bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The coincidence of IgA nephropathy and Fabry disease
Authors: Maixnerová Dita , Tesař Vladimír , Ryšavá Romana , Reiterová Jana , Poupětová Helena , Dvořáková Lenka , Goláň Lubor , Neprašová Michaela , Kidorová Jana , Merta Miroslav , Honsová Eva
Published: January 2013

Background

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common glomerulonephritis, which may also coexist with other diseases. We present two patients with an unusual coincidence of IgAN and Fabry disease (FD).

Case presentation

A 26 year-old man underwent a renal biopsy in February 2001. Histopathology showed very advanced IgAN and vascular changes as a result of hypertension. Because of his progressive renal insufficiency the patient began hemodialysis in August 2001. By means of the blood spot test screening method the diagnosis of FD was suspected. Low activity of alpha-galactosidase A in the patient’s plasma and leukocytes and DNA analysis confirmed the diagnosis of FD. Enzyme replacement therapy started in July 2004. Then the patient underwent kidney transplantation in November 2005. Currently, his actual serum creatinine level is 250 μmol/l. Other organ damages included hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, neuropathic pain and febrile crisis. After enzyme replacement therapy, myocardial hypertrophy has stabilized and other symptoms have disappeared. No further progression of the disease has been noted.

The other patient, a 30 year-old woman, suffered from long-term hematuria with a good renal function. Recently, proteinuria (2.6 g/day) appeared and a renal biopsy was performed. Histopathology showed IgAN with remarkably enlarged podocytes. A combination of IgAN and a high suspicion of FD was diagnosed. Electron microscopy revealed dense deposits in paramesangial areas typical for IgAN and podocytes with inclusive zebra bodies and myelin figures characteristic of FD. FD was confirmed by the decreased alpha-galactosidase A activity in plasma and leukocytes and by DNA and RNA analysis. Enzyme replacement therapy and family screening were initiated.

Conclusions

Our results emphasize the role of complexity in the process of diagnostic evaluation of kidney biopsy samples. Electron microscopy represents an integral part of histopathology, and genetic analysis plays a more and more important role in the final diagnosis, which is followed by causal treatment.
Effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on pain, walking function, respiratory muscle strength and vital capacity in kidney donors: a protocol of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Galli Thiago Tafarel , Chiavegato Luciana Dias , Santiago Nathália Risso , Liebano Richard Eloin
Published: January 2013

Background

Pain is a negative factor in the recovery process of postoperative patients, causing pulmonary alterations and complications and affecting functional capacity. Thus, it is plausible to introduce transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for pain relief to subsequently reduce complications caused by this pain in the postoperative period. The objective of this paper is to assess the effects of TENS on pain, walking function, respiratory muscle strength and vital capacity in kidney donors.

Methods/design

Seventy-four patients will be randomly allocated into 2 groups: active TENS or placebo TENS. All patients will be assessed for pain intensity, walk function (Iowa Gait Test), respiratory muscle strength (maximal inspiratory pressure and maximal expiratory pressure) and vital capacity before and after the TENS application. The data will be collected by an assessor who is blinded to the group allocation.

Discussion

This study is the first to examine the effects of TENS in this population. TENS during the postoperative period may result in pain relief and improvements in pulmonary tests and mobility, thus leading to an improved quality of life and further promoting organ donation.

Trial registration

Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clinicos (ReBEC), number RBR-8xtkjp.
The acute impact of a hematopoietic allograft on lung function and inflammation: a prospective observational study
Authors: Enocson Alexandra , Hubbard Richard , McKeever Tricia , Russell Nigel , Byrne Jennifer , Das-Gupta Emma , Watson Lynne , Fogarty Andrew W
Published: January 2013

Background

No studies have investigated the immediate impact of receiving an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) on pulmonary inflammation or lung function.

Methods

Using a prospective study design, we quantified the changes in these outcome measures in eligible adult individuals in the first six months after receiving an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant.

Results

Between January 2007 and December 2008, 72 patients were eligible to participate in the cohort, and of these 68 (94%) were included in the study. Compared to baseline, pulmonary inflammation as measured by exhaled nitric oxide increased after receiving a HSCT with the largest increment seen at three months (+6.0ppb, 95%CI: +0.4 to +11.5), and this was sustained at six months. Percent predicted forced expiratory volume in one second decreased over the same period, with the largest decrease observed at six weeks (−5.9%, 95% CI: -8.9 to −2.9), and this was also sustained over a six month period. Similar associations were observed for FVC. A larger increase in exhaled nitric oxide from baseline at six weeks and three months may be associated with decreased mortality (p=0.06, p=0.04 respectively).

Conclusion

Our data demonstrate that recipients of an allogeneic HSCT experience an increase in biomarkers of pulmonary inflammation and a decrease in lung function in the first six months after the procedure. If independently validated in other study populations, these observations could have potential as a prognostic biomarker for this patient group.
Propofol protects against high glucose-induced endothelial adhesion molecules expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells
Authors: Zhu Minmin , Chen Jiawei , Jiang Hui , Miao Changhong
Published: January 2013

Background

Hyperglycemia could induce oxidative stress, activate transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), up-regulate expression of endothelial adhesion molecules, and lead to endothelial injury. Studies have indicated that propofol could attenuate oxidative stress and suppress NF-κB activation in some situations. In the present study, we examined whether and how propofol improved high glucose-induced up-regulation of endothelial adhesion molecules in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

Methods

Protein expression of endothelial adhesion molecules, NF-κB, inhibitory subunit of NF-κBα (IκBα), protein kinase Cβ2 (PKCβ2), and phosphorylation of PKCβ2 (Ser660) were measured by Western blot. NF-κB activity was measured by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. PKC activity was measured with SignaTECT PKC assay system. Superoxide anion (O2
.-) accumulation was measured with the reduction of ferricytochrome c assay. Human peripheral mononuclear cells were prepared with Histopaque-1077 solution.

Results

High glucose induced the expression of endothelial selectin (E-selectin), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), and increased mononuclear-endothelial adhesion. High glucose induced O2
.- accumulation, PKCβ2 phosphorylation and PKC activation. Further, high glucose decreased IκBα expression in cytoplasm, increased the translocation of NF-κB from cytoplasm to nuclear, and induced NF-κB activation. Importantly, we found these high glucose-mediated effects were attenuated by propofol pretreatment. Moreover, CGP53353, a selective PKCβ2 inhibitor, decreased high glucose-induced NF-κB activation, adhesion molecules expression, and mononuclear-endothelial adhesion.

Conclusion

Propofol, via decreasing O2
.- accumulation, down-regulating PKCβ2 Ser660 phosphorylation and PKC as well as NF-κB activity, attenuated high glucose-induced endothelial adhesion molecules expression and mononuclear-endothelial adhesion.
Developing functional workspace for the movement of trunk circumduction in healthy young subjects: a reliability study
Authors: Cheng Su-Chun , Hsu Chieh-Hsiang , Ting Yi-Ting , Kuo Li-Chieh , Lin Ruey-Mo , Su Fong-Chin
Published: January 2013

Background

The lumbar range of motion has traditionally been used to assess disability in patients with low back disorders. Controversy exists about how movement ranges in static positions or in a single straight plane is related to the functional status of the patients. The trunk circumduction, as the result of neuromuscular coordination, is the integrated movements from three dimensions. The functional workspace stands for the volume of movement configuration from the trunk circumduction and represents all possible positions in three dimensions. By using single quantitative value, the functional workspace substitutes the complicated joint linear or angular motions. The aim of this study is to develop the functional workspace of the trunk circumduction (FWTC) considering possible functional positions in three dimensional planes. The reliability of the trunk circumduction is examined.

Methods

Test-retest reliability was performed with 18 healthy young subjects. A three-dimensional (3-D) Motion Analysis System was used to record the trunk circumduction. The FWTC was defined and calculated based on the volume of the cone that was formed as the resultant scanned area of markers, multiplied by the length of the body segment. The statistical analysis of correlation was performed to describe the relation of maximal displacements of trunk circumduction and straight planes: sagittal and coronal.

Results

The results of this study indicate that the movement of trunk circumduction measured by motion analysis instruments is a reliable tool. The ICC value is 0.90-0.96, and the means and standard deviations of the normalized workspace are: C7 0.425 (0.1162); L1 0.843 (0.2965); and knee 0.014 (0.0106). Little correlations between the maximal displacement of trunk circumduction and that of straight planes are shown and therefore suggest different movement patterns exist.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates high statistical reliability for the FWTC, which is important for the potential development as the functional assessment technique. The FWTC provides a single integrated value to represent angular and linear measurements of different joints and planes. Future study is expected to carry out the FWTC to evaluate the amount of workspace for the functional status of patients with low back injuries or patients with spinal surgery.
The combined effects of genetic variation in the SIRT1 gene and dietary intake of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids on serum LDL-C and HDL-C levels: a population based study
Authors: Inamori Tomoko , Goda Toshinao , Kasezawa Nobuhiko , Yamakawa-Kobayashi Kimiko
Published: January 2013

Background

Dyslipidemia due to high total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, or low HDL-cholesterol is an important risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD). Both SIRT1 and PUFAs can influence the expression of genes for nuclear receptors and transcription factors related to lipid metabolism such as LXRα, LXRβ, PPARα, SREBP-1c.

Methods

A total of 707 Japanese males and 723 females were randomly selected from the participants who visited a medical center for routine medical check-ups. We analyzed the combined effects of the genotype/haplotype of the SIRT1 gene and dietary n-6/n-3 PUFA intake ratio on the determination of serum lipid levels.

Results

We found that the SIRT1 gene marked with haplotype 2 was associated with decreased serum LDL-cholesterol and increased HDL-cholesterol levels. In addition, the associations between the SIRT1 haplotype 2 and decreased LDL-C and increased HDL-C levels were only observed in the low n-6/n-3 PUFA intake ratio group, but not in the high n-6/n-3 PUFA intake ratio group.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that the combination of genetic variation in the SIRT1 gene and dietary n-6 and/or n-3 PUFA intake influence the determination of inter-individual variations of serum levels of LDL-C and HDL-C.
Laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection for advanced gastric cancer without serosa invasion: a matched cohort study from South China
Authors: Lin Jian-Xian , Huang Chang-Ming , Zheng Chao-Hui , Li Ping , Xie Jian-Wei , Wang Jia-Bin , Lu Jun
Published: January 2013

Background

Gastric cancer is a common malignancy worldwide and a common cause of death from cancer. Despite recent advances in multimodality treatment and targeted therapy, complete resection remains the only treatment that can lead to cure. This study was devised to investigate the technical feasibility, safety and oncologic efficacy of laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer without serosa invasion.

Methods

A retrospective matched cohort study was performed in south China comparing laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy and open gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer without serosa invasion. Eighty-three patients with advanced gastric cancer undergoing laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy between January 2008 and December 2010 were enrolled. These patients were compared with 83 patients with advanced gastric cancer undergoing open gastrectomy during the same period.

Results

There was no significant difference in clinicopathologic characteristics between the two groups. Regarding perioperative characteristics, the operation time and time to ground activities did not differ between the two groups, whereas the blood loss, transfused patient number, time to first flatus, time to resumption of diet, and postoperative hospital stay were significantly less in laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy than in open gastrectomy (P <0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative morbidity and mortality. No significant difference in the number of lymph nodes dissected was observed between these two groups. There was no significant difference in the cumulative survival rate between the two groups.

Conclusion

Laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy is a safe and feasible procedure for advanced gastric cancer without serosa invasion. To be accepted as a choice treatment for advanced gastric cancer, well-designed randomized controlled trials comparing short-term and long-term outcomes between laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy and open gastrectomy in a larger number of patients are necessary.
Control of visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil: recommendations from Brasileish
Authors: Ribeiro Vitor Márcio , da Silva Sydnei Magno , Menz Ingrid , Tabanez Paulo , Nogueira Fábio dos Santos , Werkhaüser Manfredo , da Fonseca André Luis S , Dantas-Torres Filipe
Published: January 2013

On 26 October 2012, veterinary medicine clinicians and researchers, members of Brasileish - Study Group about Animal Leishmaniasis - met at the Regional Council of Veterinary Medicine of Minas Gerais, in the city Belo Horizonte, in order to discuss many aspects of the situation of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) in Brazil. In the face of recent national and international scientific evidence, we, the members of Brasileish, have elaborated some recommendations for the management and control of CVL in Brazil.
High expression of IL-17 and IL-17RE associate with poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Liao Rui , Sun Jian , Wu Han , Yi Yong , Wang Jia-Xing , He Hong-Wei , Cai Xiao-Yan , Zhou Jian , Cheng Yun-Feng , Fan Jia , Qiu Shuang-Jian
Published: January 2013

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a typical malignancy in a background of chronic inflammation. Th17 cells (a major source of IL-17) constitute crucial components of infiltrating inflammatory/immune cells in HCC and can amplify inflammatory response via binding to interleukin-17 receptor (IL-17R). Thus, we investigated the expression and clinical significance of IL-17 and IL-17 receptor family cytokines in HCC.

Methods

The expression and prognostic value of IL-17 and IL-17R (A-E) were examined in 300 HCC patients after resection. Six Th17 associated cytokines in serum (n = 111) were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Phenotypic features of IL-17+ CD4+ T cells were determined by flow cytometry analysis.

Results

High expression of intratumoral IL-17 and IL1-7RE were significantly associated with poorer survival (p = 0.016 and <0.001, respectively) and increased recurrence (both P < 0.001) of HCC patients. Moreover, intratumoral IL-17, individually or synergistically with IL-17RE, could predict HCC early recurrence and late recurrence. Also, peritumoral IL-17RE showed the prognostic ability in HCC (P < 0.001 for OS/TTR). Furthermore, expression levels of Th17 associated cytokines including IL-6, -22, -17R and TNF-α were increased in serum of HCC patients compared to haemangioma patients. Importantly, activated human hepatic stellate cells induced in vitro expansion of IL-17+ CD4+ T cells.

Conclusions

High expression of IL-17 and IL-17RE were promising predictors for poor outcome of HCC patients. The protumor power of IL-17 producing CD4+ T cells was probably involved in the crosstalk with different types of inflammatory/immune cells in HCC.
Genetic diversity of arsenic accumulation in rice and QTL analysis of methylated arsenic in rice grains
Authors: Kuramata Masato , Abe Tadashi , Kawasaki Akira , Ebana Kaworu , Shibaya Taeko , Yano Masahiro , Ishikawa Satoru
Published: January 2013

Background

Rice is a major source of dietary intake of arsenic (As) for the populations that consume rice as a staple food. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the As concentration in rice to avoid the potential risk to human health. In this study, the genetic diversity in As accumulation and As speciation in rice grains was investigated using a world rice core collection (WRC) comprising 69 accessions grown over a 3-year period. Moreover, quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis was conducted to identify QTLs controlling the dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) content of rice grains.

Results

There was a 3-fold difference in the grain As concentration of WRC. Concentrations of total-As, inorganic As, and DMA were significantly affected by genotype, year, and genotype-year interaction effects. Among the WRC accessions, Local Basmati and Tima (indica type) were identified as cultivars with the lowest stable total-As and inorganic As concentrations. Using an F2 population derived from Padi Perak (a high-DMA accession) and Koshihikari (a low-DMA cultivar), we identified two QTLs on chromosome 6 (qDMAs6.1 and qDMAs6.2) and one QTL on chromosome 8 (qDMAs8) that were responsible for variations in the grain DMA concentration. Approximately 73% of total phenotypic variance in DMA was explained by the three QTLs.

Conclusions

Based on the results provided, one strategy for developing rice cultivars with a low level of toxic As would be to change the proportion of organic As on the basis of a low level of total As content.
Cooperative immunoregulatory function of the transmembrane adaptor proteins SIT and LAX
Authors: Arndt Börge , Kalinski Thomas , Reinhold Dirk , Thielitz Anja , Roessner Albert , Schraven Burkhart , Simeoni Luca
Published: January 2013

SIT and LAX, two transmembrane adaptor molecules, cooperatively regulate immune functions and limit autoimmunity.

Lymphocyte activation is crucial for the generation of immune responses. In vitro studies have demonstrated that TRAPs are critical regulators of lymphocyte activation. However, more recent in vivo studies have demonstrated that with the exception of LAT, TRAPs, such as SIT, NTAL, and LAX, only minimally affect immune cell functions. Additional studies have suggested that the mild or the apparent lack of a phenotype displayed by most TRAP KO mice may be explained by functional redundancy among this family of adaptors. In fact, it has been shown that the phenotype of NTAL/LAT or SIT/TRIM double-deficient mice is more severe than that of the single KOs. Here, we have evaluated whether SIT and the related transmembrane adaptor LAX have overlapping functions by generating SIT/LAX DKO mice. We show that DKO, in contrast to single KO mice, accumulate large numbers of activated CD4+ T cells in the spleen. Moreover, conventional B cells from DKO mice are hyperproliferative upon CD40 stimulation. Additionally, we found that DKO mice displayed an expansion of the B1 cell pool in the peritoneal cavity, hypergammaglobulinaemia, and an enhanced immune response to the T1-independent antigen, TNP-LPS. Finally, we demonstrate that SIT/LAX double deficiency resulted in a more pronounced breakdown of peripheral tolerance and the development of autoimmunity characterized by ANAs and renal disease (glomerulonephritis and proteinuria). Collectively, our data indicate that SIT and LAX are important negative regulators of immune responses that functionally cooperate.
The intracellular progesterone receptor regulates CD4+ T cells and T cell-dependent antibody responses
Authors: Hughes Grant C , Clark Edward A , Wong Alan H
Published: January 2013

The intracellular progesterone receptor links the reproductive and immune systems via regulation of CD4+ T cells.

Pg has distinct immunomodulatory properties involved in poorly understood immune phenomena, including maternal tolerance of the fetus, increased risk of certain infections during pregnancy or after Pg birth control, and pregnancy-associated remission of autoimmune disease. Several potential mechanisms have been identified, including alteration of Th1 and Treg activity, but the precise cellular and molecular targets of Pg immunomodulation in vivo remain obscure, partly because Pg can signal through several different receptor types. One such receptor, the iPR, encoded by the pgr gene, is essential for reproduction in female mice and is expressed in the thymus and CD4+ T cells. We hypothesized that iPR regulates CD4+ T cell activity and adaptive immune responses in vivo. With the use of iPR KO mice, we demonstrate that iPR specifically suppresses TD antibody responses, primarily by dampening CD4+ Teff activity, likely via transcriptional repression of the IFN-γ gene and modulation of other programs regulating CD4+ T cells. Our results highlight a novel mechanism linking the endocrine and immune systems, and they offer insight into important but poorly understood phenomena in womenˈs health and autoimmunity.
Impact of the physical environment of psychiatric wards on the use of seclusion
Authors: van der Schaaf P. S. , Dusseldorp E. , Keuning F. M. , Janssen W. A. , Noorthoorn E. O.
Published: January 2013

Background

The physical environment is presumed to have an effect on aggression and also on the use of seclusion on psychiatric wards. Multicentre studies that include a broad variety of design features found on psychiatric wards and that control for patient, staff and general ward characteristics are scarce.

Aims

To explore the effect of design features on the risk of being secluded, the number of seclusion incidents and the time in seclusion, for patients admitted to locked wards for intensive psychiatric care.

Method

Data on the building quality and safety of psychiatric as well as forensic wards (n = 199) were combined with data on the frequency and type of coercive measures per admission (n = 23 868 admissions of n = 14 834 patients) on these wards, over a 12-month period. We used non-linear principal components analysis (CATPCA) to reduce the observed design features into a smaller number of uncorrelated principal components. Two-level multilevel (logistic) regression analyses were used to explore the relationship with seclusion. Admission was the first level in the analyses and ward was the second level.

Results

Overall, 14 design features had a significant effect on the risk of being secluded during admission. The ‘presence of an outdoor space’, 'special safety measures' and a large ‘number of patients in the building’ increased the risk of being secluded. Design features such as more ‘total private space per patient’, a higher ‘level of comfort’ and greater ‘visibility on the ward’, decreased the risk of being secluded.

Conclusions

A number of design features had an effect on the use of seclusion and restraint. The study highlighted the need for a greater focus on the impact of the physical environment on patients, as, along with other interventions, this can reduce the need for seclusion and restraint.
Tetrac Can Replace Thyroid Hormone During Brain Development in Mouse Mutants Deficient in the Thyroid Hormone Transporter Mct8
Authors: Horn Sigrun , Kersseboom Simone , Mayerl Steffen , Müller Julia , Groba Claudia , Trajkovic-Arsic Marija , Ackermann Tobias , Visser Theo J. , Heuer Heike
Published: January 2013

The monocarboxylate transporter 8 (MCT8) plays a critical role in mediating the uptake of thyroid hormones (THs) into the brain. In patients, inactivating mutations in the MCT8 gene are associated with a severe form of psychomotor retardation and abnormal serum TH levels. Here, we evaluate the therapeutic potential of the TH analog 3,5,3′,5′-tetraiodothyroacetic acid (tetrac) as a replacement for T4 in brain development. Using COS1 cells transfected with TH transporter and deiodinase constructs, we could show that tetrac, albeit not being transported by MCT8, can be metabolized to the TH receptor active compound 3,3′,5-triiodothyroacetic acid (triac) by type 2 deiodinase and inactivated by type 3 deiodinase. Triac in turn is capable of replacing T3 in primary murine cerebellar cultures where it potently stimulates Purkinje cell development. In vivo effects of tetrac were assessed in congenital hypothyroid Pax8-knockout (KO) and Mct8/Pax8 double-KO mice as well as in Mct8-KO and wild-type animals after daily injection of tetrac (400 ng/g body weight) during the first postnatal weeks. This treatment was sufficient to promote TH-dependent neuronal differentiation in the cerebellum, cerebral cortex, and striatum but was ineffective in suppressing hypothalamic TRH expression. In contrast, TSH transcript levels in the pituitary were strongly down-regulated in response to tetrac. Based on our findings we propose that tetrac administration offers the opportunity to provide neurons during the postnatal stage with a potent TH receptor agonist, thereby eventually reducing the neurological damage in patients with MCT8 mutations without deteriorating the thyrotoxic situation in peripheral tissues.
Combined Inhibition of mTORC1 and mTORC2 Signaling Pathways Is a Promising Therapeutic Option in Inhibiting Pheochromocytoma Tumor Growth: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies in Female Athymic Nude Mice
Authors: Giubellino Alessio , Bullova Petra , Nölting Svenja , Turkova Hana , Powers James F. , Liu Qingsong , Guichard Sylvie , Tischler Arthur S. , Grossman Ashley B. , Pacak Karel
Published: January 2013

Several lines of evidence, including the recent discovery of novel susceptibility genes, point out an important role for the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway in the development of pheochromocytoma. Analyzing a set of pheochromocytomas from patients with different genetic backgrounds, we observed and confirmed a significant overexpression of key mTOR complex (mTORC) signaling mediators. Using selective ATP-competitive inhibitors targeting both mTORC1 and mTORC2, we significantly arrested the in vitro cell proliferation and blocked migration of pheochromocytoma cells as a result of the pharmacological suppression of the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. Moreover, AZD8055, a selective ATP-competitive dual mTORC1/2 small molecular inhibitor, significantly reduced the tumor burden in a model of metastatic pheochromocytoma using female athymic nude mice. This study suggests that targeting both mTORC1 and mTORC2 is a potentially rewarding strategy and supports the application of selective inhibitors in combinatorial drug regimens for metastatic pheochromocytoma.
The functional role of caudal and anal/dorsal fins during the C-start of a bluegill sunfish
Authors: Borazjani Iman
Published: January 2013

Fast starts are crucial in the survival of aquatic swimmers to capture prey or avoid predators. Currently, it is widely accepted that during C-starts (1) the caudal fin generates a considerable hydrodynamic force; and (2) anal/dorsal fins are erected to significantly increase the hydrodynamic force. In this work, the above hypotheses on the role of fins during C-starts are studied using experimentally-guided numerical simulations of four bluegill sunfish, whose fins are removed or erected. The amount of force created by the body and fins at each time instant was not constant and varied during the C-start. Nevertheless, in agreement with hypothesis (1), up to 70% of the instantaneous hydrodynamic force was generated by the tail during Stage 2 of the C-start, when the sunfish rapidly bends out of the C-shape. Additionally, the contribution in Stage 1, when the sunfish bends into a C-shape, is less than 20% at each instant. Most of the force in Stage 1 was produced by the body of the sunfish. In contrast to hypothesis (2), the effect of erection/removal of the fins was less than 5% of the instantaneous force in both Stage 1 and 2, except for a short period of time (2 ms) just before Stage 2. However, it is known that the anal/dorsal fins are actively controlled during the C-start from muscle activity measurements. Based on the results presented here, it is suggested that the active control of the anal/dorsal fins can be related to retaining the stability of the sunfish against roll and pitch movements during the C-start. Furthermore, the erection of the fins increases the moment of inertia to make the roll and pitch movements more difficult.
Solving the Towers of Hanoi – how an amoeboid organism efficiently constructs transport networks
Authors: Reid Chris R. , Beekman Madeleine
Published: January 2013

Many biological systems require extensive networks to transport resources and information. Biological networks must trade-off network efficiency with the risk of network failure. Yet, biological networks develop in the absence of centralised control from the interactions of many components. Moreover, many biological systems need to be able to adapt when conditions change and the network requires modification. We used the slime mould Physarum polycephalum (Schwein) to study how the organism adapts its network after disruption. To allow us to determine the efficiency of the constructed networks, we used a well-known shortest path problem: the Towers of Hanoi maze. We first show that while P. polycephalum is capable of building networks with minimal length paths through the maze, most solutions are sub-optimal. We then disrupted the network by severing the main connecting path while opening a new path in the maze. In response to dynamic changes to the environment, P. polycephalum reconstructed more efficient solutions, with all replicates building networks with minimal length paths through the maze after network disruption. While P. polycephalum altered some of its existing network to accommodate changes in the environment, it also reconstructed large sections of the network from scratch. We compared the results obtained from P. polycephalum to those obtained using another distributed biological system: ant colonies. We hypothesise that network construction in ants hinges upon stronger positive feedback than for slime mould, ensuring ants converge more accurately upon the shortest path but are more constrained by the history of their networks in dynamic environments.
Back home at night or out until morning? Nycthemeral variations in homing of anosmic Cory's shearwaters in a diurnal colony
Authors: Dell'Ariccia Gaia , Bonadonna Francesco
Published: January 2013

Olfactory cues have been shown to be important to homing petrels at night, but apparently those procellariiform species that also come back to the colony during the day are not impaired by smell deprivation. However, the nycthemeral distribution of homing, i.e. whether displaced birds released at night return to their burrow by night or during daylight, has never been investigated. To explore this question, we studied the homing behaviour of Cory's shearwater (Calonectris borealis) in the only known population where these birds are active at the colony both during the day and the night. Here, we compared the nocturnal versus diurnal homing schedule of birds treated with zinc sulphate to induce a reversible but complete anosmia, to that of controls. Our results show that anosmic shearwaters were unable to home in the dark and were constrained to wait for the daylight to find their burrow again. Our results confirm that olfaction is the basic sensory input for homing by night even in a petrel species that is diurnally active at the colony.
Integriertes Publizieren
Authors: Fund Sven
Published: January 2013

In den letzten zehn Jahren hat sich die Wissenschaftskommunikation fundamental verändert. Mit besonderem Fokus auf den Beitrag von Verlagen auf die Wissenschaftskommunikation wird aufgezeigt, worin die zentralen Herausforderungen bestehen. So wird am Beispiel von De Gruyter verdeutlicht, wie tiefgreifend technische Innovationen die traditionelle Verlagsarbeit verändert haben und worin die Aufgaben eines modernen Wissenschaftsverlags im 21. Jahrhundert bestehen.
Reference values and upper reference limits for 26 trace elements in the urine of adults living in Belgium
Authors: Hoet Perrine , Jacquerye Chantal , Deumer Gladys , Lison Dominique , Haufroid Vincent
Published: January 2013

Background: Trace elements (TEs) are ubiquitous and their potential interest for human health has been constantly expanding. Biological monitoring is generally considered to be a useful tool to assess human exposure to chemical agents in risk assessment both at occupational and environmental levels. However, the knowledge of accurate reference values, which may vary across countries or regions, is a prerequisite for correct interpretation of biomonitoring data. This study aimed at determining the reference distribution and the upper reference limit for 26 TEs (Al, As, Sb, Ba, Be, Bi, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, In, Li, Mn, Hg, Mo, Ni, Pd, Pt, Pb, Se, Te, Tl, Sn, U, V, Zn) in the urine of the general adult population residing in Belgium.

Methods: In total, 1022 adults not occupationally or extra-occupationally (mainly via hobbies, drugs) exposed to these TEs were recruited by occupational physicians and toxicologists according to an a priori selection procedure. Non-fasting spot urine samples were analyzed for 460 males and 541 females by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Careful control was applied during collection, handling and analyses of the samples to avoid any contamination.

Results: Globally, the results indicate that the exposure levels of the Belgian population to these TEs are low and grossly similar to those recently published by other national surveys.

Conclusions: These new reference values and upper reference limits will be useful for future occupational and/or environmental surveys.
Health risk behaviors in urban and rural Guatemalan adolescents
Authors: Foulger Lauren , Page Randy M. , Hall P. Cougar , Crookston Benjamin T. , West Joshua H.
Published: January 2013

Adolescence is an important stage of life when health behaviors and attitudes are established. The purpose of this research was to assess health risk behaviors among Guatemalan students in both an urban and rural school. Items were adapted from the Global School-based Student Health Survey and were used to measure and compare the prevalence of risk behaviors between these two demographically and culturally distant school-based samples. In general, the prevalence of adolescent health risk behaviors in both schools was lower than other Latin American countries. Many health risk behaviors were associated with location (urban vs. rural settings) and/or gender. Tobacco use, alcohol use, and sexual activity were higher among urban students. Boys were more likely than girls to use alcohol, use tobacco, and be sexually active. In addition, the prevalence of mental health problems was higher among girls and rural students. These findings imply that measures should be taken to design effective and appropriate health strategies for adolescents attending these schools. Health promotion programs in schools and communities should assist the youth in developing positive health behaviors and cultivating healthy lifestyles in an effort to reduce risk behaviors among adolescent populations. Further research is needed to extend our understanding of risk factors of health behavior in these adolescent populations and to identify effective preventative approaches and strategies that specifically cater to the location and culture of the students.
Perceived parenting as related to emotional competence of visually and hearing impaired adolescents
Authors: Juyal Shyam Lata
Published: January 2013

This study was designed to investigate the difference between perceived parenting style of adolescents with visual and hearing impairment, as well as their emotional competence as an effect of perception of parenting style. We also found a relationship between the variable of perceived parenting and the emotional competence. The sample consisted of 140 participants, 70 visually and 70 hearing impaired adolescents, who were equally divided according to gender in each group. Results indicated that adolescents of both groups differed significantly on perceived parenting and the emotional competence variable. Visually impaired adolescents showed more positive perception and were more emotionally competent than the adolescents with hearing impairment. A positive significant relationship was shown by the visually impaired group between most of the modes of perceived parenting and aspects of emotional competence variable. On the whole, the perception of parenting of adolescents with hearing impairment was found to be significantly lower than the visually impaired adolescents. Similarly, emotional competence among the hearing impaired group as regards the relationship between the two variables was also found to be significantly lower as compared with the visually impaired group. Regarding gender, boys with visual impairment perceived more positive parenting and showed more emotional competence than the girls compared with hearing impaired group.
Current and emerging analytical technologies for analyzing chitin-protein binding interactions
Authors: Dahmen Jeremy L. , Stacey Gary , Hunt Heather K.
Published: January 2013

Chitin, a small organic molecule commonly found in fungal cell walls and insect exoskeletons, has the ability to elicit an immune response in plants by binding to specific membrane-bound receptors. Understanding how plants detect and fend off deleterious fungi and insects will enable improved defense strategies against these pathogens. A wide array of techniques, including affinity binding studies, isothermal calorimetry, structural analysis, and molecular genomic methods have been used to identify and characterize chitin-binding receptors as well as the kinetic parameters of chitin-receptor interactions. There are a number of newly developed analytical technologies in mechanical, electrochemical, and optical biosensing that have great potential to further elucidate the interactions between chitin and its binding partners. In this review, we provide a detailed examination of the methods currently used to characterize chitin-binding interactions, along with emerging analytical techniques that have the potential to transform this area of study.
hMRAPa specifically alters hMC4R molecular mass and N-linked complex glycosylation in HEK293 cells
Authors: Kay Emma I , Botha Rikus , Montgomery Johanna M , Mountjoy Kathleen G
Published: January 2013

Human melanocortin 2 receptor accessory protein 1(hMRAPa) is essential for human melanocortin 2 receptor (hMC2R)-regulated adrenal steroidogenesis. hMRAPa enhances hMC2RN-linked glycosylation and maturation, promotes hMC2R cell surface expression and enables ACTH to bind and activate the MC2R. However, hMRAPa is predicted to have functions beyond its critical role in hMC2R activity. It is more widely expressed than the hMC2R and it has been shown to co-immunoprecipitate with all other hMCR subtypes and other G-protein-coupled receptors, when these are co-expressed with each receptor in heterologous cells. The physiological relevance of hMRAPa interactions with these receptors is unknown. We hypothesised that hMRAPa could influence post-translational processing and maturation of these receptors, similar to its actions on the hMC2R. Here we used co-immunoprecipitation and western blotting techniques to characterise effects of hMRAPa-FLAG co-expression on the maturation of each HA-tagged hMCR subtype and the HA-tagged human calcitonin receptor-like receptor (hCL), co-expressed in HEK293 cells. While hMRAPa-FLAG interacted with all five HA-hMCR subtypes and the HA-hCL, it only altered HA-hMC4R molecular mass. This altered HA-hMC4R molecular mass was due to a change in endoglycosidase H-resistant complexN-linked glycosylation, which we observed for HA-hMC4R in both intracellular and cell surface fractions. This effect was specific to the HA-hMC4R as hMRAPa did not alter the molecular mass of any of the other receptors that we examined. In conclusion, the specific effects of hMRAPa on hMC4R molecular mass and complexN-linked glycosylation provide evidence in support of a role for MRAPα in hMC4R functions.
Diversifying Sunflower Germplasm by Integration and Mapping of a Novel Male Fertility Restoration Gene
Authors: Liu Zhao , Wang Dexing , Feng Jiuhuan , Seiler Gerald J , Cai Xiwen , Jan Chao-Chien
Published: January 2013

The combination of a single cytoplasmic male-sterile (CMS) PET-1 and the corresponding fertility restoration (Rf) gene Rf1 is used for commercial hybrid sunflower (Helianthus annuus L., 2n = 34) seed production worldwide. A new CMS line 514A was recently developed with H. tuberosus cytoplasm. However, 33 maintainers and restorers for CMS PET-1 and 20 additional tester lines failed to restore the fertility of CMS 514A. Here, we report the discovery, characterization, and molecular mapping of a novel Rf gene for CMS 514A derived from an amphiploid (Amp H. angustifolius/P 21, 2n = 68). Progeny analysis of the male-fertile (MF) plants (2n = 35) suggested that this gene, designated Rf6, was located on a single alien chromosome. Genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) indicated that Rf6 was on a chromosome with a small segment translocation on the long arm in the MF progenies (2n = 34). Rf6 was mapped to linkage group (LG) 3 of the sunflower SSR map. Eight markers were identified to be linked to this gene, covering a distance of 10.8 cM. Two markers, ORS13 and ORS1114, were only 1.6 cM away from the gene. Severe segregation distortions were observed for both the fertility trait and the linked marker loci, suggesting the possibility of a low frequency of recombination or gamete selection in this region. This study discovered a new CMS/Rf gene system derived from wild species and provided significant insight into the genetic basis of this system. This will diversify the germplasm for sunflower breeding and facilitate understanding of the interaction between the cytoplasm and nuclear genes.
Peak and Persistent Excess of Genetic Diversity Following an Abrupt Migration Increase
Authors: Alcala Nicolas , Streit Daniela , Goudet Jérôme , Vuilleumier Séverine
Published: January 2013

Genetic diversity is essential for population survival and adaptation to changing environments. Demographic processes (e.g., bottleneck and expansion) and spatial structure (e.g., migration, number, and size of populations) are known to shape the patterns of the genetic diversity of populations. However, the impact of temporal changes in migration on genetic diversity has seldom been considered, although such events might be the norm. Indeed, during the millions of years of a species’ lifetime, repeated isolation and reconnection of populations occur. Geological and climatic events alternately isolate and reconnect habitats. We analytically document the dynamics of genetic diversity after an abrupt change in migration given the mutation rate and the number and sizes of the populations. We demonstrate that during transient dynamics, genetic diversity can reach unexpectedly high values that can be maintained over thousands of generations. We discuss the consequences of such processes for the evolution of species based on standing genetic variation and how they can affect the reconstruction of a population’s demographic and evolutionary history from genetic data. Our results also provide guidelines for the use of genetic data for the conservation of natural populations.
Dissecting Protein Function: An Efficient Protocol for Identifying Separation-of-Function Mutations That Encode Structurally Stable Proteins
Authors: Lubin Johnathan W , Rao Timsi , Mandell Edward K , Wuttke Deborah S , Lundblad Victoria
Published: January 2013

Mutations that confer the loss of a single biochemical property (separation-of-function mutations) can often uncover a previously unknown role for a protein in a particular biological process. However, most mutations are identified based on loss-of-function phenotypes, which cannot differentiate between separation-of-function alleles vs. mutations that encode unstable/unfolded proteins. An alternative approach is to use overexpression dominant-negative (ODN) phenotypes to identify mutant proteins that disrupt function in an otherwise wild-type strain when overexpressed. This is based on the assumption that such mutant proteins retain an overall structure that is comparable to that of the wild-type protein and are able to compete with the endogenous protein (Herskowitz 1987). To test this, the in vivo phenotypes of mutations in the Est3 telomerase subunit from Saccharomyces cerevisiae were compared with the in vitro secondary structure of these mutant proteins as analyzed by circular-dichroism spectroscopy, which demonstrates that ODN is a more sensitive assessment of protein stability than the commonly used method of monitoring protein levels from extracts. Reverse mutagenesis of EST3, which targeted different categories of amino acids, also showed that mutating highly conserved charged residues to the oppositely charged amino acid had an increased likelihood of generating a severely defective est3− mutation, which nevertheless encoded a structurally stable protein. These results suggest that charge-swap mutagenesis directed at a limited subset of highly conserved charged residues, combined with ODN screening to eliminate partially unfolded proteins, may provide a widely applicable and efficient strategy for generating separation-of-function mutations.