bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Formation of adenovirus DNA replication compartments and viral DNA accumulation sites by host chromatin regulatory proteins including NPM1
Authors: Genoveso Michelle Jane , Hisaoka Miharu , Komatsu Tetsuro , Wodrich Harald , Nagata Kyosuke , Okuwaki Mitsuru
Published: July 2019

The adenovirus (Ad) genome is believed to be packaged into the virion by forming a chromatin‐like structure. The replicated viral genome is likely to be condensed through binding with viral core proteins before encapsidation. Replicated viral genomes accumulate in the central region of the nucleus, which we termed virus‐induced postreplication (ViPR) body. However, the molecular mechanism by which the nuclear structure is reorganized and its functional significance in virus production are currently not understood. In this study, we found that viral packaging protein IVa2, but not capsid proteins, accumulated in the ViPR body. In addition, nucleolar chromatin regulatory proteins, nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1), upstream binding factor, and nucleolin accumulated in the ViPR body in late‐stage Ad infection. NPM1 depletion increased the nuclease‐resistant viral genome and delayed the ViPR body formation. These results suggested that structural changes in the infected cell nucleus depend on the formation of viral chromatin by host chromatin regulatory proteins. Because NPM1 depletion decreases production of the infectious virion, we propose that host factor‐mediated viral chromatin remodeling and concomitant ViPR body formation are prerequisites for efficient encapsidation of Ad chromatin.
Putting the pieces together: Recent growth, nutritional condition, and mortality of Engraulis anchoita larvae in the Southwest Atlantic
Authors: Do Souto Marina , Brown Daniel R. , Segura Valeria , Negri Rubén , Temperoni Brenda , Cepeda Georgina , Viñas Maria D. , Capitanio Fabiana L. , Diaz Marina V.
Published: July 2019

Dynamics of clupeiform fish populations such as anchovy are frequently impacted by environmental variations which can affect the success of the species recruitment. Herein, we have analyzed recent otolith growth rate, RNA/DNA nutritional condition index (sRD), and mortality rate of argentine anchovy larvae Engraulis anchoita from three different nursery areas in the Southwest Atlantic. We have evaluated the relationship between the environmental variables (abundance of copepod nauplii, temperature, chlorophyll‐a concentration, and abundance of E. anchoita larvae) and larval endogenous variables (size, weight, age, and otolith radius) to sRD and recent growth rate. Fast larval growth rates were observed toward the northern sector of the studied area, characterized by higher temperature. High values of sRD were associated with higher nauplii abundance in the proximity of coastal fronts. The larvae with the lowest growths and lowest minimum values of nutritional condition coincided with the area where there was less abundance of nauplii and higher larval mortality. Larval size and nauplii abundance were positive explanatory factors for both recent growth rate and sRD index. Temperature had a positive effect on recent growth rate and a negative effect on sRD index. This condition index was poorly explained in terms of model fit in comparison with the growth model. The results herein provided could be significant to better understand the recruitment of the species, as to determining favorable areas for the growth and survival of anchovy larvae.
Temperature influences on growth of unfished juvenile Northern cod (Gadus morhua) during stock collapse
Authors: Mullowney Darrell R. J. , Rose George A. , Dawe Earl G. , Rowe Sherrylynn , Maillet Gary L. , Pedersen Eric J.
Published: July 2019

This study examined growth of unfished juvenile Northern cod (Gadus morhua) off Newfoundland concomitant with stock collapse in the cold early 1990s. Two unpublished data sets were examined, one from collapse‐period trapping sites along the northeast coast of Newfoundland and one from a post‐collapse inshore trawl survey. Cumulative surface and bottom temperatures were significant predictors of growth rates of the young fish with year‐classes born during collapse experiencing slower growth than those born during subsequent warming. Relationships between accrued temperature and growth were consistent across periods, with slow growth of collapse‐period fish reflecting slower accumulation of temperature‐at‐age. Temperature influences were spatially broad‐based with no significant differences in growth rates for fish captured along the entire northeast coast of Newfoundland. Predicted differences in growth rates for collapse versus recovery year‐classes were proportional to cumulative surface temperatures but not cumulative bottom temperatures. Although significant, temperature effects on growth were relatively unimportant at youngest ages. Overall, growth differences between periods were small but large differences occurred between slowest and fastest growing year‐classes. The results suggest initial responses to increasing temperatures were delayed following collapse. We conclude that although temperature was an important determinant of dampened productivity that it alone cannot account for the collapse and slow recovery of the stock. This is the first known study to directly quantitatively link temperature impacts to an unfished component of the Northern cod stock complex during collapse, removing need for implicit assumptions about whether or not cold conditions contributed to the collapse of this iconic fish stock.
Redistributive innovation policy, inequality, and efficiency
Authors: Basu Parantap , Getachew Yoseph
Published: July 2019

We examine the efficiency and distributional effects of regressive and progressive public R&D policies that target high‐tech and low‐tech sectors using a heterogenous‐agent growth model with in‐house R&D and incomplete capital markets. We find that such policies have important implications for efficiency and inequality. A regressive public R&D investment financed by income tax could boost growth and welfare via a positive effect on individual savings and effort. It could, however, also lower growth and welfare via its effect on the efficiency–inequality trade‐off. Thus, the relationship between public R&D spending and welfare is hump‐shaped, admitting an optimal degree of regressivity in public R&D spending. Using our baseline model, and the US state‐level GDP data, we derive the degree of regressiveness of public R&D investment in US states. We find that US states are more regressive in their R&D investment than the optimal regressiveness implied by our growth model.
Fiber‐optic refractometer for in vivo sugar concentration measurements of low‐nectar‐producing flowers
Authors: Aronne Giovanna , Malara Pietro
Published: July 2019

Sugar concentration in floral nectars is an assessment required in several diverse fields of application. The widely used analysis, consisting of nectar extraction with a microcapillary and sugar concentration measurement with a light refractometer, is not reliable when the nectar is secreted in small quantities, unextractable with a microcapillary. Ancillary methods adopted in such cases are destructive, rather complicated and often provide much less precise and accurate results.

The microscopic‐size, low cost and biocompatibility of optical fibers were exploited to deliver light directly inside the flower with minimal invasiveness and measure instantaneously the refractometric properties of the nectar without extracting it. After comparing the new and old methods using two known nectariferous species, the new approach was validated on Primula palinuri, whose nectar is unextractable with microcapillaries.

The fiber‐optic probe was able to measure the nectar refractive index in P. palinuri flowers making it possible to highlight a previously undetected significant trend of the sugar concentration throughout the long anthesis of the single flowers. Changes in nectar concentrations are similar in both longistylous and brevistylous flowers.

The fiber‐optic refractometer is an advancement of light refractometer analysis. Further customization of the laboratory set‐up into portable equipment will boost applications.
The Political Matters: Exploring material feminist theories for understanding the political in health, inequalities and nursing
Authors: Aranda Kay
Published: July 2019

The recent “turn to matter” evident in material feminist theories of the more‐than‐human world offers distinct posthuman understandings of the world as continuously relationally entangled, emergent or materializing. In this paper, I consider how these premises both trouble conventional understandings of matter and/or materials, but likewise potentially revise and revitalize understandings of the political for health and inequalities, and for nursing. This is both timely and much needed given contemporary contexts of austerity‐driven neoliberalism in health care and the unprecedented growth in disparities of wealth and well‐being. I wish to explore whether material feminisms allow us to retheorize connections between abstract theory and material concerns like health and inequalities, differently. This is not theory in opposition to practice or activism, but theory conceptualized as sets of entangled emergent practices, but also what constitutes the political, as more fully relational to and in praxis with health‐related activism. I will argue these theories further justify how practitioners can visibly care for and care more about social and health inequalities. Drawing mainly on the work of material feminist, Karen Barad, and her bringing together of queer and feminist theory, as well as feminist new materialisms and understandings of posthumanism, I discuss how this turn to matter together with meaning might transform understandings of health and inequalities.
Promising's Neglected Siblings: Oaths, Vows, and Promissory Obligation
Authors: Fruh Kyle
Published: July 2019

Promises of a customary, interpersonal kind have received no small amount of philosophical attention. Of particular interest has been their capacity to generate moral obligations. This capacity is arguably what distinguishes promises from other, similar phenomena, like communicating a firm intention. But this capacity is common to still other nearby phenomena, such as oaths and vows. These latter phenomena belong to the same family of concepts as promises, but they are structurally and functionally distinct. Taken in their turn, they fill out what I call the ‘breadth criterion’: Theories of promising should cover not only customary, interpersonal promises but also sibling phenomena, including oaths and vows. Accommodating the breadth criterion is not something all theories of promising are positioned to accomplish. I focus on the challenge that the breadth criterion poses for Scanlon's influential expectation view of promising and suggest a normative powers account will fare better.
Erysipeloid lesions caused by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae in a dog: clinical and histopathological findings, molecular diagnosis and treatment
Authors: Marshall Kalie R. , Walton Stuart A. , Boyd Megan , Bishop Bradley , Wellehan James , Craft William , Santoro Domenico
Published: July 2019

Background

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is a widespread Gram‐positive, nonsporulating rod bacterium predominantly associated with skin disease in swine and cetaceans. Cutaneous lesions have yet to be described in dogs.

Objective

To describe the clinical presentation, molecular and histopathological diagnosis, and treatment of a case of erysipeloid caused by E. rhusiopathiae in a dog.

Animals

A 6‐month‐old spayed female standard poodle dog presented with lethargy, fever, vomiting and diarrhoea. Skin lesions appeared 20 days post first examination.

Methods and materials

Complete blood count, serum chemistry profile, urinalysis, urine culture, blood culture, computed topography, forelimb radiography, joint and cerebrospinal fluid aspiration were performed; samples were collected for skin cytological evaluation, culture and histopathological analysis.

Results

Blood cultures yielded Gram‐positive, catalase‐negative bacilli. Histopathological evaluation of skin biopsies revealed lymphoplasmacytic, neutrophilic and histiocytic perivascular and periadnexal dermatitis, and vasculitis. Cutaneous and blood PCR and sequencing of 16S rRNA identified the bacteria as E. rhusiopathiae. Clinical resolution was observed following the use of of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and ciprofloxacin therapies.

Conclusions and clinical importance

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first confirmed case of erysipeloid caused by E. rhusiopathiae in a dog. Clinical resolution was attained with the extended use of antibiotics. After 13 months, no clinical signs had returned.
Atomic layer defect-free etching for germanium using HBr neutral beam
Authors: Fujii Takuya , Ohori Daisuke , Noda Shuichi , Tanimoto Yosuke , Sato Daisuke , Kurihara Hideyuki , Mizubayashi Wataru , Endo Kazuhiko , Li Yiming , Lee Yao-Jen , Ozaki Takuya , Samukawa Seiji
Published: July 2019

The authors developed extremely selective etching for making an atomically flat, defect-free germanium fin (Ge Fin) structure. The etching uses a hydrogen bromide (HBr) neutral beam (NB), and they investigated the etching reaction differences between the HBr NB and a Cl2 NB. No sidewall etching by HBr NB occurred at 90 °C, although that by Cl2 NB occurred at more than 90 °C. This was due to the different boiling points of GeBr4 and GeCl4 as the reacted layer was formed by NB irradiation on the Ge surface. As a result, the Ge sidewall etching by Cl2 NB occurred above 90 °C, whereas that by HBr NB did not occur at 90 °C. Additionally, nonvolatile bromide protected layers, such as GeBr4 and SiBrxOy, were deposited on the Ge sidewall and the SiO2 top surface in case of using HBr, respectively. Then, the authors succeeded in fabricating the atomically flat, defect-free Ge Fin structure with the extremely selective HBr NB etching. This result shows that HBr NB can more precisely achieve sub-10-nm scale atomic layer Ge etching for 3D Fin-type MOSFETs.
Pseudospins and topological edge states for fundamental antisymmetric Lamb modes in snowflakelike phononic crystal slabs
Authors: Huo Shao-yong , Chen Jiu-jiu , Feng Lu-yang , Huang Hong-bo
Published: July 2019

The topological transport of Lamb wave in phononic crystal slabs provides a great potential in reinforcing nondestructive testing, high sensitivity sensing, and information processing. In this paper, the authors investigate the pseudospins edge states of fundamental antisymmetric Lamb waves in a snowflakelike phononic slab. Significantly, the fourfold Dirac degeneracy for antisymmetric Lamb mode is accidentally formed at the Γ point with the critical angle of the snowflakelike holes, which does not require the folding of the lattices. Meanwhile, based on the rotating-scatterer mechanism, the mirror symmetry is broken and the topological multipole phase transitions are well induced during the gradual change of the scattering strength among the scatterers with the rotation angle. The topologically protected edge states and its unidirectional robust propagation are further demonstrated. The proposed topological phononic slabs will be a more hopeful option to apply in engineering practices.
Spectral analysis of amplitudes and phases of elastic waves: Application to topological elasticity
Authors: Hasan M. Arif , Calderin Lazaro , Lucas Pierre , Runge Keith , Deymier Pierre A.
Published: July 2019

The topological characteristics of waves in elastic structures are determined by the geometric phase of waves and, more specifically, by the Berry phase, as a characterization of the global vibrational behavior of the system. A computational procedure for the numerical determination of the geometrical phase characteristics of a general elastic structure is introduced: the spectral analysis of amplitudes and phases method. Molecular dynamics simulation is employed to computationally generate the band structure, traveling modes' amplitudes and phases, and subsequently the Berry phase associated with each band of periodic superlattices. In an innovative procedure, the phase information is used to selectively excite a particular mode in the band structure. It is shown analytically and numerically, in the case of one-dimensional elastic superlattices composed of various numbers of masses and spring stiffness, how the Berry phase varies as a function of the spatial arrangement of the springs. A symmetry condition on the arrangement of springs is established, which leads to bands with Berry phase taking the values of 0 or π. Finally, it is shown how the Berry phase may vary upon application of unitary operations that mathematically describe transformations of the structural arrangement of masses and springs within the unit cells.
Source characterization of full-scale tactical jet noise from phased-array measurements
Authors: Harker Blaine M. , Gee Kent L. , Neilsen Tracianne B. , Wall Alan T. , James Michael M.
Published: July 2019

Application of phased-array algorithms to acoustic measurements in the vicinity of a high-performance military aircraft yields equivalent source reconstructions over a range of engine conditions. Beamforming techniques for aeroacoustics applications have undergone significant advances over the past decade to account for difficulties that arise when traditional methods are applied to distributed sources such as those found in jet noise. The hybrid method, an inverse method approached via beamforming, is applied to jet noise measured along a 50 element, 30 m linear array to obtain equivalent source distributions. The source distribution extent decreases with increasing frequency or with a decrease in engine condition. A source coherence analysis along the axial dimension of the jet plume reveals that the source coherence lengths scale inversely with increasing engine condition. In addition, a method for extending the array bandwidth to frequencies beyond the spatial Nyquist frequency limit is also implemented. A directivity analysis of the beamforming results reveals that sources near the nozzle radiate to the sideline from a relatively stationary point irrespective of frequency, while the noise source origin of downstream radiating noise varies significantly with frequency.
Characteristics and microgeographic variation of whistles from the vocal repertoire of beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) from the White Sea
Authors: Panova Elena , Agafonov Alexandr , Belikov Roman , Melnikova Faina
Published: July 2019

The beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) produces a variety of sounds, including whistles as well as pulsed, noisy, and biphonic vocalizations. This study presents the fine-scale, microgeographic characteristics of beluga whistles from data collected in four locations across Onega Bay and Dvina Bay in the White Sea, Russia. Ten parameters were measured from 1232 whistles. The whistles had a fundamental frequency from 0.4 to 25.0 kHz and duration from 0.04 to 3.93 s. Although two distinct types could be recognized in the White Sea beluga's whistle repertoire, other whistles formed a graded continuum. Among them, “flat” whistle contours with no inflection points appear to be the most common (39.7%), to be followed by frequency-modulated whistles: ascending (27.1%) and descending (15.6%). Non-linear phenomena detected in the whistles included frequency jumps (23.1%), biphonations (13.2%), sidebands (5.2%), and subharmonics (0.5%). The whistles varied in frequency parameters and duration across the locations, while those recorded in the same location in different years showed minimal difference. Beluga whistles appear to be an extremely diverse class of vocalizations. This, together with the lack of clear correlations between the behavior of whales and whistle production suggests whistles may perform multiple functions within the beluga whale communication system.
Stepping Up Active Transportation in Community Health Improvement Plans: Findings From a National Probability Survey of Local Health Departments
Authors: Sreedhara Meera , Valentine Goins Karin , Frisard Christine , Rosal Milagros C. , Lemon Stephenie C.
Published: July 2019

Background: Local health departments (LHDs) are increasingly involved in Community Health Improvement Plans (CHIPs), a collaborative planning process that represents an opportunity for prioritizing physical activity. We determined the proportion of LHDs reporting active transportation strategies in CHIPs and associations between LHD characteristics and such strategies. Methods: A national probability survey of US LHDs (<500,000 residents; 30.2% response rate) was conducted in 2017 (n = 162). LHDs reported the inclusion of 8 active transportation strategies in a CHIP. We calculated the proportion of LHDs reporting each strategy. Multivariate logistic regression models determined the associations between LHD characteristics and inclusion of strategies in a CHIP. Inverse probability weights were applied for each stratum. Results: 45.6% of US LHDs reported participating in a CHIP with ≥1 active transportation strategy. Proportions for specific strategies ranged from 22.3% (Safe Routes to School) to 4.1% (Transit-Oriented Development). Achieving national accreditation (odds ratio [OR] = 3.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11–12.05), pursuing accreditation (OR = 3.40; 95% CI, 1.25–9.22), using credible resources (OR = 5.25; 95% CI, 1.77–15.56), and collaborating on a Community Health Assessment (OR = 4.48; 95% CI, 1.23–16.29) were associated with including a strategy in a CHIP after adjusting for covariates. Conclusions: CHIPs are untapped tools, but national accreditation, using credible resources, and Community Health Assessment collaboration may support strategic planning efforts to improve physical activity.
The conduction pathway of potassium channels is water free under physiological conditions
Authors: Öster Carl , Hendriks Kitty , Kopec Wojciech , Chevelkov Veniamin , Shi Chaowei , Michl Dagmar , Lange Sascha , Sun Han , de Groot Bert L. , Lange Adam
Published: July 2019

Detection of bound water in a potassium channel by solid-state NMR supports the “direct” knock-on ion permeation mechanism.
Migraine and traumatic brain injury: a cohort study in Taiwan
Authors: Wang Qing-Rui , Lu Ying-Yi , Su Ying-Ju , Qin Hao , Zhang Li , Wu Ming-Kung , Zhang Cong-Liang , Wu Chieh-Hsin
Published: July 2019

Objective

Traumatic brain injury is now a major contributor to the global healthcare burden. Migraine is another debilitating disease with a global health impact. While most researchers agree that traumatic brain injury is a risk factor for migraine, whether migraine is a risk factor for traumatic brain injury still remains under debate. We therefore aimed to investigate whether migraine was a risk factor for developing traumatic brain injury.

Study design

Retrospective population-based cohort study.

Setting

Data for people who had been diagnosed with migraine were retrieved from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database.

Participants

We identified 7267 patients with newly diagnosed migraine during 1996–2010. The migraineurs to non-migraineurs ratio was set at 1:4 to enhance the power of statistical tests.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

We used multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models to assess the effects of migraines on the risk of traumatic brain injury after adjusting for potential confounders.

Results

The overall traumatic brain injury risk was 1.78 times greater in the migraine group compared with the non-migraine group after controlling for covariates. Additionally, patients with previous diagnoses of alcohol-attributed disease, mental disorders and diabetes mellitus had a significantly higher traumatic brain injury risk compared with those with no history of these diagnoses.

Conclusions

This study of a population-based database indicated that migraine is a traumatic brain injury risk factor. Greater attention to migraine-targeted treatment modalities may reduce traumatic brain injury-related morbidity and mortality.
An Expert Delphi study to derive a tool for mental health triage in emergency departments
Authors: Mackway-Jones Anna J , Mackway-Jones Kevin C
Published: July 2019

Objective

This study aimed to investigate and collate the opinions of experts regarding the triage of patients in mental health crisis presenting to EDs.

Design

A three-round e-Delphi study was conducted between November 2017 and April 2018. The panel of 28 representative experts were drawn from six stakeholder groups. 23 of the panel were clinicians working in England, while 5 were international triage experts.

Results

Experts generated 173 statements in six topic areas in the first round. 32 of these statements reached consensus in round 2. A further 20 statements reached consensus in round 3, leaving 121 statements that did not reach consensus. The consensus statements were used to develop a structured five-level triage tool where the highest level of priority was assigned to patients exhibiting extreme aggression or agitation, those requiring restraint, those at immediate risk of leaving before assessment and those who presented a high risk of self-harm or harm to others. At lower triage priorities, other factors, such as items of psychiatric history, collateral history, observations and judgements, have been identified.

Conclusions

A broadly based, multispecialty, multiprofessional expert Delphi panel has reached consensus on 52 statements concerning the triage of patients presenting in mental health crisis to EDs. The triage tool derived from this work can be used to inform the design of triage instruments employed to prioritise patients with physical and mental health problems equitably.
Residence change during the first trimester of pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes
Authors: Bond Julia C , Mancenido Amanda L , Patil Divya M , Rowley Seth S , Goldberg Jack , Littman Alyson J
Published: July 2019

Background

There are few published studies evaluating the impact of perinatal residence change on infant outcomes and whether these associations differ by socioeconomic status.

Methods

We conducted a population-based cohort study using Washington State birth certificate data from 2007 to 2014 to assess whether women who moved during the first trimester of pregnancy (n=28 011) had a higher risk of low birth weight, preterm birth and small for gestational age than women who did not move during the first trimester (n=112 367). ‘Non-first-trimester movers’ were frequency matched 4:1 to movers by year. We used generalised linear models to calculate risk ratios and risk differences adjusted for maternal age, race, marital status, parity, education, smoking, income and insurance payer for the birth. We also stratified analyses by variables related to socioeconomic status to see whether associations differed across socioeconomic strata.

Results

Moving in the first trimester was associated with an increased risk of low birth weight (6.4% vs 4.5%, adjusted risk ratio 1.37 (95% CI 1.29 to 1.45)) and preterm birth (9.1% vs 6.4%, adjusted risk ratio 1.42 (95% CI 1.36 to 1.49)) and a slight increased risk of small for gestational age (9.8% vs 8.7%, adjusted risk ratio 1.09 (95% CI 1.00 to 1.09)). Residence change was associated with low birth weight and preterm birth in all socioeconomic strata.

Conclusion

Moving during the first trimester of pregnancy may be a risk factor for adverse birth outcomes in US women. Healthcare providers may want to consider screening for plans to move and offering support.
Impact of the combined presence of erosions and ACPA on rheumatoid arthritis disease activity over time: results from the METEOR registry
Authors: Bergstra Sytske Anne , Couto Maura C , Govind Nimmisha , Chopra Arvind , Salomon Escoto Karen , Murphy Elizabeth , Huizinga Tom WJ , Allaart Cornelia F
Published: July 2019

Objective

To investigate associations between baseline presence of erosions and/or anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) on functional ability, disease activity and treatment survival over time.

Methods

Real life data from newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis patients were identified in the international METEOR registry. Patients were grouped according to presence/absence of ACPA and/or erosions at baseline. Associations between the presence of ACPA and/or erosions (four groups) with the change of Disease Activity Score (DAS) and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) over time were assessed using linear mixed models during maximum 6 or maximum 12 months from baseline. Treatment survival was assessed using multiple failure-times Cox regression.

Results

Data were included from 701 ACPA‒/erosions‒, 334 ACPA‒/erosions+, 1585 ACPA+/erosions‒ and 1993 ACPA+/erosions+ patients. We found statistically significant differences in DAS and HAQ change over time between the four groups, both after maximum follow-up durations of 6 and of 12 months, but after stratification differences proved small and not clinically meaningful. Patients in the ACPA‒/erosions‒ group were less likely to switch treatment compared with the ACPA+/erosions‒ reference group (p<0.001). The other two ACPA/erosions groups did not differ from the reference group.

Conclusions

In this analysis of worldwide real life data, we found statistically significant, but clinically irrelevant differences in treatment response to initial disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug therapies as measured by DAS and HAQ in ACPA‒/erosions‒, ACPA‒/erosions+, ACPA+/erosions‒ and ACPA+/erosions+ rheumatoid arthritis patients. However, after maximum follow-up durations of 6 and 12 months all groups had a similar response to initial treatment, but with a lower likelihood to switch treatment for ACPA‒/erosions‒ patients during the first year of follow-up.
Blueberry extract attenuates doxorubicin-induced damage in H9c2 cardiac cells
Authors: Sun Yue , Nemec-Bakk Ashley S. , Mallik Azim U. , Bagchi Ashim K. , Singal Pawan K. , Khaper Neelam
Published: July 2019

The objective of this study was to analyze the cardioprotective roles of 3 wild blueberry genotypes and one commercial blueberry genotype by measuring markers of oxidative stress and cell death in H9c2 cardiac cells exposed to doxorubicin. Ripe berries of the 3 wild blueberry genotypes were collected from a 10-year-old clearcut forest near Nipigon, Ontario, Canada (49°1′39″N, 87°52′21″W), whereas the commercial blueberries were purchased from a local grocery store. H9c2 cardiac cells were incubated with 15 μg gallic acid equivalent/mL blueberry extract for 4 h followed by 5 μM doxorubicin for 4 h, and oxidative stress and active caspase 3/7 were analyzed. The surface area as well as total phenolic content was significantly higher in all 3 wild blueberry genotypes compared with the commercial species. Increase in oxidative stress due to doxorubicin exposure was attenuated by pre-treatment with all 3 types of wild blueberries but not by commercial berries. Furthermore, increase in caspase 3/7 activity was also attenuated by all 3 wild genotypes as well. These data demonstrate that wild blueberry extracts can attenuate doxorubicin-induced damage to H9c2 cardiomyocytes through reduction in oxidative stress and apoptosis, whereas the commercial blueberry had little effect.
Evaluation of 3-day azithromycin or 5-day cefaclor in comparison with 10-day amoxicillin for treatment of tonsillitis in children
Authors: Li Peng , Jiang Genqin , Shen Xiaofei
Published: July 2019

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of azithromycin, cefaclor, and amoxicillin in treatment of pediatric tonsillitis, a total of 256 children with Group A β-hemolytic streptococcus (GAS) tonsillitis were randomly divided into 3 groups. Only patients assessed with streptococcus-positive tonsillitis, considered to be compliant with treatment and complete clinical and microbiological evaluations at the end of therapy (day 14) and follow-up (day 30) were included in the efficacy analysis. Our study demonstrated that 96.4% of patients in the azithromycin group, 92.4% of patients in the cefaclor group, and 91.0% of patients in the amoxicillin group were recorded as clinical success at the end of therapy. Bacteriological eradication rates of the 3 groups at the end of therapy were 94.0%, 89.9%, and 88.5%, respectively. A pathogen recurrence rate was evaluated as 2.6%, 7.0%, and 5.9% at the follow-up. Treatment-stimulated adverse events occurred in 2.4% of patients in the azithromycin group, 11.3% in the cefaclor group, and 11.4% in the amoxicillin group. In summary, azithromycin showed an effective tendency for the treatment of pediatric tonsillitis with lower occurrence rate of adverse reactions, although there is no statistical significance for the clinical and bacteriological eradication efficacy between these 3 groups.
Entropy of higher-dimensional topological dS black holes with nonlinear source
Authors: Zhang Yang , Zhang Li-Chun , Zhao Ren
Published: July 2019

On the basis of the first law of black hole thermodynamics, we propose the concept of effective temperature of de Sitter (dS) black holes and conjecture that the effective temperature should be the temperature of the dS black holes when the Hawking radiation temperatures of the black hole horizon and the cosmological horizon are equal. Choosing different independent variables, we can find a differential equation satisfied by the entropy of the dS black hole. It is shown that the differential equation of entropy is independent of the choice of independent variables. From the differential equation, we get the entropy of dS black hole and other effective thermodynamic quantities. We also discuss the influence of several parameters on the effective thermodynamic quantities.
Ti-doped MgO thin film by magnetron sputtering for cesium frequency standard
Authors: Cui Naiyuan , Wang Fei , Guo Lei
Published: July 2019

The main component of magnetically selected cesium frequency standard is electron multiplier. Its working principle is to magnify cesium beam signal by emitting secondary electron through surface of material. Magnesium oxide (MgO) has been adopted due to its excellent capability to emit secondary electron. There are many ways to prepare MgO thin film, including evaporation, pulsed laser deposition and MOCVD. It has been studied that doping can be used to enhance its emission capability and decrease its working potential of the thin film. In this paper, Ti-doped MgO thin films were deposited by magnetron sputtering method. Titanium metal and MgO ceramic were co-sputtered in oxygen containing argon ambient with DC and RF power source, respectively. XRD results show that the deposited film has the texture of (100) and (110) orientation. The ratio of Ti/Mg were consistent in XPS and EDS. SEM and AFM show that the film is polycrystalline. Electron multiplier device was assembled, and the secondary electron emission coefficient of the Ti-doped MgO film is greater than that of the undoped one, especially 36% higher at low primary electron energy of 200 eV which is meaningful to cesium atomic frequency standard.
Recycling of heterogeneous material in the subduction factory: evidence from the sedimentary mélange of the Internal Ligurian Units, Italy
Authors: Meneghini Francesca , Pandolfi Luca , Marroni Michele
Published: July 2019

In the Northern Apennine (Italy), the Internal Ligurian Units consist of Middle–Late Jurassic ophiolites covered by thick sedimentary deposits whose top is represented by the Early Paleocene Bocco Shale. This formation is characterized by mass-transport deposits interlayered with thin-bedded siliciclastic turbidites. The sedimentological and structural features of these mass-transport deposits reveal a long-lived history of recycling of heterogeneous material in a subduction setting. This history started with the frontal accretion of a fragment of oceanic crust into an accretionary prism whose lower slope was subsequently affected by tectonic erosion and consequent instability, leading to the production of mass-transport deposits and the transfer of material to the lower plate. These mass-transport deposits were subsequently underthrust and then again transferred to the base of the accretionary prism by coherent underplating, before their exhumation to the surface. The Bocco Shale is thus representative of a subduction setting where both accretionary and erosive events occurred, depending on changing boundary conditions. The reconstructed history for the Bocco Shale indicates that the sedimentary and gravitational processes both at the prism front and on the prism slope, possibly induced by alternating accretion and erosion events, are the most efficient mechanisms of lithological mixing and recycling in subduction margins.
Post-oil-migration structural deformation: a possible mechanism for the genesis of the tilted oil–water contact of the Mumbai High Oilfield, India
Authors: Kanyan Lawrence
Published: July 2019

The presence of a complicated, variable-depth oil–water contact (OWC) in the Early Miocene L-III carbonate reservoir of the Mumbai High Oilfield has been well established. The OWC dips towards the SW along a curved profile, but the gas–oil contact (GOC) is flat. Very little is known about the possible mechanisms that could have produced this complex fluid contact. In the absence of a horizontal pressure gradient, gravity should produce a flat OWC. In many fields around the world, where non-flat fluid contacts are observed, the contacts could be described as segmented, tilted or curved OWCs. Commonly believed mechanisms which produce such types of contacts are: fault compartmentalization, hydrodynamic flow, ongoing charge; and reservoir property variation. All these mechanisms fail to explain the tilted OWC of the Mumbai High. This paper proposes that another mechanism – structural adjustments after the migration of hydrocarbons into the palaeotrap – might have resulted in tilting or curving of the originally flat OWC of the Mumbai High. Such a phenomenon is likely to be observed in oil-wet low-permeability carbonate reservoirs. Imbibition-related hysteresis combined with diagenesis-induced property degradation in the water leg are the possible mechanisms that can prevent the OWC from equilibrating even after cessation of structural evolution.
SMCHD1 terminates the first embryonic genome activation event in mouse two-cell embryos and contributes to a transcriptionally repressive state
Authors: Ruebel Meghan L. , Vincent Kailey A. , Schall Peter Z. , Wang Kai , Latham Keith E.
Published: July 2019

Embryonic genome activation (EGA) in mammals begins with transient expression of a large group of genes (EGA1). Importantly, entry into and exit from the 2C/EGA state is essential for viability. Dux family member genes play an integral role in EGA1 by activating other EGA marker genes such as Zscan4 family members. We previously reported that structural maintenance of chromosomes flexible hinge domain-containing protein 1 ( Smchd1) is expressed at the mRNA and protein levels in mouse oocytes and early embryos and that elimination of Smchd1 expression inhibits inner cell mass formation, blastocyst formation and hatching, and term development. We extend these observations here by showing that siRNA knockdown of Smchd1 in zygotes results in overexpression of Dux and Zscan4 in two-cell embryos, with continued overexpression of Dux at least through the eight-cell stage as well as prolonged expression of Zscan4. These results are consistent with a role for SMCHD1 in promoting exit from the EGA1 state and establishing SMCHD1 as a maternal effect gene and the first chromatin regulatory factor identified with this role. Additionally, bioinformatics analysis reveals that SMCHD1 also contributes to the creation of a transcriptionally repressive state to allow correct gene regulation.
Blocking the transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 does not reduce the exercise pressor reflex in healthy rats
Authors: Ducrocq Guillaume P. , Estrada Juan A. , Kim Joyce S. , Kaufman Marc P.
Published: July 2019

Controversy exists regarding the role played by transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1) in evoking the exercise pressor reflex. Here, we determine the role played by TRPV1 in evoking this reflex while assessing possible confounding factors arising from TRPV1 antagonists or from the vehicle in which they were dissolved. The exercise pressor reflex was evoked in decerebrated, anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats by electrical stimulation of the tibial nerve to contract the triceps surae muscles statically. This procedure was repeated before and after injection of the TRPV1 blockers: capsazepine (100 μg/100 μL), ruthenium red (100 μg/100 μL), or iodoresiniferatoxin (IRTX; 1 μg/100 μL). We found that capsazepine decreased the exercise pressor reflex when the drug was dissolved in DMSO (−10 ± 9 mmHg; P = 0.015; n = 7). However, similar reduction was found when DMSO alone was injected (−8 ± 5 mmHg; P = 0.023; n = 5). Capsazepine, dissolved in ethanol (2 ± 6 mmHg; P = 0.49; n = 7), ruthenium red (−4 ± 12 mmHg; P = 0.41; n = 7), or IRTX (4 ± 18 mmHg; P = 0.56; n = 7), did not significantly decrease the exercise pressor reflex. In addition, we found that capsazepine and ruthenium red had “off-target” effects. Capsazepine decreased the pressor response evoked by intra-arterial injection of bradykinin (500 ng/kg; −12 ± 13 mmHg; P = 0.028; n = 9) and α-β-methylene ATP (10 μg/kg; −7 ± 8 mmHg; P = 0.019; n = 10), whereas ruthenium red decreased the ability of the muscle to produce and sustain force (−99 ± 83 g; P = 0.020; n = 7). Our data therefore suggest that TRPV1 does not play a role in evoking the exercise pressor reflex. Additionally, given their strong off-target effects, capsazepine and ruthenium red should not be used for studying the role played by TRPV1 in evoking the exercise pressor reflex.
Cellular cholesterol modifies flow-mediated gene expression
Authors: Repetti Robert L. , Meth Jennifer , Sonubi Oluwatoni , Flores Daniel , Satlin Lisa M. , Rohatgi Rajeev
Published: July 2019

Downregulation of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2), and nitric oxide synthase-2 (NOS2) in the kidneys of Dahl rodents causes salt sensitivity, while restoring their expression aids in Na+ excretion and blood pressure reduction. Loading cholesterol into collecting duct (CD) cells represses fluid shear stress (FSS)-mediated COX2 activity. Thus, we hypothesized that cholesterol represses flow-responsive genes necessary to effectuate Na+ excretion. To this end, CD cells were used to test whether FSS induces these genes and if cholesterol loading represses them. Mice fed either 0% or 1% cholesterol diet were injected with saline, urine volume and electrolytes were measured, and renal gene expression determined. FSS-exposed CD cells demonstrated increases in HO-1 mRNA by 350-fold, COX2 by 25-fold, and NOS2 by 8-fold in sheared cells compared with static cells ( P < 0.01). Immunoblot analysis of sheared cells showed increases in HO-1, COX2, and NOS2 protein, whereas conditioned media contained more HO-1 and PGE2 than static cells. Cholesterol loading repressed the sheared mediated protein abundance of HO-1 and NOS2 as well as HO-1 and PGE2 concentrations in media. In cholesterol-fed mice, urine volume was less at 6 h after injection of isotonic saline ( P < 0.05). Urinary Na+ concentration, urinary K+ concentration, and osmolality were greater, whereas Na+ excretion was less, at the 6-h urine collection time point in cholesterol-fed versus control mice ( P < 0.05). Renal cortical and medullary HO-1 ( P < 0.05) and NOS2 ( P < 0.05) mRNA were repressed in cholesterol-fed compared with control mice. Cholesterol acts to repress flow induced natriuretic gene expression, and this effect, in vivo, may contribute to renal Na+ avidity.
Perivascular CD73+cells attenuate inflammation and interstitial fibrosis in the kidney microenvironment
Authors: Perry Heather M. , Görldt Nicole , Sung Sun-sang J. , Huang Liping , Rudnicka Kinga P. , Encarnacion Iain M. , Bajwa Amandeep , Tanaka Shinji , Poudel Nabin , Yao Junlan , Rosin Diane L. , Schrader Jürgen , Okusa Mark D.
Published: July 2019

Progressive tubulointerstitial fibrosis may occur after acute kidney injury due to persistent inflammation. Purinergic signaling by 5′-ectonucleotidase, CD73, an enzyme that converts AMP to adenosine on the extracellular surface, can suppress inflammation. The role of CD73 in progressive kidney fibrosis has not been elucidated. We evaluated the effect of deletion of CD73 from kidney perivascular cells (including pericytes and/or fibroblasts of the Foxd1+lineage) on fibrosis. Perivascular cell expression of CD73 was necessary to suppress inflammation and prevent kidney fibrosis in Foxd1CreCD73fl/flmice evaluated 14 days after unilateral ischemia-reperfusion injury or folic acid treatment (250 mg/kg). Kidneys of Foxd1CreCD73fl/flmice had greater collagen deposition, expression of proinflammatory markers (including various macrophage markers), and platelet-derived growth factor recepetor-β immunoreactivity than CD73fl/flmice. Kidney dysfunction and fibrosis were rescued by administration of soluble CD73 or by macrophage deletion. Isolated CD73−/−kidney pericytes displayed an activated phenotype (increased proliferation and α-smooth muscle actin mRNA expression) compared with wild-type controls. In conclusion, CD73 in perivascular cells may act to suppress myofibroblast transformation and influence macrophages to promote a wound healing response. These results suggest that the purinergic signaling pathway in the kidney interstitial microenvironment orchestrates perivascular cells and macrophages to suppress inflammation and prevent progressive fibrosis.
Targeted renal knockdown of Na+/H+exchanger regulatory factorSip1produces uric acid nephrolithiasis inDrosophila
Authors: Ghimire Saurav , Terhzaz Selim , Cabrero Pablo , Romero Michael F. , Davies Shireen A. , Dow Julian A. T.
Published: July 2019

Nephrolithiasis is one of the most common kidney diseases, with poorly understood pathophysiology, but experimental study has been hindered by lack of experimentally tractable models. Drosophila melanogaster is a useful model organism for renal diseases because of genetic and functional similarities of Malpighian (renal) tubules with the human kidney. Here, we demonstrated function of the sex-determining region Y protein-interacting protein-1 ( Sip1) gene, an ortholog of human Na+/H+exchanger regulatory factor ( NHERF1), in Drosophila Malpighian tubules and its impact on nephrolithiasis. Abundant birefringent calculi were observed in Sip1 mutant flies, and the phenotype was also observed in renal stellate cell-specific RNA interference Sip1 knockdown in otherwise normal flies, confirming a renal etiology. This phenotype was abolished in rosy mutant flies (which model human xanthinuria) and by the xanthine oxidase inhibitor allopurinol, suggesting that the calculi were of uric acid. This was confirmed by direct biochemical assay for urate. Stones rapidly dissolved when the tubule was bathed in alkaline media, suggesting that Sip1 knockdown was acidifying the tubule. SIP1 was shown to collocate with Na+/H+exchanger isoform 2 (NHE2) and with moesin in stellate cells. Knockdown of NHE2 specifically to the stellate cells also increased renal uric acid stone formation, and so a model was developed in which SIP1 normally regulates NHE2 activity and luminal pH, ultimately leading to uric acid stone formation. Drosophila renal tubules may thus offer a useful model for urate nephrolithiasis.