bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Larvicidal Activity of The Mixture of Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL) and Aqueous Extract of Sapindus rarak DC Against Larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus
Authors: Fauziah Rahmi Safarina , Sudarsono Sudarsono , Mulyaningsih Budi
Published: October 2016

The aim of this study was to evaluate the larvicidal activity of Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL) against the Culex quinque fasciatus in larval stage. The CNSL was diluted in water by addition of aqueous extract of Sapindus rarak DC to increase its solubility. Larvae were exposed to varying concentrations of that mixture. The larvae mortality was observed after 24 h exposure. LC50 and LC90 value by extrapolation were 20,52 ppm and 55,41 ppm respectively. CNSL were specified by characterizing its physico-chemical properties and  anacardic acid as marker compound by High Performance Chromatography (HPLC). The results were the mixture of Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL) and Aquous extract of Sapindus rarak DC had larvicidal activity against Cx. Quinque-fasciatus and further investigations were needed to identify the fatty acid derivative as active compound of CNSL which  responsible for larvicidal activity.
Identification Of Migratory Birds And Their Spesific Characteristics Of Habitat In The Salt Water Lake Of Gili Meno, North Lombok Distric
Authors: Purwitasari Diah , Astiti Luh Gde Sri , Supriadi Supriadi
Published: October 2016

The aim of this research was to identify the species of migratory birds in the ecosystem of salt water lake of Gili Meno and their specific characteristics of habitat. Data collection for birds, mangrove and fish species has been carried out in September and October 2013.  In this study, a Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index and Importance Value Index (IVI) of mangrove vegetation were calculated to identify carrying capacity of mangrove population in the form of specific habitat in salt water lake of Gili Meno. This research has identified 17 species of birds which are divided into 5 families: Scolopacidae, Charadriidae, Ardeidae, Meropidae and Alcedinidae. Moreover, 3 species of mangrove were discovered that are A. marina, A. lanata and E. Agallocha, as well as one species of fish (Mujair fish/O. mossambicus). N. Nycticorax and B. Striatus were well-known to have higher population than other bird species.  The Diversity Index showed that mangrove vegetation in the ecosystem of salt water lake of Gili Meno has a low species diversity (0.565). This is due to higher dominance of one species than the others.  What is more, the IVI of A. marina demonstrated a fairly significant value compared to that of other species (189,01).  Mangrove vegetation which surrounds the ecosystem of salt water lake of Gili Meno has formed a unique habitat and and an ideal stopover site for migratory birds. The ecosystem not only provides shelters from predators but also supplies for various abundant feeding sources.  The lake it self is rather shallow and muddy around the shore which gives advantages for the migratory birds to obtain plenty small fish from the lake.
Morpho-Anatomical Analysis of Cosmostigma racemosum (Asclepiadoideae) Flowers
Authors: Widodo Widodo , Amin Mohamad , Al-Muhdar Mimien Henie Irawati , Luthfi Muhammad Ja’far
Published: October 2016

Cosmostigma racemosum is a plant species belonging to the family Apocynaceae, the subfamily Asclepiadoideae. Cosmostigma racemosum is found in Nglanggeran Mountain Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta. The local name and its original distribution are not known. Information or study of Cosmostigma racemosum in Indonesia is not available. Comprehensive characterization of this species is important for authentication and addition of data base. Characterization was conducted by analyzing the morphology and anatomy of flower. The objectives of this study were to describe and analyze the morphology and anatomy of C. racemosum flowers.  The method of research was based on observation method and exploration of plant systematics evidence or taxonomy evidence, including analyses and description of morphology and anatomy of flower structure and its development.  The results showed that the characteristics of flower morphology are in accordance with the existing description in literatures. Characteristics of pollinia are specific characters of morphological aspect of flower. Data of anatomy of flower and its parts development are the new ones which confirm the position of C.racemosum as a member of the tribe Marsdenieae. The data of anatomy also show new information of the ontogeny of the important parts of flower: pollinia formation, pollinia corpusculum, anther wall, anther sac, stigma, stamen, staminal tube, stigmatic chamber, and structure of ovary in Asclepiadoideae
A Discovery and Characteristics Description of Telosma puberula (Asclepiadoideae) in Mount Gedang Atas and Mount Ijo, Baturagung Mountain Yogyakarta
Authors: Widodo Widodo
Published: October 2016

Population of Telosma puberula in community forest bushes was identified at S.07.48'.44.1"; E.110.31.15.8", 411m, Mount Gedang Atas and S 070  04 '04.1"; E 1100  30 '47.9 ", 415m, Mount Ijo. Telosma puberula was also found in Mount Parangan, Mount Mintorogo, Mount Nglanggeran, and Baturagung Mountains Yogyakarta. The identification was based on herbarium specimens collected by Horsfield in 1802 and 1859 from Java island, Indonesia (K000873052, K000873053). Information about Telosma puberula is very limited. This article describe photographs of morphological characters of the plant’s stems, leaves, flowers, and pollinia.
Contained Rupture of Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm in a 64-Year-Old Man
Authors: Garg Anjali , Balasubramaniyam Nivas , Lafaro Rocco , Timmermans Robert , Aronow Wilbert S. , Cooper Howard A. , Panza Julio A.
Published: October 2016

We report a contained rupture of a right coronary sinus of Valsalva aneurysm, in which repair resulted in symptomatic improvement. Patients often present with symptoms secondary to rupture of the sinus of Valsalva aneurysm into one of the cardiac chambers, or secondary to the compression of adjacent structures. Whereas sinus of Valsalva aneurysms and their rupture are well reported in the literature, contained ruptures have been described only rarely. In those cases, symptoms often arose from compression of adjacent structures.

Although transesophageal echocardiography is considered to be the diagnostic method of choice, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography can be equally helpful in establishing the diagnosis and delineating the lesion. Diagnosis and prompt repair in our 64-year-old patient resulted in the rapid resolution of his symptoms.
Asymptomatic Interrupted Aortic Arch, Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation, and Bicuspid Aortic Valve in a 76-Year-Old Woman
Authors: Tajdini Masih , Sardari Akram , Forouzannia Seyed Khalil , Baradaran Abdolvahab , Hosseini Seyed Mohammad Reza , Kassaian Seyed Ebrahim
Published: October 2016

Interrupted aortic arch is a rare congenital abnormality with a high infancy mortality rate. The principal finding is loss of luminal continuity between the ascending and descending portions of the aorta. Because of the high mortality rate in infancy, interrupted aortic arch is very rare among adults. In this report, we describe the case of a 76-year-old woman with asymptomatic interrupted aortic arch, severe tricuspid regurgitation, and bicuspid aortic valve. To our knowledge, she is the oldest patient ever reported with this possibly unique combination of pathologic conditions. In addition to reporting her case, we review the relevant medical literature.
Semiinvasive Aspergillosis: A Diagnosis to Consider in a Seemingly Immunocompetent Patient with a Pulmonary Nodule, Haemoptysis and Structural Lung Disease
Authors: Fernández-Fernández Francisco José , del Castillo-Fraile Marcelino , del Mar Used-Aznar María
Published: October 2016

Semiinvasive pulmonary aspergillosis is an indolent form of pulmonary aspergillosis, which is seen mainly in patients who are mildly immunocompromised with underlying chronic lung diseases. This syndrome is rare, and the available literature is based on case reports and small case series. We describe here a patient with a semiinvasive aspergillosis associated with a probable idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Retrodigitalisierung in der SuUB Bremen 2011–2016: Eine Bilanz
Authors: Hermes-Wladarsch Maria , Müller Maria Elisabeth , Nölte Manfred
Published: October 2016

Die SuUB Bremen engagiert sich seit mehreren Jahren in der Digitalisierung von historisch wertvollen Bibliotheksbeständen. Für die digitale Transformation dieser Bestände zu sorgen und sie einer zeitgemäßen Nutzung im Internet zur Verfügung zu stellen sowie die Kompetenzen im Bereich Digitalisierung zu entwickeln, zählt zu den genuinen Aufgaben einer modernen wissenschaftlichen Bibliothek. Als Universitäts- und Hochschulbibliothek ist sie zudem der in Bremen ansässigen wissenschaftlichen Forschung verpflichtet, forschungsrelevante Digitalisierungsprojekte werden oftmals mit Förderung durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft durchgeführt. Der folgende Beitrag stellt eine Digitalisierungsbilanz der SuUB Bremen in den Jahren 2011 bis 2016 vor.
Rapid screening for targeted genetic variants via high-resolution melting curve analysis
Authors: Chambliss Allison B. , Resnick Molly , Petrides Athena K. , Clarke William A. , Marzinke Mark A.
Published: October 2016

Background:

Current methods for the detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with aberrant drug-metabolizing enzyme function are hindered by long turnaround times and specialized techniques and instrumentation. In this study, we describe the development and validation of a high-resolution melting (HRM) curve assay for the rapid screening of variant genotypes for targeted genetic polymorphisms in the cytochrome P450 enzymes CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and CYP3A5.

Methods:

Sequence-specific primers were custom-designed to flank nine SNPs within the genetic regions of aforementioned drug metabolizing enzymes. PCR amplification was performed followed by amplicon denaturation by precise temperature ramping in order to distinguish genotypes by melting temperature (T

Results:

Intra-assay (n=5) precision of T

Conclusions:

The presented assay provides a rapid method for the screening for genetic variants in targeted CYP450 regions with a result of ‘reference’ or ‘variant’ available within 2 h from receipt of extracted DNA. The method can serve as a screening approach to rapidly identify individuals with variant sequences who should be further investigated by reflexed confirmatory testing for aberrant cytochrome P450 enzymatic activity. Rapid knowledge of variant status may aid in the avoidance of adverse clinical events by allowing for dosing of normal metabolizer patients immediately while identifying the need to wait for confirmatory testing in those patients who are likely to possess pharmacogenetically-relevant variants.
Reflection Modeling Based Broadband Matching Network Design
Authors: Şengül Metin
Published: October 2016

In this paper, a new broadband matching network design approach based on reflection modeling is proposed, which has two parts: impedance data generation and modeling. In the approach, firstly the output impedance data of the matching network is obtained to get the desired flat transducer power gain in the passband. Next the output reflection data are calculated using the obtained impedance data, then they are modeled as a bounded real function. Then this function is synthesized and the desired lossless matching network with initial element values is obtained. A double matching example is solved to illustrate the use of the proposed approach. It is seen that proposed approach provides suitable initials for CAD tools for final trimming.
Influence of body mass index on mindfulness awareness and coping methods for stress in adolescents
Authors: Kaymaz Nazan , Düzçeker Yasemin , Uzun Mehmet Erdem , Aylanç Hakan , Baştürk Meryem , Yıldırım Şule
Published: October 2016

Objective:

Psychological state may affect the body weight through the hypothalamus and vice versa. The goal of this study is to investigate whether body mass index affect mindfulness awareness (MA) levels and type of coping with stress.

Methods:

Healthy adolescents were included in the study. The mindfulness attention awareness scale (MAAS), indicating the ways of coping checklist inventory was performed and body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2) of adolescents were calculated. The influence of BMI on MA and ways of coping with stress was tested. According to BMI percentiles the study population was grouped as obese (including overweight), normal-weighted and underweight.

Results:

A total of 270 adolescents (mean age: 13.63±2.07 years; 165 female/105 male) participated in the study. No significant correlation was found between BMI and MA scores (r=−0.085; p=0.161) and coping strategies were not different between the groups. When MA scores are compared with stress coping methods, it appeares that participants with high awareness levels chose positive coping styles.

Conclusion:

BMI is not effective on MA levels and choice of stress coping methods. But the higher MA levels are associated with positive coping styles.
Adolescent workplace exposures reported to Texas poison centers
Authors: Ziqubu-Page Thandi , Forrester Mathias B.
Published: October 2016

Background:

Working adolescents, with less experience and less training than adults, may take more risks and get exposed to a wide variety of toxic substances in the workplace. They may get injured when working in inadequately ventilated areas or entering areas of exposure with improper or no protective equipment.

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to describe adolescent occupational exposures reported to poison centers.

Subjects:

Occupational exposures reported to Texas poison centers during 2000–2015 where patients were 13–19 years in age.

Methods:

The distribution of the cases was determined for various factors.

Results:

There were 2430 adolescent occupational exposures. The most frequently reported major substance categories were chemicals (18%), household cleaning substances (18%), hydrocarbons (10%), and industrial cleaners (9%). Forty-five percent occurred during May–August. Males accounted for 66% of the patients; 27% were 18 years and 37% were 19 years. The most common exposure routes were inhalation (28%), dermal (27%), ingestion (26%), and ocular (24%). The patients were managed on site in 51% of the exposures. Twenty-three percent of the exposures had serious outcomes.

Conclusion:

Adolescents involved in occupational exposures tended to be male and older. Adolescent occupational exposures were likely to involve chemicals and household cleaning substances, occur by ingestion and ocular route, and likely to be managed on site. Most were not likely to have serious outcomes.
Micro-reactor for Non-catalyzed Esterification Reaction: Performance and Modeling
Authors: El Zanati E. , Abdallah H. , Elnahas G.
Published: October 2016

Y-shape micro-reactor is designed, developed and implemented to investigate the effect of reactor miniaturization on chemical engineering kinetics, where, an esterification reaction of fatty acid (2- ethyl hexanoic acid) is considered as a case study. In order to investigate the differential change of micro-reaction conversion along the channel axis; a micro-reactor with multi-channel is designed in a manner that enables collecting the samples. The kinetics of esterification reaction of ethanol and fatty acid was explored under various operating conditions; Molar Ratio (MR) of ethanol to fatty acid at temperatures 25–65 °C. The conversion reached almost 99.3 % after 30 s at MR 4:1 and 25 °C. Steady and unsteady state axial dispersion mathematical models were developed; the latter approach resulted in fair agreement with the experimental results.
Disaster Preparedness Resource Allocation and Technical Support for Native American Tribes in California
Authors: Lawrence Rachel I. , Adam Atif , Mann Semran K. , Bliss Walleska , Bliss Jesse C. , Randhawa Manjit
Published: October 2016

Purpose:

The evaluation aims to assess emergency preparedness (EP) among Native American tribes in California to inform future development of priorities and strategies for improvement. The analysis explores funding barriers and gaps in resource availability.

Methods:

A cross-sectional survey was designed to explore four aspects of EP: 1) perceptions of preparedness; 2) funding mechanisms; 3) resource availability; and 4) plans for future preparedness efforts. The survey was conducted online, by telephone, fax, or mail. Analysis includes National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) compliance, and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approval of disaster mitigation plans.

Results and Discussion:

Findings represent 40% of the federally-recognized California tribes. Participants included: tribal chairpersons and administrators, emergency services managers, fire chiefs, police chiefs, and environmental directors. Results indicated low awareness of funding regulations and instructional opportunities yet high interest; high dependency on external EP response resources; and needed improvements in community involvement.

Conclusion:

Partnerships with local emergency preparedness and academic organizations and improved communication are recommended to bridge gaps in resources and awareness. This evaluation provides one of the first systematic assessments of EP achievements and gaps among Native American tribes in California. Future studies are needed to explore these preliminary findings.
Thoughts on language-specific and crosslinguistic entities
Authors: Dahl Östen
Published: October 2016

This article discusses questions arising in connection with Martin Haspelmath’s proposal to distinguish between “descriptive categories” at the language-specific level and “comparative concepts” at the crosslinguistic level, where the latter cannot be seen as either crosslinguistic categories or category types (
Texture and geochemistry of surface horizons of Arctic soils from a non-glaciated catchment, SW Spitsbergen
Authors: Szymański Wojciech , Siwek Janusz , Waścińska Joanna , Wojtuń Bronisław
Published: October 2016

Physical and chemical properties of Arctic soils and especially the properties of surface horizons of the soils are very important because they are responsible for the rate and character of plant colonization, development of vegetation cover, and influence the rate and depth of thawing of soils and development of active layer of permafrost during summer. The main aim of the present study is to determine and explain the spatial diversity of selected physical and chemical properties of surface horizons of Arctic soils from the non-glaciated Fuglebekken catchment located in the Hornsund area (SW Spitsbergen) by means of geostatistical approach. Results indicate that soil surface horizons in the Fuglebekken catchment are characterized by highly variable physical and chemical properties due to a heterogeneous parent material (marine sediments, moraine, rock debris), tundra vegetation types, and non-uniform influence of seabirds. Soils experiencing the strongest influence of seabird guano have a lower pH than other soils. Soils developed on the lateral moraine of the Hansbreen glacier have the highest pH due to the presence of carbonates in the parent material and a lack or presence of a poorly developed and discontinuous A horizon. The soil surface horizons along the coast of the Hornsund exhibit the highest content of the sand fraction and SiO2. The surface of soils occurring at the foot of the slope of Ariekammen Ridge is characterized by the highest content of silt and clay fractions as well as Al2O3, Fe2O3, and K2O. Soils in the central part of the Fuglebekken catchment are depleted in CaO, MgO, and Na2O in comparison with soils in the other sampling sites, which indicates the highest rate of leaching in this part of the catchment.
Possible role of biochemiluminescent photons for lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)-induced phosphenes and visual hallucinations
Authors: Kapócs Gábor , Scholkmann Felix , Salari Vahid , Császár Noémi , Szőke Henrik , Bókkon István
Published: October 2016

Today, there is an increased interest in research on lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) because it may offer new opportunities in psychotherapy under controlled settings. The more we know about how a drug works in the brain, the more opportunities there will be to exploit it in medicine. Here, based on our previously published papers and investigations, we suggest that LSD-induced visual hallucinations/phosphenes may be due to the transient enhancement of bioluminescent photons in the early retinotopic visual system in blind as well as healthy people.
Investigation of ischemia modified albumin and coenzyme Q10 levels in obese children with metabolic syndrome
Authors: Muhtaroğlu Sabahattin , Koçak Selda Özkan , Çetin İhsan , Barlak Keti Didem , Kendirci Mustafa
Published: October 2016

Introduction

The aim of this study was to analyze serum ischemia modified albumin (IMA) and plasma CoQ10 levels and to evaluate their correlation with insulin resistance (homeostatic model assessment, HOMA) and lipid profile in obese children with and without metabolic syndrome (MS).

Methods

Thirty-one obese with MS, 30 obese without MS and 34 healthy children aged 6–18 years were included in the study. Serum IMA was measured by colorimetric method, plasma CoQ10 levels were measured by HPLC. Serum glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and insulin were analyzed.

Results

IMA levels were found to be significantly higher (p<0.001) while the CoQ10 levels were significantly lower (p<0.001) in obese children with and without MS compared to controls. IMA and CoQ10 significantly correlated with each other and metabolic parameters. Furthermore, IMA and CoQ10 levels did not significantly differ between obese children with and without MS, while glucose, insulin levels and HOMA were significantly higher (p<0.001) in obese children with MS than obese without MS and controls.

Conclusions

Based on the high levels of IMA, low CoQ10 and association with HOMA and lipid profile; we suggest that obese children may have oxidative damage, lipid peroxidation and cardiometabolic risk.
„Wir leben im Zeitalter der Vergleichung.“ Perspektiven einer Soziologie des Vergleichs
Authors: Heintz Bettina
Published: October 2016

Vergleiche sind heute zu einem unübersehbaren Bestandteil der öffentlichen Kommunikation geworden. Universitäten werden hinsichtlich ihrer wissenschaftlichen Exzellenz verglichen, Politiker nach ihrer Popularität, Staaten mit Blick auf ihre Korruptionsanfälligkeit und Arbeitnehmer in Bezug auf ihren Arbeitseinsatz. Trotz ihrer Omnipräsenz haben Vergleiche in der Soziologie bisher nur wenig Beachtung gefunden. Der Beitrag plädiert dafür, Vergleiche nicht nur als wissenschaftliche Methode zu betrachten, sondern als ein soziales Phänomen eigenen Rechts. In den ersten beiden Abschnitten werden Vergleiche mit anderen Ordnungsverfahren wie Listen, Klassifikationen und Analogien kontrastiert und in einer historischen Sequenz verortet. Welche Bedeutung Vergleiche haben, wird in den folgenden drei Abschnitten am Beispiel unterschiedlicher Forschungsfelder – Klassifikationssoziologie, Marktsoziologie, Soziologie der Bewertung und Globalisierungsforschung – belegt. Der Beitrag schließt mit einigen weiterführenden Überlegungen zu einer Soziologie des Vergleichs.
Die Plattformlogik als digitale Marktordnung
Authors: Kirchner Stefan , Beyer Jürgen
Published: October 2016

Die Digitalisierung gilt derzeit als Auslöser eines radikalen Strukturwandels. Es wird erwartet, dass zunehmend mehr ökonomische Aktivitäten erfolgreich auf digitale Märkte verlagert werden. Aus wirtschaftssoziologischer Perspektive sind diese Erwartungen erklärungsbedürftig. Die Unsicherheit auf digitalen Märkten ist vergleichsweise groß. Dieser Artikel nutzt die wirtschaftssoziologischen Theoriebausteine der Kontrollkonzepte von Fligstein (2001) und der Koordinationsprobleme des Marktes von Beckert (2009), um ein grundlegendes Muster digitaler Marktordnungen als Plattformlogik zu benennen. Mittels der Plattformlogik werden auf digitalen Märkten einerseits traditionelle feste Kopplungen von Unternehmen in lose Kopplungen überführt, andererseits werden Unternehmen zu Profiteuren der digitalen Märkte, die sie organisieren. Als Profiteure erheben sie Gebühren für Markttransaktionen auf digitalen Plattformen. Der Artikel leistet einen grundlegenden Beitrag für die soziologische Analyse der Formen und Folgen der Digitalisierung. Als Ausgangspunkt für die weitergehende Forschung wird eine wirtschaftssoziologische Perspektive vorgeschlagen, die digitale Marktordnungen ins Zentrum der Überlegungen rückt.
Tote Sprachen als lohnende Investition?
Authors: Sawert Tim
Published: October 2016

Welche Auswirkungen hat eine altsprachliche Gymnasialbildung auf die beruflichen Einstiegschancen? Während die Arbeitsmarkterträge anderer Formen horizontaler Differenzierung im Bildungswesen (z. B. Studienfachwahl) im Blickpunkt der Forschung stehen, wurde den Effekten der schulischen Fremdsprachenwahl bisher keine Aufmerksamkeit geschenkt. Aufbauend auf der Humankapital- und Signaltheorie sowie unter Berücksichtigung der Homophilie-These werden Annahmen über die möglichen Auswirkungen der schulischen Fremdsprachenwahl auf die beruflichen Chancen abgeleitet. Zur Überprüfung der Hypothesen wurde ein Feldexperiment durchgeführt, bei dem Bewerbungen auf ausgeschriebene Stellen verschickt und die Rückmeldungen analysiert wurden. Die Ergebnisse belegen, dass sich der Nachweis altsprachlicher Kenntnisse positiv auf die Chancen auswirkt, zu einem Vorstellungsgespräch eingeladen zu werden.
The Effects of Supplementary Low-Load Blood Flow Restriction Training on Morphological and Performance-Based Adaptations in Team Sport Athletes
Authors: Scott Brendan R. , Peiffer Jeremiah J. , Goods Paul S.R.
Published: October 2016

Scott, BR, Peiffer, JJ, and Goods, PSR. The effects of supplementary low-load blood flow restriction training on morphological and performance-based adaptations in team sport athletes. J Strength Cond Res 31(8): 2147–2154, 2017—Low-load resistance training with blood flow restriction (BFR) may be a method to enhance muscular development even in trained athletes. This study aimed to assess whether supplemental low-load BFR training can improve muscle size, strength, and physical performance characteristics in team sport athletes. Twenty-one semiprofessional Australian football athletes were assessed for 3-repetition maximum (3RM) and muscular endurance in the back squat, vastus lateralis muscle architecture, and performance in sprint and vertical jump tasks. Participants then undertook a 5-week training program, consisting of normal high-load resistance training supplemented by low-load squats with (LLBFR) or without (LL) BFR. Participants also performed regular conditioning and football training during this period. After the training intervention, participants again completed the pretraining testing battery. Squat 3RM and endurance increased from pretraining levels in both LL (3RM = 12.5% increase; endurance = 24.1% increase; p ≤ 0.007) and LLBFR (3RM = 12.3% increase; endurance = 21.2% increase; p = 0.007) groups, though there were no between-group differences. No post-training changes were observed for muscle architecture, or performance in sprinting and jumping tasks. Although squat 3RM and endurance performance increased in both groups, adding BFR during supplemental exercise did not enhance these responses. Similarly, there were no large differences in the assessments of sprint, acceleration, and jumping performance between the groups after training. These findings suggest that although LLBFR did not negatively affect adaptive responses to resistance training, this training strategy may not provide added benefit for healthy Australian football athletes already undertaking a rigorous training schedule.
Acute Axonal Degeneration Drives Development of Cognitive, Motor, and Visual Deficits after Blast-Mediated Traumatic Brain Injury in Mice
Authors: Yin Terry C. , Voorhees Jaymie R. , Genova Rachel M. , Davis Kevin C. , Madison Ashley M. , Britt Jeremiah K. , Cintrón-Pérez Coral J. , McDaniel Latisha , Harper Matthew M. , Pieper Andrew A.
Published: October 2016

Axonal degeneration is a prominent feature of many forms of neurodegeneration, and also an early event in blast-mediated traumatic brain injury (TBI), the signature injury of soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is not known, however, whether this axonal degeneration is what drives development of subsequent neurologic deficits after the injury. The Wallerian degeneration slow strain (WldS) of mice is resistant to some forms of axonal degeneration because of a triplicated fusion gene encoding the first 70 amino acids of Ufd2a, a ubiquitin-chain assembly factor, that is linked to the complete coding sequence of nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase 1 (NMAT1). Here, we demonstrate that resistance ofWldSmice to axonal degeneration after blast-mediated TBI is associated with preserved function in hippocampal-dependent spatial memory, cerebellar-dependent motor balance, and retinal and optic nerve–dependent visual function. Thus, early axonal degeneration is likely a critical driver of subsequent neurobehavioral complications of blast-mediated TBI. Future therapeutic strategies targeted specifically at mitigating axonal degeneration may provide a uniquely beneficial approach to treating patients suffering from the effects of blast-mediated TBI.
Olig2-Targeted G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Gpr17 Regulates Oligodendrocyte Survival in Response to Lysolecithin-Induced Demyelination
Authors: Ou Zhimin , Sun Yuxia , Lin Li , You Nachun , Liu Xue , Li Hongchao , Ma Yanchen , Cao Lei , Han Ying , Liu Min , Deng Yaqi , Yao Luming , Lu Q. Richard , Chen Ying
Published: October 2016

Demyelinating diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, are known to result from acute or chronic injury to the myelin sheath and inadequate remyelination; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we performed genome occupancy analysis by chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing in oligodendrocytes in response to lysolecithin-induced injury and found thatOlig2and its downstream targetGpr17are critical factors in regulating oligodendrocyte survival. After injury to oligodendrocytes, Olig2 was significantly upregulated and transcriptionally targeted theGpr17locus. Gpr17 activation inhibited oligodendrocyte survival by reducing the intracellular cAMP level and inducing expression of the pro-apoptotic geneXaf1. The protein kinase A signaling pathway and the transcription factor c-Fos mediated the regulatory effects of Gpr17 in oligodendrocytes. We showed that Gpr17 inhibition elevatedEpac1expression and promoted oligodendrocyte differentiation. The loss ofGpr17, either globally or specifically in oligodendrocytes, led to an earlier onset of remyelination after myelin injury in mice. Similarly, pharmacological inhibition of Gpr17 with pranlukast promoted remyelination. Our findings indicate thatGpr17, an Olig2 transcriptional target, is activated after injury to oligodendrocytes and that targeted inhibition of Gpr17 promotes oligodendrocyte remyelination.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTGenome occupancy analysis of oligodendrocytes in response to lysolecithin-mediated demyelination injury revealed that Olig2 and its downstream target Gpr17 are part of regulatory circuitry critical for oligodendrocyte survival. Gpr17 inhibits oligodendrocyte survival through activation ofXaf1and cell differentiation by reducingEpac1expression. The loss ofGpr17in mice led to precocious myelination and an earlier onset of remyelination after demyelination. Pharmacological inhibition of Gpr17 promoted remyelination, highlighting the potential for Gpr17-targeted therapeutic approaches in demyelination diseases.
How Close Are We to Understanding What (if Anything) γ Oscillations Do in Cortical Circuits?
Authors: Sohal Vikaas S.
Published: October 2016

γ oscillations, which can be identified by rhythmic electrical signals ∼30–100 Hz, consist of interactions between excitatory and inhibitory neurons that result in rhythmic inhibition capable of entraining firing within local cortical circuits. Many possible mechanisms have been described through which γ oscillations could act on cortical circuits to modulate their responses to input, alter their patterns of activity, and/or enhance the efficacy of their outputs onto downstream targets. Recently, several studies have observed changes in behavior after optogenetically manipulating neocortical γ oscillations. Now, future studies should determine whether these manipulations elicit physiological correlates associated with specific mechanisms through which γ oscillations are hypothesized to modulate cortical circuit function. There are numerous such mechanisms, so identifying which ones are actually engaged by optogenetic manipulations known to affect behavior would help flesh out exactly how γ oscillations contribute to cortical circuit function under normal and/or pathological conditions.
The Neural Dynamics of Attentional Selection in Natural Scenes
Authors: Kaiser Daniel , Oosterhof Nikolaas N. , Peelen Marius V.
Published: October 2016

The human visual system can only represent a small subset of the many objects present in cluttered scenes at any given time, such that objects compete for representation. Despite these processing limitations, the detection of object categories in cluttered natural scenes is remarkably rapid. How does the brain efficiently select goal-relevant objects from cluttered scenes? In the present study, we used multivariate decoding of magneto-encephalography (MEG) data to track the neural representation of within-scene objects as a function of top-down attentional set. Participants detected categorical targets (cars or people) in natural scenes. The presence of these categories within a scene was decoded from MEG sensor patterns by training linear classifiers on differentiating cars and people in isolation and testing these classifiers on scenes containing one of the two categories. The presence of a specific category in a scene could be reliably decoded from MEG response patterns as early as 160 ms, despite substantial scene clutter and variation in the visual appearance of each category. Strikingly, we find that these early categorical representations fully depend on the match between visual input and top-down attentional set: only objects that matched the current attentional set were processed to the category level within the first 200 ms after scene onset. A sensor-space searchlight analysis revealed that this early attention bias was localized to lateral occipitotemporal cortex, reflecting top-down modulation of visual processing. These results show that attention quickly resolves competition between objects in cluttered natural scenes, allowing for the rapid neural representation of goal-relevant objects.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTEfficient attentional selection is crucial in many everyday situations. For example, when driving a car, we need to quickly detect obstacles, such as pedestrians crossing the street, while ignoring irrelevant objects. How can humans efficiently perform such tasks, given the multitude of objects contained in real-world scenes? Here we used multivariate decoding of magnetoencephalogaphy data to characterize the neural underpinnings of attentional selection in natural scenes with high temporal precision. We show that brain activity quickly tracks the presence of objects in scenes, but crucially only for those objects that were immediately relevant for the participant. These results provide evidence for fast and efficient attentional selection that mediates the rapid detection of goal-relevant objects in real-world environments.
Responses to Predictable versus Random Temporally Complex Stimuli from Single Units in Auditory Thalamus: Impact of Aging and Anesthesia
Authors: Cai Rui , Richardson Ben D. , Caspary Donald M.
Published: October 2016

Human aging studies suggest that an increased use of top-down knowledge-based resources would compensate for degraded upstream acoustic information to accurately identify important temporally rich signals. Sinusoidal amplitude-modulated (SAM) stimuli have been used to mimic the fast-changing temporal features in speech and species-specific vocalizations. Single units were recorded from auditory thalamus [medial geniculate body (MGB)] of young awake, aged awake, young anesthetized, and aged anesthetized rats. SAM stimuli were modulated between 2 and 1024 Hz with the modulation frequency (fm) changed randomly (RAN) across trials or sequentially (SEQ) after several repeated trials. Units were found to be RAN-preferring, SEQ-preferring, or nonselective based on total firing rate. Significant anesthesia and age effects were found. The majority (86%) of young anesthetized units preferred RAN SAM stimuli; significantly fewer young awake units (51%,p< 0.0001) preferred RAN SAM signals with 16% preferring SEQ SAM. Compared with young awake units, there was a significant increase of aged awake units preferring SEQ SAM (30%,p< 0.05). We examined RAN versus SEQ differences acrossfms by measuring selectivefm areas under the rate modulation transfer function curve. The largest age-related differences from awake animals were found for mid-to-highfms in MGB units, with young units preferring RAN SAM while aged units showed a greater preference for SEQ-presented SAM. Together, these findings suggest that aged MGB units/animals employ increased top-down mediated stimulus context to enhance processing of “expected” temporally rich stimuli, especially at more challenging higherfms.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTOlder individuals compensate for impaired ascending acoustic information by increasing use of cortical cognitive and attentional resources. The interplay between ascending and descending influences in the thalamus may serve to enhance the salience of speech signals that are degraded as they ascend to the cortex. The present findings demonstrate that medial geniculate body units from awake rats show an age-related preference for predictable modulated signals relative to randomly presented signals, especially at higher, more challenging modulation frequencies. Conversely, units from anesthetized animals, with little top-down influences, strongly preferred randomly presented modulated sequences. These results suggest a neuronal substrate for an age-related increase in experience/attentional-based influences in processing temporally complex auditory information in the auditory thalamus.
Monomeric Alpha-Synuclein Exerts a Physiological Role on Brain ATP Synthase
Authors: Ludtmann Marthe H.R. , Angelova Plamena R. , Ninkina Natalia N. , Gandhi Sonia , Buchman Vladimir L. , Abramov Andrey Y.
Published: October 2016

Misfolded α-synuclein is a key factor in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, knowledge about a physiological role for the native, unfolded α-synuclein is limited. Using brains of mice lacking α-, β-, and γ-synuclein, we report that extracellular monomeric α-synuclein enters neurons and localizes to mitochondria, interacts with ATP synthase subunit α, and modulates ATP synthase function. Using a combination of biochemical, live-cell imaging and mitochondrial respiration analysis, we found that brain mitochondria of α-, β-, and γ-synuclein knock-out mice are uncoupled, as characterized by increased mitochondrial respiration and reduced mitochondrial membrane potential. Furthermore, synuclein deficiency results in reduced ATP synthase efficiency and lower ATP levels. Exogenous application of low unfolded α-synuclein concentrations is able to increase the ATP synthase activity that rescues the mitochondrial phenotypes observed in synuclein deficiency. Overall, the data suggest that α-synuclein is a previously unrecognized physiological regulator of mitochondrial bioenergetics through its ability to interact with ATP synthase and increase its efficiency. This may be of particular importance in times of stress or PD mutations leading to energy depletion and neuronal cell toxicity.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTMisfolded α-synuclein aggregations in the form of Lewy bodies have been shown to be a pathological hallmark in histological staining of Parkinson's disease (PD) patient brains. It is known that misfolded α-synuclein is a key driver in PD pathogenesis, but the physiological role of unfolded monomeric α-synuclein remains unclear. Using neuronal cocultures and isolated brain mitochondria of α-, β-, and γ-synuclein knock-out mice and monomeric α-synuclein, this current study shows that α-synuclein in its unfolded monomeric form improves ATP synthase efficiency and mitochondrial function. The ability of monomeric α-synuclein to enhance ATP synthase efficiency under physiological conditions may be of importance when α-synuclein undergoes the misfolding and aggregation reported in PD.
Vascular adaptation in pregnancy and endothelial dysfunction in preeclampsia
Authors: Boeldt D S , Bird I M
Published: October 2016

Maternal vascular adaptation to pregnancy is critically important to expand the capacity for blood flow through the uteroplacental unit to meet the needs of the developing fetus. Failure of the maternal vasculature to properly adapt can result in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy such as preeclampsia (PE). Herein, we review the endocrinology of maternal adaptation to pregnancy and contrast this with that of PE. Our focus is specifically on those hormones that directly influence endothelial cell function and dysfunction, as endothelial cell dysfunction is a hallmark of PE. A variety of growth factors and cytokines are present in normal vascular adaptation to pregnancy. However, they have also been shown to be circulating at abnormal levels in PE pregnancies. Many of these factors promote endothelial dysfunction when present at abnormal levels by acutely inhibiting key Ca2+signaling events and chronically promoting the breakdown of endothelial cell–cell contacts. Increasingly, our understanding of how the contributions of the placenta, immune cells, and the endothelium itself promote the endocrine milieu of PE is becoming clearer. We then describe in detail how the complex endocrine environment of PE affects endothelial cell function, why this has contributed to the difficulty in fully understanding and treating this disorder, and how a focus on signaling convergence points of many hormones may be a more successful treatment strategy.
Validity of Klotho, CYR61 and YKL-40 as ideal predictive biomarkers for acute kidney injury: review study
Authors: Mosa Osama , Skitek Milan , Jerin Ales
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACT CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is still a headache for clinicians and scientists as a possible reason for increased death among intensive care unit (ICU) patients after invasive cardiac surgery. Furthermore, the diagnostic process for AKI using conventional biomarkers is not sufficient to ensure early warning of this condition because of the morbid influence of non-renal factors that definitively delay the time for the prognosis. These imposed limitations have led to significant amounts of research targeted towards identifying novel biomarkers for AKI with a sustained degree of sensitivity and specificity. Here, we reviewed previous studies conducted on the Klotho, CYR61 and YKL-40 biomarkers in relation to AKI. DESIGN AND SETTING: Review of the literature conducted in the Institute of Clinical Chemistry & Biochemistry, Ljubljana University Medical Center, Slovenia. METHODS: The literature was searched in PubMed and the Cochrane Library. From the database of this specialty, we selected 17 references that matched our context for detailed analysis and further investigation. RESULTS: The studies reviewed showed notable differences in their results relating to the diagnostic impact of Klotho, CYR61 and YKL-40 on early prediction of AKI. CONCLUSIONS: The results regarding the Klotho, CYR61 and YKL-40 biomarkers showed markedly equivocal performance in the previous studies and did not fulfill the expectations that these factors would form valid possible biomarkers for AKI.
Entendendo as limitações do uso das figuras de Lissajous para medir a velocidade do som
Authors: Pavan Theo Z.
Published: October 2016

Em artigo recente publicado nessa revista apresenta-se um método para determinar a situação de ressonância em uma coluna de ar, para o cálculo da velocidade do som, usando a técnica de obtenção de fase por curvas de Lissajous. Contudo, alguns aspectos teóricos necessários para o melhor entendimento da técnica, bem como algumas limitações de seu uso podem ser mais bem explorados. Essa nota foi escrita com o objetivo de aperfeiçoar esses aspectos, o que deve ser útil para futuros leitores do artigo.
Efeito do tratamento com óleos essenciais sobre a qualidade fisiológica e sanitária das sementes de milho (Zea mays)
Authors: Domene Maria Paula , Glória Eduardo Micotti da , Biagi João Domingos , Benedetti Benedito Carlos , Martins Leila
Published: October 2016

RESUMO: O desenvolvimento de pesticidas é uma constante no setor agropecuário, visando oferecer produtos menos agressivos ao meio ambiente e novos princípios ativos, evitando o aparecimento de resistência. O estudo de alternativas aos fungicidas utilizados no tratamento de sementes tem nos óleos essenciais um campo para prospecção. Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos dos óleos essenciais provenientes de folhas de C. citriodora e E. camaldulensis , em sementes de milho da variedade AL Bandeirante, de diferentes localidades. A qualidade fisiológica e sanitária das sementes foi avaliada quando se trataram as amostras utilizando os óleos individualmente, a mistura equitativa desses óleos e o tratamento com um antifúngico comercial. Foi observado que o tratamento com os óleos C. citriodora e E. camaldulensis e a mistura dos óleos não afetou a germinação imediata das sementes de Avaré. No lote de Bernardino de Campos, o tratamento com C. citriodora foi prejudicial; com o E. camualdulensis , apesar de não diferenciar estatisticamente dos demais, diminuiu a germinação, o que impediria sua utilização como semente, segundo o padrão normatizado (de 85%) pelo Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento (MAPA). O óleo de E. camaldulensis apresentou efeito fitotóxico, diminuindo o comprimento das plântulas; a acetona utilizada como solvente não influenciou sobre a germinação, mas apresentou efeito fitotóxico após o envelhecimento acelerado. A aplicação dos óleos isoladamente foi capaz de diminuir a incidência dos fungos dos gêneros Penicillium e Fusarium , mas para Aspergillus o comportamento foi semelhante ao antifúngico comercial, não apresentando efeito quando comparado ao tratamento testemunha.
Persistence of chlorpyrifos in greenhouse air
Authors: Nakagawa Lia Emi , Potenza Marcos Roberto , Ichirraro Taysa Harue , Papini Solange
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACT: Organophosphate pesticides are among those with the highest acute toxicity and are available on the market and used in several regions of Brazil. The concentration and residence time of the organophosphate pesticide, chlorpyrifos, in the air after application in a greenhouse were investigated. For more than 24 h, the chlorpyrifos remained in the greenhouse air at concentrations three times above the occupational exposure limit and was still detectable four days later.