bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Age‐related changes in cardiac electrophysiology and calcium handling in response to sympathetic nerve stimulation
Authors: Francis Stuart Samantha D. , Wang Lianguo , Woodard William R. , Ng G. Andre , Habecker Beth A. , Ripplinger Crystal M.
Published: June 2018

Key points

Ageing results in changes to cardiac electrophysiology, Ca2+ handling, and β‐adrenergic responsiveness.

Sympathetic neurodegeneration also occurs with age, yet detailed action potential and Ca2+ handling responses to physiological sympathetic nerve stimulation (SNS) in the aged heart have not been assessed.

Optical mapping in mouse hearts with intact sympathetic innervation revealed reduced responsiveness to SNS in the aged atria (assessed by heart rate) and aged ventricles (assessed by action potentials and Ca2+ transients).

Sympathetic nerve density and noradrenaline content were reduced in aged ventricles, but noradrenaline content was preserved in aged atria.

These results demonstrate that reduced responsiveness to SNS in the atria may be primarily due to decreased β‐adrenergic receptor responsiveness, whereas reduced responsiveness to SNS in the ventricles may be primarily due to neurodegeneration.

The objective of this study was to determine how age‐related changes in sympathetic structure and function impact cardiac electrophysiology and intracellular Ca2+ handling. Innervated hearts from young (3‐4 months, YWT, n = 10) and aged (20‐24 months, AGED, n = 11) female mice (C57Bl6) were optically mapped using the voltage (Vm,)‐ and calcium (Ca2+)‐sensitive indicators Rh237 and Rhod2‐AM. Sympathetic nerve stimulation (SNS) was performed at the spinal cord (T1‐T3). β‐Adrenergic responsiveness was assessed with isoproterenol (1 μM, ISO). Sympathetic nerve density and noradrenaline content were also quantified. Stimulation thresholds necessary to produce a defined increase in heart rate (HR) with SNS were higher in AGED vs. YWT hearts (5.4 ± 0.4 vs. 3.8 ± 0.4 Hz, P < 0.05). Maximal HR with SNS was lower in AGED vs. YWT (20.5 ± 3.41% vs. 73.0 ± 7.63% increase, P < 0.05). β‐Adrenergic responsiveness of the atria (measured as percentage increase in HR with ISO) was decreased in AGED vs. YWT hearts (75.3 ± 22.5% vs. 148.5 ± 19.8%, P < 0.05). SNS significantly increased action potential duration (APD) in YWT but not AGED. Ca2+ transient durations and rise times were unchanged by SNS, yet AGED hearts had an increased susceptibility to Ca2+ alternans and ventricular arrhythmias. β‐Adrenergic responsiveness of all ventricular parameters were similar between AGED and YWT. Sympathetic nerve density and noradrenaline content were decreased in the AGED ventricle, but not atria, compared to YWT. These data suggest that decreased responsiveness to SNS in the aged atria may be primarily due to decreased β‐adrenergic responsiveness, whereas decreased responsiveness to SNS in the aged ventricles may be primarily due to nerve degeneration.
Mobility of an in-stent plaque protrusion detected with carotid duplex during the carotid artery stenting procedure: a case report
Authors: Tanaka Kanta , Kitagawa Takamichi , Yamana Norikazu , Akiyama Yoshinori
Published: June 2018

In-stent plaque protrusion (ISP) is a predictor for ischemic complications in carotid artery stenting (CAS). Because its mobility would further increase the distal embolization risk, the intraprocedural detection of mobility is important but has not yet been reported. We present an 87-year-old male with symptomatic right carotid artery stenosis who underwent CAS. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) after stent deployment revealed a small ISP, and simultaneous extravascular carotid duplex disclosed its mobility. After coverage of the ISP with stent-in-stent implantation, no remaining protrusion was observed with either IVUS or carotid duplex. The patient experienced no periprocedural strokes. Carotid duplex is suited to evaluate targets’ movement because of its excellent temporal resolution. Carotid duplex has potential value for intraprocedural risk estimation of ISP.
Detection and monitoring of postinterventional success and complications of the liver using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) – a case report after interventional treatment of a giant hemangioma
Authors: Negrao de Figueiredo Giovanna , Rübenthaler Johannes , Müller-Peltzer Katharina , Clevert Dirk‑André
Published: June 2018

This case report relates the use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for the assessment and treatment of a postinterventional cholecystitis, a rare but important complication after transcatheter arterial embolization of a giant hemangioma. Regarding the imaging diagnosis, hemangiomas have specific features allowing a fast recognition by all radiological modalities,and in recent years, especially by CEUS.
Multisensory stimuli improve relative localisation judgments compared to unisensory auditory or visual stimuli
Authors: Freeman Laura C. A. , Wood Katherine C. , Bizley Jennifer K.
Published: June 2018

Observers performed a relative localisation task in which they reported whether the second of two sequentially presented signals occurred to the left or right of the first. Stimuli were detectability-matched auditory, visual, or auditory-visual signals and the goal was to compare changes in performance with eccentricity across modalities. Visual performance was superior to auditory at the midline, but inferior in the periphery, while auditory-visual performance exceeded both at all locations. No such advantage was seen when performance for auditory-only trials was contrasted with trials in which the first stimulus was auditory-visual and the second auditory only.
New connections: Reprogramming B cell metabolism
Authors: Foley John F.
Published: June 2018

Two key regulators of B cell metabolism are required for effective immune responses.
Variability of Daptomycin MIC Values for Enterococcus faecium When Measured by Reference Broth Microdilution and Gradient Diffusion Tests
Authors: Campeau Shelley A. , Schuetz Audrey N. , Kohner Peggy , Arias Cesar A. , Hemarajata Peera , Bard Jennifer Dien , Humphries Romney M.
Published: June 2018

Daptomycin has become a mainstay therapy for the treatment of serious vancomycin-resistant
Enterococcus faecium
infections. However, concern exists that current testing methods do not accurately predict the clinical success of daptomycin therapy.
The Orotomide Olorofim Is Efficacious in an Experimental Model of Central Nervous System Coccidioidomycosis
Authors: Wiederhold Nathan P. , Najvar Laura K. , Jaramillo Rosie , Olivo Marcos , Birch Michael , Law Derek , Rex John H. , Catano Gabriel , Patterson Thomas F.
Published: June 2018

Olorofim (formerly F901318) is an advanced analog of the orotomide class that inhibits fungal pyrimidine biosynthesis. We evaluated the
in vitro
and
in vivo
activities of olorofim against
Coccidioides
species.
High Mobility Group Protein 1 Reverses Immune System Paralysis in Late-Phase Sepsis
Authors: Liu Qing-yang , Wang Yue-Xin , Wu Zong-Sheng , Shi Zhen-wei , Wu Xu , Chen Xin , Yang Zhao , Xu Kai-zhi
Published: June 2018

High mobility group protein 1 (HMGB1) is considered to be the primary inflammatory factor triggering immune paralysis in late-phase sepsis. In this study, however, we wanted to explore the possibility of using HMGB1 to boost local differentiation of bone marrow cells (BMCs) into regulatory dendritic cells (DCs)in vivo, thereby inducing immune reversal in late-phase sepsis and improving the prognosis.
MsaB and CodY Interact To Regulate Staphylococcus aureus Capsule in a Nutrient-Dependent Manner
Authors: Batte Justin L. , Sahukhal Gyan S. , Elasri Mohamed O.
Published: June 2018

Findings from this study define the mechanism of regulation of capsule production in
Staphylococcus aureus
. Specifically, we show that two key regulators, MsaB and CodY, coordinate their functions to control the expression of capsule in response to nutrients.
S. aureus
fine-tunes the production of capsule by coordinating the activity of several regulators and by sensing nutrient levels. This study demonstrates the importance of incorporating multiple inputs prior to the expression of costly virulence factors, such as capsule.
Cellular Antisilencing Elements Support Transgene Expression from Herpes Simplex Virus Vectors in the Absence of Immediate Early Gene Expression
Authors: Han Fang , Miyagawa Yoshitaka , Verlengia Gianluca , Ingusci Selene , Soukupova Marie , Simonato Michele , Glorioso Joseph C. , Cohen Justus B.
Published: June 2018

Gene therapy has now entered a phase of development in which a growing number of recessive single gene defects can be successfully treated by vector-mediated introduction of a wild-type copy of the gene into the appropriate tissue. However, many disease conditions, such as neurodegeneration, cancer, and inflammatory processes, are more complex, requiring either multiple gene corrections or provision of coordinated gene activities to achieve a therapeutic outcome. Although herpes simplex virus (HSV) vectors have the capacity to meet this need, the challenge has been to genetically engineer the HSV genome in a manner to prevent expression of any viral genes while retaining the ability to express multiple therapeutic transgenes under independent transcriptional control. Here, we show that non-HSV insulator elements can be applied to retain at least transient transgene activity from multiple viral loci, thereby opening the door for more complex gene therapy applications in the future.
Transcriptome Analysis of Neisseria gonorrhoeae during Natural Infection Reveals Differential Expression of Antibiotic Resistance Determinants between Men and Women
Authors: Nudel Kathleen , McClure Ryan , Moreau Matthew , Briars Emma , Abrams A. Jeanine , Tjaden Brian , Su Xiao-Hong , Trees David , Rice Peter A. , Massari Paola , Genco Caroline A.
Published: June 2018

Recent emergence of antimicrobial resistance of
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
worldwide has resulted in limited therapeutic choices for treatment of infections caused by this organism. We performed global transcriptomic analysis of
N. gonorrhoeae
in subjects with gonorrhea who attended a Nanjing, China, sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic, where antimicrobial resistance of
N. gonorrhoeae
is high and increasing. We found that
N. gonorrhoeae
transcriptional responses to infection differed in genital specimens taken from men and women, particularly antibiotic resistance gene expression, which was increased in men. These sex-specific findings may provide a new approach to guide therapeutic interventions and preventive measures that are also sex specific while providing additional insight to address antimicrobial resistance of
N. gonorrhoeae
.
Identification of Pathogenicity-Associated Loci in Klebsiella pneumoniae from Hospitalized Patients
Authors: Martin Rebekah M. , Cao Jie , Wu Weisheng , Zhao Lili , Manthei David M. , Pirani Ali , Snitkin Evan , Malani Preeti N. , Rao Krishna , Bachman Michael A.
Published: June 2018

Klebsiella pneumoniae
is a common cause of infections in the health care setting. This work supports a paradigm for
K. pneumoniae
pathogenesis where the accessory genome, composed of genes present in some but not all isolates, influences whether a strain causes infection or asymptomatic colonization, after accounting for patient-level factors. Identification of patients at high risk of infection could allow interventions to prevent or rapidly treat
K. pneumoniae
infections.
Characterization of Wild and Captive Baboon Gut Microbiota and Their Antibiotic Resistomes
Authors: Tsukayama Pablo , Boolchandani Manish , Patel Sanket , Pehrsson Erica C. , Gibson Molly K. , Chiou Kenneth L. , Jolly Clifford J. , Rogers Jeffrey , Phillips-Conroy Jane E. , Dantas Gautam
Published: June 2018

Antibiotic exposure results in acute and persistent shifts in the composition and function of microbial communities associated with vertebrate hosts. However, little is known about the state of these communities in the era before the widespread introduction of antibiotics into clinical and agricultural practice. We characterized the fecal microbiota and antibiotic resistomes of wild and captive baboon populations to understand the effect of human exposure and to understand how the primate microbiota may have been altered during the antibiotic era. We used culture-independent and bioinformatics methods to identify functional resistance genes in the guts of wild and captive baboons and show that exposure to humans is associated with changes in microbiota composition and resistome expansion compared to wild baboon groups. Our results suggest that captivity and lifestyle changes associated with human contact can lead to marked changes in the ecology of primate gut communities.
Systematic review and meta-analysis: does colonic mural thickening on CT correlate with endoscopic findings at colonoscopy?
Authors: Chandrapalan Subashini , Tahir Faraz , Kimani Peter , Sinha Rakesh , Arasaradnam Ramesh
Published: June 2018

Background

Colonic mural thickening (MT) is often reported on standard CT examinations of the abdomen and pelvis. It often presents a dilemma for the clinician on whether any further evaluation is needed, especially in the absence of any set guidelines.

Objective

To evaluate the significance of colonic MT and to assess its correlation with colonoscopy.

Methods

The search strategy was initially developed in Medline and adapted for use in Embase, Medline, NHS Evidence and TRIP. Studies were included if they had reported colonic MT and subsequent colonoscopy in adults.

Results

A total of 9 cohort studies examining 1252 patients were selected having undergone both CT and colonoscopy. Of the 1252 patients with MT, 950 had an abnormal colonoscopy. In the presence of MT, the pooled positive predictive value (PPV) of having any abnormal findings at colonoscopy was 0.73 (95% CI 0.60 to 0.84). The pooled PPV for colorectal cancer, in the presence of MT reporting suspicion of cancer, was 0.63 (95% CI 0.49 to 0.75), and MT suggestive of inflammation confirmed at colonoscopy was 0.97.

Conclusion

The probability of having an abnormal colonoscopy in the presence of MT identified on CT is high, especially for inflammation. Asymptomatic cancers may also be detected; hence, further endoscopic confirmation is reasonable when a finding of MT is demonstrated on CT examinations. Small sample sizes of the available studies and lack of data on the description of MT detected are the main limiting factors in this review.

Trial registration number

CRD42016039378.
‘The few cubic centimetres inside your skull’: a neurological reading of George Orwell’sNineteen Eighty-Four
Authors: Mullen Lisa J
Published: June 2018

Nineteen Eighty-Four(1949), George Orwell’s political satire on state surveillance and mind control, was written between 1946 and 1948, at a time when new thinking in forensic psychiatry coincided with scientific breakthroughs in neurology to bring questions of criminality, psychotherapy and mental health to the forefront of the popular imagination. This paper examines howNineteen Eighty-Fourinverts psychiatric paradigms in order to diagnose what Orwell sees as the madness of totalitarian regimes. It then goes on to place the novel’s dystopian vision of total surveillance and mind control in the context of the neurological research and brain scanning techniques of the mid-20th century. Not only does this context provide new insight into the enduring power of Orwell’s novel, it also locates it within a historical moment when technological interventions into the brain seemed to offer a paradigm of mental health and illness as a simple, knowable binary.Nineteen Eighty-Fourcomplicates this binary, and deserves to be acknowledged as an early example of what might be called ‘electric shock’ literature, within a mid-20th century canon that includes Harold Pinter’sThe Caretaker(1960), Ken Kesey’sOne Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest(1962), and Sylvia Plath’sThe Bell Jar(1963).
Opioids and pain in the emergency department: a narrative crisis
Authors: Baruch Jay , Springs Stacey
Published: June 2018

The opioid crisis poses challenges to patients who come to the emergency department (ED) in pain and the clinicians who have a duty to offer relief. In search of help, patients often find suspicion. But clinicians have reasons to be concerned about feeding addiction and its lethal consequences. This article discusses the narrative challenges facing many clinicians in the ED tasked with caring for complex patients in pain. It will discuss the many ways our brains are influenced by story, and how this susceptibility is often beyond our grasp. And yet, narrative and story skills present great opportunities for improving pain management, not only when it comes to opioids, but by returning the focus back to the patient in pain.
Study of occupation and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in a Danish cohort
Authors: Dickerson Aisha S , Hansen Johnni , Kioumourtzoglou Marianthi-Anna , Specht Aaron J , Gredal Ole , Weisskopf Marc G
Published: June 2018

Objectives

Several manuscripts have proposed associations between amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and occupational toxicant exposures—not to mention physical activity and trauma/injury. Some have also reported associations in investigations of specific occupations. Using data from a prospective Danish cohort study, we investigated the association between employment in certain industries and ALS diagnosis.

Methods

We identified 1826 ALS cases who were 25 years old or less in 1964 and diagnosed from 1982 to 2013 from the Danish National Patient Registry then matched 100 population controls to each case based on birth year and sex. Demographic data were linked to the Danish Pension Fund to determine occupation history. Conditional logistic regression models were adjusted for socioeconomic status, marital status and residential location at the index date.

Results

There was an increase in odds of ALS among men who worked in agriculture, hunting, forestry or fishing (adjusted OR (aOR)=1.21; 95% CI 1.02 to 1.45). There was also a positive association for men employed in construction (aOR=1.21; 95% CI 1.05 to 1.39). In women, a protective association was seen with employment in the cleaning industry (aOR=0.69; 95% CI 0.52 to 0.93).

Conclusions

Our study shows various occupations with exposure to toxicants, such as diesel exhaust and lead, and strenuous physical activity associated with increased odds of ALS in men. Future studies should have a particular focus on gathering detailed information on physical exertion and toxicant exposures specific to certain job tasks.
Patterns of shrub abundance and relationships with other plant types within the forest–tundra ecotone in northern Canada
Authors: Harper Karen A. , Lavallee Amanda A. , Dodonov Pavel
Published: June 2018

Throughout the forest–tundra ecotone where trees and tall shrubs are becoming more abundant, knowledge of associations between shrubs and surrounding vegetation could inform predictions of their changing relationships. We assessed shrubs in 1 m × 1 m contiguous quadrats along two ∼450 m transects across tundra and ecotone landscapes near Churchill, Canada to determine patterns in relation to lakeshore edges, soil pH, microtopography, and other plant groups. We used wavelet analysis to assess patterns and generalized least squares for relationships with environmental variables. Shrubs were taller and more diverse at edges, particularly in tundra. The ecotone was more complex than tundra with greater variation in tall shrub and tree cover, shrub height, and microtopography. Shrub richness was positively correlated with microtopography but exhibited no relationship with pH. Bivariate relationships of shrubs with other plant groups varied for different scales. In tundra, shrub richness was negatively correlated with graminoids, forbs, and moss, but positively correlated with lichens within 1 m; opposite relationships were found at 4–60 m scales. Relationships in the ecotone were reversed and more complex at different scales. As trees encroach in the tundra, the spatial pattern of shrubs will become more complex at a variety of scales, likely with cascading effects on other plant types.
A Modified Proximal Gradient Method for a Class of Sparse Optimization Problems
Authors: Li Yingyi , Zhang Haibin , Zhang Rong
Published: June 2018

In this paper, we propose a modified proximal gradient method for a class of sparse optimization problems, which arise in many contemporary statistical and signal processing applications. The new method uses a new scheme to construct the descent direction based on the proximal gradient method. It is proven that the modified proximal gradient method is Q-linearly convergent without the assumption of the strong convexity of the objective function. Numerical experiments have been conducted to evaluate the proposed method.
Some Results on the Stress–Strength Reliability under the Distortion Functions
Authors: Pakdaman Zohreh , Ahmadi Jafar
Published: June 2018

In this paper, the system reliability in a stress–strength model, when the distributions of the stress and the strength random variables are replaced by two distorted distributions, is considered. The conditions to increase the reliability under several distortion functions are studied. Furthermore, the changes in the residual stress–strength reliability, the mean remaining strength and the number of working components of a system are investigated when the original distributions have been affected by distortion functions. Some of the previous results in the literatures can be achieved as special cases of our results.
Theoretical insight into the structure and bonding characteristics of Bisphenol-A. QTAIM and NBO analyses
Authors: Al-Amri Aeshah H. , Elroby Shaaban A. , Hilal Rifaat H.
Published: June 2018

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is considered as one of the most suspicious disruptors. Exposure to BPA may bring about possible human toxicities. BPA is an emerging contaminant widely used in manufacturing of epoxy, unsaturated polyester-styreneand polycarbonate resins. BPA is released into the environment through industrial and municipal wastewater discharges; its degradation products are probably more dangerous than BPA itself. The present study aims at a better insight into its ground state electronic and acid–base properties, and the mechanism of its thermal decomposition. Density functional theory (DFT) is utilized to study the geometry, electronic structure and electrostatic potential (ESP) for BPA. The molecule is noncoplanar with one of the phenolate moieties forced out of the plane by 57[Formula: see text]. This might very well determine the dissociation reaction pathway and in the meantime facilitates strong conjugation and considerable delocalization along the rest of the molecule. Proton affinities and deprotonation enthalpies are computed and discussed. Bonding characteristics are investigated within the natural bond-orbital (NBO) and quantum theory of atom in molecule (QTAIM) frameworks.
Continuous wavelet transform associated with zero-order Mehler–Fock transform and its composition
Authors: Prasad Akhilesh , Verma S. K.
Published: June 2018

The continuous wavelet transform (CWT) associated with zero-order Mehler–Fock transform (MF-transform) is defined and discussed its some basic properties, Plancherel’s and Parseval’s relations, reconstruction formula for CWT are obtained. Further composition of CWT is investigated and then its Parseval’s and Plancherel’s relations are given. Moreover, time-invariant filter has been defined and proved convolution operator and wavelet transform are represented as time-invariant transform.
Soil–Water-Structure Interaction Algorithm in Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) with Application to Deep-Penetrating Problems
Authors: Wu Hao , Wang Jian , Wang Chun , Wang Jian Hua
Published: June 2018

A fully coupled soil–water-structure interaction algorithm was presented in the framework of smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH). In this algorithm, soil–water interaction was simulated based on the two-phase mixture theory. Each phase of the mixture occupies part of the macroscopic mixture and satisfies its own conservation equations of mass and momentum. The Drucker–Prager model with nonassociated plastic flow rule was used to describe the constitutive behavior of soil. The water was treated as Newtonian fluid. Interaction between soil and water was modeled by the pore water pressure and the viscous drag force. The structure was considered as rigid and the interaction with soil/water was modeled by the frictional sliding contact algorithm. With this algorithm, it is possible to investigate pore water pressure, the effective stress and deformation of the soil undergoing large deformation. Moreover, the effect of the temporal and spatial evolution of soil porosity was taken into consideration. This study first examined the proposed algorithm for a U-tube seepage problem and a two-dimensional consolidation problem. Afterwards, the continuous deep penetrating process of the spudcan, which involved large soil deformation and complex soil–water-structure interaction, was simulated under axisymmetric conditions. The comparison with previous research indicates the robustness and applicability of the proposed algorithm. Furthermore, the proposed approach could be a potentially efficient tool helping to reveal the mechanism of soil failure in geotechnical, costal and ocean engineering.
Cosmic aspects of specific dark energy model in loop quantum cosmology
Authors: Jawad Abdul , Azhar Nadeem
Published: June 2018

We consider the interacting scenario of pilgrim dark energy (with future event horizon) with cold dark matter in loop quantum cosmology. We explore various cosmological parameters (Hubble, equation of state and deceleration) and planes ([Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text]) in this framework. We also discuss the validity of generalized second law of thermodynamics and find that it remains valid in the early epoch as well as in late future epoch. Finally, it is remarked that all the above constraints of cosmological parameters show consistency with different observational data like Planck, WP, BAO, [Formula: see text], SNLS and nine-year WMAP.
A Review of Science Ground Operations for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA)
Authors: Ali Z. A. , Alvarez P. , Cheng A. , Hanna K. , Kandlagunta M. , Lott J. , Perryman G. , Tanaka L. , Kaminski C. , Woodworth M. , Wong J. , Mckown N.
Published: June 2018

The NASA Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a 2.5[Formula: see text]m telescope in a modified Boeing 747SP aircraft that is flown at high altitude to do unique astronomy in the infrared. SOFIA is a singular integration of aircraft operations, telescope design, and science instrumentation that delivers observational opportunities outside the capability of any other facility. The science ground operations are the transition and integration point of the science, aircraft, and telescope. We present the ground operations themselves and the tools used to prepare for mission success. Specifically, we will discuss operations from science instrument delivery to aircraft operation and mission readiness. We will also provide a discussion of instrument life cycle including maintenance and repair, both before and after acceptance by the observatory as well as retirement. Included in that will be a description of the facilities and their development, an overview of the SOFIA telescope assembly simulator, our deployment capabilities, as well as an outlook to the future of novel science instrument support for SOFIA.
Evaluation of the curative effect of “Tertiary hospitals–Community Health Service Institutions–Family health care workers/Patients to participate in the annular management of COPD” model in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Feng Cuiling , Meng Yufeng , Wang Jianhui , Yang Zhiyun , Zhou Wei , Gao Yunsheng , Yao Xiaoqin , Xue Guangwei , Liu Xiaotian , Li Lei , Wang Linyang , Wang Chengxiang , Li Fengsen
Published: June 2018

Objective: To evaluate the curative effect of “Tertiary hospitals–Community Health Service Institutions–Family health care workers/patients to participate in the annular management of COPD” model in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: 516 patients with COPD in the stable period of the disease were invited to participate in this cluster randomized trial with 260 patients in the trial group, and the other 256 in the control group. All the patients were treated with the routine medicine regimen. The integrated intervention for the trial group includes educational activity, physical activity and pharmacotherapy. Meanwhile, the trial group subdivided into Baduanjin group and other exercises group according to their own situations, COPD Assessment Test (CAT), the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) Dyspnea Scale, number of acute exacerbation and spirometry were analyzed before, 6 months post and 12 months post.

Results: After 12 months of annular management, CAT score of patients in the management group decreased 3.76, mMRC scale decreased 0.45, the number of acute exacerbation less than twice increased to 75%, which were superior to those of the control group ([Formula: see text]).

Decreasing score of CAT and mMRC scale in Baduanjin group were much more than that in other exercise subgroup ([Formula: see text]).

Conclusion: “Tertiary hospitals–Community Health Service Institutions–Family health care workers/patients to participate in the annular management of COPD” model can alleviate the symptoms of patients with stable COPD, improve the life quality and reduce the risk of exacerbation, and is more integrated than medication management. Baduanjin as Chinese characteristic pulmonary rehabilitation exercise is worthy of further promotion due to better outstanding other than sports in improving the quality of life.
Leptin regulation of core body temperature involves mechanisms independent of the thyroid axis
Authors: Deem Jennifer D. , Muta Kenjiro , Ogimoto Kayoko , Nelson Jarrell T. , Velasco Kevin R. , Kaiyala Karl J. , Morton Gregory J.
Published: June 2018

The ability to maintain core temperature within a narrow range despite rapid and dramatic changes in environmental temperature is essential for the survival of free-living mammals, and growing evidence implicates an important role for the hormone leptin. Given that thyroid hormone plays a major role in thermogenesis and that circulating thyroid hormone levels are reduced in leptin-deficient states (an effect partially restored by leptin replacement), we sought to determine the extent to which leptin’s role in thermogenesis is mediated by raising thyroid hormone levels. To this end, we 1) quantified the effect of physiological leptin replacement on circulating levels of thyroid hormone in leptin-deficient ob/ob mice, and 2) determined if the effect of leptin to prevent the fall in core temperature in these animals during cold exposure is mimicked by administration of a physiological replacement dose of triiodothyronine (T3). We report that, as with leptin, normalization of circulating T3 levels is sufficient both to increase energy expenditure, respiratory quotient, and ambulatory activity and to reduce torpor in ob/ob mice. Yet, unlike leptin, infusing T3 at a dose that normalizes plasma T3 levels fails to prevent the fall of core temperature during mild cold exposure. Because thermal conductance (e.g., heat loss to the environment) was reduced by administration of leptin but not T3, leptin regulation of heat dissipation is implicated as playing a uniquely important role in thermoregulation. Together, these findings identify a key role in thermoregulation for leptin-mediated suppression of thermal conduction via a mechanism that is independent of the thyroid axis.
Samul‐Tang Regulates Cell Cycle and Migration of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells against TNF‐α Stimulation
Authors: Choi Eun Sik , Yoon Jung Joo , Han Byung Hyuk , Jeong Da Hye , Kim Hye Yoom , Ahn You Mee , Eun So Young , Lee Yun Jung , Kang Dae Gill , Lee Ho Sub
Published: June 2018

Samul‐Tang (SMT), consisting of four medicinal herbs, is a well‐known herbal prescription treating hematological disorders related symptoms. Our previous study demonstrated that SMT attenuated inflammation of vascular endothelial cells. In condition of retained vascular dysfunction, vascular inflammation is initiated and results in activation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Activated SMCs lose control of cell cycle regulation and migrate into intima, resulting in formation of atheroma. Here, we further investigated whether SMT suppresses proliferation and migration of SMCs. SMT showed antiproliferative effects on SMCs by suppressing [3H]‐thymidine incorporation against TNF‐α stimulation. Underlying mechanisms of antiproliferative effects were found to be resulting from cell cycle regulation. SMT downregulated expression of cyclin D1‐CDK4 and cyclin E‐CDK2 complexes and upregulated p21waf1/cip1 and p27kip1. SMT also suppressed migration of SMCs against TNF‐α stimulation. This is thought to have resulted from suppressing MMP2 and MMP9 expressions and ROS production. In summary, SMT attenuates abnormal migration of vascular smooth muscle cells via regulating cell cycle and suppressing MMPs expression and ROS production. Our study suggests that SMT, a traditionally used herbal formula, protects vascular smooth muscle cells and might be used as an antiatherosclerotic drug.
Object Shape Recognition and Reconstruction Using Pivoted Tactile Sensors
Authors: Merker L. , Will C. , Steigenberger J. , Behn C.
Published: June 2018

Many mammals use some special tactile hairs, the so-called mystacial macrovibrissae, to acquire information about their environment. In doing so, rats and mice, e.g., are able to detect object distances, shapes, and surface textures. Inspired by the biological paradigm, we present a mechanical model for object contour scanning and shape reconstruction, considering a single vibrissa as a cylindrically shaped Euler-Bernoulli-bending rod, which is pivoted by a bearing. In doing so, we adapt our model for a rotational scanning movement, which is in contrast to many previous modeling approaches. Describing a single rotational quasi-static sweep of the vibrissa along a strict convex contour function using nonlinear Euler-Bernoulli theory, we end up in a boundary-value problem with some unknown parameters. In a first step, we use shooting methods in an algorithm to repeatedly solve this boundary-value problem (changing the vibrissa base angle) and generate the support reactions during a sweep along an object contour. Afterwards, we use these support reactions to reconstruct the object contour solving an initial-value problem. Finally, we extend the scanning process adding a second sweep of the vibrissa in opposite direction in order to enlarge the reconstructable area of the profile.
Immunological Modulation in Long‐Term Karate Practitioners
Authors: Manzaneque Juan M. , Vera Francisca M. , Carranque Gabriel A. , Rodríguez-Peña Francisco M. , Navajas Federico , Blanca María J.
Published: June 2018

Karate is a Japanese martial arts system with potential physical and psychological benefits. However, karate has been scarcely investigated from a psychobiological perspective, and its effects on the immune system remain virtually unknown. We designed the present study with the aim of analyzing the effects of karate practice on immunological parameters. 27 healthy male volunteer subjects participated in the study, 15 in the experimental group and 12 in the control. Experimental subjects were all karate players who had practiced this martial art for a minimum of three years attending regular lessons at a karate training center, in the evening, two to three days per week. Blood samples for the quantification of immunological parameters (total leukocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, IgG, IgA, and IgM) were taken in both groups. A t‐test for independent groups was performed in each dependent variable; a value of p<0.05 was considered to be significant. Karate practitioners exhibited a significantly higher number of total leukocytes (p<0.02), monocytes (p<0.01), and lymphocytes (p<0.01), a higher percentage of monocytes (p<0.01), and greater serum concentrations of IgG (p<0.02) and IgM (p<0.01). Our findings show that long‐term karate practice is related to a broad modulation of immune parameters, including total and specific leukocyte counts, as well as immunoglobulin concentrations. This peculiar immunomodulatory profile, apart from its psychobiological relevance, may have noteworthy clinical implications.
Propofol Protects Hippocampal Neurons from Hypoxia‐Reoxygenation Injury by Decreasing Calcineurin‐Induced Calcium Overload and Activating YAP Signaling
Authors: Li Xiaojun , Yao Li , Liang Qianlei , Qu Hangyin , Cai Hui
Published: June 2018

Objectives. Propofol is a popular anesthetic drug that is neuroprotective. However, the mechanisms of propofol for hippocampal neuroprotection remain elusive. This study is aimed at investigating the neuroprotective effect and mechanism of propofol in hippocampal neurons exposed to ischemia‐reperfusion (I/R) injury. Methods. Hypoxia‐reoxygenated (H/R) HT‐22 cells were used to mimic I/R injury of the hippocampus in vitro. An MTT assay was used to determine cell viability. Cell apoptosis was detected by a TUNEL assay and a flow cytometry cell apoptosis assay. Expression levels of proteins were measured by Western blotting. Intracellular calcium was assessed by Fura‐2/AM staining. Flow cytometry was used to determine the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Coimmunoprecipitation was used to evaluate the stability of the FKBP‐RyR complex. Calcineurin enzymatic activity was measured with a colorimetric method. YAP nuclear translocation was tested by immunofluorescence staining. Results. H/R induced HT‐22 cell viability depression, and apoptosis was reversed by propofol treatment. Propofol could alleviate H/R‐induced intracellular calcium accumulation and MMP loss by inhibiting calcineurin activity and FKBP12.6‐RyR disassociation in a concentration‐dependent manner. In addition, YAP expression was crucial for propofol to protect HT‐22 cell apoptosis from H/R injury. Propofol could activate YAP through dephosphorylation. Activated YAP stimulated the transcription of the Bcl2 gene, which promotes cellular survival. Our data also demonstrated that propofol activated YAP through the RhoA‐Lats1 pathway without large G proteins or MST involvement. In addition, we showed that there was no interaction between calcineurin signaling and YAP activation in HT‐22 cells. Conclusions. Propofol protected hippocampal neurons from I/R injury through two independent signaling pathways, including the calcineurin/FKBP12.6‐RyR/calcium overload pathway and the RhoA/Lats1/YAP/Bcl‐2 pathway.
Workspace Analysis of a Hybrid Kinematic Machine Tool with High Rotational Applications
Authors: Zhang Haiqiang , Fang Hairong , Fang Yuefa , Jiang Bingshan
Published: June 2018

This paper presents a novel parallel manipulator with one translational and two rotational (1T2R) degrees of freedom that can be employed to form a five-degree-of-freedom hybrid kinematic machine tool for large heterogeneous complex structural component machining in aerospace field. Compared with serial or parallel machine, hybrid machine has the merits of high stiffness, high speed, large workspace, and complicated surface processing ability. To increase stiffness, three-degree-of-freedom redundantly actuated and overconstrained 2PRU-PRPS parallel manipulator (P denotes the active prismatic joint) is proposed, which is utilized as the main body of hybrid machine. By resorting to the screw theory, the degree of freedom of the proposed mechanism is briefly addressed including the initial configuration and general configuration and validated by Grübler-Kutzbach (G-K) equation. Next, kinematic inverse solution and parasitic motion of the parallel manipulator are deduced and the transformational relations between the Euler angle and Tilt-Torsion (T-T) angle are identified. Thirdly, the performance evaluation index of orientation workspace is introduced, and the reachable workspace and joint workspace are formulated. Through specific examples, the reachable workspace, task workspace, and joint workspace of the redundant actuation parallel manipulator are depicted. Compared with overstrained 2PRU-PRS parallel manipulator, corresponding analyses illustrate that the proposed parallel manipulator owns much better orientation capability and is very meaningful to the development of the five-axis hybrid machine tool.
Free Vibration Analysis of Fibre-Metal Laminated Beams via Hierarchical One-Dimensional Models
Authors: Hanten L. , Giunta G. , Belouettar S. , Salnikov V.
Published: June 2018

This paper presents a free vibration analysis of beams made of fibre-metal laminated beans. Due to its attractive properties, this class of composites has gained more and more importance in the aeronautic field. Several higher-order displacements-based theories as well as classical models (Euler-Bernoulli’s and Timoshenko’s ones) are derived, assuming Carrera’s Unified Formulation by a priori approximating the displacement field over the cross section in a compact form. The governing differential equations and the boundary conditions are derived in a general form that corresponds to a generic term in the displacement field approximation. The resulting fundamental term, named “nucleus”, does not depend upon the approximation order N, which is a free parameter of the formulation. A Navier-type, closed form solution is used. Simply supported beams are, therefore, investigated. Slender and short beams are considered. Three- and five-layer beams are studied. Bending, shear, torsional, and axial modes and frequencies are presented. Results are assessed for three-dimensional FEM solutions obtained by a commercial finite element code using three-dimensional elements showing that the proposed approach is accurate yet computationally effective.
A Novel Approach to Face Verification Based on Second‐Order Face‐Pair Representation
Authors: Hua Qiang , Dong Chunru , Zhang Feng
Published: June 2018

Face representation and matching are two essential issues in face verification task. Various approaches have been proposed focusing on these two issues. However, few of them addressed the joint optimal solutions of these two issues in a unified framework. In this paper, we present a second‐order face representation method for face pair and a unified face verification framework, in which the feature extractors and the subsequent binary classification model design can be selected flexibly. Our contributions can be summarized in the following aspects. First, a novel face‐pair representation method that employs the second‐order statistical property of the face pairs is proposed, which retains more information compared to the existing methods. Second, a flexible binary classification model, which differs from the conventionally used metric learning, is constructed based on the new face‐pair representation. Finally, we verify that our proposed face‐pair representation can benefit from large training datasets. All the experiments are carried out on Labeled Face in the Wild (LFW) to verify the algorithm’s effectiveness against challenging uncontrolled conditions.
On Chaplygin Gas Braneworld Inflation with Monomial Potential
Authors: Safsafi A. , Khay I. , Salamate F. , Chakir H. , Bennai M.
Published: June 2018

We study the Chaplygin gas model as a candidate for inflation in the framework of the Randall-Sundrum type II braneworld model. We consider the original and generalized Chaplygin gas model in the presence of monomial potential. The inflationary spectrum perturbation parameters are reformulated and evaluated in the high-energy limit and we found that they depend on several parameters. We also showed that these perturbation parameters are widely compatible with the recent Planck data for a particular choice of the parameters space of the model. A suitable observational central value of ns≃0.965 is also obtained in the case of original and generalized Chaplygin gas.
The Utility of Point of Care Test for Soluble ST2 in Predicting Adverse Cardiac Events during Acute Care of ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Hartopo Anggoro Budi , Sukmasari Indah , Puspitawati Ira
Published: June 2018

Introduction. Soluble ST2 (sST2) is increased during acute myocardial infarction. The point of care test (POCT) for sST2 is currently available. The aim of this study was to investigate the utility of the sST2 POCT measurement for predicting adverse cardiac events during acute care of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Patients and Methods. This research used a cohort study design. Consecutive patients with STEMI were enrolled. Soluble ST2 level was measured from peripheral blood taken on admission with POCT. Observation during acute intensive care was conducted to record adverse cardiac events. Two groups were assigned based on median sST2 level, that is, supramedian and inframedian group. The incidence of adverse cardiac events between groups was analyzed. A p value < 0.05 was statistically significant. Results. We analyzed 95 subjects with STEMI and 10 patients with stable coronary artery disease as controls. The median sST2 level was significantly higher in subjects with STEMI as compared to controls (152.1 ng/mL versus 28.5 ng/mL, p<0.01). Among subjects with STEMI, the supramedian group had higher incidence of adverse cardiac events than the inframedian group (38.3% versus 12.5%, p=0.004). Multivariable analysis showed that supramedian sST2 level was independently associated with increased incidence of adverse cardiac events (adjusted OR 6.27; 95% CI: 1.33–29.47, p=0.020). Conclusions. The sST2 POCT measurement was useful to independently predict adverse cardiac events during acute intensive care of STEMI.
Protective Effect of Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin against Metabolic Syndrome:In VitroEvidence Showing Anti-Inflammatory and Lipolytic Effects on Adipocytes and Macrophages
Authors: Yamazaki Hiroki , Kushiyama Akifumi , Sakoda Hideyuki , Fujishiro Midori , Yamamotoya Takeshi , Nakatsu Yusuke , Kikuchi Takako , Kaneko Sunao , Tanaka Hirotoshi , Asano Tomoichiro
Published: June 2018

Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) is a serum protein released mainly by the liver, and a low serum level correlates with a risk for metabolic syndrome including diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular events. However, the underlying molecular mechanism(s) linking SHBG and metabolic syndrome remains unknown. In this study, using adipocytes and macrophages, we focused on thein vitroeffects of SHBG on inflammation as well as lipid metabolism. Incubation with 20 nM SHBG markedly suppressed lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced inflammatory cytokines, such as MCP-1, TNFα, and IL-6 in adipocytes and macrophages, along with phosphorylations of JNK and ERK. Anti-inflammatory effects were also observed in 3T3-L1 adipocytes cocultured with LPS-stimulated macrophages. In addition, SHBG treatment for 18 hrs or longer significantly induced the lipid degradation of differentiated 3T3-L1 cells, with alterations in its corresponding gene and protein levels. Notably, these effects of SHBG were not altered by coaddition of large amounts of testosterone or estradiol. In conclusion, SHBG suppresses inflammation and lipid accumulation in macrophages and adipocytes, which might be among the mechanisms underlying the protective effect of SHBG, that is, its actions which reduce the incidence of metabolic syndrome.