bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
S1P lyase in thymic perivascular spaces promotes egress of mature thymocytes via up-regulation of S1P receptor 1
Authors: Maeda Yasuhiro , Yagi Hideki , Takemoto Kana , Utsumi Hiroyuki , Fukunari Atsushi , Sugahara Kunio , Masuko Takashi , Chiba Kenji
Published: December 2013

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) and S1P receptor 1 (S1P1) play an important role in the egress of mature CD4 or CD8 single-positive (SP) thymocytes from the thymus. Fingolimod hydrochloride (FTY720), an S1P1 functional antagonist, induced significant accumulation of CD62LhighCD69low mature SP thymocytes in the thymic medulla. Immunohistochemical staining using anti-S1P1 antibody revealed that S1P1 is predominantly expressed on thymocytes in the thymic medulla and is strongly down-regulated even at 3h after FTY720 administration. 2-Acetyl-4-tetrahydroxybutylimidazole (THI), an S1P lyase inhibitor, also induced accumulation of mature SP thymocytes in the thymic medulla with an enlargement of the perivascular spaces (PVS). At 6h after THI administration, S1P1-expressing thymocytes reduced partially as if to form clusters and hardly existed in the proximity of CD31-expressing blood vessels in the thymic medulla, suggesting S1P lyase expression in the cells constructing thymic medullary PVS. To determine the cells expressing S1P lyase in the thymus, we newly established a mAb (YK19-2) specific for mouse S1P lyase. Immunohistochemical staining with YK19-2 revealed that S1P lyase is predominantly expressed in non-lymphoid thymic stromal cells in the thymic medulla. In the thymic medullary PVS, S1P lyase was expressed in ER-TR7-positive cells (reticular fibroblasts and pericytes) and CD31-positive vascular endothelial cells. Our findings suggest that S1P lyase expressed in the thymic medullary PVS keeps the tissue S1P concentration low around the vessels and promotes thymic egress via up-regulation of S1P1.
Cardioprotection during Diabetes
Authors: Muravyeva Maria , Baotic Ines , Bienengraeber Martin , Lazar Jozef , Bosnjak Zeljko J. , Sedlic Filip , Warltier David C. , Kersten Judy R.
Published: December 2013

Background:

Diabetes alters mitochondrial bioenergetics and consequently disrupts cardioprotective signaling. The authors investigated whether mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) modulates anesthetic preconditioning (APC) and cardiac susceptibility to ischemia–reperfusion injury by using two strains of rats, both sharing nuclear genome of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DN) rats and having distinct mitochondrial genomes of Wistar and fawn-hooded hypertensive (FHH) rat strains (T2DNmtWistar and T2DNmtFHH, respectively).

Methods:

Myocardial infarct size was measured in Wistar, T2DNmtWistar, and T2DNmtFHH rats with or without APC (1.4% isoflurane) in the presence or absence of antioxidant N-acetylcysteine. Flavoprotein fluorescence intensity, a marker of mitochondrial redox state, 5-(and-6)-chloromethyl-2’,7’-dichlorofluorescein fluorescence intensity, a marker of reactive oxygen species generation, and mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening were assessed in isolated rat ventricular cardiomyocytes with or without isoflurane (0.5 mmol/l).

Results:

Myocardial infarct size was decreased by APC in Wistar and T2DNmtWistar rats (to 42 ± 6%, n = 8; and 44 ± 7%, n = 8; of risk area, respectively) compared with their respective controls (60 ± 3%, n = 6; and 59 ± 9%, n = 7), but not in T2DNmtFHH rats (60 ± 2%, n = 8). N-acetylcysteine applied during isoflurane treatment restored APC in T2DNmtFHH (39 ± 6%, n = 7; and 38 ± 5%, n = 7; 150 and 75 mg/kg N-acetylcysteine, respectively), but abolished protection in control rats (54 ± 8%, n = 6). Similar to the data on infarct size, APC delayed mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening in T2DNmtWistar but not in T2DNmtFHH cardiomyocytes. Isoflurane increased flavoprotein and 5-(and-6)-chloromethyl-2’,7’-dichlorofluorescein fluorescence intensity in all rat strains, with the greatest effect in T2DNmtFHH cardiomyocytes.

Conclusion:

Differences in the mitochondrial genome modulate isoflurane-induced generation of reactive oxygen species which translates into differential susceptibility to APC and ischemia–reperfusion injury in diabetic rats.
Chronic Functional Constipation in Children
Authors: Steiner Sílvia A. , Torres Marcia R.F. , Penna Francisco J. , Gazzinelli Barbara F. , Corradi Caroline G.A. , Costa Aline S. , Ribeiro Isabela G. , de Andrade Eugênio G. , do Carmo Barros de Melo Maria
Published: December 2013

Objective:

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the treatment adherence of children with chronic functional constipation.

Methods:

The present study is a prospective and longitudinal study realized at a pediatric gastroenterology clinic of a Brazilian University Hospital, between August 2009 and October 2011. Rome III criteria and the Bristol Stool Scale were used to define constipation and to characterize feces, respectively. Drug treatment was prescribed for patients according to the protocols previously standardized in the clinic. Specific questionnaires, containing questions related to 1 dependent variable and independent variables were completed in the first and sixth months of the treatment. Independent variables related to the patients, their caregivers, the disease itself, and the therapeutic plan were analyzed and compared with the dependent variable (adherence to the treatment). Adherence was considered when the patient returned with >75% of the prescribed medicine containers empty.

Results:

Fifty children participated in both the first and sixth months of treatment. The mean age of the sample was 77.6 ± 43.8 months and the mean age of the onset of symptoms was 18.8 ± 27.9 months. The adherence rate was 38% in the first month and 30% in the sixth month. Patients who were treated with polyethylene glycol had greater adherence than patients who were prescribed other laxatives, with statistical significance in the second moment of the study (P = 0.19 and P = 0.04, respectively).

Conclusions:

The study showed low adherence rates to drug treatment of constipation in children. It is necessary to seek new strategies to increase treatment adherence, while avoiding complications and reducing costs.
Dietary Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation in Children With Autism
Authors: Voigt Robert G. , Mellon Michael W. , Katusic Slavica K. , Weaver Amy L. , Matern Dietrich , Mellon Bryan , Jensen Craig L. , Barbaresi William J.
Published: December 2013

Objective:

The aim of the study was to determine whether docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation improves the behavior of children with autism.

Methods:

A group of 3‐ to 10‐year‐old children with autism were randomized in a double‐blind fashion to receive a supplement containing 200 mg of DHA or a placebo for 6 months. The parents and the investigator completed the Clinical Global Impressions‐Improvement scale to rate changes in core symptoms of autism after 3 and 6 months. The parents completed the Child Development Inventory and the Aberrant Behavior Checklist, and both parents and teachers completed the Behavior Assessment Scale for Children (BASC) at enrollment and after 6 months.

Results:

A total of 48 children (40 [83%] boys, mean age [standard deviation] 6.1 [2.0] years) were enrolled; 24 received DHA and 24 placebo. Despite a median 431% increase in total plasma DHA levels after 6 months, the DHA group was not rated as improved in core symptoms of autism compared to the placebo group on the CGI‐I. Based on the analysis of covariance models adjusted for the baseline rating scores, parents (but not teachers) provided a higher average rating of social skills on the BASC for the children in the placebo group compared to the DHA group (P = 0.04), and teachers (but not parents) provided a higher average rating of functional communication on the BASC for the children in the DHA group compared to the placebo group (P = 0.02).

Conclusions:

Dietary DHA supplementation of 200 mg/day for 6 months does not improve the core symptoms of autism. Our results may have been limited by inadequate sample size.
Nonlinear Schrödinger equation on graphs: recent results and open problems
Authors: Noja Diego
Published: December 2013

In this paper, an introduction to the new subject of nonlinear dispersive Hamiltonian equations on graphs is given. The focus is on recently established properties of solutions in the case of the nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equation. Special consideration is given to the existence and behaviour of solitary solutions. Two subjects are discussed in some detail concerning the NLS equation on a star graph: the standing waves of the NLS equation on a graph with aδinteraction at the vertex, and the scattering of fast solitons through a Y-junction in the cubic case. The emphasis is on a description of concepts and results and on physical context, without reporting detailed proofs; some perspectives and more ambitious open problems are discussed.
Statistics of Gaussian packets on metric and decorated graphs
Authors: Chernyshev V. L. , Shafarevich A. I.
Published: December 2013

We study a semiclassical asymptotics of the Cauchy problem for a time-dependent Schrödinger equation on metric and decorated graphs with a localized initial function. A decorated graph is a topological space obtained from a graph via replacing vertices with smooth Riemannian manifolds. The main term of an asymptotic solution at an arbitrary finite time is a sum of Gaussian packets and generalized Gaussian packets (localized near a certain set of codimension one). We study the number of packets as time tends to infinity. We prove that under certain assumptions this number grows in time as a polynomial and packets fill the graph uniformly. We discuss a simple example of the opposite situation: in this case, a numerical experiment shows a subexponential growth.
Change of point mutations in Helicobacter pylori rRNA associated with clarithromycin resistance in Italy
Authors: De Francesco Vincenzo , Zullo Angelo , Giorgio Floriana , Saracino Ilaria , Zaccaro Cristina , Hassan Cesare , Ierardi Enzo , Di Leo Alfredo , Fiorini Giulia , Castelli Valentina , Lo Re Giovanna , Vaira Dino
Published: December 2013

Primary clarithromycin resistance is the main factor affecting the efficacy of Helicobacter pylori therapy. This study aimed: (i) to assess the concordance between phenotypic (culture) and genotypic (real-time PCR) tests in resistant strains; (ii) to search, in the case of disagreement between the methods, for point mutations other than those reported as the most frequent in Europe; and (iii) to compare the MICs associated with the single point mutations. In order to perform real-time PCR, we retrieved biopsies from patients in whom H. pylori infection was successful diagnosed by bacterial culture and clarithromycin resistance was assessed using the Etest. Only patients who had never been previously treated, and with H. pylori strains that were either resistant exclusively to clarithromycin or without any resistance, were included. Biopsies from 82 infected patients were analysed, including 42 strains that were clarithromycin resistant and 40 that were clarithromycin susceptible on culture. On genotypic analysis, at least one of the three most frequently reported point mutations (A2142C, A2142G and A2143G) was detected in only 23 cases (54.8 %), with a concordance between the two methods of 0.67. Novel point mutations (A2115G, G2141A and A2144T) were detected in a further 14 out of 19 discordant cases, increasing the resistance detection rate of PCR to 88 % (P<0.001; odds ratio 6.1, 95 % confidence interval 2−18.6) and the concordance to 0.81. No significant differences in MIC values among different point mutations were observed. This study suggests that: (i) the prevalence of the usually reported point mutations may be decreasing, with a concomitant emergence of new mutations; (ii) PCR-based methods should search for at least six point mutations to achieve good accuracy in detecting clarithromycin resistance; and (iii) none of the tested point mutations is associated with significantly higher MIC values than the others.
The 5-HT3A receptor is essential for fear extinction
Authors: Kondo Makoto , Nakamura Yukiko , Ishida Yusuke , Yamada Takahiro , Shimada Shoichi
Published: December 2013

The 5-HT3 receptor, the only ionotropic 5-HT receptor, is expressed in limbic regions, including the hippocampus, amygdala, and cortex. However, it is not known whether it has a role in fear memory processes. Analysis of 5-HT3A receptor knockout mice in fear conditioning paradigms revealed that the 5-HT3A receptor is not required for the acquisition or retention of fear memory but is essential for the extinction of contextual and tone-cued fear. Our data suggest that the 5-HT3A receptor could be a key molecule regulating fear memory processes and a potential therapeutic target for fear disorders.
Activity in prelimbic cortex subserves fear memory reconsolidation over time
Authors: Stern Cristina A.J. , Gazarini Lucas , Vanvossen Ana C. , Hames Mayara S. , Bertoglio Leandro J.
Published: December 2013

The prelimbic cortex has been implicated in the consolidation of previously learned fear. Herein, we report that temporarily inactivating this medial prefrontal cortex subregion with the GABAA agonist muscimol (4.0 nmol in 0.2 μL per hemisphere) was able to equally disrupt 1-, 7-, and 21-d-old contextual fear memories after their brief retrieval in rats. In all cases, this effect was prevented when memory reactivation was omitted. These results indicate that recent and remote fear memories are susceptible to reconsolidation blockade induced by prelimbic cortex inactivation. It was also demonstrated that the disrupting effect of prelimbic cortex inactivation on fear memory persisted over 11 d, and did not show extinction-related features, such as reinstatement. Infusing the same dose and volume of muscimol bilaterally into the infralimbic cortex after brief retrieval/reactivation of the fear memory did not disrupt it, as seen in prelimbic cortex-inactivated animals. The expression of Zif268/Egr1, the product of an immediate early gene related to memory reconsolidation, was also less pronounced in the infralimbic cortex than in prelimbic cortex following memory retrieval/reactivation. Altogether, the present findings highlight that activity in the prelimbic cortex may reestablish reactivated aversive memories and, therefore, contribute to their maintenance over time.
catena-Poly[{μ3-3,3′-[(1,7-dioxa-4,10-diazacyclododecane-4,10-diyl)bis(methylene)]dibenzoato}cobalt(II)]
Authors: Liao Liang , Ingram Conrad W. , Bacsa John , Parker Cass
Published: December 2013

The title compound, [Co(C24H28N2O6)]
n
, crystallizes as infinite chains related to one another by inversion centers, giving a centrosymmetric coordination polymer. The CoII ion, situated on a twofold rotation axis, forms a complex with the crown-4 moiety of the 3,3′-[(1,7-dioxa-4,10-diazacyclododecane-4,10-diyl)bis(methylene)]dibenzoate anion. The distorted octahedral coordination sphere of the CoII ion is completed by two carboxylate O atoms from two bridging intra-chain ligands. Metallomacrocyclic rings of 16 atoms are present, with each ring containing two CoII ions and 14 atoms from the bridging ligands. These units repeat as infinite zigzag chains along [101].
Poly[μ-aqua-bis(μ5-2,4-dichlorobenzoato)dipotassium]
Authors: Smith Graham
Published: December 2013

In the title compound, [K2(C7H3Cl2O2)2(H2O)]
n
, the potassium salt of 2,4-dichlorobenzoic acid, the repeating unit in the polymeric structure consists of two identical irregular KO6Cl units related by twofold rotational symmetry, linked by a bridging water molecule lying on the twofold axis. The coordination polyhedron about the K+ ion comprises a carboxylate O atom and a Cl-atom donor from a bidentate chelate ligand interaction, four O-atom donors from a doubly bridging bidentate carboxylate O,O′-chelate interaction and the water molecule. A two-dimensional polymeric structure lying parallel to (100) is generated through a series of conjoined cyclic bridges between K+ ions and is stabilized by water–carboxylate O—H...O hydrogen-bonding interactions.
N,N,2,4,6-Pentamethylanilinium hexafluorophosphate–1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaoxacyclooctadecane (2/1)
Authors: Chang Yi Qi , Zhang Yuan , Lian Huo Lin
Published: December 2013

In the title compound, 2C11H18N+·2PF6
−·C12H24O6, the 18-crown-6 molecule has crystallographically imposed inversion symmetry. In the crystal, it interacts with the cation through weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds. The cations and anions are further linked via N—H...F and C—H...F hydrogen bonds, leading to a sandwich structure .
Advanced glycation end‐products impair Na+/K+‐ATPase activity in diabetic cardiomyopathy: Role of the adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase/sirtuin 1 pathway
Authors: Yuan Qiong , Zhou Qian‐Yi , Liu Du , Yu Lun , Zhan Lin , Li Xiao‐Jing , Peng Hong‐Yan , Zhang Xiu‐Ling , Yuan Xin‐Chu
Published: December 2013

Decreased Na+/K+‐ATPase activity, and both sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) have been reported to be involved in the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM).

The present study aimed to investigate the advanced glycation end‐products (AGE) that impair Na+/K+‐ATPase stability by regulating the AMPK/SIRT1 pathway during progression of DCM.

To study type 1 diabetic mellitus (T1DM), a disease model in rats was established by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ; 65 mg/kg), and neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were also cultured. Heart function was detected by Doppler, and SIRT1 and AMPK protein expression were detected by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. Na+/K+‐ATPase activity was also monitored.

Using in vivo rat models of DCM, we showed that Na+/K+‐ATPase activity decreased when both AMPK and SIRT1 expression were downregulated. In vitro, AGE impaired Na+/K+‐ATPase activity and decreased the AMPK and SIRT1 expression.

Sirtuin 1 overexpression increased Na+/K+‐ATPase activity. 5‐aminoimidazole‐4‐carboxamide‐3‐ribonucleoside (AICAR) upregulated SIRT1 expression and increased Na+/K+‐ATPase activity, which could be partially abolished by splitomicin.

Our results suggest that the dysfunction of DCM is related to AGE‐induced Na+/K+‐ATPase activity impairment through a mechanism involving the AMPK/SIRT1 pathway.
The private life of environmental bacteria: pollutant biodegradation at the single cell level
Authors: Nikel Pablo Iván , Silva‐Rocha Rafael , Benedetti Ilaria , de Lorenzo Víctor
Published: December 2013

Bacteria display considerable cell‐to‐cell heterogeneity in a number of genetic and physiological traits. Stochastic differences in regulatory patterns (e.g. at the transcriptional level) propagate into the metabolic and physiological status of otherwise isogenic cells, which ultimately results in appearance of sub‐populations within the community. As new technologies emerge and because novel single cell strategies are constantly being refined, our knowledge on microbial individuality is in burgeoning and constant expansion. These approaches encompass not only molecular biology tools (e.g. fluorescent‐protein based reporters) but also a suite of sophisticated, non‐invasive technologies to gain insight into the metabolic state of individual cells. Defining the role of individual heterogeneities is thus instrumental for the population‐level understanding of macroscopic processes in both environmental and industrial set‐ups. The present article reviews the state‐of‐the‐art methodologies for the investigation of single bacteria at both the genetic and metabolic level, and places the application of currently available tools in the context of microbial ecology and environmental microbiology. As a case example, we examine the stochastic and multi‐stable behaviour of the TOL‐encoded pathway of Pseudomonas putida mt‐2 for the biodegradation of aromatic compounds. Bet‐hedging strategies and division of labour are considered as factors pushing forward the evolution of environmental microorganisms.
Self‐determination of young children with intellectual disability: understanding parents' perspectives
Authors: Arellano Araceli , Peralta Feli
Published: December 2013

Self‐determination is considered to be a basic human right which, to develop, demands contextual opportunities as well as individual competencies. For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the family is the natural support environment in the task of increasing control over their own lives. There is little, however, that has been published in Spain on the needs and strengths of families in this regard. This article presents a study carried out in Spain on the knowledge, attitudes and strategies that a sample group of parents (N = 201) have regarding self‐determination. An analysis of the data gathered highlights the need for intervention proposals to prepare parents to further their children's self‐determination, through collaborative partnerships and through cognitive restructuring.
Parents' experiences of applied behaviour analysis (ABA)‐based interventions for children diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder
Authors: McPhilemy Catherine , Dillenburger Karola
Published: December 2013

Applied behaviour analysis (ABA)‐based programmes are endorsed as the gold standard for treatment of children with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) in most of North America. This is not the case in most of Europe, where instead a non‐specified ‘eclectic’ approach is adopted. We explored the social validity of ABA‐based interventions with 15 European families who had experience with home‐based, mainly self‐managed, ABA‐based programmes for their own child/ren with ASD. The results of the study highlighted the overwhelmingly positive impact that ABA‐based interventions had on their children in areas such as social skills, challenging behaviour, communication, gross and fine motor skills, concentration, interaction, independence, overall quality of life and, most importantly, a feeling of hope for the future. Implications for European policy on ASD are discussed.
Practical considerations when supporting transitions for pupils with speech, language and communication needs
Authors: Perfitt Ruth
Published: December 2013

This article investigates the impact of transitions upon pupils aged 11–14 with speech, language and communication needs, including specific language impairment and autism. The aim is to identify stress factors, examine whether these affect any subgroups in particular and suggest practical strategies to support pupils through transitions. Stress factors discussed include homework, bullying, independent learning and social situations. The compared subgroups include pupils with diagnosis of SLI and autism, those receiving free school meals and those not, and pupils achieving at different National Curriculum levels. The sample is too small to be representative or generalisable but some recommendations for practice are given.
Exploration of teachers' awareness and knowledge of (Central) Auditory Processing Disorder ((C)APD)
Authors: Ryan Anita , Logue‐Kennedy Maria
Published: December 2013

The aim of this study was to explore primary school teachers' awareness and knowledge of (Central) Auditory Processing Disorder ((C)APD). Teachers' awareness and knowledge are crucial for initial recognition and appropriate referral of children suspected of having (C)APD. When a child is diagnosed with (C)APD, teachers have a role in implementing and monitoring the effectiveness of interventions. A questionnaire was designed and distributed to 53 primary schools in the Republic of Ireland. Findings indicated that 89.1% of participants reported poor/very poor awareness, while 92% reported poor/very poor knowledge of (C)APD. Results were compared with specific data obtained from a similar study carried out simultaneously in Northern Ireland. Overall, the majority of the participants reported that they have poor/very poor awareness and knowledge of (C)APD. These findings emphasise the need to establish training programmes for teachers and ultimately to support the provision of an appropriate service for children with (C)APD.
Planning and Experimental Knowledge Production: Zeche Zollverein as an Urban Laboratory
Authors: Dorstewitz Philipp
Published: December 2013

Within a time span of 10 years, the old colliery Zeche Zollverein in Essen, Germany, was transformed from a troubled brownfield to a celebrated UNESCO world heritage site. In 2010 it served as the central hub for events held during Essen's year as European Cultural Capital. In this article I argue that we should consider Zollverein as an urban laboratory and understand its planning history as an experimental inquiry process in the Deweyan sense. I develop the concept of an ‘urban laboratory’ by paralleling the contexts of urban planning on Zollverein with recent developments in the philosophy of science and science studies on scientific laboratories. Laboratory work is understood as context‐bound experimental practice focused on resolving concrete problem situations. Theory and experimental practice are more closely linked than traditional views have held. Scientific inquiry must always be understood as a normative quest and cannot be reduced to a descriptive task of representing nature. Finally, I frame laboratory work as a transactive social process in which a community of inquiry is formed and transformed. These four ideas help to adapt the concept of scientific laboratory to urban planning contexts, and I use the Zollverein case study to illustrate these characteristics.
Popular Ethnic Foods in the United States: A Historical and Safety Perspective
Authors: Lee Jee Hye , Hwang Johye , Mustapha Azlin
Published: December 2013

In recent years, a dramatic increase in the demand for ethnic foods in the United States has been observed. Interestingly, with their rise in popularity, more foodborne illness outbreaks associated with ethnic foods have also been reported. Despite a more than 200‐y history of ethnic foods in the United States, there is a paucity of information about them. Furthermore, there is also a lack of research on food safety issues involving ethnic foods. Therefore, this paper provides a comprehensive overview of ethnic foods, including the history, types, popularity, characteristics, ingredients, and consumer attitudes toward them. Importantly, this review provides an analysis of the statistics of foodborne illness outbreaks associated with ethnic foods based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The breakdown of etiology of ethnic foods identified the number of total outbreaks, the causative microorganisms, the food vectors, and the locations where foodborne disease outbreaks have occurred. Also covered is a review of the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) system implementation, food safety training, and inspection score systems related to ethnic foods and how these can serve as effective tools for the prevention of foodborne illness outbreaks. This study contributes to the body of food safety literature by providing helpful information about ethnic foods in the United States.
Potential Utility of High‐Pressure Processing to Address the Risk of Food Allergen Concerns
Authors: Huang Hsiao‐Wen , Hsu Chiao‐Ping , Yang Binghuei Barry , Wang Chung‐Yi
Published: December 2013

High‐pressure processing (HPP) technology is a novel, nonthermal processing technology for food. This special processing method can inactivate microorganisms and enzymes in food at room temperature using ultra‐high pressures of above 100 MPa, while the original flavor and nutritional value of the food are maintained, with an extended refrigerated shelf‐life of the food in distribution. In recent years, because of the rising prevalence of food allergies, many researchers have actively sought processing methods that reduce the allergenicity of food allergens. This study describes the effects of the current HPP technology on allergen activity. Our main goal was to provide an overview of the current research achievements of the application of HPP to eliminate the allergenicity of various foods, including legumes, grains, seafood, meat, dairy products, fruits, and vegetables. In addition, the processing parameters, principles, and mechanisms of HPP for allergen destruction are discussed, such as the induction of protein denaturation, the change in protein conformation, allergen removal using the high‐pressure extraction technology, and the promotion of enzymatic hydrolysis to alter the sensitization of the allergens. In the future, the application of HPP technology as a pretreatment step for raw food materials may contribute to the development of food products with low or no allergenic ingredients, which then can effectively reduce the concern for consumers with allergies, reduce the risk of mistaken ingestion, and reduce the overall incidence of allergic reactions from food.
Curcumin and Liver Disease: from Chemistry to Medicine
Authors: Nabavi Seyed Fazel , Daglia Maria , Moghaddam Akbar Hajizadeh , Habtemariam Solomon , Nabavi Seyed Mohammad
Published: December 2013

Curcumin, the natural yellow‐colored active principle, also called turmeric yellow, extracted from the perennial herb Curcuma longa L., has potent biological and pharmacological properties such as antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial, anti‐ischemic, antitumor, and anticancer actions. The molecular mechanism of the hepatoprotective action of curcumin is due to its antioxidant properties and inhibitory activity against nuclear factor (NF)‐κB that regulates different proinflammatory and profibrotic cytokines. Overall, scientific reports demonstrate that curcumin has high therapeutic ability for treating hepatic disorders. Here is a systematic discussion of the hepatoprotective activity of curcumin and its possible mechanisms of actions.
Spatial Modeling of Summer Precipitation over the Czech Republic Using Physiographic Variables
Authors: MOLIBA BANKANZA JACQUES CÉLESTIN
Published: December 2013

This study aims to develop the spatial model of summer precipitation over the Czech Republic using auxiliary geographical variables in order to produce gridded data needed for various applications. Accordingly, the most significant geographical variables are used to model spatial patterns of summer precipitation during the period 1971–2003. They are related to latitude; longitude; slope aspects of the neighbourhood grids westward and northward from the central grid (location); the slopes of the neighbourhood grids north‐eastward, eastward, and northward from the central grid; maximum value of elevation (percentile 95%) of the neighbourhood grid north‐westward from the central grid; and minimum value of elevation (percentile 5%) of the central grid and vegetation. Different approaches used for selecting significant predictors (i.e., the stepwise and principal component analysis) are compared and considered for spatial prediction. Precipitation data from 203 stations for the period 1971–2003 are used. The kriging of residuals (KR) is used to interpolate summer precipitation during this period onto the 1 × 1 km grid over the Czech Republic. Spatial prediction is calibrated across 153 stations and validated to 50 stations. The final KR prediction model shows a high coefficient of determination (68–70%) and moderate error (5–6 mm mean absolute error or 8 mm root mean square error). The standard error of predicted maps represents about 23% of a global variance. The KR model of summer precipitation is accurately applied to model the second episode of extreme precipitation events in summer 1997 over the Czech Republic.
Purification, Identification, and In Vivo Activity of Angiotensin I‐Converting Enzyme Inhibitory Peptide, from Ribbonfish (Trichiurus haumela) Backbone
Authors: Zou Ping , Wang Jin‐Ling , He Guo‐Qing , Wu Jianping
Published: December 2013

Ribbonfish (Trichiurus haumela) backbone is normally discarded as an industrial waste from fish processing. A method of developing angiotensin I‐converting enzyme inhibitory (ACEI) peptides from ribbonfish backbone was previously optimized. The purposes of the study were to characterize the active peptides in the hydrolysate and to evaluate its in vivo activity. Ribbonfish backbone protein hydrolysate prepared by acid protease was fractionated into 4 fractions (I, MW < 1 kDa; II, MW = 1 to 5 kDa; III, MW = 5 to 10 kDa; and IV, MW > 10 kDa) through ultrafiltration membranes. Fraction I, showing the highest ACEI activity, was further purified using consecutive chromatographic techniques including gel filtration and reversed phase high‐performance liquid chromatography. The purified ACE inhibitory peptide was determined to have a molecular weight of 317.25 Da, with a sequence of Leu‐Trp and an IC50 value of 5.6 μM. Systolic blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats was significantly decreased from 181 ± 2.0 to 161.3 ± 2.3 mm Hg after 4 h of oral administration of Leu‐Trp at a dose of 10 mg/kg of body weight. These results indicated that ribbonfish backbone protein could be used for development of antihypertensive agent.
Information Disclosure and Stock Liquidity: Evidence fromBorsaItaliana
Authors: Frino Alex , Palumbo Riccardo , Capalbo Francesco , Gerace Dionigi , Mollica Vito
Published: December 2013

This article examines the effect of increased corporate information disclosure on stock liquidity. Using the adoption ofInternationalFinancialReportingStandards (IFRS) inItaly as a natural experiment we extend previous work examining the effect on one measure of liquidity—bid‐ask spreads—to others, specifically depth and the price impact of transactions (or effective bid‐ask spreads). Consistent with previous research we find that bid‐ask spreads of stocks decline following the introduction ofIFRS, which implies that stock liquidity increases for small traders. However, we also provide evidence that depth at the best quotes declines, which challenges the proposition that liquidity increases for large trades following an increase in disclosure. In additional tests, we find that effective bid‐ask spreads of block trades also decline following the introduction ofIFRS. Overall, this evidence confirms that stock liquidity for both small and large trades increases following an increase in corporate information disclosure.
Carbon Accounting: Challenges for Research in Management Control and Performance Measurement
Authors: Hartmann Frank , Perego Paolo , Young Anna
Published: December 2013

Carbon reduction programs and corporate emissions reporting have expanded rapidly across firms in response to climate change and global warming. This development is partly driven by institutional demands and partly by value creation considerations. The consequences of these developments for management accounting and control (MAC) are not clear, despite anecdotal evidence that suggests an increasing effort to incorporate carbon accounting into traditional decision and reporting processes. The reasons for this lack of clarity are the disproportionate focus in practice on carbon disclosure, compared to a small number of empirical studies, and the absence of an academic debate in this novel area from a MAC perspective. This paper seeks to stimulate such an academic debate by reviewing the extant literature, identifying key theoretical and empirical shortcomings of extant academic research, and outlining some directions for future studies on carbon accounting. These directions are inspired by more established MAC research that may help to guide and organize MAC research in the emerging and exciting field of carbon accounting.
Extending the Developmental Milestones Checklist for use in a different context in Sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Prado Elizabeth L , Abubakar Amina A , Abbeddou Souheila , Jimenez Elizabeth Y , Somé Jérôme W , Ouédraogo Jean‐Bosco
Published: December 2013

Aim

Sub‐Saharan Africa bears a disproportionate amount of global diseases related to neurodevelopmental delays in infancy, including malnutrition, malaria and HIV. Evaluating interventions to prevent such delays requires developmental assessment tools appropriate for Sub‐Saharan Africa. This study aimed to develop and evaluate such a tool.

Methods

The Developmental Milestones Checklist (DMC) was developed in Kenya to provide motor, language and personal‐social scores for children aged from 3 to 24 months. We developed an extended version (DMC‐II) in Burkina Faso, West Africa, and then evaluated the reliability and sensitivity of the scores to age and nutritional and environmental measures.

Results

The internal, interinterviewer and test–retest reliability of the DMC‐II scores were >0.7. In 214 children aged 11.6–25.4 months, each score correlated with age (rs > 0.7). In 1123 children aged 16.8–19.9 months, the scores were sensitive to stunting, wasting and underweight (effect sizes 0.31–0.87 SD). The scores also showed expected correlations with measures of play materials in the home and activities with caregivers (rs = 0.13–0.41).

Conclusion

The DMC‐II is easily used by trained fieldworkers with no previous experience in developmental assessment. It is a practical, reliable and sensitive tool for evaluating motor, language and personal‐social development in different contexts in Sub‐Saharan Africa.
The Use of Episiotomy in a Low‐Risk Population in The Netherlands: A Secondary Analysis
Authors: Seijmonsbergen‐Schermers A. E. , Geerts C. C. , Prins M , van Diem M. T. , Klomp T. , Lagro‐Janssen A. L. M. , de Jonge A.
Published: December 2013

Background

To examine the episiotomy incidence and determinants and outcomes associated with its use in primary care midwifery practices.

Methods

Secondary analysis of two prospective cohort studies (n = 3,404).

Results

The episiotomy incidence was 10.8 percent (20.9% for nulliparous and 6.3% for parous women). Episiotomy was associated with prolonged second stage of labor (adj. OR 12.09 [95% CI 6.0–24.2] for nulliparous and adj. OR 2.79 [1.7–4.6] for parous women) and hospital birth (adj. OR 1.75 [1.2–2.5] for parous women). Compared with episiotomy, perineal tears were associated with a lower rate of postpartum hemorrhage in parous women (adj. OR 0.58 [0.4–0.9]). Fewer women with perineal tears reported perineal discomfort (adj. OR 0.35 [0.2–0.6] for nulliparous and adj. OR 0.22 [0.1–0.3] for parous women). Among nulliparous women episiotomy was performed most frequently for prolonged second stage of labor (38.8%) and among parous women for history of episiotomy or prevention of major perineal trauma (21.1%).

Conclusions

The incidence of episiotomy is high compared with some low‐risk settings in other Western countries. Episiotomy was associated with higher rates of adverse maternal outcomes. Restricted use of episiotomy is likely to be beneficial for women.
Use of Nonmedical Methods of Labor Induction and Pain Management Among U.S. Women
Authors: Kozhimannil Katy B , Johnson Pamela J , Attanasio Laura B , Gjerdingen Dwenda K , McGovern Patricia M
Published: December 2013

Background

There exists limited documentation of nonmedical methods of labor induction and pain management during childbirth in the United States. We estimated the prevalence of nonmedical interventions for induction and pain management and examined the association between medical and nonmedical care during labor.

Methods

We used a nationally representative survey of U.S. women who gave birth in 2005 (N = 1,382) to examine use of nonmedical methods of labor induction and pain management. Using logistic regression, we calculated odds of nonmedical and medical interventions to induce labor or mitigate pain, and the odds of medical induction and obstetric analgesia by whether nonmedical methods were reported.

Results

Nearly 30 percent of women used nonmedical methods to start labor, and over 70 percent of women used nonmedical pain management. Doula support was the strongest predictor of nonmedical methods of labor induction (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 3.0) and labor pain management (AOR = 5.7). Use of nonmedical pain management was significantly associated with decreased odds of medical pain management (OR = 0.65); this relationship was attenuated with covariate adjustment.

Conclusions

Nonmedical methods to induce labor and manage pain during childbirth are commonly used by U.S. women. Future research should examine effectiveness of these strategies and their influence on medical services use.
Birth Experience in Women with Low, Intermediate or High Levels of Fear: Findings from the First Baby Study
Authors: Elvander Charlotte , Cnattingius Sven , Kjerulff Kristen H.
Published: December 2013

Background

Fear of childbirth and mode of delivery are two known factors that affect birth experience. The interactions between these two factors are unknown. The aim of this study was to estimate the effects of different levels of fear of birth and mode of delivery on birth experience 1 month after birth.

Methods

As part of an ongoing prospective study, we interviewed 3,006 women in their third trimester and 1 month after first childbirth to assess fear of birth and birth experience. Logistic regression was performed to examine the interactions and associations between fear of birth, mode of delivery and birth experience.

Results

Compared with women with low levels of fear of birth, women with intermediate levels of fear, and women with high levels of fear had a more negative birth experience and were more affected by an unplanned cesarean section or instrumental vaginal delivery. Compared with women with low levels of fears with a noninstrumental vaginal delivery, women with high levels of fear who were delivered by unplanned cesarean section had a 12‐fold increased risk of reporting a negative birth experience (OR 12.25; 95% CI 7.19–20.86). A noninstrumental vaginal delivery was associated with the most positive birth experience among the women in this study.

Conclusions

This study shows that both levels of prenatal fear of childbirth and mode of delivery are important for birth experience. Women with low fear of childbirth who had a noninstrumental vaginal delivery reported the most positive birth experience.
The Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2013/14: Ion Channels
Authors: Alexander Stephen P.H. , Benson Helen E. , Faccenda Elena , Pawson Adam J. , Sharman Joanna L. , Catterall William A. , Spedding Michael , Peters John A. , Harmar Anthony J. ,   CGTP Collaborators
Published: December 2013

The Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2013/14 provides concise overviews of the key properties of over 2000 human drug targets with their pharmacology, plus links to an open access knowledgebase of drug targets and their ligands (www.guidetopharmacology.org), which provides more detailed views of target and ligand properties. The full contents can be found at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.12444/full.

Ion channels are one of the seven major pharmacological targets into which the Guide is divided, with the others being G protein‐coupled receptors, ligand‐gated ion channels, catalytic receptors, nuclear hormone receptors, transporters and enzymes. These are presented with nomenclature guidance and summary information on the best available pharmacological tools, alongside key references and suggestions for further reading. A new landscape format has easy to use tables comparing related targets.

It is a condensed version of material contemporary to late 2013, which is presented in greater detail and constantly updated on the website www.guidetopharmacology.org, superseding data presented in previous Guides to Receptors and Channels. It is produced in conjunction with NC‐IUPHAR and provides the official IUPHAR classification and nomenclature for human drug targets, where appropriate. It consolidates information previously curated and displayed separately in IUPHAR‐DB and the Guide to Receptors and Channels, providing a permanent, citable, point‐in‐time record that will survive database updates.
The Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2013/14: Nuclear Hormone Receptors
Authors: Alexander Stephen P.H. , Benson Helen E. , Faccenda Elena , Pawson Adam J. , Sharman Joanna L. , Spedding Michael , Peters John A. , Harmar Anthony J. ,   CGTP Collaborators
Published: December 2013

The Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2013/14 provides concise overviews of the key properties of over 2000 human drug targets with their pharmacology, plus links to an open access knowledgebase of drug targets and their ligands (www.guidetopharmacology.org), which provides more detailed views of target and ligand properties. The full contents can be found at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.12444/full.

Nuclear hormone receptors are one of the seven major pharmacological targets into which the Guide is divided, with the others being G protein‐coupled receptors, ligand‐gated ion channels, ion channels, catalytic receptors, transporters and enzymes. These are presented with nomenclature guidance and summary information on the best available pharmacological tools, alongside key references and suggestions for further reading. A new landscape format has easy to use tables comparing related targets.

It is a condensed version of material contemporary to late 2013, which is presented in greater detail and constantly updated on the website www.guidetopharmacology.org, superseding data presented in previous Guides to Receptors and Channels. It is produced in conjunction with NC‐IUPHAR and provides the official IUPHAR classification and nomenclature for human drug targets, where appropriate. It consolidates information previously curated and displayed separately in IUPHAR‐DB and the Guide to Receptors and Channels, providing a permanent, citable, point‐in‐time record that will survive database updates.
Postradiation cutaneous pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma with extracellular collagen deposits reminiscent of so‐called amianthoid fibers
Authors: Sabater‐Marco Vicente , Zapater Latorre Enrique , Martorell Cebollada Miguel
Published: December 2013

Rhabdomyosarcoma is a malignant mesenchymal neoplasm that rarely presents as primary skin tumor. So‐called amianthoid fibers are hyalinized collagen mats that have been described in myofibroblastic tumors but not in rhabdomyosarcoma. A 65‐year‐old male developed a submandibular nodule 9 years after an oral squamous cell carcinoma, which had been treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Histological examination of the nodule revealed a pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma with extracellular collagen deposits reminiscent of so‐called amianthoid fibers. By immunohistochemistry, the tumor cells were positive for vimentin, desmin, smooth muscle actin (SMA), muscle‐specific actin (MSA), CD10, CD56, CD99, β‐catenin and D2‐40. However, only 15–20% of the tumor cells were positive for myoglobin, MyoD1 and myf‐4/myogenin. We describe first so‐called amianthoid fibers harboring blood capillaries in a rhabdomyosarcoma, suggesting that they are rigid collagen structures that lead to tumor vascularization. The low expression for myogenic regulatory proteins and strong expression for other markers may be misleading and do not contribute to the diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma.
PAULOWNIA TOMENTOSA: A Chinese plant in Japan
Authors: Nagata Toshiyuki , DuVal Ashley , Schmull Michaela , Tchernaja Tamara A. , Crane Peter R.
Published: December 2013

Paulownia tomentosa (Thunb.) Steud., though native to China first came to the attention of Western explorers and naturalists in Japan. It is of cultural importance both in mainland Asia and also in Japan. We describe the early Western encounters with Paulownia tomentosa highlighting in particular a lineage of early illustrations made in Japan and Europe between the mid‐1820s and 1878 that reflect the fusion of Japanese art and Western science.
766. CERCIDIPHYLLUM MAGNIFICUM – Systematic placement and fossil history of Cercidiphyllum Siebold & Zuccarini
Authors: Crane Peter R. , DuVal Ashley
Published: December 2013

Cercidiphyllum Sieb. & Zucc. comprises two very similar living species, Cercidiphyllum japonicum Sieb. & Zucc. and Cercidiphyllum magnificum (Nakai) Nakai, both commonly referred to as the katsura tree. The systematic placement and fossil history of Cercidiphyllum are described, and aspects of its cultivation and conservation are discussed. Cercidiphyllum magnificum is illustrated.