bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transcription profiling of CD4+ T cells in rhesus macaques that infected with simian‐human immunodeficiency virus and re‐challenged with SIVmac251
Authors: Chung Hye Kyung , Pise‐Masison Cynthia A. , Muthiah Annamalai , Radonovich Michael F. , Lee Eun Mi , Lee Jae K. , Pal Ranajit
Published: September 2015

Background

Insights into the host factors that contribute to an effective antiviral immune response may be obtained by examining global gene expression in simian‐human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV)‐infected non‐human primates that exhibit different virological outcomes.

Methods

Six chronically SHIV‐infected macaques were rectally challenged with SIVmac251. Viral RNA and proviral DNA load in blood were measured. Gene expression profiles in CD4+ T cells were examined and compared between animals with different levels of infection following challenge.

Results and Conclusions

Viral RNA was markedly controlled in four challenged animals, whereas two animals had persistent high viremia. Analysis of the gene expression profiles at early infection revealed gene expression signatures between protectors and non‐protectors and identified potential protective biomarkers. Pathway analyses revealed that IFN pathway genes are down‐regulated in protectors compared to unprotectors. This study suggests that high levels of expression of type 1 IFN‐related genes may paradoxically promote virus replication.
An incidental X‐ray finding in a toddler
Authors: Eneman Benedicte , Wouters Carine , Toelen Jaan
Published: September 2015

See Answer
Secretoglobin and Transferrin Expression in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid of Horses with Chronic Respiratory Disease
Authors: Miskovic Feutz M. , Couetil L.L. , Riley C.P. , Zhang X. , Adamec J. , Raskin R.E.
Published: September 2015

Background

Lower expression of secretoglobin and transferrin has been found in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of a small number of horses with experimentally induced signs of recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) compared to healthy controls.

Hypothesis/Objectives

Secretoglobin and transferrinBALFexpression will be similarly decreased in horses with naturally occurring clinical signs ofRAOand in horses with experimentally induced clinical signs ofRAOas compared to healthy controls and intermediate in horses with inflammatory airway disease (IAD).

Animals

Recurrent airway obstruction‐affected and control horses were subjected to an experimental hay exposure trial to induce signs ofRAO. Client‐owned horses with a presumptive diagnosis ofRAOand controls from the same stable environments were recruited.

Methods

Pulmonary function andBALFwere evaluated from control andRAO‐affected research horses during an experimental hay exposure trial (n = 5 in each group) and from client‐owned horses (RAO‐affected horses, n = 17;IAD‐affected horses, n = 19; healthy controls, n = 5). The concentrations of secretoglobin and transferrin inBALFwere assessed using Western blots.

Results

Naturally occurring and experimentally inducedRAOhorses had similar decreases inBALFtransferrin expression, but secretoglobin expression was most decreased in naturally occurringRAO. Secretoglobin and transferrin expression were both lower inBALFofRAO‐affected horses than inIAD‐affected and control horses.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Secretoglobin and transferrin expression is decreased inBALFofRAO‐affected horses after both experimental and natural exposure. Secretoglobin and transferrin likely play clinically relevant roles in the pathophysiology ofRAO, and may thus be used as biomarkers of the disease.
Electrophysiologic Study of a Method of Euthanasia Using Intrathecal Lidocaine Hydrochloride Administered during Intravenous Anesthesia in Horses
Authors: Aleman M. , Davis E. , Williams D.C. , Madigan J.E. , Smith F. , Guedes A.
Published: September 2015

Background

An intravenous (IV) overdose of pentobarbital sodium is the most commonly used method of euthanasia in veterinary medicine. However, this compound is not available in many countries or rural areas resulting in usage of alternative methods such as intrathecal lidocaine administration afterIVanesthesia. Its safety and efficacy as a method of euthanasia have not been investigated in the horse.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To investigate changes in mean arterial blood pressure and electrical activity of the cerebral cortex, brainstem, and heart during intrathecal administration of lidocaine. Our hypothesis was that intrathecal lidocaine affects the cerebral cortex and brainstem before affecting cardiovascular function.

Animals

Eleven horses requiring euthanasia for medical reasons.

Methods

Prospective observational study. Horses were anesthetized with xylazine, midazolam, and ketamine; and instrumented for recording of electroencephalogram (EEG), electrooculogram (EOG), brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER), and electrocardiogram (ECG). Physical and neurological (brainstem reflexes) variables were monitored. Mean arterial blood pressure was recorded throughout the study.

Results

Loss of cerebro‐cortical electrical activity occurred up to 226 seconds after the end of the infusion of lidocaine solution. Cessation of brainstem function as evidenced by a lack of brainstem reflexes and disappearance ofBAERoccurred subsequently. Undetectable heart sounds, nonpalpable arterial pulse, and extremely low mean arterial blood pressure supported cardiac death; a recordableECGwas the last variable to disappear after the infusion (300–1,279 seconds).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Intrathecal administration of lidocaine is an effective alternative method of euthanasia in anesthetized horses, during which brain death occurs before cardiac death.
BadR (BB0693) controls growth phase‐dependent induction of rpoS and bosR in Borrelia burgdorferi via recognizing TAAAATAT motifs
Authors: Ouyang Zhiming , Zhou Jianli
Published: September 2015

In Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb), the alternative sigma factor RpoS plays a central role during Bb's adaptation to ticks and mammals. Previous studies have demonstrated that RpoS is not expressed during the early stages of spirochetal growth or when Bb resides in ticks during the intermolt phase, but the molecular details of these events remain unknown. In the current study, biomagnetic bead separation of rpoS promoter‐binding proteins, coupled with genetic inactivation, was employed to identify BadR (BB0693) as a negative regulator that controls growth phase‐dependent induction of rpoS and bosR in Bb. When badR was inactivated, the expression of rpoS and bosR was induced only during the early stages of bacterial growth, but not during the stationary growth phase. Recombinant BadR bound to the promoter DNA of rpoS and the regulatory region upstream of bosR via AT‐rich TAAAATAT motifs. Mutations in this motif markedly inhibited or abolished rBadR binding. These results suggest that BadR directly influences the expression of both rpoS and bosR in Bb. This newly recognized role for BadR to fine‐tune the activation of the RpoN–RpoS pathway at strategic times in Bb's life cycle potentially represents another layer of gene control over σ54‐dependent gene regulation.
The application of flow cytometry and a thioredoxin‐like nuclear gene for breeding Poa arachnifera x Poa pratensis hybrids
Authors: Meeks Meghyn , Chandra Ambika
Published: September 2015

Interspecific hybridization between Poa arachnifera Torr. (Texas bluegrass) and Poa pratensis L. (Kentucky bluegrass) has shown to be a proven method for the development of turf‐type hybrid bluegrass cultivars for the southern United States. Unlike in P. pratensis, the use of DNA markers for molecular characterization and flow cytometry to determine nuclear DNA contents has not been extensively utilized in P. arachnifera. In this study, 2C nuclear DNA content of 19 different genotypes of P. arachnifera (both males and females) was determined to range from 8.02 to 13.24 pg/2C using flow cytometry. The DNA content of the hybrids between P. arachnifera and P. pratensis from two different pedigrees was found to be intermediate between their parents. Furthermore, the utility of the trx (thioredoxin‐like) nuclear gene in the identification of interspecific hybrids between P. arachnifera and P. pratensis was demonstrated using sequence and phylogenetic analyses. A newly discovered 851‐bp trx allele may serve as a useful marker to differentiate P. arachnifera from P. pratensis and provide insights into the evolutionary origin of P. arachnifera.
Infusion‐related febrile reaction after haploidentical stem cell transplantation in children is associated with higher rates of engraftment syndrome and acute graft‐versus‐host disease
Authors: Chen Yao , Huang Xiao‐Jun , Liu Kai‐Yan , Chen Huan , Chen Yu‐Hong , Zhang Xiao‐Hui , Wang Feng‐Rong , Han Wei , Wang Jing‐Zhi , Wang Yu , Yan Chen‐Hua , Zhang Yuan‐Yuan , Sun Yu‐Qian , Xu Lan‐Ping
Published: September 2015

The clinical significance and prognostic impact of IRFR in pediatric recipients of haploidentical SCT are not clearly understood. Therefore, we attempted to determine how IRFR affects clinical outcomes in children. Clinical data from 100 consecutive pediatric patients (60 boys and 40 girls; median age, 12 yr [range, 2–18 yr] after haploidentical SCT between January 2010 and December 2012 were collected retrospectively. IRFR was described as unexplained fever (>38 °C) within 24 h after the infusion of haploidentical PBSCs. Thirty‐eight (38.0%) cases met the criteria for IRFR. ES was found in 24 (63.2%) of the 38 children with IRFR, with the median time of developing ES of +9 (7–16) days, while only 15 (25.4%) of the 59 children without IRFR were found with ES (p < 0.001). Similarly, the cumulative incidence rates of grade II–IV aGVHD were 50.0% in the IRFR group and 29.3% (p = 0.012) in the non‐febrile group. Multivariate analysis identified IRFR as the risk factor for ES and aGVHD. In the haploidentical setting, IRFR is associated with the development of ES and aGVHD. We attempted to determine how IRFR affects clinical outcomes in children after haploidentical SCT. Thirty‐eight children comprised the IRFR group, and 59 were in the control (non‐IRFR) group. High incidence of ES was observed in children with the occurrence of IRFR. Similarly, the incidence of stage I–IV and II–IV aGVHD was significantly higher in the febrile group. Multivariate analysis showed IRFR to be the risk factor for ES and aGVHD.
Experimental Results Indicating Lattice‐Dependent Policies May Be Optimal for General Assemble‐To‐Order Systems
Authors: Nadar Emre , Akan Mustafa , Scheller‐Wolf Alan
Published: September 2015

We consider an assemble‐to‐order (ATO) system with multiple products, multiple components which may be demanded in different quantities by different products, possible batch ordering of components, random lead times, and lost sales. We model the system as an infinite‐horizon Markov decision process under the average cost criterion. A control policy specifies when a batch of components should be produced, and whether an arriving demand for each product should be satisfied. Previous work has shown that a lattice‐dependent base‐stock and lattice‐dependent rationing (LBLR) policy is an optimal stationary policy for a special case of the ATO model presented here (the generalized M‐system). In this study, we conduct numerical experiments to evaluate the use of an LBLR policy for our general ATO model as a heuristic, comparing it to two other heuristics from the literature: a state‐dependent base‐stock and state‐dependent rationing (SBSR) policy, and a fixed base‐stock and fixed rationing (FBFR) policy. Remarkably, LBLR yields the globally optimal cost in each of more than 22,500 instances of the general problem, outperforming SBSR and FBFR with respect to both objective value (by up to 2.6% and 4.8%, respectively) and computation time (by up to three orders and one order of magnitude, respectively) in 350 of these instances (those on which we compare the heuristics). LBLR and SBSR perform significantly better than FBFR when replenishment batch sizes imperfectly match the component requirements of the most valuable or most highly demanded product. In addition, LBLR substantially outperforms SBSR if it is crucial to hold a significant amount of inventory that must be rationed.
Childhood Malnutrition and Its Determinants among Under‐Five Children in Ghana
Authors: Aheto Justice Moses K. , Keegan Thomas J. , Taylor Benjamin M. , Diggle Peter J.
Published: September 2015

Background

Childhood malnutrition adversely affects short‐ and long‐term health and economic well‐being of children. Malnutrition is a global challenge and accounts for around 40% of under‐five mortality in Ghana. Limited studies are available indicating determinants of malnutrition among children. This study investigates prevalence and determinants of malnutrition among children under‐five with the aim of providing advice to policymakers and other stakeholders responsible for the health and nutrition of children.

Methods

The study used data from the 2008 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS). Analyses were conducted on 2083 children under 5 years old nested within 1641 households with eligible anthropometric measurements, using multilevel regression analysis. Results from the multilevel models were used to compute probabilities of malnutrition.

Results

This study observed that 588 (28%), 276 (13%), and 176 (8%) of the children were moderately ‘stunted’, moderately ‘underweight’, and moderately ‘wasted’ respectively. Older ages are associated with increased risk of stunting and underweight. Longer breast‐feeding duration, multiple births, experience of diarrhoeal episodes, small size at birth, absence of toilet facilities in households, poor households, and mothers who are not covered by national health insurance are associated with increased risk of malnutrition. Increase in mother's years of education and body mass index are associated with decreased malnutrition. Strong residual household‐level variations in childhood nutritional outcomes were found.

Conclusion

Policies and intervention strategies aimed at improving childhood nutrition and health should address the risk factors identified and the need to search for additional risk factors that might account for the unexplained household‐level variations.
Analysis of Randomised Trials Including Multiple Births When Birth Size Is Informative
Authors: Yelland Lisa N. , Sullivan Thomas R. , Pavlou Menelaos , Seaman Shaun R.
Published: September 2015

Background

Informative birth size occurs when the average outcome depends on the number of infants per birth. Although analysis methods have been proposed for handling informative birth size, their performance is not well understood. Our aim was to evaluate the performance of these methods and to provide recommendations for their application in randomised trials including infants from single and multiple births.

Methods

Three generalised estimating equation (GEE) approaches were considered for estimating the effect of treatment on a continuous or binary outcome: cluster weighted GEEs, which produce treatment effects with a mother‐level interpretation when birth size is informative; standard GEEs with an independence working correlation structure, which produce treatment effects with an infant‐level interpretation when birth size is informative; and standard GEEs with an exchangeable working correlation structure, which do not account for informative birth size. The methods were compared through simulation and analysis of an example dataset.

Results

Treatment effect estimates were affected by informative birth size in the simulation study when the effect of treatment in singletons differed from that in multiples (i.e. in the presence of a treatment group by multiple birth interaction). The strength of evidence supporting the effectiveness of treatment varied between methods in the example dataset.

Conclusions

Informative birth size is always a possibility in randomised trials including infants from both single and multiple births, and analysis methods should be pre‐specified with this in mind. We recommend estimating treatment effects using standard GEEs with an independence working correlation structure to give an infant‐level interpretation.
Spatial attention facilitates assembly of the briefest percepts: Electrophysiological evidence from color fusion
Authors: Akyürek Elkan G. , van Asselt E. Manon
Published: September 2015

When two different color stimuli are presented in rapid succession, the resulting percept is sometimes that of a mixture of both colors, due to a perceptual process called color fusion. Although color fusion might seem to occur very early in the visual pathway, and only happens across the briefest of stimulus presentation intervals (< 50 ms), the present study showed that spatial attention can alter the fusion process. In a series of experiments, spatial cues were presented that either validly indicated the location of a pair of (different) color stimuli in successive stimulus arrays, or did not, pointing toward isoluminant gray distractors in the other visual hemifield. Increased color fusion was observed for valid cues across a range of stimulus durations, at the expense of individual color reports. By contrast, perception of repeated, same‐color stimulus pairs did not change, suggesting that the enhancement was specific to fusion, not color discrimination per se. Electrophysiological measures furthermore showed that the amplitude of the N1, N2pc, and P3 components of the ERP were differentially modulated during the perception of individual and fused colors, as a function of cueing and stimulus duration. Fusion itself, collapsed across cueing conditions, was reflected uniquely in N1 amplitude. Overall, the results suggest that spatial attention enhances color fusion and decreases competition between stimuli, constituting an adaptive slowdown in service of temporal integration.
Outcomes of rapid corticosteroid tapering in acute eosinophilic pneumonia patients with initial eosinophilia
Authors: Jhun Byung Woo , Kim Se Jin , Kim Kang , Lee Ji Eun
Published: September 2015

Background and objective

Studies have shown that patients with acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP) and with initial eosinophilia have a milder disease than those with an initial normal peripheral eosinophil count (PEC). We investigated the effect of a rapid corticosteroid tapering strategy in AEP patients with initial eosinophilia.

Methods

We performed a prospective cohort study in patients with AEP with initial eosinophilia (n = 14) who stopped corticosteroid treatment after achieving clinical stabilization compared with AEP patients with an initial normal PEC (n = 45) who received 2‐week treatment with corticosteroid.

Results

In total, 59 AEP patients were identified. The median duration of corticosteroid treatment was 4 days (interquartile ranges (IQR), 3–4) in patients with initial eosinophilia and 14 (IQR, 14–14) days in patients with initial normal PEC. No treatment failure occurred in the group with initial eosinophilia; one treatment failure case occurred in the group with an initially normal PEC. The median time to overall clinical stabilization was 3 days, and time to complete resolution of all symptoms and clinical instabilities from diagnosis was 4 days in AEP patients with initial eosinophilia. Both were significantly shorter than those) in the initially normal PEC group, which were 5 and 7 days respectively (both P < 0.001). Adverse effects were lower in AEP patients with initial eosinophilia, and additional medications to relieve adverse effects were only needed in AEP patients with initially normal PEC.

Conclusions

Rapid corticosteroid tapering may be an acceptable treatment strategy for managing AEP patients with initial eosinophilia.
It is Time to Individualize the Dialysate Sodium Prescription
Authors: Basile Carlo , Lomonte Carlo
Published: September 2015

Sodium mass balance in hemodialysis patients is primarily dependent on dietary salt intake and sodium removal during dialysis. One of the most important goals of dialysis therapy is to fully remove the mass of sodium that has accumulated in the interdialytic period. It is currently the practice in dialysis centers all over the world to use a standardized dialysate sodium concentration (Na+D) for all patients. The aim of the present article was to summarize the current evidence for an individualized Na+D prescription. Three main points are discussed: (i) Na+D prescription, which must necessarily take into account the sodium setpoint and the sodium gradient; (ii) clinical experience with an individualized Na+D prescription, and (iii) guidelines for individualizing the Na+D prescription. To summarize, recent data suggest that tailoring Na+D to an individual's sodium setpoint has the potential for short‐ and long‐term benefits for patients. Prospective interventional studies are warranted to further understand its effects, stratified for patients with low or high serum sodium levels.
Fixing Descartes: Ethical Intellectualism in Spinoza's Early Writings
Authors: Sangiacomo Andrea
Published: September 2015

This paper aims at reconstructing the ethical issues raised by Spinoza's earlyTreatise on the Emendation of the Intellect. Specifically, I argue that Spinoza takes issue with Descartes’ epistemology in order to support a form of “ethical intellectualism” in which knowledge is envisaged as both necessary and sufficient to reach the supreme good. First, I reconstruct how Descartes exploits the distinction between truth and certainty in hisDiscourse on the Method. On the one hand, this distinction acts as the basis for Descartes’ epistemological rules while, on the other hand, it implies a “morale par provision” in which adequate knowledge is not strictly necessary to practice virtue. Second, I show that Spinoza rejects the distinction between truth and certainty and thus the methodological doubt. This move leads Spinoza to substitute the Cartesian Cogito with the idea of God as the only adequate standard of knowledge, through which the mind can attain the rules to reach the supreme good. Third, I demonstrate that in theShort TreatiseSpinoza develops this view by equating intellect and will and thus maintaining that only adequate knowledge can help to contrast affects. However, I also insist that Spinoza's early epistemology is unable to explain why human beings drop conceive of the idea of God inadequately. Thus, I suggest that in his later writings Spinoza accounts for the insufficiency of adequate knowledge in opposing the power of the imagination and passions by reconnecting the nature of ideas with the mind's conatus.
Thinking in the Zone: The Expert Mind in Action
Authors: Montero Barbara Gail
Published: September 2015

Athletes sometimes describe “being in the zone,” as a time when their actions flow effortlessly and flawlessly without the guidance of thought. But is it true that athletes don't think when performing at their best? Numerous studies (such as Beilock et al. 2004, 2007 Ford et al 2005, Baumeister 1984, Masters 1992, Wulf & Prinz 2001, Beilock & DeCaro, 2007). However, I aim to argue that because even highly‐practiced skills can remain in part under an expert athlete's conscious control, thinking does not hinder expert performance.
Extended Consciousness: an Interim Report
Authors: Wheeler Michael
Published: September 2015

Advocates of extended cognition hold that the physical machinery of mind sometimes extends beyond the skull and skin. In the first part of this paper, I explain why, and more specifically the precise sense in which, consciousness presents such theorists with an extra hurdle to be cleared. The key challenge is posed by phenomenal consciousness, the what‐it's‐like‐ness of experience. I consider two arguments for the claim that the physical machinery of phenomenal consciousness sometimes extends beyond the skull and skin. The first – the argument from sensory substitution – suggests that acceptance of extended phenomenal consciousness should follow from a careful analysis of the phenomenon in which technological augmentation enables one sensory modality, for instance touch, to support the kind of environmental access and interaction ordinarily supported by a different sensory modality, for instance vision. The second argument – the argument from the relational character of experience – suggests that acceptance of extended phenomenal consciousness should follow from a particular conception of conscious experience that is mandated by sensorimotor contingency theory. I conclude that neither argument is decisive.
Messinian events in the Black Sea
Authors: van Baak Christiaan G. C. , Radionova Eleanora P. , Golovina Larisa A. , Raffi Isabella , Kuiper Klaudia F. , Vasiliev Iuliana , Krijgsman Wout
Published: September 2015

Past hydrological interactions between the Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea are poorly resolved due to complications in establishing a high‐resolution time frame for the Black Sea. We present a new greigite‐based magnetostratigraphic age model for the Mio‐Pliocene deposits of DSDP Hole 380/380A, drilled in the southwestern Black Sea. This age model is complemented by40Ar/39Ar dating of a volcanic ash layer, allowing a direct correlation of Black Sea deposits to the Messinian salinity crisis (MSC) interval of the Mediterranean Sea. Proxy records divide these DSDP deposits into four intervals: (i) Pre‐MSC marine conditions (6.1–6.0 Ma); (ii) highstand, fresh to brackish water conditions (~6.0–5.6 Ma); (iii) lowstand, fresh‐water environment (5.6–5.4 Ma) and (iv) highstand, fresh‐water conditions (5.4–post 5.0 Ma). Our results indicate the Black Sea was a major fresh‐water source during gypsum precipitation in the Mediterranean Sea. The introduction of Lago Mare fauna during the final stage of the MSC coincides with a sea‐level rise in the Black Sea. Across the Mio‐Pliocene boundary, sea‐level and salinity in the Black Sea did not change significantly.
Variable Trade Costs, Composition Effects and the Intensive Margin of Trade
Authors: Berthou Antoine , Fontagné Lionel
Published: September 2015

We estimate the elasticity of extra EU French firm‐level exports with respect to applied tariffs – a variable trade cost. We implement a method controlling for unobserved firm characteristics driving selection in exports market, and controlling for the multilateral resistance terms. Results confirm a significant negative impact of tariffs on firm‐level exports, with one fifth of this impact falling on the induced adjustment in the exporters' product mix. When controlling for this adjustment and focusing on the core exported products, the elasticity of the product‐destination firm‐level exports with respect to applied tariffs is estimated at about −2.5.
Weed suppression by cover crops: comparative on‐farm experiments under integrated and organic conservation tillage
Authors: Dorn B , Jossi W , van der Heijden M G A
Published: September 2015

Cover crops are increasingly being used for weed suppression and to enhance the sustainability of agro‐ecosystems. However, the suitability of cover crops for weed suppression in integrated and organic conservation tillage systems is still poorly investigated. Therefore, a 2‐year field study at eight sites was conducted to test the weed suppressive potential of six legume‐based cover crops, with the aim to reduce herbicide input or mechanical weed management interventions. In all experiments, cover crops were directly sown after cereals before next year's main crop (grain maize or sunflower). The presence of cover crops caused a 96% to 100% reduction of weed dry matter at the four sites managed under integrated production, while effects were lower at the four sited managed under organic production, ranging from 19% to 87%. Cover crops that covered soil quickly and which produced much dry matter had the best weed suppressive potential. However, their weed suppressing effect was difficult to predict, as it depended on the year of the investigation, experimental site, cover crop species, the speed of soil cover in autumn and the density of the resulting mulch layer in spring. The study demonstrated that cover crops are a useful tool to suppress weeds under integrated and organic conservation tillage practices. Our recommendation for supporting weed management in conservation tillage systems is to use locally adapted cover crops that have rapid establishment, good soil coverage and high dry matter production. However, additional weed management measures are required for reliable weed control under on‐farm conditions.
Early redox imbalance is associated with liver dysfunction at weaning in overfed rats
Authors: Conceição E. P. S. , Moura E. G. , Carvalho J. C. , Oliveira E. , Lisboa P. C.
Published: September 2015

Key points

Childhood obesity is associated with precocious oxidative stress, which can contribute to future diseases.

Early overfed rats have increased oxidative stress in liver and plasma at weaning.

The model of litter size reduction causes adipocyte hypertrophy and lower PPARγ at weaning, suggesting a decrease in adipocyte proliferation.

Neonatal overfeeding induced by litter size reduction leads to further obesity and other metabolic disorders, such as liver oxidative stress and microsteatosis at adulthood. We hypothesized that overfeeding causes an early redox imbalance at weaning, which could programme the animals to future liver dysfunction. Thus, we studied lipogenesis, adipogenesis, catecholamine status and oxidative balance in weaned overfed pups. To induce early overfeeding, litters were adjusted to three pups at the 3rd day of lactation (SL group). The control group contained 10 pups per litter until weaning (NL group). Peripheral autonomic nerve function was determined in vivo at 21 days old. Thereafter, pups were killed for further analysis. Differences were considered significant when P < 0.05. The SL pups presented with a higher visceral adipocyte area, higher content of lipogenic enzymes (ACC, FAS) and with a lower content of adipogenic factors (CEBP, PPARγ) in visceral adipose tissue (VAT). Although autonomic nerve activity and adrenal catecholamine production were not significantly altered, catecholamine receptor (β3ADR) content was lower in VAT. The SL pups also presented with higher triglyceride, PPARγ, PPARα and PGC1α contents in liver. In plasma and liver, the SL pups showed an oxidative imbalance, with higher lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation. The SL group presented with a higher serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT). The early increase in lipogenesis in adipose tissue and liver in weaned overfed rats suggests that the higher oxidative stress and lower catecholamine content in VAT are associated with the early development of liver dysfunction and adipocyte hypertrophy.
An Engineering Model of Human Balance Control—Part I: Biomechanical Model
Authors: Barton Joseph E. , Roy Anindo , Sorkin John D. , Rogers Mark W. , Macko Richard
Published: September 2015

We developed a balance measurement tool (the balanced reach test (BRT)) to assess standing balance while reaching and pointing to a target moving in three-dimensional space according to a sum-of-sines function. We also developed a three-dimensional, 13-segment biomechanical model to analyze performance in this task. Using kinematic and ground reaction force (GRF) data from the BRT, we performed an inverse dynamics analysis to compute the forces and torques applied at each of the joints during the course of a 90 s test. We also performed spectral analyses of each joint's force activations. We found that the joints act in a different but highly coordinated manner to accomplish the tracking task—with individual joints responding congruently to different portions of the target disk's frequency spectrum. The test and the model also identified clear differences between a young healthy subject (YHS), an older high fall risk (HFR) subject before participating in a balance training intervention; and in the older subject's performance after training (which improved to the point that his performance approached that of the young subject). This is the first phase of an effort to model the balance control system with sufficient physiological detail and complexity to accurately simulate the multisegmental control of balance during functional reach across the spectra of aging, medical, and neurological conditions that affect performance. Such a model would provide insight into the function and interaction of the biomechanical and neurophysiological elements making up this system; and system adaptations to changes in these elements' performance and capabilities.
Mathematical Approaching and Experimental Assembly to Evaluate the Risks of In-Service Welding in Hot Tapping
Authors: L Lima Ivo Andrei de O. , Bandeira Santos Alex Alisson
Published: September 2015

The welding onto in-service pipeline (operation condition) results in three possibilities of high risks: leaking and/or explosion by burn-through, chemical reactions to instability, or even explosion due to the heat on internal fluid and cracking in heat affected zone (HAZ). The numerical methods have a useful role in the assessment of welding conditions for the safe in-service welding of pipelines. Only limited published works have considered direct calculation of burn-through using a combination of thermal and stress analysis. The mathematical model of the heat source is the most important part of these numerical models, and actually the mathematical model which described better the heat distribution of the arc welding through gas-shielded tungsten arc welding (GTAW) process or shielded metal arc welding process is the double ellipsoidal heat source (DEHS) model of Goldak and Akhlaghi (2010, Computational Welding Mechanics, Springer Books, New York, pp. 32–35). However, that model has considered the heat source in rectilinear motion only, and it depends on three parameters (a, b, c) which are related with the weld bead size and shape to define the geometry and co-ordinates of heat source, and they are determined empirically or experimentally. Few researchers published works that could determine these parameters mathematically, from the welding data. The publication that best analytically addressed this issue was the work of Eagar and Tsai (1983, “Temperature Fields Produced by Traveling Distributed Heat Sources,” Weld. J., 62(12), pp. 346–355). First, this paper presents a new equation for heat source in double ellipsoid considering the circular motion, trying to develop a model closer to the physical situation of hot tapping onto pipeline. Second, a proposal for determination of the parameters a, b analytically from the Eagar model and Tsai (1983, “Temperature Fields Produced by Traveling Distributed Heat Sources,” Weld. J., 62(12), pp. 346–355), and third, an experimental facility to get the temperature field that was used to validate the numerical finite element models.
Analysis of generalized rosette trajectory for compressed sensing MRI
Authors: Li Ya , Yang Ran , Zhang Cishen , Zhang Jingxin , Jia Sen , Zhou Zhiyang
Published: August 2015

Purpose:

The application of compressed sensing (CS) technology in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is to accelerate the MRI scan speed by incoherent undersampling of k‐space data and nonlinear iterative reconstruction of MRI images. This paper generalizes the existing rosette trajectories to configure the sampling patterns for undersampled k‐space data acquisition in MRI scans. The arch and curvature characteristics of the generalized rosette trajectories are analyzed to explore their feasibility and advantages for CS reconstruction of MRI images.

Methods:

Two key properties crucial to the CS MRI application, the scan speed and sampling incoherence of the generalized rosette trajectories, are analyzed. The analysis on the scan speed of generalized rosette trajectories is based on the transversal time derived from the curvature of the trajectories, and the sampling incoherence is based on the evaluation of the point spread function for the measurement matrix. The results of analysis are supported by extensive simulations where the performances of rosette, spiral, and radial sampling patterns at different acceleration factors are compared.

Results:

It is shown that compared with spiral trajectories, the arch and curvature characteristics of the generalized rosette trajectories are more feasible to meet the physical requirements of undersampled k‐space data acquisition in terms of time shortness and scan area. It is further shown that the sampling pattern of the rosette trajectory has higher incoherence than that of the other trajectories and can thus achieve higher reconstruction performance. Reconstruction performances illustrate that the rosette trajectory can achieve about 10% higher peak signal‐to‐noise ratio than radial and spiral trajectories under the high acceleration factor R = 10.

Conclusions:

The generalized rosette trajectories can be a desirable candidate for CS reconstruction of MRI.
Environmentally adaptive processing for shallow ocean applications: A sequential Bayesian approach
Authors: Candy J. V.
Published: September 2015

The shallow ocean is a changing environment primarily due to temperature variations in its upper layers directly affecting sound propagation throughout. The need to develop processors capable of tracking these changes implies a stochastic as well as an environmentally adaptive design. Bayesian techniques have evolved to enable a class of processors capable of performing in such an uncertain, nonstationary (varying statistics), non-Gaussian, variable shallow ocean environment. A solution to this problem is addressed by developing a sequential Bayesian processor capable of providing a joint solution to the modal function tracking and environmental adaptivity problem. Here, the focus is on the development of both a particle filter and an unscented Kalman filter capable of providing reasonable performance for this problem. These processors are applied to hydrophone measurements obtained from a vertical array. The adaptivity problem is attacked by allowing the modal coefficients and/or wavenumbers to be jointly estimated from the noisy measurement data along with tracking of the modal functions while simultaneously enhancing the noisy pressure-field measurements.
Acquisition of speech rhythm in first language
Authors: Polyanskaya Leona , Ordin Mikhail
Published: September 2015

Analysis of English rhythm in speech produced by children and adults revealed that speech rhythm becomes increasingly more stress-timed as language acquisition progresses. Children reach the adult-like target by 11 to 12 years. The employed speech elicitation paradigm ensured that the sentences produced by adults and children at different ages were comparable in terms of lexical content, segmental composition, and phonotactic complexity. Detected differences between child and adult rhythm and between rhythm in child speech at various ages cannot be attributed to acquisition of phonotactic language features or vocabulary, and indicate the development of language-specific phonetic timing in the course of acquisition.
One health, one literature: Weaving together veterinary and medical research
Authors: Christopher Mary M.
Published: September 2015

Translating veterinary research to humans will require a “one literature” approach to break through species barriers in how we organize, retrieve, cite, and publish in biomedicine.
Souse the mouse
Authors: Ju Yo-El
Published: September 2015

Alcohol induces morphological and functional changes in the mouse dorsomedial striatum mediated by dopamine receptor type 1.
Early evidence of male sensitivity
Authors: Shaw Tanya J.
Published: September 2015

Male embryos are more vulnerable to maternal inflammation and associated miscarriage, but preconception low-dose aspirin helps rectify the sex difference in pregnancy loss.
Development of the CRISPR/Cas9 System for Targeted Gene Disruption in Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors: Fuller Kevin K. , Chen Shan , Loros Jennifer J. , Dunlap Jay C.
Published: August 2015

Low rates of homologous recombination have broadly encumbered genetic studies in the fungal pathogen
Aspergillus fumigatus
. The CRISPR/Cas9 system of bacteria has recently been developed for targeted mutagenesis of eukaryotic genomes with high efficiency and, importantly, through a mechanism independent of homologous repair machinery. As this new technology has not been developed for use in
A. fumigatus
, we sought to test its feasibility for targeted gene disruption in this organism. As a proof of principle, we first demonstrated that CRISPR/Cas9 can indeed be used for high-efficiency (25 to 53%) targeting of the
A. fumigatus
polyketide synthase gene (
pksP
), as evidenced by the generation of colorless (albino) mutants harboring the expected genomic alteration. We further demonstrated that the constitutive expression of the Cas9 nuclease by itself is not deleterious to
A. fumigatus
growth or virulence, thus making the CRISPR system compatible with studies involved in pathogenesis. Taken together, these data demonstrate that CRISPR can be utilized for loss-of-function studies in
A. fumigatus
and has the potential to bolster the genetic toolbox for this important pathogen.
Nocardia thailandica Pulmonary Nocardiosis in a Post-Solid Organ Transplant Patient
Authors: Canterino Joseph , Paniz-Mondolfi Alberto , Brown-Elliott Barbara A. , Vientos Wilson , Vasireddy Ravikiran , Wallace Richard J. , Campbell Sheldon
Published: September 2015

Nocardia thailandica
is a rare pathogen related to
Nocardia asteroides
,
Nocardia neocaledoniensis
, and
Nocardia caishijiensis
that, since its original description in 2004, has only been reported to cause wound and ocular infections in humans. We report a case of pulmonary nocardiosis caused by
Nocardia thailandica
in a 66-year-old solid organ transplant patient from Connecticut, which was identified at the molecular taxonomic level by
secA1
analysis, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of
N. thailandica
in the United States and the first report of pulmonary infection by this pathogen in the literature.
Molecular Assay for Detection of Ciprofloxacin Resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae Isolates from Cultures and Clinical Nucleic Acid Amplification Test Specimens
Authors: Peterson S. W. , Martin I. , Demczuk W. , Bharat A. , Hoang L. , Wylie J. , Allen V. , Lefebvre B. , Tyrrell G. , Horsman G. , Haldane D. , Garceau R. , Wong T. , Mulvey M. R.
Published: September 2015

We developed a real-time PCR assay to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with ciprofloxacin resistance in specimens submitted for nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT). All three single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) targets produced high sensitivity and specificity values. The presence of ≥2 SNPs was sufficient to predict ciprofloxacin resistance in an organism.
Evaluation of the BD Max StaphSR Assay for Rapid Identification of Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin-Resistant S. aureus in Positive Blood Culture Broths
Authors: Dalpke Alexander H. , Hofko Marjeta , Hamilton Fiona , Mackenzie Laura , Zimmermann Stefan , Templeton Kate
Published: September 2015

We evaluated the performance of the BD Max StaphSR assay for the direct detection of
Staphylococcus aureus
from blood culture medium. In a two-center trial, 155 blood cultures from the BD Bactec FX system and 212 from the bioMérieux BacT/Alert system were tested; 170 bottles yielded
S. aureus
, and all were identified correctly by the BD Max StaphSR assay. The assay required approximately 2.5 h, thus allowing rapid identification of blood cultures flagged positive.
Reversible weakness and encephalopathy while on long-term valproate treatment due to carnitine deficiency
Authors: Al-sharefi Ahmed , Bilous Rudy
Published: September 2015

We describe a case of a 35-year-old woman who presented with bilateral leg weakness and encephalopathy while on long-term valproate therapy. She was diagnosed with valproate-induced encephalopathy due to carnitine deficiency. Clinical improvement occurred with oral carnitine supplementation. Our case report highlights the importance of considering carnitine deficiency in patients presenting with unexplained neurological signs while on long-term valproate treatment.
Rapid and fatal acute heart failure induced by pazopanib
Authors: van Marcke Cédric , Ledoux Benjamin , Petit Bénédicte , Seront Emmanuel
Published: September 2015

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors, represented by sunitinib, sorafenib, axitinib and pazopanib, are emerging molecules harbouring antitumoural efficacy in multiple neoplasia. We report the case of a 51-year-old woman with right thoracic sarcoma who developed fatal heart failure on pazopanib. The patient had no cardiovascular risk factor, except previous exposure to anthracycline, and her cardiac function was normally controlled before initiating the pazopanib. Despite a rapid tumour response, fatigue rapidly appeared, requiring treatment interruption 2 weeks after pazopanib introduction. After clinical improvement, the pazopanib was reintroduced at reduced dose; however, a few days later, our patient was admitted for worsening dyspnoea and fatigue. Pulmonary embolism was excluded as was pleuropericardial effusion. Brain natriuretic peptide was the only laboratory abnormality, and echocardiography revealed acute and severe heart failure. The patient died despite pazopanib arrest and inotropic support.
Indocyanine green fluorescence-guided redo parathyroidectomy
Authors: Chakedis Jeffery M , Maser Christina , Brumund Kevin T , Bouvet Michael
Published: September 2015

Re-operative neck surgery for hyperparathyroidism is a technically difficult operation that requires adjunctive studies to assist with finding the parathyroid tissues. Intraoperative tests help minimise exploration of the neck and decrease injuries to the surrounding structures. Indocyanine green is a near-infrared fluorescent dye that in pre-clinical models was found to be useful in locating the parathyroid glands of dogs. No study has yet reported its use as a tool for parathyroid localisation in humans. We investigated the use of indocyanine green to assist with localisation of a recurrent parathyroid adenoma using a near-infrared imaging system. After exposure of the neck tissues, the parathyroid gland fluoresced brightly and directed our dissection. Exploration of the neck was minimal, and allowed for fast localisation and excision of the adenoma. Overall, use of indocyanine green is a simple and safe technique of intraoperative parathyroid localisation that warrants further investigation.
Transorbital impalement by a wooden stick in a 3-year-old child
Authors: Damm Anders , Lauritsen Anne Øberg , Klemp Kristian , Nielsen Rikke Vibeke
Published: September 2015

We present a case of a 3-year-old girl with a transorbital impalement injury due to a wooden stick penetrating the lower inferior palpebra and progressing through the orbita, after the child jumped from a table and hit a wooden basket containing pieces of exposed stick. CT revealed the stick progressing transorbitally through the medial wall and terminating just below the sella turcica. The stick was successfully removed by neurosurgical and ophthalmological specialists. The eye was subsequently inspected, and showed no pathological findings. The girl was treated with topical chloramphenicol and discharged 2 days later. Follow-up examination 2 months after the trauma demonstrated normal visual acuity and ocular motility, with no diplopia, tearing or pain.