bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Late-replicating heterochromatin is characterized by decreased cytosine methylation in the human genome
Authors: Suzuki Masako , Oda Mayumi , Ramos María-Paz , Pascual Marién , Lau Kevin , Stasiek Edyta , Agyiri Frederick , Thompson Reid F. , Glass Jacob L. , Jing Qiang , Sandstrom Richard , Fazzari Melissa J. , Hansen R. Scott , Stamatoyannopoulos John A. , McLellan Andrew S. , Greally John M.
Published: September 2011

Heterochromatin is believed to be associated with increased levels of cytosine methylation. With the recent availability of genome-wide, high-resolution molecular data reflecting chromatin organization and methylation, such relationships can be explored systematically. As well-defined surrogates for heterochromatin, we tested the relationship between DNA replication timing and DNase hypersensitivity with cytosine methylation in two human cell types, unexpectedly finding the later-replicating, more heterochromatic regions to be less methylated than early replicating regions. When we integrated gene-expression data into the study, we found that regions of increased gene expression were earlier replicating, as previously identified, and that transcription-targeted cytosine methylation in gene bodies contributes to the positive correlation with early replication. A self-organizing map (SOM) approach was able to identify genomic regions with early replication and increased methylation, but lacking annotated transcripts, loci missed in simple two variable analyses, possibly encoding unrecognized intergenic transcripts. We conclude that the relationship of cytosine methylation with heterochromatin is not simple and depends on whether the genomic context is tandemly repetitive sequences often found near centromeres, which are known to be heterochromatic and methylated, or the remaining majority of the genome, where cytosine methylation is targeted preferentially to the transcriptionally active, euchromatic compartment of the genome.
The association of specific metabolites of lipid metabolism with markers of oxidative stress, inflammation and arterial stiffness in men with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes
Authors: Ha Chang Young , Kim Ji Young , Paik Jean Kyung , Kim Oh Yoen , Paik Yong‐Han , Lee Eun Jig , Lee Jong Ho
Published: September 2011

Objective  To determine whether circulating metabolic intermediates are associated with inflammation, oxidative stress and arterial stiffness in men with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes and investigate the circulating metabolic intermediates that may predict the risk of developing diabetes.

Research design and methods  Men with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (n = 26) and age‐ and body mass index–matched nondiabetic men (n = 27) were included. We measured inflammatory and oxidative markers and arterial stiffness by brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity (ba‐PWV). Metabolomic profiling was analysed with ultra performance liquid chromatography and quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry.

Results  Diabetic men showed higher circulating levels of glucose, triglyceride, oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (LDL), high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein, interleukin (IL)‐6, tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), homeostasis model assessment‐insulin resistance, urinary 8‐epi‐prostaglandin F2α (8‐epi‐PGF2α) and ba‐PWV than nondiabetic men. In plasma, 19 metabolites including three amino acids, eight acylcarnitines, six lysophosphatidylcholines (lysoPCs), and two lysophosphatidylethanolamines (lysoPEs; C18:2 and C22:6) significantly increased in diabetes men, whereas serine and lysoPE (C18:1) decreased. Decanoyl carnitine, lysoPCs (C14:0, C16:1, C18:1 and C22:6) and lysoPE (C18:1) with variable importance in the projection values >1·0 were major plasma metabolites that distinguished nondiabetic and diabetic men. Decanoyl carnitine positively correlated with oxidized LDL, 8‐epi‐PGF2α, IL‐6, TNF‐α and ba‐PWV. ba‐PWV correlated positively with lysoPCs C14:0 and C16:1, and negatively with lysoPE C18:1. 8‐epi‐PGF2α correlated positively with lipoprotein‐associated phospholipase A2, ba‐PWV and lysoPCs (C14:0 and C16:1). The receiver operating characteristic curve estimation suggested that decanoyl carnitine and lysoPC (C14:0) are the best metabolites for predicting the risk of developing diabetes.

Conclusions  Circulating lipid‐related intermediate metabolites can be closely associated with inflammation, oxidative stress and arterial stiffness in early diabetes.
Levels of fetuin‐A relate to the levels of bone turnover biomarkers in male and female patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Rasul Sazan , Ilhan Aysegul , Reiter Marie H. , Todoric Jelena , Farhan Serdar , Esterbauer Harald , Kautzky‐Willer Alexandra
Published: September 2011

Objective  To evaluate the relationship of plasma fetuin‐A levels with markers of bone turnover in male and female type 2 diabetic subjects.

Background  Fetuin‐A, which is a serum protein produced by the liver and promotes bone mineralization, is an independent risk factor for type 2 diabetes, whilst type 2 diabetes is associated with an increased incidence of osteoporosis or fractures. It is not known how fetuin‐A levels relate to parameters of bone metabolism in type 2 diabetes.

Design and patients  Eighty patients with type 2 diabetes [40 men and 40 women matched for age, body mass index (BMI) and time since diagnosis of diabetes] were studied. Fetuin‐A together with metabolic parameters and levels of serum carboxy‐terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (C‐telopeptide), osteocalcin, procollagen type 1 amino‐terminal propeptide (P1NP), bone alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and sex hormones was determined in all participants.

Results  Fetuin‐A levels did not differ significantly between male and female diabetic subjects. In a model adjusted for age, BMI, fatty liver index (FLI), time since diagnosis of diabetes, HbA1c, antidiabetic and lipid‐lowering drug therapies, smoking, total serum protein, creatinine, gamma glutamyl‐transferase, parathyroid hormone, C‐reactive protein, glomerular filtration rate, and presence of micro‐, cardio‐, and peripheral vascular diabetic complications, fetuin‐A showed a significant positive association with levels of bone ALP (r = 0·71, P = 0·006) in men. In women, fetuin‐A was significantly negatively associated with C‐telopeptide (r = −0·60, P = 0·03) levels.

Conclusions  Results suggest an independent association of fetuin‐A levels with markers of bone turnover in male and female patients with type 2 diabetes. More studies are needed to determine whether fetuin‐A could serve as a new marker for fracture risk or osteoporosis in type 2 diabetes and to explore its potential sexually dimorphic effects.
Distinct In Vitro Myelopoiesis is Dependent on the Self‐Renewal of Hematopoietic Progenitors
Authors: Hinton R. A. , Papathanasiou P. , O’Neill H. C.
Published: September 2011

Spleen and bone marrow (BM) have been shown to contain the progenitors of a novel dendritic‐like antigen‐presenting cell type (L‐DC). These progenitors are also maintained in both long‐term spleen cultures and co‐cultures of spleen or BM over the stromal cell line STX3. We examined mouse foetal liver (FL), rich in hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSC/HPC) after embryonic day (E) 12.5, for the presence of L‐DC progenitors by testing their capacity to colonize STX3 and produce L‐DC. E14.5 FL from wild‐type C57BL/6J mice was found to colonize STX3 and produce L‐DC for 28 days. By contrast, E14.5 FL from Ikaros Plastic mice gave only short‐term production of low numbers of L‐DC between 7 and 14 days of co‐culture. The transient and weak production of L‐DC by FL from Plastic E14.5 mice maps to the loss of self‐renewal capacity amongst HSC. L‐DC progenitors are, therefore, closely aligned with a subset of self‐renewing HSC/HPC in FL.
Maternal control of seed oil content in Brassica napus: the role of silique wall photosynthesis
Authors: Hua Wei , Li Rong‐Jun , Zhan Gao‐Miao , Liu Jing , Li Jun , Wang Xin‐Fa , Liu Gui‐Hua , Wang Han‐Zhong
Published: September 2011

Seed oil content is an important agronomic trait in rapeseed. However, our understanding of the regulatory processes controlling oil accumulation is still limited. Using two rapeseed lines (zy036 and 51070) with contrasting oil content, we found that maternal genotype greatly affects seed oil content. Genetic and physiological evidence indicated that difference in the local and tissue‐specific photosynthetic activity in the silique wall (a maternal tissue) was responsible for the different seed oil contents. This effect was mimicked by in planta manipulation of silique wall photosynthesis. Furthermore, the starch content and expression of the important lipid synthesis regulatory gene WRINKLED1 in developing seeds were linked with silique wall photosynthetic activity. 454 pyrosequencing was performed to explore the possible molecular mechanism for the difference in silique wall photosynthesis between zy036 and 51070. Interestingly, the results suggested that photosynthesis‐related genes were over‐represented in both total silique wall expressed genes and genes that were differentially expressed between genotypes. A potential regulatory mechanism for elevated photosynthesis in the zy036 silique wall is proposed on the basis of knowledge from Arabidopsis. Differentially expressed ribulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco)‐related genes were used for further investigations. Oil content correlated closely with BnRBCS1A expression levels and Rubisco activities in the silique wall, but not in the leaf. Taken together, our results highlight an important role of silique wall photosynthesis in the regulation of seed oil content in terms of maternal effects.
Successful conversion from twice‐daily to once‐daily tacrolimus in liver transplantation: observational multicenter study
Authors: Dopazo Cristina , Rodriguez Roberto , Llado Laura , Calatayud David , Castells Lluis , Ramos Emilio , Molina Victor , García Raquel , Fabregat Joan , Charco Ramon
Published: September 2011

Dopazo C, Rodriguez R, Llado L, Calatayud D, Castells L, Ramos E, Molina V, García R, Fabregat J, Charco R. Successful conversion from twice‐daily to once‐daily tacrolimus in liver transplantation: observational multicenter study.  Clin Transplant 2012: 26: E32–E37.  © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Background:  Compliance with immunosuppressive therapy in liver transplant patients is critical to prevent acute organ rejection and/or late graft loss. Strategies to simplify the therapeutic regimen may improve adherence.

Aim:  To evaluate the safety and efficacy of conversion from a twice‐daily to once‐daily tacrolimus formulation in adult liver transplant patients.

Patients and methods:  This prospective observational multicenter study included 187 liver transplant patients with at least 10 months post‐transplant follow‐up, no rejection episodes in the last three months, and creatinine levels <2 mg/dL. Conversion from a twice‐daily to a once‐daily formulation was based on a 1:1 proportion.

Results:  Median age was 61 yr (range: 28–80 yr); 64% were men and 36% women. The main indications for liver transplant were alcoholic cirrhosis in 30%. Median conversion time was 55 months (range: 10–215 months). Serum tacrolimus levels decreased at one month after conversion (pre‐conversion levels = 5.4 ± 3.0 ng/mL vs. post‐conversion levels = 4.4 ± 2.4 ng/mL, p = 0.013); however, these values normalized at six months post‐conversion with no changes in liver function and rejection episodes were observed only in two patients.

Conclusion:  Conversion from a twice‐daily to a once‐daily tacrolimus formulation is a safe, effective strategy in the management of stable liver transplant patients.
The basis for Canada's new low‐risk drinking guidelines: A relative risk approach to estimating hazardous levels and patterns of alcohol use
Authors: STOCKWELL TIM , BUTT PETER , BEIRNESS DOUG , GLIKSMAN LOUIS , PARADIS CATHERINE
Published: September 2011

Issue. Low‐risk drinking guidelines have been developed independently in a number of jurisdictions resulting in different sets of advice with different definitions of ‘low risk’. This paper discusses some of the fundamental issues addressed by an expert advisory panel during the course of developing national guidelines for Canadians and summarises key sets of evidence that were influential.

Approach. The underlying reasoning and connection between the evidence and the guidelines is discussed in relation to: (i) how to minimise risk of long‐term illnesses; (ii) how to minimise risk of short‐term harms, for example injury; and (iii) alcohol use during pregnancy. Both absolute and relative risks were considered in the development of the guidelines.

Findings. Meta‐analyses of all‐cause mortality were used to identify upper limits for usual drinking levels where potential benefits and risks were balanced for the average person in comparison with lifetime abstainers (10 standard drinks per week for women, 15 for men). Emergency room studies and situational risk factors were considered for advice on reducing short‐term: (i) when not to drink at all; (ii) how to reduce intoxication; and (iii) upper limits for occasional daily consumption by adults aged 25 to 64 years (3 standard drinks for women, 4 for men). Shortcomings in the research data were highlighted.

Implications. It was estimated that total compliance with these guidelines at a national level would result in substantially reduced per capita alcohol consumption and approximately 4600 fewer deaths per year.[Stockwell T, Butt P, Beirness D, Gliksman L, Paradis C. The basis for Canada's new low‐risk drinking guidelines: A relative risk approach to estimating hazardous levels and patterns of alcohol use. Drug Alcohol Rev 2012;31:126–134]
What place, if any, does information on putative cardioprotective effects of moderate alcohol use have in safer drinking guidelines?
Authors: HALL WAYNE
Published: September 2011

Introduction and Aims. The majority view among alcohol epidemiologists is that the lower coronary heart disease mortality observed in moderate drinkers is probably evidence for a protective effect of moderate drinking. In this paper I critically discuss the debate about what type of information, if any, should be provided to the public about the putative coronary heart disease benefits of moderate alcohol use.

Results. Most opposition to informing the public about these putative benefits is based on the fear that such advice will increase per capita alcohol consumption and therefore alcohol‐related harm. It is unclear how well‐based these concerns are. In the interim, the alcohol industry has communicated these putative benefits to the public.

Conclusions. There is a case for including some information on these putative benefits in specific safer drinking guidelines for middle‐aged and older drinkers that: clearly conveys the remaining uncertainty about the benefits of moderate drinking, emphasises the conditional nature of any such benefits, and stresses the need to balance the potential benefits against the increased sensitivity of older adults to other adverse effects of alcohol, and the increased risk of interactions between alcohol and other medications used by older adults.[Hall W. What place, if any, does information on putative cardioprotective effects of moderate alcohol use have in safer drinking guidelines? Drug Alcohol Rev 2012;31:194–197]
The Dynamism of Organizational Practices: The Role of Employment Blueprints
Authors: Romme A. Georges L. , Antonacopoulou Elena P. , Mulders Deborah E. M. , Taylor M. Susan
Published: September 2011

This paper explores how founders’ blueprints affect the dynamism of organizational practices, and in particular the capability to sustain as well as change practices. First, a theoretical argument is developed on the critical role of founders’ blueprints of the employment model, which are difficult to alter and mark firms’ future paths by affecting the dynamism of organizational practices over an extended period of time. Subsequently, case studies of several organizational practices in three management consulting firms in the USA, the Netherlands and the UK illustrate how founders’ conceptions of the employment relationship (i.e. their employment model) affect the way in which competing demands of continuity and renewal are addressed. Moreover, engineering‐ or commitment‐oriented blueprints appear to facilitate the capability to adapt, while autocratic blueprints do not.
The hyphen as a segmentation cue in triconstituent compound processing: It’s getting better all the time
Authors: BERTRAM RAYMOND , KUPERMAN VICTOR , BAAYEN R. HARALD , HYÖNÄ JUKKA
Published: September 2011

Bertram, R., Kuperman, V., Baayen, R. H. & Hyönä, J. (2011). The hyphen as a segmentation cue in triconstituent compound processing: It’s getting better all the time. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology 52, 530–544.

Inserting a hyphen in Dutch and Finnish compounds is most often illegal given spelling conventions. However, the current two eye movement experiments on triconstituent Dutch compounds like voetbalbond“footballassociation” (Experiment 1) and triconstituent Finnish compounds like lentokenttätaksi“airporttaxi” (Experiment 2) show that inserting a hyphen at constituent boundaries does not have to be detrimental to compound processing. In fact, when hyphens were inserted at the major constituent boundary (voetbal‐bond“football‐association”; lentokenttä‐taksi“airport‐taxi”), processing of the first part (voetbal“football”; lentokenttä“airport”) turns out to be faster when it is followed by a hyphen than when it is legally concatenated. Inserting a hyphen caused a delay in later eye movement measures, which is probably due to the illegality of inserting hyphens in normally concatenated compounds. However, in both Dutch and Finnish we found a learning effect in the course of the experiment, such that by the end of the experiments hyphenated compounds are read faster than in the beginning of the experiment. By the end of the experiment, compounds with a hyphen at the major constituent boundary were actually processed equally fast as (Dutch) or even faster than (Finnish) their concatenated counterparts. In contrast, hyphenation at the minor constituent boundary (voet‐balbond“foot‐ballassociation”; lento‐kenttätaksi“air‐porttaxi”) was detrimental to compound processing speed throughout the experiment. The results imply that the hyphen may be an efficient segmentation cue and that spelling illegalities can be overcome easily, as long as they make sense.
Shape Change Along Geodesics with Application to Cleft Lip Surgery
Authors: Faraway Julian J. , Trotman Carroll-Ann
Published: September 2011

Continuous shape change is represented as curves in the shape space. A method for checking the closeness of these curves to a geodesic is presented. Three large databases of short human motions are considered and shown to be well approximated by geodesics. The motions are thus approximated by two shapes on the geodesic and the rate of progress along the path. An analysis of facial motion data taken from a study of subjects with cleft lip or cleft palate is presented that allows the motion to be considered independently from the static shape. Inferential methods for assessing the change in motion are presented. The construction of predicted animated motions is discussed.
Capture–Recapture Estimation by Means of Empirical Bayesian Smoothing with an Application to the Geographical Distribution of Hidden Scrapie in Great Britain
Authors: Böhning Dankmar , Kuhnert Ronny , Vilas Victor Del Rio
Published: September 2011

The paper discusses population size estimation on the basis of a frequency distribution of zero-truncated counts and is motivated by a study on the geographical distribution of hidden scrapie in Great Britain. Aggregation of scrapie cases is considered at the county level and results in sparse zero-truncated count distributions which make the application of conventional capture–recapture procedures for estimating the hidden part of the scrapie-affected population difficult. We suggest a smoothed generalization of Zelterman’s estimator of population size which overcomes the overestimation bias of the conventional Zelterman estimator and instead produces a lower bound, which is typically larger than Chao’s lower bound estimator. The estimator uses an empirical Bayes approach with various choices for the prior distribution including a parametric choice of the gamma distribution as well as various non-parametric distributions. A simulation study investigates the performance of the new estimators, and also in comparison with conventional estimators. The empirical Bayes estimator with a non-parametric mixture model as prior performs well and the boundary problem of the conventional non-parametric discrete mixture model estimator leading to spurious population size is avoided. In the application to hidden scrapie in Great Britain the new estimators lead to maps of scrapie of observed–hidden ratios as well as completeness of the current surveillance system.
Chronic cutaneous leishmaniasis, a great mimicker with various clinical presentations: 12 years experience from Aleppo
Authors: Douba M.D. , Abbas O. , Wali A. , Nassany J. , Aouf A. , Tibbi M.S. , Kibbi A.G. , Kurban M.
Published: September 2011

Background  Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) has been an endemic disease in Aleppo, Syria for many decades. During the past 12 years, there was a clear increase in the overall incidence of the disease in the region. Treatment using intralesional method of antimonial compounds became ineffective in a considerable proportion of cases and more patients developed the chronic form of the disease.

Objectives  To categorize chronic cutaneous leishmaniasis (CCL) into different subtypes that mimic a wide spectrum of skin diseases, and to analyse the cause of this increase in the incidence of the disease as a whole and of the chronic type in particular.

Methods  A total number of 6200 patients with CL were seen in our centre, among which 1880 were initially diagnosed with CCL. Inclusion criteria for CCL included CL for more than 1 year. The diagnosis of CCL was made based on the clinical presentation and a positive Giemsa smear test. Biopsies were performed whenever the Giemsa smear was negative. Patients who had immunosuppression due to a medical condition or intake of immunosuppressive medications were excluded.

Results  Of 1880 patients, 1750 patients fit the inclusion criteria. Based on the lesion morphology, three different types of CCL were defined, among which five subtypes were observed based on clinical pattern and distribution of lesions. The two most common types of CCL were the papulonodular and plaque forms. Around 80% of all CCL cases occurred in individuals under 16 years of age and the most common location was the face (88.6% of cases).

Conclusions  CCL due to Leishmania tropica can mimic many other dermatological conditions which might lead to a delay in making the correct diagnosis resulting in increased resistance to treatment. We have illustrated eight different clinical presentations of CCL and their differential diagnoses to make physicians more aware of the atypical presentations of CCL. A new treatment plan is suggested for the high‐risk group of acute cutaneous leishmaniasis patients to decrease the likelihood of progressing to chronicity.
The importance of stressful family events in psoriatic patients: a retrospective study
Authors: Campolmi E. , Zanieri F. , Santosuosso U. , D’Erme A.M. , Betti S. , Lotti T. , Cossidente A.
Published: September 2011

Background  Psychosomatic stress events are believed to play an important role in psoriasis either by inducing or worsening the disease.

Objective  In this article, we compared the role of family stress events against other types of stress events on the psychological well being of patients and on their skin disease. We used our sample of psoriasis patients with said stress events.

Method  Patients underwent a dermatological examination which was evaluated through the PASI index. Simultaneously, they underwent interviews for psychological evaluations. The Hamilton scales were administered to assess anxiety and depression (Ham‐A scores significant >20, Ham‐D >15).

Results  It has been demonstrated that family stress influences the psychological well being more than other types of daily stress events. In fact, people with family stress events reported higher value HAM‐A (P = 0.03) and HAM‐D (P = 0.02) compared with those who reported other types of stress events. Women reported higher values of HAM‐A and HAM‐D than men. The value of PASI in the two groups (with family stress events and those with other stress events) was not statistically significant.

Conclusion  Results obtained from this analysis show the importance of family stress events on the quality of life and on psychiatric and dermatological status. For the psychological morbidity, a parallel approach of both bio‐psychiatric and skin care is recommended, especially for women.
Component characteristics of thigh muscle volume in young and older healthy men
Authors: Ogawa Madoka , Yasuda Tomohiro , Abe Takashi
Published: September 2011

The purpose of this study was to compare the component characteristics of thigh muscle volume in Japanese young and older men. The subjects in both young (YM, n = 15) and older (OM, n = 13) men were physically active (performed aerobic‐type exercise 1–3 times per week), but none of the subjects had regularly participated in resistance training for a minimum of 3 years prior to the study. Contiguous transverse magnetic resonance imaging (1·5‐T scanner) images were obtained from the thigh, and total and individual (quadriceps, hamstrings and adductors) muscle volumes were calculated by multiplying the muscle cross‐sectional area (CSA) by slice thickness and the total number of slices. Muscle length and average muscle CSA (muscle volume divided by muscle length) were determined for each muscle. Maximum voluntary isometric (MVC) knee extension and flexion strength were measured, and muscle quality was defined as MVC per unit average muscle CSA (MVC/CSA). Quadriceps muscle volume and average CSA were, respectively, 20% and 16% lower (P<0·05) in the OM than in the YM, while hamstrings and adductors muscle volumes and average CSA were similar in both groups. Knee extension and flexion MVC were lower (P<0·05) in the OM than in the YM. Knee extensor MVC/CSA was similar in the two groups, while knee flexor MVC/CSA was lower (P<0·05) in the OM than in the YM. Our results suggest that age‐related thigh muscle volume loss is muscle specific, in that greater quadriceps muscle loss was found in the older group.
Innovations in Practice: Empowering Parents, Empowering Communities: A pilot evaluation of a peer‐led parenting programme
Authors: Day Crispin , Michelson Daniel , Thomson Stacey , Penney Caroline , Draper Lucy
Published: September 2011

Background:  Efficacious parenting interventions are under‐utilised in mainstream services. Empowering Parents, Empowering Communities (EPEC) aims to increase community access to effective parenting support through a peer‐led manualised intervention.

Method:  Training outcomes, clinical effectiveness and acceptability of EPEC were evaluated using a pre‐post cohort design. Data were collected from trained peer facilitators (n=31) and parenting group participants (n=73).

Results:  Peer facilitators demonstrated significantly increased knowledge of and confidence in delivering parenting groups. Parents attending groups reported improvements in child behaviour and parenting stress, and high satisfaction.

Conclusions:  Early evidence suggests that EPEC may be an effective and acceptable service model in socially disadvantaged communities.
“Because Being Fat Means Being Sick”: Children at Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Eriksen Shelley J. , Manke Beth
Published: September 2011

This study addresses the social and cultural underpinnings that shape children’s risk of type 2 diabetes, as identified by a racially and economically diverse group of parents and their children living in Anaheim, California. Based on in‐depth interviews with 28 adults and 17 children, we explored how they understood what constitutes “good health” in children and the aspects of their neighborhoods and communities that acted as resources or impediments to their children’s well‐being. We found that parents and children employed a language of food that reflected a fear‐based, medicalized orientation to food consumption. Although nearly all agreed that children should stay active, densely populated neighborhoods, apartment complexes with rigid outdoor rules, high crime rates, police surveillance, and diminished access to public parks and recreational facilities posed challenges. Similarly problematic were deficits in school lunch programs and the limited sometimes demeaning, conversations with healthcare professionals about diabetes risk and prevention. Together, these narratives identify key structural processes attendant to type 2 diabetes risk in children and call for a more politicized conversation regarding prevention strategies and public healthcare practices.
A Risk Assessment Model for Enterotoxigenic Staphylococcus aureus in Pasteurized Milk: A Potential Route to Source‐Level Inference
Authors: Barker G. C. , Goméz‐Tomé N.
Published: September 2011

This article describes a probabilistic model that quantifies hazards that arise from Staphylococcus aureus in milk that is sold as pasteurized in the United Kingdom. The model is centered on coupled dynamics for S. aureus populations, staphylococcal enterotoxins, and the concentration of alkaline phosphatase throughout the milk chain. The chain includes farm collection and storage of pooled milk, further pooling for off‐farm processing, high temperature short time thermal processing, and possible postprocess contamination. The model is implemented as a Bayesian belief network. The results indicate that milk sold as pasteurized is relatively safe with respect to the hazards associated with S. aureus and that most risk is associated with small scale on‐farm processing. An additional analysis of likelihood ratios shows that alkaline phosphatase concentrations in filler tank milk are a good indicator of potential hazards and that these concentrations, in conjunction with other measurements, can be used effectively to discriminate over possible failure modes. The ability to discriminate over potential failure modes can support preemptive actions, such as maintenance or hygiene, which assist with milk chain management and, over extended periods, accumulate to drive improved safety, efficiency, and security.
Research of masticatory function using hemiplegia simulator equipment
Authors: Ohsawa Ichiro , Uematsu Hiroshi
Published: September 2011

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2011.00559.x
 
Research of masticatory function using hemiplegia simulator equipment

Background and objective:  Hemiplegic patients often exhibit a characteristic condition called Wernicke‐Mann contracture. Therefore, the occlusal pattern in hemiplegic patients is considered to be adapted to stress because of this characteristic limb position. We created a sham Wernicke‐Mann contracture in healthy individuals using hemiplegia simulator equipment and compared the functional occlusion in this position with that in the normal state to evaluate dynamic adaptive responses.

Methods:  Wernicke‐Mann contracture was simulated using a device to create sham hemiplegia (Manabi‐tai, Hemiplegia Experiencing Set; Tokushu‐iryo, Inc.). In addition to the measurement of the occlusal force using Dental Prescale® and Occluzer®, the occlusion was evaluated using an electromyogram and stabilometer.

Results:  There was a significant difference in the occlusal force between the normal state and during simulated hemiplegia. The surface electromyo‐potential of the masseter muscle showed significantly higher values during simulated hemiplegia. It is significantly higher during simulated hemiplegia than in the normal state on the paralysed side, but not for the normal state on the non‐paralysed side. The position and velocity vectors changed in the antero‐posterior direction in the normal state but in the lateral direction during simulated hemiplegia.

Conclusions:  The hemiplegia simulator equipment is useful for research on hemiplegia, and that the occlusal balance is disturbed in the posture characteristic of hemiplegia.
Effects of phosphatidylethanolamine N‐methyltransferase on phospholipid composition, microvillus formation and bile salt resistance in LLC‐PK1 cells
Authors: Morita Shin‐ya , Ikeda Noriaki , Horikami Manami , Soda Kuriko , Ishihara Kosuke , Teraoka Reiko , Terada Tomohiro , Kitagawa Shuji
Published: September 2011

Bile salts are potent detergents and can disrupt cellular membranes, which causes cholestasis and hepatocellular injury. However, the mechanism for the resistance of the canalicular membrane against bile salts is not clear. Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) is converted to phosphatidylcholine (PC) in the liver by phosphatidylethanolamine N‐methyltransferase (PEMT). In this study, to investigate the effect of PEMT expression on the resistance to bile salts, we established an LLC‐PK1 cell line stably expressing PEMT. By using enzymatic assays, we showed that the expression of PEMT increased the cellular PC content, lowered the PE content, but had no effect on the sphingomyelin content. Consequently, PEMT expression led to reductions in PE/PC and sphingomyelin/PC ratios. Mass spectrometry demonstrated that PEMT expression increased the levels of PC species containing longer acyl chains and almost all ether‐linked PC species. PEMT expression enhanced the resistance to duramycin and lysenin, suggesting decreased ratios of PE and sphingomyelin in the apical membrane, respectively. In addition, SEM revealed that PEMT expression increased the diameter of microvilli. The expression of PEMT resulted in reduced resistance to unconjugated bile salts, but surprisingly in increased resistance to conjugated bile salts, which might be attributable to modifications of the phospholipid composition and/or structure in the apical membrane. Because most bile salts exist as conjugated forms in the bile canaliculi, PEMT may be important in the protection of hepatocytes from bile salts and in cholestatic liver injury.
The link between the star formation history and [α/Fe ]
Authors: de la Rosa Ignacio G. , La Barbera Francesco , Ferreras Ignacio , de Carvalho Reinaldo R.
Published: September 2011

The abundance ratios between key elements such as iron and α-process elements carry a wealth of information on the star formation history (SFH) of galaxies. So far, simple chemical evolution models have linked [α/Fe ] with the SFH time-scale, correlating large abundance ratios with short-lived SFH. The incorporation of full spectral fitting to the analysis of stellar populations allows for a more quantitative constraint between [α/Fe ] and the SFH. In this letter, we provide, for the first time, an empirical correlation between [α/Fe ] (measured from spectral indices) and the SFH (determined via a non-parametric spectral-fitting method). We offer an empirical version of the iconic outline of Thomas et al., relating star formation time-scale with galaxy mass, although our results suggest, in contrast, a significant population of old (≳10 Gyr) stars even for the lowest mass ellipticals (M/dyn ∼ 3 × 1010 M⊙). In addition, the abundance ratio is found to be strongly correlated with the time to build up the stellar component, showing that the highest [α/Fe ] (≳+0.2) are attained by galaxies with the shortest half-mass formation time (≲2 Gyr), or equivalently, with the smallest (≲40 per cent) fraction of populations younger than 10 Gyr. These observational results support the standard hypothesis that star formation incorporates the Fe-enriched interstellar medium into stars, lowering the high abundance ratio of the old populations.
Morphology of the odontocete melon and its implications for acoustic function
Authors: McKenna Megan F. , Cranford Ted W. , Berta Annalisa , Pyenson Nicholas D.
Published: September 2011

Abstract

Toothed whales (crown Odontoceti) are unique among mammals in their ability to echolocate underwater, using specialized tissue structures. The melon, a structure composed of fat and connective tissue, is an important component in the production of an echolocation beam; it is known to focus high frequency, short duration echolocation clicks. Here, we report on the morphology of the odontocete melon to provide a comprehensive understanding of melon structure across odontocete taxa. This study examined nine odontocete species (12 individual specimens), from five of the ten extant odontocete families. We established standardized definitions using computed tomography scans of the melon to investigate structure without losing geometric integrity. The morphological features that relate to the focusing capacity of the melon include internal density topography, melon size and shape, and relationship to other forehead structures. The potential for melon structure to act as a filter is discussed: establishing a lower limit to the frequency of sounds that can be propagated through the head. Collectively, the results of this study provide a robust, quantitative and comparative framework for evaluating tissue structures that form a key component of the echolocation apparatus.
Respiratory viruses in children with cystic fibrosis: viral detection and clinical findings
Authors: Burns Jane L. , Emerson Julia , Kuypers Jane , Campbell Angela P. , Gibson Ronald L. , McNamara Sharon , Worrell Kelly , Englund Janet A.
Published: September 2011

Please cite this paper as: Burns et al. (2011) Respiratory viruses in children with cystic fibrosis: viral detection and clinical findings. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 6(3), 218–223.

Background  Viral detection from different respiratory sample types in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) is facilitated by available molecular methods, but optimum sampling strategies have not been identified. In addition, associations between viral detection and respiratory symptoms are not well described.

Objectives  Study goals were to compare molecular detection of viruses from concurrent upper airway and sputum samples in children with CF and to describe relative frequency of respiratory viral infections and identify potential clinical associations.

Methods  We conducted a 2‐year prospective surveillance study in 44 children with CF aged 6–18 years. Upper airway and sputum samples were collected quarterly and during pulmonary exacerbations and tested for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza viruses, parainfluenza viruses types 1–4, human metapneumovirus, coronaviruses, rhinoviruses, and adenoviruses. Physical exams and symptom surveys were used to identify respiratory signs and symptoms.

Results  Upper airway samples were collected at 359 visits; concordance of PCR‐based viral detection was examined in a subset of paired upper airway and sputum samples from 21 participants at 92 visits. Rhinovirus was the most commonly detected virus (23·1% overall), and rhinovirus detection was the same for both sample types (21·7% each). Sensitivity and specificity for the detection of rhinovirus in sputum relative to upper airway sampling were 70% and 91·7%, respectively. Respiratory symptoms associated with rhinovirus detection included increased cough, increased nasal congestion, increased sputum production, and wheezing.

Conclusions  A relatively high frequency of rhinovirus detection was observed by either upper airway or sputum samples, and clinical findings suggest a significant‐associated symptom burden.
Multisite virological influenza surveillance in India: 2004–2008
Authors: Chadha Mandeep S. , Broor Shobha , Gunasekaran Palani , Potdar Varsha A. , Krishnan Anand , Chawla‐Sarkar Mamta , Biswas Dipankar , Abraham Asha M. , Jalgaonkar Suresh V. , Kaur Harpreet , Klimov Alexander , Lal Renu B. , Moen Ann , Kant Lalit , Mishra Akhilesh C.
Published: September 2011

Please cite this paper as: Chadha et al. (2011) Multi site Virological Influenza Surveillance in India: 2004–2008. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 6(3), 196–203.

Background  Influenza surveillance is important to identify circulating, emerging/reemerging strains and unusual epidemiological trends. With these objectives, a multisite human influenza surveillance network was initiated in India in 2004.

Methods  Epidemiologic data and throat swabs for laboratory testing were collected from patients with influenza‐like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI). Virus isolation was carried out in Madin–Darby canine kidney cells and strains identified by hemagglutination inhibition assay. Meteorological data were collected.

Results  From September 2004 to December 2008, 617 (4·43%) of 13928 cases yielded isolates: 27·8% were influenza A(H1N1), 29·8% were type A(H3N2), and 42·3% were type B. The yearly type and subtype distribution varied significantly from site to site. Peak influenza activity was observed from June to August in Delhi, Pune, and Kolkata and October to December in Chennai. Maximum influenza activity was seen during the rains in Delhi, Pune, Chennai, and Kolkata in correlation with virus isolations. Multivariate analysis of ILI cases showed chill/rigors, cough, fatigue, and ILI in family, correlated positively with isolation. Genetic analysis of Indian isolates revealed that viruses matched with vaccine strains by and large. Overlapping between circulating and vaccine component strains of consecutive years was also observed.

Conclusions  Seasonal influenza A(H1N1), H3N2, and type B co‐circulated in all regions without any particular pattern of movement of any subtype. Year‐round limited influenza activity with peaks during rains was observed. Genetic drifts and varying seasonality in different parts of the country suggest that a staggered timing of vaccination may be appropriate for India.
No evidence of a link between influenza vaccines and Guillain–Barre syndrome–associated antiganglioside antibodies
Authors: Wang David J. , Boltz David A. , McElhaney Janet , McCullers Jonathan A. , Webby Richard J. , Webster Robert G.
Published: September 2011

Please cite this paper as: Wang et al. (2011) No evidence of a link between influenza vaccines and Guillain–Barre syndrome–associated antiganglioside antibodies. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 6(3), 159–166.

Background  Guillain–Barre syndrome (GBS) is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by acute, progressive peripheral neuropathy and is commonly associated with the presence of antiganglioside antibodies. Previously, influenza vaccination was linked with the increased incidence of GBS; however, whether antiganglioside antibodies are subsequently induced remains unresolved.

Methods  Sera from human subjects vaccinated with seasonal influenza vaccines from the 2007–2008, 2008–2009, or 1976–1977 influenza seasons were screened for the induction of immunity to influenza and the presence of antiganglioside antibodies pre‐ and post‐vaccination. Likewise, sera from mice vaccinated with seasonal influenza vaccines (1988–1989, 2007–2008) or “swine flu” pandemic vaccines (1976, 2009) were assessed in the same manner. Viruses were also screened for cross‐reacting ganglioside epitopes.

Results  Antiganglioside antibodies were found to recognize influenza viruses; this reactivity correlated with virus glycosylation. Antibodies to influenza viruses were detected in human and mouse sera, but the prevalence of antiganglioside antibodies was extremely low.

Conclusions  Although the correlation between antiganglioside antibody cross‐reactivity and glycosylation of viruses suggests the role of shared carbohydrate epitopes, no correlation was observed between hemagglutinin‐inhibition titers and the induction of antiganglioside antibodies after influenza vaccination.
A short clinical overview of Prader–Willi syndrome
Authors: McAllister C. J. , Whittington J. E.
Published: September 2011

Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) is a multifaceted developmental disorder most commonly associated with extreme hyperphagia and life‐threatening obesity. PWS is a genetic disorder of imprinting with almost all cases occurring spontaneously. Behavioural and imaging studies have shown that obesity in PWS arises from overeating driven by a faulty satiety mechanism which manifests as an almost permanent state similar to starvation. With no available treatments, management of the eating behaviour is the only option and has two main strategies: restrict access to food and distract thoughts from food. In this mini review, which we have aimed at clinicians, we outline the main aspects of PWS including genetics, development of the eating behaviour and best practice approaches to management.
Physical Limitations for the Bandwidth Frequency of a Pressure Controlled, Axial-Piston Pump
Authors: Manring Noah D. , Mehta Viral S.
Published: September 2011

The objectives of this paper are to identify the design parameters that have the greatest impact on the bandwidth frequency of a pressure controlled, axial-piston pump. This study is motivated by the fact that a physical limitation for these machines has been observed in practice, as it has been difficult to increase the bandwidth frequency much beyond 25 Hz. Though much research has been done over the past thirty years to understand the dynamical behavior of these machines, the essential design-characteristics that determine the bandwidth frequency of the pump remain elusive. In part, this is due to the fact that the machine is complex and when coupled with a hydraulic control valve that is disturbed by steady and transient fluid-momentum effects this dynamical property becomes difficult to assess. In order to achieve the objectives of this research, this paper presents the most comprehensive pump-and-valve model of a pressure controlled, axial-piston machine available in the literature to date. The pump model includes the effects of the discrete pumping-elements acting on the swash plate, while the valve model includes both steady and transient fluid-momentum forces. To identify the dominate features of the model, nondimensional analysis is employed and the complexity of the model is subsequently reduced by eliminating negligible terms. Furthermore, a closed-form expression for the bandwidth frequency is employed and perturbation analysis is used to identify the dominant set of parameters that impact the bandwidth frequency of the pump. In conclusion, it is shown that, by far, the greatest impact on the bandwidth frequency may be achieved by reducing the swept volume of the control actuator and by increasing the flow capacity of the control valve.
Making Earth Science Data Accessible and Usable in Education
Authors: Ledley Tamara Shapiro , Dahlman LuAnn , McAuliffe Carla , Haddad Nick , Taber Michael R. , Domenico Ben , Lynds Susan , Grogan Marian
Published: September 2011

The Earth Exploration Toolbook provides instructions on accessing and analyzing Earth science data to explore scientific concepts and issues.
TAL Effectors: Customizable Proteins for DNA Targeting
Authors: Bogdanove Adam J. , Voytas Daniel F.
Published: September 2011

Generating and applying new knowledge from the wealth of available genomic information is hindered, in part, by the difficulty of altering nucleotide sequences and expression of genes in living cells in a targeted fashion. Progress has been made in engineering DNA binding domains to direct proteins to particular sequences for mutagenesis or manipulation of transcription; however, achieving the requisite specificities has been challenging. Transcription activator–like (TAL) effectors of plant pathogenic bacteria contain a modular DNA binding domain that appears to overcome this challenge. Comprising tandem, polymorphic amino acid repeats that individually specify contiguous nucleotides in DNA, this domain is being deployed in DNA targeting for applications ranging from understanding gene function in model organisms to improving traits in crop plants to treating genetic disorders in people.
Linking Models of Polymerization and Dynamics to Predict Branched Polymer Structure and Flow
Authors: Read Daniel J. , Auhl Dietmar , Das Chinmay , den Doelder Jaap , Kapnistos Michael , Vittorias Iakovos , McLeish Tom C. B.
Published: September 2011

The complex flow behavior of a branched polymer can be predicted from its chemical structure.