bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Mosquito C6/36 Cells Reveals Host Proteins Involved in Zika Virus Infection
Authors: Xin Qi-Lin , Deng Cheng-Lin , Chen Xi , Wang Jun , Wang Shao-Bo , Wang Wei , Deng Fei , Zhang Bo , Xiao Gengfu , Zhang Lei-Ke
Published: April 2017

Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging arbovirus belonging to the genus
Flavivirus
of the family
Flaviviridae
. During replication processes, flavivirus manipulates host cell systems to facilitate its replication, while the host cells activate antiviral responses. Identification of host proteins involved in the flavivirus replication process may lead to the discovery of antiviral targets. The mosquitoes
Aedes aegypti
and
Aedes albopictus
are epidemiologically important vectors for ZIKV, and effective restrictions of ZIKV replication in mosquitoes will be vital in controlling the spread of virus. In this study, an iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomic analysis of ZIKV-infected
Aedes albopictus
C6/36 cells was performed to investigate host proteins involved in the ZIKV infection process. A total of 3,544 host proteins were quantified, with 200 being differentially regulated, among which CHCHD2 can be upregulated by ZIKV infection in both mosquito C6/36 and human HeLa cells. Our further study indicated that CHCHD2 can promote ZIKV replication and inhibit beta interferon (IFN-β) production in HeLa cells, suggesting that ZIKV infection may upregulate CHCHD2 to inhibit IFN-I production and thus promote virus replication. Bioinformatics analysis of regulated host proteins highlighted several ZIKV infection-regulated biological processes. Further study indicated that the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) plays roles in the ZIKV entry process and that an FDA-approved inhibitor of the 20S proteasome, bortezomib, can inhibit ZIKV infection
in vivo
. Our study illustrated how host cells respond to ZIKV infection and also provided a candidate drug for the control of ZIKV infection in mosquitoes and treatment of ZIKV infection in patients.

IMPORTANCE
ZIKV infection poses great threats to human health, and there is no FDA-approved drug available for the treatment of ZIKV infection. During replication, ZIKV manipulates host cell systems to facilitate its replication, while host cells activate antiviral responses. Identification of host proteins involved in the ZIKV replication process may lead to the discovery of antiviral targets. In this study, the first quantitative proteomic analysis of ZIKV-infected cells was performed to investigate host proteins involved in the ZIKV replication process. Bioinformatics analysis highlighted several ZIKV infection-regulated biological processes. Further study indicated that the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) plays roles in the ZIKV entry process and that an FDA-approved inhibitor of the UPS, bortezomib, can inhibit ZIKV infection
in vivo
. Our study not only illustrated how host cells respond to ZIKV infection but also provided a candidate drug for the control of ZIKV infection in mosquitoes and treatment of ZIKV infection in patients.
Stress Hormones Epinephrine and Corticosterone Selectively Modulate Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1) and HSV-2 Productive Infections in Adult Sympathetic, but Not Sensory, Neurons
Authors: Ives Angela M. , Bertke Andrea S.
Published: April 2017

Herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) infect and establish latency in peripheral neurons, from which they can reactivate to cause recurrent disease throughout the life of the host. Stress is associated with the exacerbation of clinical symptoms and the induction of recurrences in humans and animal models. The viruses preferentially replicate and establish latency in different subtypes of sensory neurons, as well as in neurons of the autonomic nervous system that are highly responsive to stress hormones. To determine if stress-related hormones modulate productive HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections within sensory and autonomic neurons, we analyzed viral DNA and the production of viral progeny after treatment of primary adult murine neuronal cultures with the stress hormones epinephrine and corticosterone. Both sensory trigeminal ganglion (TG) and sympathetic superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons expressed adrenergic receptors (activated by epinephrine) and the glucocorticoid receptor (activated by corticosterone). Productive HSV infection colocalized with these receptors in SCG but not in TG neurons. In productively infected neuronal cultures, epinephrine treatment significantly increased the levels of HSV-1 DNA replication and production of viral progeny in SCG neurons, but no significant differences were found in TG neurons. In contrast, corticosterone significantly decreased the levels of HSV-2 DNA replication and production of viral progeny in SCG neurons but not in TG neurons. Thus, the stress-related hormones epinephrine and corticosterone selectively modulate acute HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections in autonomic, but not sensory, neurons.

IMPORTANCEStress exacerbates acute disease symptoms resulting from HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections and is associated with the appearance of recurrent skin lesions in millions of people. Although stress hormones are thought to impact HSV-1 and HSV-2 through immune system suppression, sensory and autonomic neurons that become infected by HSV-1 and HSV-2 express stress hormone receptors and are responsive to hormone fluctuations. Our results show that autonomic neurons are more responsive to epinephrine and corticosterone than are sensory neurons, demonstrating that the autonomic nervous system plays a substantial role in HSV pathogenesis. Furthermore, these results suggest that stress responses have the potential to differentially impact HSV-1 and HSV-2 so as to produce divergent outcomes of infection.
Recent acute prerace systemic illness in runners increases the risk of not finishing the race: SAFER study V
Authors: Gordon Leigh , Schwellnus Martin , Swanevelder Sonja , Jordaan Esme , Derman Wayne
Published: April 2017

Aim

There are limited data on the negative effects of exercise in athletes with acute infective illness. The aim of this study was to determine whether a recently diagnosed prerace acute illness in runners affects the ability to finish a race.

Methods

Runners were prospectively evaluated in the 3 days before the race for acute infective illness and then received participation advice using clinical criteria based on systemic or localised symptoms/signs. We compared the did-not-start and the did-not-finish frequencies of ill runners (Ill=172: localised=58.7%; systemic=41.3%) with that of a control group of runners (Con=53 734).

Results

Runners with a systemic illness were 10.4% more likely not to start compared with controls (29.6% vs 19.2%) (p=0.0073). The risk difference of not starting the race in runners who were advised not to run the race compared with controls was 37.3% (56.5% vs 19.2%, p<0.0001). Compared with controls, runners with illness had a significantly (p<0.05) greater risk (any illness (5.2% vs 1.6%), systemic illness (8.0% vs 1.6%), illness <24 hours before the race (11.1% vs 1.6%)) and relative risk (prevalence risk ratio) (any illness=3.4, systemic illness=4.9, systemic illness <24 hours before the race=7.0) of not finishing the race.

Conclusions

Runners with prerace acute systemic illness, and particularly those diagnosed <24 hours before race day, are less likely to finish the race, indicating a reduction in race performance.
Risk factors of non-specific neck pain and low back pain in computer-using office workers in China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Ye Sunyue , Jing Qinglei , Wei Chen , Lu Jie
Published: April 2017

Objectives

Several studies have found that inappropriate workstations are associated with musculoskeletal disorders. The present cross-sectional study aimed to identify the risk factors of non-specific neck pain (NP) and low back pain (LBP) among computer-using workers.

Design

Observational study with a cross-sectional sample.

Setting

This study surveyed 15 companies in Zhejiang province, China.

Participants

After excluding participants with missing variables, 417 office workers, including 163 men and 254 women, were analyzed.

Outcome measures

Demographic information was collected by self-report. The standard Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire and Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Index, along with other relevant questions, were used to assess the presence of potential occupational risk factors and the perceived levels of pain. Multinomial logistic regression analysis, adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, education, marital status and neck/low back injury, was performed to identify significant risk factors.

Results

Compared with low-level NP, the computer location (monitor not in front of the operator, but on the right or left side) was associated with ORs of 2.6 and 2.9 for medium- and high-level NP, respectively. For LBP, the computer location (monitor not in front) was associated with an OR of 3.2 for high-level pain, as compared with low-level pain, in females. Significant associations were also observed between the office temperature and LBP (OR 5.4 for high vs low), and between office work duration ≥5 years and NP in female office workers (OR 2.7 for medium vs low).

Conclusions

Not having the computer monitor located in front of the operator was found to be an important risk factor for NP and LBP in computer-using female workers. This information may not only enable the development of potential preventive strategies but may also provide new insights for designing appropriate workstations.
Moving past the problematisation of tobacco farming: insights from South India
Authors: Natarajan Nithya
Published: April 2017

Introduction

Tobacco control actors increasingly recognise the importance of supply-side issues in seeking to address the problem of global tobacco consumption. However, research in this field often depicts tobacco production as a problem for farmers and as a malaise of the global industry. This paper the case of chewing tobacco producers in South India to explore why tobacco remains so resilient in this region.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews with 68 tobacco farmers and traders in 38 villages across five districts of Tamil Nadu, triangulated with informal discussions with over 100 agrarian actors both connected and unconnected to tobacco, extensive ethnographic field notes, and interviews with state and NGO actors. Representative sampling was not possible due to a lack of data on what constituted the ’population'. Therefore interviews were based on snowballing methods, with the aim being to capture the general scenario across five districts where tobacco is produced.

Results

The case highlighted the lack of a clear ’industry' which was exploiting farmers. Instead, tobacco was favoured by producers due to its drought resistance in a region of water scarcity, and it offered high levels of remuneration in certain circumstances where farmers are able to cure the leaf. It also afforded increased bargaining power to farmers in relation to traders as it is able to be stored and sold in low seasons by some. Finally, where exploitation of farmers by traders was evident, this was not necessarily unique to tobacco.

Discussion

The paper ultimately advocates further research on locally specific settings to better understand why tobacco cash crop remains so resilient in the Global South today, and a move beyond problematisations of the tobacco industry alone when looking at production.
BestBETs for Vets
Authors: Hyde Bobby , Brennan Marnie
Published: April 2017

BestBETs for Vets are generated by the Centre for Evidence‐based Veterinary Medicine at the University of Nottingham to help answer specific questions and assist in clinical decision making. Although evidence is often limited, they aim to find, present and draw conclusions from the best available evidence, using a standardised framework. A more detailed description of how BestBETs for Vets are produced was published in a previous issue of Veterinary Record (VR, April 4, 2015, pp 354‐356)
Developing tomorrow's vets today
Authors: Mackintosh Darren
Published: April 2017

Darren Mackintosh, operations manager at Independent Vetcare, explains why the group has developed an EMS scheme
Measurement of sodium concentration in sweat samples: comparison of 5 analytical techniques
Authors: Goulet Eric D.B. , Asselin Audrey , Gosselin Jonathan , Baker Lindsay B.
Published: April 2017

Sweat sodium concentration (SSC) can be determined using different analytical techniques (ATs), which may have implications for athletes and scientists. This study compared the SSC measured with 5 ATs: ion chromatography (IChr), flame photometry (FP), direct (DISE) and indirect (IISE) ion-selective electrode, and ion conductivity (IC). Seventy sweat samples collected from 14 athletes were analyzed with 5 instruments: the 883 Basic IC Plus (IChr, reference instrument), AAnalyst 200 (FP), Cobas 6000 (IISE), Sweat-Chek (IC), and B-722 Laqua Twin (DISE). Instruments showed excellent relative (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) ≥ 0.999) and absolute (coefficient of variation (CV) ≤ 2.6%) reliability. Relative validity was also excellent between ATs (ICC ≥ 0.961). In regards to the inter-AT absolute validity, compared with IChr, standard error of the estimates were similar among ATs (2.8–3.8 mmol/L), but CV was lowest with DISE (3.9%), intermediate with IISE (7.6%), and FP (6.9%) and highest with IC (12.3%). In conclusion, SSC varies depending on the AT used to analyze samples. Therefore, results obtained from different ATs are scarcely comparable and should not be used interchangeably. Nevertheless, taking into account the normal variability in SSC (∼±12%), the imprecision of the recommendations deriving from FP, IISE, IC, and DISE should have trivial health and physiological consequences under most exercise circumstances.
Trimodal rescue of hind limb ischemia with growth factors, cells, and nanocarriers: fundamentals to clinical trials
Authors: Lakshmanan Rajesh , Ukani Gopi , Rishi Muhammad Tipu , Maulik Nilanjana
Published: April 2017

Peripheral artery disease is a severe medical condition commonly characterized by critical or acute limb ischemia. Gradual accumulation of thrombotic plaques in peripheral arteries of the lower limb may lead to intermittent claudication or ischemia in muscle tissue. Ischemic muscle tissue with lesions may become infected, resulting in a non-healing wound. Stable progression of the non-healing wound associated with severe ischemia might lead to functional deterioration of the limb, which, depending on the severity, can result in amputation. Immediate rescue of ischemic muscles through revascularization strategies is considered the gold standard to treat critical limb ischemia. Growth factors offer multiple levels of protection in revascularization of ischemic tissue. In this review, the basic mechanism through which growth factors exert their beneficial properties to rescue the ischemic limb is extensively discussed. Moreover, clinical trials based on growth factor and stem cell therapy to treat critical limb ischemia are considered. The clinical utility of stem cell therapy for the treatment of limb ischemia is explained and recent advances in nanocarrier technology for selective growth factor and stem cell supplementation are summarized.
The formation of periodic micro/nano structured on stainless steel by femtosecond laser irradiation
Authors: Yao Caizhen , Gao Wei , Ye Yayun , Jiang Yong , Xu Shizhen , Yuan Xiaodong
Published: April 2017

Stainless steel surface was irradiated by linear polarized laser (800 nm, 35 fs, 4 Hz and 0.7 J/cm2) with different pulse numbers. Environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM/EDS) was used for detailed morphology, microstructure and composition studies. The wettability of irradiated steel surface was tested by Interface Tensiometer JC-2000X and compared with untreated stainless steel. Results showed that micro/nanostripes with different periods were formed. The period increased with the increasing pulse numbers from 450 nm for 90 pulses to 500 nm for 180 pulses. The orientation of those stripes was parallel with the laser beam polarization. Nanoparticles were observed on those periodic structures. EDS indicated that the atomic ratio of Cr increased and the atomic ratios of Fe and Ni decreased after laser irradiation, which may enhance the corrosion resistance due to the Cr-rich layer. The prepared structure exhibited hydrophobic property without further treatment. The formation mechanism of micro/nanoperiodic structures was also explored.
First-principles study of intermetallic compounds In CrMnFeCoNiZr system high-entropy alloy
Authors: Zhang Lei , Xu Yi , Li Xinggang
Published: April 2017

The structural properties, formation heats, cohesive energies, elastic properties and electronic structures of common intermetallics in CrMnFeCoNiZr system high-entropy alloys are analyzed by using density functional theory. The calculation results show that Co1Zr1, Co2Zr1, Fe2Zr1 and Fe[Formula: see text]Zr6 phases may form in the casting process of the alloy, which indicates good agreement with the XRD results of the self-designed alloys. The calculated elastic constants reveal that Co2Zr1, Fe2Zr1 and Fe[Formula: see text]Zr6 are mechanically stable. In addition, the results show that Co2Zr1, Fe2Zr1 and Fe[Formula: see text]Zr6 with high shear modulus and elastic modulus would be excellent strengthening phases in high-entropy alloy and would improve the hardness of the alloys.
An improved PolSAR image speckle reduction algorithm based on LMMSE and RICA
Authors: Jiang Chang , He Xiufeng
Published: April 2017

Although the linear minimum mean square error (LMMSE) filter removes speckle in polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (PolSAR) images, it has the disadvantage of losing edge detail. In this paper, we propose a new filter based on robust independent component analysis (RICA) and LMMSE. This approach describes edge features in a span image by selecting the adaptive direction window and calculating the edge weight value of the spatial domain, and improves the objective function by using a step polynomial to extract the estimate of the source image with minimum noise. This technique preserves not only the edge information in the images, but also the polarimetric information. Experiments were conducted on the NASA/JPL AIRSAR L-band of the San Francisco area, and evaluated by means of the speckle reduction index and the edge preservation index. The experimental results show that the proposed method effectively reduces speckle, retains edges, and preserves the polarimetric scattering mechanisms.
Single image haze removal based on fusion darkness channel prior
Authors: Zhu Xifang , Xiang Ruxi , Wu Feng , Jiang Xiaoyan
Published: April 2017

To improve the image quality and compensate deficiencies of haze removal, we presented a novel fusion method. By analyzing the darkness channel of each method, the effective darkness channel model that takes the correlation information of each darkness channel into account was constructed. This method was used to estimate the transmission map of the input image, and refined by the modified guided filter in order to further improve the image quality. Finally, the radiance image was restored by combining the monochrome atmospheric scattering model. Experimental results show that the proposed method not only effectively remove the haze of the image, but also outperform the other haze removal methods.
Investigation of interface and oxygen vacancy of Pt/Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3/MgO interdigital capacitor through sequent low and high temperature annealings
Authors: Song A. Y. , Dai X. H. , Song J. M. , Ge D. Y. , Shi J. , Fang X. Y. , Li Z. N. , Wang S. J. , Yan X. B. , Guo J. X. , Lou J. Z. , Ma L. X. , Liu B. T.
Published: April 2017

Pt/Ba[Formula: see text]Sr[Formula: see text]TiO[Formula: see text] (BST)/MgO interdigital capacitor (IDC) was patterned from a Pt/BST/MgO heterostructure, in which Pt film was prepared by sputtering and epitaxial BST film by pulsed laser deposition (PLD). Post-annealings at 200[Formula: see text]C and 750[Formula: see text]C were successively applied to the sample in order to investigate the impacts of post-annealing on the structural and dielectric properties of the IDC. The dielectric constants of the sample for as-grown and annealed at 200[Formula: see text]C and 750[Formula: see text]C were 1529, 1717 and 1800 and the corresponding dielectric losses were 0.073, 0.062 and 0.059, respectively. This is attributed to the fact that 200[Formula: see text]C annealing can improve the quality of Pt/BST interface and 750[Formula: see text]C annealing can reduce the oxygen vacancies in BST film. Our results provide the evidences that both the interface and oxygen vacancy play very important roles in dielectric properties of BST-based IDCs.
Research on local resonance and Bragg scattering coexistence in phononic crystal
Authors: Dong Yake , Yao Hong , Du Jun , Zhao Jingbo , Jiang Jiulong
Published: April 2017

Based on the finite element method (FEM), characteristics of the local resonance band gap and the Bragg scattering band gap of two periodically-distributed vibrator structures are studied. Conditions of original anti-resonance generation are theoretically derived. The original anti-resonance effect leads to localization of vibration. Factors which influence original anti-resonance band gap are analyzed. The band gap width and the mass ratio between two vibrators are closely correlated to each other. Results show that the original anti-resonance band gap has few influencing factors. In the locally resonant structure, the Bragg scattering band gap is found. The mass density of the elastic medium and the elasticity modulus have an important impact on the Bragg band gap. The coexistence of the two mechanisms makes the band gap larger. The band gap covered 90% of the low frequencies below 2000 Hz. All in all, the research could provide references for studying the low-frequency and broad band gap of phononic crystal.
Lyapunov-Based Adaptive Control for the Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor Driving a Robotic Load
Authors: Moreno-Valenzuela Javier , Quevedo-Pillado Yajaira , Pérez-Aboytes Regino , González-Hernández Luis
Published: April 2017

This paper is inspired on the structure of the field-oriented control by presenting an analytical and practical study of an adaptive nested controller for trajectory tracking control of a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) driving a single-link arm. The originality of the new approach relies in the use of adaptive control to compensate the electrical and mechanical dynamics and in the presentation of a rigorous closed-loop system stability analysis based on Lyapunov theory. It is worthwhile to notice that the new controller resembles the pure field-oriented control except for the adaptive terms. The new scheme is compared with other methodologies as with the classical nonadaptive field-oriented control algorithm and with an adaptive controller proposed in the literature. A better tracking accuracy is obtained with the proposed adaptive scheme.
Doxepin inhibits GPVI-dependent platelet Ca2+ signaling and collagen-dependent thrombus formation
Authors: Geue Sascha , Walker-Allgaier Britta , Eißler Daniela , Tegtmeyer Roland , Schaub Malte , Lang Florian , Gawaz Meinrad , Borst Oliver , Münzer Patrick
Published: April 2017

Platelet adhesion, activation, and aggregation are essential for primary hemostasis, but are also critically involved in the development of acute arterial thrombotic occlusion. Stimulation of the collagen receptor glycoprotein VI (GPVI) leads to phospholipase Cγ2-dependent inositol triphosphate (IP3) production with subsequent platelet activation, due to increased intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). Although tricyclic antidepressants have been shown to potentially impair platelet activation, nothing is hitherto known about potential effects of the tricyclic antidepressant doxepin on platelet Ca2+ signaling and thrombus formation. As shown in the present study, doxepin significantly diminished the stimulatory effect of GPVI agonist collagen-related peptide (CRP) on intracellular Ca2+ release as well as subsequent extracellular Ca2+ influx. Doxepin was partially effective by impairment of CRP-dependent IP3 production. Moreover, doxepin abrogated CRP-induced platelet degranulation and integrin αIIbβ3 activation and aggregation. Finally, doxepin markedly blunted in vitro platelet adhesion to collagen and thrombus formation under high arterial shear rates (1,700−s). In conclusion, doxepin is a powerful inhibitor of GPVI-dependent platelet Ca2+ signaling, platelet activation, and thrombus formation.
Gastroparesis and lipid metabolism-associated dysbiosis in Wistar-Kyoto rats
Authors: Dalziel J. E. , Fraser Karl , Young Wayne , McKenzie Catherine M. , Bassett Shalome A. , Roy Nicole C.
Published: April 2017

Altered gastric accommodation and intestinal morphology suggest impaired gastrointestinal (GI) transit may occur in the Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat strain, as common in stress-associated functional GI disorders. Because changes in GI transit can alter microbiota composition, we investigated whether these are altered in WKY rats compared with the resilient Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats under basal conditions and characterized plasma lipid and metabolite differences. Bead transit was tracked by X-ray imaging to monitor gastric emptying (4 h), small intestine (SI) transit (9 h), and large intestine transit (12 h). Plasma extracts were analyzed by lipid and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Cecal microbial composition was determined by Illumina MiSeq 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and analysis using the QIIME pipeline. Stomach retention of beads was 77% for WKY compared with 35% for SD rats. GI transit was decreased by 34% (9 h) and 21% (12 h) in WKY compared with SD rats. Excluding stomach retention, transiting beads moved 29% further along the SI over 4–9 h for WKY compared with SD rats. Cecal Ruminococcus, Roseburia, and unclassified Lachnospiraceae genera were less abundant in WKY rats, whereas the minor taxa Dorea, Turicibacter, and Lactobacillus were higher. Diglycerides, triglycerides, phosphatidyl-ethanolamines, and phosphatidylserine were lower in WKY rats, whereas cholesterol esters and taurocholic acids were higher. The unexpected WKY rat phenotype of delayed gastric emptying, yet rapid SI transit, was associated with altered lipid and metabolite profiles. The delayed gastric emptying of the WKY phenotype suggests this rat strain may be useful as a model for gastroparesis.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study reveals that the stress-prone Wistar-Kyoto rat strain has a baseline physiology of gastroparesis and rapid small intestine transit, together with metabolic changes consistent with lipid metabolism-associated dysbiosis, compared with nonstress-prone rats. This suggests that the Wistar-Kyoto rat strain may be an appropriate animal model for gastroparesis.

View this article's corresponding video summary at https://youtu.be/BeI39Jh2BLk .
Elevated intrabolus pressure identifies obstructive processes when integrated relaxation pressure is normal on esophageal high-resolution manometry
Authors: Quader Farhan , Reddy Chanakyaram , Patel Amit , Gyawali C. Prakash
Published: April 2017

Elevated integrated relaxation pressure (IRP) on esophageal high-resolution manometry (HRM) identifies obstructive processes at the esophagogastric junction (EGJ). Our aim was to determine whether intrabolus pressure (IBP) can identify structural EGJ processes when IRP is normal. In this observational cohort study, adult patients with dysphagia and undergoing HRM were evaluated for endoscopic evidence of structural EGJ processes (strictures, rings, hiatus hernia) in the setting of normal IRP. HRM metrics [IRP, distal contractile integral (DCI), distal latency (DL), IBP, and EGJ contractile integral (EGJ-CI)] were compared among 74 patients with structural EGJ findings (62.8 ± 1.6 yr, 67.6% women), 27 patients with normal EGD (52.9 ± 3.2 yr, 70.3% women), and 21 healthy controls (27.6 ± 0.6 yr, 52.4% women). Findings were validated in 85 consecutive symptomatic patients to address clinical utility. In the primary cohort, mean IBP (18.4 ± 0.9 mmHg) was higher with structural EGJ findings compared with dysphagia with normal EGD (13.5 ± 1.1 mmHg, P = 0.002) and healthy controls (10.9 ± 0.9 mmHg, P < 0.001). However, mean IRP, DCI, DL, and EGJ-CI were similar across groups ( P > 0.05 for each comparison). During multiple rapid swallows, IBP remained higher in the structural findings group compared with controls ( P = 0.02). Similar analysis of the prospective validation cohort confirmed IBP elevation in structural EGJ processes, but correlation with dysphagia could not be demonstrated. We conclude that elevated IBP predicts the presence of structural EGJ processes even when IRP is normal, but correlation with dysphagia is suboptimal.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Integrated relaxation pressure (IRP) above the upper limit of normal defines esophageal outflow obstruction using high-resolution manometry. In patients with normal IRP, elevated intrabolus pressure (IBP) can be a surrogate marker for a structural restrictive or obstructive process at the esophagogastric junction (EGJ). This has the potential to augment the clinical value of esophageal HRM by raising suspicion for a structural EGJ process when IBP is elevated.
Gastrin induces parathyroid hormone-like hormone expression in gastric parietal cells
Authors: Al Menhali Asma , Keeley Theresa M. , Demitrack Elise S. , Samuelson Linda C.
Published: April 2017

Parietal cells play a fundamental role in stomach maintenance, not only by creating a pathogen-free environment through the production of gastric acid, but also by secreting growth factors important for homeostasis of the gastric epithelium. The gastrointestinal hormone gastrin is known to be a central regulator of both parietal cell function and gastric epithelial cell proliferation and differentiation. Our previous gene expression profiling studies of mouse stomach identified parathyroid hormone-like hormone (PTHLH) as a potential gastrin-regulated gastric growth factor. Although PTHLH is commonly overexpressed in gastric tumors, its normal expression, function, and regulation in the stomach are poorly understood. In this study we used pharmacologic and genetic mouse models as well as human gastric cancer cell lines to determine the cellular localization and regulation of this growth factor by the hormone gastrin. Analysis of PthlhLacZ/+ knock-in reporter mice localized Pthlh expression to parietal cells in the gastric corpus. Regulation by gastrin was demonstrated by increased Pthlh mRNA abundance after acute gastrin treatment in wild-type mice and reduced expression in gastrin-deficient mice. PTHLH transcripts were also observed in normal human stomach as well as in human gastric cancer cell lines. Gastrin treatment of AGS-E gastric cancer cells induced a rapid and robust increase in numerous PTHLH mRNA isoforms. This induction was largely due to increased transcriptional initiation, although analysis of mRNA half-life showed that gastrin treatment also extended the half-life of PTHLH mRNA, suggesting that gastrin regulates expression by both transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY We show that the growth factor parathyroid hormone-like hormone (PTHLH) is expressed in acid-secreting parietal cells of the mouse stomach. We define the specific PTHLH mRNA isoforms expressed in human stomach and in human gastric cancer cell lines and show that gastrin induces PTHLH expression via transcription activation and mRNA stabilization. Our findings suggest that PTHLH is a gastrin-regulated growth factor that might contribute to gastric epithelial cell homeostasis.
Acute hypoxia activates neuroendocrine, but not presympathetic, neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus: differential role of nitric oxide
Authors: Coldren K. Max , Li De-Pei , Kline David D. , Hasser Eileen M. , Heesch Cheryl M.
Published: April 2017

Hypoxia results in decreased arterial Po2, arterial chemoreflex activation, and compensatory increases in breathing, sympathetic outflow, and neuroendocrine secretions, including increased secretion of AVP, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH), and corticosterone. In addition to a brain stem pathway, including the nucleus tractus solitarius (nTS) and the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), medullary pathways to the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) contribute to chemoreflex responses. Experiments evaluated activation of specific cell phenotypes within the PVN following an acute hypoxic stimulus (AH; 2 h, 10% O2) in conscious rats. Retrograde tracers (from spinal cord and RVLM) labeled presympathetic (PreS) neurons, and immunohistochemistry identified AVP- and CRH-immunoreactive (IR) cells. c-Fos-IR was an index of neuronal activation. Hypoxia activated AVP-IR (~6%) and CRH-IR (~15%) cells, but not PreS cells in the PVN, suggesting that sympathoexcitation during moderate AH is mediated mainly by a pathway that does not include PreS neurons in the PVN. Approximately 14 to 17% of all PVN cell phenotypes examined expressed neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS-IR). AH activated only nNOS-negative AVP-IR neurons. In contrast ~23% of activated CRH-IR neurons in the PVN contained nNOS. In the median eminence, CRH-IR terminals were closely opposed to tanycyte processes and end-feet (vimentin-IR) in the external zone, where vascular NO participates in tanycyte retraction to facilitate neuropeptide secretion into the pituitary portal circulation. Results are consistent with an inhibitory role of NO on AVP and PreS neurons in the PVN and an excitatory role of NO on CRH secretion in the PVN and median eminence.
Autophagy is activated to protect against podocyte injury in adriamycin-induced nephropathy
Authors: Yi Mixuan , Zhang Lei , Liu Yu , Livingston Man J. , Chen Jian-Kang , Nahman N. Stanley , Liu Fuyou , Dong Zheng
Published: April 2017

Podocytes are highly differentiated epithelial cells wrapping glomerular capillaries to form the filtration barrier in kidneys. As such, podocyte injury or dysfunction is a critical pathogenic event in glomerular disease. Autophagy plays an important role in the maintenance of the homeostasis and function of podocytes. However, it is less clear whether and how autophagy contributes to podocyte injury in glomerular disease. Here, we have examined the role of autophagy in adriamycin-induced nephropathy, a classic model of glomerular disease. We show that autophagy was induced by adriamycin in cultured podocytes in vitro and in podocytes in mice. In cultured podocytes, activation of autophagy with rapamycin led to the suppression of adriamycin-induced apoptosis, whereas inhibition of autophagy with chloroquine enhanced podocyte apoptosis during adriamycin treatment. To determine the role of autophagy in vivo, we established an inducible podocyte-specific autophagy-related gene 7 knockout mouse model (Podo-Atg7-KO). Compared with wild-type littermates, Podo-Atg7-KO mice showed higher levels of podocyte injury, glomerulopathy, and proteinuria during adriamycin treatment. Together, these observations support an important role of autophagy in protecting podocytes under the pathological conditions of glomerular disease, suggesting the therapeutic potential of autophagy induction.
Accounting for oxygen in the renal cortex: a computational study of factors that predispose the cortex to hypoxia
Authors: Lee Chang-Joon , Gardiner Bruce S. , Ngo Jennifer P. , Kar Saptarshi , Evans Roger G. , Smith David W.
Published: April 2017

We develop a pseudo-three-dimensional model of oxygen transport for the renal cortex of the rat, incorporating both the axial and radial geometry of the preglomerular circulation and quantitative information regarding the surface areas and transport from the vasculature and renal corpuscles. The computational model was validated by simulating four sets of published experimental studies of renal oxygenation in rats. Under the control conditions, the predicted cortical tissue oxygen tension ([Formula: see text]) or microvascular oxygen tension (µPo2) were within ±1 SE of the mean value observed experimentally. The predicted [Formula: see text] or µPo2in response to ischemia-reperfusion injury, acute hemodilution, blockade of nitric oxide synthase, or uncoupling mitochondrial respiration, were within ±2 SE observed experimentally. We performed a sensitivity analysis of the key model parameters to assess their individual or combined impact on the predicted [Formula: see text] and µPo2. The model parameters analyzed were as follows: 1) the major determinants of renal oxygen delivery ([Formula: see text]) (arterial blood Po2, hemoglobin concentration, and renal blood flow); 2) the major determinants of renal oxygen consumption (V̇o2) [glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and the efficiency of oxygen utilization for sodium reabsorption (β)]; and 3) peritubular capillary surface area (PCSA). Reductions in PCSA by 50% were found to profoundly increase the sensitivity of [Formula: see text] and µPo2to the major the determinants of [Formula: see text] and V̇o2. The increasing likelihood of hypoxia with decreasing PCSA provides a potential explanation for the increased risk of acute kidney injury in some experimental animals and for patients with chronic kidney disease.
Multisensory coding in the multiple-demand regions: vibrotactile task information is coded in frontoparietal cortex
Authors: Woolgar Alexandra , Zopf Regine
Published: April 2017

How does the brain encode the breadth of information from our senses and use this to produce goal-directed behavior? A network of frontoparietal multiple-demand (MD) regions is implicated but has been studied almost exclusively in the context of visual tasks. We used multivariate pattern analysis of fMRI data to show that these regions encode tactile stimulus information, rules, and responses. This provides evidence for a domain-general role of the MD network in cognitive control.
Interaction of compass sensing and object-motion detection in the locust central complex
Authors: Bockhorst Tobias , Homberg Uwe
Published: April 2017

Goal-directed behavior is often complicated by unpredictable events, such as the appearance of a predator during directed locomotion. This situation requires adaptive responses like evasive maneuvers followed by subsequent reorientation and course correction. Here we study the possible neural underpinnings of such a situation in an insect, the desert locust. As in other insects, its sense of spatial orientation strongly relies on the central complex, a group of midline brain neuropils. The central complex houses sky compass cells that signal the polarization plane of skylight and thus indicate the animal’s steering direction relative to the sun. Most of these cells additionally respond to small moving objects that drive fast sensory-motor circuits for escape. Here we investigate how the presentation of a moving object influences activity of the neurons during compass signaling. Cells responded in one of two ways: in some neurons, responses to the moving object were simply added to the compass response that had adapted during continuous stimulation by stationary polarized light. By contrast, other neurons disadapted, i.e., regained their full compass response to polarized light, when a moving object was presented. We propose that the latter case could help to prepare for reorientation of the animal after escape. A neuronal network based on central-complex architecture can explain both responses by slight changes in the dynamics and amplitudes of adaptation to polarized light in CL columnar input neurons of the system.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Neurons of the central complex in several insects signal compass directions through sensitivity to the sky polarization pattern. In locusts, these neurons also respond to moving objects. We show here that during polarized-light presentation, responses to moving objects override their compass signaling or restore adapted inhibitory as well as excitatory compass responses. A network model is presented to explain the variations of these responses that likely serve to redirect flight or walking following evasive maneuvers.
Magnetohydrodynamic Three‐Dimensional Couette Flow of a Maxwell Fluid with Periodic Injection/Suction
Authors: Ali Y. , Rana M. A. , Shoaib M.
Published: April 2017

A mathematical model for magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) three‐dimensional Couette flow of an incompressible Maxwell fluid is developed and analyzed theoretically. The application of transverse sinusoidal injection at the lower stationary plate and its equivalent removal by suction through the uniformly moving upper plate lead to three‐dimensional flow. Approximate solutions for velocity field, pressure, and skin friction are obtained. The effects of flow parameters such as Hartmann number, Reynolds number, suction/injection parameter, and the Deborah number on velocity components, skin friction factors along main flow direction and transverse direction, and pressure through parallel porous plates are discussed graphically. It is noted that Hartmann number provides a mechanism to control the skin friction component along the main flow direction.
Prior Knowledge of Target Direction and Intended Movement Selection Improves Indirect Reaching Movement Decoding
Authors: Li Hongbao , Hao Yaoyao , Zhang Shaomin , Wang Yiwen , Chen Weidong , Zheng Xiaoxiang
Published: April 2017

Objective.Previous studies have demonstrated that target direction information presented by the dorsal premotor cortex (PMd) during movement planning could be incorporated into neural decoder for achieving better decoding performance. It is still unknown whether the neural decoder combined with only target direction could work in more complex tasks where obstacles impeded direct reaching paths.Methods.In this study, spike activities were collected from the PMd of two monkeys when performing a delayed obstacle-avoidance task. We examined how target direction and intended movement selection were encoded in neuron population activities of the PMd during movement planning. The decoding performances of movement trajectory were compared for three neural decoders with no prior knowledge, or only target direction, or both target direction and intended movement selection integrated into a mixture of trajectory model (MTM).Results.We found that not only target direction but also intended movement selection was presented in neural activities of the PMd during movement planning. It was further confirmed by quantitative analysis. Combined with prior knowledge, the trajectory decoder achieved the best performance among three decoders.Conclusion.Recruiting prior knowledge about target direction and intended movement selection extracted from the PMd could enhance the decoding performance of hand trajectory in indirect reaching movement.
Annexin A3 as a Prognostic Biomarker for Breast Cancer: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Zhou Tao , Li Yong , Yang Li , Tang Tiantian , Zhang Lina , Shi Jiajie
Published: April 2017

To validate the correlation between ANXA3 expression and prognosis in breast cancer, a retrospective study encompassing 309 breast cancer patients was performed. The expression of ANXA3 was determined by the immunohistochemical examination of tissue sections by the Max Vision™ method. The ANXA3 levels in the patient samples were validated for the prognosis based on age, menopause status, tumor size, tumor node, metastasis stage, the number of lymphatic metastases, oncology grade, and molecular subtyping. An elevated expression of ANXA3 was detected in breast cancer samples, compared to adjacent tissue samples, and significant correlation depending on the number of lymphatic metastases (P=0.001) and histological grade (P=0.004) was observed. The number of lymphatic metastases and ANXA3 expression were identified as independent risk factors affecting the disease-free survival and overall survival. Significantly (P<0.002) higher level of ANXA3 was detected in triple-negative breast cancer compared to other subtypes. There was no significant (P>0.05) change in the expression of ANXA3 with respect to age, menopausal status, tumor size, and clinical stage. The findings implicate the expression of ANXA3 with the natural progression of breast cancer and associate it with increased lymphatic metastasis. The study validates the use of ANXA3 as a potential prognosis biomarker for breast cancer.
Intrinsic and Extrinsic Ferromagnetism in Co-Doped Indium Tin Oxide Revealed Using X-Ray Magnetic Circular Dichroism
Authors: Hakimi A. M. H. R. , Schoofs F. , Blamire M. G. , Langridge S. , Dhesi S. S.
Published: April 2017

The effects of high-temperature annealing on ferromagnetic Co-doped Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) thin films have been investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), magnetometry, and X-Ray Magnetic Circular Dichroism (XMCD). Following annealing, the magnetometry results indicate the formation of Co clusters with a significant increase in the saturation magnetization of the thin films arising from defects introduced during cluster formation. However, sum rule analysis of the element-specific XMCD results shows that the magnetic moment at the Co sites is reduced after annealing. The effects of annealing demonstrate that the ferromagnetism observed in the as-deposited Co-doped ITO films arises from intrinsic defects and cannot be related to the segregation of metallic Co clusters.
Opportunity Loss Minimization and Newsvendor Behavior
Authors: Xu Xinsheng , Yan Hong , Chan Chi Kin
Published: April 2017

To study the decision bias in newsvendor behavior, this paper introduces an opportunity loss minimization criterion into the newsvendor model with backordering. We apply the Conditional Value-at-Risk (CVaR) measure to hedge against the potential risks from newsvendor’s order decision. We obtain the optimal order quantities for a newsvendor to minimize the expected opportunity loss and CVaR of opportunity loss. It is proven that the newsvendor’s optimal order quantity is related to the density function of market demand when the newsvendor exhibits risk-averse preference, which is inconsistent with the results in Schweitzer and Cachon (2000). The numerical example shows that the optimal order quantity that minimizes CVaR of opportunity loss is bigger than expected profit maximization (EPM) order quantity for high-profit products and smaller than EPM order quantity for low-profit products, which is different from the experimental results in Schweitzer and Cachon (2000). A sensitivity analysis of changing the operation parameters of the two optimal order quantities is discussed. Our results confirm that high return implies high risk, while low risk comes with low return. Based on the results, some managerial insights are suggested for the risk management of the newsvendor model with backordering.