bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inhibitor development in previously untreated patients with severe haemophilia A: a nationwide multicentre study in Finland
Authors: Vepsäläinen K. , Lassila R. , Arola M. , Huttunen P. , Koskinen S. , Ljung R. , Lähteenmäki P. , Möttönen M. , Riikonen P.
Published: June 2016

Introduction

Currently the most serious treatment complication of haemophilia is the inhibitor development (ID), i.e. neutralizing antibody development.

Aim

This nationwide multicentre study in Finland evaluated the incidence and risk factors of ID in previously untreated patients (PUPs) with severe haemophilia A (FVIII:C < 0.01 IU mL−1).

Methods

We enrolled all PUPs (N = 62) born between June 1994 and May 2013 with at least 75 exposure days (EDs) to screen ID during follow‐up extending to September 2013.

Results

Thirteen ID (21% of 62) occurred; 10 (16% of 62) with high titre. Fifty‐one patients (82%) were on primary prophylaxis (regular prophylaxis before the age of 2 and before the first joint bleed) from the median age of 11.4 months, 90% via a central venous access device. The initial product was rFVIII in 63% and pd‐FVIII in 37%, moreover in 24% pd‐FVIII was switched to rFVIII concentrate during the 75 EDs. Non‐transient inhibitors developed in 9/51 (17.6%; 13.7% high titre) children with primary and in 4/11 (36.4%; 27.3% high titre) patients with secondary prophylaxis (P = 0.24). Overall, 74% had a high‐risk genotype similarly distributed among the prophylaxis groups. The history of a major bleed enhanced ID (aHR, 4.0; 95% CI, 1.2–13.7), whereas FVIII treatment intensity or source and early implantation of ports did not increase ID risk.

Conclusion

The cumulative incidence of ID was low notwithstanding prevalent high‐risk mutations. Despite patient‐related risk factors, our management involving early intensive primary prophylaxis via ports helps to prevent bleeds and lower the incidence of inhibitors.
Crystallization Driving Force of Supercooled Oxide Liquids
Authors: Cassar Daniel R.
Published: June 2016

The driving force for crystallization (Δμ) can be calculated by the Gibbs free energy equation, which relies on heat capacity () data. However, such data may be unavailable, which led several authors to propose new equations to estimate Δμ without . Two relevant expressions are the Turnbull and Hoffman equations, which are assumed to act as boundaries for the actual value of Δμ. The aim of this work was to test whether this assumption is valid for 65 oxide liquids, including glass formers and reluctant glass‐forming compositions. These equations do not act as boundaries, but the majority of the glass formers do have a driving force within these boundaries. Furthermore, this work tested a Δμ expression proposed by Gutzow and Dobreva that is a generalization of the Turnbull and Hoffman equations. This equation described the actual values of Δμ really well for all compositions with only one additional parameter: . Finally, a new expression to estimate was obtained based on the results of this work.
Expression analysis of activated protein kinase C gene (LACK1) in antimony sensitive and resistant Leishmania tropica clinical isolates using real‐time RT‐PCR
Authors: Hajjaran Homa , Kazemi‐Rad Elham , Mohebali Mehdi , Oshaghi Mohammad A. , Khadem‐Erfan Mohammad B. , Hajaliloo Elham , Reisi Nafchi Hossein , Raoofian Reza
Published: June 2016

Background

Resistance to pentavalent antimonial drugs has become a serious problem in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis in some endemic areas. Investigations on molecular markers involved in drug resistance are essential for monitoring of the disease. Leishmania‐activated C kinase gene (LACK1) is involved in multiple central processes such as signal transduction. According to the probable role of the LACK1 gene in antimony resistance, we used real‐time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to investigate the expression of this gene in clinical L. tropica strains, which were resistant or sensitive to meglumine antimoniate.

Methods

We analyzed the expression level of LACK in 18 sensitive and 14 resistant L. tropica isolates collected from patients with anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis. After cDNA synthesis, gene expression analysis was performed by quantitative real‐time PCR using SYBR Green. In addition, the full length of the LACK gene from six reference strains was cloned and sequenced then deposited in the NCBI database to confirm our strains.

Results

Real‐time reverse transcription‐PCR revealed that the average RNA expression level of LACK in isolates from unresponsive and responsive patients were 0.479 and 4.583, respectively, and expression of LACK was significantly downregulated (9.56‐fold) in resistant isolates compared to sensitive ones.

Conclusion

Results of the present study suggest the probable role of the LACK gene in antimony resistance. Moreover, it can be considered as a potential marker for monitoring antimony resistance in clinical isolates. However, further studies are required to exploit the biological functions of it in antimony resistance.
Physicochemical properties and storage stability of spray‐dried soya bean sprout extract
Authors: Lee Dae‐Hoon , Park Hye‐Mi , No Hong Kyoon , Prinyawiwatkul Witoon , Hong Joo‐Heon
Published: June 2016

Amylase is a very important enzyme due to its wide food applications. To preserve amylase activity in soya bean sprout extract (SSE), SSEs were spray‐dried with 10% maltodextrin and 0–3% alginic acids, and their physicochemical properties and storage stability were compared with freeze‐dried one. SSE exhibited maximum amylase activity at pH 7.0 and 60 °C, with the most active substrate specificity towards soluble starch. Spray‐dried SSEs exhibited higher water solubility index (WSI) and in vitro relative amylase activity but lower water vapour sorption (WVS) and smaller particle size than freeze‐dried SSE. For spray‐dried SSEs, particle size, WSI and in vitro relative amylase activity increased while WVS decreased with increasing % alginic acid. This study demonstrated that spray drying of SSE, especially with 10% maltodextrin and 2% alginic acid, was effective in keeping amylase active and stable during 7‐week storage at room temperature (25 °C).
Molecular analysis of complex cases of alpha‐ and beta‐thalassemia in Mexican mestizo patients with microcytosis and hypochromia reveals two novel alpha0‐thalassemia deletions ‐ ‐Mex1and ‐ ‐Mex2
Authors: de‐la‐Cruz‐Salcedo E. I. , Ibarra B. , Rizo‐de‐la‐Torre L. C. , Sánchez‐López J. Y. , González‐Mercado A. , Harteveld C. L. , Perea‐Díaz F. J.
Published: June 2016

Introduction

Alpha‐thalassemia (α‐thal) is a common monogenic disorder worldwide. In mixed ethnic populations, α‐thal and beta‐thalassemia (β‐thal) can be expected, sometimes giving complex phenotypes, which without molecular analysis are not easily explained. We performed the molecular identification of α‐ and β‐thal alleles in 51 Mexican patients with microcytosis, hypochromia, and normal or low levels of HbA2.

Methods

Common deletional alleles (‐α3.7, ‐α4.2, ‐ ‐SEA, ‐ ‐MED, ‐ ‐FIL, ‐ ‐THAI, ‐α20.5) and α‐triplication were studied by gap‐PCRand nondeletional alleles (αIVSI(−5nt), α2NcoI, α1NcoI) byARMS. β‐thal alleles Cd39 (C>T),IVS1:1 (G>A),IVS1:110 (G>A), and Spanish δβ‐thal were also investigated.DNAsequencing was performed onHBA2,HBA1, andHBBgenes. Negative samples were subjected toMLPA.

Results

In 35 subjects, we identified the mutations, ‐α3.7, ‐ ‐SEA, ‐ ‐FIL, αIVSI(−5nt), and αααanti3.7and two novel deletion alleles ‐ ‐Mex1(6.8–8.9 kb) and ‐ ‐Mex2(77.6–135.7 kb). Four individuals also had a β‐thal allele (Cd39/IVS1:110). No α‐thal alleles were observed in 16 subjects, but three had a β‐thal mutation Cd39,IVS1:110, and Spanish δβ‐thal.

Conclusion

α‐thal is relatively common in Mexican patients, the combination with β‐thal is sometimes unexpected, and this underlines the importance of performing molecular analysis for both α‐ and β‐genes defects in patients showing microcytic hypochromic anemia.
Tuning Mn4+ Red Photoluminescence in (K,Rb)2Ge4O9:Mn4+ Solid Solutions by Partial Alkali Substitution
Authors: Li Pengfei , Wondraczek Lothar , Peng Mingying , Zhang Qinyuan
Published: June 2016

We report on intense photoluminescence from materials of the (Rb,K)2Ge4O9:Mn4+ solid solution as a novel class of red‐emitting oxide phosphors. In these compounds, luminescence originates from a virtually ideal substitution of Mn4+ for Ge4+ on octahedral lattice sites which are well‐isolated from each other within the unit cell by intermediate GeO4 species. Complete isostructural substitution of K for Rb is possible across the join. The associated slight shrinkage of the unit cell has only little effect on the apparent Mn4+ interionic distance, but enables tuning of the absorption cross section and of the band structure, hence, of the emission lifetime, of the excitation band shape, and of emission quantum yield. Partial substitution was also found to reduce thermal quenching of the Mn4+‐related emission, apparently due to the lower polarizability of the K+ ion. In addition, random substitution of Rb by K enables modulation of the interaction of Mn4+ with its surrounding field at lower symmetry, leading to increasing emission bandwidth, i.e., 595 cm−1 in K1.5Rb0.5Ge4O9:Mn4+ vs 558 or 578 cm−1 in Rb2Ge4O9:Mn4+ or K2Ge4O9:Mn4+ respectively.
Reactive Hot‐Pressed Hybrid Ceramic Composites Comprising SiC(SCS‐6)/Ti Composite and ZrB2–ZrC Ceramic
Authors: Guo Shuqi
Published: June 2016

In this study, hybrid composites comprising SiC(SCS‐6)/Ti and ZrB2–ZrC ceramics were prepared by sandwiching Ti/SiC(SCS‐6)/Ti sheets and Zr + B4C powder layers, followed by reactive hot pressing at 1300°C. The microstructure of the obtained hybrid composites was characterized by field‐emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. The results show that after reactive hot pressing, a highly dense matrix was achieved in the hybrid composites. A Ti‐rich zone was observed only in the hybrid composite prepared using a 10‐μm‐thick Ti foil. Interface reaction occurred during sintering and interface reaction layers were formed between the fibers and the matrix, and the phases were identified. In addition, the mechanical behavior of the hybrid composites was evaluated using by testing under four‐point bend testing. The results indicate that the hybrid composites exhibited greater flexural strengths and noncatastrophic fracture behavior. The flexural strength ranged from 440 to 620 MPa, depending on the thickness of the Ti foils and the fiber volume amount.
Influence of Kidney Function on Blood Pressure Response to Lifestyle Modifications: Secondary Analysis From the Exercise and Nutritional Interventions for Cardiovascular Health (ENCORE) Trial
Authors: Tyson Crystal C. , Smith Patrick J. , Sherwood Andrew , Mabe Stephanie , Hinderliter Alan L. , Blumenthal James A.
Published: June 2016

The kidney is an important regulator of blood pressure (BP). To determine whether BP response to lifestyle modification varies across normal ranges of kidney function, the authors examined the moderating role of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) on clinic and ambulatory systolic BP (SBP) response in overweight and obese adults with unmedicated high BP. Among 144 participants of the Exercise and Nutritional Interventions for Cardiovascular Health (ENCORE) trial, mean age was 52.0±9.6 years and median eGFR was 89.1 (53–146) mL/min/1.73m2. After multivariable regression, the interaction between eGFR and weight loss was significant for clinic (P=.023) and ambulatory SBP (P=.041). Similarly, the interaction between eGFR and improved fitness was significant for clinic (P=.041) and ambulatory SBP (P=.044). The relationship between reduced dietary sodium and SBP was not moderated by eGFR. SBP findings were inconsistent for adherence to the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet. These findings suggest that the effects of lifestyle modifications on SBP may be influenced by eGFR, even when kidney function is preserved.
Optimizing the Homogenizer‐Assisted Extraction (HAE) of Total Phenolic Compounds from Banana Peel
Authors: Pereira Gustavo Araujo , Molina Gustavo , Arruda Henrique Silvano , Pastore Glaucia Maria
Published: June 2016

Homogenizer‐assisted extraction (HAE) was employed in the recovery of total phenolic compounds (TPC) from banana peel. The effects of ethanol concentration (20–70%, v/v, EC) and the solid–solvent ratio (2.5–7.5%, w/v, SSR) on the TPC extraction from banana peel were evaluated using response surface methodology. The best TPC extraction conditions from banana peel were defined as ethanol concentration of 54% (v/v) and solid–solvent ratio of 7.5% (w/v). The HAE in optimum conditions was able to extract a high TPC content (2.44 g GAE/100 g dw) from banana peel with just 30 s of extraction. In addition, the extract showed high antioxidant activity in the different assays used (DPPH IC50, TEAC and T‐ORACFL). HAE can be employed in the safe, fast and low environmental impact extraction of antioxidant compounds from plant material. Furthermore, banana peels can be considered as a renewable and low‐cost source of antioxidant compounds.

Practical Applications

Extraction of antioxidants from banana peel using HAE presents more potential than traditional extraction methods, due to a lot of decrease of extraction time (30 s), low energy expenditure as the system is not heated and also the use of GRAS solvent (water : ethanol). The banana peel extract obtained in optimal conditions presents high potential, for example, it can be applied as preservatives in the food and beverage, besides others uses in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. The banana peel is a cheap plant material and available throughout the year; therefore, it is an excellent raw material for the extraction of natural compounds. The use of banana peel to obtain antioxidant extracts is a practical alternative for increasing the value of this by‐product.
Association between osteoporosis and periodontal disease among postmenopausal Indian women
Authors: Richa  , R Yashoda , Puranik Manjunath P. , Shrivastava Amit
Published: June 2016

Aim

The aim of the present study was to determine the association between osteoporosis and periodontal disease among postmenopausal Indian women.

Methods

A cross‐sectional comparative study was conducted among postmenopausal women aged 45–65 years attending various hospitals in Bangalore, India. The examination was performed using the plaque index, gingival index, modified sulcus bleeding index, and community periodontal index. The women then underwent a bone mineral density (BMD) test using an ultrasonometer. Based on the BMD scores, participants were divided into osteoporotic and non‐osteoporotic groups. For the statistical analysis, χ2‐test, Student's t‐test, and multiple regression analysis were applied.

Results

The mean plaque, gingival, and bleeding scores were significantly higher among osteoporotic women (1.83 ± 0.47, 1.73 ± 0.49, 1.82 ± 0.52) compared to the non‐osteoporotic women (1.31 ± 0.40, 1.09 ± 0.52, 1.25 ± 0.50). The mean number of sextants affected for codes 3 and 4 of the community periodontal index and codes 1, 2, and 3 of loss of attachment were significantly higher among osteoporotic group compared to the non‐osteoporotic group. Multiple logistic regression tests confirmed the statistically‐significant association between osteoporosis and menopause duration, loss of attachment, bleeding, and gingivitis scores.

Conclusions

Skeletal BMD is related to clinical attachment loss, bleeding, and gingivitis, which suggests that there is an association between osteoporosis and periodontal diseases.
Functional interaction between Lypd6 and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
Authors: Arvaniti Maria , Jensen Majbrit M. , Soni Neeraj , Wang Hong , Klein Anders B. , Thiriet Nathalie , Pinborg Lars H. , Muldoon Pretal P. , Wienecke Jacob , Imad Damaj M. , Kohlmeier Kristi A. , Gondré‐Lewis Marjorie C. , Mikkelsen Jens D. , Thomsen Morten S.
Published: June 2016

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) affect multiple physiological functions in the brain and their functions are modulated by regulatory proteins of the Lynx family. Here, we report for the first time a direct interaction of the Lynx protein LY6/PLAUR domain‐containing 6 (Lypd6) with nAChRs in human brain extracts, identifying Lypd6 as a novel regulator of nAChR function. Using protein cross‐linking and affinity purification from human temporal cortical extracts, we demonstrate that Lypd6 is a synaptically enriched membrane‐bound protein that binds to multiple nAChR subtypes in the human brain. Additionally, soluble recombinant Lypd6 protein attenuates nicotine‐induced hippocampal inward currents in rat brain slices and decreases nicotine‐induced extracellular signal‐regulated kinase phosphorylation in PC12 cells, suggesting that binding of Lypd6 is sufficient to inhibit nAChR‐mediated intracellular signaling. We further show that perinatal nicotine exposure in rats (4 mg/kg/day through minipumps to dams from embryonic day 7 to post‐natal day 21) significantly increases Lypd6 protein levels in the hippocampus in adulthood, which did not occur after exposure to nicotine in adulthood only. Our findings suggest that Lypd6 is a versatile inhibitor of cholinergic signaling in the brain, and that Lypd6 is dysregulated by nicotine exposure during early development.

image

Regulatory proteins of the Lynx family modulate the function of nicotinic receptors (nAChRs). We report for the first time that the Lynx protein Lypd6 binds to nAChRs in human brain extracts, and that recombinant Lypd6 decreases nicotine‐induced ERK phosphorylation and attenuates nicotine‐induced hippocampal inward currents. Our findings suggest that Lypd6 is a versatile inhibitor of cholinergic signaling in the brain.
Neonatal Kisspeptin is Steroid‐Independently Required for Defeminisation and Peripubertal Kisspeptin‐Induced Testosterone is Required for Masculinisation of the Brain: A Behavioural Study Using Kiss1 Knockout Rats
Authors: Nakamura S. , Uenoyama Y. , Ikegami K. , Dai M. , Watanabe Y. , Takahashi C. , Hirabayashi M. , Tsukamura H. , Maeda K.‐I.
Published: June 2016

Rodents show apparent sex differences in their sexual behaviours. The present study used Kiss1 knockout (KO) rats to evaluate the role of kisspeptin in the defeminisation/masculinisation of the brain mechanism that controls sexual behaviours. Castrated adult Kiss1 KO males treated with testosterone showed no male sexual behaviours but demonstrated the oestrogen‐induced lordosis behaviours found in wild‐type females. The sizes of some of the sexual dimorphic nuclei of Kiss1 KO male rats are similar to those of females. Plasma testosterone levels at embryonic day 18 and postnatal day 0 (PND0) in Kiss1 KO males were high, similar to wild‐type males, indicating that perinatal testosterone is secreted in a kisspeptin‐independent manner. Long‐term exposure to testosterone from peripubertal to adult periods restored mounts and intromissions in KO males, suggesting that kisspeptin‐dependent peripubertal testosterone secretion is required to masculinise the brain mechanism. This long‐term testosterone treatment failed to abolish lordosis behaviours in KO males, whereas kisspeptin replacement at PND0 reduced lordosis quotients in Kiss1 KO males but not in KO females. These results suggest that kisspeptin itself is required to defeminise behaviour in the perinatal period, in cooperation with testosterone. Oestradiol benzoate treatment at PND0 suppressed lordosis quotients in Kiss1 KO rats, indicating that the mechanisms downstream of oestradiol work properly in the absence of kisspeptin. There was no significant difference in aromatase gene expression in the whole hypothalamus between Kiss1 KO and wild‐type male rats at PND0. Taken together, the present study demonstrates that both perinatal kisspeptin and kisspeptin‐independent testosterone are required for defeminisation of the brain, whereas kisspeptin‐dependent testosterone during peripuberty to adulthood is needed for masculinisation of the brain in male rats.
Spatially dense morphometrics of craniofacial sexual dimorphism in 1‐year‐olds
Authors: Matthews Harold , Penington Tony , Saey Ine , Halliday Jane , Muggli Evelyn , Claes Peter
Published: June 2016

Recent advances in the field of geometric morphometrics allow for powerful statistical hypothesis testing for effects of biological and environmental variables on anatomical shape. This study used partial least‐squares regression (PLSR) and the recently developed bootstrapped response‐based imputation modelling (BRIM) algorithm to test for sexual dimorphism in the craniofacial shape of 1‐year‐old humans. We observed a recession of the forehead in boys relative to girls, and differences in the nose, consistent with adult dimorphism. Results also suggest that the degree to which individuals express dimorphic traits is continuous throughout the population. This is also seen in adult dimorphism but in 1‐year‐olds the amount of overlap between groups is much higher, indicating the strength of dimorphism between sexes is lower. Our results demonstrate early sexual dimorphism that is not attributable to the influx of sex hormones at puberty. This highlights the need to look at very early ontogeny for the origins of sexual dimorphism. We suggest that future work look at potential mediating effects of this early dimorphism on the later impact of puberty. The subtle shape differences we have detected, may also be applied to sexing fossilised crania. A common artefact in 3D images of faces of young children is that they often have their mouths open to varying degrees, introducing variability in the data unrelated to anatomy. We describe two PLSR‐based methods of correcting this. These methods may facilitate surgical planning and assessment of young children based on 3D images.
Domestic Crop Booms, Livelihood Pathways and Nested Transitions: Charting the Implications of Bangladesh's Pangasius Boom
Authors: Belton Ben , van Asseldonk Imke Josepha Mariana , Bush Simon R.
Published: June 2016

Rapidly transforming Asian food systems are oriented largely towards domestic markets, yet literature on Asian crop booms deals almost exclusively with commodities produced for export. With reference to pangasius aquaculture in Bangladesh, we argue that ‘domestic crop booms’ – agricultural booms driven by domestic demand – are contributing to rapid social and ecological transformations in Asia and across the globe. We adopt a comparative multi‐scalar approach, and develop the concept of ‘livelihood pathways’ as a means of understanding agrarian change associated with crop booms. The study reveals sharply divergent patterns of social change resulting from the pangasius boom, as experienced in two different village settings, despite underlying similarities in the processes of commodification evident in both. In addition to drawing attention to domestic crop booms and the diversity of transitions in which they result, the paper demonstrates the value of comparative multi‐scalar analytical approaches and the importance of livelihood pathways in processes of agrarian change.
The Influence of Bundling and Caloric Knowledge on Calories Ordered and Purchase Intent
Authors: Harris Judy , Thomas Veronica L.
Published: June 2016

This article investigates the impact of a bundle promotion on calories ordered and purchase intentions toward bundles in a fast food context. The results of our study show that consumers order more calories and have higher purchase intentions toward bundles when a bundle promotion is advertised than when it is not, particularly for consumers with low caloric knowledge. Moreover, the results suggest that the underlying mechanism influencing these results is consumers' perceptions that a bundle is considered an appropriate option among consumers.
Long‐Term Developmental Changes in Children's Lower‐Order Big Five Personality Facets
Authors: de Haan Amaranta , De Pauw Sarah , van den Akker Alithe , Deković Maja , Prinzie Peter
Published: June 2016

Objective

This study examined long‐term developmental changes in mother‐rated lower‐order facets of children's Big Five dimensions.

Method

Two independent community samples covering early childhood (2–4.5 years; N = 365, 39% girls) and middle childhood to the end of middle adolescence (6–17 years; N = 579, 50% girls) were used. All children had the Belgian nationality. Developmental changes were examined using cohort‐sequential latent growth modeling on the 18 facets of the Hierarchical Personality Inventory for Children.

Results

In early childhood, changes were mostly similar across child gender. Between 2 and 4.5 years, several facets showed mean‐level stability; others changed in the direction of less Extraversion and Emotional Stability, and more Benevolence and Imagination. The lower‐order facets of Conscientiousness showed opposite changes. Gender differences became more apparent from middle childhood onward for facets of all dimensions except Imagination, for which no gender differences were found. Between 6 and 17 years, same‐dimension facets showed different shapes of growth. Facets that changed linearly changed mostly in the direction of less Extraversion, Benevolence, Conscientiousness, Emotional Stability, and Imagination. Changes in facets for which nonlinear growth was found generally moved in direction or magnitude during developmental transitions.

Conclusion

This study provides comprehensive, fine‐grained knowledge about personality development during the first two decades of life.
THE IMPACT OF COMMUTING TIME ON YOUTH'S SCHOOL PERFORMANCE
Authors: Tigre Robson , Sampaio Breno , Menezes Tatiane
Published: June 2016

Using Brazilian data, we estimate the impact of commuting duration on students' performance using distance to closest schools as an instrumental variable. In addition, we also use identification through heteroskedasticity, which does not rely on exclusion restrictions, and estimate bounds for the treatment effect in case there is remaining bias from unobservables. We find strong and consistent evidence that duration of commuting has a negative causal effect on academic achievement. Moreover, the relatively small heterogeneity across quantiles of test score makes us believe that public transportation policies targeted at students can promote education not only for those less well‐off.
Oral administration of Japanese sake yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae sake) promotes non‐rapid eye movement sleep in mice via adenosine A2A receptors
Authors: Nakamura Yoshitaka , Midorikawa Tatsuyuki , Monoi Noriyuki , Kimura Eriko , Murata‐Matsuno Ayumi , Sano Tomomi , Oka Kengo , Sugafuji Toshihiro , Uchiyama Akira , Murakoshi Michiaki , Sugiyama Keikichi , Nishino Hoyoku , Urade Yoshihiro
Published: June 2016

We have demonstrated previously that Japanese sake yeast improves sleep quality in humans. In the present study, we examined the molecular mechanisms of sake yeast to induce sleep by monitoring locomotor activity, electromyogram and electroencephalogram in mice. Oral administration of Japanese sake yeast (100, 200, and 300 mg kg−1) decreased the locomotor activity by 18, 46 and 59% and increased the amount of non‐rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep by 1.5‐, 2.3‐ and 2.4‐fold (to 37 ± 6, 57 ± 8, and 60 ± 4 min from 25 ± 6 min in the vehicle‐administered group, respectively) in a dose‐dependent manner for 4 h after oral administration. However, Japanese sake yeast did not change the amount of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, the electroencephalogram power density during NREM sleep or show any adverse effects, such as rebound of insomnia, during 24 h postadministration and on the next day. An intraperitoneal pretreatment with an adenosine A2A receptor‐selective antagonist, ZM241385 (15 mg kg−1), reduced the amount of NREM sleep of sake yeast‐administered mice to the basal level, without changing basal amount of sleep. Conversely, an A1 receptor‐selective antagonist, 8‐cyclopentyltheophylline (10 mg kg−1), did not affect the sleep‐promoting effect of Japanese sake yeast. Thus, Japanese sake yeast promotes NREM sleep via activation of adenosine A2A but not A1 receptors.
When discussion between eyewitnesses helps memory
Authors: Vredeveldt Annelies , Groen Robin N. , Ampt Juliette E. , van Koppen Peter J.
Published: June 2016

Purpose

Police interviewers are typically instructed to prevent eyewitnesses from talking to each other, because witnesses can contaminate each other's memory. Previous research has not fully examined, however, how discussion between witnesses affects correct and incorrect recall of witnessed events. We conducted quantitative and qualitative analyses to explore the influence of co‐witness discussion in more detail.

Methods

Witnesses were interviewed individually or in pairs about a videotaped violent event. We conducted individual interviews prior to collaboration (to obtain an independent record of what individuals remembered) and after collaboration (to assess whether collaboration subsequently triggered new memories).

Results

Pairs that were interviewed together (collaborative pairs) remembered just as much correct information overall as pairs interviewed individually (nominal pairs), but collaborative pairs made significantly fewer errors. We found evidence of retrieval disruption during the discussion (i.e., collaborative pairs omitted significantly more old information during the second interview than nominal pairs) but also of a delayed cross‐cuing effect (i.e., collaborative pairs reported significantly more new information in the final interview than nominal pairs). Pairs who used more content‐focused retrieval strategies during the discussion (acknowledgements, repetitions, restatements, and elaborations) reported significantly more information.

Conclusions

The current findings suggest that, under certain conditions, discussion between eyewitnesses can help rather than hurt memory. Theoretical and practical implications will be discussed.
Mismatch and the Forecasting Performance of Matching Functions
Authors: Hutter Christian , Weber Enzo
Published: June 2016

This paper investigates the role of structural imbalance between job seekers and job openings for the forecasting performance of a labour market matching function. Starting from a Cobb–Douglas matching function with constant returns to scale (CRS) in each frictional micro market shows that on the aggregate level, a measure of mismatch is a crucial ingredient of the matching function and hence should not be ignored for forecasting hiring figures. Consequently, we allow the matching process to depend on the level of regional, qualificatory and occupational mismatch between unemployed and vacancies. In pseudo out‐of‐sample tests that account for the nested model environment, we find that forecasting models enhanced by a measure of mismatch significantly outperform their benchmark counterparts for all forecast horizons ranging between one month and a year. This is especially pronounced during and in the aftermath of the Great Recession where a low level of mismatch improved the possibility of unemployed to find a job again. The results show that imposing CRS helps improve forecast accuracy compared to unrestricted models.
Is Gianotti–Crosti Syndrome Associated with Atopy? A Case–Control Study and a Postulation on the Intrinsic Host Factors in Gianotti–Crosti Syndrome
Authors: Chuh Antonio , Zawar Vijay , Lee Albert , Sciallis Gabriel
Published: June 2016

Objectives

To investigate whether Gianotti–Crosti syndrome (GCS) in children is associated with atopy.

Methods

The setting was two outpatient clinic. Diagnoses of asthma and atopic dermatitis (AD) were made according to internationally accepted diagnostic criteria. Allergic rhinitis, atopic urticaria, and allergic conjunctivitis were diagnosed clinically. Participants were children with GCS diagnosed over the previous 5 years. For any child with GCS, we extracted the record of the subsequent age and sex pair‐matched child seen for problems unrelated to the skin as controls.

Results

We retrieved the records of 37 pairs of study and control subjects; 28 (76%) children with GCS and 9 (24%) controls had AD (risk ratio [RR] = 3.11[95% confidence interval {CI} 1.73, 5.73]), 31 (84%) children with GCS and 19 (51%) controls had at least one atopic condition (RR = 1.63 [95% CI 1.13, 2.18]) and 11 (30%) children with GCS and 2 (5%) controls had at least three atopic conditions (RR = 5.50 [95% CI 1.29, 35.35]).

Conclusion

GCS is significantly associated with AD and the presence of atopic conditions.
Uncovering the Virtues of Peace within Visual Culture: The Case for Nonviolence and Imperfect Peace in the Western Tradition
Authors: Jorge María Elena Díez , Muñoz Muñoz Francisco A.
Published: June 2016

Artworks are both artifacts and agents of history that offer their own proposals about the realities that surround them, including conflict and the possibilities for peace. In so doing, they present a framework for reflection that may reveal underexamined didactic texts on alternative ways of dealing with conflicts. Our academic fields are art history and ancient history, and in this essay, we argue that any attempt to locate the contributions of art to the history of peacemaking must begin by rethinking the questions we normally ask ourselves about visual culture (whether archaeological or artistic) and the values that we choose to emphasize. To this end, we first explain the connections between art and peace, and the benefit of the study of art history in researching historical perspectives on peace. We then focus on the analysis of one specific case: the images of the virtues in the ancient Greek and Roman world and their relationship to what we consider to be an enduring culture of peace within the Western tradition. Finally, we show how this classical heritage of peace and the virtues has been kept alive as a useful discourse that has provided an accessible guide to the habits and behaviors (or, as we call them, “virtues”) necessary to achieve the desired peace that artworks have long envisioned.
Doing No Harm? Donor Policies and Power Asymmetry in Israeli/Palestinian Peacebuilding
Authors: Gawerc Michelle I. , Lazarus Ned
Published: June 2016

Drawing on data from more than forty peacebuilding initiatives and hundreds of interviews with Palestinian and Israeli peacebuilders, this briefing discusses the impact of international donor policies on peacebuilding in a context of stark asymmetry of power. More specifically, it investigates the way in which specific funding regulations—the designation of primary and subpartners, the location of local donor offices, and the restrictions placed on politically sensitive advocacy and activism—have magnified the challenges peacebuilding organizations face in terms of cultivating and sustaining legitimacy, recruiting individuals for the projects, managing internal conflict, and building sustainable partnerships. The issues are complex; substantive concerns underlie the donor policies in question, including accountability, security, and transparency, as well as the maintenance of sufficient political support for aid programs in the donor country—yet the same policies nonetheless have unintended negative consequences on the ground. We argue that donors must do more to balance their legitimate domestic concerns with understanding of imbalances in the conflict context.
Spousal conflict resolution strategies and marital relations in late adulthood
Authors: KULIK LIAT , WALFISCH SHULAMITH , LIBERMAN GABRIEL
Published: June 2016

In this study, we examined differences in the spousal conflict resolution strategies of husbands and wives in late adulthood among a sample of 76 married Israeli couples (N = 152). Using dyadic analysis (the actor–partner interdependence model), we examined the impacts of the strategies adopted by each spouse as well as their partner on evaluations of marital life as reflected in their assessments of positive and negative dimensions of marital life. The findings revealed that integration was the most prevalent strategy used by both spouses, whereas dominance and avoidance were the least prevalent strategies. Moreover, integration contributed most significantly to explaining assessments of marital life.
A Possible Phenomenon of Persistence in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Treated with Methylene Blue and Red Light
Authors: Forte Giacobone Ana Florencia , Ruiz Gale Maria Fernanda , Hogert Elsa Noemí , Oppezzo Oscar Juan
Published: June 2016

Planktonic Pseudomonas aeruginosa cells harvested in stationary phase were exposed to red light in the presence of methylene blue to study the potential occurrence of persistence in bacterial populations submitted to photodynamic antimicrobial therapy. Survival curves revealed the existence of small subpopulations of cells exhibiting increased ability to tolerate the treatment. These subpopulations were detected even using high concentrations of photosensitizer, whether added in a single step or following a fractionated scheme, and when the irradiation medium was modified to delay the photodecomposition of methylene blue. When cells grown from survivors to the treatment were cultured and exposed to red light and dye, their responses were similar to that of the original strain. These results exclude exhaustion of the photosensitizer and selection of resistant mutants as explanations for the features of the survival curves. Cells able to tolerate the treatment were found even when radiation was imparted at a high‐dose rate. They exhibit a response typical of persisters, which tolerate antimicrobial agents due to transient and reversible changes in their phenotype, suggesting that persistence is a factor to consider upon evaluating the efficacy of photodynamic antimicrobial therapy.
Influence of countermeasures on the validity of the Concealed Information Test
Authors: Peth Judith , Suchotzki Kristina , Gamer Matthias
Published: June 2016

The Concealed Information Test (CIT) is a psychophysiological technique that allows for detecting crime‐related knowledge. Usually, autonomic response measures are used for this purpose, but ocular measures have also been proposed recently. Prior studies reported heterogeneous results for the usage of countermeasures (CM) to corrupt the CIT's validity, depending on the CM technique and the dependent measure. The current study systematically compared the application of physical and mental CM on autonomic and ocular measures during the CIT. Sixty participants committed a mock crime and were assigned to one of three guilty conditions: standard guilty (without CM), physical CM, or mental CM. An additional group of 20 innocents was investigated with the same CIT to calculate validity estimates. Electrodermal responses were more vulnerable for CM usage compared to heart rate and respiration, and physical CM were more effective than mental CM. Independent of CM usage, a combined score of autonomic responses enabled a valid differentiation between guilty and innocent examinees. Fixations and blinks also allowed for detecting crime‐related knowledge, but these measures were more affected by CM application than autonomic responses. The current study delivered further evidence that CM differentially impact physiological and ocular responses in the CIT. Whereas individual data channels were strongly affected by CM usage, a combination of different response measures yielded a relatively stable differentiation of guilty and innocent examinees when mental CM were used. These findings are especially relevant for field applications and might inspire future studies to detect or prevent CM usage in CIT examinations.
Co‐enforcing Labor standards: the unique contributions of state and worker organizations in Argentina and the United States
Authors: Amengual Matthew , Fine Janice
Published: June 2016

Labor inspection is a central response to the tremendous gap between formal regulations and outcomes for workers throughout the world. Scholarly and policy debates on labor regulation have focused on improving the targeting of enforcement, changing strategies of street‐level agents, and creating private alternatives to state regulation. This paper argues that these proposals, while important, fail to systematically incorporate the potential contributions of worker organizations and, as a result, overlook opportunities for co‐enforcing labor standards, a key element of labor inspection. By contrast, we develop a framework to analyze the relationships between worker organizations and state regulators that underpin co‐enforcement. We ground this framework empirically in comparative cases, set in Argentina and the United States, presenting two cases of co‐enforcement in highly different institutional contexts. In so doing, we seek to illuminate key attributes of labor inspection and guide attempts to enhance enforcement by forging partnerships between regulators and worker organizations.
The basic helix‐loop‐helix transcription factor BIS2 is essential for monoterpenoid indole alkaloid production in the medicinal plant Catharanthus roseus
Authors: Van Moerkercke Alex , Steensma Priscille , Gariboldi Ivo , Espoz Javiera , Purnama Purin C. , Schweizer Fabian , Miettinen Karel , Vanden Bossche Robin , De Clercq Rebecca , Memelink Johan , Goossens Alain
Published: June 2016

Monoterpenoid indole alkaloids (MIAs) are produced as plant defence compounds. In the medicinal plant Catharanthus roseus, they comprise the anticancer compounds vinblastine and vincristine. The iridoid (monoterpenoid) pathway forms one of the two branches that feed MIA biosynthesis and its activation is regulated by the transcription factor (TF) basic helix‐loop‐helix (bHLH) iridoid synthesis 1 (BIS1). Here, we describe the identification and characterisation of BIS2, a jasmonate (JA)‐responsive bHLH TF expressed preferentially in internal phloem‐associated parenchyma cells, which transactivates promoters of iridoid biosynthesis genes and can homodimerise or form heterodimers with BIS1. Stable overexpression of BIS2 in C. roseus suspension cells and transient ectopic expression of BIS2 in C. roseus petal limbs resulted in increased transcript accumulation of methylerythritol‐4‐phosphate and iridoid pathway genes, but not of other MIA genes or triterpenoid genes. Transcript profiling also indicated that BIS2 expression is part of an amplification loop, as it is induced by overexpression of either BIS1 or BIS2. Accordingly, silencing of BIS2 in C. roseus suspension cells completely abolished the JA‐induced upregulation of the iridoid pathway genes and subsequent MIA accumulation, despite the presence of induced BIS1, indicating that BIS2 is essential for MIA production in C. roseus.
Mitochondrial endonuclease G mediates breakdown of paternal mitochondria upon fertilization
Authors: Zhou Qinghua , Li Haimin , Li Hanzeng , Nakagawa Akihisa , Lin Jason L. J. , Lee Eui-Seung , Harry Brian L. , Skeen-Gaar Riley Robert , Suehiro Yuji , William Donna , Mitani Shohei , Yuan Hanna S. , Kang Byung-Ho , Xue Ding
Published: June 2016

Eliminating paternal mitochondria

During fertilization, the oocyte and sperm each bring their mitochondria to the union. Shortly afterward, the paternal mitochondria are degraded, and only the maternal mitochondria are conveyed to the progeny. Zhou
et al.
observed that the integrity of the inner membrane of paternal mitochondria is compromised, which apparently marks them for degradation (see the Perspective by van der Bliek). Autophagy commences by mitochondrial endonuclease G relocating from the intermembrane space into the matrix and subsequently degrading the paternal mitochondrial DNA. Any delay in this process increases embryonic lethality.

Science
, this issue p.
394
; see also p.
351
Aryl amination using ligand-free Ni(II) salts and photoredox catalysis
Authors: Corcoran Emily B. , Pirnot Michael T. , Lin Shishi , Dreher Spencer D. , DiRocco Daniel A. , Davies Ian W. , Buchwald Stephen L. , MacMillan David W. C.
Published: June 2016

A light approach to C-N bond formation

The need to form C-N bonds arises frequently in drug discovery research. One versatile approach involves the attachment of the C and N fragments to a Pd catalyst. This approach needs a bulky ligand to “crowd” the fragments together off the metal center. Corcoran
et al.
present a complementary approach that uses Ni in place of Pd. Instead of the bulky ligand, they used a light-activated cocatalyst that strips an electron from the Ni to accelerate the bond formation. A screen involving elaborately substituted reagents confirmed the utility of this approach in cases that challenge the traditional Pd coupling.

Science
, this issue p.
279
Draft Genome Sequences of Two Strains of Paenibacillus glucanolyticus with the Ability To Degrade Lignocellulose
Authors: Mathews Stephanie L. , Pawlak Joel , Grunden Amy M.
Published: June 2016

Paenibacillus glucanolyticus
5162, a bacterium isolated from soil, and
Paenibacillus glucanolyticus
SLM1, a bacterium isolated from pulp mill waste, can utilize cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin as sole carbon sources for growth. These two strains of
Paenibacillus glucanolyticus
were sequenced using PacBio and Illumina MiSeq technologies.
Complete Genome Sequences of Five Bluetongue Virus (BTV) Vaccine Strains from a Commercial Live Attenuated Vaccine, a BTV-4 Field Strain from South Africa, and a Reassortant Strain Isolated from Experimentally Vaccinated Cattle
Authors: van den Bergh Carien , Coetzee Peter , Guthrie Alan J. , le Grange Misha , Venter Estelle H.
Published: June 2016

This is a report of the complete genome sequences of plaque-selected isolates of each of the five virus strains included in a South African commercial trivalent bluetongue virus (BTV) attenuated live virus vaccine, a BTV-4 field strain isolated from Rustenburg, South Africa, in 2011, and a bluetongue reassortant (bluetongue virus 4 strain 4/
O. aries
-tc/ZAF/11/OBP-115) isolated from experimentally vaccinated cattle. Full-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analyses show that the bluetongue virus 9 strain 9/
B. taurus
-tc/ZAF/15/Onderstepoort_B02b is a reassortant virus containing segments from both BTV-9 and BTV-8.
Draft Genome Sequence of Fungus
Clonostachys rosea
Strain YKD0085
Authors: Liu Shuai , Chang Yaowen , Hu Xujia , Gong Xuanyun , Di Yingtong , Dong Jinyan , Hao Xiaojiang
Published: June 2016

Here, we report the draft genome sequence of
Clonostachys rosea
(strain YKD0085). The functional annotation of
C. rosea
provides important information related to its ability to produce secondary metabolites. The genome sequence presented here builds the basis for further genome mining.
Draft Genome Sequence of Bacillus simplex DSM 1321 for Setting Up Phylogenomics in Genomic Taxonomy of the
Bacillus
-Like Bacteria
Authors: Liu Guo-hong , Liu Bo , Wang Jie-ping , Che Jian-mei , Chen Qian-qian , Chen Zheng
Published: June 2016

Bacillus simplex
DSM 1321 is a Gram-positive, spore-forming, and aerobic bacterium. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of
B. simplex
DSM 1321, with 6,494,937 bp, which will provide useful information for setting up phylogenomics in genomic taxonomy of the
Bacillus
-like bacteria as well as for the functional gene mining and application of
B. simplex
DSM 1321.
Genome Sequence of Pseudomonas chlororaphis Strain 189
Authors: Town Jennifer , Audy Patrice , Boyetchko Susan M. , Dumonceaux Tim J.
Published: June 2016

Pseudomonas chlororaphis
strain 189 is a potent inhibitor of the growth of the potato pathogen
Phytophthora infestans
. We determined the complete, finished sequence of the 6.8-Mbp genome of this strain, consisting of a single contiguous molecule. Strain 189 is closely related to previously sequenced strains of
P. chlororaphis
.
Draft Genome Sequence for a Clinical Isolate of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecalis
Authors: Erickson Keesha E. , Madinger Nancy E. , Chatterjee Anushree
Published: June 2016

We report here the draft genome sequence of a multidrug-resistant
Enterococcus faecalis
strain, isolated from a patient at the University of Colorado Hospital. The genome assembly is 3,040,186 bp in length with 37.6% GC content. This isolate encodes eleven resistance genes, including those for glycopeptide, aminoglycoside, macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin, and tetracycline resistance.