bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Locomotor-related V3 interneurons initiate and coordinate muscles spasms after spinal cord injury
Authors: Lin Shihao , Li Yaqing , Lucas-Osma Ana M. , Hari Krishnapriya , Stephens Marilee J. , Singla Rahul , Heckman C. J. , Zhang Ying , Fouad Karim , Fenrich Keith K. , Bennett David J. 
Published: January 2019

Spinal cord injury leads to a devastating loss of motor function and yet is accompanied by a paradoxical emergence of muscle spasms, which often involve complex muscle activation patterns across multiple joints, reciprocal muscle timing, and rhythmic clonus. We investigated the hypothesis that spasms are a manifestation of partially recovered function in spinal central pattern-generating (CPG) circuits that normally coordinate complex postural and locomotor functions. We focused on the commissural propriospinal V3 neurons that coordinate interlimb movements during locomotion and examined mice with a chronic spinal transection. When the V3 neurons were optogenetically activated with a light pulse, a complex coordinated pattern of motoneuron activity was evoked with reciprocal, crossed, and intersegmental activity. In these same mice, brief sensory stimulation evoked spasms with a complex pattern of activity very similar to that evoked by light, and the timing of these spasms was readily reset by activation of V3 neurons. Given that V3 neurons receive abundant sensory input, these results suggest that sensory activation of V3 neurons is alone sufficient to generate spasms. Indeed, when we silenced V3 neurons optogenetically, sensory evoked spasms were inhibited. Also, inhibiting general CPG activity by blocking N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors inhibited V3 evoked activity and associated spasms, whereas NMDA application did the opposite. Furthermore, overwhelming the V3 neurons with repeated optogenetic stimulation inhibited subsequent sensory evoked spasms, both in vivo and in vitro. Taken together, these results demonstrate that spasms are generated in part by sensory activation of V3 neurons and associated CPG circuits. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We investigated whether locomotor-related excitatory interneurons (V3) play a role in coordinating muscle spasm activity after spinal cord injury (SCI). Unexpectedly, we found that these neurons not only coordinate reciprocal motor activity but are critical for initiating spasms, as well. More generally, these results suggest that V3 neurons are important in initiating and coordinating motor output after SCI and thus provide a promising target for restoring residual motor function.
5-HT1Dreceptors inhibit the monosynaptic stretch reflex by modulating C-fiber activity
Authors: Lucas-Osma Ana M. , Li Yaqing , Murray Katie , Lin Shihao , Black Sophie , Stephens Marilee J. , Ahn Andrew H. , Heckman C. J. , Fenrich Keith K. , Fouad Karim , Bennett David J. 
Published: January 2019

The monosynaptic stretch reflex (MSR) plays an important role in feedback control of movement and posture but can also lead to unstable oscillations associated with tremor and clonus, especially when increased with spinal cord injury (SCI). To control the MSR and clonus after SCI, we examined how serotonin regulates the MSR in the sacrocaudal spinal cord of rats with and without a chronic spinal transection. In chronic spinal rats, numerous 5-HT receptor agonists, including zolmitriptan, methylergonovine, and 5-HT, inhibited the MSR with a potency highly correlated to their binding affinity to 5-HT1Dreceptors and not other 5-HT receptors. Selective 5-HT1Dreceptor antagonists blocked this agonist-induced inhibition, although antagonists alone had no action, indicating a lack of endogenous or constitutive receptor activity. In normal uninjured rats, the MSR was likewise inhibited by 5-HT, but at much higher doses, indicating a supersensitivity after SCI. This supersensitivity resulted from the loss of the serotonin transporter SERT with spinal transection, because normal and injured rats were equally sensitive to 5-HT after SERT was blocked or to agonists not transported by SERT (zolmitriptan). Immunolabeling revealed that the 5-HT1Dreceptor was confined to superficial lamina of the dorsal horn, colocalized with CGRP-positive C-fibers, and eliminated by dorsal rhizotomy. 5-HT1Dreceptor labeling was not found on large proprioceptive afferents or α-motoneurons of the MSR. Thus serotonergic inhibition of the MSR acts indirectly by modulating C-fiber activity, opening up new possibilities for modulating reflex function and clonus via pain-related pathways.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Brain stem-derived serotonin potently inhibits afferent transmission in the monosynaptic stretch reflex. We show that serotonin produces this inhibition exclusively via 5-HT1Dreceptors, and yet these receptors are paradoxically mostly confined to C-fibers. This suggests that serotonin acts by gating of C-fiber activity, which in turn modulates afferent transmission to motoneurons. We also show that the classic supersensitivity to 5-HT after spinal cord injury results from a loss of SERT, and not 5-HT1Dreceptor plasticity.
Endothelial Leptin Receptor Deletion Promotes Cardiac Autophagy and Angiogenesis Following Pressure Overload by Suppressing Akt/mTOR Signaling
Authors: Gogiraju Rajinikanth , Hubert Astrid , Fahrer Jörg , Straub Beate K. , Brandt Moritz , Wenzel Philip , Münzel Thomas , Konstantinides Stavros , Hasenfuss Gerd , Schäfer Katrin 
Published: January 2019

Background:
Cardiac remodeling is modulated by overnutrition or starvation. The adipokine leptin mediates energy balance between adipose tissue and brain. Leptin and its receptors are expressed in the heart.

Methods and Results:

To examine the importance of endothelial leptin signaling in cardiac hypertrophy, transverse aortic constriction was used in mice with inducible endothelium-specific deletion of leptin receptors (End.LepR-KO) or littermate controls (End.LepR-WT). End.LepR-KO was associated with improved left ventricular function (fractional shortening, 28.4% versus 18.8%;
P
=0.0114), reduced left ventricular dilation (end-systolic inner left ventricular diameter, 3.59 versus 4.08 mm;
P
=0.0188) and lower heart weight (133 versus 173 mg;
P
<0.0001) 20 weeks after transverse aortic constriction. Histology and quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis confirmed reduced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription) activation was reduced, and Akt (protein kinase B) and mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) phosphorylation after transverse aortic constriction were blunted in End.LepR-KO hearts. Elevated LC3 (microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3)-I/-II conversion (
P
=0.0041) and increased (LC3II-positive) endothelial cells (
P
=0.0042) in banded hearts of End.LepR-KO mice suggested improved cardiac angiogenesis because of activated autophagy. Microscopy confirmed autophagosome accumulation after genetic or small interfering RNA-mediated LepR downregulation. Enhanced sprouting angiogenesis was observed in endothelial cells (
P
<0.0001) and aortic rings (
P
=0.0060) from End.LepR-KO mice, and murine and human endothelial sprouting angiogenesis was reduced after mTOR inhibition using rapamycin or autophagy inhibition using 3-methyladenine. Banded End.LepR-KO mouse hearts exhibited less apoptosis (
P
=0.0218), inflammation (
P
=0.0251), and fibrosis (
P
=0.0256). Reduced endothelial autophagy was also observed in myocardial biopsies of heart failure patients with cardiac fibrosis.

Conclusions:
Our findings suggest that endothelial leptin signaling contributes to cardiac fibrosis and functional deterioration by suppressing endothelial autophagy and promoting endothelial dysfunction in a chronic pressure overload model.
Steps per Day and Arterial Stiffness
Authors: Cavero-Redondo Iván , Tudor-Locke Catrine , Álvarez-Bueno Celia , Cunha Pedro G. , Aguiar Elroy J. , Martínez-Vizcaíno Vicente 
Published: January 2019

Arterial stiffness has emerged as an independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, objectively monitored steps per day is widely perceived to be beneficial for controlling health risk factors, and for preventing morbidity and mortality. The aim of this review was to determine the relationship between steps per day and arterial stiffness, as measured by its reference standard, pulse wave velocity (PWv). We systematically searched for cross-sectional data from studies addressing the association between steps per day and PWv. The DerSimonian and Laird method was used to compute pooled estimates of correlation and their respective 95% CI. Additionally, we used a regression model to estimate the pooled mean PWv by categories of physical activity behavior: sedentary <5000; low active 5000 to 7499; active 7500 to 9999; and highly active 10 000+. Twenty published studies were included in the systematic review, but only 10 studies in adults and older adults could be incorporated in the meta-analysis. Steps per day was inversely correlated with arterial stiffness measured by PWv in adults and older adults (r=−0.18; 95% CI: −0.27 to −0.10;
P
<0.001), with substantial heterogeneity (
I
2
=77.9%;
P
<0.001). The regression model showed that the pooled PWv was lower with a corresponding higher level of steps per day, influenced primarily by low PWv values for the highly active lifestyle category (
P
trend
=0.005). This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrates a clinically meaningful association between objectively monitored steps per day and PWv, an accepted indicator of arterial stiffness and an early subclinical risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Systematic Review Registration—
PROSPERO CRD42018088228.
Heat Waves in Florida: Climatology, Trends, and Related Precipitation Events
Authors: Cloutier-Bisbee Shealynn R. , Raghavendra Ajay , Milrad Shawn M. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractHeat waves are increasing in frequency, duration, and intensity and are strongly linked to anthropogenic climate change. However, few studies have examined heat waves in Florida, despite an older population and increasingly urbanized land areas that make it particularly susceptible to heat impacts. Heavy precipitation events are also becoming more frequent and intense; recent climate model simulations showed that heavy precipitation in the three days after a Florida heat wave follow these trends, yet the underlying dynamic and thermodynamic mechanisms have not been investigated. In this study, a heat wave climatology and trend analysis are developed from 1950 to 2016 for seven major airports in Florida. Heat waves are defined based on the 95th percentile of daily maximum, minimum, and mean temperatures. Results show that heat waves exhibit statistically significant increases in frequency and duration at most stations, especially for mean and minimum temperature events. Frequency and duration increases are most prominent at Tallahassee, Tampa, Miami, and Key West. Heat waves in northern Florida are characterized by large-scale continental ridging, while heat waves in central and southern Florida are associated with a combination of a continental ridge and a westward extension of the Bermuda–Azores high. Heavy precipitation events that follow a heat wave are characterized by anomalously large ascent and moisture, as well as strong instability. Light precipitation events in northern Florida are characterized by advection of drier air from the continent, while over central and southern Florida, prolonged subsidence is the most important difference between heavy and light events.
Ocean Wind Wave Climate Responses to Wintertime North Atlantic Atmospheric Transient Eddies and Low-Frequency Flow
Authors: Markina M. Y. , Studholme J. H. P. , Gulev S. K. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractAtmospheric transient eddies and low-frequency flow contributions to the ocean surface wave climate in the North Atlantic during boreal winter are investigated (1980–2016). We conduct a set of numerical simulations with a spectral wave model (WAVEWATCH III) forced by decomposed wind fields derived from the ERA-Interim reanalysis (0.7° horizontal resolution). Synoptic-scale processes (2–10-day bandpassed winds) are found to have the largest impact on the formation of wind waves in the western midlatitudes of the North Atlantic along the North American and western Greenland coasts. The eastern North Atlantic is found to be influenced by the combination of low-frequency forcing (>10-day bandpassed winds) and synoptic processes, contributing up to 60% and 30% of the mean wave heights, respectively. Midlatitude storm track variability is found to have a direct relationship with wave height variability along the eastern and western margins of the North Atlantic, implying an association between cyclogenesis over the North American eastern seaboard and wave height anomalies in the eastern North Atlantic. A change in wave height regimes defined using canonical correlation analysis is reflected in changes to their wave height distribution shapes. The results highlight the important role of transient eddies for the ocean surface wave climatology in the midlatitudes of the eastern North Atlantic both locally and through association with cyclone formation in the western part of the basin. These conclusions are presented and discussed particularly within the context of long-term storm track shifts projected as a possible response to climate warming over the coming century.
Impacts of Convergence on Structure Functions from Surface Drifters in the Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Pearson Jenna , Fox-Kemper Baylor , Barkan Roy , Choi Jun , Bracco Annalisa , McWilliams James C. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThere are limitations in approximating Eulerian statistics from surface drifters, due to biases from surface convergences. By contrasting second- and third-order Eulerian and surface drifter structure functions obtained from a model of the Gulf of Mexico, the consequences of the semi-Lagrangian nature of observations during the summer Grand Lagrangian Deployment (GLAD) and winter Lagrangian Submesoscale Experiment (LASER) are estimated. By varying launch pattern and location, the robustness and sensitivity of these statistics are evaluated. Over scales less than 10 km, second-order structure functions of surface drifters consistently have shallower slopes (~r2/3) than Eulerian statistics (~r), suggesting that surface drifter structure functions differ systematically and do not reproduce the scalings of the Eulerian fields. Medians of Eulerian and cluster release second-order statistics are also significantly different across all scales. Synthetic cluster release statistics depend on launch location and weakly on launch pattern. The observations suggest little seasonal difference in the second-order statistics, but the LASER third-order structure function shows a sign change around 1 km, while GLAD and the synthetic cluster releases show a third-order structure function sign change around 10 km. Further, synthetic surface drifter cluster releases (and therefore likely the GLAD observations) show robust biases in the negative third-order structure functions, which may lead to significant overestimation of the spectral energy flux and underestimation of the transition scale to a forward energy cascade. The Helmholtz decomposition, and curl and divergence statistics, of Eulerian and cluster releases differ, particularly on scales less than 10 km, in agreement with observations of drifters preferentially sampling convergences in coherent structures.
A Dynamic Flight Model for Slocum Gliders and Implications for Turbulence Microstructure Measurements
Authors: Merckelbach Lucas , Berger Anja , Krahmann Gerd , Dengler Marcus , Carpenter Jeffrey R. 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
The turbulent dissipation rate ε is a key parameter to many oceanographic processes. Recently, gliders have been increasingly used as a carrier for microstructure sensors. Compared to conventional ship-based methods, glider-based microstructure observations allow for long-duration measurements under adverse weather conditions and at lower costs. The incident water velocity U is an input parameter for the calculation of the dissipation rate. Since U cannot be measured using the standard glider sensor setup, the parameter is normally computed from a steady-state glider flight model. As ε scales with U2 or U4, depending on whether it is computed from temperature or shear microstructure, respectively, flight model errors can introduce a significant bias. This study is the first to use measurements of in situ glider flight, obtained with a profiling Doppler velocity log and an electromagnetic current meter, to test and calibrate a flight model, extended to include inertial terms. Compared to a previously suggested flight model, the calibrated model removes a bias of approximately 1 cm s−1 in the incident water velocity, which translates to roughly a factor of 1.2 in estimates of the dissipation rate. The results further indicate that 90% of the estimates of the dissipation rate from the calibrated model are within a factor of 1.1 and 1.2 for measurements derived from microstructure temperature sensors and shear probes, respectively. We further outline the range of applicability of the flight model.
The effectiveness of a computer-based method to support eating intervention among economically disadvantaged children in Malaysia
Authors: Shukri Madihah , Zin Zamzahaila , Zainol Khairi , Said Syahrin , Rajali Afiq 
Published: January 2019

Aims and objectives: This article presents findings from a dietary intervention designed to improve the nutritional knowledge, attitudes, intentions and dietary intake of socially disadvantaged children. Design: Quasi-experimental design. Methods: A total of 201 (treatment group n =  106, control n =  95) children completed the questionnaire at pre- and post-test. Data from 99 participants from the treatment group were included at 12-month follow-up. The treatment group received a dual intervention of computer-based and traditional methods for 3 consecutive weeks. Results: The findings show no significant differences in scores of dietary knowledge and intentions between pre- and post-measures in both treatment and control groups. At post-test, however, the treatment group reported a better knowledge score, a significantly higher intention to limit unhealthy food and a more negative attitude towards less healthy food than the control group. The results of the short-term evaluation suggest that only the treatment group showed a significant reduction in unhealthy food consumption and a significant increase in vegetable intake. Nevertheless, at follow-up, these effects were not sustained. Prospectively, however, we found a predictive effect of dietary knowledge and intentions on food intake at follow-up. Conclusion: Given the relatively short-term effects achieved by the intervention, it remains crucial to understand the aspects of short-term interventions that may lead to longer term effects, as well as the mechanisms underlying dietary intake among this group of children.
Routine monitoring of liver function tests in lung cancer resections – a necessary burden?
Authors: Bradley NA , Kennedy ED , Asif M 
Published: January 2019

Background Increased availability of routine investigations results in significant over-investigation, burdening patients with unnecessary tests as well as increasing cost. We aimed to identify the extent of monitoring of liver function tests in lung resections, and to ascertain whether any impact on clinical decision-making occurred. Methods Cases were identified using theatre records coded as “lobectomy/bilobectomy” in the three-month period 20 June 2017 to 20 September 2017. Electronic records were used to collect patient data. Results A total of 91 cases were included; 77 (85%) patients had 1 set of pre-operative LFTs, 12 (13%) patients had 2 sets, and 2 (2%) patients had 0 sets; 69 (76%) had normal LFTs pre-operatively; 298 sets of LFTs were measured post-operatively, with a median of 3 sets per patient; 61 (67%) patients had either normal or static LFTs post-operatively, 13 (14%) had isolated rise in GGT, 16 (17%) had derangement of ALT and AST, and 1 patient (1%) had deranged ALP. Altered clinical decision-making due to LFTs derangement was recorded in two cases (2%). Conclusion Clinicians have an obligation to justify expense, and practise in a cost-effective manner. Our data suggest that the routine perioperative monitoring of LFTs in thoracic surgery does not give any clear benefit to patient care.
Balloon Dilation of the Eustachian Tube: 12‐Month Follow‐up of the Randomized Controlled Trial Treatment Group
Authors: Anand Vijay , Poe Dennis , Dean Marc , Roberts William , Stolovitzky Pablo , Hoffmann Karen , Nachlas Nathan , Light Joshua , Widick Mark , Sugrue John , Elliott C. Layton , Rosenberg Seth , Guillory Paul , Brown Neil , Syms Charles , Hilton Christopher , McElveen John , Singh Ameet , Weiss Raymond , Arriaga Moises , Leopold John 
Published: January 2019

ObjectiveObstructive eustachian tube dysfunction (OETD) affects up to 5% of adults; however, available treatment strategies have limitations. It was previously reported that balloon dilation of the eustachian tube (BDET) with the eustachian tube balloon catheter + medical management (MM) results in a significantly higher proportion of subjects with normalized tympanograms versus MM alone at 6‐ and 24‐week follow‐up. The current analysis extends these initial findings by investigating the durability of BDET + MM treatment outcomes through 52 weeks.Study DesignProspective cohort follow‐up study from the treatment group in a previously reported multicenter randomized controlled trial.SettingTwenty‐one investigational sites across the United States.Subjects and MethodsHere we report on secondary and exploratory endpoints for patients with OETD who previously failed MM and were randomized to the BDET + MM cohort. Analyses of tympanogram outcomes are reported by ear, unless specified otherwise, as a more accurate measure of durability of the procedure over time.ResultsAmong subjects randomized to BDET + MM, the overall number with normalized tympanograms and ETDQ‐7 scores (Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire–7) remained comparable to those reported at 6‐ versus 52‐week follow‐up: tympanograms, 73 of 143 (51.0%) versus 71 of 128 (55.5%); ETDQ‐7, 79 of 142 (55.6%) versus 71 of 124 (57.3%). The overall number of ears with normalized tympanograms also remained comparable, with 117 of 204 (57%) versus 119 of 187 (63.6%).ConclusionsThe present study suggests that the beneficial effects of BDET + MM on tympanogram normalization and symptoms of subjects with refractory OETD demonstrate significant durability that is clinically relevant through 52 weeks.