bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low‐Temperature Deposition of Hexagonal Boron Nitride via Sequential Injection of Triethylboron and N2/H2 Plasma
Authors: Haider Ali , Ozgit‐Akgun Cagla , Goldenberg Eda , Okyay Ali Kemal , Biyikli Necmi
Published: September 2014

Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) thin films were deposited on silicon and quartz substrates using sequential exposures of triethylboron and N2/H2 plasma in a hollow‐cathode plasma‐assisted atomic layer deposition reactor at low temperatures (≤450°C). A non‐saturating film deposition rate was observed for substrate temperatures above 250°C. BN films were characterized for their chemical composition, crystallinity, surface morphology, and optical properties. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) depicted the peaks of boron, nitrogen, carbon, and oxygen at the film surface. B 1s and N 1s high‐resolution XPS spectra confirmed the presence of BN with peaks located at 190.8 and 398.3 eV, respectively. As deposited films were polycrystalline, single‐phase hBN irrespective of the deposition temperature. Absorption spectra exhibited an optical band edge at ~5.25 eV and an optical transmittance greater than 90% in the visible region of the spectrum. Refractive index of the hBN film deposited at 450°C was 1.60 at 550 nm, which increased to 1.64 after postdeposition annealing at 800°C for 30 min. These results represent the first demonstration of hBN deposition using low‐temperature hollow‐cathode plasma‐assisted sequential deposition technique.
Fabrication and Dielectric Properties of Ba0.63Sr0.37TiO3 Thin Films on SiC Substrates
Authors: Song Lirong , Chen Ying , Wang Genshui , Yang Lihui , Ge Jun , Dong Xianlin , Xiang Pinghua , Zhang Yuanyuan , Tang Xiaodong
Published: September 2014

Ba0.63Sr0.37TiO3 (BST) films were first deposited on SiC substrates with LNO bottom electrodes by magnetron sputtering. The BST/LNO/SiC thin films exhibit high dielectric tunability and low dielectric loss while maintaining excellent temperature coefficient of dielectric constant in the temperature range between 250 and 350 K. We also investigated the effect of film thickness on the dielectric properties. BST(430 nm)/LNO/SiC film has higher tunability (68.09% @700 kV/cm), lower loss tangent (tanδ = 0.00987) and quite a bit higher figure of merit (FOM = 68.99) as compared with that of BST(300 nm)/LNO/SiC film. Our results demonstrate that combining ferroelectric BST films with SiC substrates is very promising for the development of tunable devices over a large temperature range.
Antecedents and Performance Outcomes of Strategic Environmental Sourcing: An Investigation of Resource‐Based Process and Contingency Effects
Authors: Schoenherr Tobias , Modi Sachin B. , Talluri Srinivas , Hult G. Tomas M.
Published: September 2014

This study develops an understanding of the antecedents and performance‐related consequences of strategic environmental sourcing (SES). Institutional pressure and the firm's environmental engagement serve as antecedents to SES, with performance dimensions including environmental, product development, and product quality performance. While direct relationships between these dimensions and SES have been studied in prior work, the present research adds greater specificity and depth by investigating process and contingency effects on product‐level outcomes. The resource‐based theory provides the theoretical motivation for these relationships, which are tested via survey data collected from sourcing professionals in the U.S. manufacturing industry. The results emphasize environmental engagement as an important process element between institutional pressure and SES, and highlight the ability of institutional pressure to strengthen the relationship between environmental engagement and SES. Environmental performance was found as an influential conduit in the relationship between SES and both product quality and product development performance, with SES also serving as a contingency.
Loss of SIRT4 decreases GLT‐1‐dependent glutamate uptake and increases sensitivity to kainic acid
Authors: Shih Jennifer , Liu Lei , Mason Andrew , Higashimori Haruki , Donmez Gizem
Published: September 2014

Glutamate transport is a critical process in the brain that maintains low extracellular levels of glutamate to allow for efficient neurotransmission and prevent excitotoxicity. Loss of glutamate transport function is implicated in epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. It remains unclear whether or not glutamate transport can be modulated in these disease conditions to improve outcome. Here, we show that sirtuin (SIRT)4, a mitochondrial sirtuin, is up‐regulated in response to treatment with the potent excitotoxin kainic acid. Loss of SIRT4 leads to a more severe reaction to kainic acid and decreased glutamate transporter expression and function in the brain. Together, these results indicate a critical and novel stress response role for SIRT4 in promoting proper glutamate transport capacity and protecting against excitotoxicity.

image

Loss of sirtuin 4 (SIRT4) in mice leads to decreased glutamate transporter expression and function in the brain, which can ultimately cause increased excitotoxic effects. SIRT4 is up‐regulated in response to treatment with the potent excitotoxin kainic acid. These results indicate a critical and novel stress response role for SIRT4 in promoting proper glutamate transport capacity and protecting against excitotoxicity. GLT‐1, Glutamate Transporter 1, same as excitatory amino acid transporter 2; Glu, glutamate.
Evaluation of headache relief with cosmetic onabotulinumtoxinA injections
Authors: Goldman Neal D , Dorton Leighanne H , Marcum Kristin K , Gilbert Ryan M , Sandoval Laura F
Published: September 2014

Chronic headaches are common and can have a significant effect on quality of life. Approved treatment options are vast and include the use botulinum toxin injections. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of purely cosmetic onabotulinumtoxinA (BOTOX®) injections on the frequency and severity of chronic headaches. Patients seeking treatment of hyperfunctional facial lines were enrolled to complete pre‐ and posttreatment questionnaires assessing headache symptoms. Quantitative data was compared using paired two‐tailed student t‐tests between groups of patients who received onabotulinumtoxinA injections, both onabotulinumtoxinA and hyaluronic acid (Restylane®) injections, and hyaluronic acid injections. One hundred and ten patients were enrolled; 73 completed the study. Of the 45 patients with pretreatment headaches, 76% (22/29) that received cosmetic onabotulinumtoxinA injections alone and 69% (27/39) that received onabotulinumtoxinA with or without hyaluronic acid injections reported overall improvement in headaches. Patients who received only onabotulinumtoxinA reported a significant decrease in the frequency (P = 0.0016) and severity (P = 0.0002) of headaches, and the number of days over‐the‐counter medications were taken (P = 0.0238). It took an average 9.5 days for headache improvement vs. 4.4 days for an appearance change. In patients who received only hyaluronic acid injections (n = 6), no significant improvement in headaches was reported. Overall satisfaction was high and unaffected by whether patients experienced headache relief. The majority of patients (93%) reported that they would “definitely” or “likely” receive onabotulinumtoxinA injections again in the future. Purely cosmetic onabotulinumtoxinA injections of doses between 15–50 units can significantly decrease the severity and frequency of headaches.
Onychomycosis: 1064‐nm Nd:YAG q‐switch laser treatment
Authors: Galvan Garcia Hector Ricardo
Published: September 2014

Background

Laser Treatment of onychomycosis is a quick and easy method without complications.

Aim

Laser therapy is efficient for the Treatment of onychomycosis.

Material & Methods

One hundred and twenty patients with a KOH (+) confirmed clinical diagnosis of onychomycosis were included in this study, all of the patients were treated in a single sesión with a 1064‐nm neodymium‐doped yttrium‐aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) q‐switch laser.

Results

There was a 100% clinical response rate within the 9 month follow‐up period with no side effects.

Conclusión

This method is proposed as a novel and safe method for the treatment of this ungual pathology.
Increase in cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) expression in keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts in photoaged skin
Authors: Surowiak Pawel , Gansukh Tserenchunt , Donizy Piotr , Halon Agnieszka , Rybak Zbigniew
Published: September 2014

Background

Interleukins and NFκ‐B are involved in the development of inflammatory reactions. It has been suggested that these proteins are important contributing factors in the process of photoaging of skin. Moreover, interleukins and NFκ‐B are known to be capable of inducing expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX‐2). Expression of COX‐2 in various populations of skin cells has not been examined in the specific processes of aging.

Objectives

The study aimed at evaluating COX‐2 expression in skin samples originating from patients with chronologically aged and photoaged skin at various stages of skin aging.

Methods

Immunohistochemical analysis of COX‐2 reactivity was conducted on samples originating from 52 women undergoing surgery for reasons other than skin pathology.

Results

Our study demonstrated that COX‐2 expression in keratinocytes and fibroblasts was significantly higher in skin samples affected by photoaging than in samples affected by endogenous aging or obtained from younger individuals.

Conclusions

The results indicate that COX‐2 may be involved in the pathogenesis of the photoaging process. Inhibition of expression or activity of the enzyme may find application in photoaging treatment and/or prophylaxis.
Patient selection for skin‐tightening procedures
Authors: Northington Marian
Published: September 2014

Noninvasive skin‐tightening devices have become increasingly popular over the last decade to improve skin laxity with minimal risk and recovery time. Proper patient selection improves patient outcomes and satisfaction. There are many devices available for tightening including monopolar radiofrequency, bipolar radiofrequency, fractional radiofrequency devices, infrared devices, combined light and bipolar radiofrequency devices, and intense focused ultrasound devices. There have been shortcomings with tightening devices including inconsistent clinical outcomes. The question arises, why are there inconsistent results and variability among patient outcomes? Variability could be related to different devices, treatment protocols, body area treated, and patient selection. Patient age, degree of laxity, history of smoking, ethnicity, body mass index, and individual patient pain threshold could all possibly contribute to patient response to tightening devices. The literature does not elucidate consistently, which variables are the most important in predicting best patient response. Included is a review of the literature discussing skin tightening and patient selection.
Range‐wide multilocus phylogeography of the red fox reveals ancient continental divergence, minimal genomic exchange and distinct demographic histories
Authors: Statham Mark J. , Murdoch James , Janecka Jan , Aubry Keith B. , Edwards Ceiridwen J. , Soulsbury Carl D. , Berry Oliver , Wang Zhenghuan , Harrison David , Pearch Malcolm , Tomsett Louise , Chupasko Judith , Sacks Benjamin N.
Published: September 2014

Widely distributed taxa provide an opportunity to compare biogeographic responses to climatic fluctuations on multiple continents and to investigate speciation. We conducted the most geographically and genomically comprehensive study to date of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), the world's most widely distributed wild terrestrial carnivore. Analyses of 697 bp of mitochondrial sequence in ~1000 individuals suggested an ancient Middle Eastern origin for all extant red foxes and a 400 kya (SD = 139 kya) origin of the primary North American (Nearctic) clade. Demographic analyses indicated a major expansion in Eurasia during the last glaciation (~50 kya), coinciding with a previously described secondary transfer of a single matriline (Holarctic) to North America. In contrast, North American matrilines (including the transferred portion of Holarctic clade) exhibited no signatures of expansion until the end of the Pleistocene (~12 kya). Analyses of 11 autosomal loci from a subset of foxes supported the colonization time frame suggested by mtDNA (and the fossil record) but, in contrast, reflected no detectable secondary transfer, resulting in the most fundamental genomic division of red foxes at the Bering Strait. Endemic continental Y‐chromosome clades further supported this pattern. Thus, intercontinental genomic exchange was overall very limited, consistent with long‐term reproductive isolation since the initial colonization of North America. Based on continental divergence times in other carnivoran species pairs, our findings support a model of peripatric speciation and are consistent with the previous classification of the North American red fox as a distinct species, V. fulva.
Manifestation of respect in the care of older patients in long‐term care settings
Authors: Koskenniemi Jaana , Leino‐Kilpi Helena , Suhonen Riitta
Published: September 2014

Background

Respect is fundamental to ethical nursing practice. However, respect in the care of older people is seldom investigated from the perspective of patients and their next of kin.

Aim

To describe the manifestation of respect in the care of older patients in long‐term care settings from the perspective of older patients with memory disorders and their next of kin.

Design and methods

A narrative inquiry on research methodology using open interviews was employed. Transcribed interviews were analysed using inductive content analysis, and from this analysis a typology was produced.

Settings

The study settings were patients' own homes supported by professional home care, and nursing homes in three cities in southern Finland.

Participants

A purposeful sample (N = 40) of participants (older patient, n = 20 and their next of kin, n = 20) was recruited. Half of the older patient lived at home where they received professional care and the other half lived in nursing homes.

Results

Respect in long‐term care settings is manifested in patient care through the being and doing of the nurse. A typology of nurses' being and doing described three ways nurses manifested respect: ‘I'm here for you’, ‘I'm here for work’ and ‘I'm not here for you’. Patient's responses to the typology were as follows: sharing, exploring and withdrawing, respectively.

Conclusions

The analysis and typology of nurses' being and doing increases the understanding of respect in patient care in long‐term care settings. Furthermore, this knowledge of respect will make it possible to develop measureable respect indices for use in the evaluation of care.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser third eyelid excision: surgical description and report of 7 cases
Authors: Dees Dustin D. , Knollinger Amy M. , MacLaren Nicole E.
Published: September 2014

Purpose

To describe a novel technique for third eyelid (TEL) excision using a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser.

Study design

Prospective.

Animals studied

The procedure was performed on six canine patients and one feline patient.

Methods

The laser was set to 6 Watts (W) of power and a linear continuous setting. Forceps were used to elevate the TEL and, with a protective shield covering the cornea, the base was cut and cauterized simultaneously. Minimal to no hemorrhage was observed, and the conjunctiva was left to heal by second intention.

Results

Seven patients underwent unilateral surgical TEL excision. All patients had suspected neoplasms affecting either the glandular tissues or conjunctival surfaces of the TEL. Clean surgical margins were achieved in all but one patient. All surgical sites were considered healed by 14 days showing mild‐to‐moderate conjunctival hyperemia and accumulation of mucoid discharge at the ventronasal fornix. One patient experienced postoperative keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Prolapse of orbital fat was not observed in any patient.

Conclusion

Use of CO2 laser appears to be an efficient and effective means for surgical third eyelid removal with excellent postoperative comfort and minimal complications.
A nodal solution of the scalar field equation at the second minimax level
Authors: Perera Kanishka , Tintarev Cyril
Published: September 2014

We prove the existence of a sign‐changing eigenfunction at the second minimax level of the eigenvalue problem for the scalar field equation under a slow decay condition on the potential near infinity. The proof involves constructing a set consisting of sign‐changing functions that is dual to the second minimax class. We also obtain a nonradial sign‐changing eigenfunction at this level when the potential is radial.
Role of nitric oxide in skeletal muscle glucose uptake during exercise
Authors: Hong Yet Hoi , Betik Andrew C. , McConell Glenn K.
Published: September 2014

New Findings

What is the topic of this review?

Is nitric oxide (NO) important in mediating skeletal muscle glucose uptake during contraction/exercise?

What advances does it highlight?

Nitric oxide appears essential for skeletal muscle glucose uptake during contraction/exercise.

Nitric oxide is produced within skeletal muscle fibres and has various functions in skeletal muscle. There is evidence that NO may be essential for normal increases in skeletal muscle glucose uptake during contraction/exercise. Although there have been some discrepant results, it has been consistently demonstrated that inhibition of NO synthase (NOS) attenuates the increase in skeletal muscle glucose uptake during contraction in mouse and rat muscle ex vivo, during in situ contraction in rats and during exercise in humans. The NO‐mediated increase in skeletal muscle glucose uptake during contraction/exercise is probably due to the modulation of intramuscular signalling that ultimately increases glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) translocation and is, surprisingly, independent of blood flow. In this review, we discuss the evidence for and against a role of NO in regulating skeletal muscle glucose uptake during contraction/exercise and outline the possible mechanism(s) involved. Emerging findings regarding the role of neuronal NOS mu (nNOSμ) in this process are also discussed.
Maximal acceleration of Ca2+ release refractoriness by β‐adrenergic stimulation requires dual activation of kinases PKA and CaMKII in mouse ventricular myocytes
Authors: Poláková Eva , Illaste Ardo , Niggli Ernst , Sobie Eric A.
Published: September 2014

Key points

Refractoriness of calcium release in heart cells is altered in several disease states, but the physiological mechanisms that regulate this process are incompletely understood.

We examined refractoriness of calcium release in mouse ventricular myocytes and investigated how activation of different intracellular signalling pathways influenced this process.

We found that refractoriness of calcium release is abbreviated by stimulation of the ‘fight‐or‐flight’ response, and that simultaneous activation of multiple intracellular signalling pathways contributes to this response.

Data obtained under several conditions at the subcellular, microscopic level were consistent with results obtained at the cellular level.

The results provide insight into regulation of cardiac calcium release and how alterations to this process may increase arrhythmia risk under different conditions.

Time‐dependent refractoriness of calcium (Ca2+) release in cardiac myocytes is an important factor in determining whether pro‐arrhythmic release patterns develop. At the subcellular level of the Ca2+ spark, recent studies have suggested that recovery of spark amplitude is controlled by local sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) refilling whereas refractoriness of spark triggering depends on both refilling and the sensitivity of the ryanodine receptor (RyR) release channels that produce sparks. Here we studied regulation of Ca2+ spark refractoriness in mouse ventricular myocytes by examining how β‐adrenergic stimulation influenced sequences of Ca2+ sparks originating from individual RyR clusters. Our protocol allowed us to separately measure recovery of spark amplitude and delays between successive sparks, and data were interpreted quantitatively through simulations with a stochastic mathematical model. We found that, compared with spark sequences measured under control conditions: (1) β‐adrenergic stimulation with isoproterenol (isoprenaline) accelerated spark amplitude recovery and decreased spark‐to‐spark delays; (2) activating protein kinase A (PKA) with forskolin accelerated amplitude recovery but did not affect spark‐to‐spark delays; (3) inhibiting PKA with H89 retarded amplitude recovery and increased spark‐to‐spark delays; (4) preventing phosphorylation of the RyR at serine 2808 with a knock‐in mouse prevented the decrease in spark‐to‐spark delays seen with β‐adrenergic stimulation; (5) inhibiting either PKA or Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) during β‐adrenergic stimulation prevented the decrease in spark‐to‐spark delays seen without inhibition. The results suggest that activation of either PKA or CaMKII is sufficient to speed SR refilling, but activation of both kinases appears necessary to observe increased RyR sensitivity. The data provide novel insight into β‐adrenergic regulation of Ca2+ release refractoriness in mouse myocytes.
Exercise training augments neuronal nitric oxide synthase‐mediated inhibition of sympathetic vasoconstriction in contracting skeletal muscle of rats
Authors: Jendzjowsky Nicholas G. , Just Timothy P. , DeLorey Darren S.
Published: September 2014

Key points

Sympathetic nervous system activity causes tonic vasoconstriction in resting and contracting skeletal muscle. Nitric oxide (NO) has been shown to inhibit sympathetic vasoconstriction.

NO derived from both the neuronal and endothelial isoforms of NO synthase (NOS) has been shown to contribute to the inhibition of sympathetic vasoconstriction.

Our laboratory recently demonstrated that exercise training augmented NO‐dependent inhibition of sympathetic vasoconstriction. However, the NOS isoform responsible for the increase in NO‐mediated inhibition of sympathetic vasoconstriction following exercise training has not been established.

The present findings demonstrate that exercise training improves neuronal NOS‐mediated inhibition of sympathetic vasoconstriction in contracting skeletal muscle.

We tested the hypothesis that exercise training would increase neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)‐mediated inhibition of sympathetic vasoconstriction in resting and contracting skeletal muscle. Sprague–Dawley rats (n = 18) were randomized to sedentary or exercise‐trained (40 m min−1, 5° grade; 5 days week−1 for 4 weeks) groups. Following completion of sedentary behaviour or exercise training, rats were anaesthetized and instrumented with a brachial artery catheter, femoral artery flow probe and stimulating electrodes on the lumbar sympathetic chain. The percentage change of femoral vascular conductance (%FVC) in response to sympathetic chain stimulations delivered at 2 and 5 Hz was determined at rest and during triceps surae muscle contraction before (control) and after selective nNOS blockade with S‐methyl‐l‐thiocitrulline (SMTC, 0.6 mg kg−1, i.v.) and subsequent non‐selective NOS blockade with l‐NAME (5 mg kg−1, i.v.; SMTC + l‐NAME). At rest, sympathetic vasoconstrictor responsiveness was greater (P < 0.05) in exercise‐trained compared to sedentary rats in control, SMTC and SMTC + l‐NAME conditions. During contraction, the constrictor response was not different (P > 0.05) between exercise trained (2 Hz: −11 ± 4%FVC; 5 Hz: −21 ± 5%FVC) and sedentary rats (2 Hz: −7 ± 6%FVC; 5 Hz: −18 ± 10%FVC) in control conditions. SMTC augmented (P < 0.05) sympathetic vasoconstriction in sedentary and exercise‐trained rats; however, sympathetic vasoconstrictor responsiveness was greater (P < 0.05) in exercise‐trained (2 Hz: −27 ± 5%FVC; 5 Hz: −39 ± 5%FVC) compared to sedentary (2 Hz: −17 ± 6%FVC; 5 Hz: −27 ± 8%FVC) rats during selective nNOS inhibition. SMTC + l‐NAME further augmented (P < 0.05) sympathetic vasoconstrictor responsiveness by a similar magnitude (P > 0.05) in exercise‐trained and sedentary rats. These data demonstrate that exercise training augmented nNOS‐mediated inhibition of sympathetic vasoconstriction in contracting muscle.
Influence of surface coatings of poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) particles on HepG2 cell behavior and particle fate
Authors: Yu Dahai , Zhang Yuying , Zou Guangyang , Cui Xiaojing , Mao Zhengwei , Gao Changyou
Published: September 2014

This study is focused on the intracellular fate of poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) particles with different surface coatings after cellular uptake, and their influence on the functions of human liver cancer cells (HepG2 cells). The PLGA particles coated with polyethyleneimine (PEI) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) with a similar diameter of ∼400 nm but different surface chemistry were prepared. The intracellular distribution of the PLGA particles was also largely dependent on their surface coatings. The PLGA-PEI particles were removed from cells by exocytosis with a slower rate compared to the PLGA-BSA particles. In general, uptake of both types of the PLGA particles did not cause apparent impedance on cell viability and cell cycle, but uptake of the PLGA-PEI particles did have certain influence on cell functions such as intracellular level of reactive oxygen species, cytoskeleton organization, cell migration, and secretion levels of triglyceride.
Metabolic Engineering of Acinetobacter baylyi ADP1 for Improved Growth on Gluconate and Glucose
Authors: Kannisto Matti , Aho Tommi , Karp Matti , Santala Ville
Published: September 2014

A high growth rate in bacterial cultures is usually achieved by optimizing growth conditions, but metabolism of the bacterium limits the maximal growth rate attainable on the carbon source used. This limitation can be circumvented by engineering the metabolism of the bacterium.
Acinetobacter baylyi
has become a model organism for studies of bacterial metabolism and metabolic engineering due to its wide substrate spectrum and easy-to-engineer genome. It produces naturally storage lipids, such as wax esters, and has a unique gluconate catabolism as it lacks a gene for pyruvate kinase. We engineered the central metabolism of
A. baylyi
ADP1 more favorable for gluconate catabolism by expressing the pyruvate kinase gene (
pykF
) of
Escherichia coli
. This modification increased growth rate when cultivated on gluconate or glucose as a sole carbon source in a batch cultivation. The engineered cells reached stationary phase on these carbon sources approximately twice as fast as control cells carrying an empty plasmid and produced similar amount of biomass. Furthermore, when grown on either gluconate or glucose,
pykF
expression did not lead to significant accumulation of overflow metabolites and consumption of the substrate remained unaltered. Increased growth rate on glucose was not accompanied with decreased wax ester production, and the
pykF
-expressing cells accumulated significantly more of these storage lipids with respect to cultivation time.
Stratified Microbial Structure and Activity in Sulfide- and Methane-Producing Anaerobic Sewer Biofilms
Authors: Sun Jing , Hu Shihu , Sharma Keshab Raj , Ni Bing-Jie , Yuan Zhiguo
Published: September 2014

Simultaneous production of sulfide and methane by anaerobic sewer biofilms has recently been observed, suggesting that sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and methanogenic archaea (MA), microorganisms known to compete for the same substrates, can coexist in this environment. This study investigated the community structures and activities of SRB and MA in anaerobic sewer biofilms (average thickness of 800 μm) using a combination of microelectrode measurements, molecular techniques, and mathematical modeling. It was seen that sulfide was mainly produced in the outer layer of the biofilm, between the depths of 0 and 300 μm, which is in good agreement with the distribution of SRB population as revealed by cryosection-fluorescence
in situ
hybridization (FISH). SRB had a higher relative abundance of 20% on the surface layer, which decreased gradually to below 3% at a depth of 400 μm. In contrast, MA mainly inhabited the inner layer of the biofilm. Their relative abundances increased from 10% to 75% at depths of 200 μm and 700 μm, respectively, from the biofilm surface layer. High-throughput pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA amplicons showed that SRB in the biofilm were mainly affiliated with five genera,
Desulfobulbus
,
Desulfomicrobium
,
Desulfovibrio
,
Desulfatiferula
, and
Desulforegula
, while about 90% of the MA population belonged to the genus
Methanosaeta
. The spatial organizations of SRB and MA revealed by pyrosequencing were consistent with the FISH results. A biofilm model was constructed to simulate the SRB and MA distributions in the anaerobic sewer biofilm. The good fit between model predictions and the experimental data indicate that the coexistence and spatial structure of SRB and MA in the biofilm resulted from the microbial types and their metabolic transformations and interactions with substrates.
Large-Scale Selection and Breeding To Generate Industrial Yeasts with Superior Aroma Production
Authors: Steensels Jan , Meersman Esther , Snoek Tim , Saels Veerle , Verstrepen Kevin J.
Published: September 2014

The concentrations and relative ratios of various aroma compounds produced by fermenting yeast cells are essential for the sensory quality of many fermented foods, including beer, bread, wine, and sake. Since the production of these aroma-active compounds varies highly among different yeast strains, careful selection of variants with optimal aromatic profiles is of crucial importance for a high-quality end product. This study evaluates the production of different aroma-active compounds in 301 different
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
,
Saccharomyces paradoxus
, and
Saccharomyces pastorianus
yeast strains. Our results show that the production of key aroma compounds like isoamyl acetate and ethyl acetate varies by an order of magnitude between natural yeasts, with the concentrations of some compounds showing significant positive correlation, whereas others vary independently. Targeted hybridization of some of the best aroma-producing strains yielded 46 intraspecific hybrids, of which some show a distinct heterosis (hybrid vigor) effect and produce up to 45% more isoamyl acetate than the best parental strains while retaining their overall fermentation performance. Together, our results demonstrate the potential of large-scale outbreeding to obtain superior industrial yeasts that are directly applicable for commercial use.
Increased Biofilm Formation by Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae Isolates from Patients with Invasive Disease or Otitis Media versus Strains Recovered from Cases of Respiratory Infections
Authors: Puig Carmen , Domenech Arnau , Garmendia Junkal , Langereis Jeroen D. , Mayer Pascal , Calatayud Laura , Liñares Josefina , Ardanuy Carmen , Marti Sara
Published: September 2014

Biofilm formation by nontypeable (NT)
Haemophilus influenzae
remains a controversial topic. Nevertheless, biofilm-like structures have been observed in the middle-ear mucosa of experimental chinchilla models of otitis media (OM). To date, there have been no studies of biofilm formation in large collections of clinical isolates. This study aimed to investigate the initial adhesion to a solid surface and biofilm formation by NT
H. influenzae
by comparing isolates from healthy carriers, those with noninvasive respiratory disease, and those with invasive respiratory disease. We used 352 isolates from patients with nonbacteremic community-acquired pneumonia (NB-CAP), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), OM, and invasive disease and a group of healthy colonized children. We then determined the speed of initial adhesion to a solid surface by the BioFilm ring test and quantified biofilm formation by crystal violet staining. Isolates from different clinical sources displayed high levels of biofilm formation on a static solid support after growth for 24 h. We observed clear differences in initial attachment and biofilm formation depending on the pathology associated with NT
H. influenzae
isolation, with significantly increased biofilm formation for NT
H. influenzae
isolates collected from patients with invasive disease and OM compared with NT
H. influenzae
isolates from patients with NB-CAP or COPD and healthy colonized subjects. In all cases, biofilm structures were detached by proteinase K treatment, suggesting an important role for proteins in the initial adhesion and static biofilm formation measured by crystal violet staining.
Genome Sequencing of 15 Clinical
Vibrio
Isolates, Including 13 Non-O1/Non-O139 Serogroup Strains
Authors: Bishop-Lilly Kimberly A. , Johnson Shannon L. , Verratti Kathleen , Luu Truong , Khiani Amy , Awosika Joy , Mokashi Vishwesh P. , Chain Patrick S. G. , Sozhamannan Shanmuga
Published: September 2014

We present draft genome sequences of 15 clinical
Vibrio
isolates of various serogroups. These are valuable data for use in studying
Vibrio cholerae
genetic diversity, epidemic potential, and strain attribution.
Draft Genome of a Novel
Chlorobi
Member Assembled by Tetranucleotide Binning of a Hot Spring Metagenome
Authors: Stamps Blake W. , Corsetti Frank A. , Spear John R. , Stevenson Bradley S.
Published: September 2014

The genome of a member of the phylum
Chlorobi
was assembled from a shotgun metagenomic sequence of a hot spring in Mammoth Lakes, CA. This organism appears to be a novel, aerobic, photosynthetic
Chlorobi
member, expanding the knowledge of this underrepresented phylum.
Using a public health approach to improve end-of-life care: results and discussion of a health needs assessment undertaken in a large city in northern England
Authors: Ingold Kathryn , Hicks Fiona
Published: September 2014

A detailed health needs assessment (HNA) for end-of-life care (EoLC) services was led by public health in Leeds to inform a commissioning strategy. To answer the question: are we delivering the best possible EoLC services within the resources available? Mixed methods were used with three approaches: epidemiological, corporate and comparative. More people from deprived communities die in hospital. 18% of people who die each year are on a palliative care register, reflecting a lack of recognition and planning for EoLC given that 75% of people who die need EoLC. Over 100 staff, patients and carers were interviewed and over 200 staff returned questionnaires. Staff highlighted concerns about capacity of services; pressure on out-of-hospital care; problems at physical and electronic interfaces between services; suboptimal hospital discharge; need for earlier recognition of the EoL stage for patients. Patients and carers stressed the importance of communication, coordination and continuity of care; full involvement in care planning; honesty and support for the bereaved; an advocate for patients and families; accessible information; improved urgent care; integrated team working; pain relief, dignity and respect. Issues from comparator sites included the need for sustainable leadership for change, lack of interoperability between IT systems; building advance care planning into working culture; gaps in psychological services, bereavement and pastoral support; integration within all clinical areas; lack of district nurses; few investment opportunities; getting home care support right; concerns about 111; incentives for general practitioners to deliver EoLC; variability in service and the Liverpool Care Pathway controversy. Ethical approval was not sought as the HNA was undertaken as a service evaluation. Local policy is that ethical approval is not required for service evaluation.
Improving residents’ clinical approach to obesity: impact of a multidisciplinary didactic curriculum
Authors: Acosta Andres , Azzalin Alice , Emmons Claudia J , Shuster Jonathan J , Jay Melanie , Lo Margaret C
Published: September 2014

Background/Objectives

Obesity has been declared a 21st century pandemic by WHO. Yet surveys reveal physicians-in-training are uncomfortable managing obesity. One major barrier is the lack of residency education on obesity management. This study incorporates an obesity-specific didactic curriculum into an internal medicine (IM) residency programme and assesses its impact on residents’ knowledge, attitudes, practice behaviours, and clinical outcomes in patients with obesity.

Methods

The intervention consisted of four, 1 h, obesity-specific lectures in the University of Florida Resident Noon Conference. Lectures were taught by multidisciplinary experts and offered to 75 IM residents every 2 weeks from 5 November 2010 to 17 December 2010. Impact on IM residents’ knowledge and attitudes was assessed by a pre- and post-intervention Obesity Awareness Questionnaire (OAQ). IM residents’ clinical performance was assessed by chart reviews of 238 patients with body mass index >25 kg/m2 in residents’ clinics 4 months pre- and 6 months post-intervention for three clinical outcomes and seven practice behaviours on obesity management. Pre- and post-intervention outcomes were compared via paired t tests (quantitative data) or McNemar’s test (binary data).

Results

Mean lecture attendance was 25/75 residents (33%) per lecture. Survey response was 67/75 residents (89%) pre-OAQ and 63/75 residents (84%) post-OAQ. While most attitudes remained unchanged, IM residents gained significant confidence in exercise counselling, safety of bariatric surgery, and patients’ weight loss potential; they were more likely to address obesity in the plan and referrals to bariatric surgery. Clinical outcomes and IM residents’ knowledge demonstrated no improvement.

Conclusions

Our brief lecture-based curriculum has the potential to improve IM residents’ attitudes and practice behaviours towards obesity. The lack of improvement in clinical outcomes and resident knowledge prompts the need for multimodal, longitudinal curricula with experiential application of obesity medicine.
Ore deposits in an evolving Earth: an introduction
Authors: Jenkin Gawen R. T. , Lusty Paul A. J. , McDonald Iain , Smith Martin P. , Boyce Adrian J. , Wilkinson Jamie J.
Published: September 2014

Ore deposits form by a variety of natural processes that concentrate elements into a small volume that can be economically mined. Their type, character and abundance reflect the environment in which they formed and thus they preserve key evidence for the evolution of magmatic and tectonic processes, the state of the atmosphere and hydrosphere, and the evolution of life over geological time. This volume presents 13 papers on topical subjects in ore deposit research viewed in the context of Earth evolution. These diverse, yet interlinked, papers cover topics including: controls on the temporal and spatial distribution of ore deposits; the sources of fluid, gold and other components in orogenic gold deposits; the degree of oxygenation in the Neoproterozoic ocean; bacterial immobilization of gold in the semi-arid near-surface environment; and mineral resources for the future, including issues of resource estimation, sustainability of supply and the criticality of certain elements to society.
Potential submerged Aboriginal archaeological sites in South West Arm, Port Hacking, New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Nutley David M. , Coroneos Cosmos , Wheeler James
Published: September 2014

Sealed, submerged palaeoenvironmental deposits date the time range for lithic technologies and enable inferences about cultural change – potentially more accurately than radiometric methods. Sea-level rises triggered by global warming reduce available land, and change the availability of flora, fauna, geological resources, rivers and wetlands. Australian archaeological studies on human adaptation to climate change focus mainly on terrestrial sites, coastal intensification and the few archaeological sites that were not inundated.

The South West Arm project at Port Hacking, south of Sydney, looks at the potential for rock shelters to survive inundation and expand the sites available for studying human adaption to climate change.

Site prediction was based on recorded terrestrial rock-shelter landforms at South West Arm. Underwater surveys were conducted by divers who located, photographed and mapped similar formations. No excavation was conducted.

The pre-disturbance survey examined approximately 1800 m of seabed, between water depths of 0 and 9 m, primarily along the eastern shoreline of South West Arm where the seabed emulates the steep slope, with sandstone rock outcrops that form terraces and rock overhangs above water.

Twelve submerged rock overhangs were recorded and confirmed the potential for rock-shelter sites to survive the process of inundation.
The effect of gas exchange on multiple-breath nitrogen washout measures of ventilation inhomogeneity in the mouse
Authors: Dharmakumara Mahesh , Prisk G. Kim , Royce Simon G. , Tawhai Merryn , Thompson Bruce R.
Published: September 2014

Inert-gas washout measurements using oxygen, in the lungs of small animals, are complicated by the continuous process of oxygen consumption (V̇o2). The multiple-breath nitrogen washout (MBNW) technique uses the alveolar slope to determine measures of ventilation inhomogeneity in the acinar ( Sacin) and conducting ( Scond) airway regions, as well as overall inhomogeneity, as determined by the lung clearance index (LCI). We hypothesized that measured ventilation inhomogeneity in the mouse lung while it is alive is in fact an artifact due to the high V̇o2 in proportion to alveolar gas volume (Va), and not ventilation inhomogeneity per se. In seven male C57BL/6 mice, MBNW was performed alive and postmortem to derive measures with and without the effect of gas exchange, respectively. These results were compared with those obtained from an asymmetric multibranch point mathematical model of the mouse lung. There was no statistical difference in Sacin and LCI between alive and postmortem results ( Sacin alive = 0.311 ± 0.043 ml−1 and Sacin postmortem = 0.338 ± 0.032 ml−1, LCI alive = 7.0 ± 0.1 and LCI postmortem = 7.0 ± 0.1). However, there was a significant decrease in Scond from 0.086 ± 0.005 ml−1 alive to 0.006 ± 0.002 ml−1 postmortem ( P < 0 .01). Model simulations replicated these results. Furthermore, in the model, as V̇o2 increased, so did the alveolar slope. These findings suggests that the MBNW measurement of Scond in the mouse lung is confounded by the effect of gas exchange, a result of the high V̇o2-to-Va ratio in this small animal, and not due to inhomogeneity within the airways.
Childhood Brain Tumor Epidemiology: A Brain Tumor Epidemiology Consortium Review
Authors: Johnson Kimberly J. , Cullen Jennifer , Barnholtz-Sloan Jill S. , Ostrom Quinn T. , Langer Chelsea E. , Turner Michelle C. , McKean-Cowdin Roberta , Fisher James L. , Lupo Philip J. , Partap Sonia , Schwartzbaum Judith A. , Scheurer Michael E.
Published: September 2014

Childhood brain tumors are the most common pediatric solid tumor and include several histologic subtypes. Although progress has been made in improving survival rates for some subtypes, understanding of risk factors for childhood brain tumors remains limited to a few genetic syndromes and ionizing radiation to the head and neck. In this report, we review descriptive and analytical epidemiology childhood brain tumor studies from the past decade and highlight priority areas for future epidemiology investigations and methodological work that is needed to advance our understanding of childhood brain tumor causes. Specifically, we summarize the results of a review of studies published since 2004 that have analyzed incidence and survival in different international regions and that have examined potential genetic, immune system, developmental and birth characteristics, and environmental risk factors. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 23(12); 2716–36. ©2014 AACR.
Safety of Glucocorticoids in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Evidence from Recent Clinical Trials
Authors: Santiago Tânia , da Silva José António P.
Published: September 2014

Glucocorticoids are one of the most effective treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, with well-established efficacy in controlling the disease symptoms and structural progression. Fears regarding their toxicity are reflected in common recommendations for the use of the lowest possible dose for the shortest possible time. We herein review toxicity data obtained in randomized clinical trials of low-dose glucocorticoid in rheumatoid arthritis, given that observational studies cannot guarantee the avoidance of bias by indication. Seven eligible randomized controlled trials were identified. These publications do not identify any strong signal of relevant toxicity of glucocorticoid in doses of up to 10 mg of prednisone equivalent/day for up to 2 years. However, the quantity (1,100 patient years of exposure) and especially the quality of evidence are too limited to establish conclusions. A large prospective trial dedicated to the toxicity of low-dose glucocorticoid is dearly needed. Meanwhile, adherence to recommendations on standardized methodologies for the registration and report of glucocorticoid adverse events is essential to improve our knowledge and competence in the best management of these important medications.
How to Signal Lexical Concept Adjustment: A Relevance-Theoretic Perspective on Hedging
Authors: Wałaszewska Ewa
Published: September 2014

The goal of the paper is to show that relevance theory provides a theoretically sound framework for describing properties of expressions traditionally known as hedges in a consistent manner. In relevance-theoretic terms, hedges may be regarded as special linguistic expressions developed to guide hearers in the interpretation process, indicating the need for adjusting lexically encoded concepts. A closer look at several representative hedges: sort of, like, typical, regular and real, reveals that hedges may be re-classified according to how they interact with ad hoc concepts. Whether they are conceptual or procedural, hedges may signal: broadening (sort of, regular, real), narrowing (typical) or either of these processes (like). With regard to broadening, it turns out that at least two different types of this process may be distinguished, illustrated by the hedges sort of and regular/real, which introduce approximations and metaphors, respectively. It is also proposed that the classification should be expanded to accommodate Lasersohn’s “slack regulators” such as exactly (and possibly very) as expressions encoding a procedure to restrict the extent of broadening. Finally, properties and behaviour of different types of hedges may shed some light on the nature of procedural meaning.