bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of applying lactic acid bacteria and propionic acid on fermentation quality and aerobic stability of oats‐common vetch mixed silage on the Tibetan plateau
Authors: Zhang Jie , Guo Gang , Chen Lei , Li Junfeng , Yuan Xianjun , Yu Chengqun , Shimojo Masataka , Shao Tao
Published: December 2014

The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of lactic acid bacteria and propionic acid on the fermentation quality and aerobic stability of oats‐common vetch mixed silage by using a small‐scale fermentation system on the Tibetan plateau. (i) An inoculant (Lactobacillus plantarum) (L) or (ii) propionic acid (P) or (iii) inoculant + propionic acid (PL) were used as additives. After fermenting for 60 days, silos were opened and the aerobic stability was tested for the following 15 days. The results showed that all silages were well preserved with low pH and NH3‐N, and high lactic acid content and V‐scores. L and PL silages showed higher (P < 0.05) lactic acid and crude protein content than the control silage. P silage inhibited lactic acid production. Under aerobic conditions, L silage had similar yeast counts as the control silage (> 105 cfu/g fresh matter (FM)); however, it numerically reduced aerobic stability for 6 h. P and PL silages showed fewer yeasts (< 105 cfu/g FM) (P < 0.05) and markedly improved the aerobic stability (> 360 h). The result suggested that PL is the best additive as it could not only improved fermentation quality, but also aerobic stability of oats‐common vetch mixed silage on the Tibetan plateau.
Effects of different rearing systems on meat production traits and meat fiber microstructure of Beijing‐you chicken
Authors: Fu Dezhi , Zhang Daixi , Xu Guiyun , Li Kaiyang , Wang Qiong , Zhang Zebin , Li Junying , Chen Yu , Jia Yaxiong , Qu LuJiang
Published: December 2014

Beijing‐you is a Chinese local chicken which is raised for both meat and eggs. In the present study, we detected the effects of different rearing systems on growth, slaughtering performances and meat quality of Beijing‐you chickens at 26–40 weeks of age. Six hundred Beijing‐you hens were randomly allocated into two groups at 16 weeks of age and raised in free range or battery cage systems. The body weight, slaughtering performance and meat quality were measured for each group at the ages of 26, 30, 35 and 40 weeks. Some of the traits were dramatically influenced by the two systems, although most of them did not show significant changes. For the meat fiber microstructure, we found that the diameter of thigh and breast muscle fiber in the free range group were significantly increased than in the cage group (P < 0.05) at 26 weeks of age. The ratio of fast muscle fiber in thigh muscle samples of the free range group was significantly reduced compared to that of cage group at both 35 (P < 0.01) and 40 (P < 0.01) weeks of age, indicating that the free range system could promote the transforming of fast muscle fiber to slow muscle fiber.
Female reproductive morphology of coral‐inhabiting gall crabs (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Cryptochiridae)
Authors: Vehof Juliane , van der Meij Sancia E. T. , Türkay Michael , Becker Carola
Published: December 2014

Gall crabs are obligate associates of stony corals in which they induce skeletal modifications. In some cryptochirid species, females live in open depressions accessible to males; while in others, females are rather isolated in semiclosed galls, which necessitates elaborate sperm storage capabilities by the female. In this study we investigate the female gross morphology and reproductive systems of Fungicola syzygia lodged in semiclosed flattened pits, Opecarcinus cathyae with semiopen pits and Pseudocryptochirus viridis from shallow open depressions using line drawings and histological methods. The general morphology of the cryptochirids' reproductive systems is uniform and conforms to other thoracotreme brachyurans: paired muscular vaginae of the concave pattern lead from the sternal gonopores into paired seminal receptacles where sperm is stored. The seminal receptacle is internally lined by distinct types of epithelia: a cuticle underlined by a columnar epithelium ventrally, a monolayered secretory epithelium dorsally and a multilayered transfer tissue where the oviducts enter the seminal receptacle. In all studied specimens, the seminal receptacle contained free spermatozoa; however, in specimens of Pseudocryptochirus viridis it also contained spermatophores, indicating a recent insemination. In contrast to most other brachyurans ovaries of the investigated cryptochirids extend into the pleon. The specific degree of ovary extension differs between the studied species and is closely related to female body shape.
Immunotherapy with the trifunctional anti‐CD20 x anti‐CD3 antibody FBTA05 (Lymphomun) in paediatric high‐risk patients with recurrent CD20‐positive B cell malignancies
Authors: Schuster Friedhelm R. , Stanglmaier Michael , Woessmann Wilhelm , Winkler Beate , Siepermann Meinolf , Meisel Roland , Schlegel Paul G. , Hess Jürgen , Lindhofer Horst , Borkhardt Arndt , Buhmann Raymund
Published: December 2014

Children with B cell malignancies refractory to standard therapy are known to have a poor prognosis and very limited treatment options. Here, we report on the treatment and follow‐up of ten patients diagnosed with relapsed or refractory mature B‐cell Non Hodgkin Lymphoma (B‐NHL), Burkitt leukaemia (B‐AL) or pre B‐acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (pre B‐ALL). All children were treated with FBTA05 (now designated Lymphomun), an anti‐CD3 x anti‐CD20 trifunctional bispecific antibody (trAb) in compassionate use. Within individual treatment schedules, Lymphomun was applied (a) after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo‐SCT, n = 6) to induce sustained long‐term remission, or (b) stand alone prior to subsequent chemotherapy to eradicate residual disease before allo‐SCT (n = 4). Nine of ten children displayed a clinical response: three stable diseases (SD), one partial remission (PR) and five induced or sustained complete remissions (CR). Five of these nine responders died during follow‐up. The other patients still maintain CR with a current overall survival of 874–1424 days (median: 1150 days). In conclusion, despite the dismal clinical prognosis of children refractory to standard therapy, immunotherapy with Lymphomun resulted in a favourable clinical outcome in this cohort of refractory paediatric patients.
Interactions among species with contrasting dispersal modes explain distributions for epiphytic lichens
Authors: Belinchón Rocio , Yahr Rebecca , Ellis Christopher J.
Published: December 2014

Understanding how the biodiversity response to climate change will be modified at ecological scales, e.g. by species interactions, is a major challenge. Lichen epiphytes – the close interdependent relationship between a heterotrophic fungus and photosynthetic partner (photobiont) – are used here to explore how interaction regimes (between lichen species, and between lichens and their photobionts) explain distribution patterns along spatial climatic gradients. To do this we tested field evidence for the ‘core‐fringe hypothesis’, which proposes a facilitative interaction; sexually‐reproducing and spore‐dispersed lichens with a requirement for resynthesis with a compatible photobiont (Nostoc) are facilitated by the prior establishment of asexual lichens which disperse both the fungus and photobiont together. We used two closely related Nephroma species which differ in their reproductive mode – N. laevigatum (sexual spore‐dispersed) and N. parile (asexual) – and compared their occurrence along a bioclimatic gradient to local habitat factors, including the co‐occurrence of asexual lichens which have shared specificity for compatible Nostoc genotypes. The results showed that: 1) N. laevigatum is significantly more likely to occur on trees that have already been colonised by asexual lichens with shared specificity for Nostoc, supporting the core‐fringe hypothesis, while 2) N. parile is independent of this association (strengthening the core‐fringe hypothesis), with its response to a precipitation gradient modified by microhabitat factors. This positive test for the core‐fringe hypothesis demonstrates how interaction regimes can fundamentally alter expectations under climate change. There is an assumption that spore‐dispersed lichen species could more easily track their suitable bioclimatic space through fragmented habitat, compared to asexual species with larger and heavier propagules. However, the establishment of spore‐dispersed lichen epiphytes into new habitat may be limited by the dispersal rates of asexual species, which act as key facilitators.
The comorbid relationship between migraine and epilepsy: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Keezer M. R. , Bauer P. R. , Ferrari M. D. , Sander J. W.
Published: December 2014

A number of studies have suggested a pathophysiologic link between migraine and epilepsy. Our aim was to examine the relative lifetime prevalence of migraine in people with epilepsy (PWE) as well that of epilepsy in migraineurs. We carried out a systematic review, searching five electronic databases, specified bibliographies and conference abstracts in order to identify population‐based studies that measured the lifetime co‐prevalence of migraine and epilepsy. Two reviewers independently screened all titles and abstracts, carried out a risk of bias assessment and extracted the data. Meta‐analyses were carried out using random effects models. Of the 3640 abstracts and titles screened, we identified 10 eligible studies encompassing a total of 1 548 967 subjects. Few of the studies used validated case ascertainment tools and there were inconsistent attempts to control for confounding. There was an overall 52% increase in the prevalence of migraine among PWE versus those without epilepsy [PR: 1.52 (95% CI: 1.29, 1.79)]. There was an overall 79% increase in the prevalence of epilepsy among migraineurs versus those without migraine [PR: 1.79 (95% CI: 1.43, 2.25)]. Subgroup analyses revealed that the method of ascertaining the epilepsy or migraine status of subjects was an important source of inter‐study heterogeneity. Additional high quality primary studies are required, ones that use validated and accurate methods of case ascertainment as well as control for potential confounders.
A REGIME OF UNTRANSLATABLES: TEMPORALITIES OF TRANSLATION AND CONCEPTUAL HISTORY
Authors: LIANERI ALEXANDRA
Published: December 2014

This essay focuses on untranslatability to discuss the diachronic temporality of the history of concepts. Defining untranslatables as the paradoxical origin and product of translating, it explores their role in mediating the long‐term history of concepts by disrupting the historical boundaries of a period and challenging the contexts through which past meaning is confined to the moyenne durée. Addressing first the critical appraisal of the history of ideas by Quentin Skinner and J. G. A. Pocock, it discusses their alternative suggestion of a history of discourses, rather than concepts or ideas, to move to Pocock's formulation of the category of “diachronic translation” as a shift from the moyenne to the longue durée. It then turns to Begriffsgeschichte to explore the interrelation of untranslatables, Koselleck's consideration of translation, and his theory of historical times. It suggests that Koselleck not only states that translation mediates the history of concepts, but also envisions a distinct temporality associated with the aporetic condition of translating what is untranslatable. The aporia of translations underlies both the historical depth of concepts as a conceptual reserve and an act of silencing past meaning. The ensuing conjunction of surplus and erasure qualifies Koselleck's category of multiple times by designating the time of translation as “obscure time.” It is a time that displaces us from the apparent meaning of concepts in a certain period by receding toward the otherness of the past and suspending meaning that is already in the future. These two characteristics of obscure time, its receding and suspending nature, not only stand against the continuity of periodizing; they also make visible a politics of translation as an act of disruption of the present wherein the past becomes a reserve of meanings resisting appropriative interpretation.
4. ALL TOGETHER NOW: SYNCHRONIZATION, SPEED, AND THE FAILURE OF NARRATIVITY
Authors: BOWKER GEOFFREY C.
Published: December 2014

This paper looks at interconnections between social, scientific, and technical time over the period since the Enlightenment. The underlying argument is that each of these can be woven into a single narrative of our experience and description of time over that period. In particular, I maintain that the synchronization of social and natural time into ever smaller, interchangeable units has culminated today in the evacuation of the narrative of progress in favor of an ideology of the eternal present. Contra technologically determinist characterizations that claim a fundamental historical disjuncture occurring with the development of computers, I claim that this timeless present has historical roots going back to the origin of industrial societies through the age of Victorian certainty to our current epoch. The multiple times described here are argued to be telling a single story. I demonstrate this through developing a historiographical principle of infrastructural inversion, which foregrounds a common set of “techniques dispositifs” operating in the apparently separate worlds of science and industry. The assertion here is that our experiences and perceptions of time are deeply imbricated in our information infrastructures. I further argue that these ideological charged times are not hegemonic; they merely describe a motivating managerial vision of a proximate future.
Compounds leached from quinoa seeds inhibit matrix metalloproteinase activity and intracellular reactive oxygen species
Authors: Graf B. L. , Cheng D. M. , Esposito D. , Shertel T. , Poulev A. , Plundrich N. , Itenberg D. , Dayan N. , Lila M. A. , Raskin I.
Published: December 2014

Synopsis

Objective

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is a seed crop rich in bioactive compounds including phytoecdysones (especially 20‐hydroxyecdysone, 20HE), polyphenols, proteins and essential fatty acids. We previously reported a method to leach and concentrate quinoa bioactives into a complex phytochemical mixture termed quinoa leachate (QL). Here, we aimed to determine the effect of QL and its chemically distinct fractions on five biochemical endpoints relevant to skin care applications: (i) cell viability, (ii) matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) mRNA expression, (iii) MMP enzymatic activity, (iv) tyrosinase enzymatic activity and (v) intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.

Methods

Quinoa leachate was fractionated and chemically characterized using column chromatography and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC‐MS). Cell viability was determined using a MTT assay in four mammalian cell lines. MMP‐1 mRNA expression was assessed in human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) via qRT‐PCR. The enzymatic activity of MMP‐9 and tyrosinase was measured using fluorometric and colorimetric in vitro assays, respectively. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced ROS production was determined in human dermal fibroblasts by fluorescence intensity of an oxidant‐sensitive probe.

Results

Quinoa leachate was separated into three fractions: (i) carbohydrate‐rich fraction (QL‐C; 71.3% w/w of QL); (ii) phytoecdysone, polyphenol and protein‐rich fraction (QL‐P, 13.3% w/w of QL); (iii) oil‐rich fraction (QL‐O, 10.8% w/w of QL). QL did not reduce cell viability in any of the four cell lines tested. QL, QL‐P and QL‐O each significantly inhibited MMP‐1 mRNA expression in HDF at a concentration of 5 μg mL−1. QL and QL‐P also significantly inhibited MMP‐9 enzymatic activity, whereas QL‐P demonstrated significant tyrosinase enzymatic inhibition. Furthermore, QL, QL‐P, QL‐O and 20HE significantly inhibited intracellular ROS production.

Conclusion

This study is the first to demonstrate the MMP, tyrosinase and ROS inhibiting properties of multiple different phytochemical components derived from quinoa seeds. Our work indicates that quinoa phytochemicals may play a role in the treatment and prevention of skin ageing through a multiplicity of effects.
Spike generation from dorsal roots and cutaneous afferents by hypoxia or hypercapnia in the rat in vivo
Authors: Pethô Gábor , Pórszász Róbert , Peitl Barna , Szolcsányi János
Published: December 2014

The present study aimed at investigating the responsiveness of different parts of the primary afferent neurones to a brief hypoxia, hypercapnia or ischaemia under in vivo conditions. Action potentials were recorded in separate groups of anaesthetized rats from (i) the peripheral end of the central stump of the cut L3, L4 or L5 dorsal root (dorsal root preparation); (ii) the central end of the peripheral stump of the cut saphenous nerve (saphenous—receptor preparation); (iii) the distal end of a segment of the saphenous nerve cut at both ends (axon preparation). In paralysed animals interruption of artificial ventilation for 20–60 s elicited or increased the frequency of action potentials in both the dorsal root and saphenous‐receptor preparations. Activation of these preparations was also achieved by inspiration of gas mixtures containing 10‐0% oxygen (mixed with nitrogen) or 20–50% carbon dioxide (mixed with oxygen) which elicited in the blood a decrease in PO2 or an increase in PCO2 with a fall in pH. Occlusion of the femoral artery for 3 min also caused spike generation in the saphenous—receptor preparations with little alteration in blood pressure. All these stimuli failed to evoke action potentials in the axon preparations. Systemic (300 mg kg−1 s.c.) or perineural (2 %) capsaicin pretreatment failed to inhibit the effect of hypoxia, hypercapnia or ischaemia, indicating a significant contribution of capsaicin‐insensitive neurones to the responses. It is concluded that central and peripheral terminals but not axons of primary afferent neurones are excited by a brief hypoxia or hypercapnia and the peripheral terminals by a short local ischaemia as well. Excitation of central terminals by hypoxia or hypercapnia revealed in this way an antidromic activation of dorsal roots in response to natural chemical stimuli.
Ryanodine receptors in human bladder smooth muscle
Authors: Chambers Pauline , Neal David E. , Gillespie James I.
Published: December 2014

The role of intracellular Ca2+ release in the activation of human bladder smooth muscle is controversial. We have measured the expression of mRNA encoding for the ryanodine receptor (RyR) isoforms (RyR1, RyR2 and RyR3) in isolated human detrusor smooth muscle. mRNA for RyR2 was detected in all samples but no mRNA for RyR1 or RyR3 could be found. Human bladder smooth muscle cells in culture are unresponsive to caffeine, suggesting the absence of a functional RyR system. However, mRNA encoding for RyR2 was detected in these cells. Using saponin‐permeabilized cells, a Ruthenium Red‐sensitive Ca2+‐dependent 45Ca2+ release could be demonstrated from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). These data confirm the functional presence of Ca2+‐induced Ca2+ release (CICR) in cells and suggest that the properties of the RyR2 isoform in human detrusor may change when the cells are maintained in culture. The implications of these observations to detrusor smooth muscle function are discussed.
Effects of moderate exercise training on plasma volume, baroreceptor sensitivity and orthostatic tolerance in healthy subjects
Authors: Mtinangi B. L. , Hainsworth R.
Published: December 2014

The effect of physical training on an individual's ability to withstand an orthostatic stress is unclear. This study was undertaken to determine the effects on orthostatic tolerance in healthy volunteers of training at a level appropriate for unfit subjects and cardiorespiratory patients. In 11 asymptomatic, untrained subjects the following assessments were made: plasma volume by Evans Blue dye dilution and blood volume derived from haematocrit; carotid baroreceptor sensitivity from the slope of the regression of change in cardiac interval against pressure applied to a neck chamber; orthostatic tolerance as time to presyncope in a test of head‐up tilting combined with lower body suction; exercise test relating heart rate to oxygen consumption. Subjects were then given a training schedule (5BX/XBX, Royal Canadian Air Force) involving 11–12 min of mixed exercises per day until an age/sex related ‘target’ was reached. Following training all subjects showed evidence of improved fitness, seen as decreases in heart rate at an oxygen uptake (V̇O2) of 1.5 1 min−1 and in the elevation of the regression line between heart rate and V̇O2. All also had increases in plasma and blood volumes and decreases in baroreceptor sensitivity. Seven of the subjects showed increases in orthostatic tolerance. Improvement in orthostatic tolerance was related to a low initial tolerance, and was associated with increases in plasma volume and decreases in baroreceptor sensitivity. These results show that moderate exercise training increases orthostatic tolerance in subjects who do not already have a high initial tolerance and suggest that training may be of value in the management of untrained patients with attacks of syncope due to orthostatic intolerance.
Influence of castration on isoprenaline‐induced amylase release in parotid gland from male rats
Authors: Busch Lucila , Borda Enri
Published: December 2014

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of testosterone, the male sex hormone, on β‐adrenergic agonist‐induced amylase secretion from rat parotid glands. Isoprenaline (isoproterenol)‐induced amylase secretion was measured in vitro from the parotid glands of control and castrated rats with and without testosterone replacement. The isoprenaline‐induced amylase release was reduced in parotid glands from castrated rats compared to controls. The reduction of amylase release by isoprenaline in parotid glands of castrated rats, could be reversed by administration of testosterone. Furthermore, β‐adrenergic receptor density and the level of isoprenaline‐evoked cAMP in parotid glands from castrated rats was lower compared to intact rats. Using SQ‐22536 (an adenylyl cyclase inhibitor), dibutyryl cAMP (a cAMP analogue) and verapamil (a calcium channel blocker), we conclude that the impairment of amylase release from parotid glands after castration was not related to either adenylyl cyclase activity or cAMP accumulation. Amylase release from the parotid glands of castrated rats appears to be mediated by an increase in calcium ion influx.
Effect of intermittent hypoxia on cardiovascular function, adrenoceptors and muscarinic receptors in Wistar rats
Authors: Germack R. , Leon‐Velarde F. , De La Barra R. Valdes , Farias J. , Soto G. , Richalet J. P.
Published: December 2014

The usual model of intermittent hypoxia (sleep apnoea) corresponds to repeated episodes of hypoxia from a few seconds to a few hours interspersed with episodes of normoxia. The aim of this study was to evaluate in rats the effect of two periods of intermittent exposure for 2 months to hypoxia (IHX1, 24 h in hypoxia (428 Torr), 24 h in normoxia; IHX2, 48 h in hypoxia (428 Torr), 24 h in normoxia) as a new model of hypoxia simulating intermittent exposure to high altitude experienced by Andean miners. We assessed the haematological parameters, time course of resting heart rate and systolic blood pressure. We also evaluated the expression of adrenergic and muscarinic receptors. IHX1 and IHX2 produced an increase in haematocrit, haemoglobin concentration and mean corpuscular volume as previously seen in most hypoxic models. IHX1 and IHX2 induced a similar sustained elevation of systolic blood pressure (132 ± 2 and 135 ± 3 mmHg, respectively, vs. the control level of 121 ± 16 mmHg) after 10 days of exposure without change in heart rate. Right ventricular (RV) hypertrophy (225 ± 13 and 268 ± 15 mg g−1, vs. 178 ± 7 mg g−1) and downregulation of α1‐adrenoceptor (RV: 127 ± 21 and 94 ± 16 fmol mg−1 vs. 157 ± 8 fmol mg−1; left ventricle (LV): 141 ± 5 and 126 ± 9 fmol mg−1 vs. 152 ± 5 fmol mg−1) have been found in both groups, with right ventricular hypertrophy being greater and α1‐adrenoceptor density being lower in IHX2 than in HX1 groups. These data indicate that both parameters are related to the time of exposure to hypoxia. IHX1 and IHX2 produced the same magnitude of upregulation of muscarinic receptors (LV, 60%; RV, 40%), and no change in β‐adrenoceptors. In conclusion, exposure to intermittent hypoxia led to polycythaemia and RV hypertrophy as observed in other types of hypoxia. A specific cardiovascular response was seen, that is an increase in blood pressure without change in heart rate, which was different from the one observed in episodic and chronic hypoxia. Furthermore, this model involved specific modifications of α1‐adrenergic and muscarinic expression.
The effect of treadmill incline on maximal oxygen uptake, gas exchange and the metabolic response to exercise in the horse
Authors: McDonough Paul , Kindig Casey A. , Ramsel Casey , Poole David C. , Erickson Howard H.
Published: December 2014

In healthy man, conditions that change muscle O2 delivery affect the achievable maximum rate of O2 uptake (V̇O2,max) as well as the metabolic (e.g. lactate threshold, LT) and gas exchange (e.g. gas exchange threshold, Tge) responses to incremental exercise. Inclined (I) compared to level (L) running increases locomotory muscle EMG at a given speed in the horse, indicative of elevated metabolic demand. To our knowledge, the effect of treadmill incline on V̇O2,max, LT and Tge has not been addressed in the exercising quadruped. We used blood sampling and breath‐by‐breath expired gas analysis to test the hypothesis that I (10% gradient) would increase V̇O2,max and the rate of O2 uptake (V̇O2) at LT and Tge in six Thoroughbred horses during incremental running to volitional fatigue. V̇O2,max was significantly higher for I (I, 77.8 ± 4.1; L, 65.5 ± 5.3 I min−1; P < 0.05), but peak plasma lactate concentration was not (I, 28.0 ± 3.7; L, 25.9 ± 3.0 mM). Arterial PCO2 increased to 62.1 ± 3.3 and 57.9 ± 2.7 Torr (I vs. L; P < 0.05), yet despite this relative hypoventilation, a distinct Tge was present. This Tge occurred at a significantly different absolute (I, 49.6 ± 3.2; L, 42.4 ± 3.2 I min−1; P < 0.05), but nearly identical relative V̇O2 (I, 63.6 ± 1.2; L, 63.9 ± 1.6% V̇O2,max) in I and L. Similarly, LT occurred at a significantly greater absolute V̇O2 (I, 37.3 ± 2.8; L, 26.9 ± 2.1 1 min−1), but a relative V̇O2 that was not different (I, 47.9 ± 2.1; L, 43.9 ± 4.5% V̇O2,max). In addition, Tge occurred at a significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) absolute and relative V̇O2 than LT for both I and L tests. In conclusion, V̇O2,max is higher during inclined than level running and both LT and Tge in the horse occur at a similar percentage of V̇O2,max irrespective of the absolute level of V̇O2,max. In contrast to humans, LT is a poor analogue of Tge in the horse.
The effects of isometric exercise training on resting blood pressure and orthostatic tolerance in humans
Authors: Howden Reuben , Lightfoot J. Timothy , Brown Stephen J. , Swaine Ian L.
Published: December 2014

Isometric exercise training has been shown to reduce resting blood pressure, but the effect that this might have on orthostatic tolerance is poorly understood. Changes in orthostatic tolerance may also be dependent on whether the upper or lower limbs of the body are trained using isometric exercise. Twenty‐seven subjects were allocated to either a training or control group. A training group first undertook 5 weeks of isometric exercise training of the legs, and after an 8 week intervening period, a second training group containing six subjects from the initial training group, undertook 5 weeks of isometric arm‐training. The control group were asked to continue their normal daily activities throughout the 18 weeks of the study. In all subjects orthostatic tolerance, assessed using lower body negative pressure (LBNP), and resting blood pressure were measured before and after each of the 5 week training or control periods. Estimated lean leg volume was determined before and after leg‐training. During all LBNP tests, heart rate and blood pressure were recorded each minute, and the time taken to reach the highest heart rate was derived (time to peak HR). Resting systolic blood pressure (mean ± s.d.), when measured during the last week of training, was significantly reduced after both leg (‐10 ± 8.7 mmHg) and arm (‐12.4 ± 9.3 mmHg; P < 0.05) isometric exercise training, compared to controls. This reduction disappeared when blood pressure was measured immediately before the LBNP tests, which followed training. Orthostatic tolerance only increased after leg‐training (20.8 ± 16.4 LTI; P < 0.05) and was accompanied by an increased time to peak HR (119.8 ± 106.3 beats min−1; P< 0.05) in this group. Blood pressure responses to LBNP did not change after arm‐training, leg‐training or in controls (P > 0.05). There was a small but significant increase in estimated lean leg volume after leg‐training (0.1 ± 0.1 1; P < 0.05). These results suggest that lower resting blood pressure is probably not responsible for the increased orthostatic tolerance after isometric exercise training of the legs. Rather, it is possible that the training altered some other aspect of cardiovascular control during orthostatic stress that was apparent in the changes in heart rate. Legtraining was accompanied by increases in estimated lean leg volume. The effects of isometric training on orthostatic tolerance appear to be specific to limbs that are directly involved in LBNP testing.
THE IMPACT OF SKILL‐SPECIFIC MIGRATION ON REGIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT DISPARITIES IN GERMANY
Authors: Granato Nadia , Haas Anette , Hamann Silke , Niebuhr Annekatrin
Published: December 2014

Differences in regional unemployment are still pronounced in Germany, especially between eastern and western Germany. Although the skill level seems important for the relationship between regional disparities and labor migration, corresponding empirical evidence is scarce. Applying dynamic panel models, we investigate the impact of labor mobility differentiated by educational attainment of the workers on regional unemployment disparities between 2000 and 2008. The impact of low‐ and medium‐skilled migration is consistent with traditional neoclassical reasoning, suggesting that labor mobility reduces differences in regional unemployment rates. In contrast, the migration of high‐skilled workers tends to reinforce disparities.
Movement Litigation and Unilateral Disarmament: Abortion and the Right to
Die
Authors: Price Richard S. , Keck Thomas M.
Published: December 2014

Detractors have long criticized the use of courts to achieve social
change because judicial victories tend to provoke counterproductive
political backlashes. Backlash arguments typically assert or imply that if
movement litigators had relied on democratic rather than judicial politics,
their policy victories would have been better insulated from opposition. We
argue that these accounts wrongly assume that the unilateral decision by a
group of movement advocates to eschew litigation will lead to a reduced role
for courts in resolving the relevant policy and political conflicts. To the
contrary, such decisions will often result in a policy field with judges
every bit as active, but with the legal challenges initiated and framed by
the advocates' opponents. We document this claim and explore its
implications for constitutional politics via a counterfactual thought
experiment rooted in historical case studies of litigation involving
abortion and the right to die.
The tap‐tpg gene pair on the linear plasmid functions to maintain a linear topology of the chromosome in Streptomyces rochei
Authors: Nindita Yosi , Cao Zhisheng , Yang Yingjie , Arakawa Kenji , Shiwa Yuh , Yoshikawa Hirofumi , Tagami Michihira , Lezhava Alexander , Kinashi Haruyasu
Published: December 2014

Streptomyces rochei 7434AN4 carries three linear plasmids, pSLA2‐L (211 kb), pSLA2‐M (113 kb) and pSLA2‐S (18 kb), their complete nucleotide sequences having been determined. Restriction and sequencing analysis revealed that the telomere sequences at both ends of the linear chromosome are identical to each other, are 98.5% identical to the right end sequences of pSLA2‐L and pSLA2‐M up to 3.1 kb from the ends and have homology to those of typical Streptomyces species. Mutant 2‐39, which lost all the three linear plasmids, was found to carry a circularized chromosome. Sequence comparison of the fusion junction and both deletion ends revealed that chromosomal circularization occurred by terminal deletions followed by nonhomologous recombination. Curing of pSLA2‐L from strain 51252, which carries only pSLA2‐L, also resulted in terminal deletions in newly obtained mutants. The tap‐tpg gene pair, which encodes a telomere‐associated protein and a terminal protein for end patching, is located on pSLA2‐L and pSLA2–M but has not hitherto been found on the chromosome. These results led us to the idea that the tap‐tpg of pSLA2‐L or pSLA2‐M functions to maintain a linear chromosome in strain 7434AN4. This hypothesis was finally confirmed by complementation and curing experiments of the tap‐tpg of pSLA2‐M.
Decision‐making regarding organ donation in Korean adults: A grounded‐theory study
Authors: Yeun Eun Ja , Kwon Young Mi , Kim Jung A
Published: December 2014

The aim of this study was to identify the hidden patterns of behavior leading toward the decision to donate organs. Thirteen registrants at the Association for Organ Sharing in Korea were recruited. Data were collected using in‐depth interview and the interview transcripts were analyzed using Glaserian grounded‐theory methodology. The main problem of participants was “body attachment” and the core category (management process) was determined to be “pursuing life.” The theme consisted of four phases, which were: “hesitating,” “investigating,” “releasing,” and “re‐discovering. ” Therefore, to increase organ donations, it is important to find a strategy that will create positive attitudes about organ donation through education and public relations. These results explain and provide a deeper understanding of the main problem that Korean people have about organ donation and their management of decision‐making processes. These findings can help care providers to facilitate the decision‐making process and respond to public needs while taking into account the sociocultural context within which decisions are made.
Ultrasound assessment of gastric volume in the fasted pediatric patient undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: development of a predictive model using endoscopically suctioned volumes
Authors: Spencer Adam O. , Walker Andrew M. , Yeung Alfred K. , Lardner David R. , Yee Kevin , Mulvey Jamin M. , Perlas Anahi
Published: December 2014

Background

Aspiration of gastric contents can be a serious anesthetic‐related complication. Gastric antral sonography prior to anesthesia may have a role in identifying pediatric patients at risk of aspiration. We examined the relationship between sonographic antral area and endoscopically suctioned gastric volumes, and whether a 3‐point qualitative grading system is applicable in pediatric patients.

Methods

Fasted patients presenting to a pediatric hospital for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were included in the study. Sonographic measurement of the antral cross‐sectional area (CSA) in supine (supine CSA) and right lateral decubitus (RLD CSA) position was completed, and the antrum was designated as empty or nonempty. Gastric contents were endoscopically suctioned and measured. Multiple regression analysis was used to fit a mathematical model to estimate gastric volume.

Results

One hundred patients (aged 11–216 months) were included. The gastric antrum was measured in 94% and 99% of patients in the supine and RLD positions, respectively. Gastric antral CSA correlated with total gastric volume in both supine (ρ = 0.63) and RLD (ρ = 0.67) positions. A mathematical model incorporating RLD CSA and age (R2 = 0.60) was determined as the best‐fit model to predict gastric volumes. Increasing gastric antral grade (0–2) was associated with increasing gastric fluid volume.

Conclusion

The results suggest that sonographic assessment of the gastric antrum provides useful information regarding gastric content (empty versus nonempty) and volume (ml·kg−1) in pediatric patients. Results suggest that the three‐point grading system may be a valuable tool to assess gastric ‘fullness’ based on a qualitative exam of the antrum.
Effects of a restrictive fluid regimen in pediatric patients undergoing major abdominal surgery
Authors: Mandee Sahatsa , Butmangkun Wassana , Aroonpruksakul Naiyana , Tantemsapya Niramol , von Bormann Benno , Suraseranivongse Suwannee
Published: December 2014

Objective

To investigate the effects of restrictive fluid regimen during major abdominal surgery in pediatric patients.

Background

In adults, a restrictive and goal‐directed regimen as opposed to a liberal‐fluid regimen results in better outcomes after various major surgical procedures. The different ratio of body fluid distribution in pediatric patients from those of adults may influence different needs of fluid.

Methods

This stratified, randomized, controlled trial was conducted in 25 pediatric patients (mean age <3 years) undergoing major abdominal surgery. Patients were allocated to two groups based on their perioperative fluid management. ‘control group’ received maintenance plus deficit plus interstitial space replacement plus ongoing loss, whereas ‘restrictive group’ had a similar treatment, but were given no interstitial space replacement. Intraoperative fluid resuscitation was guided by hemodynamics and base excess. Parameters recorded included hemodynamic variables, the volume and type of intravenous fluid, blood chemistry (including lactate, base excess, and electrolyte), chest X‐ray, body weight, complications, and return of bowel function.

Results

Patients in control group needed significantly less additional fluid for resuscitation compared to restrictive group (0.62 ± 3.51 ml·kg−1·h−1 vs 5.04 ± 4.16 ml·kg−1·h−1; P = 0.012). In restrictive group, heart rates were higher (P = 0.012) and base excess showed more negative results (P = 0.049). There were no differences between the groups in terms of the total volume requirement, postoperative kidney function, chest X‐ray, variation of body weight and the postoperative outcomes.

Conclusions

Volume preload corresponding with an estimated interstitial space replacement was suitable for application to pediatric patients undergoing major abdominal surgery.
Closed Analytical Expressions for Stress Distributions in Two-Layer Cylinders and Their Application to Offshore Lined and Clad Pipes
Authors: Vedeld Knut , Sollund Håvar A. , Hellesland Jostein
Published: December 2014

Closed-form analytical expressions are derived for the displacement field and corresponding stress state in two-layer cylinders subjected to pressure and thermal loading. Solutions are developed both for cylinders that are fully restrained axially (plane strain) and for cylinders that are axially loaded and spring-mounted. In the latter case, it is assumed that the combined two-layer cross section remains plane after deformation (generalized plane strain). The analytical solutions are verified by means of detailed three-dimensional finite element (FE) analyses, and they are easily implemented in, and suitable for, engineering applications. The chosen axial boundary conditions are demonstrated to be particularly relevant for pipeline and piping applications. By applying the exact solutions derived in the present study to typical offshore lined or clad pipelines, it is demonstrated that thermal expansion of the liner or clad layer may cause higher tensile hoop stresses in the pipe steel wall than accounted for in current engineering practice. It is shown that repeated cycles of start-up and shut-down phases for lined or clad pipelines cause significant plastic stress cycles in liners or claddings, which may pose a risk to the integrity of such pipelines.
Thermoelastohydrodynamic Behavior of Gas Spiral Groove Face Seals Operating at High Pressure and Speed
Authors: Bai Shaoxian , Ma Chunhong , Peng Xudong , Wen Shizhu
Published: December 2014

A numerical modeling of thermoelastohydrodynamic gas spiral groove face seal behavior is presented. Temperature fields of the fluid film and the seal rings are computed, as they are the elastic and thermal distortions of the rings. Numerical analysis is carried out on a gas spiral groove face seal taking into account of choked flow effect. Analysis results show that both elastic and thermal distortions induce strong influence on the geometry of the fluid film, forming obvious divergent clearance which leads to significant decrease of minimum equilibrium clearance, exceeding 50% in degree. Thermal distortion may induce the same influence degree as elastic distortion on the minimum equilibrium clearance in high pressure cases, but the rotation speed has no obvious influence on the minimum clearance when both elastic and thermal distortions are considered. The thermal distortion as well as elastic distortion should be concerned in high pressure analysis.
Free Vibration of Curvilinearly Stiffened Shallow Shells
Authors: Shi Peng , Kapania Rakesh K. , Dong C. Y.
Published: December 2014

The free vibration of curvilinearly stiffened shallow shells is investigated by the Ritz method. Based on the first-order shear deformation shell theory and three-dimensional (3D) curved beam theory, the strain and kinetic energies of the stiffened shells are introduced. The stiffener can be placed anywhere within the shell, without the need for having the stiffener and shell element nodes coincide. Numerical results with different geometrical shells and boundary conditions and different stiffener locations and curvatures are analyzed to verify the feasibility of the presented Ritz method for solving the problems. The results show good agreement with those using other methods, e.g., using a converged set of results obtained by Nastran.
Binary self-assembled monolayers modified Au nanoparticles as carriers in biological applications
Authors: Chang Hsun-Yun , You Yun-Wen , Liao Hua-Yang , Shyue Jing-Jong
Published: December 2014

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are good nonviral carriers because of their ease of synthesis and conjugation in biochemistry, and self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) provide a tunable system to change their interfacial properties. Using homogeneously mixed carboxylic acid and amine functional groups, a series of surface potentials and isoelectric points (IEPs) could be obtained and allow systematic study of the effect of surface potential. In this work, the result of the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay revealed that binary-SAM modified AuNPs have high biocompatibility with HEK293T cells. The amount of AuNPs ingested by the cells was found to increase with increasing surface potential and the difference was also confirmed with a scanning transmission electron microscope. The ability of binary-SAM modified AuNPs as carriers was examined, and the plasmid deoxyribose nucleic acid (DNA)-containing eGFP reporter gene was used as the model cargo. Fluorescence imaging revealed that the transfection efficiency generally increased with increasing surface potential. More importantly, when the IEP of the AuNPs was higher than that of the environment of the endosome but lower than that of the cytoplasm, the plasmid DNA can be protected better and released more easily during the endocytosis process hence higher efficiency is obtained with 60% NH2 and 40% COOH in the binary-SAM.
Application of electron stimulated desorption techniques to measure the isotherm and the mean residence time of hydrogen physisorbed on a metal surface
Authors: Arakawa Ichiro , Shimizu Hideyuki , Kawarabuki Taku , Yamakawa Koichiro , Miura Takashi
Published: December 2014

Electron stimulated desorption techniques were applied to probe the density of H2 physisorbed on a cold surface. The adsorption isotherm of H2 on a copper surface was measured in the equilibrium pressure range between 10−9 and 10−4 Pa at surface temperatures of 6.5 and 4.2 K. The mean residence times of H2 on copper were obtained from the observation of the time development of the surface density in a transitional state approaching equilibrium, and are 50–500 s for the coverage between 1 and 0.18 at 4.2 K of the substrate temperature. The adsorption energies of 1.18–1.27 kJ/mol, and the condensation coefficient of 0.074–0.018 were also deduced.
Statistical binning enables an accurate coalescent-based estimation of the avian tree
Authors: Mirarab Siavash , Bayzid Md. Shamsuzzoha , Boussau Bastien , Warnow Tandy
Published: December 2014

Gene tree incongruence arising from incomplete lineage sorting (ILS) can reduce the accuracy of concatenation-based estimations of species trees. Although coalescent-based species tree estimation methods can have good accuracy in the presence of ILS, they are sensitive to gene tree estimation error. We propose a pipeline that uses bootstrapping to evaluate whether two genes are likely to have the same tree, then it groups genes into sets using a graph-theoretic optimization and estimates a tree on each subset using concatenation, and finally produces an estimated species tree from these trees using the preferred coalescent-based method. Statistical binning improves the accuracy of MP-EST, a popular coalescent-based method, and we use it to produce the first genome-scale coalescent-based avian tree of life.
Metal-organic framework nanosheets as building blocks for molecular sieving membranes
Authors: Peng Yuan , Li Yanshuo , Ban Yujie , Jin Hua , Jiao Wenmei , Liu Xinlei , Yang Weishen
Published: December 2014

Layered metal-organic frameworks would be a diverse source of crystalline sheets with nanometer thickness for molecular sieving if they could be exfoliated, but there is a challenge in retaining the morphological and structural integrity. We report the preparation of 1-nanometer-thick sheets with large lateral area and high crystallinity from layered MOFs. They are used as building blocks for ultrathin molecular sieve membranes, which achieve hydrogen gas (H
2
) permeance of up to several thousand gas permeation units (GPUs) with H
2
/CO
2
selectivity greater than 200. We found an unusual proportional relationship between H
2
permeance and H
2
selectivity for the membranes, and achieved a simultaneous increase in both permeance and selectivity by suppressing lamellar stacking of the nanosheets.