bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of sex on the acute skeletal muscle response to sprint interval exercise
Authors: Skelly Lauren E. , Gillen Jenna B. , MacInnis Martin J. , Martin Brian J. , Safdar Adeel , Akhtar Mahmood , MacDonald Maureen J. , Tarnopolsky Mark A. , Gibala Martin J.
Published: January 2017

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Are there sex‐based differences in the acute skeletal muscle response to sprint interval training (SIT)?

What is the main finding and its importance?

In response to a SIT protocol that involved three 20 s bouts of ‘all‐out’ cycling, the expression of multiple genes associated with mitochondrial biogenesis, metabolic control and structural remodelling was largely similar between men and women matched for fitness. Our findings cannot explain previous reports of sex‐based differences in the adaptive response to SIT and suggest that the mechanistic basis for these differences remains to be elucidated.

A few studies have reported sex‐based differences in response to several weeks of sprint interval training (SIT). These findings may relate to sex‐specific responses to an acute session of SIT. We tested the hypothesis that the acute skeletal muscle response to SIT differs between sexes. Sedentary but healthy men (n = 10) and women (n = 9) were matched for age (22 ± 3 versus 22 ± 3 years old) and cardiorespiratory fitness [45 ± 7 versus 43 ± 10 ml O2 (kg fat‐free mass)−1 min−1], with women tested in the mid‐follicular phase of their menstrual cycles. Subjects performed three 20 s ‘all‐out’ cycling efforts against a resistance of 5% of body mass, interspersed with 2 min of recovery. Relative mean power outputs [7.6 ± 0.5 versus 7.5 ± 0.9 W (kg fat‐free mass)−1] were similar between men and women (P > 0.05). Furthermore, there were no differences in the exercise‐induced changes in mRNA expression of PGC‐1α, PRC, PPARD, SIRT1, RIP140, HSL, HKII, PDK4, PDP1, FOXO3, MURF‐1, Myf5, MyoD and VEGFA at 3 h of recovery versus rest (P < 0.05, main effect of time). The only sex‐specific responses to exercise were an increase in the mRNA expression of GLUT4 and LPL in women only and Atrogin‐1 in men only (P < 0.05). Women also had higher expression of HKII and lower expression of FOXO3 compared with men (P < 0.05, main effect of sex). We conclude that the acute skeletal muscle response to SIT is largely similar in young men and women. The mechanistic basis for sex‐based differences in response to several weeks of SIT that has been previously reported remains to be elucidated.
“Eso no es lo mío”: un análisis de conflictos en la apropiación de prácticas de literacidad académica
Authors: Sito Luanda , Kleiman Angela B.
Published: January 2017

En este artículo, examinamos conflictos que emergieron en la apropiación de prácticas de literacidad académica, con base en trayectorias de universitarios afros e indígenas que ingresaron en universidades públicas por acciones afirmativas – en Brasil y Colombia. Para eso, analizamos parte de un corpus generado para una investigación doctoral, cuyo objeto fue la literacidad académica. En ese estudio, de carácter cualitativo, utilizamos entrevistas a estudiantes y documentos oficiales de la política afirmativa. Desde el marco de la Lingüística Aplicada, nuestra investigación se fundamenta en los Nuevos Estudios de Literacidad y en la teoría del Círculo de Bajtín. Los conflictos en las trayectorias de literacidad académica de esos estudiantes, además de denotar (des)encuentros con la universidad, interpelan las políticas interculturales desde sus experiencias, revelando aspectos de la vida universitaria que no suelen ser contemplados en las discusiones de permanencia de los programas de acción afirmativa, como la interculturalidad y el lenguaje.
Apropiaciones y resignificaciones de las “culturas negras”: la práctica del candombe afrouruguayo en sectores juveniles blancos de Buenos Aires (Argentina)
Authors: Lamborghini Eva
Published: January 2017

El artículo analiza la expansión de una manifestación cultural afrouruguaya, el candombe, en Argentina, un país que históricamente se ha pensado como “blanco-europeo”. El candombe de origen uruguayo fue primero patrimonio de los inmigrantes afrouruguayos en Buenos Aires; posteriormente, trascendió la comunidad migrante que lo introdujo, fue enseñado y transmitido a distintos sectores sociales, y en la actualidad es parte de la cultura juvenil de cada vez más ciudades del país. Este trabajo se focaliza en sus apropiaciones y resignificaciones por parte de jóvenes de sectores medios y socialmente blancos, y aspira a contribuir a la problematización de procesos -escasamente estudiados-relacionados con el despliegue de “cultura negra” más allá de colectivos socialmente negros, señalando intersecciones entre perspectivas teóricas relativas al campo de los estudios afrolatinoamericanos, las culturas juveniles y los nuevos movimientos sociales. El texto muestra cómo las culturas afroamericanas, lejos de constituir patrimonios congelados, se encuentran en permanente construcción de significados y sentidos de interpelación diversos, en ocasiones mucho más allá de las poblaciones que las originaron.
La traducción de las ideas globales en la gobernanza de la educación secundaria en Colombia
Authors: Díaz Ríos Claudia Milena
Published: January 2017

Recientes reformas educativas en Colombia siguen una tendencia global en la que coinciden la descentralización curricular y la privatización de la educación, con procesos de centralización a través de exámenes estandarizados. Las teorías de la difusión sugieren que este cambio es el producto de la diseminación global de ideas de la Nueva Administración Pública, que son copiadas por tomadores de decisión a nivel doméstico. Sin embargo, a través de un análisis histórico comparativo, este estudio muestra que Colombia no copió las recomendaciones internacionales, sino que las tradujo para acomodar prácticas domésticas. Esta traducción es definida por el grado de influencia que tienen distintos grupos con intereses en la educación, a través de su capacidad de organización, su cercanía a la toma de decisiones, y el impacto público de los recursos que movilizan.
Visiones panorámicas sobre la Nueva Sociología Económica. Entrevista al sociólogo Alejandro Portes
Authors: Jaramillo Jefferson , Restrepo Didier
Published: January 2017

En el marco de una visita realizada el 18 de agosto de 2011, a la
 Pontificia Universidad Javeriana en Bogotá, Portes intercambió ideas
 con estudiantes del Doctorado en Ciencias Sociales y con profesores
 del departamento de Sociología, acerca de la naturaleza y los desafíos
 de la nueva sociología económica. La conversación que aquí sintetizamos
 y editamos, reúne los principales momentos e impresiones de
 este encuentro.
Cooling of Turbine Blades With Expanded Exit Holes: Computational Analyses of Leading Edge and Pressure-Side of a Turbine Blade
Authors: Forghan Fariborz , Askari Omid , Narusawa Uichiro , Metghalchi Hameed
Published: January 2017

Turbine blades are cooled by a jet flow from expanded exit holes (EEH) forming a low-temperature film over the blade surface. Subsequent to our report on the suction-side (low-pressure, high-speed region), computational analyses are performed to examine the cooling effectiveness of the flow from EEH located at the leading edge as well as at the pressure-side (high-pressure, low-speed region). Unlike the case of the suction-side, the flow through EEH on the pressure-side is either subsonic or transonic with a weak shock front. The cooling effectiveness, η (defined as the temperature difference between the hot gas and the blade surface as a fraction of that between the hot gas and the cooling jet), is higher than the suction-side along the surface near the exit of EEH. However, its magnitude declines sharply with an increase in the distance from EEH. Significant effects on the magnitude of η are observed and discussed in detail of (1) the coolant mass flow rate (0.001, 0.002, and 0.004 (kg/s)), (2) EEH configurations at the leading edge (vertical EEH at the stagnation point, 50 deg into the leading-edge suction-side, and 50 deg into the leading-edge pressure-side), (3) EEH configurations in the midregion of the pressure-side (90 deg (perpendicular to the mainstream flow), 30 deg EEH tilt toward upstream, and 30 deg tilt toward downstream), and (4) the inclination angle of EEH.
Scaling of Turbine Metal Temperatures in Cooled Compressible Flows—Experimental Demonstration of a New Theory
Authors: Luque S. , Jones T. V. , Povey T.
Published: January 2017

Experimental measurements of overall cooling effectiveness conducted on a high-pressure turbine vane in a warm rig flow are scaled to engine conditions in this paper. A new theory for the scaling of turbine metal temperatures in cooled compressible flows has been applied, based on the principle of superposition, and demonstrated analytically and numerically in a previous paper. The analysis employs a definition of overall cooling effectiveness based on a new recovery and redistribution temperature, which makes it independent of the temperature boundary conditions of the hot and cold flow streams. This enables the vane external wall temperatures to be scaled to engine conditions by varying, in a fixed aerodynamic field, the mainstream-to-coolant temperature ratio. Experimental validation of the theory is provided in this article. Measurements were conducted in the Annular Sector Heat Transfer Facility, which employs fully cooled nozzle guide vanes, production parts of a civil aviation engine currently in service. Mainstream Mach and Reynolds numbers, inlet turbulence intensity, and coolant-to-mainstream total pressure ratio (and thus momentum flux ratio) are all matched to engine conditions. Full-coverage overall cooling effectiveness distributions, acquired by infrared thermography, are presented for a range of mainstream-to-coolant temperature ratios between 1.05 and 1.22 and subsequently scaled to engine conditions by an iterative procedure. In reducing to practice the principles of the new scaling theory, it is demonstrated that direct validation of turbine cooling system performance is possible in experiments at lower than engine temperatures.
Adaptive frequency-difference matched field processing for high frequency source localization in a noisy shallow ocean
Authors: Worthmann Brian M. , Song H. C. , Dowling David R.
Published: January 2017

Remote source localization in the shallow ocean at frequencies significantly above 1 kHz is virtually impossible for conventional array signal processing techniques due to environmental mismatch. A recently proposed technique called frequency-difference matched field processing (Δf-MFP) [Worthmann, Song, and Dowling (2015). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 138(6), 3549–3562] overcomes imperfect environmental knowledge by shifting the signal processing to frequencies below the signal's band through the use of a quadratic product of frequency-domain signal amplitudes called the autoproduct. This paper extends these prior Δf-MFP results to various adaptive MFP processors found in the literature, with particular emphasis on minimum variance distortionless response, multiple constraint method, multiple signal classification, and matched mode processing at signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) from −20 to +20 dB. Using measurements from the 2011 Kauai Acoustic Communications Multiple University Research Initiative experiment, the localization performance of these techniques is analyzed and compared to Bartlett Δf-MFP. The results show that a source broadcasting a frequency sweep from 11.2 to 26.2 kHz through a 106 -m-deep sound channel over a distance of 3 km and recorded on a 16 element sparse vertical array can be localized using Δf-MFP techniques within average range and depth errors of 200 and 10 m, respectively, at SNRs down to 0 dB.
Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Double Avulsion in a Collegiate American Football Athlete: A Case Report
Authors: Oglesby Leslie W. , Gallucci Andrew R.
Published: January 2017

An 18-year-old male collegiate American football player with no previous medical history of knee injury suffered an acute left patellofemoral dislocation during preseason practice. Diagnostic imaging and exploratory surgery revealed multiple avulsions of the medial patellofemoral ligament as well as significant lateral patellar tilt and chondromalacia of the left patella. A surgical repair of the ligament was performed as well as a lateral release and debridement of multiple structures. With no rehabilitative protocols available for multiple avulsion repair, a protocol for a single avulsion repair of the medial patellofemoral ligament was used with some exceptions. The patient returned to full-contact American football activities at 5 months postoperation with no reported complications. These findings indicate that a rehabilitation protocol for single avulsion repair may be appropriate for multiple avulsions as well.
Tracking the Resolution of Student Misconceptions about the Central Dogma of Molecular Biology
Authors: Briggs Amy G. , Morgan Stephanie K. , Sanderson Seth K. , Schulting Molly C. , Wieseman Laramie J.
Published: January 2017

The goal of our study was to track changes in student understanding of the central dogma of molecular biology before and after taking a genetics course. Concept maps require the ability to synthesize new information into existing knowledge frameworks, and so the hypothesis guiding this study was that student performance on concept maps reveals specific central dogma misconceptions gained, lost, and retained by students. Students in a genetics course completed pre- and posttest concept mapping tasks using terms related to the central dogma. Student maps increased in complexity and validity, indicating learning gains in both content and complexity of understanding. Changes in each of the 351 possible connections in the mapping task were tracked for each student. Our students did not retain much about the central dogma from their introductory biology courses, but they did move to more advanced levels of understanding by the end of the genetics course. The information they retained from their introductory courses focused on structural components (e.g., protein is made of amino acids) and not on overall mechanistic components (e.g., DNA comes before RNA, the ribosome makes protein). Students made the greatest gains in connections related to transcription, and they resolved the most prior misconceptions about translation. These concept-mapping tasks revealed that students are able to correct prior misconceptions about the central dogma during an intermediate-level genetics course. From these results, educators can design new classroom interventions to target those aspects of this foundational principle with which students have the most trouble.
Using the Improvisational “Yes, and…” Approach as a Review Technique in the Student-Centered Biology Classroom
Authors: MacDonald Laura J. , Solem Amanda , Segarra Verónica A.
Published: January 2017

In the biological sciences, students frequently equate understanding to compiling and memorizing information as a series of isolated facts. For this reason, they struggle to connect major concepts across course curriculums. In other disciplines, improvisation techniques have been introduced as a way to engage with millenials, who learn best through inductive and experiential learning. Here we present an improvisational classroom activity called “Yes, and…” as a review technique that can be used throughout the semester and in multiple contexts to help students assimilate and integrate information. Students in small groups first review a major topic provided by the instructor (for example, DNA structure or DNA properties). Then, one student in the group contributes one sentence that starts a narrative about the topic being reviewed as learned in class. Additional members of the group then take turns, one at a time, to add additional layers of details to the narrative. The group dynamic continues until all of the students in the group have contributed at least one sentence to the narrative. Students are encouraged to listen carefully to their classmates’ contributions so that inaccurate ideas can be identified and tweaked through conversation at the end of one round of the exercise. The instructor moves between groups to continue to foster the learning experience. We find that the “Yes, and…” approach promotes deep student engagement with course material, collaboration among students of different backgrounds, and fosters development of oral communication skills.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Pore-Forming Exolysin and Type IV Pili Cooperate To Induce Host Cell Lysis
Authors: Basso Pauline , Ragno Michel , Elsen Sylvie , Reboud Emeline , Golovkine Guillaume , Bouillot Stephanie , Huber Philippe , Lory Stephen , Faudry Eric , Attrée Ina
Published: January 2017

Clinical strains of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
lacking the type III secretion system genes employ a toxin, exolysin (ExlA), for host cell membrane disruption. Here, we demonstrated that ExlA export requires a predicted outer membrane protein, ExlB, showing that ExlA and ExlB define a new active two-partner secretion (TPS) system of
P. aeruginosa
. In addition to the TPS signals, ExlA harbors several distinct domains, which include one hemagglutinin domain, five arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) motifs, and a C-terminal region lacking any identifiable sequence motifs. However, this C-terminal region is important for the toxic activity, since its deletion abolishes host cell lysis. Using lipid vesicles and eukaryotic cells, including red blood cells, we demonstrated that ExlA has a pore-forming activity which precedes cell membrane disruption of nucleated cells. Finally, we developed a high-throughput cell-based live-dead assay and used it to screen a transposon mutant library of an ExlA-producing
P. aeruginosa
clinical strain for bacterial factors required for ExlA-mediated toxicity. The screen resulted in the identification of proteins involved in the formation of type IV pili as being required for ExlA to exert its cytotoxic activity by promoting close contact between bacteria and the host cell. These findings represent the first example of cooperation between a pore-forming toxin of the TPS family and surface appendages in host cell intoxication.

IMPORTANCE
The course and outcome of acute, toxigenic infections by
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
clinical isolates rely on the deployment of one of two virulence strategies: delivery of effectors by the well-known type III secretion system or the cytolytic activity of the recently identified two-partner secreted toxin, exolysin. Here, we characterize several features of the mammalian cell intoxication process mediated by exolysin. We found that exolysin requires the outer membrane protein ExlB for export into extracellular medium. Using
in vitro
recombinant protein and
ex vivo
assays, we demonstrated a pore-forming activity of exolysin. A cellular cytotoxicity screen of a transposon mutant library, made in an exolysin-producing clinical strain, identified type IV pili as bacterial appendages required for exolysin toxic function. This work deciphers molecular mechanisms underlying the activity of novel virulence factors used by
P. aeruginosa
clinical strains lacking the type III secretion system, including a requirement for the toxin-producing bacteria to be attached to the targeted cell to induce cytolysis, and defines new targets for developing antivirulence strategies.
Hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer syndrome: a family affair
Authors: Teh Jiasian , Kinnear Ned , Douglass-Molloy Hannah , Hennessey Derek Barrry
Published: January 2017

A 49-year-old woman with cutaneous and uterine leiomyomas, flank pain and a family history of hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer (HLRCC) syndrome sought genetic testing. She was found to harbour a fumarate hydratase (FH) genetic mutation and a previously undetected renal tumour. The patient underwent radical nephrectomy, and remains well at follow-up. HLRCC syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant disease, with patients at increased risk for cutaneous leiomyomas, early-onset uterine leiomyomas and aggressive renal carcinoma. Although the syndrome may manifest life-threatening complications, outcomes may be improved by preventative family screening and surveillance, compelling early diagnosis.
Incidence, risk factors and risk prediction of hospital-acquired suspected adverse drug reactions: a prospective cohort of Ugandan inpatients
Authors: Kiguba Ronald , Karamagi Charles , Bird Sheila M
Published: January 2017

Objectives

To determine the incidence and risk factors of hospital-acquired suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) among Ugandan inpatients. We also constructed risk scores to predict and qualitatively assess for peculiarities betweenlow-riskandhigh-riskADR patients.

Methods

Prospective cohort of consented adults admitted on medical and gynaecological wards of the 1790-bed Mulago National Referral Hospital. Hospital-acquired suspected ADRs were dichotomised aspossible(possible/probable/definite) ornotandprobable(probable/definite) ornot, using the Naranjo scale. Risk scores were generated from coefficients of ADR risk-factor logistic regression models.

Results

The incidence ofpossiblehospital-acquired suspected ADRs was 25% (194/762, 95% CI: 22% to 29%): 44% (85/194) experienced seriouspossibleADRs. The risk ofprobableADRs was 11% (87/762, 95% CI 9% to 14%): 46% (40/87) had seriousprobableADRs. Antibacterials-only (51/194), uterotonics-only (21/194), cardiovascular drugs-only (16/194), antimalarials-only (12/194) and analgesics-only (10/194) were the most frequently implicated. Treatment with six or more conventional medicines during hospitalisation (OR=2.31, 95% CI 1.29 to 4.15) and self-reported herbal medicine use during the 4 weeks preadmission (OR=1.96, 95% CI 1.22 to 3.13) were the risk factors forprobablehospital-acquired ADRs. Risk factors forpossiblehospital-acquired ADRs were: treatment with six or more conventional medicines (OR=2.72, 95% CI 1.79 to 4.13), herbal medicine use during the 4 weeks preadmission (OR=1.68, 95% CI 1.16 to 2.43), prior 3 months hospitalisation (OR=1.57, 95% CI 1.09 to 2.26) and being on gynaecological ward (OR=2.16, 95% CI 1.36 to 3.44). More drug classes were implicated amonghigh-riskADR-patients, with cardiovascular drugs being the most frequently linked topossibleADRs.

Conclusions

The risk of hospital-acquired suspected ADRs was higher with preadmission herbal medicine use and treatment with six or more conventional medicines during hospitalisation. Our risk scores should be validated in large-scale studies and tested in routine clinical care.
Assessing potential population impact of statin treatment for primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases in the USA: population-based modelling study
Authors: Yang Quanhe , Zhong Yuna , Gillespie Cathleen , Merritt Robert , Bowman Barbara , George Mary G , Flanders W Dana
Published: January 2017

Objective

New cholesterol treatment guidelines from American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association recommend statin treatment for more of US population to prevent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). It is important to assess how new guidelines may affect population-level health. This study assessed the impact of statin use for primary prevention of ASCVD under the new guidelines.

Methods

We used data from 2010 US Multiple Cause Mortality, Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) Linked Mortality File (1988–2006, n=8941) and NHANES 2005–2010 (n=3178) participants 40–75 years of age for the present study.

Results

Among 33.0 million adults meeting new guidelines for primary prevention of ASCVD, 8.8 million were taking statins; 24.2 million, including 7.7 million with diabetes, are eligible for statin treatment. If all those with diabetes used a statin, 2514 (95% CI 592 to 4142) predicted ASCVD deaths would be prevented annually with 482 (0 to 2239) predicted annual additional cases of myopathy based on randomised clinical trials (RCTs), and 11 801 (9251 to 14 916) using population-based study. Among 16.5 million without diabetes, 5425 (1276 to 8935) ASCVD deaths would be prevented annually with 16 406 (4922 to 26 250) predicted annual additional cases of diabetes and between 1030 (0 to 4791) and 24 302 (19 363 to 30 292) additional cases of myopathy based on RCTs and population-based study. Assuming 80% eligible population take statins with 80% medication adherence, among those without diabetes, the corresponding numbers were 3472 (817 to 5718) deaths, 10 500 (3150 to 16 800) diabetes, 660 (0 to 3066) myopathy (RCTs), and 15 554 (12 392 to 19 387) myopathy (population-based). The estimated total annual cost of statins use ranged from US$1.65 to US$6.5 billion if 100% of eligible population take statins.

Conclusions

This population-based modelling study focused on impact of statin use on ASCVD mortality. Under the new guidelines, if all those eligible for primary prevention of ASCVD take statins, up to 12.6% of annual ASCVD deaths might be prevented, though additional cases of diabetes and myopathy likely occur.

Disclaimer:

The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Estimated generic prices of cancer medicines deemed cost-ineffective in England: a cost estimation analysis
Authors: Hill Andrew , Redd Christopher , Gotham Dzintars , Erbacher Isabelle , Meldrum Jonathan , Harada Ryo
Published: January 2017

Objectives

The aim of this study was to estimate lowest possible treatment costs for four novel cancer drugs, hypothesising that generic manufacturing could significantly reduce treatment costs.

Setting

This research was carried out in a non-clinical research setting using secondary data.

Participants

There were no human participants in the study. Four drugs were selected for the study: bortezomib, dasatinib, everolimus and gefitinib. These medications were selected according to their clinical importance, novel pharmaceutical actions and the availability of generic price data.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Target costs for treatment were to be generated for each indication for each treatment. The primary outcome measure was the target cost according to a production cost calculation algorithm. The secondary outcome measure was the target cost as the lowest available generic price; this was necessary where export data were not available to generate an estimate from our cost calculation algorithm. Other outcomes included patent expiry dates and total eligible treatment populations.

Results

Target prices were £411 per cycle for bortezomib, £9 per month for dasatinib, £852 per month for everolimus and £10 per month for gefitinib. Compared with current list prices in England, these target prices would represent reductions of 74–99.6%. Patent expiry dates were bortezomib 2014–22, dasatinib 2020–26, everolimus 2019–25 and gefitinib 2017. The total global eligible treatment population in 1 year is 769 736.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that affordable drug treatment costs are possible for novel cancer drugs, suggesting that new therapeutic options can be made available to patients and doctors worldwide. Assessing treatment cost estimations alongside cost-effectiveness evaluations is an important area of future research.
AspiriN To Inhibit SEPSIS (ANTISEPSIS) randomised controlled trial protocol
Authors: Eisen Damon P , Moore Elizabeth M , Leder Karin , Lockery Jessica , McBryde Emma S , McNeil John J , Pilcher David , Wolfe Rory , Woods Robyn L
Published: January 2017

Introduction

Sepsis is a leading global cause of morbidity and mortality, and is more common at the extremes of age. Moreover, the cost of in-hospital care for elderly patients with sepsis is significant. There are indications from experimental and observational studies that aspirin may reduce inflammation associated with infection. This paper describes the rationale and design of the AspiriN To Inhibit SEPSIS (ANTISEPSIS) trial, a substudy of ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE). ANTISEPSIS primarily aims to determine whether low-dose aspirin reduces sepsis-related deaths in older people. Additionally, it will assess whether low-dose aspirin reduces sepsis-related hospitalisations and sepsis-related Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admissions.

Methods and analysis

ASPREE is a double-blinded, randomised, placebo-controlled primary prevention trial that will determine whether daily low-dose aspirin extends disability-free longevity in 19 000 healthy older people recruited in Australia and the USA. The ANTISEPSIS substudy involves additional ASPREE trial data collection to assess the impact of daily low-dose aspirin on sepsis-related events in the 16 703 ASPREE participants aged 70 years and over, recruited in Australia. The intervention is a daily 100 mg dose of enteric-coated aspirin versus matching placebo, with 1:1 randomisation. The primary outcome for the ANTISEPSIS substudy is the incidence of sepsis-related death in eligible patients. The incidence of sepsis-related hospital and ICU admissions are secondary outcomes. ANTISEPSIS is to be conducted between 2012 and 2018.

Discussion

This substudy will determine whether aspirin, an inexpensive and accessible therapy, safely reduces sepsis-related deaths and hospitalisations in older Australians. If shown to be the case, this would have profound effects on the health of older Australians.

Trial registration number

Pre-results,ACTRN12613000349741.
Associations of apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A-I ratio with pre-diabetes and diabetes risks: a cross-sectional study in Chinese adults
Authors: Zheng Shuang , Han Tingting , Xu Hua , Zhou Huan , Ren Xingxing , Wu Peihong , Zheng Jun , Wang Lihua , Zhang Ming , Jiang Yihong , Chen Yawen , Qiu Huiying , Liu Wei , Hu Yaomin
Published: January 2017

Background

Apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A-I (ApoB/ApoA-I) ratio is a useful predictor of cardiovascular risk. However, the association between the ApoB/ApoA-I ratio and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is still obscure.

Aims

To investigate the associations between the ApoB/ApoA-I ratio and the risk of T2DM and pre-diabetes in a Chinese population, and to assess the role of gender in these associations.

Methods

A stratified random sampling design was used in this cross-sectional study which included 264 men and 465 women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), pre-diabetes or T2DM. Serum ApoB, ApoA-I and other lipid and glycaemic traits were measured. Pearson's partial correlation and multivariable logistic analysis were used to evaluate the associations between ApoB/ApoA-I ratio and the risk of T2DM and pre-diabetes.

Results

The ApoB/ApoA-I ratios were significantly increased across the spectrum of NGT, pre-diabetes and T2DM. Women showed higher levels of ApoB/ApoA-I ratio and ApoB than men in the pre-diabetic and T2DM groups, but not in the NGT group. The ApoB/ApoA-I ratio was closely related with triglyceride, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and other glycaemic traits. Moreover, in women, the risk of diabetes and pre-diabetes in the top and middle tertiles of the ApoB/ApoA-I ratio were 3.65-fold (95% CI 1.69 to 6.10) and 2.19-fold (95% CI 1.38 to 2.84) higher than in the bottom tertile, respectively, after adjusting for potential confounding factors. However, the associations disappeared in men after adjusting for other factors.

Conclusions

The ApoB/ApoA-I ratio showed positive associations with the risk of diabetes and pre-diabetes in Chinese women.
Spatial valuation of California marine fisheries as an ecosystem service
Authors: Miller Rebecca R. , Field John C. , Santora Jarrod A. , Monk Melissa H. , Kosaka Rosemary , Thomson Cynthia
Published: January 2017

Quantifying spatiotemporal dynamics of ecosystem services is an emerging approach for informing and managing trade-offs among cumulative or competing activities in marine environments. As one proxy for ecosystem services and benefits, we quantified and mapped catch and economic value of California commercial fisheries removals using a 75-year spatially explicit time series. From 1931 to 2005, approximately 88% of the catch was attributed to finfish. However, there has been an increasing reliance of proportional value from invertebrates over the last 25 years. The spatial organization of historical catches suggests species composition varies substantially by depth and latitude, and an evaluation of changes in the spatial distribution of catches in three different time periods suggests that spatial shifts in catch locations have occurred for some taxonomic groups over time. A spatial assessment of historical catches and value benefits marine spatial planning, informs stock assessments, provides a quantification of ecosystem services, and facilitates ecosystem-based approaches to marine fisheries management.
Potential connectivity among American lobster fisheries as a result of larval drift across the species’ range in eastern North America
Authors: Quinn Brady K. , Chassé Joël , Rochette Rémy
Published: January 2017

We used a biophysical model to estimate for the first time the effect of larval drift on potential connectivity among American lobster (Homarus americanus) fisheries management areas over the geographic range of the species. The model predicted drift of larvae over distances of 50–805 km (mean = 129 km), which connected many management areas and caused marked spatial heterogeneity in retention and self-seeding versus export and import of larvae by different fisheries areas. Including mortality functions in the model resulted in less drift and settlement and had complex effects on the amount, but not the incidence, of potential connectivity among fisheries. The model’s predictions received support from comparison of predicted settlement to landings 6 or 7 years later in some, but not all, parts of the model domain. Although improvements are still needed to capture larval behaviours and spatial variability in larval release and mortality across the species’ range, this information is important to lobster fisheries management because the amount and direction of connectivity among fisheries can inform cooperative management strategies to sustain interconnected fisheries.
Effect of vitamin D on isoprenaline-induced myocardial infarction in rats: possible role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ
Authors: El-Gohary Ola Ahmed , Allam Mona Maher
Published: January 2017

Infarct-like lesion induced by isoprenaline is a well-known model to study myocardial infarction (MI). Vitamin D has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Recent studies highlighted cross talk between vitamin D and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ). The present study was designed to investigate the effect of pretreatment with vitamin D on the isoprenaline-induced infarct-like lesion in rats and the role of PPAR-γ as a novel mechanism in vitamin-D-mediated cardioprotective effect. Markers chosen to assess cardiac damage included serum level of creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Cardiac contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH) were also assessed. Furthermore, ECG monitoring and measurement of injury extension were carried out. Isoprenaline increased the level of cardiac enzymes, as well as inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers. In addition, it produced ST-segment elevation. Pretreatment with vitamin D significantly improved previous parameters. The prior treatment with bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE), a PPAR-γ antagonist, significantly attenuated the protective effect of vitamin D. In conclusion, vitamin D can be demonstrated as a promising cardioprotective agent in MI and PPAR-γ significantly contributes toward vitamin-D-mediated protection.
The effect of short-term oral treatment with omeprazole or pantoprazole on the function of polymorphonuclear neutrophils
Authors: Kostrzewska Maja , Garley Marzena , Ratajczak-Wrona Wioletta , Jabłońska Ewa , Jamiołkowski Jacek , Dabrowski Andrzej
Published: January 2017

Recent studies report an increased risk of enteric infections in patients treated with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) play a key role in host response to bacterial infection. We evaluated the effect of omeprazole and pantoprazole treatment on the PMN function. Fifteen patients were treated with omeprazole 20 mg daily and 15 patients with pantoprazole 40 mg daily for 7 days. Treatment with omeprazole or pantoprazole had no effect on spontaneous nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) test results. Significant increase in the percentage of phagocytes in the omeprazole group in stimulated NBT test (by 69%) was found. Treatment with omeprazole or pantoprazole had no effect on nitric oxide (NO) concentration in the PMN culture supernatant and serum, cyclic guanosine monophosphate concentration in the PMN culture supernatant and serum, as well as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein expression and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activity in PMNs. In conclusion, treatment with PPI has no effect on NO production and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activity in PMNs. Interestingly, short-term treatment with omeprazole but not with pantoprazole enhances PMN reactive oxygen species production.
A reappraisal of the 6-O-desmethylnaproxen-sulfating activity of the human cytosolic sulfotransferases
Authors: Alherz Fatemah A. , Almarghalani Daniyah A. , Hussein Noor A. , Kurogi Katsuhisa , Liu Ming-Cheh
Published: January 2017

In this study, we aimed to obtain a comprehensive account of the human cytosolic sulfotransferases (SULTs) that are capable of sulfating 6-O-desmethylnaproxen (O-DMN), a major metabolite of naproxen. Of the 13 known human SULTs tested, 7 (SULT1A1, SULT1A2, SULT1A3, SULT1B1, SULT1C2, SULT1C4, and SULT1E1) displayed O-DMN-sulfating activity, when analyzed using an elevated substrate concentration (500 μmol·L−1) together with 14 μmol·L−1 of the sulfate donor, 3′-phosphoadenosine-5′-phosphosulfate (PAPS). At 10 μmol·L−1 O-DMN concentration, however, only SULT1A1 and SULT1A3 displayed detectable activity, with the former being nearly 2 orders of magnitude more active than the latter. A pH-dependence study indicated that SULT1A1 exhibited a broad pH optimum spanning pH 5.5–7. Kinetic parameters of the sulfation of O-DMN by SULT1A1 were determined. The production and release of sulfated O-DMN was demonstrated using cultured human HepG2 hepatoma cells and Caco-2 colon carcinoma cells. Moreover, assays using human organ specimens revealed that the O-DMN-sulfating activities present in the cytosols of liver and small intestine (at 502.5 and 497.2 pmol·min−1·(mg protein)−1, respectively) were much higher than those detected for the cytosols of lung and kidney. Taken together, these results provided relevant information concerning the sulfation of O-DMN both in vitro and in vivo.
Interleukin-1beta suppresses the ventilatory hypoxic response in rats via prostaglandin-dependent pathways
Authors: Aleksandrova Nina P. , Danilova Galina A. , Aleksandrov Viacheslav G.
Published: January 2017

We investigated the effect of the major inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) on the ventilatory response to hypoxia. The goal was to test the hypothesis that IL-1β impairs the hypoxic ventilatory response in vivo by indirectly inhibiting respiratory neurons in the brainstem via prostaglandins. Thus, IL-1β was delivered by cerebroventricular injection, and the ventilatory hypoxic response was assessed in anesthetized, spontaneously breathing rats pretreated with or without diclofenac, a nonspecific inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis. We found that the slope of the ventilatory response to hypoxia decreased almost 2-fold from 10.4 ± 3.02 to 4.06 ± 0.86 mL·min−1·(mm Hg)−1 (–61%) 90 min after administration of IL-1β (p < 0.05). The slope of tidal volume and mean inspiratory flow also decreased from 0.074 ± 0.02 to 0.039 ± 0.01 mL·(mm Hg)−1 (–45%, p < 0.05), and from 0.36 ± 0.07 to 0.2 ± 0.04 mL·s−1·(mm Hg)−1 (–46%, p < 0.05), respectively. Pretreatment with diclofenac blocked these effects. Thus, the data indicate that IL-1β degrades the ventilatory hypoxic response by stimulating production of prostaglandin. The increase of cerebral levels of IL-1β, which is induced by the activation of immune cells in the brain, may impair respiratory chemoreflexes.
A new correlation in predicting temperature-dependent viscosity of saturated liquids
Authors: Tian Jianxiang , Zhang Laibin , Zheng Mengmeng
Published: January 2017

The Vogel–Fulcher–Tamman (VFT) correlation is the known most accurate equation used to estimate and predict temperature-dependent viscosity of fluids. But its accuracy analysis for saturated liquids is still unknown. In this paper, we checked its ability for 49 saturated liquids by using the data in the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Webbook. Through detailed accuracy analysis, we found that the VFT correlation works qualitatively but does not work well quantitavely. We shown the temperature ranges in which the VFT correlation holds for absolute average deviations (AADs) of [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]1%, [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]2% and [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]5%. The corresponding coefficients are also obtained for engineers to use it directly. We also proposed a new four-parameter correlation to improve the predictive ability. We show that the new correlation holds for 5 fluids with AAD [Formula: see text] 1%, 37 fluids with AAD [Formula: see text] 2%, 43 fluids with AAD [Formula: see text] 3% and 48 fluids with AAD [Formula: see text] 4%.
Synthetic Isoliquiritigenin Inhibits Human Tongue Squamous Carcinoma Cells through Its Antioxidant Mechanism
Authors: Hou Cuilan , Li Wenguang , Li Zengyou , Gao Jing , Chen Zhenjie , Zhao Xiqiong , Yang Yaya , Zhang Xiaoyu , Song Yong
Published: January 2017

Isoliquiritigenin (ISL), a natural antioxidant, has antitumor activity in different types of cancer cells. However the antitumor effect of ISL on human tongue squamous carcinoma cells (TSCC) is not clear. Here we aimed to investigate the effects of synthetic isoliquiritigenin (S‐ISL) on TSCC and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. S‐ISL was synthesized and elucidated from its nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum and examined using high performance liquid chromatography. The effects of S‐ISL on TSCC cells (Tca8113) were evaluated in relation to cell proliferation, apoptosis and adhesion, migration, and invasion using sulforhodamine B assay, fluorescence microscopy technique, flow cytometry (FCM) analysis, and Boyden chamber assay. The associated regulatory mechanisms were examined using FCM and fluorescence microscopy for intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, Gelatin zymography assay for matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activities, and Western blot for apoptosis regulatory proteins (Bcl‐2 and Bax). Our data indicated that S‐ISL inhibited Tca8113 cell proliferation, adhesion, migration, and invasion while promoting the cell apoptosis. Such effects were accompanied by downregulation of Bcl‐2 and upregulation of Bax, reduction of MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 activities, and decreased ROS production. We conclude that S‐ISL is a promising agent targeting TSCC through multiple anticancer effects, regulated by its antioxidant mechanism.
Experimental and Analytical Study on the Penetration of Corundum-Rubble Concrete Subjected to Projectile Impact
Authors: Xue Y. L. , Tang D. G. , Chen W. X. , Li Z. Z. , Li D. P. , Yao M. L.
Published: January 2017

A new type of composite concrete which can be called corundum-rubble concrete (CRC) was presented to improve the resistance of protective structure to the projectile impact. Comparative experiments were conducted between CRC and reinforced concrete, and a modified Taylor model was proposed to predict the penetration depth of CRC targets. Experimental results show that CRC is much higher than reinforced concrete in both strength and hardness and shows excellent resistance to the 0.125 m-diameter projectile impact. Theoretical analyses demonstrated that the modified Taylor model’s predicted results were in good agreement with the measured values.
Seizure following the Use of the COX-2 Inhibitor Etoricoxib
Authors: Arnao Valentina , Riolo Marianna , Fierro Brigida , Aridon Paolo
Published: January 2017

We describe a case of epileptic seizures occurring after the use of a COX-2 inhibitor. A 61-year-old man was admitted to our department because of a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. EEG showed generalized slowdown of the activity. Neuroimaging and blood samples studies did not evidence alterations, but a careful pharmacological history revealed that the patient had taken the COX-2 inhibitor etoricoxib to treat lumbago few days before the onset of clinical symptoms. No seizures were reported after etoricoxib discontinuation and an EEG resulted to be normal two months after this. Conclusion. Knowing the pharmacological history of a patient is important for understanding the clinical presentation and selecting appropriate treatment. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first reported case of generalized seizures associated with the use of COX-2 inhibitors.
Activity and Stability of Trypsin Immobilized onto Chitosan Magnetic Nanoparticles
Authors: Sun Jun , Xu Bin , Shi Yu , Yang Lin , Ma Hai-le
Published: January 2017

The aim of this study was to develop a thermally and operationally stable trypsin through covalent immobilization onto chitosan magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4 @CTS). The successful preparation of the Fe3O4 @CTS nanoparticles was verified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which indicated that the prepared Fe3O4 @CTS nanoparticles have superparamagnetic properties, with an average size of approximately 17 nm. Then, trypsin was covalently immobilized onto the Fe3O4 @CTS nanoparticles at a high loading capacity (149.25 mg/g). The FTIR data demonstrated that the trypsin had undergone a conformational change compared with free trypsin, and the Michaelis constant (Km) and the maximum hydrolysis reaction rate (Vmax) showed that the trypsin immobilized on the Fe3O4 @CTS had a lower affinity for BAEE and lower activity compared with free trypsin. However, the immobilized trypsin showed higher activity than free trypsin at pH 6.0 and in alkaline conditions and retained more than 84% of its initial activity at 60°C after 8 h incubation. Its excellent performance across a broader pH range and high thermal stability, as well as its effective hydrolysis of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and its reusability, make it more attractive than free trypsin for application in protein digestion.
Single-Operator Peroral Cholangioscopy for Extraction of Cystic Duct Stones in Postcholecystectomy Mirizzi Syndrome
Authors: Jones Jason Deforest , Pawa Rishi
Published: January 2017

Mirizzi syndrome is an exceptionally rare diagnosis with an annual incidence of less than 1% in developed countries. In this disease process, stone burden in the cystic duct or gallbladder neck leads to common hepatic duct obstruction, either by mechanical compression or secondary inflammation. Mirizzi syndrome is classified into one of four types based on the presence and severity of cholecystobiliary fistulization. Treatment is primarily surgical in nature and largely dictated by the type of Mirizzi syndrome encountered. It is typically diagnosed in the preoperative or operative setting of cholecystectomy; however, there have been rare occurrences of postcholecystectomy diagnosis. Factors thought to predispose to postcholecystectomy disease include low insertion of the cystic duct and long remnant duct length. Few case reports exist describing this phenomenon and its management, which is made exceptionally difficult due to the presence of inflammation and surgical adhesion. We present the case of a young female with postcholecystectomy Mirizzi syndrome who underwent successful endoscopic management using peroral cholangioscopy and electrohydraulic lithotripsy. We also provide a brief overview of both Mirizzi syndrome and peroral cholangioscopy.