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Introduction: Prostaglandins (PG) are important regulators of the myometrial contractility in mammals. Endometrosis, a condition characterized by morphological changes in the equine endometrium, also affects endometrial secretory function. However, it remains unclear whether and how endometrosis affects myometrial function. Methods: This study investigated: (i) mRNA transcription of genes encoding specific enzymes responsible for PG synthesis, such as prostaglandin—endoperoxide synthase (PTGS2), PGE2 synthase (PTGES), PGF2α synthase (PTGFS) and PG receptors : PGE2 receptors (PTGER1- 4), and PGF2α receptor (PTGFS) in equine myometrium and, (ii) the effects of PGE2 and PGF2α on myometrial contractile activity, during endometrosis in mares. The myometria used in experiments 1 and 2 were collected from mares in the mid-luteal (n = 23) and follicular (n = 20) phases of the estrous cycle, according to the histological classification of the endometrium (Kenney and Doig categories I, IIA, IIB, and III). Results: In experiment 1, changes in mRNA transcription of PG synthase or PG receptors in the myometrium during the course of endometrosis were determined using qPCR. During the mid-luteal phase, myometrial mRNA transcription of PTGES increased in mares with endometrial category IIB compared to category I. However, myometrial mRNA transcription of PTGER1 decreased during the progression of endometrosis compared to category I. During the follicular phase, mRNA transcription of PTGER1 and PTGER2 increased in mares with endometrial categories III or IIA, respectively. In addition, mRNA transcription of PTGFS increased in mares with endometrium category IIA compared to category I. In experiment 2, the force of myometrial contractions was measured using an isometric concentration transducer. In the follicular phase, PGE2 decreased the force of contractions in mares with endometrial categories IIA, IIB, and III compared to the respective control groups. Prostaglandin F2α increased the force of myometrial contractions in mares with category IIA endometrium, whereas it decreased in category IIB compared to the respective control groups. Discussion: We concluded that in the progression of endometrosis there are changes in the myometrial transcription of mRNA encoding PG synthases and receptors , particularly PTGER1 and PTGER2. Mares with endometrosis had abnormal myometrial contractile responses to PG. These findings suggest that myometrial function may be compromised during the progression of endometrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose an integrability condition under which we prove C 1 linearization for planar contractions in the sense of modulus of continuity and we establish the regularity of corresponding diffeomorphisms. Besides, we explain that our integrability condition is indeed a sharp condition for C 1 linearization by constructing a counterexample, i.e., we construct certain planar contraction F which fails to satisfy the sharp intergrability condition, so that it can not be C 1 linearized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Prostaglandins (PG) are important regulators of the myometrial contractility in mammals. Endometrosis, a condition characterized by morphological changes in the equine endometrium, also affects endometrial secretory function. However, it remains unclear whether and how endometrosis affects myometrial function. Methods: This study investigated: (i) mRNA transcription of genes encoding specific enzymes responsible for PG synthesis, such as prostaglandin—endoperoxide synthase (PTGS2), PGE2 synthase (PTGES), PGF2α synthase (PTGFS) and PG receptors : PGE2 receptors (PTGER1- 4), and PGF2α receptor (PTGFS) in equine myometrium and, (ii) the effects of PGE2 and PGF2α on myometrial contractile activity, during endometrosis in mares. The myometria used in experiments 1 and 2 were collected from mares in the mid-luteal (n = 23) and follicular (n = 20) phases of the estrous cycle, according to the histological classification of the endometrium (Kenney and Doig categories I, IIA, IIB, and III). Results: In experiment 1, changes in mRNA transcription of PG synthase or PG receptors in the myometrium during the course of endometrosis were determined using qPCR. During the mid-luteal phase, myometrial mRNA transcription of PTGES increased in mares with endometrial category IIB compared to category I. However, myometrial mRNA transcription of PTGER1 decreased during the progression of endometrosis compared to category I. During the follicular phase, mRNA transcription of PTGER1 and PTGER2 increased in mares with endometrial categories III or IIA, respectively. In addition, mRNA transcription of PTGFS increased in mares with endometrium category IIA compared to category I. In experiment 2, the force of myometrial contractions was measured using an isometric concentration transducer. In the follicular phase, PGE2 decreased the force of contractions in mares with endometrial categories IIA, IIB, and III compared to the respective control groups. Prostaglandin F2α increased the force of myometrial contractions in mares with category IIA endometrium, whereas it decreased in category IIB compared to the respective control groups. Discussion: We concluded that in the progression of endometrosis there are changes in the myometrial transcription of mRNA encoding PG synthases and receptors , particularly PTGER1 and PTGER2. Mares with endometrosis had abnormal myometrial contractile responses to PG. These findings suggest that myometrial function may be compromised during the progression of endometrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the goal of transferring dg algebra structures on complexes along contractions, we introduce a new condition on the associated homotopy, namely a generalized version of the Leibniz rule. We prove that, with this condition, the transfer works to yield a dg algebra (with vanishing descended higher A ∞ products) and prove that it works also after an application of the Perturbation Lemma even though the new homotopy may no longer satisfy that condition. We also extend these results to the setting of A ∞ algebras. Then we return to our original motivation from commutative algebra. We apply these methods to find a new method for building a dg algebra structure on a well-known resolution, obtaining one that is both concrete and permutation invariant. The naturality of the construction enables us to find dg algebra homomorphisms between these as well, enabling them to be used as inputs for constructing bar resolutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. At present, creating and testing pharmacological instruments for selective inhibition of Са2+-pump of the plasma membrane, which would become the foundation for medical preparations, for instance, for the treatment of the impaired excitability of the cardiac and smooth muscles, remains critically significant. We have demon­strated in our previous experiments that calix[4]arene С-956 is effective in inhibi­ting Са2+, Mg2+-ATPase activity of the plasma membrane of myometrium cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the regularities and mechanisms of the impact of calix[4]arene С-956 on Са2+-transporting activity of Са2+, Mg2+-ATPase of the plasma membrane (PM) and the contractile function of rat myometrium. Materials and Methods. The experiments were conducted using outbred white non-pregnant rats. Ca2+-transporting activity of myocytes PM preparations loaded with Ca2+-sensitive fluorescent probe fluo-4 AM was investigated. The registration of the contractile activity in the preparations of longitudinal smooth muscles of uterine horns with preserved endothelium was done in the isometric mode. Results. It was determined that calix[4]arene C-956 causes blocking of the transport function of the calcium pump of preparations of plasma membranes of uterine myocytes. The C-956 compound causes an increase in the amplitude of spontaneous contractions and a change in their mechanokinetic parameters during a short-term effect on multicellular preparations of rat myometrium. Calix[4]arene C-956 also significantly affects the contractions caused by high-potassium depolarization of the PM and oxytocin, increa­sing their amplitude and decreasing the rate of relaxation. Blocking the synthesis of nitric oxide significantly enhances the effects of C-956 on spontaneous and high-potassium- and oxytocin-induced contractions of the myometrium. Conclusions. The results of our research indicate that the main target of the action of calix[4]arene C-956 on myocytes is the calcium pump of the PM. With the preliminary inhibition of nitric oxide synthases followed by the use of C-956, we were able to fully demonstrate the contribution of the calcium pump of the PM to the regulation of uterine contractions.

IntroductionProstaglandins (PG) are important regulators of the myometrial contractility in mammals. Endometrosis, a condition characterized by morphological changes in the equine endometrium, also affects endometrial secretory function. However, it remains unclear whether and how endometrosis affects myometrial function.MethodsThis study investigated: (i) mRNA transcription of genes encoding specific enzymes responsible for PG synthesis, such as prostaglandin—endoperoxide synthase (PTGS2), PGE2 synthase (PTGES), PGF2α synthase (PTGFS) and PG receptors: PGE2 receptors (PTGER1- 4), and PGF2α receptor (PTGFS) in equine myometrium and, (ii) the effects of PGE2 and PGF2α on myometrial contractile activity, during endometrosis in mares. The myometria used in experiments 1 and 2 were collected from mares in the mid-luteal (n = 23) and follicular (n = 20) phases of the estrous cycle, according to the histological classification of the endometrium (Kenney and Doig categories I, IIA, IIB, and III).ResultsIn experiment 1, changes in mRNA transcription of PG synthase or PG receptors in the myometrium during the course of endometrosis were determined using qPCR. During the mid-luteal phase, myometrial mRNA transcription of PTGES increased in mares with endometrial category IIB compared to category I. However, myometrial mRNA transcription of PTGER1 decreased during the progression of endometrosis compared to category I. During the follicular phase, mRNA transcription of PTGER1 and PTGER2 increased in mares with endometrial categories III or IIA, respectively. In addition, mRNA transcription of PTGFS increased in mares with endometrium category IIA compared to category I. In experiment 2, the force of myometrial contractions was measured using an isometric concentration transducer. In the follicular phase, PGE2 decreased the force of contractions in mares with endometrial categories IIA, IIB, and III compared to the respective control groups. Prostaglandin F2α increased the force of myometrial contractions in mares with category IIA endometrium, whereas it decreased in category IIB compared to the respective control groups.DiscussionWe concluded that in the progression of endometrosis there are changes in the myometrial transcription of mRNA encoding PG synthases and receptors, particularly PTGER1 and PTGER2. Mares with endometrosis had abnormal myometrial contractile responses to PG. These findings suggest that myometrial function may be compromised during the progression of endometrosis.

This article examines why some brands are able to ride the wave of macroeconomic expansions, whereas other brands are better able to successfully weather contractions. Using a utility-based framework, the authors develop hypotheses on how the impact of these shocks on brand equity is moderated by six strategic brand factors: price positioning, advertising spending, product line length, distribution breadth, brand architecture, and market position. The authors utilize monthly data on 325 national consumer packaged goods brands in 35 categories across 17 years from the United Kingdom to obtain quarterly sales-based brand equity estimates. The two preeminent brand factors are distribution and assortment. Distribution is by far the most important factor in contractions. It is also the most important factor in expansions. In short, in good times and bad times, extensively distributed brands win. A wide assortment is also a strong contributor to brand equity in expansions, while it does not destroy brand equity in contractions. The authors further find that advertising spending, premium price positioning, umbrella branding structure, and market leadership matter in expansions and/or contractions, and the magnitude of their effects on brand equity is relatively modest. The discussion concludes with managerial implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Methods Key Results Conclusions & Inferences Spontaneous neuronal network activity is essential to the functional maturation of central and peripheral circuits, yet whether this is a feature of enteric nervous system development has yet to be established. Although enteric neurons are known exhibit electrophysiological properties early in embryonic development, no connection has been drawn between this neuronal activity and the development of gastrointestinal (GI) motility patterns.We use ex vivo GI motility assays with newly developed unbiased computational analyses to identify GI motility patterns across mouse embryonic development.We find a previously unknown pattern of neurogenic contractions termed “clustered ripples” that arises spontaneously at embryonic day 16.5, an age earlier than any identified mature GI motility patterns. We further show that these contractions are driven by nicotinic cholinergic signaling.Clustered ripples are neurogenic contractile activity that arise from spontaneous ENS activity and precede all known forms of neurogenic GI motility. This earliest motility pattern requires nicotinic cholinergic signaling, which may inform pharmacology for enhancing GI motility in preterm infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a large class of contractions is studied that contains Banach and Matkowski maps as particular cases. Sufficient conditions for the existence of fixed points are proposed in the framework of b-metric spaces. The convergence and stability of the Picard iterations are analyzed, giving error estimates for the fixed-point approximation. Afterwards, the iteration proposed by Kirk in 1971 is considered, studying its convergence, stability, and error estimates in the context of a quasi-normed space. The properties proved can be applied to other types of contractions, since the self-maps defined contain many others as particular cases. For instance, if the underlying set is a metric space, the contractions of type Kannan, Chatterjea, Zamfirescu, Ćirić, and Reich are included in the class of contractivities studied in this paper. These findings are applied to the construction of fractal surfaces on Banach algebras, and the definition of two-variable frames composed of fractal mappings with values in abstract Hilbert spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Democratization is often invoked as an explanatory factor for diachronic linguistic developments. We believe that at the root of democratization often lies the pragmatic negotiation of power relations, whereby a more democratic use of language can reduce the distance between addresser and addressee. This article examines the evolution of power relations in the New York Times editorials from 1860 to 1979 as represented in COHA. After a quantitative analysis of the evolution of three pragmatic variables that index democratization, the study offers a qualitative analysis with the aim of anchoring them to the situational context of newspaper editorials, especially regarding the power relations negotiated in this register over time. This paper also examines the impact of socio-historical events on the evolution of power relations and shows that they are intimately linked. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Picard iteration is on the basis of a great number of numerical methods and applications of mathematics. However, it has been known since the 1950s that this method of fixed-point approximation may not converge in the case of nonexpansive mappings. In this paper, an extension of the concept of nonexpansiveness is presented in the first place. Unlike the classical case, the new maps may be discontinuous, adding an element of generality to the model. Some properties of the set of fixed points of the new maps are studied. Afterwards, two iterative methods of fixed-point approximation are analyzed, in the frameworks of b-metric and Hilbert spaces. In the latter case, it is proved that the symmetrically averaged iterative procedures perform well in the sense of convergence with the least number of operations at each step. As an application, the second part of the article is devoted to the study of fractal mappings on Hilbert spaces defined by means of nonexpansive operators. The paper considers fractal mappings coming from φ -contractions as well. In particular, the new operators are useful for the definition of an extension of the concept of α -fractal function, enlarging its scope to more abstract spaces and procedures. The fractal maps studied here have quasi-symmetry, in the sense that their graphs are composed of transformed copies of itself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the topological properties of a b-metric space (which generalizes the concept of a metric space) seem sometimes counterintuitive due to the fact that the "open" balls may not be open sets, we review some aspects of these spaces concerning compactness, metrizability, continuity and fixed points. After doing so, we introduce new types of contractivities that extend the concept of Banach contraction. We study some of their properties, giving sufficient conditions for the existence of fixed points and common fixed points. Afterwards, we consider some iterative schemes in quasi-normed spaces for the approximation of these critical points, analyzing their convergence and stability. We apply these concepts to the resolution of a model of integral equation of Urysohn type. In the last part of the paper, we refine some results about partial contractivities in the case where the underlying set is a strong b-metric space, and we establish some relations between mutual weak contractions and quasi-contractions and the new type of contractivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents Wold-type decomposition for various pairs of twisted contractions on Hilbert spaces. We achieve an explicit decomposition for pairs of twisted contractions such that the c.n.u. parts of the contractions are in C 00 . The structure for pairs of doubly twisted operators consisting of a power partial isometry has been discussed. It is also shown that for a pair (T , V ∗) of twisted operators with T as a contraction and V as an isometry, there exists a unique (up to unitary equivalence) pair of doubly twisted isometries on the minimal isometric dilation space of T. Finally, we have given a characterization for pairs of doubly twisted isometries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background of Study: Tocolytics are substances which prevents preterm births by reducing or stopping uterine contractions. This study is aimed at using both in vitro and in silico docking in investigating Alkaloid extract of Moringa oleifera leaf (AML) as a tocolytic agent. Method: The in vitro study was carried out on isolated uteri of albino wistar rats, a cumulative application of AML and its active fraction; chloroform fraction of AML (CAML) to the isolated uterine tissues was done. Compounds present in CAML were investigated via GC–MS. In the in silico study, compounds present in CAML were docked using the Autodock program to predict the most active compounds and possible binding sites between CAML and some target proteins (OXTR, ERs, COX-1 and TNF-α) associated with uterine contractions and the pharmacokinetic properties of the active compounds identified were investigated using lipinski rule of five (5). Results: In the in vitro study, the result showed that AML and CAML significantly inhibited spontaneous contractions. CAML significantly inhibited oxytocin-induced, KCl-induced and calcium-free solution contractions. In silico study; 6 out of 47 compounds present in CAML had a strong binding affinity for OXTR, ERs, COX-1 and TNF-α and the pharmacokinetic investigation showed that these 6 compounds were likely oral drug candidates. Conclusion: AML and CAML inhibits spontaneous contractions and contain compounds that has the ability to interact with receptors and proteins associated with uterine contractions making it a good tocolytic agent.

The authors explore fixed-point theory in b-metric spaces and strong b-metric spaces. They wish to prove some new extensions of the Covitz and Nadler fixed-point theorem in b-metric spaces. In so doing, they wish to answer a question proposed by Kirk and Shahzad about Nadler's theorem holding in strong b-metric spaces. In addition, they offer an improvement to the fixed-point theorem proven by Dontchev and Hager. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardio complications such as arrhythmias and myocardial damage are common in COVID-19 patients. SARS-CoV-2 interacts with the cardiovascular system primarily via the ACE2 receptor. Cardiomyocyte damage in SARS-CoV-2 infection may stem from inflammation, hypoxia–reoxygenation injury, and direct toxicity; however, the precise mechanisms are unclear. In this study, we simulated hypoxia–reoxygenation conditions commonly seen in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients and studied the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein RBD-epitope on primary rat cardiomyocytes to gain insight into the potential mechanisms underlying COVID-19-related cardiac complications. Cell metabolic activity was evaluated with PrestoBlueTM. Gene expression of proinflammatory markers was measured by qRT-PCR and their secretion was quantified by Luminex assay. Cardiomyocyte contractility was analysed using the Myocyter plugin of ImageJ. Mitochondrial respiration was determined through Seahorse Mito Stress Test. In hypoxia–reoxygenation conditions, treatment of the SARS-CoV-2 spike RBD-epitope reduced the metabolic activity of primary cardiomyocytes, upregulated Il1β and Cxcl1 expression, and elevated GM-CSF and CCL2 cytokines secretion. Contraction time increased, while amplitude and beating frequency decreased. Acute treatment with a virus RBD-epitope inhibited mitochondrial respiration and lowered ATP production. Under ischaemia-reperfusion, the SARS-CoV-2 RBD-epitope induces cardiomyocyte injury linked to impaired mitochondrial activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: to identify risk factors for the occurrence of discoordinated labor activity (DRD) and to conduct a comparative analysis of them in first- and repeat-bearing women. Materials and methods: the analysis of the course of pregnancy and the outcome of childbirth in 175 women with DRD was carried out. The cases of DRD over five years have been analyzed. All women underwent general clinical studies, ultrasound diagnostics (ultrasound), dopplerometry (DPM), cardiotocography (CTG). Results: functional disorders of the autonomic nervous system, morphological changes in the cervix, transferred FGM, as well as a combination of these types of pathology can be predictors of the development of DDD. There were no significant differences in the number of pregnant women suffering from NCD, having FGM, who suffered complications during pregnancy, as well as in the number of patients with prenatal and early discharge of amniotic fluid in the two groups. There are significant differences in the number of women with morphological changes in the cervix, they are significantly more in the second group. In women of the second group, significantly more often than in the first, delivery was performed by caesarean section. Conclusions: to reduce DRD in childbirth, in the process of pre-pregnancy preparation, it is necessary to identify risk groups, which will include pregnancy-planning patients with VSD, morphological changes in the cervix, VZHPO. These women should be recommended correction of the existing genital pathology. At the onset of pregnancy, patients with VSD should be recommended to undergo psychoprophylactic preparation for childbirth. These measures, in our opinion, will help to reduce the percentage of DRD, and reduce the overall percentage of delivery by caesarean section.

This paper introduces the notion of k-fuzzy metric spaces, which generalizes and extends the concept of fuzzy metric spaces due to George and Veeramani in [A. George and P. Veeramani, On some results in fuzzy metric spaces, Fuzzy Sets and Systems 64 (1994), 395-399.] for the fuzzy sets involving more than one (k) parameters. It is shown that the topology generated by the k-fuzzy metric is first countable, and the k-fuzzy metric space is Hausdorff. Finally, we prove a fixed point theorem, which generalizes and extends the results of Grabiec [M. Grabiec, Fixed points in fuzzy metric spaces, Fuzzy Sets and Systems, 27 (1988), 385-389.] into k-fuzzy metric spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abbreviations are often overlooked, since their frequency and acceptance are almost second nature in everyday communication. Business names, handwritten notes, online messaging, professional domains, and different languages all have their own set of abbreviations. The abundance and frequent introduction of new abbreviations cause multiple areas of overlaps and ambiguity, which mean documents often lose their clarity. We reverse engineered the process of creating these ad hoc abbreviations and revealed some preliminary statistics on what makes them easier or harder to define. In addition, we generated candidate definitions for which it proved difficult for a word sense disambiguation model to select the correct definition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We performed a comparative study of the effects of carbachol, α,β-methylene-ATP, β,γ-methylene-ATP, and electric field stimulation on the contractile activity of the isolated uterus from rats aged 3 and 9 months with valproic model of autism. The contractile responses of isolated rat uterine preparations induced by P2X-receptor agonists α,β-methylene-ATP and β,γ-methylene-ATP were significantly lower than in the control. In addition, the contractions of the isolated uterus of 9-month-old rats induced by carbachol were significantly lower than in controls. No significant differences in uterine smooth muscle contractions in both age groups of rats induced by electric field stimulation in comparison with the control were found. Thus, significant impairment of uterine contractile activity was revealed in rats with valproic model of autism, which persisted up to the age of 9 months. The absence of changes in the contractions induced by electric field stimulation suggests that the changes in the contractile activity of the uterus of the rats with modeled autism spectrum disorder are caused by the disorders occurring at the postsynaptic level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work is to study the relation between S -expansions and other transformations of Lie algebras. In particular, we prove that contractions, deformations and central extensions of Lie algebras are preserved by S -expansions. We also provide several examples and give conditions so transformations of reduced subalgebras of S -expanded algebras are preserved by the S -expansion procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil-structure interaction under vibration becomes an important concern for the underground structure below or adjacent to a railway line as train speed is continuously raised. Although more and more related works have been conducted in recent years, the vibro-induced soil-structure interaction is not fully understood, especially for high-frequency vibration. By using a modified direct shear apparatus with a high-frequency vibration module, this work investigates the deformation and strength characteristics of granular soil-structure interfaces under vibration. The interface is prepared by dry sand specimens and a textured steel plate. Initially, monotonic shear tests of the interface are carried out as the control groups. Then a series of coupled vibration and monotonic shear tests, with a constant vibration frequency of 45 Hz, are performed to investigate the deformation and strength characteristics of the interface under vibration. The variation of major influence factors, including the vibration intensity, normal stress, pre-vibration specimen state (i.e., mobilized friction angle and density), initial relative density and vibration duration, are considered. By introducing shaking pressure, the strength criterion of the granular soil-structure interface under vibration is preliminary proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Normal labor and delivery are dependent on the presence of regular and effective contractions of the uterine myometrium. The mechanisms responsible for the initiation and maintenance of adequate and synchronized uterine activity that are necessary for labor and delivery result from a complex interplay of hormonal, mechanical, and electrical factors that have not yet been fully elucidated. Monitoring uterine activity during term labor and in suspected preterm labor is an important component of obstetrical care because cases of inadequate and excessive uterine activity can be associated with substantial maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Inadequate labor progress is a common challenge encountered in intrapartum care, with labor dystocia being the most common indication for cesarean deliveries performed during labor. Hereafter, an accurate assessment of uterine activity during labor can assist in the management of protracted labor by diagnosing inadequate uterine activity and facilitating the titration of uterotonic medications before a trial of labor is prematurely terminated. Conversely, the ability to diagnose unwanted or excessive uterine activity is also critical in cases of threatened preterm labor, tachysystole, or patients undergoing a trial of labor after cesarean delivery. Knowledge of uterine activity in these cases may guide the use of tocolytic medications or raise suspicion of uterine rupture. Current diagnostic capabilities are less than optimal, hindering the medical management of term and preterm labor. Currently, different methods exist for evaluating uterine activity during labor, including manual palpation, external tocodynamometry, intrauterine pressure monitoring, and electrical uterine myometrial activity tracing. Legacy uterine monitoring techniques have advantages and limitations. External tocodynamometry is the most widespread tool in clinical use owing to its noninvasive nature and its ability to time contractions against the fetal heart rate monitor. However, it does not provide information regarding the strength of uterine contractions and is limited by signal loss with maternal movements. Conversely, the intrauterine pressure catheter quantifies the strength of uterine contractions; however, its use is limited by its invasiveness, risk for complications, and limited additive value in all but few clinical scenarios. New monitoring methods are being used, such as electrical uterine monitoring, which is noninvasive and does not require ruptured membranes. Electrical uterine monitoring has yet to be incorporated into common clinical practice because of lack of access to this technology, its high cost, and the need for appropriate training of clinical staff. Further work needs to be done to increase the accessibility and implementation of this technique by experts, and further research is needed to implement new practical and useful methods. This review describes current clinical tools for uterine activity assessment during labor and discusses their advantages and shortcomings. The review also summarizes current knowledge regarding novel technologies for monitoring uterine contractions that are not yet in widespread use, but are promising and could help improve our understanding of the physiology of labor, delivery, and preterm labor, and ultimately enhance patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we consider little Hankel operators Γφ defined on the Bergman space L²a(D) with symbol φ ∈ H∞(D) that are contractions. Necessary and sufficient conditions are obtained for the existence of a nontrivial unitary part of these little Hankel operators. We also present an explicit description of this unitary part. This extends the results of Butz for Hankel operators defined on the Hardy space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article introduces a type of dominating property, partially inherited from L. Chen’s, and proves an existence and uniqueness theorem concerning common best proximity points. A certain kind of boundary value problem involving the so-called Caputo derivative can be formulated so that our result applies.

Aims Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a common form of arrhythmia associated with an unfavourable prognosis in patients with structural heart disease. However, the prognostic significance in absence of heart disease is debated. With this study, we aim to investigate whether subjects with PVC, without structural heart disease, have a worse prognosis than the general population. Methods and results Patients evaluated for PVC at a secondary care centre in Stockholm County from January 2010 to December 2016 were identified. We included patients without history of previous heart disease who had undergone echocardiography and exercise test with normal findings. Based on sex and age, we matched the PVC cohort to a four times bigger control group from the general population and compared the outcome in terms of mortality and cardiovascular morbidity during a median follow-up time of 5.2 years. We included 820 patients and 3,264 controls. Based on a non-inferiority analysis, the PVC group did not have a higher mortality than the control group (0.44, CI 0.27–0.72). Sensitivity analysis with propensity score matching confirmed this result. Conclusions PVC patients, who after thorough evaluation showed no signs of structural heart disease, did not have a worse prognosis when compared to an age- and sex- control group based on the general population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the effect of carbachol, P2 receptor agonists, and electric field stimulation on mechanical activity of isolated preparations of the duodenum, ileum, bladder, and vas deferens in 9-month-old rats with the valproic acid-induced model of autism. It was found that the contractions and relaxations of the isolated intestine of the experimental rats caused by various agonists and electric field stimulation did not differ from those in control animals. Carbachol induced more significant contractions of the bladder in rats with autism model than in controls and electric field stimulation induced more significant contractions of the vas deferens. We did not find significant differences in the effect of ATP, α,β-methylene-ATP and 2-methylthio-ATP on the contraction and relaxation of the studied smooth muscle organs of rats of the experimental and control groups. It was concluded that 9-month-old rats with an autism model retained increased contractile activity of the bladder and vas deferens, while intestinal contractions in experimental and control animals of this age did not differ significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The harnessing development of technology has drastically modified languages that people are using in all corners of the world. It is out of the question that world languages are constantly evolving to meet the needs and requirements of the society. Nowadays social media platforms have undoubtedly become an indispensable part of daily communication. Undeniably various platforms of social media attract millions of people with different ethnic, linguistic, racial and religious backgrounds to interact and take part in various discussions in blogs, microblogs, chat groups, discussion boards, forums, etc. Over the last 20 years Internet mediated communication has generated many grammatical structures and lexical items that need to be studied and redefined. With the advent of new technologies new linguistic deviations have emerged in social media platforms. It is no wonder that scientists are holding opposing thoughts and conflicting viewpoints of the same or similar phenomena. Being the most prevalent language of social media and having the highest frequency of usage on the Internet domain the English language has underwent large-scale changes and alternations. These non-standard forms are noted in all levels of language. Over the time linguistic deviations have the tendency to become standard forms. The latter may lead the English language to changes. The current article discusses the marked variations of English verbal system in contemporary English social media platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine if uterine electrophysiological signals gathered from 151 non-invasive biomagnetic sensors spread over the abdomen were associated with successful induction of labor (IOL). Study design: Uterine magnetomyogram (MMG) signals were collected using the SARA (SQUID Array for Reproductive Assessment) device from 33 subjects between 37 and 42 weeks gestational age. The signals were post-processed, uterine contractile related MMG bursts were detected, and parameters in the time and frequency domain were extracted. The modified Bishop score calculated at admission was used to determine the method of IOL. Wilcoxon's rank-sum test was used to compare IOL successes and failures for differences in gestational age (GA), parity, modified Bishop's score, maximum oxytocin, and electrophysiological parameters extracted from MMG. Results: The average parity was three times (3x) higher (1.53 versus 0.50; p = 0.039), and the average modified Bishop score was 2x higher (3.32 versus 1.63; p = 0.032) amongst IOL successes than failures, while the average GA and maximum oxytocin showed a small difference. For the MMG parameters, successful IOLs had, on average, 3.5x greater mean power during bursts (0.246 versus 0.070; p = 0.034) and approximately 1.2x greater mean number of bursts (2.05 versus 1.68; p = 0.036) compared to the failed IOLs, but non-significant differences were observed in mean peak frequency, mean burst duration, and mean duration between bursts. Conclusion: The study showed that inductions of labor that took less than 24 h to deliver have a higher mean power in the baseline electrophysiological activity of the uterus when recorded prior to planned induction. The results are indicative that baseline electrophysiological activity measured prior to induction is associated with successful induction.

We prove a multivariate functional version of de Jong's CLT (J Multivar Anal 34(2):275–289, 1990) yielding that, given a sequence of vectors of Hoeffding-degenerate U-statistics, the corresponding empirical processes on [0, 1] weakly converge in the Skorohod space as soon as their fourth cumulants in t = 1 vanish asymptotically and a certain strengthening of the Lindeberg-type condition is verified. As an application, we lift to the functional level the 'universality of Wiener chaos' phenomenon first observed in Nourdin et al. (Ann Probab 38(5):1947–1985, 2010). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caveolae are organizing centers for cellular signal transduction in endothelial cells (ED) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in the blood vessels. Myography was used to investigate the effects of a caveolar disruption using methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MBCD) on maxi-K channels in rat carotid arteries. Incubation of carotid segments with MBCD augmented contractions in response to BaK (chemical channel agonist) but not those induced by depolarizing high potassium physiological saline (KPSS). In contrast, incubation with cholesterol-saturated MBCD (Ch-MBCD) abolished the effects of MBCD. Mechanical removal of endothelial cells by MBCD triggered a small contraction in response to BaK. Incubation with nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME) inhibited nitric oxide (NO) release, causing increased contractions in response to BaK, and this effect was reversed by pretreatment with MBCD. These results suggest that MBCD inhibits endothelial NO release. Contrastingly, inhibition of maxi-K channels with iberiotoxin enhanced contractions in response to BaK. Likewise, L-NAME decreased the contractile effect of iberiotoxin, as in the ED-denuded arteries. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed the presence and absence of caveolae in intact blood vessels before and after MBCD treatment, respectively, whereas histology confirmed ED removal after the treatment. Caveolar disruption using MBCD impairs ED-dependent relaxation by inhibiting the release of NO from the ED and altered the contractility of SMCs independent of the ED due to reduced contribution of maxi-K channels to the SMC membrane potential, causing depolarization and increasing carotid artery contraction. These findings might help to understand the physiological role of the maxi-K channels in rat carotid arteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The recording of rumen sounds can be an important tool to assess the health status of a herd, as the frequency and amplitude of rumen contractions are associated with the flow and fermentation patterns of feed particles in the ruminoreticulum compartment. In this technical report, using a wireless device (CURO MkII), we recorded high-quality rumen sound waves that differentiate rumen contractions between cows of different production statuses (dry cow vs. lactating cow) and physiological stages (pregnant vs. non-pregnant). We envision that the rumen sound recordings will be a new form of technology to detect the onset of metabolic diseases, such as acidosis and hypocalcemia, which usually cause changes in the physicochemical properties of the rumen environment and reduce the frequency of rumen contractions. However, this technology still needs further improvement and validation through recordings of rumen movements in animals experiencing metabolic diseases, which will enable early detection of the problem and reduce treatment costs and production losses. This technical report used a wireless device (CURO MkII) that recorded high-quality rumen sound waves from cows of different production statuses (dry cow vs. lactating cow) and physiological stages (pregnant vs. non-pregnant). Recordings from a dry Jersey heifer fed a diet based on haylage and straw showed a few high-amplitude spikes (3 at 6 dB) but mostly infrequent signals (9 at 12 dB and 22 at 18 dB), with pauses of approx. 2 min with no rumen sounds in between. Analysis of a few individual spikes in the 12 dB range showed that wave frequencies ranged from 230 to 250 Hz and lasted 4 s. Recordings of the high-yielding Red Danish cow fed a total mixed ration (TMR) showed an almost constant frequency of the rumen sounds with considerable amplitude of the waves. Rumen sounds from the Red Danish dry and pregnant cow fed on TMR were less frequent, with a lower amplitude than those from the high-yielding cow. These preliminary results demonstrate that wireless sound recording units are capable of measuring rumen sounds in a production setting and can discern between animals of different production and physiological stages, but more studies are needed to confirm our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prevalence and prognosis of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) among individuals without structural heart disease are uncertain. Standard transthoracic echocardiography is a common method in evaluation of underlying cardiovascular disease and is recommended as a diagnostic method in PVC patients. However, it is unclear whether comprehensive echocardiographic examination can identify pathological findings in PVC patients with a normal standard echocardiogram. Method: We included forty consecutive patients with a high PVC burden (>10,000 PVCs/day) and normal findings at a standard echocardiogram and exercise test. All subjects were investigated by a comprehensive echocardiographic examination using parameters usually not included in a routine work-up. We compared the results with 22 age and sex-matched controls. Results: In six additional parameters–global longitudinal strain, right ventricular strain, septal-lateral delay, ventricular-arterial coupling, integrated backscatter and left atrial activation time–a statistically significant difference was shown between PVC patients and controls. Among these parameters, global longitudinal strain had a high reliability between operators. Conclusions: Despite normal findings at standard echocardiography, the PVC group showed signs of impaired heart function when more comprehensive echocardiography parameters were used.

This study examines newspaper writing from 10 Caribbean countries as a window on the norm orientation of English in the region. The English used in the former British colonies of the Caribbean has been assumed to be especially prone to postcolonial linguistic Americanization, due to mass tourism, media exposure, and long-standing personal and sociocultural links. The authors present a quantitative investigation of variable features, comparing their Caribbean data with American and British reference corpora as well as newspaper collections from India and Nigeria. The amount of American features employed varies by type of feature and country. In all Caribbean corpora, they are more prevalent in the lexicon than in spelling. With regard to grammar, an orientation toward a singular norm cannot be deduced from the data. While Caribbean journalists do partake in worldwide American-led changes, the frequencies of the relevant features align with neither American English nor British English but instead resemble those found in the Indian and Nigerian corpora. Contemporary Caribbean newspaper writing, thus, neither follows traditional British norms nor is it characterized by massive linguistic Americanization; rather, there appears to be a certain conservatism common to New Englishes generally. These results are discussed in light of new considerations on normativity in English in the twenty-first century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of the paper is to obtain sharp Lipschitz type estimates for the norm of operator differences f(L1,M1)−f(L2,M2)$f\big (L_1,M_1\big)-f\big (L_2,M_2\big)$ for pairs (L1,M1)$\big (L_1,M_1\big)$ and (L2,M2)$\big (L_2,M_2\big)$ of commuting maximal dissipative operators. To obtain such estimates, we use double operator integrals with respect to semi‐spectral measures associated with the pairs (L1,M1)$\big (L_1,M_1\big)$ and (L2,M2)$\big (L_2,M_2\big)$. Note that the situation is considerably more complicated than in the case of functions of two commuting contractions and to overcome difficulties we had to elaborate new techniques. We deduce from the main result Hölder type estimates for operator differences as well as their estimates in Schatten–von Neumann norms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the effect of pyrethroid insecti cides on the regulation of bovine cervical function. Cervical cells or strips obtained from cows during the periovulation period were treated with cypermethrin and fenvalerate (0.1-10 ng/mL). None of the pyrethroids exerted a cytotoxic effect, whereas only fenvalerate increased the cervical contraction force and mRNA expression of receptor of oxytocin and prostaglandin (PG) synthases. Both pyrethroids inhibited PG secretion and decreased the amount of diacylglycerol, which is the second messenger involved in oxytocin signal transmission, and fenvalerate decreased the myosin light-chain kinase level. These findings indicate that fenvalerate induces greater disruption of cervical function than cypermethrin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the impact of uterine contractile activity on the outcome of trial of labour after caesarean section (TOLAC). Design: Secondary, blinded analyses of a prospective TOLAC cohort. Setting: Two labour wards, one in a university tertiary hospital and the other in a central hospital. Population: A total of 194 TOLAC parturients with intrauterine tocodynamometry during labour. Methods: Analysis of intrauterine pressure, frequency of contractions and baseline tonus of uterine muscle in 30‐minute periods for 4 hours before birth. Main outcome measures: Primary outcome: uterine contractile activity during TOLAC. Secondary aims: contributors associated with failed TOLAC and uterine rupture. Results: TOLAC succeeded in 74% of cases. Uterine contractile activity, expressed as intrauterine pressure, was significantly higher in successful TOLAC compared with failed TOLAC (210 versus 170 Montevideo units). The statistically significant risk factors of failed TOLAC, after multivariate regression analysis, were prolonged gestational age, reduced cervical dilatation at admission and lower mean intrauterine pressure. In cases of uterine rupture, contractile activity did not differ from that in failed TOLAC. Cervical ripening with a Foley catheter appeared to be a risk factor for uterine rupture, as well as cervical dilatation <3 cm at admission. The incidence of total uterine rupture was 2.6% (n = 5). Conclusions: Women with successful vaginal birth had higher uterine contractile activity than those experiencing failed TOLAC or uterine rupture despite similar use of oxytocin. Induction of labour with a Foley catheter turned out to be a risk factor for uterine rupture during TOLAC among parturients with no previous vaginal delivery. During VBAC the response to oxytocin, assessed as intrauterine pressure, is greater and adequate, in contrast to failed TOLAC. During VBAC the response to oxytocin, assessed as intrauterine pressure, is greater and adequate, in contrast to failed TOLAC. Linked article This article is commented on by PJ Steer, pp. 985 in this issue. To view this minicommentary visit https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.17035. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Asymptomatic contractions in the lower uterine segment (LUS) may affect uterocervical angle and cervical length (CL); however, this has never been investigated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of LUS contractions on uterocervical angle, CL, and LUS thickness. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, observational, single-cohort study conducted on 102 asymptomatic singleton pregnancies between 19.0 and 22.6 weeks of gestation. Uterocervical angle and CL were measured by transvaginal ultrasound at two different time points with an interval of at least 20 min. LUS thickness was also measured as an indirect marker of myometrial contraction. A linear and curvilinear regression were performed to explore a potential association between LUS contractions, measured as increments in LUS thickness, and changes in CL and uterocervical angle. Results: The linear regression between changes in LUS thickness and changes in CL showed that LUS contractions impact CL; for every 1-mm increase in LUS thickness, CL increased by 0.909 mm, when the isthmus was included in the CL measurement (R2 = 0.358; β = 0.909; p < 0.001). By contrast, when the isthmus was not included in the measurement, a curvilinear relation between changes in LUS thickness and changes in CL was found (R2 = 0.077; β1 = 0.575, β2 = 0.038; p = 0.018). The relation between changes in uterocervical angle and changes in LUS thickness was not significant. Discussion/Conclusion: LUS contractions can be observed in many asymptomatic women during the second trimester of pregnancy. LUS contractions lead to an increase in CL and LUS thickness, thus impacting ultrasound cervical assessments. These contractions do not affect the uterocervical angle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present some random fixed point theorems in complete gauge spaces. We establish then a multivalued version of a Perov–Gheorghiu's fixed point theorem in generalized gauge spaces. Finally, some examples are given to illustrate the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mixed initial-boundary value problem in the context of elasticity of porous bodies having a dipolar structure is considered. By means of a semigroup of contractions, we can obtain some results regarding the existence and uniqueness of solutions for this mixed problem, after proving the equivalence between this problem and a Cauchy problem attached to an abstract equation of evolution. Also, by means of this Cauchy problem, we deduce two continuous dependence results, regarding the supply terms of the original mixed problem and upon initial data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we introduce an extension of metric spaces, which includes S spaces. Some properties of this topological structure are analyzed. Also, a non-compactness measure and condensing correspondences are defined for these type of spaces and natural results are obtained. Moreover, fixed point theorems for functions and correspondences satisfying certain Banach orbital condition are introduced and proved. These results are applied to contractions, which are defined by means of the extended quasi-metric, both for functions and correspondences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tallafha, A. and Alhihi S. in [15], asked the following question. If f is a contraction from a complete semi-linear uniform space (X, G) to it self, is f has a unique fixed point. In this paper, we shall answer this question negatively and we shall show that convex metric space and Mspace are equivalent except uniqueness. Also, we shall characterize convex metric spaces and use this characterization to give some application using semi-linear uniform spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene, is an X‐linked disease affecting male and rarely adult heterozygous females, resulting in death by the late 20s to early 30s. Previous studies reported depressed left ventricular function in DMD patients which may result from deranged intracellular Ca2+‐handling. To decipher the mechanism(s) underlying the depressed LV function, we tested the hypothesis that iPSC‐CMs generated from DMD patients feature blunted positive inotropic response to β‐adrenergic stimulation. To test the hypothesis, [Ca2+]i transients and contractions were recorded from healthy and DMD‐CMs. While in healthy CMs (HC) isoproterenol caused a prominent positive inotropic effect, DMD‐CMs displayed a blunted inotropic response. Next, we tested the functionality of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) by measuring caffeine‐induced Ca2+ release. In contrast to HC, DMD‐CMs exhibited reduced caffeine‐induced Ca2+ signal amplitude and recovery time. In support of the depleted SR Ca2+ stores hypothesis, in DMD‐CMs the negative inotropic effects of ryanodine and cyclopiazonic acid were smaller than in HC. RNA‐seq analyses demonstrated that in DMD CMs the RNA‐expression levels of specific subunits of the L‐type calcium channel, the β1‐adrenergic receptor (ADRβ1) and adenylate cyclase were down‐regulated by 3.5‐, 2.8‐ and 3‐fold, respectively, which collectively contribute to the depressed β‐adrenergic responsiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hereafter, the concept of a function weighted quasi-metric space is introduced. A necessary topology on this new structure is considered. A condition that ensures the uniqueness of the limit of a sequence in such a space is provided. A relation between the bi-convergent sequences and the bi-Cauchy ones are proved. Certain classes of operators with respect to their fixed point properties are investigated, having in view this framework. Examples that support our results are also included.

We analyze the existence of solution for the neutral fractional integro-differential equation (FDE) of order in the interval (1, 2] with impulsive and integral boundary conditions (IBCs). The key approach for outcomes are based on the non-compactness measures and fixed point techniques.We obtain some sufficient conditions on the existence of solutions for the proposed system. Moreover, some applications are studies to demonstrate the proficiency and utility of the main results.