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Abduljaleel Y, Amiri M, Amen EM, Salem A, Ali ZF, Awd A, Lóczy D, Ghzal M. Enhancing groundwater vulnerability assessment for improved environmental management: addres sing a critical environmental concern. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2024; 31:19185-19205. [PMID: 38358629 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-32305-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Groundwater serves as a primary water source for various purposes. Therefore, aquifer pollution poses a critical threat to human health and the environment. Identifying the aquifer's highly vulnerable areas to pollution is necessary to implement appropriate remedial measures, thus ensuring groundwater sustainability. This paper aims to enhance groundwater vulnerability assessment (GWVA) to manage aquifer quality effectively. The study focuses on the El Orjane Aquifer in the Moulouya basin, Morocco, which is facing significant degradation due to olive mill wastewater. Groundwater vulnerability maps (GVMs) were generated using the DRASTIC, Pesticide DRASTIC, SINTACS, and SI methods. To assess the effectiveness of the proposed improvements, 24 piezometers were installed to measure nitrate concentrations, a common indicator of groundwater contamination. This study aimed to enhance GWVA by incorporating new layers, such as land use, and adjusting parameter rates based on a comprehensive sensitivity analysis. The results demonstrate a significant increase in Pearson correlation values (PCV) between the produced GVMs and measured nitrate concentrations. For instance, the PCV for the DRASTIC method improved from 0.42 to 0.75 after adding the land use layer and adjusting parameter rates using the Wilcoxon method. These findings offer valuable insights for accurately assessing groundwater vulnerability in areas with similar hazards and hydrological conditions, particularly in semi-arid and arid regions. They contribute to improving groundwater and environmental management practices, ensuring the long-term sustainability of aquifers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasir Abduljaleel
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Washington State University, Richland, WA, 99354, USA
| | - Mustapha Amiri
- Geomatics and Soil Management Laboratory, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Université Mohammed Premier Oujda, 60000, Oujda, Morocco
| | - Ehab Mohammad Amen
- Natural Resources Research Center (NRRC), Tikrit University, Tikrit, 34001, Iraq
- Departamento de Geodinámica, Universidad de Granada, Granada, 18071, Spain
- Department of Applied Geology, Collage of Science, Tikrit University, Tikrit, 34001, Iraq
| | - Ali Salem
- Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Minia University, Minia, 61111, Egypt.
- Structural Diagnostics and Analysis Research Group, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Pécs, Boszorkány ut 2, 7624, Pecs, Hungary.
| | - Zana Fattah Ali
- Department of Geography, Faculty of Education, Koya University, Koysinjaq, 46011, Iraq
- Doctoral School of Earth Sciences, University of Pécs, Ifjúság útja 6, 7624, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Ahmed Awd
- Department of Food, Agriculture and Biological Engineering (FABE), The Ohio State University, Columbus, 43210, USA
- Egyptian Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation (MWRI), Giza, 11925, Egypt
| | - Dénes Lóczy
- Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Ifjúság útja 6, 7624, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Mohamed Ghzal
- Geomatics and Soil Management Laboratory, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Université Mohammed Premier Oujda, 60000, Oujda, Morocco
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Namasivayam G, Ramamoorthy S. Estimation of forest canopy density through Geospatial Technology-a case study on Sathyamangalam Forest, Erode District, Tamil Nadu. Environ Monit Assess 2024; 196:209. [PMID: 38280065 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12356-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
The term forest canopy density (FCD) refers to one of the important criteria used to evaluate forest's ecological health. It plays a significant role in assessing the health of the forest and serves as a key landmark for potential management actions. The canopy coverage or crown cover is referred to the percentage of the forest floor that is covered by the vertical projection of tree crowns and necessary for monitoring the condition of the forest. The present study aims to estimate the forest canopy density (FCD) through Geospatial Techniques for Sathyamangalam Forest for the period between 2016 and 2022 with SENTINEL 2A satellite data. The weighted overlay analysis method was implemented with biophysical parameters, namely, Normalize Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Advanced Vegetation Index (AVI), Shadow Index (SI), and Soil Bareness Index (SBI) to analyze the state of the forest and its activity. The results observed significantly that the forest canopy with 158.60 km2 in 2016 which is increased to 190.37 km2 in 2018 (1.14%) then suddenly decreased to 134.85 km2 in 2020 (2.47%). The forest canopy has recovered some of its original area with 168.83 km2 through better environmental conditions during 2021-2022 (1.52%). Therefore, Geospatial Technology plays a significant role in estimating recent changes in regional forest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giridharan Namasivayam
- Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu, 603203, India
| | - Sivakumar Ramamoorthy
- Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu, 603203, India.
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Bernardus R, Pramudyo M, Akbar MR. A Revised PADMA Scoring System for Predicting in-Hospital Mortality in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patient. Int J Gen Med 2023; 16:3747-3756. [PMID: 37645590 PMCID: PMC10460679 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s421913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In order to predict in-hospital mortality in ACS (Acute Coronary Syndrome) patients based solely on clinical examination, this study compares the shock index (heart rate divided by systolic blood pressure) variable in PADMA (PADjadjaran Mortality in Acute Coronary Syndrome) with the modified shock index (heart rate divided by mean arterial pressure) score. The predictive efficacy of the PADMA score in predicting in-hospital mortality in ACS patients has been in doubt up until recently. Methods All ACS patients above the age of 18 who were admitted to Dr. Hasan Sadikin Central General Hospital between January 2018 and January 2023 were included in this retrospective observational cohort study. This study did not involve any interventions, and verbal informed permission was obtained with the Hasan Sadikin Hospital Ethic Committee's approval. Multivariate logistic regression was used to gather and evaluate patient demographic, comorbidity, and clinical presentation data in order to provide two scoring systems (probability and cut-off models) that can be used to predict in-hospital all-cause death. The Fisher Z test was used to assess the area under the curve (AUC) between the PADMA SI (shock index) and PADMA MSI (modified shock index). Results Killip classifications III and IV, tachycardia, a high shock index, and older age were found to be independent mortality predictors and were included to the PADMA MSI score by multivariate regression analysis of 1504 people. PADMA SI score >8 has a sensitivity of 67.92% and a specificity of 84.01% for predicting all-cause death. The range of the PADMA SI score is 0 to 19. The AUC between the PADMA MSI and PADMA SI scores did not differ significantly (p=0.022). Conclusion Similar to the PADMA SI score, the PADMA MSI score >8 demonstrated an accurate discriminative power to forecast in-hospital mortality though it did not have significant statistic difference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond Bernardus
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia
| | - Miftah Pramudyo
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia
| | - Mohammad Rizki Akbar
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia
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Nierhaus T, Wesolek S, Pach D, Witt CM, Blankenburg F, Schmidt TT. Content representation of tactile mental imagery in primary somatosensory cortex. eNeuro 2023:ENEURO.0408-22.2023. [PMID: 37221090 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0408-22.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The imagination of tactile stimulation has been shown to activate primary somatosensory cortex (SI) with a somatotopic specificity akin to that seen during the perception of tactile stimuli. Using fMRI and MVPA, we investigate if this recruitment of sensory regions also reflects content-specific activation, i.e. whether the activation in SI is specific to the mental content participants imagined. To this end, healthy volunteers (n=21) either perceived or imagined three types of vibrotactile stimuli (mental content) while fMRI data was acquired. Independent of the content, during tactile mental imagery we found activation of fronto-parietal regions, supplemented with activation in the contralateral BA2 subregion of SI, replicating previous reports. While the imagery of the three different stimuli did not reveal univariate activation differences, using multivariate pattern classification we were able to decode the imagined stimulus type from BA2. Moreover, cross-classification revealed that tactile imagery elicits activation patterns similar to those evoked by the perception of the respective stimuli. These findings promote that mental tactile imagery involves the recruitment of content-specific activation patterns in sensory cortices, namely in SI.Significance StatementIt has been shown previously that mental imagery of sensations in different modalities can activate respective primary sensory cortices (visual/auditory/tactile). However, a relation of such activation to the imagined mental content was mainly shown for the visual system. Here, we generalize this concept to the somatosensory domain by showing that content-specific activation during tactile mental imagery can be found in primary somatosensory cortex subarea BA2. Most importantly, we show that tactile imagery elicits activation patterns similar to those evoked by sensory stimulation. Our results provide further evidence that sensory recruitment is among the brain processes that allow conscious information representation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Till Nierhaus
- Neurocomputation and Neuroimaging Unit (NNU), Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sara Wesolek
- Neurocomputation and Neuroimaging Unit (NNU), Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel Pach
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin,Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Claudia M Witt
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin,Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Berlin, Germany
- Institute for Complementary and Integrative Medicine, University of Zurich and University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Felix Blankenburg
- Neurocomputation and Neuroimaging Unit (NNU), Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Timo T Schmidt
- Neurocomputation and Neuroimaging Unit (NNU), Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Atashi Yazdi SS, Motamedvaziri B, Hosseini SZ, Ahmadi H. Reciprocal analy sis of groundwater potentiality and vulnerability modeling in the Bahabad Plain, Iran. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2023; 30:39586-39604. [PMID: 36596973 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-24810-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Heuristic and statistical groundwater quality assessment models are efficient tools in the zoning of groundwater vulnerability to contamination. An important reciprocal methodology, yet neglected in Iran, was conducted to assess the performance of three groundwater vulnerability models, namely GODS, SI, and DRASTIC, and a data mining model for groundwater potential, maximum entropy (MaxEnt). For both the training and validation stages for the MaxEnt model, the Mahalanobis distance technique was adopted. The vulnerability rates obtained from the DRASTIC model with a coefficient of determination (R2) value of 0.76 had a statistically significant correlation with nitrate concentrations in the 21 wells, compared to SI and GODS. The DRASTIC model can better reflect the vulnerability of groundwater resources to contamination. The impact of the vadose zone with an average effective weight of 33 is more important than other parameters, followed by depth than groundwater (D) (32.01), net recharge (R) (28.95), and the aquifer media (A) (18.1). These weights may not be changed. MaxEnt showed significant performance in both the training and validation stages with the respective area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) values of 0.907 and 0.901. A reciprocal analysis between the vulnerability map in the superior model and the groundwater potential map derived from MaxEnt revealed that areas with high groundwater potential are still in safe state but require more attention as the top priority for amendment practices. In addition, approximately 8.7% of the entire study area has a high vulnerability to contamination, which requires immediate pragmatic actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyedeh Sofia Atashi Yazdi
- Department of Nature Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Baharak Motamedvaziri
- Department of Nature Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
| | | | - Hassan Ahmadi
- Department of Reclamation of Arid Mountainous Regions, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
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de Leusse C, Roman C, Roquelaure B, Fabre A. Estimating the prevalence of congenital disaccharidase deficiencies u sing allele frequencies from gnomAD. Arch Pediatr 2022; 29:599-603. [PMID: 36167617 DOI: 10.1016/j.arcped.2022.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are currently three known congenital disaccharidase deficiencies: congenital lactase deficiency (CLD), congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency (CSD), and congenital trehalase deficiency (CTD). No congenital deficiency has been described for maltase-glucoamylase (MGAM). METHODS A literature search was performed in PubMed for the pathogenic variants CLD, CSD, and CTD and the articles retrieved were analyzed to estimate the prevalence of congenital disaccharidase deficiencies. RESULTS Based on reported variants, the estimated prevalence was 1.3 per 106 births (95% CI: 1.1-1.7) for CLD, and 31.4 per 106 births (95% CI: 28.3-34.8) for CSD. Using data on previously reported variants and variants predicted to be loss-of-function in gnomAD, the overall estimated prevalence was 2.3 per 106 births (95% CI: 1.9-2.9) for CLD, 57.6 per 106 births (95% CI:52.5-63.2) for CSD, and 9.2 per 106 births (95% CI: 2.5-3.7) for CTD. CONCLUSION The prevalence of CSD was found to be relatively high, while for other congenital disaccharidase deficiencies, the estimated prevalence was very low.
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Affiliation(s)
- C de Leusse
- AP-HM, Hôpital de la Timone Enfants, Service de pédiatrie multidisciplinaire, Marseille, France
| | - C Roman
- AP-HM, Hôpital de la Timone Enfants, Service de pédiatrie multidisciplinaire, Marseille, France
| | - B Roquelaure
- AP-HM, Hôpital de la Timone Enfants, Service de pédiatrie multidisciplinaire, Marseille, France
| | - A Fabre
- AP-HM, Hôpital de la Timone Enfants, Service de pédiatrie multidisciplinaire, Marseille, France; Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, MMG, Marseille, France.
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Bailey KM, Giordano BL, Kaas AL, Smith FW. Decoding sounds depicting hand-object interactions in primary somatosensory cortex. Cereb Cortex 2022; 33:3621-3635. [PMID: 36045002 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhac296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurons, even in the earliest sensory regions of cortex, are subject to a great deal of contextual influences from both within and across modality connections. Recent work has shown that primary sensory areas can respond to and, in some cases, discriminate stimuli that are not of their target modality: for example, primary somatosensory cortex (SI) discriminates visual images of graspable objects. In the present work, we investigated whether SI would discriminate sounds depicting hand-object interactions (e.g. bouncing a ball). In a rapid event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging experiment, participants listened attentively to sounds from 3 categories: hand-object interactions, and control categories of pure tones and animal vocalizations, while performing a one-back repetition detection task. Multivoxel pattern analysis revealed significant decoding of hand-object interaction sounds within SI, but not for either control category. Crucially, in the hand-sensitive voxels defined from an independent tactile localizer, decoding accuracies were significantly higher for hand-object interactions compared to pure tones in left SI. Our findings indicate that simply hearing sounds depicting familiar hand-object interactions elicit different patterns of activity in SI, despite the complete absence of tactile stimulation. These results highlight the rich contextual information that can be transmitted across sensory modalities even to primary sensory areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerri M Bailey
- School of Psychology, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom
| | - Bruno L Giordano
- Institut des Neurosciences de La Timone, CNRS UMR 7289, Université Aix-Marseille, Marseille CNRS UMR 7289, France
| | - Amanda L Kaas
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht 6229 EV, The Netherlands
| | - Fraser W Smith
- School of Psychology, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom
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Liu Y, Li W, Liu Y, Jiang Y, Wang Y, Xu Z, Cui D, Gao L. MicroRNA-223 Attenuates Stretch-Injury-Induced Apopto sis in Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells by Regulating RhoB Expression. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12091157. [PMID: 36138893 PMCID: PMC9496931 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12091157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
MiR-223 is a miRNA with important functions in apoptosis, carcinogenesis, and inflammation, and it was demonstrated to be over-expressed in brain tissue after traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, few studies have focused on its role in protecting brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs). This study evaluated the protective effect of miR-223 on BMECs after stretch injury (SI). bEnd.3 cells (BMECs of mouse) were transfected with overexpressing and blocking lentivirus of miR-223, then were subjected to SI. After immunofluorescence assay, it was demonstrated that miR-223 overexpression significantly rescued the SI-induced loss of ZO-1 (Zonula Occludens 1, tight junction protein) (p < 0.01), while miR-223 blocking exacerbated the loss of ZO-1 (p < 0.05). Flow cytometry confirmed a significant increase in the proportion of apoptotic bEnd.3 cells after SI, and miR-223 overexpression reduced this proportion (p < 0.001). The result of Western blot revealed that miR-223 overexpression significantly reduced the expression of cleaved caspase-3 (cl-caspase 3) (p < 0.05) and RhoB (p < 0.01), while miR-223 blocking increased the expression of these proteins (p < 0.05, p < 0.001). Additionally, knockdown of RhoB significantly reduced the expression of cl-caspase 3 (p < 0.001). These findings suggested that miR-223 can alleviate SI-induced apoptosis of BMECs, and this anti-apoptotic effect is at least partially achieved by inhibiting the expression of RhoB. Moreover, miR-223 may play a role in maintaining the integrity of BBB during TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingliang Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Wenjing Li
- Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yingxiu Liu
- Department of Neurology, Zibo Ninth People’s Hospital, Zibo 256400, China
| | - Yang Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Yida Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Zhiming Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Daming Cui
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
- Correspondence: (D.C.); (L.G.)
| | - Liang Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
- Correspondence: (D.C.); (L.G.)
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Zare M, Nikoo MR, Nematollahi B, Gandomi AH, Al-Wardy M, Al-Rawas GA. Progres sive improvement of DRASTICA and SI models for groundwater vulnerability assessment based on evolutionary algorithms. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2022; 29:55845-55865. [PMID: 35320481 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-19620-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Groundwater management is essential in water and environmental engineering from both quantity and quality aspects due to the growing urban population. Groundwater vulnerability evaluation models play a prominent role in groundwater resource management, such as the DRASTIC model that has been used successfully in numerous areas. Several studies have focused on improving this model by changing the initial parameters or the rates and weights. The presented study investigated results produced by the DRASTIC model by simultaneously exerting both modifications. For this purpose, two land use-based DRASTIC-derived models, DRASTICA and susceptibility index (SI), were implemented in the Shiraz plain, Iran, a semi-arid region and the primary resource of groundwater currently struggling with groundwater pollution. To develop the novel proposed framework for the progressive improvement of the mentioned rating-based techniques, three main calculation steps for rates and weights are presented: (1) original rates and weights; (2) modified rates by Wilcoxon tests and original weights; and (3) adjusted rates and optimized weights using the genetic algorithm (GA) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithms. To validate the results of this framework applied to the case study, the concentrations of three contamination pollutants, NO3, SO4, and toxic metals, were considered. The results indicated that the DRASTICA model yielded more accurate contamination concentrations for vulnerability evaluations than the SI model. Moreover, both models initially displayed well-matched results for the SO4 concentrations, specifically 0.7 for DRASTICA and 0.58 for SI, respectively. Comparatively, the DRASTICA model showed a higher correlation with NO3 concentrations (0.8) than the SI model (0.6) through improved steps. Furthermore, although both original models demonstrated less correlation with toxic metal concentrations (0.05) compared to SO4 and NO3 concentrations, the DRASTICA and SI models with modified rates and optimized weights exhibited enhanced correlation with toxic metals of about 0.7 and 0.2, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoumeh Zare
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Nikoo
- Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.
| | | | - Amir H Gandomi
- Faculty of Engineering and IT, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, Australia
| | - Malik Al-Wardy
- Department of Soils, Water, and Agricultural Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | - Ghazi Ali Al-Rawas
- Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
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Atashi Yazdi SS, Motamedvaziri B, Hosseini SZ, Ahmadi H. Assessment of vulnerability and hydrogeochemical specifications of Bahabad Yazd Plain aquifer. Environ Monit Assess 2022; 194:76. [PMID: 35001186 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-021-09615-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Available quality groundwater resources are declining globally due to population growth, agricultural activities, industrialization, and urbanization. Wells in Bahabad Plain, located in Yazd Province, Iran, are the primary source of water demanded by humans for drinking and agricultural activities. Hence, it is pivotal to examine the quality of groundwater resources, which is the main objective of this study. To this end, seventeen water samples collected in the region were using standard sampling methods, and ten parameters were examined from the samples, namely pH, TH, TDS, SO4, HCO3, Cl-, K+, Ca+, Mg+, and Na+. Water quality index (WQI) was used to determine water quality, and SI, GODS, and DRASTIC methods were used to examine aquifer vulnerability to contamination. Schoeller's diagram indicated that 11% of the samples were at an excellent level; 33% were at a drinkable level; 20% were at a not-suitable level for drinking; 26% were terrible for drinking; and 10% were at an almost non-drinkable level. According to WQI results, 23.53% of the samples had no limitation for drinking, 35.29 were of low quality, 17.65% were of inferior quality, and 23.53% were non-drinkable. The GODS method results indicated that the eastern, central, western, and small parts sporadically scattered in northern regions of the study area (39.93%) had a moderate vulnerability. Lastly, a significant portion of the northern and southern districts (60.07%) was found to have a low vulnerability to contamination, which was in line with WQI results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyedeh Sofia Atashi Yazdi
- Department of Forest, Range and Watershed Management, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Baharak Motamedvaziri
- Department of Forest, Range and Watershed Management, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
| | | | - Hassan Ahmadi
- Department of Reclamation of Arid Mountainous Regions, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
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Staunton CA, Abt G, Weaving D, Wundersitz DWT. Misuse of the term 'load' in sport and exercise science. J Sci Med Sport 2021; 25:439-444. [PMID: 34489176 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2021.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Despite the International System of Units (SI), as well as several publications guiding researchers on correct use of terminology, there continues to be widespread misuse of mechanical terms such as 'work' in sport and exercise science. A growing concern is the misuse of the term 'load'. Terms such as 'training load' and 'PlayerLoad' are popular in sport and exercise science vernacular. However, a 'load' is a mechanical variable which, when used appropriately, describes a force and therefore should be accompanied with the SI-derived unit of the newton (N). It is tempting to accept popular terms and nomenclature as scientific. However, scientists are obliged to abide by the SI and must pay close attention to scientific constructs. This communication presents a critical reflection on the use of the term 'load' in sport and exercise science. We present ways in which the use of this term breaches principles of science and provide practical solutions for ongoing use in research and practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig A Staunton
- Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre, Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Sweden.
| | - Grant Abt
- Department of Sport, Health, and Exercise Science, The University of Hull, United Kingdom
| | - Dan Weaving
- Carnegie Applied Rugby Research (CARR) Centre, Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett, United Kingdom; Leeds Rhinos Rugby League Club, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel W T Wundersitz
- Holsworth Research Initiative, La Trobe Rural Health School, La Trobe University, Australia
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12
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Jin SS, Dolan TM, Cloutier AA, Bojdani E, DeLisi L. Systematic review of depression and suicidality in child and adolescent (CAP) refugees. Psychiatry Res 2021; 302:114025. [PMID: 34090083 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2021.114025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Child adversity and trauma has been shown to have incredible detrimental effects physically and mentally in the subsequent adult life. Importantly, refugee minors are especially vulnerable to trauma. Thus far there are numerous studies examining cohorts of child and adolescent refugees and their impact on mental health in general and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but none have focused specifically on depression and suicide. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed for the current systematic review. 25 articles out of 2660 queried were identified to be included in the review. Overall, CAP refugees have increased risk for major depressive disorder and suicidality compared to the general population to which they have immigrated, regardless of origin. Due to the differences in the assessment tools used, it is hard to parse out if mood disturbance was secondary to major depressive disorder (MDD) or PTSD, or that suicidality is independent or a sequela of MDD/PTSD. Given the vulnerability of CAP refugees after trauma future studies are needed to further elucidate their risk of concurrent depression and suicidality, so as to facilitate appropriate treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn S Jin
- Harvard South Shore Psychiatry Residency Training Program; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Department of Psychiatry, VA Boston Healthcare System.
| | - Terrance M Dolan
- Harvard South Shore Psychiatry Residency Training Program; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Department of Psychiatry, VA Boston Healthcare System
| | - Alesia A Cloutier
- Harvard South Shore Psychiatry Residency Training Program; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Department of Psychiatry, VA Boston Healthcare System
| | - Ermal Bojdani
- Columbia University Vagelos College of Surgeons and Physicians; New York State Psychiatric Institute; New York Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia
| | - Lynn DeLisi
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Cambridge Health Alliance
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13
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Schommer L, Streltzov N, Andrew A, Bujarski K. Factors associated with suicidal ideation in an epilepsy center in Northern New England. Epilepsy Behav 2021; 121:108009. [PMID: 34023812 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.108009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Suicidal ideation (SI), defined as thoughts and feelings of ending one's life, is a known risk factor for completed suicide. Although studies show that rates of SI are elevated in persons with epilepsy (PWE) compared to the general population, it is presently unclear how disease, social, and psychological factors contribute to its frequency and severity. With an overarching goal to develop a screening tool for suicide prevention, the objective of this study was to understand the rate, severity, and factors associated with SI in a large cohort of PWE. A generalized linear mixed model was used to test the relationship between changes in SI and disease, social, and psychological variables in 2450 PWE over a period of four years. The prevalence of SI was 23.6%. Associated disease factors included increased seizure frequency, severity, and recency. SI was impacted by employment status, but not by driving. Depression scores and aggression were highly associated with frequency and severity of SI. These findings highlight that disease, social, and psychological factors impact levels of SI in PWE and that screening for suicide prevention in PWE should include measures of such factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay Schommer
- Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756, United States; Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, 1 Rope Ferry Rd, Hanover, NH 03755, United States.
| | - Nicholas Streltzov
- Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756, United States
| | - Angeline Andrew
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, 1 Rope Ferry Rd, Hanover, NH 03755, United States
| | - Krzysztof Bujarski
- Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756, United States
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14
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Khosravi K, Bordbar M, Paryani S, Saco PM, Kazakis N. New hybrid-based approach for improving the accuracy of coastal aquifer vulnerability assessment maps. Sci Total Environ 2021; 767:145416. [PMID: 33636786 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 12/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Due to excessive exploitation, groundwater resources of coastal regions are exposed to seawater intrusion. Therefore, vulnerability assessments are essential for the quantitative and qualitative management of these resources. The GALDIT model is the most widely used approach for coastal aquifer vulnerability assessment, but suffers from subjectivity of the identification of rates and weights. This study aimes at developing a new hybrid framework for improving the accuracy of coastal aquifer vulnerability assessment using various statistical, metaheuristic, and Multi-Attribute Decision Making (MADM) methods to improve the GALDIT model. The Gharesoo-Gorgan Rood coastal aquifer in northern Iran is used as study site. In order to meet this aim, the Differential Evolution (DE) and Biogeography-Based Optimization (BBO) metaheuristic algorithms were employed to optimize the GALDIT weights. In addition, a novel MADM method, named Step-wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (SWARA), and the bivariate statistical method called statistical index (SI) were used to modify the GALDIT ratings. Finally, correlation coefficients between the maps obtained from each method and Total Dissolved Solid (TDS) as an indicator of seawater intrusion were computed to evaluate the models' prediction power. Correlation coefficients of 0.72, 0.75, 0.76 and 0.78 were obtained for the GALDITSWARA-BBO, GALDITSI-BBO, GALDITSWARA-DE and GALDITSI-DE models, respectively. The results from the GALDITSI-DE model outperformed all other models at improving the accuracy of the vulnerability assessment. Moreover, the statistical-metaheuristic method yielded more accurate results than SWARA-metaheuristic hybrid models. The vulnerability map of the studied region indicates that the northwestern and western areas are very highly vulnerable. According to GALDITSI-DE model, 42%, 17%, 18% and 22% of the aquifer areas respectively have a low, medium, high and very high vulnerability to seawater intrusion. The research findings could be applied by regional authorities to manage and protect groundwater resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khabat Khosravi
- Department of Watershed Management Engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mojgan Bordbar
- Department of GIS/RS, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Iran
| | - Sina Paryani
- Department of GIS/RS, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Iran
| | - Patricia M Saco
- Civil, Surveying and Environmental Engineering and Centre for Water Security and Environmental Sustainability, The University of Newcastle, Australia
| | - Nerantzis Kazakis
- Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Department of Geology, Lab. of Engineering Geology & Hydrogeology, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
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Abstract
STUDY DESIGN A retrospective case-series of revision sacroiliac joint (SIJ) fusions. OBJECTIVE To provide a technique guide for revision minimally invasive SIJ fusion. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA SIJ dysfunction is a prevalent, yet underdiagnosed condition. This disparity exists as a result of diagnostic complexity and lack of a viable surgical treatment option. However, the advent of minimally invasive SIJ fusion has created a resurgence of interest in this debilitating condition. Multiple studies have reported on the increased use of minimally invasive SIJ fusion in recent years, but there is a paucity of literature on management in a revision setting. METHODS A case series of 5 patients from a single academic tertiary referral center over a 3-year period will serve to highlight technical pearls and considerations in SIJ fusion revision. Revision SIJ fusions were identified through a retrospective review of a surgical database and demographic, surgical, and radiographic data were obtained through review of the electronic medical record. RESULTS Five patients underwent SIJ fusion revision from 2015 to 2018. There were 3 main modes of failure, with indications for revision including nerve root irritation and SIJ pain recurrence. The mean age at time of revision was 48.8 ± 14.3 years, and the mean follow-up after revision was 2.0 + 0.9 years. Familiarity with SIJ anatomy and use of stereotactic navigation can improve implant position and purchase. Additionally, bone graft and bone morphogenetic protein can be used to fill in old implant tracks and to augment bony ingrowth and ongrowth of new implants. CONCLUSIONS Increased use of SIJ fusion creates a demand for comprehensive revision strategies and necessitates familiarity with SIJ anatomy. Preoperative planning to determine causes of failure and use of intraoperative navigation are essential to help surgeons better understand the preferential trajectory for each implant. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Cognetti
- Department of Orthopedics, Brooke Army Medical Center, Houston, Texas
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Malloy GSP, Goldhaber-Fiebert JD, Enns EA, Brandeau ML. Predicting the Effectiveness of Endemic Infectious Disease Control Interventions: The Impact of Mass Action versus Network Model Structure. Med Decis Making 2021; 41:623-640. [PMID: 33899563 DOI: 10.1177/0272989x211006025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Analyses of the effectiveness of infectious disease control interventions often rely on dynamic transmission models to simulate intervention effects. We aim to understand how the choice of network or compartmental model can influence estimates of intervention effectiveness in the short and long term for an endemic disease with susceptible and infected states in which infection, once contracted, is lifelong. METHODS We consider 4 disease models with different permutations of socially connected network versus unstructured contact (mass-action mixing) model and heterogeneous versus homogeneous disease risk. The models have susceptible and infected populations calibrated to the same long-term equilibrium disease prevalence. We consider a simple intervention with varying levels of coverage and efficacy that reduces transmission probabilities. We measure the rate of prevalence decline over the first 365 d after the intervention, long-term equilibrium prevalence, and long-term effective reproduction ratio at equilibrium. RESULTS Prevalence declined up to 10% faster in homogeneous risk models than heterogeneous risk models. When the disease was not eradicated, the long-term equilibrium disease prevalence was higher in mass-action mixing models than in network models by 40% or more. This difference in long-term equilibrium prevalence between network versus mass-action mixing models was greater than that of heterogeneous versus homogeneous risk models (less than 30%); network models tended to have higher effective reproduction ratios than mass-action mixing models for given combinations of intervention coverage and efficacy. CONCLUSIONS For interventions with high efficacy and coverage, mass-action mixing models could provide a sufficient estimate of effectiveness, whereas for interventions with low efficacy and coverage, or interventions in which outcomes are measured over short time horizons, predictions from network and mass-action models diverge, highlighting the importance of sensitivity analyses on model structure. HIGHLIGHTS • We calibrate 4 models-socially connected network versus unstructured contact (mass-action mixing) model and heterogeneous versus homogeneous disease risk-to 10% preintervention disease prevalence.• We measure the short- and long-term intervention effectiveness of all models using the rate of prevalence decline, long-term equilibrium disease prevalence, and effective reproduction ratio.• Generally, in the short term, prevalence declined faster in the homogeneous risk models than in the heterogeneous risk models.• Generally, in the long term, equilibrium disease prevalence was higher in the mass-action mixing models than in the network models, and the effective reproduction ratio was higher in network models than in the mass-action mixing models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni S P Malloy
- Department of Management Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Jeremy D Goldhaber-Fiebert
- Stanford Health Policy, Centers for Health Policy and Primary Care and Outcomes Research, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Eva A Enns
- School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Margaret L Brandeau
- Department of Management Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
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17
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Liu N, Wang L, Xu F, Wu J, Song T, Chen Q. Recent Progress in Developing Monolithic Perovskite/ Si Tandem Solar Cells. Front Chem 2021; 8:603375. [PMID: 33415097 PMCID: PMC7783359 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2020.603375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Monolithic perovskite/Silicon tandem solar cells have reached a certified efficiency of 29. 1% in recent years. In this review, we discuss material design for monolithic perovskite/Si tandem solar cells, with the focus on the top-cell development to improve their performance. Firstly, we introduce different types of transparent electrodes with high transmittance and low sheet-resistance used in tandem solar cells. We then discuss the development of the wide-bandgap perovskite absorber for top-cells, especially the strategies to obtain the perovskite layers with good efficiency and stability. In addition, as a special functional layer in tandem solar cells, the recombination layers play an important role in device performance, wherein different configurations are summarized. Furthermore, tandem device cost analysis is discussed. This review summarizes the progress of monolithic perovskite/Silicon tandem solar cells in a pragmatic perspective, which may promote the commercialization of this technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Liu
- Experimental Center of Advanced Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Lina Wang
- Experimental Center of Advanced Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Fan Xu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Jiafeng Wu
- Experimental Center of Advanced Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Tinglu Song
- Experimental Center of Advanced Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Chen
- Experimental Center of Advanced Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China.,Beijing Institute of Technology Chongqing Innovation Center, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
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18
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Hendricks J, Ahmed Z, Barker D, Douglass K, Eckel S, Fedchak J, Klimov N, Ricker J, Scherschligt J. Quantum-Based Photonic Sensors for Pressure, Vacuum, and Temperature Measurements: A Vison of the Future with NIST on a Chip. Measur Sens 2021; 7:10.5162/SM SI2021/PT7. [PMID: 38711829 PMCID: PMC11071017 DOI: 10.5162/smsi2021/pt7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
The NIST on a Chip (NOAC) program's central idea is the idea that measurement technology can be developed to enable metrology to be performed "outside the National Metrology Institute" by the creation of deployed and often miniaturized standards. These standards, when based on fundamental properties of nature, are directly tracible to the international system of units known as the SI. NIST is also developing quantum-based standards for SI traceability known as QSI, or Quantum based International System of units. Specifically, this paper will cover NIST efforts in the area of thermodynamic metrology to develop NOAC standards for pressure, vacuum and temperature measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Hendricks
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Physical Measurement Laboratory, 1Sensor Science Division, Thermodynamic Metrology Group, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8363
| | - Z Ahmed
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Physical Measurement Laboratory, 1Sensor Science Division, Thermodynamic Metrology Group, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8363
| | - D Barker
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Physical Measurement Laboratory, 1Sensor Science Division, Thermodynamic Metrology Group, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8363
| | - K Douglass
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Physical Measurement Laboratory, 1Sensor Science Division, Thermodynamic Metrology Group, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8363
| | - S Eckel
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Physical Measurement Laboratory, 1Sensor Science Division, Thermodynamic Metrology Group, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8363
| | - J Fedchak
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Physical Measurement Laboratory, 1Sensor Science Division, Thermodynamic Metrology Group, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8363
| | - N Klimov
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Physical Measurement Laboratory, 1Sensor Science Division, Thermodynamic Metrology Group, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8363
| | - J Ricker
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Physical Measurement Laboratory, 1Sensor Science Division, Thermodynamic Metrology Group, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8363
| | - J Scherschligt
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Physical Measurement Laboratory, 1Sensor Science Division, Thermodynamic Metrology Group, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8363
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19
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VanderBroek AR, Engiles JB, Kästner SBR, Kopp V, Verhaar N, Hopster K. Protective effects of dexmedetomidine on small intestinal ischaemia-reperfu sion injury in horses. Equine Vet J 2020; 53:569-578. [PMID: 32862437 DOI: 10.1111/evj.13337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Strangulating small intestinal lesions in the horse have increased morbidity and mortality compared to nonstrangulating obstructions due to mucosal barrier disruption and subsequent endotoxaemia. OBJECTIVES To investigate protective effects of dexmedetomidine on small intestinal ischaemia-reperfusion injury in the horse. STUDY DESIGN Randomised, controlled, experimental study. METHODS Eighteen systemically healthy horses were randomly assigned to three groups: control, preconditioning, and post-conditioning. During isoflurane anaesthesia, complete ischaemia was induced in a 1-m segment of jejunum for 90 minutes. Horses in the preconditioning and post-conditioning groups received dexmedetomidine (3.5 µg/kg followed by 7 µg/kg/h) before (preconditioning) or after beginning ischaemia (post-conditioning), and during reperfusion. Jejunal biopsies were collected before ischaemia (baseline-1), at the end of the ischaemic period (ischaemia), and 30 minutes after reperfusion (reperfusion-1). Additional biopsies were taken 24 hours after reperfusion from ischaemia-reperfusion-injured jejunum (reperfusion-2). Epithelial injury was scored histologically, and morphometric analyses were used to calculate villus surface area (VSA) denuded of epithelium. Data were analysed using analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon two-sample tests. RESULTS In the control group, epithelial injury scores and percentage of VSA denudation for ischaemia-reperfusion-injured jejunum were higher compared to baseline-1 at all time points. The ischaemia and both reperfusion samples from the pre- and post-conditioning groups had lower epithelial injury scores and percentage of VSA epithelial denudation compared to the control group, with no difference from baseline-1 at any time point for the preconditioning group. MAIN LIMITATIONS Preconditioning has limited application in the clinical setting with naturally occurring strangulating small intestinal lesions. CONCLUSIONS Dexmedetomidine was protective for small intestinal ischaemia-reperfusion injury in the horse when administered before or during ischaemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley R VanderBroek
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Julie B Engiles
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA, USA
| | - Sabine B R Kästner
- Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Veronika Kopp
- Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Nicole Verhaar
- Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Klaus Hopster
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA, USA
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Gallo S, Baaijen Thijs J, Suttrup J, Fernandes-Henriques C, Paracampo R, Keysers C, Gazzola V. Baye sian statistics show a lack of change in excitability following bi-hemispheric HD-TDCS over the primary somatosensory cortices. Brain Stimul 2020; 13:640-642. [PMID: 32289690 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2020.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Selene Gallo
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, An Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Art and Sciences (KNAW), 1105, BA, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - J Baaijen Thijs
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, An Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Art and Sciences (KNAW), 1105, BA, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Judith Suttrup
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, An Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Art and Sciences (KNAW), 1105, BA, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Carolina Fernandes-Henriques
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, An Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Art and Sciences (KNAW), 1105, BA, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Riccardo Paracampo
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, An Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Art and Sciences (KNAW), 1105, BA, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Christian Keysers
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, An Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Art and Sciences (KNAW), 1105, BA, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Amsterdam (UvA), 1001, NK, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Valeria Gazzola
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, An Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Art and Sciences (KNAW), 1105, BA, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Amsterdam (UvA), 1001, NK, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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21
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Seko Y, Mizuno N, Okishio S, Takahashi A, Kataoka S, Okuda K, Furuta M, Takemura M, Taketani H, Umemura A, Nishikawa T, Yamaguchi K, Moriguchi M, Itoh Y. Clinical and pathological features of sarcopenia-related indices in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Hepatol Res 2019; 49:627-636. [PMID: 30716793 DOI: 10.1111/hepr.13321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Revised: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sarcopenia is diagnosed with the skeletal muscle index (SMI) or the sarcopenia index (SI). We previously reported that the ratio of skeletal muscle mass to body fat mass (SF ratio) was a novel index of sarcopenia in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate sarcopenia with these indices in patients with NAFLD. METHODS One hundred and fifty-six consecutive patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) >40 IU/L were enrolled. Liver function and body composition were evaluated in 121 patients after 12 months. We evaluated the relationship between histological findings, changes in liver function, and the SMI, SI, and SF ratio. RESULTS Of the 156 patients enrolled, 13.5% and 26.3% were diagnosed with sarcopenia with the SMI and SI. In patients with hepatic fibrosis stage <2, the SI and the SF ratio were significantly greater than in patients with fibrosis stage ≥2. There was no difference in SMI between groups. In the cohort assessed at baseline and 12 months later, transaminase activity and SMI decreased significantly, and the SF ratio increased over time. A multivariate analysis revealed the presence of the PNPLA3 G allele and an increase in SF ratio (odds ratio, 7.406) as predictive factors of ALT reduction >30% from baseline. CONCLUSIONS Due to the high prevalence of obesity, we should consider both skeletal muscle mass and body fat mass in the diagnosis and treatment of NAFLD. The SF ratio could be a useful index in sarcopenic NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuya Seko
- Department of Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto
| | - Naoki Mizuno
- Department of Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto
| | - Shinya Okishio
- Department of Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto
| | - Aya Takahashi
- Department of Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto
| | - Seita Kataoka
- Department of Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto
| | - Keiichiroh Okuda
- Department of Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto
| | - Mitsuhiro Furuta
- Department of Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto
| | - Masashi Takemura
- Department of Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto
| | - Hiroyoshi Taketani
- Department of Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto
| | - Atsushi Umemura
- Department of Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto
| | - Taichiro Nishikawa
- Department of Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto
| | - Kanji Yamaguchi
- Department of Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto
| | - Michihisa Moriguchi
- Department of Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto
| | - Yoshito Itoh
- Department of Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto
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Gatadi S, Gour J, Shukla M, Kaul G, Dasgupta A, Madhavi YV, Chopra S, Nanduri S. Synthe sis and evaluation of new quinazolin-4(3H)-one derivatives as potent antibacterial agents against multidrug resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 175:287-308. [PMID: 31096152 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.04.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis are major causative agents responsible for serious nosocomial and community-acquired infections impacting healthcare systems globally. Over several decades, these pathogens have developed resistance to multiple antibiotics significantly affecting morbidity and mortality. Thus, these recalcitrant pathogens are amongst the most formidable microbial pathogens for which international healthcare agencies have mandated active identification and development of new antibacterial agents for chemotherapeutic intervention. In our present work, a series of new quinazolin-4(3H)-one derivatives were designed, synthesized and evaluated for their antibacterial activity against ESKAP pathogens and pathogenic mycobacteria. The experiments revealed that 4'c, 4'e, 4'f and 4'h displayed selective and potent inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus with MIC values ranging from 0.03-0.25 μg/mL. Furthermore, compounds 4'c and 4'e were found to be benign to Vero cells (CC50 = >5 μg/mL) and displayed promising selectivity index (SI) > 167 and > 83.4 respectively. Additionally, 4'c and 4'e demonstrated equipotent MIC against multiple drug-resistant strains of S. aureus including VRSA, concentration dependent bactericidal activity against S. aureus and synergized with FDA approved drugs. Moreover, compound 4'c exhibited more potent activity in reducing the biofilm and exhibited a PAE of ∼2 h at 10X MIC which is comparable to levofloxacin and vancomycin. In vivo efficacy of 4'c in murine neutropenic thigh infection model revealed that 4'c caused a similar reduction in cfu as vancomycin. Gratifyingly, compounds 4d, 4e, 9a, 9b, 14a, 4'e and 4'f also exhibited anti-mycobacterial activity with MIC values in the range of 2-16 μg/mL. In addition, the compounds were found to be less toxic to Vero cells (CC50 = 12.5->100 μg/mL), thus displaying a favourable selectivity index. The interesting results obtained here suggest the potential utilization of these new quinazolin-4(3H)-one derivatives as promising antibacterial agents for treating MDR-Staphylococcal and mycobacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srikanth Gatadi
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, 500037, India
| | - Jitendra Gour
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, 500037, India
| | - Manjulika Shukla
- Division of Microbiology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sitapur Road, Sector 10, Janakipuram Extension, Lucknow, 226031, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Grace Kaul
- Division of Microbiology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sitapur Road, Sector 10, Janakipuram Extension, Lucknow, 226031, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Arunava Dasgupta
- Division of Microbiology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sitapur Road, Sector 10, Janakipuram Extension, Lucknow, 226031, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Y V Madhavi
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, 500037, India
| | - Sidharth Chopra
- Division of Microbiology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sitapur Road, Sector 10, Janakipuram Extension, Lucknow, 226031, Uttar Pradesh, India.
| | - Srinivas Nanduri
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, 500037, India.
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Holmes NP, Tamè L, Beeching P, Medford M, Rakova M, Stuart A, Zeni S. Locating primary somatosensory cortex in human brain stimulation studies: experimental evidence. J Neurophysiol 2018; 121:336-344. [PMID: 30575432 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00641.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over human primary somatosensory cortex (S1) does not produce immediate outputs. Researchers must therefore rely on indirect methods for TMS coil positioning. The "gold standard" is to use individual functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data, but the majority of studies don't do this. The most common method to locate the hand area of S1 (S1-hand) is to move the coil posteriorly from the hand area of primary motor cortex (M1-hand). Yet, S1-hand is not directly posterior to M1-hand. We localized the index finger area of S1-hand (S1-index) experimentally in four ways. First, we reanalyzed functional MRI data from 20 participants who received vibrotactile stimulation to their 10 digits. Second, to assist the localization of S1-hand without MRI data, we constructed a probabilistic atlas of the central sulcus from 100 healthy adult MRIs and measured the likely scalp location of S1-index. Third, we conducted two experiments mapping the effects of TMS across the scalp on tactile discrimination performance. Fourth, we examined all available neuronavigation data from our laboratory on the scalp location of S1-index. Contrary to the prevailing method, and consistent with systematic review evidence, S1-index is close to the C3/C4 electroencephalography (EEG) electrode locations on the scalp, ~7-8 cm lateral to the vertex, and ~2 cm lateral and 0.5 cm posterior to the M1-hand scalp location. These results suggest that an immediate revision to the most commonly used heuristic to locate S1-hand is required. The results of many TMS studies of S1-hand need reassessment. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Noninvasive human brain stimulation requires indirect methods to target particular brain areas. Magnetic stimulation studies of human primary somatosensory cortex have used scalp-based heuristics to find the target, typically locating it 2 cm posterior to the motor cortex. We measured the scalp location of the hand area of primary somatosensory cortex and found that it is ~2 cm lateral to motor cortex. Our results suggest an immediate revision of the prevailing method is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Paul Holmes
- School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, University Park , Nottingham , United Kingdom
| | - Luigi Tamè
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck University of London , London , United Kingdom
| | - Paisley Beeching
- School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, University Park , Nottingham , United Kingdom
| | - Mary Medford
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading , Reading , United Kingdom
| | - Mariyana Rakova
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading , Reading , United Kingdom
| | - Alexander Stuart
- School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, University Park , Nottingham , United Kingdom
| | - Silvia Zeni
- School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, University Park , Nottingham , United Kingdom
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Gurtubay-Antolin A, León-Cabrera P, Rodríguez-Fornells A. Neural Evidence of Hierarchical Cognitive Control during Haptic Proces sing: An fMRI Study. eNeuro 2018; 5:ENEURO. [PMID: 30627631 DOI: 10.1523/ENEURO.0295-18.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Revised: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Interacting with our immediate surroundings requires constant manipulation of objects. Dexterous manipulation depends on comparison between actual and predicted sensory input, with these predictions calculated by means of lower- and higher-order corollary discharge signals. However, there is still scarce knowledge about the hierarchy in the neural architecture supporting haptic monitoring during manipulation. The present study aimed to assess this issue focusing on the cross talk between lower-order sensory and higher-order associative regions. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging in humans during a haptic discrimination task in which participants had to judge whether a touched shape or texture corresponded to an expected stimulus whose name was previously presented. Specialized haptic regions identified with an independent localizer task did not differ between expected and unexpected conditions, suggesting their lack of involvement in tactile monitoring. When presented stimuli did not match previous expectations, the left supramarginal gyrus (SMG), middle temporal, and medial prefrontal cortices were activated regardless of the nature of the haptic mismatch (shape/texture). The left primary somatosensory area (SI) responded differently to unexpected shapes and textures in line with a specialized detection of haptic mismatch. Importantly, connectivity analyses revealed that the left SMG and SI were more functionally coupled during unexpected trials, emphasizing their interaction. The results point for the first time to a hierarchical organization in the neural substrates underlying haptic monitoring during manipulation with the SMG as a higher-order hub comparing actual and predicted somatosensory input, and SI as a lower-order site involved in the detection of more specialized haptic mismatch.
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Bouchhima RA, Sarti M, Ciolfi M, Lauteri M, Ksibi M. Decision tree for mapping of halophyte cover around Ghannouch, Tunisia. Environ Monit Assess 2018; 190:742. [PMID: 30465266 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-018-7115-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Environment of Ghannouch in the south-east of Tunisia is characterized by the wide-spread hypersaline soils, typically colonized by halophytes. The study of their distribution is required in order to reveal the extent of salinization and its dynamic. Mapping and monitoring with a remote sensing approach are foreseen as the ways to trace the spatial and temporal dimensions of the phenomenon. The identification of halophyte vegetation can take advantage by analyzing optical remote sensing data. Here, we propose using a decision tree approach applied to European Space Agency Sentinel-2 imagery, for an accurate land cover mapping of Ghannouch district in Gabès governorate. Data pre-processing was carried out using the European Space Agency's Sentinel Application Platform and the SEN2COR toolboxes. The mapping approach combines the spectral information in several channels of the visible-near-infrared spectrum. The land cover identification was performed following a spectral classification approach, exploiting several optical indices, normalized difference water index, normalized difference vegetation index, and several soil salinity index, in order to elaborate a decision tree algorithm. As a result, for an area of interest of 50 × 50 km2, at least 68% was classified as halophyte land cover. This mapping exercise represents an important step toward improved halophytes mapping in Tunisia and could be used to monitor the status of other salinity prone regions in the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rim Attya Bouchhima
- University of Sfax, Laboratory of Environmental Engineering and Eco-Technology, National School of Engineers (ENIS), Route de Soukra Km 3,5, P.O. Box 1173, 3038, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Maurizio Sarti
- National Research Council, Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems, Porano, Italy
| | - Marco Ciolfi
- National Research Council, Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems, Porano, Italy
| | - Marco Lauteri
- National Research Council, Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems, Porano, Italy
| | - Mohamed Ksibi
- University of Sfax, Laboratory of Environmental Engineering and Eco-Technology, National School of Engineers (ENIS), Route de Soukra Km 3,5, P.O. Box 1173, 3038, Sfax, Tunisia.
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26
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Taylor BN. Quantity Calculus, Fundamental Constants, and SI Units. J Res Natl Inst Stand Technol 2018; 123:1-12. [PMID: 34877135 PMCID: PMC7339734 DOI: 10.6028/jres.123.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/18/2018] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
A revised International System of Units (SI) is expected to be established by the 26th General Conference on Weights and Measures when it convenes in November 2018 and to be put into practice starting on 20 May 2019, World Metrology Day. In consequence, the article published in this journal in 2011, "The Current SI Seen from the Perspective of the Proposed New SI," is updated in this paper, which provides an opportunity to again demonstrate the usefulness of the quantity calculus in dealing with quantities and units. The quantity calculus and the seven defining constants of the current and revised SI are reviewed, and expressions for the seven current and revised SI base units are given. Relationships between the magnitudes of revised and current SI units and expressions for the numerical values of current SI defining constants expressed in revised SI units are also obtained using the quantity calculus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barry N Taylor
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8420, USA
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27
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Gallo S, Paracampo R, Müller-Pinzler L, Severo MC, Blömer L, Fernandes-Henriques C, Henschel A, Lammes BK, Maskaljunas T, Suttrup J, Avenanti A, Keysers C, Gazzola V. The causal role of the somatosensory cortex in prosocial behaviour. eLife 2018; 7:32740. [PMID: 29735015 PMCID: PMC5973831 DOI: 10.7554/elife.32740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 04/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Witnessing another person’s suffering elicits vicarious brain activity in areas that are active when we ourselves are in pain. Whether this activity influences prosocial behavior remains the subject of debate. Here participants witnessed a confederate express pain through a reaction of the swatted hand or through a facial expression, and could decide to reduce that pain by donating money. Participants donate more money on trials in which the confederate expressed more pain. Electroencephalography shows that activity of the somatosensory cortex I (SI) hand region explains variance in donation. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) shows that altering this activity interferes with the pain–donation coupling only when pain is expressed by the hand. High-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) shows that altering SI activity also interferes with pain perception. These experiments show that vicarious somatosensory activations contribute to prosocial decision-making and suggest that they do so by helping to transform observed reactions of affected body-parts into accurate perceptions of pain that are necessary for decision-making. When we experience physical pain, certain areas in our brain that process bodily sensation and emotions switch on. If we see someone else in pain, many of the same regions also get activated. In contrast, convicted criminals with psychopathic traits have less activation in these areas of the brain when witnessing someone’s pain; they also show less empathy and disregard the needs of others. This suggests that a lack of this ‘shared activations’ may lead to problems in empathy. In fact, many scientists believe that shared activations are why we feel empathy for people in pain, and why we are driven to help them. Yet, there is little direct evidence about how the activity in the pain processing parts of the brain actually influences helpful behavior. As a result, some scientists now argue that empathy-related processes may actually contribute very little to helping behavior. Gallo et al. designed an experiment where participants watched videos of someone having their hand swatted with a belt, and showing different levels of pain as a result. The volunteers could decide to reduce the amount of pain the person received by donating money they could have taken home. The more pain the participants thought the victim was in, the more money they gave up to lessen it. During the study, the activity in the brain region that processes pain in the hand was also measured in the participants. The more active this region was, the more money people donated to help. Then, Gallo et al. used techniques that interfered with the activity of the brain area involved in perceiving sensations from the hand. This interference changed how accurately participants assessed the victim's pain. It also disrupted the link between donations and the victim's perceived pain: the amount of money people gave no longer matched the level of pain they had witnessed. This suggests that the brain areas that perceive sensations of pain in the self, which evolved primarily to experience our own sensations, also have a social function. They transform the sight of bodily harm into an accurate feeling for how much pain the victim experiences. The findings also show that we need this feeling so we can adapt our help to the needs of others. In the current debate about the role of empathy in helping behaviors, this study demonstrates that empathy-related brain activity indeed promotes helping by allowing us to detect those that need our assistance. Understanding the relationship between helping behavior and the activity of the brain may further lead to treatments for individuals with antisocial behavior and for children with callous and unemotional traits, a disorder that is associated with a lack of empathy and a general disregard for others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selene Gallo
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Art and Sciences (KNAW), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Riccardo Paracampo
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Art and Sciences (KNAW), Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Psychology, Center for Studies and Research in Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy.,IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Müller-Pinzler
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Art and Sciences (KNAW), Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Social Neuroscience Lab, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Mario Carlo Severo
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Art and Sciences (KNAW), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Laila Blömer
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Art and Sciences (KNAW), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Carolina Fernandes-Henriques
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Art and Sciences (KNAW), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Anna Henschel
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Art and Sciences (KNAW), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Balint Kalista Lammes
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Art and Sciences (KNAW), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Tatjana Maskaljunas
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Art and Sciences (KNAW), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Judith Suttrup
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Art and Sciences (KNAW), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Alessio Avenanti
- Department of Psychology, Center for Studies and Research in Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy.,IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Christian Keysers
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Art and Sciences (KNAW), Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Valeria Gazzola
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Art and Sciences (KNAW), Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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DeVore GR, Klas B, Satou G, Sklansky M. 24-segment sphericity index: a new technique to evaluate fetal cardiac diastolic shape. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2018; 51:650-658. [PMID: 28437575 DOI: 10.1002/uog.17505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Revised: 03/24/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Because of parallel circulation in the fetus and the differential effect that various disease states may have on the shape of the right and left ventricles, this study was conducted to evaluate the sphericity index (SI) of 24 transverse segments distributed from the base to the apex of each of the ventricular chambers. METHODS Two hundred control fetuses were examined between 20 and 40 weeks of gestation. The displacement of the ventricular endocardium during the cardiac cycle was computed using offline speckle-tracking software. From the ASCII output of the analysis, we analyzed 24 end-diastolic transverse segments, distributed from the base to the apex of each ventricle, as well as the end-diastolic mid-basal-apical length. The SI was computed for each of the 24 segments by dividing the mid-basal-apical length by the transverse length for each segment. Regression analysis was performed against biometric measurements and gestational age according to last menstrual period and ultrasound. Eight fetuses, in which the four-chamber view appeared subjectively to demonstrate chamber disproportion, were evaluated as examples to demonstrate the utility of this technology. RESULTS The SI for each segment was independent of gestational age and fetal biometric measurements. The SI of the right ventricle was significantly (P < 0.001) lower than that of the left ventricle for segments 1-18, suggesting that the right ventricle was more globular in shape than was the left ventricle at the base, mid and a portion of the apical segments of the chamber. Fetuses with various cardiac structural abnormalities and abnormal fetal growth had abnormal SI values that reflected either a more globular or a more flattened ventricular chamber. CONCLUSION Determination of SI for each of 24 segments of the fetal right and left ventricles provides a comprehensive method to examine the shape of the ventricular chambers. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- G R DeVore
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Fetal Diagnostic Centers, Pasadena, Tarzana and Lancaster, CA, USA
| | - B Klas
- TomTec Corporation, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - G Satou
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - M Sklansky
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Flater D. Architecture for software-as sisted quantity calculus. Comput Stand Interfaces 2018; 56:10.1016/j.csi.2017.10.002. [PMID: 33311855 PMCID: PMC7727268 DOI: 10.1016/j.csi.2017.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
A quantity value, such as 5 kg, consists of a number and a reference (often an International System of Units (SI) unit) that together express the magnitude of a quantity. Many software libraries, packages, and ontologies that implement "quantities and units " functions are available. Although all of them begin with SI and associated practices, they differ in how they address issues such as ad hoc counting units, ratios of two quantities of the same kind, and uncertainty. This short article describes an architecture that addresses the complete set of functions in a simple and consistent fashion. Its goal is to encourage more convergent thinking about the functions and the underlying concepts so that the many disparate implementations, present and future, will become more consistent with one another.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Flater
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Dr, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA
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Quinn T. From artefacts to atoms - A new SI for 2018 to be based on fundamental constants. Stud Hist Philos Sci 2017; 65-66:8-20. [PMID: 29195652 DOI: 10.1016/j.shpsa.2017.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Revised: 05/30/2016] [Accepted: 07/24/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
At the 26th General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM) in November 2018, it is planned to adopt a new definition of the International System of Units, SI, based on the fixed numerical values of seven defining constants, broadly the fundamental constants of physics. This will be the culmination of more than two hundred years of metrology, instantiating for the first time the original ideas of the creators of the metric system. The key is the replacement of the present definition of the unit of mass, the kilogram artefact of platinum-iridium, by one based on a fixed numerical value of the Planck constant. This article outlines how this has come about, how it will work, why we need a system of measurement that is uniform, accessible world-wide and stable in the long term, and the international structures that now exist to achieve it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terry Quinn
- Emeritus Director Bureau International des Poids et Mesures, 92 rue Brancas, 92310 Sèvres, France.
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Heng D, Zhang T, Tian Y, Yu S, Liu W, Xu K, Liu J, Ding Y, Zhu B, Yang Y, Zhang C. Effects of dietary soybean isoflavones ( SI) on reproduction in the young breeder rooster. Anim Reprod Sci 2017; 177:124-131. [PMID: 28041654 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2016.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Revised: 12/02/2016] [Accepted: 12/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Soybean isoflavones (SIs) are phytoestrogens that competitive with estrogens in body. Although SIs play an important role in reproduction, their role in testicular development in roosters is unknown. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of SIs on testicular development and serum reproductive hormone profiles in young breeder roosters (70-133days old). Gene expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc), and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD), which are related to testosterone synthesis, in rooster testis were also evaluated after treatment with different SI doses. Although SIs had no significant effect on body weight, 5mg/kg SIs significantly increased the testis index and serum levels of reproductive hormones (gonadotropin releasing hormone, follicle- stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone).To further investigate whether SIs regulate hormone synthesis via StAR, p450scc, 3β-HSD, real time-PCR was performed to measure the mRNA levels of the corresponding genes. The results showed that 5mg/kg of SIs significantly increased StAR mRNA levels. However, there were no significant effects on p450scc or 3β-HSD mRNA levels. Moreover, the spermatogonial development and the number of germ cell layers were increased by treatment with 5mg/kg of SIs. These results suggest that SIs promote testicular growth by increasing reproductive hormone secretion, which is closely related to StAR expression, to positively regulate reproduction in young roosters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dai Heng
- College of Life Science, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Ningxia Agricultural School, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750021, People's Republic of China
| | - Ye Tian
- College of Life Science, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, People's Republic of China
| | - Shangyu Yu
- College of Life Science, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenbo Liu
- College of Life Science, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, People's Republic of China
| | - Kaili Xu
- College of Life Science, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, People's Republic of China
| | - Juan Liu
- College of Life Science, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Ding
- College of Life Science, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, People's Republic of China
| | - Baochang Zhu
- College of Life Science, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanzhou Yang
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics in Ningxia, Department of Histology and Embryology, Ningxia Medical University, Ningxia 750004, People's Republic of China.
| | - Cheng Zhang
- College of Life Science, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, People's Republic of China.
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Ma Y, Li Q, Hu G, Qin Y. Comparative transcriptional survey between self-incompatibility and self-compatibility in Citrus reticulata Blanco. Gene 2017; 609:52-61. [PMID: 28137595 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2017.01.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2016] [Revised: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 01/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Seedlessness is an excellent economical trait, and self-incompatibility (SI) is one of important factors resulting in seedless fruit in Citrus. However, SI molecular mechanism in Citrus is still unclear. In this study, RNA-Seq technology was used to identify differentially expressed genes related to SI reaction of 'Wuzishatangju' (Citrus reticulata Blanco). A total of 35.67GB raw RNA-Seq data was generated and was de novo assembled into 50,364 unigenes with an average length of 897bp and N50 value of 1549. Twenty-three candidate unigenes related to SI were analyzed using qPCR at different tissues and stages after self- and cross-pollination. Seven pollen S genes (Unigene0050323, Unigene0001060, Unigene0004230, Unigene0004222, Unigene0012037, Unigene0048889 and Unigene0004272), three pistil S genes (Unigene0019191, Unigene0040115, Unigene0036542) and three genes (Unigene0038751, Unigene0031435 and Unigene0029897) associated with the pathway of ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis were identified. Unigene0031435, Unigene0038751 and Unigene0029897 are probably involved in SI reaction of 'Wuzishatangju' based on expression analyses. The present study provides a new insight into the molecular mechanism of SI in Citrus at the transcriptional level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuewen Ma
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources/Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops-South China, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Qiulei Li
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources/Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops-South China, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Guibing Hu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources/Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops-South China, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yonghua Qin
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources/Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops-South China, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
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Shrestha S, Kafle R, Pandey VP. Evaluation of index-overlay methods for groundwater vulnerability and risk assessment in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. Sci Total Environ 2017; 575:779-790. [PMID: 27693144 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.09.141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2016] [Revised: 09/02/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed at evaluating three index-overlay methods of vulnerability assessment (i.e., DRASTIC, GOD, and SI) for estimating risk to pollution of shallow groundwater aquifer in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. The Groundwater Risk Assessment Model (GRAM) model was used to compute the risk to groundwater pollution. Results showed that DRASTIC and SI methods are comparable for vulnerability assessment as both methods delineate around 80% of the groundwater basin area under high vulnerable zone. From the perspective of risk to pollution results, DRASTIC and GOD methods are comparable. Nevertheless, all the three methods estimate that at least 60% of the groundwater basin is under moderate risk to NO3-N pollution, which goes up to 75% if DRASTIC or GOD-based vulnerabilities are considered as exposure pathways. Finally, based on strength and significance of correlation between the estimated risk and observed NO3-N concentrations, it was found that SI method is a better-suited one to assess the vulnerability and risk to groundwater pollution in the study area. Findings from this study are useful to design strategies and actions aimed to prevent nitrate pollution in groundwater of Kathmandu Valley in Nepal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangam Shrestha
- Water Engineering and Management, Asian Institute of Technology, P. O. Box 4, Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand.
| | - Ranjana Kafle
- Water Engineering and Management, Asian Institute of Technology, P. O. Box 4, Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
| | - Vishnu Prasad Pandey
- Water Engineering and Management, Asian Institute of Technology, P. O. Box 4, Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand; Center of Research for Environment Energy and Water (CREEW), 259 Chandramukhi Galli, Baluwatar, Kathmandu-4, Nepal
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Abstract
The International System of Units (SI) and its associated methods adhere to a design principle in which all kinds of quantities are described in terms of a standard set of dimensions. It is a corollary of that principle that quantities having no extent in any of those dimensions ("dimensionless quantities") will not be distinguishable as different kinds through dimensional analysis alone, and the formality of quantity calculus will be of no help in preventing mistakes where different kinds of dimensionless quantities are confused. This corollary has led to controversies involving abuse of the unit hertz and elimination of radians and steradians as being equivalent to the number 1. In addition, official rejection of the use of so-called counting units in conjunction with accepted units has been repeatedly criticized and is often ignored. The proposed resolution is to extend quantity calculus to discern different kinds of dimensionless quantities as well as it currently discerns different kinds of dimensional quantities. The extended system provides a formal interpretation of commonly-used workarounds in terms that are compatible with SI. Should the extended quantity calculus become accepted by consensus in the future, a guide to its use would expand the set of references provided by the Joint Committee for Guides in Metrology (JCGM), which currently lacks a definitive reference on quantity calculus.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Flater
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Dr, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA
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Abstract
Objective: To examine the ability to use Quantitative Ultrasonography (QUS) densitometer for screening of osteoporosis and osteopenia by comparing QUS values obtained at the calcaneus region to bone mineral density (BMD) values measured at the spine and the neck of the femur using Dual Energy X-ray Absorbemetry (DXA). Methods: QUS (in the calcaneus region) and DXA (the spine and the neck of femur respectively) measurements were performed in 101 females. Results: The precision of the QUS parameters varied from 1.77-1.78, whereas the reliability ranged from 92.2%-98.6%. For the QUS parameters variability between subjects was greater than that within subjects. Positive correlation were found between stiffness index (SI) and BMDspine and BMDN.femur (r= 0.29 & r=0.25 respectively, P < 0.05) and a strong positive correlation between T-scorecalcaneus and both T-scoreSpine and T-scoreN.femur (r= 0.5 & r=0.58 respectively, P < 0.01). Conclusions: QUS is a reliable technique to be used in combination with DXA for the investigation of osteopenia and osteoporosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Fahmi Hammad
- Dr. Lina Fahmi Hammad, Department of Radiological Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Valchev N, Gazzola V, Avenanti A, Keysers C. Primary somatosensory contribution to action observation brain activity-combining fMRI and cTBS. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2016; 11:1205-17. [PMID: 26979966 PMCID: PMC4967793 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsw029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2015] [Accepted: 03/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Traditionally the mirror neuron system (MNS) only includes premotor and posterior parietal cortices. However, somatosensory cortices, BA1/2 in particular, are also activated during action execution and observation. Here, we examine whether BA1/2 and the parietofrontal MNS integrate information by using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)-guided continuous theta-burst stimulation (cTBS) to perturb BA1/2. Measuring brain activity using fMRI while participants are under the influence of cTBS shows local cTBS effects in BA1/2 varied, with some participants showing decreases and others increases in the BOLD response to viewing actions vs control stimuli. We show how measuring cTBS effects using fMRI can harness this variance using a whole-brain regression. This analysis identifies brain regions exchanging action-specific information with BA1/2 by mapping voxels away from the coil with cTBS-induced, action-observation-specific BOLD contrast changes that mirror those under the coil. This reveals BA1/2 exchanges action-specific information with premotor, posterior parietal and temporal nodes of the MNS during action observation. Although anatomical connections between BA1/2 and these regions are well known, this is the first demonstration that these connections carry action-specific signals during observation and hence, that BA1/2 plays a causal role in the human MNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikola Valchev
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 2, 9713 AW Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Valeria Gazzola
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 2, 9713 AW Groningen, The Netherlands The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Weesperplein 4, 1018 XA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alessio Avenanti
- Department of Psychology and Centro studi e ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, University of Bologna, Cesena Campus, Cesena 47521, Italy, Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome 00179, Italy
| | - Christian Keysers
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 2, 9713 AW Groningen, The Netherlands The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Weesperplein 4, 1018 XA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Zakel S, Pollakowski B, Streeck C, Wundrack S, Weber A, Brunken S, Mainz R, Beckhoff B, Stosch R. Traceable Quantitative Raman Microscopy and X-ray Fluorescence Analy sis as Nondestructive Methods for the Characterization of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Absorber Films. Appl Spectrosc 2016; 70:279-288. [PMID: 26903563 DOI: 10.1177/0003702815620131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The traceability of measured quantities is an essential condition when linking process control parameters to guaranteed physical properties of a product. Using Raman spectroscopy as an analytical tool for monitoring the production of Cu(In1-xGax)Se2 thin-film solar cells, proper calibration with regard to chemical composition and lateral dimensions is a key prerequisite. This study shows how the multiple requirements of calibration in Raman microscopy might be addressed. The surface elemental composition as well as the integral elemental composition of the samples is traced back by reference-free X-ray fluorescence analysis. Reference Raman spectra are then generated for the relevant Cu(In1-xGax)Se2 related compounds. The lateral dimensions are calibrated with the help of a novel dimensional standard whose regular structures have been traced back to the International System of Units by metrological scanning force microscopy. On this basis, an approach for the quantitative determination of surface coverage values from lateral Raman mappings is developed together with a complete uncertainty budget. Raman and X-ray spectrometry have here been proven as complementary nondestructive methods combining surface sensitivity and in-depth information on elemental and species distribution for the reliable quality control of Cu(In1-xGax)Se2 absorbers and Cu(In1-xGax)3Se5 surface layer formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Zakel
- Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Braunschweig, Germany
| | | | | | - Stefan Wundrack
- Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Alfons Weber
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie (HZB), Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Brunken
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie (HZB), Berlin, Germany
| | - Roland Mainz
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie (HZB), Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Rainer Stosch
- Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Braunschweig, Germany
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Pontremoli C, Mozzi A, Forni D, Cagliani R, Pozzoli U, Menozzi G, Vertemara J, Bresolin N, Clerici M, Sironi M. Natural Selection at the Brush-Border: Adaptations to Carbohydrate Diets in Humans and Other Mammals. Genome Biol Evol 2015; 7:2569-84. [PMID: 26319403 PMCID: PMC4607523 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evv166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Dietary shifts can drive molecular evolution in mammals and a major transition in human history, the agricultural revolution, favored carbohydrate consumption. We investigated the evolutionary history of nine genes encoding brush-border proteins involved in carbohydrate digestion/absorption. Results indicated widespread adaptive evolution in mammals, with several branches experiencing episodic selection, particularly strong in bats. Many positively selected sites map to functional protein regions (e.g., within glucosidase catalytic crevices), with parallel evolution at SI (sucrase-isomaltase) and MGAM (maltase-glucoamylase). In human populations, five genes were targeted by positive selection acting on noncoding variants within regulatory elements. Analysis of ancient DNA samples indicated that most derived alleles were already present in the Paleolithic. Positively selected variants at SLC2A5 (fructose transporter) were an exception and possibly spread following the domestication of specific fruit crops. We conclude that agriculture determined no major selective event at carbohydrate metabolism genes in humans, with implications for susceptibility to metabolic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Pontremoli
- Bioinformatics, Scientific Institute IRCCS E.MEDEA, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Alessandra Mozzi
- Bioinformatics, Scientific Institute IRCCS E.MEDEA, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Diego Forni
- Bioinformatics, Scientific Institute IRCCS E.MEDEA, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Rachele Cagliani
- Bioinformatics, Scientific Institute IRCCS E.MEDEA, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Uberto Pozzoli
- Bioinformatics, Scientific Institute IRCCS E.MEDEA, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Giorgia Menozzi
- Bioinformatics, Scientific Institute IRCCS E.MEDEA, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Jacopo Vertemara
- Bioinformatics, Scientific Institute IRCCS E.MEDEA, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Nereo Bresolin
- Bioinformatics, Scientific Institute IRCCS E.MEDEA, Bosisio Parini, Italy Dino Ferrari Centre, Department of Physiopathology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Fondazione Ca' Granda IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Italy
| | - Mario Clerici
- Department of Physiopathology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Italy Don C. Gnocchi Foundation ONLUS, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Manuela Sironi
- Bioinformatics, Scientific Institute IRCCS E.MEDEA, Bosisio Parini, Italy
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Mordini FE, Haddad T, Hsu LY, Kellman P, Lowrey TB, Aletras AH, Bandettini WP, Arai AE. Diagnostic accuracy of stress perfu sion CMR in comparison with quantitative coronary angiography: fully quantitative, semiquantitative, and qualitative assessment. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging 2015; 7:14-22. [PMID: 24433707 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmg.2013.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2013] [Revised: 08/19/2013] [Accepted: 08/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study's primary objective was to determine the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of fully quantitative stress perfusion cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) versus a reference standard of quantitative coronary angiography. We hypothesized that fully quantitative analysis of stress perfusion CMR would have high diagnostic accuracy for identifying significant coronary artery stenosis and exceed the accuracy of semiquantitative measures of perfusion and qualitative interpretation. BACKGROUND Relatively few studies apply fully quantitative CMR perfusion measures to patients with coronary disease and comparisons to semiquantitative and qualitative methods are limited. METHODS Dual bolus dipyridamole stress perfusion CMR exams were performed in 67 patients with clinical indications for assessment of myocardial ischemia. Stress perfusion images alone were analyzed with a fully quantitative perfusion (QP) method and 3 semiquantitative methods including contrast enhancement ratio, upslope index, and upslope integral. Comprehensive exams (cine imaging, stress/rest perfusion, late gadolinium enhancement) were analyzed qualitatively with 2 methods including the Duke algorithm and standard clinical interpretation. A 70% or greater stenosis by quantitative coronary angiography was considered abnormal. RESULTS The optimum diagnostic threshold for QP determined by receiver-operating characteristic curve occurred when endocardial flow decreased to <50% of mean epicardial flow, which yielded a sensitivity of 87% and specificity of 93%. The area under the curve for QP was 92%, which was superior to semiquantitative methods: contrast enhancement ratio: 78%; upslope index: 82%; and upslope integral: 75% (p = 0.011, p = 0.019, p = 0.004 vs. QP, respectively). Area under the curve for QP was also superior to qualitative methods: Duke algorithm: 70%; and clinical interpretation: 78% (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001 vs. QP, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Fully quantitative stress perfusion CMR has high diagnostic accuracy for detecting obstructive coronary artery disease. QP outperforms semiquantitative measures of perfusion and qualitative methods that incorporate a combination of cine, perfusion, and late gadolinium enhancement imaging. These findings suggest a potential clinical role for quantitative stress perfusion CMR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico E Mordini
- Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Cardiology, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC
| | - Tariq Haddad
- Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Li-Yueh Hsu
- Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Peter Kellman
- Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Tracy B Lowrey
- Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Anthony H Aletras
- Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Central Greece, Lamia, Greece
| | - W Patricia Bandettini
- Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Andrew E Arai
- Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland.
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Tamè L, Pavani F, Papadelis C, Farnè A, Braun C. Early integration of bilateral touch in the primary somatosensory cortex. Hum Brain Mapp 2014; 36:1506-23. [PMID: 25514844 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.22719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2014] [Revised: 11/30/2014] [Accepted: 12/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal, as well as behavioural and neuroimaging studies in humans have documented integration of bilateral tactile information at the level of primary somatosensory cortex (SI). However, it is still debated whether integration in SI occurs early or late during tactile processing, and whether it is somatotopically organized. To address both the spatial and temporal aspects of bilateral tactile processing we used magnetoencephalography in a tactile repetition-suppression paradigm. We examined somatosensory evoked-responses produced by probe stimuli preceded by an adaptor, as a function of the relative position of adaptor and probe (probe always at the left index finger; adaptor at the index or middle finger of the left or right hand) and as a function of the delay between adaptor and probe (0, 25, or 125 ms). Percentage of response-amplitude suppression was computed by comparing paired (adaptor + probe) with single stimulations of adaptor and probe. Results show that response suppression varies differentially in SI and SII as a function of both spatial and temporal features of the stimuli. Remarkably, repetition suppression of SI activity emerged early in time, regardless of whether the adaptor stimulus was presented on the same and the opposite body side with respect to the probe. These novel findings support the notion of an early and somatotopically organized inter-hemispheric integration of tactile information in SI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Tamè
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
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Detorakis GI, Rougier NP. Structure of receptive fields in a computational model of area 3b of primary sensory cortex. Front Comput Neurosci 2014; 8:76. [PMID: 25120461 PMCID: PMC4112916 DOI: 10.3389/fncom.2014.00076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2014] [Accepted: 06/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In a previous work, we introduced a computational model of area 3b which is built upon the neural field theory and receives input from a simplified model of the index distal finger pad populated by a random set of touch receptors (Merkell cells). This model has been shown to be able to self-organize following the random stimulation of the finger pad model and to cope, to some extent, with cortical or skin lesions. The main hypothesis of the model is that learning of skin representations occurs at the thalamo-cortical level while cortico-cortical connections serve a stereotyped competition mechanism that shapes the receptive fields. To further assess this hypothesis and the validity of the model, we reproduced in this article the exact experimental protocol of DiCarlo et al. that has been used to examine the structure of receptive fields in area 3b of the primary somatosensory cortex. Using the same analysis toolset, the model yields consistent results, having most of the receptive fields to contain a single region of excitation and one to several regions of inhibition. We further proceeded our study using a dynamic competition that deeply influences the formation of the receptive fields. We hypothesized this dynamic competition to correspond to some form of somatosensory attention that may help to precisely shape the receptive fields. To test this hypothesis, we designed a protocol where an arbitrary region of interest is delineated on the index distal finger pad and we either (1) instructed explicitly the model to attend to this region (simulating an attentional signal) (2) preferentially trained the model on this region or (3) combined the two aforementioned protocols simultaneously. Results tend to confirm that dynamic competition leads to shrunken receptive fields and its joint interaction with intensive training promotes a massive receptive fields migration and shrinkage.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicolas P Rougier
- INRIA Bordeaux Sud-Ouest Bordeaux, France ; Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, Université de Bordeaux, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 5293 Bordeaux, France ; LaBRI, Université de Bordeaux, Institut Polytechnique de Bordeaux, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 5800 Talence, France
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Li CX, Chappell TD, Ramshur JT, Waters RS. Forelimb amputation-induced reorganization in the ventral posterior lateral nucleus (VPL) provides a substrate for large-scale cortical reorganization in rat forepaw barrel subfield (FBS). Brain Res 2014; 1583:89-108. [PMID: 25058605 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2014.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2014] [Revised: 07/02/2014] [Accepted: 07/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we examined the role of the ventral posterior lateral nucleus (VPL) as a possible substrate for large-scale cortical reorganization in the forepaw barrel subfield (FBS) of primary somatosensory cortex (SI) that follows forelimb amputation. Previously, we reported that, 6 weeks after forelimb amputation in young adult rats, new input from the shoulder becomes expressed throughout the FBS that quite likely has a subcortical origin. Subsequent examination of the cuneate nucleus (CN) 1 to 30 weeks following forelimb amputation showed that CN played an insignificant role in cortical reorganization and led to the present investigation of VPL. As a first step, we used electrophysiological recordings in forelimb intact adult rats (n=8) to map the body representation in VPL with particular emphasis on the forepaw and shoulder representations and showed that VPL was somatotopically organized. We next used stimulation and recording techniques in forelimb intact rats (n=5) and examined the pattern of projection (a) from the forelimb and shoulder to SI, (b) from the forepaw and shoulder to VPL, and (c) from sites in the forepaw and shoulder representation in VPL to forelimb and shoulder sites in SI. The results showed that the projections were narrowly focused and homotopic. Electrophysiological recordings were then used to map the former forepaw representation in forelimb amputated young adult rats (n=5) at 7 to 24 weeks after amputation. At each time period, new input from the shoulder was observed in the deafferented forepaw region in VPL. To determine whether the new shoulder input in the deafferented forepaw VPL projected to a new shoulder site in the deafferented FBS, we examined the thalamocortical pathway in 2 forelimb-amputated rats. Stimulation of a new shoulder site in deafferented FBS antidromically-activated a cell in the former forepaw territory in VPL; however, similar stimulation from a site in the original shoulder representation, outside the deafferented region, in SI did not activate cells in the former forepaw VPL. These results suggest that the new shoulder input in deafferented FBS is relayed from cells in the former forepaw region in VPL. In the last step, we used anatomical tracing and stimulation and recording techniques in forelimb intact rats (n=9) to examine the cuneothalamic pathway from shoulder and forepaw receptive field zones in CN to determine whether projections from the shoulder zone might provide a possible source of shoulder input to forepaw VPL. Injection of biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) into physiologically identified shoulder responsive sites in CN densely labeled axon terminals in the shoulder representation in VPL, but also gave off small collateral branches into forepaw VPL. In addition, microstimulation delivered to forepaw VPL antidromically-activated cells in shoulder receptive field sites in CN. These results suggest that forepaw VPL also receives input from shoulder receptive sites in CN that are latent or subthreshold in forelimb intact rats. However, we speculate that following amputation these latent shoulder inputs become expressed, possibly as a down-regulation of GABA inhibition from the reticular nucleus (RTN). These results, taken together, suggest that VPL provides a substrate for large-scale cortical reorganization that follows forelimb amputation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng X Li
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Medicine, 855 Monroe Avenue, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Tyson D Chappell
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Medicine, 855 Monroe Avenue, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - John T Ramshur
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Medicine, 855 Monroe Avenue, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Robert S Waters
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Medicine, 855 Monroe Avenue, Memphis, TN 38163, USA.
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Suarez-Gonzalez A, Good SV. Pollen limitation and reduced reproductive success are associated with local genetic effects in Prunus virginiana, a widely distributed self-incompatible shrub. Ann Bot 2014; 113:595-605. [PMID: 24327534 PMCID: PMC3936584 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mct289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2013] [Accepted: 11/04/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS A vast quantity of empirical evidence suggests that insufficient quantity or quality of pollen may lead to a reduction in fruit set, in particular for self-incompatible species. This study uses an integrative approach that combines field research with marker gene analysis to understand the factors affecting reproductive success in a widely distributed self-incompatible species, Prunus virginiana (Rosaceae). METHODS Twelve patches of P. virginiana distributed within three populations that differed in degree of disturbance were examined. Two of the sites were small (7-35 km(2)) remnants of forest in an intensively used agricultural landscape, while the third was continuous (350 km(2)) and less disturbed. Field studies (natural and hand cross-pollinations) were combined with marker gene analyses (microsatellites and S-locus) in order to explore potential factors affecting pollen delivery and consequently reproductive success at landscape (between populations) and fine scales (within populations). KEY RESULTS Reductions in reproductive output were found in the two fragments compared with the continuous population, and suggest that pollen is an important factor limiting fruit production. Genetic analyses carried out in one of the fragments and in the continuous site suggest that even though S-allele diversity is high in both populations, the fragment exhibits an increase in biparental inbreeding and correlated paternity. The increase in biparental inbreeding in the fragment is potentially attributable to variation in the density of individuals and/or the spatial distribution of genotypes among populations, both of which could alter mating dynamics. CONCLUSIONS By using a novel integrative approach, this study shows that even though P. virginiana is a widespread species, fragmented populations can experience significant reductions in fruit set and pollen limitation in the field. Deatiled examination of one fragmented population suggests that these linitations may be explained by an increase in biparental inbreeding, correlated paternity and fine-scale genetic structure. The consistency of the field and fine-scale genetic analyses, and the consistency of the results within patches and across years, suggest that these are important processes driving pollen limitation in the fragment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Suarez-Gonzalez
- For correspondence. Present address: Department of Botany, The University of British Columbia, 3529-6270 University Blvd., Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada. E-mail
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Yen MH, Lee JJ, Yeh CF, Wang KC, Chiang YW, Chiang LC, Chang JS. Yakammaoto inhibited human coxsackievirus B4 (CVB4)-induced airway and renal tubular injuries by preventing viral attachment, internalization, and replication. J Ethnopharmacol 2014; 151:1056-1063. [PMID: 24361333 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2013.11.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2013] [Revised: 11/05/2013] [Accepted: 11/27/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Yakammaoto is a prescription of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) containing nine ingredients, including Ephedra sinica, Pinellia ternate, Zingiber officinale, Tussilago farfara, Aster tataricus, Ziziphus jujube, Belamcanda chinensis, Asarum sieboldii, and Schisandra chinensis. Yakammaoto has been used against flu-like symptoms for more than two thousand years in China and Japan. Coxsackievirus B4 (CVB4) causes not only flu-like symptoms but life-threatening diseases, such as pneumonia, acute kidney injury, and so forth with severe morbidity and mortality. There is no effective therapeutic modality against CVB4 infection. It is unknown whether yakammaoto is effective against CVB4 infection. We tested the hypothesis that yakammaoto can effectively inhibit CVB4-induced plaque formation in human airway and renal tubular cell lines by preventing viral attachment, internalization, and replication. MATERIALS AND METHODS The fingerprint of yakammaoto was assessed by HPLC. Effects of yakammaoto on CVB4 infection were tested by plaque reduction assay, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS Yakammaoto dose-dependently inhibited CVB4-induced plaque formation in HK-2, A549, and HEp-2 cells (p<0.0001). Yakammaoto was both effective when supplemented prior to and after viral inoculation (p<0.0001) by preventing viral attachment (p<0.0001), internalization (p<0.0001), and replication (p<0.0001). Yakammaoto could decrease NGAL secretion before cytolysis to protect against viral injury. CONCLUSIONS Yakammaoto had antiviral activity against CVB4-induced cellular injuries in airway mucosa and renal tubular epithelia by preventing viral attachment, internalization, and replication. The current study provides a basic support of its potential use against CVB4-induced airway and concomitant renal injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Hong Yen
- School of Pharmacy and Graduate Institute of Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan
| | - Jia Jung Lee
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan
| | - Chia Feng Yeh
- Department of Renal Care, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan
| | - Kuo Chih Wang
- Department of Renal Care, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan
| | - Ya Wen Chiang
- Department of Renal Care, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan
| | - Lien Chai Chiang
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan
| | - Jung San Chang
- Department of Renal Care, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan; Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, 100 Shih-Chuan 1st Road, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan.
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Loprinzi PD, Smit E, Mahoney S. Phy sical activity and dietary behavior in US adults and their combined influence on health. Mayo Clin Proc 2014; 89:190-8. [PMID: 24485132 DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2013.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2013] [Revised: 09/17/2013] [Accepted: 09/26/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the association between objectively measured physical activity and dietary behavior and their combined effect on health. PATIENTS AND METHODS Data for this study were obtained from the 2003-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey cycles. The data were evaluated between September 9, 2012, and August 14, 2013. As part of the national survey, participants wore an accelerometer for 4 or more days to assess physical activity, blood samples were obtained to assess various biological markers, and interviews were conducted to assess dietary behavior. We selected a sample of 5211 participants and categorized them into 4 groups: (1) healthy diet and active, (2) unhealthy diet and active, (3) healthy diet and inactive, and (4) unhealthy diet and inactive. RESULTS A total of 16.5% of participants (weighted proportions) were classified as consuming a healthy diet and being sufficiently active. After adjustments, participants were 32% more likely to consume a healthy diet if they met physical activity guidelines. For nearly all biomarkers, those who consumed a healthy diet and were sufficiently active had the most favorable biomarker levels. Compared with those who consumed a healthy diet and were active, participants who consumed an unhealthy diet and were inactive were 2.4 times more likely to have metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate a relationship between objectively measured physical activity and dietary behavior and that participating in regular physical activity and eating a healthy diet are associated with better health outcomes when compared with diet or physical activity alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul D Loprinzi
- Department of Exercise Science, Donna and Allan Lansing School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Bellarmine University, Louisville, KY.
| | - Ellen Smit
- Program in Epidemiology, School of Biological and Population Health Sciences, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
| | - Sara Mahoney
- Department of Exercise Science, Donna and Allan Lansing School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Bellarmine University, Louisville, KY
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Greenberg N. Update on current concepts and meanings in laboratory medicine --Standardization, traceability and harmonization. Clin Chim Acta 2014; 432:49-54. [PMID: 24412319 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2013.12.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2013] [Revised: 12/30/2013] [Accepted: 12/30/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
An increasingly important quality objective in laboratory medicine is ensuring the equivalence of test results among different measurement procedures, different laboratories and health care systems, over time. In recent years, interest in sharing a single patient's clinical laboratory data, regardless of where the measurements are performed, has moved out of the domain of the scientific community and spilled over into the domain of regulators, lawmakers and the general population in many parts of the world. For all parties involved in the dialog, establishing and maintaining a clear understanding of the essential concepts that are vital to achieving global equivalence among clinical laboratory measurements have therefore become a priority. Concepts that are critical to this discussion include standardization, traceability and harmonization. This report provides an updated discussion and practical definitions for these terms and others that are linked to metrological principles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil Greenberg
- Neil Greenberg Consulting Services, LLC, 40 Chipping Ridge, Fairport, NY 14450, USA.
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Hanson ML, Hixon JA, Li W, Felber BK, Anver MR, Stewart CA, Janelsins BM, Datta SK, Shen W, McLean MH, Durum SK. Oral delivery of IL-27 recombinant bacteria attenuates immune colitis in mice. Gastroenterology 2014; 146:210-221.e13. [PMID: 24120477 PMCID: PMC3920828 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2013.09.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2013] [Revised: 09/17/2013] [Accepted: 09/24/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Treatment of inflammatory bowel disease would benefit from specific targeting of therapeutics to the intestine. We developed a strategy for localized delivery of the immunosuppressive cytokine interleukin (IL)-27, which is synthesized actively in situ by the food-grade bacterium Lactococcus lactis (LL-IL-27), and tested its ability to reduce colitis in mice. METHODS The 2 genes encoding mouse IL-27 were synthesized with optimal codon use for L lactis and joined with a linker; a signal sequence was added to allow for product secretion. The construct was introduced into L lactis. Colitis was induced via transfer of CD4(+)CD45RB(hi) T cells into Rag(-/-) mice to induce colitis; 7.5 weeks later, LL-IL-27 was administered to mice via gavage. Intestinal tissues were collected and analyzed. RESULTS LL-IL-27 administration protected mice from T-cell transfer-induced enterocolitis and death. LL-IL-27 reduced disease activity scores, pathology features of large and small bowel, and levels of inflammatory cytokines in colonic tissue. LL-IL-27 also reduced the numbers of CD4(+) and IL-17(+) T cells in gut-associated lymphoid tissue. The effects of LL-IL-27 required production of IL-10 by the transferred T cells. LL-IL-27 was more effective than either LL-IL-10 or systemic administration of recombinant IL-27 in reducing colitis in mice. LL-IL-27 also reduced colitis in mice after administration of dextran sodium sulfate. CONCLUSIONS LL-IL-27 reduces colitis in mice by increasing the production of IL-10. Mucosal delivery of LL-IL-27 could be a more effective and safer therapy for inflammatory bowel disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miranda L. Hanson
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Julie A. Hixon
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Wenqing Li
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Barbara K. Felber
- Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Miriam R. Anver
- Laboratory Animal Services Program (LASP), Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - C. Andrew Stewart
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Brian M. Janelsins
- Bacterial Pathogenesis Unit, Laboratory of Clinical Infectious Disease, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Sandip K. Datta
- Bacterial Pathogenesis Unit, Laboratory of Clinical Infectious Disease, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Wei Shen
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Mairi H. McLean
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Scott K. Durum
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA,Correspondence: Scott K. Durum, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bldg 560 Rm 31-71, Frederick MD 21702-1201; T 301-846-1545; F 301-846-6720;
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Chuang JC, Lopez AM, Posey KS, Turley SD. Ezetimibe markedly attenuates hepatic cholesterol accumulation and improves liver function in the lysosomal acid lipase-deficient mouse, a model for cholesteryl ester storage disease. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2014; 443:1073-7. [PMID: 24370824 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2013.12.096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2013] [Accepted: 12/18/2013] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Lysosomal acid lipase (LAL) plays a critical role in the intracellular handling of lipids by hydrolyzing cholesteryl esters (CE) and triacylglycerols (TAG) contained in newly internalized lipoproteins. In humans, mutations in the LAL gene result in cholesteryl ester storage disease (CESD), or in Wolman disease (WD) when the mutations cause complete loss of LAL activity. A rat model for WD and a mouse model for CESD have been described. In these studies we used LAL-deficient mice to investigate how modulating the amount of intestinally-derived cholesterol reaching the liver might impact its mass, cholesterol content, and function in this model. The main experiment tested if ezetimibe, a potent cholesterol absorption inhibitor, had any effect on CE accumulation in mice lacking LAL. In male Lal(-/-) mice given ezetimibe in their diet (20 mg/day/kg bw) for 4 weeks starting at 21 days of age, both liver mass and hepatic cholesterol concentration (mg/g) were reduced to the extent that whole-liver cholesterol content (mg/organ) in the treated mice (74.3±3.4) was only 56% of that in those not given ezetimibe (133.5±6.7). There was also a marked improvement in plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity. Thus, minimizing cholesterol absorption has a favorable impact on the liver in CESD.
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Goebel C, Troutman J, Hennen J, Rothe H, Schlatter H, Gerberick GF, Blömeke B. Introduction of a methoxymethyl side chain into p-phenylenediamine attenuates its sensitizing potency and reduces the risk of allergy induction. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2013; 274:480-7. [PMID: 24333256 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2013.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2013] [Revised: 11/04/2013] [Accepted: 11/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The strong sensitizing potencies of the most important primary intermediates of oxidative hair dyes, p-phenylenediamine (PPD) and p-toluylenediamine (PTD, i.e. 2-methyl-PPD) are well established. They are considered as the key sensitizers in hair dye allergic contact dermatitis. While modification of their molecular structure is expected to alter their sensitizing properties, it may also impair their color performance. With introduction of a methoxymethyl side chain we found the primary intermediate 2-methoxymethyl-p-phenylenediamine (ME-PPD) with excellent hair coloring performance but significantly reduced sensitizing properties compared to PPD and PTD: In vitro, ME-PPD showed an attenuated innate immune response when analyzed for its protein reactivity and dendritic cell activation potential. In vivo, the effective concentration of ME-PPD necessary to induce an immune response 3-fold above vehicle control (EC3 value) in the local lymph node assay (LLNA) was 4.3%, indicating a moderate skin sensitizing potency compared to values of 0.1 and 0.17% for PPD and PTD, respectively. Finally, assessing the skin sensitizing potency of ME-PPD under consumer hair dye usage conditions through a quantitative risk assessment (QRA) indicated an allergy induction risk negligible compared to PPD or PTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carsten Goebel
- The Procter & Gamble Co., Central Product Safety and Communications, Darmstadt, Germany.
| | - John Troutman
- The Procter & Gamble Co., Central Product Safety, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Jenny Hennen
- Dept. of Environmental Toxicology, Trier University, Trier, Germany
| | - Helga Rothe
- The Procter & Gamble Co., Central Product Safety and Communications, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Harald Schlatter
- The Procter & Gamble Co., Central Product Safety and Communications, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - G Frank Gerberick
- The Procter & Gamble Co., Central Product Safety, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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Flores G, Ibañez-Sandoval O, Silva-Gómez AB, Camacho-Abrego I, Rodríguez-Moreno A, Morales-Medina JC. Neonatal olfactory bulbectomy enhances locomotor activity, exploratory behavior and binding of NMDA receptors in pre-pubertal rats. Neuroscience 2014; 259:84-93. [PMID: 24295633 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2013.11.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2013] [Revised: 11/20/2013] [Accepted: 11/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the effect of neonatal olfactory bulbectomy (nOBX) on behavioral paradigms related to olfaction such as exploratory behavior, locomotor activity in a novel environment and social interaction. We also studied the effect of nOBX on the activity of the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) subtype of glutamate receptors during development. The behavioral effects of nOBX (postnatal day 7, PD7) were investigated in pre- (PD30) and post-pubertal (PD60) Wistar rats. NMDA receptor activity was measured with [(125)I]MK-801 in the brain regions associated with the olfactory circuitry. A significant increase in the novelty-induced locomotion was seen in the pre-pubertal nOBX rats. Although the locomotor effect was less marked than in pre-pubertal rats, the nOBX rats tested post-pubertally failed to habituate to the novel situation as quickly as the sham- and normal- controls. Pre-pubertally, the head-dipping behavior was enhanced in nOBX rats compared with sham-operated and normal controls, while normal exploratory behavior was observed between groups in adulthood. In contrast, social interaction was increased in post-pubertal animals that underwent nOBX. Both pre- and post-pubertal nOBX rats recovered olfaction. Interestingly, pre-pubertal rats showed a significant increase in the [(125)I]MK-801 binding in the piriform cortex, dorsal hippocampus, inner and outer layers of the frontal cortex and outer layer of the cingulate cortex. At post-pubertal age, no significant differences in [(125)I]MK-801 binding were observed between groups at any of the brain regions analyzed. These results suggest that nOBX produces pre-pubertal behavioral disturbances and NMDA receptor changes that are transitory with recovery of olfaction early in adulthood.
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