bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of superparasitism time intervals on progeny survival and fitness of an egg parasitoid
Authors: DUVAL JEAN‐FRANÇOIS , BRODEUR JACQUES , DOYON JOSÉE , BOIVIN GUY
Published: January 2018

1.Superparasitism influences the fitness of female parasitoids and their progeny, and increasing time interval between oviposition bouts generally reduces survival probabilities of the second clutch. However, the timing of superparasitism may, under certain conditions, favour the second clutch.

2. This study investigated the effects of superparasitism time intervals on survival and fitness of both clutches, allowing the egg parasitoid Trichogramma euproctidis to parasitise previously parasitised Ephestia kuehniella host eggs at different time intervals.

3. In short intervals (0–1 h), a significant advantage was found for the second clutch over the first clutch (93.1% survival). In contrast, the second clutch was outcompeted by the first clutch in 17–19 h and 27–29 h intervals. Females deposited their eggs into larvae (intraspecific hyperparasitism) in a 39–41 h interval with a probability of survival of 57.1%. Females mostly refused to hyperparasitise pupae (∼80% rejection at 124–126 h), and when they did, their progeny never survived.

4. Hyperparasitism significantly increased parasitoid mortality in both clutches from less than 20% (superparasitism only) to over 35%.

5. Except on newly laid eggs (0–1 h), superparasiting females were frequently observed attempting to stab immatures of all stages (from 36.4% to 89.4% of all ovipositions depending on treatment), but infanticide only appeared to succeed on larvae (39–41 h).

6. When the second clutch survived, emerging parasitoids were smaller than control individuals, probably due to resource depletion.

7. These results suggest that T. euproctidis females can detect that a host has been previously parasitised but they cannot perceive superparasitism time intervals.
Dementia IT screening system (DITS): Practical use of local social resources for early diagnosis of dementia with collaboration between family physicians and dementia specialists
Authors: Satoh Masayuki , Kida Hirotaka , Kawagita Sumie , Yamazaki Kyoko , Tabei Ken‐ichi , Tomimoto Hidekazu
Published: January 2018

Aim

To build a dementia screening system in the community to facilitate collaboration among patients/caregiver(s), family clinic physicians and memory clinic specialists.

Methods

We placed a Dementia Network Promoter (DNP) in four cities in Mie prefecture, Japan. Based on requests from patients/caregiver(s), family clinic physicians ordered dementia screening from the DNP. The DNP carried out screenings at the clinic using an IT device (iPad), and sent the results to a dementia specialist at the Mie University Hospital Dementia Center. The dementia specialist assessed the results of the screening tests, and made a treatment recommendation for a follow‐up consultation with a memory clinic or continuing observation by the family clinic. The DNP reported the recommendation of the dementia specialist to the family clinic physician, who provided this information to the patients/caregiver(s). We investigated the characteristics of the patients referred for consultation with the memory clinic.

Results

A total of 158 patients participated in the screening. The majority of patients were in vulnerable living situations characterized by minimal social and family support. The mean score on the Mini‐Mental State Examination was 24.1 ± 5.2. Of patients screened, 62% were referred for consultation at the memory clinic, and 57% of those referred completed a consultation at the memory clinic. Patients referred to the memory clinic showed significantly worse cognitive function and ability to complete activities of daily living.

Conclusions

A dementia screening system might facilitate early consultation and intervention for patients with dementia, and build a more effective network to connect families and memory clinics. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 599–606.
Anticholinergic burden and 1‐year mortality among older patients discharged from acute care hospital
Authors: Lattanzio Fabrizia , Corica Francesco , Schepisi Roberto , Amantea Diana , Bruno Francesco , Cozza Annalisa , Onder Graziano , Volpato Stefano , Cherubini Antonio , Ruggiero Carmelinda , Maggio Marcello G , Corsonello Andrea
Published: January 2018

Aim

The association between anticholinergic burden and mortality is controversial. We aimed to investigate whether the anticholinergic cognitive burden (ACB) score predicts 1‐year mortality in older patients discharged from acute care hospitals.

Methods

Our series consisted of 807 hospitalized patients aged ≥65 years. Patients were followed up for 12 months after discharge. All‐cause mortality was the outcome of the study. The ACB score at discharge (0, 1, ≥2) and increasing ACB score from admission to discharge (no increase, +1, +2 or more) were calculated and used as exposure variables. Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for potential confounders were used for the analysis. Interactions between the ACB score and cognitive impairment or history of falls were also investigated.

Results

During the follow‐up period, 177 out of 807 participants (21.9%) died. After adjusting for potential confounders, a discharge ACB score of ≥2 (HR 1.69, 95% CI 1.09–2.65) was significantly associated with the outcome, whereas the association between increasing ACB score of +2 or more and mortality was weaker (HR 1.30, 95% CI 0.95–1.92). The interaction between the ACB score at discharge or increasing ACB score and cognitive impairment was statistically significant (P = 0.003 and P = 0.004, respectively), whereas that between the ACB score and falls was not.

Conclusions

The ACB score at discharge and, to a lesser extent, an increasing ACB score during hospital stay are associated with an increased risk of 1‐year mortality in older patients discharged from hospital. Such an association is stronger among patients with cognitive impairment. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 705–713
A 2‐year prospective follow‐up study of temporal changes associated with post‐stroke cognitive impairment
Authors: Oh HyunSoo , Park JongSuk , Seo WhaSook
Published: January 2018

Aims

To explore temporal patterns of change in cognitive impairments during the 2 years following stroke and to identify factors that affect these temporal changes.

Background

Despite the prognostic importance, temporal changes in post‐stroke cognitive impairment have not been systematically investigated.

Design

A non‐experimental, prospective, longitudinal descriptive study design.

Methods

Fifty‐two stroke patients were enrolled. Data were collected from April 2015 to September 2017. Cognitive function was evaluated at 5 different times (immediately, and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months post‐stroke).

Results

Significant changes in cognitive function following stroke exhibited an “s‐shaped” curve, and the most rapid changes were observed between 3 and 6 months after stroke. The incidence of post‐stroke cognitive impairment ranged from 23.1% to 42.3% and was highest at 3 months and lowest at 6 months. Gender, educational level, pre‐stroke cognitive and functional abilities, haematoma, and brain surgery were associated with incidence of post‐stroke cognitive impairment.

Conclusions

The ongoing changes exhibited by patterns of cognitive impairment provide evidence that consistent efforts are required to achieve positive changes in post‐stroke cognitive function. Our findings may be helpful to develop nursing care strategies aimed at improving cognitive ability and consequently the quality of life of stroke patients.
Use of an abdominal obstetric binder in colonoscopy: A randomized, prospective trial
Authors: Yu Guang Qiu , Huang Xiao Mei , Li Hai Yan , Tang Wen , Hu Duan Min , Lü Mu Han , Fu Kuang‐I
Published: January 2018

Background and Aims

Various methods have been reported as aids to cecal intubation. This study aimed to prospectively investigate whether an abdominal obstetric binder (AOB) used during pregnancy and attached to the patients' abdomen during colonoscopy could facilitate effective colonoscopic insertion.

Methods

This was a prospective study of 451 consecutive outpatient colonoscopies performed by a single experienced endoscopist. The recruited patients were randomly separated into two groups that received colonoscopy either with (Group A) or without an AOB attached (Group B). The cecal intubation time, cecal intubation length of the colonoscope, use of manual pressure, position change of each patient, and the number of patients with abdominal distension were collected for comparison.

Results

A total of 451 patients (224 in Group A and 227 in Group B) were ultimately included in this study. In Group A, cecal intubation time and cecal intubation length of colonoscope (CIL) were significantly reduced (P < 0.001). The patients had significantly fewer position changes and manual pressure in Group A (P < 0.001). Significantly less abdominal distension was reported by patients in Group A (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

During colonoscopy, the application of an AOB provided a significantly faster and more effective colonoscope insertion.
A study about immunomodulatory effect and efficacy and prognosis of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in patients with chronic hepatitis B‐induced decompensated liver cirrhosis
Authors: Fang Xueqing , Liu Liwei , Dong Jing , Zhang Junfei , Song Haiyan , Song Youliang , Huang Yizhe , Cui Xiaoling , Lin Jian , Chen Congxin , Liu Bo , Chen Zhaolin , Pan Jingjing , Chen Xi
Published: January 2018

Background and Aim

The aim of our study was to investigate the immunomodulatory effect and short‐term efficacy and long‐term prognosis of decompensated liver cirrhosis patients caused by hepatitis B after a double transplantation with human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs).

Methods

Fifty inpatients were recruited and given the same medical treatments, receiving hUCMSCs injection intravenously. Fifty‐three patients (Group B) matched for age, sex, and baseline alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, albumin, total bilirubin, prothrombin time, and model for end‐stage liver disease score and Child–Pugh classification, acted as the control group.

Results

Interleukin‐6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha levels markedly decreased, and interleukin‐10 level apparently increased in Group A at 2 and 4 weeks after treatment. Transforming growth factor beta in Group A increased more remarkably at 2 weeks after treatment. T4 cells and Treg cells in Group A were apparently higher than those in Group B at 2 and 4 weeks after treatment, and T8 cells and B cells were significantly lower than those in Group B. Aspartate aminotransferase levels in Group A were dramatically declining at 8 and 12 weeks after treatment. Levels of albumin, total bilirubin, and prothrombin time in Group A were apparently improved from 4 to 12 weeks after treatment. The improvements in model for end‐stage liver disease and Child–Pugh scores in Group A were notably superior to those in Group B from 4 to 36 weeks after treatment. There were no remarkable differences in the incidence of developing liver failure throughout the follow‐up period, but the mortality rate of Group A was lower than that of Group B.

Conclusion

This therapeutic method may be an appropriate choice for patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis.
Candida species in patients with oral dysesthesia: A comparison of carriage among oral disease states
Authors: Farah Camile S. , Amos Kate , Leeson Rachel , Porter Stephen
Published: January 2018

Objectives

Oral dysesthesia (burning mouth syndrome) is characterized by a burning‐like sensation of the oral mucosa. The etiology of this disorder is still unknown, however, associations with oral fungal carriage have been proposed and applied clinically. The aim of the this study was to compare oral Candida carriage in patients with oral dysesthesia with Candida carriage in patients with other commonly diagnosed oral diseases to clarify the relationship between Candida and oral dysesthesia.

Subjects and Methods

In total, 441 patients in total including 79 patients diagnosed with oral dysesthesia were included in this study. A retrospective analysis of mycological investigations undertaken in patients with clinically diagnosed oral dysesthesia compared with other oral conditions was undertaken.

Results

Oral carriage of Candida was found in 63.3% (50 of 79) of patients with oral dysesthesia. The frequency of carriage and oral load of Candida were not significantly increased in patients with oral dysesthesia relative to the other conditions assessed. Patients with clinical signs of fungal infection or xerostomia presented with increased carriage of Candida.

Conclusion

There is no association between oral dysesthesia and the presence or load of oral Candida.
Genome‐wide mosaicism in divergence between zoonotic malaria parasite subpopulations with separate sympatric transmission cycles
Authors: Divis Paul C. S. , Duffy Craig W. , Kadir Khamisah A. , Singh Balbir , Conway David J.
Published: January 2018

Plasmodium knowlesi is a significant cause of human malaria transmitted as a zoonosis from macaque reservoir hosts in South‐East Asia. Microsatellite genotyping has indicated that human infections in Malaysian Borneo are an admixture of two highly divergent sympatric parasite subpopulations that are, respectively, associated with long‐tailed macaques (Cluster 1) and pig‐tailed macaques (Cluster 2). Whole‐genome sequences of clinical isolates subsequently confirmed the separate clusters, although fewer of the less common Cluster 2 type were sequenced. Here, to analyse population structure and genomic divergence in subpopulation samples of comparable depth, genome sequences were generated from 21 new clinical infections identified as Cluster 2 by microsatellite analysis, yielding a cumulative sample size for this subpopulation similar to that for Cluster 1. Profound heterogeneity in the level of intercluster divergence was distributed across the genome, with long contiguous chromosomal blocks having high or low divergence. Different mitochondrial genome clades were associated with the two major subpopulations, but limited exchange of haplotypes from one to the other was evident, as was also the case for the maternally inherited apicoplast genome. These findings indicate deep divergence of the two sympatric P. knowlesi subpopulations, with introgression likely to have occurred recently. There is no evidence yet of specific adaptation at any introgressed locus, but the recombinant mosaic types offer enhanced diversity on which selection may operate in a currently changing landscape and human environment. Loci responsible for maintaining genetic isolation of the sympatric subpopulations need to be identified in the chromosomal regions showing fixed differences.
Molecular basis of complement factor I deficiency in Tunisian atypical haemolytic and uraemic syndrome patients
Authors: Jlajla Hend , Dehman Fatma , Jallouli Manel , Khedher Rania , Ayadi Imen , Zerzeri Yosr , Laadhar Lilia , Sfar Imen , Mahfoudh Abdelmajid , Gorgi Yosr , Cheour Elhem , Zouaghi Karim , Gargah Tahar , Kallel Sellami Maryam
Published: January 2018

Aim

The aim of the present study was to characterize the molecular basis of complement factor I deficiency in Tunisian atypical haemolytic and uremic syndrome patients with low factor I levels.

Methods

Six adults and seven children were enrolled in this study. Complement factor I levels were assessed by a homemade sandwich ELISA and ranged between 12.5% and 60%. Genomic DNA was amplified by way of a polymerase chain reaction using intronic primers flanking the 13 coding exons. Sequencing of amplified products was carried out by the dye terminator sequencing method. Molecular study was performed on parental samples for three dead paediatric patients. The control group consisted of 100 healthy Tunisian donors.

Results

We identified a total of 13 substitutions and one insertion: seven in introns, four in exons and three in UTR. The new mutations were c.‐132G > C, c.71 + 181 T > A in 5′UTR and intron 1, respectively. Three intronic polymorphisms were predicted to have impact on splicing events: c.482 + 6C > T, c.884‐42_884‐41insTTAAA (rs34422850) and c.1429 + 33 A > G (rs9998151). They were three missense mutations leading to a p.Ile 357Met, p.Ile416Leu and p.GLu548Gln. p.Ile 357Met was found in two patients and one relative. Half of the patients had associated mutation and/or polymorphisms.

Conclusion

This is the first genetic study in Tunisian and Maghrebin atypical haemolytic and uraemic syndrome patients. The high occurrence of Ile357Met mutation may reflect a founding effect. Functional impact of the two new mutations c.‐132G > C and c.71 + 181A > T have to be studied. Association of simultaneous genetic abnormalities may explain the variability of atypical haemolytic and uraemic syndrome, penetrance and disease phenotype.
Contrasting cadmium resistance strategies in two metallicolous populations of Arabidopsis halleri
Authors: Corso Massimiliano , Schvartzman M. Sol , Guzzo Flavia , Souard Florence , Malkowski Eugeniusz , Hanikenne Marc , Verbruggen Nathalie
Published: January 2018

While cadmium (Cd) tolerance is a constitutive trait in the Arabidopsis halleri species, Cd accumulation is highly variable. Recent adaptation to anthropogenic metal stress has occurred independently within the genetic units of A. halleri and the evolution of different mechanisms involved in Cd tolerance and accumulation has been suggested.

To gain a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying Cd tolerance and accumulation in A. halleri, ionomic inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS), transcriptomic (RNA sequencing) and metabolomic (high‐performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry) profiles were analysed in two A. halleri metallicolous populations from different genetic units (PL22 from Poland and I16 from Italy).

The PL22 and I16 populations were both hypertolerant to Cd, but PL22 hyperaccumulated Cd while I16 behaved as an excluder both in situ and when grown hydroponically. The observed hyperaccumulator vs excluder behaviours were paralleled by large differences in the expression profiles of transporter genes. Flavonoid‐related transcripts and metabolites were strikingly more abundant in PL22 than in I16 shoots. The role of novel A. halleri candidate genes possibly involved in Cd hyperaccumulation or exclusion was supported by the study of corresponding A. thaliana knockout mutants.

Taken together, our results are suggestive of the evolution of divergent strategies for Cd uptake, transport and detoxification in different genetic units of A. halleri.
The BIG protein distinguishes the process of CO2‐induced stomatal closure from the inhibition of stomatal opening by CO2
Authors: He Jingjing , Zhang Ruo‐Xi , Peng Kai , Tagliavia Cecilia , Li Siwen , Xue Shaowu , Liu Amy , Hu Honghong , Zhang Jingbo , Hubbard Katharine E. , Held Katrin , McAinsh Martin R. , Gray Julie E. , Kudla Jörg , Schroeder Julian I. , Liang Yun‐Kuan , Hetherington Alistair M.
Published: January 2018

We conducted an infrared thermal imaging‐based genetic screen to identify Arabidopsis mutants displaying aberrant stomatal behavior in response to elevated concentrations of CO2.

This approach resulted in the isolation of a novel allele of the Arabidopsis BIG locus (At3g02260) that we have called CO2 insensitive 1 (cis1).

BIG mutants are compromised in elevated CO2‐induced stomatal closure and bicarbonate activation of S‐type anion channel currents. In contrast with the wild‐type, they fail to exhibit reductions in stomatal density and index when grown in elevated CO2. However, like the wild‐type, BIG mutants display inhibition of stomatal opening when exposed to elevated CO2. BIG mutants also display wild‐type stomatal aperture responses to the closure‐inducing stimulus abscisic acid (ABA).

Our results indicate that BIG is a signaling component involved in the elevated CO2‐mediated control of stomatal development. In the control of stomatal aperture by CO2, BIG is only required in elevated CO2‐induced closure and not in the inhibition of stomatal opening by this environmental signal. These data show that, at the molecular level, the CO2‐mediated inhibition of opening and promotion of stomatal closure signaling pathways are separable and BIG represents a distinguishing element in these two CO2‐mediated responses.
Chk2 deficiency alleviates irradiation‐induced taste dysfunction by inhibiting p53‐dependent apoptosis
Authors: Yuan Zhiyao , Ma Junchi , Meng Xin , Chen Ning , Shen Ming
Published: January 2018

Objective

Taste dysfunction is one of the most common complications following radiotherapy, which leads to decreased appetite and life quality of patients suffering from head and neck cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of checkpoint kinase 2 (Chk2) deficiency in irradiation‐induced taste dysfunction.

Materials and methods

Alterations in oxidative stress, DNA damage, and potential signaling pathway were compared between Chk2‐deficient (Chk2−/−) mice and their wild‐type (WT) littermates pre‐irradiation and 7 and 30 days postirradiation by biochemistry and immunohistochemistry.

Results

Chk2−/− mice showed less loss of type II and type III taste cells, lower expression of p53, caspase‐3, and cleaved caspase‐3, and lower apoptosis levels. However, no significant differences in H2O2 and MDA concentrations, T‐SOD and GSH‐Px activities, and expression of SOD1, SOD2, and 8‐OHdG were detected in the taste buds of Chk2−/− mice as compared to those of WT mice.

Conclusion

Chk2 deficiency downregulated the expression of p53 and inhibited cellular apoptosis, partly contributing to the radioprotective effect on taste cells, but did not alter oxidative stress levels, antioxidant ability, and oxidative DNA damage in taste buds.
Reference values for short‐term resting‐state heart rate variability in healthy adults: Results from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health—ELSA‐Brasil study
Authors: Dantas Eduardo Miranda , Kemp Andrew Haddon , Andreão Rodrigo Varejão , da Silva Valdo José Dias , Brunoni André Russowsky , Hoshi Rosangela Akemi , Bensenor Isabela Martins , Lotufo Paulo Andrade , Ribeiro Antonio Luiz Pinho , Mill José Geraldo
Published: January 2018

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a psychophysiological phenomenon with broad implications, providing an accessible index of vagal function, underpinning psychological constructs, including the capacity for social engagement and emotion regulation, and may predict future morbidity and mortality. However, the lack of reference values for short‐term HRV indices for participants of both sexes across the age spectrum is a limiting factor. This was the objective of the present study. Resting electrocardiographic records were obtained from 13,214 participants (both sexes, 35–74 years), and HRV indices in time and frequency domains (mean ± SD) were determined from 5‐min records. Results were based on a subsample of 2,874 nonmedicated, healthy participants stratified by sex across 10‐year age groupings. Men showed lower heart rate (HR, 64 ± 8 bpm vs. 68 ± 8 bpm, p < .05) and normalized high frequency (HF; 39.4 ± 18.0 normalized units [n.u.] vs. 50.4 ± 18.5 n.u., p < .05) than women, and higher N‐N variance (2,214 ± 1,890 ms2 vs. 1,883 ± 1,635 ms2, p < .05), standard deviation of all N‐N intervals (SDNN; 43.7 ± 17.3 ms vs. 40.3 ± 15.8 ms, p < .05) and LF/HF (2.30 ± 2.68 vs. 1.33 ± 1.82, p < .05). HR and HF (n.u.) were also higher in younger than older women. LF/HF was lower in women than men. Percentile curves showed almost all HRV indices decreasing with aging. The availability of short‐term, resting‐state HRV reference values in a large sample of healthy and nonmedicated participants from 35–74 years will provide a valuable tool for researchers, clinicians, and those in the quantified‐self community.
Identification of a novel allele, HLA‐A*03:289, by sequence‐based typing in Lithuanian patient
Authors: Valatkaite‐Rakstiene B. , Cekauskiene R. , Griskevicius L. , Jakubauskas A.
Published: January 2018

Amino acid substitution Val165Leu of the HLA‐A*03:01:01 results in a novel allele, HLA‐A*03:289.
Impact of Micro-Credit on Poor Households in Kurigram District
Authors: Noor Thuhid , Saha Farid , Auwal Rabiul
Published: January 2018

This paper aims to examine empirically the impact of micro-credit and the living standard of poor people in former enclaves. People of the former enclave economy, like all developing economies, live in rural areas and their living standard are not good. Therefore, the need to improve the living standard of those areas gave birth to the establishment of the Micro-credit organizations in Bangladesh. These organizations targeted low income clients through giving loans and other facilities like savings, insurance, and transfer services to poor low-income households and micro enterprises. Dashier Chara, one of the deprived regions in all former enclaves, was selected to study the impact of Micro credit activities and the living standard of poor people in the area. Primary sources of data collection method were used, and structured schedule also used in the study. The main finding was that the impact of micro credit has contributed positively to improve the living standard of poor people. The contribution was evident in improving their property acquired, housing conditions, livelihood improvement, their income, and subsequently led to good health and education for their families, acquisition of assets. Based on the findings, it is recommended that financial education should be intensified to educate people on financial services.
Colloquium 2016: Assessment of subsurface thermal conductivity for geothermal applications
Authors: Raymond Jasmin
Published: January 2018

The construction of “green” buildings using geothermal energy requires knowledge of the ground thermal conductivity, assessed when designing the heating and cooling system of commercial buildings with ground-coupled heat pumps. The most commonly used method for active field assessment is the thermal response test (TRT), which consists of circulating heated water in a pilot ground heat exchanger (GHE) where temperature and flow rate are monitored. The transient thermal perturbation is analyzed to evaluate the subsurface thermal conductivity. Heat injection can also be performed with a heating cable in the GHE to conduct a TRT without water circulation, which can be affected by surface temperature variations. Passive methods, such as the interpretation of geophysical well logs and the analysis of temperature profiles measured in exploration wells, are emerging as alternatives to TRTs. Steady-state and transient laboratory measurements performed on samples collected in surface outcrops or drill cores can also be achieved. Methods to characterize the subsurface in the context of geothermal system design have evolved significantly since the original TRT concept proposed during the 1980s with different techniques inspired from the Earth science sector.
Nonrelativistic fluids on scale covariant Newton–Cartan backgrounds
Authors: Mitra Arpita
Published: January 2018

The nonrelativistic covariant framework for fields is extended to investigate fields and fluids on scale covariant curved backgrounds. The scale covariant Newton–Cartan background is constructed using the localization of space–time symmetries of nonrelativistic fields in flat space. Following this, we provide a Weyl covariant formalism which can be used to study scale invariant fluids. By considering ideal fluids as an example, we describe its thermodynamic and hydrodynamic properties and explicitly demonstrate that it satisfies the local second law of thermodynamics. As a further application, we consider the low energy description of Hall fluids. Specifically, we find that the gauge fields for scale transformations lead to corrections of the Wen–Zee and Berry phase terms contained in the effective action.
Fermion production by a dependent of time electric field in de Sitter universe
Authors: Băloi Mihaela-Andreea , Crucean Cosmin
Published: January 2018

Fermion production in external electric field on de Sitter expanding universe is analyzed. The amplitude and probability of pair production are computed. We obtain from our calculations that the modulus of the momentum is no longer conserved. The rate of pair production in an electric field is found to be important in the early universe when the expansion factor was large comparatively with the particle mass. A computation of the total probability is presented in a particular case and the result proves to be nonvanishing only in strong gravitational fields.
On the equivalence among stress tensors in a gauge-fluid system
Authors: Mitra Arpan Krishna , Banerjee Rabin , Ghosh Subir
Published: January 2018

In this paper, we bring out the subtleties involved in the study of a first-order relativistic field theory with auxiliary field variables playing an essential role. In particular, we discuss the nonisentropic Eulerian (or Hamiltonian) fluid model. Interactions are introduced by coupling the fluid to a dynamical Maxwell (U(1)) gauge field. This dynamical nature of the gauge field is crucial in showing the equivalence, on the physical subspace, of the stress tensor derived from two definitions, i.e. the canonical (Noether) one and the symmetric one. In the conventional equal-time formalism, we have shown that the generators of the space–time transformations obtained from these two definitions agree modulo the Gauss constraint. This equivalence in the physical sector has been achieved only because of the dynamical nature of the gauge fields. Subsequently, we have explicitly demonstrated the validity of the Schwinger condition. A detailed analysis of the model in lightcone formalism has also been done where several interesting features are revealed.
Construction of lattice Möbius domain wall fermions in the Schrödinger functional scheme
Authors: Murakami Yuko , Ishikawa Ken-Ichi
Published: January 2018

In this paper, we construct the Möbius domain wall fermions (MDWFs) in the Schrödinger functional (SF) scheme for the SU(3) gauge theory by adding a boundary operator at the temporal boundary of the SF scheme setup. Using perturbation theory, we investigate the properties of several constructed MDWFs, including the optimal type domain wall, overlap, truncated domain wall, and truncated overlap fermions. We observe the universality of the spectrum of the effective four-dimensional operator at the tree-level, and fermionic contribution to the universal one-loop beta function is reproduced for MDWFs with a sufficiently large fifth-dimensional extent.
Signals of HE atmospheric μ decay in flight around the Sun’s albedo versus astrophysical νμ and ντ traces in the Moon shadow
Authors: Fargion Daniele , Oliva Pietro , de Sanctis Lucentini Pier Giorgio , Khlopov Maxim Yu.
Published: January 2018

The Sun albedo of Cosmic Rays (CRs) at GeVs energy has been discovered recently by the FERMI satellite. They are traces of atmospheric CRs hitting solar atmosphere and reflecting skimming gamma photons. Even if relevant for astrophysics, as being a trace of atmospheric solar CR noises they cannot offer any signal of neutrino astronomy. On the contrary, the Moon with no atmosphere, may become soon a novel filtering calorimeter and an amplifier of energetic muon astronomical neutrinos (at TeV up to hundred TeVs energy); these lepton tracks leave an imprint in their beta decay while in flight to Earth. Their TeV electron air-shower are among the main signals. Also, a more energetic, but more rare, PeV up to EeV tau lunar neutrino events may be escaping as a tau lepton from the Moon: [Formula: see text] PeV secondaries, then, may be shining on Earth’s atmosphere in lunar shadows in a surprising way. One or a few gamma air-shower events inside the Moon shadows may occur each year in near future Cherenkov telescope array (CTA) or large high altitude air shower observatory (LHAASO) TeV gamma array detector, assuming a nonnegligible astrophysical TeV up to hundred TeV neutrino component (with respect to our terrestrial ruling atmospheric ones); these signals will open a new wonderful passe-partout keyhole for neutrino, been seen along the Moon. The lunar solid angle is small and the muon or tau expected rate is rare, but with the future largest tau radio array as the giant radio array for neutrino detection (GRAND), one might well discover such neutrino imprint.
Continuous variable entanglement of counter-propagating twin beams
Authors: Gatti A. , Brambilla E.
Published: January 2018

This work describes the continuous variable entanglement of the counter-propagating twin beams generated in a Mirrorless Optical Parametric Oscillator (MOPO) below threshold, encompassing both their quadrature and photon-number correlation. In the first case, a comparison with the single-pass co-propagating geometry outlines a completely different stability of the two sources with respect to the phase-angle. In the second case, stimulated by the critical divergence of the correlation time evidenced by Corti et al., we address the issue of the temporal bandwidth of the intensity squeezing.
Using [2H]water to quantify the contribution of de novo palmitate synthesis in plasma: enabling back-to-back studies
Authors: Previs Stephen F. , Herath Kithsiri , Nawrocki Andrea R. , Rodriguez Carlos G. , Slipetz Deborah , Singh Sheo B. , Kang Ling , Bhat Gowri , Roddy Thomas P. , Conarello Stacey , Terebetski Jenna , Erion Mark D. , Kelley David E.
Published: January 2018

An increased contribution of de novo lipogenesis (DNL) may play a role in cases of dyslipidemia and adipose accretion; this suggests that inhibition of fatty acid synthesis may affect clinical phenotypes. Since it is not clear whether modulation of one step in the lipogenic pathway is more important than another, the use of tracer methods can provide a deeper level of insight regarding the control of metabolic activity. Although [2H]water is generally considered a reliable tracer for quantifying DNL in vivo (it yields a homogenous and quantifiable precursor labeling), the relatively long half-life of body water is thought to limit the ability of performing repeat studies in the same subjects; this can create a bottleneck in the development and evaluation of novel therapeutics for inhibiting DNL. Herein, we demonstrate the ability to perform back-to-back studies of DNL using [2H]water. However, this work uncovered special circumstances that affect the data interpretation, i.e., it is possible to obtain seemingly negative values for DNL. Using a rodent model, we have identified a physiological mechanism that explains the data. We show that one can use [2H]water to test inhibitors of DNL by performing back-to-back studies in higher species [i.e., treat nonhuman primates with platensimycin, an inhibitor of fatty acid synthase]; studies also demonstrate the unsuitability of [13C]acetate.
Mechanistically different effects of fat and sugar on insulin resistance, hypertension, and gut microbiota in rats
Authors: Ramos-Romero Sara , Hereu Mercè , Atienza Lidia , Casas Josefina , Jáuregui Olga , Amézqueta Susana , Dasilva Gabriel , Medina Isabel , Nogués Maria Rosa , Romeu Marta , Torres Josep Lluís
Published: January 2018

Insulin resistance (IR) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) are the first manifestations of diet-induced metabolic alterations leading to Type 2 diabetes, while hypertension is the deadliest risk factor of cardiovascular disease. The roles of dietary fat and fructose in the development of IR, IGT, and hypertension are controversial. We tested the long-term effects of an excess of fat or sucrose (fructose/glucose) on healthy male Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. Fat affects IR and IGT earlier than fructose through low-grade systemic inflammation evidenced by liver inflammatory infiltration, increased levels of plasma IL-6, PGE2, and reduced levels of protective short-chain fatty acids without triggering hypertension. Increased populations of gut Enterobacteriales and Escherichia coli may contribute to systemic inflammation through the generation of lipopolysaccharides. Unlike fat, fructose induces increased levels of diacylglycerols (lipid mediators of IR) in the liver, urine F2-isoprostanes (markers of systemic oxidative stress), and uric acid, and triggers hypertension. Elevated populations of Enterobacteriales and E. coli were only detected in rats given an excess of fructose at the end of the study. Dietary fat and fructose trigger IR and IGT in clearly differentiated ways in WKY rats: early low-grade inflammation and late direct lipid toxicity, respectively; gut microbiota plays a role mainly in fat-induced IR, and hypertension is independent of inflammation-mediated IR. The results provide evidence that suggests that the combination of fat and sugar is potentially more harmful than fat or sugar alone when taken in excess.
Hospital Epidemiology of Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureusin a Tertiary Care Hospital in Moshi, Tanzania, as Determined by Whole Genome Sequencing
Authors: Kumburu Happiness H. , Sonda Tolbert , Leekitcharoenphon Pimlapas , van Zwetselaar Marco , Lukjancenko Oksana , Alifrangis Michael , Lund Ole , Mmbaga Blandina T. , Kibiki Gibson , Aarestrup Frank M.
Published: January 2018

Objective. To determine molecular epidemiology of methicillin-resistantS. aureusin Tanzania using whole genome sequencing.Methods. DNA from 33Staphylococcusspecies was recovered from subcultured archivedStaphylococcusisolates. Whole genome sequencing was performed on Illumina Miseq using paired-end2×250 bp protocol. Raw sequence data were analyzed using online tools.Results. Full susceptibility to vancomycin and chloramphenicol was observed. Thirteen isolates (43.3%) resisted cefoxitin and other antimicrobials tested. Multilocus sequence typing revealed 13 different sequence types among the 30S. aureusisolates, with ST-8 (n= seven, 23%) being the most common. Gene detection inS.aureusstains were as follows:mecA, 10 (33.3%);pvl, 5 (16.7%);tst, 2 (6.7%). The SNP difference among the six Tanzanian ST-8 MRSA isolates ranged from 24 to 196 SNPs and from 16 to 446 SNPs when using the USA300_FPR3757 or the USA500_2395 as a reference, respectively. The mutation rate was1.38×10-11SNPs/site/year or1.4×10-6SNPs/site/year as estimated by USA300_FPR3757 or the USA500_2395, respectively.Conclusion.S. aureusisolates causing infections in hospitalized patients in Moshi are highly diverse and epidemiologically unrelated. Temporal phylogenetic analysis provided better resolution on transmission and introduction of MRSA and it may be important to include this in future routines.
Age and Unplanned Postoperative Visits Predict Outcome after Septoplasty: A National Swedish Register Study
Authors: Pedersen Lars , Schiöler Linus , Holmberg Kenneth , Ahlström Emanuelsson Cecilia , Hellgren Johan
Published: January 2018

Objective. To study predictors of symptom relief six months after septoplasty using data from the Swedish National Septoplasty Register. Participants. This is a retrospective register study of adult patients undergoing septoplasty in Sweden in 2003–2012. Outcome. Relief of nasal symptoms was analysed in relation to age, gender, size of hospital performing the surgery, addition of turbinoplasty, and unplanned postoperative visits to the hospital due to pain, bleeding, or infection. Results. In all, 76% of the patients (n=5,865) rated their symptoms as “almost gone” or “gone” six months after septoplasty. With every 10-year increase in the age of the patients, the OR was 1.19, 95% CI 1.15–1.23, for a better result and 1.54, 95% CI 1.38–1.71, if the septoplasty was performed at a county hospital versus a university hospital. If there was no unplanned postoperative visit due to pain, bleeding, or infection, the OR for a better result was 1.6, 95% CI 1.39–1.85. Conclusion. In this large national cohort of septoplasties, most of the patients felt that their symptoms had gone or almost gone six months after septoplasty. Higher age, surgery at smaller hospitals, and no unplanned visits to the hospital postoperatively predicted a better outcome.
Analysis of Wellhead Uplift in Offshore Thermal Recovery by Using Finite Element Numerical Simulation
Authors: Dong Shexia , Zhuang Dongsheng , Ji Gongming , Zhu Chunming , Sun Ting
Published: January 2018

Pilot test of complex thermal fluid recovery technology was conducted in NB35-2 heavy oil field. Wellhead uplift was detected among some oil wells, and development of offshore thermal recovery technology could be restricted by the serious safety problems behind. This paper is based on the specific operating conditions of one oil well in the trial block, and the simulation calculation of casing elongation and wellhead uplift are conducted by using finite element analysis. The total casing elongation calculated is 4.2 cm, which is consistent with the field test results. According to the research, we concluded that the wellhead uplift is caused by upper casing elongation. 88% of the total elongation happens in the air and seawater sections. Elongation is lesser in strata and the casing string below 360 m can be considered as anchored.
Preventive Effects of Velvet Antler (Cervus elaphus) against Lipopolysaccharide‐Induced Acute Lung Injury in Mice by Inhibiting MAPK/NF‐κB Activation and Inducing AMPK/Nrf2 Pathways
Authors: Chang Jui-Shu , Lin Hung-Jen , Deng Jeng-Shyan , Wu Wen-Tzu , Huang Shyh-Shyun , Huang Guan-Jhong
Published: January 2018

Velvet antler (Cervus elaphus) is a typical traditional animal medicine. It is considered to have various pharmacological effects including stimulation of the immune system, increase in the physical strength, and enhancement of sexual function. This paper aims to investigate the aqueous extract of velvet antler (AVA) in the mouse models of LPS‐induced ALI. Inhibition of NO, TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐6, and IL‐10 productions contributes to the attenuation of LPS‐induced lung inflammation by AVA. A 5‐day pretreatment of AVA prevented histological alterations and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity in lung tissues. AVA significantly reduced the material (total number of cells and proteins) in the BALF. Western blot analysis revealed that the expression of iNOS and COX‐2 and phosphorylation of IκB‐α and MAPKs proteins are blocked in LPS‐stimulated macrophages as well as LPS‐induced lung injury in mice. Consistent with this concept, the phosphorylation of CaMKKβ, LKB1, AMPK, Nrf2, and HO‐1 was activated after AVA treatment. The results from this study indicate AVA has anti‐inflammatory effects in vivo and AVA is a potential model for the development of health food. In addition, its pathways may be at least partially associated with inhibiting MAPK/NF‐κB activation and upregulating AMPK/Nrf2 pathways and the regulation of antioxidant enzyme activity.
Uniformly Alpha-Quasi-Convex Functions Defined by Janowski Functions
Authors: Mahmood Shahid , Malik Sarfraz Nawaz , Farman Sumbal , Riaz S. M. Jawwad , Farwa Shabieh
Published: January 2018

In this work, we aim to introduce and study a new subclass of analytic functions related to the oval and petal type domain. This includes various interesting properties such as integral representation, sufficiency criteria, inclusion results, and the convolution properties for newly introduced class.
Master‐Slave Synchronization of 4D Hyperchaotic Rabinovich Systems
Authors: Ding Ke , Volos Christos , Xu Xing , Du Bin
Published: January 2018

This paper is concerned with master‐slave synchronization of 4D hyperchaotic Rabinovich systems. Compared with some existing papers, this paper has two contributions. The first contribution is that the nonlinear terms of error systems remained which inherit nonlinear features from master and slave 4D hyperchaotic Rabinovich systems, rather than discarding nonlinear features of original hyperchaotic Rabinovich systems and eliminating those nonlinear terms to derive linear error systems as the control methods in some existing papers. The second contribution is that the synchronization criteria of this paper are global rather than local synchronization results in some existing papers. In addition, those synchronization criteria and control methods for 4D hyperchaotic Rabinovich systems are extended to investigate the synchronization of 3D chaotic Rabinovich systems. The effectiveness of synchronization criteria is illustrated by three simulation examples.
A Simplified Ultrasound Comet Tail Grading Scoring to Assess Pulmonary Congestion in Patients with Heart Failure
Authors: Li Hong , Li Yi-Dan , Zhu Wei-Wei , Kong Ling-Yun , Ye Xiao-Guang , Cai Qi-Zhe , Sun Lan-Lan , Lu Xiu-Zhang
Published: January 2018

Ultrasound lung comets (ULCs) are a nonionizing bedside approach to assess extravascular lung water. We evaluated a protocol for grading ULC score to estimate pulmonary congestion in heart failure patients and investigated clinical and echocardiographic correlates of the ULC score. Ninety-three patients with congestive heart failure, admitted to the emergency department, underwent pulmonary ultrasound and echocardiography. A ULC score was obtained by summing the ULC scores of 7 zones of anterolateral chest scans. The results of ULC score were compared with echocardiographic results, the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification, radiologic score, and N-terminal pro-b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). Positive linear correlations were found between the 7-zone ULC score and the following: E/e′, systolic pulmonary artery pressure, severity of mitral regurgitation, left ventricular global longitudinal strain, NYHA functional classification, radiologic score, and NT-proBNP. However, there was no significant correlation between ULC score and left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricle diameter, left ventricular volume, or left atrial volume. A multivariate analysis identified the E/e′, systolic pulmonary artery pressure, and radiologic score as the only independent variables associated with ULC score increase. The simplified 7-zone ULC score is a rapid and noninvasive method to assess lung congestion. Diastolic rather than systolic performance may be the most important determinant of the degree of lung congestion in patients with heart failure.
Epidemiological Profile and Risk Factors for Acquiring HBV and/or HCV in HIV-Infected Population Groups in Nepal
Authors: Bhattarai Manjula , Baniya Jagat Bahadur , Aryal Nirmal , Shrestha Bimal , Rauniyar Ramanuj , Adhikari Anurag , Koirala Pratik , Oli Pardip Kumar , Pandit Ram Deo , Stein David A. , Gupta Birendra Prasad
Published: January 2018

HBV and HCV infections are widespread among the HIV-infected individuals in Nepal. The goals of this study were to investigate the epidemiological profile and risk factors for acquiring HBV and/or HCV coinfection in disadvantaged HIV-positive population groups in Nepal. We conducted a retrospective study on blood samples from HIV-positive patients from the National Public Health Laboratory at Kathmandu to assay for HBsAg, HBeAg, and anti-HCV antibodies, HIV viral load, and CD4+ T cell count. Among 579 subjects, the prevalence of HIV-HBV, HIV-HCV, and HIV-HBV-HCV coinfections was 3.62%, 2.93%, and 0.34%, respectively. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that spouses of HIV-positive migrant labourers were at significant risk for coinfection with HBV infection, and an age of >40 years in HIV-infected individuals was identified as a significant risk factor for HCV coinfection. Overall our study indicates that disadvantaged population groups such as intravenous drug users, migrant workers and their spouses, female sex workers, and men who have sex with HIV-infected men are at a high and persistent risk of acquiring viral hepatitis. We conclude that Nepalese HIV patients should receive HBV and HCV diagnostic screening on a regular basis.