bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acute and Long‐Term Effects of Multidirectional Treadmill Training on Gait and Balance in Parkinson Disease
Authors: Bryant Mon S. , Workman Craig D. , Hou Jyh‐Gong G. , Henson Helene K. , York Michele K.
Published: May 2016

Background

Treadmill training has been shown to be a promising rehabilitation strategy for improving gait and balance in persons with Parkinson disease (PD). Most studies have involved only forward walking as an intervention. The effects of multidirectional treadmill (forward, backward, and left and right sideways) on gait and balance have not been reported.

Objective

To investigate the acute and long‐term effects of multidirectional treadmill training (MDTT) on gait and balance in persons with PD, and to determine the optimal training duration.

Design

Single group, repeated‐measures design.

Setting

Research laboratory in a hospital.

Participants

Ten persons with PD (mean age 65.9 ± 7.4 years; average disease duration 3.90 ± 2.18 years).

Interventions

MDTT was used. Participants walked forward, backward, and left and right sideways for 5‐7 minutes in each direction at their fastest tolerated speed. The training was 3 days per week continuously for 8 weeks.

Main Outcome Measurements

Gait speed, cadence, and stride length of forward, backward and sideways walks; time and number of steps to turn 360°; and the timed 5‐step test and Timed Up‐and‐Go (TUG) test were performed after the first session of MDTT and every 2 weeks. Effect size of MDTT on each gait and balance variable was measured every 2 weeks for 8 weeks to determine the optimal training duration. Gait and balance variables after the first session of MDTT were compared to the baseline values (pre‐MDTT) to study the acute effect of MDTT.

Results

Stride length of forward, backward, and sideways walks improved immediately after 1 session of MDTT (P = .031, .012, and .001, respectively). The number of steps to turn and the timed 5‐step test score decreased after the first session (P = .016, and .010, respectively). Six weeks of training was found to yield the largest mean effect size of all gait and balance variables. At 6 weeks of MDTT, gait speed of all walking directions (P = .001‐.031), stride length of backward (P < .005) and sideways (P = .001) walks, cadence of sideways walk (P = .036), number of steps to turn (P = .014), and timed 5‐step test (P = .033) improved from pre‐MDTT measures.

Conclusions

MDTT immediately improved gait and balance in persons with PD. Six weeks of MDTT might be the optimal training duration to improve gait and balance in the long term.

Level of Evidence

IV
The effect of Reynolds number on inertial particle dynamics in isotropic turbulence. Part 2. Simulations with gravitational effects
Authors: Ireland Peter J. , Bragg Andrew D. , Collins Lance R.
Published: May 2016

In Part 1 of this study (Ireland et al., J. Fluid Mech., vol. 796, 2016, pp. 617–658), we analysed the motion of inertial particles in isotropic turbulence in the absence of gravity using direct numerical simulation (DNS). Here, in Part 2, we introduce gravity and study its effect on single-particle and particle-pair dynamics over a wide range of flow Reynolds numbers, Froude numbers and particle Stokes numbers. The overall goal of this study is to explore the mechanisms affecting particle collisions, and to thereby improve our understanding of droplet interactions in atmospheric clouds. We find that the dynamics of heavy particles falling under gravity can be artificially influenced by the finite domain size and the periodic boundary conditions, and we therefore perform our simulations on larger domains to reduce these effects. We first study single-particle statistics that influence the relative positions and velocities of inertial particles. We see that gravity causes particles to sample the flow more uniformly and reduces the time particles can spend interacting with the underlying turbulence. We also find that gravity tends to increase inertial particle accelerations, and we introduce a model to explain that effect. We then analyse the particle relative velocities and radial distribution functions (RDFs), which are generally seen to be independent of Reynolds number for low and moderate Kolmogorov-scale Stokes numbers $St$. We see that gravity causes particle relative velocities to decrease by reducing the degree of preferential sampling and the importance of path-history interactions, and that the relative velocities have higher scaling exponents with gravity. We observe that gravity has a non-trivial effect on clustering, acting to decrease clustering at low $St$ and to increase clustering at high $St$. By considering the effect of gravity on the clustering mechanisms described in the theory of Zaichik & Alipchenkov (New J. Phys., vol. 11, 2009, 103018), we provide an explanation for this non-trivial effect of gravity. We also show that when the effects of gravity are accounted for in the theory of Zaichik & Alipchenkov (2009), the results compare favourably with DNS. The relative velocities and RDFs exhibit considerable anisotropy at small separations, and this anisotropy is quantified using spherical harmonic functions. We use the relative velocities and the RDFs to compute the particle collision kernels, and find that the collision kernel remains as it was for the case without gravity, namely nearly independent of Reynolds number for low and moderate $St$. We conclude by discussing practical implications of the results for the cloud physics and turbulence communities and by suggesting possible avenues for future research.
Atlantic salmon require long-chain n-3 fatty acids for optimal growth throughout the seawater period
Authors: Rosenlund Grethe , Torstensen Bente E. , Stubhaug Ingunn , Usman Nafiha , Sissener Nini H.
Published: May 2016

The nutritional requirement for n-3 long-chain PUFA in fast-growing Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) during grow out in the sea is not well documented. Diets were formulated with levels of EPA (20 : 5n-3) and DHA (22 : 6n-3) ranging from 1·3 to 7·4 % of fatty acids (4–24 g/kg feed). Two long-term trials were conducted through the seawater phase, the first at 6 and 12°C, and the second at 12°C. In the first trial, growth at both temperatures was significantly lower in fish fed 1·4 % EPA+DHA of total fatty acids compared with the 5·2 % EPA+DHA group. In the second trial, growth was significantly lower in fish fed 1·3 and 2·7 % compared with 4·4 and 7·4 % EPA + DHA. Fatty acid composition in the fish reflected diet composition, but only after a 7-fold increase in body weight did the fatty acid profile of the fish stabilise according to dietary fatty acids (shown for EPA and DHA). The retention efficiency of DHA increased with decreasing dietary levels, and was 120–190 and 120–200 % in trials 1 and 2, respectively. The retention efficiency of EPA was lower (60–200 %), and values >100 % were only achieved at the lowest dietary levels in both trials. Temperature did not affect fatty acid retention efficiency. These results suggest that Atlantic salmon have a specific requirement for EPA + DHA >2·7 % of fatty acids for optimal long-term growth in seawater, and that short-term growth trials with less weight increase would not show these effects.
Cryoconite hole connectivity on the Wright Lower Glacier, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica
Authors: MACDONELL SHELLEY , SHARP MARTIN , FITZSIMONS SEAN
Published: May 2016

Cryoconite holes can be important sources and stores of water and nutrients on cold and polythermal glaciers, and they provide a habitat for various forms of biota. Understanding the hydrological connectivity of cryoconite holes may be the key to understanding the transport of nutrients and biological material to the proglacial areas of such glaciers. This paper aims to characterize and explain spatial variability in the connectivity of ice-lidded cryoconite holes on a small, piedmont glacier in the McMurdo Dry Valleys through geochemical analysis of cryoconite hole waters. Solute concentrations in both surface and near-surface ice and cryoconite holes, vary greatly along the glacier centerline, and all sample types displayed similar spatial patterns of variability. Using chloride as a tracer, we estimated variations in cryoconite hole connectivity along the glacier centerline. We found that a previously used mass transfer method did not provide reliable estimates of the time period for which cryoconite hole waters had been isolated from the atmosphere. We attribute this to spatial variability in both the chloride content of the surface ice and surface ablation rates. The approach may, however, be used to qualitatively characterize spatial variations in the hydrological connectivity of the cryoconite holes. These results also suggest that ice-lidded cryoconite holes are never truly isolated from the near-surface drainage system.
Automatic Recognition of Sunspots in HSOS Full-Disk Solar Images
Authors: Zhao Cui , Lin GangHua , Deng YuanYong , Yang Xiao
Published: May 2016

A procedure is introduced to recognise sunspots automatically in solar full-disk photosphere images obtained from Huairou Solar Observing Station, National Astronomical Observatories of China. The images are first pre-processed through Gaussian algorithm. Sunspots are then recognised by the morphological Bot-hat operation and Otsu threshold. Wrong selection of sunspots is eliminated by a criterion of sunspot properties. Besides, in order to calculate the sunspots areas and the solar centre, the solar limb is extracted by a procedure using morphological closing and erosion operations and setting an adaptive threshold. Results of sunspot recognition reveal that the number of the sunspots detected by our procedure has a quite good agreement with the manual method. The sunspot recognition rate is 95% and error rate is 1.2%. The sunspot areas calculated by our method have high correlation (95%) with the area data from the United States Air Force/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (USAF/NOAA).
Teaching the English that makes one happy
Authors: Blommaert Jan
Published: May 2016

Integration is usually seen as one process, and language proficiency is often defined as the key to it. In this brief essay, I argue that integration consists of multiple very different processes of a highly specific nature, requiring highly specific register-genre competences. The endpoint of integration, and the usefulness of language therein, consists of happiness: a range of experience of adequacy and satisfaction in highly diverse social milieux.
Migration as Class-based Consumption: The Emigration of the Rich in Contemporary China
Authors: Liu-Farrer Gracia
Published: May 2016

Labelled as the third wave of migration out of post-reform China, the recent emigration of wealthy Chinese has attracted worldwide attention. Although this form of mobility involves primarily the richest 0.1 per cent of the Chinese population, the high profile of the people who move and the amount of wealth implied have made it a sensational social phenomenon. Through interviews, participant observation and media reports, this paper searches for the social meanings of this trend of emigration. Journalists generally attribute the exodus of the rich to a desire to secure their wealth, an aspiration for a different education for their children, or concerns with air pollution and food safety. What this paper argues is that underneath these stated motivations, emigration is in fact a form of class-based consumption, a strategy for class reproduction, and a way to convert economic resources into social status and prestige. “Emigration” (yimin), a form of mobility that may not entail settling abroad, is a path created by wealthy Chinese striving to be among the global elite.
Temporal association between the influenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): RSV as a predictor of seasonal influenza
Authors: MÍGUEZ A. , IFTIMI A. , MONTES F.
Published: May 2016

Epidemiologists agree that there is a prevailing seasonality in the presentation of epidemic waves of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections and influenza. The aim of this study is to quantify the potential relationship between the activity of RSV, with respect to the influenza virus, in order to use the RSV seasonal curve as a predictor of the evolution of an influenza virus epidemic wave. Two statistical tools, logistic regression and time series, are used for predicting the evolution of influenza. Both logistic models and time series of influenza consider RSV information from previous weeks. Data consist of influenza and confirmed RSV cases reported in Comunitat Valenciana (Spain) during the period from week 40 (2010) to week 8 (2014). Binomial logistic regression models used to predict the two states of influenza wave, basal or peak, result in a rate of correct classification higher than 92% with the validation set. When a finer three-states categorization is established, basal, increasing peak and decreasing peak, the multinomial logistic model performs well in 88% of cases of the validation set. The ARMAX model fits well for influenza waves and shows good performance for short-term forecasts up to 3 weeks. The seasonal evolution of influenza virus can be predicted a minimum of 4 weeks in advance using logistic models based on RSV. It would be necessary to study more inter-pandemic seasons to establish a stronger relationship between the epidemic waves of both viruses.
JULES DUPUIT AND THE RAILROADS: WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE STATE?
Authors: Poinsot Philippe
Published: May 2016

The emergence of railroads in France in the nineteenth century raised new debates on analytical issues. The issue lies in the fact that they are natural monopolies. In this paper, I focus on Jules Dupuit’s work on the operations of the railroads. Curiously, he seemed to have defended two contrasting positions: on the one hand, he claimed that unlimited competition is the most efficient way to operate in the railroads; on the other, he stated that State management was the best way to run them. I aim to restore the consistency of Dupuit’s positions. I show that, for him, unlimited competition is not possible in the railroads and that it is not necessarily good for the welfare of society. Therefore, the State should regulate this sector. Then, I specify the conditions under which Dupuit believed the State should manage the railroads instead of offering concessions to private companies.
Performance of rapid test kits to assess household coverage of iodized salt
Authors: Gorstein Jonathan , van der Haar Frits , Codling Karen , Houston Robin , Knowles Jacky , Timmer Arnold
Published: May 2016

Objective

The main indicator adopted to track universal salt iodization has been the coverage of adequately iodized salt in households. Rapid test kits (RTK) have been included in household surveys to test the iodine content in salt. However, laboratory studies of their performance have concluded that RTK are reliable only to distinguish between the presence and absence of iodine in salt, but not to determine whether salt is adequately iodized. The aim of the current paper was to examine the performance of RTK under field conditions and to recommend their most appropriate use in household surveys.

Design

Standard performance characteristics of the ability of RTK to detect the iodine content in salt at 0 mg/kg (salt with no iodine), 5 mg/kg (salt with any added iodine) and 15 mg/kg (‘adequately’ iodized salt) were calculated. Our analysis employed the agreement rate (AR) as a preferred metric of RTK performance.

Setting/Subjects

Twenty-five data sets from eighteen population surveys which assessed household iodized salt by both the RTK and a quantitative method (i.e. titration or WYD Checker) were obtained from Asian (nineteen data sets), African (five) and European (one) countries.

Results

In detecting iodine in salt at 0 mg/kg, the RTK had an AR>90 % in eight of twenty-three surveys, while eight surveys had an AR<80 %. When the RTK was used for detecting adequately iodized salt, the AR decreased significantly, with only one of fourteen surveys achieving an AR>90 %.

Conclusions

The RTK is not suited for assessment of adequately iodized salt coverage. Quantitative assessment, such as by titration or WYD Checker, is necessary for estimates of adequately iodized salt coverage.
The humanitarian impact and implications of nuclear test explosions in the Pacific region
Authors: Ruff Tilman A.
Published: May 2016

The people of the Pacific region have suffered widespread and persisting radioactive contamination, displacement and transgenerational harm from nuclear test explosions. This paper reviews radiation health effects and the global impacts of nuclear testing, as context for the health and environmental consequences of nuclear test explosions in Australia, the Marshall Islands, the central Pacific and French Polynesia. The resulting humanitarian needs include recognition, accountability, monitoring, care, compensation and remediation. Treaty architecture to comprehensively prohibit nuclear weapons and provide for their elimination is considered the most promising way to durably end nuclear testing. Evidence of the humanitarian impacts of nuclear tests, and survivor testimony, can contribute towards fulfilling the humanitarian imperative to eradicate nuclear weapons.
Hypertensive disorders during pregnancy and health outcomes in the offspring: a systematic review
Authors: Pinheiro T. V. , Brunetto S. , Ramos J. G. L. , Bernardi J. R. , Goldani M. Z.
Published: May 2016

The hypertensive disorders of pregnancy complicate up to 10% of pregnancies worldwide and are a leading cause of maternal, foetal, and neonatal morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to present an overview of recent studies addressing offspring’s medium and long-term health outcomes after intrauterine exposure to maternal hypertension. A search on PubMed/MEDLINE and Bireme databases was conducted to identify observational studies that reported any offspring outcome measured after the 6th month of life. The search was limited to studies published after May 2008. Forty-five articles were included and categorized into four groups of outcomes: cardiovascular, immune, metabolic and behavioural/neurological effects. According to our findings, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy had an overall negative impact on offspring’s cardiovascular, immune and neurological health, although not all parameters analysed in each group had consistent results among studies. The most prominent and reliable associations were verified between gestational hypertension and higher offspring’s blood pressure and between preeclampsia and offspring’s lower cognitive functioning. In the metabolic outcomes, body composition had conflicting results among papers, while all studies that examined blood biomarkers showed no evidence that preeclampsia or gestational hypertension could be associated with an alteration of this metabolic outcomes. Most included studies were highly heterogeneous regarding the measure of outcomes and covariables used for adjustments. Future studies should consider using the same protocols and cut-off points already published so that results can be better compared and summarized.

This review was registered in PROSPERO. Registration number: CRD42015020838
Urdu Translation and Validation of Short Muslim Practice and Belief Scale in Pakistan
Authors: Ghayas Saba , Batool Syeda Shahida
Published: May 2016

The present study was conducted to translate and validate the Short Muslim Practice and Belief Scale (SMPBS) (AlMarri, Oei, & Al-Adawi, 2009) to have a culturally equivalent and linguistically accurate Urdu version for use in Pakistan. Forward backward translation method was used for translation followed by tryout of the scale. Urdu translated version of the scale was completed by 500 participants of different age groups (M= 36.5,SD= 10.1). Based on a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), results confirmed that a two-factor model with the factors practice and belief provided an excellent fit to the data with chi square 55.96 (df= 26,p> .05), CFI =.96, GFI = .97, and RMSEA = .04. Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient was .78. Cross-language validation determined on a sample of 60 participants was satisfactory. Convergent validity of the scale was established by finding its significant positive correlation with religious practice and belief scale (r= .64,p< .001) and significant negative correlation with depression (r= –.18,p< .001) revealed its divergent validity.
Microbial regulation of the soil carbon cycle: evidence from gene–enzyme relationships
Authors: Trivedi Pankaj , Delgado-Baquerizo Manuel , Trivedi Chanda , Hu Hangwei , Anderson Ian C , Jeffries Thomas C , Zhou Jizhong , Singh Brajesh K
Published: May 2016

A lack of empirical evidence for the microbial regulation of ecosystem processes, including carbon (C) degradation, hinders our ability to develop a framework to directly incorporate the genetic composition of microbial communities in the enzyme-driven Earth system models. Herein we evaluated the linkage between microbial functional genes and extracellular enzyme activity in soil samples collected across three geographical regions of Australia. We found a strong relationship between different functional genes and their corresponding enzyme activities. This relationship was maintained after considering microbial community structure, total C and soil pH using structural equation modelling. Results showed that the variations in the activity of enzymes involved in C degradation were predicted by the functional gene abundance of the soil microbial community (R2>0.90 in all cases). Our findings provide a strong framework for improved predictions on soil C dynamics that could be achieved by adopting a gene-centric approach incorporating the abundance of functional genes into process models.
Caloric restriction blocks neuropathology and motor deficits in Machado–Joseph disease mouse models through SIRT1 pathway
Authors: Cunha-Santos Janete , Duarte-Neves Joana , Carmona Vitor , Guarente Leonard , Pereira de Almeida Luís , Cavadas Cláudia
Published: May 2016

Machado–Joseph disease (MJD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by an abnormal expansion of the CAG triplet in the ATXN3 gene, translating into a polyglutamine tract within the ataxin-3 protein. The available treatments only ameliorate symptomatology and do not block disease progression. In this study we find that caloric restriction dramatically rescues the motor incoordination, imbalance and the associated neuropathology in transgenic MJD mice. We further show that caloric restriction rescues SIRT1 levels in transgenic MJD mice, whereas silencing SIRT1 is sufficient to prevent the beneficial effects on MJD pathology. In addition, the re-establishment of SIRT1 levels in MJD mouse model, through the gene delivery approach, significantly ameliorates neuropathology, reducing neuroinflammation and activating autophagy. Furthermore, the pharmacological activation of SIRT1 with resveratrol significantly reduces motor incoordination of MJD mice. The pharmacological SIRT1 activation could provide important benefits to treat MJD patients.
Genomics reveals historic and contemporary transmission dynamics of a bacterial disease among wildlife and livestock
Authors: Kamath Pauline L. , Foster Jeffrey T. , Drees Kevin P. , Luikart Gordon , Quance Christine , Anderson Neil J. , Clarke P. Ryan , Cole Eric K. , Drew Mark L. , Edwards William H. , Rhyan Jack C. , Treanor John J. , Wallen Rick L. , White Patrick J. , Robbe-Austerman Suelee , Cross Paul C.
Published: May 2016

Whole-genome sequencing has provided fundamental insights into infectious disease epidemiology, but has rarely been used for examining transmission dynamics of a bacterial pathogen in wildlife. In the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE), outbreaks of brucellosis have increased in cattle along with rising seroprevalence in elk. Here we use a genomic approach to examine Brucella abortus evolution, cross-species transmission and spatial spread in the GYE. We find that brucellosis was introduced into wildlife in this region at least five times. The diffusion rate varies among Brucella lineages (∼3 to 8 km per year) and over time. We also estimate 12 host transitions from bison to elk, and 5 from elk to bison. Our results support the notion that free-ranging elk are currently a self-sustaining brucellosis reservoir and the source of livestock infections, and that control measures in bison are unlikely to affect the dynamics of unrelated strains circulating in nearby elk populations.
Synthesis of acetic acid via methanol hydrocarboxylation with CO2 and H2
Authors: Qian Qingli , Zhang Jingjing , Cui Meng , Han Buxing
Published: May 2016

Acetic acid is an important bulk chemical that is currently produced via methanol carbonylation using fossil based CO. Synthesis of acetic acid from the renewable and cheap CO2 is of great importance, but state of the art routes encounter difficulties, especially in reaction selectivity and activity. Here we report a route to produce acetic acid from CO2, methanol and H2. The reaction can be efficiently catalysed by Ru–Rh bimetallic catalyst using imidazole as the ligand and LiI as the promoter in 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone (DMI) solvent. It is confirmed that methanol is hydrocarboxylated into acetic acid by CO2 and H2, which accounts for the outstanding reaction results. The reaction mechanism is proposed based on the control experiments. The strategy opens a new way for acetic acid production and CO2 transformation, and represents a significant progress in synthetic chemistry.
The preprotein translocase YidC controls respiratory metabolism in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Thakur Preeti , Gantasala Nagavara Prasad , Choudhary Eira , Singh Nirpendra , Abdin Malik Zainul , Agarwal Nisheeth
Published: May 2016

The YidC–Oxa1–Alb3 preprotein translocases play a vital role in membrane insertion of proteins in eukaryotes and bacteria. In a recent study we observed that Rv3921c, which encodes putative YidC translocase in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), is essential for in vitro growth of bacteria. However, the exact function of this particular protein remains to identify in mycobacterial pathogens. By performing a systematic study here we show that YidC of Mtb is an envelope protein, which is required for production of ATP and maintenance of cellular redox balance. Drastic effects of depletion of Rv3921c on the expression of hypoxic genes, ATP synthases, and many proteins of central metabolic and respiratory pathways shed a significant light on the function of YidC towards controlling respiratory metabolism in Mtb. Association of YidC with proteins such as succinate dehydrogenases and ubiquinol-cytochrome C reductase further confirms its role in respiration. Finally we demonstrate that YidC is required for the intracellular survival of Mtb in human macrophages.
From radioimmunoassay to mass spectrometry: a new method to quantify orexin-A (hypocretin-1) in cerebrospinal fluid
Authors: Hirtz Christophe , Vialaret Jérôme , Gabelle Audrey , Nowak Nora , Dauvilliers Yves , Lehmann Sylvain
Published: May 2016

I125 radioimmunoassay (RIA) is currently the standard technique for quantifying cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) orexin-A/hypocretin-1, a biomarker used to diagnose narcolepsy type 1. However, orexin-A RIA is liable to undergo cross-reactions with matrix constituents generating interference, high variability between batches, low precision and accuracy, and requires special radioactivity precautions. Here we developed the first quantitative mass spectrometry assay of orexin-A based on a multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) approach. This method was tested in keeping with the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines and its clinical relevance was confirmed by comparing patients with narcolepsy type 1 versus patients with other neurological conditions. The results obtained using MRM and RIA methods were highly correlated, and Bland–Altman analysis established their interchangeability. However, the MRM values had a wider distribution and were 2.5 time lower than the RIA findings. In conclusion, this method of assay provides a useful alternative to RIA to quantify orexin-A, and may well replace it not only in narcolepsy type 1, but also in the increasing number of pathologies in which the quantification of this analyte is relevant.
Specific immunotherapy plus Clostridium butyricum alleviates ulcerative colitis in patients with food allergy
Authors: Bin Lan  , Yang Fan , Lu Dong , Lin Zhenlv
Published: May 2016

The aberrant T cell activation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of intestinal inflammation, such as ulcerative colitis (UC). C. butyricum (Cb) is a probiotic and has been employed in the treatment of immune diseases. This study tests a hypothesis that specific immunotherapy (SIT) plus oral Cb (an over-the-counter probiotic) alleviates the UC symptoms. In this study, we conducted a randomized, double-blind, clinical study at our hospital. A total of 80 patients with relapsing-remitting ulcerative colitis and high levels of specific IgE antibody was randomly divided into 4 groups and were treated with SIT or/and Cb, or placebo, respectively for 1 year. The results showed that a food antigen-specific Th2 polarization immune response was observed in UC patients with food allergy (FA). The frequency of regulatory B cells was significantly less in UC patients with FA as compared with healthy subjects. The UC patients with FA were treated with SIT and Cb showed significant amelioration of UC clinical symptoms, reduction of using UC-control medicines and suppression of the skewed Th2 polarization, which did not occur in those treated with either SIT alone, or Cb alone, or placebo. In conclusion, combination of SIT and Cb efficiently alleviates a fraction of UC patients.
Label-based routing for a family of small-world Farey graphs
Authors: Zhai Yinhu , Wang Yinhe
Published: May 2016

We introduce an informative labelling method for vertices in a family of Farey graphs and deduce a routing algorithm on all the shortest paths between any two vertices in Farey graphs. The label of a vertex is composed of the precise locating position in graphs and the exact time linking to graphs. All the shortest paths routing between any pair of vertices, which number is exactly the product of two Fibonacci numbers, are determined only by their labels and the time complexity of the algorithm is O(n). It is the first algorithm to figure out all the shortest paths between any pair of vertices in a kind of deterministic graphs. For Farey networks, the existence of an efficient routing protocol is of interest to design practical communication algorithms in relation to dynamical processes (including synchronization and structural controllability) and also to understand the underlying mechanisms that have shaped their particular structure.
The cis-acting replication element of the Hepatitis C virus genome recruits host factors that influence viral replication and translation
Authors: Ríos-Marco Pablo , Romero-López Cristina , Berzal-Herranz Alfredo
Published: May 2016

The cis-acting replication element (CRE) of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA genome is a region of conserved sequence and structure at the 3′ end of the open reading frame. It participates in a complex and dynamic RNA-RNA interaction network involving, among others, essential functional domains of the 3′ untranslated region and the internal ribosome entry site located at the 5′ terminus of the viral genome. A proper balance between all these contacts is critical for the control of viral replication and translation, and is likely dependent on host factors. Proteomic analyses identified a collection of proteins from a hepatoma cell line as CRE-interacting candidates. A large fraction of these were RNA-binding proteins sharing highly conserved RNA recognition motifs. The vast majority of these proteins were validated by bioinformatics tools that consider RNA-protein secondary structure. Further characterization of representative proteins indicated that hnRNPA1 and HMGB1 exerted negative effects on viral replication in a subgenomic HCV replication system. Furthermore DDX5 and PARP1 knockdown reduced the HCV IRES activity, suggesting an involvement of these proteins in HCV translation. The identification of all these host factors provides new clues regarding the function of the CRE during viral cycle progression.
LRRK1 is critical in the regulation of B-cell responses and CARMA1-dependent NF-κB activation
Authors: Morimoto Keiko , Baba Yoshihiro , Shinohara Hisaaki , Kang Sujin , Nojima Satoshi , Kimura Tetsuya , Ito Daisuke , Yoshida Yuji , Maeda Yohei , Sarashina-Kida Hana , Nishide Masayuki , Hosokawa Takashi , Kato Yasuhiro , Hayama Yoshitomo , Kinehara Yuhei , Okuno Tatsusada , Takamatsu Hyota , Hirano Toru , Shima Yoshihito , Narazaki Masashi , Kurosaki Tomohiro , Toyofuku Toshihiko , Kumanogoh Atsushi
Published: May 2016

B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling plays a critical role in B-cell activation and humoral immunity. In this study, we discovered a critical function of leucine-rich repeat kinase 1 (LRRK1) in BCR-mediated immune responses. Lrrk1−/− mice exhibited altered B1a-cell development and basal immunoglobulin production. In addition, these mice failed to produce IgG3 antibody in response to T cell–independent type 2 antigen due to defects in IgG3 class-switch recombination. Concomitantly, B cells lacking LRRK1 exhibited a profound defect in proliferation and survival upon BCR stimulation, which correlated with impaired BCR-mediated NF-κB activation and reduced expression of NF-κB target genes including Bcl-xL, cyclin D2, and NFATc1/αA. Furthermore, LRRK1 physically interacted and potently synergized with CARMA1 to enhance NF-κB activation. Our results reveal a critical role of LRRK1 in NF-κB signaling in B cells and the humoral immune response.
Association between systemic oxidative stress and visual field damage in open-angle glaucoma
Authors: Tanito Masaki , Kaidzu Sachiko , Takai Yasuyuki , Ohira Akihiro
Published: May 2016

Local and systemic oxidative stress in intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation and optic nerve damage may be involved in the pathogenesis of glaucoma. We reported previously that a lower level of systemic antioxidative capacity is associated with IOP elevation in open-angle glaucoma (OAG). We assessed the correlation between the visual field sensitivity value, i.e., mean deviation (MD) and systemic levels of prooxidants and antioxidants by analyzing the blood biochemistry in 202 patients with glaucoma. Serum levels of lipid peroxides, ferric-reducing activity and thiol antioxidant activity were measured using the diacron reactive oxygen metabolite (dROM), biological antioxidant potential (BAP) and sulfhydryl (SH) tests, respectively, using a free-radical analyzer. Univariate and multivariate analyses suggested a positive correlation between MD and BAP (R = 0.005 and P = 0.0442 by a multiple regression model adjusted for seven demographic parameters), but no significant associations between the MD and the dROM (R = 0.002 and P = 0.8556) and SH tests (R = −0.001 and P = 0.8280). Use of more antiglaucoma medication and primary OAG rather than normal tension glaucoma also were associated significantly with worse visual field damage. This large and comprehensive assessment of the association between systemic redox status and visual field damage in OAG suggests that lower systemic antioxidant capacity measured by ferric-reducing activity is associated with more severe visual field damage in OAG that partly explained its roles in IOP elevation.
Increased olfactory bulb acetylcholine bi-directionally modulates glomerular odor sensitivity
Authors: Bendahmane Mounir , Ogg M. Cameron , Ennis Matthew , Fletcher Max L.
Published: May 2016

The glomerular layer of the olfactory bulb (OB) receives heavy cholinergic input from the horizontal limb of the diagonal band of Broca (HDB) and expresses both muscarinic and nicotinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptors. However, the effects of ACh on OB glomerular odor responses remain unknown. Using calcium imaging in transgenic mice expressing the calcium indicator GCaMP2 in the mitral/tufted cells, we investigated the effect of ACh on the glomerular responses to increasing odor concentrations. Using HDB electrical stimulation and in vivo pharmacology, we find that increased OB ACh leads to dynamic, activity-dependent bi-directional modulation of glomerular odor response due to the combinatorial effects of both muscarinic and nicotinic activation. Using pharmacological manipulation to reveal the individual receptor type contributions, we find that m2 muscarinic receptor activation increases glomerular sensitivity to weak odor input whereas nicotinic receptor activation decreases sensitivity to strong input. Overall, we found that ACh in the OB increases glomerular sensitivity to odors and decreases activation thresholds. This effect, along with the decreased responses to strong odor input, reduces the response intensity range of individual glomeruli to increasing concentration making them more similar across the entire concentration range. As a result, odor representations are more similar as concentration increases.
The role of protein kinase C alpha translocation in radiation-induced bystander effect
Authors: Fang Zihui , Xu An , Wu Lijun , Hei Tom K. , Hong Mei
Published: May 2016

Ionizing radiation is a well known human carcinogen. Evidence accumulated over the past decade suggested that extranuclear/extracellular targets and events may also play a critical role in modulating biological responses to ionizing radiation. However, the underlying mechanism(s) of radiation-induced bystander effect is still unclear. In the current study, AL cells were irradiated with alpha particles and responses of bystander cells were investigated. We found out that in bystander AL cells, protein kinase C alpha (PKCα) translocated from cytosol to membrane fraction. Pre-treatment of cells with PKC translocation inhibitor chelerythrine chloride suppressed the induced extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) activity and the increased cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) expression as well as the mutagenic effect in bystander cells. Furthermore, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) was elevated in directly irradiated but not bystander cells; while TNFα receptor 1 (TNFR1) increased in the membrane fraction of bystander cells. Further analysis revealed that PKC activation caused accelerated internalization and recycling of TNFR1. Our data suggested that PKCα translocation may occur as an early event in radiation-induced bystander responses and mediate TNFα-induced signaling pathways that lead to the activation of ERK and up-regulation of COX-2.
An activation-induced IL-15 isoform is a natural antagonist for IL-15 function
Authors: Zhao Lei , Hu Bo , Zhang Yinsheng , Song Yuan , Lin Dandan , Liu Yonghao , Mei Yu , Sandikin Dedy , Sun Weiping , Zhuang Min , Liu Haiyan
Published: May 2016

Interleukin 15 (IL-15) expression induces the secretion of inflammatory cytokines, inhibits the apoptosis of activated T cells and prolongs the survival of CD8+ memory T cells. Here we identified an IL-15 isoform lacking exon-6, IL-15ΔE6, generated by alternative splicing events of activated immune cells, including macrophages and B cells. In vitro study showed that IL-15ΔE6 could antagonize IL-15-mediated T cell proliferation. The receptor binding assay revealed that IL-15ΔE6 could bind to IL-15Rα and interfere with the binding between IL-15 and IL-15Rα. Over-expression of IL-15ΔE6 in the murine EAE model ameliorated the EAE symptoms of the mice. The clinical scores were significantly lower in the mice expressing IL-15ΔE6 than the control mice and the mice expressing IL-15. The inflammation and demyelination of the EAE mice expressing IL-15ΔE6 were less severe than the control group. Furthermore, flow cytometry analysis demonstrated that IL-15ΔE6 expression reduced the percentages of inflammatory T cells in the spleen and spinal cord, and inhibited the infiltration of macrophages to the CNS. Our results demonstrated that IL-15ΔE6 could be induced during immune activation and function as a negative feedback mechanism to dampen IL-15-mediated inflammatory events.
Antiviral factors and type I/III interferon expression associated with regulatory factors in the oral epithelial cells from HIV-1-serodiscordant couples
Authors: Cervantes Cesar A. C. , Oliveira Luanda M. S. , Manfrere Kelly C. G. , Lima Josenilson F. , Pereira Natalli Z. , Duarte Alberto J. S. , Sato Maria N.
Published: May 2016

Individuals who remain HIV-seronegative despite repeated unprotected exposure to the virus are defined as exposed seronegative (ESN) individuals. Innate and adaptive immunity, as well as genetic factors, provide ESNs with important advantages that allow for low infection susceptibility. The majority of HIV-1-infected individuals undergo antiretroviral therapy, which can decrease the level of HIV-1 exposure in ESNs. We analyzed type I interferon (IFN)-related antiviral and regulatory factors in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and oral epithelial cells from serodiscordant couples. Our findings revealed that ESNs did not induce the expression of antiviral factors (APOBEC-3G, TRIM5-α, SAMDH1, STING, TBk1) or regulatory factors (Trex, Foxo3, Socs3, IL-10) in PBMCs, unlike their HIV-1-infected partners. In contrast, ESNs upregulated APOBEC-3G and type I/III IFNs (IFNs-α,-β/-λ) in oral mucosal epithelial cells similar to their HIV-infected partners. The serodiscordant groups exhibited an increased expression of type I IFN-induced regulators, such as Trex and Foxo3, in oral epithelial cells. TLR7, TLR8 and TLR9 were expressed in oral epithelial cells of both ESNs and HIV-1-infected subjects. These findings revealed evidence of antiviral factors, type I/III interferon and regulatory factor expression only in the oral mucosal compartment of ESNs, while HIV-1-infected partners systemically and oral mucosal expressed the antiviral profile.
Analysis of the wetting state of super-repellent fabrics with liquids of varying surface tension
Authors: Park Sohyun , Kim Jooyoun , Park Chung Hee
Published: May 2016

A super-repellent fabric was fabricated using oxygen plasma etching and plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition and the influence of dual roughness on wettability in micro and nano-scale structures was analysed.
Effect of polyethylene glycol as a molecular crowding agent on reducing template consumption for preparation of molecularly imprinted polymers
Authors: Jia Man , Sun Guang-Yin , Zhao Yong Xin , Liu Zhao-Sheng , Aisa Haji Akber
Published: May 2016

The efforts in the present work focus on the topic of reducing template consumption in the preparation of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs).
Comparison of three chemiluminescence detection methods for growth hormone secretagogues competitive receptor assay in urine
Authors: Ferro P. , Gutierrez-Gallego R. , Bosch J. , Segura J.
Published: May 2016

The list of growth hormone secretagogue (GHS) products is growing steadily, which presents a challenge in sports drug testing.
A turn-on fluorescent sensor for the detection of melamine based on the anti-quenching ability of Hg2+ to carbon nanodots
Authors: Lei C. H. , Zhao X. E. , Jiao S. L. , He L. , Li Y. , Zhu S. Y. , You J. M.
Published: May 2016

A simple and time-saving method for the determination of melamine is developed based on the anti-quenching ability of Hg2+ to C-dots.
Reversing adhesion with light: a general method for functionalized bead release from cells
Authors: Goulet-Hanssens Alexis , Magdesian Margaret H. , Lopez-Ayon G. Monserratt , Grutter Peter , Barrett Christopher J.
Published: May 2016

Coated beads retain great importance in the study of cell adhesion and intracellular communication; we present a generally applicable method permitting spatiotemporal control of bead adhesion from cells.
A new benzimidazole based covalent organic polymer having high energy storage capacity
Authors: Patra Bidhan C. , Khilari Santimoy , Satyanarayana Lanka , Pradhan Debabrata , Bhaumik Asim
Published: May 2016

A new benzimidazole-based covalent organic polymer has been synthesized through the condensation polymerization reaction and has shown a high energy storage capacity with a specific capacitance of 335 F g−1 at 2 mV s−1 scan rate and good cyclic stability with 93% retention of its initial specific capacitance after 1000 cycles.
Influences of S, Se, Te and Po substitutions on structural, electronic and optical properties of hexagonal CuAlO2using GGA and B3LYP functionals
Authors: Liu Qi-Jun , Jiao Zhen , Liu Fu-Sheng , Liu Zheng-Tang
Published: May 2016

The effects of X-doping (X = S, Se, Te and Po) on the structural, electronic and optical properties of hexagonal CuAlO2were studied using first-principles density functional theory.
Electrochemical interfacial influences on deoxygenation and hydrogenation reactions in CO reduction on a Cu(100) surface
Authors: Sheng Tian , Lin Wen-Feng , Sun Shi-Gang
Published: May 2016

Electroreduction of CO2 to hydrocarbons on a copper surface has attracted much attention in the last few decades for providing a sustainable way for energy storage.
Synthesis, magnetism and spectral studies of six defective dicubane tetranuclear {M4O6} (M = NiII, CoII, ZnII) and three trinuclear CdII complexes with polydentate Schiff base ligands
Authors: Jiang Lin , Zhang Dong-Yan , Suo Jing-Jing , Gu Wen , Tian Jin-Lei , Liu Xin , Yan Shi-Ping
Published: May 2016

Six defective dicubane face-shared and three trinuclear complexes are synthesized. The magnetic behaviors of NiII/CoII complexes and fluorescence properties of ZnII and CdII are studied.
A route for direct transformation of aryl halides to benzyl alcohols via carbon dioxide fixation reaction catalyzed by a (Pd@N-GMC) palladium nanoparticle encapsulated nitrogen doped mesoporous carbon material
Authors: Molla Rostam Ali , Iqubal Md. Asif , Ghosh Kajari , Islam Sk Manirul
Published: May 2016

The palladium NPs embedded porous nitrogen doped carbon material was synthesized and used for CO2 fixation reaction.
A centrifugal direct recombinase polymerase amplification (direct-RPA) microdevice for multiplex and real-time identification of food poisoning bacteria
Authors: Choi Goro , Jung Jae Hwan , Park Byung Hyun , Oh Seung Jun , Seo Ji Hyun , Choi Jong Seob , Kim Do Hyun , Seo Tae Seok
Published: May 2016

In this study, we developed a centrifugal direct recombinase polymerase amplification (direct-RPA) microdevice.
Robust dipstick urinalysis using a low-cost, micro-volume slipping manifold and mobile phone platform
Authors: Smith Gennifer T. , Dwork Nicholas , Khan Saara A. , Millet Matthew , Magar Kiran , Javanmard Mehdi , Ellerbee Bowden Audrey K.
Published: May 2016

A reusable manifold and companion software for dipstick urinalysis that eliminates many aspects that are plagued by user error.
High-throughput production of a stable isotope-labeled peptide library for targeted proteomics using a wheat germ cell-free synthesis system
Authors: Takemori Nobuaki , Takemori Ayako , Tanaka Yuki , Ishizaki Jun , Hasegawa Hitoshi , Shiraishi Atsushi , Ohashi Yuichi
Published: May 2016

Development of a reference peptide library for selected reaction monitoring (SRM)-based targeted proteomics using a high-throughput protein synthesis system.
Discovery of new protein kinase CK2 inhibitors with 1,3-dioxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indene core
Authors: Liu Zong-liang , Zhang Ren-mei , Meng Qing-guo , Zhang Xiao-chen , Sun Yuan
Published: May 2016

Protein kinase CK2 (CK2) serves as an attractive anticancer target. Herein new CK2 inhibitors with a 1,3-dioxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indene core are reported.
Enolate-mediated 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of β-functionalized ketones with nitrile oxides: direct access to 3,4,5-trisubstituted isoxazoles
Authors: Zhou Xiao , Xu Xianhong , Shi Zhenyan , Liu Kun , Gao Hua , Li Wenjun
Published: May 2016

Enolate-mediated [3 + 2] organocatalytic 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of β-functionalized ketones with nitrile oxides have been developed. This strategy could generate 3,4,5-trisubstituted isoxazole in high yields and regioselectivities.