bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus Infection Inhibits Interferon Signaling by Targeted Degradation of STAT1
Authors: Guo Longjun , Luo Xiaolei , Li Ren , Xu Yunfei , Zhang Jian , Ge Jinying , Bu Zhigao , Feng Li , Wang Yue
Published: July 2016

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is a worldwide-distributed alphacoronavirus, but the pathogenesis of PEDV infection is not fully characterized. During virus infection, type I interferon (IFN) is a key mediator of innate antiviral responses. Most coronaviruses develop some strategy for at least partially circumventing the IFN response by limiting the production of IFN and by delaying the activation of the IFN response. However, the molecular mechanisms by which PEDV antagonizes the antiviral effects of interferon have not been fully characterized. Especially, how PEDV impacts IFN signaling components has yet to be elucidated. In this study, we observed that PEDV was relatively resistant to treatment with type I IFN. Western blot analysis showed that STAT1 expression was markedly reduced in PEDV-infected cells and that this reduction was not due to inhibition of STAT1 transcription. STAT1 downregulation was blocked by a proteasome inhibitor but not by an autophagy inhibitor, strongly implicating the ubiquitin-proteasome targeting degradation system. Since PEDV infection-induced STAT1 degradation was evident in cells pretreated with the general tyrosine kinase inhibitor, we conclude that STAT1 degradation is independent of the IFN signaling pathway. Furthermore, we report that PEDV-induced STAT1 degradation inhibits IFN-α signal transduction pathways. Pharmacological inhibition of STAT1 degradation rescued the ability of the host to suppress virus replication. Collectively, these data show that PEDV is capable of subverting the type I interferon response by inducing STAT1 degradation.

IMPORTANCE
In this study, we show that PEDV is resistant to the antiviral effect of IFN. The molecular mechanism is the degradation of STAT1 by PEDV infection in a proteasome-dependent manner. This PEDV infection-induced STAT1 degradation contributes to PEDV replication. Our findings reveal a new mechanism evolved by PEDV to circumvent the host antiviral response.
Pericardial effusion withMycobacterium aviumcomplex in HIV-infected patients
Authors: Mohamed Buhary Thajunnisha , Gayed Sedki Latif , Hafeez Irfan
Published: July 2016

Disseminated atypicalMycobacteriuminfection is a well-known opportunistic infection in HIV-infected patients with advanced immune deficiency before the introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy. Although the disseminated infection is now rare, few cases of localised infections are reported. A 38-year-old man was diagnosed with HIV infection during asymptomatic sexual health screening. Although he was asymptomatic on diagnosis, he had advanced immunodeficiency; therefore, combination antiretroviral therapy was started immediately. After 5 months of treatment, he developed pericardial effusion.Mycobacteriumwas detected from a culture of the pericardial fluid andMycobacterium aviumcomplex was identified using a gene probe test. He was treated with combination therapy forMycobacteriuminfection and he fully recovered. Treatment continued for 4 years until he achieved adequate immune recovery.
Penicillin-induced liver injury during treatment for ocular neurosyphilis
Authors: Wilkinson Janelle , Zainal Abir , Naqvi Syed Yaseen
Published: July 2016

A 51-year-old man, homosexual, recently diagnosed with ocular neurosyphilis, presented to the emergency room with a 1-day history of fevers and chills. His vital signs were significant for a temperature of 102.8°F and tachycardia of 125 bpm. The patient had experienced blurred vision in his left eye and was diagnosed with ocular neurosyphilis 10 days prior to the current presentation. He was treated with a 14-day course of high-dose intravenous penicillin and oral prednisone. His laboratory studies were significant for transaminitis, with an aspartate aminotransferase of 1826 U/L, alanine aminotransferase of 1743 U/L, total bilirubin of 1.2 mg/dL and alkaline phosphatase of 68 U/L. After ruling out viral aetiologies and toxin-induced hepatic injury, penicillin was discontinued on the day following admission and transaminases promptly improved with resolution of symptoms. The patient's vision returned to normal within 2 weeks after discharge from hospital.
Pharmacy workers’ knowledge and provision of medication for termination of pregnancy in Kenya
Authors: Reiss Kate , Footman Katharine , Akora Vitalis , Liambila Wilson , Ngo Thoai D
Published: July 2016

Objective

To assess pharmacy workers’ knowledge and provision of abortion information and methods in Kenya.

Methods

In 2013 we interviewed 235 pharmacy workers in Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu about the medical abortion services they provide. We also used mystery clients, who made 401 visits to pharmacies to collect first-hand information on abortion practices.

Results

The majority (87.5%) of pharmacy workers had heard of misoprostol but only 39.2% had heard of mifepristone. We found that pharmacy workers had limited knowledge of correct medical abortion regimens, side effects and complications and the legal status of abortion drugs. 49.8% of pharmacy workers reported providing abortion information to clients and 4.3% reported providing abortion methods. 75.2% of pharmacies referred mystery clients to another provider, though 64.2% of pharmacies advised mystery clients to continue with their pregnancy. Pharmacy workers reported that they were experiencing demand for abortion services from clients.

Conclusions

Pharmacy workers are important providers of information and referrals for women seeking abortion, however their medical abortion knowledge is limited. Training pharmacy workers on medical abortion may improve the quality of information provided and access to safe abortion.
Giving information about the contraceptive implant using a DVD: is it acceptable and informative? A pilot randomised study
Authors: Michie Lucy , Cameron Sharon T , Glasier Anna , Johnstone Anne
Published: July 2016

Background

To provide standardised information about the contraceptive implant (Nexplanon®), a digital video disc (DVD) was developed for use within a sexual and reproductive health (SRH) service in Edinburgh. The aim was to determine if the accuracy of information recalled after watching a DVD was comparable to that following a face-to-face consultation, and if patients found the use of a DVD acceptable.

Methods

Fifty women attending an SRH service abortion clinic considering using Nexplanon for the first time agreed to be randomised to receive information about the implant either by (a) a DVD (n=35) developed using information taken from Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare guidance or (b) a face-to-face consultation (n=15). A structured interview was conducted immediately following the DVD/face-to-face consultation and by telephone 3 months later. A small number of participants from each group attended for in-depth interview.

Results

Knowledge recall (e.g. expected side effects) immediately following each intervention was similar in both groups. Most of the women who watched the DVD felt it was helpful (89%), easy to understand (94%) and acceptable (69%). Subsequently 76% of participants were contacted successfully at 3 months. The majority of those who had watched the DVD agreed that it had been informative (93%) and would be happy to receive contraceptive information via a DVD in future (93%).

Conclusions

The use of a DVD to provide patient information on Nexplanon is acceptable and informative, and may enhance patient consultations. A large randomised controlled trial may determine if provision of quality standardised information via DVD can improve uptake or continuation rates of long-acting reversible methods of contraception.
Preventing aggressive behaviour in dogs
Authors: Orritt Rachel
Published: July 2016

Delegates from around the world met at the University of Lincoln on June 11 and 12 for the third annual UK Dog Bite Prevention and Behaviour conference. The conference, hosted by dog trainer Victoria Stilwell, brings together dog behaviour experts to discuss possible solutions to this public health issue. Rachel Orritt, who has been examining the perceptions, assessment and management of human‐directed aggressive behaviour in dogs for her PhD, reports
GF(2n) Redundant Representation Using Matrix Embedding for Irreducible Trinomials
Authors: Wang Yongjia , Xiong Xi , Fan Haining
Published: July 2016

By embedding a Toeplitz matrix-vector product (MVP) of dimension n into a circulant MVP of dimension [Formula: see text], where δ can be any nonnegative integer, we present a GF(2n) multiplication algorithm. This algorithm leads to a new redundant representation, and it has two merits: (1) The flexible choices of δ make it possible to select a proper N such that the multiplication operation in ring [Formula: see text] can be performed using some asymptotically faster algorithms, e.g. the Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT)-based multiplication algorithm; (2) The redundant degrees, which are defined as N/n, are smaller than those of most previous GF(2n) redundant representations, and in fact they are approximately equal to 2 for all applicable cases.
Integration over the quantum diagonal subgroup and associated Fourier-like algebras
Authors: Franz Uwe , Lee Hun Hee , Skalski Adam
Published: July 2016

By analogy with the classical construction due to Forrest, Samei and Spronk, we associate to every compact quantum group [Formula: see text], a completely contractive Banach algebra [Formula: see text], which can be viewed as a deformed Fourier algebra of [Formula: see text]. To motivate the construction, we first analyze in detail the quantum version of the integration over the diagonal subgroup, showing that although the quantum diagonal subgroups in fact never exist, as noted earlier by Kasprzak and Sołtan, the corresponding integration represented by a certain idempotent state on [Formula: see text] makes sense as long as [Formula: see text] is of Kac type. Finally, we analyze as an explicit example the algebras [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], associated to Wang’s free orthogonal groups, and show that they are not operator weakly amenable.
Neutrino mass ordering in future neutrinoless double beta decay experiments
Authors: Zhang Jue
Published: July 2016

Motivated by recent intensive experimental efforts on searching for neutrinoless double beta decays, we present a detailed quantitative analysis on the prospect of resolving neutrino mass ordering in the next generation [Formula: see text]Ge-type experiments.
Seismo-Acoustic Benchmark Problems Involving Sloping Solid–Solid Interfaces and Variable Topography
Authors: Woolfe Katherine , Collins Michael D. , Calvo David C. , Siegmann William L.
Published: July 2016

The accuracy of the seismo-acoustic parabolic equation is tested for problems involving sloping solid–solid interfaces and variable topography. The approach involves approximating the medium in terms of a series of range-independent regions, using a parabolic wave equation to propagate the field through each region, and applying a single-scattering approximation to obtain transmitted fields across the vertical interfaces between regions. The accuracy of the parabolic equation method for range-dependent problems in seismo-acoustics was previously tested in the small slope limit. It is tested here for problems involving larger slopes using a finite-element model to generate reference solutions.
Optimized parity preserving quantum reversible full adder/subtractor
Authors: Haghparast Majid , Bolhassani Ali
Published: July 2016

Reversible logic is one of the indispensable aspects of emerging technologies for reducing physical entropy gain, since reversible circuits do not lose information in the form of internal heat during computation. This paper aimed to initiate constructing parity preserving reversible circuits. A novel parity preserving reversible block, HB is presented. Then a new design of a cost-effective parity preserving reversible full adder/subtractor (PPFA/S) is proposed. Next, we suggested a new parity preserving binary to BCD converter. Finally, we proposed new realization of parity preserving reversible BCD adder. The proposed designs are cost-effective in terms of quantum cost and delay. All the scales are in the NANO-metric area.
Experimental and Numerical Comparison Between Two Nonlinear Control Logics
Authors: Ripamonti Francesco , Leo Egidio , Resta Ferruccio
Published: July 2016

Nonlinear behavior is present in the operating conditions of many mechanical systems, especially if nonsmall oscillations are considered. In these cases, in order to improve vibration control performance, a common engineering practice is to design the control system on a set of linearized models, for given operating conditions. The well-known gain-scheduling technique allows the parameters of the control law to be changed according to the current working condition, also increasing system stability. However, more recently new control logics directly applicable to the systems in nonlinear form have been developed. The aim of this paper is to study, both numerically and experimentally, the dynamic of a mechanical system (a 3-link flexible manipulator) comparing the performance of a fully nonlinear control (the sliding-mode control) and a standard linearized approach.
A Combined Boundary Integral Method for Analysis of Crack Problems in Multilayered Elastic Media
Authors: Long Gongbo , Xu Guanshui
Published: July 2016

An efficient and accurate elastic analysis based on boundary integral methods is presented for crack problems in inhomogeneous elastic media consisting of a set of individually uniform strata. The method combines the direct boundary integral method (DM) and the displacement discontinuity method (DDM) so that it shares both the efficiency of the DDM and the broad applicability of the DM. The DDM is implemented to construct the stiffness matrix in each layer, while the DM is used to characterize the effects of the interfaces. All the variables on the interfaces can then be eliminated through the continuity conditions, leading to the final system of equations consisting of variables on crack surfaces only. The concept of the crack tip element is also adopted for a better treatment of the crack tip singularity. The examples demonstrate that the combined method has comparable accuracy of DM but is more efficient, especially for the scaled thin layers in the application of practical hydraulic fracturing simulations.
Cost-Effective Fabrication of Biomorphic Mesoporous Ni-NiO Microtube for Pseudocapacitors
Authors: Chang Binbin , Yin Hang , Gu Zhengyan , Li Zhikun , Yang Baocheng
Published: July 2016

In this paper, a biomorphic mesoporous Ni-NiO microtube was successfully prepared by a facile and cost-effective synthesis strategy using cotton as a biotemplate. The morphology and textural characterization of as-obtained Ni-NiO materials were analyzed by X-ray diffraction patterns, scanning electron microscopy and nitrogen adsorption–desorption technology. The results suggested the as-prepared Ni-NiO samples owned uniform micro-tubular morphology and prominent mesoporous structure. Meanwhile, the effect of annealing temperature on morphology and porosity of Ni-NiO was also investigated. The optimal sample, Ni-NiO-4, exhibited a uniform microtube morphology with an ideal mesoporous structure of a high surface area (15.8 m2 g[Formula: see text]) and suitable mesopore size (9.28 nm). Furthermore, these as-obtained Ni-NiO materials showed enhanced electrochemical property as electrodes for pseudocapacitors. Especially, the Ni-NiO-4 electrode displayed the outstanding capacitive performance, including a high specific capacitance of 98.7 F g[Formula: see text] at 0.5 A g[Formula: see text] and satisfactory rate capacity. More importantly, Ni-NiO-4 electrode owned an excellently long-term cycling stability.
Optimization of the Process Parameters for the Synthesis of LiFe1−x−yMgxTiyPO4/C Cathode Material Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Huang Xiaopeng , Liang Feng , Du Yuanchao , Zhang Keyu , Yao Yaochun , Dai Yongnian
Published: July 2016

A systematic approach was used to develop the empirical model for optimizing the preparation process parameters for the synthesis of LiFe[Formula: see text]MgxTiyPO4/C composite cathode material. For optimizing the production parameters, response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to develop a linear regression model and maximize the discharge capacity. Analysis of the variance (ANOVA) showed that the three variables (Mg-dopant, Ti-dopant and sintering temperature) and the interactions among them were significant factors. Response surfaces formed by RSM illustrated that the doping of Mg and Ti on Fe site had obviously synergistic effect on the discharge capacity. In the process optimization, the parameters were 2.9% of Mg-dopant, 3.0% of Ti-dopant and sintering temperature of 678.5[Formula: see text]C, corresponding to a discharge capacity of 136.7[Formula: see text]mAh/g predicted by the model. This predicted value was in good agreement with the actual value (136.4[Formula: see text]mAh/g) by confirmatory experiment. The optimized LiFe[Formula: see text]Mg[Formula: see text]Ti[Formula: see text]PO4/C composite exhibits a good rate performance and cycling stability due to the enhancement of electronic conductivity and lithium diffusion coefficient ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]cm2/s) by the co-doping of Mg and Ti ions.
Bounds on subspace codes based on totally isotropic subspaces in unitary spaces
Authors: Gao You , Zhao Liyum , Wang Gang
Published: July 2016

In this paper, the Sphere-packing bound, Singleton bound, Wang–Xing–Safavi-Naini bound, Johnson bound and Gilbert–Varshamov bound on the subspace codes [Formula: see text] based on [Formula: see text]-dimensional totally isotropic subspaces in unitary space [Formula: see text] over finite fields [Formula: see text] are presented. Then, we prove that [Formula: see text] codes based on [Formula: see text]-dimensional totally isotropic subspaces in unitary space [Formula: see text] attain the Wang–Xing–Safavi-Naini bound if and only if they are certain Steiner structures in [Formula: see text].
Status of CMB Observations in 2015
Authors: Bucher Martin
Published: July 2016

The 2.725 K cosmic microwave background has played a key role in the development of modern cosmology by providing a solid observational foundation for constraining possible theories of what happened at very large redshifts and theoretical speculation reaching back almost to the would-be big bang initial singularity. After recounting some of the lesser known history of this area, I summarize the current observational situation and also discuss some exciting challenges that lie ahead: the search for B modes, the precision mapping of the CMB gravitational lensing potential, and the ultra-precise characterization of the CMB frequency spectrum, which would allow the exploitation of spectral distortions to probe new physics.
CMB Probes on the Correlated Axion Isocurvature Perturbations
Authors: Kadota Kenji
Published: July 2016

We discuss the phenomenology of the isocurvature perturbations which are correlated with the curvature perturbations. We show how precisely the forthcoming CMB experiments can constrain such correlated isocurvature perturbations. We also illustrate how the correlated isocurvature perturbations help in discriminating the axion inflation scenarios.
Gravitational Waves from Cosmic Bubble Collisions
Authors: Kim Dong-Hoon
Published: July 2016

Cosmic bubbles nucleated through the quantum tunneling process would expand and undergo collisions with each other. We focus on collisions of two equal-sized bubbles and compute gravitational waves emitted from the collisions. The mechanism of the collisions can be modeled by means of a real scalar field and its quartic potential. Out of this model we can compute gravitational waves from the collisions by integrating the energy-momentum tensors over the volume of the wave sources; in the quadrupole approximation. Our computational results show that the waveforms are characterized by (i) cusp-like bumps with frequency modulation during the initial-to-intermediate stage of strong collisions and (ii) smooth monochromatic oscillations during the final stage of weak collisions.
The ATLAS Detector: Status and Performance in Run-II
Authors: Schramm Steven
Published: July 2016

During the first extended shutdown of the LHC, in 2013 and 2014, the ATLAS detector has undergone several improvements. A new silicon pixel detector layer has been added inside of the existing layers, enhancing vertex identification, while the coverage of the muon detector has been significantly expanded. Many other detector systems have been upgraded to handle the higher expected pileup conditions in the coming years and to generally improve their performance. This document describes these upgrades and the resulting impact on the reconstruction and performance of standard physics objects. Preliminary results using the first [Formula: see text] of 2015 data at [Formula: see text] Tev are presented, demonstrating the capability of ATLAS to perform both searches and measurements.
Overview of Dark Matter Searches at the ATLAS Experiment
Authors: Meirose Bernhard
Published: July 2016

After a brief introduction a concise summary of some of ATLAS experiment’s stragies to search for dark matter is presented. Emphasis is given to searches in channels involving the Higgs boson.
Theory for Neutrino Mixing
Authors: He Xiao-Gang
Published: July 2016

Since the discovery of neutrino oscillations, for which Takaaki Kajita and Arthur B. McDonald were awarded the 2015 Nobel prize in physics, tremendous progresses have been made in measuring the mixing angles which determine the oscillation pattern. A lot of theoretical efforts have been made to understand how neutrinos mix with each other. Present data show that in the standard parameterization of the mixing matrix, [Formula: see text] is close to [Formula: see text] and the CP violating phase is close to [Formula: see text]. In this talk I report results obtained in arXiv:1505.01932 (Phys. Lett. B750(2015)620) and arXive:1404.01560 (Chin. J. Phys.53(2015)100101) and discuss some implications for theoretical model buildings for such mixing pattern. Specific examples for neutrino mixing based on [Formula: see text] family symmetry are given.
Classically Scale Invariant Inflation and (A)gravity
Authors: Farzinnia Arsham
Published: July 2016

In this talk, I present the minimal classically scale-invariant and [Formula: see text]-symmetric extension of the standard model, containing one additional complex gauge singlet and three flavors of right-handed Majorana neutrinos, incorporated within a renormalizable framework of gravity, consistent with these symmetries; the Agravity. I particularly focus on the slow-roll inflationary paradigm within this framework, by identifying the pseudo-Nambu-Goldstone boson of the (approximate) scale symmetry with the inflaton field, constructing its one-loop effective potential, computing the slow-roll parameters and the inflationary observables, and demonstrating the compatibility of the small field inflation scenario with the latest Planck collaboration data sets. a
Screening of Conditionally Reprogrammed Patient-Derived Carcinoma Cells Identifies ERCC3–MYC Interactions as a Target in Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Beglyarova Natalya , Banina Eugenia , Zhou Yan , Mukhamadeeva Ramilia , Andrianov Grigorii , Bobrov Egor , Lysenko Elena , Skobeleva Natalya , Gabitova Linara , Restifo Diana , Pressman Max , Serebriiskii Ilya G. , Hoffman John P. , Paz Keren , Behrens Diana , Khazak Vladimir , Jablonski Sandra A. , Golemis Erica A. , Weiner Louis M. , Astsaturov Igor
Published: July 2016

Purpose: Even when diagnosed prior to metastasis, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a devastating malignancy with almost 90% lethality, emphasizing the need for new therapies optimally targeting the tumors of individual patients.

Experimental Design: We first developed a panel of new physiologic models for study of PDAC, expanding surgical PDAC tumor samples in culture using short-term culture and conditional reprogramming with the Rho kinase inhibitor Y-27632, and creating matched patient-derived xenografts (PDX). These were evaluated for sensitivity to a large panel of clinical agents, and promising leads further evaluated mechanistically.

Results: Only a small minority of tested agents was cytotoxic in minimally passaged PDAC cultures in vitro. Drugs interfering with protein turnover and transcription were among most cytotoxic. Among transcriptional repressors, triptolide, a covalent inhibitor of ERCC3, was most consistently effective in vitro and in vivo causing prolonged complete regression in multiple PDX models resistant to standard PDAC therapies. Importantly, triptolide showed superior activity in MYC-amplified PDX models and elicited rapid and profound depletion of the oncoprotein MYC, a transcriptional regulator. Expression of ERCC3 and MYC was interdependent in PDACs, and acquired resistance to triptolide depended on elevated ERCC3 and MYC expression. The Cancer Genome Atlas analysis indicates ERCC3 expression predicts poor prognosis, particularly in CDKN2A-null, highly proliferative tumors.

Conclusions: This provides initial preclinical evidence for an essential role of MYC–ERCC3 interactions in PDAC, and suggests a new mechanistic approach for disruption of critical survival signaling in MYC-dependent cancers. Clin Cancer Res; 22(24); 6153–63. ©2016 AACR.
Ciliary Tissue Transplantation in the Rabbit Eye: Does the Localization of the Graft Affect Survival?
Authors: Yazıcı Hülya , Gürelik Gökhan , Yaylacıoğlu Tuncay Fulya , Uyar Göçün Pınar
Published: July 2016

Purpose: To examine whether ciliary body transplantation is applicable, the graft is viable and the localization of the graft material affects graft survival. Methods: Fifteen female New Zealand white rabbits were used. Three of them were used as donors, and a ciliary body graft was prepared from their enucleated eyes. There are two groups in the study according to the localization of the ciliary body graft in the anterior chamber. The graft was placed on the iris surface close to the pupil margin in group 1 and adjacent to the anterior chamber angle in group 2. Immunosuppressive treatment with cyclosporine A was given to the rabbits of both groups. The rabbits were sacrificed 1 month after ciliary transplantation, and their eyes were enucleated. After fixation, the graft and the surrounding tissue were examined by a pathologist macroscopically and microscopically with hematoxylin and eosin staining. Results: One month after the transplantation, the treated eyes remained inflammation free, and the transplants seemed to be viable with evident vascularization and without hemorrhage and necrotic tissue. When we compared groups 1 and 2, there were no statistically significant differences in the histopathological findings between the groups. The grafts were found to be similar with normal ciliary tissue in regard to necrosis, hemorrhage and fibrosis, and there were no statistically significant differences in inflammatory cell density and in the epithelial cell morphology between the normal ciliary tissue and the grafts. Conclusion: Transplantation of allograft ciliary tissue either onto the surface of the iris or the anterior chamber angle under immunosuppression could be an effective treatment for chronic ocular hypotony.
Transient Receptor Potential Channels in Intestinal Inflammation: What Is the Impact of Cigarette Smoking?
Authors: Allais Liesbeth , De Smet Rebecca , Verschuere Stephanie , Talavera Karel , Cuvelier Claude A. , Maes Tania
Published: July 2016

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by severe gastrointestinal inflammation and results from a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors. IBD includes two prominent subtypes: Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). One of the main risk factors for the development of CD is cigarette smoking, while UC is rather a disease of ex-smokers. To date, many of the mechanisms underlying the immune imbalance in IBD and the involvement of cigarette smoke (CS) are incompletely understood. Transient receptor potential (TRP) proteins are non-selective cation channels that, upon activation, lead to plasma membrane depolarization and, in general, to Ca2+ influx. TRP channels of the ankyrin and vanilloid family, expressed by sensory neurons in the central and enteric nervous systems, have been extensively studied in the context of intestinal inflammation. Moreover, recent advances made on the role of non-neuronal expressed TRP channels shed light on the involvement of epithelial cells in inflammatory processes. This review focuses on how CS may impact TRP channel function in intestinal inflammation. Firstly, we discuss the current knowledge on neuronal TRP channels, known to be linked to IBD, in health, immune homeostasis and intestinal inflammation. Subsequently, we address how TRP channels are activated by CS and its components in other organ systems and also hypothesize on the potential implications for CS-mediated TRP channel activation in gut inflammation.
Serum Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids Are Not Associated with Personality Traits in Healthy Japanese Young People
Authors: Tsuchimine Shoko , Kaneda Ayako , Yasui-Furukori Norio
Published: July 2016

Background: Recent studies have reported that polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are associated with mood and behaviors including depression and suicide risk. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between PUFAs and personality traits in healthy subjects. Methods: A total of 279 subjects completed the Temperament and Character Inventory and Beck Depression Inventory. Serum levels of the PUFAs eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), the ω-6 fatty acid arachidonic acid (AA), and dihomo-γ-linolenic acid were measured. Results: Pearson's correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between DHA and cooperativeness scores. In the multiple regression analysis, harm avoidance scores were positively associated with AA, and a negative association was found between the EPA/AA ratio and reward dependence scores. However, these associations were nonsignificant after a Bonferroni correction. Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest that the blood levels of PUFAs are not likely to be associated with personality traits.
Glomerular Filtration Rate Estimation in Renal and Non-Renal Solid Organ Transplantation
Authors: Hornum Mads , Feldt-Rasmussen Bo
Published: July 2016

Following transplantation (TX) of both renal and non-renal organs, a large proportion of patients have renal dysfunction. There are multiple causes for this. Chronic nephrotoxicity and high doses of calcineurin inhibitors are important factors. Preoperative and perioperative factors like hypertension, hypotension, drugs and infections may play a causative role as well. Organ-specific causes include hepatorenal syndrome, cirrhosis, low cardiac function, low respiratory function and diabetes developed both before and after TX. It is important to be able to perform precise and valid measurements or estimates of renal function in these patients, in order to accurately and safely dose immunosuppressive medication and perform and adjust the treatment and prophylaxis of renal dysfunction. This is a short overview and discussion of relevant studies and possible caveats of estimated glomerular filtration rate methods for use in renal and non-renal TX.
Changes in Activated Thrombin-Activatable Fibrinolysis Inhibitor Levels Following Thrombolytic Therapy in Ischemic Stroke Patients Correlate with Clinical Outcome
Authors: Alessi Marie-Christine , Gaudin Christophe , Grosjean Philippe , Martin Valérie , Timsit Serge , Mahagne Marie-Hélène , Larrue Vincent , Sibon Igor , Zuber Mathieu , Brouns Raf , Montaner Joan , Castellanos Mar , Donazzolo Yves , Cho Tae-Hee , Suissa Laurent , Mechtouff Laura , Derex Laurent , Suchon Pierre , Mezzapesa Anna , Nighoghossian Norbert
Published: July 2016

Background and Purpose: Thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) activation following thrombolysis may affect thrombolysis effectiveness in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). To support this hypothesis, we propose to study the relationship between TAFI consumption, activated/inactivated TAFI (TAFIa/ai) and stroke severity and outcome in 2 groups of AIS patients, one treated and one untreated with intravenous recombinant tissue type plasminogen activator (rt-PA). Methods: In this prospective, longitudinal, multicenter, observational study, we aimed to study the association between TAFIa/ai and stroke outcome. TAFI levels were sequentially measured in patients treated with intravenous rt-PA thrombolysis (T), and in patients not given any thrombolytic therapy (NT). Baseline reference values were established in healthy subjects matched for age and gender. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score assessed at baseline and on day 2 was dichotomized into 2 severity groups (0-7 vs. >7). The modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at day 90 was dichotomized for favorable (0-1) and unfavorable (2-6) outcomes. Results: A total of 109 patients were included, with 41 receiving rt-PA. At admission, patients had higher TAFIa/ai levels than reference. A significant increase in TAFIa/ai levels was observed at the end of thrombolysis (mean change from baseline of 963%) and lasted up to 4 h (191%). Higher TAFIa/ai levels were associated with a more severe day 2 NIHSS score (p = 0.0098 at T2h post thrombolysis) and an unfavorable mRS score from T48h (p = 0.0417) to day 90 (p = 0.0046). In NT patients, higher TAFIa/ai levels at admission were associated with a more severe stroke, as assessed by day 2 NIHSS score (p = 0.0026) and mRS score (p = 0.0003). Conclusion: These data demonstrate a consistent relationship between TAFI levels and early clinical severity during rt-PA treatment.
Silent Coronary Artery Disease in Symptomatic Candidates for Carotid Revascularization Intervention
Authors: Kim Jae Guk , Lee Soo Joo , Choi Hanna , Choi Yu Jeong , Lee Byung-Hee
Published: July 2016

Background: Concurrent coronary artery disease (CAD) and carotid artery stenosis (CAS) are frequently detected in clinical practice and have important prognostic implications in symptomatic patients who are considered for revascularization. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of asymptomatic CAD in stroke patients with CAS and the associated factors. Methods: Coronary angiography was performed at a single session after cerebral angiography in patients with symptomatic CAS, which was considered a candidate for revascularization. Results: Ninety-six patients were enrolled. We detected significant (defined as a degree of stenosis ≥50%) atherosclerotic coronary lesions in 58 patients (60.4%). Of these 58 patients, 32 (55.2%) had one-vessel, 19 (32.7%) 2-vessel, and 7 (12.1%) 3-vessel disease. Potential factors associated with the silent CAD were hypertension (OR 3.86, p = 0.022), a high level (≥140 mg/dl) of non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR 3.20, p = 0.041), and combined intracranial atherosclerosis steno-occlusion on cerebral angiogram (OR 4.39, p = 0.015). Conclusions: About 60% of stroke patients with extracranial CAS have an incident CAD. Hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and the atherosclerotic changes of combined extracranial carotid and intracranial arteries may increase the risk of asymptomatic CAD in symptomatic candidates for carotid revascularization intervention.
Advances in Echocardiographic Imaging in Heart Failure With Reduced and Preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Omar Alaa Mabrouk Salem , Bansal Manish , Sengupta Partho P.
Published: July 2016

Echocardiography, given its safety, easy availability, and the ability to permit a comprehensive assessment of cardiac structure and function, is an indispensable tool in the evaluation and management of patients with heart failure (HF). From initial phenotyping and risk stratification to providing vital data for guiding therapeutic decision-making and monitoring, echocardiography plays a pivotal role in the care of HF patients. The recent advent of multiparametric approaches for myocardial deformation imaging has provided valuable insights in the pathogenesis of HF, elucidating distinct patterns of myocardial dysfunction and events that are associated with progression from subclinical stage to overt HF. At the same time, miniaturization of echocardiography has further expanded clinical application of echocardiography, with the use of pocket cardiac ultrasound as an adjunct to physical examination demonstrated to improve diagnostic accuracy and risk stratification. Furthermore, ongoing advances in the field of big data analytics promise to create an exciting opportunity to operationalize precision medicine as the new approach to healthcare delivery that aims to individualize patient care by integrating data extracted from clinical, laboratory, echocardiographic, and genetic assessments. The present review summarizes the recent advances in the field of echocardiography, with emphasis on their role in HF phenotyping, risk stratification, and optimizing clinical outcomes.
Otatea nayeeri (Poaceae: Bambusoideae: Bambuseae: Guaduinae), a new species endemic to Nayarit, Mexico
Authors: RUIZ-SANCHEZ EDUARDO , CASTRO-CASTRO ARTURO
Published: July 2016

Otatea is the most diverse genus of Guaduinae in Mexico, with 10 described species mostly inhabiting tropical dry forest. Here, with the description of Otatea nayeeri, the number of species increases to 11. Morphologically, O. nayeeri is similar to O. reynosoana and O. transvolcanica but differs in having thin-papery and deciduous culm leaves, oral setae absent in culm leaves, developing erect and reflexed culm leaf blades, three subequal branches per node and smaller foliage leaf blades without fimbriae. A comparative table of vegetative characters, an illustration and photographs are also provided.
Electrolichas circumbalticus gen. et sp. nov. (Coleoptera: Byrrhoidea: Ptilodactylidae) from Baltic amber, the first anchytarsine toed-winged beetle described from Europe
Authors: ALEKSEEV VITALII I. , JÄCH MANFRED A.
Published: July 2016

A new genus and species of Ptilodactylidae, Electrolichas circumbalticus gen. et sp. nov., the first fossil representative of the subfamily Anchytarsinae, is described from Baltic amber. This Eocene beetle can be distinguished from the extant genera of Anchytarsinae by the combination of the following characters: labrum transverse, terminal segment of maxillary palps cylindrical, antennae with non-articulated rami, basal pronotal margin only very finely crenulate, lacking a median denticle, anterior margin of scutellum not excised medially, elytra not striate, tarsi not pseudotetramerous, proportional lengths: 1.5: 1.2: 1.2: 1.1: 1.5, flashy pads on apex of first tarsomere as well as on tarsomeres 2–4. A list of the extant species of Anchytarsinae is provided. Both hitherto described fossil ptilodactylid genera are briefly discussed.
A new species of lithistid sponge hiding within the Isabella mirabilis species complex (Porifera: Demospongiae: Tetractinellida) from seamounts of the Norfolk Ridge
Authors: EKINS MERRICK , ERPENBECK DIRK , WÖRHEIDE GERT , HOOPER JOHN N. A.
Published: July 2016

A population level study of the lithistid (‘rock’) sponge, Isabella mirabilis, revealed a new species, Isabella tanoa sp. nov., living on five seamounts on the Norfolk Ridge, SW Pacific, and representing the third species to be discovered since the genus was first described in 2005. Comparisons between the three species showed significant differences in morphological characters that corresponded to differences in their respective CO1 barcoding sequences. Conversely, three of the four genotypes of Isabella mirabilis remain unresolved using morphological markers.
On the distribution of the genus Teius Merrem, 1820 (Reptilia: Squamata: Teiidae)
Authors: Cacciali PIER , Morando MARIANA , Köhler Gunther , Avila Luciano
Published: July 2016

The lizard genus Teius is composed by three species: Teius teyou, T. oculatus, and T. suquiensis and is distributed in South America, east of Andes. Teius teyou and T. oculatus have wide parapatric distributions with contact zones. Teius suquiensis is present in a small range along a sympatric area of the former species. In this work we analyze the distribution of the three species of Teius across its whole geographic range, examining its relationships with climatic parameters. We based our analysis on specimens in collections and literature records. Our analysis shows that the genus Teius is distributed from central Bolivia southwards to north of Río Negro Province in northern Patagonia, Argentina. Teius teyou reaches the northernmost range limit of the genus whereas T. oculatus occupies the southernmost limit. Teius oculatus is related to open and moist environments whereas T. teyou is more adapted to xeric and forested areas. Teius suquiensis is present in xerophytic areas of Dry Chaco and Espinal. Climatic factors in the distribution of the distribution of the two widespread species show marked differences and seasonality.
Rhipidia crane flies (Diptera: Limoniidae) from Korea
Authors: PODENAS SIGITAS , BYUN HYE-WOO , KIM SAM-KYU
Published: July 2016

Korean species of the crane fly genus Rhipidia Meigen, 1818 (Diptera: Limoniidae), are taxonomically revised. Rhipidia (Rhipidia) serena, new species, is described and figured. Rhipidia (R.) longa Zhang, Li, Yang, 2014, R. (R.) maculata Meigen, 1818 and R. (R.) sejuga Zhang, Li, Yang, 2014 are recorded for the first time in Korea. Previously known species, Rhipidia (R.) septentrionis Alexander, 1913 is redescribed and illustrated. Identification key for all Korean Rhipidia species is given. Most antennae, wings, male and female terminalia of all species are illustrated for the first time.
First molecular verification of Dixonius vietnamensis Das, 2004 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) with the description of a new species from Vinh Cuu Nature Reserve, Dong Nai Province, Vietnam
Authors: ZIEGLER THOMAS , BOTOV ANDREAS , NGUYEN TAO THIEN , BAUER AARON M. , BRENNAN IAN G. , NGO HANH THI , NGUYEN TRUONG QUANG
Published: July 2016

Based on near-topotypic specimens of Dixonius vietnamensis from Khanh Hoa Province in southern Vietnam genetic analyses showed that the recently described D. taoi is sister to D. vietnamensis and several separate forms exist which previously have been misidentified as D. vietnamensis and D. siamensis. The Dixonius population from Vinh Cuu Nature Reserve, Dong Nai Province, Vietnam, represents an undescribed species. Dixonius minhlei sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners based on the following diagnostic characters: small size (up to 47.5 mm SVL); 7–9 supralabials; 14–15 rows of keeled tubercles on dorsum; 20–23 ventral scale rows; 7 or 8 precloacal pores in males; a canthal stripe running from rostrum through the eye and terminating at back of head; lateral second pair of postmentals maximum one quarter the size of first pair; dorsum olive gray with more or less discernible brownish olive blotches. This is the sixth species of Dixonius known to occur in Vietnam.
Psilorhynchus tysoni, a new species of torrent minnow from the Salween River drainage, western Thailand (Teleostei: Psilorhynchidae)
Authors: CONWAY KEVIN W. , PINION AMANDA K.
Published: July 2016

Psilorhynchus tysoni, new species, is described on the basis of 10 specimens, 23.3–53.8 mm SL from the Mae Nam Moei and Hue Mae Song Rivers, in the Salween River drainage in western Thailand. It belongs to the P. nudithoracicus species group and can be distinguished from other members of this group by a combination of characters, including features of body and fin coloration, head shape, and caudal fin-ray, vertebrae, and cephalic lateral-line canal pore counts. Phylogenetic analyses of a mitochondrial DNA data set (comprising 642 bp of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 and 1140 bp of cytochrome b) for 12 species of Psilorhynchus and one outgroup taxon resulted in phylogenetic hypotheses in which P. tysoni is a member of a clade equivalent to the P. nudithoracicus species group. Within this group P. tysoni is placed as the sister taxon of a putatively undescribed species of Psilorhynchus from Myanmar.
Próba zbliżenia się do sacrum poprzez kino na przykładzie analizy i interpretacji drogi jurodiwego w filmie Aleksandra Sokurowa "Samotny głos człowieka"
Authors: Korycka Agnieszka Magdalena
Published: July 2016

Attempting to approach the sacred through film as exemplified by the analysis and interpretation of the way of a yurodivy in The Lonely Voice of Man by Alexander SokurovThe author emphasises the relation between content and form in the film The Lonely Voice of Man by Alexander Sokurov, and makes a point to place the film within an interpretation space which takes into account basic anthropological categories, such as those of space, time and the human (the protagonist). The artistic devices applied in the film lead to a degradation of the image, while the symbolism present in this debut work refers to the theme of the journey of the soul. All these elements allow us to see in The Lonely Voice of Man certain aspects shared with the Orthodox icon. In this context, the story of the main character can be perceived as the way of a yurodivy (“fool-for-Christ”), who has to refrain from temptations and practice asceticism in order to attain spiritual perfection and reach the sacred.  Próba zbliżenia się do sacrum poprzez kino na przykładzie analizy i interpretacji drogi jurodiwego w filmie Aleksandra Sokurowa Samotny głos człowiekaW artykule szczególną uwagę zwrócono na ukazanie związku między treścią i formą filmu Samotny głos człowieka w reżyserii Aleksandra Sokurowa oraz na umieszczenie go na płaszczyźnie interpretacyjnej uwzględniającej podstawowe kategorie antropologiczne, takie jak: przestrzeń, czas i człowiek (bohater). Stosowane w filmie środki wyrazu powodują, że obraz ulega degradacji. Symbolika obecna w filmie nawiązuje do motywu wędrówki dusz. Wszystkie elementy stanowią podstawę do tego, by odnaleźć w debiucie Sokurowa cechy nawiązujące do prawosławnej ikony. W tym kontekście historia głównego bohatera jawi się jako droga jurodiwego, który musi pokonywać pokusy i zachowywać ascezę, by osiągnąć duchową doskonałość i dotrzeć do sacrum.