bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Precocious Mexican fruit fly methoprene‐fed males inhibit female receptivity and perform sexually as mature males
Authors: Gomez‐Simuta Y. , Diaz‐Fleisher F. , Arredondo J. , Díaz‐Santiz E. , Pérez‐Staples D.
Published: May 2016

The sterile insect technique (SIT) has been used successfully for the control of fruit flies. The efficiency of this technique can be significantly reduced when sterile released insects are exposed to adverse conditions and predators, as a great number of sterile insects die before reaching sexual maturity and thus fail to mate with wild females. Treatments with juvenile hormone (JH) analogues such as methoprene (M) significantly reduce the time to reach sexual maturity by sterile Anastrepha ludens (Loew) (Diptera: Tephritidae) males. In this study, we compared the sexual performance of non‐treated sexually mature males with young males that had been sexually accelerated with M. Furthermore, we compared the ability of M‐fed males in inhibiting female remating compared with sexually mature males. Results showed that at 5 days M‐fed males had lower mating success than mature males; however, 6‐day‐old (0.1%) M‐fed males had the same amount of matings as mature 13‐day‐old males. Young 5‐ to 10‐day‐old M‐fed males also had similar number of matings as mature non‐treated 12‐ to 17‐day‐old males. There were no differences in copula duration between treatments. Moreover, there were no differences between the fertility, fecundity or refractory period of females mated with either young male fed M or normal sexually mature males. These results indicated that young males that were sexually accelerated with M have the same sexual performance as non‐treated sexually mature males. Implications of using M as a pre‐release treatment for A. ludens controlled through SIT are discussed.
Individual personality differences in Port Jackson sharks Heterodontus portusjacksoni
Authors: Byrnes E. E. , Brown C.
Published: May 2016

This study examined interindividual personality differences between Port Jackson sharks Heterodontus portusjacksoni utilizing a standard boldness assay. Additionally, the correlation between differences in individual boldness and stress reactivity was examined, exploring indications of individual coping styles. Heterodontus portusjacksoni demonstrated highly repeatable individual differences in boldness and stress reactivity. Individual boldness scores were highly repeatable across four trials such that individuals that were the fastest to emerge in the first trial were also the fastest to emerge in subsequent trials. Additionally, individuals that were the most reactive to a handling stressor in the first trial were also the most reactive in a second trial. The strong link between boldness and stress response commonly found in teleosts was also evident in this study, providing evidence of proactive‐reactive coping styles in H. portusjacksoni. These results demonstrate the presence of individual personality differences in sharks for the first time. Understanding how personality influences variation in elasmobranch behaviour such as prey choice, habitat use and activity levels is critical to better managing these top predators which play important ecological roles in marine ecosystems.
Are Obese Residents More Likely to Be Admitted to Nursing Homes That Have More Deficiencies in Care?
Authors: Zhang Ning , Li Yue , Rodriguez‐Monguio Rosa , Barenberg Andrew , Temkin‐Greener Helena , Gurwitz Jerry
Published: May 2016

Objectives

To determine whether obese older adults who qualify for nursing home (NH) placement are as likely as nonobese adults to be admitted to NHs that provide adequate quality of care.

Design

Retrospective study.

Setting

NHs in New York State.

Participants

Individuals aged 65 and older newly admitted to a NH in New York State in 2006–07.

Measurements

Total and healthcare‐related deficiency citations for each facility were obtained from the Online Survey, Certification, and Reporting file. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were used to assess the association between obesity (body mass index (BMI) 30.0–39.9 kg/m2) and morbid obesity (BMI ≥ 40.0 kg/m2) separately and admission to facilities with more deficiencies.

Results

NHs that admitted a higher proportion of morbidly obese residents were more likely to have more deficiencies, whether total or healthcare related. These NHs also had greater odds of having severe deficiencies, or falling in the top quartile ranking of total deficiencies. After sequentially controlling for the choice of facilities within the inspection region, resident characteristics, and facility covariates, the association between morbid obesity and admission to higher‐deficiency NHs persisted.

Conclusion

Residents with morbid obesity were more likely to be admitted to NHs of poorer quality based on deficiency citations. The factors driving these disparities and their impact on the care of obese NH residents require further elucidation.
The Ideal Pair Method, an Alternative to the Ideal Profile Method Based on Pairwise Comparisons: Application to a Panel of Children
Authors: Brard Margot , Lê Sébastien
Published: May 2016

Studying consumers’ ideals is an efficient way to improve or develop products. The Ideal Profile Method is a method able to answer that issue by providing a sensory definition of both the ideal and the real products. This definition is based on the Quantitative Descriptive Analysis method that can represent a problem, as it may not be practicable with all kinds of panel. How to proceed if the use of the Ideal Profile Method is inappropriate? We propose a new methodology: the Ideal Pair Method, the notion of pair being used as the second item of two, in relation to the first one. This methodology can be considered as an alternative to the Ideal Profile Method based on pairwise comparisons. We will present the protocol and the statistical analysis of the data. The methodology will be demonstrated through an experiment realized with a panel of children.

Practical Applications

The Ideal Pair Method (IPaM) leads to the description of the ideal product of the panel and is applicable to situations where the conventional method (i.e., the Ideal Profile Method) is not suitable as it is not adapted to the nature of the panel. Thus, IPaM can be very useful if we want to reveal the ideal product of children (example in this article), seniors, etc. The methodology can be applied to any kind of products: food, cosmetics, fragrances (example in this article), etc.
HCV encephalopathy – an artefact due to medical care?
Authors: Weissenborn K. , Tillmann H. L.
Published: May 2016

Anti‐HCV positive individuals frequently complain about chronic disabling fatigue, mood alterations and deficits in concentration and memory. Several data provide evidence that such alterations are unrelated to hepatitis C virus (HCV) viremia. Thus, merely being exposed to HCV in the past may be sufficient to trigger, but the HCV exposure itself. This commentary reviews the available data upon this topic with special reference to the paper by Lowry and colleagues published in this issue of the Journal of Viral hepatitis. We will carefully discuss scientific reasons, why HCV may be directly involved in the development of neuropsychiatric symptoms independent from ongoing detectable viremia, as suggested by epidemiological data.
Comparative assessment of metrics for monitoring the body condition of polar bears in western Hudson Bay
Authors: Sciullo L. , Thiemann G. W. , Lunn N. J.
Published: May 2016

Many species experience prolonged periods of fasting due to changes in habitat and food availability. Metrics that quantify energy reserves available during these periods allow for a better understanding of the interaction between environmental change and species survival. Body condition of polar bears has been assessed using morphometric and subjective indices, lipid content of adipose tissue, body composition models and, recently, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). We assessed the utility of BIA and examined correlations among condition metrics for 134 free‐ranging polar bears on shore in western Hudson Bay in fall 2012–2013 and spring 2013–2014. We also examined long‐term inter‐annual and seasonal trends from 736 bears handled in 2004–2014. Total body fat, as estimated from BIA, was correlated with adipose tissue lipid content, energy density and fatness index, but not storage energy or skull width. Body condition was higher in adult and subadult females than males, consistent with energetic demands of gestation and lactation. Adult females had higher body fat in the fall than spring, and body fat decreased with increasing number of dependent offspring. Long‐term trends indicated a decline in body condition for all adult and subadult males and females. Although there were similar patterns among BIA and other established metrics, its limitations in the field suggest that BIA may not be the most efficient method of monitoring body composition in polar bears in comparison to other modeled metrics, such as energy density. Declines in polar bear body condition over time may be a reflection of contemporaneous changes in sea ice availability and population demography, and thus have implications for the long‐term conservation of this subpopulation.
Maternal Risk Factors for Preterm Birth in Murmansk County, Russia: A Registry‐Based Study
Authors: Usynina Anna A. , Postoev Vitaly A. , Grjibovski Andrej M. , Krettek Alexandra , Nieboer Evert , Odland Jon Øyvind , Anda Erik Eik
Published: May 2016

Background

Globally, about 11% of all liveborn infants are preterm. To date, data on prevalence and risk factors of preterm birth (PTB) in Russia are limited. The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of PTB in Murmansk County, Northwestern Russia and to investigate associations between PTB and selected maternal factors using the Murmansk County Birth Registry.

Methods

We conducted a registry‐based study of 52 806 births (2006–2011). In total, 51 156 births were included in the prevalence analysis, of which 3546 were PTBs. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals of moderate‐to‐late PTB, very PTB and extremely PTB for a range of maternal characteristics were estimated using multinomial logistic regression, adjusting for potential confounders.

Results

The overall prevalence of PTB in Murmansk County was 6.9%. Unmarried status, prior PTBs, spontaneous and induced abortions were strongly associated with PTB at any gestational age. Maternal low educational level increased the risk of extremely and moderate‐to‐late PTB. Young (<18 years) or older (≥35 years) mothers, graduates of vocational schools, underweight, overweight/obese mothers, and smokers were at higher risk of moderate‐to‐late PTB. Secondary education, alcohol abuse, diabetes mellitus, or gestational diabetes were strongly associated with moderate‐to‐late and very PTB.

Conclusions

The observed prevalence of PTB (6.9%) in Murmansk County, Russia was comparable with data on live PTB from European countries. Adverse prior pregnancy outcomes, maternal low educational level, unmarried status, alcohol abuse, and diabetes mellitus or gestational diabetes were the most common risk factors for PTB.
Bringing globalization to the countryside: Special Economic Zones in India
Authors: Anwar Mohammad Amir , Carmody Pádraig
Published: May 2016

Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are important vectors of neoliberal globalization in India. Despite facing widespread resistance against the proposed land acquisition for these zones, they are still being promoted across the country. We argue that the wealth redistribution to the country's elites and the fractured resistance movements enable neoliberalism and its practices to grow in the countryside. Using a private sector SEZ in Gurgaon as a case study, this article explores how special economic zoning, as a neoliberal policy, has been implicated in the spatialized production of poverty. We also show that the main actors who promote neoliberalism in India (the state and the large‐scale urban private sector) have found a seemingly unlikely ally in rural India in the form of farmers with large landholdings, rural elites who are willing to let go of their land under certain conditions. The data for the article was collected in India in 2009–10.
Transport Capacity Limit of Urban Street Networks
Authors: Liu Gang , Gao Peichao , Li Yongshu
Published: May 2016

Network transport is an important aspect of geographical information science, transportation, complex networks, etc. Previous studies have shown that the transport capacity of street networks can be enhanced by improving routing algorithms. However, the upper throughput limit of street networks is unknown in detail. This article studies the transport process of networks and finds that any connected network has a maximum throughput depending on the topological and structural properties of the network. Based on this, the maximum throughput of street networks is obtained. Experiments show that when the street network remains unchanged, the maximum throughput of the street network is limited and is dependent on road capacity and average path length, regardless of adopted routing algorithms. Our findings suggest that the throughput of networks can be improved by increasing node capacity or decreasing average path length, but the maximum transport capacity of the network cannot be greater than the ratio of the sum of all the nodes' capacities to the average path length of the network, no matter what routing strategies are adopted. This study is expected to be a starting point for more sophisticated research in network transport, such as evaluating the inherent throughput of an urban street network.
Two polyketide synthases are necessary for 4‐hydroxy‐5‐methylcoumarin biosynthesis in Gerbera hybrida
Authors: Pietiäinen Milla , Kontturi Juha , Paasela Tanja , Deng Xianbao , Ainasoja Miia , Nyberg Paulina , Hotti Hannu , Teeri Teemu H.
Published: May 2016

Gerbera (Gerbera hybrida) is an economically important ornamental species and a model plant of the Asteraceae family for flower development and secondary metabolism. Gerberin and parasorboside, two bitter tasting glucosidic lactones, are produced in high amounts in nearly all gerbera tissues. Gerbera and its close relatives also produce a rare coumarin, 4‐hydroxy‐5‐methylcoumarin (HMC). Unlike most coumarins, 5‐methylcoumarins have been suggested to be derived through the acetate‐malonate pathway. All of these polyketide‐derived glucosylated molecules are considered to have a role in defense against herbivores and phytopathogens in gerbera. Gerbera expresses three genes encoding 2‐pyrone synthases (G2PS1–3). The enzymes are chalcone synthase‐like polyketide synthases with altered starter substrate specificity. We have shown previously that G2PS1 is responsible for the synthesis of 4‐hydroxy‐6‐methyl‐2‐pyrone (triacetolactone), a putative precursor of gerberin and parasorboside. Here we show that polyketide synthases G2PS2 and G2PS3 are necessary for the biosynthesis of HMC in gerbera, and that a reductase enzyme is likely required to complete the pathway to HMC. G2PS2 is expressed in the leaf blade and inflorescences of gerbera, while G2PS3 is strictly root specific. Heterologous expression of G2PS2 or G2PS3 in tobacco leads to the formation of 4,7‐dihydroxy‐5‐methylcoumarin, apparently an unreduced precursor of HMC, while ectopic expression in gerbera leads to HMC formation in tissues where nontransgenic tissue does not express the genes and does not accumulate the compound. Using protein modelling and site‐directed mutagenesis we identified the residues I203 and T344 in G2PS2 and G2PS3 to be critical for pentaketide synthase activity.
Prions: Beyond a Single Protein
Authors: Das Alvin S. , Zou Wen-Quan
Published: May 2016

Since the term protein was first coined in 1838 and protein was discovered to be the essential component of fibrin and albumin, all cellular proteins were presumed to play beneficial roles in plants and mammals. However, in 1967, Griffith proposed that proteins could be infectious pathogens and postulated their involvement in scrapie, a universally fatal transmissible spongiform encephalopathy in goats and sheep. Nevertheless, this novel hypothesis had not been evidenced until 1982, when Prusiner and coworkers purified infectious particles from scrapie-infected hamster brains and demonstrated that they consisted of a specific protein that he called a “prion.” Unprecedentedly, the infectious prion pathogen is actually derived from its endogenous cellular form in the central nervous system. Unlike other infectious agents, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, prions do not contain genetic materials such as DNA or RNA. The unique traits and genetic information of prions are believed to be encoded within the conformational structure and posttranslational modifications of the proteins. Remarkably, prion-like behavior has been recently observed in other cellular proteins—not only in pathogenic roles but also serving physiological functions. The significance of these fascinating developments in prion biology is far beyond the scope of a single cellular protein and its related disease.
The Endoplasmic Reticulum-Mitochondrion Tether ERMES Orchestrates Fungal Immune Evasion, Illuminating Inflammasome Responses to Hyphal Signals
Authors: Tucey Timothy M. , Verma-Gaur Jiyoti , Nguyen Julie , Hewitt Victoria L. , Lo Tricia L. , Shingu-Vazquez Miguel , Robertson Avril A. B. , Hill James R. , Pettolino Filomena A. , Beddoe Travis , Cooper Matthew A. , Naderer Thomas , Traven Ana
Published: May 2016

The yeast
Candida albicans
causes human infections that have mortality rates approaching 50%. The key to developing improved therapeutics is to understand the host-pathogen interface. A critical interaction is that with macrophages: intracellular
Candida
triggers the NLRP3/caspase-1 inflammasome for escape through lytic host cell death, but this also activates antifungal responses. To better understand how the inflammasome response to
Candida
is fine-tuned, we established live-cell imaging of inflammasome activation at single-cell resolution, coupled with analysis of the fungal ERMES complex, a mitochondrial regulator that lacks human homologs. We show that ERMES mediates
Candida
escape via inflammasome-dependent processes, and our data suggest that inflammasome activation is controlled by the level of hyphal growth and exposure of cell wall components as a proxy for severity of danger. Our study provides the most detailed dynamic analysis of inflammasome responses to a fungal pathogen so far and establishes promising pathogen- and host-derived therapeutic strategies.
Circulation of a Quorum-Sensing-Impaired Variant of Vibrio cholerae Strain C6706 Masks Important Phenotypes
Authors: Stutzmann Sandrine , Blokesch Melanie
Published: May 2016

Phenotypic diversity between laboratory-domesticated bacterial strains is a common problem and often results in the failed reproduction of published data. However, researchers rarely compare such strains to elucidate the underlying mutation(s). In this study, we tested one of the best-studied
V. cholerae
isolates, O1 El Tor strain C6706 (a patient isolate from Peru), with respect to two main phenotypes: natural competence for transformation and type VI secretion. We recently demonstrated that the two phenotypes are coregulated and specifically induced upon the growth of pandemic
V. cholerae
O1 El Tor strains on chitinous surfaces. We provide evidence that of seven C6706 strains collected from different laboratories, four were impaired in the tested phenotypes due to a mutation in a QS gene. Collectively, our data indicate that the circulation of such a mutated wild-type strain of C6706 might have had important consequences for QS-related data.
Life-threatening angio-oedema after the first dose of an ACE inhibitor—not an anaphylactic reaction
Authors: Krogh Nielsen Troels , Bygum Anette , Rye Rasmussen Eva
Published: May 2016

We present a case of a 60-year-old Caucasian woman, with no prior history of swellings, who was admitted to a hospital due to life-threatening angio-oedema. She had, the previous day, been prescribed an ACE inhibitor for her essential hypertension. She had taken one tablet at night-time, and awoke in the morning with a swollen face progressing to involve the tongue and throat within a few hours. On arrival at her doctor's office, her voice had altered. Corticosteroids and antihistamine were administered while awaiting an ambulance. Arriving at the emergency department, she had dyspnoea due to increasingly severe angio-oedema of the upper airways. Neither adrenaline inhalations, intravenously administrated corticosteroids, atropine nor furosemide were effective and the patient soon become bradycardic. A tracheotomy was performed and the patient was placed on a ventilator. She eventually made a full recovery. It was concluded that she had suffered from life-threatening angio-oedema due to her new medication.
Treatment goal setting for complex patients: protocol for a scoping review
Authors: Grudniewicz Agnes , Nelson Michelle , Kuluski Kerry , Lui Vincci , Cunningham Heather V , X Nie Jason , Colquhoun Heather , Wodchis Walter P , Taylor Susan , Loganathan Mayura , Upshur Ross E
Published: May 2016

Introduction

An increasing number of people are living longer with multiple health and social care needs, and may rely heavily on health system resources. When dealing with multiple conditions, patients, caregivers and healthcare providers (HCPs) often experience high treatment burden due to unclear care trajectories, a myriad of treatment decisions and few guidelines on how to manage care needs. By understanding patient and caregiver priorities, and setting treatment goals, HCPs may help improve patient outcomes and experiences. This study aims to examine the extent and nature of the literature on treatment goal setting in complex patients, identify gaps in evidence and areas for further inquiry and guide a research programme to develop definitions, measures and recommendations for treatment goal setting.

Methods and analysis

This study protocol outlines a scoping review of the peer reviewed and the grey literature, using established scoping review methodology. Literature will be identified using a multidatabase and grey literature search strategy developed by two librarians. Papers and reports on the topic of goal setting that address complexity or complex patients will be included. Results of the search will be screened independently by two reviewers and included studies will be abstracted and charted in duplicate.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval is not required for this scoping review. Working with the knowledge users on the team, we will prepare educational materials and presentations to disseminate study findings to HCPs, caregivers and patients, and at relevant national and international conferences. Results will also be published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Housing conditions and limitations in physical function among older adults
Authors: García-Esquinas Esther , Pérez-Hernández Bibiana , Guallar-Castillón Pilar , Banegas José R , Ayuso-Mateos José Luis , Rodríguez-Artalejo Fernando
Published: May 2016

Introduction

Housing conditions are an important social determinant of health. However, to the best of our knowledge, no previous study has systematically assessed the association between housing conditions and physical function limitations in older adults; moreover, whether this association is independent of the socioeconomic status achieved earlier in life is still uncertain.

Methods

Cross-sectional analysis conducted among 2012 non-institutionalised individuals aged ≥60 years, who participated in the Seniors-ENRICA cohort. Participants reported the following poor housing conditions: living in a walk-up building, lacking heating, or feeling cold frequently. We assessed lower extremity performance with the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), mobility or agility limitations with standardised questions, frailty according to the Fried criteria, and disability in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) with the Lawton and Brody questionnaire.

Results

In analyses adjusting for demographic, behavioural and comorbidity variables, when compared with those living in homes without poor housing conditions, those with ≥2 poor conditions showed worse scores in the SPPB (β −1.06; 95% CI −1.46 to −0.65) and a higher frequency of agility limitation (OR 1.62; 95% CI 1.00 to 2.61) and frailty (OR 8.78; 95% CI 3.00 to 25.60). These associations held after adjustment for educational and occupational levels. Living in a walk-up building was associated with a higher frequency of frailty, while lacking heating was linked to lower scores in the 3 SPPB tests, as well as with an increased frequency of frailty and 4 of its components (exhaustion, slow walking speed, low physical activity and weakness). Feeling cold was linked to increased exhaustion. No association was found between housing conditions and IADL disability.

Conclusions

Poor housing conditions, particularly living in a walk-up building and lacking heating, are independently associated with limitations in physical function in older adults. This entails serious inequalities in functional status, which should be firmly addressed.
Maximum acceptable concentration levels of the chemical agent sarin in Canadian and Russian soil types
Authors: Maslennikov Alexander A. , Filatov Boris N. , Demidova Svetlana A. , Samuleev Pavel V. , Creber Katherine A.M. , Andrews William S.
Published: May 2016

The lowest-observed-adverse-effect and no-observed-adverse-effect concentrations of sarin were determined in soils typical to Canada and Russia. Maximum acceptable concentrations were established to be 3.0 × 10−4 mg kg−1 for the standard reference soil, 2.0 × 10−3 mg kg−1 for prairie soil, and 1.0 × 10−2 mg kg−1 for forest soil.
Long-term (47 yr) effects of tillage and frequency of summerfallow on soil organic carbon in a Dark Brown Chernozem soil in western Canada
Authors: Smith Elwin G. , Janzen H. Henry , Scherloski Lauren , Larney Francis J. , Ellert Benjamin H.
Published: May 2016

After 47 yr of no-till and reduced summerfallow at Lethbridge, Alberta, soil organic carbon concentration and stocks increased 2.14 g kg−1 and 2.22 Mg ha−1, respectively, in the surface 7.5 cm layer. These findings confirmed the conservation value of reducing tillage and summerfallow. The annual changes were relatively small.
First-principles studies of pure and fluorine substituted alanines
Authors: Ahmad Sardar , Vaizie Hamide , Rahnamaye Aliabad H. A. , Ahmad Rashid , Khan Imad , Ali Zahid , Jalali-Asadabadi S. , Ahmad Iftikhar , Khan Amir Abdullah
Published: May 2016

This paper communicates the structural, electronic and optical properties of L-alanine, monofluoro and difluoro substituted alanines using density functional calculations. These compounds exist in orthorhombic crystal structure and the calculated structural parameters such as lattice constants, bond angles and bond lengths are in agreement with the experimental results. L-alanine is an indirect band gap insulator, while its fluorine substituted compounds (monofluoroalanine and difluoroalanine) are direct band gap insulators. The substitution causes reduction in the band gap and hence these optically tailored direct wide band gap materials have enhanced optical properties in the ultraviolet (UV) region of electromagnetic spectrum. Therefore, optical properties like dielectric function, refractive index, reflectivity and energy loss function are also investigated. These compounds have almost isotropic nature in the lower frequency range while at higher energies, they have a significant anisotropic nature.
The effective method to calculate eigenvalues of Chandrasekhar–Page angular equations
Authors: Neznamov V. P. , Safronov I. I.
Published: May 2016

An effective, reliable and time saving numerical method with use of the Pruefer transformation is proposed to calculate eigenvalues of Chandrasekhar–Page angular equations.
A dynamic filtering obstacle detection method based on ultrasonic array
Authors: Cui Huihai , Liu Daxue , Li Yan , He Hangen
Published: May 2016

In research on the navigation and control of an Autonomous Land Vehicle (ALV), the ultrasonic obstacle detection system plays an important role extending the environment cognition capability of the ALV. With a goal of improving the accuracy of ultrasonic obstacle detection, a dynamic data filtering method based on ultrasonic array is presented. The sonar return data is first processed through static filtering according to the geometric relationship of the ultrasonic array. Then, dynamic filtering is executed using the orientation and trajectory information of the vehicle. The dynamic filtering method is compared to the traditional ultrasonic obstacle detection method, which is the static filtering method in a typical field environment. The experiment result demonstrates the validity of the method for solving the fake data problem, and the accuracy of obstacle detection is improved.
Length-dependent Ca2+ activation in skeletal muscle fibers from mammalians
Authors: Rassier Dilson E. , Minozzo Fábio C.
Published: May 2016

We tested the hypotheses that 1) a decrease in activation of skeletal muscles at short sarcomere lengths (SLs) is caused by an inhibition of Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), and 2) the decrease in Ca2+ would be caused by an inhibition of action potential conduction from the periphery to the core of the fibers. Intact, single fibers dissected from the flexor digitorum brevis from mice were activated at different SLs, and intracellular Ca2+ was imaged with confocal microscopy. Force decreased at SLs shorter than 2.1 μm, while Ca2+ concentration decreased at SLs below 1.9 μm. The concentration of Ca2+ at short SL was lower at the core than at the peripheries of the fiber. When the external concentration of Na+ was decreased in the experimental media, impairing action potential conduction, Ca2+ gradients were observed in all SLs. When caffeine was used in the experimental media, the gradients of Ca2+ were abolished. We concluded that there is an inhibition of Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) at short SLs, which results from a decreased conduction of action potential from the periphery to the core of the fibers.
It's all about talking: two-way communication between proteasomal and lysosomal degradation pathways via ubiquitin
Authors: Liebl Martina P. , Hoppe Thorsten
Published: May 2016

Selective degradation of proteins requires a fine-tuned coordination of the two major proteolytic pathways, the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) and autophagy. Substrate selection and proteolytic activity are defined by a plethora of regulatory cofactors influencing each other. Both proteolytic pathways are initiated by ubiquitylation to mark substrate proteins for degradation, although the size and/or topology of the modification are different. In this context E3 ubiquitin ligases, ensuring the covalent attachment of activated ubiquitin to the substrate, are of special importance. The regulation of E3 ligase activity, competition between different E3 ligases for binding E2 conjugation enzymes and substrates, as well as their interplay with deubiquitylating enzymes (DUBs) represent key events in the cross talk between the UPS and autophagy. The coordination between both degradation routes is further influenced by heat shock factors and ubiquitin-binding proteins (UBPs) such as p97, p62, or optineurin. Mutations in enzymes and ubiquitin-binding proteins or a general decline of both proteolytic systems during aging result in accumulation of damaged and aggregated proteins. Thus further mechanistic understanding of how UPS and autophagy communicate might allow therapeutic intervention especially against age-related diseases.
Skeletal myofiber VEGF regulates contraction-induced perfusion and exercise capacity but not muscle capillarity in adult mice
Authors: Knapp Amy E. , Goldberg Daniel , Delavar Hamid , Trisko Breanna M. , Tang Kechun , Hogan Michael C. , Wagner Peter D. , Breen Ellen C.
Published: May 2016

A single bout of exhaustive exercise signals expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the exercising muscle. Previous studies have reported that mice with life-long deletion of skeletal myofiber VEGF have fewer capillaries and a severe reduction in endurance exercise. However, in adult mice, VEGF gene deletion conditionally targeted to skeletal myofibers limits exercise capacity without evidence of capillary regression. To explain this, we hypothesized that adult skeletal myofiber VEGF acutely regulates skeletal muscle perfusion during muscle contraction. A tamoxifen-inducible skeletal myofiber-specific VEGF gene deletion mouse (skmVEGF−/−) was used to reduce skeletal muscle VEGF protein by 90% in adult mice. Three weeks after inducing deletion of the skeletal myofiber VEGF gene, skmVEGF−/− mice exhibited diminished maximum running speed (−10%, P < 0.05) and endurance capacity (−47%; P < 0.05), which did not persist after 8 wk. In skmVEGF−/− mice, gastrocnemius complex time to fatigue measured in situ was 71% lower than control mice. Contraction-induced perfusion measured by optical imaging during a period of electrically stimulated muscle contraction was 85% lower in skmVEGF−/− than control mice. No evidence of capillary rarefication was detected in the soleus, gastrocnemius, and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) up to 8 wk after tamoxifen-induced VEGF ablation, and contractility and fatigue resistance of the soleus measured ex vivo were also unchanged. The force-frequency of the EDL showed a small right shift, but fatigue resistance did not differ between EDL from control and skmVEGF−/− mice. These data suggest myofiber VEGF is required for regulating perfusion during periods of contraction and may in this manner affect endurance capacity.
ASK1: a new therapeutic target for kidney disease
Authors: Tesch Greg H. , Ma Frank Y. , Nikolic-Paterson David J.
Published: May 2016

Stress-induced activation of p38 MAPK and JNK signaling is a feature of both acute and chronic kidney disease and is associated with disease progression. Inhibitors of p38 MAPK or JNK activation provide protection against inflammation and fibrosis in animal models of kidney disease; however, clinical trials of p38 MAPK and JNK inhibitors in other diseases (rheumatoid arthritis and pulmonary fibrosis) have been disappointing. Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) acts as an upstream regulator for the activation of p38 MAPK and JNK in kidney disease. Mice lacking the Ask1 gene are healthy with normal homeostatic functions and are protected from acute kidney injury induced by ischemia-reperfusion and from renal interstitial fibrosis induced by ureteric obstruction. Recent studies have shown that a selective ASK1 inhibitor substantially reduced renal p38 MAPK activation and halted the progression of nephropathy in diabetic mice, and this has led to a current clinical trial of an ASK1 inhibitor in patients with stage 3 or 4 diabetic kidney disease. This review explores the rationale for targeting ASK1 in kidney disease and the therapeutic potential of ASK1 inhibitors based on current experimental evidence.
Respiratory and autonomic dysfunction in congenital central hypoventilation syndrome
Authors: Moreira Thiago S. , Takakura Ana C. , Czeisler Catherine , Otero Jose J.
Published: May 2016

The developmental lineage of the PHOX2B-expressing neurons in the retrotrapezoid nucleus (RTN) has been extensively studied. These cells are thought to function as central respiratory chemoreceptors, i.e., the mechanism by which brain Pco2regulates breathing. The molecular and cellular basis of central respiratory chemoreception is based on the detection of CO2via intrinsic proton receptors (TASK-2, GPR4) as well as synaptic input from peripheral chemoreceptors and other brain regions. Murine models of congenital central hypoventilation syndrome designed with PHOX2B mutations have suggested RTN neuron agenesis. In this review, we examine, through human and experimental animal models, how a restricted number of neurons that express the transcription factor PHOX2B play a crucial role in the control of breathing and autonomic regulation.
Differences in chloride gradients allow for three distinct types of synaptic modulation by endocannabinoids
Authors: Wang Yanqing , Burrell Brian D.
Published: May 2016

Endocannabinoids can elicit persistent depression of excitatory and inhibitory synapses, reducing or enhancing (disinhibiting) neural circuit output, respectively. In this study, we examined whether differences in Cl−gradients can regulate which synapses undergo endocannabinoid-mediated synaptic depression vs. disinhibition using the well-characterized central nervous system (CNS) of the medicinal leech, Hirudo verbana. Exogenous application of endocannabinoids or capsaicin elicits potentiation of pressure (P) cell synapses and depression of both polymodal (Npoly) and mechanical (Nmech) nociceptive synapses. In P synapses, blocking Cl−export prevented endocannabinoid-mediated potentiation, consistent with a disinhibition process that has been indicated by previous experiments. In Nmechneurons, which are depolarized by GABA due to an elevated Cl−equilibrium potentials (ECl), endocannabinoid-mediated depression was prevented by blocking Cl−import, indicating that this decrease in synaptic signaling was due to depression of excitatory GABAergic input (disexcitation). Npolyneurons are also depolarized by GABA, but endocannabinoids elicit depression in these synapses directly and were only weakly affected by disruption of Cl−import. Consequently, the primary role of elevated EClmay be to protect Npolysynapses from disinhibition. All forms of endocannabinoid-mediated plasticity required activation of transient potential receptor vanilloid (TRPV) channels. Endocannabinoid/TRPV-dependent synaptic plasticity could also be elicited by distinct patterns of afferent stimulation with low-frequency stimulation (LFS) eliciting endocannabinoid-mediated depression of Npolysynapses and high-frequency stimulus (HFS) eliciting endocannabinoid-mediated potentiation of P synapses and depression of Nmechsynapses. These findings demonstrate a critical role of differences in Cl−gradients between neurons in determining the sign, potentiation vs. depression, of synaptic modulation under normal physiological conditions.
Short-latency afferent inhibition determined by the sensory afferent volley
Authors: Bailey Aaron Z. , Asmussen Michael J. , Nelson Aimee J.
Published: May 2016

Short-latency afferent inhibition (SAI) is characterized by the suppression of the transcranial magnetic stimulation motor evoked potential (MEP) by the cortical arrival of a somatosensory afferent volley. It remains unknown whether the magnitude of SAI reflects changes in the sensory afferent volley, similar to that observed for somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs). The present study investigated stimulus-response relationships between sensory nerve action potentials (SNAPs), SAI, and SEPs and their interrelatedness. Experiment 1 ( n = 23, age 23 ± 1.5 yr) investigated the stimulus-response profile for SEPs and SAI in the flexor carpi radialis muscle after stimulation of the mixed median nerve at the wrist using ∼25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of the maximum SNAP and at 1.2× and 2.4× motor threshold (the latter equated to 100% of the maximum SNAP). Experiment 2 ( n = 20, age 23.1 ± 2 yr) probed SEPs and SAI stimulus-response relationships after stimulation of the cutaneous digital nerve at ∼25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of the maximum SNAP recorded at the elbow. Results indicate that, for both nerve types, SAI magnitude is dependent on the volume of the sensory afferent volley and ceases to increase once all afferent fibers within the nerve are recruited. Furthermore, for both nerve types, the magnitudes of SAI and SEPs are related such that an increase in excitation within somatosensory cortex is associated with an increase in the magnitude of afferent-induced MEP inhibition.
Follicular Bronchiolitis in a Nigerian Female Child: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Ikeri Nzechukwu Zimudo , Umerah Godwin O. , Ugwu Christopher Emeka , Olusoji Olugbenga , Adeyomoye Adekunle , Ekure Ekanem , Daramola Adetola Olubunmi
Published: May 2016

Small airways diseases are not uncommon in childhood. They account for about 28.4% of hospital admissions for lower respiratory tract infections in South West Nigeria, most of which are due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. Noninfectious causes of small airways diseases, on the other hand, are poorly recognized and rarely feature in the differential diagnoses of chronic/recurrent lower respiratory tract disease in our environment. We present a case of follicular bronchiolitis in a 2.5-year-old Nigerian female who had left upper lobectomy on account of recurrent cough and progressive shortness of breath.
Acute Intestinal Obstruction Complicating Abdominal Pregnancy: Conservative Management and Successful Outcome
Authors: Udigwe Gerald Okanandu , Eleje George Uchenna , Ihekwoaba Eric Chukwudi , Udegbunam Onyebuchi Izuchukwu , Egeonu Richard Obinwanne , Okwuosa Ayodele Obianuju
Published: May 2016

Background. Acute intestinal obstruction during pregnancy is a very challenging and unusual nonobstetric surgical entity often linked with considerable fetomaternal morbidity and mortality. When it is synchronous with abdominal pregnancy, it is even rarer.Case Presentation. A 28-year-old lady in her second pregnancy was referred to Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria, at 27 weeks of gestation due to vomiting, constipation, and abdominal pain. Examination and ultrasound scan revealed a single live intra-abdominal extrauterine fetus. Plain abdominal X-ray was diagnostic of intestinal obstruction. Conservative treatment was successful till the 34-week gestational age when she had exploratory laparotomy. At surgery, the amniotic sac was intact and the placenta was found to be adherent to the gut. There was also a live female baby with birth weight of 2.3 kg and Apgar scores of 9 and 10 in the 1st and 5th minutes, respectively, with the baby having right clubbed foot. Adhesiolysis and right adnexectomy were done. The mother and her baby were well and were discharged home nine days postoperatively.Conclusion. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of abdominal pregnancy as the cause of acute intestinal obstruction in the published literature. Management approach is multidisciplinary.
An Efficient Approach for Stimulating Cooperation among Nodes in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Xu Hongyun , Wang Ding , Shen Shigen , Shi Youqun , Cao Qiying
Published: May 2016

A Wireless Sensor Network (WSN), characterized as being self-organizing and multihop, consists of a large number of low-power and low-cost nodes. The cooperation among nodes is the foundation for WSNs to achieve the desired functionalities, such as the delivery or forwarding of packets. However, due to the limited resources such as energy, computational availability, and communication capabilities, there may exist some selfish nodes that refuse to cooperate with others. If the critical masses of nodes do not cooperate in the network, the network would not be able to operate to achieve its functional requirements. To resolve the problem above, we introduce a Win-Stay, Lose-Likely-Shift (WSLLS) approach into a Prisoner's Dilemma (PD) game framework, and it applies a utility-based function, which is a linear combination of one player's payoff and its neighbors' in a game, to evaluate a player's (i.e., node) performance for a game. Experimental results demonstrate that our approach performs well in stimulating cooperation in different settings under a certain condition with limited information, regardless of the static topologies types of WSNs, initial proportion of cooperation, and the average number of neighbors.
The Weighted Distance Measure Based Method to Neutrosophic Multiattribute Group Decision Making
Authors: Liu Chunfang , Luo YueSheng
Published: May 2016

Neutrosophic set (NS) is a generalization of fuzzy set (FS) that is designed for some practical situations in which each element has different truth membership function, indeterminacy membership function, and falsity membership function. In this paper, we study the multiattribute group decision making (MAGDM) problems under neutrosophic environment with the incompletely known or completely unknown attribute weight. We first define the single-valued neutrosophic ideal solution (SVNIS) and the weighted distance measure and establish the program models to derive the attribute weights. Then, we give a practical application in the framework of SVNS; the result shows that our method is reasonable and effective in dealing with decision making (DM) problems. Furthermore, we extend the method to interval-valued neutrosophic set (IVNS).
Optimal Control Problem Investigation for Linear Time-Invariant Systems of Fractional Order with Lumped Parameters Described by Equations with Riemann-Liouville Derivative
Authors: Kubyshkin V. A. , Postnov S. S.
Published: May 2016

This paper studies two optimal control problems for linear time-invariant systems of fractional order with lumped parameters whose dynamics is described by equations which contain Riemann-Liouville derivative. The first problem is to find control with minimal norm and the second one is to find control with minimal control time at given restriction for control norm. The problem setting with nonlocal initial conditions is considered which differs from other known settings for integer-order systems and fractional-order systems described in terms of equations with Caputo derivative. Admissible controls are allowed to belong to the class of functions which arep-integrable on half segment. The basic investigation approach is the moment method. The correctness and solvability of moment problem are validated for considered problem setting for the system of arbitrary dimension. It is shown that corresponding conditions are analogous to those derived for systems which are described in terms of equations with Caputo derivative. For several particular cases of one- and two-dimensional systems the posed problems are solved explicitly. The dependencies of basic values from derivative index and control time are analyzed. The comparison is performed of obtained results with known results for analogous integer-order systems and fractional-order systems which are described by equations with Caputo derivative.
Visualization Experiment on Electrorheological Fluid in Dynamic Coupling Field
Authors: Zhu Shisha , Luo Qi , Liu Jingang , Fujita Toyohisa
Published: May 2016

Due to lack of visualization experiment on the mechanism of electrorheological effect in dynamic field, a visualization experimental system is designed and successfully made. Through this experiment, the submicroscopic dynamic structural changes of electrorheological (ER) fluids in the coupling field composed by external electric field and flow field are observed. The experimental results indicate that the rheological behaviors of ER fluids are mainly influenced by the polarization forces and the hydrodynamic forces in the dynamic coupling field. And the experiment shows that the yield fracture of chain structures determined the yield strength of ER fluids firstly occurring near the plate electrodes, which expresses the microflow characteristic of velocity slip. Meanwhile, the capture effect has been verified in this experiment.
Helmholtz Theorem for Nondifferentiable Hamiltonian Systems in the Framework of Cresson’s Quantum Calculus
Authors: Pierret Frédéric , Torres Delfim F. M.
Published: May 2016

We derive the Helmholtz theorem for nondifferentiable Hamiltonian systems in the framework of Cresson’s quantum calculus. Precisely, we give a theorem characterizing nondifferentiable equations, admitting a Hamiltonian formulation. Moreover, in the affirmative case, we give the associated Hamiltonian.