bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of a sphingolipid‐specific phospholipase D activity associated with the generation of phytoceramide‐1‐phosphate in cabbage leaves
Authors: Tanaka Tamotsu , Kida Takashi , Imai Hiroyuki , Morishige Jun‐ichi , Yamashita Ryouhei , Matsuoka Hisatsugu , Uozumi Sachika , Satouchi Kiyoshi , Nagano Minoru , Tokumura Akira
Published: June 2013

The structure and biosynthetic route for an unidentified lipid (lipid X) detected by TLC of cabbage (Brassica oleracea) lipids was determined. Lipid X is a phospholipid that is resistant to mild alkali and detectable by MALDI‐TOF MS as an adduct with Phos‐tag, a phosphate‐capture zinc complex. Various α‐hydroxy fatty acids (16:0, 22:0, 24:0 and 24:1) were detected by GC‐MS of fatty acid methyl esters prepared from lipid X. The deacyl derivative of lipid X was determined to be 4‐hydroxysphingenine (dehydrophytosphingosine)‐1‐phosphate by MALDI‐TOF MS with Phos‐tag. From these results, lipid X was determined to be phytoceramide‐1‐phosphate (PC1P) with an α‐hydroxy fatty acid. When cabbage homogenates were incubated, PC1P was formed, with a concomitant decrease in the amount of glycosylinositol phosphoceramide (GIPC). The formation of PC1P from GIPC was confirmed by treatment of purified cabbage GIPC with a membrane fraction of cabbage homogenates. Using a partially purified enzyme fraction, we found that the enzyme hydrolyzes GIPC specifically, but not glycerophospholipids and sphingomyelin. Arabidopsis thaliana also had this enzyme activity. From these results, we conclude that a previously uncharacterized phospholipase D activity that specifically hydrolyzes GIPC produces PC1P in brassicaceous plants.
Assessing physiological tipping point of sea urchin larvae exposed to a broad range of pH
Authors: Dorey Narimane , Lançon Pauline , Thorndyke Mike , Dupont Sam
Published: June 2013

Our ability to project the impact of global change on marine ecosystem is limited by our poor understanding on how to predict species sensitivity. For example, the impact of ocean acidification is highly species‐specific, even in closely related taxa. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the tolerance range of a given species to decreased pH corresponds to their natural range of exposure. Larvae of the green sea urchin Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis were cultured from fertilization to metamorphic competence (29 days) under a wide range of pH (from pHT = 8.0/pCO2 ≈ 480 μatm to pHT = 6.5/pCO2 ≈ 20 000 μatm) covering present (from pHT 8.7 to 7.6), projected near‐future variability (from pHT 8.3 to 7.2) and beyond. Decreasing pH impacted all tested parameters (mortality, symmetry, growth, morphometry and respiration). Development of normal, although showing morphological plasticity, swimming larvae was possible as low as pHT ≥ 7.0. Within that range, decreasing pH increased mortality and asymmetry and decreased body length (BL) growth rate. Larvae raised at lowered pH and with similar BL had shorter arms and a wider body. Relative to a given BL, respiration rates and stomach volume both increased with decreasing pH suggesting changes in energy budget. At the lowest pHs (pHT ≤ 6.5), all the tested parameters were strongly negatively affected and no larva survived past 13 days post fertilization. In conclusion, sea urchin larvae appeared to be highly plastic when exposed to decreased pH until a physiological tipping point at pHT = 7.0. However, this plasticity was associated with direct (increased mortality) and indirect (decreased growth) consequences for fitness.
The Epistemology of the Book of Revelation
Authors: Newton Jon Kenneth
Published: June 2013

Recent developments in Christian philosophy, in particular epistemology, need to be enriched by a study of epistemology in the Bible. This article uncovers the epistemological assumptions of the Book of Revelation (specifically related to spiritual experience, revelation, and eschatological vindication) and points out how they may advance the development of a contemporary Christian epistemology.
Mean platelet volume is decreased in HIV‐infected women
Authors: Qadri S , Holman S , DeHovitz J , Crystal H , Minkoff H , Lazar JM
Published: June 2013

Objectives

HIV infection is associated with higher than expected cardiovascular event rates and lowered platelet counts. These conditions are associated with an elevation of mean platelet volume (MPV). The present study compared MPV in HIV‐infected and uninfected women and identified factors influencing MPV values in HIV‐infected women.

Methods

A total of 234 HIV‐infected and 134 HIV‐uninfected participants from the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS) had MPV values obtained. HIV‐infected women were older, were more likely to have diabetes and had higher triglyceride levels than HIV‐uninfected women.

Results

The mean platelet count was lower in HIV‐infected vs. uninfected women [249 cells/μL (95% confidence interval (CI) 238, 259 cells/μL) vs. 276 cells/μL (95% CI 265, 287 cells/μL), respectively; P < 0.01]. Adjusted mean MPV values were lower in the HIV‐infected than in the uninfected group [8.66 fL (95% CI 8.52, 8.79 fL) vs. 9.05 fL (95% CI 8.87, 9.24 fL), respectively]. In multiple regression analysis, after adjusting for other covariates, MPV was positively associated with platelet count, and negatively with HIV infection (model R2 = 0.20; P < 0.01). In multiple regression analysis confined to HIV‐infected women, a lower MPV was independently associated with a history of AIDS‐defining illness (R2 = 0.28; P = 0.03), but not with nadir CD4 count or highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) use.

Conclusions

HIV‐infected women had lower MPV values than uninfected women, suggesting impaired production rather than increased destruction. Higher than expected cardiovascular event rates cannot be attributed to greater platelet reactivity as measured by MPV.
Evaluation of ABX Pentra DX 120 and Sysmex XE‐2100 in umbilical cord blood
Authors: Kim H. , Hur M. , Choi S.‐G. , Kim B.‐H. , Moon H.‐W. , Yun Y.‐M. , Hwang H. S. , Kwon H. S. , Sohn I. S.
Published: June 2013

Introduction

Cord blood (CB) is an important source of hematopoietic stem cells and reflects the hematologic status of neonates. ABX Pentra DX 120 (Horiba Medical, Montpellier, France) and Sysmex XE‐2100 (Sysmex, Kobe, Japan) were compared in 200 CB specimens.

Methods

Complete blood count parameters including white blood cell (WBC) differential counts were compared between the two analyzers. Double differential matrix (DDX) by ABX Pentra DX 120 and hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) by Sysmex XE‐2100 were compared with CD34+ cells by flow cytometry.

Results

Most of the parameters showed acceptable correlation between the two analyzers. Although WBC differential of both analyzers showed acceptable correlation with manual counts, mononuclear cells (MNC) by ABX Pentra DX 120 better correlated with manual count than MNC by Sysmex XE‐2100. NRBC by Sysmex XE‐2100 better correlated with manual count than NRBC by ABX Pentra DX 120. ABX Pentra DX 120 showed better flagging performances. DDX better correlated with CD34+ cells than HPC.

Conclusion

Although the results from both analyzers are mostly interchangeable and reliable in CB specimens, flagging performance of ABX Pentra DX 120 seems to be superior to that of Sysmex XE‐2100. DDX by ABX Pentra DX 120 would be valuable to evaluate the quality of CB for further therapeutic utilization.
An exploratory study demonstrating the diagnostic ability of healthcare professionals in primary care using online case studies for common skin conditions
Authors: Tucker Rod , Patel Mahendra , Layton Alison L , Walton Shernaz
Published: June 2013

Objectives

To compare the diagnostic ability of pharmacists, nurses and general practitioners (GPs) for a range of skin conditions.

Methods

An online study comprising 10 specifically developed dermatological case studies containing a digital image of the skin condition and a short case history. A total of 60 participants (20 representing each of pharmacists, GPs and primary care nurses) were required to identify the skin condition as well as the features in the case history that supported the diagnosis and the recommended first-line management approach for the condition.

Key findings

The mean diagnostic scores for each group were GPs = 8.8 (95% confidence interval, CI, 7.9–9.6), pharmacists = 6.2 (95% CI, 5.4–6.9) and nurses = 7.0 (95% CI, 6.1–7.9). Post hoc analysis revealed that the difference in mean diagnostic scores was significant (P < 0.05) between GPs and both pharmacists and nurses. However, pharmacists' diagnostic accuracy was similar to GPs' for some skin conditions such as tinea corporis, scabies and plantar warts and overall at least 40% of pharmacists correctly identified all conditions.

Conclusion

This small study has demonstrated that for all of the skin conditions considered, pharmacists' overall diagnostic scores were significantly different from those of GPs but similar to those of nurses for the conditions assessed. However, further work with a larger sample is required to determine the accuracy of these preliminary findings and to establish whether advice given by pharmacists in practice results in the appropriate course of action being taken.
El balance actuarial como herramienta para evaluar la sostenibilidad de los sistemas de pensiones de la seguridad social
Authors: Billig Assia , Ménard Jean‐Claude
Published: June 2013

La elección del método de elaboración del balance actuarial de un sistema de pensiones de la seguridad social viene determinada principalmente por el enfoque de financiación del sistema. En el presente artículo se demuestra mediante el ejemplo del Régimen de Pensiones del Canadá que si la evaluación de la sostenibilidad financiera de un sistema de reparto o de capitalización parcial se realiza por medio de un balance actuarial, el método utilizado deberá tener en cuenta las cotizaciones futuras de los participantes presentes y futuros. En este artículo se analizan los balances actuariales elaborados con arreglo al enfoque de grupo abierto, así como los métodos utilizados en los Estados Unidos y en Suecia.
Ampliación al sector informal de la cobertura del plan de ahorro y pensiones: el Plan Mbao de pensiones de Kenya
Authors: Musonye Kwena Rose , Turner John A.
Published: June 2013

El Plan Mbao es un plan de pensiones basado en cuentas de ahorro individuales de carácter voluntario al que pueden contribuir todos los trabadores de Kenya con independencia de su nivel de ingresos o edad. Su finalidad es crear un programa adecuado a las singularidades del sector informal y fomentar la cultura del ahorro para quienes trabajan en él. Su novedad fundamental estriba en la facilidad que ofrece a los trabajadores con ingresos reducidos para que hagan efectivas sus pequeñas contribuciones a un costo relativamente bajo, teniendo en cuenta sus escasas cotizaciones y saldos en sus cuentas corrientes. Para los afiliados tiene la ventaja de que pueden realizar sus aportaciones en cualquier momento y lugar mediante sus teléfonos móviles. El desarrollo de este nuevo sistema de ahorro ha sido posible gracias a la introducción de nuevas tecnologías, que han reducido el costo de los teléfonos móviles y del tiempo de conexión, y a la innovación empresarial que representan las transferencias por telefonía móvil. Han sido las empresas del sector privado las que han propiciado la aplicación de este plan.
Decrease in Major Amputations in Germany
Authors: Santosa Frans , Moysidis Theodoros , Kanya Susanne , Babadagi‐Hardt Zeynep , Luther Bernd , Kröger Knut
Published: June 2013

A decrease in rate of amputation has been reported from many countries. This study aims to study the trends in amputation rates in Germany. On the basis of DRG‐system, detailed lists of all amputations coded as minor amputations (OPS 5–864) and major amputations (OPS 5–865) performed between 2005 and 2010 were provided by the Federal Statistical Office. There was a significant decrease in age‐adjusted major amputation rates per 100 000 population in Germany from 27·0 in 2005 to 22·9 in 2010 (15·2%, P ≪ 0·001) in males and from 19·7 in 2005 to 14·4 in 2010 (26·9%, P ≪ 0·001) in females. Overall, minor amputation rates did not show such a decrease but increased in males (from 47·4 in 2005 to 57·8 in 2010, 21·9%, P ≪ 0·001) and remained almost unchanged in females (23·1 in 2005 and 23·9 in 2010, not significant). Reduction in major amputation rates were even more pronounced in people above 80 years, especially in males from 216 to 150 (30·5%) and in females from 168 to 117 (30·4%). The present data demonstrate an increasing overall burden of foot lesions as indicated by an increase in incidence of minor amputations but an ongoing success in the fight against amputation, resulting in a significant decrease in major amputation rates in Germany, in the 6‐year period from 2005 to 2010.
Homeless Women and Hazardous Drinking: Screening Results in a Primary Health Care Setting
Authors: Upshur Carole C. , Weinreb Linda , Bharel Monica
Published: June 2013

Background and Objectives

Screening for alcohol use in primary care is underutilized, especially for women. The current study implemented systematic women's alcohol use screening in a health care for the homeless primary care program.

Methods

All women (n = 541) seeking care over 12 months were screened.

Results

Of the 541 screening forms returned, 80 women refused to answer the alcohol use questions. Of 461 completed screens, over 40% reported no alcohol use, while 43.8% reported hazardous drinking. Hazardous drinking was significantly associated with younger age, African American race, and living on the street or in a shelter.

Discussion and Conclusions

High rates of drinking were identified among women in different housing situations and use of systematic screening was beneficial to providers.

Scientific Significance and Future Directions

Health care settings are important sites to identify hazardous drinking as well as alcohol disorders among women with unstable housing histories. The growing integration of behavioral health care into primary care, and the medical home concept, both provide opportunities for brief interventions for at‐risk drinkers, as well as treatment options for those with alcohol use disorders that may be particularly appealing to women. Findings support further investigation of the relationship of housing stability to drinking, and suggest African American women may need special attention. (Am J Addict 2014;23:117–122)
Stochastic geometry best explains spatial associations among species pairs and plant functional types in species‐rich shrublands
Authors: Perry George L. W. , Miller Ben P. , Enright Neal J. , Lamont Byron B.
Published: June 2013

Some conceptual models seeking to explain the coexistence of multiple species in hyperdiverse settings predict that species will not be randomly distributed with respect to each other. In stark contrast the ‘stochastic geometry’ model assumes that a species fine‐scale spatial distribution is independent of that of other species in the community. Empirical tests in temperate and tropical forests have provided support for both perspectives. Using point pattern analyses we assessed the prevalence of heterospecific associations between > 10 500 pairs of species and > 3400 pairs of plant functional types (PFTs) in four biodiverse shrubland communities in southwestern Australia. After controlling for first‐order effects, spatial associations between species and PFTs were rare, but were most prevalent at the least species‐rich of the four sites considered. Individuals tended to have fewer species in their local neighbourhoods than expected under a null model of random relabelling, with this departure most pronounced at the site with fewest species. The consistency of neighbourhood composition experienced by individuals of the same species is, as a result, less than the average under random mixing. Our results demonstrate that the frequency of heterospecific spatial associations is both rare in speciose systems and declines with species richness, and provide further empirical support for the stochastic geometry assumption in species‐rich communities.
Spatiotemporal dynamics of α‐ and β‐diversity across topographic gradients in the herbaceous layer of an old‐growth deciduous forest
Authors: Chapman Julia I. , McEwan Ryan W.
Published: June 2013

Understanding the factors that regulate biodiversity over spatial and temporal gradients is an important scientific objective with ramifications for theory and conservation. Species composition is known to vary across spatial gradients, but how this spatial variation is linked to temporal dynamics is less well studied. Our objective was to understand how Shannon (α) diversity, spatial species turnover (Bray–Curtis dissimilarity), and temporal species turnover (Bray–Curtis dissimilarity) varied with regard to three topographic gradients (aspect, slope and elevation) over one growing season. In April, June and August of 2011, the herbaceous layer was sampled in 320 1‐m2plots within Big Everidge Hollow, an old‐growth forest in southeastern Kentucky. Multiple regression models revealed that Shannon diversity was linearly related to aspect (negative) and slope (positive), but unimodally related to elevation, indicating steep, mid‐elevation, and south‐facing plots were most diverse. Distance decay analysis showed that significant spatial species turnover occurred across all three topographic gradients, but aspect and elevation had a greater influence on compositional dissimilarity than slope. Mean temporal species turnover was significantly greater (p < 0.001) between April and June (0.39 ± 0.02 SE) than between June and August (0.20 ± 0.01). April‐to‐June turnover was related to aspect (linear) and elevation (quadratic;r2= 0.23, p < 0.0001), suggesting greater temporal species turnover occurred on north‐facing and mid‐elevation plots during this period; however, June‐to‐August turnover was weakly related to slope only (positive linear;r2= 0.08, p = 0.006). Environmental heterogeneity generated by topography is one of many factors that may constrain or promote biodiversity through space and across time, and a solid understanding of these spatiotemporal patterns of diversity can benefit both conservation and ecological theory.
Replication of LIN28B SNP association with age of menarche in young Filipino women
Authors: Croteau‐Chonka D. C. , Lange L. A. , Lee N. R. , Adair L. S. , Mohlke K. L.
Published: June 2013

Background

Age of menarche, or the timing of first menses in girls, is a physiological trait that shows substantial genetic heritability. Earlier age of menarche is associated with increased childhood adiposity and with adult risk of obesity and cardiovascular disease.

Objectives

We sought to further characterize the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs7759938 from the menarche locus LIN28B in 827 young Filipino women from the Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey (CLHNS).

Methods

We tested rs7759938 for additive association with age of menarche and also tested whether childhood adiposity, as measured by body mass index (BMI) at age 8, mediated this relationship.

Results

We observed nominal association of rs7759938 with age of menarche (β = −0.118 years, 95% confidence interval = (−0.216, −0.020), P = 0.019) with an effect direction consistent with the previous report. We also observed suggestive evidence that the effect of the SNP on age of menarche was independent of childhood BMI.

Conclusions

These data confirm the strongest gene reported in Europeans (LIN28B) as a contributor to age of menarche in an Asian population.
Priming effects of perceived norms on behavioral intention through observability
Authors: Lewis Nehama
Published: June 2013

This paper describes research on 2 normative concepts thought to impact health behaviors: injunctive and descriptive norms. The study tests whether the extent to which the same health behavior is enacted in an observable or non‐observable setting will lead to variation in normative influence on parent intention. In online experiments conducted in Winter 2009, participants were randomized to a behavioral scenario in which the health behavior was described as occurring in an observable or non‐observable setting. For sun‐protection behaviors, observability primed the influence of descriptive norms on intention. For nutrition behaviors, observability primed the influence of injunctive norms on intention. Across both conditions, observability of the behavioral scenario increased the strength of the association between norms and intention.
Group trauma‐focused cognitive‐behavioural therapy with former child soldiers and other war‐affected boys in the DR Congo: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: McMullen John , O'Callaghan Paul , Shannon Ciaran , Black Alastair , Eakin John
Published: June 2013

Background

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been home to the world's deadliest conflict since World War II and is reported to have the largest number of child soldiers in the world. Despite evidence of the debilitating impact of war, no group‐based mental health or psychosocial intervention has been evaluated in a randomised controlled trial for psychologically distressed former child soldiers.

Method

A randomised controlled trial involving 50 boys, aged 13–17, including former child soldiers (n = 39) and other war‐affected boys (n = 11). They were randomly assigned to an intervention group, or wait‐list control group. The intervention group received a 15‐session, group‐based, culturally adapted Trauma‐Focused Cognitive–Behavioural Therapy (TF‐CBT) intervention. Assessment interviews were completed at baseline, postintervention and 3‐month follow‐up (intervention group).

Results

Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) demonstrated that, in comparison to the wait‐list control group, the TF‐CBT intervention group had highly significant reductions in posttraumatic stress symptoms, overall psychosocial distress, depression or anxiety‐like symptoms, conduct problems and a significant increase in prosocial behaviour (p < .001 for all). Effect sizes were higher when former child soldier scores were separated for sub‐analysis. Three‐month follow‐up of the intervention group found that treatment gains were maintained.

Conclusions

A culturally modified, group‐based TF‐CBT intervention was effective in reducing posttraumatic stress and psychosocial distress in former child soldiers and other war‐affected boys.
TMEM106B p.T185S regulates TMEM106B protein levels: implications for frontotemporal dementia
Authors: Nicholson Alexandra M. , Finch NiCole A. , Wojtas Aleksandra , Baker Matt C. , Perkerson Ralph B. , Castanedes‐Casey Monica , Rousseau Linda , Benussi Luisa , Binetti Giuliano , Ghidoni Roberta , Hsiung Ging‐Yuek R. , Mackenzie Ian R. , Finger Elizabeth , Boeve Bradley F. , Ertekin‐Taner Nilüfer , Graff‐Radford Neill R. , Dickson Dennis W. , Rademakers Rosa
Published: June 2013

Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) is the second leading cause of dementia in individuals under age 65. In many patients, the predominant pathology includes neuronal cytoplasmic or intranuclear inclusions of ubiquitinated TAR DNA binding protein 43 (FTLD‐TDP). Recently, a genome‐wide association study identified the first FTLD‐TDP genetic risk factor, in which variants in and around the TMEM106B gene (top SNP rs1990622) were significantly associated with FTLD‐TDP risk. Intriguingly, the most significant association was in FTLD‐TDP patients carrying progranulin (GRN) mutations. Here, we investigated to what extent the coding variant, rs3173615 (p.T185S) in linkage disequilibrium with rs1990622, affects progranulin protein (PGRN) biology and transmembrane protein 106 B (TMEM106B) regulation. First, we confirmed the association of TMEM106B variants with FTLD‐TDP in a new cohort of GRN mutation carriers. We next generated and characterized a TMEM106B‐specific antibody for investigation of this protein. Enzyme‐linked immunoassay analysis of progranulin protein levels showed similar effects upon T185 and S185 TMEM106B over‐expression. However, over‐expression of T185 consistently led to higher TMEM106B protein levels than S185. Cycloheximide treatment experiments revealed that S185 degrades faster than T185 TMEM106B, potentially due to differences in N‐glycosylation at residue N183. Together, our results provide a potential mechanism by which TMEM106B variants lead to differences in FTLD‐TDP risk.

image

We studied the p.T185S TMEM106B genetic variant previously implicated in frontotemporal dementia with TAR DNA binding protein 43 pathology caused by progranulin mutations. Our cell culture studies provide evidence that the protective S185 isoform is degraded more rapidly than T185 TMEM106B, potentially due to differences in glycosylation. These findings suggest that low TMEM106B levels might protect against FTLD‐TDP in these patients.
Neuregulin1 signaling promotes dendritic spine growth through kalirin
Authors: Cahill Michael E. , Remmers Christine , Jones Kelly A. , Xie Zhong , Sweet Robert A. , Penzes Peter
Published: June 2013

The biological functions of the neuregulin 1 (NRG1) andERBB4 genes have received much recent attention due to several studies showing associations between these genes and schizophrenia. Moreover, reduced forebrain dendritic spine density is a consistent feature of schizophrenia. It is thus important to understand the mechanisms wherebyNRG1 and erbB4 modulate spine morphogenesis. Here, we show that long‐term incubation withNRG1 increases both spine size and density in cortical pyramidal neurons.NRG1 also enhances the content of α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methylisoxazole‐4‐propionate receptors in spines. Knockdown ofERBB4 expression prevented the effects ofNRG1 on spine size, but not on spine density. The effects ofNRG1 and erbB4 on spines were mediated by the RacGEFkalirin, a well‐characterized regulator of dendritic spines. Finally, we show that environmental enrichment, known to promote spine growth, robustly enhances the levels of erbB4 protein in the forebrain. These findings provide a mechanistic link betweenNRG1 signaling and spine morphogenesis.

image

NRG1 and erbB4 increase spine size, while NRG1 activity, but not erbB4 activity, increases spine density. NRG1 also increases spine GluA1 content, and the GEF kalirin is necessary for the ability of NRG1 and erbB4 to regulate spine morphogenesis. We find that environmental enrichment, which is known to stimulate spine morphogenesis in the forebrain, increases cortical and hippocampal erbB4 expression.
Development of the Two‐Dimensional Mood Scale for self‐monitoring and self‐regulation of momentary mood states
Authors: Sakairi Yosuke , Nakatsuka Kentaro , Shimizu Takeshi
Published: June 2013

The purpose of this study was to develop a measure for self‐monitoring and self‐regulation of momentary mood states. The Two‐Dimensional Mood Scale (TDMS), consisting of eight words selected on the basis of pleasure and arousal, was created as an efficient measure of self‐monitoring. In Study 1, the validity and reliability of the TDMS were examined by administering the measure to 904 university students. Structural equation modeling revealed that mood states were constructed of two components, arousal and pleasure, and factor analysis found two factors, vitality and stability. In Study 2, differences between two mood manipulations, activation (exercise) and relaxation techniques were examined in 224 university students. The results showed that exercise induced higher vitality (, ) but no change in stability (, ), while relaxation resulted in an increase in stability (, ) but no change in vitality (, ). The TDMS can be combined with various mood manipulations to enable individuals to self‐regulate and alter negative psychological states.
Human umbilical vein endothelial cells synergize osteo/odontogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells in 3D cell sheets
Authors: Prgeeth Pandula P. K. C. , Samaranayake L. P. , Jin L. J. , Zhang C. F.
Published: June 2013

Background and Objective

To investigate the expression of osteo/odontogenic differentiation markers and vascular network formation in a 3D cell sheet with varying cell ratios of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

Material and Methods

Human PDLSCs were isolated and characterized by flow cytometry, and co‐cultured with HUVECs for the construction of cell sheets. Both types of cells were seeded on temperature‐responsive culture dishes with PDLSCs alone, HUVECs alone and various ratios of the latter cells (1 : 1, 2 : 1, 5 : 1 and 1 : 5) to obtain confluent cell sheets. The expressions of osteo/odontogenic pathway markers, including alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone sialoprotein (BSP) and runt‐related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), were analyzed at 3 and 7 d using RT‐PCR. Further ALP protein quantification was performed at 7 and 14 d using ALP assay. The calcium nodule formation was assessed qualitatively and quantitatively by alizarin red assay. Histological evaluations of three cell sheet constructs treated with different combinations (PDLSC–PDLSC–PDLSC/PDLSC–HUVEC–PDLSC/co‐culture–co‐culture–co‐culture) were performed with hematoxylin and eosin and immunofluorescence staining. Statistical analysis was performed using t‐test (p < 0.05).

Results

Significantly higher ALP gene expression was observed at 3 d in 1 : 1 (PDLSC–HUVEC) (2.52 ± 0.67) and 5 : 1 (4.05 ± 1.07) co‐culture groups compared with other groups (p < 0.05); this was consistent with ALP protein quantification. However, the expression of BSP and RUNX2 genes was higher at 7 d compared to 3 d. Significant calcium mineralization was detected as quantified by alizarin red assay at 14 d in 1 : 1 (1323.55 ± 6.54 μm) and 5 : 1 (994.67 ± 4.15 μm) co‐cultures as compared with monoculture cell sheets (p < 0.05). Hematoxylin and eosin and CD31 immunostaining clearly exemplified the development of a layered cell sheet structure with endothelial cell islands within the constructed PDLSC–HUVEC–PDLSC and co‐culture groups. Furthermore, HUVECs invaded the layered cell sheet, suggestive of rudimentary vascular network initiation.

Conclusion

This study suggests that the PDLSC–HUVEC co‐culture, cell sheet, model exhibits significantly high levels of osteo/odontogenic markers with signs of initial vascular formation. This novel 3D cell sheet‐based approach may be potentially beneficial for periodontal regenerative therapy.
Rural‐Urban Differences in Inpatient Quality of Care in US Veterans With Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Phipps Michael S. , Jia Huanguang , Chumbler Neale R. , Li Xinli , Castro Jaime G. , Myers Jennifer , Williams Linda S. , Bravata Dawn M.
Published: June 2013

Purpose

Differences in stroke care quality for patients in rural and urban locations have been suggested, but whether differences exist across Veteran Administration Medical Centers (VAMCs) is unknown. This study examines whether rural‐urban disparities exist in inpatient quality among veterans with acute ischemic stroke.

Methods

In this retrospective study, inpatient stroke care quality was assessed in a national sample of veterans with acute ischemic stroke using 14 quality indicators (QIs). Rural‐Urban Commuting Areas codes defined each VAMC's rural‐urban status. A hierarchical linear model assessed the rural‐urban differences across the 14 QIs, adjusting for patient and facility characteristics, and clustering within VAMCs.

Findings

Among 128 VAMCs, 18 (14.1%) were classified as rural VAMCs and admitted 284 (7.3%) of the 3,889 ischemic stroke patients. Rural VAMCs had statistically significantly lower unadjusted rates on 6 QIs: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis, antithrombotic at discharge, antithrombotic at day 2, lipid management, smoking cessation counseling, and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale completion, but they had higher rates of stroke education, functional assessment, and fall risk assessment. After adjustment, differences in 2 QIs remained significant—patients treated in rural VAMCs were less likely to receive DVT prophylaxis, but more likely to have documented functional assessment.

Conclusions

After adjustment for key demographic, clinical, and facility‐level characteristics, there does not appear to be a systematic difference in inpatient stroke quality between rural and urban VAMCs. Future research should seek to understand the few differences in care found that could serve as targets for future quality improvement interventions.
Relations among home literacy environment, child characteristics and print knowledge for preschool children with language impairment
Authors: Sawyer Brook E. , Justice Laura M. , Guo Ying , Logan Jessica A.R. , Petrill Stephen A. , Glenn‐Applegate Katherine , Kaderavek Joan N. , Pentimonti Jill M.
Published: June 2013

To contribute to the modest body of work examining the home literacy environment (HLE) and emergent literacy outcomes for children with disabilities, this study addressed two aims: (a) to determine the unique contributions of the HLE on print knowledge of preschool children with language impairment and (b) to identify whether specific child characteristics (oral language ability, print interest) moderated these relations. The sample consisted of 119 preschool children with language impairment. HLE was conceptualised as frequency of storybook reading and literacy teaching during book reading. Frequency of storybook reading was a unique predictor of print knowledge, which is consistent with research on children with typical language. Literacy teaching did not predict print knowledge, which diverges from research on children with typical language. No interactions between the HLE and child characteristics were significant, but language ability and print interest play a role in understanding individual differences in literacy development.
Influence of Vascular Comorbidities and Race on Erectile Dysfunction After Prostate Cancer Radiotherapy
Authors: Wang Yuefeng , Liu Tian , Rossi Peter J. , Watkins-Bruner Deborah , Hsiao Wayland , Cooper Sherrie , Yang Xiaofeng , Jani Ashesh B.
Published: June 2013

Introduction

Vascular comorbidities (VC) (hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia) are known factors related to erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. However, no data are yet available for the effects of VC on ED incidence after prostate cancer radiotherapy (XRT).

Aim

To investigate the influence of VC on post-XRT ED incidence and to further characterize ED incidence by racial groups.

Main Outcome Measures

ED incidence.

Methods

We reviewed 732 charts of patients (267 Caucasian and 465 African American [AA]) who received prostate XRT (external beam radiotherapy and/or brachytherapy) with or without hormone therapy between 1999 and 2010. The number of pre-XRT VC (0, 1, 2, or 3) was determined by medical history and medication list. ED (defined by use of erectile aids or by documentation of moderate or high sexual dysfunction on patient history) was determined pre-XRT as well as 1, 2, and 4 years post-XRT.

Results

ED incidence progressively increased from 22% pre-XRT to 58% 4 years post-XRT (P < 0.01). Additionally, ED incidence significantly increased with number of VC—4-year incidence between patients with 1 vs. 0 (P = 0.02), 2 vs. 0 (P < 0.01), 3 vs. 0 (P < 0.01), 3 vs. 1 (P < 0.01), and 3 vs. 2 (P = 0.04) VC (2 vs. 1 VC was nonsignificant). Compared with the Caucasian patients, ED incidences were slightly higher for the AA group with 0, 1, 2, and 3 comorbidities at 4 years follow-up (but statistically nonsignificant).

Conclusions

The number of VCs have a significant effect on development of post-XRT ED. Pre- and post-XRT ED appear to be independent of race when number of VCs are considered. Our results can be used to guide physicians in counseling patients on the incidence of ED by number of VC and as preliminary data for prospective efforts aimed at reducing post-XRT ED.
Variations in righting behaviour across Hermann's tortoise populations
Authors: Golubović A. , Bonnet X. , Djordjević S. , Djurakic M. , Tomović L.
Published: June 2013

In terrestrial animals with rigid protective structures, the ability to upright after being overturned can make the difference between life and death, especially in suboptimal thermal conditions or in the presence of predators. This trait is assumed to be under strong selection. Different factors can influence righting ability, body dimensions and body mass for instance. As these morphological traits diverge among populations, inter‐population variability in righting ability is expected. Previous studies on tortoises were performed within single populations and they usually focused on juveniles raised in captivity, precluding an assessment of the inter‐population variability in a natural (realistic) context. In the current study, we quantified the righting performance in four populations of free‐ranging adult tortoises. We found strong differences in righting success among populations and between genders, suggesting possible adaptations to local conditions. For instance, the topography (e.g. slopes) of each study site varied markedly. On average, males were more successful in righting themselves than females. Body size did not influence righting performances in males, but larger females were less successful compared to smaller ones. The success in righting was positively correlated with carapace domedness (height) and short bridges.
Rereading Prayer as Social Act: Examples from Shakespeare
Authors: Sterrett Joseph
Published: June 2013

Literary criticism is increasingly interested in prayer as a cultural and literary mode. This article proposes a theoretical framework for reading prayer as a performance, as an act governed by community conventions with effects in the social world. Drawing upon groundbreaking work by Marcel Mauss and Hans Georg Gadamer, and citing critical reading of Shakespeare's King Lear, The Tempest and Hamlet, I show how prayer can be read as an act defined by real and imagined audiences while retaining individual self expression.
Re‐thinking American Exceptionalism
Authors: Duquette Elizabeth
Published: June 2013

American exceptionalism has been an organizing concept in American literary and cultural studies for decades, but recent years have witnessed the proliferation of new approaches to this topic. After an introduction to the history of American exceptionalism, the essay traces the arguments of several key figures in this debate, especially Carl Schmitt and Giorgio Agamben, in order to provide an introduction to the utility of their claims for literary scholars.
OPTIMAL INVESTMENT UNDER RELATIVE PERFORMANCE CONCERNS
Authors: Espinosa Gilles‐Edouard , Touzi Nizar
Published: June 2013

We consider the problem of optimal investment when agents take into account their relative performance by comparison to their peers. Given N interacting agents, we consider the following optimization problem for agent i, :

urn:x-wiley:09601627:media:mafi12034:mafi12034-math-0002where is the utility function of agent i, his portfolio, his wealth, the average wealth of his peers, and is the parameter of relative interest for agent i. Together with some mild technical conditions, we assume that the portfolio of each agent i is restricted in some subset . We show existence and uniqueness of a Nash equilibrium in the following situations:

unconstrained agents,

constrained agents with exponential utilities and Black–Scholes financial market.

We also investigate the limit when the number of agents N goes to infinity. Finally, when the constraints sets are vector spaces, we study the impact of the s on the risk of the market.
OPTION PRICING AND HEDGING WITH SMALL TRANSACTION COSTS
Authors: Kallsen Jan , Muhle‐Karbe Johannes
Published: June 2013

An investor with constant absolute risk aversion trades a risky asset with general Itô‐dynamics, in the presence of small proportional transaction costs. In this setting, we formally derive a leading‐order optimal trading policy and the associated welfare, expressed in terms of the local dynamics of the frictionless optimizer. By applying these results in the presence of a random endowment, we obtain asymptotic formulas for utility indifference prices and hedging strategies in the presence of small transaction costs.
MARKETS FOR INFLATION‐INDEXED BONDS AS MECHANISMS FOR EFFICIENT MONETARY POLICY
Authors: Ewald Christian‐Oliver , Geissler Johannes
Published: June 2013

We consider a continuous‐time framework featuring a central bank, private agents, and a financial market. The central bank's objective is to maximize a functional, which measures the classical trade‐off between output and inflation over time plus income from the sales of inflation‐indexed bonds minus payments for the liabilities that the inflation‐indexed bonds produce at maturity. Private agents are assumed to have adaptive expectations. The financial market is modeled in continuous‐time Black–Scholes–Merton style and financial agents are averse against inflation risk, attaching an inflation risk premium to nominal bonds. Following this route, we explain demand for inflation‐indexed securities on the financial market from a no‐arbitrage assumption and derive pricing formulas for inflation‐linked bonds and calls, which lead to a supply‐demand equilibrium. Furthermore, we study the consequences that the sales of inflation‐indexed securities have on the observed inflation rate and price level. Similar to the study of Walsh, we find that the inflationary bias is significantly reduced, and hence that markets for inflation‐indexed bonds provide a mechanism to reduce inflationary bias and increase central bank's credibility.
Transcriptomic characterization of two major Fusarium resistance quantitative trait loci (QTLs), Fhb1 and Qfhs.ifa‐5A, identifies novel candidate genes
Authors: Schweiger Wolfgang , Steiner Barbara , Ametz Christian , Siegwart Gerald , Wiesenberger Gerlinde , Berthiller Franz , Lemmens Marc , Jia Haiyan , Adam Gerhard , Muehlbauer Gary J. , Kreil David P. , Buerstmayr Hermann
Published: June 2013

Fusarium head blight, caused by Fusarium graminearum, is a devastating disease of wheat. We developed near‐isogenic lines (NILs) differing in the two strongest known F. graminearum resistance quantitative trait loci (QTLs), Qfhs.ndsu‐3BS (also known as resistance gene Fhb1) and Qfhs.ifa‐5A, which are located on the short arm of chromosome 3B and on chromosome 5A, respectively. These NILs showing different levels of resistance were used to identify transcripts that are changed significantly in a QTL‐specific manner in response to the pathogen and between mock‐inoculated samples. After inoculation with F. graminearum spores, 16 transcripts showed a significantly different response for Fhb1 and 352 for Qfhs.ifa‐5A. Notably, we identified a lipid transfer protein which is constitutively at least 50‐fold more abundant in plants carrying the resistant allele of Qfhs.ifa‐5A. In addition to this candidate gene associated with Qfhs.ifa‐5A, we identified a uridine diphosphate (UDP)‐glycosyltransferase gene, designated TaUGT12887, exhibiting a positive difference in response to the pathogen in lines harbouring both QTLs relative to lines carrying only the Qfhs.ifa‐5A resistance allele, suggesting Fhb1 dependence of this transcript. Yet, this dependence was observed only in the NIL with already higher basal resistance. The complete cDNA of TaUGT12887 was reconstituted from available wheat genomic sequences, and a synthetic recoded gene was expressed in a toxin‐sensitive strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This gene conferred deoxynivalenol resistance, albeit much weaker than that observed with the previously characterized barley HvUGT13248.
Common arbuscular mycorrhizal networks amplify competition for phosphorus between seedlings and established plants
Authors: Merrild Marie P. , Ambus Per , Rosendahl Søren , Jakobsen Iver
Published: June 2013

Common mycorrhizal networks (CMNs) influence competition between plants, but reports regarding their precise effect are conflicting. We studied CMN effects on phosphorus (P) uptake and growth of seedlings as influenced by various disruptions of network components.

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicon) seedlings grew into established networks of Rhizophagus irregularis and cucumber (Cucumis sativus) in two experiments. One experiment studied seedling uptake of 32P in the network in response to cutting of cucumber shoots; the other analysed seedling uptake of P and nitrogen (N) in the presence of intact or severed arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus networks and at two soil P concentrations.

Pre‐established and intact networks suppressed growth of tomato seedlings. Cutting of cucumber shoots mitigated P deficiency symptoms of seedlings, which obtained access to P in the extraradical mycelium and thereby showed improved growth. Solitary seedlings growing in a network patch that had been severed from the CMN also grew much better than seedlings of the corresponding CMN.

Interspecific and size‐asymmetric competition between plants may be amplified rather than relaxed by CMNs that transfer P to large plants providing most carbon and render small plants P deficient. It is likely that grazing or senescence of the large plants will alleviate the network‐induced suppression of seedling growth.
Interspecific vs intraspecific patterns in leaf nitrogen of forest trees across nitrogen availability gradients
Authors: Dybzinski Ray , Farrior Caroline E. , Ollinger Scott , Pacala Stephen W.
Published: June 2013

Leaf nitrogen content (δ) coordinates with total canopy N and leaf area index (LAI) to maximize whole‐crown carbon (C) gain, but the constraints and contributions of within‐species plasticity to this phenomenon are poorly understood.

Here, we introduce a game theoretic, physiologically based community model of height‐structured competition between late‐successional tree species. Species are constrained by an increasing, but saturating, relationship between photosynthesis and leaf N per unit leaf area. Higher saturating rates carry higher fixed costs.

For a given whole‐crown N content, a C gain‐maximizing compromise exists between δ and LAI. With greater whole‐crown N, both δ and LAI increase within species. However, a shift in community composition caused by reduced understory light at high soil N availability (which competitively favors species with low leaf costs and consequent low optimal δ) counteracts the within‐species response, such that community‐level δ changes little with soil N availability. These model predictions provide a new explanation for the changes in leaf N per mass observed in data from three dominant broadleaf species in temperate deciduous forests of New England.

Attempts to understand large‐scale patterns in vegetation often omit competitive interactions and intraspecific plasticity, but here both are essential to an understanding of ecosystem‐level patterns.
The fighting hypothesis as an evolutionary explanation for the handedness polymorphism in humans: where are we?
Authors: Faurie Charlotte , Raymond Michel
Published: June 2013

The ubiquitous and persistent handedness polymorphism in humans requires an evolutionary explanation. It has been suggested that left‐handers have a frequency‐dependent advantage during a fight, such that this advantage decreases when their frequency increases. Many independent studies are providing data from interactive sports (a specific class of fights), and are very supportive of the fighting hypothesis. The only intercultural study on traditional societies is also consistent with the fighting hypothesis, although it has not yet been replicated. The frequencies of left‐handers in the few remaining violent societies are likely to be rapidly decreasing, due to Western colonization (long‐range weapons, religion, and money market) dramatically affecting the frequency‐dependent selection associated with handedness. Clearly, more data are urgently needed outside the Western influence.