bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nursing Home Characteristics Associated with Resident Transfers to Emergency Departments
Authors: McGregor Margaret J. , Abu-Laban Riyad B. , Ronald Lisa A. , McGrail Kimberlyn M. , Andrusiek Douglas , Baumbusch Jennifer , Cox Michelle B. , Salomons Kia , Schulzer Michael , Kuramoto Lisa
Published: January 2014

Cette étude a examiné comment la propriété des maisons de soins infirmiers porte sur les taux de transfert des services urgences (SU), comment les caractéristiques organisationnelles des installations sont réparties entre les groupes de propriété, et comment ces caractéristiques sont associées aux taux de transfert SU. L’échantillon comprenait une cohorte rétrospective de résidents des maisons de soins infirmiers dans la région de Vancouver Coastal Health (n = 13,140). Les taux de transferts SU ont été comparés entre les différents types de propriété des foyers de soins. Pour une analyse exploratoire, des données administratives ont ensuite été liées aux données provenant d’enquêtes auprès des caractéristiques organisationnelles des installations. Taux de transfert brut (SU transferts/100 ans résidents) étaient de 69, 70 et 51, respectivement, dans les installations à but lucratif, celles à but non-lucratif et les installations publiques. Avec des contrôles pour le sexe et l’age, la propriété publique a été associée aux taux de transfert SU inférieurs à ceux des installations à but lucratif et sans but lucratif. Les résultats ont aussi démontré un montant total plus élevé associé aux heures de soins directs infirmières par journée/résident, et la présence de personnel de Allied Health – qui sont présents de manière disproportionnée dans les installations de propriété publique – ont été associés aux taux de transfert inférieurs.
The disease burden of hepatitis B, influenza, measles and salmonellosis in Germany: first results of the Burden of Communicable Diseases in Europe Study
Authors: PLASS D. , MANGEN M.-J. J. , KRAEMER A. , PINHEIRO P. , GILSDORF A. , KRAUSE G. , GIBBONS C. L. , VAN LIER A. , McDONALD S. A. , BROOKE R. J. , KRAMARZ P. , CASSINI A. , KRETZSCHMAR M. E. E.
Published: January 2014

Setting priorities in the field of infectious diseases requires evidence-based and robust baseline estimates of disease burden. Therefore, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control initiated the Burden of Communicable Diseases in Europe (BCoDE) project. The project uses an incidence- and pathogen-based approach to measure the impact of both acute illness and sequelae of infectious diseases expressed in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). This study presents first estimates of disease burden for four pathogens in Germany. The number of reported incident cases adjusted for underestimation served as model input. For the study period 2005–2007, the average disease burden was estimated at 33 116 DALYs/year for influenza virus, 19 115 DALYs/year for Salmonella spp., 8708 DALYs/year for hepatitis B virus and 740 DALYs/year for measles virus. This methodology highlights the importance of sequelae, particularly for hepatitis B and salmonellosis, because if omitted, the burden would have been underestimated by 98% and 56%, respectively.
The uniqueness of metrical structure: rhythmic phonotactics in Huariapano
Authors: Bennett Ryan
Published: January 2014

This article argues that, contrary to some recent proposals, a given phonological form may be organised into at most one array of metrical structure at a time. The bulk of the paper is dedicated to a case study of Huariapano, a language that has been claimed to motivate multiple, coexisting but autonomous, layers of metrical parsing. I show that this conclusion is premature: both stress and segmental patterning in Huariapano can be modelled within a single system of constituency, once context-dependent variation in foot form is taken into account. The reanalysis developed here also draws on the idea that foot-initial syllables may be targeted by augmentation or fortition processes even when unstressed. Independent evidence for foot-initial strengthening is furnished by segmental phonotactics in a range of other languages.
Voicing contrast in consonant clusters: evidence against sonorant transparency to voice assimilation in Russian
Authors: Kulikov Vladimir
Published: January 2014

Obstruents in Russian have been claimed to assimilate in voicing in clusters when a sonorant consonant intervenes, e.g. ot mgly [dmg] ‘from the haze’. This phenomenon (‘sonorant transparency to voice assimilation’) is controversial: it is claimed to be a phonological rule of fast speech by some linguists, while its existence is denied by others. Previous studies have shown that voicing in presonorant obstruents (C1) in Russian is consistent with that of prevocalic obstruents in slow speech; however, no research has examined whether voicing in presonorant obstruents changes either as a function of the voicing of the rightmost (C2) obstruent in a cluster or in faster speech. This paper presents experimental results supporting the claim that the voicing of C2 obstruents does not affect voicing in presonorant C1 obstruents in slow or fast speech. The results suggest that obstruents do not assimilate through a sonorant in obstruent–sonorant–obstruent clusters in Russian.
Urinary incontinence in older women: a review of conservative therapeutic interventions
Authors: Wright Gemma
Published: January 2014

Urinary incontinence is a highly prevalent yet largely ignored condition that affects older women. Conservative treatment options are widely under-used and containment methods more widely prescribed. This study sought to review the efficacy of conservative approaches and identify which should be recommended. It was found that there is a strong evidence base in support of pelvic floor muscle and behavioural training with biofeedback as a useful adjunctive treatment. The use of therapeutic electrical stimulation was difficult to evaluate due to the different combinations of treatment available and a paucity of evidence of its use with older women. Lifestyle intervention and complementary therapies both demonstrated some positive outcomes. In conclusion it was felt that there is a place for conservative treatments in the management of urinary incontinence rather than relying on containment products. A combination of different treatment approaches is felt to be the most beneficial.
Planetary habitability: lessons learned from terrestrial analogues
Authors: Preston Louisa J. , Dartnell Lewis R.
Published: January 2014

Terrestrial analogue studies underpin almost all planetary missions and their use is essential in the exploration of our Solar system and in assessing the habitability of other worlds. Their value relies on the similarity of the analogue to its target, either in terms of their mineralogical or geochemical context, or current physical or chemical environmental conditions. Such analogue sites offer critical ground-truthing for astrobiological studies on the habitability of different environmental parameter sets, the biological mechanisms for survival in extreme environments and the preservation potential and detectability of biosignatures. The 33 analogue sites discussed in this review have been selected on the basis of their congruence to particular extraterrestrial locations. Terrestrial field sites that have been used most often in the literature, as well as some lesser known ones which require greater study, are incorporated to inform on the astrobiological potential of Venus, Mars, Europa, Enceladus and Titan. For example, the possibility of an aerial habitable zone on Venus has been hypothesized based on studies of life at high-altitudes in the terrestrial atmosphere. We also demonstrate why many different terrestrial analogue sites are required to satisfactorily assess the habitability of the changing environmental conditions throughout Martian history, and recommend particular sites for different epochs or potential niches. Finally, habitable zones within the aqueous environments of the icy moons of Europa and Enceladus and potentially in the hydrocarbon lakes of Titan are discussed and suitable analogue sites proposed. It is clear from this review that a number of terrestrial analogue sites can be applied to multiple planetary bodies, thereby increasing their value for astrobiological exploration. For each analogue site considered here, we summarize the pertinent physiochemical environmental features they offer and critically assess the fidelity with which they emulate their intended target locale. We also outline key issues associated with the existing documentation of analogue research and the constraints this has on the efficiency of discoveries in this field. This review thus highlights the need for a global open access database for planetary analogues.
THE PROPERTIES OF CITIZENS
Authors: Robinson Tracy
Published: January 2014

This paper considers how a taxonomy of conjugality—marriage,common-law marriage, andvisiting relationships—emerged as a specialized vocabulary to apprehend and govern the postcolonial Caribbean. Although the metaphor of intersections does not fully capture the ways these categories relate to each other to produce social meaning, I employ an intersectional framework to offer a close reading of the routes through which these and other social differences and equivalences are produced as dimensions of citizenship in specific historical contexts, such as the period of decolonization and Caribbean nation-formation. In so doing, I illustrate how the categorization of intimate relationships codified a hierarchy based on intersections of race, class, gender, and sexual orientation, and established rough moral boundaries for a heterosexual Caribbean nation. The lives of working class Black women animate the categorization. I show how by centering these women in intimate relationship codes their sexuality is contained and patriarchy naturalized. In this paper, I suggest that we should mark the role intersectionality plays in constituting categories of intimate association, explore how these categories shape sentiments about belonging, and articulate the social costs of their instantiations.
BLACK MALE EXCEPTIONALISM?
Authors: Butler Paul
Published: January 2014

“Black male exceptionalism” is the premise that African American men fare more poorly than any other group in the United States. The discourse of Black male exceptionalism presents African American men as an “endangered species.” Some government agencies, foundations, and activists have responded by creating “Black male achievement” programs. There are almost no corresponding “Black female achievement” programs. Yet empirical data does not support the claim that Black males are burdened more than Black females. Without attention to intersectionality, Black male achievement programs risk obscuring Black females and advancing patriarchal values. Black male achievement programs also risk reinforcing stereotypes that African American males are violent and dangerous. An intersectional approach would create space for Black male focused interventions, but require parity for Black female programs.
UNSHACKLING INTERSECTIONALITY
Authors: Ocen Priscilla A.
Published: January 2014

In this essay, I call for an “unshackling” of intersectionality from the narrow and restrictive ways in which legal scholars and activists interpret and mobilize the theory and critique the single-axis framework that has been deployed by legal scholars and advocates in the context of mass incarceration. Specifically, I assert that a single-axis analysis of mass incarceration is insufficient to capture the broad impact of the prison and the raced and gendered logics that animate its operation. As a consequence of the failure to engage intersectionality in the context of the prison, legal scholarship on incarceration tends to obscure the centrality of Black women's gender in the racialized system of control and posits Black men as the primary targets of mass incarceration. This undertheorization of incarceration also hinders the development of a framework that can account for why both Black women and Black men are vulnerable to multiple systems of social control.
INTERSECTIONALITY AND SOCIAL EXPLANATION IN SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH
Authors: Clarke Averil Y. , McCall Leslie
Published: January 2014

To the extent that intersectionality is becoming a common term in mainstream social science, it is as a methodological justification to separate out different racial, ethnic, gender, class, and other social groups for empirical analysis. One might call this the “intersectionality hypothesis,” and in its best incarnation, it is about getting the facts right and finding the differences that matter. But an intersectional analysis in the social sciences often involves more than this. An intersectional approach also leads to potentially different interpretations of the same facts, or what we term a different social explanation. It is not only the intersection of categories that defines an intersectional project, then, but the theoretical framing that informs the analysis and interpretation of the subject under study. This framing often leads to an analysis of multiple and even conflicting social dynamics that enable certain kinds of social understanding that are otherwise invisible when scholars focus on a single set of social dynamics. Because the social theoretical aspects of research on intersectionality are rarely discussed, relative to the more methodological and ontological aspects of intersectionality, this is our main subject matter in this article. We focus on the process of developing social explanations rooted in the intersection of multiple social dynamics in several examples from our own research and across a variety of topics in social science research.
INTERSECTIONALITY
Authors: Carbado Devon W. , Crenshaw Kimberlé Williams , Mays Vickie M. , Tomlinson Barbara
Published: January 2014

Very few theories have generated the kind of interdisciplinary and global engagement that marks the intellectual history of intersectionality. Yet, there has been very little effort to reflect upon precisely how intersectionality has moved across time, disciplines, issues, and geographic and national boundaries. Our failure to attend to intersectionality's movement has limited our ability to see the theory in places in which it is already doing work and to imagine other places to which the theory might be taken. Addressing these questions, this special issue reflects upon the genesis of intersectionality, engages some of the debates about its scope and theoretical capacity, marks some of its disciplinary and global travels, and explores the future trajectory of the theory. To do so, the volume includes academics from across the disciplines and from outside of the United States. Their respective contributions help us to understand how intersectionality has moved and to broaden our sense of where the theory might still go.
Volunteer Functions Inventory (VFI): Konstruktvalidität und psychometrische Eigenschaften der deutschen Adaptation
Authors: Oostlander Jeannette , Güntert Stefan Tomas , Schie Susan van , Wehner Theo
Published: January 2014

Das Volunteer Functions Inventory (VFI; Clary et al., 1998 ) ist ein Inventar zur Erfassung der Motivation zu freiwilligem Engagement. Es misst sechs Funktionen von Freiwilligenarbeit: Erfahrungsfunktion, Karrierefunktion, Schutzfunktion, Selbstwertfunktion, soziale Anpassungsfunktion und Wertefunktion. Die vorliegende Studie stellt die deutsche Adaptation sowie eine bisher fehlende Konstruktvalidierung des VFI mit vergleichbaren motivationalen Konstrukten vor. An einer Stichprobe von N = 2 255 sozial-karitativ tätigen Freiwilligen wurden die psychometrischen Eigenschaften sowie die Konstruktvalidität überprüft. Die Sechs-Faktoren-Struktur bestätigte sich. Die internen Konsistenzen der Funktionen erwiesen sich als zufriedenstellend und nahe an den Werten der Originalstudie liegend. Zur ergänzenden Konstruktvalidierung des VFI wurden zwei motivationale Konstrukte aus der Selbstbestimmungstheorie herangezogen: die Handlungsregulationen (intrinsische und extrinsische Motivation) sowie die Kausalitätsorientierungen (Autonomie-Orientierung und Kontroll-Orientierung). Die Zusammenhänge dieser Konstrukte mit den VFI-Funktionen fielen gemäss den theoretischen Annahmen aus. Die deutsche Adaptation ist als erfolgreich zu bezeichnen.
Konstruktion und erste Validierung eines Fragebogens zur umfassenden Erfassung von Achtsamkeit
Authors: Bergomi Claudia , Tschacher Wolfgang , Kupper Zeno
Published: January 2014

In der vorliegenden Arbeit werden Entwicklung und Validierung eines Fragebogens zur umfassenden Erfassung der Achtsamkeit, des Comprehensive Inventory of Mindfulness Experiences (CHIME), beschrieben. An einer Allgemeinbevölkerungs-Stichprobe (N = 298) und einer Stichprobe von TeilnehmerInnen an MBSR-Kursen (N = 161) wurde die Faktorenstruktur des CHIME ermittelt und seine Reliabilität und Validität geprüft. Faktorenanalytische Verfahren ergaben eine achtfaktorielle Struktur. Die Struktur wurde in einer zusätzlichen konfirmatorischen Stichprobe (N = 202) überprüft. Der Fragebogen sowie seine Unterskalen weisen gute Reliabilitätswerte auf (interne Konsistenz und Retest-Reliabilität). Analysen zur Messinvarianz der einzelnen Items über Gruppen, die sich bezüglich Meditationserfahrung, Alter, Geschlecht und Symptombelastung unterschieden, zeigten keine systematischen Unterschiede im Verständnis der Items. Die Kennwerte zur Konstrukt-, Kriterium-, und inkrementellen Validität sowie zur Veränderungssensitivität waren alle mindestens zufriedenstellend. Mit dem CHIME steht somit ein Fragebogen mit guten psychometrischen Eigenschaften zur Selbsteinschätzung der Achtsamkeit zur Verfügung. Der CHIME basiert auf allen in den aktuellen Instrumenten enthaltenen Aspekten des Achtsamkeitskonstrukts.
Ferromagnetic nanoparticles with peroxidase-like activity enhance the cleavage of biological macromolecules for biofilm elimination
Authors: Gao Lizeng , Giglio Krista M. , Nelson Jacquelyn L. , Sondermann Holger , Travis Alexander J.
Published: January 2014

Ferromagnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4, MNPs) with peroxidase-like activity enhanced oxidative cleavage of biofilm matrix components (nucleic acids, proteins and polysaccharides) in the presence of H2O2, providing a novel strategy for biofilm prevention and elimination, as well as killing bacteria within the biofilm.
A general colorimetric method for detecting protease activity based on peptide-induced gold nanoparticle aggregation
Authors: Chen Ganchao , Xie Yusheng , Zhang Huatang , Wang Ping , Cheung Hon-Yeung , Yang Mengsu , Sun Hongyan
Published: January 2014

A novel colorimetric approach is developed for detecting protease. The method uses gold nanoparticle aggregation induced by protease-digested peptide.
Effect of solvent on the uncatalyzed synthesis of aminosilane-functionalized graphene
Authors: Iqbal Muhammad Z. , Katsiotis Marios S. , Alhassan Saeed M. , Liberatore Matthew W. , Abdala Ahmed A.
Published: January 2014

Toluene affects the distribution of APTS on the surface of thermally reduced graphene during the catalyst free silylation.
An ultra-stable oxoiron(iv) complex and its blue conjugate base
Authors: England Jason , Bigelow Jennifer O. , Van Heuvelen Katherine M. , Farquhar Erik R. , Martinho Marléne , Meier Katlyn K. , Frisch Jonathan R. , Münck Eckard , Que Lawrence
Published: January 2014

We report the first conjugate acid–base pair of nonheme oxoiron(iv) complexes, which are supported by a tetramethylcyclam ligand with a pendant amide that binds trans to the oxo group via the carbonyl oxygen.
Relay‐assisted spectrum sensing
Authors: Astaneh Saeed Akhavan , Gazor Saeed
Published: January 2014

A cooperative spectrum‐sensing problem has been considered here, in which a network of secondary users (SUs) assists a fusion centre (FC) in detecting the presence of a primary user (PU). Assuming communication links with unlimited capacity of the SUs and FC and known channel gains and noise variances, the optimal Neyman–Pearson detector is derived. Assuming limited capacity between the SUs and FC and unknown channel gains and noise variances, three different spectrum‐sensing protocols have been studied; namely, amplify‐and‐forward (AF), compress‐and‐forward (CF) and detect‐and‐forward (DF), where each SU transmits an amplified or compressed version of its observed signal, or its local binary decision to the FC, respectively. The Edgeworth expansion is used to obtain novel expressions for the performance of these detectors. The theoretical analysis and numerical results show that the CF and OR detectors outperform the other proposed detectors. In addition, the simulation results show that the performance of the coded protocols (CF and DF) improves as the number of samples increases or as the noise variance at the SUs decreases, whereas such a behaviour cannot be guaranteed in the uncoded AF protocol.
A mixed mid-point Runge-Kutta like scheme for the integration of Landau-Lifshitz equation
Authors: Rahim Arbab , Ragusa Carlo , Jan Bilal , Khan Omar
Published: January 2014

In this paper, a novel numerical time-stepping scheme for the solution of the dynamic Landau-Lifshitz equation of micromagnetics is introduced. The equation is a non-linear problem, and is traditionally solved using semi-discretization techniques. However, these techniques corrupt some intrinsic properties of the Landau-Lifshitz (LL) dynamics such as the conservation of magnetization magnitude in time. The proposed approach uses a mixed mid-point Runge-Kutta like algorithm which satisfies LL dynamic properties for time-steps up to 1.25 ps. The accuracy of the proposed scheme has been tested and verified using μmag Standard Problem 4 against popular micromagnetic simulation software for different time-steps and cell sizes.
Determination of g-factor in a quantum well channel with a strong Rashba effect
Authors: Choi Won Young , Chang Joonyeon , Hoon Lee Jung , Cheol Koo Hyun
Published: January 2014

Using the Shubnikov−de Haas oscillation measurement, the g-factor of carriers in a strong Rashba system is observed. To determine g-factor of carriers in the InAs quantum well channel with a strong Rashba effect, the magnetic fields are simultaneously applied along the in-plane direction and the perpendicular direction. The perpendicular field drives the oscillation of conductance for measuring Rashba spin orbit interaction and the in-plane field parallel to the Rashba field interacts with Rashba effect and modifies the intrinsic Rashba parameter. The total field inside the channel is a combination of the Rashba field and the in-plane field, so the modification of Rashba parameter gives a g-factor value of ∼13 in our system.
On shock response of nano-void closed/open cell copper material: Non-equilibrium molecular dynamic simulations
Authors: Neogi Anupam , Mitra Nilanjan
Published: January 2014

Non-equilibrium molecular-dynamic simulations were carried out on model three-dimensional nano-void copper material with different idealised pore structure and porosity to highlight differences in response behaviour between them when subjected to various piston velocities simulating planar shock loading of different intensities. This article demonstrates and explains from a mechanistic perspective the differences in response observed with respect to Hugoniot elastic limits, dislocation line and jet formation, void collapse mechanism and hot spot generation, specific volume, partial recrystallisation and temperature evolution in void collapsed regions, shock and particle velocity curves.
Ignition characteristics of laser-ablated aluminum at shock pressures up to 2 GPa
Authors: Lee Kyung-Cheol , Taira Tsubasa , Mo Koo Goon , Young Lee Jae , Yoh Jack J.
Published: January 2014

The ignition of aluminum particles under high pressure and temperature conditions is considered. The laser ablation method is used to generate oxide-free aluminum particles exposed to pressures ranging between 0.35 and 2.2 GPa. A continuous wave CO2 laser radiation heats the surface of the aluminum target until ignition is observed. We confirm ignition by a spectroscopic analysis of AlO vibronic band of 484 nm wavelength, and the radiant temperature is measured with respect to various pressures for estimating the heating energy for ignition. The ignition characteristics of the oxide-free aluminum particles exposed to extremely high pressures are reported.
The colours of durum wheat: a review
Authors: Ficco Donatella B. M. , Mastrangelo Anna M. , Trono Daniela , Borrelli Grazia M. , De Vita Pasquale , Fares Clara , Beleggia Romina , Platani Cristiano , Papa Roberto
Published: January 2014

Pigments are essential to the life of all living organisms. Animals and plants have been the subjects of basic and applied research with the aim of determining the basis of the accumulation and physiological roles of pigments. In crop species, the edible organs show large variations in colour. In durum wheat grain, which is a staple food for humans, the colour is mainly due to two natural classes of pigment: carotenoids and anthocyanins. The carotenoids provide the yellow pigmentation of the durum wheat endosperm, and consequently of the semolina, which has important implications for the marketing of end products based on durum wheat. Anthocyanins accumulate in the aleurone or pericarp of durum wheat and provide the blue, purple and red colours of the grain. Both the carotenoids and the anthocyanins are known to provide benefits for human health, in terms of decreased risks of certain diseases. Therefore, accumulation of these pigments in the grain represents an important trait in breeding programs aimed at improving the nutritional value of durum wheat grain and its end products. This review focuses on the biochemical and genetic bases of pigment accumulation in durum wheat grain, and on the breeding strategies aimed at modifying grain colour.
Aging alters histone H3 lysine 4 methylation in mouse germinal vesicle stage oocytes
Authors: Shao Gen-Bao , Wang Jie , Zhang Liu-Ping , Wu Chao-Yang , Jin Jie , Sang Jian-Rong , Lu Hong-Yan , Gong Ai-Hua , Du Feng-Yi , Peng Wan-Xin
Published: January 2014

Decreasing oocyte competence with maternal aging is a major factor in mammalian infertility. One of the factors contributing to this infertility is changes to chromatin modifications, such as histone acetylation in old MII stage oocytes. Recent studies indicate that changes in histone acetylation at MII arise at the germinal vesicle (GV) stage. We hypothesised that histone methylation could also change in old GV oocytes. To test this hypothesis, we examined mono-, di- and trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4 me1, me2 and me3, respectively) in young and older oocytes from 6–8- and 42–44-week-old mice, respectively. We found that H3K4 me2 and me3 decreased in older compared with young GV oocytes (100% vs 81% and 100% vs 87%, respectively; P < 0.05). H3K4 me2 later increased in older MII oocytes (21% vs 56%; P < 0.05). We also examined the expression of genes encoding the H3K4 demethylases lysine (K)-specific demethylase 1A (Kdm1a) and retinol binding protein 2 (Rbp2). Expression of Kdm1a increased at both the mRNA and protein levels in older GV oocytes, but decreased in older MII oocytes (P < 0.05), and was negatively correlated with H3K4 me2 levels. Conversely, expression of Rbp2 mRNA and protein decreased in older GV oocytes (P < 0.05), and this was not correlated with H3K4 me3 levels. Finally, we showed that inhibition of Kdm1a of older oocytes at the GV stage restored levels of H3K4 me2 at the MII stage to those seen in ‘young’ oocytes (41% vs 38%; P > 0.05). These results suggest that changes in expression of H3K4 me2 and Kdm1a in older GV oocytes may represent a molecular mechanism underlying human infertility caused by aging.
In vivo multiplexed interrogation of amplified genes identifies GAB2 as an ovarian cancer oncogene
Authors: Dunn Gavin P. , Cheung Hiu Wing , Agarwalla Pankaj K. , Thomas Sapana , Zektser Yulia , Karst Alison M. , Boehm Jesse S. , Weir Barbara A. , Berlin Aaron M. , Zou Lihua , Getz Gad , Liu Joyce F. , Hirsch Michelle , Vazquez Francisca , Root David E. , Beroukhim Rameen , Drapkin Ronny , Hahn William C.
Published: January 2014

Significance

High-grade serous ovarian cancers are characterized by widespread gain and loss of copy number involving large numbers of genes; however, the functional consequences of many of these changes remain unclear. To determine which of the many amplified genes exhibited tumor-promoting behavior, we developed a novel in vivo method to systematically screen potential oncogenes for tumor formation. We identified GAB2, a signaling adaptor protein, as a potent oncogene that is also significantly amplified in ovarian and breast cancer. GAB2 overexpression activates the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway and confers sensitivity to PI3K pathway inhibition. These results credential GAB2 as a potent oncogene in ovarian cancer and emphasize the importance of PI3K signaling in this cancer.
Three-dimensional aspects of matrix assembly by cells in the developing cornea
Authors: Young Robert D. , Knupp Carlo , Pinali Christian , Png Kenneth M.Y. , Ralphs James R. , Bushby Andrew J. , Starborg Tobias , Kadler Karl E. , Quantock Andrew J.
Published: January 2014

Significance

The cornea is a specialized connective tissue assembled as a remarkably ordered array of superimposed collagenous lamellae, and their component collagen fibrils, essential for optical transparency. Surprisingly, the mechanisms involved in deposition of this unique structure are still not fully understood. Here we have used correlative microscopy techniques, including innovative methods of serial block face scanning electron microscopy, to observe the sequence of corneal matrix formation in three-dimensional reconstructions of embryonic chick cornea. Our data show that corneal cells, keratocytes, exhibit long-range associations with collagen bundles in the developing matrix via an extended network of actin-rich tubular cytoplasmic protrusions, which we term
keratopodia
. Synchronized alignment of keratopodia and collagen is evident during the course of lamella formation.
RETRACTED: Dengue virus envelope protein domain I/II hinge determines long-lived serotype-specific dengue immunity
Authors: Messer William B. , de Alwis Ruklanthi , Yount Boyd L. , Royal Scott R. , Huynh Jeremy P. , Smith Scott A. , Crowe James E. , Doranz Benjamin J. , Kahle Kristen M. , Pfaff Jennifer M. , White Laura J. , Sariol Carlos A. , de Silva Aravinda M. , Baric Ralph S.
Published: January 2014

The four dengue virus (DENV) serotypes, DENV-1, -2, -3, and -4, are endemic throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the world, with an estimated 390 million acute infections annually. Infection confers long-term protective immunity against the infecting serotype, but secondary infection with a different serotype carries a greater risk of potentially fatal severe dengue disease, including dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome. The single most effective measure to control this threat to global health is a tetravalent DENV vaccine. To date, attempts to develop a protective vaccine have progressed slowly, partly because the targets of type-specific human neutralizing antibodies (NAbs), which are critical for long-term protection, remain poorly defined, impeding our understanding of natural immunity and hindering effective vaccine development. Here, we show that the envelope glycoprotein domain I/II hinge of DENV-3 and DENV-4 is the primary target of the long-term type-specific NAb response in humans. Transplantation of a DENV-4 hinge into a recombinant DENV-3 virus showed that the hinge determines the serotype-specific neutralizing potency of primary human and nonhuman primate DENV immune sera and that the hinge region both induces NAbs and is targeted by protective NAbs in rhesus macaques. These results suggest that the success of live dengue vaccines may depend on their ability to stimulate NAbs that target the envelope glycoprotein domain I/II hinge region. More broadly, this study shows that complex conformational antibody epitopes can be transplanted between live viruses, opening up similar possibilities for improving the breadth and specificity of vaccines for influenza, HIV, hepatitis C virus, and other clinically important viral pathogens.
Alternatives to antibiotics for farm animals.
Authors: Papatsiros V. G. , Katsoulos P. D. , Koutoulis K. C. , Karatzia M. , Dedousi A. , Christodoulopoulos G.
Published: January 2014

Nowadays, there is an increasing concern for the public health about the consequences from the long and increased use of antibiotics in livestock production. The use of antibiotics in animal feed as growth promoters has been completely banned by the European Union since 2006, based on their possible negative effects on human and animal health. The removal of growth promoters has led to animal performance problems and a rise in the incidence of certain animal diseases. Thus, there is an urgent need to find alternatives to antibiotics, especially in EU. Due to the modern consumers' concern about the potential development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria as well as at the same time the need to prevent economic losses of the farmers, alternatives to antibiotics has been developed to prevent the health problems and to improve the growth performance in farm animals. Owing to the full ban of antibiotic use in EU there is an urgent need to find alternatives to in-feed antibiotics. New strategies and commercial products must be developed to improve animal health and performance, based on their safety, efficacy and cost-effectiveness. The aim of this study is to summarize the beneficial effects of currently used alternatives to in-feed antibiotics, i.e. probiotics, prebiotics, organic acids, phytogenic compounds and zeolites on health and growth performance in farm animals (swine, poultry and ruminants).
Is food security measurement sensitive to its definition and measurement method?
Authors: Bashir M. K. , Schilizzi S.
Published: January 2014

Three hundred studies on the subject of food security measurement were systematically reviewed using a meta-analysis technique to review food security measurement methods and their pros and cons. Six methods for measuring food security are identified from the literature. It was noted that the dietary intake assessment (DIA) and the food insecurity experienced-based measurement scales (FIEMS) were those most used by researchers. Furthermore, we tested both these methods using primary data from 1152 rural households in the Punjab province of Pakistan. The results of DIA showed that 23% of the sample households are food insecure, while the results of FIEMS yielded only 5% of the sample households. In addition, a slight change in the definition of food security resulted in notable variations in the proportion of food insecure households. The selection of food security definition and measurement method is crucial for estimating the extent of food insecurity. We recommend that the definition or threshold level defined by the local health departments in the study areas be selected. This will encompass the diversity of cultural, social and physical needs of people.
Wound healing revised: A novel reepithelialization mechanism revealed by in vitro and in silico models
Authors: Safferling Kai , Sütterlin Thomas , Westphal Kathi , Ernst Claudia , Breuhahn Kai , James Merlin , Jäger Dirk , Halama Niels , Grabe Niels
Published: January 2014

Wound healing is a complex process in which a tissue’s individual cells have to be orchestrated in an efficient and robust way. We integrated multiplex protein analysis, immunohistochemical analysis, and whole-slide imaging into a novel medium-throughput platform for quantitatively capturing proliferation, differentiation, and migration in large numbers of organotypic skin cultures comprising epidermis and dermis. Using fluorescent time-lag staining, we were able to infer source and final destination of keratinocytes in the healing epidermis. This resulted in a novel extending shield reepithelialization mechanism, which we confirmed by computational multicellular modeling and perturbation of tongue extension. This work provides a consistent experimental and theoretical model for epidermal wound closure in 3D, negating the previously proposed concepts of epidermal tongue extension and highlighting the so far underestimated role of the surrounding tissue. Based on our findings, epidermal wound closure is a process in which cell behavior is orchestrated by a higher level of tissue control that 2D monolayer assays are not able to capture.
Dysbindin is a potent inducer of RhoA–SRF-mediated cardiomyocyte hypertrophy
Authors: Rangrez Ashraf Yusuf , Bernt Alexander , Poyanmehr Reza , Harazin Violetta , Boomgaarden Inka , Kuhn Christian , Rohrbeck Astrid , Frank Derk , Frey Norbert
Published: January 2014

Dysbindin is an established schizophrenia susceptibility gene thoroughly studied in the context of the brain. We have previously shown through a yeast two-hybrid screen that it is also a cardiac binding partner of the intercalated disc protein Myozap. Because Dysbindin is highly expressed in the heart, we aimed here at deciphering its cardiac function. Using a serum response factor (SRF) response element reporter-driven luciferase assay, we identified a robust activation of SRF signaling by Dysbindin overexpression that was associated with significant up-regulation of SRF gene targets, such as Acta1 and Actc1. Concurrently, we identified RhoA as a novel binding partner of Dysbindin. Further phenotypic and mechanistic characterization revealed that Dysbindin induced cardiac hypertrophy via RhoA–SRF and MEK1–ERK1 signaling pathways. In conclusion, we show a novel cardiac role of Dysbindin in the activation of RhoA–SRF and MEK1–ERK1 signaling pathways and in the induction of cardiac hypertrophy. Future in vivo studies should examine the significance of Dysbindin in cardiomyopathy.
Atrophin–Rpd3 complex represses Hedgehog signaling by acting as a corepressor of CiR
Authors: Zhang Zhao , Feng Jing , Pan Chenyu , Lv Xiangdong , Wu Wenqing , Zhou Zhaocai , Liu Feng , Zhang Lei , Zhao Yun
Published: January 2014

The evolutionarily conserved Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is transduced by the Cubitus interruptus (Ci)/Gli family of transcription factors that exist in two distinct repressor (CiR/GliR) and activator (CiA/GliA) forms. Aberrant activation of Hh signaling is associated with various human cancers, but the mechanism through which CiR/GliR properly represses target gene expression is poorly understood. Here, we used Drosophila melanogaster and zebrafish models to define a repressor function of Atrophin (Atro) in Hh signaling. Atro directly bound to Ci through its C terminus. The N terminus of Atro interacted with a histone deacetylase, Rpd3, to recruit it to a Ci-binding site at the decapentaplegic (dpp) locus and reduce dpp transcription through histone acetylation regulation. The repressor function of Atro in Hh signaling was dependent on Ci. Furthermore, Rerea, a homologue of Atro in zebrafish, repressed the expression of Hh-responsive genes. We propose that the Atro–Rpd3 complex plays a conserved role to function as a CiR corepressor.
Species- and size-related patterns in stable isotopes and mercury concentrations in fish help refine marine ecosystem indicators and provide evidence for distinct management units for hake in the Northeast Atlantic
Authors: Chouvelon T. , Caurant F. , Cherel Y. , Simon-Bouhet B. , Spitz J. , Bustamante P.
Published: January 2014

Recent European environmental policies argue for the development of indicators of the ecological status of ecosystems that are easy to implement and powerful enough to detect changes quickly. For instance, some indicators that are currently proposed for monitoring foodweb structure and functioning are based on the size of organisms, using size as a proxy for trophic level. However, these indicators do not necessarily accurately reflect the underlying trophic structure and dynamics to follow. Ecological tracers (i.e. chemical parameters measured in consumer tissues to infer the trophic ecology of organisms) may serve as complementary indicators of trophic level, and may also help distinguish different populations of a species when more commonly used methods (e.g. genetic, age determination) present their own limitations. Here, we analysed the potential of muscle δ13C and δ15N values and of muscle mercury (Hg) concentrations to depict size-related trophic habits of different fish species. We expected that intra- and interspecific variation in these ecological tracers could be helpful in refining currently proposed indicators of marine ecosystems, and also help in discriminating management unitsfor some species. Four fish species were selected for their economical and/or ecological importance in the Bay of Biscay (Northeast Atlantic): whiting Merlangius merlangus, European hake Merluccius merluccius, Atlantic horse mackerel Trachurus trachurus and anglerfish Lophius piscatorius. Muscle δ13C and δ15N values segregated the species and enabled us to discriminate species-specific feeding strategies with increasing size of individuals. Fish body size was not always linearly correlated with δ15N or trophic level. In contrast, Hg concentrations and size-related Hg patterns were more similar from species to species. Interestingly, muscle δ15N values together with Hg concentrations segregated the two putative stocks of European hake within the Bay of Biscay. Hence, we propose the combined use of ecological tracers as a promising method for accurately assigning a consumer to a trophic guild, investigating Hg trophodynamics in foodwebs, and helping discriminate distinct ecological populations within a species when defining management units.
Influence of habitat and population density on recruitment and spatial dynamics of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus: implications for harvest refugia
Authors: Ouréns Rosana , Freire Juan , Vilar Jose A. , Fernández Luis
Published: January 2014

We studied the spatial variation in recruitment and the population dynamics of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus, analysing the effect of depth and presence of sea urchin aggregations on population structure. Over 90% of the observed recruits (individuals under 1 year of age) were concentrated in aggregations found in shallow waters. In these areas, a positive linear relationship was found between adult and recruit density, possibly due to higher survival rates of juveniles taking refuge among the spines of adults. The scarcity of recruits and the presence of adult sea urchins at depths of 8 and 12 m suggest the migration of part of the population towards deep areas when individuals reach a size of ∼40 mm. In light of these results, the implementation of harvest refugia for sea urchins in shallow areas could constitute an effective fishery management tool for this species. High population densities could enhance recruitment, given the inverse density dependence of this process, while their migratory pattern would guarantee biomass exportation towards deeper fishing grounds.
Pleiotropic Function of the Putative Zinc-Finger Protein MoMsn2 inMagnaporthe oryzae
Authors: Zhang Haifeng , Zhao Qian , Guo Xianxian , Guo Min , Qi Zhongqiang , Tang Wei , Dong Yanhan , Ye Wenwu , Zheng Xiaobo , Wang Ping , Zhang Zhengguang
Published: January 2014

The mitogen-activated protein kinase MoOsm1–mediated osmoregulation pathway plays crucial roles in stress responses, asexual and sexual development, and pathogenicity in Magnaporthe oryzae. Utilizing an affinity purification approach, we identified the putative transcriptional activator MoMsn2 as a protein that interacts with MoOsm1 in vivo. Disruption of the MoMSN2 gene resulted in defects in aerial hyphal growth, conidial production, and infection of host plants. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that the expression of several genes involved in conidiophore formation was reduced in ΔMomsn2, suggesting that MoMsn2 might function as a transcriptional regulator of these genes. Subsequently, MoCos1 was identified as one of the MoMsn2 targets through yeast one-hybrid analysis in which MoMsn2 binds to the AGGGG and CCCCT motif of the MoCOS1 promoter region. Phenotypic characterization showed that MoMsn2 was required for appressorium formation and penetration and pathogenicity. Although the ΔMomsn2 mutant was tolerant to the cell-wall stressor Calcofluor white, it was sensitive to common osmotic stressors. Further analysis suggests that MoMsn2 is involved in the regulation of the cell-wall biosynthesis pathway. Finally, transcriptome data revealed that MoMsn2 modulates numerous genes participating in conidiation, infection, cell-wall integrity, and stress response. Collectively, our results led to a model in which MoMsn2 mediates a series of downstream genes that control aerial hyphal growth, conidiogenesis, appressorium formation, cell-wall biosynthesis, and infection and that also offer potential targets for the development of new disease management strategies.
Effectors as Tools in Disease Resistance Breeding Against Biotrophic, Hemibiotrophic, and Necrotrophic Plant Pathogens
Authors: Vleeshouwers Vivianne G. A. A. , Oliver Richard P.
Published: January 2014

One of most important challenges in plant breeding is improving resistance to the plethora of pathogens that threaten our crops. The ever-growing world population, changing pathogen populations, and fungicide resistance issues have increased the urgency of this task. In addition to a vital inflow of novel resistance sources into breeding programs, the functional characterization and deployment of resistance also needs improvement. Therefore, plant breeders need to adopt new strategies and techniques. In modern resistance breeding, effectors are emerging as tools to accelerate and improve the identification, functional characterization, and deployment of resistance genes. Since genome-wide catalogues of effectors have become available for various pathogens, including biotrophs as well as necrotrophs, effector-assisted breeding has been shown to be successful for various crops. “Effectoromics” has contributed to classical resistance breeding as well as for genetically modified approaches. Here, we present an overview of how effector-assisted breeding and deployment is being exploited for various pathosystems.
Sinorhizobium meliloti Flavin Secretion and Bacteria-Host Interaction: Role of the Bifunctional RibBA Protein
Authors: Yurgel Svetlana N. , Rice Jennifer , Domreis Elizabeth , Lynch Joseph , Sa Na , Qamar Zeeshan , Rajamani Sathish , Gao Mengsheng , Roje Sanja , Bauer Wolfgang D.
Published: January 2014

Sinorhizobium meliloti, the nitrogen-fixing bacterial symbiont of Medicago spp. and other legumes, secretes a considerable amount of riboflavin. This precursor of the cofactors flavin mononucleotide and flavin adenine dinucleotide is a bioactive molecule that has a beneficial effect on plant growth. The ribBA gene of S. meliloti codes for a putative bifunctional enzyme with dihydroxybutanone phosphate synthase and guanosine triphosphate (GTP) cyclohydrolase II activities, catalyzing the initial steps of the riboflavin biosynthesis pathway. We show here that an in-frame deletion of ribBA does not cause riboflavin auxotrophy or affect the ability of S. meliloti to establish an effective symbiosis with the host plant but does affect the ability of the bacteria to secrete flavins, colonize host-plant roots, and compete for nodulation. A strain missing the RibBA protein retains considerable GTP cyclohydrolase II activity. Based on these results, we hypothesize that S. meliloti has two partly interchangeable modules for biosynthesis of riboflavin, one fulfilling the internal need for flavins in bacterial metabolism and the other producing riboflavin for secretion. Our data also indicate that bacteria-derived flavins play a role in communication between rhizobia and the legume host and that the RibBA protein is important in this communication process even though it is not essential for riboflavin biosynthesis and symbiosis.