bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Ashokarishta, Ashvagandha Churna and Pravala Pishti in the Management of Menopausal Syndrome: A Prospective Open-label Multicenter Study
Authors: Padhi MM , Tomar Rinku , Kumari Indira , Gangurde Vilas
Published: August 2017

Introduction

The menopausal period comprises about one-third of average women's life. During this period, women are vulnerable to conditions caused by estrogen deficiency from short-term discomfort to long-term health problems.

Aim

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Ashokarishta, Ashvagandha Churna and Pravala Pishti in the management of menopausal syndrome and to evaluate changes in the quality of life in women.

Materials and methods

This trial was a multicenter single-arm study conducted at three Institutes of Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences. One hundred fifteen women aged between 40 and 55 years with Kupperman menopausal index score ≥15, follicle-stimulating hormone ≥20 IU/L, and endometrial thickness ≤5 mm were included in the study. Three Ayurvedic classical formulations, viz., Ashokarishta, Ashvagandha Churna and Pravala Pishti, were administered for 12 weeks followed by subsequent 2 weeks without intervention follow-up. Outcome measures were changes in menopausal symptoms using menopause rating scale (MRS) and improvement in the quality of life using menopause-specific quality of life (MENQOL) questionnaire and they were assessed at the baseline, 84th day, and at the end of 2 weeks after the completion of intervention period. Paired sample t-test was used to compare mean change from baseline to 84th day. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant.

Results

The findings of the study reveal that the effect of therapy has shown statistically significant decrease in MRS total score (p-value <0.001). The mean MRS total score at the baseline was 22.43 and decreased to 5.29 after treatment at 84th day, and further reduced to 5.06 at the 14th week (follow-up period without trial interventions). The improvements of MENQOL in four domains, viz., vasomotor, psychosocial, sexual, and physical, at the end of 12th week and 14th week were also significant (p-value <0.001) in comparison with the baseline. Further, all the safety parameters like liver function tests and kidney function tests remained within the normal limits throughout the trial period and no adverse events or adverse drug reaction were reported, which confirm the clinical safety of the trial drugs.

Conclusion

Ashokarishta, Ashvagandha Churna and Pravala Pishti are found to be safe and effective in the management of menopausal syndrome.

How to cite this article

Tomar R, Sharma S, Kumari I, Gangurde V, Ota S, Dua P, Khanduri S, Yadav B, Rana R, Singhal R, Srikanth N, Padhi MM, Dhiman KS. Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Ashokarishta, Ashvagandha Churna and Pravala Pishti in the Management of Menopausal Syndrome: A Prospective Open-label Multicenter Study. J Res Ayurvedic Sci 2017;1(1):9-16.
An Open Label Efficacy Study of Amrita Guggulu and Pinda Taila in the Management of Hyperuricemia in Gout (Vatarakta) Patients
Authors: Sannd Rajesh , Padhi MM , Singh Harbans , Bhurke Laxman W , Kumari Krishna , Vedi SK , Singh Renu ,   Bharti
Published: August 2017

Background

Vatarakta vis-à-vis gout is a common condition in both primary care and specialist practice. Gout is a systemic disease characterized by manifestations of chronic under­lying hyperuricemia, resulting in the deposition of monosodium urate crystals in various tissues. Gout is the most common of the crystal induced arthritis due to disturbed uric acid metabolism and precipitation of urate crystals in extracellular space of joints, periarticular tissue, bones, and other organs.

Aim and objective

To explore the therapeutic efficacy and safety of Amrita Guggulu and Pinda Taila in the management of hyperuricemia in gout (Vatarakta) patients.

Materials and methods

A total of 100 cases (25–65 years) of primary gouty arthritis fulfilling the diagnostic criteria as recommended by the American College of Rheumatology were selected for the present study from outpatient department of the Central Ayurveda Research Institute for Respiratory Disorders Patiala and Regional Ayurveda Research Institute for Urinary Disorders, Jammu, India, irrespective of their sex, religion, and socioeconomic status. Only those patients who presented themselves with at least 6 of 12 criteria of American College of Rheumatology (1977) were selected for the clinical trial. Amrita Guggulu was given 1000 mg twice daily orally and Pinda Taila was applied locally 10 mL twice daily for 84 days.

Results

The trial therapy was assessed based on the improvement in clinical features, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score, Patient's Global Assessment Scale score, Physician's Global Assessment Scale Score, SF-36 Health Survey Score for quality of life (QOL), and biochemical parameters. Each patient was subjected to routine blood test, serum uric acid, liver function tests, and renal function tests before treatment, after 28 days of treatment, and after 84 days of treatment. The trial combination showed statistically significant improvement in the clinical manifestations, QOL as well as reduction in marker of hyperuricemia, i.e., serum uric acid; the mean serum uric acid at the baseline was 7.76 mg/dL, which was reduced to 6.50 mg/dL after the trial period of 84 days. There was also decrease in the level of VAS score, Patient's Global Assessment Scale score, and Physician's Global Assessment Scale score. There were no impairment in liver function test and renal function test, indicating the good safety profile of trial therapy.

Conclusion

Hence, Amrita Guggulu and Pinda Taila drug combination is an effective and safe remedy for gouty arthritis (Vatarakta) patients.

How to cite this article

Singh H, Sannd R, Bhurke LW, Kumari K, Singh R, Vedi SK, Kumar A, Bharti, Rana R, Singhal R, Srikanth N, Padhi MM, Dhiman KS. An Open Label Efficacy Study of Amrita Guggulu and Pinda Taila in the Management of Hyperuricemia in Gout (Vatarakta) Patients. J Res Ayurvedic Sci 2017;1(1):25-33.
A DETAILED OVERVIEW OF MEDICINAL PLANTS HAVING HYPOGLYCEMIC ACTIVITY
Authors: Celine Sandra , Tomy Shawn , TK Ujwala , Udaya Chander Sam Johnson
Published: August 2017

Diabetes mellitus represents a spectrum of metabolic disorder, which has become one of the major public health concerns worldwide. Diabetes mellitus has emerged as a third leading killer after cancer and cardiovascular/cerebrovascular diseases and India has a distinction of having largest number of diabetics in world second to China. Herbal medicine for treating chronic diseases, especially diabetes has gained an exponential growth in the last few years and both developing and developed countries are adopting herbal drugs for treatment of diabetes mellitus. The World Health Organization (WHO) has listed 21,000 plants, which are used for medicinal purposes around the world. The WHO has defined herbal medicines as finished labelled medicinal products that contain aerial or underground parts of the plants or other plant material or combination thereof as active ingredients, whether in crude state or as plant preparations. This review attempts to present the profiles of plants with hypoglycemic properties, reported in the literature with proper categorization according to the botanical name, family, parts used, chemical constituents, and its other uses. Relevant medical databases and websites were searched. To qualify for inclusion, the herbs should have confirmed hypoglycemic potential. Other criteria for inclusion are: published in English and peer-reviewed journals. We also used related keywords like diabetes mellitus, plant, herb, glycemic control, natural or herbal medicine, Ayurvedic plants, and hypoglycemic plants, as keywords or combination of them. A total of 151 herbs belonging to 72 families were outlined in this review.
The Phytochemical Investigation and Biological Activities of Berberis Orthobotrys
Authors: Dad Akber , Ali Iftikhar , Engel Nadja , Atif Muhammad , Hussain Hidayat , Ahmad Viqar Uddin , Langer Peter , Green Ivan R.
Published: August 2017

The leaf extract of Berberis orthobotrys Bien. ex Aitch. (B.o.) afforded three compounds viz., β-sitosterol (1), sesamin (2) and 10-eicosanol (3) which were identified by spectroscopic methods including 1D and 2D NMR, GC-MS, IR and comparison of their spectral data with the published data. To the best of our knowledge these three compounds are reported here for the first time to be isolated from Berberis orthobotrys Bien. ex Aitch. (B.o.). Moreover the root extract exhibited good antilieshmanial activity and root and fruit extracts demonstrated minor antifungal activity against Fusarium solani.
A review on Lantana rhodesiensis Moldenke: traditional uses, phytochemical constituents and pharmacological activities
Authors: Jean BANGOU Mindiédiba , Nâg-Tiero MEDA Roland , Martin KIENDREBEOGO , Germaine NACOULMA Odile , Norma ALMARAZ-ABARCA
Published: August 2017

Lantana rhodesiensis Moldenke an herbaceous, belonging to the Verbenaceae family is widely used in Africa folk medicine for the treatment of cancer, measles, malaria, smallpox, strength, coughs, fever, rheumatism, body pains, diabetes mellitus arrhythmia, parasitic diseases, arterial hypertension, old diarrhoeas. Many studies have been conducted on the chemical composition of the whole plant of L. rhodesiensis as well as biological activities.  The aim of the present review was to give a detailed literature survey on its traditional uses, phytochemistry and therapeutical properties of L. rhodesiensis.
Curative effect of Plumbago indica root extract on thioacetamide induced hepatotoxicity in experimental rats
Authors: Binil Eldhose , Jayesh Kuriakose , Sankunni Latha Mukalel
Published: August 2017

The root parts of Plumbago indica is widely used in the Indian Ayurvedic traditional system. The study was designed to evaluate the hepato curative activity Plumbago Indica (PLBM) methanolic root extracts at different doses (100 and 200 mg/kg bw) against thioacetamide induced liver damage in albino wistar rats. Liver damage was induced by administration of Thioacetamide (100 mg/kg bw) and was assessed by evaluating the activity of liver-function marker enzymes, antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation. The liver sections were evaluated for histopathological changes. PLBM significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reversed the elevation of serum liver enzymes and hepatic levels of antioxidant markers. Histopathological findings also confirmed the curative effect of Plumbago Indica in a dose dependent manner. Thus this study scientifically rationale the use of Plumbago indica  root as a promising drug against various liver disorders.
Phytochemical screening and influence of extraction solvents on antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Asparagus racemosus willd. Root
Authors: Tinrat Sirikhwan , Sila-asna Monnipha
Published: August 2017

The bioactive components present in the Asparagus racemosus root are known to be responsible for its medicinal properties. However, the solvent extraction for these bioactive components had effect on bioactive activities. The present study was aimed to compare the effect of using different extraction solvents to extract the active components, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities from Asparagus racemosus root. Aqueous (DW and NW) extracts showed the efficiency of Asparagus racemosus root as antioxidant agent and broad spectrum antibacterial agent against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative. 95% Ethanolic extract had the most potential in the Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) of 14.400±0.001 mg AAE/100g FW. But aqueous (DW and NW) extracts showed the lowest IC50 value of 4.716±0.002 - 4.757±0.001 mg/ml (IC50 ascorbic acid of 3.422±0.001 mg/ml). Moreover, Natural distilled water extract had also the bactericidal effect on P. aeruginasa ATCC 27853 and K. pneumoniae and E. faecalis DMST 4736 at 3-6 h intervals after incubation. These biological activity may be due partly to the presence of various phytochemical compounds; phenolics, flavonoids saponins, steroids, terpenoids and cardiac glycosides. It also suggests that Asparagus racemosus root was a potential candidate in antioxidant and antimicrobial agents. It was useful in applications with modern medicine in the therapy or prevention of disease as well as the adoption in commercial various health products in the future.  In addition to the ethanol and water were suitable solvent to extract the substance, natural distilled water was also the alternative solvent for bioactive compounds extraction. 
Protective role of Broccoli powder against continuous ingestion of Escitalopram antidepressant drug induced hepatotoxicity in Swiss albino male mice
Authors: Saxena Sneha , Shahani Lata , Bhatnagar Pradeep
Published: August 2017

To investigate the protective role of broccoli powder “Brassica Oleracea Italica” against continuous ingestion of escitalopram antidepressant drug induced hepatotoxicity in Swiss albino male mice.

Mice were divided into different groups. Group1: Normal control (0.9% NaCl), Group 2: Escitalopram drug treated only (20 mg/kg), Group 3: Broccoli powder with Escitalopram drug treated (200 mg/kg + 20 mg/kg), Group 4: Olive oil vehicle control, Group 5: Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) referenced as positive control (33 mg/kg), Group 6: Broccoli powder with CCl4 treated (200 mg/kg + 33 mg/kg). The effect of these groups on liver tissue was studied after three different time periods for 4, 8 and 12 weeks.
The results showed that the treatment with escitalopram drug displayed significantly increased serum SGOT, SGPT, ALP level and alter liver antioxidant enzymes level (LPO, SOD and GSH) that are comparable with CCl4intoxicated group considered as positive control. Comparing escitalopram drug treated group with group that received both broccoli powder and escitalopram drug displayed a significant decrease in serum SGOT, SGPT, ALP levels and restored the level of antioxidant enzymes. The protective effect of broccoli powder on escitalopram drug induced hepatotoxicity was also supported by histopathological studies.
 
Metabolic profile and atherogenic indices of rats treated with Tamarindus indica and Mentha piperita juice.
Authors: Barbalho Sandra Maria , Trevisan Silvia Cristina Cerini , Menezes Aline Pereira Paes , Guiguer Elen Landgraf , Oshiiwa Marie , Sellis Vanessa , Fiorini Adriana
Published: August 2017

Changes in diet, physical inactivity and stress contribute to obesity, cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis. Literature shows that bioactive compounds may result in benefits to human health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the glycemic, lipid profile and atherogenic indices of Wistar rats treated with Mentha piperita and Tamarindus indica juice. Animals received food and water ad libitum and were divided into 3 groups: control group (G1) that received 0.5 mL of water twice daily; Mentha group (G2) treated with 0.5 mL of mint juice and group treated with Tamarindus indica juice (G3),  that received 0.5 mL of tamarind juice twice daily for 40 days. Groups G1, G2 and G3 received the drinks by intragastric rout. After this period the animals were sedated with sodium pentobarbital for blood collection and evaluation of the biochemical profile: total cholesterol, HDL-c, LDL-c, triglycerides and glucose. Atherogenic indexes were also calculated. The results showed a reduction of total cholesterol, LDL-c, triglyceride, body weight and atherogenic indices; and increase in the levels of HDL-c. We may suggest that the use of mint and tamarind juice can positively affect the biochemical parameters and reduce the atherogenic indexes of Wistar rats.
Agency and ageism in the community-based technology support services used by older adults
Authors: Lenstra Noah
Published: August 2017

Many older adults turn to community-based institutions as they learn digital technologies in retirement. In the U.S., these institutions include public libraries and senior centers. A one-year study of technology support services in these spaces finds that older adults adapt services to meet their digital learning and literacy needs. Simultaneously, societal ageism, manifested in institutional policies and practices, hinders the agency of older adults. These findings suggest that community-based technology support services need to transcend ageism and embrace the agency of community elders, who are a growing and important segment of local communities throughout the world.
Disinformation and social bot operations in the run up to the 2017 French presidential election
Authors: Ferrara Emilio
Published: August 2017

Recent accounts from researchers, journalists, as well as federal investigators, reached a unanimous conclusion: social media are systematically exploited to manipulate and alter public opinion. Some disinformation campaigns have been coordinated by means of bots, social media accounts controlled by computer scripts that try to disguise themselves as legitimate human users. In this study, we describe one such operation that occurred in the run up to the 2017 French presidential election. We collected a massive Twitter dataset of nearly 17 million posts, posted between 27 April and 7 May 2017 (Election Day). We then set to study the MacronLeaks disinformation campaign: By leveraging a mix of machine learning and cognitive behavioral modeling techniques, we separated humans from bots, and then studied the activities of the two groups independently, as well as their interplay. We provide a characterization of both the bots and the users who engaged with them, and oppose it to those users who didn’t. Prior interests of disinformation adopters pinpoint to the reasons of scarce success of this campaign: the users who engaged with MacronLeaks are mostly foreigners with pre-existing interest in alt-right topics and alternative news media, rather than French users with diverse political views. Concluding, anomalous account usage patterns suggest the possible existence of a black market for reusable political disinformation bots.
“A dark affair, no doubt”: Perversion and Self-Victimizing in A. B. Yehoshua's Facing the Forests
Authors: Abazon Lital
Published: August 2017

This article analyzes A. B. Yehoshua's 1963 novella Facing the Forests from a psychoanalytic perspective, in an attempt to decipher its many moments of internal contradiction, including moments many former critiques do not pay attention to. It will use Freudian and Lacanian accounts of perverse personality structure to demonstrate the protagonist's perverse and self-victimizing personality structure. The first half of the article explores the psychoanalytic notion of perverse structure, as well as the definition of self-victimization and its derivatives. The second half analyzes Facing the Forests in four sections and explores how certain traits of perversion—namely the dominant characteristics of self-victimization—serve to motivate the actions of the protagonist. The article concludes by suggesting the unique type of national allegory that such a reading entails, as it presents a collective, national state of self-victimization.
AES Encryption Algorithm Parallelization in Order to Use Big Data Cloud Naser Attar, Hossein Deldari, Marzie Kalantari
Authors: Attar Naser , Deldari Hossein , Kalantari Marzie
Published: August 2017

Currently, standard encryption algorithms, such as AES, are used for encryption of data in cloud. As AES algorithm is a low-speed for serial, in addition to solving its low-speed, a Parallel Algorithms is introduced. Regarding the extent of cloud network, the most important feature of the proposed algorithm is its High speed and resistivity against the attacks. The algorithm is designed and implemented in java script in cloudsim environment. The results obtained from implementation of this algorithm in cloud simulating environment, are compared and evaluated relative to the other algorithms. Similar input was fed to the proposed and other algorithms. The proposed algorithm processed the data in 82 ms which is faster than the other algorithm.
Sustainable Business Practices in the United States: A Survey on Implementation
Authors: Chang Otto H. , Slaubaugh Michael D.
Published: August 2017

A survey was designed and administered to 172 business professionals in the United States in 2015 to obtain their assessments of both the current status and future development of sustainable business practices at their companies. Despite the recent attention given to corporate social responsibility, we find that only 34 percent of respondents have a comprehensive sustainable management plan currently in place. However, the survey indicates that by 2021 that percentage is expected to increase to 54 percent. We also find that the six most popular sustainable business practices are recycling material, reducing waste, using less paper, employing energy-efficient technologies, conserving water, and adopting energy-efficient building designs. Respondents indicate their firms are likely to increase expenditures or investment in these same six sustainable practices from 2016-2021. This suggests these particular practices are viewed as being more feasible and beneficial to implement. Among the background variables investigated, we find that affiliation with an organization promoting sustainability is the most prominent; respondents affiliated with sustainability organizations are more likely to engage in sustainable business practices. Another significant background variable is firm size; large firms are more likely to be engaged in sustainable practices than smaller firms.
Corporate Social Responsibility, Brand Image and Firm Reputation in Mexican Small Business
Authors: Maldonado-Guzman Gonzalo , Pinzón-Castro Sandra Yesenia , Leana-Morales Cid
Published: August 2017

Several investigations are commonly found in marketing literature but there are relatively few theoretical and empirical researches that associate marketing with corporate social responsibility (CSR). There are even less empirical investigations that relate these two important constructs with firm reputation of enterprises aimed to small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) which shows a clear void in literature regarding the existing relation between CSR activities, brand image of products or services created by enterprises and their firm reputation. For this reason, the main objective of this research paper is the analysis of the existing relation between CSR activities, firm reputation and brand image of products or services of SMEs by using a sample of 308 enterprises from Aguascalientes State. The results obtained show that CSR activities have positive and significant effects in both the firm reputation and brand image of products or services created by SMEs.
Implications of Seed Policies for On-Farm Agro-Biodiversity in Ethiopia and Uganda
Authors: Otieno Gloria Atieno , Reynolds Travis W. , Karasapan Altinay , Noriega Isabel Lopez
Published: August 2017

Across East Africa, national seed policies and commercial seed enterprises have focused on increasing farmers’ access to modern seed varieties. These new varieties are developed and delivered to farmers via the formal seed system, which is comprised of government and private sector seed breeders, processors, and vendors. However, the formal seed system only provides a small share (<20%) of smallholders’ seed in the region. Most farmers source seed from informal seed systems, including own-saved seed, exchanges with neighbors, and local seed markets. At the local level, informal seed systems are preferred by farmers because of proximity and local varietal preferences (e.g., crop variety tastes and suitability for local environmental conditions). At the national and regional levels, the conservation and use of local crop varieties through informal systems has also provided a wealth of crop genetic diversity increasingly recognized as critical for climate change adaptation. To evaluate how policies in East Africa impact seed systems we systematically code 117 provisions in 21 national seed policies in Ethiopia (n=11) and Uganda (n=10), highlighting the implications of current and proposed policies for the availability and accessibility of: (i) improved seed; (ii) quality-controlled seed; and (iii) genetically diverse local seed in both the formal and informal seed systems in each country.
A pena e o bacamarte: imprensa e narrativa criminal – um olhar sobre a cidade no século XIX
Authors: Silva Sônia Maria De Meneses
Published: August 2017

Este artigo pretende analisar as narrativas jornalísticas sobre a violência na cidade de Fortaleza na segunda metade do século XIX. O objetivo é compreender como os discursos divulgados nos periódicos pretendiam auxiliar na divulgação de uma lógica civilizatória para o controle da população. Tal aspecto pode ser percebido por meio de um contínuo processo que visava à centralização da força na capital cearense para a qual a imprensa atuou como um de seus principais agentes.
Comerciantes e artesãos toscanos nas ruas de São Paulo (1875-1914)
Authors: Ruggiero Antonio De
Published: August 2017

Este artigo pretende reconstruir a contribuição de um fluxo migratório oriundo da região italiana da Toscana, na capital paulista, no período conhecido como “Grande Imigração” (1875-1914). Embora nas estatísticas oficiais a região não apareça entre as primeiras regiões de êxodo da península no período referenciado, o papel dos toscanos nos contextos urbanos brasileiros foi significativo. Em particular, na cidade de São Paulo esse grupo representou uma das mais numerosas comunidades regionais. O estudo evidencia uma propensão para o exercício de trabalhos artesanais “qualificados” e para o comércio de produtos étnicos importados da terra de origem. Em ambos os casos, esses imigrantes conseguiram construir redes sociais que permitiram a manutenção de uma ligação estreita entre o país de proveniência e o país receptor.
O papel da ambiência histórica nos processos de tombamento de Sítios Históricos Urbanos
Authors: Viegas Cíntia Camila Liberalino , Teixeira Rubenilson Brazão
Published: August 2017

As definições de poligonais de tombamento de Sítios Históricos Urbanos surgiram da necessidade de preservação de valores artísticos e históricos das cidades que cada vez mais sofrem transformações em suas formas urbanas. Essa necessidade preservacionista foi institucionalizada durante o século XX, mas faz parte de um longo processo histórico de valorização do patrimônio urbano. O objetivo do artigo é a discussão desse processo, evidenciando o papel das ambiências históricas que compõem os núcleos iniciais de nossas cidades, principalmente nos processos de definição de poligonais de tombamento de Sítios Históricos Urbanos, por meio de pesquisa bibliográfica e documental, que teve como fontes primárias as teorias dos restauradores ao longo dos séculos, os documentos patrimoniais (convenções, tratados, recomendações, resoluções, cartas, orientações, princípios e normas patrimoniais) e as normas, decretos, leis, entre outros instrumentos reguladores que operam no Brasil a partir das primeiras décadas do século XX. Como contribuição, este trabalho apresenta alguns aspectos que determinam a preservação de ambiências históricas, para que ainda possam ser vivenciadas pela sociedade.
Mechanism of bidirectional thermotaxis in Escherichia coli
Authors: Paulick Anja , Jakovljevic Vladimir , Zhang SiMing , Erickstad Michael , Groisman Alex , Meir Yigal , Ryu William S , Wingreen Ned S , Sourjik Victor
Published: August 2017

In bacteria various tactic responses are mediated by the same cellular pathway, but sensing of physical stimuli remains poorly understood. Here, we combine an in-vivo analysis of the pathway activity with a microfluidic taxis assay and mathematical modeling to investigate the thermotactic response of Escherichia coli. We show that in the absence of chemical attractants E. coli exhibits a steady thermophilic response, the magnitude of which decreases at higher temperatures. Adaptation of wild-type cells to high levels of chemoattractants sensed by only one of the major chemoreceptors leads to inversion of the thermotactic response at intermediate temperatures and bidirectional cell accumulation in a thermal gradient. A mathematical model can explain this behavior based on the saturation-dependent kinetics of adaptive receptor methylation. Lastly, we find that the preferred accumulation temperature corresponds to optimal growth in the presence of the chemoattractant serine, pointing to a physiological relevance of the observed thermotactic behavior.
Distinct hippocampal-cortical memory representations for experiences associated with movement versus immobility
Authors: Yu Jai Y , Kay Kenneth , Liu Daniel F , Grossrubatscher Irene , Loback Adrianna , Sosa Marielena , Chung Jason E , Karlsson Mattias P , Larkin Margaret C , Frank Loren M
Published: August 2017

While ongoing experience proceeds continuously, memories of past experience are often recalled as episodes with defined beginnings and ends. The neural mechanisms that lead to the formation of discrete episodes from the stream of neural activity patterns representing ongoing experience are unknown. To investigate these mechanisms, we recorded neural activity in the rat hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, structures critical for memory processes. We show that during spatial navigation, hippocampal CA1 place cells maintain a continuous spatial representation across different states of motion (movement and immobility). In contrast, during sharp-wave ripples (SWRs), when representations of experience are transiently reactivated from memory, movement- and immobility-associated activity patterns are most often reactivated separately. Concurrently, distinct hippocampal reactivations of movement- or immobility-associated representations are accompanied by distinct modulation patterns in prefrontal cortex. These findings demonstrate a continuous representation of ongoing experience can be separated into independently reactivated memory representations.
Structural insight into the activation of a class B G-protein-coupled receptor by peptide hormones in live human cells
Authors: Seidel Lisa , Zarzycka Barbara , Zaidi Saheem A , Katritch Vsevolod , Coin Irene
Published: August 2017

The activation mechanism of class B G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) remains largely unknown. To characterize conformational changes induced by peptide hormones, we investigated interactions of the class B corticotropin-releasing factor receptor type 1 (CRF1R) with two peptide agonists and three peptide antagonists obtained by N-truncation of the agonists. Surface mapping with genetically encoded photo-crosslinkers and pair-wise crosslinking revealed distinct footprints of agonists and antagonists on the transmembrane domain (TMD) of CRF1R and identified numerous ligand-receptor contact sites, directly from the intact receptor in live human cells. The data enabled generating atomistic models of CRF- and CRF(12-41)-bound CRF1R, further explored by molecular dynamics simulations. We show that bound agonist and antagonist adopt different folds and stabilize distinct TMD conformations, which involves bending of helices VI and VII around flexible glycine hinges. Conservation of these glycine hinges among all class B GPCRs suggests their general role in activation of these receptors.
A randomized clinical trial of vitamin D3(cholecalciferol) in ulcerative colitis patients with hypovitaminosis D3
Authors: Mathur Jagrati , Naing Soe , Mills Paul , Limsui David
Published: August 2017

Aim

To prospectively evaluate the effects of vitamin D3on disease activity and quality of life in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients with hypovitaminosis D.

Methods

The study was a prospective double-blinded, randomized trial conducted at Community Regional Medical Center, Fresno, CA from 2012–2013. Patients with UC and a serum 25(OH)D level <30 ng/ml were eligible for the study. Enrolled subjects were randomized to receive either 2,000 IU or 4,000 IU of oral vitamin D3daily for a total of 90 days. The Short IBD Questionnaire (SIBDQ) for quality of life, the Partial Mayo Score for UC disease activity and serum lab tests were compared between the two treatment groups. Matched pairt-tests were computed to assess differences between the vitamin D levels, CRP, UC disease activity and SIBDQ scores before and after vitamin D3therapy using SPSS version 21.

Results

Eight UC patients received 2,000 IU/daily and ten UC patients received 4,000 IU/daily of vitamin D3for 90 days. Vitamin D levels increased after 90 days of oral vitamin D3in both dose groups. However, the increase in vitamin D levels after 90 days of oral vitamin D3, in the 4,000 IU group was significantly higher 16.80 ± 9.15 (p < 0.001) compared to the 2,000 IU group of vitamin D 5.00 ± 3.12 (p = 0.008). Normal vitamin D levels (>30 ng/dl) were achieved in four out of the ten UC patients (40%) in the 4,000 IU group and in one out of the eight UC patients (12%) in the 2,000 IU group. In the group receiving 4,000 IU/day of vitamin D3the increase in quality life scores (SIBDQ) was significant 1.0 ± 1.0 (p = 0.017) but not in the 2,000 IU vitamin D3group 0.1 ± 1.0 (p = 0.87). In the 2,000 IU of vitamin D3group the mean decrease in the Partial Mayo UC Score was −0.5 ± 1.5 (p = 0.38) compared to −1.3 ± 2.9 (p = 0.19) in the 4,000 IU vitamin D3group but this was not statistically significant. CRP levels decreased after 90 days of daily vitamin D3in both the 2,000 IU group and 4,000 IU group by −3.0 ± 9.4 (p = 0.4) and −10.8 ± 35.0 (p = 0.36) respectively.

Conclusion

Vitamin D3at 4,000 IU/day is more effective than 2,000 IU/day in increasing vitamin D to sufficient levels in UC patients with hypovitaminosis D, however higher doses or treatment beyond ninety days may be required. Vitamin D3may improve the quality of life in UC patients but clinically significant improvement is not yet established. The effect of vitamin D3on UC disease activity is still unclear. Further larger studies are needed to investigate the effects of vitamin D in ulcerative colitis.
Comparative mitogenomic analysis of mirid bugs (Hemiptera: Miridae) and evaluation of potential DNA barcoding markers
Authors: Wang Juan , Zhang Li , Zhang Qi-Lin , Zhou Min-Qiang , Wang Xiao-Tong , Yang Xing-Zhuo , Yuan Ming-Long
Published: August 2017

The family Miridae is one of the most species-rich families of insects. To better understand the diversity and evolution of mirids, we determined the mitogenome ofLygus pratenszsand re-sequenced the mitogenomes of four mirids (i.e.,Apolygus lucorum,Adelphocoris suturalis,Ade. fasciaticollisandAde. lineolatus). We performed a comparative analysis for 15 mitogenomic sequences representing 11 species of five genera within Miridae and evaluated the potential of these mitochondrial genes as molecular markers. Our results showed that the general mitogenomic features (gene content, gene arrangement, base composition and codon usage) were well conserved among these mirids. Four protein-coding genes (PCGs) (cox1,cox3,nad1andnad3) had no length variability, wherenad5showed the largest size variation; no intraspecific length variation was found in PCGs. Two PCGs (nad4andnad5) showed relatively high substitution rates at the nucleotide and amino acid levels, wherecox1had the lowest substitution rate. The Ka/Ks values for all PCGs were far lower than 1 (<0.59), but the Ka/Ks values ofcox1-barcode sequences were always larger than 1 (1.34 –15.20), indicating that the 658 bp sequences ofcox1may be not the appropriate marker due to positive selection or selection relaxation. Phylogenetic analyses based on two concatenated mitogenomic datasets consistently supported the relationship ofNesidiocoris+ (Trigonotylus+ (Adelphocoris+ (Apolygus+Lygus))), as revealed bynad4,nad5,rrnLand the combined 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), respectively. Taken sequence length, substitution rate and phylogenetic signal together, the individual genes (nad4,nad5andrrnL) and the combined 22 tRNAs could been used as potential molecular markers for Miridae at various taxonomic levels. Our results suggest that it is essential to evaluate and select suitable markers for different taxa groups when performing phylogenetic, population genetic and species identification studies.
Targeting HECT‐type E3 ligases – insights from catalysis, regulation and inhibitors
Authors: Fajner Valentina , Maspero Elena , Polo Simona
Published: August 2017

Ubiquitination plays a pivotal role in most cellular processes and is critical for protein degradation and signalling. E3 ligases are the matchmakers in the ubiquitination cascade, responsible for substrate recognition and modification with specific polyubiquitin chains. Until recently, it was not clear how the catalytic activity of E3s is modulated, but major recent studies on HECT E3 ligases is filling this void. These enzymes appear to be held in a closed, inactive conformation, which is relieved by biochemical manoeuvres unique to each member, thus ensuring exquisite regulation and specificity of the enzymes. The new advances and their significance to the function of HECT E3s are described here, with a particular focus on the Nedd4 family members.
Challenges for visualizing three‐dimensional data in genomic browsers
Authors: Goodstadt Mike , Marti‐Renom Marc A.
Published: August 2017

Genomic interactions reveal the spatial organization of genomes and genomic domains, which is known to play key roles in cell function. Physical proximity can be represented as two‐dimensional heat maps or matrices. From these, three‐dimensional (3D) conformations of chromatin can be computed revealing coherent structures that highlight the importance of nonsequential relationships across genomic features. Mainstream genomic browsers have been classically developed to display compact, stacked tracks based on a linear, sequential, per‐chromosome coordinate system. Genome‐wide comparative analysis demands new approaches to data access and new layouts for analysis. The legibility can be compromised when displaying track‐aligned second dimension matrices, which require greater screen space. Moreover, 3D representations of genomes defy vertical alignment in track‐based genome browsers. Furthermore, investigation at previously unattainable levels of detail is revealing multiscale, multistate, time‐dependent complexity. This article outlines how these challenges are currently handled in mainstream browsers as well as how novel techniques in visualization are being explored to address them. A set of requirements for coherent visualization of novel spatial genomic data is defined and the resulting potential for whole genome visualization is described.
Transient effects on confined groundwater age distributions: Considering the necessity of time‐dependent simulations
Authors: Engdahl Nicholas B.
Published: August 2017

The key concept of transient age distributions is that the age distribution of water at a fixed spatial location may change over time. Most previous studies involving groundwater age have relied on the assumption of a steady state age distribution over time. This assumption simplifies the problem and can also be used for predictive modeling, but few studies have addressed the validity of this assumption directly. We explore the variability of transient age distributions in simplified, confined groundwater flow systems. The main focus is determining when it is necessary to explicitly model the transience. A combination of analytical and numerical methods is used to demonstrate the transient variability of age for several hypothetical velocity fields and trial domains. Transient effects are strongest for samples taken near fluctuating interfaces or boundaries. Lastly, we investigate how heterogeneity and transient boundary signals interact in a 2‐D domain. These impacts are difficult to generalize, so the article closes with a set of considerations to assist readers in determining whether or not transience is likely to play a significant role in other applications. The main conclusion is that high‐frequency oscillations in flow boundaries have negligible impacts on confined age distributions but long‐term trends in flow velocities (increasing or decreasing) can cause significant changes over time.
Assessing the climate‐scale variability of atmospheric rivers affecting western North America
Authors: Gershunov Alexander , Shulgina Tamara , Ralph F. Martin , Lavers David A. , Rutz Jonathan J.
Published: August 2017

A new method for automatic detection of atmospheric rivers (ARs) is developed and applied to an atmospheric reanalysis, yielding an extensive catalog of ARs land‐falling along the west coast of North America during 1948–2017. This catalog provides a large array of variables that can be used to examine AR cases and their climate‐scale variability in exceptional detail. The new record of AR activity, as presented, validated and examined here, provides a perspective on the seasonal cycle and the interannual‐interdecadal variability of AR activity affecting the hydroclimate of western North America. Importantly, AR intensity does not exactly follow the climatological pattern of AR frequency. Strong links to hydroclimate are demonstrated using a high‐resolution precipitation data set. We describe the seasonal progression of AR activity and diagnose linkages with climate variability expressed in Pacific sea surface temperatures, revealing links to Pacific decadal variability, recent regional anomalies, as well as a generally rising trend in land‐falling AR activity. The latter trend is consistent with a long‐term increase in vapor transport from the warming North Pacific onto the North American continent. The new catalog provides unprecedented opportunities to study the climate‐scale behavior and predictability of ARs affecting western North America.
Deriving colored dissolved organic matter absorption coefficient from ocean color with a neural quasi‐analytical algorithm
Authors: Chen Jun , He Xianqiang , Zhou Bin , Pan Delu
Published: August 2017

The objective of this study is to develop an approach to estimate the gelbstoff absorption coefficient (ag) from remote sensing reflectance (Rrs). This approach includes two components: the inherent optical properties are semianalytically derived from the Rrs by a neural quasianalytical algorithm (NQAA), and then the derivations are semianalytically extended to ag estimations using a band difference approach. This method is then evaluated with the various type of ocean color data including synthetic, field measured, and satellite‐observed data. The results show that the method can produce an excellent quantitative agreement between the estimated and known ag in ocean waters with a wide range of optical properties, while significantly reducing the effects of residual error in SeaWiFS Rrs, primarily from the imperfect atmospheric correction algorithm on the retrieval of ag in the clear open oceans. Furthermore, with the application of this new algorithm, the SeaWiFS ag products exhibit more spatially and temporally uniform results than the band ratio approach‐based ag retrieval algorithm. These results indicate that the new algorithm is an encouraging approach to process ocean color images for ag retrieval, although a greater number of independent tests with in situ and satellite data are required to further validate and improve this approach.
Comparison of AAPM Addendum to TG‐51, IAEA TRS‐398, and JSMP 12: Calibration of photon beams in water
Authors: Kinoshita Naoki , Oguchi Hiroshi , Nishimoto Yasuhiro , Adachi Toshiki , Shioura Hiroki , Kimura Hirohiko , Doi Kunio
Published: August 2017

The American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) Working Group on TG‐51 published an Addendum to the AAPM's TG‐51 protocol (Addendum to TG‐51) in 2014, and the Japan Society of Medical Physics (JSMP) published a new dosimetry protocol JSMP 12 in 2012. In this study, we compared the absorbed dose to water determined at the reference depth for high‐energy photon beams following the recommendations given in AAPM TG‐51 and the Addendum to TG‐51, IAEA TRS‐398, and JSMP 12. This study was performed using measurements with flattened photon beams with nominal energies of 6 and 10 MV. Three widely used ionization chambers with different compositions, Exradin A12, PTW 30013, and IBA FC65‐P, were employed. Fully corrected charge readings obtained for the three chambers according to AAPM TG‐51 and the Addendum to TG‐51, which included the correction for the radiation beam profile (Prp), showed variations of 0.2% and 0.3% at 6 and 10 MV, respectively, from the readings corresponding to IAEA TRS‐398 and JSMP 12. The values for the beam quality conversion factor kQ obtained according to the three protocols agreed within 0.5%; the only exception was a 0.6% difference between the results obtained at 10 MV for Exradin A12 according to IAEA TRS‐398 and AAPM TG‐51 and the Addendum to TG‐51. Consequently, the values for the absorbed dose to water obtained for the three protocols agreed within 0.4%; the only exception was a 0.6% difference between the values obtained at 10 MV for PTW 30013 according to AAPM TG‐51 and the Addendum to TG‐51, and JSMP 12. While the difference in the absorbed dose to water determined by the three protocols depends on the kQ and Prp values, the absorbed dose to water obtained according to the three protocols agrees within the relative uncertainties for the three protocols.
Trends and Determinants of Osteoporosis Treatment and Screening in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Compared to Osteoarthritis
Authors: Ozen Gulsen , Kamen Diane L. , Mikuls Ted R. , England Bryant R. , Wolfe Frederick , Michaud Kaleb
Published: August 2017

Objective

To profile osteoporosis (OP) care in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) over the past decade.

Methods

Patients with RA or osteoarthritis (OA) were followed from 2003 through 2014. OP care was defined as receipt of OP treatment (with the exception of calcium/vitamin D) or screening (OPTS). Adjusted trends over followup, and the factors associated with OP care, were examined using multivariable Cox proportional hazards.

Results

OPTS was reported in 67.4% of 11,669 RA patients and in 64.6% of 2,829 OA patients during a median (interquartile range) 5.5 (2–9) years of followup. In patients for whom treatment was recommended by the 2010 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) glucocorticoid‐induced OP (GIOP) guidelines (48.4% of RA patients and 17.6% of OA patients), approximately 55% overall reported OP medication use. RA patients were not more likely to undergo OPTS compared to OA patients (hazard ratio 1.04 [95% confidence interval 0.94–1.15]). Adjusted models showed a stable trend for OPTS between 2004 and 2008 compared to 2003, with a significant downward trend after 2008 in both RA and OA patients. Factors associated with receipt of OP care in RA patients were older age, postmenopausal state, prior fragility fracture or diagnosis of OP, any duration of glucocorticoid treatment, and use of biologic agents.

Conclusion

Approximately half of RA patients for whom treatment was indicated never received an OP medication. OP care in RA patients was not better than in OA patients, and the relative risk of the application of this care has been decreasing in RA and OA patients since 2008 without improvement after the release of the 2010 ACR GIOP guideline.
A framework of iterative learning control under random data dropouts: Mean square and almost sure convergence
Authors: Shen Dong , Xu Jian‐Xin
Published: August 2017

This paper addresses the iterative learning control problem under random data dropout environments. The recent progress on iterative learning control in the presence of data dropouts is first reviewed from 3 aspects, namely, data dropout model, data dropout position, and convergence meaning. A general framework is then proposed for the convergence analysis of all 3 kinds of data dropout models, namely, the stochastic sequence model, the Bernoulli variable model, and the Markov chain model. Both mean square and almost sure convergence of the input sequence to the desired input are strictly established for noise‐free systems and stochastic systems, respectively, where the measurement output suffers from random data dropouts. Illustrative simulations are provided to verify the theoretical results.