bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Arabidopsis Class II Sirtuin Is a Lysine Deacetylase and Interacts with Mitochondrial Energy Metabolism
Authors: König Ann-Christine , Hartl Markus , Pham Phuong Anh , Laxa Miriam , Boersema Paul J. , Orwat Anne , Kalitventseva Ievgeniia , Plöchinger Magdalena , Braun Hans-Peter , Leister Dario , Mann Matthias , Wachter Andreas , Fernie Alisdair R. , Finkemeier Iris
Published: January 2014

The posttranslational regulation of proteins by lysine (Lys) acetylation has recently emerged to occur not only on histones, but also on organellar proteins in plants and animals. In particular, the catalytic activities of metabolic enzymes have been shown to be regulated by Lys acetylation. The Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) genome encodes two predicted sirtuin-type Lys deacetylases, of which only Silent Information Regulator2 homolog (SRT2) contains a predicted presequence for mitochondrial targeting. Here, we have investigated the function of SRT2 in Arabidopsis. We demonstrate that SRT2 functions as a Lys deacetylase in vitro and in vivo. We show that SRT2 resides predominantly at the inner mitochondrial membrane and interacts with a small number of protein complexes mainly involved in energy metabolism and metabolite transport. Several of these protein complexes, such as the ATP synthase and the ATP/ADP carriers, show an increase in Lys acetylation in srt2 loss-of-function mutants. The srt2 plants display no growth phenotype but rather a metabolic phenotype with altered levels in sugars, amino acids, and ADP contents. Furthermore, coupling of respiration to ATP synthesis is decreased in these lines, while the ADP uptake into mitochondria is significantly increased. Our results indicate that SRT2 is important in fine-tuning mitochondrial energy metabolism.
A top–down approach to crystal engineering of a racemic Δ2-isoxazoline
Authors: Lombardo Giuseppe M. , Rescifina Antonio , Chiacchio Ugo , Bacchi Alessia , Punzo Francesco
Published: January 2014

The crystal structure of racemic dimethyl (4RS,5RS)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-4,5-dihydroisoxazole-4,5-dicarboxylate, C13H12N2O7, has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. By analysing the degree of growth of the morphologically important crystal faces, a ranking of the most relevant non-covalent interactions determining the crystal structure can be inferred. The morphological information is considered with an approach opposite to the conventional one: instead of searching inside the structure for the potential key interactions and using them to calculate the crystal habit, the observed crystal morphology is used to define the preferential lines of growth of the crystal, and then this information is interpreted by means of density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Comparison with the X-ray structure confirms the validity of the strategy, thus suggesting this top–down approach to be a useful tool for crystal engineering.
Solvent–guest control of two extremely similar tetrahydrofuran inclusion structures
Authors: Gao Jiabin , Bhadbhade Mohan M. , Bishop Roger
Published: January 2014

Racemic 2,4,6,8-tetracarbomethoxybicyclo[3.3.0]octa-2,6-diene-3,7-diol, C16H18O10(1), was known previously to yield two solvent-free polymorphs and also a clathrate inclusion crystal form. Crystallization of (1) yields two inclusion compounds containing tetrahydrofuran (THF): (1)4·THF is obtained from a mixture of THF and methanol, whereas (1)2·THF is obtained from pure THF. The X-ray crystal structures reveal that the two compounds are extremely similar and that their host arrangements are essentially identical. They differ, however, in the proportion, orientation and host–guest interaction of the included THF molecules. The disordered guest molecules in (1)4·THF are oriented along the guest channel direction, whereas in (1)2·THF they lie across the channel. This unusual solvent–guest control of inclusion structures has implications relating to the formation of polymorphic structures and other competing crystal forms.
Towards the chemical control of molecular packing: syntheses and crystal structures of threetrans-[NiL4(NCS)2] complexes
Authors: Soliman Saied M. , Elzawy Zahia B. , Abu-Youssef Morsy A. M. , Albering Jörg , Gatterer Karl , Öhrström Lars , Kettle Sidney F. A.
Published: January 2014

Three nickel(II) isothiocyanato complexes of the formulatrans-[NiL4(NCS)2] (L= ethylisonicotinate, methylisonicotinate and 4-benzoylpyridine) have been prepared: [Ni(ethylisonicotinate)4(NCS)2] (I), [Ni(methylisonicotinate)4(NCS)2] (II) and [Ni(4-benzoylpyridine)4(NCS)2] (III). All three complexes are monomeric and have a distorted octahedral geometry around NiII. Despite their apparent molecular similarity, the crystal density of (III) (1.454 g cm−3) is significantly higher than that of (I) and (II) (both 1.408 g cm−3), suggesting that the molecular packing is most efficient in (III). A study of the molecular Hirshfeld surfaces, together with density functional theory (DFT) calculations, provide insights into the origin of the molecular packing features, and it is suggested that the greater crystal density of (III) results from smaller intermolecular electrostatic repulsions.
Metal-organic frameworks based on uranyl and phosphonate ligands
Authors: Monteiro Bernardo , Fernandes José A. , Pereira Cláudia C. L. , Vilela Sérgio M. F. , Tomé João P. C. , Marçalo Joaquim , Almeida Paz Filipe A.
Published: January 2014

Three new crystalline metal-organic frameworks have been prepared from the reaction of uranyl nitrate with nitrilotris(methylphosphonic acid) [H6nmp, N(CH2PO3H2)3], 1,4-phenylenebis(methylene)diphosphonic acid [H4pmd, C6H4(PO3H2)2], and (benzene-1,3,5-triyltris(methylene))triphosphonic acid [H6bmt, C6H3(PO3H2)3]. Compound [(UO2)2F(H3nmp)(H2O)]·4H2O (I) crystallizes in space groupC2/c, showing two crystallographically independent uranyl centres with pentagonal bipyramidal coordination geometries. While one metal centre is composed of a {(UO2)O3(μ-F)}2dimer, the other comprises an isolated {(UO2)O5} polyhedron. Compound [(UO2)(H2pmd)] (II) crystallizes in space groupP21/c, showing a centrosymmetric uranyl centre with an octahedral {(UO2)O4} coordination geometry. Compound [(UO2)3(H3bmt)2(H2O)2]·14H2O (III) crystallizes in space group P\bar 1, showing two crystallographically independent uranyl centres. One uranyl centre is a {(UO2)O5} pentagonal bipyramid similar to that in (I), while the other is a {(UO2)O4} centrosymmetric octahedron similar to that in (II). Compounds (I) and (III) contain solvent-accessible volumes accounting forca23.6 and 26.9% of their unit-cell volume, respectively. In (I) the cavity has a columnar shape and is occupied by disordered water molecules, while in (III) the cavity is a two-dimensional layer with more ordered water molecules. All compounds have been studied in the solid state using FT-IR spectroscopy. Topological studies show that compounds (I) and (III) are trinodal, with 3,6,6- and 4,4,6-connected networks, respectively. Compound (II) is instead a 4-connected uninodal network of the typecds.
Organosilver(I) framework assembly with trifluoroacetate and enediyne-functionalized alicycles
Authors: Hau Sam C. K. , Tam Dennis Y. S. , Mak Thomas C. W.
Published: January 2014

Eight new silver(I) trifluoroacetate complexes based on a series of designed ligands, each featuring an alicyclic ring with enediyne functionality, have been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Each ethynide terminal is inserted into an Agn(n= 4–5) basket, leading to the generation of coordination chain or layer structures, but the well shielded ethenyl group does not take part in silver-olefin bonding. Variation in ring size of the alicycles is shown to influence the construction of the organosilver(I) coordination networks, which are consolidated by weak intermolecular interactions in the crystal structures. The effect of adding ancillaryN-donor ligands to the reaction system on the coordination and supramolecular network assembly is also investigated.
Loss of microbial diversity in soils is coincident with reductions in some specialized functions
Authors: Singh Brajesh K. , Quince Christopher , Macdonald Catriona A. , Khachane Amit , Thomas Nadine , Al‐Soud Waleed Abu , Sørensen Søren J. , He Zhili , White Duncan , Sinclair Alex , Crooks Bill , Zhou Jizhong , Campbell Colin D.
Published: January 2014

Loss of microbial diversity is considered a major threat because of its importance for ecosystem functions, but there is a lack of conclusive evidence that diversity itself is reduced under anthropogenic stress, and about the consequences of diversity loss. Heavy metals are one of the largest, widespread pollutant types globally, and these represent a significant environmental stressor for terrestrial microbial communities. Using combined metagenomics and functional assays, we show that the compositional and functional response of microbial communities to long‐term heavy metal stress results in a significant loss of diversity. Our results indicate that even at a moderate loss of diversity, some key specialized functions (carried out by specific groups) may be compromised. Together with previous work, our data suggest disproportionate impact of contamination on microbes that carry out specialized, but essential, ecosystem functions. Based on these findings, we propose a conceptual framework to explicitly consider diversity of functions and microbial functional groups to test the relationship between biodiversity and soil functions.
Oviposition preference, larval performance and adaptation of Trichoplusia ni on cabbage and cotton
Authors: Li Yuan‐Xi , Liu Tong‐Xian
Published: January 2014

Most female herbivores ensure to lay eggs where their offspring can develop successfully. The oviposition preferences of females affect strategies in pest management. In this study, the performance of two cohorts of Trichoplusia ni larvae on cabbage and cotton (after they had been transferred from their original host plants) were investigated. The preferences of female moth ovipositing and larval feeding on these two host plants were observed. The results indicated that plants significantly affected oviposition preference of the female adults and development and survival of larvae of T. ni. All females preferred to lay eggs on cabbage than cotton regardless from which host they originated. The detrimental effects of cotton on the development and survival of T. ni larvae originated from cabbage (CaTn) increased with the increase of the larval age when they were transferred. In addition, the host plant change did not significantly affect the development and survival of larvae of T. ni originating from cotton (CoTn). Larvae of CaTn preferred cabbage plants as compared to cotton plants, whereas larvae of CoTn did not show a significant choice. Although the adult females preferred laying eggs on cabbage, they did not show preferences between cotton and cabbage in a Y‐tube olfactometer test. The hypothesis of oviposition preference and performance of larvae was supported by the results of CaTn, whereas they not supported by those from CoTn. Based on these results, the strategy to manage this serious pest was discussed.
Over‐transcription of genes in a parathion‐resistant strain of mosquito Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus
Authors: Wang Wei , Liu Si‐Lu , Liu Yang‐Yang , Qiao Chuan‐Ling , Chen Shao‐Liang , Cui Feng
Published: January 2014

Insecticide resistance is an evolutionary adaptation that develops quite quickly in mosquitoes because of the high selection pressure of chemical insecticides, rapid generation time and large population size. Identification of genes associated with insecticide resistance is fundamental to understand the complex processes responsible for resistance. We compared the gene transcriptional profiles of parathion‐resistant and ‐susceptible Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus using a combination of suppression subtractive hybridization and complementary DNA (cDNA) microarray techniques. A total of 278 colonies were selected from the resistant‐susceptible mosquito subtractive library, 38 of which showed more than two fold stronger immunoblotting signals in the resistant strain than in the susceptible strain using cDNA microarray selection. The sequencing results showed that the 38 colonies can be matched to 12 genes of C. p. quinquefasciatus. Eight genes were confirmed to be overexpressed by more than two fold in the resistant strain. These genes encode chymotrypsin‐1, theta glutathione S‐transferase, lipase 3, larval serum protein 1 β chain, cytochrome b, mitochondrial ribosomal large subunit, 28S rRNA, and a protein with unknown function. This study serves as a preliminary attempt to identify new genes associated with organophosphate resistance in this mosquito species and provides insights into the complicated physiological phenomenon of insecticide resistance.
Cloning of ε‐poly‐L‐lysine (ε‐PL) synthetase gene from a newly isolated ε‐PL‐producing Streptomyces albulus NK660 and its heterologous expression in Streptomyces lividans
Authors: Geng Weitao , Yang Chao , Gu Yanyan , Liu Ruihua , Guo Wenbin , Wang Xiaomeng , Song Cunjiang , Wang Shufang
Published: January 2014

ε‐Poly‐L‐lysine (ε‐PL), showing a wide range of antimicrobial activity, is now industrially produced as a food additive by a fermentation process. A new strain capable of producing ε‐PL was isolated from a soil sample collected from Gutian, Fujian Province, China. Based on its morphological and biochemical features and phylogenetic similarity with 16S rRNA gene, the strain was identified as Streptomyces albulus and named NK660. The yield of ε‐PL in 30 l fed‐batch fermentation with pH control was 4.2 g l−1 when using glycerol as the carbon source. The structure of ε‐PL was determined by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS). Previous studies have shown that the antimicrobial activity of ε‐PL is dependent on its molecular size. In this study, the polymerization degree of the ε‐PL produced by strain NK660 ranged from 19 to 33 L‐lysine monomers, with the main component consisting of 24–30 L‐lysine monomers, which implied that the ε‐PL might have higher antimicrobial activity. Furthermore, the ε‐PL synthetase gene (pls) was cloned from strain NK660 by genome walking. The pls gene with its native promoter was heterologously expressed in Streptomyces lividans ZX7, and the recombinant strain was capable of synthesizing ε‐PL. Here, we demonstrated for the first time heterologous expression of the pls gene in S. lividans. The heterologous expression of pls gene in S. lividans will open new avenues for elucidating the molecular mechanisms of ε‐PL synthesis.
Prevalence of Alcoholic Liver Disease and Its Association with Socioeconomic Status in North‐Eastern China
Authors: Wang Haixia , Ma Lixian , Yin Qiling , Zhang Xiaowei , Zhang Cuiqin
Published: January 2014

Background

Alcohol consumption has substantially increased in China during the last 3 decades. Socioeconomic status (SES) most likely influences the development of alcoholic liver disease (ALD) in Chinese people who excessively consume alcohol. At the present time, however, little information is available in this field. The objectives of this study were to investigate the population‐based prevalence of ALD and to identify the correlation of socioeconomics with the development of ALD.

Methods

A cross‐sectional survey was conducted in 8,186 individuals who resided in Shandong Province and were over 18 years old in 2011 using a randomized multistage clustered sampling approach. Among these subjects, 7,295 (89.12%) were interviewed. Questionnaires covered demographic characteristic, medical history, current medication, and health‐relevant behavior, particularly alcohol consumption, dietary habit, and physical activity. Anthropometric measurements, biochemical tests, and abdominal ultrasonography were also performed.

Results

Among the 7,295 subjects, 624 (8.55%) were diagnosed with ALD. The prevalence rate was significantly higher in males than in females (15.76% in males vs. 1.42% in females, p < 0.05). In this population, the risk of ALD was highest in the 40‐ to 49‐year‐old group. The incidence of ALD was highest in individuals who had a high level of occupation. Individuals who had received a low level of education had the highest incidence of ALD. Subjects with a low family income were more likely to have ALD than did those with an abundant family income. Currently, unmarried individuals had a higher incidence of ALD in the overall population.

Conclusions

ALD is prevalent in north‐eastern China. SES correlates with the development of ALD. Socioeconomic risk factors for ALD in north‐eastern China include male gender, middle age, currently unmarried, low level of education, low family income, and high level of occupation.
Mindfulness as a Strategy for Coping with Cue‐Elicited Cravings for Alcohol: An Experimental Examination
Authors: Murphy Cara M. , MacKillop James
Published: January 2014

Background

Mindfulness has been identified as a promising strategy for managing cravings for alcohol and other drugs, but little controlled experimental research has directly studied whether this approach is effective. The current study systematically examined the effects of an acute mindfulness manipulation on craving for alcohol during prolonged exposure to alcohol cues.

Methods

Heavy drinkers (N = 84, 50% male) underwent a prolonged alcohol cue exposure paradigm in a simulated bar environment and received either a mindfulness‐based strategy, a distraction (DST)‐based strategy (active control), or no strategy (passive control) to cope with alcohol cravings and discomfort associated with craving.

Results

No baseline differences were present between conditions. Manipulation checks revealed that participants in the 2 active conditions reported using the recommended strategies. Across groups, the initial exposure to alcohol cues was associated with significant increases in craving, urge distress, and heart rate. Mixed analyses of variance on these indices following the experimental manipulation revealed significant differences based on condition over the course of the bar laboratory protocol. The DST strategy was significantly more effective at acutely reducing craving and urge distress than the other 2 conditions, which did not significantly differ from each other.

Conclusions

Contrary to our prediction, these findings suggest that an acute DSTstrategy is beneficial for coping with alcohol cravings. The potential importance of protracted mindfulness training to detect significant effects on in vivo craving, additional implications, and methodological considerations are discussed.
Flushing Response Modifies the Association of Alcohol Consumption with Markers of Glucose Metabolism in Japanese Men and Women
Authors: Kuwahara Keisuke , Kochi Takeshi , Nanri Akiko , Tsuruoka Hiroko , Kurotani Kayo , Pham Ngoc Minh , Akter Shamima , Kabe Isamu , Mizoue Tetsuya
Published: January 2014

Background

Influences of alcohol use on glucose metabolism may depend on alcohol flushing response. We investigated the effect of alcohol flushing response on the associations between alcohol consumption and markers of glucose metabolism in Japanese men and women.

Methods

The subjects were 979 employees (885 men and 94 women), aged 18 to 69 years, of a manufacturing company in Japan. Flushing response and alcohol consumption were determined using a self‐administered questionnaire. Homeostasis model assessment‐insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) and homeostasis model assessment for β‐cell function (HOMA‐β) were computed using fasting plasma glucose and insulin. For each group of flushers and nonflushers, multiple regression analysis was used to estimate means of fasting plasma glucose, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and HOMAs for each category of alcohol consumption, with adjustments for potential confounders.

Results

In flushers, alcohol consumption was associated with HbA1c levels in a U‐shaped manner, with the lowest HbA1c levels being observed at an alcohol consumption level of 23.0 to <34.5 g ethanol/d (p for quadratic trend = 0.002). In nonflushers, alcohol consumption was linearly and inversely associated with HbA1c levels (p for linear trend = 0.001). Decreases in HbA1c were more evident among flushers compared with nonflushers at moderate alcohol consumption levels (p for interaction = 0.049). An increase of fasting glucose associated with highest alcohol consumption was observed in both flushers and nonflushers. A statistically significant decrease in HOMA‐IR with increasing alcohol consumption was observed in flushers (p for trend = 0.007), whereas HOMA‐IR levels slightly decreased at higher alcohol consumption in nonflushers. HOMA‐β similarly decreased with increasing alcohol consumption in both flushers and nonflushers (both p for trend < 0.001).

Conclusions

The results suggest that the alcohol flushing response may improve glucose metabolism and insulin resistance at moderate alcohol use levels in apparently healthy Japanese adults.
Failure of Acute Ethanol Administration to Alter Cerebrocortical and Hippocampal Allopregnanolone Levels in C57BL/6J and DBA/2J Mice
Authors: Porcu Patrizia , Locci Andrea , Santoru Francesca , Berretti Roberta , Morrow A. Leslie , Concas Alessandra
Published: January 2014

Background

Ethanol (EtOH) administration increases brain allopregnanolone levels in rats, and this increase contributes to sensitivity to EtOH's behavioral effects. However, EtOH's effects on allopregnanolone may differ across species. We investigated the effects of acute EtOH administration on allopregnanolone, progesterone, and corticosterone levels in cerebral cortex and hippocampus of C57BL/6J and DBA/2J mice, 2 inbred strains with different alcohol sensitivity.

Methods

Naïve male C57BL/6J and DBA/2J mice received EtOH (1, 2, 3, or 4 g/kg, intraperitoneally [i.p.]) or saline and were euthanized 1 hour later. For the time‐course study, mice received EtOH (2 g/kg, i.p.) and were euthanized 15, 30, 60, and 120 minutes later. Steroids were measured by radioimmunoassay.

Results

Acute EtOH administration did not alter cerebrocortical and hippocampal levels of allopregnanolone and progesterone in these strains at any of the doses and time points examined. Acute EtOH dose‐dependently increased cerebrocortical corticosterone levels by 319, 347, and 459% in C57BL/6J mice at the doses of 2, 3, and 4 g/kg, and by 371, 507, 533, and 692% in DBA/2J mice at the doses of 1, 2, 3, and 4 g/kg, respectively. Similar changes were observed in the hippocampus. EtOH's effects on cerebrocortical corticosterone levels were also time dependent in both strains. Moreover, acute EtOH administration time‐dependently increased plasma levels of progesterone and corticosterone. Finally, morphine administration increased cerebrocortical allopregnanolone levels in C57BL/6J (+77, +93, and +88% at 5, 10, and 30 mg/kg, respectively) and DBA/2J mice (+81% at 5 mg/kg), suggesting that the impairment in brain neurosteroidogenesis may be specific to EtOH.

Conclusions

These results underline important species differences on EtOH‐induced brain neurosteroidogenesis. Acute EtOH increases brain and plasma corticosterone levels but does not alter cerebrocortical and hippocampal concentrations of allopregnanolone and progesterone in naïve C57BL/6J and DBA/2J mice.
A 5‐Year Follow‐Up of Depressed and Bipolar Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder in an Irish Population
Authors: Farren Conor K. , Murphy Philip , McElroy Sharon
Published: January 2014

Background

Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) and affective disorders commonly co‐occur, and this co‐occurrence is mutually detrimental. To date, few long‐term outcome studies exist involving patients with these comorbid disorders. We wished to determine treatment outcomes 5 years after inpatient integrated treatment in patients with these co‐occurring disorders, and identify prognostic factors associated with long‐term outcome.

Methods

Two hundred and five depressed and bipolar patients with AUD who completed an inpatient integrated treatment program for dual diagnosis were assessed at baseline, posttreatment discharge, and at 3 months, 6 months, 2 years, and 5 years after treatment.

Results

The retention rate at 3 months postdischarge was 95.6%, 75.6% at 6 months, 70.2% at 2 years, and 55.6% at 5 years. Depression, elation, anxiety, and craving scores all fell over the 5‐year period, as did the drinking outcome measures in both the depressed and bipolar alcoholics. Each of the primary drinking outcome measures had independent prognostic factors: abstinence at 2 years predicted abstinence at 5 years; number of drinking days at 6 months and 2 years predicted number of drinking days at 5 years; number of drinks per drinking day at 6 months and 2 years predicted number of drinks per drinking day at 5 years. Moreover, the majority of nonabstinent light drinkers at 3 months, who had significantly reduced their mean weekly alcohol consumption since baseline, remained light drinkers at 5 years and very few went on to be heavy drinkers. Indeed, if they did alter category by 5 years, they tended to become abstinent.

Conclusions

Dual diagnosis of AUD and depression or bipolar disorder may be treated successfully together with intensive intervention and follow‐up, and various prognostic factors emerge. Early abstinence predicts later abstinence, and the vast majority of those who achieve light drinking early in recovery remain light drinkers or become abstinent at 5 years.
Binge Drinking, Reflection Impulsivity, and Unplanned Sexual Behavior: Impaired Decision‐Making in Young Social Drinkers
Authors: Townshend Julia M. , Kambouropoulos Nicolas , Griffin Alison , Hunt Frances J. , Milani Raffaella M.
Published: January 2014

Background

The repeated pattern of heavy intoxication followed by withdrawal from alcohol (i.e., “binge drinking”) has been found to have substantial adverse effects on prefrontal neural systems associated with decision‐making and impulse control. Repeated binge drinking has been linked to risky and unplanned sexual behavior; however few studies have examined the role of impulsivity and related cognitive processes in understanding this association. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between binge drinking, “reflection impulsivity” (deficits in gathering and evaluating information during decision‐making), alcohol‐related expectancies, and unplanned sexual behavior in a sample of young social drinkers.

Methods

Ninety‐two university students completed the alcohol use questionnaire (AUQ) to measure alcohol intake and binge drinking. Two groups (low‐binge and high‐binge) were generated from theAUQdata. TheInformationSamplingTask (IST) was used to measure reflection impulsivity; theAlcoholExpectancyQuestionnaire (AEQ) for alcohol outcome expectancies; and an unplanned sexual behavior questionnaire, which asked about the number of unplanned sexual events.

Results

When compared to the low‐binge drinking group, the high‐binge drinkers had significantly more unplanned sexual encounters and were impaired on theIST, reflection‐impulsivity task. They scored higher on the alcohol expectancy factors of sociability, risk and aggression, negative self‐perception, and in particular liquid courage. In a regression analysis, number of unplanned sexual encounters, binge drinking score, and liquid courage were all significantly related.

Conclusions

These results support the role of binge drinking in reduced impulse control and decision‐making deficits. The findings indicate that high‐binge drinkers demonstrate impairments on an impulse control task similar to that observed in dependent samples and this may be a factor in understanding the negative behavioral consequences associated with excessive alcohol use.
Toward an Understanding of the Effective Mechanisms of Alcohol Brief Interventions
Authors: Heather Nick
Published: January 2014

Research on effective mechanisms of alcohol brief interventions has been neglected, but Bertholet and colleagues provide an example of such research in a re‐analysis of combined data from 3 trials of brief motivational interviewing (BMI). However, it is disappointing that, in a well‐designed and well‐conducted analysis, little support was found for highly plausible hypotheses relating treatment processes to outcome of intervention. It is argued here that, because BMI must be assumed to work by increasing client motivation to cut down drinking, some measure of overall motivation before and after intervention is necessary to elucidate the pathway by which treatment processes are translated into positive outcomes. In pioneering research on physician advice on smoking cessation by Russell and colleagues, it was possible to distinguish between whether intervention worked by motivating more people to try to stop smoking, by increasing the success rate among those who did try, or by reducing the relapse rate among those who quit. It is recommended that similar measures be employed in research on how alcohol brief interventions work. A further consideration bearing on the relationship between treatment processes and outcome is whether or not individuals are dependent on alcohol and this is reminiscent of a dispute in the literature concerning the relative priority that should be given to motivational or dependence variables in the prediction of smoking cessation. In order to improve the effectiveness of alcohol brief interventions, future research should focus more on effective mechanisms of behavior change.
The impact of litigation risk on the strategic timing of management earnings forecasts
Authors: Jackson Andrew B. , Gallery Gerry , Balatbat Maria C. A.
Published: January 2014

This paper examines whether managers strategically time their earnings forecasts (MEFs) as litigation risk increases. We find as litigation risk increases, the propensity to release a delayed forecast until after the market is closed (AMC) or a Friday decreases but not proportionally more for bad news than for good news. How costly this behaviour is to investors is questionable as share price returns do not reveal any under‐reaction to strategically timed bad news MEF released AMC. We also find evidence consistent with managers timing their MEFs during a natural no‐trading period to better disseminate information.
Differences in exosome populations in human breast milk in relation to allergic sensitization and lifestyle
Authors: Torregrosa Paredes P. , Gutzeit C. , Johansson S. , Admyre C. , Stenius F. , Alm J. , Scheynius A. , Gabrielsson S.
Published: January 2014

Background

Breast‐feeding has many beneficial effects on the developing immune system of the newborn. Breast milk contains immunoregulatory factors, such as nano‐sized vesicles named exosomes. This study aimed at characterizing breast milk exosomes from human early milk and mature milk and to investigate whether allergic sensitization and an anthroposophic lifestyle could influence the exosome profile.

Methods

Breast milk was collected from 22 mothers at day 3–8 and from 61 mothers at 2 months postpartum, all part of the ALADDIN birth cohort. Isolated exosomes were captured on anti‐MHC‐class II‐ or anti‐CD63 beads and analyzed by flow cytometry. Exosomal phenotype was related to lifestyle and allergic sensitization of the mothers, and sensitization of the child at 2 years of age.

Results

We found a higher content of exosomes in early milk compared with mature milk. Early milk exosomes were enriched in HLA‐DR molecules and displayed significantly lower levels of HLA‐ABC compared with those in mature milk. Phenotypically different subpopulations of exosomes were found in mature milk. Significantly lower levels of MUC1 were detected on CD63‐enriched exosomes from sensitized mothers compared with nonsensitized. Furthermore, women with an anthroposophic lifestyle had significantly lower MUC1 expression on their HLA‐DR‐enriched milk exosomes and up‐regulated levels of CD63 on CD63‐enriched exosomes compared with nonanthroposophic mothers. Notably, mothers whose children developed sensitization had an increased amount of HLA‐ABC on their milk exosomes enriched for CD63.

Conclusions

The phenotype of exosomes in breast milk varies with maternal sensitization and lifestyle, which might influence allergy development in the child.
Outcome by mode of anaesthesia for hip fracture surgery. An observational audit of 65 535 patients in a national dataset
Authors: White S. M. , Moppett I. K. , Griffiths R.
Published: January 2014

Large observational studies of accurate data can provide similar results to more arduous and expensive randomised controlled trials. In 2012, the National Hip Fracture Database extended its dataset to include ‘type of anaesthesia’ data fields. We analysed 65 535 patient record sets to determine differences in outcome. Type of anaesthesia was recorded in 59 191 (90%) patients. Omitting patients who received both general and spinal anaesthesia or in whom an uncertain type of anaesthesia was recorded, there was no significant difference in either cumulative five‐day (2.8% vs 2.8%, p = 0.991) or 30‐day (7.0% vs 7.5%, p = 0.053) mortality between 30 130 patients receiving general anaesthesia and 22 999 patients receiving spinal anaesthesia, even when 30‐day mortality was adjusted for age and ASA physical status (p = 0.226). Mortality within 24 hours after surgery was significantly higher among patients receiving cemented compared with uncemented hemiarthroplasty (1.6% vs 1.2%, p = 0.030), suggesting excess early mortality related to bone cement implantation syndrome. If these data are accurate, then either there is no difference in 30‐day mortality between general and spinal anaesthesia after hip fracture surgery per se, and therefore future research should focus on how to make both types of anaesthesia safer, or there is a difference, but mortality is not the correct outcome to measure after anaesthesia, and therefore future research should focus on differences between general and spinal anaesthesia. These could include more anaesthesia‐sensitive outcomes, such as hypotension, pain, postoperative confusion, respiratory infection and mobilisation.
The role of tree‐fall gaps in the natural regeneration of birch forests in the Taibai Mountains
Authors: Ren Jianyi Y , Kadir Abdulrashid , Yue Ming
Published: January 2014

Question

In the Taibai Mountains, birch forests dominated by Betula albo‐sinensis and Betula utilis are considered unsustainable because there are few seedlings or saplings in the forests. Tree‐fall gaps play a central role in the natural regeneration of trees. In this study, seed germination and seedling emergence in gap and non‐gap plots were investigated to explore the role of tree‐fall gaps in the natural regeneration of birch forests.

Location

Taibai Mountains, Shaanxi Province, China.

Methods

A field survey was conducted to reveal the relationship between tree‐fall gaps and birch seedlings. Field and laboratory experiments were conducted to investigate seed germination and seedling establishment in gap and non‐gap plots.

Results

In the field survey, occurrence of birch seedlings was correlated with gap size, which confirms that tree‐fall gaps play a crucial role in the regeneration of birch forests. However, in the field experiment, seed germination was extremely low in both gap and non‐gap plots, and all seedlings died within 60 d in a seedling establishment test. The only difference between gap and non‐gap plots in the field experiment was that more seeds survived winter in the gap plots than in the non‐gap plots. The laboratory experiment helped us understand results of the field experiment. In the seed germination tests, Betula seeds germinated well in light treatments, but very few germinated in darkness, indicating that Betula seeds are photoblastic. No seeds germinated at 15/5 °C (day/night temperature regime), demonstrating the reason for lack of germination in the field experiment. The cover of forest litter reduced the seed germination rate. Seeds stored in dry conditions maintained high survival rates after long‐term storage at low temperature. However, the survival of imbibed seeds decreased with decreasing storage temperature.

Conclusions

Seed germination and seedling establishment of Betula require a dry and light environment. The main regeneration barriers to seed germination and seedling growth in the non‐gap plots are chilling injury and lack of light. Tree‐fall gaps are better habitats for Betula seed survival and seedling establishment. This indicates that regeneration of birch forest relies on disturbance.
Response of community‐aggregated plant functional traits along grazing gradients: insights from African semi‐arid grasslands
Authors: Moreno García Cristian A. , Schellberg Jürgen , Ewert Frank , Brüser Katharina , Canales‐Prati Pablo , Linstädter Anja , Oomen Roelof J. , Ruppert Jan C. , Perelman Susana B.
Published: January 2014

Questions

Plant communities fulfil key functions in the ecosystem, which can be characterized by their plant functional traits. In functional ecology, plant communities are considered to hold a set of trait attributes reflecting a specific plant strategy adapted to persist in the environment to which they are exposed. In semi‐arid grasslands of the Republic of South Africa, we addressed the following questions: how are community‐aggregated plant functional traits (CPFT) shaped by grazing gradients; which plant strategies are associated with the response of CPFTs; and are environmental factors, such as soil properties and grazing management, interrelated with the functional response of vegetation to grazing gradients?

Location

Semi‐arid grasslands close to Thaba Nchu, Free State (Republic of South Africa).

Methods

Piosphere transects from a water point into the field were established to portray grazing gradients on two communal grazing areas with continuous grazing and two commercial farms with rotational grazing. Along each transect, six plots (5 × 5 m) were evenly distributed. The trait–transect sampling was applied to record 12 CPFT related to light capture and forage quality. A redundancy analysis was performed to derive relationship between CPFTs, grazing gradients and environmental conditions.

Results

Grazing intensity decreased along piosphere transects, from the water point into the field. Most CPFTs responded to this decreasing gradient of grazing intensity and so allowed derivation of trait syndromes that clearly reflect plant strategies of ruderal and competitive vegetation. Close to water points, plants had higher nitrogen concentrations, fewer cell wall components and higher specific leaf area, hence light capture might be faster and more efficient per leaf area and leaf mass. Plant communities exposed to intensive grazing were well adapted to defoliation, trampling and nutrient accumulation through fast growth rates and a quick return strategy.

Conclusions

In the sacrifice zone around water points, there is an ecological niche for vegetation communities exhibiting a strategy of fast growth, which is well adapted to intense and frequent grazing and is also associated with forage of high nutritional quality.
Boosting Techniques for Physics‐Based Vortex Detection
Authors: Zhang L. , Deng Q. , Machiraju R. , Rangarajan A. , Thompson D. , Walters D. K. , Shen H.‐W.
Published: January 2014

Robust automated vortex detection algorithms are needed to facilitate the exploration of large‐scale turbulent fluid flow simulations. Unfortunately, robust non‐local vortex detection algorithms are computationally intractable for large data sets and local algorithms, while computationally tractable, lack robustness. We argue that the deficiencies inherent to the local definitions occur because of two fundamental issues: the lack of a rigorous definition of a vortex and the fact that a vortex is an intrinsically non‐local phenomenon. As a first step towards addressing this problem, we demonstrate the use of machine learning techniques to enhance the robustness of local vortex detection algorithms. We motivate the presence of an expert‐in‐the‐loop using empirical results based on machine learning techniques. We employ adaptive boosting to combine a suite of widely used, local vortex detection algorithms, which we term weak classifiers, into a robust compound classifier. Fundamentally, the training phase of the algorithm, in which an expert manually labels small, spatially contiguous regions of the data, incorporates non‐local information into the resulting compound classifier. We demonstrate the efficacy of our approach by applying the compound classifier to two data sets obtained from computational fluid dynamical simulations. Our results demonstrate that the compound classifier has a reduced misclassification rate relative to the component classifiers.
Influence of Genetic Polymorphisms Involved in the Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal Axis and their Interactions with Environmental Factors on Antidepressant Response
Authors: Geng Lei‐Yu , Ye Dong‐Qing , Shi Yan‐Yan , Xu Zhi , Pu Meng‐Jia , Li Zan‐Yuan , Li Xiao‐Li , Li Yang , Zhang Zhi‐Jun
Published: January 2014

Aims

To investigate the role of genetic polymorphisms in candidate genes associated with the HPA axis and their interactions with environmental stressors in antidepressant response.

Methods

The remission of depressive symptoms after 8 weeks of antidepressant treatment was tested against 21 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in five candidate genes associated with the HPA axis in a Chinese Han sample suffering from unipolar depression (n = 273). Any history of childhood trauma and recent negative life events were measured using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire‐Short Form (CTQ‐SF) (n = 206) and the Life Event Scale (48 item, LES) (n = 207), respectively. Reporter gene assays were used to evaluate the possible effects of the most significant SNP on gene expression.

Results

A functional polymorphism at 3′UTR of the corticotropin‐releasing hormone receptor 1 (CRHR1) gene (rs28364032) and three haplotypes containing it showed significant relationships with antidepressant remission. Further laboratory‐based genomic studies showed that the G‐to‐A change of rs28364032 resulted in a 10–12% decrease in the intensity of luciferase activity. However, we failed to find association of environments and their interaction with HPA system‐related genes with antidepressant remission.

Conclusions

Our results support a definite role for CRHR1 in the pharmacogenetics of antidepressant drugs. This may contribute to interpatient differences in their responses to antidepressant drugs.
Aquaporin‐4 Knockout Exacerbates Corticosterone‐Induced Depression by Inhibiting Astrocyte Function and Hippocampal Neurogenesis
Authors: Kong Hui , Zeng Xiao‐Ning , Fan Yi , Yuan Song‐Tao , Ge Song , Xie Wei‐Ping , Wang Hong , Hu Gang
Published: January 2014

Aims

The predominant expression of aquaporin‐4 (AQP4) in the brain implies that this water channel may be involved in a range of brain disorders. This study was designed to investigate the role of AQP4 in the pathogenesis of depression, and related possible biological mechanism.

Methods and Results

Wild‐type (AQP4+/+) and AQP4 knockout (AQP4−/−) mice were given daily subcutaneous injections of corticosterone (20 mg/kg) for consecutive 21 days. Forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) showed longer immobility times in corticosterone‐treated AQP4−/− genotype, indicating AQP4 knockout exacerbated depressive‐like behaviors in mice. Using immunohistological staining, western blot, and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), we found a significant loss of astrocytes, aggravated downregulation of excitatory amino acid transporter 2 (EAAT2), synapsin‐1, and glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in the hippocampus of AQP4−/− mice. Moreover, even less hippocampal neurogenesis was identified in corticosterone‐treated AQP4−/− mice in vivo and hippocampus‐derived adult neural stem cells (ANSCs) in vitro.

Conclusions

The present findings suggest AQP4 involves the pathogenesis of depression by modulating astrocytic function and adult neurogenesis, highlighting a novel profile of AQP4 as a potential target for the treatment for depression.
Intracranial Artery Atherosclerosis and Lumen Dilation in Cerebral Small‐Vessel Diseases: A High‐resolution MRI Study
Authors: Xu Wei‐Hai , Li Ming‐Li , Niu Jing‐Wen , Feng Feng , Jin Zheng‐Yu , Gao Shan
Published: January 2014

Background and Aims

Using high‐resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HR‐MRI), we aimed to investigate the abnormalities of intracranial artery in relation to cerebral small‐vessel diseases (SVD)‐related ischemic stroke and white matter lesions (WMLs).

Methods

Routine cranial MRI and HR‐MRI were performed on consecutive patients with a SVD‐related acute deep brain infarct (DBI) in the territory of middle cerebral artery (MCA), patients with SVD‐related WMLs, and age‐matched controls. The presence and distribution of MCA plaque and the area of MCA lumen and wall were comparatively analyzed among the groups.

Results

A total of 2340 image slices of 260 vessels in 130 subjects (57 with an acute DBI, 28 with WMLs, and 45 control subjects) were analyzed. In the patients with a DBI, eccentric plaques were identified in 26 vessels ipsilateral and 24 vessels contralateral to the ischemic lesions. Superior‐wall plaques of MCA were observed more frequently ipsilateral than contralateral to the infarcts (69.2% vs. 37.5%, P = 0.025). Compared to the controls, larger outer‐wall boundary area (P ≤ 0.017) and wall area (P < 0.001) were observed in the patients, while larger lumen was only observed in the WMLs group (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Middle cerebral artery superior‐wall plaques are associated with acute DBIs, while MCA lumen dilation is associated with WMLs.
Comparison of air‐displacement plethysmography results using predicted and measured lung volumes over a protracted period of time
Authors: Otterstetter Ronald , Johnson Kelly E. , Kiger Dana L. , Agnor Sarah E. , Kappler Rachele M. , Reinking Megan , Tessmer Kathryn
Published: January 2014

Background

Air‐displacement plethysmography (ADP) systems can either measure or predict lung volume (LV) in their test trials. The repeatability of the predicted and the measured value is an important factor in the accuracy of the final test result.

Objective

Compare the variability and accuracy of ADP tests using predicted and measured LV over a protracted period of time.

Methods

Twenty‐four adults (18–30 years) participated in the study. Each subject underwent three ADP tests over a period of 3 weeks, with 1 week between tests. At each testing session, subjects were tested using a predicted LV protocol and a measured LV protocol in random order. LV, body volume (BV) and per cent body fat (% BF) were compared between testing modes and between assessment times.

Results

A two‐way ANOVA examined the effect of the mode of LV assessment (measured or predicted) and trial (week) for LV and BV and the effect of the LV mode assessment (measured or predicted) and trial (week) on % BF results. LV and BV did not differ significantly (P>0·05) between the two modes of assessment (measured or predicted). Time (day of assessment) also was not significantly different between trials (P>0·05). Neither mode nor trial was significant (P>0·05), therefore neither had an effect on the % BF results.

Conclusion

In this investigation, the method used to determine LV during ADP testing did not significantly affect the final % BF result. Also, tests performed over an extended period of time was not affected by LV measurement method.