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Introduction Vagal afferents innervating the gastrointestinal tract relay information generated by mechanical stimulation in the viscera to the brain, regulating food intake and satiety (Blackshaw et al. 2007; Kentish and [...], Vagal afferents convey signals of mechanical stimulation in the gut to the brain, which is essential for the regulation of food intake. However, ion channels sensing mechanical stimuli are not fully understood. This study aimed to examine the ionic currents activated by mechanical stimulation and a possible neuro-modulatory role of nitric oxide on vagal afferents. Nodose neuronal currents and potentials, and intestinal afferent firing by mechanical stimulation were measured by wholecell patch clamp, and in vitro afferent recording, respectively. Osmotically activated cation and two-pore domain K+ currents were identified in nodose neurons. The membrane potential displayed a biphasic change under hypotonic stimulation. Cation channel-mediated depolarization was followed by a hyperpolarization mediated by [K.sup.+] channels. The latter was inhibited by L-methionine (TREK1 channel inhibitor) and l-NNA (nitric oxide synthase inhibitor). Correspondingly, mechanical stimulation activated opposing cation and TREK1 currents. NOS inhibition decreased TREK1 currents and potentiated jejunal afferent nerve firing induced by mechanical stimuli. This study suggested a novel activation mechanism of ion channels underlying adaptation under mechanical distension in vagal afferent neurons. The guts' ability to perceive mechanical stimuli is vital in determining how it responds to food intake. The mechanosensation through ion channels could initiate and control gut function. Key words: vagal afferent, nodose ganglion neuron, cation channel, TREK1, nitric oxide

Biohybrid systems have been developed to better understand the design principles and coordination mechanisms of biological systems. We consider whether two functional regulatory features of the heart-mechanoelectrical signaling and automaticity-could be transferred to a synthetic analog of another fluid transport system: a swimming fish. By leveraging cardiac mechanoelectrical signaling, we recreated reciprocal contraction and relaxation in a muscular bilayer construct where each contraction occurs automatically as a response to the stretching of an antagonistic muscle pair. Further, to entrain this closed-loop actuation cycle, we engineered an electrically autonomous pacing node, which enhanced spontaneous contraction. The biohybrid fish equipped with intrinsic control strategies demonstrated self-sustained body-caudal fin swimming, highlighting the role of feedback mechanisms in muscular pumps such as the heart and muscles.

Deuteronomy 19:16–21 states that a false accuser should face the same punishment intended for the accused. In Deut 22:20–21, if the groom’s charge is true, his bride’s penalty would be death. However, if his charge is false, in Deut 22:18–19, instead of the death penalty, the groom receives three penalties: 1) flogging, 2) payment, and 3) inability of divorcing her. Thus, most scholars have suggested that there is an apparent discrepancy of penalties between the groom and the bride in Deut 22:13–21. This article argues that the most essential element to satisfy the requirements of Deut 19:16–21 is intentionality, and that Deut 22:13–21 is not about the husband’s false accusation with evil intent to harm his wife; rather, it is a legitimate accusation of the husband concerning the wife’s virginity. Thus, the emphasis shifts from punitive measures to the intention behind the accusation, elucidating the underlying principles governing these laws. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motivated by the resource-based view (RBV) of the firm, this study explores whether mergers and acquisitions (M&As) can facilitate or impede a firm's marketing capabilities. Furthermore, this study also examines whether the influence of M&As on a firm's marketing capabilities is conditional to the type of deals, that is, domestic versus cross-border acquisitions. Using the difference-in-differences research design with a large sample of 15,509 firm-year observations for 898 US public acquirers, this study tests the postacquisition changes in a firm's marketing capabilities as reflected in the sensitivity of sales revenue to marketing-related expenditure. The results of the empirical tests show a postacquisition increase in sales sensitivity, suggesting that firms can enhance their marketing capabilities through M&As. However, it is also found that the enhancement in marketing capabilities is limited to domestic M&As and disappears for cross-border acquisitions. This result suggests that more salient differences in a firm's marketing environment attributable to cross-border acquisitions may disrupt a firm's marketing capabilities and dampen the positive effect of M&As. Fields of Specialization : Strategic management, marketing JEL CLASSIFICATION: G34; L25; M30 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Multiple factors, such as muscle fatty infiltration (FI), tendon collagen content, and collagen arrangement, determine bone-tendon interface (BTI) healing after rotator cuff (RC) repair. Purpose: To evaluate the effects of systemic administration of ezetimibe-atorvastatin (EZE/ATZ) combination on muscle FI and tendon collagen density and arrangement in an RC repair rat model. Study design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: A total of 26 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided equally into control and EZE/ATZ groups and subjected to RC tendon repair surgery. Postoperatively, the EZE/ATZ group rats received a combination of EZE (10 mg/kg/d) and ATZ (20 mg/kg/d) for 4 weeks, after which they were sacrificed. Oil Red O staining was used to assess FI in the supraspinatus muscle. The expression of biomarkers related to muscle atrophy and FI was measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. For the qualitative and quantitative analysis of FI-related biomarkers, immunohistochemical staining was performed. Biomechanical and histological analyses were performed to evaluate the quality of BTI healing after RC repair. Results: The EZE/ATZ group showed significantly lower FI compared with the control group (P <.001) and significantly downregulated expression of gene markers related to muscle atrophy and FI. On histological analysis, the EZE/ATZ group exhibited increased collagen type I contents, consistent collagen arrangement (P =.005), and significantly higher collagen density (P =.003) compared with the control group. Biomechanical analysis of the BTI healing revealed that the EZE/ATZ group had significantly increased ultimate strength (P =.006) compared with the control group. Conclusion: Systemic EZE/ATZ administration suppressed supraspinatus FI by downregulating muscle atrophy–related and FI-related genes after RC repair. Additionally, EZE/ATZ use improved collagen biosynthesis, density, and arrangement at the BTI and significantly increased tensile strength. Clinical Relevance: The results of the current study strongly advocate the use of EZE/ATZ to improve shoulder function and tendon healing after RC repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

White organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) represent a significant technology in the display industry for the achievement of full color. However, sophisticated technologies are required for white light emission. In this paper, we developed a simple white light-emitting display device using a quantum-dot (QD) film and a greenish-blue OLED. The resulting QD-OLED produced a high-purity white color with a color temperature of 6000 K (CIEx,y = 0.32, 0.34) and achieved a maximum brightness of 14,638 cd/m2 at 7 V. This paper reports the fabrication of a white light-emitting QD-OLED with a straightforward structure and technology suitable for flexible displays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]