bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trigonella foenum-graecumameliorates acrylamide-induced toxicity in rats: Roles of oxidative stress, proinflammatory cytokines, and DNA damage
Authors: Abdel-Daim Mohamed M. , Abd Eldaim Mabrouk A. , Hassan Abeer G.A.
Published: December 2014

Acrylamide is a hazardous substance inducing oxidative stress. Based on some evidence on the antioxidant properties of fenugreek, Trigonella foenum-graecum, this study was conducted to investigate the protective effect of fenugreek seed oil against acrylamide toxicity. Thirty-two male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into four groups. The control group was given normal saline. The second group was administered acrylamide (20 mg/kg bw orally). The third and fourth groups were administered acrylamide (20 mg/kg bw) and supplemented with 2.5% and 5% fenugreek seed oil in their diets, respectively. Acrylamide intoxication significantly increased serum levels of LDH, AST, ALT, APL, γ-GT, cholesterol, uric acid, urea, creatinine, 8-oxo-2′-deoxyguanosine, interleukin 1 beta, interleukin 6, and tumor necrosis factor α. Moreover, it increased hepatic, renal, and brain lipid peroxidation, while it impaired the activities and concentrations of the antioxidant biomarkers. Fenugreek oil supplementation normalized the altered serum parameters, prevented lipid peroxidation, and enhanced the antioxidant biomarker concentrations and activities in the hepatic, renal, and brain tissues of acrylamide-intoxicated rats in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, these results indicate that Trigonella foenum-graecum oil has a protective effect against acrylamide-induced toxicity through its free radical scavenging and potent antioxidant activities.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT: INSIGHTS FROM MINING COMMUNITIES IN GHANA
Authors: APPIAH DIVINE ODAME , OSMAN BALIKISU
Published: December 2014

The object of this paper is to ascertain the level of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) compliance of mining companies in selected mining communities in Ghana. Over the past three decades, Ghana has demonstrated considerable commitment to the conservation and management of bio-physical and socio-cultural environment. Laws and regulations have been enacted to monitor and ensure compliance for sound environmental management by mining companies. Contextually, this paper examines how communities affected by large-scale mining perceive EIA compliance and their expected role in the design and implementation of the process. The paper opines that despite the excellent environmental regulations in place, the level of enforcement and compliance has not been satisfactory. This is partly due to the neglect of priority issues affecting local communities during the processes of EIA. A higher commitment to the involvement of all stakeholders, particularly the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in environmental decision making in mining communities is highly recommended.
ASSESSING THE FRAMEWORK OF POLICY OUTCOMES: THE CASE OF THE U.S. CLEAN AIR ACT AND CLEAN WATER ACT
Authors: FOWLER LUKE
Published: December 2014

The Clean Air Act (CAA) and Clean Water Act (CWA) have been the lynchpins of the U.S. environmental policy for the last half century. Under both acts the federal government sets standards and the states implement, the outcomes of the CAA and CWA have not been the same however. While criteria air pollutants across the nation have been reduced or maintained under the management control strategies of the CAA, far less is known about the effects the CWA has had on water quality, even though, most agree water quality has improved since its implementation. These acts are built on similar frameworks, but the real difference lies on the embedded identification of assessment criteria. The CAA creates a rigid framework for the consistent identification and monitoring of air pollutants, while the CWA relies on a much more flexible system that varies over space and time. Thus, it is the embedded environmental assessment criteria within these acts that have led to different outcomes for similar policies.
USING TWO-PART QUANTILE REGRESSION TO ANALYZE HOW EARNINGS SHOCKS AFFECT STOCK REPURCHASES
Authors: CHI CHIH-YI , YU SHIH-TI , LI YI TZU , LU YU-LUNG
Published: December 2014

We examine whether firms tend to buy back their stocks to a greater extent when the managers learn there will be positive earnings impacts. We use a two-part model (Duan et al., 1983) to address this issue. First, we use a Probit model to estimate the decision of stock repurchase. Then we use Koenker and Bassett's (1978) quantile regression to estimate the dollar amount of stock repurchases. We find that when the earnings impacts are in the low quantiles, stock repurchases and earning impact are positively correlated. However, when the impacts are in the high quantiles, the relation becomes reversed.
Parameter Estimation of Three-Phase Induction Motor Using Hybrid of Genetic Algorithm and Particle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Mohammadi Hamid Reza , Akhavan Ali
Published: December 2014

A cost effective off-line method for equivalent circuit parameter estimation of an induction motor using hybrid of genetic algorithm and particle swarm optimization (HGAPSO) is proposed. The HGAPSO inherits the advantages of both genetic algorithm (GA) and particle swarm optimization (PSO). The parameter estimation methodology describes a method for estimating the steady-state equivalent circuit parameters from the motor performance characteristics, which is normally available from the nameplate data or experimental tests. In this paper, the problem formulation uses the starting torque, the full load torque, the maximum torque, and the full load power factor which are normally available from the manufacturer data. The proposed method is used to estimate the stator and rotor resistances, the stator and rotor leakage reactances, and the magnetizing reactance in the steady-state equivalent circuit. The optimization problem is formulated to minimize an objective function containing the error between the estimated and the manufacturer data. The validity of the proposed method is demonstrated for a preset model of induction motor in MATLAB/Simulink. Also, the performance evaluation of the proposed method is carried out by comparison between the results of the HGAPSO, GA, and PSO.
A Study on Herbal Finish to Prevent Bed Sore Using Mangifera indica and Triphala Dried Fruit
Authors: Deivasigamani Kiruthika , Kolandaivel Siva Kumar , Krishnamoorthi Kavitha
Published: December 2014

“Bed sores” owe their name to the observation that patients who were bedridden and not properly repositioned would often develop ulcerations or sores on their skin, typically over bony prominences. These bed sores, which result from prolonged pressure, are also called “decubitus ulcers,” “pressure sores,” “skin breakdown,” and “pressure ulcers.” They are associated with adverse health outcomes and high treatment costs. This study focuses on developing herbal finish to prevent bed sores. For this purpose, functional finishing was utilized to produce a bedsore preventing fabric. Plain weave cotton fabric was dyed by using herbal extracts, dried, and then cured. Two samples in different ratios (1 : 2 and 2 : 1) of two herbal extracts (Mangifera indica and Triphala dried fruits) were prepared with and without binder (chitosan). Air permeability, wicking ability, Drop Test for absorbency, and antibacterial properties were examined for those samples. Based on the results, fabric dyed with Mangifera indica and Triphala dried fruits in the ratio of 2 : 1 with chitosan is determined as the most promising combination for the final product.
Surfactant-Free Synthesis of Single Crystalline SnS2and Effect of Surface Atomic Structure on the Photocatalytic Property
Authors: Li Mengyi , Liu Enzuo , Hu Huilin , Ouyang Shuxin , Xu Hua , Wang Defa
Published: December 2014

Sheetlike tin disulfide (SnS2) single crystal exposed with well-defined{001}facets and flowerlike SnS2mainly exposed with{010}facets were prepared through a surfactant-free solvothermal process. Photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO) under visible light irradiation indicated that the sheetlike SnS2showed a much higher activity than flowerlike SnS2. Theoretical and experimental results revealed that the band structure derived from the surface atomic structure played a more important role than the surface energy in the photocatalytic property. The present work has provided a deep insight into the important role of the surface energy and band structure, both of which are derived from the surface atomic structure, in the photocatalytic activity.
Collaborative Action of Toll-Like and Nod-Like Receptors as Modulators of the Inflammatory Response to Pathogenic Bacteria
Authors: Oviedo-Boyso Javier , Bravo-Patiño Alejandro , Baizabal-Aguirre Víctor M.
Published: December 2014

Early sensing of pathogenic bacteria by the host immune system is important to develop effective mechanisms to kill the invader. Microbial recognition, activation of signaling pathways, and effector mechanisms are sequential events that must be highly controlled to successfully eliminate the pathogen. Host recognizes pathogens through pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) that sense pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Some of these PRRs include Toll-like receptors (TLRs), nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptors (NLRs), retinoic acid-inducible gene-I- (RIG-I-) like receptors (RLRs), and C-type lectin receptors (CLRs). TLRs and NLRs are PRRs that play a key role in recognition of extracellular and intracellular bacteria and control the inflammatory response. The activation of TLRs and NLRs by their respective ligands activates downstream signaling pathways that converge on activation of transcription factors, such as nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB), activator protein-1 (AP-1) or interferon regulatory factors (IRFs), leading to expression of inflammatory cytokines and antimicrobial molecules. The goal of this review is to discuss how the TLRs and NRLs signaling pathways collaborate in a cooperative or synergistic manner to counteract the infectious agents. A deep knowledge of the biochemical events initiated by each of these receptors will undoubtedly have a high impact in the design of more effective strategies to control inflammation.
Trace and Essential Elements Analysis inCymbopogon citratus(DC.) Stapf Samples by Graphite Furnace-Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy and Its Health Concern
Authors: Anal Jasha Momo H.
Published: December 2014

Cymbopogon citratus(DC.) Stapf commonly known as lemon grass is used extensively as green tea and even as herbal tea ingredient across the world. Plants have the ability to uptake metals as nutrient from the soil and its environment which are so essential for their physiological and biochemical growth. Concentrations of these twelve trace elements, namely, Mg, Ca, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, As, Cd, and Pb, are analysed by graphite furnace-atomic absorption spectroscopy (GF-AAS) and are compared with the permissible limits of FAO/WHO, ICMR, and NIH, USA, which are found to be within permissible limits. Toxic metals like As, Cd, and Pb, analysed are within the tolerable daily diet limit and at low concentration.
Unemployment and Substance Use in Young Adults: Does Educational Attainment Modify the Association?
Authors: Melchior Maria , Chollet Aude , Elidemir Gulizar , Galéra Cédric , Younès Nadia
Published: December 2014

We studied whether patterns of substance use in relation to unemployment vary depending on educational level. Data come from 1,126 community-based young adults in France (18-35 years of age in 2011) and their parents (TEMPO and GAZEL studies). Tobacco use (≥1 cigarette/day, 22.5% prevalence), nicotine dependence (Fagerström test ≥2, 7.1% prevalence), alcohol use (≥2 units/week, 25.3% prevalence), alcohol abuse (WHO AUDIT ≥7 in women and ≥8 in men, 10.8% prevalence), cannabis use (≥1 time, 16.5% prevalence), and cannabis abuse (CAST ≥2, 5.0% prevalence) were assessed by interview. We conducted logistic regression analyses controlled for inverse probability weights of unemployment, calculated based on demographics, negative life events, health, and juvenile and parental characteristics. Compared to participants who were always employed, those who were unemployed and had no higher education were more likely to smoke tobacco (OR: 2.76, 95% CI: 1.86-4.10), to be nicotine dependent (OR: 5.70, 95% CI: 3.03-10.73), to use cannabis (OR: 2.27, 95% CI: 1.42-3.64), and to abuse cannabis (OR: 3.38, 95% CI: 1.63-7.04). Those who were unemployed and had higher education were especially likely to abuse alcohol (OR: 1.89, 95% CI: 1.16-3.09). Increases in unemployment may impact population levels of substance use, particularly in young adults with low educational attainment.
Vemurafenib-Induced Radiation Recall Dermatitis: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Conen Katrin , Mosna-Firlejczyk Katarzyna , Rochlitz Christoph , Wicki Andreas , Itin Peter , Arnold Andreas W. , Gross Markus , Zimmermann Frank , Zippelius Alfred
Published: December 2014

The cutaneous effects of BRAF (serine/threonine protein kinase B-raf) inhibitors such as vemurafenib remain poorly defined. Rash, squamous cell carcinoma, keratoacanthoma and photosensitivity are the most common grade 2 or 3 adverse events observed in clinical trials. We here report the case of a patient with a BRAF V600E mutated metastatic melanoma who developed severe radiation recall dermatitis 6 weeks after completing radiotherapy. Vemurafenib treatment had been initiated 1 week before the development of dermatitis because of rapidly progressing disease. Upon topical treatment of the affected skin areas, clinical symptoms regressed over a period of 2 months, although vemurafenib was continuously administered. As our case goes in line with other reports, we believe that physicians should be aware of this additional cutaneous side effect of vemurafenib and that continuation of the treatment is safe when close clinical control and interdisciplinary management can be provided.
Adaptive Coding of Orofacial and Speech Actions in Motor and Somatosensory Spaces with and without Overt Motor Behavior
Authors: Sato Marc , Vilain Coriandre , Lamalle Laurent , Grabski Krystyna
Published: December 2014

Studies of speech motor control suggest that articulatory and phonemic goals are defined in multidimensional motor, somatosensory, and auditory spaces. To test whether motor simulation might rely on sensory–motor coding common with those for motor execution, we used a repetition suppression (RS) paradigm while measuring neural activity with sparse sampling fMRI during repeated overt and covert orofacial and speech actions. RS refers to the phenomenon that repeated stimuli or motor acts lead to decreased activity in specific neural populations and are associated with enhanced adaptive learning related to the repeated stimulus attributes. Common suppressed neural responses were observed in motor and posterior parietal regions in the achievement of both repeated overt and covert orofacial and speech actions, including the left premotor cortex and inferior frontal gyrus, the superior parietal cortex and adjacent intraprietal sulcus, and the left IC and the SMA. Interestingly, reduced activity of the auditory cortex was observed during overt but not covert speech production, a finding likely reflecting a motor rather an auditory imagery strategy by the participants. By providing evidence for adaptive changes in premotor and associative somatosensory brain areas, the observed RS suggests online state coding of both orofacial and speech actions in somatosensory and motor spaces with and without motor behavior and sensory feedback.
Cortical Representations Sensitive to the Number of Perceived Auditory Objects Emerge between 2 and 4 Months of Age: Electrophysiological Evidence
Authors: Folland Nicole A. , Butler Blake E. , Payne Jennifer E. , Trainor Laurel J.
Published: December 2014

Sound waves emitted by two or more simultaneous sources reach the ear as one complex waveform. Auditory scene analysis involves parsing a complex waveform into separate perceptual representations of the sound sources [Bregman, A. S. Auditory scene analysis: The perceptual organization of sounds. London: MIT Press, 1990]. Harmonicity provides an important cue for auditory scene analysis. Normally, harmonics at integer multiples of a fundamental frequency are perceived as one sound with a pitch corresponding to the fundamental frequency. However, when one harmonic in such a complex, pitch-evoking sound is sufficiently mistuned, that harmonic emerges from the complex tone and is perceived as a separate auditory object. Previous work has shown that the percept of two objects is indexed in both children and adults by the object-related negativity component of the ERP derived from EEG recordings [Alain, C., Arnott, S. T., & Picton, T. W. Bottom–up and top–down influences on auditory scene analysis: Evidence from event-related brain potentials. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 27, 1072–1089, 2001]. Here we examine the emergence of object-related responses to an 8% harmonic mistuning in infants between 2 and 12 months of age. Two-month-old infants showed no significant object-related response. However, in 4- to 12-month-old infants, a significant frontally positive component was present, and by 8–12 months, a significant frontocentral object-related negativity was present, similar to that seen in older children and adults. This is in accordance with previous research demonstrating that infants younger than 4 months of age do not integrate harmonic information to perceive pitch when the fundamental is missing [He, C., Hotson, L., & Trainor, L. J. Maturation of cortical mismatch mismatch responses to occasional pitch change in early infancy: Effects of presentation rate and magnitude of change. Neuropsychologia, 47, 218–229, 2009]. The results indicate that the ability to use harmonic information to segregate simultaneous sounds emerges at the cortical level between 2 and 4 months of age.
Neural Correlates of Fixation Duration during Real-world Scene Viewing: Evidence from Fixation-related (FIRE) fMRI
Authors: Henderson John M. , Choi Wonil
Published: December 2014

During active scene perception, our eyes move from one location to another via saccadic eye movements, with the eyes fixating objects and scene elements for varying amounts of time. Much of the variability in fixation duration is accounted for by attentional, perceptual, and cognitive processes associated with scene analysis and comprehension. For this reason, current theories of active scene viewing attempt to account for the influence of attention and cognition on fixation duration. Yet almost nothing is known about the neurocognitive systems associated with variation in fixation duration during scene viewing. We addressed this topic using fixation-related fMRI, which involves coregistering high-resolution eye tracking and magnetic resonance scanning to conduct event-related fMRI analysis based on characteristics of eye movements. We observed that activation in visual and prefrontal executive control areas was positively correlated with fixation duration, whereas activation in ventral areas associated with scene encoding and medial superior frontal and paracentral regions associated with changing action plans was negatively correlated with fixation duration. The results suggest that fixation duration in scene viewing is controlled by cognitive processes associated with real-time scene analysis interacting with motor planning, consistent with current computational models of active vision for scene perception.
PHILOSOPHICAL ETHICS AND THE SO-CALLED ETHICAL ASPECT
Authors: Stafleu M.D.
Published: December 2014

At the law side of the creation, the Philosophy of the Cosmonomic Idea distinguishes between natural laws, values and norms. Natural laws are coercive both for human beings and for any other subject or object. Like natural laws, values or normative principles belong to the creation, being universal and invariable. Both people and associations are subject to values, which they can obey or disobey. Values characterize the relation frames (modal aspects) following the natural ones. Norms are man-made realizations of values, historically and culturally different. Philosophical ethics investigates the normativity of human acts. This paper argues that ethics cannot be related to a single relation frame and that the designation ‘ethical’ or ‘moral’ modal aspect is a misnomer.
RELIGIE, MAATSCHAPPELIJKE ORDE EN GEWELD
Authors: van der Stoep Jan
Published: December 2014

Religie wordt vaak opgevat als een illusionaire macht waarmee onderscheid wordt gemaakt tussen het seculiere en het sacrale en daarmee tussen mensen die wel en mensen die niet uitverkoren zijn. Macht en geweld vallen in een dergelijke opvatting vrijwel samen. Aan de hand van het werk van Pierre Bourdieu laat ik zien dat dit leidt, hetzij tot een positie waarin ieder onderscheidend vermogen tussen wat waar of niet waar is verdwijnt, hetzij tot een positie waarin de criteria zo hoog worden opgeschroefd dat waarheidsvinding nauwelijks mogelijk meer is. Tot slot verdedig ik een positie waarin religie begrepen wordt als een normatieve praktijk, waarin ook aan de uitoefening van macht een eigen plaats toekomt.
THE SECULAR AS AN ORDERING OF THE SACRED?
Authors: Hoogland Jan
Published: December 2014

On May 22th 2008 Bronislaw Szerszynski held his Van Riessen Memorial Lecture at the Delft University of Technology. In this lecture Szerszynski presented his own view on the relation between religion and the modern technological condition, which shows some striking parallels with the way in which Reformational Philosophy sees it. Szerszynski wanted to show that the sacred and the profane/secular are not just opposites excluding each other, but that the profane/secular itself must be understood in religious terms. In the first part of this article the background, presuppositions and trends of this debate will be sketched and in the second part the parallels and differences between Szerszynski and Reformational Philosophy will be delineated.
THE CAPE HORN OF CHRISTIAN ETHICS: IN MEMORY OF ANDREE TROOST (1916-2008)
Authors: Blokhuis Peter
Published: December 2014

When asked how he would characterize himself, Andree Troost said: “I am a philosopher of theology” (Geelhoed and De Boer 2002). Troost studied theology, but he read more philosophical than theological books. He learned from the reformational philosophy of Dooyeweerd and Vollenhoven how to be a critical theologian, and critical he was: in the many articles he wrote for Philosophia Reformata, Troost joined issue with theologians who do not realize that philosophy comes first, attempting to lay bare the presuppositions of theology. The same he did in the two books he published in 2004 and 2005. Troost stopped writing for Philosophia Reformata in 2001. He passed away on 18 March 2008.
THE THINKER AND THE TRUTH BRINGING SØREN KIERKEGAARD IN DISCUSSION WITH REFORMATIONAL PHILOSOPHY
Authors: Glas Gerrit
Published: December 2014

In reformational philosophy engagement with Søren Kierkegaard never really did get off to a good start. The present contribution is meant to reintroduce Kierkegaard in reformational philosophical discussions by focusing on the question of truth. How does the thinker as thinker relate to truth and what is the role of the I-self relationship in the search for truth? As working hypothesis it is stated that Kierkegaard’s many subtle analyses of the I-self relation can enrich reformational philosophical thinking about truth, by raising awareness for the intricate intertwinement between the object (the ‘what’) and the attitude (the ‘how’) of thinking. First, the thesis of indirect communication in the work of some of Kierkegaard’s pseudonymous authors will be investigated, including the question how this thesis affects the search for truth. Second, this thesis is compared with central concepts in reformational thinking, such as the heart, directedness at the Origin, and selfknowledge. Third, a brief review will be given of Climacus’ famous thesis that truth is subjectivity. After this review, the focus finally again shifts toward reformational philosophy, especially the way it has dealt with the religious dynamic in theoretical thought. It is concluded that there are differences in style, emphasis and conceptual ‘framing’ between Kierkegaard and Dooyeweerd, but that there are also many similar concerns and philosophical intuitions, more even than have been acknowledged so far in the literature. Kierkegaardian thinking is helpful in raising awareness of the tensions, ambiguities, and brokenness of our existence, even in the search for truth.
ECONOMICS, CHRISTIANITY AND THE CRISIS: KUYPER’S HERITAGE AND RELEVANCE TODAY
Authors: Goudzwaard Bob
Published: December 2014

One hundred twenty years ago, to be more precise on 9 November 1891, Abraham Kuyper opened the first social congress in the Netherlands He did so with an outstanding lecture on the relationship between the so-called social question and the christian religion. He began the lecture however with a remarkable complaint (Kuyper 1991, 23): One of the pitiful fruits of state monopoly, which continues to increase in this country’s universities, is that we have not yet even produced academic specialists. None of us at this Congress stands out as an expert in economics. If I look around me now, that seems to be a little bit different from what I see today. But I doubt whether that in itself is a guarantee of greater wisdom amongst us. Let us not be too hasty. Let us wait and see.
THE MORAL CHALLENGES OF ECONOMIC EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY
Authors: Ballor Jordan J.
Published: December 2014

Attention to economic inequality has increased in the wake of the global financial crisis, and along with this increased attention has come the need for reconsideration of the dynamics of moral reflection on inequality. Inequality is often viewed as a negative in terms of economic and social costs. But there are also moral challenges that arise from inequality. The Christian tradition emphasizes the diversity, and therefore the inequality, of the created order, and as such inequality is not simply a result of sin. After the fall into sin, there are new dynamics which consist of sinful kinds of inequality as well as sinful attitudes towards the gifts and endowments of others. This “grief” at the good of others has been classically understood as the vice of envy (invidia). This article argues for the ongoing relevance of envy as a particularly important moral category for evaluation of economic inequality.
Typification of the Linnaean name Centaurea seridis (Asteraceae)
Authors: FERRER-GALLEGO PEDRO PABLO , Roselló Roberto , Laguna Emilio , Guillén Alberto , Gómez José , Peris Juan B.
Published: December 2014

The genus Centaurea Linnaeus (1753: 909) (Asteraceae) comprises a large number of taxa mainly occurring in the Mediterranean region and southwest Asia (Susanna & Garcia-Jacas 2007). Centaurea seridis Linnaeus (1753: 915) is distributed from south Europe (Spain incl. Balearic Islands, Italy incl. Sicily, France, Albania and Greece) to northwest Africa (Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia). From a nomenclatural standpoint, Centaurea seridis has not been typified (Jarvis 2007: 402). This paper proposes the designation of a lectotype for this Linnaean name, based on the analysis of the protologue and original material.
Nematodes from galls on Myrtaceae. X. Fergusobia from galls on narrow-leaved Melaleuca spp. in Australia, with descriptions of three new species
Authors: Davies KERRIE A. , Giblin-Davis ROBIN M. , YE WEIMIN , TAYLOR GARY S. , MAKINSON JEFF , PURCELL MATTHEW
Published: December 2014

Three new species of Fergusobia, respectively collected from shoot bud galls on narrow-leaved Melaleuca spp. in Australia, are described. Fergusobia armillarisae n. sp. Davies is characterised by the combination of an arcuate to open C-shaped parthenogenetic female with an extensile uterus and a short, conoid tail, an arcuate infective female with a broadly rounded tail tip, and an arcuate male with an angular spicule and bursa arising at 50–80% of body length. Fergusobia decorae n. sp. Davies has an arcuate parthenogenetic female with a non-extensile uterus and a broadly conoid tail, an arcuate infective female with most curvature behind the vulva and a short tail with a broadly rounded tip, and an arcuate male with an arcuate spicule and bursa arising at 40–50% of body length. Fergusobia linariifoliae n. sp. Davies is characterised by the combination of an arcuate parthenogenetic female with an extensile uterus and a short, conoid tail with a bluntly rounded tip, a barely arcuate infective female with a broadly rounded tail tip, and an arcuate male with an angular spicule and bursa arising at 40–50% of body length. Earlier molecular analyses inferred from DNA sequencing of 28S rDNA D2/D3 domains and a portion of mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase subunit I (mtCOI) are further discussed.
A new species of the genus Dulichiella Stout, 1912 (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Melitidae) from Pecém Harbor, Ceará state, Brazil
Authors: ALVES JESSIKA , JOHNSSON RODRIGO , SENNA ANDRÉ R.
Published: December 2014

A new species of the genus Dulichiella Stout, 1912 is described for the Northeastern Brazilian coast. The new species is recognized from the others in the genus by presenting (1) the accessory flagellum 5-articulate, (2) distolateral crown of gnathopod 2 of males with 4 spines, (3) Maxilla 1 inner plate, outer plate and palp distally enlarged and rounded, and (4) Pereopods 6 and 7 without bunches of long setae. This is the second species of Dulichiella recorded from South Atlantic and Brazilian waters.
Study of Snow Dynamics at Subgrid Scale in Semiarid Environments Combining Terrestrial Photography and Data Assimilation Techniques
Authors: Pimentel Rafael , Herrero Javier , Zeng Yijian , Su Zhongbo , Polo María J.
Published: December 2014

Snow cover simulation is a complex task in mountain regions because of its highly irregular distribution. GIS-based calculations of snowmelt–accumulation models must deal with nonnegligible scale effects below cell size, which may result in unsatisfactory predictions depending on the study scale. Terrestrial photography, whose scales can be adapted to the study problem, is a cost-effective technique, capable of reproducing snow dynamics at subgrid scale. A series of high-frequency images were combined with a mass and energy model to reproduce snow evolution at cell scale (30 m × 30 m) by means of the assimilation of the snow cover fraction observation dataset obtained from terrestrial photography in the Sierra Nevada, southern Spain. The ensemble transform Kalman filter technique is employed. The results show the convenience of adopting a selective depletion curve parameterization depending on the succession of accumulation–melting cycles in the snow season in these highly variable environments. A reduction in the error for snow depth to 50% (from 463.87 to 261.21 mm and from 238.22 to 128.50 mm) is achieved if the appropriate curve is selected.
Improving the quality of tracheostomy care
Authors: Zhu Hannah , Das Preety , Woodhouse Ralph , Kubba Haytham
Published: December 2014

Educational aims

To understand the current challenges in the care of tracheostomy patients

To understand principles of quality improvement collaboration and how this can improve the quality of care for tracheostomy patients

The UK National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcomes and Death illustrates that there remains significant morbidity and mortality relating to patients with a tracheostomy, with much preventable harm. Challenges include the inherent complexity of the patient's underlying condition, wide variations in tracheostomy management, variable delivery of education for staff, patients and families, and difficult coordination of care between such a variety of individuals involved in performing, managing and ultimately removing tracheostomies.

Quality-improvement collaboratives are groups of institutions with a common purpose who work together to drive positive change. They help support clinicians in developing skills and teams necessary to design and sustain quality-improvement cycles. They are a cost-effective way of rapidly disseminating improvement strategies and engaging in shared learning across institutions around the world. The Global Tracheostomy Collaborative aims to improve quality of care and outcomes through five interdependent key drivers: coordinated multidisciplinary team care, education, institution-wide protocols, family and patient-centred care, and metrics and outcomes using a specifically designed database.
Male-specific Y-linked transgene markers to enhance biologically-based control of the Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens(Diptera: Tephritidae)
Authors: Meza J Salvador , Schetelig Marc F , Zepeda-Cisneros C Silvia , Handler Alfred M
Published: December 2014

Background

Reliable marking systems are critical to the prospective field release of transgenic insect strains. This is to unambiguously distinguish released insects from wild insects in the field that are collected in field traps, and tissue-specific markers, such as those that are sperm-specific, have particular uses such as identifying wild females that have mated with released males. For tephritid fruit flies such as the Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens, polyubiquitin-regulated fluorescent protein body markers allow transgenic fly identification, and fluorescent protein genes regulated by the spermatocyte-specific β2-tubulin promoter effectively mark sperm. For sterile male release programs, both marking systems can be made male-specific by linkage to the Y chromosome.

Results

An A. ludens wild type strain was genetically transformed with a piggyBac vector, pBXL{PUbnlsEGFP, Asβ2tub-DsRed.T3}, having the polyubiquitin-regulated EGFP body marker, and the β2-tubulin-regulated DsRed.T3 sperm-specific marker. Autosomal insertion lines effectively expressed both markers, but a single Y-linked insertion (YEGFP strain) expressed only PUbnlsEGFP. This insertion was remobilized by transposase helper injection, which resulted in three new autosomal insertion lines that expressed both markers. This indicated that the original Y-linked Asβ2tub-DsRed.T3 marker was functional, but specifically suppressed on the Y chromosome. The PUbnlsEGFP marker remained effective however, and the YEGFP strain was used to create a sexing strain by translocating the wild type allele of the black pupae (bp+) gene onto the Y, which was then introduced into the bp- mutant strain. This allows the mechanical separation of mutant female black pupae from male brown pupae, that can be identified as adults by EGFP fluorescence.

Conclusions

A Y-linked insertion of the pBXL{PUbnlsEGFP, Asβ2tub-DsRed.T3} transformation vector in A. ludens resulted in male-specific expression of the EGFP fluorescent protein marker, and was integrated into a black pupae translocation sexing strain (T(YEGFP/bp+), allowing the identification of male adults when used in sterile male release programs for population control. A unique observation was that expression of the Asβ2tub-DsRed.T3 sperm-specific marker, which was functional in autosomal insertions, was specifically suppressed in the Y-linked insertion. This may relate to the Y chromosomal regulation of male-specific germ-line genes in Drosophila.
Iron is essential for living!
Authors: Lasocki Sigismond , Gaillard Thomas , Rineau Emmanuel
Published: December 2014

Iron as an element is a double-edged sword, essential for living but also potentially toxic through the generation of oxidative stress. The recent study by Chen and colleagues in Critical Care reminds us of this elegantly. In a mouse model of acute lung injury, they showed that silencing hepcidin (the master regulator of iron metabolism) locally in airway epithelial cells aggravates lung injury by increasing the release of iron from alveolar macrophages, which in turn enhances pulmonary bacterial growth and reduces the macrophages’ killing properties. This work underscores that hepcidin acts not only systematically (as a hormone) but also locally for iron metabolism regulation. This opens areas of research for sepsis treatment but also for iron deficiency or anaemia treatment, since the local and systemic iron regulation appear to be independent.
A practical approach to goal-directed echocardiography in the critical care setting
Authors: Walley Patricia E , Walley Keith R , Goodgame Ben , Punjabi Vivek , Sirounis Demetrios
Published: December 2014

Urgent cardiac ultrasound examination in the critical care setting is clinically useful. Application of goal-directed echocardiography in this setting is quite distinct from typical exploratory diagnostic comprehensive echocardiography, because the urgent critical care setting mandates a goal-directed approach. Goal-directed echocardiography most frequently aims to rapidly identify and differentiate the cause(s) of hemodynamic instability and/or the cause(s) of acute respiratory failure. Accordingly, this paper highlights 1) indications, 2) an easily memorized differential diagnostic framework for goal-directed echocardiography, 3) clinical questions that must be asked and answered, 4) practical issues to allow optimal image capture, 5) primary echocardiographic views, 6) key issues addressed in each view, and 7) interpretation of findings within the differential diagnostic framework. The most frequent indications for goal-directed echocardiography include 1) the spectrum of hemodynamic instability, shock, and pulseless electrical activity arrest and 2) acute respiratory failure. The differential diagnostic categories for hemodynamic instability can be remembered using the mnemonic ‘SHOCK’ (for Septic, Hypovolemic, Obstructive, Cardiogenic, and (K) combinations/other kinds of shock). RESP-F (for exacerbation of chronic Respiratory disease, pulmonary Embolism, ST changes associated with cardiac or pericardial disease, Pneumonia, and heart Failure) can be used for acute respiratory failure. The goals of goal-directed echocardiography in the unstable patient are: assessing global ventricular systolic function, identifying marked right ventricular and left ventricular enlargement, assessing intravascular volume, and the presence of a pericardial effusion. In an urgent or emergent setting, it is recommended to go directly to the best view, which is frequently the subcostal or apical view. The five views are the subcostal four-chamber view, subcostal inferior vena cava view, parasternal long axis view, parasternal short axis view, and the apical four chamber view. Always interpret goal-directed echocardiographic findings in the context of clinically available hemodynamic information. When goal-directed echocardiography is insufficient or when additional abnormalities are appreciated, order a comprehensive echocardiogram. Goal-directed echocardiography and comprehensive echocardiography are not to be used in conflict with each other.
TET1 regulates hypoxia-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition by acting as a co-activator
Authors: Tsai Ya-Ping , Chen Hsiao-Fan , Chen Sung-Yuan , Cheng Wei-Chung , Wang Hsei-Wei , Shen Zih-Jie , Song Chunxiao , Teng Shu-Chun , He Chuan , Wu Kou-Juey
Published: December 2014

Background

Hypoxia induces the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, EMT, to promote cancer metastasis. In addition to transcriptional regulation mediated by hypoxia-inducible factors, HIFs, other epigenetic mechanisms of gene regulation, such as histone modifications and DNA methylation, are utilized under hypoxia. However, whether DNA demethylation mediated by TET1, a DNA dioxygenase converting 5-methylcytosine, 5mC, into 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, 5hmC, plays a role in hypoxia-induced EMT is largely unknown.

Results

We show that TET1 regulates hypoxia-responsive gene expression. Hypoxia/HIF-2α regulates the expression of TET1. Knockdown of TET1 mitigates hypoxia-induced EMT. RNA sequencing and 5hmC sequencing identified the set of TET1-regulated genes. Cholesterol metabolic process genes are among the genes that showed high prevalence and statistical significance. We characterize one of the genes, INSIG1 (insulin induced gene 1), to confirm its expression and the 5hmC levels in its promoter. Knockdown of INSIG1 also mitigates hypoxia-induced EMT. Finally, TET1 is shown to be a transcriptional co-activator that interacts with HIF-1α and HIF-2α to enhance their transactivation activity independent of its enzymatic activity. TET1 acts as a co-activator to further enhance the expression of INSIG1 together with HIF-2α. We define the domain in HIF-1α that interacts with TET1 and map the domain in TET1 that confers transactivation to a 200 amino acid region that contains a CXXC domain. The TET1 catalytically inactive mutant is capable of rescuing hypoxia-induced EMT in TET1 knockdown cells.

Conclusions

These findings demonstrate that TET1 serves as a transcription co-activator to regulate hypoxia-responsive gene expression and EMT, in addition to its role in demethylating 5mC.
Low frequency of paleoviral infiltration across the avian phylogeny
Authors: Cui Jie , Zhao Wei , Huang Zhiyong , Jarvis Erich D , Gilbert M Thomas P , Walker Peter J , Holmes Edward C , Zhang Guojie
Published: December 2014

Background

Mammalian genomes commonly harbor endogenous viral elements. Due to a lack of comparable genome-scale sequence data, far less is known about endogenous viral elements in avian species, even though their small genomes may enable important insights into the patterns and processes of endogenous viral element evolution.

Results

Through a systematic screening of the genomes of 48 species sampled across the avian phylogeny we reveal that birds harbor a limited number of endogenous viral elements compared to mammals, with only five viral families observed: Retroviridae, Hepadnaviridae, Bornaviridae, Circoviridae, and Parvoviridae. All nonretroviral endogenous viral elements are present at low copy numbers and in few species, with only endogenous hepadnaviruses widely distributed, although these have been purged in some cases. We also provide the first evidence for endogenous bornaviruses and circoviruses in avian genomes, although at very low copy numbers. A comparative analysis of vertebrate genomes revealed a simple linear relationship between endogenous viral element abundance and host genome size, such that the occurrence of endogenous viral elements in bird genomes is 6- to 13-fold less frequent than in mammals.

Conclusions

These results reveal that avian genomes harbor relatively small numbers of endogenous viruses, particularly those derived from RNA viruses, and hence are either less susceptible to viral invasions or purge them more effectively.
A HIF-1 network reveals characteristics of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in acute promyelocytic leukemia
Authors: Percio Stefano , Coltella Nadia , Grisanti Sara , Bernardi Rosa , Pattini Linda
Published: December 2014

Background

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a sub-type of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) characterized by a block of myeloid differentiation at the promyelocytic stage and the predominant t(15:17) chromosomal translocation. We have previously determined that cells from APL patients show increased expression of genes regulated by hypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIFs) compared to normal promyelocytes. HIFs regulate crucial aspects of solid tumor progression and are currently being implicated in leukemogenesis.

Methods

To investigate the contribution of hypoxia-related signaling in APL compared to other AML sub-types, we reverse engineered a transcriptional network from gene expression profiles of AML patients’ samples, starting from a list of direct target genes of HIF-1. A HIF-1-dependent subnetwork of genes specifically dysregulated in APL was derived from the comparison between APL and other AMLs.

Results

Interestingly, this subnetwork shows a unique involvement of genes related to extracellular matrix interaction and cell migration, with decreased expression of genes involved in cell adhesion and increased expression of genes implicated in motility and invasion, thus unveiling the presence of characteristics of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). We observed that the genes of this subnetwork, whose dysregulation shows a peculiar pattern across different AML sub-types, distinguish malignant from normal promyelocytes, thus ruling out dependence on a myeloid developmental stage. Also, expression of these genes is reversed upon treatment of APL-derived NB4 cells with all-trans retinoic acid and cell differentiation.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that pathways related to EMT-like processes can be implicated also in hematological malignancies besides solid tumors, and can identify specific AML sub-types.
Leukotriene B4 activates intracellular calcium and augments human osteoclastogenesis
Authors: Dixit Neha , Wu Dennis J , Belgacem Yesser H , Borodinsky Laura N , Gershwin M Eric , Adamopoulos Iannis E
Published: December 2014

Introduction

Bone erosion in inflammatory arthritis depends on the recruitment and activation of bone resorbing cells, the osteoclasts. Interleukin-23 (IL-23) has been primarily implicated in mediating inflammatory bone loss via the differentiation of Th17 receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL)–producing cells. In this article, we describe a new role of IL-23 in activating the synthesis and production of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) in innate immune cells.

Methods

We utilized whole blood–derived human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), differentiated them towards an osteoclast lineage and then performed immunofluorescence and cytochemical staining to detect the expression of LTB4-associated receptors and enzymes such as phospholipase A2, 5-lipoxygenase and leukotriene A4 hydrolase, as well as the presence of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and F-actin rings on fully mature osteoclasts. We used enzyme immunoassays to measure LTB4 levels in culture media derived from IL-23-treated human PBMCs. We used real-time calcium imaging to study the effect of leukotrienes and requirements of different calcium sources and signaling proteins in activating intracellular calcium flux using pharmacological inhibitors to phospholipase C (U73122), membrane calcium channels (2-APB) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (Wortmannin) and utilized qPCR for gene expression analysis in macrophages and osteoclasts.

Results

Our data show that LTB4 engagement of BLT1 and BLT2 receptors on osteoclast precursors leads to activation of phospholipase C and calcium release–activated channel–mediated intracellular calcium flux, which can activate further LTB4 autocrine production. IL-23-induced synthesis and secretion of LTB4 resulted in the upregulation of osteoclast-related genes NFATC1, MMP9, ACP5, CTSK and ITGB3 and the formation of giant, multinucleated TRAP+ cells capable of F-actin ring formation. These effects were dependent on Ca2+ signaling and were completely inhibited by BLT1/BLT2 and/or PLC and CRAC inhibitors.

Conclusions

In conclusion, IL-23 can initiate osteoclast differentiation independently from the RANK-RANKL pathway by utilizing Ca2+ signaling and the LTB4 signaling cascade.
CSR reporting on apparel companies’ websites: framing good deeds and clarifying missteps
Authors: Gaskill-Fox Jamie , Hyllegard Karen H , Ogle Jennifer Paff
Published: December 2014

No abstract