bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental and theoretical investigation of molecular structure, vibrational analysis, chemical reactivity, electrostatic potential of benzyl methacrylate monomer and homopolymer
Authors: Akman Feride
Published: June 2016

Until now, a number of new polymers have been discovered with the aid of experimental and computational molecular approaches and indicated to have potential applications. All the computational molecular approaches provide information helpful to further study. So, monomer and homopolymer of benzyl methacrylate (BzMA), which is a popular methacrylate ester monomer, were synthesized and investigated based on density functional theory (DFT) and Hartree–Fock (HF) methods. The monomer and homopolymer were characterized by FTIR, 1H, and 13C NMR techniques. The molecular geometry, geometrical parameters, Mulliken atomic charges, and vibrational frequencies of BzMA monomer and homopolymer (in dimer form) were calculated by using the DFT and HF methods with 6-31G (d, p) as basis set. The molecular electrostatic potential maps and molecular orbitals properties of monomer and homopolymer were calculated using the 6-31G (d, p) basis set of theories. Besides, 1H and 13C chemical shifts were calculated by the gauge–including atomic orbital approach. The results demonstrated that the theoretical values were in good agreement with the experimental values. The calculated data are important to providing insight into molecular analysis and may be used in technological applications.
Vasoplegia in sepsis depends on the vascular system, vasopressor, and time-point: a comparative evaluation in vessels from rats subjected to the cecal ligation puncture model
Authors: Bernardelli Angélica K. , Da Silva Rita de C.V. de A.F. , Corrêa Thiago , Da Silva-Santos José Eduardo
Published: June 2016

We evaluated the effects of phenylephrine, norepinephrine, angiotensin II, and vasopressin in mesenteric, renal, carotid, and tail arteries, and in perfused mesenteric vascular bed from rats subjected to the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model of sepsis. Phenylephrine and angiotensin II were less efficacious in mesenteric arteries from the CLP 6 h and CLP 18 h groups than in preparations from non-septic animals, but no differences were found for norepinephrine and vasopressin between the preparations. In renal arteries, none of the vasoconstrictors had impaired activity in the CLP groups. Nonetheless, carotid arteries from the CLP 18 h group presented reduced reactivity to all vasoconstrictors tested, but only phenylephrine and norepinephrine had their effects reduced in carotid arteries from the CLP 6 h group. Despite the reduced responsiveness to phenylephrine, tail arteries from septic rats were hyperreactive to vasopressin and norepinephrine at 6 h and 18 h after the CLP surgery, respectively. The mesenteric vascular bed from CLP groups was hyporeactive to phenylephrine, norepinephrine, and angiotensin II, but not to vasopressin. The vascular contractility in sepsis varies from the well-described refractoriness, to unaltered or even hyperresponsiveness to vasoconstrictors, depending on the vessel, the vasoactive agent, and the time period evaluated.
Composite weak bosons at the large hadronic collider
Authors: Fritzsch Harald
Published: June 2016

In a composite model of the weak bosons the p-wave bosons are studied. The state with the lowest mass is identified with the boson, which has been discovered at the LHC. Specific properties of the excited bosons are discussed, in particular their decays into weak bosons and photons. Recently a two-photon signal has been observed, which might come from the decay of a neutral heavy boson with a mass of about 0.75 TeV. This particle could be an excited weak tensor boson.
Dynamical analysis of anisotropic inflation
Authors: Karčiauskas Mindaugas
Published: June 2016

The inflaton coupling to a vector field via the [Formula: see text] term is used in several contexts in the literature, such as to generate primordial magnetic fields, to produce statistically anisotropic curvature perturbation, to support anisotropic inflation, and to circumvent the [Formula: see text]-problem. In this work, I perform dynamical analysis of this system allowing for the most general Bianchi I initial conditions. I also confirm the stability of attractor fixed points along phase–space directions that had not been investigated before.
Extension of Standard Model in multi-spinor field formalism — Visible and dark sectors
Authors: Sogami Ikuo S.
Published: June 2016

With multi-spinor fields which behave as triple-tensor products of the Dirac spinors, the Standard Model is extended so as to embrace three families of ordinary quarks and leptons in the visible sector and an additional family of exotic quarks and leptons in the dark sector of our Universe. Apart from the gauge and Higgs fields of the Standard Model symmetry G, new gauge and Higgs fields of a symmetry isomorphic to G are postulated to exist in the dark sector. It is the bi-quadratic interaction between visible and dark Higgs fields that opens a main portal to the dark sector. Breakdowns of the visible and dark electroweak symmetries result in the Higgs boson with mass 125 GeV and a new boson which can be related to the diphoton excess around 750 GeV. Subsequent to a common inflationary phase and a reheating period, the visible and dark sectors follow weakly-interacting paths of thermal histories. We propose scenarios for dark matter in which no dark nuclear reaction takes place. A candidate for the main component of the dark matter is a stable dark hadron with spin 3/2, and the upper limit of its mass is estimated to be 15.1 GeV/c2.
Accelerated quarks and energy loss in confinement theory
Authors: Ghoroku Kazuo , Kubo Kouki
Published: June 2016

We study the energy loss rate (ELR) of the accelerated quark in terms of the holographic models for the two different motions, linear acceleration and uniform rotation. They are examined by two different nonconformal models with confinement. We found in both models that the value of ELR is bounded from below by the string tension of the linear confinement potential between quark and antiquark. The lower bounds of ELR are independent of the types of the motion of the quark. They are determined by the string tension at the worldsheet horizon of the model. These results are obtained when the model has the diagonal background metric. Then we find the common perspective for the lower bounds of ELRs of the two different motions.
DISPERSION IN IMPEDANCE SPECTRA OF ISOTYPE CdO–ZnO THIN FILM HETEROSTRUCTURE ON APPLIED DC BIAS
Authors: BERA ARUN , SAHA BISWAJIT
Published: June 2016

Radio frequency magnetron sputtering technique has been used to prepare n–n isotype heterostructure of CdO–ZnO thin film on glass substrate. The energy band structure analysis shows the formation of charge accumulation and charge depletion region created near the interface of CdO–ZnO n–n isotype heterostrucure which leads to the formation of a junction capacitance. The impedance spectroscopic studies of CdO–ZnO isotype heterostructure show an excellent dispersion in the impedance spectra as observed in the Nyquist plot depending on applied DC bias voltage. The frequency response of impedances has been explained from band structure and equivalent electrical circuit model of the heterostructure. These studies will be highly significant in exploring the possibility of application of such isotype interfaces in optimizing the functionality of organic and inorganic electronic devices and solar cells.
Multivalued monotone stochastic differential equations with jumps
Authors: Maticiuc Lucian , Răşcanu Aurel , Słomiński Leszek
Published: June 2016

We study multivalued stochastic differential equations (MSDEs) with maximal monotone operators driven by semimartingales with jumps. We discuss in detail some methods of approximation of solutions of MSDEs based on discretization of processes and Yosida approximation of the monotone operator. We also study the general problem of stability of solutions of MSDEs with respect to the convergence of driving semimartingales.
Evidence-Theory-Based Analysis for Structural-Acoustic Field with Epistemic Uncertainties
Authors: Xie Longxiang , Liu Jian , Zhang Jinan , Man Xianfeng
Published: June 2016

Evidence theory has a strong capacity to deal with epistemic uncertainty, in view of the overestimation in interval analysis, the responses of structural-acoustic problem with epistemic uncertainty could be untreated. In this paper, a numerical method is proposed for structural-acoustic system response analysis under epistemic uncertainties based on evidence theory. To improve the calculation accuracy and reduce the computational cost, the interval analysis technique and radial point interpolation method are adopted to obtain the approximate frequency response characteristics for each focal element, and the corresponding formulations of structural-acoustic system for interval response analysis are deduced. Numerical examples are introduced to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed method.
EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE ON THE INFLUENCE OF THE INSTITUTIONAL ENVIRONMENT ON VENTURE INNOVATION PERFORMANCE IN SOUTH AFRICA
Authors: URBAN BORIS
Published: June 2016

Researchers argue there is a strong case to be made that entrepreneurship is itself a consequence of the adoption and development of institutions that encourage entrepreneurial behavior. Previous research on institutions classified the formal and informal institutions that affect entrepreneurs into regulatory, normative and cognitive categories. This study builds in this direction by investigating how perceptions of these institutional profiles may influence venture innovation performance. Following a survey of ventures in the ICT industry, hypotheses are tested using regression analysis. The results reveal that regulatory and normative institutional dimensions explain a modest, yet significant, amount of variance in venture innovation performance. The results also have important policy implications, where the institutional framework in South Africa could be enhanced by developing a country-specific mix of entrepreneur-friendly regulations and normative institutional conditions.
FACTORS AFFECTING ORGANISATIONAL ACCEPTANCE OF FORMAL NPD PROCESSES
Authors: HOLZWEISSIG KAI , RUNDQUIST JONAS
Published: June 2016

Formal new product development (NPD) processes have become an important tool in NPD management. However, our understanding of what makes formal NPD process implementation successful in terms of acceptance and performance is still limited. This paper contributes to an improved understanding of factors affecting the acceptance and use of formal NPD processes. Our results show that acceptance of formal NPD processes is determined by several factors, such as ease of use, transparency of discourse, continuous improvement, involvement of NPD actors, and the ability to bridge differences in thinking. Furthermore, that acceptance of formal NPD processes affects NPD performance positively. These results draw on data from a survey posted to employees working for nine large manufacturers of commercial vehicles worldwide. The results should encourage managers to consider and enhance the factors affecting acceptance. This could be done through using new media for publication to increase transparency and perceived ease of use of the NPD process. Further acceptance of the formal NPD process is increased if it mirrors an operative reality and if organisational structures for improvement of the process are implemented and inclusive to employees involved in NPD.
Multiscale Modeling and Analysis of an Ultra-Precision Damage Free Machining Method
Authors: Guan Chaoliang , Peng Wenqiang
Published: June 2016

Under the condition of high laser flux, laser induced damage of optical element does not occur is the key to success of laser fusion ignition system. US government survey showed that the processing defects caused the laser induced damage threshold (LIDT) to decrease is one of the three major challenges. Cracks and scratches caused by brittle and plastic removal machining are fatal flaws. Using hydrodynamic effect polishing method can obtain damage free surface on quartz glass. The material removal mechanism of this typical ultra-precision machining process was modeled in multiscale. In atomic scale, chemical modeling illustrated the weakening and breaking of chemical bond energy. In particle scale, micro contact modeling given the elastic remove mode boundary of materials. In slurry scale, hydrodynamic flow modeling showed the dynamic pressure and shear stress distribution which are relations with machining effect. Experiment was conducted on a numerically controlled system, and one quartz glass optical component was polished in the elastic mode. Results show that the damages are removed away layer by layer as the removal depth increases due to the high damage free machining ability of the HEP. And the LIDT of sample was greatly improved.
Ablation of interaction between IL-33 and ST2+ regulatory T cells increases immune cell-mediated hepatitis and activated NK cell liver infiltration
Authors: Noel Gregory , Arshad Muhammad Imran , Filliol Aveline , Genet Valentine , Rauch Michel , Lucas-Clerc Catherine , Lehuen Agnès , Girard Jean-Philippe , Piquet-Pellorce Claire , Samson Michel
Published: June 2016

The IL-33/ST2 axis plays a protective role in T-cell-mediated hepatitis, but little is known about the functional impact of endogenous IL-33 on liver immunopathology. We used IL-33-deficient mice to investigate the functional effect of endogenous IL-33 in concanavalin A (Con A)-hepatitis. IL-33−/− mice displayed more severe Con A liver injury than wild-type (WT) mice, consistent with a hepatoprotective effect of IL-33. The more severe hepatic injury in IL-33−/− mice was associated with significantly higher levels of TNF-α and IL-1β and a larger number of NK cells infiltrating the liver. The expression of Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-10) and IL-17 was not significantly varied between WT and IL-33−/− mice following Con A-hepatitis. The percentage of CD25+ NK cells was significantly higher in the livers of IL-33−/− mice than in WT mice in association with upregulated expression of CXCR3 in the liver. Regulatory T cells (Treg cells) strongly infiltrated the liver in both WT and IL-33−/− mice, but Con A treatment increased their membrane expression of ST2 and CD25 only in WT mice. In vitro, IL-33 had a significant survival effect, increasing the total number of splenocytes, including B cells, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and the frequency of ST2+ Treg cells. In conclusion, IL-33 acts as a potent immune modulator protecting the liver through activation of ST2+ Treg cells and control of NK cells.
Activation of bile acid signaling improves metabolic phenotypes in high-fat diet-induced obese mice
Authors: Pierre Joseph F. , Martinez Kristina B. , Ye Honggang , Nadimpalli Anuradha , Morton Timothy C. , Yang Jinghui , Wang Qiang , Patno Noelle , Chang Eugene B. , Yin Deng Ping
Published: June 2016

The metabolic benefits induced by gastric bypass, currently the most effective treatment for morbid obesity, are associated with bile acid (BA) delivery to the distal intestine. However, mechanistic insights into BA signaling in the mediation of metabolic benefits remain an area of study. The bile diversion () mouse model, in which the gallbladder is anastomosed to the distal jejunum, was used to test the specific role of BA in the regulation of glucose and lipid homeostasis. Metabolic phenotype, including body weight and composition, glucose tolerance, energy expenditure, thermogenesis genes, total BA and BA composition in the circulation and portal vein, and gut microbiota were examined. BD improves the metabolic phenotype, which is in accord with increased circulating primary BAs and regulation of enterohormones. BD-induced hypertrophy of the proximal intestine in the absence of BA was reversed by BA oral gavage, but without influencing BD metabolic benefits. BD-enhanced energy expenditure was associated with elevated TGR5, D2, and thermogenic genes, including UCP1, PRDM16, PGC-1α, PGC-1β, and PDGFRα in epididymal white adipose tissue (WAT) and inguinal WAT, but not in brown adipose tissue. BD resulted in an altered gut microbiota profile (i.e., Firmicutes bacteria were decreased, Bacteroidetes were increased, and Akkermansia was positively correlated with higher levels of circulating primary BAs). Our study demonstrates that enhancement of BA signaling regulates glucose and lipid homeostasis, promotes thermogenesis, and modulates the gut microbiota, which collectively resulted in an improved metabolic phenotype.
Resistance or aerobic training decreases blood pressure and improves cardiovascular autonomic control and oxidative stress in hypertensive menopausal rats
Authors: da Palma Renata K. , Moraes-Silva Ivana C. , da Silva Dias Danielle , Shimojo Guilherme L. , Conti Filipe F. , Bernardes Nathalia , Barboza Catarina A. , Sanches Iris C. , da Rosa Araújo Alex Sander , Irigoyen Maria-Cláudia , De Angelis Kátia
Published: June 2016

We investigated whether resistance training (RT) vs. aerobic training (AT) differentially impacts on arterial pressure and related mechanisms in ovariectomized spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Female SHRs were ovariectomized and assigned to one of the following groups: sedentary, AT, or RT; sham sedentary SHR were used as control group. AT was performed on a treadmill, whereas RT was performed on a vertical ladder. Both exercise protocols were performed for 8 wk, 5 days/wk. Arterial pressure, baroreflex sensitivity, autonomic modulation, and cardiac oxidative stress parameters (lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, redox balance, NADPH oxidase, and antioxidant enzymes activities) were analyzed. Ovariectomy increased mean arterial pressure (∼9 mmHg), sympathetic modulation (∼40%), and oxidative stress in sedentary rats. Both RT and AT reduced mean arterial pressure (∼20 and ∼8 mmHg, respectively) and improved baroreflex sensitivity compared with sedentary ovariectomized rats. However, RT-induced arterial pressure decrease was significantly less pronounced than AT. Lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation were decreased while antioxidant enzymes were increased in both trained groups vs. sedentaries. The reduced gluthatione was higher after AT vs. other groups, whereas oxidized gluthatione was lower after RT vs. AT. Moreover, sympathetic and parasympathetic modulations were highly correlated with cardiac oxidative stress parameters. In conclusion, both RT and AT can decrease arterial pressure in a model of hypertension and menopause; although, at different magnitudes this decrease was related to attenuated autonomic dysfunction in association with cardiac oxidative stress improvement in both exercise protocols.
Relationship of membrane properties, spike burst responses, laminar location, and functional class of dorsal horn neurons recorded in vitro
Authors: Dougherty Patrick M. , Chen Jinghong
Published: June 2016

The input-output and discharge properties of neurons are shaped by both passive and active electrophysiological membrane properties. Whole cell patch-clamp recordings in lamina I–III neurons in an isolated preparation of the whole spinal cord of juvenile rats with attached dorsal roots and dorsal root ganglia were used to further define which of these properties provides the most impactful classification strategy. A total of 95 neurons were recorded in segment L5 and were classified based on the responses to L4 dorsal root stimulation. The results showed that high-threshold and silent neurons had higher membrane resistance and more negative resting membrane potential than low-threshold or wide-dynamic-range neurons. Rheobase in low-threshold and wide-dynamic-range neurons was significantly lower than that of high-threshold or silent neurons. Four types of firing patterns were identified in response to depolarizing current injections. Low-threshold cells most frequently showed a phasic firing pattern characterized by a short initial burst of action potentials, single spiking or irregular firing bursts at the onset of a depolarizing pulse. High-threshold and wide-dynamic-range neurons were characterized by tonic firing with trains of spikes occurring at regular intervals throughout the current pulse. The majority of silent neurons displayed a delayed onset of firing in response to current injection. These results indicate that the passive membrane properties of spinal neurons are tuned to optimize the responses to particular subsets of afferent stimuli.
Perception of combined translation and rotation in the horizontal plane in humans
Authors: Crane Benjamin T.
Published: June 2016

Thresholds and biases of human motion perception were determined for yaw rotation and sway (left-right) and surge (fore-aft) translation, independently and in combination. Stimuli were 1 Hz sinusoid in acceleration with a peak velocity of 14°/s or cm/s. Test stimuli were adjusted based on prior responses, whereas the distracting stimulus was constant. Seventeen human subjects between the ages of 20 and 83 completed the experiments and were divided into 2 groups: younger and older than 50. Both sway and surge translation thresholds significantly increased when combined with yaw rotation. Rotation thresholds were not significantly increased by the presence of translation. The presence of a yaw distractor significantly biased perception of sway translation, such that during 14°/s leftward rotation, the point of subjective equality (PSE) occurred with sway of 3.2 ± 0.7 (mean ± SE) cm/s to the right. Likewise, during 14°/s rightward motion, the PSE was with sway of 2.9 ± 0.7 cm/s to the left. A sway distractor did not bias rotation perception. When subjects were asked to report the direction of translation while varying the axis of yaw rotation, the PSE at which translation was equally likely to be perceived in either direction was 29 ± 11 cm anterior to the midline. These results demonstrated that rotation biased translation perception, such that it is minimized when rotating about an axis anterior to the head. Since the combination of translation and rotation during ambulation is consistent with an axis anterior to the head, this may reflect a mechanism by which movements outside the pattern that occurs during ambulation are perceived.
Nonlinear computations shaping temporal processing of precortical vision
Authors: Butts Daniel A. , Cui Yuwei , Casti Alexander R. R.
Published: June 2016

Computations performed by the visual pathway are constructed by neural circuits distributed over multiple stages of processing, and thus it is challenging to determine how different stages contribute on the basis of recordings from single areas. In the current article, we address this problem in the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), using experiments combined with nonlinear modeling capable of isolating various circuit contributions. We recorded cat LGN neurons presented with temporally modulated spots of various sizes, which drove temporally precise LGN responses. We utilized simultaneously recorded S-potentials, corresponding to the primary retinal ganglion cell (RGC) input to each LGN cell, to distinguish the computations underlying temporal precision in the retina from those in the LGN. Nonlinear models with excitatory and delayed suppressive terms were sufficient to explain temporal precision in the LGN, and we found that models of the S-potentials were nearly identical, although with a lower threshold. To determine whether additional influences shaped the response at the level of the LGN, we extended this model to use the S-potential input in combination with stimulus-driven terms to predict the LGN response. We found that the S-potential input “explained away” the major excitatory and delayed suppressive terms responsible for temporal patterning of LGN spike trains but revealed additional contributions, largely PULL suppression, to the LGN response. Using this novel combination of recordings and modeling, we were thus able to dissect multiple circuit contributions to LGN temporal responses across retina and LGN, and set the foundation for targeted study of each stage.
Molecular Pathways: Cachexia Signaling—A Targeted Approach to Cancer Treatment
Authors: Miyamoto Yuji , Hanna Diana L. , Zhang Wu , Baba Hideo , Lenz Heinz-Josef
Published: June 2016

Cancer cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome characterized by an ongoing loss of skeletal muscle mass, which negatively affects quality of life and portends a poor prognosis. Numerous molecular substrates and mechanisms underlie the dysregulation of skeletal muscle synthesis and degradation observed in cancer cachexia, including proinflammatory cytokines (TNFα, IL1, and IL6), and the NF-κB, IGF1/AKT/mTOR, and myostatin/activin–SMAD pathways. Recent preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated that anti-cachexia drugs (such as MABp1 and soluble receptor antagonist of myostatin/activin) not only prevent muscle wasting but also may prolong overall survival. In this review, we focus on the significance of cachexia signaling in patients with cancer and highlight promising drugs targeting tumor cachexia in clinical development. Clin Cancer Res; 22(16); 3999–4004. ©2016 AACR.
Cardiac Contractility Modulation Attenuate Myocardial Fibrosis by Inhibiting TGF-β1/Smad3 Signaling Pathway in a Rabbit Model of Chronic Heart Failure
Authors: Zhang Feifei , Dang Yi , Li Yingxiao , Hao Qingqing , Li Rong , Qi Xiaoyong
Published: June 2016

Backgroun/Aims: To explore the effect of cardiac contractility modulation (CCM) on myocardial fibrosis in heart failure and to investigate the underlying mechanism. Methods: Rabbits were randomly divided into sham group, HF group and CCM group. A rabbit model of chronic heart failure (CHF) was induced 12 weeks after aortic constriction by pressure unloading. Then cardiac contractility modulation was delivered to the myocardium lasting six hours per day for 4 weeks. Histology examination was carried out to evaluate the myocardial pathological changes. Protein levels of collagen I, collagen III, α-SMA, MMP2, MMP9, TIMP1, TGF-β1 and Smad3 were measured by western blot analysis. Results: Histology examination results showed that CCM therapy attenuated myocardial fibrosis and collagen deposition in rabbits with CHF. In addition, protein levels of collagen I, collagen III, α-SMA, MMP2, MMP9, TIMP1, TGF-β1 and Smad3 were down regulated. Conclusion: CCM therapy exerted protective effects against myocardial fibrosis potentially by inhibiting TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway in CHF rabbits.
Does MRI Increase the Diagnostic Confidence of Physicians in an Outpatient Memory Clinic
Authors: Boelaarts Leo , Scheltens Philip , de Jonghe Jos
Published: June 2016

Background and Aim: Data showing the usefulness of MRI to improve the accuracy of the diagnostic process in cognitive disorders were derived from studies in tertiary referral centers. MRI is widely used as a diagnostic tool in everyday practice, but it is unknown what the actual added value of MRI is. We studied the usefulness of MRI in the diagnostic process by measuring the change of confidence of the physician. Methods: Physicians indicated confidence in their diagnosis before and after presentation of MR images using a visual analogue scale from 0-100%. Results: Use of MRI increased the level of confidence by 3% in experienced clinicians and by 9% in inexperienced physicians. In 2/125 cases, MRI showed an unexpected finding. Conclusion: MRI is a useful diagnostic tool in everyday practice of diagnosing cognitive disorders.
Increased α-Actinin-2 Expression in the Atrial Myocardium of Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Related to Rheumatic Heart Disease
Authors: Zhang Lei , Zhang Nan , Tang Xuejiao , Liu Fajin , Luo Suxin , Xiao Hua
Published: June 2016

Objectives: Atrial ﬁbrosis, a marker of atrial structural remodeling, plays a critical role in atrial ﬁbrillation (AF). α- Actinin-2 is associated with structural remodeling related to stretching. The transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad pathway plays an important role in atrial fibrosis. We investigated the effects of the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway on α-actinin-2 in atrial fibrosis in patients with AF. Methods: Forty-one right atrial specimens obtained from patients with rheumatic heart disease (RHD) were divided into a chronic (c)AF group, i.e. RHD + cAF (n = 29), and a sinus rhythm group, i.e. RHD + sinus rhythm (n = 12). Patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) and sinus rhythm who underwent heart surgery served as controls (n = 10). Fibrosis was assessed by histological examination, and expression of α-actinin-2, TGF-β1 and Smad2/phosphorylated Smad2 (p-Smad2) was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting. In rat atrial fibroblasts treated with TGF-β1, the collagen content was measured using hydroxyproline detection, and α-actinin-2 and p-Smad2 were evaluated by semiquantitative reverse-transcription PCR and Western blotting. Results: The histology results revealed a significant increase in atrial fibrosis in AF patients. The collagen content, mRNA and protein expression levels of α-actinin-2 and the components of the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway were significantly gradually increased in the CHD + sinus rhythm, RHD + sinus rhythm and RHD + cAF groups (p < 0.05). The mRNA and protein levels of α-actinin-2 and TGF-β1 in RHD patients were positively correlated with the collagen volume fraction. A positive correlation between the expression of α-actinin-2 and TGF-β1 was also observed. In rat atrial fibroblasts treated with TGF-β1, the collagen content was greater than that in the control group (p < 0.05), and the expression levels of α- actinin-2 and p-Smad2 were also upregulated (p < 0.05). Conclusions: α-Actinin-2 expression was increased in the atrial tissues of patients with AF secondary to RHD. α-Actinin-2 was upregulated via the TGF-β1/Smad pathway in atrial fibroblasts, which suggests that it may be involved in TGF-β1/Smad pathway-induced atrial fibrosis in patients with AF.
Compensatory Postural Adjustments in an Oculus Virtual Reality Environment and the Risk of Falling in Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Gago Miguel F. , Yelshyna Darya , Bicho Estela , Silva Hélder David , Rocha Luís , Lurdes Rodrigues Maria , Sousa Nuno
Published: June 2016

Background/Aims: Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients have an impaired ability to quickly reweight central sensory dependence in response to unexpected body perturbations. Herein, we aim to study provoked compensatory postural adjustments (CPAs) in a conflicting sensory paradigm with unpredictable visual displacements using virtual reality goggles. Methods: We used kinematic time-frequency analyses of two frequency bands: a low-frequency band (LB; 0.3-1.5 Hz; mechanical strategy) and a high-frequency band (HB; 1.5-3.5 Hz; cognitive strategy). We enrolled 19 healthy subjects (controls) and 21 AD patients, divided according to their previous history of falls. Results: The AD faller group presented higher-power LB CPAs, reflecting their worse inherent postural stability. The AD patients had a time lag in their HB CPA reaction. Conclusion: The slower reaction by CPA in AD may be a reflection of different cognitive resources including body schema self-perception, visual motion, depth perception, or a different state of fear and/or anxiety.
Prodromal Clinical Markers of Parkinson disease in Gaucher Disease Individuals
Authors: Gatto Emilia M. , Etcheverry Jose Luis , Sanguinetti Ana , Cesarini Martin , Fernandez Escobar Nicolas , Drelichman Guillermo
Published: June 2016

Heterozygous mutations in the glucocerebrosidase (GBA) gene have been reported as a common risk factor for the development of Parkinson's disease (PD) in Gaucher disease (GD) patients and in heterozygous GBA mutation positive carriers. In this study, we analyzed the occurrence of prodromal markers of PD in an Argentinean cohort with type 1 GD. After signed informed consent, we evaluated 26 patients with type 1 GD under enzymatic replacement therapy from a cohort of the Hospital Ricardo Gutierrez GD Study Group in Buenos Aires City, Argentina. We performed an extensive neurological examination, including cognitive assessment by Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and a questionnaire performed ad hoc, to identify non-motor PD symptoms. Parasomnias were reported by 7 patients (26.92%), rapid eye movement behavior disorders in 2 (7.69%), constipation in 2 (7.69%), hyposmia in 1 (3.84%), tremor in 1 (3.84%), and depression in 3 cases (11.53%). MoCA assessment was abnormal in 44.44% of patients. No patient fulfilled PD diagnostic criteria (Queen Square Brain Bank criteria). The identification of prodromal markers of PD in type 1 GD suggests that this population represents a very interesting cohort for identifying potential biomarkers and neuroprotective therapies for PD.
The Pivotal Role of the Parieto-Occipital Lobe in Card Game-Induced Reflex Epilepsy: A Voxel-Based Morphometry Study
Authors: Park Kang Min , Kim Sung Eun , Lee Byung In
Published: June 2016

Background: The pathogenesis of card game-induced reflex epilepsy has not been determined so far. The aim of this study was to evaluate structural abnormalities using voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analysis, which may give some clue about the pathogenesis in card game-induced reflex epilepsy. Methods: The 3 subjects were diagnosed with card game-induced reflex epilepsy. Evaluation involved a structured interview to obtain clinical information and brain MRI. In VBM analysis, Statistical Parametric Mapping 8 running on the MATLAB platform was employed to analyze the structural differences between patients with card game-induced reflex epilepsy and age- and sex-matched control subjects. Results: The results of VBM analysis revealed that patients with card game-induced reflex epilepsy had significantly increased gray matter volume in the right occipital and parietal lobe. However, there were no structures with decreased gray matter volume in patients with card game-induced reflex epilepsy compared with control subjects. In addition, we found that the patients with card game-induced reflex epilepsy had onset of seizures in adulthood rather than in adolescence, and all of the patients were men. Conclusions: The parieto-occipital lobes might be partially involved in the neuronal network responsible for card game-induced reflex epilepsy.
ДІАГНОСТИКА ТА ЛІКУВАННЯ ГРИПУ: СУЧАСНІ КЛІНІКО-ПАТОГЕНЕТИЧНІ АСПЕКТИ
Authors: Moskaliuk V. D. , Sydorchuk A. S.
Published: June 2016

Проаналізовано результати сучасних вірусологічних досліджень глобальної циркуляції вірусів грипу, їх генетичних різновидів. Детально висвітлено клінічні особливості сезонного і пандемічного грипу. Акцентовано на імунопатогенетичних механізмах ускладнених і фатальних випадків інфекції. Обговорено аспекти ефективного лікування з урахуванням засад доказової медицини. Наголошено на різновекторних принципах профілактики й запобігання захворювань, спричинених вірусами грипу людини.
ОЦІНКА ФУНКЦІОНАЛЬНОЇ АКТИВНОСТІ СЛИННИХ ЗАЛОЗ У ДІТЕЙ ПРИ ГРИПІ ТА ІНШИХ РЕСПІРАТОРНИХ ВІРУСНИХ ІНФЕКЦІЯХ
Authors: Hevkalyuk N. O.
Published: June 2016

Порушення гомеостазу ротової порожнини, що перебігають на фоні гіпосалівації, змін фізико-хімічних властивостей, кислотно-сольової рівноваги ротової рідини, свідчать про зниження функціональної активності слинних залоз при респіраторних вірусних інфекціях у дітей з проявами захворювання в ротовій порожнині.
ГЕПАТИТ А У ДОРОСЛИХ
Authors: Vasylyeva N. A. , Ivakhiv O. L. , Kohutych A. I. , Kyrychenko A. O.
Published: June 2016

Клінічні спостереження свідчать про різноманітність симптоматики ГА у дорослих, часто з тяжким перебігом. Діагноз ГА у дорослих завжди потребує поглибленої диференційної діагностики з іншими хворобами печінки, що перебігають із жовтяницею, розширеного маркерного дослідження; повинен бути обґрунтований епідеміологічно і клінічно. Лабораторним підтвердженням може слугувати лише виявлення анти-HAV IgМ у сироватці крові або ДНК HAV у випорожненнях.
ВЕГЕТАТИВНА ДИСФУНКЦІЯ У ХВОРИХ НА ВІЛ-ІНФЕКЦІЮ, ЯКІ ПЕРЕБУВАЮТЬ НА АНТИРЕТРОВІРУСНІЙ ТЕРАПІЇ: ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ ВАРІАБЕЛЬНОСТІ СЕРЦЕВОГО РИТМУ
Authors: Vozna Kh. I. , Moskaliuk V. D.
Published: June 2016

Проаналізовано динаміку змін часових і спектральних параметрів варіабельності серцевого ритму у 44 ВІЛ-інфікованих хворих, які отримують високоактивну антиретровірусну терапію та терапію, доповнену донатором оксиду азоту – молсидоміном. Показано, що додаткове включення молсидоміну в комплексне лікування хворих з ВІЛ-інфекцією сприяє відновленню вегетативного балансу за рахунок зменшення симпатикотонії.
КЛІНІКО-ЛАБОРАТОРНА ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКА ПРОЯВІВ ІНФЕКЦІЙНОГО МОНОНУКЛЕОЗУ У ДІТЕЙ
Authors: Nezhoda I. I. , Bobruk S. V.
Published: June 2016

Висвітлено клініко-лабораторні особливості перебігу інфекційного мононуклеозу у дітей у період з березня по липень 2015 р., з урахуванням етіологічного чинника, клініки  та даних імунологічних досліджень слизової оболонки орофарингеальної  зони.
СУЧАСНІ МОЖЛИВОСТІ ЛАЗЕРОТЕРАПІЇ НЕЙРОІНФЕКЦІЙ
Authors: Berezina L. V.
Published: June 2016

Огляд літератури присвячений сучасним уявленням про дію лазерного опромінення на організм. Показано сучасні можливості використання лазеротерапії при нейроінфекціях.
ТРУДНОЩІ ДІАГНОСТИКИ НЕЙРОБОРЕЛІОЗУ
Authors: Kopcha V. S. , Ishchuk I. S. , Korodiuk V. I.
Published: June 2016

Описано випадок помилкової діагностики нейробореліозу, спричиненої псевдопозитивними серологічними реакціями, зокрема виявленням протягом тривалого часу методом ІФА протиборелійних IgM за відсутності відповідних IgG. Виключити діагноз нейроінфекції на користь хронічного демієлінізуючого захворювання дозволило поглиблене серологічне дослідження – блот-аналіз.
PDK1 Determines Collagen-Dependent Platelet Ca
2+
Signaling and Is Critical to Development of Ischemic Stroke In Vivo
Authors: Münzer Patrick , Walker-Allgaier Britta , Geue Sascha , Geuss Eva , Hron Gregor , Rath Dominik , Eißler Daniela , Winter Stefan , Schaeffeler Elke , Meinert Monika , Schaller Martin , Greinacher Andreas , Schwab Matthias , Geisler Tobias , Kleinschnitz Christoph , Lang Florian , Gawaz Meinrad , Borst Oliver
Published: June 2016

Objective—

Activation of platelets by subendothelial collagen results in an increase of cytosolic Ca
2+
concentration ([Ca
2+
]
i
) and is followed by platelet activation and thrombus formation that may lead to vascular occlusion. The present study determined the role of phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1) in collagen-dependent platelet Ca
2+
signaling and ischemic stroke in vivo.

Approach and Results—

Platelet activation with collagen receptor glycoprotein VI agonists collagen-related peptide or convulxin resulted in a significant increase in PDK1 activity independent of second-wave signaling. PDK1 deficiency was associated with reduced platelet phospholipase Cγ2–dependent inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate production and intracellular [Ca
2+
]
i
in response to stimulation with collagen-related peptide or convulxin. The defective increase of [Ca
2+
]
i
resulted in a substantial defect in activation-dependent platelet secretion and aggregation on collagen-related peptide stimulation. Furthermore, Rac1 activation and spreading, adhesion to collagen, and thrombus formation under high arterial shear rates were significantly diminished in PDK1-deficient platelets. Mice with PDK1-deficient platelets were protected against arterial thrombotic occlusion after FeCl
3
-induced mesenteric arterioles injury and ischemic stroke in vivo. These mice had significantly reduced brain infarct volumes, with a significantly increased survival of 7 days after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion without increase of intracerebral hemorrhage. Tail bleeding time was prolonged in
pdk1
−/−
mice, reflecting an important role of PDK1 in primary hemostasis.

Conclusions—

PDK1 is required for Ca
2+
-dependent platelet activation on stimulation of collagen receptor glycoprotein VI, arterial thrombotic occlusion, and ischemic stroke in vivo.
The Ambiguities of Nationalism
Authors: Rebello de Mendonça Carlos Eduardo
Published: June 2016

In Communism and Nationalism in Portugal, José Neves is more concerned with the ideological history of the Portuguese Communist Party, that is to say with what discursive terms it concerned itself, than with the particular historical issues posed by its concrete development, and with the party’s actual history. In a nutshell, what we have in this work is an attempt to grasp the history of a Marxist party in non-Marxist terms. The whole outlook of the work is therefore concerned with looking at the intellectual history of Portuguese Communism from the outside, in terms of the development of a discourse that is not taken as true or false, but as a thing unto itself.
A new hybrid of Tectaria (Tectariaceae) from southern China
Authors: ZHAO HUI-GUO , DONG SHI-YONG
Published: June 2016

A new natural hybrid, Tectaria × hongkongensis (Tectariaceae), is described and illustrated from Hong Kong, China. It is a sterile hybrid supported by the abortive spores and cytological data [2n = 120 (3x)]. This hybrid is morphologically somewhat similar to T. zeilanica in the small size of plants, strongly dimorphic leaves, the shape of sterile fronds, and acrostichoid sporangia. Molecular data indicate its maternal parent is probably T. harlandii. Tectaria × hongkongensis is the first hybrid confirmed by morphological and cytological evidence in East Asia.
Revised diagnosis of the genus Gonorhynchus McClelland (Teleostei: Cyprinidae: Labeonini) with redescription of G. latius (Hamilton) and revalidation of G. wattanah (Sykes)
Authors: CICCOTTO PATRICK J. , PAGE LAWRENCE M.
Published: June 2016

A new diagnosis of the genus Gonorhynchus McClelland 1838 from South Asia is proposed. Seven species are contained in the genus: G. latius (Hamilton 1822), G. diplochilus (Heckel 1838), G. wattanah (Sykes 1839), G. macmahoni (Zugmayer 1912), G. burmanicus (Hora 1936), G. bicornis (Wu 1977), and G. periyarensis (Menon & Jacob 1996). Gonorhynchus latius, a senior synonym of the type species G. brevis M’Clelland 1839 is redescribed. Crossocheilus gohama (M’Clelland 1839) and Crossochilus rostratus Günther 1868 are considered junior synonyms of G. latius, and a neotype is designated for G. latius. Gonorhynchus wattanah (Sykes 1839) from the Krishna and Godavari River basins in western India is revalidated and redescribed with the designation of a neotype. Akrokolioplax Zhang & Kottelat 2006 is a junior synonym of Gonorhynchus.
Micromorphological differentiation of left and right stridulatory apparatus in crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllidae)
Authors: LI XIAOQIANG , ZHANG XUE , LUO WENQI , WANG YINLIANG , REN BINGZHONG
Published: June 2016

The present study compared micromorphological differentiation of stridulatory apparatus between the functional right tegmen and non-functional left tegmen, analyzed under scanning electron microscope (SEM), among eight Gryllidae species. The results showed that the main differences were found on the length and shape of files and teeth. The length of stridulatory file and teeth number were lower on the left stridulatory apparatus than that on right stridulatory apparatus in all species. However, the ratio between the length of stridulatory teeth and the interval of stridulatory teeth was significantly higher on the left stridulatory apparatus than that on right stridulatory apparatus in Dianemobius fascipes, Polionemobius taprobanensis, Pteronemobius gifuensis, Teleogryllus occipitalis and Oecanthus longicauda. In addition, the length of stridulatory teeth was positively related to number of stridulatory teeth, however, the interval of stridulatory teeth was negatively related to the ratio between the length of stridulatory teeth and the interval of stridulatory teeth for left and right stridulatory apparatus. Our result illustrated that the length of left and right stridulatory file and teeth length could be an effective character to distinguish species. Left stridulatory apparatus was not entirely degraded than right stridulatory apparatus.
Large-Scale Controls on Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Activity on Seasonal Time Scales
Authors: Lim Young-Kwon , Schubert Siegfried D. , Reale Oreste , Molod Andrea M. , Suarez Max J. , Auer Benjamin M.
Published: June 2016

Interannual variations in seasonal tropical cyclone (TC) activity (e.g., genesis frequency and location, track pattern, and landfall) over the Atlantic are explored by employing observationally constrained simulations with the NASA Goddard Earth Observing System, version 5 (GEOS-5), atmospheric general circulation model. The climate modes investigated are El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), and the Atlantic meridional mode (AMM).

The results show that the NAO and AMM can strongly modify and even oppose the well-known ENSO impacts, like in 2005, when a strong positive AMM (associated with warm SSTs and a negative SLP anomaly over the western tropical Atlantic) led to a very active TC season with enhanced TC genesis over the Caribbean Sea and a number of landfalls over North America, under a neutral ENSO condition. On the other end, the weak TC activity during 2013 (characterized by weak negative Niño index) appears caused by a NAO-induced positive SLP anomaly with enhanced vertical wind shear over the tropical North Atlantic. During 2010, the combined impact of the three modes produced positive SST anomalies across the entire low-latitudinal Atlantic and a weaker subtropical high, leading to more early recurvers and thus fewer landfalls despite enhanced TC genesis. The study provides evidence that TC number and track are very sensitive to the relative phases and intensities of these three modes and not just to ENSO alone. Examination of seasonal predictability reveals that the predictive skill of the three modes is limited over tropics to subtropics, with the AMM having the highest predictability over the North Atlantic, followed by ENSO and NAO.
Noninvasive Qualitative and Quantitative Assessment of Spoilage Attributes of Chilled Pork Using Hyperspectral Scattering Technique
Authors: Zhang Leilei , Peng Yankun
Published: June 2016

The objective of this research was to develop a rapid noninvasive method for quantitative and qualitative determination of chilled pork spoilage. Microbiological, physicochemical, and organoleptic characteristics such as the total viable count (TVC), Pseudomonas spp., total volatile basic-nitrogen (TVB-N), pH value, and color parameter L* were determined to appraise pork quality. The hyperspectral scattering characteristics from 54 meat samples were fitted by four-parameter modified Gompertz function accurately. Support vector machines (SVM) was applied to establish quantitative prediction model between scattering fitting parameters and reference values. In addition, partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and Bayesian analysis were utilized as supervised and unsupervised techniques for the qualitative identification of meat spoilage. All stored chilled meat samples were classified into three grades: “fresh,” “semi-fresh,” and “spoiled.” Bayesian classification model was superior to PLS-DA with overall classification accuracy of 92.86%. The results demonstrated that hyperspectral scattering technique combined with SVM and Bayesian possessed a powerful capability for meat spoilage assessment rapidly and noninvasively.