bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Political trust and attitudes towards redistribution
Authors: Svallfors Stefan
Published: October 2013

Attitudes towards redistribution, and their links to political trust, are compared in Sweden and Norway using data from the International Social Survey Program (ISSP). Attitudes towards redistribution are quite similar in both countries at an aggregate level, but class differences and differences between left and right party sympathizers are larger in Sweden than in Norway. Levels of political trust and personal political efficacy are clearly higher in Norway, but in neither of the countries are there any links between political efficacy and trust on the one hand and attitudes towards redistribution on the other. It is concluded that arguments about such a link may be wrong in putting emphasis on political trust as a determinant of attitudes towards redistribution. A possible alternative interpretation of the findings in this paper is that they are specific to the Scandinavian countries, where welfare state intervention has been institutionalized to a higher degree than elsewhere.
PEAR: a fast and accurate Illumina Paired-End reAd mergeR
Authors: Zhang Jiajie , Kobert Kassian , Flouri Tomáš , Stamatakis Alexandros
Published: October 2013

Motivation: The Illumina paired-end sequencing technology can generate reads from both ends of target DNA fragments, which can subsequently be merged to increase the overall read length. There already exist tools for merging these paired-end reads when the target fragments are equally long. However, when fragment lengths vary and, in particular, when either the fragment size is shorter than a single-end read, or longer than twice the size of a single-end read, most state-of-the-art mergers fail to generate reliable results. Therefore, a robust tool is needed to merge paired-end reads that exhibit varying overlap lengths because of varying target fragment lengths.

Results: We present the PEAR software for merging raw Illumina paired-end reads from target fragments of varying length. The program evaluates all possible paired-end read overlaps and does not require the target fragment size as input. It also implements a statistical test for minimizing false-positive results. Tests on simulated and empirical data show that PEAR consistently generates highly accurate merged paired-end reads. A highly optimized implementation allows for merging millions of paired-end reads within a few minutes on a standard desktop computer. On multi-core architectures, the parallel version of PEAR shows linear speedups compared with the sequential version of PEAR.

Availability and implementation: PEAR is implemented in C and uses POSIX threads. It is freely available at http://www.exelixis-lab.org/web/software/pear.

Contact:  Tomas.Flouri@h-its.org
An evaluation of compiled single-beam bathymetry data as a basis for regional sediment and biotope mapping
Authors: Elvenes Sigrid , Dolan Margaret F. J. , Buhl-Mortensen Pål , Bellec Valérie K.
Published: October 2013

Maps of surficial sediment distribution and benthic habitats or biotopes provide invaluable information for ocean management and are at the core of many seabed mapping initiatives, including Norway's national offshore mapping programme MAREANO (www.mareano.no). Access to high-quality multibeam echosounder data (bathymetry and backscatter) has been central to many of MAREANO's mapping activities, but in order to maximize the cost-effectiveness of future mapping and ensure timely delivery of scientific information, seabed mappers worldwide may increasingly need to look to existing bathymetry data as a basis for thematic maps. This study examines the potential of compiled single-beam bathymetry data for sediment and biotope mapping. We simulate a mapping scenario where full coverage multibeam data are not available, but where existing bathymetry datasets are supplemented by limited multibeam data to provide the basis for thematic map interpretation and modelling. Encouraging results of sediment interpretation from the compiled bathymetry dataset suggest that production of sediment grain size distribution maps is feasible at a 1:250 000 scale or coarser, depending on the quality of available data. Biotope modelling made use of full-coverage predictor variables based on (i) multibeam data, and (ii) compiled single-beam data supplemented by limited multibeam data. Using the same response variable (biotope point observations obtained from video data), the performance of the respective models could be assessed. Biotope distribution maps based on the two datasets are visually similar, and performance statistics also indicate there is little difference between the models, providing a comparable level of information for regional management purposes. However, whilst our results suggest that using compiled bathymetry data with limited multibeam is viable as a basis for regional sediment and biotope mapping, it is not a substitute. Backscatter data and the better feature resolution provided by multibeam data remain of great value for these and other purposes.
Using inferred drivers of discarding behaviour to evaluate discard mitigation measures
Authors: Catchpole T. L. , Feekings J. P. , Madsen N. , Palialexis A. , Vassilopoulou V. , Valeiras J. , Garcia T. , Nikolic N. , Rochet M.-J.
Published: October 2013

Discards refer to the part of the catch not retained on board during commercial fishing operations, but returned to the sea. The proposed European Union Common Fisheries Policy reform, to be implemented in 2014, sets out a gradual elimination of discards by reducing unwanted catches and ensuring that all catches are landed. To develop successful discard mitigation measures, it is necessary to identify the reasons for discarding. Here, we have developed a simple model that can be applied to data from observer programmes (ObsPs) to establish the contribution of different drivers of discarding behaviour. The analysis makes inferences on the causes of discarding by partitioning discards into four categories based on the length of the fish and the associated regulatory restrictions. The drivers are defined as: fish discarded below the legal minimum landing size; fish for which there is no market and that do not have a minimum landing size; fish for which there are inconsistencies in market and sorting practices; and discards that can be attributed to fishers' responses to quota restrictions. The approach is applied to data generated from ObsPs from five European Member States. All the inferred drivers contribute to the total discard quantity. Their relative contributions vary widely across countries, areas, gears, and species.
Highlights of the DNA cutters: a short history of the restriction enzymes
Authors: Loenen Wil A. M. , Dryden David T. F. , Raleigh Elisabeth A. , Wilson Geoffrey G. , Murray Noreen E.
Published: October 2013

In the early 1950’s, ‘host-controlled variation in bacterial viruses’ was reported as a non-hereditary phenomenon: one cycle of viral growth on certain bacterial hosts affected the ability of progeny virus to grow on other hosts by either restricting or enlarging their host range. Unlike mutation, this change was reversible, and one cycle of growth in the previous host returned the virus to its original form. These simple observations heralded the discovery of the endonuclease and methyltransferase activities of what are now termed Type I, II, III and IV DNA restriction-modification systems. The Type II restriction enzymes (e.g. EcoRI) gave rise to recombinant DNA technology that has transformed molecular biology and medicine. This review traces the discovery of restriction enzymes and their continuing impact on molecular biology and medicine.
National Institutions and Subnational Development in Africa *
Authors: Michalopoulos Stelios , Papaioannou Elias
Published: October 2013

We investigate the role of national institutions on subnational African development in a novel framework that accounts for both local geography and cultural-genetic traits. We exploit the fact that the political boundaries on the eve of African independence partitioned more than 200 ethnic groups across adjacent countries subjecting similar cultures, residing in homogeneous geographic areas, to different formal institutions. Using both a matching type and a spatial regression discontinuity approach we show that differences in countrywide institutional structures across the national border do not explain within-ethnicity differences in economic performance, as captured by satellite images of light density. The average noneffect of national institutions on ethnic development masks considerable heterogeneity partially driven by the diminishing role of national institutions in areas further from the capital cities.
Performance of an indigenous β-mercaptoethanol-modified antigen in comparison with a commercial reference in direct agglutination test for detection of canine visceral leishmaniasis
Authors: Semião-Santos Saul José , Veloso Laura Barral , Paes de Andrade Paulo , Almeida de Melo Marcia , Martins Luis Miguel Lourenço , Marinho Artur Armando de Moura , Afonso de Almeida José Antunes , Campino Lénea Maria da Graça , el Harith Abdallah
Published: October 2013

We compared the performance of a locally produced β-mercaptoethanol-modified promastigote antigen (β-ME-Ag) of an indigenous Leishmania infantum strain against that of a trypsinized Leishmania donovani reference (REF-Ag) in the direct agglutination test (DAT) for detection of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL). One hundred and fifty-one serum samples collected from dogs belonging to four groups with different conditions were included. At a DAT titre of 1 : 320, statistically determined as optimal cut-off value for β-ME-Ag, and 1 : 160 for REF-Ag, a sensitivity and a specificity of 100 % were estimated for β-ME-Ag in comparison with 96.6 % and 100 %, respectively, for REF-Ag. Overall, levels of agglutination titres recorded for the two antigens were highly concordant (Cohen’s κ = 0.879) in both the CVL and non-CVL groups. Based on current results, and ease experienced in processing the antigen and reading the test outcome, we recommend incorporation of β-ME-Ag in DAT for confirmation or exclusion of suspected CVL in dogs.
A non-catalytic histidine residue influences the function of the metalloprotease of Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Forster Brian M. , Bitar Alan Pavinski , Marquis Hélène
Published: October 2013

Mpl, a thermolysin-like metalloprotease, and PC-PLC, a phospholipase C, are synthesized as proenzymes by the intracellular bacterial pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. During intracellular growth, L. monocytogenes is temporarily confined in a membrane-bound vacuole whose acidification leads to Mpl autolysis and Mpl-mediated cleavage of the PC-PLC N-terminal propeptide. Mpl maturation also leads to the secretion of both Mpl and PC-PLC across the bacterial cell wall. Previously, we identified negatively charged and uncharged amino acid residues within the N terminus of the PC-PLC propeptide that influence the ability of Mpl to mediate the maturation of PC-PLC, suggesting that these residues promote the interaction of the PC-PLC propeptide with Mpl. In the present study, we identified a non-catalytic histidine residue (H226) that influences Mpl secretion across the cell wall and its ability to process PC-PLC. Our results suggest that a positive charge at position 226 is required for Mpl functions other than autolysis. Based on the charge requirement at this position, we hypothesize that this residue contributes to the interaction of Mpl with the PC-PLC propeptide.
Functional analysis of SleC from Clostridium difficile: an essential lytic transglycosylase involved in spore germination
Authors: Gutelius Danielle , Hokeness Kirsten , Logan Susan M. , Reid Christopher W.
Published: October 2013

Clostridium difficile is the most common cause of enteric disease and presents a major burden on healthcare systems globally due in part to the observed rapid rise in antibiotic resistance. The ability of C. difficile to form endospores is a key feature in the organism’s pathogenesis and transmission, and contributes greatly to its resilient nature. Endospores are highly resistant to disinfection, allowing them to persist on hospital surfaces. In order for the organism to cause disease, the spores must germinate and revert to a vegetative form. While spore germination in Bacillus spp. is well understood, very little is known about this process in Clostridia. Here we report the characterization of SleC (CD0551) from C. difficile 630. Bioinformatic analysis of SleC indicated a multi-domained protein possessing a peptidoglycan-binding (PGB) domain, a SpoIID/LytB domain and an undefined N-terminal region. We have confirmed that SleC is an exo-acting lytic transglycosylase with the catalytic activity localized to the N-terminal region. Additionally, we have shown that both the N-terminal catalytic domain and the C-terminal PGB domain require muramyl-δ-lactam for substrate binding. As with carbohydrate-binding modules from cellulases and xylanases, the PGB domain may be responsible for increasing the processivity of SleC by concentrating the enzyme at the surface of the substrate.
LACCASE Is Necessary and Nonredundant with PEROXIDASE for Lignin Polymerization during Vascular Development in Arabidopsis
Authors: Zhao Qiao , Nakashima Jin , Chen Fang , Yin Yanbin , Fu Chunxiang , Yun Jianfei , Shao Hui , Wang Xiaoqiang , Wang Zeng-Yu , Dixon Richard A.
Published: October 2013

The evolution of lignin biosynthesis was critical in the transition of plants from an aquatic to an upright terrestrial lifestyle. Lignin is assembled by oxidative polymerization of two major monomers, coniferyl alcohol and sinapyl alcohol. Although two recently discovered laccases, LAC4 and LAC17, have been shown to play a role in lignin polymerization in Arabidopsis thaliana, disruption of both genes only leads to a relatively small change in lignin content and only under continuous illumination. Simultaneous disruption of LAC11 along with LAC4 and LAC17 causes severe plant growth arrest, narrower root diameter, indehiscent anthers, and vascular development arrest with lack of lignification. Genome-wide transcript analysis revealed that all the putative lignin peroxidase genes are expressed at normal levels or even higher in the laccase triple mutant, suggesting that lignin laccase activity is necessary and nonredundant with peroxidase activity for monolignol polymerization during plant vascular development. Interestingly, even though lignin deposition in roots is almost completely abolished in the lac11  lac4  lac17 triple mutant, the Casparian strip, which is lignified through the activity of peroxidase, is still functional. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that lignin laccase genes have no orthologs in lower plant species, suggesting that the monolignol laccase genes diverged after the evolution of seed plants.
Halogen bonds in some dihalogenated phenols: applications to crystal engineering
Authors: Mukherjee Arijit , Desiraju Gautam R.
Published: October 2013

3,4-Dichlorophenol (1) crystallizes in the tetragonal space groupI41/awith a short axis of 3.7926 (9) Å. The structure is unique in that both type I and type II Cl...Cl interactions are present, these contact types being distinguished by the angle ranges of the respective C—Cl...Cl angles. The present study shows that these two types of contacts are utterly different. The crystal structures of 4-bromo-3-chlorophenol (2) and 3-bromo-4-chlorophenol (3) have been determined. The crystal structure of (2) is isomorphous to that of (1) with the Br atom in the 4-position participating in a type II interaction. However, the monoclinicP21/cpacking of compound (3) is different; while the structure still has O—H...O hydrogen bonds, the tetramer O—H...O synthon seen in (1) and (2) is not seen. Rather than a type I Br...Br interaction which would have been mandated if (3) were isomorphous to (1) and (2), Br forms a Br...O contact wherein its electrophilic character is clearly evident. Crystal structures of the related compounds 4-chloro-3-iodophenol (4) and 3,5-dibromophenol (5) were also determined. A computational survey of the structural landscape was undertaken for (1), (2) and (3), using a crystal structure prediction protocol in space groupsP21/candI41/awith the COMPASS26 force field. While both tetragonal and monoclinic structures are energetically reasonable for all compounds, the fact that (3) takes the latter structure indicates that Br prefers type II over type I contacts. In order to differentiate further between type I and type II halogen contacts, which being chemically distinct are expected to have different distance fall-off properties, a variable-temperature crystallography study was performed on compounds (1), (2) and (4). Length variations with temperature are greater for type II contacts compared with type I. The type II Br...Br interaction in (2) is stronger than the corresponding type II Cl...Cl interaction in (1), leading to elastic bending of the former upon application of mechanical stress, which contrasts with the plastic deformation of (1). The observation of elastic deformation in (2) is noteworthy; in that it finds an explanation based on the strengths of the respective halogen bonds, it could also be taken as a good starting model for future property design. Cl/Br isostructurality is studied with the Cambridge Structural Database and it is indicated that this isostructurality is based on shape and size similarity of Cl and Br, rather than arising from any chemical resemblance.
On the correlation between hydrogen bonding and melting points in the inositols
Authors: Bekö Sándor L. , Alig Edith , Schmidt Martin U. , van de Streek Jacco
Published: October 2013

Inositol, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydroxycyclohexane, exists in nine stereoisomers with different crystal structures and melting points. In a previous paper on the relationship between the melting points of the inositols and the hydrogen-bonding patterns in their crystal structures [Simperleret al.(2006).CrystEngComm8, 589], it was noted that although all inositol crystal structures known at that time contained 12 hydrogen bonds per molecule, their melting points span a large range of about 170 °C. Our preliminary investigations suggested that the highest melting point must be corrected for the effect of molecular symmetry, and that the three lowest melting points may need to be revised. This prompted a full investigation, with additional experiments on six of the nine inositols. Thirteen new phases were discovered; for all of these their crystal structures were examined. The crystal structures of eight ordered phases could be determined, of which seven were obtained from laboratory X-ray powder diffraction data. Five additional phases turned out to be rotator phases and only their unit cells could be determined. Two previously unknown melting points were measured, as well as most enthalpies of melting. Several previously reported melting points were shown to be solid-to-solid phase transitions or decomposition points. Our experiments have revealed a complex picture of phases, rotator phases and phase transitions, in which a simple correlation between melting points and hydrogen-bonding patterns is not feasible.
Variation in the Implementation of California's Full Service Partnerships for Persons with Serious Mental Illness
Authors: Gilmer Todd P. , Katz Marian L. , Stefancic Ana , Palinkas Lawrence A.
Published: October 2013

Objective

This study examined variation in the implementation of California's Full Service Partnerships (FSPs), which are supported housing programs that do “whatever it takes” to improve outcomes among persons with serious mental illness who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Data Sources/Setting

Ninety‐three FSPs in California.

Study Design

A mixed methods approach was selected to develop a better understanding of the complexity of the FSP programs. The design structure was a combined explanatory and exploratory sequential design (qual→QUAN→qual) where a qualitative focus group was used to develop a quantitative survey that was followed by qualitative site visits. The survey was used to describe the breadth of variation based on fidelity to the Housing First model, while the site visits were used to provide a depth of information on high‐ versus low‐fidelity programs.

Principal Findings

We found substantial variation in implementation among FSPs. Fidelity was particularly low along domains related with housing and service philosophy, indicating that many FSPs implemented a rich array of services but applied housing readiness requirements and did not adhere to consumer choice in housing.

Conclusions

There remains room for improvement in the recovery‐orientation of FSPs. Fortunately, we have identified several processes by which program managers and counties can increase the fidelity of their programs.
Review of lipiodol treatment for infertility – an innovative treatment for endometriosis‐related infertility?
Authors: Johnson Neil P.
Published: October 2013

A lipiodol hysterosalpingogram was the routine test for tubal patency as recently as the 1970s. Observational studies, then randomised controlled trials, provided evidence of a fertility enhancing effect of lipiodol. It has been found to improve fertility for women with normal tubal patency, particularly where the woman has a history of endometriosis. Previous successful treatment for infertility with lipiodol is a marker of further successful treatment for infertility in a repeat procedure. Whilst lipiodol is probably effective at flushing debris that could hinder fertility from fallopian tubes, it also exerts immunobiological effects in pelvic peritoneum and on the endometrium that could be responsible for fertility enhancement. Effects of lipiodol on the endometrium that might be important at the time of the implantation window are a reduced expression of osteopontin and an increased number of uterine natural killer cells postlipiodol. The effect of lipiodol uterine bathing for women with endometriosis, repeat in vitro fertilisation (IVF) implantation failure and other reproductive disorders merits further investigation. Lipiodol presents a new, simple, low invasive, inexpensive treatment option for endometriosis‐related infertility and might have wider applications.
The association of asthma, nasal allergies, and positive skin prick tests with obesity, leptin, and adiponectin
Authors: Newson R. B. , Jones M. , Forsberg B. , Janson C. , Bossios A. , Dahlen S.‐E. , Toskala E. M. , Al‐Kalemji A. , Kowalski M. L. , Rymarczyk B. , Salagean E. M. , van Drunen C. M. , Bachert C. , Wehrend T. , Krämer U. , Mota‐Pinto A. , Burney P. , Leynaert B. , Jarvis D.
Published: October 2013

Background

Cross‐sectional and longitudinal reports show that obese adults have more asthma than non‐obese adults. A proposed mechanism is via effects of adipokines (leptin and adiponectin) on the immune system.

Objective

We wished to measure the associations of asthma and other atopic diseases with serum adipokine levels and to find whether the associations with asthma were strong enough to rule out the possibility that they are secondary to the association of fatness measures with asthma.

Methods

The Global Asthma and Allergy Network of Excellence (GA2LEN) clinical follow‐up survey is a clinical survey, embedded in a larger multi‐centre cross‐sectional postal survey, involving, with a case/control design, enrichment of the sample with subjects with asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). We recorded serum leptin or adiponectin in 845 men and 1110 women in 15 centres and also anthropometric measures of fatness including body mass index and waist/hip ratio, current asthma, and specific skin prick and IgE sensitisation. We used inverse sampling‐probability‐weighted rank and regression statistics to measure population associations of disease outcomes with adipokines in males and females, adjusting for confounders (area, age, smoking history, and number of elder siblings) and also mutually adjusting associations with adipokines and fatness measures.

Results

One thousand nine hundred and fifty‐five subjects aged 16–77 years had information on leptin or adiponectin levels. Leptin and leptin/adiponectin ratio were positively associated with the level of asthma, especially in females (Somers’ D of leptin by asthma score, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.08–0.30; P = 0.00079). These associations were attenuated after adjusting for confounders and became non‐significant after additionally adjusting for fatness measures and multiple comparisons.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Asthma levels are positively associated with serum leptin. However, we cannot rule out the possibility that this association is secondary to associations of both with fatness measures.
Impaired postprandial response of the insulin‐like growth factor system in maintenance haemodialysis
Authors: Reinhard Mark , Frystyk Jan , Jespersen Bente , Randers Else , Bjerre Mette , Christiansen Jens S. , Flyvbjerg Allan , Bibby Bo M. , Ivarsen Per
Published: October 2013

Objective

Patients on maintenance haemodialysis (HD) have reduced circulating free and bioactive insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I) due to increased IGF‐binding proteins (IGFBPs). This study investigated the postprandial response of the IGF system in HD patients compared with matched healthy subjects.

Design and Patients

In a crossover study, twelve nondiabetic HD patients were assigned in a random order to three 10‐h study days: (1) a non‐HD day with one meal served at baseline (NHDM1), (2) an HD day with one meal served during HD (HDM1) and (3) an HD day with two meals served during and after HD, respectively (HDM2). Twelve healthy controls conducted session 1.

Results

After the baseline meal, insulin concentrations changed similarly in HD patients and controls, whereas hyperglycaemia was more prolonged in HD patients (P < 0·001). Postprandial IGFBP‐1 showed greater reductions from baseline in controls (−76% [−81; −70%], mean [95% confidence intervals], P < 0·001) than in patients on non‐HD days (−45% [−57; −30%], P < 0·001). In the latter group, the response was even more attenuated during HD (−22% [−38; −1%] and −24% [−40; −4%], P ≤ 0·041). After the second meal on HDM2 days, IGFBP‐1 further decreased (−50% [−61; −37%], P < 0·001), whereas IGFBP‐1 returned to baseline levels on the other study days. Consistently, at the end of the study days, bioactive IGF‐I was significantly above baseline only on HDM2 days (+22% [+5; +43%], P = 0·012).

Conclusions

HD patients were unable to suppress IGFBP‐1 to the same extent as healthy controls, which may increase the risk of protein–energy wasting in maintenance HD. A second meal after HD, however, effectively suppressed IGFBP‐1 and increased bioactive IGF‐I.
Mutational and structural characteristics of four novel heterozygous C‐propeptide mutations in the proα1(I) collagen gene in Chinese osteogenesis imperfecta patients
Authors: Lu Yanqin , Ren Xiuzhi , Wang Yanzhou , Li Tianyou , Li Fuhui , Wang Shifu , Xu Chao , Wu Guohua , Li Hu , Li Gongchao , Zhao Fei , Wang Ziqiang , Mo Xinkai , Han Jinxiang
Published: October 2013

Objective

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) with C‐propeptide mutations in proα1(I) collagen gene are rarely reported. We report four novel C‐propeptide mutations in COL1A1 gene from Chinese OI patients.

Methods

Clinical characteristics and radiographic findings were described for four OI patients with C‐propeptide mutations in proα1(I) collagen gene. Mutations were identified by traditional DNA sequencing based on PCR. The locations of mutations were mapped, and in silico prediction was conducted to analyse their effects on protein structure. Histology studies of skin, bone and muscle tissues were performed.

Results

All four C‐propeptide heterozygous mutations identified were in the COL1A1 gene. Heterozygous mutation of c.4021C>T (p.Q1341X) disrupted the chain recognition sequences and was found in patients with type IV OI. Mutations of c.3893C>A (p.T1298N) and c.3897C>A (p.C1299X) impeded the formation of disulphide bonds and were associated with type IV OI phenotype. Missense mutation of c.3835A>C (p.N1279H) disrupted Ca2+ binding and led to a severe type III OI phenotype. In silico programs predicted damaging effects for the patients with type III OI and the creation of an exonic splicing enhancer hexamer sequence for the type IV patients. Expansion of the bone marrow cavity and disorganization of osteocyte alignment was evident in bone specimens; and muscle atrophy and enlargement of intramuscular connective tissue were found in muscle specimens.

Conclusions

Four novel C‐propeptide mutations in proα1(I) collagen gene were identified in Chinese OI patients, and their clinical severity ranged from moderate type IV to severe type III. In silico prediction of the mutation effect and histological characteristics of tissue specimens was in accordance with the OI phenotypes.
Pelvic ultrasound findings in prepubertal girls with precocious adrenarche born appropriate for gestational age
Authors: Uçar Ahmet , Erol Oğuz Bulent , Yekeler Ensar , Yildiz Ismail , Bozlak Serdar , Saka Nurçin , BaŞ Firdevs , Poyrazoğlu Şükran , Bundak Rüveyde , Kubat Uzum Ayse , Gul Nurdan , Darendeliler Feyza
Published: October 2013

Background

Precocious adrenarche (PA) refers to the clinical onset of excess androgen in girls before the age of 8. It is associated with an increased risk of functional ovarian hyperandrogenism after puberty. PA may be associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We compared pelvic ultrasound (US) findings of girls with PA born appropriate for gestational age (AGA) to healthy body mass index (BMI)‐matched peers to determine whether US findings in AGA‐born PA girls are associated with PCOS antecedents.

Subjects and methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional study on 56 AGA‐born girls with PA (6·9 ± 0·6 years) and 33 BMI‐matched prepubertal AGA‐born peers (7·1 ± 1·0 years). Hormonal data, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR), insulin sensitivity index (ISIcomp) and pelvic US findings were compared. Associations of pelvic US findings with clinical and metabolic data were investigated.

Results

Precocious adrenarche girls had greater height and bone age‐adjusted uterine length (UL; P = 0·01) and UL standard deviation score (SDS) (P = 0·02) than BMI‐matched peers. Mean ovarian volume (MOV), MOV SDS, uterine volume, uterine cross‐sectional area and ovarian morphology were similar between the groups (P > 0·05). MOV and MOV SDS correlated with ISIcomp (r = −0·683, P < 0·001; r = −0·760, P < 0·001; respectively). Correlations of pelvic US findings with other biochemical data did not reach significance (P > 0·05). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that in girls with PA, ISIcomp had the most significant effect on MOV SDS (R2 = 0·731, β = −4·784, P = 0·001).

Conclusions

Appropriate for gestational age‐born PA girls have greater UL measurements than AGA‐born BMI‐matched peers. In AGA‐born girls with PA, decreasing insulin sensitivity is strongly and independently associated with an increase in MOV. Longitudinal follow‐up of our cohort after menarche will allow us to establish how many AGA‐born girls with PA will ultimately develop PCOS.
The effects of exercise training on arterial stiffness in coronary artery disease patients: a state‐of‐the‐art review
Authors: Oliveira Norton Luis , Ribeiro Fernando , Alves Alberto Jorge , Campos Lilibeth , Oliveira José
Published: October 2013

The purpose of this state‐of‐the‐art review was to examine the effects of exercise training on arterial stiffness (AS) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). A PubMed and SCOPUS literature search was conducted up to March of 2013. Two authors performed the selection of the studies and the subsequent data extraction (e.g. information on study design, exercise programme characteristics and outcome measures). Of 34 papers identified, only five studies met the inclusion criteria, with no one being a randomized controlled trial. Within the selected studies, the sample size varied between 28 and 119 patients, with mean ages ranging from 48 to 67 years old in patients with CAD after an acute myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass graft or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Although all studies utilized the aerobic exercise mode, the other characteristics of the exercise programmes varied largely between the studies: programme length (from 6 to 20 weeks), exercise duration (15–20 to 50 min) and exercise intensity, which was based on heart rate reserve (40 to 85%) or heart rate at anaerobic threshold or ventilatory threshold. All the three studies evaluating pulse wave velocity, as well as one of two studies that assessed the augmentation index, reported significant reductions on those variables after exercise training. Results indicated that the majority of the AS and related measures improved after the different exercise training programmes. However, these results need to be confirmed in future randomized clinical studies controlling potential confounders.
Severe Mitral Regurgitation after Radiotherapy
Authors: Cozzarín Alberto , Cianciulli Tomás F. , Saccheri María C. , Lax Jorge A. , Simonetti Mario E. , Zappi Andrea , Laguens Rubén P.
Published: October 2013

We present the case of a 69‐year‐old patient with a history of gynecological neoplasia and a pulmonary metastasis, who in 1996 underwent chemotherapy and mediastinal radiotherapy followed by cancer remission. Ten years later she presented with heart failure and her Doppler echocardiogram showed severe mitral regurgitation with pulmonary hypertension. In 2011, she underwent a mitral valve replacement with a biological prosthesis and the pathology exam revealed valve damage consistent with radiotherapy‐induced changes. This unusual mechanism of mitral regurgitation can be demonstrated clearly by echocardiography and should be disseminated among cardiology physicians and in patients who have survived for long periods after radiotherapy, it is important to remember that cardiac complications may indeed occur, and the treating physician is responsible for detecting them.
Prevalence and Spectrum of Conditions Associated with Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation
Authors: Ong Kevin , Yu Gannon , Jue John
Published: October 2013

Background

Data regarding the prevalence and spectrum of conditions associated with severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) are limited to small cohorts.

Methods

We retrospectively identified all patients with severe native tricuspid valve regurgitation in a large echocardiogram database between January 2004 and December 2010. Patients were classified into 1 of 3 groups based on the echocardiogram results: (1) organic TR; (2) functional TR; and (3) idiopathic TR.

Results

Severe TR was identified in 768 (1.2%, 72 ± 16 years, 64.3% females) of 63, 472 consecutive patients referred for transthoracic echocardiography. The conditions associated with severe TR could be established in 91% of patients. The remaining 9% were classified as idiopathic severe TR with these patients being older (78 ± 10 years) and having a higher frequency of atrial fibrillation (63.8%) compared to patients with organic (65 ± 22 years; 31%) or functional severe TR (73 ± 16 years; 47.8%). Overall, organic severe TR was identified in 11.3% of all cases. Functional severe TR occurred in 79.7% of the overall cohort and was related to pulmonary hypertension and/or left‐sided heart disease.

Conclusion

Severe TR occurred with a prevalence of 1.2% in our patients referred for echocardiography and was more common in females. Functional severe TR was the most common etiology with only a minority of cases secondary to organic severe TR. Idiopathic severe TR was found in a small proportion of patients who were older and more likely to have atrial fibrillation.
Premature loss of primary anterior teeth due to trauma – potential short‐ and long‐term sequelae
Authors: Holan Gideon , Needleman Howard L.
Published: October 2013

Traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) can result in the premature loss of primary anterior teeth due to an immediate avulsion, extraction later after the injury because of poor prognosis or late complications, or early exfoliation. There are a number of potential considerations or sequelae as a result of this premature loss that have been cited in the dental literature, which include esthetics, quality of life, eating, speech development, arch integrity (space loss), development and eruption of the permanent successors, and development of oral habits. This article provides a comprehensive review of the dental literature on the possible consequences of premature loss of maxillary primary incisors following TDI.
Contrasting Alternative Hypotheses to Explain Rut‐Induced Hypophagia in Territorial Male Chamois
Authors: Corlatti Luca , Bassano Bruno
Published: October 2013

Male ungulates in temperate environments often show a severe reduction in time spent foraging during the mating season. Several hypotheses have been put forward to explain this phenomenon but, so far, no study investigated the proximate mechanisms underlying rut‐induced hypophagia in ungulates using alternative mating tactics (AMTs). Between the pre‐rut and post‐rut of 2011 and 2012, we collected data on activity budgets, parasite burden and androgen levels of territorial and non‐territorial male Alpine chamois Rupicapra r. rupicapra in the Gran Paradiso National Park (Italy). We aimed to investigate whether AMTs showed similar reduction in time spent foraging during the mating period and to test the predictions underlying alternative hypotheses that may explain rut‐induced hypophagia. Only territorial males showed a significant reduction in time spent foraging during the rut; the lack of correlation between proportion of time spent foraging and androgen metabolites or parasite burden did not fully support the physiological and the parasite hypotheses, while the foraging constraint, the energy‐saving and the physical rest hypotheses could not be discounted. Territorial males decreased the time spent lying down from the pre‐rut to the rut, but not their foraging‐to‐lying‐down ratio. During the mating period, we found negative correlations between time spent foraging or lying down and time spent rutting. Our data suggest that territorial males’ behaviour is more consistent with the foraging constraint hypothesis than with the energy‐saving hypothesis previously suggested. Yet, during the rut territorial males did not maximise their foraging time, and the optimisation of their energy balance could rather depend upon feeding on relatively high‐quality plants. This suggestion – possibly named ‘forage quality hypothesis’ – now requires further investigations. This work showed that alternative mating behaviours may underlie different patterns of foraging strategies: we suggest that tests of alternative hypotheses to explain rut‐induced hypophagia within ungulate populations should not ignore the occurrence of AMTs.
Associations between Non‐Lethal Injury, Body Size, and Foraging Ecology in an Amphibian Intraguild Predator
Authors: Mott Cy L. , Steffen Michael A.
Published: October 2013

Theoretical treatments of intraguild predation and its effects on behavioral interactions regard the phenomenon as a size‐structured binary response wherein predation among competitors is completely successful or completely unsuccessful. However, intermediate outcomes occur when individuals escape intraguild (IG) interactions with non‐lethal injuries. While the effects of wounds for prey include compromised mobility and increased predation risk, the consequences of similar injuries among top predators are not well understood, despite the implications for species interactions. Using an amphibian IG predator, Ambystoma opacum (Caudata: Ambystomatidae), we examined associations between non‐lethal injuries and predator body size, foraging strategy, microhabitat selection, and intraspecific agonistic interactions. Wounds were common among IG predators, generally increasing in frequency throughout larval ontogeny. Non‐lethal injuries were associated with differences in predator body size and behavior, with injured predators exhibiting smaller body sizes, increased use of benthic microhabitats, reduced agonistic displays, and increased risk of intraspecific aggression. While such effects were not ultimately associated with reduced foraging success, non‐lethal injury could contribute to niche partitioning between injured and healthy predators via habitat selection, but injured predators likely continue to exert predatory pressure on IG and basal prey populations. Our results indicate that studies of top‐down population regulation should incorporate injury‐related modifications to both prey and predator behavior and size structure.
Porous Si3N4/SiC Ceramics Prepared via Nitridation of Si Powder with SiC Addition
Authors: Hu Hai‐Long , Yao Dong‐Xu , Xia Yong‐Feng , Zuo Kai‐Hui , Zeng Yu‐Ping
Published: October 2013

Porous Si3N4/SiC ceramics with high porosity were prepared via nitridation of Si powder, using SiC as the second phase and Y2O3 as sintering additive. With increasing SiC addition, porous Si3N4/SiC ceramics showed high porosity, low flexural strength, and decreased grain size. However, the sample with 20wt% SiC addition showed highest flexural strength and lowest porosity. Porous Si3N4/SiC ceramics with a porosity of 36–45% and a flexural strength of 107‐46MPa were obtained. The linear shrinkage of all porous Si3N4/SiC ceramics is below 0.42%. This study reveals that the nitridation route is a promising way to prepare porous Si3N4/SiC ceramics with favorable flexural strength, high porosity, and low linear shrinkage.
Antilisterial effect of two bioprotective cultures in a model system of Iberian chorizo fermentation
Authors: Ortiz Sagrario , López Victoria , Garriga Margarita , Martínez‐Suárez Joaquín V.
Published: October 2013

This study reports the different effects of two bioprotective cultures on the growth of different Listeria monocytogenes strains by a rapid assay simulating the first stage of Iberian chorizo fermentation. Ground pork with or without protective cultures was inoculated with L. monocytogenes and incubated under two different conditions simulating the traditional, slow fermentation temperature (7 °C, 1 day) and a high, fast fermentation temperature (20 °C, 1 day), followed in both cases by storage at 7 °C for 13 days. Both bioprotective cultures reduced the growth of L. monocytogenes by at least 2 log CFU g−1 at the end of both incubation periods compared with a noninoculated culture control lot. The best results were obtained with the strain Lactobacillus sakei CTC494, which exerted a bactericidal effect on L. monocytogenes under both conditions assayed, achieving a 5.4‐log reduction after 14 days compared with the control when the initial temperature was 20 °C.
Effects of high‐pressure homogenisation on physicochemical characteristics of partially skimmed milk
Authors: Pedras Marcelo M. , Tribst Alline A. L. , Cristianini Marcelo
Published: October 2013

The changes in partially skimmed milk (0.5% fat) physicochemical properties and proteins after high‐pressure homogenisation (HPH) at 100, 200 and 300 MPa were investigated. Processing parameters and changes in pH, ethanol precipitation stability, lightness, whey protein denaturation, hydrophobicity and viscosity were evaluated. No significant differences were found between milk pH and nonprotein nitrogen content before and after HPH. Ethanol stability, lightness and hydrophobicity increased when pressure was increased from 100 MPa to 300 MPa. Whey protein denaturation, evaluated through noncasein nitrogen, occurred only at 200 to 300 MPa, and viscosity increased just at 300 MPa. Therefore, HPH changed some milk physicochemical characteristics, mainly those related to protein content. These results highlight that HPH processing is a promising technology to improve partially skimmed milk mouth feel being suitable for dairy products manufacturing.
Prediction and characterization of helper T‐cell epitopes from pneumococcal surface adhesin A
Authors: Singh Rajesh , Gupta Pranav , Sharma Praveen K. , Ades Edwin W. , Hollingshead Susan K. , Singh Shailesh , Lillard James W.
Published: October 2013

Pneumococcal surface adhesin A (PsaA) is a multifunctional lipoprotein known to bind nasopharyngeal epithelial cells, and is significantly involved in bacterial adherence and virulence. Identification of PsaA peptides that optimally bind human leucocyte antigen (HLA) and elicit a potent immune response would be of great importance to vaccine development. However, this is hindered by the multitude of HLA polymorphisms in humans. To identify the conserved immunodominant epitopes, we used an experimental dataset of 28 PsaA synthetic peptides and in silico methods to predict specific peptide‐binding to HLA and murine MHC class II molecules. We also characterized spleen and cervical lymph node (CLN) ‐derived T helper (Th) lymphocyte cytokine responses to these peptides after Streptococcus pneumoniae strain EF3030 challenge in mice. Individual, yet overlapping, peptides 15 amino acids in length revealed residues of PsaA that consistently caused the highest interferon‐γ, interleukin‐2 (IL‐2), IL‐5 and IL‐17 responses and proliferation as well as moderate IL‐10 and IL‐4 responses by ex vivo re‐stimulated splenic and CLN CD4+ T cells isolated from S. pneumoniae strain EF3030‐challenged F1 (B6 ×  BALB/c) mice. In silico analysis revealed that peptides from PsaA may interact with a broad range of HLA‐DP, ‐DQ and ‐DR alleles, due in part to regions lacking β‐turns and asparagine endopeptidase sites. These data suggest that Th cell peptides (7, 19, 20, 22, 23 and 24) screened for secondary structures and MHC class II peptide‐binding affinities can elicit T helper cytokine and proliferative responses to PsaA peptides.
Enhancing Strategic Supply Decisions by Estimating Suppliers' Marginal Costs
Authors: Eckhaus Eyal , Kogan Konstantin , Perlman Yael
Published: October 2013

The ability to estimate a supplier's marginal cost confers a strategic competitive advantage to the buyer, whether in negotiations with suppliers, in an auction setting, or when an auction is used to initiate the process, which is then followed up with a traditional negotiation. Focusing on electronic reverse auctions characterized by a one‐shot, first‐price, sealed‐bid format, this article proposes an approach for estimating a supplier's marginal cost. Specifically, we suggest a two‐stage model: In the first stage, empirical analysis is used to predict the winning bid. In the second stage, a game‐theory approach is used to refine the outcome of the first stage to provide an estimate of the supplier's marginal cost. To assess the model, we apply it to data from a food and beverages company that carried out electronic auctions to select suppliers for industrial maintenance services. We find that our estimates are very close to those made by the suppliers and compare favorably to the efficient marginal costs determined with the widely used approach of data envelopment analysis. This also implies that after selecting a supplier through an auction, the buyer can enhance follow‐up negotiations with the supplier by contrasting our model's estimates of the marginal costs with the supplier's' inefficiencies detected with the data envelopment analysis.