bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bach1 regulates self-renewal and impedes mesendodermal differentiation of human embryonic stem cells
Authors: Wei Xiangxiang , Guo Jieyu , Li Qinhan , Jia Qianqian , Jing Qing , Li Yan , Zhou Bin , Chen Jiayu , Gao Shaorong , Zhang Xinyue , Jia Mengping , Niu Cong , Yang Wenlong , Zhi Xiuling , Wang Xinhong , Yu Dian , Bai Lufeng , Wang Lin , Na Jie , Zou Yunzeng , Zhang Jianyi , Zhang Shuning , Meng Dan
Published: March 2019

Bach1 is a key determinant of pluripotency, self-renewal, and cell fate determination in human embryonic stem cells.
Atmospheric forcing of rapid marine-terminating glacier retreat in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago
Authors: Cook Alison J. , Copland Luke , Noël Brice P. Y. , Stokes Chris R. , Bentley Michael J. , Sharp Martin J. , Bingham Robert G. , van den Broeke Michiel R.
Published: March 2019

Marine-terminating glaciers in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago have retreated in response to atmospheric, not oceanic, warming.
Cellular microRNA detection with miRacles: microRNA- activated conditional looping of engineered switches
Authors: Chandrasekaran Arun Richard , MacIsaac Molly , Dey Paromita , Levchenko Oksana , Zhou Lifeng , Andres Madeline , Dey Bijan K. , Halvorsen Ken
Published: March 2019

A DNA nanotechnology approach enables label-free and unamplified detection of cellular microRNAs using gel electrophoresis.
A natural experiment reveals the impact of hydroelectric dams on the estuaries of tropical rivers
Authors: Ezcurra E. , Barrios E. , Ezcurra P. , Ezcurra A. , Vanderplank S. , Vidal O. , Villanueva-Almanza L. , Aburto-Oropeza O.
Published: March 2019

Comparison of free versus dammed tropical rivers reveals sediment trapping in dams has devastating consequences for estuaries.
Noninvasive high-resolution electromyometrial imaging of uterine contractions in a translational sheep model
Authors: Wu Wenjie , Wang Hui , Zhao Peinan , Talcott Michael , Lai Shengsheng , McKinstry Robert C. , Woodard Pamela K. , Macones George A. , Schwartz Alan L. , Cahill Alison G. , Cuculich Phillip S. , Wang Yong
Published: March 2019

Three-dimensional electromyometrial imaging accurately and noninvasively measures the electrical activation pattern of uterine contractions in sheep.
Complete Genome Sequence of a USA100 Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Strain
Authors: Chlipala George E. , Lei Zhengdeng Arden , Maienschein-Cline Mark , Kunstman Kevin , Okamoto Koh , Green Stefan J. , Popovich Kyle J.
Published: March 2019

We report the genome sequence of a methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) strain, isolated from a surgical intensive care unit. This completely closed genome of a USA100 isolate contains a major chromosome and a plasmid and will serve as a reference genome for genetic analysis of MRSA strains.
Whole-Genome Sequences of Seven Listeria monocytogenes Strains from Different Stages of a Poultry Meat Production Chain
Authors: López-Alonso Victoria , Ortiz Sagrario , Martínez-Suárez Joaquín V.
Published: March 2019

Here, we present the draft genome sequences of seven
Listeria monocytogenes
strains isolated during three independent studies carried out in three stages of a poultry meat production chain. The genome sequences of these strains obtained from different stages can help to understand the possible transmission of
L. monocytogenes
.
Complete Genome Sequence of “
Candidatus
Thioglobus sp.” Strain NP1, an Open-Ocean Isolate from the SUP05 Clade of Marine
Gammaproteobacteria
Authors: Spietz Rachel L. , Marshall Katharine T. , Zhao Xiaowei , Morris Robert M.
Published: March 2019

“
Candidatus
Thioglobus sp.” strain NP1 is an open-ocean isolate from the SUP05 clade of
Gammaproteobacteria
. Whole-genome comparisons of strain NP1 to other sequenced isolates from the SUP05 clade indicate that it represents a new species of SUP05 that lacks the ability to fix inorganic carbon using the Calvin-Benson-Bassham cycle.
Genome Sequences of a Novel Strain of Big Cypress Orbivirus Isolated from a Dead Florida White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)
Authors: Ahasan Mohammad Shamim , Krauer Juan M. Campos , Subramaniam Kuttichantran , Lednicky John A. , Loeb Julia C. , Sayler Katherine A. , Wisely Samantha M. , Waltzek Thomas B.
Published: March 2019

Here, we report the coding sequences of Big Cypress orbivirus isolated from a dead white-tailed deer (
Odocoileus virginianus
) from Florida in 2017. To our knowledge, this is the first detection of Big Cypress orbivirus in a vertebrate host.
Food-insecure pregnant women in South Africa: a cross-sectional exploration of maternal depression as a mediator of violence and trauma risk factors
Authors: Barnett Whitney , Pellowski Jennifer , Kuo Caroline , Koen Nastassja , Donald Kirsten A , Zar Heather J , Stein Dan J
Published: March 2019

Objectives

Better understanding of psychosocial risk factors for food insecurity (FI) during pregnancy and how they interact is crucial, given long-term health implications for maternal and child health. We investigated the association between maternal childhood trauma as well as intimate partner violence (IPV) and FI among pregnant women in South Africa, in the Drakenstein Child Health Study, and whether maternal depression mediates these relationships.

Setting

Two primary care clinics in Paarl, South Africa.

Participants

992 pregnant women; inclusion criteria were clinic attendance and remaining in area for at least 1 year; women were excluded if a minor.

Methods

We examined psychosocial predictors of FI using multivariate regression. Mediation analyses investigated whether depression mediated the relationship between IPV and FI as well as between childhood trauma and FI, including disaggregation by two study communities. FI was assessed using an adapted US Department of Agriculture food security scale; households were coded as food insecure where 2 of 5 affirmative responses were recorded.

Results

Among 992 pregnant women, there were high rates of IPV (7%–27%), depression (24%) and childhood trauma (34%). In multivariate cross-sectional analysis, emotional IPV (adjusted OR [aOR] 1.60; 95% CI 1.04 to 2.46), depression (aOR 1.05; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.08) and childhood trauma (aOR 1.52; 95% CI 1.08 to 2.15) predicted FI. In mediation models, depression partially mediated the relationship between emotional IPV and FI as well as physical IPV and FI; depression partially mediated the relationship between childhood trauma and FI. Differing degrees of mediation were found when applied to communities.

Conclusions

Antenatal maternal depression, IPV and childhood trauma were highly prevalent and associated with FI. Depression, IPV and trauma screening services should be considered within routine antenatal care and may offer an opportunity to identify and intervene. Community-level differences in risk and in mediation analyses indicate that contextual tailoring of interventions may be important.
Women’s autonomy and utilisation of maternal healthcare services in 31 Sub-Saharan African countries: results from the demographic and health surveys, 2010–2016
Authors: Chol Chol , Negin Joel , Agho Kingsley Emwinyore , Cumming Robert Graham
Published: March 2019

Objectives

To examine the association between women’s autonomy and the utilisation of maternal healthcare services across 31 Sub-Saharan African countries.

Design, setting and participants

We analysed the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) (2010–2016) data collected from married women aged 15–49 years. We used four DHS measures related to women’s autonomy: attitude towards domestic violence, attitude towards sexual violence, decision making on spending of household income made by the women solely or jointly with husbands and decision making on major household purchases made by the women solely or jointly with husbands. We used multiple logistic regression analyses to examine the association between women’s autonomy and the utilisation of maternal healthcare services adjusted for five potential confounders: place of residence, age at birth of the last child, household wealth, educational attainment and working status. Adjusted ORs (aORs) and 95% CI were used to produce the forest plots.

Outcome measures

The primary outcome measures were the utilisation of ≥4 antenatal care visits and delivery by skilled birth attendants (SBA).

Results

Pooled results for all 31 countries (194 883 women) combined showed weak statistically significant associations between all four measures of women’s autonomy and utilisation of maternal healthcare services (aORs ranged from 1.07 to 1.15). The strongest associations were in the Southern African region. For example, the aOR for women who made decisions on household income solely or jointly with husbands in relation to the use of SBAs in the Southern African region was 1.44 (95% CI 1.21 to 1.70). Paradoxically, there were three countries where women with higher autonomy on some measures were less likely to use maternal healthcare services. For example, the aOR in Senegal for women who made decisions on major household purchases solely or jointly with husbands in relation to the use of SBAs (aOR=0.74 95% CI 0.59 to 0.94).

Conclusion

Our results revealed a weak relationship between women’s autonomy and the utilisation of maternal healthcare services. More research is needed to understand why these associations are not stronger.
Receiving a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome by phone: a qualitative study of the experiences of pregnant couples
Authors: Lou Stina , Carstensen Kathrine , Vogel Ida , Hvidman Lone , Nielsen Camilla Palmhøj , Lanther Maja , Petersen Olav Bjørn
Published: March 2019

Objectives

To examine how pregnant couples experience receiving a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome (DS) by phone—a practice that has been routine care in the Central Denmark Region for years.

Design

Qualitative interview study.

Setting

Participants were recruited from hospitals in Central Denmark Region, Denmark.

Participants

Couples who had received a prenatal diagnosis of DS by phone and decided to terminate the pregnancy. They were recruited from the obstetric department where the termination was undertaken. During the study period (February 2016 to July 2017), 21 semistructured, audio-recorded interviews were conducted by an experienced anthropologist. Interviews were conducted 4–22 weeks after the diagnosis and analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

A prearranged phone call was considered an acceptable practice. However, the first theme’Expected but unexpected'shows how the call often came earlier than expected. Consequently, most women were not with their partner and were thus initially alone with their grief and furthermore responsible for informing their partner, which some considered difficult. The second theme’Now what?'shows how during the phone calls, physicians were quick to enquire about the couples’ agendas. As the majority had already decided to seek termination of pregnancy, the dialogue focused on related questions and arrangements. Only half of the couples received additional counselling.

Conclusion

A prearranged phone call was considered an acceptable and appropriate practice. However, some aspects of this practice (particularly related to the context of the call) showed to be less than optimal for the couples. To make sure that a diagnostic result is delivered in accordance with the couples' needs and requests, the context of the call could be addressed and agreed on in advance by physicians and couples.
Antithrombotic therapy in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation
Authors: Nijenhuis Vincent Johan , Brouwer Jorn , Søndergaard Lars , Collet Jean-Philippe , Grove Erik Lerkevang , Ten Berg Jurrien Maria
Published: March 2019

This review provides a comprehensive overview of the available data on antithrombotic therapy after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). In the absence of large randomised clinical trials, clinical practice is leaning towards evidence reported in other populations. Due to the greater risk of major bleeding associated with oral anticoagulation using a vitamin-K antagonist (VKA), antiplatelet therapy (APT) may be considered as the first-line treatment of patients undergoing TAVI. Overall, single rather than dual APT is preferred. However, dual APT should be considered in patients with a recent acute coronary syndrome (ie, within 6 months), complex coronary stenting, large aortic arch atheromas or previous non-cardioembolic stroke. Monotherapy with VKA should be considered if concomitant atrial fibrillation or any other indication for long-term oral anticoagulation is present. APT on top of VKA seems only reasonable in patients with recent acute coronary syndrome, extensive or recent coronary stenting or large aortic arch atheromas. A direct-acting oral anticoagulant may be considered if oral anticoagulation is indicated in the absence of contraindications. Initiation of VKA is indicated in clinical valve thrombosis, for example, with high transvalvular gradient, whereas the role of VKA in the case of subclinical leaflet thrombosis is currently uncertain.
Breastfeeding initiation and duration in Chile: understanding the social and health determinants
Authors: Farkas Chamarrita , Girard Lisa-Christine
Published: March 2019

Background

Given the support for the numerous benefits of breastfeeding, a better understanding of social and health determinants is necessary, particularly in under-researched populations. We examined determinants of breastfeeding initiation and duration using a national cohort of Chilean mothers.

Methods

Participants included 13 738 families enrolled in the Encuesta Longitudinal de la Primera Infancia cohort. Data were collected in 2010 and 2012. Families from all regions of the country were considered. Breastfeeding information was collected via maternal report and standardised assessments were used to collect information on maternal IQ and personality. Logistic and linear regressions were used to identify predictors of breastfeeding initiation and duration.

Results

Breastfeeding was initiated by 95.2% of mothers. Variation in duration of breastfeeding was large, ranging from 1 to 48 months (M = 11.74; SD = 8.74). Maternal IQ, low-risk prenatal behaviours, conditions at birth and the presence of a partner were relevant predictors of both initiation and duration of breastfeeding, whereas personality and contextual/socioeconomic factors were relevant only for breastfeeding duration. Differences between regions were observed. Rates of caesarean deliveries are alarmingly high and triple that of the global WHO recommendations, at 45% of deliveries in Chile, which are implicated in both initiation and duration.

Conclusions

Breastfeeding rates exceed Chilean target goals although vary by region. Global targets now need to be focused on. Social and health determinants are implicated in both initiation and duration of breastfeeding. These findings suggest important targets for policy development and breastfeeding initiatives in Chile, particularly concerning the reduction of surgical deliveries.
Detection of Intravascular Epidural Catheters Using 2-Chloroprocaine: Influence of Local Anesthetic Dose and Nalbuphine Premedication
Authors: Rathmell James P. , Viscomi Christopher M. , Ashikaga Takamaru
Published: March 2019

Background and Objectives

Detecting the intravascular placement of epidural catheters is essential to avoid local anesthetic toxicity. Small doses of intravenous local anesthetics produce changes in sensorium and are often used to test newly placed epidural catheters. Many parturients receive nalbuphine for analgesia prior to epidural catheter placement. This study examines how nalbuphine premedication influences symptoms following intravenous 2-chloroprocaine.

Methods

Thirty-one volunteers were randomized to receive premedication with placebo or 0.15 mg/kg of nalbuphine intravenously. Starting 10 minutes later, intravenous injections of 0.0, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, 1.2, and 1.5 mg/kg of 2-chloroprocaine were given in random order at 10 minute intervals. After each injection, volunteers were asked to report changes in hearing, taste, or other symptoms.

Results

Symptoms reported (in decreasing order of frequency) were auditory changes, taste changes, dizziness/lightheadedness, tingling in the extremities, and visual changes. The probability that volunteers will report symptoms is proportional to the dose of 2-chloroprocaine administered (auditory symptoms, P < .001; taste symptoms, P = .01; any symptoms, P < .001). Nalbuphine-premedicated volunteers were more likely to report symptoms (auditory symptoms, P = .004; taste symptoms, P = .004; any symptoms, P = .02). A dose of at least 1.5 mg/kg appears to be necessary to produce a 90% probability that patients will report symptoms when they receive 2-chloroprocaine intravenously.

Conclusions

This study suggests that patients who receive nalbuphine for analgesia prior to epidural placement will be more likely to report symptoms after receiving intravenous 2-chloroprocaine during epidural test dosing.
Subarachnoid Meperidine-Morphine Combination: An Effective Perioperative Analgesic Adjunct for Cesarean Delivery
Authors: Chung James H. , Sinatra Raymond S. , Sevarino Ferne B. , Fermo Leonda
Published: March 2019

Background and Objectives

Low-dose subarachnoid morphine provides effective perioperative analgesia but may be associated with a transient period of inadequate pain relief between the regression of local anesthetic block and the onset of morphine's analgesic effect. We hypothesized that this period of suboptimal analgesia could be avoided by adding meperidine, a rapid-acting, intermediate-duration opioid.

Methods

In a double-blind, randomized trial, 49 patients scheduled for elective cesarean delivery received subarachnoid 0.75% bupivacaine, 12 mg in 8.25% dextrose, with either meperidine 10 mg, morphine 0.15 mg, or meperidine 10 mg plus morphine 0.15 mg. Visual analog scale scores for pain and satisfaction were obtained at skin incision, delivery, uterine exteriorization, on arrival in the postanesthesia care unit, and 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 hours after drug administration. Neonatal Apgar scores and adverse effects were also noted. Postoperative intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) requirements were recorded for 24 hours. The data were analyzed by chi-square analysis Fisher's exact test, the Wilcoxon rank sum test, and analysis of variance with Tukey's adjustment for multiple comparisons.

Results

There were no significant differences in the incidence and severity of side effects, including nausea, vomiting, pruritus, and sedation. Respiratory depression was not observed. Patients treated with morphine alone were least comfortable (P < .006), expressed the lowest satisfaction scores at early observations (P < .002), and required more PCA meperidine (P < .001) than any other group. Patients treated with meperidine alone were comfortable at early observations but required the greatest total amount of PCA meperidine over the first 24 hours (P < .05). Patients in the meperidine-morphine combination group reported the lowest pain scores and highest satisfaction scores at 4-hour and 6-hour observations (P < .03) and required the least total amount of PCA meperidine.

Conclusion

The subarachnoid combination of meperidine-morphine provided more uniform analgesia, higher satisfaction, and a lower requirement for intravenous narcotic supplementation than either morphine or meperidine alone in patients recovering from cesarean delivery.
Epidural Space as a Starling Resistor and Elevation of Inflow Resistance in a Diseased Epidural Space
Authors: Rocco Angelo G. , Philip James H. , Boas Robert A. , Scott David
Published: March 2019

Background and Objectives

The origin and the presence of negative pressure in the epidural space as well as the relationship of the extent of epidural anesthesia to epidural pressure has long been a subject of controversy. To further elucidate epidural pressure and its time course, the pressure at the needle tip was continuously measured as it traversed the interspinous ligament and the ligamentum flavum.

Methods

In a group of 22 patients, fluid was infused under gravity, and in a second group of 25 patients, boluses of fluid were administered at controlled infusion rates and under gravity. The volume-pressure-flow relationship was thus measured in one of two ways, either with a manual syringe and pressure transducer or with a pressure-monitoring-computer-controlled volumetric infusion pump.

Results

Natural pressure, (i.e., pressure in the epidural space before instrumentation is applied) could be approached when the space was first entered before fluid was infused (initial pressure); or after fluid had been infused (residual pressure). Epidural pressure could be extrapolated from the upsweep of the volume-pressure-flow relationship by projecting it back to just before the first injection. The extrapolated pressure lay between the initial and residual pressures. Medicinal solution placed in the barrel of the syringe did not infuse under gravity until the syringe barrel was lifted to a certain height, at which flow began and continued at a perceptible rate, with very little or no further increase in height required to maintain flow. The pressure at which flow began was the critical opening pressure, a characteristic of a Starling resistor. Furthermore, resistance to inflow of fluid was related to the presence or absence of natural or surgical disease in the epidural space. Resistance was significantly higher in the diseased than in the surgical group, at 114 (range, 22-226) mm Hg/L/h versus 46 (range, 8-86) mm Hg/L/h. Three phases were seen in the pressure-time recordings.

Conclusions

Volume-pressure-flow relationships in the epidural space can be explained by a model in which epidural and subarachnoid pressures are inextricably related with the Starling pressure, dependent on the subarachnoid pressure. This model suggests reasons why spread of anesthetics might be difficult to predict.
Bactericidal Activity of 0.5% Bupivacaine With Preservatives on Microorganisms in the Human Skin Flora
Authors: Sakuragi Tadakazu , Ishino Hiroyuki , Dan Kenjiro
Published: March 2019

Background and Objectives

The bactericidal activity of 0.5% bupivacaine with preservatives at body temperature and at room temperature is not known. We studied the bactericidal activity of 0.5% bupivacaine with 0.08% methyl para-oxybenzoate and 0.02% propyl para-aminobenzoate as preservatives and of the preservatives alone at 37°C and at room temperature on two strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, two strains of methicillin-susceptible S. aureus, and one strain each of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli. Methods. The pathogen was exposed to 0.5% bupivacaine with preservatives or to the preservatives alone for 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours at 37°C and at room temperature. The inocula from these suspensions were cultured for 48 hours at 37°C after the antimicrobial activity of bupivacaine was inactivated by 1:1,000 dilution with physiological saline.

Results

The 1- through 12-hour exposures of four strains of S. aureus to 0.5% bupivacaine with preservatives at room temperature reduced the mean colony count by 24.2%, 49.2%, 71.3%, and 89.6%, respectively, and the exposure at 37°C reduced the count by 74.1%, 95.2%, 99.9%, and 99.8%, respectively. The differences for 1- through 12-hour exposures were significant (P < .001). The percentage kill in the strains of E. coli and S. epidermidis was significantly higher than that in the strains of S. aureus at all exposure times at room temperature (E. coli, P < .001; S. epidermidis, P < .0001) and at 1- and 3-hour exposures at 37°C (E. coli, P < .001; S. epidermidis, P < .0001). The bactericidal activity of the preservatives was markedly lower that that of 0.5% bupivacaine with preservatives (P < .0001).

Conclusions

The bactericidal activity of 0.5% bupivacaine with preservatives is stronger at body temperature than at room temperature; the bactericidal activity may be due, to a large extent, to bupivacaine rather than to the preservatives; and S. aureus is more resistant to the bactericidal activity of bupivacaine than are S. epidermidis and E. coli.
Effectiveness of intravenous acetaminophen for postoperative pain management in hip and knee arthroplasties: a population-based study
Authors: Stundner Ottokar , Poeran Jashvant , Ladenhauf Hannah Noemi , Berger Marc Moritz , Levy Steven B , Zubizarreta Nicole , Mazumdar Madhu , Bekeris Janis , Liu Jiabin , Galatz Leesa M , Moucha Calin S , Memtsoudis Stavros
Published: March 2019

Background and objectives

The significance of intravenous over oral acetaminophen (APAP) as part of multimodal analgesic protocols is contested, particularly when considering its relatively high price and use in a surgical cohort such as total hip or knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA), which generally tolerates oral medications. This study aims to elucidate APAP’s effectiveness in a large, population-based patient sample.

Methods

1 039 647 THA/TKA procedures were sampled from the Premier Healthcare claims database 2011–2016. APAP use was categorized by intravenous/oral and use on the day of surgery, postoperative day 1 and thereafter. Outcomes were opioid utilization (in oral morphine equivalents), length and cost of hospitalization, and opioid-related adverse effects (respiratory, gastrointestinal, and naloxone use as a proxy). Mixed-effects models measured the associations between intravenous/oral APAP use and outcomes. Percent (%) change and 95% CIs are reported.

Results

Overall, 23.6% (n=245 454) of patients received intravenous APAP; of these, 56.3% (n=138 180) received just one dose on the day of surgery. After adjustment for relevant covariates, particularly use of >1 dose of intravenous APAP (compared with no use) on postoperative day 1 was associated with −6.0% (CI −7.2% to −4.7%) reduced opioid utilization; this was −10.7% (CI −11.4% to -9.9%) for use of > 1 dose oral APAP on postoperative day 1. Further comparisons regarding other outcomes also favored oral (over intravenous) APAP.

Conclusions

These results do not support the routine use of intravenous APAP in patients undergoing lower joint arthroplasty, especially since oral APAP shows more beneficial outcome patterns.
Sparse discriminative least squares regression model
Authors: Zheng Junjie , Yuan Haoliang , Lai Loi Lei
Published: March 2019

In this paper, we propose a sparse discriminative least squares regression (SDLSR) for multicategory classification. The main mechanism of SDLSR is to apply L1-norm for regularizing the objective function of discriminative least squares regression (DLSR). Through theoretical analysis, it is obtained that SDLSR can be viewed as a relaxation of L1-SVM. Moreover, we theoretically prove that sparsity of objective function can effectively decrease the number of support vectors (SV). To optimize our proposed SDLSR, an efficient iterative algorithm is proposed. The experimental results confirm the effectiveness of our proposed SDLSR.
A mollification method with Dirichlet kernel to solve Cauchy problem for two-dimensional Helmholtz equation
Authors: He Shangqin , Feng Xiufang
Published: March 2019

In this paper, the ill-posed Cauchy problem for the Helmholtz equation is investigated in a strip domain. To obtain stable numerical solution, a mollification regularization method with Dirichlet kernel is proposed. Error estimate between the exact solution and its approximation is given. A numerical experiment of interest shows that our procedure is effective and stable with respect to perturbations of noise in the data.
Dilemmatic Resource Governance: China’s Balancing Act to Share Rivers
Authors: Xie Lei
Published: March 2019

China itself is vulnerable to environmental threats. With its sheer size and population, China faces immense potential threats from global warming and uneven access to natural resources. At the same time, the legitimacy of the central government heavily relies on the country’s economic performance which in turn relies on the exploitation of natural resources. China is faced with growing pressure as to how it effectively manages natural resources on an international scale.

This paper examines a dilemmatic situation that great powers are faced with the participation in international environmental cooperation. The formation of multi-lateral environmental agreements requires that nation states comply with environmental responsibilities when exercising sovereign rights over environmental resources. Great powers confront more pressure as they are expected to commit to greater responsibilities in international affairs. Adopting the sharing of the Mekong river basin as a case study, this paper examines the role China plays as a great power when exercising its right to appropriate natural resources. Changes are found in China’s international water policy including the establishment of the multi-lateral mechanism. This paper concludes that China’s policy developments in resource governance facilitate China to promote coordinated actions over the shared water resources. At the same time, such balancing acts serve to legitimize China’s dominance over the management of the Mekong river basin, which is embedded in the country’s Belt and Road Strategy.
Eurasian Overland Transport: Sino-European Relations in an Age of Hyper-Connectivity
Authors: Gatev Ivaylo
Published: March 2019

This paper focuses on an aspect of Sino-European relations that is at once topical and intellectually underexplored, i.e. the developing rail connections between China and Europe. It argues that the existing scholarship on transcontinental rail is dominated by two competing narratives advanced by the logistics management and geostrategic literatures. The paper proposes an alternative way of looking at Eurasian overland transport by focusing on the infrastructure where the phenomenon takes place. Drawing on the theoretical insights of New Materialism and the ethnography of infrastructure, the paper attempts to recover the political force of materiality lost in the dominant narratives and show some of the effects, dynamics and conflicts this force can generate. The paper demonstrates how a new materialist approach can expand the ways in which we think about the Eurasian overland transport phenomenon and thereby enrich the study of this latest phase of globalization.
Palmitate decreases migration and proliferation and increases oxidative stress and inflammation in smooth muscle cells: role of the Nrf2 signaling pathway
Authors: Girona Josefa , Rosales Roser , Saavedra Paula , Masana Lluís , Vallvé Joan-Carles
Published: March 2019

Fatty acids are essential to cell functionality and may exert diverging vascular effects including migration, proliferation, oxidative stress, and inflammation. This study examined the effect of palmitate on human coronary artery smooth muscle cell (HCASMC) function. An in vitro wound-healing assay indicated that palmitate decreased HCASMC migration in dose- and time-dependent manners. Furthermore, bromodeoxyuridine incorporation assays indicated that palmitate decreased HCASMC proliferation in a dose-response manner. Palmitate also increased reactive oxygen species formation, malondialdehyde content, and intracellular lipid droplets accompanied with increased fatty acid binding protein 4 expression. Moreover, palmitate induced gene expression (monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, matrix metalloproteinase-2, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α) and intracellular protein content (plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and urokinase plasminogen activator) of inflammatory mediators. Finally, we showed that palmitate activates the transcription factor Nrf2 and the upstream kinases ERK1/2 and Akt in HCASMCs. The inhibitor of Nrf2, trigonelline, significantly attenuated palmitate-induced HCASMC expression of the Nrf2 target gene NQO1. These findings indicate that palmitate might be critically related to HCASMC function by slowing cell migration and proliferation and inducing lipid-laden cells, oxidative stress, and inflammation in part by activation of the Nrf2 transcription factor. Palmitate’s activation of proinflammatory Nrf2 signaling may represent a novel mechanism mediating the proatherogenic actions of saturated fatty acids.
The load dependence of muscle’s force-velocity curve is modulated by alternative myosin converter domains
Authors: Newhard Christopher S. , Walcott Sam , Swank Douglas M.
Published: March 2019

The hyperbolic shape of the muscle force-velocity relationship (FVR) is characteristic of all muscle fiber types. The degree of curvature of the hyperbola varies between muscle fiber types and is thought to be set by force-dependent properties of different myosin isoforms. However, the structural elements in myosin and the mechanism that determines force dependence are unresolved. We tested our hypothesis that the myosin converter domain plays a critical role in the force-velocity relationship (FVR) mechanism. Drosophila contains a single myosin heavy chain gene with five converters encoded by alternative exons. We measured FVR properties of Drosophila jump muscle fibers from five transgenic lines each expressing a single converter. Consistent with our hypothesis, we observed up to 2.4-fold alterations in FVR curvature. Maximum shortening velocity ( v0) and optimal velocity for maximum power generation were also altered, but isometric tension and maximum power generation were unaltered. Converter 11a, normally found in the indirect flight muscle (IFM), imparted the highest FVR curvature and v0, whereas converter 11d, found in larval body wall muscle, imparted the most linear FVR and slowest v0. Jump distance strongly correlated with increasing FVR curvature and v0, meaning flies expressing the converter from the IFM jumped farther than flies expressing the native jump muscle converter. Fitting our data with Huxley’s two-state model and a biophysically based four-state model suggest a testable hypothesis that the converter sets muscle type FVR curvature by influencing the detachment rate of negatively strained myosin via changes in the force dependence of product release.
Prompt apoptotic response to high glucose in SGLT-expressing renal cells
Authors: Nilsson Linnéa M. , Zhang Liang , Bondar Alexander , Svensson Daniel , Wernerson Annika , Brismar Hjalmar , Scott Lena , Aperia Anita
Published: March 2019

It is generally believed that cells that are unable to downregulate glucose transport are particularly vulnerable to hyperglycemia. Yet, little is known about the relation between expression of glucose transporters and acute toxic effects of high glucose exposure. In the present ex vivo study of rat renal cells, we compared the apoptotic response to a moderate increase in glucose concentration. We studied cell types that commonly are targeted in diabetic kidney disease (DKD): proximal tubule cells, which express Na+-dependent glucose transporter (SGLT)2, mesangial cells, which express SGLT1, and podocytes, which lack SGLT and take up glucose via insulin-dependent glucose transporter 4. Proximal tubule cells and mesangial cells responded within 4–8 h of exposure to 15 mM glucose with translocation of the apoptotic protein Bax to mitochondria and an increased apoptotic index. SGLT downregulation and exposure to SGLT inhibitors abolished the apoptotic response. The onset of overt DKD generally coincides with the onset of albuminuria. Albumin had an additive effect on the apoptotic response. Ouabain, which interferes with the apoptotic onset, rescued from the apoptotic response. Insulin-supplemented podocytes remained resistant to 15 and 30 mM glucose for at least 24 h. Our study points to a previously unappreciated role of SGLT-dependent glucose uptake as a risk factor for diabetic complications and highlights the importance of therapeutic approaches that specifically target the different cell types in DKD.
Beyond the sleep-amyloid interactions in Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis
Authors: Ning Shen , Jorfi Mehdi
Published: March 2019

Cognitive impairment in older adults is associated with sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances. Numerous studies have linked disrupted sleep and circadian rhythms with amyloid-β (Aβ), a key pathological hallmark in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). While previous evidence suggests that Aβ initiates AD pathogenesis, tau, another major hallmark of AD, seems to drive neurodegeneration. Recent studies imply that sleep-wake cycles affect brain tau more significantly than Aβ levels, leading to accelerated AD progression and cognitive decline. The study of sleep disturbances in AD is shedding light on our understanding of the mechanism underlying sleep disturbances in AD and dementia.
High-intensity transcranial magnetic stimulation reveals differential cortical contributions to prepared responses
Authors: Smith Victoria , Maslovat Dana , Drummond Neil M. , Hajj Joëlle , Leguerrier Alexandra , Carlsen Anthony N.
Published: March 2019

Corticospinal output pathways have typically been considered to be the primary driver for voluntary movements of the hand/forearm; however, more recently, reticulospinal drive has also been implicated in the production of these movements. Although both pathways may play a role, the reticulospinal tract is thought to have stronger connections to flexor muscles than to extensors. Similarly, movements involuntarily triggered via a startling acoustic stimulus (SAS) are believed to receive greater reticular input than voluntary movements. To investigate a differential role of reticulospinal drive depending on movement type or acoustic stimulus, corticospinal drive was transiently interrupted using high-intensity transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) applied during the reaction time (RT) interval. This TMS-induced suppression of cortical drive leads to RT delays that can be used to assess cortical contributions to movement. Participants completed targeted flexion and extension movements of the wrist in a simple RT paradigm in response to a control auditory go signal or SAS. Occasionally, suprathreshold TMS was applied over the motor cortical representation for the prime mover. Results revealed that TMS significantly increased RT in all conditions. There was a significantly longer TMS-induced RT delay seen in extension movements than in flexion movements and a greater RT delay in movements initiated in response to control stimuli compared with SAS. These results suggest that the contribution of reticulospinal drive is larger for wrist flexion than for extension. Similarly, movements triggered involuntarily by an SAS appear to involve greater reticulospinal drive, and relatively less corticospinal drive, than those that are voluntarily initiated.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Through the use of the transcranial magnetic stimulation-induced silent period, we provide novel evidence for a greater contribution of reticulospinal drive, and a relative decrease in corticospinal drive, to movements involuntarily triggered by a startle compared with voluntary movements. These results also provide support for the notion that both cortical and reticular structures are involved in the neural pathway underlying startle-triggered movements. Furthermore, our results indicate greater reticulospinal contribution to wrist flexion than extension movements.
Ankle muscle responses during perturbed walking with blocked ankle joints
Authors: Vlutters Mark , van Asseldonk Edwin H. F. , van der Kooij Herman
Published: March 2019

The ankle joint muscles can contribute to balance during walking by modulating the center of pressure and ground reaction forces through an ankle moment. This is especially effective in the sagittal plane through ankle plantar- or dorsiflexion. If the ankle joints were to be physically blocked to make an ankle strategy ineffective, there would be no functional contribution of these muscles to balance during walking, nor would these muscles generate afferent output regarding ankle joint rotation. Consequently, ankle muscle activation for the purpose of balance control would be expected to disappear. We have performed an experiment in which subjects received anteroposterior pelvis perturbations during walking while their ankle joints could not contribute to the balance recovery. The latter was realized by physically blocking the ankle joints through a pair of modified ankle-foot orthoses. In this article we present the lower limb muscle activity responses in reaction to these perturbations. Of particular interest are the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius medialis muscles, which could not contribute to the balance recovery through the ankle joint or encode muscle length changes caused by ankle joint rotation. Yet, these muscles showed long-latency responses, ~100 ms after perturbation onset. The response amplitudes were dependent on the perturbation magnitude and direction, as well as the state of the leg. The results imply that ankle muscle responses can be evoked without changes in proprioceptive information of those muscles through ankle rotation. This suggest a more centralized regulation of balance control, not strictly related to the ankle joint kinematics.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Walking human subjects received forward-backward perturbations at the pelvis while wearing “pin-shoes,” a pair of modified ankle-foot orthoses that physically blocked ankle joint movement and reduced the base of support of each foot to a single point. The lower leg muscles showed long-latency perturbation-dependent activity changes, despite having no functional contributions to balance control through the ankle joint and not having been subjected to muscle length changes through ankle joint rotation.
Alpha-Thalassemia in North Morocco: Prevalence and Molecular Spectrum
Authors: Laghmich Achraf , Alaoui Ismaili Fatima Zahra , Barakat Amina , Ghailani Nourouti Naima , Khattab Mohamed , Bennani Mechita Mohcine
Published: March 2019

Unlike the other hemoglobinopathies, few researches have been published concerningα-thalassemia in Morocco. The epidemiological features and the mutation spectrum of this disease are still unknown. This regional newborn screening is the first to studyα-thalassemia in the north of Morocco. During the period from January 2015 to December 2016, 1658 newborns umbilical blood samples were investigated. Suspected newborns were screened forα-globin defects using Gap-PCR and Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification technique. The prevalence ofα-thalassemia, its mutation spectrum, and its allelic frequencies were described for the first time in Morocco. Six differentα-globin genetic disorders were detected in 16 neonates. This screening valued the prevalence ofα-thalassemia in the studied population at 0.96% and showed the wide mutation spectrum and the heterogeneous geographical distribution of the disease. A high rate of carriers was observed in Laouamra, a rural commune in Larache province. Heterogeneity ofα-globin alleles in Morocco explains the high variability ofα-thalassemia severity. This diversity reflects the anthropological history of the country. These results would contribute to the prevention of thalassemia in Morocco directing the design of a nationwide screening strategy and awareness campaign.
A New Way for Beta Cell Neogenesis: Transdifferentiation from Alpha Cells Induced by Glucagon-Like Peptide 1
Authors: Zhang Zhen , Hu Yinghui , Xu Ningning , Zhou Wenjun , Yang Lei , Chen Rongping , Yang Rui , Sun Jia , Chen Hong
Published: March 2019

Recent studies showed that alpha cells, especially immature cells and proalpha cells, might be the precursors of beta cells. Exposure to glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP1) can ameliorate hyperglycemia in diabetic mice and restore the beta cell mass. In the present study, we adopted single high-dose (60 mg/kg, i.p.) streptozotocin (STZ) to model diabetes mellitus (DM) and randomly assigned short-tail (SD) rats to a normal group, a diabetic group, GLP1 groups (50 μg/kg, 100 μg/kg, and 200 μg/kg), a GLP1 (200 μg/kg) with exendin (9-39) group, and a GLP1 with LY294002 group. We found that the pancreatic insulin-glucagon-positive cell populations increased according to the increase in GLP1 exposure. By contrast, no insulin-amylase-positive cell populations or insulin/pan-cytokeratin cells were observed in the pancreatic sections. The GLP1 receptor antagonist exendin (9-39) and the phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K) family inhibitor LY294002 not only suppressed protein kinase B (Akt), pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (Pdx1), forkhead box O 1 (FoxO1), and mast cell function-associated antigen A (MafA) mRNA expression but also increased MAFB expression. We concluded that treatment with GLP1 might result in beta cell neogenesis by promoting the transdifferentiation of alpha cells but not by pancreatic acinar cells, ductal cells, or the self-replication of beta cells. The regulation on the GLP1 receptor and its downstream transcription factor PI3K/AKT/FOXO1 pathway, which causes increased pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (Pdx1) and MafA mRNA expression but causes decreased MAFB expression, may be the mechanism involved in this process.
Bridge Critical State Search by Using Quantum Genetic Firefly Algorithm
Authors: Tao Shi-bo , Liu Dian-zhong , Tang Ai-ping
Published: March 2019

When performing flutter analysis through the traditional methods, it is difficult to solve high‐order strong nonlinear equations. For overcoming this difficulty, this paper establishes a double‐parameter optimization model for searching the flutter critical wind speed and frequency. A new hybrid firefly algorithm called the quantum genetic firefly algorithm is presented to search the optimal solution to the optimization model. The proposed algorithm is the combination of the firefly algorithm and the quantum genetic algorithm. The results of the quantum genetic firefly algorithm are compared with the results shown by the firefly algorithm and quantum genetic algorithm. Numerical and experimental results of the proposed algorithm are competitive and in most cases are better than that of the firefly algorithm and quantum genetic algorithm.
Vascular Reconstructions in Living Unrelated Kidney Transplant Using Donor Ovarian Vein and Recipient Inferior Epigastric Artery with Simultaneous Enucleation of a Complex Cyst
Authors: Serena Giuseppe , Gonzalez Javier , Guerra Giselle , Nuss Mohamed Ammar Al , Valdes Maykel , Ciancio Gaetano
Published: March 2019

Increasing the organ donor pool and solving the recipient demands continue to be one of the challenges in transplantation. We report our experience in transplanting a living donor kidney requiring complex vascular reconstructions and an enucleation of complex cyst. A 57-year-old male patient underwent a living unrelated kidney transplant. The living donor kidney was procured through a laparoscopic hand-assisted right donor nephrectomy. After vascular stapling, the kidney had a short upper pole arterial branch, a short renal vein (3 mm), and a complex upper pole cyst. The renal vein was elongated using the donor ovarian vein and the short upper pole artery was extended using the recipient inferior epigastric artery and anastomosed to the main renal artery. The renal allograft vessels were anastomosed end-to-side to the external iliac vessels. The complex cyst was removed performing an enucleation with a rim of normal tissue and reconstruction of the calyceal system. This case represents three different surgical reconstructions in order to make the organ available for transplantation. In some circumstances, complex vascular reconstruction of living donor kidney with removal of complex cyst represents a strategy to expand the donor pool.