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Ceropegia sunhangiana P.R.Luo and T.Deng, a new species from Qiaojia, northeast Yunnan, southwest China, is described and illustrated herein based on its morphological characteristics and molecular evidence. This species is similar to C. christenseniana, and C. sinoerecta but can be distinguished easily by its stem, indumentum, leaf, and floral features, especially the corolla shape and size, the corolla tube and lobe characters. Phylogenetic analysis based on ITS, trnL‐trnF, trnS‐trnG, psbA‐trnH and rps16 sequences shows that this new species belongs to C. sect. Chionopegia H.Huber with strong support, which was mutually verified by morphology analyses. A table including the morphological characters of related species and a dichotomous key to all 25 species of Ceropegia in China are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leptonic mixing patterns are usually extracted on the basis of groups or algebraic structures. In this paper, we introduce an alternative geometric method to study the correlations between the leptonic mixing parameters. At the 3 σ level of the recent global fit data of neutrino oscillations, the distribution of the scattered points of the angles between the vectors, which are constructed by the element of the leptonic mixing matrix, is analysed. We find that the scattered points are concentrated on several special regions. Using the data in these regions, correlations of the leptonic mixing angles and the Dirac CP violating phase are obtained. The implications of the correlations are shown through the predicted flavor ratio of high-energy astrophysical neutrinos (HANs) at Earth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The leptonic mixing parameters of high precision and the next-generation neutrino telescopes make it possible to test new physics in the flavor transition of the high-energy astrophysical neutrinos (HAN). We introduce a nonsymmetric matrix to modify the predictions of the standard flavor transition matrix. It is constructed with the mixing matrix in vacuum and that at the source of the HAN. The mismatch of the mixing matrices results in the new expectation of the flavor ratio of the HAN at Earth. It also leads to a secondary effect called the apparent P violation (APV). The quantitative analyses of the new effects are performed with a moderate setup of the parameters at the source of the HAN. The correlations between the mixing parameters and the new predictions are shown. From the correlations, the dominant parameters determining the new-physics effects are identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Insulin resistance in chronic kidney disease (CKD) stimulates muscle wasting, but the molecular processes behind the resistance are undetermined. However, inflammation in skeletal muscle is implicated in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and cachexia. Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) are known to regulate local innate immune responses, and microarray data have shown that Tlr13 is upregulated in the muscles of mice with CKD, but the relevance is unknown. Materials and Methods: We performed in vitro experiments in C2C12 myotubes and constructed a CKD murine model using subtotal nephrectomy to conduct experiments in vivo. Results: Tlr13 expression was stimulated in C2C12 myotubes treated with uremic serum. The expression of Tlr13 was also upregulated in the tibialis anterior muscles of mice with CKD. Tlr13 knockdown with siRNAs in skeletal muscle cells decreased insulin resistance despite the inclusion of uremic serum. This led to increased levels of p‐AKT and suppression of protein degradation. Using immunofluorescence staining and coimmunoprecipitation assay, we found that TLR13 recruits IRF3, which activates Irf3 expression, resulting in decreased AKT activity. Moreover, insulin resistance and proteolysis are re‐induced by Irf3 overexpression under Tlr13 deletion. Conclusions: Our results indicate that TLR13 is involved in CKD‐mediated insulin resistance in muscle. In catabolic conditions where insulin signaling is impaired, targeting TLR13 may improve insulin sensitivity and prevent muscle atrophy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Muscle protein catabolism in patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN) results in striking loss of muscle proteins, which increases morbidity and mortality risks. Evidence shows that short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) play an important role in health maintenance and disease development. Recently, the connection between butyrate (a SCFA) and DN has been revealed, although the relationship between butyrate and muscle atrophy remains unclear. Experimental Approach We studied changes in serum butyrate levels in DN patients using metabolomic analyses. In db/db mice, protective effects of butyrate on DN‐induced muscle atrophy. were explored. Inhibition of muscle atrophy by butyrate and the underlying mechanism(s) were studied in C2C12 cells exposed to high glucose/lipopolysaccharide (HG/LPS). Key Results: Butyrate levels in DN patients were significantly decreased. In db/db mice, supplementing normal diet with butyrate improved intestinal barrier function. Concurrently, butyrate alleviated muscle atrophy, promoted PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling, and suppressed oxidative stress and autophagy in skeletal muscle of db/db mice, and in HG/LPS‐exposed C2C12 cells. Further, FFA2 receptors, key components of SCFA signalling, were decreased in skeletal muscle of db/db mice and in HG/LPS‐exposed C2C12 cells. Overexpression of FFA2 receptors activated PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling and inhibited oxidative stress and autophagy in HG/LPS‐exposed C2C12 cells. Silencing of FFA2 blocked PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling that was improved by butyrate, as well as the suppression of oxidative stress and reduction of autophagy. Conclusion and Implication: Butyrate exerts protective effects on muscle atrophy induced by DN by enhancing intestinal barrier function and activating the FFA2 receptor‐mediated PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lepton mixing patterns from the modular group PSL2(7) with generalized CP symmetries are studied. The residual symmetries in both charged lepton and neutrino sectors are Z 2 × C P. Seven types of mixing patterns at the 3σ level of the new global fit data are obtained. Among these patterns, three types of patterns can give the Dirac CP phase which is in the 1σ range of the global fit data. The effective mass of neutrinoless double-beta decay for these patterns is also examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent stringent experiment data of neutrino oscillations induces partial symmetries such as Z 2 and Z 2 × CP to derive lepton mixing patterns. New partial symmetries expressed with elements of group algebras are studied. A specific lepton mixing pattern could correspond to a set of equivalent elements of a group algebra. The transformation which interchanges the elements could express a residual CP symmetry. Lepton mixing matrices from S 3 group algebras are of the trimaximal form with the μ − τ reflection symmetry. Accordingly, elements of S 3 group algebras are equivalent to Z 2 × CP. Comments on S 4 group algebras are given. The predictions of Z 2 × CP broken from the group S 4 with the generalized CP symmetry are also obtained from elements of S 4 group algebras. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Virtual Touch tissue imaging quantification (VTIQ; Siemens Medical Solutions, Mountain View, CA) is useful for assessing tissue hardness. This study aimed to investigate the value of VTIQ in differential diagnosis of cervical lymph nodes. Methods We retrospectively analyzed conventional sonograms and VTIQ images of 85 pathologically confirmed patients with superficial lymph node lesions. Conventional sonography was first performed, with 2-dimensional images described. Then VTIQ shear wave velocity (SWV) values of superficial lymph nodes were measured. With pathologic diagnosis as the reference standard, a receiver operating characteristic curve was generated to evaluate VTIQ efficacy in differential diagnosis of metastatic and nonmetastatic cervical lymph nodes. Results Of the 85 nodes, 44 and 41 were metastatic and nonmetastatic, respectively. The latter group included 24 and 17 hematologic/lymphatic system disease and reactive hyperplastic nodes, respectively. Shear wave velocity values of metastatic nodes were significantly higher than those of their nonmetastatic counterparts ( P < .001). With an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.953 and SWV cutoff of 3.27 m/s, accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were 89.4%, 88.6%, and 90.2%, respectively, for distinguishing metastatic and nonmetastatic nodes. An AUC of 0.943 and SWV cutoff of 3.23 m/s yielded accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of 88.2%, 88.6%, and 87.5% for differentiating metastatic from hematologic/lymphatic system disease nodes. Finally, an AUC of 0.968 and SWV cutoff of 3.27 m/s yielded accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of 90.2%, 88.6%, and 94.1% for differentiating metastatic from reactive hyperplastic nodes. Conclusions Virtual Touch tissue imaging quantification is efficient in differential diagnosis of metastatic and nonmetastatic cervical lymph nodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are many viable combinations of texture zeros in lepton mass matrices. We propose an economical and stable mass texture. Analytical and numerical results on mixing parameters and the effective mass of neutrinos are obtained. These results satisfy new constraints from neutrinos oscillation experiments and cosmological observations. Their stabilities are also examined through the perturbations to some structure parameters. Our proposition reveals that, in the complex forest of neutrinos mixing models, a simple and stable one is still possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease who undergo hemodialysis and endothelial dysfunction is an early key step in the development of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of thrice-weekly in-center nocturnal hemodialysis (INHD, 8 h per session and three sessions per week) and conventional hemodialysis (CHD, 4 h per session and three sessions per week) on endothelial dysfunction in patients with end-stage renal disease. 32 INHD and 58 matched CHD patients were enrolled, baseline and 12-month measures of blood pressure (BP), serum calcium and phosphorus, serum intact PTH (iPTH) and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) were collected and analyzed. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups except that serum phosphorus and calcium × phosphorus were higher in the INHD group. At the 12-month follow-up, there was a significant increase in FMD (6.0 ± 1.5% to 7.1 ± 1.8%, P < 0.01) in INHD patients. Multivariate analysis showed that FMD was inversely correlated with systolic BP (SBP) (β = −0.485, P < 0.01), diastolic BP (DBP) (β = −0.428, P < 0.01), iPTH (β = −0.405, P < 0.01) and serum phosphorus level (β = −0.375, P < 0.01). There was no significant change in FMD in the CHD group. Compared with CHD, INHD improves endothelial function, and control of serum phosphorus is associated with the improvement of endothelial function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has been reported to induce the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in vascular endothelial cells. This finding suggests the potential roles for Pg in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. However, the mechanism involved in Pg LPS-induced VCAM-1 production in endothelial cells remains unclear. Methods: Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used, respectively, to investigate the mRNA expression and protein production of VCAM-1 in human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) induced by Pg LPS. The involvement of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) cell signaling pathway in VCAM-1 expression was investigated by assays with specific inhibitors. Results: Pg LPS--induced expression in HAECs of VCAM-1 occurred in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In addition, the p38 MAPK inhibitor (SB 203580) significantly attenuated Pg LPS--induced VCAM-1 expression. Conclusion: Activation of p38 MAPK is at least partially involved in Pg LPS--induced VCAM-1 expression in HAECs, which may contribute to the acceleration of atherosclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DGGE of 16S rDNA is one of the most frequently used methods to study microbial communities. In this study, the DGGE profiles of different 16S rDNA regions of the periodontal pathogens Porphyromonas gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Prevotella nigrescens were investigated. The results suggested that V3-V5 and V6-V8 fragments may be suitable for community analysis of subgingival bacteria. Further analysis of subgingival samples with V3-V5 and V6-V8 regions as target fragments suggested that, in chronic periodontitis, re-colonization by periodontal bacteria with a population very similar to the baseline may occur by 6 weeks after mechanical debridement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Periodontitis is a bacterially induced chronic inflammatory disease. Toll-like receptors (TLRs), which could recognize microbial pathogens, are important components in the innate and adaptive immune systems. Both qualitatively and quantitatively distinct immune responses might result from different bacteria stimulation and the triggering of different TLRs. This study explores the interaction of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (previously Actinobacillus actinomyeetemcomitans) with TLR2 and TLR4. Methods: We studied the gene expression changes of TLR2 and TLR4 and cytokine production (interleukin-1β, -6, -8, -10, and tumor necrosis factor-o in human periodontal ligament cells (HPDLCs) stimulated with heat-killed bacteria or P. gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the presence or absence of monoclonal antibodies to TLR2 or TLR4 (anti-TLR2/4 mAb). Results: Both test bacteria and 10 µg/ml P. gingivalis LPS treatment increased the gene expression of TLR2 and TLR4 and cytokine production in HPDLCs. In addition, these upregulations could be blocked by anti-TLR2/4 mAb. However, the expression of TLR4 mRNA in HPDLCs stimulated with 1 µg/ ml P. gingivalis LPS was not increased. No differences were found in the cytokine production caused by 1 µg/ml P. gingivalis LPS treatment in the presence or absence of anti-TLR4 mAb. Conclusion: These patterns of gene expression and cytokine production indicate that Gram-negative periodontal bacteria or their LPS might play a role in triggering TLR2 and/or TLR4, and be of importance for the immune responses in periodontitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To study carotid vascular wall remodelling in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) using integrated backscatter signal (IBS) analysis. Methods: Included in the study were: 60 ADPKD patients with preserved renal function, including 32 patient with hypertension and 28 with normotension; 25 patients with essential hypertension; and 30 healthy volunteers. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) was measured by 2-D conventional ultrasonography. Acoustic tissue characterization of the carotid wall was assessed by IBS analysis, and the percentage of regions considered as fibromatosis was calculated in all groups. Results: Carotid IMT in hypertensive ADPKD patients (0.8 ± 0.05 vs 0.68 ± 0.02 mm, P < 0.01 and 0.8 ± 0.05 vs 0.56 ± 0.04 mm, P < 0.01 respectively) and patients with essential hypertension (0.79 ± 0.03 vs 0.68 ± 0.02 mm, P < 0.01 and 0.79 ± 0.03 vs 0.56 ± 0.0 4 mm, P < 0.01 respectively) was significantly greater than that of normotensive patients and healthy subjects. Carotid IMT in normotensive ADPKD patients was also significantly greater than that in healthy subjects (0.68 ± 0.02 vs 0.56 ± 0.04 mm, P < 0.01). Calibrated IBS (C-IBS) in hypertensive ADPKD patients was significantly greater than that in patients with essential hypertension and normotensive ADPKD patients (−21.2 ± 1.51 dB vs −23.1 ± 1.61 dB, P < 0.05; −21.2 ± 1.51 dB vs −24.5 ± 1.34 dB, P < 0.01). C-IBS in normotensive ADPKD patients was significantly greater than that in healthy subjects (−24.5 ± 1.34 dB vs −26.2 ± 1.69 dB, P < 0.01). The percentage of regions that could be considered as fibromatosis in hypertensive ADPKD patients was significantly greater than that in patients with essential hypertension and normotensive ADPKD patients (30.0% vs 22.4%, P < 0.05; 30.0% vs 17.9%, P < 0.01). The percentage of regions that could be considered as fibromatosis in normotensive ADPKD patients was significantly greater than that in healthy subjects (15.2% vs 10.3%, P < 0.01). Conclusion: Carotid remodelling occurs in the early stage of ADPKD and can be aggravated by hypertension. Fibrosis contributes to the vascular rearrangement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this work was to estimate the present periodontal problems of people in China, based on an epidemiological investigation of adults. Material and Methods: The data were collected from the northwest, southwest, northeast and east regions (400 subjects from each region) of China. All subjects were over 25 years of age. About half of the subjects were farmers and about half were urban professionals. Everyone was asked to fill out a questionnaire and to undergo a professional oral examination. Periodontal health status was evaluated by a simplified oral hygiene index (OHI-S), gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing pocket depth (PD), clinical attachment loss (CAL), and tooth mobility. Results: Of the 1590 subjects enrolled in this investigation, 45.7% were male, 45.5% were farmers, and the remaining were urban professionals, and 27.7% of the subjects were smokers. There was a significant difference in the educational background but not smoking between the rural and urban groups. While 34.9% of the subjects in the urban group brushed only once per day, 56.1% of the subjects in the rural group did so. The prevalence of bleeding during brushing was 71.1%, while about 61.4% of the subjects know nothing about scaling. All periodontal indices were significantly higher in males than in females and higher in the rural group than in the urban group. PD, CAL and tooth mobility increased with age. The percentage of sites with CAL>3 mm in the rural group (49.5%) was significantly higher than that in the urban group (37.5%). Both current and former smokers showed increased CAL than non-smokers. Conclusion: Gingivitis and periodontitis are common findings in China. Most Chinese have no knowledge of common periodontal prevention and treatment and very few have regular dental care. The data of this study suggest that age, smoking, and limited education are significantly associated with Chinese adult periodontal attachment loss. Preventive periodontal care and education should be reinforced in the future by establishing relevant oral health projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]