bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endocannabinoids control vesicle release mode at midbrain periaqueductal grey inhibitory synapses
Authors: Aubrey Karin R. , Drew Geoffrey M. , Jeong Hyo‐Jin , Lau Benjamin K. , Vaughan Christopher W.
Published: July 2016

Key points

The midbrain periaqueductal grey (PAG) forms part of an endogenous analgesic system which is tightly regulated by the neurotransmitter GABA.

The role of endocannabinoids in regulating GABAergic control of this system was examined in rat PAG slices.

Under basal conditions GABAergic neurotransmission onto PAG output neurons was multivesicular.

Activation of the endocannabinoid system reduced GABAergic inhibition by reducing the probability of release and by shifting release to a univesicular mode.

Blockade of endocannabinoid system unmasked a tonic control over the probability and mode of GABA release.

These findings provides a mechanistic foundation for the control of the PAG analgesic system by disinhibition.

The midbrain periaqueductal grey (PAG) has a crucial role in coordinating endogenous analgesic responses to physiological and psychological stressors. Endocannabinoids are thought to mediate a form of stress‐induced analgesia within the PAG by relieving GABAergic inhibition of output neurons, a process known as disinhibition. This disinhibition is thought to be achieved by a presynaptic reduction in GABA release probability. We examined whether other mechanisms have a role in endocannabinoid modulation of GABAergic synaptic transmission within the rat PAG. The group I mGluR agonist DHPG ((R,S)‐3,5‐dihydroxyphenylglycine) inhibited evoked IPSCs and increased their paired pulse ratio in normal external Ca2+, and when release probability was reduced by lowering Ca2+. However, the effect of DHPG on the coefficient of variation and kinetics of evoked IPSCs differed between normal and low Ca2+. Lowering external Ca2+ had a similar effect on evoked IPSCs to that observed for DHPG in normal external Ca2+. The low affinity GABAA receptor antagonist TPMPA ((1,2,5,6‐tetrahydropyridin‐4‐yl)methylphosphinic acid) inhibited evoked IPSCs to a greater extent in low than in normal Ca2+. Together these findings indicate that the normal mode of GABA release is multivesicular within the PAG, and that DHPG and lowering external Ca2+ switch this to a univesicular mode. The effects of DHPG were mediated by mGlu5 receptor engagement of the retrograde endocannabinoid system. Blockade of endocannabinoid breakdown produced a similar shift in the mode of release. We conclude that endocannabinoids control both the mode and the probability of GABA release within the PAG.
Predicting the Effective Emissivity of an Array of Aligned Carbon Fibers Using the Reverse Monte Carlo Ray-Tracing Method
Authors: Tomboulian Briana N. , Hyers Robert W.
Published: July 2016

This study investigates the bulk radiative properties of absorbing and scattering fibers. This type of problem can be applied to a group of geometrically similar applications including thermal radiators, insulation, and tube-and-shell heat exchangers. The specific application studied here is an ordered array of carbon fibers acting as a radiating fin for a space-based heat rejection system. High total emissivity is beneficial for this application, so this study focuses on how geometric factors affect the effective emissivity of an array of fibers. Photon scattering among fibers in an array can result in an effective emissivity greater than the emissivity of the fiber surfaces themselves.
A Theoretical and Numerical Study of the Dzhanibekov and Tennis Racket Phenomena1
Authors: Murakami Hidenori , Rios Oscar , Impelluso Thomas Joseph
Published: July 2016

This paper presents a complete explanation of the Dzhanibekov and the tennis racket phenomena. These phenomena are described by Euler's equation for an unconstrained rigid body that has three distinct moment of inertia values. In the two phenomena, the rotations of a body about the principal axes that correspond to the largest and the smallest moments of inertia are stable. However, the rotation about the axis corresponding to the intermediate principal moment of inertia becomes unstable, leading to the unexpected rotations that are the basis of the phenomena. If this unexpected rotation is not explained from a complete perspective which accounts for the relevant physical and mathematical aspects, one might misconstrue the phenomena as a violation of the conservation of angular momenta. To address this, the phenomenon is investigated using more precise mathematical and graphical tools than those employed previously. The torque-free Euler equations are integrated using the fourth-order Runge–Kutta method. Then, a recovery equation is applied to obtain the rotation matrix for the body. By combining the geometrical solutions with numerical simulations, the unexpected rotations observed in the Dzhanibekov and the tennis racket experiments are shown to preserve the conservation of angular momentum.
Investigation of kink effect in normally-off AlGaN/GaN recessed-gate MOS-heterostructure FETs
Authors: Kang Youngjin , Sung Hyuk-kee , Kim Hyungtak
Published: July 2016

Kink effects, anomalous increase of the output current, were observed at room temperature in normally-off AlGaN/GaN metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS)-heterostructure field effect transistors with recessed gate. The kink phenomenon occurred only at certain bias-sweeping conditions and is suggested to result from electron trapping and subsequent detrapping process which gave rise to temporary shift of the threshold voltage. The magnitude of the kink is related to the positive gate bias and the temperature. Positive bias applied on the gate induced the negative charge build-up at the MOS interface and hot electrons released trapped electrons by impact ionization.
A full-field perturbation approach to scattering and reverberation in range-dependent environments with rough interfaces
Authors: Ivakin Anatoliy N.
Published: July 2016

A perturbation approach to roughness scattering and reverberation in range-dependent environments is developed treating each interface as a superposition of a smooth reference interface, which may include large-scale deterministic features (such as bathymetry changes), and small compared to the acoustic wavelength vertical deviations from this interface that are considered as random roughness perturbations. The reference interface is assumed to be smooth enough to allow analytic or numerical solution for the field in the vicinity of this interface that can then be used in perturbation theory. Expressions for both the reverberation field and average reverberation intensity in a general case of an arbitrary number of rough interfaces are obtained in a form convenient for numerical simulations. In the case of long-range ocean reverberation, several approximations for these expressions are developed, relevant to various environmental scenarios and different types of interfaces: sea-surface, water-sediment interface, buried sediment interfaces, and bottom basement. The results are presented in a simple form and provide a direct relationship of the reverberation intensity with three critical characteristics defined at each interface: (1) local spectrum of roughness, (2) local contrast of acoustic parameters, and (3) two-way full-field transmission intensity calculated taking into account only large-scale changes of the environment.
Vaginal microbiome affects HIV risk
Authors: Cohen Jon
Published: July 2016

Unusual bacteria in vagina help explain high infection rates in South African women.
Wild bird comes when honey hunters call for help
Authors: Pennisi Elizabeth
Published: July 2016

Honeyguides understand specific human signal.
Who's missing from this picture?
Authors: Normile Dennis
Published: July 2016

All the world's space agencies are working with China—except for NASA.
Synthetic recombinase-based state machines in living cells
Authors: Roquet Nathaniel , Soleimany Ava P. , Ferris Alyssa C. , Aaronson Scott , Lu Timothy K.
Published: July 2016

Building a computing system in bacteria

Finite state machines are logic circuits with a predetermined sequence of actions that are triggered depending on the starting conditions. They are used for a variety of devices and biological systems, from vending machines to neural circuits. Roquet
et al.
have taken a finite state machine approach to control the expression of integrases, or enzymes that insert or excise phage DNA into or out of bacterial chromosomes. The integrases altered the DNA sequence of a plasmid to record all five possible combinations of two inputs. Such circuits can be used to record the states that the cell experienced over time and can be deployed in state-dependent gene expression programs.

Science
, this issue p.
363
Cdk5 disruption attenuates tumor PD-L1 expression and promotes antitumor immunity
Authors: Dorand R. Dixon , Nthale Joseph , Myers Jay T. , Barkauskas Deborah S. , Avril Stefanie , Chirieleison Steven M. , Pareek Tej K. , Abbott Derek W. , Stearns Duncan S. , Letterio John J. , Huang Alex Y. , Petrosiute Agne
Published: July 2016

Cyclin suppresses antitumor immunity

Despite the dramatic success of cancer immunotherapy, many types of cancer do not respond. Understanding why could help us to find ways to enhance the overall responsiveness of tumors to immunotherapies. Dorand
et al.
report that cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5), an enzyme that is highly expressed by neurons in many brain cancers, may dampen the ability of T cells to reject tumors. In a mouse model of medulloblastoma, if tumors were Cdk5 deficient, T cells were able to remove them. This heightened antitumor immunity correlated with reduced expression of the inhibitory molecule programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1), a target of current cancer immunotherapies.

Science
, this issue p.
399
Layered and scrolled nanocomposites with aligned semi-infinite graphene inclusions at the platelet limit
Authors: Liu Pingwei , Jin Zhong , Katsukis Georgios , Drahushuk Lee William , Shimizu Steven , Shih Chih-Jen , Wetzel Eric D. , Taggart-Scarff Joshua K. , Qing Bo , Van Vliet Krystyn J. , Li Richard , Wardle Brian L. , Strano Michael S.
Published: July 2016

Stacking up the filler material

In composite materials, a strong or stiff filler is added to a softer matrix to create a combined material with better mechanical or electrical properties. To minimize the filler content, it needs to be uniformly distributed in the composite, which is particularly challenging for nanoscale materials. Liu
et al.
alternately stacked sheets of graphene and polycarbonate to make a base composite. By further cutting and stacking, up to 320 aligned layers were made with a very uniform filler distribution. Alternatively, the initial stack could be rolled into a rod. In both cases, the properties exceeded what might be expected from a simple combination of the two materials.

Science
, this issue p.
364
Latency reversal and viral clearance to cure HIV-1
Authors: Margolis David M. , Garcia J. Victor , Hazuda Daria J. , Haynes Barton F.
Published: July 2016

Next steps toward curing HIV-1

Since the discovery of HIV-1 more than 30 years ago, prevention and treatment strategies have dominated the research agenda. More recently, however, scientists are also focusing their efforts toward finding a cure. Margolis
et al.
review an approach that involves HIV-1 latency reversal and viral clearance. The idea is to reactivate any dormant virus and coax it to produce viral proteins that the immune system can recognize. By combining a latency reversal strategy with immunotherapies, the body might be able to rid itself of all infected cells.

Science
, this issue p.
362
A lightweight shape-memory magnesium alloy
Authors: Ogawa Yukiko , Ando Daisuke , Sutou Yuji , Koike Junichi
Published: July 2016

Lightweight shapeshifting alloys

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) spring back into shape after they are deformed, a useful property for a variety of applications. Transition metal alloys, which are robust but dense, dominate the SMA landscape. Ogawa
et al.
report a new type of lightweight SMA made from magnesium and scandium, which has comparable properties to known SMAs but at significantly lower density. Although this magnesium-scandium alloy is limited to low-temperature applications, development of a new lightweight class of SMAs could be on the horizon.

Science
, this issue p.
368
Curative ex vivo liver-directed gene therapy in a pig model of hereditary tyrosinemia type 1
Authors: Hickey Raymond D. , Mao Shennen A. , Glorioso Jaime , Elgilani Faysal , Amiot Bruce , Chen Harvey , Rinaldo Piero , Marler Ronald , Jiang Huailei , DeGrado Timothy R. , Suksanpaisan Lukkana , O’Connor Michael K. , Freeman Brittany L. , Ibrahim Samar H. , Peng Kah Whye , Harding Cary O. , Ho Chak-Sum , Grompe Markus , Ikeda Yasuhiro , Lillegard Joseph B. , Russell Stephen J. , Nyberg Scott L.
Published: July 2016

Transplantation of gene-corrected autologous hepatocytes can cure metabolic disease in a preclinical pig model of hereditary tyrosinemia type 1.
Noninvasive low-level laser therapy for thrombocytopenia
Authors: Zhang Qi , Dong Tingting , Li Peiyu , Wu Mei X.
Published: July 2016

Low-level laser promotes platelet production from megakaryocytes by mitochondrial protection and biogenesis.
Response to comment on “NRF2 activation by antioxidant antidiabetic agents accelerates tumor metastasis”
Authors: Wang Hui , de la Vega Montserrat Rojo , Zhang Donna D. , Yu Shicang , Zheng Hongting
Published: July 2016

Multiple factors may affect the outcome of diabetic patients with cancer treated with antioxidant antidiabetic agents.
Genomes of Abundant and Widespread Viruses from the Deep Ocean
Authors: Mizuno Carolina Megumi , Ghai Rohit , Saghaï Aurélien , López-García Purificación , Rodriguez-Valera Francisco
Published: July 2016

The deep sea is a massive, largely oligotrophic ecosystem, stretched over nearly 65% of the planet’s surface. Deep-sea planktonic communities are almost completely dependent upon organic carbon sinking from the productive surface, forming a vital component of global biogeochemical cycles. However, despite their importance, viruses from the deep ocean remain largely unknown. Here, we describe the first complete genomes of deep-sea viruses assembled from metagenomic fosmid libraries. “
Candidatus
Pelagibacter” (SAR11) phage HTVC010P and
Puniceispirillum
phage HMO-2011 are considered the most abundant cultured marine viruses known to date. Remarkably, some of the viruses described here recruited as many reads from deep waters as these viruses do in the photic zone, and, considering the gigantic scale of the bathypelagic habitat, these genomes provide information about what could be some of the most abundant viruses in the world at large. Their role in the viral shunt in the global ocean could be very significant. Despite the challenges encountered in inferring the identity of their hosts, we identified one virus predicted to infect members of the globally distributed SAR11 cluster. We also identified a number of putative proviruses from diverse taxa, including deltaproteobacteria, bacteroidetes, SAR11, and gammaproteobacteria. Moreover, our findings also indicate that lysogeny is the preferred mode of existence for deep-sea viruses inhabiting an energy-limited environment, in sharp contrast to the predominantly lytic lifestyle of their photic-zone counterparts. Some of the viruses show a widespread distribution, supporting the tenet “everything is everywhere” for the deep-ocean virome.

IMPORTANCE
The deep sea is among the largest known habitats and a critical cog in biogeochemical cycling but remains underexplored in its microbiology. Even more than is the case for its prokaryotic community, our knowledge of its viral component has remained limited by the paucity of information provided by studies dependent upon short sequence fragments. In this work, we attempt to fill this existing gap by using a combination of classical fosmid libraries with next-generation sequencing and assembly to recover long viral genomic fragments. We have sequenced ca. 6,000 fosmids from two metagenomics libraries made from prokaryotic biomass from the deep Mediterranean Sea and recovered twenty-eight complete viral genomes, all of them novel and quite distinct from all previously described viral genomes. They are preferentially found in deeper waters and are widely distributed all over the oceans. To our knowledge, this is the first report on complete and cosmopolitan viral genomes from the bathypelagic habitat.
Unlocking the Constraints of Cyanobacterial Productivity: Acclimations Enabling Ultrafast Growth
Authors: Bernstein Hans C. , McClure Ryan S. , Hill Eric A. , Markillie Lye Meng , Chrisler William B. , Romine Margie F. , McDermott Jason E. , Posewitz Matthew C. , Bryant Donald A. , Konopka Allan E. , Fredrickson James K. , Beliaev Alexander S.
Published: July 2016

Harnessing the metabolic potential of photosynthetic microbes for next-generation biotechnology objectives requires detailed scientific understanding of the physiological constraints and regulatory controls affecting carbon partitioning between biomass, metabolite storage pools, and bioproduct synthesis. We dissected the cellular mechanisms underlying the remarkable physiological robustness of the euryhaline unicellular cyanobacterium
Synechococcus
sp. strain PCC 7002 (
Synechococcus
7002) and identify key mechanisms that allow cyanobacteria to achieve unprecedented photoautotrophic productivities (~2.5-h doubling time). Ultrafast growth of
Synechococcus
7002 was supported by high rates of photosynthetic electron transfer and linked to significantly elevated transcription of precursor biosynthesis and protein translation machinery. Notably, no growth or photosynthesis inhibition signatures were observed under any of the tested experimental conditions. Finally, the ultrafast growth in
Synechococcus
7002 was also linked to a 300% expansion of average cell volume. We hypothesize that this cellular adaptation is required at high irradiances to support higher cell division rates and reduce deleterious effects, corresponding to high light, through increased carbon and reductant sequestration.

IMPORTANCE
Efficient coupling between photosynthesis and productivity is central to the development of biotechnology based on solar energy. Therefore, understanding the factors constraining maximum rates of carbon processing is necessary to identify regulatory mechanisms and devise strategies to overcome productivity constraints. Here, we interrogate the molecular mechanisms that operate at a systems level to allow cyanobacteria to achieve ultrafast growth. This was done by considering growth and photosynthetic kinetics with global transcription patterns. We have delineated putative biological principles that allow unicellular cyanobacteria to achieve ultrahigh growth rates through photophysiological acclimation and effective management of cellular resource under different growth regimes.
Ebstein's anomaly with recurrent massive pericardial effusion: a rare presentation
Authors: Jain Nirdesh , Saran Dharam Prakash , Yadav Sharad Chandra , Dwivedi Sudhanshu
Published: July 2016

Ebstein's anomaly is known for its varied presentations and exceptionally long survival in some cases. Here the authors describe a case of previously undiagnosed Ebstein's anomaly in a patient who presented with massive pericardial effusion. Over the next 6 months, the patient was hospitalised twice for pericardiocentesis. To the best of our knowledge, a case of Ebstein's anomaly with recurrent massive pericardial effusion has not been described previously.
Terbutaline: level the playing field for inhaled β2-agonists by introducing a dosing and urine threshold
Authors: Jacobson Glenn A , Hostrup Morten
Published: July 2016

Terbutaline, a short-acting β2-agonist similar to salbutamol, is widely used in Europe in the treatment of asthma and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. Unlike salbutamol, terbutaline requires therapeutic use exemption (TUE) for therapeutic inhaled use in competitive sport. There is now compelling evidence that supratherapeutic use of terbutaline is performance enhancing, via oral dosing and inhalation. It is likely that the ergogenic effects of terbutaline are class specific for all β2-agonists. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has introduced dosing and urine threshold and decision limits for other common β2-agonists. This allows athletes to use these drugs for therapeutic purposes while minimising the potential for doping and administrative burden of TUEs. However, no such threshold limits currently exist for terbutaline. For terbutaline, athletes can be granted a TUE, then administer the drug via inhalation at supratherapeutic doses with impunity. The introduction of threshold dosing and urine limits for terbutaline should be a high priority, given the drug's demonstrated ergogenic effects.
Design of a randomised intervention study: the effect of dumbbell exercise therapy on physical activity and quality of life among breast cancer survivors in Malaysia
Authors: Rufa'i Adamu Ahmad , Muda Wan Abdul Manan Wan , Yen Siew Hwa , Abd Shatar Aishah Knight , Murali Bhavaraju Venkata Krishna , Tan Shu Wen
Published: July 2016

Background

Participation in physical activity has a positive impact on the overall health and quality of life, whereas physical inactivity is associated with a poor prognosis among breast cancer survivors. Despite the health-enhancing benefits of physical activity, the majority of Malaysian breast cancer survivors are not physically active. This paper presents the design of a randomised study to evaluate the feasibility and effect of exercise therapy intervention using light resistance dumbbell exercise to promote active lifestyle and improve the quality of life of breast cancer survivors in Malaysia.

Methods/design

This is an intervention study of a 12-week exercise therapy that will explore and compare the effects of light resistance and aerobic exercise on physical activity level and quality of life components in 102 female breast cancer survivors. Major eligibility criteria include histologically confirmed diagnosis of breast cancer stages I–III, 3–12 months post-diagnosis, and absence of any disorder contraindicating exercise. Participants will be stratified based on menopausal status (pre-menopause vs post-menopause) and then assigned randomly to one of three groups. Participants in group A will participate in a three-times weekly supervised resistance exercise using light resistance dumbbells; participants in group B will participate in a three-times weekly supervised aerobic exercise; while participants in group C (control group) will be given aerobic exercise after completion of the intervention. The primary end points include physical activity level and quality of life components. The secondary end points are body mass index, body composition, total caloric intake, and waist-to-hip ratio.

Discussion

Although there have been many studies of resistance exercise in breast cancer survivors, this is the first study using this specific mode of resistance. Findings will contribute data on the feasibility and effects of light resistance dumbbell exercises, and provide knowledge on the physical activity intervention programme that will maximally promote better overall health and well-being of survivors.
R/L, a double reporter mouse line that expresses luciferase gene upon Cre-mediated excision, followed by inactivation of mRFP expression
Authors: Jia Junshuang , Lin Xiaolin , Lin Xia , Lin Taoyan , Chen Bangzhu , Hao Weichao , Cheng Yushuang , Liu Yu , Dian Meijuan , Yao Kaitai , Xiao Dong , Gu Weiwang
Published: July 2016

The Cre/loxP system has become an important tool for the conditional gene knockout and conditional gene expression in genetically engineered mice. The applications of this system depend on transgenic reporter mouse lines that provide Cre recombinase activity with a defined cell type-, tissue-, or developmental stage-specificity. To develop a sensitive assay for monitoring Cre-mediated DNA excisions in mice, we generated Cre-mediated excision reporter mice, designated R/L mice (R/L: mRFP(monomeric red fluorescent protein)/luciferase), express mRFP throughout embryonic development and adult stages, while Cre-mediated excision deletes a loxP-flanked mRFP reporter gene and STOP sequence, thereby activating the expression of the second reporter gene luciferase, as assayed by in vivo and ex vivo bioluminescence imaging. After germ line deletion of the floxed mRFP and STOP sequence in R/L mice by EIIa-Cre mice, the resulting luciferase transgenic mice in which the loxP-mRFP-STOP-loxP cassette is excised from all cells express luciferase in all tissues and organs examined. The expression of luciferase transgene was activated in liver of RL/Alb-Cre double transgenic mice and in brain of RL/Nestin-Cre double transgenic mice when R/L reporter mice were mated with Alb-Cre mice and Nestin-Cre mice, respectively. Our findings reveal that the double reporter R/L mouse line is able to indicate the occurrence of Cre-mediated excision from early embryonic to adult lineages. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that the R/L mice serve as a sensitive reporter for Cre-mediated DNA excision both in living animals and in organs, tissues, and cells following necropsy.
A NOVEL CONTINUOUS AND NONINVASIVE MEASUREMENT FOR BLOOD PRESSURE BASED ON PHOTOPLETHYSMOGRAPHY
Authors: LI XIRU , LI XIAOFENG , XU JINLIN , TAN HAIBO , YUAN MUNAN
Published: July 2016

Implementation of continuous noninvasive blood pressure (NIBP) measurement is important for prevention and control of the cardiovascular disease. This paper study a novel continuous noninvasive blood pressure (BP) fitting method based on the photoplethysmography (PPG), electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood volume characteristics. The estimation model of systolic blood pressure (SBP) was established from ECG and PPG in Multiparameter Intelligent Monitoring in Intensive Care (MIMIC) II openness medical database. According to analysis of Beer–Lambert law applied in arterial blood characteristics and PPG waveform, the estimation model of differential pressure (DP) was constructed. Taking the SBP and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) from MIMIC II database as the gold standard value, the validation results show that the mean difference and standard deviation of the fitting results are within the standard range of ([Formula: see text])[Formula: see text]mm/Hg. The method proposed in this paper can effectively achieve continuous BP measurement.
Eye tracking a self-moved target with complex hand-target dynamics
Authors: Landelle Caroline , Montagnini Anna , Madelain Laurent , Danion Frederic
Published: July 2016

Previous work has shown that the ability to track with the eye a moving target is substantially improved when the target is self-moved by the subject's hand compared with when being externally moved. Here, we explored a situation in which the mapping between hand movement and target motion was perturbed by simulating an elastic relationship between the hand and target. Our objective was to determine whether the predictive mechanisms driving eye-hand coordination could be updated to accommodate this complex hand-target dynamics. To fully appreciate the behavioral effects of this perturbation, we compared eye tracking performance when self-moving a target with a rigid mapping (simple) and a spring mapping as well as when the subject tracked target trajectories that he/she had previously generated when using the rigid or spring mapping. Concerning the rigid mapping, our results confirmed that smooth pursuit was more accurate when the target was self-moved than externally moved. In contrast, with the spring mapping, eye tracking had initially similar low spatial accuracy (though shorter temporal lag) in the self versus externally moved conditions. However, within ∼5 min of practice, smooth pursuit improved in the self-moved spring condition, up to a level similar to the self-moved rigid condition. Subsequently, when the mapping unexpectedly switched from spring to rigid, the eye initially followed the expected target trajectory and not the real one, thereby suggesting that subjects used an internal representation of the new hand-target dynamics. Overall, these results emphasize the stunning adaptability of smooth pursuit when self-maneuvering objects with complex dynamics.
Upslope treadmill exercise enhances motor axon regeneration but not functional recovery following peripheral nerve injury
Authors: Cannoy Jill , Crowley Sam , Jarratt Allen , Werts Kelly LeFevere , Osborne Krista , Park Sohee , English Arthur W.
Published: July 2016

Following peripheral nerve injury, moderate daily exercise conducted on a level treadmill results in enhanced axon regeneration and modest improvements in functional recovery. If the exercise is conducted on an upwardly inclined treadmill, even more motor axons regenerate successfully and reinnervate muscle targets. Whether this increased motor axon regeneration also results in greater improvement in functional recovery from sciatic nerve injury was studied. Axon regeneration and muscle reinnervation were studied in Lewis rats over an 11 wk postinjury period using stimulus evoked electromyographic (EMG) responses in the soleus muscle of awake animals. Motor axon regeneration and muscle reinnervation were enhanced in slope-trained rats. Direct muscle (M) responses reappeared faster in slope-trained animals than in other groups and ultimately were larger than untreated animals. The amplitude of monosynaptic H reflexes recorded from slope-trained rats remained significantly smaller than all other groups of animals for the duration of the study. The restoration of the amplitude and pattern of locomotor EMG activity in soleus and tibialis anterior and of hindblimb kinematics was studied during treadmill walking on different slopes. Slope-trained rats did not recover the ability to modulate the intensity of locomotor EMG activity with slope. Patterned EMG activity in flexor and extensor muscles was not noted in slope-trained rats. Neither hindblimb length nor limb orientation during level, upslope, or downslope walking was restored in slope-trained rats. Slope training enhanced motor axon regeneration but did not improve functional recovery following sciatic nerve transection and repair.
Magnetoencephalography-based identification of functional connectivity network disruption following mild traumatic brain injury
Authors: Alhourani Ahmad , Wozny Thomas A. , Krishnaswamy Deepa , Pathak Sudhir , Walls Shawn A. , Ghuman Avniel S. , Krieger Donald N. , Okonkwo David O. , Richardson R. Mark , Niranjan Ajay
Published: July 2016

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) leads to long-term cognitive sequelae in a significant portion of patients. Disruption of normal neural communication across functional brain networks may explain the deficits in memory and attention observed after mTBI. In this study, we used magnetoencephalography (MEG) to examine functional connectivity during a resting state in a group of mTBI subjects ( n = 9) compared with age-matched control subjects ( n = 15). We adopted a data-driven, exploratory analysis in source space using phase locking value across different frequency bands. We observed a significant reduction in functional connectivity in band-specific networks in mTBI compared with control subjects. These networks spanned multiple cortical regions involved in the default mode network (DMN). The DMN is thought to subserve memory and attention during periods when an individual is not engaged in a specific task, and its disruption may lead to cognitive deficits after mTBI. We further applied graph theoretical analysis on the functional connectivity matrices. Our data suggest reduced local efficiency in different brain regions in mTBI patients. In conclusion, MEG can be a potential tool to investigate and detect network alterations in patients with mTBI. The value of MEG to reveal potential neurophysiological biomarkers for mTBI patients warrants further exploration.
Reversal of Dabigatran Using Idarucizumab in a Septic Patient with Impaired Kidney Function in Real-Life Practice
Authors: Sauter Thomas C. , Blum Sina , Nagler Michael , Schlittler Fabian L. , Ricklin Meret E. , Exadaktylos Aristomenis K.
Published: July 2016

Background. Immediate reversal of anticoagulation is essential when facing severe bleeding or emergency surgery. Although idarucizumab is approved for the reversal of dabigatran in many countries, clinical experiences are lacking, particularly in special patient-populations such as sepsis and impaired renal function.Case Presentation. We present the case of a 67-year-old male septic patient with a multilocular facial abscess and chronic kidney disease (GFR 36.5 mL/min). Thrombin time (TT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) 15 hours after the last intake of 150 mg dabigatran were both prolonged (>120 sec, resp., 61 sec), as well as unbound dabigatran concentration (119.05 ng/mL). Before immediate emergency surgery dabigatran was antagonised using idarucizumab 2 × 2.5 g. Dabigatran concentration was not detectable 10 min after idarucizumab administration (<30 ng/mL). TT and aPTT time were normalised (16.2 sec, resp., 30.2 sec). Sepsis was controlled after surgery and kidney function remained stable. In the absence of postoperative bleeding, dabigatran was restarted 36 hours after admission.Conclusion. Idarucizumab successfully reversed the effect of dabigatran in real-life practice in a patient with sepsis and renal impairment and allowed emergency surgery with normal haemostasis. Efficacy and safety in real-life practice will nevertheless require prospective registries monitoring.
Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking in 5D Conformally Invariant Gravity
Authors: Moon Taeyoon , Oh Phillial
Published: July 2016

We explore the possibility of the spontaneous symmetry breaking in 5D conformally invariant gravity, whose action consists of a scalar field nonminimally coupled to the curvature with its potential. Performing dimensional reduction via ADM decomposition, we find that the model allows an exact solution giving rise to the 4D Minkowski vacuum. Exploiting the conformal invariance with Gaussian warp factor, we show that it also admits a solution which implements the spontaneous breaking of conformal symmetry. We investigate its stability by performing the tensor perturbation and find the resulting system is described by the conformal quantum mechanics. Possible applications to the spontaneous symmetry breaking of time-translational symmetry along the dynamical fifth direction and the brane-world scenario are discussed.
Study on Mechanical Features of Brazilian Splitting Fatigue Tests of Salt Rock
Authors: Wang Weichao , Wang Mengmeng , Liu Xiliang
Published: July 2016

The microtest, SEM, was carried out to study the fracture surface of salt rock after the Brazilian splitting test and splitting fatigue test were carried out with a servo-controlled test machine RMT-150B. The results indicate that the deviation of using the tablet splitting method is larger than that of using steel wire splitting method, in Brazilian splitting test of salt rock, when the conventional data processing method is adopted. There are similar deformation features in both the conventional splitting tests and uniaxial compression tests. The stress-strain curves include compaction, elasticity, yielding, and failure stage. Both the vertical deformation and horizontal deformation of splitting fatigue tests under constant average loading can be divided into three stages of “loosening-tightness-loosening.” The failure modes of splitting fatigue tests under the variational average loading are not controlled by the fracturing process curve of the conventional splitting tests. The deformation extent of fatigue tests under variational average loading is even greater than that of conventional splitting test. The tensile strength of salt rock has a relationship with crystallization conditions. Tensile strength of thick crystal salt rock is lower than the bonded strength of fine-grain crystals.
A New Orthodontic Appliance with a Mini Screw for Upper Molar Distalization
Authors: Ozkalayci Nurhat , Yetmez Mehmet
Published: July 2016

The aim of this study is to present a new upper molar distalization appliance called Cise distalizer designed as intraoral device supported with orthodontic mini screw for upper permanent molar distalization. The new appliance consists of eight main components. In order to understand the optimum force level, the appliance under static loading is tested by using strain gage measurement techniques. Results show that one of the open coils produces approximately 300 gr distalization force. Cise distalizer can provide totally 600 gr distalization force. This range of force level is enough for distalization of upper first and second molar teeth.
On Some Existence and Uniqueness Results for a Class of Equations of Order0<α≤1on Arbitrary Time Scales
Authors: Souahi Abdourazek , Guezane-Lakoud Assia , Khaldi Rabah
Published: July 2016

This paper investigates the existence and uniqueness of solution for a class of nonlinear fractional differential equations of fractional order0<α≤1in arbitrary time scales. The results are established using extensions of Krasnoselskii-Krein, Rogers, and Kooi conditions.
Kinect-Based Sliding Mode Control for Lynxmotion Robotic Arm
Authors: Ben Abdallah Ismail , Bouteraa Yassine , Rekik Chokri
Published: July 2016

Recently, the technological development of manipulator robot increases very quickly and provides a positive impact to human life. The implementation of the manipulator robot technology offers more efficiency and high performance for several human’s tasks. In reality, efforts published in this context are focused on implementing control algorithms with already preprogrammed desired trajectories (passive robots case) or trajectory generation based on feedback sensors (active robots case). However, gesture based control robot can be considered as another channel of system control which is not widely discussed. This paper focuses on a Kinect-based real-time interactive control system implementation. Based on LabVIEW integrated development environment (IDE), a developed human-machine-interface (HMI) allows user to control in real time a Lynxmotion robotic arm. The Kinect software development kit (SDK) provides a tool to keep track of human body skeleton and abstract it into 3-dimensional coordinates. Therefore, the Kinect sensor is integrated into our control system to detect the different user joints coordinates. The Lynxmotion dynamic has been implemented in a real-time sliding mode control algorithm. The experimental results are carried out to test the effectiveness of the system, and the results verify the tracking ability, stability, and robustness.
Parameters in Multiphase Flowing of Natural Gas NGH Slurry via Vertical Pipe
Authors: Maolin Dai , Kaisong Wu
Published: July 2016

In recent years, the pipeline flowing of natural gas hydrate (hereinafter NGH) slurry has been a promising technique of multiphase flowing via pipe and that of crushed hydrate mixture slurry is also a key technique in solid fluidization mining method of nondiagenetic NGH reservoir below the seabed. In this paper, by using similarity rules, a small-scale simulation model was established to shorten the calculation time. The correctness of the simulation model has been verified through comparison with experiment. Thereby, the distribution of velocity and volume fraction of each phase in the vertical pipe was obtained, and the prototype of vertical pipe was analyzed. By study on the pipe resistance, the pressure drop of slurry, when flowing in vertical pipe, could be calculated asΔP=ρgh+0.23Cρv1.8. In the end, by adjusting volume fraction of particles in the mixture slurry, the relationship between the solid particles’ volume fraction and piezometric pressure drop was obtained. When the optimal flow velocity of the slurry is 2 m/s and the ratio of NGH volume fraction to that of sand is 4 : 1, the optimal particle volume fraction ranges from 20% to 40%.
Coadjoint Formalism: Nonorthogonal Basis Problems
Authors: Labecca William , Guimarães Osvaldo , Piqueira José Roberto C.
Published: July 2016

Using nonorthogonal bases in spectral methods demands considerable effort, because applying the Gram-Schmidt process is a fundamental condition for calculations. However, operational matrices numerical methods are being used in an increasing way and extensions for nonorthogonal bases appear, requiring simplified procedures. Here, extending previous work, an efficient tensorial method is presented, in order to simplify the calculations related to the use of nonorthogonal bases in spectral numerical problems. The method is calledcoadjoint formalismand is based onbracketDirac’s formulation of quantum mechanics. Some examples are presented, showing how simple it is to use the method.
BTK Modulates p53 Activity to Enhance Apoptotic and Senescent Responses
Authors: Althubiti Mohammad , Rada Miran , Samuel Jesvin , Escorsa Josep M. , Najeeb Hishyar , Lee Koon-Guan , Lam Kong-Peng , Jones George D.D. , Barlev Nickolai A. , Macip Salvador
Published: July 2016

p53 is a tumor suppressor that prevents the emergence of transformed cells by inducing apoptosis or senescence, among other responses. Its functions are regulated tightly by posttranslational modifications. Here we show that Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) is a novel modulator of p53. We found that BTK is induced in response to DNA damage and p53 activation. BTK induction leads to p53 phosphorylation, which constitutes a positive feedback loop that increases p53 protein levels and enhances the transactivation of its target genes in response to stress. Inhibiting BTK reduced both p53-dependent senescence and apoptosis. Further, BTK expression also upregulated DNA damage signals and apoptosis. We conclude that despite being involved in oncogenic signals in blood malignancies, BTK has antineoplastic properties in other contexts, such as the enhancement of p53's tumor suppressor responses. Along with evidence that BTK expression correlates with good prognosis in some epithelial tumors, our findings may encourage a reevaluation of the clinical uses of BTK inhibitors in cancer therapy. Cancer Res; 76(18); 5405–14. ©2016 AACR.
Long-term Diet and Biomarker Changes after a Short-term Intervention among Hispanic Breast Cancer Survivors: The¡Cocinar Para Su Salud!Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Greenlee Heather , Ogden Gaffney Ann , Aycinena A. Corina , Koch Pam , Contento Isobel , Karmally Wahida , Richardson John M. , Shi Zaixing , Lim Emerson , Tsai Wei-Yann , Santella Regina M. , Blaner William S. , Clugston Robin D. , Cremers Serge , Pollak Susan , Sirosh Iryna , Crew Katherine D. , Maurer Matthew , Kalinsky Kevin , Hershman Dawn L.
Published: July 2016

Background: Among Hispanic breast cancer survivors, we examined the long-term effects of a short-term culturally based dietary intervention on increasing fruits/vegetables (F/V), decreasing fat, and changing biomarkers associated with breast cancer recurrence risk.

Methods: Spanish-speaking women (n = 70) with a history of stage 0–III breast cancer who completed treatment were randomized to ¡Cocinar Para Su Salud! (n = 34), a culturally based 9-session program (24 hours over 12 weeks, including nutrition education, cooking classes, and food-shopping field trips), or a control group (n = 36, written dietary recommendations for breast cancer survivors). Diet recalls, fasting blood, and anthropometric measures were collected at baseline, 6, and 12 months. We report changes between groups at 12 months in dietary intake and biomarkers using 2-sample Wilcoxon t tests and generalized estimating equation (GEE) models.

Results: At 12 months, the intervention group compared with the control group reported higher increases in mean daily F/V servings (total: +2.0 vs. −0.4; P < 0.01), and nonsignificant decreases in the percentage of calories from fat (−2.2% vs. −1.1%; P = 0.69) and weight (−2.6 kg vs. −1.5 kg; P = 0.56). Compared with controls, participants in the intervention group had higher increases in plasma lutein (+20.4% vs. −11.5%; P < 0.01), and borderline significant increases in global DNA methylation (+0.8% vs. −0.5%; P = 0.06).

Conclusions: The short-term ¡Cocinar Para Su Salud! program was effective at increasing long-term F/V intake in Hispanic breast cancer survivors and changed biomarkers associated with breast cancer recurrence risk.

Impact: It is possible for short-term behavioral interventions to have long-term effects on behaviors and biomarkers in minority cancer patient populations. Results can inform future study designs. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 25(11); 1491–502. ©2016 AACR.
Preoperative Biometric Parameters Predict the Vault after ICL Implantation: A Retrospective Clinical Study
Authors: Zheng Qian-Yin , Xu Wen , Liang Guan-Lu , Wu Jing , Shi Jun-Ting
Published: July 2016

Purpose: To investigate the correlation between the preoperative biometric parameters of the anterior segment and the vault after implantable Collamer lens (ICL) implantation via this retrospective study. Design: Retrospective clinical study. Methods: A total of 78 eyes from 41 patients who underwent ICL implantation surgery were included in this study. Preoperative biometric parameters, including white-to-white (WTW) diameter, central corneal thickness, keratometer, pupil diameter, anterior chamber depth, sulcus-to-sulcus diameter, anterior chamber area (ACA) and central curvature radius of the anterior surface of the lens (Lenscur), were measured. Lenscur and ACA were measured with Rhinoceros 5.0 software on the image scanned with ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM). The vault was assessed by UBM 3 months after surgery. Multiple stepwise regression analysis was employed to identify the variables that were correlated with the vault. Results: The results showed that the vault was correlated with 3 variables: ACA (22.4 ± 4.25 mm2), WTW (11.36 ± 0.29 mm) and Lenscur (9.15 ± 1.21 mm). The regressive equation was: vault (mm) = 1.785 + 0.017 × ACA + 0.051 × Lenscur - 0.203 × WTW. Conclusions: Biometric parameters of the anterior segment (ACA, WTW and Lenscur) can predict the vault after ICL implantation using a new regression equation.
Alpha-Smooth Muscle Actin mRNA and Protein Are Increased in Isolated Brain Vessel Extracts of Alzheimer Mice
Authors: Hutter-Schmid Bianca , Humpel Christian
Published: July 2016

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a severe neurodegenerative disorder of the brain, characterized by extracellular beta-amyloid (Aβ) plaques, intracellular tau pathology, neurodegeneration and inflammation. There is clear evidence that the blood-brain barrier is damaged in AD and that vessel function is impaired. Alpha-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) is a prominent protein expressed on brain vessels, especially in cells located closer to the arteriole end of the capillaries, which possibly influences the blood vessel contraction. The aim of the present study was to observe αSMA protein and mRNA expression in isolated brain vessel extracts and cortex in an Alzheimer mouse model with strong Aβ plaque deposition. Our data revealed a prominent expression of αSMA protein in isolated brain vessel extracts of AD mice by Western blot analysis. Immunostaining showed that these vessels were associated with Aβ plaques. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis confirmed this increase at the mRNA expression level and showed a significant increase of transforming growth factor beta-1 mRNA expression in AD mice. In situ hybridization demonstrated a strong expression pattern of αSMA mRNA in the whole cortex and hippocampus. In conclusion, our data provide evidence that αSMA protein and mRNA are enhanced in vessels in an AD mouse model, possibly counteracting vessel malfunction in AD.