bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multilocus molecular systematics and evolution in time and space of Calligrapha (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae, Chrysomelinae)
Authors: Montelongo Tinguaro , Gómez‐Zurita Jesús
Published: August 2014

Calligrapha (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is a genus with species present in most of the American continent, from the Arctic polar circle to the Pampas in Argentina. In its current concept, the genus comprises some 80 species, but the diagnosis of the genus is problematic, based on a combination of potentially symplesiomorphic character states. In this study, we investigate the largest taxonomic sample of Calligrapha diversity to date (43 species) using a phylogenetic perspective based on more than 6000 molecular characters from eight genes (four mitochondrial and four nuclear) for a systematic evaluation of the genus. The analyses also include thirteen species in the closely related Zygospila (currently a subgenus of Zygogramma) to assist the systematic delimitation of Calligrapha. Partitioned and total evidence phylogenetic trees were additionally used for molecular clock analyses and dating based on standard mtDNA evolutionary rates, and for likelihood‐based inference of ancestral areas. Calligrapha and Zygospila are reciprocally paraphyletic, and our interpretation of taxonomic stability merges both taxa into a larger genus Calligrapha which plausibly originated in the dry steppes of southern North America in the Late Miocene. The genus includes a minimum of five strongly supported lineages which initially diversified in the Pliocene, fully congruent with expectations from morphology, but of uncertain mutual relationships. Only two of these lineages dispersed to South America: the group of C. polyspila right at the time of the final closure of the Isthmus of Panama in the Early Pliocene and the group of C. argus only in recent times, well in the Pleistocene. The most species‐rich lineage of Calligrapha, associated to trees and shrubs typical of riverine and lacustrine environments (as opposed to herbaceous steppe plants, generally Malvaceae and Asteraceae, for most other groups) diversified and spread in North America in the Late Pliocene. The ecological shift to a stable habitat spreading in the continent due to climate change is hypothesized as one possible explanation for the evolutionary success of this group.
Holocene history of ENSO variance and asymmetry in the eastern tropical Pacific
Authors: Carré Matthieu , Sachs Julian P. , Purca Sara , Schauer Andrew J. , Braconnot Pascale , Falcón Rommel Angeles , Julien Michèle , Lavallée Danièle
Published: August 2014

El Niño shifted between the center and the East

El Niño has changed quite a bit over the past 10,000 years. During some periods it was less variable than now, and during others it shifted from its current locale toward the central Pacific. Carré
et al.
analyzed the shells of mollusks from Peru to construct a record of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in the eastern Pacific over the Holocene period. They compared this record with other records from the rest of the Pacific to reveal how much the strength and frequency of El Niños changed and how their positions varied.

Science
, this issue p.
1045
Genome Sequence of the Yeast
Cyberlindnera fabianii
(
Hansenula fabianii
)
Authors: Freel Kelle C. , Sarilar Véronique , Neuvéglise Cécile , Devillers Hugo , Friedrich Anne , Schacherer Joseph
Published: August 2014

The yeast
Cyberlindnera fabianii
is used in wastewater treatment, fermentation of alcoholic beverages, and has caused blood infections. To assist in the accurate identification of this species, and to determine the genetic basis for properties involved in fermentation and water treatment, we sequenced and annotated the genome of
C. fabianii
(YJS4271).
Draft Genome Sequence of
Hymenobacter
sp. Strain IS2118, Isolated from a Freshwater Lake in Schirmacher Oasis, Antarctica, Reveals Diverse Genes for Adaptation to Cold Ecosystems
Authors: Koo Hyunmin , Ptacek Travis , Crowley Michael , Swain Ashit K. , Osborne John D. , Bej Asim K. , Andersen Dale T.
Published: August 2014

Hymenobacter
sp. IS2118, isolated from a freshwater lake in Schirmacher Oasis, Antarctica, produces extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) and manifests tolerance to cold, UV radiation (UVR), and oxidative stress. We report the 5.26-Mb draft genome of strain IS2118, which will help us to understand its adaptation and survival mechanisms in Antarctic extreme ecosystems.
Draft Genome Sequences of the Onion Center Rot Pathogen Pantoea ananatis PA4 and Maize Brown Stalk Rot Pathogen
P. ananatis
BD442
Authors: Weller-Stuart Tania , Chan Wai Yin , Coutinho Teresa A. , Venter Stephanus N. , Smits Theo H. M. , Duffy Brion , Goszczynska Teresa , Cowan Don A. , de Maayer Pieter
Published: August 2014

Pantoea ananatis
is an emerging phytopathogen that infects a broad spectrum of plant hosts. Here, we present the genomes of two South African isolates,
P. ananatis
PA4, which causes center rot of onion, and BD442, isolated from brown stalk rot of maize.
Whole-Genome Shotgun Sequence of
Arthrospira platensis
Strain Paraca, a Cultivated and Edible Cyanobacterium
Authors: Lefort Francois , Calmin Gautier , Crovadore Julien , Falquet Jacques , Hurni Jean-Pierre , Osteras Magne , Haldemann Francois , Farinelli Laurent
Published: August 2014

Here we report the whole-genome shotgun sequence of a Peruvian strain of
Arthrospira platensis
(Paraca), a cultivated and edible haloalkaliphilic cyanobacterium of great scientific, technical, and economic potential.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Endosymbiont of
Acanthamoeba
Strain UWC8, an Amoeba Endosymbiont Belonging to the “
Candidatus
Midichloriaceae” Family in
Rickettsiales
Authors: Wang Zhang , Wu Martin
Published: August 2014

The endosymbiont of
Acanthamoeba
strain UWC8 is an obligate amoeba endosymbiont belonging to the family of “
Candidatus
Midichloriaceae” in
Rickettsiales.
We report here the complete genome sequence of this bacterium, which should catalyze future studies of amoeba-symbiont interactions.
ASYNCHRONOUS SIGNAL PASSING FOR TILE SELF-ASSEMBLY: FUEL EFFICIENT COMPUTATION AND EFFICIENT ASSEMBLY OF SHAPES
Authors: PADILLA JENNIFER E. , PATITZ MATTHEW J. , SCHWELLER ROBERT T. , SEEMAN NADRIAN C. , SUMMERS SCOTT M. , ZHONG XINGSI
Published: August 2014

In this paper we demonstrate the power of a model of tile self-assembly based on active glues which can dynamically change state. We formulate the Signal-passing Tile Assembly Model (STAM), based on the model of Padilla et al. [24] to be asynchronous, allowing any action of turning a glue on or off, attaching a new tile, or breaking apart an assembly to happen in any order. Within this highly generalized model we provide three new solutions to tile self-assembly problems that have been addressed within the abstract Tile Assembly Model and its variants, showing that signal passing tiles allow for substantial improvement across multiple complexity metrics. Our first result utilizes a recursive assembly process to achieve tile-type efficient assembly of linear structures, using provably fewer tile types than what is possible in standard tile assembly models. Our second system of signal-passing tiles simulates any Turing machine with high fuel efficiency by using only a constant number of tiles per computation step. Our third system assembles the discrete Sierpinski triangle, demonstrating that this pattern can be strictly self-assembled within the STAM. This result is of particular interest in that it is known that this pattern cannot self-assemble within a number of well studied tile self-assembly models. Notably, all of our constructions are at temperature 1, further demonstrating that signal-passing confers the power to bypass many restrictions found in standard tile assembly models.
Deformation of the Wheeler–DeWitt equation
Authors: Faizal Mir
Published: August 2014

In this paper, we will analyze the consequences of deforming the canonical commutation relations consistent with the existence of a minimum length and a maximum momentum. We first generalize the deformation of first quantized canonical commutation relation to second quantized canonical commutation relation. Thus, we arrive at a modified version of second quantization. A modified Wheeler–DeWitt equation will be constructed by using this deformed second quantized canonical commutation relation. Finally, we demonstrate that in this modified theory the big bang singularity gets naturally avoided.
Effects of heat transfer on the peristaltic MHD flow of a Bingham fluid through a porous medium in a channel
Authors: Rathod V. P. , Laxmi D.
Published: August 2014

In this paper, we study the effects of heat transfer on the peristaltic magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) flow of a Bingham fluid through a porous medium in a channel. Long wavelength approximation (that is, the wavelength of the peristaltic wave is large in comparison with the radius of the channel) and low Reynolds number are used to linearize the governing equations. The velocity field for the model of interest is solved by Adomian decomposition method. The expressions for pressure rise, flow rate and frictional force are obtained. The effect of magnetic field, Darcy number, yield stress, amplitude ratio and the temperature on the axial pressure gradient, pumping characteristics and frictional force are discussed through graphs.
"Shell" approach to modeling of impurity spreading from localized sources in plasma
Authors: Tokar Mikhail Z. , Koltunov Mikhail
Published: August 2014

In fusion devices, strongly localized intensive sources of impurities may arise unexpectedly or can be created deliberately through impurity injection. The spreading of impurities from such sources is essentially three-dimensional and nonstationary phenomenon involving physical processes of extremely different time scales. Numerical modeling of such events is still a very challenging task even by using most modern computers. To diminish the calculation time drastically a "shell" model has been elaborated that allows to reduce equations for particle, parallel momentum and energy balances of various ion species to one-dimensional equations describing the time evolution of radial profiles for several most characteristic parameters. The assumptions of the "shell" approach are verified by comparing its predictions with a numerical solution of one-dimensional time-dependent transport equations.
Variability in software architecture
Authors: Galster Matthias , Männistö Tomi , Weyns Danny , Avgeriou Paris
Published: August 2014

Variability in a software system is reflected in and facilitated through the architecture of that system. The Third International Workshop on Variability in Software Architecture (VARSA) was held in conjunction with the 11th Working IEEE/IFIP Conference on Software Architecture 2014 in Sydney, Australia. Based on the findings from previous editions of VARSA, this edition aimed at exploring methods, technologies and tools to handle variability at the software architecture level. The workshop featured one industrial keynote talk, one academic keynote talk and five research paper presentations.
Bacterial Pathogen Manipulation of Host Membrane Trafficking
Authors: Asrat Seblewongel , de Jesús Dennise A. , Hempstead Andrew D. , Ramabhadran Vinay , Isberg Ralph R.
Published: August 2014

Pathogens use a vast number of strategies to alter host membrane dynamics. Targeting the host membrane machinery is important for the survival and pathogenesis of several extracellular, vacuolar, and cytosolic bacteria. Membrane manipulation promotes bacterial replication while suppressing host responses, allowing the bacterium to thrive in a hostile environment. This review provides a comprehensive summary of various strategies used by both extracellular and intracellular bacteria to hijack host membrane trafficking machinery. We start with mechanisms used by bacteria to alter the plasma membrane, delve into the hijacking of various vesicle trafficking pathways, and conclude by summarizing bacterial adaptation to host immune responses. Understanding bacterial manipulation of host membrane trafficking provides insights into bacterial pathogenesis and uncovers the molecular mechanisms behind various processes within a eukaryotic cell.
Evidence for fatty acids mediating CL 316,243-induced reductions in blood glucose in mice
Authors: MacPherson Rebecca E. K. , Castellani Laura , Beaudoin Marie-Soleil , Wright David C.
Published: August 2014

CL 316,243, a β3-adrenergic agonist, was developed as an antiobesity and diabetes drug and causes rapid decreases in blood glucose levels in mice. The mechanisms mediating this effect have not been fully elucidated; thus, the purpose of the current study was to examine the role of fatty acids and interleukin-6, reputed mediators of insulin secretion, in this process. To address this question, we used physiological and pharmacological approaches in combination with knockout mouse models. CL 316,243 treatment in male C57BL6 mice increased plasma fatty acids, glycerol, interleukin-6, and insulin and reduced blood glucose concentrations 2 h following injections. The ability of CL 316,243 to increase insulin and fatty acids and reduce glucose was preserved in interleukin-6-deficient mice. CL 316,243-induced drops in blood glucose occurred in parallel with increases in circulating fatty acids but prior to increases in plasma interleukin-6. CL 316,243-mediated increases in plasma insulin levels and reductions in blood glucose were attenuated when mice were pretreated with the lipase inhibitor nicotinic acid or in whole body adipose tissue triglyceride lipase knockout mice. Collectively, our findings demonstrate an important role for fatty acids in mediating the effects of CL 316,243 in mice. Not only do our results provide new insight into the mechanisms of action of CL 316,243, but they also hint at an unappreciated aspect of adipose tissue -pancreas cross-talk.
Activation of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor downregulates inflammasome activity and liver inflammation via a β-arrestin-2 pathway
Authors: Farooq Ahmad , Hoque Rafaz , Ouyang Xinshou , Farooq Ahsan , Ghani Ayaz , Ahsan Kaimul , Guerra Mateus , Mehal Wajahat Zafar
Published: August 2014

Activation of the cytosolic inflammasome machinery is responsible for acute and chronic liver inflammation, but little is known about its regulation. The N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor families are heterotetrameric ligand-gated ion channels that are activated by a range of metabolites, including aspartate, glutamate, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. In the brain NMDA receptors are present on neuronal and nonneuronal cells and regulate a diverse range of functions. We tested the role of the NMDA receptor and aspartate in inflammasome regulation in vitro and in models of acute hepatitis and pancreatitis. We demonstrate that the NMDA receptor is present on Kupffer cells, and their activation on primary mouse and human cells limits inflammasome activation by downregulating NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3 and procaspase-1. The NMDA receptor pathway is active in vivo, limits injury in acute hepatitis, and can be therapeutically further activated by aspartate providing protection in acute inflammatory liver injury. Downregulation of inflammasome activation by NMDA occurs via a β-arrestin-2 NF-kβ and JNK pathway and not via Ca2+ mobilization. We have identified the NMDA receptor as a regulator of inflammasome activity in vitro and in vivo. This has identified a new area of immune regulation associated by metabolites that may be relevant in a diverse range of conditions, including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and total parenteral nutrition-induced immune suppression.
An alteration of the gut-liver axis drives pulmonary inflammation after intoxication and burn injury in mice
Authors: Chen Michael M. , Zahs Anita , Brown Mary M. , Ramirez Luis , Turner Jerrold R. , Choudhry Mashkoor A. , Kovacs Elizabeth J.
Published: August 2014

Approximately half of all adult burn patients are intoxicated at the time of their injury and have worse clinical outcomes than those without prior alcohol exposure. This study tested the hypothesis that intoxication alters the gut-liver axis, leading to increased pulmonary inflammation mediated by burn-induced IL-6 in the liver. C57BL/6 mice were given 1.2 g/kg ethanol 30 min prior to a 15% total body surface area burn. To restore gut barrier function, the specific myosin light chain kinase inhibitor membrane-permeant inhibitor of kinase (PIK), which we have demonstrated to reduce bacterial translocation from the gut, was administered 30 min after injury. Limiting bacterial translocation with PIK attenuated hepatic damage as measured by a 47% reduction in serum alanine aminotransferase ( P < 0.05), as well as a 33% reduction in hepatic IL-6 mRNA expression ( P < 0.05), compared with intoxicated and burn-injured mice without PIK. This mitigation of hepatic damage was associated with a 49% decline in pulmonary neutrophil infiltration ( P < 0.05) and decreased alveolar wall thickening compared with matched controls. These results were reproduced by prophylactic reduction of the bacterial load in the intestines with oral antibiotics before intoxication and burn injury. Overall, these data suggest that the gut-liver axis is deranged when intoxication precedes burn injury and that limiting bacterial translocation in this setting attenuates hepatic damage and pulmonary inflammation.
Influence of exercise contraction mode and protein supplementation on human skeletal muscle satellite cell content and muscle fiber growth
Authors: Farup Jean , Rahbek Stine Klejs , Riis Simon , Vendelbo Mikkel Holm , Paoli Frank de , Vissing Kristian
Published: August 2014

Skeletal muscle satellite cells (SCs) are involved in remodeling and hypertrophy processes of skeletal muscle. However, little knowledge exists on extrinsic factors that influence the content of SCs in skeletal muscle. In a comparative human study, we investigated the muscle fiber type-specific association between emergence of satellite cells (SCs), muscle growth, and remodeling in response to 12 wk unilateral resistance training performed as eccentric (Ecc) or concentric (Conc) resistance training ± whey protein (Whey, 19.5 g protein + 19.5 g glucose) or placebo (Placebo, 39 g glucose) supplementation. Muscle biopsies (vastus lateralis) were analyzed for fiber type-specific SCs, myonuclei, and fiber cross-sectional area (CSA). Following training, SCs increased with Conc in both type I and type II fibers ( P < 0.01) and exhibited a group difference from Ecc ( P < 0.05), which did not increase. Myonuclei content in type I fibers increased in all groups ( P < 0.01), while a specific accretion of myonuclei in type II fibers was observed in the Whey-Conc ( P < 0.01) and Placebo-Ecc ( P < 0.01) groups. Similarly, whereas type I fiber CSA increased independently of intervention ( P < 0.001), type II fiber CSA increased exclusively with Whey-Conc ( P < 0.01) and type II fiber hypertrophy correlated with whole muscle hypertrophy exclusively following Conc training ( P < 0.01). In conclusion, isolated concentric knee extensor resistance training appears to constitute a stronger driver of SC content than eccentric resistance training while type II fiber hypertrophy was accentuated when combining concentric resistance training with whey protein supplementation.
Improved CT-based estimate of pulmonary gas trapping accounting for scanner and lung-volume variations in a multicenter asthmatic study
Authors: Choi Sanghun , Hoffman Eric A. , Wenzel Sally E. , Castro Mario , Lin Ching-Long
Published: August 2014

Lung air trapping is estimated via quantitative computed tomography (CT) using density threshold-based measures on an expiration scan. However, the effects of scanner differences and imaging protocol adherence on quantitative assessment are known to be problematic. This study investigates the effects of protocol differences, such as using different CT scanners and breath-hold coaches in a multicenter asthmatic study, and proposes new methods that can adjust intersite and intersubject variations. CT images of 50 healthy subjects and 42 nonsevere and 52 severe asthmatics at total lung capacity (TLC) and functional residual capacity (FRC) were acquired using three different scanners and two different coaching methods at three institutions. A fraction threshold-based approach based on the corrected Hounsfield unit of air with tracheal density was applied to quantify air trapping at FRC. The new air-trapping method was enhanced by adding a lung-shaped metric at TLC and the lobar ratio of air-volume change between TLC and FRC. The fraction-based air-trapping method is able to collapse air-trapping data of respective populations into distinct regression lines. Relative to a constant value-based clustering scheme, the slope-based clustering scheme shows the improved performance and reduced misclassification rate of healthy subjects. Furthermore, both lung shape and air-volume change are found to be discriminant variables for differentiating among three populations of healthy subjects and nonsevere and severe asthmatics. In conjunction with the lung shape and air-volume change, the fraction-based measure of air trapping enables differentiation of severe asthmatics from nonsevere asthmatics and nonsevere asthmatics from healthy subjects, critical for the development and evaluation of new therapeutic interventions.
Spinal NMDA receptor activation constrains inactivity-induced phrenic motor facilitation in Charles River Sprague-Dawley rats
Authors: Streeter K. A. , Baker-Herman T. L.
Published: August 2014

Reduced spinal synaptic inputs to phrenic motor neurons elicit a unique form of spinal plasticity known as inactivity-induced phrenic motor facilitation (iPMF). iPMF requires tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and atypical protein kinase C (aPKC) activity within spinal segments containing the phrenic motor nucleus to stabilize early, transient increases in phrenic burst amplitude into long-lasting iPMF. Here we tested the hypothesis that spinal N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) activation constrains long-lasting iPMF in some rat substrains. Phrenic motor output was recorded in anesthetized, ventilated Harlan (HSD) and Charles River (CRSD) Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to a 30-min central neural apnea. HSD rats expressed a robust, long-lasting (>60 min) increase in phrenic burst amplitude (i.e., long-lasting iPMF) when respiratory neural activity was restored. By contrast, CRSD rats expressed an attenuated, transient (∼15 min) iPMF. Spinal NMDAR inhibition with DL-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (APV) before neural apnea or shortly (4 min) prior to the resumption of respiratory neural activity revealed long-lasting iPMF in CRSD rats that was phenotypically similar to that in HSD rats. By contrast, APV did not alter iPMF expression in HSD rats. Spinal TNF-α or aPKC inhibition impaired long-lasting iPMF enabled by NMDAR inhibition in CRSD rats, suggesting that similar mechanisms give rise to long-lasting iPMF in CRSD rats with NMDAR inhibition as those giving rise to long-lasting iPMF in HSD rats. These results suggest that NMDAR activation can impose constraints on TNF-α-induced aPKC activation after neural apnea, impairing stabilization of transient iPMF into long-lasting iPMF. These data may have important implications for understanding differential responses to reduced respiratory neural activity in a heterogeneous human population.
Autocalibration of accelerometer data for free-living physical activity assessment using local gravity and temperature: an evaluation on four continents
Authors: van Hees Vincent T. , Fang Zhou , Langford Joss , Assah Felix , Mohammad Anwar , da Silva Inacio C. M. , Trenell Michael I. , White Tom , Wareham Nicholas J. , Brage Søren
Published: August 2014

Wearable acceleration sensors are increasingly used for the assessment of free-living physical activity. Acceleration sensor calibration is a potential source of error. This study aims to describe and evaluate an autocalibration method to minimize calibration error using segments within the free-living records (no extra experiments needed). The autocalibration method entailed the extraction of nonmovement periods in the data, for which the measured vector magnitude should ideally be the gravitational acceleration (1 g); this property was used to derive calibration correction factors using an iterative closest-point fitting process. The reduction in calibration error was evaluated in data from four cohorts: UK ( n = 921), Kuwait ( n = 120), Cameroon ( n = 311), and Brazil ( n = 200). Our method significantly reduced calibration error in all cohorts ( P < 0.01), ranging from 16.6 to 3.0 m g in the Kuwaiti cohort to 76.7 to 8.0 m g error in the Brazil cohort. Utilizing temperature sensor data resulted in a small nonsignificant additional improvement ( P > 0.05). Temperature correction coefficients were highest for the z-axis, e.g., 19.6-m g offset per 5°C. Further, application of the autocalibration method had a significant impact on typical metrics used for describing human physical activity, e.g., in Brazil average wrist acceleration was 0.2 to 51% lower than uncalibrated values depending on metric selection ( P < 0.01). The autocalibration method as presented helps reduce the calibration error in wearable acceleration sensor data and improves comparability of physical activity measures across study locations. Temperature ultization seems essential when temperature deviates substantially from the average temperature in the record but not for multiday summary measures.
Muscle sympathetic nerve activity during cold stress and isometric exercise in healthy older adults
Authors: Greaney Jody L. , Stanhewicz Anna. E. , Kenney W. Larry , Alexander Lacy M.
Published: August 2014

Cardiovascular mortality increases in cold weather in older adults, and physical activity may impart even greater cardiovascular risk than cold exposure alone. Human aging is associated with exaggerated pressor responses to whole body cooling; however, the sympathetic response to cold stress alone and in combination with isometric exercise is unknown. We hypothesized that cold stress would 1) increase muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) and 2) augment the MSNA response to isometric handgrip in older adults. Whole body cooling (water-perfused suit) was conducted in 11 young (23 ± 1 yr) and 12 healthy older adults (60 ± 2 yr). Blood pressure (BP; Finometer) and MSNA (microneurography) were measured throughout cooling and during isometric handgrip at 30% maximal voluntary contraction performed at a mean skin temperature (Tsk) of 34 and 30.5°C. MSNA was greater in older adults at Tsk = 34.0°C and throughout cooling ( P < 0.05). MSNA increased during cooling in older, but not young, adults (young: Δ0 ± 1 vs. older: Δ8 ± 1 bursts/min; P < 0.05). The cooling-induced increase in BP was greater in older adults ( P < 0.05). During handgrip, the increases in MSNA and BP were not different between conditions in either young (Δ14 ± 2 Tsk 34°C vs. Δ12 ± 3 Tsk 30.5°C bursts/min; Δ20 ± 3 Tsk 34°C vs. Δ19 ± 3 Tsk 30.5°C mmHg; both P > 0.05) or older adults (Δ12 ± 1 Tsk 34°C vs. Δ8 ± 1 Tsk 30.5°C bursts/min; Δ18 ± 3 Tsk 34°C vs. Δ17 ± 2 Tsk 30.5°C mmHg; both P > 0.05). In summary, MSNA increased during cold stress in older, but not young, adults. Furthermore, concomitant cold stress did not alter the sympathetic responses to isometric exercise in either age group, suggesting preserved sympathetic responsiveness during exercise in the cold in healthy aging.
Glial TLR4 signaling does not contribute to opioid-induced depression of respiration
Authors: Zwicker Jennifer D. , Zhang Yong , Ren Jun , Hutchinson Mark R. , Rice Kenner C. , Watkins Linda R. , Greer John J. , Funk Gregory D.
Published: August 2014

Opioids activate glia in the central nervous system in part by activating the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation 2 (MD2) complex. TLR4/MD2-mediated activation of glia by opioids compromises their analgesic actions. Glial activation is also hypothesized as pivotal in opioid-mediated reward and tolerance and as a contributor to opioid-mediated respiratory depression. We tested the contribution of TLR4 to opioid-induced respiratory depression using rhythmically active medullary slices that contain the pre-Bötzinger Complex (preBötC, an important site of respiratory rhythm generation) and adult rats in vivo. Injection with DAMGO (μ-opioid receptor agonist; 50 μM) or bath application of DAMGO (500 nM) or fentanyl (1 μM) slowed frequency recorded from XII nerves to 40%, 40%, or 50% of control, respectively. This DAMGO-mediated frequency inhibition was unaffected by preapplication of lipopolysaccharides from Rhodobacter sphaeroides (a TLR4 antagonist, 2,000 ng/ml) or (+)naloxone (1–10 μM, a TLR4-antagonist). Bath application of (−)naloxone (500 nM; a TLR4 and μ-opioid antagonist), however, rapidly reversed the opioid-mediated frequency decrease. We also compared the opioid-induced respiratory depression in slices in vitro in the absence and presence of bath-applied minocycline (an inhibitor of microglial activation) and in slices prepared from mice injected (ip) 18 h earlier with minocycline or saline. Minocycline had no effect on respiratory depression in vitro. Finally, the respiratory depression evoked in anesthetized rats by tail vein infusion of fentanyl was unaffected by subsequent injection of (+)naloxone, but completely reversed by (−)naloxone. These data indicate that neither activation of microglia in preBötC nor TLR4/MD2-activation contribute to opioid-induced respiratory depression.
Sympathetic ganglion transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation after coronary artery bypass graft surgery improves femoral blood flow and exercise tolerance
Authors: Cipriano Gerson , Neder J. Alberto , Umpierre Daniel , Arena Ross , Vieira Paulo J. C. , Chiappa Adriana M. Güntzel , Ribeiro Jorge P. , Chiappa Gaspar R.
Published: August 2014

We tested the hypothesis that transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) over the stellate ganglion region would reduce sympathetic overstimulation and improve femoral blood flow (FBF) after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Thirty-eight patients (20 men, 24 New York Heart Association class III-IV) were randomized to 5-day postoperative TENS ( n = 20; 4 times/day; 30 min/session) or sham TENS ( n = 18) applied to the posterior cervical region (C7-T4). Sympathetic nervous system was stimulated by the cold pressor test, with FBF being measured by ultrasound Doppler. Femoral vascular conductance (FVC) was calculated as FBF/mean arterial pressure (MAP). Six-min walking distance established patients' functional capacity. Before and after the intervention periods, pain scores, opiate requirements, and circulating β-endorphin levels were determined. As expected, preoperative MAP increased and FBF and FVC decreased during the cold pressor test. Sham TENS had no significant effect on these variables ( P > 0.05). In contrast, MAP decreased in the TENS group (125 ± 12 vs. 112 ± 10 mmHg). This finding, in association with a consistent increase in FBF (95 ± 5 vs. 145 ± 14 ml/min), led to significant improvements in FVC ( P < 0.01). Moreover, 6-min walking distance improved only with TENS (postsurgery-presurgery = 35 ± 12 vs. 6 ± 10 m; P < 0.01). TENS was associated with lesser postoperative pain and opiate requirements but greater circulating β-endorphin levels ( P < 0.05). In conclusion, stellate ganglion TENS after coronary artery bypass graft surgery positively impacted on limb blood flow during a sympathetic stimulation maneuver, a beneficial effect associated with improved clinical and functional outcomes.
Carotid body denervation prevents fasting hyperglycemia during chronic intermittent hypoxia
Authors: Shin Mi-Kyung , Yao Qiaoling , Jun Jonathan C. , Bevans-Fonti Shannon , Yoo Doo-Young , Han Woobum , Mesarwi Omar , Richardson Ria , Fu Ya-Yuan , Pasricha Pankaj J. , Schwartz Alan R. , Shirahata Machiko , Polotsky Vsevolod Y.
Published: August 2014

Obstructive sleep apnea causes chronic intermittent hypoxia (IH) and is associated with impaired glucose metabolism, but mechanisms are unknown. Carotid bodies orchestrate physiological responses to hypoxemia by activating the sympathetic nervous system. Therefore, we hypothesized that carotid body denervation would abolish glucose intolerance and insulin resistance induced by chronic IH. Male C57BL/6J mice underwent carotid sinus nerve dissection (CSND) or sham surgery and then were exposed to IH or intermittent air (IA) for 4 or 6 wk. Hypoxia was administered by decreasing a fraction of inspired oxygen from 20.9% to 6.5% once per minute, during the 12-h light phase (9 a.m.–9 p.m.). As expected, denervated mice exhibited blunted hypoxic ventilatory responses. In sham-operated mice, IH increased fasting blood glucose, baseline hepatic glucose output (HGO), and expression of a rate-liming hepatic enzyme of gluconeogenesis phospho enolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), whereas the whole body glucose flux during hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp was not changed. IH did not affect glucose tolerance after adjustment for fasting hyperglycemia in the intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test. CSND prevented IH-induced fasting hyperglycemia and increases in baseline HGO and liver PEPCK expression. CSND trended to augment the insulin-stimulated glucose flux and enhanced liver Akt phosphorylation at both hypoxic and normoxic conditions. IH increased serum epinephrine levels and liver sympathetic innervation, and both increases were abolished by CSND. We conclude that chronic IH induces fasting hyperglycemia increasing baseline HGO via the CSN sympathetic output from carotid body chemoreceptors, but does not significantly impair whole body insulin sensitivity.
Annual Energy Consumption Forecasting Based on PSOCA-GRNN Model
Authors: Zhao Huiru , Guo Sen
Published: August 2014

Accurate energy consumption forecasting can provide reliable guidance for energy planners and policy makers, which can also recognize the economic and industrial development trends of a country. In this paper, a hybrid PSOCA-GRNN model was proposed for the annual energy consumption forecasting. The generalized regression neural network (GRNN) model was employed to forecast the annual energy consumption due to its good ability of dealing with the nonlinear problems. Meanwhile, the spread parameter of GRNN model was automatically determined by PSOCA algorithm (the combination of particle swarm optimization algorithm and cultural algorithm). Taking China’s annual energy consumption as the empirical example, the effectiveness of this proposed PSOCA-GRNN model was proved. The calculation result shows that this proposed hybrid model outperforms the single GRNN model, GRNN model optimized by PSO (PSO-GRNN), discrete grey model (DGM (1, 1)), and ordinary least squares linear regression (OLS_LR) model.
Comparison of Results of Cycles Treated with Modified Mild Protocol and Short Protocol for Ovarian Stimulation
Authors: Coelho F. , Aguiar L. F. , Cunha G. S. P. , Cardinot N. , Lucena E.
Published: August 2014

The ovarian stimulation has been applied in order to increase the number of oocytes to compensate for the poor results of in vitro fertilization, allowing the selection of one or more embryos to be transferred. Our aim is to compare the results obtained in IVF/ICSI cycles using the short protocol for controlled ovarian stimulation to the results from the modified mild protocol used in our department. A total of 240 cycles were conducted from January 2010 to December 2011. When comparing both protocols, it could be observed that there was a significant difference in the quantity of gonadotropins doses in the mild protocol and in the short protocol. No significant difference was observed regarding pregnancy rates per cycle, 22% and 26.2%, in short and mild protocols, respectively. The protocols of controlled ovarian stimulation are often associated with high risk of complications such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, excessive emotional stress, high rates of treatment dropouts, and abdominal discomfort. With the data obtained in this study, one can conclude that there are less risks and complications for the patient when using the mild stimulation protocol. It was also observed that in this group there was a slightly higher rate.
Green’s Function and Positive Solutions for a Second-Order Singular Boundary Value Problem with Integral Boundary Conditions and a Delayed Argument
Authors: Zhang Xuemei , Feng Meiqiang
Published: August 2014

This paper investigates the expression and properties of Green’s function for a second-order singular boundary value problem with integral boundary conditions and delayed argument-x′′t-atx′t+btxt=ωtft, xαt,  t∈0, 1;  x′0=0,  x1-∫01htxtdt=0, wherea∈0, 1, 0, +∞, b∈C0, 1, 0, +∞and,ωmay be singular att=0or/and att=1. Furthermore, several new and more general results are obtained for the existence of positive solutions for the above problem by using Krasnosel’skii’s fixed point theorem. We discuss our problems with a delayed argument, which may concern optimization issues of some technical problems. Moreover, the approach to express the integral equation of the above problem is different from earlier approaches. Our results cover a second-order boundary value problem without deviating arguments and are compared with some recent results.
Alterations in Metabolic Profile Occur in Normal-Weight and Obese Men during the Ramadan Fast Despite No Changes in Anthropometry
Authors: McNeil Jessica , Mamlouk Mohamed M. , Duval Karine , Schwartz Alexander , Nardo Junior Nelson , Doucet Éric
Published: August 2014

We examined the variations in eating behavior, appetite ratings, satiety efficiency, energy expenditure, anthropometric and metabolic profile markers prior to, during as well as 1 and 4 months after Ramadan in normal-weight and obese men. Anthropometric, energy expenditure (indirect calorimetry and accelerometry), metabolic (fasting blood sample), appetite (visual analogue scales), and eating behavior (Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire) measurements were performed in 10 normal-weight (age: 25.2 ± 4.7 years; BMI: 24.4 ± 1.9 kg/m2) and 10 obese (age: 27.0 ± 4.5 years; BMI: 34.8 ± 3.7 kg/m2) men. The satiety quotient (SQ) was calculated 180 minutes after breakfast consumption. All anthropometric variables, as well as resting and total energy expenditure, were greater in obese compared to normal-weight participants (P = 0.02–0.0001). Similarly, obese participants had greater triglycerides, insulin, and homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance concentrations (P = 0.02–0.002). Greater apolipoprotein B, glucose, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein concentrations were noted during Ramadan (P = 0.04–0.0001). Dietary restraint scores were also greater during Ramadan (P=0.0001). No differences in anthropometry, other metabolic profile markers, energy expenditure, appetite ratings, and SQ were noted across sessions. Lastly, changes in anthropometric measurements correlated with delta metabolic profile markers, as well as changes in disinhibition eating behavior trait and dietary restraint scores. The Ramadan fast led to increases in certain metabolic profile markers despite no changes in appetite and anthropometry.
The Impact of Uterine Radiation on Subsequent Fertility and Pregnancy Outcomes
Authors: Teh Wan Tinn , Stern Catharyn , Chander Sarat , Hickey Martha
Published: August 2014

Future fertility is of paramount importance to younger cancer survivors. Advances in assisted reproductive technology mean that young women treated with radiation involving the uterus may require clinical guidance regarding whether to attempt a pregnancy themselves. We performed a review of the literature regarding radiation involving uterus (total body irradiation (TBI) and pelvic radiation), fertility, and pregnancy outcomes to come up with a recommendation for our patients. Limited evidence suggests lower fecundity and an increased incidence of pregnancy complications after uterine radiation. Higher radiation doses and direct uterine radiation both significantly increase the risk of an adverse pregnancy outcome. Uterine radiation doses of <4 Gy do not appear to impair uterine function. Adult TBI data (usually 12 Gy) suggest pregnancy is possible but with lower fecundity and more complications. Although there is no clear data indicating the dose of radiation to the uterus, above which a pregnancy would not be sustainable, we suggest patients receiving >45 Gy during adulthood and >25 Gy in childhood be counselled to avoid attempting pregnancy. There is preliminary evidence that menopausal hormone therapy and a combination of pentoxifylline and tocopherol may improve uterine function following irradiation.
Numerical Investigation of Characteristic of Anisotropic Thermal Conductivity of Natural Fiber Bundle with Numbered Lumens
Authors: Zheng Guan-Yu
Published: August 2014

Natural fiber bundle like hemp fiber bundle usually includes many small lumens embedded in solid region; thus, it can present lower thermal conduction than that of conventional fibers. In the paper, characteristic of anisotropic transverse thermal conductivity of unidirectional natural hemp fiber bundle was numerically studied to determine the dependence of overall thermal property of the fiber bundle on that of the solid region phase. In order to efficiently predict its thermal property, the fiber bundle was embedded into an imaginary matrix to form a unit composite cell consisting of the matrix and the fiber bundle. Equally, another unit composite cell including an equivalent solid fiber was established to present the homogenization of the fiber bundle. Next, finite element thermal analysis implemented by ABAQUS was conducted in the two established composite cells by applying proper thermal boundary conditions along the boundary of unit cell, and influences of the solid region phase and the equivalent solid fiber on the composites were investigated, respectively. Subsequently, an optional relationship of thermal conductivities of the natural fiber bundle and the solid region was obtained by curve fitting technique. Finally, numerical results from the obtained fitted curves were compared with the analytic Hasselman‐Johnson’s results and others to verify the present numerical model.
Diagnostic Performance of Des-γ-carboxy Prothrombin for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhu Rong , Yang Jing , Xu Ling , Dai Weiqi , Wang Fan , Shen Miao , Zhang Yan , Zhang Huawei , Chen Kan , Cheng Ping , Wang Chengfen , Zheng Yuanyuan , Li Jingjing , Lu Jie , Zhou Yingqun , Wu Dong , Guo Chuanyong
Published: August 2014

Background. There have been many reports on des-γ-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) as a promising serum marker in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, the results are inconsistent and even conflicting.Methods. This meta-analysis was performed to investigate the performance of DCP in the diagnosis of HCC. Following a systematic review of relevant studies, Meta-DiSc 1.4 software was used to extract data and to calculate the overall sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR). Data are presented as forest plots and summary receiver operating characteristic curve (SROC) analysis was used to summarize the overall test performance.Results. Twelve studies were included in our meta-analysis. The overall sensitivity, specificity, PLR, and NLR of DCP for the detection of HCC in the studies included were 71% (95%CI: 68%–73%), 84% (95%CI: 83%–86%), 6.48 (95%CI: 4.22–9.93), and 0.33 (95%CI: 0.25–0.43), respectively. The area under the SROC curve was 0.8930 and theQindex was 0.8238. Significant heterogeneity was found.Conclusion. This meta-analysis indicated that DCP had moderate diagnostic accuracy in HCC. Further studies with rigorous design, large sample size, and mmultiregional cooperation are needed in the future.
Autoimmune Disease Prevalence in a Multiple Sclerosis Cohort in Argentina
Authors: Farez Mauricio F. , Balbuena Aguirre María E. , Varela Francisco , Köhler Alejandro A. , Correale Jorge
Published: August 2014

Background. Comorbid autoimmune diseases in MS patients have been studied extensively with controversial results. Moreover, no such data exists for Latin-American MS patients.Methods. We conducted a case-control study aimed to establish the prevalence of autoimmune disorders in a cohort of Argentinean MS patients.Results. There were no significant differences in autoimmune disease prevalence in MS patients with respect to controls. The presence of one or more autoimmune disorders did not increase risk of MS (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.6–1.3).Discussion. Our results indicate absence of increased comorbid autoimmune disease prevalence in MS patients, as well as of increased risk of MS in patients suffering from other autoimmune disorders.
Performance Evaluation of Frequent Subgraph Discovery Techniques
Authors: Rehman Saif Ur , Asghar Sohail , Zhuang Yan , Fong Simon
Published: August 2014

Due to rapid development of the Internet technology and new scientific advances, the number of applications that model the data as graphs increases, because graphs have highly expressive power to model a complicated structure. Graph mining is a well‐explored area of research which is gaining popularity in the data mining community. A graph is a general model to represent data and has been used in many domains such as cheminformatics, web information management system, computer network, and bioinformatics, to name a few. In graph mining the frequent subgraph discovery is a challenging task. Frequent subgraph mining is concerned with discovery of those subgraphs from graph dataset which have frequent or multiple instances within the given graph dataset. In the literature a large number of frequent subgraph mining algorithms have been proposed; these included FSG, AGM, gSpan, CloseGraph, SPIN, Gaston, and Mofa. The objective of this research work is to perform quantitative comparison of the above listed techniques. The performances of these techniques have been evaluated through a number of experiments based on three different state‐of‐the‐art graph datasets. This novel work will provide base for anyone who is working to design a new frequent subgraph discovery technique.
Study on Thermal Insulation Zeolite by Coal Fly Ash
Authors: Song Huiping , Zheng Nan , Xue Fangbin , Cheng Fangqin
Published: August 2014

This paper takes the coal fly ash as the material and makes zeolite with low thermal conductivity under a two‐step synthesis for the purpose of thermal insulation. It studies main factors affecting zeolite such as the different concentration of NaOH, the solid‐liquid ratio, the silica‐alumina ratio, and the crystallization temperature. The optimal conditions were obtained that the NaOH concentration was 3 mol/L, the solid‐liquid ratio was 10 : 1, the silica‐alumina ratio was 2, and the crystallization temperature was 12°C. Zeolites have multiple pores and skeletal structures under SEM observation. The mean particle size was 2.78 um of concentrated distribution. The pore volume was 0.148 m3/g measured by BET analysis, the specific surface was 118.6 m2/g, and the thermal conductivity was 0.153 W/(m·K). Zeolite was proved to be a qualified insulation material which can be used in thermal insulation coating as a new material of energy conservation.