bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reliability and quantification of gastrocnemius elasticity at relaxing and at submaximal contracted condition
Authors: Jeon Minsoo , Youn Kyojun , Yang Shinseung
Published: July 2018

Aims: To investigate the feasibility of quantitative analysis of muscle stiffness by Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) imaging, to obtain the reference values at relaxing and contraction position of gastrocnemius medialis (GCM) and to evaluate the inter-observer and intra-observer reliabilities of shear wave velocities measurements in healthy skeletal muscles.Material and methods: The stiffness of the left GCM muscle of 15 healthy volunteers was measured by ARFI elastography in transverse scan while the ankle was in the relaxed position and in 30 degrees of plantar flexion with the submaximal isometric contraction. All subjects were examined by two experienced physiatrists with four years of experience. Reliability of ARFI measurements was assessed by means of the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Interobserver and intra-observer reliabilities were statistically analyzed.Results: The mean shear wave velocity (SWV) of GCM at plantar flexion position with submaximal isometric contraction was significantly higher than that at relaxed position (first physiatrists: plantar flexion with submaximal isometric contraction 2.41±1.09 m/s, relaxed 0.84±0.28 m/s, second physiatrist: plantar flexion with submaximal isometric contraction 2.49±0.94m/s, relaxed 0.83±0.21), p<0.05. The inter-observer reliability was excellent for ankle-plantar flexion with submaximal isometric contraction (ICC=0.968), and good for relaxed position (ICC=0.891) respectively. The intra-observer reliability for ankle-plantar flexion with submaximal isometric contraction were excellent (ICC: first physiatrist 0.98 and second physiatrist 0.96) and that for relaxed position (ICC: first physiatrist 0.98 and second physiatrist 0.90) were also excellent. There was no significant correlation between SWV and body mass index.Conclusions: ARFI elastography is a reliable imaging modality for quantifying the stiffness of contracting muscles. Additionally, the characterization of pathological soft tissues by ARFI elastography would be a promising clinical practice for patients with musculoskeletal issues.
Resource Letter GECC-1: The Greenhouse Effect and Climate Change: Earth's Natural Greenhouse Effect
Authors: Schwartz Stephen E.
Published: July 2018

Earth's greenhouse effect is manifested as the difference between thermal infrared radiation emitted at the Earth surface and that emitted to space at the top of the atmosphere. This difference, which is due mainly to absorption and downward emission of radiant energy by atmospheric trace gases, results in global mean surface temperature about 32 K greater than what it would otherwise be for the same planetary absorption of solar radiation, and is thus of enormous importance to Earth's climate. This Resource Letter introduces the physics of the greenhouse effect and more broadly of Earth's climate system and provides resources for further study. A companion Resource Letter (GECC-2), planned for the following issue, examines the increase in the greenhouse effect due to human activities over the past 200 years and its consequences for Earth's climate system.
Echidnas don't suck—but their ancestors did
Authors: Vogel Gretchen
Published: July 2018

Anatomy of fossil and modern creatures offers new view of how mammals evolved their iconic adaptation: suckling.
‘Frightening’ typhoid fever outbreak spreads in Pakistan
Authors: Cohen Jon
Published: July 2018

Extensively resistant bacterium resists standard antibiotics, leaving only expensive intravenous treatments.
Meat consumption, health, and the environment
Authors: Godfray H. Charles J. , Aveyard Paul , Garnett Tara , Hall Jim W. , Key Timothy J. , Lorimer Jamie , Pierrehumbert Ray T. , Scarborough Peter , Springmann Marco , Jebb Susan A.
Published: July 2018

The future of meat

Meat consumption is rising annually as human populations grow and affluence increases. Godfray
et al.
review this trend, which has major negative consequences for land and water use and environmental change. Although meat is a concentrated source of nutrients for low-income families, it also enhances the risks of chronic ill health, such as from colorectal cancer and cardiovascular disease. Changing meat consumption habits is a challenge that requires identifying the complex social factors associated with meat eating and developing policies for effective interventions.

Science
, this issue p.
eaam5324
Cavity-mediated collective spin-exchange interactions in a strontium superradiant laser
Authors: Norcia Matthew A. , Lewis-Swan Robert J. , Cline Julia R. K. , Zhu Bihui , Rey Ana M. , Thompson James K.
Published: July 2018

An atom-coupling cavity

Ensembles of atoms have emerged as powerful simulators of many-body dynamics. Engineering controllable interactions between the atoms is crucial, be it direct or through a mediator. Norcia
et al.
developed a flexible alternative to existing atomic simulators in a system consisting of strontium atoms placed in an optical cavity. Two atomic states connected by a clock transition each served as an effective spin, with long-range spin-exchange interactions mediated by the cavity photons. With improvements, the setup is expected to be amenable to simulating nonequilibrium quantum dynamics and to have applications in metrology.

Science
, this issue p.
259
Large-scale ocean deoxygenation during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum
Authors: Yao Weiqi , Paytan Adina , Wortmann Ulrich G.
Published: July 2018

Fishin' gone?

Because gas solubility decreases as temperatures increase, global warming is likely to cause oxygen loss from the oceans. This could have a detrimental impact on fish populations, the fishing industry, and global food availability. Have such impacts occurred before? Yao
et al.
report sulfur isotopic data from the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, an interval around 55 million years ago when atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations and global temperatures were also high. They found widespread anoxia and resulting high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide, which is toxic to marine organisms. Similar effects could have severe negative effects on ocean ecosystems.

Science
, this issue p.
804
A molecular mechanism for Wnt ligand-specific signaling
Authors: Eubelen Marie , Bostaille Naguissa , Cabochette Pauline , Gauquier Anne , Tebabi Patricia , Dumitru Andra C. , Koehler Melanie , Gut Philipp , Alsteens David , Stainier Didier Y. R. , Garcia-Pino Abel , Vanhollebeke Benoit
Published: July 2018

How Wnt ligands achieve specificity

Wnt signaling is essential for development, tissue homeostasis, and disease. The 19 members of the Wnt family interact promiscuously with the 10 Frizzled receptors, raising the question of how ligand-specific discrimination is achieved in a biological context. Eubelen
et al.
used experiments in zebrafish to show that cells are equipped with decoding modules that bind Wnt with high specificity and trigger signal amplification via their recruitment into higher-order Frizzled signalosomes (see the Perspective by Kim and Goentoro). Thus, distinct Wnt ligand-receptor pairs can be targeted specifically for therapeutic purposes.

Science
, this issue p.
eaat1178
; see also p.
643
Regulate to reduce chemical mixture risk
Authors: Kortenkamp Andreas , Faust Michael
Published: July 2018

Regulatory systems must better provide for risks from exposure to multiple chemicals
Optical skyrmion lattice in evanescent electromagnetic fields
Authors: Tsesses S. , Ostrovsky E. , Cohen K. , Gjonaj B. , Lindner N. H. , Bartal G.
Published: July 2018

Generating a lattice of optical skyrmions

The topological properties of systems can be robust to defects and imperfections. Skyrmions are one such topological entity, which resemble “hedgehog-like” structures. Tsesses
et al.
controlled the interference of plasmon polaritons on a patterned metallic surface to generate a lattice of optical skyrmions. Such control could potentially optically mimic complex condensed matter systems or help in the development of robust optical communications and circuits.

Science
, this issue p.
993
Isolation of Previously Uncultured Slow-Growing Bacteria by Using a Simple Modification in the Preparation of Agar Media
Authors: Kato Souichiro , Yamagishi Ayasa , Daimon Serina , Kawasaki Kosei , Tamaki Hideyuki , Kitagawa Wataru , Abe Ayumi , Tanaka Michiko , Sone Teruo , Asano Kozo , Kamagata Yoichi
Published: July 2018

Most microbial species inhabiting natural environments have not yet been isolated. One of the serious issues preventing their isolation is intrinsically slow and/or poor growth. Moreover, these slow and/or poor growers are likely to be highly sensitive to environmental stresses, especially oxidative stress. We reported previously that interaction between agar and phosphate during autoclave sterilization generates hydrogen peroxide, which adversely affects the culturability of environmental microorganisms, in particular, slow-growing organisms vulnerable to oxidative stress. In this study, we successfully isolated many slow-growing bacterial strains with phylogenetic novelty by simply modifying their cultivation on agar plates, i.e., autoclaving the phosphate and agar separately. The current limited repertoire of culture techniques still has room for improvement in the isolation of microorganisms previously considered unculturable.
Birth weight for gestational age and the risk of asthma in childhood and adolescence: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Carter Jillian H , Woolcott Christy G , Liu Lihui , Kuhle Stefan
Published: July 2018

Objective

To examine the association between birth weight for gestational age and asthma in childhood and adolescence while controlling for potential confounders and considering smoking as an effect modifier.

Methods

A retrospective cohort of all singleton term births in Nova Scotia, Canada, between 1989 and 1993 was identified in the provincial perinatal database and followed through 2014 by linking with administrative health data. The outcome, asthma, was defined as having one hospitalisation or two physician visits with an International Classification of Diseases code for asthma in a 2-year period. Birth weight was categorised as small (SGA), large (LGA) or appropriate (AGA) for gestational age. Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the association between the birth weight for gestational age and asthma and to test for effect modification by maternal smoking in pregnancy.

Results

Of the 40 724 cohort children, 10.5% and 11.7% were born SGA and LGA, respectively, and the risk of developing asthma to age 18 years was 30.2%. The adjusted HRs for SGA and LGA (relative to AGA) and asthma were 1.07 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.14) and 0.96 (95% CI 0.91 to 1.02), respectively. Relative to AGA children born to non-smoking mothers, SGA children were not at increased risk of asthma (HR 1.02), whereas both AGA and SGA children born to smoking mothers were at significantly increased risk (HR 1.14 and 1.29, respectively).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that SGA in term infants is not associated with asthma in childhood in the absence of smoking in pregnancy.
Secondhand smoke exposure during pregnancy: a cross-sectional analysis of data from Demographic and Health Survey from 30 low-income and middle-income countries
Authors: Reece Sian , Morgan Camille , Parascandola Mark , Siddiqi Kamran
Published: July 2018

Background

Secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure during pregnancy increases the risk of infant stillbirth, congenital malformations, low birth weight and respiratory illnesses. However, little is known about the extent of SHS exposure during pregnancy. We assessed the prevalence of SHS exposure in pregnant women in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Methods

We used Demographic and Health Survey data collected between 2008 and 2013 from 30 LMICs. We estimated weighted country-specific prevalence of SHS exposure among 37 427 pregnant women. We accounted for sampling weights, clustering and stratification in the sampling methods. We also explored associations between sociodemographic variables and SHS exposure in pregnant women using pairwise multinomial regression model.

Findings

The prevalence of daily SHS exposure during pregnancy ranged from 6% (95% CI 5% to 7%) (Nigeria) to 73% (95% CI 62% to 81%) (Armenia) and was greater than active tobacco use in pregnancy across all countries studied. Being wealthier, maternal employment, higher education and urban households were associated with lower SHS exposure in full regression models. SHS exposure in pregnant women closely mirrors WHO Global Adult Tobacco Survey male active smoking patterns. Daily SHS exposure accounted for a greater population attributable fraction of stillbirths than active smoking, ranging from 1% of stillbirths (Nigeria) to 14% (Indonesia).

Interpretation

We have demonstrated that SHS exposure during pregnancy is far more common than active smoking in LMICs, accounting for more stillbirths than active smoking. Protecting pregnant women from SHS exposure should be a key strategy to improve maternal and child health.
Effects of fabric structure on the formability characteristics of thermoplastic composites under various process conditions
Authors: Suresh Sugumar , Senthil Kumar Velukkudi Santhanam
Published: July 2018

Thermoplastic composites are broadly utilized for structural and automotive applications due to their higher specific strength and modulus, higher strain to failure, recyclability, and unlimited shelf life. This study investigates the effects of fabric structure on the forming behaviour of glass fabric reinforced polypropylene composites during the sheet forming of a doubly curved shape. Stamp forming, a novel thermoforming technique, is mostly used for hemispherical forming of thermoplastic composites. The study also investigates the influence of process parameters such as die temperature, blank temperature, and blank holder force on sheet formability. Forming ratio, thickness distribution, material draw-in, and punch force were used for the evaluation of the formability of composites. Conventional and novel plain weave glass fabric reinforced polypropylene composite laminates were fabricated using the film stacking technique. Thermo-stamp forming experiments were conducted on the basis of the Taguchi’s L9 orthogonal array. Experimental results revealed better forming characteristics by the novel glass fabric reinforced composite than for the conventional glass fabric reinforced composite. Production of defect-free components under high die temperature, low blank holder force, and medium blank temperature process condition was observed.
Impurity induced renormalized phonon spectrum of cuprate superconductors
Authors: Gupta Anushri , Verma Sanjeev K. , Kumari Anita , Indu B. D.
Published: July 2018

The potential problem of anharmonic lattice vibrations in high-temperature superconductors (HTS) using the most suitable Born–Mayer–Huggins (BMH) potential has been taken up to investigate the renormalized phonon density of states (RPDOS). In order to develop the suitable results, the many body theory using quantum dynamical approach of Green’s function (GF) via an almost complete Hamiltonian (without using BCS type Hamiltonian) has been incorporated which includes harmonic electron and phonon Hamiltonian, electron–phonon interaction Hamiltonian, anharmonic and defect Hamiltonian. The derivation of anharmonic phonon GF for modified form of BMH potential enables to evaluate the renormalized and perturbed mode phonon frequencies of solids. The expressions obtained for the RPDOS can be resolved into diagonal and nondiagonal parts of which the nondiagonal part chiefly depends on impurities and disappears in pure crystals. A large number of new features are investigated in the light of this formulation followed by the numerical analysis for the energy spectrum of representative cuprate HTS YBa2Cu3O[Formula: see text]. The inclusion of defects, anharmonicities and electron–phonon interactions in the cuprate superconductors substantially modifies the scenario of RPDOS and reveals a large number of unexplained peaks in the spectrum.
Quench dynamics of edge modes revealed by entanglement spectrum in a dimerized chain with dilute impurities
Authors: Zhang Qiu-Lan
Published: July 2018

We study the evolution of the one-particle entanglement spectrum for the one-dimensional dimerized chain in the presence of impurities. When the system quenches from a topologically nontrivial phase to a trivial phase with disorder, the spectrum features the split of two zero-energy edge modes due to their interaction with impurities. Our observations demonstrate the feasibility of using entanglement spectrum to study the quench dynamics of topological systems.
Solutions of the Yang–Baxter equation associated to skew left braces, with applications to racks
Authors: Bachiller David
Published: July 2018

Given a skew left brace [Formula: see text], a method is given to construct all the non-degenerate set-theoretic solutions [Formula: see text] of the Yang–Baxter equation such that the associated permutation group [Formula: see text] is isomorphic, as a skew left brace, to [Formula: see text]. This method depends entirely on the brace structure of [Formula: see text]. We then adapt this method to show how to construct solutions with additional properties, like square-free, involutive or irretractable solutions. Using this result, it is even possible to recover racks from their permutation group.
Generic Quantum Markov Semigroups with Degenerate Ground States: The Fock Case
Authors: Hachicha Skander , Nasraoui Ikbel
Published: July 2018

We consider quantum Markov semigroups arising from the weak coupling limit of a system with generic Hamiltonian coupled to a boson Fock zero temperature reservoir. We find all the invariant states of a generic quantum Markov semigroup and compute explicitly the limit invariant state explicitly starting from an arbitrary initial state. We also show that convergence is exponentially fast under some natural assumptions.
The semigroup of linear terms
Authors: Phusanga D. , Koppitz J.
Published: July 2018

The set of linear terms, i.e. terms in which each variable occurs at most once, does not form a subsemigroup of the so-called diagonal semigroup. We consider the reduct of the diagonal semigroup to the linear terms, which is not a partial semigroup. We extend the set of linear terms by an expression “[Formula: see text]”, that is formally a linear term, obtaining a semigroup. The algebraic structure of this semigroup will be studied in this paper. We characterize the Green’s relations and the regular elements as well as the idempotent elements. Moreover, we discuss the ideal structure.
Inverse Scattering Based on Proper Solution Space
Authors: Hamad A. , Tadi M.
Published: July 2018

This paper is concerned with an inverse scattering problem in frequency domain, when the scattered field is governed by the Helmholtz equation. The algorithm is iterative in nature. It introduces a new approach which we refer to as proper solution space. It assumes an initial guess for the unknown function and obtains corrections to the guessed value. The updating stage is accomplished by generating a set of functions that satisfy some of the required boundary conditions. We refer to this space as proper solution space. The correction to the assumed value can then be obtained by imposing the remaining boundary conditions. A number of numerical examples are used to study the applicability and effectiveness of the new approach.
Prove it! Inferring Formal Proof Scripts from CafeOBJ Proof Scores
Authors: Riesco Adrián , Ogata Kazuhiro
Published: July 2018

CafeOBJ is a language for writing formal specifications for a wide variety of software and hardware systems and for verifying their properties. CafeOBJ makes it possible to verify properties by using either proof scores, which consists of reducing goal-related terms in user-defined modules, or by using theorem proving. While the former is more flexible, it lacks the formal support to ensure that a property has been really proven. On the other hand, theorem proving might be too strict, since only a predefined set of commands can be applied to the current goal; hence, it hardens the verification of properties.

In order to take advantage of the benefits of both techniques, we have extended CafeInMaude, a CafeOBJ interpreter implemented in Maude, with the CafeInMaude Proof Assistant (CiMPA) and the CafeInMaude Proof Generator (CiMPG). CiMPA is a proof assistant for proving inductive properties on CafeOBJ specifications that uses Maude metalevel features to allow programmers to create and manipulate CiMPA proofs. On the other hand, CiMPG provides a minimal set of annotations for identifying proof scores and generating CiMPA scripts for these proof scores. In this article, we present the CiMPA and CiMPG, detailing the behavior of the CiMPA and the algorithm underlying the CiMPG and illustrating the power of the approach by using the QLOCK protocol. Finally, we present some benchmarks that give us confidence in the matureness and usefulness of these tools.
Limiting feeding to the active phase reduces blood pressure without the necessity of caloric reduction or fat mass loss
Authors: Cote Isabelle , Toklu Hale Z. , Green Sara M. , Morgan Drake , Carter Christy S. , Tümer Nihal , Scarpace Philip J.
Published: July 2018

Reducing body weight has been shown to lower blood pressure in obesity-related hypertension. However, success of those lifestyle interventions is limited due to poor long-term compliance. Emerging evidence indicates that feeding schedule plays a role on the regulation of blood pressure. With two studies, we examined the role of feeding schedule on energy homeostasis and blood pressure. In study 1, rats were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) ad libitum for 24 h (Control) or for 12 h during the dark phase (time-restricted feeding, TRF). In study 2, rats fed a HFD were administered a long-acting α-MSH analog at either light onset [melanotan II (MTII) light] or dark onset (MTII dark) or saline (Control). MTII light animals ate most of their calories during the active phase, similar to the TRF group. In study 1, Control and TRF rats consumed the same amount of food and gained the same amount of weight and fat mass. Interestingly, systolic and mean arterial pressure (MAP) was lower in the TRF group. In study 2, food intake was significantly lower in both MTII groups relative to Control. Although timing of injection affected light versus dark phase food consumption, neither body weight nor fat mass differed between MTII groups. Consistent with study 1, rats consuming their calories during the active phase displayed lower MAP. These data indicate that limiting feeding to the active phase reduces blood pressure without the necessity of reducing calories or fat mass, which could be relevant to obesity-related hypertension.
Remodeling of myelinated fibers and internal capillaries in distal peripheral nerves following aerobic exercise in aged rats
Authors: Sakita Masahiro , Murakami Shinichiro , Fujino Hidemi , Hayashi Satoshi , Kameyama Kazuyoshi , Saito Takafumi , Kumagai Shuzo
Published: July 2018

The aim of this study was to determine whether aerobic exercise (AE) in old age contributes to improving the morphologies of myelinated fibers (MFs) in peripheral nerves as well as capillaries. Furthermore, we investigated whether such processes are associated with complementary activity of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the circulating blood and peripheral nerve tissue. Fourteen male Wistar rats (age: 95 wk) were randomly divided into moderate AE ( n = 8) and sedentary (SED; n = 6) groups. Rats in the AE group performed treadmill running for 1 h per day for 2 wk, following which the bilateral tibial nerves of the two groups were removed to examine MF and capillary structure. Levels of BDNF and VEGF in the serum and peripheral nerves were analyzed via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Myelin thickness, axon diameter, and capillary luminal diameter were significantly larger in the AE group than in the SED group ( P < 0.0001). Levels of serum BDNF and VEGF were significantly lower and higher, respectively, in the AE group than in the SED group ( P < 0.001). Conversely, BDNF and VEGF levels in tibial nerve tissue were significantly higher, respectively, and lower in the AE group than in the SED group ( P < 0.001). In conclusion, our study indicates that regular AE induces enlargement of the capillaries and thickens the myelin in aged peripheral nerves, likely via a complementary process involving BDNF and VEGF.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Accumulating evidence indicates that age-related sarcopenia is accompanied by the degeneration of myelinated fibers (MFs) in peripheral nerves. Our study indicates that regular aerobic exercise contributes to increased thickness of the myelin surrounding MFs and enlargement of the capillaries, likely via a complementary process involving brain-derived neurotrophic factor and vascular endothelial growth factor. Our findings demonstrate that regular, moderate-intensity aerobic exercise may help to prevent and reverse peripheral nerve regression in older adults.
Airway smooth muscle proliferation and inflammation in asthma
Authors: James Alan L. , Noble Peter B. , Drew Su-Ann , Mauad Thais , Bai Tony R. , Abramson Michael J. , McKay Karen O. , Green Francis H. Y. , Elliot John G.
Published: July 2018

In asthma, it is unclear if the airway smooth muscle cells proliferate more or are increased at the onset of asthma and remain stable. This study aimed to compare smooth muscle cell proliferation in individuals with and without asthma and correlate proliferation rates with cell size and number and with granulocytic airway inflammation. Postmortem airway sections were labeled with proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and percent positive muscle cells calculated. On the same sections, smooth muscle cell size and number and the number of eosinophils and neutrophils were estimated and compared in cases of nonfatal ( n = 15) and fatal ( n = 15) asthma and control subjects ( n = 15). The %PCNA+ muscle cells was not significantly different in fatal (29.4 ± 7.7%, mean ± SD), nonfatal asthma (28.6 ± 8.3%), or control subjects (24.6 ± 6.7%) and not related to mean muscle cell size ( r = 0.09), number ( r = 0.36), thickness of the muscle layer ( r = 0.05), or eosinophil numbers ( r = 0.04) in the asthma cases. These data support the hypothesis that in asthma the increased thickness of the smooth muscle layer may be present before or at the onset of asthma and independent of concurrent granulocytic inflammation or exacerbation.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY There is debate regarding the origins of the increased airway smooth muscle in asthma. It may be independent of inflammation or arise as a proliferative response to inflammation. The present study found no increase in the proportion of proliferating smooth muscle cells in asthma and no relation of proliferation to numbers of airway smooth muscle cells or inflammation. These results support a stable increase in smooth muscle in asthma that is independent of airway inflammation.
Cutaneous adrenergic nerve blockade attenuates sweating during incremental exercise in habitually trained men
Authors: Amano Tatsuro , Fujii Naoto , Inoue Yoshimitsu , Kondo Narihiko
Published: July 2018

It remains unknown whether cutaneous adrenergic nerves functionally contribute to sweat production during exercise. This study examined whether cutaneous adrenergic nerve blockade attenuates sweating during incremental exercise, specifically in habitually trained individuals. Accordingly, 10 habitually trained and 10 untrained males (V̇o2max: 56.7 ± 5.4 and 38.9 ± 6.7 ml·kg−1·min−1, respectively; P < 0.001) performed incremental semirecumbent cycling (20 W/min) until exhaustion. Sweat rates (ventilated capsule) were measured at two bilateral forearm skin sites on which either 10 mM bretylium tosylate (BT) (an inhibitor of neurotransmitter release from sympathetic adrenergic nerve terminals) or saline (Control) was transdermally administered via iontophoresis. BT treatment delayed sweating onset in both groups (∼0.66 min; P = 0.001) and suppressed the sweat rate relative to the Control treatment at ≥70% relative total exercise time in trained individuals (each 10% increment; all P ≤ 0.009) but not in untrained counterparts ( P = 0.122, interaction between relative time × treatment). Changes in total sweat production at the BT site relative to the Control site were greater in trained individuals than in untrained counterparts (area under the curve, −0.86 ± 0.67 and −0.22 ± 0.39 mg/cm2, respectively; P = 0.023). In conclusion, we demonstrated that cutaneous adrenergic nerves do modulate sweating during incremental exercise, which appeared to be more apparent in habitually trained men (e.g., ≥70% maximum workload). Although our results indicated that habitual exercise training may augment neural adrenergic sweat production during incremental exercise, additional studies are required to confirm this possibility.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY We demonstrated for the first time that cutaneous adrenergic nerves do modulate sweating during high-intensity exercise in humans (≥70% maximum workload). In addition, neural adrenergic sweating appeared to be greater in habitually trained individuals than in untrained counterparts, although further studies are necessary to confirm such a possibility. Nonetheless, the observations presented herein advance our understanding on human thermoregulation while providing new evidence for the neutral mediation of adrenergic sweating during exercise.
Measurement of force and calcium release using mechanically skinned fibers from mammalian skeletal muscle
Authors: Lamb Graham D. , Stephenson D. George
Published: July 2018

The mechanically skinned (or “peeled”) skeletal muscle fiber technique is a highly versatile procedure that allows controlled examination of each of the steps in the excitation-contraction (EC)-coupling sequence in skeletal muscle fibers, starting with excitation/depolarization of the transverse tubular (T)-system through to Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and finally force development by the contractile apparatus. It can also show the overall response of the whole EC-coupling sequence together, such as in twitch and tetanic force responses. A major advantage over intact muscle fiber preparations is that it is possible to set and rapidly manipulate the “intracellular” conditions, allowing examination of the effects of key variables (e.g., intracellular pH, ATP levels, redox state, etc.) on each individual step in EC coupling. This Cores of Reproducibility in Physiology (CORP) article describes the rationale, procedures, and experimental details of the various ways in which the mechanically skinned fiber technique is used in our laboratory to examine the physiological mechanisms controlling Ca2+ release and contraction in skeletal muscle fibers and the aberrations and dysfunction occurring with exercise and disease.
Optimal electrode position for abdominal functional electrical stimulation
Authors: McCaughey Euan J. , Boswell-Ruys Claire L. , Hudson Anna L. , Gandevia Simon C. , Butler Jane E.
Published: July 2018

Abdominal functional electrical stimulation (abdominal FES) improves respiratory function. Despite this, clinical use remains low, possibly due to lack of agreement on the optimal electrode position. This study aimed to ascertain the optimal electrode position for abdominal FES, assessed by expiratory twitch pressure. Ten able-bodied participants received abdominal FES using electrodes placed: 1) on the posterolateral abdominal wall and at the motor points of 2) the external oblique muscles plus rectus abdominis muscles, and 3) the external obliques alone. Gastric (Pga) and esophageal (Pes) twitch pressures were measured using a gastroesophageal catheter. Single-stimulation pulses were applied at functional residual capacity during step increments in stimulation current to maximal tolerance or until Pgaplateaued. Stimulation applied on the posterolateral abdominal wall led to a 71% and 53% increase in Pgaand Pes, respectively, compared with stimulation of the external oblique and rectus abdominis muscles ( P < 0.001) and a 95% and 56% increase in Pgaand Pes, respectively, compared with stimulation of the external oblique muscles alone ( P < 0.001). Stimulation of both the external oblique and rectus abdominis muscles led to an 18.3% decrease in Pgacompared with stimulation of only the external oblique muscles ( P = 0.040), with inclusion of the rectus abdominis having no effect on Pes( P = 0.809). Abdominal FES applied on the posterolateral abdominal wall generated the highest expiratory twitch pressures. As expiratory pressure is a good indicator of expiratory muscle strength and, thus, cough efficacy, we recommend this electrode position for all therapeutic applications of abdominal FES.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY While abdominal functional electrical stimulation (abdominal FES) can improve respiratory function, clinical use remains low. This is at least partly due to lack of agreement on the optimal electrode position. Therefore, this study aimed to ascertain the optimal electrode position for abdominal FES. We show that electrodes placed on the posterolateral abdominal wall generated the highest expiratory twitch pressures. As such, we recommend this electrode position for all therapeutic applications of abdominal FES.
The Bioavailability and Pharmacokinetics of Silymarin SMEDDS Formulation Study in Healthy Thai Volunteers
Authors: Sornsuvit Chuleegone , Hongwiset Darunee , Yotsawimonwat Songwut , Toonkum Manatchaya , Thongsawat Satawat , Taesotikul Wandee
Published: July 2018

The present study aimed to determine the pharmacokinetic parameters and bioavailability of silymarin 140 mg SMEDDS formulation. An open‐label, single‐dose pharmacokinetic study was conducted. Twelve healthy volunteers were included in the study. After the volunteers had fasted overnight for 10 h, a single‐dose generic silymarin 140 mg SMEDDS soft capsule was administered. Then 10 ml blood samples were taken at 0.0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.0, 1.33, 1.67, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 4.0, 6.0, 8.0, 10.0, and 12.0 h. The plasma silybin concentrations were analyzed using validated LC‐MS/MS. The pharmacokinetic parameters were analyzed and calculated. The pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated after silymarin had been administered as a single capsule. The mean (range) Cmax was 812.43 (259.47–1505.47) ng/ml at 0.80 (0.25–1.67) h (tmax). The mean (range) AUC0-t and AUC0-inf were 658.80 (268.29–1045.01) ng.h/ml and 676.98 (274.10–1050.96) ng.h/ml, respectively. The mean ke and t1/2 were 0.5386 h-1 and 1.91 h, respectively. The silymarin SMEDDS formulation soft capsule showed rapid absorption and high oral bioavailability.
Interactions between and Shared Molecular Mechanisms of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy and Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Type 2 Diabetes Patients
Authors: Shen Hong , Zhao Junrong , Liu Ying , Sun Guangdong
Published: July 2018

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) accounts for about 90% of all diabetes patients and incurs a heavy global public health burden. Up to 50% of T2D patients will eventually develop neuropathy as T2D progresses. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a common diabetic complication and one of the main causes of increased morbidity and mortality of T2D patients. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects over 15% of the general population and is associated with a higher prevalence of T2D. Growing evidence also indicates that OSA is highly prevalent in T2D patients probably due to diabetic peripheral neuropathy. However, the interrelations among diabetic peripheral neuropathy, OSA, and T2D hitherto have not been clearly elucidated. Numerous molecular mechanisms have been documented that underlie diabetic peripheral neuropathy and OSA, including oxidative stress, inflammation, endothelin-1, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), accumulation of advanced glycation end products, protein kinase C (PKC) signaling, poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP), nitrosative stress, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and vitamin D deficiency. In this review, we seek to illuminate the relationships among T2D, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and OSA and how they interact with one another. In addition, we summarize and explain the shared molecular mechanisms involved in diabetic peripheral neuropathy and OSA for further mechanistic investigations and novel therapeutic strategies for attenuating and preventing the development and progression of diabetic peripheral neuropathy and OSA in T2D.
Volatile Oil ofAmomum villosumInhibits Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease via the Gut-Liver Axis
Authors: Lu Shanhong , Zhang Ting , Gu Wen , Yang Xingxin , Lu Jianmei , Zhao Ronghua , Yu Jie
Published: July 2018

Background. The dried mature fruit ofAmomum villosumhas been historically used in China as food and in the auxiliary treatment of digestive system disorders. Numerous studies have shown that gastrointestinal function is closely related to the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease via the “gut-liver” axis.Objective. The present study aimed to explore whether the mechanism underlying the regulation of lipid accumulation in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) may affect related disorders using the active ingredients inA. villosum.Design. Male Sprague-Dawley rats on a high-fat diet (HFD) to induce NAFLD were administered water extract ofA. villosum(WEAV), volatile oil ofA. villosum(VOAV), or bornyl acetate. After treatment, serum and liver total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), free fatty acid (FFA), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were measured. The regulatory role ofA. villosumin the microecology of the intestines was assessed using the V4 region of the 16S rDNA sequencing. The expression of the intestinal tight junction proteins occludin and ZO-1 was also measured. The influence ofA. villosumon TLR4-mediated chronic low-grade inflammation was evaluated based on the concentrations of key proteins of the TLR4/NF-кB signaling pathway.Results. A. villosumeffectively inhibited endogenous lipid synthesis, reduced TG, TC, and FFA accumulation, regulated the expression of LDL-C, and decreased lipid accumulation in liver tissues. VOAV effectively regulated the intestinal microflora, improved chronic low-grade inflammation by promoting ZO-1 and occludin protein expressions, and inhibited the TLR4/NF-кB signaling pathway.Conclusion.The present study provides scientific basis for the potential application ofA. villosumin NAFLD prevention and treatment. Additional chemical constituents other than bornyl acetate also contributed to the preventive effects ofA. villosumon NAFLD.
Epac1 Restores Normal Insulin Signaling through a Reduction in Inflammatory Cytokines
Authors: Curtiss Elizabeth , Jiang Youde , Liu Li , Hawthorne Claire , Zhang Jessica , Steinle Jena J.
Published: July 2018

We have previously reported that Epac1 reduced inflammatory cytokines, which is protective to the diabetic retina. We have also published that impaired insulin signaling occurs in the diabetic retina. A reduction in interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) by Epac1 could potentially restore normal insulin signal transduction. Confocal microscopy was performed to localize the insulin receptor in the retina of Epac1 floxed and endothelial cell-specific Epac1 knockout mice. Whole retinal lysates from Epac1 floxed and endothelial cell-specific Epac1 knockout mice were used to investigate proteins involved in the insulin signaling cascade. Primary human REC were cultured in normal and high glucose followed by Epac1 agonist treatment or transfection with IL-1β or TNFα siRNA for protein analyses of insulin signaling proteins. Decreased expression of the insulin receptor was observed in the Epac1 knockout mouse retinal vasculature compared to floxed littermates. Work in mice showed that loss of Epac1 decreased insulin signaling proteins. Treatment with an Epac1 agonist decreased p38 and JNK signaling and increased insulin signaling, as did inhibition of IL-1β or TNFα using siRNA when added to REC grown in high glucose. Taken together, Epac1 can restore normal insulin signaling in the retinal vasculature through reductions in inflammatory cytokines.
Three‐Dimensional In Situ XCT Characterisation and FE Modelling of Cracking in Concrete
Authors: Ren Wenyuan , Yang Zhenjun , Sharma Rajneesh , McDonald Samuel A. , Mummery Paul M.
Published: July 2018

Three‐dimensional (3D) characterisation and modelling of cracking in concrete have been always of great importance and interest in civil engineering. In this study, an in situ microscale X‐ray computed tomography (XCT) test was carried out to characterise the 3D microscale structure and cracking behaviour under progressive uniaxial compressive loading. The 3D cracking and fracture behaviour including internal crack opening, closing, and bridging were observed through both 2D tomography slices and 3D CT images. Spatial distributions of voids and cracks were obtained to understand the overall cracking process within the specimen. Furthermore, the XCT images of the original configuration of the specimen were processed and used to build microscale realistic 3D finite element (FE) models. Cohesive interface elements were inserted into the FE mesh to capture complicated discrete crack initiation and propagation. An FE simulation of uniaxial compression was conducted and validated by the in situ XCT compression test results, followed by a tension simulation using the same image‐based model to investigate the cracking behaviour. The quantitative agreement between the FE simulation and experiment demonstrates that it is a very promising and effective technique to investigate the internal damage and fracture behaviour in multiphasic composites by combining the in situ micro XCT experiment and image‐based FE modelling.
Poroelasticity and Fluid Flow Modeling for the 2012 Emilia-Romagna Earthquakes: Hints from GPS and InSAR Data
Authors: Nespoli Massimo , Belardinelli Maria Elina , Gualandi Adriano , Serpelloni Enrico , Bonafede Maurizio
Published: July 2018

The Emilia-Romagna seismic sequence in May 2012 was characterized by two mainshocks which were close in time and space. Several authors already modeled the geodetic data in terms of the mechanical interaction of the events in the seismic sequence. Liquefaction has been extensively observed, suggesting an important role of fluids in the sequence. In this work, we focus on the poroelastic effects induced by the two mainshocks. In particular, the target of this work is to model the influence of fluids and pore-pressure changes on surface displacements and on the Coulomb failure function (CFF). The fluid flow and poroelastic modeling was performed in a 3D half-space whose elastic and hydraulic parameters are depth dependent, in accordance with the geology of the Emilia-Romagna subsoil. The model provides both the poroelastic displacements and the pore-pressure changes induced coseismically by the two mainshocks at subsequent periods and their evolution over time. Modeling results are then compared with postseismic InSAR and GPS displacement time series: the InSAR data consist of two SBAS series presented in previous works, while the GPS signal was detected adopting a variational Bayesian independent component analysis (vbICA) method. Thanks to the vbICA, we are able to separate the contribution of afterslip and poroelasticity on the horizontal surface displacements recorded by the GPS stations. The poroelastic GPS component is then compared to the modeled displacements and shown to be mainly due to drainage of the shallowest layers. Our results offer an estimation of the poroelastic effect magnitude that is small but not negligible and mostly confined in the near field of the two mainshocks. We also show that accounting for a 3D fault representation with a nonuniform slip distribution and the elastic-hydraulic layering of the half-space has an important role in the simulation results.
Distinct Changes of BTLA and HVEM Expressions in Circulating CD4+ and CD8+ T Cells in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients
Authors: Liu Jiayu , Li Jiaqian , He Min , Zhang Geng-Lin , Zhao Qiyi
Published: July 2018

BTLA/HVEM (B and T lymphocyte attenuator/herpes virus entry mediator) pathways play a critical role in T cell suppression in tumor. However, its dynamic changes in different T cell subsets in peripheral blood and their clinical significance are largely unclear in cancer patients. In the current study, we showed distinct changes of BTLA and HVEM expressions on peripheral blood CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); BTLA expression were significantly upregulated on circulating CD4+ but not CD8+ T cells. In sharp contrast, the levels of HVEM expression were significantly downregulated on circulating CD8+ but not CD4+ T cells. A strong positive correlation between BTLA expression on circulating CD4+ T cells and BTLA expression on autologous CD8+ counterparts was observed in healthy donors but absent in HCC patients. More importantly, we found that blockade of the BTLA/HVEM pathway increased IFN-γ production in both circulating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Collectively, our data suggested that the BTLA/HVEM pathway contributes to peripheral T cell suppression in HCC patients, and BTLA/HVEM may serve as attractive targets for HCC immunotherapy.
Method of Image Quality Improvement for Atmospheric Turbulence Degradation Sequence Based on Graph Laplacian Filter and Nonrigid Registration
Authors: Wu Jing , Su Xiuqin
Published: July 2018

It is challenging to restore a clear image from an atmospheric degraded sequence. The main reason for the image degradation is geometric distortion and blurring caused by turbulence. In this paper, we present a method to eliminate geometric distortion and blur and to recover a single high-quality image from the degraded sequence images. First, we use optical flow technology to register the sequence images, thereby suppressing the geometric deformation of each frame. Next, sequence images are summed by a temporal filter to obtain a single blurred image. Then, the graph Laplacian matrix is used as the cost function to construct the regularization term. The final clear image and point spread function are obtained by iteratively solving the problem. Experiments show that the method can effectively eliminate the distortion and blur, restore the image details, and significantly improve the image quality.
Emotional and Motivational Pain Processing: Current State of Knowledge and Perspectives in Translational Research
Authors: Becker Susanne , Navratilova Edita , Nees Frauke , Van Damme Stefaan
Published: July 2018

Pain elicits fear and anxiety and promotes escape, avoidance, and adaptive behaviors that are essential for survival. When pain persists, motivational priority and attention shift to pain-related information. Such a shift often results in impaired functionality, leading to maladaptive pain-related fear and anxiety and escape and avoidance behaviors. Neuroimaging studies in chronic pain patients have established that brain activity, especially in cortical and mesolimbic regions, is different from activity observed during acute pain in control subjects. In this review, we discuss the psychophysiological and neuronal factors that may be associated with the transition to chronic pain. We review information from human studies on neural circuits involved in emotional and motivational pain processing and how these circuits are altered in chronic pain conditions. We then highlight findings from animal research that can increase our understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying emotional-motivational pain processing in the brain. Finally, we discuss how translational approaches incorporating results from both human and animal investigations may aid in accelerating the discovery of therapies.