bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Red‐shifted fluorescent proteins monitor enzymatic activity in live HT‐1080 cells with fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM)
Authors: EICHORST J.P. , CLEGG R.M. , WANG Y.
Published: September 2012

Membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1‐MMP) is a membrane‐tethered collagenase primarily involved in the mechanical destruction of extracellular matrix proteins. MT1‐MMP has also been shown to be upregulated in several types of cancers. Many coordinated functions of MT1‐MMP during migration and invasion remain to be determined. In this paper, live cells from the invasive cell line HT‐1080 were imaged using an intracellular Förster resonance energy transfer‐based biosensor specific for MT1‐MMP; a substrate specific for MT1‐MMP was hybridized with the mOrange2 and mCherry fluorescent proteins to form the Förster resonance energy transfer‐based sensor. The configuration of the biosensor was determined with fluorescence lifetime‐resolved imaging microscopy using both a polar plot‐based analysis and a rapid data acquisition modality of fluorescence lifetime‐resolved imaging microscopy known as phase suppression. Both configurations of the biosensor (with or without cleavage by MT1‐MMP) were clearly resolvable in the same cell. Changes in the configuration of the MT1‐MMP biosensor were observed primarily along the edge of the cell following the removal of the MMP inhibitor GM6001. The intensities highlighted by phase suppression correlated well with the fractional intensities derived from the polar plot.
Domestication of honey bees was associated with expansion of genetic diversity
Authors: OLDROYD BENJAMIN P.
Published: September 2012

Humans have been keeping honey bees, Apis mellifera, in artificial hives for over 7000 years. Long enough, one might imagine, for some genetic changes to have occurred in domestic bees that would distinguish them from their wild ancestors. Indeed, some have argued that the recent mysterious and widespread losses of commercial bee colonies, are due in part to inbreeding. In this issue of Molecular Ecology, Harpur et al. (2012) show that the domestication of honey bees, rather than reducing genetic variance in the population, has increased it. It seems that the commercial honey bees of Canada are a mongrel lot, with far more variability than their ancestors in Europe.
Molecular organization, biochemical function, cellular role and evolution of NfuA, an atypical Fe‐S carrier
Authors: Py Béatrice , Gerez Catherine , Angelini Sandra , Planel Rémy , Vinella Daniel , Loiseau Laurent , Talla Emmanuel , Brochier‐Armanet Céline , Garcia Serres Ricardo , Latour Jean‐Marc , Ollagnier‐de Choudens Sandrine , Fontecave Marc , Barras Frédéric
Published: September 2012

Biosynthesis of iron–sulphur (Fe‐S) proteins is catalysed by multi‐protein systems, ISC and SUF. However, ‘non‐ISC, non‐SUF’ Fe‐S biosynthesis factors have been described, both in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Here we report in vitro and in vivo investigations of such a ‘non‐ISC, non SUF’ component, the Nfu proteins. Phylogenomic analysis allowed us to define four subfamilies. Escherichia coli NfuA is within subfamily II. Most members of this subfamily have a Nfu domain fused to a ‘degenerate’ A‐type carrier domain (ATC*) lacking Fe‐S cluster co‐ordinating Cys ligands. The Nfu domain binds a [4Fe‐4S] cluster while the ATC* domain interacts with NuoG (a complex I subunit) and aconitase B (AcnB). In vitro, holo‐NfuA promotes maturation of AcnB. In vivo, NfuA is necessary for full activity of complex I under aerobic growth conditions, and of AcnB in the presence of superoxide. NfuA receives Fe‐S clusters from IscU/HscBA and SufBCD scaffolds and eventually transfers them to the ATCs IscA and SufA. This study provides significant information on one of the Fe‐S biogenesis factors that has been often used as a building block by ISC and/or SUF synthesizing organisms, including bacteria, plants and animals.
DNA barcoding and morphology reveal three cryptic species of Anania (Lepidoptera: Crambidae: Pyraustinae) in North America, all distinct from their European counterpart
Authors: YANG ZHAOFU , LANDRY JEAN‐FRANÇOIS , HANDFIELD LOUIS , ZHANG YALIN , ALMA SOLIS M. , HANDFIELD DANIEL , SCHOLTENS BRIAN G. , MUTANEN MARKO , NUSS MATTHIAS , HEBERT PAUL D. N.
Published: September 2012

Anania coronata (Hufnagel), a Holarctic species of pyraustine crambid moth, has long been treated as having two geographically separated subspecies – the nominotypical Anania coronata in the Palaearctic Region and Anania coronata tertialis (Guenée) in the Nearctic Region. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analysis of mitochondrial DNA barcodes both recover four well‐supported, reciprocally monophyletic groups within Anania coronata. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of genital structures reveal diagnostic differences that correspond to the four barcode lineages. On the basis of both molecular and morphological evidence, we conclude that Anania coronata is actually a complex of four species. Anania coronata (Hufnagel) is restricted to Europe, whereas three species occur in North America: Anania tertialis (Guenée), Anania plectilis (Grote & Robinson) and Anania tennesseensissp.n. Yang.
Thromboprophylaxis, coagulation disorders, and regional anaesthesia
Authors: Haljamäe H.
Published: September 2012

The surgery and trauma‐induced modulation of the coagulation system includes a considerable risk of perioperative thromboembolic complications unless effective thromboprophylactic treatment is given. In the present survey the patient at risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) is characterized and the documented efficacy of different currently used thromboprophylactic regimens is summarized. Systemic thromboprophylactic treatment may include a risk of an increased bleeding tendency which may lead to haemorrhagic complications. In patients with a coagulation abnormality or in patients receiving anticoagulants for perioperative thromboprophylaxis there is a fear among anaesthesiologists that the use of regional anaesthesia (spinal or epidural) may be associated with spinal haemorrhagic complications, i.e. with spinal haematoma formation leading to compression of the spinal cord and severe neurologic sequelae. Present aspects on the risk of spinal haematoma formation at the combined use of pharmacological thromboprophylactic regimens and spinal or epidural anaesthesia/analgesia are therefore summarized. Pregnancy is associated with changes in the haemostatic system, which in the preeclamptic or eclamptic patient may be rather pronounced and constitute a clinical problem since regional anaesthetic techniques are often preferred for obstetric anaesthesia/analgesia. The specific problems to be considered prior to the choice of regional anaesthesia/analgesia for a parturient with a suspected coagulation disorder are therefore commented on in more detail. Finally, recommendations are given for safe spinal and epidural analgesic and anaesthetic routines in patients with potential haemostatic disturbances due to thromboprophylactic treatment with anticoagulants or bleeding disorders.
Morbidity and mortality associated with anaesthesia
Authors: Sigurdsson G. H. , McAteer E.
Published: September 2012

The incidence of serious complications associated with Anaesthesia appears to have decreased in recent years. There are many reasons for this—better anaesthetic drugs and equipment, widespread availability of modern monitoring devices, improved standards of pre‐, intra‐ and postoperative care, increasing interest in techniques to identify and control common risk factors and increased number of qualified anaesthetists. Nevertheless, accidents continue to occur. The most common cause of death or serious injury is still failure to ventilate the patient. All recent studies agree that the majority of accidents in modern practice are the consequence, not of equipment failure or adverse drug reactions, but of human error. Mistake, lack of vigilance, inexperience, inadequate supervision and failure of communication are identified as recurring problems. These problems need to be addressed if anaesthesia‐related complications are to be further decreased. It seems reasonable to suggest that the use of anaesthesia simulators to train and test anaesthetists in difficult situations should be given a higher priority—both in basic training and in continued postgraduate education. Furthermore, since anaesthesia‐related adverse outcomes are rare, strict safety procedures must be applied to thousands of patients in order to prevent one catastrophe. During times of increasing competition for health care money, anaesthetists must be resolute in defending and improving standards of training, monitoring and clinical care. Otherwise the substantial improvement in anaesthesia practice accomplished over recent years may quickly be lost again.
The relationship between puberty and social emotion processing
Authors: Goddings Anne‐Lise , Burnett Heyes Stephanie , Bird Geoffrey , Viner Russell M. , Blakemore Sarah‐Jayne
Published: September 2012

The social brain undergoes developmental change during adolescence, and pubertal hormones are hypothesized to contribute to this development. We used fMRI to explore how pubertal indicators (salivary concentrations of testosterone, oestradiol and DHEA; pubertal stage; menarcheal status) relate to brain activity during a social emotion task. Forty‐two females aged 11.1 to 13.7 years underwent fMRI scanning while reading scenarios pertaining either to social emotions, which require the representation of another person’s mental states, or to basic emotions, which do not. Pubertal stage and menarcheal status were used to assign girls to early or late puberty groups. Across the entire sample, the contrast between social versus basic emotion resulted in activity within the social brain network, including dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (DMPFC), the posterior superior temporal sulcus, and the anterior temporal cortex (ATC) in both hemispheres. Increased hormone levels (independent of age) were associated with higher left ATC activity during social emotion processing. More advanced age (independent of hormone levels) was associated with lower DMPFC activity during social emotion processing. Our results suggest functionally dissociable effects of pubertal hormones and age on the adolescent social brain.
Academic Achievement of Legal Immigrants’ Children: The Roles of Parents’ Pre‐ and Postmigration Characteristics in Origin‐Group Differences
Authors: Pong Suet‐ling , Landale Nancy S.
Published: September 2012

Using data from the New Immigrant Survey, a study based on a nationally representative sample of legal immigrants, the present study extends prior research on the academic outcomes of immigrants’ children by examining the roles of pre‐ and postmigration parental characteristics and the home environment. An analysis of 2,147 children aged 6–12 shows that parents’ premigration education is more strongly associated with children’s academic achievement than any other pre‐ or postmigration attribute. Premigration parental attributes account for the test score disadvantage of Mexican‐origin children of legal immigrants, relative to their non‐Latino counterparts. The findings reveal continuities and discontinuities in parental socioeconomic status and demonstrate that what parents bring to the United States and their experiences after arrival influence children’s academic achievement.
Comparative analysis of mitochondrial genomes of Rhizophagus irregularis – syn. Glomus irregulare – reveals a polymorphism induced by variability generating elements
Authors: Formey Damien , Molès Marion , Haouy Alexandra , Savelli Bruno , Bouchez Olivier , Bécard Guillaume , Roux Christophe
Published: September 2012

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are involved in one of the most widespread plant–fungus interactions. A number of studies on the population dynamics of AM fungi have used mitochondrial (mt) DNA sequences, and yet mt AM fungus genomes are poorly known. To date, four mt genomes of three species of AM fungi are available, among which are two from Rhizophagus irregularis.

In order to study intra‐ and interstrain mt genome variability of R. irregularis, we sequenced and de novo assembled four additional mt genomes of this species. We used 454 pyrosequencing and Illumina technologies to directly sequence mt genomes from total genomic DNA.

The mt genomes are unique within each strain. Interstrain divergences in genome size, as a result of highly polymorphic intergenic and intronic sequences, were observed. The polymorphism is brought about by three types of variability generating element (VGE): homing endonucleases, DNA polymerase domain‐containing open reading frames and small inverted repeats. Based on VGE positioning, mt sequences and nuclear markers, two subclades of R. irregularis were characterized.

The discovery of VGEs highlights the great intraspecific plasticity of the R. irregularis mt genome. VGEs allow the design of powerful mt markers for the typing and monitoring of R. irregularis strains in genetic and population studies.
Cardiovascular reactivity and resistance to opposing viewpoints during intragroup conflict
Authors: de Wit Frank R. C. , Scheepers Daan , Jehn Karen A.
Published: September 2012

This study examined how the outcomes of joint decision making relate to cardiovascular reactions when group members disagree about the decision to be taken. A conflict was experimentally induced during a joint decision‐making task, while cardiovascular markers of challenge/threat motivational states were assessed following the biopsychosocial model of challenge and threat (BPSM; J. Blascovich, ). Results show that individuals were less likely to adjust their initially preferred decision alternative the more they exhibited a cardiovascular pattern indicative of threat (i.e., relatively high total peripheral resistance and low cardiac output) compared to challenge. This finding extends the BPSM by showing a link between threat and rigidity, and emphasizes the importance of psychophysiological processes for studying intragroup conflict and decision making.
Meta‐Analysis of the Effects of Human Disturbance on Seed Dispersal by Animals
Authors: Markl Julia S. , Schleuning Matthias , Forget Pierre Michel , Jordano Pedro , Lambert Joanna E. , Traveset Anna , Wright S. Joseph , Böhning‐Gaese Katrin
Published: September 2012

Animal‐mediated seed dispersal is important for sustaining biological diversity in forest ecosystems, particularly in the tropics. Forest fragmentation, hunting, and selective logging modify forests in myriad ways and their effects on animal‐mediated seed dispersal have been examined in many case studies. However, the overall effects of different types of human disturbance on animal‐mediated seed dispersal are still unknown. We identified 35 articles that provided 83 comparisons of animal‐mediated seed dispersal between disturbed and undisturbed forests; all comparisons except one were conducted in tropical or subtropical ecosystems. We assessed the effects of forest fragmentation, hunting, and selective logging on seed dispersal of fleshy‐fruited tree species. We carried out a meta‐analysis to test whether forest fragmentation, hunting, and selective logging affected 3 components of animal‐mediated seed dispersal: frugivore visitation rate, number of seeds removed, and distance of seed dispersal. Forest fragmentation, hunting, and selective logging did not affect visitation rate and were marginally associated with a reduction in seed‐dispersal distance. Hunting and selective logging, but not fragmentation, were associated with a large reduction in the number of seeds removed. Fewer seeds of large‐seeded than of small‐seeded tree species were removed in hunted or selectively logged forests. A plausible explanation for the consistently negative effects of hunting and selective logging on large‐seeded plant species is that large frugivores, as the predominant seed dispersers for large‐seeded plant species, are the first animals to be extirpated from hunted or logged forests. The reduction in forest area after fragmentation appeared to have weaker effects on frugivore communities and animal‐mediated seed dispersal than hunting and selective logging. The differential effects of hunting and selective logging on large‐ and small‐seeded tree species underpinned case studies that showed disrupted plant‐frugivore interactions could trigger a homogenization of seed traits in tree communities in hunted or logged tropical forests.

Meta Análisis de los Efectos de la Perturbación Humana sobre la Dispersión de Semillas por Animales
The Supply‐Side Determinants of Loan Contract Strictness
Authors: MURFIN JUSTIN
Published: September 2012

Using a measure of contract strictness based on the probability of a covenant violation, I investigate how lender‐specific shocks impact the strictness of the loan contract that a borrower receives. Banks write tighter contracts than their peers after suffering payment defaults to their own loan portfolios, even when defaulting borrowers are in different industries and geographic regions from the current borrower. The effects persist after controlling for bank capitalization, although bank equity compression is also associated with tighter contracts. The evidence suggests that recent defaults inform the lender's perception of its own screening ability, thereby impacting its contracting behavior.
A Lintner Model of Payout and Managerial Rents
Authors: LAMBRECHT BART M. , MYERS STEWART C.
Published: September 2012

We develop a dynamic agency model in which payout, investment, and financing decisions are made by managers who attempt to maximize the rents they take from the firm, subject to a capital market constraint. Managers smooth payout to smooth their flow of rents. Total payout (dividends plus net repurchases) follows Lintner's (1956) target adjustment model. Payout smooths out transitory shocks to current income and adjusts gradually to changes in permanent income. Smoothing is accomplished by borrowing or lending. Payout is not cut back to finance capital investment. Risk aversion causes managers to underinvest, but habit formation mitigates the degree of underinvestment.
Incomplete‐Market Equilibria Solved Recursively on an Event Tree
Authors: DUMAS BERNARD , LYASOFF ANDREW
Published: September 2012

Because of non‐traded human capital, real‐world financial markets are massively incomplete, while the modeling of imperfect, dynamic financial markets remains a wide‐open and difficult field. Some 30 years after Cox, Ross, and Rubinstein (1979) taught us how to calculate the prices of derivative securities on an event tree by simple backward induction, we show how a similar formulation can be used in computing heterogeneous‐agents incomplete‐market equilibrium prices of primitive securities. Extant methods work forward and backward, requiring a guess of the way investors forecast the future. In our method, the future is part of the current solution of each backward time step.
The Cafta Conflict and Costa Rica's Democracy: Assessing the 2007 Referendum
Authors: Willis Eliza J. , Seiz Janet A.
Published: September 2012

The process of ratifying CAFTA in Costa Rica required traversing a contentious political landscape involving intense legislative battles, massive public demonstrations, and finally a national referendum in October 2007. By employing the mechanism of direct democracy to ratify a free trade agreement, Costa Rica made history. But how did this experiment with direct participation affect Costa Rica's democracy? This article evaluates what the referendum achieved in terms of promoting citizen engagement, equipping voters to make informed choices, resolving the CAFTA conflict in a way viewed as legitimate, and shaping citizens' relationships to representative institutions. While the referendum had positive effects, it had several negative consequences for representative democracy, which raises questions about the limits of democratic control over economic policy in the era of globalization.
Decaying Mouse Volatiles Perceived byCalliphora vicinaRob.‐Desv.
Authors: Paczkowski Sebastian , Maibaum Friederike , Paczkowska Marta , Schütz Stefan
Published: September 2012

Volatiles emitted by decaying human remains are in the focus of recent research. The identification of core volatiles in this field is of high importance, because cadaveric volatiles generally show high variation. In this study, the volatile profiles of five mice (Myodes glareolus) were sampled with charcoal filter tubes from their time of death until advanced decay. Eleven compounds were quantitated by means of gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Electroantennographic experiments with femaleCalliphora vicinaantennae led to the identification of dimethyl trisulfide, dimethyl disulfide, nonanal, hexan‐1‐ol, 1‐octen‐3‐ol, 3‐methylbutan‐1‐ol, and heptanal as electrophysiologically active compounds. When these were compared, dimethyl trisulfide (17 ng/μL) and dimethyl disulfide (11 ng/μL) were found to be emitted in higher concentrations. The roles of these compounds and nonanal as core volatiles for cadaver detection or postmortem time determination and their correlation to the stages of decay and the accumulated degree days are discussed.
Intra‐specific variability in life‐cycle synchronization of an ectoparasitic fly to its avian host
Authors: Calero‐Torralbo Miguel A. , Václav Radovan , Valera Francisco
Published: September 2012

The role of environmental and host‐associated factors in synchronization of host–parasite life‐cycles is an important question of evolutionary ecology. Yet, only handsome of studies examined this question at the intraspecific level. Here we explore how host‐associated traits, such as breeding phenology and host breeding habitat, can influence parasite phenology and co‐occurrence at different spatial scales. We studied the system comprised of a generalist ectoparasitic fly Carnus hemapterus and one of its avian hosts, the European roller Coracias garrulus. Inter‐annual variation in phenology was larger for parasites than hosts. Host predictability in terms of occurrence and phenological regularity was moderate, suggesting that this resource can be difficult to be tracked by the parasite. A large proportion of flies consistently emerged before the appearance of suitable host resources at both the nest and population level. Consequently, we revealed low and highly variable inter‐annual host–parasite synchronization rates. Nevertheless, we found that parasites from nests of early and progressively earlier breeding European rollers were more synchronized with their hosts than parasites from nests of late and progressively later breeding hosts, respectively. Temporal trends in host suitability and parasite emergence at the population scale suggest that other mechanisms, such as dispersal or exploitation of other host species, ensure parasites access to resources and counteract asynchrony with the host at the nest scale.
Snow cover manipulations alter survival of early life stages of cold‐temperate tree species
Authors: Drescher Michael , Thomas Sean C.
Published: September 2012

Projections of future climate suggest increases in global temperatures that are especially pronounced in winter in cold‐temperate regions. Thermal insulation provided by snow cover to litter, soil, and overwintering plants will likely be affected by changing winter temperatures and might influence future species composition and ranges. We investigated effects of changing snow cover on seed germination and sapling survival of several cold‐temperate tree species using a snow manipulation approach. Post‐winter seed germination increased or decreased with increasing snow cover, depending on species; decreased seed germination was found in species that characteristically disperse seed in summer or fall months prior to snowfall. Post‐winter sapling survival increased with increasing snow cover for all species, though some species benefitted more from increased snow cover than others. Sapling mortality was associated with root exposure, suggesting the possibility that soil frost heaving could be an important mechanism for observed effects. Our results suggest that altered snow regimes may cause re‐assembly of current species habitat relationships and may drive changes in species’ biogeographic range. However, local snow regimes also vary with associated vegetation cover and topography, suggesting that species distribution patterns may be strongly influenced by spatial heterogeneity in snow regimes and complicating future projections.
The Reliability of Calendar Data for Reporting Contraceptive Use: Evidence from Rural Bangladesh
Authors: Callahan Rebecca L. , Becker Stan
Published: September 2012

Collecting contraceptive‐use data by means of calendar methods has become standard practice in large‐scale population surveys, yet the reliability of these methods for capturing accurate contraceptive histories over time remains largely unknown. Using data from overlapping contraceptive calendars included in a longitudinal study of 3,080 rural Bangladeshi women, we assessed the consistency of reports from the baseline interview month in 2006 with reports from the same month in a follow‐up survey three years later, and examined predictors of reliable reporting. More than one‐third of women were discordant in their reports for the reference month in the two surveys. Among women reporting use of any contraceptive method for the reference month in both surveys, 25 percent reported different methods at the two time points. Women using condoms or traditional methods and those with more complex reproductive histories, including more births and more episodes of contraceptive use, were least likely to report reliably.
A Standardized Diagnostic Interview for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder in Women: Standard Operating Procedure (SOP Part 2)
Authors: Bitzer Johannes , Giraldi Annamaria , Pfaus Jim
Published: September 2012

Introduction

Taking into account that Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) is a patient-reported symptom and that the disorder is in general the result of the interaction of biological and psychosocial factors (see part 1), it is necessary to provide healthcare professionals with an operating procedure that is patient centered and multidimensional.

Aim

Describing a patient-centered and multidimensional standard procedure to diagnose and manage HSDD on a primary care level.

Methods

Review of the literature. Semistructured interview and description of process.

Result

The interactive process with the patient follows several steps: initiation, narrative of the patient to understand the individual profile of the disorder, differentiating questions, descriptive diagnosis, exploration of conditioning biomedical, individual psychological, interpersonal, and sociocultural factors (including biomedical examinations), establishment of a biopsychosocial comprehensive explanatory diagnosis, which can be summarized in a nine-field matrix. This matrix will serve as orientation for therapeutic interventions adapted to the individual person. These interventions should always be based on basic counseling as a basis of treatment. Then adapted to the individual condition specific hormonal treatments (mainly estrogen and testosterone alone or combined) can be used after exclusion of contraindications. In patients with predominant psychosocial factors contributing to HSDD individual or couple psychotherapy is indicated. Psychopharmacological drugs are in development and partially investigated and will add to the therapeutic possibilities in the future.

Conclusion

This model can serve as an ideal basis for the approach to the female patient with HSDD. It can be adapted to the individual clinical setting.
Standard Operating Procedure for the Preservation of Erectile Function Outcomes After Radical Prostatectomy
Authors: Mulhall John P. , Bivalacqua Trinity J. , Becher Edgardo F.
Published: September 2012

Introduction

Prostate cancer is common, and, thus, more men are being treated surgically. Long-term functional outcomes are of significant importance to the patient and their partners. Erectile function (EF) preservation (rehabilitation) has gained significant traction worldwide, despite the absence of definitive evidence supporting its use.

Aim

To review the effectiveness of specific pharmacological therapies and other erectogenic aids in the treatment of post-radical prostatectomy (RP) erectile dysfunction.

Methods

A systematic literature review of original peer-reviewed manuscripts and clinical trials reported in Medline.

Main Outcome Measure

This review focused on the evaluation of interventions that aimed to improve EF recovery following RP.

Results

Although well documented in animal models, studies supporting the rehabilitation with phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors in humans are scarce. Daily sildenafil has been used in trials (only one randomized placebo-controlled trial) with a significant improvement in erection recovery when compared to placebo or no rehabilitation but with a low return to baseline rates (27% vs. 4% placebo). Nightly vardenafil vs. on demand vs. placebo has been studied in the Recovery of Erections: INtervention with Vardenafil Early Nightly Therapy trial with no difference in erection recovery following RP. Intracavernosal injections, although widely used and attractive from a rehabilitation standpoint, does not yet have definitive supporting its role in rehabilitation. Vacuum erection devices use following RP has been reported, but there are no data to support its role as monotherapy. Intraurethral alprostadil was also studied vs. sildenafil in a multicenter, randomized, open-label trial, and no superiority was found.

Conclusions

At this time, we are unable to define what represents the optimal rehabilitation program in regard to strategies utilized, timing of intervention, or duration of treatment.
17‐year outcome of preterm infants with diverse neonatal morbidities: Part 2, impact on activities and participation
Authors: Sullivan Mary C. , Miller Robin J. , Msall Michael E.
Published: September 2012

Purpose

To examine functioning and participation in a diverse U.S. sample of 180 infants at age 17 years.

Design and Methods

The World Health Organization International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health model framed functioning and participation domains and contextual factors. Assessment included cognition, executive functioning, academic achievement, personal functioning, community participation, and social involvement.

Results

Socioeconomic status, not prematurity, impacted cognitive and academic outcomes. Across neonatal morbidities, male gender and social disadvantage are key determinants of cognitive, academic, and social functioning.

Practice Implications

Interventions addressing academic and social–behavioral competencies in early school years may potentially optimize long‐term preterm outcomes.
SDSS J102623.61+254259.5: the second most distant blazar at z = 5.3
Authors: Sbarrato T. , Ghisellini G. , Nardini M. , Tagliaferri G. , Foschini L. , Ghirlanda G. , Tavecchio F. , Greiner J. , Rau A. , Gehrels N.
Published: September 2012

The radio-loud quasar SDSS J102623.61+254259.5, at a redshift z = 5.3, is one of the most distant radio-loud objects. Since its radio flux exceeds 100 mJy at a few GHz, it is also one of the most powerful radio-loud sources. We propose that this source is a blazar, i.e. we are seeing its jet at a small viewing angle. This claim is based on the spectral energy distribution of this source, and especially on its strong and hard X-ray spectrum, as seen by Swift, very typical of powerful blazars. Observations by the Gamma-Ray Burst Optical/Near-Infrared Detector (GROND) and by the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) allow us to establish the thermal nature of the emission in the near-IR–optical band. Assuming that this is produced by a standard accretion disc, we derive that it emits a luminosity of Ld≃ 9 × 1046 erg s−1 and that the black hole has a mass between 2 and 5 billion solar masses. This poses interesting constraints on the mass function of heavy (>109 M⊙) black holes at high redshifts.
Power prediction for one‐piece and three‐piece intraocular lens implantation after cataract surgery in patients with chronic angle‐closure glaucoma: a prospective, randomized clinical trial
Authors: Rhiu Soolienah , Lee Eun Suk , Kim Tae‐im , Lee Hye Sun , Kim Chan Yun
Published: September 2012

Purpose:  To assess the accuracy of intraocular lens (IOL) power prediction for cataract surgery in chronic angle‐closure glaucoma (CACG) patients with different IOLs’ implantation.

Methods:  This prospective randomized clinical trial included 45 eyes with CACG and 48 eyes with normal controls undergoing cataract surgery. In the CACG group, 23 eyes (51%) had three‐piece IOL implantation and 22 eyes (49%) had one‐piece IOL implantation. In the normal control group, 25 eyes (52%) had three‐piece IOL implantation and 23 eyes (48%) had one‐piece IOL implantation. Using the SRK/T formula, the mean difference between the predicted and actual postoperative spherical equivalent [mean absolute error (MAE)] was obtained and converted to natural logarithm (ln) for statistical analysis. The power of the implanted IOL was calculated to predict postoperative SE using three formulas: SRK II, Holladay II and Hoffer Q by post hoc analysis in each group. The predictive accuracy of each formula was analysed by comparing the lnMAE.

Results:  In the one‐piece IOL group, there was no difference in lnMAE between the CACG and normal control group (p = 0.314). In the three‐piece IOL group, the lnMAE of the CACG group was larger than that of the normal control group (p < 0.001). The lnMAEs calculated by the SRK/T formula were more accurate than the Holladay II (p = 0.045) and Hoffer Q (p = 0.042) formula in the CACG one‐piece IOL group.

Conclusions:  Implantation of one‐piece IOLs provides similar power prediction accuracy comparable to normal cataract patients; this result may be explained by the IOL haptic configuration or design.
N‐chlorotaurine and its analogues N,N‐dichloro‐2,2‐dimethyltaurine and N‐monochloro‐2,2‐dimethyltaurine are safe and effective bactericidal agents in ex vivo corneal infection models
Authors: Teuchner Barbara , Eitzinger Christian , Lutz Matthias , Hager Thomas , Schmid Eduard , Bechrakis Nikolaos E. , Zuck Meghan , Jekle Andreas , Debabov Dmitri , Anderson Mark , Nagl Markus
Published: September 2012

Purpose:  N‐chlorotaurine (NCT) and its analogues N‐monochloro‐2,2‐dimethyltaurine (NVC‐612) and N‐dichloro‐2,2‐dimethyltaurine (NVC‐422) are new anti‐infectives for topical treatment for conjunctivitis. The aim of this study was to show that these compounds are safe in an EpiOcular model and effective in corneas infected ex vivo.

Methods:  Corneal buttons were excised from porcine eyes. In 183 of the 229 corneas, erosion and artificial superficial stromal incision were induced. They were bathed in suspensions of Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus for 24 hr at 37°C and incubated in solutions of the test substances at 37°C and pH 7.1. Subsequently, they were subjected to histology (n = 20) or homogenized followed by quantitative bacterial cultures (n = 209). Ocular irritation was tested using the EpiOcular™ tissue system (MatTek Corporation).

Results:  Bacterial accumulations were detected histologically both on the corneal surface and also in the anterior third of the stroma of incised corneal buttons. All three test compounds at a concentration of 55 mm (equals 1% NCT) reduced the bacterial counts of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus by approximately 5 log10 after 60‐ and 120‐min incubation, respectively. Significant killing was observed as early as after 5‐min incubation. Also intrastromal bacteria were inactivated. In the EpiOcular™ tissue model, NCT, NVC‐422 and NVC‐612 had no or very low potential to irritate corneal tissue.

Conclusion:  N‐chlorotaurine, NVC‐422 and NVC‐612 are non‐irritating in cornea and kill P. aeruginosa and S. aureus, even following penetration into the deeper corneal stromal layers.
Serum cardiac troponin I concentrations in dogs with leishmaniasis: correlation with age and clinicopathologic abnormalities
Authors: Silvestrini Paolo , Piviani Martina , Alberola Jordi , Rodríguez‐Cortés Alheli , Planellas Marta , Roura Xavier , O'Brien Peter James , Pastor Josep
Published: September 2012

Background

There is anecdotal evidence of myocardial injury in dogs with leishmaniasis due to generalized vasculitis and myocarditis.

Objective

The aims of this study were to evaluate serum concentration of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) as an indicator of myocardial injury in dogs with leishmaniasis and to assess the relationship between cTnI concentration and age, serum antibody titer, and a variety of blood analytes.

Methods

In this retrospective study, serum cTnI concentration was measured in dogs with leishmaniasis and in age‐matched healthy dogs. Diagnosis was based on clinical signs and moderate‐to‐high seropositivity forLeishmaniaas measured byELISA. Correlations between cTnI concentration andELISAseropositivity,PCV, concentrations of serum creatinine, total protein, albumin, and globulin, albumin:globulin ratio (A/G), and urine protein:creatinine ratio (UPC) were investigated. TheMann–Whitney test was used to compare analytes between dogs with normal and increased (> 0.06 μg/L) cTnI concentration and to compare cTnI concentrations between dogs with and without anemia, azotemia, and proteinuria.

Results

In dogs with leishmaniasis (n = 40), median cTnI concentration was higher than in control dogs (n = 11) (P = .011). Sixteen dogs (40%) with leishmaniasis had increased cTnI concentration; cTnI was moderately to weakly correlated with decreased albumin concentration, decreased A/G, increasedUPC, decreasedPCV, positiveLeishmaniatiter, and increased age. Dogs with leishmaniasis had significantly higher total protein and globulin concentrations and lowerPCV, albumin concentration, and A/G than control dogs. Hematologic and biochemical analytes did not differ significantly between dogs with cTnI concentration within the reference interval and those with increased concentrations. Concentration of cTnI was higher in proteinuric dogs compared with nonproteinuric dogs (P = .017).

Conclusion

A proportion of dogs with leishmaniasis have increased serum cTnI concentration, indicative of some degree of cardiac injury. Additional studies are needed to investigate the relationship between leishmaniasis and possible myocardial injury.
The Impact of Objective and Subjective Measures of Air Quality and Noise on House Prices: A Multilevel Approach for Downtown Madrid
Authors: Chasco Coro , Gallo Julie Le
Published: September 2012

Air quality and urban noise are major concerns in big cities. This article presents an evaluation of how they affect transaction prices in downtown Madrid. For this purpose, we incorporated both objective and subjective measures of air quality and noise and used multilevel models, since our sample was hierarchically organized into three levels: 5,080 houses (level 1) in 759 census tracts (level 2) and 43 neighborhoods (level 3). Variables are available for each level, individual characteristics for the first level, and various socioeconomic data for the other levels. We estimated multilevel hedonic models to assess the marginal willingness to pay for better air quality and reduced noise in downtown Madrid. We found that noise and air pollution are place‐based perception variables with a so‐called halo effect: residents in wealthier neighborhoods do not perceive their environment as being highly polluted because of their higher “sense of place.” In addition, we found a counterintuitive positive sign for the effect of objective measures of pollutants on housing prices but a significantly negative effect of the subjective measures. For these reasons, we conclude that housing prices are better explained by subjective evaluation factors than by objective measurements.
SmartTots: a public–private partnership between the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS)
Authors: Ramsay James G. , Roizen Michael
Published: September 2012

A history of the public–private partnership ‘SmartTots’ between the IARS and FDA is presented. In order to raise money for research to better understand the relationship between sedative and anesthetic agents and neurotoxicity in the developing brain, the FDA approached the IARS in 2008. A partnership was developed over the following 2 years, then a Scientific Advisory Board was created to develop a research agenda. The IARS contributed $200 000 in 2011 to provide initial funding; 33 proposals were submitted in response to a request for proposals in late 2011 and resulted in the awarding of two, $100 000 grants in 2012. An Executive Board was appointed under the leadership of Michael Roizen to spearhead additional fund‐raising efforts, and a director of development is working with Dr. Roizen and the Board to raise funds from individuals and organizations. Dr. Roizen has personally committed to a matching grant for anesthesiologists, up to $50 000 per year for 20 years ($1 million). Readers of the journal are encouraged to go to the website www.smarttots.org in order to better understand the issue, to contribute to the research fund themselves, and to encourage their own professional organizations to partner with SmartTots in fund‐raising.
MYB103 is required for FERULATE‐5‐HYDROXYLASE expression and syringyl lignin biosynthesis in Arabidopsis stems
Authors: Öhman David , Demedts Brecht , Kumar Manoj , Gerber Lorenz , Gorzsás András , Goeminne Geert , Hedenström Mattias , Ellis Brian , Boerjan Wout , Sundberg Björn
Published: September 2012

The transcription factor MYB103 was previously identified as a member of the transcriptional network regulating secondary wall biosynthesis in xylem tissues of Arabidopsis, and was proposed to act on cellulose biosynthesis. It is a direct transcriptional target of the transcription factor SECONDARY WALL ASSOCIATED NAC DOMAIN PROTEIN 1 (SND1), and 35S‐driven dominant repression or over‐expression of MYB103 modifies secondary wall thickness. We identified two myb103 T‐DNA insertion mutants and chemically characterized their lignocellulose by pyrolysis/GC/MS, 2D NMR, FT‐IR microspectroscopy and wet chemistry. The mutants developed normally but exhibited a 70–75% decrease in syringyl (S) lignin. The level of guaiacyl (G) lignin was co‐ordinately increased, so that total Klason lignin was not affected. The transcript abundance of FERULATE‐5‐HYDROXYLASE (F5H), the key gene in biosynthesis of S lignin, was strongly decreased in the myb103 mutants, and the metabolomes of the myb103 mutant and an F5H null mutant were very similar. Other than modification of the lignin S to G ratio, there were only very minor changes in the composition of secondary cell‐wall polymers in the inflorescence stem. In conclusion, we demonstrate that F5H expression and hence biosynthesis of S lignin are dependent on MYB103.
Redox regulation of glutenin subunit assembly in the plant endoplasmic reticulum
Authors: Lombardi Alessio , Marshall Richard S. , Castellazzi Chiara L. , Ceriotti Aldo
Published: September 2012

The glutenin fraction of wheat storage proteins consists of large polymers in which high‐ and low‐molecular‐weight subunits are connected by inter‐chain disulfide bonds. We found that assembly of a low‐molecular‐weight glutenin subunit in the endoplasmic reticulum is a rapid process that leads to accumulation of various oligomeric forms, and that this assembly is sensitive to perturbation of the cellular redox environment. In endoplasmic reticulum‐derived microsomes, low‐molecular‐weight glutenin subunits are subjected to hyper‐polymerization, indicating that cytosolic factors play an important role in limiting polymer size. Addition of physiological concentrations of reduced glutathione is sufficient to maintain the original polymerization pattern of the glutenin subunits upon cytosol dilution. Furthermore, we show that a low‐molecular‐weight glutenin subunit can be glutathionylated in endoplasmic reticulum‐derived microsomes, and that it can be directly reduced by glutathione in vitro. These results indicate that glutenin polymerization is sensitive to changes in the redox state of the cell, and suggest that the presence of a reducing cytosolic environment plays an important role in regulating disulfide bond formation in the endoplasmic reticulum of plant cells.
Impeller-Vaned Diffuser Interaction in a Centrifugal Compressor at Off Design Conditions
Authors: Gaetani P. , Persico G. , Mora A. , Dossena V. , Osnaghi C.
Published: September 2012

As centrifugal compressors find a huge number of applications in industry and in aero-engines, the detailed analysis and comprehension of the impeller-vaned diffuser interaction is of interest to improve the efficiency and the operating range. This paper presents the results of a wide experimental campaign devoted to the understanding of the impeller-diffuser interaction; in particular, the paper focuses on the features occurring when the compressor works in off design conditions. Data were taken at three operating points (near surge, best efficiency, and maximum flow rate point) in the impeller-vaned diffuser gap by a fast response probe; the single stage compressor runs at 12,500 RPM giving a peripheral Mach number of 0.77. At first, data are reduced to evidence the main impeller flow features, which are compared at different flow rates. Furthermore time mean diffuser effects on the impeller are commented and finally the impeller-diffuser interaction is discussed. Results evidence the effect of the diffuser on the impeller, mainly in terms of static pressure and flow velocity, which have a strong dependence on the flow rate.
Long-term stability of metal-envelope enclosed Bayard–Alpert ionization gauges
Authors: Fedchak James A. , Defibaugh Dana R.
Published: September 2012

Ionization vacuum gauges are used as secondary standards by calibration laboratories and as transfer standards in intercomparisons among metrology laboratories. A quantitative measurement of gauge stability with respect to the gauge calibration factor is critical for these applications. We report the long-term calibration stability of hot-filament metal-envelope enclosed ionization gauges based upon the analysis of repeat calibrations of nine gauges over a 15 year period. All of the gauges included in the study were of the same type: Bayard–Alpert type ionization gauges of an all-metal construction with an integral metal-envelope surrounding the hot-filament, grid, and collector. All were calibrated repeatedly at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) using the NIST high-vacuum standard but are owned by organizations external to NIST. The gauges were removed from the high-vacuum standard after calibration, shipped back to the gauge-owner, and were returned to NIST at a later date (more than 1 year) for recalibration. Gauge stability was determined using a pooled standard deviation (weighted root-mean-square average of individual gauge standard deviations) based on all calibration factors measured at NIST and was used to define the relative uncertainty component associated with long-term stability uLTS. We determined uLTS = 1.9% (k = 1) for gauges operated with 4 mA of emission current, and uLTS = 2.8% (k = 1) for gauges operated with 0.1 mA emission current.