bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dysfunction of the systemic right ventricle after atrial switch: physiological implications of altered septal geometry and load
Authors: Storsten Petter , Eriksen Morten , Remme Espen W. , Boe Espen , Erikssen Gunnar , Smiseth Otto A. , Skulstad Helge
Published: September 2018

Atrial switch operation in patients with transposition of the great arteries (TGA) leads to leftward shift and changes the geometry of the interventricular septum. By including the implications of regional work and septal curvature, this study investigates if changes in septal function and geometry contribute to reduced function of the systemic right ventricle (RV) in adult TGA patients. Regional myocardial work estimation has been possible by applying a recently developed method for noninvasive work calculation based on echocardiography. In 14 TGA patients (32 ± 6 yr, means ± SD) and 14 healthy controls, systemic ventricular systolic strains were measured by speckle tracking echocardiography and regional work was calculated by pressure-strain analysis. In TGA patients, septal longitudinal strain was reduced to −14 ± 2 vs. −20 ± 2% in controls ( P < 0.01) and septal work was reduced from 2,046 ± 318 to 1,146 ± 260 mmHg·% ( P < 0.01). Septal circumferential strain measured in a subgroup of patients was reduced to −11 ± 3 vs. −27 ± 3% in controls ( P < 0.01), and a reduction of septal work (540 ± 273 vs. 2,663 ± 459 mmHg·%) was seen ( P < 0.01). These reductions were in part attributed to elevated afterload due to increased radius of curvature of the leftward shifted septum. To conclude, in this mechanistic study we demonstrate that septal dysfunction contributes to failure of the systemic RV after atrial switch in TGA patients. This is potentially a long-term response to increased afterload due to a flatter septum and suggests that medical therapy that counteracts septal flattening may improve function of the systemic RV.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY We have demonstrated that transposition of the great arteries patients with systemic right ventricles (RVs) have reduced function of the interventricular septum (IVS). Since the IVS is constructed to eject into the systemic circulation, it may seem unexpected that it does not maintain function when being part of the systemic RV. By applying the principles of regional work, wall tension, and geometry, we have identified unfavorable working conditions for the IVS when the RV adapts to systemic pressures.
The spatial pattern of methacholine bronchoconstriction recurs when supine independently of posture during provocation but does not recur between postures
Authors: Geier Eric T. , Kubo Kent , Theilmann Rebecca J. , Prisk Gordon K. , Sá Rui C.
Published: September 2018

The location of lung regions with compromised ventilation (often called ventilation defects) during a bronchoconstriction event may be influenced by posture. We aimed to determine the effect of prone versus supine posture on the spatial pattern of methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction in six healthy adults (ages 21–41, 3 women) using specific ventilation imaging. Three postural conditions were chosen to assign the effect of posture to the drug administration and/or imaging phase of the experiment: supine methacholine administration followed by supine imaging, prone methacholine administration followed by supine imaging, and prone methacholine administration followed by prone imaging. The two conditions in which imaging was performed supine had similar spatial patterns of bronchoconstriction despite a change in posture during methacholine administration; the odds ratio for recurrent constriction was mean (SD) = 7.4 (3.9). Conversely, dissimilar spatial patterns of bronchoconstriction emerged when posture during imaging was changed; the odds ratio for recurrent constriction between the prone methacholine/supine imaging condition and the prone methacholine/prone imaging condition was 1.2 (0.9). Logistic regression showed that height above the dependent lung border was a significant negative predictor of constriction in the two supine imaging conditions ( P < 0.001 for each) but not in the prone imaging condition ( P = 0.20). These results show that the spatial pattern of methacholine bronchoconstriction is recurrent in the supine posture, regardless of whether methacholine is given prone or supine but that prone posture during imaging eliminates that recurrent pattern and reduces its dependence on gravitational height.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY The spatial pattern of methacholine bronchoconstriction in the supine posture is recurrent and skewed toward the dependent lung, regardless of whether inhaled methacholine is administered while supine or while prone. However, both the recurrent pattern and the gravitational skew are eliminated if imaging is performed prone. These results suggest that gravitational influence on regional lung inflation and airway topography at the time of measurement play a role in determining regional bronchoconstriction in the healthy lung.
Simple intermittent resistance activity mitigates the detrimental effect of prolonged unbroken sitting on arterial function in overweight and obese adults
Authors: Climie Rachel E. , Wheeler Michael J. , Grace Megan , Lambert Elisabeth A. , Cohen Neale , Owen Neville , Kingwell Bronwyn A. , Dunstan David W. , Green Daniel J.
Published: September 2018

Prolonged sitting contributes to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. The underlying mechanisms are unknown but may include changes in arterial function and vasoactive mediators. We examined the effects of prolonged unbroken sitting, relative to regular active interruptions to sitting time, on arterial function in adults at increased CVD risk. In a randomized crossover trial, 19 sedentary overweight/obese adults (mean ± SD age 57 ± 12 yr) completed 2 laboratory-based conditions: 5 h uninterrupted sitting (SIT) and 5 h sitting interrupted every 30 min by 3 min of simple resistance activities (SRA). Femoral artery function [flow-mediated dilation (FMD)], blood flow, and shear rate were measured at 0 h, 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, and 5 h. Brachial FMD was assessed at 0 and 5 h. Plasma was collected hourly for measurement of endothelin-1 (ET-1), nitrates/nitrites, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). There was a significant decline in femoral artery FMD, averaged over 5 h in the SIT condition, relative to SRA ( P < 0.001). Plasma ET-1 total area under the curve over 5 h increased in the SIT condition compared with SRA ( P = 0.006). There was no significant difference between conditions in femoral or brachial shear rate, brachial FMD, nitrates/nitrites, VCAM-1, or ICAM-1 ( P > 0.05 for all). Five hours of prolonged sitting, relative to regular interruptions to sitting time, impaired femoral artery vasodilator function and increased circulating ET-1 in overweight/obese adults. There is the need to build on this evidence beyond acute observations to better understand the potential longer-term vascular-related consequences of prolonged sitting.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This is the first study to examine the effect of prolonged sitting on arterial function in adults at increased cardiovascular disease risk. We have shown that 5 h of prolonged sitting, relative to regular interruptions to sitting time, impaired femoral artery vasodilator function and increased circulating endothelin-1 in overweight/obese adults. There is now the need to build on this evidence beyond acute observations to better understand the potential longer-term vascular-related consequences of prolonged sitting.
Study of Nonlinear Characteristics and Model Based Control for Proportional Electromagnet
Authors: Song En-Zhe , Zhao Guo-Feng , Yao Chong , Ma Zi-Kun , Ding Shun-Liang , Ma Xiu-Zhen
Published: September 2018

The nonlinear characteristics of proportional electromagnet caused by hysteresis bring great difficulties on its accurate position tracking control by current. In order to enhance the practicability and reliability of long stroke electromagnet in case of position sensor fault and improve the position tracking performance during current closed-loop control, experimental investigations on the electromagnet actuator hysteresis characteristics of diesel engine governor are carried out to analyze the system dynamic features and the effects of hysteresis on actuator position tracking performance. It is clear that hysteresis can significantly hinder the accurate position control of the electromagnet actuator. Consequently, the fuel injection will be delayed, which will lead to hysteresis of engine speed control as well as deterioration of engine performance. In this paper, the hysteresis phenomenon of an actuator and its influence on control performance of engine are investigated. The model of proportional electromagnet actuator (PEA) is established and the hysteresis principle is analyzed. Then the inverse model control strategy based on neural network (NN) is proposed to linearize the transfer behavior of electromagnet and compensate for the magnet hysteresis. Rapid control prototyping (RCP) experiment based on MicroAutoBox is further implemented to validate the real-time performance of the proposed control strategy in D6114 diesel engine. The results show that the speed fluctuation (SF) under steady-state conditions (especially under idle speed condition) and the recovery time as well as the overshoot under transient conditions are significantly improved. This makes it possible to develop redundant electromagnet driving control strategy.
Prevalence of Haemonchus contortus Infections in Sheep and Goats in Nyagatare District, Rwanda
Authors: Mushonga Borden , Habumugisha Dismas , Kandiwa Erick , Madzingira Oscar , Samkange Alaster , Segwagwe Basiamisi Ernest , Jaja Ishmael Festus
Published: September 2018

This study investigated the overall prevalence of Haemonchus contortus infection in sheep and goats from five purposively selected subdivisions (sectors) of Nyagatare district from January to December 2014, after a high prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites and generalized poor productivity was reported in small ruminants in some districts of Rwanda. Faecal egg counts (FEC) were performed using the Modified Wisconsin Sugar Floatation method and the Fluorescent-labeled peanut-lectin agglutination test while enumerations, as log (FEC), were done using the modified McMaster method. The overall prevalence of H. contortus infection in sheep and goats was 75.7% (n=949). The overall prevalence of H. contortus infection in sheep (83.4%, n=314) was higher than in goats (71.8%, n=635) (Odds Ratio [OR] 1.98, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.40-2.79, and p≤0.001). The prevalence of H. contortus infection in female goats (74.2%) was higher than in male goats (64.3%) (OR 1.60, 95% CI: 1.09-2.36, and p=0.01). The prevalence of H. contortus infection in goats from Nyagatare was higher than in goats from Matimba (OR 3.25, 95% CI: 1.76-5.99, and p≤0.001) and from Katabagemu (OR 3.67, 95% CI: 2.04-6.59, and p≤0.001). The prevalence of H. contortus infection in goats from Karangazi was higher than in goats from Matimba (OR 4.72, 95% CI: 2.40-9.28, and p≤0.001). The overall mean monthly log (FEC) for H. contortus in sheep and goats were highest in April (18.9±0.2 and 14.05±0.1, respectively) and October (19.25± 0.2 and 13.75±0.1, respectively). Though, overall, sheep in Nyagatare district were at greater risk of H. contortus infection and goats from Nyagatare and Karangazi sectors were paradoxically at greater risk of H. contortus infection. It was also apparent that young female goats were at greater risk of H. contortus infection than young male goats. H. contortus infection is endemic in small ruminants in Nyagatare district and possibly other districts in Rwanda. Targeted selective treatment (TST) using FAMACHA with emphasis on low-lying swampy pastures and appropriate anthelmintic drugs may be the most economically viable solution in the short term. In the long term breeding of H. contortus resistant small ruminants and strategic grazing using the concept of refugia may bring about considerable relief from H. contortus infection in Nyagatare district, in particular, and Rwanda at large.
Circulating Th1, Th2, Th9, Th17, Th22, and Treg Levels in Aortic Dissection Patients
Authors: Ye Jing , Wang Yuan , Wang Zhen , Ji Qingwei , Huang Ying , Zeng Tao , Hu Haiying , Ye Di , Wan Jun , Lin Yingzhong
Published: September 2018

Background. Previous studies demonstrated that the subsets of CD4+ T helper (Th) cells are closely related to vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis and hypertension. This study is aimed at investigating the circulating Th1, Th2, Th9, Th17, Th22, and Treg levels in aortic dissection (AD) patients. Methods. Blood samples from AD (n=56) and non-AD (NAD, n=24) patients were collected, and the circulating levels of Th1, Th2, Th9, Th17, Th22, and Treg cells and their transcription factors and functional cytokines were measured by flow cytometric analysis, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, respectively. In addition, the human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) were treated with saline, angiotensin II (Ang II), or plasma from AD patients. Results. Compared with the levels in the NAD group, the Th1, Th9, Th17, Th22, and their transcription factor levels were increased and the Th2, Treg, and their transcription factor levels exhibited a decreasing trend in AD patients. In addition, higher IFN-γ, IL-9, IL-17, and IL-22 levels and lower IL-4 and IL-35 levels were observed in AD patients. Simple linear regression analysis and binary logistic regression analysis suggested that Th1/IFN-γ, IL-9, Th17/IL-17, and Th22/IL-22 positively regulated the occurrence of AD, while Th2/IL-4 and Treg/IL-35 negatively regulated the occurrence of AD. Plasma from AD patients further increased Bax mRNA levels but decreased Bcl2 and α-SMA mRNA levels in Ang II-treated HASMCs. Conclusions. Changes in Th1, Th2, Th9, Th17, Th22, and Treg activity are associated with the onset of AD. Different subsets of CD4+ T cells play different roles in the presence of AD.
Consensus Protocols for Heterogeneous Multiagent Systems with Disturbances via Integral Sliding Mode Control
Authors: Ye Hongtao , Li Mengmeng , Luo Wenguang
Published: September 2018

The existing results on consensus of multiagent systems are mainly based on homogeneous systems; that is, all agents have the same dynamic model. This paper focuses on consensus of heterogeneous multiagent systems, which consist of first-order and second-order integrator agents. Based on integral sliding mode control, the consensus protocols of heterogeneous multiagent systems with disturbances are investigated under the directed networks. Some sufficient conditions for finite-time consensus are obtained by utilizing Lyapunov stability theory. Finally, some examples verify the effectiveness of the proposed control schemes.
Synthesis of Novel VO(II)-Perimidine Complexes: Spectral, Computational, and Antitumor Studies
Authors: Al-Hazmi Gamil A. , Abou-Melha Khlood S. , El-Metwaly Nashwa M. , Saleh Kamel A.
Published: September 2018

A series of perimidine derivatives (L1–5) were prepared and characterized by IR, 1H·NMR, mass spectroscopy, UV-Vis, XRD, thermal, and SEM analysis. Five VO(II) complexes were synthesized and investigated by most previous tools besides the theoretical usage. A neutral tetradentate mode of bonding is the general approach for all binding ligands towards bi-vanadyl atoms. A square-pyramidal is the configuration proposed for all complexes. XRD analysis introduces the nanocrystalline nature of the ligand while the amorphous appearance of its metal ion complexes. The rocky shape is the observable surface morphology from SEM images. Thermal analysis verifies the presence of water of crystallization with all coordination spheres. The optimization process was accomplished using the Gaussian 09 software by different methods. The most stable configurations were extracted and displayed. Essential parameters were computed based on frontier energy gaps with all compounds. QSAR parameters were also obtained to give another side of view about the biological approach with the priority of the L3 ligand. Applying AutoDockTools 4.2 program over all perimidine derivatives introduces efficiency against 4c3p protein of breast cancer. Antitumor activity was screened for all compounds by a comparative view over breast, colon, and liver carcinoma cell lines. IC50 values represent promising efficiency of the L4-VO(II) complex against breast, colon, and liver carcinoma cell lines. The binding efficiency of ligands towards CT-DNA was tested. Binding constant (Kb) values are in agreement with the electron-drawing character of the p-substituent which offers high Kb values. Also, variable Hammett’s relations were drawn.
Sharp Bounds for the Second-Order General Connectivity Index of Hexagonal Chains
Authors: Chen Deqiang
Published: September 2018

Given H, a hexagonal chain, we determine an expression of its second-order general connectivity index, denoted by  χ2α(H), in terms of inlet features of H. Moreover, by applying the method in integer programming theory, we completely determine the extremal chains with the minimal or maximal χ2α(H) over the set of hexagonal chains.
Time-Consistent Strategies for Multi-Period Portfolio Optimization with/without the Risk-Free Asset
Authors: Zhou Zhongbao , Liu Xianghui , Xiao Helu , Ren TianTian , Liu Wenbin
Published: September 2018

The pre-commitment and time-consistent strategies are the two most representative investment strategies for the classic multi-period mean-variance portfolio selection problem. In this paper, we revisit the case in which there exists one risk-free asset in the market and prove that the time-consistent solution is equivalent to the optimal open-loop solution for the classic multi-period mean-variance model. Then, we further derive the explicit time-consistent solution for the classic multi-period mean-variance model only with risky assets, by constructing a novel Lagrange function and using backward induction. Also, we prove that the Sharpe ratio with both risky and risk-free assets strictly dominates that of only with risky assets under the time-consistent strategy setting. After the theoretical investigation, we perform extensive numerical simulations and out-of-sample tests to compare the performance of pre-commitment and time-consistent strategies. The empirical studies shed light on the important question: what is the primary motivation of using the time-consistent investment strategy.
Room-Temperature Preparation of Cobalt-Based Electrocatalysts through Simple Solution Treatment for Selectively High-Efficiency Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in Alkaline or Acidic Medium
Authors: Chen Zheng , Luo Wenjun , Du Feng , Wang Ruyi , Li Liang , Zhou Yong , Zou Zhigang
Published: September 2018

The versatile cobalt-phosphorus (Co-P) precursor was synthesized on Ni foam (NF) with an electrodeposition method. Simple room-temperature treatment of the precursor with 1 M NaOH and 0.5 M H2SO4 allows for the production of cobalt oxide nanorods (CoxOy/NF) and cobalt phosphate/phosphide (Co-Pi/CoP/NF), respectively. The resulting CoxOy/NF shows a low overpotential (η10) of 80 mV at −10 mA/cm2 in an alkaline electrolyte (pH = 14) for a hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) toward electrocatalytic water splitting. The Co-Pi/CoP/NF exhibits a low η10 of 112 mV in an acidic electrolyte (pH = 0), in which the synergy between Co (+2) and Co (+3) may play an important role in the reaction.
A Study on Profit Distribution for Water Rights Cooperation Taking into Account Dominant Power of Transfer Sectors
Authors: Tan Jiayin , Jiang Dakui
Published: September 2018

In this paper, we explore the issue of profit distribution for water resources collaborative alliances that are composed of one single water rights transfer sector and several water resources requirement sectors. Considering the dominant position of the water rights transfer sector in water resources cooperation, we propose a novel 3-step approach on profit distribution for coalitions by applying game theory for interactions that include coalition structures and permission structures. We examine the effectiveness of this approach by a case study of water rights cooperation between the agriculture sector and agroindustrial sectors of the Karoon river basin in Iran. The results show that this approach allows players who have veto rights to obtain more payoffs from the coalition’s profit distribution in contrast to using the Owen value. In other words, the distribution results of the 3-step approach reflect the advantage held by the water rights transfer sector based on its veto power. Further, our proposed 3-step approach takes the permission structure among a priori unions into consideration when distributing the profits of the water resources coalition while the P-Owen value considers only the permission structure among players.
A New Framework Consisted of Data Preprocessing and Classifier Modelling for Software Defect Prediction
Authors: Ji Haijin , Huang Song
Published: September 2018

Different data preprocessing methods and classifiers have been established and evaluated earlier for the software defect prediction (SDP) across projects. These novel approaches have provided relatively acceptable prediction results for different software projects. However, to the best of our knowledge, few researchers have combined data preprocessing and building robust classifier simultaneously to improve prediction performances in SDP. Therefore, this paper presents a new whole framework for predicting fault-prone software modules. The proposed framework consists of instance filtering, feature selection, instance reduction, and establishing a new classifier. Additionally, we find that the 21 main software metrics commonly do follow nonnormal distribution after performing a Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Therefore, the newly proposed classifier is built on the maximum correntropy criterion (MCC). The MCC is well-known for its effectiveness in handling non-Gaussian noise. To evaluate the new framework, the experimental study is designed with due care using nine open-source software projects with their 32 releases, obtained from the PROMISE data repository. The prediction accuracy is evaluated using F-measure. The state-of-the-art methods for Cross-Project Defect Prediction are also included for comparison. All of the evidences derived from the experimentation verify the effectiveness and robustness of our new framework.
Does TMB Impact the Effectiveness of TKIs in EGFR-Mutant NSCLC?
Authors: Cheng Michael L. , Oxnard Geoffrey R.
Published: September 2018

Patients with EGFR-mutant non–small cell lung cancer achieve variable benefit from targeted therapy, and biomarkers to predict degree of benefit are not in clinical use. EGFR-mutant cancers with high tumor mutational burden demonstrate poorer outcomes on EGFR-targeted therapy. Investigation into the mechanisms underlying this intriguing association is needed.

See related article by Offin et al., p. 1063
Selective Inhibition of ADAM28 Suppresses Lung Carcinoma Cell Growth and Metastasis
Authors: Mochizuki Satsuki , Shimoda Masayuki , Abe Hitoshi , Miyamae Yuka , Kuramoto Junko , Aramaki-Hattori Noriko , Ishii Ken , Ueno Hideki , Miyakoshi Akira , Kojoh Kanehisa , Okada Yasunori
Published: September 2018

ADAM28 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 28) is overexpressed by carcinoma cells in non–small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC) and plays an important role in cancer cell proliferation and metastasis by reactivation of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and escaping from von Willebrand factor (VWF)–induced apoptosis through digestion of IGF-binding protein-3 and VWF, respectively. To aim for new target therapy of NSCLC patients, we developed human neutralizing antibodies 211-12 and 211-14 against ADAM28, which showed IC50 values of 62.4 and 37.5 nmol/L, respectively. Antibody 211-14 recognized the junctional region between cysteine-rich domain and secreted-specific domain and showed a KD value of 94.7 pmol/L for the epitope-containing peptide. This antibody detected monkey and human secreted-form ADAM28s, although it was not reactive with mouse membrane-anchored ADAM28m. Antibody 211-14 effectively inhibited IGF-1–stimulated cell proliferation of lung adenocarcinoma cell lines with ADAM28 expression, including PC-9 cells, and promoted VWF-induced cell death in these cell lines. In lung metastasis models, antibody 211-14 significantly reduced tumor growth and metastases of PC-9 cells and prolonged survivals in the antibody-treated mice compared with the control IgG-treated ones. Combination therapy of the antibody and docetaxel was more effective than that of bevacizumab and docetaxel and showed further elongation of survival time compared with monotherapy. No adverse effects were observed even after administration of 10-fold more than effective dose of anti-ADAM28 antibody to normal mice. Our data demonstrate that antibody 211-14 is a neutralizing antibody specific to ADAM28s and suggest that this antibody may be a useful treatment remedy for NSCLC patients. Mol Cancer Ther; 17(11); 2427–38. ©2018 AACR.
Impact of Food Fortification on Child Growth and Development during Complementary Feeding
Authors: Okeyo David Omondi
Published: September 2018

There appears to be increasing evidence of the relationship between infant feeding practices and growth during infancy. Effective complementary feeding has demonstrated an observable positive effect on the linear growth of a child within the first 24 months of life. It appears that improved complementary feeding is directly proportional to the linear growth of a child. Fortification of commonly used food vehicles provides an opportunity for increasing nutrient intake during infancy and has the potential to improve growth and development dimensions. This review scanned through 186 articles from common search engines, mainly PubMed, BioMed Central, and Google Scholar. The result based on a systematic review of articles which met the minimum selection criteria identified milk, iodine, maize meal porridge, and vegetable oils as recurring fortification vehicles in the context of complementary feeding. A significant impact of fortification on linear and cognitive growth was demonstrated recurrently across the included empirical studies. However, the review reflects outcomes that still do not demonstrate direct cause and effect relationships but rather implied meaning in the relationship matrix.
CC Chemokine Ligand 18 Promotes Cell Proliferation and Metastasis of Urothelial Carcinoma via Activating PI3K/mTOR Signaling in Patient with Renal Transplantation
Authors: Bo Song , Donghao Shang , Guangqi Kong , Ye Tian
Published: September 2018

Objective: The study aimed to investigate the role of chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 18 (CCL18) in the progression of urothelial carcinoma (UC) after renal transplants (RT). Methods: Tissues were collected from 60 patients with UC in which 24 were after RT. The tissues were all obtained from patients after radical cystectomy. Expression levels of CCL18 were examined by immunohistochemistry, RT-polymerase chain ­reaction (RT-PCR), and quantitative RT-PCR, respectively. WST-1 assay was performed to determine proliferative capacity of UC cells. Migration and invasion of UC cells were analyzed by the using of chemotaxis and Transwell system. Western blotting was applied to assess the activation of PI3K-mTOR (Mammalian Target of Rapamycin) signaling. Results: Compared to normal urothelial tissues, the expression levels of CCL18 were significantly increased in tumors of UC, and even more in tumors of UC after RT. Ectopic expression of CCL18 efficiently enhanced the proliferation of UC cells and moreover, exacerbated the migration and invasion of UC cells. Furthermore, overexpressed CCL18 increased the phosphorylation of PI3K, Akt, and mTOR in UC cells, suggesting the hyperactivation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling. Conclusions: The results demonstrate the critical role of CCL18 in the progression of UC, especially in receipt with RT. Our study indicates that CCL18 could serve as a biomarker and therapeutic target in diagnosis of recipients with UC after RT.
Markers Involved in Innate Immunity and Neutrophil Activation are Elevated during Acute Human Anaphylaxis: Validation of a Microarray Study
Authors: Francis Abbie , Bosio Erika , Stone Shelley F. , Fatovich Daniel M. , Arendts Glenn , MacDonald Stephen P.J. , Burrows Sally , Brown Simon G.A.
Published: September 2018

Background: We have previously identified the upregulation of the innate immune response, neutrophil activation, and apoptosis during anaphylaxis using a microarray approach. This study aimed to validate the differential gene expression and investigate protein concentrations of “hub genes” and upstream regulators during anaphylaxis. Methods: Samples were collected from patients with anaphylaxis on their arrival at the emergency department, and after 1 and 3 h. mRNA levels of 11 genes (interleukin-6 [IL-6], IL-10, oncostatin M [OSM], S100A8, S100A9, matrix metalloproteinase 9 [MMP9], FASL, toll-like receptor 4 [TLR4], MYD88, triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 [TREM1], and cluster of differentiation 64 [CD64]) were measured in peripheral blood leucocytes using qPCR. Serum protein concentrations were measured by ELISA or cytometric bead array for 6 of these candidates. Results: Of 69 anaphylaxis patients enrolled, 36 (52%) had severe reactions, and 38 (55%) were female. Increases in both mRNA and protein of IL-10, S100A9, MMP9, and TREM1 were observed. OSM, S100A8, TLR4, and CD64 were upregulated and IL-6 protein concentrations were increased during anaphylaxis. Both FASL and soluble Fas ligand decreased during anaphylaxis. Conclusion: These results provide evidence for the involvement of innate immune pathways and myeloid cells during human anaphylaxis, validating previous microarray findings. Elevated S100A8, S100A9, TLR4, and TREM1 expression, and increased S100A9 and soluble TREM1 protein concentrations strongly suggest that neutrophils are activated during acute anaphylaxis.
Icariside II, a Phosphodiesterase-5 Inhibitor, Attenuates Beta-Amyloid-Induced Cognitive Deficits via BDNF/TrkB/CREB Signaling
Authors: Liu Shuang , Li Xiaohui , Gao Jianmei , Liu Yuangui , Shi Jingshan , Gong Qihai
Published: September 2018

Background/Aims: Icariside II (ICS II) is an active component from Epimedium brevicornum, a Chinese medicine extensively used in China. Our previous study has proved that ICS II protects against learning and memory impairments and neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampus induced by beta-amyloid25-35 (Aβ25-35) in rats. However, its in-depth underlying mechanisms remain still unclear. Hence this study was designed to explore the potential underlying mechanisms of ICS II by experiments with an in vivo model of Aβ25-35-induced cognitive deficits in rats combined with a neuronal-like PC12 cells injury in vitro model. Methods: The cognitive deficits was measured using Morris water maze test, and apoptosis, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial ROS levels were detected by TUNEL, DCFH-DA and Mito-SOX staining, respectively. Expression of Bcl-2, Bax, brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB), and cAMP response element binding (p-CREB) and active-Caspase 3 levels were evaluated by Western blot. Results: It was found that ICS II, a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor, significantly attenuated cognitive deficits caused by Aβ25-35 injection in rats, and ICS II not only significantly enhanced the expression of BDNF and TrkB, but also activated CREB. Furthermore, ICS II also significantly abrogated Aβ25-35-induced PC12 cell injury, and inhibited Aβ25-35-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction, as well as mitochondrial ROS levels. In addition, ICS II up-regulated the expressions of BDNF and TrkB consistent with the findings in vivo. ANA-12, a TrkB inhibitor, blocked the neuroprotective effect of ICS II on Aβ25-35-induced neuronal injury. Conclusion: ICS II mitigates Aβ25-35-induced cognitive deficits and neuronal cell injury by upregulating the BDNF/TrkB/CREB signaling, suggesting that ICS II can be used as a potential therapeutic agent for dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
МЕТАБОЛІТОТРОПНА ТЕРАПІЯ В ЛІКУВАННІ ПАЦІЄНТІВ ІЗ ГІПЕРТОНІЧНОЮ ХВОРОБОЮ ІІ СТАДІЇ У ПОЄДНАННІ З СТАБІЛЬНОЮ ІШЕМІЧНОЮ ХВОРОБОЮ СЕРЦЯ
Authors: Boyko V. V. , Biletskyi S. V.
Published: September 2018

In the treatment of arterial hypertension (AH), stable ischemic heart disease (SIHD), correction of metabolic factors of cardiovascular risk using antioxidants and nitrogen monoxide (NO) donor agents is extremely important.The aim of the study – to investigate the effectiveness of treatment of patients with AH of the II stage in conjunction with SIHD by influencing with Quercetin (Corvitin) and Arginine hydrochloride (Tivortin) upon the lipid and carbohydrate metabolism indices, the intensity of peroxide lipid oxidation (LPO), and the endothelial function.Materials and Methods. The study involved 56 patients with AH of the II stage concomitant with SIHD, which were randomized into two groups. The 1st group consisted of 24 patients, who received a common baseline therapy (BT). Patients of the 2nd group (32 persons) received infusion Corvitin therapy (0.5 g) besides BT during the first 6 days, and 100 ml of intravenous Tivortin solution during the next 6 days, followed by the outpatient oral administration of 10 ml of Tivortin 2 times per day during two weeks.Results and Discussion. The use of Corvitin and Tivortin against the background of BT in patients with AH of the II stage in combination with SIHD has led to a significant improvement of lipidogram indices, decreased plasma glucose concentration, immunoreactive insulin (IRI), HOMA -IR index, plasma malonic aldehyde (MA) and erythrocytes. Reliable increase in the content of reduced glutathione (RG), increased activity of glutathione peroxidase (GP), catalase (CT) has been marked from the side of antioxidant protection (AOP). There was a significant increase in the content of end-metabolites of NO by 22.2 %, of the endothelial vascular growth factor VEG F-A – by 38.2 %. A more significant indices dynamics is observed in patients with the genotype Pro/Ala of the PPAR γ2 gene.
Categorization Goals Modulate the Use of Natural Scene Statistics
Authors: De Cesarei Andrea , Cavicchi Shari , Micucci Antonia , Codispoti Maurizio
Published: September 2018

Understanding natural scenes involves the contribution of bottom–up analysis and top–down modulatory processes. However, the interaction of these processes during the categorization of natural scenes is not well understood. In the current study, we approached this issue using ERPs and behavioral and computational data. We presented pictures of natural scenes and asked participants to categorize them in response to different questions (Is it an animal/vehicle? Is it indoors/outdoors? Are there one/two foreground elements?). ERPs for target scenes requiring a “yes” response began to differ from those of nontarget scenes, beginning at 250 msec from picture onset, and this ERP difference was unmodulated by the categorization questions. Earlier ERPs showed category-specific differences (e.g., between animals and vehicles), which were associated with the processing of scene statistics. From 180 msec after scene onset, these category-specific ERP differences were modulated by the categorization question that was asked. Categorization goals do not modulate only later stages associated with target/nontarget decision but also earlier perceptual stages, which are involved in the processing of scene statistics.
Reading the Slave Girl of Acts 16:16-18 in Light of Enslavement and Disability
Authors: Valentine Katy E.
Published: September 2018

This article analyzes the story of the exorcism of the slave girl in Acts 16:16-18 in light of recent studies in the field of disability. I show that the ancient world considered spirit possession to be a disability, and the slave girl is doubly vulnerable as one both possessed and enslaved. Her oracular status, however, gave her a limited amount of authority in her context, which was erased in the exorcism by Paul. The loss of this disability then increased the risk for the slave girl by angering her masters. The slave girl is a “narrative prosthesis” in the text; the story is interested primarily in her disability, and once her disability is removed, she disappears from the text. The story of the slave girl offers us insights about the power of embracing disabilities as valuable identities and sources of authority.
Gender in Biblical Studies after the Forgery of The Gospel of Jesus’s Wife
Authors: Zeichmann Christopher B.
Published: September 2018

The Gospel of Jesus’s Wife (GJW) was announced in 2012, but was effectively declared “dead” in June 2016 when it was shown beyond doubt to be a modern forgery. This article, rather than discussing the content or authenticity of GJW, considers the role of gender in scholarly discourse on GJW. While conversation about GJW began as one would expect for a newly announced Gospel fragment, its subtext soon evinced preoccupations with gender in the field of biblical studies. Particularly troubling was the sexist intonation of scholarly discourse, which came to associate GJW and its advocates with “hyperfeminism” and deemed the fragment’s owner’s spouse an “eccentric wife.” This article is an effort to both describe the texture of scholarly discourse as well as identify factors contributing to the sexist discussion that ensued. These problems are representative of pervasive issues that are often ignored in the field of biblical studies.
The Law of Sacrifice
Authors: Norman Ralph
Published: September 2018

When placing Hopkins in the divisive and impassioned religious and academic world of mid-Victorian Oxford, scholars have frequently drawn attention to those University tutors and senior churchmen who in different ways influenced his mental and religious development: Benjamin Jowett, Walter Pater, Henry Parry Liddon, and (more distantly, from Birmingham) John Henry Newman. In comparison, relatively little attention has been paid to Hopkins’s own undergraduate friends and contemporaries at Balliol College, or to the question of how other young men responded to the same set of religious circumstances and intellectual influences. In this study Henry Scott Holland (1847–1918) is selected to illustrate discernible Anglican parallels to particular aspects of Hopkins’s literary style and religious faith. Examining the ways Holland’s Anglicanism resembles, engages, contests, and shadows the early spirituality of Hopkins throws useful light on their overlapping academic and religious contexts. Particular attention is paid to examples of shared vocabulary, to themes from Holland’s published sermons and religious writings, which correlate to elements of Hopkins’s work, and especially to Holland’s vision of a kenotic “law of sacrifice” set in the life of the Holy Trinity. Key works such as Holland’s Logic and Life (1882) and the influential volume of Anglican essays Lux Mundi: A Series of Studies in the Religion of the Incarnation (1889) are utilized to inform a new perspective on Hopkins’s sermons and devotional writings.
Korrespondenz zwischen A. G. van Hamel und drei isländische Gelehrten
Authors: Quak Arend
Published: September 2018

The University Library in Utrecht holds photocopies of 19 letters by the Dutch celtologist A. G. van Hamel (1886–1945) to Icelandic friends. The originals lay in the Landsbókasafn in Reykjavík. The first letter is written in English and concerns the preparations of van Hamel’s second trip to Iceland in 1929. All other letters are in Icelandic. A few letters concern the poem van Hamel composed in commemoration of Iceland’s 1000th birthday in 1930. The other letters (from 1929 to 1937) concern van Hamel’s membership of the Íslenzkt Bókmenntafélag and the exchange of scholars and books between the universities of Utrecht and Reykjavík. The last letter contains a report about the situation in Holland after the liberation in 1945.
Sixteen new species of the spider genus Althepus Thorell, 1898 (Araneae: Ochyroceratidae) from Southeast Asia
Authors: LI FENGYUAN , LIU CHANG , WONGPROM PRASIT , LI SHUQIANG
Published: September 2018

Sixteen new Althepus species of the spider family Ochyroceratidae are reported from Southeast Asia: A. bamensis Li et Li sp. nov., A. changmao Li et Li sp. nov., A. dongnaiensis Li et Li sp. nov., A. guan Li et Li sp. nov., A. maechamensis Li et Li sp. nov., A. menglaensis Li et Li sp. nov., A. naphongensis Li et Li sp. nov., A. natmataungensis Li et Li sp. nov. (male only), A. phadaengensis Li et Li sp. nov., A. shanhu Li et Li sp. nov., A. suayaiensis Li et Li sp. nov. (male only), A. tadetuensis Li et Li sp. nov., A. tanhuang Li et Li sp. nov., A. thanlaensis Li et Li sp. nov., A. tharnlodensis  Li et Li sp. nov. (female only), and A. viengkeoensis Li et Li sp. nov.
Three new species of the genera Loxoconcha and Xestoleberis (Crustacea, Ostracoda, Podocopida) from central and southern Vietnam
Authors: DUNG LE DOAN , TSUKAGOSHI AKIRA
Published: September 2018

The present study reports three new species of Ostracoda, Loxoconcha damensis sp. nov., Xestoleberis vietnamensis sp. nov. and X. munensis sp. nov., from Phu Quoc Island, southwest Vietnam and Nha Trang Bay, central Vietnam. These species inhabit the coral reefs around isolated islands and can be easily distinguished from other known species based on their morphological differences, mainly in the male copulatory organ. Loxoconcha damensis sp. nov. belongs to Loxoconcha Group A, based on the distributional pattern of their pore system below the eye tubercle. Similarly, based on a combination of morphological types of pore systems, the two new Xestoleberis species belong to Xestoleberis Group A, because these species have two types of pore systems, i.e., sieve-type and lip-type. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first report on Xestoleberididae and the second on Loxoconchidae from the Recent of Vietnam.
Induction of FAS II Metabolic Disorders to Cause Delayed Death of Toxoplasma gondii
Authors: Wu Liang , Wu Lipei , Tang Chenyu , Wang Jiajian , Jin Xiaoling , Jiang Xugan , Chen Shengxia
Published: September 2018

The exact mechanism of delayed death of Toxoplasma gondii is not known. FAS II synthesis in the apicoplast of T. gondii is essential for the survival of Toxoplasma gondii, while β-hydroxyacylacyl carrier protein dehydratase (FabZ) is indispensable for
fatty acid synthesis. The present study investigated the relationship between the delayed death of T. gondii by inducing metabolic disorders due to suppression the expression of FabZ. A tetracycline-induced knockout vector inserted with T. gondii fabZ gene was constructed, and
transfected into T. gondii TATi strain by electroporation. The stable mutants with tetracycline-induced knockout were selected, expression of FabZ was suppressed by using anhydrotetracycline (ATc), and FAS II deficient tachyzoites were prepared. The Western blot and qPCR results revealed
that proliferation of FAS II deficient tachyzoites was not significantly different compared to the normal tachyzoites at 24 h and 48 h; however, after 72 h, the number of T. gondii tachyzoites in the ATc treated group was significantly (p < 0.05) less than that of non-treated
group, indicating the delayed death of T. gondii caused by the loss of apicoplast and decrease in the expression of FabZ, which inhibited the FAS II metabolism. The results of this study can be used for prevention of toxoplasmosis by inducing delayed death of T. gondii.
The Soviet Arctic Stations on Novaya Zemlya
Authors: Chapman Donald H.
Published: September 2018

Prof. Chapman was the official delegate of the American Meteorological Society to the XVIIth International Geological Congress held in Russia last summer; this report of his visit to some of the USSR polar meteorological stations should be of much interest to American meteorologists, because our continent has the same kind of meteorological-geographical relations to the Arctic Ocean: a large extent of low tundra land in the north reaching to the 80th parallel over which polar continental air builds up and finds a chute to slip its chilly freight directly into lower latitudes; we too have a chain of high-latitude meteorological stations to warn us of polar outbreaks. However, information from north of Siberia (Wrangell Is. region) seems to be almost as important to us as that from Alaska and northern Canada and Greenland; daily reports are now being received here from the more easterly section of the Siberian Arctic coast, thanks to the stations opened there by the Soviets and to their cooperation in transmitting them more quickly and directly than possible heretofore. The meteorological and aerological observations from the Russian polar stations are summarized and published in the “10-day bulletins of the General Admin, of the No. Sea Routes” (Moscow) and in the “Bulletins” and “Transactions of the Arctic Institute” (Leningrad). A discussion of the radiometeoro graph soundings made at some of these stations appeared in the October Bulletin Amer. Met. Soc., pp. 322 ff.—Editor.
Cyclogenesis in the Tropical Atlantic*
Authors: Dunn Gordon E.
Published: September 2018

From the standpoint of practical forecasting the simplest method of attack on the problem of cyclogenesis in the tropical Atlantic is through katallobaric waves, which are apparently generated along the tropical front between the SW monsoon and the NE trade. Waves initiated in the Cape Verde region move within the NE and E trade toward the Antilles with a frequency of one about every 3 or 4 days. They are usually comparatively stable but are almost invariably attended by a moderate rise in the Ts inversion level. Available data are not entirely conclusive concerning the transition from stable to unstable waves but it apparently depends upon the extent of the destruction of the Ts inversion.
Microstructure Observations of Turbulent Heat Fluxes in a Warm-Core Canada Basin Eddy
Authors: Fine Elizabeth C. , MacKinnon Jennifer A. , Alford Matthew H. , Mickett John B.
Published: September 2018

An intrahalocline eddy was observed on the Chukchi slope in September of 2015 using both towed CTD and microstructure temperature and shear sections. The core of the eddy was 6°C, significantly warmer than the surrounding −1°C water and far exceeding typical temperatures of warm-core Arctic eddies. Microstructure sections indicated that outside of the eddy the rate of dissipation of turbulent kinetic energy ε was quite low . However, at the edges of the eddy core, ε was elevated to . Three different processes were associated with elevated ε. Double-diffusive steps were found at the eddy’s top edge and were associated with an upward heat flux of 5 W m−2. At the bottom edge of the eddy, shear-driven mixing played a modest role, generating a heat flux of approximately 0.5 W m−2 downward. Along the sides of the eddy, density-compensated thermohaline intrusions transported heat laterally out of the eddy, with a horizontal heat flux of 2000 W m−2. Integrating these fluxes over an idealized approximation of the eddy’s shape, we estimate that the net heat transport due to thermohaline intrusions along the eddy flanks was 2 GW, while the double-diffusive flux above the eddy was 0.4 GW. Shear-driven mixing at the bottom of the eddy accounted for only 0.04 GW. If these processes continued indefinitely at the same rate, the estimated life-span would be 1–2 years. Such eddies may be an important mechanism for the transport of Pacific-origin heat, freshwater, and nutrients into the Canada Basin.