bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DNA ladders can be used to size polyphosphate resolved by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis
Authors: Smith Stephanie A. , Wang Yan , Morrissey James H.
Published: July 2018

PAGE is often used to resolve inorganic polyphosphates (polyP), but unfortunately polyP size ladders are not commercially available. Since several dyes that are commonly used to detect nucleic acids in gels also stain polyP, we examined the utility of commercially available DNA size ladders for estimating polyP polymer lengths by gel electrophoresis. Narrow size fractions of polyP were prepared and their polymer lengths were quantified using NMR. Commercially available DNA ladders and these polyP fractions were then subjected to PAGE to determine the relationship between migration of DNA vs polyP, which was found to be: log10(dsDNA length in bp) = 1.66 × log10(polyP length in phosphate units) − 1.97. This relationship between DNA and polyP size held for a variety of different polyacrylamide concentrations, indicating that DNA size ladders can readily be employed to estimate polyP polymer lengths by PAGE.
Liquids‐to‐Power Using Low‐Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Authors: Hussain A. Mohammed , Wachsman Eric D.
Published: July 2018

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) operating at high temperatures (>800 °C) have been overlooked in the past for automotive applications, primarily due to their longer start‐up times and inability to load follow (quickly respond to varying power demands). However, lower operating temperature SOFCs (LT‐SOFCs) enable more rapid start‐up and several other benefits. The rapid deployment of cost‐effective LT‐SOFC technology for automotive applications relies on the utilization of conventional ‘‘drop‐in’’ fuels (e. g., gasoline, diesel, ethanol etc.), that adapts the existing fuel distribution infrastructure. In particular, the liquid‐fed LT‐SOFCs have the potential to deliver higher “well‐to‐wheels” fuel conversion efficiencies than H2‐fed fuel cells as well as take advantage of the higher fuel energy density. Therefore, this review focuses on the benefits/challenges of low‐temperature SOFCs (350–650 °C) running on liquid fuels. The critical role of anodes and requirements/status of advanced anode materials for the direct utilization of liquid fuels in LT‐SOFCs are highlighted.
Incidence and farmers’ knowledge of aflatoxin contamination and control in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Udomkun Patchimaporn , Wossen Tesfamicheal , Nabahungu Nsharwasi L. , Mutegi Charity , Vanlauwe Bernard , Bandyopadhyay Ranajit
Published: July 2018

Despite efforts to reduce aflatoxin contamination and associated mycotoxin poisoning, the phenomenon continues to pose a public health threat in food and feed commodity chains. In this study, 300 samples of cassava, maize, and groundnut were collected from farmers’ households in Eastern DRC and analyzed for incidence of aflatoxins. In addition, the farmers’ level of knowledge of the causes and consequences of contamination and the measures for prevention were also examined by administering questionnaires to a cross section of 150 farmers. The results showed the presence of aflatoxins in all samples, with levels ranging from 1.6 to 2,270 μg/kg. In 68% of all samples, total aflatoxin contamination was above 4 μg/kg, the maximum tolerable level set by the European Union. Farmers ranked high humidity, improper storage practices, and poor soils as potential causes of aflatoxin contamination and changes in color, smell, and taste, and difficulty in selling crops as consequences. They identified crop management practices as the most effective way to control contamination. The results also revealed that most farmers apply preharvest crop management practices as a means of controlling contamination. More educated households were more knowledgeable about aflatoxins. Female‐headed and married households were less likely to be willing to pay for aflatoxin control. About 28% of farmers claimed to be willing to allocate resources to seed intervention while a smaller proportion agreed to pay for training and information services. The result further suggests that an adoption of pre‐ and postharvest technologies together with awareness creation is still required to reduce aflatoxin contamination in the country.
Functional connectivity in category‐selective brain networks after encoding predicts subsequent memory
Authors: Collins Jessica A. , Dickerson Bradford C.
Published: July 2018

Activity in category selective regions of the temporal and parietal lobes during encoding has been associated with subsequent memory for face and scene stimuli. Reactivation theories of memory consolidation predict that after encoding connectivity between these category‐selective regions and the hippocampus should be modulated and predict recognition memory. However, support for this proposal has been limited in humans. Here, participants completed a resting‐state functional MRI (fMRI) scan, followed by face‐ and place‐encoding tasks, followed by another resting‐state fMRI scan during which they were asked to think about the stimuli they had previously encountered. Individual differences in face recognition memory were predicted by the degree to which connectivity between face‐responsive regions of the fusiform gyrus and perirhinal cortex increased following the face‐encoding task. In contrast, individual differences in scene recognition were predicted by connectivity between the hippocampus and a scene‐selective region of the retrosplenial cortex before and after the place‐encoding task. Our results provide novel evidence for category specificity in the neural mechanisms supporting memory consolidation.
Recognition of all basic emotions varies in accuracy and reaction time: A new verbal method of measurement
Authors: Kosonogov Vladimir , Titova Alisa
Published: July 2018

To study different aspects of facial emotion recognition, valid methods are needed. The more widespread methods have some limitations. We propose a more ecological method that consists of presenting dynamic faces and measuring verbal reaction times. We presented 120 video clips depicting a gradual change from a neutral expression to a basic emotion (anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness and surprise), and recorded hit rates and reaction times of verbal labelling of emotions. Our results showed that verbal responses to six basic emotions differed in hit rates and reaction times: happiness > surprise > disgust > anger > sadness > fear (this means these emotional responses were more accurate and faster). Generally, our data are in accordance with previous findings, but our differentiation of responses is better than the data from previous experiments on six basic emotions.
Fatigue biases the decoy effect in males but not females
Authors: Wu Shuyi , Yu Rongjun
Published: July 2018

Individuals often need to make critical decisions even when they are in a fatigued state. Mental fatigue may lead to increased susceptibility to distraction and poor information processing but it is unclear exactly how fatigue shapes individuals' decision‐making. We studied how mental fatigue influences sensitivity to contextual information, indexed as decoy bias. Mental fatigue was induced using a multi‐source interference task, and decoy bias was assessed using a gambling task, in 124 young adults. Results showed that mental fatigue increased decoy bias through enhanced perceptual salience of contextual cues, but only in males. The findings provide insight into a gender‐specific relationship between fatigue and poor judgments. This study extends the current literature on links between fatigue and poor decision‐making by documenting a possible mechanism of the association. The results may have practical implications for designing optimal working hours and safeguarding people from suboptimal decisions.
Quantitative depolarization measurements for fiber‐based polarization‐sensitive optical frequency domain imaging of the retinal pigment epithelium
Authors: Lippok Norman , Braaf Boy , Villiger Martin , Oh Wang‐Yuhl , Vakoc Benjamin J. , Bouma Brett E.
Published: July 2018

A full quantitative evaluation of the depolarization of light may serve to assess concentrations of depolarizing particles in the retinal pigment epithelium and to investigate their role in retinal diseases in the human eye. Optical coherence tomography and optical frequency domain imaging use spatial incoherent averaging to compute depolarization. Depolarization depends on accurate measurements of the polarization states at the receiver but also on the polarization state incident upon and within the tissue. Neglecting this dependence can result in artifacts and renders depolarization measurements vulnerable to birefringence in the system and in the sample. In this work, we discuss the challenges associated with using a single input polarization state and traditional depolarization metrics such as the degree‐of‐polarization and depolarization power. We demonstrate quantitative depolarization measurements based on Jones vector synthesis and polar decomposition using fiber‐based polarization‐sensitive optical frequency domain imaging of the retinal pigment epithelium in a human eye.
Effect of Notch1 gene on remyelination in multiple sclerosis in mouse models of acute demyelination
Authors: Fan Hua , Zhao Jie‐Gang , Yan Jun‐Qiang , Du Gan‐Qin , Fu Qi‐Zhi , Shi Jian , Yang Yan‐Hui , Du Xiao‐Wei , Bai Xiao‐Li
Published: July 2018

This study aims to explore the effects of Notch1 gene on remyelination in multiple sclerosis (MS). A mouse model of acute demyelination was successfully established and the model mice were grouped as cuprizone (CPZ) group, CPZ + small interfering RNA (siRNA)‐Notch1 (siNotch1) group, and CPZ + siRNA negative control (NC) group. Meanwhile, another 3 groups (control, control + siNotch1, and control + siRNA NC) were established in normal mice. The changes of weight and maintenance time in rotating drum of mice were observed. Western blot analysis for the protein expressions related to Notch signaling pathway and oligodendrocyte (OL) differentiation in the corpus callosum of the mice. After model establishment, the weight of CPZ‐induced demyelinated mice was decreased. During the repair period, the balance ability and movement of the mice was recovered, especially for those injected with siNotch1 plasmid. After model establishment, the number of myelinated axons was decreased. In comparison with the CPZ and CPZ siRNA NC groups, the CPZ + siNotch1 group had a decrease in the number of premature OLs, but increase in mature OLs, and a decrease in oligodendrocyte precursor cells and astrocytes. The expressions of proteins related to Notch signaling pathway, such as HES, Jagged‐1 were decreased in the CPZ + siNotch1 group in contrast to the CPZ and CPZ + siRNA groups, but the OL‐related transcription factor Sox10 was increased in the CPZ + siNotch1 group than in the CPZ + siRNA NC and CPZ groups, and Id2 was decreased. Our study provided evidence that the inhibition of Notch1 gene could accelerate remyelination in MS.
Changes in secondary metabolites, organic acids and soluble sugars during the development of plum fruit cv. ‘Furongli’ (Prunus salicina Lindl)
Authors: Jiang Cui‐Cui , Fang Zhi‐Zhen , Zhou Dan‐Rong , Pan Shao‐Lin , Ye Xin‐Fu
Published: July 2018

BACKGROUND

Organic acids, sugars and pigments are key components that determine the taste and flavor of plum fruit. However, metabolism of organic acid and sugar is not fully understood during the development of plum fruit cv. ‘Furongli’.

RESULTS

Mature fruit of ‘Furongli’ has the highest content of anthocyanins and the lowest content of total phenol compounds and flavonoids. Malate is the predominant organic acid anion in ‘Furongli’ fruit, followed by citrate and isocitrate. Glucose was the predominant sugar form, followed by fructose and sucrose. Correlation analysis indicated that malate content increased with increasing phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) activity and decreasing nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide–malate dehydrogenase (NAD‐MDH) activity. Citrate and isocitrate content increased with increasing PEPC and aconitase (ACO) activities, respectively. Both acid invertase and neutral invertase had higher activities at the early stage than later stage of fruit development. Fructose content decreased with increasing phosphoglucoisomerase (PGI) activity, whereas glucose content increased with decreasing hexokinase (HK) activity.

CONCLUSION

Dynamics in organic acid anions were not solely controlled by a single enzyme but regulated by the integrated activity of enzymes such as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate–malic enzyme (NADP‐ME), NAD‐ME, PEPC, ACO and NADP–isocitrate dehydrogenase. Sugar metabolism enzymes such as PGI, invertase and HK may play vital roles in the regulation of individual sugar metabolic processes. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Development of an analytical strategy to identify and classify the global chemical constituents of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen by using UHPLC with quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry combined with multiple data‐processing approaches
Authors: Zhu Xiaochai , Liu Xiao , Pei Ke , Duan Yu , Zhu Hui , Ma Jia , Xu Yinghui , Wu Zejun , Zhou Qigang , Cai Baochang
Published: July 2018

According to traditional Chinese medical theory, Ziziphi Spinosae Semen needs to be stir‐fried before clinical application for its sedative‐hypnotic effect enhancement. A rapid and comprehensive analysis strategy of ultra high performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry and multiple data analysis platforms was developed for the efficient and sensitive identification of components in crude and parched Ziziphi Spinosae Semen to explore the composition changes that happen during the stir‐frying process. Both positive and negative ion modes were applied for mass spectrometry detection, and 40 components were identified from crude and parched Ziziphi Spinosae Semen, respectively. Principal component analysis and t‐test were applied to find differences between crude and parched Ziziphi Spinosae Semen. As a result, Ziziphi Spinosae Semen samples could be clearly divided into two groups according to their processing methods, and 19 key markers that contributed to the classification significantly (P < 0.05) were found. This kind of change in contents of components might be responsible for the recommended clinical application of parched Ziziphi Spinosae Semen.
Biosynthesis of Oxylipins by Rhizoctonia solani with Allene Oxide and Oleate 8S,9S‐Diol Synthase Activities
Authors: Oliw Ernst H.
Published: July 2018

Oxylipin biosynthesis by fungi is catalyzed by both the lipoxygenase (LOX) family and the linoleate diol synthase (LDS) family of the peroxidase‐cyclooxygenase superfamily. Rhizoctonia solani, a pathogenic fungus, infects staple crops such as potato and rice. The genome predicts three genes with 9–13 introns, which code for tentative dioxygenase (DOX)–cytochrome P450 fusion enzymes of the LDS family, and one gene, which might code for a 13‐LOX. The objective was to determine whether mycelia or nitrogen powder of mycelia oxidized unsaturated C18 fatty acids to LDS‐ or LOX‐related metabolites. Mycelia converted 18:2n‐6 to 8R‐hydroxy‐9Z,12Z‐octadecadienoic acid and to an α‐ketol, 9S‐hydroxy‐10‐oxo‐12Z‐octadecenoic acid. In addition to these metabolites, nitrogen powder of mycelia oxidized 18:2n‐6 to 9S‐hydroperoxy‐10E, 12Z‐octadecadienoic, and 13S‐hydroperoxy‐9Z,11E‐octadecadienoic acids; the latter was likely formed by the predicted 13‐LOX. 18:1n‐9 was transformed into 8S‐hydroperoxy‐9Z‐octadecenoic and into 8S,9S‐dihydroxy‐10E‐octadecenoic acids, indicating the expression of 8,9‐diol synthase. The allene oxide, 9S(10)epoxy‐10,12Z‐octadecadienoic acid, is unstable and decomposes rapidly to the α‐ketol above, indicating biosynthesis by 9S‐DOX‐allene oxide synthase. This allene oxide and α‐ketol are also formed by potato stolons, which illustrates catalytic similarities between the plant host and fungal pathogen.
A variational principle for the specific entropy for symbolic systems with uncountable alphabets
Authors: Aguiar D. , Cioletti L. , Ruviaro R.
Published: July 2018

In this paper we derived a variational principle for the specific entropy on the context of symbolic dynamics of compact metric space alphabets and use this result to obtain the uniqueness of the equilibrium states associated to a Walters potential.
Preparing adult learners for collegiate success starts at orientation
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: July 2018

Your institution's new‐student orientation is the first step to setting up students for a successful academic career and path to graduation. Is your institution optimizing this opportunity to ensure that students are not only prepared for life at your institution, but also retain key points months after orientation? And how do you cater to the needs of your different student groups, who expect different types of information at orientation?
Unconditionally stable modified methods for the solution of two‐ and three‐dimensional telegraphic equation with Robin boundary conditions
Authors: Singh Swarn , Singh Suruchi , Lin Ping , Arora Rajni
Published: July 2018

In this article, we discuss modified three level implicit difference methods of order two in time and four in space for the numerical solution of two‐ and three‐dimensional telegraphic equation with Robin boundary conditions. Ghost points are introduced to obtain fourth‐order approximations for boundary conditions. Matrix stability analysis is carried out to prove stability of the method for telegraphic equations in two and three dimensions with Neumann boundary conditions. Numerical experiments are carried out and the results are found to be better when compared with the results obtained by other existing methods.
Highly soluble phenylethynyl‐terminated imides derived from mellophanic dianhydride (MPDA)
Authors: Li Hanyuan , Wang Wei , Chen Guofei , Chen Xiaoqi , Li Yantao , Zhou Haijun , Fang Xingzhong
Published: July 2018

Novel highly soluble phenylethynyl‐endcapped oligoimides with different calculated molecular weights were prepared by using mellophanic dianhydride and bis(4‐amino‐2‐trifluoromethylphenyl)ether in the presence of 4‐phenylethynyl phthalic anhydride as the reactive endcapping agent. The effect of molecular weights of the aromatic oligoimides on their solubility and processability as well as the thermal and mechanical properties of the thermal‐cured polyimides was fully investigated. This kind of phenylethynyl‐terminated imides exhibited excellent comprehensive properties. Most importantly, a big progress has been made in the solubility of the oligoimides in this paper. Most of the oligoimides showed excellent solubility (more than 33 wt%) even in acetone, which was reported for the first time. And oligoimides with appropriate molecular weights also showed very good processability with minimum melt viscosities no higher than 120 Pa·s by the rheological study. After thermally curing at 370°C for 1 hour, the cured flexible films showed very high glass transition temperatures up to 392°C by dynamic mechanical analysis, and the temperature of 5% weight loss was higher than 500°C in both air and N2 atmosphere by thermogravimetric analysis. The cured films also exhibited very good toughness with elongation up to 9%.
Application of genome analysis strategies in the clinical testing for pediatric diseases
Authors: Jin Yaqiong , Zhang Li , Ning Baitang , Hong Huixiao , Xiao Wenming , Tong Weida , Tao Yiran , Ni Xin , Shi Tieliu , Guo Yongli
Published: July 2018

Next‐generation sequencing (NGS) is being used in clinical testing. Government authorities in both China and the United States are overseeing the clinical application of NGS instruments and reagents. In addition, the US Association for Molecular Pathology and the College of American Pathologists have jointly released a guidance to standardize the analysis and interpretation of NGS data involved in clinical testing. At present, the analysis strategies and pipelines for NGS data related to the clinical detection of pediatric disease are similar to those used for adult diseases. However, for rare pediatric diseases without linkage to known genetic variants, it is currently difficult to detect the relevant pathogenic genes using NGS technology. Additionally, it is challenging to identify novel pathogenic genes of familial pediatric tumors. Therefore, characterization of the pathogenic genes associated with above diseases is important for the diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases in children. This article introduces the general pipelines for NGS data analyses of diseases and elucidates data analysis strategies for the pathogenic genes of rare pediatric diseases and familial pediatric tumors.
Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Biological Processes and Responses of the BacteriumDesulfovibrio desulfuricansND132 upon Deletion of Its Mercury Methylation Genes
Authors: Qian Chen , Chen Hongmei , Johs Alexander , Lu Xia , An Jing , Pierce Eric M. , Parks Jerry M. , Elias Dwayne A. , Hettich Robert L. , Gu Baohua
Published: July 2018

Recent studies of microbial mercury (Hg) methylation revealed a key gene pair,hgcAB, which is essential for methylmercury (MeHg) production in the environment. However, many aspects of the mechanism and biological processes underlying Hg methylation, as well as any additional physiological functions of thehgcABgenes, remain unknown. Here, quantitative proteomics are used to identify changes in potential functional processes related tohgcABgene deletion in the Hg‐methylating bacteriumDesulfovibrio desulfuricansND132. Global proteomics analyses indicate that the wild type and ΔhgcABstrains are similar with respect to the whole proteome and the identified number of proteins, but differ significantly in the abundance of specific proteins. The authors observe changes in the abundance of proteins related to the glycolysis pathway and one‐carbon metabolism, suggesting that thehgcABgene pair is linked to carbon metabolism. Unexpectedly, the authors find that the deletion ofhgcABsignificantly impacts a range of metal transport proteins, specifically membrane efflux pumps such as those associated with heavy metal copper (Cu) export, leading to decreased Cu uptake in theΔhgcABmutant. This observation indicates possible linkages between this set of proteins and metal homeostasis in the cell. However,hgcABgene expression is not induced by Hg, as evidenced by similarly low abundance of HgcA and HgcB proteins in the absence or presence of Hg (500 nm). Taken together, these results suggest an apparent link between HgcAB, one‐carbon metabolism, and metal homeostasis, thereby providing insights for further exploration of biochemical mechanisms and biological functions of microbial Hg methylation.
Chronic pelvic pain and prostate inflammation in rat experimental autoimmune prostatitis: Effect of a single treatment with phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors on chronic pelvic pain
Authors: Kurita Maki , Yamaguchi Hiroshi , Okamoto Ken , Kotera Takashi , Oka Michiko
Published: July 2018

Background

Experimental autoimmune prostatitis (EAP) is most often used as a nonbacterial model of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain. We investigated the development of chronic pelvic pain and inflammatory changes in rat EAP and examined the effect of a single treatment with phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors on the chronic pelvic pain.

Methods

EAP was induced in rats by intradermal injection of rat prostate antigen and complete Freund's adjuvant on days 0 and 28. On day 42, after antigen injection, prostatic inflammatory changes, including the mRNA and protein levels of cytokines/chemokines, were measured and histological analysis of the prostate was performed. Pelvic pain was measured by applying von Frey filaments to the lower abdomen. To confirm that this model is appropriate for evaluating pelvic pain, we tested two drugs, celecoxib and pregabalin, which are clinically used for the treatment of prostatitis‐related pain. Subsequently, we examined the effects of single treatments with three phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors, including tadalafil, on pelvic pain in this model.

Results

On day 42, after antigen injection, the mRNA levels of 44 of 84 kinds of cytokines/chemokines and their receptors increased significantly in EAP rats, as did the protein levels of seven of 23 kinds of cytokines/chemokines. Histological analysis revealed inflammation characterized by neutrophils and/or mononuclear cells in the glandular and stromal tissue of the ventral prostate from rats in the EAP group. Some animals in this group showed fibrosis and hemorrhage in the stromal tissue. Pelvic pain had developed in EAP rats, which was attenuated by a single treatment with celecoxib or pregabalin, suggesting that EAP is an appropriate model for prostatitis‐related pain. A single treatment with any of the three PDE5 inhibitors tested attenuated the chronic pelvic pain.

Conclusions

Prostatitis leads to inflammatory changes in the prostate, which may contribute to the development and maintenance of chronic pelvic pain. PDE5 inhibitors, including tadalafil, may have the ability to block chronic pelvic pain.
Human Urine-Derived Stem Cell Differentiation to Endothelial Cells with Barrier Function and Nitric Oxide Production
Authors: Liu Guihua , Wu Rongpei , Yang Bin , Deng Chunhua , Lu Xiongbing , Walker Stephen J. , Ma Peter X. , Mou Steve , Atala Anthony , Zhang Yuanyuan
Published: July 2018

Endothelial cells (ECs) play a key role in revascularization within regenerating tissue. Stem cells are often used as an alternative cell source when ECs are not available. Several cell types have been used to give rise to ECs, such as umbilical cord vessels, or differentiated from somatic stem cells, embryonic, or induced pluripotent stem cells. However, the latter carry the potential risk of chronic immune rejection and oncogenesis. Autologous endothelial precursors are an ideal resource, but currently require an invasive procedure to obtain them from the patient's own blood vessels or bone marrow. Thus, the goal of this study was to determine whether urine-derived stem cells (USCs) could differentiate into functional ECs in vitro. Urine-derived cells were then differentiated into cells of the endothelial lineage using endothelial differentiation medium for 14 days. Changes in morphology and ultrastructure, and functional endothelial marker expression were assessed in the induced USCs in vitro. Grafts of the differentiated USCs were then subcutaneously injected into nude mice. Induced USCs expressed significantly higher levels of specific markers of ECs (CD31, vWF, eNOS) in vitro and in vivo, compared to nondifferentiated USCs. In addition, the differentiated USC formed intricate tubular networks and presented similar tight junctions, and migration and invasion ability, as well as ability to produce nitric oxide (NO) compared to controls. Using USCs as autologous EC sources for vessel, tissue engineering strategies can yield a sufficient number of cells via a noninvasive, simple, and low-cost method suitable for rapid clinical translation.
Beyond an absolving role for sustainable development: Assessing consumption as a basis for sustainable societies
Authors: Bonnedahl Karl Johan , Caramujo Maria José
Published: July 2018

Three decades after the launch of sustainable development as a key objective for the global community, the unsustainable exploitation of the planet's species, spaces and systems continues. This paper examines this failure by discussing the strategy of control over nature, and the idea of balance between human endeavour and nature, inherent in the term sustainable. The relevance of such ecological balance is assessed by comparing how consumption typically appears in modern human societies versus nature. This presents traits of the human actor which depart significantly from the traits of actors in typified natural settings, from which ideas of ecological balance are taken. Calling for an alternative framing of the relationship between human society and nature, possible adaptation towards a biological understanding of such a relationship is discussed through features of today's consumption, including its connection to needs, the role of labour, and the use of energy and technology.
Disease‐Triggered Drug Release Effectively Prevents Acute Inflammatory Flare‐Ups, Achieving Reduced Dosing
Authors: Stubelius Alexandra , Sheng Wangzhong , Lee Sangeun , Olejniczak Jason , Guma Monica , Almutairi Adah
Published: July 2018

For conditions with inflammatory flare‐ups, fast drug‐release from a depot is crucial to reduce cell infiltration and prevent long‐term tissue destruction. While this concept has been explored for chronic diseases, preventing acute inflammatory flares has not been explored. To address this issue, a preventative inflammation‐sensitive system is developed and applied to acute gout, a condition where millions of inflammatory cells are recruited rapidly, causing excruciating and debilitating pain. Rapid drug release is first demonstrated from a pH‐responsive acetalated dextran particle loaded with dexamethasone (AcDex‐DXM), reducing proinflammatory cytokines in vitro as efficiently as free drug. Then, using the air pouch model of gout, mice are pretreated 24 h before inducing inflammation. AcDex‐DXM reduces overall cell infiltration with decreased neutrophils, increases monocytes, and diminishes cytokines and chemokines. In a more extended prophylaxis model, murine joints are pretreated eight days before initiating inflammation. After quantifying cell infiltration, only AcDex‐DXM reduces the overall joint inflammation, where neither free drug nor a conventional drug‐depot achieves adequate anti‐inflammatory effects. Here, the superior efficacy of disease‐triggered drug‐delivery to prevent acute inflammation is demonstrated over free drug and slow‐release depots. This approach and results promise exciting treatment opportunities for multiple inflammatory conditions suffering from acute flares.
In vivo quantification of glial activation in minipigs overexpressing human α‐synuclein
Authors: Lillethorup Thea Pinholt , Glud Andreas Nørgaard , Landeck Natalie , Alstrup Aage Kristian Olsen , Jakobsen Steen , Vang Kim , Doudet Doris J. , Brooks David J. , Kirik Deniz , Hinz Rainer , Sørensen Jens Christian , Landau Anne M.
Published: July 2018

Parkinson’s disease is characterized by a progressive loss of substantia nigra (SN) dopaminergic neurons and the formation of Lewy bodies containing accumulated alpha‐synuclein (α‐syn). The pathology of Parkinson’s disease is associated with neuroinflammatory microglial activation, which may contribute to the ongoing neurodegeneration. This study investigates the in vivo microglial and dopaminergic response to overexpression of α‐syn. We used positron emission tomography (PET) and the 18 kDa translocator protein radioligand, [11C](R)PK11195, to image brain microglial activation and (+)‐α‐[11C]dihydrotetrabenazine ([11C]DTBZ), to measure vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) availability in Göttingen minipigs following injection with recombinant adeno‐associated virus (rAAV) vectors expressing either mutant A53T α‐syn or green fluorescent protein (GFP) into the SN (4 rAAV‐α‐syn, 4 rAAV‐GFP, 5 non‐injected control minipigs). We performed motor symptom assessment and immunohistochemical examination of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and transgene expression. Expression of GFP and α‐syn was observed at the SN injection site and in the striatum. We observed no motor symptoms or changes in striatal [11C]DTBZ binding potential in vivo or striatal or SN TH staining in vitro between the groups. The mean [11C](R)PK11195 total volume of distribution was significantly higher in the basal ganglia and cortical areas of the α‐syn group than the control animals. We conclude that mutant α‐syn expression in the SN resulted in microglial activation in multiple sub‐ and cortical regions, while it did not affect TH stains or VMAT2 availability. Our data suggest that microglial activation constitutes an early response to accumulation of α‐syn in the absence of dopamine neuron degeneration.
Cellular neurometabolism: a tentative to connect cell biology and metabolism in neurology
Authors: García‐Cazorla Àngels , Saudubray Jean‐Marie
Published: July 2018

It has become increasingly evident that inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) are particularly prevalent as diseases of the nervous system and that a broader, more inclusive definition of IEM is necessary. In fact, as long as biochemistry is involved, any kind of monogenic disease can become an IEM. This new, extended definition includes new categories and mechanisms, and as a general trend will go beyond a single biochemical pathway and/or organelle, and will appear as a connection of multiple crossroads in a system biology approach.

From one side, a simplified and updated classification of IEM is presented that mixes elements from the diagnostic approach with pathophysiological considerations into three large categories based on the size of molecules (“small and simple” or “large and complex”) and their implication in energy metabolism. But from another side, whatever their size, metabolites involved in IEM may behave in the brain as signalling molecules, structural components and fuels, and many metabolites have more than one role. Neurometabolism is becoming more relevant, not only in relation to these new categories of diseases but also as a necessary way to explain the mechanisms of brain damage in classically defined categories of IEM. Brain metabolism, which has been largely disregarded in the traditional approach to investigating and treating neurological diseases, is a major clue and probably the next imminent “revolution” in neurology and neuroscience. Biochemistry (metabolism) and cell neurobiology need to meet. Additionally, the brain should be studied as a system (connecting different levels of complexity).
The age and tectonic setting of the Lukinda dunite–gabbro–anorthosite massif in the east of the Selenga–Stanovoi superterrane, Central Asian Fold Belt
Authors: Buchko I.V. , Sorokin A.A. , Kotov A.B. , Samsonov A.V. , Larionova Yu.O. , Ponomarchuk V.A. , Larin A.M.
Published: July 2018

Results of integrated 40Ar/39Ar, Rb–Sr, and Sm–Nd geochronological studies of the Lukinda dunite–troctolite–gabbro–anorthosite massif in the northeast of the Selenga–Stanovoi superterrane, Central Asian Fold Belt, are presented. It is shown that this massif is much younger than formerly thought: 249 ± 14 to 251 ± 15 Ma vs. Paleoproterozoic. This date of magmatism corresponds to one of the stages of the formation of the Selenga–Vitim belt, which ranks among the largest Phanerozoic volcanoplutonic belts in Central Asia.
The age and petrologic and geochemical conditions of formation of the Kogtakh gabbro–monzonite complex in the Kuznetsk Alatau
Authors: Vrublevskii V.V. , Kotel’nikov A.D. , Izokh A.E.
Published: July 2018

We present new data on the U–Pb age of zircons, geochemistry of trace elements, and isotope (Nd, Sr, O) composition of rocks of the Kogtakh gabbro–monzonite complex on the eastern slope of the Kuznetsk Alatau Ridge. The established age of zircon in the rocks of the main intrusive phases (500–480 Ma) is taken as the time of formation of the Kogtakh complex in the Late Cambrian–Early Ordovician, during the accretion–collision stage of evolution of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. The distribution and ratios of LILE and HFSE in the rocks suggest that the intrusions proceeded under interaction of the PREMA + EM/OIB mantle plume and the suprasubductional lithospheric IAB mantle. The mantle–crust interaction led to the heterogeneous isotopic composition of neodymium in the magma source (ɛNd(T) ~ 3.5–5.4). The mixing of different mantle and continental-crust materials resulted in an increase in isotope parameters: (87Sr/86Sr)T ~ 0.7039–0.7052, ɛSr(T) ~ 0–19, and δ18O ~ 6.5–8.8‰ (SMOW). The REE ratio in the least differentiated gabbroids indicates different depths of probable magma chambers and the formation of their primary (Tb/YbPM > 1.8) mafic melts at different degrees of melting of the model garnet peridotite.
Neotectonics of the Kharaulakh sector of the Laptev Shelf
Authors: Imaev V.S. , Imaeva L.P. , Smekalin O.P. , Chipizubov A.V. , Ovsyuchenko A.N. , Kolodeznikov I.I.
Published: July 2018

Seismotectonic deformation and crustal stress pattern have been studied comprehensively in major seismogenic structures of the Kharaulakh sector of the Verkhoyansk fold system and adjacent parts of the Chersky seismotectonic zone. The study focuses on neotectonic structures, deep structure, and systems of active faults, as well as tectonic stress fields inferred by tectonophysical analysis of Late Cenozoic faults and folds. The results, along with geological and geophysical data, reveal main strain directions and structural patterns of crustal stress and strain in the Arctic segment of the Eurasia–North America plate boundary. The area is a junction of mid-ocean and continental structures evolving in a mixed setting of extension, compression, and their various combinations. The rotation pole of the two plates is presumably located near Buor-Khaya Bay. In this case, extension is expected to act currently upon the neotectonic structures north of the bay and compression to control those in the south and southeast. This inference is consistent with the identified zoning of stress and strain in the Kharaulakh sector.
More Rapid 14C Excursions in the Tree-Ring Record: A Record of Different Kind of Solar Activity at About 800 BC?
Authors: Jull A J Timothy , Panyushkina Irina , Miyake Fusa , Masuda Kimiaki , Nakamura Toshio , Mitsutani Takumi , Lange Todd E , Cruz Richard J , Baisan Chris , Janovics Robert , Varga Tamas , Molnár Mihály
Published: July 2018

Two radiocarbon (14C) excursions are caused by an increase of incoming cosmic rays on a short time scale found in the Late Holocene (AD 774–775 and AD 993–994), which are widely explained as due to extreme solar proton events (SPE). In addition, a larger event has also been reported at 5480 BC (Miyake et al. 2017a), which is attributed to a special mode of a grand solar minimum, as well as another at 660 BC (Park et al. 2017). Clearly, other events must exist, but could have different causes. In order to detect more such possible events, we have identified periods when the 14C increase rate is rapid and large in the international radiocarbon calibration (IntCal) data (Reimer et al. 2013). In this paper, we follow on from previous studies and identify a possible excursion starting at 814–813 BC, which may be connected to the beginning of a grand solar minimum associated with the beginning of the Hallstatt period, which is characterized by relatively constant 14C ages in the period from 800–400 BC. We compare results of annual 14C measurements from tree rings of sequoia (California) and cedar (Japan), and compare these results to other identified excursions, as well as geomagnetic data. We note that the structure of the increase from 813 BC is similar to the increase at 5480 BC, suggesting a related origin. We also assess whether there are different kinds of events that may be observed and may be consistent with different types of solar phenomena, or other explanations.
Diaphanocephalus galeatus (Nematoda: Diaphanocephalidae), a poorly known parasite of lizards: redescription, first genetic characterization and a revision of its congeners from Brazil
Authors: Pereira F.B. , Ferreira V.L. , Tomas W.M. , Elisei C. , Paiva F. , Tavares L.E.R.
Published: July 2018

Diaphanocephalus galeatus collected from the small intestine of the lizard Dracaena paraguayensis in the Pantanal wetlands, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, is redescribed. Genetic characterization and observations using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed for the first time. The vouchers of D. galeatus and the type specimens of its congeners, deposited in the Coleção Helmintológica do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (CHIOC), were consulted. Light and SEM observations revealed several undescribed features of D. galeatus, i.e. structure of the cephalic end and of the buccal capsule, position and morphology of deirids, presence of phasmids in females and presence of unpaired papilla on the membranous projection that covers the genital cone in males. After observation of the specimens deposited in the helminthological collection, D. jacuruxi is considered a synonym of D. galeatus, and D. diesingi, despite its incomplete description, is tentatively retained as valid due to the poor condition of the type material. The results also indicated low host specificity of D. galeatus, contradicting previous assertions. Genetic comparisons using patristic distances and phylogenetic trees generated from sequences of the 28S rRNA nuclear gene indicated that D. galeatus is closer to the taxa within Ancylostomatoidea and Strongyloidea than any lineage of Metastrongyloidea or Trichostrongyloidea. However, most of the nodal supports were low. Based on the genetic and morphological characterization, the validity of D. galeatus was confirmed. These data may serve for further comparative approaches for different populations of the parasite, from different hosts in different geographical areas, mitigating taxonomic confusions.
Endoscopic cricoid split in a tertiary referral paediatric centre
Authors: Carr S , Dritsoula A , Thevasagayam R
Published: July 2018

Background

Anterior cricoid split is performed for grade 2 and 3 subglottic stenosis, which can be a cause of extubation failure. It can be performed endoscopically or as an open procedure. This paper describes a case series of endoscopic cricoid split procedures performed using a bespoke sickle knife.

Method

Nine patients (six pre-term infants) underwent endoscopic cricoid split in a tertiary referral paediatric unit between August 2012 and March 2015.

Results

Six patients (67 per cent; four pre-term and two term infants) were on oxygen pre-operatively. Mean age at operation was 30 weeks (range, 11–104 weeks). Mean number of days’ intubation was 5.6 days (range, 4–9 days). All five patients intubated pre-operatively were extubated. Seven patients required repeat dilatations. One patient required tracheostomy.

Conclusion

The extubation rates for endoscopic cricoid split are comparable to the open procedure. It is a safe and efficient method for managing subglottic stenosis, whether acquired or congenital. The main advantage is the shorter operative time, in addition to the avoidance of an external scar and drain.
Redistributing under fiscal constraint: partisanship, debt, inequality and labour market regulation
Authors: Aaskoven Lasse
Published: July 2018

Labour market regulation varies significantly, both within and between developed democracies. While there has been extensive research and debate in economics on the consequences of labour market regulation, the political causes for levels and changes in labour market regulation have received less scholarly attention. This article investigates a political economy explanation for differences in labour market regulation building on a theoretical argument that labour regulation can be used as a nonfiscal redistribution tool. Consequently, partisanship, the demand for redistribution and government budget constraint jointly determine whether labour market regulation will increase or decrease. Consistent with this argument, panel analyses from 33 Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development countries reveal that labour market regulation increases under left-wing governments that face increased market inequality and high government debt.
Conspiracy Narratives in Russian Politics: from Stalin to Putin
Authors: Shinar Chaim
Published: July 2018

In order to silence the resistance, the Soviet Union under Stalin kept the population in permanent fear and uncertainty by recurrent purges of innocent citizens, ‘Old Bolsheviks’ and Red Army commanders, thus terrorizing the entire population. Similar conspiracy narratives are used under Putin. In order to keep his grip on power, after the Beslan massacre, Putin’s administration discourse hints at the operation of an international conspiracy of states using terrorism as an instrument to weaken Russia.
The political theorist, Fujita Shōzō: between his sense of hope (kibō) and his sense of despair (zetsubō)
Authors: Sakurai Takamichi
Published: July 2018

In this article, I describe an important aspect of the intellectual tradition of Japanese political theory while focusing on the Japanese scholar Fujita Shōzō’s political and scholarly activities. Not surprisingly, he has been chiefly considered a thinker or a historian of ideas, due to his being a pupil of Japan's brightest political scientist, Maruyama Masao. It must be stressed, however, that his scholarly works do not confine his academic scope to their ingredients; they are composed of theoretical requisites for the disciplinary activity of political theory, as can be seen particularly in his early contributions. He requires his theory to constitute integral aspects of practice, experience and perspective on the basis of his political concerns and practices in terms of detachment realism. From this perspective, I explore how Fujita changed his primary purpose from criticising Japan's ‘Tennō system’ (Tennōsei) to criticising its ‘high-speed growth’ (kōdo seichō) by highlighting the psychological transformation of his self-critical and self-reflective political thinking and acting according to his optimistic state of ‘hope’ (kibō) and his pessimistic state of ‘despair’ (zetsubō), especially in terms of his early work.
Strategic choices of bilateral and multilateral preferential trade agreements: empirical analysis
Authors: Yamamoto Rosenbaum Chika
Published: July 2018

The rapid proliferation of preferential trade agreements (PTAs) has prompted numerous studies on why states seek PTAs. However, very little research examines why states vary in choosing different forms of PTAs, while states’ decisions to enter bilateral or multilateral PTA affect the global, regional, and national political economies. This paper thus finds global patterns regarding which pairs of states are more likely to enter bilateral or multilateral PTAs. Based on a wide range of existing research, the paper begins with hypothesizing different effects of economic and political factors that give rise to these PTAs during the last two decades. The empirical analysis then tests these hypotheses. The result shows stark differences in pairs of states joining the two types of PTAs. Bilateral PTAs are more likely to develop between democratic states with a large market size and the World Trade Organization (WTO) membership. Multilateral PTAs tend to form between less democratic states with greater political affinity.
Interferometry of class I methanol masers, statistics and the distance scale
Authors: Voronkov Maxim A. , Breen Shari L. , Ellingsen Simon P. , Jordan Christopher H.
Published: July 2018

The Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) participated in a number of survey programs to search for and image common class I methanol masers (at 36 and 44 GHz) with high angular resolution. In this paper, we discuss spatial and velocity distributions revealed by these surveys. In particular, the number of maser regions is found to fall off exponentially with the linear distance from the associated young stellar object traced by the 6.7-GHz maser, and the scale of this distribution is 263±15 milliparsec. Although this relationship still needs to be understood in the context of the broader field, it can be utilised to estimate the distance using methanol masers only. This new technique has been analysed to understand its limitations and future potential. It turned out, it can be very successful to resolve the ambiguity in kinematic distances, but, in the current form, is much less accurate (than the kinematic method) if used on its own.