bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maternal glycoregulation in pregnancies complicated by diabetes mellitus in the prediction of fetal echography findings and perinatal outcomes
Authors: Babović Ivana , Arandjelović Milica , Plešinac Snežana , Kontić‐Vučinić Olivera , Radunović Nebojša
Published: December 2017

Aim

We aimed to determine maternal hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels and pregestational body mass index (BMI) as the predictors of glycemic control and its importance for fetal echography findings and perinatal outcomes in pregnancies complicated by diabetes mellitus (DM).

Methods

Our intention was to evaluate how BMI and HbA1c levels might be used to predict fetal interventricular septum (IVS) thickness, atrioventricular inflow early diastole (E)/ atrial systole (A) velocity ratio, and perinatal outcomes. Patients in the 38th gestational week were divided into three groups according to their insulin therapy: (i) patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) treated only with dietary changes (GDM group, n = 32); (ii) patients with GDM treated with insulin therapy (DM2 group, n = 27); and (iii) patients with type 1 DM (DM1 group, n = 22).

Results

In the DM1 group, we found statistically significant correlations between BMI and IVS thickness (P = 0.036), HbA1c and IVS thickness, as well as the mitral E/A velocity ratio (P = 0.013 vs P = 0.007). In this group, HbA1c showed a statistically significant correlation to neonatal birth weight (P = 0.037) and BMI influenced on appearance respiratory distress syndrome in neonates in DM1 group (P = 0.027). The values of HbA1c predict neonatal respiratory distress syndrome in DM2 and GDM groups (P = 0.036).

Conclusion

As good predictors of maternal glycoregulation, BMI and HbA1c levels determine fetal echography findings as well as neonatal outcomes in pregnancies complicated by DM.
Adolescents Who Self‐Harm: The Patterns in Their Interpersonal and Psychosocial Difficulties
Authors: Latina Delia , Stattin Håkan
Published: December 2017

We proposed that having mutually hostile interactions with others is a strong environmental stress factor that, together with diverse psychosocial problems, characterizes adolescents who self‐harm. Using cluster analysis, this study examined the naturally occurring patterns of hostility conditions and psychosocial difficulties in a normative sample of 2,029 adolescents (50% boys;Mage = 13.89). Results showed that self‐harming behavior was significantly higher among the subgroup of adolescents with mutually hostile interactions who exhibited both internalizing and externalizing problems than among adolescents with other interpersonal–psychosocial configurations. Also, this subgroup of adolescents reported high impulsivity, anger dysregulation, and low self‐esteem. These findings support recent research that indicates that adolescents who self‐harm also tend to expose others to hostility and display externalizing symptoms.
Extending the Range of Validity of the Autoregressive (Sieve) Bootstrap
Authors: Fragkeskou Maria , Paparoditis Efstathios
Published: December 2017

Two modifications of the autoregressive‐sieve and of the autoregressive bootstrap are proposed. The first modification replaces the classical i.i.d. resampling scheme applied to the residuals of the autoregressive fit by the generation of i.i.d. wild pseudo‐innovations that appropriately mimic to the appropriate extent, also the fourth‐order moment structure of the true innovations driving the underlying linear process. This modification extends the validity of the autoregressive‐sieve bootstrap to classes of statistics for which the classical residual‐based autoregressive‐sieve bootstrap fails. In the second modification, an autoregressive bootstrap applied to an appropriately transformed time series is proposed, which, together with a dependent wild‐type generation of pseudo‐innovations, delivers a bootstrap procedure that is valid for large classes of statistics and for stochastic processes satisfying quite general, weak, dependent conditions. A fully data‐driven selection of the bootstrap parameters involved in both modifications is proposed, and extensive simulations, including comparisons with alternative bootstrap methods, show a good finite sample performance of the proposed bootstrap procedures.
Impact of resection and ablation for single hypovascular hepatocellular carcinoma ≤2 cm analysed with propensity score weighting
Authors: Takayasu Kenichi , Arii Shigeki , Sakamoto Michiie , Matsuyama Yutaka , Kudo Masatoshi , Kaneko Shuichi , Nakashima Osamu , Kadoya Masumi , Izumi Namiki , Takayama Tadatoshi , Ku Yonson , Kumada Takashi , Kubo Shoji , Kokudo Takashi , Hagiwara Yasuhiro , Kokudo Norihiro ,   the Liver Cancer Study Group of Japan
Published: December 2017

Background and Aims

Small hypovascular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ≤2 cm is biologically less aggressive than hypervascular one, however, the optimal treatment is still undetermined. The efficacy of surgical resection (SR), radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) was evaluated.

Methods

The 853 (SR, 176; RFA, 491; PEI, 186) patients were enrolled who met Child‐Pugh A/B, single hypovascular HCC ≤2 cm pathologically proven, available tumour differentiation and absence of macrovascular invasion and extrahepatic metastasis. Overall and recurrence‐free survivals were compared in original and a propensity score weighted pseudo‐population with 732 patients.

Results

The median follow‐up time and tumour size were 2.8 years and 1.47 cm respectively. In original population, multivariate Cox regression showed no significant difference for overall survival among three groups. In pseudo‐population, Cox regression also revealed no significant difference for overall survival among them, although SR (HR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.36‐0.86) and RFA (HR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.57‐1.00) groups had significantly lower recurrence than PEI group. The overall survival rates at 3 and 5 years for the SR, RFA and PEI groups were 94%/70%, 90%/75% and 94%/73% respectively. Corresponding recurrence‐free survival rates were 64%/54%, 59%/41% 48%/33% respectively. Subgroup analysis revealed no significant survival benefit of SR compared with non‐SR. No treatment‐related death occurred.

Conclusions

For patients with single hypovascular HCC ≤2 cm, no significant difference for overall survival was first identified among 3 treatment groups. The SR or RFA could be recommended, and PEI would be alternative to RFA.
An atypical R2R3 MYB transcription factor increases cold hardiness by CBF‐dependent and CBF‐independent pathways in apple
Authors: Xie Yinpeng , Chen Pengxiang , Yan Yan , Bao Chana , Li Xuewei , Wang Liping , Shen Xiaoxia , Li Haiyan , Liu Xiaofang , Niu Chundong , Zhu Chen , Fang Nan , Shao Yun , Zhao Tao , Yu Jiantao , Zhu Jianhua , Xu Lingfei , van Nocker Steven , Ma Fengwang , Guan Qingmei
Published: December 2017

Apple (Malus × domestica) trees are vulnerable to freezing temperatures. However, there has been only limited success in developing cold‐hardy cultivars. This lack of progress is due at least partly to lack of understanding of the molecular mechanisms of freezing tolerance in apple.

In this study, we evaluated the potential roles for two R2R3 MYB transcription factors (TFs), MYB88 and the paralogous FLP (MYB124), in cold stress in apple and Arabidopsis. We found that MYB88 and MYB124 positively regulate freezing tolerance and cold‐responsive gene expression in both apple and Arabidopsis.

Chromatin‐Immunoprecipitation‐qPCR and electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that MdMYB88/MdMYB124 act as direct regulators of the COLD SHOCK DOMAIN PROTEIN 3 (MdCSP3) and CIRCADIAN CLOCK ASSOCIATED 1 (MdCCA1) genes. Dual luciferase reporter assay indicated that MdCCA1 but not MdCSP3 activated the expression of MdCBF3 under cold stress. Moreover, MdMYB88 and MdMYB124 promoted anthocyanin accumulation and H2O2 detoxification in response to cold.

Taken together, our results suggest that MdMYB88 and MdMYB124 positively regulate cold hardiness and cold‐responsive gene expression under cold stress by C‐REPEAT BINDING FACTOR (CBF)‐dependent and CBF‐independent pathways.
Myasthenia gravis with antibodies to MuSK: an update
Authors: Evoli Amelia , Alboini Paolo E. , Damato Valentina , Iorio Raffaele , Provenzano Carlo , Bartoccioni Emanuela , Marino Mariapaola
Published: December 2017

Myasthenia gravis with antibodies to the muscle‐specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK+ MG) is a rare disease with distinctive pathogenic mechanisms and clinical features. An acute onset and predominant bulbar muscle weakness are very common and highly suggestive of the disease. On the other hand, a more indolent course, atypical ocular presentation, and signs of cholinergic hyperactivity may complicate the diagnosis. Though MuSK+ MG is still a severe disease, over the years we have observed a steady reduction in the rate of respiratory crisis and a significant improvement in the clinical outcome, both likely related to earlier diagnosis and timely treatment. Despite the improved management, MuSK+ MG patients tend to remain dependent on long‐term immunosuppressive treatment and may develop permanent disabling weakness. In uncontrolled studies, B cell depletion with rituximab proved effective in most patients with refractory disease, inducing prolonged clinical responses associated with a sustained reduction of serum antibody levels. Promising results from experimental studies and case reports suggest that both 3,4‐diaminopyridine and albuterol may be effective as symptomatic agents.
CYP21A2 genetic profile in 14 Egyptian children with suspected congenital adrenal hyperplasia: a diagnostic challenge
Authors: Elmougy Fatma , Sharaf Sahar , Hafez Mona , Khattab Ahmed , Abou‐Yousef Hazem , Elsharkawy Marwa , Baz Heba , Ekladious Sherif , Sherif Balsam , Musa Noha , Elshiwy Yasmin , Afif Alaa , Abdullatif Mona , Thabet Ghada , Rady Normeen , Ibrahim Amany , Soliman Hend
Published: December 2017

CYP21A2 genotyping remains an important element in the diagnosis and management of congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and establishing accurate genotype–phenotype correlations has facillitated adequate genetic counseling and prenatal management for at‐risk families. Despite extensive efforts to establish a clear genotype–phenotype correlation, some discordance remains. Establishing a diagnosis of congenital adrenal hyperplasia on the basis of biochemical and clinical data is occasionally challenging, and the identification of CYP21A2 mutations may help confirm the diagnosis. We review the diagnostic challenges despite an extensive genetic evaluation for 14 patients with a suspected clinical and biochemical diagnosis of congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Other diagnostic entities should be considered in the absence of convincing genetic data.
Evaluation of the advantages of platelet concentrates stored at 4°C versus 22°C
Authors: Yang Jiangcun , Yin Wen , Zhang Yali , Sun Yang , Ma Ting , Gu Shunli , Gao Ying , Zhang Xiaole , Yuan Jun , Wang Wenhua
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND

Platelet (PLT) storage at cold temperatures (4°C) can reduce bacterial contamination and lower the risk of transfusion‐related complications. We compared the effects of 22 and 4°C storage conditions for PLTs to further explore the efficiency of hemostasis in acute bleeding and extended PLT shelf life.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Manually prepared PLTs (PLT concentrates in plasma, not PLT additive solution) were stored at 4 and 22°C. The PLT counts, scanning electronic microscope observations, blood gas indices, biochemical indices, PLT aggregative function, and surface CD62P expression were monitored and compared between the groups.

RESULTS

There was no obvious change in PLT counts between Day 21 at 4°C and Day 5 at 22°C. PLTs stored at 4°C for 10 to 14 days were dramatically activated, had rough surfaces, and showed a significant degree of long pseudopodia formation. The pH of the PLTs on Day 5 was lower at 22°C than at 4°C, while the lactate dehydrogenase and lactic acid levels in the former group were significantly higher (p < 0.005). The maximum aggregation rates induced by collagen and arachidonic acid in the PLTs stored at 4°C for 5 days remained higher than 80%, while the rates induced by four inducers in the PLTs stored at 22°C were less than 5%. PLTs stored at 4°C for 10 to 14 days showed higher surface expression of PAC‐1 and CD62P.

CONCLUSION

PLT counts, cellular morphologies, PLT membranes, cytoplasmic structures, aggregation rates, and hemostatic PLT function stored at 4°C for 10 to 14 days were better than those stored at 22°C for 5 days.
Eligibility and willingness to donate blood in men who have (had) sex with men
Authors: Romeijn Bas , Merz Eva‐Maria , Kok Gerjo , de Kort Wim , van Dongen Anne
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND

Several countries have changed, or are reevaluating, their blood donor policies for men who have had sex with men (MSM). Changing policies has consequences for donor recruitment and the donor pool. In this study, we investigated whether MSM are eligible and willing to donate blood.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Members of a research panel (n = 4422) in the Netherlands were invited to participate in an online survey. We asked questions about male‐to‐male sex and risk behavior that are also asked during the predonation screening of a blood donor. Furthermore, we asked questions about willingness to donate.

RESULTS

The total response rate was 60% (n = 2654). Of MSM nondonors (n = 230), 32.2% would be eligible to donate under a 12‐month deferral policy, according to their reported risk history and last male‐to‐male sex. In other scenarios, 42.6% (4‐month deferral), 38.7% (6‐month deferral), and 18.7% (5‐year deferral) would be eligible to donate. When not taking their last male‐to‐male sex into account (n = 203), 47.8% of MSM reported a moderate or high willingness to donate.

CONCLUSION

A 12‐month deferral after last male‐to‐male sex is a commonly used criterion by blood services. Approximately one‐third of the MSM in our study would be eligible to donate under this deferral policy. Higher proportions of MSM would be eligible to donate in shorter deferral scenarios. Almost half of MSM are willing to donate blood. Targeting MSM by donor recruitment campaigns could therefore prove fruitful.
Investigation of Cellular Confinement in Three-Dimensional Microscale Fibrous Substrates: Fabrication and Metrology
Authors: Tourlomousis Filippos , Boettcher William , Ding Houzhu , Chang Robert C.
Published: December 2017

Engineered microenvironments along with robust quantitative models of cell shape metrology that can decouple the effect of various well-defined cues on a stem cell's phenotypic response would serve as an illuminating tool for testing mechanistic hypotheses on how stem cell fate is fundamentally regulated. As an experimental testbed to probe the effect of geometrical confinement on cell morphology, three-dimensional (3D) poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) layered fibrous meshes are fabricated with an in-house melt electrospinning writing system (MEW). Gradual confinement states of fibroblasts are demonstrated by seeding primary fibroblasts on defined substrates, including a classical two-dimensional (2D) petri dish and porous 3D fibrous substrates with microarchitectures tunable within a tight cellular dimensional scale window (1–50 μm). To characterize fibroblast confinement, a quantitative 3D confocal fluorescence imaging workflow for 3D cell shape representation is presented. The methodology advanced allows the extraction of cellular and subcellular morphometric features including the number, location, and 3D distance distribution metrics of the shape-bearing focal adhesion (FA) proteins.
The Influence of the Ship's Speed and Distance to an Arbitrarily Shaped Bank on Bank Effects
Authors: Lataire Evert , Vantorre Marc , Delefortrie Guillaume
Published: December 2017

In shallow and restricted waterways, the water displaced by a sailing ship is squeezed under and along its hull. These confinements result in increased velocities of the return flow along the hull and the induced pressure distribution on the hull causes a combination of forces and moments on the vessel. If generated because of asymmetric flow due to the presence of a bank, this combination of forces and moment is known as bank effects. A comprehensive experimental research program on bank effects has been carried out in the towing tank for maneuvers in shallow water (cooperation Flanders Hydraulics Research—Ghent University) at Flanders Hydraulics Research (FHR) in Antwerp, Belgium. The obtained data consist of more than 14,000 unique model test conditions. The relative position and distance between a ship and an arbitrarily shaped bank is ambiguous. Therefore, a definition for a dimensionless distance to the bank is introduced. In this way, the properties of a random cross section are taken into account without exaggerating the bathymetry at a distance far away from the ship or without underestimating the bank shape at close proximity to the ship. Also, a dimensionless velocity is introduced to take the influence of the water depth, forward speed, and blockage into account. The proposed mathematical model for bank effects, often described as a sway force and yaw moment, is instead decomposed in two sway forces at each perpendicular.
Sense of movement: Simplifying principles for humanoid robots
Authors: Falotico Egidio , Berthoz Alain , Dario Paolo , Laschi Cecilia
Published: December 2017

Brain simplifying principles can improve robot capabilities, but currently robot control takes different paths.
Efficient Translation of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) DNA Polymerase Contributes to the Enhanced Lytic Replication Phenotype of M81 EBV
Authors: Church Trenton Mel , Verma Dinesh , Thompson Jacob , Swaminathan Sankar
Published: December 2017

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is linked to the development of both lymphoid and epithelial malignancies worldwide. The M81 strain of EBV, isolated from a Chinese patient with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), demonstrates spontaneous lytic replication and high-titer virus production in comparison to the prototype B95-8 EBV strain. Genetic comparisons of M81 and B95-8 EBVs were previously been performed in order to determine if the hyperlytic property of M81 is associated with sequence differences in essential lytic genes. EBV SM is an RNA-binding protein expressed during early lytic replication that is essential for virus production. We compared the functions of M81 SM and B95-8 SM and demonstrate that polymorphisms in SM do not contribute to the lytic phenotype of M81 EBV. However, the expression level of the EBV DNA polymerase protein was much higher in M81- than in B95-8-infected cells. The relative deficiency in the expression of B95-8 DNA polymerase was related to the B95-8 genome deletion, which truncates the BALF5 3′ untranslated region (UTR). Similarly, the insertion of bacmid DNA into the widely used recombinant B95-8 bacmid creates an inefficient BALF5 3′ UTR. We further showed that the while SM is required for and facilitates the efficient expression of both M81 and B95-8 mRNAs regardless of the 3′ UTR, the BALF5 3′ UTR sequence is important for BALF5 protein translation. These data indicate that the enhanced lytic replication and virus production of M81 compared to those of B95-8 are partly due to the robust translation of EBV DNA polymerase required for viral DNA replication due to a more efficient BALF5 3′ UTR in M81.

IMPORTANCE
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infects more than 90% of the human population, but the incidence of EBV-associated tumors varies greatly in different parts of the world. Thus, understanding the connection between genetic polymorphisms from patient isolates of EBV, gene expression phenotypes, and disease is important and may help in developing antiviral therapy. This study examines potential causes of the enhanced lytic replicative properties of M81 EBV isolated from a nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patient and provides new evidence for the role of the BALF5 gene 3′ UTR sequence in DNA polymerase protein expression during lytic replication. Variation in the gene structure of the DNA polymerase gene may therefore contribute to lytic virus reactivation and pathogenesis.
Akkermansia muciniphila induces gut microbiota remodelling and controls islet autoimmunity in NOD mice
Authors: Hänninen Arno , Toivonen Raine , Pöysti Sakari , Belzer Clara , Plovier Hubert , Ouwerkerk Janneke P , Emani Rohini , Cani Patrice D , De Vos Willem M
Published: December 2017

Objective

Intestinal microbiota is implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune type 1 diabetes in humans and in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice, but evidence on its causality and on the role of individual microbiota members is limited. We investigated if different diabetes incidence in two NOD colonies was due to microbiota differences and aimed to identify individual microbiota members with potential significance.

Design

We profiled intestinal microbiota between two NOD mouse colonies showing high or low diabetes incidence by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing and colonised the high-incidence colony with the microbiota of the low-incidence colony. Based on unaltered incidence, we identified a few taxa which were not effectively transferred and thereafter, transferred experimentally one of these to test its potential significance.

Results

Although the high-incidence colony adopted most microbial taxa present in the low-incidence colony, diabetes incidence remained unaltered. Among the few taxa which were not transferred, Akkermansia muciniphila was identified. As A. muciniphila abundancy is inversely correlated to the risk of developing type 1 diabetes-related autoantibodies, we transferred A. muciniphila experimentally to the high-incidence colony. A. muciniphila transfer promoted mucus production and increased expression of antimicrobial peptide Reg3γ, outcompeted Ruminococcus torques from the microbiota, lowered serum endotoxin levels and islet toll-like receptor expression, promoted regulatory immunity and delayed diabetes development.

Conclusion

Transfer of the whole microbiota may not reduce diabetes incidence despite a major change in gut microbiota, but single symbionts such as A. muciniphila with beneficial metabolic and immune signalling effects may reduce diabetes incidence when administered as a probiotic.
Occupational exposures to leaded and unleaded gasoline engine emissions and lung cancer risk
Authors: Xu Mengting , Siemiatycki Jack , Lavoué Jérôme , Pasquet Romain , Pintos Javier , Rousseau Marie-Claude , Richardson Lesley , Ho Vikki
Published: December 2017

Objectives

To determine whether occupational exposure to gasoline engine emissions (GEE) increased the risk of lung cancer and more specifically whether leaded or unleaded GEE increased the risk.

Methods

Two population-based case–control studies were conducted in Montreal, Canada. The first was conducted in the early 1980s and included many types of cancer including lung cancer. The second was conducted in the late 1990s and focused on lung cancer. Population controls were used in both studies. Altogether, there were 1595 cases and 1432 population controls. A comprehensive expert-based exposure assessment procedure was implemented and exposure was assessed for 294 agents, including unleaded GEE, leaded GEE and diesel engine emissions (DEE). Logistic regression analyses were conducted to estimate ORs between various metrics of GEE exposure and lung cancer, adjusting for smoking, DEE and other potential confounders.

Results

About half of all controls were occupationally exposed to GEE. Irrespective of the metrics of exposure (any exposure, duration of exposure and cumulative exposure) and the type of lung cancer, and the covariates included in models, none of the point estimates of the ORs between occupational exposure to leaded or unleaded GEE and lung cancer were above 1.0. Pooling two studies, the OR for any exposure to leaded GEE was 0.82 (0.68–1.00).

Conclusions

Our results do not support the hypothesis that occupational exposure to GEE increases the risk of lung cancer.
Quantitative analysis of antimicrobial use on British dairy farms
Authors: Hyde Robert M , Remnant John G , Bradley Andrew J , Breen James E , Hudson Christopher D , Davies Peers L , Clarke Tom , Critchell Yvonne , Hylands Matthew , Linton Emily , Wood Erika , Green Martin J
Published: December 2017

Antimicrobial resistance has been reported to represent a growing threat to both human and animal health, and concerns have been raised around levels of antimicrobial usage (AMU) within the livestock industry. To provide a benchmark for dairy cattle AMU and identify factors associated with high AMU, data from a convenience sample of 358 dairy farms were analysed using both mass‐based and dose‐based metrics following standard methodologies proposed by the European Surveillance of Veterinary Antimicrobial Consumption project. Metrics calculated were mass (mg) of antimicrobial active ingredient per population correction unit (mg/PCU), defined daily doses (DDDvet) and defined course doses (DCDvet). AMU on dairy farms ranged from 0.36 to 97.79 mg/PCU, with a median and mean of 15.97 and 20.62 mg/PCU, respectively. Dose‐based analysis ranged from 0.05 to 20.29 DDDvet, with a median and mean of 4.03 and 4.60 DDDvet, respectively. Multivariable analysis highlighted that usage of antibiotics via oral and footbath routes increased the odds of a farm being in the top quartile (>27.9 mg/PCU) of antimicrobial users. While dairy cattle farm AMU appeared to be lower than UK livestock average, there were a selection of outlying farms with extremely high AMU, with the top 25 per cent of farms contributing greater than 50 per cent of AMU by mass. Identification of these high use farms may enable targeted AMU reduction strategies and facilitate a significant reduction in overall dairy cattle AMU.
Analysis of measured pore pressure response to atmospheric pressure changes to evaluate small-strain moduli: methodology and case studies
Authors: Hendry Michael T. , Smith Laura A. , Hendry M. Jim
Published: December 2017

The use of pore pressure responses to fluctuations in total stress (resulting from barometric pressure changes) to calculate moduli and other material properties is a recently developed technique being applied to deep aquitard formations. Initially, the method has relied on visual interpretation of the data from grouted-in piezometers, resulting in a qualitative result with little opportunity to define the quality of measured data; more recently, linear and multiple regression analyses were used to assess the same properties with limited success. Here, a methodology is developed to determine loading efficiency from pore pressure measurements using filtering and numerical regression. The results indicate a near linear relationship between the change in pore pressure and change in stress (barometric pressure), resulting in an estimation of loading efficiency and quantification of the quality of fit. Four to 6 days of data appear to best isolate the barometric fluctuation with the developed filters. The technique is successfully applied to a “simple” site, where groundwater conditions are relatively stable, as well as a complex site, where groundwater conditions are changing due to fluctuating river levels. The successful application to the latter site shows that robust analysis is possible, even for dynamic and complex environments, and that the method represents a viable alternative for estimating material parameters of formations that are historically difficult to characterize.
Photodetachment microscopy of H– ion in time-dependent electric and magnetic fields
Authors: Wang De-hua
Published: December 2017

We examine the dynamics of electrons photodetached from the H– ion in time-dependent electric and magnetic fields for the first time. The photodetachment microscopy patterns caused by a time-dependent gradient electric field and magnetic field have been analyzed in great detail based on the semiclassical theory. The interplay of the gradient electric field and magnetic field forces causes an intricate shape of the electron wave and multiple electron trajectories generated by a fixed energy point source can arrive at a given point on the microchannel-plate detector. The interference effects between these electron trajectories cause the oscillatory structures of the electron probability density and electron current distribution, and a set of concentric interference fringes are found at the detector. Our calculation results suggest that the photodetachment microscopy interference pattern on the detector can be adjusted by the electron energy, magnetic field strength, and position of the detector plane. Under certain conditions, the interference pattern in the electron current distribution might be seen on the detector plane localized at a macroscopic distance from the photodetachment source, which can be observed in an actual photodetachment microscopy experiment. Therefore, we make predictions that our work should serve as a guide for future photodetachment microscopy experiments in time-dependent electric and magnetic fields.
Evaluation of different salts for the control of lettuce varnish spot: when phytotoxicity rules
Authors: Delisle-Houde Maxime , Toussaint Vicky , Affia Hicham , Tweddell Russell J.
Published: December 2017

Five generally recognised as safe (GRAS) salts with antimicrobial activity were investigated for their potential use as bactericides for the control of lettuce varnish spot [Pseudomonas cichorii (Swingle) Stapp]. The phytotoxicity of salts was first assessed using greenhouse and in vitro assays. Greenhouse assays revealed that salts showed different levels of phytotoxicity. Potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, and sodium carbonate at higher concentrations caused a noticeable decrease of growth along with foliar phytotoxicity symptoms while sodium metabisulfite and sodium bicarbonate caused exclusively foliar symptoms. Based on the phytotoxic doses 5% determined in vitro, salts can be ranked in ascending order of phytotoxicity as follows: sodium bicarbonate, potassium sorbate, sodium carbonate, sodium benzoate, and sodium metabisulfite. When applied at concentrations causing mild to moderate foliar symptoms of phytotoxicity and no noticeable effect on growth, salts did not significantly affect (p ≤ 0.01) survival of P. cichorii on lettuce leaf tissue and did not significantly reduce (p ≤ 0.01) varnish spot severity. Although sodium metabisulfite was applied at concentrations higher than the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration, it did not affect P. cichorii survival on leaf tissue.
Chameleon field dynamics during inflation
Authors: Saba Nasim , Farhoudi Mehrdad
Published: December 2017

By studying the chameleon model during inflation, we investigate whether it can be a successful inflationary model, wherein we employ the common typical potential usually used in the literature. Thus, in the context of the slow-roll approximations, we obtain the e-folding number for the model to verify the ability of resolving the problems of standard big bang cosmology. Meanwhile, we apply the constraints on the form of the chosen potential and also on the equation of state parameter coupled to the scalar field. However, the results of the present analysis show that there is not much chance of having the chameleonic inflation. Hence, we suggest that if through some mechanism the chameleon model can be reduced to the standard inflationary model, then it may cover the whole era of the universe from the inflation up to the late time.
Distributed Private Data Analysis
Authors: Shi Elaine , Chan T.-H. Hubert , Rieffel Eleanor , Song Dawn
Published: December 2017

We consider a distributed private data analysis setting, where multiple parties each hold some sensitive data and they wish to run a protocol to learn some aggregate statistics over the distributed dataset, while protecting each user’s privacy. As an initial effort, we consider a distributed summation problem. We first show a lower bound, that is, under information-theoretic differential privacy, any multi-party protocol with a small number of messages must have large additive error. We then show that by adopting a computational differential privacy notion, one can circumvent this lower bound and design practical protocols for the periodic distributed summation problem. Our construction has several desirable features. First, it works in the client-server model and requires no peer-to-peer communication among the clients. Second, our protocol is fault tolerant and can output meaningful statistics even when a subset of the participants fail to respond. Our constructions guarantee the privacy of honest parties even when a fraction of the participants may be compromised and colluding. In addition, we propose a new distributed noise addition mechanism that guarantees small total error.
Effect of dopamine on esophageal motor function.
Authors: Mukhopadhyay A K , Weisbrodt N
Published: December 2017

Intravenous administration of dopamine produced a dose-dependent decrease in lower esophageal sphincter pressure and a dose dependent increase in contractile activity of the body of the esophagus. The threshold dose of dopamine was 0.25 mug/kg, and the effect reached a plateau at about 6 mug/kg. A dose of 6 mug/kg of dopamine produced 83%+/-3 (SE) reduction in the lower esophageal sphincter pressure and 12+/-1 (SE) contractions in the body of the esophagus within 5 min of the bolus injection. Atropine, phentolamine, propranolol, and bilateral cervical vagotomy did not modify the effect of dopamine. Both haloperidol and bulbocapnine potently antagonized the effect of dopamine. The amplitude of esophageal contraction in the lower esophagus in response to pharyngeal stimulation and esiogageal distention was significantly increased after administration of haloperidol. It is concluded that intravenous administration of dopamine has potent effects on the motor function of the lower esophageal sphincter and the body of the esophagus. The effect of dopamine is not mediated via the vagal centers in the brain or cholinergic muscarinic and adrenergic receptors. The response of the smooth muscle segment of opossum esophagus to intravenous dopamine is mediated via specific dopamine receptors. The inhibitory dopamine receptors may play a physiological role in controlling the amplitude of esophageal contractions.
Effect of long-term parenteral feeding on gastric secretion in dogs.
Authors: Thor P J , Copeland E M , Dudrick S J , Johnson L R
Published: December 2017

Three dogs were surgically prepared with gastric fistulas and Heidenhain (vagally denervated) pouches. Acid and pepsin responses to pentagastrin and food were determined before, at the end of a 1-mo period of total parenteral feeding, and 1 mo after the resumption of a normal oral diet. Acid and pepsin output from the denervated pouch in response to pentagastrin and food decreased significantly (P less than 0.001) after parenteral feeding and returned to control levels after the dogs resumed a normal diet. Secretory outputs from the gastric fistula in response to pentagastrin remained unchanged throughout the experiment. Basal serum gastrin levels decreased 50% during the period of intravenous feeding and returned to levels approximately twice the control levels following resumption of normal oral food intake. Serum gastrin responses to a meal also decreased during intravenous alimentation and returned to higher than normal levels following a 1-mo period of oral intake. These studies indicate that the absence of oral food intake in the dog does not result in decreased acid secretion from the innervated stomach. Vagal innervation in some way is responsible for the preservation of normal secretion during the absence of food from the gastrointestinal tract of the dog.
Hepatic-portal nutrient infustion: effect on feeding in intact and vagotomized rabbits.
Authors: Rezek M , Novin D
Published: December 2017

Hepatic-portal infusions of isotonic glucose did not influence food intake in free-feeding rabbits. In contrast, several other macronutrients and some of their metabolites, infused via the same route, cause anorexia followed by prolonged hypophagia. Its duration was generally decreased when the same infusions were performed during the nocturnal period. Vagotomy did not significantly alter the food intake responses to hepatic-portal infusions of either glucose or the other experimental substances. The results of related experiments have demonstrated that prolonged anorexia was not a consequence of the fast infusion rate or the generalized behavioral mallaise. However, when the infusions of most anorexigenic substances were followed by intraperitoneal administration of insulin, the duration of anorexia was shortened and food consumption was elevated. The results provided indirect evidence for the vagally mediated regulatory contribution of the previously studied neural and humoral intestinal mechanisms which are bypassed by infusing nutrient loads directly into the hepatic-portal circulation.
Blood-brain amino acid transport and content during anoxia and reoxygenation.
Authors: Drewes L R , Conway W P , Gilboe D D
Published: December 2017

The isolated dog brain preparation was used to investigate the dynamics of cerebral amino acid metabolism during perfusion with anoxic blood (PO2 less than 10 mmHg). Significant uptake of histidine and lysine, as determined by arteriovenous (A-V) differences in whole blood samples, was observed during 30 min of cerebral anoxia. The A-V differences determined from plasma samples indicated that uptake of histidine and efflux of glutamic acid and proline had occurred. Nitrogen balance in the preparation appeared to be maintained. Thirty minutes of anoxic perfusion resulted in increased tissue concentrations of five essential amino acids (methionine, histidine, leucine, lysine, and valine) and a decreased tissue level of the essential amino acids threonine and phenylalanine. Taurine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, alanine, glycerophosphoethanolamine and phosphoethanolamine also increased, whereas the aspartic acid concentration declined. When aerobic perfusion was resumed, the total pool of essential amino acids continued to increase and was nearly twice normal after 120 min of reperfusion. The combined concentration of asparagine and glutamine, serine, alpha-aminobutyric acid, and cystathionine also increased during postanoxic perfusion. Only taurine and phenylalanine concentrations returned toward normal.
Acetylsalicylic acid hydrolase of gastric mucosa.
Authors: Spenney J G
Published: December 2017

Acetylsalicylic acid hydrolase activity of rabbit fundic gastric mucosa has been isolated from the soluble 100,000 X g supernate. The enzymatic activity was partially purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation. The Km for acetylsalicylate was 2 mM and pH optimum was 8.6. The activity was insensitive to ionic strength, slightly inhibited by inclusion of 100 mM Cl-, and demonstrated no requirement for Ca2+ or Mg2+. Acetylsalicylic acid esterase was markedly inhibited by sodium cholate and sodium dodecyl sulfate. The enzyme was insensitive to sulfhydryl reagents with the exception of p-chloromercuribenzenesulfonic acid, which markedly inhibited the enzyme. Diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP) inhibited enzymatic activity with a Ki of 9 X 10(-9)M. Eserine was also inhibitory with a Ki of 0.25 mM. Inhibition by DFP at low concentration and by eserine at millimolar concentrations suggests that this enzyme is related to the group of aliphatic esterases. Identification of potent inhibitors will enable studies to define the role of this enzyme with the use of experimental preparations in which systemic toxicity can be avoided.
Increased serum growth hormone and somatic growth in exercising adult hamsters.
Authors: Borer K T , Kelch R P
Published: December 2017

In freely feeding adult hamsters, voluntary exercise induces accelerated somatic growth and increased food consumption that last through several days of retirement. We examined the effects of exercise on serum concentrations of growth hormone (GH) and insulin during ad libitum or restricted intake of food. Serum insulin and GH concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassays in exercising, retired, or sedentary hamsters during ad libitum or restricted intake of food. Linear growth was delayed in food-restricted, exercising hamsters until they were retired and unlimited food consumption was allowed. Serum GH concentrations were increased during exercise and after retirement; serum insulin concentrations were increased only after retirement during both dietary regimes. In food-restricted hamsters, endocrine changes were noted after 4 h of feeding but not after a 14-h fast. We conclude that 1) in adult hamsters voluntary exercise leads to increased secretion of GH even when ingested nutrients are insufficient to support increased growth, and 2) increased secretion of insulin is not related directly to exercise.
Subcellular distribution of nucleotide cyclases in rat intestinal epithelium.
Authors: Walling M W , Mircheff A K , Van Os C H , Wright E M
Published: December 2017

The subcellular distributions of adenylate cyclase and guanylate cyclase were determined for the mature enterocyte from the rat duodenum. Brush-border and basolateral membranes were prepared from isolated cells by an analytical isolation procedure, and multiple linear regression analysis was used to obtain a quantitative estimate of the distribution of recovered cyclase activities between the brush borders and basolateral membranes. Adenylate cyclase was largely confined to the basolateral surface of the epithelium, whereas guanylate cyclase was found on the brush-border and basolateral membrane fractions in the ratio 2.4:1. There was no evidence for the presence of nucleotide cyclases in the cytosol. Guanylate cyclase in both the brush-border and basolateral membranes was stimulated by epinephrine, insulin, and Triton X-100, but not by carbachol. Adenylate cyclase was not influenced by epinephrine, but was markedly stimulated by NaF and vasoactive intestinal peptide. These results are discussed in relation to the effects of hormones on transport across the small intestine.
Receptor affinity and biological potency of thyroid hormones in thyrotropic cells.
Authors: Gershengorn M C , Geras E , Marcus-Samuels B E , Rebecchi M J
Published: December 2017

The nuclear receptor affinity for L-triiodothyronine (L-T3), L-thyroxine (L-T4), L-triiodothyroacetic acid (triac), and D-triiodothyronine (D-T3) was compared to the potency of these thyroid hormone analogues in regulating thyrotropin (TSH) production and the number of membrane receptors for thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) in mouse thyrotropic tumor cells in culture. L-T3 and triac were equally potent and D-T3 was one-sixth to one-fifth as potent in binding to the receptor and in regulating TSH production and TRH receptor number. L-T4 was the least potent analogue in each instance, but its relative receptor-binding affinity, measured after 3 h, was significantly less than its somewhat variable relative biological potency, measured after 48 h. The cells were shown to monodeiodinate L-[125I]T4 to L-[125I]T3 in a time-dependent manner, and the enhanced biological potency of L-T4 was ascribed to its conversion to L-T3. Thyroid hormones appear to regulate TSH production and the number of receptors for TRH in thyrotropic cells in culture through interaction with a nuclear receptor.
Modulation of lower esophageal sphincter relaxation in the opossum.
Authors: Fournet J , Snape W J , Cohen S
Published: December 2017

The relationship of lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation and sphincter pressure was studied in the basal state and after neurohumoral stimulation in the anesthetized opossum. LES relaxation was induced by electrical vagal stimulation, balloon distension, and swallowing, whereas LES pressure was increased by infusions of gastrin I, histamine, phenylephrine, or bethanechol. Each agent was selected to give an approximately twofold increase in LES pressure, at the highest dosage. The lower dosage gave a submaximal increase in LES pressure. Neither gastrin nor histamine modified sphincter relaxation as induced by vagal stimulation, esophageal distension, or swallowing. Phenylephrine or bethanechol made the LES less sensitive to vagal stimulation or esophageal distension without reducing maximal LES relaxation. Only bethanechol significantly decreased sphincter relaxation in response to swallowing (P less than 0.05). The results of this study suggest that LES relaxation is not a fixed response simply dependent on the inhibitory stimulus or the resting tonic level of LES pressure, but may be modulated by both alpha-adrenergic and cholinergic drugs.
Influence of bile salts on hepatic transport of dibromosulphthalein.
Authors: Vonk R J , Danhof M , Coenraads T , van Doorn A B , Keulemans K , Scaf A H , Meijer D K
Published: December 2017

The influence of bile salts on hepatic transport of the organic anion dibromosulphthalein (DBSP) was investigated in rats. Bile salts influence the hepatic uptake, intracellular binding, and biliary excretion of DBSP. The overall effect depends on the administered dose of bile salts and DBSP. High doses of bile salts inhibited hepatic uptake of DBSP, whereas low doses of bile salts stimulated bile flow and simultaneously increased maximal biliary excretion of DBSP. The uncharged nonbile salt choleretic ouabain also stimulated biliary DBSP excretion. In contrast, the anionic nonbile salt choleretics, ethacrynic acid and theophylline, did not stimulate biliary excretion of DBSP. Because DBSP inhibited biliary excretion of ethacrynic acid and its metabolites, the lack of a stimulatory effect of ethacrynic acid choleresis might be explained by concomitant inhibition of biliary excretion of DBSP, masking the stimulatory effect of ethacrynic acid. Biliary transport maximum of DBSP was highly correlated with bile flow. The biliary clearance (Vmax/Km) was only moderately changed by bile salt administration, whereas the increase in the maximal biliary excretion rate was more pronounced, implying that the apparent Km for biliary excretion of DBSP was also increased by the bile salts. It is inferred that the stimulation of net biliary excretion of DBSP by bile salts may be due to a diminished transport from bile into the hepatocytes as the consequence of the decreased biliary concentration caused by the choleresis.
Noninvasive determination of local cerebral metabolic rate of glucose in man
Authors: Huang S. C. , Phelps M. E. , Hoffman E. J. , Sideris K. , Selin C. J. , Kuhl D. E.
Published: December 2017

A method for the determination of local cerebral metabolic rates of glucose (LCMRGlc) in normal man is described. The method employs [18F]2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) and emission-computed tomography (ECT). FDG was injected intravenously as a bolus. Radioactivities in separate brain regions were measured with ECT. Plasma FDG concentration following injection was measured from blood samples. A mathematical model that describes the kinetics of FDG transports was employed to determine the transport rate constants of FDG and to convert the radioactivity measurements to metabolic rates. The model has taken into account the possible dephosphorylation reaction from FDG-6-PO4 (FDG-6-P) to free FDG in brain tissues. Experiments were performed in 13 normal volunteers. The rate constants of FDG in man were found to be comparable to those of deoxyglucose in rat and in rhesus monkey. The average LCMRGlc in gray and in white matter were found to be 7.30 +/- 1.18 (SD) and 3.41 +/- 0.64 mg/min per 100 g brain tissue, respectively. The subject-to-subject variation of LCMRGlc as measured by the present method was comparable to those of other methods that measure whole-brain CMRGlc.