Spatiotemporal Mapping Reveals Regional Gastrointestinal Dysfunction in mdx Dystrophic Mice Ameliorated by Oral L-arginine Supplementation

( Kristy Swiderski ),( Rebecka Bindon ),( Jennifer Trieu ),( Timur Naim ),( Shana Schokman ),( Mathusi Swaminathan ),( Anita J L Leembruggen ),( Elisa L Hill-yardin ),( Rene Koopman ),( Joel C Bornste 대한소화기 기능성질환·운동학회 2020 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.26 No.1

Background/Aims Patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy exhibit significant, ongoing impairments in gastrointestinal (GI) function likely resulting from dysregulated nitric oxide production. Compounds increasing neuronal nitric oxide synthase expression and/or activity could improve GI dysfunction and enhance quality of life for dystrophic patients. We used video imaging and spatiotemporal mapping to identify GI dysfunction in mdx dystrophic mice and determine whether dietary intervention to enhance nitric oxide could alleviate aberrant colonic activity in muscular dystrophy. Methods Four-week-old male C57BL/10 and mdx mice received a specialized diet either with no supplementation (control) or supplemented (1 g/kg/day) with L-alanine, L-arginine, or L-citrulline for 8 weeks. At the conclusion of treatment, mice were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and colon motility examined by spatiotemporal (ST) mapping ex vivo. Results ST mapping identified increased contraction number in the mid and distal colon of mdx mice on control and L-alanine supplemented diets relative to C57BL/10 mice (P < 0.05). Administration of either L-arginine or L-citrulline attenuated contraction number in distal colons of mdx mice relative to C57BL/10 mice. Conclusions GI dysfunction in Duchenne muscular dystrophy has been sadly neglected as an issue affecting quality of life. ST mapping identified regional GI dysfunction in the mdx dystrophic mouse. Dietary interventions to increase nitric oxide signaling in the GI tract reduced the number of colonic contractions and alleviated colonic constriction at rest. These findings in mdx mice reveal that L-arginine can improve colonic motility and has potential therapeutic relevance for alleviating GI discomfort, improving clinical care, and enhancing quality of life in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

The Effects of Seasons (Hot/Dry and Cool/Humid) on Thermoregulatory Responses of Male and Female Bali-Cattle Working in the Field

Kasa, I.W.,Hill, M.K.,Thawites, C.J.,Baillie, N.D. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 1997 Animal Bioscience Vol.10 No.1

A study was conducted on the effects of ploughing on physiological responses of male and female Bali-cattle. A $2{\times}2{\times}6{\times}8$ factorial design (2 seasons, 2 sexes, 6 days and 8 consecutive time of measurements every 30 minutes) was employed. Responses during the cool/humid season were lower than hot/dry; respiration rate (RR) was 52 vs 75/min, rectal temperature(RT) was 39.1 vs $39.5^{\circ}C$ and skin temperature (ST) was 37.1 vs $37.6^{\circ}C$. Within sexes, males were less tolerant than females in that their RR (66 vs 61 breath/min), RT (39.4 vs $39.2^{\circ}C$) and ST (37.6 vs $37.1^{\circ}C$) were each higher than females during work. With increasing time, during the average 2.5 h working period gradual increases in RR, RT and ST were recorded and the overall increases of 84 breath/min, $1.9^{\circ}C$ and $13.8^{\circ}C$ respectively (p < 0.001). Packed cell volume (PCV) data indicated significant difference between sexes, time and season (p < 0.001, p < 0.05 and p < 0.001 respectively). Within time (before and after 2.5 h working) the PCV decreased from 27.4 to 25.6%.

Wild waterfowl migration and domestic duck density shape the epidemiology of highly pathogenic H5N8 influenza in the Republic of Korea

Hill, Sarah C.,Lee, Youn-Jeong,Song, Byung-Min,Kang, Hyun-Mi,Lee, Eun-Kyoung,Hanna, Amanda,Gilbert, Marius,Brown, Ian H.,Pybus, Oliver G. Elsevier Science 2015 INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION Vol.34 No.-

<▼1><P><B>Highlights</B></P><P>•<P>Phylogeographic analyses of H5N8, including 49 new sequences from South Korea.</P>•<P>H5N8 movement was mostly among areas dense in wild and domestic ducks.</P>•<P>New viral introductions to South Korea occurred at time of wild bird migration.</P>•<P>H5N8 epidemiology is shaped by wild waterfowl migration and domestic duck density.</P>•<P>H5N8 may have entered Europe at least twice, and Asia at least three times.</P></P></▼1><▼2><P>Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses threaten human and animal health yet their emergence is poorly understood, partly because sampling of the HPAI Asian-origin H5N1 lineage immediately after its identification in 1996 was comparatively sparse. The discovery of a novel H5N8 virus in 2013 provides a new opportunity to investigate HPAI emergence in greater detail. Here we investigate the origin and transmission of H5N8 in the Republic of Korea, the second country to report the new strain. We reconstruct viral spread using phylogeographic methods and interpret the results in the context of ecological data on poultry density, overwintering wild bird numbers, and bird migration patterns. Our results indicate that wild waterfowl migration and domestic duck density were important to H5N8 epidemiology. Specifically, we infer that H5N8 entered the Republic of Korea via Jeonbuk province, then spread rapidly among western provinces where densities of overwintering waterfowl and domestic ducks are higher, yet rarely persisted in eastern regions. The common ancestor of H5N8 in the Republic of Korea was estimated to have arrived during the peak of inward migration of overwintering birds. Recent virus isolations likely represent re-introductions via bird migration from an as-yet unsampled reservoir. Based on the limited data from outside the Republic of Korea, our data suggest that H5N8 may have entered Europe at least twice, and Asia at least three times from this reservoir, most likely carried by wild migrating birds.</P></▼2>

The Interaction of Cognitive Interference, Standing Surface, and Fatigue on Lower Extremity Muscle Activity

Hill, Christopher M.,DeBusk, Hunter,Simpson, Jeffrey D.,Miller, Brandon L.,Knight, Adam C.,Garner, John C.,Wade, Chip,Chander, Harish Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute 2019 Safety and health at work Vol.10 No.3

Background: Performing cognitive tasks and muscular fatigue have been shown to increase muscle activity of the lower extremity during quiet standing. A common intervention to reduce muscular fatigue is to provide a softer shoe-surface interface. However, little is known regarding how muscle activity is affected by softer shoe-surface interfaces during static standing. The purpose of this study was to assess lower extremity muscular activity during erect standing on three different standing surfaces, before and after an acute workload and during cognitive tasks. Methods: Surface electromyography was collected on ankle dorsiflexors and plantarflexors, and knee flexors and extensors of fifteen male participants. Dependent electromyography variables of mean, peak, root mean square, and cocontraction index were calculated and analyzed with a $2{\times}2{\times}3$ within-subject repeated measures analysis of variance. Results: Pre-workload muscle activity did not differ between surfaces and cognitive task conditions. However, greater muscle activity during post-workload balance assessment was found, specifically during the cognitive task. Cognitive task errors did not differ between surface and workload. Conclusions: The cognitive task after workload increased lower extremity muscular activity compared to quite standing, irrespective of the surface condition, suggesting an increased demand was placed on the postural control system as the result of both fatigue and cognitive task.

Obstetrics and Gynecology

Hill, Edward C. MediMedia Korea 1986 JAMA-Korea Vol.1 No.13

Posterior Spinal Artery Aneurysm Presenting with Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis

Travis C. Hill,Paul P. Huang,Omar Tanweer,Cheddhi Thomas,John Engler,Maksim Shapiro,Tibor Becske 대한뇌혈관외과학회 2016 Journal of Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neuros Vol.18 No.1

Rupture of isolated posterior spinal artery (PSA) aneurysms is a rare cause of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) that presents unique diagnostic challenges owing to a nuanced clinical presentation. Here, we report on the diagnosis and management of the first known case of an isolated PSA aneurysm in the context of leukocytoclastic vasculitis. A 53-year-old male presented to an outside institution with acute bilateral lower extremity paralysis 9 days after admission for recurrent cellulitis. Early magnetic resonance imaging was read as negative and repeat imaging 15 days after presentation revealed SAH and a compressive spinal subdural hematoma. Angiography identified a PSA aneurysm at T9, as well as other areas suspicious for inflammatory or post-hemorrhagic reactive changes. The patient underwent a multilevel laminectomy for clot evacuation and aneurysm resection to prevent future hemorrhage and to establish a diagnosis. The postoperative course was complicated by medical issues and led to the diagnosis of leukocytoclastic vasculitis that may have predisposed the patient to aneurysm development. Literature review reveals greater mortality for cervical lesions than thoracolumbar lesions and that the presence of meningitic symptoms portents better functional outcome than symptoms of cord compression. The outcome obtained in this case is consistent with outcomes reported in the literature.

The Interaction of Cognitive Interference, Standing Surface, and Fatigue on Lower Extremity Muscle Activity

Christopher M. Hill,Hunter DeBusk,Jeffrey D. Simpson,Brandon L. Miller,Adam C. Knight,John C. Garner,Chip Wade,Harish Chander 한국산업안전보건공단 산업안전보건연구원 2019 Safety and health at work Vol.10 No.3

Background: Performing cognitive tasks and muscular fatigue have been shown to increase muscle activity of the lower extremity during quiet standing. A common intervention to reduce muscular fatigue is to provide a softer shoe-surface interface. However, little is known regarding how muscle activity is affected by softer shoe-surface interfaces during static standing. The purpose of this study was to assess lower extremity muscular activity during erect standing on three different standing surfaces, before and after an acute workload and during cognitive tasks. Methods: Surface electromyography was collected on ankle dorsiflexors and plantarflexors, and knee flexors and extensors of fifteen male participants. Dependent electromyography variables of mean, peak, root mean square, and cocontraction index were calculated and analyzed with a 2×2×3 withinsubject repeated measures analysis of variance. Results: Pre-workload muscle activity did not differ between surfaces and cognitive task conditions. However, greater muscle activity during post-workload balance assessment was found, specifically during the cognitive task. Cognitive task errors did not differ between surface and workload. Conclusions: The cognitive task after workload increased lower extremity muscular activity compared to quite standing, irrespective of the surface condition, suggesting an increased demand was placed on the postural control system as the result of both fatigue and cognitive task.

Natural Supplementation of Milk with Functional Fatty Acids

Cruz-Hernandez. C.,Avramis. C.,Wang. H.,Kramer. J.,McBride. B.W.,Radhackrishnan. S.,Osborne. V.R.,Wright. T.C.,Hill. A.R. 한국축산식품학회 2004 심포지움 및 학술발표회 Vol.- No.34

Sea spray aerosol as a unique source of ice nucleating particles

DeMott, Paul J.,Hill, Thomas C. J.,McCluskey, Christina S.,Prather, Kimberly A.,Collins, Douglas B.,Sullivan, Ryan C.,Ruppel, Matthew J.,Mason, Ryan H.,Irish, Victoria E.,Lee, Taehyoung,Hwang, Chung Y National Academy of Sciences 2016 Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Vol.113 No.21

<P>Ice nucleating particles (INPs) are vital for ice initiation in, and precipitation from, mixed-phase clouds. A source of INPs from oceans within sea spray aerosol (SSA) emissions has been suggested in previous studies but remained unconfirmed. Here, we show that INPs are emitted using real wave breaking in a laboratory flume to produce SSA. The number concentrations of INPs from laboratory-generated SSA, when normalized to typical total aerosol number concentrations in the marine boundary layer, agree well with measurements from diverse regions over the oceans. Data in the present study are also in accord with previously published INP measurements made over remote ocean regions. INP number concentrations active within liquid water droplets increase exponentially in number with a decrease in temperature below 0 degrees C, averaging an order of magnitude increase per 5 degrees C interval. The plausibility of a strong increase in SSA INP emissions in association with phytoplankton blooms is also shown in laboratory simulations. Nevertheless, INP number concentrations, or active site densities approximated using 'dry' geometric SSA surface areas, are a few orders of magnitude lower than corresponding concentrations or site densities in the surface boundary layer over continental regions. These findings have important implications for cloud radiative forcing and precipitation within low-level and midlevel marine clouds unaffected by continental INP sources, such as may occur over the Southern Ocean.</P>

Different electronic structure of phosphonyl radical adducts of <i>N</i>-heterocyclic carbenes, silylenes and germylenes: EPR spectroscopic study and DFT calculations

Sheberla, Dennis,Tumanskii, Boris,Tomasik, Adam C.,Mitra, Amitabha,Hill, Nicholas J.,West, Robert,Apeloig, Yitzhak Royal Society of Chemistry 2010 Chemical Science Vol.1 No.2

<P>Stable <I>N</I>-heterocyclic carbenes and germylenes were allowed to react with a phosphonyl radical, (<I>i</I>-PrO)<SUB>2</SUB>(O)P&z.rad; (<B>7</B>), generated by photolysis of [(<I>i</I>-PrO)<SUB>2</SUB>(O)P]<SUB>2</SUB>Hg. The products were identified by EPR spectroscopy. An unsaturated carbene (<B>1</B>) and germylene (<B>3</B>) react with <B>7</B> at the divalent atom to give unstable radical products (<I>τ</I><SUB>½</SUB> = 0.2 s). A benzo-annulated carbene (<B>4</B>) and a saturated germylene (<B>6</B>) react with <B>7</B> to give more active radicals. An unsaturated (<B>2</B>) and a saturated silylene (<B>5</B>) undergo rapid reaction (in the dark) with [(<I>i</I>-PrO)<SUB>2</SUB>(O)P]<SUB>2</SUB>Hg to yield unusual silyl phosphites. In these cases only secondary radicals were observed. DFT (PBE0/TZVP//B3LYP/6-31+G(d)) calculations of the radical adducts of the different (C, Si, Ge) unsaturated <I>N</I>-heterocyclic divalent species with the phosphonyl radical show that the unpaired electron is delocalized over the five-membered ring; the spin density on the central atoms decreases in the order C, 39% > Si, 14% > Ge, 2%. These trends can be understood in terms of a zwitterionic structure of the radical adducts. The calculations of the radical adducts of <B>4</B>, <B>5</B> and <B>6</B> with <B>7</B> indicate larger spin density on the central atom, 47%, 58% and 42% on C, Si, Ge, respectively.</P> <P>Graphic Abstract</P><P>The geometry, spin density distribution and reactivity of radical adducts of stable <I>N</I>-heterocyclic carbenes, silylenes and germylenes demonstrate a strong dependence on the nature of the heterocycle and on the central atom. <IMG SRC='http://pubs.rsc.org/services/images/RSCpubs.ePlatform.Service.FreeContent.ImageService.svc/ImageService/image/GA?id=c0sc00143k'> </P>