bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physiographic and climatic controls on snow cover persistence in the Sierra Nevada Mountains
Authors: Molotch Noah P. , Meromy Leah
Published: May 2014

The persistence of snow cover across mountainous landscapes influences land‐atmosphere energy exchange, water availability, the partitioning of snowmelt into various hydrologic pathways, vegetation productivity, and fluxes of nutrients. Understanding the processes controlling snow cover persistence has been limited as relationships between physiography, climate, and snow persistence are nonlinear and difficult to characterize empirically. The work detailed herein uses 7 years of remotely sensed snow cover persistence observed from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer over the Sierra Nevada Mountains as a dependent variable in binary regression tree models with a suite of independent variables comprised of both physiographic and climatic metrics. Annual snow cover persistence over 2001–2007 revealed significant inter‐annual variability, with domain‐average snow persistence values exceeding 4.01 (i.e. early April) in the wettest year of 2005 and reaching as low as 2.90 (i.e. late February) in the driest year of 2007. Regression tree models revealed that elevation was the most important explanatory variable regarding snow cover persistence, ranking first in the hierarchical models in 10 out of 13 watersheds. Precipitation (Feather and Owens River basins) and temperature (Kern River basin) were the first‐ranking variables in the remaining three watersheds. Second, the order variables of importance included vegetation, which ranked between 2nd and 5th in 10 of 13 watersheds, and slope, which ranked 4th and 5th in 12 of the 13 watersheds. Interestingly, solar radiation and aspect were of tertiary importance but were more influential in watersheds with north–south orientation (e.g. in the Feather, Mokelumne and Stanislaus watersheds). These results have implications for understanding the sensitivity of snow cover persistence to changes in climate as watersheds where elevation and/or temperature strongly influence snow cover persistence may be more sensitive to future warming. Further work is needed to identify associated ecosystem sensitivities to future changes in snow cover persistence. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Effect of Acute Exercise on Undercarboxylated Osteocalcin and Insulin Sensitivity in Obese Men
Authors: Levinger Itamar , Jerums George , Stepto Nigel K , Parker Lewan , Serpiello Fabio R , McConell Glenn K , Anderson Mitchell , Hare David L , Byrnes Elizabeth , Ebeling Peter R , Seeman Ego
Published: May 2014

Acute exercise improves insulin sensitivity for hours after the exercise is ceased. The skeleton contributes to glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity via osteocalcin (OC) in its undercarboxylated (ucOC) form in mice. We tested the hypothesis that insulin sensitivity over the hours after exercise is associated with circulating levels of ucOC. Eleven middle-aged (58.1 ± 2.2 years mean ± SEM), obese (body mass index [BMI] = 33.1 ± 1.4 kg/m2) nondiabetic men completed a euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp at rest (rest-control) and at 60 minutes after exercise (4 × 4 minutes of cycling at 95% of HRpeak). Insulin sensitivity was determined by glucose infusion rate relative to body mass (GIR, mL/kg/min) as well as GIR per unit of insulin (M-value). Blood samples and five muscle biopsies were obtained; two at the resting-control session, one before and one after clamping, and three in the exercise session, at rest, 60 minutes after exercise, and after the clamp. Exercise increased serum ucOC (6.4 ± 2.1%, p = 0.013) but not total OC (p > 0.05). Blood glucose was ∼6% lower and insulin sensitivity was ∼35% higher after exercise compared with control (both p < 0.05). Phosphorylated (P)-AKT (Ak thymoma) was higher after exercise and insulin compared with exercise alone (no insulin) and insulin alone (no exercise, all p < 0.05). In a multiple-linear regression including BMI, age, and aerobic fitness, ucOC was associated with whole-body insulin sensitivity at rest (β = 0.59, p = 0.023) and after exercise (β = 0.66, p = 0.005). Insulin sensitivity, after acute exercise, is associated with circulating levels of ucOC in obese men. Whether ucOC has a direct effect on skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity after exercise is yet to be determined. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Relationship Between Body Mass Index and Fracture Risk Is Mediated by Bone Mineral Density
Authors: Chan Mei Y , Frost Steve A , Center Jacqueline R , Eisman John A , Nguyen Tuan V
Published: May 2014

The relationship between body mass index (BMI) and fracture risk is controversial. We sought to investigate the effect of collinearity between BMI and bone mineral density (BMD) on fracture risk, and to estimate the direct and indirect effect of BMI on fracture with BMD being the mediator. The study involved 2199 women and 1351 men aged 60 years or older. BMI was derived from baseline weight and height. Femoral neck BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA; GE-LUNAR, Madison, WI, USA). The incidence of fragility fracture was ascertained by X-ray reports from 1991 through 2012. Causal mediation analysis was used to assess the mediated effect of BMD on the BMI-fracture relationship. Overall, 774 women (35% of total women) and 258 men (19%) had sustained a fracture. Approximately 21% of women and 20% of men were considered obese (BMI ≥ 30). In univariate analysis, greater BMI was associated with reduced fracture risk in women (hazard ratio [HR] 0.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.85 to 0.99) and in men (HR 0.77; 95% CI, 0.67 to 0.88). After adjusting for femoral neck BMD, higher BMI was associated with greater risk of fracture in women (HR 1.21; 95% CI, 1.11 to 1.31) but not in men (HR 0.96; 95% CI, 0.83 to 1.11). Collinearity had minimal impact on the BMD-adjusted results (variance inflation factor [VIF] = 1.2 for men and women). However, in mediation analysis, it was found that the majority of BMI effect on fracture risk was mediated by femoral neck BMD. The overall mediated effect estimates were −0.048 (95% CI, −0.059 to −0.036; p < 0.001) in women and −0.030 (95% CI, −0.042 to −0.018; p < 0.001) in men. These analyses suggest that there is no significant direct effect of BMI on fracture, and that the observed association between BMI and fracture risk is mediated by femoral neck BMD in both men and women. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Using confocal Raman microscopy to real‐time monitor poplar cell wall swelling and dissolution during ionic liquid pretreatment
Authors: Zhang Xun , Ma Jing , Ji Zhe , Yang Gui‐Hua , Zhou Xia , Xu Feng
Published: May 2014

The ionic liquids (ILs) are recognized as the potential solvents for the pretreatment of lignocellulosic materials before biomass conversion. However, little knowledge of how the cell wall of biomass responds to the IL locally and dynamically during the pretreatment is available. In the current work, the process of IL pretreatment of poplar using 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium acetate ([C2mim][OAc]) was real‐time monitored on a cellular level by employing confocal Raman microscopy. The results showed that the biomass dissolution during the IL pretreatment can be clearly divided into two stages: (1) slow penetration of IL, and (2) rapid dissolution of lignin and carbohydrates. In this case, the onset of the dissolution of these compositions occurred only after the cell wall of biomass swelled to a certain extent. Because the first stage was a slow process which determined the process reaction rate, it can be deduced that enhancing the penetration capacity of IL was crucial for improving the pretreatment efficiency. Based on the obtained results, a model was proposed to better understand how the plant cell wall responds to the IL before, during, and after pretreatment. Microsc. Res. Tech. 77:609–618, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Microscopic characters of the leaf and stem of Lavandula dentata L. (Lamiaceae)
Authors: do Rocio Duarte Márcia , Carvalho de Souza Danielle
Published: May 2014

Lavandula dentata L. is an aromatic plant used in folk medicine for different purposes and, for this reason, phytochemical surveys have been carried out in the search for bioactive substances aiming to support its uses. Since there is little knowledge on the structural aspects of L. dentata, this work has studied the anatomical characters of the leaf and stem using light and scanning electron microscopy, in order to assist the species identification. As a result, there are different types of trichomes: capitate glandular with uni‐ or bicellular head, peltate glandular with multicellular head, and branched non‐glandular. The leaf is hypostomatic showing diacytic stomata. The epidermis is uniseriate and coated with striate cuticle. The mesophyll is dorsiventral and the midrib is concave–convex and traversed by a single collateral vascular bundle. The stem is quadrangular and has alternating strands of collenchyma and cortical parenchyma as well as a typical endodermis in the cortex. The phloem and xylem cylinders are traversed by narrow rays and there is an incomplete sclerenchymatic sheath adjoining the phloem. These results are a novelty for the species and contribute to distinguish it from other lavenders. Microsc. Res. Tech. 77:647–652, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A new stochastic model for simulating daily solar radiation from sunshine hours
Authors: Lockart Natalie , Kavetski Dmitri , Franks Stewart W.
Published: May 2014

Many empirical models have been developed that use sunshine hours (SSH) data to estimate global solar radiation. Most of these models use the Angstrom‐Prescott equation to produce deterministic estimates of monthly radiation and do not provide uncertainty estimates in their predictions. This study develops five stochastic models that use daily SSH data to produce probabilistic simulations of global radiation, including associated uncertainties. These models can be used to estimate historical daily radiation or to estimate radiation without the use of satellite data. Two sources of predictive uncertainty are considered: (1) the timing of the SSH during the day (estimated using Monte Carlo simulation) and (2) external errors such as variability in cloud type and amount (estimated using residual error modelling). The models differ in the parameterization of the diffuse and direct radiation, using either no scaling, linear or quadratic scaling of the radiation by the daily SSH fraction to account for cloud attenuation. The models are calibrated under several residual error assumptions, including constant, linear and quadratic variances dependent on the SSH fraction and simulated radiation. The five models perform equally well in simulating global radiation, with an average error of approximately 9% for all locations studied. The results suggest that SSH uncertainty does not dominate predictive errors in global radiation. The residual errors appear to be best described by a linear heteroscedastic structure with larger variance during cloudy days and smaller variance during sunny days. The developed methodology provides a novel approach for estimating the uncertainty in radiation estimates based on SSH data.
A double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, randomised, clinical study on the effectiveness of collagen peptide on osteoarthritis
Authors: Kumar Suresh , Sugihara Fumihito , Suzuki Keiji , Inoue Naoki , Venkateswarathirukumara Sriraam
Published: May 2014

BACKGROUND

Recent studies show that enzymatically hydrolysed collagen, the collagen peptide, is absorbed and distributed to joint tissues and has analgesic and anti‐inflammatory properties. A double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, randomised trial with collagen peptides isolated from pork skin (PCP) and bovine bone (BCP) sources was carried out to study the effectiveness of orally supplemented collagen peptide to control the progression of osteoarthritis in patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis. Improvement in treatment was assessed with reduction in Western Ontario McMaster Universities (WOMAC), visual analogue scale (VAS) and quality of life (QOL) scores from baseline to 13 weeks (Visit 7). Safety and tolerability were also evaluated.

RESULTS

There was significant reduction from baseline to Visit 7 in the primary end points of WOMAC and VAS scores and in the secondary end point of QOL score in subjects with PCP and BCP groups, while in subjects with placebo group the end point indices remained unaltered. Furthermore, all the score levels of WOMAC, VAS and QOL decreased significantly (P < 0.01) in the study group compared to placebo group in Visit 7.

CONCLUSION

The study demonstrated that collagen peptides are potential therapeutic agents as nutritional supplements for the management of osteoarthritis and maintenance of joint health. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Assessment of antioxidant and antiproliferative properties of spinach plants grown under low oxygen availability
Authors: Fornaciari Silvia , Milano Francesco , Mussi Francesca , Pinto‐Sanchez Laura , Forti Luca , Buschini Annamaria , Arru Laura
Published: May 2014

BACKGROUND

In the human diet, the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables is important in maintaining good health and in preventing chronic diseases. It is known that plant‐derived food is a powerful source of chemopreventive molecules, i.e. antioxidants, and spinach (Spinacia oleracea L., Chenopodiaceae) possesses a wide range of metabolites with such biological activity. Plant stress response could lead to the production of metabolites with high value for human health and this could be a tool to enhance the production of molecules with antioxidant activity in plants.

RESULTS

Data reported in this paper confirm the antioxidant properties of spinach plants, and show a strong antiproliferative activity of leaf extract on HT‐29 human cell line. Besides, the hypoxic stress seems to affect the pool of antioxidant molecules present in spinach leaves, as verified by means of HPLC‐MS/MS analysis and the aluminium chloride and ABTS assays.

CONCLUSION

Our findings represent a basis for improving the biological and pharmacological properties of spinach plants, including the use of different growth conditions to modulate the phytocomplex profile of spinach. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Post‐harvest control of gray mold in table grapes using volatile sulfur compounds from Allium sativum
Authors: Gándara‐Ledezma Azucena , Corrales‐Maldonado Consuelo , Rivera‐Domínguez Marisela , Martínez‐Téllez Miguel Ángel , Vargas‐Arispuro Irasema
Published: May 2014

BACKGROUND

This study proposes the use of volatile sulfur compounds derived from garlic (Allium sativum) extracts applied via gas for the control of Botrytis cinerea, which causes post‐harvest disease in table grapes. The effects of the volatile compounds emitted by garlic extract and sodium metabisulfite on conidia germination of B. cinerea were evaluated in vitro to assess their effectiveness at controlling grey mold on grapes stored at different temperatures.

RESULTS

Diallyl disulfide, diallyl trisulfide and allicin were identified and quantified in a garlic extract using reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography. The volatile compounds emitted by the garlic extract in the form of allicin and diallyl trisulfide inhibited conidia germination of B. cinerea in vitro and significantly reduced the lesion diameters on stored grapes, which were similar to the effects of sodium metabisulfite, while the diallyl disulfide did not have any effect. The sulfhydryl groups of cysteine or reduced glutathione completely reversed the antifungal effect of these compounds.

CONCLUSION

The antifungal activity that allicin and diallyl trisulfide, which are the volatile compounds emitted by a garlic extract, exerted on conidia germination of B. cinerea may be considered as an alternative for the control of gray mold in table grapes after harvest. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Shared decision making in transplantation: How patients see their role in the decision process of accepting a donor liver
Authors: op den Dries Sanna , Annema Coby , van den Berg Aad P. , Ranchor Adelita V. , Porte Robert J.
Published: May 2014

At the time of the organ offer for transplantation, donor-related risks such as disease transmission and graft failure are weighed against the patient's risk of remaining on the waiting list. The patient's commonly inactive role in decision making and the timing and extent of donor-specific risk information have been discussed in the medical literature. This is the first study revealing the opinions of liver patients on these issues. Forty patients listed for liver transplantation and 179 liver transplant patients participated in an anonymous questionnaire-based survey. The majority of the patients wanted to be informed about donor-related risks (59.8%-74.8%). The preferred timing for being informed about donor-related risks was the time of the organ offer for 53.3% of the patients. Among these patients, 79.8% wished to be involved in making the decision to accept or not accept a liver for transplantation, 10.6% wished to make the final decision alone, and only 9.6% did not want to be involved in the decision-making process. Implementing this knowledge through the standardization of the content, the manner of transfer, and the amount of information that we provide to our patients will improve opportunities for shared decision making at different time points during the transplant allocation process. This will enable us to provide the same opportunities and care to every patient on the waiting list. Liver Transpl 20:1072-1080, 2014. © 2014 AASLD.
Lambert–Eaton syndrome antibodies target multiple subunits of voltage‐gated Ca2+ channels
Authors: Hajela Ravindra K. , Huntoon Kristin M. , Atchison William D.
Published: May 2014

Introduction: Lambert–Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) is an autoimmune presynaptic neuromuscular disorder. Autoantibodies against subunits of voltage‐gated calcium channels (VGCCs) associated with acetylcholine release are thought to cause LEMS. Methods: HEK293 cells expressing specific individual recombinant subunits of α1A, α1B, α1C, and α1E; β3; and α2δ of human neuronal VGCCs were exposed to antibodies from 3 LEMS patients, 1 patient with small‐cell lung carcinoma, and 1 with myasthenia gravis. Results: All LEMS patient antibodies bound to cells containing any of the α1 or β3 subunits alone or combined with α2δ subunits, but not α2δ alone. Autoantibodies from the patient with small‐cell lung carcinoma but not the myasthenia gravis patient targeted the same VGCC subunits. Conclusions: Autoantibodies from LEMS patients bind directly to multiple VGCC α1 subunits as well as the β3 subunit. Thus, multiple components of the presynaptic VGCC complex are prospective targets for antibodies in LEMS. Muscle Nerve 51: 176–184, 2015
Supply licensing when the manufacturer strategically commits to invest in R&D
Authors: Usta Mericcan , Erhun Feryal , Hausman Warren H.
Published: May 2014

This article proposes a strategic reason for a proprietary component supplier to license her technology to a competitor or a manufacturer: her anticipation of the manufacturer's strategic commitment to invest in research and development (R&D). We address this phenomenon with a game theoretic model. Our results show that the manufacturer's full commitment to invest in R&D enables the supplier to license, sell a larger quantity through the supply chain, and charge lower prices. These results are robust to the type of demand uncertainty faced by the manufacturer within the class of increasing generalized failure rate distributions. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 61: 341–350, 2014
Assessment of pulmonary vascular reactivity to oxygen using fractional moving blood volume in fetuses with normal lung development and pulmonary hypoplasia in congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Authors: DeKoninck Philip , Jimenez Julio , Russo Francesca M. , Hodges Ryan , Gratacós Eduard , Deprest Jan
Published: May 2014

Objective

The objective of this study is to evaluate whether assessment pulmonary vascular reactivity in response to maternal hyperoxygenation using fractional moving blood volume (FMBV) is associated with lesser variability between individual measurements than what is observed with direct Doppler measurements.

Study design

Forty‐five measurements were performed in 15 singleton fetuses with normal lung development at three time points in the latter half of pregnancy (range: 25.9–36.7 weeks). We further evaluated five fetuses with severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Lung perfusion was assessed using power Doppler ultrasound, and images were stored for offline FMBV calculation, both at base line and during oxygen administration (9 L/min for 10 min). The proportionate difference between both measurements is further referred to as deltaFMBV.

Results

Overall, 91% of images were of sufficient quality for further analysis. There was no correlation between pulmonary reactivity to oxygen (deltaFMBV) and gestational age in controls (12.9 ± 32.1%). Moreover, deltaFMBV showed large variability between subjects, as well as within the same fetus throughout gestation. We observed good intraobserver (0.88; 0.84) and interobserver (0.88; 0.77) reproducibility for both controls and congenital diaphragmatic hernia, respectively (intraclass correlation coefficients).

Conclusion

Despite being a reproducible method to study the lung vasculature, the large variability of FMBV following hyperoxygenation limits its clinical translation. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Routine noninvasive prenatal screening for fetal RHD in plasma of RhD‐negative pregnant women—2 years of screening experience from Denmark
Authors: Banch Clausen F. , Steffensen R. , Christiansen M. , Rudby M. , Jakobsen M. A. , Jakobsen T. R. , Krog G. R. , Madsen R. D. , Nielsen K. R. , Rieneck K. , Sprogøe U. , Homburg K. M. , Baech J. , Dziegiel M. H. , Grunnet N.
Published: May 2014

Objective

Prenatal and postnatal RhD prophylaxis reduces the risk of RhD immunization in pregnancies of RhD‐negative women. Based on the result from prenatal screening for the fetal RHD gene, prenatal RhD prophylaxis in Denmark is targeted to RhD‐negative women who carry an RhD‐positive fetus. Here, we present a 2‐year evaluation of a nationwide prenatal RHD screening.

Methods

Blood samples were drawn from RhD‐negative women in gestational week 25. DNA was extracted from maternal plasma and analyzed for the RHD gene. The prenatal RHD results were compared with the serological typing of newborns in 12,668 pregnancies. Early compliance was assessed for 690 pregnancies.

Results

The sensitivity for the detection of fetal RHD was 99.9% (95% CI: 99.7–99.9%). Unnecessary recommendation of prenatal RhD prophylaxis was avoided in 97.3% of the women carrying an RhD‐negative fetus. Fetuses that were seropositive for RhD were not detected in 11 pregnancies (0.087%). The sample uptake percentage was 84.2%, and the compliance for prenatal anti‐D administration was 93.2%.

Conclusion

The high sensitivity, maintained over 2 years, underlines the reliability of routine prenatal fetal RHD screening in RhD‐negative pregnant women, specifically at 25 weeks of gestation. The remaining challenges are logistical and are related to program compliance. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Screening for Down syndrome – incidental diagnosis of other aneuploidies
Authors: Davis Carla , Cuckle Howard , Yaron Yuval
Published: May 2014

Objective

Down syndrome screening programmes lead to the prenatal diagnosis of other chromosomal abnormalities, some of which would not be detected by the secondary use of cell‐free (cf)DNA testing in screen positives. This study aims to assess the number of these incidental diagnoses.

Method

This study is a systematic review of the literature to identify large prospective screening studies that reported diagnoses other than trisomies 21 and 18.

Results

There were ten informative prospective studies in which a total of 1 500 999 women were screened, and there were 3689 aneuploidy cases detected in the screen positives. Trisomy 21 was estimated to comprise only 58% of detected aneuploidies, trisomies 21 and 18 comprised 72%, and the common trisomies – 21, 18 and 13 – comprised 76%. Common trisomies and sex chromosome abnormalities, now included in all commercial cfDNA tests, were estimated to comprise 87% of aneuploidies in the Down syndrome screen positives. All these proportions were higher for second trimester protocols compared with those carried out wholly or partly in the first trimester.

Conclusion

Secondary use of cfDNA testing will lead to about one‐fifth reduction in diagnoses, taking account of both undetectable aneuploidies and false‐negatives. This loss might be overcome by contingent cfDNA testing. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Current status of prenatal diagnosis in Cuba: causes of low prevalence of Down syndrome
Authors: Méndez‐Rosado L. A. , Hechavarría‐Estenoz D. , de la Torre M. E. , Pimentel‐Benitez H. , Hernández‐Gil J. , Perez B. , Barrios‐Martínez A. , Morales‐Rodriguez E. , Soriano‐Torres M. , Garcia M. , Suarez‐Mayedo U. , Cedeño‐Aparicio N. , Blanco I. , Díaz‐Véliz P. , Vidal‐Hernández B. , Mitjans‐Torres M. , Miñoso S. , Alvarez‐Espinosa D. , Reyes‐Hernández E. , Angulo‐Cebada E. , Torres‐Palacios M. , Lozano‐Lezcano L. , Lima‐Rodriguez U. , Mayeta M. , Noblet M. , Benítez Y. , Lardoeyt‐Ferrer R. , Yosela‐Martin S. , Carbonell P. , Pérez‐Ramos M. , de León N. , Perez M. , Carbonell J.
Published: May 2014

Objectives

To analyze trends in cytogenetic prenatal diagnosis in Cuba and to analyze possible causes leading to a low Down syndrome prevalence in a country where the triple test is not available.

Methods

An analysis of the Cuban program in prenatal cytogenetic diagnosis from 1984 to 2012 was conducted. Results are described, with particular emphasis on indications, abnormal results, types of invasive procedures, and terminations of pregnancy.

Results

Cytogenetic prenatal diagnostic analyses (n = 75 095) were conducted; maternal age was the indication for 77.9% of the amniocenteses and chorionic villus samplings. The detection rate of chromosomally abnormal pregnancies was 2.3% for maternal age and increased to 8–9% for other indications. When a chromosomal abnormality was identified, 88.5% terminated the pregnancy. In 2002, the live birth prevalence of Down syndrome was 8.4 per 10 000 live births, and in 2012, 7 per 10 000.

Conclusion

Prenatal diagnosis in Cuba has contributed to a significant reduction in chromosomal aberrations. The impact increased because of the demographic trends of the population, the high index of terminations of pregnancy, and the establishment of a network of cytogenetic laboratories throughout Cuba. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interaction of hydrophobic and amphipathic antimicrobial peptides with lipid bicelles
Authors: Bortolus Marco , Dalzini Annalisa , Toniolo Claudio , Hahm Kyung‐Soo , Maniero Anna Lisa
Published: May 2014

Bicelles are model membrane systems that can be macroscopically oriented in a magnetic field at physiological temperature. The macroscopic orientation of bicelles allows to detect, by means of magnetic resonance spectroscopies, small changes in the order of the bilayer caused by solutes interacting with the membrane. These changes would be hardly detectable in isotropic systems such as vesicles or micelles. The aim of this work is to show that bicelles represent a convenient tool to investigate the behavior of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) interacting with membranes, using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. We performed the EPR experiments on spin‐labeled bicelles using various AMPs of different length, charge, and amphipathicity: alamethicin, trichogin GA IV, magainin 2, HP(2–20), and HPA3. We evaluated the changes in the order parameter of the spin‐labeled lipids as a function of the peptide‐to‐lipid ratio. We show that bicelles labeled at position 5 of the lipid chains are very sensitive to the perturbation induced by the AMPs even at low peptide concentrations. Our study indicates that peptides that are known to disrupt the membrane by different mechanisms (i.e., alamethicin vs magainin 2) show very distinct trends of the order parameter as a function of peptide concentration. Therefore, spin‐labeled bicelles proved to be a good system to evaluate the membrane disruption mechanism of new AMPs. Copyright © 2014 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An improved upper bound on the density of universal random graphs
Authors: Dellamonica Domingos , Kohayakawa Yoshiharu , Rödl Vojtěch , Ruciński Andrzej
Published: May 2014

We give a polynomial time randomized algorithm that, on receiving as input a pair (H, G) of n‐vertex graphs, searches for an embedding of H into G. If H has bounded maximum degree and G is suitably dense and pseudorandom, then the algorithm succeeds with high probability. Our algorithm proves that, for every integer and a large enough constant C = Cd, as , asymptotically almost all graphs with n vertices and at least edges contain as subgraphs all graphs with n vertices and maximum degree at most d. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 2014
Alpha‐phellandrene‐induced DNA damage and affect DNA repair protein expression in WEHI‐3 murine leukemia cells in vitro
Authors: Lin Jen‐Jyh , Wu Chih‐Chung , Hsu Shu‐Chun , Weng Shu‐Wen , Ma Yi‐Shih , Huang Yi‐Ping , Lin Jaung‐Geng , Chung Jing‐Gung
Published: May 2014

Although there are few reports regarding α‐phellandrene (α‐PA), a natural compound from Schinus molle L. essential oil, there is no report to show that α‐PA induced DNA damage and affected DNA repair associated protein expression. Herein, we investigated the effects of α‐PA on DNA damage and repair associated protein expression in murine leukemia cells. Flow cytometric assay was used to measure the effects of α‐PA on total cell viability and the results indicated that α‐PA induced cell death. Comet assay and 4,6‐diamidino‐2‐phenylindole dihydrochloride staining were used for measuring DNA damage and condensation, respectively, and the results indicated that α‐PA induced DNA damage and condensation in a concentration‐dependent manner. DNA gel electrophoresis was used to examine the DNA damage and the results showed that α‐PA induced DNA damage in WEHI‐3 cells. Western blotting assay was used to measure the changes of DNA damage and repair associated protein expression and the results indicated that α‐PA increased p‐p53, p‐H2A.X, 14‐3‐3‐σ, and MDC1 protein expression but inhibited the protein of p53, MGMT, DNA‐PK, and BRCA‐1. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 30: 1322–1330, 2015.
Assessment of the genotoxicity and cytotoxicity in environmentally exposed human populations to heavy metals using the cytokinesis‐block micronucleus cytome assay
Authors: Mesic Aner , Nefic Hilada
Published: May 2014

The cytokinesis‐block micronucleus cytome (CBMN‐Cyt) assay was developed as a system for evaluating DNA damage, cytostasis, and cytotoxicity. The aim of the present study was to estimate levels of micronuclei (MNi), nucleoplasmic bridges (NPBs), nuclear buds (NBUDs), cell death (apoptosis/necrosis), nuclear division index, and nuclear division cytotoxicity index values in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of environmentally exposed subjects to heavy metals from five Bosnian regions, characterized by different exposure to heavy metals. The study was performed using CBMN‐Cyt assay, considering factors, such as age, gender and smoking habits and their possible effects on analyzed parameters. In total, 104 healthy subjects were selected (49.04% females and 50.96% males; average age, 35.41 years; 51.92% smokers and 48.08% nonsmokers). There was significant difference between the frequency of NBUDs in Tuzla as compared to the control group. Furthermore, there was observed a statistically significant difference for the frequency of NPBs between Zenica, Olovo, and Kakanj when compared with the controls. Males showed a significantly higher number of apoptotic cells than females in controls. There were significant differences between smokers and nonsmokers in the frequency of NPBs in controls (higher in nonsmokers) and necrotic cells in Olovo (higher in nonsmokers). The pack years of smoking significantly influenced the number of necrotic cells in controls and the frequency of NBUDs in the overall sample. The results of the present study provide evidence of significantly increased frequency of NPBs and NBUDs in exposed subjects, suggesting that these endpoints are highly sensitive markers for measuring genotoxicity. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 30: 1331–1342, 2015.
Musculoskeletal congenital malformations: Do paternal occupational exposures play a role?
Authors: Ali Ayman M. , Abdelaziz Mohamed , El-Alfy Barakat
Published: May 2014

Background

Paternal occupational exposures to potential health hazards are likely to affect congenital malformations through the spermatogenesis cycle.

Purpose

The aim of this case–control study was to assess the relationship between the risk of musculoskeletal congenital malformations in offspring and paternal workplace exposure to potential health hazards during the preconception period.

Method

The study comprised 105 patients (cases) with a musculoskeletal congenital malformation(s) and 135 controls matched for age and demographic characteristics. Both parents of each case and control were interviewed in the hospital by a trained physician. They also completed a questionnaire focusing on the preconception period and on the 3-month period immediately before and after the pregnancy conception date, respectively, of the child under study.

Results

The odds of having a child with a congenital malformation was higher ( P < 0.05) if the father was occupationally exposed to pesticides, solvents, or welding fumes during the preconception period.

Conclusion

Control of workplace exposures and adherence to threshold limit values of these potential health hazards should be adopted to minimize the risk of fathers having offspring with a congenital malformation.
Tracking bacterial pathogens with genetically‐encoded reporters
Authors: Campbell-Valois F.-X. , Sansonetti Philippe J.
Published: May 2014

During the infectious process, bacterial pathogens are subject to changes in environmental conditions such as nutrient availability, immune response challenges, bacterial density and physical contacts with targeted host cells. These conditions occur in the colonized organs, in diverse regions within infected tissues or even at the subcellular level for intracellular pathogens. Integration of environmental cues leads to measurable biological responses in the bacterium required for adaptation. Recent progress in technology enabled the study of bacterial adaptation in situ using genetically encoded reporters that allow single cell analysis or whole body imaging based on fluorescent proteins, alternative fluorescent assays or luciferases. This review presents a historical perspective and technical details on the methods used to develop transcriptional reporters, protein–protein interaction assays and secretion detection assays to study pathogenic bacteria adaptation in situ. Finally, studies published in the last 5 years on gram positive and gram negative bacterial adaptation to the host during infection are discussed. However, the methods described here could easily be extended to study complex microbial communities within host tissue and in the environment.
The crystal structure of arginyl‐tRNA synthetase from Homo sapiens
Authors: Kim Hyun Sook , Cha So Young , Jo Chang Hwa , Han Ahreum , Hwang Kwang Yeon
Published: May 2014

Arginyl‐tRNA synthetase (ArgRS) is a tRNA‐binding protein that catalyzes the esterification of l‐arginine to its cognate tRNA. l‐Canavanine, a structural analog of l‐arginine, has recently been studied as an anticancer agent. Here, we determined the crystal structures of the apo, l‐arginine‐complexed, and l‐canavanine‐complexed forms of the cytoplasmic free isoform of human ArgRS (hArgRS). Similar interactions were formed upon binding to l‐canavanine or l‐arginine, but the interaction between Tyr312 and the oxygen of the oxyguanidino group was a little bit different. Detailed conformational changes that occur upon substrate binding were explained. The hArgRS structure was also compared with previously reported homologue structures. The results presented here may provide a basis for the design of new anticancer drugs, such as l‐canavanine analogs.
C2Analyzer: Co-Target–Co-Function Analyzer
Authors: Aftabuddin Md. , Mal Chittabrata , Deb Arindam , Kundu Sudip
Published: May 2014

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) interact with their target mRNAs and regulate biological processes at post-transcriptional level. While one miRNA can target many mRNAs, a single mRNA can also be targeted by a set of miRNAs. The targeted mRNAs may be involved in different biological processes that are described by gene ontology (GO) terms. The major challenges involved in analyzing these multitude regulations include identification of the combinatorial regulation of miRNAs as well as determination of the co-functionally-enriched miRNA pairs. The C2Analyzer: Co-target–Co-function Analyzer, is a Perl-based, versatile and user-friendly web tool with online instructions. Based on the hypergeometric analysis, this novel tool can determine whether given pairs of miRNAs are co-functionally enriched. For a given set of GO term(s), it can also identify the set of miRNAs whose targets are enriched in the given GO term(s). Moreover, C2Analyzer can also identify the co-targeting miRNA pairs, their targets and GO processes, which they are involved in. The miRNA–miRNA co-functional relationship can also be saved as a .txt file, which can be used to further visualize the co-functional network by using other software like Cytoscape. C2Analyzer is freely available at www.bioinformatics.org/c2analyzer.
Prenatal caffeine intake differently affects synaptic proteins during fetal brain development
Authors: Mioranzza Sabrina , Nunes Fernanda , Marques Daniela M. , Fioreze Gabriela T. , Rocha Andréia S. , Botton Paulo Henrique S. , Costa Marcelo S. , Porciúncula Lisiane O.
Published: May 2014

Caffeine is the psychostimulant most consumed worldwide. However, little is known about its effects during fetal brain development. In this study, adult female Wistar rats received caffeine in drinking water (0.1, 0.3 and 1.0 g/L) during the active cycle in weekdays, two weeks before mating and throughout pregnancy. Cerebral cortex and hippocampus from embryonic stages 18 or 20 (E18 or E20, respectively) were collected for immunodetection of the following synaptic proteins: brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), TrkB receptor, Sonic Hedgehog (Shh), Growth Associated Protein 43 (GAP‐43) and Synaptosomal‐associated Protein 25 (SNAP‐25). Besides, the estimation of NeuN‐stained nuclei (mature neurons) and non‐neuronal nuclei was verified in both brain regions and embryonic periods. Caffeine (1.0 g/L) decreased the body weight of embryos at E20. Cortical BDNF at E18 was decreased by caffeine (1.0 g/L), while it increased at E20, with no major effects on TrkB receptors. In the hippocampus, caffeine decreased TrkB receptor only at E18, with no effects on BDNF. Moderate and high doses of caffeine promoted an increase in Shh in both brain regions at E18, and in the hippocampus at E20. Caffeine (0.3 g/L) decreased GAP‐43 only in the hippocampus at E18. The NeuN‐stained nuclei increased in the cortex at E20 by lower dose and in the hippocampus at E18 by moderate dose. Our data revealed that caffeine transitorily affect synaptic proteins during fetal brain development. The increased number of NeuN‐stained nuclei by prenatal caffeine suggests a possible acceleration of the telencephalon maturation. Although some modifications in the synaptic proteins were transient, our data suggest that caffeine even in lower doses may alter the fetal brain development.
Limited agreement between biomarkers of neuronal injury at different stages of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Alexopoulos Panagiotis , Kriett Laura , Haller Bernhard , Klupp Elisabeth , Gray Katherine , Grimmer Timo , Laskaris Nikolaos , Förster Stefan , Perneczky Robert , Kurz Alexander , Drzezga Alexander , Fellgiebel Andreas , Yakushev Igor ,   Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: May 2014

New diagnostic criteria for Alzheimer's disease (AD) treat different biomarkers of neuronal injury as equivalent. Here, we quantified the degree of agreement between hippocampal volume on structural magnetic resonance imaging, regional glucose metabolism on positron emission tomography, and levels of phosphorylated tau in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in 585 subjects from all phases of the AD Neuroimaging Initiative. The overall chance‐corrected agreement was poor (Cohen κ, 0.24–0.34), in accord with a high rate of conflicting findings (26%–41%). Neither diagnosis nor APOE ε4 status significantly influenced the distribution of agreement between the biomarkers. The degree of agreement tended to be higher in individuals with abnormal versus normal CSF β‐amyloid (Aβ1‐42) levels. Prospective diagnostic criteria for AD should address the relative importance of markers of neuronal injury and elaborate a way of dealing with conflicting biomarker findings.
Decision Difficulty in the Age of Consumer Empowerment
Authors: Broniarczyk Susan M. , Griffin Jill G.
Published: May 2014

In this review, we examine the impact of two key factors of consumer empowerment–choice freedom and expansion of information‐‐on the choice difficulty consumers experience in today's decision environment. We posit that though these two consumer empowerment factors offer numerous potential benefits, they also can magnify such sources of decision difficulty as task complexity, tradeoff difficulty, and preference uncertainty. Next we review several key moderators, including consumer knowledge, mental representation, and maximization tendencies as well as information type and organization, that can exacerbate or mitigate the effect of these consumer empowerment factors on decision difficultly outcomes. Lastly, we examine the effectiveness of decision aids in assisting consumers navigate the complexity of today's decision environment, and we identify areas for future investigation.
Does the etiology affect the outcome and satisfaction rates of penile prosthesis implantation surgery?
Authors: Bozkurt Ibrahim Halil , Arslan Burak , Kozacioglu Zafer , Yonguc Tarik , Degirmenci Tansu , Gunlusoy Bulent , Minareci Suleyman
Published: May 2014

Our aim was to compare the outcomes and satisfaction rates of men undergoing penile prostheses implantation (PPI) secondary to radical prostatectomy (RP) and other causes of vasculogenic erectile dysfunction (ED). A total of 142 patients, of whom 60 underwent PPI due to ED following RP (Group 1) and 82 underwent PPI due to ED with other vasculogenic causes (Group 2) were included in this study. The preoperative erectile status was evaluated with the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). The satisfaction of patients and partners were evaluated by a telephone interview using Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS) questionnaire and Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction Partner Survey. Preoperative mean IIEF scores were significantly lower in Group 1 (17.5 ± 6.4 vs. 24.2 ± 5.1, p = 0.01). For Groups 1 and 2, the mean EDITS scores of the patients were 58 ± 10 and 71 ± 8, respectively, and that for the partners were 46 ± 8 and 65 ± 7, respectively. Group 1 had significantly lower scores both for the EDITS and the EDITS Partner Survey (p = 0.03, p = 0.01, respectively). Patients who had undergone RP and their partners were found to have lower satisfaction rates compared to patients with other causes of vasculogenic ED who had penile implant surgery. From this point of view, it is important to know the patient's expectations about the treatment outcomes and a preoperative psychological and sexual counseling should be managed for possible treatment alternatives after RP.
Risk Determinants of Acute Mountain Sickness in Trekkers in the Nepali Himalaya: a 24-Year Follow-Up
Authors: McDevitt Marion , McIntosh Scott E. , Rodway George , Peelay Jitsupa , Adams Doug L. , Kayser Bengt
Published: May 2014

Objective

Exposure to altitude may lead to acute mountain sickness (AMS) in nonacclimatized individuals. We surveyed AMS prevalence and potential risk factors in trekkers crossing a 5400-m pass in Nepal and compared the results with those of 2 similar studies conducted 12 and 24 years earlier.

Methods

In April 2010, 500 surveys were distributed to English-speaking trekkers at 3500 m on their way to 5400 m, of which 332 (66%) surveys were returned complete. Acute mountain sickness was quantified with the Lake Louise Scoring System (LLSS, cutoff ≥3 and ≥5) and the Environmental Statistical Questionnaire III AMS-C score (ESQ-III, cutoff ≥0.7). We surveyed demographics, body mass index (BMI), smoking habit, rate of ascent, awareness of AMS, and acetazolamide use.

Results

Prevalence of AMS was 22%, 23%, and 48% (ESQ-III ≥0.7, LLSS ≥5, and LLSS ≥3, respectively) lower when compared with earlier studies. Risk factors for AMS were younger age, female sex, higher BMI, and smoking habit. Forty-two percent had elementary knowledge about the risk and prevention of AMS. Forty-four percent used acetazolamide. Trekkers took longer to climb from 3500 to 5400 m than in earlier studies.

Conclusions

Prevalence of AMS continued to decline over a period of 24 years, likely as a result of slower ascent and increased use of acetazolamide. The AMS risk factors of younger age, female sex, and high BMI are consistent with prior studies. Awareness of risk and prevention of AMS remains low, indicating an opportunity to better educate trekkers and potentially further reduce AMS prevalence.
The Evolution of Labour Law in India: An Overview and Commentary on Regulatory Objectives and Development
Authors: MITCHELL Richard , MAHY Petra , GAHAN Peter
Published: May 2014

Generally speaking there has been a relative dearth of serious scholarship focusing on the evolution of Indian labour law in its economic, social, and political contexts. Such work as there is tends to be constituted of fragmented and short journal articles and notes, including those by labour economists and industrial relations scholars. The present work undertakes a survey of the literature in the field, examining first the various periods through which Indian labour law has evolved up to the present time, and second the extent to which the labour law system can be seen to have fulfilled its two core objectives: the protection of labour and the maintenance of industrial peace. The survey reveals that Indian “labour law” in the formal sense has very little purchase in terms of its application in pursuit of its objects. This, in turn, suggests that some other approach is required to reach a more grounded and accurate understanding of how, and to what effect, labour is regulated in India.
State-driven in Boom and in Bust: Structural Limitations of Financial Power in Greece
Authors: Pagoulatos George
Published: May 2014

The Greek financial system was typical of a state-directed credit-based southern European model. Financial liberalization from the late 1980s and early 1990s was mainly state directed, aimed to serve the objectives of disinflation and the single European market. As a result of liberalization, the banks emerged as powerful players in the 1990s. The cheap-credit, rapid credit-growth period of 1998–2008 allowed banks to maximize sectoral profits, incomes and power. Debt-driven growth also served the government’s objectives of delivering relatively effortless rapid prosperity. The banks’ decline following the 2010 public debt crisis resulted mainly from the fiscal failure of the sovereign and the current account imbalances of the euro area. In crisis, the banks cannot escape the confines of their sovereign, which itself is heavily constrained by the surrounding euro area economic structure. Such structural limitations circumscribe the power of bankers.