bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endurance exercise training attenuates natriuretic peptide release during maximal effort exercise: biochemical correlates of the “athlete’s heart”
Authors: Shah Ankit B. , Zilinski Jodi , Brown Marcel , Neary Jennifer H. , Weiner Rory B. , Hutter Adolph M. , Apple Fred S. , Picard Michael H. , Januzzi James L. , Baggish Aaron L.
Published: October 2018

Endurance exercise training (ET) stimulates eccentric left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) with left atrial dilation. To date, the biochemical correlates of exercise-induced cardiac remodeling (EICR) remain incompletely understood. Collegiate male rowers ( n = 9) were studied with echocardiography and maximal-effort cardiopulmonary exercise testing (MECPET) before and after 90 days of ET intensification. Midregional proatrial natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP), NH2-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and high-sensitivity troponin T were measured at rest, peak MECPET, and 60 min post-MECPET at both study time points. Endurance exercise training resulted in eccentric LVH (LV mass = 102 ± 8 vs. 110 ± 11 g/m2, P = 0.001; relative wall thickness = 0.36 ± 0.04 vs. 0.37 ± 0.04, P = 0.103), left atrial dilation (74 ± 18 vs. 84 ± 15 ml, P < 0.001), and increased exercise capacity (peak V̇o2 = 53.0 ± 5.9 vs. 67.3 ± 8.2 ml·kg−1·min−1, P < 0.001). Left ventricular remodeling was characterized by an ~7% increase in LV wall thickness but only a 3% increase in LV chamber radius. The magnitude of natriuretic peptide release, examined as percent change from rest to peak exercise, was significantly lower for both MR-proANP (115 [95,127]% vs. 78 [59,87]%, P = 0.04) and NT-proBNP (46 [31,70]% vs. 27 [25,37]%, P = 0.02) after ET. Rowing-based ET and corollary EICR appear to result in an attenuated natriuretic peptide response to maximal effort exercise. This may occur as a function of decreased cardiac wall stress after ET as seen by disproportionally higher ventricular wall thickening compared with chamber dilation.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Using longitudinal pre- and postendurance training natriuretic peptide measurements, we demonstrate that the development of exercise-induced cardiac remodeling results in an attenuated natriuretic peptide response to acute bouts of maximal intensity exercise. Exercise-induced cardiac remodeling was associated with a disproportionally higher ventricular wall thickening compared with chamber dilation, a pattern that reduces cardiac wall stress. These observations advance our understanding of both the structural and biochemical adaptations that underlie the cardiovascular response to endurance training.
Gaussian Modelling Characteristics of Peripheral Arterial Pulse: Difference between Measurements from the Three Trimesters of Healthy Pregnancy
Authors: Li Kunyan , Zhang Song , Yang Lin , Jiang Hongqing , Hao Dongmei , Zhang Lei , Zheng Dingchang
Published: October 2018

Arterial pulse wave analysis has been attempted to monitor the maternal physiological changes of circulatory system during pregnancy. This study aimed to quantify the difference of Gaussian modelling characteristics derived from radial pulses measured from the three trimesters of healthy pregnant women. Radial pulses were recorded from seventy pregnant women between gestational week 11–13, week 20–22, and then week 37–39. They were then normalized and decomposed into three independent Gaussian waves for deriving four key modelling characteristic parameters: including the peak time interval (T) and peak amplitude ratio (R) between the first and second Gaussian waves (T1,2andR1,2), and their corresponding values between the first and third Gaussian waves (T1,3andR1,3). Post hoc multiple comparisons after analysis of variance was then applied to study the within-subject differences in Gaussian modelling characteristics between the three trimesters. The key results were thatT1,2andT1,3increased significantly (T1,2: 12.8 ± 1.3 vs 13.2 ± 1.3,p<0.05;T1,3: 39.5 ± 4.3 vs 45.4 ± 5.1,p<0.001), andR1,3decreased significantly from the first to second trimester (0.60 ± 0.15 vs 0.53 ± 0.11,p<0.001). From the second to third trimester,T1,2decreased significantly (13.2 ± 1.3 vs 12.8 ± 1.2,p<0.01), andT1,3andR1,3decreased slightly but nonsignificantly. Since largerT1,2andT1,3and smallerR1,3are associated with more compliant peripheral arteries, our results indicated that peripheral arteries become more compliant from the first to second trimester and then have a tendency of returning to baseline during normal pregnancy. In conclusion, this study has quantitatively demonstrated significant changes of Gaussian modelling characteristics derived from radial pulses at the three trimesters of normal pregnant women, suggesting that these modelling characteristics could be used as parameters in monitoring maternal physiological changes during normal pregnancy.
Prognostic Factors Predicting Poor Outcome in Cancer Patients with Febrile Neutropenia in the Emergency Department: Usefulness of qSOFA
Authors: Lee Seung Jae , Kim Ji Hye , Han Seung Baik , Paik Jin Hui , Durey Areum
Published: October 2018

Background/Aims. Febrile neutropenia is considered as one of the most important and potentially life-threatening oncologic emergencies, which requires prompt medical assessment and treatment with antibiotics. This was a single-center retrospective study that investigated the prognostic factors predicting poor outcome in patients with cancer who presented with febrile neutropenia at the emergency department (ED). Methods. The medical records of patients diagnosed with febrile neutropenia in the ED from January 2014 to December 2017 were reviewed. Patients aged >18 years who were diagnosed with a malignancy were included in the analysis. Febrile neutropenia was defined as an absolute neutrophil count < 1,000/mm3 with a temperature greater than 38°C. Patients were divided into two groups: those who were admitted at the intensive care unit (ICU) or those who died in the hospital (case group) and those who were admitted at general wards and were discharged (control group). The two groups were compared to determine the factors associated with poor prognosis. Results. We identified 104 patients (25 and 79 from the case and control groups, respectively) with cancer who presented with febrile neutropenia at the ED during the study period. Lower blood pressure, platelet count, and HCO3- level, higher CRP and creatinine level, and the presence of bacteremia were more commonly observed in the case group than in the control group. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, the following independent predictors significantly correlated with ICU admission and in-hospital mortality: quick sequential (sepsis-related) organ failure assessment (qSOFA) score (odds ratio [OR]: 4.62; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.17–18.22; p=0.285), hemoglobin level (OR: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.33–0.78; p=0.002), total bilirubin level (OR: 7.69; 95% CI: 1.29–45.8; p=0.025), and respiratory tract infection (OR: 29.65; 95% CI: 3.81–230.7; p=0.0012). Conclusions. The qSOFA can be a useful bedside tool for patients with cancer who present with febrile neutropenia at the ED. Moreover, it can help emergency physicians in identifying patients at risk of poor prognosis and in initiating prompt empirical antimicrobial therapy. Further studies must be conducted to validate the efficacy of the qSOFA in these patients in the ED.
Two Kinds of Hydrogen Monomers Manifested in Plasma‐Exposed Silicon
Authors: Voronkov Vladimir V.
Published: October 2018

In boron‐doped silicon annealed in a plasma ambient (at 150°C), the reported hydrogen concentration profile and the hole profile cannot be simultaneously fitted assuming only one kind of in‐diffusing hydrogen ions H+ of a definite parameter D+K (where D+ is the diffusivity of H+ and K is the equilibrium dissociation constant of the HB defect, the passivated boron). A good fit is possible only assuming two independent kinds of H+—one of a larger value of D+K and the other—of a smaller value. A concept of two independent atomic subsystems H(1) and H(2), each involving both positive and neutral charge states, is also useful to account for hydrogen pairing into dimers.
A Review of the Torsional Split Hopkinson Bar
Authors: Yu Xiao , Chen Li , Fang Qin , Jiang Xiquan , Zhou Yongkang
Published: October 2018

Mechanical behavior of materials at medium and high strain rates (101∼104 s−1) is the foundation of developing mechanical theories, building material models, and promoting engineering design and construction. The torsional split Hopkinson bar (TSHB) is an effective experimental technique for measuring the pure shear mechanical properties of materials at high strain rates. In this study, the state‐of‐the‐art in TSHB experimental technique is presented. Five typical types of TSHB loading mechanisms, i.e., prestored energy loading, explosive loading, direct impact loading, flywheel loading, and electromagnetic loading, were systematically reviewed. The TSHB fundamentals were outlined, which include elementary components, basic assumptions, working principles, the pulse shaping technique, specimen design, and the single‐pulse loading technique. In addition, the combined loading and high/low temperature experimental techniques, which were developed based on TSHB, were also discussed in detail. Nearly all necessary elements for conducting a TSHB experiment and analyzing the experimental data were provided. Some research directions should be further pursued, such as extending the range of applicable materials and developing the combined loading techniques.
Development of Regional Disparities in Alzheimer’s Disease Mortality in the Slovak Republic from 1996 to 2015
Authors: Gavurová Beáta , Kováč Viliam , Jarčušková Dominika
Published: October 2018

Alzheimer’s disease—subsequently as AD in the text—represents a chronic neurodegenerative disease discussed very often in the recent period. It involves the G30 diagnosis expressing exactly AD and also the F00 diagnosis epitomising dementia in AD. The Slovak Republic has a very various population in terms of the disparities of the population localisation. The analysis is executed on the basement of the standardised mortality rate. It is calculated for the individual districts of the Slovak Republic to get a detailed spatial view and for each year of the explored period from 1996 to 2015 to get a time development. It has a considerably rising tendency. Therefore, the regional disparities of the standardised mortality rate of AD are analysed from an angle of view of its similarity, by its measurement in a form of a Euclidean distance approach. The results of the analysis offer the heat maps as the distance matrices in a graphic form and the maps of the individual districts too. These outputs reveal a very heterogeneous structure of the standardised mortality rate. Another graphic outcome demonstrates a distribution of its values among the districts throughout the whole Slovak Republic for the whole observed period. The results offer a comparison among the districts of the Slovak Republic too. The highest values and also the lowest values are reached in the different districts for the both sexes. Even, one district reaches the opposite result for the individual sexes. The age structure of the deceased population on the G30 diagnosis is also executed and the extreme values from an angle of a view of the districts are picked up. There are evident high differentiations between the individual districts of the Slovak Republic. The conclusion section involves the several key points and the potential suggestions for further research.
Numerical Simulation on Damage and Failure Mechanism of Rock under Combined Multiple Strain Rates
Authors: Zhu Wancheng , Wei Jiong , Niu Leilei , Li Shuai , Li Shaohua
Published: October 2018

During underground hard‐rock mining, the drilling and blasting method currently remains the most economical excavation method, and the rock may experience a multistrain‐rate spectrum under quasi‐static, dynamic, and rheological loading conditions and their combination as well. The study on the damage mechanism of rock under multistrain‐rate condition that induced by mining excavation is the fundamental issue for predicting the mining‐induced hazards such as rockburst. In this study, the state of the art of rock damage and failure under different strain rates is reviewed first. Then, the numerical model for rock failure under multiple strain rates is formulated when the rock damage is taken as the main thread. Meanwhile, we summarize our work in this area over the past ten years, and the constitutive law for the damage and failure of rock under multistrain rates is presented. Finally, several numerical examples, i.e., rock damage and failure under combined static and dynamic load, rock damage and failure triggered by dynamic stress redistribution due to excavation, rock damage and failure induced by blasting, and rock damage and failure due to the combination of dynamic disturbance and rheological load, are presented. Based on these numerical simulations, the associated rock damage mechanism and failure behaviors under differently combined multiple strain rates are clarified, which may provide a theoretical basis for clarifying the rock failure mechanism during rockbursts and rock blasting. Also, further studies on the damage and failure of rock under multiple strain rates are suggested.
Dynamo Theory, Nonlinear Magnetic Fields, and the Euler Potentials
Authors: Osano Bob
Published: October 2018

The debate on the role of Euler potentials (EP), α∇β, in the dynamo theory is a long-standing one. It is known that the cross-product of gradients of two the potentials may represent magnetic fields lines. However, 2D and 3D dynamo hydromagnetic simulations suggest that their utility as analogues of magnetic field potential is restricted. This raises questions about their utility in the broader context of magneto-genesis and dynamo theories. We reexamine this and find that a reinterpretation of such potentials offers a new insight into the role EP may play in the general evolution of magnetic fields.
Antifungal Susceptibility and Biofilm Production of Candida spp. Isolated from Clinical Samples
Authors: Marak Munmun B. , Dhanashree Biranthabail
Published: October 2018

Objective. The study aims to speciate clinical Candida isolates and detect their biofilm-forming ability and antifungal resistance. Methods. All the Candida spp. isolated from different clinical samples like pus, urine, blood, and body fluid were included in the study. Biofilm production was tested by the microtiter plate method. Antifungal susceptibility was studied by the disk diffusion method. Patient’s demographic details such as age, sex, and clinical information were collected. Presence of other risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, history of antibiotic use, and any urinary tract instrumentations was also recorded. Results. Among 90 Candida species isolated, most predominant species was found to be C. albicans (45.5%) followed by C. tropicalis (28.88%), C. krusei (20%), C. glabrata (3.33%), and C. parapsilosis (2.22%). Candida spp. were isolated from urine (43%), BAL/sputum (18.88%), high vaginal swab (8.88%), suction tips (7.77%), blood and wound swabs (6.66%), pus (3.33%), bile aspirate (2.22%), and deep tissue (1.11%). A larger number of females were affected than males, and the age group of 51 to 60 years was more susceptible to candidiasis. A higher number of C. albicans isolates produced biofilm followed by C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, and C. krusei. However, C. glabrata showed no biofilm production in our study. All Candida isolates were 100% sensitive to amphotericin B. Voriconazole was the next effective drug with 81.11% susceptibility. 24.44% of strains were resistant to fluconazole. Conclusion. Speciation of Candida isolates, detection of ability to form the biofilm, and monitoring of antifungal susceptibility testing are necessary for appropriate treatment.
Evaluating an Education Program to Reduce Indeterminate QuantiFERON Gold In-Tube Results
Authors: Agarwal Saroochi , Nguyen Duc T. , Lew Justin D. , Campbell Brenda , Graviss Edward A.
Published: October 2018

Background. The QuantiFERON Gold In-Tube (QFT-G) assay is used to identify individuals with tuberculosis infection and gives quantitative and qualitative results including positive, negative, or indeterminate results (that cannot be interpreted clinically). Several factors, including immunosuppression and preanalytical factors, have been suggested to be significantly associated with indeterminate QFT-G results. An online education program was designed and implemented to reduce the rate of indeterminate QFT-G test results at Houston Methodist Hospital (HMH). Methods. Data from patients’ electronic medical records having indeterminate QFT-G results between 01/2015 and 05/2016 at HMH in Houston, TX, were administratively extracted for (1) medical unit where QFT-G phlebotomy was performed, (2) demographics, and (3) ICD-9/10 diagnosis codes. Unit nurses identified with high proportions of indeterminate QFT-G results were emailed a link to an online pretest educational program with a QFT-G blood collection and handling presentation, and a posttest assessment. Results. Of the 332 nurses emailed, 94 (28.4%) voluntarily completed both tests within the 6-month time allotted. The nurses that completed the education program had a significantly higher posteducation test score than on the pretest (70.2% versus 55.3%, p<0.001, effect size=0.82). Improved posttest score was seen in 67.0% of participants. No reduction in the proportion of indeterminate test results was seen overall at HMH in the 6 months after education. Conclusions. A targeted education program was able to successfully increase nurses’ knowledge of blood collection and handling procedures for the QFT-G test, but no association was found between the improvement of posttest score and indeterminate QFT-G test results.
Safety of Acupuncture in Patients Taking Newer Oral Anticoagulants: A Retrospective Chart Review Study
Authors: Kwon Seungwon , Jung Woo-Sang , Yang Seungbo , Jin Chul , Cho Seung-Yeon , Park Seong-Uk , Moon Sang-Kwan , Park Jung-Mi , Ko Chang-Nam , Cho Ki-Ho , Park Min-Jeong
Published: October 2018

Anticoagulant therapy is used to reduce the risk of thromboembolic events in patients with atrial fibrillation. Warfarin has been the traditional anticoagulant but is difficult to use because of its narrow therapeutic window. Recently, newer oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have been developed. However, bleeding continues to be a significant complication. The objective of this study was to assess the safety of acupuncture in patients taking NOACs. The medical records in the Stroke Center at Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital were retrospectively reviewed to identify patients who had received acupuncture between January 2017 and September 2017. The patients were divided into groups according to whether they were taking an NOAC, an antiplatelet agent, or no anticoagulant therapy. Bleeding‐related side effects that occurred immediately after removal of acupuncture needles were recorded. Three hundred and sixteen patients underwent 10,177 acupuncture sessions during the study period. Microbleeding (bleeding that ceased within 30 s) occurred at a rate of 3.9% in the NOAC group, 5.6% in the antiplatelet group, and 5.1% in the control group. There were no between‐group differences in the microbleeding rate. No serious adverse events, including major bleeding, were detected. These findings indicate that acupuncture is safe in patients taking NOACs.
Rheological Properties of Cement Pastes with Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Skripkiunas Gintautas , Karpova Ekaterina , Barauskas Irmantas , Bendoraitiene Joana , Yakovlev Grigory
Published: October 2018

The evaluation of rheological properties of cement systems is getting more relevant with growing interest to self‐consolidating concrete (SCC), high‐performance concrete (HPC) and ultrahigh‐performance concrete (UHPC). The rheology models are a perspective tool to predict and manage the properties of cement systems in the fresh and hardened state. The current research is focused on the rheological test of cement systems modified by multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) dispersion with and without polycarboxylate ether (PCE). The content of dispersion with 1% concentration of MWCNT in cement pastes varied from 0.125 to 0.5% by weight of cement. The dosage of PCE was taken as 0.6% by weight of cement. The cement pastes were prepared based on Portland cement without mineral additives. The rheological test was carried out at 5, 30, 60, and 120 min after mixing of cement paste. The rheological test established that modification of cement pastes by MWCNT dispersion in dosage 0.25% leads to the decrease of yield stress by 30.7% and increase of plastic viscosity by 29.6%. The combined modification by PCE and MWCNT dispersion shows the decrease in plastic viscosity of cement pastes by 9.90% in dosage of MWCNT equal to 0.5% by weight of cement, reduction of water demand by 20% for the same workability, and decrease of yield stress till 0 Pa. It gives the ability to obtain the self‐compacting mixtures. The cement pastes with and without MWCNT dispersion revealed the shear‐thinning behavior during 120 min after mixing. The modification of cement pastes by PCE with and without MWCNT dispersion showed the shear‐thickening behavior which remains during 120 min after mixing.
CFD Analysis of Contrarotating Open Rotor Aerodynamic Interactions
Authors: Shi Wenbo , Li Jie , Yang Zhao , Zhang Heng
Published: October 2018

High efficiency and low fuel consumption make the contrarotating open rotor (CROR) system a viable economic and environmentally friendly powerplant for future aircraft. While the potential benefits are well accepted, concerns still exist with respect to the vibrations and noise caused by the aerodynamic interactions of CROR systems. In this paper, emphasis is placed on the detailed analysis of the aerodynamic interactions between the front and aft propellers of a puller CROR configuration. For the first step, unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) simulations coupled with dynamic patched grid technology are implemented on the isolated single-rotating propeller (SRP) configuration in various operating conditions in order to test the accuracy and feasibility of the numerical approach. The numerical results are verified by a wind tunnel test, showing good agreements with the experimental data. Subsequently, the URANS approach is applied to the CROR configuration. The numerical results obtained through the URANS approach help to improve the understanding of the complex flow field generated by the CROR configuration, and the comparison of SRP flow field and CROR flow field allows for a detailed analysis of the aerodynamic interactions of the front propeller blade wakes and tip vortices with the aft propeller. The main reason of the aerodynamic interactions is the mutual effects of the blade tip vortices, and the aft propeller reduces the strength of the blade tip vortices of the front propeller. Aerodynamic interactions will lead to the periodic oscillations of the aerodynamic forces, and the frequency of the oscillations is linked to the blade numbers. In addition, a CROR has a larger thrust and power coefficient than that of the SRP configuration in the same operating conditions. The URANS approach coupled with a dynamic patched grid method is tested to be an efficient and accurate tool in the analysis of propeller aerodynamic interactions.
Mouse Models for Cancer Immunotherapy Research
Authors: Olson Brian , Li Yadi , Lin Yu , Liu Edison T. , Patnaik Akash
Published: October 2018

Immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer therapy, largely attributed to the success of immune-checkpoint blockade. However, there are subsets of patients across multiple cancers who have not shown robust responses to these agents. A major impediment to progress in the field is the availability of faithful mouse models that recapitulate the complexity of human malignancy and immune contexture within the tumor microenvironment. These models are urgently needed across all malignancies to interrogate and predict antitumor immune responses and therapeutic efficacy in clinical trials. Herein, we seek to review pros and cons of different cancer mouse models, and how they can be used as platforms to predict efficacy and resistance to cancer immunotherapies.

Significance: Although immunotherapy has shown substantial benefit in the treatment of a variety of malignancies, a key hurdle toward the advancement of these therapies is the availability of immunocompetent preclinical mouse models that recapitulate human disease. Here, we review the evolution of preclinical mouse models and their utility as coclinical platforms for mechanistic interrogation of cancer immunotherapies. Cancer Discov; 8(11); 1358–65. ©2018 AACR.
Hypermethylation of miR-338-3p and Impact of its Suppression on Cell Metastasis Through N-Cadherin Accumulation at the Cell -Cell Junction and Degradation of MMP in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Guo Bo , Zhang Jing , Li Qian , Zhao Zhenghao , Wang Wenjing , Zhou Kaiyue , Wang Xiaofei , Tong Dongdong , Zhao Lingyu , Yang Juan , Huang Chen
Published: October 2018

Background/Aims: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been well studied in human carcinogenesis and cancer progression. Our previous study showed the down-regulation of miR-338-3p expression in human gastric cancer (GC). However, the reasons of this dysregulation remain largely unclear. Methods: Bisulfite sequence analysis was performed to explore the methylation status of the promoter region of miR-338-3p. Cell wound-healing and transwell assays were performed to examine the capacity of cell migration and cell interaction. A dual-luciferase reporter was used to validate the bioinformatics-predicted target gene of miR-338-3p. Western blotting, RNA interference, and immunofluorescence (IF) were used to evaluate the expression of MMPs and the location of N-cadherin to determine the mechanism underlying miR-338-3p-induced anti-tumor effects. Results: miR-338-3p was epigenetically silenced, and this loss of expression was significantly correlated with the Borrmann Stage in GC. Restoring miR-338-3p expression in BGC-823 cells inhibited cell migration and invasion. Moreover, Ras-related protein (Rab-14) and Hedgehog acyltransferase (Hhat) were identified as direct targets of miR-338-3p. Both enforced expression of miR-338-3p and small interfering RNA induced Rab14-mediated accumulation of N-cadherin in the cell -cell junctions or Hhat-associated matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) degradation, which may underline the metastasis defects caused by loss of miR-338-3p in GC. Conclusion: These data indicate that miR-338-3p functions as a tumor suppressor in GC, and that the hypermethylation status of its CpG island might be a novel potential strategy for treating GC.
Lycium Barbarum Polysaccharides Alleviates Oxidative Damage Induced by H2O2 Through Down-Regulating MicroRNA-194 in PC-12 and SH-SY5Y Cells
Authors: Niu Tong , Jin Liuzhong , Niu Shizhen , Gong Cunqi , Wang Hui
Published: October 2018

Background/Aims: Currently, scientists attempt to improve outcome of spinal cord injury (SCI) via reducing secondary injury during SCI. Oxidative stress is critical for pathophysiology of secondary damage, thus we mainly focused on the anti-oxidant effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) on PC-12 and SH-SY5Y cells as well as the underlying mechanisms. Methods: Oxidative stress was induced by H2O2 stimulation. Effects of LBPs on cell viability, apoptosis, and expression of proteins associated with apoptosis and autophagy in H2O2-induced cells were assessed by CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry assay and Western blot analysis, respectively. Then, expression of miR-194 was determined by qRT-PCR. Expression of miR-194 was dysregulated, and whether LBPs affected H2O2-treated cells through modulating miR-194 was verified. The expression of key kinases in the PI3K/AKT pathway and the intracellular levels of ROS and NO were testified by Western blot analysis and flow cytometry with fluorescent probes. Results: H2O2-induced decrease of cell viability and increases of apoptosis and autophagy in PC-12 cells were mitigated by LBPs treatment. Next, we found that miR-194 expression was both down-regulated by LBPs treatment in PC-12 and SH-SY5Y cells. More experiments consolidated that influence of LBPs on H2O2-treated cells was reversed by miR-194 overexpression while was augmented by miR-194 inhibition. LBPs elevated the phosphorylated levels of PI3K and AKT and reduced levels of ROS and NO through miR-194. Conclusion: LBPs alleviated H2O2-induced decrease of cell viability, and increase of apoptosis and autophagy through down-regulating miR-194. Moreover, LBPs activated the PI3K/AKT pathway and reduced oxidative stress through miR-194.
Circulating miRNA Expression Profiling and Target Prediction in Patients Receiving Dexmedetomidine
Authors: Yang Xuehui , Chen Hongmei , Chen Yan , Birnbaum Yochai , Liang Rongbi , Ye Yumei , Qian Jinqiao
Published: October 2018

Background/Aims: Circulating miRNAs could serve as biomarkers for diagnosis or prognosis of heart diseases and cerebrovascular diseases. Dexmedetomidine has protective effects in various organs. The effects of dexmedetomidine on circulating miRNAs remain unknown. Here, we investigated differentially expressed miRNA and to predict the target genes of the miRNA in patients receiving dexmedetomidine. Methods: The expression levels of circulating miRNAs of 3 patients were determined through high through-put miRNA sequencing technology. Target genes of the identified differentially expressed miRNAs were predicted using TargetScan 7.1 and miRDB v.5. Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were used to conduct functional annotation and pathway enrichment analysis of target genes respectively. Results: Twelve differentially expressed miRNAs were identified. Five miRNAs were upregulated (hsa-miR-4508, hsa-miR-novel-chr8_87373, hsa-miR-30a-3p, hsa-miR-novel-chr16_26099, hsa-miR-4306) and seven miRNAs (hsa-miR-744-5p, hsa-miR-320a, hsa-miR-novel-chr9_90035, hsa-miR-101-3p, hsa-miR-150-5p, hsa-miR-342-3p, and hsa-miR-140-3p) were downregulated after administration of dexmedetomidine in the subjects. The target genes and pathways related to the differentially expressed miRNAs were predicted and analyzed. Conclusion: The differentially expressed miRNAs may be involved in the mechanisms of action of dexmedetomidine. Specific miRNAs, such as hsa-miR-101-3p, hsa-miR-150-5p and hsa-miR-140-3p, are new potential targets for further functional studies of dexmedetomidine.
Synthesis of Biotin-Modified Galactosylated Chitosan Nanoparticles and Their Characteristics in Vitro and in Vivo
Authors: Cheng Mingrong , Ma Daxi , Zhi Kangkang , Liu Baochi  , Zhu Weiping
Published: October 2018

Background/Aims: Our previous study found that a nanoparticle drug delivery system that operates as a drug carrier and controlled release system not only improves the efficacy of the drugs but also reduces their side effects. However, this system could not efficiently target hepatoma cells. The aim of this study was to synthesize biotin-modified galactosylated chitosan nanoparticles (Bio-GC) and evaluate their characteristics in vitro and in vivo. Methods: Bio-GC nanomaterials were synthesized, and confirmed by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and hydrogen-1 nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR). The liver position and cancer target property of Bio-GC nanoparticles in vitro and in vivo was tested by confocal laser and small animal imaging system. The characteristics of Bio-GC/5-fluorouracil (5-FU) nanoparticles in vitro and in vivo were explored by cell proliferation, migration and cytotoxicity test, or by animal experiment. Results: Bio-GC nanoparticles were synthesized with biodegradable chitosan as the nanomaterial skeleton with biotin and galactose grafts. Bio-GC was confirmed by FT-IR and 1H-NMR. Bio-GC/5-FU nanoparticles were synthesized according to the optimal mass ratio for Bio-GC/5-FU (1: 4) and had a mean particle size of 81.1 nm, zeta potential of +39.2 mV, and drug loading capacity of 8.98%. Bio-GC/5-FU nanoparticles had sustained release properties (rapid, steady, and slow release phases). Bio-GC nanoparticles targeted liver and liver cancer cell in vitro and in vivo, and this was confirmed by confocal laser scanning and small animal imaging system. Compared with GC/5-FU nanoparticles, Bio-GC/5-FU nanoparticles showed more specific cytotoxic activity in a dose- and time-dependent manner and a more obvious inhibitory effect on the migration of liver cancer cells. In addition, Bio-GC/5-FU nanoparticles significantly prolonged the survival time of mice in orthotopic liver cancer transplantation model compared with other 5-FU nanoparticles or 5-FU alone. Bio-GC (0.64%) nanomaterial had no obvious cytotoxic effects on cells; thus, the concentration of Bio-GC/5-FU nanoparticles used was only 0.04% and showed no toxic effects on the cells. Conclusion: Bio-GC is a liver- and cancer-targeting nanomaterial. Bio-GC/5-FU nanoparticles as drug carriers have stronger inhibitory effects on the proliferation and migration of liver cancer cells compared with 5-FU in vitro and in vivo.
Shufeng Jiedu Capsules Alleviate Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Lung Inflammatory Injury via Activation of GPR18 by Verbenalin
Authors: Yuan Ying , Liao Qingwu , Xue Mingming , Shi Yujing , Rong Ling , Song Zhenju , Tong Zhaoyang , Zheng Wuhong , Zhu Qiang , Cui Xiaolan , Tao Zhengang
Published: October 2018

Background/Aims: Acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI) is the most common reason for outpatient physician office visits. Although powerful and significant in the treatment of infections, antibiotics used for ARTI inappropriately have been an important contributor to antibiotic resistance. We previously reported that Shufeng Jiedu Capsule (SJC) can effectively amplify anti-inflammatory signaling during infection. In this study, we aimed to systematically explore its composition and the mechanism of its effects in ARTI. Methods: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAK) strain was used to generate a mouse model of ARTI, which were then treated with different drugs or compounds to determine the corresponding anti-inflammatory roles. High-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time of flight-tandem mass spectrometry. was conducted to detect the chemical compounds in SJC. RNAs from the lung tissues of mice were prepared for microarray analysis to reveal globally altered genes and the pathways involved after SJC treatment. Results: SJC significantly inhibited the expression and secretion of inflammatory factors from PAK-induced mouse lung tissues or lipopolysaccharide-induced peritoneal macrophages. Verbenalin, one of the bioactive compounds identified in SJC, also showed notable anti-inflammatory effects. Microarray data revealed numerous differentially expressed genes among the different treatment groups; here, we focused on studying the role of GPR18. We found that the anti-inflammatory role of verbenalin was attenuated in GPR18 knockout mice compared with wild-type mice, although no statistically significant difference was observed in the untreated PAK-induced mice types. Conclusion: Our data not only showed the chemical composition of SJC, but also demonstrated that verbenalin was a significant anti-inflammatory compound, which may function through GPR18.
Os caminhos e desafios de uma perspectiva ampla da relação entre ética e comunicação
Authors: Aggio Camilo
Published: October 2018

Resenha da obra Mídia, ética e esfera pública de Ângela Cristina Salgueiro Marques e Luís Mauro Sá Martino.
Musical “Covers” and the Culture Industry
Authors: Babich Babette
Published: October 2018

This essay foregrounds “covers” of popular recorded songs as well as male and female desire, in addition to Nietzsche’s interest in composition, together with his rhythmic analysis of Ancient Greek as the basis of what he called the “spirit of music” with respect to tragedy. The language of “sonic branding” allows a discussion of what Günther Anders described as the self-creation of mass consumer but also the ghostly time-space of music in the broadcast world. A brief allusion to Rilke complements a similarly brief reference to Jankelevitch’s “ineffable.”
Spiritual Life and Relational Functioning: A Model and a Dialogue
Authors: Verhagen Peter J. , Schreurs Agneta
Published: October 2018

The purpose of this article is to contribute to the dialogue on spirituality in mental health care (psychiatry and psychotherapy). Spirituality is still an uncomfortable theme in mental health care despite a burgeoning literature and research. We will introduce a conceptual model on spiritual and interpersonal relationships based on love in relatedness. The model will enable the (psycho)therapist to assess the interconnectedness of spiritual and interpersonal relationships, to analyse positive or negative effects of spirituality on interpersonal functioning and vice versa, and to look for possibilities for spiritual and therapeutic change. Based on the model, the next step is to reflect on the relationship between psychiatry and spirituality with a view to dialogue instead of unfruitful discussion and controversy. We will propose a dialogue about the alternative DSM-5™ model for personality disorders. Although preliminary, we will show the usefulness of such an interdisciplinary dialogue.
Wood-trait analysis to understand climatic factors triggering intra-annual density-fluctuations in co-occurring Mediterranean trees
Authors: Balzano Angela , Battipaglia Giovanna , De Micco Veronica
Published: October 2018

Mediterranean trees and shrubs form intra-annual density fluctuations (IADFs) in tree rings as a sign of their plasticity in wood formation in response to intraseasonal variations of environmental conditions. Different species show a different aptitude to form IADFs, due to their diverse ability to cope with climate stressors, since the occurrence of IADFs may affect plant hydraulics. Dendroecology and quantitative wood anatomy were used to characterise IADFs in Pinus pinea and Arbutus unedo co-occurring at a Mediterranean site in Italy. The relations between climate parameters (i.e. temperature and precipitation) and intra-annual tree-ring traits (i. e. IADF frequency and conduit size) were analysed to highlight the main triggers for IADF formation and their functional role.

Data showed that both species are characterised by a high plastic response to climate and formed a high frequency of L-IADFs (occurrence of earlywoodlike conduits in latewood). The two species, although forming the same type of IADFs, showed different sensitivity to environmental factors. Pinus pinea showed a high dependence of tracheid size on temperature, while Arbutus unedo was more sensitive to precipitation in spring and autumn. Arbutus unedo promptly developed more than one IADF per year in response to rainfall events following drought periods.

The overall results were useful to compare the aptitude of the two species in forming IADFs and to highlight the factors priming their formation. This is useful to understand wood growth reactions to environmental drivers and to evaluate the adaptive capabilities in these two species, and thus to predict forest reactions after climate changes.
Taxonomic additions of Embolemidae and Sclerogibbidae (Hymenoptera: Chrysidoidea) from Japan, with description of a new species of Trogloembolemus
Authors: MITA TOSHIHARU , OLMI MASSIMO
Published: October 2018

Ampulicomorpha thauma Rasnitsyn & Matveev (Hymenoptera: Embolemidae) and Sclerogibba rossi Olmi (Hymenoptera: Sclerogibbidae) were newly recorded from Japan. Females of Embolemus walkeri Westwood were found in the soil together with nymphs of Cixiidae. Trogloembolemus okanoi sp. nov. is described and illustrated. The holotype ♀ was collected in the soil at a depth of one meter. A key to species of Japanese Embolemidae was updated.
Study on the wearability and abrasion mechanism of braided harness cord
Authors: Xie Kaifang , Xu Yanfang , Shen Hua , Xu Guangbiao
Published: October 2018

The wearability of braided harness cord was studied by measuring the tensile properties of worn ones with a universal electronic strength tester and wearing test device developed in our laboratory. The abrasion mechanism of harness cord was investigated, and the fractured schematic diagram was proposed according to the morphology observed by a hand USB microscope and scanning electron microscope. The results indicated the abrasive action could significantly reduce the tensile properties of harness cord, and a negative linear correlation between the tensile properties and the abrasive times was observed. The morphology suggested the fractured process of harness cord could be divided into five stages: surface abrasion of sheath fibers, partial breakage of sheath fibers, structure failure, full breakage of sheath fibers, and breakage of core fibers. In addition, the fibers in harness cord presented different fracture types due to the combined effect of external friction, bending, stretching, and fatigue during the wearability test.
Relationships among Senior Tourists’ Perceptions of Tour Guides’ Professional Competencies, Rapport, Satisfaction with the Guide Service, Tour Satisfaction, and Word of Mouth
Authors: Hwang Jinsoo , Lee JungHoon (Jay)
Published: October 2018

Tour guides are very important for elderly tourists, but very few studies have focused on their roles in the senior tourism market. Thus, this study proposed that senior tourists’ perceptions of tour guides’ professional competencies play an important role in the formation of rapport with the tour guide. Rapport is a concept to show a close relationship between the customer and the employee. Additionally, it was hypothesized that this rapport enhances satisfaction with the guide service, tour satisfaction, and word of mouth. Lastly, the moderating role of product knowledge was proposed during the theory-building process. The data were collected from 325 elderly tourists in Korea. The results indicated that professional skills and professional attitude have a positive influence on rapport with the tour guide, which in turn positively affects satisfaction with the guide service, tour satisfaction, and word of mouth. Furthermore, this study found the important role of product knowledge as a moderator.
Coronary tortuosity is negatively correlated with coronary atherosclerosis
Authors: Li Yang , Feng Yi , Ma Genshan , Shen Chengxing , Liu Naifeng
Published: October 2018

Objective

The impact of coronary tortuosity on coronary atherosclerosis remains unclear. This study was performed to determine to the relationship between coronary tortuosity and the presence of coronary atherosclerosis.

Methods

Tortuosity and the presence of coronary atherosclerosis in the main coronary arteries were evaluated. The coronary artery was divided into non-tortuous and tortuous segments. The incidence of coronary atherosclerosis between the two segments was compared.

Results

The prevalence of coronary atherosclerotic stenosis was significantly lower in the tortuous than non-tortuous segment.

Conclusion

The prevalence of coronary atherosclerotic stenosis is lower in the coronary tortuous than non-tortuous segment, indicating that coronary tortuosity might be considered a protective factor for atherosclerosis.
Effect of the turning characteristics of underfloor wheel lathes on the evolution of wheel polygonisation
Authors: Cui Dabin , An Boyang , Allen Paul , Wang Ruichen , Wang Ping , Wen Zefeng , Li Li
Published: October 2018

During both running and wheel cut operations, wheels of railway vehicles and the friction rollers that support and drive the wheelset on a typical wheel cut lathe are subject to wear and hence are likely to develop out-of-round characteristics after sustained use. The resulting out-of-round wheels can significantly affect the ride quality and can potentially increase the incidence of fatigue-related component failures due to the resulting higher intensity loading cycles. Furthermore, the corresponding out-of-round characteristics of the lathe's friction rollers will continue to degrade the subsequent cut quality of wheels. For the analysis of the out-of-round characteristics caused by an underfloor wheel lathe used for the high-speed trains in China, a mathematical model based on a typical electric multiple unit (EMU) vehicle's wheelsets and their interactions with the wheel lathe friction rollers was established. Factors influencing the cut quality of the wheels, including the number of cuts, eccentricity forms of the friction rollers and the longitudinal spacing of the two rollers, have been analysed. The results show that two cuts can effectively remove the higher order polygon on the wheel surface. The eccentricity and phase angle of the friction rollers have no influence on the cut quality of higher order polygons, whereas they are the primary cause for the fourth-order polygons. The severity of the fourth-order polygon depends on the level and the phase of the eccentricity of the friction rollers. The space of the two rollers can also significantly affect the cut quality. Obtaining the theoretical and practical value for the maintenance of polygonised wheels using the underfloor lathe is the main outcome of this study.
Stochastic Volatility in the Peruvian Stock Market and Exchange Rate Returns: A Bayesian Approximation
Authors: Alanya Willy , Rodríguez Gabriel
Published: October 2018

This study is one of the first to utilize the stochastic volatility (SV) model to modelling the Peruvian financial times series. We estimate and compare this model with generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (GARCH) models with normal and t-student errors. The analysis in this study corresponds to Peru’s stock market and exchange rate returns. The importance of this methodology is that the adjustment of the data is better than the GARCH models, using the assumptions of normality in both models. In the case of the SV model, three Bayesian algorithms have been employed where we evaluate their respective inefficiencies in the estimation of the model’s parameters—the most efficient being the integration sampler. The estimated parameters in the SV model under the various algorithms are consistent, as they display little inefficiency. The figures of the correlations of the iterations suggest that there are no problems at the time of Markov chaining in all estimations. We find that the volatilities in the exchange rate and stock market volatilities follow similar patterns over time. That is, when economic turbulence caused by the economic circumstances occurred, for example, the Asian crisis and the recent crisis in the USA, considerable volatility was generated in both markets.

JEL Classification: C22
Military Forces in Judaea 6–130 ce: The status quaestionis and Relevance for New Testament Studies
Authors: Zeichmann Christopher B.
Published: October 2018

The study of the military in the Roman provinces of Judaea is not the most accessible topic. Though the data upon which scholars rely is familiar (e.g., epigraphs, papyri, ancient historians), its study requires significant methodological deviations from biblical studies. This article summarizes key points relevant for scholars of both Jewish antiquity and early Christianity. First, it provides a summary of recent developments in the social history of the Roman army in the Near East, attending especially to the question of the role and function of soldiers in that region. Second, this article provides a brief social history for all military units in Judaea before it was renamed Syria Palaestina in 130 ce (four legions, 14 infantry cohortes, and five cavalry alae), based on the latest discoveries. Finally, the article concludes with a section discussing two issues specific to New Testament studies: the presence of an Italian cohort in Judaea (Acts 10) and the issue of the Augustan cohort in Judaea and Batanaea (Acts 27).