bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cardiac β‐adrenergic responsiveness of obese Zucker rats: The role of AMPK
Authors: Bussey Carol T. , Thaung H. P. Aye , Hughes Gillian , Bahn Andrew , Lamberts Regis R. 
Published: June 2018

New Findings
What is the central question of the study?
Is the reduced signalling of AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK), a key regulator of energy homeostasis in the heart, responsible for the reduced β‐adrenergic responsiveness of the heart in obesity?

What is the main finding and its importance?
Inhibition of AMPK in isolated hearts prevented the reduced cardiac β‐adrenergic responsiveness of obese rats, which was accompanied by reduced phosphorylation of AMPK, a proxy of AMPK activity. This suggests a direct functional link between β‐adrenergic responsiveness and AMPK signalling in the heart, and it suggests that AMPK might be an important target to restore the β‐adrenergic responsiveness in the heart in obesity.

AbstractThe obesity epidemic impacts heavily on cardiovascular health, in part owing to changes in cardiac metabolism. AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a key regulator of energy homeostasis in the heart and is regulated by β‐adrenoceptors (β‐ARs) in normal conditions. In obesity, chronic sympathetic overactivation leads to impaired cardiac β‐AR responsiveness, although it is unclear whether AMPK signalling, downstream of β‐ARs, contributes to this dysfunction. Therefore, we aimed to determine whether reduced AMPK signalling is responsible for the reduced β‐AR responsiveness in obesity. In isolated hearts of lean and obese Zucker rats, we tested β‐AR responsiveness to the β1‐AR agonist isoprenaline (ISO, 1 × 10−10 to 5 × 10−8 m) in the absence and presence of the AMPK inhibitor, compound C (CC, 10 μm). The β1‐AR expression and AMPK phosphorylation were assessed by Western blot. β‐Adrenergic responsiveness was reduced in the hearts of obese rats (logEC50 of ISO‐developed pressure dose–response curves: lean −8.53 ± 0.13 × 10x m versus obese −8.35 ± 0.10 × 10x m
; P < 0.05 lean versus obese, n = 6 per group). This difference was not apparent after AMPK inhibition (logEC50 of ISO‐developed pressure curves: lean CC −8.19 ± 0.12 × 10x m versus obese CC 8.17 ± 0.13 × 10x m, P < 0.05, n = 6 per group). β1‐Adrenergic receptor expression and AMPK phosphorylation were reduced in hearts of obese rats (AMPK at Thr172: lean 1.73 ± 0.17 a.u. versus lean CC 0.81 ± 0.13 a.u., and obese 1.18 ± 0.09 a.u. versus obese CC 0.81 ± 0.16 a.u., P < 0.05, n = 6 per group). Thus, a direct functional link between β‐adrenergic responsiveness and AMPK signalling in the heart exists, and AMPK might be an important target to restore the reduced cardiac β‐adrenergic responsiveness in obesity.
The anatomical pathway from the mesodiencephalic junction to the inferior olive relays perioral sensory signals to the cerebellum in the mouse
Authors: Kubo Reika , Aiba Atsu , Hashimoto Kouichi 
Published: June 2018

Key points
Perioral tactile signals are transmitted via the infraorbital nerve (ION) to trigeminal nuclei. Each cerebellar Purkinje cell (PC) receives this signal as complex spikes (CSs) via a climbing fibre (CF) emerging from the inferior olive (IO).
The anatomical pathway from trigeminal nuclei to the IO is not clearly identified.
In the present study, we examined candidate anatomical pathways for perioral sensory signalling by analysing CSs recorded from PCs in male mice by single unit recording.
CS generation by ION stimulation was inhibited by injection of a GABAA receptor agonist, muscimol, into the contralateral mesodiencephalic junction, which is referred to as the area parafascicularis prerubralis (PfPr). The number of CSs evoked by mechanical whisker stimulation was also decreased by contralateral PfPr inhibition.
These results suggest the existence of a sensory signalling pathway to the IO via the PfPr in mice.
AbstractPerioral tactile signals are transmitted via the infraorbital nerve (ION) to trigeminal nuclei. Each cerebellar Purkinje cell receives this signal as complex spikes (CSs) via a climbing fibre emerging from the inferior olive (IO). However, the anatomical pathway from the trigeminal nuclei to the IO is not clearly identified. In the present study, we recorded CSs from Purkinje cells in male mice by single unit recording, and examined the signal transduction pathway. CSs were evoked by electrical stimulation of the ipsilateral or contralateral ION with a latency of 20–70 ms. CS generation by ipsilateral ION stimulation was inhibited by injection of a GABAA receptor agonist, muscimol, into the contralateral mesodiencephalic junction, ranging from around the fasciculus retroflexus to the interstitial nucleus of Cajal, which is referred to as the area parafascicularis prerubralis (PfPr). CSs evoked by contralateral ION stimulation were also suppressed by muscimol injection into the PfPr, although the effective area was more restricted. Furthermore, CSs evoked by mechanical stimulation around the whisker region were suppressed by PfPr inhibition. We also found that the primary motor cortex plays a role to suppress this signalling pathway. These results indicate the existence of an anatomical pathway for conducting perioral sensory signals to the IO via the PfPr.
Examining Communication as Information Exchange as a Predictor of Task Cohesion in Sport Teams
Authors: McLaren Colin D. , Spink Kevin S. 
Published: June 2018

Past research in sport has identified a relationship between communication as a social property (i.e., acceptance, distinctiveness, positive conflict, and negative conflict) and task cohesion. Operationalizing communication in this manner is viewing the construct through a social lens. Given that forming task-cohesion perceptions also might be linked to how members exchange information, examining the relationship between communication as information exchange and cohesion appears worthwhile. Results from a hierarchical regression (N = 176) revealed that team member communication as both a social property and information exchange positively predicted perceived task cohesion while controlling for team performance (). Relevant to the study purpose, it was found that communication as information exchange not only contributed unique variance to task cohesion after controlling for communication as a social property and team performance, β = 0.32, sr (semipartial correlation) = .24, but also resulted in a reallocation in variance from the previously significant communication social properties predicting task cohesion.
Estimates of Achilles Tendon Moment Arm Length at Different Ankle Joint Angles: Effect of Passive Moment
Authors: Fletcher Jared R. , MacIntosh Brian R. 
Published: June 2018

The length of a muscle’s moment arm can be estimated noninvasively using ultrasound and the tendon excursion method. The main assumption with the tendon excursion method is that the force acting on the tendon during passive rotation is constant. However, passive force changes through the range of motion, and thus moment arm is underestimated. The authors attempted to account for passive force on the measurement of Achilles tendon moment arm using the tendon excursion method in 8 male and female runners. Tendon excursion was measured using ultrasound while the ankle was passively rotated at 0.17 rad·s−1. Moment arm was calculated at 5° intervals as the ratio of tendon displacement to joint rotation from 70° to 115°. Passive moment (MP) was measured using a dynamometer. The displacement attributable to MP was calculated by monitoring tendon displacement during a ramp isometric maximum contraction. MP was 5.7 (2.1) N·m at 70° and decreased exponentially from 70° to 90°. This resulted in MP-corrected moment arms that were significantly larger than uncorrected moment arms at joint angles where MP was present. Furthermore, MP-corrected moment arms did not change with ankle angle, which was not the case for uncorrected moment arms.
Complete Genome Sequence of Lactobacillus reuteri WHH1689, Isolated from Traditional Chinese Highland Barley Wine
Authors: Chen Su , Chen Lin , Chen Lie , Ren Xueliang , Ge Hongjuan , Kang Guokai , Sun Sheng , Chen Zuoguo , Sun Yong , Li Yanjun 
Published: June 2018

ABSTRACT

Here, we report the complete genome sequence of
Lactobacillus reuteri
WHH1689, which was isolated from traditional Chinese highland barley wine in the Tibetan Plateau of China. The genome consists of a circular chromosome (2.04 Mb).
Genome Sequence of Methylotrophic Azospirillum sp. Strain B2, Isolated from a Raised Sphagnum Bog
Authors: Grouzdev Denis S. , Tikhonova Ekaterina N. , Krutkina Maria S. , Kravchenko Irina K. 
Published: June 2018

ABSTRACT

Azospirillum
sp. strain B2 is a soil bacterium which was originally isolated from the Sosvyatskoe raised
Sphagnum
bog in Russia. Here, we present the approximately 8-Mb draft genome sequence of
Azospirillum
sp. B2, with the aim of providing insight into the genomic basis of its ecological success in peatland settings.
Draft Genome Sequence of Rhodococcus opacus Strain 04-OD7, Which Can Mobilize Phosphate
Authors: Zheng Bang-Xiao , Zhang Huang-Kai , Ding Kai 
Published: June 2018

ABSTRACT

Rhodococcus opacus
strain 04-OD7 (=CCTCC AB 2017148) is a Gram-positive bacterium showing inorganic phosphate solubilization capacity for the first time in the genus
Rhodococcus
. We present here the draft genome description of
R. opacus
04-OD7 along with multiple phosphorus (P) mobilization-related genes, supporting its inorganic phosphate solubilization.
Incidence and clinical characteristics of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction
Authors: Sathiamoorthi Saraniya , Frank Ryan D , Mohney Brian G 
Published: June 2018

Background/aimsThe literature on the prevalence and demographics of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO) is 30–70 years old and largely comprises small sample sizes. This study provides epidemiological findings of this common disorder from the largest cohort reported to date.MethodsThe medical records of all children (<5 years of age) residing in Olmsted County, Minnesota, when diagnosed with CNLDO from 1 January 1995 through 31 December 2004, were reviewed.ResultsOf 17 713 newborns born during the 10-year study period, 1998 were diagnosed with CNLDO, yielding a birth prevalence of one in nine live births. The diagnosis was made in approximately 90% by a primary care physician, at a median age of 5 weeks, with no gender predilection. Compared with the reference population, CNLDO was associated with premature birth (p=0.005) and was more prevalent among Caucasians (p<0.001). Two-thirds of patients initially presented with discharge alone, 18% with tearing alone and 15% with both discharge and tearing.ConclusionsIn this large population-based cohort, CNLDO occurred in one in nine live births with no gender predilection. Prematurity and Caucasian race were associated with the development of CNLDO. Mucopurulent discharge was a much more common feature than tearing at initial presentation.
Characteristics and outcomes of adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and atrial fibrillation
Authors: Durheim Michael T , Holmes DaJuanicia N , Blanco Rosalia G , Allen Larry A , Chan Paul S , Freeman James V , Fonarow Gregg C , Go Alan S , Hylek Elaine M , Mahaffey Kenneth W , Pokorney Sean D , Reiffel James A , Singer Daniel E , Peterson Eric D , Piccini Jonathan P 
Published: June 2018

ObjectiveChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with the development of atrial fibrillation (AF), and may complicate treatment of AF. We examined the association between COPD and symptoms, quality of life (QoL), treatment and outcomes among patients with AF.MethodsWe compared patients with and without a diagnosis of COPD in the Outcomes Registry for Better Informed Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation, a prospective registry that enrolled outpatients with AF not secondary to reversible causes, from both academic and community settings.ResultsAmong 9749 patients with AF, 1605 (16%) had COPD. Relative to patients without COPD, those with COPD were more likely to be older, current/former smokers (73% vs 43%), have heart failure (54% vs 29%) and coronary artery disease (49% vs 34%). Oral anticoagulant and beta blocker use were similar, whereas digoxin use was more common among patients with COPD. Symptom burden was generally higher, and QoL worse, among patients with COPD (median Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-Life score 76 vs 83). Patients with COPD had higher risk of all-cause mortality (adjusted HR 1.52 (95% CI 1.32 to 1.74)), cardiovascular mortality (adjusted HR 1.51 (95% CI 1.24 to 1.84)) and cardiovascular hospitalisation (adjusted HR 1.15 (95% CI 1.05 to 1.26)). Patients with COPD also had higher risk of major bleeding events (adjusted HR 1.25 (95% CI 1.05 to 1.50)). There did not appear to be associations between COPD and AF progression, ischaemic events or new-onset heart failure.ConclusionsAmong patients with AF, COPD is associated with higher symptom burden, worse QoL, and worse cardiovascular and bleeding outcomes. These associations were not fully explained by cardiovascular risk factors, AF treatment or smoking history.Clinical registration numberNCT01165710
Work-unit social capital and long-term sickness absence: a prospective cohort study of 32 053 hospital employees
Authors: Török Eszter , Clark Alice Jessie , Jensen Johan Høy , Lange Theis , Bonde Jens Peter , Bjorner Jakob Bue , Rugulies Reiner , Hvidtfeldt Ulla Arthur , Hansen Åse Marie , Ersbøll Annette Kjær , Rod Naja Hulvej 
Published: June 2018

ObjectiveThere is a lack of studies investigating social capital at the workplace level in small and relatively homogeneous work-units. The aim of the study was to investigate whether work-unit social capital predicts a lower risk of individual long-term sickness absence among Danish hospital employees followed prospectively for 1 year.MethodsThis study is based on the Well-being in HospitAL Employees cohort. The study sample consisted of 32 053 individuals nested within 2182 work-units in the Capital Region of Denmark. Work-unit social capital was measured with an eight-item scale covering elements of trust, justice and collaboration between employees and leaders. Social capital at the work-unit level was computed as the aggregated mean of individual-level social capital within each work-unit. Data on long-term sickness absence were retrieved from the employers’ payroll system and were operationalised as ≥29 consecutive days of sickness absence. We used a 12-point difference in social capital as the metric in our analyses and conducted two-level hierarchical logistic regression analysis. Adjustments were made for sex, age, seniority, occupational group and part-time work at the individual level, and work-unit size, the proportion of female employees and the proportion of part-time work at the work-unit level.ResultsThe OR for long-term sickness absence associated with a 12-point higher work-unit social capital was 0.73 (95% CI 0.68 to 0.78). Further, we found an association between higher work-unit social capital and lower long-term sickness absence across quartiles of social capital: compared with the lowest quartile, the OR for long-term sickness absence in the highest quartile was 0.51 (95% CI 0.44 to 0.60).ConclusionOur study provides support for work-unit social capital being a protective factor for individual long-term sickness absence among hospital employees in the Capital Region of Denmark.
Apparent metabolizable energy values ofn-6 andn-3 rich lipid sources for laying hens
Authors: Araujo Robert Guaracy Aparecido Cardoso , do Valle Polycarpo Gustavo , Laurentiz Antonio Carlos , Amaral Victor Hugo Alderenike , Giacomini Polyana Vellone , de Lima Gabrieli Andressa , da Silva Barbosa Barbara Fernanda , Ventura Gabriela , Cruz-Polycarpo Valquíria Cação 
Published: June 2018

The objective of this research was to evaluate the nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn) balance of the following lipid sources: soybean oil, sunflower oil, linseed oil, and fish oil. Two hundred eighty 24-wk-old laying hens of the Hysex White were used. The experimental diets consisted of a basal diet (reference group), basal diet + 10% soybean oil addition (group 1), basal diet + 10% sunflower oil addition (group 2), basal diet + 10% linseed oil addition (group 3), and basal diet + 10% fish oil addition (group 4), distributed in a completely randomized design with seven replicates and eight birds per experimental unit. The metabolic assay was performed by the total excreta collection method. The AMEn values found in the natural material were 9 334 kcal kg−1for soybean oil, 10 533 kcal kg−1for sunflower oil, 10 928 kcal kg−1for linseed oil, and 9 005 kcal kg−1for fish oil. The AMEn were different among the lipid sources. Sunflower oil and linseed oil had higher AMEn compared with soybean oil and fish oil (P < 0.05). The AMEn of the lipid sources of plant origin had higher values than the gross energy. The fatty acid profile of each lipid source was presented in this work. Thus, it is important to have individual nutritional information for each type of oil for laying hens, making it possible to formulate more appropriate and accurate feed.
A New Asymmetric and Cascaded Switched Diode Multilevel Inverter Topology for Reduced Switches, DC Source and Blocked Voltage on Switches
Authors: Ahamed Ibrahim S. A. , Anbalagan P. , Jagabar Sathik M. A. 
Published: June 2018

In this paper, a new asymmetric switched diode (ASD) multilevel inverter is presented for medium-voltage and high-power applications. The proposed converter consists of series connection basic unit with full-bridge inverter. In addition to this, a cascaded switched diode (CSD) structure is recommended to generate the higher number of voltage levels. Seven different algorithms are presented to determine the magnitudes of DC sources in CSD topology. To prove the advantages of proposed multilevel converter over recent multilevel converters in terms of blocking voltage, numbers of IGBTs and on-state switches are presented. To show the authority of the proposed multilevel inverter, it is simulated using MATLAB/Simulink and is experimentally tested using prototype model for 13-level inverter. Finally, various output voltage and current waveforms are shown to prove the dynamic behavior of proposed inverter.
Development of a palaeovalley complex on a Late Ordovician glaciated margin in NW Saudi Arabia
Authors: Tofaif S. , Le Heron D. P. , Melvin J. 
Published: June 2018

Abstract
Late Ordovician glacial deposits are of great importance in North Africa and the Middle East as a result of their significance as reservoirs for hydrocarbons and groundwater. The sedimentary record of this glaciation in NW Saudi Arabia (the Sarah Formation) is generally preserved in meridionally oriented palaeovalleys cut beneath northward-flowing ice sheets. In the Tabuk region of NW Saudi Arabia, an apparently intersecting complex of north–south- and east–west-oriented palaeovalleys occurs in the Alwizam area. Field relationships show two generations of palaeovalley incision, suggesting that the north–south-oriented palaeovalley was cut subglacially, filled, subsequently deformed and then cross-cut by the east–west-oriented palaeovalley. Abundant facetted and striated quartzite clasts occur at the base of each palaeovalley, testifying to a subglacial origin. Detailed examination of the north–south-oriented palaeovalley shows it to be well-defined with symmetrical sides. Its fill is composed of nine lithofacies grouped into four facies associations. About 80% of the fill consists of three sandstone facies: a parallel-bedded massive sandstone, a stacked scoured sandstone and a massive sandstone. Centimetre-scale extensional faults developed in soft sediments are commonly found throughout the stratigraphy, along with a glacially striated surface seen mid-way through the succession. These features provide evidence for direct ice contact, synglacial fill, and consequent reworking, cannibalization and deformation by the fluctuating ice margin.
Stability of hand force production. II. Ascending and descending synergies
Authors: Reschechtko Sasha , Latash Mark L. 
Published: June 2018

We combined the theory of neural control of movement with referent coordinates and the uncontrolled manifold hypothesis to investigate multifinger coordination. We tested hypotheses related to stabilization of performance by covarying control variables, translated into apparent stiffness and referent coordinate, at different levels of an assumed hierarchy of control. Subjects produced an accurate combination of total force and total moment of force with the four fingers under visual feedback on both variables and after feedback was partly or completely removed. The “inverse piano” device was used to estimate control variables. We observed strong synergies in the space of hypothetical control variables that stabilized total force and moment of force, as well as weaker synergies stabilizing individual finger forces; whereas the former were attenuated by alteration of visual feedback, the latter were much less affected. In addition, we investigated the organization of “ascending synergies” stabilizing task-level control variables by covaried adjustments of finger-level control variables. We observed intertrial covariation of individual fingers’ referent coordinates that stabilized hand-level referent coordinate, but we observed no such covariation for apparent stiffness. The observations suggest the existence of both descending and ascending synergies in a hierarchical control system. They confirm a trade-off between synergies at different levels of control and corroborate the hypothesis on specialization of different fingers for the control of force and moment. The results provide strong evidence for the importance of central back-coupling loops in ensuring stability of action.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We expand analysis of action in the space of hypothetical control variables to hierarchically organized multieffector systems. We also introduce the novel concept of ascending synergies, which reflect covariation of control variables to individual effectors (fingers) that stabilize task-specific control variables at a hierarchically higher, task-specific level (hand).
Effects of nidopallium caudolaterale inactivation on serial-order behavior in pigeons (Columba livia)
Authors: Johnston Melissa , Clarkson Andrew N. , Gowing Emma K. , Scarf Damian , Colombo Michael 
Published: June 2018

Serial-order behavior is the ability to complete a sequence of responses in a predetermined order to achieve a reward. In birds, serial-order behavior is thought to be impaired by damage to the nidopallium caudolaterale (NCL). In the current study, we examined the role of the NCL in serial-order behavior by training pigeons on a 4-item serial-order task and a go/no-go discrimination task. Following training, pigeons received infusions of 1 μl of either tetrodotoxin (TTX) or saline. Saline infusions had no impact on serial-order behavior, whereas TTX infusions resulted in a significant decrease in performance. The serial-order impairments, however, were not the result of any specific error at any specific list item. With respect to the go/no-go discrimination task, saline infusions also had no impact on performance, whereas TTX infusions impaired pigeons’ discrimination abilities. Given the impairments on the go/no-go discrimination task, which does not require processing of serial-order information, we tentatively conclude that damage to the NCL does not impair serial-order behavior per se, but rather results in a more generalized impairment that may impact performance across a range of tasks. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We examined the role of the nidopallium caudolaterale (NCL) in serial-order behavior by training pigeons on a 4-item serial-order task and selectively inhibiting the region with TTX. Although TTX infusions did impair serial-order behavior, the pattern of the deficit, plus the fact that TTX also impaired performance on a task without a serial-order component, indicates that inactivation of NCL causes impairments in reward processing or inhibition rather than serial-order behavior.