitude estimation with gyroscopic data and a single vector observation. The quaternion kinematic equation is adopted as the state model while the quaternion of the attitude determination from a strapdown sensor is treated as the measurement. Derivations of the attitude solution from a single vector observation along with its variance analysis are presented. The proposed filter is named as the Single Vector Observation Linear Kalman filter (SVO-LKF). Flexible design of the filter facilitates fast execution speed with respect to other filters with linearization. Simulations and experiments are conducted in the presence of large external acceleration and magnetic distortion. The results show that, compared with representative filtering methods and attitude observers, the SVO-LKF owns the best estimation accuracy and it consumes much less time in the fusion process.