Network inference from perturbation time course data.

Networks underlie much of biology from subcellular to ecological scales. Yet, understanding what experimental data are needed and how to use them for unambiguously identifying the structure of even small networks remains a broad challenge. Here, we integrate a dynamic least squares framework into established modular response analysis (DL-MRA), that specifies sufficient experimental perturbation time course data to robustly infer arbitrary two and three node networks.

Pulseless Electrical Activity: Echocardiographic Explanation of a Perplexing Phenomenon.

Pulseless electrical activity (PEA) is considered an enigmatic phenomenon in resuscitation research and practice. Finding individuals with no consciousness or pulse but with continued electrocardiographic (EKG) complexes obviously raises the question of how they got there. The development of monitors that can display the underlying rhythm has allowed us to differentiate between VF, asystole, and PEA.

Stellate Ganglion Blockade and Left Cardiac Sympathetic Denervation With Left Stellate Ganglionectomy in a Patient With Refractory Electrical Storm: A Case Report.

Electrical storm (ES) is classified as at least three episodes of ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF) in any 24-hour period. Stellate ganglion blockade and left stellate ganglionectomy have shown benefit in terminating ES. A 64-year-old white male with a past medical history of atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease requiring previous cardiac bypass surgery in 1997, and coronary artery stents in 2003 presented with syncope and refractory ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation.

Ventricular Fibrillation 7 Years After Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation.

BACKGROUND Congestive heart failure (CHF) affects over 23 million individuals worldwide and over 5.8 million individuals in the United States. Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is used as both a bridging and destination therapy for patients with advanced CHF.

Early outcomes with utilization of tissue plasminogen activator in COVID-19-associated respiratory distress: A series of five cases.

Background: Coronavirus patients demonstrate varying degrees of respiratory insufficiency; many will progress to respiratory failure with a severe version of acute respiratory distress syndrome refractory to traditional supportive strategies. Providers must consider alternative therapies to deter or prevent the cascade of decompensation to fulminant respiratory failure.

Methods: This is a case-series of five COVID-19 positive patients who demonstrated severe hypoxemia, declining respiratory performance, and escalating oxygen requirements.

Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein/aldosterone synthase mediates angiotensin II-induced cardiac fibrosis and hypertrophy.

Aldosterone produced in adrenal glands by angiotensin II (Ang II) is known to elicit myocardial fibrosis and hypertrophy. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that Ang II causes cardiac morphological changes through the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR)/aldosterone synthase (AS)-dependent aldosterone synthesis primarily initiated in the heart. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to following groups: Ang II infusion for a 4-week period, treatment with telmisartan, spironolactone or adrenalectomy during Ang II infusion.

Liraglutide attenuates cardiac remodeling and improves heart function after abdominal aortic constriction through blocking angiotensin II type 1 receptor in rats.

Objective: Angiotensin II (Ang II) is known to contribute to the pathogenesis of heart failure by eliciting cardiac remodeling and dysfunction. The glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) has been shown to exert cardioprotective effects in animals and patients. This study investigates whether GLP-1 receptor agonist liraglutide inhibits abdominal aortic constriction (AAC)-induced cardiac fibrosis and dysfunction through blocking Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1R) signaling.

CD44 Deficiency in Mice Protects the Heart Against Angiotensin Ii-Induced Cardiac Fibrosis.

This study tested the hypothesis that CD44 is involved in the development of cardiac fibrosis via angiotensin II (Ang II) AT1 receptor-stimulated TNFα/NFκB/IκB signaling pathways. Study was conducted in C57BL/6 wild type and CD44 knockout mice subjected to Ang II infusion (1,000 ng/kg/min) using osmotic minipumps up to 4 weeks or with gastric gavage administration of the AT1 receptor blocker, telmisartan at a dose of 10 mg/kg/d. Results indicated that Ang II enhances expression of the AT1 receptor, TNFα, NFκB, and CD44 as well as downregulates IκB.

Edaravone inhibits pressure overload-induced cardiac fibrosis and dysfunction by reducing expression of angiotensin II AT1 receptor.

Angiotensin II (Ang II) is known to be involved in the progression of ventricular dysfunction and heart failure by eliciting cardiac fibrosis. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate whether treatment with an antioxidant compound, edaravone, reduces cardiac fibrosis and improves ventricular function by inhibiting Ang II AT1 receptor. The study was conducted in a rat model of transverse aortic constriction (TAC).

Ageing and thought suppression performance: Its relationship with working memory capacity, habitual thought suppression and mindfulness.

A study investigated how the ability to suppress thoughts in the laboratory was affected by type of thought suppressed (positive, negative, neutral), participants' age and working memory capacity (WMC). Linked variables (Use of thought suppression, social desirability, and mindfulness) were measured to assess whether they modified susceptibility to thought intrusion. Younger, middle aged and older adults suppressed three different valenced thoughts in a counterbalanced order for 5-min per thought.

Recruitment of macrophages from the spleen contributes to myocardial fibrosis and hypertension induced by angiotensin II.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine whether macrophages migrated from the spleen are associated with angiotensin II-induced cardiac fibrosis and hypertension.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to angiotensin II infusion in vehicle (500 ng/kg/min) for up to four weeks. In splenectomy, the spleen was removed before angiotensin II infusion.

A longitudinal investigation of repressive coping and ageing.

Objectives: Two studies investigated the possibility that repressive coping is more prevalent in older adults and that this represents a developmental progression rather than a cohort effect. Study 1 examined repressive coping and mental health cross-sectionally in young and old adults. Study 2 examined whether there was a developmental progression of repressive coping prevalence rates in a longitudinal sample of older adults.

To suppress, or not to suppress? That is repression: controlling intrusive thoughts in addictive behaviour.

Research to understand how individuals cope with intrusive negative or threatening thoughts suggests a variety of different cognitive strategies aimed at thought control. In this review, two of these strategies--thought suppression and repressive coping--are discussed in the context of addictive behaviour. Thought suppression involves conscious, volitional attempts to expel a thought from awareness, whereas repressive coping, which involves the avoidance of thoughts without the corresponding conscious intention, appears to be a far more automated process.

The effectiveness of conjugate Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine in The Gambia 14 years after introduction.

Background: The Gambia was the first country in Africa to introduce conjugate Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine, which, as in other developing countries but unlike industrialized countries, is delivered as a 3-dose primary series with no booster. This study assessed its effectiveness 14 years after introduction.

Methods: Using methods standardized during >20 years in the study site, clinical and microbiological surveillance for invasive Hib disease (primarily meningitis) in the Western Region of The Gambia from 2007 to 2010 was complemented with studies of Hib carriage in children aged 1 to <2 years, Hib antibody levels in children aged <5 years, and Hib vaccine coverage and timing in children aged 1 to <2 years.

Incidence of Haemophilus influenzae type b disease in The Gambia 14 years after introduction of routine Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine immunization.

Objective: Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vaccine was first introduced in Africa in The Gambia in 1997 as a primary 3-dose course in infancy with no booster, and was followed by the disappearance of invasive Hib disease by 2002. A cluster of cases detected non-systematically in post-infant children in 2005-2006 raised the question of the need for a booster dose. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of invasive Hib disease in Gambian children 14 years after the introduction of Hib conjugate vaccine.

Effect of thought suppression on desire to smoke and tobacco withdrawal symptoms.

Rationale: Suppressing smoking thoughts has been shown to result in elevated smoking. However, the effect of suppressing smoking thoughts on desire to smoke and withdrawal symptoms has not been investigated.

Objectives: We examined the effects of suppressing smoking thoughts on the subsequent desire to smoke and on tobacco withdrawal symptoms, relative to groups that were either thinking about anything they wished or actively thinking about smoking.

I suppress, therefore I smoke: effects of thought suppression on smoking behavior.

Thought suppression is a method frequently employed by individuals who are trying to control their thoughts and behaviors. Although this strategy is known to actually increase unwanted thoughts, it is unclear whether thought suppression also results in behavioral rebound. The study presented in this article investigated the effects of suppressing thoughts of smoking in everyday life on the number of cigarettes subsequently smoked.

Effects of age on phenomenology and consistency of flashbulb memories of September 11 and a staged control event.

In two studies, the special status of flashbulb memories was investigated by contrasting the effects of age on the phenomenology and consistency of flashbulb memories of September 11, over a 2-year delay period, with those of a mundane staged control event: participants learning that they had not won a small prize. Flashbulb memories produced no significant age effects for either phenomenological characteristics or test-retest consistency, as predicted by Mather's (2004) emotional compensation hypothesis. By contrast, the control event resulted in significant age effects for phenomenological characteristics (e.

Effects of thought suppression on eating behaviour in restrained and non-restrained eaters.

Recent research has shown that suppressing food related thoughts can cause a subsequent increase in consumption relative to groups not suppressing, or thinking about food. The present study examined whether the effects of thought suppression on subsequent eating behaviour would interact with participants restrained eating status. One hundred and sixteen female participants were split into three groups.

Alcohol pharmacokinetics, decision making and folk wisdom: a reply to Moxnes and Jensen (2009).

Moxnes and Jensen (2009) present a study of decision making under conditions of uncertainty using a computerised simulation of alcohol pharmacokinetics. In their article, they conclude that their findings challenge the 'folk wisdom' that advises against drinking on an empty stomach. We contend that this is a problematic conclusion for three reasons: (1) the study and findings presented in their paper are simply not sufficient to allow one to, even tentatively, draw such a conclusion; (2) the conclusion is contrary to basic pharmacological knowledge concerning alcohol absorption, metabolism and the implications for peak blood alcohol concentration; and (3) the implications for understanding the process of decision making while alcohol intoxicated are not considered in the study.

Universal electromotive force induced by domain wall motion.

The electromotive force induced by a moving magnetic domain wall in a nanostrip has been calculated theoretically and detected experimentally. It is found that the emf depends only on the domain wall transformation frequency through a universal Josephson type relation, which is closely related to the topological nature of the domain wall. Our experimental measurements confirm the theoretical prediction.